Like most men I love beer, power tools and good friends.  When you put them all together magic can happen that only guys understand and Saturday night was the most magical evening in years. As some of you know, I am getting ready to ride back out to Topeka Kansas on my 7th trip to go pay my respects to the Wetburro Baptist Cult for my 50th birthday.  I spent my birthday there last year, and I see no change in those plans for years to come.

Charley Barnes, TSM
Charley Barnes, TSM
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One of the biggest issues I've had for years is the fact that I have no flag holders for my motorcycle and now that I have a new FLHX they are hard to find and expensive.  So one of my best friends, Jay "Rebel" Tamlin, and I decided to see what we could fabricate specifically for my needs and wants and I think we have come up with the most incredible idea ever. We created mounting brackets that attach to hardware already in place for the rear fender. The support brackets come down hidden behind the fender trim and can hardly be seen.  At the bast of each bracket, we drilled bolt holes that the actual flag holder assembly bolts on to with 2 bolts on each side.  In the flag holders themselves, we drilled holes all the way through the receivers and also my flag pole stock;  In my case, a nice stained wooden handrail to which a locking pin is inserted.

Charley Barnes, TSM
Charley Barnes, TSM
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Now, I can wrap my flags tight and tie them off for highway speeds (I hope. Full test ride tomorrow) and then when in Topeka chasing Wetburro scum, they can easily be removed for flag patrols and I can now literally be on my back and on the chase in seconds vs. having to disassemble my flag set up, tie it to bike etc. And when not in use, it comes on and off in about 2 minutes with one 7/16 wrench. We just crushed the market on ease and price! Brilliant!  And we saved my checking account about $250. When it comes to things I know I can do, I do them but not without a lot of guidance on this one thanks to Rebel! Oh, what is the one trade I have mastered?  My career started at 15 so I would have to say radio even thought I was a certified welder right out of High School. Funny how life works...

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