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CYCLE SOURCE AUgust AUgust - September ‘21 7
BIKES Norma Jean
Napier's 1959 Panhead ...................................................................................... 22
Lethal Meat
It'll Ride Choppers 72 Shovelhead ...............................................................40
Copper Queen
Moe's 1937 UL ........................................................................................................... 70
Stepchild
Loctite's First Build, Did His Dad Proud ...................................................... 80
Queen Anne's Revenge
Bristol Bobber's 1971 XS650 ............................................................................80
Falvo Infernum
Greg White's Tribute To Kenny Roberts ....................................................88
FEATURES El Diablo Run '21
Biltwell's South Of The Border Shindig .......................................................10
Heavy Mettle '20
Lichter's Legendary Motorcycles As Art Exhibit .................................... 34
Georgia Grundle Run 4
A Great Party Wtth Some Mountain Motorcycle Riding..................... 46
Unsung
The Story Of Garage Builder Ray Llanes ................................................... 66
Eureka! Midori 2 Person Tent
What Shadow Thinks ........................................................................................ 106
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TECH
It's Ok To Be Blu
Pandemonium Shows Us The Process ....................................................... 18
Upgrading The FuelPak Pro
Hallman Gets Into The Details ........................................................................ 28
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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, Heather Callen, Dan Venditto, Melissa Shoemaker, Tyler Porter, Troy Bensinger, Jason Hallman, Chip Parisi
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Chris Callen, Heather Callen, Mad Stork Ken, Mark Velazquez, Twila Knight, Dan Venditto, Melissa Shoemaker, Deb Fitch
CONTRIBUTORS Del Hickey, Marjorie Kleiman
STAFF ARTISTS Jimmy Frizzell, Chris Callen
ADVERTISING
Heather Callen- Sales Manager - cyclesourcemain@comcast.net
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GRAPHIC ARTISTS
Chris Callen, Heather Callen, Amelia Rose, Missi Shoemaker
DISTRIBUTION
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CIRCULATION DIRECTOR
SPARE PARTS Product Spotlight
A Quick Look At The Trask Exhaust ................................................................. 16
Hot Off The Rack
Heather Callen - 724-226-2867
COPY EDITOR Judy Duggan
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New Products From Industry Leaders ......................................................... 64
In The News
The World Report Powered by BikerNet.com .......................................... 102
DEPARTMENTS
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ABOUT THE COVER
Pin-Up Of The Month ....................................................... 44 InSlide Line ......................................................................... 50
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Chopper Charlie ............................................................... 76 Killing Time With X .......................................................... 86 Photo Hunt ........................................................................... 91 Great American Road Chip .......................................... 92 Gut Busters ........................................................................ 114
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® December 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
From The Editor’s Desk .................................................... 8
Art Of Our Culture ............................................................. 53
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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Richard Ruck from It'll Ride Choppers is a new friend to us here at Cycle Source and we are thrilled that we are able to feature it. Now, we've seen a few examples of his motorcycle building skills and aren't disappointed with a single one of them. This one just happened to stand out a little more and found it's rightful place on our cover. June - July '21 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 7
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t’s sad when you see someone who should have left the stage long before being pushed out because of a lack of understanding or relevance. The motorcycle thing is a fickle fiend, and no, I did not mean to say friend there. In all seriousness, it reacts to trends and populism as a drug fiend. It consumes much of the popular culture and bathes in the blood of the young and old who stand in the wake of rushing trends that fuel commercialism. But what’s at stake for the motorcycle culture, if not the entire damn world, is the foundation of these things. Industries like hot rodding, live music, and yes, dear reader, even custom motorcycles will undoubtedly be changed by each generation, but without the benefit of influence from the past, will cease to have the greater meaning that stand the test of time. Now don’t get me wrong, at one time, I myself was considered one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse in this thing for the work I did getting the Limpnickie lot up and running. Getting young builders recognized and moving the trends of a new generation forward. However, one line that was never crossed was respect for those who came before us. Icons like Dave Perewitz, Arlen, Mondo, Denver, Larry…. On and on, the list goes. None of us would be here today without those cats blazing a trail. If some of what they did as the trends changed and they evolved wasn’t in line with what we were doing, well, we had the maturity to appreciate it for what it was and respect it rather than ridicule it. I’m sure that wasn’t without offending a person or two. We were interested in doing our own thing as much as the OGs were, and sometimes that gets misunderstood. Fast forward to today, it seems that we have entered a time where instant celebrity
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status has been achieved, no dues are paid. A good number of the people who are now “Influencing” the culture around the motorcycle industry have very little substance when it comes to its history. For better understanding, let me put this in the younger generation’s terms; having a cheat code will help you level up faster but getting to an advanced level without knowing the whole story may leave you illequipped to carry on. I was on a talk show not long ago with one of the young female personalities. She told me I was lucky because I came up in the hay day of this thing in the early eighties when a ton of bikes were being sold. Everyone had money to spend on advertising. At first, I thought she was being sarcastic. But, soon, I realized she just wasn’t there to see times in the seventies and eighties when H-D sold more motors in boxes than they did whole motorcycles. Times when their dealers still had side hustles to keep the doors open. In short, times when you had to love this thing to be in it because it cost you dearly and had precious little return. But love it they did. And that generation taught us to love it, and time went merrily on. Then the big boom came, and all of a sudden, the “Get Rich, Get Famous” fairytale was woven. Regardless that it only lasted about two minutes on the motorcycle timetable, it’s a story that is still being told. Fortunately, plenty of young people enjoy the custom culture lifestyle today that do get it. I’m sure motorcycling in the USA will continue on for many more generations. But what will it look like without the constant vigilance for its history? As an example, I recently had a conversation about an event that we got involved in, a 20-year iconic event. Apparently, in the year that was the COVID
disaster, the event didn’t happen. A few young people started an event using the same trademarked two-decade-long event name. There were some harsh feelings expressed by the young and the old, but I only have one question in the end. How do you not know that there was an event wildly attended by the chopper nation, celebrated by print publications, online resources, and social media for 20 years? Yet, go on to start another event using the same name and claim that you had never heard of the former? Still, I don’t blame them, no sir, this is a failure on us. Apparently, we are not connected as a community as you might think. If the generations don’t pass on the history of what was, how will we continue to hold respect for groups like “The Jack Pine Gypsies,” the “AMA Clubs,” the “AMCA” or men like John Parham, Buzz Walneck, or Edge who started the SmokeOut? This awareness provides a platform for growth, and understanding where you have been is the only way to see where you are going. Without it, this whole thing becomes a theme restaurant, and brother, I am just not down for that. All of this culminated in my head as the comments flew, and I found myself questioning if I still belonged here. Was it, in fact, my time to leave the stage? Well, I may or may not be one of the “Old Guys” now, but I do know my history. I carry myself with respect and have many examples that not everyone has to sell out to do this work. Until I pass on those attributes on to enough of the next generation, I’ll just stay around for a bit and shake the tree from time to time. At the very least, I’m still in love with the most important part of all of this….. The motorcycle dummy, get it?
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Article And Photos By: Tyler Porter
he fine folks at Biltwell throw a shindig down south every other year in what they describe as a drinking town with a fishing problem, otherwise known as San Felipe Mexico. Most articles in this rag will tell you about an event and try to encourage you to go. I’m not going to march to the beat of that drum. Behold all of the reasons you should stay home from El Diablo Run 2023. For starters, Mexico is a pretty unforgiving hellscape. The treacherous terrain is highlighted by jagged cliffs and Martian-like desert plains that seem to be endless. Did I mention the heat? Yeah, it’s hot there too. If you think your state’s highway department is bad, they are paving streets with gold compared to the Mexican department of transportation. I will say this though, the roads do seem to have improved since I was down there last, so there’s that. Also, if you’re from the Southwest, it’s basically what you’re used to, but I’m a southern boy, so forgive my awe and wonder at any landscape that isn’t covered in Spanish moss or kudzu. Crossing the border into Mexico is a breeze. Seriously, a little too easy, in my opinion. Keep your guns and weed at home, make sure your license plate tag is current, and they will basically wave you through. When you get to the other side, first top off with gas. It’s 118 miles to the next station. So you think that it’s just cliché chopper culture to strap a gas can to your bike?
Not so here. That’s standard equipment if your sled carries anything less than three and a half gallons in its tanks. After you’re topped off with petrol, stop and pray. Perhaps you’re
not religious. You can either find religion quickly, or it will find you. I’ve seen the best built bikes by some of the highest quality builders not make the “short” trip down. As the Biltwell crew
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says, Mexico miles are longer. If you’re lucky, there’s a chase truck to get you to San Felipe. If you’re double lucky, there are parts and expertise in San Felipe to get you fixed back up. Again, don’t count on anything. You probably have a lame tool roll with a lighter and a 6-in-1 screwdriver. If your feelings are hurt by that sentence, again, stay home from EDR. Once you’ve arrived, the adventure is really just beginning. Set up your camp on the beach if you want. However, be aware that the tide moves dozens of feet every night. Many a rookie have been seen swimming in their tent in the early morning hours. Nearly everyone partaking in EDR stays at one of three campsites/hotels. There’s the San Borjas hotel, Kiki’s camp, and then there’s party central, Reuben’s camp. Reuben’s camp has a full bar and a restaurant with a stage and a dance floor, and the party seemingly never ends. If you enjoy sleep, Reuben’s camp is not the place for you. We’ve covered not bringing your trailer queen bike. We’ve covered sleeping arrangements and now on to other activities not to do: Don’t take the short ride into town on the Malecon. With bars, restaurants, and street markets aplenty, it’s a tempting trap for many a gringo. Hell, even Harrison Ford famously had a wild night in San Felipe, and to this day, “Al’s Backstreet Bar” is referred to as “the Harrison Ford bar.” The most crucial warning left is your survival kit. You’re going to want your Pepto or any other stomach remedy medication you prefer and SPF 40 minimum sunscreen. Remember at the top of the story? Yes, it’s a hellscape. Pain reliever is a key ingredient because there’s something about being down here that will turn even the most conservative biker into a dancing machine. Trust me on this one. So your bike is reliable. You have the mechanical knowledge and parts to make a simple repair on your bike if needed. Your survival kit is packed, and you have enough restraint, even if you’re inebriated, to not make a fool of yourself “in town” and get picked up by the Policia. Are you ready for EDR? Hold on there, buckaroo, you haven’t figured in the Biltwell yard games that take place on Saturday. There’s the classic board ride, slow race, and kickstart race to get things warmed up before the grand finale,
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the Circle of Death. The event has grown so much since its inception in 2006 that even the locals will climb the surrounding hills to watch everything from new Royal Enfields to rigid Knuckleheads race around a loosely designed course in an abandoned lot. There’s glass, there’s rebar, there are huge rocks. Again, it’s called the Circle of Death. The racing is fast and, surprisingly, quite furious. I found myself several times saying, “man, these guys need to be more careful!” Remember once again, you aren’t ready. It is called, The Circle Of Death. Typically by Sunday, the energy level has come down to an almost tranquil level. For this reason, on Sunday there is a bike show. You can think of it as Chopper church. You partied too hard, you broke too many things, and you need the healing vibe that only a rough and tumble ride in bike show can cleanse you with. Honestly, the best thing about the bike show is that those bikes rode down, like I mentioned. There’s nothing like seeing a magazine feature worthy bike making those hard Mexican miles and still retaining enough beauty and grit to be in a show. Trailer parking is ultimately non-existent, which keeps a lot of the more fair-weathered folk away. In this crowd, fair-weathered folks aren’t what brings people together. Many people head out on Sunday afternoon, but Sunday night is the best night, from what I’ve learned. Things are calm, the mood is right, and the beer is still cold. Oh yeah, stick to beer. Cocktails with ice will only get you down if you can’t handle the local “flavor.” My last warning for you is this: Don’t ever go to EDR if you are a loner or a self-proclaimed “tough guy.” You aren’t needed down here. There hasn’t been an EDR yet where I didn’t make lifelong friends. It seems San Felipe is a breeding ground for good people. The locals are happy to have us, and by the time people get down here, most are just relieved that they survived. In closing, come to EDR 2023, or don’t. If you’re making plans, though, as the kids say, come correct.
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trask assault 2 into 1 Peformance Exhaust System that looks as tough as it runs
Article And Photos By: Chris Callen
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his month we are featuring the Trask Performance Assault 2 Into 1 exhaust system. This is a very well built exhaust system that comes packed like a piece of jewelry. This exhaust fits '91 to 2017 Dyna model motorcycles. Each unit is made from stainless steel,and is mandrel bent then tig welded and powdercoated flat black. They come with stainless steel heat shields that are attached with 12 point stainless steel fasteners that are speed wired and add another layer to the look of performance. At the muffler you will find a double slip fit gusset that increases the strength of the rigidity of the assembled system,
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even before it is secured at the mounting point. Another great feature are the 02 sensor bungs that come installed on the system. They come with the 18mm 02 sensor bungs but if you need the smaller 12mm bungs the hardware kit supplied has the reducers to accommodate those. The Trask Performance Assault 2 Into 1 exhaust system comes in at just under $1,000 and is available from Dennis Kirk( Part #: 4410873 or Mfg Part #: TM5021BK), you can see them today at denniskirk.com. We will have a full riding review of this exhaust system once we get it on our FXR Project. If you are an advertiser with Cycle Source and would like to get your product featured here and on ShopTalk, get in touch with us today.
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Article And Photos By: Daniel Donley
www.pandemoniumcustomchoppers.com
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omething that I recently stumbled across that I thought was pretty cool is a process called “Bluing”. It’s commonly used by gun owners to provide a nice finish and to help protect against corrosion and superficial wear. Bluing works on Steel and cast iron; it does not work on non-ferrous metals such as aluminum. It must be continually oiled to extend the life of the coating. This coating gives an incredibly unique look to a part and is very straightforward to apply. It can be used on a lot of what we do, messing around with our bikes. The coating works very well when restoring old tools. So, for this month’s tech I am going to show you how I “blu”.
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I like to use “Bluing” on old tools and / or specialty tools that I have made. So, my process might be a bit different than it should be. Here is a before picture of a few parts.
I start by degreasing the part and blow dry with compressed air. Then I go to the dry blast cabinet. (Which by the, way is working excellent after doing the flow meter upgrade a few months ago.) This will remove any existing coating or corrosion and leave me with a nice raw steel finish on the part that will accept the bluing quite nicely.
Then I clean the part with alcohol and then rinse with cold water, immediately blow dry with compressed air. Always wear rubber gloves while handling a part after you have blasted and clean with alcohol to keep any oils from your skin off the part.
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Using a paper towel or small sponge or swab you can now apply the bluing to the part, you need to make sure you get all the nooks and crannies. A lot goes a long way. After you have applied the blu and you’re satisfied with the look of your part. Now rinse with cold water and wipe dry. This will neutralize the chemical reaction. After the bluing has been applied and let set for a minute or so, you then immediately apply oil to your part. I am using Flax Oil and have had good results with this oil. A couple of applications of oil may be necessary depending on how the part soaks it up.
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This can work really well for custom motorcycles to give that unique finish such as nuts, bolts, hardware even small brackets. Over time you will need to re-oil the part to maintain the finish. If there is something that you would like to see a Tech article on or have questions please call me or email me.
