Sitting Here thinking

As I write this, its winter here in Michigan. Like most business in Michigan, the bike shop slows down. We stay busy with our online store (stores.ebay.com/Boomersbikeshop), also selling used cars from time to time; normally winters comes and goes but at some point I can’t help but get down in the dumps that it’s here. I love summer, Josh, Heidi, and Sandy love it more then I; but I still get down about it. There is just so much to do when summer is here, so many shows to ride to. I love being on some back road in Michigan cruising on my red chopper or flying around Detroit in my hot rod. Josh seems to always be in a better mood (and goofy as hell) when it’s warm outside. Here’s him posing on my red chopper for my birthday card. I don’t know where he comes up with this sh*t!!! I got to go to a ton of shows last year, starting with Mamma Tired. I had been thinking about going when I sold a bike to a guy by the name of Scott Fuel from Milwaukee. Come to find out Scott and his buddy owned Mamma Tired and invited us out to see it. So I load up the family and hit the road. Heidi, (Josh’s fiancé) was sick but that didn’t stop her; she loves the life as much as we do. Sandy taught Josh how to knit on the ride over to Milwaukee. By the time we got to the hotel Josh was knitting scarfs. It was really funny and I made fun of him for doing it. We partied all night with all the guys most of who were about 29 the same age as Josh. I find it funny that I’m 52 but I still acted like I’m in my 20’s I don’t let it slow me down a bit (ok maybe a little). It is so much fun riding and camping, one run that I don’t like to miss is The Run to the Thumb. It’s put on by my buddy Dustin Themm, he puts a lot of time in to the run; getting sponsors, give-a-ways, plotting a course, and finding places for everyone to camp. The camping is the hardest part. The guys that go on that run can be pretty wild (again a lot of younger guys). We been ask to leave once or twice; but they are all great guys if a bike breaks down or someone needs a hand setting up their tent everyone helps, it’s like seeing one big family on that run. The thumb run is fun, but I love hanging out in Detroit just as much. This year Josh, Stitch, Terry and I went to the Venturos BBQ down in Detroit and man what a great night, all the Venturos are great guys. I love when they come to the shop and I love riding with them. They are all about Family and living the biker life! What was so cool about the party, other than it was at the Velodrome; was that there was so many different people from all walks of life there have a great time. Lots of M.C.’s showed up to, but there were no problems, everyone was just there for a good time. Even the Detroit Police showed up just to say “have fun”! Maybe I’ve got cabin fever or maybe I just don’t like winter as much as I used to but as I sit here typing this, looking out my window at the snow coming down (that I will be having Josh shovel, you don’t think I’d go do it myself? Remember I’m old, besides the boy needs to work harder!! Jk). I can’t help but think of the people and place I got to go to this year. And I can’t wait to go to new shows, new places to ride to and meet new people. ~Boomer P.S. Remember if you have a Show or Party going on give us a shout, I will kick start the family and try to make it your way!! P.S.S. Nest issue we will be back on track, buying, selling the bikes and parts I love!!

Late, late nights and earlier mornings

Late, late nights and earlier mornings, I was a trucker for 16 years before I open the shop. Those nights were a lot of smoky bars, hotels and ladies of the night running around. Mile after mile, truck stop after truck stop, it sounds like a David Allan Coe song doesn’t it? Well this was my life before the bike shop, so I’m used to staying up late and working till the early morning hours. This is something I try to get Josh to do. To be self employed isn’t a 9 to 5 thing. Its takes all hours of the day to keep the shop going, money doesn’t sleep. A guy named Mitch called me not to long ago. He said he had some parts that he and his Father wanted to sell. I told Mitch to bring them up to the shop which he informed me that there was just too much to load up, and bring it to me to just “look at it”. So with Josh in tow, we headed for Mitch’s House. Mitch lives down river, that’s south of Detroit. My shop and house is North of Detroit, about 30 minutes. So getting down to Mitch’s was just over an hour. It was late, but it was still summer so it was warm. The sun was just setting as we pulled up to Mitch’s house. He and few friends were waiting out front for us. We talk for a min and then Mitch led us into his Fathers garage. There was a big line up of motorcycles, some projects but most were all riding. Mitch was building a very cool FXR with a twin cam power plant. As much as I liked looking and talking bikes with him we were there to work. Mitch had parts everywhere mostly in a trailer (which didn’t look like it would of made the trip to the shop), next to the house. He pulled some stuff down from the attic and then led us to the trailer. The trailer was piled up with old parts from all different makes and models. It was a lot to go though, we had bought some totes to put parts in and I was sure glad we did. I don’t think we would have gotten everything in the van without them. I worked in the trailer while Josh and Mitch loaded the van; after it was all done we sat and talked bikes for awhile. Before we knew it, it was midnight. We said our good byes and hit the road. Detroit is a very cool city; it’s a blast to drive though at night. Such a good night life in downtown it was about 1am when we got back to the shop, Josh was falling asleep; I was so jacked up from talking motorcycles, I was wide awake. Another late night, and an early morning was to follow. I had a FXR to pick up in the morning and a guy was coming down to the shop to sell us a 95 Softail. The late nights and early mornings continue these days but with less smoky bars and ladies of the night, maybe I’m getting older; or I just got a loving, sweet, tuff as nails wife at home that can whoop on me. Whatever the case, these days I don’t need to live like a David Allan Coe song. ~Boomer

all new website!!

Check out our new website www.boomersbikeshoponline.com. Tons of hard to find parts on there plus tons of photos of bikes and hotrods!