FIND TEN DIFFERENT THINGS ON PART TIMER

NO THERE ISN’T ANY REAL PRIZE, JUST SOMETHING TO DO WHILE YOU’RE IN THE CAN.

not too many people have the balls to chase their dreams. They get mired down in the life they have and give up on the life they want. Well, the owner of this feral white little beauty is the exception to that rule.

After graduating college with a Business degree Steve Glennon, or Part-Timer Steve, as most of you know him on the Gram,

Article By: Chris Callen Photos By: Michael Lichter

wasn’t as interested in getting a job in an office as he was in finding a way to make his living in motorcycling. Early on, he did a three-day seminar on building custom bikes in California that didn’t do much for him but put him on the path of meeting Irish Rich Ryan. Rich was a master; another cat in attendance during that seminar put him in Steve’s mind. Over the Thanksgiving hol- iday, Steve’s brother was home for the family meal and invited Steve to move out to Colorado with him. Glennon knew this was where Irish Rich was from, and in the back of his mind, it put him a step closer. He emailed Rich and told him he was coming out and would like to meet him. While Steve might have been thinking about how to get an apprenticeship with Rich, the odds were against him, with Rich turning down many newcomers. It was January when they met, and after a 3-1/2 hour conversation, it was a natural fit. Rich offered Steve an apprenticeship on the spot. That was all he needed to hear before heading back to Wisconsin to pack his things and move to Colorado for good.

Steve grew up in the garage learning maintenance from his old man but working with Rich was gonna give him the kind of skills he hoped to turn into his living. On his first day, Glennon remembers bringing a service manual and a notebook. Rich quickly told him to ditch the book. Of course, the gig would only be a few days a week, so Steve also got a job tending bar at the Sundown Saloon in Boulder. For most of the following 15 years, Steve worked under Rich and soaked up knowledge about the mechanical side of a motorcycle and fabrication. Through the process, they became the best of friends, and Steve built two full-on custom bikes for himself.

So where does this get to the Pearly White Panhead? Well, in the fall of 2019, builders were submitting their bikes for the Biltwell People’s Champ. This would be Steve’s entry, and after more than 100 entrants were knocked down to the top 25, the public vote took them down to 13, from which the final round of six were selected. While COVID put a wrench in the typical works of this event, it didn’t stop Steve from taking top accolades and the $10,000 check that went with it.

This would be the bike that Steve always wanted to build. Starting with an S&S Panhead for reliability and looks. He used a set of Paughco Sportster tank shells that were narrowed by 1 ½” and made a flat bottom that he tunneled for the backbone. The 1.7-gallon fuel tank was too small, so Steve reused the auxiliary fuel tank and pump from his second custom, knowing he would definitely be putting miles on this bike. The pipes were fashioned after a set on Sonny Barger’s “Sweet Cocaine” from back in the day. The shifter was made from an iron cross cut out from an Indian Larry rotor. This was a tip of the hat to the man who inspired him and was really the first person willing to spend time talking to a 21-year-old kid with a passion for building bikes. When it came to paint, Steve had always had black bikes. This would be a different story. He always wanted a Pearl Bike with variegated gold leaf, so this would be that bike. hello, boys n girls. I’m baaaaaaack... My apologies for missing an issue. Let’s just say life has been happening. But I’m sure that’s true for all of us. Actually, I’m happy that 2023 is here. 2022 had its bitchin’ moments, but man, there were some whiz bangers too. I’ve never been fond of the saying, “Out with the old, in with the New’’... seems a bit harsh to me to disregard situations that might have proven to be opportunities for growth and knowledge... I’m sure not all of you think like me, so let’s just say with this New Year, let’s concentrate on what’s in front of us, NOT what’s in the rearview mirror..... Well, what is right in front of us? Yep, you guessed it, March, which means Daytona Bike Week 2023, will be kicking off the rally season.

Now, probably the best part of this bike, this guy, and the story here comes from Steve’s philosophy on custom bikes, that they are made to be ridden. Steve regularly puts auxiliary fuel tanks on his bikes because of that philosophy. When it was time for him to head out for Born Free with this build, you guessed it, he rode it. Over 1,000 miles later, he rolled into the invited builders’ circle through the desert and over the mountains to take the win. He was possibly the only builder that actually rode his bike there that year, and that is what we loved most about watching his story unfold.

Of course, we knew this story when he rolled into our Custom Bike Show in Sturgis, and it was immediately the bike to beat, which no one did. Steve took the Best Of Show that year, and with the story behind it, we couldn’t have picked a better representative of what this thing means to all of us.

I’m thrilled and honored to announce that I will be building the High Seas Rally Giveaway Bike for the 2023 cruise. The dates of this year’s cruise son) again this year. I’ll have the beginnings of the giveaway bike on display, and you can follow its progress at Providence Cycle Worx and on the High Seas Rally media sites all year, leading right up to the giveaway announcement on the cruise. are October 28 - November 4, 2023. We’ll be sailing out of Tampa this time. The High Seas Rally booth will be set up at Destination Daytona at Teddy Morse’s Daytona Harley Davidson (formerly Rossmeyer’s Harley David-

Another thing that I am completely stoked about is the 2023 Chopper Friends Throwdown build. I, along with a bunch of bike builders from across the country, including Chris Callen, Rick Bray, Paul Yaffe, Jason Mook, Brian Klock, Curtis Hoffman, Tom Keefer, Jeff Zielinski, Ryan Gore, and a slew of other builders, will be bringing their creations to Winslow AZ. We will all be riding into the opening day of Arizona Bike Week 2023. Last Year’s FXR Throwdown was outstanding; all the bikes brought in were killer. So I can’t wait to see what the pack looks like this year. You can follow all the builders and their progress on IG with #ChopperFriendsThrowdown. I’m building a Swedish-style chopper using my Birth year, 1968, GennyShovelhead. Right now, the motor is being rebuilt by the one and only Rich Pitoniak of Pitoniak Cyles. She is getting the works’ cuz’ I really want this baby to glisten. But first and always, it has to run and be reliable. I have no doubt Rich will hit it out of the park for me. The frame is a collaboration between Rick Bray of RKB Kustom Speed and myself. Without me knowing, Rick built a set of one-off trees for me, the likes have never seen before. They’re really wild looking, and I can’t wait to see how it looks chromed to the hilt. I’m gonna do my best to mix the old with the new on this build and keep it simple, effective, and fun.

Since I haven’t written about the High Seas Rally 2022, let me just encompass it all by saying if you missed out last year, you’re going to want to get on board now! Not one soul I spoke to pre or post cruise said it was “okay”... On the contrary, they said, “They had the time of their life!” I mean, how can you go wrong with a boat full of motorcycle lovers, fantastic music, tons of money being given away, and getting to talk and hang with some of the industry’s leading builders and manufacturers? That sounds like a no-brainer to me. So again, don’t delay. Book today at www.highseasrally.com. I promise you won’t be sorry... Well, my friends, until next time - Take Care of Yourself and Each other.

God Bless, X.

Article

In this final chapter covering the upgrades to my ailing 1993 883 Sportster, Stella, we address powder coating with the assistance of Elliot Pappas, owner of Champion Powder Coating in San Francisco.Elliot not only did the work but he also explained the magic.

