SEPT FEB 2021 2020 #96 #91
THE GODFATHER
OF CHOPPERS
MONDO PORRAS read it/watch it/ride it
BORNTORIDE.COM
Contents
FEBRUARY ISSUE 96
AD INDEX
FEATURES
Indian Larry’s Block Party Choppertown Live Mondo Porras Biker Legend
Born To Ride - Subscribe 8 12 22
COLUMNS
22
Nefarious James - Squeaky Wheel Matt Danielson-Four Things to Help Mike and Spyke-Remember When Christian Motorcycle Association
16 31 38 40
DEPARTMENTS
Born To Ride-Heat Up
28
Born To Ride Life Style
28
Born To Ride.com
18,34
Born To Ride Radio
18
Born To Ride YouTube
39
Choppertown 18 Craig Paints Bikes
35
Denvers Choppers
25
GI Joe Wanted
37
HD-Spacecoast 17 Highseas Rally
19
K9 Line Ride
5
LawBike Charles Watwood
1, BC
Leather Lid Inserts
37
MetalSport Wheels
IFC
Mid-USA 14
REPORTS
12
Born To Ride Facebook Group 36
HD-Adamec 20
Contents 2 Letter From The Editor Dave Nichols 4 Ride Safe, Ride Smart - Left Turn 7 Movie Review-Black Angels 29 Tech Tip - LED Headlight 32 Born To Ride Kids 40
Letterfly Amazing Artist Chillbunnys Coming To Choppertown The Tank Whisperer
IBC
15 26 35
ON THE COVER Biker Legend Mondo Porras The Godfather of Choppers Denvers Choppers denverschoppers.com Painting by Dave Mann
Motorcycle Law Group
30
Patti Carmel Realty
35
Paughco Frames
6
Power & Sound Revival
27
Progressive 3 Ride Like A Pro
7
Thunder By The Bay
10
Tom McGraths Law Group
30
Toys Wanted
37
Wanted Sales Reps
37
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.
ISSUE #96
BORN TO RIDE Magazine
PO BOX 3021 Brandon, FL 33509 PUBLISHER
Letter from the Editor
Ron Galletti 813-785-3895 888-795-5779 rg@borntoride.com
DAVE NICHOLS
CO PUBLISHER
Deb Galletti dgalletti@borntoride.com
FROM THE HELM
EDITOR
Dave Nichols editor@borntoride.com
DALE WALKSLER RIP
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
888-795-5779 BTR 4 | BORNTORIDE.COM
AND THE PASSING OF A TWO-WHEELED LEGEND
HOWDY BROTHERS AND SISTERS! Born To Ride kickstarts February 2021 with a righteous rally this February 19th through the 21st. I am jabberin’ about the 23rd running of Thunder by the Bay and the incredible event within the event called Choppertown Live! Come out to Sarasota, Florida to the Sarasota Fairgrounds for the ultimate biker party. Thunder by the Bay benefits Suncoast Charities for Children and proceeds go to help local children, teens and adults who really need our help and support.
our hats in honor of a great man, a great biker and a great ambassador of the lifestyle we love. Dale Walksler of the Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, passed away on February 3rd, after a four-year battle with cancer. Dale opened the amazing museum in 2002, filled with over 300 rare and antique motorcycles. He was a member of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. His son Matt vows to keep Wheels Through Time going. It is a must-see museum. Ride forever free, dear friend Dale.
All this plus you’ll thrill to live bands jammin’ out kickass music all weekend long, indulge in mouth-waterin’ suds and grub and a biker city of two-wheeled vendors featuring every biker gee-gaw known to man. We are talkin’ three days of bikes, babes and beer at Thunder by the Bay and the Choppertown Live chopper show. Read the informative feature article by Susan Hurst in this issue and come on out for the best biker party of the year.
All this plus another jaw-droppin’ rant from Nefarious James, a killer tech tip from ace wrench John Sullivan and more skullduggery and shenanigans from Spyke & Mike. It’s all roaring your way like a big, wet Valentine’s kiss in this issue of Born To Ride. Don’t forget to join our Born To Ride Facebook Group for the virtual ride of your life. We appreciate your continued support of Born To Ride magazine!
Besides the three-day extravaganza of twowheeled fun that is Thunder by the Bay, this year, Born To Ride is unveiling the most amazing custom chopper show you will ever witness. Choppertown Live features dozens of talented motorcycle mavericks who build and ride the baddest scooters imaginable. These killer chopper builders will show off their latest motorized masterpieces for the chance to win a rigid chopper frame built by Paughco Motorcycle Accessories as well as a custom, hand-made springer front end by Mondo of Denver’s Choppers. We’ll even give away gift certificates from Mid-USA, distributors of everything you could ever need for your bike.
Before we talk more about what you’ll find in this issue of Born To Ride, we’d like to doff
Meanwhile, in this thrill-packed issue of Born To Ride we’ll bring you part three of our look back at the late and great Indian LarryDeSmedt, infamous bike builder and star of the Discovery Channel’s Great Biker Buildoff TV series. Then we’ll visit Mondo Porras, head honcho at Denver’s Choppers. Mondo is the Godfather of Choppers, also known for his appearances on the Discovery Channel and he’s been building sweet long bikes since 1968. His original Denver’s Choppers are everything a custom chopper should be. Then check out Farrell Bernstein of Custom Touch Biker Jewelry as we showcase his winning reader’s ride.
