SEPT JUNE 2020 2021 #100 #91
JUNE 18-19, 2021 read it/watch it/ride it
BORNTORIDE.COM
Contents
JUNE ISSUE 100
AD INDEX
FEATURES Honoring Their Courage
8
Born To Ride - Heat Up
22
Born To Ride - Live
BC
Great American Motofest Press Release 18
Born To Ride Group
22
Born To Ride Kids
40
Born To Ride MotorFest
14,34,36
Born To Ride Subscription
27
Born To Ride.com
30
Boss Hogg Radio
22
Cycle World of Athens
6
Cherokee Blue Ridge Run
31
Denvers Choppers
13
2 for the Road - Happy Father’s Day
COLUMNS
25
Nefarious James-Motor Runnin’
17
Spyke & Mike
38
Christian Motorcycle Association
40
DEPARTMENTS Contents Page
2
Letter From The Editor Dave Nichols
4
Movie Review - Hell Ride
33
BTR Kids - Happy Father’s Day
52
Events 39 GA Motor Trike
7
GI Joe Wanted
39
Gold Chopper Giveaway
10
High Seas Rally
IFC,19
LawBike Charles Watwood
1
Leather Lid
39
Metal Sport Wheels
5
Mid-USA Parts
32
Progressive 3
REPORTS
15
30
15
A Bond of Generations
08
Born To Ride - Facebook
ProRider Atlanta
7
29
Rise Up Poker Run
28
30
Sales Reps Wanted
39
Seattle Engraving Center
IBC
ON THE COVER
Sturgis, KY
35
Thunder at the Rock
20
North Carolina’s Own Rally Thunder at the Rock! June 18th-19th 2021 Info: 910-582-3400
Tom McGrath’s Law Group
23
Toys Wanted
39
Wanted G.I. Joe
39
Wildwood Antique Mall
24
A Father’s Day Tribute Cherokee Blue Ridge Run
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888-795-5779 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.
BORN TO RIDE Magazine
PO BOX 3021 Brandon, FL 33509 PUBLISHER
Ron Galletti 813-785-3895 888-795-5779 rg@borntoride.com
CO PUBLISHER
Letter from the Editor
DAVE NICHOLS
Deb Galletti dgalletti@borntoride.com
FROM THE HELM
EDITOR
THIS ONE’S FOR THE DADS OUT THERE
Dave Nichols editor@borntoride.com
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
LAW FIRM
Rubenstein Law 1-800-FL-LEGAL BORN TO RIDE OFFICE
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HOWDY BROTHERS AND SISTERS! Sunday, June 20 marks Father’s Day, a day to enjoy with Dad. If your father has ridden on ahead, it is a great day to remember and honor him. Right here in the June issue of Born To Ride we have a couple of great father and son stories for you. We’ll introduce you to Gary and Ben Francis of Winter Haven, Florida and we’ll learn about their mutual love of motorcycles, wrenchin’ and ridin’ together. Then you’ll meet motorcycle daredevil Shawn Ives and his sons Kile and Cody who ride the Wall of Death motor-drome. Together, they are keeping two-wheeled history alive and kickin’! The big news in this issue centers around the return of the Great American Motorcycle Rodeo! I am, of course, talking about Motofest. This coming July 24th, Ron and Deb Galletti have organized the ultimate motorcycle event out in Plant City, Florida. When was the last time that you went to a killer biker event? We are talkin’ a throw down shindig, roll around in the mud, ridein bike show and motorcycle rodeo with all the fixin’s. R&R Cycles’ Ron Schwellinger of the famous Easyriders Rodeos knows how to throw one helluva a rodeo. He’s got all the fun and games prepared for a day like no other. He brings his many years of experience to this first annual Motofest. There will be sled pulls and racing action as well as all the tried-and-true biker rodeo favorites such as the weenie bite, balloon toss and a whole lot more. Our good friends at Rooster’s Rod Shop will be on hand at Motofest with a kickass custom car show. Check out their Thunderstruck Hot Rod Show right here in this issue. Plus, the top rodeo cowboys will win free tires from Metalsport Wheels and Vee Rubber and Mondo from Denver’s Choppers has a special surprise coming for the top rodeo winners as well.
If that’s not enough to get you in the breeze to attend this amazing event, we’ll have our Grand Marshalls, none other than Spyke & Mike and Dave “Flash” Morgan! You might even meet Nefarious James! All this plus great grub and suds, righteous live music and guaranteed the most fun you can have with your clothes on. Plus, Born To Ride is proud to announce that our charity of choice for Motofest is the Florida Sherriff’s Youth Ranches and we will all be helping their awesome program to send kids to camp. It’s all comin’ at ya at Motofest, this July 24th out at the Boss Hogg Ranch in Plant City. This jazzy June issue brings you another spleen-grabbin’ bucket o’ chuckles from Spyke & Mike, and some heartfelt words from Nefarious James in which he gives us some of the cool details about what will be goin’ down at Motofest. But wait, there’s more! We’ll show you the legendary gold chopper from the biker film Rough Boys. It’s a pristine panhead from Paughco Motorcycle Parts and Mondo of Denver’s Choppers that YOU CAN WIN! Find out how right here in Born To Ride.
If that’s not enough, don’t forget to join me and my bro Dave “Flash” Morgan and 2.8 million bikers who follow us every week on Born To Ride Live. It’s an hour of the best motorcycle video content from over 25 years of Born To Ride TV. Check it out every Tuesday at 7pm EST on the Born To Ride Facebook page and on YouTube and Choppertown. Still achin’ for more rebel rousin’ hijinks? Hit up Boss Hogg Radio on Thursday night at 7pm for Born To Ride Radio. Fester Jenkins and Mama Dukes moderate an hour of live biker talk, interview biker legends and bring you a whole lot of farout fun!
