Cycle Source Magazine - February - March 22 Issue 289 by Cycle Source Magazine

December‘10 CYCLE SOURCE

CYCLE SOURCE FEbruary FEbruary '22 - March '22 7

BIKES Tequil'Ya

Brock Bridges' 1969 Shovelhead ................................................................. 22

The Golden Knight

Bobby Shadley's 1972 XLCH ...............................................................................40

Tribute

Mondo's Tribute To Denver .............................................................................. 58

The Orphan

Johnny 99's 1967 Sportster ............................................................................. 70

Flat Out 45

Shad Reed's SOS Racer .......................................................................................80

The Mule

Garage Builder Tommy Goode's 1952 Panhead .....................................90

Tea Dragger

Twisted Tea's Homage To The Drag Strip ..................................................94

FEATURES 2021 Year In Review

A Look Back At The Year That Was ..................................................................10

FXR Evolution

Update On The Dennis Kirk Give-A-Way FXR ............................................ 28

Best Of Awards

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due .............................................................. 30

Sons Of Speed

A Step Back In Time At The New Smyrna Speedway ............................ 46

Vapor Honing 101

Xavier Lays It Out ................................................................................................... 52

Top 10 Feature Bikes Of 2021

The People Have Spoken ................................................................................... 65

Born Free 12

It's Really All About The Motorcycles ....................................................... 100

TECH

As The Engine Turns

Engine Turning With Daniel ............................................................................. 18

Sumping's Wrong

TP Engineering's Pro Series Smart Pump ................................................ 34

Let There Be LED

Stella's Final Upgrades With Jenny ............................................................. 54

6 February '22 - March '22 - Cycle SOURCE MAGAZINE

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

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, Matt Reel

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Chris Callen, Heather Callen, Mad Stork Ken, Mark Velazquez, Twila Knight, Dan Venditto, Melissa Shoemaker, Deb Fitch

CONTRIBUTORS

Kelly Lynn, Jenny Lefferts, Fish Alcorn

STAFF ARTISTS Chris Callen

ADVERTISING

Heather Callen- Sales Manager - cyclesourcemain@comcast.net

GRAPHIC ARTISTS Chris Callen, Heather Callen

DISTRIBUTION

Comag 5230 Finch Ave. E., Ste. 1, Toronto, ON, M1S 4Z9 Cycle Source - Dealership Direct Distribution 724-226-2867

CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Heather Callen - 724-226-2867

COPY EDITOR Judy Duggan

SPARE PARTS Product Spotlight

A Closer Look At The Klincher Clutch ........................................................... 93

In The News

The World Report Powered by BikerNet.com ......................................... 100

DEPARTMENTS

From The Editor’s Desk .................................................... 8 Pin-Up Of The Month ....................................................... 16 Art Of Our Culture ............................................................. 38 Photo Hunt ........................................................................... 64 Chopper Charlie ............................................................... 76 Great American Road Chip ......................................... 86 Killing Time With X ........................................................ 104 Gut Busters ........................................................................ 114

LEGAL COUNSEL

James L. Paz Attorney at Law - Tarentum, PA - 724-226-9PAZ For Any Subscription Questions Call 724-226-2867 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

ABOUT THE COVER

Mondo Porras and the cover bike owner Gerald Casey have been two men we have the privilege of calling brothers. As examples of true old school style and values they both fit the bill and more. When it comes to this bike, as a tribute to one of the OGs that made choppers what they are, well that just proves our point. February '22 - March '22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 7

o this will not be a political rant focused on blame and accusation. I’m not going to pump sunshine up your ass either and make believe that tough times don’t suck, they do, and we’re in ‘em. Everything from the bottom to the top has been compromised for one reason or another, and the United States is facing more challenges than ever before. Now, what this means on a personal level is that while prices are going up like crazy, the workforce still reels in the post-COVID apocalypse, and even when you do have money for something, it might be next to impossible to get. New words are being invented for describing this to each other like, “Intergalactic Backorder.” As if we need a new super description for “Shit Outta Luck Holmes.” It’s making it hard to find the holiday spirit during a time that should be reserved for quiet personal reflection. But, what I will tell you, is that no matter what happens next, there is a choice for how we deal with it. You see, this is where I have to fall back into why I got involved in the motorcycle culture to begin with. Living in South Western PA, amongst the dilapidated ruins of the steel and coal industries, times were always sketchy when it came to the dollar bill. But with the type of people that were always around motorcycles or any garage hobby, there was a feverish sense of community, one that lent itself to cooperation and not just on building a bike. No, in fact,

8 February '22 - March '22 - Cycle SOURCE MAGAZINE

the bike was always the last thing in line, but many times you’d see a group of us together helping with a roof on a brother’s house, helping to fix the family grocery-getter, or whatever. Life was hard, but times were good as long as we had each other. We have these same resources available to us today. Even though there are many newcomers to this scene, the principles are still true. We do have each other. However, it’s entirely up to you how that plays out. I can tell you from my perspective that helping another person figure out their dilemma is often the exact remedy you need to figure out your own. Now, this might be a twenty till payday, a few hours in the garage getting a motorcycle running, or just sometimes lending an ear, but those opportunities are there. You hear so many comments about how this thing isn’t like it once was, but the truth is that plenty of us still adhere to this code, but it is up to us to see the entire culture around motorcycles are made up of people like this. This involves some tough love, though. There are many times in this thing when a person comes into our ranks and right away has been identified as a taker. Most of us know this, but still, out of fear of social media retribution or just plain FOMO, we seem to not only not say anything to the contrary about them, but some of us line up to kiss their ass on every insta-post. STOP IT! Now, I don’t recommend attacking a person

like this, but at the very least, do not encourage others to replicate this bad behavior by trying to emulate a person who is simply receiving false praise. On the other hand, lend a hand. If there is a cause or an opportunity in your circle, get involved, help out. That could be in a big way or many small ones. It can be something as simple as letting one of the younger guys hang around the garage and maybe learn a few things from you, pass on the finer points of our culture while you do. It’s our turn to see this thing to the next place, to make sure that what this is all about comes from the heart and continues to be impervious to pop culture and trends. But no one is going to do this for you. It is not popular to have values today. You won’t get an outpouring of adoration on social media for upholding these principles. You simply have to trust that it is the right thing to do. That said, this is our Year In Review Issue. If you’ve never experienced one, we have been doing this since 2007, and it is our way to take a look back at the end of one year and the beginning of another. Everyone at Source Media wishes you and your family the best for the coming year, and God willing, we all get through these tough times with many great stories and a few more quality people in our circle.

February '22 - March '22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 9

e have carried out the idea of a “Year In Review” issue every year since 2007. I can remember writing each article that ushered in the Year In Review issue, and while each of them had their own ups and downs, I can remember last year’s like it was yesterday. We had just come through what we thought then was the worst part of COVID and were sure that we would be back to normal by Daytona. After thinking that 2020 was one of the hardest years, we had ever faced, the sequel was a real pisser! Rally attendance was hit or miss. Everyone was holding back on production costs, so even when the numbers were strong, there seemed to be less happening. Stores that sell magazines that closed altogether during the first wave of the pandemic were opening slowly, but some of them had decided not to carry some products anymore, magazines being among them. But our readers were there, strong and steady. If you were one of the hundreds of people that included notes in with your subscription giving us a little extra support, please know that you are the reason we forged ahead. The editorial this month goes into that in detail a little

10 February '22 - March '22 - Cycle SOURCE MAGAZINE

more, but suffice it to say it warmed our hearts to realize that this community still lives and dies together. While there were some hard times, plenty of bad times, this was the year we had for 2021, so let’s take a look back before we box this one up and put it in the rearview! THE INDUSTRY: The industry came into 2021 like a bear, with many

suppliers reporting all-time record sales. After all, everyone was home, had some government money and little else to distract them from time with their motorbikes. I guess it was somewhere around the middle of the year that this would create a vacuum. You see, those parts had to come from

somewhere, and all of a sudden, they stopped. Shortly before this, it was a joke that if you had a stack of 2x4 lumber, you could trade it for a Knucklehead, but that quickly became the fact that if you had the most common size tires for a bagger, you could pretty much name your price. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been for anyone who survives on dayto-day counter business to stay in the game, and we wish them the best for the year to come. Hopefully, this supply shortage gets figured out, and we can start to get back to some semblance of normalcy. One thing that was a strong blip was the introduction of Bagger racing. Unfortunately, by early this year, they had split into two factions. One was Bagger Racing League, and the other was Road America. This took a little bit of the wind outta the sails of what could have been a lot stronger. V-Twin Visionary announced a new partnership with Harley-Davidson and their intention to do a traveling roadshow for 2022, and by mid ’21, they were already pulling off more activations for the performance V-Twin crowd. Two of the strongest things on the manufacturer’s side were the H-D Pan America and the new Sportster S. It would seem that with a

Article By: Chris Callen Photos By: Cycle Source Staff & Contributors

February '22 - March '22 - Cycle Source mAGAZINE mAGAZINE 11

12 February '22 - March '22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

combination of these two models and the news by late year that Harley was putting some distance between the motor company and the Livewire that they had a new direction and were redirecting for it quickly. On the Indian front, however, things were pretty quiet. I mean, they had the racing, some other PR stuff like the Paul Cox build but by and large, no real big maneuvers from that camp in ’21. As far as racing goes, the AHDRA came back on the scene this year, and it, along with outlaw-type racing events at drag racetracks, found renewed enthusiasm around the country. One such event was pulled off at the Sturgis Dragway by the San Diego Customs guys and was straight-up outlaw drag racing. One company seemed to be in the right place at the right time with some of the changes that went on this year, and that’s Dennis Kirk. While many were still focused on the national builders with name brand recognition, they have been quietly investing in the culture of the Garage Builder, and you could see that coming into play hardcore as ‘21 progressed. In some ways, it is very refreshing as this is where it all started for so many of us, and for there to be a bridge to the next chapter of it, we believe that the same path may need to be followed. THE CULTURE: The performance segment as a whole really came into its own in 2021. A phenomenon that started over the past five years as an undercurrent seemed to explode in the past year, so much so that we started a second magazine, under the leadership of Jason Hallman, to cover it all. Once again, young dudes were buying new bikes and tearing them apart to make them better, faster, and in the end, riding the dog shit outta them. Suddenly, there was a new stage set with new names and faces to go along with it. Sure, some of the same companies got in on it, but the energy and enthusiasm were a breath of fresh air. The chopper thing rolls on, and while still a strong segment, the once new and original events like Born Free and Mama Tried are entering the decade mark and really haven’t changed their format much, so you wonder what’s next. There are many low-key events popping up where cats are doing their own thing in different ways, and if anything can be said about it as a whole, it will be exciting to see where it goes next. One thing is for sure, it’s all in a state of change, and there are no guarantees that what’s hip and chopular today will remain so tomorrow. While big events like Sturgis are seemingly immune to the disorders of the pandemic, the mid-level, more regional events have been struggling. Partially I believe this to be their homogenized approach to what they offer. They want to hire exactly the same bands, same vendors, same turkey leg guy, and at the end of the day, treat the

February '22 - March '22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 13

customers like ass and still rake in the dough like it’s 2001. Most of them even forget that the “Motorcycle” is the biggest part of the “Bike Week” and are more concentrated on their vendor map or band schedule than bikes shows or rides. Fortunately, that model has seen its day, and you can expect to see small rallies like this that take their hometown name and add “Bike Week” to the end of it go away, and thank God! OUR LOSSES: Right off, we need to think about the First Lady of Harley-Davidson passing this year; Nancy Davidson. Who could imagine a day where Willie and Nancy were not touring around checking out motorcycles and greeting fans? Her presence will be sorely missed. Another icon was taken from us in the aftermarket in Jim Matchett, long-time head of Drag Specialties, leaving behind a company that already had historic challenges to overcome due to supply issues. Another great figure from the custom industry that passed this year was Don Hotop. Don was a very talented builder, a member of the Hamsters USA®, and a Hall Of Fame Member. We send our thoughts and prayers to the families of these industry greats and to all who lost a loved one through this challenging year. HOW WE DID: So COVID still has its claws out, but we’re still fighting the effects of it for all we’re worth! In an effort to overcome the changes the newsstand has had on print media, we have moved to doing weekly magazines with our shows. Each week we bring tech, products, bike features, and interviews to our viewers and have found a way to do that without the Distribution Barons getting in the way of their delivery. It’s definitely been more work but very rewarding as well. Additionally, we managed to rework the traditional business model for motorcycle media and launch a brand-new title, Torque Performance. This has been very exciting and has led us to double down with twice the activations, twice the weekly shows, and twice the content. As for all of you, remember that this is all supposed to be fun. Try not to let another day go by that you don’t fully enjoy your time with family and friends, especially those involved in life with the motorcycle. You only get one pass on this crazy trip, and if you’re reading this magazine, you are already looking to make it a good one. Let’s make sure that we draw a line in the sand for the straights to see that there is no room for discussion when it comes to giving up our way of life. Until next year, go do something with your motorcycle. It’s out in the garage, waiting for the next adventure.

14 February '22 - March '22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

February '22 - March '22 - CYCLE SOURCE 15

16 February '22 - March '22 -

CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

February '22 - March '22 - Cycle SOURCE MAGAZINE 17

Article And Photos By: Daniel Donley

www.pandemoniumcustomchoppers.com

ngine turning is a process that involves adding decorative patterns to metal surfaces such as aluminum and stainless, steel. With this process it produces an almost holographic swirly pattern that is amazingly easy to keep clean. Engine turning became exceedingly popular in the 20’s and 30’s on car parts, it was an affordable way to customize and make unique looking parts. The overlapping circles can be applied by hand with a twisting motion. A hand drill or drill press is my choice. Cratex helps make the engine turning process quite simple and affordable. Round rods are available in many sizes and grits. Cratex is like a rubber eraser infused with silicon carbide abrasives. The abrasive is what produces the swirl pattern when turned. The swirly patterns are usually overlapped by ½ the Cratex diameter. They can be overlapped by more than ½ or less to create unique patterns. This is what gives you the handmade look & feel

FFebruary ebruary ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

to your custom parts. For this month’s tech I am going to show you how I do engine turning. Cratex comes in 4 different grits and varied sizes from 3/16 dia to 1” C- Coarse- Steel M-Medium – Stainless/Aluminum F- Fine – Aluminum XF-Extra Fine- Soft Metals The Cratex that I am using here is ½” Dia and approximately 2” in length. This can be mounted directly into your drill press chuck and lightly snugged into place. This reduces you’re working height. So, I chose to cut off a

piece about ½” long using a sturdy bladed razor knife.

Grab a scrap piece of aluminum to give you a basic idea of how this can work. I used a ½ metal rule to lay out some guidelines. This can get as precise as you want it to, or as simple as winging it and doing it freehand. It all depends on the look you are after. Also notice the scratches and imperfections that are on the piece. This is some of the beauty of engine turning, it will hide some of these surface imperfections.

To gain some additional working height I like to make a mandrel for the Cratex. The mandrel can be made of wooden dowl, round steel or aluminum. Whatever you may have around. The mandrels pictured here are approximately 5” length. This allows you to have as much working height as you need.

I then use an epoxy or some type of super glue to attach the Cratex to the mandrel. This has worked very well so far. (Just a side note, I have been using these in my drill press on the slowest speed possible.)

Using a medium grit Cratex, I run the drill press at low speed with minimum pressure applied to the aluminum. Using my reference lines as a ballpark guide, I overlap the swirls about 1/3 leaving the center of each exposed. Continue until you get something like this. The amount of overlap is determined by you and the look you are after. There is no right or wrong way. It is going to be cool either way.

Instead of going in a straight line here is another application. Something that is round. I just took a piece of CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE - February February ‘22 - March ‘22

scrap plywood and screwed a washer to it for my application. This will allow me to rotate the round part. For the round part it was best to start in the center completing a row then working my way outward. Still using about 1/3 overlap. Engine turning is a quite simple and straightforward process. There is lots of information and how to do it on the web. The history on it is also remarkably interesting as it has been around for quite some time. It is a straightforward way to take a simple part and really give it a unique look that has a handmade appearance. Check out www.cratex.com 800-800-4077 If there is something that you would like to see a Tech article on or have

FFebruary ebruary ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

any questions, please call me or email me. Daniel Donley Pandemonium Custom Choppers FB- Pandemonium Custom Choppers

IG- pandemoniumc2 happydandemonium@gmail.com pandemoniumcustomchoppers.com

CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE - February February ‘22 - March ‘22

first met Brock Bridges at the Broken Spoke Saloon in Ormond Beach, Florida, during the 2021 Cycles Source Magazine Custom Bike show. Not only was I introduced to him but also this killer 1969 Flatside Shovelhead that he has fondly dubbed Tequil’Ya. On a side note, that same day, Tequil’Ya just so happened to

FFebruary ebruary ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

take home the trophy for Best Shovelhead. Unlike his motorcycles, which scream look at me due to their impeccable craftsmanship, Brock is not the kind that seeks the spotlight. Growing up in Central Illinois, where it’s often referred to as God’s Country. Brock’s a really laid-back dude. At 12 years of age, he started pinstriping by painting a

number on any hotrod at the dragstrip that had cash in hand. Most of the farmers in central Illinois had the lettering painted on their trucks by “that 14-year-old kid with the paintbox.” The whole concept for Tequil’Ya, including the name, was created with the help of some good friends and, of course, a little help from the nectars of the Gods.