— Dave Nichols editor@borntoride.com
THE BASIC LEFT-TURN
Approaching a busy four-way intersection there are a lot of elements to monitor: cross traffic may or may not stop for the light; pedestrians could step out at any time; an oncoming car waiting to turn left could fail to detect your presence and turn left in front of you. Sure enough, just as you approach the intersection, the car in the opposing left-turn lane swings into your path. You brake hard and swerve at the last second, barely avoiding a broadside collision. Strategy: Without a doubt, this scenario is a frequent hazard for motorcyclists riding in urban areas. A common type of motorcycle crash (for sober riders) occurs during daylight hours, at low speeds (around 30 mph), when an oncoming vehicle turns left into your path. Again, when approaching an intersection with a vehicle waiting in the left-turn lane, your best bet is to assume the worst: that a car will pull out in front of you. Reduce your speed as you approach the intersection, either downshifting or lightly applying the front brake. Adjust your position in the lane to be seen better. Slowing will increase your safety cushion: slowing just 10 mph reduces your stopping distance significantly, and covering your brake greatly reduces reaction time. After you’ve slowed, continue to visually monitor the car in case it moves and forces you to change position or stop quickly. For more information go to www.msf-usa.org
INDIAN LARRY’S Where better to spend a Saturday afternoon then hanging out in Brooklyn at Gasoline Alley? Indian Larry is the host with the most and proves that his talents and vision surpass just motorcycles. From choppers, hemi’s, to jet engine trucks, this made for a world of eye candy and party props. The melting pot of NYC showed its true colors. A wide display of multi talented speed enthusiast, including Dave Cronk made this event completely nostalgic. Everyone from Billy Lane to Easyriders Mike Lichter flew in from everywhere USA for the one day gig to show their support. Other top builders such as Steel City Choppers and Wiseguys Customs also came out to play. What a sight to see such a mix of extreme talent drinking from the same taps, eating the same pig and complimenting each others BTR 8 | BORNTORIDE.COM
creations. The windows of the warehouse district shook to the beat of Sea Monster and several other bands that showed up from all over the world. An old shop engine that was kicking around was put on ice. What a creative contrast considering how hot Indian Larry is on the scene right now.
The ambiance of Gasoline Alley is exactly what it should be a
rough and equipped garage full of tools and minimal flash. Set in the warehouse district of Brooklyn who’s going to complain
if you’re pounding metal till 4:00 a.m. These guys are set up
for psycho engineering; it’s no upper Manhattan showcase. It’s the real McCoy and their not selling golf bags. Indian Larry
absolutely hasn’t forgotten where he comes from the circus was
In honor and memory of Indian Larry. May we never forget his great vision and impact to the
BLOCK PARTY
REVISITED
just moved from Coney Island to Brooklyn. Street acts such as
the likes of the Ice Cream Man From Hell, and hot dog slammin Rodent from Barnetts (A true New Yorker). The middle of the
day went up in flames as Johnny Jet set off his 1957 jet engine truck. Half of the block had to be cleared out so he could fire up; the rumble of that jet engine was probably heard all the
way through the Queens expressway. Within five minutes after
take off, the Brooklyn fire department showed up and the guests became even more zealous.
Indian Larry and Paul Cox glow with enthusiasm and pride for
their work and it was an honor to see it first hand. As hard as
the whole crew at Gasoline Alley grinds, they still took the time biker lifestyle. Next month more Indian Larry.
to mingle with all their company and talk shop. I admire that even with Larry’s unparalleled success and heavy road schedule that he still took the time to throw a party in appreciation of his fans, old friends, and business comrades. The hospitality was outstanding and so was the party. Let’s not leave out the way cool view of the Empire State building from the alley, and where better to experience it then on Indian Larry’s front curb. Indian Larry’s Gasoline Alley is located at 151 N. 14th St. Brooklyn N.Y. or check him out on the web at www.indianlarry.com and for a good seat check out Paul Cox at www.paulcoxleather.com
— Angelina BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 9
What happens when you mix an awardwinning series of Chopper Documentaries under the Choppertown name, add about 50 world class chopper builds, a few hotrods, an amazing 11,000 square foot venue in a topical climate like Sarasota Florida? You get an awesome event called ‘Choppertown Live’! This three-day event is brought to you by the good people at Born to Ride Media and will be held at Thunder By the Bay at the Sarasota Fairgrounds Feb.19th, 20th and 21st. Our goal at Born to Ride is to bring you an incredibly fun three day immersive ‘experience’ complete with a motorcycle builders invitational
What happens when you mix an awardwinning series of Chopper Documentaries under the Choppertown name, add about 50 world class chopper builds, a few hotrods, an amazing 11,000 square foot venue in a topical climate like Sarasota Florida? You get an awesome event called ‘Choppertown Live’! This threeday event is brought to you by the good people at Born to Ride Media and will be held at Thunder By the Bay at the Sarasota Fairgrounds Feb.19th, 20th and 21st. Our goal at Born to Ride is to bring you an incredibly fun three day immersive ‘experience’ complete with a motorcycle BTR 12 | BORNTORIDE.COM
featuring some of the countries most respected builders, to unique vendors, a chopper only ride-in chopper show, a Choppertown Marketplace called ‘The Chop Shop’, great music and some sweet custom cars on display courtesy of Roosterz Rods. The fun kicks off Friday the 19th at 5pm in our own building right smack dab in the middle of Thunder By the Bay! You’ll be able to experience a motorcycle builder’s invitational full of some of the country’s top builders and bikes. Our impressive list includes Kyle Ray Rice, Jared Weems of Weems Motor Co, Richard Ruckus of It’ll Ride Choppers, Del Morte Customs,
