December 2011 Newsletter

Transcription

1 Volume 20, Issue 12 Top Wings of Amarillo 3201 Mockingbird, Amarillo, TX or Newsletter Page 1 GWRRA South Central Region H Texas District Top Wings List Serve Address: topwings@topwings.org Visit Top Wings on the Web INSIDE THIS ISSUE: CHAPTER A CDs Chatter 2 Educator s Corner 3 Chapter A Concerns 4 Classified Ads 6 Birthdays & Anniversaries 7 Upcoming Events 11 August 2011 Newsletter Chapter Meeting: Thursday, December 8th, 7:00 p.m. Location: The Plaza at 2101 S Soncy, Amarillo G OLD WING ROAD RIDERS ASSOCIATION Top Wings Team Members and Officers Chapter Director: Ray and Tricia Latta; ; ray.latta@suddenlink.net Asst Chapter Directors: Glen & Judy Tyler; ; gtyler47@yahoo.com Asst Chapter Directors: Position is Currently Open Activities/Ride Coordinators: John & Debbie Kelly; ; ddkelly123@yahoo.com Special Events Coordinator: Bob Whitaker; ; Position is Currently Open Treasurers: Laurence & Sandy Bertrand; lbertrand_58@hotmail.com Newsletter Editor: : Betty Hisey; ; highzee1938@aol.com Web Master: Position is Currently Open Membership Coordinators: Glenn & Pam Tiffin; ; g.tiffin@att.net Ad Coordinators: : Clarence & Lana Heronemus; ; chero1946@yahoo.com Road Captain: Gene Rogers; suzannelrogers@gmail.com Scrapbook Editor: Debbie Kelly; ; ddkelly123@yahoo.com Chapter Educator: Wayne Early; ; pressman002000@yahoo.com Chapter Historians: David & Jody Cutsinger; Hosts: Hubert & Gladys Hensley; ; Hubert.Hensley@pxd.com Chapter Couple of Year: John & Debbie Kelly; ; ddkelly123@yahoo.com National and District Team Members and Officers National Director: Mike & Lori Stiger; (517) ; Director@gwrra.org Region H Directors: Harry & Joan Dollarhide; ; Texas District Directors: Fred & Mandy Mew; , TxDD@.gwrra-tx.org Assistant District Directors: Mark & Lynn Heene txadd@gwrra-tx.org District Educators: Chet Roby & Maria Collins txed@gwrra-tx.org Membership Enhancement Coordinator: Carolyn Barton txmec@gwrra-tx.org Texas District Website:

2 Chapter A Newsletter Top Wings of Amarillo GWRRA Chapter A Newsletter CD S CHATTER-R AY LATTA-CHAPTER DIRE CTO R Page 2 Honda Motorcycle History Honda was founded in the late 1940s as Japan struggled to rebuild following the Second World War Company founder Soichiro Honda first began manufacturing piston rings before turning his attention to inexpensive motorcycles. Mr. Honda always had a passion for engineering, and this became evident by the wild sales success of his motorcycles in the 1960s and by competing head-to-head against the world s best on racetracks. Today, Honda is a juggernaut, offering class-leading machines in most every category Soichiro Honda is born in Hamamatsu, Japan. His father owns a blacksmith shop that also repairs bicycles. As a young man, Honda is an apprentice in an automotive garage in Tokyo Honda returns to Hamamatsu to open his own auto repair shop. Enamored with speed, he builds his own race car Honda is injured in an auto racing accident He forms a company to manufacture piston rings. After a shaky start (owing mostly to his complete lack of formal training in metallurgy) his company becomes successful. He is a key supplier to Toyota, which starts manufacturing cars at about the same time Soichiro Honda sells his piston-ring business. Japan is struggling to regain some semblance of normalcy, after having been bombed flat at the end of WWII. Honda realizes the need for affordable transportation and begins grafting war-surplus two-stroke motors onto bicycles. (The motors had originally been intended for use on portable generators for military radios.) 1948 Honda Motor Co. Ltd is incorporated. Soichiro Honda focuses on the engineering side of the business, while financial operations are controlled by Takeo Fujisawa The company produces its first real motorcycle, powered by a 98cc a two-stroke motor. When an employee sees the first one assembled and it is ridden outside the factory, he says, It s like a dream. The name Dream was adopted for the bike, officially known as Model D Mr. Honda is infuriated by the noise, smell and fumes from the two-stroke motorbikes (including his own) that crowd Japanese city streets. In response, the company creates its first four-stroke motorcycle, the Dream E (146cc) Despite the fact that he despises such primitive powerplants, Honda flirts with his original notion of auxiliary motors for bicycles. The Cub F (two-stroke, 50cc) clip-on motor is sold through thousands of independent bicycle shops across Japan. It is only manufactured for two years, but it introduces the Cub trademark, which will be popular for decades in various guises The Benly J (4-stroke, 90cc) is released. At least some of these were sold with Benly tank-badges, and carried the Honda name on engine cases only. The Benly series also lasted a long time, and ushered in an era of improved performance. They were immediately popular with Japan s amateur racers Soichiro Honda shares his own dream, of success in Grand Prix motorcycle racing. He writes, My childhood dream was to be a champion of motor racing with a machine built by myself. However, before becoming world champion, it is strongly required to establish a stable corporate structure, provided with precise production facilities and superior product design. From this point of view we have been concentrating on providing high quality products to meet Japanese domestic consumer demand and we have not had enough time to pour our efforts in motor cycle racing until now I here avow my intention that I will participate in the TT race and I proclaim with my fellow employees that I will pour all my energy and creative powers into winning. Mr. Honda attended the Isle of Man races as an observer that year, paying particular attention to the German-made NSU motorcycles that dominated the 125 and 250 classes. Although it is widely believed Honda copied these machines, it is not true; the NSU racers were singles with bevel-drive cams nothing like the early Honda racers The leading Italian manufacturers, including MV Agusta, Gilera, and Mondial announce that they will withdraw from World Championship racing, citing increasing costs. MV Agusta will renege on this agreement and continue racing. Honda buys one of the last Mondial race bikes. The Japanese company doesn t copy the Italian bike, but it does use it as a source of inspiration and an example of the standard they need to reach The Super Cub (aka C100, aka CA100, aka simply the Honda 50 ) hits the market. It features a pressed-steel frame, leading-link fork, step-through design and a 50cc four-stroke motor. It is destined to be sold under various names, and will later grow to 70cc, and finally 90cc. It will become the most popular motorcycle indeed, the most popular motor vehicle of any kind.

3 Educator s Corner submitted by Wayne Early, Chapter Educator Time for an ice-cold slap in the face! Page 3 Here are a few chilling safety reminders for the winter months ahead. Not everybody has the luxury of heated grips and a nice snug faring, so keep these points in mind to extend your riding pleasure! Slippery Roads Wayne Early Chapter Educator The first rains of winter fall on roads that have been coated with oil during the summer months. Wet roads offer less grip than dry roads and places you previously rode could have a sheen of oil that now compromises the grip of your tires. Water Filled Pot Holes There is an illusion created by pot hoes. Appearing like puddles, they conceal their depth...that is until you ride over them. Never assume a puddle is just a puddle! White Lines The painted surface of white lines gets extremely slippery in the rain. Avoid riding too close to the center of the road during rain, as these markings collect a lot of fuel and dirt deposits. Add directional arrows and manhole covers to this list of snags! Pedestrians Be Aware that pedestrians in wet weather are always not very aware, especially when running across the road to avoid getting wet! They usually keep their heads down to avoid the rain, so keep yours up to avoid them. Speed and Corners Make sure the centrifugal forces on the bike are minimized heading into bends. Just ride a little slower, keeping those forces under control. Never sharply brake or accelerate too quickly either! Additionally, gearing down too rapidly could cause a lockdown of the back tire where it normally wouldn't on a dry road. Tree Gum Trees overhanging the road get a little over sapped during summer. In the winter rains the mixture of water and tree sap can form a slippery film, the perfect trap for the unwary motorcyclist! Corrosion and Your Motorcycle Corrosion during winter can be avoided by washing off the salt and road dirt causing oxidization. Wax your alloy rims with a nice hard wax to prevent the outboard motor effect. Try putting a little grease or Vaseline in areas you think should stay dry. Remember, bike covers will actually get a little moisture underneath them, so keep your bike covered in more ways than one. Warm Yourself Bear in mind that cold hands and feet don't react well. Treat yourself to a warmer kit and beat the freeze up this winter.