Although the original idea for powder coating has been around for almost 70 years, the process remains a mystery to most people. Developed by a German scientist in the 1950s, powder coating was a solution to environmental concerns regarding liquid coatings’ solvent contamination. Initially, the powders were flamesprayed onto metallic surfaces to coat them. As technology advanced refinement of the procedure during the following 25 years eliminated flame dispersal. Today the powder coating process uses a solvent free dry mix of free-flowing plastic resins, thermoset polymers, pigments, and fillers that melt and fuse together when heated. The solid particles of coating powder are electrostatically charged in a part is cured in a 400-degree oven. The heat of the oven causes a chemical reaction to occur and the powder to cure, creating a highly durable finish. specially designed spray gun and carried by low velocity air to the surface of the piece to be coated. The electrostatic charge holds the powder particles in place while the

With the formulation of modern powders and the increased efficiency of spraying methods, this environmentally friendly coating has gained global popularity and is used in a variety of applications, from patio furniture to automotive parts. Bikers quickly learned to appreciate the toughness and corrosion resistance of powder coating and adopted it as a go-to finish for many sections on motorcycles, especially the chassis, which typically suffers heavy abuse.

Powder coating is limited by a few parameters that the advan- tages of the process greatly overshadow. First, only metal can be powder coated (aluminum, carbon steel, stainless, brass, copper, titanium, etc.). The only exception is magnesium, which is very unstable for this process. (FYI— the oven temperature used to cure coated parts is low enough to avoid metal fatigue.) No type of plastic, fiberglass, or non-metallic part is suitable for powder coating (this includes any section of a custom motorcycle frame that has been molded with body filler, AKA: Bondo). Any body filler must be removed before powder coating. As a result, powder coating will not hide any dents, scratches, gouges or other surface imperfections. A clean, smooth surface will produce the best finish. But two of the most significant advantages of powder coating over traditional wet painting are the superior finish achieved when it comes to durability and corrosion resistance. Powder coating also provides greater edge coverage of the parts with no thin areas of coating typical with wet solvent-based paints.

As with any coating process, surface preparation and cleanliness are key to success. Abrasive blasting with select media is the preferred prep method in powder coating. But unlike wet painting that uses sandblasting to etch the surface and provide bite for the wet pigments, the electrostatically charged powder literally wraps around the part and remains stuck in place until it melts in the oven and flows into a unified coating.

Before blasting, any sections of the part that should not be coated must be masked with high temperature polyester tape to prevent powder adhesion. In the case of our test machine, Stella, this would include the cogs on the rear rotor, the internals of the lower fork tubes and various closetolerance surfaces. Champion is a “champion” at determining what to mask, including using high temperature silicone plugs for threaded holes. The parts are then hung on a mobile rack and cleaned thoroughly by abrasive blasting. After blasting, a hand prep using 220 grit sandpaper ensures a sound surface. (Aluminum pieces require a special primer before coating that prevents outgassing.) The parts are then given a positive charge in order for the electrolysis between the object and the powder to create a bond. After spray coating with colored powder, the rack with the hanging parts is wheeled into the oven. Once the proper temperature is achieved, it takes about 30 minutes to cook and cure. Cool down time varies depending on the part.

Additionally, as custom powder coaters, Champion can match thousands of colors using their many powder suppliers and large in-stock selection. The color will stay bright and has less fading than with conventional paints. And with high, medium, and low gloss, metallic, textured, and candy powders available, there is no limitation on the selection of powder coating finishes available.

The oven and mobile rack at Champion are large enough to accommodate any size motorcycle frame or wheel. While they use state-of-the-art equipment, Champion remains an old school, family operation specializing in a handson approach to quality, taking pride in a satisfied customer, all conducted in an environmentally sensitive manner.The results of Stella’s cosmetic upgrade gives new meaning to the words “face powder,” adding years of durability and beauty to her life.

Champion Powder Coating

Elliot Pappas

1461 Fairfax Ave.

San Francisco, California 94124

Phone: 415.822.1800

Fax: 415.822.1802 www.championcoating.com for the 3rd time in their career the Shadley brothers were asked to build a bike for Drag Specialties. They chose to “do over” this 1967 Flatside Shovel that they already had in their collection. Of course, they used mostly Drag Specialties parts, showcasing that you don’t necessarily have to be a custom

Article And Photos By: Melissa DeBord

bike builder to customize your bike... well, sorta.

The Shadley brothers, Mark and Paul have been in business for over 40 years, doing just that; building custom motorcycles and cars. They started out like so many others, working at a shop for other people, then doing jobs at home for friends, in their driveway which led them to opening the doors of their own automotive shop. They eventually moved into a customized building and that is where they decided to open a shop dedicated to motorcycles, fabrication and repair. Since then they have received many accolades, including being inducted into the Sturgis Hall of Fame.

The Shadley’s grew up in a family of motorcyclists. Their father had an old Panhead. Mark said he was about 10 years old when he learned to ride and in their family, which included 5 boys, it wasn’t if you were getting a motorcycle it was WHEN you would get one. He said even one of his sisters rides her own bike. Mark said he and Paul have been building bikes since they were kids. It’s a pastime, a passion and a way of making a living.

It’s such a passion for Mark that he couldn’t even tell me which of his 20 plus motorcycles was his favorite. He said he likes them all for different reasons. There are antiques, cruisers, and customs in the collection. For riding mark said you can’t beat his 19 Road Glide. He still travels cross country with his buddies 2 to 3 thousand miles at a time, and he says it’s nice just to be able to enjoy the ride.

As far as this 67, Shadley’s chose to use the 67 Flat Side Shovelhead, on a stock frame. They built it into a 93 ci using S&S Pistons, Heads, Cam, Flywheels and Carb. They used the stock HD transmission with an Andrew’s Gear Set foot shifter. The forks are Drag Specialties as well as the wheels, bars, risers, seat and taillight. They also used Drag’s gas tanks, but Mark modified them, and he also made the oil tank. The fenders are both from Klock Werks. Along with the Shadley Bros custom paint job, with graphics by John Hartnett, one of the things that stood out to me was the headlight. Sorry, guys, this isn’t something you can pick up out of the Drag Book, but you can find one and modify it yourself. This headlight is actually an old school off-road light, you know, the kind you might’ve had on top of your roll bar back in the day before the l.e.d light bars became the “thing”. Mark liked the style of it and wanted to use it on this build, so with a few modifications, he made it work.

When building a bike for Drag,

Shadley Special Tech Sheet

Owner: Mark Shadley

City/State: Whitman, MA

Builder: Shadley Bros.

Year: 1967

Model: FL

Value: How much you got?

