network, make your shoe on the something just ai
ew friends, or bang ble when you think
't right. Speak up!
This month, I'm different. My frie an avid rider fr thought it might his thoughts on t If any of you have the club who wo experiences, have me and we'll inclu letter. It will be a choose great pl word-of-mouth. input. Now, heeeeres...Sully!
ing something a little d, Dennis Sullivan, is m West Texas. I
interesting tcphear e riding experience. riding friends outside Id like to share their them write or E-mail e them in our news-
:ood way to pick and es to ride through
Thanks for all your
Karlen
Howdy from Sully's Favorite ti Living in West Te found the summ cial.
West Texas es to ride.
since 1986, I have r evenings very spe-
It's around 8 pm evening, the so to a small roar, settled in for the out of the garag rumble while I p jacket and no hel Texas is a lid free bors watch and drool, wishing th themselves; I th shift as though I' v-twin echoes off myself in its au hours. Each night
on a warm summer west wind has died nd most folks have vening. I roll my ride , fire it up, and let it
my gloves on. (no et, yes, once again te!!!). As my neigh-
ither run back in or y were in the saddle ottle-up slowly and in slow motion. The e houses and I lose
for the next couple s the same beginning
ROAR Top Cats Monthly Newsletter
Vol. One No. 1 I November, 1997
Burni in Te
Hello, Top Cats!
Board Meeting Nov 4, 1997
Remember 3
General Membership Meeting Minutes 3
Oil Spots 3
Biker Culture 4
Tips for a Weekend Ride . . . 5
An Introduction 6
President's Corner 6
Hello, Top Cats! I'm looking forward to being your edi-tor (especially now that I'm a member myself!). I'm hoping you'll all look for-ward to each issue of ROAR. There are so many interesting aspects to rid-ing...and doing business. I'll try to in-clude as many ideas and viewpoints as we can fit in our limited space each month. We need to hear from as many of you as possible! It's a chance to
but the road taken is different.
Tonight is a cruise West, chasing the setting sun through winding back roads of mesquite trees, cactus, and armadil-los (gotta watch them armadillos). I pass farm houses, long ago overdue for repairs and paint, and wave at their owners on the creaking porches. The smell of feed lots, oil wells, and well-fed cattle keep me motoring and heading back to town. To top off my ride, I head on over to the local Baskin Rob-bins for a Hot Fudge Sundae or Banana Split. I sit on the curb listening to the motor crackle as it cools and answer questions from curious folks not sure whether I was there to cause trouble or just enjoy the sundae. (folks are funny that way). As I head home, I wonder what tomorrow will bring, but in the morning I'll have to go work off the Sundae!! As I approach the house I let my neighbors know that I'm home so they can rest in peace at least till tomorrow night.
Let me know your favorite times to ride. Next month the ride to the 50th at Sturgis. For now, RIDE SAFE.
-- Sully
Board Meeting Nov 4, I 997. The Board met with the
following in attendance; Ric Case, George Lax, Wayne Kirkpatrick, Dona Tossing, Terry Kumro, Vince O'leary, Carl Bender, Vic Wojtas. (Cont'd on Page 3)
ROAR Asks the Do They Do It
Here's The Scoop...
g Question ..."How as?"
-rounded 1994
,OAR November, 1997
TOP CATS - Illinois is a group of motorcycle enthusias s with similar interests. Membership must consist of responsible leaders, Presidents, Chairman, Owners, Pr prietors, Kings, Queens, Partners, Principals, CEOs and other "Top Cats" of large, medium and small organizations, institutions, companies and/or countries.
The Bikers Who Mean Business!
a.. President: Ric Case 847/363 - 1542
Pager: 708276-7422
Vice President: George "Gray Ghost" Lax 847/438-5236 1 E-Mail: [email protected]
Treasurer: Dona Tossing 847/934-7234
Secretary: Wayne "Traveler" Kirkpatrick 847/854-4137 [email protected]
Founder: Cad "Virgo" Bender 847/381-2767 E-Mail: [email protected] - Pager: 847/216-4444
Past President: Rob "Mow-Man" Mann 847-537-8989 E-Mail: [email protected] - Pager:708-750-4644
Director: Vic "Vinny" Wojtas 847/639-3470
Director: Vince O'Leary 847/363-2520
Director: Terry "Lizard" Kumro 847/639-4009
Ee 4 „w—t. #1. 4 pavan, ia a, an, id
COMMITTEE TOP CATS Activities: Brett Bacci 847/457-3906 Charity:Sandy Vernon 847/634-6402
Communications: Rob Scholl 847/398-6357 Membership: Dona Tossing 847/934-7234 Meeting Programs This could be YOU! Products: This could be YOU! Public Relations: John Eliasik 847/934-9045 Roar Publisher: Karlen Sanberg 847/639-7442 (E-mail address:) [email protected] Safety: Gary Wayman 847/297-4510 Security: This could be YOU! Volunteer Coord. Virgo 847/381-2767
The Next Scheduled TOP CATS Meeting is TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2nd. BE THERE!!
