Friday, December 24, 2010

The Povenmire Compound Has Been Robbed!

Last week we got a call from the alarm company that our house alarm was going off. Since Audrey, Wesley, Abby and I were all sitting at the table at Joe's Crab Shack I told the dispatcher to send the cops. Then I rushed down I-70 to the Compound to see if we had just left a door open or there was some other explanation.

After 58 years of my family being in our house on 15th street the probability of being robbed was small. But not small enough...


The foot print showing how easy it was to kick in the back door.


I called Grandpa John and he was closer to the house so he headed that way too. He saw the back door kicked in and went in to the basement (I would not advise this as a victim of this crime. Let the cops clear the house. It is what you pay your taxes for).

Grandpa John yelled all his crazy old man talk "I am going to kill anyone in this house!" Then he went out and met the cops in the driveway. They went in and were clearing the house when I arrived. Unfortunately our robber was already gone.

The perpetrator was inside for less than a minute it appeared. He/she only grabbed Abby's laptop from the back of our house. By then the alarm system siren was screaming and the person split.

So they only got the $10 laptop I had purchased through my work when they had old machines to sell. Heck, the thing wouldn't even boot up without the power cord (which they left in a hurry). Good luck getting anything for a 2002 model Dell with several keys missing.

At this point it was the principle of the thing. Some lowlife was in the Compound without my permission. It made us mad, but frankly I am glad I wasn't home. If my family was threatened there would have probably been some unpleasantness followed by lead shot flying around. Even if I was in the right (thank you Castle Doctrine) our lives would never be the same.

I have had a lot of negative experiences with the Independence Police over the years, even as a middle-aged taxpayer. But the bunch that came to our house was very efficient, answered all my questions and were empathetic to my feelings. I have decided to give the officer in charge an online commendation (you can do that through their website). I was impressed with all of them.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Ridin High, Livin Free, Sonny Barger and My 15 Minutes of Hell’s Angel Fame

I have always had an interest in the motorcycle culture. I thoroughly enjoy my Dad telling stories about the old days and reading about famous incidents within the biker world. You can’t talk much about events that shaped modern motorcycling without eventually coming to the Hell’s Angels. I have read Hunter Thompson’s book and also seen their self made documentary “Hell’s Angel Forever.”

(There is often different ways you see Hell’s Angel. Sometimes no apostrophe etc. According to Sonny’s book when it is written it has an apostrophe, on their patches no apostrophe.)

When I got married to Abby in 2000 my friend Brandon gave me a copy of Sonny Barger’s first book, Hell’s Angel. I enjoyed reading it and later found his website http://www.sonnybarger.com/. They had a list for e-mails on Sonny and his travels. I signed up and started getting updates on him. Then one day I got an e-mail from the site saying that he was working on a second book that would be a collection of motorcycle stories. The e-mail said if anyone wanted to submit a story it would be considered. I really wanted to be in the book so I wrote a story about growing up with my Dad here in Independence and all the friends he had with choppers etc. I wrote about how I used to watch them ride away from our house with my face pressed against the front window when I was a little kid. I always wanted to be one of those guys. Then when I turned 18 and got my first bike I became one of them.

I didn’t hear anything for a couple of months but then I got an e-mail back. This one was from the co-authors of Sonny’s first book Keith and Kent Zimmerman. They are twin brothers who have authored a lot of other books and worked with Sonny at the time. Kent was my contact. He told me that they had chosen me to be in a chapter of Sonny’s new book, Ridin’ High, Livin’ Free. I was so excited!

We set up a time that they called and we visited via phone. I spoke to Kent. He was really cool and asked me a lot of questions about my story. Part of my story focused on the old Green Gables bar in Independence. I told him all about when I started hanging out there and how it then became a church with Reverend Guy Girratono as the preacher. He was really interested in Rev. Guy and his story. I gave him Guy’s phone number (with Guy's permission) and he called him too and his part of the story also made the book.

Rocky’s Green Gables (as it was known before it closed) was near my house as a kid. I remember driving by there in my parents 1974 Monte Carlo (me in the back seat with no seatbelt of course) and peeking out the slanted back window at the place. There was always a row of bikes out front and it was dark inside. It always intrigued me.

