Mid-South ride, eat, and meet

[barryg]

Gotta load outa Seguin, Tx, to Nogales. Az. ; about a 950 mile run . Pretty easy run, good weather. High plains, mesas, plateaus mountains, tumble weeds, cacti, gulch's. I ain't in Ar. anymore. Rolled into Nogales and delivered the load early, right on the Mexican border. I could walk over and touch the border fence. After a day, I was off to Tucson, to see a Uncle and Aunt. My Uncle Buddy was recuperating from a odd medical malady. Any way he was mending well and ready to get out of Tucson. The heat was getting to him. Got the oppurtunity to go to Iron Horse BMW. I'd been there several times, but it had been a few years back. This is another dealer that I like going to. Good mix of new and used bikes. They hada couple of nice R100GS's that had been freshened up. Jim Richardson, the sales mngr. showed me a nicely restored '77 R100RS to concours condition.. Just sold, and it went for over $20,000. The guy's going to have a really nice RS. I helped restore one just like it about 15 years ago; I allways liked that year RS. Lookin over the bike accessory section, I found a R100GS leather tail bag on the self. On sale no less. Snatched it up, it's going on my R80ST. Almost worthless, but great bling. I dealt with Jon the parts guy. I think everyone there was John or James. Gotta get back there soon. These guys are racing the S1000RR and I think their getting some factory sponcoring from BMW. Good for them. Tucson BMW riders are fortunate to have them as the dealer. Like I said, great dealership, can't wait to go back.

[barryg]

I was looking thru my old BMW literature and brocheres and found an ad on the GS leather bag I bought. Stated the bag as robust in 3 mm cowhide in top quality finish. reinforced aluminum base. Enough space for for a rainsuit or light luggage. A picture was also included. Will be on the shelf for some time, till I get around to putting the ST back together.

[barryg]

Continuing my trip. After the Iron Horse visit, I set in Tucson waiting for another load. Got bored and took off to Phoenix to visit both BMW dealers in the Phoenix area. Got to Eloy and got a load offer. Picking up back in Nogales, load going to Belvidere, Il.. No time to sop at the Phoenix dealers. 1600 mile paid run; had to take it. I need the money. Had 3 days to deliver. Made the run. After delivery, I decided to visit BMW Of Barrington. Wanted to go by and see Dan Kriete the Parts Mngr.. I did a lot of business with Dan back in the 90's. Good guy, know's his stuff. I really like this place, old school. I was talking to Dan Baber the Mngr.. He informed me that the building was built in 1923 as a car dealership. Lots of history, same year for the start of BMW. I really get a kick out of the motorcycle elevator taking the bikes up to the 2nd floor for service. Cool place, I hated to leave. Off to Chicago.

[barryg]

In Memphis, Tn. every Wendesday night is Bike Night. There are several places the bikes seem to congregate. My favorite is Bikes on Beale Street. Downtown Memphis. Motorcycles and moter scooters are invited down to park on Beale St. every Wendesday night. Many restaurants and bars catering to the bikers. Lots of free music. It's a happening. If your traveling thru the Mid South this is a nice stop. Beale Street Merchants Association :: Events Main

[barryg]

this should get you there. www.bealestreetmerchants.comevents.php

[barryg]

I'm meeting up with my Beale St. bud Larry Schally tonight about 7:00. Erik Hughes is playing at Alfreds on Beale. He will be joined by the legendary Leo Goff on bass. The greatest bassist on Beale. Leo of BMW engine building fame. Can't wait to get there.

[barryg]

Made it to Beale Street last Wendesday. Had a beer with Larry at our spot. The street was pretty well packed with bikes. Larry took off for Joe's Crab Shack, the other big bike nite meeting place. I went down to Alfred's to listen to Eric Hughe's band with the legendary Leo Goff on bass. Back 20 years ago Leo and I were on the same vintage car racing team. I had some paperwork from our race at Watkins Glen in '92. Hard to believe it's been 20 years. The band was excellent. Bikes on Beale every Wendesday nite.
I missed the monthly Old Bike Club meeting at Sidecar Cafe. Just to tired from working on my garage. They meet the 1 st Thr. of every month at Side Car Cafe. Check their web site to comfirm this. Hopefully if every thing go's well I'll be bringing home my '84 R100 police bike tomorrow. .

