SEPT FEB 2021 2020 #201 #91
SARASOTA, FLORIDA
FEBRUARY 19-21, 2021
THUNDERBYTHEBAY.ORG
Contents
FEBRUARY ISSUE 201
AD INDEX
FEATURES
Indian Larry Block Party Tribute Thunder By The Bay Supports Comm. Choppertown-LIVE-Thunder By The Bay Mondo Denvers Choppers Biker Legend Farrel Berstein’s Custom Touch
8 12 16 32 50
COLUMNS
32
All Steel Buildings
26
All About Leather Allstate - Jeff Ard
All World Lift Truck
BTR Radio
49
BTR Subscribe BTR TV
Charlottes Webb
Thunder By The Bay February 19, 20, 21 Sarasota Fair Grounds Thunderbythebay.org
53 36 37
16,17 50
Denver’s Choppers
35
Estrella TV
44
Elite Transmission & Auto For Two Wheels
H-D Adamec
ON THE COVER
49
Cycle-Rama 42
Gotta Haveit Insurance
43 44
G.I. Joe Wanted
6 23
47
Boss Hogg Radio
Craig Paints Bikes
REPORTS
49
BornToRide.com 34
Choppertown Live
DEPARTMENTS Contents Page 2 Letter From The Editor Dave Nichols 4 Ride Safe, Ride Smart-The Basic Lft Turn 7 Tech Tip-Installing Headlamp 38
50
40
BTR Facebook Group
Nefarious James-The Squeaky Wheel 24 Spyke & Mike 54
Chillbunnys: Meet them at Thunder By The Bay Letterfly - The Iconic Artist
Affordable Motorsports
H-D Crystal
H-D Rossiters
H-D Spacecoast High Seas Rally
Howard’s Flea Market JF Kicks
John & Heather Show
Lakeland Antique Mall Leasure Automotive Leather Lid Inserts Metalsport Wheels
Mid-USA Motorsports Midwest Motorcycle
49 19 49 45
28-29
56, IBC 11h 25 31 49 30 40 46 45 49 4
22 41
Paughco 18 Pop A Beer
27
Rat’s Hole
55
Progressive Insurance RPM Promotions Rubenstein Law
Start Born To Ride TV and Magazine in your city! Call 888-795-5779
The information contained herein is provided by Born To Ride Magazine or by its advertisers. BTR makes every effort to present accurate and reliable information in the issue. Born To Ride Magazine does not endorse, approve, or certify such information, nor does it guarantee the accuracy, completeness, efficacy, timeliness or correct sequencing of such information throughout this magazine. Use of such information is voluntary on your part, and reliance on it should only be undertaken after your independent review. Reference herein to any specific manufacturer, company, commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, or otherwise does not constitute or imply endorsement of or recommendation of said by Born To Ride Magazine.” “Born To Ride Magazine (including its employees, contributors and agents) assumes no responsibility for consequences that may result from the use of the information herein, including the use of the information obtained at www.borntoride.com and it’s linked sites, or in any respect for the content of such information, including (but not limited to) errors or omissions, the accuracy or reasonableness of factual or scientific assumptions, studies or conclusions, ownership of copyright or other intellectual property rights, and the violation of property, privacy, or personal rights of others. BTR Magazine is not responsible for damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on such information. No guarantees or warranties, including (but not limited to) any express or implied warranties are made by BTR Magazine with respect to such information contained throughout the site.” No part may be copied without written permission of the publisher, Born To Ride, Inc. P.O. Box 3021, Brandon, FL 33509. 888-795-5779, Fax 813-689-2996.
Sonny’s Real Pit Bar-B-Q
3
10
IFC,1,BC 48
T-Blue 49 Thunder By the Bay Tropic Trailer
14,15 47
ISSUE #196
BORN TO RIDE Magazine
PO BOX 3021 Brandon, FL 33509 PUBLISHER
Ron Galletti 813-785-3895 888-795-5779 rg@borntoride.com
Letter from the Editor
DAVE NICHOLS
CO PUBLISHER
Deb Galletti dgalletti@borntoride.com
FROM THE HELM
EDITOR
Dave Nichols editor@borntoride.com
CHOPPERTOWN LIVE!
ART DIRECTOR
Peter Soutullo art@borntoride.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Erick Runyon
ART DEPARTMENT
Juan Guzman, Jared Hartman, Erick Runyon , Peter Soutullo, Craig Miller, Beatnik Steve Werner art@borntoride.com
WEB DESIGN/ELECTRONIC MEDIA Juan Guzman
OFFICE ADMINISTRATION Nancy Ray nray@borntoride.com
MULTI-MEDIA SPECIALIST Jared Hartman, Craig Miller Jasper Harris
SALES & MARKETING 888-795-5779
ROAD CREW
Vick Velosity, Mark Crowder, Doug Bright, Birdman Mike,
SCENIC RIDE CONSULTANT Steve Finzelber-Finz Finds
ON THE ROAD TEAM
The John & Heather Show
CONTRIBUTORS
JP Brady, Neale Bayly, Susan Hurst, Spyke & Mike, Eric Albright, Eric Vician, Myra McElhaney, Paul Murray, James Gladstone Greg Blackwell, Felicia Morgan, John Sullivan
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ron & Selena Hawks, Chris Miller, Scott Odel, Eric Albright, Chopper Dave, JP Brady, Erick Runyon, Craig Miller, Vic Lawall
LAW FIRM
Rubenstein Law 1-800-FL-LEGAL BORN TO RIDE OFFICE
888-795-5779 BTR 4 | BORNTORIDE.COM
HOWDY BROTHERS AND SISTERS! Born To Ride kickstarts February 2021 with a righteous rally this February 19th through the 21st. I am jabberin’ about the 23rd running of Thunder by the Bay and the incredible event within the event called Choppertown Live! Come out to Sarasota, Florida to the Sarasota Fairgrounds for the ultimate biker party. Thunder by the Bay benefits Suncoast Charities for Children and proceeds go to help local children, teens and adults who really need our help and support. Besides the three-day extravaganza of two-wheeled fun that is Thunder by the Bay, this year, Born To Ride is unveiling the most amazing custom chopper show you will ever witness. Choppertown Live features dozens of talented motorcycle mavericks who build and ride the baddest scooters imaginable. These killer chopper builders will show off their latest motorized masterpieces for the chance to win a rigid chopper frame built by Paughco Motorcycle Accessories as well as a custom, handmade springer front end by Mondo of Denver’s Choppers. We’ll even give away gift certificates from Mid-USA, distributors of everything you could ever need for your bike. All this plus you’ll thrill to live bands jammin’ out kickass music all weekend long, indulge in mouth-waterin’ suds and
