Director`s Ramblings

Volume 156
November
December
2009
Inside this
issue:
Now Hear This
Sponsored by
Mobile Bay Harley-Davidson
2
Director’s Ramblings
Safety Officer wants 3
YOU to Know...
Around the Shop
4
Road Captains List
Officers List
6
7
Meeting Minutes
8,9
Toys for TOTS
10
H.O.G. Memories
11
Membership News
12
Editor Rant
14
WebMaster’s Blog
Thanksgiving Sale
Coupon
15
Jokes
16
Special for
Military Personnel
18
Upcoming Event
Spot Light
∗ Angel Ride
∗ Toys for Tots
∗ H.O.G. Christmas Party
∗ After Thanksgiving Sale
∗ Ezells New Years Day
Ride
Well.........Hog Wars V is in the books, thanks to all
the volunteers, Chuck, Howard, Ed, Charlie, Steve
and the ESHD Staff for their hard work making it the
best one yet. Y'all got to fear the THUMB! Open
House, Blood Drive, Demo Ride, Freedom Rally, Pigskin Ride, Faunsdale, Thunder Beach, Old Farts,
Blow Fly, River Shack ...what did I miss?
Director
Tracy Cook
It saddens me to say goodbye to Buell and
MV Agusta brands as of 10-15-09.
We have got some really good rides\events coming up in November and December....I'm leading a ride to the NWF Chapter
meeting on 11-14 and then on to Wynn Creek Casino with at
least three chapters......could be four. Check the calendar for
details on this one and all the others.
Angel Ride, Toys for Tots, Gamblers Paradise, Christmas
Party...new venue...live music, cool weather, leather, north
wind, Ride off the Stuffing, new password, patch design contest, annual membership renewal, G'dawg got the Hook, stay
warm Danny, Sheryl Crow.....Oh No! Two hours...Oh No!
I hope all of you have enjoyed being a part of 0040 this
past year. We have one supper group of officers and members devoted to the simple plan of riding and having fun
and if you think what you saw in 09 was good..buckle up,
strap in and hold tight cause the bar has been raised and I
know that 2010 will be one for the record books.
Lastly....don't forget to stick out that hand to a fellow
member
and
traffic....ride
safe
till
next
time....PPPHWSAATCJLD!
Tracy
Page 2
H.O.G. CALLER
Reprinted article in American Rider Magazine
NOW HEAR THIS
A three year, $250,000 project to come up with a standard sound-level check
procedure has culminated in what the Motorcycle Industry Council calls “a simple,
quick, economical and science-based tool for accurately indentifying motorcycles with
excessively loud exhaust systems”. Developed by the MIC in partnership with SAE International, SAE document J2825, “Measurement of Exhaust Sound Pressure Levels of
Stationary On-Highway Motorcycles,” outlines a practical, consistent roadside sound
test.
Three years ago the MIC started the project by testing a representative sample of
25 motorcycles and more than 50 aftermarket exhaust systems.
Collaborating with the MIC, the SAE Motorcycle Technical Steering Committee
validated the scope of the project and co-wrote the final standard. “The new SAE standard provides a much-needed alternative to outright bans, restrictions and sound-test
standards that vary state to state, city to city, frustrating riders, exhaust-system manufacturers, and municipal governments alike,” said MIC President Tim Buche. “With
J2825, we can now have uniform standards and testing that’s easy to administer.”
Similar to J1287, used on off-highway bikes and ATVs since the 1980s, the J2825
roadside test is conducted by holding a sound meter 20 inches behind the exhaust outlet, at the same height, and 45 degrees from the motorcycles line of travel. The procedure includes two tests: an idle test and a set rpm test. The idle test is the easiest to
administer and can be used to screen various mufflers. But the set rpm test is the
most effective in identifying excessively loud exhaust systems.
The SAE recommends that the following lowest numerical limits be adopted: 92
dba at idle for all motorcycles; 96 dba for motorcycles with fewer than three cylinders
or more than four cylinders at 2000 rpm (or 75 percent of maximum engine speed,
whichever is less). Also, 2 dba should be added to these sound limits for motorcycles
exhaust systems that are clearly labeled as meeting the EPA sound limits and have not
been obviously modified or tampered with.