Pandemonium Custom Choppers 419-576-6812 happydandemonium@gmail.com FB- Pandemonium Custom Choppers IG – pandemoniumc2 www.pandemoniumcustomchoppers.com
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hen Ken Napier decided to put “Norma Jean,” his 59 Panhead Bobber, together, he knew he wanted a bike built to ride, get dirty, and most importantly, one that was fun. Ken knows all about riding for fun; he’s been doing it for about 53 years! When he was about six or seven, he had mini-bikes, on which he
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kept blowing up the motors. Eventually, his dad acquired a two-man chain saw and put that motor into one of the bikes. He didn’t blow that one up! When he was about 9 years old, he moved to a Yamaha MX and then graduated to a YZ 80. Ken ended up racing motocross until he was around eighteen. When Napier was fifteen, he decided that it was time for a
street bike. He couldn’t afford a Honda or whatever everyone else was riding at the time, but he found this 1949 Panhead for $250. Right away, Ken took off the front fender, bobbed out the rear fender using a saws-all, and actually rode that bike for about 20 years. Ken proudly boasted that he rolled the odometer to over 250,000 miles. He even rode that bike for eight consecutive
Article And Photos By: Missi Shoemaker
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years to Sturgis from Indiana. Eventually, and that Panhead parted ways when it went on to its next caretaker. Through the years, Ken also had WL’s and Knuckleheads. He says that was “back when nobody else wanted them.” Napier says that he still likes those old bikes because they have soul, and an old motorcycle never leaves you stranded! They are easy to repair, and you can usually always make it home. Norma Jean was inspired by the old school bobbers of the ’40s and ’50s. Ken has built plenty of shiny show bikes, but he wanted this one to be different. Ken wanted to build this one for himself. Ken wanted to ride it, not polish it, and he wanted to ride on gravel roads. Napier wanted something that if it got dirty and greasy, he wouldn’t care. And he wanted it to be comfortable. Ken was lucky to find an original Large Bates Seat from the ‘50s, and it fit perfectly! He custom bent the handlebars to fit him. Ken chose running floorboards to ride for longer distances and adjust his feet/legs as needed. Everything on the bike had to be rebuilt or restored. The engine had 20,000 original miles
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and had never been taken apart, so he pulled apart the top end to refresh it a bit and upgraded the generator. He used an original Linkert carb. Ken wanted to use period correct parts for this build. Napier never used factory emblems on his builds, but for this one, he wanted to use correct emblems, and you’ll never guess why. Ken said he used 59/60 Emblems so that the old-timers wouldn’t have to get on their knees to check the numbers to see what year it was. He used a BDL Comp Clutch. Ken left out every other spring but used a mousetrap clutch amplifier. He said you can pull the clutch in with one finger. Napier always puts some type of trinket on his motorcycles. For this bike, he chose a tailgate topper used by a car club from the 1950s. It bolted perfectly to the toolbox mount on the right rear of the bike. This trinket was perfect for this bike; it actually resembles Norma Jean, aka Marilyn Monroe. I asked Ken why he chose Norma Jean for the name, and his reply was simple. Think Classy. Norma Jean was classy, maybe not perfect, but absolutely beautiful. She had
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norma jean Tech Sheet Owner: Ken Napier City/State: Greenfield,Indiana Builder: Ken Napier Year: 1959 Model: Harley-Davidson FLH Value: I Can’t Put A Price On It Time: 8 Months ENGINE Year: 1959 Model: FLH Builder: Jr. Spears – Iron Hog Ignition: Points Displacement: 74” Pistons: 8.5 To 1 Wiseco Heads: Stock Panheads Carburetor: Linkert M74B Cam: H Grind Air Cleaner: Hot Rod For Linkert Exhaust: 2 into 1 With Straight Pipe Primary: BDL 8mm 1 1/2” Belt Drive TRANSMISSION Year:1953 Make: Harley Davidson Shifting: 4 Speed Ratchet Top FRAME Year: 1952 Model: Harley-Davidson Rake: Stock Stretch: Stock FORKS Builder: Harley Davidson Type: Springer Triple Trees: In-Line Harley Extension: Stock 18” Length WHEELS Front Wheel: Spoke Star Hub Size: 21” Tire: Avon Front Brake: Mechanical Drum Brake Rear Wheel: Spoke Star Hub Size: 16” Tire: Shinko Rear Brake: Mechanical Drum Brake PAINT Painter: Litl Bill Color: House of Color Black Type: Base Coat/Clear Coat Graphics: Air Brush- Zackary Robert Reel Pinstriping: Litl Bill Chroming: Custom Metal Finishing ACCESSORIES Bars: PorterBilt Risers: Harley Top Springer Clamps Foot Controls: Stock OEM Hand Controls: Stock OEM Gas Tank: Medium Tunnel King Sportster Front Fender: None Rear Fender: Led Sled Made To My Specs Seat: Original Bates Seat Headlight: Bates 5¾” Tail Light: Utility Trailer Tail Light Speedo: None Photographer: Missi Shoemaker
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curves and natural beauty; there was nothing fake about her. I totally agree! Ken told me that he likes oldstyle bikes but appreciates all bikes and styles. He thinks it’s really awesome that the younger generation is into the old bikes. To him, riding is freedom. He rides because he enjoys it - and there’s nothing like riding a bike that you turned every nut and bolt on!
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Article And Photos By: Jason Hallman
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f you asked five different Harley Davidson mechanics what their favorite tuner is? You’ll likely get five different answers. Some mechanics and engine builders will only use the tuner they have the most experience with. That said, other mechanics keep an open mind when it comes to new technology. I myself like to try a little of everything when it makes sense. I have always been a techy nerd type at heart when it comes to devices. So back in 2014, when Vance & Hines came out with the FP3, I was one of the first to jump in with both feet! Since I have an open mind, I never suggest a tuner for a customer without a consultation. That allows
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www.cyclestopusa.com
us to determine specific needs and wants that a customer wants to obtain by installing a tuner. There is also the idea that [over time] my customers would like to scale up their performance over time as their budget allows. Most everyone that can afford a vehicle like a Harley Davidson [usually] has a daily driver. Some have other “toys” as well as their motorcycle, so discussing a budget with a customer is an essential step in determining which tuner
is most advantageous for them to install. If you are building a performance engine from the ground up, your engine builder likely has a tuner they will suggest (or demand) that you use. Some shops are equipped with a Dynamometer, and these shops almost always stick to one (or sometimes two) tuners. They almost always have no need for and see no real value in an auto-tuner system. We do not currently have a Dyno, so when we build an engine, and that engine needs to be properly tuned we, (until recently) had to it to a shop clear on the other side of town. Then we wait our turn for them to tune it. Tuning a motorcycle on a Dyno can be something that, when done correctly, maximizes engine output and cuts the time in half (or more) compared to static tuning your motorcycle. It is also verifiable using the exhaust output by “sniffing” the tailpipe or by collecting the data stream from the oxygen sensors on the bike. When Harley Davidson added oxygen sensors to their factory motorcycles, many of the tuners available in those days actually rendered the factory O2 sensors
inoperable. This seemed, to many, an inequitable investment. Other companies sold a device called an “Enrichener” that plugged into the factory harness. These devices tricked the factory Delphi system into believing the engine needed more fuel across the entire field of throttle position and RPM. Harley Davidson spends millions of dollars on engineering, and to completely render something inoperable just seemed wrong to me. With no actual data collection occurring, both of these options were of little value outside of simple bolt-ons (air cleaner & slip-on mufflers). Almost all fuel economy was compromised. Quite honestly, neither option was a solid choice. One thing was certain; there was a lot of work to be done and lots of opportunities for companies to make new
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technologies work. Most of the outfits that already had a solid footing in the marketplace were able to flex and or pivot to make their existing tuning platforms venerable enough to make real tuning something that would achieve high-quality outcomes for engine builders and tuners and (the most important person) the client! By 2014 most tuners still required a data cable of some sort and (except the Dynojet Power Vision, which I also use from time to time) needed a laptop computer to map the fuel
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tables and communicate with the ECM and achieve the desired results. The FP3 was right up my alley. Most of my clients benefit significantly from the reliability and flexibility that the FP3 offers users. It integrates perfectly with your iPhone or Android device and can be adjusted on the fly. One thing that the FP3 does well is called “Auto Tuning.” In this mode, the tuner can flex and re-write tables using data from the ECM and (more specifically) from the bike’s factory oxygen sensors. All FP3 tuners built for the Can-Bus Harley models have this ability. When the need for additional mapping (tuning) is desired, there are a few limitations when using the stock narrow band oxygen sensors. For those that want to up their ante’, Vance and Hines now offer a Fuel Pack Pro that uses new wideband O2 sensors and gives your bike the ability to tune itself. Basically, turning your bike and the road into the Dynamometer while you ride and let the tuner work its magic. Now, before you think that it is plug and play…it basically is. The only REAL special requirement is to install 18mm oxygen sensor bungs up close to the
exhaust ports so that the new “wide band” oxygen sensors can read more data faster and re-write your fuel tables to make more power, increase TORQUE, improve drivability and increase fuel economy throughout the entire powerband. The Fuelpak PRO is an add-on to any Can-Bus equipped FP3 Harley Davidson with 18mm O2 bungs. For those that do not have the correct bungs in your exhaust, those can easily be installed into your existing stock or aftermarket pipes by most reputable independent shops. I have personally tuned dozens of bikes from stock all the way to custombuilt engines with stroker crankshafts and ported cylinder heads with my FuelPak PRO, and I can proudly report zero failures. The customer service at Vance and Hines is topnotch, and they are always working hard to compile more data and move the needle on technology. With consistent firmware updates and the ability to collect live data, the FP3 is going to be my choice for the foreseeable future!
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Article By: Chris Callen Photos By: Michael Lichter
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o say that the Motorcycles As Art exhibit at the Buffalo Chip has become a constant barometer of the custom motorcycle culture is well short of an accurate explanation of it. Michael Lichter has been a staple in the industry around the custom builders and the Sturgis event for over 40 years now. His work has been an example of his perspective. While 2020 was no easy task, melding the need to continue that good work with the very real struggle that we all faced in the year of the pandemic, he forged ahead. This time turning to the history of the culture itself. Heavy Mettle would be a two-year proposition that would make it easier for builders to participate amid COVID. The first year they would bring a bike from their past, then a new bike in 2022. As it turned out, this would be the perfect way to illustrate the evolution of this art. As I stood in the middle of the gallery, I saw it plainly. This was a road map of how it all began, right through to where it stands today. The bikes in that room represented key points in
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the skill levels, generational twits, and inspiration across brands. There was no way for
us to overlook the opportunity to appreciate this achievement by Mr. Lichter. The question was how to do it without an
entire feature issue on so many great bikes from some of the biggest names in the industry; that would be the question. In the end, I decided to pick bikes that stood out to me as key moments that saw this thing turn a corner. Some were radical departures from what was in trend at that time in history. Some were just so classic that they stood the test of time and more. Others were an example that technology can be fused into custom in a way that even the hardcore set could appreciate. Some may have stood back and judged Michael harshly for this exhibit, those without a deeper understanding of what the custom culture is truly about, but I am not one of those. In fact, I can easily call this a stroke of genius, as it is the highest intellect that has the ability to take a shit situation and turn it into the finest example of how we forge on. A two-wheeled salute that we humbly offer in these few pages.
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CHERRY BOMB AARON GREEN Aaron always seemed to be ahead of the curve. In his career, while many were still figuring out how to make custom bikes go down the road in one piece, Aaron was busy handcrafting exotic induction systems, incredible and equally unusual sheet metal. He was indeed an innovator, and Cherry Bomb was a perfect example of that. While today’s standards have moved on from the big choppers when it first hit the scene, it is still a jaw-dropper. Back then, no one else was doing anything even close to this with turbocharged choppers. Aaron may have been giving us the first looks into what would become the performance movement. The one thing that was sure his bikes were runners, and at the drop of a hat, he and the crew that ran around with him would hit the road and think nothing about taking their machines to the limit. By the pinnacle of Aaron’s career, he came out with what many of us still consider the perfect motorcycle, The PCX. It was the perfect mix of chopper and performance, like a modern-day adaptation of the FXR, before anyone else was doing it... AGAIN!
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NOLAN’S DAVE PEREWITZ The classic flame job of Dave Perewitz can only be fully appreciated, for an old head like me, atop a classic pro street style bike like this one here. Dave and his cronies set the pace for the generations to follow in the custom scene by working like dogs, partying like rockstars, and rarely saying no to a challenge. While first glance might have you think this is a somewhat basic build, closer inspection reveals the complexity and how perfectly it was executed. Two front heads, a 5-speed tranny, and a narrow front end states that this bike means business. Mid Controls and the aggressive stance make me feel like this bike has done some street racing in its time as well. Again, a hint of the performance trends of today all the way back in the early nineties. Dave originally built this bike for himself but sold it during Sturgis in 1990. Another friend, Nolan, would end up with it in 2005, and upon his passing, the bike was left to Dave and Jody, where it is living out its life where it all began.
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Indian - Arlin Fatland
Indian - Pat Patterson
Indian - Kiwi Mike Tomas
Indian - Steve Broyles
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Indian - Steg VonHeinz
Indian - Rick Fairless While space would keep us from doing an in-depth feature on all of the 40 or so bikes in this exhibit, we felt compelled to include several in addition to those that would get their own page. How could a conversation about the path through the evolution of the custom motorcycle without a nod to bikes like Arlin Fatland’s or Twisther by Steve Broyles? The crazy hippy paint on Rick Fairless’s Betty or Pat from Led Sled’s tribute to the motor company was also his Naked Truth build, which was arguable the greatest Motorcycles As Art Exhibit of all time. Kiwi Mike’s entry is an example of a man who has remanufactured an entire motorcycle’s design in the pursuit of excellence. Last but in no uncertain terms, the least, Maxine by Steg VonHeinz. A classic example of NYC’s East Coast Cool that built an entire generation of cool
that still lives on to this very day. Each of these bikes represented a big part of everything we do today. I had to stop for a minute and thank each of these builders from our entire community for participating in this year’s event. As for what we can expect from 2021 and MAA at the Buffalo Chip, I can only imagine. It will be interesting to see the comparison of all these builders from then until now. The trends have changed right before their eyes, their own skill sets have progressed, and time itself has moved ahead. What will they bring as an example of the now? How will this look in 20 more years when we have the chance again to see who has the Mettle to stay in the game for 20 years, build 20 bikes, forge ahead, and refuse to go silently into that good night... Who indeed? August - September ‘21 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 39
BLUE BILLY LANE
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First released in 2000, Blue was a fantastic example of the Choppers Inc. style that tore through the custom industry like wildfire. Born from the motor of Billy’s breakout build “Money Magnet,” the ‘72 Shovel was replaced for an Evo when Money Magnet sold. That gave him the ability to put it to better use. Unfortunately, it would sit in the corner while Billy worked on some of his most notable bikes like “Devil-in-a-Red-Dress,” “Knuckle Sandwich,” and “Psycho Billy Cadillac.” Eventually, he finished it and took Best of Show at the 2000 Columbus Invitational Easyriders Show. Over the years, it has sold and returned. It has been wrecked a few times by other owners. It fell out of Billy’s pick-up truck at one point. It was even stolen in Miami but ultimately rescued. Billy says that he sees the beauty in her scars. “She’s my longest relationship. Indian Larry told me “Blue” was his favorite of my customs, so I’ll leave you with that.” To us, it stands as the example that these bikes we build not only put up with everything we do with them but age with the grace that we all hope to as well.
