SEPT MAY 2021 2020 #99 #91
THIS MONTH WE HONOR
WOMEN WHO RIDE MOM, MEMORIAL DAY & BIKERS HELPING CHILDREN
read it/watch it/ride it
BORNTORIDE.COM
Contents
MAY ISSUE 99
AD INDEX
FEATURES
The Meaning of Memorial Day
40
8
30
Born To Ride - Heat Up
16
Xavier Muriel High Seas Bike Builder
11
Born To Ride - Live
30
Queen of Speed
23
Born To Ride Group
BC,16
Tech Tip-Wheel Sprocket Isolator
28
Born To Ride Kids
40
Born To Ride MotorFest
34
Georgia Riders Helping Foster Kids
36
Born To Ride Subscription
27
Born To Ride.com
30
Boss Hogg Radio
16
Craig Paints Bikes
39
Cycle World of Athens
6
Denvers Choppers
22
COLUMNS
Nefarious James-Think Motorcycle
17
Spyke & Mike
33
Christian Motorcycle Association
40
DEPARTMENTS
40
Born To Ride - Facebook
Contents Page
2
Letter From The Editor Dave Nichols
4
Ride Safe Ride Smart
7
Women’s World
18
Movie Review - Ghost Rider
33
BTR Kids - Happy Mother’s Day
52
ON THE COVER We honor Women Who Ride, Mom, Bikers Helping Kids & Memorial Day. We feature Pogo Gerald Pogue we honor him. A Marine a Vietnam Veteran and the MC at Roscoes Chili Challenge . Your brothers and sisters miss you and love you Sir. RIP
Events 39 GI Joe Wanted
39
Harley Rendezvous
32
High Seas Rally
15
LawBike Charles Watwood
1
Leather Lid
39
Metal Sport Wheels
5
Mid-USA Parts
IFC,10
Paughco 31 Power & Sound Revival
26
Progressive 3 ProRider Atlanta
7
Ride for Foster Children
37
RIP Big Mike
29
Sales Reps Wanted
39
Seattle Engraving Center
IBC
Thunder at the Rock
20
Tom McGrath’s Law Group
19
Toys Wanted
39
Wanted G.I. Joe
39
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
Letter from the Editor
DAVE NICHOLS
PUBLISHER
Ron Galletti 813-785-3895 888-795-5779 rg@borntoride.com
CO PUBLISHER
Deb Galletti dgalletti@borntoride.com
FROM THE HELM
EDITOR
THIS ONE’S FOR THE LADIES AND HONOR
Dave Nichols editor@borntoride.com
ART DIRECTOR
Peter Soutullo art@borntoride.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Erick Runyon
ART DEPARTMENT
Juan Guzman, Jared Hartman, Erick Runyon , Peter Soutullo, Craig Miller, Beatnik Steve Werner art@borntoride.com
WEB DESIGN/ELECTRONIC MEDIA Juan Guzman
OFFICE ADMINISTRATION Nancy Ray nray@borntoride.com
MULTI-MEDIA SPECIALIST Jared Hartman, Craig Miller Jasper Harris
SALES & MARKETING 888-795-5779
ROAD CREW
Vick Velosity, Mark Crowder, Doug Bright, Birdman Mike,
SCENIC RIDE CONSULTANT Steve Finzelber-Finz Finds
ON THE ROAD TEAM
The John & Heather Show
CONTRIBUTORS
JP Brady, Neale Bayly, Susan Hurst, Spyke & Mike, Eric Albright, Eric Vician, Myra McElhaney, Paul Murray, James Gladstone Greg Blackwell, Felicia Morgan, John Sullivan
HOWDY BROTHERS AND SISTERS! As we all know, May 9th is Mother’s Day and we honor mom and all the women who ride with this special May issue of Born To Ride. Y’see, the month of May is also Women Riders month, dedicated to all the amazing women who ride out there and we kick off this issue with the fastest woman on two wheels, Valerie Thompson. You’ll learn about how Valerie plans to also be the fastest woman on four wheels to boot right here in Born To Ride. Don’t miss the 1st annual motorcycle ride For The Future Hope Foundation Support your local Foster Children Saturday June 5th Cleveland GA ( see page 37 ) Sponsored by The Georgia Riders , Chuck Watwood / Lawbike.com and Born to Ride. We’d like to tip our hat to another incredible woman, Mama Dukes of Boss Hogg Radio and host of our weekly Born To Ride radio show every Thursday night. Mama Dukes put together the incredible Cannabis Fest. Many who attended told us they were so very grateful for the venue and to learn more about cannabis, hemp, CBD and all the astounding remedies that are available.