The trick now is to get all the states to adopt these standards, and fund the
equipment necessary to implement them.
Editors note: Article submitted by Dan Lowry via e-mail. If you see an article you
think would be of interest to all, please submit it to [email protected]
Remember this Standard J2825, it just might save you a costly ticket if you get
fined for loud exhaust and the testing was not conducted to this standard. The
same situation existed for loud boat exhaust until the Alabama Marine Police
adopted a similar standard and purchased the equipment in 2005. Their citations
didn’t hold up in court. They also received formal training on how to use the properly calibrated equipment from your truly.
Volume 156
Page 3
Listen UP! Safety Officer wants YOU to Know ...
During the up-coming Holiday season, I thought maybe we
should go back over “proper” riding positions.
Safety Officer
Howard “Darth Vader” Hall
Page 4
H.O.G. CALLER
Around the Shop– Mobile Bay Harley-Davidson
Wow! It’s the holiday time already! In between carving your turkey and trimming your tree, hopefully
you’ll find time to stop by the shop. And if you need a reason (not like you ever need a reason to hang
out at the shop), well, how about our After Thanksgiving Sale on November 27 & 28? Please see the attached flyer for sale items. If you miss that sale, not to worry, we’ll have our Happy Harley-Days calendar again this year. You can pick up a copy at either dealership. There will be something different on
sale every day in December up until Christmas Eve.
Saturday, December 12th is the Toys for Tots ride. The ride will leave from the Marine Corps. Reserve
Center at 10 a.m. and go to Hooters of Tillman’s Corner. Registration is one new, unwrapped toy or $10
per person. Come on out and have a good time for a good cause!
Don’t forget the HOG Cruise is on April 29, 2010! There are currently 26 rooms blocked off, and there
are plenty more available. If you’re interested, stop by MBH-D to sign up for the best time to be had
while not on a motorcycle.
I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season. If everything gets too hectic, just stop and take a
minute to remember what life’s really all about—riding. Then ride on over to the shop, have a cup of coffee, and tell us how you really feel about your in-laws. Our lips are sealed. Happy Thanksgiving, Merry
Christmas, and Happy New Year from Mobile Bay Harley-Davidson & Eastern Shore Harley-Davidson.
See you at the shop! Maile
Volume 156
Page 5
Page 6
H.O.G. CALLER
Our Sponsors
Road Captains List- Head Road Captain George Heubach
G-Dog is on the HUNT!
He wants to know;
Can you handle it?
Do you have what it takes?
First Name Last Name E-mail
Phone
Chuck
Brevik
[email protected]
251-510-0136
Eddie
Burrow
[email protected]
251-649-3430
Ellen
Cook
[email protected]
251-656-2876
Lawson
Hill
[email protected]
251-510-3260
George
Heubach
[email protected]
251-591-8842
Mike
Kosek
Dan
Lowry
[email protected] 251-621-5599
251-937-6533
[email protected]
Billy
Miles
[email protected]
334-654-0846
Pam
Ross
[email protected]
251-767-1548
You get to meet everybody.
Chris
Ross
[email protected]
251-554-4050
Charles
Santora
[email protected]
251-377-2096
Archie
Thompson [email protected] 251-379-0089
We’ll have you up to speed in
no time with our new
“Mentor R. C. Program”
Ride SAFE and Have FUN!
Tracy
Jim
Bill
Doug
Ronnie
Cook
Sherota
Gibson
Wilson
Gardner
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
251-581-0937
251-209-1718
251-753-9781
251-802-1555
251-554-6020
Wanna be a part of
“Road Captains Gone Wild”?
If you are interested, just ask
any Road Captain or call me.
The Road Captains are the
heart of our club. It is a fun
and rewarding experience.
