Along the road every once in a while you meet some people that are just amazing. I have been extremely lucky to have met some of these awesome people. The owners of  The Open Road Bar and Grill in Arcadia are just that.

I kept seeing bikes riding in the opposite direction I was going, so curious as to where everyone was headed I stopped into a bar that had some bikes parked out front to see what was going on. I walked up and asked “ Where’s everyone headed?” The reply wasn’t what I had expected “Nowhere, we are sitting right here.”

I introduced myself to the guys and we sat and talked about traveling, and as it turned out a couple of the guys knew Michelle and Scottie. Wow, they are either slowly becoming celebrities or the world is really small. Personally I think it’s the latter of the two… HAHA.

Russ invited me to join the guys to hang out and ride to another bar. He also offered a shower and to camp at his house.  I had nowhere I had to be… pretty much anymore I don’t… so I joined them.

The race was on as we hit speeds of 100mph on some really great back roads.  Racing to the next turn to slow down and speed up again. I wasn’t all that ready to be speeding through the beautiful scenery as my bike was fully packed and I wasn’t sure I would be able to keep up, but with the twist of my throttle and the rpm’s up in the 7000-8000 range I was able to keep them in my sights. “Good girl” I told my little Magna 700 as we pulled into the bar parking lot, with a pat on the tank.

I had no Idea what I was about to experience as we rode up to the bar. This bar is painted bright orange with black trim. Like the famous Harley orange and black that was adopted in 1913 to tell the difference between the racers. There were about 5 bikes parked out front already and a few cars as well. I walked into the bar and the atmosphere was very relaxed, the walls covered with Harley Davidson parts, primary covers, forks, handlebars, valve covers, even a pair of chaps. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it. The foot rests at the bar were made of mufflers welded together. Some of the tables had hooks to hang your jackets and a few seats at the bar had them as well.

Russ and the guys introduced me to the bartender as a traveling biker in need of a campsite for the night. I was accepted without any qualm. Rick, one of the owners at the bar, said I could camp out back, which was awesome because it was getting late and I hadn’t searched for a campsite yet, and because I don’t drink more than a beer if I am riding. So I had a beer and met some of the locals at the bar. Russell was ready to head home and I was ready to shower, so being it had been about 3 days, I would say I was in need of one. I followed him to this amazing 1900s house that he had completely rebuilt. Being a connoisseur of fine antique architecture, I could really appreciate the work he had done on the house.

After my shower Russ decided to feed me some great Xmas dinner leftovers and make sure I was good and fed before heading off to the Open Road Bar and Grill. We talked more about what he had put into his house and my mom and my travels. It was almost an instant friendship. Having good conversation with Russ and eating a great dinner, I was ready to head out to the bar to meet more of the locals.

As I pulled up this time there were quite a few more and the ones that were there already were having a great time, having gotten a good buzz going on. I was introduced to a man with a long scraggly gray beard, longer gray hair and a weathered face. Rex was his name and having fun seemed to be the name of his game. He was to say at least the highlight of my night. I sat next to him for the remainder of the night listening to his stories, watching his facial expressions, and laughing my ass literally off the bar stool a couple times. I don’t think I had ever had so much fun.

Rick and fire also put on some really awesome parties. I was able to make it to their anniversary/ birthday party, and man what a great party. I guess when you are such great people you attract more great people.  Their anniversary/ birthday party brought in roughly 500 bikes and others that enjoyed being there even though they don’t ride.

If ever you are passing through Arcadia, Florida be sure to stop in and say hi to the wonderful, nice, and happy group inside the bar. Who knows, maybe you’ll end up with some life long friends as well. Their address is 4319 NW highway 70. You can also follow them on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/openroadbar They hope to open a campsite for bikes only out back in the next year or so. I don’t think you can get any better than that; A good place to drink and if you have the need, a place to camp.

James is a regular contributor to HD Open Road, and a Gypsy Biker. Catch his stories here and follow him on facebook at /jimi.dean.images

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Learn The Facts About Harley-Davidson Oil in this Eye-Opening Article written by A.J. Amatuzio, President and CEO of AMSOIL INC.

“A situation my daughter, Lyn, told me about recently got me to thinking about how good it is to be able to blend our own oils and have complete control over our own product quality.