builders invitational featuring some of the countries most respected builders, to unique vendors, a chopper only ride-in chopper show, a Choppertown Marketplace called ‘The Chop Shop’, great music and some sweet custom cars on display courtesy of Roosterz Rods. The fun kicks off Friday the 19th at 5pm in our own building right smack dab in the middle of Thunder By the Bay! You’ll be able to experience a motorcycle builder’s invitational full of some of the country’s top builders and bikes. Our impressive list includes Kyle Ray Rice, Jared Weems of Weems Motor Co, Richard Ruckus of It’ll Ride Choppers,
Alleyway Kustoms, Good Looking Customs, Turners Cycle Shop, Freakshow Fab, Ronin Vintage and Yogi’s Garage. We’ll have more than 50 mind boggling custom choppers of pure excellence. The Invitational is to be capped on Sunday with the Builders Choice Award. Called the ‘Bill Dodge Award of Excellence’, This prestigious award is named after our long time, legendary friend, Bill Dodge of Daytona’s own Blings Cycle. As many of you know, Bill managed West Coast Choppers for many years and decided to move to Daytona to do his own thing. He’s made a name for himself as one of the
Del Morte Customs, Alleyway Kustoms, Good Looking Customs, Turners Cycle Shop, Freakshow Fab, Ronin Vintage and Yogi’s Garage. We’ll have more than 50 mind boggling custom choppers of pure excellence. The Invitational is to be capped on Sunday with the Builders Choice Award. Called the ‘Bill Dodge Award of Excellence’, This prestigious award is named after our long time, legendary friend, Bill Dodge of Daytona’s own Blings Cycle. As many of you know, Bill managed West Coast Choppers for many years and decided to move to Daytona to do his own thing. He’s made a name
On these 2 pages there are some of the greatest chopper creators and builders in the
nation’s top builders, and widely respected throughout the motorcycle industry. We wanted to do something to honor not just a ‘chopper builder’ but a great man who would give anybody the shirt off his back. With such a great name connected to the Builders Invitational Award, we’d have to step up to the plate with an award fitting of the name, so one lucky winner is going to go home with $1000.00, a custom hard tail frame by Paucho and last, but not least the legendary Mondo of Denvers Chopper’s is building us a ‘one off’ custom front end to go with the Paucho frame! Be sure to throw on those battery tenders
and shine up your choppers because on Saturday Choppertown will be hosting its first ever Chopper only ride-in Chopper Show. This show is sponsored by our friends at All Steel Buildings and is open to ANY Chopper, ANY year, ANY make and ANY Model. If you consider your bike a Chopper, bring it to the show and show it off to the world and possibly win an award! Categories will Include, best Flathead, best knucklehead, best Panhead, best Shovelhead, best Ironhead, best Evo, best Twin Cam, Best European and Best Japanese Choppers along with a Best of Show Award. Every class winner who
world today and you can see them at Choppertown. Need more info call 813-661-9402
takes first place is going to walk away with $100.00 cash courtesy of All Steel Buildings and the best in Show winner will also recieve $100.00 cash and a Gift Card worth $150.00 from Mid USA Parts! As if you really needed another reason to visit Florida in February, this will be your unique chance to step inside the Choppertown film experience of industry makers and rule breakers. You just can’t beat the great weather, bikes, food and entertainment, but most of all you can’t beat the Choppers of Choppertown ‘Live’ and Thunder By the Bay.
BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 13
T H E I C O N I C A m a z i n g A RT I S T
Wow! What a blast going on here in central Florida! If you didn’t see the interview on Born to Ride TV on the Boss Hogg Radio Show last month, just visit the Born to Ride Archives and watch. I am complimented to be endorsed by such a great group of enthusiasts all dedicated to heightening the motorcycling experience. That is pretty much what I do except they do it with exciting events, show off what’s new with motorcycle products, introduce the radical fabricators, showcase accessories and stuff. I do it with decorative paint. The finishing touch for any bike building project requires pinstriping. That’s why I get to experience some really great bikes up close. But usually when they are quiet. When I ply my trade, prepare the paint just right, get into the zone and then let my mind dream up the next move, the magic just begins. I really have to give the brush a lot of credit, after all, he’s doing the magic, I’m just holding on. People love to watch the magic and part of what Ron at Born to Ride finds fascinating about me is that I enjoy the
limelight due to my entertainment and hospitality background. I was a performer on the old-time big-top circus years ago. I also credit recently having been the resident artist at the largest RV dealer in the country. That is where I learned my people skills, serving the elite with their variety of toys with motors. Through those connections I painted large murals and lettered the sign work in the new Harley stores that were springing up all over the country back in the nineties. Now, I enjoy a route of customerdedicated Harley-Davidson stores up north for the summer months. Yes, I decorate more than motorcycles. Come and meet me at Born to Ride’s Choppertown Live during the upcoming Thunder by the Bay Motorcycle and Music Event in Sarasota on Feb 19-21 at the fairgrounds. You will also find me at the Sun n Fun Aircraft Fly-In at the Sun n Fun Expo Grounds in Lakeland as well as at Hot Rod Shows in the area. Most other weekends you will find me at Rockstar or Bert’s or some of the other Harley dealerships. Other than that, I can
Let Letterfly create amazing art for your home or business.t Call 813-505-5539
