Contents
June Issue 52
Features Test Ride-H-D Road King Special 10 TC Road Gear – Unique Style & Personality 13 Legendary Route 66 19 Triumph Street Cup Feature 32 American Flat Track-The Moto Mosh Pit 36
Columns
8
Rob Brooks-My Father’s Son 17 The Motorcycle Law Group 51 Craven Moorehead-The Mountain 53 Spyke & Mike-Worst Date Ever 55 Christian Motorcycle Association 56
Departments Ride Safe, Ride Smart 7 Born To Ride Events-www.BornToRide.com 46 BTR Kids 56
Reports
19
Nation’s Fire-The Movie 5 Generation to Generation 8 Iceman Chuck Liddell Reads Born To Ride 30 Memorial for Fallen Riders 34 RIP Nicky Hayden “Kentucky Kid” 34 The Great Moodini 34 Biker Movie Review-Electra Glide in Blue 40
On The Cover TC Road Gear-Female Biker Motorcycle Apparel www.tcroadgear.com
Ad Index
AAA IFC Angel City 43 Biker Owned Business 49 Brett’s Cycle Barn 30 BTR Advertise 52 BTR Biker Life 54 BTR TV @ BornToRide.com 41 BTR Facebook 49 BTR Heat Up 45 BTR Lifestyle 41 BTR Pin-Up Girls 49 BTR Radio 52 BTR Magazine Subscription 42 Captain Itch 54 Copperhead Lodge 16 Cycle World of Athens 22 Dale’s Channel 52 Find It Now GPS 44 FreeWheeling Powersports 31 Georgia Motor Trike 6 HD Falcons Fury 28 HD Fraziers 9 HD Mt Cheaha 35 HD Raging Bull IBC HD Tifton BC HD Thunder Tower West 3 LawBike.com 1 Leather, Love & Freedom 49 Love Jugs 37 Media Design Shop 30 Mike Cramer Insurance 30 Motorcycle Law Group 50 Nashville Bike Week 4, 6 ProRider 7 Renegade Motorcycle Outlet 16 Saddle Creek 37 Sales Reps Wanted 49 Sprah Gear 42 Stitch of Time 41 St. Pete Beach Bikefest 21 Sturgis Kentucky Bike Rally 18 TC Road Gear 15 Toys Wanted 49 Tri County Shriners 12 Wanted GI Joe 49
WHY BORN TO RIDE? WHY NOW?
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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
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Ron Galletti rg@borntoride.com Cell: 813-785-3895 888-795-5779
CO PUBLISHER
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ART DIRECTOR Shawn Jones art@borntoride.com
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Jesse Williams jwilliams@borntoride.com
DISTRIBUTION ROAD BOSS Craven Moorehead cm@borntoride.com 813-778-8747
WEB DESIGN/SOCIAL MEDIA Juan Guzman
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Jesse Williams jwilliams@borntoride.com
CONTRIBUTORS
Craven Moorehead, Eric Albright, Susan Hurst, Robert Brooks, Eric Wieberg, Bob Nadeau, Misfit Millie, Paul Pence, Walter Mills, Roger Wiles Amanda Velez
ROAD DIRT Robert Brooks
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RIDING POSTURE
Maintaining good posture in the saddle is an important component of good riding. Not only will paying attention to your posture help you stay comfortable over long distances, it will also enhance your control of the motorcycle by helping your body stay relaxed. Sit on the motorcycle in an upright position with your back straight, your head up, and your eyes focused on the roadway ahead. Ride with your knees and elbows turned
inward. They should be comfortably bent In a standard turn, lean with the (not locked) so you can quickly move or motorcycle for smoothness and stability. respond to changes in riding conditions. (Bottom right) In a slow, tight turn, such Keep both feet on the footrests at all as turning around in a parking lot, it helps times so you can quickly position them to to counterweight by leaning in the opposite operate the rear brake pedal or shift lever. direction of the motorcycle and direction of the Grip both handgrips firmly with your wrists turn. Put pressure on the outside footrest. turned downward and knuckles pointed up. Make a conscious effort to keep your body limber and relaxed. Tensed muscles will cause you to fatigue quickly, and will lessen your ability to respond promptly to any obstacles that might appear in your path. A relaxed rider is a ready rider. The better your skills are, the more relaxed you’ll be. (Top) A wrist-down position on the throttle hand is recommended. It will help avoid overrevving the engine and will make it easier to reach for the front brake lever when it comes For more information go to www.msf-usa.org time to slow down.
GENERATION TO GENERATION In
a house which becomes a home, one hands down and another takes up the heritage of mind and heart, laughter and tears, musings and deeds. Love, like a carefully loaded ship, crosses the gulf between the generations. Therefore, we do not neglect the ceremonies of our passage: when we wed, when we die, and when we are blessed with a child; When we depart and when we return; When we plant and when we harvest. Let us bring up our children. It is not the place of some official to hand to them their heritage. If others impart to our children our knowledge and ideals, they will lose all of us that is wordless and full of wonder. Let us build memories in our children, lest they drag out joyless lives, lest they allow treasures to be lost because they have not been given the keys. We live, not by things, but by the meanings of things. It is needful to transmit the passwords from generation to generation. They say apples don’t fall too far from the tree. Alan Bernard of Santiago Chopper has followed in the footsteps of his forefathers; he is a fourth generation bike builder and rider. Thanks to Alan, Born To Ride is proud to present four generations of bike-building Bernard’s.
A poem by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Fernand Bernard - Great Grandfather 1904
Roger Bernard - Grandfather 1932
Gaston Bernard - Father 1957
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Alan Bernard, Santiago Choppers - Son 2008
Happy Father’s Day from Born To Ride to All the Fathers out there reading this.
2017 Harley-Davidson
INTRODUCING THE NEW KING OF THE ROAD The Road King® Special is the transformation that no one saw coming but everyone will hear with the first-ever blacked-out Milwaukee-Eight® 107 V-Twin engine. A dark and powerful engine has arrived and is meaner than ever. The Road King Special is fully equipped with a redesigned suspension for an incredibly smooth ride. With custom styling straight from the factory, you’ll be able to ride more aggressively behind the blacked-out mini-ape handlebars and headlight nacelle. The king is here and ready to rule. New in 2017 • Milwaukee-Eight™ 107 engine, the most powerful, coolest-running motor we’ve ever built* • Unique engine-turned air cleaner insert • Aggressive blacked-out styling throughout • Gloss Black Turbine wheels; 19-inch front and 18-inch rear • Black mini-ape handlebar combines a profiling rider attitude with comfort for the open road • Stretched saddlebags and FLHX rear fascia create a slammed profile • Reflex Linked Brakes with ABS and Security system, standard • Rear exhaust pipe and catalytic converters repositioned away from the passenger for less heat and a more comfortable ride • Precision oil-cooling for cooler running and consistent performance • Front and rear suspension • Front suspension uses Showa® Dual Bending Valve (SDBV™) technology and gives you 117 mm of travel • Hand-adjustable emulsion rear shocks provide 15-30% more preload adjustment* and adjust with the turn of a single knob, no tools required; new bigger pistons improve
damping performance over the range of suspension travel • Paint color options including Hard Candy Custom™ color MODEL UNIQUE FEATURES
Professional driver on closed course. Always protect the environment and wear your helmet, eye protection and protective clothing. Read the owners manual and product warning
BTR 10 | BORNTORIDE.COM
Frazier’s Harley-Davidson® Don’t miss our 25th Annual Customer Appreciation Day. Sat June 17, 11-4pm
Road King Special Style Blacked out powertrain components and exhaust • Blacked-out triple clamps, front forks, engine guards, and console with engine-turned highlights • Hiawatha headlamp with Black nacelle and wide set handlebar • Minimalist tank-mounted gauge keeps handlebar uncluttered while still providing all essential readouts • Gloss Black Turbine wheels, 19-inch front and 18-inch rear • Dual front, floating open rotors • Streamlined, low-profile front fender • 49 mm telescopic front forks • Stretched saddlebags
• Tank medallions • Black 2-1-2 dual exhaust with tapered mufflers • Clean rear fender and low-mount license plate module Fit • Narrow primary drive for a straighter, easier reach to the ground • Ergonomically comfortable handlebar • One-piece, two-up seat • Full-length rider footboards with heel/toe shift levers
•
DIMENSIONS Length: 95.4 in. (2423mm) Seat Height: 26.4 in. (671mm) Fuel Capacity: 6 gal. (22.7 L) Dry weight: 781 lb. (354 kg) POWERTRAIN Engine: Milwaukee-Eight™ 107 Engine Displacement: 107 cu. in. (1746 cc) Engine Torque: 111.4 ft. lb. @ 3250 rpm (151 Nm @ 3250 rpm) Transmission: 6-Speed Cruise Drive® WHEELS / TIRES Wheels: Black Turbine Cast Aluminum Tires Front: 130/60B19 61H Tires Rear: 180/55B18 80H COLOR OPTIONS Colors: Vivid Black, Charcoal Denim, Olive Gold, Hard Candy Custom™ Hot Rod Red Flake
labels before operation. Model shown with optional accessories. Vehicle specifications subject to change.
