CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE
20 YEARS AS AMERICA’S FAVORITE GRASS ROOTS MOTORCYCLE PUBLICATION
ISSUE NUMBER 250
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August ‘10 CYCLE SOURCE
CYCLE SOURCE January ‘18
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BIKES Hard Times
Lil Ben's Pan Shovel ............................................................................................ 22
Ruby Red Sled
Pandemonium's Shovel .................................................................................... 40
Dead Pan
Cry Baby Cycles' Metal Masterpiece Panhead.................................... 58
Johnny Cash Special
Ron Lee's One Piece At A Time Shovel ........................................................ 70
Whitesnake
Noise Cycles Brings A Dream To Life .......................................................... 82
FEATURES Year In Review
Our Annual Look Back...........................................................................................10
Best Of Awards
And The Winners Are.......................................................... ................................ 30
Top 10 Bikes Of 2017
The People's Voice Is Heard............................................................................ 51
Babes Ride Out
1700 Ladies Of All Ages, Types, And Their Motos ................................ 68
Southern Throwdown
One Of The Must Do Events In Texas ............................................................ 76
Art Of Our Culture
West Coast Scene Is Kickin' With Taylor Schultz ................................ 86
Year In Reviw In Pictures
Photo Recap Shows 2017 Didn't Suck......................................................... 88
Tyler Goes To School
A Weekend Class With Fuller Moto Is Well Worth It.......................... 106
58
TECH
Cha...Cha...Chains
Chains, the basics and what you need to know.................................... 18
On The Lift With J&P
Indian Scout Air Cleaner Install................................................................... 46
Knurling Know How
Faith Forgotten Shows Us What's Up.......................................................... 78
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EDITORIAL OFFICE
The Cycle Source Magazine 118 Dellenbaugh Road Tarentum, PA 15084
For Any Questions Or Comments Please Call 724-226-2867 or e-mail cyclesourcemain@comcast.net
EDITORIAL STAFF
Christopher Callen - Editor In Chief - cyclesource69@comcast.net Heather Callen - Managing Editor - cyclesourcemain@comcast.net Will Ramsey - Tech Editor - will@faithforgotten.com Milwaukee Mike - Mid-West Editor - neanderthalneon@hotmail.com Roadside Marty - South East Editor - roadsidemd@bellsouth.net Keith “Bandit” Ball - News Editor - bandit@bikernet.com J. Ken Conte - Test Ride Editor - kenconte@gmail.com
STAFF WRITERS
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Chris Callen, Milwaukee Mike, Jack Schitt, Pat Jansen,Will Ramsey, Xavier Muriel, Charlie Weisel, Mitch Bodine, Mark Velazquez, Amelia Rose, Daniel Donley, Joshua Elzey, Jimmy Frizzell, Roadside Marty, Scooter Tramp Scotty, Heather Callen, Rebecca Cunningham
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Chris Callen, Amelia Rose, Heather Callen, Mad Stork Ken, Mark Velazquez, Carsten Fritzen, Twila Knight, Rebecca Cunningham
CONTRIBUTORS
Tyler Porter, Kayla Keoune, Michael Emanuele, Pauly White
STAFF ARTISTS
Jimmy Frizzell, Chris Callen, Seth Leibowitz
ADVERTISING
Heather Callen - Sales Manager - cyclesourcemain@comcast.net
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CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Heather Callen - 724-226-2867
Product Spotlight
COPY EDITOR
Word Of Mouth On Some Of The Good Stuff Out There ...........................56 What's New On The Market..................................................................................82
Judy Duggan
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In The News
The World Report Powered by BikerNet.com ..........................................100
DEPARTMENTS
From The Editor’s Desk .................................................... 8
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The Cycle Source Magazine® (ISSN 1935-0287) is published 12 times a year by The Cycle Source Magazine with Offices at 118 Dellenbaugh Road Tarentum, PA 15084, 724-226-2867, www.cyclesource.com. U.S. Subscription rate is $25.00 for 12 issues. Canadian Subscription rate is $40.00 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® August be re-printed in whole or part without the express written consent of the publishers. Copyright ® 2017. The Cycle Source Magazine®, A Grass Roots Motorcycle PublicationSM, Scooter Tramp ™ Wild Man™ Low Down & Dirty Rotten™ are registered trade marks.
ABOUT THE COVER
Chopper Charlie .............................................................. 36
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Photo Hunt ........................................................................... 68 Endless Highway ........................................................... 96 The Edge With Jimmy Frizzell ...................................104 Gut Busters .........................................................................113
LEGAL COUNSEL
James L. Paz Attorney at Law - Tarentum, PA - 724-226-9PAZ For Any Subscription Questions Call 724-226-2867
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Cycle Source Magazine 118 Dellenbaugh RD. Tarentum, PA 15084
On Tour With X ................................................................... 28
Pin-Up Of The Month ....................................................... 50
DISTRIBUTION
Coast to Coast Newsstand Services Partnership 5230 Finch Ave. E., Ste. 1, Toronto, ON, M1S 4Z9 Cycle Source - Dealership Direct Distribution 724-226-2867
SPARE PARTS New Products
GRAPHIC ARTISTS
Chris Callen, Heather Callen, Amelia Rose
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Sometimes the bike that's most important for you to grab for a cover is the hardest to get ready for print. We had two seperate photographers assigned to this shoot to make sure we had all we needed to put it in your hands and on this issues prime spot. Josh Allison was the builder of this hot little Pan and in the end the extra effort was well worth it. It made a great cover and the story is a killer read! January ‘18 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 7
Article By: Chris Callen
Y
eah, old Johnny Cash had it right in the song whose lyrics I have quoted above. We’ve all been there… the beginning of the build, nothing but big dreams and possibilities, only the dream of that perfect bike in your head. It’s the very thing that drives so many of us to push for that little detail, that one distinction, that special thing about something we’ve done like no other, created with our own hands and dreamt up in our heart. If you are not one of the lucky ones who know exactly what I’m talking about at this point, I suggest you embark on a custom project immediately! Maybe not the full-on, be all, end all ground up build, but trust me, whatever your ability, by the end you will make new relationships, learn to count on yourself and know who around you are those you can count on and the sky will be the limit from that point on. That’s what most of the ridiculous TV shows about the custom motorcycle scene have never quite understood. The magic, the real magic, is a metaphysical thing that happens inside as the bike is being created. Sure, every once in a while, a wrench might fly across the room, but that’s incidental to
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what is really going on. So, my little rant there was inspired by the fact that I have just left Paughco in Carson City, NV where we watched them make the frame for my next build. It’s a bike that we are calling the “War Pony, ” and it’s a total departure from anything I’ve ever built before. For one thing, it will have shocks… I know right? The reason this is taking form the way it is comes down to circumstances. You see, this magazine was built from the back of one of the greatest motorcycles God put on this green earth. It was called the Black Pearl, and together with that bike, I built Cycle Source from a local newspaper rag in my hometown to a leading national publication. It had a killer S&S 110 and a Baker six-speed that were both built for the first ever Hoka Hey race from Key West to Homer, Alaska. Well, 240,000 some miles later it was totaled in a freak accident, and I couldn’t just let the bike be sent to scrap. So, when I heard that Paughco made an FXR frame that accepts a touring driveline, the deal was made, and the race was on! The bike will be a blast, but more importantly, it will be like taking a walk down the street with an old friend after years of
not seeing each other. The kind of familiarity that only an old friend brings. Each and every time I fire up that motor, even on the new chassis that will only slightly resemble the Pearl, it will remind me of how far we’ve come, and that no matter how things might look on the outside, for me and the old girl, inside we are just like we’ve always been. This is another important lesson that life with the motorcycle gives us. You see, in this life, we collect the parts to build that perfect version of ourselves, just like that perfect bike. Sometimes these parts are bolt on, sometimes they need to be made by hand through great effort, but each and every detail is in our hands and requires the attention that a builder gives his project. It all starts with a dream, a driving determination to get from where you are to where you want to be. You create a picture in your head of exactly what you want in the end, and you go get it. If you refuse to sacrifice what that picture in your head looks like for easier ways and excuses along the way, your reward is the perfect life and just like the perfect bike, years of enjoyment and satisfaction with the fruits of your effort will surely come your way. At least that’s what it looks like from the beginning of the build, now come back and see me when the mid build blues kick in and I might paint a different picture, but for now, the sun is shining, and the road ahead looks clear….. Go Build Something Goddamnit!!!
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Article By: Chris Callen Photos By: Cycle Source Staff
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f this happens to be your first copy of Cycle Source, we do this issue each and every January. It’s called the “Year In Review,” and it’s one of the most important issues that we do each year. The world we live in today goes by so fast that we like to take this one month a year and reflect over the things we did, the places we went and the faces we saw for that year in motorcycling. Rather than let this be a monotone report through my own eyes, I polled the entire staff this year and got their talking points to deliver here as well. So, sit back, grab that morning coffee, look at the past 12 months through the eyes of the Cycle Source Staff and let’s dive into the “2017 Year In Review.” THE INDUSTRY: I think this may well be referred to as the year of the racer. Starting with Roland Sands Super Hooligan racers from last year and moving into the rekindling of the 100-year war between HarleyDavidson and Indian on the professional
race track. It would seem as if racing was once again taking
the forefront in the American Motorcycle scene. HaleyDavidson got a swift kick in the pants from Indian from the first race in Daytona and despite of Vance & Hines backing their play, continued to struggle to field any real competition all year long. Other types and bodies of racing were well on their way to entering the hearts and minds of spectators as well. Billy Lane’s Sons Of Speed was a big surprise to everyone, with hundred-yearold machines and a small field of racers no one knew exactly what to expect, but as a credit to the true passion that lies inside all riders, they turned out in capacity to watch the first race in Daytona. From there Brittney Olsen and her efforts with 20th Century Racing and the Buffalo Chip’s TT races that took place right inside the amphitheater, culminating with Roland Sand’s Moto Beach Classic by the end of the year. Both the Buffalo Chip and the Beach Classic were off the hook in attendance, and this would seem the prove that function is taking the driver’s seat in the American
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Motorcycle Scene. This held true through our own new show titled “In Motion” at the Lone Star Rally in November. Comprised of 14 builders from all over the United States, all masters of their craft with one caveat: they all had to run. Still, despite the excitement, sales for the industry were slowing. Harley-Davidson was reporting dipping numbers by the end of the year, and even Indian’s much-celebrated growth was kept in the single digits as far as market share is concerned. Companies like Vance & Hines were making hard decisions to close facilities, some magazines and events were going out of business, and even the V-Twin Industry Expo was canceled for the following year. Polaris announced the discontinuation of the Victory line and dealers everywhere let out a giant gasp of disappointment. Hard times are still good times, and as a result, many companies are taking a closer look at, if not redefining their mission statements to better align themselves with today’s new normal. Harley-Davidson’s own Matt Levatich was a keynote speaker at this year’s AIMExpo stating that their mission statement moving forward is to make this more about the people than the machines. To that, this was the year that killed the Dyna and launched the new Softail family. It would seem that with Harley’s new goal of adding 2 million new riders in the next ten years, the future is gonna be bright and busy. THE CULTURE: With all that was mentioned above, it should be no surprise that the average rider is trending toward more aggressive riding on bikes that are performancebased and purpose built. Of course, this is the FXR crowd that I’m talking about but it doesn’t stop there. Even when it comes to the bagger segment, we saw a departure from the big wheel, somewhat less rideable customs into what has been coined the “Performance Bagger.” This was kicked off early in the year by Paul Yaffe who broke out with a killer performance styled bagger and backed it up with one built for the Bikers for Boobies charity. Other builders like Dale Yamada and Satya Krause started to explore the realm of crossing FXR, bagger and sportbike components to see this thing evolve into a whole new
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animal. One neat things that we can point is the days of one or two riders like Jason Pullen using Harley’s as their bike of choice in stunt riding, now you have crew after using everything from Dyna’s and FXR’s to Sportsters and even Baggers. Any way you look at it, parts, sales, events…. A riding culture is better for everyone. The topic on everyone mind was millennials and how to reach them. I swear to God it’s like people in this industry are preparing for the second coming of Christ himself. Truth is, there is no secret to communicating to a millennial rider that we haven’t already learned. If what they are doing isn’t fun, they check out just like when we were young. Other similarities, like being broke as a joke and new items on the agenda like the iPhone 17 keep them from making any real big-ticket purchase. Either way it goes, the best bet is to do what you do and let them figure out; if they dig it… They will. Motorcycles are just that cool. One thing that is coming of the younger generations involvement in our sport is their ability to work together. All over the country this year the community garage has been opening in city after city. These do it yourself workspaces offer tooling and tutelage alike to new riders, wrenches and those without the benefit of a facility of their own. RIDES, RUNS, AND EVENTS: Riding moves to the forefront in 2017 and ride they did. More than ever, people are taking to two wheels and leaving the world behind. 2017 saw that grow in a big way. With the bigger rallies and events where motorhomes are the bulk in attendance, more regional or specialized rides are becoming the focus with the emerging demographic and the core riders alike. Experience, whether individual or collectively became the number one factor in our choices these past 12 months. To that, the industry has started to pay attention and is starting to remember that we, as an industry, are always writing the pages of our own history… and we better be mindful of that. For us it was a big year, our 20th in fact and all year long we had mini celebrations all over the country. It was so cool to have readers’ and contributors from days gone by show up, and we are thankful for such a fantastic way to mark this January ‘18 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 13
achievement. Again, other entities were on the same track. Michael Ballard’s new Full Throttle at the county line in Sturgis was open and running; they even hosted Billy Lane’s Sons Of Speed Sturgis race on a track just beside the facility. Race of Gentlemen was strong as ever, proving the need for remembering our history. The boys up at Mama Tried and out at Born Free continued to see significant growth in their respective shows. Other events like Strange Days, The Southern Throw Down, Giddy Up, Boogie East, The El Diablo Run, and Big Mountain Run just to name a few, all go towards proving that for some of us doing our own thing is perfectly fine no matter how many people are or are not there to see it. All the while, the AMCA annual meets across the country continued to grow in size and popularity as what were once basic garage guys came into their own as craftsmen and collectors. The vintage motorcycle still remains as the pinnacle achievement in any riders list of goals. To that end, the AMCA has a spot for you when you are ready to join those ranks. THE MOTORCYCLE SOCIAL MEDIA AND OTHER: While social media is a double edge sword, the insta-famous would be the first to hail its place within our culture. While it has leveled the playing field for so many, bringing true talent to the world without the limits of funding to get noticed by the public, it has also shortchanged the system a little bit too. There are many of these examples whereby Instagram alone you may think that a shop is three floors of nonstop activity, only to pay them a visit and find out they are working out of their grandmas shed in the backyard, but I guess you take the good with the bad. It has, this social media thing, given us the ability to launch new programs like The Road To Mama Tried, that would otherwise be entirely too expensive. Media has moved into a place where the best ideas and first to market get noticed by the masses, and that may not be a bad thing at all. IN MEMORY OF: Our least favorite responsibility this time of year is to ask for a moment of silence for those we
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lost in the past twelve months. To their friends and families, we offer our deepest sympathies from an industry that wouldn’t be the same without them. Matt Davis from DicE Magazine, John Parham – founder of JP Cycles, Lonnie Isam Jr. – Founder of the Motorcycle Cannonball, Mike Farabaugh – Photographer and contributor to Biker & Easyrider. Nicky Hayden – my personal racing hero. Tom White, cofounder of White Brothers. Please take a minute and reflect on their contributions. SO HOW DID WE DO? 2017 was another monster year for Cycle Source Magazine. Distribution of magazines was still a pain in the ass for most of 2017 but so many new media opportunities opened up from our weekly broadcast on Facebook to the Grease & Gears Garage shows that we got into the IMS with, the magazine was pulling a bigger audience all the time. It was also the first year for our “Tiny House” in which Heather and I put our office and our dog in a twenty-foot trailer and began living on the road to do the magazine. By the numbers, our year looked like this: 39 Editorials, 64 Feature Bikes, 12 Pin-ups, 55 Events Covered, 138 New Products, 193 Buyers’ Guide Products, 129 News’ Articles, 19 Human Interest Pieces, 2 Interviews, 5 Shop Visits, 9 Test Rides, 38 Tech Articles, 41 Staff Columns, 19 Product Test Articles, 12 Photo Hunts, 26 Riding Adventure Stories, 11 Artist Profiles and 2 Special Issues, 74 Jokes. It all adds up to a hell of a pile of work and couldn’t be done without a killer staff. I thank all of our readers and our army of supporters as we head into our twenty-first-year publishing Cycle Source every thirty days. Thank you all for letting us do what we love. May 2017 find you happy with family, and God willing, a job that provides you with enough money to take a ride. For those in the service or with family serving overseas, Godspeed and a safe return. Happy New Year!
