Lee's Crazy Day

Mid-afternoon I told the wife.... "Hey, wife, I need to run down to the 'ol motorcycle shop to pick up some new brake pads." (Hondalover is taking me to my first track day on Monday. My front pads could be a possible squak at tech inspection, so I want to get them on and bedded before Monday)

Wife: "No problem, wonderful husband, please do go help the economy by spending some of the money you work so hard for, you deserve it."

So I jet down to the 'ol HONDA dealership and walk up the the pretty parts girl (PPG) at the counter.

Me: "Hey PPG, I need 2 pair of front brake pads for my '02 VFR."

PPG: "Who makes that?"

Me: "Who makes what?"

PPG: "The bike you need pads for."

Me: "Honda !?!" (WTF)

PPG: "I've never heard of that."

She gets her little 'cheat sheet' out and scans down it. Walks back and starts rummaging around where I can't see her, which is too bad, because she is a PPG.

After a while she comes back out....

PPG: "What size is that?"

Me: "800."

She goes back to the 'cheat sheet', goes back to same aisle she was in before, comes back with one package of EBC HH pads that appear to be correct...

Me: "I'm going to need two of those."

PPG: "The same as these?"

Me:"Yes."

I turn to look at the guy who is now standing behind me waiting but has been within earshot the whole time...

Stranger: "Fu{<!n idiots."

Me: "Tell me."





Cut to much later in the day.... Change of scene.... Wife and I are abandoning the kids at Grandma & Grandpa's house. We couldn't get back in the truck and scream down the gravel driveway fast enough. Whilst on the road leaving Grandma & Grandpa's....

Me: "Well, what do you want to do tonight, oh beautiful wife?"

Wife: "Why don't we go for a motorcycle ride on that awesome, award winning, motorcycle of yours to a nice resturaunt, then after dinner we can ride some more until you take me home and ravish me?"

Me: "That sounds OK."



Change of scene.... a dark Kansas highway bordering a state park .... riding two-up.... doing ~75 in a 55 mph zone.



Me: (in my head... (my lips don't move while I am talking to myself)) "I sure am enjoying this fun ride. I sure am looking forward to giving my wife a good ravish tonight. I sure am looking forward to eating some good food. Hey ... that car that just passed us in the oncoming lane was a Dodge Charger..... DAMN... the Troopers have Chargers now. 22 years of training myself to be able to spot a Crown Vic from any angle at any distance have just been nullified. Sneaky bastards!"

As the Charger passes, I see it's brake lights flash in my mirror. Then I see it make a U-turn. Knowing my fate, I roll off the throttle and pull to the gravel shoulder. The wife has already dismounted and I am hopping off as the Trooper rolls in behind us.

He exits the Charger as I am removing my helmet....

Me: "Hi, officer."

Trooper: "How are you doing tonight?"

Me: "Wonderful,... dropped the kids with Grandma and Grandpa. Enjoing a spirited ride with the wife."

Trooper: "Spirited ride..... Do you know you were going 72 mph?"

Me: "MmmmHmmm" (with a rising tone that indicates acknowledment without saying the word "yes".

Trooper: "You know the speed limit here in the park is 55."

Me: "Yes sir."

Trooper: "Is that suit just for riding motorcycles?"

Me: "Yes, it's called an Aerostitch. It's windproof and waterproof."

Trooper: "I am going to need your license and registration."

Me: "Bear with me as I dig it out." (Getting your wallet from your hip pocket while wearing an Aerostitch suit must look comical to the innocent bystander. Kinda' like a dog chasing it's tail.)

BACKSTORY: I always keep my affairs in white glove order. I am an ATGATT rider and my wife was dressed in good gear. I was a several years older than the Trooper and, clearly, older than he expected.

He returns from the Charger after about 3 - 4 minutes....

Trooper: "Sir, I'm going to do something I never do. I'm giving you a warning tonight. Normally anything over 65 here in the park is guaranteed a ticket. You really do need to slow down, the deer :3: are moving tonight, and I don't want to have to work a motorcycle accident involving a Mommy and Daddy."

