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Rocket City Wings
Huntsville, Alabama -- Chapter B, Region A
Friends for Fun, Safety & Knowledge
April 2005
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Chapter B has accomplished so many things. Those accomplishments are by group and individual efforts. The only way I know to best acknowledge all the accomplishments is offer up a sincere Thanks, and promise that I will work a little bit harder each day for the benefit of the Chapter.
We received a very nice introductory letter from Rich and Nancy Follett, to tell us they were moving to Alabama from Ohio. I understand the Follett’s found our web page and Russ’s Biography. During a Thursday night Sonic Burger feast, we were able to say welcome to a couple moving from New York. We had a nice group at Sonic. We all huddled up in coats and ate ice cream and passed hot coffee around, made some new friends and had a great time. It was a fun night and very pleasing to be able to present a full color information brochure to members of the GWRRA family that are new to the area. The brochure has been in the works for some time and thanks to talents and dedication of Kay Leonard and Melissa Jacobs, we are able to put pertinent information into the hands of people who need and appreciate it. Our intention is to offer the brochures to locations where GWRRA members and Prospective GWRRA members might buy motorcycles or motorcycle parts. It also seems logical to offer the brochures to a few Restaurants or Dairy Queens in the area! I managed to ride about 200 miles Friday and drop off brochures at K.C’s Powersports, Country Vittles and Midway Cycles. We plan to distribute what we have printed up and get a feel for the effectiveness before we print large numbers. So let us know if you think of a good location to offer up the brochures, and we will see how they do.
If you have any doubts about spring being here, step outside and have a look around at God's handy-work. Something new is blooming and coming to life everyday now. Everyday on my bike is better than a day IN the office. Friday was one of those wonderful rides. I was able to ride through some parts of Tennessee that I had not seen before and enjoy the company of the group I was with. It is nice to talk to friends, and wonderful to know the CB is silent from time to time because we are enjoying the ride and appreciating the beauty God has shown us.
Fortunately we have maintained an active riding schedule throughout the winter months and enjoyed some nice rides. We are beginning to see many of our projects go from planning to implementation. Relay for Life is about a month a way now. They are getting good publicity on the local radio stations and Chapter B is very involved. We were able to have a very informative meeting with Steve Reynolds from the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation home office. We will be hosting a Pancake breakfast, August 13th to raise money for the Ride for Kids. Before that is all finished we will be working on the details of our Fun Day in October.
Almost forgot about the Parking Lot Practice we had on a very windy Saturday the first weekend of March. That was quite an experience for those of us who attended. We are very fortunate to have Gary Province in our circle of friends. His knowledge and willingness to teach has helped many of us enjoy motorcycle riding to the fullest. We had a very productive Maintenance Day on 12 March, thanks to Mr. Broxson. We had three bikes and two assistant mechanics. The comment most heard was “I really learned a lot”. I am very pleased with the work I did on my bike. My only regret is that I was not able to test ride the next day. I had to wait for almost two weeks to try out my new brakes and new rear shock!
Now we have the District Rally to kick off April in a big way. The weekend after the Rally, we are back to Meridianville for an Experienced Rider Course. Some of us must keep our Level Four current and our minds in the right place too!
It is not too late to give your Gold Wing a good inspection. Pull the T-Clock sheet off the web page and check it over. One neglected maintenance item can take the pleasure out of an afternoon ride. If you don’t remember the last time you changed your fuel filter, it has been too long. Check your tires and your tire pressure; call a friend if you need help with other maintenance items. Enjoy the ride and come see us at Ryan’s on the second Tuesday of April!
Mike and Cindy
April 12, 2005. MEET AT Ryan's. 6 to eat, 7 to meet. Hope to see you there.
The new Alabama B web page is designed and maintained by John Griswold. Take a look at: http://www.rocketcitywings.org there are several new capabilities and useful features.
We are trying to collect some pictures of chapter members, places we have been, bikes, trikes, etc. We want to post them to the web page and be available for all our members to see. If you have any digital pictures, please e-mail them to Mickey Polka at "mcp 326* char ter: net".
Door prizes were won by Jim McElwain, Linda Miller, Susan Neely, Dennis Greer, and Joe Smith. The 50/25/25 winners were Cindy Janes and Roy Case. The membership drawing was won by Don Grundt. The JA award was won by Ellen (you wanted what!!) Grundt.
