MAR 2022 #109
read it/watch it/ride it
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Contents
MARCH ISSUE 109
FEATURES
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Adamec Harley Davidson St. Augustine Bike Week
8
Choppertown Live Thunder By the Bay It’s Back and Better than Ever
12
Split Decision Shovelhead-Joshua DeBenedetto
28
COLUMNS
28
Nefarious James-New Year
35
DEPARTMENTS
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Contents Page
2
Letter From The Editor Dave Nichols
4
REPORTS
12
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Ride Safe Ride Smart
8
Rally In Tally Is Coming
10
Letterfly-Traveling Amazing Pinstriping
25
Tropical Tattoo-Chopper Time Is Coming
31
ON THE COVER
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Joshua DeBenedetto Split Decision Shovelhead Photo: Erick Runyon
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BORN TO RIDE Magazine
PO BOX 3021 Brandon, FL 33509
Letter from the Editor
PUBLISHER
DAVE NICHOLS
Ron Galletti 813-785-3895 888-795-5779 rg@borntoride.com
CO PUBLISHER
Deb Galletti dgalletti@borntoride.com
FROM THE HELM
EDITOR
Dave Nichols editor@borntoride.com
ART DIRECTOR
Peter Soutullo art@borntoride.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Erick Runyon
ART DEPARTMENT
Juan Guzman, Jared Hartman, Erick Runyon , Peter Soutullo, Craig Miller, Beatnik Steve Werner art@borntoride.com
WEB DESIGN/ELECTRONIC MEDIA Juan Guzman
OFFICE ADMINISTRATION Nancy Ray nray@borntoride.com
MULTI-MEDIA SPECIALIST Jared Hartman, Craig Miller Jasper Harris
SALES & MARKETING 888-795-5779
ROAD CREW
Vick Velosity, Mark Crowder, Doug Bright, Birdman Mike,
SCENIC RIDE CONSULTANT Steve Finzelber-Finz Finds
ON THE ROAD TEAM
The John & Heather Show
CONTRIBUTORS
JP Brady, Neale Bayly, Susan Hurst, Spyke & Mike, Eric Albright, Eric Vician, Myra McElhaney, Paul Murray, James Gladstone Greg Blackwell, Felicia Morgan, John Sullivan
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ron & Selena Hawks, Chris Miller, Scott Odel, Eric Albright, Chopper Dave, JP Brady, Erick Runyon, Craig Miller
LAW FIRM
FRAN HAASCH LAW GROUP www.LawFran.com 866 LAW Fran BORN TO RIDE OFFICE
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BIKE WEEK BONANZA! HOWDY BROTHERS AND SISTERS! Welcome to the March issue of Born To Ride! Get ready to ride on out to the ultimate two-wheeled party. I’m talkin’ about Daytona Bike Week of course, but I’m also focusing in on all the killer motorcycle events that have sprouted up to support this year’s annual “Run to the Sun.” For instance, the fine folks at Adamec Harley-Davidson of St. Augustine are having their own Bike Week during Daytona from March 4th to the 13th including incredible live bands every day plus a special bike night on the 10th with a $100 cash prize for best bike club attendance. Check ‘em out at www.adamecharley.com/bikeweek2022 and see their ad in this issue. Space Coast Harley of Palm Bay is pulling out all the stops with a bikini bike wash, live music every day, awesome food trucks, a full bar, giveaways and prizes. See their ad and visit www.spacecoastharley.com to find out more. Meanwhile, in Ormond Beach, Daytona and surrounding areas, the party never stops. Don’t forget to ride over to Willie’s Tropical Tattoo on Thursday, March 10th for the Old School Chopper Show. Born To Ride has been a proud sponsor and friend of Willie’s for over 25 years. See coverage of previous shows in this issue. You don’t want to miss it! In this hot March issue, we’ll take you to Choppertown Live at Thunder by the Bay in Sarasota for a seven-page feature on this year’s mind-blowing event. Special thanks to Roosterz Rod Shop, Orlando Street Vans, and all the incredible custom bike builders who showed off their scoots. And mega thanks to our friends Mondo from Denver’s Chopper, Paughco Motorcycle Parts, and Metalsport Wheels for the crowd-pleasin’ raffle giveaways as
well as Vee Rubber Tires for giving us five sets of tires as prizes. Dave “Letterfly” Knoderer painted up some amazing bowling pins as trophies for the top bike show winners. See his take on Bike Week in this issue. But wait, there’s more! Check out the ad in this issue for Thunder Beach, the run that is changing the course of motorcycle rallies in the state of Florida. We’re talkin’ about epic entertainment from the likes of Kid Rock, Ted Nugent, Travis Tritt and more! The Split Decision Shovelhead by Joshua DeBenedetto. A young Spirit with a old school soul. He built it with his hands and he is focused create more on pg 28.