I take back my License, Insurance, and a Warning from the Trooper.

Me: "Thank you sir." "How do you like the Charger?"

Trooper: "Not quite fair, is it?" (More a statement than a question)

Me: "No, it isn't." "Thank you." ....Shakes Trooper's hand.

....Trooper leaves us to gear-up in total darkness. (That kinda pisses me off.)

....Back on the road, moving down the highway, not quite at 55, but not quite at 72 either.

.... Come around the next bend in the road to see 3 deer :3: bounding across the highway off in the distance in front of us.

.... After several hours of great riding.... Off to HOOTERS for a fine culinary experience.

Wife: "This is a wonderful resturaunt. I wish we could eat here all the time."

..... Later, after a fine culinary experience having returned to our humble abode... a good ravish was delivered to the wife.

Wife: " OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!."






http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3145/2766560911_7e6c89a647_o.jpg



Postscript: This is my second warning in a year and half. The last one (Mar. 2007) was for ~90 in a 65. I attribute getting warnings as opposed to tickets to:

1) Being older than the Trooper expected a person riding a "sport bike" to be. (and the Trooper being younger than me.)
2) The Aerostitch suit (it ain't leather, so I don't look like a "racer", but it shows I have "respect" for my safety.) (both Troopers commented on the suit, if that tells you anything)
3) Treating the Trooper with respect (although if you remember my Mar. 2007 post you know that wasn't fully true in that instance.)
4) Having my affairs in white glove order.
5) Not trying to bargain, weasle or rationalize my way out of the ticket I deserved.


You know what they say... third times a charm. (Both Troopers told me... "You need to slow down.")

You certainly have a way with the ladies... and the troopers... careful you don't get the two mixed up there!!!

Nice write up, funny AND educational.

:beer:

Nice short story...I have had a "good" and funny stop by a NH State Trooper...Some are cool guys (even thought I still got the ticket I so richly deserved).

That was pretty good story.... I have to express my ignorance here.... what is a "PPG"

Mmm... PPGs... can't comment on the wife, as I've already met her in person...

:biggrin: :fing02:

My buddy and I were pulled over in similar fashion while accelerating briskly out of a small town somewhere in WV. As soon as we saw the lights go on, we pulled to the side of the road. As the officer drove up we were removing our helmets, exposing our (partial) gray hair and re-donning our prescription eyeglasses, showing our obvious maturity (OK....old age). The first thing he said when he walked up was "Thanks for not running". With that we received just a warning to slow down and went on our way.

Nicely done and written Lee, congrats on the entire day and the "get out of Jail" pass. :fing02:

Nice story. I still dont understand the last part where the wife was involved, :biggrin:

wow. i've been given a warning once, but it was just a verbal. i didn't know they actually had a paper warning form. huh.

Mike

So what's the connection with the brake pads? Jes' that the PPG was RRD?

That's great! I tried to get my wife to read it as I thought it was that good, but she stated she "doesn't want to have to have anything to do with that VFR cult". I guess VFRD just got upgraded from "that damn VFR site" to "the VFR cult".
Lee, tech inspection at HPT is kinda lacking if it is anything like last time.

[image: View Post]gbjj, on Aug 16 2008, 06:49 AM, said:

I have to express my ignorance here.... what is a "PPG"


PPG = Pretty Parts Girl

[image: View Post]JBAXX, on Aug 16 2008, 09:52 AM, said:

So what's the connection with the brake pads? Jes' that the PPG was RRD?

OK, now I'm going to express my ignorance.... what is RRD?





I was just pointing out that I am standing inside a Honda dealership asking for parts for my VFR and the girl has no idea who makes a VFR. In fact, she acts like she has never heard of a VFR before. Like the stranger behind me in line said, "Fu{<!n idiots."

[image: View Post]Lee 2002, on Aug 16 2008, 10:56 AM, said:

[image: View Post]JBAXX, on Aug 16 2008, 09:52 AM, said:

So what's the connection with the brake pads? Jes' that the PPG was RRD?

OK, now I'm going to express my ignorance.... what is RRD?