grub and a biker city of two-wheeled vendors featuring every biker gee-gaw known to man. We are talkin’ three days of bikes, babes and beer at Thunder by the Bay and the Choppertown Live chopper show. Read the informative feature article by Susan Hurst in this issue and come on out for the best biker party of the year. In this thrill-packed issue of Born To Ride we’ll bring you part three of our look back at the late and great Indian LarryDeSmedt, infamous bike builder and star of the Discovery Channel’s Great Biker Build-off TV series. Then we’ll visit Mondo Porras, head honcho at Denver’s Choppers. Mondo is the Godfather of Choppers, also known for his appearances on the Discovery Channel and he’s been building sweet long bikes since 1968. His original Denver’s Choppers are everything a custom chopper should be. Then check out Farrell Bernstein of Custom Touch Biker Jewelry as we showcase his winning reader’s ride. All this plus another jaw-droppin’ rant from Nefarious James, a killer tech tip from ace wrench John Sullivan and more skullduggery and shenanigans from Spyke & Mike. It’s all roaring your way like a big, wet Valentine’s kiss in this issue of Born To Ride! Don’t forget to join our Born To Ride Facebook Group for the virtual ride of your life.
— Dave Nichols editor@borntoride.com
HANG WITH THE CHILLBUNNYS AT CHOPPERTOWN LIVE! Whether you ride solo, with your man, have a rad vehicle or just simply dig the lifestyle, you’re good to party with the Chillbunnys. Created out of pure love of the lifestyle tand community, the bunnys welcome anyone and everyone who is interested in custom culture. Based in the foothills of the Carolinas, the Chillbunnys came together through one common thread, that thread was Danielle Nigro and her boyfriend Jason Darnell aka “The Chillbilly”. What started off as a joke soon became a fast-growing business, with a clothing line and a community of people interested in the same things. One thing to get clear, this is not a biker group nor is this a van club. This is a community of people that love the lifestyle and culture and support each other while having a good time. Danielle, is what you would call the head bunny, the idea woman, or the cat herder. The group started in NC but now has bunnys from all around the U.S. including Texas, Idaho, Utah, and South Carolina. Chillbunnys merch embodies everything they’re about and appreciate, using artists that are well-established in the culture,
to have an even more authentic feel to their shirts and merch. They are also big supporters of not only this community, but other local businesses and brands, using their following to promote and support other rad people and businesses. The great part about this community is that anyone can be a part of it. If you ride, that’s great! If you ride with your man, killer! If you have a rad van or classic vehicle, we can dig that too. Even if you don’t do any of that, and just appreciate the culture and lifestyle, you can hang with us. The one requirement is you have to know how to chill to be a bunny or a billy. Wanna meet or be a part of the group? Follow the Chillbunnys on instagram at @Chillbunnys to keep up with new merch releases and all the girls. Make sure to come out to all the events they will be at. Choppertown Live in Sarasota, Florida, will be their first event of the year. Check ‘em out on February 19 – 21 at the Sarasota Fairgrounds. They will also be helping out with the Power & Sound Revival on May 22nd, in Julian, North Carolina. Keep your eye out for more events that the Chillbunnys will be attending and hosting.
MEET THE CHILLBUNNYS AT CHOPPERTOWN LIVE THUNDER BY THE BAY! FEBRUARY 19-21 BTR 6 | BORNTORIDE.COM
THE BASIC LEFT-TURN
Approaching a busy four-way intersection there are a lot of elements to monitor: cross traffic may or may not stop for the light; pedestrians could step out at any time; an oncoming car waiting to turn left could fail to detect your presence and turn left in front of you. Sure enough, just as you approach the intersection, the car in the opposing left-turn lane swings into your path. You brake hard and swerve at the last second, barely avoiding a broadside collision. Strategy: Without a doubt, this scenario is a frequent hazard for motorcyclists riding in urban areas. A common type of motorcycle crash (for sober riders) occurs during daylight hours, at low speeds (around 30 mph), when an oncoming vehicle turns left into your path. Again, when approaching an intersection with a vehicle waiting in the left-turn lane, your best bet is to assume the worst: that a car will pull out in front of you. Reduce your speed as you approach the intersection, either downshifting or lightly applying the front brake. Adjust your position in the lane to be seen better. Slowing will increase your safety cushion: slowing just 10 mph reduces your stopping distance significantly, and covering your brake greatly reduces reaction time. After you’ve slowed, continue to visually monitor the car in case it moves and forces you to change position or stop quickly. For more information go to www.msf-usa.org
INDIAN LARRY’S Where better to spend a Saturday afternoon then hanging out in Brooklyn at Gasoline Alley? Indian Larry is the host with the most and proves that his talents and vision surpass just motorcycles. From choppers, hemi’s, to jet engine trucks, this made for a world of eye candy and party props. The melting pot of NYC showed its true colors. A wide display of multi talented speed enthusiast, including Dave Cronk made this event completely nostalgic. Everyone from Billy Lane to Easyriders Mike Lichter flew in from everywhere USA for the one day gig to show their support. Other top builders such as Steel City Choppers and Wiseguys Customs also came out to play. What a sight to see such a mix of extreme talent drinking from the same taps, eating the same pig and complimenting each others BTR 8 | BORNTORIDE.COM
creations. The windows of the warehouse district shook to the beat of Sea Monster and several other bands that showed up from all over the world. An old shop engine that was kicking around was put on ice. What a creative contrast considering how hot Indian Larry is on the scene right now.
