norton colorado colorado 2015-04.pdf · norton colorado newsletter april 2015 upcoming events see...

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WE’RE ALL HERE BECAUSE WE’RE NOT ALL THERE

Norton Colorado www.nortoncolorado.org Newsletter

April 2015

Upcoming Events See page 10 for the entire

2015 events schedule.

Saturday, April 4th

Ride to Idaho Springs and the

Argo Mine Tour

http://historicargotours.com/

Sunday, April 19th

Spring Tech Day at Bob Martin’s

Broomfield, 9AM

Saturday, June 6th

Vintage bike show in Palisade, CO

http://westerncovintage.com/index.

php?topic=788.0

James Lafler and his riding buddy enjoying

a beautiful March day.

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Shelby American Collection

This was a very cool little museum.

I’ll let the pictures tell the story.

Rode a Norton

Eric Bergman

Jack and Peggy Abeyta

Rode Something Lesser

Mark Liu - KT

Pete Homan - BMW

Scott Robinson - HD

Got there

James Lafler

Wayne, Ursula and Christopher Smiley

Bob Martin

Dave and Marion Miller

Peter and Mickey Allen

Mike Powell

Jim Colt

Dennis Horgan and friends Tom and Bob

Denny and Cathy Westervelt

Ron Pierce

David Sheesley

Adam Sheesley

Mike Fields

Mike’s new ride?

Mike

3

James Mike Bob Dennis

Denny Cathy

Eric

Mark Bob

Wayne

Ursula

Christopher

Cathy

Mark Peggy

Jim

Dave Peter

Jack

Scott James

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Rode a Norton

Arnie Beckman

Mike Fields & Vickie Borden

Michael Homs

Jack & Peggy Abeyta

Rick Black

John Dahl

Rode Something Lesser

Bob Martin

Mark Liu

Denny Westervelt

Jim Colt

Ron Pierce

John Kinlin

Got There

Bob Ohman

Greg Boechler

Paul Swenson

Skip Foree

Peter Chronis

Please note that this list may not

be complete. Please contact Eric

if you were omitted.

Thanks

5

Norton club members enjoying the nice weather, good company, and

cold beverages at the annual Streets of London Pub Gathering.

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I have a love / hate relationship with my 1970 Commando S. Aside from a little vibration below 3,000 rpm it is a pow-

erful and silent “ton-up” ride above that point. The only other issue I have had is the stock seat. Perhaps my derriere is

not at rugged as it was back in 1970 but putting on 200+ miles a day leaves one with a numb hind-quarter which just

plain takes the fun out of longer runs.

After a lot of questions to my brothers in the Norton Colorado club and on-line research I decided on giving the Corbin

“Gunfighter” seat a try. It looks cool as hell on the bike giving it a kind of “moving while standing still” café racer ap-

pearance. I figured if it was as comfortable as it was attractive that was the choice for me.

If you are buying one (or any other option for your ride) be sure to research price on line. By spending a few hours

looking at various sources I got a smokin’ deal at $393 + shipping from Freedom Cycle on e-bay. The only complaint I

had is that delivery took almost 4 weeks but it showed up on my door step in good condition so I was able to live with

that.

The product is absolutely top class, with nicely detailed carbon fiber

“leather” and a high quality mounting bracket to adapt its quick release fea-

ture to the Commando frame. It has an integral key lock set up that allows

easy access under the seat if you store any documents (title, registration, etc)

there, or for access to the battery or oil tank filler cap. Perhaps more subtle is

the fact that without a key, you can’t just pop it off the frame like the stock

seat so this doubles as a theft deterrent to this highly desirable aftermarket

addition to your Norton.

Installation takes all of about 15 minutes and

requires only a couple of wrenches. Basically you remove the old seat, loosen up the upper

shock mounting bolts and slide them back to clear installation of the new seat mounting

bracket. Their instructions recommend supporting the frame so it does not drop when you

pull the shock mounting bolts but since my personal shop motto is “Safety Third”, I just

backed them out enough to drop in the bracket (which fits spot-on) so it was not necessary

to pull the upper shock mounting bolts all the way out and then have to fight them back into

alignment again.

Next you pop the bolts back through the bracket, tighten them up (Loctite recommended)

and you are done! Simple enough for even the least talented alley mechanic for sure. The

seat then is dropped into place with a 2-detent latching system (first detent is a safety latch,

and the second is the firm “final” position for riding). The key system works like a charm

if you need to pop off the seat to check oil or similar and the fit on the bike is perfect!