Lyn loves to ride motorcycles. She recently purchased a Harley-Davidson bike and took it to the local Harley shop to have our new AMSOIL Motorcycle Oil installed. The mechanic took issue with her not using the oil Harley-Davidson sells, saying, “I’ll use AMSOIL motor oil when AMSOIL starts making motorcycles!”

How would you answer a challenge like that? I was pleased to hear Lyn’s response. She said, ” I’ll start using Harley-Davidson motor oil when Harley starts making oil!”

Perfect! The fact is that Harley-Davidson, like so many other “brands” of oil, contract with one or more oil companies to make their lubricants. Often, the decision as to who actually makes a private labeled product is based on low bid, and like almost everything manufactured by a low bidder, short cuts are taken in order to meet the low price.

I understand that Harley-Davidson has contracted with one company for a number of years to make their oil. That’s good, but it still doesn’t change the fact that they make motorcycles, not oil. Now consider all the private label oils out there. Every manufacturer that makes equipment with an engine has it’s own name on an oil bottle. That includes all the major auto manufacturers, the makers of motorcycles, ATV’s, snowmobiles, farm equipment, you name it, they all have oils. But none of these equipment manufacturers actually make an oil. They sell oil to make more money, and then they often price these oils well above the going rate for competitive lubricants because, like Harley-Davidson, they can specify or create the impression that only their oil be used in their equipment.

Now there’s nothing wrong in having a goal to make money, but let’s get real here. Why would anyone want to use a product manufactured down to a price rather than up to high quality standards? We have tested a number of these private label motor oils and two-cycle oils and we found that many are mediocre quality products. None of them even comes close to performing as well as AMSOIL lubricants, and that’s a fact!

I’m not taking shots at Harley-Davidson. They make good motorcycles (although I liked my Goldwing better). And I understand their concern that normal automotive oils not meeting API C specs shouldn’t be used in their bikes. But when they imply that AMSOIL Motorcycle Oil is not as good as their brand or I hear that one of their dealers recommended not using AMSOIL, I get a little hostile. Those kinds of statements are the very reason we introduced our motorcycle oils in the first place. And when we say use our 20W-50 motorcycle oil in V-Twin motorcycle engines, that definitely includes Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Our Motorcycle Products Brochure, G-391, includes wear comparisons of AMSOIL Motorcycle Oils vs. other oils, including H-D “Genuine”. Both our oils demonstrate superior wear protection over all other tested brands. Interestingly enough, the highest wear scar in this test turned out to be Harley-Davidson’s own “Genuine” oil!

There is a good reason why AMSOIL Motorcycle Oils protect so well against wear. They are formulated with significantly higher levels of zinc and phosphorus, which when included in proper formulation with other high quality additives, provide superior wear protection at the high operating temperatures typical of motorcycles. In addition, synthetic oils inherently reduce sump temperatures so the engines actually run cooler.

The fact is, Harley would do well to have AMSOIL make their oils for them. Then they could be assured that their oil was indeed a superior product. As it is, there may be absolutely nothing wrong with their oil for use in average service, but I guarantee you as the oil temperature gets hotter, like it does when sitting in traffic on asphalt on a hot summer day, the Harley-Davidson with AMSOIL in the crankcase is going to be far better protected and run far cooler than the bike with H-D “Genuine” oil in it. There’s just no two ways about it!

So, my daughter Lyn will be going back to this mechanic armed with the facts about AMSOIL Motorcycle Oils and a few facts about H-D oil. Nobody’s going to tell her that her dad’s oils are not the very best. She knows better, and she’s on a mission to prove her point. Who knows? Knowing Lyn, she might sign up another AMSOIL Dealer in the process.”

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Nanofiber Basics
Because the nanofibers in AMSOIL Ea Motorcycle Oil Filter media are so small, there are more pores per square inch, allowing for higher dirt-holding capacity and lower pressure drop compared to traditional filter medias. Thinner media fibers produce more uniform pore size distribution, improving the filter’s overall ability to capture and retain particles.

Oil Filtration Basics
Clean oil is vital to engine performance and durability. Oil must lubricate, cool and clean the engine as it circulates. In order to remain effective, it must be filtered as it cycles. The filter is connected to the engine sump, which contains the oil pump. Full-flow filters pass all the oil output from the pump through the filter.

