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Novmeber‘10 CYCLE SOURCE
CYCLE SOURCE Novmeber‘19
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BIKES
SG4 Knucklehead
The Bike That Swept Sturgis .......................................................................... 20
The Jammer Special
Bennett's Performance Water Cooled Shovel ...................................... 38
Dyslexia
Vintage Technologies 81 Ironhead ............................................................. 50
Butler 650
The Bike That Started It All For Speakeasy Motors ............................. 60
No Straight Leg Blue
Swafford's 69 Gen Shovel ..................................................................................76
FEATURES The Sturgis Rally 2019
The Year Before The Big Eighty .......................................................................10
Art Of Our Culture
Amelia Gets To Know Jeremy Curlee .......................................................... 30
Sturgis With Savannah
Who Says Its For Old Farts ................................................................................. 34
2018 David Mann Chopperfest
Annual Honoring Of A Legend ......................................................................... 44
Marinara Mountain Run
There's Always Room At The Table For One More.................................. 56
One Man's Opinion
Patrick Questions The Purpose Of Bike Shows ..................................... 70
InSlide Line
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The Best Of Times, The Worst Of Times ..................................................... 84
TECH
99 Problems
Fixes For The Little ThingsThat Make A Big Difference ....................... 16
Lowdown With Lowbrow
Installing A Lowbrow Customs Chain Conversion Kit ........................ 26
Oh What A Relief It Is
Relieving Crankcases For High Lift Cams With FFC.............................. 66
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EDITORIAL OFFICE
The Cycle Source Magazine 118 Dellenbaugh Road Tarentum, PA 15084
For Any Questions Or Comments Please Call 724-226-2867 or e-mail cyclesourcemain@comcast.net
EDITORIAL STAFF
Christopher Callen - Editor In Chief - cyclesource69@comcast.net Heather Callen - Managing Editor - cyclesourcemain@comcast.net Will Ramsey - Tech Editor - will@faithforgotten.com Milwaukee Mike - Mid-West Editor - neanderthalneon@hotmail.com Roadside Marty - South East Editor - roadsidemd@bellsouth.net Keith “Bandit” Ball - News Editor - bandit@bikernet.com
STAFF WRITERS
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Chris Callen, Milwaukee Mike, Jack Schit, Pat Jansen, Will Ramsey, Xavier Muriel, Charlie Weisel, Mitch Bodine, Mark Velazquez, Amelia Rose, Daniel Donley, Joshua Elzey, Jimmy Frizzell, Roadside Marty, Scotty Kerekes, Heather Callen, Rebecca Cunningham, Dan Venditto, George The Painter, Tyler Porter
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS
Chris Callen, Heather Callen, Mad Stork Ken, Mark Velazquez, Twila Knight, Rebecca Cunningham, Dan Venditto, Melissa Shoemaker, Deb Fitch
CONTRIBUTORS
Lowbrow Customs, Savannah Rose, Troy Bensinger, Steve Elmes
STAFF ARTISTS
Jimmy Frizzell, Chris Callen, George The Painter
ADVERTISING
Heather Callen- Sales Manager - cyclesourcemain@comcast.net
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CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Heather Callen - 724-226-2867
In The News
COPY EDITOR Judy Duggan
The World Report Powered by BikerNet.com ......................................... 86
Hot Of The Rack ....................................................................................................... 92
LEGAL COUNSEL
James L. Paz Attorney at Law - Tarentum, PA - 724-226-9PAZ For Any Subscription Questions Call 724-226-2867
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DEPARTMENTS From The Editor’s Desk .................................................... 8 Photo Hunt ........................................................................... 27 Pin-Up Of The Month ....................................................... 43
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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 119 Dellenbaugh Road Tarentum, PA 15084, 724-226-2867, www.cyclesource.com. U.S. Subscription rate is $30.00 for 12 issues. Canadian Subscription rate is $45.00 for 12 issues. Back Issues, when available, are $6.00 each, payable in advance. Periodicals postage paid at Tarentum, PA ad additional mailing offices. The Cycle Source Magazine® reserves the right to reject any advertising or contributions that it deems unsuitable. Opinions expressed are those of the author and not of The Cycle Source Magazine®. Nothing printed in The Cycle Source Magazine® Novmeberbe re-printed in whole or part without the express written consent of the publishers. Copyright ® 2019. The Cycle Source Magazine®, A Grass Roots Motorcycle PublicationSM, Scooter Tramp ™ Wild Man™ Low Down & Dirty Rotten™ Grease & Gears Garage™ Grease & Gears TV™ Grease & Gears Garage Roadshow™ ShopTalk™ Do It Your Damn Self™ Inslide Line™ are registered trade marks.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Cycle Source Magazine 119 Dellenbaugh RD. Tarentum, PA 15084
ABOUT THE COVER
Endless Highway .............................................................. 72 On The Road With X ......................................................... 82 The Edge With Jimmy Frizzell .................................... 90 Gut Busters ........................................................................ 98
DISTRIBUTION
Coast to Coast Newsstand Services Partnership 5230 Finch Ave. E., Ste. 1, Toronto, ON, M1S 4Z9 Cycle Source - Dealership Direct Distribution 724-226-2867
