customsteve01

Notice it says "Back to TEXAS". I have lived most of my life in Texas. Grew up in West texas and lived 11 years in Houston. Believe me I am a die hard Texan for life, we even fly the Texas flag out front of our house in Virginia. I just don't know the DFW area very well. I will be working in Fort Worth just South of the DFW airport. Steve

Just received my confirmed job offer from the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). I start work on Sept. 28th. I will be an Aviation Safety Inspector (avionics) on the American Eagle Certificate Management Team. The job is in Fort Worth, Texas so we will be picking up and moving from Virginia to the Dallas - Fort Worth area. My dad retired from the FAA as a long range radar technician, so I know alittle about the benifits in working for the government. We are excited but also sad about leaving our place here in VA. I have lots of relitives south of Fort Worth but I really don't know the area or where to start looking at housing, so any ideas would be appreciated. Its going to be really wierd starting a new job since my last job lasted 21 and a half years, but I am excited too.

Thats going to ba a sweet looking ride Joe. I want to build one some day, but right now I think I will work on redoing my 98 Softail Custom. I think the soap and water trick will help you out. Steve

Cute kid ace, Thats really cool that they picked his picture. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM CORN!!!!!!!!!!

Ok guys the freezer trick did not work for me but I did it before you guys posted about last ditch try. Well I dropped it off yesterday at another recovery place here in town. I talked to them on the phone for about 30 min. and decided to let them take a crack at it before I looked to ACE for more help. What would be the chances of getting another drive just like this one and swapping the old discs into the new drive? Would that be worth trying? It would be easy to spring the 70 or 80 bucks for another drive, I wouldn't be out all that much if it diesnt work. Well I would not want to try it myself but I would buy a drive and let ace try it if it might work. I will follow up more tonight, I should know more by then. Steve

Isn't this place cool. You can post a question and within 10 min. have an answer. Micheal you are the man....... And look what you got for 15 bucks, wow nice Steve

SF, Glad to hear you are doing ok. I hope you didn't think I really hated you when you bought that new scooter. I really am happy for you, you didn't have to quit the forum just cause some of us said we hated you. Steve

Amy, We are so sorry to hear this. You and your family are in our prayers. Steve and Caroline

Larry, Thanks for the name and number. I wondered if Steve might could help too. Ace, I took the drive out and put it in an exteral hard drive case I have and the other computer could see it but not access it. Thi other computer would just lock up till you disconected the external drive. No it doesnt make really crazy noises, you can hear it running tho Here is the diagnostic from the place I sent it. Evaluation: After preliminary diagnosis we have observed the following issues with your media. Disk read error Firmware CorruptionI really don't know what that means but I am assuming they are going to have to open up the drive and fix something to to be able to access the data I want.

I need some help and advice. As you guys know I went on a motorcycle trip last month and I took tons of pictures (over 3000). Well over the corse of the trip I would download the pictures to my laptop and when needed I would delete the pictures off the camara card. Well when I got home before I had a chance to back up the picture files onto an external hard drive my hard drive in the laptop crashed. Everything else in this computer was backed up, all the rest of my pictures and music are safe in two other external hard drives. So what are we talking 3000 plus pictures from a trip of a lifetime gone. I do have some pictures maybe 800 on the two camara cards. What was lost was probably from Lake Tahoe to Calilornia up the coast and back to Norh Dakota. I also saved maybe 200 in photobucket but they have all been resized to a much smaller format and really can't be used except for viewing on the computer in there small size. I sent the disc off to see what it would cost to retrieve the pictures. Well they want $1200 to try and retrieve them, thats about 900 more than I was wanting to pay. Does anyone have any HELPFUL advise as to how I should proceed? I know I should have backed them up as soon as I got home but that didn't happen. Steve

Thats really cool. Here is mine, with-out glasses

Rockon, One of the biggest differances is the wieght. You can not throw the Harley around like you can a dirt bike. and you cand goose it to get arounf the slow corners like a dirt bike either. Sounds like your taking it slow and getting used to it, thats great. Take the course and just ride, the more you ride the easier it gets. And keep doing the stuff that you think is scary or hard. Just like the dirt bike, the more you ride the better you get Steve

One great reason to put loud pipes on a Harley. Makes them roll up the windows. As its been said fight fire with fire. Steve

Steve, how do I find them on the HD forum, and on photobucket? Thanks. Larry, The HDTalking forum is where I wrote the posts and copied them here. Here ia a link http://www.hdtalking.com/road_trips_touring/17487-coast_to_coast.html My Photobucket album is here. http://s388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/?start=0 Steve