If you buy 50/25/25 tickets you will receive 1 extra ticket for each if you wear shirt and/or vest with Chapter logo and/or ride your bike to the meeting.
Also Alice has the country store if anyone needs items for vest or hats.
There has been some discussion recently concerning the backgrounds of many of our chapter members. Consequently, the staff agreed to place brief biographies in our newsletter to, hopefully, bring us all closer together. Well, here is my effort.
Originally from Des Moines, normal rural/suburban childhood began riding motorcycles at 16 starting with Honda 90s rented in the days you could. Early on I realized that motorcyclists are the only people who understand why dogs ride with their heads outside car windows. Entered the Army at 19 and did 20 years seeing the world. Have been riding motorcycles off and on for 40 years. Many different makes and sizes, too many to remember them all, but Honda has always been a staple. The only motorcycle I ever fell asleep on was a 1972 500 Four driving across New Mexico. The highway was straight and flat and B_O_R_I_N_G. I must have been living right because nothing bad happened and after about 10 minutes woke up and realized what I had done. Needless to say, I learned to be considerably more attentive to my surroundings after that incident. A lesson I think I carry with me to this day.
Stress Relief is my first Gold Wing but I doubt that it will be my last. I traded in a 1997 Magna 750 in May of 02 for this 1800 because I wanted two things the Magna could not deliver; luxury and more power. I am a big believer in personal comfort and I defy anyone to produce a more comfortable touring bike than the GL 1800, although I welcome all to try. Keep in mind, fewer lawyers and more engineers will result in better motorcycles.
Ride Safe & Ride Often
Paul & Susan
Rocket City Wings
Ride Educators
I was born in Nebraska, in 1946, where I spent the first 18 years of my life in a town with a population of 170. In 1964 after graduating from High School (13 in my class), I enlisted in Uncle Sam’s Navy. In September 1965, I met my best friend, lifelong companion, and the mother of our children in Richmond, VA, and we tied a pretty tight knot in October, 1965. It has loosened up a few times, but we have managed to keep it tied for almost forty years, now, and loving every minute of it.
After six years (and four months) sightseeing with Uncle Sam, we decided enough was enough, and we elected to return to Nebraska, where we resided for the next ten years. In 1981, with promotional opportunities looking bleak, we decided to try Contracting. So, ever since then, we have been moving around from job to job. Typical Contract Trash. We first came to AL in 1987, for work at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant. It was while we were here, that our daughter Sue presented us with the finest son in law a person could ever ask for (Randy). It was also while we were here, that we decided this was where we would call home, and bought our mobile home.
In 1983, while working in Louisiana, we purchased our first motorcycle. A brand new 1981 Honda Silverwing, GL-500. (Our son-in-law has it now, and it still runs fine). After I rode it 75,000 miles, I decided it was time to upgrade. While working in Pennsylvania in 1990, we purchased a used 1986 Honda Goldwing GL-1200I, with 42,000 miles on it. After a few years, we purchased a Bunkhouse camper, and pulled it all over PA, camping every weekend the weather would permit. In 1999 (after riding the 1200 80,000 miles), we decided that pulling the camper and all, required a motorcycle with a reverse, so we went looking for a good used bike. Couldn’t find one we liked for the price we wanted to spend, so we purchased our current GL 1500SE, new (as of March 2005, we have 131,000 on it).
In 1994, we were introduced to GWRRA. We never participated in any GWRRA functions until 2002 (what a waste of opportunities). Since then, we have rode with Chapter AL-I (Decatur, AL), IL-I (Decatur, IL), and AL-B, Huntsville. In 2004, we accepted the challenge of Chapter Ride Coordinators. Coincidentally, that same year, we were honored to be selected as AL-B’s COY. What a great honor that is. (Thank you, Chapter B. We will never forget it.)
That pretty much sums up who we are. After more than 280,000 accident free miles, we enjoy riding probably more than we ever did, and hope to ride many more than that again.
For those that don’t believe life is a learning experience – then read no further! After our first ever tech daze, I wanted to pass along a short report of how it went.