4699 Friendship Rd. Buford, GA 30519 (770) 945-6011 Frazier’s Harley-Davidson • Call: 770-945-6011 • www.fraziersharleydavidson.com
BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 11
I love the opportunity to talk with people who are successful motorcycle clothing entrepreneurs. It’s enlightening to see the focus, the drive, the vision, and the purpose as to why they start a company to produce a product that motorcyclists love, enjoy, and want to wear everytime they are out on the bike! Well, I had the delightful opportunity to speak with two incredible businessmen that have the unique vision and purpose that I just adore! Konstantin Dolgan and Tommy Gay are visionaries in their respective field of profession. Konstantin started the LA New Product Development Team. It is a cross-functional organization of talented engineers, designers, and entrepreneurs. It actually evolved from a student
organization at Louisiana Tech in 2014. He created the startup with the mission of developing new products, technologies, app and web solutions with the end goal of commercialization. Konstantin said, “The Team helps making business dreams a reality by providing a complete range of new product development services from conceptualization and engineering to prototyping and marketing.” Konstantin added, “Our company is into product development. We help with the marketing and planning for items that our customers come up with. For example, Tommy Gay came to us with his chaps. We helped him get the exposure he needed to launch his items.” So, what are the items that
Konstantin and his team are helping Tommy promote and foster? Well, before I tell you that interesting story, let’s talk about a special person that had unbelievably stimulating imagination and miraculously good taste with materials and patterns – especially the leopard prints. Her name was Cynthia. Cynthia met Tommy Gay when Tommy was looking for a unique and imaginative interior designer for the hospital he worked for in Louisiana. “When I was looking for an interior designer, I had contacts throughout the world looking as well. Cynthia was well known for her work, having created unique and interesting looks around the globe. Her credentials were stellar. I contacted Cynthia asking
We provide all female biker with a closet of motorcycle apparel. Order yours Today: 318-243-5789
BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 13
her if she would be able to recommend anyone for this job. Once she read the job specs for the hospital interior design job, she said the contract was hers!” Cynthia was a very unique and high class dresser. She always looked like a million bucks. Her signature look was leopard print. Tommy shared, “We married a few years later and I gave her the ok to go ahead and redecorate the house. There was leopard print in the foyer, in the den, in the bedroom. Don’t get me wrong, her work was professional and beautiful. That was how she was!” “We rode the motorcycle together. She always looked perfect. One day, I took her leather chaps – and the bolt of leopard print material – to a friend asking to make a pair of leopard print chaps. The final product was perfect! I gave Cynthia these chaps to wear and she was thrilled. She wore them everytime we went out on the bike. From the first BTR 14 | BORNTORIDE.COM
day, women kept coming up to Cynthia asking her where she got the chaps. She pointed to me and said to them, “He made them for me!” We began to discuss the possibility producing and selling them, however a short time later she got sick. Unfortunately, Cynthia passed away from complications from diabetes three years ago. As Tommy shared with me the passing of his beloved wife, I could feel the love and devotion he still holds for her as he told Cynthia’s story. “The diabetes came on quickly and we had a very hard time trying to control it. We tried everything. She maintained her beauty and elegance up to the end. Eventually, there was nothing more we could do. She was a wonderful, bright, intelligent, and vivacious woman. I want to keep on with the design of the chaps in keeping her memory and vision alive.” From purple, to white, to a pink and black tiger print, snakeskin, and other
intriguing colors and designs, these chaps are beautiful and different. In order to take this item to another level, Tommy took his idea a bit further, “I contacted Konstantin at LA New Product Development Team to get his team’s help in promoting and marketing these chaps. Thanks to Konstantin, we are in a really good place in finding various outlets to sell and promote our chaps.” Born To Ride is very pleased to be able to help pass the word about TC Road Gear and the magnificent chaps, TC Chaps, that you can purchase today! Good luck, Tommy and Konstantin! Thank you for sharing your great story with the readers of Born To Ride magazine! Susan Hurst
What: TC Road Gear & TC Chaps Web: TCRoadGear.com Orders: Konstantin 318-243-5789
See for yourself what TC Road Gear has to offer you. www.TCRoadeGear.com
Motorcycles are in my blood, in my DNA. I’ve seen them under a microscope, floating in my blood stream, riding the highways and byways of my veins and arteries. Microscopic sport bikes, cruisers, old classics, inherited from my father, racing through my circulatory system, dodging in and out of the red cell traffic, avoiding the white cell cops. I was “born to ride.” Okay, so “in my blood” may be a bit of a stretch, but I came from a motorcycle riding family, and riding is one of my great passions, my favorite pastime. My father was a rider back in his youth, a “greaser” in the late 50s, riding a stripped-down ’54 Triumph Tiger with my mom hanging on for dear life. The original “Fonz.” The bike had chopped fenders, a chrome frame, removable baffles, and a pink peanut tank, he told me. He sold the bike before joining the Air Force, and no photos remain of it. Pity. Dad even rode while stationed on the island of Okinawa in the early 60s, hopping up Cushmans and running aviation fuel in them, blasting along rough roads between the base and local villages and towns. As kids, my brothers and I saw various bikes come and go in Dad’s workshop—a ’72 Triumph Trophy TR6, a ‘68 Bonneville, and enough extra parts hanging from pegs on the walls to practically build another. We rode mini-bikes, then dirt bikes, cutting miles of trails through the woods behind our north Georgia home. I even got to ride the old Trophy up and down the street when I was old enough, under Dad’s watchful and Mom’s worried eyes. Hunting, fishing, camping, motorcycle riding—it was the ideal boyhood. Once I got my driver’s license, Dad helped me buy my first car, and I left behind two wheels for four. Girls, cruising, graduation, college, grad school, marriage, children—motorcycling became a faded memory, fond recollections from a storied childhood. The dirt bikes eventually collected dust and rust in the corner of Dad’s garage, and he eventually sold his old Triumphs and all the parts with them. Dad’s garage spent years filled with cars and trucks, as he serviced and maintained the vehicles of Mom and us three sons. Years rolled by, into decades. Eventually the itch to ride returned, demanding to be scratched. I started riding again in 1996, and soon I coaxed Dad into “throwing a leg over” as well. He eventually picked up a Harley Super Glide, re-upped his moto license and started honing his riding skills again. Mom even geared up and started riding along with him, just like in their days of youth. For the first time in my life, my father had also become my “road brother.”
We went on to ride many miles and several road trips together, which I’ve chronicled in photos, journals, and the annals of my memory. Our first road trip together took in the Tail of the Dragon, the Cherohala Skyway, and the southern section of the Blue Ridge Parkway across a week. Being on two wheels, riding alongside Dad, taking in some of the most beautiful roads in North America was an experience I will always cherish. We have since taken that trip two more times together, even bringing Mom along on one, switching between riding with me and with Dad. We took a trip across northeastern Alabama and southern Tennessee, visiting the famed Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, riding the Talladega Scenic Drive and the Lookout Mountain Parkway, and taking in a “falls” tour of DeSoto and Little River Falls. Mom rode with us on that one too, snapping photos from her perch on the back of Dad’s Harley, by this time an ’03 Heritage Softail Classic. We’ve ridden the mountain roads above my north Georgia home many times, as well as the rolling hills of dairy country toward the center of the state, where they live. I have relished the miles, the hours, and the memories made with my father, sharing this common bond of a love for motorcycling. Dad still rides, though not as often or as far anymore. His sight and hearing are not what they used to be, his strength is waning some, and his reflexes are losing a little of their sharpness. But throwing a leg over his big Hawg, Dad can still ride circles around many I’ve seen out on the roads today. My only regret is that I was not more interested in learning the mechanics of working on bikes as a younger man, as I could have learned much, and enjoyed even more time with Dad in those early years. My father has been a master mechanic his entire life, able to tear down, repair, and rebuild nearly any type of petrol-powered motor imaginable. I arrived at the motorcycle mechanic table rather late in life, only in recent years acquiring some (limited) skills with the help and encouragement of Pops. He has aided me on several projects, rebuilding and repairing multiple old motorcycles I’ve acquired and sold. We don’t get to ride together as often, like we enjoyed for about a decade, but I savor the times we now share wrenching on bikes, in his garage and mine. So I guess I’ve come full circle. Turns out, I truly am “my father’s son.” “Happy Father’s Day Dad!”