Day 25 07/29/09 Last Day Left Indy in the rain and it looked like I would be in and out of the rain all day. I can not complain tho this will be the only day in the rain out of 25. I also never put on my heavy leather coat. Left Indy on I-70 to Dayton, OH then turned South on 35 to Charleston, WV. The entire ride on 35 ended up being in a heavy rain that stopped as soon as I got on I-64. It was just patches of rain the rest of the way home. Turned off I-64 onto Route 60 to Powhatan, VA (home) I could only take pictures when it wasn't raining and I really didn't want to stop. I made the 640 mile trip in just under 11 hours. I arrived home at 9:15 PM Leaving Indy Charleston, WV I was really glad it was dry thru here. This is a blast on a scooter. Hello VA Blue Ridge Parkway, only a little over an hour to go............ Closer but going to get wet again http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC04630.jpg I thought I was going to get in a downpour for sure. even had a Lightning bolt hit so close that there was hardly any delay in the crash sound, that was scary. http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC04635.jpg HOME http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC04637.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC04639.jpg The total miles were 8,832 and my back tire still has meat on it with 14,759 total miles on the bike. I will post more about the trip later Steve

Day 24 07/28/09 Today was a short day only went from Madison, WI to Indianapolis, IN. About 380 miles. I took I-39 to I-74 into Indy. Went to dinner with friends and crashed at one of there houses. Had Some Guys Pizza which is really good. I missed the Illinois and Indiana state signs. I liked the pumkin head topper on this silo.

Day 23 07/27/09 Left the land of bugs (Valley City, ND) We did stop at a car wash to try and get most of the bugs off. Stopped into an auto part's store to get some prewash bug remover and the guys at the counter said the bugs were not as bad as usual. I don't know but I have never had or saw a bike with that many bugs on it. Stayed on I-94 all day today. Made a quick stop at Fargo Harley then headed into Minnesota. Went thru the Minneapolis/St. Paul area right in rush hour traffic, but it wasn't too bad. Stopped for the night in Madison. Daylight pictures of the bugs. All Clean Lakes/ponds that produce all the bugs. Fargo Harley Minnesota Lots of farms http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC04394.jpg Wisconsin http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC04396.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC04400.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC04399.jpg More farms (Dairy) http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC04411.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC04437.jpg

I want to appologize to you guys (my friends) for not keeping you up to date on my little adventure. To be honest This thread is pretty much a copy of the real thread on a Harley forum. I had gotten about three days behind on that thread and only today got caught back up. I am in Valley City ND and am going to try my hardest to get as close to Indy as I can tomorrow. Its over 800 grom here to Indy and I know I can get at least 600 behind me tomorrow. Mike I will call you sometime tomorrow while getting gas. Sput, Sorry it didn't work out to get to meet you, I really wanted to. Amy looks like Devil Duck will be back home on Tuesday. I am having a great time and have seen so much it is truelly unreal to me. Steve

Day 22 07/26/09 Left Billings on I-90 and took the I-94 split toward North Dakota. Speed limit was 75 and only one 5 mile spot of road constrution and it only slowed down to 65. Had a really strong cross wind coming out of the North that made it interesting but later in the day it deminished. Road 500 miles to Valley City. Really though it was going to be a down pour a little before Miles City, MT. You could tell it was raining hard up ahead and when the road got wet, pulled over and suited up and put the rain covers on all the bags. I think stopping let the rain move on out. Only road in light sprinkles and the spray from the trucks as you passed them. Stopped in Miles City to gas up and eat a bite, it was still sprinkling after lunch so left the suit on, only to stop 30 miles down the road to take it off. The sun went down before getting to Valley City and the bugs were out in full force. I have never riden through bugs like this before. You could watch on the windshield and just see them spatter in multiples. i will shoot some better pictures in the AM before I wash them off. I'm only 1500 miles from home......... Leaving Billings Rain clouds Cleared up after lunch North Dakota Line Oh, I took the exit to the scales by accident (they were closed) they had a digital readout in the window so I rode across and stopped. I don't know how accurate they are at lower wieghts but it said I wieghed 1300 lbs. Didn't think about taking a picture. A really big cow. http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC04316.jpg A cool mirroe sunset picture. I think it would have come out better if the mirror was clean. http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC04321.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC04322.jpg Bugs.................................... http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC04326.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC04327.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC04328.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC04329.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC04330.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC04331.jpg Till next time.