LEGACY SERIES TIM MCNAMER With the futuristic styling of the Legacy Series, you might get the impression that Tim is a newcomer. In truth, he has been another figure that forges ahead of the curve since he started in 1998. Building Lay Frame single-sided softails, Lay Frame oneoff custom body Baggers, and the first 30” all-aluminum twin-turbo hubless Bagger, Tim has made a mark in the uncommon column of the custom motorcycle category. While he had the idea for this bike ten years before he actually built it, Tim went to the mat again in the name of breaking boundaries. He came out with the all-aluminum, twin hubless turbo all electric bike. It was finished just before Daytona in 2020, and he put a quick 600 miles on it in four days. Zero issues from speed to handling and braking. Tim knew he was on to something but had no idea how many people would want one of these bikes. While orders piled up for this Tron-like superbike, Tim took great pleasure in the fact that people often think that it actually doesn’t run. Then he passes them at a buck twenty and changes their mind. August - September ‘21 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 41
GLORY STOMPER ROLAND SANDS Built for the 2005 Discovery Channel Biker Build-Off when Roland went up against Arlen Ness, it was crucial to include this bike in our retrospective of Heavy Mettle. It is arguably the bike that really kicked the bike performance segment into high gear. While it was still years ahead of the tall shocks and tall socks crowd, they see this design concept as totally acceptable. At the time it was revealed, people were blown away. Taking influence from Roland’s road racing background, Glory Stomper was a street fighter born of a time when most bikes were still sporting forward controls. It was also one of the first customs at this level built from the then still new Twin Cam. It featured Roland’s engine covers that inspired the “Nostalgia Engine Cover” line still in production today. As for the build off Roland lost the popular vote but stole the show. He was voted as the best new custom bike builder by his peers, bringing him back to TV for Discovery Channel’s Biker Build-off in 2006 when he went up against his friend Jesse Rooke.
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CHERRY BOMB BRIAN KLOCK It’s probably hard for those that know Brian for his work in the bagger segment over the years to imagine this type of build from him. But, in truth, Brian has many styles under his belt through the time of his career. Built in 2004 for the “Bob’s Back exhibit, it happened out of a challenge from Michael Lichter. Lichter asked him if he could build a Twin Cam that would stand up alongside the Knuckles and Pans that would fill the room that year. Brian simply went about the same traditions that bobbers have always been built. They trimmed it down to the bare essentials and hopped up the motor. To capture some of that old bike feel, they put on a twist clutch and, of course, a Cherry Bomb muffler, just like most of us were dying to put on anything we ever drove back in the day. Brian’s build was perfect for this article. It stands for the constant need for builders to reinvent themselves but never lose the signature style that sets them apart from the crowd. The best ones can do that on anything they build, and Mr. Klock is living proof of that. August - September ‘21 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 43
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own in Ranger, GA, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, a chopper event called the Georgia Grundle Run has been steadily growing for the last four years. Since its start, I’ve been hearing whispers and rumors about this “real old school” event which everyone describes as a massive weekend long party with some mountain riding added in for good measure. Finally, this year I was able to head south to check it out. I figured there is no better way to end the summer than spending a weekend riding through the mountains with hundreds of choppers… Ranger is about 500 miles from my house, so it was almost midnight when I crossed the border into Georgia. Not long after, I spotted a sign for the event and pulled off the main road and into a rough-cut field which was lit by one of those portable light
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towers used by highway crews at night. My first impression was that I had inadvertently come across some weird accident scene and would soon be escorted out by the FBI, but then someone yelled my name and I slowly started to pick out motorcycles and tents clustered along the wood line, just outside the glow of the sodium lights. Normally when people say, “we partied all night” what really happened was they passed out around midnight and then slept for 10 hours in the dirt. This was not the case at the Grundle Run. I was up all night to bear witness; the party did not stop; even when the sun came up on Saturday morning. Sure, I would have liked to have gotten some sleep, but between the din from drunken stories being told around dozens of campfires and straight pipes roaring through the campground, there wasn’t a lot of
Article And Photos By: Panhead Jim
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chances to catch any shut eye. For the younger folks, you probably don’t remember a time when there wasn’t a food truck parked at every event. After 25 plus years of motorcycle camping, I can tell you there is nothing better than getting out of your tent in the morning to stumble across the campground to get a hot breakfast cooked by someone else. It’s way better than a saddlebag filled with broken eggs and after a long night my interest in rustling up my own breakfast was absolutely zero. By mid-morning, the campground was abuzz with plans for a group ride through the mountains. Choppers were kicking up clouds of dust as everyone started migrating towards the front of the campground, jockeying to get to the front of the pack. Then all at once the sound of a hundred Harleys clunking down into first gear echoed across the campground and we were rolling. We started off riding through the lush Georgia countryside before climbing our way up the switchbacks into the mountains. Near the top of one of the higher peaks, we pulled off at a large overlook to survey the valley below us and to down a few beers before roaring back down the mountains to the campground. Waiting back at the campground was a stack of sledgehammers and a Honda Goldwing. This helped to pass the afternoon as people took turns pounding on that old road barge like it had insulted their mother. Once everyone had worked up a good sweat and were regretting that they had skipped “shoulder day” at the gym, it was time for the raffle (which was a good excuse to put down those 8 lb sledgehammers). The highlight of the raffle was when Gorgeous George won the top prize, which wasn’t just a custom painted gas tank or a cool t-shirt, but a Shovelhead chopper. After the raffle, we went straight to the main event which was professional wrestling. All afternoon, a crew had been erecting a full-size wrestling ring in one corner of the campground and now the bell was sounding, and people were gathering around. What happened next was some of the finest 80’s style professional wrestling I have ever seen. It took me back to the days when I August - September ‘21 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE
was a kid watching Hulk Hogan in Wrestlemania. They had it all, from fighting managers to folding chairs to wrestlers jumping off the top rope onto their opponents. They really had it all! Between the wrestling and the beers, things were really getting ramped up and then a massive bonfire burst into life on the other side of the campground. This wasn’t any ordinary fire. They used two full sized hay bales soaked in diesel fuel and topped it with the pulverized remains of that Gold Wing. When all that diesel fuel was touched off, the fire shot two stories into the air as people danced and rode minibikes around it like some ancient tribal ritual. Before the fire had a chance to burn down, the bells from the wrestling ring sounded again and another round of wrestling action began. Somehow this evolved into an arm-wrestling contest which pitted some of the wrestlers against the bikers. If you add to that more beer, rock music, food trucks and a mobile tattoo parlor, you’ll start to get an idea of what Saturday night looked like on the Grundle Run. Every time I turned my head, it seemed like some new craziness was starting up. I must admit I gave a sigh of relief when Sunday morning finally arrived. I was dead on my feet and ready for things to ratchet down a notch or three. Like every chopper event, I was amazed at how quickly a campground of hungover barely coherent bikers can load up their bikes and hit the road. If you ever stay past noon on the last day of one of these events, you’ll find yourself sitting in an empty campground all by yourself wondering if what you remembered really just happened. I want to extend a hardy thank you to Long Brothers Choppers for putting on this event. Everyone I talked to had an awesome time and can’t wait to be back next year for the 5th incarnation of the Grundle Run. Give @georgia_grundle_run a follow on Instagram or look them up on Facebook to find out all the details on their next event.
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istory was made at the Yamaha Atlanta Super TT in early May when the race’s title sponsor swept all three classes. That’s the headline that you are going to read everywhere; complete and utter BluCru domination. However, as I like to point out in every column I write, there was even more going on behind the scenes. Let’s start with the title itself, why the “super” moniker? In my opinion, it’s a cheap marketing tactic to drum up excitement. The term was first used when the series visited the Wild Horse Motorsports Park in Chandler Arizona in 2019. That track was definitely super, and unlike anything we had ever seen in the sport. It was more like a short course off-road truck racing circuit than the typical “right turn inside of an oval” set up. Lap times were long, over 38 seconds, whereas a place like the Peoria TT is in the 27
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Article By: Tyler Porter second range. Long story short, that track really earned the name Super. Tucked inside the tri-oval of Atlanta motor speedway, this was more of a Daytona TT copy. The riders navigated the banked and paved oval of the NASCAR circuit, the infield
was dirt, and there was a hump for the racers to go over. Please do not reference that thing as a jump. The lap times in Atlanta were longer than Daytona in 2019, The fastest Super
Twins main event lap time was 29.442 compared to Atlanta’s fastest main event time of 34.664. I guess where I divert from enjoying the Super TT name is the fact that the track layout was very vanilla, and something we had seen before, but hey, it’s just a name right? As for the racing itself, it was typical American Flattrack action. The huge story line going into the event was that not only was multi-time AFT Singles TT winner Ryan Sipes going to make his series return in 2021 aboard a GASGAS 450, but this character Travis Pastrana was going to join in on the fun, campaigning a factory KTM prepared 450 as well. This isn’t Travis’ first foray into professional flattrack. Back in 2006 the Dave Burkes Motorsports Factory Suzuki team prepared a bike for Travis to race. However, that race was on the famed Daytona Short Track in Municipal Stadium, and riding without a front brake for the first time, and even
on a proper “framer” motorcycle, Travis didn’t fare so well. Travis’ fortunes have changed a lot since those days, as he was again entered on a factory prepared motorcycle. But this time he had not only the comfort of a front brake, but he could channel his super moto experience on the pavement transitions that the track had to offer. Although AFT was doing its best to buy social media ads in the area advertising the chance to see Travis Pastrana race, the real attention should have been on the flattrack phenom in the
him at the line. Spaniard Super Moto sensation Ferran Cardus rounded out the podium, no doubt bringing his European super moto experience on both pavement and dirt into the mix. Other notables include Kody Kopp, son of the 2000 Grand National Champion Joe Kopp. Kody had a rough start to the season, missing the main event at the opening round in Volusia and then finishing 12th at round two, but his strong 6th place finish is a major step in the right direction for the young Washingtonian.
making, Dallas Daniels. Dallas hails from the small town of Mattoon Illinois and is following in the footsteps of his father Nick who was also a pro racer. Dallas not only won the AFT Singles championship in his rookie year last year, but he is consistently beating series veterans like his teammate Mikey Rush and the winningest 450cc rider in history, Henry Wiles. This race was no runaway though. If you were there, or look at the lap charts, you’ll see that Dallas won the race flag to flag, leading in every lap. However, the pressure on him was definitely elevated as his teammate Mike Rush was breathing down his neck, only finishing .8 behind
As for the headliners that AFT was trying so hard to promote, Ryan Sipes ended up a respectable 8th in Atlanta, and I can tell you from talking to him, these high speed tracks aren’t his cup of tea. Growing up as a motocrosser, it’s still not normal to him to be running above 60 miles per hour on a dirt bike. Travis Pastrana finished the night in 9th place, which is certainly something to hang your hat on considering he beat a lot of series regulars. Not only that, he made time to do a back flip on his race bike during opening ceremonies. Not too shabby! What set Dallas Daniels apart from most of his AFT Singles contemporaries
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was the fact that for the first time in the AFT series, he hopped off of his Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F and hopped aboard the team’s production twins equipment, the Yamaha MT07. While the production twins field is a bit thinner talent wise, up front, the battles have been fantastic. Not at this race however, Dallas made sure of that. Just like the AFT Singles main event that actually ran AFTER the Production Twins main event, Dallas absolutely shredded the field, winning by over 5 seconds. While Series regulars like Dalton Gauthier and Dan Bromley rounded out the podium, there was just no stopping the youngster. Another notable in the production twins class was Kayl Kolkman. Kayl made the trek from California after I surely thought he had hung up his steel shoe for good after campaigning what is now the Super Twins series for several years. It was good to see Kayl back on the track and he was rewarded with a strong 4th place for his efforts. Just behind Kayl was Johnny Lewis on the Royal Enfield and multi-time winner and typical front runner Cory Texter came in 6th. I still believe this class has some growing pains in it, as many riders don’t have a lot of testing time on TT’s with their equipment. Look for this class to heat
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up a lot more when it returns to the high banked oval in Texas. To complete the Yamaha sweep of the night, JD Beach and Kolby Carlile on their Estenson Racing Yamaha’s were put in the spotlight. Both of them had banner nights. JD Beach continued his legacy as a TT front runner as the former road racer left little question as to who the king of the Atlanta TT was. He was the fastest qualifier, semi race winner and he even took home the Mission Foods Challenge which put a cool $5,000 in his pockets. There was never really a question about who was going to win the Super Twins main event once that green light flipped on. Just like his teammate Dallas in the other two classes, JD won the race flag to flag, seemingly cruising to victory by nearly 5 seconds. After the race JD went on to say that even though his results were amazing, he definitely had a lot of pressure on him to win. Yamaha corporate headquarters is just a few miles away in the Atlanta suburbs, so all of the big wigs from the office were in attendance and wanted to see their tuning fork logo on top. Even JD’s teammate Kolby Carlile had a career best ride, finishing in 5th place. Rounding out the Super Twins podium was Jarod Vanderkooi on his
Mission Foods/Roof Systems of Dallas Indian FTR750 followed by the reigning national champion Briar Bauman on his Factory S&S Cycles Indian FTR750. Another notable who was “crossing over” was Tyler O’Hara, who has been in and out of our sport for several years. Tyler is most noted lately for dominating the newly minted “king of the baggers” races on an Indian Challenger, but with Factory Indian’s support, Tyler joined in on the fun in Atlanta and brought his FTR750 home in 8th place. One last story line from the night was multi-time national champion Jared Mees. Jared sustained an injury while cross training on his motocross bike and was a complete non-factor for the night. Jared did line up for the main event, but after showing how weak his injured leg was, he circulated for 2 laps and pulled off. Jared later stated that he was on an aggressive rehab program and that for the time being, he would be cleared by his doctors to race the next event in Texas on May 22nd. That’s all for the series for now, thanks for reading, and we’ll see you at the races!
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hen it comes to creating art, most people immediately think of paint and canvas, pencils and paper, even airbrush and metal. However, in today’s world, the use of technology to create and amplify one’s art is becoming more and more common. As a digital artist myself, it was super exciting to talk to this month’s artist, who also creates digitally! Gianpaolo Bertoncin has always had an “artistic” approach to life. Everything he saw was born from creativity. It all came naturally to him, like many artists that have graced these pages. His upbringing was fairly normal. He went to high school, college, the usual. The one thing that was different for him was that his dad absolutely loved motorcycles. He even owned his own shop in downtown Rome,
many years before Gianpaolo was born. Since he could remember, he’s shared that same love his father had, and it’s been with him all this time. As he got older, he found that most of his jobs involved some form of 2D or 3D design/illustration. He worked at a cartoon software company for a few years and then moved on to work for a number of architectural engineering firms. Those were all fine, well, and good but not really what he wanted to be doing with his life. In his spare time, Gianpaolo would draw what he was truly interested in; monsters, skulls, motorcycles,
and generally strange things compared to his profession. Soon it became impossible for him to think of anything else, however the sun was slowly setting on him. Unfortunately, in 2010 his father fell ill and passed away. At that moment he gave up everything, switched off his computers and quit
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his job. It was as if a piece of him had left with his father. After some time, he opened a B&B, but the sun kept setting further behind him. During that time, he began drawing again and “The Junkers” began coming to life. He was receiving more positive feedback and decided to close up the B&B and began his current career as a full-time freelance illustrator. When asked how long he’s had his business for, he answered “I think I’ve been drawing motorcycle stuff for like six or seven years now? I mean, I’ve been doing this freelance thing for about six years”. He operates completely independently now, which can be difficult at times but it’s worth knowing that he’s the one in control of what he does. Every project, every drawing, all goes through him. For inspiration, Gianpaolo draws from almost everything. Movies, underground and pop culture, books, comics, even skateboards. There isn’t one set source, it’s more of a cocktail of ideas if you will. For his medium of choice, he uses his drawing tablet and digital pencil. Of course, he loves to draw the analog way, things like t-shirts, helmets, fuel cans, jackets. But those are things he tends to keep for himself as personal projects. Roughly 90% of his commissions are digitally rendered. As for why, nowadays it’s almost unthinkable to do certain things without the help of technology, and while art isn’t on that list of technologically necessary, Gianpaolo believes it pushes artists to raise their limits more and try new techniques they would have never thought of in the old-fashioned way. Thanks to his work Gianpaolo has been able to meet many beautiful people that he would have never met otherwise. Even a couple of assholes, to be fair, but you meet those everywhere. Through his work, he also has a couple of funny stories to tell. Like the time that a local motorcycle club’s legal department contacted him because he drew a kid popping a wheelie on his bicycle and the lettering said “My dad was a Club Member”. Or when Steve McQueen’s legal department emailed him because he had portrayed the King of Cool in an illustration.