Well let me get the really bad part over with first. After promising Richard Chapman for three months or so that we would change out his fork seals on his GL1500, I find out I don’t have the special tool to remove the top fork caps to release the springs and change out the seals. I feel really bad and my only defense is – Who in the world would have a 17mm hex head attached to a ½ drive holder? So for you owners of late 80’s or early 90’s GL1500’s help me look for this tool. The groups’ first lesson learned – Don’t assume you have all of the tools.
Richard did manage to get his fork seals changed out thanks to Midway Cycles. He took the forks and new seals to them and waited while the mechanic changed them out. This after David and Richard tried their engineering skills to fabricate a tool and my air wrench promptly unscrewed the tool, but not the fork caps. Well at least I know I don’t need a bigger air wrench.
Bill Nelson even brought doughnuts! So, those not in attendance really missed out. Of course Netsybro had already been to the store that morning and bought the group doughnuts and put the coffee pot on the work bench for all to enjoy, so Bill locked his bike trunk and wouldn’t break out the doughnuts. And he wonders how he automatically gets nominated for the JA award at every meeting!
Bill did get his front fork oil changed out and I think the group learned lesson number two – You can inject the new oil using a large syringe, rubber hose and one of the fittings from a MityVac once the shradder valves are removed. (newer GL1500s only!). Lost anyone with all the jargon? Well you should have attended the Tech Daze.
Mike Janes just thought he was going to get to ride on Saturday! His pride and joy had the new Progressive shock absorber installed on the left rear, new brake pads installed front and rear, brakes lines drained using the aforementioned MityVac and the fork oil changed out. Any thoughts Mike had about trading for a GL1800 just went out the window! He says the old mount really rides great now!
Lesson learned here you might ask? Pulling the left saddle bag is no big deal. It takes three guys to install a Progressive Shock on the left rear and one broken screw driver. Ask Mike for the details. We all breathed a sigh of relief when the lower shock bolt finally seated home.
Mike does get honorable mention for the JA award for finding a bolt on my garage floor and proclaiming “That is not from my motorcycle”. He sounded just like Bill Clinton denying having relations with Monica Lewinsky!
Anyway, as two of us remounted the saddle bag we sure enough came up a bolt short. It was the bolt that holds the rubber strap retainer that goes over the top of the OEM tool kit and holds it in position in the bottom of the saddle bag. Thank goodness I had put it on the work bench and we had it at the end of the day.
So what did I, the host of the Tech Daze get done? Well I managed to clean both shop vacuum cleaner filters so they don’t throw a ton of dust in the air every time you turn them on.
We started at 10:00am and finished a bit after 5:00pm. A long, but fruitful day to be sure.
So when are we going to have the next round of the Tech Daze? Don’t know for sure. Certainly we will have more of these from time to time to exchange the technical knowledge that each of us have. It sure beats the hourly labor charge at the local Honda dealer.
The Alabama Rally is upon us so be sure and go out and check your ride before departing home.
Ride Safe
Don & Lynette Broxson
Just Another Member (JAM)
“RELAY FOR LIFE” is an event to raise money for cancer research and help fight cancer, and ALL the money raised in this event stays in North Alabama. Chapter “B” has been an active participant for FIVE years now and has truly enjoyed being a part of this worthwhile cause, did you know our family has several “Survivors”. This years event is right around the corner on 6 May 2005 at Milton Frank Stadium. This year Chapter B is going to give away a handheld GPS and you can buy chances for only $5 apiece.
Alice and I are the Team Captains this year and would like to invite everyone in Chapter B (and friends or other family) to stop by and enjoy the events. Did you know that "THE KING" ELVIS  will be there to entertain you. We are not asking you to come and walk that buttie off or even stay all night, or DRESS UP like someone in the chapter did a couple years ago (R______), but simply stop by and say HI and have a snack or sandwich (no tires to kick here).
"Thanks in advance and really hope to see you all there."
Mike and Alice
Evidently, we are getting old, cause years ago we seemed to have more time. Now it seems to pass more quickly, or is it because we are having too much fun to slow down now. In any case it seems like yesterday instead of 5 months ago that we were asked to be District Directors. We would like to express our THANKS to Ray & Cindy for all the help they have given us with Rally registration and other things. We would have been lost without you two! We also owe a great deal to our Staff for all the work they have put into getting things organized for the Rally, especially Jim & Karen Lee. They have been a lifesaver in Mobile. Thank You ALL!
