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--- techtalk:ref:quostor06 [2020/01/26 11:16]
ixl2relax [Mosey's Tale Continues - Part Three]
+++ techtalk:ref:quostor06 [2024/01/20 21:30] (current)
hippysmack
@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 Mosey relates in his own gripping style the fantastic stories of Ray, a white-bearded motorcycle lover.
-The XLForum thread is here: http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1802273
+The XLForum thread is here: https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard?t=1802273
 The thread starts on July 25, 2014 (thru June10, 2015). As of January, 2020, it has 85,541 views.
+In order to be able to link into the middle of the story, it has been (arbitrarily) headered into sections.\\
+{{:common:space100x5px.jpg?direct&200|}}[[techtalk:ref:quostor06#mosey_s_tale_begins_-_-_-_part_one|Part 1: The Tale Begins]]\\
+{{:common:space100x5px.jpg?direct&200|}}[[techtalk:ref:quostor06#mosey_s_tale_continues_-_part_two|Part 2: The Tale Continues]]\\
+{{:common:space100x5px.jpg?direct&200|}}[[techtalk:ref:quostor06#mosey_s_tale_continues_-_part_three|Part 3: The Tale Continues]]\\
+{{:common:space100x5px.jpg?direct&200|}}[[techtalk:ref:quostor06#mosey_s_tale_continues_-_part_four|Part 4: The Tale Continues]]\\
+Be sure to look for the part of the story where Ray competes at Bonneville and meets Burt Munro, rides\\
+one of Craig Breedlove's streamliners and builds his own to go 520mph, where he races at Daytona & Riverside\\
+with Cal Rayborn, the times he raced up Pike's Peak and the day Arthur Davidson came to see him.
+\\
 Mosey encouraged others to reveal their own stories encountering older riders with tales to tell.\\
 Click here for the '[[techtalk:ref:quostor05|Miscellaneous Tales of Meeting Interesting Characters]]' page for more stories.
-In order to be able to link into the middle of the story, it has been (arbitrarily) headered into sections.
+\\
+**REALLY SAD NEWS**
+On November 9, 2023, around 6:40 p.m., a fatal traffic collision took place between a 1992, White, BMW, traveling at a high rate of speed, and a 2008 Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was ridden by Mosey. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The perpetrator was caught days later trying to escape into Mexico.
+[[xlforum.net/forum/general-area/off-topic-general-discussion/205690-mosey-where-you-at?t=2083139|This XLForum thread]] has the notification we received from XLF member 'Kanthaka'. Below is a picture of Mosey & his 1982 Ironhead which [[:xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/158212-ironhead-and-owner-post-yer-pics-if-you-dare?t=1692940|he posted to the XLForum]].
+{{ :techtalk:ref:quostor:mosey-82ih-ironhead.jpg |}}
 \\
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-====== Mosey's Tale Begins - Part One ======
+====== Mosey's Tale Begins - - - Part One ======
 \\
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 Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
-th July 2014 (http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=4921711)\\
+th July 2014 (https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard#post4921711)\\
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 Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
-th August 2014 (http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=4942327)\\
+th August 2014 (https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page2#post3593856)\\
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 Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
-th August 2014 (http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=4946278)\\
+th August 2014 (https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page3#post3596679)\\
 ======================================\\
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 Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
-(http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=4947250)\\
+(https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page4#post3597213)\\
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 Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
-rd August 2014 (http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=4949170)\\
+rd August 2014 (https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page5#post3598457)\\
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 Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
-th August 2014 (http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=4952411)\\
+th August 2014 (https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page5#post3600852)\\
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 Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
-th August 2014 (http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=4952437)\\
+th August 2014 (https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page5#post3600876)\\
 ======================================\\
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 Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
-th August 2014 (http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=4952759)\\
+th August 2014 (https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page5#post3601155)\\
 ======================================\\
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 Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
-th August 2014 (http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=4956051)\\
+th August 2014 (https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page7#post3603292)\\
 ======================================\\
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 Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
-th August 2014 (http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=4956100)\\
+th August 2014 (https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page7#post3603333)\\
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 Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
-th September 2014 (http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=4968526)\\
+th September 2014 (https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page8#post3611618)\\
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 Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
-th September 2014 (http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=4968997)\\
+th September 2014 (https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page9#post3612047)\\
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 Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
-(http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=4969026)\\
+(https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page9#post3612071)\\