be found at my home called ArtPark in Plant City where bikers, hot rodders and motorhome people come to get custom paint of all kinds. They like the quiet at ArtPark. The peace and serenity around a campfire makes a great think-tank where fellowship and ideas grow like weeds. When I am not out in the shop, I am writing. I write content for my newsletter called Tales of a Traveling Airbrush that goes out to my email and blog followers. Just visit LetterflyWrites.home.blog You will read about the excitement, pleasure and danger of traveling and performing with the circus. And, in contrast, you will find out about my initial withdrawal into the secret world of imagination due to the turbulence that existed between a father and son. You will read about a young man who hit the road to make an improvement and how influential show people touched his life, influenced his hand, and promoted a rare connection with his surroundings. So far, I have written enough content for three books. The next ambition is to get a book published. The first book will be named “Speedy,” my dad’s nickname in the Army Air Corps during WWII when he had a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. This on the road memoire will reveal the surprise twists and turns of an interesting life that ultimately led to love. This boy-to-man story collection celebrates the transformation from solitary, self-sufficient and independent, into receptive, willing and eager for the influence of life lessons at the hand of a series of unforeseen sources. My editor has the manuscript now and the publisher is waiting. I‘m excited. What a Blast! —Dave “Letterfly” Knoderer BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 15
THE SQUEAKY WHEEL Welcome to February, 2021. It’s already one month into the new year, and I gotta wonder how many people made those resolutions on New Year’s and have already quit the attempt to make the changes they wanted to see in their lives. Very unfortunate. We, as a society, need to realize that it takes time, effort and drive to get what we want. Not a handout. What we’ve seen in 2020 is not the right way to go about getting what you want long-term. The old saying is that, ‘the squeaky wheel gets the grease’ and unfortunately, at times that’s true. We survived the first round of pandemics, BLM protests, Antifa riots, political turmoil and miscellaneous BS. What do we have to show for it? A weaker America, that’s what. It seems that all the values we had as a country, are a thing of the past. They’ve gone right out the window in exchange for whiny, screaming, disrespectful cowards who want a hand out and a free ride. Cowards that disrespect our veterans, our elderly, our society, our flag, as well as our constitution that helped forge this country. Hell, they can’t even decide what gender they want to be. It’s enough to make all of our citizens in the past, roll over in their graves. Has anyone else noticed that a majority BTR 16 | BORNTORIDE.COM
of the domestic terrorism created by some groups just suddenly stopped and that all was quiet after the election ended? Remember how violent and destructive these public displays of
"We, as a society, need to realize that it takes time, effort and drive to get what we want. Not a handout. What we’ve seen in 2020 is not the right way to go about getting what you want long-term." violence were and how many were killed and injured along the way? Remember how many small businesses suffered? Remember how one political party in particular knelt on their knees in the
people’s Capital Building, in costume, and showed their support for these violent groups? This is just as shameful as when Obama bowed to a Saudi King while on a diplomatic trip to Saudi Arabia. There’s no doubt in my mind this is a sign of cowards and hypocrites. The American people have the right to get answers regarding questions as to who caused the handful of fatalities during the protest on January 6th. Now the same people who let American cities burn and its citizens be killed, maimed and robbed of their livelihoods, are now all of a sudden outraged at the protest at the Capital. Maybe because they got a taste of the people exercising their personal freedoms, right in their own backyard, and it scared the crap out of them. This is the hypocrisy I’m talking about, all the way to the top. This is what our children and our youth see regarding what this country is becoming. This can go on and on but we must get to the end of this read. I guess my point is, don’t forget the past transgressions these people allowed to happen. Keep up your belief in America. If there is no America, then there will be no Americans. I, for one, won’t stand for that. Will you?
NEFARIOUS JAMES AMERICAN
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BIKER LEGEND
MONDO PORRAS THE GODFATHER OF CHOPPERS
Revered as the “Godfather of Choppers” by many of his peers, Mondo can look back at an illustrious career in custom bikes as very few can. From judging and putting on bike shows worldwide, to television appearances and hardcover books, his story is as unique as the man himself and his name as instantly recognizable as the long, low and lean bikes Denver’s is most known for.
Of course, it wasn’t always just “Mondo.” In fact, during the early days, back in the sixties when he began his career at Denver’s Choppers in San Bernardino (commonly referred to as Berdoo), Armando Porras was known as Bondo Mondo, due to his talent involving the BTR 22 | BORNTORIDE.COM
famous shop’s sleek and long custom frames.
Barely out of high school, Mondo had begun working with Denver Mullins, the original owner of the shop at the time, building custom cars and hot rods. “We decided, at some point, to get some motorcycles and fix ‘em up,” Mondo recalls, “and that’s how we got into playing with bikes. We all bought Harleys and decided we didn’t like the way they looked, so we started building front ends and changing frames and customizing them, and pretty soon people came in and wanted us to do that to their bikes.” That was shortly after 1967, the year Denver’s Choppers opened its doors,
which made it one of the very first businesses in the slowly emerging custom motorcycle industry to manufacture and sell custom parts and accessories. “Back then, there were no catalogs to order parts from, so within a short time, we were known worldwide as the guys to go to for custom parts for choppers,” Mondo explains. Among the many innovations to soon come out of the small shop were items like rear fenders doubling as oil tanks, wildly stretched and raked frames, and especially springer front ends that kept getting longer and longer. More and more parts sprang up, and Denver’s began building complete custom bikes and shipping them all over the world.
Born To Ride Magazine, real editorial content for you the reader every month
It got to the point, according to Mondo, where “you couldn’t pick up a custom bike magazine without seeing a Denver bike in it.”
airport. “But slowing down has not really happened. I still work seven days a week because I love it so much,” Mondo says. “The shop is always filled with bikes, new builds, customers’ bikes, my collection and my friend Gerald Casey’s collection who helps me out at the shop. In fact, we built a radical Knucklehead for Gerald for the Michel Lichter Bike ‘Motorcycle as Art Museum Show’ at the Buffalo Chip in Sturgis this year.”