4 . Chapter A Concerns Page 4 Please let me know of concerns you want our chapter to be aware of or updates on the concerns mentioned. Anyone that needs a printed copy of the newsletter, please highzee1938@aol.com so we will know how many to bring to the Monthly Gathering. From Linda Moore, Saturday, about 4 PM. Please pray please!!!! Brent's mother fell last night and this morning was not doing well at all. We called the EMT's to have her taken to the ER. She is being taken by life flight to Ft. Worth hospital for emergency surgery. 10 AM Monday, Brent's Mother and a wonderful Friend, Karen Moore, passed away last night at 6:35 p.m. We are so very thankful that all of her kids and grandkids were here and that she was able to see everyone together again. We are taking her home to Altus, Ok. for the funeral. Which will be Saturday, hopefully. Please continue to pray for my family. Maria Hernandez has had to make frequent trips to Mexico due to her dad's medical condition and surgery. Rafael has to eat his own cooking when she is gone, now that is sad. Mary Weldon is new to Amarillo. If any of you ladies want to go to lunch or shop with her while Wayne is at work, her is dante334125@yahoo.com. Luis Morales is a relative of a coworker of Rafael Hernandez. The fight for Vega junior football player, Luis Morales, to regain his ability to walk took flight Thursday, October 13. Morales was flown Thursday from Amarillo to a Sacramento, Calif., hospital known for world-class research on spinal cord injuries so he can continue rehab for an injury suffered during a junior varsity football game Sept. 29 in Wheeler. The family is under a tremendous financial and emotional strain. Tricia Latta's nephew, Shea, has made it through 2 surgeries in the past 24 hours. He still has a LONG, LONG road to recovery but he is not in pain tonight and we are most grateful. Thank you all for the many thoughts and prayers. (From Tricia October 11.)

5 Page 5 Top Wings wishes to express its appreciation to our advertisers! Please remember to support these fine businesses.

6 THE TOP WINGS CLASSIFIED ADS F OR MOR E ADS C HEC KOUT T HE T OP WINGS WEBSIT E WWW. T OPWINGS. OR G The Top Wings Store The Trike Shop has new t-shirts & hats. All the sizes you need. T-shirts, Caps and other authentic Top Wings merchandise please contact David & Jody Cutsinger at X Large Long Sleeve $18.20; X Large, Large, Med, Small, $17.00/each; Short Sleeve 3X, Large $14.00, Med $12.00, Child Small $8.00; Polo $17.00 Cap $ Goldwing trike. The trike comes with an Escapade matching trailer, has xm radio, CB, CD player,am-fm radio, Motor trike conversion and lots of chrome and other extras and has been kept indoors and I am asking $23,500. Contact Hubert Hensley cell, , hubert.hensley@pxd.com Page 6 My name is Heath Moore, I am Brent & Linda Moore's son. I am selling a 1989 Honda Gold Wing Gl1500. It has 95,500 miles. It has never been dropped or laid over. It has cruise, reverse, radio/cassette, bike cover & ring of fire. I'm asking for $4, O.B.O heath.moore07@gmail.com For sale: 1990 Honda Always garaged. Price reduced to $3500. Call Randall Small at (806) or cell (806) in Dimmitt, Texas. Motorcycle Headset for sale - $50 Like new, Chatterbox noise reducing headset for an open-face motorcycle helmet. Bought a new closed-faced helmet and it wouldn't fit in it. Kit has everything that came with it originally purchased and works perfectly. Last two pictures of cords that fit Honda Goldwing/Valkyrie. If you are interested or have any questions call me at Kuryakyn Drivers back rest for sale. Fits GL1800. Used very little. $ Call or Leave message if no answer. Hey Guys the old seat is going quick, does anyone have a takeoff or replacement OEM? Jerry Arthur

7 D ECEMBER B IRTHDAYS AND ANN IVERSARIES Page 7 Happy Birthday to: 12-1 Debbie Kelly 12-3 Brad Hamblin 12-3 Mabe King 12-4 Billy Hoffman 12-9 Helen Gamblin Lloyd Falke Linda Moore 12-21Velma Mueller Laurence Bertrand Happy Anniversary to: Rafael & Maria Hernandez If I have missed your birthday or anniversary or misspelled your name, please let me know. If you don t like the picture, please one or request a retake or if you don t want one published, just tell me at highzee1938@aol.com