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 Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
-th September 2014 (http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=4984902)\\
+th September 2014 (https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page10#post3622351)\\
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@@ Line 528: / Line 548: @@
 Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
-th October 2014 (http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=4994016)\\
+th October 2014 (https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page11#post3629153)\\
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 Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
-th October 2014 (http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=5005524)\\
+th October 2014 (https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page13#post3637034)\\
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 Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
-th November 2014 (http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=5022860)\\
+th November 2014 (https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page14#post3653030)\\
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 Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
-th December 2014 (http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=5041142)\\
+th December 2014 (https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page15#post3669488)\\
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 Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
-(http://xlforum.net/forums/showpost.php?p=5043529)\\
+(https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page16#post3670811)\\
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@@ Line 825: / Line 845: @@
 Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
-(http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=5045466)\\
+(https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page17#post3672730)\\
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@@ Line 838: / Line 858: @@
 Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
-(http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=5042974)\\
+(https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page16#post3670676)\\
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 Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
-(http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=5048548 &\\
+(https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page18#post3675562 &\\
-http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=5048551)\\
+https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page18#post3675564)\\
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 Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
-http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=5061997)\\
+(https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page19#post3691510)\\
 ======================================\\
@@ Line 1026: / Line 1046: @@
 Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
-(http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p= 5062346)\\
+(https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page19#post3691832)\\
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 Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
-(http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=5074817 &\\
+(https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page19#post3700163 &\\
-(http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=5074918)\\
+(https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page20#post3700255)\\
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-(http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=5091745)\\
+(https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page20#post3712002)\\
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 Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
-(http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=5118250)\\
+(https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page21#post3734859)\\
-(http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=511821)\\
+(<del>http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=511821</del>)\\
-(http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=5118253)\\
+(https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page21#post3734862)\\
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+= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =\\
+**XLForum member, Icefire, posts:**\\
+These stories about Ray are so good, I don't even care if they're true anymore. At this point, I kinda expect Mosey to let us all know Ray is fictional, or at least based on several people he knew.
+But, that's ok... He's such a good writer in this style, he should write a book like this, true or not, and we can all sit in the house on rainy days and read it...
+Keep it up, Bro, you've got all our attention...\\
+= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
+Do ya really wanna peek behind the curtain? Never mind the man busy working the controls...
+I sit and talk to Ray outside under the trees or in a small gazebo. I sit there with this old man and we talk about everyday bs for a while and, when the moment seems right, I ask if Ray has any old stories for me. Then I sit and listen as he relates whatever adventure is foremost in his mind. Sometimes I am rewarded with a brand new gem but most of the time the old dude tells me a story that he has previously told...sometimes many, many times! I've heard the helmet story a LOT!
+Ray will tell the story in a condensed version of the one I offer up for yer perusal. He parses his words but makes up for it with gestures and facial expressions. What he tells me in a couple hunnerd or a couple thousand words, I expand on to try and tell y'all the story as I saw it in my mind's eye while The Bearded One was yakkin' at me.
+It sure ain't a word-for-word transcription, it's got a whole big bunch of Mosey's world twisted throughout. I'm glad yer enjoying it.
+"Partly truth and partly fiction,\\
+He's a walking contradiction."\\
+Kris Kristofferson
+Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
+(https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page22#post3746699)\\
+======================================\\
+Turn to the stainless steel rolling cart and double-check the layout. Pre-cut lengths of half inch and one inch adhesive tape dangle from the side of the tray and wait patiently their part in the proceedings. Gauze and cotton balls, sit at the far end, three catheters of various sizes lie nearby in their colorful plastic cases and the selected size cath – a twenty-four gauge – is at the near end. Scissors lay to the side.