[barryg]

It's home along with my Handy motorcycle lift. Life is good.

[barryg]

Fixin to head over Tennessee, head up 51 highway north. Going to Old Millington Winery. Meeting up with a buddy of mine, Ron Wigginton. I'm taking the R100RS and I'm ready for a ride, then sharing a bottle of Delta Blush. That is if I can get over Wolf River and the Loosahatchie River. Record river depth on the Mississippi River in my life time.

[barryg]

Didn't make it. Highway 51 closed at Watkins av. All the rivers are backed up off the Miss. River. Was running late anyway. Ron made it to the Winery by zigg-zagging around the low spots . He said he made a lot of u turns, but made it. Went over to Side car Cafe and ran into some of the BMW Rams. Ron and I later hooked up at Barbi's in Memphis. I then called it a night and rode home.

[barryg]

Moved my R90 out of the shed and into the garage, up and on the lift. it's a milestone. I'm back in bidness. Hope to make it over to Beale St. for Bikes on Beale. Beale St. is flooded at Riverside Dr. down by the river, will go east down Crump Blvd. and go north up Main St. to my spot on Beale. I know the river flooding is all the news, but Bike Nite is here, I'm home and I'm going.

[barryg]

I've mentioned my buddy Ron in a previous post. We are looking seriously at doing some BMW motorcycle engine work. Ron is a very unique person. He is a 40 year machinist /tool and die journeyman. He has many years in jobshops all over Memphis. I've had the oppurtunity to work with him at several of those machine shops. He was probably the best machinest I've ever had a chance to work with. During all those years, he worked on many automotive and motorcycle projects, building some of the most complex devises and components, I've ever seen. This for a varity of different people with car and motorcycles custom jobs. At the moment he is working downtown in Memphis at a automotive shop building a variety of engines and doing extensive head work on street and racing engines. He has just purchased his first BMW R90 and is the process of getting it running and ridable. I was a 25 year journeyman machist and also have 10 years of experience doing BMW motorcycle heads along with BMW cars, Mercedes, Porsche, Audi, Rover, etc.. Any way we are going to have some fun doing some head work on our bikes and building some nice custom pieces and bling for our bikes.

[barryg]

I'm gettin ready to head to bike nite on Beale St. In down town Memphis. I'll be in my usual spot in front of Superior BBQ out on the patio side walk. Later I'll move up the street and listen to the legendary Leo Goff, bassist extraordinaire, playing with the Eric Hughes Band.

[barryg]

Got a late start ridng over to Beale St. Got my usual spot sitting in front of Superior BBQ. The street was packed with bikes and people and music was great. Saw my first K1600GTL as it was parked almost in front of me. Walked over and looked it over, very impressive. The owner came back and I thought I would invite him to sit down, but he was having so many people ask about his bike I never got the chance. Went down to Alfred's and caught Leo's band during their last set. Went back to Superior BBQ and my buddies from the BMW RAMS and the Old Bike Club had our spot covered. Had a good time hangin with them, their all good folks. They wanted to ride down and see the Mississippi River at flood stage. I got seperated from them, so I just rode on home.

[barryg]

If all goes well I'll be able to ride over to the Natural State Rally just outaide of Morrilton, Ar. on the Arkansas River this weekend. I think it's Lock and Dam #9 off Highway 9 at Sequoah Campground and Park. Will ride over and spend the day. Nice rally. I'm a charter member and past president of the Naturally Beemers. I havn't been as active with the club for several years. I blame it on my being constantly on the road due to my job. Well hopefully I can make up for some of it Sat. I also havn't been on any kind of ride this year, maybe a little road trip will put me in a better frame of mine. If your looking for a nice ride this could be it. Beautiful Petit Jean Mountain is the back drop to this rally.