Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Who are you, Why do you live where you live?

Ha ha ... I can envisage the case sliding towards the bus queue like a bowling ball towards the tenpin. We had leather schoolbags in the sixties in NZ. The leather was about 1/4" thick. I haven't seen leather like that these days.

I thought it was very late notice for you to be able to join us but didn't want you to feel left out.

The Wife and I (Privateer and StormCloud) both live in Nevada, Ohio.
We both grew up in Bucyrus, Ohio.
(Try to pronounce that correctly!)
We moved to Nevada because it was midpoint from where we both worked at the time.
Then we bought the house we were renting for a killer price!
Nevada is a VERY small village with no Police, no stop lights, and no County or Village Taxes!!
It has all a person could want though.
Cable TV and InterNet, A Pizza joint that delivers, a Bar, and a drive through, and instant access to a Major 4 lane route.
As We live on the very edge of the Village?
I often have HUGE fires out back without visits from any Law type persons.
And as We are known Bikers? Most people don't mess with us in anyway!
(No We are not Members of any Colors Flying Club! But what the neighbors don't know works for me!)
Nevada is also a major stop for every Poker Run started in the Counties around us.
So We see hundreds of Bikers pass by each weekend.
Nevada is pretty much Heaven to Me.

Hi Jeff. I liked the sound of your little town so I Googled it with street view. Looks very nice - the perfect size town. I am curious that none of the houses seem to have fences. Is that quite common in the USA or is it a small town thing? Here in Oz nearly every property is fenced.

Fences...fences? We don't need no stinkin' fences.

I live in Independence, MO...which is just east of Kansas City, MO. Moved here in 1980 from The Washington D.C. area to go to work for Pullman Trailmobile. Six months after I started they went belly up & closed the Fabrication plant. I've been working in the inventory management field in various positions & market environments (retail, manufacturing, distribution) ever since.

Currently I work as an inventory specialist for Allied Oil & Supply out of Omaha, NE in the local Distribution Center (we distribute Shell, Valvoline, and Allied oil & Goodyear, BFGoodrich, Toyo, Cat & Solideal products to aviation, trucking, and OTR industries).

Since I was in my 20's I've owned a total of 14 Triumphs and all but the most recent (#14 - my 07 America) have been ground-up restorations. Got real tired of wrenching on machines and just wanted to ride...so a bud sold me his America a year after he bought the Bonnie I was restoring.

Karl
Independence, MO
riding: '07 America

I currently live in Pittsburgh (Forest Hills) with my wife and 2 kids (one at Ohio State now). I grew up in Washington Pa where I started with a Honda Super 90 when I was 14. Have owned several bikes including Bultacos, Hondas, Suzukis, Yamahas and Kawasakis. I picked up a Triumph Sprint RS which I rode for 4 years and got the Triumph bug. I now own an America and absolutely love it. This was the best money I think I have ever spent. It has a huge money/enjoyment factor.

I currently live in Whitby - Ontario - Canada (Just East of Toronto). I've grown up here all my life. As of lately I am looking for a new job in Ottawa,so hopefully I will be there someday.
I just bought a 2008 American and am loving every bit of it!

I live in the Ozarks so's I can use my neat avatar.

Emigrated to Perth in Western Australia from Essex in England with my wife and 4 kids 20 years ago. Was brought up with bikes with my Dad owning a number of British bikes ending with a BSA Gold Flash combination (sidecar) before buying a cage. Myself I had a BSA and then a Honda (not sure what went wrong!) That was 30 odd years ago.
About a year ago I was walking to work from the train station when I passed an America and fell in love! A couple of months ago I realised that dream and got an '06 model. Sunny weather and lots of open roads - glad I moved to Oz!

In short, Born in Yorkshire, moved lots, no roots, mid teens, got bike, had more. Got divorce, bikes gone! !7 years on, new wife, new bike, lifes great!

