CLUB NEWS - Viking Chapter

AMCA VIKING CHAPTER NEWSLETTER
March 2015
[email protected]
PUBLISHED QUARTERLY
Viking Chapter AMCA Inc.
P.O. Box 18304,
Minneapolis, MN 55418
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Upcoming Club Events ………... 2
President’s Message &
Editor’s Note ………….……….. 3
Holiday Party ….....………….…. 4
IMS Show 2015 …..………….…. 6
The Wieland Harleys ……….…. 9
Sturgis Ride of ’90 ……...…..... 11
Visit to Blue Moon Cycle ………12
Visit to Palm Springs ………..…14
Seen in Passing ………………... 16
Wanted & For Sale …………… 17
Commercial ………………….... 18
Viking Chapter National Meet
Poster ……….……………….... 19
http://www.vikingmc.org
OFFICERS
PRESIDENT:
Ron Spargo
952-443-2020
[email protected]
VICE-PRESIDENT:
Kerry Rasmussen
651-430-1332
[email protected]
DIRECTORS:
Mark Jilk
651-207-2190
[email protected]
Bob Hopf
612-867-5654
[email protected]
Timothy O’Keeffe
651-675-6560
[email protected]
Craig Kotval
651-269-1975
[email protected]
TREASURER:
Roy Williams
612-202-4905
[email protected]
MEMBERSHIP:
Kathi Rimnac
612-825-2550
[email protected]
SECRETARY:
Diane Nelson
612-965-1415
[email protected]
WEB/EMAIL:
Doug Nelson
612-559-9595
[email protected]
DEPUTY JUDGE:
Roger Rimnac
612-825-2550
[email protected]
NEWSLETTER:
Tim Gadban
651-235-5898
[email protected]
CLUB HISTORIAN:
Tom Jones
763-533-9163
AMCA Viking Chapter welcomes
the following new members:
Rick Boeke
Gene Long
Johnny Mertens
Pim Van Den Bergh
Gabriel Welker
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Note:
Board of Directors (B.O.D) meetings are open to all members. When held at a chapter member’s home, please notify the
host ahead of time.
Wednesday Mar 11, 7pm
B. O. D. Meeting
Davanni’s, 663 Winnetka Ave North,
Golden Valley, MN 55427
763-398-0303
Saturday May 30, 1pm
Rockers Spring Social (Ton-Up Club)
Club Jaeger
923 Washington Ave North, Minneapolis MN
Wednesday June 3, 7pm
B. O. D. Meeting
Roger & Kathi Rimnac’s Home,
5516 13th Ave South, Minneapolis, MN 55417
612-870-0766
Wednesday Mar 18, 7pm
March General Meeting
Jack Crane Museum
1301 East Cliff Road, Burnsville, MN 55337
952-927-8126
Saturday June 6, 10am
Ride to Hollywood Roadhouse
(Hiway 7 & Co. Rd. 33)
Meet at Bob Hopf’s.at 10am (ride at 11am)
8784 Knollwood Dr, Eden Prairie, MN 55347
612-867-5654
Saturday Mar 28 thru Sunday Mar 29
DennisKirk/Donnie Smith Bike & Car Show
River Center, Kellogg Blvd & 7th Street,
St Paul, MN 55102
651-265-4800
Wednesday April 15, 7pm
B. O. D. Meeting
Diamonds Coffee House
1618 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis MN 55413
612-789-5282
Wednesday April 22, 7pm
April General Meeting
Mid-America Auctions
2755 Long Lake Road, Roseville, MN 55108
651-633-9655
Tuesday April 28, 7:30pm
National Meet Planning Committee Mtg.
Dulono’s Pizza
607 West Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Wednesday May 13, 7pm
B. O. D. Meeting
Jerry & Trudi Richards Home
3295 Victoria Street No, Shoreview MN
651-482-0096
Wednesday May 20, 7pm
May General Meeting
Blue Cat Motors
460 North Prior Ave, St Paul, MN 55104
651-645-1172
Saturday May 23, 10am
Vintage Bike Spring Ride
Meet at Freedom Gas Station
Prescott, WI
Tuesday May 26, 7:30pm
National Meet Planning Committee Mtg.