Article And Photos By: Mark Garcia

CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE - February February ‘22 - March ‘22

Let’s take a look at this showstopping Shovelhead. There are a few things, in particular, that stand out, like the bold blue glass velocity stack by Bare Knuckle Performance. The blue cover on the Morris Magneto and the cloth-looking plug wires make the blue tones come together. The stainless steel exhaust pipes run along the b-side and then come pokin’ out behind the oil tank. Brack, himself, handled all the fab work that went into all of those beds. From front to back, you go from the front 21’’, to the rear 18’’ both sitting on spoke wheels. It is important to note that everything in between those slicks was fabricated by Brock Bridges. The paint is HOK Oriental Blue, which was expertly applied by Bridges, who also

FFebruary ebruary ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

handled the pinstriping and silver leaf, is an eyecatcher. The rear brakes are Brembo. Not only do they look coolio but they are the only stopping power on this machine. This bike has so many intricate features, like the oil lines that make a loop -D- loop and the doorknob shifter. This bike is what we like to call a “double take” because so many small details were executed with skilled craftsmanship that you have to look more than once to take it all in. Despite being on the scene for just a few years, Brock isn’t a stranger to these pages. As a matter of fact, he’s already graced our cover not once but twice before! There’s also a rumor that we may have another of his phenomenal builds waiting in the wings for

CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE - February February ‘22 - March ‘22

Tequil’ya Tech Sheet Owner: Brock Bridges City/State: Nilwood, IL Builder: Brock Bridges Year: 1969 Model: Fl Value: Priceless Time: 2 Months Engine Year: 1969 Model: Shovelhead Builder: Brock Bridges Ignition: Morris Magneto Displacement: 1200 Pistons: Keith Black Heads: Stock Carb: S&S E Cam: Stock Air Cleaner: Bare Knuckle Performance Exhaust: Brock Bridges,Stainless Steel Primary: Inch And A Half Open Belt Transmission Year: 1969 Make: Harley-Davidson Shifting: Suicide Frame Year: 1969 Model: Fl Rake: 32 Degrees Stretch: 2” Forks: Brock Bridges Springer Builder: Brock Bridges Type: Windowed And Shaved Stock Triple Trees: N/A Extension: - 2 Wheels Front Wheel: Spoke Size: 21” Tire: Avon Front Brake: Sucks Rear Wheel: Spoke Size: 18” Tire: Rear Brake: Dual Brembo Paint Painter: Brock Bridges Color: Oriental Blue Type: HOK Graphics: Brock Bridges,Silverleaf, Pinstriping Chroming: Marty The Chromer Accessories Bars: Brock Bridges Risers: Brock Bridges Hand Controls: Foot Controls: Mid Pegs Gas Tank(S): Brock Bridges Oil Tank: Brock Bridges Front Fender: Sucks Rear Fender: Brock Bridges Seat: Brock Bridges Aluminum Headlight: Triangle Tail Light: Prism Speedo: Bugs In Your Teeth Photographer: Mark Garcia

FFebruary ebruary ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

its rightful place. Brock, buddy, from tip to tail, you knocked it out of the park on this one. If you’re not already following him, I suggest you do. Go check him out at @madfab514. You won’t be disappointed! Thanks again Brock, we all appreciate you sharing your talent through your motorcycles.

CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE - February February ‘22 - March ‘22

k, now we are starting to get somewhere in the FXR build. While you were away, we got the engine torn down, a bunch of it out to powder coating and as I sit here writing this it sits ready for reassembly, but that’s a story for the next issue. This issue is all about the forks. Now, at heart I am a chopper kid and will be for life. In that, there are a few tendencies that carry over no matter what style of bike I’m building and first and foremost is frugality. Yessir, I am as cheap as the day is long and if I can get something free or damn close to it, even if it needs a little TLC, well sir, I’m in! So, when it came time to talk about the front suspension for this build, of course the choices out there from the bazillion dollar high end manufacturers came up but I chose to stick with an

FFebruary ebruary ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

old favorite, the GSXR. These bikes have always had far superior suspension than the Harleys and for a fraction of the price. If you happen to find one on the used market like I

did, a quick $300 will get you a great set of forks for a build like this. Only thing you have to do is have a neck stem machined, and most likely put new seals in it. For that I enlisted an Ohlin’s

certified tech, Keith Thompson. Now, not being familiar with these forks, I asked Keith to show us how to tear them down. He starts by bottoming out the

tool and the assembly is taken apart. From here one bolt on the bottom will release the cartridge and all that is left are the feet. Now this is where some finesse

preload adjustment, so you know where it is on reassembly, but not too tight. Then he uses an impact to break the top nut loose, hand cranks it after it’s loosened. From there you can spill out the fluid, then it’s into the fork spring compressor

comes in handy. A little heat goes a long way as these feet are put on with loctite. Remove the set screw that holds them in place. Heat the entire circumference of the foot and using the axle from the bike apply light twisting pressure until they turn off. If it

gets tight, stop and apply more heat. DO NOT try to power through or you’ll be sorry. Now all we have to do is put new seals and bushings in it and put them back together. Tune in next issue for where we go next but, in the meantime, get over to denniskirk.com/garagebuild to sign up for a chance to win the Garage Build Rideaway FXR Evolution.

CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE - February February ‘22 - March ‘22

Results compiled from over 10,000 digital and mail-in ballots.

2021’s Best Production Model motorcycle

Harley-Davidson Pan America While many of us kept one eyebrow raised as Harley talked about its impending offering to the dual sport segment, we also eagerly awaited its release. When it came out, the Pan America was anything but too heavy and underpowered as suspicions would have it. Instead, it featured the new Revolution® Max liquid-cooled power train with 150 horsepower. All of a sudden, it seemed as if Harley was back in the lead and then they started to show up everywhere. Even in the mad labs of performance mod guys who would look to quickly understand this new platform and find a way to work within it to make more power. The bike is fun, it’s full of technology and proof that Harley-Davidson still has an ear to the ground when it comes to its customer base. For continuing to lead we are proud to announce The Harley-Davidson Pan America as the 2021 Cycle Source Readers’ Best Production Model Motorcycle of the Year!

2021’s motorcycling’s Man of the year

Willie T Jones - Tropical Tattoo’s Head Man And ChopperTime Creator

This year we all took a deep breath and held it as the news of Willie’s accident came in. Hit by a drunk driver on Main Street of Daytona off rally in April. Suddenly, the man responsible for so many of us having a place to call home during Bike Week, was in pretty bad shape. A lifetimetime tattoo artist and shop owner Willie is best known to the motorcycle world for the twice a year event at his Ormond Beach business Tropical Tattoo. Choppertime as he and everyone calls it is legendary at this point but few of us could imagine what it would be like without him. Fortunately by Biketoberfest it was starting to look like he was on his way to recovery and we will never have to. Through the year friends and family got together and helped with some donations and even held an event to the same end called Willie-paloza. For his lifetime commitment to the chopper cuture, and for throwing the greatest chopper show in history, we are more than honored to name Willie T. Jones as the 2021 Cycle Source Readers’ Motorcycling’s Man of the Year! Photo Courtesy Of: Shawn Ponte

2021’ s motorcycling’s woMan of the year Nancy Davidson

Nancy lost her battle with breast cancer at the age of 89 but in those many years she lived as much as any two lives. As the wife of Willie G Davidson, Nancy was half of the dynamic duo who carried out the duties of ambassadors to the company that carries their last name, but her life started as a school teacher, then moving into full time motherhood before devoting her time to the motorcycle culture as a good will steward. By 2010 she was inducted into the motorcycle Hall of Fame and has undoubtedly touched millions of riders through the years. Wherever Willie was, Nancy was right beside him hitting hundreds of motorcycle events in the United States and abroad furthering the reach of Harley-Davidson. As sad as we were to report of her passing, it brings us great joy to name Nancy Davidson as the 2021 Cycle Source Reader’s Motorcycling Woman of the Year!

Photo Courtesy Of: Harley-Davidson

2021’s sportsperson of the year Sit Down Steve - Stunt Rider

If one thing has come out of the last few years it is the new breed of stunt riders. While the credit of being the innovator of stunt riding a Harley cannot be attributed to 2021’s Sportsmen of the Year, (that title arguably belongs to Jason Pullen [modern era] and to Evel Knievel [OG]) no one can deny that Sit Down Steve definitely helped peg the needle this year as a stand out rider and showman. His group of riders are more of a “crew” rather than a “team” and you never know where or when they will show up. One thing is for certain, no matter when or where, you are definitely in for a show! We can’t wait to see where Steve takes his skill set in 2022. As one of the most influential stunt riders in the country (hell in the world!), Steve has become an overnight sensation in the last decade. Stunt riding has become a staple and like twenty years ago the young guns rode choppers these guys are no less serious and they are definitely driving our industry

FFebruary ebruary ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

2021’s Builder Of the year

Christian Newman - CT Newman Engineering For a relatively young man Christian Newman has accomplished a lot. Newman is a global engineering manager Derrick Corporation In Buffalo, NY. He designs mining equipment during the day and builds bikes after hours at his home shop. Terms like wizardry are often used when talking about his motorcycles as he has knack for finding complex solutions for simple problems on a motorcycle. Mixing new technology with old school styling seems to be a seamless transition in his builds. Taking skinny beyond what has been the skinniest. Finding a way to make something work that everyone swears he never will and challenging himself to build more and more of the bike from scratch each time he starts a new project. For pushing himself and the custom world to the next level we are thrilled to name Christian Newman as The 2021 Cycle Source Readers’ Builder of the Year!

2021’s Best accessory product

Custom Destruction - Custom Helmet Restoration As a welder by trade Wes Slayton was a big fan of vintage helmets but always felt that the old clapped out liners were the downside. During the off hours Wes began to try his hand at reworking the liners of the helmets and before long was using a variety of different materials and designs. His friends had a line of helmets at the ready for him to do and before long he was doing it full time and sending his finished world around the globe. As a veteran owned and operated small business we are more than proud to see that the motorcycle community has provided such an amazing amount of support. We proudly name Custom Destruction as The 2021 Cycle Source Readers’ Accessory Product Of They Year!

2021’s Best performance part

Bareknuckle Performance Axle Lock For Touring Bikes When Paul at Bareknuckle Performance determines a need for a product, It is simply not a casual attempt to sell a new gadget or widget, it is definitely a solution to solve a problem that no one else has made an attempt to fix. This axle lock eccentric kit makes easy work of preventing your rear axle from any fore or aft movement due to extreme horsepower, drag launches and or stunt riding for your bagger swingarm equipped [stock] eccentric axle adjuster. Designed, engineered and manufactured in the USA [as are all Bare Knuckle Performance parts] this part will absolutely solve any loose chain or belt issue you have or prevent any new one from even happening. These kits are labeled for easy installation and Paul and his team have made absolute certain that your axle can never move once the correct tension (chain or belt) remains exactly as you set it!

2021’s best custom product of the year

CT Newman’s Mag Mount Cam Cover Conversion Few humans have the ability to conceptualize a new and innovative product that has the possibility to make everyone stop look and listen like CT Newman can. Whether he is selling weld together frame jigs, building incredible mind-bending Knuckleheads or inventing new ways to fire the cylinders on your Sportster engine. A magneto looks right at home on a Sportster and why shouldn’t it? For a number of years, the XLCH model Sportsters came from the factory with a similar system. We have seen this one in action ourselves so we aren’t surprised at all that the lot of you voted to make the Mag Mount Cover the Best New Custom Product of 2021 further proving that regardless of whether you think a Sportster is a worthy platform or not there is no shortage of innovation and creativity being thrown at one of Harley’s most legendary platforms in the history of Chopperdom.

2021’s Apparel Product of the year Tobacco Motorwear Company - Riding Gear

All Tobacco protective apparel is proudly made in downtown LA and carries a warranty that covers any flaws in the material or craftsmanship. The safety linings of their riding shirts are made from Dupont Kevlar and canvas shells. They are a solid three season option for riding. Their riding jeans are Salvage Kevlar lined and made to make you want to ride in them, offer serious protection and still have no bulky feel that would make you want to change when you get off the bike. They have a full line of men’s women’s boots and accessories. For keeping us safe and comfortable, looking cool with piece of mind we are happy to name Tobacco Motorwear Company Riding Gear as the 2021 Cycle Source Readers’ Best Apparel Product of the Year! CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE - February February ‘22 - March ‘22

2021’s Christian craftsman of the year Sosa - Sosa Metalworks

Christian Sosa is one of the cats in our thing that was an old master almost as soon as he broke out, he’s just that good. His talent with metal shaping gives his finished product the look of organic material. In truth, he started working with metal around the age of 16. In addition to his own custom bikes and hot rods, Sosa offers classes in the form of a 3 day workshop. He has produced his own power hammer named the Shape-o-Matic and has his own shop nestled square in the heart of Las Vegas. He continues to be an inspiration to everyone who wants to take their skills to the next level. For leading by example and teaching others along the way we are proud to name Christian Sosa as the 2021 Cycle Source Magazine Readers’ Craftsman of the Year!

2021’ s Best event of the year Tennessee Motorcycle & Music Revival

Unless you are living under the proverbial rock everyone talks about, you’ve already heard about the Tennessee Motorcycle and Music Revival in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. Not to be confused with the old [now defunct] Tennessee Bike Week, this event is full of friends, fellowship, beer and [the best part] music. From country to rock-n-roll and even a few hip hop artist too, TMMR (as it is affectionately known to its attendees) is a one-stop four day long rally-esque event that offers some of the best riding in the nation couple with a pro-builder invitational hosted by Bill Dodge affectionately known as the “BC Moto”. All of this happens on the grounds of legendary country artist Ms. Loretta Lynn and her family. For those reasons and more we are happy to name the Tennessee Motorcycle and Music Revival the 2021 event of the Year!

2021’s artist ofJessie theMadera year

Coming out of the New York underground art scene where he got her start as a lowbrow street artist Jessie has moved into becoming a multifaceted artist using many different outlets. As an accomplished airbrush artist her design work is raw and quite impressive. Many times they end up on helmets and body tins of motorcycles where an eye popping emotional response is solicited through her work. Jessie states that when she first started all of her art was commission based but as a moto-artist she now gets to do her thing which tends to be on the dark and even macabre side. Her skill level will keep you watching her feed for years and for turning us on with such brilliant designs we are happy to name Jessie Madera as the 2021 Cycle Source Readers’ Artist of the Year!

2021’s Best Media Release Of The Year Five Dirty Bikers Podcast

Of all of the media options on the planet, podcasting has seemed to be the one that has garnered market share faster than all of the others has. Of all of the options available, The Five Dirty Bikers Podcast has been the one that was most selected from the heap of options available through Spotify, iTunes, Podbean and Patreon too. The Five Dirty Bikers Podcast is exactly what it sounds like; five bikers get together via Zoom and chop it up [usually] with an extremely interesting guest. Listeners can tune in on almost any platform and listen to these folks interview bikers like legendary skateboarder Steve Cabalero as well as any number of motorcycle industry professionals. The other advantage of podacasting is the fact that you can listen anytime whether it a long ride to work or a long flight from LA to Orlando!

2021’s Best shop related product Of The Year

Nine Finger Fabrication - Crankcase Plugs Thank God there is someone out there still building clever and innovative ways to solve problems. Whether you are a professional mechanic, a garage builder or even a hobbyist, these engine plugs will positively prevent the average garage debris from infiltrating your engine and causing harm to your crankshaft assembly or costing you more than you intended to spend on your engine build. These are available for multiple different applications, will save you loads of money and are a far more effective solution to stuffing red shop towels down into the cylinder spigot bores and leaving little red lint behind to get trapped into the oil passages or tearing up the rotors in your engines oil pump.

