[Jeff Higgins]

Ahh yes... every now and then us old motorcyclists on old motorcycles get our day in the sun, a little boost to our fragile egos, a fleeting chance to shine (or at least we can convince ourselves we were "shining) and maybe a short lived chance to beam just a wee little bit. All in good fun, no harm done, and just having a great time with the old bike.

I found myself in that situation just yesterday, out riding my old '76 Ironhead Sporty. I was on my very favorite local back road, a five mile stretch of uninterrupted, no driveways, no cross roads twisty 35 mph speed limit section that I've been driving and riding since, well, since I've been driving and riding. I know every inch of it like the back of my hand...

Well, right before crossing the last intersection that marks the beginning of this stretch, I had caught up to a group of three riders mounted on modern "adventure" bikes. Turns out it was two Yamaha Teneres and one of the BMW parallel twins. Much to my surprise, they eased to the right and flagged me by. Of course they had no idea what was behind the headlight that they just allowed to pass... Once I was just ahead of them and headed for the twisties, though, it became pretty obvious what they were looking for. So I gave it to them...

I have not ridden that old girl that hard likely in my entire life. I was on it, and she had the bit in her teeth... For the next five miles that tach needle never dropped below 5,000 rpm, and bounced off the electronic rev limiter at 7,500 more than once. I was using all of the so-called "brakes" available, and folding the foot pegs up against the cases on both sides of this bike, throwing an impressive shower of sparks, I'm sure. Totally irresponsible, hell bent for election, all that poor old girl had to offer. And laughing my ass off the whole way.

And I couldn't believe it - I outdistanced these guys. At least that's what I'm telling myself. More likely they just didn't want to see this idiot die, but I can pretend... Anyway, when we popped out the other end, where the road straightens, they soon caught up. And followed me into the gas station (it has a two gallon tank, so I stop a lot).

They parked their bikes in front of the store as I pulled up to the pump. Removing their helmets, they came walking up just shaking their heads, in utter amazement. It was three 30-somethings, and they had no idea what they were looking at. The single disc on the front and the drum on the back certainly caught their attention... and they kept asking "is that really a Harley? How old???!!!"

I think they just saw this old grampa looking guy and just wanted to be nice to me. They claimed they were honestly trying to keep up. Meh... maybe, if they were inexperienced riders, or unfamiliar with the road, or likely both.

Anyway, what good clean fun. I just had to share. I wound up pushing the bike over to where they had parked and we spent about half an hour b.s.'ing about bikes, riding, and all of that. All three wanted to try to kick start it (none succeeded, but only because it's more feel than brute force). None could believe an "old Harley" could go like that. Lots of cell phone pics, lots of "he's not gonna believe this...", and all of that. Good times... this is a large part of what I enjoy about these hobbies.