The ambiance of Gasoline Alley is exactly what it should be a
rough and equipped garage full of tools and minimal flash. Set in the warehouse district of Brooklyn who’s going to complain
if you’re pounding metal till 4:00 a.m. These guys are set up
for psycho engineering; it’s no upper Manhattan showcase. It’s the real McCoy and their not selling golf bags. Indian Larry
absolutely hasn’t forgotten where he comes from the circus was
In honor and memory of Indian Larry. May we never forget his great vision and impact to the
BLOCK PARTY
REVISITED
just moved from Coney Island to Brooklyn. Street acts such as
the likes of the Ice Cream Man From Hell, and hot dog slammin Rodent from Barnetts (A true New Yorker). The middle of the
day went up in flames as Johnny Jet set off his 1957 jet engine truck. Half of the block had to be cleared out so he could fire up; the rumble of that jet engine was probably heard all the
way through the Queens expressway. Within five minutes after
take off, the Brooklyn fire department showed up and the guests became even more zealous.
Indian Larry and Paul Cox glow with enthusiasm and pride for
their work and it was an honor to see it first hand. As hard as
the whole crew at Gasoline Alley grinds, they still took the time biker lifestyle. Next month more Indian Larry.
to mingle with all their company and talk shop. I admire that even with Larry’s unparalleled success and heavy road schedule that he still took the time to throw a party in appreciation of his fans, old friends, and business comrades. The hospitality was outstanding and so was the party. Let’s not leave out the way cool view of the Empire State building from the alley, and where better to experience it then on Indian Larry’s front curb. Indian Larry’s Gasoline Alley is located at 151 N. 14th St. Brooklyn N.Y. or check him out on the web at www.indianlarry.com and for a good seat check out Paul Cox at www.paulcoxleather.com
— Angelina BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 9
ONE OF THE BEST EVENTS TO ATTEND AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR IS WITHOUT A DOUBT THUNDER BY THE BAY IN SARASOTA, FLORIDA.
This event is constantly bringing in the best of music, vendors, parties, contests, and more. I had the great opportunity to speak with Lucy Nicandri, the Festival Organizer and Executive Director for the Suncoast Charities for Children, about this year’s exciting event! In terms of Covid-19, I asked Lucy what changes had to be made in planning this year’s Festival. Nicandri shared, “Expanded safety precautions and social distancing measures will be implemented for the safety and enjoyment of all who attend. The Festival has a dedicated Covid-19 page that clearly outlines this information. I strongly urge everyone reading this article to visit our website and read that informational page before they attend.” Just some of the new safety precautions include installation of plexiglass at all bar serving areas, designated walk areas, masks are encouraged when social distancing is not possible, and hand sanitizer stations will be readily available. Lucy added, “I highly recommend that those attending the Festival bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy this year’s music. We want to avoid crowds standing in front of the stage for the health and safety of everyone.”
The fabulous “Born To Be Wild” Kickoff Party will now take place outdoors on opening night of the Festival (Friday, February 19) at the Sarasota Fairgrounds from 6-10 pm. Guests will enjoy an open bar, great food, and live music by Nobody’s Fool and The Tucci Project. You can start bidding now on some one-of-a-kind silent auction items right from your smartphone. All you need to do is register at https://qtego.net/qlink/suncoastcc from your mobile device. The silent auction will end at 9 pm on the night of the Kickoff Party, and those with the highest bid do not have to be present to win. Tickets to the party are $75 and must be purchased in advance on the Festival’s website.
In addition to the Friday night Kickoff Party, the Sarasota Fairgrounds will come alive at 5:00 pm when the gates open to Thunder by the Bay. Well over 70 of your favorite vendors will be waiting for you as well as a great array of food vendors in the food court. Food, music, friends, and fun. And it just keeps getting better every year. And Born To Ride is proud to present Choppertown ‘Live’ is coming to Thunder by the Bay. That’s right, the very same ‘Choppertown’ that you’ve seen on countless movie streaming platforms and social media.
Back in 2004, friends Zack Coffman and Scott DiLalla started One World Studios Ltd. and produced their first motorcycle film called ‘Choppertown’. Since then, they have been offering only the best independently-produced motorcycle movies and
have taken over the social media world by storm. The logical next step would be to bring you the ‘Choppertown’ experience ‘Live’ and that historic, family-friendly first BTR 12 | BORNTORIDE.COM
step will be happening all weekend long at the Sarasota Fairgrounds.
Saturday, February 20, the gates open at 11 am. A new and exciting competition this year is the Motorcycle Stereo “Sound Off” Competition, with registration from Noon until 2 pm with the competition starting at 2:30 pm. There are some amazing motorcycles out there that have unique and exceptional stereo units. Live music begins at 1:30 pm with Twinkle and Rock Soul Radio, 3:30 pm with One Night Rodeo, 6:00 pm with Maiden Cane, then at 8:00 pm featured headliner Molly Hatchet comes to the main stage to rock the house down. Be sure to bring lawn chairs and blankets. You don’t want to miss this superb day of great music. The Sunday Charity Ride, scheduled for Sunday, February 21, has changed up a bit this year. Registration is from 10:00 am until 11:30 am at Rossiter’s Harley-Davidson with all bikes leaving as a group at 11:45 am and riding to the Festival. Lucy explains, “The reason we decided to have everyone leave at once was to create solidarity together, riding as one, to honor our veterans, first responders, active duty and to show love and respect for our country.” Bikers participating in the ride are encouraged to display an American flag and wear patriotic clothing. Registration is $15/pp and includes a continental breakfast, a free patriotic gift, and free entry into the festival with preferred bike parking inside the gate. It is strongly encouraged for riders to pre-register at: www.ThunderByTheBay.org
The gates open at Noon on Sunday with the start of the ever-popular 17-Class Bike Show. This year winners will receive trophies and cash prizes. This is always a crowd favorite and one that brings to the table some of the most beautiful bikes in the world.