Come join us next month for Motofest, brothers and sisters. It’s summer time and it is time to ride! — Dave Nichols editor@borntoride.co
HONORING THEIR COURAGE A June is here and let’s not forget Dad. Father’s Day is a day honoring fathers, celebrated on various days in many places around the world. It compliments Mother’s Day. Happy Father’s Day to all the father’s reading this ad and Happy Father’s Day to all the mother’s reading this if you are a sole parent, mom and a dad of the family. Grandfathers, step-dads, uncles, brothers and sisters, you all deserve to be noted for what you do to be a figure in a child’s life. If dads not there someone who steps in as a fatherly figure. As the originator we have only one father but it’s up to life to keep it all together, life, family, growing up in a household that’s strong and loving. Happy Father’s Day to my dad! A Marine and NYC Police Officer for 28 years. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me in my life. I admire you for who you are and how you always provided for the family. I love the way you loved your grandchildren and I’m proud they loved you back! To anyone reading this, call your dad and tell him Happy Father’s Day. If you’re not speaking, now is the time to start speaking to your father again.
In Loving Memory Albert Galletti April 10-1928 October 9-2016
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My Uncle “Gee” was my dad’s father figure in his life for many years because his father worked many hours. He came from Italy and worked with marble but then later became ill and couldn’t do much with my dad. That’s when Uncle “Gee” stepped in and helped my dad in life as a father figure. So in this month of June, as a special Father’s Day tribute, we would like to honor my Uncle “Gee” Fidel Galletti who was a real WWII war hero pilot who flew B-17s. Most of all, he was my dad’s hero. This story is courtesy of The 390th Memorial Museum and my cousin, Marie Galletti Mitchell. Ron Galletti As Marie Galletti Mitchell and I corresponded regarding her story in the Sq. J, I found myself reflecting on how I enjoy talking with and writing to our descendants. They are special people … people who realize the importance of what our 390th did during WWII. Allow me to quote from one of Marie’s letters: “What a group of good-looking, virile young men in Dad’s crew! Dad is first on the left in the front row. Laverne Dillow was killed in action. What a waste of life it was for him to have died so young! When Dillow went missing, his mother wrote to my mother to ask for news of her son. My mother has kept that letter in her wartime scrapbook ever since. Now that I’ve gotten older (age 61), I realize how many years and how many of life’s chapters young men like Dillow have missed. So true…and today we honor those living and we memorialize those who have passed on to their reward. Heroes all ... and we hope that this story adds yet another chapter to their lives … let it be so!
THE WARSAW AIRDROP OF 1944
On September 1, 1939, Nazi tanks rolled into Poland and started World War II. By September 18, 1944, the Polish resistance, which had bravely fought Hitler’s military might for five long years, was trapped in Warsaw with food, ammunition and other supplies running dangerously low. The Poles called upon the Allies to provide supplies by airdrop. The Allies agreed, and airmen of the 390th, along with the 95th and 100th, were called upon to replenish the patriots of Warsaw with the supplies they desperately needed. There was a catch, however. Warsaw is situated west of the Vistula River from Russia, and the Soviets had an unstated plan: Joseph Stalin wanted to weaken Poland in order that Russia could add this formerly sovereign nation to its empire once WWII was over. So while Stalin orally agreed to the Polish Airdrop, he kept delaying it by refusing to allow Allied planes to land on Soviet soil. (At that time, B-17s could not carry enough fuel to fly from England to Poland round trip.) Meanwhile, the Poles were getting weaker, and thousands died fighting Nazi soldiers on the streets of Warsaw. Finally, in September
1944, Stalin relented, giving the Allies permission to land about one hundred B-17s at some makeshift airfields in Russia. On September 18, 1944, my father, First Lieutenant Fidel Galletti, along with his crew of eight men, climbed into their Flying Fortress to complete their 23rd mission of WWII. These airmen would fly for 10 hours that day to provide the Poles with the supplies they desperately needed. My father’s log for that day reads, “We were to drop supplies to the Polish partisans holding parts of the city. Load was 10 containers and 2,800 gallons topped off. Bombing altitude was to be 14,000 feet. We ran into weather about 50 miles west of target and did several 360s trying to get over it. Colonel Tuesdale [command pilot of the lead plane] gave up trying to get on top and decided to go under as the base of clouds was at 12,000 feet. We got to the IP [Initial Point] and started on the run when fighters hit us. We were flying 565 #2 in the high of the high and out of position as they hit us. They came out of the clouds, and the tail, waist and ball opened up on them. Nine of them attacked from six o’clock level, and Rogers [tailgunner] had the best shot at them. He got the fourth coming in. Two 20 mm shells hit in the cockpit alongside of Spencer [co-pilot], and the oxygen started burning.” Behind the pilot and co-pilot were two oxygen tanks. Flak from the German ammunition pierced both tanks, setting the highly volatile gas into a blaze which quickly spread throughout the cabin. The co-pilot, William Spencer, found himself sitting next to a three-foot hole in the side of the plane, with oxygen burning all around him. His only option was to jump from his seat, through the hatch and into the nose. Before he leapt from the cockpit, he used the interphone to order the crew to bail out. At the same time, my father pulled away from the formation so that his plane, if it went out of control, would not bring down any other B-17s. He then set up the autopilot and hit the alarm bell. Both my father and the co-pilot were unaware that the fire had eaten through the communication lines, rendering it impossible for the crew to hear the orders to bail out of the crippled aircraft. Meanwhile, the interior of the airplane continued to burn, and the plane was filling with smoke. The airmen, while still able to breathe through oxygen masks, were unable to see through the dense smoke. The crew would have to act quickly if they were to save their lives and those of the Polish people they had flown so far to help. Top Turret Gunner Eduard H. Daly, reacting quickly to a five-foot hole and a fire in the waist of the plane,
