Squirrel of Doom

[Geezer]

I've heard those shots are worse that the bits that gave you the problem. I hope the cops shot that little SOB.

I'd sure like to hear the rest of the story on this one from the cops point of view...

Geezer

[xs650mike]

Back around 1959 I was riding my Harley WLA up old US 99 (now State 99) between the grapevine and Bakersfield. It was very hot and eventually I had sweat in my eyes. I raised my goggles onto my helmet so as to wipe my eyes with a bandanna and as I took the bandanna away to return it to my pocket I saw something black in the air coming up fast. Turned out it was a big black carpenter bee and I quickly blinked just before it slammed into my right eye. The pain was so great that even my left eye was filled with tears so that I could barely see and I quickly pulled over for about 15-20 minutes until the pain subsided a bit before continuing. When I stopped for gas later I saw in the restroom mirror that I had an awful shiner and even the white of my eye was dark with blood. Who would've thought that an insect could cause so much damage? I can't imagine how bad it would have been if I hadn't blinked!

[don07tncav]

Reminds me of the time I was riding a fully dressed RE-5 Suzuki. There I was riding along minding my own business when BAM something hit the windshield and crud started flying back into my face and chest.

It was a bird, feathers were flying and parts of the windshield hit me in the chest so hard I had multiple bruises. Didn't lay the bike down though.

Luckily I had done my daily number two so no change of underwear was needed.

[xs650mike]

Had a near miss last week with a buzzard who was feeding on road kill and took off as I approached. Bird realized a collision was imminent and banked at the last second so his wing missed my helmet by inches. He turned his head and looked me right in the eyes as I passed at about 50 mph. Wingspan was around 4 feet!

[DeanR]

Same thing happened to me and a red tailed hawk who had just nabbed some rodent in his talons for dinner. Nice bird but way to close up!

[xs650mike]

...I was riding a fully dressed RE-5 Suzuki.

Hey Don,

You had a Suzuki Rotary? How was that bike anyway?

[don07tncav]

I regret having to sell it back in the 80's. The seat was horrid but the bike was very dependable, I just wish they could have made it a shaft drive like the XS. I put nearly 100,000 miles on it and had zero mechanical issues.

When I started thinking about getting another Bike, it was my first choice but they were in the $4000 range for a decent one. My wife didn't want me to get back into bikes and I had a strict budget limit.

I researched the XS and found that it had a tank like reputation and here I am with two of the things!! Now I'm looking at keeping one XS and getting a Valkyrie for long trips since SWMBO has decided she now likes bikes.

[Dragonrider]

don07tncav...you won't regret the Valkyrie.

Ride on!

[don07tncav]

Originally posted by Dragonrider
don07tncav...you won't regret the Valkyrie.

Ride on!

Actually reading your threads pointed me to the Dragon. I'd never heard of the thing!

[oldbiker648]

During the summer of 1969 I turned 21 and was working at a bar/restaurant in Pittsburgh, PA, riding my 305 Honda to work every day. I also smoked cigarettes back then. As I was pulling away from a light, I shifted into 3rd, took a puff on my Winston and exhaled, never saw the bumble bee that flew directly into my mouth. Dropped the smoke and tried to clear the bee with my finger before I got stung on the tongue, too late. Got to work and packed my mouth with crushed ice. I'm highly allergic to bee stings and the boss wanted to take me to the emergency room immediately, but I said I'd be OK. My throat never did swell totally shut, but one of my co-workers produced a rusty pocket-knife and told me he would perform an emergency tracheotomy if I needed it. Swelling finally subsided, but the pain was very bad and then the itching was worse. By the way, those big bees are very salty tasting.

[strom]

Hey, Danny, whatever happened to your boat/ship/oceanliner project? I dindn't check out updates on your site, but looks at a standstill?

LP

PS: Hows your bike maintanance going? I'm gettin a new... ok.... almost new... gearbox next week

[Dragonrider]

I've been tinkering on the boat...but no substantial progress. Live has gotten in the way at the moment.

I've high hopes though.

As for the bike, I've got $1000 worth of parts in a box...haven't had time to put them on yet.

[TopCatGr58]

You've been robbed!!

Hey Danny,

Just saw a Western Union commercial, and looks like they stole your attack of the killer squirrel story!! Just wondering if you've seen it!

Of course we know squirrels cause cars to crash, I think it was a GEICO commercial that demonstrated that!
T.C.

[Dragonrider]

Nope...hadn't seen the commercial.

That story's everywhere now!

[trbig]

A few summers back, I was riding without a windshield, minding my own business, when a big fat June bug hit me square in the chest. I was only wearing a tshirt, so I was sitting there.. thinking about how bad that little SOB smarted... when one MASHED my upper lip. I must say... they taste NOTHING like chicken! Teared my eyes up so bad I had to pull over.
Back in the early 80's, I had a buddy with V65 Magna. I had an open face helmet, and a dragon fly hit me in the corner of my eye... right on the edge of the socket on the bone... then smeared into my eye and back into my ear. I have been in many many fights... and that was the worst shiner I ever carried around.
If insects hurt this bad... imagine birds. I mean... those little suckers make jets crash! lol..

Tod