Time: 5 Months

ENGINE Flat Side Shovel

Year: 1967

Model: Shovel

Builder: Mark Shadley

Ignition: Unilight

Displacement: 93 CI

Pistons: S&S

Heads: S&S

Carb: S&S - E

Cam: S&S

Air Cleaner: Paughco

Exhaust: Shadley Bros (Paughco – Modified)

Primary: H.D – Drag Specialties

TRANSMISSION

Year: 1967

Make: HD

Shifting: Foot – Andrew’s Gear Set

FRAME

Year: 1967

Model: HD - FL

Rake: 32 Degrees - Stock

Stretch: None

Forks – Drag Specialties

Builder: Shadley Bros

Type: Glide

Triple Trees: HD - Deuce

Extension: None

WHEELS

Front Wheel: Drag Specialties

Size: 21x3

Tire: Metzler Cruisetec 120/70/21

Front Brake: GMA Drag

Rear Wheel: HD

Size: 16x3.5

Tire: Metzler Cruisetec 130/90/16

Rear Brake: HD - Juice

PAINT

Painter: Shadley Bros

Color: Black

Type: PPG

Graphics: John Hartnett

Chroming: Meclec

Powder Coating: Advanced Finishing

ACCESSORIES

Bars: Drag

Risers: Drag

Hand Controls: GMA

Foot Controls: HD

Gas Tank(s): Drag / Mark Shadley Modified

Oil Tank: Mark Shadley

Front fender: Klock Werks

Rear Fender: Klock Werks

Seat: Drag Specialties

Headlight: Off Road

Tail light: Drag

Speedo: HD photographer: Melissa Debord you agree to let them keep the bike for a year so they can use it for promotional purposes. After the year it will be returned to the Shadley’s where it will be placed back into their collection.

You can learn more about the Shadley Brothers on their website, www.shadleybros.com when you start talking performance with today’s modern bikes, the conversation in the first 2-3 questions goes to “Yeah, but which tuner are you running?” And there are a ton of options and arguments out there. But if you want to get the most out of your bike and not have to dyno it after each modification, we recommend ThunderMax. As we build these performance bikes in stages, as most of us do because of budgets and to keep our downtime limited, we have to reduce things we pay two or three times for. With ThunderMax, you simply modify your configuration, download it, take a rip, and let it autotune.

Thundermax, unlike other tuners, does not piggyback onto the factory ECM. It replaces the ECM, and you also replace the factory oxygen sensors. The entire installation, including using the Tmax (windows based) software to set up the base map, takes maybe 3 hours.

It’s designed to work with all factory options, including alarms. ABS, etc. ThunderMax’s key performance advantage relies upon its proprietary AutoTune technology, which utilizes 18mm Bosch wide-band oxygen sensor feedback to provide continuous AFR tuning corrections based on riding conditions like temperature and altitude. The integral ThunderMax AutoTune system, combined with the other system design require the ThunderMax. So, depending on the budget and timeline of your build and what engine modifications you’re planning, the ThunderMax might be your best choice. If you have any questions hit our website or reach out to us at the shop.

Questions &Answers advantages, helps provide a motorcycle with increased throttle response and torque, improved overall rideability and performance, and a smoother and cooler running engine. After trying a few other tuners and discussing options with major players in the performance and race scene, we saw that most have used Thundermax for 10-plus years. All turbos ihave to start by saying that through this great magazine, I have had the opportunity to talk to and meet many people in the motorcycle industry. All of them showcase their exceptional talent through our beloved motorcycles. And all of them are willing to share their skills in hopes of keeping the lifestyle alive. So, when I was asked to write a feature on this particular motorcycle, I was excited and honored. Why you may ask. Well, this is a bike from one of the greats, Dave Perewitz. Mr. Perewitz has been a major part of the motorcycle scene for a long time. He has seen fads come and go, stayed current, and adapted to the changing styles. And all during this time, he has built beautiful, classy machines. So, now let’s get to the bike. Mr.

Q-Any advantages that most overlook?

A-Diagnostic capabilities and data logs. Keep track of over 100 parameters.

Q-How do you get maps?

A- Simply listed in software, and whatever isn’t there, simply reach out to ThundeMax, and they can assist in obtaining anything, not in their catalog. But the software comes with hundreds of proven and previously dyno’d maps.

Q-What options are available for older bikes?

A-ThunderMax electronic fuel management systems are available for all 2002 & Up EFI-based Harleys.

Perewitz bought this 2021 Softail Slim from Barbs Harley Davidson in New Jersey. He maybe put 50 miles on it before he tore it apart. The goal was to take the new build to Daytona Bike Week. So, with the bike bought and disassembled and a date set for the showing, it was time to start making phone calls.

Russ Wernimont, of RWD, was contacted for front and rear fenders to get the look right. These new fenders would give the bike a little more length, and the front would clear a fatter tire. Fred Kodlin, Kodlin USA, supplied a rear lowering kit to get the desired altitude. Cory Ness supplied a set of Ness wheels and rotors that would bring it all together.

When all the sheet metal was figured out, it was time for some color. In the motorcycle world, the name Perewitz is synonymous with custom paint. PPG

Pearl White was laid down to give the bike a flashy base for the graphics. Keith Hanson came in to lay out the graphics. When all the colors were just right, they were sealed with Vintage Pro clear. While all this was going on, the engine parts were getting their share of color, this time with Cerakote. Speaking of engine parts, there was no sense in putting the engine back together without bumping it up a little. Rick Ward set Mr. Perewitz up with a 124 ci kit. Jay Souza handled the engine build, including a D & D exhaust and air cleaner from Nick Trask. With everything coming together, a seat and handlebars were needed. So, if you’re Dave Perewitz and you just happened to have designed a line of seats for Mustang, the choice is kind of obvious. If you haven’t seen them, check out Mustang for the Perewitz seats. They have some fantastic designs. The last thing needed to make this Softail a rider was a set of bars. Nick Trask was contacted again, and

DP’S SOFTY TECH SHEET

Owner: DP City/State: Halifax MA

Builder: Perewitz

Year: 2021

Model: Softail

Value: Priceless

Time: 3 months

ENGINE

Year: 2021

Model: M8

Builder: Souza/Thayer

Ignition: Power Vision

Displacement: 124”

Pistons: Rick Ward

Heads: Rick Ward

Carb: Screamin Eagle throttle body - FI

Cam: Rick Ward

Air Cleaner: Trask

Exhaust: D&D (we love Rusty!)

Primary: stock

TRANSMISSION

Year: stock

Make:

Shifting:

FRAME

Year: Stock

Model: Stock

Rake: Stock

Stretch: Stock

Forks

Builder: Stock

Type: Stock

Triple Trees:

Extension: Stock

WHEELS

Front Wheel: Arlen Ness / Ness Rotors

Size: 18x5.5

Tire: Continental

Front Brake: HHI 6 Piston

Rear Wheel: Arlen Ness

Size: 18 x5.5

Tire: Continental

Rear Brake: Stock

PAINT

Painter: Perewitz

Color: White Pearl

Type: PPG

Graphics: Perewitz / Hanson

Chroming: none

ACCESSORIES

Bars: Trask

Risers: Trask

Hand Controls: stock

Foot Controls: stock

Gas Tank(s):stock

Oil Tank: stock

Front fender: RWD

Rear Fender: RWD

Seat: Mustang

Headlight: Letric Lighting

Taillight: RWD

Speedo: stock photographer: Nathan Schultz he came through.

Daytona was approaching fast. The bike was together but not tuned. Everything was gathered up and hauled to New York. Dan Thayer broke the engine in, and dyno-tuned it. When all was said and done, the M8 put out 147 hp and 144 tq. It was a pretty impressive engine wrapped in an amazing package.