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Article & Photos By:Daniel Donley
www.pandemoniumcustomchoppers.com
R
ecently, I was hanging out in the shop and had a few buddies over for a few beers. A good friend of mine, Jon, is new to the custom motorcycle world asked, “what kind of chain do I need for my bike?” A quick conversation later and he had it figured out. I then realized not everybody was in the know in regards to chains. This conversation sparked the idea for this month’s tech article. Chains, the basics and what you need to know.
motorcycle world is a 530 or a 520 chain in space limiting applications. But what do these numbers mean?
inner width of 2 x 1/8” = 1/4” In the custom motorcycle world when you’re squeezing everything in for that tight look every little 1/8” matters, so the 520 chain is definitely a spacesaving option. For the horsepower hot rod guys, it also means thinner sprockets, lighter weight chain which equals less reciprocating mass and that is a good thing!
The first number, in this case, the 5 is called the “PITCH”. This is the distance between the center of one link to the next. You will notice the measurement is 5/8”; 5 x 1/8” = 5/8”
The most common chain sprocket combination we use in the custom
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The next number, the 3, is the width of the chain. This is measured from the two innermost plates; You will notice the measurement is 3/8”; 3 x 1/8” = 3/8” The 520 chain has a pitch of 5 and
These are two different types of chains. One is an O-ring chain and the other is just a standard chain. You will see in the picture, the O-Ring
pair of large channel locks to press the two together. Then install the clip.
between the plates of the chain, this helps retain lubricant. The standard chain does not have them and will require more lubricant intervals. I prefer the O-Ring chain because it requires less maintenance and typically it is better quality.
Be sure that the rounded side of the clip is facing in the direction of rotation. If you put it on backward, there is a possibility of the clip being removed and the chain falling off.
How do I lube my chain? Well, I can tell you this, DON’T use ANY LIGHT OIL! Use a lube that is designed specifically for chains. They typically have a very good clinging agent this helps the lube stay on the chain. Also, when lubing, you want to focus the spray on the pin and where the side plates meet.
Putting your chain together with a master link. There are two types of master link. Peen Link - Requires a peening tool to assemble and is NON-Removable for service. Clip Link - Clip to retain the side plate and this type IS Removable for service. I prefer the clip link for the reasons of serviceability. You can see in the photos an easy way to install the clip style link. I use a small nut, and a
Next question you may ask is; how long of a chain do I need? Instead of guessing, I have come up with a method using a piece of string. Wrap the string around the outside from one sprocket to the other. It is best to use some tape to hold the string in place. Once the length of string is established, you can remove it and measure it with a tape measure. This will give you how many inches long the string is. We are using a number 5 “Pitch” sprocket that equals 5/8” which equals .625 you take the number of inches and divide it by .625, and this is the length of chain you will need. This method works very well, and if anything, you may have an extra one or two links that may need to be removed. With that being said, you could measure your old chain that came off your bike and January ‘18 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 19
do the same math and get the same results. This chain tech is focused on new installation, sizing and length for the common chains that we use to build our custom motorcycles. I hope this helps you, just like it did Jon. If there is something that you would like to see a Tech article on, please call me or email me. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at the shop anytime 419-576-6812 Daniel Donley Pandemonium Custom Choppers info@pandemoniumc2.com www.pandemoniumcustomchoppers. com
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i
n everyone’s life, some rain must fall, as the saying goes. For if it is the good times that give us cause to celebrate, it is the hard times that test our mettle. Like most good stories the tale of this machine has it all, life at its best, unhappiness, love, and how we survive from day to day. With that being said, it all started with a phone call. I got a ring from my friend Boris (RIP) that he was getting ready to dump a bunch of his old parts including the drivetrain out of his Shovel-Pan chop. He was in a bit of a financial crunch and it was time to clear the 40 plus years of parts he had
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accumulated. But there was a catch in that Boris did not want to craigslist, eBay or swap meet the parts. It was to be sold only to righteous guys that we knew. When the day came that the large stash was whittled down to just a small assortment, he approached me about buying the engine and transmission out of his chop. I had just spent a chunk of money on a different Pan motor and tranny and it was just outside of my financial reach as well. So, I bent the ear of my friend and fellow Milwaukee bar explorer Ben Marx (aka Lil Ben) and told him of the possibility of this drivetrain he had been searching for
becoming a reality. It wasn’t too hard to convince Boris that Ben was a good guy and would do the bike right. So, with a bit of Milwaukee justice juice flowing through our veins on a rainy cold day in Boris’ garage the deal was struck. Ben spent a couple of weeks pulling the heart out of the beast and then it was time for phase 2. Ben had the heart now he needed the bones. Thanks to a chance meeting many years prior at BMR, Ben made fast friends with a fellow chopper jock named Jason Fergusson of Texas Bike Works, and through the years they stayed in touch. When it came time for Jason to update
Article By: Milwaukee Mike Photos By: Mike At Bombs Away
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the frame jig at his shop, he sent the old one up to Ben. They made a gentleman’s agreement that when the time came for Ben to learn how to realign a frame Jason would head up to help. So, a plane ticket was purchased, and up to the north, he came. Ben had a 53’ frame that he found for $200, but it was basically bent in an L. After a long two days, Ben and Jason got the frame back in order and put in the distinctive double hourglass downtubes and windowed neck. To show off all the beautiful welds, there was no molding or filling done. The frame was polished by Matt Drew and Lil Ben and then sent off to Waukesha Plating for the rich nickel finish Originally Ben used the donor Shovel-Pan with a Super E carb, and it survived and thrived for almost four years. It is a simple machine with great lines and simplicity that can turn heads and impress the panties right off the ladies. One fine afternoon while Ben he decided to leave the shop a bit early, and while jamming over the Hoan bridge, he turned the head of a certain blonde hottie who couldn’t take her eyes and mind off the hairy maniac on that fine machine. And though these crazy kids didn’t know it at this time, their destinies would be twined together by this very machine. So much so that it was only two weeks before their wedding when most people would be worried about tuxes and flowers, Ben was pulling the top end off of his motor to get it wedding-ready. In fact, it was only a day before the celebration that he was fixing a gushing base gasket thanks to some last minute extra help from Charlie over at Competition Cycle to get it sealed and make the day right. Let’s get back to the bike, starting at the front;
the narrow glide was a gift from Gold Rush alum, Rick Ness. After a trip to the cut hut, it was shaved cleaned and highly polished. The front wheel was relaced with a ball-shaped spool hub, and it gave the wheel that oh so cool look. Because Ben had only two handlebar dies, he had to make the best of the situation. He crafted the simple but effective control perches; they work so
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well that others have copied the simple and effective design. The next thing we notice is the gas tank; it came to Ben in a swap of services, he traded welding up a seat pan to Byker Jym and the zero tunnel Wassel tank was his. He then sent it over to Kendall to get the heavy coat of smooth black in preparation for the work of Peej to accent the lines of that tank. Further back Ben made his CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE - January ‘18
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HARD TIMES TECH SHEET owner: Ben Marx City/State: Milwaukee, WI Builder: Owner year: 1957 Model: FL/Pan Time: Still Evolving value: Too Much For A Broke Guy ENGINE Year: 1957 Model: FLH Builder: Owner Ignition: Stock Displacement: 74” With 10:1 Pistons Pistons: Stock Heads: Stock Carb: Linkert M74B Cam: Andrews Air Cleaner: Bird Deflector Exhaust: Stock W/ Flash Gordon Muffler Primary: 1.5” Rivera Primo TRANSMISSION year: 1950 make: Harley-Davidson® Shifting: 4 Speed Backwards FRAME year: 1953 make: Harley-Davidson® rake: Stock stretch: Stock forks builder: Ownre Type: Sportster, Shaved/Cut Triple trees: Stock extension: None WHEELS Front Wheel: Harley-Davidson® Size: 21” tire: Avon Speedmaster Front brake: Spool rear Wheel: Harley-Davidson® rear Wheel Size: 16” Tire: Avon Speedmaster Rear Brake: Mechanical Drum PAINT Painter: Kendall Color: Black Deather type: graphics: Peej & Kruse chroming: None ACCESSORIES Bars: Owner risers: hand controls: Barnett foot controls: Stock Rocker Gas Tank(s): Wassel Zero Tunnel Front fender: None rear Fender: V-Twin,Narrowed Seat: Pierce St Seat Co. Oil Tank: Stock Headlight: Ayers Rectangle tail light: Ayers Repop W/ Glass Lens Speedo: None photographer: Mike At Bombs Away
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the seat pan and sissy bar out of a hunk of stainless he was able to scrounge. Luckily, he got it right on the first try because he didn’t have the dough to do it again! Then he sent it over to Adam at THE place in Milwaukee to get proper upholstery done, Pierce Street Seats; he wrapped it in the rich leather that has held up excellent and still looks fantastic after all these years. The rear fender is a V Twin special that Ben cut, narrowed and reprofiled with the help of Willard and Miller High Life, to fit correctly around the stock rear mechanical wheel that was provided by Pete Matthews. Pete was also the source for the rocker clutch setup, the floorboards, as well as the Pan heads that now reside on this fine machine. Once all this work was done, it took only seven wires to light the fires and move the tires. And move it does! In fact, Ben beat this little Pan all the way to Sturgis a couple of years ago to celebrate its 75th anniversary. Ben would like to say thanks to a slew of people that made this bike happen. First and foremost, his wife Lori and son Ryder for putting up with the BS and long hours away. Charlie for all the help with the mechanical work, Kendall, Kruse, and Peej for the paint and striping. Jump for his insights and skills. Jason for his tireless help, Teach, Budda, Phil, Waukesha Plating, Adam at Pierce St, Milwaukee Mike, Miller High Life and of course Boris, although he is gone, a small part of him is still riding with us as we explore the back roads and alleys of our neck of the woods and Ben will be doing it on Hard Times!
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Article By: Xavier Muriel
g
reetings Brothers and Sisters!!!! Man, is it me or is this year just flying by? It seems like it was yesterday I was writing about Daytona Bike Week and all its attractions. It’s almost Thanksgiving again, and I remember the flight home from the east coast after the last show of 2016. I was thinking that I might wanna take 2017 off to enjoy some down time and do some serious riding and work on my S&S build. I remember having this crazy idea that I might get bored. Ha! Man was I way off!!!! This year has been filled with more bike events and races than I ever imagined. I’m so Grateful to have been able to have done so much this year that sometimes like the road; it’s all a blur... I’ve done exactly what I had wished for. I spent the year with so many friends and family; I feel my life has been blessed with memories that I will never forget.
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At the very top of that list was being an invited as a builder to the inaugural “In Motion’’ show at this year’s Lone Star Rally in Galveston Texas. Now, you must excuse me as I’m a very, very proud Texan, and like most things
in Texas it was HUGE. I’ve been away from the events in Texas for a long time and was so excited to see that the Lone Star State can still throw a party. Even
after the horrible hurricane that caused so much devastation, the people of my home state didn’t let it crash the party. So, to all my Brothers and Sisters in Texas, my hat is off to ya, you make me proud. Now let me paint a picture for you about this build off. First off, to say that the builders that were invited were among the nation’s best is an understatement in itself. These are the industry’s leading guys who have been doing this for quite a while and have many accolades to prove it. As a guy who has been not only inspired as well as coached by some of these pros to be asked to stand toe to toe with them was, well let’s just say I ran the gamete of every emotion possible from concern to outright giddiness! As I had hoped, not only for the building sake for the human sake of it, every one of them showed exceptional kindness and support.
There’s always an heir of competition with these things; it’s no different than being on a huge Festival with tons of amazing bands that are all out to play their best. I honestly can say that there were more ohhhs and ahhhs at each other’s creations than there were funny vibes. That was incredibly refreshing and cool. Each builder had to ride his bike on a shakedown ride, and not just a little put down the alley; we had to ride the suckers. There were no glorified paperweights here... Riding in that pack on something that I had built pretty much by myself was one of the most gratifying moments of my life. When a few of the builders couldn’t make it on time for the ride in, I actually felt and saw the sadness in the rest of us. We were just a bunch of guys proud of what we had created, but also proud to be in such great company. Three days and nights of inspecting each other’s bike with a fine-tooth comb and being amazed at some of the details was incredible. I had never met some of the guys before this, but by the end of the 4-day event, I felt like I had known many of them for years. Not gonna lie, I was a lil sad when we all had to return to life as we know it. Congrats to Donny Loos of Don’s Custom Cycles who took home the big
check of 10,000 dollars. His bike was UNFU*@%#NG REAL....and he’s a good
dude and great hang to boot. After all the festivities were done, and it was time to pack up I sat for a moment and reflected on what it took to get there. And let me tell you there was more than
one time that I thought I wasn’t gonna make it. As a matter of fact, at 1 am the night before I was to leave but still not ready, I was talking to a brother, and I said to him ‘’this is what it feels like, that moment that you’re faced with failure or the will to push through.’’ I’ve had that feeling many times with my music and touring but never to the very last second when it came to a bike commitment. Like many of the guys I’ve learned from, as I sat, I reflected how grateful I was that I chose to push through. Who knows, maybe next time it will be different, but for this time I did it, and it made the whole thing that much more memorable. I got all the bugs worked out and took her for her break in miles today, on Veterans Day. As I rode through Texas Hill Country, I thought about how thankful I am for all who have and are serving, especially my Father. I imagined him watching me take her on her maiden voyage, smiling and saying that’s my boy. Until next time be kind to one another and especially yourself... God Bless and Safe Riding X.
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Results compiled from over 10,000 digital and mail-in ballots.
2017’ s Best Production Model motorcycle Harley-Davidson Dyna Lowrider S
While the whole Dyna world is mourning the sad news from 2017 that the Dyna line has been discontinued, we offer this proof that Dynas are still in the hearts and on the minds of their fevered fans. The Lowrider S was a slap in the face from a time gone by with it’s hardcore black and gold color scheme that resembled one of the most iconic motorcycles Harley ever produced in my opinion, the early eighties Low Rider. This bike proved ladies loved eighties and drew me in hook line and sinker. With the updated suspension, engine and transmission of a newer motorcycle we knew it would be a hit. For constantly reminding us where the origin of cool all started, even in their new products, we are more than pleased to name the Harley-Davidson Dyna Lowrider S as the 2017 Cycle Source Readers’ Best Production Model Motorcycle of the Year!
2017’s motorcycling’ s Man of the year Matt Davis - DicE Magazine - Posthumously
Even before he cofounded DicE Magazine, Matt Davis lived a fascinating life. Sponsored skateboarder and original punk rocker in 1970’s London, he developed a passion for modified motorcycles that he happily shared with all he met. He was an inspiring man; kind, funny, knowledgeable and generous. Talented too. And one of those people who doesn’t wait for life to happen to them... he was always out in the world, seeking the very best it had to offer. He is profoundly missed. – Guy Bolton, Greasy Kulture For continuing to hone his skill while fueling the passion for motorcycling in all of us, we are more than honored to posthumously name Matt - Dice Magazine as the 2017 Cycle Source Readers’ Motorcycling’s Man of the Year!
2017’ s motorcycling’s woMan of the year Brittney Olsen - 20th Century Racing
Brittney Olsen has been a welcome voice for women in motorcycling that’s for sure; but when it comes to Vintage Motorcycle Racing it doesn’t matter what gender, she is an absolute ambassador. Starting off 2017 by winning the inaugural Sons Of Speed in dramatic fashion and reinforcing that sentiment with her own 20th Century Races at the historical Sturgis Half Mile. She continues to be everywhere to further the spirit of vintage motorcycles and races, along with her son Lock and Husband Matt, it’s truly a family affair. For being an inspiration not only to women but to our generation, we are honored to name Brittney Olsen as the 2017 Cycle Source Readers’ Motorcycling’s Woman of the Year!
2017’s Best Shop Related Product of the year Lowbrow Customs - 4 & 5 speed Tranny Stand
Nothing is a bigger pain in the ass than not having a proper workspace for your project. Having something at the right height and having it held securely can make the difference in the project going well or going south in a hurry. When it comes to engines and transmissions that is even more true. Lowbrow saw a need for a solution when it comes to working on four and five speed transmissions and is now offering it to the public. With the ability to bolt your tranny down using the frame mounting bolts and then clamping the stand into a vice, any procedure you may need to complete will be easier and put it all right there where you need to have it. It’s a solid way to provide a solution to the growing segment of Do It Yourselfers and the reason we are thrilled to announce Lowbrow Customs 4 & 5 speed Tranny Stand as the 2017 Cycle Source Readers’ Best Shop Related Product of the Year!