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AND SACRIFICE, HAPPY FATHER’S DAY
Pilot-Fidel Galletti grabbed a fire extinguisher, put out the fire in the rear of the cockpit, then passed the fire extinguisher to my father. My father worked on putting out the fire up front, all the while knowing that if any flak were to nick the nearby primer fuel line, the plane would explode. The primer, next to the punctured oxygen tanks, was constantly charged with gasoline. Whenever fighter planes and ground antiaircraft artillery hit a plane, shrapnel can boomerang around inside the aircraft and hit anything or anybody in it, including, of course, the primer line. Fortunately, once the fires were extinguished, the worst was over. The primer was never nicked, and no one but the pilot sustained even minor wounds. However, danger still threatened the aircraft and its crew. The right tail elevator, necessary to stabilize the aircraft, had been almost torn off, and the cables to the tail section were nearly severed. One of the duties of a pilot is to keep his plane stable, but the damaged tail elevator pulled against my father, physically moving him back and forth as he tried to control the aircraft. In effect, the damaged tail was working against him for control of the plane. In addition, my father was concerned that the torn tail cables, which had been shredded into wires, would get caught in the pulleys through which they threaded on their way from the control stick to the tail. Fortunately, this was not the case and finally, almost miraculously, after what must have seemed like hours of German attack, the Flying Fortress set down as scheduled on an improvised landing field in Mirograd, Russia. In spite of fire and the damage to the plane, bombardier Harry Evje had been able to drop the supplies on target, thus fulfilling mission #23 of my father’s crew: to assist the Polish dissidents in resisting the Nazi army. In August 2005, a CNN documentary, “Warsaw Rising,” filmed from Warsaw during the airdrop, shows the B-17s approaching the city. They looked so heroic as they flew in to the rescue! In the words of narrator David Ensor,
“Suddenly, in the sky – a miracle!” In the same documentary, Nina Januszowska Thiessen, a Polish underground courier, recalls of the airdrop: That was the most wonderful picture, when the American planes came. They were very, very high, so you didn’t see anything; you just heard the mmmm [sounds] of the heavy bombers. Then, all of a sudden, there was –like flowers. The parachutes were multi-colored, you know. And those multicolored flowers brought hope that Warsaw would live another day. Over 2,500 years ago, Herodutus, “The Father of Western History,” declared that the purpose of written history was to memorialize glorious deeds. The Polish Airdrop of 1944 is one of modern history’s glorious deeds. America can be proud that the crew of B-17 #565, along with hundreds of other young American airmen, bravely risked their lives to take part in this gallant operation.
Happy Father’s Day to all the Fathers who are Born To Ride!
Galletti Crew #95 Pilot – Fidel Galletti Co-pilot – William Spencer Top Turret – Eduard H. Daly Radioman – John Dudar R. Waist Gunner – Franklin Mesmer L. Waist Gunner – Laverne Dillow Ball Gunner – Virgil Burton Tail Gunner – Arthur K. Rogers Bombardier – Harry Evje Navigator – John J. Vitou
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This is the 81st Annual Sturgis Rally - August 6th-15th, 2021, sturgismotorcyclerally.com
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Story by Tom Rose | Photos by Tom Rose and Ives Brothers
The Ives Brothers ride the wall
Shawn Ives and his two sons, 26-year-old Kile and 29-year-old Cody, are keeping two-wheeled history alive with their Ives Brothers Wall of Death. Creating a bond of generations, a father figure is so important in developing a family business and this particular family has a trust and belief in each other that will last them all their lives.
This amazing story began many years ago when Shawn was a stunt rider in the Globe of Death, a spherical cage in which riders loop-the-loop and perform all kinds of mind-blowing stunts. The two boys joined their dad in the globe and then moved on to the Wall of Death about six years ago. BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 15
The Ives family travel together eight months out of the year, crossing the country, setting up the Wall, performing, tearing down and moving on to the next show. Dad serves as the announcer for the show and the brothers ride the Wall. Part of their show consists of both brothers on the Wall at the same time. This requires the utmost in precision timing and focus. It is so dangerous that many Wall of Death shows do not even attempt duel riders. Visiting the Ives Brothers Wall of Death at the Eustis Spring Bike Rally & Music Festival, I felt a bit like Kurt Vonnegut’s
character, Billy Pilgrim in the novel Slaughterhouse-Five. Like Billy, I felt unstuck in time (Billy, uncontrollably, moved back and forth from his past as a soldier in WWII to the present). Yes, I was at the Eustis Spring Festival, April, 2021, but attending the Ives Brothers’ motorcycle thrill show, I could have been at a county fair in 1921. Vintage motorcycles, a huge hand-built wooden barrel, and daredevil riders defying gravity with tricks and stunts on the wall! It’s a great experience, and these death-defying walls of Death have been around for over 100 years.
