helicopterjim R.I.P.

I see that now. The pivot on the swingarm looks to be from the MGS and the upper fork clamp as well but not much else! I wish it had 4 straight exhaust pipes instead of the tiny megaphone.

First indications to me are that it is an MGS chassis with a watercooled engine and unusual bodywork.

Here is some more antler information. A girl at the office e-mailed this to me: According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid-December. Female reindeer retain their antlers until after they give birth in the spring. Therefore, according to every historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeers, every single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen... had to be a girl. We should've known. Only women would be able to drag a fat man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night, and not get lost. I was quick to respond with the following: The moral of the story is: 1- Girls are physically strong. 2- Girls have a good sense of orientation. 3- Girls like to be tied and then whipped. 4- Girls will do anything for an old, badly dressed geezer as long as he has a lot of gifts.

YES!!

Waiting for pics!! You know that your bike is eligible for the Canadian Thunder Twins class. Just imagine yourself going into corner 2 at Mosport, knee down and tucking just inside that Paul Smart Ducati, then accelerating out of 2 and lining up that Buell that you know you will eat alive on the exit to the hairpin. Yup! That could be you!

I suppose if you welded one end shut you might get improved acceleration ...... once!

Let's go!!!!!!!!!!!

I watched the inaugural race of the Moto-ST endurance series on SpeedTV today. I quite enjoyed it so I checked their website to see a little about the bikes racing. You see, I was intrigued that the bikes competing were SV 650's and 1000's, Buells, Ducati Paul Smart 1000's and a 749, Kawasaki EX 650's, an Aprilia Tuono and even a Hyosung! There were even quite a few recognizable names among the competitors. Stephane Mertens, Geoff May, Mike Ciccoto, Michael Barnes and Frank Trombino to name a few as well as Colin Fraser, Steve MvLaughlin and Don Emde amonst the organisers. The racing was an 8 hour endurance race that ended in the evening so the bikes needed lighting. The racing was quite exciting. Many bikes within their classes were very similar in performance and their was a lot of drafting on the banking. The race was run on the old layout - not the AMA layout so there was wide open racing! I read up on some of the rules and was surpised to find the Buell XB-RR is allowed but not the MGS-01. They must have to detune the Buell or else it doesn't make its stated 150 hp (118 hp is the maximum allowed so a stock MGS wouldbe perfect). However the Griso is allowed for the GrandSport class. I wonder if anyone will race one. Here is a link to their website. Here are the class breakdowns! SuperSport Twins – SST SST motorcycles must produce at least 90 horsepower and no more than 118 horsepower as measured on the official Dynojet Dyno in post race testing. Unless otherwise stated, minimum post race weight will be 400 pounds without the addition of fluids or ballast of any kind. The following motorcycles are recommended for competition in SST: Aprilia 1000 Tuono BMW R1200S, RT, ST Buell XB-RR Ducati 749R, Monster S4R, ST4S Harley-Davidson V-Rod Honda VTR1000F Super Hawk Suzuki SV1000S GrandSport Twins – GST GST motorcycles must produce at least 75 horsepower and no more than 90 horsepower as measured on the official Dynojet Dyno in post race testing. Unless otherwise stated, minimum post race weight will be 390 pounds without the addition of fluids or ballast of any kind. The following motorcycles are recommended for competition in GST: BMW R1100S Buell – All XB12 models Ducati 1000 SS, Monster S2R, Multistrada, Supersport 900 Moto Guzzi Griso 1100 Sport Twins - ST ST motorcycles may not produce more than 75 horsepower as measured on the official Dynojet Dyno in post race testing. Unless otherwise stated, minimum post race weight will be 400 pounds without the addition of fluids or ballast of any kind. The following motorcycles are recommended for competition in ST: Buell – All XB9 models Ducati Monster 620, 695 Kawasaki EX-500 Kawasaki Ninja 650R Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster, 883 Sportster Suzuki SV650 Triumph Thruxton, Bonneville

.... and improve acceleration!

I almost had to sell my liver but the effects of that on my lifestyle would be catastrophic. Sold my soul instead. I never used it anyways! I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous!!

Al Gore just discovered energy efficient light bulbs!! No sh!t!! He was on the Ellen Degeneris show extolling their virtues just a few days ago! Don't anyone dare ask how I know this!

