Rubber City Marauders Akron Motorcycle Club










NEWS AND OTHER STUFF FROM THE MEANEST BIKER THUGS IN NORTHEAST OHIO


Wednesday, August 31, 2005
	Great web site for reference Just discovered a great web site to find out what rides and bike events are going on in Ohio. http://www.lets-ride.com/event/ohio.htm. I will be placing the link in the panel on the left. Cheers, Chris Posted by C.L. Smith @ 7:34 PM email post 0 comments





Thursday, August 18, 2005
	Quaker Steak Bike Night unbelievable Not having been to Sturgis or Daytona Bike Week (yet), I was floored at seeing this many motorcycles of so many breeds in one place! Our first outing to the Valley View Quaker Steak and Lube's "Bike Night" made my week. Stephannie and I (followed by my not-riding-yet wife Lori) rode/drove up to the venue to meet with Adrienna and Aaron. As we wound our way through the valley, we began joining up with, and picking up, more bikes until there was quite a pack moving on the road. Pulling in to QS, one could of course not help but notice the sea of people and dozens of bikes parked in neat little rows. All leaning on their stands like a group of iron synchronized swimmers. We joined the line of bikes to get in. As we rounded the corner of the building, what our eyes beheld was a even more impressive. A football field sized parking lot filled with thousands more motorcycles. Again, neatly parked in row formation. I was in awe! But how could we ever find the afore mentioned A&A? Trolling through the crowd of tattoos, Joe Rocket jackets, and inflated breasts, Stephannie, Lori, and I eyed the host eatery with some distress. Every inch was teaming with leather-clad humanity all hoping to obtain the coveted deep-fried chicken parts that is the jewel in the Quaker Steak crown. Hoping for a decline in the poultry bacchanalia, our attentioned was turned toward the "center ring" as local biker celebrities and adrenalin junkies, The Star Boyz, showed us close up what many of us have only seen in a momentary flash on Route 8 as they continue their search for the guy with the long black cloak and sythe. Or as his friends call him, Death. Ok. Back to the real stars of the show. The bikes that everyone brought in. Factory hogs to custom choppers. This was a great example of the artistry and history that is the motorcycle. My fave was certainly the 1943 World War Two Harley, decked out in all the goodies that helped take the war to Hitler on two wheels. Yeah, I have seen those German sidecar bikes in all the WWII movies. Whatever! Eat our dust mustache boy! As we wandered around, we noticed that most of the "in crowd" had parked their behinds on the grassy slope (not grassy knoll... however, the guy next to me did look like Oswald) overlooking the stream of bikes entering the parking lot. And low and behold, the secret chicken portal appeared in the back of QS where you could walk up, order your deep fried delights, sit down and watch the never ening entrance and egress of our fellow bikers and their steeds. That was just what we did. We wrapped up our feeding frenzy (ok, my eating habits were frenzied... Lori and Stephannie where nothing but lady-like, and there is no proof that I am afraid to say otherwise). As the last napkin bit the dust, we spotted Adrienna and Aaron dismounting and heading toward us. It is only fair to say that we can't really take credit for seeing them until Adrienna took off her helmet. We spotted her red locks glowing as if someone had thrown a road flair into the sea of petrol ponys. After another tour of the rows of bikes, and finally spotting my much desired 2006 HD Dyna Street Bob (the preferred color is matte black for those of you doing your Christmas shopping for me early this year), we headed out into the cool night for a serene ride back to the barn. For those who didn't get there this week, it is EVERY Wednesday night. However, Aaron declared that this seemed to be a bigger night than most. I am sure we will make another trip in September! Ride safe, Chris Posted by C.L. Smith @ 3:07 PM email post 0 comments





Friday, August 12, 2005
	Can I still be in the WH Marauders? Even though I am leaving WHM to go to bigger and better things (dont be jealous) I still want to be part of the marauders. Next spring I will be ready to ride, or at least sit on my bike! Stephannie, pretty soon there will be as many women riders as are men!!! James and I will strap Ava on to the back of one of our bikes and meet you for breakfast, she probably will love hot wings since we both do, we can bring her to bike night too :) Just kidding, thats what grandmas are for right?? So, dont forget about me when I am gone!! I will be ready to ride in no time! Posted by Marla @ 9:14 AM email post 2 comments



	Bike Night at Quaker Steak Come one, come all. A number of us will be heading up to Bike Night at Quaker Steak and Lub in Valley View this Wednesday, August 17th. Bike Night features cheap food and roughly around 5000 motorcycles. Here is the info for this week from the QSL web site: Sign up to compete in our Miss Thunder Contest. Are you the hottest biker babe out there? Sign up and find out. Then enjoy a performance from the Star Boyz. Visit us Every Wednesday starting at 4PM for our weekly Bike Nites. Register for your chance to win $1,000,000 and 4 motorcycles to be given away throughout the year. Anyone planning to ride up from Akron should email me. We will meet in the Akron valley at the McDonalds on River Road. Meeting at Quaker Steak between 6:30 and 7. Ride safe! Chris Posted by C.L. Smith @ 8:22 AM email post 0 comments