Winding down our great conversation, Lucy was excited to share with me that despite the pandemic this past year, sponsor retention remained strong, which is key to the continuation of the Music & Motorcycle Festival. “I am so thankful for our sponsors, volunteers, vendors, and attendees. Without them, we would not be able to continue raising money for the six local non-profit agencies that Suncoast Charities for Children financially supports. These agencies combined annually serve over 8,000 children, teens, and adults with special needs. Since the pandemic, they need our support more than ever.
All of us at Born To Ride magazine look forward to seeing you at Thunder by the Bay and Choppertown Live.
—Susan Hurst
What: Thunder By The Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival When: February 19-21 Where: Sarasota Fairgrounds Web: www.ThunderByTheBay.org BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 13
What happens when you mix an awardwinning series of Chopper Documentaries under the Choppertown name, add about 50 world class chopper builds, a few What happens when you11,000 mix ansquare awardhotrods, an amazing foot winning series of Chopper Documentaries venue in a topical climate like Sarasota under the Choppertown name, add about You chopper get an awesome 50Florida? world class builds, a event few called ‘Choppertown Live’! This threehotrods, an amazing 11,000 square foot venue a topical climate day in event is brought to like you Sarasota by the good Florida? get an peopleYou at Born to awesome Ride Mediaevent and called will ‘Choppertown Live’! This three-day event is be held By thepeople Bay atatthe brought to at youThunder by the good Born Fairgrounds 20th to Sarasota Ride Media and will beFeb.19th, held at Thunder Byand the 21st. Bay at the Sarasota Fairgrounds Feb.19th, 20th and 21st. Our goal at Born Bornyou to Ride is to bring to Our Ridegoal is toatbring an incredibly funyou an incredibly fun three day immersive three day immersive ‘experience’ complete with‘experience’ a motorcycle builderswith invitational complete a motorcycle BTR 16 | BORNTORIDE.COM
builders invitational featuring some of the countries most respected builders, to unique vendors, a chopper only ride-in chopper show, a Choppertown featuring somecalled of the‘The countries most Marketplace Chop Shop’, respected builders, to unique vendors, great music and some sweet custom cars a chopper only ride-in chopper show, a on display courtesy of Roosterz Choppertown Marketplace called Rods. ‘The Chop Shop’, great music and some sweet custom The fun kicks off Friday the 19th at 5pm cars on display courtesy of Roosterz Rods. in our own building right smack dab The funmiddle kicks off Friday theBy19th 5pm in the of Thunder the at Bay! in our own building right smack dab in the You’ll be able to experience middle of Thunder By the Bay!a motorcycle You’ll be builder’s invitational of somebuilder’s of the able to experience a full motorcycle invitational full builders of someand of the country’s country’s top bikes. Our top builders and bikes. Our impressive impressive list includes Kyle Ray Rice, list includes Kyleof Ray Rice,Motor JaredCo, Weems Jared Weems Weems of Weems Motor Co, Richard Ruckus of Richard Ruckus of Del It’ll Ride It’ll Ride Choppers, MorteChoppers, Customs,
Del Morte Customs, Alleyway Kustoms, Good Looking Customs, Turners Cycle Shop, Freakshow Fab, Ronin Vintage and Yogi’s Garage. We’ll have more than 50 Alleyway Kustoms, Looking mind boggling customGood choppers of pure Customs, Turners Cycle Shop, Freakshow excellence. Fab, Ronin Vintage and Yogi’s Garage. We’llInvitational have moreis than mind boggling The to be50capped on custom choppers of pure excellence. The Sunday with the Builders Choice Invitational is to be capped on Sunday Award. theChoice ‘Bill Dodge Award with theCalled Builders Award. Called oftheExcellence’, This prestigious award ‘Bill Dodge Award of Excellence’, isThis named after ouraward long is time, legendary prestigious named after our long time, legendary friend, Billown Dodge friend, Bill Dodge of Daytona’s of Daytona’s ownmany Blings As many Blings Cycle. As of Cycle. you know, Bill of you know, Bill managed West Coast managed Coastyears Choppers for manyto ChoppersWest for many and decided years decided to to do move Daytona moveand to Daytona his to own thing. He’s made a name for himself as one of the to do his own thing. He’s made a name
On these 2 pages there are some of the greatest chopper creators and builders in the
nation’s top builders, and widely respected throughout the motorcycle industry. We wanted to do something to honor not just a ‘chopper builder’ but a great man who would give anybody the shirt off his back. With such a great name connected to the Builders Invitational Award, we’d have to step up to the plate with an award fitting of the name, so one lucky winner is going to go home with $1000.00, a custom hard tail frame by Paucho and last, but not least the legendary Mondo of Denvers Chopper’s is building us a ‘one off’ custom front end to go with the Paucho frame! Be sure to throw on those battery tenders
and shine up your choppers because on Saturday Choppertown will be hosting its first ever Chopper only ride-in Chopper Show. This show is sponsored by our friends at All Steel Buildings and is open to ANY Chopper, ANY year, ANY make and ANY Model. If you consider your bike a Chopper, bring it to the show and show it off to the world and possibly win an award! Categories will Include, best Flathead, best knucklehead, best Panhead, best Shovelhead, best Ironhead, best Evo, best Twin Cam, Best European and Best Japanese Choppers along with a Best of Show Award. Every class winner who
world today and you can see them at Choppertown. Need more info call 813-661-9402
takes first place is going to walk away with $100.00 cash courtesy of All Steel Buildings and the best in Show winner will also recieve $100.00 cash and a Gift Card worth $150.00 from Mid USA Parts! As if you really needed another reason to visit Florida in February, this will be your unique chance to step inside the Choppertown film experience of industry makers and rule breakers. You just can’t beat the great weather, bikes, food and entertainment, but most of all you can’t beat the Choppers of Choppertown ‘Live’ and Thunder By the Bay. BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 17
T H E I C O N I C A m a z i n g A RT I S T
