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December‘10 CYCLE SOURCE
CYCLE SOURCE April April '20
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BIKES Sweet Leaf
1958 Model G Beach Racer .............................................................................. 20
Big Booty Judy
Clean Classic '79 FLH From Three Two Choppers ................................. 38
Bloody Knuckle
2019 In Motion Champion Knucklehead .................................................. 50
Chromophobia
TE Customs Handcrafted '75 Shovelhead ................................................ 60
The Red Stag
Kyle Post's Seventies Inspired Panhead ...................................................76
FEATURES Lone Star Rally 2019
The Best Worst Kept Secret In Texas ............................................................10
In Motion 2019
The Show Where They All Have To Run .................................................... 30
Builders Of In Motion
Meet The Participants ....................................................................................... 34
Babes Ride Out 2019
BRO Honors The Memory Of Jessi Combs ............................................... 44
Art Of Our Culture
Amelia Gets To Know Lil Dame Stripes ....................................................... 70
InSlide Line
The Lessons Of Daytona ..................................................................................... 84
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TECH
99 Problems
Fixes For The Little Things That Make A Big Difference ...................... 16
Turn Em Down
Making Stock Fork Legs Cool .......................................................................... 26
Drivetrain Alignment
Master Cory Teaches You How To Get It Straight................................... 66
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EDITORIAL OFFICE
The Cycle Source Magazine 118 Dellenbaugh Road Tarentum, PA 15084
For Any Questions Or Comments Please Call 724-226-2867 or e-mail cyclesourcemain@comcast.net
EDITORIAL STAFF
Christopher Callen - Editor In Chief - cyclesource69@comcast.net Heather Callen - Managing Editor - cyclesourcemain@comcast.net Will Ramsey - Tech Editor - will@faithforgotten.com Milwaukee Mike - Mid-West Editor - neanderthalneon@hotmail.com Roadside Marty - South East Editor - roadsidemd@bellsouth.net Keith “Bandit” Ball - News Editor - bandit@bikernet.com
STAFF WRITERS
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Chris Callen, Milwaukee Mike, Jack Schit, Pat Jansen, Will Ramsey, Xavier Muriel, Charlie Weisel, Mitch Bodine, Mark Velazquez, Amelia Rose, Daniel Donley, Joshua Elzey, Jimmy Frizzell, Roadside Marty, Scotty Kerekes, Heather Callen, Rebecca Cunningham, Dan Venditto, Melissa Shoemakerw, Tyler Porter
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Chris Callen, Heather Callen, Mad Stork Ken, Mark Velazquez, Twila Knight, Dan Venditto, Melissa Shoemaker, Deb Fitch
CONTRIBUTORS Majroie Kleiman, Savannah Rose
STAFF ARTISTS Jimmy Frizzell, Chris Callen
ADVERTISING
Heather Callen- Sales Manager - cyclesourcemain@comcast.net
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CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Heather Callen - 724-226-2867
In The News
COPY EDITOR Judy Duggan
The World Report Powered by BikerNet.com ......................................... 86
Hot Of The Rack ....................................................................................................... 92
LEGAL COUNSEL
James L. Paz Attorney at Law - Tarentum, PA - 724-226-9PAZ For Any Subscription Questions Call 724-226-2867
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DEPARTMENTS From The Editor’s Desk .................................................... 8 Chopper Charlie ....................................................... 56 Pin-Up Of The Month ....................................................... 59
The Cycle Source Magazine® (ISSN 1935-0287) is published 12 times a year by The Cycle Source Magazine with Offices at 119 Dellenbaugh Road Tarentum, PA 15084, 724-226-2867, www.cyclesource.com. U.S. Subscription rate is $30.00 for 12 issues. Canadian Subscription rate is $45.00 for 12 issues. Back Issues, when available, are $6.00 each, payable in advance. Periodicals postage paid at Tarentum, PA ad additional mailing offices. The Cycle Source Magazine® reserves the right to reject any advertising or contributions that it deems unsuitable. Opinions expressed are those of the author and not of The Cycle Source Magazine®. Nothing printed in The Cycle Source Magazine® Decemberbe re-printed in whole or part without the express written consent of the publishers. Copyright ® 2020. The Cycle Source Magazine®, A Grass Roots Motorcycle PublicationSM, Scooter Tramp ™ Wild Man™ Low Down & Dirty Rotten™ Grease & Gears Garage™ Grease & Gears TV™ Grease & Gears Garage Roadshow™ ShopTalk™ Do It Your Damn Self™ Inslide Line™ are registered trade marks.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Cycle Source Magazine 119 Dellenbaugh RD. Tarentum, PA 15084
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On The Road With X ......................................................... 82 Photo Hunt ........................................................................... 89 On The Edge ....................................................................... 90 Gut Busters ........................................................................ 98
DISTRIBUTION
Coast to Coast Newsstand Services Partnership 5230 Finch Ave. E., Ste. 1, Toronto, ON, M1S 4Z9 Cycle Source - Dealership Direct Distribution 724-226-2867
SPARE PARTS New Products
GRAPHIC ARTISTS
Chris Callen, Heather Callen, Amelia Rose, Missi Shoemaker
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ABOUT THE COVER We are truly thrilled to have the 2019 In Motion Champion grace the cover of this edition. Majik Mike continuously takes each build to the next level and pays attention to detail in each and every one. With Bloody Knuckle not only did he take it up another notch over his own builds but he took the top honors and the $10,000 check at the 2019 In Motion Show. April '20 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 7
I
can remember as a kid hearing the terms middle class, second class, upper class and then ultimately blue collar thrown around a lot. You see, these were the seventies and the country was really slicing up the pie in a demographic sense and at that time I just thought that these were descriptions of where people fell in society as far as their income brackets. Well, for most of the world, this may have been and may still be. As far as the term blue collar, I have a greater understanding of that today and see it more as a definition of a person’s life choices than a result of the economic conditions. Stick with me here... In high school I wasn’t that motivated by grades. I didn’t think about college, wasn’t concerned with what the job market looked like. Some kids focused on these things but for me and the miscreants I ran around with we were to wound up in learning the new Metallica riff or getting an old dirt bike someone found running so we could go for a ride. Now, I stand here today telling you that neither of those paths were wrong, but I mention them to illustrate how life choices mold you into deciding what collar you will wear. Of course high school came and went and I nearly completed all the grades before deciding that the real world, or that part of it which applied to me, had very little use for a high school diploma and I tore
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off to enter the job market. Now I didn’t select a career path, I just needed money to pay the bills so I could get on with doing the things I loved, simple as that. Along the way I learned some useful skills like autobody repair, metal fab work, landscaping and the care of plants and flowers and some not so useful ones like spreading horseshit evenly. Conversely, I was part of several great bands, played live music, operated a fabric airbrush business for a short stint and to me life was good and full. The only drawback to it all was Monday morning when I had to cut my time with a blend of working for the man. Nevertheless, in the balance was the idea that I was still living my life the way I wanted, and it equaled out pretty good from my perspective. Now I’m not about to suggest that this lifestyle kept me from having the big house and fancy cars, but my choices of how to spend my days and nights did. I became part of the middle-class blue-collar work force and I did it by the choices I made over what was important in my day. If there was a hot rod or bike being built, I was in whether it was mine or a buddy’s. The experience alone was worth every minute. When it came to what to invest in, I went with tools every time. If I had the right tool, I could always put food on the table and after all the things I was interested in happened mainly
while standing at a bench, not sitting in a board room. So, what’s this all have to do with life and the motorcycle? Well, just about everything right now. You see, as this industry tightens its belt, we see many more small shops and garage builders than the big production facilities of yesterday. The spread sheets don’t capture this data and the whole thing has in large fashion gone back underground. It’s an entire world owned and operated by the blue collar workers. Kinda’ like Bartertown I guess.... The people who do it all for the love decide what’s acceptable or not and if the top percent disagrees then they just shut Bartertown down. More specifically to this thing, we just make our own parts, promote our own events and in general stop participating in their parts of the world. In the end, you just can’t control this thing, and I love that. When someone or a group of people do something because they love it, sacrifice their time and money to do it, it becomes their thing. Always has and always will be a blue collar world when it comes to custom motorbikes, that’s part of what draws the straights to it in the first place. Let’s just keep doing it for the love, the rest will take care of itself.
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Article And Photos By: Missi Shoemaker
T
he 2019 Lonestar Rally kicked off once again with crazy weather. Thursday was cold and wet, but that didn’t stop the attendees from rolling into town. Thursday was also Halloween, and everyone was definitely ready to party. Costumes were as abundant as the motorcycles and things started getting pretty packed early on. There were costume contests and of course, live music could be found flowing from the Budweiser stage at Saengerfest Park in the heart of the Strand. Once again, I was in awe over the amount of people that attend this rally. As the Cycle Source crew set up Hendley Green for the In-Motion Bike Show the vibe on the street was contagious. Everyone was definitely there to have a
good time. Down by the Seawall at Beach Central, the party was hopping as Hinder took
to the Progressive Stage. Friday brought sunshine, wind, and a little warmer temps. Cycle Source Staff’s morning was filled with fun and excitement as the thirteen Invited Builders from the In-Mo-
tion Bike Show had their 80mile shakedown ride around the island. Friday afternoon brought about one of our favorite events of the year, the Biker Rodeo. People come out just for this event… but of course, we are in Texas, and they love their Rodeos, especially when they steel horses. The crowd favorite is, of course, the Weenie Bite Contest, and our friend Camel got to experience this game for the first time. He was clearly having a great time being the official Weenie Handler!! The weenie bite was not the only fun time though; the Barrel Race, Ring Toss and the Slow Race also had the crowd laughing and cheering.This year we did have an upset, four-time winner Scotty Tripp was not able April '20 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 11
to bring home the belt. This had the crowd in mixed emotions as some of the spectators were hoping for a new winner this year. Friday night The Strand was even busier and more fun than the night before. It is really crazy to think that over 400,000 people flock to this island for this rally that, to me, has a Mardis Gras feel to it! Motorcycles packed the Strand and Hairball played on the Main Stage at Saengerfest Park. Down at Beach Central, the party was also in full swing as Scott Stapp of Creed took the stage and closed out the night. Saturday was another big day for the Cycle Source Team as we had our Ride-In Custom Bike Show down along the Sea Wall at Beach Central. Saturday also brought great weather and we had an amazing turn out. I took a walk through the bike show and saw the most amazing thing, there was a 1969 Indian MM5A complete with a sidecar and these three adorable little girls were polishing it. You see, these three cuties were there with their Grandparents and they were being taught that you have to take pride in your ride! And it truly is their ride, the oldest of the three pilots the machine while the other two ride in the sidecar. Grandpa, which they affectionately called “Grumpy,” even secretly got them trophies that Roadside Marty gladly handed out to them during the awards. He even mentioned that was one of his favorite moments of the day. Normally I don’t encourage the “everyone gets a trophy” mentality, but I didn’t see any harm in this at all!! Karen Moore took home best of show with her beautiful Panhead… stay tuned for an upcoming feature on this one! Saturday evening was the event we were all waiting for. You see, our fearless leader Chris Callen and Cycle Source contributor Xavier Muriel did this little thing together… they started a band. You might’ve heard a little about this, but in case you’ve been under a rock, I’ll fill you in. Chris and
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Xavier love music as much as they love motorcycles and just really wanted to play and have fun doing it. They collaborated with three other musicians and formed The Black Smoke Sinners. The best part about this band is that THEY ALL RIDE! And their debut show was kick ass! To make it even better, a large portion of our Moto-family was on hand to enjoy the show. Make sure you keep an eye out for them this year, their plan is to play at many of the Rallies this year. Chris, Xavier, Robert, Jake, and David will be kicking off the Rally Season at Daytona Bike Week! After Black Smoke Sinners warmed up the crowd, Bobby Friss took the stage to wind up the night on the Strand, while Montgomery Gentry had the honor of playing at Beach Central. As some of rally-goers headed out of town on Sunday, the InMotion Bike Show awards took place on the Strand with the winner receiving $10,000! In true Texas fashion, Sunday night was BIG; The Charlie Daniels Band wrapped up the Rally with an extraordinary performance! All in all, the 2019 Lone Star Rally was a killer weekend. I’m not quite sure how they will top it in 2020 but maybe you should go and find out for yourself! See you in the Lone Star State!
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CYCLE SOURCE April '20
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O
ver the previous months, I have been reaching out to readers and industry professionals seeking a problem or situation and its fix. Here are some of the problems, from being broke down on the side of the road to situations in the shop, including fabrication, painting, electrical, troubleshooting etc.… Here is a mix of some of the “99” Problems!
Dry sandblast cabinets. A lot of us have them and they work great. I have used the clear plastic protective film on the inside lens of mine for many years. It has worked out well.
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Article And Photos By: Daniel Donley
www.pandemoniumcustomchoppers.com They are a bit pricey at around $4 each. I have always written this off as a necessary evil. A consumable. I recently got the suggestion to try a piece of thin plate glass without the protective film. They said it would last much longer than the film. They were precisely right! It lasts anywhere to 3 to 4 times longer, and it was only about 50 cents more!
these finishes. Made by CRC Called 3-36 Aviation Corrosion Inhibitor. Once the part is clean, spray this on and allow to soak in. There might be a bit of residue here and there. I typically blow this off with the air hose and then buff with a paper towel. This gives a nice sheen and protective finish. Any mess that may occur will wipe away easily.
