Changed my Mind

[britman]

I came close last week in letting my 2005 Rocket 3 go, but after some hard thinking and reviewing a lot of old threads and current and past member names on this site, I have decided the "Old Fat Bottom Girl" is staying put. I bought her new in 2005 and have been through all of the early recall discussions, electrical issues, speed modifications, dark side arguments (yes she ran a rear car tire for a few years), and all of assorted other idiosyncrasies associated with owning the biggest ever production motorcycle ever produced and the first in a number of areas that had motorcycle world talking back then. I have been on this site since 2006 and yes I only visit occasionally anymore, unfortunately it is the same amount of attention the Rocket gets these days. Old Father Time, a battle with prostrate cancer, and all of the fun things that come with being 76 years old are all a factor as to why I listed it for sale a short while ago. There were a couple of inquiries, but it is a 20 year old motorcycle with 33 K on clock, and I just could not let it go for the money that was offered from a couple of prospective buyers. I still enjoy opening the garage door and seeing her sitting there, she still shines, the Jardines still shake the ground, and when you twist the throttle, you still smile. Of course, there are a couple of little imperfections but there is a notebook with entries of every tune up, oil change, and anytime a wrench has been turned on the machine for past twenty years.

She has carried me to a few early Rocket 3 gatherings through the years when distance riding was not an issue and there are a lot of good memories from those events. I never forget the Nashville sky line when pulling out to start home for Virginia at 4am in the morning. Crossing the bridge over the Mississippi River in driving rain dealing with the remnants of a hurricane while on the way to Eureka Springs Arkansas. The sight of 40 of these machines traveling in a group going to one of the organized rides and old time members who attended these early meets like:
Sidecar Flip
Toystore Tom
Pianoman
Snuffcityrider
Molinoman
Tdragger
Scott in Exile (Dave must be at least 90 now)

There are so many more I can't recall. The great thing about this site new members come along to replace the old and it stays active with a friendly and helpful folks who are always willing to contribute. I still enjoy coming back to catch up, see the comments on the new Rockets, and watch the planning for Rocket gatherings which I still attend in spirit and seeing the posted shots. Yes you guys hold up the tradition well. My current plans for the 2005 Fat Bottom Girl are: she has had a fresh oil change, a new battery, and good cleaning and waxing and in five more years here in Virginia I can register her as an antique motorcycle to go along with the rest of my small herd. I still on occasion pull her out early on a Sunday morning and take a 50 to 75 mile run to foothills of the Blue Ridge, there are a lot of rest and pee stops, but the ride is just as enjoyable as when she was a brand new gleaming shinny Beast. As long as that is possible I am a happy man. Ride Safe All.......


George aka britman

 

[atomsplitter]

You did what I couldn't, I traded my 2005 Standard. I was Happier with the smaller lighter bike but missed the torque and brute power of the BEAST. I went thru buying bikes that had parts of the joy I had on my Rocket (and they are all still in my garage), but when I felt how much weight the Gen 2's had shed I couldn't resist and bought a 2023 GT. Couldn't be happier if I tried. Party on!!