In detail (ish) Proper names John but thanks to the wife most people call me Garf, that’s all they’ve heard her call me so they assume its my name, she’s took it from my surname (Garfield).
Got no roots to speak of, was born in Yorkshire but moved around with my parents, Derbyshire, Northants, Liecestershire, had lots of new schools and towns, which sucked when you’re a young with a different accent in a new area. Taught me how to swing n duck tho!
Finally stopped moving in my early teens and got my first bike, a Casal SS4 sixteener special, after that I had a BSA C15 (250cc single) most of my mates were buying RD250 Yammys or GT250 Suzys, Always figured I was born too late! Over the years had a variety of bikes Yam SR500 (not bad actually) MotoGuzzi California, MK1 (bit of a ratter but went miles on it), while I was running these I had a stable of British iron, small capacity Enfields, BSAs, Triumphs, none were original all were bitsa’s and forever being tinkerd with, got some pics somewhere, I’ll post when I can find em and I’ve sussed out how to post? My favourite bike was my Triton, a 1959 (my Birth year) Bonneville engine in a Norton featherbed frame with roadholder forks. You wouldn’t want to go too far on it but it certainly turned heads, especially with straight thru pipes. Sadly I ended up selling all due to a divorce!
Moving on some 17 years I now live in a small Cambridgshire village(ideal location for my work) with my lovely wife (makes ya sick don’t it!) but she’s been my rock. I always kept my interest in bikes and biking although financially having one was out of the question (I had to use a car for my work and couldn’t justify one just sitting in the garage 5 days a week). Then 5 years ago she took me to see that nice man at the Triumph dearlers and said “ Go on then, which one?”. So I got me an 07 America and we’re out on it every chance we get which is great as my wife had never been on a bike before but she now “gets” what it’s all about! So although I have no roots as such my loyalty is to my loved ones and family. Happy riding.

Hi everyone new member,as a matter of fact will be picking my 09 America up this week. My brother ppointed me to this site,have not had a bike for few years but have ridden since I was 10 back in 1966. Now that most of my kid's are grown it's time to start again but will have to wait I live in central NY,the snow belt as we call it here 200" plus an season.

Welcome to the site Charles

Here's to many miles on your bike

Thanks Bryn, just love Triumphs and Nortons

Hi, I'm Rex!
I'm an Army guy, been in for 18 years and think that powerpoint is the worst thing to happen to the military. I used to be a grunt (11B) many years ago and now I work on Apaches. Work being a relative term since I'm quality control; I don't turn any wrenches, mostly I just carry a coffee cup and look at stuff and tell the mechanics their paperwork is messed up.
Right now I'm on my second all-expense paid luxury vacation to the cradle of civilization - last time it was Baghdad and Babylon, this time it's the city of Ur. Nothing quite like touring where the Hanging Gardens used to be, or looking over at the oldest still-standing structure in the world (4000 years old) from my flightline. Almost makes the heat, duststorms, and rocket attacks worth it.
I actually live in Killeen, TX, cause Uncle Sugar told me to. I love it there, somehow my secret heart says that I was always a Texan and didn't know it til I finally got there. Thank god my wife also loves it there, who is famous for telling me when we first got married that she'd happily follow me anywhere I got stationed, except Texas. That's twice she's reconsidered on something she had her mind made up on, fortunately for me; the first was thinking upon our first meeting "oh crap he's a biker", and now she's got her own vest with patches and begs me to take her for rides on the weekends She's even starting to consider getting her own bike!
Before Texas, I lived in Oregon - well Vancouver, Wa, which is more a Portland suburb than a Washington town - Portland has great scenery, great microbrews, too much rain and waay too many hippies. Before that was Newport News VA, Hanau Germany, Clarksville KY, Wonju Korea, Yelm WA, and Everett WA.
Very luckily for me, I love to travel. Oh and just learned recently that I'll be moving BACK to Ft Lewis WA in July. I'll miss Texas, but it's like going back home too.

I'm Brett from Melbourne, Australia. I have lived and worked in Melbourne's West my whole life. I have a 2010 BA, Black with short slash cut pipes and Triumph Tear Drop Mirrors. For the last 15 years I've only been on dirt bikes and after 2 ruined knees I'm happy to be back on the road. I still have my WR 426 but it seems any spare time on weekends I'd rather be out on the Triumph, so it hasn't been out in a while. When I figure out how to add pictures I will post some, although it looks pretty stock.