+Look at the patient. Unable to speak, imploring eyes do all the talking. “Please do something. Please.” The eyes glance away, breaking the moment. Time to do the job.
+The patient is severely dehydrated. This is not gonna be a cakewalk. Occlude the vein and watch it rise from the surrounding flesh. Trace it with gentle fingertip, feeling the soft, resilient spring of the vein wall. Feel the vein, know the vein, be the vein. The moment is always so...Zen.
+Scrub the area three times, wiping with alcohol after each. Take the cath with the hep flush and remove the cover. Inspect the length from tip to hub and apply a little surgical lube. Don't want it to hang up on the dehydrated skin of the patient. Exhale. Take a deep, slow breath and let it out. Focus.
+The everlastingly sharp tip of the catheter slides effortlessly through the skin. Feel the subtle resistance of the vein. Now is the exact fraction of a second that requires a sure hand. A dynamic move, like a samurai parting an opponent's neck with a katana, is needed to pierce the wriggly blood-filled tube. Push the cath down and forward fast enough and hard enough to trap and penetrate. It must be enough force to pass through one side of the vein, but not so much that the cath continues out the opposite side. Be the needle.
+A red flash of blood appears in the end of the cath. Hold the metal stylet in place and push the hub of the cath forward, threading it into the vein. Remove the stylet and cap the catheter with a plug. A drop of dark red blood falls on the steel table. Tape the catheter in place. Remove the plug and insert the IV line. Open the valve allowing a slow, steady drip of fluid into the vein. Done. Exhale.
+The patient whimpers softly. Lean in close. “It's gonna be okay, lil' guy.”
+The patient's eyes look directly into mine and he suddenly lifts his head and licks me on the cheek. “Your a good pup.” I ruffle the fur on his neck enjoying the silky softness of puppy fur before turning back to my work. Another patient awaits. An old cat. It never stops. The sick animals just keep coming in the door. But I have tomorrow off and I'm gonna go see Ray. Grin.
+Now get back to work Mosey, you lazy bastard.
+Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
+(https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page23#post3768374)\\
+======================================\\
+Downshifting, blipping, listening to the song of the motor, I swing the old Ironhead into the corner and stand up on the pegs anticipating the bumpy pavement that I know lies ahead. With bent knees I soak up the potholes and weave my way to the entrance of the convalescent home.
+I scanned the area and saw, to my surprise, that the spot where the convalescent home's residents would congregate was empty. All alone, Ray sat in his usual place in the gazebo. Not another soul around. Ahhh, the perfect moment.
+Correcting course, I turned away from my usual route to the parking lot and steered straight at the gazebo. Off the asphalt and onto the dirt the front wheel tracked straight and true. Stomping hard on the rear brake and ignoring the front brakes completely, the ass-end swung about to the right and I put down my left foot like a hot-shoe dirt jockey, sliding as I came to a stop. Dirt and gravel flew and the old Ironhead slid in BMX style.
+Ray, sitting on a chair in the shade of the gazebo leaped to his feet faster than I have ever seen him move. He stood in the doorway framed by the wooden structure with his right fist firmly clenched and raised high in the air. He shook it and hollered, “Hell's bell's Mose! That's the way ya do it!! Yeah!”
+I switched off the ignition after one last twist of the throttle and kicked down the sidestand. I let the old XLH settle down and stepped off. I walked straight up to Ray and stuck out my hand.
+“Gawddamn Mosey, I sure wasn't expecting that. You dun that just for me, right?”
+“Well, mostly for yer sake, but a little was for me and the rest was for the motorsickle. She likes it when I rough her up a little. You know how some girls are.”
+“Ride 'er hard and put 'er up wet, like the cowboys say, eh?
+“Ya know Ray that I'm a cowboy at heart. You can take the boy outta the country but ya can't take the country outta the boy, can ya? I will always be a redneck goat-roper no matter how long I live in the city.”
+“Yer a good guy Mose, always smiling and having a ball.”