Thank you Rob for sharing this wonderful story with Born To Ride. Happy Father’s Day Rob
Rob Brooks BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 17
H A LT A N D P S A F O S E IL M 8 4 2 ,4
Route 66--the fabled ribbon of asphalt and concrete still winds its way across the country from Chicago to L.A. And it has also wound its way into the very soul of America. Although superseded in the 1970s by the Interstate freeways, the magic and mystic of the Mother Road has never died. Within the pages of the superbly illustrated book is a colorful illustrated history of the road and its landmarks of the famed RT 66. Put that together with Jim Bush’s story of devotion and passion as he has dedicated a true epic of ink to the legendary RT 66 on his body to show tribute for all to see. We at Born to Ride are thankful and excited to tell both sides of the story. ABOUT THE BOOK: It started in the heartland and originally ended in Los Angeles (not, contrary to myth, at the ocean). It carried truckers crossing the country, Okies fleeing the Dust Bowl, vacationers seeking the sun. It was Americas Main Street, the Mother Road, the Will Rogers Highway, and, at its dangerous curves, Bloody 66. Get your kicks on Route 66 with this wonderfully illustrated tribute to the best-loved highway in this car-loving nation. Michael Witzel shares his expertise and wealth of personal, archive, collector, and contributing photographer images in these pages, offering a nostalgic tour of the charms and oddities of this road through American cultural history. Starting in Chicago and running to Santa Monica, this book
IN K highlights the sights along the highway with historic and current photos in then-and-now pairings, and includes Route 66 postcards, road signs, trinkets, maps, brochures, and advertisements. Here we see Route 66 as it was in its heyday and as it is now, the neon glamour of yesterday versus the ghost towns of today. Witzel and his wife, Gyvel Young-Witzel, recount the highways history, its role in popular culture, and its demise, as well as the individual stories of famous sights. Several profiles of those with close ties to the Mother Road, including the woman who played Ruthie Joad in the The Grapes of Wrath film, are included. ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Michael Witzel and Gyvel Young Witzel are some of the best known American car culture historians. Michael is the author of Route 66 Remembered as well as a dozen other pop culture histories, including with co-author Gyvel, Soda Pop! and The Sparkling Story of Coca-Cola. Michael Witzel and Gyvel Young-Witzel reside in Austin, Texas. BOOK SPECS: Title: Legendary Route 66: A Journey Through Time Along America’s Mother Road Author: Michael Karl Witzel and Gyvel Young-Witzel ISBN: 978-0-7603-2978-8 Published: October 2007 Publisher: Voyageur Press Page Count: 256 Images: 252 color & 298 b/w photos BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 19
About one minute into listening to Jim Bush’s bike and tattoo story I knew it traveled beyond the norm, if norm is ever used in the world of tattooing and custom bikes. The Bolingbrook, Illinois resident is a walking and talking monument for a major slice of American culture. He’s covered, figuratively speaking, with nearly 2,500 miles of ink stretching from Chicago to Los Angeles. To be specific, he’s paved in the history of the famous Route 66. Route 66 is America’s first BTR 20 | BORNTORIDE.COM
transcontinental roadway and the subject of countless stories, books, and songs -- not forgetting that famous 1960s TV show of the same name. Before we head down that road, a background check on Jim reveals that while he’s an engineer by training he’s an expert in “Loss Prevention” for commercial and industrial Fortune 500 companies. He adds, “It’s a career that pretty much will put you to sleep. It involves engineering work for an
insurance company that insures factories against business interruption.” Jim says its best to leave that explanation as it stands without delving further, and I agreed! My interest was his ink and bike story. The ink motoring down his arms is an incredible profusion of indelible images. It all started years ago when Jim decided to get his first tat, something patriotic. “I was just going to get a little American eagle and that was going to be it.” He began researching
Did You Know: U.S. Route 66 (also known as the Will Rogers Highway, “Main Street of America” or the “Mother Road”)
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tattoo artists for that one and only tattoo, but a chance meeting between two motorcyclists set things spinning in all together different direction. “My wife Robyn, who rides her own 100th Anniversary Deuce, and I travel all over the country on bikes. One day I happened to be riding my ’87 Softail when I pull up beside a guy riding a 1990 Fatboy. We say hello, and he gives me his card saying he had just opened his own tattoo shop.” This may not have been a chance
happening but Fate. Jim pockets the card and brings it home. His wife looks at it and notices the name. It rings a bell, turns out she and Larry Brogan grew up as kids. Jim shows up at Tattoo City in Lockport, IL, gets his eagle tattoo and says good-bye to Larry who replied, “You’ll be back in six months.” “Yeah, sure,” said Jim. Larry’s “prediction” proved accurate and Larry returned first for some religious imagery, two sacred hearts, followed in sharp contrast by four outstanding pin-up girls on his legs
including one of Betty Paige. “Larry turned out to be an outstanding artist, and I’m completely loyal to him. He’s done all my work.” Now it’s time to get to the pies de resistance, Jim’s arms. “When I was nine years old I took my first trip on Route 66 with my grandparents, and that was the genesis for my artwork. As I grew up I lived near Route 66; even though it’s long been decommissioned I still use parts of it with my work.” After Larry had tattooed Jim over a
six-year period the Route 66 project began percolating. “I wanted to do a project on a grand scale, focusing on one theme, one topic and it was going to be on my upper torso. While people had done pieces about Route 66, nobody had ever thought of doing the entire route from Chicago to L.A.” After seeing the cover of a Route 66 enthusiast magazine From Pier to Shining Pier, Jim decided to begin the project. The unofficial starting point for Route 66 was
Chicago’s Navy pier and it’s termination point was the Santa Monica pier. “That was it. I’m going to start on my left wrist with Chicago and go through the eight states. I’ll pick all the icons, the hotels, the gas stations, the Mom and Pop restaurants, and go across my back and end at my right wrist with the Santa Monica pier.” That was the concept, but it took years for Jim to select all the myriad components, then took Larry about 18 months to draw up the entire project. He first took
contact paper and measured the dimensions of Jim’s arms and back, then composed all the hundreds of images. Each arm took twelve hours for the outlining, each completed in one day’s session. Then Jim began sitting for the coloring-in process, a true epic of ink. He sat one full day a week for a year straight. Jim counts 105 hours for his left arm and 95 for his right. In addition, his back is still a work in process and not yet unveiled. It would take a book or TV documentary to go
Did You Know: U.S.66 was officially resigned on June 27,1985. The D.O.T. decided the route was no longer relevant.
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Did You Know: Route 66 served as a major path for those who migrated west, especially during the 1930s.
through all the images but here’s some highlights. On Jim’s left arm there’s a turquoise ’55 Chevy with a license plate that reads 2448 that commemorates Route 66’s total mileage. The Standard Oil gas station attendant on his right arm is the image of his grandfather. “That filling station opened in the early 1950s on Route 66. It’s still there, owned by my family. My grandfather’s sons still work there with my cousins.” And if you look carefully you’ll find a Ferris wheel on Chicago’s Navy pier. Walking up to that Ferris wheel, Larry has drawn the figures of Jim, his wife, and his youngest son. Jim’s art is amazing but Jim also has an award show winning Black Pan, but that is another story for a future issue. Do you have a memory of Route 66? Tell us about your Route 66 story. Email info@borntoride.com or call 888-795-5779.
Paul Garson Did You Know: Route 66 served as a major path for those who migrated west, especially during the 1930s.
BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 25
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Attorney Fran M. Haasch isn’t just our attorney, she’s yours as well! 1-866-LAW-FRAN
Did You Know: It is no longer possible to drive Route 66 uninterrupted, but much of the original route are still drivable.
BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 27
THE ICEMAN CHUCK LIDDELL READS BORN TO RIDE
There’s an entire world out there. EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES
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FREE WEBSITE EVALUATION It’s time you get noticed.