When doing a restoration on any vintage motorcycle, we typically have to deal with a lot of aluminum finishes. Whether it is a glass beaded finish or a vapor hone finish. I have finally found a product that helps preserve
Here is a handy one for you, from Roger Demland, R.D Enterprises. R.D Showed me this many years ago. I had just gotten a new horizontal band saw. It was cutting as crooked as crooked could cut. So here
you have it a horizontal band saw adjusting tool. Take a piece of thick wide flat stock and your combination square and scribe quite a few lines on it. The scribe lines will be used
Last month I spoke about scraping gaskets and not using screwdrivers or chisels to get them off. But there are times we find that the guy before us did do that. Sometimes the parts are
It works great for cleaning gasket surfaces and using a Q-tip to clean out threaded holes and also most
know for cleaning your tig welding rod. One gallon goes a long way! to tell you which way you need to adjust your blade guide wheels. Lay it down for your horizontal cutting adjustments. Stand it up for vertical cutting adjustments. Turn on the saw and make a cut next to the scribe line to check your adjustment work.
Drilling round stock on a drill press can be a pain. A solution to this is to make a round stock drilling fixture out of scrap that you may have laying around the shop. A piece of angle iron welded to a flat plate and bam your in business.
junk; sometimes, they can be saved. You can take a piece of sandpaper on a piece of glass or something known to be flat will sometimes help out in these situations. With the gasket surface facing the sandpaper. Move the part around in a circular figure 8 motion, check your work often as it will reveal the high and low spots. Use your better judgment on how far you can go.
Acetone, it is great! But don’t drink it! It is one of the few NON-petroleum based cleaner / thinners available.
The toys we typically play with are old and in need of repair or rebuild. More often than not, when the engine goes to the machine shop, the cylinder head surface will need to be shaved or decked to be made true flat again. This typically is only a few thousandths. I like to use number stamps to identify how much material was removed from the surface. So, for myself and or the next guy that gets into this will know at a quick glance what has been done. He will thank you. (DON’T STAMP IN THE GASKET SEALING SURFACE AREA!!) April '20 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 17
Not all of us can afford fancy chrome and other costly coatings. I find myself using a rattle bomb often. A good way to paint bolt heads it to slice an X with a knife into a piece of cardboard and push the bolt through that so it can be held while you are painting. Coat hangers work well for holding larger objects.
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Here are some common tools that I use during fabrication, mechanical pencil, a compass, circle template. Washers of different sizes also work well when you are arranging speed hole designs in your slick new bracket. Calling all readers and industry professionals. Please submit problems WITH fixes and pictures via email. (Bikes, Shop Equipment, Paint, Tools, Etc.) If there is something that you would
like to see a Tech article on or you have questions, please call or email me at the shop, 419-576-6812 Daniel Donley Pandemonium Custom Choppers Facebook- Pandemonium Custom Choppers Instagram – pandemoniumc2 info@pandemoniumcustomchoppers.com www.pandemoniumcustomchoppers.com
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i
have always said music and motorcycles are timeless, and their history and culture always seem to work their way through all generations past, present, and the future. The fact that you can still hear Elvis on the radio and having a ride that predates 1982 is just darn cool! History does repeat itself, but the trend does not surprise me. Lee Lopez of Rock Point, New York happens to be one those people who keeps this motion moving forward. At the ripe old age of 24, Lee has been riding everything on rubber wheels since he was four. All his work is right out of the garage and can be the envy
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of any bike builder. Knowing someone like Lee and the cast of characters he knows in his hometown gives the motorcycle culture hope that the past will not be forgotten. After surviving a horrible hit and run accident, which will be the story around his next feature, Lee’s will to ride and build never died. Knowing that maybe the world of off-roading and dirt biking could only go on for so long, Lee still had the thrill to race. Being the old soul that he is, Lee took this desire to the only destination he knew would be the right fit, TROG, The Race of Gentleman. Word on the street is that in order to compete in TROG, you
Article And Photos By: Mark Velazquez
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need a period-correct motorbike which Lee did not have. After some extensive hunting, Lee found a ’45 out in New Jersey. After getting things in order and just about to make the deal Lee let his buddy Baby James know what was going down. In utter surprise, Baby James informed Lee that his dad who goes by the name, and no, I am not making this up “Big Ron” had a ’45 that he might be willing to sell. Long story short, Lee was able to score a deal right in his back yard and among friends. With the bike in hand, the fun began. The challenge of bringing this ride from days gone by up to raceable standards while keeping the bike era-correct would be a job within itself. So, rolling up his sleeves and getting by with a little help from his friends, the build began. As with all good builds, the
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bike was stripped to the frame. Everything and I do mean everything, was worked over and brought back to life. Big Ron took on the job of a complete engine rebuild. Cool tidbits from this build are the fact that the engine is actually a 1958 Model G. The displacement was put at 45ci, and OEM Pistons and Heads were used. On top of all this, a Linkert M41 carb and air cleaner along with a W&W Cycles 12-volt ignition. The gas tank was narrowed, and James Dudley ran the oil lines in the split tank. Rubbermounted risers, new wheels, an Exile internal throttle, and a killer paint job by Danny Brock from Sunrise Collision finished up a job that a time machine itself could not replicate.
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Sweet Leaf Tech Sheet Owner: Lee Harrity Lopez City/State: Rocky Point, NY Fab. By: Lee Harrity Lopez Year: 1958 Model: G Value: As Much As You’ll Pay For It! Time: Too Much Engine Year: 1958 Model: G Builder: Big Ron Ignition: W&W Cycles 12 Volt Displacement: 45ci Pistons: OEM Heads: OEM Carb: M41 Linkert Cam: OEM Air Cleaner: Linkert Bird Deflector Exhaust: Paughco Primary: Chain Transmission Year: 1958 Make: Harley-Davidson Shifting: 3 Speed Frame Year: 1947 Make: Harley-Davidson Rake: OEM Stretch: OEM Forks Type: Inline Springer Builder: Harley-Davidson Extension: Stock Length Triple Trees: OEM Wheels, Tires, Brakes Front Wheel: Star Hub Size: 16” Front Tire: 16x5 Allstate Dirtman Front Brake: Who Needs Those? Rear Wheel: Star Hub Size: 16” Rear Tire: 16x5 Allstate Dirtman Rear Brake: Mechanical Drum Painting Painter: Danny Brock/Sunrise Collision Color: Red And White Type: Paint Graphics: Pin Striping Molding: None Chroming: Chrome Don’t Getchya Home Accessories Bars: Flanders Risers: Flanders Throttle: Exile Internal Throttle Fuel Tanks: WR Split Tank Front Fender: None Rear Fender: V-Twin Seat: River Seat Company Foot Controls: OEM Mirror: None Oil Tank: WR Split Tank Headlight: None Taillight: None Speedo: None Photographer: Mark V
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The bike made for a great day of racing on the Jersey Shore! Of course, fun was had by all. Lee enjoyed a day of racing and going back in time. In a world where everything seems to keep going faster and faster, there is still the ability to slow down and enjoy the wind in your hair. This is exactly why this adventure took place for Lee. As Lee would say, “you can’t see the world if you’re riding too fast.” With three Harleys, three trikes, and two dirt bikes in his stable, if I were a betting man, I would say Lee has a lot of riding still to do. Heck, his daily rider is a ’48 Pan! Another feel-good story that reminds us, the choices in life that we make will always define who we choose to be both as men and women. The cool thing about this, though, is that the choices we make can be so simple even though they will most likely define our footprint on this planet earth. Take a note from Lee and slow it down for those choices all come in time.
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y
ou know the deal, there’s an old wide glide front end hanging on the wall of the shop. It was nice back in the day but after years of use and then years of storage, it’s not quite right for the build you’re
working on. So what to do? Well, you
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Article By: Chris Callen Photos By: Missi Shoemaker www.flatbrokechopsnrods.com chopperize it of course. This one starts with a set of triple trees I found in my stash. No idea who these belonged to so if they are yours please hit me up and we can discuss payment. Anyway, these and the old wide glide I had could make a great front end for the new Tea Dozer, but not like they are. Now, if I was as good with an electric grinder as Bill Dodge, I could just do them by hand but I drink too much coffee so I’m gonna show you how I turn down a pair of legs on a lathe. The first step is to take the fork legs apart. This is usually a giant pain in the ass but has recently been made simpler by the addition of the Motion Pro “Pivot Vice” that we have added to the Grease & Gears Garage. This thing goes for about 300 dollars and well worth it.
I start by chucking the slider assembly up in the pivot vice.
Knock off the spring cap and let the guts out.
After removing the bolt at the bottom of the fork leg I can take out the retaining spring and by sliding the fork tube out, a couple of taps later the assembly comes out.
After a thorough wash in the parts cleaner we start to chunk off the fender and brake mounts with an electric grinder and a cutoff wheel. Here’s the deal, you can leave extra material and be safe, but it might take a longer time on the lathe. On the other hand, take off too much and you might as well throw the legs away and start over.
With the rough cutting done, I move to a flapper disc and slowly bring down the extra material.
Now were ready for the lathe, but first I want to discuss a few things. If you are new to operating a lathe take the time and learn the speeds and feeds rule. You should also be very comfortable and familiar with this portion of the machine, you will be using it a lot for this procedure. Again, take your time and don’t rush these steps.
One of the first things I do is apply the live center to the tail stock and chuck up my fork leg. The live center will help get a smooth finish in the end but also keep the tool from ripping the leg out while you’re chunking material off in the beginning.
I start with a slow speed and concentrate on the fender mount since it is the smallest. Seriously only taking a couple clicks on the dial off at a time and using the automatic transmission to drive it across. Keep track
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of the start number and the end for easy set up for each pass.
PAPER AROUND THE FORK LEG!!!! I use a very light grit paper but I will not even come close to covering a quarter of the diameter of the leg. Why you might ask? Because the lathe is hauling ass and WHEN the paper tucks under itself and grabs a hold of you it will TEAR YOUR FINGERS OFF. No joke, the machine doesn’t know the difference between metal and bone so just be safe, no gloves, no loose clothes and pull your hair back! Back to our Motion Pro Pivot Vice, we start by clamping down the tubes, sliding the internals and the springs in and sliding on the fork leg. A little teflon tape around the threads of the bottom bolt and we take it out of the vice for the next step.
Next is the larger brake caliper boss. This takes a painful amount of time for each pass since it’s so long, but the end result will be worth it. Again, take your time and wait it out. Also, I don’t finish either of these the whole way at this point. I only get down to nearly achieving the diameter of the untouched part of the fork leg.
The finished product is like new but we aren’t stopping there.
Since the tool I have for installing the top bushing is for 39mm, I improvise with a trip to Home Depot.
On one of the fork legs for a wide glide you will need to extract the studs at the bottom to accommodate the live center. I suggest using the jam nut method if you intend to re use these studs. Heather runs them through her sandblast cabinet... Yeah, it’s hers, long story.
With both the fender and the brake caliper mounts gone I now adjust the machine to high speed and quick feed. I start at one end of the fork leg and let it run on auto the entire length with a very minimal cutting depth. This will be one of two finishing passes for me.
After another good bath they are sent out to Jeff at Prism Powdercoat in Pittsburgh. He lays down the killer satin black and ships them back!
A few whacks for the busing, then the washer and a few more for the seal and we put the retaining clip and boot back on.
The end result is unlike anything you can buy in the store, and that kicks ass! Ok, very last step on the lathe. I cannot stress this enough. DO NOT WRAP SAND
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The finish is beautiful and they’re ready for install.
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Article By: Majik Mike Rabideau Photos By: Missi Shoemaker
t
he Cycle Source In Motion Show is a unique motorcycle show unlike any other in the United States. This is an Invited only show that’s held in Galveston, Texas during the Lone Star Rally. The bikes and builders that are chosen for this show are all topnotch builders and they build some of the best bikes in the country. One of the outstanding features of this show is that every bike HAS TO RUN! These bikes don’t only have to look good; they need to perform just as good as they look. Before each bike becomes eligible for the grand prize, the builders are required to make an 80100 mile ride, that includes three different checkpoints. If the bikes don’t run, they may be displayed but they will not be judged; as such will not be eligible for the grand prize, which is a check for $10,000! Unlike many other Invitational shows the judging for In Motion is not only peer-based. Chris Callen came up with a great
scoring system to ensure that it wasn’t a popularity contest, but each bike was judged on its own merit. Each entrant has 3 minutes to tell the group about the motorcycle they brought and highlight some of the finer details
prior to judging. Overall scoring is a 40/40/20 system; 40% of the score was determined by industry professionals, 40% from members of the trade and the final 20% is peer judging. And no, it’s not a just a “this is the best bike,” we had to judge each machine in
ten different categories, on scale from one to ten. It was no easy task. For me, one of the best parts of the show is the gathering of peer builders that I now consider family. This was my second year attending, and it’s gotten better each year. The hospitality and welcome from the Cycle Source team is top-notch. They even rent a house, which is right on the Gulf Coast for all the builders to sleep and party in, they even made sure we had VIP access for the concerts. The shakedown ride is like nothing you can describe unless you’ve done it. The emotions are high, the energy level is there, and the smiles on everyone’s faces are priceless. This year happened to be my year with Bloody Knuckle. The bike performed perfectly, and we made the shakedown run with some of the best guys. It was obvious to everyone that we each brought our A-game to the show. When you saw the bikes displayed on their pedestals after the run, you knew the competition CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE - April April ‘20
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would be tough. Attendees were able to walk around each spot to look at all the details that went into each machine. You could tell how much time went into the builds and everyone had the chance to really appreciate them in person. Bringing home the top honor and the “BIG” check was something I will never forget. If you ever have a chance to get to the Lone Star Rally, I highly suggest you make it and check out everything that Rally has to offer! A few words from CS: The In Motion Show grew out of listening to the builders that had put countless hours, blood, sweat, and tears into the machines they create. Many of them had grown weary of carting their asses and their machines to shows that lacked integrity; they were worn down from “losing” to bikes that didn’t run but whose creator had found strength in numbers that would allow them to take home the glory. It was time for things to change, for the craftsmen to be put to the test, to be judged on function and form. We are proud and humbled at the legs that this show has grown. We are honored that people want to be a part of it. We are even happier that we don’t have to judge it! The level of craftsmanship brought to the table in this third year was nothing short of remarkable and the thought of scoring those bikes made us weak in the knees. Thankfully though, we left that task to the professionals and were thrilled when the top three were announced. Brian Buttera took home an honorable third place, which included a frame from Paughco, in a herd of tens and Rick Bray landed in second (along with a Paughco Springer Front End) by mere decimal points. We owe a sincere thank you to the promoters of the Lone Star Rally, that make this show possible and for believing in our visions, if not for them the $10,000 would not be possible. Each year they step up to make sure we have an exhibit area like no other and ensure that we are able to provide the experience of a lifetime for the participants. We have started compiling the 2020 line-up and we can assure you that it is full of All-Stars so stay tuned… the best may be yet to come.