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2017’ s Builder Of the year Christian Newman
Christian Newman comes in as your selection for Builder Of The Year and further proves that those of us with nothing but time on our hands during months of snow turn out killer work. Hailing from Buffalo New York Christian is among the ranks of what many believe to be the hub of the custom culture for the Mid-West. His bikes span the scope of ultra new age wit ha build like the Turbo Shovel to the ultra classic like his Knuckle, this cat is stead a the task of blowing minds. Coming on to the scene in some of the biggest shows like the first Fuel Cleveland and Born Free, he has surely made a spot for himself for decades to come. With respect to leading the custom culture and his peers we are happy to name Christian Newman as The 2017 Cycle Source Readers’ Builder of the Year!
2017’s Best accessory part
Wolfman Luggage Black Hawk Tank Bag
Earlier this year our man in the field; Ken Conte got to use and abuse this product and gave it two thumbs up. In his own words... Wolfman Luggage has made their name by producing high quality motorcycle luggage in the USA for decades. The tank bag could easily be adapted to almost any tank and left no marks. It allows the rider to have essentials they need at their fingertips and keeps everything safe and secure. If you have a chopper or a bike with no luggage Wolfman is the way to go. Support your USA companies! wolfmanluggage.com For helping us stay on the road and still keep us well equipped, we are happy to name the Wolfman Black Hawk Tank Bag as the 2017 Cycle Source Readers’ Best Accessory Product of the Year.
2017’ s Best performance part S&S Power Package
Back in the day, the practice used to be that to make real power you needed a slide rule and a volume of experience and reference at your fingertips. Today S&S has done the work for you by putting everything you need for your 1999-2017 HarleyDavidson® big twins in one “Power Package” that is bolt in and ready to run. Dyno results from this yield nearly 30 more in both horsepower and torque and for those without the ability to draw on the above mentioned years of experience, the hard work has been done. For always keeping the working man in mind and giving them the best bang for their buck, we are happy to announce the S&S Power Package as the 2017 Cycle Source Readers’ Best Performance Product of the Year.
2017’s best customIndian product of the year Larry Motorcycles Triple Trees
Nothing can beat the East Coast Cool of an Indian Larry bike ripping through the city streets of any tightly arranged city. Of course, we would all love the chance to try that theooy in our own home town but if you haven’t yet made the arrangements for that purchase Indian Larry Motorcycles is offering products to give you some of the elements for your current ride. These 39mm narrow and mid glide tripple trees are made from T-6 CNC Machined Billet Aluminum. They are availible in polished aluminum and black, come with a stainless steel neck stem and are set up for a solid mounted riser and counter sunk socket cap bolt. The look these give your 91 - 05 FXD 88 - 99 FXR 88 - 16 or custom project is timeless East Coast Cool. For taking some of their own signature look and making it available to the world, we are happy to name Indian Larry Motorcycles Triple Trees as the 2017 Cycle Source Readers’ Best Custom Product Of The Year.
2017’ s Apparel Product of the year Biltwell - Lane Splitter Helmet
Like I said last year, anti-helmet sentiments have been out for a while and the fact that now a company like Biltwell manages to bring such killer designs into the culture is further proof of that. The “Lane Splitter” is the perfect name for this helmet since the look and feel of a front engine dragster helmet comes to mind and makes you feel like a racer just by putting it on. When you consider the environment of getting through California traffic and actually Lane Splitting, I’d for sure rather be wearing this helmet than the far less protective “Pudding Bowl.” It’s made from a shock absorbing ABS shell and a hand stitched liner and is a solid product for good money. For continuing to reach outside of our culture to inspire and equip, we are happy to name the Biltwell - Lane Splitter Helmet as the 2017 Cycle Source Readers’ Best Apparel Product of the Year! CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE - January ‘18
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2017’s craftsman of the year Ginger McCabe - New Church Moto
Ginger came into this world through hours in her father;’s canvas shop. The smell of sewing machine oil and the hum of the machinery would often lull her to sleep as her father worked into the wee hours to earn the family’s bread. From a young age Ginger herself always made money from sewing but it would be in 2009 when she moved back to Portland and landed a job at Langlitz Leathers that she would really develop a skill for leather work. Over her two years there she became very comfortable with the media and decided to break out on her own. Eight years later and New Church Moto is not only making Ginger a living but is bringing incredible products to the world. For making her way through the world with her own two hands, we are proud to announce Ginger McCabe of New Church Moto as the 2017 Cycle Source Magazine Readers’ Craftsman of the Year!
2017’ s Best event of the year Sons Of Speed
The old saying is you can’t keep a good man down and that’s the case with Billy Lane and his new offering to the motorcycle gods: Sons Of Speed. Racing early teens motorcycles in period fashion and attire was a big question mark for everyone in the industry but the inaugural race in Daytona Bike Week this year would answer that with a big fat Hell Yes!!! The crowds filled the stands and SOS took it’s place firmly in our history books. For redefining what this industry looks like by bringing back a piece of its past we are thrilled to announce “Sons of Speed” as the 2017 Cycle Source Readers’ Best Event of the Year!
2017’ s Best Media Release Of The Year “Forever The Chaos Life: Legends”
Mikey Revolt and the images he captures have been an ever present and welcome addition to the pages of recent motorcycle history. His real life and real time way of capturing his subject matter provides drama in addition to that of what is in the frame. It make sense that this work would be compiled into a 200 page hard bound book that covers three years of his life in the game and the stories within will keep the fires of true passion burning as you turn each page. For helping us mark the passing of time in this thing we do we are thrilled to name “Forever The Chaos Life: Legends” as the 2017 Cycle Source Readers’ Best Media Release of the Year!
2017’ s artist of the year Chris Galley – Devil Chicken Design
I first ran into Chris at the Milwaukee Rally last year and was an instant fan of his work. With a flair for the working class attitude inspired by his hometown of Buffalo New York, Chris set out to carve a niche of his own in the world of visual art. Motivated to create art based on his exposure to growing up in the seventies and eighties and that of Saturday morning television, Devil Chicken’s essence is comprised from the likes of Evil Knievil and Steve McQueen. Followed by the Saturday afternoon horror films, his work is an incredible blend of sub cultures. For embracing the roll of the underdog and letting the world look through his eyes, we are happy to name Chris Galley Of Devil Chicken Design the 2017 Cycle Source Readers’ Artist of the Year!
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Article and Photos By: Charlie Wiesel
I
t’s winter again, the snow has started to fall... again, the leaves have all turned brown and littered my yard... again, and the painful realization that I won’t be graced with a warm tropical breeze on the tip of my nose has sunk in... again. Every year we go through this, and by we, I mean bikers. We cringe at the thought of cold weather; it is truly the bane of our existence. We curse and moan about the snow; we yell at the meteorologist on TV as if his subarctic temperature forecast is a personal attack on our lifestyle. Curse the Gods, shake your fist and swear to move to Arizona once and for all. But still, the cold remains. The temperatures will drop along with the snow and winter will remain. I am a hater of winter, nothing about it appeals to me. Not a single hobby in my
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life involves snow or being cold. I don’t ski, I don’t snowshoe and I don’t ice fish. These all seem like very dumb activities to me. Now granted, I’ve already admitted to hating winter so if barreling down a mountain on a couple of waxed up toothpicks or drilling a hole in the ice waiting for a half-frozen fish to eat your hypothermic worm sounds like a hootn’ and hollern’ good time then, by all means, go for it. But, I’d rather just ride my motorcycle to the climate-controlled grocery store and by an already frozen fish and skip all that other nonsense. To each there own I suppose. Amidst all this hatred for winter though, I do find things to occupy my time and take my mind off it. There is always, of course, the typical winter maintenance on my motorcycle, which if we are being honest, isn’t much. I basically
make the same repairs I make every year, including but not limited to, reattaching my oil tank for the millionth time swearing that we finally found a way to keep it from destroying whichever attachment method we have chosen that particular winter. The oil tank always wins, and we always reattach it in some new and improved yet more than likely to break method again. It is a bit of an ongoing saga if you haven’t noticed. If you see my oil tank bouncing around as I lumber down the road, please just keep your opinions about it to yourself. My brake pads are pretty much always 90% gone so I’ll probably blow that off until I can’t stop anymore then call my brakes a piece of crap and ignore Kayla when she reminds how I ignored them in the first place. My oil can always use changing, that’s just a given, and I could probably go through every last nut and bolt to ensure proper torque, but I’ll probably blow that off until one actually falls off, then I’ll know for sure which one was loose. Not everyone agrees with my method, but it works for me at least half the time. Luckily, I do excel in one winter activity,
summer trip planning. This is the stuff that gets me all worked up. My typical method for this, if I’m getting serious about it, is to hunker down on the couch with my favorite light reading material, the atlas, bring my phone and I-pad along as research tools and get to dreaming. With a fire crackling in the background, a warm cup o’ joe and a fuzzy blanket I sink deep into adventure planning bliss. I tend to think big; I go straight to the extreme edges of the map. I Google things like “northernmost road in Canada” or “coast to coast motorcycle record times” or my favorite, “How long until summer?”. My current planning is along the lines of the first Google inquiry, the northernmost road in Canada. This all came about a month ago when I buddy of mine invited me to ride to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska with him. He will be on his adventure worthy KTM and I will be on my “hang on for dear life while I navigate this muddy road” chopper. Prudhoe Bay is, of course, the crème de la creme of moto adventures for most of us, but it got me thinking and researching. Where else could a person ride that could top the
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infamous James Dalton Highway? Is there anything more extreme, more remote and still achievable on a tenfoot-long dual rigid chopper? I found the answer to the first two questions to be a very exciting yes and the answer to the third question is yet to be determined. Without saying too much and revealing my plan, I feel confident that, if this works out, I will be the first person to ride a chopper to my planned destination. Stay tuned as I continue to work out the details. All this being said, not all adventures have to be grand and monumental. Many of my most memorable rides have been over the course of a 3-day weekend. There is bound to be countless enjoyable rides right in your backyard. I always recommend finding obscure towns or destinations within 500 miles of your driveway, draw a circle on your map if you have to. 500 miles is an achievable number for a long weekend. Far enough away that you feel accomplished yet close enough to not beat you up too bad. Try it, draw a radius on a map that equals 500 miles from your house, and you will be amazed at the number of interesting roads, towns, and oddities you can find. This is also where a computer comes in handy. Find a random
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small town on the map and Google it, I usually search under images first to see if anything interesting pops up. Most times you will find some fascinating history on this town or area, maybe enough to inspire you to ride there and see it for yourself. Often these searches will send you on a path towards other small towns and things you never expected to find. There’s a town in North Dakota with a population of 150 that is known for its murals. Kansas has the world’s biggest ball of twine, and the SPAM museum is in Minnesota. That’s just three of thousands of examples, and remember, the destination is just an excuse to get out on the road. The real reward is all the cool stuff you get to see in between, the things you can’t find on your laptop and the things that will leave you smiling every time you think of it. If I had a dollar for every unexpected moment of awe... As always, don’t hesitate to follow me on Instagram @ charlietravelingchopper for photos of past, present and future rides!
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W
hen Paul Bucher decided it was time to do something with his stock swingarm 1968 FL it was going to have to be a low buck build. Although he wanted a hardtail, using the stock frame would save a major expense and some time, so he moved forward in that direction. Enter Daniel “Dandemonium” Donley, proprietor of Pandemonium Custom Choppers, with whom Paul had collaborated on a few other builds previously. He was Paul’s ‘guy’ in the motorcycle business. He brought his idea to Daniel, and it was time to get this freak show on the road. The bike had been in the family for years, but the bike in its current form suffered from a violent shake at speed that would have to be addressed before they could proceed any further. On closer inspection when disassembling, they noticed the front end was an aftermarket which lead to the next conclusion after careful measurement that the bike had indeed been in a wreck destroying the original front end
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and, unfortunately, bending the original frame significantly. They were at a crossroads; they could fix the original frame or just set it aside and get the hardtail frame that Paul originally wanted.Considering that the original frame was bent in the front section hardtailing the original frame didn’t make sense and straightening it was going to be pricey anyway. So, Paul decided to go with his original plan, and they agreed on a 30° Paughco wishbone hard-tail frame as the starting point of this build. With the frame situation sorted, it was time to address the other aspects of the bike, and the ‘had to have’ parts. The motor and tranny were fully operational with no burnt oil or leaks so those two components would stay. The stock 74” is running an Andrews “A” grind cam and an S&S Super E was used for reliability as were the points ignition. The motor was left uncomplicated making the engine and the trans simple and as ‘user-friendly’ as possible.
Article By George The Painter Photos By: Kerri Schindler
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Paul wanted to retain the original electric starter but also wanted to run a 160 rear tire mounted on an 18” rim. This meant that Daniel had to get creative to clearance the chain in the limited room of the original closed primary. The stock inner primary was all cracked to hell and back, so a thicker Rivera Primo was used. The primary was cleverly offset slightly as was the transmission. With some ingenious machining, Daniel retrofit a 520 x-ring motocross chain onto the minimally offset sprockets. With everything aligned and tight, the chain is clearanced with no interference from the 160 tire and a still usable two piece original starter. A 4” under springer front end was used with a Dyna hubbed 4” rim. The hubcaps were made in-house at Pandemonium. Both the front and rear rims are 60 spoke tubeless DNA brand. Braking is provided by dual Brembo calipers mounted on a Pandemonium bracket. One caliper is operated by the DNA forward foot control and the other by the clean MotoIron hand controls. The rims were then fitted with the appropriate
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Metzler rubber. Finally, the oil tank was provided by Anything Goes Oil tanks and is fitted with an Anti-Gravity 16 cell that is rubber mounted to the frame. Above a Rich Phillips sprung seat was used to keep it comfy. A DNA headlight was used with a Pandemonium LED rear taillight finishing the rear, all wired together with cloth covered wiring. A Led Sled rear fender was used to cover the rear tire. A little Frisco’d Sportster tank was used incorporating the original 1968 tank badges. This was no easy task and required Daniel to make tiny bungs that were recessed into the tank to allow the emblems to be screwed on like original. It’s small details like this that can make or break a bike. The Sheetmetal was sent over to Mike at Visual Impact and covered with a red candy over silver micro-flake. Finally, the chroming was handled by MECLEC. The bike has proved to be an
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RUBY RED SLED TECH SHEET owner: Paul Bucher City/State: Ohio Builder: Pandemonium Custom Choppers year: 1968 Model: Custom Value: Time: ENGINE Year: 1968 Model: Shovelhead Builder: Ignition: Points Displacement: 74” Pistons: Stock Heads: Harley-Davidson Carb: S&S Super E/Wizard Six Cam: Andrews “A” Air Cleaner: TC Bros. Exhaust: Paughco Primary: Rivera Primo/Stock TRANSMISSION Year: 1968 Make: Harley-Davidson Shifting: 4 Speed/Kick Start FRAME make: Paughco Model: Wishbone rake: 30° stretch: None forks type: Springer builder: extension: None triple trees: 4 Under WHEELS Front: DNA Size: 21” Tire: Metzeler front brake: None rear: DNA Size: 18” Tire: Metzeler rear Brake: Pandemonium Dual Brembo PAINT Painter: Visual Impact Color: Red Type: Flake graphics: chroming: MECLEC ACCESSORIES Bars: Drag risers: 4” hand controls: MotoIron foot controls: DNA Gas Tank(s): Pandemonium Oil Tank: Anything Goes Custom Cycles Front fender: None rear Fender: Led Sled Customs Seat: Rich Phillips Headlight: DNA tail light: Pandemonium LED Speedo: Nope photographer: Kerri Schindler
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efficient runner with the motor and tranny in its stock configuration. With the way it’s geared it’s an easy to start (electric or kick) and will tool along at 65 mph all day long reliably. What Paul ended up with is a simple, reliable, hardtail Shovel that runs smooth and steady that didn’t break the bank. With its clean, classic lines, ease of operation and low maintenance this would be a bike that would fit in anybody’s stable and with the work from Daniel at Pandemonium Custom Choppers is now part of Paul’s. Keep an eye out for all of Pandemonium’s unique builds. If you’re looking for assistance in a build or a complete build in the Ohio area hit up Dandemonium, you won’t regret it. Happy Motoring “GTP”
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T
hrowing an air cleaner on most American V-twins is a job most any rider can do. Most wouldn’t even need instructions. The Indian Scout is a little different. It’s not a difficult job, but undoubtedly more entailed than a Sportster. I‘ll walk you through the process and hopefully take away any fear you may have of taking on the project.
You will need to place the bike on
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a lift or the very least a locking style wheel chock. With the bike secure, remove the seat by pulling up on the front and then towards the rear. Move the fuse box out of your way by pushing the tab to release it from its mount. With that out of the way, disconnect the negative battery cable.
to disconnect the overflow tube. Now, lift the tank a little higher and disconnect the electrical plug and the fuel quick disconnect. With everything disconnected, slide the tank toward the rear, off the mounts to remove and set the tank to the side.