Finally what prompted this project, the comfort factor. At rest when you are straddling the bike at a standstill you can

feel the broader (than stock) seat width. Not really uncomfortable but I would not want to sit that way for an extended

period of time. However when you put your feet up on the pegs in the riding position the comfort factor is immediately

evident. Not only is it a more firm seating pad but the shape of the seat itself wraps itself around your back side like it

was custom molded. A short run out (winter weather being the limited testing factor) confirmed this seat is going to

serve me well come springtime.

So if you are looking for a real step up for your Norton (and by the way,

Corbin makes aftermarket seats for most other bikes – classic and new) by all

means do some on-line research and find one to make your road miles more

comfortable and fun.

Carpe Diem,

Whiskyman

INSTALLING THE CORBIN “GUNFIGHTER” SEAT

ON A 750 CC NORTON COMMANDO

By Jerry Pokorney

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Are you ready to ride?

While you are no doubt getting your Norton ready for another season of riding pleasure whether at Bob’s tech session on the 19th or on your own, it is equally important to get your body ready. You'll feel a lot less sore after a long day in the saddle if your body is in better shape. Here's a few simple stretches to try before a ride, or even better, on a daily basis.

We can get started at Bob Martin’s house on tech day. I’ve invited a friend to show us how. Here’s her vid-eo:

http://www.metacafe.com/

watch/4512122/ play-

boy_s_naked_workout_2_stretchingtr

etching/

It’s always a good habit to stretch out

and relax after a workout.

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Three bikers, a Honda rider, a BMW rider

and a Norton rider were sitting in a sauna.

Suddenly there was a continuing beeping

sound.

The Honda Rider pressed his forearm and

the beeping stopped. The others looked at

him questioningly. “That was my pager”, he said, “I have

a microchip under the skin of my arm.”

A few minutes later a phone rang. The BMW rider lift-

ed his palm to his ear. When he finished he explained,

“That was my mobile phone. I have a microchip in my

hand.”

The Norton rider felt decidedly low tech. Not to be

outdone, he decided he had to do something just as im-

pressive. He stepped out of the sauna and went to the

bathroom. He returned with a piece of toilet paper

hanging from his butt.

The others raised their eyebrows and stared at him.

The Norton rider finally declared… “ Well, will you

look at that, I’m getting a FAX!”

Lynaire Reeh

Motorcycle Stuff on the web:

Jay Leno Hates ethanol: http://autoweek.com/article/car-life/jay-leno-hates-ethanol

utm_source=DailyDrive20150305&utm_medium=enewsletter&utm_term=image-

center&utm_content=body&utm_campaign=awdailydrive

Andover Norton International Ltd. www.andover-norton.co.uk

History of Triumph motorcycles: http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/history-triumph-motorcycle.html

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Two custom Commandos featured at Bike EXIF. Check

out the links for more information and pictures.

http://www.bikeexif.com/norton-850-commando

http://www.bikeexif.com/norton-850-commando-2

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January 1 (Thursday) New Year's Day Ride, brunch at David & Christine Campbell's, 9436 Wolfe Dr.,Highlands

Ranch, 11 am, followed by a ride to Palmer Lake, weather permitting.

January 10 (Saturday) Pub Meeting at The Burns, Broomfield, 11:30 am.

February 7 (Saturday) Winter Banquet, The Old Neighborhood, Arvada, 5 pm.

March 7 (Saturday) Museum Tour at Shelby American Collection, Boulder, 10 am.

March 22 (Sunday) Pub meeting at Streets of London Pub, 1501 E. Colfax, Denver, Noon

April 4 (Saturday) Group Ride to Idaho Springs and Argo Mine Tour

April 19 (Sunday) Spring Tech Day at Bob Martin's, Broomfield, 9 am.

May 3 (Sunday) A Day at the Races (Bandimere Speedway)

May 17 (Sunday) Old Bike Ride 13, hosted by Bob Ohman, Golden, 8 AM.

May 31 (Sunday) Tea Party and Group Ride, hosted by Debby Johnson, Louisville, 10 am.

June 4 (Thursday) First Thursday at GB Fish and Chips, Sloan's Lake, 5 pm.

June 14 (Sunday) Big Tent BBQ hosted by Eric Bergman and Susie Saarinen, Golden, 1 pm. We welcome

members of the BMAC, the Rocky Mountain Chapter and the Phantom Canyon Chapter of the AMCA, and

other riders of vintage motos.

June 18-21 (Thursday-Sunday) Four Corners Rendezvous, Dolores.

July 5 (Sunday) Mt. Evans Ride, followed by brunch at David Sheesley's, in Evergreen, start at Eric Bergman's

house in Golden at 10 am.

July 13-17 (Monday-Friday) INOA "Norton Carolina Rally", Asheville, NC.

