Carolina Chrome
The #1 Magazine for South Carolina Bikers!
April 2022 Issue #163
FREE NOT FOR RESALE
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Mr. Chrome April 2022
Mr. Sam Wright Greenwood, SC
Photography By Robert Vance WWW.CHROMESC.COM
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CAROLINACHROME@YAHOO.COM
803-931-2613
Want To Make A Few Extra Bucks This Year? -orWant To Volunteer Helping Veterans? -orTake a few pictures of “bikers being bikers”?? Contact Carolina Chrome @
carolinachrome@yahoo.com
For more information: Selling advertisement -orBeing part of our yearly fundraiser for Veterans -orTaking pictures at bike related events or times!
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CONTENTS Cover Ms. Kyla Nicole Yates of Greenwood, SC Photography by Robert Vance 3 Mr. Sam Wright Chrome March 2022 Photography by Robert Vance 6-7 8-9
Wolf Pack MC Polar Plunge 2022 Ladies Of Chrome On Location! CVMA Battles Weather And Wins! Article & Photography by Deb Davis 10-11 Bikers For Christ; Blessing of the Bikes 12 ABATE of SC Article By Ralph Bell 16-19 EVENTS 20-21 Marybell Article By Wally Wersching 24 ONE SIZE FITS ALL Monthly Devotional By Dennis Reynolds 25 Biker Kids 26 The Ladies of Chrome Veteran Appreciation! The Wrapping Of Charley W. Hylton Article by Cammie Bunch Photography by Deb Davis
ADVERTISING SALES & MARKETING 803Nicole 931-2613 803 238-8258 CGW 803-931-2613
carolinachrome@yahoo.com
Carolina Chrome LLC ® 212PO Cobbleview Drive Box 85293 Lexington, SC 29072 Lexington, SC 29073
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Cover Photography By Robert Vance Holley Carolina Chrome Magazine™ (CCM) is a FREE publication printed monthly, Distributed in South Carolina & Border Towns to Biker Friendly Businesses & Watering Holes.
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CAROLINACHROME CHANNEL #CAROLINACHROME CHROMESC.COM * CAROLINA* CHROME MAGAZINE
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CCM IS CREATED BY SOUTH CAROLINA BIKERS IN AN ECOLOGICALLY FRIENDLY & ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS NATIONAL AWARD WINING MANNER
WE WERE BORN GREEN
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS PROVIDED BY ADVERTISERS AND READERS AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. WHILE EVERY REASONABLE EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO INSURE THAT THE INFORMATION IS ACCURATE AS OF PUBLICATION DATE, CCM AND ITS EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, CLIENTS, AND DISTRIBUTORS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE USE OF OR RELIANCE ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PUBLICATION OR FROM THE OMISSIONS OF INFORMATION FROM THIS PUBLICATION. CCM’S PARTICIPATION IN THIS PUBLICATION IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THE VIEWS, OPINIONS, PRODUCTS OR SERVICES OF ANY ADVERTISER OR OTHER PARTICIPANT APPEARING HEREIN. NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION SHALL BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORMAT WITHOUT THE EXPRESSED WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE PUBLISHER. CCM DOES NOT PROMOTE THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. CCM IS TO BE HELD HARMLESS FOR FAILURE TO PRODUCE ANY ISSUE ON SCHEDULE DUE TO REASONS BEYOND OUR CONTROL INCLUDING ACTS OF NATURE; TO BE HELD HARMLESS FROM SUITS OR CLAIMS DUE BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE UNAUTHORIZED USE OF A PERSONS NAME OR PHOTOGRAPH, PLAGIARISM, LIBEL, OR COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT. THE CAROLINA CHROME NAME AND LOGO IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK AND IS THE PROPERTY OF THE OWNER AND PUBLISHER NICOLE GANTT AND CAROLINA CHROME LLC.
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Photography Page By Brooke Byrum of Broken Glass Photography
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Wolf Pack MC Polar Plunge 2022
Page Photography By Deb Davis
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Ladies Of Chrome On Location! CVMA Battles Weather And Wins !
Weather cant stop CVMA from accomplishing a mission. Even though the weather fought against them they pulled forward with a huge win! CVMA had their annual Spring ride on March 12, 2022. They had Brothers from S.C., N.Y.,GA., KY., FL., DE., AL., MD., NV., N.C., and VA. They were also supported by other clubs in the area. CVMA are
Combat Veterans who raise money to help Veterans in the Midlands. Veterans helping Veterans is what this is all about. The next time you see the CVMA patch on some ones back give them a huge "Thank you" or a Handshake because they could be helping someone you know or even someone in your family. Article & Pictures By Deb Davis
Page Photography By Deb Davis
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Are You Interested In:
s Having a Fun-Filled Day with a group of Ladies? s Going to Different Biker Events & Festivals? s Helping Veterans Across the State of South Carolina? s Meeting New People of All Ages and All Walks of Life?
The Ladies of Chrome Need Your Help! aNo! You do NOT have to ride your own bike or any bike...