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For Gianpaolo’s future, that’s next week! Maybe he’ll take a ride on his motorcycle and oh! He still has to finish that effing illustration! Life is short and it must be lived while we’re here to live it! If you want to see more of Gianpaolo’s awesome artwork or commission a piece for yourself, you can find him at www.thejunkers.it Or follow him instagram: @the_junkers
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source sturgis events
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15 year anniversary of cycle source events at the motorcycle mecca
his years Sturgis Rally marks the 15th anniversary of Cycle Source Events in South Dakota, thanks to our good brother Jay Allen who pushed me to do the first ever bike show and ride during the Black Hills Rally. While we have added, changed and moved the days of the week around, those two main events have remained the same for that entire time and we couldn’t be more proud. This is a quick list to provide you some information on where and when we will be during the 81st anniversary of Sturgis and for the purpose of having an opportunity for you to come hang with us. At the time of press for this issue there are still a few unfinished particlulars to be finalized but if you keep an eye on our social media page we will have updates all the way until we leave for the rally. Hope to see you there!
torque
first
launch tuesday aug 5th 8pm
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issue
party! -
at the iron horse
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Article And Photos By: Erick Runyon / @gearsandglory
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hat do a couple of friends do after they grow up together, move apart, have families, and get on with their own lives? In this case, they both ended up in the same town just outside of sunny Tampa, Florida, and one builds a custom chopper for the other. That is exactly what happened when motorcycle builder extraordinaire Richard Ruck of ‘It’ll Ride Choppers’ and his longtime friend, Todd Fries, reconnected years after growing up together in upstate New York. Richard Ruck has a talent for building some of the cleanest, well-running machines east of the Mississippi. His bikes, including the remarkable
1972 Harley Davidson Shovelhead seen here, have a distinct ‘purebred’ styling that exudes fine craftsmanship and quality. Richard is not a builder that is satisfied with only the aesthetics; he feels it’s important for his builds to perform every bit as well as they look. Like most of us, he is well aware that there are more than a few bikes out there that will appear at all the local and national shows, and while they might ‘look’ amazing, they might not, in all actuality, even run. His shop name, ‘It’ll Ride Choppers,’ lets you know right away that his bikes are all show and all go. In order to assure the “all go and all show”
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on his builds, he enlists the talents of his friend and competition motor builder Rob Scwellinger of R&R Cycles. Rob is known throughout the industry for putting together a championship winning, massively powerful motors for trike and motorcycle pull competitions. It was a natural choice for Richard to ask Rob to help him ‘fine tune’ this elegantly crafted 93” motor that has as much shine and sparkle as a Las Vegas Gentlemen’s Club on New Year’s Eve. The unassuming stock ‘72 Harley motor has been fitted with new Heads, Carbs, and Cam from S&S Cycle, a BDL Primary, and a Tranny packed with Andrews gears. The +2” front end with a 24” wheel will come up with only the slightest flick of the wrist. As for the “beauty” part of this beast, Richard enlisted Dallas Plating to chrome out his frame. The scalloped style white and root beer paint was beautifully laid out by Paulie and Bombshell Deluxe. When he brought the tins to the painters, his only request was to give the tank a ‘scallop but different’ style design. Other than that, the two artists had free reign to do
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what they wanted, and the results are simply breathtaking. The rear fender from Twisted Choppers was reworked, and the gas tank, foot controls, and pipes were all fabbed in-house and plated by Dubois Polishing and Plating. The saddle on this machine is another beautifully crafted piece of artwork that comes from Bare Bones Leathers. So, what do you name a oneof-a-kind, show-stopping bike that was put together with all the meticulous detailing of a German watchmaker? You wouldn’t be the only one to be surprised to find out that this rolling work of art has been named “Lethal Meat.” The name came about when Richard and Todd went to purchase the bike. They found this extremely sunbaked machine outside in the elements, surrounded by thickets, bushes, and weeds. Todd found an old, sun-faded sticker on her that he thought read ‘Lethal Meat.’ When he read the sticker to Richard, they both laughed. Then they found out that it actually said, ‘Lethal Threat.’ They both thought the name ‘Lethal Meat’ was pretty
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LETHAL MEAT TECH SHEET Bike Name: Lethal Meat Owner: Richard Ruck City/State: Tampa Florida Builder: It’ll Ride Choppers Year: 1972 Model: FX Value: More Than The Last One Time: 1 Year ENGINE Year: 1972 Model: Shovelhead Builder: Rob Schwellinger Ignition: Dyna Displacement: 93” Pistons: S&S Cycle Heads: S&S Cycle Carb: S&S Cycle Cam: S&S Cycle Air Cleaner: Speed Dealer Customs Exhaust: It’ll Ride Choppers Primary: BDL TRANSMISSION Year: 1972 Make: Harley-Davidson Gears: Andrews Shifting: Foot FRAME Year: 1972 Model: H-D / It’ll Ride Choppers Rake: 35° Stretch: 4/2 Forks Builder: Harley-Davidson Type: 39mm Narrow Glide Triple Trees: Massaged Narrow Glide Extension: 2” WHEELS Front Wheel: Spoke Size: 21” Tire: Metzeler ME888 Front Brake: Performance Machine Rear Wheel: Spoke Size: 18” Tire: Metzeler ME888 Rear Brake: Performance Machine PAINT Painter: Paulie & Bombshell Deluxe Color: White and Root beer Type: Shiny Graphics: Scallops Chroming: Dallas Plating/Dubois Polishing & Plating ACCESSORIES Bars: Biltwell Risers: Tinworks Hand Controls: Speed Dealer / Kustom Tech Foot Controls: It’ll Ride Choppers Gas Tank(s): It’ll Ride Choppers Oil Tank: Choppahead Front fender: Pffft Rear Fender: Twisted Choppers Seat: Bare Bones Leather Headlight: Cheap Tail light: Biltwell Speedo: None Photographer: Erick Runyon @gearsandglory
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ridiculous, but the name stuck. I guess the name is really fitting in that this beautiful bike is more than just another pretty face. The ‘meat’ is in the motor, and that motor can indeed be ‘lethal.’
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NEW - High Performance Manifold for the M8 Big bore engines are all about the flow, more air in and more air out, anything that slows that down, robs horsepower. The factory M8 intake manifold does a decent job in stock form, but starts getting in the way when trapped between 124” and larger cylinders. The stock polymer unit is also less tolerant of the additional heat that a big bore engine can make at full noise. The solution is the new S&S high flow cast aluminum manifold and a must have for top level performance in the M8 platform Adds 3-5 Hp with a simple bolt on install and fits most M8 models (Softail and Touring) from 2017 to 2021. The S&S High Flow Manifold is priced at $189.95 and available through your local dealer or direct from S&S Cycle. Check out the details as well as the collection of performance parts for this machine on the S&S site or hit up your local dealer for more info. https://www.sscycle.com/m8-manifolds
KBS Coatings Xtreme Temperature Coating Motorcycle Exhaust Paint Available in 10 Colors KBS Coatings offers XTC Silicone Zinc Primer and XTC Xtreme Temperature Coating to provide great looking, durable, and long-lasting finishes on exhaust headers, and exhaust systems. Both are available in aerosol spray can form, and quart, gallon and five-gallon containers for brushing, rolling, or spray equipment. XTC Coating is available in 10 great colors. XTC Silicone Zinc Primer can withstand temperatures over 1200° F and provides incredible rust protection even in high humidity, high condensation, and salt air conditions. The primer functions much like galvanization and locks itself to bare metal surfaces leaving a matte gray finish that can be used as the finish paint, or as a perfect primed surface for top coating with XTC Coating. XTC Coating is a high temperature and heat resistant coating that protects metal surfaces operating at 500° F to 1200° F. XTC Coating in Clear is available as a final coating for any XTC matte color when a gloss finish is desired. For more information go to Engine Paints and Exhaust Paints www.kbs-coatings.com or call (888) 531-4527.
DRAG SPECIALTIES SEATS PREDATOR III SEATS FOR SOFTAIL® Drag Specialties Seats Predator III now available for 06-10 FXST, 07-17 FLSTF and 08-11 FLSTSB models.- The Predator III features a 7” tall driver support with molded polyurethane foam interior and a thermoformed ABS seat base for perfect fit, with a carpeted bottom and rubber bumpers to protect your bike’s paint. The high-quality automotive-grade vinyl cover is available in Smooth or Double Diamond stitch with the black, silver or red thread and measures 30” L (14” x 11 ¼” W front) (10 ½” L x 6 ½” W rear). The Predator III is made in the U.S.A. with the suggested retail of $320.95-$383.95. For more information, go to http://seats. dragspecialties.com/ or contact your local Drag Specialties dealer.
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Sena Outrush R modular smart helmet Our all new Outrush R modular smart helmet hits the North American market today (and will soon be available globally). The DOT rated Outrush R is the updated version of our original Outrush helmet. Please let me know if you are interested in receiving a sample Outrush R for testing. Outrush R’s features include: Modular design with retractable sun visor; Integrated speakers & microphone; 4-Way Bluetooth Intercom & 2-Way HD Intercom; Three-button audio control located on the left side; Smartphone connectivity powered by Bluetooth® 5.0; DOT & ECE rated, Dual Homologated P/J approved https://www.sena.com/ product/outrush
DRAG SPECIALTIES EASY-FIND KICKSTAND EXTENSIONS Drag Specialties easy-find kickstand extensions are what you need to make hard-to-reach kickstands easier to operate. Installs quickly (some drilling required) and includes all necessary mounting hardware. Available in a black finish. The extensions are available for 07-17 FLST and 86-21 XL models with the suggested retail of $19.95-$30.95. https://www.dragspecialties.com/ search;q=;r=eJxljcEKwjAQRH8l7DlKCgakH6GgR8lhI6sNpjZdN wUp%2BXfTeuxtZni8mWHMxN%2BrcHg%2FoQXQ8AhRiD%2 FQ3mboUe4dbXNC6SqdkOWUe0%2B8n4g9SuirYMKYVw6Mb Yyx1tTxHw9HcMVpGBIxysDVcb7AdtEQ0VOspVHLiYrhRWpx7 FZJceUHUAc6Wg%3D%3D;st=0
INTAKE MANIFOLD FLANGE KITS z1r ward gloves
PREMIUM 80W-140 SYNTHETIC TRANSMISSION OIL
introduces the brand-new Ward glove. Utilizing a spandex, stretch fit performance backhand, this glove fits exceptionally well. The deerskin palm combined with an out-seam palm construction not only adds extreme comfort but control. We have also added a reflective strip on the backhand for increased visibility. Sizes S-3X. Suggested Retail $34.95. 1R produces helmets and apparel for the street, off-road, and snow enthusiast. For more information visit us at www.Z1R.com. You can also follow us on Instagram @official_z1r and Z1R Facebook.
The Drag Specialties Premium full synthetic 80W-140 transmission oil is highly recommended for use in a 4-, 5- and 6-speed Big Twin transmission. Specifically formulated for high-performance gear boxes, its exceptional extreme pressure additive package provides excellent wear protection and durability. Specifically blended for hot weather applications, the viscosity of this product protects components across a wide range of temperatures. While providing smooth shifting operation across all rpm, this oil also meets and exceeds API GL-5/MT-1 service rating. Proudly made in the U.S.A., Sold in quart size with suggested retail of $8.95. https://www.dragspecialties.com/search;q=360 30071;r=eJyrVkrLzClJLSpWsoqOrQUAJusFK A%3D%3D
Replace your old stock flanges with a Drag Specialties intake flange kit. These kits are made from die cast material and has a silver base color with your choice of chrome or zinc finish. Includes two flanges with NBR or Viton® seals and four screws. Fit 06-17 Twin Cam models and replaces OEM #s 26993-06 and 26995-86B. Suggested retail of $40.95. https://www.dragspecialties.com/ search;q=;r=eJxljcEKwjAQRH8l7DlK AorSj1DQo%2BSwkdUGE5uu24KU %2FLtp8dbbzPB4M0E%2FEH%2Bv wuH9hAZAwyNEIf5Ac5sgodxbWueM 0lY6I8tpSJ54OxJ7lJCqYMQ4LBxYsz dmZ491%2FMcDuOI0dJkYpePqOF9 gvWiI6CnWYtV8omJ4kZodm0VSXPk BT2I6Uw%3D%3D;st=0 August - September ‘21 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 65
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Article By: Jason Hallman Photos By: Chris Callen
egardless of where you sit on the political spectrum, when Fidel Castro took over Cuba in 1959, it didn’t take long for many Cubans to flee the country rather than live under the new communist regime. From a humanitarian standpoint, it is hard to fault someone for leaving that little island. When Ray Llanes father was a young man, Ray’s grandfather (a tobacco farmer that immigrated to Cuba from the Canary Islands early in the last century) decided that his son should seek refuge in the United States, so he sent him there with little else other than a handful of dollars..sixty to be exact. Ray’s father did not speak English and had no family to lean on when he landed in New York City to cut his path before finally settling in the Miami area with his family. Ray has been a recognizable face on the national custom motorcycle scene for a long time. While he has owned and built some fantastic custom choppers, Ray has never envisioned himself in a professional capacity. That may change one day, but for now, Ray still considers himself a garage builder and with good reason. To Llanes, as with many of us, the term garage builder is a badge of honor held by men and women alike, who raise families, have careers, hold positions in the community and use any spare time left to do what
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they love in their garage. A garage builder can be anyone, a doctor, a lawyer, a banker, or just any one of a number of the variety of chopper gypsies that you’ll find at any motorcycling event in the country. Some have the best tools money can buy, while others have the best tools for the job. Some do it for the relaxation it can provide or maybe the muchneeded break from the monotony that is their vocation. I like to think that all garage builders are about the same once they’re in their natural habitat. A guy or girl that can fix damn near anything with damn little to fix it with. Ingenuity trumps engineering because, like Billy Lane says: “If it looks straight… it is straight!” I’ve lived by that mantra since I heard it the first time…most garage builders do too, even if they didn’t hear someone else say it. Ray spent 23 years in law enforcement in Miami and retired in good standing. Once he retired from the big city, he decided to move his brood north to Ormond Beach, Florida, a nice little town in the Daytona area near the coast. A place where you can taste the salt in the air. A place where there almost always seems to be a steady breeze and sunny weather. Not being ready to hit the greens and live a life of leisure, he joined the department in Ormond Beach.