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In MOtion Winner Majik Mike Rabideau Las Vegas, NV
Mike started building bikes about 12 years ago in a two-car garage in Racine, WI. He recently decided to make a move to Las Vegas to start a new chapter in life and be closer to family, strippers, and all that sin city has to offer. Mike will be working out of a custom fab shop in the city. The shop is located on the North side of town and this is where you’ll find Mike when he’s not traveling. It’ll be a place to kick back talk shit and watch this man follow no rules but his own. You can follow him @ majikmikesdesigns
Stacy McCleary - Manteca, CA
Stacy had a passion to build at an early age. By seven he was building model cars, changing the wheels, frames, engines and transmissions and body modifications to what he thought looked the best. In fourth grade he was drawing choppers on school book covers. In his early teen years old his passion was building custom bicycles and mini bikes. At age 15 he got a drivers permit so he could legally drive a motorcycle. That first bike was a ‘62 Cushman scooter. Stacy drove it to school, and says it wasn’t very cool but it beat walking. He later bought a 57 Chevy which he turned into real cool car and promptly had it it was stolen….twice! A few years later he married his beautiful wife Danell, her first car was a 1957 Chevy, and now over 43 years later her 57 Chevy is still in their garage! When he was just 17 Stacy decided he was going in to the construction business and for the next 40 years he worked as a Plastering Contractor, keeping the family business going. During those years he and Danell raised a family while he built many Hot Rods, Cars and Bikes. McCleary says that for the past 20 years his passion has been for building bikes! Check out Stacy on Instagram at @sd.mccleary
Nick Pensabene - Long Island, NY
Nick fell in love with the chopper world about 6 years ago when he bought a clapped out Ironhead and started his first builds in his dad’s garage. It took Nick about two years to complete it . At age 24 he left New York to start his own fence company in Daytona, FL. He picked up an old Shovel which ended up being the “Shovel Puzzle”, a little swing arm lane splitter. He won his first bike show with that bike and had it shot for Hot Bike Magazine! Shortly after, he rode down to Main Street Daytona and as soon as he parked Michael Lichter asked if he could shoot it, unfortunately it had just been shot earlier that day. His response, “Maybe next one kid!” Lichter may have forgotten that moment, but Nick never will. Building bikes is not Nick’s day job and he doesn’t do it for a living but balancing the passion he has for building bikes and building his business isn’t an easy task. Nick truly loves building bikes and has made many sacrifices to keep up on both. Pensabene says the bike world has taken him all over the country and enabled him to meet his mentors who he now calls friends. Sometimes he dreams of starting a shop and doing the Chopper thing full time. But, like many, worries that if he does it for a check it may make him lose the passion and drive. A trade he’s not quite willing to make just yet, so for now he will keep hustling putting up Fence’s during the day and go home and stay in the shop building bikes all hours of the night. You can follow Nick on IG at @madpencycles
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Brian Buttera - Lakeland, FL
Brian has been a welder/metal fabricator with a passion for bikes for a long time. Brian started out as a self-taught mig welder. Buttera quickly found his niche in close tolerance precision stainless tig work. His diverse history has found himself doing everything from managing Las Vegas strip clubs, to being an OTR truck driver, and plenty of other crazy things that he chased in between. Brian says that the style of his builds are a result of the clean and precise standards in which he was held to keep a paycheck. All of his work is done in a steadily growing small shop behind the house called Buttera’s Metal Werx. Although his equipment is far from that of many builders’ out there, it is never an excuse to not create second to none quality work. Shop time is worked around his current day job as a Construction Superintendent where they are thankfully very understanding of his passion and the time it requires. Brian’s fiancé Tina rounds out the team, and they’re here to stay grateful every step of the way. You can follow Brian on IG at @Buttera_metal_werx
Steve Peffer - Butler , PA
Steve grew up on a dairy farm in Harrisville PA. Peffer bought his first motorcycle at 8 years old with money earned from the farm, it was a 4 speed Honda Trail 70. Even at that young age he knew customizing was in his blood. The day he got that bike he started to make it his own. His life consisted of three things; work, ride, school. At 15 he bought his first chopper for $75. He immediately tore it apart.That’s what he rode to High School. He says “That was before choppers were cool!”. When Peffer was 17 he moved to Miami, FL to pursue a degree in Art. To pay the bills he worked at a Sign Shop during the day, and by night he worked at Specialized Finishes. That’s where he learned the ins and outs of custom paint! After five years in Florida, he moved back to Western PA to start Classic Signs Graphics Garage and Steel City Choppers. He still works 9-5 in the Sign Shop and then follows his passion with motorcycles and custom paint by night. Steve says he does this for the love of the Chopper, not for the money. Give Steve a follow on IG at @steelcitychoppers
Kyle Brewer - Carson City, NV
Kyle Brewer is from Carson City, Nevada. Brewer has been a metal fabricator and welder for 29 years. Building motorcycles for 16 years has been more of a hobby until recently. Over the years he has realized that building a bike requires a huge amount of fabrication knowledge. Kyle takes pride in knowing that what he builds is not only going to look good, but also perform well for years to come. He runs the frame department for Paughco Inc. and has built many frames for numerous builders. He loves to see what is created from the frames he has constructed. In the past two years Kyle has had the pleasure of being part of a few prestigious shows including In Motion 2018, People’s Champ and Michael Lichter’s Motorcycles As Art . Be sure to follow Kyle on Instagram @rewerb70
RIck Bray - Lemoore, CA
Rick Bray is the Owner/Operator of RKB Kustom Speed in Lemoore CA. Bray says that fabricating his own custom projects had been a lifelong fascination of his. For as long as he can remember he’s been building his own custom cars, trucks, hotrods, motorcycles and projects for customers alike. Rick says it is his passion in life to see how he can test my creativity through his fabrication skills. He believes in form and function and works hard to meld the two throughout his motorcycle builds. Rick is well known in both the two and four wheeled communities for continuously striving to put out stellar work. Be sure to follow Rick on Instagram at @ rkbkustomspeed
Martin Davis - Pensacola, FL
Roadside Marty attributes his passion for motorcycles to his Dad, Shelton. For as long as he can remember motorbikes have been a staple in his life because of Shelton. Roadside says he currently owns and rides the first motorcycle he ever rode on as a child, his Dad’s 1966 Shovel. Getting that bike running was definitely on his list of one of the most gratifying things he has done. Davis is an Army Veteran,that works full time for the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority in FL. Marty loves to share his passion and hopes to inspire others through his position as Southeast Editor of Cycle Source Magazine and as an Emcee at different events throughout the year, including Chopper Time at Willie’s Tropical Tattoo Being in the industry helps fuel his passion and working full time helps him fund it! Motorcycles, in general, are in his blood, he lives and breathe motorcycles, if I am not building, I am riding, or buying, selling, swapping, writing or talking about motorcycles. Keep up with Roadside on his Instagram at @roadsidemarty April ‘20 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 35
Brandon Keene - Traverse City , MI
Brandon Keene hales from Traverse City, Michigan.Brandon is the proud dad to two grown boys that share his passion for motorcycles – which, in his words is “crazy AWESOME!” Keene is a trim carpenter by trade. Brandon says he typically eats, sleeps and breathes motorcycles. In April 2019, Brandon and Amy made the decision in begin a new adventure when they hung their own shingle and opened B. Keene Built full time. Keene was fortunate enough to have a client, Josh Pratt of Gladwin, MI, that wanted a “show bike”, and it’s been a whirlwind ever since. Keene was honored to be among the ranks invited to display at Fuel Cleveland, as well as the winner of the wildcard spot for Michael Lichter’s Motorcycles as Art exhibit in Sturgis. Both of which the Keene’s feel are huge honors. When asked how he felt about being invited to In Motion, Brandon simply says “Pinch me!!!!! It’s an incredible feeling to see cycle lovers everywhere smile when they look at what I put together. I guess I did a thing or two alright! We honestly were not prepared for all this excitement!” Keene send his thanks to the motorcycle community, who have embraced them with open arms, his Mom and Dad for letting me ride when he was barely old enough! If you’d like to follow Brandon and Amy be sure to follow @ bkeenebuilt
bill Dodge - Daytona Beach, FL
Bill Dodge has been in the motorcycle industry for over 25 years. He started out west, then moved to Jersey before he set up his current shop in Daytona, Florida. He worked for a prominent builder for about 8 years before opening his own shop, Bling’s Cycles. Bill has well over 300 builds under his belt and has been featured in motorcycle magazines all over the world. His bike, Frankenknuckle was featured on the cover of Forbes Magazine with Lauren Hutton as the model. Bill, with his unique style, has been an inspiration to both young and old builders. He offers his wealth of knowledge and connections to every builder to help advance their careers. Bill is always the first one to jump in to help fix a broken bike while on the road with his fellow riders. Bill’s latest project was his participation in the BC Moto Invitational held annually in Tennessee. The premise of the event is to get builders together whether they are just starting out or are seasoned veterans. None of the bikes are judged, so it has bred a brotherhood of builders who share tech advice and war stories from their various adventures. Rather than trailering, you can usually find Bill riding his FXR to any show that he goes to. You can keep track of what Bill is up to on IG @blingscycles
rich pitoniak - westfield, MA
Rich Pitoniak started riding dirt bikes at the age of 12. From the get-go, Pitoniak says he was always a gearhead. He owned numerous dirt bikes, muscle cars and, of course, Harley-Davidson’s. When he was 18, Rich took to the drag strip at Lebanon Valley Speedway. Coming from a machine shop background, he has always enjoyed building engines. When he was 20 Rich bought his first Harley and started reading motorcycle magazines, his favorite was Iron Horse. Pitoniak says he used the bikes he saw on those pages as his influence for the 1967 Basket Case Shovelhead he purchased, which he still owns. In 1999 Rich went to work at a local custom and performance shop. He spent the next five years building custom bikes, high performance V-Twin engines, machining and dyno tuning. In 2004, he hung his own shingle and started Pitoniak’s Custom Cycles. He wanted to build bikes in the same style as those he had seen in the Iron Horse and in the David Mann paintings he loved. So, he built a classic old school chopper with his 1967 Shovelhead. Rich would like to thank his family, friends, photographers and editors that have supported and featured his bikes over the years. For him, it truly has been an honor. You can see Rich’s escapades on IG @pitoniakcycle
Xavier Muriel - Austin, TX
Xavier Muriel has been around motorcycles as long as he can remember. His father brought home his first bike when he was just 7 years old, a moment he said he would never forget. He came home one Saturday afternoon with a trailer carrying 3 bikes, his orange Harley Davidson SX 250 single cylinder, his big brother’s Honda Elsinore CR 125 in silver and red, and a lil Honda MR 50 also in silver and red. That was in 1975 and forty-Two years later Xavier is still in love with motorcycles. As kids do, he went through his share of flavor of the month type things, including working in a motorcycle shop for a good bit before settling into music a career. They say you never get over your first love, well Muriel finally found the way back to his. In retrospect, the love for two wheels was never lost, when he wasn’t touring, Xavier was always in his garage learning as much as he could about anything to do with the creation of the best build possible for himself, no one else. And when he was touring he would scour the internet for best parts that would compile his dream bike, which is always the one on the table at that moment in time. He is humbled to be a part of In Motion, with such an amazing line-up of builders. @therealxm
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Article And Photos By: Chris Callen
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he guys at Three-Two Choppers have this buddy; we’ll call him “Bob.” Bob has a unique talent for finding deals. He is a true, modern-day treasure hunter. He has come across everything from a free sub-zero refrigerator, to a 1997 Ford F250, 7.3 PowerStroke, fourdoor unicorn with only 86,000 miles. Bob can hunt. It would not surprise me if he eventually unearthed a hidden copy of the Declaration of Independence. One day, early last year, the phone rang. It’s Bob. “Hey, Bro, I think I found an old Harley. The guy wants two grand. What do you think?” “Really, Bob?” I said, “Why are
you calling me? Go get it.” Another remarkable find. Bob stumbled onto a 1979 Harley Davidson FLH Electraglide with all the touring bags. The guy threw in multiple seats, some other miscellaneous parts and he even had the elusive, bat-wing fairing. When the bike got to the shop, we cleaned the carburetor, replaced the battery, and gave it a quick static timing. The bike fired right up, and a new project was born. Sometimes the key to building a great bike is more about what not to do than what to do. Like the famous adage says, “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.” This was clearly
the case for the ’79. The initial plan was to take the bike apart, clean it up, put it back together, and ride it. It was agreed that a solid plan was in place, but we needed to modify a few things. The first adjustment, and probably the most important, was the decision to lower the bike. The original squaretube swing arm was swapped for an early model round tube style. That switch allows you to drop the lower shock mount, which in turn, lowers the rear of the bike. To achieve a level stance, they cut 2-1/2 inches out of the front legs and added another inch of spring for a lowering total of 3-1/2 inches. The solid wheels were Bob’s
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choice, and they really added a nice hot rod element to the project. For the exhaust, Three Two Choppers started with a set of Paughco, true dual headers. They then built a slick set of double-barrel shotgun slipons accented with brass tips. The pipes run long and low and really emphasize the bike’s lowered stance. The slip-ons were a copy of a set Jimmie Lee built-in 1994 at a muffler shop in Reseda, California. That set still lives on his brother’s 74/74, and like the first set, their sound is undeniable. As an unexpected bonus, the great Ryan McQuiston from McQuiston’s Chopper Designs hooked us up with a set of his handmade brass shot collars. Ryan’s collars are a significant way to dress up your Shovelhead engine. Updating the brakes to a set of Performance Machine Vintage Series calipers was a must for this build. JC and Jimmie Lee designed and built the mounting brackets for the front and rear to allow the new brakes to work with the stock FLH chassis. As the true over-thinkers that they are at Three Two Choppers, they also built three different styles of handlebars, until finally settling on a set of wide pullbacks.