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
Mama Dukes co-hosts our weekly radio show with yet another truly astounding woman, our
own Debbie Galletti. Deb has been the Mother Superior of Born To Ride since its humble beginnings over 25 years ago. So here’s to all the wondrous women who ride out there. May you ride free forever! The month of May also includes Memorial Day. This May issue also brings you another sizzlin’ tirade by Nefarious James wherein we’re reminded to always “Think Motorcycle” and another gut-bustin’ tickle-tantrum from Spike & Mike. Get a great tech tip from the legendary John Sullivan and find out about the return of the Biker Rodeo at a mind-melting motorized event called Born To Ride’s Great American Motofest! It’s happening on July 24th out at the Boss Hogg ranch in Plant City, Florida. This awesome rally is being organized by motorcycle rodeo mastermind Rob Schwellinger of R&R Cycles. There will also be kids pedal trike sled competition so bring the whole family! Stay tuned right here in America’s favorite biker rag, Born To Ride for more info. We also celebrate Memorial Day in May and Born To Ride honors our servicemen and women who made the ultimate sacrifice that so many have given for their country. See our special tribute in this sizzlin’ summer issue. Thank you for your service!
Speaking of May, Mother’s Day and women who ride, what would a mother be without all the sons and daughters out there to help us celebrate? We’d like to congratulate Ron & Deb Galletti’s son Ron Bruiser Galletti on his 2021 High School Graduation. Warm weather is upon us brothers and sisters. Let’s ride. — Dave Nichols editor@borntoride.com
You should be especially aware at intersections, where other vehicles can cross your path of travel. There are many things to scan for, including traffic devices, road surfaces, and the traffic and pedestrians around you. In a slow, tight turn, such as turning around in a parking lot, it helps to counterweight by leaning in the opposite direction of the motorcycle and direction of the turn. Put pressure on the outside footrest. Info: www.msf-usa.org
THE MEANING OF MEMORIAL DAY NEVER FORGET OUR VETERANS WHO SERVE
I have approached this subject several times over the years, Memorial Day is not the official start of summer, nor should it be the reason for a 3-day long weekend of parties, barbecues, or car sales. Memorial Day has had several names over the 150 years of its existence; however, the reason for Memorial Day stays the same. The day is for honoring and showing respect for those who have been killed while serving in the military, beginning with the Civil War through current military engagements. Over the years Memorial Day has diminished as a national holiday and has BTR 8 | BORNTORIDE.COM
become the unofficial start of summer and big box store specials. Why has it gotten to that point? Simply stated, people don’t seem to care as much as they have in the past. With only 10% of the American population having served in the military, the other 90% seems to have forgotten what the actual cost of freedom is, those who have given their lives. Cemeteries will have small American Flags placed on the final resting places of our warriors and American Flags should be flown at half staff from dawn until noon at which time they will be brought back to full staff (or
to the top of the pole). To properly bring the Flag to the half staff position the flag should be raised to the upper most position on the staff and then lowered to the half way position. Now you should have some idea as to what Memorial Day represents and what respect and dignity the day should be shown. Please say a special prayer for those who we have lost over the years. God Bless America and those who serve in uniform. It’s not about the war; it’s about those who serve to protect us.
Remember and Honor our Veterans and Never Forget the meaning of Memorial Day.
Freedom is not Free. When you see a Veteran, Thank them for their Service. Honor Them All.
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e k i B y a w a ve i G m o t s u C Builds the e High Seas Rally! for th
“To say that being part of a multi-platinum, international touring rock band was a dream come true would be a vast understatement. No kid ever says to himself, ‘When I graduate I’m gonna move to Hollywood and become a Rock Star’ and thinks that it can come true. Well, truth be told, it didn’t for me,” Xavier Muriel tells us. “I was 34 and on my third trip back to the west coast before it actually happened.” Xavier is famous for being the rock ‘n’ roll drummer for the band Buckcherry. “As I look back on it, I would have never been prepared physically or mentally for what it actually took to get to platinum status, so there was a lot of learning to do before success came to pass. I had the pleasure of playing the biggest stages all over the world as well as touring with the greatest bands in rock ‘n’ roll history and becoming friends with them. I mean, getting to play the same stage every night with Motley Crue and having Tommy Lee stand behind me cheering me on was one of many highlights in my
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career.” An avid biker and custom motorcycle builder, we asked Xavier what led him to have such a love for bikes. “I’ve always been into motorcycles. My father bought be my first bike, a Honda MR, when I was just six-years-old. He brought that bike home one spring day along with his Harley-Davidson SX250 Enduro and my older brother’s Honda CR-125. I’ve been hooked ever since. Bikes have always been in my blood. Before I moved back to Los Angeles in 2004, I was working at a Custom Shop in Austin and had already built two bikes. So I was actually into Harleys way before I became the drummer in the band.” While with the band, Xavier played many motorcycle rallies and bike shows. “That’s how I met the likes of Billy Lane, Paul Cox, Jeff Cochran and Chris Callen of Cycle Source magazine. After various run-ins with Chris, he asked me to start writing a column called, ‘Killing Time on Tour with X’’ which led me to meeting so many folks in the motorcycle industry. I was asked by Chris to build a bike for