Articles and graphics are encouraged, but the opinions expressed in this newsletter, as well as the graphics, are the
sole responsibility of their creators and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Top Cats - Illinois.
©1997 Top Cats - Illinois
TOP CATS - ILLINOIS 6 18 S. Northwest Highway - #2I8
Barrington, IL 600 I 0
E-Mail: [email protected] http://www.geocities.com/WallStreet/3333
or use our HOTLINE PHONE NUMBER: 847/622-3501
ROAR November, 1997
♦ New member candidate, voted on and approved for membership is: Craig Martins, subject to receipt of his dues.
Virgo informed the Board that our masthead in ROAR has incorrect information. Karlen will correct ad-dresses and phone numbers.
♦ Virgo discussed a recommendation that Karlen made to accept advertis-ing for ROAR. It was agreed that we will look into guidelines, advertising rates, etc, before making a decision. George Lax will head the research effort and report back to the Board.
For all of her effort with ROAR, and her contribution of time to Top Cats, the Board unanimously approved Karlen Sanberg as an Honorary member.
The board also approved the ap-pointment of Karlen Sanberg as Edi-tor of ROAR.
remedies, stories and any other biker related ite s to:
i—loone y
S n Lerg
art4 Road
L 600,3
We'll inclu e everything ci that's fi to print!
General Membership Meeting Minutes
♦ Ric Case explaied that the newslet-ter will be mailed late due to a variety of reasons th t prevented it from being publishe on time.
♦ Members were reminded to check the Top Cats Hotline for event infor-mation. That inumber is 847/622-3501.
be conducting member interviews for articles in ROAR and would be pub-lishing an updated Top Cats' Services Directory. Check with Karlen to make sure that your info in the Di-rectory is accurate.
♦ The member roster was passed around for updating and will eventu-ally be published with ROAR.
♦ A Toys For Tots run is scheduled for 7 December 1997. The location, time, etc will be available on our Hotline.
♦ Rob Mann announced that we had collected $201.00 for the NISRA picnic. He will coordinate sending them the money.
♦ Bard Boand won $42.50 in the 50/50 drawing and donated the money to NISRA. (Class guy) any-way.
♦ The treasury balance is: $1 ,329. 14.
Karlen
9506
C101 .00 rn
♦ A calendar of events will be attached to ROAR in future issues.
It was moved and approved to send ROAR to all of our members regard-less of type of membership. Only one issue will be mailed per house-hold.
A motion to mail ROAR to other clubs, selected dealers, etc was con-sidered. The Board agreed to re-search the issue. Rob Mann will research it and present his findings to the Board.
The Board discussed mailing ROAR to inactive members and agreed that we will continue to send Roar to all members in good standing. Virgo volunteered to call some of the less active members and encourage their attendance at our meetings.
ideas, to send your
ideas, articles, observations, questions, complaints,
jokes, pictures, home grown biker
eading a Sturgis - 98 oordinate the ride to next year. Bard has
located a great hotel and has only a few rooms le . See Bard if you're interested.
♦ Daytona Speed Week is I - 7 March 1998. Jim Hudmon is heading down, so if you're interested in Daytona next year, see Jim.
♦ John Kahles told us about a high end cabin in the Sturgis area if anyone is interested, see John.
♦ George Lax announced that dona-tions were beirg collected by one of O'Traina's employees for a 5 year old girl with cancer and encouraged members to dOnate.
♦ Terry Kumro announced that, for the e upcoming J & P Cycle show, he
would try to g t a free table so we can set up a Top Cats' Swap Shop and sell donated bike parts from our members.
♦ Virgo announced that Karlen would
Oil Spots By Traveler
A.B.A.T.E. As many of you know, the Vice President of our local A.B.A.T.E. chapter is Gary Wayman who is not only very active in biking, along with wife Carol, but also a Top Cat. For those of you who don't belong to A.B.A.T.E., ( shame on ya!) Gary reported that the Federation of International Motorcyclists (FIM), an inter-national governing body of motorcycling has issued a warning on Global Motorcy-cle Standards. Details are in the A.B.A.T.E. newsletter but some of the issues that we may have to defend against in the U.S. are things like:
80 db noise limits. or Anti - tampering devices to prevent
anyone other than a dealer from even changing spark plugs. A 100 base horsepower limit. Mandated types of replacement tires. Second stage noise reduction Second stage exhaust emission re-
♦ Bard Boand is Committee to and from Sturgi
November, 1997
n required. *Radar 5 MPH limits on Legal blood alcohol ndatory suspension se.