8 Top Wings wishes to express its appreciation to our advertisers! Please remember to support these fine businesses. Page 8 Top Wings of Amarillo

9 Top Wings wishes to express its appreciation to our advertisers! Please remember to support these fine businesses. Page 9

10 Top Wings wishes to express its appreciation to our advertisers! Please remember to support these fine businesses. Page 10 Laminate solutions for your kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Beautiful laminate coverings can be installed over new or old cabinets. Other services include plastic thermoforming, mold building, specialty cleaners and machine work. Call JTL or JTL219@clearwire.net for a free estimate. Do you have a product or service that you would like to advertise or sell? Your Ad could go here! Clarence & Lana Heronemus; ; chero1946@yahoo.com Business card size ad $50/year 1/4 page size ad $75/year 1/2 page size ad $100/year Full page $200/year Membership Enhancement Coordinators I was talking to a group of people at the Friday Night Drive, November 18. We knew a couple of them that ride bikes. They ride Honda VTX motorcycles like Bob and Wayne but they don't also have Gold Wings. We invited them to join us for rides and dinners but I did not know if they could be members of GWRRA without a Gold Wing. After researching, I discovered: Associate Individual Membership: For those individuals who want to join GWRRA and its benefits but do not own a Gold Wing or Valkyrie can pay the annual membership fee of $50 for one year, $95 for two years and $135 for three years. Associate Family Membership: For families with two or more people in the household who want to join GWRRA and its benefits and do not own a Gold Wing or Valkyrie can pay the annual membership fees of $60 for one year, $115 for two years and $165 for three years. So if you know of anyone that want to join GWRRA but do not have a Gold Wing or Valkyrie, you can share this information with them. They are always welcome to join Topwings for any activities.

11 Upcoming Events December 2, Christmas Light Parade Page 11 December 2-4 International Motorcycle Show Dallas, TX Convention Center December 8, Chapter A Gathering/Christmas Party at The Plaza, bring $10 gift 7:00 PM at The Plaza at 2101 S Soncy, south of Furrs, Amarillo, TX January 14, 2012, TX GWRRA Mid-Winter Roundup New Braunfels, TX March 9, 2012, "40 to Phoenix" Ride Departs Wrightsville Beach, NC (They have stopped at the Big Texan in Amarillo each of the previous years, watch the website) March 29-31, 2012, GWRRA Region H Convention Marshall, TX May 17-19, 2012, Texas Derby Days New Braunfels, TX July 4-7, 2012, Wing Ding 34 Fort Wayne, IN TOP WINGS FRIDAY NIGHT DRIVES Time: Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. Meet: At the designated restaurant. Watch for s telling where we will eat. If you do not have access to , let us know if you want to be called. This format will continue until April when our regular riding season begins again with the change to day-light savings time. If you have any questions or need to know the restaurant for the upcoming Friday, feel free to Contact Ray Latta for details; Cell Home ; ray.latta@suddenlink.net

12 Top Wings Calendar for December Page 12 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 4 Happy BD Billy Hoffman IMS in Dallas Pearl Harbor Day 1 Happy BD Debbie Kelly Happy BD Brad Christmas Light Hamblin & December Parade 2-4 IMS Dallas Mabe King Chapter A Christmas Party at The Plaza 9 Happy BD Helen Gamblin Happy Anniversary Rafael & Maria Happy BD Lloyd Falke Happy BD Linda Moore 21 Happy BD Velma Mueller Merry Christmas 26 Deadline for newsletter Happy BD Laurence Bertrand New Years Eve

13 TOP WINGS CHAPTER A MEMBER SPOTLIGHT OF THE MONTH Page 13 Top Wings Member Spotlight 1. Name(s): Brad Smith 2. AKA: Brad 3. Widowed 10 Yrs. 4. Children/Grandchildren: 3 children 4 grandchildren 5. Occupation(s): Retired 6. How many years have you been riding: 49 Years 7. Years in GWRRA/Top Wings: 2 8. Position(s) held in Top Wings: None 9. Tell us about your current bike(s): 2008 goldwing Best bike I ve ever owned. 10. What previous motorcycle do you wish you still had: 1956 Harley 11. What is your favorite motorcycle accessory: Garmin 650 and my heated riding gear 12. What is your favorite riding destination: Virginia Beach, Virginia to see my daughter 13. What is your favorite food/restaurant: Steak 14. What other hobbies do you have besides motorcycling: Pistol shooting 15. What happened during your 15 minutes of fame? Hasn t happened yet 16. Do you have a website? Facebook? Other internet connection? Facebook 17. Next month's Spotlight Couple will be Pam and Glenn Tiffin.