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Triumph Street Cup
Delivering on our ambition to bring riders more choice and build on the Street Twin’s position as the fun and accessible contemporary Bonneville, the new Street Cup joins the Street Twin line up as the contemporary urban sports custom street racer. With a name inspired by the club racing scene, the Street Cup has been designed to deliver all the attitude, personality, presence and style of a contemporary custom cafe racer for today’s riders. As you would expect from its name the new Street Cup is also absolutely loaded with distinctive and beautiful urban sports BTR 32 | BORNTORIDE.COM
features and details, including: • Authentic bullet seat with Alcantara effect top panel, beautifully accented with Silver contrast stitching • Café racer inspired seat cowl, body colour painted with number board graphics. Easily removable to reveal pillion seat area • Color matched fly-screen with matching graphic • Contemporary bar-end mirrors with forged arms • Twin clocks with polished stainless steel bezels, as featured on Thruxtons • Thruxton R style foot pegs • Thruxton forged headlight mounts and
painted bowl and bezel • Sporty fork protectors, replacing the Street Twin’s classic ‘fork gaiters’ • Stylish Black bullet indicators
Sharing the same contemporary custom styling principles as the Street Twin, the new Street Cup has the iconic Bonneville silhouette combined with clean lines, minimal bodywork and modern finishes. These include cast wheels, elegant fuel tank with a locking fuel cap, black sculpted engine covers with the Triumph makers mark triangle and Bonneville engine badge, elegant single throttle body with aluminium
Triumph Motorcycles Ltd is the largest British motorcycle manufacturer.
Contemporary Urban Sports Bonneville
finisher and distinctive finned head and header clamps.
Enhanced throttle response from Triumph’s ride-by-wire fuel injection and cutting-edge liquid cooling system, carefully integrated into the distinctive character of the Street Cup, reduces fuel emissions and significantly improves fuel efficiency by up to 36% on the previous generation. This, combined with a new extended service interval of 10,000 miles (16,000km) dramatically reduces the overall cost of ownership. To match its ‘street racer’ attitude
the Street Cup has been developed to deliver more dynamic and sports focused ergonomics – without compromise to everyday comfort. Compared to the Street Twin the rider is seated slightly higher and further back and the handlebar position is lower and slightly further forwards. This delivers a more engaged riding position and also improves physical turn in.
There are new distinctive dropped ‘Ace’ style bars and new, model specific rear suspension units that are longer (though still with the same 120mm rear wheel travel of the Street Twin), which raises the
Now is the time to get the Triumph of your dreams. 770-920-1033 • www.freewheeling.biz
back end and steepens the head angle. Combined with the sporty riding position this enhances the bikes agility for direction changes.
6408 Fairburn Road Douglasville, GA 30134 770-920-1033 BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 33
Memorial for Fallen Riders
From all of us at Born To Ride, our heart-felt condolences and prayers for the family of American international motorcycle racer Nicky Hayden. Gone but never forgotten. RIP “Kentucky Kid”
On April 29, a Memorial for Fallen Riders was dedicated to their memory at 10 AM. This dedication took place on the front yard of Xtreme Rider in Warm Springs, GA. As far as we know there are no other memorials in Georgia that honor our Fallen brothers and sisters of the wind. The Memorial features a 1982 Harley Davidson, XLS 1000 Roadster Iron Head Motorcycle blacked out and mounted atop a steel post angled toward the heavens. A steel plate with text cut out by a C and C machine that carries an inscription memorializing all motorcyclists’ who have lost their life while pursuing their passion. The Memorial was funded by Xtreme Rider and TKS Industrial Services in LaGrange, GA. Please join us in Warm Springs, Georgia the next time you are in the area and visit this striking reminder of our Brothers and Sisters who now ride in the wind.
THE GREAT MOODINI
My name is Michael Anthony Mooney, but most people call me by my stage name, The Great Moodini. I got the stage name from the Atlanta Motor Speedway when I chained myself to a race car and BTR 34 | BORNTORIDE.COM
was dragged down the track. Through the misfortune of a stunt gone bad I got the privilege to go on some national television shows such as Fast N Loud on Discovery Channel, Hardcore Pawn
on TruTV, Tosh.O on Comedy Central, and my not so favorite but funny, Worlds Dumbest Thrillseekers 4. I have been blessed and very thankful to be alive since the accident. I am a vendor who travels the country with my vending business, as well as working with some top celebrities on their tours. THE REAL ME as a human being is just like anyone else, I have to deal with stress and real life. I have hobbies, but my favorite all time thing to do is ride my motorcycle for hours and hours. I enjoy riding through the backroads and touring through the beautiful countryside with my friends, as well as attend motorcycle shows and rallies. I’ve never met a biker I didn’t like. All bikers I’ve met along the way have been real nice people with hearts of gold. Even when I’m not on my bike, I find myself always watching out for my fellow biker. I realized in my older age that I was just BORN TO RIDE! God bless the biker.*to find out more about me, YouTube or Google me,
THE GREAT MOODINI
If you know someone who should be featured in Born To Ride, Let us know. 888-795-5779
American Flat Track The Moto Mosh Pit
A fan recently remarked, “If motorcycle racing were a rock concert, flat track would be the mosh pit.” A humorous but apt description. Racing handlebar to handlebar, wide open on mile and half-mile dirt ovals or TT courses, flat track is as close to the original form of motorcycle racing as one can experience. With a history dating back nearly 100 years, the racing is raw, loud, up-close and personal. Formerly known as the AMA Grand National Championship, the series was formed and sanctioned by the AMA in 1954. The GNC was the premiere motorcycle racing series in America until the late 1970s, when Supercross rose to prominence. Having acquired the rights from AMA Racing for 2017, American Flat Track has jumped forward “full throttle,” propelling the sport back into the mainstream of American motorcycle racing. By this reading, the racing season is well under way, witnessing a BTR 36 | BORNTORIDE.COM
revival of the historic Harley-Davidson vs. Indian rivalry in the Twins class, after about 60 years. Three classifications comprise the season, which runs from Daytona Bike Week in March until the closing round on October 7. AFT Singles features production-based 450cc single cylinder bikes from all the major manufacturers, focusing on developing young talent. AFT Twins features productionbased, larger displacement twin cylinder bikes, in several configurations. Running 90+hp and reaching speeds of 140mph, Twins is truly the premier class of AFT. Of interest as well, this year witnessed the debut of a “Super Hooligan” class, where amateur racers can get a taste of the bar-tobar competition themselves in an essentially “open” class for larger bikes. In all classes, there are large corporate sponsored teams with multiple crew members and full traveling
shops, and small “privateer” teams made up of family and friends. They all share the common bond of a deep passion for the sport and share a camaraderie in the pits, if not always on the track. I had the opportunity to attend the Atlanta round at Dixie Speedway, March 25. Dixie is a 3/8 mile (approx.), high-banked, red clay surfaced oval, a unique track on the circuit. Motorcycle racing had not graced this track in nearly 30 years. I rode the Street Cup on loan from Triumph North America (see “Street Cup” eval article), parked and picked up my press creds—then wandered the pits, which are always open to fans. My first stop was a small gathering of retired Flat Track racers, where I met up with the legendary TC “Top Cat” Chambers. I had met TC back at the Great American Motorcycle Show in January, and he had invited me to their reunion. Ray Little and David Aldana
were in attendance, as well as many other veterans of the sport. They regaled me with tales from their glory days, and yet each enthusiastically supports the modern sport, with TC declaring, “The racing now is faster and better than ever!” Strolling the paddock behind the track, I saw the trucks and team of the new “Indian Wrecking Crew” comprised of 3-time Grand National Champion Jared Mees, 2016 Grand National Champion Bryan Smith, and 2013 Grand National Champion Brad Baker. The “Super Hooligan” bikes of Roland Sands Design were on display as well, ready to run. Harley-Davidson was prominent also, the long-standing dominator of the sport. I found the small “privateer” teams of particular interest, however- those young bucks with heads full of ambition and hearts full of courage, who sacrifice so much every day to BTR 38 | BORNTORIDE.COM
race at this level. A few examples, if I mayI met JR Addison, of Smith Racing, riding a Kawasaki Ninja 650. JR has raced pro for 4 years, and this marks his 2nd season racing in the AMA/AFT Twins class. The “2016 Rookie of the Year,” JR hopes to crack the top 5 this season. Asked about the different approach to running Dixie after Daytona, JR stated, “The Daytona track is more like a TT, with a right hander and a small jump. Dixie is an oval but really high banked, and so much fun to race on. I actually like this kind of track better.” I met the “Dynamic Duo” of Southland Racing, John Vanderlaan and Brad Miller. John is the Southern California Singles flat track champion, and Brad the Northern Cal Singles champ. Crewed by their fathers, these young men have a fire in their bones for flat track that is contagious. So many
teams are just like these guys – “eyes on the prize.” I was granted infield access for the races all day, given to several members of the press. The roar was deafening, and watching the heats in 360 was exhilarating. I stood right along the fence at several different points, for photos and to feel the racing. To say it’s an adrenaline rush is an understatement. Roaring by at speeds well over 100 mph, almost within arm’s length (or so it felt), is indescribable. Between races, I talked with several AFT officials. Raymond Rizzo is one of the main track marshals, and also happens to be a full-time chaplain, traveling with the circuit across the season. He also works MotoAmerica races. A hard-working, bighearted fellow. I also talked with a legend in multiple racing sports, Kevin Clark, “Flagman
Flat Track is not Board Racing. These are Flat Track Motorcycles and Racers.