Wow! What a blast going on here in central Florida! If you didn’t see the interview on Born to Ride TV on the Boss Hogg Radio Show last month, just visit the Born to Ride Archives and watch. I am complimented to be endorsed by such a great group of enthusiasts all dedicated to heightening the motorcycling experience. That is pretty much what I do except they do it with exciting events, show off what’s new with motorcycle products, introduce the radical fabricators, showcase accessories and stuff. I do it with decorative paint. The finishing touch for any bike building project requires pinstriping. That’s why I get to experience some really great bikes up close. But usually when they are quiet. When I ply my trade, prepare the paint just right, get into the zone and then let my mind dream up the next move, the magic just begins. I really have to give the brush a lot of credit, after all, he’s doing the magic, I’m just holding on. People love to watch the magic and part of what Ron at Born to Ride finds fascinating about me is that I enjoy the
limelight due to my entertainment and hospitality background. I was a performer on the old-time big-top circus years ago. I also credit recently having been the resident artist at the largest RV dealer in the country. That is where I learned my people skills, serving the elite with their variety of toys with motors. Through those connections I painted large murals and lettered the sign work in the new Harley stores that were springing up all over the country back in the nineties. Now, I enjoy a route of customerdedicated Harley-Davidson stores up north for the summer months. Yes, I decorate more than motorcycles. Come and meet me at Born to Ride’s Choppertown Live during the upcoming Thunder by the Bay Motorcycle and Music Event in Sarasota on Feb 19-21 at the fairgrounds. You will also find me at the Sun n Fun Aircraft Fly-In at the Sun n Fun Expo Grounds in Lakeland as well as at Hot Rod Shows in the area. Most other weekends you will find me at Rockstar or Bert’s or some of the other Harley dealerships. Other than that, I can
Let Letterfly create amazing art for your home or business.t Call 813-505-5539
be found at my home called ArtPark in Plant City where bikers, hot rodders and motorhome people come to get custom paint of all kinds. They like the quiet at ArtPark. The peace and serenity around a campfire makes a great think-tank where fellowship and ideas grow like weeds. When I am not out in the shop, I am writing. I write content for my newsletter called Tales of a Traveling Airbrush that goes out to my email and blog followers. Just visit LetterflyWrites.home.blog You will read about the excitement, pleasure and danger of traveling and performing with the circus. And, in contrast, you will find out about my initial withdrawal into the secret world of imagination due to the turbulence that existed between a father and son. You will read about a young man who hit the road to make an improvement and how influential show people touched his life, influenced his hand, and promoted a rare connection with his surroundings. So far, I have written enough content for three books. The next ambition is to get a book published. The first book will be named “Speedy,” my dad’s nickname in the Army Air Corps during WWII when he had a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. This on the road memoire will reveal the surprise twists and turns of an interesting life that ultimately led to love. This boy-to-man story collection celebrates the transformation from solitary, self-sufficient and independent, into receptive, willing and eager for the influence of life lessons at the hand of a series of unforeseen sources. My editor has the manuscript now and the publisher is waiting. I‘m excited. What a Blast! —Dave “Letterfly” Knoderer BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 23
THE SQUEAKY WHEEL Welcome to February, 2021. It’s already one month into the new year, and I gotta wonder how many people made those resolutions on New Year’s and have already quit the attempt to make the changes they wanted to see in their lives. Very unfortunate. We, as a society, need to realize that it takes time, effort and drive to get what we want. Not a handout. What we’ve seen in 2020 is not the right way to go about getting what you want long-term. The old saying is that, ‘the squeaky wheel gets the grease’ and unfortunately, at times that’s true. We survived the first round of pandemics, BLM protests, Antifa riots, political turmoil and miscellaneous BS. What do we have to show for it? A weaker America, that’s what. It seems that all the values we had as a country, are a thing of the past. They’ve gone right out the window in exchange for whiny, screaming, disrespectful cowards who want a hand out and a free ride. Cowards that disrespect our veterans, our elderly, our society, our flag, as well as our constitution that helped forge this country. Hell, they can’t even decide what gender they want to be. It’s enough to make all of our citizens in the past, roll over in their graves. Has anyone else noticed that a majority BTR 24 | BORNTORIDE.COM
of the domestic terrorism created by some groups just suddenly stopped and that all was quiet after the election ended? Remember how violent and destructive these public displays of
"We, as a society, need to realize that it takes time, effort and drive to get what we want. Not a handout. What we’ve seen in 2020 is not the right way to go about getting what you want long-term." violence were and how many were killed and injured along the way? Remember how many small businesses suffered? Remember how one political party in particular knelt on their knees in the
people’s Capital Building, in costume, and showed their support for these violent groups? This is just as shameful as when Obama bowed to a Saudi King while on a diplomatic trip to Saudi Arabia. There’s no doubt in my mind this is a sign of cowards and hypocrites. The American people have the right to get answers regarding questions as to who caused the handful of fatalities during the protest on January 6th. Now the same people who let American cities burn and its citizens be killed, maimed and robbed of their livelihoods, are now all of a sudden outraged at the protest at the Capital. Maybe because they got a taste of the people exercising their personal freedoms, right in their own backyard, and it scared the crap out of them. This is the hypocrisy I’m talking about, all the way to the top. This is what our children and our youth see regarding what this country is becoming. This can go on and on but we must get to the end of this read. I guess my point is, don’t forget the past transgressions these people allowed to happen. Keep up your belief in America. If there is no America, then there will be no Americans. I, for one, won’t stand for that. Will you?
NEFARIOUS JAMES AMERICAN
WE HAVE THE
BIGGEST INVENTORY IN THE STATE!
MORE MODELS, MORE COLORS, MORE OPTIONS!