When Daytona rolled around, thanks to a bunch of people, the bike was done, and it was the hit of the rally. This build goes to show that even the biggest names have friends they count on when it’s time to put in the work. So, grab some buddies, grab some beers, and hit the garage. Sure, you may not have a name known worldwide, but that may just be one build away from changing. Who knows, maybe I’ll be writing about you next time.

After two and a half years, thousands of miles of street-level promotions, and many, many parties with the cast and crew, the High Seas Rally was launched or relaunched this past November. As if revamping the idea of an entire motorcycle rally on a cruise ship wasn’t hard enough, the good folks of ECP Cruises also had COVID interrupt their first and second passage dates. The High Seas Rally, or what used to be known as Hogs on the High Seas, was a well-attended annual event that, over the years, became a cult favorite. When the original owners sold the program to ECP, much of that original and very faithful community that had been going every year wondered what would be lost with the new changes, what might stay the same. There would be a lot to live up to for them, and with the changes in the world, a lot would have to change to keep this type of entertainment a viable choice for a new generation.

As for me, I have to admit that I was a skeptic. I mean, the idea of keeping the motorcycle in the motorcycle rally is a hill I have decided to die on, and I couldn’t imagine how in the hell you would do that on a Caribbean cruise with 3,000 wild-ass partying bikers. I agreed to join in on this adventure when

I discovered my brother and fellow magazine staffer Xavier Muriel would be building the give-a-way bike for the cruise. Every paying passenger had a chance to walk away with this bike, and all the proceeds went to a cause that was very dear to his heart, dialysis. A clinic was set up on the ship, and a group of dialysis patients and a caretaker for each were selected to join the High Seas Rally at no cost to them. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for anyone who lives their life effectively tied to a dialysis machine. For Xavier, it hit home. He has been through the rigors of this disease with his brother Fernando who has had to have dialysis for some time. X brought the magazine and me, along with some of our builder buddies like Rick Bray, Tom Keefer, and Jason Hallman, to add to the motorized atmosphere. With their help, we held several episodes of Grease & Gears Garage during the cruise. The builders provided lessons in everything from welding to carb rebuilding.

But before I get ahead of myself, let’s get back to my preconceived idea that this would be a kinda hokey biker’s carnival at sea. Seriously, I really didn’t think it was going to fly. As I write this article today, I can’t tell you how wrong I was. The level of community on this cruise was unlike any I had seen in and around motorcycling for a very long time. These were all great people just looking to have a good time with other motorcycle people. The ECP staff did a masterful job at not pushing the “Biker” overtones and let it be what it was, naturally. They added things where appropriate, but their approach was pretty laid back and made for an unforgettable time. After the first cancellation of the original schedule due to COVID and then the second, the ECP crew decided to reward the passengers for their patience with a free drink package. This added to the overall feeling of jubilation for sure.

When they were adding to the party, they added to the lineup with the addition of Dave and Jody Perewitz and also brought along Paul and Suzy Q Yaffe. This officially made the voyage a Hamsters on The High Seas event, which brought along an excellent selection of yellow shirts. So what did this mean? Well, in addition to the bikes brought on board for display around the ship from Xavier’s original invited builders, there were also custom bikes from Nick Trask, Dave P, Paul Yaffe, Jeff Zielinski, and the one and only Mr. Werks, Brian Klock. This was a first for the HSR, and I can attest to the dedication it took them and the builders to get all these bikes on the ship. We all served as dock workers for the entire day of boarding to get them loaded on a platform that X had built. Each bike was loaded and then hoisted 40 feet in the air to get it to the deck it needed to be on to enter the ship.

Xavier and I were lucky enough to have our band, the Black Smoke Sinners, play at the kickoff party, and as a matter of fact, the pre-party that entire day was off the hook. To our surprise, Pat Patterson and Ryan Gore showed up at the last minute, giving us even more cannon fodder for the trip. After an entire day of hardcore antics, everyone was more than ready to set sail. Early the next day, it was on; with the efficiency of a small army, music equipment, staging, lights, motorcycles, and about ten thousand bags were loaded, and off we went.

The first day we hauled ass to get into the Caribbean from Port Canaveral, FL. Our first stop was Nassau, but it would take an entire day of sailing to get there, so from the time of the sail away party with Steel Rod, the HSR house band, there was a complete list of events on board to keep passengers occupied. That was a constant theme onboard, and when we were between ports, the ship was filled with activities like the Trailer Park costume contest, biker attire contest, and concerts at both ends of the ship. There were two great theaters. One featured the best dueling piano act on the planet. Of course, since Halloween night was during the cruise, the Halloween costume contest was off the hook, and finally, there was dress like a pirate night. The best part of all these theme nights was that everyone participated. Seeing so many great costumes and people in character have a good time was outstanding. There were no hangups, just people having fun. There were bands like Colt Ford and Molly

Hatchet and shows like Family Feud. At Sea, Paul Yaffe and Xavier hosted a panel of friends in a gut-busting series of inappropriate answers in a gameshow format. There were belly floppers, Poker Runs, pirate bingo contests, and hours upon hours of ‘hangin’ by the pool. The food was an event in and of itself and you had a million choices of what and where to eat at every meal. Yes, it’s true that the average person gains 7 pounds during a cruise, but I can happily say that I lost 5! But that’s only because I spent time in the fitness area instead of the ice cream stand by the pool.

As for us, the Grease & Gears Garage kept us pretty busy. We did two episodes a day in the Law Tigers Studio. We had the likes of Tom Keefer, Barbie the Welder, Rick Bray, and Brian Klock lending their expertise to interested rally-goers. We even had to feature spots where we did special interviews. One person asked the question, “So what’s a Hamster?”

Dave Perewitz and Keith Terry sat down to explain the story behind the legendary group of custom motorcycle nuts. The second session saw Xavier and Robert of Black Smoke Sinners join Rick Bray to explore the parallel worlds of motorcycles and music. I suggest you watch these videos over at the Cycle Source YouTube page, where they live along with the rest of the Grease & Gears performances from HSR 22. We also hosted a virtual bike show where contestants had to submit photos and info about their bikes before the cruise. We printed out the pictures, and they were posted all over the ship with numbers for a people’s choice vote. 10 classes were voted on by Cycle Source Staffers. Maverick Hytes took the best of show with his bitchin’ 2006 Chopper Guys Evo-based FXR. Each contestant got a treasure chest of prizes, and you can see the winners on Instagram.

Sadly, I had to share the responsibility of calling the winner of the Custom Bike built by Xavier Muriel, who was flown off the ship for an emergency that concluded in his brother losing his long-fought battle with Diabetes. God rest his brother, and our hearts are with Xavier and his family through this difficult time. The winner of this great custom build was Jerry Lindsay of Mansfield, Illinois.