Extraordinaire.” Declaring, “I start ‘em, and I finish ‘em!” Kevin has been flagging motorcycle racing for over 30 years. The man is fearless, and peerless. Flagging races, bikes and riders often within inches of his bearded chin, he is almost dancing, both elegant and aggressive. The dude is poetry in motion. I asked him about the appeal of flat track, and he mused, “I love the long history of this type of motorcycle racing. American through and through. It preceded motocross, road racing, you name it. The only thing older is board track.” The racing was intense, on into the night, in all three classes. The “Super Hooligan” final resulted in a Harley, Indian and Ducati finish. The Singles final saw an exciting battle to the finish with Dalton Gauthier of Estenson Racing taking the checkered flag on a Yamaha YZ450F, Kevin Stallings of
Motion Pro and Shayna Texter of RMR claiming 2nd and 3rd respectively, both on Honda CRF450Rs. Nice to see this young lady climb the podium with the boys. In the premier Twins class, the “Indian Wrecking Crew” swept the stand, after a heated and controversial battle between Indian’s Mees and Estenson Racing’s Sammy Halbert on a Harley-Davidson XR750. After multiple lead changes, the two banged bars in turn 4, resulting in Halbert going down on the front straight, and bringing out a red flag restart. Halbert finished 6th, still very much in the points hunt. Fans of Flat Track come from many walks of life- young and old, white collar and working class, city slickers and country hicks, all bound by a love for this primal form of motorcycle racing. The stands and lawns around Dixie were packed, and the
fences lining the perimeter will covered with faces and fingers, all wanting to get as close a view and feel as possible. Event planners and Dixie Speedway officials hadn’t anticipated ticket sales of such magnitude, estimating the total attendance at over 6,000. The racing did not disappoint. Having never attended a flat track race before, I was not only impressed, I became a fan. And I hope you will too. If you have opportunity to attend a day of racing, you really should take advantage. You’ll find it a day well-spent. For information and details, go to www. americanflattrack.com. Postscript: Jamison Minor was killed in a multi-bike accident on lap 1 of the AFT Singles race at the Charlotte round. Heartfelt condolences and prayers for the family are extended from all of us here at BTR. Rob Brooks
Support American Flat Track and their Promotion of Motorcycle Racing. (386) 492-1014
BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 39
Movie Review
Biker “Exploitation” is a term coined by producers, actors, and ultimately YOU the viewer. Not all biker films are actually geared at the (exploitation) or in other words, the “bad” angle of the biker lifestyle. Some of these actually “miss the target” and simply feature the motorcycle as secondary component to the plot. However, in literally every film involving bikers or the biker ‘lifestyle’, one thing you, as a viewer can count on is the presence of the Police. Electra Glide in Blue has the unique twist of actually using story of a motorcycle cop as the baseline. In this film, Blake plays a motor officer named John Wintergreen. His character is not really into being a ‘traffic cop’ as he has aspired to become a homicide detective. In my opinion, if you had to be a cop, what better job than cruising around on your departmentally funded Harley? But hey, this review isn’t about me, it’s about the film!! Back to the chase, and no code-4! John Wintergreen patrols the rural Arizona highways with his partner “Zipper.” Wintergreen is laid-back but upright about enforcing the law, while Zipper is predominately lazy. Zipper likes busting Hippies (remember them?) even going so far as to plant evidence on a young ‘hippie’ during a search of his van. Wintergreen again proves to be the polar opposite of his partner Zipper, as he continuously states how much he hates riding his motorcycle, and Zipper’s only real dream is to own his own motorcycle. Zip spends a lot of time reading comic books, and eating junk food while John takes his job seriously. One of the things about Wintergreen that is out of place in this film is (in one scene) he is firing his pistol at an “Easy Rider” poster in the police firing range. … It gets worse! Crazy Willie, an BTR 40 | BORNTORIDE.COM
older local – perhaps homeless- person comes in contact with John and Zip near an old shack in the desert. They almost playfully chase Willie on their bikes and finally capture him. He tells John about his friend Frank who had committed suicide in the shack. John goes to the shack and discovers the body and believes the case is not a suicide, but a murder. The coroner later arrives and disagrees with John who was feverishly taking notes. After a shouting match with the coroner, in walks Detective Harve Poole, who admires Wintergreen’s savvy, and arranges for Wintergreen to be transferred to homicide as his ‘driver’ to help with the case. Harve and John return to the shack and find a large statue of Jesus, which is full of “Reds” and as the investigation continues, John and Harve interrogate a group of hippies, looking for a drug dealer named Bob Zemko. The theme of good cop – bad cop comes into play as Harve roughs some of the hippies up after John had nicely questioned them. John’s initial joy at being promoted is short-lived, as his relationship with Harve deteriorates after he finds out that John has been sleeping with ‘Jolene” (Harve’s girlfriend) and the waitress at the local bar. But when Jolene mocks Harve’s sexual prowess (implying that Harve is impotent) and brags that Wintergreen can “go three times in one morning” things just go downhill for our hero and he is demoted back to traffic. After a wild motorcycle and car chase the pair capture and question Zemko. More good cop - bad cop scenes cause Wintergreen to eventually realize that Crazy Willie committed the murder; the victim was an old friend of his who had taken to selling the drugs and hanging around with a younger crowd. Jealous, Willie had murdered his friend and arranged it so it appeared to be a suicide. As usual there is some stolen money, and the search for this money is when Wintergreen discovers another terrible fact: Zipper’s dream was to own his own motorcycle, and had stolen the dead man’s drug money (initially blamed on Zemko) to pay for it. At Zippers trailer in the desert, the movie’s theme is uncovered when zipper shows John the “Electra Glide in Blue” sitting in the yard. Later, Zipper is drunk and begins firing his gun at Wintergreen, missing him but striking a random passer-by. Wintergreen then shoots Zipper in self-defense, and Zipper dies in his arms. Back in the desert on patrol, Wintergreen spots the same van that was featured earlier in the film, and he pulls it over. He recognizes one of the hippies as the very same one that Zip had planted the drugs on in the beginning of the film, and decides to let them go. They take off down the highway, but Wintergreen realizes that he still has the hippie’s Driver license in his hand. As he tries once again to pull the van over to return the license, the passenger opens the rear window and fires a shotgun killing Wintergreen. It’s a very sad ending to a really weird flick! For me, this is where the whole deal goes bad. The movie is loaded with plagiarism of the iconic film “Easy Rider.” Yeah, I believe that “Electra Glide in Blue” truly is a ‘cult-classic’ sort of piece, but the constant blasts from Easy Rider kinda turned me off.