But Yes! You
do need to
know how to spell
Bike...
aNo! You do not have to be "Super Model" Status! But Yes! You do have
to
have most of your teeth, regularly shower and
Presentable Public Apperence aYes! You will have your picture taken!! Some by our Professional Photographers! NOOOO! We will not use your picture hanging in the post office! aYes! We do love Dramatic Eye Make-up, Beautiful Personalities and Funny Jokes! But NOOOO! We will NOT tolerate: DRAMA, Snakes In Your Head, ASSHOLE Personalities or Funny Business! Page Photography By Deb Davis
Still Sound Good? Contact Deb Davis!!
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Bikers For Christ
Blessing of the Bikes
Photography Page By Robert Vance 10
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14th Annual Bikers For Christ;
"Blessing of the Bikes" was held in
Greenwood, SC. With nearly 800 riders, it was one of the biggest ever!
Write Up & Photograpy By
Robert Vance
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Current Motorcycle Related Information
From The Statehouse & Our Nation’s Capital At the Statehouse: Short and simple for this month. Mark your calendars and plan to attend our Lobby Day II on April 7th to help thank those that have supported our legislation and to help educate those that currently do not. Details: The old saying the “Devil is in the Details” is true. Problem is if I write the legislative details now, by the time this magazine gets in your hands those details most likely have changed. So if you are a person that joined this organization because you care about the policies being written that affect your rights on a motorcycle better sign up for those alerts. At the our Nation’s Capital: Of course while we are busy working on local issues believe it or not many federal agencies are busy working to save us all from ourselves. I am neither qualified nor would even want to attempt to cover the federal issues. For a small price you can join the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and receive their bi monthly newsletter which has the most updated information including information from around the states. It just takes a few minutes to fill out the MRF membership application online @ https://mrf.org/join-the-mrf/.
Looking forward to seeing you April 7th!
Ralph Bell
Legislative Coordinator (803) 556-2354 E-mail helmet_laws_suck@msn.com
Lobby Day II Notice April 7, 2022
Lobby Day II with Leather Clad Lobbyist!
WE NEED Become an
ABATE of South Carolina
Member
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YOU!
TODAY and let your VOICE be heard ...before its too LATE! www.abatofsc.org WWW.CHROMESC.COM
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month!
HOLY COW!!... South Carolina Ranked 48th!
"They Say": South Carolina's DISTRACTED DRIVING LAWS
ARE NOT STRICT ENOUGH!
Distracted Driving Awareness Month is held every April. Studies examine state regulation and enforcement of distracted driving were released earlier this year, according to Forbes. Each state was scored for how well distracted driving was regulated and enforced by the law. The criteria included: a Distracted driving fatalities per 100k drivers a Distracted driving injury rate per 100k drivers a Whether or not a state had a handheld ban a Cellphone bans for school bus drivers a Cellphone bans for novice drivers a Overall texting bans a Texting bans for school bus drivers a Texting bans for novice drivers a Minimum fines for violators a Higher fines for repeat violators a Further penalties South Carolina ranked very poorly in the study at 48 and with a score of 33.9 out of 100. Unlike many other states, South Carolina doesn't have a universal cellphone ban for drivers. There is a ban on texting and driving, but drivers can still make phone calls and use cellphones for other purposes. Moreover, drivers may be able to argue that they weren't texting after being stopped by police. Distracted driving is a growing, yet underreported, problem. We don't really know how prevalent distracted driving is, because ;LIVIEW E TVSNIGXIH 7SYXL 'EVSPMRMERW PSWX XLIMV PMZIW HYI XS QSXSV ZILMGPI GVEWLIW MR many cases don't get reported, according to the National Safety MRGPYHMRK QSXSVG]GPMWXW FMG]GPMWXW ERH TIHIWXVMERW QEOMRK XLI Council. In addition, there's not always a way to tell if a driver HIEHPMIWX ]IEV SR SYV VSEH[E]W MR XLI TEWX ]IEVW used a cellphone immediately after a crash without admittance ;LIVIEW XEPOMRK SR E QSFMPI TLSRI IZIR MR LERHW JVII QSHI XI\XMRK TVSKVEQQMRK ]SYV of guilt. This can only later be discovered through a subpoena of HEWLFSEVH MRJSXEMRQIRX W]WXIQ SV +47 HIZMGI GER HMZIVX ]SYV EXXIRXMSR E[E] JVSQ HVMZMRK ERH VIWYPX MR TL]WMGEP QERYEP ERH GSKRMXMZI HMWXVEGXMSR cellphone records. “On a typical day, more than 700 people are injured in distract- ;LIVIEW 7SYXL 'EVSPMRE GSRXMRYIW XS LEZI XLI LMKLIWX RYQFIV SJ JEXEPMXMIW MR XLI 9RMXIH 7XEXIW ed driving crashes,” according to the National Safety Council. TIV QMPIW HVMZIR ERH EPP 7SYXL 'EVSPMRMERW HIWIVZI XS PMZI ERH [SVO MR WEJI GSQQYRMXMIW “Talking on a cell phone – even hands-free – or texting or pro- ;LIVIEW XLI 2EXMSREP 7EJIX] 'SYRGMP 7SYXLIEWXIVR 'LETXIV 7SYXL 'EVSPMRE 8VYGOMRK gramming an in-vehicle infotainment system diverts your atten- %WWSGMEXMSR 4EPQIXXS ']GPMRK 'SEPMXMSR ERH %&%8) SJ 7SYXL 'EVSPMRE [SVO XS TVSQSXI TSPMGMIW TVEGXMGIW ERH TVSGIHYVIW PIEHMRK XS MRGVIEWIH WEJIX] TVSXIGXMSR ERH LIEPXL MR FYWMRIWW ERH tion away from driving. www.twlawfirm.com/posts/south-carolina-distracted-driving-laws-lenient