Now you need to remove the gas tank. Take out the four bolts at the rear of the tank and lift up a little
Place a jack under the engine and lift until the rear tire is almost off the ground. This will relieve pressure on
the frame members. This is where the install proves to be different than most American V-twins. Clip all wire ties that attach the wiring harness to the backbone of the frame. Now start by removing the two small fasteners at the front of the backbone.
Next up, remove the four through bolts at the front and rear of the backbone and remove the backbonerails. Yep, that’s right, remove the backbone of the frame.
Now that you are a little freaked
out after taking frame pieces off of your new bike, loosen the hose clamp
at the front of the stock air box and disconnect the two breather hoses from the cylinder heads. The air cleaner is usually pretty tight and can be a pain to get loose, but if you
carefully work it off, it will break free. Once it’s free, set the entire air box to the side and remove the rear breather hose to re-use. Take the S&S filter and install the supplied T-fitting in the hole on
the bottom. Attach the stock rear breather tube to the T-fitting, and the supplied straight hose to the front. Install the supplied large hose clamp to the bottom boot of the element with the screw facing the rear of the bike. Set the air cleaner in place and
mark the front breather tube to be able to cut it to length. Replace the backbone-rails and fasteners. The four through bolts will
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be torqued to 35 ft/lbs, and the two smaller fasteners will be 19 ft/lbs.
You’ll want to install the two small fasteners first and then work your way back. If the bolts don’t thread in
easily, you’ll need to adjust the jack to ensure the proper alignment of the holes of both the backbone and the rear frame section. Reattach the wiring to the rails with wire ties.
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Attach the two breather tubes and press the boot bottom on to the throttle body. Tighten the clamp on the filter, and you’re ready to put the gas tank back on.
Slide the tank into place at the front, and reconnect the electrical plug, overflow tubes, and fuel line. Set the tank all the way down and torque the bolts of the tank to 18 ft/ lbs. Hook the negative battery cable
back up and throw the seat on and you’re done. Like I said, this is a little more in-depth than a lot of air cleaner installations, but if you take your time and do everything in order, it’s still an easy process. Once you start the bike up, you’ll be rewarded by a throaty growl as you twist the throttle, and coupled with exhaust and tuner you can expect a 17% gain in wheel horsepower.
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Y
ou might think that with so many bikes in our magazine each year that we would lose track of them, but that is the furthest thing from the truth. Actually, each and every one is important since we only have space for some sixty or so feature bikes a year, each is selected with great care. We try to give credit to those who might not otherwise get noticed, feature the great works of the well known and the unknown alike. Because of the fact that you believe in us to bring your work to our readers, we feel that a simple one time appearance just isn’t quite enough. For that reason and to
celebrate the passing of another year we have put the great bikes of 2017 up to a vote and our readers have selected these ten as the best of what we brought to them in the past 12 issues. To everyone who had a bike in our magazine this year, we thank you and congratulations to the top ten winners. This is our favorite issue of the year for the simple fact that we get to look back with fond memories of the people and places that helped us make our lives in 2017. Thank you all!
1. PURPLE PASSION majic mike’s design
This bike was featured on our March 2017 cover and that entire issue was centered around “Shovelheads.” Mike’s bike was perfect for that cover and it was one of our best issues of the year. Everywhere Mike ended up with this bike he killed it and it fast became one of the best builds of the season. Little did we know at the time that we’d be seeing Mike at The Lone Star Rally where he was an invited builder for “In Motion.” The bike he brought for that was equally killer but this little shovel right here will always have a special place on our wall at the office. January ‘18 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 51
2. THE GYPSY KNUCK jerry merolas 1947 fl
Magoo brought this little beauty to us back in February of this year from his New Jersey Posse. Although it is designed to look like a simple cut down, a ton of work went into this Knucklehead. It was a lifelong dream for Jerry to own a Knuck and because of that he knew exactly how he wanted it to look. From the first time he heard of the motor coming up for sale, his days and nights were filled with dreams of that first kick. So glad to have it in our magazine this year and that you picked it as number two.
3. GREEN MACHINE
jeff cochran’s speedking shovel
It’s always a great thing when we get a bike built by the king of cool; Jeff Cochran, but this little shovel was a cut above. Also in our “Shovelhead Issue” it marked the dawn of a new era in the custom scene. Up until this new round of customs Jeff has been releasing, we’ve all been hardtailing our builds. Now, however, with the Speedking Drop Seat the shock absorbers are coming back. Jeff has given us the hardtail look with the functionality of suspension. A great mix of form and function and one of the reasons he was invited to In Motion.
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4. THE SALT RACER
matt hurtatdo’s 100 dollar yamaha This bike was featuredd in last year’s January issue and it was the first time we got to meet Matt Hurtado. His leather work is incredible but it turns out he builds a helluva bike too. As an electrician by day, Matt divides his personal time between two amazing talents. When he’s not making custom leather wallets, belts and seats, he likes to show his handy work at the bike lift. Using inspiration of the bikes and cars that race at Bonneville, he created one of the most memorable customs of the year.
5. TIME WARP SHOVEL
a punch in the tounge from butcher chop Our January issue featured this shovel on the cover and kicked off an incredible year. Butcher Chop built this sweet ass rail and it would be a chopper kind of year from that cover on. An absolutely spotless version of a seventies chop, clean lines and sky high up sweep pipes and a killer paint job. It was bell bottoms and hippy chics all around as it sucked you in to every detail. From the little tiny spool hub up front, all the way back to the GMA hanging caliper, a beautiful motorcycle and your pick for number five.
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6. GIDDY UP PAN
aaron graham’s 1957 tin top
Obviously this bike was built for the Giddy Up Show in Texas but the first time we saw it was in Galveston last year at the Lone Star Rally. Even though he doesn’t have a lot of fancy tools or machines, Aaron killed it with this Pan. Starting off with a motor that needed a rebuild and a score on a straight leg, Aaron was on his way to a killer project. As soon as the motor came back he put the whole thing into high gear and made his self imposed deadline for Giddy Up. It’s a smooth build with a great profile and took high honors from our judges in Galveston for the show we put on at Lone Star. We’re super stoked he made the top ten cut as Aaron is one of those working guys that does this from the heart.
7. THE WET LILLY Black Sunshine’s Shovel
Brian Elliot built this sweet ass shovel for his very own wife and brought it to our February issue. Mary, his bride, got this build for Christmas after Brian took the time and energy to revive it from a true basket case. He is one of the good ones we have met over the years, a builder who has grown in ability and grown up in principals as far as what he brings to the table. We’re proud to know him and to have his bike in our pages.
8. SEVENTH CREATION jeremy cupp of lc fabrication
This incredible build was featured in our January issue and has been from here to the moon and back. As the winning bike of Artistry In Iron a few years back, it is quite possibly one of Jeremy Cupp’s finest builds. This Euro inspired cafe racer design coupled with Jeremy’s humble and simple demeanor combines for a real class act. We are glad to have featured this bike and are sure you will see more from Cupp soon.
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9. JUST A LITTLE TRIUMPH wayne alquist from acme choppers
We dropped in on Wayne while we were in Laconia and found this killer little Trumpet waiting for me. We shot it immediately and brought it out in our February 2017 issue. It’s a tough ass build and just as you would imagine from ACME, clean as hell. Hardtailed and a big digger in the back the bike screams street fight. We are proud that it was in our pages and glad to see it in the top ten.
10. TROUBLE SHOVEL
Johnny Branch’s naked truth Build Johnny’s Shovel was another build from our Shovelhead Issue but more importantly it was in Michael Lichter’s “Naked Truth” exhibition. The story of how it got there was the best part and why we had to bring it out in our March issue. He wasn’t invited to display the bike at that show but despite that he finished his build just in time and showed up like a boss. Mike was so impressed with his guts and determination that Johnny was asked to bring the bike in for the rest of Sturgis. It’s a real pleasure to have had it in our pages and rounds out this year’s Top Ten Feature Bikes.
pin up of the year april 2015 Model: Penny Wren Bike: No Club Clothing Photo: Mark Velazquez
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El Diablo Fairing L.A. Fairing Company’s New T-Sport Custom Fairing
Article By: Chris Callen
E
very time I start on a new project bike for the magazine I end up running into the coolest products. Since the “War Pony” build is gonna be a performance-based custom, I get to step outside of my own chopper box a little bit and see what the rest of the world is up to. That’s where I ran into Adolfo Sanchez and his L.A. Fairing Company. Adolfo is the head wrench at Kiwi Indian Motorcycles during the day, but in his off hours, he has quickly been on the path of forming his own company. He is a mastermind when it comes to fiberglass and composite plastics, so combining that with his love for Sportster and FXR performance bikes, he has created a great product line of small custom fairings. This one, “El Diablo” is the next generation of growth for both him and the company. He has learned so much about manufacturing and is now thermal shaping the windscreens in-house. The body is comprised of Premium 3-Layer
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Heavy-Duty Fiberglass w/ Premium Revchem Resin Construction & Gel Coat. You can get the windscreen in clear or smoked acrylic; there is a non-
windscreen version also. It comes with all mounting hardware and complete bracket mounting system that’s heavyduty US-made stainless steel clamps. This fairing was designed with the stock Harley T-Sport fairing in mind, but it is smaller and has a cooler look. The dimensions are 3” headlight tunnel depth, 22” tall, 12 1/2” from the top of the head light to the top of the fairing and 16” wide. A quick list of models this is
applicable for: 39mm - Harley Davidson Narrowglide Front End w/ Headlight Visor - i.e., XL883, XL1200, FXR and Dyna with 39mm Narrowglide Front End and stock eyelid style headlights. Roadster - 2016+ Harley Davidson Sportster Roadster. Sportster Midglide - 2016+ Harley Davidson Sportster 48 w/ 49mm Midglide Front End - DOES NOT FIT SPORTSTER 48 w/WIDE GLIDE 39mm. It’s a bitchin, well-made product that you can see very soon in a tech install on our War Pony build. They also offer a smaller style mini fairing called “CHOLO” Fairing for those who want a little less up front, but you be the judge. I thought for sure I was gonna want the mini until I saw the El Diablo up close. All of this and more is available on their website at www.lafairingco.com Check them out today and get you some!
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here have been a few times in my life when I’ve had a master craftsman living in my midst, and it took a while to meet them. Josh Allison is one of those craftsmen. I don’t throw that term around a lot. The reason being that I have master craftsmen, painters, photographers and visionary artists in my life, and they never call themselves that. It takes a true eye for detail to be a master at anything and an uncompromising ethic for everything to be perfect, balanced and produced by your own hands. Josh Allison says he is a metal shaper, but he is truly a master craftsman with a commitment to
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metal shaping and form that is backed up by decades of experience and a wealth of formal metalshaping education. Josh grew up in a household with bikes. His dad had a few shovelheads, and Josh started riding when he was five. He took a shine to BMX and would always take his bikes apart, customizing and painting to make them his own. That morphed into motocross, where Josh could hone his mechanical aptitude and also customize his bikes for optimal performance. He raced for several years and did freestyle motocross until he got hurt a bunch, and decided he’d hang it up to pursue an education
at Wyotech. Wyotech showed him all the potential, in terms of metal shaping and customizing, and added some breadth to the paint shop he had started. He built a gas tank at Wyotech, and that solidified his need to learn more, get better at everything from fabrication to welding, and his passion was ignited. He got great opportunities with some of the best local automotive fabrication shops and soaked up everything he could. He wound up at Born in the Forge, owned by Mike Detweiler. He perfected his craft there, typically doing mostly automotive fabrication during the day and motorcycles after hours. He was approached by
Article By: J. Ken Conte Photos By: Kayla Keoune & Michael Emanuele
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the guys at Born Free and asked if he wanted to build a bike, and Dead Pan was born. The 1951 Pan was an exercise in how much Josh could build himself, by hand. He describes himself as an organic builder, meaning he has a general idea of where he wants to go with each build but is open to what might come up in the process to influence certain design elements. He started with a basically stock ’51 pan and kept only the motor, tranny, and frame. He’s very thoughtful about when and how he uses certain materials. Typically, paint and finishes are something figured out at the end of a build, but for Josh his finishes are what make him stand out in the crowd. As he says, “I left paint behind a few years ago” and now
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focuses on the combination of how metal finishes play off each other and the overall effect produced. Having a naked bike with no paint allows for no error. Everything is out in the open, and, for people who know bikes, we’re aware of how hard it is to get every cut, contour, weld and hole exactly right. When you take in Dead Pan front to back the first thing that catches the trained builder’s eye is the amount of time and effort that was required to custom-make a springer front end. It’s not just about getting everything aesthetically correct—it has to be properly engineered and handle well. It’s the totality of the endeavor that makes it a work of art. With Dead Pan, the metal joins perfectly and sets itself apart on its own. The gas tank is handhammered, and, as the process was winding down, Josh realized there was an opportunity to hide the gas cap with a custom hinged panel. Details like this made things more
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DEAD PAN TECH SHEET Owner: Mike Detweiler City: Fort Collins, CO Fabrication By: Cry Baby Cycles Year: 1951 Model: Panhead Value: $45K Time: 8 Months
ENGINE
Year: 1951 Model: Harley-Davidson Panhead Builder: Cry Baby Cycles Ignition: Morris Magneto Displacement: 80” Pistons: Wiseco Heads: Harley-Davidson Cam(s): Andrews Carb: M74 Linkert Air Cleaner: Cry Baby Cycles Exhaust: Cry Baby Cycles Primary: Open BDL
Transmission
Year: 1951 Make: Harley-Davidson Shifting: 4 Speed Ratchet Top
FRAME
Year: 1951 Model:Harley-Davidson Wishbone Rake: Stock Stretch: Stock
Front end
Type: Springer Builder: Cry Baby Cycles Extension: 4 Under Triple Trees: Cry Baby Cycles
WHEELS
Front Wheel: Spool Size: 21” Front Tire: Allstate Front brake: None Rear Wheel: Star Hub Size: 16” Rear Tire: Allstate Rear Brake: Panhead Mechanical
PAINT
Painter: Cry Baby Cycles Color: Antique Copper Plated Type: Patina Graphics: None chroming: None
ACCESSORIES
bars: Cry Baby Cycles risers: Cry Baby Cycles hand Controls: Cry Baby Cycles foot Controls: Cry Baby Cycles Fuel tank: Cry Baby Cycles oil tank: Cry Baby Cycles Front fender: None rear fender: Cry Baby Cycles Seat: Cry Baby Cycles Headlight: Panic Cycles Taillight: After Hours Choppers Speedo: None Photographer: Kayla Keoune & Michael Emanuele
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difficult, but it also set the bike apart from anything else. The result is a stunning display of craftsmanship and a balanced finish. I could write about all the details with this bike, but it’s more fun to discover it all your own—everything, from the rear axle plates to the exhaust endcaps, is handmade and worth looking at carefully. Josh has now struck out on his own, opening Crybaby Cycles, where he can focus on motorcycles, custom builds and producing his stunning custom springer frontends. You can be assured that every part and build has been well thought out by this master craftsman. See more at www.crybabycycles.com.