Tuesday, August 09, 2005
	Trying not to be a, ya know... "B" word This weekend was my first lesson on the new bike. It went OK. There were no tears -- which is good -- but it was hot, so there was lots of sweat. I expected that. What I didn't expect was to find my shins covered in bruises. See, Aaron had me walking the bike, and every time I stepped, my shins hit the pegs. Over and over, resulting in some lovely bruises. I would not say that I'm a natural by any sense of the word, but at least I didn't cry or fall over (yet). Aaron's taking my bike to work tomorrow, so that he can mess around with it there. He got a nice fresh tank of gas in it tonight. Perhaps I will be riding soon and won't be the "bitch" anymore! Posted by Adrienna @ 9:05 PM email post 1 comments





Monday, August 08, 2005
	Next Biker Breakfast The next Sunday Biker Breakfast for the Marauders will be on August 21st, 9:30 am. The usual place for breakfast (Liberty Grill). Also, let's plan out a ride for the rest of the morning. Possibly up into amish country. Suggestions are welcome. Remember, ya don't gotta have a hog to come and eat the bacon! Posted by C.L. Smith @ 4:48 PM email post 0 comments





Sunday, August 07, 2005
	Another Beautiful Ride As our Sunday's normally do, we started with a great "healthy" breakfast supplied by non other than the Liberty Grille at Liberty Harley Davidson in Akron. Jeff and I were joined today by Chris, Aaron, and Adrienna (looking as always very thrilled to be out of bed before noon on a Sunday). Our travels today took us down through the valley and up to 303 where headed up to Liberty H-D in Boston Heights. We normally don't take this pit stop, however the Dyno Drag Challenge was there. The Dyno Drag is a portable drag racing simulator. Any one with the mind to can pay $20 for three attempts to have the quickest and fastest drag run. As I said before, this is a simulator. Your bike is strapped to the deck, if you will, and once the green light is lit you "take off" trying to accelerate to the fastest speed you can in the quickest time. None of us were manly enough to try this having watch someone with a custom sportster with 100 horse speed reach a speed of 142 mph in a little over 9 seconds. I think the magna could be a contender....not! For another change of pace, we ended our journey today at the Dug Out in Brecksville. It is a little "hole in the wall" establishment where you will very often see several bikes parked outside. They even have designated motorcycle parking. Now, that is what I call a biker bar! Jeff will be taking the Duece down to Chillocothe to have some custom parts mounted next weekend. New footpegs, handgrips, risers, mirrors, and extended forward controls most of which have a diamond shape. Hopefully the risers, and forward controls will not only make it look good but also a little more comfortable to ride. Ride on, ride safe....... Posted by Stephannie @ 6:06 PM email post 1 comments





Saturday, August 06, 2005
	The CB struggle continues As predicted, I got the CB450 on the road this weekend. And... pushed it all the way back home. Seems I may have made an error in this purchase (doesn't often happen). Time will tell. There is an awful lot of white smoke coming from one of the pipes and she just won't stay running. Loss of power occurs on the road which I HOPE is dirty injectors. In addition, there is tranny fluid dripping out of the shifter spline. There may be hope. It looks as if there plugs are new and shiny. The issue may just be a dirty carb and/or bad gas (I've had bad gas and I can tell you...it's a problem for everyone). If it is a good cleaning, and new gas, I will count myself lucky. The tranny leak is obviously a seal. Question is, are we talking an easy access seal. Or is there a fatal problem all together. Lastly, the handlebars seem to be a minute or two out of alignment with the front wheel in a clockwise direction. I am going to loosen the top fork bar and see if it will come back to center. The saga continutes... Posted by C.L. Smith @ 1:15 PM email post 0 comments





Thursday, August 04, 2005
	Success...of sorts The Honda CB450 has officially moved under its own power! After installing the salvage speedo and tach, putting the new battery in place, and filling her with some fresh petrol, the lights were tested and Lori cranked her over. After some coaxing, and a little fiddling with the choke (which in not quite as sophisticated as what we have today), things sort of smoothed out. However... and of course there had to be an "however"... there seems to be a lot of smoke. This may be due to the fact that it has not run in so long (please don't let it be the rings). Keeping it running was also a challenge. The battery is going to need a good solid charge as I ran it down tonight. With that in mind. Let's not have any romantic illusions about kick-starting. I tried that. The bike fell over on me. Fortunately, I can officially say that it is not as heavy as my Shadow. Once things ran a bit smoother, I hopped on and out the driveway I went. Boy, can we say power. This is relative as it is only a 450, BUT, on a 250 lb machine. You do the thrust-to-weight ratio math. Of course, it was an impulsive drive in my shorts and sandals. With the bohemian footwear, shifting the four speeds was not done any justice. Steering and breaking was very good. A different drive than my low-saddled 750. I felt as if I was sitting waaaay up there and leaned over a bit. Now I know what you crotchers feel like. All in all, it looks hopeful. The horn does not work and the break light only comes on when you step on the rear break (that may be how it is supposed to be). She just may need to get out and have a run. A tune up is in order I think though I don't think I would handle that on my own. Crooked River may get a chance to work on something older than usual. Posted by C.L. Smith @ 9:25 PM email post 0 comments