The Denver’s Chopper style is uniquely its own, according to Mondo, who describes it as long and low. “I’d call it Southern California style. What a lot of people today call a Swedish chopper, is actually a Denver’s chopper. We used to send a lot of bikes over to Sweden, and there’s a motorcycle club in Sweden right now called Denver’s Choppers. It’s been there since the seventies. We were also the first ones who came up with the gooseneck frames.”
It all came to a tragic end, however, in October of 1992, when Denver, who also dabbled in drag boats, drowned during a test run with a safety capsule he and Mondo had designed. For the following year-and-a-half, Mondo stayed at the shop to settle outstanding accounts and take care of legal matters. “What I did was focus more on the drag boats but was still building bikes in the shop as well,” he says.
After more than 50 years in the business, Mondo still adheres to the old Denver philosophy, and his front end, rolling chassis, and complete bikes are as innovative, old-school, and mind-blowing as they were during the early days. “The front ends are our bread and butter,” he says about the trademark look that defines many of the bikes he builds. But his shop contains a number of different bikes styles, not just long choppers. Award from the David Mann Chopper Fest, and he was installed into the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2018, along with being voted Cycle Source Magazine’s Man of the Year.
There are a lot of FXR-style bikes and high-performance sport bikes or whatever the select customer desires. “Stuff you can’t buy from Harley anymore, you can buy from us,” he says, “with any engine combination you can imagine.”
On June 30, 1997, he re-opened In 2012 he moved up to Reno to be Denver’s Choppers, having moved to Mondo’s also fully involved in the Reno near his daughter and her family and try Henderson, Nevada, just outside of custom bike scene and has several of his to slow down a bit, running his oneLas Vegas, for what he calls economic own shows, most notably during Street man-shop in a strip mall near the city’s reasons. “During that time some of the things I am most-proud of occurred to me,” he says. “First off, my association with Easyriders Magazine. I could not have done it without the magazine’s timeless support and help over the years. In 2001 I was awarded the trophy for Best Custom Bike Fabricator from Easyriders. I also had the very extreme pleasure of being in David Mann’s last painting for the 30th anniversary of Easyriders. This was a huge deal to me.” Sadly, Easyriders magazine went out of business last year after 50 years as America’s best-loved custom motorcycle magazine. Mondo was also honored to be awarded the first ever David Mann Kind Mondo , thank you for donating your custom made front end to Choppertown Live ! BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 23
Vibrations but also in places like Hollister and farther afield. After more than 50 years into his career, Mondo shows no signs of slowing down. “I am still building quite a few long bikes the old Denver-style way for customers from all over the country and beyond,” Mondo says. “Most of my customers are hard-working Americans young and old who love choppers. I still build a lot of Springer front ends that go all over the world.”
Speaking of those long Springers, Mondo build an 18-over chrome Springer for the Golden Chopper in the bikerfilm Rough Boys last year. It’s a custom Panhead that you can win! Go to www.roughboysmovie. com for details. He even plays the part of a mysterious character called “The Doctor” in the movie.
As far as retirement goes, Mondo says although he’s in his 70s now, he’s loving it more and more every day as the bikes get better with every build, with new ideas and challenges. “That makes it all worthwhile and exciting to come to work every day,” he says. “I don’t want to ever retire. I’m having too much fun building bikes and hot rods. My running joke is that if you ever find me in my shop bent over my welding table with my hood on and the part finished I was working on, I died a happy man.” Mondo has spent a lifetime creating amazing custom motorcycles and we’re proud to say that he was Born To Ride.
BTR 24 | BORNTORIDE.COM
— Kai Raecke and Dave Nichols
Mondo is a True Biker Legend 100% Real Deal DenversChoppers.com since 1967.
HANG WITH THE CHILLBUNNYS AT CHOPPERTOWN LIVE! Whether you ride solo, with your man, have a rad vehicle or just simply dig the lifestyle, you’re good to party with the Chillbunnys. Created out of pure love of the lifestyle tand community, the bunnys welcome anyone and everyone who is interested in custom culture. Based in the foothills of the Carolinas, the Chillbunnys came together through one common thread, that thread was Danielle Nigro and her boyfriend Jason Darnell aka “The Chillbilly”. What started off as a joke soon became a fast-growing business, with a clothing line and a community of people interested in the same things. One thing to get clear, this is not a biker group nor is this a van club. This is a community of people that love the lifestyle and culture and support each other while having a good time. Danielle, is what you would call the head bunny, the idea woman, or the cat herder. The group started in NC but now has bunnys from all around the U.S. including Texas, Idaho, Utah, and South Carolina. Chillbunnys merch embodies everything they’re about and appreciate, using artists that are well-established in the culture,
to have an even more authentic feel to their shirts and merch. They are also big supporters of not only this community, but other local businesses and brands, using their following to promote and support other rad people and businesses. The great part about this community is that anyone can be a part of it. If you ride, that’s great! If you ride with your man, killer! If you have a rad van or classic vehicle, we can dig that too. Even if you don’t do any of that, and just appreciate the culture and lifestyle, you can hang with us. The one requirement is you have to know how to chill to be a bunny or a billy. Wanna meet or be a part of the group? Follow the Chillbunnys on instagram at @Chillbunnys to keep up with new merch releases and all the girls. Make sure to come out to all the events they will be at. Choppertown Live in Sarasota, Florida, will be their first event of the year. Check ‘em out on February 19 – 21 at the Sarasota Fairgrounds. They will also be helping out with the Power & Sound Revival on May 22nd, in Julian, North Carolina. Keep your eye out for more events that the Chillbunnys will be attending and hosting.