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ep, 1700 Babes, ladies of all ages, types, and their motos from choppers, to scooters, baggers, Sportsters, Triumphs, vintage smaller cc imports, dirt bikes and everything in between all rolled up Hwy 62 a little past Joshua Tree to be a part of the largest all women’s motorcycle event ever. This event is a little bit Born Free, a little bit Sturgis and a little bit Coachella. It
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Article By: Savannah Rose has evolved from 50 girls camping on a dry lake bed to a massive undertaking. How do I know? I’m one of the original 50 girls who rode out to a little Instagram organized event called Babes in Borrego. We rode in two large groups to meet up and all ride a washy sand road to hang out by a campfire, chat and drink some beer. Now, there are all sorts of things to do and learn at BRO (I know, ironic acronym,
right!? Go ahead, I’ll give you a minute to giggle, I’ll wait.) This year, Anya and Ashmore, the original organizers, have stepped up their game. The event has bigname sponsors, from Triumph and Progressive Mc insurance to S&S Cycle (whom I run the social media for!) and Biltwell, along with Sailor Jerry and 805 Beer. Real Deal hosts workshops, including MIG welding lessons from the one and only Jessi
Combs, blacksmithing basics, an airbrush and pinstripe class, and even leatherwork. Progressive prints photos as they are tagged on Instagram, and numerous women-owned businesses and artists contribute. Moto Fam, a moto charity for downed riders, runs a raffle. All the money earned is donated to bikers whose lives have been severely impacted by accidents. Every morning, all the bikes start up and roll out of camp to go on various rides, from Joshua Tree National Park for a leisurely cruise to Big Bear mountain, Idyllwild Highway, Salvation Mountain, and of course, Pappy and Harriet’s Saloon, a well-known pioneer town style stop in the desert. I personally chose to get my break in miles on my freshly rebuilt Sporty chop by cruising around the park with a rad group of women. By evening, groups of bikes rumble back into camp. S&S set up a mobile pop up garage to help the ladies having bike trouble (the desert, with high heat and wind, can do a number on motorcycles) and most of all to teach the ladies more about their bikes. We teach how to do safety checks - tires, leaks, and evaluating everything
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so you can be as safe as possible on the road. A few ladies rolled in for help while the rest got ready for the party. There was Karaoke, the Biltwell Brodeo (a mechanical bull!), tattoos, food trucks, workshops, and of course some kick ass music from female fronted bands like Dorothy, and the duo Larkin Poe (CHECK THEM OUT. You won’t regret it) Now I’m sure some of you are cracking rude jokes, we’re supposed to be in the kitchen, right? Oh, aren’t you creative? Well, so you know, I chopped my Sportster in my kitchen. Yes, in the kitchen. Yep. Oh, wait... Girls can build bikes, you say? Yes! In fact, some of these women built their own bikes. Go on, have any other jokes? Forget them. It won’t work. Some of these gals rode over 2500 miles, across the country just to come to Babes. One lady, Tracy, rode her shovel all the way down from Canada! After seeing the sheer determination of these women to overcome obstacles like those jokes, the disadvantages you face as a girl in a male-dominated hobby, and just plain being told forever how “pretty you look on the backseat” - I know damn well anything you can do, we can do.. and quite possibly better. I mean, how many events have you been to where everyone is polite, the porta johns are squeaky clean, and you can relax and have fun? Yep. I said it. Clean bathrooms. I have never seen such clean bathrooms at a rally. As Jacqui Van Ham said, this is the most polite rally either of us has ever been to. And we attend all the rallies! Say what you want about Babes, but every lady leaves this event with new friends, great memories, a ton of dirt in their hair, and a relaxing weekend away from you guys! Forget manicures and girls’ night out; it’s all about a weekend in the dirt and on the road on two wheels with the ladies. For more info on Babes Ride Out, check out their Facebook and Instagram: @babesrideout Real Deal @i.am.the.real.deal Moto Fam @moto_fam And of course, follow S&S Cycle at @sscycle And I’m @themouseandthemoto on IG!
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1. Missing Body Line On Fuel Tank. 2. Shovel Head On Front Cylinder. 3. Missing Oil Line At Rear Cylinder. 4. Different Kicker Pedal. 5. Different Air Cleaner. 6. Extra Cam Cover Mounting Screw. 7. Rear Location Of Tab On Magneto. 8. Longer Foot Peg. 9. No Blueing On Front Pipe. 10. Missing Holes On Brake Pedal Arm.
FIND TEN DIFFERENT THINGS ON DEAD PAN NO THERE ISN’T ANY REAL PRIZE, JUST SOMETHING TO DO WHILE YOU’RE IN THE CAN.
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i
’d get it one piece at a time And it wouldn’t cost me a dime You’ll know it’s me when I come through your town I’m gonna ride around in style I’m gonna drive everybody wild ‘Cause I’ll have the only one there is around.” Johnny Cash “A fella came in here and bought a carb kit, and he goes ‘That’s pieces of my old bike.’ I said, ‘What?’ And he said, ‘Yeah. Did that bike have this and have that on it when you got it?’ And I said ‘Yep.’ sure enough, it was his old bike.” Ron Lee’s Cut and Shoot Choppers has been around for over 25 years in the small Texas
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town of the same name. As anyone who has been around bikes for any time can attest, parts get exchanged for other parts, get re-fabricated and sometimes sit in the corner or back shelf somewhere collecting dust until it is rediscovered and repurposed. This ’42, ’55, ’73 “not quite a Panhead” Shovel was born from the parts in various boxes and corners of Ron’s shop. “I’ve got stashes of parts everywhere, some worthless; some are pretty good. I just started looking at it. As soon as I put the shift on it, and the dash was already on it” Ron knew he was on to something. “When I put the ’42 front end on, is when
it started coming along. The old rear fender, which is the tire cover off an old Ford, with the car light, that was a really cool point.” Gradually Ron dug through other corners and boxes, tried out another part here, fabbed something there. “I used an old beat up sissy bar that was off some old used Panhead. I made a set of pipes and put new brakes and tires on it. The tank, it has an original 70s – 80s paint job on it.” The result is an interesting mix of parts that make this Shovelhead as unique and eyecatching as any custom show bike, but with more character and certainly more ride-ability. Ron said no matter where he rides it,
Article and Photos By: Rebecca Cunningham
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a small appreciative crowd gathers. “I can’t take a whole lot of credit because it’s all Harley parts. But the history of it in where the pieces come from, stuff like that makes it interesting. I had a list at one time to kind of spec stuff together.” This list is MIA, but as Ron said, anyone who knows antique motorcycles will be able to recognize the parts from various models and eras of Harley history. Ron has an interesting history with motorcycles, which seems to make this build even more interesting. “Of course, my brother drug me into, everything he saw or did, it
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trickles down to me. He brought the bike home when I was six. I saw the Easy Rider movie when I was about seven or eight years old. My friend’s dad took us and it was R-rated. It was crazy. Growing up in Orange Texas, the big thing was the county fair. You would go to the fair and there was stuff you never saw, that’s where I got my Easy Rider posters. My wall was covered with them. “I guess in my age group; we were the kids who had the chopped bicycles. You know, I made a springer front end for my bicycle when I was a kid, so that kind of groove relates to this motorcycle. “When I was 16, my parents bought a Honda shop, and I kind of grew up in motorcycle shops. My shop came about by my family evolving to where my brother bought the motorcycle shop (in Orange, Tx) And I wasn’t actually pushed out of town, but I wasn’t going to be in competition with them according to my parents. That’s how I ended up 150+ miles away (from his hometown) “I actually went to school and got a degree in drafting and computer stuff. But the whole time I was working in the (motorcycle) shops around the Houston and Conroe
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JOHNNY CASH SPECIAL TECH SHEET Owner: Ron Lee city/state: Cut-N-Shoot,TX builder: Cut-N-Shoot Choppers Year: 1979 Model: Harley-Davidson FL Time: 60 Days value: Lots Of Blood, Sweat & Beers
ENGINE
Year: 1979 Model: Shovelhead Builder: Cut-N-Shoot Choppers ignition: Single Fire Displacement: 74” pistons: Forged Heads: Stock Carb: S&S cam: Andrews Air Cleaner: Paughco Exhaust: Cut-N-Shoot Choppers primary: BDL
TRANSMISSION
Year: 1972 Make: Harley-Davidson® Shifting: 4 Speed Ratchet Top
Frame
year: 1955 make: Harley-Davidson® model: Stock rake: Stock stretch: None
forks
type: Inline Springer Builder: Harley-Davidson® triple trees: N/A extension: None
WHEELS
Front Wheel: 40 Spoke Size: 21” Front Tire: Avon front brake: Drum Rear Wheel: 40 Spoke Size: 16” Rear Tire: Avo rear brake: Drum
PAINT
Painter: Unknown Color: Red/Black type: Old graphics: Faded Chroming: Atlas Plating
ACCESSORIES
Bars: Speedster risers: N/A Hand Controls: Harley Davidson Foot Controls: H-D Rocker Clutch Fuel tank: H-D 3.5 Gal Flat Side oil tank: Side Fill Horseshoe Front Fender: None rear Fender: Ford Rear Tire Cover seat: Roberti Seats Headlight: 6.5”Springer taillight: Chevy Car speedo: HD Police
Photographer: Rebecca Cunningham
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(Texas) area. Then when I got out of school, I was still working at them on the side. I have some good friends in Cleveland, and I worked out of their garage for a while. That’s how the shop started. Gosh, I don’t know how many motorcycles we’ve built, everything from from unique things to crazy things to everyday things. With his pro racing background, Ron’s appreciation for everything two wheels is clearly evident. “If you could put wheels on it, I raced it. I have pro licenses in the dirt, flat, road race bikes, motocross.” The Shovelhead is a clear hint at Ron’s newest pursuit in the motorcycle world. His love for everything old is beginning to become an obsession, in a good way, of course. “There’s so much respect coming into the older bikes like the speedway bikes, the dirt track bikes. The antique stuff excites me now, so I’m chasing down part for things like 1912 Indians. The older I get, the more important that is.”
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Article By Clinton Wallace Photos By: Jake Payton & Aaron Finnin
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his was the fifth year for the Southern Throwdown, and if you have never made it, you’re missing out. The Throwndown is put on by, Oliver Peck of Cheap Thrills, the guys at Lucky 7 Cycles, Jason Quigley of Dream Machines of Texas, Kenny Kirk and Jim Harper of Chopper Supply, Scott Hoepker of Chemical Candy Customs, and Kirk Sharp of Just Kickers. The show was held on a Sunday, which might seem a little odd, but as the saying goes everything is bigger in Texas. So why would you settle for one preJanuary ‘18 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE
party, when you could have two. On Friday night Chopper Supply kicked off the weekend with their pre-party, then on Saturday night the guys at Lucky 7 cycles held theirs. The two pre-parties alone would have made for an awesome weekend. The Southern Throwdown is held inside The Bomb Factory, which is a music venue in Deep Ellum Dallas, Texas. This is a perfect spot to hold a show. There are tons of righteous choppers and some of the best live music and it’s all going on at the same time. This year Oliver decided he was going to raffle off a sweet chopper, Matt Jacksons 1950 Panhead, which he built for Born Free 8. And the lucky guy that got to take it home was Jeffrey Alan. There were tons of awesome bikes to see. There were choppers, daily riders, and fully restored bikes. One of the must-see bikes was JP Rodman’s Panhead Trike that he built for Born Free 9 which was raffled off at The Run to Raton. This year they did something different at the Showdown. They had the guys from Rolling Heavy Magazine out. They hosted a van show outside in the parking lot. There were some pretty rad vans that showed up. As with all shows there were vendors and sponsors selling goods. There was also a small swap meet area. But what I thought was especially cool and very different was that the guys from Bonafide Barber Shop were on hand to take care of you if you wanted a shave and a haircut. And of course, you couldn’t have a chopper show in Texas without having Bar B Que. That was handled by the guys at The Bucking Pig. Now I’m here to tell you that these guys know Bar B Que. The Southern Throwdown has quickly became one of the must-see events in Texas. So I would say mark it on your calendar, it’s worth the trip.
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Article And Photos By: Will Ramsey www.faithforgotten.com
A
fter posting a picture on social media of the stainless steel forward controls and grips that I made for “Worth The Wait,” I was overwhelmed by questions about the knurling process. It seems there is a bit of confusion as to how to get a nice clean knurl on a lathe, and many enthusiastic fabricators are frustrated with their knurling tools. I’m hopeful that this tech will clarify the process. The secret of this dark magical process lies in some fairly basic geometry. A knurling tool is a forming tool and works through pressure. When the knurling wheels are pressed into a piece of material, they displace the surface forcing their way into the round stock; as they proceed around the circumference the teeth of the wheels form the cross-hatched groves. In order for this forming process to occur without
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disruption, it is imperative that the teeth of the knurling tool index back into the initial grooves they formed as they make subsequent revolutions around the material. Therefore, the circumference of the material must be divisible by the pitch (teeth per inch) of the knurling wheel. In other words, you cannot simply press a knurl forcefully to any round piece of metal and expect to get a clean knurl. Instead, you must do a bit of geometry and critical thinking before you begin chewing up material. The first step is to choose how fine or coarse you would like the knurl. Then you must turn the material down to a diameter whose circumference is divisible by the pitch of the knurl you have chosen. This new diameter will now allow you to form a very clean knurl. The following is a step by step explanation of the simple steps that follow the geometry problem as I
knurl a set of stainless steel forward control pegs.
Due to the high pressure involved in knurling, it is a good idea to support the material by holding the suspended end with a live center. After facing the material, I use a
center drill with a 60-degree included angle to set the appropriate surface for the center to index.
The material is repositioned in the chuck and supported by the live center in the tailstock.
There are multiple styles of knurling tools. This style, with the side by side knurling wheels, relies on pressure from the cross slide of the lathe to
form the material. This one-sided pressure puts a great deal of side load on the spindle of the lathe and is not recommended for anyone that cares about the longevity and precision of their machine.
knurling dilemma, I have addressed a piece of stainless steel stock, 1.250” in diameter, with the knurling tool and applied just enough pressure to mark the path of the teeth. After one revolution, you can see the clean cross-hatch pattern the two wheels make.
The scissor style knurling tool applies pressure through its own leverage and therefore limits the wear on the machine. This is my preference and really the only choice for knurling stainless steel in any substantial quantity.
In order to illustrate the crux of the
But after several rotations it becomes apparent that the circumference of the material is not divisible by the pitch of these knurling wheels as the pattern does not repeat. Instead it just starts chewing up the material and making a nice big mess.
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there is really no turning back. The auto feed is engaged at a fairly rapid rate, and the rpms are set to a slower speed (~100-200rpm). It is very important to use a lot of cutting oil or flood coolant to keep the knurling wheels from galling up with material.
knurling tool can be removed from the material and the knurls cleaned with a wire brush.
The material must be turned to an appropriate diameter. This diameter is determined by a combination of design parameters, such as the approximate desired diameter of the part and the pitch of the knurl to be used.
This picture illustrates a single pass on stainless steel. Look closely, notice that the grooves need to form deeper in order to raise the diamond shape from the surface.
If the knurl is completely finished to depth, the point of the diamond will generally be a bit too aggressive for the design function of the knurl. A light pass with a file will knock the sharp edge down and increase the functional comfort of the knurl.
After some basic geometric calculations and a bit of wizardry, the diameter is checked before proceeding with the knurling process.
A few test rotations demonstrate that this calculated diameter is appropriate for the chosen knurling wheels.
Once the knurling process starts,
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When knurling aluminum, a single pass with appropriate pressure is generally sufficient. But with stainless steel, it is necessary to reverse the direction of the tool and make multiple passes. It is best to leave the tool engaged and reverse the feed on the lathe, rather than try to re index the tool and risk damaging the established pattern.
Once the passes are completed, the
After a trip to the polishing room and some assembly, the craftsmanship can be appreciated, and the design concept can be realized. As always, if you have any questions about this process I am only a phone call away. -Will
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Grand National Slip-ons for M8 powered Fat Bob®
The latest from the motor company deserves an exhaust note worthy of the platform and S&S has stepped up with their race inspired Grand National Slip-ons to get the job done. Tuneable baffle inserts allow you to adjust sound and back pressure to best suit your style and performance needs. Combined with the S&S Stealth air cleaner, you’ll see 12% gain in Hp and 6% bump in torque. Aluminum tip and ceramic finish round out a solid performance package that’s still emissions legal in all 50 states. Check out the S&S site for more info, including images and sound files. For More Information https://www.sscycle.com/products/grand-national-slip-ons-for2018-m8-softail-fat-bob/
SOLID BRASS DRAG PIPE TIPS
Check out these EZ to fit, solid brass exhaust tips. Manufactured by Paughco for as precision fit into 1 ¾” and 2” straight cut drag pipes, the tips are easily installed in minutes. Simply slip the tip into your pipe, drill a hole for the retaining screw and secure in place. That’s it! With 2 styles to choose from, the tips give a classy Old School look to any drag pipe equipped scooter. Models for 1 ¾” pipes are P/N 640 Short Curve, 640A Long Curve and 640B Tapered. For 2” pipes you have P/N 641 Short Curve, 641A Long Curve and 641B Tapered. All of the tips are sold in pairs and retail for just $89.95. Contact Paughco direct at 775-246-5738 or catch them on the Web at www.paughco.com
Build Your Own Custom Pipe Kits
Paughco recently introduced a “Build Your Own Pipe” program that not only allows you to do-your-own-thing, but is also a real problem solver. These comprehensive kits include all the pieces required to custom fabricate your own 1 ¾ inch exhaust system. Paughco engineers gathered a combination of bends, straight pieces and flanges for most all popular models that provide the basics while leaving the end result to your imagination. Available for Iron Sportsters, Pans, Shovelhead and STD heads, EVO Big Twin, late Sportsters and TC machines, these unique kits retail for just $254.95 and are available by calling Paughco direct at 775-247-5738 or catch them on line at www.paughco.com
twin power fuel injector
Twin Power is proud to introduce a new line of service parts to properly maintain Harley-Davidson® models equipped with Electronic Fuel Injection. The fuel injectors (P/Ns 422627 through 422631) are suitable for stock or racing applications, offering a fast pulse response and optimum fuel atomization. They are small in dimension and lightweight with a stainless steel body, fuel-resistant plastic connector and multi-hole spray shaping. The injectors retail for $89.75.