July 18 (Saturday) The Wild Beast Within Us Ride at The Wild Animal Sanctuary, Keenesburg,

leave Denver at 8 am.

August 1-2 (Saturday-Sunday) Wimpy Campout, hosted by Jamie & Michelle Jones, Conifer.

August 15-16 (Saturday-Sunday) The Century Ride to Gunnison and back.

August 29 (Saturday) Yester Year Farm Show, Longmont.

September 11-13 (Friday-Sunday) Up The Poudre Without A Paddle at Glen Echo Resort, west of Fort Collins.

September 20 (Sunday) English Motoring Conclave, Oak Park, Arvada (date unconfirmed).

October 4 (Sunday) Breakfast Ride hosted by Jim and Marti Fisher, 1374 Greening Ave., Erie, 11 am.

October 17 (Saturday) Plains Ride, hosted by Scott & Julie Robinson, 1711 E. 83rd Pl., Denver, 9 am.

October 25 (Sunday) Open Garage/Tech Day hosted by Scott Shuler, 1105 W. Oak St., Fort Collins, 10 AM.

November 8 (Sunday) Fall Tech Day TBA

December 6 (Sunday) Pub meeting at Pints Pub, 221 W. 13th Ave., Denver, at 11 am.

2015 Schedule of Events

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Membership

Membership in Norton Colorado is open to anyone, regardless of whether they own a Norton, or any motorcycle whatsoever.

Dues are $20/ year individual, $22 for a couple or family unit, payable to "Norton Colorado" and sent to the Treasurer, whose contact information is listed on the last page of this newsletter.

The list printed in this newsletter is the offi-cial membership, as understood by the Newsletter Editor on the date of publication of the newsletter. Please let me know if I have made an error.

The membership year begins with

the Winter Banquet in February. New mem-bers who join after August 1 are credited with membership for the following year.

Club Events

Many events have been scheduled for

the 2015 season, usually about 2 per

month. Participation in these events will

be counted for the President's Award.

Events may be added, dropped, or re-

scheduled through the year. The sched-

ule can be found on page 8 or check the

schedule on the club website:

http://www.nortoncolorado.org/

meetings.html

Prez Points Standings

(2015):

points, events, solo rides

Jack Abeyta 11 3 0

Peggy Abeyta 11 3 0

Eric Bergman 8 2 2

Mike Fields 7 3 0

Arnie Beckman 6 2 0

Rick Black 6 2 0

Vicki Borden 6 2 0

Dave Campbell 5 1 4

Debby Johnson 5 1 4

John Dahl 5 1 0

Mark Liu 5 3 0

Michael Homs 5 1 0

Western Slope Riders

Many Norton Colorado members live in the western part of the state, and finally have noticed that it’s I inconvenient to ride 500 miles for High Tea on the Front Range. Said members have formed a loose

confederation known as the Western Slope Riders, and are having their own High Tea and other fun times.

All Norton Colorado members are welcome at these Western Slope events, so if you city kids want to find out what the shoe feels like on the other foot, plan to ride out and join the Western Slope contingent.