One final thought: Daytona Bike Week is here offering up the very latest from the motorcycle industry, amazing bike shows, wild racing, righteous riding, and bikers from all over the world in attendance who are ready to party their asses off. Don’t forget to ride safe.Be safe out there. — 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
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NEW FLORIDA MOTORCYCLE RALLY ROARS IN TALLAHASSEE MAY 13-15, 2022
TALLYBIKEFEST.COM
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –Tallahassee, the only city in Florida with rolling hills and famous canopy roads, welcomes its first annual motorcycle rally on May 13-15, 2022. Tallahassee Bike Fest is perfect for bikers seeking an extra thrilling and unique biking experience you can’t find anywhere else in the sunshine state. Tallahassee Bike Fest will be featured in the downtown Tallahassee area dubbed Railroad Square Art District.
Tallahassee resident Giavona “G” Williams is proud to create the first-ever annual motorcycle rally for this city. G is seeking to provide an all-inclusive experience for new riders, experienced riders, and their families, and of course, all bikes are welcome! “We don’t care if you ride three-wheels or two wheels, or sport, metric, or baggers,” says G. “We just want every rider to come and enjoy what our great city has to offer. There is A LOT to explore to keep your schedule full!” Upon entry into “Tally,” its popular nickname, you’ll feel as though you’re no longer in Florida but rather somewhere up north. Traditionally, Florida is characterized by sandy shores, palm tree-lined streets, and warm winters. However, in Tallahassee, you can enjoy alternative scenery. It’s the perfect place to explore the many natural parks, trails, reserves, and springs scattered across the area. And yes, the beaches are just a short ride away if you are looking for that as well.
The historic Railroad Square Art District will host Tallahassee Bike Fest’s main area. It is a WWII-era industrial warehouse park turned urban core art district and includes a 10-acre haven with more than 70 shops, galleries, and small businesses. On
May 13-15, 2022, Railroad Square will be home to the festival’s vendors, motorcycle activities, entertainment such as Jasmine Cain, Mr. Sipp “The Mississippi Blues Child,” Blackbird Anthem, and more. Other features of Bike Fest include: a kick-off party by Tallahassee Harley Davidson, mapped rides in partnership with REVER, an honorary veteran ride, poker runs, a Sunday Bike show hosted by Born to Ride Media, and a kid’s corner featuring hands-on activities for future riders. G Williams acknowledges that Tallahassee needs a festival like this, and she is thrilled that it has generated a lot of excitement already. Tallahassee continues to grow as a city and is home to many attractions, breweries, bars, shopping, and an eclectic food scene. In addition, many folks in the regional motorcycle community agree that this festival needs to happen because Tallahassee is a hidden gem for attractive riding. Based on the festival’s outreach thus far and local data, G predicts to welcome about 3,500-5,000 riders for their first year. “We take pride in putting on a motorcycle rally with a purpose that benefits local charities in the Tallahassee area, and this year our benefactor is Team Guardian. A veteran non-profit that provides dignified transport for our fallen,” says founder G Williams. “We can’t wait to share our roads and our city with our fellow riders this May and help raise money for a great organization.” Vendors Welcome-CallNow for more information! For more information regarding Tallahassee Bike Fest, please visit their website: tallybikefest.com. Giavona Williams g@tallybikefest.com 814-882-1641
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Y L L A R ALLY T Tallahassee, FL May 13-15, 2022
TallyBikeFest.com VENDORS | MAPPED RIDES ENTERTAINMENT | BIKE SHOW WOMEN-FOCUSED EVENTS POKER RUNS | AND MORE!
ACCEPTING VENDORS
YOGI’S GARAGE
FRANK GIRROD
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Winners of the Letterfly Custom Bowling Pins are Panhead Frank Girrod, Yogi’s Garage & Chris
CHOPPERTOWN ‘LIVE’ 2022 IS OFFICIALLY IN THE RECORD BOOKS
We can’t thank everyone enough, but we can try! First off. There were the builders. Without you, this screamin’ chopper show wouldn’t exist. This event is ‘for you’ and in large part ‘by you.’ Born To Ride is grateful to those who came from Georgia, North and South Carolina, as well as from one end of the state of Florida to the other. You are helping put this event on the map as a ‘must see’ yearly event. Next we have to thank the wives, girlfriends, and families of those builders. We know it takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice to make this yearly trek. Those guys couldn’t do what they do without you, which is why this will always be a family-friendly event. We want to give a shout out to North Carolina’s Chillbunnys and the Chillbillys for adding another great layer to this custom bike cake. A big thanks to Roosterz Rod Shop for always keeping the party interesting - just short of getting us kicked out of our building. We also want to thank Orlando Street Vans. We had some great vans represented at the show, and hopefully next time we can make this as much about you, and the van community as the choppers. Thanks to Dave Knoderer of Letter Fly Art for painting us up some great bowling pin giveaways for the tops bike builds. Then our friends who helped with raffle giveaways such as Mondo from Denver’s Choppers,
Paughco Motorcycle Parts, and Metalsport Wheels. Thanks to Vee Rubber Tires for making it possible for us to hand out five sets of tires and a very special thank you to James Irwin and Healthinsurance65.com See James ad in this issue. He is a certified senior advisor, one of only 3500 in America. Find out about his movie , the Baby Boomer Dilemma. “a country that creates veterans should be prepared to care for the “ James Irwin. Even our awesome DJ Robert Norton gave away a couple of great retro-style bar stools to a lucky participant. One of the highlights of the show was when one of our builders, ‘Yogi’ of Yogi’s Garage, fabbed up and gave away an awesome custom ‘one off’ oil tank that any chopper owner would love to show off. In spite of several hurdles, this year’s event was an overwhelming success. We’re already working on new ideas and look forward to an even better Choppertown Live next year! Hope to see you there. Thank you, from the Born To Ride family.