The Night Before Christmas, Legally Speaking Whereas, on or about the night prior to Christmas, there did occur at a certain improved piece of real property (hereinafter "the House") a general lack of stirring by all creatures therein, including, but not limited to, a mouse. A variety of foot apparel, e.g. stocking, socks, etc., had been affixed by and around the chimney in said House in the hope and/or belief that St. Nick -- a.k.a. St. Nicholas, a.k.a. Santa Claus -- (hereinafter "Claus") would arrive at sometime thereafter. The minor residents, i.e. the children, of the aforementioned House were located in their individual beds and were engaged in nocturnal hallucinations, i.e. dreams, wherein vision of confectionery treats, including, but not limited to, candies, nuts and/or sugar plums, did dance, cavort and otherwise appear in said dreams. Whereupon the party of the first part (sometimes hereinafter referred to as "I"), being the joint owner in fee simple of the House with the parts of the second part (hereinafter "Mamma"), and said Mamma had retired for a sustained period of sleep. (At such time, the parties were clad in various forms of headgear, e.g. kerchief and cap.) Suddenly, and without prior notice or warning, there did occur upon the unimproved real property adjacent and appurtenant to said House, i.e. the lawn, a certain disruption of unknown nature, cause and/or circumstance. The party of the first part did immediately rush to a window in the House to investigate the cause of such disturbance. At that time, the party of the first part did observe, with some degree of wonder and/or disbelief, a miniature sleigh (hereinafter "the Vehicle") being pulled and/or drawn very rapidly through the air by approximately eight (8) reindeer. The driver of the Vehicle appeared to be and in fact was, the previously referenced Claus. Said Claus was providing specific direction, instruction and guidance to the approximately eight (8) reindeer and specifically identified the animal co-conspirators by name: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen (hereinafter "the Deer"). (Upon information and belief, it is further asserted that an additional co-conspirator named "Rudolph" may have been involved.) The party of the first part witnessed Claus, the Vehicle and the Deer intentionally and willfully trespass upon the roofs of several residences located adjacent to and in the vicinity of the House, and noted that the Vehicle was heavily laden with packages, toys and other items of unknown origin or nature. Suddenly, without prior invitation or permission, either express or implied, the Vehicle arrived at the House, and Claus entered said House via the chimney. Said Claus was clad in a red fur suit, which was partially covered with residue from the chimney, and he carried a large sack containing a portion of the aforementioned packages, toys and other unknown items. He was smoking what appeared to be tobacco in a small pipe in blatant violation of local ordinances and health regulations. Claus did not speak, but immediately began to fill the stocking of the minor children, which hung adjacent to the chimney, with toys and other small gifts. (Said items did not, however, constitute "gifts" to said minor pursuant to the applicable provisions of the U.S. Tax Code.) Upon completion of such task, Claus touched the side of his nose and flew, rose and/or ascended up the chimney of the House to the roof where the Vehicle and Deer waited and/or served as "lookouts." Claus immediately departed for an unknown destination. However, prior to the departure of the Vehicle, Deer and Claus from said House, the party of the first part did hear Claus state and/or exclaim: "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!" Or words to that effect. .... or there is this version! Bubba Claus A new contract for Santa has finally been negotiated. Please read the following carefully: I regret to inform you that, effective immediately, I will no longer be able to serve the southern United States on Christmas Eve. Due to the overwhelming current population of the Earth, my contract was renegotiated by North American Fairies and Elves Local 209. I now serve only certain areas of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan. As part of the new and better contract, I also get longer breaks for milk and cookies. However, I'm certain that your children will be in good hands with your local replacement, which happens to be my third cousin, Bubba Claus. His side of the family is from the South Pole. He shares my goal of delivering toys to all the good boys and girls; however, there are a few differences between us. 1. There is no danger of a Grinch stealing your presents from Bubba Claus. He has a gun rack on his sleigh and bumper sticker that reads, "These toys insured by Smith & Wesson." 2. Instead of milk and cookies, Bubba Claus prefers that children leave a cola and pork rinds (or a moon pie) on the fireplace. And Bubba doesn't smoke a pipe. He dips a little snuff though, so please have an empty spit can handy. 3. Bubba Claus' sleigh is pulled by floppy-eared, flyin' raccoon dogs instead of reindeer. I made the mistake of loaning him a couple of my reindeer one time, and Blitzen's head now overlooks Bubba's fireplace. 4. You won't hear, "On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen..." when Bubba Claus arrives. Instead, you'll hear, "On Earnhardt, on Wallace, on Martin, and Labonte, on Rudd, on Jarrett, on Elliott and Petty." 5. "Ho, ho, ho!" has been replaced by "Yee-haw!" And you are also likely to hear Bubba's elves respond, "I her'd dat!" 6. As required by Southern highway laws, Bubba Claus' sleigh does have a Yosemite Sam safety triangle on the back with the words "Back off!" The last I heard it also had other decorations on the sleigh's back as well. One is a Ford or Chevy logo with lights that race through the letters and the other is a caricature of me (Santa Claus) going wee on the tooth fairy. 7. The usual Christmas movie classics such as Miracle on 34th Street and It's a Wonderful Life will not be shown in your negotiated viewing area. Instead, you'll see Boss Hogg Saves Christmas and Smokey and the Bandit IV, featuring Burt Reynolds as Bubba Claus and dozens of state patrol cars crashing into each other. 8. Bubba Claus doesn't wear a belt. If I were you, I'd make sure you, the wife, and the kids turn the other way when he bends over to put presents under the tree. 9. And finally, lovely Christmas songs have been sung about me like "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" and Bing Crosby's "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." This year, songs about Bubba Claus will be played on all the AM radio stations in the South. Those song titles will be: Mark Chesnutt's "Bubba Claus Shot the Jukebox," Cledus T. Judd's "All I Want for Christmas Is My Woman and a Six Pack," and Hank Williams Jr.'s "If You Don't Like Bubba Claus, You Can Shove It." Sincerely yours, Santa Claus North American Fairies and Elves Local 209