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Ray’s shop is humble,10x14 to be exact, yet well equipped. Although small, it has an amazing feel to it. Various awards, accolades, and other important items of character line the walls. There is a small lathe and drill press. Everything is well within reach, almost as if the singularity of the current project at hand only lends itself to just enough space to be at one with the motorcycle. To feel its soul and to leave just a modicum of your own blood, sweat, and tears in each project’s DNA. A perfect shop isn’t the biggest. It isn’t the fanciest. The perfect shop has enough room to fit the project at hand and leave enough room to effectively use every tool in the shop and still make enough room for a buddy or two and a good beer-drinking session. To listen to Ray speak on his upbringing and his love for motorcycles, it becomes evident that something special organically connects Ray to his work. His skill set is right where it should be, and his “eye” is trained to convey his passion for the working model of each component he selects to compliment his style of craftsmanship. When you look deep into his builds, you’ll notice that parts from all eras and styles of custom motorcycles are used splendidly throughout the motorcycle. He has a knack for making things that wouldn’t naturally fit next to each other work perfectly and look right at home. You can see this same continuity in his friendships too. A garage builder almost always keeps company with a few men (or women) from many walks of life. As a police officer, you would think that Ray would not be at home in certain “biker” circles, but in truth, that couldn’t be further from reality. Ray prides himself in having a wide berth of friends. I know this because he and I are friends, and while we grew up a thousand miles apart and nearly a decade of years separated, I feel at home when I am with Ray. I guess that is why I focused so much on the differences you see in Ray’s work. Just like the bevy of different parts that all seem to fit together so well on his hand-crafted garage-built machines, no matter the occasion, his friends are like the parts on his motorcycles; all a little different, none are perfect but all perfectly positioned around the dinner table and pleasantly poised exactly where we should be!
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ast month you may remember reading about Patrick “Moe” Maloney in our “Unsung” garage builder section of the magazine. He is a perfect example of the passion that lives in the garages and sheds across this great country and continues our culture’s traditions. Moe is a self-made man who takes pride in working with his hands and creates beautiful pieces of rolling art in the process. From his younger days in the Navy, where he first got into the gasoline-fueled habit, to the bike he has on his lift this very moment, he is driven by the need to create. We spent a good day with him in his garage in Jacksonville. He calls that spot his living room, and it was literally the best part of my Daytona this year. While I was there, we ran across this little beauty and knew we had to bring it to our readers in the form of a proper
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feature to give the nuts and bolts behind what Moe calls an Old Parts Bike. You see, this wasn’t a story where a guy went out to answer an ad on marketplace for that perfect donor bike to restore into the gentleman’s cut down you see here. This old girl was built the old way. Moe had two frame sections, a Pan rear half and a Shovel front, and some sidecar loops. This made for a good start. The fork was another story; that thing had been in his parts stash for some 30 years. Moe still remembers trading a Wishbone frame and a pair of Panheads for it. He traded an old gun for the transmission. Both the frame and tranny sat in the shop waiting for the time when they would get put in the game. And that was precisely where Moe would find them for this project. The frame came out so good that he plans on making another just
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that way, and the fork was perfect except for a new stem that Moe machined before he knew that you could just buy one. In its first inception, Moe had a Pan motor in this bike, but longtime friend Junior knew he wanted a Flatty. You see, Junior was building a hot rod a while back, and Moe hooked him up with a ‘38 UL for it. Seemed fitting that a ’37 Junior ran across would find its way to Moe for this build. Of course, that motor would need to be rebuilt first, so he went to work. The cases were cherry, he didn’t even have to replace the cam bushings, but he did lap them in and put new bushings. For the lapping, Moe got his lathe down to 70rpms and came up with a
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way to hold the cases by hand and work them on the lapper chucked up in the machine. He mentioned that you have to be careful cause you don’t wanna have to let go of those cases while the lathe is turning. From there he went on to the flywheels. The stock set would just not balance. Apparently, there was a critical failure at one point, and they couldn’t be saved. Instead, Moe went with a set of T&O flywheels, some new rods, some nice new Andrews cams. He was pretty lucky with the rest of the mill. The roundheads were good. It came with the oil pumps and breather, most of it was there, and before long, it was sliding into the frame. Moe said as soon as he hung a carb on the side of it, he
only had to kick it three times before it came to life. The tanks were a gift from Junior as well. Original emblem style tanks, unfortunately, the mounts were damaged, and the front of the one tank was smashed pretty good. Moe worked his magic. He removed the old repairs and pieced in sections to replace the damage and made himself a sweet set of decal tanks. Junior has been a great friend to Moe over the years, and the two men have quite a few projects under their belts together. Another one of his friends, Rob, was invaluable when it came to building the motor. While Moe did the hands-on work, it was plenty of phone calls to Rob that helped get it done. As the build neared completion, Moe swears that he had no idea what
color he’d paint it until he happened to be at NAPA one day. There on the wall with the other paint chips, he saw this copper color that he knew was it. It just jumped out at him. After a good finish with the single-color copper, TJ Jimenez laid down the killer pinstripe work. It took Jimmy just two days on the whole bike and one day where he would sneak the primary cover home and put the design of Eve with the apple on as a surprise for Moe. All in all, despite this being a parts bike, according to Maloney, he feels like it just seemed to come together, just as if he had wanted to be the way all along. And that, my friends, is the tale of the dreamer. When you spend so
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COPPER QUEEN TECH SHEET Owner: Patrick Maloney City/State: Jacksonville FL Builder: Patrick Maloney Year: 1937 Model: Harley UL Value: Time: Couple Years As Time Allows Engine Year: 1937 Model: UL Builder: Patrick Maloney Ignition: Stock Points Displacement: 74 Cu. In. Pistons: Stock .050 Over Heads: Stock Iron Carb: Stock M-51 Cam: Stock Air Cleaner: Stock Breather Exhaust: Stock / Servicar Muffler Primary: Stock Tin Diamond Primary Transmission Year: 1950 Something Make: Harley Davidson Shifting: Tank Shift Frame Year: 1955 Model: Panhead Rake: 30 Degree Stretch: None Forks: 1947 Stock Springer Builder: Harley Davidson/ Myself Type: Inline Springer Triple Trees: Top Speedster Bars Extension: None Wheels Front Wheel: Spoke Size: 16”X3” Tire: Avon Speed Master Front Brake: Stock Mechanical Drum Rear Wheel: Star Hub Size: 16”X3” Tire: Avon Speedmaster Rear Brake: Juice Drum Paint Painter: Patrick Maloney Color: Copper Type: Base Coat Clear Coat Graphics: Pinstriping - My Buddy TJ Chroming: Minimal Accessories Bars: Stock Harley Speedster Risers: Unknown Hand Controls: Stock Inside Cables Foot Controls: Stock Rocker Clutch Gas Tank(S): Knuckle Tanks Oil Tank: 1938 Knuckle Front Fender: None Rear Fender: Bobbed Stock Seat: Custom Solo Headlight: Stock Taillight: Early Ford Speedo: Harley Year Unknown Speedo: Chris Callen
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much time daydreaming of the perfect bike, it just comes to life right in front of you. Almost if the seed had been planted and all you are really doing is watering and weeding to let it grow.
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Article By: Charlie Weisel
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abo San Lucas, is the quintessential tourist trap of a town. It is littered with overpriced trashy shops selling gaudy t-shirts and other cheaply made trinkets, that in no way actually represent the Mexican culture, too naive tourists. The junk will live on your shelf until your cat knocks it over and breaks it. There are bars and restaurants on every corner touting “Bajas Best Margarita” lure in flip flop clad and jet lagged travelers, drain their wallets and kick them back out to the curb, drunk and with an eminent blinding hangover. Tourist towns such as these have literally zero appeal to me, yet here we were, in the heart of Cabo San Lucas, taking pictures and high fiving like it was Spring Break ’08 and we were about to go down to funky town. Like we were about to show this town what they’ve been missing. However, this couldn’t have been further from the truth. The reality is that we would have been acting this way no matter what God Forsaken town was at the end of this 1000 mile long peninsula called Baja California. We would have been acting this way even if there were no town at all. The goal was never to ride to Cabo San Lucas, the goal was to reach the end of the road, Cabo just happened to be in the way. The motivation for this excursion was simple. The El Diablo Run was taking place in San Felipe, as it does every other year, and the pandemic induced feeling of needing to change our “shut in” ways had become too much to
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tolerate. We were going, and we were going far, no matter what Dr Fauci or the CDC told us was safe. The Mexican border was open to tourists and that was all we cared about. I don’t think any of us really even cared if the US would let us back in, that was a risk we were willing to take. Beyond the fact that we were all feeling cooped up by the obvious situation of our planet we were also feeling the pull of warm weather and sunshine, something we had not seen much of over the Colorado winter. Combine these two elements and you’ve got yourself the making of an early spring, long range, southbound, taco fueled moto adventure. Us three amigos would cover nearly 5,000 miles, devour countless tacos and go careening over more camouflaged topes then I care to admit. If you don’t know what a tope is then I suggest you go barreling through a small Mexican village at 70mph…you’ll find out real quick what a tope is. Seriously though, don’t do this, that was a terrible suggestion. Just Google it. The ride plan was set, albeit extremely simple, so all that was next was to find a short window between snow storms to sneak out of Colorado. Fortunately, due to snow, we only had to delay our intended departure date by one day. When the kickstands were finally folded up however, you could feel the excitement in the air. An epic adventure had begun. Josh, Miah and I, would charge through the grey winter skies of Colorado all the way south to the southernmost point of Baja California then return north for a weekend in San Felipe at the El Diablo Run before making our path home by way of the Choppertown Camparound in Tonto Village, Arizona. What can I say about a ride like this? Where do I even start? A play by play of what we did each day sounds boring so what I
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would really like to focus on is not so much the where and when but the why. Why? That always seems to be the question people ask when I talk about a ride like this. It’s simple really, I’m curious. I am curious about
the people, the food, and the terrain. I’m curious to know if it is really as
great or as terrible as people say. I was given both words of caution and words of encouragement when I talked about riding through Mexico and I wanted to know why, first hand. I’ll tell you what I found. I found kind and caring people; people as concerned with keeping food on their own plate as they were about keeping food on mine. People that were simply trying to get by, not crooks and cartel members as the media would have us believe is all that exists south of our border. Look in your own backyard people. It makes my blood boil when people tell me the United States is the safest country in the world, that couldn’t be further from the truth and I find it arrogant and naive to hold that belief. Every country on the planet, ours included, has a majority that is compassionate, loving and quite frankly, probably more willing to help a stranger in need than what you have been falsely led to believe, and dare I say, is less likely to happen on our own streets. And every country has a dark side that we are probably best avoiding. We live in a place where we have to remind fellow bikers to stop and check on other bikers sitting on the side of the road. That should be second nature, not a teaching point. The same goes for vehicles and even just walking down the sidewalk, if you see a person in distress stop to help, it’s that simple. But I digress, and apologize for the rant. Let’s just all try to stop judging an entire country based on what you hear on the news, they are only showing you the worst and a very small slice of reality. On a more positive note, let’s talk tacos! Sorry mom, they’ve got you beat in this department. Mexican food and street food are my favorite things when it comes to eating, so when the three of
us agreed to only eat from roadside stands for the entire trip I couldn’t have been happier. We ate from places that would make your local health department cringe and slap a big red F on the window. We ate from places that barely looked open, like they’d been hanging on by a thread for a decade or more. We ate from roadside stands that looked established and popular and we ate from places that were barely places at all. I remember one in particular. We were northbound on Highway 1, still in Baja Sur and hadn’t seen a structure in miles. Out of nowhere and with perfect timing, in a large dirt pullout, a makeshift roadside eatery had been established. It was nothing more than a sun bleached E-Z Up and an RV, with a single older local woman running the show. We meandered towards the woman, exchanged glances that said “sorry, I don’t speak your language well” and ordered 4 tacos with a questioning inflection. You never really know what they are serving so everything ends with a question mark. With a gentle nod of understanding the woman disappeared into her camper and, moments later, returns with what might possibly be “Bajas Best Taco”. And with that, I give you the “why” to the never ending question of “why do you do it?” Experiences like this sum it up perfectly. It’s about more than the quality of the taco. It’s about the smile on the woman’s face, the look of genuine appreciation that we chose to stop at her eatery and help feed her family for another day as she fed us. So much is said through a smile, often more than could ever be said with words. Its human connection on a raw, intimate level. When it comes to the actual nuts and bolts of riding through Baja I was pleasantly surprised and was caught a bit off
guard. I knew full well that there was a mountain range running the length of the peninsula but I apparently hadn’t given enough thought to it. In my head we would be spending two weeks parading through wide
open desert with an occasional glimpse of the ocean. I was very
wrong about this. With Highway 1 zig zagging its way from the Sea of Cortez to the Pacific Ocean you actually spend a fair amount of time at higher elevations and on curvier roads then I expected. Sure, there are sections of straight, boring wide open desert that are mind numbing to say the least, but that is not the bulk of the riding. Much of the riding was steep, narrow and twisty. Just the way we like it. The views of the ocean were breathtaking, the beaches were pristine and the clear turquoise water beckoned you in. Even wellestablished pullouts were plentiful, offering the ability to safely stop and take in the sights. The roads themselves were in better condition than anticipated yet there are sections that were definitely not chopper friendly. The cactus were huge if you are into huge cactus. Gas stations were a bit scarce but manageable with our larger tanks and a bit of planning. A few notable places that we thoroughly enjoyed were San Ignacio (Ignacio Springs Resort to be specific), Todos Santos and Laredo. Each of these places offered all the amenities you would ever need along with a “locals” vibe that we enjoyed. Todos Santos aired a bit more on the gringo side of things but we still enjoyed it. Would I recommend this trip to everyone? Yes. That is of course unless you hate good food, nice people and beautiful scenery in which case I cannot be of assistance. Until next time, I look forward to seeing y’all on the road! For more photos from this ride and others follow me on instagram @ travelingchopper and check out roadsareforjourneys. com
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Article And Photos By: Josh Elzey
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red Elwell’s father bought his first bike the year Fred was born. As Fred grew up, he would spend quite a bit of his life on that 1987 Harley Sportster Hugger, which was gradually modified to his father’s liking. It had a big double bob tank, huge headlights, and a glide front end with mag wheels. At some point, it was spray painted black and acquired some fat boy bars. And, according to Fred, it had a ‘god awful’ seat. Fred spent much of his younger
years sitting in an engine bay while his father built hotrods for street racing. As one would suspect, the garage atmosphere stimulated his interest in building projects from the ground up. Unfortunately, while pushing the limits of car builds, Fred lost his license for racing, which may have been a blessing as it eventually brought him back to motorcycles. After spending few years in jail, Fred came home to find that everything he had owned had been
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sold. Fred’s father gave him the Sportster with the caveat that he would have to get it running. This project would provide Fred with some much-needed therapy. At this point, the bike was in rough shape; it had been sitting outside for 10 years. Getting it running wasn’t going to be easy. In the fall of 2017, Fred started pulling the motor apart in his father’s basement. Elwell quickly ran out of space. With the help of Steve from
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Fatman Custom Motors, he rebuilt the carb, honed the cylinders, and installed all new gaskets. It wasn’t easy, but she came to life! Steve and Fred managed to meld their two different backgrounds into the motor design. Fred was influenced by Dick Alan’s builds which were long super narrow bikes, while Steve was very much into horsepower and efficiency. This created a unique style of their own. From there, Fred determined the direction of the build and made him eager to hit the asphalt. In the beginning, Fred’s father had no idea that Fred had big plans for this bike or that he would be consumed with the build for the next couple of years. Fred put in 50-60 hours a week. He stuck to a narrow bike with the frisco style design.