BIKE WEEK 2021 ENDLESS ENTERTAINMENT IS IN FULL FORCE! LIVE MUSIC
FULL LIQUOR BAR UCKLES N K D E BY BUST S T N U T S
FOOD
VENDORS
FREE BIK INI BIKE WASH
LIVE MUSIC KISS ALIVE
MEtALUCIOUS TENNESSEE IRON Jaded Aerosmit h BLISTUR
tribute
AND MORE 1440 SPORTSMAN LANE NE PALM BAY, FL 32905 • 321-259-1311 WWW.SPACECOASTHARLEY.COM
BIKER LEGEND
MONDO PORRAS THE GODFATHER OF CHOPPERS
Revered as the “Godfather of Choppers” by many of his peers, Mondo can look back at an illustrious career in custom bikes as very few can. From judging and putting on bike shows worldwide, to television appearances and hardcover books, his story is as unique as the man himself and his name as instantly recognizable as the long, low and lean bikes Denver’s is most known for.
Of course, it wasn’t always just “Mondo.” In fact, during the early days, back in the sixties when he began his career at Denver’s Choppers in San Bernardino (commonly referred to as Berdoo), Armando Porras was known as Bondo Mondo, due to his talent involving the BTR 32 | BORNTORIDE.COM
famous shop’s sleek and long custom frames.
Barely out of high school, Mondo had begun working with Denver Mullins, the original owner of the shop at the time, building custom cars and hot rods. “We decided, at some point, to get some motorcycles and fix ‘em up,” Mondo recalls, “and that’s how we got into playing with bikes. We all bought Harleys and decided we didn’t like the way they looked, so we started building front ends and changing frames and customizing them, and pretty soon people came in and wanted us to do that to their bikes.” That was shortly after 1967, the year Denver’s Choppers opened its doors,
which made it one of the very first businesses in the slowly emerging custom motorcycle industry to manufacture and sell custom parts and accessories. “Back then, there were no catalogs to order parts from, so within a short time, we were known worldwide as the guys to go to for custom parts for choppers,” Mondo explains. Among the many innovations to soon come out of the small shop were items like rear fenders doubling as oil tanks, wildly stretched and raked frames, and especially springer front ends that kept getting longer and longer. More and more parts sprang up, and Denver’s began building complete custom bikes and shipping them all over the world.
Born To Ride Magazine, real editorial content for you the reader every month
It got to the point, according to Mondo, where “you couldn’t pick up a custom bike magazine without seeing a Denver bike in it.”
airport. “But slowing down has not really happened. I still work seven days a week because I love it so much,” Mondo says. “The shop is always filled with bikes, new builds, customers’ bikes, my collection and my friend Gerald Casey’s collection who helps me out at the shop. In fact, we built a radical Knucklehead for Gerald for the Michel Lichter Bike ‘Motorcycle as Art Museum Show’ at the Buffalo Chip in Sturgis this year.”
The Denver’s Chopper style is uniquely its own, according to Mondo, who describes it as long and low. “I’d call it Southern California style. What a lot of people today call a Swedish chopper, is actually a Denver’s chopper. We used to send a lot of bikes over to Sweden, and there’s a motorcycle club in Sweden right now called Denver’s Choppers. It’s been there since the seventies. We were also the first ones who came up with the gooseneck frames.”
It all came to a tragic end, however, in October of 1992, when Denver, who also dabbled in drag boats, drowned during a test run with a safety capsule he and Mondo had designed. For the following year-and-a-half, Mondo stayed at the shop to settle outstanding accounts and take care of legal matters. “What I did was focus more on the drag boats but was still building bikes in the shop as well,” he says.
After more than 50 years in the business, Mondo still adheres to the old Denver philosophy, and his front end, rolling chassis, and complete bikes are as innovative, old-school, and mind-blowing as they were during the early days. “The front ends are our bread and butter,” he says about the trademark look that defines many of the bikes he builds. But his shop contains a number of different bikes styles, not just long choppers. Award from the David Mann Chopper Fest, and he was installed into the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2018, along with being voted Cycle Source Magazine’s Man of the Year.
There are a lot of FXR-style bikes and high-performance sport bikes or whatever the select customer desires. “Stuff you can’t buy from Harley anymore, you can buy from us,” he says, “with any engine combination you can imagine.”
On June 30, 1997, he re-opened In 2012 he moved up to Reno to be Denver’s Choppers, having moved to Mondo’s also fully involved in the Reno near his daughter and her family and try Henderson, Nevada, just outside of custom bike scene and has several of his to slow down a bit, running his oneLas Vegas, for what he calls economic own shows, most notably during Street man-shop in a strip mall near the city’s reasons. “During that time some of the things I am most-proud of occurred to me,” he says. “First off, my association with Easyriders Magazine. I could not have done it without the magazine’s timeless support and help over the years. In 2001 I was awarded the trophy for Best Custom Bike Fabricator from Easyriders. I also had the very extreme pleasure of being in David Mann’s last painting for the 30th anniversary of Easyriders. This was a huge deal to me.” Sadly, Easyriders magazine went out of business last year after 50 years as America’s best-loved custom motorcycle magazine. Mondo was also honored to be awarded the first ever David Mann Kind Mondo , thank you for donating your custom made front end to Choppertown Live ! BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 33
Vibrations but also in places like Hollister and farther afield. After more than 50 years into his career, Mondo shows no signs of slowing down. “I am still building quite a few long bikes the old Denver-style way for customers from all over the country and beyond,” Mondo says. “Most of my customers are hard-working Americans young and old who love choppers. I still build a lot of Springer front ends that go all over the world.”
Speaking of those long Springers, Mondo build an 18-over chrome Springer for the Golden Chopper in the bikerfilm Rough Boys last year. It’s a custom Panhead that you can win! Go to www.roughboysmovie. com for details. He even plays the part of a mysterious character called “The Doctor” in the movie.
As far as retirement goes, Mondo says although he’s in his 70s now, he’s loving it more and more every day as the bikes get better with every build, with new ideas and challenges. “That makes it all worthwhile and exciting to come to work every day,” he says. “I don’t want to ever retire. I’m having too much fun building bikes and hot rods. My running joke is that if you ever find me in my shop bent over my welding table with my hood on and the part finished I was working on, I died a happy man.” Mondo has spent a lifetime creating amazing custom motorcycles and we’re proud to say that he was Born To Ride.