I was just pointing out that I am standing inside a Honda dealership asking for parts for my VFR and the girl has no idea who makes a VFR. In fact, she acts like she has never heard of a VFR before. Like the stranger behind me in line said, "Fu{<!n idiots."


I was thinking RRD= Really Really Dumb!

[image: View Post]JBAXX, on Aug 16 2008, 10:52 AM, said:

So what's the connection with the brake pads? Jes' that the PPG was RRD?

Just my guess- Getting the pads ready for tracking? 2 up will do it 2x as fast? :idea3: :blush:

[image: View Post]Lee 2002, on Aug 16 2008, 09:56 AM, said:

I was just pointing out that I am standing inside a Honda dealership asking for parts for my VFR and the girl has no idea who makes a VFR. In fact, she acts like she has never heard of a VFR before. Like the stranger behind me in line said, "Fu{<!n idiots."

Also the fact that she only brought pads for 1 side....obviously has no clue. The worst really is the Parts manager that hired her. Obviously he doesnt have a clue either.

* kinda off-topic but I replied to this post late last nite and I see its not even there anymore....Wass goin on?
** Oh, I see the original post was edited.....turns out the Cougar is now a Charger. Ahh. Makes sense since the Cougar was discontinued in 2002.

Great and very funny story, Lee! :fing02:

Oh, and so that's what a official slip of paper from the police looks like. I've never seen one. :goofy:

[image: View Post]gbjj, on Aug 16 2008, 07:49 AM, said:

That was pretty good story.... I have to express my ignorance here.... what is a &quot;PPG&quot;

PPG s a company that makes paint for our VFR's. This coming from the guy who almost took a job at Pep Boys (and I HATE Pepboys) because one of the girls there was so pretty. But she knew her stuff, which is way hot.

I've found being nice to cops works better on the motorcycle than n the car, for some reason.

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on Aug 16 2008, 08:05 AM, said:

... can't comment on the wife, as I've already met her in person...


You can talk bad on her all you want SEB.... just make sure she's lookin' the other way... thats what I do.


:cool:

[image: View Post]cigarbuf, on Aug 16 2008, 09:12 AM, said:

My buddy and I were pulled over in similar fashion while accelerating briskly out of a small town somewhere in WV. As soon as we saw the lights go on, we pulled to the side of the road. As the officer drove up we were removing our helmets, exposing our (partial) gray hair and re-donning our prescription eyeglasses, showing our obvious maturity (OK....old age). The first thing he said when he walked up was "Thanks for not running". With that we received just a warning to slow down and went on our way.

Gray hair (actually not much of it) seemed to work for me too. I'm cruising along a local country road here in Maryville, and as I crest a hill I spot a deputy sitting at the bottom across the road. I didn't even wait for the lights, just pulled over next to him, dismounted, and started removing helmet, gloves, earplugs. The young man was very polite, asked for my "credentials" and after awhile came back out of his car and asked "how does a warning sound". I said "sounds fair enough to me", shook his hand and said thank you. He clocked me at 65 in a 40 but wrote my warning as 59 in a 40 so he wouldn't have to issue a mandatory ticket ($175 here). He even apologized for making me stand there in my black leathers in the 90 degree heat for 20 minutes. Hats off to BCSO's (Blount County Sheriff's Officers).

you really need to tell that dealership management not to hire witless idiots completely unfamiliar with their line of products!!

Lee 2002, on Aug 16 2008, 12:58 PM, said:

You can talk bad on her all you want SEB.... just make sure she's lookin' the other way... thats what I do.
That's just wrong, funny, but wrong. No ravishing for you tonight.

[image: View Post]squirrelman, on Aug 16 2008, 02:09 PM, said:

you really need to tell that dealership management not to hire witless idiots completely unfamiliar with their line of products!!
What's even worse is, that dealership only has two lines. The last time I looked Victory (their other line) didn't have anything that sounds like "VFR". Maybe that's why I don't work in a dealership anymore, I got too smart! (no offense to those who work in the industry)

[image: View Post]hondalover, on Aug 16 2008, 02:24 PM, said:

Lee 2002, on Aug 16 2008, 12:58 PM, said:

You can talk bad on her all you want SEB.... just make sure she's lookin' the other way... thats what I do.
That's just wrong, funny, but wrong.


