WE RE ALL HERE BECAUSE WE RE NOT ALL THERE Norton Colorado www.nortoncolorado.org Newsletter June 2015 Upcoming Events See page 10 for the entire official 2015 events schedule. Thursday, June 4 th First Thursday at GB Fish and Chips Sloan s Lake, 5 PM Saturday, June 6 th Vintage bike show in Palisade, CO http://westerncovintage.com/index. php?topic=788.0 Saturday, June 6th and 7th Antique Motorcycle Swap meet, See page 9 www.rockymountainamca.com Sunday, June 7 th, 10-2. Vintage Motorcycle Show, Heritage Square, Golden Sunday, June 14 th Big Tent BBQ hosted by Eric Bergman and Suzie Saarinen Golden, 1 PM Bob Martin turned 75 this month. He is our oldest member and a leader, role model, and friend to us all. 1 Sunday, June 14th Benefit ride for Every Creature Counts www.molly-dharmarun.org Thursday, June 18 th - Sunday, June 21 st Four Corners Rendezvous, Dolores, CO See page 9 for more information Saturday, June 20th RAD Ride, 9AM See p. 11 for details.
Bob s 75th birthday party. Talk to anyone in the club about Bob Martin and you will find out that Bob is knowledgeable, helpful, a fun guy to be around and always willing to help anyone he can, either with advice or his time and skills. Bob has been a member of Norton Colorado since the late 80 s. He served as our president for a few years and, for about the last 12 years or so, has hosted our spring tech sessions where he offers us his garage and tools to help get more Nortons on the road for summer. Many of us have benefitted from Bob s knowledge of motorcycles, whether he is explaining to me how to machine parts or trouble shoot a bike problem or explaining to Denny why his motor crapped out on him or helping anyone in need during the tech sessions. Debby has this to say about needing Bob s help. When I was restoring my 750 about ten years ago (before I knew about Acme or Jim Comstock) Bob helped me with the head rebuild. It needed to have oversized guides fitted. He knew of a good cylinder head shop in Denver and shuttled the head down there and back so I didn't have to take time off work. Then when the head came back we reassembled the rocker arms on his dining room table. Above and beyond! Bob Herman also has a story to add ( see next page). Bob is fun to be around. He attends many of our functions and always has a story or several to entertain us. He has had many words of wisdom for anyone who listens. Bob helps us keep involved by hosting his guys night out spaghetti dinners and his breakfast gatherings at Great Scott s Diner. Bob has also discovered the power of the internet and shares jokes and many websites that have interesting facts, videos and pictures. Thanks for all the good times, Bob. Norton Colorado would not be the same without you. 2
Bob Herman has a Bob Martin story to share: Those of you who have been club members for the past decade know the story, but members who have joined the club since 2006 or so may not. And some of you geezers may have forgotten, so to refresh your memories: On March 11, 2006, Jim Comstock's automotive repair shop burned down. A life-changing event for Jim, to be sure, but more importantly, MY Norton was in his shop at the time, and judiciously parked near the epicenter of the conflagration. I got the news from Jim that night, and believe me, it was not a happy night for either of us. A day or two later I drove to Pueblo to drag my toasted bike - renamed the Crispy Critter - out of the wreckage. It was a bloody mess, of course, and I was skeptical of its likely resurrection. But I dragged it into my trailer and hauled it home - what else could I do? and left it alone for a time while I went through the various stages of mourning. To this day I don't know if I would have restored the bike without the help and support of a number of Norton Colorado members, several of whom helped me with parts and encouragement. I will forever owe a debt of gratitude to the club for standing with me during the two years I took to bring the Crispy Critter back to life as the Phoenix. Without question, the most generous and magnanimous help came from