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Page Photography By PBJoker
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Page Photography By PBJoker
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Submitted Events Saturday, April 2nd @ 7:30am-10:30am American Legion Rider Chapter 193 Breakfast Fundraiser Event by American Legion Riders Chapin SC - Chapter 193 @Zorba’s Tickets: www.americanlegionpost193.com Each year American Legion Rider Chapter 193 host a buffet breakfast fundraiser at Zorba’s of Chapin. All money raised is used to support Veteran, youth and Community causes. The breakfast is fantastic, the breakfast alone is worth more than the $10.00. Come out and support ALR Chapter 193 and a great cause. Tickets can be purchased every Monday morning from 8:30am- 11am at Chapin Post 193 or you can send a check to PO Box 897 Chapin SC 29036 attn: ALR breakfast
2022
Saturday, May 7th 1-7pm ABATE OF SC Motorcycle Awareness Rally Sponsored by CIA Chapter EVERYONE is invited!! Music by DB Bryant & Vince McKinley. 843 Old Lexington Rd, Chapin SC
Flyer Page 18
Sunday, April 3 2022 Bub Lollis Spring Whitten Center Ride Noon- 3pm Whitten Center Campus Pavilion
Flyer Page 18
Saturday, April 9th Warrior Brotherhood MC Vets Helping Vets Poker Run Reg @10:30am - FBO 11:30am - LBI 5pm Strarts at Gadget's of Lugoff, 96 US Hwy 601
Flyer Page 19
Saturday, April 16th, 9AM to 2PM Food Drive For The Homeless Americas Guardians Le/Ps MC Chapter Sc8a At Quality Foods in Greer, SC If your church or business would like to help by collecting products, we will be happy to pickup the week prior to our food drive. Call to schedule pick up: Joker 864-602-3168 or Amy 864-436-5535
Sunday, April 17th
Easter
Saturday, April 30th
May 13-22, 2022 2022 Myrtle Beach Bike Week Spring Rally Saturday, May 14th Steel Horse 6 Riding In A Pack ‘Cause We Got Your Back
Registration @10am Harley Haven, KSU @11am Ride to The Big Red Barn for an event to help military and first responders dealing with PTSD. FMI: Shane Reynolds 515-402-3641 iafireman323@yahoo.com
Saturday, May 14th #22MinFor22Vets Memorial Ride Registration at Savannah Harley Davidson 830-945 KSU 10AM Going to Kingsland Veteran Memorial for 22 minutes of silence in remembrance of the 22+ veterans a day that fall victim to suicide. After Party will be back in Savannah @ Grand Lake Club at Southbridge around 4pm. DJ, pool Party, BBQ ($16 a plate), Raffle chances to win, and camaraderie! FMI: Melinda Griffin 912-712-6661 4ourveterans@stryketeam.org
CR & Broken Chains JC 2nd Annual Spring Rally 11am-4pm Broken Chains JC are a fellowship of Bikers who have found hope and healing in Jesus Christ through Wednesday, May 18th the ministry of Celebrate Recovery, helping others to reCrude's 2022 Veteran's Ride alize that change is possible! BCJC is hosting a Spring Meet for breackfast at Golden Edd, Surside Beach Rally & Bike Show this year in celebration of Celebrate Recovery’s 7th year at Honea Path First Baptist Church! starting @8am, KSU @ 10:30am for 150 Mile Ride. Proceeds from the rally will be donated to Shalom House Free Ride! NO resgistration forms! Final Stop @6pm Ministries in Belton. In addition to the bike show, there will at Garden City Beach Bar for After Party & More!! be food, vendors, live music, swap meet and a kids play FMI: visit springbeachrally.com/things-to-do area. Honea Path First Baptist Church, 100 S. Main Street, Flyer Page 19 Honea Path SC. FMI Shovelhead 864-318-5072 16
Flyer Page 18
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Saturday, July 23rd Christmas in July Toy Tun & Pet Supply Drive Starts at Savannah Harley Davidson registration from 9am-10:30am KSU at 11AM...cars, bikes,Bikes, ect. All welcome to participate! $30 to ride or equivilant in toys or pet supplies. Going to Grand Lake Club at Southbridge for summer santa photos, pool party, DJ, Beverages, family friendly! Door prizes and more! Toys to be used for adopted veteran Christmas families in the upcoming holiday season. Pet supplies to be donated to a local animal shelter. Sunday, September 11, 2022 @ Noon Memerial ride for fallen firefighters 482 cemetery rd wareshoals sc. FMI: Michael Hitt 8649925175 Michaelhitt20@gmail.com Saturday, October 1, 2022 12-4pm Where The Rubber Meets The Pavement Savannah Harley Davidson Bike Show, community skills competition, Battelle of the Badges Skills Competition, Swap Meet, vendors, smashtown truck, food trucks and more! To register go to https:// form.jotform.com/220310704020028 FMI: Melinda Griffin 912-712-6661
Are YOU Helping the Bike Community? Get YOUR BIKE EVENT listed in our FREE SECTION! YOU Deserve A Little HELP, TOO!
