 To tassle or not to tassle?
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Not that anyone cares but the windshield debate got me thinking that there are obviously things we each don't like on "other peoples" bikes (i.e "to each his own").
I mean windshields are acceptable, IMHO, due to the functionality provided but i really
Struggle with
(1) Tassles - Why? I don't get it?
(2) Floorboards - Only on big bikes.
(3) Triple headlights
(4) Hardtails (sic?)
(5) Replacing stock parts when I know i will replace later to bring back to original??
(6) Engine guard.
(7) etc.
but enjoy
(1) Chrome
(2) Saddlebags (Leather or vinyl) on cruisers
(3) Custom paint,
(4) those who build there own customs,
(5) etc.
No real logic to my likes/dislikes, probably my parents fault. You know, I am kinda wishy washy, at least 2 of the items on the "Struggle" list I will eventually put on my bike anyway.
oh well, my youngin wants the computer.. 
Last edited by dmillikan; 01/17/2006 8:18 PM.
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- 2007 Triumph Tiger
- 1982 Yamaha xj650 Magnum
- Previous 2004 Triumph America
- Previous 1973 Triumph Bonneville T140V 750cc
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Hey dmillikan Quote:
(1) Tassles - Why? I don't get it?
I agree - just don't do it!!
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(3) Triple headlights
Disagree - life savers sometimes I think.
Like you say, no hard-and-fast rules.
Just people's different opinions.
If everyone thought the same we'd all ride round on bikes that looked like everyone else's ... and we've already been beaten to that .......  
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Dmillikan,
I agree, I especially don't like tassles and engine guards. I'm torn on the highway lights. They're functional and safer but they just don't look right on our bikes. The same with floor boards, I went with Kuryakyn switchblades which I love.
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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Oil Expert
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Quote:
Tassles - Why? I don't get it?
My guess is that some need to look at the tassles to see if their bike is moving or standing still...
"Wise men speak because they have something to say, fools because they have to say something."
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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Hey dm, I completely agree witht the tassle thing, seems rather cheesy to me either on a bike or a leather jacket, or worse case scenerio, chaps.
I have to disagree though with the hardtail, my 03 BA is a hardtail and I love it that way. The ride may be ruff at times but I can always put my shocks back on for the long rides.
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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Quote:
at least 2 of the items on the "Struggle" list I will eventually put on my bike anyway.
Hardtail & Tassles?
Jim
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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Oil Expert
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Quote:
(1) Tassles - Why? I don't get it?
Agreed, stupid looking things especially on the ends of handlebars... what do you think you're riding, a 1950's kid's bicycle with streamers?
Quote:
(2) Floorboards - Only on big bikes.
Or on americas/speedys with short legged owners. Trust me, at 5'8 it was a choice between floorboards of a honda - I went with the boards. Besides if you're doing 9 hour rides they're a lot more comfortable.
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(3) Triple headlights
Life savers, both in terms of lighting dark roads, and being seen by cagers - plus I think they look great on our bikes... horses for courses.
Quote:
(4) Hardtails (sic?)
(5) Replacing stock parts when I know i will replace later to bring back to original??
Yep to both...
Quote:
(6) Engine guard.
I really didn't like them till I saw one on a friend's Kwaka Vulcan. I still don't like the Ma's one or the other one (Jack Lilley? Can't remember) but the Triumph ones are small & neat, and might just save my knees and the tank's paint if I lay it over. When I got the chance to pick up a brand new set as part of a bunch of accessories I choce to put it on and it's still on.
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(7) etc.
I don't have one of them :P
Matt
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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Thing is, tassles serve no purpose. Same as fringes on jackets. Driving lights and floorboards serve a purpose and have a quantifiable benefit. And I don't think they look that bad.
But I've seen some of the baddest-arsed bikers with those damned tassles dangling from their brake and clutch levers. May as well put a rainbow sticker on the back.
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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Anonymous
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HEY!! What's wrong with rainbow stickers?? 
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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Quote:
Same as fringes on jackets.
Hey now! What about fringe on the seat . OK, don't answer that! Between the seat and the brown bags, I am thinking I have some subconcience "Indian" deal. Make that an agile Indian.
Funny, I spent a couple years putting stuff on, now I am slowly taking stuff off.
I'd heard that fringe on chaps and leather in general was used to help wick moisture away. I considered getting fringe on my chaps when I had them built, but the ranch manager said he'd be forced to let me go.
"It's not what I say that's important, it's what you hear" Red Auerbach
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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Big Bore
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Big Bore
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That might have been to your advantage though. You could have gotten a part in that new movieCRUNCH!