BTR 34 | BORNTORIDE.COM
— Kai Raecke and Dave Nichols
Mondo is a True Biker Legend 100% Real Deal DenversChoppers.com since 1967.
Hi-Tech Lighting - Installing All headlights are not created equal; they are available
in four basic light sources: incandescent, quartz halogen, HID (high intensity discharge) and LED (light emitting diode). Some riders think that brighter headlights are
better, when in fact it is the color temperature of the light
source that gives a rider the ability to see objects at night. A whiter light gives a rider greater depth of view at night.
Incandescent and quartz halogen lights have a yellow cast and HID lights have a blue beam, while hi-output LEDs emit a true white light; their light color is the closest to sunlight’s color.
LED headlights are the newest type. Their illumination
ability and directional aiming is nothing short of fantastic
and they are now available for motorcycles. With this info in hand, we searched the Drag Specialties website; they
have a RIVCO Products H4 LED headlight bulb kit. It is a
THIS 2012 ULTRA CLASSIC’S LED CONVERTED HEADLIGHT LOOKS STOCK, UNTIL IT IS TURNED ON. THEN, WHAT A DIFFERENCE, YOU CAN’T FIND A BETTER WAY TO SEE THE ROAD AFTER DARK!
straight bolt-in replacement for most 1994-2013 baggers. Because this H4 LED headlight bulb has a built-in
electronic ballast, which is mounted in the rear of the light’s hi-impact housing, no other parts need to be replaced. We ordered the RVCO LED headlight bulb kit, Drag
Specialties part number 2060-0535, MSRP $69.95. We then followed along as Dave Rivera, at Bartels’ H-D,
installed it in a 2012 Ultra Classic. Installing the headlight
bulb was about a one hour operation, which is because the front of the fairing must be removed. The LED headlight
bulb assembly is a straight plug-in replacement; no filing or soldering is required. Our first evening ride was a real eye
opener; the headlight’s white light gave us a view that had
a lot more detail of our surroundings. The RIVCO Products LED headlight is, bar none, the best nighttime riding product we have ever experienced.
- John Sullivan BTR 38 | BORNTORIDE.COM
TO FIT THE LARGEST NUMBER OF BIKES, THE RIVCO PRODUCTS LED HEADLIGHT BULB COMES WITH THREE H4 MOUNTING FLANGES. THE LIGHT’S INPUT CABLE PLUGS INTO THE FACTORY HEADLIGHT CONNECTOR.
SOURCE: DRAG SPECIALTIES dragspecialties.com
A LED Headlight
TO GET TO THE HEADLIGHT BULB, THE FRONT OF THE FAIRING MUST BE REMOVED. IT IS ATTACHED WITH THE THREE ALLEN SCREWS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSH TO GET TO THE HEADLIGHT BULB, THE FRONT OF THE FAIRING MUST BE REMOVED. IT IS ATTACHED WITH THE THREE ALLEN SCREWS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD AND THERE ARE FOUR MORE SCREWS ON THE RIDER’S SIDE OF THE FAIRING THAT SECURE IT TO THE FRONT SIDE OF THE FAIRING. HIELD AND…
THE FACTORY HEADLIGHT BULB WAS REMOVED FROM THE REAR OF THE HEADLIGHT SHELL.
WITH ITS MOUNTING SCREWS REMOVED, THE FRONT FAIRING IS PULLED FORWARD SO THAT THE HEADLIGHT WIRE HARNESS CAN BE UNPLUGGED FROM THE BACK OF THE FACTORY HEADLIGHT BULB AND THE FAIRING SET ON THE WORKBENCH
THE RIVCO LED BULB WAS INSTALLED INTO THE FAIRING AND ITS CONNECTOR PLUGGED INTO THE FACTORY HEADLIGHT WIRE HARNESS. AFTER THAT IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF INSTALLING THE FRONT FAIRING.
If you have a Tech Tip you would like to see, let us know at editor@borntoride.com
BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 39
TUEDAYS LIVE ON FACEBOOK 9pm-10pm and OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Located in Lakeland off Hwy 98
863-603-3917
Over 250 Local Dealers of Quality Collectibles for You in One Mall! From Clothing to Vintage Furniture. Bigger and Badder than EVER! Check Out Ron Galletti’s Booths: #72, #116, #132 & #141 3530 US 98 N. Lakeland, FL 33809
Join your new FACEBOOK group now
Born to Ride !
It’s your lifestyle and YOUR PASSION Share it with bikers around the world Your photos, videos, trips, rides events, familY, adventutre & MORE Show us your motorcycles Where are you from ?
It’s your group, network AND have fun! BORN TO RIDE GROUP
Fuel Tank Rusty? Craig Can Fix It!
The heart and soul of your bike is the fuel tank. Originally, the tank was new and clean, but over the years that all has changed. If you are tired of cleaning carburetors or think you need a new tank because yours is too rusty or it leaks, I have the solution. We clean tanks and preserve the metal – even permanently stop leaks! The highgrade epoxy coating we use is second to none; we can even remove most Kreem and Red-Kote liners. We have a fast turnaround time; it’s the easiest thing you’ll do all week. Call 813-407-2226 or CraigPaintsBikes.com
FARREL BERSTEIN’S
PHOTOS BY ERICK RUNYON
CUSTOM TOUCH
Farrel Bernstein has lived an amazing life and has had an illustrious career. Born in New York and now living in Port Richey, Florida, self-proclaimed CEO, designer, craftsman and chief cook and bottle washer at Custom Touch Biker Jewelry, Farrel is a lifelong biker who has motorcycle oil runnin’ in his veins. His old school jewelry is made by bikers, for bikers. We’re talkin’ hand-made, unique fine jewelry and motorcycle accessories. You could say that he’s been involved in a lot of skullduggery as much of his biker art is adorned in sinister skulls.