Cody Ives, ready to ride the Wall
The Wall of Death has its origin in the board track motorcycle races of the early 1900’s. A type of racing that was so dangerous and deadly for both participants and spectators that it was eventually outlawed. The sport evolved into the Wall of Death thrill shows that were extremely popular at fairs, circuses and festivals. The Wall is a cylinder constructed of wooden slats some 25 feet high and 30 feet in diameter. Spectators view the show, looking down from the top. Once upon a time, more than 100 Walls of Death arenas performed across the county, but now the Ives Brothers are Inside the Wall of Death
"This requires the utmost in precision timing & focus..It is so dangerous that many wall of death shows do not attempt duel riders. "
one of only four remaining. There is little difference in the shows of today and those back in the early years. There is nothing quite like the Wall of Death Show… you have to experience it. It will scare you, thrill you, excite you and amaze you. As the bikes roar around in the barrel, the structure itself vibrates as if it is about to explode. You’ll expect the riders to lose control and crash over the BTR 16 | BORNTORIDE.COM
top into the spectators.
I’ve seen a number of Wall of Death shows going back to my first one at the Duval County Fair in Jacksonville, Florida in 1946. The Ives Brothers Show is as good as it gets. The legacy and tradition is alive and in good hands with these father and sons daredevil performers. This is far more than just a carnival act. And the brothers are not just stunt riders, they
are skilled motorcyclists and racers. Like I said, you have to see it to believe it.
Born To Ride is proud to celebrate Father’s Day with this inspiring story of a dad and his boys, keeping an important part of motorcycle history alive and kickin’! Learn more about the Ives Brothers at their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ivesbrothers
GET YOUR MOTOR RUNNIN’! IIt is unbelievable how fast this year is going by. But man, there’s some cool stuff on the way down the pipe. We are getting closer and closer to July 24. What’s going on July 24 you may ask? Well, it’s going to be the Great American Motofest in Plant City. This event has been groomed to be one hell of a premiere event that you are not gonna wanna miss.
adult only event, this is a “bring the whole family” event. I guess you could say it’s almost like going to a carnival but you get to be the main attraction.
This is one of those motorcycle events that doesn’t come around often. There’s a little bit of everything for everybody. But I think the thing that’s going to be the most unique about it is Motorfest will be bringing back the motorcycle rodeo. That’s right, people doing rodeo events on two wheels. The best part about this entire deal is that anyone can participate. This isn’t like one of those “pro” events where you go in and just watch. At Motofest, you get to actually get on your sled and ride in the biker rodeo games.
“THIS ISN’T AN ADULT
If you know one of those guys or gals that sit around and say how great they can ride and how they can out-ride anybody that they know, this is the time to put it all on the table. Tell them to put their money where their mouth is. And if the excuse is, “I can’t go because I have nobody to watch the kids.” Well, surprise. There’s going to be things for the kids to do as well as couples’ events. This isn’t an
There’s gonna be barrel racing, sled pulls, slow races and way more on the list. Every brand, make and model of motorcycle is encouraged to participate
FAMILY EVENT, THIS IS BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY EVENT. I GUESS YOU CAN SAY IT’S ALMOST LIKE GOING TO A CARNIVAL BUT YOU GET TO BE THE MAIN ATTRACTION “. This is not a single manufacturer event. How cool is that? I’m sure everybody who has ridden for a long time is familiar with the old magazine rodeos from the past. Well, some of those events are going to be at The Great American Motofest as well. Not only do you get to participate, but who knows, being a part of Motofest might even make your famous. It’s my understanding that Born To Ride will be
doing live videotaping as well as various news agency coverage during this event. I’m really hoping that there’s going to be a good attendance at this event because they don’t come around very often and it would be nice to do this annually. And as we know, the only way things become an annual thing is my having people showing up and showing that they want these type of events around. This is a great time to socialize as well as stylize. If you want to be seen, this is the place to do it. So for those who haven’t realized the obvious, ladies, there will be plenty of men there. And gentlemen, there will be plenty of ladies there. That’s not to mention all of the motorcycles, rat rods, vans and elive ntertainment that’s going to be wrapped up in one place all at once. I know that usually my articles are a little more edgy, but I’m really excited about this event and I think you should be as well. I’m hoping to see a lot of you out there and hope to see a lot of you participate in these games of skill. So with that being said, y’all be safe, get those bikes ready, charge those camera phones and get ready to wear some of the rubber off of those tires. This thing’s going to be a friggin’ blast. Start practicing and Let the Games Begin!! Until we see each other again,
Tell Jim what you’re thinking, what do you want to say to him? editor@borntoride.com
— Nefarious James BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 17