Wilson Low Road Motor Co. Special thanks to these winners who were voted on by their peers.
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BRIAN BUTTERA
YOGI’S GARAGE
JEFF HARTLEY
Thanks to everyone who was a part of Choppertown Live ck borntoridetvmagazine facebook for more media
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CHRIS WILSON
RYAN WOODS
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 Winner of the Mondo hand built Denvers Choppers GasTank was John & Roosters Rod Shop. Thank you Mondo
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BRIAN BUTTERA
JOSHUA DEBENEDETTO
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Winners of sets of V Rubber Tires from Metalsport Wheels :Shawn Zinn ,Joshua DeBenetto,
Robert Ramirez, Gary Conn & Tim Woodard. Thank you VRubber Tires !
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RICHARD RUCK
KASPER BRANSKI
Winner of Paughco Sportster Tank and Hoodie was Yogi from Yogies Garage. Thank you Paughco.
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JOE RIVERS
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“A big thank you to Erick Runyon for the hard work and his
passion to produce. Next month it’s Thunder by the Bay“ Ron Galletti
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Bike Week includes more than just Daytona
The granddaddy of all Florida bike week events is coming up. Although a ghost of what it once was, the festivities in Daytona and the surrounding areas have taken on a life of their own. Unfortunately, you won’t find much taking place downtown on what was once party central; Beach Street. The governing municipal powers of Daytona are doing things to discourage the bikers. You’ll have to ride further out to find the best
of the best in bike shows, bikini contests, vendors and the rock ‘n’ roll atmosphere. And, thank goodness, in this day and age, it’s easy to find out where these things are taking place. In this age of instant communications, ready access to information and the ever-expanding range of social media, there really is no point in congregating blindly at a central point in a town that doesn’t welcome us. Interesting activities at other destinations are instantly posted that reach the bikers who are all seeking stimulation, a reason to hit the road and go on an adventure. Once they know where to find a party, the latest and newest products and services, show bikes, scantilyclad bar-keeps to admire and highprofile personalities to
Let Letterfly create amazing art for your home or business.t Call 813-505-5539
interact with, they are off in a deafening roar. Take in point the parties taking place at Space Coast, Seminole, and Orlando Harley-Davidson dealerships. These motorcycle destinations are filling their parking lots with admirable features at reasonable prices, live music all day long, free parking, and manageable-sized bike shows where even the back yard biker can find a place to shine. (You’ll find Letterfly Pinstriping at Space Coast Harley-Davidson in Palm Harbor during bike week.) These satellite motorcycle dealerships are taking full advantage of the fact that they can provide all the elements of bike week, while placing the bikers outside of where the gouging for hotel rooms, parking and meals take place – far from where the local populace have grown to distain the biker. Motorcycling is all about finding something that you have never found before. This is what drives us to head out in a direction that we have never gone before. The spirit of adventure is what drives us and as the result, the outlying areas of an even greater amount of Florida is prepping for the bikers who congregate here when the snow is up to their fannies up north. So, get ready for the tech-savvy Yanks, and expect them to behave like proactive bikers, finding the best of the best of the places to go. There are plenty of biker-friendly places that cherish the income that comes with the sudden surge of bikers roaring into the sunshine state who put on a great event. Just stay tuned to Born to Ride Radio, our social media sites, and read all the informative posts that are broadcast instantly onto your phone to find out more. Bike week is coming and it is no longer just about Daytona. Be Good, Be Well, and Ride Safe, —Dave “Letterfly” Knoderer BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 25
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GeT TICKeTS NOW T H U N D E R B E A C H . F R O N T G AT E T I C K E T S . C O M
JOSHUA DEBENEDETTO A young spirit
WITH AN OLD SCHOOL SOUL
Born To Ride is proud to showcase this custom bike out of South Carolina to our readers. We asked talented bike builder Joshua DeBenedetto, owner of JDChopperSC out of Greenville, South Carolina to fill us in on the details of the bike he calls, “Split Decisions.” Here’s what he had to say. --Editors
wanted to give everybody something unique to look at, and I wanted to push myself as a fabricator and bike builder. My desire was to build a bike that could win shows, as well as ride for long miles. It has been incredible seeing the transformation in the bike alongside my abilities.
