I'm back--I think

[Ken in Oklahoma]

Well, I'm back, I think. I've been distracted for quite a while now. My focus has been on my new (to me) home in Boise, primarily getting my new shop with attached den (The den is not a man-cave, though the casual observer might not be able to discern the difference between the two.) I know, I know. Pics! It ain't so if there's no pics. But I have a plan for that. I have an old high school friend in a nearby town who is a photographer. As you might surmise, from all these years of no pics from me here on Boxerworks, I'm inept and haven't mustered the fortitude/will to become ept. That's still the case, but my plan is to give him beers and otherwise amuse him while he takes some good pics of my shop and den. He's also computer ept so hopefully he'll 'train' me on how to set up an account on one of the pic hosting sites.)

You may wonder why I've been away from Boxerworks for so long. Me too. What has happened is that I have submerged myself in my music. I'm still not a very good musician, but I like my singing and playing much better now than I did. Admittedly the main driver has not been to become a musician, but rather to exercise and improve my brain, so I can be all that I can be. This has come about because I recognize some short term memory issues and my Dad was an example of what not to do. He used to joke that he knows all that he needs to know. I shuddered at hearing him say it then and his view didn't serve him well.

But there's another factor that's leading me back to Boxerworks. Make that two factors. Recently I gave my brother an '82 RT, one that I bought some years ago and never got around to doing anything with it. He has been a dyed in the wool Harley rider, but now he's refocusing on airheads. So he and I will be working on his 'new' airhead to get it up and running well. That, if noting else, will get my airhead 'juices' flowing again.

But I really don't need an external impetus. Those of you who have been to the Boxerworks rallies at my place in Oklahoma will remember my '77 S bike. It had a custom paint job (red) which wasn't half bad. But a few years ago I commissioned Justin Bowser (who most of you know) to paint up some bodywork for my S bike. And as Terry and I are working on getting his RT running I will also be installing the bodywork on my S bike. And that has gotten my juices going.

The bodywork (tank, fairing, fenders etc.) is done in a Smoke Red, though I didn't try to duplicate the BMW colors. And I'm itching to finally see my '77S bike in it. I even have the scarce 3/4 solo seat in addition to the usual long seat. I expect it to look gorgeous, but likely it won't fit my butt as well as the regular seat. But that's not a problem. Just having that good looking solo seat is worth the price of admission.

Before I close this message I have to talk a little more about the den. It is part of my large dream shop, but is entirely a separate room, plus a bathroom including a by gawd urinal for us guys! I spend quite of bit of time in the den. It is a place I like to hang out in even just by myself.

The floor is a painted concrete, a high tech paint with speckles in it. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. The walls are done with knotty pine with semi-gloss varnish. The ceiling is conventional sheet rock. Around the walls I have lots of memorabilia. I have flags draped on the wall including the three states that have been important to me and some motorcycle flags, specifically Harley Davidson, Triumph, and BMW. (They don't make other flags I would want such as Husqvarna, BSA, Royal Enfield, and such.) I also have those steer horns that used to hang on the porch in Oklahoma. Also hanging on the wall is a Hagstrom electric guitar (much like the first guitar I owned) and the lap steel guitar that my dad played with me chording behind him). And the tin motorcycle signs that used to hang in the garage in Oklahoma and now on the wall of the den. I have some comfy chairs to sit in and the obligatory fridge with beer and soft drinks. I also have a book case half full of various motorcycle books.

I've got to get those pics posted, but it will be a while.

Also in the Den I have two motorcycle engines displayed on top of rolling tool boxes. There's the BSA Gold Star engine and transmission that graced the garage in Oklahoma, and the engine from my brother's hot rod Harley. Soon to come will be an airhead engine. Years ago I bought a parts bike airhead with no title so that engine will go on display.

Oh, I almost forgot. Also on the wall are the two posters that used to hang on the ceiling in the garage in Oklahoma. They are of racing airheads, back in the day.

The motorcycles I have on display on the floor are my '78 R100S 'Touring', my '82 RS, my '78 Triumph Bonneville, my old '57 Triumph Thunderbird, and my '74 Clews CCM motocrosser.