Bob Martin. Bob helped me strip the bike down to the bare chassis, and then said: "Any and all parts you want to have powdercoated, take them to the powdercoater in Golden and tell them to bill me." Wow. I was overwhelmed by this. Bob and I stripped the bike, and tossed nearly everything, from chassis to fenders to primary cover to handlebars, into the powdercoating pile. A week or two later I retrieved everything, beautifully refinished in black powdercoat, and Bob wrote the check. Think about this for a minute or two and you'll appreciate what a generous gesture this was on Bob's part. Where I had been unsure of my motivation and energy to bring the bike back, once Bob had covered the powdercoating there was nothing for it but that I would have to build the bike. The engine went to Jim Comstock for careful rebuilding, other members provided parts from their spares and exactly two years from the date of the fire, I trailered the finished bike up to Eric Bergman's place in Golden and with the participation of a bunch of club members, teased the engine to life and relaunched the bike. An account of the adventure, for those who weren't around for it in the day, can be found here: http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-british-motorcycles/1975-norton-commando-grave.aspx INOA Rally 2000 INOA Rally 2009 3
If you are smart and lucky you too might make it to 50. Bob, when asked for words of wisdom as he reached 50 years old. I guess you have been really smart, lucky and careful, Bob. Keep it up. Late 1970 s Let s not forget the Lovely Sheila. 2003 2015 Chalk creek 2008 Banquet 1997 Bob on retirement: Retirement is like this. You wake up Monday morning with nothing to do all week, then your friend calls you up and asks for a lift home from the bike shop on Thursday afternoon. Now your whole week is shot. 4
Banquet 2007 BBQ 2004 Tech day 2009 Tech Day 2012 2014 Crash 45 2013 OBR 2014 Streets of London 2010 Lucky for Bob (and the rest of us) bikes DO come with an instruction manual. 5
Not Quite the Marx Brothers kind of hijinks, but the Norton Club Day at the Races was a good time. Check out the video: http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/ vi2584348441/imdb/single?vpage=1 Rode a Norton Jamie Jones James Lafler Jack and Peggy Abeyta Eric Bergman Scott Robinson Rode Something Lesser Julie Robinson H-D Skip Foree Honda Got There Dennis Horgan 6
Just got back from OBR 13. What a great ride. It was fun to see all those old bikes out on the mountain roads. We started up Lookout Mountain Road, went over Squaw Pass, rode Peak to Peak Highway to Nederland and returned to the flatlands down Coal Creek Canyon. Host: Bob Ohman BMW Rode a Norton James Lafler Jack and Peggy Abeyta John Dahl Scott Robinson Rode Something Lesser Skip Foree Honda Al Slarks Triumph Jonathan Chaikin Vincent Mark Lomax Moto Guzzi Bob Martin Triumph Mark Liu and Geri Mollettiere BMW Mike Homs Moto Guzzi Ron Pierce Triumph King Browne Suzuki Got There Bob, Peggy and Jack In Nederland Dennis Horgan Jim Colt Jonathan and Vincent King and Suzuki 7
Get your motor runnin. Get out on the highway. Lookin for adventure OBR 13 8
Invitations to upcoming Events (Yes, it is still going on) 2015 4 CORNERS RENDEZVOUS When: Thur.-Sun. June 18-21 st Where: Mavreeso Campground on West Fork Dolores Rd. (same as last year) From Dolores stay on 145 North (toward Telluride) go 13.4 miles to West Dolores Rd. (the road will widen with a left turn lane and there is a green sign that says Dunton with an arrow on it) turn left go 6.1 miles to Mavreeso Campground. It is on the right. (We will have a group site for camping. If you set up in any other sites you will have to pay for that site yourself.) Who: Hosted by Western Slope Norton Riders and Norton Colorado. Includes: Tent Camping, Morning coffee, Saturday night Mexican feast, bike show, 50/50 drawing, and the coveted paper plate awards. Fee is $30.00 per person. For further information contact Steve Harris at sharris@frontier.net or call 970-946-1960. (Please R.S.V.P. so we can figure food) Motorcycle