One thing I’ve found while building this website for firefighters that ride.  There is still so much heartache lingering as a result of September 11 2001. And who would be surprised? 911 struck home with myself and a dozen firefighters in the Surrey Fire Department because we have known the FDNY rugby team for many years. The New York City Firefighters rugby team, along with the Sydney Australia rugby team have been close friends of ours, meeting every two years in a new country for the World Police and Firefighter Games. Unfortunately I have only played rugby when there just wasn’t enough bodies to field a Canadian team. I’m not a rugby player but I can do a particular stupid human trick that had representatives from each country in the world bowing to me in submissiveness. That’s another Blog. The WP&F Games is a huge sporting event only rivaled in size by the Olympics. We reunite at every games and continue to ‘do’ or ’say’ something stupid for the sole reason of making one or everybody laugh.  And laugh we do.  Except the November after 911 when we flew to New York to attend funerals of fallen FDNY Firefighters. We arrived in the Big Apple a month after the disaster to spend time with our buddies and attend funerals of the crew mates they lost.  With the fact there were so many funerals and that hundreds of FDNY were in “The Pile” searching for brothers and they were also short 343 firefighters, the funerals were getting very small turnouts. The FDNY sent out a request for firefighters to come to New York to attend funerals for their fallen.  They couldn’t have imagined the turn out they would get. Thousands of firefighters from all over the States and Canada came to New York. Firefighters came from Australia, Europe and places from around the globe.  

Thankfully none of our friends were killed that day but I saw a big change in those that survived.  I won’t mention names because the guys refuse to benefit from the situation and don’t want to be recognized. But two of the FDNY members we play rugby with were in the famous ‘Flag Raising” photo that symbolizes the resolve of the firefighters that day.  A resolve that was adopted by all Americans.

It didn’t surprise me when I saw them raise the flag that afternoon on CNN. I recognized one of them right away. They are a very patriotic group of firefighters. For those of you that play or are involved in rugby you will know about the antics on the rugby pitch after the game. Bum darts, flaming arse, naked  sprint etc. For those that aren’t familiar with the extracurricular activities on a rugby field, you should drop by a  tourney one day. You will be amused.  Stupid human tricks and songs. The New York boys are always singing ‘God Bless America”, their national anthem and other American patriotic tunes. America, you are being well represented by New York firefighters that love your country. They love the USA and are never shy about telling anyone.

 As firefighters, as brothers,  we all have many traditions.  Borders are not recognized. When you walk into a firehall anywhere in the world it smells the same as yours back home. We asked to leave our bags in a firehall in Panang. Malaysia back in 95 when we were waiting for an evening train to Bangkok. We walked into the station and it smelled exactly like my own Surrey Hall 12.  

We are all a tight bunch with the same banter, sense of humor, sarcasim and practical jokes that are a part of every fire company. These traditions also apply to the way we respect our fallen.  We bury our brothers who have died in the line of duty with honor, respect   and ceremony.   We give them a service their families will always remember because that’s what they deserve and it’s just what we do.

We remember in many different ways but as a firefighter that is also a biker, I’ve noticed the motorcycle has become a palette for dedications and memorials. The gas tank, fenders, fairings and hard bags.   Since 911,  firefighters all over the states and Canada have been painting their bikes with tributes to those lost on 911.  It’s a firefighter’s way of expressing his feelings about the disaster, in his own way. Not every firefighter paints their bike with full murals however. It could be as suttle as a window decal, shift linkage or back rest. Windshields are etched with small memorials, decals are stuck on fairings, derby and timing covers have dedications.

Look closely, you’ll be able to spot a firefighter’s bike out of a  line-up on any street, on any ride. It doesn’t have to be a firefighter special edition either. I had the choice of buying a HD FFSE in 2004 when I bought my Road King but I chose my Smokey Gold FLHRI instead (only because I had the money and couldn’t wait a whole summer).  If you look at my bike it doesn’t take long to recognize the owner is a firefighter.

There are so many after market parts you can purchase to add to your ride.  Go to Madmyk’s Photo Gallery in the Chrome and Accessories gallery to see.