Get Santa Drunk Angel Atop The Christmas Tree One particular Christmas a long time ago, Santa was getting ready for his annual trip... but there were problems everywhere. Four of his elves got sick, and the trainee elves did not produce the toys as fast as the regular ones, so Santa was beginning to feel the pressure of being behind schedule. Then, Mrs. Claus told him that her mom was coming to visit, which stressed Santa even more. When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two had jumped the fence and were out, heaven knows where. More stress. When he began to load the sleigh, one of the boards cracked and the toy bag fell to the ground, scattering the toys. So, frustrated, Santa went back into the house for a cup of coffee and a shot of whisky. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered that the elves hid the liquor and there was nothing to drink. In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the coffee pot and it broke into hundreds of little pieces. He went to get the broom and found that mice had eaten the straw it was made from. Just then, the doorbell rang and Santa cussed his way to the door. He opened the door and there was a little angel with a great big Christmas tree. The angel said, very cheerfully, "Merry Christmas Santa. Isn't it just a lovely day? I have this beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to stick it? Thus began the tradition of the little angel atop the Christmas tree.

Just curious but are you referring to the Shore hardness measured with a durometer? I am very intrigued to here about any results in this matter! Cheers Jim

Just take a 2x4 about 5 feet long and lay one end on the bead and jump on it. After the 2x4 breaks then get a piece of steel pipe about 1 1/2 inches diameter and have a crescent plate welded on the end and use it in a similar manner. The bead usually doesn't last more than 3 or 4 jumps! I'll try and get some photo's next time I use it. The plate on the end is nicely rounded and so far does not mark up the rims. Make sure that the rim is propped up un a couple of 2x4's so that the discs or such don't get hammered into the ground!

The weather isn't too bad here in Canada. Some people still find time to go snorkeling!

Ohhh dude. This is really gonna get things going. The local shop called head office in Toronto and the fellow there is in the big apple today and hopefully will ask for at least one to come north of the border!! By the way, that bike looks awesome!!! Thank you. Jim

Are you giving out presents? I think I may come as well!!

I'm going to email this to someone who has a huge down payment - only for a red Norge. I am proud to stir the pot on this one!

Slug! With your permission, may I send this to some of my friends?

Silver only for North America. Of course there are 10 reds for the USA and I have stirred the pot at the local shop so now the Canadian importer wants to know when the Canadian reds will arrive. I suspect Tommy Chong may have some info on that. He is a Canadian! I am really surprised that you Americans will let any reds in at all! Along the same train of thought I cannot understand why they are not all reds coming to Canada!

Very similar to a free cat I believe.

Congratulations Bill. I hope to hear lots about it! The Canadian dealers have been told the same! I'll have to let Gord know about this! Cheers Jim

Windy as hell here the last few days and it may get worse. The forecast is for 80 km/hr winds with gusts to over 100 for tomorrow night. The winds are expected to last for over 24 hours. Next time you see one of those IFR offshore pilots wearing a necktie you can tell him you know what it's for. it's to keep his foreskin from growing up over his head!

Does this mean I cannot come? I promise not to talk too much or eat too many beans!