The hard part was deciding on what mix of parts to use to not compromise his vision. As they outgrew the basement, the build would continue at his Brother Nick’s garage. This space was also limited because it was being shared with two other projects. Fred realized that to do it right, he would need his own garage. Elwell rented a three-bay which is now the home of Loctites Chop Shop. This also became HQ for the Lowlife Chopper Podcast that he and his brother share. Elwell tackled the frame first and then the paint. Originally Fred was going to do a root beer brown and cream paint with a spring solo seat, but those ideas changed quite a few times as the build went on. There were
constant changes, parts made and thrown away. He even painted the bike twice. Countless sets of bars went on and came right back off. Eventually, the bike was completed, but only after rebuilding the entire build from the ground up. Only the motor was new. Fred kept some of the iconic Harley parts from that era, but it was ripped off if it messed with the flow. This process is how the bike became ‘The Step Child’: as Fred puts it, “Because it’s fun to beat on, but you’re forced to love!” Fred’s main motive for the build was to show his father that he had been paying attention all those years when he was being taught to wrench. Although their styles
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STEP CHILD TECH SHEET Owner: Fred Elwell aka Loctite City/State: Barrington NH Builder: Owner With Various Help Year: 1987 Model: Harley Sportster Hugger Value: Time: ENGINE Year: Rebuilt 87 48 Rear Sprocket Model: Sportster 883 Builder: Owner Ignition: Dynas Displacement: Pistons: Heads: Rebuilt Stock Carb: S&S Super E Carb Cam: Air Cleaner: Exhaust: Full Custom Primary: TRANSMISSION Year: Make: Shifting: 4 speed FRAME Year: Model: Loctite /David Bird Hardtail Rake: Stretch: Forks Builder: Type: 39 MM, Shaved Lower Legs Triple Trees: Extension: 6 Over WHEELS Front Wheel:TC Bros Spoke Wheels Size: Tire: Avon Front Brake: Shaved Rear Wheel: TC Bros Spoke Wheels Size: Tire: Avon Rear Brake: Solo Disc PAINT Painter: Owner Color: Seafoam Green Type: Graphics: Gold Pinstripe & Lace Chroming: ACCESSORIES Bars: Custom By Wannabe Fabrication Risers: Hand Controls: Foot Controls: AMF Period H-D Pegs Gas Tank(s): Custom Frister Frisco From Pandemonium Cycles Oil Tank: Front fender: Rear Fender: Custom Fender Seat: Corbin Headlight: 87 FXR Fog Light Tail light: Model A Speedo: None Photographer: Josh Elzey
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were very different, Fred felt like this was his opportunity to make his Dad proud. The day Fred finished the bike, he called his Dad first. When his father came to the shop, you could tell how proud he was by the look in his eyes. For Fred, this immediately made all the long nights worth it. And the best part is, Fred is investing in the next generation by starting the cycle over
again by having his three children at the shop cleaning parts and helping with small tasks. Fred dedicated this feature in In Loving Memory Of Rudy Rudzinsky, who taught him how to with this very bike.
1. Shifter Arm Has Extra Leg. 2. Rear Pulley Wrong. 3. Reflection In Oil Cap Missing Tree. 4. Amber Lens Cover Instead Of Red. 5. Longer Seat At Front. 6. Petcock In Different Position. 7. Point On Middle Of Tank Top Shorter. 8. Extra Bolt And Boss On Rear Rocker Box. 9. Missing Stabalizer Stem. 10. Extra Stripe On Side Of Tank.
FIND TEN DIFFERENT THINGS LETHAL MEAT NO THERE ISN’T ANY REAL PRIZE, JUST SOMETHING TO DO WHILE YOU’RE IN THE CAN.
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g
reetings, Moto Familia. Well, I did it... I survived my first ever Myrtle Beach Bike Week! And man, oh man, was it insane. I remember watching the Biker Build Off’s back in the day and seeing Myrtle as one of the ones I wanted to make it to in my moto journeys. Let’s just start off with: I stayed on the beach, so I’d be able to wake up to the sun shimmering off the water. It was pretty badass. Kings Hwy, the main drag connecting one end of the rally to the other, was slammed with bikes all day and pretty much into the night. It was so much that retirees that live along that stretch parked their golf carts (everyone has one) along the road to watch the parade of bikes. Providence Cycle Worx and High Seas Rally set up at the Harley Shop for the week. It was the halfway point between Bare Foot Landing and Suck Bang Blow. It was a great spot to see all the bikes pass through, not to mention some cool vendors there. The typical style of bikes was present, but I was a little disappointed in the chopper turnout. There were no real shows to speak of like we see in Daytona, Sturgis,
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Article By: Xavier Muriel etc. But maybe that will change in the future. Now, let’s talk about Suck Bang Blow. I’ve heard of this place for a long time. I was really hoping it wasn’t going to disappoint, and man did it ever live up to its expectations! We took the High Seas Rally giveaway bike down there on Friday night and lifted it up onto the stage before Cowboy Kid Rock played. Master emcee Jack Schit arranged the evening’s events and pulled everything off without a hitch (thank you so much, brother). Joey Fairchild of The High Seas Rally Cruise and I told the crowd what the cruise is all about and how they could get involved. The crowd loved the build, and we were greeted with a fantastic reception. I held my breath as they lifted the bike off the stage. Not gonna lie, I was freaking out. After exhaling, I fired it up and rode it through the crowd high fiving everyone on my way out. It was a successful night for both companies. If that wasn’t bitchin enough, I was asked to sit in and jam with the band. As I was driving away, I realized that night had marked several “firsts” for me. I am
incredibly grateful for all the work people do to make such a great night happen. Without those individuals, none of this would be possible for not only me but all the people who spend their hard-earned money to enjoy a week full of motorcycles and friends. After leaving Myrtle Beach, I headed toward The Tennessee
Motorcycle and Music Revival in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee that was coming up the following weekend. But first, I made a pit stop at the new home of Choppers Inc., in Columbia, Tennessee, to see my hermano, Mr. Lane. To say that it’s been a whirlwind for him moving from FL to TN would be an understatement. I remember helping him move two years ago. After a few building setbacks and broken pipes, he’s finally getting his groove back. It was so nice to see the multiple lifts with quintessential Choppers Inc. bikes in progress. To this day, I’m amazed by Billy’s creativity. Where he comes up with some of his ideas is mind-blowing and, at the same time, inspirational. His Sons of Speed creation has done exceptionally well and is set to happen during Biketoberfest later this year. He’s looking forward to racing once again. I finally gave Billy his Gold and Platinum Buckcherry 15 records that Keith Nelson and I have had for over 14 years. It was a real treat to see the look on his face when he opened up the box. Billy attended so many shows and always had a smile when I glanced over at him on the side stage. He’s a true rock fan. True to form, Mr. Lane wasted no
time putting me to work. I was able to help him with a few things that needed to get done before he took his 45 to TMMR. It’s always such an honor when Billy asks me to fab a part for one of his builds. It’s a true joy to be able to work next to someone you’ve admired for so long in an area that is his expertise. When you switch gears to sit and play guitar and talk music, it’s a bonus and kinda the best of both worlds if you ask me. It’s been a great trip, but I’m excited to get back home. Right before I left, I moved into my own shop. I needed more space and have a few new machines coming, so I had to leave the space I was sharing with Texas Performance Motorcycle. But not to fret, Mark and I are still way cool with one another. I’m hoping that his new endeavor with Cycle Source’s sister publication TORQUE will bring him much success and open many new doors for him and his company. Well, my friends, this is where I leave you. As always, I wish you Peace and Wellness. God Bless, X.
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w
e spotted this killer tribute to the great Kenny Roberts at a Garage Build Show powered by Dennis Kirk during Daytona Bike Week 2020 and knew we had to share it. This 1971 Yamaha XS650 was crafted by forty-eight-year-old Greg White on the floor of his home garage with the most basic tools and without the benefit of a lift. Greg started his love affair with two wheels when he was so young that he can’t even put an age on it. But he does remember being a young child that was utterly enthralled whenever a motorcycle went zooming by. It didn’t hurt that his dad had a Honda CB-750 during his formative years. Like many motorcycle addicts, he started off with a Rupp Mini Bike. Before long, he was building his first Yamaha XT350 Dual Sport Greg didn’t actually plan on building this bike, but a trip down the rabbit hole of Facebook Marketplace changed all of that. The carcass was just a 1.5-hour drive from his house. He kept watching the listing and seeing the price drop. Finally, it hit a price that made the drive worthwhile. He saw
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Article By: Heather Callen Photos By: Riley White
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FALVO INFERNUM TECH SHEET Owner: Greg White City/State: Lago Vista, TX Builder: Greg White Year: 1979 Model: XS650 Value: $14k Time: Is On Your Side Engine Year: 1979 Model: XS650 Builder: Greg White Ignition: Pamco Displacement: 650cc Pistons: Stock Bore Heads: Stock Carb: PWK 34mm W/Aluminum Intakes Cam: Stock Air Cleaner: K&N Pod Filters Exhaust: Delkevic 2 Into 1 Primary: Stock Transmission Year: 1979 Make: Yamaha Shifting: 1 Down 4 Up Frame Year: 1979 Model: XS650 Rake: Stock Stretch: Stock Forks Builder: Greg White Type: 35mm Stock Triple Trees: Stock Extension: None Wheels Front Wheel: Cast Aluminum Mag Size: 19” Tire: Pirelli MT60 Front Brake: Single Piston 35mm Disk Rear Wheel: Cast Aluminum Mag Size: 16” Tire: Pirelli MT60 Rear Brake: OEM Disk Paint Painter: Rob Churchill Color: Chrome Yellow Type: HOK Graphics: Custom Chroming: Powder Coat By Enigma Accessories Bars: Pro Taper MX 7/8” Risers: 35mm Stock Hand Controls: Custom Billet Controls Foot Controls: 35mm Stock Mids Gas Tank(S): Stock Oil Tank: N/A Front Fender: Deleted Rear Fender: Deleted Seat: OEM Pan Recovered Headlight: Stock/LED High Velocity Element W/Integrated Signals Tail Light: Custom Led W/ Speedo: Mini 2.5” White Face Photographer: Riley White
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that it was in tough shape with massive dents on the tank, bent handlebars, bald tires, and a butchered-up wiring harness. White was told that it had been dropped at low speed and never ran again. Greg says that he swears the Yamaha was begging him not to let her die a miserable death behind the owner’s garage. So a deal was struck. Once he got the relic home, it sat in his backyard undercover for three months without a direction. Greg just couldn’t decide..cafe’, bobber, restoration..what to do, what to do? Still, without knowing what it would, he started disassembly. Then, like lightning, it struck while surfing YouTube. Across his screen came “King” Kenny Roberts! American flat track racer turned pro during his early youth. Greg had admired Kenny’s on track skill of being able to take his Grand Prix bike through corners, knee down, sliding the back out, counter-steering then ever so slightly, lifting the front wheel upon exit. Poetry on two wheels! That was it! Then the whirlwind started.
Since tear down was already done, the frame went off to Enigma for powder coat on January 27, 2020. While that was being handled, Greg tackled the engine giving it a good once over and refresher. All the necessary parts were ordered. Yay, the easy part was done. Greg knew that he wanted to ride this bike on the shores of Daytona Beach during the 79th Rally, so he was on short time. With that in mind and the frame back in hand, it was on. The following days were a blur of assembly and struggle. Some parts fit like a comfortable pair of shoes. Some fought to be reinstalled. White says that eventually coming together like layers on a painting, each helping to accent the layer previously laid down. By the 27th of February, yes 27 days, the rolling tribute was done, complete with a killer paint job flawlessly laid down by Rob Churchill. The finished project took roughly three months of full workdays. Greg says the biggest challenge was getting the end product to match his vision. He wanted it to be simple but functional, and finding the balance was challenging. Greg says this is really his first full-on build and without the benefit of a proper shop. White says he worked on this project wherever and whenever he could, his shed, garage, and much to his wife Mary’s dismay, the living room! Not only does this ‘71 bring back memories for race fans as she rolls by, but she’s a rider for sure.
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Article By: Chip Parisi @chipakid
t
he Universe provides if you let it. Great opportunities are often missed due to fear of the unknown or by succumbing to the imaginary chains of comfort and security. Most of the good in my life has come from taking a chance, having faith in myself, and giving the road less traveled a shot. By the time I arrived in Cripple Creek, Colorado, about a week after leaving the 77th Annual Black Hills Rally in Sturgis, some loved ones back home were concerned about my safety. Who were these people I was traveling with? Where were we going? What happens if you break down? Where will you sleep? While their questions certainly had merit, they seemed almost rhetorical to me. I didn’t have many good answers and replying with blind optimism would be lost on those posing such inquiries. I was sure that everything would be just fine and that there was no challenge I couldn’t conquer or resolve, but my confidence did little to comfort the concerned. One question, however, lent itself to an answer that could satisfy even the most worrisome; who is this Mike Mchone character? When first posed, all I really knew was that he was a
young union Boilmaker whose last contract had him repairing a massive boiler in the basement of The White House! If he could get that kind of security clearance, I was surely in no danger! I’m not sure that actually helped my mother sleep any better at night, but hey, I tried!
As the miles together passed, I learned that more than a month prior, around the time I left Rhode Island on a crooked path to my first Sturgis, Mike was taking off for 2-3 weeks on his first nonsuperbike, a 2014 Softail. The day after he bought that big twin cruiser, he went to Wally World,
picked up a cheap survival tent and sleeping bag, then hit the road the following morning. His plan was simple enough, go see some family and friends in North Carolina, then head west toward Tennesse to ride some of the “famous” roads in the Smoky Mountains. His motivation, a broken heart, the most common and strongest motivator of all! While on the verywell-marketed Tail of the Dragon, he met Jay and Bev, a couple from Canada that fiercely reinforced the friendly Canadian stereotype. They were so impressed with his riding that they let him take her Aprilia for a rip on that iconic stripe of asphalt... or at least that’s how he tells the story! In reality, I imagine they were probably just sick of hearing him lament about being handcuffed on that Softy instead of dragging knees on his recently retired CBR1000 and wanted to see if he could walk the walk! “The Canadians,” as we still refer to them, soon invited that green, 26-year-old traveler back to their camp at the Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge, just a short
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ride away. There, Mike met millionmile Wandering Joe Sparrow, who used to trade some of his skills and sweat for weeks of camping at that high-end motorcycle resort. One conversation leads to Joe’s plan of taking off for Sturgis soon, and Mike was all ears! He didn’t know much about the legendary event, just what he had seen on The Ballard’s reality show about the Full Throttle Saloon but was open to the Universe providing an opportunity for adventure and ready to go anywhere but home. Before long, he and Joe were in their saddles, staring down 1,500 miles between them and the biggest party of the year. The first leg of their trip was through some of the best mountain roads in the east, where Joe showed him just how low and fast a 500,000mile Goldwing can get in the curves! Hats off to Mr. Sparrow for getting every ounce out of that 6-cylinder, o v e r s i z e d sportbike and carving the canyons like a Thanksgiving turkey! Mike was treated to a real show not far in, as Joe cheated death right in from of him and his Gorton. Somehow, a large tree branch, better described as a log, ended up in the road directly in Joe’s path from the blurry video I saw. Without any other options, Joe took the hit headon and regained control once both tires returned to earth! A lesser rider would’ve had no chance, but for Joe, a crafty veteran of the road, it was
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just another bump along the way. Once the mountains were mostly behind them, they decided to drop the hammer and make some time. Mike had a friend stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, maybe 100 miles from Sturgis, who was being deployed in a day or two. With that motivation, a relatively comfortable bike, and
a proven mile-eater like Joe to ride with, doing his first 1,000-mile day no longer seemed impossible. As they are supposed to be, that big-mile day was mostly uneventful. Ride. Refuel. Repeat. Mike says that he watched Joe nod off a couple
times, but I’m certain he was just resting his eyes after engaging autopilot on his Goldwing. If I’m not mistaken, the switch for that is right below the microwave oven, near the controls for the air conditioner! This odd series of events finally culminated in the Black Hills National Forest, where I and many other dropouts and drifters were primitive camping for free. That one conversation with the Canadians still ripples across Mike’s life. It led to meeting Joe, then ultimately me, Scooter Tramp Scotty, Scorpio Drake, and Cody Walker, all of whom planted seeds of alternative ways to ride through life and exposed him to the incurable disease known best as the travel bug. Now, over 4 years later, Mike and I have seen big miles together every year, usually totaling 2-4 months meandering the country, including a two-month dualsport odyssey last year. Just this February, on our way back to Florida from San Diego, Mike finally retired the mountaineering tent that Joe gifted him from the many abandoned ones at the campground where they initially met. That wellused tent may be gone, but Mike will forever carry off a piece of Joe with him.
