Reader’s Ride

JUST BE REAL!

OK people here it comes. A quarter of the year is already gone. Time to start thinking about those New Year’s resolutions you made and whether you are sticking to them or not. I hope that many of you found success in accomplishing them; am I being optimistic? To those who are still on track and plugging away at those resolutions, good for you and keep up the good work.

I know in some of my past writings I have rambled on about the way things used to be compared to the way they are now as well as my observations of what our society is de-evolving into. It truly does break my heart to see what we, as a society, are permitting to happen in this country, as well as our entire global existence.

For those that allow themselves to be complacent out of fear for what they may lose, be prepared to lose more than you would have ever imagined.

Just in this generation alone, people have forgotten what honor, respect, good old-fashioned hard physical labor, pride, honesty and caring for others is all about. I’m not saying everyone, but a good majority. It’s become a time when lying, dishonesty, double standards, and being an overall POS is acceptable. When a person who professes peace and love can physically assault another human being on national television, with no repercussions, it is sad. What kind of example does this set for our youth?

When people pretend to be what they are through lies and deceptive practices it makes our culture no better than those that steal and lie for a living. In reality, it’s no different. If you need to pretend to be what you are to get people’s acceptance, then maybe you should re-evaluate your life. Eventually, the truth, and the real you, comes out.

I know that a lot of you don’t agree with what I am saying. I, for one, am far from perfect but I try to represent myself accordingly. I’ll be the first to admit I can be a difficult person to deal with and can be as cold as ice to others, at times. But I do have my good qualities as well. I’m working harder on those.

So again, as always, how does this relate to the motorcycle lifestyle? Bikers have always been those that bucked the norm. They dressed how they wanted, did what they wanted, and spoke what was on their mind. It was a genuine way of life. You still had your back stabbers here and there, but they were normally found out pretty quick. And when that happened, everyone knew it. It wasn’t just a weekend thing. Too many people nowadays feel they have to put on a costume or a façade to be accepted by others in order to make it through their life. I’m here to say you are who you are. You can make it being a genuine individual without having to make believe you’re someone else. It may end up being more work and take you a little bit longer to get where you want to go, but at least you’re being a real person and representing accordingly.

Not everybody’s going to love you. Not everybody’s going to except you. But that’s OK. More than likely those in that position really weren’t what you were going to hang around with or be having in your life anyway. If you want to be an asshole, be an asshole. At least you’re being genuine. To smile at somebody and then stab them in the back just makes you a fraud and a cheap POS. And like I said, everyone in the end will know it.

I guess my point is just be real. Be genuine and represent yourself as who you really are. Believe it or not even when you’re an ass there are those that will except you for who you are and probably admire you and respect you for being upfront about it. Bring back the real American Biker. The one who lived by his own rules and lived by a code of respect and honor. Don’t be the poser that they used to say in the 80s.

”NOT EVERYBODY’S GOING TO LOVE YOU. NOT EVERYBODY’S GOING TO EXCEPT YOU. BUT THAT’S OK. MORE THAN LIKELY THOSE IN THAT POSITION REALLY WEREN’T WHAT YOU WERE GOING TO HANG AROUND WITH OR BE HAVING IN YOUR LIFE ANYWAY. ”

Best of luck to you all and ride safe. Most of all, enjoy your ride..

— Nefarious James American Biker

STAN TOMES’ 1977 CONE SHOVEL

When we put the word out that Born To Ride was lookin’ for Reader’s Rides to showcase in the magazine, Stan Tomes, also known as Stanimal, was one of the first guys to send me an email. Stan and his bride Cookie, live in Inglis, Florida, and enjoy puttin’ year ‘round. Stanimal was a Union Carpenter before retiring a few years ago. He has owned three different Shovelheads over the years but tells us that this 1977 Harley has gone through many different looks since he bought it from the original owner back in 1983. “It was a bone stock FXE Super Glide when I bought it,” Stanimal says. Over the years he has had the bike down to the bare frame eight times. “It was an FL style for years,” he tells us. “And a paint has been stock black, then midnight blue, then candy apple red, then all white and now this silver/blue.” Speaking of the paint job, Stan’s good friend Darby Houser handled those chores, spraying this unique silvery blue on the scootera’s tank and fenders. Sadly, Darby was killed in a hit and run accident in June of this year but Stan tells us he would have been very proud to have the bike featured in a magazine. The frame is powdercoated and that’s an Ultra Wide Glide front end under 14-inch apehangers that Stan found at a swapmeet. The solo seat was covered 15 years ago and still looks mighty sweet. Stanimal made the exhaust pipes which include a four-inch baffle kit. The motor has been beefed up with Delkron cases, 80-inch flywheels, and an 88-dual plug top end with solid lifters. Stan says it is still very responsive and he rides it every week. Over the years this proud owner has massaged, tweaked, replaced or made every single part on the Shovel. For instance, he made the rear fender out of two Heritage Softail fenders to get the look he was going for. The bike has appeared in three local shows and placed at all of them. “It’s fun when I kickstart this bike and all the young riders come around to watch,” Stanimal grins. “They’ve probably never seen that before. This thing don’t have an electric start and at 67-years-old, that’s pretty good.” When asked his advice for new riders, Stanimal told us, “No matter what brand bike it is, find something you are comfortable on and enjoy it. Just get out there and ride.” When we called Stan for this interview he was working on his 1973 Sportster. You might just see it in these pages in the months to come. If you have a bike you’d like to see here in Born To Ride, email several photos of you and the bike (300dpi) to editor@borntoride.com.

— Chopper Daddy Dave