When I turned 22 I met some people with the Freedom of Road Riders Local 14 who met at the Green Gables. They invited me to one of their meetings. I went with my Dad to check it out. It was a real trip to finally go in there. My hand shook as I opened the green front door. Who knew what awaited?

What waited were some of the neatest motorcycle people I’ve ever met. There were guys like Bones, Booger, AC Rick, Dan, Jesse, Randy, Ron and others. They were guys who worked on their own bikes and rode a lot. They were just like my Dad’s friends from long ago. I really liked the place. Soon I became a regular there.

We had a lot of fun at the old Green Gables. Ron the barkeep and owner was always there to serve us cold beer. He used to get a Pabst from the cooler when I walked in and immediately opened it for me. It was a cool place.

So back to the book, after they interviewed me there was a long period of waiting. I was so excited I could hardly contain myself. Soon we got another e-mail saying the book would be released in April of 2002. So on that fateful day in April I raced to the local Barnes and Noble and picked up a copy. It was one of the coolest days in my life.

I read through my chapter immediately in the parking lot. It was really neat. They added a little bit of bullshit to my story but I didn’t care. Some of the things about my riding up front of the group from the bar etc. were off base. I used to pick up the tail end on my 69 Triumph because the rest of the guys all rode big Harley’s and usually left me a little behind! But it was still fun to have my story in print.

I got a cool shirt and autographed book from Sonny for my story. I also got the letter from him that is pictured here. It was still a fun deal and I will always have it to show my kids!





Thursday, December 2, 2010

Audrey May Povenmire is About to Crawl

Audrey May is about to achieve forward motion! Soon...Very soon...

She is in the same spot in the family room where I took my first steps.

Monday, November 29, 2010

This is my scene - Keeping it Real

A friend of mine sent me this video on YouTube. It is about the age old argument of who is a real biker and who is a poser. It is hilarious!

After 30 years of riding, I have determined that I am neither. Just a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast. Enjoy.



For my street cred!




Thursday, October 28, 2010

Not Motorcycle Related - So Let It Be Written...

One of my favorite movie quotes of all time! I love to say this to the 20 somethings I work with every time I can.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Saturday, October 23, 2010

The Povenmire Shop at the Povenmire Compound

I was taking some photos with our digital camera and took a few photos of my shop. I thought I would post a few of them. This is where all the magic happens!

Well sometimes it isn't good magic, but I usually figure out how to fix whatever I have screwed up...







Tuesday, October 19, 2010

My 1995 Super Glide - Jack Larson Larson Machine, Rex Adams Crazy Paint

I realized lately that I haven't ever put much info up about my bike. It is always passed by at most major events because it is stock framed and nothing special to anyone but me. Several people have touched this bike over the years that are significant in the motorcycle world.

It started life as a black 1995 Super Glide. Dad bought it from Ray Worth back when Ray was selling bikes to his old friends at cost. I bought a green 1996 Super Glide at Zylstra Harley-Davidson for $15,000. Dad bought this bike from Ray for less than $10,000. It pays to have friends in high places!

In 1998 I sold my green bike and bought this one from Dad when he bought a new Wide Glide. It has been worked over a lot through the years. It is now a 88 inch hot rod with just about all the modifications (except stroking) that can be done and still run well as a daily driver. It dynos at 90 horsepower. The late Rex Adams "Crazy Paint" painted the flames. He went to high school with Dad. Jack Larson built the latest version of the motor. He really did a good job. It runs great.

Rex died on December 7, 2002. Dad went to his funeral. It was a small service, but done well. I will always remember his muraled panel truck and all of his red hair from when I was a kid.

If you are looking for Jack Larson for some motor work he runs an advertisement in Wide Open and has a website here.




Yes it is fast...no you can't ride it!














87,000 miles can wear the finish off your start button and on/off switch!

