Fair enough, I thought you might be interested, it seems I remember you volunteering to moderate here.

Since I only mess around in forums when I have spare time at work, I don't generally offer up much more than a quick reply here and there.

I also said that I wanted to wear a red papal robe, be called "Chico the Merciful" and a start a program called 'The Reign of Terror.' Given that, I'll be happy to accept the job.

Given the scope of the forums we now find on-line, if you want to build a viable biker forum, then you make sure it's for bikers. As in my example of the martial artists, that means you had better be a real biker. No spammers, no momma's boys posing as grizzled old club members, and no one who refuses to live by the old code.

My reign will have one and only one rule, "You treat people in cyber space as you would to their face in a saloon." You can sit and have a nice cold drink, you can defend yourself.

You get snippy once--just once--and I'll jerk your 'cyber colors' faster than you can say, "Ma, the lint trap's full again!"

A biker forum of bikers that serves the membership. HeadMaster can kick his boots off, advertisers will be speaking to guys who actually buy stuff, no one gets hassled, and you never have to worry about signing on and getting flamed.

To quote Achilles in the movie Troy, "Imagine a king who fights his own battles. Wouldn't that be a sight?" Now, do you really want me as a moderator? Just drop HeadMaster a PM and recommend me. BTW, I take a XXL papal robe, tailored a little wider in the shoulders than in the waist..."

The pope also needs a bullet proof car.LOL

Heck, in doing my plan I'd need a bullet-proof cup!

My offer was always on the table. I wouldn't blow smoke up HM's bloomers, and I mean every word, and I would carry out those terms to the letter. Biker forums in general are worthless crap. A biker forum should serve bikers.

It is definitely hard to post else where after being part of a few discussions here. For sure thin skinned ones need to stay away.

The Pope Mobile LOL

Let me expand on that. Let's say you like HRF and want to join. Fair enough.

First of all, you go to the introduction area. Since this is a Harley forum, you take a picture of yourself on a Harley. My brothers have a bi-law, "You go first." It's used to protect prospects from hazing. My current picture, standing with both Spinner and Betty, will be the first one up.

We find that you photoshopped the image, stole it off the internet or borrowed your grandfather's picture and your colors get jerked.

Any new thread that begins "My name is Percival Doucheman and when I grow pubic hair I'm going to build a 175MPH Sportster," and your colors get jerked. (Let them lurk until the bike gets built.)

You flame once, your colors get jerked.

You knowing post incorrect information for self aggrandizement (lie about your credentials), your colors get jerked.

Spammers, posers and banner advertisers who do not deliver product as promised, well, you don't have colors, but the kick goes to the same curb.

My guess? We'll have to fight to control membership.

How do you know who is in their mommas basement and who is real? For all I know the Tourist is some 25 year old hotty go go dancer getting her kicks playing around here with all these old dudes. Tourist pictures please! Please trim in the appropriate area's. LOL

Anyhow my 2 cents is that the success of this forum is because there are not mods all over the place inflicting and exercising their power. I have been in contact with HM and the rules are simple here be cool, respect the forum and enjoy yourself. I think that he's doing a great job. I'm not on that much but this is the only forum that I go to.

Glider, BI63 and I had this same conversation on the telephone a few hours ago. And trust me, a picture of Betty, Spinner and I will be posted when they come out of cold storage. Hey, if I can, I will try to snap one at the shop sooner. I believe in this "you first" response to reasonable questions, and you have stated a reasonable concern.

I don't like picky mods. But a real bike forum for real bikers should be a no-brainer. The name of this place is "The Harley Riders Forum." By it's own simple definition we should be comprised of guys who not only own, but ride, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. If the forum exists simply to sell cheap chrome to posers and lint-trap technicians I am in the wrong place.

As for advertisers, they pump out ads by playing the numbers. To find a singular sale they might have to communicate with thousands of individuals. However, a forum where every single member already owns a Harley--probably 'the' most customized name brand in cycling--is a gold mine for an advertiser seeking that demongraphic.

If a forum gets known for being just a hang-out for teenagers, why would a businessman want to waste his limited advertising budget? When I first hung my shingle I set up in the gun department of a Gander Mountain. Why? Because gun guys own, use and dull lots of knives. We have a knitting and yarn shop here in Madison, but not a lot of butchering and knife fighting is done there.

Same thing here. The banner advertisers what to sell motorcycle parts, they need bikers with real bikes and real money. I want to talk to bikers. It's a perfect match.

If I wanted to waste my time I'd have stuck it out at HD Forums.

Now that was funny!!
Good one glider!!
BTW, I have joined other Harley Davidson Forums... and ALL my very limited time is spent here.