Posts by UK_Paul

Saturday night was great with some wonderful company. The event organiser also met up with me and we arranged to get all the Polaris vheicals (Victory Indian & Slingshot) together for the Sunday ride through Killarney.

Lee at Alspares ATV.
- All Spares ATV -
Had told me that if I was still not feeling too well then he'd take me on the ride through town, in the Slingshot but I was delighted to manage it on the Vegas (but the offer was still on, if I needed it).

Elaine and I talked that evening and decided I would ride......

After a good nights sleep, it was time to take a proper look at the show.

Many more people were arriving with different motorcycles and given the struggle that I'd had putting up camp we had earlier had a long discussion as to weather I would be strong enough to complete the ride through Killarney town, on Sunday. We decided that I'd give it a go, but I'd need to be careful. In discussion with some of the other riders we arranged to have someone, (that knew me well,) ride alongside me, just in case I needed any help. In addition one of our other riders was a nurse and they would also ride with me, for additional cover. (I had to admit... Yes I was in a pretty rough way).

Well before the Sunday ride we had all of Saturday to enjoy the show. Stands, bands, food and merchandise were all readably available, the weather was good and we spent the day relaxing and enjoying the show.

We had a good, long chat with the new distributors - AKB Distribution - Motorcycle Wholesale Distributor Ireland l Online Motorcycle Products - of the Polaris motorcycles.

Elaine even spotted a trike that she liked to look of.
But she then, because I still felt under the weather, thought that I'd already seen it and by the time she had taken this photo, I'd jumped on it for a quick go.

At one point, I decided that I needed to make myself a little more inconspicuous.
So I donned a very subtle wig, to hide my lack of hair.

As the day progressed Elaine and I drifted from stand to stand and then as we went around one row of stands.
There it was........
A Bright Red SlingShot!

We both walked onto the - - All Spares ATV - stand and Elaine was into the SlingShot, like it was just about to disappear.
Elaine commented. "I didn't expect to see one of those here. Did you know it was coming?"
I simply replied by saying "Yes."

A small stand but big interest.

After a few questions we were both back in it again.
Just look at the grins on our faces.

We both got out of the SlingShot and THEN Elaine said to me.
"I HATE YOU!"
"IT'S GEORGIOUS!" - "It's so much better in the flesh than in the photos."
Well that was it.
The SlingShot became the hot topic of discussion. After a few (well OK, a lot) more visits, back to the stand a ride was arranged for the two of us.

Friday evening......

Everyone started to meet up, at a very appropriate, predefined location.
A bar.

Stories were swapped and more people arrived.
The new Polaris Motorcycle distributor was fully aware of our timetable and I had coordinated with them to withhold the announcement of the new dealership opening. 17:00 hrs came around and it was "Official!"
The Harley Davidson staff at the show were surprised, but put on a brave face, the riders that had all come over with us were ecstatic. Next job was to get the bikes on the stand. We also organised a rotation of motorcycles, to display on the stand, enabling riders to also get out and ride the roads with there bikes.

We all took a cursory eye of the festival and then returned to the bar......

Almost everyone had now seen it............ (apart from, my wife Elaine).
What?

A SlingShot was at the show!!!!

All you readers knew it was coming (from my previous comments).
No-one else, at the show, had any idea.

Now it was starting to get dark and it was time to hit the town and try out the "Black Stuff!"
- What is a Pint of the Black Stuff? -

The "How I met my SlingShot" story continues.......
We all meet up at BikeFest.

As me tioned previously, we all had a good trip over and were on our way from the ferry to the show at Killarney.

A couple that were bringing a Polaris bike over on the same ferry. getting ready to depart.

We'd all arrived and Elaine & I were camping, so we put up our tent. It was at this stage I started to suffer with my recent illness (Elaine said that was very convenient) but a friend helped set up camp and I was able to take a bit off a rest. (This year we have booked a posh hotel).

Time for a nice cup of tea, then off to the show.

One of our friends that had also come over with us (his back to camera) having a chat, with me (facing camera), before we head off to the showground.

Possibly the best way to show you all what BikeFest is like is to include a short film'#. recorded about 5-6 years ago now.
The event has grown a lot since the time it was filmed but it gives a fair idea of what it's like.

Check out the link below:

Quote from KayTwo

Ba-Dum-PSSSSH!

You'd be back on your feet faster if you just gone and amputated the toe. Just sayin'....

I had the toe looked at and re-dressed today.
They all said the stoking on my good leg looked pretty, but I couldn't find a purple one, so I'm not so sure.
Everything appears to be starting to heal up OK. So, at least for now, I'll keep my old saw in the shed and not bother with amputation yet.

Quote from dangerdarrell

Great read UK. I have driven around the south half of Ireland. LOVE that country and the people! We kissed the Blarney Stone. However, I could do with a little less potatoes with my meal . My wife and I are planning on going back to Ireland in 2018. Hope to make it to the UK also!

If you make it over then let me know and we can arrange a meet.