The function of the oil filter is to remove the contaminants introduced into the lubricating oil and prevent them from reaching sensitive engine parts without restricting normal oil flow to the various points requiring lubrication. Internal sources of contamination include wear products from the rubbing surfaces of the engine, blow-by gases leaking past the rings of the pistons and degradation of the oil itself. A filter must perform well in the areas of efficiency, capacity, flow and life.

Ea Motorcycle Oil Filters
Ea Motorcycle Oil Filters feature a specially constructed silicone anti-drainback valve and a nitrile sealing gasket to go along with the full-synthetic Ea nanofiber media. The anti-drainback valve provides excellent protection during startup and remains flexible in all temperatures, and the nitrile sealing gasket resists chemical breakdown, providing excellent durability and ensuring long filter life. AMSOIL Ea Motorcycle Oil Filters are fluted for easy removal from the motorcycle and are available in a chrome-plated alternative to the normal black filters.

Superior Filtration
The unique construction and full-synthetic media of AMSOIL Ea Motorcycle Oil Filters allow them to provide unmatched performance in motorcycles and other power sports equipment. EaOM Filters last longer, stop smaller dirt particles and offer less restriction than other filters. Ea Motorcycle Oil Filters provide filtering efficiency of 98.7 percent at 15 microns, outperforming the best cellulose/synthetic blend media on the market. For maximum engine protection, AMSOIL recommends changing the EaOM every time you change oil.

Superior Alternative, Multiple Applications
AMSOIL Ea Motorcycle Oil Filters provide unsurpassed protection for motorcycles, ATVs, four-stroke personal watercraft, four-stroke snowmobiles and four-stroke outboards. AMSOIL is producing an initial offering of 16 Ea Motorcycle Oil Filters manufactured for the most popular power sports applications. Eight of the 16 filters are chrome plated.

The Bottom Line

If you ride air cooled v-twin, maintaining the proper viscosity and lubrication qualities of your oil are crucial. AMSOIL nano-fiber oil filters are specially designed to maximize the life of your AMSOIL lubricants, keeping your bike running cooler, improving horsepower, and improving the performance of your ride. And they will save you money, too! The recommended drain cycle for a Harley-Davidson twin-cam engine is twice the manufacturers recommended drain interval when using the recommended AMSOIL filter.

Save yourself some money, protect your investment, and get better performance! Go AMSOIL!

Check out the AMSOIL products for your bike here:

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I am 5’10″, with an inseam of 32″. Fairly common I am lead to believe. In order to increase the comfort of my bikes on long rides (and even short ones any more), I have installed both Kuryakyn tour pegs and an H-D backrest. But I have a problem in tying these two items together.

When I stretch out my legs, my heels end up at just about the end of the running boards. Not much further. If my tour pegs are too high, it puts unwanted pressure on my lower back. Having my tour pegs at a level slightly higher than my running boards allows me to rest my heel on the running board and place my foot on the tour peg. This allows me to stretch my legs out while resting into my backrest. Almost perfect.

One little catch. My lowers. And no, I will not remove them. You see, probably from years of running in sand in boots, my knees are not what they once were. Because of my lowers, I have to “wing” my feet outward to clear them, putting pressure on my knees and hips. On a long ride, this is unacceptable.

When I try to move my feet outward to the outer edges of the running boards, I find that I am working hard just to keep my feet from slipping off the edge of the boards. Too much work for a long ride. I knew what the answer was, my quest as to find it.

Tom at Harley Goodies had the answer to my dilemma, and that answer solved more than one problem.

Harley Goodies has manufactured extensions for floor board mounting brackets that allow you to move your running boards away from your engine, giving a much better ride. Tome states it on his website quite well:

“These Floorboard Extensions are a simple and inexpensive way to solve many rider issues. Many riders experience hip, knee and ankle stress while riding because of the close placement of the stock floorboards. These footboard extenders will give you a significantly better riding position, which means a MORE COMFORTABLE RIDE. These Extensions are guaranteed to greatly increase your riding comfort or your money back.

Now… NO MORE burning your boot on the exhaust pipe, NO MORE sore legs, NO MORE fighting to keep your feet on the floorboards at highway speeds. And what can I say, a wider floorboard position makes your Harley look even FAT’R and MEAN’R.”

I received my kit the next day. The installation is easy, only taking about 10 minutes per side. Not mechanically inclined? Not to worry, the instructions are real easy and written in clear English (imagine that!).