BikeMaster® steel Folding Shift Levers
BikeMaster® adds steel Folding Shift Levers to their offroad lineup. Great for the trail, these shift levers are built from bend-resistant steel for superior strength and durability. BikeMaster Folding Shift Levers feature a knurled, gripped surface for excellent control when shifting and fold away easily to withstand impacts when riding through thick brush or rocky terrain. A great item to keep in your pack to avoid being stranded on the trail. BikeMaster Folding Shift Levers (P/N’s 075060 through 075066) retail for $19.99 and can be ordered through your local Tucker Rocky/Biker’s Choice dealer.
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Precision Stopping Power from GMA
GMA, a subsidiary of BDL offers touring, sport, performance and custom riders with a line of exclusive brake calipers that reflect the parent company’s reputation for unsurpassed American craftsmanship and superior performance. Designed and manufactured at the BDL factory in Southern California, these high performance billet calipers are CNC machined to mil-spec tolerances from the superior quality materials to fit to most all factory and custom applications. Attention to detail and precise fit are what you would expect from BDL/GMA as is each caliper’s solid stopping power and reliability. Sleek lines and a finish on both the black or chrome calipers are flawless and make a visually stunning upgrade. Available in either chrome or black, for single and dual disc models, the new calipers are supplied with mounting hardware. For detailed fitment and pricing information visit any of the BDL/GMA dealers worldwide or catch them online at www.beltdrives.com
Heartland USA Introduces EZ On/Off 2nd Seat Option
Featuring the high quality and functionality we’ve come to expect from Heartland USA this latest 2nd Seat add on to their patented Strut System for Softail and Dyna models is now available in a gloss black powder coated Finish and the original Chrome finish. Mounting of the 2nd Seat takes seconds thanks to a patented Quick Release mechanism and removal is just as easy, simply push the release levers and the entire assembly lifts off. Bottom line is this unique conversion effectively allows you to add a passenger seat to your Heartland USA rear fender conversion. When Needed For that special someone. As noted this conversion is designed specifically to work with the company’s Slotted Struts. Available exclusively from Heartland USA, the 2nd Seat Conversion retails for $949.00 and can be ordered on line at www.heartlandbiker.com or by calling direct to 310-822-2697. STRUTS NOT INCLUDED. Be sure to check out the video at https://youtu.be/uCdQg8f_O0I
The Trinity jacket
The Trinity jacket blends premium fashion with motorcycle function. This versatile jacket is perfect for a ladies’ night out on the town, or when your carving canyons with the throttle wide open. The Trinity features a semi aggressive performance riding fit, premium oily buffalo leather that is soft and supple and the quilt stitched accents give it just the right amount of attitude. Feature Adjustable zip waist, zip close cuffs, interior stuff pocket; zip close interior pocket, front and sleeve zip pocket; Armor ready shoulder, elbow and back protector pockets; Pre-curved sleeves, rotated shoulders; Performance riding fit; Colors: Black, Brown, Merlot; Sizes: XS - 2XL; MSRP: $450 The Trinity Jacket is available now at www.rolandsands.com or a Tucker Rocky dealer near you.
twin power fuel filter
Twin Power is proud to introduce a new line of service parts to properly maintain Harley-Davidson® models equipped with Electronic Fuel Injection. Twin Power fuel filter kits (P/Ns 484238 through 484241) come with all the necessary parts required for installation on your bike. They meet or exceed O.E.M. specification and ensure top performance when replaced periodically. These filters retail for $11.89 to $30.89. through your local Tucker Rocky | Biker’s Choice dealer.
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brass balls moto-x bras bbmx footpegs
A cool and easy custom performance upgrade for your bike. Inspired by BMX pegs, our BBMX (Brass Balls Moto-X) foot pegs are next level. They have great grip, style and functionality. Brass Balls Cycles: BBMX Pegs, Gold; Precision machined from aircraft grade 6061 T6 billet aluminum; Gold anodized with contrast cut on perimeter holes; Direct replacement for stock pegs.; Adjustable chrome plated steel clevis included; The outermost edge is tapered underside for optimize lean angle; Brass Balls logo underside insuring the highest quality; Light weight and strong; Measures: 3.5” L x 2.5” W x 1” H; Fitment: All HD models; Includes 2 pegs, 2 HD Male Clevis in Chrome, 2 socket head cap bolts. www.brassballcycles.com
The Wizard 12 Big Throw Mini
Wizards Products introduces The Wizard 12 Big Throw Mini, a 12 mm throw DA (dual action) orbital polisher, designed for use with 3” and 4” faced pads. A perfect companion to The Wizard 21 Big Throw Polisher, now more detail is available in tight areas and style lines where the 6” pads won’t allow full access. The Big Throw Mini is much faster than traditional smaller orbitals because of its larger 12 mm orbit; also safer to use than a rotary polisher that can burn quickly if user is not experienced. Features include: 12 mm orbit, soft start/locking trigger, 2,500 – 5,500 OPM with constant speed control, supported with speed dial 1-6 adjustment and a 5 meter (16’5”) rubber cord. Unit is supplied with a 3” backing plate that operates well with 3” or Wizards 4” faced pads, both included in the (recommended/optional) SSR12 Kit (Scratch and Swirl Removal Kit) part number: 99123. See the Big Throw Mini Polisher live at SEMA, booth #10723, North Hall! Retail Price $229.95 For more information about this or any other WIZARDS® products, please visit www.WizardsProducts.com or call 763-497-5155
Brass Balls Cycles : Derby Covers, Piston-Helmet Design
A cool and easy custom performance upgrade. Replace the heavy stock derby cover with a light-weight, precision machined billet aluminum derby cover featuring our Piston-Helmet logo. Features: Precision machined from aircraft grade 6061 T6 billet aluminum; Black anodized with contrast cut machined design; Direct replacement for stock; Multiple fitment options; Light weight and strong; MSRP $119.95 Brass Balls Cycles parts are available through Biker’s Choice Dealers or at BrassBallsCycles.com
JIMS® Mighty Bite for the Milwaukee Eight™
Lowbrow Customs
Lowbrow Customs has three new gas cap designs available in both brass or aluminum for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The Domed, Dished and Banded style gas caps are precision-machined out of solid aluminum ($39.95) or brass ($59.95) and paired with an injection molded base and gasket that fit 1996 & later Harley-Davidson Big Twin and Sportster motorcycles as well as most custom gas tanks. At 2-1/2” diameter, these vented gas caps are slightly smaller diameter than a stock H-D gas cap for that custom look and feature a knurled band for easy tightening and removal. Visit www.lowbrowcustoms.com
The JIMS® “Mighty Bite” (Part No.5823) is designed to lock the crankshaft when doing service work. Competitively priced at $43.75 (MSRP), this tool is easily justified compared to trying to lock your engine in other ways. The new Milwaukee Eight™ has a unique crank position sensor location and requires a different profile to lock the flywheel. This tool specifically locates and locks the flywheel in the new Milwaukee Eight™ engine and has an added o-ring to prevent oil seepage. For more information contact us at 805-482-6913, email us at sales@jimsusa.com or visit www.jimsusa.com
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I
t’s easy to do something as a hobby when you’re not really invested in it, but when you’re doing something with a deadline and your name’s behind it, it really challenges you to push yourself to places you never thought you’d go. Being able to combine the various things you love from a hobby into a career is a blessing only few experience in their lifetimes. Luckily for Taylor Shultz, he is one of those few. Having grown up working in an autobody shop, Schultz has spent his entire life around engines and wheels, and when he was a kid, art was there to keep him out of trouble. After working in the body shop for a number of years Taylor went off to art school where he decided to merge the two things he loved the most and jump head first into the world of moto-art. When it comes to his inspiration for striping everything from motorcycles to helmets and anything automotive, Taylor draws from artists like Bob Iverson with a style reflecting Watson and Gene Winfield. For the past 11 years that he has owned Schultz Designz, it has allowed him to
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Article By: Amelia “Killer” Rose
develop his style and truly make a name for himself in an industry that he holds so dear. It has also allowed him to make a living doing what he loves, which for him is the craziest part, along with being able to travel and make connections with amazing new people. For him, custom painting is constantly having to push yourself beyond your limits to better yourself and your craft. Sometimes that means you’re only as good as your worst job. As for what he feels sets him apart, he says “I believe starting young and having the skills to paint, stripe, airbrush, metal fab, body work, etc. all helped me pave my way.” There are plenty of talented artists in our industry that only specialize in one, maybe two different mediums. Being well-rounded gives him an advantage above the rest. When he looks to the future, the only thing he could say was that he just wants to keep on building his brand. If you’d like to check out some of his work or commission an incredible piece of art, head on over to his website https:// schultzdesignz.wordpress.com/ Thanks for reading. Till next time, Amelia Rose
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Article and Photos By: Mark Velazquez
n
ate Naylor likes to think of himself as just another New Yorker living in Brooklyn. Like most of us here he lives the grind of the concrete jungle seven days a week as a graphic designer. With a background that covers being a punk rocker, skateboarder and what he calls just a plain old hipster, Nate fancies himself as just another face in the crowd,
but with a really cool bike. Living in New York now for over 14 years, Nate would have never have guessed in his wildest dreams he would end up smack in the middle of the trendy motorcycle scene known to Williamsburg Brooklyn. Knowing only one bike dude, Justin from Vax Moto, Nate’s bike story is a bit off the normal road. As the story goes, Nate got a tip on a really cool bike for sale out in Cali and decided to take plunge. And with
the help Scott over at Noise Cycles, this simple purchase would turn into the killer ride you see. Not being a “wrencher” at all but having artistic vision, Nate fed Scott his thoughts and let him do the rest. The 1976 FLH with the killer Shovelhead engine is indeed a show stopper. Scott really killed this build! With the pistons and heads being maybe the only thing stock on this bike everything else has a touch of Noise. Aside from the wheels which
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happen to be done by Nipple Twister and the paint by Sonny Boy this bike is all Noise. The cool thing about this bike is when you take a close look it is all custom to the year. A ’76 4 speed tranny, the engine built at Noise hosting an electronic ignition, Mikuni carb, and a handcrafted exhaust all resting on a ’76 frame. Like I said, the bars, fuel tank, front and rear fender, foot controls, oil tank and so much more were all crafted by Scott. That’s what I call killer onestop shopping. Now, when I said show stopper, I meant show stopper. This bike went right off the lift and into the Brooklyn Invitational and from there out to Mamma Tried. And to think Nate wanted a cool black bike just to ride, he never intended on a ending up with a showpiece. Now, keep in mind, with all its bling Nate made it very clear to Scott that he wanted a bike he could ride and he got just that. I’ll be the first to say he beats the shit out this ride and she never skips a beat.
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With bike in hand, as they say, Nate’s life as being just another face in crowd would now change. Like many builds go this process allowed may doors and friendships to take shape. It never surprises me how a motorcycle can genuinely change your life. Now a common sight on the streets of Brooklyn, Nate can often be seen hanging with the likes of what I call the “usual suspects” such as Vander, Ajay, the Indian Larry Crew and rubbing elbows with locals Paul Cox and Keino. Not too bad for a guy scooping up his first Harley, I would say.
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WHITESNAKE TECH SHEET Owner: Nate Naylor city/state: Brooklyn, NY Fabrication By: Noise Cycles Year: 1976 Model: FLH time: 3 Months value:
ENGINE
Year: 1976 Model: Shovelhead Builder: Noise Cycles ignition: Electronic Displacement: Stock 1200 pistons: Stock heads: Stock Carb: Mikuni cam: Stock Air Cleaner: Noise Mini Ham-Cam Exhaust: Noise Cycles Primary: Tin
TRANSMISSION
Year: 1976 Make: Harley-Davidson Shifting: 4 Speed
Frame
year: 1976 make: Harley-Davidson rake: Stock Stretch: None
front end
Type: 41mm Builder: Noise Cycles Triple trees: Daikobe, IK Works extension: None
WHEELS
front Wheel: Nipple Twister Size: 19” front tire: Firestone front brake: Kawasaki rear Wheel: Steelie Size: 15” rear tire: Firestone rear brake: Stock HD Juice
PAINT
painter: Sonny Boy Color: Black graphics: Silver Leaf molding:
ACCESSORIES
Bars: Noise Cycles risers: Panhead Hand Controls: Noise Cycles foot controls: Noise Cycles Fuel tank: Noise Cycles oil tank: Noise Cycles Front Fender: None rear Fender: Noise Cycles seat: The Seatguy Headlight: Tractor taillight: Guide speedo: None
Photographer: Mark Velazquez
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In the end, Nate is just like every one of us. It does not matter where you live or what you do if you’re a wrencher or just a rider. We all love to ride and we all have our own reason for doing just that. So be it the long-bearded biker, weekend warrior, or the city hipster enjoy the ride. And remember in the end … We’re all cool!
