Hot and humid

[Kansas kymco]

Today it's supposed to have a heat index of 100F actual temp mid 90's.  It wasn't that long ago complaining of cold wet weather.  Unseasonably warm for this time of year. 

Sounds like a good day for a road trip to Dan's Cycle.  I had a fork seal let go on the Lambretta Uno. You know the wonderful feeling of coming out of the house to see a pool of oil in the drive from the scooter.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Today it's supposed to have a heat index of 100F actual temp mid 90's.  It wasn't that long ago complaining of cold wet weather.  Unseasonably warm for this time of year. 

Sounds like a good day for a road trip to Dan's Cycle.  I had a fork seal let go on the Lambretta Uno. You know the wonderful feeling of coming out of the house to see a pool of oil in the drive from the scooter.

I see that Dan's has 50's "in stock".....in the middle of Kansas?!
Can you carry enough gas to get to where people speak English?

(just kidding...looks like a nice shop)
(I might have passed Dan's on my Honda 350 in the 60's. Riding it from San Antonio (with orders for 'Nam) to leave it at my parent's house at the AF Base near Topeka. Sent my wife on ahead with our two suitcases on the Santa Fe Chief. I almost beat her there - the train stopped so often for heat swollen tracks!)

Stig

[Kansas kymco]

Stig actually that shop location is only a few years old, He had a building next to his house that got expanded several times with additional storage buildings.

His private collection of older mint condition bikes is impressive as well.

As for the 50's they sell well around here for people who don't have a motorcycle license or for those people that lost their license.  You see a lot of teenagers on the 50's around town.  Never seen a 50cc outside of town but anything is possible around here.

Was going to pull the forks of the Lambretta in the shed but the Air Conditioner would not come on so to heck with that, another thing to fix/replace.

Just yesterday I was getting nervous when the fuel gage on the Xicting dropped below the E but was able to make it to Buhler where they have a gas pump at a bike repair shop. (Only fuel in that small town).  The 500 is a pig in weight and fuel consumption but sure does cruise nice on the open road. 

I told Scott his sales manager if he could find me a left over Myroad 700 I would be interested. 

[CROSSBOLT]

I just looked up Dan's on the internet, saw 45+ photos of this apparently huge place! Reminds me of Lake Hill Motor and Marine, Corinth, MS. Cycle museum, lots of everything including zero-turn lawn mowers! Being somewhat familiar with Western Kansas, the size and nature of the towns, I would tag Dan's as a niche business. You could put him ANYWHERE in the middle of a west Texas stretch and people from all over would beat a ditch in the ground to get to his door! Like Lake Hill has an international business and Corinth, MS ain't exactly a main thoroughfare. Well, it IS but for southern business mostly. The point is, Dan's appears to be the American Dream! A well run business that works! In the middle of kinda nowhere!

[Kansas kymco]

Actually Dan's Cycle is not in Western KS it's about 30 miles North of Wichita. 

Wichita nickname the air capital of the world  because of all the aircraft mfg located there with a population of 395,681 thousand isn't exactly small or in the middle of no where.   He also draws people from Hutchison 40,623 thousand and Salina 46,716 thousand along with McPherson 13,077 thousand. And several small towns in the area.

The town Dan's is located in Heston has the plant that makes Hustler and Bad boy mowers along with a large farm implement mfg. Up the road in Moundridge is the plant that makes Grasshopper mowers.

McPherson has a large refinery,  a large pharmaceutical manufacturer Pfizer, a  large insulation plant Mansville,  several large plastic pipe  and other products mfgs,  German die and tool company, and the second largest underground  storage of  hydrocarbon products in the country. Along with major terminals for pipelines to send refined products around the country. 

Kansas is also #1. 36% of power use generated by wind.

[CROSSBOLT]

Wow! Kansas has sure changed since the 60's! Except for Wichita..

[Kansas kymco]

1960 Wichita population was 254,698 thousand  now 395,681 thousand so a noticeable increase. In the sixties it took forever to get across town now with major freeways running North/South and East /West and freeways around the perimeter traffic has improved considerably.  New Baseball stadium,  New Intrust Event Center, River walk has been developed,  New airport,  along with miles of walking and bicycle paths. The development of old town into bars/clubs and restaurants along with river city brewery.  Airbus even has a large building for engineering ( European Aviation Consortium )

If the last time you were here was in the sixties it would be a safe bet you wouldn't recognize a lot . In the 70's downtown Wichita was almost a ghost town with everything moving to the burbs.

That's not my cup of tea though. I enjoy riding to small towns on nearly deserted county paved roads In very good condition.

Reminds me of the poem by Robert Frost ( The Road not taken) 
Two roads diverged in a wood. I took the one less traveled by and that has made all the difference.

[Kansas kymco]

If any of you scooter riders happen to pass by, bring your scoot and I will grill some burgers and take you on a senic ride. Just let me know ahead of time because I travel.