MEET THE CHILLBUNNYS AT CHOPPERTOWN LIVE THUNDER BY THE BAY! FEBRUARY 19-21 BTR 26 | BORNTORIDE.COM
“Look, Charlie! We’ve had enough of your kind of help! Three hundred years of your bull_*_! From now on, we take care of our own!” hisses “Knifer,” black leader of The Choppers, a “diverse” biker gang squatting in Southern California. Knifer’s fed up with being stalked by Lieutenant Harper, a slender, black-clad law officer and member of the “white establishment.” So sets the rebellious tone of the critically mixed 1970 biker romp The Black Angels, a lesser-known but relevant slice of the vintage “Bikersploition” era. What’s surprising about the film is despite the title’s nod to “Blaxploitation,” the drama/action primarily concerns a lily-white biker gang: the deliciously monikered Satan’s Serpents. “Chainer” is the leader of Satan’s Serpents and dead-ringer for Peter Fonda. His fate is sealed when he lures Jimmy, a black rival member of The Choppers, into a perilous motorcycle jump that doesn’t end well. Chainer’s forced to confront The Choppers with Jimmy’s grim news that sets off a cleverly clandestine revenge spree. The Black Angels become a slow-burning showdown between Satan’s Serpents and The Choppers with the coppers led by Harper (The Black Angel), monitoring every move. A mysterious stranger in a Hardee hat called Johnny Reb cycles into the Serpent’s compound:
an ancient western ghost town. Reb loads the gang up with LSD and quickly earns their trust – except for one skeptic – “Frenchy,” an upwardly mobile second-in-command figure with a great set of teeth (“choppers” – get it?). Frenchy, hot-tempered and no-nonsense has a line on Reb, but is he simply a free-wheelin’ Confederate with animosity toward colored folk, or does he have a more nefarious purpose? Amusing subplots of The Black Angels involve the aforementioned Lt. Harper and Chainer’s queer relationship with a masochistic, blonde girlfriend who berates him in order to get slapped, giggling wildly as she’s “punished.” “Do I get a spanking and go to bed with no dinner?” she nudges as she drives her high-heel into Chainer’s foot. He slaps her repeatedly, and she bites him. He calls her a “slumming nympho.” “Nympho maybe, slumming definitely! And I love every minute of it! Just tell me when! When! WHEN!!!” she pants in sizzling sexual exasperation! He then makes love to her in a restaurant while a go-go dancer gyrates. Flashbacks pepper the story along, garnishing a backstory that explains the origins of Jimmy’s black supremacist hatred toward whitey. Another far more explicit flashback cruelly examines the assault of a young white woman who’s a self-proclaimed racist at the hands of two black men. The blonde, well-endowed Sacramentan is chained up and raped at knifepoint, while spewing racial slurs and spitting at her heartless tormentors. As a director, Laurence Merrick displays hits of true creativity and at times innovation. The chase scenes, though overlong, are wellexecuted and the roar of the bikes really becomes a character in itself. He incorporates fast-motion and a dizzying multitude of camera angles as the cycles speed by, one wonders how he was able to film this in only fourteen days! The acting is above-average for a B-picture, and it’s amazing how many actors he found who could ride really nice-looking choppers. Horror fans will note co-star James Whitworth who was “Jupiter” in the late Wes Craven’s 1977 super-shocker The Hills Have Eyes. Whitworth plays Satan’s Serpent “Big Jim,” who early in the picture gets urinated on by smart-aleck Frenchy. Gritty director Laurence Merrick was an acting teacher whose student was the tragic, iconic beauty, Sharon Tate. The Black Angels is an exploitation film with bizarre relationships to the Charles Manson “Family” cult murders. While The Black Angels was in production in August of 1969, members of “The Family” begged for leftover catered food. There was an obvious fascination, so director Merrick visited the Spahn Ranch, where The Family squatted and shoot 16mm footage of their hedonistic, drug-tinged lifestyle, including interviews. This occurred both before and after the Tate/LaBianca murders. Merrick would later utilize the footage in his 1973 Academy Award-nominated documentary Manson. Highly recommended for vintage biker movie fans. I encourage all bikers to discover or revisit these great older cult movies. I happened upon this movie on the online subscription service Night Flight Plus. Old-timers may remember Night Flight as a hit counterculture show back in the 1980s and the early days of cable TV. Their online shelves are stocked with luscious drive-in and grindhouse favorites. The Black Angels is also available on DVD from Something Weird (Video). Andy Lalino-Movie Review
Do you have a favorite Biker Movie we don’t have? Let us know: info@borntoride.com
BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 29
four things to help your family if involved in an accident By Matt Danielson, The Motorcycle Law Group When a serious car or motorcycle accident occurs, it is often a family member or significant other who is contacting an attorney on behalf of the injured party. While I hope neither you nor your family are ever in this situation, all motorists should share vital information with a trusted emergency contact to help ensure they’re adequately prepared in the event of an accident. Below is a list of information to keep up to date and share with your family member or significant other.
1. Medical Insurance: Provide your emergency contact with the name of your insurance company and your policy number. Often, it’s easiest to give them a photocopy of your health insurance card. ? 2. Medical Information: Do you have any known allergies? Are there items in your medical history that would be important for an emergency medical team to know, such as current medications or a history of heart disease? Make sure your emergency contact is kept up to date on your medical conditions.
3. Personal Injury Attorney: What is the name and telephone number of a trusted personal injury attorney that your emergency contact can call – even for some guidance prior to formal representation? The sooner your attorney can be called the better. 4. Power of Attorney: If you are seriously injured and unable to make decisions for a period of time, a power of attorney designation allows a loved one to carry out tasks that you would normally do,
Been injured in an Accident? Contact our Law Firm1-800-321-8968
such as paying bills or cashing checks. It also allows a loved one to make medical decisions for you. Power of attorney is important even for those who are legally married. Once completed, it needs to be signed in the presence of a notary public. Visit our website (MotorcycleLawGroup.com) and select “Prepared Rider Kit” to download a free Power of Attorney template.