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Article and Photos By: Scooter Tramp Scotty
S
ome years ago... Things were cooling in the north as crisp fall air slowly spread its icy fingers across the country. For those of us that live on a motorcycle and spend most nights in a camp, the northern states were no longer hospitable. And so the southward migration began again. From the pilot’s seat of the old Electra Glide, I led the way as Michelle’s bike brought up the rear. Behind us, the rack and saddlebags of our bikes held all of our worldly possessions. So were the realities of the modernday-drifter. Kansas was behind us, and the small secondary highway we traveled led us south through Arkansas’s Ozark
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Mountains. Ahead lay the state of Louisiana, and I looked forward to our arrival there. It had been a year since Katrina had beaten New Orleans and I’d yet to visit the city. From the north, one must first cross a 26-mile long bridge (the Causeway) that stretches across Lake Pontchartrain to the far shores of Metairie then, ultimately, New Orleans. Although I’d ridden this bridge many times, the experience of a road that seems endless across open water will always amaze me. As we entered the city of New Orleans of course accommodations were the first concern. Over the huge Huey P Long Bridge, near the Mississippi River’s west bank, there’s still unoccupied land, and it didn’t take long to locate a good spot that would give us perfect privacy. The place offered a neatly mowed, yet unused, road that ran beside a small reservoir surrounded entirely by forest. As usual, the camp would consist of one tent with a motorcycle parked on either side. The next day a local man offered unconditional use of the shower he kept behind an unlocked door. That was easy. The city was now ours. We could stay as long as we liked. Just as it’s gambling that brings Las Vegas its fame, so then is it that a party brings notoriety to New Orleans. Here, regardless of what day it is, something’s always going on. The celebrations, the bands, parades, and variety of music all seem infinite and endless. We combed the city for hot spots and spent some time with those who park their scooters at the corner of St Peter and Bourbon St down in the French Quarter. To the eye, outsiders such as ourselves could scarcely note the scars Katrina had left upon the buildings. Life seemed to continue as usual. However, the vibe had changed considerably. Anyone could feel that. Many locals spoke of this. I also met those who’d stayed through the storm and
listened to eyewitness accounts unlike any the TV had told. New Orleans was a city still hurting from its wounds. It was Wednesday when Fred called my cell. It had been 1½ years since he’d liquidated everything except what fit aboard his Softail and hit the road. We’d traveled together back then but had kinda lost track of each other since. He was still on the road and, most unbelievably, in New Orleans. Wednesday’s bike-night at the Pit Stop bar. They average 300 to 500 motorcycles,
and I told Fred to meet us there. We traded many stories that night. Fred said he was staying/working on the east side for a man who scrapped steal. This sounded interesting. By evening’s end, Fred had invited us to lunch on the following afternoon, and we accepted. At lunch the next day, Michelle and I sat across from Fred and his boss. We stared at them over a bowl of crawfish étouffée. Both were dirty from the
day’s work. Richard was easygoing, a real people-person. He said the city’s East Side had been devastated by the hurricane and he and a few others had RVs out there. By day they scoured the city with heavy equipment in search of abandoned metal to scrap. At night they stayed home or frequented the city’s many party spots. The stories he told were intriguing. Richard asked if we’d like to visit. He said we’d be welcome to stay as long as we liked. The realities of living on land not necessarily designated for camping, like our recent home beyond the Huey P Long, demand that you repack equipment by day, then remake camp every night: a monotonous routine. But it allows the finer point of more freedom. You see a bike that is always packed allows one to change direction at a moment’s notice and to simply go with whatever opportunity presents itself. We accepted Richard’s offer. The freeway led east for only a short while before a long bridge arched above many industrial ships parked along the river below. As we began our descent to the opposite shore, I gazed upon a startling sight. From shoreline to the far horizon the dense city stood as quiet testimony to a world that once was. Once…but no longer. With the exception of the crowded freeway that cut a swath through its center, almost everything lay dead. Apartment buildings as far as the eye could see, hundreds, maybe thousands…vacant… looted. The Denny’s, 7-11, Wall Mart, DMV, Police station…vacant…looted. The list went on. Katrina had spared no one. Some distance off lay the skeletal remains of a Six Flags Magic Mountain that stood like some dead prehistoric animal. My initial reaction was absolute shock. We followed Richard’s pickup off the interstate and onto a side street. Traffic was nonexistent as we passed empty neighborhoods that felt like an unnerving January ‘18 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 97
post-holocaust road warrior movie. We followed Richard’s truck and pulled into the parking lot of a huge apartment complex. At one corner sat three midsized camping trailers, one dump-truck, a skip-loader, plumber’s truck, and a modest assortment of screwed-up cars and SUVs. The latter was scrap metal. Total submersion destroys the electrics and renders these vehicles useless for anything but scrap. Those that had not been submerged were being acquired legally then shipped to a buyer in Arkansas. I could see Fred’s Softail resting beside his tent. After parking, we piled out to hang ’round and bullshit for a while. I met the residents. Jim lived in one of the other trailers, was broke all the time for some reason (I never asked), and rode a chopper that sat with bad breaks because he had no money for pads. The guy seemed alright though. Paul was an older cat who’d fixed up one of the better apartments on an upper floor where flood-water had not reached. His home was actually quite nice. Outside, Paul’s welding truck sat loaded with the tools of his trade. He’d manufactured an adapter that allowed water to be taken from a nearby fireplug via garden hose. Besides water to fill trailer tanks, this invention also supplied the homemade shower-stall attached to a nearby fence. One washing machine had been grabbed from an empty apartment and installed there as well. For electricity, an industrial extension cord was stretched to the nearby cell-tower. Fascinating. I was told that all resided are here by permission, but would later learn they were really just squatters. But no law was left in this place, and the guys had been in camp for many months without repercussion. Michelle and I set up camp, and we spent our first night in the dead city. Morning light lit the tent walls. Outside, men stirred to face the workday. I slept a little longer. After coffee, we set out on foot to explore this strange new environment. Private houses were still owned by individuals—even if they were long gone. To enter these would have been trespassing. But it was different with the thousands of apartment buildings now left to the elements. None would return, they were abandoned. Curiosity brought me to the front door (all stood open) of one dead apartment. I stepped inside. Downstairs held the kitchen and livingroom. The sight was shocking. On the walls were two watermarks: one at chest level and the other above my head. All of this family’s possessions stood intact: big screen TV, stereo, sofa, lounge chair, dinette, dishes, and food. Family photos still hung on the walls. I saw a closet filled with clothes. All destroyed. It looked like the living quarters of some sunken ship raised to dry land. All refrigerators had floated upward with the flood, then
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resettled cockeyed across the countertops after the water receded. The smell of mold hung green in the air. I went upstairs. Flood-water had not breached the second floor. Here, mountains of family possessions lay still intact or violently tossed. Beds, pillows, lamps, dressers, photo albums, etc. Closets full of clothes. Bathroom still filled with soaps, hairsprays, and accessories of every imaginable description. In one bedroom a baby bassinet stood complete with its little windmill toys hanging silently above. Spooky. As the day wore on Michelle and I walked through other apartments. The strange beeping of a thousand smoke detectors—batteries failing in unison— echoed eerily across the dead landscape. Many of the roofs remained intact while others had blown off to bring water damage upstairs as well. I picked up a snapshot of one man with a small daughter in arms and wife standing at his side on the sand of some exotic beach. Everyone was smiling. I looked through the window and tried to feel what had happened here: The storm had hit with forceful wind. The man was here with his family. Trees began to fall. Not one, but all of them. They banged against buildings in rapid succession tearing apart roofs and shaking walls. Power failed. Electric, gas, water, communications, gone. Windows blew in. Debris flew violently through the air. Armageddon. Then, adding insult to injury, the storm abated, and floodwater rose to securely trap everything among the trash and dead bodies that floated by. For a long time, no help came. Many had food, but drinking water was almost nonexistent. Helicopters came, hovered, and then left having helped no one. People knocked holes through apartment walls to take refuge among their neighbors. From there I could feel no more. So ended my tour of the ravaged apartments. Being sensitive to the vibe and mold, Michelle did not stay long. On the second morning, she packed and rode for South Carolina to visit family. I lingered for a week more before moving north to Mandeville where I’d meet an insane lawyer who owned land and loved company. Fred and Michelle would both arrive soon. We would stay a month on my new friends land. I would repair the lawyer’s house while Fred worked on his many motorcycles. We’d both make money. But eventually, Michelle and I would set out west. She to finish the winter in southern California, and I to ride into the jungles of deep Mexico. But then that’s another story…
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Hey, This next year will be amazing in so many respects. We could get our asses handed to us with the insurgence of technology and Global Warming mandates. Or the whole Climate Change control freak community could stumble and fall into a shallow grave and freedom might return to the forefront. We could find ourselves monitored constantly with devices on every light pole in an effort to prevent anything from happening at any time, or someone could step up and say, Freedom Matters. One thing is guaranteed. We will find out shortly. Let’s hit the news: The Progressive® International Motorcycle Shows® Teams Up with J&P Cycles, Cycle Source Magazine to Showcase Custom Motorcycle Building, DIY Maintenance - The Progressive® International Motorcycle Shows® (IMS), an industry leader in connecting powersports brands with highly qualified enthusiasts and buyers, today announced the return of the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show hosted by J&P Cycles as well as the addition of “do-it-yourself” demonstrations from Grease & Gears Garage (which
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will be presented by emcee Pat Jansen) to this year’s tour. J&P Cycles is considered the world’s largest aftermarket motorcycle parts and accessories store, and Cycle Source Magazine is the premiere news resource for custom bike builders. The IMS tour kicks off in Long Beach, CA from November 17-19. For more information and to register for a media pass, please visit: motorcycleshows.com. “Customization is a major trend in the motorcycling world. Now, more than ever, our attendees are curious about the possibilities of do-it-yourself customization and economical ways they can maintain their own bikes,” said Tracy Harris, senior vice
president, Progressive International
Motorcycle Shows. “J&P Cycles and Cycle Source Magazine are both at the forefront of the custom motorcycle builder community, and between the Ultimate Builder competition and Grease & Gears Garage demonstrations, every enthusiast will have an opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge they’re looking for.” “As the leader in helping riders customize their motorcycles, all of us at J&P Cycles are stoked to present the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show (UBCBS) and recognize the amazing work of America’s bike builders,” said Zach Parham, president of J&P Cycles parent company, MAG Retail Group. The UBCBS is the world’s largest motorcycle builder competition, attracting many of the best builders from across the country to compete in four different building classes including Custom Street, Freestyle, Modified Harley and Modified Retro. The competition expects over 350 builders will enter for the chance to win $100,000 in cash and prizes across the tour. The competition will take place at every stop on the IMS tour. The winner from each city will move on to compete in the championship round, which takes place February 9-11 in Chicago, IL. “We are thrilled that we have the opportunity to bring Grease & Gears Garage to IMS for the 2017-18 tour. This is an important time in custom motorcycling and to be able to showcase some of the most talented Motorcycle Builders and Wrenches across the country on an educational and entertaining platform is exciting for the industry as a whole. We hope that by offering these live demonstrations and tutorials we will give new and experienced motorcyclists not only the knowledge but the excitement that comes along with doing it yourself,” said Chris Callen, editorin-chief, and publisher, Cycle Source Magazine. Grease & Gears garage, presented by Cycle Source Magazine, will feature a lineup of live demonstrations from top
custom motorcycle builders and craftsmen in the industry, providing an inside look at custom building and motorcycle repair techniques including: How to build custom exhausts; Rebuilding carburetors; Upgrading controls; Frame fabrication Over the course of the live demonstrations, the team will work towards building a custom Harley-Davidson FXR named “The War Pony.” The presentations will take place in every city and also be streamed on Facebook Live through the official IMS Facebook page. The 2017-2018 Progressive® IMS tour kicks off at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, CA on November 17, 2017. To learn more about the IMS tour, see the full tour schedule and purchase tickets, please visit motorcycleshows.com. Teaching Kids To Interact With Police - will it help? Illinois, Louisiana, North Carolina, Texas, and Virginia have passed legislation that mandates schools teach students how to conduct themselves around police. Texas passed its law in the last legislative session and mandated that high schools and especially driver’s education courses train students how to conduct themselves around law enforcement. Texas also passed a law to train police on how to de-escalate situations. Indeed, education on both sides is needed to help improve the overall fear that many citizens have for the police. These measures on how to teach children to interact with police have come under criticism by groups such as Black Lives Matter, which say a curriculum like this could place the blame for violent encounters plus the burden of preventing them on civilians. Some police advocacy groups are also worried that it encourages and worsen the fears the young, and the old already have about cops.
New Jersey lawmakers are now working on a bill that would require every school district to teach about police responsibilities and civilians’ rights. The first part of the curriculum would be taught in elementary school while middle and high school students would have further training. Most encounters with police are through traffic stops. Educating future motorists about their rights and responsibilities towards driving and police may help the fear factor some, but in the end, it is all about the moment.
--National Motorists Association Roland Sands Lawsuit - Alaska Man Files Lawsuit Over Motorcycle Mishap at Buffalo Chip Concert - An Alaska man who says he was hit by a motorcycle that flew offstage during a 2016 Buffalo Chip Campground concert has filed a federal lawsuit against the campground, the rider, and the bike company. The Argus Leader reports that Royce Rath was in the crowd during the Aug. 2016 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally festivities at the campground. The complaint filed this week says in between concert performers Lita Ford and Kid Rock, showman Roland Sands rode a race motorcycle designed without front brakes across the stage and into a crowd of spectators. The lawsuit says Rath suffered permanent disability, medical expenses and the loss of wages and earning capacity. Federal court
records don’t list attorneys for Sands, Polaris Industries or Buffalo Chip Campground. -Information from: Argus Leader, INDIANA SCAM-- From ABATE Of Indiana And MRF’s Own Jay Jackson: It has come to our attention that some Indiana residents have been caught up in a scam regarding documents necessary to obtain a motorcycle endorsement. ABATE of Indiana represents all Hoosier motorcyclists and is very concerned anytime one of us is harmed. Although we have not been given details from the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), it appears that someone has made copies of the state form used to issue a waiver for the skills test and forged the signature of a former ABATE instructor. This unlawful act of greed casts an ugly and undeserved shadow on the instructor’s reputation, as well as that of ABATE of Indiana. We have heard a number of stories from people who have been caught up in this situation. One admitted to giving “a guy in the bar $100” in exchange for the paper. Others advise that they attended a makeshift course and spent “a couple hours riding around cones” before receiving the document. Some claim to have paid as much as $350 for this “class.” At some point, the BMV suspected something (perhaps a large number of waivers with the same instructor, date, etc...) and began to look closer at how some folks acquired their motorcycle endorsement. If the BMV was unable to confirm that the applicant had successfully completed a legitimate rider course, they suspended not only the motorcycle endorsement, but also the operator’s license, and in some cases the Commercial Driver’s January ‘18 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 101
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License (CDL), of the individual. Furthermore, misinformation from the BMV advised riders that the course offered by ABATE of Indiana was not valid for a waiver, when in fact, it was. This issue continued throughout the entire 2015 and 2016 training seasons, despite repeated pledges from the BMV to correct it. In 2017, inaccurate and incomplete information persists, as the BMV advises Hoosiers that “ABATE... (is) not an option”. While the BMV’s repeated misinformation to riders is frustrating for us, the reason we provided this brief history is because it is even more frustrating to the motorcyclists of Indiana. We managed to get along for about 25 years without any fraud, using a card printed on card stock in blue ink, with a watermark. We controlled the distribution of these cards from our office and limited the personnel that had access to them. The BMV introduced a new form just a few years ago that was simply black ink on white paper. We expressed concern regarding the security of this document from the beginning. If you have any information related to this situation, please reach out and contact the Indiana State Police, or call the ABATE office if you are more comfortable doing so. We want to get to the bottom of this in hopes that it may assist those that were victimized. --Jay Jackson
RF ALERT-- Tell The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) That Biker Lives Matter....and are MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANIMALS! Last month, NHTSA released a document concerning safety policies for self-driving cars. Not only were motorcyclists not even mentioned in the 36-page document, there was a section that urged automakers to account for detection of pedestrians, bicyclists, and animals! And yet, motorcyclists weren’t even mentioned. Tell NHTSA what you think by filing comments with the agency on this critical issue. A pre-drafted letter awaits your signature: Take Action --Megan, MRF From The AMA- California Gov. Jerry Brown signed two bills Oct. 3 that extend the state’s nationally renowned off-highway vehicle recreation program and provide more stability for the program’s
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future. S.B. 249 extends the operation of the California OffHighway Motor Vehicle Recreation Program indefinitely, eliminating a provision that historically had required periodic reauthorization and making the program permanent within state parks. S.B. 159 provides funding for the program. Without these key pieces of legislation, the program would have ended Dec. 31. The American Motorcyclist Association was part of a broad coalition that defended the OHV program against opponents who sought its demise. The group worked with legislators for months to rework the initially introduced version of S.B. 249 into an
acceptable piece of legislation. But wait, he wants to eliminate gas engines all together.—Bandit Suzuki Motor Corp. has decided to suspend its FIM World MXGP Championship and All Japan Motocross activities beginning in 2018. The company said it reviewed its motorcycle operations and decided to “focus on the core business functions and restructuring of our motorcycle business,” which includes suspending MXGP activities. Suzuki will continue to produce RM-Z250 and 450 series and support those customers around the world. “The company will continue to provide valued products for its customers by utilizing the experiences earned through the racing activities,” a Suzuki release states.
Targeted For Existing - Where Pop Culture Ends and Real Life Begins for America’s Bikers When I first spoke with “Professor Blade” I noticed a subtle accent; “Former British Army” he informed me, though he now resides in the San Diego area. In addition to his accent, I noticed he was remarkably polite and articulate, which isn’t surprising given his career as a middle school teacher and college professor. What IS surprising, however, is the fact that this man was recently arrested, charged with a felony and held on a $125k bail. So why was this man, former military and college educator without any criminal record arrested? He says he was profiled by California State police, simply because he was riding a motorcycle. Unfortunately, for the 8 million Americans who ride, perception can be a reality. Professor Blade and members of his motorcycle club “The Chosen Few” know this all too well. He says he and his fellow club members have been targeted by local law enforcement for years. “There’s a bar we all go to pretty regularly,” Professor Blade tells me. “The night I was arrested I was there for a party for a friend who is in the marines. When we arrived, I could see police staked out across the street from the bar, just watching and waiting.” Upon leaving the party, he was pulled over the second he turned out of the parking lot on his motorcycle. The impetus for the stop? Loud pipes—a reason Professor Blade finds suspect given they were in close proximity to the Miramar Air Station. “It was so loud we couldn’t even hear the sound from the police dash camera. There is no way he heard my pipes which are in full compliance with California state law.” Ultimately, Professor Blade wasn’t cited for his pipes, but he was questioned about the leadership of his motorcycle club and then arrested for possession of brass knuckles and a deadly weapon. One of the “brass knuckles” that prompted his arrest? His wedding ring. The deadly weapon? A 24-inch decorative whip that was zip-tied to his handlebar on the throttle side. Police arrested him, confiscated his bike and a judge set his bail at $125,000. The Motorcycle Profiling Project (MPP) has been collecting research for two years capturing data and
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information from motorcyclists who feel they have been profiled by law enforcement for riding a motorcycle or wearing motorcycle-related attire. According to the Motorcycle Profiling Project, 28% of respondents felt they had been profiled. Though the data from 2016 is still being reviewed, early indications show that this number will grow exponentially. The state with the highest reported incidents of profiling? California— which is where Professor Blade was arrested. Though incidents of profiling certainly are not limited to California. Every single state has reported instances of motorcycle profiling according to the MPP. And while California is the biggest offender, Texas, Florida, Arizona and Pennsylvania rank in the top five. Professor Blade, whose real name is Flavius A B Akerele III, ultimately plead to a misdemeanor for possession of the decorative whip that hung from his handlebar. But the consequences didn’t stop there. As a result of his misdemeanor, he has lost his right to own a gun for three years—a hefty price to pay for an enthusiast and someone professionally trained in firearms. And despite the felony charge being dropped, the pending charge affected his background check when he was exploring a new position with a community college. And just recently, he was pulled over yet again upon leaving the local HarleyDavidson dealership where he says that once again, police were set up watching who entered and exited on motorcycles. So while the “bad boy biker” persona is iconic and the popular image of bikers as degenerates and hooligans makes for good TV, there are practical effects for your average motorcycle rider. When I ask Professor Blade what he wants others to know about his lifestyle and his story he tells me, “This is the kind of harassment I see on a daily basis. Bikers aren’t criminals. They are our country’s nurses, firefighters, and teachers. We are being targeted for simply existing.” --Megan Ekstrom, MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION - www.mrf. org ABATE OF CALIFORNIA WINS - At the 2017 MRF Meeting of the Minds ABATE of California was awarded a State Legislative award for our part in the passing AB51, the lanesplitting bill. Congratulations to all who had a part in this victory. --from Rogue, Supreme Editor Bikernet Baggers
Motonation,
Malaysia,
To
Host
An AMD World Championship Affiliate Custom Bike Show The latest show to join the lineup of AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building affiliates is Motonation, being staged at the PICC (Putrajaya International Convention Centre) in Malaysia, December 1 – 3, 2017. One of the biggest events in South East Asia, Motonation is an automotive and lifestyle celebration, and this year features an AMD World Championship affiliate custom bike show for the first time, with the winner receiving travel and bike freight expenses to compete at the 2018 AMD World Championship at ‘INTERMOT Customized’, Cologne, Germany, in October. The show is open to competitors from throughout the region, and AMD will be there to supervise the judging. --Robin Bradley www.motonation.com.my from DealerWorld Jim OF JIM’S MACHINE Gets Inducted Into Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall Of Fame - It is with pride that we announce the recent inauguration of Jim Thiessen into the Sturgis 2017 Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame. To celebrate, Jim’s family and friends rode over 1300 miles from Camarillo, CA to the Sturgis Hall of Fame ceremony in Deadwood, South Dakota. It was a great trip, traveling through several states and national parks. In Mike Barnett’s own words, “we are standing in tall cotton”. Jim stood beside the other inductees: Colleen & Mike Taylor, from Barnett Clutches and Cables, Terry Vance, from Vance and Hines, Cory Ness, Mark Shadley, Ron Woodruff, and the lifetime achievement award was given to Willy G. Davidson. If that’s not “tall cotton”, we don’t know what is!