Related Stuff on the web: > http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2015/may/geoff-duke-obe-has-died-at-92/ Here's a link to pictures from a gathering at Washington Crossing State Park in PA. Lots o' Norton beauties! https://picasaweb.google.com/112115122772184456557/nortongathering2015?authkey=gv1srgciwthu- M4I6z1QE British motorcycle history film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnnuyhhodiu Triumph history info: http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/history-triumph-motorcycle.html Idiot s guide to adventure motorcycling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwt_aevs6j0 http://www.dailydot.com/lol/cow-fart-bus-speed-record/ 9
2015 Schedule of Events January 1 (Thursday) New Year's Day Ride, brunch at David & Christine Campbell's, 9436 Wolfe Dr.,Highlands Ranch, 11 am, followed by a ride to Palmer Lake, weather permitting. January 10 (Saturday) Pub Meeting at The Burns, Broomfield, 11:30 am. February 7 (Saturday) Winter Banquet, The Old Neighborhood, Arvada, 5 pm. March 7 (Saturday) Museum Tour at Shelby American Collection, Boulder, 10 am. March 22 (Sunday) Pub meeting at Streets of London Pub, 1501 E. Colfax, Denver, Noon April 4 (Saturday) Group Ride to Idaho Springs and Argo Mine Tour April 19 (Sunday) Spring Tech Day at Bob Martin's, Broomfield, 9 am. May 3 (Sunday) A Day at the Races (Bandimere Speedway) May 17 (Sunday) Old Bike Ride 13, hosted by Bob Ohman, Golden, 8 AM. May 31 (Sunday) Tea Party and Group Ride, hosted by Debby Johnson, Louisville, 10 am. June 4 (Thursday) First Thursday at GB Fish and Chips, Sloan's Lake, 5 pm. June 14 (Sunday) Big Tent BBQ hosted by Eric Bergman and Susie Saarinen, Golden, 1 pm. We welcome members of the BMAC, the Rocky Mountain Chapter and the Phantom Canyon Chapter of the AMCA, and other riders of vintage motos. June 18-21 (Thursday-Sunday) Four Corners Rendezvous, Dolores. July 5 (Sunday) Mt. Evans Ride, followed by brunch at David Sheesley's, in Evergreen, start at Eric Bergman's house in Golden at 10 am. July 13-17 (Monday-Friday) INOA "Norton Carolina Rally", Asheville, NC. July 18 (Saturday) The Wild Beast Within Us Ride at The Wild Animal Sanctuary, Keenesburg, leave Denver at 8 am. August 1-2 (Saturday-Sunday) Wimpy Campout, hosted by Jamie & Michelle Jones, Conifer. August 15-16 (Saturday-Sunday) The Century Ride to Gunnison and back. August 29 (Saturday) Yester Year Farm Show, Longmont. September 11-13 (Friday-Sunday) Up The Poudre Without A Paddle at Glen Echo Resort, west of Fort Collins. September 20 (Sunday) English Motoring Conclave, Oak Park, Arvada (date unconfirmed). October 4 (Sunday) Breakfast Ride hosted by Jim and Marti Fisher, 1374 Greening Ave., Erie, 11 am. October 17 (Saturday) Plains Ride, hosted by Scott & Julie Robinson, 1711 E. 83rd Pl., Denver, 9 am. October 25 (Sunday) Open Garage/Tech Day hosted by Scott Shuler, 1105 W. Oak St., Fort Collins, 10 AM. November 8 (Sunday) Fall Tech Day TBA December 6 (Sunday) Pub meeting at Pints Pub, 221 W. 13th Ave., Denver, at 11 am. 10
Norton Colorado Membership 14 15 City Phone E-mail 2015 Prez Points Jack and PeggyAbeyta X X Westminster (303) 426-0594 abeytaa@aol.com 11/11 Frank & Jennifer Albert X X Evergreen (303) 905-3817 frankalbert@att.net Randy & Sharon Albright X X Golden (303) 273-9262 dirtywhitedog@comcast.net Peter & Mickey Allen X X Evergreen (303) 886-4696 vincenttwin@gmail.com 1/1 Karen Bailey & Steve Lavin X X Denver (303) 695-1192 karenbailey33@gmail.com 1/1 Matt Baroody X Littleton (303) 564-0453 matthewbaroody@msn.com Arnie & Stephanie Beckman X X Denver (303) 733-4239 arnnsteph@comcast.net 6/1 Eric Bergman,Susan Saarinen X X Golden (303) 278-7445 OneNorton@gmail.com 8/1 Rick Black X Arvada (720) 885-6410 6 Greg Boechler X X Parker (720) 394-4734 greg@boechler.com 1 Gary Bolduc & Laurie Smith X Dolores (970) 676-1078 3Nortons@gmail.com John Boyd X X Aspen (970) 925-9154 johnny3nortons@gmail.com Tom Brown X Grand Junction utahtom17@yahoo.com King & Claudia Browne X X Golden (303) 271-1884 kingbrowne@comcast.net Dave Campbell X X