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Bob is not only an esteemed treasure hunter; he is also never afraid of learning and trying something new. He took the sheet metal home with him one day after leaving the shop and brought it back painted and ready to mount. Jimmie Lee recalls when Bob sent the initial photos of the tanks and showing that he was able to save the original sticker emblems. His first attempt at painting was an absolute home run. Along with replacing rotors, shocks and other clean-up items like kicker covers and floorboard rubber, that’s the nuts and bolts of the build. A funny thing happens when you take apart a forty-year-old motorcycle; you
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BIG BOOTY JUDY TECH SHEET Owner: Jesse Hubbard City/State: Fort Worth, Texas Builder:Three Two Choppers & Owner Year: 1979 Model: FLH Value: $1 Time: 222 Days ENGINE Shovelhead Year: 1979 Model: V-Twin Builder: Three Two Choppers Ignition: Dyna S Displacement: 80 Pistons: S&S Heads: S&S Carb: S&S E Cam: Andrews Air Cleaner: Yes Exhaust: Paughco Headers W/ Three Two Choppers Duals Primary: Stock TRANSMISSION Year: 1976 Make: Harley Shifting: 1 Down/ 3 up FRAME Year: 1979 Model: Harley Rake: 32° Stretch: None Forks 41mm Builder: Harley/Lowered by 3/2 Type: Juice Triple Trees: Wide Extension: -3.5” WHEELS Front Wheel: RC Components Size: 21” Tire: Avon Front Brake: PM Vintage Rear Wheel: RC Components Size: 16” Tire: Avon Rear Brake: PM Vintage PAINT Painter: Jesse Hubbard Color: Tan/Cream Type: The Pretty Kind Graphics: Jesse Hubbard Chroming: None ACCESSORIES Bars: Three Two Choppers Risers: Stock Hand Controls: PM Foot Controls: Stock Gas Tank(s):Stock Oil Tank: Stock Front fender: Stock Rear Fender: Stock Seat: swap meet Headlight: Stock Tail light: Stock Speedo: Stock Photographer: Chris Callen
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find stuff. That is why old Shovelhead projects like this can become a bit dangerous to your budget. The phrase, “As long as we are fixing this, we should clean this up, too,” becomes very common. It’s like renovating a bathroom in your house. Never look back at all the receipts to the Home Depot. Twenty-eight dollars, eleven cents. Seven dollars, thirty-two cents. Fifteen dollars, sixteen cents. It adds up quick. Instead of sandpaper, caulk and grout, it’s updating bolts, gaskets, wire, heat shrink and oil lines. Again, it adds up quick. In the end, when all the late nights are done, when the last trip to the hardware store for that 2.5” 5/16-18 chrome, buttonhead is done, and the bike rolls off the table, it is all worth it. This 1979 Electraglide was definitely worth all the extra hoop-jumping. Bob decided to name the bike, “Big Booty Judy.” Word to the wise, do not Google that term looking for more pictures of Judy, you might not like the results.
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Article And Photos By: Savannah Rose
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abes - so many babes. Where, you ask? At Babes Ride Out! It’s a women’s only event, founded 7 years ago, that has expanded from a single no-frills campout on a dry lake bed in Borrego, California, to a nationwide line of events ranging from street to dirt events. I personally have attended each event since the beginning and have watched it morph and grow into the success it is today. This year, Ashmore and Anya, the founders, switched things up a bit. They moved the event from its usual spot in Joshua Tree and took it up the coast to Central California in Santa Margarita. It was a welcome change for me, as I live in Wisconsin. I was really excited to be able to ride along the beach again.
I took off on Thursday night, figuring I could avoid the horrific LA traffic if I took off late. I met up with my friends Beulah and Rashel. Beulah was riding a borrowed 2020 Indian Chieftain, and Rashel was on a brand new Harley-Davidson Sportster - literally, brand-spankin new, as in rolled off the dealer lot new. We met up in Glendale at a gas station and headed towards the Ventura Coast. Typical winds fought
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us all. Of course I had all of my camera gear and a massive down sleeping bag stuffed into my Biltwell bag, and it put my tall sissy bar to the test. Fortunately, my hard work on that sissy held up! After a night in a hotel, we hit the Iron and Resin hosted party and met up with a ton of great ladies. Women like Tina, Brandi, and Jean, along with Cricket, the Boston Terrier met up with us and we rode off towards the event from the shop. “The 1” provided beautiful scenery and chilly winds as we rode up the coastline. We opted to take the “long way” up the 154 through the winding roads in the hills. My little Sportster chop was happy to rip the roads and disturb the silence through the gorgeous canyons. After er rolled into camp, we were directed to a large open campsite where we
all set up our tents. Shortly after was the sign-ups for the Real Deal Revolution bike show - you may have heard of Real Deal, which is run by Theresa and the late, great Jessi Combs. It encourages women to learn skills and trades like welding, painting and blacksmithing. The bike show was set up near the “Do It For Jessi” tent, where ladies left notes in her honor. Jessie made quite an impact on all of us before she, unfortunately, passed after reaching incredible speeds of 431.889 mph in her jet car. The bike show included bikes of all sorts, from a small Honda frankenbike to custom choppers including bikes from Megan and her mother Carla, who own a shovel and a Panhead long chop. Metric and modern bikes mixed in with vintage and customs which showed off an incredible variety
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of female-owned, and even some female built motorcycles. Next up was karaoke time, in the large barn on the property. The ladies sang songs, some good, some bad, but they all had a blast. Just outside the barn was the Slow and Low whiskey train, which was an actual train with cocktails from the rye whiskey company. Back inside, the barn were free 805 beers, which kept the women refreshed and ready to party! And, for the first time ever, BRO hosted a special male guest - Terry Madden, who had recently proposed to Jessi. He made sure her custom Dyna made it to the event. The ladies cheered him on and welcomed him with open arms. Terry is continuing Jessi’s legacy through The Jessi Combs Foundation. Harley brought their demo fleet and the Jump Start bike This gave women who wanted to learn to ride to see what it feels like on the immobilized Street Bob, while they were still able to feel the rumble and shift the bike. The next morning, as soon as the bitter cold subsided and the sun warmed the tents, you could hear the rumble of motorcycles starting. Everyone headed out of camp, grabbing the route cards provided by Biltwell, and took a few hours to put some miles on their motos. A popular stop was the Pozo Saloon, a spot reminiscent of Joshua Tree’s Pappy and Harriets. Before I headed back to camp I had the best tater tots I have ever had. As the sunset on Saturday night, the festivities began - the 805’s were cracked open and the ladies were ready to let loose. The motocharity MOTO F.A.M. hosted a raffle, giving away killer products from tons of companies with all profits going to downed riders. This year the band was Twisted Gypsy, which is a Fleetwood Mac cover band. The barn was packed with girls dancing and enjoying nearly two hours of live music! On Sunday morning it was time to head home. Women strapped their gear to the wide variety of bikes they had ridden in - from KTM adventure bikes to naked Ducatis, to tons of Triumphs, primarily Bonneville’s. There were quite a few Indian motorcycles in attendence, and of course, there was a large range of Harley’s from big baggers to Sportsters, Dynas and more. I hit the road with Rashel, and headed home. April ‘20 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE
This event has always been a favorite - and all jokes aside from the men who are jealous they can’t come, it’s been a life-changer for many girls. Women who never thought they could ride have been inspired to get their M1’s and hit the road on their own. And for that, we should all be thankful for BRO!
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Article By: Matt Reel Photos By: Michael Lichter
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hen you ask Mike Rabideau about his bike, Bloody Knuckle, his response is, “it’s a pretty simple build.” While Mike may refer to it as a simple Knucklehead rigid, trust me, there’s a lot more going on. W h i l e checking out the pictures of this beauty on these pages, look closely and take notice of the list of touches setting this bike apart and earning it top honors at the In Motion Show at the Lone Star Rally. To get things started, Mike chose a Shovelhead frame. The frame received a Panhead rear section to give it a low slung rigid ride. With the hardtail on the frame was stretched +4 up and +1.25 out. To get things upright a narrow glide front end was mounted up. To give everything a nice tight fit, 41mm forks were fit in the narrow trees instead of the normal
39mm. A 21-inch Avon tire was mounted on a spoke rim and fit snuggly it the front end. The rear end then received a 16-inch Firestone on a matching spoke rim with drum brake. With a solid rolling platform, Mike moved on to some power. There’s no denying nothing says cool like a Knucklehead engine. S&S provided this particular 74 ci Knuckle complete with one of their carbs. To light things off a Morris Magneto was added. Now a gear changer was needed to back up that engine. Baker supplied a 6 speed that is actuated by foot clutch and jockey shift. The engine and transmission were tied together with an open chain drive to up the level of cool. To exhaust the gases from that S&S power plant, Mike had an idea that wasn’t going to be found in a catalog. He wanted fishtails, but everything out
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Photo By: Missi Shoemaker
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there were too big. What to do but take some pipe with flat ends and shape them to the fishtail look he wanted. Now that he had a solid powered roller Mike started tackling the sheet metal. Mike started with a perfectly sized gas tank mounted high on the backbone. A horseshoe style oil tank was then put together. The oil tank was set up to blend smoothly with the frame and then had the oil lines frenched in. Moving on to the back, a nice simple fender was fit tight to the tire. To hold that fender in place, Mike fabbed up a set of custom struts that also house the taillights while keeping the wiring hidden. To match that taillight, set up a custom mount was fabbed to hold the headlight in place. With the metal done, Mike built a seat to his liking and shipped it off to Pierce Seat Company for some covering. Having all the fab work done, it was time to give some color to the Knuckle. Mike handed all the metal
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BLOODY KNUCKLE TECH SHEET Owner: Mike Rabideau City/State: Las Vegas, NV Builder: Mike Rabideau Year: 2019 Model: Custom Value: Good Chunk Of Change Time: 8 months ENGINE Year: 2019 Model: S&S Knucklehead Builder: S&S Ignition: Morris Magneto Displacement: 74” Pistons: S&S Heads: S&S Carb: S&S Cam: S&S Air Cleaner: Heckman Customs Exhaust: MMD Primary: Chain Drive
to Shawn Long. Mike gave Shawn a couple basic guidelines. He wanted the frame black and while he wanted the sheet metal to have color, he wanted it to blend smoothly together. Once you take a good look at Bloody Knuckle, you notice that while it has an eye-catching paint job, it’s actually about 70% black. Just a sign of a true artist. So, as you can now see, when someone tells you that their bike is a “pretty simple” build, take a little time and check it out. You may just see a few little tricks the builder took a lot of time to do but is just too modest to talk about. Remember, no matter the build, someone put time, sweat, and a few “Bloody Knuckles” into it.