PRESS RELEASE What: Rubenstein Law presents “Born To Ride’s Great American MotoFest” When: Saturday July 24th 7am – 7pm $5.00 Admission includes parking. Where: Boss Hogg Ranch, 906 Sam Allen Rd Plant City, Florida Contacts: Born to Ride: 813-661-9402 Rodeo info - Rob: 352-206-0699 Vendor info: 352-573-1164 Rod & Truck Show info: 727-289-2896 Born To Ride, Inc. is thrilled to announce the first-ever “Great American MotoFest!” Master of Ceremonies, Dave “Flash” Morgan Spyke & Mike and Fester Jenkins of Boss Hogg Radio will keep the action rolling, Rodeo Boss, Rob Schwellinger of R&R Cycles will head up all the motorcycle rodeo action sponsored by FTW (For Two Wheels) and activities of the festival with his team. Rob has many years of experience operating Easyriders Motorcycle Rodeos and knowledge of the machines that make it successful. This event is all about horsepower, music, entertainment and excitement for everyone. “Motofest is the most fun you can have with your clothes on!” –Dave Nichols, editor of Born To Ride The day will begin on Saturday, July 24th at 7am with a traditional swap meet for swap meet vendors. You can sell your parts, trade and find deals on motorcycle parts and accessories of all kinds for only $10 a spot. All the wild motorcycle rodeo fun will continue all day long with Sled Pull Competitions, Roscoe’s Famous Outhouse Drag Races, Barrel Races, Bike Games, and Mini-Bike Misfits will put on Races that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Special thanks to All Steel Buildings for Sponsoring these Races. This will be fun for the whole family! WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE SELECTED CHARITY FOR MOTOFEST will be THE FLORIDA SHERIFF’S YOUTH RANCHES. The event will fundraise for its “Send a Kid to Camp” program. “We couldn’t find a more fitting charity to work with,” says Ron Galletti, owner of Born To Ride. “Send a Kid to Camp says it all, we are proud to be working with The Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches”. Along with the exciting action of the rodeo competition the Amazing Roosterz Rod Shop, Pinellas Park will deliver the Thunderstruck Rod & Truck Show, a Classic in the making. Hot Rod, Classic Cars & Cool Trucks will be showcased in this massive Car Show. This just in: The High Seas Rally is giving away a Free Ocean View Cabin for two at Motorfest for their Rally October 22 -29 2021. More info: HighseasRally.com
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There will be the Great American Chopper Show Experience with Erick Runyon, Born To Ride and TC Brothers along with a ride-in motorcycle show. Legendary Chopper Builder Mondo from Denvers Choppers has promised a special surprise giveaway for a special winner and Metal Sport Wheels will be giving away V-Rubber Tires to winners. MID -USA, FTW, Low Brow Customs, Paughco, Boss Hogg Radio, Choppertown and The John & Heather Show are just a few industry partners already on board. “We are looking for the next generation of builders who will carry on this great tradition and we know they are out there. We want to feature their vision and their motorcycles with our media because we can and we will” says Erick Runyon of Born to Ride. Live music by Tommy Roxx and his Southern Rock All Star Classic band will be rocking the stage and Randy Stevens will mix it up with his stunning Stevie Ray Vaughn ripping tribute show. Mama Dukes will be setting up and planning Vendor Displays and a killer collection of Food Trucks will offer the best chow around. Almost like a Food Truck Expo, Ice Cold Budweiser, cold drinks, the vendors selling cool stuff and so much more will be going on Saturday July 24th! Boss Hogg Radio will be “Live” all day and Motofest will be broadcast to Choppertown live as well to over 2.8 million followers into a direct market. Born to Ride will be filming for the TV Show and all other levels of our media. A very special thank you to Rubenstein Law for bringing this to a reality! 1-800-FL-LEGAL There is still time to get your business involved with MotoFest, For additional information on sponsorship opportunities, call Ron Galletti 813-785-3895.
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Father and Son, Gary and Benjamin Francis Being a biker is all about brotherhood, and in this case, fatherhood. As we celebrate Father’s Day this month, we tip our hat to an inspiring duo in the form of Gary and Ben Francis of Winter Haven, Florida. This father and son team have an incredible relationship, and as you’ll see, they have each taught the other many amazing things in life. Things that they can happily share.
Gary rode dirt bikes as a kid growing up and now owns a Honda 250R and a Goldwing. His son Benjamin was only four or five years old when he threw a leg over his first motorcycle. He started with an electric minibike and that led to a Honda 80XR, then a 150R and a 125 two stroke. “Ben actually got me more into bikes,” Gary recalls. But looking back in time, Gary had always been into mechan
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ical things.Growing up in Boston, Gary’s father was a CPA with five children. Then one day he up and moved the whole family to Florida, where the weather is perfect, and traded his CPA job for a completely different business, opening up a Tailor-Rental Shop. Gary grew up around all kinds of cool mechanical things in that shop as they rented out just about everything. “My dad hired several really talented mechanics,” Gary tells us. “One was an expert Harley mechanic and another was an aircraft technician. They taught me a lot about how things go together.” Gary loved mechanic stuff and enjoyed taking things apart and putting them back together, better than new.
became Treasure Mart. To get things started, we leased an old Winn-Dixie grocery store building and converted it into an indoor rental space for vendors to sell stuff.” Gary created the computer program to track all the merchandise and keep it all together. Treasure Marts was born. This quickly grew to five successful stores. “Then about two years ago, we heard that the Wildwood Antique Mall business was in, through, and getting out of bankruptcy,” Gary says. “We turned three of those into successful concerns.” BTR 26 | BORNTORIDE.COM
“My dad hired the best mechanics he could find,” Gary remembers. “Larry Kasiba was a trained Harley mechanic. Dennis Cargil was a certified Yamaha shop and race team mechanic. Joe Ray was an FAA-certified aircraft mechanic with over 40 years of experience keeping airplanes in the sky. They were beyond the best ever teachers, mentors and best friends any mechanically enthralled kid could ever imagine to have.” At age twelve, Gary took apart a motor that had been in an old Ford Courier delivery van and completely rebuilt it. He says that van was later turned into a custom that was hot rodded around for years, still burning rubber with the motor he rebuilt in it.
Like father, like son, Ben learned his love of all things mechanical from his father and he can fix or repair pretty much anything. Ben and Gary recently rebuilt a 8.2-liter V8 GM motor in a 27-foot Baja race boat! The father and son enjoy doing a lot of cool projects together, taking the motor apart, cleaned it all up and brought it to United Speed World Engines. “We polished the crank to perfection, Gary laughs. “Then they reassembled the crank, rod and pistons. Ben and I finished the job by putting on the heads, oil pan, wire brushed and painted it.”