The majority of riders go each year without an accident, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared in case you’re ever involved in one. Having this information readily available can be critical, especially immediately after the accident occurs. As always, if you have any further questions or comments concerning this article or any other matters concerning your rights as a motorcyclist, please do not hesitate to contact me. Matt Danielson - McGrath, Danielson, Sorrell & Fuller The Motorcycle Law Group - 1-800-321-8968 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 VA, NC, SC, GA, 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. To learn more about The Motorcycle Law Group, visit MotorcycleLawGroup.com.
BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 31
Hi-Tech Lighting - Installing All headlights are not created equal; they are available
in four basic light sources: incandescent, quartz halogen, HID (high intensity discharge) and LED (light emitting diode). Some riders think that brighter headlights are
better, when in fact it is the color temperature of the light
source that gives a rider the ability to see objects at night. A whiter light gives a rider greater depth of view at night.
Incandescent and quartz halogen lights have a yellow cast and HID lights have a blue beam, while hi-output LEDs emit a true white light; their light color is the closest to sunlight’s color.
LED headlights are the newest type. Their illumination
ability and directional aiming is nothing short of fantastic
and they are now available for motorcycles. With this info in hand, we searched the Drag Specialties website; they
have a RIVCO Products H4 LED headlight bulb kit. It is a
THIS 2012 ULTRA CLASSIC’S LED CONVERTED HEADLIGHT LOOKS STOCK, UNTIL IT IS TURNED ON. THEN, WHAT A DIFFERENCE, YOU CAN’T FIND A BETTER WAY TO SEE THE ROAD AFTER DARK!
straight bolt-in replacement for most 1994-2013 baggers. Because this H4 LED headlight bulb has a built-in
electronic ballast, which is mounted in the rear of the light’s hi-impact housing, no other parts need to be replaced. We ordered the RVCO LED headlight bulb kit, Drag
Specialties part number 2060-0535, MSRP $69.95. We then followed along as Dave Rivera, at Bartels’ H-D,
installed it in a 2012 Ultra Classic. Installing the headlight
bulb was about a one hour operation, which is because the front of the fairing must be removed. The LED headlight
bulb assembly is a straight plug-in replacement; no filing or soldering is required. Our first evening ride was a real eye
opener; the headlight’s white light gave us a view that had
a lot more detail of our surroundings. The RIVCO Products LED headlight is, bar none, the best nighttime riding product we have ever experienced.
- John Sullivan BTR 32 | BORNTORIDE.COM
TO FIT THE LARGEST NUMBER OF BIKES, THE RIVCO PRODUCTS LED HEADLIGHT BULB COMES WITH THREE H4 MOUNTING FLANGES. THE LIGHT’S INPUT CABLE PLUGS INTO THE FACTORY HEADLIGHT CONNECTOR.
SOURCE: DRAG SPECIALTIES dragspecialties.com
A LED Headlight
TO GET TO THE HEADLIGHT BULB, THE FRONT OF THE FAIRING MUST BE REMOVED. IT IS ATTACHED WITH THE THREE ALLEN SCREWS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSH TO GET TO THE HEADLIGHT BULB, THE FRONT OF THE FAIRING MUST BE REMOVED. IT IS ATTACHED WITH THE THREE ALLEN SCREWS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD AND THERE ARE FOUR MORE SCREWS ON THE RIDER’S SIDE OF THE FAIRING THAT SECURE IT TO THE FRONT SIDE OF THE FAIRING. HIELD AND…
THE FACTORY HEADLIGHT BULB WAS REMOVED FROM THE REAR OF THE HEADLIGHT SHELL.
WITH ITS MOUNTING SCREWS REMOVED, THE FRONT FAIRING IS PULLED FORWARD SO THAT THE HEADLIGHT WIRE HARNESS CAN BE UNPLUGGED FROM THE BACK OF THE FACTORY HEADLIGHT BULB AND THE FAIRING SET ON THE WORKBENCH
THE RIVCO LED BULB WAS INSTALLED INTO THE FAIRING AND ITS CONNECTOR PLUGGED INTO THE FACTORY HEADLIGHT WIRE HARNESS. AFTER THAT IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF INSTALLING THE FRONT FAIRING.
If you have a Tech Tip you would like to see, let us know at editor@borntoride.com
BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 33
THE TANK WHISPERER MAKES YOUR OLD TANKS LAST FOREVER
Willie Nelson READS IT!
The heart and soul of your bike is the fuel tank. Originally, the tank was new and clean, but over the years that all has changed. If you are tired of cleaning carburetors or think you need a new tank because yours is too rusty or it leaks, I have the solution. We clean tanks and preserve the metal – even permanently stop leaks! The highgrade epoxy coating we use is second to none; we can even remove most Kreem and Red-Kote liners. We have a fast turnaround time; it’s the easiest thing you’ll do all week.