Contact
George Heubach
Head Road Captain
Volume 156
Page 7
2009 Chapter Officers
Director
Tracy Cook
[email protected]
251-581-0937
Safety Officer
Howard (T.K.) Hall
[email protected]
251-721-4093
Web Master
George Heubach
[email protected]
251-591-8842
Assistant Director
Mike Kosek
[email protected]
251-621-5599
Activities Director
Rainne Smith
[email protected]
251-402-6964
Newsletter Editor
Lawson Hill
[email protected]
251-510-3260
Recording Secretary
Pam Ross
[email protected]
251-767-1548
Chaplain
Dean Rick
[email protected]
251-644-9808
Membership Secretary
Ellen Cook
[email protected]
251-656-2876
LOH Officer
Teresa Skipper
[email protected]
251-721-4092
Treasurer
Ed Burrow
[email protected]
Photographer
Joyce Heubach
[email protected]
251-591-8842
Head Road Captain
George Heubach
[email protected]
251-591-8842
Historian
Paul Douglas
[email protected]
251-583-2442
Utilize, Support and Know YOUR Chapter Officers
All Local H.O.G. Chapters world-wide
are about the members, the riding experience and the camaraderie gained from it.
You are encouraged to get to know
the officers of the chapter. They
serve the chapter as a means of
leadership. Knowledge is gained
from their experience and fueled by
the member’s enthusiasm.
We ask you for your support in
many ways.
First, give us feedback. Let us know
what you would like to see or do
with regard to the chapter.
Second, send us via e-mail or call us
with information you find that may
be of common interest to most
members.
And finally, utilize the officers to
make this YOUR chapter. They can
speak from experience and provide
most anyone some input.
One thing about
them …. They
are not afraid to
talk!
So make them!
Page 8
H.O.G. CALLER
September 2009 Meeting Minutes
HOG meeting September 19, 2009
Recorded Minutes
Our Director, Tracy Cook, opened our meeting at Mobile Bay Harley Davidson with our
pledge led by Donnie Dyess.
Motorclothes opened our meeting with some Hot New Jackets that lite up in the dark for
men and women! Only thing missing was the music! Keith from Parts showed us an n
MP3 player for our bikes that was on sale for $79.95 that day.
Recording Secretary
Tom, one of our dealers, presented Tracy with a new flag that he received from HOG.
Pam Ross
Safety Officer-TK, spoke to us about high traffic areas when riding so we need to pick
and roll with traffic. He also cornered some members for volunteers at HOG Wars V.
Mike Kosek-Assistant Director told us about Chapter merchandise that is for sale in our dealerships as well
as meeting days and introduced our New HOG bag that sells for $33.
Lawson Hill – Editor, asked for submissions for our newsletter and any articles of interest.
Treasurer, Eddie Burrow gave us our balance of $5800.00
Ellen introduced Lisa Harkey to talk about our Bacon in the Sun Cruise coming up April 29, 2010 – May 3rd,
2010.
Maile spoke about MB and ES OPEN House and Blood Drives coming up in September and October.
George –Webmaster & Head Road Captain talked about all the rides coming up and our website: MobileHog.com name: hog password: heaven will be changing in the New Year 2010.
Membership officer, Ellen Cook, All memberships will be prorated and all come due January 1st.
Paul Douglas, Historian, working our 25th Chapter Anniversary which will be March 20, 2010. Anybody that
has some suggestions please contact him with your ideas.
Chuck, spoke about HOG Wars October 10th, 2010 and our State HOG Rally May 13 – 15, 2010 – Dothan,
Montgomery & Mobile. 3 cities – You don’t want to miss this!
We had 5 new members: Dan Harrison. Carroll Bennett, Carlin J., Darrell Ikner and Don Reynolds. I apologize
if I got your names wrong and misspelled. I didn’t get to see you after the meeting. Welcome and hope to
see you on some rides!
Joyce Heubach-Photographer, spoke about her experience with the Riders Edge Coarse! She passed and
loved it even though the ambulance had to come out she was determined to finish her test!! We are so proud
of her! Get her to show you how to do a wheelie!!!!
Tracy Cook-Director, recognized our Road Captains with a 5%’er Patch for all they do.