Day 21 07/25/09 I have taken some unplanned excursions and extended my trip by several days. Until yesterday I was kinda wishing I had headed home instead. There have been lots of people that I have talked to tell me that you have to ride through Beartooth pass. Since so many people recominded it, headed North out of Cody on 120, turned left on 296 "Chief Joseph Hwy" and over Dead Indian Pas, at the T turned left onto 212 an over Beartooth Pass, then through the town of Red Lodge (which is pretty cool) to I-90 and into Billings. This Ride took all day because I took so many pictures and pretty much stopped at every pull off and stopped in the middle of the road sometimes. Note: IF YOU ARE EVER IN THIS AREA YOU MUST DO THIS RIDE, PERIOD. Like I said, I took tons of pictures and only uploaded a few to photobucket. There are alot more pictures in my photobucket albums than I have posted here if you want to see more you can go there. Also on another note. The weather started out great and deminished as we got over beartooth. So some of the pictures later in the day ar not as good as earlier. I think that just is what you get with point and shoot cameras. Ok lets start with the hotel from last night Heading out of Cody Chief Joseph Hwy Met some friends up in the mountains MMMMMMMMMMMM "twisties" say it like its a dirty word....... http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03782.jpg Looking off a bridge overlook http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03812.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03839.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03858.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03882.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03908.jpg Some people drive things other than bikes up here. he said it has 100,000 miles since the restore. "56 Chevy" http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03912.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03938.jpg Road construction http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03950.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03980.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03982.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC04015.jpg some people brought snowboards up and would ski down and hike back up, I didn't get a picture of anyone skiing tho. http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC04021.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC04025.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC04038.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC04048.jpg You can see the road down from heere http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC04082.jpg Red Lodge http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC04131.jpg Wasn't that a SWEET ride? I'm only 2,000 miles from home. I'll post as I can.

Day 20 07/24/09 Left our camp and had breakfast before entering the park. Spent most of the day in the park and only went from the North gate down around the little loop and out the East gate. We didn't go all the way down to Old Faithful dure to traffic and road construction, I don't think we would have made it out of the park in a day if we would have tried to make the big loop. Saw Mammoth springs, Obsidian creek, Geyser Basin, Lower Falls, Yellowstone River and Yellowstone Lake. Left out of the East gate and headed to Cody where we spent the night. North Gate entrance Elk at the park headquarters. I think they must be on the payroll some how Area around Mammoth Hot Springs Geyser Basin I really thought Lower Falls were great. http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03646.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03620.jpg I hiked the 3/8 mile trail right to the top of the falls. It was ok going down but the 600 foot elevation change going back up was tough. I think it was worth it for the view. http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03637.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03641.jpg Bison http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03655.jpg Yellowstone River. http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03663.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03675.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03688.jpg Heading East on 16,20,14 to Cody. there had been a fire here at some time. http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03698.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03714.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03717.jpg My camera battery died again, was only able to get one partially charged this morning. spent the night in Cody

Day 19 07/23/09 Left Drumond with a full stomach, had a great breakfast at a little cafe. Jumped on I-90 east to Butte and stopped at the Harley shop just to say we did. Found out that the Evel Knievel Days were going on starting today. Just had to go.... Lotgs of street venders and the highlight was the stunt bike guys were practicing. Left Butte and headed east again thru Boseman and then headed South on 89 toward Yellowstone Park. We arrived in Gardiner (North Gate of the Park) about 8 PM, the rangers said all the campgrounds in the park were full and directed us to Eagle Creek Campground, which was up a 2 mile dirt road from Gardiner. We that campground was full to but a friendly guy from Texas told us to pitch our tent in a grassy area near his fifth wheel. After setting up camp we headed into town to get something to eat. We stopped at K-Bars and got a pizza and some brews. We found out tha K-Bars was the local hangout for alot of the people that work in the park and the rafting companies. We had a good time talking with them about what to see and do. I-90 east out of Drumond Butte Harley, notice no sign on the front door side View from the Harley shop Entering the town of Butte I wish I would have grabbed Devil Duck from the bike and he could have played with his yellow cousins They were raffleing off this custom Street Glide The stunt bike riders were cool to watch. They were just doing a warmup I took some pretty good video of them too. Heading to Bozeman another windshield pic.... pretty cool lean huh??? This was at 75 mph.......... The Ole Ultra will stick in a corner http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03435.jpg Yellowstone Harley in Bozeman http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03464.jpg 89 South headed to Gardiner and Yellowstone Park http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03501.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03504.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03531.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03534.jpg a little prong antalope right by the entrance to the park http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03544.jpg Town of Gardiner http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03553.jpg I didn't get a picture of the campsite my battery died and the new camera doesnt use just regular AA's. I did get the lady at the laudry mat - shower place to carge it

