Oley 2011

[Robert Luland]

Well Oley as usual was full of weather surprises, but in the end my son Conner and I had a great time despite the fact that we got flooded out Thursday morning. We met at least ten members of the forum this weekend. It’s so great when you can put a face with a name. Sorry folks, I only got to take pictures of the flooding. Bob L

[c.o.]

Good to hear ya still had a good time Bob! Looks like the youngster's boots were just tall enough!!! So was there a nice bunch of Grey Fellows to drool over?

[Robert Luland]

Cory, there were less bikes than normal or at least that was my observation. I think the weather had a direct hand in that. I only remember seeing a couple of the theme bikes. We left on Saturday afternoon. I was Oley’ed out by then. There was a woman riding around in a blue side hack with her two dogs. I said to myself, Cory would love to see this. So off I went in hot pursuit with my camera. Unfortunately she was moving faster than my legs. Friday night was the best. The temperature nose dived, real cold even by Oley standards. I was up on the hill by the band stage looking down the fire lane that runs the distance of the lower field and there had to be twenty different fires burning. It looked like something out of a Valley Forge encampment. The only thing that was missing was the muskets standing. At that point I had run out of beer. So I started down the hill to the tent. Every fire I stopped at asked what I was up to with the cooler. When I told them my plight, they immediately put a beer in my hand and told me to sit down. To say the least it took me three hours to go 500 yards. “O well”. In the end, one crappy day at Oley still beats a great day at work. Super people, fantastic weekend. Bob L

Ps: On a sad note. One vender had placed a 1929 motor on the ground next to a trash can at his sight and some scumbag walked off with it. I don’t know if there was a happy ending.

[c.o.]

Bob!! I too have chased girls on motorcycles to try and take their picture so I completely understand!! Sounds like quite the adventure battling the elements as well. It's a real bummer to hear about the thief though...

[MMasa]

It was actually a 1928 JD bottom end with a 1929 generator, full gearcase with cover and oil pump, etc. A really nice piece that I had bought the day before. It was the first thing I took out of the van on Friday morning when I was setting up. I set it at the corner of my spot about 1-2 feet from the garbage can. We spent the next 10 - 15 minutes setting up tables, chairs, etc. before pulling out more parts. It was about an hour later that I noticed it missing when someone asked about a JD cam and we went over to look at the engine.
One guy said that he saw two guys by the motor, one kneeling and the other standing. He said that the guy standing jokingly said something along the lines of, "well it's by the garbage can, so I guess it's yours for the taking" I just want to know who is stupid enough to believe that someone would throw out a twenties Harley engine?
That is the first and only thing that I have EVER known went missing from my spot in 20 years of vending!
The person who took it is either a dirt-bag thief or a moron. That's a pretty bold move to just lift up a 90 pound bottom end and just stroll away with it.
If anyone has any information or leads for me, I'd appreciate it. I'd even consider a reward if it leads to my recovery of the engine.
Mark Masa
mark@linkcycles.com

[c.o.]

I can't believe anyone would have it in their head that since it's near a garbage can it would be free game. Even the naivist honest man should inquire as to why it was sitting there and perhaps if he was interested would ask as to whether it was for sale. It's too bad the fella that witnessed the idiotic conversation didn't speak up right then or this b.s. could have been avoided. Sorry to hear you got ripped off Mark and I hope you get that engine back.

[Milrite]

Oley 2011 pics

Here is a link for a hundred plus pics from Oley....... enjoy. I know I sure had fun taking them and talking to the owners

https://picasaweb.google.com/milrite/Oley2011#

[c.o.]

Awesome stuff Milrite!!! That definitely helped satisfy the photo hunger!!!!

[Bills37]

Sorry to hear about your troubles Mark. I always thought the people involved with antique bikes were above that sort of thing. Hope you can catch the #$%&*

[Bills37]

Oley 11 003.jpg

I only going to post this one pic of Oley because it has a little story. The fellow left it out Friday night and it was a little damp and wouldn't run. It would hit, spin over a couple of turns and quit. Quite a little crowd gathered as he was trying to start it. It was thoroughly flooded and I thought he was going to kick himself into a cardiac before it would start. This led to an Epiphany. I suddenly understood one of the immutable laws that govern the Universe.

The chances of your old motorcycle starting is in inverse proportion to how many people are standing there watching you kick.

[c.o.]

I believe your epiphany is right on the money!!!

[t-jacobs]

I was there for the judging today. I took my panhead and parked it off to the side because I was not having it judged. When I came over to the bike later a guy told me he saw someone walk up to my bike and hold his camera down next to my motor and take a picture of my serial #. He took no other pictures of the bike.
I asked him if he could point out who this person was and he could not find him in the crowd ( Big guy long gray hair and long gray beard ). I know looks like a lot of bikers. I don't know if this is something to worry about but it sure seems suspicious to me. Now I will be watching my garage like a hawk even though I have it alarmed. This may be something others may want to watch out for.

[upsrod]

Probably a cop justifying his job!

[exeric]

People on these forums are obsessed with Harley Davidson serial numbers. With out a doubt, someone collecting data so they can impress people with their knowledge of fonts, seriffs, and character anomalies. Even if they could track your location via the #, they would still have to deal with you, and most crooks are dirty cowards. I'm more worried about a friend or neighbor telling some dirtbag at a bar about the guy (you or me) they know that has a bunch of old bikes. A little bit of booze, and your neighbor or friend is spilling his guts to a professional thief. There will always be risks to owning desirable objects.

[c.o.]

You couldn't be more right Eric. It wouldn't surprise me if the serial number photographer wasn't just collecting data (although t-jacobs I can see where you would be a little unnerved about the situation). The neighbor theory is spot on too. I've had phone calls from stranded bikers looking for parts because they got my number from somebody working at the local gas station. I've also had people come knocking on my door to look at my bikes because they knew the folks down the road and they had mentioned I had some old iron. Usually after a lengthy conversation I either decide I'll show 'em the goods or if the vibe is bad I politely come up with an excuse why "today is not a good day". I do have a few signs posted on my shop that bluntly warn intruders so the bad guys do have a heads up before they decide to do something stupid. I met a guy a couple years back at a swapmeet that was selling the last of his stuff. He told me he was completely getting out of the bike scene because he was tired of people following him home to scope things out so they could attempt to rip him off. It's a pathetic state of affairs but like you said Eric, it's part of owning this stuff. It shouldn't be the case but unfortunately it is.