Oil Drips: The Latest From CT And “Everywhere Else”

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com

RIDE-CT.com has been spending a lot of hours the past few days getting ready for Torrington Thunder, the downtown motorcycle rally set for Friday between 5 and 9 p.m. I’ve been touching base with some of the participants in the display being staged by “The Republican-American” and RIDE-CT.com as well as building (with the expertise and elbow grease of neighbor Brian Dunbar) a physical display to hang a banner. Got word Friday afternoon that Dave Perillo will be able to bring his Harley-Davidson Topper scooter to the event. Yesterday’s newspaper column (submitted before he called) suggested that he was “iffy” because of an accident involving his truck. With Dave’s participation, “The Rep-Am/RIDE-CT.com” display will have seven bikes and/or scooters to show off.

On to some news…

Under the heading of “Is this really needed?” comes a new device from Bosch. The Germany company has designed a sensor for motorcycles that measure and reports “lean angle” when riding. (Check out the company news release here.) Is it wise to look at gauges when leaned over in a curve? Probably not…

In Delaware, the governor last week vetoed a bill that would have allowed riders to hit the highways without having a helmet with them. State law requires riders to carry a helmet with them even if they don’t wear it. You can read about it here. What’s the point? I guess the theory is that if you carry a helmet, you’re more likely to put it on…

“The “Daily Mail” newspaper in the U.K. has been having some fun over pictures of a rider in Oklahoma exposing his backside cleavage while riding, that is, ahem, his butt crack. Sometime t-shirts just refuse to stay tucked in. You can view the half-moon here

Word on the street is that Triumph is developing a one-cylinder bike with a 250-350cc engine designed for entry riders. Will it be dubbed the Street Single? “Motorcyclist” magazine has more details here.

Finally, it’s Indian Day today at the Springfield Museums in Springfield, Mass. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and riders on 1953 and earlier Indians get in for free. Otherwise admission is $12.50 for adults and $6.50 for kids 3 to 17. The museums’ Sara Orr reports that Polaris is bringing a semi-tractor filled with new Indians to show off. RIDE-CT.com is heading up about 8:30 a.m. If you’ve never been to the Wood Museum of Springfield History (where the Indians and some other motorcycles as well are displayed), it’s well worth the trip.

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Since 2010, RIDE-CT & RIDE-NewEngland has been reporting about motorcycling in New England and portions of New York.