Hi Brett. Welcome to the the best Triumph forum. You'll find lots of help, ideas, info, and interesting stuff from the members here. A sense of humour also helps There are quite a few Aussie members. We recently had our first official meet up (in August at Bulahdelah in northern NSW) and called it Ozbasm. You'll find it in the Rides forum if you're interested. I look forward to seeing the progress of your bike as you make it 'your own'. You may not have big plans now (for mods) but after being on this site awhile I bet you will catch the bug.

Hello all, another new member here. I've lived my entire 45 years in Central Ohio. Just got a new-to-me 2007 America (5500 miles on it) a couple of weeks ago, just in time for our crappy weather season. Bike was dropped by the previous owner with minor damage, so I'm focusing on fixing that stuff and a few mods for spring time. This bike is the first decent bike I've owned and the first cruiser style after a long string of ratty but reliable 60's & 70's Hondas. I also have a 59 AJS Model 31 that I'm currently building as a cafe, around-town style of bike.

After cruising the Tech Vault, it appears this is a good forum for me because I'm pretty much a DIY and can't-leave-anything-alone kind of guy. Immediate projects for my America are relocating the front turn signals to the forks (using a another set of rear turn signals) and fabbing up a new license plate mount that lays it flat and narrows the width between the rear turn signals a bit (I think I'm going to take out two inches). I might hinge the plate and turn the mount into a little cubby-hole as well, but I haven't got that far yet.

Jack

Hello Jack and welcome to the forum. Any questions feel free to ask.... The gang here is pretty good with answers and help. Glad to have you aboard.

Hi Jack, you'll find this is an excellent source of information, if it is'nt already here, somebody will find it for you. Welcome and good luck with the winter spannering! Would like to see the cafe raced AJS sometime.

My name is Phil I live about 30 miles northwest of Pittsburgh Pa. I work for a plumbing, electrical fixtures warehouse long hours. Ive lived in western Pa all my life married 2 daughters I dont like the winters here at all,would love to move south probably never will.Ive owned quite a few bikes sportsters, a softail and a buell, but I really enjoy my America. Ive always wanted to travel on my bike and see the country but because of job or other responsibilities I never could I think this year Im going to take a few trips maybe meet some other Triumph riders.

Welcome aboard, Phil. Don't offer anyone food and use protection. You know, for your eyes.

I am just amazed at the stories here. I read into each and everyone with the "feeling" each has expressed. I have been on motorcycles most of my life.Having over 150 + bikes at the age of 50 gives you an idea of how I live life. I am a different person when I put my helmet on. I ride bikes for the enjoyment they bring.The places I been and scenery my eyes have seen are in part because where they have taken me.I have as most of you know a 08'TBA that I rebuilt from salvage.Its a cool bike that I just love. I also have a 11'Tiger800xc (great bike that my gal and I enjoy), 79'cafe bike, a pair of hopped up scooters, and some collected parts I'm going to make something out of this winter. People inspire me. Seeing what they have or buildt,listening to there "lifes" stories all somehow makes us look at ours. We should be thankful for what we have and enjoy the the moments life gives us.....And riding motorcycles only makes it all better

Hi all. My real name is Ophelia, or is about to be. I'm having it changed along with my surname as I was just recently divorced and it occurred to me when they asked me if I wanted my maiden name back (I didn't) that I had never liked my given name, and this was the perfect opportunity to change it all. I chose Ophelia partly because I love the Natalie Merchant song, but more because of what that song represents to me - power, freedom, choice, and pain - because they do all go together, but I choose them all.

I don't have a motorcycle; I've never owned or driven one. I have ridden the back of a few and some small bit of touring (almost a week) on the back of Sportster, enough to learn that there is a reason why people buy touring bikes for long journeys. I've always wanted a bike of my own. So, this coming March, I'm going to take the course, get licensed, and buy a used Triumph Bonneville America. And then, I'm going to get on it, load up my saddlebags with a little gear, and drive across America, or at least as far as I can get on my own energy, money, and as time and weather permit. I'm going to pitch a bivouac tent where I sleep, so I'll have to work out my stops. I'm serious about traveling light.

My reason is simply this: I want to see this great country and I can't stand driving in a cage. And, I specifically want to identify an area I want to move to, because I can't stand living in freezing cold weather all the time, and shoveling my way out of multiple feet of snow. I'm thinking Tennessee at this point, but someone pointed out Olympic Valley, which is, of course, in WASHINGTON state, which means I've got to cross the continental divide. I was kind of planning to maybe go as far as montana or wyoming but I wasn't really planning coast to coast. Soooooooo we'll see how far I get. Regardless I'm not really on an agenda. The point is to have fun and interesting experiences and try not to get drenched too often or eaten by bears.

