No not sueing me again. I posted this comment on another blog so I thought, hey I have a blog so I’ll post it there too.

Sorry, this has turned into a rather long comment not what I originally intended. Oh well.
I was sitting here looking around the internet and heard about a motorcycle company suing somebody. For personal reasons this subject really interests me. Searching around on the internet to find out more about it, eventually lead me here.

I’ve been reading all the posts and will say, I agree with some, some I don’t. I feel I may be a bit more qualified on this subject that most, but more on that later.
One thing I do know is this. If you are one of the few rare individuals that dare to be unique, think out of the box and become successful, then look out. There are people out there just waiting to attack for what ever reason. I guess in some way, seeing someone else do what they love, somehow makes their own pitiful life seem worse than it already is. When they see someone else go out on a limb, or take a chance on something without caring about the consequences that may come form it, they are jealous.  They would rather see whoever just fail, so they can feel better about having never even tried. Even though they secretly would love to try and start a new motorcycle company or whatever from scratch. They know they would never have the balls to even try. You know who you are, and after everyone sees the response to this post we will know as well. I believe that is the main reason behind most of the negative comments. 
I’ve been in that situation many times. Where people say that won’t work, or you can’t do that, or you’re stupid for even trying. But I just keep at it until I make it happen. Then when I succeed, I have to listen to people try to pick it or me apart. They try to tell me how I did this or that wrong how that should have been done etc. Telling how they could have done it better, after telling me at first it couldn’t even be done. I don’t listen to the nay sayers they are small people trying to feel big.

I have been involved in the motorcycle industry in one way or another, my whole life.  I have done everything from professional racing, to working for manufactures to help them produce better products, to starting my own motorcycle parts manufacturing business. The motorcycle industry as a whole is just too small for anyone to try to cut down anyone trying to make it better. Whether you agree or not with how they are going about whatever it is they’re doing, or if you just don’t like the product. That’s fine say what you think but be respectful and make sure you have your facts straight. Then go and say something good about a company or product you do like. People are quick to post a negative comment about someone or a product but slow to post something good about something they are happy with. Just because you don’t agree with someone about a product doesn’t make them wrong. I have friends that ride Harleys. (Am I allowed to use that word or am I going to get sued?) Anyway they love their bikes, me not so much. When they tell me how great they are and how “fast” they are I just shake my head and agree. I’d bet I have more reason than most to have a bad taste in my mouth about that company.

I have met John White, and from what conversations we have had and the time I was around him I believe he is a good guy. We talked about some different things as well as some goals he has for Crazy Horse in the future. I know eventually he wants to make a great AMERICAN made motorcycle. In the end is that really a bad thing? I’ll tell you, I was willing to take a bit of a chance on him and hopefully my little part will help his company grow. I would love to see him succeed and would like to work with him more in the future as well. Not try to defeat him for lack of anything better to do. That also goes for anyone else trying to build a new motorcycle company. If you need anything, feel free to give me a call. If I can’t help, chances are I know someone that can.
Now to the subject at hand. So what if it turns out to be too close and he loses. So what if he wins. Understand, I like John but I really don’t care about the out come of this lawsuit. I would bet it won’t affect me at all. So I don’t really understand where some of the passion is coming from. How is the out come going to affect any of you? Will it make you sleep better knowing the little guy won, or that he got what he deserved? In truth it will only affect John and, or Polaris. To be honest I’m sure it really won’t affect either of them very much either, which ever way it turns out. But isn’t it really just up to either the two companies involved or the courts, if it comes to that? In the end they will both just go on with what they are doing. He may be doing business with a different logo, maybe not. I know, I’ve been through it.

Someone once told me they had the opportunity to but the “Indian” brand and trade mark. They asked me what I thought about the deal. I said I wouldn’t waist my time or money on it. Unless it was very, very cheap, even then I don’t know that I would. He probably thought I was crazy. But then, he had either enough respect for my opinion or wanted to hear the crazy man babble, so he asked why. I said because it used to be a great name and mean something. It has its place in history for sure. But it has become too watered down and “cheap”. I said, it has changed hands to many times, all failures. The companies that have tried to resurrect it have failed. They made bad products and went out of business. So the name has come and gone so many times that in my opinion, it now has no real value. It’s like that old Uncle you used to admire and have respect for. Then you found out he’s just a bum and only came around when he needed cash. They all tried to make statements like Americas oldest motorcycle company. Now a Canadian company owns it? Give me a break. That would be like me starting a new company making tractors, getting the name of some company that started in the 1800’s. Even though they went out of business in the 30’s and then say we’ve been building tractors over a 100 years.
John is not the bad guy here, but then neither is Polaris. They simply have a issue they need to work out. They will one way or another. Big deal.
 I’m sure no one really cares one way or another, what I think. Because like they say, options are like butt holes, everyone has one and they all stink. But I feel better.
Brett Ray
(Once sued by HARLEY-DAVIDSON)

Well I’m back. It’s only been a year. I forgot I even had this Blog site. I can’t sleep and though I would see what I could do with the web site and rediscovered this blog. I have had so much going on I haven’t had time to think much less write a blog. This crap takes a lot of time. I have moved the R&R Racing shop to a new location. It is 2853 Ken Gray Blvd. West Frankfort, IL 62896. Just in case anyone wants to drop by. I really don’t believe anybody ever sees this much less reads it. I am going to try to do more but no promises.