From front to back, the ship was rocking with good people having a great time. No, it wasn’t a full-on bike rally, but it was filled with motorcycle people who all understood each other. You didn’t have to be anything other than who you were. You could talk and dress like you wanted, party as hard as your brains could handle, and ECP would throw a dash of biker spices in here and there, making it all fit perfectly. And it was all framed nicely by waking up every day to a different Caribbean island from Nassau to Coco Cay, then Puerto Plata and Labadee. There were incredible opportunities to go ashore and lounge on the beach or go on excursions. It was nonstop and more than I could have ever imagined. It was, in fact, not just a successful way to transition from the newly branded High Seas Rally, it was the trip of a lifetime and one I count myself as lucky to have attended. i’ve never been one for naming motorcycles…or any vehicle for that matter. If you have a 100’ ship, sure, I can see giving that a name… Money Pit is always a good choice. But even I have to admit that every so often, someone builds a machine that is so unique it deserves to be named after something besides its motor, and in this case, it’s a one of kind Shovelhead built by Chris Wilson, aptly named Venus. If you take a second to reflect on what you learned in school about Roman mythology, you’ll probably recall that Venus is the Roman goddess of love, beauty, desire, sex, fertility, prosperity and victory. That’s a lot wrapped up in one name, but when you look at the photos of Chris’

But hey, the good news is you didn’t miss the one and only time it’s gonna happen. They are filling up a new cruise ship as we speak and will do it all over again. There’s still time for you to book your stateroom. Check them out at www.highseasrally.com and tell them Cycle Source sent you.

Shovelhead, you can see that almost every one of the attributes can be used to describe his machine. The only one that doesn’t really fit is fertility (unless there has been a rash of pregnancies after all the bike shows Chris has won).

Riding motorcycles is in Chris’ blood. Even before he could ride his own bike, his father had him perched on the handlebars of his old Husqvarna dirt bike, ripping up and down hills and around the neighborhood. I’m sure it took quite a bit of convincing before Chris’ mother would believe that riding on the handlebars was “perfectly” safe for a toddler, and it all worked out until the inevitable happened and Chris’ father wrecked the bike. As you can imagine, Chris was launched from the handlebars like an F/A-18 off an aircraft carrier, but instead of climbing into the sky, he plunged headlong into a dense clump of bushes and was lost from sight. Of course, his mother was witness to all of this and was frantically searching the bushes for her son and no doubt cursing his father the whole time. In the end, Chris was found without any visible injuries, and a couple of years later, he was given his own bike to ride. Fast forward to 2018, and Chris was still fooling around with motorcycles. After years of customizing all sorts of vehicles, from hot rods to Vespas, Chris realized he wanted to build something out of a vintage Harley-Davidson. This would be his first ground-up build, so the big question was, “what to build?”. The answer came from builder Jeff Cochran who was building some drop-seat Shovels that really inspired Chris. After messaging back and forth with Jeff, a plan was set, and Chris spent the next two years gathering parts. As you might expect, he started with a drop seat kit, swing arm, and oil tank from SpeedKing. He also did a ton of work on the stock frame, removing all the unneeded stock tabs and brackets, cleaning up the castings, relocating mounts, and removing the top motor mount and the neck gusset. When talking about the motor mount, Chris said, “I hated that stamped steel piece of junk, and I wanted it gone. Dusty has been one of my best friends for almost 30 years, a brother, really, and he is an amazing metal fabricator and builder. His hands helped me bring my vision to life, and most of the time, when I wanted to do something, he would immediately agree or see where I was going. We really speak the same language when it comes to cars, bikes, etc. We work well together. Anyways, when I told him that I wanted the stock upper motor mount gone, he told me that all the old school guys like it, blah blah blah. I told him I don’t give a rat’s and to cut it out. It’s gone. He also didn’t want to let me do the frame silver because “Chopper frames are black.” LOL. Well, once we did our first mock assembly, I told him it was okay; he could say it out loud. Then he says, “You were right.” We had a lot of fun bouncing ideas off of each other but when there was a sticking point, I stuck to my guns. I knew I had it right.”

Out front, Chris is running a repop springer with a 21” wheel, but since he isn’t running a front fender or brake, he went the extra mile and removed the fender and brake tabs. That might not sound like much until you remember that the front end had to be re-chromed after they were removed... Custom handlebars provide the steering, and a vintage Unity fog light dispels the darkness as Chris rips down the road.

The bike is powered by a 98” Shovelhead engine, originally out of a 1980 FLH. The massive motor is hooked to the Baker N1 6 into 4 transmission via a modified 2” belt drive and is kick only. This means Chris has to keep everything dialed if he wants to get that thing cranked without passing out from exhaustion.

On the rear, Chris is running a 16” wheel under a Cooper Smithing fender. One of his favorite parts of the bike is the tiny rear tail light mounted under the fender. Chris said, “I had a tail light that I was in love with, but I hated everywhere we looked to put it. We joked about sticking it under the fender, and I was like, “That’s it!” So, there it is. I had never seen a light mounted like that, and it worked out perfectly. One of my favorite things on the bike.”

To add just one more custom touch, every modified or handmade part has three little lines machined into it. This includes the throttle cable adjuster, the wheel spacers, sissy bar, and more. Chris said, “…there are threes everywhere on this bike. It’s a secret little theme all over that almost no one will notice, but I know it’s there for me.”

Venus Tech Sheet

Owner: FakirOne

City/State: Atlanta, GA

Builder: FakirOne - Low Road Motor Co.

Year: 1980

Model: Harley-Davidson FLH

Value: “One Million Dollars”

Time: 8 months to build

ENGINE

Year: 1980

Model: Harley-Davidson FLH

Builder: Slim’s Garage Atlanta

Ignition: Morris Magneto MM74L

Displacement: 98”

Pistons: 3 5/8” S&S .10 over

Heads: Stock with some magic

Carb: S&S Super E

Cam:

Air Cleaner: Trident Cycle Supply Bullseye

Exhaust: Southern Stahl Werks & owner

Primary: BDL 2” “Softail” open

TRANSMISSION

Year: 2019

Make: Baker Drivetrain N1 drum

Shifting: Hand Shift

FRAME

Year: 1984

Model: FLH w/ SpeedKing Dropseat

Rake: Stock

Stretch: Stock

Forks: Modified Mid-USA

Builder: FakirOne

Type: Springer

Triple Trees:

Extension: -2”

WHEELS

Front Wheel: TC Bros Moto Iron Spool

Size: 2.15” x 21”

Tire: Avon MKII 3.00-21

Front Brake:

Rear Wheel: V-Twin

Size: 3.00 x 16

Tire: Avon AM7 5.00-16

Rear Brake: Tokico/Pilgrimage bracket

PAINT

Painter: @Joel845/Lewis Rod & Custom

Color: Cobalt Blue Teal Candy

Type: House of Kolor / Paint Huffer

Graphics: Acetylene smokey smoke

Chroming: They suck, wont share

ACCESSORIES

Bars: Southern Stahl Werks/lane splitter

Risers: Trident Cycle Supply Springer

Hand Controls: TC Bros throttle

Foot Controls: Mod GMA Softail forwards

Gas Tank(s): Cycle Standard Axed 2.2 gallon

Oil Tank: Speedking Racing

Front fender: None

Rear Fender: Cooper Smithing Co.