I am also 46 years old and firmly under the thumb of my cat, Clover, who is 12 which makes her 60 in cat years so she is technically my senior. She is really a good girl and a very sweet animal and I love her dearly. I will make sure she is in good, familiar hands during my trip.

Since I just got amicably divorced, and my husband bought the house, I'm moving to new digs in the next couple of weeks. I practically fell into a "room share" (common up here, means renting a room from the owner of the house) which is really close, really cheap, and the house is nice and had porches front and back, which I love, AND a backyard. And I get on extremely well with the landlord. First time in my life I'm actually looking forward to a move.

Tonight is Christmas Eve. I'm spending it by myself, but I don't feel lonely or sad. I'm looking forward to renting a movie and probably spending a lot of time reading this board and the other one I belong to, for pipe smokers. Because I do "smoke" a pipe. I put it in quotes because pipe smokers don't inhale, which is why I do it. I absolutely love it. It's the only hobby I've ever had that came close to how badly I want that Bonneville. It's too cold out to smoke unfortunately. I'm just glad to be able to relax, know my rooming situation is worked out; it's the end of a long cycle of difficult, effortful, painful change and coming out the end of the tunnel is indescribably, well, a relief beyond words. So tonight I feel grateful. And soon I will be able to start giving back the life I have been so freely given. I feel connected to everything and everyone. So I'm not really alone. It feels pretty good.

Oh, and how I got here; I live near Boston, Massachusetts. I moved here because I was born on the South Shore of this state, moved to Florida when I was 15, lived there for 20 years, and suddenly realized I was free to leave. I was feeling nostalgic so I moved back here. I hate heat and Florida is VERY hot. Unfortunately I discovered I may have enjoyed winters up here as a kid, but as an adult I really don't. This is also way too expensive, and I'm way too close to the city. But, I got married and had to make a lot of compromises based on jobs and so forth, and so here I am. Since I'm not married anymore... well you know the rest of the story, you just read it!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night! Drive safely out there! Love, Ophelia

oh and I was supposed to tell you all, past member "ssjones" sent me your way and says to ride safe!

That was really cool reading your post. Starting anew is what I got from it, and a huge appreciation for life. Good on ya, and the very best to you!

Welcome!

Welcome to the site Ophelia. We're not normal, a little Loco, but VERY supportive.
Keep us posted on your new Adventures. Seeing the motorcyle through new eyes is something I envy.
Sometimes I take my metal buddy for granted. In choosing a Triumph
you've demonstrated your intelligence, you'll do great. All it takes is practice & time.

Welcome Ophelia.

It sounds like you've got a plan, and I hope it all works out for you.
Don't worry about being alone over Christmas, you're not the only one, and it's how I like it (yes, I am a grumpy old SOB)

Here's a cautionary tale about mixing pipe smoking with motorcyles

http://www.bonnevilleamerica.com/forums/showthreaded.php?Cat=0&Number=515160&page=0&vc=1

Enjoy the site

Welcome Ophelia,

Life is about finding your way (yes, it is the Triumph motto and it's true).

But the search can be just as fascinating as finding it.

Wishing you a great year of discoveries. We are never too old to be curious and explore new grounds.

im new on here as well. About me Im born and raised aussie convict my family was sent here by the dumb poms. a quote I like is the British sent their worst people to the best country in the world. Anyway after a few troubled years i met my wife married her when i was 20 got 3 kids 2 are 18 + and my youngest is a teen. we live in adelaide south australia after having lived central nsw northern nsw and the snowy mountains we moved here in 2000 to give our kids the opportunities we didnt have growing up in the country and they've taken every opportunity and made the best of it.(Proud dad)In 06 my wife brought me a brand new speed master as i had to sell my old kwaka to fitout a room for her parents. as for why I ride theres only a few things i enjoy in life 1 adult time with the wife hehehe. 2riding my bike theres some others but stuff writting em. never been out of oz still to much i havent seen even tho the wife is a kiwi. really to be honest i had a nervous breakdown 12 months ago and riding is the 1 thing that keeps me out of trouble. As for work I work in an aged care facility as maintenance, mostly for veterans and their families, i work 5 hours a day earn bugger all but the wife works arvo's and it suits us plus its gratifying. I ride to work most days. well thats about it other than to say my speedy is lonely and as soon as i can talk the wife into it Im parking a thruxton next to it.