“My father bought be my first bike, a Honda MR, when I was just six-yearsold. He brought that bike home one spring day along with his Harley-Davidson SX250 Enduro and my older brother’s Honda CR-125. I’ve been hooked ever since.” “The first bike I ever customized was a 1982 FLH, stripped down to the frame and re-painted, powdercoated and I chromed everything that was possible. The paint was done by a thenunknown painter and builder named Joe Martin who used to work out of his garage.” Born to Ride asked Xavier to name the biggest honors he has achieved in his life so far. “Winning the Easyriders Bike of the Year in 2019 was definitely up there with all the accolades of being in Buckcherry. Being on the cover of Modern Drummer, which is the holy grail of drumming magazines as well as the gold and platinum records. Easyriders is the Holy Grail of chopper magazines. I’m Honored that my bike was the last bike to be Bike of the Year before the mag went away.” the In Motion bike show during the Lone Star Rally in Galveston, Texas, back in 2017. Having just left Buckcherry after 18 years, I was very excited to be a part of something fresh and fun.” Xavier tells us that was when he got onboard the custom bike building train. “Famed motorcycle photographer Michael Lichter asked me to be a part of his Sturgis Buffalo Chip Motorcycle Exhibit called ‘Passion Built,’ which was all about invited builders who had other careers, not building bikes as their main bread and butter. I built a sweet little bike that I named ‘Grace’ for Michael’s show and she went on to win Bike of the Year at the Easyriders Bike Show Tour in 2019. It also earned the Cycle Source 2020 Bike of the Year, and I won the 2020 Readers’ Poll Builder of the Year. That bike also took top honors at the Rat’s Hole show in Daytona and many more. So after long deliberation, I decided to make the jump to a legit biz by starting Providence Cycle Worx in Austin, Texas.” When asked about the first bike he ever customized, Xavier tells us,
We asked Xavier how he got involved in building a giveaway bike for the biker cruise of the Caribbean known as the High Seas Rally. “I was turned onto the High Seas Rally from a former employee of the band whose husband works for the cruise company. Plus, another person I had toured with years back was the production manager for High Seas Rally. So after an initial phone call and then a visit to my shop, we all agreed on a vision to take it to the next level.” Xavier soon learned that his giveaway chopper would also go to help raise money for a good cause. “To date, the High Seas Rally giveaway bike is my biggest endeavor. When I found out about the Dialysis Fund and what it was all about, my heart was totally in. As a person who has a family member on Dialysis, I know first-hand what they go through. So, needless to say, I threw the kitchen sink at this project, not so much as money being spent to buy the parts, but more in the labor-intensive parts I handmade for it. This bike features the best of both worlds, combining the looks of an old school chopper with the
Born to Ride Magazine , real editorial content for you the reader every month
BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 13
technology found in some of the latest models.” When asked to tell us more about the bike that some lucky biker on the cruise will win, Xavier says, “It was built on a custom one-off frame by myself and Rick Bray of RKB customs and houses an S&S 80-inch Evo motor. There’s a Harley 6-speed transmission, a BDL two-inch open belt drive with custom belt guards, 60 spoke Black Bike wheels, a narrow glide front end, and a Paul Cox air ride. It has a one-off fuel tank, oil bag, bars, mid-controls, foot pegs, fender struts, and many more custom parts. All of the electrics are handled by a Bluetooth M-unit
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which allows you to sync up the system to your phone, giving you access to readouts of miles per hour, RPMs and other features not found on traditional choppers. The killer paint was done by Jace at Fast Life Garage. She’s a looker, and more important, this girl is a rider!” Some lucky person will be handed the keys to Xavier’s magnificent moto masterpiece. Visit www.highseasrally.com to find out more about the cruise and how you can win!
— Xavier Muriel & Dave Nichols
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BE THE CHANGE AND T H I N K M OTO R C YC L E ! I had a nice happy little article all written up for this month, laced with my usual sarcastic banter. But as of the writing, I had to partake in yet another memorial for a young man who senselessly lost his life to a cage driver who was too busy with whatever it was he or she was doing to not pay attention to their surroundings. I can’t imagine anything being more important while behind the wheel than paying attention to the task of driving. Whatever activity it was that motorist was doing instead of watching the road, watching their fellow motorists or just flat-out looking around or texting, cost a young man his life. Dakota Grimes was only 24 years old. He hadn’t even lived a full life yet and it was senselessly taken by a fellow motorist on the road. This was someone’s loved one and someone who was loved and respected by many. Now gone off of this earth because of an absolutely avoidable incident. Over and over we preach about watching out for motorcycles, watch for bikers, etc. and it never seems to do any good. The majority of everything we see on billboards and advertisements pertaining to motorcycles are people’s willingness to represent them after something happens. What about trying to put things out there to help prevent them from happening in the first place. Not as profitable, I know, but it would definitely be the right thing to do. We have organizations out there that say they want to represent bikers rights, watch out for motorcycles and share the road and all of that, but what are they really doing to make a difference? Things need to be stepped up to help prevent these unnecessary tragedies. Before anyone says anything, I realize many of us have lost a loved one; a brother or a sister to