If you want to see motorcycles painted with 911 tributes go here;

http://www.madmyk.com/firegallery/main.php?g2_itemId=11241But the bottom line is that blinging up our bikes to honor not only the 343 firefighters lost on 9-11,  but all firefighters who have given their life to help or save others, is a way for us to express ourselves. It’s our way to let everyone know how we feel. 

And I think it’s great.

Madmyk  

On that morning six years ago, Michael Carlo was talking with his brother Rob, also a FDNY firefighter, describing the black smoke rolling out of the tower. “They were talking by direct connect when he saw the second plane strike the other tower. Then, he told him that his company was getting called. He told Rob he’d talk to him that night.”  But, that call would never happen.  Michael Carlo was with his crew of Engine 230 in the South Tower when it came crashing down.

“Looking up at the twisted steel that looked like licorice sticks, I just knew there was no way they would find my son here.”   Carlo’s voice quivered as he described those first moments. “It was horrible, just horrible. That pile was massive. You just have no idea.”

There are reminders of his heroic son throughout his home, including a curio cabinet that holds photos, a FDNY uniform shirt, a specially designed quilt and the medal presented to the family during a White House ceremony. There’s a square wooden box containing dirt from the pile.   Firefighter Michael Carlo’s portrait greets all who enter his father’s home office. Other walls are graced with pictures of Michael in happier times as well the flag raising at the site, plaques and awards.

Carlo and his eldest son, Rob, who is now retired from the FDNY, enjoy riding motorcycles.   Michael’s picture was hand-painted on the back of his father’s 2003 Harley Davidson Firefighter Classic.

Motorists often give him a thumbs up or wave when they spot it.   Carlo said Michael would like that.

Rest in Peace Michael, we won’t forget.

Madmyk

While the idea of a gyro-copter isn’t necessarily anything new, it is timelessly cool. So we feel inclined to point out former test pilot Larry Neal’s “Super Sky Cycle,” a $25,000 cross between a motorcycle and an auto-gyro — a flying motorcycle.

The flying bike, according to Tech E Blog, goes as fast as 70 mph in the air and 60 mph on the road. 25 Grand? I have after market chrome worth more than that.

Check out the video here:  Tech E Blog   I think it’s a winner.  As long as governments don’t stick their face in and demand outrageous licences and taxes. But who am I kidding, they, along with the big oil fat cats will certainly find a way to either abolish the idea or tax it so much no one will be able to afford it.   

Here’s an interesting clip from the New York Times on Japanese Harley Riders.

Check it out http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/automobiles/20070708_HARLEY_FEATURE/blocker.html

DOMO ARIGATO   that’s Japanese for ‘thanks’, not an Italian motorcycle.

 Scott and Linda Spain

Fire fighters at the IAFF Motorcycle Group (IAFF-MG) First National Rally from South Dakota to the 2007 IAFF Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial in Colorado Springs, Colorado, were among the first to see what Kitsap County, WA Local 2819 fire fighter Scott Spain’s custom-built motorcycle featuring red pin-striping, flames and the IAFF logo.. Since retiring in 2005,  Spain has devoted much of his time to building the bike.

“The IAFF-MG ride through South Dakota and Colorado seemed the most appropriate place to debut the bike,” says Spain. “Who better to see it first than my fire fighter family?”

“I grew up around bikes,  riding for the first time when I was eight,”  Spain says.  “It wasn’t long before I decided to open my custom bike shop — SNL Scooters.” SNL is derived from the first names of Spain and his wife – Scott and Linda.

With over 30 years of award winning project management, direction and engineering experience, Scott and Linda built SNL Scooters.  With literally hundreds of parts making up one motorcycle and thousands of suppliers to choose from,  SNL Scooters consults with their clients to find the perfect combination.  They designed SNL so their clients may fully realize artistic expression creating their own Rolling Art.

   Scott with IAFF President Schaitburger

You can find SNL Scooters here;  http://www.snlscooters.com/index.html

Build it yoTellurself , have us assemble it or have a world class builder handcraft your custom motorcycle for you.