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[porthole]

One of our members recently had a little interference problem between his bike - body and the tarmac (he is doing ok).

We first met Dick and Elaine in Maggie Valley 2006. They were the couple we shared the house with down the road from the group  (since the motels filled up so quick) .

We had a great time with our short visit and have remained in contact with him.

Dick is a rider. He bought his 06 Watermelon in Mass and flew from his home in Texas to Mass to pick up the bike and then rode it home, Great start! He rides in excess of 25K a year.

Dick does not post much here but does follow the the forum.

Rather then paraphrase his story he gave me permission to post his emails to me, so the words below are his text.

I will post each email separate, in the order I received it. After reading the first one it my first thoughts were ....................

Anyway, he is doing OK and has a new respect for looking through the turn.

[porthole]

1st message

As most of you know, I totaled my '06 Ultra Classic Screaming Eagle a couple of weeks ago.  The insurance company treated me somewhat fairly, and I have managed to replace her with another '06 Screaming Eagle Ultra Classic the exact same color (affectionately called Watermelon color), with 90% of the options already on her that I had on my bike but with almost forty thousand less miles than I had on mine.
 
She's coming out of Florida, and it will take a couple of weeks to get her, but it will probably be that long before I can ride again anyway . . . so it all worked out.
 
Physically . . . I'll be back on top within a few weeks . . . mending nicely . . . a little duct tape and some more WD 40 and I'll be fine.  Thank you God! (who reportedly looks after fools and drunks . . . those who know me well know which category I fall in ;-)
 
Dick

[porthole]

2nd message

Thanks for the answer back.  Yes, I'll be okay after a few more days of recovery.

I took a course in motorcycle safety . . . well, sort of . . . handling your motorcycle at high speeds and learning how to better execute corners and high speed curves.  Well, everything was going just splendidly until I took my eye off the course for just an instant.  Out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of my oldest son who was about four corners ahead of me (Texas Motor Speedway, College Station, TX) and literally just glanced at him for a second. 

It was one second too long when traveling at 75 mph and deep into a curve myself.  I had taken this particular curve probably twenty times during the course of the days activities, and it was a no brainier curve, off camber sweeper leading into a sharper right hand turn that was tricky.  But, with just that moment of glancing off the curve when I looked back up I was in deep chit . . . off the track and my front wheel found a rut previously left by a sports car the week earlier. 

My handlebar was ripped from my grip and I went airborne after taking the windshield and part of the front fairing off with my body.  I landed face first on the asphalt with my left eyebrow catching the blunt of the impact.  My body was traveling around 65/70 mph at that time and only through the Grace of God am I still with you today.  Yes, of course I had a helmet on, and a Joe Rocket Jacket with armor which no doubt saved much pain and suffering as it was torn all to hell, at least the left arm was.
 
Stupid, stupid, stupid . . . nobody's fault but my own!
 
The bike was totaled, and yet . . . maybe God's not through with me . . . must be something else in this life I'm supposed to do before I check out ;-)
 
My oldest son was attending as was my youngest.  Both were ahead of me, and we were on the last laps of the day.  Started out learning how to best lean and accelerate into and out of corners.  Rubbed my floor boards on only a couple of the 15 turns the first time out on the track, up to rubbing all 15 turns at the end of the day . . . a great learning experience . . . well coached and great instructors . . . just lost my mind temporarily and the results were equally well enforced.  I won't be doing that again ;-)

Experience can sometimes be a powerful teacher . . . and sometimes a painful teacher. 
 
Maybe it was one of those wake up calls we get from time to time when we think we know more than we actually do . . .
 
 
Best always,
 
Dick
 
Looking forward to the Harley 105 . . . ;-)

[porthole]

3rd message

Sure, on the posting.  I did find my new ride on the CVO web site . . . While I don't post very often, I do visit.  In fact the CVO site was one of the reasons I decided not to buy a 110."  I think they need another year to work out the bugs on both the engine and the wireless throttle which are giving us fits down here.  Maybe a moisture issue, don't really know.
 
Then again, I just really loved my "Watermelon."  She had everything I ever wanted in a bike, so why change?  And the color is so very rare down here.  You might have a bunch of them up there, but I seldom ever see one down here.  And I know each dealer in the area got two, so that means there are ten of them running around here abouts, I just never see them :-)  And that's okay with me!  Then again, when I get to the 105 I may see ALL of them. ;-)
 
We're going to go north after the 105 event, into Canada, visiting friends in Montreal.  And then drop down through the New England countryside.  We'll be visiting friends in New Hampshire, New York and even New Jersey.  Don't really have a time frame . . . just ride till we run out of money. ;-)
 
If you go to the 105, give me a heads up.
 
Best always,
 
Dick

[porthole]

In his last message to me he attached some pictures taken by his son in the Hospital.

If you haven't met him he is one of those "distinguished looking guys (read that at as "experienced and a bit gray" like most of us older riders).

The pictures are a bit graphic and well emphasize the point of wearing protective gear. I didn't ask him yet if he was wearing his full face, but the pictures lead me to believe he was not, or the flip broke open.

I have been wearing my FF more and more, not worried about my boyish good looks just the thought of .........................................

I am not posting the pics as they do not show him in the best light.

Anyway, keep him your thoughts and hopefully we'll see him on his new melon soon 

Myself (L) and Dick at the "Wheels Through Time" CVO Event

[FNGw/08SERK]

In his last message to me he attached some pictures taken by his in the Hospital.

If you haven't met him he is one of those "distinguished looking guys (read that at as "experienced and a bit gray" like most of us older riders).

The pictures are a bit graphic and well emphasize the point of wearing protective gear. I didn't ask him yet if he was wearing his full face, but the pictures lead me to believe he was not, or the flip broke open.

I have been wearing my FF more and more, not worried about my boyish good looks just the thought of .........................................

I am not posting the pics as they do not show him in the best light.

Anyway, keep him your thoughts and hopefully we'll see him on his new melon soon 

We sure will keep him in our thoughts Duane. Seems like God sure was riding along with him that day! With his permission of course, maybe a pic or two of the damage would help sustain my argument trying to get my BSR into a full face 

[Fired00d]

Duane,
Thanks for the info and update. I do remember Dick from MV06, and when he posted in the Watermelon for sale thread I thought it was one in the same person. Glad to hear he's mending well, and found another Watermelon.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[porthole]

Duane,
Thanks for the info and update. I do remember Dick from MV06, and when he posted in the Watermelon for sale thread I thought it was one in the same person. Glad to hear he's mending well, and found another Watermelon.

He posts so infrequently here he doesnt even show up in the buddy list, 3 posts in 3 years. But a great guy just the same.

[mr_magoo]

Thanks for the update, sounds like a nice replacement.

[hard10]

I hope he's healing well. Send him our prayers.

[Capo]

Glad to hear the mending is progressing! Chalk another one up for those Angels! They really are everywhere.

Ride Safe Dick!

[REGGAB]

Duane,
I saw his post in the thread for the available Watermelon, since I follow everything about Watermelons pretty close.  Very sorry to hear this happened, and we're certainly praying Dick heals well and fast.  Good to hear he found another Watermelon.  We all know the Watermelons are the prettiest.   

[spydglide]

Thanks for the posts Duane.  Sorry about the mishap, but sure glad to hear that Dick came out as well as he did.  Ride safe.    spyder

[FLYNDYNA]

My thoughts and prayeres for a speedy recovery, glad he was able to pick up another 'melon so easily! Ride safe Dick!

Flyndyna

[ccr]

Heal quickly and throughly.  Good lesson about the difference a second makes.  Been reminded often.  Thank you angels.