Seat:

Headlight: Vintage Unity Fog Light

Taillight: Mod. After Hours Chopper Titmouse

Speedo: Drag Spec Electronic Speedo/Speedway GPS

PHOTOGRAPHER:panhead jim mounds of powdery white snow lay windswept against my garage door; an icy barrier between motorcycle and the open road. Blustery winds sweep off the mountains as the winter sun moves hastily from East to West. Hung low in the southern sky it brings the return of darkness at about the time our eyes have just begun adjusting to the daylight. The dark days of winter have arrived with a vengeance this year, and with it, stripping away all desire to work on my motorcycle in the ice box I call my garage. The work must be completed, however, and soon. The Cycle Showcase is just around the corner, and I have committed myself to be there. In my opinion, winter motorcycle shows are a blessing and a curse. They provide a great excuse to go somewhere and see your pals, but if you are like me and prefer to ride to them, then you need to be prepared for an adventure. Anytime you leave

Since the bike has been together, Chris has been winning shows up and down the East coast. If all this doesn’t convince you that this is one badass Shovelhead, then you should check it out yourself. If you’re on the East coast, there’s a good chance you’ll catch Chris at a show near you and quite possibly witness Venus taking home another victory!

Article By: Charlie Weisel

some pretty harsh conditions. You readers in the southern states can probably disregard that statement and can continue to rub your sunshine and warm temperatures in our faces. No problem.

home on a motorcycle between the months of October and March, you had best be prepared for

So why do it? Why not just trailer the bike? This is a very fair question and one with an answer that shows a blatant disregard for logic. I’ve been told that I probably have at least one, if not two, screws loose in this head of mine, but without an official diagnosis of this ailment, I will simply carry on as if my actions are normal. But seriously, though, I love the challenge and the unknown of these sorts of adventures. This is something that I’ve preached about plenty of times in the past but hear me out anyway. Adventure comes in all forms. Sometimes it is the distance covered, sometimes the route taken, and often times it is the time of year in which we choose to adventure. Read that last statement to mean ‘less than optimal weather conditions.’ In the past, when making the February ride to St Louis, I’ve opted to stay on the interstate and get there as quickly as possible, the thought process being to minimize exposure time. It is a strategy that works, but I’m considering something a little different this year.

I’m exploring the idea of sticking to the backroads, maybe even dirt, and camping along the way. The idea would be to “embrace the suck,” as they say in the Army. So, instead of covering the 881 miles from my house in Longmont, Colorado to St. Louis, Missouri, in two days like I usually do, I’m looking at taking upwards of 4 days. There are plenty of campgrounds along the way, an endless supply of two-lane blacktop roads, an equal amount of gravel options, and the occasional roadside diner to warm my paws and fill my gut. This all feels like a completely feasible, relatively short adventure that could satisfy my need to get out and explore when the weather forecaster is saying to stay inside and read a book by the fireplace with a warm dog curled up at your feet, its fur becoming one with the sheepskin rug it lays upon. And you can add a hot cup of Joe steaming with perfection on the chair side table. Think about it. This is an image fit for a Norman Rockwell painting. But most of you reading this don’t live the lifestyle fit for a Norman Rockwell painting, you are of the breed that craves adventure and risk, and I am no exception.

This all feels like a great and exciting plan, but there is one notable problem at the moment. My brain is ready for the adventure, but my motorcycle most definitely is not. Much work will need to be done between now and February 7th, but it is not insurmountable. If I’m being honest, I could probably get it all done over the course of a few days once the motivation kicks in. I have a pile of parts scattered across my toolbox and garage floor, a few more parts I still need to get ordered, and some replacing of winter riding gear that I’ve worn out. I’m even considering installing speakers in my helmet to listen to some tunes. It’s been a few years since I’ve had that luxury. There’s nothing better than some Black Sabbath cranked to 11 to keep the motivational juices flowing. Now, with all this being said, every bit of this plan is hinging on the road conditions. A layer of ice and snow will put the brakes on all of this glorious daydreaming faster than a jackrabbit escaping its prey. But, as I have already mentioned, that is the nature of winter motorcycle travel. You must be willing to adapt at a moment’s notice.

Adventure lies somewhere between comfort and misery, on the finite edge between logic and insanity. It is only when we are forced to dig deep within ourselves, to find the part of us we didn’t know existed to carry on, that we will discover the true nature of adventure, exploration, and personal strength. A strength that is, both mental and physical, that we can carry into our daily lives making everything else seem easy and, with that, the confidence to know that we carry the ability to overcome life’s biggest challenges.

So what are your plans during this year’s cold season? Will you take on an adventure of your own and test your abilities to overcome uncomfortable obstacles? Will you put yourself into an environment way beyond your comfort zone? Start viewing winter as less of a curse and more of an opportunity. Use the motorcycling “off season” to not only repair and improve your motorcycle but to repair and improve yourself as well.

To stay current with my whereabouts, you can follow me on Instagram

@travelingchopper

S&S Slip-on Exhaust for Indian Chieftain and Challenger

The Broadhead Slip-ons feature slash cut end caps that open to the sides and gracefully follow the lines of the factory bags and the internals include stainless main baffles with removable dB reducers that allow you to tune sound and power to your liking. Broadhead slip-ons are available in black or chrome. The Fishtail is a subtle take on a classic shape with an elaborately cast aluminum tip as well as the same durable internals as other S&S slip-ons. We’re thinking the Fishtail is probably a better fit for the Chieftain than the more sporty Challenger, but it will definitely fit both. Like everything else S&S does, their exhausts are all made in the USA! Wake up your Indian touring machine with either S&S slip-on from your local Indian Dealer or wherever S&S performance parts are sold. Check out the details on their site at - https://www.sscycle.com/feature/indian-motorcycles.

klock werks Henry Hugger series front fender

If you’d like to step away from traditional “full coverage” fender style, take a look at our Tire Hugger Series Front Fender options for Harley-Davidson. Designed to hug your tire closely and let you show off your wheel, these direct bolt-on replacement fenders will dramatically change the look of your bike. Pick a style, send it to paint, bolt it on! The use of 5-axis laser cutting ensures accurate fitment, and the stamped steel with e-coat minimizes any need for bodywork and continues to resist rust and corrosion even after it’s painted. We love it when something so simple can make such a big difference, and we think you will too.FIT KIT is complete with satin mounting blocks. 16”/17”/18”/19” Front Wheel - 19” with a 130/60-19 21” Front Wheel - 120/70-21 and 130/60-21 Tires For Arlen Ness “Hot Legs” applications, must use a Klock Werks 83-13 Tire Hugger Fender and specific Klock Werks “Hot Legs” fender spacers (sold separately). www.getklocked.com

feuling STANDARD BA AIR CLEANER

The Feuling BA™ Air Cleaner lengthens the Intake runners and increases air velocity, delivering added volume for balanced dynamic flow. The BA Air Cleaner features a highflow billet aluminum velocity stack with optimal opening diameter, outer lip and internal (id) taper. The BA™ Air Cleaner includes a highflow reusable air filter and one piece billet cage. The one-piece design creates a clean look and eases installation when compared to the industry standard multi stack up construction. With performance in mind, we created a convertible backing plate offering optional cylinder head venting. Out of the box, The Feuling BA™ Air Cleaner is set up with OEM - style cylinder head breathing, routing into the intake with optimized vent hole locations to meet emissions standards. Impressive horsepower and torque gains on any engine. Developed and designed on the flow bench, dyno tested and track proven. Made in the USA. www.feulingparts.com