Gary was into computers in college and in 1999 he created a program for a friend who was a tax collector. The Internet was just getting started and Gary found a way to develop a program that allowed people to pay the government online. All payments could be taken over the Internet for the first time. Gary is also a pilot and flew all over Florida, showing tax collectors how the program worked. The venture turned into quite a successful company and Gary sold it back in 2006 when he got an offer he couldn’t refuse. After traveling and seeing the world for a few years, Gary got involved with the Tailwheels Etc. Flight School and took that
company from three to over 30 planes, training pilots all over the world. Gary even had a cool place for pilots-in-training to stay while getting their training in. “I started up a place called the Aviation Inn that had 16 rooms and a condo that we rented to would-be pilots,” Gary tells us. “Aviation Inn received $500 average per person, per 16 rooms per week. It was the most fun $500 per week vacation and training you could ever have imagined.” Most people got their pilot’s license in two to three weeks.
“About then, my cousin Jerry wanted to retire from 30 years with Publix and we had the idea to create an indoor farmer’s market,” Gary says. “We started My Farmer’s Mart and that eventually
“Like Father like Son Ben learned his love of all things mechanical from his Father and he can fix or repair pretty much anything” Another thing this father and son team enjoy is motorcycles. Ben is currently 16 years old and got himself a job learning to be a mechanic on boats and bikes at Barney’s Powersports Superstore. “Ben is an incredible rider,” Gary confides. “He learned a long time ago to ride with agility.”
When Ben first started riding we had a game to see who could go the slowest. We would especially practice in the thickest sand we could find. Ultimately, knowing how to go slow is the best way to know how to go the fastest. Interesting how that works
with everything in life, huh? While Ben enjoys riding and racing motocross, Gary is happy on his Goldwing and riding trails on his Honda 250R with Ben. “Ben of course talked me into a 250R instead of a 250F,” Gary says. “He explained that the 250R has better suspension, more power and is much more responsive. I’ve come to agree with Ben.” The love they share for motorcycles and building stuff will never die. Happy Father’s Day, Gary. We hope you and Ben get out for a ride together on that special day.
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A FATHER’S DAY TRIBUTE “A S P E C I A L O N E I N D E E D ”
Cushman Eagle barrel springer and a 1957 pony.“Dad rides to the store every day, uptown, and just all around the area on his Cushman. Most Cushman’s run 55-60 mph wide open. We have a couple modified ones that run 80-mph.” When I asked Richard Junior if he rode the modified Cushman, he laughed and said, “Dad and I both ride it!” Speaking of family, Richard Junior’s two girls help in the restoration process; 12-year-old Alexus and 10-year-old Teagan have absolutely no problem getting in there and helping their dad and Papa! It’s a nice, full circle of love and passion focused around the Cushman Scooters and Mustang Motorcycles! A funny story Richard Junior shared with me about dad taking the Cushman Scooter and sidecar rig to town! “My dad put a sidecar on a scooter. On his way into town, he had a malfunction with the sidecar. The scooter went out of control and road into a ditch. The scooter was submerged underwater in the ditch – and his dog was in the sidecar! We pulled the scooter and sidecar rig out of the ditch (the dog was fine!) and brought it back to the house. My 10-year-old daughter said, ‘We have to fix Papa’s scooter.’ She refused to stop telling me we had to fix dad’s scooter. She wouldn’t stop, and I finally said, ‘Go fix it!’ She went out there and fixed everything on her own, refusing to let me help her do anything!”
So many of us remember times spent with our dad’s in various projects we did together throughout the course of many years. This Father’s Day Tribute is a very special one indeed where a father-son duo work, play, ride, as well as eat, sleep, and dream about Cushman Scooters and Mustang Motorcycles! This is a fascinating story and one that you will enjoy reading here in Born To Ride magazine! To start out, this is NOT a business story; it’s a hobby story! Richard Jr. explained, “My dad is 73 years old. He has a bad hip and has had knee surgery. Now, he’s not able to ride a Harley anymore. When he was a kid, he used to do a paper route throwing the papers from a Cushman Scooter. In order to earn the money to buy that Cushman, Dad cut grass with front yards for $1 and back yards for $1 in his neighborhood back in the 1950s. Now that he can’t ride the heavier two-wheeler, he decided to get back into the Cushman.” Both Richard Reese Jr. and his dad, Richard Sr., travel all over the country buying old Cushman’s and the parts to them, restoring, rebuilding, and riding them together! Richard Junior was born in Augusta, Georgia. In 1992, the family moved to Florida. When did the Cushman passion actually start? “We’ve always had a passion for motorcycles. We used to build Harley’s and tinker with those. Dad wanted a Cushman for years, but they are rare and hard to find. Dad heard about these Cushman meets and we started attending them.” Currently, they have seven Cushman’s that are ready to ride and enough parts to build an additional six more! “We also have two antique Mustang motorcycles, too!” Dad always wanted one of them when he was a kid.” Currently, they are in the process of restoring a 1952
“So many of us remember times spent with our dad’s in various projects we did together throughout the course of many years. This Father’s Day Tribute is a very special one indeed”
Almost like a repeat of history, Richard Junior’s grandfather had a Mustang motorcycle! “My grandfather had a Mustang motorcycle when my dad was a teenager and dad used to ride it. My grandfather used to help my dad work on his Cushman when dad was a kid. My dad got his first Cushman at age 13. My grandfather rode an Army 45 Harley through hostile territories during WWII. He was a messenger in the war. It’s crazy to think my grandfather’s job in the military was riding through hell from one area to another, on that Harley to deliver messages!” Richard and his dad will be attending a National Mustang motorcycle Meet in Texas.” He added, “These bikes are very rare, and parts are very hard to come by.” Winding up an already great conversation, Richard Junior said, “It’s just a passion for me to be able to spend time with my dad since he won’t always be here with me. He enjoys it and can’t do it without me unloading and loading the scooters, the hard work at events in picking up heavy totes and engines, etc. My dad is the greatest dad in the world and the one thing he said to us many times over (which has always stuck with me) is to always have fun and enjoy life while it’s still here because one day you won’t be able to. To this day, he lives his life that way and has taught me to live my life the same way.” You can visit with the Reese father and son duo at the Fun Bar in Bartow, Florida. They will also be at the Webster Westside motorcycle swap meet held on the first Sunday of every month! Be sure to tell them that you read their story in Born To Ride magazine!
