Guest Blog Series from our friend David Paul
In part 1 & part 2 we learned that David wasn’t going to be able to trailer the Flabob Farmall to the show at the Harley Davidson dealership and had decided to drive it from the Flabob Airport (in Riverside, CA). Our story picks up as he is reporting the rest of his trip to the show at the Harley dealership.
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Miles clipped by without incident. Do know Farmall is still running rich, gas fumes hit my eyes and bothered me a bit. Otherwise, no problems. Loved the way when starting from a stop, engine puts out rich, strong growl of power. Governor worked great when climbing grades over railroad bridges.
As milestones went by, grew more and more confident this mad idea was going to work.
When we finally got to Ontario, stopped at the Treasures and Junk antique store to show them what all their stuff had helped do.
My friend asked if I wanted to take the side streets from T & J to the Harley location. Said “Hell no! She’s come this far and deserves to show off on the first class route there no matter what”. West on Holt, Ontario’s main drag, then north on Central and finally into the Harley parking lot.
To say I was pleased when I pulled into the lot and received all the waves is a big understatement. After the motor cycle folks learned that the tractor had been driven not trailered from Riverside, they were delighted. Heard so many “No Way! how cool!” they immediately accepted the new “trike” driver in the funny outfit as one of their own.
Parked the tractor over by my truck and re-attached the rear flag bar and loaded the poles with US service flags. Can’t tell you how many thank you’s I received from the veterans at the show. Best visit was with an officer from the Fontana branch of the American Legion Riders. My original focus group for motor cycles for Vet’s Fun Day. The Farmall has been invited to their events!
After I calmed down somewhat, I set up the pumps and had a few kids enjoy them. New bases I attached to them worked as planned. No stability problems at all. I don’t have to be around them every minute now. Mostly I was just to explain what the pumps do, how old they are and how simple it is to get one working again. Probably had as much fun with adults who had never seen a house hand pump before as the kids.
Visited all over the place. Passed out Flabob flyers, especially the Flying Circus hand bills. Talked about where Flabob is and what goes on there. Most had never heard of our playground. Hopefully they will remember to come visit.
The Farmall is going to be “On Tour” from my house for the next three months. I plan on getting the 44 H down from SLO and swapping on the new tires here. Going out to Home Depot and my Cowboy Action Match next weekend. At Cowboy match hope to visit with Sheriff Sniff about having a tractor run from Flabob to Riverside to Jurupa City and back to Flabob for an after cruise picnic. Hopefully he won’t have me locked up for having too much fun on his county roads. In August she will be going to the Chino Corn Feed Run Show. Two miles from my house. Been my goal to take a tractor there for last three years. If I get cracking, I just may get my 1948 Minnie Moline running and take it as well. Will bring her back for FC and V-Day.
Pictures of the tour. Really liked the one with bad boy bikers coming in with Farmall in background. Couldn’t resist bragging to nearest bike rider I had driven her all the way from Riverside. Got huge smile and “No Way!”from him.
Watch for Part 4 Next Friday
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