Monday, October 18, 2010

Wesley's Photos of the 1995 Super Glide

I decided to take some photos and put some info up about my Super Glide. I haven't ever done much on it before so I wheeled it out and took some photos on Sunday. Wesley followed me around with his camera and took some photos of his own. I promised I would post them so here they are. Not bad for a 4 year old!















Monday, October 11, 2010

Bikini Bike Wash Bloodline Tattoo and Cuts, Brookelyn's Bombshells and Rites of Passage

Yesterday Wesley and I went to the open house at Bloodline Tattoo and Cuts in Independence. I saw on facebook that it was going on in the afternoon and I was done with my weekend chores so it worked out great.

We packed up on the Super Glide and stopped at the bank to get some cash. My bike doesn't run very good at an idle. This due to the high lift cam and other speed work that has been done. While we were in the ATM lane I was getting our money, receipt and card to put back in my wallet. My hands were full and the engine was starting to run rough and getting ready to die. Just as this was happening Wesley reached over and twisted the throttle to keep it running. The then turned around to see my reaction (little ones do this to see if they are in trouble). I told him he did good.

It almost brought a little tear to my eye! I think he is catching on to being a motorcycle bum.

Here are some photos of the Brookelyn's Bombshell girls washing our bike. The girl in the blue green bikini went to high school with me. Yeah if you do the math that makes her almost 40. She still looks good! Must be all her clean living. Can't say so much for myself...






Monday, October 4, 2010

Ralph Wayne's Backyard Nationals 2010

I went to Ralph Wayne's show again this year. I have been going for over 10 years now. It is one of the coolest shows I have ever been to.

Followed Dad on his 1979 Shovelhead. We decided to go to Gail's and see what was happening then go to Ralph's. The Shovel didn't make it to Gail's...tail light fell off, mirrors were flopping around and it started running on one cylinder. We had to turn around and follow Dad to limp it home so he could get his Heritage and then arrive in full old man style!

Ralph's was busy, but not the biggest crowd I have ever seen there. Probably less "newbies" and more of a seasoned crowd. It was a good time. Here are a few pics.




Monday, September 27, 2010

$500 Shopping Spree at Blue Springs Harley-Davidson


A few weeks ago I got a mailer from BS Harley-Davidson about their upcoming Back Roads Bash. I went online and entered for their drawing. I usually do this hoping some day my ship will come in.

I got an e-mail last Friday telling me that I won the $500 gift card. I figured this was a ploy to get me to come in and sell me a new bike. I called and talked to them and they insisted it was a regular gift card.

I went out Saturday and picked it up. It was the real deal. They even took our picture with it. I thought that was pretty cool.

We went crazy and I got a watch, new helmet and some clothes. Wesley got a hat and a lint brush (he had to have it for some reason). Abby got some cool clothes also.

The only observation I had was there weren't a lot of people there for a Saturday. Times have changed. Back years ago that place would have been full. We were the only people eating free chili in the tent outside. And they have a whole load of bikes to sell. Oh well, times change.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

RIP Mayor Ron Stewart

My former neighbor and long-time friend Ron Stewart died last Friday. He had a stroke about 2 months ago and was trying to recuperate when he had another massive stroke that got him.

He lived two doors down from my parents. I have known him for over 30 years. I used to mow his grass for him when I was a kid.

Stewart always had nice things. He had a bad-ass El Camino when I was a kid. And most importantly, he always had a motorcycle. After a brief stint with a couple of Gold Wings in the early 80's he came back to the Harley crowd (a place he had been since the 1950's).

He was a policeman for more than 30 years. He wasn't the kind of guy who had to put a uniform on to get respect from people. He was a natural born leader who commanded respect with this presence.

After he retired he became Mayor of Independence and brought our town into the modern times in many ways. He took it past the good ol' boy network that had a stranglehold on our city for generations. I didn't agree with all his policies, but at least he moved us forward and he did what he said he was going to do.

He was a colorful character. The world needs more of them.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Happening Lately

I haven't had much time to do a lot of blogging lately. Audrey May Povenmire arrived on June 4 and all hell seems to have broken loose! But it has been fun.

Wes and I are still riding some this summer. He got a new helmet last weekend because his Povenmire melon has expanded.