Thanks to everyone who has pre-registered for the Rally. It’s your support that will make the Rally a success. Without your participation we would not have a reason to have a Rally. We hope you all feel welcome and will want to come back next year for more Fun with Friends and to hopefully gain some additional Knowledge. Hope everyone has a great time at Bay Watch 2005.
This month we visited Chapter J’s Mall Bike Show where there was a great turn out. There were in excess of 75 bikes on display. Lots of door prizes and other activities for everyone. We brought home the long distance award. Congratulations to Chapter J Members and Staff for having a successful event. Keep up the good work.
We also visited Chapter Y Fun Day in Gardendale on March 12. They outdid themselves with decorations and the food was great. It is now a confirmed fact that Elvis is alive, he was there singing for all to see! I even won a gift certificate for Mary Kaye products. I should have a whole new look in Mobile.
We had a number of Members in Daytona for Bike Week. I found out that the Region A Traveling plaque would be up for grabs on March 12 for 30 minutes at Honda Direct Line tent. I called F.T. Sanders, who was down there. F.T. and the other Chapter K Members went and had enough people to capture the plaque. It will be up for grabs on April 9th at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in Tuscumbia, AL. I want to encourage all you CDs to get your Members to make a big effort to keep the plaque in Alabama! We can do it if you get the Members behind you. It’s been in Florida too long. Let’s show them our pride in Alabama GWRRA. The details are on the Region A web site.
We left home on Tuesday morning March 15 heading south to the Florida Rally. We arrived at a relative’s house in the Panhandle about 4 PM Tuesday afternoon. Less than 10 minutes after we arrived there, the rain started. We rode in the rain all day Wednesday and most of the Day Thursday. About 40 miles north of Kissimmee, we caught up with Dewey & Alice Cole. The 4 of us arrived at the host hotel about noon on Thursday. The rain stopped late on Thursday and it turned out to be good weather the rest of the Rally. Sunday morning Randy Mink was sick and so was Faye Sanders. Their trip home was not very pleasant. I caught a bad head cold. Went to Doctor yesterday and got 2 injections and a prescription in hopes of getting rid of this before the Bay Watch Rally. I do feel some better today.
In hopes that you will read this before the Rally, I can now let you know the “Surprise” grand prize we have been working on. I got confirmation yesterday that we will have a 5 day cruise for 2 on the Carnival Cruise Line out of Mobile to give to some lucky person at closing ceremonies. Spread the word. If your people are not registered, they can still register on site and be eligible to win. We will have some great prizes to give away, so you need to be there in order to be in the running. YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN ANY OF THE GRAND PRIZES! We also have some great auction items this year.
Till next time ride safe, hug someone you love and don’t forget to wave.
Bill & Dian
- Unless otherwise indicated, all rides will leave from the ride meeting place at scheduled time.
- As a courtesy to all members, it is important to be ready to leave at the departure time.
- All bikes should be fueled and bladders emptied ahead of time.
- We plan a variety of rides. Time and money might make it hard to make all events. We hope this variety will give you an opportunity to pick and choose.
- If the weather is bad---come in your car.
- If you have a CB, you will find us on Channel 1.
- We will meet at Mullins for our Sunday morning breakfast at 8:30 am, most of the time. However, there are some rides to breakfast at other locations. CHECK THE RIDE SCHEDULE.
- Visit the web page at www.RocketCityWings.org for all the latest information.
C/B Shell is the Shell station (3490 Wall Triana Hwy) next to the Cracker Barrel just off I-565 in Madison.
Fri Apr 1 AL DISTRICT RALLY, MOBILE, AL (Mar 31 - Apr 2)
Sat Apr 2 AL-K meets at Underwood Community Center, Muscle Shoals. 8 am to eat 9 am to meet
Sun Apr 3 Set clocks forward 1 hour for Daylight Savings Time at 2 am
Breakfast at Mullins, 607 Andrew Jackson Way NE, Huntsville, at 8:30 am. Ride TBD.