"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity" - Robert Heinlein
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Tassles are for strippers
Chris
Pain heals, Chicks dig scars, and Glory last forever.
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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When I was a kid, every new bicycle came with those stoopid colored tassles/streamers stuck into the ends of the handlebar grips. They looked "sissy" to us boys, and the first thing we'd do once we were out of our parents' eyesight was to pull the things out and throw them away. The SECOND thing we'd do would be to raid our parents' pinnocle deck (Does anyone even play that anymore???) and stick a card or two into the spokes using a clothes pin (Does anyone remember those???) on the forks to make "motorcycle sounds." The card wouldn't last very long, but you just couldn't beat the "brapbapbapbap" sound as we sped down the block on our one speed Schwinn/Murray/Huffy bikes with coaster brakes. It was the old school bicycle equivelent of hanging Epcos pipes. Then we'd all duck and hide when Pinnocle night came around, and my dad would holler, "Which one of you little (devils) has been in the cards!?!?!?!"  Ah, memories.  My opinion hasn't changed regarding "tassles." Sissy crap if ya ask me... 
JB
"Long live the Duck Force!"
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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Big Bore
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Big Bore
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Bicycle cards seemed to last the longest and produce the best sound.
"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity" - Robert Heinlein
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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Yup!
JB
"Long live the Duck Force!"
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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no to tassles
and no to conchos
no aerials that are not conected to a stereo
no flags or animal tails
they are all lame these people should get a life
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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Tassles: What the hell, it finished off the look of the scooter while I had them on. My personal opinion, I liked them (shot of them in the photo gallery) However I do like them better on strippers....
Floorboards: I do a lot of long distance riding and with the floorboards it gives my feet a little more moving around room which REALLY helps in keeping my legs from getting stiff.
Triple Headlights: Great for being able to see at night and also being see by the cagers in the day and night.
Hardtails: Looks good. I had one on my first scooter in my younger days, but I’m more into the comfort of shocks now.
Replacing stock parts: Yep. Because I like what it looks like and don’t plan on changing it back to stock.
Engine Guard: Saved my tank, headers and other parts when I went down. Wouldn’t take them off for anything….
Gene
"It's a hundred and six miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses."
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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I knew fred would agree with me about the stripper part
Last edited by stern12; 01/18/2006 7:56 PM.
Chris
Pain heals, Chicks dig scars, and Glory last forever.
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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Don't like tassels, Would like to put the lights on. I am curious about the crash bars Matt was talking about. Have you got any photos posted showing them.
Stay On It
Ken
A dog, a bike, a ute,
Now in the deep south.. Newcastle.
Cold winters, cold rain
Come on summer
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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Tassles are ok on the levers, I don't like them on the grips. Flooboards are great for long rides, moving the feet around. Engine guards are great if you have those leather lowers to put on them. Nice in the cold ... Quote:
Not that anyone cares but the windshield debate got me thinking that there are obviously things we each don't like on "other peoples" bikes (i.e "to each his own").
I mean windshields are acceptable, IMHO, due to the functionality provided but i really
Struggle with
(1) Tassles - Why? I don't get it?
(2) Floorboards - Only on big bikes.
(3) Triple headlights
(4) Hardtails (sic?)
(5) Replacing stock parts when I know i will replace later to bring back to original??
(6) Engine guard.
(7) etc.
but enjoy
(1) Chrome
(2) Saddlebags (Leather or vinyl) on cruisers
(3) Custom paint,
(4) those who build there own customs,
(5) etc.
No real logic to my likes/dislikes, probably my parents fault. You know, I am kinda wishy washy, at least 2 of the items on the "Struggle" list I will eventually put on my bike anyway.
oh well, my youngin wants the computer..
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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Posts: 3,954
Loquacious
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Loquacious
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dm-
I struggle with each and every thing I add on my bike that I think takes away from the long, low lines of the bike. Took me a long time to bring myself around to a set of driving lights, but the way I did them, I'm now happy with them. A windshield is what I'm pondering now, but only due to shoulder/neck problems on long rides, otherwise I'd rather poke my eyes out than put one on. Tassles, only on strippers, chaps, same....
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
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Quote:
Quote:
Same as fringes on jackets.
Hey now! What about fringe on the seat . OK, don't answer that!
Sorry big fella. I guess I'll make an exception for your seat since you brought it up. I really only mentioned jackets. Especially those jackets with 2' long fringes that start across the shoulders. Yikes. If you're wearing a jacket like that you better be a girl... 
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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Big Bore
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Big Bore
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"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity" - Robert Heinlein
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Quote:
Tassles: What the hell, it finished off the look of the scooter while I had them on. My personal opinion, I liked them (shot of them in the photo gallery) However I do like them better on strippers....