Highlands Ranch (720) 579-3625 dc.cccolo.gmail.com 21 5 Jonathan Chaikin X Sedalia (303) 619-3883 Jonathan@abacuscabinetry.com Peter Chronis X Denver (303) 332-3504 pchronis43@msn.com 2 Perry Clark X Castle Rock (303) 660-0365 jclark515@aol.com Larry & Marilee Claxton X Cedaredge (970) 856-4348 claxtonlarryj@gmail.com Jim & Jacalyn Colt X X Boulder (303) 449-2760 ColtCo@frii.com 4/1 Ernie Comstock & Diane LaFavor X X Lafayette (303) 665-7934 comsteg@gmail.com Jim & Margaret Comstock X Pueblo (719) 646-2610 norton880fi@yahoo.com Dave Coxon X X Niwot (303) 652-3607 dvcoxon@rockymountainpower.com John Dahl X X Arvada (303) 467-0778 jdahl0778@msn.com 5 Paul-M. David X X Denver (303) 331-8008 paul@winepairings.biz Christopher & Jennifer Eng X X Nederland (303) 570-8096 cengcycling@gmail.com Bones Engelman X X Denver (720) 308-8680 bonesilhd@comcast.net Mike Fields & Vicki Borden X X Denver (303) 937-9750 mpfields1@yahoo.com 7/6 Jim & Marti Fisher X X Erie (303) 828-0114 jfisher@coloradogroup.com 1/1 Richard Florence & Linda Sheean X X Stmboat Springs (970) 846-0261 richardsflorence@gmail.com Skip Foree X X foreemilelli@yahoo.com 3 Mike Gallagher & Lisa Gills X X Lafayette (720) 890-8355 mgallagher01@hotmail.com 1/0 Peter Geise X X Louisville (720) 320-1917 stone-haus@comcast.net 1/1 Kris Geller X X Colo Springs uukkee@aol.com 1 Tony Hagger X X Colo Springs (303) 880-7321 hehaggers@msn.com Geoffrey & Karen Harris X Littleton (303) 955-2505 spaceman1959@comcast.net Steve Harris & Charley Gremmels X X Durango (970) 259-1302 NoNortons@gmail.com 1/1 Bob Herman & Lisa Scalise X X Crestone (719) 256-4527 romomoto@gmail.com 1/0 Pete Homan X X Denver (720) 570-2044 2 Michael Homs X X Denver (303) 388-6400 mjhoms@hotmail.com 5 Dennis Horgan X X Denver (303) 475-1591 dennis_horgan@msn.com 2 Rohn Hyde X Denver (303) 433 2620 James Ingram X Leonard, TX (214) 532-9876 james@ingramandfriends.com Stephen Jarvis X Durango (303) 880-5120 jarvist@mindspring.com Blair Jenkins X X Westminster (303) 947-4629 gs.blair@hotmail.com Debby Johnson X X Longmont (303) 229-2089 2Nortons@gmail.com 5 Ed & Diana Johnson X X edwardjohnson11@msn.com Tim Johnson X X Davis, CA timson4@gmail.com Jamie & Michelle Jones X X Conifer (303) 697-6166 jmjones91@msn.com (Continued on next page) 11
Norton Colorado Membership (continued) 14 15 City Phone E-mail 2015 Prez Points Jim Kelly X Berthoud (303) 263-7630 jkeldirt@gmail.com John Kinlin X X Denver (303) 320-6835 jkinlin@msn.com / harrisjg@msn.com 3 Mike Konshak X Louisville (303) 673-9853 mike@2onahill.com 7 Tom & Nora Kruplak X X Parker (303) 952-9529 kru4@comcast.net James Lafler X X Loveland (970) 218-2707 jpl777@bajabb.com 4 Sid & Karen Leavell X X Durango (970) 259-0151 busters@bresnan.net Mark Liu & Geri Molettiere X X Westminster (303) 506-4557 markdavidliu@aol.com 5/1 Mark Lomax X Westminster lomaxcm@comcast.net Sam Manganaro X Cortez (540) 514-1013 sam@vincentworks.com Bob Martin & Sheila Wilson X X Broomfield (303) 466-6903 bobamartin@msn.com 4/1 Michael McAdams & Vennie Mangus X Englewood (303) 916-8696 mkelectricinc@gmail.com Doug McCadam X Dolores/Baja (970) 570-6726 dougsnortons@hotmail.com Ken McEntire X Englewood (303) 777-5663 Vern Neuscheler X Boulder (303) 618-9914 vernarthur@gmail.com Bob & Claire Ohman X X Denver (303) 570-9333 reohman@att.net 2/1 Ron & Joan Pierce X X Lafayette (303) 665-5300 ronpierceco2@aol.com 3/0 Jerry Pokorny X X Colorado Springs (303) 912-4509 jerry_pokorny@msn.com Mike Powell X gelbviehs@yahoo.com 1 Lynaire Reeh X X Englewood (303) 771-3855 lynaire.reeh@gmail.com Scott & Julie Robinson X X Thornton (303) 287-6580 mister.r@comcast.net 4/1 Harleyhygienist @comcast.net Trish Sanders & Cory Zambrano X Denver (303) 870-4167 Randy & Evan Schneider X X Wellington (970) 227-3825 redienhcsr@aol.com Andi & Kristina Seiler X X Münzenberg andi.seiler@gmx.de Lee, Bryan & Austin Shanley X Longmont (303) 931-9278 shanfam48@msn.com David Sheesley X X Evergreen (303) 674-1114 dks@davidksheesley.com 2 Scott Shuler X X Fort Collins (720) 289-2153 scott.shuler@colostate.edu Steve Siler X X Frederick (303) 817-6075 ssiler@mtechg.com Al & Barb Slarks X Boulder (303) 818-5556 al@slarks.com Wayne, Ursula & Christopher Smiley X X Frederick (303) 829-2417 wssmiley@comcast.net 2/2 Ryan & Molly Sorenson X Durango (970) 531-2704 sorensonryan@hotmail.com Bill Stone X X Kaleen, Australia bilstone@bigpond.net.au Paul Swenson X X Colorado Springs beemerpaul@aol.com 2 Tom and Camille Tallick X X Arvada (303) 425-0462 ttallick@gmail.com 1/1 Jo Teague X X Littleton (303) 324-5212 jmteague@comcast.net Darell Teeples X X Portland, OR (503) 793-7783 dedet@easystreet.net Craig Terry X X Glenwood Springs (970) 618-9140 craigterry@acsol.net Gene Toner X gtoner35@aol.com Al Turner X X Denver (303) 989-8803 al_tu@hotmail.com Jay & Teri Ann Tynes X X Elizabeth (720) 274-4653 tubbrex@aol.com 1/1 Herb & Karen Varona X X Westminster (303) 420-5107 Lew Wackler X Boulder (303) 350-0430 lewackler@yahoo.com Darrell Walker & Kaet Snyder X Basalt (970) 927-4014 darrellwalker@yahoo.com Dale & Cathy Watson X Conifer (303) 697-3223 dhwats73@gmail.com Dave & Robin Webster X Haiku, HI (808) 575-9051 bsadw@hotmail.com 7/9 Denny & Cathy Westervelt X X Denver ( 303) 428-1746 dennywestervelt@aol.com 4/2 Martin White & Lee Maassen X X Louisville (303) 661-9402 weeno6@netzero.com 1/0 Russ Willard X X Lewisville, NC (336) 655-7339 rwillard8@triad.rr.com Michael Wilson X X Littleton (303) 908-1597 md_wilson@comcast.net Bob Wood X X Billings, MT (406) 259-5123 drrwwood@gmail.com Jon & Kirsten Zemp X X Denver (720) 234-9033 jondzemp@gmail.com Bob Zimmerman X X Colorado Springs 12 (719) 328-9633 rzimmmerman@msn.com 1 Total Memberships 98 72
Membership Membership in Norton Colorado is open to anyone, regardless of whether they own a Norton, or any motorcycle whatsoever. Dues are $20/ year individual, $22 for a couple or family unit, payable to "Norton Colorado" and sent to the Treasurer, whose contact information is listed on the last page of this newsletter. The list printed in this newsletter is the official membership, as understood by the Newsletter Editor on the date of publication of the newsletter. Please let me know if I have made an error. Club Events Many events have been scheduled for the 2015 season, usually about 2 per month. Participation in these events will be counted for the President's Award. Events may be added, dropped, or rescheduled through the year. The schedule can be found on page 8 or check the schedule on the club website: http://www.nortoncolorado.org/ meetings.html The membership year begins with the Winter Banquet in February. New members who join after August 1 are credited with membership for the following year. Western Slope Riders Many Norton Colorado members live in the western part of the state, and finally have noticed that it s I inconvenient to ride 500 miles for High Tea on the Front Range. Said members have formed a loose confederation known as the Western Slope Riders, and are having their own High Tea and other fun times. All Norton Colorado members are welcome at these Western Slope events, so if you city kids want to find out what the shoe feels like on the other foot, plan to ride out and join the Western Slope contingent. Contact: Gary Bolduc, President @ 970-676-1078 for info on upcoming WSR events 13
Credits: Thanks to Al Slarks, Bob Martin, Alena Martin, Debbie Johnson, Dennis Horgan, Bob Herman, Eric Bergman and Steve Harris for their contributions to this newsletter. I also want to say thanks to others who sent me things I will use in future editions. Current Occupants Grand Wazoo Eric Bergman (303) 278-7445 onenorton@gmail.com Consigliore Arnie Beckman (303) 733-4239 Arnie.Beckman@coloradodefenders.us Exchequer (Send $$$ here) Charley Gremmels 1832 Forest Ave.,Durango,CO81301 (970) 259-1302 NoNortons@gmail.com Ride Coordination Czarina Debby Johnson (303) 229-2089 2nortons@gmail.com Swag Boss Jim Fisher (303) 828-0114 jfisher@coloradogroup.com Ministry of Truth Scott Robinson (303)287-6580 mister.r@comcast.net Dead Tree Publication Colt Reproduction www.coltrepro.com Norton Colorado 1900 19th Street Golden, CO 80401 14