Contact: Gary Bolduc, President @

970-676-1078 for info on upcoming

WSR events

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Norton Colorado Membership

14 15 City Phone E-mail 2014 Prez Points

Jack and PeggyAbeyta X X Westminster (303) 426-0594 abeytaa@aol.com 11/11

Frank & Jennifer Albert X X Evergreen (303) 905-3817 frankalbert@att.net

Randy & Sharon Albright X X Golden (303) 273-9262 dirtywhitedog@comcast.net

Peter & Mickey Allen X X Evergreen (303) 886-4696 vincenttwin@gmail.com 1/1

Karen Bailey & Steve Lavin X X Denver (303) 695-1192 karenbailey33@gmail.com 1/1

Matt Baroody X Littleton (303) 564-0453 matthewbaroody@msn.com

Arnie & Stephanie Beckman X X Denver (303) 733-4239 arnnsteph@comcast.net 6/1

Eric Bergman ,Susan Saarinen X X Golden (303) 278-7445 OneNorton@gmail.com 8/1

Rick Black X Arvada (720) 885-6410 6

Greg Boechler X X Parker (720) 394-4734 greg@boechler.com 1

Gary Bolduc & Laurie Smith X Dolores (970) 676-1078 3Nortons@gmail.com

John Boyd X X Aspen (970) 925-9154 johnny3nortons@gmail.com

Tom Brown X Grand Junction utahtom17@yahoo.com

King & Claudia Browne X X Golden (303) 271-1884 kingbrowne@comcast.net

Dave Campbell X X Highlands Ranch (720) 579-3625 dc.cccolo.gmail.com 21 5

Jonathan Chaikin X Sedalia (303) 619-3883 Jonathan@abacuscabinetry.com

Peter Chronis X Denver (303) 332-3504 pchronis43@msn.com 2

Perry Clark X Castle Rock (303) 660-0365 jclark515@aol.com

Larry & Marilee Claxton X Cedaredge (970) 856-4348 claxtonlarryj@gmail.com

Jim & Jacalyn Colt X X Boulder (303) 449-2760 ColtCo@frii.com 4/1

Ernie Comstock & Diane LaFavor X X Lafayette (303) 665-7934 comsteg@gmail.com

Jim & Margaret Comstock X Pueblo (719) 646-2610 norton880fi@yahoo.com

Dave Coxon X X Niwot (303) 652-3607 dvcoxon@rockymountainpower.com

John Dahl X X Arvada (303) 467-0778 jdahl0778@msn.com 5

Paul-M. David X X Denver (303) 331-8008 paul@winepairings.biz

Christopher & Jennifer Eng X X Nederland (303) 570-8096 cengcycling@gmail.com

Bones Engelman X X Denver (720) 308-8680 bonesilhd@comcast.net

Mike Fields & Vicki Borden X X Denver (303) 937-9750 mpfields1@yahoo.com 7/6

Jim & Marti Fisher X X Erie (303) 828-0114 jfisher@coloradogroup.com 1/1

Richard Florence & Linda Sheean X X Stmboat Springs (970) 846-0261 richardsflorence@gmail.com

Skip Foree X X foreemilelli@yahoo.com 3

Mike Gallagher & Lisa Gills X X Lafayette (720) 890-8355 mgallagher01@hotmail.com 1/0

Peter Geise X X Louisville (720) 320-1917 stone-haus@comcast.net 1/1

Kris Geller X X Colo Springs uukkee@aol.com 1

Tony Hagger X X Colo Springs (303) 880-7321 hehaggers@msn.com

Geoffrey & Karen Harris X Littleton (303) 955-2505 spaceman1959@comcast.net

Steve Harris & Charley Gremmels X X Durango (970) 259-1302 NoNortons@gmail.com 1/1

Bob Herman & Lisa Scalise X X Crestone (719) 256-4527 romomoto@gmail.com 1/0

Pete Homan X X Denver (720) 570-2044 2

Michael Homs X X Denver (303) 388-6400 mjhoms@hotmail.com 5

Dennis Horgan X X Denver (303) 475-1591 dennis_horgan@msn.com 2

Rohn Hyde X Denver (303) 433 2620

James Ingram X Leonard, TX (214) 532-9876 james@ingramandfriends.com

Stephen Jarvis X Durango (303) 880-5120 jarvist@mindspring.com

Blair Jenkins X X Westminster (303) 947-4629 gs.blair@hotmail.com

Debby Johnson X X Longmont (303) 229-2089 2Nortons@gmail.com 5

Ed & Diana Johnson X X edwardjohnson11@msn.com

Tim Johnson X X Davis, CA timson4@gmail.com

Jamie & Michelle Jones X X Conifer (303) 697-6166 jmjones91@msn.com

(Continued on next page)

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Norton Colorado Membership (continued)

14 15 City Phone E-mail 2014 Prez Points

Jim Kelly X Berthoud (303) 263-7630 jkeldirt@gmail.com

John Kinlin X X Denver (303) 320-6835 jkinlin@msn.com / harrisjg@msn.com 3

Mike Konshak X Louisville (303) 673-9853 mike@2onahill.com 7

Tom & Nora Kruplak X X Parker (303) 952-9529 kru4@comcast.net

James Lafler X X Loveland (970) 218-2707 jpl777@bajabb.com 4

Sid & Karen Leavell X X Durango (970) 259-0151 busters@bresnan.net

Mark Liu & Geri Molettiere X X Westminster (303) 506-4557 markdavidliu@aol.com 5/1

Mark Lomax X Westminster lomaxcm@comcast.net

Sam Manganaro X Cortez (540) 514-1013 sam@vincentworks.com

Bob Martin & Sheila Wilson X X Broomfield (303) 466-6903 bobamartin@msn.com 4/1

Michael McAdams & Vennie Mangus X Englewood (303) 916-8696 mkelectricinc@gmail.com