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Events www.B June 1 Morrow, GA Thunder Tower West H-D Bike Night 6pm - 9pm. thunderTowerWest.com June 1 - June 4 Helen, GA 12th Annual Southeast Victory Rally. Once again, we meet in the little Bavarian town of Helen, Georgia and party in the mountains at one of the largest Victory-specific motorcycle events in the country! victoryRally.com June 2 - June 3 Boone, NC Boone Bike Rally at Highland County Fairgrounds. BikesBabes-Bands, BYOB, Bike Games, Bike Show, Wet T-Shirt Contest, Friday Day Pass $15, Saturday Day Pass $25, Weekend Pass $30, NO ATV’s booneBikeRally.com June 2 - June 3 Lincolnton, NC Hog Happenin’ Barbeque Cook-Off, Rally & Poker Run Downtown Lincolnton. Hog Happenin’ is a regional bike fest and Kansas City Barbeque Society Sanctioned North Carolina State Championship Barbeque Cook-off. 704-735-3096 June 3 Opelika, AL Jean Dean Ride to Read Poker Run 8am - 4pm Big Swamp H-D. Ride to Read raises money to buy books for at risk children, $30 per bike and $15 for passenger (each rider and passenger one poker hand, lunch and a t-shirt). Prizes, drawings, and bike games. 334-364-0400 June 3 Conyers, GA Falcons Fury H-D Grill and Chill – A laid back BBQ fundraiser. Come join us for an afternoon of Burgers, Brats, & Dogs. 770-979-7999 June 3 Charlotte, NC Cyclemania Vintage Motorcycle Show. All proceeds support Disability Rights & Resources. Spectators are welcome at no charge. cycleManiaCharlotte.com BTR4644| |BORNTORIDE.COM BORNTORIDE.COM BTR
Borngreat To Ride market, promote, and your next event; There are Let some events coming up, so getadvertise out there and meet up call with404-788-3907. old friends!
s, Rides & Destinations BornToRide.com/events June 3 Clyde, NC 3rd Annual New Covenant Church Smoky Mountain Ride 9am New Covenant Church. Benefit ride for Czech Mission’s team. Cost of ride $25, includes lunch and event t-shirt. 828-337-4820 June 3 Smithfield, NC NC Deaf Assoc. Poker Run 11am - 6pm Shelton’s H-D. Benefits North Carolina Deaf Blind Associates annual Camp Dogwood adventure in Sherrill’s Ford. 919-928-7507 June 3 Thomasville, NC Ride to the Rescue 9am Thomasville Rescue Squad. Directly supports Thomasville Rescue Squad, an all-volunteer, heavy rescue team available to respond for central NC as needed. 336-472-7520 June 3 Morristown, TN Spreading of the Antlers Treasure Run 8am Classic Leathers. Help the Morristown Elks Lodge raise money for Kingswood School and Kallie Reece. 423-586-9570 June 3 - June 4 Monroe, NC Sons of Thunder Biker Day Hopewell Baptist Church. Ride from Hopewell Baptist Church, Monroe NC to Charlotte H-D. Grilling 4 God will provide free food & drawing for prizes. 704-577-1333 June 4 Cumming, GA Atlanta Ride for Kids 8am Cumming Fairgrounds. Cheer our Stars, local children fighting brain tumors. Connect with other enthusiasts for a great cause. cureTheKids.org June 4 Henderson, NC 20th Annual Duke Children’s Charity Ride Brewer Cycles. Come early for Refreshments, Games, Music, Food, and Fun! Registration
10am, Kickstands up 1:30pm and and Saturday evening meals. Return for Dinner 5pm, $25 per bmwMoa.org person. 252-492-8553 June 10 Conyers, GA Falcons Fury Live June 6 - June 11 Cleveland, AL Rally by the River Summer Music Series. Free beer, Spring Rally at Boogie Bottoms. food & music. 770-979-7999 Live music, adult games, wet June 10 t-shirt contest, food, BYOB, camping with clean showers and Lavonia, GA Moose Lodge Poker Run 11am Lavonia Moose Lodge. restrooms, and more. Entrance Poker Run to benefit CSP and fee of $30 includes on-site Camp for Children with Special camping with showers and restrooms, must be 21 to enter. Needs, $20 per rider and $10 per passenger. Free hotdog meal for 205-680-2962 after ride along with raffle and auction. 706-680-1434 June 6 - June 10 Maggie Valley, NC Indian, June 10 Victory, Slingshot Rally in the Senoia, GA Biker Dead Tour 9am Smokies at Maggie Valley Historic Senoia. Registration 9am Festival Grounds. Displays to 11am in Historic Senoia, $15 per and Reps on site, bike games, bike donation. Last bike in 3pm self-guided rides, door prizes, at Coweta Veterans Club, family DJ, bands, food vendors, cold friendly all vehicles welcome. beverages, BBQ, cold beer & bomberGirlsLRCSenoia@gmail. more. maggieValleyRally.com com June 7 June 10 Atlanta, GA Thunder Tower Woodbury, GA Peaches and the West H-D Bike Night at TGIF Pines Arts and Crafts Festival Camp Creek 6pm - 10pm. 9am - 6pm Lake Meriwether thunderTowerWest.com County Park. Helicopter rides, BBQ, music, vendors, kid games. June 8 - June 11 Tent camping available. Benefits Cleveland, GA Hooters on Meriwether County Tourism. For Scooters Spring Rally at more info 706-655-2558 Mountain Creek Grove. Annual event at Clothing Optional/ June 10 Lifestyle Resort; meet & greet, rides, games, music, parties and Jackson, NC 2017 USMC EOD Benefit Poker Run 11:30am lots more. groveResort.net -8pm Anytime Billiards and Grill. Benefits wounded EOD service June 9 - June 10 members and their families. Blairsville, GA Rusted Iron Weekender at Copperhead June 10 Lodge. Swap meet, vendors, Raleigh, NC June JAMR 8am vintage show, Cannonball Run, - 5pm Ray Price H-D. Lunch, live music, bonfire & more. For escorted ride, several stops, info 706-835-7433 50/50, big ticket raffle, silent auction. Benefits the Foundation June 9 - June 11 for Sarcoidosis Research and Ferguson, NC 25th Gathering local charities. thejunejamr.org of the Clans at High Country Motorcycle Camp. Roads for June 10 any style of riding, shaded Murfreesboro, TN Combat creek-side camping, clean hot Veterans Motorcycle Association showers, tech sessions, Friday
To Send submitinand eventomore events visit www.GeorgiaBikeEvents.com yourview events info@BornToRide.com, help us help you.
5th Annual VA Bike, Car and Jeep show 9am - 3pm. Benefits veterans at the Alvin C. York Memorial VA. Entry fee includes complimentary lunch: $10 (lunch will consist of hot dog, chips and drink). Live music, raffles and free kid’s activities. 615-752-8221 June 14 - June 17 Blairsville, GA Copperhead Lodge Smokey Mountain Bourbon Run. Four Distilleries, Bourbon dinner at the Lodge, Cigar by the bonfire. Limited reservations so call 706-835-7433 June 15 Atlanta, GA Thunder Tower West H-D Bike Night at Hard Rock Cafe 7pm - 11pm. thunderTowerWest.com June 15 - June 18 Cookeville, TN June Bug Boogie. Bike games & field events, contests, live bands, vendors, free camping & more! Located on private property. Adults Only, 21 and up. juneBugBoogie.com June 16 - June 17 Rockingham, NC Smoke Out Rally 18 at the Rockingham Dragstrip. Chops of all makes are featured, American, British, Metric, everything. smokeOutRally.com June 17 Buford, GA Frazier’s H-D 25th Annual Customer Appreciation Day 11am - 4pm. Stunt shows, free BBQ & sodas (til we run out), door prizes, 50/50 drawings, food & beer vendors, bikini bike wash, activities for the kids and more. 770-945-6011 June 17 Cartersville, GA Willie “Boats” Wallace Memorial Ride 4 Life 10am - 2pm Southern Devil H-D. To Benefit Healing 4 Heroes’ which provides service dogs to veterans. 678-721-0203 BORNTORIDE.COM || BTR BTR 47 45 BORNTORIDE.COM
www.BornToRide.com/events June 17 Conyers, GA Falcons Fury H-D Vet Day (Veteran Appreciation Day) Join us for a heartfelt salute to our Armed Forces Veterans. Live Remote w/ Q92.3 Real Country - Live music, free food & beer! 770-979-7999 June 17 Gaffney, SC 4th Annual Dice Run for Meals on Wheels 10am Cherokee Co Veteran’s Appreciation Park. Ride consists of 4-5 stops with 100 miles through the county, ending up at Gaffney’s Elk Lodge, door prizes, a 50/50 drawing. 864-489-6377
June 24 Leeds, AL Birmingham Ride for Kids 9am Barber Motorsports Park. To benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation: you’ll give kids battling the deadliest form of childhood cancer a brighter future. cureTheKids.org