Happy Father’s Day to all the Fathers who are Born To Ride! Tell Us Your Story!
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Confusion and chaos pretty much sums up this movie. It is the modern day version of all the biker exploitation “B” movies ever made. Curiously, Larry Bishop (as Pistolero) appeared in a variety of films including The Savage Seven, Mad Dog Time and Kill Bill to name a few. His collaboration with Quentin Tarantino in this most recent effort, would lead one to believe that “Hell Ride” is a major cinematic production destined for the A list. Sadly, it falls short of that mark. The story revolves around Pistolero and his gang “the Victors.” The main characters are himself, the Gent and Comanche who set out to avenge the death of his ol lady Cherokee Kisum. Cherokee, it seems, was murdered by the 666er’s, a rival gang. But wait, let’s back up! This is exactly what makes the flick so confusing. … We flash back and forth from 35 years back to 35 years forward. It seems that Bishop as the writer, director, and star is the only one who understands what is going on at any given time. I was lost after viewing it twice, but again I digress. The film is soaked with girls, drugs, and murder. I like all those facets in a biker exploitation film, but the chaotic pace leaves one
wondering where the plot is. It seems the Victors MC have an underlying code of deceit and distrust. As the movie rolls along, several of the members of gang are killed by the Gent and other Victors—leaving only Pistolero, the Gent, and Comanche in the gang. Ahhh, but there is another member hiding in the desert! Eddie Zero, played by Dennis Hopper appears as a (possibly retired) member of the gang. How they were able to get Hopper to appear in this mess was a mystery in itself, and I was surprised, and entertained for a moment until I saw David Carradine playing rival gang member “The Duce.” Evidently, the Duce and Pistolero had some under-the-table dealings and this conflict led to the ongoing battle between the two clubs. The 666er’s use arrows and darts to carry out their hits while the Victors use the more conventional revolvers, available at Wal-Mart. The Victors trademark murders–you will see a few of these involve the tying of one to a chair, the cutting of the throat, and the soaking of the subject in gasoline, which is then ignited by the tossing of a Zippo lighter, also available at WalMart. Somewhere in my recall, it seems to me that this ritual was borrowed from the 666er’s when they did in Cherokee Kisum. In the end, the Victors cut off the Duce’s head, and Eddie Zero delivers it to the 666er’s hangout in a nice wicker basket (see Wal-Mart above). He departs and rides off down the road until his motor quits for some reason. He gets off his vintage ride to repair it, and sees the 666er’s pull up behind him. The leader of the 666er’s, (played by Vinnie Jones) shoots him in the back with a dart fired from an air powered device that looks like a Shark Gun. He collapses on the highway. Much to the 666er’s surprise the Victors pull up behind them and the Gent kills all of them, but only wounds Jones who falls to the pavement. Pistolero in a strange twist of role, shoots Jones with a small crossbow, then reloads and fires a dart into Jones’ gas tank. As the fuel surrounds Jones, who is bleeding cussing and etc, one of the Victors cuts his throat, and Pistolero tosses the classic Zippo into the pool of gas. In the next frame, Hopper gets up off the pavement, and removes his armor-laden jacket – arrow still intact- and hands it to his girl who gives him a similar jacket. They depart the scene, and the three meet in the desert where the 666er’s had previously buried some sort of lockbox containing some sort of (something). … There are three keys that have 666 stamped into them. There is a short argument, and Comanche digs up the lock box and the others give him the three keys. What’s in that thing you ask? You will never know, because the shot shows only Comanche’s face from the inside as he opens the box. I think it was empty, but what do I know? The trio then fire up their motors and ride off in three different directions as the credits roll. If you are a fan of naked ladies, cool classic motorcycles, and blood and guts, this film is for you! However, if you were expecting a plot, a story line, or a coherent slide show of pleasant desert scenes you aren’t gonna be too happy. Tarantino once told Bishop “It is your destiny to write, direct, and star in a movie.” Sometimes destiny is not all it’s cracked up to be! I would reluctantly give this film 2 out of 5 stars, because there were two REAL stars exploited in this mess. It is rated R for ridiculous, and runs approximately 86 minutes. In my opinion it should be 86’ed altogether.