I'm looking at changing my setup to the following:
Alpha Shorty Headers
Alpha Variable Exhaust
Alpha Cold Air Intake

With all of this I would also conceder a re-map on the ECU. However living in the UK, I'm reluctant to send it back over to the States for this and then get it returned back to England, as this could take an age.
Does anyone have any views, if this is worth it or any other possible options.

Note: The Ecotec 2.4l engine is not available in any European, GM motors.

This could perhaps be called a "Foot Note."

Today I went into hospital, for a straight forward operation on my foot (to pin & straighten out a toe). But with all the other stuff that I have going on with my body falling apart, it looks like I'll have my foot up, in the air, for up to 2 months now.
The opp. went well, but the surgeon was very reluctant to let me watch, so I checked everything out in a reflection from some metalwork, on the ceiling.
I know; I'm just a macabre, British, SlingShot rider....

So that may give now me lots of time to finish the "How I met my SlingShot" story and then tell you all about the work I intend to do on the SS..

Back to what I should perhaps call my "How I met my SlingShot" story......
Reaching BikeFest.

The same afternoon, on the day, we left the ferry, we arrived at our destination, Killarney, in Ireland.

Killarney is a beautiful town, in the South West of Ireland. As I'd previously mentioned, it hosts the Irish BikeFest each year and this year was to be the 10th event. It had started as a destination in 2006 for the European H.O.G. Rally (Harley Owner's Group). Every year it has grown and expanded to encompass a wider range of riders and now has attendees, from all over Europe, with enormous selection of motorcycles of many different types and styles.

Killarney town is located on one side of "The Ring of Kerry."
- Ring of Kerry - Wikipedia -

This is one of the most beautiful areas in what is truly a very beautiful country. It encompasses mountains, forests, secluded beaches and some very rugged coastal roads. It would normally be possible to complete the ring in one day but you'll, undoubtedly, want to stop for a week, to see it all.

One of the highlights of BikeFest is the ride-out that takes place, around the whole route, during the event.
Other ride-outs are also organised, even so, in addition to all of this, many riders just take off by themselves and explore some of the countryside and villages in the area. We stopped off at "Blarney Castle" where you can climb to the top and "Kiss the Blarney Stone" by hanging out backwards, from the top of the castle, and then kissing the special stone on the outside edge of it all. I've done this before, so didn't need to try it again.

So that's the sort of things you will find.
My next post will tell you all a little about meeting up with the others at the show.

Polaris announce today that they will be closing down production of Victory Motorcycles.

It is important to note that production in the Huntsville, Alabama plant, of the Slingshot, is said not to be affected.
After all; with so many Victory dealers now having empty showrooms, room will now exist for a few more SlingShots.

Victory Motorcycle Important Announcement | Polaris Industries

Well it was going to happen and the official news came out today:

Polaris is winding down production of its Victory division!
This WILL NOT affect production of the SlingShot.

Polaris highlight that. Production and in the Huntsville, Alabama community with its Slingshot production, will continue.

I wasn't too surprised when the news came through as a few of the dealers that I know were being "guided" towards Indian Motorcycles, or not to expand Victory interests.
Time will tell how this develops, but I would not be too surprised to find that it may enable more SlingShot outlets to grow with dealers that are now only left with the Indian brand, on the shop floor.

The official announcement is on the link below:
- Victory Motorcycle Important Announcement | Polaris Industries -

Quote from funhouse69

Ok here's a few photos... This is a Span of only a few days... On Friday when I got down there I washed her and Monday we stripped off the SLR Graphics and well the rest you can see. The work took place on Monday and Tuesday before I had to come back home.

Impressive!

Quote from funhouse69

I thought owning a Goldwing was bad when it came to Modifications / Customization. I can't believe the amount of items that are available for the Slingshot in a relatively short amount of them that they've been out.

I live in Massachusetts and haven't seen a single other one in the wild yet (I know they are out there though) That said I went down to Helen, GA then down to FL where they are much more common. I was lucky enough to be able to store my Slingshot down there for the Winter and go down and visit her and my friends a few times. I went on the Cycle Springs Toy Ride and that is when I got the bug to make mine unique as none of the Slingshot I saw were "Stock".

Coincidentally my Slingshot isn't far from Clearwater which is where Cycle Springs is. Needless to say that has not been good for my wallet at all but no one can say my Slingshot looks stock anymore =)

Pictures please!

Quote from Tripod

@UK_Paul I admire your tenacity. I pray for a quick & full recovery for you. Hang in there & continue to stay positive!

Thanks Tripod, just keep watching as it unfolds.
But you will see from my posts, so far, that when I set my sights on something I normally get some decent results. I sometimes suspect Polaris Britain get a little upset when they try to keep things secret (like the new Irish distributor, last year - spy pictures of the SS, before release etc.) and then; I go and work out, what they are doing. So it's normally better to have me on-side and working together, rather than playing games.
Before the Irish trip, I kept asking subtle questions, without saying I knew what they were up to. Asking if they wanted to send out promotional stuff to the Irish event (obviously for the new distributor) in the bike trailer? But no they didn't need anything taken out for them to one of the biggest events in Europe, (after all I couldn't possibly know what they were doing).
I believe, they decided to post it....... It certainly didn't arrive, by the time of the show.