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Article And Photos By: Del Hickey
l
ike all things pedigree, this motorcycle has two names; its full Sunday best name that appears on the tank and its everyday name. The pedigree name is the Beagle H30, and this refers to the HMS Beagle, a B-class destroyer built for the Royal Navy around 1930. During World War II, the ship spent the bulk
of the war on escort duty as well as participating in the Normandy landings before accepting the surrender of the German garrison of the Channel. She also helped to evacuate British soldiers and civilians during the Battle of France in 1940, assisted in sinking one German submarine and claimed to have shot down two German aircraft. When Perry, the owner of this
XS650, approached Bristol Bobbers about building a bike (like many people he had fallen in love with the company’s previous build, ‘Eleanor’, he told the guys that he wanted to pay tribute to his grandfather, James Reginald Williams, who had served on the ship and who also happened to ride for Douglas Motorcycles. So that explains the formal name,
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but in daily life, this splendid Yamaha XS650 is referred to as Queen Anne’s Revenge. This is to reflect the Bristol heritage of the bike. Stay with me – all will become clear. Queen Anne’s Revenge was a 18th century merchant ship which was believed to have been built in Bristol in 1710. Just a year later it was then stolen by the French before being recaptured by Edward Teach, better known as the famous pirate, Blackbeard (also reputed to be from Bristol) who commandeered it as his flagship. Now, Luke Cormack and Mike Leary of Bristol Bobbers are from Bristol; they built this bike in Bristol; it’s their flagship bike to date (and was recently on show at the prestigious AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building in Germany) and, although neither of them are, to the best of my knowledge, infamous buccaneers, they both sport beards and sound like pirates. You see, I told you it would make sense. The concept for this bike was based around an original Douglas motorcycle from many years ago. That was of particular importance to Perry due to his family heritage and ties to the Douglas history. He remembers his grandfather picking him up from primary school and riding
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home with the young Perry perched on the tank. While he doesn’t know a great deal about his grandfather’s time at Douglas, he does know that he started an apprenticeship at Douglas Motorcycle Works shortly after his 14th birthday in 1924. He then rode in trials and moto football for the factory. Later, when his grandfather moved into the family home, Perry says his mother would be driven to despair by his use of the house as a workshop. He says: “My grandfather didn’t see the potential disastrous consequences of stripping out a fuel tank whilst smoking a cigarette and saw no reason why mother would be so upset when she came home and found a bike being dismantled on the dining room table and parts being washed in the kitchen sink.” With this wonderful family history, there were, however, only a few elements of the design that Perry specified in order to achieve his ideal
motorcycle and while it was essential that these be incorporated into the final bike, Bristol Bobbers had free rein over the rest of the design. He gave them a rough computer drawing of what he envisioned as the final motorcycle and they then started looking for the donor bike. And so, the crew of Bristol Bobbers set sail on the journey of Queen Anne’s Revenge. Luke and Mike started with a solid, first edition 1971 Yamaha XS650, from which only the engine and the wheels would survive the voyage. For some reasons known only to the previous owner, the bike had been painted blue and lilac with green flames on the tank. That was an indignity no XS650 should suffer. It was only fair to rescue the old girl from that. From then on, Queen Anne’s Revenge was carefully and lovingly built by hand, beginning with the custom-made frame which was fabricated in 2-inch stainless steel
tube by Kruys Water Motofietsen, the Dutch company which has established a sterling reputation for its springer front ends. It was good sense to fit a set of KWM’s springer forks as well, topped with matching yokes. The handlebars were fabricated to complement the nod to the heritage of Douglas, a motorcycle manufacturer which was also, of course, based in Bristol. A mocked-up tank was crafted by Perry in old building insulation and then sent away by Luke to be made. The man for the job was Mike Waters. Known to everyone by his nickname of ‘Mike the Pipe’, Mike undertook the task of creating a flat-sided tank that would echo that of a late 1920s Douglas when the tanks had become taller and shorter than those used on earlier models. (It wouldn’t be until 1929 that a more rounded and, to our eyes, modern tank would be fitted to Douglas’s, rendering the flat tank era dead in one fell swoop.) However, what all flat-side Douglas tanks had in common was that they were fitted under the top tube of the frame, making the Bristol Bobbers’ ‘floating tank’ look particularly appropriate for this build. Luke says: “With our executive line of bikes we have developed a system to give the illusion of floating tanks – you can’t see how they are attached to the motorcycle. We have used this system again on Queen Anne’s Revenge, keeping the clean lines to enhance the look of the tanks on the bike. The top of the tanks have been finished with ornate fleur-de-lis, but these are not brackets!” The tank then, naturally, needed paint that would befit its homage to Douglas and that was the work of Tim Cox at TJC Designs, incorporating the ‘two panel’ livery common to Douglas motorcycles of the 1920s and beautifully finished with pinstriping and its name – the bike’s ‘proper’ name, that is – picked out in gold leaf. Equally beautiful is the polishing by Andy at AG Metal Services and the wiring which is a work of magic by Rich at Motorcycle Wiring Specialist. Now, consider this bike before
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QUEEN ANNE’S REVENGE TECH SHEET Owner: Perry Osbourne City/State: Bristol UK Builder: Bristol Bobbers Year: 1971 Model: Yamaha XS650 Value: Undisclosed Time: 1 Year Engine Year: 1971 Model: Yamaha XS650 Builder: Bristol Bobbers Ignition: Stock Displacement: 650cc Pistons: Stock Heads: Stock Carb: Stock Cam: Stock Air Cleaner: Pan Filters/Custom Covers Exhaust: 1 1/2” To 1 3/4” Primary: Chain Drive HD530 Transmission Year: 1971 Make: Stock Shifting: Stock Frame Year: 2018 Model: Custom 2” Brushed Stainless Rake: Std Stretch: N/A Forks: Bespoke 3 Legged Springers Builder: Kruyswater Type: 3 Legged Springer Triple Trees: Kruyswater Extension: Std To Suit Custom Frame Wheels Front Wheel: Stock/Polished/Brass Nipples Size: 19” Tire: Avon Speedmaster MK2 Front Brake: None Rear Wheel:Stock/Polished/Brass Nipples Size: 18” Tire: Avon Speedmaster MK2 Rear Brake: Drum Paint Painter: Tim At TJC Design Color: India Blue/Gold Leaf Type: Confidential Graphics: Douglas Design/Black Pinstriping Chroming: AG Metal Services Accessories Bars: Custom 22mm 1937 Douglas Design Risers: 2” Brass Hand Controls: Custom-Tan Leather Foot Controls: Custom-Tan Leather Gas Tank(S): Douglas Style By Mike ‘The Pipe’ Oil Tank: N/A Front Fender: None Rear Fender: Custom 5” Spined Fender Seat: Brooks Bicycle Saddle With Tool Pouch Headlight: Lowbrow Polished Aluminum/Brass Grill TailLight: Lowbrow Polished Aluminum/Brass Grill Speedo: Motogadget Photographer: Del Hickey
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you in these pictures and then consider this: Queen Anne’s Revenge was never intended to be a show bike. That was never part of the plan. In fact, it was built to what Perry calls “a very tight budget” and that the final result was of such quality that it was accepted into the AMD World Championship is a huge testament to the work of some truly talented Bristol artisans. Queen Anne’s Revenge achieved seventh place in its class, Retro Modified, which was the most keenly contested and hard fought of all the categories. Up against some of the best in the world, that is a fantastic achievement. Once back home it was
time to attend to the more prosaic parts of the build, like getting the bike MoT’d so that Perry could actually take to the road on it. And who wouldn’t want to ride this bike? Blessed with state of the art technology combined styling from almost a century ago, it’s perfect for a jaunt while dressed to the nines in your finest attire. Even the birds in the hedgerows will turn their heads as you roll by. This is a bike up to which the owner will have to live up to and, given that Perry has already had Tim at TJC paint a Davida helmet to match the XS, I think the gentleman is more than capable of that task!
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Life gets more exciting by the minute. Events are opening, restaurants opened, strip clubs are opening and Climate Change is fixed thanks to fossil fuels. The latest headline should read, “Climate is Saved Thanks to Fossil Fuels.” Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials are set for the 25th of August and Sturgis should be massive this year. Let’s hit the news and then go for a ride: NEW HARLEY-DAVIDSON® HOMETOWN RALLY SET FOR LABOR DAY WEEKEND - Milwaukee Will Host a Bigger, Better Biker Bash with Music and Special Events -The biker bash of the season is back and bigger than ever. HarleyDavidson has announced plans for the all-new Hometown Rally, a Labor Day weekend celebration of moto-culture centered in Milwaukee, the city where it all began for the Motor Company. The HarleyDavidson Museum will serve as a central rally point Sept. 2-6, 2021, for events taking place at that downtown site and at six surrounding HarleyDavidson® dealerships. “The Hometown Rally is an event
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no Harley-Davidson fan will want to miss,” said Jochen Zeitz, chairman, president and CEO, HarleyDavidson. “It will be a celebration of all things Harley, a chance to reconnect with other riders who share the desire for adventure, freedom and community that is the real heart of the Harley-Davidson experience.”
Throughout the Hometown Rally weekend, the 20-acre campus of the Harley-Davidson Museum will host the party of the summer, with free live concerts on three consecutive nights, food-and-beverage sites, stunt exhibitions and skills demonstrations,
2021 Harley-Davidson® motorcycle demos, and motorcycle showcases hosted by Born Free and V-Twin Visionary. The Museum will be open for general admission during the event. The Museum will also host a H.O.G.® member Check-In, and there will be a H.O.G. member Check-In at each of the six participating HarleyDavidson dealerships in the area. Event H.O.G.® merchandise will also be available. Milwaukee-area Harley-Davidson dealerships will also be hosting Hometown Rally events and entertainment. Those dealerships include House of Harley-Davidson (Greenfield), Milwaukee HarleyDavidson (Milwaukee), Suburban Motors Harley-Davidson (Thiensville), Uke’s Harley-Davidson (Kenosha), West Bend Harley-Davidson (West Bend) and Wisconsin HarleyDavidson (Oconomowoc). Hometown Rally details and schedules will be finalized and revealed throughout the summer. Check for updates at H-D.com/ hometownrally, where links to dealer sites for specific info on those schedules and events will also be posted. Harley-Davidson relies on local health guidelines to inform our participation and protect our staff, our riders and our communities. -www.h-d.com VANCE & HINESANNOUNCES SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM FOR NHRA PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE RIDERS Vance & Hines, one of the nation’s premier performance motorcycle accessory manufacturers, announced a contingency sponsorship program offering payouts to riders in the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle (PSM) class who use the new Vance & Hines VHIL18504V Suzuki-based engine and Vance & Hines Carbon Pipe. Riders that meet the requirements
will receive $500 for a race win and $250 as a runner-up. “Terry Vance and Byron Hines made a name for themselves and started this company at a racetrack. We do everything we can to support racing with great engines and components, this contingency payout is our way of saying thank you to our riders,” said President of Vance & Hines Mike Kennedy. To qualify for the contingency payment, the rider must run the appropriate equipment and have Vance & Hines identification on their bike. The NHRA will determine who is awarded the payments. Vance & Hines Team riders are not eligible for this prize money. www.vanceandhines.com. RAWHYDE ADVENTURES OPENS -Zakar Overland Terrain Park and Event Center - RawHyde Adventures, the nation’s premier adventure motorcycle training & tour organization, is thrilled to announce the opening of its new Zakar Overland Terrain Park and Event Center. Located in the heart of the Mojave Desert, Zakar will serve the Powersports, Overlanding, and 4x4 industries as a venue for off-road oriented companies to host media events, product launches, corporate retreats, meetings, and more. RawHyde founder Jim Hyde explains: “RawHyde’s mission is to provide meaningful and memorable experiences for our customers, whether it be in our adventure motorcycle training courses or on one of our guided tours in the backcountry of North and South America. With the opening of our Zakar Event Center, we can now help other companies in our industry create world-class experiences of their own. Ideally situated just two hours north of Los Angeles in the magical Mojave Desert, RawHyde’s Zakar facility was designed to host off-road-themed events. From the professionally built terrain park to the full-service
commercial kitchen and private guest accommodations, Zakar has everything needed to welcome a range of group sizes. On-site accommodations (up to 32 people) *additional lodging hotels close by. Zakar is near a major freeway with a dedicated offramp to our facility for easy drayage, shipping of equipment, and trucking services. Full-service commercial kitchen with a team of chefs with food service for up to 400 people, plus a 60-person indoor dining hall, bar and lounge. 100-acre professionally built terrain
park for product demos without need for permits or licenses. Rentals available for motorcycles, ATV’s or Side X Sides. To learn more about RawHyde’s new Zakar Event Center, visit www.zakar-events.com. For additional questions or to get a quote for your event, call (702) 2098503. HARLEY-DAVIDSON, INC. (“HARLEY-DAVIDSON”) (NYSE: HOG) TODAY ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF LIVEWIRE AS AN ALLELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE BRAND -LiveWire is more than a motorcycle. LiveWire plans to redefine electric, delivering the best experience for the urban rider, with personality and soul. LiveWire creates a unique connection between rider and vehicle. Today, the next chapter in the LiveWire journey
begins. Jochen Zeitz, chairman, president and CEO of Harley-Davidson: “One of the six pillars of The Hardwire Strategy is to lead in electric – by launching LiveWire as an all-electric brand, we are seizing the opportunity to lead and define the market in EV. With the mission to be the most desirable electric motorcycle brand in the world, LiveWire will pioneer the future of motorcycling, for the pursuit of urban adventure and beyond. LiveWire also plans to innovate and develop technology that will be applicable to Harley-Davidson electric motorcycles in the future.” The first LiveWire branded motorcycle is scheduled to launch on July 8, 2021 and to premiere at the International Motorcycle Show on July 9, 2021. For more information and updates, register at livewire. com. Unique lineage: LiveWire draws on its DNA as an agile disruptor from the lineage of Harley-Davidson, capitalizing on a decade of learnings in the EV sector and the heritage of the most desirable motorcycle brand in the world. Motorcycles + beyond: with an initial focus on the urban market, LiveWire will pioneer the electric motorcycle space, and beyond. Virtual HQ: innovating by design and attracting industry-leading talent, LiveWire will be headquartered virtually, with initial hubs in Silicon Valley, CA (LiveWire Labs) and Milwaukee, WI. Marketplace: from launch, LiveWire will work with participating dealers from the Harley-Davidson network as an independent brand. An innovative go-to-market model will blend digital and physical retail formats, tailoring the experience to the local market and allowing customers to discover LiveWire on their own terms. Dedicated showroom: seizing the opportunity to lead in EV and August - September ‘21 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 103
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innovating across the customer journey, LiveWire will operate dedicated EV showrooms in select locations, starting in California. Here customers will be able to experience the LiveWire brand in an immersive and innovative way. Technology focus: with a dedicated focus on EV, LiveWire plans to develop the technology of the future and to invest in the capabilities needed to lead the transformation of motorcycling. LiveWire expects to benefit from Harley-Davidson’s engineering expertise, manufacturing footprint, supply chain infrastructure, and global logistics capabilities. Technology sharing: HarleyDavidson and LiveWire intend to cooperate and share their technological advancements to ensure an industry leading application in their respective core segments.