813-407-2226 or CraigPaintsBikes.com
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Hey, there my BTR friends. Blooming season is almost gone and so are most snowbirds and spring breakers. Adios and good riddance. The Fat Bird 2 was down for a few weeks because of a terrible lifter failure that took out the nice Screaming Eagle cam that was making her breathe so well. It figures, Harley-Davidson discontinued that sucker, so we had to get the next best thing. This gave Mike a chance to install an S&S easy start cam. That bad boy opens the exhaust valve when cranking and relieves the pressure on the starting system that most Harley’s suffer from. Bill and Nate over at Wild Bill’s Motorcycles in Largo performed the operation as they came with high credentials. Mike babbles, “You know me Spyke, only the best for my two birds. And if any of your avid readers need quality work done right the first time at a reasonable price, these are the go-to guys!”I cackle, ‘Standing on that brake pedal and gazing into the chest of the Fat Bird 2 just made me want to cry. Then, seeing that good cam lobe looking like one of my eggs and the other looking as round as a full moon made me realize why you cried when you got the news. I hope you never have to stare into my guts and see something like that! But, it’s good to see you’re taking care of the objects that got you this far in the BTR world. Most things in life, including me, don’t like to get ridden hard and put away wet ALL the time.’ Mike replies, “Well Spyke if I ever did have to look inside you and found a cam like that, I think I’d have to change your diet. ... I’m trying my little feathered friend, but sometimes life just doesn’t let me do what I need to do. I’m always busier than a moth in a mitten. I wish there were 25 hours in a day and the only time I could sleep is when I’m dead.Life is way too short and it’s made me realize that we need to live, love, and laugh at every precious moment. I’m gonna do what grampa used to say, I’ll be making hay while the sun shines!Speaking of precious moments, remember when we were at Kevin’s house helping put a back tire on his scoot? For about an hour we kept hearing his blonde girlfriend cussing and yelling from inside the kitchen. Finally, she walks out to the garage and says, “I’m doing a jigsaw puzzle and I can’t fit any of the edge pieces together.” Kevin asked BTR 38 | BORNTORIDE.COM
what’s the puzzle of. She replied, “It’s a big rooster. Will you three please help me, it’s driving me crazy.” Deciding to take a break for a cold one, we followed her inside. She starts yapping about the pieces all over the table. Kevin looked over her shoulder and said. “Honey put the Corn Flakes back in the box.” I squabble, ‘Yeah Mike, that was a live, love, and laugh moment for sure.’ Mike babbles, “Remember when we stayed at Leesburg till Monday just cuz we wanted to see what the town was like after the event?” I cackle, ‘Yeah right Mike! I do recall we got an extra night at the Holiday Inn for free because of what they did to us, but that’s another story. … Let me reminisce, we decided to go right down to the town square and a little bar just off the main lawn and water fountain. Mike and I grab some chairs on the inside part of the bar. We were the only ones there except for the bartender, the owner, and a contractor. Mike got a cold one for himself and pineapple juice for me. He asked the bartender, “What’s up?” He replies, “New owner going over some changes for the interior designer.” We overheard the owner saying how he wanted to change the back wall of the bar to a bright silver. We see
the guy write down some notes on a pad then go over to the door, look out, and shout, “green side up!” Moving towards the other side of the bar we heard him saying, “I would like this wall to be a bright red with some orange undertones.” The gentleman took some notes then walked back over to the same door. He looked out, shook his head, and yelled, “green side up!” He walks back over to the owner who’s at the stage. He begins telling the contractor how he would like to paint the front of the stage red white and blue. The dude becomes busy sketching and writing. He pardons himself and goes back over the door, then waves his hands and says, “green side up!” The owner walks over and asks, “Why do you keep coming over, looking out this door, and yelling, green side up?” The contractor said, “I’m sorry, but across the street, I’ve got a crew of blondes laying turf that all the bikers tore up around the front of the stage.” Mike exclaims, “Damn Spike! That was a great live, love, and laugh moment also. Finish your story so I can get your wings in the wind, my knees in the breeze, and the Fat Bird 2’s wheels rolling down the road, breaking in that new cam. — SPYKE
RONNIE and EMILY’S
CHRISTIAN MOTORCYCLISTS ASSOCIATION One of the great benefits of riding with friends is the fact that when you ride in a group there is a lot of support. That help, from one’s brother or sister, is available in the event of something going wrong along the way. It is also a blessing that the help provided isn’t based on owing a favor, or paying for the help received! The help is simply based on there being a need present and an opportunity to help fulfill that need. I’ll never forget a situation one of riders found herself in, and the wonderful help she received. The group was coming home from a rather long ride and one rider needed to stop, she was flat worn out. To make matters worse, It was after dark and the group was about 80 miles from home. The group pulled into a fast food burger joint and began making calls to see how the worn out rider could be helped. After several calls a brother with a utility trailer available was located. The only problem was that the trailer was 40 miles from where the group was located. The trailer was hitched up and on the road in short order, but it took about an hour to get to the group. Upon arrival it was noted that all of the riders from the group had stayed with
BTR 40 | BORNTORIDE.COM
the rider and her bike. Very quickly several of the brothers set about tying the bike down to the trailer, and everyone mounted up for the final 80 miles to get home. The bike was off loaded from the trailer, and everyone rejoiced that there were no further challenges. After all shared handshakes and hugs, they headed home to call it a day. The point is this; the initial anxiety caused when the rider realized that she could not complete the ride was overcome by her knowledge of how close everyone was. She knew that the leaders of the group would find a solution. She also knew that the other riders cared for her and that they would take care of her. This was evident in that the bikers waited with the worn out rider, they stayed by her side! That kind of compassion and concern goes a long way to give confidence in the bikers being there for her. In 1 Peter 5:7, the Bible says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” The fact is that Jesus loves you and me. He is incredibly interested in and cares for us, and what is going on in our lives. He listens, and He calls our voice when we reach out to Him. He doesn’t want us to be anxious for anything; rather, He wants us to be happy and secure. He is only a prayer away! Like the riders in the above story, Jesus not only has to answer to all of our challenges, He is the answer. You can trust Him! In the Wind, Denny Dingler
Check out BornToRide.com for more articles from Christian Motorcyclists Association