Dulono’s Pizza, 607 West Lake Street,
Minneapolis, MN 55408
Sunday June 21, 10am-3pm
Blind Lizard Rally
Nicollet Island, Minneapolis
2
SPARKY’S PLUG
By Ron Spargo
A couple of weeks ago while at the International Motorcycle Show in Minneapolis I had an opportunity to stroll around the Convention Center before the show officially opened. It was early
and there were only a couple of folks busily getting their booths and displays ready for the day’s
crowd. Most all of the manufacturers were represented either by factory teams and reps or by
local dealers. Three exceptions noted were KTM, Royal Enfield and Moto Guzzi. Given the
rising popularity of all three brands I was surprised by their absence. Anyway, it was very evident that all the manufacturers represented had their best on show. It also seemed that, regardless of the manufacturer, they all had a bike that they hoped would appeal to any segment of the
buying public and unless one looked very carefully it was difficult to tell exactly what brand it
was. They all seemed so alike that at times only the colors set them apart. But to this observer
the one thing all of the bikes from all of the manufacturers represented lack is “soul”. Maybe
I’m finally admitting to getting what some may call “old” but it seems to me that a great part of
the attraction of motorcycling, especially older bikes, is that they require a certain bond between
the bike and rider. I want a bike that talks to me - not through some LCD touch screen or voice
activated gizmo but through the seat of my pants and through the vibes coming through the bars
and pegs. If you really pay attention to your machine it will tell you most everything you really
need to know about it. Ignore it and it will most likely become very quiet – usually at a most
inconvenient location and time. It’s not just bad luck. They know, they are “alive”, they have
“soul”. Since I have several old(er) bikes I have given them all names. This way each one
knows which one is getting the attention – especially when I talk to them. It seems to work for
my bikes and for me. We are all happy (most of the time!)
So, if you don’t want to take time or don’t have time to really connect with a bike, then go ahead and buy one of those new bikes
that may be smarter than you are. It can tell you what gear you are in, when to have the oil changed, what station you are listening
to and probably many more things that my old bikes and I don’t worry about.
As nice as most of the new bikes are I didn’t see a single bike that appealed to me enough to replace one of my old bikes. Maybe
my bikes and I really are getting old……and I’m OK with that!
EDITOR’S NOTE
Well it is A.D. 2015 and this issue of Re-Cycle is the first “all digital” edition to be distributed. In this case the advantages far outweigh the drawbacks …. one plus being that the articles can now include all relevant photos. Also the length of our Re-Cycle newsletter is unlimited and I can include any last-minute stories or ads members have.
We are now coming out of our “hibernation” period and should be able to ride in the not too distant future. Our “Upcoming Events”
calendar on Page 2 is chock-a-block full of club rides and events scheduled for the warmer weather.
The IMS was a real teaser for riders. Our Viking Chapter turnout was impressive … a great display and a very generous turnout of
members to meet and greet. Compared to last year I sensed quite a bit more interest by the general public. Jerry Wieland’s 1925
Harley that went on the 2014 Cannonball Run was a real magnet for curiosity and attention. This story is featured on Pages 9 & 10.
Thankfully our free “Wanted” and “For Sale” ads are being used more by members. At our February BOD meeting it was agreed
that this is the proper forum for advertising stuff, not the Viking E-talker message board. (See Page 17)
A couple of members have submitted stories to me about bike restorations or trips they made. This issue features an article by Keith
Peters on he and his wife’s ride to Sturgis in 1990. So if you have a story to tell and some photos please send them to me …. after all
there’s nothing better than a good bike related story!
During a visit to my brother’s place in Palm Springs California I was lucky enough to
go riding with him in the Coachella Valley and the Santa Rosa Mountains. Just past
the Indian Reservation in the mountains we encountered Steve Walker, an award winning restorer of old Triumphs. I figured the whole experience was worth a story and
you’ll find it on Page 15.
