Winter Catching Up

by Gary Klinker

With things moving slower in the depths of winter, I’ll catch up on some rides from this past Fall. One beautiful November day my friend John and I rode to Viola and had a tour of the S&S Museum and manufacturing plant. This is the 65th Anniversary for the company that has grown from one man making his Harleys go faster to a huge worldwide company based right here in the western Wisconsin countryside. Starting with carburetors they moved into cams, stroker kits and exhaust systems. Now they produce complete motors and are even moving into other brand motorcycles and Off-Road side by side modifications. Having hung out at eighteen in Fred Pettis’ shop with motorcycle racers, I have been familiar with S&S for a long time. Safe Rider has run experienced classes for them for many years since their insurance required it for riding company bikes.

The museum is a collection of displays, pieces of company history, and a huge number of photos. Bikes include their original land speed bikes to streamliners from Bonneville and drag racers. Thanks to John’s friend Vickie, who works at S&S, we had a tour guide for not only the museum, but also the entire manufacturing plant. It is kind of a gearhead heaven. From raw material coming in to being transformed to carbs, pistons, rods, cams, and heads-it is all there. Watching the building of complete engines, we learned that they even make the packing material that they are shipped in. The whole place is very high-tech machinery and computerized. It was a great way to spend time at S&S and get a ride through some of the best riding roads in Wisconsin.

I’m not sure what the weather will be by the time you read this, but I was happy to celebrate the first day of winter, December 21, with a ride. Not sure what the problem with global warming is. As long as the roads are clear of snow and ice there is no problem with cold weather rides. First, dressing well is important. After all, we live in Wisconsin and most of us have ridden snowmobiles in the winter. Make sure the bike is well maintained and ready to go. Remember that cold tires have a lot less traction so get them warmed up good before pushing the corners or braking hard. Since riding skills are perishable, like many other skills, the less time our bikes are put up for winter, the less time our riding skills have to rust up. The winter scenery is another big change from summer riding. There is less color, but the visibility into the woods and hills is a stark difference.

Check this Newsletter or the ABATE website for the 2024 class schedules. Next month I can report on the DOT Spring Kick-off and our Safe Rider Board meeting.                                                       

Ride Safe,

Gary