these meaningless acts. I don’t know what the statistics say, but it seems to me that these incidents are on the rise. So I put this challenge out there to anyone that cares enough about their fellow human being to promote motorcycle awareness and awareness to other motorists in general. If you’re a company owner that owns a fleet of vehicles, put a ‘watch out’ sticker on your cars and trucks. If you’re a law firm that’s in the accident-related business, put up billboards that inform people to be aware that motorcycles are also allowed to use the road. Dealerships and storefronts and mail order that deal with a customer base that rides should put the word out. This is a serious thing people. They’re killing us out there and it appears no one cares. Well, I care. I’m tired of losing my friends and loved ones. I’m saddened every time I hear about how another person has been senselessly taken from us for no other reason than someone else’s careless and uncaring behavior. I’m sorry, but the, “I didn’t see him” excuse isn’t good enough anymore. Something needs to be done and soon. I know a lot of people feel that what they say will fall on deaf ears and it’s not important to speak up. But everybody’s voice can make a difference. Everybody’s actions can be felt by others. After all, it’s somebody else’s actions that kill us every day. Now it’s time. Be the voice, be the person who speaks up, be the person who puts the sign in their yard or the sticker on their car. Help make this change. Even if as a collective we save one life, it will be well worth it. I’m fed up with organizations that say they promote motorcycle safety and motorcycle awareness and do nothing to make a change. They mouth the words,
they take your donations and what do you get in return? Bikers are probably the most caring and giving group on the face of this earth. There are more charity rides and fundraisers attended by bikers that you could ever imagine. But who stands for them? Well, I can tell you this. I do. And so do others but we need more. Give this some thought and think, ‘how can I help other people from suffering the loss that many families have?’ After all, the next person subjected to the carelessness of another motorist could be you. Ride in a manner that will allow you to ride another day. Hope to see you out there and take care. —Nefarious James Hey James, challenge accepted! Born To Ride has teamed up with the might of Rubenstein Law to create a new awareness and education campaign called “Think Motorcycle.” It’s about everything you just mentioned. It trains people in cages to Think Motorcycles when they are on the road. It reminds bikers to Think Motorcycle while we are out there exposed and rollin’ down the roads of America. We are vulnerable and need to always have our guard up and look out for Number One. Plus, it is a platform to get new riders into the biker family by showing them why we do what we do. Think Motorcycle covers all the bases and we’ll be releasing more information on this new awareness campaign in the weeks and months to come. Look for it right here in Born To Ride and remember to “Think Motorcycle!” —The Editors
Tell Jim what you’re thinking, what do you want to say to him? editor@borntoride.com
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Women’s World
Dr. Rebecca Kuo-Ryan is Skilled on the Track and in the Operating Room
“What are you doing?” This was Rebecca question to her boyfriend Robert when he bought a motorcycle. Rebecca had never been around bikes but as an orthopedic surgeon with a specialty in spinal injury and as the daughter of an orthopedic surgeon, she’d seen several people who’d wiped out and ended up in the operating room. She noticed that Robert was a very careful rider and soon, knowing how much it meant to him, Rebecca gave it a try. Despite seeing results of accidents, she wasn’t afraid on the back of his BMW touring bike and quickly began to enjoy it. “What if he’s injured or something and I need to go for help?” As a mother of two and a doctor, Rebecca was used to being prepared to handle anything. To answer her own question, she decided to learn to ride. Just in case! After taking the rider safety class Rebecca bought a BMW S1000 RR sport bike even though Robert hates what he calls, “crotch rockets.” When Robert and Rebecca became engaged the photographer asked about their common interests. When she heard about the motorcycle riding she suggested a few engagement photos with the bikes, besides the lake with the Chicago skyline in the background. Great idea! A medical assistant in Rebecca’s office is married to a guy who organizes events at a sport bike track. Rebecca accepted her invitation to visit and fell in love with track racing. Robert was reluctant to join her at first but then he loved it, too. Now she rides her ‘road bike,’ a Honda VFR to work and her sport bike on the track. Robert added a Zero SR Electric motorcycle as his ‘track bike.’ “The fast curves and leaning close to the ground,” Rebecca says, “It’s like skiing only on a bike!” She further explains that you aren’t racing other motorcyclists as much as you’re racing against your own best ride. The rides aren’t timed but are coached and judged according to exacting technique. You’re working on your speed, performance, and control. Rather than winning a race, your reward is challenging yourself and still leaving the track with a shiny bike and no broken bones! Track riding constantly tests and increases your technique and BTR 18 | BORNTORIDE.COM
control. Sort of like an advanced skills class. The techniques learned and practiced on the track also come in handy on the road when you hit a patch of ice or must maneuver quickly to avoid an accident and if you go into a corner too hot you can adjust and prevent
wiping out. In some ways, the track is safer than the road she says because you’re more visible and there are no cars, trucks, and intersections to deal with. Exacting technique, skill, and speed also are important in the operating room. Wouldn’t you want a surgeon who’s skilled, thinks fast and is precise? Rebecca sees her share of motorcycle accidents in the operating room, including some from the track she rides on. Rebecca was called to examine a guy in his early twenties who’d wiped out on his bike. The parents weren’t exactly happy when she walked into the exam room in full motorcycle gear, carrying her helmet. They were hoping he’d get a lecture on the dangers of motorcycles. Instead, he got a lesson on the importance wearing the proper gear and advancing his skills. Besides commuting to work on her bike and riding at the track regularly, Rebecca often takes short motorcycle road trips with Robert during the spring, summer, and fall before the Chicago winters cover the track with snow. If you or someone you know rides her own and has an interesting story to share contact Myra@MyraMcElhaney.com and maybe, you’ll be featured in the Women’s World column.