Tue Apr 5 Supper at Duffy’s Deli, 2324 Whitesburg Drive, Huntsville, at 6 pm
Thu Apr 7 Bike Night at Sonic’s off Hwy 20 on Wall Triana, Madison, at 6 pm
Thu Apr 7 Thu Apr 7 through Sat Apr 9 – LA District Rally - WINGS OVER THE BAYOU
“Mardi Gras Madness Rally” - Lafayette, LA - http://www.ladist.org/ for more info
Fri Apr 8 Breakfast at Country Vittles at 8:30 am, then Ride TBD
Sat Apr 9 ERC – Madison County Airport Range – Meridianville – 8 am to 2 pm
Sun Apr 10 Breakfast at Mountain Breeze restaurant on Brindlee Mountain (231 South, top of mountain, on the right). Depart Lowe’s on S. Pkwy at 8 am. Ride to find Covered Bridges after breakfast.
Mon Apr 11 AL-E Meeting, Fish Creel Restaurant, Hwy 207, Anderson, AL - 6pm to eat, 7pm to meet
Tue Apr12 Monthly Meeting at Ryans, S. Pkwy, Huntsville. 6:00 pm to eat, 7:00 pm to meet
Thu Apr 14 Bike Night at Sonic’s off Hwy 20 on Wall Triana, Madison, at 6 pm
TN-G meets at Ponderosa, Tullahoma. 6 pm to eat, 7 pm to meet
Sat Apr 16 Chapter T Fun Day – Brookwood Elementary School Gym – Depart CB/Shell at 8 am.
Sat Apr 16 3rd Annual Betterliving Hawg House Rally & BBQ, Betterliving Patio Rooms parking lot, 503 S. Jefferson Street, Athens, departing at 10 am on Saturday, April 16th and returning by 1 p.m. for Food, Refreshments, and the raffle drawing. $10 per person for ride, Food, and a raffle ticket.
Sun Apr 17 Breakfast at Shoney’s in Athens. Depart Favorite Market at Old Railroad Bed Rd / Hwy 72, Madison, at 8 am. Ride Natchez Trace South to Tupelo. Dinner somewhere good.
Tue Apr 19 Birthday Dinner at Macaroni Grill, 5901-G University Drive, (Madison Square Mall), Huntsville, at 6 pm
Thu Apr 21 Bike Night at Sonic’s off Hwy 20 on Wall Triana, Madison, at 6 pm
Thu Apr 21 Thu Apr 21 through Sat Apr 23 -- TN District’s Spring Fling, Pigeon Forge, TN
http://www.tngwrra.org/ for more info
Sat Apr 23 AL-I Yard Sale – Advanced Auto Parts, Beltline Highway, Decatur from 7 am to 11 am.
Sun Apr 24 Breakfast at Mullins, 607 Andrew Jackson Way NE, Huntsville, at 8:30 am. Ride TBD
Tue Apr 26 AL-I meets at Tony’s Country Cookin, Hwy 31, Decatur (Just North of the Beltline).
6 pm to eat 7 pm to meet
Thu Apr 28 Bike Night at Sonic’s off Hwy 20 on Wall Triana, Madison, at 6 pm
Fri Apr 29 Staff / Ride Meeting at Paul & Susan “The Saint” Neely’s, at 6 pm. Please RSVP if you are planning to attend.
Sat Apr 30 Breakfast at B&B Crossroads, 29484 Huntsville Brownsferry Rd, Madison, at 8 am, then ride to Rocket Harley Davidson, Madison, for the Bikers against Child Abuse (BACA) Annual Ride. Registration begins at 11 am, 100 mile ride departs promptly at 12 noon. Please consider supporting this great cause.
Sun May 1 Breakfast at Mullins, 607 Andrew Jackson Way NE, Huntsville, at 8:30 am
Ride to Original Cracker Barrel, Lebanon, TN. Depart after breakfast.
Tue May 3 Supper at Sammy's Sports Bar & Steakhouse, 3131 University Drive, Huntsville, at 6 pm
Thu May 5 Bike Night at Sonic’s off Hwy 20 on Wall Triana, Madison, at 6 pm
Thu May 5 Thu May 5 through Sat May 7 -- SC District Rally, “Back to the Beach”, Myrtle Beach, SC http://www.gwrrasc.com/scrally/sc05flyer.pdf for flyer
Thu May 5 May 5-7 - Missouri District Rally, Branson, MO jar ik*f idma il:com
Fri May 6 Relay for Life, Milton Frank Stadium, 7PM to 7AM
Sat May 7 Breakfast at Jackson Family Restaurant, 234 Lime Quarry Rd, Madison, at 8 am then ride to Chapter AL-I Fun Day at Cycles Unlimited, Decatur, from 10 am to 2 pm
Sat May 7 AL-K meets at Underwood Community Center, Muscle Shoals. 8 am to eat 9 am to meet
Sun May 8 Breakfast at Rachaels, Fayetteville, Tn. Depart Cowboys, N Pkwy & Winchester Rd at 8 am, then ride the great roads of South-Central Tn. Dinner/Supper at somewhere good that is convenient about eatin’ time.