June 24 Oxford, AL Mt. Cheaha Harley-Davidson 2nd Annual Luau 3pm - 7pm. Steel drum music, Hula dancers and fire performers, Horse shoes, Corn hole, Photo booth, Contests, Spin the wheel, and Poman’s Country Kitchen food trucks. June 21 Atlanta, GA Thunder Tower West H-D 256-832-8888 Bike Night at TGIF Camp Creek 6pm June 24 - 10pm. thunderTowerWest.com Conyers, GA Falcons Fury H-D Bike, Blues, and BBQ. All bikes June 22 - June 25 Forkland, AL Bama Bike Fest Summer unite and join Falcons Fury Rally. Live bands, wet t-shirt contest, Harley-Davidson® for a day of blues, food trucks, and bike bike games, people games, camping washes. falconsFuryHd.com and a whole lot more, $30 for the weekend. Come down and party with June 24 us! bamaBikeFest.com Savannah, GA Raymond P. Henry Downed Biker Fund Pack June 22 - June 24 Run (clubhouses or pubs will Dalton, GA GWRRA Georgia Wing Fling 2017 Dalton Convention Center. be stops), ends at the VFW 660. Benefits Homeless Vets Games, Vendors, Food and Lots of Program. 912-235-3001 Fun GWRRA. gwrra-Ga.com/Rally June 23 - June 25 Tifton, GA Tifton H-D Great Tent Event. Gear up for the summer and find your next pre-owned H-D motorcycle. 229-387-8855 June 23 Angier, NC Chrome Angelz Bike Night 5pm Good Times Cafe. NC Steel Cowgirlz chapter of Chrome Angelz RC bike night. Join us for a night of music, raffles, door prizes, and more! 919-331-0344
June 24 Murfreesboro, TN Ride Jonah Ride 9am The Grove at Williamson Place. RideJonahRide is two charity events in one: motorcycle ride and an after party; benefits Pulmonary Hypertension Association. 615-995-6682 July 13 - July 16 Commerce, GA Georgia State SCRC Rally. Come join us for
September 9 Athens, GA Ride to Remember 9/11. Starting 9am at Cycle World of Athens. One of Georgia’s biggest and most talked about Memorial M/C rides! Free ride, Free food, Free fun. Come join Cycle World of Athens as we ride in remembrance of all who lost their life on and after 9/11 ... July 13 - July 16 Sturgis, KY Kentucky Bike Rally and to honor our military and public safety members who are Union County Fairgrounds. living on to serve and protect Live music, games, contests, us and our great nation. For vendors, showers & more. more info 706-548-3300 Adults only, no one under 21. kentuckyBikeRally.com September 14 - September 24 Nashville, TN Nashville Bike July 15 Tuscaloosa, AL Tide Ride 9am Week nashvilleBikeWeek.com Heart of Dixie H-D. Tour the September 15 - September 16 museum ($2), fields, locker Salisbury, NC Tilley H-D Biker rooms, walk of champions – Blues BBQ Rally. Join us at all facilities. Then ride to T Tilley H-D of Salisbury 7th TOWN H-D for door prizes. Dinner at Dream Land BBQ if annual Biker Blues BBQ Rally. you wish; $20 per bike, $5 per Food, Vendors, Entertainment passenger. sponsored by Blue featuring “NANTUCKET” on Friday evening. Free admission. Knights LEMC, AL. Ch. XII. for our charity - the Children’s 704-638-6044 place of St. Clair City. September 16 Salisbury, NC Tilley H-D of July 15 Salisbury 7th annual Biker Athens, GA Cycle World of Blues BBQ Rally Poker Run for Athens Open House Party Veterans. First bike out at 9am 10am - 4pm. Celebrating 42 years: stunt shows, BBQ plates, and Last bike out at 11am All proceeds supporting our veteran draft beer, Miss Cycle World charities Sponsored by Tom of Athens contest and more. McGraths Law Group. For more cycleWorldAthens.com info 704-638-6044 July 15 Chattanooga, TN NoogaStrong September 15 - September 16 Lebanon, TN 12th Annual Memorial Ride 8am Thunder Redneck Rumble Show & Creek Harley-Davidson KSU Swap (Fall) Wilson County 11am; $15 online early bird registration (ends 6/30/2017). Exposition Center. Live music, vendors, food & drink, camping $20 onsite registration. available. 615-364-1828 noogaStrongRide.com some great riding, great friends & family, and a great time, all while benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Rides, runs, music, raffles, and a whole lot more fun stuff. All proceeds benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. scrcGA.com
How much is your bike worth? Probably less than you think By Matt Danielson, The Motorcycle Law Group
Motorcyclists are a different breed. To us, our bikes are more than a mode of transportation. All of our modifications and customizations allow us to make our motorcycles an extension of ourselves. So, when a negligent motorist damages or destroys our bike, it isn’t as simple as going out and buying another one. Often, it’s something that’s been in our family for years, or something dear to us due to the memories created on the open road. However, to an insurance company, your motorcycle is worth only what the market says it’s worth – the fair market value. If your bike is totaled, the insurance company is required to pay you only the fair market value of your bike, regardless of how much you think it’s worth. Fair market value is the amount the motorcycle would sell for on the open market in its condition immediately prior to the accident. Fair market value is not: what you owe on the bike, what you would ask if you were to sell it, or what you have invested in it through customizations or modifications. To determine the value of your motorcycle, insurance companies often look at: - the NADA guide, and - what similar motorcycles are selling for in your geographic area I often get complaints that the insurance company is not considering aftermarket items, such as additional chrome or customizations, to compute the value of a client’s motorcycle. While extras and modifications can increase the value of a bike, fair market value is not computed by adding what you paid for the bike and what you have invested in it. For example: If you add $2,000 worth of chrome to your bike, it doesn’t necessarily mean the bike is worth $2,000 more than before you added it. The question insurance companies ask is: How much will it cost a buyer to go out and purchase another bike like yours? The answer to that question is usually less than the owner thinks.
To get a better idea of how much your bike is worth, go on Craigslist or eBay to see how much bikes like yours are selling for – it’s probably less than you think. That’s why I tell clients, if you want to put chrome on your motorcycle, do it because you like chrome, not because you want to add value to your bike. So what can you do to protect your bike? There are a number of options for additional insurance coverages to consider, including gap insurance for riders who finance their bike, and scheduled or stated value insurance, which covers your bike for a pre-set amount agreed upon by you and your insurance company. Many insurance companies also offer accessory coverage – this type of coverage will pay you for the cost of the accessories up to the limit that you purchase. The vast majority of us are riding with what’s called an “actual cash value” policy (ACV). If our motorcycle is totaled, we will get the actual cash value of that motorcycle. If you, as many of us do, see your motorcycle as something that you have a personal investment in and you want to protect that investment, then you need to make sure that you purchase more than just an ACV policy. Otherwise, your investment is at mercy of the free market, and the free market will almost always determine that your motorcycle is worth less than what you think it is. To learn more about insurance, including scheduled or stated value insurance, gap insurance or insuring your bike as a classic, download a “Prepared Rider Kit” at motorcyclelawgroup.com. Matt Danielson is a partner at the Motorcycle Law Group, a personal injury law firm whose attorneys all ride motorcycles and practice in GA, VA, NC, SC and WV. Matt has successfully represented clients in cases from simple property damage to complex multi-million dollar personal injury claims. He is also a lobbyist, adjunct professor and works with motorcycle rights organizations.