Myra McElhaney If you would like info on Born To Ride Womens Club, Email info@borntoride.com
VALERIE THOMPSON
is without a doubt the QUEEN OF SPEED. She is the world’s fastest female motorcycle streamliner racer, hitting an incredible 328.467mph on the BUB 7 Streamliner motorcycle and is an eight-time Speed Record holder. She is also an inductee in the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame, a member of numerous 200 MPH Clubs and one 300 MPH Club. She is also known as Australia’s fastest female motorcycle land speed racer and was recently included in the Dealernews “Top 100 Leaders in Powersports” list. And that was all before lunch. Most of us who ride motorcycles have “gone fast” on a bike. But we’re talking topping out at like 110 or 120mph. The fastest I ever went was 160mph on a 1000R Ninja. Even at that speed, the wind becomes a solid wall of force. So I had to ask Valerie, what does it feel like to pilot a Streamliner to over 300 miles per hour? “It starts with me walking to the streamliner in my fire suit and helmet. Focusing. Getting my head around what is about to happen. My team is pushing and pulling me into a tiny cockpit that was made just to fit me. I am form-fitted into it, being strapped in, like a sardine in a can. They close the canopy over me and it is quiet for a moment but my focus is to make history. “The engine comes to life and I get a burst of energy
but then I go into a calm zone… totally focused. I touch the controls and know I won’t let go of them until the run is over. Then I am off! The experience is loud and bumpy and yet somehow serene. I am going very fast and the ground is very close. But I can’t afford any distraction. I get tunnelvision, only paying attention to the RPMs and I go for it. Your peripheral vision helps you focus on where you are on the track. In first gear you’re going 199 mph. In second gear you’re up to 255. In third gear you hit 335 and in fourth you can hit 363 mph.” “Oddly, it all happens in slow motion. I don’t think about how fast I’m going and inside the streamliner you don’t feel the wind so you don’t feel how fast you are going. Sometimes the run that feels the slowest is actually your fastest. My execution has to be perfect and every run is a chance to make history. When you’re racing, you have to manage your fear. You have to understand the limits of your machine and manage risk. You have to have confidence in yourself, your vehicle and your team.”
To celebrate Powerful Women in May — Valerie Thompson is a one of a kind inspiration.
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I asked Valerie what inspires her to take these risks. She smiled and said, “The challenge.” When asked how she got into racing, what inspired her, she says, “Nobody inspired me to race. It was the challenge. I was always told I couldn’t do it. Mainly, I wanted to avoid getting tickets on my street bike. I was in my late 30’s when I started racing. I was told that I was out of control and that I should take it to the racetrack. I took my bike to a drag strip to see how fast it could go. Once I started, I never left. My local H-D dealership sponsored me and in my second year of racing, I placed third in the All Harley Drag Racing Association (AHDRA).” Jesse Jurrens of Legend Air was a big inspiration to Valerie, sponsoring her racing efforts. “He invited me to the Bonneville Salt Flats to race my motorcycle. I thought I’d slip and fall on the salt. Even though I was worried, I bucked up and went out BTR 24 | BORNTORIDE.COM
there. I went 153 mph on my V-Rod, doing everything I could to hold on, rookie-style. The wind became a solid force and my helmet started choking me out. Luckily, I had a lot of great teachers who took me under their wings. I learned a lot from famous racer Wink Eller.” Valerie’s racing career led her into the biker lifestyle, not the other way around. In 2018 she was inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Now she’s on a mission to rewrite motorsports history in 2021 with the Target 550 streamliner team in Australia this coming March at the Dry Lakes Racing Association (DLRA) Speed Week competition by breaking the current FIA conventional wheel-driven, piston-powered automobile class speed record of 415.867 mph. But that’s not all. Valerie and Team 7 Racing plan a minimum of two events for 2021 for the famed BUB 7 motorcycle
Most of us who ride motorcycles have “gone fast” on a bike. But we’re talking topping out at like 110 or 120mph. The fastest I ever went was 160mph on a 1000R Ninja. Even at that speed, the wind becomes a solid wall of force. So I had to ask Valerie, what does it feel like to pilot a Streamliner to over 300 miles per hour?
streamliner, including a private testing session and competing at the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials August 28 – September 2nd. If successful with both the Target 550 and Team 7 Racing teams, Valerie will become the first woman to ever go over 500 mph in a car and over 400 in a streamliner motorcycle. Her success story and relentless quest to become the world’s fastest motorcycle racer is a key plot line in “Rockets and Titans” an upcoming film documentary about the competitive world of land speed racing. You may have also seen Valerie featured in the award-winning documentary films, including “Why We Ride” and “Mega Speed” (Discovery Channel). This year, Valerie could actually become the first woman to go over 400 mph both in a car and a motorcycle. Already ranked #7 on the world’s fastest motorcycle racers of all-
time list, Valerie has become the first woman in the seat of the incredible Treit and Davenport Target 550 Streamliner. While other women have reached fabulous speeds in a car and others in a motorcycle streamliner, no woman has done both. The net result might be the first driver over 500 mph in a piston engine car, and over 400 mph in a motorcycle. Something that NOBODY, man or woman, has ever accomplished. You can become a part of this history making quest by sponsoring Valerie and her independent team to shatter barriers and set new speed records! Visit ValerieThompsonRacing.com for more information or follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. — Dave Nichols
See and learn more on Valarie at wwwvaleriethompsonracing.com
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Smoothing Out Your INSTALLING ALLOY ART’S REAR WHEEL SPROCKET ISOLATOR
A lot of HOG riders sometimes think that the ”V” in V-twin stands for vibration. This idea comes from the unique mechanical activity that takes place down in our bike’s drivetrain. First you have a couple of pistons and connecting rods moving up and down inside two cylinders. They are not operating in a completely balanced non-vibrating environment. This unbalanced motive power is sent to the transmission through a primary drive that uses a spring tensioned motor sprocket and chain drive assembly running back to the transmission. The bike’s final drive runs a reinforced cog belt back to the rear wheel. On 2009-up models, the wheel’s drive sprocket has a rubber isolator that fits in a cavity between the sprocket’s hub and the wheel’s hub.