TRANSMISSION Year: 2019 Make: Baker Shifting: 6 Speed FRAME Year: 1979 Model: Shovelhead/Hardtailed Rake: 28° Stretch: +4 up / 1.25” out Forks: Narrow 41mm Builder: MMD Type: Hydraulic Triple Trees: Lions Mfg Extension: None WHEELS Front Wheel: Spokes with narrow hub Size: 21” Tire: Avon Speedmaster Front Brake: None Rear Wheel: Spokes Size: 16” Tire: Firestone Rear Brake: Drum PAINT Painter: Shawn Long Color: Black/ Red Type: Secret Chemistry Graphics: Bloody Stripes W/Gold Dust Chroming: Metal Masters ACCESSORIES Bars: MMD Risers: MMD Hand Controls: None Foot Controls: MMD Gas Tank(s): MMD Oil Tank: MMD Front fender: None Rear Fender: MMD Seat: MMD/Pierce Street Company Headlight: 4.5” Tail light: MMD Speedo: None Photographer: Michael Lichter
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Photo By: Missi Shoemaker
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clawed, scraped, and wiped my helmet visor incessantly but it was no match for the dense 25-degree fog I was up against as I worked my way east onto the plains of Colorado. The front range of the Rocky Mountains blanketed by dense low-lying clouds and falling snow, just enough to wet the tarmac. Over and over again, I pulled over to scrape the ice from my visor in a futile attempt to maintain visibility, about every 3 miles to be specific. It seemed the moment I got moving a thick layer of ice would rebuild; then, I would open my visor until I could no longer deal with the sting of ice in my eyes, stop again, scrape and repeat. Onlookers, from the protection of their heated vehicles, stared with wide eyes as I came past them. The front side of my suit now covered in a layer of ice. I have must have looked like a lunatic. This went on for nearly two
hours until I finally broke free of Mother Nature’s icy grip and found something slightly resembling that of sunshine as I merged onto Interstate 70. A surprising tailwind and temperatures hovering around 40 degrees proved to be a pleasant surprise across Kansas, I can’t recall a time I’ve ever had anything but an obnoxious crosswind across the Great Plains. I was feeling good and making excellent time, better than expected considering the conditions I had started my day in. As I approached eastern Kansas though, the tides began to turn in favor of Winter. The temperatures sank back into the 30’s, cloud cover overpowered the sun and a light snow began twinkling in the glow of my headlight as day quickly turned to night. Fortunately, by this time, I was approaching Topeka, a bit short of my intended destination of Kansas City, but with the sun having already set, the threat of icy roads ahead was real. I chose to avoid the risk and exited the highway at the first sign of a hotel. The following morning, I awoke
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to more clouds and more cold temperatures, but with my solid run to Topeka, the following day I was left with an easy 310 miles to go. I was thankful for this as the highest the mercury would rise that day was 36 degrees. After a disappointing, but warm, cup of watered-down hotel coffee and a bit of a struggle to get my frozen motorcycle started, I began day two of my journey towards the city of the famous Gateway Arch and a surprising amount of Thai restaurants. Despite the brisk temperature, I covered the distance in good time while lingering at the threshold of the speed limit and pulled up to the Pageant Theater sometime around 2 o’clock that afternoon. Every highway patrol I passed seemed to turn a blind eye
to my pace, probably taking some pity on my situation. As I pulled into the parking lot of The Pageant I was welcomed by a crowd of top-notch bike builders waiting to present their
prized works of motorized art. I had arrived, not hypothermic, and for that, I was grateful. This was my first time at The Pageant so I really had no idea what I was in for. The last time I was at this show was a few years back
when it took place somewhere else, a location I can’t recall the name of, but one to remind me that this show was top notch. I walked through the back door of the theater and was immediately taken back by the quality of the presentation. Each motorcycle had its own raised stand to be presented on and under each motorcycle was a blueprint style drop that featured details of each particular bike and information about its builder. In addition, each bike was well lit to allow the viewers to marvel at the immense amount of work thoughtfully put into each creation. These are details I just haven’t seen at a show but seem so obviously important. In all fairness, I haven’t been to a ton of indoor shows such as this so maybe there are others like it. Then there
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was my bike. Dirty, tired and still warm from the ride in, she stood proudly on display amongst the other polished and pristine builds. To say I felt a bit out of place would be an understatement, but Randy, the curator of this pop-up motorcycle museum, had asked me to be there and I promised not to let him down. Apparently, Randy has a thing for high mileage bikes that have been a place or two, and apparently, my motorcycle falls into that category. Needless to say, I felt honored to be a part of this event. What more can I say, this is a fantastic show, one worth traveling to and I encourage anyone reading this to attend next year. The ride home was far less eventful than the ride out, predominantly
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because it wasn’t a ride at all. With a sizeable snowstorm brewing back home, I knew that there was a zero percent chance I would make it back on two wheels before I was required back at work. Fortunately, my friend “Bougee Eric” and his wife from Denver, were also at the show to debut his incredible Knucklehead build. Opting to forgo the displeasure of waiting for him to arrive with his truck and trailer as I sat on the side of the road in a snowstorm, I chose to load my bike up in St. Louis and enjoy some I-70 theater for the trip home. Loaded to the hilt with beef jerky, Twizzlers, chips, peanut butter cups, hot coffee, and cold soda, we popped in a book on tape and hit the
road. Who knew books on tape could be such an enjoyable way to pass the time? 14 hours later, with rotgut from all the junk food, we arrived back at my house, unloaded my chopper and pushed it through the snow into my garage. Needless to say, we all made it home safe with our motorcycles safely stowed away in their stables. I’m not entirely sure how to put a pretty little bow on this article, so let me say this: This trip left me feeling humbled and honored to be part of this chopper culture. I was astounded by the number of people that approached me and told me they enjoy reading my monthly articles or that they enjoy following my escapades on social media. So many of my trips are solo that I rarely spend a substantial amount of time around people that follow my adventures. Couple that with my inherent shyness around people, I don’t know well, and I tend to hide in the corners of a room. Fortunately, most of you are not so shy and had no problem introducing yourselves. I thank you for that. Until next time my friends, keep those motors warm and the map dry. I’ll see you on the road. For real-time photos follow me on Instagram @charlietravelingchopper and visit our website roadsareforjourneys.com
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Article By: Roadside Marty
o
ne of the things I like best about being involved with this fine rag is the opportunity to meet new people and see a lot of bikes. This includes the newest offerings from the heavyweights to meticulous restorations to everyday riders built to lay down the miles, but some of my favorites are choppers like this fine Shovel here! Tyler Elliot really put his heart and soul into this build. He opened TE Customs twelve years ago and other than his dad, Big John, and a few friends helping him out on occasion, he’s a one-man operation that can handle almost anything you may want. This particular build started out as a stock 1975 Super Glide, but it certainly didn’t stay that way for long. The first order of business was making the stock frame into a hardtail. Tyler cut off the rear swingarm casting mount, bent up some tubing for the hardtail section and plugged the tubes into a set of Knuckle style rear axle plates from Hardtail Choppers. The neck was sliced and raked a few
Photos By: Chris Callen
degrees and a filler piece was welded in and smoothed to look as if it was never touched. The rear fender mounts were also custom made. The mid controls were fabbed up from tubing that was molded into the frame with handmade gussets. You might recognize a few stock pieces from the original FX mid controls while the actual control pieces are one-off stainless. To keep the rear chain nice and tight Tyler handmade a skateboard wheel tensioner. Since the traditional mounting point for the controls weren’t being used Tyler welded on a Sportster kickstand and mount while the handmade oil filter mount is mounted where a stock forward control rear master cylinder would go. The motor still utilizes the stock cases, but the displacement was bumped up to 89” courtesy of 4 5/8 stroker flywheels and .060 over S&S pistons. An Andrews A2 grind cam was slid in while an S&S oil pump replaced the stock unit. The heads were treated to a dual plug conversion as well as a fresh rebuild and the rocker boxes
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were split. A Daytona Twin Tech ignition is hidden underneath an old Cadillac hub cap that was cut down for a points cover and finally an S&S Super B with an original S&S “mushroom cap” velocity stack with a custom machined backing plate round out the motor. The machine work, head work and flywheel balancing were handled by GMS Racing Engines. Tyler and his Dad assembled the motor. The transmission is a 77 that was completely rebuilt and polished. A Karata Belt Drive clutch basket was machined to accept a custom machined 530 sprocket. The primary chain features a custom machined drive sprocket hub and matched sprocket that’s topped off with a really trick stainless nut and cap combination. A diaphragm clutch is worked by an original HD mousetrap assembly that was painted and polished to match the handmade clutch arm. The stainless shift drum arm is also handmade. Tyler even handmade license plate bracket. All machine work on the primary was performed by Jesse Exler at Jolly Roger Gunstocks. Tyler liked the look of the 33mm front ends, so he shaved the legs and
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used 2” under tubes by Forking by Frank. Elliot fabricated the stem nut, fork stop, fork tube top covers and the stainless cap nuts for the handlebar mounts. The handlebars are made from tubing that use a factory internal throttle and other parts that are joined together with handmade brackets to attach under the top tree and bolt up from the bottom. A modified aftermarket headlight bucket handles the lighting which is mounted with a custom bracket. The “perchless” levers bolt to the bottom of the bars and run on sealed bearings. Tyler said the levers are carved and bent from 1/2” stainless rod. One of my favorite parts other than the primary is the front wheel which is an early Sportster “hamburger” drum that was sanded
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CHROMOPHOBIA TECH SHEET Owner: Tyler Elliott/ TE Customs City/State: Eighty-Four Pa Builder: Tyler Elliott Year: 1975 Model: Superglide Value: Case Of Iron City Time: 8 Years On And Off Engine Year: 1975 Model: Shovelhead Builder: GMS Racing Engines/TECustoms Ignition: Daytona Twin Tec Displacement: 89 Inch Pistons: S&S Stroker Heads: Dual Plug Harley Carb: S&S B Cam: Andrews A2 Air Cleaner: Tyler Elliott/ S&S Exhaust: Swimming Pool Railings Primary: Open Chain/TE Customs / Jesse Exler Transmission Year: 1975 Make: Harley Fl Rachet Top Shifting: Foot/1 Down 3 Up Frame Year: 1975 Model: Superglide Rake: Some Stretch: Handmade Hardtail/Axle Plates Forks Builder: Harley /Te Customs/Forking By Frank Type: 33.4 MM Triple Trees: Harley Sportster Extension: 2” Under Wheels Front Wheel: Sportster Hub, Excel Rim, Buchanan Spokes Size: 21” Tire: Avon Speedmaster Front Brake: Drum Rear Wheel: 67-72 Harley Size: 18” Tire: Firestone Rear Brake: Harley Juice Drum Paint Painter: Tyler Elliott Color: Grays And Silvers Type: PPG/Oneshot Graphics: TE Customs Chroming: None Accessories Bars: TE Customs Risers: None Hand Controls: TE Customs Foot Controls: TE Customs Gas Tank(S):TE Customs Oil Tank: TE Customs Front Fender: Nope Rear Fender: 36 Ford Spare Tire Cover Seat: Josh Littleton/Classic Canvas Headlight: TE Customs Tail Light: TE Customs Speedo: None Photographer: Chris Callen
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and polished that features a functional scoop that cools the front brakes. The gas tank started as two 5-gallon Fatbob tanks cut down and joined together horizontally for a streamline look; a rib was center welded to match the rear fender. A hex thread sight glass was welded into the tank and can be removed via a small threaded trim ring. Elliot handcrafted the oil to match the gas tank shape. The rear fender is a 30’s Ford spare tire cover. Tyler fabricated the stainless bezels and uses a clear plastic bullet lens. Josh Littleton of Classic Canvas out of Delaware knocked out the classic black tuck and roll seat that follows the frame lines perfectly. Tyler handled all of the paint and bodywork himself with PPG brand base coat with layers of hand pinstriping, scrollwork, silver leaf and airbrushing. The graphics are completely buried for a smooth and uninterrupted finish. All of Tyler’s hard work paid off with a Best of Show win at the Cheap Thrills show in New Jersey and considering the level of bikes that enter that show, his win is well deserved. You can reach Tyler at www. tecustoms.com or his Instagram is @tecustoms. Thanks for sharing your bike with our readers!!
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Article By: Corey Barnum Photos By: Craig (Uber) Harriman www.faithforgotten.com
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e recently had a customer come in to have a routine service done on his 2012 FLTRX. Upon doing the standard service procedures, I noticed his front engine stabilizer link (Heim joints) were wore out. In 2009 HarleyDavidson changed the frame and went to a nonadjustable stabilizer link. I’m sure this decision saved money in production or reduced error in the service department. However, for the technician or individual who strives for perfection and wants the best out of a motorcycle, the nonadjustable stabilizer is a poor choice. When given the chance, I prefer to replace these “new” linkages with the “older” adjustable version. This allows me to fine-tune the alignment of the drive train thus improving both power transfer to the rear wheel as
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well as handling by balancing the rear suspension. This tech article will illustrate how adjustments to the stabilizers can affect the distance between shock mounts and essentially remove any twisting of the driveline. This alignment will also have a significant impact on the life of your tires by reducing cupping, which is a common issue with bikes 2009 and up.
I usually use a jack under the frame. Jack it up enough to relax the rear shocks and level the motorcycle.
As you can see in the next two pictures, I am able to move the
The first thing to do in this procedure is to get the bike in the upright position.
stabilizing linkage with my hand. Any movement of the link indicates that it is worn out. Make sure the motorcycle is in the upright position to take the load off the link when doing this.
shock bolt bosses allows me to find the center of the holes thus allowing an accurate measurement of the distance
After checking the condition of the link and determining if it needs the be replaced, I purge the air out of the rear shocks and remove them.
Using a precision machinist’s scale, I take a measurement between the upper and lower shock mounts to see how far off the alignment is from
Using transfer punches from the fabrication room in each one of the
side to side. As you can see in the two pictures, this bike is about 1/16”
off between the left and right side. Again, this may well be acceptable and fall under “factory tolerances.” But we are not here to do average work, and this shop runs under a different set of principles. So given the opportunity, I’m always going to correct a misalignment
Using a T45 Torx bit, I then remove the old worn out stabilizer link.
Here is a picture of the two different stabilizer links. I always try to get the
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adjustable one close to the length of old link for a decent starting point.
Once the bike is in alignment, make sure to tighten down the lock nuts on both sides of the stabilizer link.
After getting the link close to the same length, I install it onto the bike. Torqueing the two bolts to 20 ft-lbs.