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BCJC EVENTS & EVENT UPDATES @ CHROMESC.COM
Crew
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sta Up te
Honea Path First Baptist Church 100 S. Main Street, Honea Path, SC
Registration: 11:00 a.m. $20 (includes meal) Voting: 2:00 p.m.
Food Vendors Swap Meet Live Music Kids Play Area
Contact Shovelhead @ 864-318-5072 for more info
Advertise Your Event Flyer in Carolina Chrome Magazine for $75!
Call or Text 803-931-2613 TODAY! WWW.CHROMESC.COM
W ed, May 18, 2022 Starting @ 8am Ride to Raise Money For “Homes For Our Troops”
150
Meet @ Golden Egg Surfside Beach
KSU
OR
RELEASE FORMS TO SIGN!!
For CoMplete ride details & Updates sCaN Qr Code or VISIT VISIT:: SPRINGbeaChRALLY RALLY..CoM/ thiNgs-to-do/ Ride to Raise Money For “Homes For Our Troops”
Website For Charity NCGW e&c
6pm City Beach Bar @Garden 120 Atlantic Ave. FINAL STOP & AFTER PARTY
10:30AM
FREE RIDE NO REGISTRATION FEES
Mile Ride
WITH GAS STOPS!
www.hfotusa.org
Garden City/ Murrells Inlet
(Next to the “Old Slick Track”)
Final Stop Includes: 50/50 Tickets Door Prizes FREE Pizza
all riders responsible for their expenses on ride.
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EVENTS & EVENT UPDATES @ CHROMESC.COM
Crude’s 2022 VETERAN’S Ride
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Marybell
Article By Wally Wersching
It was late October 2004 when I first heard about Marybell, though I didn’t know it at the time. I saw an ad in the local classifieds that stated “Old motorcycle for sale – 124 Sleeping Bear Lane, Busick, NC”. I remembered where Busick, NC was from my trips to Roaring Fork Falls. It’s located on rt. 80 just north of the Blueridge Parkway. It is a very small mountain community. I decided to take a ride up there next Saturday. If nothing else, I’ll enjoy the ride in the mountains. It was a pleasant day. The color was almost gone from the trees but was still a very nice ride. It was in the mid-50’s in the mountains with plenty of sun. It took me some time to locate 124 Sleeping Bear Lane. It was an old farmhouse at the end of a gravel road. I rode up the deeply rutted driveway, walked onto the weathered unpainted porch and knocked on the old wooden screen door. A man in his 80’s wearing a pair of dirty and torn bib overalls with only one strap over his shoulders opened the door. With a growl, he asked me “what the hell you want?” I showed him a copy of the ad and asked if I could see the “old motorcycle” he has for sale. He warmed up immediately and said: “You’re here to see Marybell.” I didn’t know what he was talking about but I followed him to a small weather beaten shed next to the barn. With a little effort, he opened the door. The hinges were very rusty and didn’t want to move. He walked into the shed and removed the cover from the motorcycle. Dust engulfed the inside of the shed. Each particle was highlighted in the bright sunlight coming through the opened door. After a few seconds, I could see the motorcycle. To my astonishment, it was a 1965 Harley-Davidson Electroglide. The tires were flat and the bike was dusty but it was all there. It was beautiful! (The 1965 Harley was the last year of the panhead engine and the first year of the electric start. It had the best of both and was very rare.) My eyes must have gotten as big as saucers. With a smile, the old man asked if I liked Marybell. I said yes definitely. He didn’t want to sell her but he had to sell the farm. There would be no place for Marybell. I walked around Marybell looking closely at her. Someone spent a lot of time restoring her. Everything was just like it came from the factory forty years ago. I introduced myself and learned his name was Jed Wilson. The motorcycle belonged to his grandson Josh. Jed invited me to sit on the porch for awhile as he told me about Josh and Marybell. Larry, Josh’s dad, bought Marybell new in 1965 and named it after a girlfriend he had in high school. He rode it for over twenty years until in 1986, a drunk driver ran him and Marybell off the road. The wreck killed Larry and all but destroyed Marybell. Josh was only fourteen at the time and Marybell was all he had left of his father. Josh decided to bring the pile of broken motorcycle parts back to life. It took him almost two years to get Marybell back on the road. He saved all his spending money and hunted everywhere to find parts to replace the ones broken in his dad’s crash. When Josh was sixteen, Marybell was roadworthy but was still missing many of her parts. Most of Josh’s friends had crotch rockets and choppers. They teased Josh about Marybell being too heavy and slow. Josh didn’t mind going slower. He really loved Marybell and the feeling he got when he was riding her. Josh rode Marybell regularly all the while looking for the parts that would make her perfect. Marybell seemed to appreciate the effort. She never broke down even though some of her parts were badly worn. Everyone in town could hear the slow mellow tones of Marybell as she climbed the hills. Josh had her just about perfect when he disappeared. He went 20
hunting one fall day and was never seen again. They found his truck but never found him; even after weeks of intense searching. That was ten years ago. Marybell has been sitting in the shed ever since waiting for Josh to ride her again. That was Marybell’s story. Jed and I talked some more about his farm and where he was going to live. Then it came time to ask the all-important question: how much was he asking for Marybell? It was a very rare find in exceptional condition. The only drawback was that she had been in that shed under that cover for ten years. A lot can happen to the insides of any motor vehicle that sits for a long time. The repair cost can be very expensive. I asked Jed the question and he told me to make an offer. I always offer low so we can negotiate to what he really wants for it. I offered him $1,000 for Marybell. I almost fell off the chair when he said OK. The only stipulation was that I keep her original and ride her regularly. That was no problem. I love riding old Harleys and it would be a sacrilege to modify one in such perfect condition. He wouldn’t take any money down. He said that she was mine when I came for her. I was there with my El Camino the next day. I brought an air tank to inflate Marybell’s tires