OH and also I forgot having the breakdown was a good thing as i started wood working as another means of relaxing and have actually been able to make a little extra cash. (you beauty)

Welcome aboard, Roy. Don't lend anyone any money and the guy that says he is a Nigerian prince really isn't.

Hi Roy. Welcome to the forum. Great bunch of people here - lots of info, good advice, new ideas. It sounds like you have got your priorities right choosing quality of life over running the rat race - plus it sounds like you have gained more than you lost (talking about your woodworking).

cheers everyone

Hello everyone!

My name is Kyle Jaquess and I am a graduate student at California State University, San Bernardino, as well as an avid motorcyclist. I've been riding for about 4 years with still so much to learn. Presently, I am riding my Triumph Street Triple R and having a blast!

I am currently working on a research project examining the behaviors of motorcyclists. The survey details are still getting finalized, but I hope to get some support from the riding community on various forums for participation in this project.

So if you'll keep an eye out in the next couple months, I will post again with more details

Thanks for reading!

~Kyle

I haven't been on the site for a while but I thought I'd chime in.

I'm originally from da Bronx, anyone got a problem with that...

Been living in Oz for the last 25 years. 15 in the big smoke (Sydney) and the last ten in Regional Victoria (near Mt. Macedon). Some of the best riding areas in Victoria are all within reach.

I had a midlife crisis at 50 and decided to get back into bikes. I used to ride in my late teens and early 20's. I purchased a new 07 America and its been a great way to destress, go out for a quick ride usually turns into a 300k plus ride.

I've always worked in the Aviation industry and have been able to travel quite a bit on the company money which has been great.

Only place I would ever live other than where I am now is in the Seely Lake Montana region.

Thats it for now.

Would you beieve it ! I just wrote a long synopsis of my life, and lost the lot before I could post it!
I HATE that!
I've been wanting to do this for quite a while but keep/kept putting it off.

Anyway,long story short.
Born Newcastle England 1954,
Migrated to Australia 1964.
I'm a card carrying Aussie now and will be until forever.

A couple of years after arriving in Australia I bought a BSA bantam stripped down for running through the scrub.
At 17 got my licsense and a TRIUMPH T110 that I chopped/bobbed.
followed by a Triumph Tiger 1971 oil in the frame[ Triumphs worst model IMO].
Got smashed off it by a car which left me with a leg that doesn't work correctly.
TX 650 Yamaha for the electric start followed.A very reliable bike.
Money from the accident got me 1974 Harley XLH iron head sportster.Harleys worst model ever IMO.{I've picked a couple of lemons inmy time]
Then a 750cc Bonneville,a good bike that someone had sorted out well.
after a lot of years away from bikes,I bought a 600VLX honda.Again japanese,very reliable.
Then in 2009 I bought my 2007 America.I love it!!Back to a Triumph.I can't ride a bike without forward controls because my leg wont bend
I'm on a disability pension and use a walking stick because of it now.It got progressively worse over the years but considering they wanted to stiffen it at the time of the accident I haven't done too bad.I refused at the time saying" how will I ride a bike with a stiff leg?"I will be needing another operation and steel knee installed in the next couple of years.But that's the future.
I haven't touched on my past travels ,construction work,north sea oilrig work,Australian work but that's my bike history for now anyway.
I HOPE I get this posted before I lose it.

Phil Warner in Northwest Arkansas. Came down here from Yankee land for a Job in 1980, but have stayed ever since because of scenes like this from the back deck,



this in the back yard,




and this just down the road in Beaver Arkansas.




There are some of the best two lane sports car roads around within a few miles of home, and now I plan to see how they are for the America.

And...there are places like the Pied Piper in Eureka Springs for a cool one at the end of the ride.

Wow! Great pictures there, Phil!

Great pics, especially the Ford tractor, I have two Ford 8Ns in the back yard.