+“It sure is easier to have fun when yer riding a motorbike.”
+“Ain't that the truth! Sure have missed ya. I heard you been here a buncha times but we haven't crossed paths in quite a while.”
+“Seems like you been at the doctor every time I came by. I hope yer giving 'em hell and flirting with the nurses.”
+“Never miss a chance with the purty girls. I hope you been getting' some.”
+“I get my share Ray.”
+“I'll bet you do. With yer good looks and charm I'll bet you get your share and then some.” I grinned, guiltily, as he continued. “Next time yer getting' some remember poor old me and bring me the leftovers, okay.”
+“Damn Ray, you are a dirty old man.”
+“Live long enough and you'll be one too. I guarantee that!”
+We both laughed and Ray shook out a cig from his pack of Pall Malls. I grinned when he fished out his Zippo and lit it. I recognize that chromium-plated steel Zippo with the enameled letter “G” on the case. That's from a motorsickle ridin' fool way down in Georgia. He sent it up to old Ray for Christmas. Made me feel good to see the bearded one using it. I know the Georgia chopper jockey would be pleased.
+“I been thinkin' about the old days cuz I know that's what ya wanna hear. Ever heard of Cal Rayborn?”
+“Oh hell yeah Ray! I remember reading about him when I was a kid. That guy was a helluva racer, wasn't he?”
+“Yeah, that boy could ride any-damn-thing, and he did it with class and style.”
+My mind started firing and suddenly a pertinent fact popped out. “Oh yeah, Cal was a San Diego guy just like you.”
+“Yup. He was a year or two younger than me. I met him at a race, I'm not sure where, and him and me became good friends. I did some wrenching at his dealership, Sun-n-Fun, when I wasn't working at the Harley shop. Working at his place was a lot more fun than the Harley dealer. Lotsa laughs and good times.”
+“Goddamn Ray. Cal-freakin'-Rayborn! You sure had some interesting friends.”
+“The first time I went to Daytona was with Cal. He invited me and I jumped at the chance. I drove the truck filled with our motorcycles. Cal flew out and we met up. I had a great time. Didn't place to well but at least I raced and finished. Of course Cal dun way better than me. Went back a couple more times with him.”
+“Were you there for his back-to-back wins?”
+“I was there in '68 to see him on the podium but I missed the second year. I think I was racing in Europe at the time. That boy sure flung that Harley around the track. He rode so easy and with so much grace. It was always easy to pick him outta the pack even without a number plate.”
+Ray leaned back in his chair, took one last drag, and stubbed out the butt on his boot heel. “We had a good time out at Bonneville, too. Cal was perfectly suited for Bonnevile.”
+“Whattaya mean, Ray?”
+“He was tall and lean, just like you Mosey, and fit inside them streamliners like a hand in a glove. Ya know you would prolly make a good pilot for a Bonneville run.”
+I laughed. “I may be skinny enough but I'm missing one important thing. Well, two things actually.” I paused and Ray looked at me quizzically. “I don't think my balls a re near big enough and that aren't made outta brass like the rules demand.”
+Ray chuckled heartily and leaned across the table to punch me on the shoulder. “I hear 'em clanking when you walk. You ain't fooling me Mosey!”
+The old man turned his head and looked off into the distance. “I wanna tell you a story that sums up Cal to me. Me and him were riding in a TT race somewhere, for some reason I think it was at the old Riverside Raceway. Cal, of course, was up in the first row and I was way back in the pack. I seen Cal head into the pits in the second lap and I figgered his race was over.
+“I was having a good race, the bike was running perfectly and I was really feeling it. Gaps in the pack seemed to open up in front of me and I was working my way toward the front. Man it felt so good and I was really on the line every damn time. I was racing like never before, passing riders left and right. I had a feeling that I could actually win if it kept on like this.