I handmade one-off split coffin-style This is my first official motorcycle build gas tanks, and split the oil bag into and I named it “Split Decisions.” I two separate units—one holding pulled a 1967 Slabside Shovelhead out oil and the other holding all of the of the trenches and gave new life to a electrical components. I also split the machine that had lost its way. seat so that you can look through it and see right through the motorcycle. The goal in mind was “different.” I Continued on page 30 BTR 28 | BORNTORIDE.COM
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I introduced hand-forged blacksmith pieces into the tank center, hand shifter, and clutch connecting rod. The exhaust pipes were built from scratch. I turned down brass on the lathe for the exhaust tips and used the lathe to whittle up matching wheels spacers and handlebars. The motor was in rough shape from sitting outside for so long. I rebuilt the top end and the bottom end was rebuilt at Pete Hill BTR 30 | BORNTORIDE.COM
Motorcycles in Greenville. It all came together with an incredible paint job and I couldn’t be more pleased with how it came out. Getting out on the open road on a motorcycle I created with my own two hands in my garage is so fulfilling. And I can’t wait to get started on my next build. PHOTOS BY DAVID CROSS
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A NICE PUNCH IN THE FACE! Here we are in the month of March. Many
So on with this month’s point. I guess
cops took you away. You lied; you were
Bike Week and other miscellaneous local
life and make every attempt to enjoy it.
you were outed, and society addressed it.
events are coming up including Daytona
festivities. Makes me reflect on how these
events used to be in years gone by. Seems like there have been so many changes to
these events in the name of progress, and I guess in a form of social evolution, that
they don’t really seem to be the same as they used to be.
it would be to keep an open mind in
Unfortunately, we run into all types of
obstacles. Other people being one of them.
Unfortunately, some people go through their life pretending to be what they aren’t. They fake being cool, fake being affluent, fake
being your friend, fake having your back,
You know what I’m talkin’ about. The guy
open to the social experience. A place
help so and so, but the reality is, he was
where you used to be able to see some
really wild stuff. When people used to ride
from all over the country to participate in the event. Not so much now with bikes being brought in on trailers and huge RVs to
sleep in. I have spent many an event and road trip sleeping beside my bike on the
ground in heat, cold, rain, and even snow. It was just the way it was back then.
Financial limitations of the time dictated
one’s accommodations. I miss those days
and miss those road trips. Unfortunately, my
body isn’t as young as it used to be. Seems my mind and my body don’t want to agree
with the limitations of age and the travels of the road. I shouldn’t complain, I guess. I’ve made it this far in life. Wish I could say the same for some of the ones I have love for. I miss some of them terribly.
Now days, the thief steals, the liar lies, and when confronted with what they’ve done,
the scum calls the cops and gets protection from true justice. No accountability. Sad and pathetic.
fake caring about anyone but themselves.
I remember Daytona Bike Week as being more expressive and minds being more
held accountable. You did someone wrong;
who tries to tell everyone how he tried to screwing the guy behind his back. You
know, the person who deserves a nice big punch in the face. To those out there who fit that description, know this: Karma, as
“A PLACE WHERE YOU USED TO BE ABLE TO SEE SOME REALLY WILD STUFF. WHEN PEOPLE USED TO RIDE FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TO PARTICIPATE
some call it, will come knocking on your
IN THE EVENT.”
Believe it or not, it doesn’t take much to
Reflecting on this, it becomes evident to me
there would rather screw people over. Used
It may have had its faults and may not have
door. I sure wouldn’t want to be that guy. be a decent human being. Just some out to be, if ya ran across a sleaze like that,
everyone would out the creep and be done
with them. Now people keep quiet and don’t say squat about the garbage in a group out of fear of reprisals. I say the hell with the
sleazy asses out there and go back to the method of confronting the issue.
Believe me when I say it doesn’t just go
away on its own. This mentality is growing
more and more that I miss the old America. been perfect, but it sure as hell was better than what we have now. I will always love our country and what it was founded on.
That will never change. We, as a people,
need to fix this. Hopefully it’s not too late. — Nefarious James
American Biker
like a virus. Used to be that if you stole,
Tell Jim what you’re thinking, what do you want to say to him? editor@borntoride.com
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