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Long time no see

  • -KEN-
    -KEN-
    21 days ago
    I'm back!!!
    Yeah, Yeah, I know. 13 years is a long time between posts, but I've been busy.
    Well . . . that's my excuse LOL!

    I tried to log in using my old account but I forgot my username and password, so I started a new account.

    Got rid of my '97 Road King and upgraded to a '99 Heritage Softail Classic Limited Edition.
    The Road King was just getting too heavy for my buggered knees so it had to go.
    Anyway, now I have to catch up again and see what everyone has been up to.
  • speedzter
    speedzter
    21 days ago
    Pretty quiet here regarding bike content .
    I've been wondering how long it will stay alive .
    I'm guessing HDOZ has faded away ?
  • speedzter
    speedzter
    21 days ago
    I seriously dislike the Facebook format - not a patch on the old school forums.
    I see 11 post on HDOZ FB in a month , so pretty quiet over there too !
  • -KEN-
    -KEN-
    21 days ago
    G'day Blokes,

    Yeah, HDOZ shut down about 12 or more years ago. 
    There was no way I was joining their Facebook version.

    I see they have 2 Facebook accounts, both with the same name, so that would be confusing for people wanting to find them.
    One was closed about 10 years ago and the other is still functional, I think. Last time I looked the last post was dated 2020.

    Speedzter, many Forums have shut down. Apparently they are 'too old to be cool'. Even Facebook is dying out in many areas. The go these days seems to be TikTok and Instagram. I don't even quite know what they are. Not interested.
    I'm actually surprised that this site is still running.
    Spleen Vent Forum closed down about 8 years ago, then their FB also went silent a few years back.

    I'm about to watch the Prelim final between Broncos and Panthers. 
    My Dragons had a terrible season, but as they annoyingly say "there's always next year". 
  • Hilly
    Hilly
    21 days ago
    I'm kinda pleased this site has managed to limp along, while it isn't a patch on what it used to be at least those that have stuck around mostly still try to help each other out, a few of us are on other forums and that sort of helps here info wise.
    A lot left in a huff over some slight or another many many years back, a bit of a shame really.
    I've met many blokes in person from this forum and spoken to many more over the phone, some I'd still call friends.
    It's life I guess, some have died, some have got so old and bitter they have zero interest in the living, others have stopped riding altogether, some moved away from Harley's in general, others think forums are a load of wank
    I found this site in 2007 or 8 I think, had a few stops and starts with different names over the years but I can honestly say I've been helped out a great many times by blokes on here, I fry to pay that forward if I can.
  • Soapbox2627
    Soapbox2627
    21 days ago
    I am also glad this forum, although a shadow of its former self has lasted longer the HDOZ, I missed the issue that caused a heap to mutiny and never joined them, Ive been here 17 years and still like to read the banter.
    even the Brass balls and sweaty balls runs have stopped, they were great fun.
    I am also not on the facebook page.

    I think I remember you Ken, and the avatar looks familiar
  • flstc08
    flstc08
    21 days ago
    G'day,
    there are alternatives to f.b. and twitter. .. www.mewe.com and bluesky  

  • -KEN-
    -KEN-
    21 days ago
    Quoting Soapbox2627 on 28 Sep 2025 08:55 AM

    I am also glad this forum, although a shadow of its former self has lasted longer the HDOZ, I missed the issue that caused a heap to mutiny and never joined them, Ive been here 17 years and still like to read the banter.
    even the Brass balls and sweaty balls runs have stopped, they were great fun.
    I am also not on the facebook page.

    I think I remember you Ken, and the avatar looks familiar

    I'll try nudge your memory. I mentioned at some point back then that I used to own a Harley shop in Ballarat called Midwest Harley.
    Here's some of the bikes I have owned and I posted about many many years ago.