+“The bike was running so sweet and landing so solidly after the jumps, I was in heaven. And then I heard it – this ungodly wail getting closer and closer – just before I actually saw it. It was Cal passing me. That son of a bitch was whipping past me...on one wheel! And to add insult to injury, that bastard waved at me as he went by!! I felt like a kid on a tricycle at that moment. Really I felt like I shouldn't be on a track with that kinda talent, I wasn't even in the same league as that guy. He was the best. Not only that, he was a true gentleman and generous to boot. A helluva guy, lemme tell ya.”
+Ray stopped talking, stroked his beard and pensively regarded me across the table. “And then came the day that he crashed in Japan.”
+Sadly, slowly, Ray shook his head and looked down. “That damned Suzuki. I told him that he was gonna hafta work that bike hard to win. It just couldn't keep up with the Yamahas in the straights so he was really gonna be pushing hard in the corners to stay in the race.
+“Since Cal and me was friends I was the one that had to tell his wife and family. I remember riding out there that day to his house. It was tough riding out there knowing what I had to do but the ride home was even worse. I had tears in my eyes and had to pull over a couple times. That was a bad day.”
+Ray's hands were clenched into tight fists, the knuckles white with tension. Slowly the muscles relaxed and after a long moment the old man rose to his feet, “I'm sorry Mosey, but I'm all talked out today. Ya don't mind if we continue another day, do ya?”
+“Nah Ray, you know I'll be back. No problem. You want me to walk to the door with ya?”
+“I'll be okay Mose. You go home and tell yer dog I said hello. Bring him up sometime. I like dogs. Thanks for coming by. Yer a good man.”
+The old guy turned and shuffled off. I rose slowly, gathered up my gloves and helmet. Walking to my bike I watched Ray arrive at the door. He turned and waved as I fired up the Sportster. I returned the wave, pulled in the clutch lever and dropped 'er in first. Ray walked through the doorway into the cool dimness of the convalescent home.
+I let out the clutch and rode home thinking about Cal and Ray.
+(Special memories on this Memorial day.)
+Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
+(https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page23#post3768376)\\
+======================================\\
+It's always a special day when I get to update this thread. Between the visits when Ray just plain isn't there and the many times that he tells me the same stories, it feels extra good when Ray gives up a new gem. I will gladly go hang with the old dude twenty times to get one new story. Me and Ray get along like salt and pepper, like pancakes and maple syrup, like peanut butter and jelly, like...well, you get my drift.
+One thing that I would like to emphasize is that I am not a fact checker. I just record the ramblings of an old man. Y'all gotta remember, these are the memories of a really old fart and most all this stuff happened fifty and sixty years ago. The intervening years have not been easy on him. He's done a heap of hard living between those faraway days and the here and now. Lots liquor, piles of drugs and plenty of wild nights have taken their toll. Ray was not afraid of living that's fer sure!
+Don't get too hung up on the details, just try to take in the broad brushstrokes of a life lived in the fast lane. I don't think old Ray slowed down long enough to smell every flower, he just kept twisting the wick and watching the world go rushing past in a frenzied blur.
+It's not my place to correct Ray. I just tryin' to let y'all sit next to me while the guy babbles on. Like I've said before, I don't know if any of Ray's stories are completely factual and I really don't care. I just enjoy his company and find him entertaining and enjoyable to hang with.
+Thanks again for all yer comments and feedback. Don't be shy if you have sumpin' to add, post yer stories or comments that are in any way pertinent. And feel free to correct any discrepancies y'all find - I don't know enough about the old racing era to fill a thimble so this is all virgin territory to me - like Icefire's note about where Cal crashed. That's important info and it's worth knowing the true facts.
+BTW, yes I work in an animal hospital and I love my job. I ride a motorsickle to work every day, rain or shine. I know sometimes the clients are surprised to see their little Fluffy being cared for by a greasy biker type with a ponytail hanging down to his black leather belt. It's what's inside that counts, right?
+Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
+(https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page23#post3769297)\\
+======================================\\
+Every time that one of youse guys asks me to give regards to Ray, I write it down in my notebook. The first couple times that I pulled out the book and said sumpin' like, "Iron Mick says Hello from Canada" well, it kinda freaked him out. Now when he sees the little book he smiles with anticipation, like a Pavlov dog, wondering what crazy screenname he will hear. He loves the nicknames and that folks he's never met care about an old man in a nursing home.
+Ice, I will tell him you said, "Hey Ray!".
+Thanks Buskit. Yer alright.
+Wachuko, glad to have you on board. Ya never know where this ride is going. Lots of twists and turns. Maybe a few comfortable straight sections, but yer gonna hafta keep yer eyes on the road!
+Thanks again for everybody's comments and ideas. I love this forum!
+Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
+(https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page24#post3769577)\\
+======================================\\
+= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =\\
+The memories of a man in his old age\\
+Are the deeds of a man in his prime.\\
+You shuffle in gloom of the sickroom\\
+And talk to yourself as you die.\\
+Life is a short, warm moment\\
+And death is a long cold rest.\\
+You get your chance to try in the twinkling of an eye:\\
+Eighty years, with luck, or even less.\\
+= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
+So I'm standing in line at the local grocery store, holding my cucumbers and avocados, behind a couple of thirtyish ex-Valley girls pushing their carts and chatting away.
+“We should get together this Saturday.”
+“Can't. Have to take the kids to visit my Grandfather. He keeps bitching that he never gets to see them.”
+“Do the kids want to go?”
+“Yeah they like Grandpa. But you know, all he wants to talk about is how he worked with his Dad on the farm. That and all those stories about airplanes and World War Two.” She sounded bored and annoyed.
+Like my sweet, sweet Cabo hearing a cat yowling in heat, my ears literally perked up. “Uh, can I come?” I spoke without thinking and was kinda surprised as I heard the words come outta my piehole.
+Two mom faces swiveled and turned towards yours truly. Both of them were looking at me like I had three heads and two of 'em were on fire.
+“What?” The woman spoke with ice dripping from her fangs.
+“Excuse my interruption ladies, but yer grandfather sounds like an interesting man. I sure wouldn't mind a chance to hear those stories.”
+The other broad says, “Ugggh. Why don't you mind your own business and stop eavesdropping.”
+They immediately turned away and pushed their carts as far away from me as possible. I grinned in wry amusement that shifted to a sad feeling thinkin' about that Ungrateful Bitch's grandpa. All Gramps wants is an ear to bend. Gawd, what stories that old man has to tell. My only source of hope is that Ungrateful Bitch's kids sit at his feet listening raptly to his words. I hope so.
+The two pointedly ignored me as they paid for their separate foodstuffs and exited the store ahead of me. I saw the Ungrateful Bitch loading the contents of the cart into her shiny SUV. Standing next to my Ironhead and filling the saddlebags, I waved across the lot at her. “Tell Grampaw I said hi!”
+UB rolled her eyes and turned her pretty little head. Laughing at the mild distress I caused her and throwing a leg over the saddle, I rode out making sure to ride past her and giving my best Tom Cruise/Risky Business smile. She looked so pained!
+It's good to shake people up a little. Hopefully she might take the time to reflect on the fact that a total stranger could find her kin fascinating enough to break all social conventions, interrupt a private conversation, and attempt to interject into her carefully arranged life. I hope she gets it.
+As I turned out of the parking lot I thought to myself, “Oh well, I don't get to listen to Grampa's war stories but I've got Ray.” Twist the wrist, roll the throttle, pull the cable, open the butterfly on the old S&S, dump in the fuel, mix it with the air and listen to the motor purr. Adios UB. I'm gonna go see Ray.
+= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
+“So tell me Mosey, what's the fastest you've ever gone?”
+I answered Ray with my usual answer, “Prolly around a ton forty or so. I'm not positive cuz you know how optimistic speedos can be. I know that I've never gone as fast as you, that's for sure.”
+“What's the fastest you've ever gotten off at?”
+“I'm a pussy. I don't go fast enough to fall off much. Why don't you tell me about your fastest get-off?”