FFebruary ebruary ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE - February February ‘22 - March ‘22

t is almost unfathomable to think that Harley’s Evolution engine has been out of production for 22 years. From 1985 through 1999, it powered everything from Dressers and Softails to Dyna’s and FXR’s. As one of the most successful engine offerings from Harley Davidson, it also has the distinction of being the one most often imitated. It is also the one that had the most aftermarket support. While the Panhead and the Shovelhead were in production for decades longer, the Evolution carried much of the DNA from its elder siblings forward. Even after production ceased in Milwaukee, companies like TP Engineering, S&S, Merch, and Ultima all produced the EVO engine for use in everything from West Coast Choppers to Texas Ironhorse Choppers to Big Dogs too. Some are still in production today. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Pre-Evolution engines and EVOs up until 1992

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

Article And Photos By: Jason Hallman all utilized a “puke” tube or “roaddraft” to help alleviate crankcase pressure created by the up and down [stroke] of the pistons and the swing of the crankshaft flywheels. In 1992, Harley introduced cylinder heads with vent holes that allowed that pressure to be routed back into the air cleaner assembly and consumed by the engine. This created another [newer] problem that we can get into at a later date, but for now, I’d like to discuss what is called “sumping.” If you have ever started your Harley engine [big twin] and had to immediately throw a pan under the motorcycle because oil was “puking” out of it…then you have experienced sumping. This oil system vented to the atmosphere via a hole in the crankcase with a hose attached is also a great way for water to end up in your engine should you ever have to ride through water or (heaven forbid) your bike be in a flood. While sumping is common, it is

not “normal” and indicates a faulty check ball and spring assembly in your engine’s oil pump. When you park your bike and turn off the engine, the check ball in your engine’s oil pump should essentially seal off the outlet (return) side of your engine’s oil pump and prevent oil from returning to the engine crankcase through the outlet side of the pump. Let’s take a minute and look over how your Harley engine’s oil pump actually works: First off, there are two basic oil system types in combustion engines. The first is called a “wetsump,” and the second is a “drysump.” In a wet-sump engine, the engine’s oil is stored in the engine in an oil pan or bathtub type reservoir attached to the engine. The oil pump circulates the engine oil through the engine to clean, cool, and lubricate the engine bearings and other components. There is usually a filter attached somewhere in line to filter the engine oil either

before the oil circulates through your nice clean garage floor. the engine. This pump is a singleNow, if you are thinking: “My Evo Article Photos is By:newer Adamthan Thompson stage pump and relies onAnd pressure 1992, so this can’t rather than volume. happen to me”, you are wrong. In In a dry-sump system, the fact, it may already be happening. engine oil is stored in a tank away Because your engine is vented from the engine, not inside it. In through the heads, you will have fact, most Harley engines rely on no idea that it is happening on a volume, not pressure to feed the regular basis because the oil just engine components with adequate ends up circulating back to the oil lubrication, cool the engine down tank, and you’re none the wiser. internally, and keep everything Here is why it isn’t good for your clean as possible. In a dry-sump bike. For starters (I love puns), system, the oil pump works when your engine is full of oil, it differently. The pump operates as is difficult for the starter motor to two separate “stages” or pumps in turn over the crankshaft through one. The first stage of the pump the thick oil. This over taxes the circulates oil through the engine battery, the starter, and wiring on and the second stage pumps the your bike. It can also cause your used oil back to the reservoir to engine to hydro-lock. This is costly, be stored until it is needed again. and it is often more cost-effective There are several advantages to to just buy a new engine. this type of pump. There is only one Tom Pirone from TP Engineering real drawback, the infamous check in Danbury, Connecticut, has a ball sumping issue that puts too fantastic solution called the “Promuch oil into the crankcase when Series Smart Pump.” It is a gameit is not needed. Once you start the changer for sure. First off, it filters engine up, the pressure pushes the engine oil before circulating the oil out the puke tube and on to it through the engine. Harley

EVO engines filter oil only after it is run through the engine. The Smart Pump does a great job of managing pressure and volume while allowing the use of 10-micron filters for maximum filtration. It is 100% made in the USA from billet aluminum and polished to a mirror finish. The Smart Pump also features a patented threevalve system to deliver oil to the crankshaft during idle. What really makes the Pro-Series Smart Pump different from every other pump on the market is its stainlesssteel check valve that positively eliminates wet-sumping upon engine start-up and absolutely prevents oil from leaking into the crankcase during storage. TP Engineering manufactures the Pro-Series Smart Pump for all big twin Harley engines from 1973 through 1999. You can purchase one at your local brick and mortar independent motorcycle shop, and you can find more information at www.tpengines.com

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 35

Once the old pump was removed and the gasket surfaces cleaned, we used primary gasket alignment pins to ensure the new pump housing would go on effortlessly.

The Pro Series Smart Pump features highly polished billet housing. The outer housing gasket is now in place and ready to install the outer housing feed cover. It is best to use a proven assembly lube like Red Line to prevent any galling on initial start up

One way to know that your engine’s oil pump is “sumping” is to drain your engine’s crankcase. Our engine had over 16 ounces in it, which is about two times too much!

Once the housing was installed, we used some more assembly lube to lubricate the outer gearset in the housing.

Once the outer cover is installed and the lines are installed, make certain you follow the instructions word for word to prevent cavitation.

Only a few tools were needed for installation.

Both gears are in place, and we can now install the outer housing gasket

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

Never remove the top allen plugs. Those are factory installed to spec and need no service.

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 37

n the world of motorcycle art, traditional paint and graphic work can sometimes be overshadowed because we are exposed to so much quality product these days. But when it comes to complimenting design, use of color, balance, and the execution of airbrush and pinstriping work, today’s paint slinger truly has to be a multifaceted artist. We found such a person in thirty-nine-yearold Kyle Ireland, proprietor of Kyle’s Kustom Colors. Ireland has been creating art for as long as he can remember. Kyle recalls his mom being a free spirit with a unique charm and a tendency to gravitate towards artistic people, exposing him to hot rods, motorcycles,

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

Article By: Heather Callen hippies, fabricators, artists, and when he was just four or five. adventurers along the way. Kyle remembers their German Ireland’s love of motorcycles Shephard nipping at him every time he fell down! Now, that’s a great reason to learn to stay up on two wheels! Needless to say, he got that custom motorbike for Christmas that year. Kyle has been in the body and paint business in numerous forms for a little more than two decades, starting in a body shop when he was just seventeen. He’s worked on everything from painted aluminum boats to began when his stepdad offered horse trailers. Ireland has been to build him a custom motorcycle a body and paint tech and has if he learned to ride a bicycle. worked in hot rod shops and So, they got him on two wheels more.

A decade ago, Kyle hung his own shingle. For the first few years, he did a little bit of everything focusing on collision, hot rods, and motorcycles. He’s ASE certified, ICAR certified, Dupont/Axalta certified, and PPG certified. To say that Kyle has experience is an understatement. How many people can say they sprayed over 2000 gallons of white single stage urethane in one year? However, in 2013 he built an Evo Chopper in remembrance of his mother, who had passed the year before. That process became a catalyst for change in Ireland’s business. The relationships he cultivated throughout that build really opened his eyes to exactly how much he loved motorcycles and just how much he didn’t like the direction his business was heading. Despite making money and building a successful business, he wasn’t happy. It was then that he began restructuring to focus more on two-wheeled art. He traveled more, sought out more likeminded people, and put more energy into the work he enjoys. In 2018 Kyle downsized and now specializes in custom motorcycles paint, repair, and matching factory aftermarket finishes and graphics. Kyles says that his love of motorcycles in all different forms, their history, and the genuine nature of the people involved in the culture keeps him going. He says he most looks up to and aspires to be like the ones that paved the way and continue to pave it every day of their lives. You know the ones that he’s talking about, “The ones that could have made a lot more money or gotten more recognition working on cars or doing something else but followed their passions. The ones that don’t make excuses and truly follow their hearts.” When asked how he feels about the direction he is headed and where he is now, Kyle recalls a quote from one of his mentors, Gene Winfield, when he said, “Every day is a school day.” So, every day he works to progress in some way. He’s grateful to be able to do what he does, where he does it, and who he does it for. What a great attitude! As you can see, the success Kyle has is completed earned based on the art he’s putting out. If you’re not following him, you should be, so go check him out on IG @kyleskustomcolors. Better yet, order yourself a commission!

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 39

hile living in California, Bobby Shadley decided he needed a motorcycle. Since he d i d n ’ t have a garage, it was more of a beater that he was looking for, something he could leave outside and just throw a tarp over. Luckily family came to the rescue with an Ironhead Sportster that Mark Shadley had just taken in. Down side, it was in pieces and needed put back together. Building a bike this way usually

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

goes one of two ways, either you throw it together and ride or things go completely off the rails and one upgrade leads to another. For Bobby, it was definitely the latter, which was almost a given considering his family tree. The Shadley Brothers, Bobby’s Dad and Uncle, have been known for their killer customs for years now from their home base in Massachusetts. The frame and suspension needed a few upgrades, so to

start things off the front section was cut off. From there a 2-inch stretch was added along with a 32-degree rake and new neck to accept the 1-inch stem used in the more modern front ends. Speaking of front forks, a 39mm dual disc narrow glide front end was hung from the newly fabbed front section. The rear swing arm is a one-off piece from Mark Shadley. To roll things along, Morris Mag wheels were shod in Dunlop Elite 4 rubber, 16-inch

Article By: Matt Reel Photos By: Heather Callen

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 41

rear and 19-inch front. With everything rolling it was time to take a look at the powerplant. Sadly, the sight wasn’t pretty. The cases were a complete mess and would require quite a bit of work. Mark stepped up once again and got the cases into a useable condition. With the bottom end ready, Waseca pistons were attached to the rods and a set of Harley Davidson P Grind Cams were installed in the cam chest. The cylinder heads were ported by Jim Dorgan and hardened valve seats installed to deal with todays gas. An S&S Shorty carb was added as a fuel feeder and Dynatek ignition lights the fire. Exhaust gases are

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

then expelled through a custom Shadley Brothers exhaust. With a roller and a power plant in order it was time to get the sheet metal going and all the accessories on. Once again Mark Shadley stepped up and built an oil tank, chain guard, and motor mounts. He also modified the gas tank that was used. An Arlen Ness front fender was mounted and a Kawasaki KZ 1000 rear fender that had been collecting dust in the Shadley collection was grafted on out back. Stopping power is provided by Performance Machine calipers. These are actuated by Performance Machine hand controls mounted to Todd Cycle handlebars. With everything together, it was time to tear it apart. The sheet metal went off to Ronnie Abercrombie for the Black and Pagan Gold paint. After that, Johnny Hartnett took care of the graphics. To keep the

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 43

GOLDEN KNIGHT TECH SHEET Owner: Bobby Shadley City/State: Whitman, MA Builder: Shadley Bros. Year: 1972 Model: XLCH Value: Unknown Time: 2 Years Engine Year: 1972 Model: XLCH Builder: Shadley Bros. Ignition: Dynatek Displacement: 1,000cc Pistons: Wiseco Heads: Shadley Bros, Ported By Jim Dorgan Carb: S&S Shorty Cam: Harley P Cams Air Cleaner: Drag Specialties Exhaust: Shadley Bros Primary: Stock Transmission Year: 1972 Make: Harley Davidson Shifting: Stock Frame Year: 1972 Model: H-D /Shadley Bros Rake: 32 Degrees Stretch: 2” Stretch Forks: 39mm Builder: Shadley Bros Type: Harley Davidson Triple Trees: Harley Davidson Extension: None Wheels Front Wheel: Morris Mag Size: 19” Tire: Dunlop Elite 4 Front Brake: Dual Disk/PM Calipers/ Russel Rotors Rear Wheel: Morris Mag Size: 16” Tire: Dunlop Elite 4 Rear Brake: PM/Disk Brake Design By Shadley Bros. Paint Painter: Shadley Bros/Ronnie Abercrombie Color: Black And Pagan Gold Type: PPG Graphics: Johnny Hartnett Chroming: Meclec Accessories Bars: Todd’s Cycle Risers: Roland Sands Hand Controls: Performance Machine Foot Controls: Biltwell/ Arlen Ness Gas Tank(S): Modified By Shadley Bros. Oil Tank: Shadley Bros Front Fender: Arlen Ness Rear Fender: Kawasaki KZ 1000/Shadley Bros Seat: Big Red Headlight: Stock Taillight: Arlen Ness/Shadley Bros Speedo: Shadley Bros Gauge Mounts Photographer: Heather Callen

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

shiny stuff going Meclec worked their magic with the chrome plating. With everything back, it was time to put it back together and take in the beauty that is this Ironhead. During this build, Bobby decided to return home to Massachusetts from California to work in the family business. There, is where the bike turned into a father son project. So, when you’re looking for that project bike don’t forget to check with family. Just remember, sometimes family projects get a little out of control. But, hey, what better way to spend your time than with the family building bad ass bikes.

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 45

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

’ve been a fan of the Sons Of Speed since it started back in 2017. At first, it was hard to believe that some of the kings of the custom game like Billy and Warren Lane, Paul Cox, Berry Wardlaw, along with a host of others, were now chasing down the seemingly impossible goal of racing hundred-year-old machines. The first night I walked into Choppers Inc. and saw them all working on the bikes for that inaugural race, it all made perfect sense. They worked in perfect harmony, each with their specialty, learning from each other, forging ahead toward the common goal of reliving a time in history that most of the people in the room only knew from pictures and stories. It was perfect, and when race day came, none were disappointed. You see, just like those original pioneers of motorcycle racing, there were those who pushed it to the limits, some beyond that, but the thrill on the track and in the pits was unparalleled by anything they had done to this point. Names went into the books like Fast Freddie, Josh from Moonshiners, Rick Petco, and eBay Jake. It was as if this motorcycle racing thing was a new concept all over again, and these rising young stars were cutting their teeth on it. Over the next

few races, fans became more aware of this happening, and more competitors accepted the challenge. As the fans looked on from the edges of their seats, there were crashes, tight races, the bikes got faster, some incurred death wobbles while others climbed the wall. It was much more thrilling than anyone could have expected.

Now, I had been to the track to cover the races, spent time in the pits watching the action, and even dreamed about having a bike to race in this incredible once-in-a-lifetime event. But in truth, the cost of a bike like this makes it hard to manage for a simple man. At least that’s how it was before they decided to open the 45 class.

With the 45’s, the racing got a little faster. The bikes became a little more affordable. Roadside and I began to formulate a plan to participate with an old 45 he had squirreled away at his shop. But COVID came and put a hold on that and everything else in the damn universe, so it seemed that the idea of racing at Sons Of Speed was put off once more. Enter Tom Keefer. Tom had been a staple at SOS as a support crew member, a mechanic, and then finally as a racer himself. Tom has two incredible bikes in his stable, a 1916 J model Twin and a 1912 single. Near the middle of last 2021, Tom called me for one of our usual calls between friends in motorcycling, but this time had a more purposeful reason. He offered me my own ride of a lifetime, a spot on his team for Sons Of Speed. I was to ride his J model Twin at the October race in New Smyrna. I was nervous since this is an expensive motorcycle, but at the same time, there was no way I was missing a chance to run it. Over the next couple of months, we talked about what it would be like. I started to drop weight because being a fat racer

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 47

isn’t a great idea, especially on these little bikes. Before I knew it, we were standing at the track setting up the pits for practice day. Freddie from Godspeed Racing is kind enough to organize a practice day at the track for everyone, and this would be my first AOS time with the 16. Now, if you have never had the privilege of starting a bike like this, there is more to it than the procedure for starting an old turn of the century steam engine. Pull the compression lever in, roll the left grip to advance the timing. As they begin to push you, flip the compression lever off, roll back the timing, and roll on the throttle. If all goes well, it pops to life, and off you go. I wish I could say that I did this perfectly the first time, but in truth, it took a full push down the length of the pit road, failing before I would get the rhythm of it down. Once I did, it became second nature, and from there, I was off and running. Now, for the first few laps, I have to admit, I wasn’t even aware that I was in the year 2021. I immediately took a trip back to 1920, and as far as I was concerned, it could have been a board track we were riding on. The bike was surprisingly comfortable and stable, contrary to everything I had been told to expect. Once I came out of my time machine euphoria, I started to remember what people were telling me about navigating the banked turns. You see, these bikes have no brakes, so everything is about timing and strategy. How fast you are coming into the end of the straight, what line you take into the turn, and where exactly you decide to drop in through the apex determines how much speed you will carry to the other side where you can open it back up and race to the end of the back straight. At this point, I was flying, pushing the bike to its maximum, riding the absolute edge of the speed that I should be before letting off to start the turn. I was executing perfect lines and carrying all the speed…. Oh, did I mention that this was all in my head? Yeah, in fact, I was doing well for the first time, but I had so much to learn to call what I was doing racing. I was letting off way too early, dropping too early, and throttling out too late. But, I did get a little better each time I went out. Apparently, it was good enough for the rest of the racers that I hadn’t crashed and could hold my line and not be a danger to anyone else on the track. Seriously, the other racers were so supportive to me and each other. They actually stood at the pit road wall and applauded as I came in from my first few laps, a sign of the camaraderie that is the foundation at Sons Of Speed. I have to be honest, I kept thinking about the clincher tires that were on the bike I was riding. By now, everyone had heard February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

about these tires piping off, even taking some riders out in the process. While it was at the front of my thoughts going around the track, the truth was I would have to pick up way more speed before that was ever going to be an issue. By the end of practice day, I was getting very comfortable. I was having a blast, and suddenly Biketoberfest was fun again. You see, after so many years of the big rallies, it’s hard to stay as excited about some of them. For me, Biketoberfest is a little lackluster compared to its big brother in the spring. Still, we go for Chopper Time and to say goodbye to our motorcycle family before winter hits. But this year changed all that. I seriously felt like the Sons Of Speed racing made it into Bike Week again. This was what it was all about. This is what had been missing. As Fast Freddie’s team cooked burgers and hot dogs on a grill outside the Godspeed trailer, other teams made repairs or modified their tuning time shifted again for me. It was 1920 again, and we were a family of motorcycle nuts that could have cared less what the rest of the world was doing outside the gates of that track. It was all right there, and we were firmly in the moment. The next day was race day. My heart was pounding as my feet hit the floor. During the rider meeting, Billy Lane laid out the plan for the event and gave additional indication that big changes were coming for SOS in the spring, including some new rules to keep things fair and some new structure that will help them run more smoothly. From that point, the heats were set, and my name was on the board with some pretty tough competitors. As it would end up, I wasn’t actually racing them, but two classes of the type of bike I was riding were on the track simultaneously. Good thing, too, although it took until the last lap, Jody Perewitz did lap me. That was hard to admit. The only saving grace was that she was in the hot class, and I was in stock. In complete transparency, I think that she may have had the same result even if we were on the same bikes. She’s just that good. Speaking of that good, if you were not on hand to see the battle all day between eBay Jake and Joe Orsini from Toce Performance, then you missed what I believe to be one of the most epic contests of motorcycle racing’s history. Not only were they back and forth changing position, but they were employing real race strategies in the corners, pushing each other in and out of each other’s lines. There was only one wreck, a small accident coming into the pits, but it was at slower speeds, and luckily, no one was seriously hurt. As for our team, Tom was put in a race with none other than Billy

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 49

Lane himself, both on singles. It was good fun, and Billy took the checkered flag. My efforts almost came to a close right before my second heat when the transfer shaft locked up and stopped the wheel and the motor in a split second. We feverishly tore the pedal assembly apart and managed to get it back in running order for the third heat on the twins. Not that I was in any serious contention, but I did want a little more seat time. As it stood, I got to ride a bunch, gained some confidence, and will be ready for Daytona Bike Week, where Tom has agreed to let me pilot the 16 once more. As for the rest of the day’s results, not that the score card matters to most of the racers, they went down like this: 1910 – 1929 HOT 61 Board Track Race - Michael Lange on a 1929 Harley Davidson. Stock 61 Board Track Race – Michael Lange on a stock 1925 Harley Davidson. Hot 45 cubic-inch class - Ebay Jake on a 1950 Harley-Davidson WR Stock 45 cubic-inch class - Danny Eslick on a Godspeed Racing 1947 Harley-Davidson WL. 500cc single cylinder class - Billy Lane on a Mototique Racing 1921 HarleyDavidson J model twin with the rear cylinder removed I can sum this experience up with is one simple word; family. From the time that Tom offered to let me to ride his bike to the outpouring of support from the Sons Of Speed racers and crew members, I was treated like part of the family. This is exactly why I got into the motorcycle culture to begin with and was overwhelmed to see it play out in such a dramatic fashion in this day and age. I can’t thank Tom Keefer enough or my few sponsors Spectro Oil, Motion Pro, and Broken Spoke Saloon. By the end of the day, the racers all converged on Giuseppe’s Steel City Pizza for a night of regalia and bragging. Biketoberfest was complete! If there is one thing to not miss during your trip to Bike Week, I know you will take in the show at Willie’s, I know you’ll visit Rossmeyers, but make sure you put Sons Of Speed on your schedule. Of course, they need your support, but what you will get out of a day at these races will pay you back tenfold. Mark your calendars for March 5th and 6th 2022, Bike Week at the New Smyrna Speedway. DO NOT MISS The first Evening Race on March 6,2022!!!!