SPARE PARTS New Products
GRAPHIC ARTISTS
Chris Callen, Heather Callen, Amelia Rose, Missi Shoemaker
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Hawke Lawshe, the builder of the fine machine that graces the cover isn't from the mecca of motorcycles. Actually he couldn't be further from it, Kallispell Montana to be exact. But he certainly hasn't let geography stop him from building killer bikes. You can see that he draws inspiration from some of the greats and doesn't let the "box" contain his creativity. Novmeber‘19 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 7
Y
ou know, we get so busy as a culture today, that it seems we forget the things we started working for in the first place. I might be stating the obvious here, but it seems ironic in a day and age where we can do everything ten times faster, we somehow have less time to get it all done, let alone time left over for ourselves. The days of flipping through a Sears catalog and finding that perfect item, taping it up on a wall and saving money to finally order, only to sit patiently while the five to eight weeks arrival date passed by are long gone. Now, Amazon Prime has us used to the idea that if we can’t have something in a day or two, we don’t even want it. It is okay that technology has given us incredible expectations like this, after all, time is valuable. It begs to wonder though, what have we lost in the pursuit of this immediate gratification? Have we, in our accomplishments of faster ways to communicate, educate, manufacture, travel…. Given in trade the value of time itself. This will be our subject for the month dear reader, and if you will allow me, I would like to share my own story of happening upon this new perspective. Of course, being August, the magazine and the motorcycle industry alike were in full swing. You see, about this time we all realize that time is running out and everyone scurries about getting as much business done before Sturgis as they can. Funny that with so much riding season left across the country we still see that as the end of the upswing in the business but it’s true, many run on that same schedule. In any event, just after the Super Bowl of the motorcycle world, Heather and I were set for a little downtime. We did this last
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year, and it proved to be the best medicine. Unfortunately, with the Bonneville trip put off due to mechanical issues with the race bike and the Sprinter, we limped our pouting asses home. In the first week of being back I managed to change several parts on the Sprinter in the driveway of the shop, one was the turbocharger and quite a big job for yours truly. With the van fixed I thought that at least I would get some of the yard work done. You see, being on the road leaves our place looking a lot like old Burt Munro’s in the movie World’s Fastest Indian. I should be ashamed, and if I were home long enough to see my neighbors I might just be. It was the second or maybe the third day into working around the house that it happened. I had answered a few too many phone calls that ended up in arguments, everything I touched was breaking, and I decided to just scrap the day and just cut the damn grass. There is a simple and basic meditation that can be achieved in riding a lawn more and it was in this practice of becoming one with the mowing universe it became clear to me… “I have a perfectly good, running touring bike in my garage and I don’t have to stick around. As I passed the house on that lap, I told Heather to pack enough for one saddlebag and a few days. I finished the job, and we split. By the time we left the house it was sunset. We rode hard and steady, and before long I was a couple hundred miles away from home and no real idea what the next couple of days would bring. Lake Erie was where we made our first turn, and with the cold air coming off the lake we decided to get a room. The peaceful night’s sleep that we got that night alone would have been worth the trip, but the next
day the process continued. When the morning light came through the drapes of our little lakeside retreat, we hit the ground and found a breakfast spot. Over the day’s first meal we decided to head the Niagara Falls. Now, the trip was fantastic, Heather had never seen the falls, so I loved taking her to this spot, but the realization came for us both during the ride itself. You see, the world slows down when you spend several days on a bike, no phone interruptions, no surprise visits, in some ways it removes the clutter and lets you think clearly, and think we did. As the miles tore by the day to day blew away. A few miles more and the past rhetoric disappeared as well. All at once, we got down to thoughts of what really matters in life. In that moment you begin to realize what is and what is not really important. I won’t go long into that trip or those personal thoughts but by the time I came back into the United States I had done all the thinking, settled my mind and was ready to redirect my own craziness. To say it was therapeutic would be an understatement. It was lifesaving and set the tone for some changes to come in what we do and how we treat that precious gift of time. I’ve said this before, but it fits so well here that I have to repeat it. The greatest gift you can give another person is your time, it’s the only thing you can’t buy back. So, take my advice, stop what you’re doing right now and go for a ride, even if you can’t take that few days and it’s only a couple hours. Trust me, everything that you think is critical this very moment will still be right there when you get back.