Z1R introduces the Women’s bomber Jacket

Drag Specialties Chrome Rear Axle Kit

Give your rear wheel the reliable support it needs with the Drag Specialties Chrome Rear Axle Kit. The axle is made of chrome-moly steel with a bright chrome finish. Kit includes the axle, spacers, nuts and washers. Available for 09-13 FLHT/FLHR/FLHX/FLTR models for a suggested retail price of $119.95. https://www.dragspecialties.com/search; q=02141967;r=eJyrVkrLzClJLSpWsoqO rQUAJusFKA%3D%3D For more information, go to www.dragspecialties.com

Z1R introduces the brand-new women’s Bomber jacket. Fashionable but functional. A quilted chassis with faux leather sleeves is outfitted with a ribknit stretch waistband and collar for increased comfort, two hand warmer pockets, and a polyester liner that wicks moisture and improves comfort. Available in sizes XS-3W. Suggested retail $149.95-159.95. Head on over to your local Z1R dealer or www.Z1R. com to check these out!

Drag Specialties Ignition Switch Kits

When replacement is needed, choose an Ignition Switch Kit from Drag Specialties. These kits contain high-quality OEM-style replacement, 3 position switches. Avail able for 94-11 XL models. 07-11 style kit includes an ignition switch as well as a fork lock. replaces OEM #48154-05A with a suggested retail of $66.95. The 94-11 style kit includes an ignition switch only and replaces OEM #71441-94 with a suggested retail of $40.95.https://www. dragspecialties.com/search;q=2106057 5;r=eJyrVkrLzClJLSpWsoqOrQUAJusF KA%3D%3D For more information go to dragspecialties.com

Drag Specialties Oil Extractors

The Drag Specialties oil extractor is a great tool for any shop or garage. Perfect for easy and clean removal of engine oil, transmission oil, coolant and brake fluid. The fluid extractors are manually pumped and operate by vacuum. Fluids are kept safe and sealed to avoid spills. Comes complete with a built-in carry handle and spout, main extraction tube, extension tubes, built-in shut off valve to prevent overfill, built-in manual pressure relief valve and a foldaway foot hold bracket. Available in 2 sizes – 4.0 liter for a suggested retail of $118.95 and 6.5 liter for a suggested retail of $129.95. https://www.dragspecialties. com/search;q=38010422;r=eJyrVkrLzClJLSpWsoqOrQU AJusFKA%3D%3D

DRAG SPECIALTIES BRAKE/MECHANICAL CLUTCH CONTROL KITS

Drag Specialties handlebar control kits let you customize this highly visible area of your bike. Master cylinders accept OEMstyle rebuild kits and have clearance to work with all 1 ¼” diameter handlebars. The complete kits include a single-disc master cylinder assembly along with a clutch lever assembly. Designed to work with stock and most custom switch housings that accept your OEM switches and wires. Available in chrome or matte black for 18-22 Softail models with a single disc front brake system. MSRP $279.95.

https://www.dragspecialties.com/search; q=06102199;r=eJyrVkrLzClJLSpWsoqOr QUAJusFKA%3D%3D

Article By: Heather Callen Photos Courtesy Of: Josh Boggs

twenty-nine-year-old Josh Boggs hails from small town Cheswick, PA, where by day he’s a full-time machinist and precision TIG welder, and by night he is father to three kids under the age of 6 and the self-taught owner/operator of Steel City Blacksmithing. Needless to say, there isn’t a whole lot of time to pursue a hobby. But, like many others, when there is a will, there is a way. We’ve known Josh for a minute, but when we saw his first and only custom motorcycle build on the Dennis Kirk Garage

Build page, we knew it was the perfect candidate for these pages.

Josh comes from a motorcycle family. His dad has always had what he calls “cookie-cutter” Harleys, and his little brother also rides. Unfortunately, they lost his older brother in 2015 to a motorcycle accident. Despite that loss, apparently, the old adage holds true; a family that rides together stays together.

Boggs’s first foray into the twowheeled world was on a dirt bike when he was twelve. That was it; the infection set in. He raced moto- cross through high school and got his first street-legal bike when he was 16 before he even had his driver’s license. He wasn’t too thrilled to admit that his first bike was a 2001 Hyosung GT 250 that he rode the wheels off of. To that, we say, who cares?! It was a motorcycle, and everyone has to start somewhere. For a good bit, Josh’s motorcycle interests lay primarily in the metric world. That is until he got his first Harley-Davidson when he was twenty-two.

Not unlike many his age, Josh

BEGINNER’S LUCK TECH SHEET

Owner: Josh Boggs

City/State: Tarentum PA

Builder: Josh Boggs

Year: 2004

Model: Sportster

Value: Unknown

Time: 225 Hours

ENGINE

Year: 2004

Model: Sportster

Builder: t Fathman Custom Motors

Ignition: Stock

Displacement: 883

Pistons: Stock

Heads: Stock

Carb: Lectron

Cam: Stock

Air Cleaner: Lowbrow Customs

Exhaust: Steel City Blacksmithing (SCBS)

Primary: Stock

TRANSMISSION

Year: 2004

Make: Harley Davidson

Shifting: Hand Shift SCBS

FRAME

Year: 2022

Model: Twisted Rubbermount Frame SCBS

Rake: 30 degrees

Stretch: Up 5.5” Out 6”

FORKS

Builder: Modified Stock

Type: 39mm shaved lowers SCBS

Triple Trees: Stock shaved/polished SCBS

Extension: Stock

WHEELS

Front Wheel: Moto Iron Spool Hub

Size: 21”

Tire: Avon Speedmaster

Front Brake: None

Rear Wheel: Moto Iron

Size: 18”

Tire: Dunlop K70

Rear Brake: Stock

PAINT

Painter: Dan Bliss at No Luck Paint Works

Color: Snow White/ Green Pearl Flake

Type: Custom Paints’/Cande Shop

Graphics: Fred Ewelll Jr.

Chroming: None

Engraving: Biggie Scrolls & Flame Art

ACCESSORIES

Bars: Steel City Blacksmithing

Risers: Steel City Blacksmithing

Hand Controls: Steel City Blacksmithing

Foot Controls: Steel City Blacksmithing

Gas Tank(s): Lowbrow Customs

Oil Tank: Swap Meet Special

Front fender: None

Rear Fender: Cooper Smithing Co.

Seat: Pork Choppers Custom Leather

Headlight: Lowbrow Customs

Taillight: Hypnic Jerk Customs

Speedo: The car in front of me

Photographer: grew up watching Biker Build-Off, so it didn’t take to long for him to start cutting that sucker up to make it his own. A social media-based bike build-off really kicked things off for this bike. He had wanted to build a bike to showcase his blacksmithing skills, and this seemed the perfect opportunity to get exposure and a full custom scoot at the same time.