Day 18 07/22/09 Left Walla Walla still on Route 12. This is the Lewis and Clark Trail. Leaving Walla Walla it is mostly pretty flat farm land which quickly turns to really pretty rolling hills. I did get a geography lesson of sorts, I really didn't think they grew this much wheat this far north. Road thru Lewiston and Clarcksville they divide the boarder of Washington and Idaho. Leaving Lewiston is where the road starts to follow the Clearwater River and continues along it all the way to Montana at the Lolo pass. It is a great ride other than tons of road construction. The road was shut down to 1 lane in so many places I lost count, this made for some slow riding. Made it to I-90 and continued east. We stopped in Drumand at Swede's bar. This was recomended byb a friend of a friend. Had a really big rid eye steak sandwich and a few beers. Camped for the night across the street in the city park. Now for the pictures. Statues in Lewiston Clearwater River outside of Lewiston I saw this guy fishing and made a u-turn to go back and take this picture. This little lodge at Lolo pass was a life saver. I was in dire need of gas "AGAIN". Montana.......... Swede's Bar http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03340.jpg These were taken the next morning http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03351.jpg Camping in the city park. Drumond only has about 350 people in it. http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03344.jpg

Day 17 07/21/09 After talking with some locals in Reedsport decided to take the faster route. I was going to head up to Florence and take 126 over to 12 and up to Walla Walla, WA. They told me the weather was going to be really hot in the center of the state and there was not that much to see. So I took there suggestion and took 38 east from Reedsport, 99 east to I-5 North bipassed Portland to I84 East which runs along the Columbia river which has been damed up in several places to form quite a few resivors. They incorporated locks into the dams so the ship and barge traffic could still travel up and down the river. If this was the cooler route I would not have wanted to be in the center of the state where they said it would be hotter. It got up to 103 yesterday. I thought by taking the northern route I would be blessed with some cooler weather. So far in 16 days I have only had to wear my light jacket 3 times and it wasn not all day any time. I took 82 up to Kennewick to stop at the Harley store there and then back down to 730 over to 12 and on to Walla Walla, WA where I stayed the night. It was a fast day and was able to get 513 miles behind me. I got a new camera in Eugene so no pictures between Reedsport and Eugene, and that was the prettiest part. The new one is a Sony Cyber-shot model DSC-S980. Its alot smaller and lighter than the one that broke and is taking some getting used to. Its not as easy to shoot on the fly due to its size and wieght the wind blows it around more. But It does take some decent pictures. Well let me show you some pictures. I-5 North between Eugene and Portland Lots of farm land They were cutting wheat and stiring up alot of dust More on the way to Portland I like these windshield pictures if you can't tell Leaving Portland on I-84 For some reason I didn't get a picture of Mt. Hood. Here is a tunnel picture instead... lol http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC02881.jpg More along I-84 http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC02889.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC02901.jpg Then it started getting brown again. http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC02913.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC02936.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC02948.jpg saw lots of wind mills http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC02959.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC02960.jpg The lakes seemed to run on forever http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC02963.jpg Irrigated fields started popping up http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC02971.jpg Then this wierd tree farm http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC02973.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC02977.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC02978.jpg On 730 between I-82 and 12 the sun was right for this shadow shot http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC02982.jpg This lake did go on forever http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03012.jpg Washington..... http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03028.jpg the same lake http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03034.jpg Caroline would have made me stop at all the wineries..... http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03038.jpg http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo328/LoneStarAcres/DSC03040.jpg Going to try and make Bozeman today. Sorry Sput but I want to get home by the first part of next week. I really would have liked meeting you. I think the rest of the trip will be mostly interstate and lots of miles per day Amy,The duck?????. Oh, yea, The Duck. He is safe and sound in the compartment in my right lower fairing. I keep forgetting to get him out when I stop. Most of my pictures are taken on the fly and I can't pull it out while riding. I will make it a point to get some pictures of him today. Colter, Looking Like Saturday night or Sunday for hitting Indy. Steve

Sput, Looks like earliest to be in Bozeman would be in two days. I really took my time coming uyp the coast and plan to start putting miles behind me again. Need to find a new camera soon tho. I am having a really good time an tink I might make Indy in 4 days if I'm lucky Steve