Do you have a favorite Biker Movie we don’t have? Let us know: info@borntoride.com
The Phantom Movie Review
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JULY 15 -18, 2021 EARLY EARLY BIRD BIRD ENTRANCE ENTRANCE JULY JULY 14, 14, 2021 2021 UNION UNION COUNTY COUNTY FAIR FAIR & & EXPO EXPO CENTER CENTER
125 PRYOR BOULEVARD, STURGIS, KY 42459
www.kentuckybikerally.com
BIKER RODEO GRAND MARSHALLS, SPYKE & MIKE
Happy love bug season, my BTR friends. It’s a good time to be sportin’ a windscreen. If you ride the kind of scoot that’s too cool for one, then you should be wearing a mask or full face helmet. It will keep you from having those pesky, mating, flying insects between your teeth, or worse, up your nose. Also consider yourself lucky riding in Florida ‘cuz from Georgia northward, they’ve got to put up with bigger swarms of cicadas, Japanese beetles, and other flying June bugs. All of which aren’t very tasty and can really sting when hitting you in the head, chest and neck at 50+ mph. Mike breaks in, “Yeah, Spyke. I remember the good ol’ days. Back when the Fat Bird was just a dream in an artists’ mind and you were just learning how to ride. I would cruise around on a Fat Boy with you on my shoulder and me with only sunglasses on. By the end of the ride, I was scraping bugs from my teeth and forehead, then wiping off your beak and chest feathers. Now the third genration scoot or Fat Bird 3 sits in the garage waiting patiently for me to heal. Unlike you, who is very impatient and has been out riding with several friends, I refuse to ride bitch behind anybody who will have you on their shoulder. I guess I’m just too hardcore old school. But, maybe someday…” I cackle, “Yeah, Mike, your 1980s mindset is ancient history. You need to break out of that mold. I will give you credit; you do still get me in the wind. Sometimes on four wheels, sometimes just where the sand BTR 38 | BORNTORIDE.COM
meets the surf. But in any case, you’re not keeping me cooped up at home watching you do laps in the pool rehabbing that leg or worse yet, making me stare at a mirror and say, ‘hello’ and ‘pretty bird.’” Mike babbles, “No, Spyke, a part of my therapy is being part of the waves and pushing parts in the sand. I find pleasure in getting your wings on the water as well as above it and you really seem to be enjoying yourself. Of course it’s never all fun and games. Sometimes a flock of seagulls show up and think that you’re invading their territory. They like to fly just overhead and cackle at you. Every now and then one
“I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO PLOPPING MY FEATHERED ASS ON SOME FRIENDS’ SHOULDERS” swoops in for a closer scare. But I watch you just turn and squawk back, telling them who’s boss. Then there are the Ken and Karen types who try lecturing me. They think I’m doing you harm by making you fly over the gulf or enjoy your boogie board in the surf.” I squawk, “Dude, I really do love it and savor watching you and Cherry stick up for me, brushing them off like love bugs. There is that 1%er out there who doesn’t realize that I’m just a human trapped in a bird’s body, trying to enjoy life, getting a nut
and making people smile as best as I can whether it be in the surf or on the scoot.” “Speaking of old school and making people smile,” Spyke goes on, “Ron just sent me mail by pigeon carrier saying that I’m going to be the Grand Marshal of Rob and your biker rodeo games at the Great American Motofest on Saturday July 24th in Plant City. I remember back in the day riding to the Easyriders Rodeos up north where you would participate in the barrel racing, sled pull and slow race. For the Motofest, Rob’s adding mini-bike races, weenie bite, balloon toss, and outhouse drag racing. It’s going to be old school shenanigans meets new school BTR event and I get to oversee it.” “I’m looking forward to plopping my feathered ass on some friends’ shoulders and taking laps around the track,” Spyke fluffs up his feathers with pride. “For a few, it’ll be 15 minutes of fame and glory while cohorts snap Kodak moments and capture memories that will last a lifetime.” Mike babbles, “Yes, it’s always a memorable phenomenon when we show up. I look forward to making your fans smile, even if they can’t take you for a ride with just a picture or two. Right now though, it’s time to get my knees under the keys, your wings on the windowsill of the truck and its wheels rolling down the road. Surf’s up, my little buddy, and the beach is calling us.”
— SPYKE
Do you have a riding pet story? Let us know, Spyke wants to feature them! editor@borntoride.com
CHRISTIAN MOTORCYCLISTS ASSOCIATION In spite of what you many think, Hwy 44 in Citrus County near Crystal River, Florida, has not in recent years become an unsanctioned race track. When I was working I used to travel Hwy 44 twice a day and more often on weekends. When my wife and I first noticed the change in how many people were proclaiming themselves as the “King of the Road,” we were shocked. I’ve seen NASCAR races where the drivers were safer and more considerate of others. As unnerving as this situation is, it is vastly multiplied when you are on a bike. One maneuver made in the chaos, and usually without using a turn signal, is when someone makes a right hand turn from the left hand lane. It has been mind-numbing to see this happen during heavy traffic, and without regard to how many lanes of bumper-to-bumper cars are present. Another favorite challenge is when you stop at a light, sitting on a full dressed hog with multiple extra lights. The monster truck that just pulled in behind you, almost touching the bike’s running lights, is so close you can see the truck’s nuts and bolts under the truck’s carriage. If you try rolling forward a few feet to get some space, the person behind you pulls right back almost on top of your ride. BTR 40 | BORNTORIDE.COM
The last problem occurs when traffic is staggered, or when a bike ride of fifteen to twenty riders is in formation, and along comes someone who just can’t be patient or safe. That rider is splitting lanes, with mere inches to spare, and manages not to hit a car or another bike, causing a number of drivers to slam on their brakes to avoid having an accident. Unfortunately, such rude riding reflects on all bikers, it gives all of us a bad name. Yes, I know what your initial reaction might be, and it isn’t always pretty. I’ve been there, I’ve blocked lane splitters just to force them to slow down, but that is wrong. You may find yourself thinking negative thoughts and letting a stranger control your attitude as they carry on down the road. Here’s a thought, forgive them. It is harder to do than you think, but you regain control over your day. So just ease off the throttle and let that dangerous hotrodder disappear into the sunset. In the Bible, in Luke 23:34 it says, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.” The religious leaders and soldiers of that day had no concept of what they were doing, but Jesus forgave them anyway. When we see in the Bible that Jesus took on our sin and forgave us, and even forgave those actively persecuting Him, they didn’t know what they were doing Just like the dangerous riders in traffic on Highway 44, they had no realistic concept of the harm they create. Forgive them anyway! If you need forgiveness and hope, ask Jesus, He’ll forgive you anyway. In the Wind, Denny Dingler
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