Once he started cutting, he quickly realized that the only stock part he had left was the lower motor mounts. From there, he decided to just connect the dots with some of his custom twisted stock. Josh says it was a blast to build because everything was hand forged and built to fit. He loved that he was able to use his machines. However, he says that much of the metal work was done the old-fashioned way with a bandsaw, grinder, and files.

Josh says he drew much of his inspiration from some heavy hitters in the motorcycle scene, like Billy Lane and Jesse James; however, being a blacksmith, he looked to blacksmith Albert Paley as well. He credits the braided downtubes done by Paul Cox for his own. This led to a lifelong memory of twisting his together like a helix. The material was 1” solid hexagon stock that he had previously twisted. It was a long, arduous process that he had in his head for a bit, but he admits it took a lot more work than expected.

Even after all that, Boggs says that the biggest challenge was dialing in the carb after it was completed. Initially, he used a stock CV but used a no-name rebuild kit to save money for other parts. The float height was in spec, and everything was spotlessly clean, but he just couldn’t get it running right. Come to find out, after many hours of aggravation, the float from the rebuild kit was dimensionally incorrect, so even though the float height was set to Harley specs, it was still starving for fuel. He says the biggest lesson learned was not to be a cheap ass!

Josh had loads of support throughout the process, including Dan Bliss, Fred Ewell Jr., Steve Milward, Ryan Frost, Terri Piana, and even our own Mark Persichetti. He says that he couldn’t have done it without them!

After about 225 hours over 4 months, Josh completed his first full custom build, aptly titled “Beginner’s Luck.” Man, if this is his first build, we sure can’t wait to see what he comes up with next.

Hey, Hopefully, this will be a year of truth and integrity on the government side all over the world. And hopefully, it will rub off on the motorcycle industry and us grubby bikers as freedom. Let’s hit the news:

BUELL Motorcycles

Aligns With Freedomroad Financial - Names

Director of Consumer and Service Center RelationsBuell Motorcycles, a Grand Rapids, Michigan-based manufacturer of high-performance motorcycles, has forged a new alliance with FreedomRoad Financial, a division of Evergreen Bank Group, Member FDIC. By announcing this relationship, Buell is pleased to answer fans’ calls for consumer financing options.

“We couldn’t be more excited to offer enthusiasts this resource. Bottom line, it means we can put more Buell bikes under more riders,” said Bill Melvin, CEO of Buell Motorcycles. “We’re already known for offering a unique motorcycling expe- rience – helping customers get their dream bike. Now they can also get a great financing option.”

FreedomRoad Financial is one of the largest U.S. powersports lending companies, taking great pride very seriously, and that is why Buell is equally pleased to introduce and welcome Chris Pobanz, the company’s first Director of Consumer and Service Center Relations. With decades of experience in powersports, Pobanz is perfect for this new consumer relations position. He walks clients step-by-step through ordering their new, custom-made Buell, helping them navigate the numerous design decision along the way. These include appearance preferences, accessories, and more.

In the production phase, Pobanz works closely with buyers to monitor the manufacturing schedule, keeping them informed of their place in the queue and tracking their bike’s delivery via specialized carriers when it’s ready to ship.

As important as building the perfect motorcycle for every client, Pobanz specializes in two areas. One is setting up each buyer’s Buell service center – as the purchase of every made-to-order Buell comes with its own clientlocated Approved Service Center. The other is acting as the point person for clients who wish to finance through FreedomRoad Financial.

Buell is back and delivering performance and excitement at every turn. www.BuellMotorcycle.com in maintaining the highest customer service and dealer satisfaction. But above all, they understand the rider lifestyle and work hard to help customers optimize it.

These are qualities Buell takes

Motorcycle Riders Foundation Alert - ABATE of Wisconsin has been asking the State Department of Transportation to fully investigate all crashes involving not only Tesla’s, but all vehicles with Autonomous Technology built in, to learn the impact of this technology on Wisconsin roads. This is our chance to help the Motorcycle Riders Foundation in getting Con- gress members to request the same from NHTSA.

The survey only takes a minute to complete so PLEASE, complete it and forward it on to all your family and friends. Let’s get all eight Wisconsin Congress members to sign on to this very important letter.

The Co-Chairman of the House Motorcycle Caucus, Rep. Tim Walberg of Michigan, is sending a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding self-driving cars and motorcycles. Crashes involving selfdriving cars and motorcycles have made news over the last few months and Rep. Walberg and his colleagues on Capitol Hill are seeking answers.

In the letter to Ann Carlson, Acting Administrator of NHTSA, lawmakers are asking basic questions like, “Should motorcyclists take extra precautions when sharing the road with this new technology?”

Want to help? Follow this issue on the Motorcycle Riders Foundation website.

TUCKER Hires Dallas Cowboys Executive To Fill VP Of Marketing Role

- Tucker Powersports today announced the hiring of Lesley Madsen as the company’s Vice President of Marketing.

Madsen’s role at Tucker is focused on delivering impactful marketing programs for the company’s “ownedbrands” as well as the products distributed by Tucker. Madsen left her role at Dallas Cowboys Merchandising to join Tucker earlier this month.

Tucker President and CEO Marc McAllister had earlier announced a restructure of the company’s Sales and Marketing functions and his plan to bring new leadership into the company.

“Lesley’s experience in marketing, brand building and distribution makes her a natural for this role at Tucker,” said McAllister. “She will bring her strategic and analytical approach to our marketing efforts and will help us provide better support for our brands and our dealers.”

“I grew up in a family that loved the outdoors,” said Madsen. “My family’s dedication to scouting gave us a true

New 2023 Motorcycles and HarleyDavidson Homecoming

Harley-Davidson revealed its details of the first annual HarleyDavidson Homecoming, a celebration 120 years in the making. All the news will stream live at 10 a.m. CST at Harley-Davidson.com.

“2023 marks the 120th Anniversary of Harley-Davidson during which we’ll honor our rich heritage, celebrate with our fans and riding community, and reveal our newest motorcycles and product offerings,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO of HarleyDavidson. “Please join us as we kick off our 120th Anniversary with exciting new model introductions and a peek at what we have in store for the landmark year ahead.” appreciation for outdoor adventure. This opportunity with Tucker gives me a chance to leverage my professional talent to support our dealers and customers who share the same passion.”

Madsen’s business background includes seven years with the merchandise arm of the Dallas Cowboys with responsibility for supporting retail and wholesale marketing and distribution for the Dallas Cowboys and 81Eighty organizations. Previous to the Cowboys, she held leadership roles in marketing, advertising, public relations advertising and digital communications with major brands in electronics and entertainment.

Harley-Davidson Kicked Off 120th Celebration Year--H-D.com to Host

The 2023 HarleyDavidson Homecoming event will fill four days with music, food, and moto-culture at multiple venues throughout the Milwaukee area on July 13-16, 2023. Details on entertainment, scheduled events, venues, ticket packages, and lodging will appear at H-D.com on Jan. 18, where visitors can also sign up for ongoing Homecoming updates. Everyone is welcome and invited from riders, coriders, to fans, and families.

Report From The Mic - What the Midterm Election Results Mean for Powersports

The midterm elections will affect you, your company, and all of powersports, in the year ahead and beyond. But what should you expect in 2023?

The Republicans have taken the U.S. House of Representatives. The