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 51

VAPOR HONING ANYONE? PROVIDENCE CYCLE WORX GIVE US THE 101 ON MAKING IT SHINE

his month’s Tech Column is on the Vapor Honing Technologies machines. Now, if you’re not familiar with Vapor Honing well, then grab a cold one, sit back and prepare to be in awe. Traditional sand or bead blasting, as it is more commonly referred to, uses various media along with high-pressure air to blast away paint, rust, and sometimes grease and oils. Now, that’s all fine and dandy unless what you’re blasting is vintage, and you want to leave it as unmolested as possible. Media is the material that comes out of the gun at a high velocity to “cut” through paint, gunk, etc. Now, media comes in many different forms for different applications. There is glass bead, walnut shell, ceramic oxide, and so on. These different materials cut in specific ways, from fine to more aggressive cutting. So, if you’re trying to keep those 47 Knuckle cases from having the VIN blasted off, you might want to use a finer cutting agent. That leads us to Vapor Honing, what Vapor Honing does is use high-pressure air, water, and the appropriate cutting media for the job at hand. Like traditional bead blasting, there are different materials for Vapor Honing. The advantage to Vapor Honing is that water is way less aggressive on the part you’re blasting. As I mentioned before, you can have more aggressive media for harder and deeper cutting applications. The water, in general, will act not only as a coolant but is way less damaging to the part overall, so remember those 47 cases we spoke of earlier no threat to losing the VIN or anything

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

Article And Photos By: Xavier Muriel

precious. Now, let’s get some facts straight. I do not use my machine as a cleaner at all! I have set up mine as

a second to the last stage before heading to show polish. I follow a

specific process in my shop. First, the parts are degreased and cleaned thoroughly before getting to my VHT machine. For those wondering why, the more contaminants (oils, paint, etc.) in my machine, the more I must change the media. Which equates to downtime and cost. My preferred media is Ceramic Oxide; it leaves an almost polished satin look to the aluminum part. I don’t do steel in mine as it will rust quickly after. Although, I know of some shops that do steel that is powder-coated immediately after. Anything Aluminum can have a sheen to it with good prep work. My machine is the VH900 series. It is a closed-loop system, so no freshwater is needed. The various bins remove sediments and separate the media with fresh water that can be used to wash off the part before taking it out of the cabinet, which saves time. A well-lit cabinet and wiper blade make for a great field of view, which in turn eases the entire process. If needed, the well-sized cabinet can hold parts as big as a car manifold. There is also a timer to keep track of hours and media changes. VHT offers several different models ranging in size from benchtop to industrial. Obviously, the larger machines require a certain PSI level, so be sure to keep that in mind when looking at them. Proudly made in South Carolina, all units come with excellent customer service and are pretty much ready to rock right out of the crate. Check them out at Vapor Honing Technologies.com. Tell them X sent ya!

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 53

Article By: Jenny Lefferts & Robert Filla Photos By: Daniel Furon www.furon.net

n the ongoing saga of upgrading Stella, my antiquated 1993 883 cubic inch Sportster, in this episode, we continue to prove that just because the initial purchase of a particular bike may be economical at the time does not mean that additional funds will not be required for any substantial facelift. And remember, sometimes the older the bitch, the more expansive the botox. When it comes to safety, running parallel in importance with impeccable braking is high visibility. And with the mantra “safety doesn’t happen by accident,” that technology has advanced “LIGHT” years since 6-volt charging systems, flickering lights at idle and low output generators. One of the major strides in this arena has been the development of LED lighting (light-emitting diode). Featuring a high resistance to vibration, LEDs offer minimal voltage draw, long-term durability, and a low failure rate while supplying high-

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

12” adjustable crescent wrench 5/16” hex wrench 5/64” hex wrench 15mm open end wrench #1 Phillips screwdriver

intensity light emission superior to any standard incandescent bulb. And while in 1993, this bike’s lighting was state-of-the-art, it pales in comparison to what is on tap in the aftermarket industry in 2020. For the front turn signals, we chose

the LED Wrap-Around units in black anodized finish offered by the highly reputable Custom Dynamics (chrome finish is also available). Eliminating stem mounted turn signals altogether,

these ultra-sleek turn signals are billet aluminum mini clamps that slide over your fork tubes at the top to the exact location the owner selects between the upper triple tree and the lower on each side. They each have 15 white LED running lights and 15 amber flashing mode lights. These twin, low-profile “donuts” go a long way in cleaning up the appearance of a hydraulic front end, being designed to specifically fit a particular diameter of fork tube (37mm in the case of my Sporty Stella). Due to the age of the bike, a SMART Signal Stabilizer also by Custom Dynamics was required for proper operation. The kit comes with a lifetime warranty against LED failure. For illumination upgrades to the rear fender, we took a more traditional approach using two products from Kuryakyn: the Torpedo LED Turn Signal Kit in a black satin finish that features independent red and amber circuits for run-brake-turn operation and the Low Profile LED Taillight Kit.

Both kits come with clear lenses. We selected the ProBEAM LED headlamp from Custom Dynamics to increase the bike’s nighttime capabilities. This 5.75” lamp fits inside the stock headlight bucket and offers the latest in engineering innovation. The low beam is comprised of three high-power D-lenses and a position light. Switching to high beam keeps the low beam illuminated while adding two additional D-lenses as well as three LEDs with projector lenses. This provides a broad optical pattern illuminating down the highway for a distance and lighting both sides of the road. This low-profile unit offers plug-and-play installation. For upgrading Stella’s footpegs, we went to one of the most reliable names in the industry, Avon Grips, and chose their Custom Contour Anodized Gatlin rider pegs with matching shifter peg. To increase the Sportie’s riding comfort, we accessed another industry giant, Le Pera. We decided on the Daytona model with a diamond stitch seat panel. We installed a gel insert for long days in the saddle and opted for a leather cover. The styling of this seat complements the bike perfectly, giving the impression of speed even when sitting on the kickstand.

to be installed over the top of both fork tubes and slid slightly down the tubes.

Colin loosens the four pinch bolts on the upper and lower triple trees on both sides of the fork tubes with a 5/16” hex wrench.

The jack is then elevated, raising the bike and releasing the compression on the front forks, which allows both the right and left fork tubes to slide downward through the triple clamps just far enough for the Custom Dynamic signals mounts

Colin now lowers the jack and gently wiggles each fork tube back into place in their respective triple. Then he retightens the four triple tree pinch bolts to 35 ft-lbs. using the 5/16” hex wrench.

Colin positions the LED front signals facing in the direction/angle desired (they spin on the fork tubes for

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 55

flexibility) and then determines the ideal vertical location on the fork tubes (we decide to place each signal as low as possible, basically sitting right on top of the lower triple tree clamp). Colin then gently tightens the set screws on the turn signal mounts to hold them in place using a 5/64” hex wrench (painter’s tape can be applied between the LED signal and the fork tube to prevent marring and protect the fork tube surface). Using provided instructions turn signals are hooked up to the factory turn signal wiring (this will vary widely depending on year/make and model of bike). He then moves on to the rear signals.

After removing the original rear turn signals, Colin feeds the wires for new turn signals through hole in the struts followed by threaded stud. Colin then slips the nut over the wires and spins it into place on the threaded stud on the inside of the fender using a 15mm open end wrench to firmly tighten into place. Colin routes the new wires in the location of original wiring to the control module under the seat, threading them through the clips on the inside of the fender making certain they are protected from the tire and any other moving parts.

Moving on to the headlight he starts by removing the trim ring by unscrewing the small Philips head screw using a number one Phillips being careful not to lose the nut, the trim ring then pops off and allows the stock bulb to pop out and be un-plugged. Colin then plugs the new LED headlight from Custom Dynamics into the stock plug.

Being very careful to tuck the wires back into the bucket, Colin then pushes the headlight back into the rubber ring of the bucket and checks to make sure it’s straight. Colin then re-installs the trim ring, starting with one end and flexing it around the bulb until in place. Colin then reinstalls the pinch screw and small nut into the trim ring and tightens using the Philips screwdriver.

Colin then installs a new stainlesssteel bolt and nylock nut (you will be using your original hardware) and tightens with a pair of 9/16” wrenches. After removing old shift peg, Colin installs new shift peg by screwing it in and tightening by hand (adding a drop of blue Loctite to the threads).

Finally Colin begins installing the seat by installing the lock washers included with the seat on the supplied bolts. He uses the bolts with lock washers to attach the included bracket to the back of the seat, using a 5/32” allen wrench to tighten.

Colin installs the seat on bike, engaging the tongue at the front of the seat.

After removing original taillight lens and bulb using a number 1 Phillips screwdriver, Colin then attaches the taillight socket adapter by inserting into socket and twisting. He then attaches the plug from the adapter to the plug on the taillights and then secures the low-profile LED taillight assembly in place using the original screws and a number one Phillips screwdriver.

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

For the pegs you begin by removing nut and bolt from your original foot pegs, being careful to save the small curved shim that comes out (our project bike has not had foot pegs in many years and the hardware is long gone). Colin installs new foot pegs into clevis mount being careful to locate the shim in the proper location.

Last but not least, Colin installs the new “MSS” seat bolt donated by Motorious Speed Shop to hold the seat down.

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 57

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

Article By: Chris Callen Photos By: Peter Stow And Jason Claridy

e are on this planet for such a short time it’s hard to imagine how any of us could ever have any great effect on this old world at all. Well, that is unless you’re a motorcycle person. In that case, your chances are significantly increased. For Mondo Porras, who has been such an influence for so many of us over the years, his inspiration comes from a brother he lost 30 years ago, 30 years exactly in ’22. Of course, the man I’m speaking of is Denver Mullins, and to Mondo, he was one of the great pioneers of this thing we do. Truly an originator

of the cultural phenomenon that we know as choppers today. It all started back in Denver’s shop so many years ago. For this 30-year anniversary, Mondo wanted to memorialize his late brother in a manner fitting him best by building a pair of motorcycles that would have been the bikes to roll outta the front door of the California Shop that carried his name. You see, all of Denver’s bikes were pearl orange and were finished with purple flames, all except one that was dressed up like a cop bike. So that settled it, one would be the signature color scheme, and the other would be the police chopper. Of course, they

both would have to be done with the same painstaking attention to detail and in the same manner that Denver would approve of. For Mondo, motorcycles have a soul, at least the good ones do, and to get that, you can’t simply pick parts from a catalog and toss them at a build. You must start at the beginning and do it the way it was done back then. Porras believes it requires oldschool tools when it comes to an oldschool bike. He actually collects old tools and uses quite a few of them on a regular basis. When building a bike like the one pictured here, that means the parts get made by hand

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 59

on an old WWII-era lathe and mill. A hammer and an anvil are required for manipulating sheet metal. And each hour that goes by has to be treated like visiting an old friend, not going to work for a day. Mondo told me that while he was doing the molding on this build, it took him back to the time where they were doing this kind of work constantly. Back then, a whole molding job like the one you see here would cost you about $125, and if you wanted it painted after that, an additional $125 would get you your choice of a candy flake finish and pinstriping on a tan frame and fender. Crazy to think of by today’s standards, right? The real beauty is that this tank is actually removable, unlike so many builders who end up doing the tank and frame as one piece

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

to achieve a look like this with the molding. Other features like the built-in wire and cable holders, the sidebar/plate mounting system, and the sky-high cocktail shakers call out to a true born and bred seventies chopper from California. But Mondo says that without those stories, it is just a bunch of nuts and bolts. The parts are important, but when they are made or customized by hand, the bike starts to take on a soul of its own. He knows that every time he throws a leg over this bike, he gets to take a ride with Denver again. Porras knows that the work he continues to carry on would make Mullins proud, and for a man who changed the world in his time, what Denver thinks of what he continues to do is at the top of the list. After all, he added, “Fads come and go. I’m just

building the same bikes I always have, doing the same things like they were done back when they called me Bondo Mondo, and we were pumping these things out.” Those days were special in that they were somewhat unaware of, like most young people. Things that seemed wild and crazy to the outside world had purpose, they were a family, and there were rules to conduct yourself among the group. The designs were different from the other parts of the country, like the Bay Area thing that Simms and Ness were into, the East Coast twist that Perewitz and Larry had on it, all doing their own thing but with purpose and with a common goal of doing what you love with your brothers. In that same vein, Gerald Casey, who owns this beautiful

motorcycle, is also in the mix. In many ways, Gerald is Mondo’s right hand and is actually being groomed to take over for him someday. A day that we don’t want to think about here. But suffice it to say, like the rest of us that are too dumb to quit, Mondo will be doing this until the day he dies. And, with the things Gerald has learned at his side, there will be a solid cat to carry the torch after that. That’s about all a man can ask for in this world. Gerald has bailed us out on more than one occasion, so we know firsthand that he is more than

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 61

TRIBUTE TECH SHEET Owner: Gerald Casey City/State: Reno, NV Builder: Mondo/Denver’s Choppers Year: 1969 Model: FL Value: Priceless Time: 1 year ENGINE Year: 1969 Model: FL Shovelhead Builder: Shoeman’s Cycle Ignition: Joe Hunt Magneto Displacement: 96” Pistons: S&S Heads: Dual Plug Carb: S&S Super E Cam: S&S Air Cleaner: From Berdoo Exhaust: Custom W/Cocktail Shakers Primary: Tech Cycle TRANSMISSION Year: 2020 Make: Ultima Shifting: 6 speed FRAME Year: 2020 Model: Gooseneck Builder: Kyle Brewer/ Paughco Rake: 42º Stretch: 4” Down FORKS Builder: Mondo/Denver’s Choppers Type: Narrow Wishbone Springer Triple Trees: Denver’s Extension: 20” WHEELS Front Wheel: Black Bike Wheels Spool Size: 21” Tire: Firestone Front Brake: UNKNOWN Rear Wheel: Black Bike Wheels Size: 18” Tire: Firstone Rear Brake: Juice Drum PAINT Painter: Lil’ Mondo Color: Pearl Orange Type: H.O.K. Custom Mix Graphics: Lil’ Mondo Chroming: ABC Plating of Reno ACCESSORIES Bars: Denver’s 6-bend Risers: Adjustable Hand Controls: RSD Hydro Clutch Foot Controls: V-Twin Gas Tank(s): Narrow’d Paughco Oil Tank: Denver’s/Paughco Front fender: None Rear Fender: Wassell 5” Seat: Range Needlework Headlight: 4.5” Taillight: Prisim Supply Speedo: None Photographer: Peter Stow /Jason Clardy

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

qualified to keep the tribute alive. We’ll do anything to make sure he has what he needs to do it. As for Mondo, he feels like this part of his life has been about making sure that the people that made this thing into what it is are being paid homage. So, recently, he built a bike that was a tribute to Larry, now this pair is in honor of Denver and soon a special Captain America bike project that I can’t let the cat outta of

the bag on yet, but you can see it from start to finish in upcoming Classic Easyriders Magazine issue, where you can also see the Cop Bike that was part of this tribute. All we can say in closing is thank you, sir, for being an example that not all that was good about this is lost and that there are still those who know where the special part of it lives.

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 63

1. MIssing pinstripe from frame rail under seat. 2. Extra ignition switches under seat. 3. Extra wire loop on the down tube of the frame. 4. Shorter left handlebar grip. 5. Extra Fuel Line From Gas Tank. 6. Oversized Starter Jackshaft Housing. 7. Missing pressure plate adjutment bolts. 8. Missing timing inspection nut. 9. Added window pane to the neck gussett. 10. Spun regulator end on generator.