so they’ll roll up the ramp more easily onto the back of the El Camino. I gave Jed the money and wished him well. He was a very sad and lonely man. He really missed Josh. I thought that he was going to cry when I pulled away with Marybell in the back. When I got her home, I carefully unloaded her and rolled her into the garage. I wiped her down to see that the black and white paint was still perfect along with all her chrome - no pits or rust anywhere. The next thing was to drain all her fluids. Petroleum based fluids like gas, oil, brake fluid, etc. turn toxic after a few years. In their toxic state, they can eat through metal causing holes in the carburetor, gas tank and even the engine. The first thing I did was to drain the gas from the tank. Gas will stink and turn brown and gummy after a short time. This clogs up everything. To my surprise, the gas came out smelling fresh and was clear. I drained the carb and there was no deterioration. It looked as if she was parked a week ago – not ten years.
The next thing was to try and turn her over. Sometime engines get rusty and freeze up when stored. With a slight push down on the kick-starter, I knew that Marybell’s engine was as free as when it left the factory, forty years ago. The next was the engine oil. Again, Marybell surprised me. Her oil was clean, like it had just been changed. The same with the transmission fluid, front fork oil and even the brake fluid was clean when I bled the rear brake. I had never seen the fluids this well preserved in a vehicle that was stored for so long.
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Photo By Karisa
After all the fluids were changed, I checked the battery. It was dead. Normally I would have bought a new battery. Motorcycle batteries don’t last over four or five years - much less over ten. But Marybell was definitely different. I charged the battery and it took a charge. The next thing was to fire her up. I set the choke and hit the starter button. The engine whirred a few times then she fired! It was a beautiful sound. The Harley panhead is the best sounding engine they ever made. It is very quiet mechanically with a mellow soft exhaust tone. It was as if I had died and gone to Harley rider heaven. Marybell was amazing! After over ten years she ran perfectly. I took it for a short ride to check everything out. She was ready for the road. She seemed eager to go too. It was like she was just waiting for Josh to hop on, hit the starter button and go.
I Idecided to take a ride up to Busick to show old Jed the bike the next nice Saturday. I was sure that he would like to see her back on the road. It wasn’t until Thanksgiving weekend when I got a chance to go. When I got to Jed’s farm, it was all boarded up. He was gone. I stopped at the general store on rt80 and they said that he had moved to a home somewhere on the “flat lands” near Charlotte. The proprietor and some of his customers followed me out to Marybell. They asked if it was Marybell. I said that I had bought it from Jed and had just got her back on the road. They were glad to see her again. They all had good things to say about Josh and Marybell. It was such a nice day that I thought I’d take the long way home and ride some of the back roads up in the mountains. Marybell seemed to really like the mountains again. As we rounded a turn she didn’t respond and went straight for the ditch. It took all I could do to keep from laying her down. Something stopped her from turning. All the way home, I rode really slow just in case her steering got hung up again. Luckily it didn’t. Once I got home, I took the front fork off to check the steering head bearings. I hadn’t checked them before. After pulling it apart, I saw that there was nothing wrong with the bearings, race or any of the steering mechanism. It must have been maybe something in the road – a rut or something that I hadn’t seen. I didn’t go back during the winter. The mountains can get very cold and icy which is no place to be riding a motorcycle. I just rode around the Shelby area until spring. Spring didn’t come too soon, I really love riding in the mountains and during the winter, I miss it. It was a mid-April Saturday. The sun was out and in Shelby, spring had sprung – with all the dogwoods and azaleas in bloom. I knew that it was still winter in the mountains but warm enough for a bundled-up ride. I took Marybell up rt 80 out of Marion. She loved the
twisties and we climbed all the way to the Blueridge Parkway. I decided that as long as I was close, I find out why she almost wrecked in the fall. I rode down the same road and took it real slow where she didn’t turn before. There were no ruts in the road but Marybell still would not turn. I pulled off the road and noticed a footpath going into the woods. It was a little over-grown but still passable. I took my camera and started hiking up the trail. It went out into a beautiful valley. It was a clear cloudless sky and the sun was intense. The leaves had not made their spring appearance yet but the view was still awe-inspiring. I paused for a few moments taking pictures when something caught my eye. It was something bright orange, way down in the valley. It was up in the trees flapping in the breeze. I couldn’t tell what it was but I took a picture of it. I could blow it up on the computer when I got home. I walked back to Marybell, hit the starter, put her in gear and headed home. The steering was fine again. It was only on that particular road at that particular spot. It was very strange! When I got home, I pulled up the picture on the computer and enlarged it. The bright-orange object was a hunter’s vest. There was also a shadow that looked like a person in a tree stand. It wasn’t hunting season so I thought that it must be something else. The next weekend, I rode Marybell up to the mountains again and I stopped at the ranger station. I showed the ranger the printout of the enlargement. He was concerned and asked where it was. I told him the whole situation with Marybell and explained how to get to the place where I took the picture. He took my name and number and said he’d look into it. A couple weeks passed and the ranger called. He told me that when they finally got down to where the bright orange vest was, they discovered some skeletal remains in a tree stand. It was