Yeah, you get it.



I'm off to bleed new fluid into my brakes... gonna be careful not to suck air or make bubbles while pouring.

Don't think cops in these parts like bikes period, not too many warnings handed out that I know of. The smallest infraction will cost ya $175.00.
Great story Lee, had me hooked :fing02:

[image: View Post]hondalover, on Aug 16 2008, 12:00 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Lee 2002, on Aug 16 2008, 10:56 AM, said:

[image: View Post]JBAXX, on Aug 16 2008, 09:52 AM, said:

So what's the connection with the brake pads? Jes' that the PPG was RRD?

OK, now I'm going to express my ignorance.... what is RRD?





I was just pointing out that I am standing inside a Honda dealership asking for parts for my VFR and the girl has no idea who makes a VFR. In fact, she acts like she has never heard of a VFR before. Like the stranger behind me in line said, "Fu{<!n idiots."


I was thinking RRD= Really Really Dumb!


That is correct!!

So I can see the VFR guys are smarter than the RRDPPG.

[image: View Post]Lee 2002, on Aug 16 2008, 03:32 PM, said:

[image: View Post]hondalover, on Aug 16 2008, 02:24 PM, said:

Lee 2002, on Aug 16 2008, 12:58 PM, said:

You can talk bad on her all you want SEB.... just make sure she's lookin' the other way... thats what I do.
That's just wrong, funny, but wrong.


Yeah, you get it.



I'm off to bleed new fluid into my brakes... gonna be careful not to suck air or make bubbles while pouring.

I got it too... it's not right, that's for sure! :rolleyes:

Guess it's about as wrong as putting new brakes on for a track day - who the F uses brakes at the track?!? :comp13:







:goofy: Good luck dude, you're gonna have a blast! :fing02:

Great story Lee! :fing02:

This post is useless without pictures.
PPG and wife.






:)

+1 LOL

The same holds true with saddlebags. When the cops see a bike with hard bags, I guess it just registers "older guy" and not "rocketship".

As I really dont feel any difference in handling, I never take mine off, and that is one of the reasons (and also that I am tickled pink that I have not one, but two sets of Givis).

I remember being really young and getting pulled over with a group of guys. The copper said something about how we were all decked out with leather and good boots and that we looked like we knew what we were doing. No ticket.

I'm glad you got a good trooper.

LOL @ your story, Lee. That was an excellent read - what a great way to start my day. :D

[image: View Post]klinquist, on Aug 16 2008, 09:37 PM, said:

This post is useless without pictures.
PPG and wife.

You read my mind! :laugh: :ph34r:

[image: View Post]timmythecop, on Aug 16 2008, 09:57 PM, said:

The same holds true with saddlebags. When the cops see a bike with hard bags, I guess it just registers "older guy" and not "rocketship".


Funny you mention that - I'm probably one of the youngest guys around who owns a VFR with OEM hardbags. There were sections of my ride home this week where I was easily exceeding the posted speed limit by 20mph or more just in an effort to make up some time, and a few of the troopers I passed in AZ and in CO didn't look twice at me. If I had been on any of my previous sportbikes (F3, R1, F4i, 600RR) I would have been carefully scrutinized and then pulled over immediately, I'm sure. :dry:

[image: View Post]timmythecop, on Aug 16 2008, 10:57 PM, said:

The same holds true with saddlebags.


We did have the saddlebags on at the time. Maybe I will have to leave them on all the time.





Should have left the brakes alone before track day. I have been fighting dragging pads all day after putting on EBC HH pads and flushing new fluid through the system. Things have improved after many multiple flushes and bleeds and shoving the pistons back into the calipers. Everything seems to be floating as free as can be, but something is dragging.

I'm still going to try to run them at the track tomorrow and see how things go.... but I think I'm in for a complete tear down when this is all over. Yummy!

Sorry to hear about he mishap. Glad it wasn't worse. ;)