I also visited my daughter in Atlanta Georgia and went to Blue Moon Cycle in Norcross, which has a very interesting museum and sells some of its vintage bikes. Some
photos can be found on Page 12.
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CLUB NEWS
Viking Chapter Holiday Party - January 10, 2015
Always fun to chow down and socialize with so many friends. Special thanks to Tom and Cheryl Whittles for masterminding the
kitchen and to all those who contributed grub and silent auction treasures. Silent auction earned the club some money and well deserved awards were handed out to the well deserving!
Tom and Rick receive
Lifetime Membership Awards
Thankyou Trudi and Jerry!
For All Sean’s Hard Work
Silent Auction Treasures
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CLUB NEWS
Viking Chapter Holiday Party - (cont.)
Doug Mark Trophies
Roger’s Award
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CLUB NEWS
International Motorcycle Show (IMS) Feb 6 thru Feb 8, 2015 by Ron Spargo
On February 6-7-8 the Minneapolis Convention Center
was the location of the 2015 International Motorcycle
Show (IMS). Most of the major manufacturers were
present as well as aftermarket equipment and accessory
manufactures (tires, batteries, riding gear, etc.). Since
more vendors were there the show occupied a larger
space than it did for the 2014 IMS and with reasonably
good weather, there seemed to be more people there as
well.
As in other years the Viking Chapter was invited to
display bikes. As the Viking Chapter point person for
this show I decided that with the release of two new
motorcycling motion pictures last year our “theme”
should be the bikes we ride. For several years now we
have brought out the best of our best and I wanted the
viewing public to see and know that not only do we
collect and restore old bikes; we also ride them – a lot!
I recruited 15 bikes that I thought best represented bikes that really get ridden. Most notable was Jerry and Debi Wieland’s 1925
Harley JD that was put together from a pile of parts. Jerry and Debi rode the JD in the 2014 Cannonball from Daytona Beach, FL to
Tacoma, WA, two-up, completing the 17 day, nearly 4,000 mile adventure with no support crew or back-up vehicle. A most remarkable feat, indeed! In addition to his Cannonball bike Jerry also brought along his ’41 Harley Knucklehead. Jerry figures the Knucklehead has nearly 300,000 miles on the clock. Now that’s a rider! Jerry says the bike seldom cools off long enough for him to clean
it. (See feature article on Pages 9 & 10 for more details)
Several other bikes are also high mileage bikes like Harvey
Berquist’s 1950 BSA that he has ridden to Sturgis 23 times. It
knows the way now even without Harvey! Paul St. John’s
Harley got a lot of attention and is one bike that is always in
the hunt for the annual “Most Ridden” club award.
Several folks mentioned to me that the crowd seemed to move
slowly through the other displays until they got to our display.
At times they were three and four people deep waiting to get a
closer look or ask questions. Our display attracted a lot of folks
who may not have been aware of our club and several new
members were signed up.
As with any event this size it takes more than one person to
make it successful. A very big “Thank You” goes out to those
members who showed their bike(s) but also to those who help
set up and take down the show and to those who were on their
feet answering questions and promoting the club.
One special attraction, especially for the kids, is the Hot Wheels cars and motorcycles provided by Mike Blackburn and given to all
the kids who stop at the table. Each kid gets to pick out his favorite one to take home. They may be a little young but it’s never too
soon to start recruiting new members!
Our show partners, once again, were the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club. These guys always turn out an incredible assortment of
beautiful machinery and we look forward to their partnership in our June National Meet. Our cross-club participation in these events
makes both clubs stronger.
So, there you have it. Another great IMS in the bag. One change for next year’s show is that I will not be able to coordinate the show
as I have done in past years. I will be someplace warm (I am told) celebrating my 50 th wedding anniversary. If you (or a couple of
you) would like to take this task on I will be happy to guide you through the process. It isn’t hard but it does take a little bit of time
making sure everyone is pointed the same direction. It is also very satisfying.
6
CLUB NEWS
International Motorcycle Show (cont.)