Tue May10 Monthly Meeting at Ryans, S. Pkwy, Huntsville. 6:00 pm to eat, 7:00 pm to meet
Remember, this is YOUR chapter and YOUR participation and ideas are what makes it all worth while. So please pass along any ideas you have. It will be appreciated by all, especially me. Also, if 2 or more chapter members (from different households) meet or go somewhere, let me or the Chapter Director know how many folks. Russ Werman, Rid es - 256-777-9467
Apr 7 through Apr 9 – LA District Rally - WINGS OVER THE BAYOU
“Mardi Gras Madness Rally” - Lafayette, LA - http://www.ladist.org/ for more info
Apr 21 through Apr 23 -- TN District’s Spring Fling, Pigeon Forge, TN
http://www.tngwrra.org/ for more info
May 5 through May 7 -- SC District Rally, “Back to the Beach”, Myrtle Beach, SC
http://www.gwrrasc.com/scrally/sc05flyer.pdf for flyer
May 12 through May 14 -- Texas District Rally, “Fabulous 50’s”, Wichita Falls, TX
http://www.texasdist.org/ for more info
May 13 through May 15 – Niehaus Days – Litchfield IL
May 19 through May 21 -- Region N Rally in Maggie Valley, NC
http://www.region-n.org/images/regionnrally05.pdf for flyer
Jun 6 through Jun 11 – Americade, Lake George, NY
Jun 16 through Jun 18 -- Georgia District "Wing Fling" in Hiawassee, GA
http://www.gwrra-ga.com/ for info and flyer.
Jun 17 through Jun 19 -- Lynchburg TN Motorcycle Rally
Jun 22 through Jun 25 -- Honda Hoot, Knoxville, TN
http://www.hondahoot.com/ for info.
Jul 4 through Jul 7 – WING DING – Fort Wayne, IN
http://www.wing-ding.org/ for more info
Jul 28 through Jul 30 – Honda Homecoming, Marysville, OK
http://www.ohio.honda.com/events/homecoming/index.asp for info.
Aug 8 through Aug 14 – 65th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Sturgis, SD
http://www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com/ for more info
Aug 25 through Aug 27 -- Kentucky District’s "Blue Grass Blast" in Paducah, KY
http://www.gwrra-ky.org/index.asp for more info
Sep 8 through Sep 10 – Region A Rally “Wings of Autumn” -- Helen, GA
Sep 22 through Sep 24 -- Wings Over the Smokies, Fletcher, NC
http://www.gwrranc.org/ for more info
Oct 13 through Oct 15 -- Mississippi District Rally in Biloxi
http://www.msgwrra.org/~miss/MsRally.shtml for more info
GWRRA three in one jacket, men's size large $35.00
Honda red & black below waist jackets almost new men's size Medium and Large $75.00
New men's full leather pants size 36 $35.00
New black leather vest women's size 18 $25.00
New black cotton vest women's size large $10.00
New men's blue & white checked wind breaker size medium $10.00
Two full black covers for 2000 California sidecar trike $50.00, one-half cover for trike $20.00
New several matching knit shirts size large and extra large make offer
New Honda knit shirt size XL make offer
Roy & Anita Fosnight 721-9151
2002 Yamaha V-Star Classic 650, Black, 5k miles, $4200 Call Tommy at 230-0971
1999 FXDWG Dyna Wide Glide
Black with Red Striping, 1450 CC, Harley Leather Saddle Bags, Harley Detachable Windshield, Touring Seat (Original Seat will be Included Also), Garage Kept, Lots of Extra Chrome (Swing Arm, Forks, Belt Cover, etc.), 18,000 miles, $14,000, 256-318-3860
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