Doug McCadam X Dolores/Baja (970) 570-6726 dougsnortons@hotmail.com

Ken McEntire X Englewood (303) 777-5663

Vern Neuscheler X Boulder (303) 618-9914 vernarthur@gmail.com

Bob & Claire Ohman X X Denver ( 303) 570-9333 reohman@att.net 2/1

Ron & Joan Pierce X X Lafayette (303) 665-5300 ronpierceco2@aol.com 3/0

Jerry Pokorny X X Colorado Springs (303) 912-4509 jerry_pokorny@msn.com

Mike Powell X gelbviehs@yahoo.com 1

Lynaire Reeh X X Englewood (303) 771-3855 lynaire.reeh@gmail.com

Scott & Julie Robinson X X Thornton (303) 287-6580 mister.r@comcast.net 4/1

Harleyhygienist @comcast.net

Trish Sanders & Cory Zambrano X Denver (303) 870-4167

Randy & Evan Schneider X X Wellington (970) 227-3825 redienhcsr@aol.com

Andi & Kristina Seiler X X Münzenberg andi.seiler@gmx.de

Lee, Bryan & Austin Shanley X Longmont (303) 931-9278 shanfam48@msn.com

David Sheesley X X Evergreen (303) 674-1114 dks@davidksheesley.com 2

Scott Shuler X X Fort Collins (720) 289-2153 scott.shuler@colostate.edu

Steve Siler X X Frederick (303) 817-6075 ssiler@mtechg.com

Al & Barb Slarks X Boulder (303) 818-5556 al@slarks.com

Wayne, Ursula & Christopher Smiley X X Frederick (303) 829-2417 wssmiley@comcast.net 2/2

Ryan & Molly Sorenson X Durango (970) 531-2704 sorensonryan@hotmail.com

Bill Stone X X Kaleen, Australia bilstone@bigpond.net.au

Paul Swenson X X Colorado Springs beemerpaul@aol.com 2

Tom and Camille Tallick X X Arvada (303) 425-0462 ttallick@gmail.com 1/1

Jo Teague X X Littleton ( 303) 324-5212 jmteague@comcast.net

Darell Teeples X X Portland, OR (503) 793-7783 dedet@easystreet.net

Craig Terry X X Glenwood Springs (970) 618-9140 craigterry@acsol.net

Gene Toner X gtoner35@aol.com

Al Turner X X Denver (303) 989-8803 al_tu@hotmail.com

Jay & Teri Ann Tynes X X Elizabeth (720) 274-4653 tubbrex@aol.com 1/1

Herb & Karen Varona X X Westminster (303) 420-5107

Lew Wackler X Boulder (303) 350-0430 lewackler@yahoo.com

Darrell Walker & Kaet Snyder X Basalt (970) 927-4014 darrellwalker@yahoo.com

Dale & Cathy Watson X Conifer (303) 697-3223 dhwats73@gmail.com

Dave & Robin Webster X Haiku, HI (808) 575-9051 bsadw@hotmail.com 7/9

Denny & Cathy Westervelt X X Denver ( 303) 428-1746 dennywestervelt@aol.com 4/2

Martin White & Lee Maassen X X Louisville (303) 661-9402 weeno6@netzero.com 1/0

Russ Willard X X Lewisville, NC (336) 655-7339 rwillard8@triad.rr.com

Michael Wilson X X Littleton (303) 908-1597 md_wilson@comcast.net

Bob Wood X X Billings, MT (406) 259-5123 drrwwood@gmail.com

Jon & Kirsten Zemp X X Denver (720) 234-9033 jondzemp@gmail.com

Bob Zimmerman X X Colorado Springs (719) 328-9633 rzimmmerman@msn.com 1

Total Memberships 98 72

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Credits: Thanks to Jerry Porkorney ,Lynairre Reeh, Bob

Herman, David Sheesley, Eric Bergman, Dennis Horgan,

Bob Martin, Jim Colt, Peter Chronis, James Lafler, and

Julian Kowalewski for their contributions to this newslet-

ter. I also want to say thanks to others who sent me

things I will use in future editions.

Current Occupants

Grand Wazoo

Eric Bergman (303) 278-7445

onenorton@gmail.com

Consigliore

Arnie Beckman (303) 733-4239

Arnie.Beckman@coloradodefenders.us

Exchequer (Send $$$ here)

Charley Gremmels

1832 Forest Ave.,Durango,CO81301

(970) 259-1302

NoNortons@gmail.com

Ride Coordination Czarina

Debby Johnson (303) 229-2089

2nortons@gmail.com

Swag Boss

Jim Fisher (303) 828-0114

jfisher@coloradogroup.com

Ministry of Truth

Scott Robinson (303)287-6580

mister.r@comcast.net

Dead Tree Publication Colt Reproduction

www.coltrepro.com

Norton Colorado

1900 19th Street

Golden, CO 80401