50/50 Ellen won a shirt from MB, Chris Hamburger won a shirt from ES, Mike Kosek won a MB shirt,
Billy won a travel mug, Bill Gibson won a pin and ES shirt, HD belt buckle was won by Becky Flowers, Dan
Graffin won a shirt and Chris Hamburger won the 50/50 $163
It was a great meeting with laugher and fun and followed by MB OPEN HOUSE and Blood Drive.
Volume 156
Page 9
October 2009 Meeting Minutes
HOG meeting October 17, 2009
Recorded Minutes
We opened our meeting with our pledge of allegiance led by Mike Brossard.
Robby T talked about Demo rides for after the meeting during the Open House. Delane told us about the
new holiday merchandise that is in but too much to bring up to the meeting. Taylor talked about windshields.
Mike Kosek-Assistant Director told us about Chapter merchandise that is for sale in our dealerships as well
as meeting days.
Paul Douglas, Historian, working our 25th Chapter Anniversary which will be March 20, 2010. There is a
contest for members to design the Anniversary Patch to be submitted to any officer on website or email before
our next meeting in November. So sharpen those pencils and let your imagination flow!!
Dean Rick – Chaplain, asked for our prayers for fellow members that have surgery coming up- Dan Gomez.
And celebrate Mike Brossard cancer free on his last check up. Also remember a biker from the Baldwin County
CMA chapter that lost control of bike and has kidney & liver damage.
Tom – Dealer, says we have 26 cabins booked for our 3rd Annual Bacon in the Sun Cruise April 26 – May 3,
2010 NOT too late to sign up $50 deposit per person So come on and sign up with us!! We have a load of
fun!!
Also, Tom announced that officer will remain for another year since we have the State Rally next year. No
elections this year.
He also said that the Chili Cook-off will be Feb 27, 2010 with 135 teams and Mike Kosek will be our chef again
with his specialty: Chocolate Based Chili!! YUM YUM!!
. Chuck Brevik – State Rally Co-Coordinator congratulated Tracy for our Chapter winning HOG Wars for
the 5th straight year!!
He introduced the 2010 State Rally Committee: Nina Hunt-Secretary, Dave Rogers (Dothan) Site CoCoordinator, Toby & Lynn Phillips (Dothan) games that were also in attendance.
Safety Officer-TK spoke of leathers in the cold. And to take our time when riding on old road. Asphalt gets
slippery in cold and cracks expand.
George –Webmaster & Head Road Captain talked about all the rides coming up and our website: MobileHog.com name: hog password: heaven will be changing in the New Year 2010. Also, it has been decided
by the road captains that when riding in a group, if someone pulls out of the group and leaves an open spot
then you wait until we stop then move forward or unless the rider in front motions you buy safely.
Membership officer, Ellen Cook, All memberships will be prorated and all come due January 1st.
have early renewal next month.
So we will
LOH Officer, Teresa Skipper, talked about the Ladies of Harley doing something special for a needy family
and Zumba class coming up for October meeting.
NEW MEMBERS: George Poulos, Allen & Jennifer Andrews, Paula Goff and Sam.
50/50 was won by George Ragazzo $181. He won something else too but I forgot to write it down on
the same ticket. I also won a Shirt from MB and I got excited and forgot to write the others down!
It was a good meeting but cold OPEN HOUSE! But we still made it fun for everyone!
Page 10
H.O.G. CALLER
H.O.G. Memories
Join us! Get involved! You will be glad you did!
Page 12
H.O.G. CALLER
Membership Secretary News
It’s almost that time. Time for our membership renewals to go annual. They’ve always been annual you
might say so what’s different. We are stepping up and getting everyone on the same page and their renewals
on the same date. Local memberships will now run January 1-December 31 unless you’ve recently purchased
a Harley from the dealer. In that case, you still get the full year’s free membership but you will be prorated at
the end of your year. We also must have a current application/release on file for each calendar year, so some
of you who are due NOW may have to file out two forms. I’ll try to keep it as painless as possible, but give the
girl a break. Hopefully, I’ll keep the headaches to a minimum.