Once on, I was surprised. Although the mounting spacers are only slightly longer than the stock ones, the changes are quite noticeable. Just looking at the running board location, you can see that the boards are now moved much further from the pipes and side case. The bike takes on a wider look, too. This is nice, especially on a fat Ultra!

The true test came once I sat on the bike. My feet were noticeably further from the pipes. My hips felt better, and the normally “too wide stock seat” was now not quite too wide.

But the best result is when I kicked my feet out to their touring position. My heels were now solidly on the running boards, while the balls of my feet rested on the tour pegs. My feet were no longer cocked in an uncomfortable “winged” position. My knees, hips, and even my ankles feel much better. This is a natural position for me.

I am sure that many of you have the same problems I have in “dialing in” our rides. I highly recommend that you take a look at the floor board extensions from Harley Goodies. If your Harley has running boards, regardless of make or year, Harley Goodies makes an  extension for you (Including Softails). Check out their website at http://www.harleygoodies.com. They stand behind their product, and Tom is a great guy to work with. Tell him Coach sent you.

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Here is the $20 dollar question. Where do we go for quality gear at good prices. In today’s economy, there seem to be fewer and fewer choices in my own community. This allows for higher pricing and a lack of selection. The next best choice is the internet. But is that safe?

There are plenty of concerns to be had regarding purchasing on the internet. First is, “Is this a scam?” You may be surprised, but most online vendors are reputable. But it only takes one to ruin the whole experience. So how do you know if the vendor you are looking at is reputable?

First and foremost, do they have a privacy statement? Some vendors will try to make additional money by selling your personal information to email companies (spammers). Always check to see if the company you are dealing with has a posted privacy statement.

Next, are they certified as a verified business in good standing. There are a few outfits that do this. One is Authorize.net, while another good online verification company is Trust Guard. Both of these companies are good, and I especially like and trust the Trust Guard Seal. To get these seals, the vendor has to pass a variety of tests. These tests include a privacy statement, email and website address verification, and at least 128 bit encryption for payment systems.

Next, does the vendor offer a few different ways to pay? I feel more comfortable when I have the option to pay by PayPal, but I also want the option to pay by credit card or debit card if necessary. The more options, the more this company has thought about their customers and made things as easy as possible. I like this.The last method that I recommend that you employ is to always look for online reviews of the company you are considering buying from. If there are a few negative reviews, you need to take a closer look and see what they are. Keep in mind that some people just seem to rejoice in complaining. Mistakes happen, I have always judged a company on how they respond to those mistakes. But if I start seeing a pattern of similar complaints, then the red flags go up.

Why purchase online with all this extra research that you should do? Because the savings can add up in a hurry! And since they don’t yet tax internet sales in from another state, that can also add up quickly (10% here in California!).

So OK, where do we go form here? Well, where do I find quality items? If we are talking about clothing and related items, I still like some of the brand names, especially Harley-Davidson. But Harley-Davidson jackets, boots, etc. can be restrictively expensive at the dealers. You know that you are getting great quality, but you also know that you are going to pay for that quality.

I found a company out of Pigeon Forge, TN that fits the bill. Certified and verified as a known and legitimate company. They offer payments by PayPal and other methods as well. They are not in my state, so I can save a lot of money on taxes. They offer $9.95 flat rate shipping (wow, I like that), and can expedite my orders if I need. There is always someone there if I have questions. And they carry a wide variety of  Harley-Davidson jackets, boots and clothing. And  they carry a wide range of additional products that meet my needs.

So let’s see, great customer service, low cost shipping, no taxes if out of state, and the products I need. Not to mention an excellent return policy if I am not satisfied, Yeah this looks pretty good.

The company that I am talking about is Rocky Top Leather. I have been impressed since the first day I started doing business with them. They carry a large selection of leather goods, including chaps, vests, jackets and gloves. And of course they also carry the Harley-Davidson line of boots, jackets, and apparel. They also have leather saddlebags, luggage, and even helmets. And all at substantial discounts to the traditional brick-and-mortar store.

Yeah, I am thinking that I will replace my old leather jacket, get a new pair of chaps, and maybe some better winter riding gloves. And of course, I am going to have to get some winter riding boots. And I will get it all at Rocky Top Leather.

Check them out. I think you will find what you are looking for, and save a little dough also. Just tell them that Coach sent you.

You can find Rocky Top Leather at Rockytopleather.com, and email them with any questions at sales@rockytopleather.com.

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