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CLUB NEWS
International Motorcycle Show (cont.)
VIKING CHAPTER BIKES DISPLAYED BY:
Club members who volunteered their time to set
up, take down, transport and meet and greet:
Craig Kotval
Dan “Doc” Nylen
Jeff Ricker
Bob Hopf
Jeremy Schwendeman
Mike Blackburn
Bob Steck
Sean O’Neil
Roger Rimnac
Kathi Rimnac
Tim O’Keeffe
Marc Raffe
Dave Glennen
Tim Gadban
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CLUB NEWS
Jerry & Debi Wieland and their Vintage Harleys - the 2014 Cannonball Run comes to the 2015 IMS
Prominently featured in the Viking Chapter display area was a 1925 Harley Davidson
JD that ran in and completed the 2014 Cannonball Run. Jerry and Debi Wieland rode
two-up from Daytona Beach Florida to Tacoma Washington, a distance of 4,000 miles
and the only couple to complete the trip riding two-up. They were also riding one of
six machines that had no support crew.
In our last (December) issue we described Jerry and Debi’s experience on the run.
This article focuses more on the two Harleys they brought to the IMS show: the 1925
HD JD that went on the Cannonball Run and a 1941 HD FL that they also own.
1. The “Cannonball Run” 1925 Harley Davidson JD
In Jerry’s own words:
The bike is a stock 74 cubic in motor with a few updates for reliability and safety. I
modified a HD panhead ignition timer to replace the original and also converted the
generator to 2 brush from 3 brush and added an electronic regulator. I changed the tires
over to drop center rims from the original 'clincher' style and modified a WLA
front wheel and brake to fit in the front end. The tandem seat is a reproduction
of a seat HD made for the Canadian WLC. It was extensively modified to fit.
I recovered this bike in the early 1980's from a fence row on a farm near Sheldon, Wisconsin. It was so rough that I did not ever think I would 'fix' it but I had
made a promise to the old couple that gave me the bike that I would either fix it
or give it to someone who would. Well nothing ever came of it until the fall of
2011 when I decided to enter the Cannonball.
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CLUB NEWS
2. The 1941 Harley Davidson FL
In Jerry’s own words:
The second bike is a 1941 Harley Davidson FL that I
bought out of a junkyard/service station near Woodruff,
Wisconsin the summer of 1984. Found it while out touring on my 1940 Harley Davidson EL. I got the bike running in time for Sturgis 1988 and it has been on the road
since. Miles run is over 200,000 and might be closer to
300,000 but I haven't always had a speedometer that
worked. One bottom end rebuild and 3 top ends. It has
made 2 trips coast to coast. Has been to Daytona Beach
3 times (cheated and trailered to Nashville TN or Huntsville AL each time.) Sturgis more times than I remember
and in 1999 I took my 2 sons ages 9 and 10 there in a
special built side car. I have had it in Canada almost to
the Atlantic Ocean. It has been at every Knucklehead
reunion except one. It has been to the Gulf Coast. Numerous times to the races at Humbolt, Iowa. On top of
being my daily rider.
The bike has been reliable beyond belief - only left me stranded one time 2 summers ago when I unpacked my saddlebags to clean
them and forgot to put the spare drive belt back in when my wife and I were heading to Pepin, Wisconsin for an ice cream cone and
of all times to have a belt fail. I had to call my son to deliver the belt.
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CLUB NEWS
The Viking Chapter’s Sturgis Ride of 1990 – 25 Years Ago!
by Keith Peters
Getting ready for the 75 Sturgis, 2015? Remember the Viking Chapter’s ride to Sturgis of 1990
which was the 50th annual Sturgis Rally? Here are some highlights of that summer’s trip that I
(probably wouldn’t remember) but found in my travel notes.
th
This was the August when, just before Sturgis, Sadaam Hussen’s Iraqi forces attacked Kuwait’s
oil fields. Six months after initiating “Desert Shield,” Bush #41 launched missiles in the region.
