BACKLASH

From the Beginning

Shira and Brian,

The year, 1997. The place, Moroney’s in Newburgh, NY.

Ya see I worked for a government agency and during this particular year I transported many ‘clients’ who did wrong things and were sentenced to time in our state penal system. Downstate Correctional was the receiving facility in Fishkill. My partner loved motorcycles and we had to stop at Moroney’s EVERY single time to check out new bikes. I saw your magazine on the table and would peruse it reading different articles. Eventually my mind came around and I took an MSF course at Happy Valley (HVCC or Hudson Valley Community College) in Troy and really enjoyed the thrill of riding so my rst learner bike was a Yamaha Virago 750. I rode that bike every evening all over Albany County. Eventually I graduated to larger Yamahas, but my true interest was the Honda Gold Wing. Bought on in ’02, crashed it in ’07 and bought a Honda Trike in ’08. So, you crazy kids of Augusta, you got me interested in riding from the terri c articles in your magazine and I’ve enjoyed you mag for over 20 years. Unfortunately, family obligations as well as some health problems have popped up recently and my riding days have come to an end.

I just wanted to say THANKS for working tirelessly putting your magazine out every month for me to enjoy reading it. I’ve saved a few articles thinking to myself that my family will get there someday, but alas on four wheels (Mustang convertible for now).

Paul,

Just a thank you for sponsoring the “Welcome to the Jungle“ page. I really enjoy this each month.

Regards,

Did like Dan Bisbee’s piece on the 1874 Mill River ood in Massachusett’s Hampshire county. My Northampton High School buddies and I would swim in the polluted Mill River in the 1950s. Authorities say the river has been cleaned up now, but none of us seemed to have died of the pollution back then. Great photo of Joe Salluzzo, whom I worked with back in the 1980s in the old Road Rider magazine days.

Hi Shira & Brian,

Another fun time at the Gray Ghost! We enjoyed our visit poolside, met some new people, saw some new places and were able to help out a friend in need. Thank you for all that you do.

Fueling the Fires

Brian,

It’s funny, most times I read ‘Free Wheelin’ the same thing you’re talking about, I’m experiencing. So, my 15 year+ VP fuel dealer is not selling fuel anymore and I had to nd a new dealer a half hour away just now. I tend to use the VP “Vintage” with and without leaded. That goes in all the vintage bikes. If I go out for a ride and have to stop for pump fuel it gets drained out via my electric pump as soon as I get home and replaced with VP non-ethanol. So last week I was riding my ‘74 Trident to a friend’s house then a bike show. I tried to do it on one tank of fuel not to mix pump fuel; guess what, my reserve petcock on my ne 70s British bike ran 5 miles on reserve before running out of fuel at night on 195. Had to push the bike 5 miles, no one stopped to help.

Be careful some other makes of VP fuels “do” have ethanol for their top octane models. Ethanol is a cheap octane booster. VP fuel lasts 5 years in the 5-gallon sealed can, once you pour it in your tank it lasts for 2 years Continued on next page

BACKLASH Continued from previous page because of venting. I add my own stabilizers so it’s good for 3 years. Like a ne wine collector that has to drink the wine before it goes bad ( I have a friend with apps for that), I keep track of the gas low tech. I put tags on the tank “use by” and you would be surprised how fast that goes by.

So if you can nd a Stuarts Shop convenience store, (did you know on your Garmin if you want to nd a WaWa, a Quick Check or a Stuarts Shop you have to search under the “shopping Icon”) mostly in New England and upstate NY, they are all ethanol free, the owner must be a bike and car guy or gal.

Talking Bikes Old and New

Follow the History

Brian,

As a fellow history buff, I always enjoy your inclusion of historical and geographic trivia in your articles, as you did with the statue of Henry Clay, the “Great Compromiser” in Pottsville, PA in the September issue. As you noted, he lost 3 presidential elections, but actually he campaigned for president 5 times. The other 2 times, the Whig party, of which he was their leader in Congress, did not give him the party’s nomination for president, opting instead to put forward popular military gures of the day, such as William Henry Harrison and Zachary Taylor, as sure- re ways to win elections. But, as we know, both of these men died within weeks or months of their inaugurations as president, and thus the Whigs never had a president who served a whole term and got virtually none of their legislative programs and priorities enacted into law. So when Henry Clay nally retired from Congress and died, so too did the Whig party die.

While he never attained the presidency, I’m glad to learn that at least Clay has a giant statue in Pottsville, PA in his memory, as he certainly deserves some recognition for his nearly 4 decades of leadership in the U.S. Congress and in shaping the early history of our country.

Dear Mr. Good-Looking and Articulate Editor Guy,

I just nished the August issue and enjoyed it very much. Thank you for an excellent lunchtime reading break. Shira’s ride sounds nothing less than perfect. I can think of no better way to spend a few days. Good for you both.

The shot of Dan and Judy was an extra nice surprise for sure. Did I tell you I bought Dan’s trusty Concours which he rode for 30 years? After he bought it almost-new from a dealership, he discovered (years later) the only previous owner was Chip Doherty, founder of Motophoria. So I think that’s a fairly interesting history for the wineberry beauty in my shed. She needs some work before going on a proper trip but I’ll get to it eventually.

And speaking of motorcycles, (like I ever don’t) I am looking at trading the mighty Africa Twin for a Moto Guzzi. I really like the Africa Twin, it’s quite incredible. But I’ve lusted after many a bike from the Moto Guzzi marque for decades. I recently turned 65 and I was thinking, if I don’t buy a bike from Mandello del Lario now, exactly when will I? Maybe I’ll regret trading the AT and maybe I won’t. It’s not the end of the world either way. It’s just an expensive toy. So I think I am going to go for it. See attached. I trust you are both well and happy! Hugs all around. Cheers,

Dear Brian and Shira,

Thank you for your continued efforts hosting the annual August Summer Squeeze in West Dover, VT. This year I lost my “Squeeze” virginity, since this was my rst time attending, and it was an absolutely glorious 3 days of riding in both NY and VT. I even took a few dirt roads in Vermont (albeit accidentally) on my trusty antique ’96 GPz1100 and it wasn’t bad at all. I also enjoyed meeting many friendly new (to me) folks at the Gray Ghost Monday night dinner and also over at the Kitzof Inn; new folks who I’m sure over time will become old friends as I attend more events in the future. Finally, since we left a day early due to the impending tropical storm, we’re already committed to the 2022 Summer Squeeze, thanks to Simon and Alison’s generosity in offering us a onenight future stay credit for the unused night that we already paid for. They are wonderful folks and run an awesome Inn with great breakfasts. Be well, ride well, and as Shira always says, “Don’t let the fear of what could happen make nothing happen!”