Harley calls this system a compensator sprocket, which allows the hub to absorb some of the powertrain shock when starting off from a stop and when the rider lets off the throttle. If you ride hard, this isolator’s flexible material can put a double drivetrain bump into your rear wheel during hard acceleration. The boys at Alloy Art have developed a replacement rear wheel isolator that eliminates this double bump. Their isolator is made out of a firmer injection molded polyurethane material. We installed one in a 2013 Street Glide and the bike’s throttle response and drivetrain tractability had a much more solid feel; if we hadn’t ridden the bike before and after the isolator was installed, we wouldn’t believe that one part could make such a big difference. The Alloy Art super CushDrive Isolator retails for $39, which could just be the best forty bucks you’ve ever spent on your bagger. - John Sullivan
THE ISOLATOR’S FIT TO THE SPROCKET IS IN SUCH A WAY THAT ITS THICKER SEPARATORS ARE USED IN THE DRIVE ROTATION.
BTR 28 | BORNTORIDE.COM
THE ALLOY ART CUSH-DRIVE ISOLATOR IS MADE OUT OF A MUCH MORE RESILIENT MATERIAL THAN THE FACTORY PART.
WE FIT THE ISOLATOR INTO THE REAR WHEEL’S LEFT SIDE HUB. IT IS A TIGHT FIT AND DESIGNED SO THAT IT CAN ONLY BE INSTALLED ONE WAY.
If you have a Tech Tip you would like to see, let us know at editor@borntoride.com
Ride
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE TO AVOID ANY ASSEMBLY HEADACHES, WE FIRST TEST-FIT THE ISOLATOR ONTO THE BACK OF THE WHEEL’S DRIVE SPROCKET.
THE ISOLATOR IS FIRST SET INTO THE WHEEL’S HUB, AND THEN THE DRIVE SPROCKET IS SET OVER IT.
SOURCE: ALLOY ART | ALLOYART.COM
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 29
WILLIE READS IT!
PHANTOM MOVIE REVIEW
to attend a dinner date. Meanwhile, Blackheart, the demonic son of Mephistopheles, comes to Earth, along with three fallen angels who bonded with the elements air, earth, and water. They are tasked to find the lost contract of San Venganza. In response, Mephistopheles makes Blaze the new Ghost Rider and offers to return his soul if he defeats Blackheart, though he is also told he has no choice in the matter. Blaze is driven straight to the station on his first ride, where he transforms into the Ghost Rider and kills the earth angel, Gressil. He also saves a young girl from a mugger and incapacitates him with the penance stare (a power that allows the Ghost Rider to make any evil person experience all the pains they caused on their victims as long as the victims were good and not evil). The next day, he meets a man called the caretaker, who seems to know all about the history of the Ghost Rider. He tells him everything that happened was not a dream and that it will happen again, especially at night when he is near an evil soul. When he arrives home, Blaze finds Simpson and reveals himself as the devil’s bounty hunter. Unconvinced, she walks away in disbelief. After a brief imprisonment for the murders that Blackheart committed, Blaze kills the air angel, Abigor, and escapes from the police before returning to the caretaker, who tells him of his predecessor, Carter Slade, a Texas Ranger who hid the contract of San Venganza. Blaze returns home to find that Blackheart has killed his friend Mack and has taken Roxanne captive, threatening to kill her if Blaze does not deliver the contract. Blaze tries to use the penance stare on Blackheart, but it does not work as Blackheart has no soul to burn. Blaze returns to the caretaker, who reveals himself as Carter Slade, and obtains the contract. Slade tells Blaze that he is more powerful than his predecessors since he sold his soul for love as opposed to greed. Slade leads Blaze to San Venganza, then gives Blaze a lever-action shotgun before fading away. After killing the water angel Wallow, Blaze gives the contract to Blackheart. He quickly transforms into Ghost Rider in an Over one hundred years ago, the devil Mephistopheles sent effort to subdue Blackheart, but dawn arrives and he is rendered his bounty hunter of the damned, the Ghost Rider, to retrieve powerless. Blackheart uses the contract to absorb the thousand a document known as the contract of San Venganza, a list of souls into his body. He attempts to kill Blaze, but is distracted a thousand corrupt souls. Seeing that the contract would give when Simpson uses Blaze’s discarded shotgun to separate them. Mephistopheles the power to unleash hell on Earth, the