14 Top Wings Chapter A Veteran s Day Parade was a success with eight bikes and eleven members. The VA Hospital invited us to display our bikes at the hospital after the parade and served a great lunch of free burgers, hotdogs and cookies. Thanks for all the participation. Lets do it again at the Christmas light parade December 2. About our GWRRA Chapter A Top Wings of Amarillo Friends for Fun, Safety & Knowledge Page 14

15 About our GWRRA Texas District Friends for Fun, Safety and Knowledge Page 15 News from the Texas District GWRRA Texas District has received THE certificate from the Texas Department of Public Safety authorizing GWRRA to conduct riding courses within the State of Texas. According to District Director Fred Mew, this was the result of hard work put forth by District Educator Chet Roby, John Bourg, and Harry Dollarhide.The State of Texas has recognized that our programs are well prepared and has awarded the certificate for a two year period. DD Fred Mew stated, Only through the efforts of the entire Rider Education TEAM can we continue to provide world class education to our members. It is indeed an honor when a State recognizes the worthiness of our program. Hearty congratulations to all Educators for a job well done! Texas District Convention will be in New Braunfels, Texas May 17, 18 &19, the weekend after Mother s Day Texas District Mid-Winter Roundup January 14, 2012 New Braunfels Convention Center 375 South Castell Avenue New Braunfels, Texas All Chapter Core Team members are urged to attend this very important meeting. And, anyone else who is interested in learning more about the operations of GWRRA chapters is invited to attend. More information is available on page 2 of the October Texas District Newsletter which can be found on the District Website at: There is also a list of hotels with addresses, phone numbers and rates on page 3 of the same newsletter. In order to obtain the stated rate, you will need to identify yourself as a member of GWRRA when you make your reservation. There is also a list of rates available for our District Convention in May, so you might just want to get those reservations in early! THE GWRRA Are you a member of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association (the GWRRA)? If not, then you should check it out. The GWRRA is the reason why TX - Chapter A Top Wings of Amarillo exists today! With membership in the GWRRA you receive the following: Wing World magazine, the Gold Book Member Directory, Towbusters Emergency Roadside Assistance Program, Affinity Credit Card Program, USA hotel discounts, and much more Ask a Top Wings Staffer how you can become a member of the GWRRA!

16 Page 16 About GWRRA Friends for Fun, Safety and Knowledge "40 to Phoenix" will depart El Reno, OK Tuesday, March 13 and will come through Amarillo. Let's join them at the Big Texan. Anyone is welcome to ride with them. They will stay Tuesday, March13th in Moriarty, NM. Wednesday, March 14, they will ride to Phoenix, AZ. Thursday, March 15 will include a tour of GWRRA Home Office and a group picture plus receive a souvenir pin like pictured on the left as well as a free cookout that night. You may head home or go on to CA and Mexico Friday. Check out As soon as you get home launder and repack for the Region H Convention in Marshall, TX on March Get your poodle skirt ready and your Elvis suit out of storage for the Fabulous 50's Region H Convention in Marshall, TX March Your Opinion Counts! Share your opinion on International s website Remember to check out GWRRA's Homepage at to let us know your opinion of a variety of subjects in our polls. We always have a current GWRRA topic. To let us know your opinion. Check it out! Check out Hope you are ready for Amish cooking, crafts and a buggy ride. Previous Wing Dings in Ft. Wayne have always brought big crowds and we expect the same in Located right on Highway 930, this easily accessible facility is located within a day's drive of 21% of the U.S. population. So plan on riding in, parking the bike and enjoying the ceremonies, hundreds of exhibits, manufacturer demo's, seminars, entertainment and more all in one location! We look forward to seeing you in Ft. Wayne, Indiana next July 4-7, 2012!

17 DECEMBER PICTURE OF THE MONTH VETERAN'S DAY PARADE Page 17