Matt Danielson McGrath, Danielson, Sorrell & Fuller The Motorcycle Law Group 1-800-321-8968 • Motorcyclelawgroup.com
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Craven Moorehead The Mountain
It was a gloriously beautiful morning when I left my home in Florida for a short jaunt to a neighboring state. I was going to visit some friends in Tennessee and I was traveling alone. During most of my longer trips, I am often accompanied by other riders in a group whether it be a small crowd or a larger one. But sometimes it is enjoyable to go at your own pace and discover some of the sights, sounds and tastes of unfamiliar territory. There is almost no experience sweeter than that of taking in the beauty of Americana from the seat of a motorcycle and every opportunity to do so is a great exercise in the lifestyle we enjoy so much. Even if you’re like me and do it at a blistering pace on a 110 cubic inch bagger! I was actually keeping the bike under 100MPH for the most part but it has a mind of its own when it is released and its mind wanders into the triple digit zone on a regular basis. The CVO was raring to go which means that there is little reason to try to control the beast underneath the seat. Traveling on the interstate highway system is precarious at times but there was an unusually scant amount of northbound traffic on this particular day. Although there was some moderate traffic on the interstate, you may have not seen me if you were there traveling the same direction. I wasn’t blasting lane to lane, dangerously close to other vehicles as a lot of riders
like to do nowadays. I was playing it safe as usual and trying not to scratch up the paint or other items on the bike. I remember once when I was crossing the bridge between St. Pete and Tampa a strong gust of wind blew me into the concrete barrier on the edge causing damage to an engine guard, a saddlebag lid, my girl’s foot and a good pair of boots. But that was a long time ago and a million miles behind me at this point. Although we kept going and were still among the living, that is one memory that will stick forever. But that is another story. … I wanted to get across to Hwy. 41 before the sun set so that I could enjoy climbing the mountain on that 2-lane road while watching the sun go down. If you time it just right, it seems like it takes forever for that blazing orb to disappear because as you are going up - it is going down. Mission accomplished! At this point in the journey, I was simply enjoying the ride and because there was no reason to keep a hell-bent pace, I just leaned back and enjoyed the scenery, the sunset and the quaint cities that I encountered. Life seems different up on the mountain. It’s not that time has forgotten it, it’s more like ‘there was no reason to change the good ole days’ and life seems to move just a little slower up there. It seems that the people are friendlier and less stressed than they are in the big cities. I kinda like the laid-back lifestyle that the denizens up there enjoy, and I anticipate going back there again and again because I truly like a break every now and then. Of course, I am talking about Monteagle, Tennessee. At the top of the mountain, this small town is not highly populated and not too much commerce or manufacturing is found there. It doesn’t matter. Apparently, people are happy in that locale and it provides a little peace and quiet when needed. Tracy City which is nearby holds a great bike rally once a year or so, and I’m sure you would enjoy it! It seems to me and my dusty old memory that I have written about this place and the trip before, but in my own defense I have been there several times and every trip is an adventure. Anyhow, I do encourage everyone to get out there and travel whenever you get the chance. There is a lot of country to explore out there and simple adventures and pleasures await. Summer is coming and you may enjoy a back-roads trip to where ever it leads. It certainly couldn’t hurt! In fact, you may enjoy it. …
Let us know what you think of Craven Moorehead, info@borntoride.com
Until next month, speed safely! CRAVEN
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Spyke & Mike Worst Date Ever The Adventures of Spyke the Parrott who Rides & Writes
It’s a great time of year to be seen out there, my BTR friends. With Daytona past and the springtime biker events in full swing, my daddy has me riding all over. Biff Burger anniversary party was off the chain and by the time y’all read this, Leesburg and the Wildwood bike rally will hopefully be a great memory. If you’ve been following me, you know that Oliver, my second love has been out of the picture for several months. Goldie from Daytona opened my eyes and showed me there are other birds around to love. I’ve been meeting a lot of interesting feathered friends and this month has been no different. Oliver did show up at Biff’s. He was acting all high and mighty like most guys do when running into an old flame and not burning that bridge completely. We had a good time breakin’ peanuts and sharin’ juice. I even taught him a few moves for Born To Ride TV. He did great but my interest has faded ... Mike and I got the scoop on his disappearing act. It was revealed that he lives on the east side of Tampa and close to Craven. We call that area ‘out there the wrong side of the tracks. His daddy, Fred, got a Polaris Slingshot and has been working with Oliver in finding that ideal riding position while keeping him safe. I can relate to that ‘cause over the years Mike has perfected my favorite riding spot on the Fat Bird. I now have a first-class perch and safety bar for hours of comfortable flying on the ‘Ole Bird. I’ve logged tens of thousands of miles riding on Mike’s shoulder, hundreds of miles riding on the passenger backrest, and even a few miles riding on the mirror when close to home. (There’s not much grip to chrome and glass, but Mike lets me do it!) I’ve even rode bitch-bitch on his partners’ shoulder, but I prefer my perch behind the windscreen. Mike says, “It’s like sitting on the couch and watching TV. You just stand there, look around, occasionally change positions, with no flapping of the wings required. All your missing is
food and water bowls.” I cackle, “I know, it’s great! I see those silly birds out there flying around wearing themselves out. They need to smarten up and hitch a ride like Oliver, Goldie, and I. It’s too bad Mike hasn’t figured out a way to have me a ride-a-long on the Fat Bird. Daddy keeps telling me he’s working on it from both ends.” He states, “It takes the right bird and perch to sit just left of you and your couch on the scoot. If you, Spyke’s avid readers, know of any such bird, get in touch with us through the magazine. Those humans down there with a real job can set it up. Better yet, you can do it the old-fashioned way and send him an email: birdmanmike1@yahoo.com.” We got one such message from Jesse, Spyke’s daddy from the other brother at BTR central, about a blue and gold named Tom on Ft. Myers Beach. We’ve met a few on our local beaches and they ALL turned out to be quackos like their owners. I believe it’s the bad mix of too much sun, sand, and bar food tossed together with a non-working drunken human parent that has ruined them for life, and it’s sad. … A road trip was planned around the Ft. Myers Bike Night to see if the beaches to our south have any sane feathered friends and sober owners. It was a great weekend for a ride with stops at our favorite haunts: Peggy’s Corral, Charlotte’s Webb, The Open Road, and Nav-A-Gator. Unfortunately for me the ride was better than the meet and greet. We pull up to Tom standing on a bicycle’s handlebar at Bike Night next to his owner, Jim. I chirp, “Dude! where’s your scoot? I thought you rode some V-Twin iron?” Tom tweeted, “They took it from Jim and this is all I got.” Jim moved the bike closer to me. Tom jumped on the mirror and it went downhill from there. His name should have been Dom, not Tom, short for dominant. He was sooo overbearing that I almost flew the coop, and I don’t fly! Tom waived his talons at me with the skills of a black belt ninja warrior. His ear-piercing screeches were making my nails curl. That wacko bird went straight for my tailfeathers and when he couldn’t have them, he went for my head and beak. I began flapping my wings and I thought he was going to jump me. I haven’t moved that fast in years and I quickly learned how to fight back. Well, that 10-hour road trip ended with a fierce 15-minute talon raisin’, beak bumpin’, squawk-a-thon. I just don’t get it? Why be so aggressive/defensive only to end up alone? All that cackling, biting, and downright meanness just keeps away the friendly parrot lovers and gives us birds a bad name. If Mike hadn’t stepped in I’d be a couple toes and many feathers short of a whole parrot! At the end of it, I remember hearing him yell out, “Spyke, we have to make like The Exorcist and get the hell outta here!” He forced Tom back on the bicycle and got my wings in the wind, his knees in the breeze, and the Fat Bird’s wheels rolling down the road, away from my worst date ever. SPYKE
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Christian Motorcyclists Association He can and will Make a Difference Years ago, I discovered that having my bike worked on by a mechanic that knew what he was doing could get expensive in a hurry. My thoughts at the time were to find a book (the internet didn’t exist then) and read up on how to fix a broken motorcycle. It seemed like a good idea at the time; I was as ignorant about fixing a bike as I was about why it cost a bit to have a good mechanic fix a problem with my ride! One bike I had blew holes in the top of the pistons, so I rightly figured that if I got new pistons and put them in all would be well. I didn’t know anything about lining up the rings properly, how to install the timing chain, or why there were two different viscosities of oil (for the engine and the transmission). Unfortunately, after a lot of skinned up knuckles and a huge amount of time, the only riding I did was by the seat of my pants. The bike only went about a quarter of a mile before it gave up! What I am saying is simple; it is easier, faster, and safer to have a professional mechanic that knows what he is doing, to take BTR 56 | BORNTORIDE.COM
care of repair and maintenance issues. Some people are gifted in that area, the rest of us need help from the expert. This is true with our bikes and with our lives as well. We get ourselves into difficult situations and try to figure out what to do and often just make things worse. What we need is a professional expert helping us through the challenges. In the Bible, in Mathew 6:28, it reminds us to “See how the lilies of the field grow.” When we encounter difficulties in our lives and our relationships, instead of grabbing a book, or talking to someone else, who has messed up things in their own lives, why not turn to the expert? God made us and formed us into His own image, and He certainly knows the answer to any challenge we may have in life. If we can learn to truly trust in Jesus, to be our Savior, Master and Deliverer, He can and will make a difference in our lives. Trusting Him is the simplest thing you could ever do, it is free, and He is waiting and watching for us to confess that we need the hands of the expert upon our lives. If we confess that we need Him, if we call upon Him to save us from our past sin and mistakes, and if we trust Him to deliver us from our past, He will come into our lives and change us from the inside out! Like the lilies of the field, God will take care of any challenges and provide us with all that we need. Call upon Jesus for salvation and He will answer your call! In The Wind, Denny Dingler Check out BornToRide.com for more articles from Christian Motorcyclists Association