rider After Blaze tries to kill Blackheart with the shotgun, he moves in refuses to give him the contract. and uses his penance stare to render him catatonic, burning all In 1986, Mephistopheles reaches out to 17-year-old stunt the corrupt souls within Blackheart, which is what he had hoped motorcycle rider Johnny Blaze, offering to cure his father’s cancer for. in exchange for Blaze’s soul, an offer he hastily accepts. The Mephistopheles appears and returns Blaze his soul, offering to next morning, Blaze awakes to discover that his father’s cancer take back the curse of the Ghost Rider. Determined not to make is cured, but he is killed that same day in a motorcycle stunt another deal, Blaze declines, saying that he will use his power in which he falls into the ring of fire through which he jumps. against him, and against all harm that comes to the innocent. Blaze accuses Mephistopheles of causing his father’s death, but Infuriated for being robbed of the power, Mephistopheles vows Mephistopheles considers their contract to be fulfilled and promises to make Blaze pay, but Blaze tells Mephistopheles that he is not to one day see him again. afraid. Mephistopheles then disappears, taking Blackheart’s body 21 years later, Blaze has become a famous stunt motorcycle with him. Later, Simpson tells Blaze that he got his second chance rider known for surviving numerous deadly crashes. Blaze meets before sharing a final kiss with him. Blaze then rides away on his his lifelong sweetheart Roxanne Simpson, now a news reporter, motorcycle, turning into the Ghost Rider. whom he abandoned after his father’s death. He convinces her
THE PHANTOM MOVIE REVIEW
Do you have a favorite Biker Movie we don’t have? Let us know: info@borntoride.com
BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 33
GEORGIA RIDERS HELPING FOSTER KIDS IN NEED
Did you know that most of the children that are taken from their homes to be put in the care of foster parents are taken at the spur of the moment? They have no time to pack their belongings or special items, such as clothes, soap, shampoo or even a toothbrush! These things, are usually provided by the foster parents. Once they have these items and have to get moved from home to home, most have no suitcase or bag to carry their things in. They often have to just be packed in a paper bag or trash bag. With all of the above in mind, The Georgia Riders riding club decided to help the foster kids in their communities. They teamed up with The Future Hope Foundation, Inc. to be able to supply some of these essentials. The Future Hope Foundation, Inc. was created to assist organizations and families with children in the foster care system by obtaining support to meet their needs and raise public awareness of the difficulties they face.
The Foundation helps to make the transition from home to home a little bit easier on these children. It was brought to MC group’s attention that many children were in need of a duffel bag to carry their items. With that being said, they’ve been able, through generous donations from the public, to provide them with just that.
birthday presents. On other occasions, the bikers were blessed to be able to provide some of the children with a bicycle to call their own. They also have an orphanage that they contribute to, to help with needs and gifts from the children’s own wish list and to fill the foster kids’ closets with much-needed personal hygiene items and clothing. On June 5th, 2021, the Georgia Riders will be hosting their 1st Annual Charity Ride for The Future Hope Foundation, Inc. None of the above would be possible without the help of people like you who give so generously to the Future Hope Foundation, Inc. and other charities through personal donations or support of their fundraising events. Please come out and support this worthy cause and enjoy the beauty of the mountains of Cleveland, Georgia. You’ll enjoy a scenic ride, lunch will be provided as well as event T-shirts, raffle items and live music by JB Wolf. Many thanks to all of the Georgia Riders sponsors and especially to Chuck Watwood with LawBike.com and Ron Galletti of Born To Ride Magazine, for your support of this fundraiser. All donations are 100% tax deductible and receipts can be provided. The Foundation would like to give a special shout out to Matt Cantrell with Hiram Station located in Hiram, Georgia, for his exceptional support of past and future fundraising events.