In case you did not know, you MUST be a National H.O.G. member in order to be a local Chapter member.
Our dealers give a year’s free full membership to H.O.G and a free local membership to anyone purchasing a
new or used Harley-Davidson® motorcycle. It is up to the individual to bring their certificate for membership
to a meeting and fill out the required application/release form. After the initial year, the renewal process is up
to you.
What is the cost? National H.O.G. membership is $45.00 for one year. An associate membership is available for a spouse or significant other for $25.00 per year. Each member, full or associate, will receive their
own membership number from National H.O.G. along with a package of information, pins and patches. Please
provide our local chapter with your National membership number at the time that you enroll, or if you are a
new National member, as soon as you receive your number from National. Local chapter dues are $15.00 per
year. You will be issued a membership card for the chapter that has your expiration date on it. You will be
asked to present this card at meetings and at chapter events.
Other benefits of an associate membership: Another benefit of an associate membership is when you register for a State H.O.G rally you are able to register as a member and NOT as a guest of your man. The cost
of rally registration is the same but you get the t-shirt and pin that comes with registration. If you are only a
guest, you have to pay for the shirt and pin. With that said, we have the state rally coming to Mobile again.
Be sure and join H.O.G. now to take advantage of member registration
I’d like to see our membership grow by getting ALL our women…riders and non-riders alike…to become members. So if your lady likes to be a part of a GREAT group of people and likes riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle, I’d like to encourage you to go to www.hog.com or call 1-800-CLUB-HOG, become her sponsor and add
her as an associate membership then sign her up as a local member. She can also become a member of Ladies of Harley (LOH). This is free but is not automatic with membership. She does not have to own a motorcycle or ride one herself, but I’m sure there is a friendly salesperson at Mobile Bay or Eastern Shore Harley
Davidson that can remedy that.
Many of the new members come and get their free membership and we never see them again. I try to meet
and remember each new member that I come in contact with although I may have to ask your name a time or
two. It’s also the new members part to get involved whether you go on some of the group rides or help at
some of the dealer events or attend the state rally or just asking what you can do to help out at a meeting.
We always need help checking member cards at the door or selling 50/50 tickets or selling merchandise. Do
your part to help make this a better H.O.G. chapter by being a part of it. The best way to meet some of your
fellow members is to get involved. The more you meet…the more names you remember and then, hey, you’ve got this great big family of Harley riders. We’d
like your input. If there’s something specific that you’d like to see done or something that you’re willing to help do, let us know. Talk to your officers. That’s
what we’re here for. I’ve been an active member of the chapter for almost four
years since moving to Mobile and love being a part of the chapter and hope that
many of you are still a part of my extended family for many years.
Until next time, ride safe
Ellen
Page 13
H.O.G. CALLER
Memberships Expiring
This IS the Memberships
coming due section!
And NOW ... this page is a
thing of the past!
Remember, EVERYONE will
renew in January.
1. Your houseplants are alive and you can’t smoke any of them.
2. Having sex in a twin bed is out of the question.
3. You keep more food than beer in the fridge.
4. 6:00 am is when you get up, not when you go to bed.
5. You hear your favorite song in an elevator.
6. You watch the Weather Channel.
7. Your friends marry and divorce instead of “hook up” and “break up”.
8. You go from 130 days of vacation time to 14.
9. Jeans and a sweater no longer qualify as “dressed up”.
10. You’re the one calling the police because those %&@# kids next door won’t turn down the stereo.
11. Older relatives feel comfortable telling sex jokes around you.
12. You don’t know what time Taco Bell closes.
13. You car insurance goes down and your car payment goes up.
14. You feed your dog Science Diet instead of McDonalds leftovers.
15. Sleeping on the couch makes your back hurt.
16. You take naps.
17. Dinner and a movie is the whole date instead of just the beginning of one.
18. Eating a basket of chicken wings at 3 am would severely upset, rather than settle, your stomach.
19. You go to the drug store for ibuprofen and antacid, not condoms and pregnancy tests.
20. A $4 bottle of wine is no longer “pretty good stuff”.
21. You actually eat breakfast food at breakfast.
22. “I just can’t drink the way I use to” replaces “I’m never going to drink that much again”.