the shrinking Bonneville Salt Flats indicate that a range of human activities is contributing to the depletion of the salt crust. University of Utah geologist Brenda Bowen has been studying the ecosystem with a team of 30 researchers. On the other hand Louise Noeth, a spokewoman for the Save the Salt coalition, a group that includes the AMA and other land speed racing enthusiasts, said it was “absolutely reasonable” to assume human activity affects the salt flats. But Noeth added, racing would not have a detrimental effect on the salt crust had it not been weakened by decades of mineral extraction. --AMA According to Dennis Manning who operated and has raced on the salt for 30 years, “We need a team approach with all parties involved and working together or nothing is accomplished.”—Bandit Sugarbear Chopper Museum Coming To Sturgis - Bikernet offers a Discovery Build-off Classic. This monster was built by all ten of the Biker Build-off Greats for Hugh “the Chopper King” the Director. This bike is a tough looking classic and is now owned by the Bikernet Staff. It should be one of the first choppers on display in the new Sugar Bear Chopper Museum soon to be built in Sturgis. In fact in 2018 Sugar Bear is planning a tent display and celebration of his groundbreaking effort. If you want to be involved in this effort to celebrate chopper history and Freedom drop Sugar Bear a line. m a i l t o : s u g a r b e a r @ sugarbearchoppers.com IS THE NEWS NUTS OR WHAT? If you can’t get enough of our quest for Freedom, come to Bikernet weekly for updates. Ride Free Forever, --Bandit
Salt Flats Under Threat Researcher says human activity having negative effect. Preliminary results from a detailed study of January ‘18 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 103
CAVE DWELLERS AND SCIENTISTS....
i
t’s a delusional notion that in order to produce the finest chopper you need the best of everything sprawled out in a thousand-square-foot surgical grade shop with forensic styled lighting, and for those of us that cant afford such luxuries, we are doomed to rust and selfloathing forms of depression. I’m obsessed with the process, not my own, I’m obsessed with the work ethic of everyone I meet. The bike is a byproduct of the entire story; it’s the result, there are a thousand roads to the destination and let’s be honest, most of us have to take the long way around. My garage is a survival bunker. It’s an 83-year-old box of tinder void of any heat and occupied by more than one rodent. It took me a few months before I had the balls to attempt any form of welding in the fire pit and even after I turned my Mig off I sat in the dark searching for any evidence of a smoldering ember. With the full teardown of the deraked Kawasaki project, I had to rethink my entire approach and work ethic. I’m an explosion. You’ve all seen it, there, in the middle of the garage sits a bike, tools, and rags piled in a circle around one clean spot on the floor where I was sitting. I spend 65% of my time searching for the tool I just put down, and I lose any non-vital piece that hits the floor. But in my defense, I have always ridden shitty bikes with no intention of turning a head or giving a f#@k; it’s always been easier that way.
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But it’s just not practical, at least not, in this case, anymore. Time is limited when I have a free hour or two I have to use it for every second it provides. Streamlining the process was paramount to ever seeing a finished bike. Every bike I’ve ever cut apart and stitched back together was done so in the same place. My Father’s maintenance shop was abundant with ancient tools strictly on hand to barely get the job done. The bench grinder was thirty years old, the hydraulic jack was well over twenty years old when I was 6, and it’s still there, and the wrenches were a mismatched hodgepodge of whatever was found or left behind by guys that were fired years before. But in all it’s desperation there was glory, it was familiar and comfortable, it was home. Whenever something had to be seriously fixed, it would go to the shop, never to my garage. But how do you transition from a shop with that much history to your own hole in the wall that is only a third the size? My home garage was just a shell, an open canvas. I knew what had to be done and what I needed to feel comfortable enough to work. But I also knew I couldn’t explode all over the floor anymore. A year ago, I sold off my last hotrod and decided to get serious. I took the added room and filled it with two high benches and enough shelving to hold parts for two bikes. My brother gathered all the parts we had acquired for my long bike project and brought them to his place to piece together, and a close buddy of mine dropped off a lift for the Kawasaki. All that was missing was a few odds and ends that were always at Dad’s shop. So, I did what anyone in my situation would do. With credit card in hand, I took the truck down to the old Tractor Supply and headed straight for the tool aisle. I knew exactly what I needed and exactly what would get the job done and amongst the endless rows of
drill presses and welders, stick welders and grinders, tucked right next to the duct tape, and beef jerky was the answer to my problems...ratchet straps. You see, since George, the Brother, and myself didn’t spend as much time and Dad’s shop anymore a lot of the repairs have been outsourced. So, the way I saw it was, anything that had a healthy layer of dust on it wasn’t being used and was fair game. So, I grabbed everything I could, filled the truck and brought it home. It’s nice to have the familiar things when you’re just trying to get by. Every time I contact a builder about a bike for an article I talk about their process. How does what they do actually get done. Some guys are fortunate enough to have everything at their disposal; they can move from one piece of equipment to another fluidly just pumping one perfect part out after another. While others are using the space that their kitchen table used to occupy just to mock up a frame. Whether you are able to CNC a part or you have to hand file a block
of aluminum into what you need, the journey doesn’t matter as long as your goal is achieved. That’s what I’m starting to learn, I was hoping to be done with this damn bike a year ago, but with every step as long as it takes, I get a little closer, and it feels good. It’s nice to have a shop that I can function in that’s mine and mine alone. If I f#@k up, well I can’t be mad at anyone but myself. In short,
it doesn’t matter how or why you do it, as long as you’re satisfied with the job you did and I’m just hoping to get to that point.
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Article By: Tyler Porter
T
hey say that more than likely we won’t ever meet our heroes. In my time inside the motorcycle industry this has been proven true on more than a few occasions, but more often than not, it has been proven completely false. Bryan Fuller may not be a household name in the V-Twin industry, but mention his name in Hot Rod circles, and you will
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raise a few eyebrows. I’ve grown up watching Bryan on TV shows such as Overhaulin’ and Two Guys Garage. He’s high energy, a little goofy, and as sincere a guy as you can meet in the industry. Bryan really understands the need to teach the next generation of builders, so they will continue to move the custom culture forward. Bryan and his partner in
crime, Mark Prosser, have been offering seminars for a few years now. They run both welding and metal fabrication classes. The classes are two full days and are in different locations around the country. I was lucky enough to find a metal fabrication seminar in my hometown. I thought I’d check it out and see what they could teach a rank novice in 16 short hours.
I will preface this by saying that I have done metal work before. Now, when I say metal work, I mean that I built a gas tank which took me about a month’s labor and my paint and body guy wanted to shoot me when he saw what I had “built.” I knew all of the basics. You know, bend, beat, weld, cuss, and bend again, run a terrible weld bead, grind, beat, weld...you get the point. On day one I walked into the shop to find a classroom setting. I’ve always hated being in the classroom, so this was not too exciting to me. However, the first thing that goes up on the projector screen was the 14 rules of sheet metal fabrication. I won’t go through all 14, but rule number one will live with me forever: “Sheet metal hates you.” At this point, I knew I was in the right class. They knew how difficult the rank novice could make fabrication. No one just wakes up one day and can fabricate sheet metal like a Damascus swordsmith. It’s a learned, and highly practiced art and both Bryan and Mark have not forgotten where they started. After lunch, we stepped away from the classroom and moved into the shop. Once we received a brief tutorial on how to use some of the more advanced equipment, we were each given a small piece of aluminum sheet, and we were off to the races to see what we could make out of it. If you’ve never worked with aluminum, well, it’s magical. Work it, pound it, work it some more, then hit it with a torch and anneal it, boom, ready to be worked again! Of course, yes, there are much more intricacies to aluminum than I am letting on, but being a guy who has only worked with steel, this felt like cheating. All of us in the class took home something from that day that we tried to call a “project”. You can only imagine what a shop with a dozen amateur metal fabricators came up with while we were all trying to learn all of the new-found tools in the shop. On day two Bryan and Mark turned us loose, they gave us two choices of projects to work on. Or we could freestyle if we wanted to make our own thing. On day two we would be working with steel. Having recently completed a gas tank, I wanted to make a small replica of the tank I had just built (albeit just one side of the tank, time is an issue) to see if I had REALLY learned January ‘18 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 107
anything in my day and a half of instruction. In about 4 hours I had a complete, miniature tank side. It was a dead ringer for the tank I had built. The class taught me that metal fabrication is a series of basic maneuvers. You’re either shrinking or stretching the metal with each operation. With a set of basic dollies and hammers and enough time, you can make nearly anything you desire when you have the correct approach to the shape you need to make. Add a planishing/??? hammer to the mix, and you can make a shape that needs just a skim coat of bondo to get ready for paint. This class is the best money you can spend to learn the basics and to get your career, or your hobby started off in metal fabrication. It is not a cheap class to take, but the time and effort that it will save you, in the long run, will pay huge dividends. Plus, you never know, you may just get to meet one of your heroes. www.fullermoto.com for the latest class dates and locations
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OFFICIAL POWDERCOATER OF FLAT BROKE CHOPS & RODS
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ADVERTISERS INDEX AMCA ............................................55 5 Ball Racing Leather................. 109 Bare Bones Leather.......................55 Battery Outlet..............................111 BikerNet.com..................................52 Bikers Choice..............................2,68 Billet Proof Designs........................77 Kiwi Indian....................................37 Cycle Source Gear.........................20 DEI..................................................65 Dennis Kirk....................................9 DK Custom Products....................111 Dirty Bird Concepts.......................77 Daytona Bike Week........................17 Drag Specialties............................15 Dutchman....................................111 Faith Forgotten Choppers.............81 Feuling..........................................111 Fox Creek Leather..........................65 GEICO............................................27 Grease & Gears Garage.................95 Harbor Freight...............................49 Hardtail Choppers........................110 Hijinx Apparel..............................110 Hot Leathers.................................105 Hydroclutch..................................110 I Draw Flies...................................109 Indian Larry Motorcycles................4 International Motorcycle Shows....75 J&P Cycles.....................................63 Kearney Rides................................51 Kiwi Indian....................................29 LC Fabrications............................109 Led Sled Customs...........................69 Lutz Leather.................................110 Lucas Oil .......................................21 Metzeler..........................................33 Nash ........................................... 112 National Motorcycle Museum......110 New Air-A Vape Shop...................110 Pandemonium................................67 Paughco.....................................37,57 Progressive Insurance.....................3 Russ Brown...................................45 S&S Cycle.....................................116 Sick Boy Motorycles.......................34 SpeedKing.....................................38 Sporty Parts.................................111 Steel City H-D..............................115 Tech Cycles....................................29 Three Two Choppers.......................47 Tropical Tattoo.............................83 Twisted Choppers............................5
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great contestant and a real gambler. Audience please put your hands together for Barbara.” That night Barbara calls round to Maggie and brings her down to a local bar for a celebration drink and, as they are sipping their Champagne, Barbara turns to Maggie and asks “Tell me Maggie, How in God’s name did you know that it was the Cuckoo that does not build its own nest? “Listen Barbara, everybody knows that a Cuckoo lives in a clock.”
Heard A Good One Lately ? Then Send It Along To Us At: 118 Dellenbaugh Rd. Tarentum, PA 15084 Or E-mail To cyclesourcemain@comcast.net
Tim A doctor and a lawyer were talking
A lawyer married a woman who had
previously divorced ten husbands. On their wedding night, she told her new husband, “Please be gentle, I’m still a virgin.” “What?” said the puzzled groom. “How can that be if you’ve been married ten times?” “Well, Husband #1 was a sales representative: he kept telling me how great it was going to be. Husband #2 was in software services: he was never really sure how it was supposed to function, but he said he’d look into it and get back to me. Husband #3 was from field services: he said everything checked out diagnostically, but he just couldn’t get the system up. Husband #4 was in telemarketing: even though he knew he had the order, he didn’t know when he would be able to deliver. Husband #5 was an engineer: he understood the basic process but wanted three years to research, implement, and design a new state-of-the-art method. Husband #6 was from finance and administration: he thought he knew how, but he wasn’t sure whether it was his job or not. Husband #7 was in marketing: although he had a nice product, he was never sure how to position it. Husband #8 was a psychologist: all he ever did was talk about it. Husband #9 was a gynecologist: all he did was look at it. Husband #10 was a stamp collector: all he ever did was... God! I miss him! But now that I’ve married you, I’m really excited!” “Good,” said the new husband, “but, why?” “You’re a lawyer. This time I know I’m gonna get screwed!”
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Barbara,
a blonde is a contestant on “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” Regis: “Barbara, you’ve done very well so far - $500,000 and one lifeline left -- phone a friend. The next question will give you the top prize of One Million dollars if you get it right ... but if you get it wrong you will drop back to $32,000 -- are you ready? “Barbara: “Sure, I’ll have a go! “Regis: “Which of the following birds does not build its own nest? Is it A-Robin, B-Sparrow, C-Cuckoo, D-Thrush? Remember Barbara its worth 1 Million dollars.” “I think I know, but I’m not 100%... I’d like to phone a friend Regis, just to be sure. Regis: “Yes, who, Barbara, do you want to phone? “I’ll phone my friend Maggie back home in Birmingham.” Maggie (also a blonde): “Hello...” “Hello Maggie, its Regis here from Who Wants to be a Millionaire-I have Barbara here and she is doing really well on $500,000, but needs your help to be a Million. The next voice you hear will be Barbara’s and she’ll read you the question. There are 4 possible answers and 1 correct answer, and you have 30 seconds to answer -fire away Barbara.” Barbara repeats the question. “Oh Gees, Barbara that’s simple.....It’s a Cuckoo.” “You think?” “I’m sure.” Regis: “Well, do you want to stick on $500,000 or play on for the Million, Barbara?” “I want to play, I’ll go with C-Cuckoo” “Is that your final answer?” “It is.” “Are you confident?” “Yes fairly, Maggie’s a sound bet.” “Barbara..... you had $500,000 and you said C-Cuckoo ...you’re right! - You have just won ONE MILLION DOLLARS. Here is your check. You have been a
at a party. Their conversation was constantly interrupted by people describing their ailments and asking the doctor for free medical advice. After an hour of this, the exasperated doctor asked the lawyer, “What do you do to stop people from asking you for legal advice when you’re out of the office?” “I give it to them,” replied the lawyer, “and then I send them a bill.” The doctor was shocked, but agreed to give it a try. The next day, still feeling slightly guilty, the doctor prepared the bills. When he went to place them in his mailbox, he found a bill from the lawyer.
Earl An
airline captain was breaking in a new blonde stewardess. The route they were flying had a layover in another city. Upon their arrival, the captain showed the stewardess the best place for airline personnel to eat, shop and stay overnight. The next morning, as the pilot was preparing the crew for the day’s route, he noticed the new stewardess was missing. He knew which room she was in at the hotel and called her up wondering what happened. She answered the phone, crying, and said she couldn’t get out of her room. “You can’t get out of your room?” the captain asked, “Why not?” The stewardess replied: “There are only three doors in here,” she sobbed, “one is the bathroom, one is the closet, and one has a sign on it that says ‘Do Not Disturb’!
Audra
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