Re: OT: Hey Bass

["tourman" <robercampbell@xxxxxxxxx>]

More and more, I am beginning to enjoy "quality riding" over "quantity
riding". My taste for the long haul stuff is quickly being replaced
with enjoying a simple 100 or 200 mile ride at an easy comfortable pace
over a beautiful, winding country road. Might be age creeping up, but
with my motorcycle trailer available to quickly haul my 1500 Nomad over
the long hauls, I'd rather ride in the comfort of my van when the
weather is lousy, and enjoy the bike when it's not. Besides, the four
days of heavy duty high speed riding from Ottawa to Utah a couple of
years ago, permanently knocked the desire out of me for any more long
haul Interstate "droning" !!

I do find the 800 lb cruiser a real "handful" now at parking lot
speeds, and although I really love that bike (it does everything well
), I've been toying with going to one of the new breed of scooters,
with their low centre of gravity. Honda is rumoured to be coming out
with a four cylinder 900 cc scooter shortly, and I don't plan on doing
anything until I see that one (and then only after the first year
version has worked out all the bugs).

I've rented the home in Seaside Gardens, Florida for two months this
year (15 Jan to 15 March) so will be able to  venture out on some of
the roads north up in Alabama and Georgia, and maybe even down into the
Florida keys (although places like Tampa and the Keys are quite a drive
from the house). However, I will try to get down to visit with you and
Jim Rojas at some point if possible. In any event, I'm looking forward
to two extra months of touring. If you care to, you can see the trailer
I bought at the flicker url in my signature line.

My son is running the business almost full time now from my home, so I
have little to do these days other than bookwork, a bit of smoozing
when the mood stikes me, and a few simple service calls. With automatic
billing, it leaves lots of spare time (best decision I ever made in
this business....)

I wish you well, and hope that things will work out for you. Although I
am not a particularly religious man, I shall be praying for good things
to come out of this experience for you. Above all, stay positive and
never give up (even in the smallest way) !

R=2EH.Campbell
Home Security Metal Products
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
www.homemetal.com
www.flickr.com/photos/tourman

Robert L Bass wrote:
> > Bikes of all styles get my juices going...
>
> Same here but I've nowhere near your breadth of experience. Also, medical=
 expenses are making me a bit more conservative this year.
> When we first discussed it I wanted something to get used to for a while =
before moving up so I picked up a couple of scooters to use
> at my homes in Brazil and in Florida.  I'm thinking about a Honda Goldwin=
g if business goes well enough but that decision will have
> to wait until I get well again.
>
> Anyway, I really enjoy the Burgman.  In Brazil I don't need or even want =
a big bike.  The speed limit is strictly enforced
> everywhere using automated speed-cams.  They look like the  REG-L1-875-XE=
 like this one
> http://www.bassburglaralarms.com/product_38360_detailed.htm tied to a rad=
ar gun.  They mount them on poles every few kilometers.
> There are also portable traps that they set up at random locations.  The =
speed limit is 80 kph (about 50 mph) on limited access
> highways and much lower elsewhere.  Also, big, fancy bikes attract the sa=
me kind of attention as fancy cars and jewelry.  Paradise
> still is not without it's problems.
>
> I've heard of people using one of those anti-sneak laptop covers inside t=
he license plate cover.  Turned 90=BA it allows viewing of
> the tag at driver height but blocks the view from a pole.  I obey the spe=
ed laws though.
>
> > I just thought the bike in the link was a totally
> > different machine with a touch of the absurd
> > that might interest you...
>
> It looks interesting alright.  If I hadn't already bought the Burgman I m=
ight have tried one out.  I kind of wonder about the
> suspension though, how well it handles quick turns and how it will hold u=
p over time.  There's this principle called a "complexity
> factor" that I tried unsuccessfully to explain to a few folks here some y=
ears ago.  Basically, you take Murphy's Law and apply it to
> an increasing component count.  You get the point.
>
> Anyway, you pegged me about liking radical, sometimes outlandish stuff.  =
:^)
>
> --
>
> Regards,
> Robert L Bass
>
> =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D>
> Bass Home Electronics
> 4883 Fallcrest Circle
> Sarasota =B7 Florida =B7 34233
> http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
> =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D>