BIG Fail on that one Polaris.
Sometimes a little confidence, trust and discretion can go a long, long way.

Quote from mytoy

This steering wheel looks cool, is that's the one you may install?

That one will need fit through the glove box......
That way Elaine & I can both drive at the same time.

Quote from RichArlt

This is a great thread you started Paul! Hey, I just noticed they really screwed up on your SS and put the steering wheel on the wrong side!!!! Haaaa! Remember to let me know about that Wycked Hitch research you're doing also! Good to see you active on the forum!

Thanks RichArlt.

No problem with the steering wheel on the wrong side. (I'm used to driving my own cars in Europe and it doesn't prove to be any real hindrance).

Even so........
I think a new steering wheel may get added soon.

This way I can sit in either seat & drive.

Quote from Tripod

I see that @UK_Paul 2 just joined the forum! @UK_Paul this is either your clone or more likely, your (Australian) better half, Elaine! Regardless, WELCOME!

I got locked out today and didn't receive any email help when I requested a new password, so logged in with a similar name. hoping someone would see. But I then found that I couldn't post anything under that name.

It looks like I've sorted things out now, I hadn't used the obligatory upper case letter(s) with my Log-In.

Quote from Jdin

I use the Alpha Variable and very happy with it.

A video of the button we configured from the remote so you can control it from the dashboard. When it is shut completely it is very quiet anywhere. I love the sound it has in the middle "performance mode" as its refereed to.

Great work Jdin.

I've purchased the (exhaust & dashboard switch) parts, to get me started and I'll be fitting the Alpha Variable Exhaust, along with the Alpha Shorty Headers, as the work on my SlingShot project develops.
You have achieved "exactly" what I am intending to do with my set-up when I fit it.
Please post what you have learned from your experiences, doing the job, or PM me with some basic info, to get me started.

It will be better and much easier to climb onto the shoulders of others, than to start all over, from scratch myself.

A big thanks to you, in anticipation, from across the Atlantic Ocean.
Paul.

Quote from mytoy

I hope you get well soon

Thanks Mytoy.
I'll be updating that as the whole story unwinds.

Teaser: Things may get worse before they get better.....

The Irish BikeFest is now getting closer by the day...

My doctor has got me well enough to ride the motorcycle for about half an hour and between him and I we have concluded how I'll deal with my medication to hopefully allow me to ride. However, every morning, I wake up and then start vomiting. I also pass out when standing up and that also makes me vomit. (It's all connected to the same nervous system). General I am still exhausted, but I am slowly improving, (that's very slowly).

Elaine and I decide that we are still going to Ireland, as it has been a target that I set myself to achieve and as I'd been working towards this goal, for a few months, it wasn't going to beat me. We hired a trailer and loaded it up, with the bike.

The first stage was a 3 or 4 hour drive (only 125 miles) to the ferry port in South West Wales
Pembroke - Pembroke, Pembrokeshire - Wikipedia -

Pembroke is a attractive Welsh town. However; It's not all as pretty as this.
We were heading for the docks and it was rapidly approaching midnight.

The ferry was set to depart around 02:00 hrs. and we arrived with plenty of time to spare.

When we arrived at the ferry port, we met up with some of the other riders that were coming along with us. This was a great time to rekindle old friendships and make new ones. Everyone was getting very excited to be together and heading off for the festival.
Other riders had already taken earlier ferries or making the trip through other ports so we still were only a part of the group that were heading over. Now it was time to get some -food-rest-sleep-Guinness!!- (please select the most appropriate option) on the ferry, before our arrival around 06:30 hrs. in Ireland.

The morning came around and we docked in Rosslare (South East Ireland). We now had a 175 mile journey to reach Killarney (festival location) and this was going to take us until the middle of the afternoon, including stops, along the way. The riders all set off at there own paces and via different routes, however lunchtime, we stopped at a survice station and met up with some of the people that we were with on the boat. One guy didn't have sat-nav and was staying at the same location as us, in Killarney, so he followed on to our destination.

Polaris Britain were aware that we were all making the trip over but hadn't chosen to attend themselves.

Given my previous comments (about finding things out and getting into places that I perhaps shouldn't be) you probably won't be surprised to see that I knew a new dealership was to be announced for Polaris, Indian & Victory, at the Ireland BikeFest. (In fact, the first dealership in Ireland). They had no stock supplied by Polaris Britain for them, so I had discreetly arranged to make some of our Polaris motorcycles available to them, for the show. I had selected some appropriate bikes on the journey over and approached the riders, before leaving the boat, that same morning. This was to keep things totally under cover and not allow any information out to reach the public. (The other riders didn't even know what was going on).

I had also discovered that a Polaris ATV dealer was coming down from Northern Ireland with a SlingShot.