Wednesday, August 03, 2005
	Harley-Davidson presents six new models for 2006 MILWAUKEE, Wis. (July 23, 2005) - Six new models and a host of styling and engineering updates highlight a diverse line of American V-Twin motorcycles from Harley-Davidson for 2006. Leading the way is the Dyna family of performance custom motorcycles, which has been completely re-engineered for 2006 and incorporates a new 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission and two new models: the minimalist FXDBI Street Bob and a limited-production FXDI 35th Anniversary Super Glide. New models also join the Softail, Touring and VRSC product families. "It's especially appropriate that the debut of a retooled FXD Dyna line coincides with the 35th anniversary of the FX Super Glide, the motorcycle that sparked the concept of a factory custom motorcycle and evolved to the FXD," said Bill Davidson, Harley-Davidson Director of Motorcycle Product Development. The 2006 motorcycles from Harley-Davidson represent generations of personal enthusiasm for riding with, and learning from, the most demanding customers on the road. Harley-Davidson believes a great motorcycle must function well as a machine and make an emotional statement. Each new Harley-Davidson motorcycle reflects a passion that has burned undiminished for more than a century. Highlights of the 2006 Harley-Davidson line include: The Dyna family is re-engineered and features new frame geometry, new 49mm forks, and the new 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission. The limited-edition FXDI 35th Anniversary Super Glide commemorates the introduction of the original factory custom, the 1971 FX Super Glide. The new FXDBI Street Bob offers minimalist styling reminiscent of the early days of home-built customs. The Softail line features the reintroduction of the charismatic FLST/I Heritage Softail and the Bobtail goes wide with the debut of a wide, 200mm rear tire on the FXST/I Softail Standard, FXSTB/I Softail Night Train and FXSTS/I Springer Softail. The Touring family includes the new FLHX/I Street Glide, an "undressed" dresser that's sure to cause a stir. The new Advanced Audio System by Harman/Kardon (available on all radio-equipped motorcycles) is an integrated advanced audio system that sets a new standard for the motorcycle industry. The liquid-cooled revolution continues for 2006 with the introduction of two new models to the VRSC family, the agile VRSCR Street Rod roadster and the menacing VRSCD Night Rod. All six models in the XL Sportster family offer a new, smoother-shifting transmission and significantly reduced clutch effort for 2006. Harley-Davidson will offer eight new paint colors and two-tone combinations for 2006. Harley-Davidson Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) has created the new FLHTCUSE Screamin' Eagle Ultra Classic Electra Glide for 2006. Powered by the Screamin' Eagle 103 Stroker Twin Cam engine and featuring an exclusive paint scheme, the new Harman/Kardon Advanced Audio System, and a host of custom accessories, the new Screamin' Eagle Ultra brings a new level of performance and style to the touring scene. The VRSCSE2 Screamin' Eagle V-Rod, FLSTFSE2 Screamin' Eagle Fat Boy and the VRXSE Screamin' Eagle Destroyer professional-level drag-racing motorcycle round out the CVO line for 2006. Posted by C.L. Smith @ 10:23 PM email post 0 comments





Tuesday, August 02, 2005
	Walk the Walk Rider Report - Stayin' Safe You've got to walk before you can run. How many times have we each uttered that banality? It's true, of course, in the strictest sense. Somewhere in the Lewis family attic there's probably some dusty Super 8 footage of baby Carl taking his first wobbly steps, 20 years before the Olympic legend claimed his first of nine gold medals, but strict interpretations rarely make the best plot lines. Read the rest of the artical Posted by C.L. Smith @ 7:54 PM email post 0 comments



	Biker Breakfast for Sunday, August 7th Weather permitting, this week's Biker Breakfast and Ride will be at the usual. Liberty HD South at 9:30 am followed by saddle time till around noon. All are welcome and please feel free to bring friends. If you don't have a bike yet, come anyway for the food! Posted by C.L. Smith @ 1:14 PM email post 0 comments



	CB450 added to the fold All went well as Lori and I traveled to Ann Arbor, MI to retrieve her ebay-purchased 1971 Honda CB450 last week. The fellow we bought it from (an Aussie) collects and restores this type of vintage bike. He has a garage full of them! Once we loaded it up in the truck, it was off to downtown Ann Arbor for some dinner. And low and behold, there was a bike show downtown! Perfect!! After the three and a half hour trip home, we struggled (and I mean struggled) to get the bike off the truck and into the garage. Cleanup is going well (as you can see by Lori's efforts in the pic). The finishing parts are on order (speedometer, luggage rack)) along with a service manual. Thanks to Aaron, the gas cap now has the latch refitted. With the battery coming in special order on Wednesday, I expect to have it on the road this weekend. Posted by C.L. Smith @ 12:13 AM email post 0 comments