Next, reinstall the shocks, torquing all four bolts to 40 ft-lbs. the continuing growth of this service department is testament enough for me that this type business plan can still work today. Ride Safe -Corey
Once torqued, I then take another measurement of the shock mounts and start to make my adjustments.
After a little bit of adjusting the link’s length I was able to get the shock
mounts to be equal distances from each other on both sides.
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With the shocks torqued and the airlines reconnected and pressurized, I always test to make sure there air no air leaks in the system. I understand that this procedure may be viewed as unnecessary by some, and as a master level technician at a dealership, I had to stick to the OEM parts and design for many years. This was always frustrating to me when I could see areas that I knew needed to be improved. However, working at Faith Forgotten Choppers with Will I have been given the freedom, and even encouraged, to take my work to the next level and put the customer and the performance of the bike before the bottom line. For some people, there is a true reward in knowing that you are completing jobs and holding yourself to the highest standard. The satisfaction of our customers and
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t’s not very often I find strong women artists that work in our industry, so when I do, I jump on the chance to feature them within our pages. Beth Kearney is no exception, and I am so excited to tell you about her! From a young age, Beth was creating art. It didn’t really matter what kind, if it allowed her to create, she loved it. There was never really a standout moment that told her, full-time “this is your thing, she just sort of did it regardless. The same could also be said for her love of motorcycles. She was introduced to them at an early age through various friends and family when she was brought to an auto show and got to take a look at all the badass striping that was on them. She knew then that it was something she wanted to learn how to do, but it wasn’t to become a full-time passion until she graduated from college and realized that cars, bikes, and art were what her future career
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Article By: Amelia “Killer” Rose needed to be! Beth has been striping professionally under the name Lil Dame Stripes for over 15 years now, and her preferred medium
for her pieces is enamel paint. Her biggest inspiration in creating her art is the art itself! She loves being able to take elements from the piece itself that may stand out and integrate them into whatever
she may be creating. She’s also a huge stickler for accuracy and loves to try to make her pieces as period correct to the style as possible, which lends itself greatly to the overall design aesthetic. She also loves to be able to say “I did that, that’s my work” when a piece is done and try to do one better on the next one. As for what sets her apart, it’s clear to see it’s her passion. Every day she wakes up truly excited and grateful for what she does. She looks to the greats of her craft, learns the techniques, and always, ALWAYS asks questions. Learning new things is something that always motivates her and keeps her running towards the next big project. “I wholeheartedly believe that if you do not love the industry itself, your art will show that lack of connection.” When Beth isn’t painting, she’s doing anything and everything else to keep her busy! From hiking and woodworking to gardening
and flea market hunting, she does it all, but spending time with her family is the most important. She even takes an annual trip to the Bonneville Salt Flats, where she races during Speedweek! She’s been very fortunate through this industry and her art to be able to travel all over the world and work at various events including leading workshops or working car shows. Most recently, she travelled to Saudi Arabia, where she was asked to demonstrate the art of pinstriping to the people of Riyadh. It was an incredible experience she wouldn’t trade for anything in the world and it was all made possible through her art. In terms of where her art has taken her over the years, she loves being able to see the progress she’s made since she started. Being able to challenge yourself while doing something you love for a living is something not many get to experience, which is why she also considers herself incredibly blessed for the opportunities she’s been given over the years through her art. Moving forward, her plans are simple; keep pushing herself to learn something new and be better than she was the day before. The future is ours to do with as we please! If you’d like to check out more of Beth’s incredible work or commission a piece for yourself, you can find her on Instagram @ lildamestripes or head on over to her website lildamestripes.com Thanks for reading. Till Next Time, Amelia Rose
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motion pro pivot vice a tool thats better than a third hand
Article By: Chris Callen Photos By: Heather Callen
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figured I’d show you a cool new tool that we got in the shop, The pivot Vice from MotionPro. Anybody that works on suspension knows it’s kind of a dirty job. Having the right tool always makes it a little bit easier. Enter Motion Pro with a tool for $360 to change the game. If I can do something by myself without waiting for Buddy to come home from work that’s a good tool so this helps you hold on to things while you work plus you don’t worry about damaging the parts in the vise since it’s made from a soft jaw material. Motion Pro tools are obviously made by guys that actually work on bikes, you can tell every time you use one of their tools. From the nice little oil pan that is removable, positionable and has a little bin for small parts built into it and a drain plug on the side, to the pivoting head that lets you spin the fork leg around without taking it out of the vise. The vise jaw itself is adjustable in three positions letting you have the perfect grip for any size fork tube or even the legs which comes in handy for inverted fork maintenance. With the drain pan out of the way there is even a built in shelf to hold the fork tube down low when you are working on inverted
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forks also. I used this tool for the first time just the other day on an old softail wide glide front end that I wanted to tear down for some freshening up and customizing. We were using it on a 41mm leg, the current design will not hold a 39mm leg, Motion Pro is aware of this and will be making design changes in the coming months, if you have one of the current design and would like the updated design feel free to contact Joe at Motion
Pro, Joe@motionpro.com and he’ll be happy to assist you” I would have to say it cut my time in half on the first leg and by the second, as I was more familiar with the vise, it went even faster. As good during assembly as it was in disassembly, I personally recommend having this tool in your shop. Check them out today at www.motionpro.com
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PHOTO COURTESY OF JOE NIELSEN
PHOTO COURTESY OF @JOE.LITE.376
PHOTO COURTESY OF JOEL GURATH
PHOTO COURTESY OF JAMES BERRY
PHOTO COURTESY OF ELLIE RAINS
PHOTO COURTESY OF CHUCK CALDWELL
PHOTO COURTESY OF @MILEHIGH66
PHOTO COURTESY OF@DAVEYKOVA
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e met Kyle Post, the owner of this sweet seventies time machine, the first year we attended Motoblot in Chicago. It was crazy to see him roll in on this pan. Kyle looks a lot younger than he is, so it blew our minds that a young kid has such a bitchin old school chopper but we were drawn to it right away. It turns out Kyle is 29 years old and has been a plumber by trade for the past ten years of his life already. He started with his stepdad’s company right out of high school and still works there, but this is an example of his
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work ethic. Kyle bought his first bike when he graduated high school. It was a 1997 Heritage Softail. While when I was surprised by this being his first bike, Kyle explained that he had worked through high school to save up for it. That gives me great hope for a world where most kids aren’t even driving when they leave school; this kid already had a big twin. Anyway, that bike went through its transformations, big apes, he slammed it down, all the right stuff for that time period. Post did a lot of riding with his parents at the time, stacking up experience, and bit
Article And Photos By: Chris Callen
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by bit he turned that Softail into a So-Cal style low rider. Fast forward to 2016 when Kyle was given the opportunity to buy a bike from Kenny Slaughter, this bike. Although at the time it had a Shovel engine in it. Kyle knew that he was ready to make his first long bike. Post, along with a crew of friends went to work on the bike and changed it up. Kyle did all the paint and molding with the help of his boy Alex at Fi Customs where he spent every day fabbing and painting in Alex’s shop. The real change came when Kyle told Kenny he had another Shovel motor to trade for a ’56 Pan that Kenny had. The deal was done, and the Panhead was torn down for some case repair. Once the
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block was solid again, Melo at a local shop did the build and they slid it into its new home. This changed everything; this was a legit way back machine. With 30 over front forks, it was as long as Kyle could make it and feel comfortable riding it, and he does. The first big trip this bike took was out to the Boogie Farm Clam Jam, but other than that, he tools all around on it and loves the hell out of her. Like most good stories about a build like this Kyle had a crew of guys with him along the way. He would like to thank Andrew, John, Jimmy and Gary for helping make this happen. One way or another, they were all in on the project with him. So
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THE RED STAG TECH SHEET Owner: Kyle Post City/State: McHenry, IL Year:1956 Model: Harley-Davidson Panhead Engine Year:1956 Model: Harley-Davidson Panhead Builder: Milo At F.C.R Ignition: Mallory Displacement: 74 Cubic Inch 1200 Cc Heads: V Twin Mfg Carb: S&S Super E Cam: Andrews J Grind Exhaust: Custom Chrome Transmission: Year: 1956 Make: Harley-Davidson Frame Year: 1948 Model: Harley-Davidson Rake: 48 Degrees Forks Builder: Mick’s Chop Shop Type: Springer Extension: 30 Over Wheels Front Wheel: Spool Tire: Allstate Size: 21” Rear Wheel: Tire: Avon Size: 16” Rear Brake: EBay Banana Caliper Paint Painter: Kyle Post, Alex Radovanovitch Color: Sonoma Red Graphics: Oxy-Acetylene Smoke Chroming: Star Chrome Accessories: Bars: Custom Gas Tank: Peanut Tank Headlight: Lowbrow Customs Taillight: Lowbrow Customs Photographer: Chris Callen
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what now, other than this cat taking the frequent trip back to the seventies? Well, it doesn’t stop there. Kyle already had a Genny Shovel motor and trans sitting in the corner of his shop for the next run. He says that
he’s saving up, a piece at a time for when he’s ready to build that one. Just like it should be!
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w
ell, Well, Well, here we go, my Brothers and Sisters. As I write this, we are only four short weeks away from the beginning of the 2020 rally season. Already all the social media sites are exploding with where to go and what to do. With so many rally’s to choose from starting in March with Daytona Bike Week and ending with the Lone Star Rally in Galveston Texas, you can bet your ass you have many to choose from that are all great at one thing…keeping this culture that we love so much alive. A few lucky folks got a nice little cabin fever reliever last week thanks to my man Randy Noldge, the host of Cycle Showcase STL. Randy was kind enough to invite me and my motorbike to display at this terrific exhibit of world class bikes. Randy assembled some of
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Article By: Xavier Muriel the finest souls in this industry to showcase their machines. Cycle Showcase called The Pageant home for the weekend and the joint was bitchin! A music venue that he
himself mixes sound for. He called in the heavyweights for this year’s congregation, with the likes of Bill Dodge, Jeff Cochran, Bare Knuckle Paul, Brian Buttera, Bobby Seeger, Brandon and Amy Jo Keene,
Jeremy from Joker Cycle Works, just to name a few. I couldn’t have been more honored to have my girl “Lizzy” in a room with that kind of talent on display. The bikes and all that Jazz were great and all, but the way all the builders got along, shared advice and just had a great hang for two days was well worth the 15-hour drive from Austin. Randy not only had bikes on display but some really cool vendors as well. The Ice Cream stand was a HUGE hit as a fan of Ice cream myself I thought that was a rather impressive and well thought out plan, kudos Randy on that one. However, one of the biggest draws that weekend was the Pupster kissing booth, yep you read that right a dog kissing booth, all donations went to benefit a few local dog rescues. It was great to see even the burliest of bikers partaking in the Pupster Love.
After the show on Saturday night, there was bowling right next door at the Pin-Up Bowl and from what I saw Mr. SpeedKing himself owned the lanes that night. The beer was flowing, and the laughter was in abundance. Sunday brought us to the end of the CSSTL and much like much other events, once the steeds were loaded in their stables, hugs and goodbyes were said with hopes that all who attended made it home safely. Speaking of home safely, I want all you readers to know that Mr. and Mrs. Cycle Source drove 9 hours on Saturday to hang for 5 hours and turn back around and drive home. Now, if anyone out there has questions about their LOVE for this lifestyle and where it’s headed, for me that answers any of them... Nicely done My Brothers and Sisters, nicely done. I’ll close this session with a cool deal that I’ve been working on. I’ve been tasked with building a motorcycle for the High Seas Rally and Debbie’s Diabetes Foundation raffle. Throughout 2020, I will be building and sharing my progress on this project both here and on all my social media sites. It will be
raffled off on board during the High Seas Rally which runs December 3-7. Another, totally bitching part and complete bonus if you ask me is that the mighty Cycle Source Machine has just been added to the roster for this event so stay tuned for more details in coming months, but for now you can go to www. highseasrally.com for more info, it’s gonna be a hell of a good time. I will be taking the High Seas Rally booth to major events this season so if you see the booth stop in, say hi and check it out; you won’t be disappointed. Well, My Dear Friends, I hope to see many of you in the coming months. Again, if you see me come say hi and take a picture, ya never know, ya might just wind up on these pages! As Always Be a kind to One Another and Yourself. God Bless. X.
