Starting to look like something

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wret

Active Member
Feb 24, 2014
355
65
28
Maryland
July 4th Parade

I thought it would be neat to ride my bike in the local July 4th parade. My wife agreed to ride on the back and I made a pad to go on the cargo rack :) We were both a bit nervous. I haven't really had the bike running for more than 30 minutes or so, and never carried a passenger. The parade staging point was only about a quarter mile from my house and only required about 20 mph to get there.

I've lived here for more than 10 years and never witnessed the event, although they hold it every year. It's not a huge town and I assumed there would be a few hundred spectators and the whole deal would last about half an hour. There must have been about 20 thousand people! And it took two hours!

The bike seemed to be a hit, at least from my perspective, although a few friends and family members said the crowd loved it. Lots of shouts of "what year is that?", and almost as many of "I love your mustache!"

I had no real problems with the bike except for once hitting the kill switch instead of the horn (oops). The biggest problem was the slow pace. No way I could balance at walking speed and my zigzag skills are not good. Actually a friend told me a big guy on a big police cruiser laid it down trying to zigzag and had to have help getting it back up. There was a judging stage so who knows, I could be due for a ribbon or something. I did get a few invitations to car and bike shows.

At the end of the route my problem was trying to find my way back home around all the closed streets. Trying to avoid congested/commercial areas I ended up going about five miles. No trouble doing 40-45 mph even with a passenger, although my wife had some interesting feedback about riding on the rear pad with no springs.

I don't have any pics yet of us in the parade although a friend says she has them forthcoming. Here's a couple we took in the staging area.


 

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indian22

Well-Known Member
Dec 31, 2014
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Oklahoma
Thanks for sharing your special day with us, looks to be a blast and I'm sure your beautiful bike was a huge crowd favorite. Rick C.
 

Tinsmith

Well-Known Member
May 15, 2009
1,056
259
83
Maryland
Nicely done. We have a 4th of July parade here in Walkersville if you are interested. Let me know and it'll get done. The staging area is at the end of our street.

Dan
 

silverbear

The Boy Who Never Grew Up
Jul 9, 2009
8,325
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northeastern Minnesota
I think you guys should at the very least get together for a ride. Dan is a real good guy and a fine metal worker. And I think that parade next July would do well to have his bike as well. No handlebar mustache, but his ZZTop mega beard would fit right in along with his stretch Worksman. Wish I could join you guys for the fun...
SB
 

Tinsmith

Well-Known Member
May 15, 2009
1,056
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Maryland
Yes, 2016. It coincides with the Fire Company Carnival the week of the 4th and the parade is in the evening (6:30) on one of the weekdays, from our end of town to the Carnival grounds at the other end of town. I am a spectator not a participant, but SilverBear is welcome to join the parade too.

Dan
 

wret

Active Member
Feb 24, 2014
355
65
28
Maryland
Just got the word from the Baltimore Sun: I got a 3rd place for antique vehicle category in front of an estimated 45000 spectators!
 

Tinsmith

Well-Known Member
May 15, 2009
1,056
259
83
Maryland
Well, Mr Wret. Congrats on that. I think you may a little out or our league here now that you are an award winning parade participant. What parade was it?

Dan
 

wret

Active Member
Feb 24, 2014
355
65
28
Maryland
It was in Bel Air, Maryland.

Happy I got some recognition though I feel a little guilty taking an "antique vehicle" award. I guess my wheels are about 40 years old. That counts right?
 

indian22

Well-Known Member
Dec 31, 2014
4,734
7,740
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Oklahoma
Enjoy the recognition & know that your peers here also feel it is well deserved. You & your wife represented a tribute vintage motobike, to many for the first time, in a very memorable event...you did us all proud! Rick C.
 

curtisfox

Well-Known Member
Dec 29, 2008
6,081
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minesota
AMEN! Couldn't have said it better myself. You did something a lot of people would love to do, like indian22 said a tribute vintage motor bike. KOOL............Curt
 

wret

Active Member
Feb 24, 2014
355
65
28
Maryland
It may never be "finished" but I have started to run out of things to tinker on. Here's a pic showing a few things I've added, like bags, shift lever, sediment filter and even a piece of cookware. I got lucky finding an ebay chainguard that fit with little modification.

 

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