*No safety inspecti detectors legal. posted interstates. level is .10. *No m or revocation of licer
<OAR
duction.
Shear bolts to prevent removal of parts.
The best way to fight these pending re-strictions? Join A.B.A.T.E
speed for 20 to 25 seconds. The driver, soon to be pilot, would have realized G-forces similar to a fighter pilot in a dog fight using full afterburners. From the point of maximum thrust, the driver/pilot basically became insignificant for the remainder of the event. dandy phone num-
m info 800 / 2 -Conditions 312 /
), 217 / 782-5730 Road Construction
Road Captain Info bers. Illinois Touri CONNECT. Roa 368-4636 (recordin (winter recording). 800 / 452-4368.
New Harleys?. Harley - Davidson un-veiled two new models in Paris this past September. Known as the XL53 C Cus-tom and the FXSTB Project Softail, neither will be retailed in the States. Rumor tells us that the XL53 is a chromed out, solid rear wheel, 883cc (883cc = 53.8 ci) available in black, yellow, or red. The FXSTB is a low profile, black engined, flat handlebar prototype that will receive an official designation in the future. March 1998 is the target release date for these new bikes.
Holiday Gifts? Unique holiday gifts for a biker. A service manual for their bike. Dealer gift certificate. Club membership. tions. Engraved belt Road racing school outdoor gift from L. application to riding charger. A combinat
The Chevy remained on a straight line for 2.5 miles before the driver applied, and completely burned out the brakes, blow-ing the tires, and leaving thick rubber marks on the road the entire distance. He then became airborne for a distance of 1.4 miles and impacted the cliff at a height of 125 feet, leaving a blackened crater three feet deep in the rock. Most of the driver's remains were not recoverable and it was undetermined whether seat belts (or a helmet?) were a factor in his death. (Yeah, but what a ride!!!)
New helmet visor. Magazine Subscrip-uckles. Long johns. uition. Any unique L. Bean that has an
A trickle battery on tool. Rain suit.
Winter is gainin' on us Of course you'll winterize your bike. This time of year many trade magazines will publish articles and check lists on how to winterize. They usually address things like gas stabilizer, trickle chargers, and hardware that they advertise in their publication. Most of the articles aren't bad but don't forget to check the BIBLE of winterizing...your owners manual. Believe your manual before you believe a trade publication.
Biker Culture How to describe a former spouse / signifi-cant other:
This in from Gray Award is the annual individual who kills extraordinarily stupid nominee is still unide
host: The Darwin award given to the imself in the most anner. This year's
tified. It seems:
rir She got into the gene pool when the lifeguard wasn't looking.
gar Bright as Alaska in December.
Hard to believe he beat out a million other sperm to become human.
Ridin' Gear Don't forget to "winterize" your riding gear, leathers, gloves, chaps, etc also. After the bike is put up for the winter, it's a great time to sit around the ol' fireplace and put a coat of leather treat-ment on your leathers, clean the helmet real well, and treat those leather saddle bags and windshield bags also.
sar One cell organisms out score him on IQ tests.
Patrol came upon a etal embedded in above the road at It looked like an
vestigation revealed of the car, and the
tifiable at the scene. ✓ She donated her body to science
before she was done with it.
The Arizona Highwa pile of smouldering the side of a cliff risi the apex of a curve airplane but further i it was a car. The ma operator, were unide
Extensive lab work revealed what happ the driver had obtain is a Jet Assisted Tak solid rocket booster, need additional thr short runways. He a Chevy and drove to out. After he got up stretch of highway, h
iGr He's so dense, light bends around him.
d the investigation ned. It seems that d a JATO unit. This Off device, a mini
used on aircraft that for take offs on
ched it to his 1967 the desert to try it to speed on a long lit off the JATO.
vr If brains were taxed, he'd get a re-bate.
vr If you gave_ him a penny for his thoughts, you'd get change.
gir It takes her an hour and a half to watch 60 minutes.
' The cage is spinning but the hamster is dead.
It's the Law. (Everyone knows, but I need filler for this column so....) Here is a recap of the Illinois motorcycle safety requirements. * No helmet required. *Rider education required under age 18. *State funded rider education available. *Skills and knowledge test may be waived upon successful completion of rider edu-cation course. *Eye protection required for instructional permit holders. *Day-time use of headlight required. *Modulat-ing headlight permitted. *Footpegs and seat required to carry a passenger. *No passenger age limits. * Helmet speakers legal. *Left and right mirrors required.