FIND TEN DIFFERENT THINGS ON DENVER’S TRIBUTE NO THERE ISN’T ANY REAL PRIZE, JUST SOMETHING TO DO WHILE YOU’RE IN THE CAN.

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

our votes helped us compile this list and we couldn’t be happier with the results. If this happens to be your first issue of Cycle Source we do this issue once a year and we like to take a moment to appreciate what we did in the pages of the magazine over the last year. After toling away to bring you the best bikes from the furthest reaches of the country we like to ask you, the readers, how you think we did and what you would like to see more of. After all this magazine is done for you and if we aren’t hitting the mark then we want to know. We’d also

like to than the builders of these motorcycles and all of the ones that were featured throughout the year. Being garage builders at our core we know that getting a bike featured in a magazine is as good as it gets, well next to riding that bike down the road with your buddies. We want to share that experience with as many of our readers and builders as we can in a season. While this is the top ten of those bikes, we honestly can’t pick a bike from the past year that wasn’t perfectly selected and that we were thrilled to publish. Thank you all for another great season of Cycle Source.

1. STATIC SHOVEL brandon miller - Feb/Mar ‘21 This bike was featured in our Feb marked Brandon Miller, the owner’s, We first ran across this bike in Dayin print. The story is exactly what we a person who can’t leave anything stock. No matter where they work on their projects or what they have to do to complete them, having the where withal to see it through is key, as was the case with this bike and when he scored it, it was bone stock and not running, a solid challenge.

/ March 2021 Issue and first ground up build. tona and had to get it like to promote here,

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 65

2. BROOKLYN HOT ROD 2 steve iacona - oct / nov ‘21

This one came to us during our Sturgis Custom Bike Show at the Iron Horse Saloon this past year. Steve Iacona, like so many of us, had nothing but time on his hands over COVID but he put that time to good use. Instead of going crazy or adding to his waist line, Iaconna set out to build the motorcycle he always wished he had the time to build. He threw everything at it and in the end came away with our Best In Show award, a cover of Cycle Source and a complete Paughco Rolling Chassis.

3. BLUE STEEL

bling’s cycles - Feb/Mar ‘21

This beauty graced our Feb / March cover and was Bill Dodge’s entry for the In Motion Show during the Lone Star Rally in 2019. Bill has a flair for making anything he wants to use into a Bling quality build and when he started going with Twin Cam engines fired by Magneto, no one doubted they would be right in line with his best work. This build is classic Bill Dodge. Enough bling to make it shine in the sun and yet burly enough to jump off a brick wall and keep riding. His ability to mold form and function makes it easy to hold a spot for him in our pages every time he finishes a build.

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

4. UNINVITED PAN An-

Ryan McQuiston - Feb/Mar ‘21

other one of our In Motion builders, Ryan McQuiston came with the heat. This incredible Pan was his entry and the name came from the idea that he never gets invited to anything. The truth is, we were lucky to have him during the Lone Star Rally and the bike was from another planet of cool. Ryan’s shop is known for that sixties cool molded chopper style and it plays out in our pages exactly like you cats dig it.

5. XS-IVE

Austin Andrella-Mark Stakely - Feb/Mar ‘21

This sweet little XS came to us from the Pandemonium XS 650 Chop Off and was a team build by Austin Andrella and Mark Stakely. Mark had never built a bike before and after living in the same town for over a decade a chance meeting brought them together. Mark started going to Austin’s shop almost every day. Mark helped out wherever he could, started going to shows with him but never really had any interest in building his own bike. While Austin was in Texas for the In Motion Show Mark called out of the blue and told him he had bought a hardtailed XS and it was on. From there Austin walked him through what he needed help with and provided coaching throughout the build.

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 67

6. WILDFIRE

John Montgomery - april / may 2021

John Montgomery of S&S Cycle built this classic seventies chopper but the story is the stuff legends are made of. You see John found this bike in the annals of S&S. They were talking about getting rid of the bike as it had sat for a number of years and really wasn’t anything special anymore. John must have walked past it a hundred times and knew there was a gem under there. He talked the company into letting him revive it to showcase their SH93 Inch motor The end result was pure class and featured in our April / May ‘21 pages.

7. EXCITIBLE BOY

Paper Street Customs - April / May 2021

Ryan Gore is no stranger to our pages and this killer Shovel came up in our April / May pages. When Ryan got a hand from his brother to enter the In Motion Show we featured it and Ryan had a chance to sell it fast. His brother told him to keep the money and build him another bike, this was the end result. It started as a basket Case that was as much a mess as the term suggests, but Ryan has a flair for finding gold in the rubble and killed it with this one.

8. CROTCH ROT

Brock Bridges - April / May 2021

After building a few smaller bikes Brock blew everyones mind at TMMR with his first long seventies style chopper named Crotch Rot. We got it on our cover for the April / May 2021 issue and rightfully so. Everything on this bike is hand made including the wheels which he made himself. A ‘77 Shovelhead was the donor and he knew with the frame geometry there would be a gap and he also knew exactly how to fill it, with the exhaust. He made everything else on the bike, the only thing he sent out was the chrome. Even the bitchin white upholstery on that unmistakable seat was all his handy work. With skills like this it would seem the only thing this cat is missing are a few lessons in chrome plating and look out.

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

9. ROXANNE

Anthony Robinson - Dec. / Jan. ‘21-’22

This bike was featured in our Dec Jan issue and was photographed by Twila Knight, an incredible shoot that seemed to leap from the pages, and the bike isn’t a slouch either. Anthony built this for the Peoples Champ at Born Free, starting with a ‘73 Ironhead he scored from an old grey beard. Anthony turned to Ryan McQuiston for some pointers on cutting and molding the frame. The original plan was to do a traditional wishbone style frame but in the process on of the downtubes bent in and they ended up liking the design so they matched the second giving it an extremely unique look. Originally painted as a beautiful sapphire blue but when the sunlight hit it the paint turned to a muddy purple. He was so mad after a show he went home and tore the whole thing back apart and sent it back out for the red dress you see it in here.

10. ROWDY

Rick Bray - Dec. / Jan. ‘21-’22

Rick Bray continues to push the envelope and Rowdy is no exception. It appeared on our Dec Jan cover and was shot on the beach in Daytona. Just like most of his bikes there are more things to see than you can take in during one look. Pass after pass you will pick up more details, an amazing fact since Rick’s philosophy for building is to not over think it. It all started with a pile of parts that uncle Dennis was squirrelling away. Once upon a time Dennis had financed one of Rick’s key builds and Bray was now in a position to repay his uncle’s kindness. Of course Rick’s metal work is noticeable from a mile away on this bike but it’s his mettle that makes us happy to know him.

pin up of the year April / may 2021

Model: Hanna Heltzel Bike: Evolution Cycles Photo: Benny Stucker

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 69

hen Johnny Humphrey started building this 1967 Sportster, he had a “good” engine, an aftermarket frame, and an idea. To some, that may seem like plenty. To others, it may not seem like anything. To Johnny, it was the perfect beginning of a yearlong journey. Now, a year may seem like a long time to build a custom, but as many of our readers know first-hand, builds always take their own path. Custom builds are just that, CUSTOM. A lot of

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

times, you may buy something that is “perfect,” only to realize it is not what you envisioned. Lastly, when building a bike, “good” parts seldom are. So, with those couple of constants in mind, let’s check out this beautiful custom. Starting with the 1967 900cc engine, Johnny tore into it to make sure his “good” engine was indeed good. Turns out, it was not. Not only did it have issues, but it may also have had more bad parts than good. So, before anything could

happen, the little Ironhead came completely apart. The crank was gone through, and the transmission freshened up. Next, a set of Wiseco pistons were attached to the rods. Andrews Y Grind Cams were installed, and the cylinders were slipped on topped by rebuilt heads. A 38mm Mikuni and K&N filter were added to feed it. To connect the engine and transmission, Johnny decided on an open belt drive. If you’re not familiar with the primary

Article By: Chris Callen Photos By: Heather Callen

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 71

drive of a Sportster, this is a major undertaking. There is no kit for this. It is all custom. The stock drive set up shares its oil with the transmission. This means that all the passages between the two had to be sealed. Bearings had to be upgraded, and custom parts had to be fabricated. This, now finished, jewel of an engine needed a setting to rest in. No off-the-shelf frame was going to work, so Johnny ordered up a Santee frame and then chopped the front off of it when it arrived. A new neck and bracing were fabbed up, giving the frame the look he pictured. With the engine and frame laid out, it was time to get the whole thing rolling. Johnny started out with a 39mm fork set. The fender tabs were shaved off, and a Wilwood brake caliper was hung from it. For rolling stock, a 23-inch wheel was mounted with Shinko rubber. As Johnny says, the 23” helps do away

72 February ‘22 - March ‘22 - Cycle SOURCE MAGAZINE

with the dead space between the tire and lower tree. Out back, a 21inch rim was mounted up with yet another Shinko tire. Johnny fabbed up a custom bracket for a Wilwood caliper for rear brakes to match the front. With the bike now rolling, the finishing touches were needed. A Harley Davidson Sprint gas tank was mounted to the backbone. A modified XLCH oil tank was hung for lubrication duties. A Sportster fender was modified and mounted on the rear. Just Needle Trades then jumped in and made the seat to mate up to the fender. While it may seem like the bike would have been done at this point, there was still plenty of work to do. You see, part of building a custom is putting it completely together and then taking it entirely apart. That’s right, it’s time for the shiny stuff. Parts were sent off to Dink Rieneer for the candy apple red and black paint. Becky at Precision Powder

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 73

THE ORPHAN TECH SHEET Owner: Johnny 99 Customs City/State: Terre Hill Pa Builder: Johnny 99 Customs Year: 1967 Model: Custom Sportster Value: $15,000 Time: 1 Year Engine Year: 1967 Model: Custom Ironhead Sportster Builder: Johnny 99 Customs Ignition: Points Displacement: 900 Pistons: Wiseco Heads: Stock H-D Carb: 38mm Mikuni Cam: Andrews Y Air Cleaner: K&N Exhaust: Johnny 99 Customs Primary: Open Belt Transmission Year: 1967 Make: H-D Shifting: Right Side 4 Speed Frame Year: 2020 Model: Custom Builder: Santee/ Johnny 99 Customs Rake: 30 Stretch: 1 1/2 Forks Builder: H-D Type: 39mm Triple Trees: H-D Extension: Shortened 2 Inches Wheels Front Wheel: Size: 23” Tire: Shinko Front Brake: Wilwood Rear Wheel: Size: 21” Tire: Shinko Rear Brake: Wilwood/Johnny 99 Customs Paint Painter: Dink Rieneer Color: Candy Apple Red And Black Type: Graphics: Chroming: DGM Chroming Accessories Bars: Johnny 99 Customs Risers: Integrated Hand Controls: Aftermarket Foot Controls: Johnny 99 Customs Gas Tank(S): H-D Sprint Oil Tank: H-D/Johnny 99 Customs Front Fender: None Rear Fender: H-D/Johnny 99 Customs Seat: Just Needle Trades Headlight: L.E.D Taillight: Johnny 99 Customs Speedo: None Photographer: Michael Lichter

74 February ‘22 - March ‘22

- CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

Coating handled the powder coat, and the Chrome was done at DGM Chroming. One other tool that comes in handy when building motorcycles is friends. Johnny would like to praise Jebby Shack, The Ironhead Guy, and Robbie Davison. Without them, it would have been a little more challenging. So, if you ever wonder why it takes so long to build a bike, you can flashback to this story and remember, awesome doesn’t come easy and always takes some time.

CYCLE SOURCE February ‘22 - March ‘22 75

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

Article By: Charlie Weisel

ined with sheer rock walls towering to the cloud speckled sky above, the road climbed steadily toward a divide in a geological show of resilience towards mother nature’s relentless pursuit to flatten the earth. The smooth and tidy tarmac, about midway through the show, began a large sweeping turn toward the south and directly perpendicular towards an invisible, yet violent, wind tunnel. I began to lean into the turn at a very reasonable s p e e d , watching the tumbleweeds float through the air, the dust spiraling in all directions when suddenly I was broadsided by what felt like a team of linebackers. In a mere fraction of a second, I was tossed like a rag doll 12 feet across the road. My hands clutched the handlebar like never before, I slammed my knees against the tank and rodeod the bike back into my lane. My heart raced as I shakily breathed a sigh of relief that I was still upright and making forward progress. All these years, all these miles and that, by far, was the most incredible display of an over the top, isolated sidewind I have ever experienced. Its moments like these that remind us that we are

very much alive and moments like these which will live in our minds forever. I’ve only been on the road for two days now and what a way to start an epic adventure. The moment Keith and I, a friend who has decided to join me for the first part of the ride to Puerto Vallarta, began our journey south, the wind has been relentless. Annoyingly so. It has been either directly in our faces or straight at our side, both situations leaving us exhausted from wrestling our bikes all day. We are talking 3040mph winds. Strong even for Kansas standards. However, the winds finally did subside on day three, about 400 miles south of the Mexico border. We crossed near the town of Columbus, NM, a small out of the way border crossing that is a breeze to get through especially if you are their early in the morning. At 7am we only had to wait for a few cars in front of us and after a quick VIN verification and a glance at the passport we were on our way. Next stop, Creel. Creel is a tucked away mountain town high in the Sierra Tarahumaras. Sitting at an elevation of 7,700 feet, the town has

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

a rustic yet cozy and outdoorsy vibe. I immediately felt comfortable. The town however is not where I want to focus my energy at the moment, if you want to know more about it, you’ll just have to go see it for yourself. What I really want to tell you about is the road that runs straight south out of Creel and drops you off, 98 miles later, into the town of Guachochi. This was a road I knew nothing about previously. I found it while scouring a map of the area, had to look real close and squint a little to find it, but there it was. Just sitting there, all curvy and prickly and calling my name. Fairly confident the road was paved, yet nothing is certain in these parts, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t secretly hoping for a little dirt road action, Keith and I sailed down the road on that brisk and sunny morning. An overnight mist, now frozen, left much of our surroundings sparkly, a reminder that winter is welcome in Mexico as well. Into the unknown we went, like two vagabond explorers. The twists and the turns and the dips and the dives began coursing their energy straight to our veins, this road was addictive. Each turn tighter than the next, steeper than the last and promising an even more spectacular view than witnessed before. The road climbed and sank then climbed some more. I watched as my altimeter clicked north of 6 then 7 then 8,000 feet. I watched as the canyons got deeper and the peaks got bigger. We passed through small villages where brightly dressed women hung clothes out to dry, smokestacks roaring from their small one room cabins. A step back in time. For 98 miles we did this, we charged through the landscape, one twist and turn at a time, with not a care in the world. As of this moment I am sitting in a small motel room in the town of Concordia, near Mazatlán, with a stomach full of tacos. I might say that they were the finest tacos I’ve ever eaten but the reality is that I was starving, and a deep-fried sock would have tasted amazing. Quick side note, Concordia is a really neat little town. We chose to stay here purely out of convenience and kind of hit the lottery. The town square has an incredible amount of charm, and the people all seem friendly and welcoming. The reason I pulled into this quaint little village so hungry is because I just finished tackling the famous Devils Backbone. The Backbone is 180 miles of the most glorious road you have ever seen traversing East and West

between Durango and Mazatlán. My friend stated “sounds like the Tail of the Dragon of Mexico” to which I scoffed. The Tail of the Dragon is child’s play compared to this road. You’ll want to plan this ride as a full day event and not start it at 1pm as we did. The dizzying 180 miles will take every bit of 7 hours as speeds will rarely exceed 30 miles per hour, and you’ll find yourself stopping constantly to take photos. This mostly rough and tumble and scarred stretch of tar river spends most of its time over 7,000 feet in elevation and tops off at 9,300 feet with the vast majority of that hanging precariously off the side of the mountain. As you leave Durango you also leave the palm trees behind and climb steadily into a landscape more reminiscent of the Colorado Rockies with dense evergreen forests and rocky outcroppings. Fallen pine needles blanket the rich dark soil. For a seemingly endless number of miles, you snake your way along a perpetual series of S curves and hair raising switchbacks all while being graced with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Towering ivory rock faces shadow the inside shoulder and bottomless cliffs hold the other.

Guard rails are nonexistent. Many of these tight turns will drop you into 2nd, if not 1st, gear and put your ability to lean a bike through a corner to the test. Maintaining focus is a challenge as a new grand perspective of the surrounding craggy peaks of the Sierra Madres, heavily dressed in lush green foliage, lurk around every bend. The road climbs for what feels like forever and the grand vistas reach National Geographic caliber. Eventually the road does reach its top where a stop at the Espinazo Del Diablo sign and a grand panoramic overlook will offer a welcome reprieve. From this point your journey to the ocean begins, and the road doesn’t hold back. As the rapid decline in elevation towards the ocean begins the road tightens even further. The temperature begins to climb and slowly the pine trees and boulders are replaced with a more tropical jungle flare. The humidity and salty ocean air replace the cool dry climate just miles back, evidence of recent rockslides still litter the shoulder and long heavy Tarzan looking vines hang like curtains along the roads edge. The last 80 miles is where the magic happens. The pavement becomes smoother than anything found in

this country, the camber of the road seems built with a motorcycle in mind and traffic is completely nonexistent. Aside from the occasional cow, donkey, dog or chicken in the road you’ve got the place to yourself. It’s as if the engineers of this marvel were motorcyclists themselves and set out to create an experience like no other. Mission accomplished amigos. Come sunrise I will continue my journey south to Puerto Vallarta where I look forward to a couple of days rest before returning north towards Arkansas and a Christmas with the family. Where the road will take me after that is anyone’s guess. Until next time my friends, keep scouring those maps for those hard-to-find roads and out of the way towns, you just never know what adventure lies around the next corner. As always you can follow along in real time on Instagram @travelingchopper

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 79

hen I first spotted Shadd Reed’s 45 at Willie’s ChopperTime d u r i n g Biketoberfest, I was blown away by all the details on this little race bike. The stance, the style, the raw metal… it’s an all-around cool bike. Then to see this bike go around the New Smyrna Speedway during Sons of Speed…. all I can say is wow!

