Author Topic: Hi from Gardena, CA (Read 3495 times)

Bazza99 · « **on:** August 11, 2013, 11:00:27 AM »

Hi All.

Have just recently joined the site and although originally from the UK (I know, a Bloody POM!), I have been living in sunny Southern California for the past 26 years. Currently own two bikes......a 2003 ST1100P, used for funeral escort work plus a 2008 Goldwing. I purchased the ST about 18 months ago, from a retiring escort, and it had just under 50,000 kilometers on the clock. I use it most weekends for funeral and parade/security events and it is still only approaching 77,000 kilometers.

Stock handlebars were changed and replaced with Helibars, which are great for the shorter rider. Windshield has been replaced and non-stock items include front, side and rear Wheelen and Code Three LED lights, air-horn and siren. The bike also carries a Garmin 550 GPS (or SATNAV) and radio system for ride communications.

My prior bike was a 1969 Kawasaki 1000P....similar to the bikes used in the CHiPS series, which is a great handing bike but a real bone shaker and required constant maintenance. The ST1100 is a totally different beast and took me all of 15 minutes of riding to realize it was one of the best purchases I have ever made.

I am also a member of the ST-Owners forum, here in the US. If anybody needs help on this side of the much-bigger pond, please let me know.

Regarrds
Barry (Bazza)

tj189 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 11, 2013, 11:57:14 AM »

Welcome Bazza, enjoy your time on the forum

Mitch · « **Reply #2 on:** August 11, 2013, 01:13:04 PM »

Hi Bazza and a Warm Welcome from the Wild West

STill dreaming · « **Reply #3 on:** August 11, 2013, 01:50:48 PM »

Welcome Bazza,Don't be to friendly you could be up to your arm pits in Aussie tourist,

:crackupNoel

Sicman · « **Reply #4 on:** August 11, 2013, 02:07:11 PM »

Welcome On In Bazza99

ST2UP · « **Reply #5 on:** August 11, 2013, 02:52:43 PM »

Welcome Barry......enjoy

ST.George · « **Reply #6 on:** August 11, 2013, 05:04:05 PM »

G'day Bazza,

Welcome 2 the OZ site, m8.

Tell me, how do u get away with the "TRAFFIC" moniker in the US (is the US "Freedom of Speech" dictum so powerful that u can do this so easily?).

Recently, in darkness, I was apparently pulled over by a friendly cop who I thought was helping me get back on track and it turned out 2 b Saaz, (our Australian Capital Territory member, who rides a white ST).

That was a humorous surprise but the illusion was strong.

Anyway, the question I'm asking is - it seems so easy to appear 2 b "police" in the US. What's your take on this? Is it a gr8 thing 4 US riders or have the cage drivers of the US become so accustomed to white bikes that they don't notice anymore?

Pocket STocker · « **Reply #7 on:** August 11, 2013, 05:09:46 PM »

Hello Bazza, welcome to OzSToc

Wild Rose · « **Reply #8 on:** August 11, 2013, 05:38:34 PM »

Welcome Bazza to OzSTOC

I'm from Toowoomba Queensland, Australia

Enjoy the Bike

Enjoy our great Forum

Gardena. Never been there but We went to Los Angeles stayed in Hollywood
We Cought a bus to Santa Monica pier & did a cruise out of Long Island down to Mexico
But you drive on the wrong side of the road

Abe · « **Reply #9 on:** August 11, 2013, 06:18:56 PM »

Welcome to the forum Bazza. Just sit back and enjoy.

Cheers
Dave (Sydney, New South Wales)

Skip · « **Reply #10 on:** August 11, 2013, 06:34:05 PM »

Welcome from Brisbane Bazza. Enjoy your time here on our Aussie ST forum. Hope you find our Aussie content interesting.
I will be in your fine country in less than 3 weeks. Won't be anywhere near the west coast though. May be next time.
Cheers.
Skip.

gaz · « **Reply #11 on:** August 11, 2013, 06:41:18 PM »

Welcome Bazza to OzSTOC

bloodbikes · « **Reply #12 on:** August 11, 2013, 11:01:46 PM »

Welcome Bazza, from another ex pom, but in Australia, hope you enjoy your stay.

Neale · « **Reply #13 on:** August 12, 2013, 04:53:14 AM »

Welcome Bazza from SW Sydney.

Shiney · « **Reply #14 on:** August 12, 2013, 08:24:42 AM »

G'day Bazza

Welcome to the forum mate

Bazza99 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 12, 2013, 02:27:54 PM »

Thanks to all for the very warm welcome.

To answer St George on the use of the 'Traffic' signage is somewhat questionable, although all LEO's (Law Enforcement Officers on us the wording "Police' - 'Sherriff' or 'Marshall' , CHP or similar on their bikes and vehicles. In California there are no official agencies that use 'Traffic' so it has not been a major problem so far. Funeral escorts are governed by the California Highway Patrol and both the bikes and the uniforms have to be inspected and signed off by a CHP officer. The company that I work for part-time uses khaki shirts, similar to the Sheriffs Department, plus brown riding breeches with a gold seam stripe. LAPD uses black breeches with a silver stripe, CHP uses tan breeches with a double blue stripe and Sheriffs use stock green BDU's.

Although we do look similar to cops neither the bike nor the uniform can show the word 'Police', Sheriff, etc, which could be considered as impersonating a police officer. On escort work people will assume that we are LEO's but if asked I will always advise that I am not a police officer. I have helped CHP officers run traffic breaks on the freeway, have directed traffic around a stalled vehicle on a freeway, and even helped a CHP officer pick up dropped tools from a freeway lane, and for the most part they seem to appreciate the assistance.

The majority of Police bikes are black and white and I have purposely kept mine a stock white. Although mine is a P model it was never in police service and therefore was never two-tone. Some escort colleagues have purchased ex-police units and theirs are black and white.

Regards to all.

Wombat · « **Reply #16 on:** August 12, 2013, 02:59:18 PM »

Welcome from Perth

White is best

STill dreaming · « **Reply #17 on:** August 12, 2013, 07:26:23 PM »

Most interesting Bazza.thanks for enlightening us.

ST.George · « **Reply #18 on:** August 12, 2013, 08:43:02 PM »

G'day Bazza,

Excellent reply to my "police" query. That last photo sure does look like a police bike - reminds me of a US police TV drama from the 70's or 80's I used to watch. Can't remember what is was called now but it put a good persona on a dangerous job. Pretty sure the main character was riding a Harley in the California region.

You also look like the guy who was chasing Arnie around in Terminator.

saaz · « **Reply #19 on:** August 12, 2013, 08:46:06 PM »

CHIPs is the show I think. Jon and Ponch on the California Highway Patrol bikes.

Diesel · « **Reply #20 on:** August 19, 2013, 03:09:06 PM »

Hi Bazza - thanks for jumping through the door and saying "Hi"

Great bikes you have there - and used for a great cause too. Well done that man!

Welcome aboard.

Cheers, Diesel

News:

Author Topic: Hi from Gardena, CA (Read 3495 times)