Hey, if you are the one that sees this please leave a comment. That’s just so I can wonder about the one person in the whole world that read this.

Later

Brett

The raging river of revolution flows with a ground quaking terror, an unstoppable force that is sure to burst it’s banks, and lay waist to all who oppose it.

This is as it must be, for turbulence and destruction are, if not wanted, expected in the tearing down of a thing and the formation of something new in its place.
Ultimately for any revolution to be successful it must completely wash away its oppressors.

Where the danger lies is in the calm waters after the flood. Once the waters have returned to their banks, they flow slow and steady. They run clear, and it seems all is smooth and pleasant with only a few ripples now and then. Complacency, easy access and entitlement to the calm waters start to take hold.

Then the new government, after a while starts to become awash with its own self proclaimed power and feeling of importance. Greed and self indulgence soon become the business of the day, and the people are forgotten. Then it starts remembering how it got there and why, knowing it could happen again, it starts to play on our fears. Remember the ripples? What if they start to grow into waves? What if the flood came again? What if this time it is from an outside force? What if it was caused by an economic disaster, pandemics, terrorists or war? The river is starting to erode the bank. Oh what are we to do? WHAT ARE WE TO DO?

Maybe… just to make everyone safe, for the “greater good” we should build a levy. Nothing big, you will still be able to go to the river and draw the water of freedom from it, we just need to have “some” control over it.

Then it happens, a terrorist attack! Oh we have allowed the river of freedom to flow to freely. We must build they levy higher, and reinforce the banks with concrete. Freedom is sacred and must be protected at all cost. Even if it means you must give up some of your own. Oh but that is just temporary, until we get the river back under control.

Then economic collapse! Again we have allowed too much freedom to the banks and businesses on the land. We the government must keep the river on course and control your access the water a bit more it seems. We will build a dam, then cover the water and have it flow through a tunnel. That should keep you safe.

Now you no longer have access to it, but rest assured that your freedom is still there, protected and kept safe. We will control it for you. No need to worry. Trust us….

That’s how it happens, one step at a time. That is how your freedom is slowly taken from you. Most never even notice until it’s too late. No more may you drink or bathe freely in its calm soothing waters. But have it controlled and rationed, meagerly given only where and to whom ever the government sees fit.
One thing you can bet on is this, to get your freedom back the price will be very high, for what is now such a rare and precious commodity. Do you think you can pay the price?

Here I go getting on the band wagon again.
This is a response I had to a guy asking a question about the “cash for clunkers” thing.

I feel your pain sir. But let me tell you I have a 1989 Chevy truck with a 454 in it. I get about 8-9 mpg in it, 6-7 mpg pulling my trailer. So anything that I would trade it in on would be far better. I have been looking for a new truck so when this came up I was like wow that’s cool. Then I started thinking about it, where is the $4500 coning from? Wait a minute it’s coming from ME!
That’s how they suck you in. Here take it, here’s $4500 don’t worry about it, no strings attached. YEA RIGHT. Does this sound familiar? Here little girl, want some candy? Or just try a little, you won’t get hooked, but it feels sooo good. Come back later and see if the little girl thought the candy was worth it, or the crack or meth addict wishes they wouldn’t have tried that first hit.
I know it sounds dramatic but that’s how you get on the wrong path.
So I said forget it, I bought me a used 2005 Ford F-350 dually Diesel, 16 mpg 15 or so mpg pulling my trailer. I’m picking it up Saturday. I went to the bank put my own money down and borrowed the rest, which I will pay back myself, without a government bail out. As for the old truck I’m junking it. I say to hell with them and their money. I even told my wife if we get one of the so called “stimulus” checks throw it in the trash. I work for what I have, always have always will.
You know the old saying, if you’re not part of the solution then your part of the problem.
If you take the money then you have no right to gripe about how things are going, because you are part of the problem. If you don’t take it then you have every right too.
But you have to decide for yourself what’s best for you and your situation. Believe me I won’t look down on anyone that takes the deal that needs it. If I were in a dire situation and times were hard, and I had to have a good car to get to work to feed my kids, but couldn’t afford one. You bet I would do it. Luckily I’m doing OK and things are working out for me. I just wish it were working better for more Americans than it is right now.
Sorry to be so long winded but that’s how I feel.