identified by dental records to be Josh Wilson, Marybell’s long time owner who had been missing for over ten years. WOW! Did Marybell really know where he was? Was that the reason for the steering problems – to make me stop and look? This reminds me of Steven King’s “Christine” but without the evil twist. I went out to the garage and told Marybell that Josh was found. I felt funny talking to her that way but I also thought that she understood. While I was on the phone with the ranger, I asked where Jed was living. I wanted to stop by with Marybell and talk with him for awhile. He said that he was living just south of Winston-Salem at an assisted living home. I decided to go visit him the next nice Saturday. When I got there, I asked for Jed at the desk. The nurse seemed uneasy when I asked for him. I asked her if there was a problem with him. She said that he was really depressed and the doctors didn’t think he’d last very long. Then she showed me to his room. Once in his room, I noticed that he had really changed since the last time we visited. He looked much older and his color was almost gray. He had heard about finding Josh’s remains from the ranger. I told him the whole story about Marybell’s steering problems and how I saw the bright orange vest. I also told him that Marybell was outside in the parking lot. He wanted to see her so I wheeled him outside. A big smile got on his face when he saw her. He leaned over to touch her seat in almost a caressing motion. He talked to her in a low voice that I couldn’t hear then told her goodbye. I wheeled him back to his room. He was talking all the time about Josh and Marybell and their escapades – like they happened yesterday instead of over ten years ago. I stayed for about an hour and he talked my ear off about Josh and Marybell. They must have really been something in their day. I said goodbye and rode Marybell home. A couple weeks later, the nurse from the rest home called me. She told me that Jed had passed away in his sleep the night before. She also said that he had seemed more at peace since my visit. I went out to the garage to tell Marybell about Jed.
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ONE SIZE FITS ALL Monthly Devotional
Back in 2004, a group of us climbed on our bikes for a 5000-mile round trip run to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Our goal was to visit some seaside fishing villages, check out a few lighthouses, and eat some good food, but the main focus of our journey was to ride the famous 186-mile Cabot Trail. On a Thursday afternoon, six riders left Greenwood, S.C. in the rain with the hope of getting through Charlotte before stopping for the night. Loaded down with the normal necessities for twelve days away from home, we also carried tents and camping gear. The plan was to catch hotels until we arrived in Canada and then camp for the week at different locations. The Bar Harbor, Maine ferry dropped us in Yarmouth Nova Scotia where we unstrapped our bikes, climbed on, and headed out for Halifax. After an amazing supper of pan-fried haddock and the fixin’s, at a small restaurant in Halifax, we were again on the road toward Truro and a campground for the night. By the time we had our tents and sleeping bags set up, sunlight was giving way to darkness. Settling in for the evening, we discussed the past four days, and plans for the next morning. I was the first to hit the shower facilities that night. I grabbed my clothes, toiletries, and trucked off in the direction of the shower house. Upon arrival, I picked out a shower stall and that was when I noticed something that was totally foreign to me. A little metal box similar to those on a vending machine with a slot in the top, was attached to the wall in the shower stall. On the front of the box was a decal that read “Please deposit twenty-five cents for three minutes of water.” Really? I dug in my pockets, produced three American quarters, and figured I would give those a try. It worked. The way to do this is to start by putting a quarter in the slot for the initial three minutes of water to get yourself good and soapy. Then, put another quarter in for the three-minute rinse. Simple and efficient! I was done in less than 10 minutes and had only spent fifty cents. I still had one quarter to spare. Bill on the other hand, was a large man… He probably weighed around 300 pounds back then… After I returned from the shower facility and explained the 24
situation with the water for a quarter, he grabbed his stuff and struck out in the direction of the showers. The rest of us were sitting around the fire swapping stories, drinking coffee, and having a good time when Bill returned. He had a towel around his waist, shampoo in his hair, and soap in his eyes. Looking angry, he was mumbling to himself as he began digging around in his bag for something. “Hey Bill what’s up?” I asked. To which he responded, “I need more money! I can barely turn around in that stinkin’ stall! When a man can’t take a shower with $5.50 worth of quarters, he needs to lose weight!!” We all busted out laughing as he stomped back into the night to finish his shower. I looked over at my friend Mark and said, “I guess it’s not one size fits all.” While many companies advertise their products are “one size fits all,” that is rarely the case. Most of the time, the ball cap that says “one size fits all” is too small for my fat head, and the gloves with the same claim usually hang off the end of my fingers. There is one place however where the “one size fits all” rule is in place, and it is absolutely true. The Gospel of Jesus. According to scripture, no sin is too small or too big for Jesus to forgive. You may have had a squeakyclean life where you never drank, did drugs, or run around on your spouse, and then there are others who have done all of the above. Either way, Jesus is ready and willing to take away your sin with a “one size fits all” plan of salvation! No matter how bad your life has been, there is hope for tomorrow! Romans 3:23-24 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and we are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ. Shine that light! Ride on and stay safe, Dennis Reynolds Mideast Regional Elder Bikers for Christ M/M
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Do You Have A Biker Kid Picture?