The military-industrial complex stocks have been up since! In ’90 gas was $1.34/gallon. Nelson Mandella was released from prison, the first web page was written, Twin Peaks debuted on
ABC TV, the “Dances with Wolves” and “Total Recall” movies were released. Must be true-I
found this stuff on the internet.
In the summer of ’90, I was 1,500 miles into our new red Harley FLHTC (which now has 86k
miles on it), and took a four week leave of absence (as in no pay) from my day job. That, combined with two weeks of vacation, made an 8,800 mile (12 state) round trip south/west, then on
to mooch-a-meal visits with eight Navy, three college and one high school friend along the west
coast. Highlights before joining up with the Viking Chapter included attending a pig roast in
Durango, CO, riding thru 106 degrees in Ogalala NB, 110 degrees in El Centro CA, stumbling
onto and camping with a Yuma HOG group rally in the mountains east of San Diego, riding the
Coast Highway 1, ocean fishing in the Channel Islands, seeing the play Evita in Ventura, touring
the San Simeon “Hearst Castle”, having warrant work carried out at Dudley Perkins H-D in San
Francisco and getting stopped for speeding Winthrop, WA. The cop there didn’t give me a
ticket. He was from Burnsville, MN, and said no ticket because I was from “too close to home.”
With 10 days to go, Gloria flew into Seattle to join me, and after riding in British Columbia, we
came thru Yellowstone and into Sturgis mid-week. This was the first year that the sloping-floor
Latchstring Inn on the Spearfish Canyon road, (where we used to enjoy the trout and sour dough
pancake breakfast), was gone. It had been torn down with the new restaurant not yet built. We
had missed the exciting ride out from MSP where after breakfast, the Club had a group crash in
Carver, MN. Someone told me that Grease & Sharon Garen, Gary & Ardy Quarnstrom and one
or two others slid out on gravel over bituminous on a curve and some hit the guard rail. As far as
I remember, they all made it to Sturgis and camped at the KOA. Grease looked like a discount
banana all week sporting a black & blue ass, which he proudly displayed, as he was eating nonrecreational pain meds.
OUCH!! - Black & Blue Ass Meets Asphalt
At the Viking Chapter’s annual KOA cookout on Thursday night, 8/9, Tom Jones, Harvey Berquist and Rick Wyatt all rode in to join
since they were camping elsewhere. I didn’t record all who stayed at the KOA, but it was still a big crowd in those years, probably
around 30 people. Leaving Sturgis on Friday 8/10, Gloria and I ran into and joined Rick and Jeff Wyatt for breakfast at Weimer’s
Bakery, then met Rick, Linda and Lisa Schunk, Roger Ramberg and four others to ride back to MN.
I saved an article
from the Mitchel,
SD newspaper that
said the Sturgis
crowd (estimated at
529,000) “…was the
best behaved bunch
in recent memory.”
The Sturgis sheriff
said 166 people had
been jailed compared to 110 people
during the previous
rally. He said there
seemed to be fewer
outlaw motorcycle
gang members there, with the gangs almost absent from the Main Street. Remember what
Willie Jensen said about displaying Viking Chapter colors. “Our Colors don’t run and
neither do our bikes. That’s why we take the bus.” There was a big showing of Viking
Chapter members at Sturgis back then.
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CLUB NEWS
A Visit to Blue Moon Cycle in Norcross GA
from the Editor
In mid-January I traveled to Atlanta to visit my daughter and discovered Blue Moon Cycle
a few miles north in Norcross. They sell motorcycles, but the owner, John Landstrom, is
also an avid collector and fan of vintage and odd bikes and scooters. These photos tell the
story.
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CLUB NEWS
A Visit to Blue Moon Cycle in Norcross GA (cont.)
And here’s a Bloody Mary I had just down the
road at “The Nook” …. that’s right with steak,
eggs, toast, tater tots, beef stick, peppers, pickles, onions ….. no need to order lunch!!
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CLUB NEWS
A Visit to Palm Springs CA
from the Editor
In February we visited my brother’s place in Palm Springs California. Luckily he owns two Harleys and graciously loaned me his ‘90 Heritage Softtail
for a wonderful ride.