23. 90% of the time you spend in front of a computer is for real work.
24. You drink at home to save money before going to a bar.
25. When you find out your friend is pregnant, you congratulate them instead of asking “what the heck happened?”
Bonus: You read this entire list looking desperately for one sign that doesn’t apply to you and can’t
find one to save your sorry old butt.
Volume 156
Page 14
Editor’s Rant– Muscle Relaxers and too much work
First I must apologize for being late publishing this issue of the H.O.G. Caller. It was a wild ride for me in
October. I left the Faunsdale Bike Rally on October 4th sick as a dog and with one of the worst pulled muscles in my back I can remember. Monday the 5th was the start to a four week run that included Philadelphia,
MS, Houston TX, and Montgomery, AL. I couldn’t do it so off I went to sit and wait for the doctor to see me.
By the afternoon I had received two shots, a good scolding by the doctor and was back in bed on four prescriptions. By 10 am on Tuesday, I was in Philadelphia, MS trying to start what was a two man, three day
job for two different defense contractors by myself. Can’t tell you what they do or then I would have to kill
you. They promptly informed me both plants were not working that Friday. So now I have only three days
and one man who is on muscle relaxers to complete the job. So if you hear on the news a story about a
stray drone hitting Iran instead of a target in Afghanistan ….I don’t know nothing about calibrating a spectrum analyzer at 11 pm in a motel room while on muscle relaxers!
Happy Thanksgiving, Merry CHRISTMAS and a Happy New Year to all of you. Thank you for allowing
me the privilege of being the Newsletter Editor for the 0040.
Lawson
Web Masters Blog
Sorry, we wore George out with web-site this year. He is taking a nap!
I think there is something in the air in East Alabama!
Thanks George ..for the BEST
H.O.G. web-site out there!
Page 16
H.O.G. CALLER
More H.O.G. Memories...
JOKES
I am passing this on to you
because it definitely worked for
me today, and we all could
probably use more calm in our
lives! Some doctor on the TV this
morning said that the way to
achieve inner peace is to finish
all the things you have started.
So I looked around my house to
see things I'd started and hadn't
finished and, before leaving the
house this morning, I finished off
a bottle of Merlot, a bottle of
shhhardonay, a bodle of Baileys,
abutle of vocka, a pockage of
Pringlies, the res of the Chesescke a n a box a chocolets. Yu
haf no idr ow frigin gud I fel.
Peas sen dis orn to anyy yu fee
AR in ned ov inr pece.
Enjoy!
Blonde has a Flat
Just the other day, I had a flat tire on
the interstate, so I eased my car over
to the shoulder of the road, carefully
got out of the car and opened the
trunk.
I took out 2 cardboard men, unfolded
them and stood them at the rear of
my car facing oncoming traffic. They
look so life like you wouldn't believe
it! They are in trench coats exposing
their nude bodies to the approaching
drivers.
To my surprise, cars start slowing
down looking at my lifelike men
which made it safer for me to work at
the side of the road. And of course,
traffic starts backing up. Everybody is
tooting their horns and waving like
crazy.
It wasn't long before a state
trooper pulls up behind me.
He gets out of his car and
starts walking towards me. I
could tell he was not a
happy camper!
'What's going on here?'
'My car has a flat tire', I said
calmly.
'Well, what are those obscene cardboard men doing
here by the road?'
I couldn't believe that he
didn't know.. So I told him,
'Helloooooo, those are my
Emergency Flashers.'
I have PMS and a handgun.
ANY QUESTIONS?
Volume 156
Page 17
I hope everyone has enjoyed all the H.O.G. Memory pics here and on the web-site
this year. All pictures here in the newsletter are only from the previous 2 months. Be
sure to thank our Chapter photographer Joyce Heubach for them. She has gone
from a few pictures a month to over 1200 taken for August, September and October.
And thanks to everyone who supplied pictures for all of us to enjoy.