7 year old, S.J. Jones, lives in Redbank. He is the son of Brandi Reedy, of "Ladies of Chrome".
Submit it to us, to have it placed in the Carolina Chrome Magazine!!
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Photo Submitted by Reader Ramón M. “Dragon” Dang Sr. Ramon Dang Jr on my 2014 Victory 8 Ball Hammer
Photo Submitted by Deb Davis
Photo Submitted by Reader Robert Harley
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Ladies Of Chrome Veteran Appretation! The Wrapping Of Charley W. Hylton Article by Cammie Bunch Photography by Deb Davis
age of 64. He and Edith, his wife of eighteen years, currently reside in West Columbia, SC. I had the pleasure of meeting Charley, a courageous Army veteran, Saturday evening at the VFW where he was awarded a Quilt of Valor. This quilt was handmade at the Quilt of Valor-Region 8. It is located in the old Library on Highway 601 in Saint Matthews, SC. A Quilt of Valor is a generous lap-sized quilt (minimum of 55” X 65”) made by a quilt-topper (the piecer) of quality fabrics and beautifully quilted by a longarmer. After it has been bound, washed, labeled and wrapped in a presentation case, it is ready to be awarded. Each quilt is even placed in a carrying case that is made from the remnants from American Flags that did not turn out correctly. This further symbolizes the patriotism of the American soldier. This ensures not a single American flag is ever wasted, burned, or trashed.
On Saturday night, March 12, 2022, at 6:00 pm, the Veterans of Foreign Wars POST 8738 hosted an awards banquet. Across America, the initials VFW are a familiar sight and symbolize a commitment to the nation both at home and abroad. Their mission: “To foster camaraderie among United States Veterans of overseas conflicts. To serve our veterans, the military, and our communities. To advocate on behalf of all veterans.” At their annual banquet the VFW POST 8738 honored first responders, teachers, scholarship recipients, auxiliary members, comrades, volunteers, and one very special veteran. His Name is Charley W. Hylton. I had the honor of meeting with this extraordinary and brave man. Charley W. Hylton was born January 9, 1922, in Swordscreek, Virginia. He had 15 siblings. Charley enlisted in the Army on January 18, 1940, just nine days after he turned 18. His father was a coal miner, but Charley decided that coal mining was not for him so he joined the Army seeking better opportunities. His first assignment was with the 12th Infantry Division in Washington, DC assigned to Special Services at Arlington National Cemetery. Later he was assigned to Camp Jackson, now known as Fort Jackson, SC with the 8th Infantry Division. It was during this assignment he met and later married his first wife, Willye Grey Meetze. Charley and Willye had two children. He was reassigned from the 8th Infantry Division to the 77th Infantry Division where he ended up serving as a paratrooper. After training and qualifying to be a paratrooper at Fort Benning, GA, he was then sent to Brisbane, Australia where he served as a replacement in the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment. Charley sailed aboard The Monticello, a converted Italian liner, for 31 days to get to Brisbane, Austra- Quilts are awarded at many different levels: they may go to military hospitals where Chaplains award them to service memlia. The ship had an excess of 4,500 personnel on board! While with the 503rd, he was assigned to “E” Company bers; there may be presentations of QOV’s to entire service units as they went first to Noemfoor and later Mindor. On February 16, returning from combat deployments; they may be awarded at 1945 Charley was one of 2,050 paratroopers who jumped onto Veterans Administration’s or presented individually. However, no Corregidor Island, Philippines as this was the first day of the Bat- matter how a Quilt of Valor is given, the impact it delivers is untle of Corregidor. The Battle of Corregidor was a conflict that last- equivocal. The pictures do not do this ceremony and beauty of ed for 14 days which saw 210 American deaths, 790 wounded and the quilt justice. And that is exactly what happened on Saturday, March 5 missing in action. The conflict finally ended on March 2, 1945 after Charley’s unit along with the 34th Infantry Division recap- 12. Charley was presented with a beautiful, one of a kind case tured the island from the Japanese. Following the Battle of Cor- containing an even more special and unique quilt. Four generations of Hylton’s and a packed banquet hall regidor, Charley went back to Mindora and then Negros, where watched as Charley was wrapped in the most beautiful quilt I he served as a Scout for his Platoon. In August of 1945 Charley was released at the rank of Tech Sgt, and began his journey home had ever seen before, tears and an overwhelming sense of pride based on the point system. He was aboard a transport vessel on filled the room for all and then again when they wrapped his the way home (three days out of San Francisco), when the bomb wife with him. It was truly a humbling experience to be in the ending the war was dropped on Hiroshima. Alas, the war was company of such a heroic man. He fought for our country and we fought to hold back the tears as we watched the presentation to finally over. And Charley’s life journey continued. After returning home, Charley worked maintenance in thank him while deep down knowing it would never be enough. a cotton mill for a while. He then started his own business in Charley, we thank you for your service! plumbing and electrical work from where he retired at the young 26 WWW.CHROMESC.COM
Bikers & Boats...