Also in the den I have a sound system set up so I can sing and play to myself. I love the sound I hear from the sound system (with a bit of reverb). I also credit the Shure SM58 mic for making me sound better than I am.

I know this post if filled with braggadocio, but what you're reading is really enthusiasm (may story and I'm stickin' to it).

Ken

[Duane Ausherman]

"Around the walls I have lots of memorabilia."

I am shocked.

[Rob]

Good to read you again, Ken.

Are you going to keep the place in Big Cedar?

A nice winter refuge, I would imagine. I get so cold these days as I approach 60, I think I would want to go even further South.

I hear even Denver, with its altitude has better weather than Indianapolis.
I have a good friend in Rapid City, South Dakota, and he was shocked by the miserable weather here, compared to where he lives now.

Cheers, buddy. Keep an orange Nehi on tap for me. I am thinking of getting a motorcycle trailer. My latest Civic came with a Draw-Tite class 1 (1 1/4") receiver on it. (PO only hauled bicycles on Sundays)
I proved to myself last September that I don't have what it takes to be an interstate rider anymore. This might be the answer/compromise.

[Ken in Oklahoma]

Good to read you again, Ken.

Are you going to keep the place in Big Cedar?

A nice winter refuge, I would imagine. I get so cold these days as I approach 60, I think I would want to go even further South.

I'll keep the place in Big Cedar for a while, Rob. I know that's a vague answer. My current plans call for me to make a quickie trip to Big Cedar in a couple weeks to move some more stuff to Boise. But beyond that I haven't made any hard decisions. As I get older I seem to want to make safe and safer decisions. For example I don't want to take any chances on getting into snow and ice. And between here and Big Cedar you have to cross the Rocky Mountains unless you want to drop way down to I-20. What would be a 2 hard days drive in the summer, going the shortest distance across the Rockies (Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska) in the winter and would take at least 4 hard days. And as I get older hard days seem, well, harder on me.

My chief regret in the move to Boise is not having Boxerworks Rallies at my place. And Boise is way too far away to attract the people I know and enjoy from the rallies in Big Cedar.

Curt Henry and his brother, Ken did stop by my place in Boise about 3 summers ago from a National BMW rally in Oregon. At that time my shop and den were essentially a shell, though I did have the bathroom in the shop operational. I really enjoyed meeting Ken Henry. I swear, he and I must be identical twins from different parents. But I'm pretty sure my Dad was never in Minnesota.

As a side note I sure wish someone else would be able to host Boxerworks rallies on a regular basis. I hate to see them go away.

I also miss the Kiamichi Wood Nymphs, in a much different way.

Ken

[Steve in Golden]

Welcome back Ken. I wondered where you'd been lately.

Sure glad I got to go to the last rally at your place in Big Cedar.

[Airbear]

It's Ken! He's back. Well done, old chap. You have been missed. It's very good to know you are still kicking. I look forward to reading a lot more posts exhibiting your particular way with words. Enjoy your new man-cave den and I'll keep an i out for those wood nymphs.

[Ken in Oklahoma]

. . . Enjoy your new man-cave den and I'll keep an i out for those wood nymphs.

There's no doubt in my mind, Airbear, that the wood nymphs would like you at first sight. And I would be comforted that they are being looked after properly. But I seem to remember you talking about the forest nymphs you have down where you are. They must be the kindest of all nymphs imaginable and free of jealousy. On a par with the Kiamichi Wood Nymphs, I reckon.

You are indeed a fortunate man.

Sadly I've heard nothing about nymphs inhabiting the Rocky Mountains around here.

Ken

[SteveD]

F'Christs sake Ken, you had us worried!

Great to read all is good!

[bbelk]

Summer 2017 i includes plans for Idaho. I will see you then if not before.

[Ken in Oklahoma]

Summer 2017 i includes plans for Idaho. I will see you then if not before.

Wow! That sounds great, Brad.

Google: 'Lowman Loop'. And weekdays are best. (less traffic and squids).

Here's just one link:
https://tjdmobile.wordpress.com/2008/07 ... wman-loop/


Ken