Your bike still looks pretty awesome. Just think how much better it would look without the tassles...
<running and ducking>
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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With the length of the tassel I had, it created enough drag on them to keep moving my front brake lever, which caused my brake light to keep flickering on and off while riding. I took them off and put on a set of chrome brake and clutch levers which looks a lot nicer…
"It's a hundred and six miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses."
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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It's like round mirrors. For my taste a Triumph looks better with round mirrors. I never cared for hardtails, As for fringes, I have a leather strip on the zippers on my jacket. It makes it less difficult to open and close the pockets. Also a leather string on my key's to make them easier to verify their in the pocket and to get them out of the pocket. I'm told by some really old timmers that the fringes on the leather coats were used by mountain men to tear off and use as ties for various fixins. Form vs function??? or form complements function???
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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Man, I forgot about the cards for the spokes. We used to do that all time when we were kids. We always used baseball cards that we had doubles of and used the clothes pin to attach them. We did both front and back tire, both sides for maximum noise levels. Wow, what a great memory!!
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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My stock horn didn't do the trick. The one I bought at Autozone isn't much better. Think I need one of these, "the perfect accompaniment for cruisers," indeed.
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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Quote:
Man, I forgot about the cards for the spokes. We used to do that all time when we were kids. We always used baseball cards that we had doubles of and used the clothes pin to attach them. We did both front and back tire, both sides for maximum noise levels. Wow, what a great memory!!
Yeah, that was a blast wasn't it?
Also, I have to admit that I have never ridden a hardtail so my opinion is really not valid. Hey, I might like it.
Also never thought about round mirrors versus other styles. Hum.
Also thought I should be careful with my opinions...I might actually meet someone from the forum someday and they may end up laughing at the stuff I've done to my tba!
---------------------
- 2007 Triumph Tiger
- 1982 Yamaha xj650 Magnum
- Previous 2004 Triumph America
- Previous 1973 Triumph Bonneville T140V 750cc
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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Whats will tassles anyways? Whats the purpose?
Man, you must be fast because you were haulin' A$$ when I passed you back there. . .
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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Quote:
I am curious about the crash bars Matt was talking about. Have you got any photos posted showing them.
I do now...
Triumph Crash Bars on my bike
BellaCorse crash bars from their website.
Matt
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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Quote:
(2) Floorboards - Only on big bikes.
Just something else to drag in the turns.
MIKE
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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LOL. Fond memories indeed! Anyone ever tie a strip of rawhide on each hub? (kept them polished)
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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Quote:
Sorry big fella. I guess I'll make an exception for your seat since you brought it up.
It's along the lines of Johnny Cash's "A Boy Named Sue". Funny thing is, after adding stuff for 3 years "One Piece At A Time", now I'm taking a long look at removing stuff a piece at a time. One thing I did take off was those Cheesy (IMO) reflectors on the forks.
I debating back & forth retaining the windshield, and the preceeding 850 posts haven't helped  . That kind of decision is a luxury.
Dang, I just noticed with all the song references, I'm starting to sound like Dwight. Hey Dwight, do you have any input on the windshield "Great Debate"? This motorsicklin' is serious d!!n business
John
"It's not what I say that's important, it's what you hear" Red Auerbach
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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Big Bore
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Big Bore
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Quote:
Anyone ever tie a strip of rawhide on each hub?
Every bicycle I had!!
Hmmm, that's giving me an idea....
"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity" - Robert Heinlein
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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Quote:
HEY!! What's wrong with rainbow stickers??
Does this mean your out of the closet, and folks on this site need to take diversity training? Or does the rainbow sticker have other connotations on your side of the pond?
Inquiring minds want to know...
later, Tom.
But, what do I know?
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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50 or more years ago tassels had a purpose. Many thought that the drag from the tassels equalized the front end at speed thus keeping you more steady like stabilizers. It had nothing to do with the tassel but with wind resistence and control.
We all knew that was a crock though and understood the Harley guys put them on to indicate when the bike was in motion.
did I say that out loud?? hmmm
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: To tassle or not to tassle?
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I've got the Triumph crash bars, and I'm going to put them on eBay. I will ask $100 for them, including shipping. They are in excellent condition -- not a scratch. I replaced them with the Bellacorse bars (that's my BA on the Bellacorse website.
03 America
01 Bonneville
00 Trophy 1200
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Learned Hand
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When the tassles are flying straight back, parrallel to the road, you know you are going fast enough.... the vibrations of the Hardley prevent the speedometer from working properly......
Warren
04 Caspian Blue and Silver America
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