Official RAT Raid Dates

Hi Everyone.  It is official, the dates for the RAT Raid in Nelson are July 14th to 17th.  Of course we are going to tag on a day each way so book your vacation dates for the 13th to the 18th.

You need t fill out a registration form.  The forms can be filled out here. http://www.westernrat.org/RAT/Welcome.html

Make sure you fill one out to get the early registration discount and make sure you to get the t-shirt.  We need to know everyone who is going so that we can set up the hotel arrangements in Radium as well.

We'll publish the itinerary on the website once we have a head count of everyone attending.

Cheers,
Michael, Bogging Bogger.

Summer Dreaming

Here we are in mid January with 3 feet of snow on the ground and my mind can't help but wander to riding.  I have done a ton of work to the bike this winter but stuff isn't turning out like I want and the needs to be redone in the spring.  I find myself spending way to much time on ebay, kijiji and triumphrat.net trying to fill my motorcycle desires.

The Edmonton Bike show was this weekend which I think put me over the edge.  There were so many beautiful bikes there.  The new Tiger 800XC is simply amazing and probably the best bike to come out in the last 5 years.  The new Speed Triple is stunning and would probably put me in jail.  The new ZX10R should be illegal with its mind blowing performance and stunning looks.  I would say that the bike that stole the show was the new Norton Sport.  A hand made British bike decked out with Ohlins and Brembo.  Well maybe one day I'll have the $25,000 to buy one to sit beside my Bonnie.

Liane had her laptop set up and was showing a slide presentation of past trips and RAT Raids in Nelson.  That got me dreaming even more.  Which leads me to the real reason for this post.  I want to give people lots of time to prepare for the Nelson trip and would really love as many as possible attend.

Many many riders putt around town and do day trips but few actually travel on a motorcycle.  It is an experience that all riders should have.  Not all will like it but experience it they must.  So I am asking everyone to give it their best shot to attend the Neslon Raid. You will come back a better rider.  I do every year and I watched it first hand as Liane experienced the roads and the ride and grew as a rider.  I can't tell you how cool it will be to have a line up of Twins outside a pub in the Kootenays. As everyone knows Liane has already started the planning for that run so if you want to go make sure Liane knows so she can get you a room.

Here are some other events that I would like to do this year.  These suggestions have come from other members and myself:

• The Reynolds Museum June 11th and 12th hosts History Road event which exhibits patrons vintage vehicles.  It is open to all vehicles but traditionally has a low bike showing and I want to change that.  Registration is on now for this event so we need to talk about this at Pint Night.
• There is a vintage scooter club in Red Deer that has gotten word of us Boggers and have expressed an interest in having a Rockers vs. Mods meet in Red Deer.  I am very excited about this and think this could be an annual event and major fun.
• Prairie Diner's in Red Deer has a restaurant, drive in movie theater and has expressed interest in hosting an evening with music, food and a movie for us with on sight camping.  We could do this in conjuction with a hot rod club.
• The Rockie Run.  Get on our bikes and head to the Rockies to tour jasper, Banff, Sask Crossing and points inbetween

All ideas to keep us riding and busy this summer.  See what happens when it snows???  I get thinking and other people get thinking and we end up with a full spring/summer/fall of great riding.

Cheers
Michael,
Chief Bogger

January's Member Bike

I think I will start a new feature with showing off a members bike each month. To start it off here is my bike:

2007 Bonneville Black.  I have done a ton of work to this bike and it has had probably 5 different looks in the 3 years that I have owned it.  This is the current look. I finished it tonight and am pretty proud of it.

So what is done to it....  Well where to start.  It's all in the details.....

• Epco stainless exhaust.
• Air box removal kit
• Fender eliminator kit
• Vintage brushed aluminum signals
• Triumph center stand
• Chain guard removed
• English ped slicer
• Tach kit
• D9 layflat bracket for the guages (on its way)
• Vintage Ace handlbars
• Piazzo adjsutable shorty levers
• Properly jetted carbs to match the air box removal and exhaust
• Air injection removed
• Powder coated carb bowls and tops
• Powder coated tank badges
• Thruxton seat and tail cowl
• Scrambler solo seat and rack (for traveling)
• Hard bags and mounting
• 24k gold leaf on tank and cowl
• UNI Filter pod filters
• Dart flyscreen and Thruxton cowl
• 65 rear wheel horsepower.... up from the stock 51.

• Avon tires

So members, last week of January I will be soliciting you for pics of your ride to post here as well. 

The Bog Standards Arm Patch

In a continuing effort to grow our community and the spirit of the group we are going to have an arm patch for our jackets.  If you are a member of the BOG Standards then you are entitled to a patch for each of your jackets.

Here are three of the options.  As always this is open for submissions to all members.  If you have an idea please email it to me to post.

Selection 1:  The British tag.  Meant to honor the British heritage of our bikes

Selection 2:  Simple, clean desgin that reflects the pub ideals.

The Offcial Banner.  A variation of this heads our website.