QUICK AMA ALERT-The American Motorcyclist Association is transitioning to a new advocacy platform, VoterVoice, which empowers AMA members and other motorcycling advocates to make their voices heard in the halls of governments across the nation. As we transition to VoterVoice, the AMA would like to ensure that we are engaging our members with the issues that are important to you. As part of that effort, we are asking motorcyclists to complete this two-question survey to indicate what areas of motorcycling advocacy are most important to them. Please take a moment and click the link below if you would like to receive VoterVoice updates on street riding issues, dirt riding issues, or both. As this is platform is developed, we will seek information on specific issues you may be interested in advocating on to continue to deliver the most relevant advocacy content to you. Take the survey at the AMA web site. Once you complete the survey, you can explore the AMA’s new advocacy tools through the Action Center and Bill Tracking tool. Here you will find multiple options for communicating with legislators and administrative officials on the issues that matter most to the motorcycling community. Please note that if you select the “send me text alerts” option, you will receive a confirmation text message. www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com
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THE VINTAGENT--A MOTORCYCLE ARTS FOUNDATION PRODUCTION - The Edge Ltd., producer of “Walter: The Missing Link” is honored to have The Vintagent, a Motorcycle Arts Foundation production, announce the release of the “Walter” documentary. The Motorcycle Arts Foundation (MAF) is the world’s largest 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to the creation, preservation, and distribution of motorcycle arts. The MAF champions the cultural importance of motorcycles and the impact they have on various art-forms around the world. “Walter: The Missing Link - Discovery of a Centennial Motorcycle” is the story of the lastknown Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Truck in existence, affectionately known as Walter. This documentary chronicles the life and times of Walter the forecar
from its early days of service on the streets of old Milwaukee, through many decades of desolation stored in a horse barn, and then decades of restoration to eventually become the most valuable service motorcycle in the world. Along the way, the producer explores the history of three-wheeled motorcycles; the Harley-Davidson Motor Company’s development of commercial service and delivery motorcycles, and most importantly documents one man’s adventure in restoring a motorcycle that had been in his family for nearly a century. Independent producer James Cutting considers the discovery of Walter to be the most extraordinary barnfind of our times. In the end, Walter delivers a lesson to embrace our past and forge the relationships that shape our future. “Walter: The Missing Link
– Discovery of a Centennial Motorcycle” documentary will be released in 2021. A late-summer premiere is planned in Milwaukee. For more information please contact executive producer James Cutting. Please visit The Vintagent “Walter” announcement at the following link/ https://thevintagent.com/film/ TUCKER POWERSPORTS LAUNCHES EXTENSIVE NEW PRODUCT CATALOG FEATURING E-BIKES, SCOOTERS AND GEAR Company’s E-Power Efforts Focused on Helping Dealers Enter Rapidly Growing E-Bike Market with over 200 New Products Fort Worth TX - Tucker Powersports, one of the country’s largest powersports product distributors, has launched an extensive catalog of products which will equip motorcycle and ATV dealers with the products necessary to succeed in the electric bicycle market. The Tucker e-Power product line includes electric bicycles, electric scooters, riding gear, apparel and related equipment. The worldwide electric bike industry has experienced tremendous growth and is expected to grow by over 50% and reach nearly $35 billion in 2026. “We are taking steps to help our dealer network broaden their product offering which will draw in a new audience looking for fun-to-ride bikes and scooters, along with the clothing and gear that make the experience even better,” said Brad Turner, Tucker’s VP of Sales. “Our launch of the e-Power line with over 200 products makes it one of our largest new product programs ever.” Tucker advised their dealers of their new e-Power program and has provided a full digital catalog of products that include hard-toget electric mountain bikes, electric scooters, helmets, gloves, apparel, elbow and knee pads and braces, tires, lubricants, cleaners, tools, locks, alarms, handlebars, carriers and straps. Many of the apparel products are available for adults and children. Several of the new products are sourced from current Tucker partners like 100%, Muc-Off and Strider, along with bicycle tools and equipment from Tucker’s BikeMaster brand. Tucker
THE CYCLE SOURCE WORLD REPORT - POWERED BY BIKERNET.COM will also implement training and support programs for their e-Power dealers, including additional point of sale supplies and digital marketing materials. The most notable additions to the Tucker product line include a selection of high-performance electric mountain bikes from Italian motorcycle and bicycle maker, Fantic, and a broad range of electric scooters from Dualtron and Minimotors Speedway. Tucker is now the US distributor for Fantic e-bikes, a company founded in Italy in 1968 which has earned loyal fans throughout Europe. Off-road bicyclists have shown particular interest in the five high-end products from Fantic. These Italianmade models include the XEF1.9, XTF 1.5, XTF 1.5 Carbon, XMF 1.7 and XMF 1.7 Carbon. All five bikes feature namebrand components, full suspension and disc brakes. Each bike is available in several frame sizes and the premium models include carbon fiber frames. All feature 36-volt,
250W mid-drive motor from Brose. Battery capability varies by model and retail prices range from $5190 to $7990. Once considered just for kids, electric scooters have evolved to meet the needs of all types of riders. With capabilities that run from a fun commuter platform to serious offroad performer, and ranges of up to
80 miles per charge, these aren’t the old aluminum units that are in the back of many garages. Tucker’s offering of 16 scooters from Dualtron and Minimotors Speedway include options like hydraulic disc brakes, ABS, no-puncture inflatable
tires and LED lights. Retail prices run from $1029 to $4690. Tucker’s trained sales reps will assist dealers in ordering a product mix that meets the needs of their customers. “This is just a start,” said Marc McAllister, President and CEO of Tucker Powersports. “Electric vehicles are a big part of the world’s future transportation and recreation. The mission of our e-Power line is to help our dealer network take advantage of this tremendous opportunity to expand their business and bring in a whole new segment of customers There you have it: All the news that’s fit to print. If you need a weekly report slip over to Bikernet.com for a fix. It’s never dull. In the meantime, ride fast and free forever! --Bandit
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everal years ago, I dragged out my trusty tent and sleeping bag to camp at the Strange Days vintage motorcycle event. We’d taken over a farmer’s field for the weekend, and it was just as you’d expect—a crazy weekend filled with bikes, bike parts, music, and partying. And, because we were in the mountains of Northwest New Jersey, of course there was the usual rainstorm… or three. I went to sleep with a false sense of security that was shattered when I woke up early to find about an inch of water inside my tent. My sleeping bag and other belongings were completely soaked. I packed up all my soggy crap and headed home,
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Article And Photos By: Marjorie Kleiman vowing to get a better tent before the next camping trip.
In the past, I’d always had good luck with Eureka! Tents: they were
well made and fairly inexpensive for the high level of quality they provided. So I figured I’d give Eureka! another chance. What I found was that tent technology had improved dramatically since the last time I’d purchased one. Vast improvements had been made in terms of air circulation, weight, structural integrity, and waterproofing. I selected the Midori 2-Person tent, which was closest in size and function to what I’d owned in the past. The first thing I noticed was that the sides of the tent were made of netting rather than polyester. To achieve more warmth, privacy, or rain protection,
the included rain fly was required. I wasn’t sure how much I’d like this new arrangement, but figured I’d give it a chance. The Midori 2 is considered a threeseason tent: spring, summer, and fall. That was fine with me; I’m not really a winter camper anyway. Although the sleeping capacity is touted for two people, I find that when I carry a lot of gear, the floor size of 88” x 55” is just perfect for my sleeping bag and me, two pieces of luggage, my helmet, jacket, and boots and whatever other stuff I prefer to stow in my tent rather than leaving it on the bike. If I were looking for a true two-person tent, I would have gotten the Midori 3, which is fine for two people, their sleeping bags, and some gear. The Midori 1, although advertised as a oneperson tent, is too minimalist for me, but if you like sleeping in close quarters with little storage space this may be a good option for you. Setting up the tent was quick and simple. Once I practiced a few times, I was able to get the tent and rain fly in place in less than 10 minutes. The poles are aluminum, much more durable than fiberglass which can break easily. The tent has a “bathtub” floor, meaning the seams are not where the walls join the floor, but instead are located partway up the walls. This prevents rain and moisture from seeping in from the ground under the floor. Another feature I look for is enough inside height so I don’t have to get dressed and undressed lying down. The Midori 2 is 3’ 7” high at its peak, which is fine for my 5’ 4” frame. Weight
and packing size are also important for motorcycle camping. This tent, including the rain fly, weighs 4 lb. 7 oz., and packs at 5” by 18”, meaning that it can fit in one of my saddlebags. One of the most important attributes of any tent is its waterproofing
properties, and the Midori 2 passed every test I threw at it. I’ve been camping through rainstorms and high winds, and the double-stitched, sealed seams ensured that the tent performed admirably, with not a drop of water appearing inside. This put my doubts about the mesh wall panels to rest. Not only does the mesh prevent condensation from gathering inside the tent, but the flow-through
properties, combined with the hooded fly vents, add much-needed stability in the wind. In fact, one weekend it was raining so hard I had to set up my tent on concrete under a pavilion so I couldn’t use any stakes, and although it was quite windy at times, the tent has such good air circulation that it didn’t budge. The rain fly is actually a fullcover layer that can be placed over the entire tent, the hooks attach to the bottom of the tent and stakes secure it to the ground. Hooded vents are incorporated into the rain fly that combined with the mesh walls, provide better air circulation inside the tent. The vestibule adds another 10 feet of space, and keeps rain and wind from the front of the tent. For convenience, there are two interior pockets and a gear “loft” that attaches to the ceiling so you can find your phone, flashlight, or eyeglasses— or better yet, not roll over and crush them while you’re sleeping. As with any tent, it’s recommended that a ground cloth, or tarp, be placed underneath so that stones and such don’t poke through the floor. Eureka! offers a selection of ground cloths that can be purchased separately. The company also offers an inside tent “floor” that can be placed under your sleeping mat or sleeping bag so everything doesn’t slide around. The tent floor also provides another layer of insulation, as well as more August - September ‘21 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 107
protection. Eureka! is an American company founded in 1895, and is still headquartered in Binghamton, New York. The company also runs a factory outlet in that city, and tents can be purchased at numerous outdoor stores across the country as well as online. The company offers a liberal warranty; with proper care, your tent should last for years. Since I first acquired the Midori 2, Eureka! has upgraded this model, which now has two doors and two vestibules on opposite sides of the tent. Because of this, and a few other improvements, packing size is now 6” x 20”—still small enough to fit easily on your bike. I’m tempted to buy this new model as a replacement, but my Midori 2 has served me flawlessly for nearly four years. So why mess with a good thing? (eurakacamping.com)
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ADVERTISERS INDEX 5 Ball Racing Leather..................95 Bare Bones Leather....................110 Battery Outlet.............................113 BikerNet.com..............................110 Bling’s Cycles...............................68 Buffalo Chip..................................91 Chop Cult....................................110 Cycle Source Gear.........................4 Cycle Stop USA...........................30 DB Custom Leather......................46 Dennis Kirk..................................115 Denver’s Choppers......................95 Drag Specialties.............................5 Drag Specialties Seats..................9 Dutchman....................................113 Faith Forgotten Choppers..........109 Feuling.........................................111 Garage Built Podcast...................85 GEICO.............................................3 High Seas Rally.............................45 Hot Leathers...............................109 Kiwi Indian....................................29 Led Sled.......................................63 MC Creations..............................113 Mikuni............................................55 Motion Pro.....................................51 No School Choppers...................30 Pandemonium..............................20 Paughco...................................19,57 Paul Yaffe’s Bagger Nation..........32 Progressive Insurance.................33 Providence Cycle Worx................87 Russ Brown..................................27 S&S Cycle...................................116 S100............................................101 SpeedKing....................................15 Sporty Parts................................113 Spectro Oils...................................21 Steel Pony Campground..............69 Tech Cycles..................................29 Tropical Tattoo..............................46 Twin Power......................................2 Twisted Choppers.........................17 Wheels Of Steel...........................101 Zipper’s Performance...................75
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other superior tells two new nuns that they have to paint their room without getting any paint on their clothes. One nun suggests to the other, “Hey, let’s take all our clothes off, fold them up, and lock the door.” So they do this, and begin painting their room. Soon they hear a knock at the door. They ask, “Who is it?” “Blind man!” The nuns look at each other and one nun says, “He’s blind, so he can’t see. What could it hurt?” They let him in. The blind man walks in and says, “Hey, nice tits. Where do you want me to hang the blinds?” Billy
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hat’s the difference between a genealogist and a gynecologist? A genealogist looks up the family tree, a gynecologist looks up the family bush. Dr. Joe
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family’s driving behind a garbage truck when a dildo flies out and thumps against the windshield. Embarrassed, and trying to spare her young son’s innocence, the mother turns around and says, “Don’t worry, dear. That was just an insect.” “Wow,” the boy replies. “I’m surprised it could get off the ground with a cock like that!” Zack
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n old woman walked into a dentist’s office, took off all her clothes, and spread her legs. The dentist said, “I think you have the wrong room.” “You put in my husband’s teeth last week,” she replied. “Now you have to remove them.” Buddy
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bet you can’t tell me something that will make me both happy and sad at the same time,” a husband says to his wife. She thinks about it for a moment and then responds, “Your penis is bigger than your brother’s.” Jimmy
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man rushes his limp dog to the veterinarian. The doctor
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pronounces the dog dead. The agitated man demands a second opinion. The vet goes into the back room and comes out with a cat. The cat sniffs the body and meows. The vet says, “I’m sorry, but the cat thinks that your dog is dead, too.” The man is still unwilling to accept that his dog is dead. The vet brings in a black Labrador. The lab sniffs the body and barks. The vet says, “I’m sorry, but the lab thinks your dog is dead, too.” The man finally resigns to the diagnosis and asks how much he owes. The vet answers, “$650.” “$650 to tell me my dog is dead?” exclaims the man. “Well,” the vet replies, “I would only have charged you $50 for my initial diagnosis. The additional $600 is for the cat scan and lab tests.” Billy
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wo guys are standing in line to enter heaven. One turned around and asked the other how he died. “I froze to death. How about you?” “I had a heart attack.” “How did that happen?” “Well, I suspected my wife was cheating on me. So after work I went straight home. I ran upstairs to find my wife sleeping by herself. Then I ran back downstairs and looked in all the hiding spots. When I was running back up the stairs, I had a heart attack.” “That’s ironic.” “Why?” “If you would’ve looked in the fridge, we’d both be alive.” Kevin
n old man is met by his attorney, and is told he is going to be audited. He rides to the IRS office with his attorney, and when he gets there, he begins to talk with the IRS agent. “I bet $2,000 I can bite my own eye!” The IRS agent agrees to the bet, believing it an impossible task. The old man laughs, pulls out his glass eye, and bites it. The IRS agent is dumbfounded. The old man bets $3,000 he can bite his other eye. The IRS agent knows there’s no way possible to do this, so he once more agrees. The old man cackles, pulls out his dentures, and bites his eye. Then the old man finally wagers, “I bet $20,000 I can stand on the far side of your desk, pee over the desk, and get it into your wastebasket, without missing a single drop.” The agent knows he won’t be able to, so once more he agrees. The old man indeed misses, peeing all over the desk, and on the paperwork. The IRS agent jumps for joy, but then notices the attorney over in the corner moaning. “Are you all right?” asks the agent. “No! On the way over here, he bet me $400,000 he could pee on your desk and you’d be happy about it!” Jeff
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man and a woman started to have sex in the middle of a dark forest. After about 15 minutes, the man finally gets up and says, “Damn, I wish I had a flashlight!” The woman says, “Me too, you’ve been eating grass for the past ten minutes!” Tim
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