Although the area is known as Palm Springs it is actually a series of towns
along the Coachella Valley, so along with Palm Springs you have La Quinta,
Indio, Indian Wells, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City and Desert
Hot Springs, all connected by Hiway 111.
Our bike trip into the Santa Rosa mountains had us taking Hiway 74 (the
“Palms to Pines” road) out of Rancho Mirage and up a serious set of
switchbacks to gain elevation.
On the way up we checked out a side road that led up
to a gated rich folks mansion and encountered a couple
of strange signs on the gates.
Scenic Lookout about half-way up
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CLUB NEWS
A Visit to Palm Springs CA (cont.)
Now the story gets interesting.
Once we got into the mountains it turned really cold and started to rain. We hit a straight level stretch and there were some scattered
shacks and houses. Suddenly my brother signals to stop and turn around. He said he had seen a large metal Triumph sign in front of
one of the houses, and knowing how I like old bikes he suggested we check it out. Well we no sooner pulled up when this gentleman
comes out of his house and offers us each a pad for our kickstands in the roadside gravel. And so we met Steve Walker, prize winning restorer of old Triumph motorcycles.
Steve invited us into his workshop and showed us his bikes …. and I’m feeling like a kid in a candy store!
1968 TR6R
Steve is at:
[email protected]
Steve with his daily rider - a 1957 Triumph TRW
See more at
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/blogs/1967-triumph-tr6r-tiger-me-my-bike
15
CLUB NEWS
Seen In Passing
This is George Petsch (Jim Petsch’s dad) competing in an egg &
spoon race at a county fair in Osceola WI in the summer of 1938.
He’s riding a 1936 Harley Davidson VL 74 cu in flathead. This
seems like a fine event we should have at the Chaska Picnic!
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COMMERCIAL
NOTE: Recently several ads for motorcycles appeared on E-talker. Please be aware that E-talker is for club announcements
and schedule updates. It is not intended to be used as an advertising forum. If you are a member in good standing you are
welcome to post an ad in the newsletter. It will reach the same audience as an E-talker notice.
WANTED - HRD/Vincent project bike, basket case, pile of parts or a
single part, sheet metal, tools, books, etc.
Please contact me about the items you have. Thanks, Tim.
Email [email protected] or call 651-675-6560, 9am - 9pm MN
WANTED - B.S.A Bantam – Prefer late model
w/4speed but will consider any year and condition.
Call Ron Spargo at 952-443-2020 or
[email protected]
FOR SALE –
Red Dog Hydraulic Motorcycle lift $375
Gas welding set MC acetylene and B oxy tanks. Smiths Pipeliner set, four tips. $150
Powermatic drill press floor model adjustable speed spindle $125.00
Set of five NEWAY seat cutters with pilots $300.00
Heli-Coils US, Metric, and British sizes $125.00
Set of British taps and dies 1/4” BSF (CE), 5/16” BSF, 3/8” BSC $125.00
Metric taps $25.00
Working K2F magneto $250.00
Buffing supplies, keep it shiny $30.00
18” genuine Cresent Wrench $50
Genuine Snap On gear puller $35.00
This stuff has to go
Call Ron at 763-572-0909 for details or email [email protected]
FOR SALE –
This two owner all original Bonneville has clocked only 7,500 actual miles. Last licensed 1985 and then garaged. All rubber
parts & gaskets have been replaced and the varnish and gunk removed. Bike is now completely refurbished and running. All replacement parts are factory correct. New wiring harness, battery, carbs cleaned and rebuilt, new fuel lines and pet cock valves,
hydraulic brake master cylinders and calipers rebuilt, new chain installed, new factory correct Dunlop tires, gas tank interior
etched and epoxy sealed. Engine was disassembled to replace rings and hone cylinders. While disassembled, we install a new oil
pump, replace filters and insured all is clean and passages clear.
Clear title, factory owners manual and service manual included. Asking price, $7,500.
Call Sid at 612-670-0333 or email [email protected]
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CLASSIFIED
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