• There were many reasons for the change of the site software, the biggest was security. The age of the old software also meant no server updates for certain programs. There are many benefits to the new software, one of the biggest is the mobile functionality. Ill fix up some stuff in the coming days, we'll also try to get some of the old addons back or the data imported back into the site like the garage. To create a thread or to reply with a post is basically the same as it was in the prior software. The default style of the site is light colored, but i temporarily added a darker colored style, to change you can find a link at the bottom of the site.

Finally took possession!!

obiwanbill

New member
With a missing leg, have been looking for the right bike to not kill myself on. Going back to 2 wheelers wasn't going to work and after looking at many rebuilt/crashed Gold Wings, I bought a Spyder SE5. Started off with a 3" riser and 12volr plug add ons. At the dealer, the riser on hold for me was missing the mounting hardware, so they had to over night a new one. Then was to pick up soon after opening on 5/12. UPS-FedEx didn't bring. Oops! a young man jumped on a bike and made a 3 hour round trip to another dealer to get one. At 430 we were finally on the way. As we hadn't installed a hand brake yet, my son drove the Beastie and I drove the truck;).
Act 2, got caught in traffic, Kamikaze drivers, bad roads, detours in the Detroit Freeway system. 3 hours later We arrived at (Jimmy) Mels Monster Garage. He had taken a hitch mounted wheel chair rack (Tilt and Tote) that I previously had and fab'ed it fabulously into one of his hitches, then powder coated it. It needed some minor tweaking as he didn't have the wheelchair to pre-tweak with, so tired, we left the Beastie there and ran off for Toledo:ohyea:.
Act 3, Everything tweaked, tall windshield to replace the postage stamp sized one and 3 covers for the 3 shocks, emblazoned with the spider emblem. While there, he gave us a preview of other projects: hitch mounted flag carrier :2thumbs:, an air vent that runs from one of the fog lamp holes, black wire (looked like a spidey web) luggage rank on his Dad's yellow spyder.

On leaving they escorted us to the freeway (So I wouldn't get lost again). so we had a truck and three Spyders (2 grey, 1 yellow) in convoy. Was kinda surreal, like the bike ride at the end of the show each week on American Chopper

A word of note: where the dealer staff seemed asleep at the switch and mostly not full of energy, The Boss and crew at Mels were first rate at every step of the process:thumbup:. Pricing for these aftermarket items was within reason, not like a radio gadget I saw a post on for 2300$:lecturef_smilie:. Sorry, if this is starting to sound like a ad for Mels, but it's obvious to a blind man how passionate he is about his work.

Act 4 Now my son is starting on rigging a mechanical hand brake and I'm golden for the first time since losing my right leg 2 years ago:clap:
 
obiwanbill;97967A said:
word of note: where the dealer staff seemed asleep at the switch and mostly not full of energy, The Boss and crew at Mels were first rate at every step of the process
The dealer staff you mentioned, would that just happen to be Champion Powersports of Belleville? I only live a few miles from them but I think I am going to switch to a different dealership! By the way, I received the same treatment from The Boss and crew at Mels when I purchased a back rest.:2thumbs:
 
welcome Nie to have you "aboard". I am an AKA (left) so the SE5 was just the ticket for me. Have a friend with the hand brake mod, he's a BKA (right). You can run this baby like nobody's business. I am loving the freedom all over again.
Hope to meet up at one of the "Clutters" (you know a group a Spyders)

Ride safe!
 
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:thumbup: Glad you're on the road at last. BTW, everything you said about Detroit freeways is true. :D
-Scotty
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Congrats obiwanbill. Glad Jimmy Mels was able to help you out. I met him once and he was obviously very pationate about the Spyder and helping people. :thumbup:
 
The dealer staff you mentioned, would that just happen to be Champion Powersports of Belleville? I only live a few miles from them but I think I am going to switch to a different dealership! By the way, I received the same treatment from The Boss and crew at Mels when I purchased a back rest.:2thumbs:

I live in Toledo and tried the Honda East (which is a CAN AM dealer also). The salesman was dumber than a box of lint. Coupling that with the ****ty repair shop (I had many bad experiances there with my Honda Shadow over 10 years), I drove up to Belleville. Initial impression was good, but once they had my deposit it seemed to fade. They told me that the wrencher at their other dealership in nearby Monroe (Atomic, formerly Ray's) is trained on Can Ams, can do routine stuff like oil, plugs, tires etc. That makes me feel good as in 06, I bailed out of Honda East and started taking my bike to Monroe.

Ah, the adventure begins. Warp 5, Engage!
 
welcome Nice to have you "aboard". I am an AKA (left) so the SE5 was just the ticket for me. Have a friend with the hand brake mod, he's a BKA (right). You can run this baby like nobody's business. I am loving the freedom all over again.
Hope to meet up at one of the "Clutters" (you know a group a Spyders)

Ride safe!

not sure where Brampton is...have to dig up the yahoo map. I'm AKA on right; stump long enough to grip the side of the seat:2thumbs:

yep, It's great to also be a member of the Jimmy Mels fan club. Was great meeting his staff, nephew, Dad and wife. 2 dogs that were big sweeties! Seemed like a neighborhood out of the 50's as some neighbors dropped by while Jimmy was wrenching. Amazing!:doorag:
 
not sure where Brampton is...have to dig up the yahoo map. I'm AKA on right; stump long enough to grip the side of the seat:2thumbs:

yep, It's great to also be a member of the Jimmy Mels fan club. Was great meeting his staff, nephew, Dad and wife. 2 dogs that were big sweeties! Seemed like a neighborhood out of the 50's as some neighbors dropped by while Jimmy was wrenching. Amazing!:doorag:

So Obiwan, you want to ride to Cleveland with us on Sat for the banner signing and passing? We have to go right through Toledo on our way.
 
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