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y the time these words reach your brain, the race season will have already kicked off in Daytona for the AFT series. There is so much this year to pay attention to. Daytona is such a unique track to the AFT series now with its unique layout inside the famed speedway’s trioval, but its long-standing tradition within the dirt track ranks is what makes goosebumps appear on even the most die-hard fan’s arms. From racing on the beach in the 50’s to Memorial Stadium in the 70’s, Municipal stadium in the 90’s (R.I.P. Municipal Stadium) and then the sorry excuse for a short track outside of turn one for several years in the 2010’s, Daytona finally has the flavor back that it missed for several seasons. When AFT announced the new TT layout a few years ago, of course, the keyboard racers of Facebook took to their window’s 95 shod machines to
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Article By: Tyler Porter Photos By: Savannah Rose complain about “this isn’t the way we did it in my day!” Well of course gramps, that isn’t how you did it. But wait, you’re wrong. This IS how you did it. Now that the course is both
pavement and dirt, hello old-timers, that’s exactly the way the beach race was! Of course, the equipment has changed. We’ve got nearly 70 horsepower 450cc Motocross based bikes, largely piloted by adrenaline crazed “kids” between the ages of
16 and 23 years old. Also tackling the demanding track is the newly named SuperTwins class, where the best in the world, and sometimes just those who can pay to play, will battle for all of the marbles of the Grand National Championship title. Last year’s Daytona round had plenty of hype going in, and even more storylines after. If any of you tuned in for the Cycle Source Daytona PreRace show, you know that I was sick and tired of hearing all of the “Jeff Ward” hype. The older generation of fans was all too eager to jump on that bandwagon because perhaps he was their favorite pro motocross racer when they were whippersnappers. My gripe with this was that it was disrespecting the talent level of our series regulars. They were sorely underestimated. What happened on that cool spring night at the world center of racing? Jeff had one flash of brilliance in a
qualifying race, and then the typical chaos of the singles class reared its ugly head and kept the 50 something racer a country mile out of the main event. Was his hype going into the race good for the sport? Of course, it was. I’m still talking about it a year later! However, what ultimately happened was that after the defeat, Jeff’s supporters seemed not to follow through, Jeff, from what I could tell, lost interest, and we lost a talking point for most of the season, which is a bummer for all involved. On the SuperTwins side, we had the best all-around racer in the game and multi-time national champion Jared Mees succumb to incredibly odd bad luck. Jared was caught up in crashes throughout the day and then suffered a mechanical during the main event, something that is
our favorite storylines each time the track layout included a right turn and a jump is now gone from that class. But when one door closes, of course, another one opens, and just like Jeff Ward’s hype at last year’s Daytona TT, this year we get to see how one of the best 450 riders in the history of our sport will fare against the crazed young guns in the Singles class. It’s never safe to bet on flat track, as I have learned over the years, but I would imagine Hammerin’ Hank will have a lot less trouble gridding up to the main event than last year’s “headliner.” I’m hearing rumors around the sport too that Harley Davidson has made big strides with their XG750R platform. When you couple that with the fact that new AFT rules that work against the Indian FTR750 for the first
rarer than a Friday the 13th landing on Halloween. While Jared rebounded well from the deficit to score 8 wins during the 2019 season, the damage was largely done as Briar Bauman rose to the occasion and even with less wins on the season, his consistency, something that Mees has always been known for, was too much to overcome. In 2020 Daytona will have a slightly different flavor once again. Because of the major changes to the SuperTwins class that I’ve discussed here over several articles, we have lost a few key players in the series. Former National Champion Jake Johnson will only join the series as a wild card as a select rounds, as well as multi-time winner and fan-favorite Jeffery Carver. The winningest TT rider in the professional ranks, Henry Wiles, was signed to the Richie Morris Racing Honda team, so one of
time since its inception into the sport, we may have a tighter field in the SuperTwins class than before. The Harley Davidson XG750 has been on the podium before in TT events, and with a strong top five in Daytona last year, I’m sure that team of battlehardened professionals are ready to reclaim their dominance on podiums across the country this season. No matter your favorite racer, racing class, or even brand of machine, the tri-oval in Daytona Beach Florida on March 14th is going to be the happening place to be. Daytona can give us a surprise winner today just like it could in years past. I sure hope that happens. I can tell you one thing. I’ll see you there.
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Hey, The new Bikernet Headquarter is now open in Deadwood, South Dakota. It’s not much, I’m currently sleeping on the floor. Hopefully the bed will be delivered tomorrow, but it snowed all day. The Salt Torpedo will go to paint in the next couple of weeks, and we will start to make anxious plans to go to Bonneville. It’s already going to be a very interesting year. Let’s hit the news 5-Ball Racing Salt Torpedo Report - It’s an amazing week. I want it to be this amazing for all bikers all over the world. I want all of us to be building the coolest shit, riding to the coolest places, meeting the most beautiful girls and enjoying every minute of it. On Tuesday, we nervously took the Salt Torpedo into the desert for some passes on a desolate paved road. I can’t tell you where we went. It’s a top-speed secret, that only coyotes and bleak desert bikers know about. What a trip. While we discussed the plan with Dustin Leinweber in a shed behind the Wheeler Station, something dawned on me. Our first hiccup. I worked for weeks preparing and adjusting for this. I struggled with the top of the body, but this puppy was buttoned up tight, and I was beginning to think we needed an engine hatch for mechanical access. While discussing the CHP and our desert run plans it dawned on me that the rag was still stuck in the velocity stack to keep shit out
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of the intake. I thought, “Oh Fuck.” We opened the trailer and I discovered a small space for a skinny arm to maybe reach beside the exhaust system and Micah gave it a shot— success. Did I miss anything else? I’m still floating on Cloud Nine after six successful runs. -Bandit Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall Of Fame Announces Class Of 2020 - The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame seeks out the most influential people in the motorcycle industry to highlight their accomplishments and promote the future of motorcycling. On behalf of the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame Board of Directors, I am proud to announce our 2020 Hall of Fame Inductees (in alphabetical order by first name): Alan Alvarez; Arlin Fatland; Dave Mackie; Jody Perewitz; Micah McCloskey; Skeeter Todd; Vicki Sanfelipo; Freedom Fighter - Wayne & Susan Lettau; Arlen Ness Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient - Don Hotop Congratulations to each of these individuals! Stay tuned for Hall of Fame Highlights where we share info about each inductee leading up to the ceremony. Helmet Repeal Efforts Across The Country - Since 1966, when Georgia became the first State to require helmet use by law, America has gone through periods of nearly 100% conformity with every state except California
passing mandatory helmet laws, through two federal helmet law mandates, both since repealed, to today with only 19 states and the District of Columbia requiring helmets for all riders. Now, with state legislatures back in session entering the new year, several of those states are hoping to be the next to nix their lid law, following most recently Arkansas (1997), Texas (1997), Kentucky (1998), Florida (2000), Pennsylvania (2003) and Michigan (2012). Louisiana weakened its motorcycle helmet use law in 1999 but re-enacted it in 2004. Already this year, West Virginia has introduced bicameral legislation on January 10th, HB 2070 in the House and SB 153 in the Senate, that would allow you to operate or be a passenger on a motorcycle without a helmet, provided the rider is 21 or older and has held a motorcycle license for at least two years. In addition, SB 154 would allow certain out-of-state residents ride a motorcycle in West Virginia without helmet. Missouri, which last session passed a helmet repeal through both houses of their legislature, only to see it vetoed, once again, by their governor, has introduced another bill on January 9th to exempt persons 18 or older with a valid motorcycle license from wearing protective headgear while riding a motorcycle or motor tricycle. In New York, A6895, introduced January 8th, provides that motorcyclists over the age of 21 shall be exempt from the requirement to wear a helmet when operating or riding a motorcycle, while A3004 “requires motorcycle users to wear helmets that meet the federal motor vehicle safety standards and which have been impact-tested by the U.S. department of transportation, the commissioner of motor vehicles or by an independent laboratory approved by the commissioner of motor vehicles.” Meanwhile, companion bills A214/S320 authorizes the commissioner of transportation to conduct a comprehensive study of the efficacy of motorcycle helmets. Vermont’s legislature is considering S203, an act relating to motorcycle helmets, which “proposes to amend the motorcycle helmet law to only apply to motorcycle operators and riders under 21 years of age and creates an exemption from the motorcycle helmet requirement for those operators and riders
who are participating in a parade.” The number of registered motorcycles in the U.S. is near historic highs, with more than 8.4 million registered motorcycles as of 2014, according to the U.S. DOT’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics. This is up from 4.3 million in 2000, nearly doubling over the past two decades. Support your local motorcycle rights association. -Bill Bish, NCOM Newsbytes RIDING FREE FROM The MRF - Your Biker Bulletin from Inside the Beltway - Calls to Action In just five days, over 1300 of you sent letters to Congress regarding H. Res 255, the motorcyclist profiling resolution. At least one letter was received by 312 of the Congressional offices. Meaning 72% of the House of Representatives heard from us. The state of New York is leading the charge with the most letters sent to their legislators on H. Res. 255. Let’s keep hammering these lawmakers until they understand we aren’t going away. Go to the MRF website to check for any needed action. The more letters that are sent, the louder our voice is on Capitol Hill. Keep your eyes open for more of these calls to action on different topics, and let’s keep the pressure Regulatory Update: DOT Secretary Announces 3 Initiatives at TRB Meeting, Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Chao spoke at the 99th Annual Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting where she unveiled three new initiatives that the Department of Transportation recently endorsed. The first announcement focused on the expansion of the Partnership for Analytics Research in Traffic Safety (PARTS) program which is voluntary between the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the automobile industry. The first phase of the project had six automobile manufacturers studying and sharing their collected data on Automatic Braking Technology. The Secretary noted that “Vehicles with this technology reported 53% fewer rear-end collisions than vehicles without Automatic Emergency Braking Systems based upon preliminary data from the initial program.” The second phase of the program, PARTS
II, will increase the participation to nearly 70% of the automobile market and the working group will expand beyond automatic braking to include adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assistance. Dovetailing on the automobile industry collaborating on Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), the DOT endorsed “Clearing the Confusion,” a standardized listing of recommended ADAS terminology spearheaded by the National Safety Council, AAA, Consumer Reports and J.D. Power. The collaboration was an effort to standardize the language by manufacturers to help educate consumers on the functionality of ADAS systems and help ensure “drivers are aware that these systems are designed to assist, not replace an engaged driver.” The final announcement focused on the DOT investing $38 million for First Responder
Safety Technology Pilot Program that will help equip emergency response vehicles and key infrastructure with vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication technology. The deployment will take advantage of the 5.9 GHz “safety band” that the FCC set aside for transportation over two decades ago but has not been utilized yet. As we have reported before, the FCC voted to release the unused transportation spectrum to other industries citing the DOT’s failure to use this system. While the ruling isn’t final, we are monitoring any changes from the FCC. Some road safety advocates think keeping the 5.9GHz is essential the future of connected road safety while others argue that since no standardized system has been adopted by the DOT or auto makers that other technologies can be used in place of the dedicated spectrum. MRF Road Show - January and February are always a busy time for State Motorcycle
Rights Organizations and it’s a popular time for SMRO Seminars and events. We at the MRF do our best to attend these state-level events and give in-person updates on what’s going on at the federal level. You can catch the MRF presenting at the following events this weekend: Tiffany Cipoletti will speak at the Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists Lobby Day Meeting, Ryan Hubbard will speak to ABATE of Illinois’s State Seminar, Rocky Fox will be at the ABATE of Michigan’s Seminar and Jay Jackson will be at the Kentucky Freedom Fighter Forum for KMA/KBA. You can also catch representatives of the MRF at the following upcoming events: ABATE of Wisconsin’s officer’s training, ABATE of Pennsylvania’s L&L, ABATE U with ABATE of Minnesota, ABATE of Ohio’s Legislative Seminar and Heartland STEAM hosted by ABATE of Illinois on April 3-4, 2020 Even if we can’t make it to your meeting or event, we have a presentation we can send you, so your members are fully briefed on the legislative outlook for 2020. Just email Tiffany Cipoletti at tiffany@mrf.org for the PowerPoint. AMA News & Updates – Florida - The AMA State Chapter of Florida represents an effort by the AMA and your State Coordinator to communicate with current and potential members on topics that affect the motorcycling community and rider rights in your state. To reach AMA State Coordinator Greg Zuest regarding issues relating to non-competition recreation and motorcyclists’ rights in Florida, please email him at flcoordinator@ama-cycle. org. DAYTONA - The American Motorcyclist Association will once again kick off the AMA National Gypsy Tour Series during Daytona Bike Week. Visit us March 6th-14th at Daytona International Speedway. TAMPA - The Motorcycle Safety Foundation will offer Keeping a New Generation of Motorcyclists Safe, a session presented as part of the Lifesavers National Conference, the largest gathering of highway safety professionals in the United States, March 15-17. National - WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Office of United States Trade Representative has again proposed tariffs on motorcycles with an engine size between 500cc and 700cc, along with parts and accessories, imported from countries in the European Union, as April ‘20 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 87
THE CYCLE SOURCE WORLD REPORT - POWERED BY BIKERNET.COM
part of a dispute over aircraft subsidies. This proposal comes after the USTR announced in October that these motorcycles would not be subject to tariffs originally proposed in April. This continued targeting of the motorcycle community and industry only brings uncertainty and harm to American motorcyclists and the small businesses that support them. The AMA is joining others in the motorcycling community to oppose the USTR’s ill-conceived proposal. Motorcyclists should not be penalized with exorbitant tariffs because of an unrelated trade dispute. Any trade sanctions imposed as a result of this dispute should come from more closely related industries or products. You can make your voice heard on this issue by following this link: https://tinyurl.com/ qspkcrc. WASHINGTON, D.C. - Motorcyclists rode a little less in 2018 than in the year before, according to a report from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Riders traveled 20.1 billion miles in 2018, down about 1 percent from 2017. WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released highway crash fatality data for 2018, showing a 2.4 percent decline in overall fatalities, the second consecutive year of reduced crash fatalities. Motorcyclist fatalities declined 4.7 percent. The report shows that
4,985 motorcyclists died in crashes in 2018, down 244 from the 5,229 fatalities in 2017. PICKERINGTON, Ohio - Get your tickets and make your plans to be at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, July 10-12 for 2020 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. AMA members can purchase discounted tickets now at www.amavintagemotorcycledays.com/ tickets.