Id be determined, the JATO about 3 ite. This was estab-, and melted asphalt . The JATO would
st within five sec- to reach a speed
The facts, as best co are that the driver li miles from the crash lished by the scorche at the point of ignitio have reached max t onds, causing the Ch in excess of 350 mph. And continue at full
Wayne Kirkpatrick gether for over a y came to hear abo mentioned that th e
newsletter person, so, that's how I go turn my desktop p time home career great beginning for
The main thing tha Top Cats was the oted approach the bership process an ophy. I enjoy som band and I can do proud to be a part so much for those I
Well, there! I did looking to all of yo selves to the club t no one participates offering "incentives' who are willing to other members! being watched! U between the lines!
•
I've been riding ( .
high school, when me for my first rid the seat with me (thankyouverymu .
Knevil stunt routin bejeezus outa me. since. Jerry and I Sportster that Jer up. It's been in va pair for way too lo though, we'll be o tearin' up the high
Karlen : )
6 ROAR
I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!! WE NEED YOUR PARTICIPATION!
Top Cats - Illinois has openings for committee positions. If you're inter-ested, please contact Ric Case, Wayne Kirkpatrick or Karlen Sanberg. Thanks a mil!
Products: This member will seek out products (i.e., patches, coffee cups, mouse pads, etc.) that Top Cat members would like to have at the best possi-ble price.
Security: The purpose of this position is to handle the $50/%50 giveaway each month. In addition, he or she will attempt to keep the peace during run-ins with the "bad guys." You'll also have to keep an eye on the scoots.
Benefits: We should always be on the lookout for more member benefits. The annual dus of $50.00 was designed to subsidize our costs. However, in theory, we should wind up with more money left over. The following ben-efits are offered to members at no cost:
• Membership Card and Sew-on Patch
11
▪
Monthly Newsletter Monthly Meetings (forum for net-working and camaraderie)
▪ Top Cats pin • Annual Picnic ler Monthly Ride (during riding sea-
son, i.e. Group Tours)
Additionally, we'd like to offer these member benefits:
Lir Service Directory r Discounts at stores iar Any other benefits the Committee
Chairperson can come up with.
C'mon, youze guys! This is your chance to shape the direction of YOUR club!
An Introduction by Karlen Sanberg
Hello out there in Biker Land! As a pre-lude to my upcoming column, Kibbutzing with Kalhoun, (a weird nick-name that I picked up a while ago) which
November, 1997
PRESIDENT'S CORNER by Ric Case
It's that time of the year with the holi-days upon us, when we shuld take a moment to count our blessings...you know, all those things we frequently take for granted.
Traveler reminded me that those of slight of build and weight are very thank-ful for electric start. Maybe some of the young folks don't remember kick start. The many Harley fans among us are thankful that AMF gave up the ghost, thus allowing Harley to return to its cur-rent level of prosperity.
I am personally thankful for those that have volunteered to help improve our organization. Especially the terrific effort put forth to make our progressive dinner such a success. The extra effort that makes our rides during the course of the year unique, fun and memorable. I was particularly grateful for the opportunity to ride to Sturgis, taking in the magnificent scenery, the camaraderie of fellow bik-ers, and the thrill of the adventure. All this in addition to the new and the exist-ing relationships that have unfolded through interaction within Top Cats. My list could go on forever.
So, you take a second to think about what it is that you value most about our group, and then ask yourself, "how can I help improve on those things that make us click".
In closing, I would like to wish each and every one of you a very joyous holiday season, however yo choose to celebrate it. Which reminds me...think about how wonderful it is to have the freedom to choose.
RIDE FREE!
Your Prez -- Ric
will feature one o thought I'd start b and how I got int i
Cats. I'll try to hi Cat each month, get to know each
I was born and rai area. I grew up i currently live in C band, Jerry Losch,
YOU each month! I telling you who I am
rested in the Top hlight a different Top nd hopefully we'll all ether a little better.
ed in the Chicago Hoffman Estates and ry with my new hus-and my son, Justin.
a passenger) since a friend of mine took
He stood up on n the back h) and did an Evil that scared the I've loved it ever
ave a Harley built from the ground ious stages of disre- g. Come spring, with youze guys
ay.
nd I worked to- ar, which is where I the Top Cats. He club was in need of a and I was interested, here. I'm hoping to blishing into a full-ventually, so this is a me.
attracted me to the 'r, honest, un-big-take in their mem-their general philos-thing that my hus- • gether, and I'm • f a group that does ss fortunate than us.
y part, and I'll be to introduce your-rough this column. If willingly, I will be to club members ish out the dirt on member...You ARE '1 next time, stay