We Love Our Toys! Toys Did You hear??
Page Photography By Deb Davis
Gov. Henry McMaster signed the law on March 14th which establishes on most of SC’s major reservoirs a new 100-foot distance limit that boats underway must observe when approaching a dock, a person in the water or an anchored vessel. The new law, which doubles the previous distance of 50 feet, applies to the waters of Lake Greenwood, Lake Hartwell, Lake Jocassee, Lake Keowee, Lake Marion, Lake Monticello, Lake Murray, Lake Robinson, Lake Russell, Lake Secession, Lake Thurmond, Lake Wateree, Fishing Creek Reservoir, Parr Reservoir, or the portion of the Savannah River from the Interstate 20 Savannah River Bridge to the New Savannah River Bluff Lock and Dam. The 100-foot distance limit does not apply to Lake Moultrie. The new law also prohibits “wake surfing” on all South Carolina waters within 200 feet of a dock, a person in the water or an anchored watercraft. Wake surfing is defined in the new law as “a vessel that is ballasted in the stern so as to create a wake that is, or is intended to be, surfed by another person.” Col. A. Chisolm Frampton, SCDNR deputy director for law enforcement, said: “This is a much-needed change that will increase boating safety for all South Carolina boaters.”
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Dixie Thunder SC-ABATE SC-ABATE St. Patty's Day Fun Run
Page Photography by Grange Simons Lucas III
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Life Is Too Short, Not To Enjoy The Ride An inexperensed biker is riding a new motorcycle on the highway... While passing a car, he knocks on the window. The driver of the car opens the window, "Yes?" "Ever driven a motorcycle?" "No I haven't." The biker drives on, until he sees the next car. While passing it, he knocks on the window. The driver of the car opens the window: "Yes?" "Ever driven a motorcycle?" "No I haven't." Then suddenly there is a curve, the biker sees it too late. He crashes off the road into a ditch. A car stops and a man runs to the unlucky biker. Covered in blood, the biker asks, "Ever driven a motorcycle?" "Yes I have, for 20 years." The biker says, "Tell me, where are the brakes?"
The Pope decides to take a cross-country tour across America, beginning in California and ending in New York... Somewhere in the Mid-West, the Popemobile breaks down, and while it’s repaired, the Pope continued his journey with a limousine rental. After a few hours, the limousine driver rolled down the glass partition, and spoke: “I know I’m not supposed to talk to you, your holiness, or highness - I’m not even sure what to call you?” “It’s okay, my son, say what you want to say.” “Well, when they told me who I’d be driving, I was really thrilled. It’s such an honor, and if there is anything I can do to make it a better trip, I’ll do my best to make sure it happens.” The Pope thought for a while, then replied, “You know, before I became Pope, I really enjoyed driving. I would drive for hours. But now, no one will allow me to drive anywhere. Would you mind if we switched places and I can drive?” The limousine driver agreed and the two switched places. After a while, the Pope became relaxed, turned the radio on, hung his arm out the window, and just enjoyed cruising. However, not aware of his increasing speed, he was soon pulled over by a motorcycle cop. The cop walked up to the limousine, saw who was driving, said, “Excuse me, your holiness, for a moment”, then returned to his bike and got on the radio. “Chief, I think I have a problem. I believe I pulled over someone pretty important, and I’m not sure how to deal with it.” The Chief responded: “Don’t tell me you pulled over a state representative again, Johnson?” “No, I think this person is more important.” “Not our Governor?!” “No, I believe more important than the Governor.” “Johnson, tell me you didn’t pull over a Presidential Motorcade.” “No, they may be even more important than the President.” “What? Really? Who’s more important than the President?” “Hell if I know, but the Pope’s driving.”
An engineering student is walking on campus one day when another engineer rides up on a shiny new motorcycle. “Where did you get such a rocking bike?” asked the first. The second engineer replied “Well, I was walking along yesterday minding my own business when a beautiful woman rode up on this bike. She threw the bike to the ground, took off all her clothes and said, ‘Take what you want.'” The first engineer nodded approvingly “Good choice, the clothes probably wouldn’t have fit!” 30
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Dedicated to protecting the rights of injured motorcyclists. We ride so we understand. If you’ve been injured, call the Motorcycle Law Group.SM
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