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

Shadd specifically built this bike to race in Billy Lane’s Sons of Speed, and he did so not having any background in racing. He’d never raced anything before the October 2021 event. Shadd started by making the frame first. From there, he then built up the 45 motor. He wouldn’t tell me everything that went into that, but he did say he “flowed it out” and installed better bearings in it.

Most everything on the bike is handmade, including the primary housing. The tanks are polished cast tanks that came raw and without mounting tabs. After the first few rounds on the track, Reed swapped out front ends because he didn’t like the way the original one handled. When I asked him what he thought about his first racing experience, Shadd said that at first, it was scary, then exciting, and so intense. He will

Article And Photos By: Missi Shoemaker

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 81

defiantly be back! He is hooked. Watching him on the track was an amazing experience, but talking to him after the race, you could really see his enthusiasm for the sport and his love of the bike. Shadd’s passion for motorcycles came when he was twenty-two. He used to watch his friend Romeo

82 FFebruary ebruary ‘22 - March ‘22 - Cycle SOURCE MAGAZINE

work on his motorbike. Then, one day Shadd asked Romeo about the bike and how he had gotten into it. Romeo asked him, “Why? Do you like it?” Shadd said yes, so Romeo said… Then why don’t you go get one? This was the first time Shadd even thought about having his own motorcycle. So, long story

short, he went and bought one, a 45, believe it or not, and he has been riding ever since. Through all the years of swap meets and traveling on two wheels, he was fortunate enough to meet Billy Lane in the 90s. Meeting Billy sparked his interest and his drive to build and create.

Shadd currently has around 60 bikes. When asked which is his favorite?, he quickly came back with his 1948 Panhead Chopper that has been around for quite some time. Just about every part has blown up, torn apart, repaired, and welded back together, but he says it’s his absolute favorite. I personally am hoping to be able to lay eyes on it in the near future. It sounds like it’s another great bike. If you get a chance to make it to any of the 2022 Son’s of Speed races, be sure to look for Shadd on this amazing little raw metal 45. To learn more about Billy Lane’s Son’s of Speed Racing, be sure to follow Billy’s Instagram and Facebook @choppersinc

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 83

FLAT OUT 45 TECH SHEET Owner: Shadd Reed City/State: Tampa Florida Builder: Shadd Reed Year: 1942 Model: Wl Value: $30,000.00 Time: 3 Months And Still Going Engine Year: 1942 Model: WL Builder: Willie Herschburger Ignition: Magnito Displacement: 45 Cubic Inch Pistons: Stock Heads: Aluminum Carb: Mikuni Cam: Wldr Air Cleaner: K&N Exhaust: Modified Shovel/45 Primary: Aluminum - Shadd Reed Transmission Year: 1942 Make: Harly WL Shifting: Jockey Frame Year: 2019 Model: Custom-Shadd Reed Rake: 28 Stretch: -2 Forks Builder: Shadd Reed Type: Rigid Triple Trees: Modified Springer Bars Extension: 0 Wheels Front Wheel: Spool Hub/Bobs Cycle Supply Size: 19” Tire: Avon Front Brake: None Rear Wheel: Spoked Sportster Front Hub Size: 19” Tire: Avon Rear Brake: None Paint Painter: Shadd Reed Color: Black Type: Rustoleum Industrial Enamel Graphics: Chroming: Accessories Bars: 1964 Panhead Modified Risers: None Hand Controls: Pingle Throttle Foot Controls: Home Made Foot Clutch Gas Tank(S): Cast Aluminum Poland Oil Tank: Front Fender: None Rear Fender: Front Honda Seat: PDQ Upholstery Melbourne Fl Headlight: Tail Light: Speedo: None Photographer: Missi Shoemaker

84 February ‘22 - March ‘22

- CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 85

Article By: Chip Parisi @chipakid

omehow, I convinced myself that February was a good time to cross the country on my old bagger, again. Looking b a c k , it was clearly a decision made by my itchy feet, with almost no regard to my rational mind. My nomadic girl Laura, who also spends 9 or 10 months on the road every year, chasing rallies and letting me chase her, knew it wasn’t a great idea, but also knew that her sound logic would be lost on me. After a few years together, she understood, possibly better than anyone, just how restless I get when grounded in one place for too long,

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

so she kept her opinion mostly to herself, which surely wasn’t easy. The goal was to visit my good friend, Vagabond Biker Troy

Bensinger, at his Arizona outpost,

not far south of Las Vegas, and maybe dip into Mexico, before turning around. True to form, my road brother Mike Mchone was up for some bad decisions and was packing his bike before we got off the phone! As always, he was traveling with his roadtested motorcycle mutt, Tank, and thought nothing of those 700 miles from Maryland to northeast Florida, in early February of this year. Against our better judgement and the unspoken rules of the road, we left in the rain, well after noon. That first leg was chilly and wet, but despite the conditions, we ignored the GPS, and stuck to the

backroads, ultimately landing north of Panama City Beach. That stormy night was spent under a covered picnic area, at a boat launch along the mighty Choctawhatchee River, where an owl on the hunt provided some entertainment. The following day was cold and wet, and saw us seeking shelter under overpasses, in car wash bays, and outside a very tempting hotel. We made it as far as Winnie, TX before calling it a day. Though not ideal, we made home under the bleachers at a large athletic complex, which kept us dry and out of the cold wind, which was moving in from the north. That frosty night was filled with looking at radar maps and weather predictions, neither of which were very friendly. We were reluctant to believe the weather would stop us, but that’s exactly what happened the following day. I now know that we were diving into the leading edge of a massive cold front, which would bring historically cold and icy weather to almost all of Texas. Try as we did, there was no getting around this wet, 20-degree monster. Turning around was the best option, but one that never got more than a mention, as if we were on some noble mission from the heavens. Dipping South didn’t work, and the forecast said that it

would be a temporary solution at best. Hunkering down was out, as this “polar vortex” was set to linger

for a couple weeks. I laughed the first time he said it, but an hour

later, with fingers and toes stinging from the cold, I quickly agreed when Mike brought up the idea of getting a U-Haul truck… again. A couple hours later we loaded our 2 over-packed iron horses into a white and orange moving van, blasted the heat, and were on our way. With the strange comfort of seatbelts and a cage, we were making good time. I wasn’t super comfortable with Bomber Mike behind the wheel, as he can barely see to begin with, and the heavy rain made the cracked wiper blades all but useless. I kept my cool until we started sliding on across every bridge, which were icing early, just like all the signs said they would. At 9pm we came to a stop. A little traffic was understandable, especially after passing a half dozen cars that were off the road, and a few flipped semis. An hour grew to two, then midnight came and went without that rental truck moving an inch. At some point we got comfy, cracked into a fresh case of barley pops, and embraced the fact that we weren’t going anywhere anytime soon. By sunrise we were rationing gas, as the 30 gallons we started with was almost half gone. We were fortunate to have started with a full tank (and cooler), and really didn’t want to be like all the people that ran dry and were

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 87

bundling up with strangers in cars that were still running. Though we had food, neither of is wanted to eat, as there was no bathroom in sight, and going number one in the back of the truck was about as far as we wanted to take it! Around 5pm, 18 hours after we hit gridlock, we finally started rolling, and fought hard to appreciate the comfort of that truck, compared to our 2-wheeled alternatives. Roughly 900 miles across I-10 later and we were in southwest New Mexico, near the Arizona line. Without much trouble we found a public parking lot and camped inside the back of the truck. In the morning we rolled the Harleys down the ramp, returned the trusty lifeboat of a truck, and were back in the saddles, where we belonged. The rest of that day was invested in crossing Arizona diagonally, taking the quickest route to Troy’s “Camp Vagabond”, up in the northwest corner of The Grand Canyon State. This was my first visit, and it did not disappoint! Troy’s vision of a no-frills place for weary bikers to rest and recharge was really taking shape! His little village of decommissioned buses and trailers, all encircling the “town common”, looked like it was pulled straight from a movie, and instantly felt like home. Our overall-clad host set me up in style, granting me a comfy bed inside a homemade yet road worthy hi-top

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

van. Troy’s purpose-built property and soul-nourishing company were

more than I could have asked for, and much appreciated, but the true

treasure of those few days were the people. Aside from Mike and I, a handful of other travel addicts were in town, soaking in the good vibes of this desert oasis. This motley crew of dreamers, drifters, and dropouts ranged in age from barely 20, to almost 80 years old. Despite the decades between us, we all sat around that campfire, cracking bottles and passing things around for hours (and days), like a bunch of old friends. The things we had in common, motorcycles, r i d i n g motorcycles, and escaping the perils of modern society (on motorcycles) were so strong they eclipsed any and all differences. It didn’t matter that Ed Bennett was born during World War II and Mary in this millennium. Nobody cared that Chris was from France and Joey, at half his age, hailed from Michigan. The fact that Ed captained a sleek BMW while Joey ripped wheelies on his badass little Suzuki didn’t matter. We were all brought together by the universe, to learn from each other, and gain some perspective on life, all because of motorcycles. After a dayride to the nearby edge of California, we got back to Troy’s compound before realizing

I N N O V AT I V E T O O L S A N D P R O D U C T S T H AT H E L P Y O U M A I N TA I N A N D R E P A I R M O T O R C Y C L E S , AT V S A N D U T V S

CABLES THAT GO THE DISTANCE Get Smooth and Precise Control Back From Your Cables

NEW Replacement cables for select Indian Motorcycle® models are now available!

Black Vinyl Replacement caBles - Meets or exceeds OE quality - Inner nylon sleeve for longer life and smooth operation O F F - T H E- S H ELF + LEN G T H S R EAD I LY AVAI LAB LE

@motionpro84

V- T WI N H O U S I N G O P T I O N S

@motionprofans

mountain road that had only been snow-plowed for about quarter mile. The cold was getting old, but we wanted to ride the good stuff, and didn’t want the weather to dictate our days, as it had already done. Once back in Arizona, we made a long-overdue stop in Quartzite, to visit a “rally-rat” friend, Pam (I am). Yes, we were headed back to Florida, and it was out of the way, but Troy’s homestead was calling us back, so we indulged in another night of good times and comradery that can’t be bought. I’d have liked to stay longer, but Daytona Bike Week was getting close, and it was almost time to get back to work. We took three days to cross Texas, camping at a (free) primitive camping area, and a memorable night poaching a spot inside an abandoned building, which we later learned was an old public bathhouse, that had been washed out in a flood. With Texas barely behind us, we staked out a place to sleep on the beach, near Creole, Louisiana, with relatively warm winds blowing up off the Gulf. After a very amateur photoshoot on the beach in the morning, followed by us reinflating our tires now that we were back on pavement, we blasted east, once again. It was chilly and damp for most of the day. Not wanting to pony-up for another motel, and really not wanting to camp in the cold again, I called my Hoka Hey brother, Pete Milani, to take him up on the offer to crash at his house near Pensacola, anytime. He was actually out of town, but told us how to get in, which I didn’t really expect, but truly appreciated. The last little leg was the all-tofamiliar run across Florida, on I-10, which brought me within 10 miles of my girl, a warm bed, and all the snuggles I could ask for. A couple days later we officially kicked-off the 2021 Rally Season in Daytona, leaving her modest ranch behind until almost Thanksgiving. People say the biker brotherhood is dead, and that it’s not the way it used to be. I call BS on that! It’s out there, you just have to believe, saddle-up and find it!

Armor CoAt ™

BlACkout ™

Stainless steel weave & chrome fittings

Black throughout entire cable

@motionpro

the rear tire on Mike’s softail was bald. It wasn’t all that old, but most definitely wouldn’t make it back to the east coast, especially with Kass on the back of an already overloaded scooter. We located a tire easily enough but had some doubts about our collective ability to mount it on the wheel with with only a couple tire spoons that wise-for-his years, Joey packed, and a pry bar. Thankfully, with a bunch of soapy water, a ratchet strap, a 9-pound hammer, and the motivation of an audience of our peers, Mike and I got it done in about an hour. That small victory turned out to be practice, as we’d be doing the same job on the front the next day, after a rock lodged against Mike’s fender and chewed up the sidewall something fierce! Finally, after another day of tooling around with the posse of misfit toys, including some time in Lake Havasu and a trip back in time through donkey-infested Oatman, Mike, Kass, and I peeled off and set our sights on the southern California coast, mostly to find some warmer weather. We camped along the Colorado River that night. We didn’t realize we missed the free “hippie hole” camping area by a couple hundred yards, and begrudgingly coughed up the small fee, when asked, in the morning. Traveling west that day, on CA-78, we took in the great Sand Dunes (from a paved parking lot), took a quick look around storied Julian, CA, and ended the day near Mount Laguna. The high elevation made for a cold night, but when we found a hang-glider launching cliff, right on the Pacific Crest Trail, we knew we couldn’t pass it up. A small fire kept us warm that night, and the amazing views from our cliffside retreat made the frigid morning air much more bearable. The ensuing day saw us scraping floorboards and cheating death through some incredible mountains and canyons. We passed within a few miles of Tijuana, but never ventured south of the border. Once at the ocean, we followed US-101 up the coast to Huntington Beach, dropping Kass off with some family, about halfway. The two us then splurged on a cheap motel room, before starting east in the morning. More of those famous California canyons, then another night at elevation, camped on the side of a

Find your local dealer at MOTIONPRO.COM

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 89

ike many bitten by the motorbike bug, sixty-three-year-old Tommy Goode grew up in a rural area, and bicycles were their freedom. Despite no one else in his family having a love affair with motorcycles Goode knew early on that when he got tired of pedaling all over hell’s half-acre, he wanted an engine with two wheels. So at nine years old, he started riding a Montgomery Ward mini-bike. Just two

years later, Tommy moved up to a Yamaha 125. At fifteen, he had what every teenage boy dreamt of. No, not a date with Farrah Faucet, but a 1974 Shovelhead Chopper with an 8 over Durfee Girder front end, hardtail frame, no front brake, and suicide shift! Holy hell, he must have been the coolest cat in school! As you can tell, pretty much from the getgo, there was no turning back for Goode. Motorcycling was in his blood. The first

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 91

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

Article By: Heather Callen

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 91

THE MULE TECH SHEET Owner: Tommy Goode City/State: Hereford/AZ Builder: Tommy Goode Year: 1950 Model: Harley Davidson FL Value: What’s Your Offer? Time: 14 Months ENGINE Year:1950 Model: Panhead Builder: Tommy Goode Ignition: Points /Coil/ Cyclelectric Generator Displacement: 1200cc Pistons: Stock .020 over Heads: Stock Panheads Carb:1994 Kiehn CV/Custom CNC Intake Cam: J Grind Andrews Air Cleaner: Mooneyes 4” Exhaust: Drag Pipes With Baffle Primary: BDL Belt Drive/Scorpion Clutch TRANSMISSION Year: 1948 Make: Harley-Davidson Shifting: Tank Shift/Rocker Clutch 4 Speed FRAME Year: 1956 Model: Straight Leg HD Rake: Stock Stretch: Stock FORKS Builder: Tommy Type: 1953 Servi-car Springer Triple Trees: Springer Extension: Stock WHEELS Front Wheel: Kelsey Hayes Size: 18” Tire: Firestone Front Brake: Mechanical Drum Rear Wheel: Stock Star Hub Size: 16” Tire: Shinko Rear Brake: Mechanical Drum PAINT Painter: Tommy Goode Color: Toreador Red (Ford) Type: Dupont Graphics: Bright White Stripes Chroming: None ACCESSORIES Bars: 1970s Stock HD Risers: 3 inch Hand Controls: Biltwel Foot Controls: Stock Gas Tank(s): Stock HD 3.5 Gal Split Oil Tank: Stock HD Chrome Front fender: None Rear Fender: 6” Trailer Fender Seat: Drag Specialties Solo Seat Headlight: 6 ½” Springer Headlight Taillight: Sparto Style Chopper Light Speedo: Replica White Face HD photographer: Tommy Goode

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

bike he built was a 1950 basketcase Panhead. He scrounged the parts to make a decent rider, slapped on a rattle can paint job and a swingarm frame. Unfortunately, in 1979, Goode had to sell that first one to pay his college tuition. Tommy works on his bikes in his home garage now, but back in the day, he’d work on them anywhere, a shed, the dining room when it got too cold. Well, at least until the landlord caught wind that there was a motorcycle in the house… thankfully, that project was almost

done. The 1950 Panhead you see on these pages was born out of nostalgia for the one that Tommy had to let go all those years ago. Goode searched for a basket case and scored one at the SoCal Swapmeet. He knew that all the bones were there, so he hauled it home and started a groundup build. Over time, he sourced parts from friends, eBay, and aftermarket retailers.

