Started hanging around this site Sept. 2007 and thought it might be time to introduce myself.
Name is ray c wheeler, retired in 2004 from Millwright Local 102 in Oakland, Ca. after spending the majority of my life traveling from job site to job site and raising 2 out of 3 sons in my spare time.
THE NEED FOR SPEED
The one addiction that has stayed with me since drag racing a 1950 Ford in Great Bend, Kansas when I was 16 is the need for speed. Seems a hot 55 Chevy was always in the build stage during my 20's and 30's, although not nearly as addicting has my love for motorcycles that still burns stronger today then when I was a kid. Rode my first motorcycle in 1958 that belonged to my neighbor, after Viet Nam picked up a 1958 Pan Head and the rest is history.
2006 ----HOOKED
Discovered the BUB event in 2007 after a 17,000 mile summer jaunt. Rolled out of Wichita after visiting a couple of real close friends on a Friday afternoon a few days before the BUB event started. After arriving at the event entered my 2004 H-D Dyna in the Run What Ya Bung class. With my daily rider with a high mileage 95" motor with over 65,000 miles recorded a best time of 134.394 mph.
2007 ----NEAR MISS HWY 1 BIG SUR $44,000 HELICOPTER RIDE
Hauled Acura out of San Jose in the late afternoon headed for my 2nd event and made it all the way to the Lucia Lodge on Hwy.1 where I slid across the highway ( construction sand?) in the dark at 5 mph, coming to an abrupt stop against the side of a rock wall with my head. Knocked me out I was told by a couple of fine people that noticed a head light shining into the sky. After removing me from under my hot rod, they took me back to the Lucia Lodge and called for help. For a mere $44,000 a helicopter from San Jose delivered me to the Emergency room 4 blocks from home. The hospital released me the next morning with 1 stitch and a sprained left wrist. Seems the small cut on my forehead that bled profusely and the knocked out part had the emergency team worried. Close but no cigar, on the right side of Hwy.1, headed south is the ocean and a long way down over rugged terrain. Just glad to be here,what a night.
2008---- BUB Run What Ya Brung
After very few minor changes, once again rode into the Salt Flats, removed my travel gear, passed Tech and ran a top speed of 147.098 mph on my daily rider.
2009---- BUB SPEED TRIALS
6 passes 2 records
After doing my homework set 2 records in the 3000 M/AF 145.018 mph, 3000 MPS/AF 148.246 mph with a top speed of 149.811 mph.
2010 DREAM
Planning a few major changes this year and will attempt joining the elusive 200 mph club. Gearing, body work, more horsepower and ballast for traction.
Speed Week and then the BUB event for 2010.
See you there,
raycwheeler usa