But that’s not all. The Georgia Riders decided to try to help For more information on this great event or The Future Hope make these kids’ birthdays a bit special by gifting them with a Foundation, Inc., feel free to contact Stuart Fincher at duffel bag with their name embroidered on filled with a few small 706-969-0017 or David Strickland at 770-910-4315. BTR 36 | BORNTORIDE.COM
BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 37
Whatttsup my BTR friends? Mike and I hope all is well in your neck of the woods as we make the best of it in ours. He repeats to me daily the age old proverb: There is light at the end of the tunnel. With all the life-altering events that have happened recently, most of you would think he’s referring to COVID or social injustice situations. But in our case, it’s the results of a catastrophic accident that occurred to us on June 22, 2019 while riding the Fat Bird 2. In a nutshell (using this term wisely) he was healing and rehabbing from that incident right up until August of last year. Around then and almost ready to start working, getting us back on the scoot and becoming part of society again, the left knee screamed NO WAY! His doc said the permanent fix was to replace it with a new one. Two surgeries were required. The first was to remove original hardware. The results of this were mind blowing and unexpected. The femur did not heal correctly thus complicating a knee replacement. Mike cuts in, “Spyke, my little Plain Jane storyteller, I’ll take it from here. Mind blowing to say the least! The broken pieces didn’t fuse back together so they had to cut off my femur, replace it with a ball/rod and crammed that monstrosity into my thigh bone almost up to my crotch.” “Then, on the lower end they installed a plate connected with another stud going BTR 38 | BORNTORIDE.COM
down a good 10” into my tibula almost to my ankle. Can you just imagine what the drill, bits and hammer looked like for this job?” I squawk, “Dude! That’s not so-fa-knee and makes my little leg hurt just thinking about it. By looking at those x-rays, you’ll be setting off every metal detector you come close to. You’re supposed to sugarcoat stuff like that, not go overboard like being on the Titanic.” “You make it sound like your surgery was done with civil war instruments where they just took a big saw, cut your leg off and rammed whatever they could up there. It was a joint operation. You had two surgeons involved. There was no phoknee balog-knee going on. They did an awesome job, you’re walking better than ever before and you’re on the road to us riding the Fat Bird 3!” Mike breaks in, “Yeah, I know, light at the end of the tunnel. Besides, I can’t sugar coat anything. I’m diabetic! I must cut to the bone and get the point across, literally.” “It’s too bad they couldn’t give me one that grants me three wishes, you know a ge-knee. At least they did the surgery on a good day and didn’t lose control of their san-knee-ty. I was worried because the jokes I heard between them in pre-op were kor-knee. Enough of the knee slappers, you’ve got other stuff to babble about besides my bionic leg.” I cackle, “Well Mike, all I can say is that
you’re now u-knee-que and deserve harmon-knee going forward in your meaknee-ingful life. If you’re referring to our road trip to the other side of the pond? Then yes, we made that Sunday afternoon journey around Tampa Bay to an awesome BTR mega bash at Pop a Beer bar and grill. It was great seeing friends like mc Sharpie and his riding group, John and Heather getting video of me squawking for the TV show and the Tommy Roxx band playing some awesome Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute songs. Tommy’s been a friend of ours for over 20 years and whenever they end a concert with Freebird, you can find me on his shoulder like the free bird that I am!” Mike cuts me off, “You’re just one crazy colored chicken that knows how to bring out the best in people. The new normal for us is to get out more and work my leg harder than I work your feathered ass.” I cluck, “Dude, I may be a pinstriped piece of poultry but at least I’m not as knee-de as you right now!” We look forward to seeing more of our BTR friends out and about in the knee-ar future. We may even be riding to the Great American Motofest in July at the Boss Hogg Ranch in Plant City. Right now it’s time for Mike and I to head off to therapy. He’s got to get his good knee under the keys, my wings out the window and the trucks’ wheels rolling down the road. — SPYKE
Do you have a riding pet story? Let us know, Spyke wants to feature them! editor@borntoride.com
THE TANK WHISPERER MAKES YOUR OLD TANKS LAST FOREVER
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
CHRISTIAN MOTORCYCLISTS ASSOCIATION In spite of what you many think, Hwy 44 in Citrus County near Crystal River, Florida, has not in recent years become an unsanctioned race track. When I was working I used to travel Hwy 44 twice a day and more often on weekends. When my wife and I first noticed the change in how many people were proclaiming themselves as the “King of the Road,” we were shocked. I’ve seen NASCAR races where the drivers were safer and more considerate of others. As unnerving as this situation is, it is vastly multiplied when you are on a bike. One maneuver made in the chaos, and usually without using a turn signal, is when someone makes a right hand turn from the left hand lane. It has been mind-numbing to see this happen during heavy traffic, and without regard to how many lanes of bumper-to-bumper cars are present. Another favorite challenge is when you stop at a light, sitting on a full dressed hog with multiple extra lights. The monster truck that just pulled in behind you, almost touching the bike’s running lights, is so close you can see the truck’s nuts and bolts under the truck’s carriage. If you try rolling forward a few feet to get some space, the person behind you pulls right back almost on top of your ride. BTR 40 | BORNTORIDE.COM
The last problem occurs when traffic is staggered, or when a bike ride of fifteen to twenty riders is in formation, and along comes someone who just can’t be patient or safe. That rider is splitting lanes, with mere inches to spare, and manages not to hit a car or another bike, causing a number of drivers to slam on their brakes to avoid having an accident. Unfortunately, such rude riding reflects on all bikers, it gives all of us a bad name. Yes, I know what your initial reaction might be, and it isn’t always pretty. I’ve been there, I’ve blocked lane splitters just to force them to slow down, but that is wrong. You may find yourself thinking negative thoughts and letting a stranger control your attitude as they carry on down the road. Here’s a thought, forgive them. It is harder to do than you think, but you regain control over your day. So just ease off the throttle and let that dangerous hotrodder disappear into the sunset. In the Bible, in Luke 23:34 it says, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.” The religious leaders and soldiers of that day had no concept of what they were doing, but Jesus forgave them anyway. When we see in the Bible that Jesus took on our sin and forgave us, and even forgave those actively persecuting Him, they didn’t know what they were doing Just like the dangerous riders in traffic on Highway 44, they had no realistic concept of the harm they create. Forgive them anyway! If you need forgiveness and hope, ask Jesus, He’ll forgive you anyway. In the Wind, Denny Dingler
Check out BornToRide.com for more articles from Christian Motorcyclists Association
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