+“There was a time at Bonneville...” Ray's voice trailed off as he squinted into the hot, direct California sunshine. He looked back my way, “Did I ever tell you about my first race up Pike's Peak?”
+“Tell me all about it Ray.” I sat there listening to my buddy tell me for the umpteenth time about his ride to the top with a busted collarbone. And, just like the very first time, I hung on each word with delirious anticipation.
+“When I got to the top I got off my bike and one of the officials came up and asked why my right shoulder looked so weird. It was only then that I figgered out why I was hurting those last couple miles. But I just thought I sprained it. By that evening, I couldn't raise my right hand higher than my head and I realized that I had busted sumpin'. So I quit drinkin' – have I told you how much I like vodka? - long enough to get patched up in the hospital. Then we went right back to the party. There wasn't no way I was gonna miss a Pike's Peak party. Those boys knew how to have a good time.”
+Ray smiled and fished a Pall Mall outta a battered pack.
+“Damn Ray, that's a helluva story. Race in the morning, drink all night. Repeat until ya have to put up with someone like me pestering you all the time.”
+Ray laughed heartily, “Haw haw haw!! Mosey, yer the best part of my day. I can't tell ya how much I look forward to your visits. Seeing your smiling face is sumpin' I look forward to every week.”
+“That goes both ways Brother Ray. I'm glad that you spoke up that day and said sumpin' about my motorcycle.” The bearded one nodded sagely. “Even if I was riding a girl's bike!” The bearded one burst out laughing.
+“A Sporty ain't no girl's bike. It's the hotrod of the Harley world. Well, not compared to a XR750 but that ain't really a Sportster. I like that bike of yours, looks good, sounds good, and you ride it like ya know what yer doing. Now there's nuthin' wrong with that bike.” He gestured at my Shovelhead. “It's a fine machine. But I can see you really ride that old Sporty hard.”
+“That's how I ride all my dirty girls.”
+We shared a laugh between men. The other residents of the home, enjoying the warm day outside, looked up at us, wondering what the joke was. Me and Ray enjoyed the moment and our little bit of humorous repartee.
+A cute, slightly pudgy nurse in her white and blue uniform walked among the old folks telling them that dinner would be served in fifteen minutes. They wearily rose to their feet and began the long shuffle to the door of the home. Ray and I sat there for a couple moments.
+"Gawd dammit Mosey, I can't stand those old farts. Most of 'em got no life left in 'em. Don't end up like them, okay?”
+“Ray when I grow up I wanna be just like you.”
+The old man grinned and we walked up to the home, shook hands and he went through the door. “See ya later my friend.” I said as the door swung shut. Ray turned and waved through the glass. “Yup. I wanna be just like you old man. Just like you.”
+= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =\\
+And who is the master of fox hounds?\\
+And who says the hunt has begun?\\
+And who calls the tune in the courtroom?\\
+And who beats the funeral drum?\\
+The memories of a man in his old age\\
+Are the deeds of a man in his prime.\\
+You shuffle in gloom in the sickroom\\
+And talk to yourself till you die.\\
+= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
+Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
+(https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page25#post3776759)\\
+======================================\\
+Ray has a sister that visits once in a while. Never met her, but she must care. She has done a lot for Ray - stuff that I won't go into here - but it shows that she puts some effort into her older brother's medical treatment. He's not abandoned.
+Life is short and brutal. Ride free...\\
+(https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/167837-a-chat-with-a-whitebeard/page26#post3777145)\\
+======================================\\
 \\
-[[:techtalk:menu|{{:techtalk:gototechnicalmenu.jpg|}}]]
+Editor's Note -
+And then Mosey’s voice trailed off in the distance...
+I wonder if Ray is anxiously waiting\\
+the chance for another exciting word to say,\\
+Or lying quietly still, with hands folded over,\\
+calmly passing another peaceful day.\\
+\\
+[[:techtalk:menu|{{:techtalk:gototechnicalmenu.jpg|}}]]

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