    1. 1928 F Head 1200 Harley
    2. 1938 U model 1200 Harley
    3. 1997 Road King (which is what I had when I was in here)

    4. This is what I have now. 1999 Heritage Softail Classic Special Limited Edition.
    28 J model.png
    1938 UL Model 1200.png
    Road-King-2.jpg
    1999 Softail Heritage Classic.png
  • perthhog
    perthhog
    20 days ago
    Welcome back ken I remember you and your road king  one of the only other evo men lol  and your stories weather it was about your younger bike shop days  your other pastime was into the stars / galaxie  ? stuff 
    I joined hd oz back in the . Early days too still have a shirt in my draw  a lot the older crew use to crack me
    Up with there banter  life stories  as hilly said these places do make it feel like your internet family at times with life stuff and of the bike stuff no Matter what you ride  I tend to lurk a lot these days  as others have said it’s pretty quiet around here i remember coming in here nightly to catch up on all goss  it was like
    Reading the evening newspaper now it’s a bit like a monthly mag  plus don’t know about everyone else but I’m over the adds in this place , but yes probably helps keep it open .
  • -KEN-
    -KEN-
    20 days ago
    Quoting perthhog on 28 Sep 2025 11:16 PM

    Welcome back ken I remember you and your road king  one of the only other evo men lol  and your stories weather it was about your younger bike shop days  your other pastime was into the stars / galaxie  ? stuff 

    I joined hd oz back in the . Early days too still have a shirt in my draw  a lot the older crew use to crack me
    Up with there banter  life stories  as hilly said these places do make it feel like your internet family at times with life stuff and of the bike stuff no Matter what you ride  I tend to lurk a lot these days  as others have said it’s pretty quiet around here i remember coming in here nightly to catch up on all goss  it was like
    Reading the evening newspaper now it’s a bit like a monthly mag  plus don’t know about everyone else but I’m over the adds in this place , but yes probably helps keep it open .

    Yep, you are correct. I run the Snake Valley Astronomical Observatory, do Astrophotography, and President of the Snake Valley Astronomical Association.

    I agree that the Forums were a great way to keep in touch and over at HDOZ we often held runs together and kept in touch daily. But all that ended when the site owner decided to shut it down. No warning, no notice to retrieve any files, nothing. It just shut down overnight.
    The same thing happened to Spleen Vent Motorcycle Forum, and 2 Astronomy Forums I was in.

    As far as Facebook, I did end up joining one Astronomy group and one very active Motorcycle group (Old Motorcycle Shops MC Clubs Riders Stories Photos Events Australia).
    I sold out!
    Anyway, we keep on riding on, those of us that are still capable.
  • Stuart
    Stuart
    19 days ago
    Quoting perthhog on 28 Sep 2025 11:16 PM

    Welcome back ken I remember you and your road king  one of the only other evo men lol  and your stories weather it was about your younger bike shop days  your other pastime was into the stars / galaxie  ? stuff 

    I joined hd oz back in the . Early days too still have a shirt in my draw  a lot the older crew use to crack me
    Up with there banter  life stories  as hilly said these places do make it feel like your internet family at times with life stuff and of the bike stuff no Matter what you ride  I tend to lurk a lot these days  as others have said it’s pretty quiet around here i remember coming in here nightly to catch up on all goss  it was like
    Reading the evening newspaper now it’s a bit like a monthly mag  plus don’t know about everyone else but I’m over the adds in this place , but yes probably helps keep it open .

    Quoting -KEN- on 29 Sep 2025 07:33 AM

    Yep, you are correct. I run the Snake Valley Astronomical Observatory, do Astrophotography, and President of the Snake Valley Astronomical Association.


    I agree that the Forums were a great way to keep in touch and over at HDOZ we often held runs together and kept in touch daily. But all that ended when the site owner decided to shut it down. No warning, no notice to retrieve any files, nothing. It just shut down overnight.
    The same thing happened to Spleen Vent Motorcycle Forum, and 2 Astronomy Forums I was in.

    As far as Facebook, I did end up joining one Astronomy group and one very active Motorcycle group (Old Motorcycle Shops MC Clubs Riders Stories Photos Events Australia).
    I sold out!
    Anyway, we keep on riding on, those of us that are still capable.

    Very interesting hobby/pastime there, Ken. I picked up an old manual scope for nix some years ago. I was amazed at what I could see from less than ideal conditions in my backyard in Melbourne. Spent many an evening with a beer or two just looking around. I was foolish enough to leave it on the back porch one night - a new pup knocked it over. Which broke some critical bits. He then chewed all the rubber/plastic bits off it he could find. I occasionally think I should stump up the money for another scope.

    I've had a look at your Snake Valley Observatory website - I'll try and get up there some time.

  • -KEN-
    -KEN-
    19 days ago
    G'day Stuart, it's best to contact me in here if you want to come visit our Observatory.
    If it comes through email or by phone I have a standard reply that we are shut to the public this year. But members bring friends.
    Don't buy another Telescope until I show you what's what with them all : )
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