Farrel tells us that his parents weren’t into bikes or anything like that. In fact, his father owned a jewelry store on 47th Street in Manhattan. That’s how Farrel got into making amazing motorcycle-inspired fine art jewelry in the first place. He remembers hangin’ out with some hoodlums in Queens as a teen where he got into racing old British bikes. In fact, his first motorcycle was a Norton Atlas. Creating incredible jewelry has been a big part of Farrel’s life. He has designed fine jewelry for royalty and such musical gods as Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon and Emerson, Lake and Palmer. BTR 50 | BORNTORIDE.COM
Those were back in the days when he hung out with art icons such as Andy Warhol.
Around 40 years ago, Farrel got into Harleys and bought a 1981 Lowrider Shovelhead. He still owns a 1947 EL Knucklehead that has been with him all these years. He got into designing points cover, inspection covers and stuff like that and his skull-adorned motorcycle parts were in the Drag Specialties catalog for many years. At one point he had over 30 motorcycle parts and accessories available through Drag. About 16 years ago, Farrel moved his family to Florida where he still creates amazing moto-art. Another interesting sideline is that Farrel’s brother is none-other than Perry Farrell of the band Jane’s Addiction. When asked about his every day ride, Farrel told us that his brother gave him a 2013 Harley Road King. Sweet! Farrel Berstein welcomes custom jewelry orders and you can find him on Facebook or call him at 727-848-5466. Tell him Born To Ride sent ya. Maybe you and he will get into some skullduggery!
— Chopper Daddy Dave
Farrel Berstein’s famous brother is Perry Farrell, singer of mega-rock band Janes Addiction.
Send photos and information of you and your motorcycle to editor@borntoride.com
BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 51
BTR 52 | BORNTORIDE.COM
Farrel will custom make your dream exotic jewlery. Call him 727-848-5466
The past holiday season has been tough for Mike my BTR friends. Between covid and some unusual circumstances regarding his healing, his addiction has reappeared it’s ugly head. These trying times have become so bad that it’s almost as if Mike has the onset of dementia and this feathered egg maker almost cracked. Let me tell y’all about it. Ever since last month’s new revelation with people and doors, Mike has been wandering around, talking to himself and thinking out loud. It was the straw that broke the camels’ back. He has now fallen off the wagon, right back into overthinking and the need to re-enter TA (Thinkers Anonymous). It started out innocently enough. He began to think at past holiday parties to loosen up. Inevitably though, one thought led to another and Mike quickly developed into more than just a social thinker.
He began to think alone, “to relax,” he told himself but Mike knew that wasn’t true. Thinking became more and more important to him and finally he was thinking all the time.
Mike began to think on the job. He knew that thinking and employment doesn’t mix but he couldn’t stop himself. Mike would sneak outside the garage to avoid his colleagues at lunchtime just so he could read the writings of Plato and Aristotle. He was overwhelmed with thinking about the doors he could find to open in the scriptures. Mike would then return to his toolbox dazed, confused and asking, “What the hell was I doing to this car in my bay?” Things weren’t going so great around the Sanctuary either. One evening Mike turned off the TV and asked me, of all creatures, about the meaning of life. I spent that entire night filling his head with all kinds of cockamamie ideas. The bad thing was he just sat there, stared at me, didn’t move a muscle and just kept thinking.Mike soon had a reputation as a heavy thinker. One BTR 54 | BORNTORIDE.COM
day his boss called him out. Dan said, “Birdman Mike, I like you, I like your work ethics and I really like Spyke hanging out at the shop. But it hurts me to say this: your thinking has become a real problem. If you don’t stop thinking on the job, you’ll have to find another job.” This gave Mike a lot to think about. He went home after that conversation with the boss and confessed sheepishly, “Spyke, I’ve been thinking...”
I cackle loudly, “I KNOW you’ve been thinking! I want another partner, a new master, a normal abnormal human being.” Mike squabbles, “But Spyke, surely it’s not that serious?” I peck my talons on the table saying, “It is serious!” My lower beak starts quivering as I gaggle, “you think more than a philosophy major, and everyone knows philosophy majors don’t make any money. Put the brakes on your train of thoughts dude or we won’t have any money!” Mike said impatiently, “that’s a pile of bird shit!” and I began to cry…
I crow, “which is why I live with who Mike has become today: a recovering thinker. Now he never misses a TA meeting. At each get-together they watch a non-educational video. Last week it was Jerry Springer talking about the song “I’m bad” by Michael Jackson. Then everybody shares experiences about how they avoided thinking since there last gathering. For them life needed to be more vanilla, bland, dull and boring...without any purpose or meaning. As soon as they stopped thinking, avoided thoughts about the meaning of life and their futures, they started becoming whole again. Now Mike has kept his job. I still stand on my perch at the shop and things are entirely different at home. He just stares at the tv for hours and receives his daily dose of brainwashing instead of contemplating
Mike couldn’t take it anymore and screamed, “I’m going to the library,” as he stomped out the door. Mike jumped in the truck without me and headed down the road. He skidded into the parking lot and ran up to the big glass doors... they didn’t open. It was 6:30 Thursday night and the library was closed. Later, he realized that a Higher Power was looking out for Mike that evening. Mike’s better half, Cherry, drives me down to the library and we find him clawing at the unfeeling glass, whimpering for Plato. I jump on his shoulder, give him my wings up and cackle, “welcome to rock bottom!” He turns to look at me and a poster catches his eye: Friend, is heavy thinking ruining your life? it asked. Then bow your head and pray: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change... Most humans probably recognize those lines. It comes from the standard Thinker’s Anonymous (TA) workshop manual.
the mysteries of life. I’m so glad he’s rejoined Thinking Anonymous.
Mike sniffles and says, “dude, you’re the best bird anyone could ever have! Let’s go get some of your favorite treats down at the pet store. You’ll get your wings out the window, I’ll get my knees under the keys, as the truck gets its wheels rolling down the road. Cheers. — SPYKE