TWIN POWER KLINCHER CLUTCH

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT FROM OUR LIVE SHOW SHOPTALK SUNDAYS AT 9PM EASTERN

ecently we had the distinct pleasure of spending a day with Twin Power’s Brand Manager, James Simonelli, at Tucker Powersports headquarters in Ft. Worth, TX. While there, we got to have a hands-on look at some of the Twin Power product line, which has a 40-year history serving the American V-Twin community with a parts line that covers a broad spectrum. One such product I got my dirty digits on was the Klincher Clutch. I have to say that I was thoroughly impressed with the American-made Clutch. I dig the fact that it can be used on motorcycles that span eight decades, from 1937 to 2017. M8 enthusiasts will be bummed to learn that the Klincher isn’t available for their rides, but dang, near

Article By And Photos By: Heather Callen

everyone else is covered. You’ll also be happy to know that the Klincher will fit your stock clutch basket with no modifications. Seems easy peasy.

Having known James for decades now, I know that he is seriously afflicted with a need for speed and power, which means that he

wouldn’t let anything slip by that didn’t have the ability to get more out of you’ve got, that being said, James assured me that the Klincher Clutch offers a great increase in performance without spending the extra dough on a complete replacement clutch and works for stock and high performance uses. Seems to me that you really can’t go wrong with this one. The Klincher Clutch MSRP starts right around $518 bucks. Check out your local Twin Power Dealer to grab yours. If you’re not sure who’s in your area, check out https://twinpower-usa.com/ dealers

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 93

lat Broke Chops & Rods is less of a business perse’ and much more of a motley crew of rough and tumble Pittsburgher’s with a penchant for making difficult things much harder than they need to be. While that might come off as a backhanded compliment or an overt slight, it isn’t. Pittsburg is historically, a tough place inhabited by the descendants of our founding fathers and [at one time] one of the wealthiest places on earth. The steel industry that forged our country over the last 160 years was based in Pittsburgh. The

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

oil industry started in Pennsylvania in 1859 when oil was struck for the first time about a hundred miles away from Pittsburgh in Oil Creek, Pennsylvania. The name Flat Broke Chops & Rods is aptly placed, and the builders there are committed to building motorcycles and hot rods that live up to the rough and tumble climate Pittsburgh is known for. For starters, the 1981 Shovelhead engine bolted into this chassis was built by master craftsman Rich Pitoniak. To many, the Shovelhead was Harley Davidson’s version of a “Muscle Car” engine. It seems as if the engineers of

the day really stressed the importance of things like intake manifold velocity, dynamic cylinder head timing, and volumetric efficiency. The newer, more venerable Shovelhead (named for the style of rocker boxes and their resemblance to a shovel) is much more “torquey” than its predecessor, the “Panhead” was, and therefore it is much easier to make power with. Introduced in 1966, the newer Shovelhead featured an infinitely better induction system and really moved Harley engines away from being simple air in/exhaust out engines. Also, due to

Article By: Jason Hallman Photos By: Chris Callen

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 95

the reduction of reciprocating weight of fewer valve train components, it is infinitely better mechanically, even with its slightly more radical valve pushrod angle when compared to the Panhead engine.* With this particular Shovelhead engine build, the engine builder focused more on the simple and useful characteristics inherent in the engine design to achieve the builders’ goal. To achieve this, more focus was placed on the exhaust choice from an aesthetic standpoint and getting the design to fit the

overall project flow instead of using a short pipe system that would deliver a more “racey” sound and [possibly] more horsepower. Pitoniak also chose a nice, easygoing, mid-level cam that is street [and kick only] friendly and lends itself to longevity in place of higher torque and horsepower numbers on a dyno. Again, if you’ve ever owned or ridden a radical Shovelhead, you know of what I speak. They have a tendency to rattle things loose (like the fillings in your teeth). The Flat Broke guys found

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

inspiration for this project by melding the lines of a vintage Panhead with those of a straight axle Gasser. This look was achieved using a 1949 Panhead oil bag and split tanks from a 1952-ish fuel tank set up. Flat Broke tried everything from a rubber band Superglide fuel tank to twin cam touring tanks, Shovelhead tanks, and nothing fit until a pair of Panhead tanks were test fitted to the frame. The stock Harley chassis was then outfitted with a drop seat frame

kit from Jeff Cochran at SpeedKing Racing. With the drop seat and the Panhead oil bag in place, this meant that they had to sacrifice the starter. To add to the “gadgetry” of the Gasser look, a belt drive was just mechanical enough to achieve the look they were going for. Klock Werks fenders are perfect in any application, fit exactly as they should, and provide ample room for the gasser-style lettering and flat yellow paint. Normally, all paint chores are handled inside Flat Broke Chops & Rods. Flat paint provides the overall finish and the foundation that makes the lettering guy, [Casey Kennel] at The Paint Chop feel right at home for this type of project. Flat Broke left Casey alone to employ his skillset and pay homage to Twisted Tea (the client) and the Gassers for which this build was inspired by. The spring solo seat was recovered by Curt Green. Flat Broke really wanted to pull the motorcycle into a period correct feel, so springs were utilized to get the overall look back into play. The drop seat frame setup offered the perfect body and frame

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 97

TEA DRAGGER TECH SHEET Owner: Boston Beer Co City/State: Boston, MA Builder: Chris Callen Year: 1981 Model: Shovelhead Value: A Whole Lotta Tea Time: 3 Month ENGINE Year: 1981 Model: FX Builder: Pitoniak Custom Cycles Ignition: S&S Displacement: 80cu Pistons: S&S Heads: Stock Carb: S&S Super E Cam: S&S Air Cleaner: S&S Exhaust: Paughco Primary: Tech Cycle TRANSMISSION Year: 1981 Make: Harley-Davidson Shifting: Foot FRAME Year: 1981 Model: FX/SpeedKing Drop Seat Kit Rake: Stock Stretch: Stock Forks Builder: Harley-Davidson Type: Evo Heritage Triple Trees: Stock Extension: Stock WHEELS Front Wheel: 50 Spoke Fat Daddy Size: Fat 21” Tire: Metzeler Front Brake: Stock Rear Wheel: 50 Spoke Fat Daddy Size: 18” Tire: Metzeler Rear Brake: PAINT Painter: SpeedFreak Color: Matte Twisted Tea Yellow Type: HOK Graphics: The Paint Chop Chroming: ACCESSORIES Bars: Risers: Stock Hand Controls: Biker’s Choice Foot Controls: Heritage Gas Tank(s): 1953 Panhead Oil Tank: 1949 Panhead Front fender: Klock Werks Rear Fender: Klock Werks Seat: Drag Specialties/Bare Bones Leather Headlight: Drag Specialties Taillight: Tombstone Speedo: Ted’s V-Twin Photographer: Chris Callen

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

line desired. Bars and controls were left simple yet effective. The front end of the bike needed a proper era-correct feel, so the front end was sourced from an EVO Heritage Softail. The nacelle is just antiquated enough to get that job done without drawing too much attention to the fact that it isn’t period correct, and the saddlebags are era-specific and again have enough real estate to tie it all together for the client without being obnoxious. Spokes are a go-to for the Flat Broke crew, and why shouldn’t they be? A billet wheel would never have existed back in the day this bike harkens to. Flat Broke Chops & Rods are a pair of indiscriminate builders focused on high-quality project-

based made to order builds like this one built for Twisted Tea. While they are most known for their custom choppers, the opportunity to work consistently with a client like Boston Beer Company keeps them in a space of constant innovation and moving forward. So, let’s remember to “Keep it Twisted.” * Sidebar: Dynamic cylinder head timing is something that is more nuanced than it sounds. The newer cylinder head design found on the Shovelhead engine brought to light new innovation and started the conversation in between “velocity” versus port “volume” in relation to efficiency. In the “bigger is better” world of engine building, some people misplace or conflate velocity with volume.

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 99

Article And Photos By: Buck Shaw

100

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

hirteen years ago, two west coast chopper fanatics produced a small motorcycle show in a parking lot in Orange County. It was primarily attended by local chopper enthusiasts, friends, and family. At the heart of the show was custom fabrication and a deep commitment to builders of badass choppers. Word spread quickly to the hardcore brethren. That small show has grown to one of the most comprehensive motorcycle shows anywhere. Silverado California is the perfect home for The Born Free Motorcycle Show. The venue is a small oasis nestled in the low desert foothills of Orange County. The canyon roads are exactly the kind of roads that air cooled V twins eat up, with loads of turns connected with long straightaways. As you climb from the O.C. freeways to the canyons, you can almost feel the pretense of Southern California melting

away. Scissor door McLaren’s on the beach may be what some folks dream of, but for some of us, nothing compares to a passion-built motorcycle.

The Born Free Show is all about motorcycles first. There are no bigname bands. The musical flavor leans towards local, retro-punk

sounds. There are no bar babes sucking whip cream off fat dude’s bellies. There is no Wi-Fi (you will be OK, seek comfort in talking to each other). You won’t find a bedazzled bandana or pair of chaps in sight. It’s typically hot as Fu@k. There really isn’t even a bar. It’s mostly draft beer on tap and good Cali green for this crowd. It’s not your typical “Rally Crowd.” The Born Free crowd is younger, hipper, and more West Coast, but there is a common d e n o m i n a t o r, a passion for custom motorcycles and the people who build and ride them. The motorcycle is the foundation at Born Free. Ridiculously cool, hand-built motorcycles…and lots of them. Like a paroled pedophile at Disneyland, I wandered, wildeyed and wanting, amongst the multitudes of handbuilt motorcycles at Born Free 12. It wasn’t just classic choppers, Born Free 12 was deep. There was so February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 101

much variety to take in. The main feature is the invited builder show, featuring 30 invited builders handpicked for their passion for building one-off motorcycles. Christian Newman and Hawke Lawshe shared the “Best In Show” honors. Hawke built a 1966 Shovelhead turbo drag bike that looked like it was straight out of a James Bond flick. Newman’s bike had a level of execution and engineering that was simply beyond comprehension, a dual carb, dual turbo, 8 valve OHV/ULH, complete with exposed rockers and enough polish to sunburn your brain. The detail on this bike was just insane. The Builders Choice Awards were: 1st Place- (Also winner of The Mooneyes award)- Jake Wreesman’s ‘48 Pan, a super clean, skinny tire bike with one of the sexiest chassis I’ve ever seen. 2nd Place went to John Edwards classic yellow 1941 Knucklehead, and Third Place went to Hawke’s 1966 Shovel Gold Drag bike (the same that shared the Best in Show Award). The people’s choice section is a cool collaboration between Born Free and Biltwell that gives any builder regardless of origin or Instagram followers, an avenue to be on the big stage. Cliff Cavin’s one handed-handle bar, sissy bar headlight, knobbed up chopper was this year’s Peoples Choice Invitee. I concur, that thing was rad. For pure originality, you have to give it to Slim Fabs, Insane 1972 Kawi, H2 triple trike that sounded like a screaming banshee when fired. As well as Don Millers’ “Pie Wagon” another Kawi Triple Trike with an 86 ZX750E mill and a super cool girder, radiused front end. My personal pick from the invited builder feature was The Styling and Design award winner- Chris Moorhouse’s low sheen, 1940 Knucklehead Bobber, with the fishtail exhaust and the mother of pearl inlay tank. Such a clean bike! The traditional Choppers and Invited Builders shows held the infield, but the performance bikes solidly flanked the show’s perimeter and were hard to ignore. San Diego Customs had a strong Performance Bike Show with racing baggers sprinkled throughout. V-Twin Visionary was in the house along with a vast offering of performance parts vendors. For me, there is something so dope about a 550 lb, 200 hp, full dresser designed to knee drag. So much better than gigantic, wheeled spaceships with loud stereos playing music that no one wants to hear. And then there is the Born Free crowd which was really something of a show itself. Californians are fiercely

102

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

independent folks and always have been. While we have some draconian laws and politicians, most of us ignore them and live lives of independence. The Golden State has had such a historical influence on Hot Rod, Drag Race, Surf, Skate, Music, Flat Track, and Cannabis Cultures. Custom and Performance motorcycles are no exception. Born Free 12 and Harley-Davidson graciously gave away several motorcycles over the weekend. Sunday on the main stage, $25.00 gave you a shot at either a gorgeous 1939 EL Knucklehead or a 2020 M8 Lowrider S. The crowd breathed a collective sigh of approval when the first drawn chose the 39 EL. All winners were obviously stoked. Thank you, Mike Davis and Grant Peterson, and all the people who have put their hearts and souls into Born Free. Many of us are indeed Born Free but staying free relies on the men and women who put it all on the line defending that freedom. All active-duty and retired military are free guests at Born Free shows. Born Free 13 is tentatively scheduled for June 25th and 26th, 2022. If you love custom bikes and the people who make, ride and love them- check it out. Stay Free!

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 103

Article By: Xavier Muriel

easons Greetings ya’ll. The holidays are upon us again. Man I swear it seems the older I get the faster time flies. We made it through another year chocked full of awesome rallies giving us the chance to see old friends from all over the globe. I’m always amazed at how many motorcycle lovers come from so far away to attend the likes of Daytona Bike Week or Sturgis and can’t seem to get enough of it. Makes me reevaluate my perception of how blessed I am to be doing this as a career. The fact that I get to see my moto family so many times during a season is an absolute joy. You look at things differently when it’s taken away from you, like in 2020 with the pandemic. Let’s talk about the last two hoorahs at the end of the 2021 season. The

104

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

first is the Lone Star Rally held in good ol Galveston, Texas, just a hop, skip and jump from my home in Austin. Now, Galveston by itself is a sleepy lil gulf coast town most

of the year, but every November, it is home to one of the biggest rallies in the Nation. Bringing in well over 200,000 motorcycle enthusiasts. This year was no exception. I feel like the turnout was so impressive because

people wanted to get out and live their lives and do some riding. Many of the people I spoke to hit this rally specifically because of its location and weather. Regardless, whatever the reason, it was a great time. We had the High Seas Rally tent and crew there, along with the giveaway bike. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that many vendors at that rally before. The Sea Wall was buzzing all day with everything from exhaust to tattoos and everything in between. The Strand (the main drag) downtown hosted the sound-off competitions, hot rod shows, and an array of bikes and other various machines. It just goes to show you there’s a little something for everyone. The Black Smoke Sinners got to play before Hairball on Saturday night, and the crowd was off the chain! Of course, they were a little skeptical at first, but by the third

THE CYCLE SOURCE WORLD REPORT - POWERED BY BIKERNET.COM song, they were right up-front, hands in the air and having a rock-n-roll good time. We played a two-hour set, and the crowd hung in the whole time. To Lone Star Rally, I say thank you for a very warm reception. I even had some old friends from Austin stop in to surprise us. The band is looking into playing a bunch of dates in 2022, so keep an eye out to see which rally we’ll be at near you! Hairball, as always, came out and crushed it. If you’ve never seen them in action, make it a point. They have a show and production that rivals the biggest touring acts out there. Hopefully, we’ll get paired with them again next year. The Cycle Source Ride-In Show and bike games were a hit as usual. No one can deny a good weenie bite contest and barrel race. Dave and Jody Perewitz hosted the Perewitz Paint Show in conjunction with the Cycle Source Show. Our sister magazine Torque made its debut in Texas with a Performance Bike Show in the park on The Strand with a Bitchin display of Performance bikes. Congrats to Jason Hallman for the beginning of what looks like an exciting journey. Expect to see big things in 2022 from Torque Magazine. Now, onto the last blowout of 2021. I’m talking about the 3rd Annual Wheels of Steel show held in Lakeland, FL, hosted by a great team, including the Hallman’s, the Callen’s, and many others behind the scene. CFWOS was held at the RP Funding Center

Dec11-12th , and included an Invited Builder showcase and show displaying the works of great builders

like Alleyway Kustoms, RKB Kustom Speed, Johnny 99 Customs, Ray

Llanes, Cory Souza, Flat Broke Chops & Rods, FNA, Warren Lane, Freddie Bollwage, Joker Cycle Works, Providence Cycle Worx and many others. There were raffles all weekend, minibike racing, and an open bike show. I’d like to extend a hearty congratulations to Rick Bray of RKB Kustoms for taking home the prestigious Rick Hallman Legacy Award passed down from Fish of Alleyway Kustoms, last year’s winner. So, now Mr. Bray must construct a trophy to be given away at next year’s show. The hangs and convos that happen at an event like this are awesome. You get to see some of the finest folks that grace this industry. For me, it’s all about the dinners and hang time with REAL friends from across the country. Jason threw a pre-party Friday night at his shop, and what a great turnout it was! Thank you, Cycle Stop USA, for hosting such a wonderful time. The best part of the weekend was completely unplanned, a ride with Rick Bray, Chris Callen, and Jason Hallman that we took not one, not two, but three OG West Coast Choppers that haven’t been ridden in over 8 years! Battery’s were changed, oil was checked, gas was filled, and off we went! Man, was I smiling from ear to ear, getting to ride a CFL, Diablo rigid, and Diablo Softy. We traded off bikes as we rode so all could say they rode one. We took a 3-hour ride, complete with a lunch stop. It was the most perfect way to end an already killer weekend. I spent most of the drive back to Texas reflecting on that ride and what it meant to me. You see, it is not about what bikes were ridden on that sunny Florida day, but who I was riding with, men who are a huge inspiration to me in so many ways. Each has a special gift that places them above so many in this industry. I’m incredibly fortunate to call them brothers, today and always. Till next time, take care of yourself and others.God Bless. X.