AMA members save an additional $5 off the already discounted early bird pricing. AMA members can also call (614) 8561900 to order their tickets. A fundraiser for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days showcases classic motorcycles of all makes and styles and honors the riders who made them famous. Activities at the event include the AMA
Vintage Grand Championship, which features road racing, motocross, hare scrambles, trials and flat-track racing. In addition, North America’s largest motorcycle swap meet is packed with parts, bikes and memorabilia from all eras. Bike shows feature some of history’s most beloved motorcycles. Attendees will be entertained by stunt shows, demo rides of current production bikes and live music, while seminars on numerous topics by noted motorcycling experts keep them informed. Non-AMA members and those reserving RV spaces must purchase tickets through Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. These tickets are available online at midohio.com or by calling (419) 884-4000. AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is a familyfriendly event. Admission is free for children under 12 accompanied by a ticketed adult. Free parking is also available on site. Is that incredible or what? We are absolutely living in the best of times. For Bikers it’s amazing. We can build anything we want, in any precision manner we choose. We can easily ride around the world if we choose. You name it, you can do it in America. But it’s only possible with Freedom in the ingredients.
If you want more news, quicker, haul over to Bikernet.com every week, for a fix. Ride fast and free, forever! -Bandit
FIND TEN DIFFERENT THINGS ON BLOODY KNUCKLE 1. Inset on tank color change. 2. Missing Stitch On Seat. 3. Extra Rocker Bolt On Front Head. 4. Extra Down Tube On Front Of Frame. 5. Extra Graphic On Oil Tank. 6. Color Of Magneto. 7. Color Of Kicker Pedal. 8. Size Of Oil Filler For Transmission. 9. Extra Pipe On Rear Exhaust. 10. Missing Spoke On Front Wheel.
NO THERE ISN’T ANY REAL PRIZE, JUST SOMETHING TO DO WHILE YOU’RE IN THE CAN.
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E, AND ID R E H T , R A W THE THE REASON...
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here’s an unforgiving span of endless tarmac going wherever we could possibly imagine, yet we shoehorn ourselves into routine travels and experiences. We subconsciously trap ourselves in a security blanket of predetermined outcomes designed to prevent failure at even it’s smallest definition and, in turn, brag about our accomplishments in order to give our own existence meaning. If documentation and accolades fail to exist, don’t we fail as well? I find myself chasing distant scenery as miles of Interstate 84 pass underneath the scarred frame of my bike. The mountains that hug the Hudson dance behind the foreground, shifting in cadence behind the tree line. Once I start to cross the Newburgh Beacon Bridge the mountains surrounding me pale in comparison to the granger that had built into my head sometime before, but of course, I have been here before, thousands of time. This was more of a meditation sixty miles away from home but only minutes away from one of the garages I find myself working out of. I’ll press on but the story of repetition still won’t change. The drone of speed married with constant pounding of air separate the cells that hold my thoughts together, the lubrication and air help my mind breathe, thoughts flow with no resistance and at points make no sense, like a dream, riding is now second nature, and the highway is in control now. I snap in and out of tidal waves
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of wind-generated by seventy thousand-pound bullets to my right. My feet grow numb from the vibration and my back starts to feel relief as I rock in the saddle. The journey is taking hold and the destination is meaningless. I never stop. I’ll run the tank till it’s almost empty, and by that time, I’m where I need to be. The sun looms just behind to my right, but as always, my return trip will have me sailing into the devil’s eye almost a phantom to my blinded highway companions. I think of everything at once, the heightened euphoria allows everything to be classified as it’s processed, it makes so much sense and the clarity is almost so profound that I should be writing it all down but this is my own narration not to be shared, at least not now. We ride even when we aren’t imprisoned behind a windshield polluted in grit and the corpses of a million insects we choose our lines and interoperate the rhythm of the road ,dreaming about being in the breeze all while the screams of life still remains apparent trapped in that f#@king car with us, allowing ourselves to be interrupted at everyone’s beck and call. We want to be away from it all, but in that cage, all alone, there still isn’t room for ourselves, our thoughts. But here in the entangled exhaust humidity, we can breathe deeper. The voices in our heads sing in cadence as performance and efficiency is controlled within a quarter-inch twist and release of our own wrist. While a war of inertia, friction, pressure, weather, gravity, and mechanics is being fought all around us, the thin line of
perfection and dynamics is being weaved by the thinnest of needles pulling and guiding the strongest of threads. It’s what gives balance to our world, and its what
bonds a culture. There is no one “why,” it’s what it is to the individual. Trying to prove your existence in it dilutes the power behind it. In the end, the impact you
make on others is the quality you give to your own being. Don’t waste time on the opinions of others because the experiences you have are, in the end, only your
own and your family’s… Ride.
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BAKER Drivetrain’s New Compensator Sprocket -
BAKER Drivetrain’s new compensator sprocket to fit all 2007-Later Touring/Softail, 2006-Later Dyna models, and Milwaukee 8 models. Engineered with an annular oil distribution system that delivers quiet operation, relentless durability, and refined function to smooth out the inherent power pulsations of the second-generation Twin Cam and M8 motors. The newly engineered design features: Decreased compensating cam lobe diameter to reduce velocities, which then reduces wear. Increased radial width of the compensating cam lobes which extends the durability. Seven supportive spokes, which structurally tie the sprocket ‘ring’ to the sprocket hub. The mass of the sprocket is concentrated towards the center which reduces noise and vibrations during operation and shut down. Heat treated 4140 alloy steel construction. Made in America MSRP $599 Visit https://bakerdrivetrain.com/products/m8-compensator-sprocket
DRAG SPECIALTIES FACTORY-ACTIVATED AGM MAINTENANCE-FREE BATTERY
If you want a battery that packs more power, discharges less in storage and holds a charge longer than a conventional battery, then this is the battery for you. The construction has passed vibration and pressure differential spill-proof tests and includes high performance active material with an anti-sulfation additive. Also features high capacity and cranking performance and a flush-mount terminal. This is the perfect battery for 97-20 FLT/FLHT/FLHX/FLTR/FLTRX/FLTRU/FLTRK/FLHR and H-D FL Trikes. Suggested retail of $150.95. www.dragspecialties.com
DRAG SPECIALTIES SEATS PREDATOR III SEATS Features a 7” tall support and is designed narrower at the front for better leg clearance. Molded polyurethane foam interior provides maximum comfort. The thermoformed ABS seat base gives the perfect fit while the carpeted bottom and rubber bumpers protect your bike’s paint. Seat covers are automotive-grade vinyl and are available in smooth or double-diamond stitch with black, silver or red thread. Made in the U.S.A. for 00-05 FXST and 0017 FLST models. Suggested retail of $299.95 – 349.95.
American Prime Manufacturing Advance Assembly
Z1R Artillery jacket
Z1R introduces the brand new Artillery jacket. Bring out the artillery! This premium milled cowhide leather jacket has it all. Chest and back vents for the ultimate temperature regulation. Adjustable zippered side gussets for a custom fit. On the inside is a full length zip out insulated liner and underneath, a polyester mesh liner that has optional pockets for armor. Two interior concealed and carry pouches and hand warmer pockets will have you locked and loaded for whatever is to come. Available in sizes S-5XL. Suggested retail $199.95-$229.95. www.Z1R.com
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DRAG SPECIALTIES 1” APE HANGER HANDLEBARS
These Drag Specialties 1” handlebars are available in a 14” Ape Hanger style in either a chrome or black finish. Designed notched for electronic throttle control, knurled and slotted for internal wiring. Made of seamless steel tubing for 08-13 FLHT/FLHX and H-D FL Trike. Made in the U.S.A. Suggested retail of $115.95. For more information, go to www.dragspecialties.com or contact your local Drag Specialties dealer.
Advance assembly has a 304-stainless steel base, center post and pivot pins. The weights are coated with a specially polymer that protects from heat saturation, reduces friction strengthens the component.The special CNC machine coiled springs hold precision tolerances controlling spring rates to within 5% of specification to provide the max advance and retard applicable. Manufactured with precision drawn wire then zinc plated for corrosion protection with post baking for relieving of potential hydrogen embrittlement. Includes the center bolt. Proudly made in the U.S.A. https://americanprimemfginc. com/product/1104-0001-comp-master-advance-unit/
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OFFICIAL POWDERCOATER OF FLAT BROKE CHOPS & RODS
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ADVERTISERS INDEX 5 Ball Racing Leather...................95 Bare Bones Leather......................94 Battery Outlet..............................97 BikerNet.com..................................18 Bikers Choice..................................2 Chop Cult......................................94 Cycle Source Gear...........................4 Dennis Kirk.....................................5 Denver’s Choppers........................47 Drag Seats......................................15 Drag Specialties.............................15 Dutchman.....................................97 Faith Forgotten Choppers.............37 Fandango.......................................69 Feuling..........................................94 Flat Broke Chops & Rods..............81 GEICO..............................................3 Harbor Freight...............................29 High Seas Rally..............................89 Hijinx Apparel................................95 Hot Leathers..................................91 I Draw Flies....................................97 Inferno Art.....................................94 Kiwi Indian....................................67 Led Sled.........................................65 Lowbrow Customs..........................75 MC Creations.................................93 Metzeler.........................................55 Mikuni............................................45 Motion Pro.....................................85 No School Choppers.......................97 Pandemonium................................18 Paughco...........................................13 Progressive Insurance...................33 Providence Cycle Worx...................83 Russ Brown...................................25 S100...............................................35 S&S Cycle.....................................100 Sick Boy....................................48,49 SpeedKing.....................................27 Sporty Parts...................................97 Spectro Oils...................................19 Steel City H-D..............................99 Tech Cycles....................................67 Thunder Beach..............................73 Twisted Choppers..........................43
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squawk and kick and scream-then suddenly; there was quiet. David was frightened that he might have hurt the bird and quickly opened the freezer door. The parrot calmly stepped out and said, “I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I’ll endeavor at once to correct my behavior. I really am truly sorry and beg your forgiveness.” David was astonished at the bird’s change in attitude and was about to ask what had made such a dramatic change when the parrot continued, “May I ask, what did the chicken do?”
Heard A Good One Lately ? Then Send It Along To Us At: 119 Dellenbaugh Rd. Tarentum, PA 15084 Or E-mail To cyclesourcemain@comcast.net
Diane
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ever before had Sue looked in the box that her husband Fred kept under their bed. The box had been there for the past 20 years of their marriage, but she had never invaded his privacy. One day, while cleaning, she decided to take a look in the box. She didn’t figure it was anything he was hiding since she could have looked at it any other time but hadn’t. In the box she found 3 eggs and 10 thousand dollars. This seemed very strange so she went to Fred and asked, ‘Why are there 3 eggs in a box under our bed?’ He replied, ‘Well, every time I was unfaithful to you, I put an egg in the box.’ Sue was surprised and hurt that he had been unfaithful but she consoled herself with the fact that they had been married for over 20 years and he had only been unfaithful 3 times. ‘But where did the 10 thousand dollars come from?’ she asked. ‘Every time I got a dozen, I sold em.’
Princess
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couple from Minneapolis decided to go to Florida for a long weekend to thaw out during one particularly icy winter. Because both had jobs, they had difficulty coordinating their travel schedules. It was decided that the husband would fly to Florida on a Thursday, and his wife would follow him the next day. Upon arriving as planned, the husband checked into the hotel. There he decided to open his laptop and send an e-mail to his wife back in Minneapolis. However,
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he accidentally left off one letter in her address and sent the e-mail without realizing his error. In Houston, a widow had just returned from her husband’s funeral. He was a minister of many years who had been “called home to glory” following his heart attack. The widow checked her e-mail, expecting messages from relatives and friends. Upon reading the first message, she fainted and fell to the floor. The widow’s son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read: To: My Loving Wife From: Your Departed Husband Subject: I’ve Arrived! I’ve just arrived and have been checked in. I see that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing you then! Hope your journey is as uneventful as mine. P.S. Sure is hot down here...
Kevin
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avid received a parrot for his birthday. The parrot was fully grown with a bad attitude and worse vocabulary. Every other word was an obscenity. Those that weren’t expletives were to say the least, rude. David tried hard to change the bird’s attitude and was constantly saying polite words, playing soft music, anything he could think of. Nothing worked. He yelled at the bird and the bird yelled back. He shocked the bird and the bird just got angrier and ruder. Finally, in a moment of desperation, David put the bird in the freezer, just for a few moments. He heard the bird
his woman goes to a pet store to purchase some dog food. She puts the bag of food up on the counter and notices a box full of frogs. She reads the sign on the box...and it says....”Snatch Eating Frogs. $20 each (comes with instructions)” She looks around to see if anybody’s watching her and whispers to the man behind the counter... “I’ll take one.” He packages up a frog. The woman grabs her dog food and is on her way home. She gets home, takes out the instructions, and reads them carefully, doing exactly what it says to do. 1. Take a shower. Put on some nice smelling perfume. 2. Put on a very sexy teddy. 3. Crawl into bed, spread your legs and put the frog down “there.” To her surprise, nothing happens. So, she thought, perhaps, the scent she chose is not appealing to the frog. So, she showers again and tries another perfume. She gets back into bed, puts the frog between her legs and... nothing. She’s totally frustrated and pissed off at this point. She reads the instructions again, thinking that there might be something she overlooked. At the bottom of the paper, it says, “If you have any problems or questions, please call the pet store.” So, she does. The man from behind the counter says, “I’ve had a few complaints earlier today. I’ll be right over.” After the man got to her house, the woman says, “See, I’ve done everything according to the instructions and the damn thing just sits there.” The man, looking very concerned, picks up the frog, looks directly into its eyes and says, “I’m only going to show you how to do this one more time!” Bossman
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