GWTA Chapter M
Monthly Meeting Notes
Thursday, October 15, 2009
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m.
New Members and Guests – New Member, Bethann Duff joined us.
Also, guest Doug Mulligan from American Trikes & Motorsports, Keene, New Hampshire came to the meeting.
Shirts – Patches are $3.00. Nancy brought the order book with her. You can pick out a light grey or denim blue shirt. The regular grey polo type shirts are available to order at a cost of $15.00. It costs $12 to have the Chapter M logo and your name embroidered on the shirt, and an additional $5.00 to have your bike embroidered on the shirt. You can also buy your own shirt, and Nancy can have it embroidered for you. Button down denim shirts for men and women are available for $27.00, which includes your name and Chapter M logo embroidered on the shirt. To add an embroidered motorcycle is an additional $5.
Secretary’s Report - The Secretary’s report from the September 2009 meeting was available for review at the meeting, was accepted and is on the website.
Treasurer’s Report – A deposit was made from the September 50/50 in the amount of $26.00.
Caring & Concern Report –
John reported that Harry Dougherty is now home! John and Ron helped Harry move back into his house.Ray reported that Barbara Cornell of Chapter V had knee replacement surgery.OLD BUSINESS
The Second Annual Chapter M Girlz Ride took place on September 19, 2009. We had good weather and the scenery on the ride was beautiful. The girls stopped at the Belgique Patisserie/Chocolatier in Kent, had lunch at a nice restaurant in Cornwall and of course, stopped for ice cream along the way!STATE & REGIONAL NEWS
There was no State or Regional News to report.SAFETY
Ray advised to 1) watch your tire pressure as the temperature drops close to 30 degrees, this means less tire pressure;
2) There have been a rash of accidents lately caused by distracted drivers;
3) Leaves and wet leaves on the ground are a hazard, and the sand trucks have already been out this year, so be careful on sand and leaves;
4)Put an additive in your gas so your bike will be ok in the Spring;
Put an additive in your gas so your bike will be ok in the Spring;5)Cover up what you don’t want to lose. John Muise recently had an
Cover up what you don’t want to lose. John Muise recently had anaccident on his bike when he hit oil on a wet road. John skidded 50 - 75 feet. Because he was wearing the proper riding gear, he only suffered a bruise on his elbow, while his bike was demolished. John was also wearing a full-face helmet.
Also, Ray is offering a CPR class in November at the Town of Cromwell for no cost. It is a pediatric and adult CPR and it should run about 3 ½ hours. Ray will also run a CPR class for our Chapter once we get a date.
Bob Siegler commented about SNELL standards on helmets are so strict…the helmet can be hit in the same spot and your head suffers more G force because the helmet is so resilient. There is some argument as to if SNELL standards are the best. Remember to replace your helmets every 5 years.
Doug Mulligan from American Trikes & Motorsports, Keene, New Hampshire, and who also attended the Region H Rally in New Hampshire, spoke to the group. He has been in the motorcycle business since 1969 and is a motorcycle enthusiast. Doug mentioned that he was overwhelmed with the support our group showed during American Trikes & Motorsports’ recent Open House. Doug offered the following comments:
Harley-Davidson just canned the Buell line of bikes due to the economy;
Harley-Davidson just canned the Buell line of bikes due to the economy;Regarding the suggestion to replace your helmet after 5 years, this is because the fibers in the internal foam break down;
Regarding the suggestion to replace your helmet after 5 years, this is because the fibers in the internal foam break down;Recommended as a good additive – Startron, which is a fuel conditioner. You should use this if you are not going to use your bike for 7 to 10 days. Spectron also makes an additive that is good. Doug doesn’t use Stabil anymore because it is no longer current. We didn’t have the kind of fuel we have today, 5 years ago. You can buy these products in the Marine section at Wal-Mart . Startron is in a blue container; Spectron is in a red container.
Recommended as a good additive – Startron, which is a fuel conditioner. You should use this if you are not going to use your bike for 7 to 10 days. Spectron also makes an additive that is good. Doug doesn’t use Stabil anymore because it is no longer current. We didn’t have the kind of fuel we have today, 5 years ago. You can buy these products in the Marine section at Wal-Mart . Startron is in a blue container; Spectron is in a red container.Suggested using Ring Free by Yamaha on the Hondas. Something about the oil breaks down in the motorcycle and creates a type of shellac in the rings. (sorry guys – that’s all the explanation I got!)
Suggested using Ring Free by Yamaha on the Hondas. Something about the oil breaks down in the motorcycle and creates a type of shellac in the rings. (sorry guys – that’s all the explanation I got!)Doug mentioned they have two stores that sell Hondas. He works at the trike dealership. If you have any warranty issues and don’t get any satisfaction at your dealer, think of ATM as your second choice.
Doug mentioned they have two stores that sell Hondas. He works at the trike dealership. If you have any warranty issues and don’t get any satisfaction at your dealer, think of ATM as your second choice.* * * BREAK * * *
Steve Carpenter won the raffle!! ($41)
NEW BUSINESS
Chapter Elections: As you know, the position of Chapter Director is open.
John sent out a memo to the Chapter by e-mail. The basis of the e-mail was to try to get people to help out and get involved with the Chapter. Sometimes you think that someone else is doing a certain job and you tend to not get involved. If you feel you would like to be more involved with the Chapter, please do so. You can form a committee to do a certain job. We also need a group to coordinate rides. (Forms listing the available jobs were handed out to each member to fill out and return, indicating your interest in various opportunities within the Chapter. The forms were collected at the end of the meeting.)
October 24, 2009 – Hyde Park Ride - The October 3, 2009, ride to Hyde Park, NY was cancelled due to weather. John talked to Paul Pavlakis by e-mail. Paul is not available on October 24th to lead the ride. We may run the ride anyway, and try to find another ride leader.
January 9, 2010 – Chapter Christmas Party – Ray has asked for this date for our party at the firehouse on Chamberlain Highway, Berlin, CT.
Other
Maria Carpenter is participating in the 15 Anniversary Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on Sunday, October 18th, if anyone would like to make a donation.
We would like to think of an activity for November. A suggestion was made to visit the Indian Motorcycle Museum, which was opening the weekend of October 17-18, 2009. There are good deals in November. The official opening is next Saturday, October 24, 2009. We could consider carpooling to the museum.
Ron Proulx mentioned that when some of us attended the Manes in Motion ride at Daniels Farm in Middletown, Bob and Sheila Daniels mentioned that they would do a hayride/bonfire for our group. Donna Farrington will contact the Daniels to try to find a date sometime after October 24th, in the evening.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Submitted by Donna Farrington, Secretary
Chapter M, GWTA