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 105

Hey, Is life nuts or what? The one element, the bottom line, is to understand and learn about critical thinking. If you wonder about anything from Fossil Fuel use, to C02 don’t hesitate to read and inform yourself and others. The info is out there. One of the best books I’ve recently read Alex Epstein’s “Moral Case for Fossil Fuels.” It will blow your mind. Here’s a quote at the end of Chapter 5, “I wrote earlier that we owe the fossil fuel industry an apology for the way we’ve treated it on climate and that we owe them a long overdue thank you. I mean it.” Keep learning. Let’s hit the news: New Model From Norton-- First pictures of re-engineered V4SV superbike. Norton Motorcycles has revealed the first official pictures of the re-engineered V4SV – the most luxurious British superbike ever created. True to its Isle of Man TT heritage, the re-engineered Norton V4SV has benefited from significant investment and testing during the last 12 months to deliver a quality luxury product befitting of the Norton name. The V4SV is currently in the last engineering improvement phase. Each component has been repackaged and

106

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

revised, none more-so than the inhouse developed engine. The new Norton 1200cc V4 sits elegantly in its handcrafted aluminum tubed frame to deliver a blistering 185bhp. With fully adjustable Ohlins front forks

and a bespoke Norton Ohlins TTXGP adjustable rear shock, the V4SV is every bit the TT-inspired performance machine. The V4SV motorcycle is the first model to be shown since the brand was bought out of administration by TVS Motors. - Norton Motorcycles Competition Distributing Remains In Operation - This month, vintage and

Antique bike collectors and businesses will breathe a sigh of relief with the news coming out of Pittsburgh, Pa. Enthusiast Tom Banks has reached a deal with Lonnie Isam Sr. to keep the well-known brand Competition Distributing alive and servicing the antique community. Isam’s 52-year brand has become integral in the role of providing parts to antique motorcycle enthusiasts who would look to restore and maintain any motorcycle from 1910 to 1936. As the rumors started to circulate just a few months back that Sr would be shutting CDI down, a panic raced across the vintage community. Mr. Banks, a ferocious competitor in both the motorcycle Cannonball and Cross Country Chase events, is a long-time collector of antique motorcycles and felt compelled to do something to keep this iconic brand, a lifeline for old bikes, alive. While the company will be relocated to Western Pennsylvania, their plan is to keep the original website with some minor tweaks and have it back up and running under the same umbrella in approximately two weeks. As far as operations, Tom will be bringing in Sean Jackson to oversee all aspects while expanding on what Lonnie did with CDI over the years. Their goal will be to serve all the major races like the Cannonball, The Chase, TROG, and the Sons Of Speed, providing the same quality parts that Competition Distributing has become known for. Look for a clothing line to come along for both this brand and Banks Brothers, who you may already know for their Award Winning Motorcycle Engine Lift, shortly. Tucker Powersports Acquisition Of Kuryakyn Holdings - Tucker Powersports acquired Kuryakyn Holdings on September 7, 2021 and began transitioning the company into the Tucker brand structure. The following is an update on the status of the transition. Product Availability: Kuryakyn had strong inventories of their top products at the time of acquisition, so there has been minimal impact on

dealers seeking Kuryakyn’s top selling products. Product purchasing functions have been moved to Tucker and the team continues to manage ordering and inventory, with all Kury inventory now in Tucker’s warehouses. Global supply chain issues are likely to continue to impact Tucker, along with most others in the powersports industry, for the months ahead. Sales and Operations: All sales and financial operations of Kuryakyn are now led through Tucker’s Fort Worth headquarters. Shortly after the acquisition, all Kuryakyn dealers who didn’t have a Tucker account were set up as Tucker Powersports dealers. Tucker’s team of field reps were trained on the Kuryakyn product line and act as a Kuryakyn field sales force, which Kury has not had in recent years. Tucker leadership is extremely happy that all of Kuryakyn’s large accounts will continue to purchase and sell Kuryakyn products to their consumer and dealer customers. Kuryakyn’s direct-to-consumer sales program will continue under Tucker. Staffing: Several of the Wisconsin-based Kuryakyn employees have been hired by Tucker and are now based in the Fort Worth office. Product Development: The move of Kuryakyn’s Product Development program to Tucker has been a welcome addition to Tucker’s capabilities. The additional staff and equipment will allow Tucker to continue the growth of the Kuryakyn product offering as well as the other Tucker brands. Facilities: The Kuryakyn office and product development facility in Somerset WI have been closed and are in the process of being sold. “The acquisition of Kuryakyn has been a positive move for both companies and we are pleased at how well Kuryakyn fits in our brand structure. Tucker is now an even better resources for dealers and consumers in powersports,” said Andrea Weeke,

Tucker’s Director of Owned Brands, Marketing and Apparel. “Our plan was to finish the transition by year end, and with the great cooperation of the Kuryakyn team we did just that.” Triumph’s100,000,000th Motorcycle - “Everyone at Triumph is incredibly proud to have played a part in achieving such a momentous moment in the modern history of this iconic brand,” said CEO Nick Bloor on Triumph reaching a historic milestone in its modern era with the reveal of the millionth motorcycle built since the brand’s return in 1990. “Over the 31 years since we re-

launched Triumph with a new line of British designed motorcycles in Cologne in 1990, we have shared so many great moments with our fans across the world. From returning to the TT champions arena, to entering the MotoGP paddock with our Moto2 Engine partnership, to supporting the biggest global riding event and its great cause for health and wellbeing with the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, to mention only a few. Triumph’s success has always stemmed from the passion and commitment we share with our riders.” Bloor unveiled the 1 millionth bike — a custom painted Tiger 900 Rally Pro — at Triumph’s Global Headquarters in Hinckley in front of the UK team. With its Jubilee silver paint scheme and one millionth graphics, this

milestone motorcycle will be displayed in Triumph’s stand at this year’s Motorcycle Live show at the NEC and then on show in Triumph’s Factory Visitor Experience* in a new, specially created 120-year anniversary display. “Whilst the last year has been challenging for all of us, this passion and commitment has driven Triumph to even greater heights, including the successful entry into new categories with the Trident 660 and Tiger Sport 660,” Bloor added. “Over the last three decades Triumph has maintained sustained and significant investment in our people, our partners and our in-house design, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities, in order to grow the reach and reputation of this iconic British brand. This investment in home grown talent, both in the UK and around the world, matched by the passion we share with our riders for delivering the complete and perfect motorcycle, has seen the brand go from strength to strength, achieving the most successful year in the brand’s entire 120-year history.’’ Riveter Chapter Of The Amca And Chix On 66 - Team Up with the Motorcycle Cannonball/ Cross Country Chase Riveter Chapter of the AMCA proudly announces that the Motorcycle Cannonball/Cross Country Chase will provide sponsorship for our Chix on 66 event June 11-25, 2022. This sponsorship provides numerous benefits, including Chix on 66 participants having access to Cannonball Travel which will simplify their hotel/motel booking, and sweep support for riders who may experience mechanical difficulties or breakdowns. Chix on 66 is a cross-country ride that follows Route 66 from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California. Riveter Chapter President Karan Andrea says, “We are fortunate that Jason Sims has offered his support for the Chix on 66 event. His depth of knowledge and experience is valuable February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 107

THE CYCLE SOURCE WORLD REPORT - POWERED BY BIKERNET.COM

to us as this is our first event, and it has been no small undertaking. Working with Jason immediately elevates what we can offer our Chix riders. I also hope that through this experience, some of our members will be inspired to compete in the Chase or the Cannonball.” The Motorcycle Cannonball, which ran its inaugural event in 2010, is the most difficult antique endurance race in the world. Riders compete on a transcontinental route of at minimum 3,000 miles on centuryold motorcycles. Jason Sims, owner/operator of the Motorcycle Cannonball and the Cross Country Chase, comments, “We’re proud to be a supporter of Chix on 66 and the new female-focused Riveter Chapter. We’re encouraged that Chix on 66 is putting events together to attract women to the hobby.” The Cross Country Chase, similar in structure, is a test of endurance, speed, navigation and knowledge. Riders on the Chase also compete on a slightly shorter cross-country route on antique motorcycles built between 1930 and 1960. The Motorcycle Cannonball proved that 100-year-old bikes can and should be ridden cross country, and in the last 11 years, the governing body has fine-tuned the vintage endurance motorcycle event. The Cross Country Chase built on the groundwork of the Cannonball and brought the opportunity and challenge of crosscountry navigation to a different set of vintage motorcycle owners. The 2022 Motorcycle Chase will also be traversing the U.S. on Route 66 in September, so it made sense for them to pair with Chix on 66, which will be run in June of 2022.

AMA AND UNITED STATES MOTORCYCLE COACHING ASSOCIATION PARTNER TO EXPAND COMPETITION COACHING IN AMERICA -The American Motorcyclist Association has entered into a partnership with the United States Motorcycle Coaching Association (USMCA) to grow AMA membership and expand access to responsible and comprehensive coaching for motorcycle racers across the country. Under the agreement, the AMA, the national sanctioning body for motorcycle sport, and the USMCA, which has pioneered a nationally recognized motorcycle coaching

108

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

certification process and national network of rider coaches, will promote ease of access and availability, safety and membership in the AMA for AMAsanctioned Competition Schools operated by USMCA-certified coaches. “This effort will foster the development of responsible and competitive racers across numerous AMA-sanctioned disciplines,” said AMA Director of Racing Mike Pelletier. “Through this partnership, each organization will be able to leverage the others’ resources and nationwide networks to meet the growing demand for race-oriented training. The result will be more racers, and more confident racers, enjoying the motorcycle lifestyle.” The USMCA was launched in 2016 by then-head of KTM North America Jon-Erik Burleson, AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer — and former Victory Motorcycle CEO — Mark Blackwell and former Supercross champion and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Jeff Emig. USMCA is a non-profit, membership-based organization that

has certified coaches across several states, connecting students with coaches through www.motorcyclecoaching.org. “As motorcycle sales have soared, especially during the pandemic, our robust coaching certification program has continued to grow to meet the needs of athletes,” said USMCA President Christy LaCurelle. “This agreement helps give USMCA coaches the chance to run AMAsanctioned Competition Schools while broadening both of our networks.” To become a USMCA-certified coach, applicants have to pass a motorcycle competency and skills test, complete a background check and have training in CPR/First Aid, concussion protocol, heat illness and cardiac arrest. The USMCA’s nationally-recognized coaching certification program is an industry first that brings the professionalism of coaching on par with other well-established sports. Coaching certification must be renewed every two years. As part of this program, the AMA will host a dedicated website page to link

AMA members with USMCA coaches, and promote coaching opportunities to competition members of the association. -from the Dealer News and AMA The winner of the 2021 WTT Annual Raffle TODD CAMPBELLThe Grand Prize winner of the 1948 Harley-Davidson Panhead was Todd Campbell of East Palestine, OH. A second-place prize of ten thousand dollars went to Sharon Crickmar of Raleigh, NC. The thirdplace prize of five thousand dollars went to Rex Gore of Miamisburg, Ohio. “The day’s events were dedicated in memory of Walksler, who passed away earlier this year after an extended battle with cancer. “It’s been a year filled with mixed emotions. The loss of our founder, my dad Dale Walksler, has continually been on our mind, coupled with the amazing support of all our visitors throughout the year. I know he would be so proud and excited to see all the people here today and for the record-setting year we’ve had at the museum,” said museum Vice-President and Curator Matt Walksler. Unveiling the 2022 Raffle Bike- The day was a perfect completion to the museum’s 2021 season, which had seen record-setting attendance each month. The museum also unveiled their raffle bike for 2022... This year’s Raffle Bike is the stunning 1937 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead finished in one-yearonly Delphine Blue, striped in Teak Red, and edged in Gold. This Model EL features an all-1937 61c.i. Knucklehead engine cradled in a genuine 1937 frame and fork, along with all-original pre-war fenders and gas tanks. The 1937-only dash panel sports a 120-mph speedo, NOS amp gauge, and oil pressure switch. This 30-year assemblage of genuine H-D components makes it the rarest and most original WTT Raffle Bike to date.

Ride Fast and Free Forever! If you run across a news item that begs to be featured, don’t hesitate to drop me a line to Bandit@Bikernet.com. If you need to follow our rapidly changing news more often go to the Cycle Source web site or to Bikernet.com for the very latest, breaking world motorcycle action. -Bandit

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 109

110

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 111

ADVERTISERS INDEX 5 Ball Racing Leather.............95 Alleyway Ivitational.................64 Battery Outlet.......................113 BikerNet.com.........................110 Bling’s Cycles.........................91 Chop Cult...............................110 Cycle Source Gear.................37 Cycle Showcase STL.............85 Cycle Stop USA.......................35 DB Custom Leather...............110 Dennis Kirk............................115 Denver’s Choppers.................93 Donnie Smith Show................75 Drag Specialties.......................9 Drag Specialties Seats...........15 Dutchman..............................113 Fandango................................51 Feuling...................................111 Garage Built Podcast..............91 GEICO.......................................3 High Seas Rally.......................45 Hijinx Apparel.......................101 Hot Leathers.........................103 Kiwi Indian...............................29 Law Tigers................................2 Led Sled..................................63 MC Creations.........................113 Mikuni......................................79 Motion Pro..............................89 No School Choppers..............35 Pandemonium........................20 Paughco.............................19,57 Progressive Insurance...........33 Providence Cycle Worx........109 S&S Cycle.............................116 SmokeOut Rally...................5,99 SpeedKing..............................55 Sporty Parts...........................113 Spectro Oils............................21 Tech Cycles............................29 Twisted Tea.............................31 Tropical Tattoo........................46 Twin Power................................4 Twisted Choppers...................17

112

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 113

Why did you have to die?” The first man approached him and said, “Sir, I don’t wish to interfere with your private grief, but this demonstration of pain is more than I’ve ever seen before. For whom do you mourn so deeply? A child? A parent?” The mourner took a moment to collect himself and replied, “My wife’s first husband.”

Send Your Gut Buster to: cyclesourcemain@comcast.net

n their way to get married, a young Catholic couple is involved in a fatal car accident. The couple found themselves sitting outside the Pearly Gates waiting for St. Peter to process them into Heaven. While waiting, they began to wonder: Could they possibly get married in Heaven? When St. Peter showed up, they asked him. St. Peter said, “I don’t know. This is the first time anyone has asked. Let me go find out,’” and he left. The couple sat and waited, and waited. Two months passed, and the couple was still waiting. While waiting, they began to wonder what would happen if it didn’t work out; could you get a divorce in Heaven? After yet another month, St. Peter finally returned, looking somewhat bedraggled. “Yes,” he informed the couple, “You can get married in Heaven.” “Great!” said the couple, “But we were just wondering, what if things don’t work out? Could we also get a divorce in Heaven?” St. Peter, red-faced with anger, slammed his clipboard onto the ground. “What’s wrong?” asked the frightened couple. “OH, COME ON! “ St. Peter shouted, “It took me three months to find a priest up here! Do you have any idea how long it’ll take me to find a lawyer?”

Earle

boss said to his secretary, “I want to have sex with you, but I will make it very fast. I’ll throw $1,000 on the floor, and by the time you bend

114

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

down to pick it up, I’ll be done.” She thought for a moment then called her boyfriend and told him the story. Her boyfriend said, “Do it but ask him for $2,000. Then pick up the money so fast, he won’t even have enough time to undress himself.” She agrees. After half an hour passes, the boyfriend calls the girlfriend and asks, “So what happened?” She responds, “The bastard used coins. He’s still going at it!”

Robin

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.”

Lynn

man placed some flowers on the grave of his dearly departed mother and started back toward his car when his attention was diverted to another man kneeling at a grave. The man seemed to be praying with profound intensity and kept repeating, “Why did you have to die?

Joey

n old man goes into the Social Security Office and fills out an application. He’s too old to have a birth certificate, so he is asked to prove he is old enough. He opens his shirt and shows them the gray hair on his chest, and they accept that as proof. He goes home to his wife, shows her the check, and explains what happened. She replies, “Well, get back down there, pull down your pants, and see if you can get disability!”

Mr. D

t was Christmas Eve. A woman came home to her husband after a day of busy shopping. Later on, that night, when she was getting undressed for bed, he noticed a mark on the inside of her leg. “What is that?” he asked. She said, “I visited the tattoo parlor today. On the inside of one leg, I had them tattoo ‘Merry Christmas,’ and on the inside of the other one, they tattooed ‘Happy New Year.’” Perplexed, he asked, “Why did you do that?” “Well,” she replied, “now you can’t complain that there’s never anything to eat between Christmas and New Year!”

Kevin

ickey Mouse is in the middle of a nasty divorce from Minnie Mouse. Mickey spoke to the judge about the separation. “I’m sorry, Mickey, but I can’t legally separate you two on the grounds that Minnie is mentally insane,” said the judge. Mickey replied, “I didn’t say she was mentally insane. I said that she’s f*cking Goofy!” Jason

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 115

116

February ‘22 - March ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

Cycle Source Magazine - February - March 22 Issue 289

Articles inside

It's Really All About The Motorcycles

Garage Builder Tommy Goode's 1952 Panhead

Twisted Tea's Homage To The Drag Strip

Shad Reed's SOS Racer

Johnny 99's 1967 Sportster

Xavier Lays It Out

Mondo's Tribute To Denver

The People Have Spoken

A Look Back At The Year That Was

A Step Back In Time At The New Smyrna Speedway

TP Engineering's Pro Series Smart Pump

Update On The Dennis Kirk Give-A-Way FXR

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

Bobby Shadley's 1972 XLCH

Engine Turning With Daniel

Brock Bridges' 1969 Shovelhead