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he great Black Hills Motorcycle Classic held in Sturgis South Dakota every year reached the 79th running in 2019. While the numbers were down, the attractions were far from that. With so much to cover about what we call the Super Bowl of the motorcycle culture, we split this into two reports. One, you can read here and will be from the perspective Heather, and I had, the time we spent and the things we did. On the other hand, Savannah Rose hit a whole separate list of events and venues, and between the two, we hope to give you a wellrounded report. Let’s get started. With two properties to run events at this year we knew it was going to be hectic, but we honestly had no idea how much fun we would end up having. You see, on top of our regular events at the Iron Horse Saloon in town, we started a new venture with some of our builder buddies called the Handmade Lot at
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the Steel Pony Campground. Although this was a starter year in every sense, it was an earmark for great things to come.
Saturday morning kicked off the event with Dennis Kirk Garage Build Show, and we were asked to help out
with it. These cats have been doing a special set of bike shows to give credit to those who build in their home garage, and the Sturgis show was no slouch. With some 40 bikes from all makes models and level of execution; this was a great cross-section of the custom scene from the ground level. Two of the entrants from the import class actually finished their bikes just as it was time to leave and rode the whole way from New York. The folks at Dennis Kirk are going to be adding some depth to this show series in the form of some new classes, so look for some cool changes coming up. By Sunday night the entire industry showed up for the opening of Michael Lichter’s “What’s The Skinny” exhibit at the Buffalo Chip. With such little space to give it the coverage it deserves we have decided to do a full feature on it in the February Issue for an in-depth look. Suffice it to say that Michael did it again, nearly 40 world-
Article By: Chris Callen Photos By: Missi Shoemaker & Heather Callen
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class bikes, art from around the world and an inside look at the who’s and what’s of the custom scene today. Sunday at the Iron Horse was our big day, the Cycle Source Ride-In Custom Bike Show presented by Progressive Motorcycle Insurance. With a Paughco rolling chassis on the line for the best of show the top bikes in the town turned out to compete. A few I have to mention were entered from Hawke Lawshe, one of which is on this very cover. Nearly a hundred bikes from performance to imports of all nationalities but when it came to the best of show one bike stood out by far, and that was the Knucklehead from Switzerland of Stephane Grand. It turns out this would be one of two rolling chassis he’d win before leaving the Black Hills. Check out the details in the full feature this month as well. With 25 classes we break it up to be as fair as possible and with prizes from Drag, Lucas Oil, Dennis Kirk, Spectro Oils, Lowbrow Customs, S&S, Hot Leathers, Iron Horse, Progressive Insurance, each of the winners walked away with a giant bag of swag. Monday was a big day with AMCA members rolling in for Vintage Day first thing. New this year were old-time field games with Carl Olsen bringing back some of the age-old challenges like the Pin Drop and the Plank Walk. This is the fourth year we’ve done AMCA Vintage Day, and man it’s just so great to have a celebration for the old bike community like this. There were awards in accordance with the old AMA road run style for the highest IQ, Oldest Bike, Youngest Rider and Farthest Ride to name a few. The good people at the Iron Horse were kind enough to put out lunch for anyone with an AMCA Card to show further appreciation to that group. At the end of the day everyone lined up for a short jaunt over to the Spirit of Sturgis races with Brittney Olsen where they got a free tickets to the event and VIP Parking. At the same time, out at the Full Throttle Saloon, our good friend Steve Broyles of Stevenson Cycle was hosting his Custom Bike Show. Mark took some of the Flat Broke bikes out for what was a wildly successful show for Steve. So much to do, so many great events! As night fell, we all waited with feverish anticipation for Jamey Johnson to take the stage at the Iron Horse. It was our official Cycle Source Welcome to Sturgis VIP Industry party, and I want to thank all of our friends and family for celebrating another year in the Black Hills with us. Although there were no real events to speak of, this simple night of congratulating each other for making it through another hard year in the MC biz has become a special part of our calendar. Thanks to the Iron Horse for putting out some dinner for our guests - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE
and a truly great night with a country music legend. Later that night, we were part of a truly great honor. Many years ago, the grandmaster of all things fun at a rally, Jay Allen started a thing called the Smoke Down Showdown with Baker Drivetrain. With Bert’s Run What Ya Brung event at the Sturgis Dragway, we had the idea of reviving this historic event. The idea is two riders enter the burnout pit, spotters watch their progression through the gears once they get the tire rolling, the first one through
the gears wins. It’s funny that it took a few runs before the crowd started to get what we were doing, but by the semifinals… it was on, and they were crowding around like kids watching a fight after school. Billy Grotto from Twisted Tea on his Tea Bagger put up a hell of a battle even besting our very own editor Chris Callen who was on the Tea Low Rider. In the end, it was a weak clutch that took Chris out and saw Billy in the finals for the chance at infamy. The cat who beat Bill for the big W was on a bike he borrowed for the first few rounds Novmeber‘19 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 13
and took it home in a big way. Special thanks to everyone from the Iron Horse, Baker, and all our contestants. We will for sure be back with this event next year. Tuesday was a hell of a day. It started with Mark taking Flat Broke bikes out to Led Sled’s Sportster Showdown, the Lil Evil Inkorpor8ted Performance Show was on at the Iron Horse, and we were all getting ready for Teeny Weenie Tuesday. This is a nighttime event put on by Bling’s Cycles and Helmet Division. This year it was at the Handmade Lot where everyone that showed up was invited to partake in a free weenie and some impromptu minibike racing. As has been the case for the past 13 years, Wednesday started off with our “Run To The Line” event in conjunction with Michael Lichter and sponsored by Spectro Oils. Let’s face it, the whole reason to come to Sturgis is the riding and to miss so much of the beauty that are the Black Hills we have to take at least one day and celebrate that part. It started at the Iron Horse, and at high noon we pulled out for a romp through the hills. Unlike most years where we take everyone out to the Spur Creek Ranch for horse vs. motorcycle games, this year was one of those where we take a break and just run up Vanocker Canyon. With Michael Lichter firmly perched on the back of Mailman’s bike we headed out of town, and he started taking amazing shots. That’s one of the perks here, if you were on the ride you got photos of your riding the Black Hills from one of the most famous photographers ever to look through a lens. Those shots are available at www. lichterphotography.com After a short stop at the Nemo Guest Ranch for ice cream and a bullshit session we headed back down for the Perewitz Paint Show and lunch for all returning riders put on by the Iron Horse. There was a short break for Heather, and I as the Mayor and city planners, decided to invite me to unveil the official logo for the 80th-anniversary event. While this may seem like a PR stop, let me tell you, for a kid who always dreamed of coming to Sturgis, then a man who for over a decade has held events there, this was a personal achievement that I will never forget. As a few thousand people stood on Main Street
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they took me up in the tower and let me address the crowd. We talked about the history and tradition of this great gathering to the Mecca of all things cool and then dropped the logo for next year on them. Special thanks to Jerry and Andy from Hot Leathers for getting me in on that genuinely great honor. You can see the video of that
on our Facebook Page. Thursday was the Hamster ride in the Iron Horse, but at the Handmade Lot, we were getting ready for our big night of Sturgis. This would be the inaugural “Black Hills Boogie” pre- eighties chopper show. In conjunction with our Texas brothers who throw down the Boogie East in Daytona, Bill Dodge and I wanted to replicate that same flair in the Black Hills. It was to be a low key,
just hanging out with some old choppers type of event, and that’s precisely what it was. We held some serious minibike circle track racing that saw the likes of Mr. Lichter himself joining in. There were incredible bikes in the show, not the least of which was Eric Greenfield’s Bubbalicious Shovel that took best of show. It was a blast and a sign that Sturgis was hungry for an event like this, under the lights, slightly off the beaten path, and all old-time bike fun. Thanks to everyone on the lot that donated prizes for the show, No School, Bling’s, Helmet Division, Primo’s, Flat Broke, Livin Dirty, Kelderman Trucks, and to our sponsors: Hot Leathers, Spectro Oils, Drag Specialties, Low Brow and Lucas Oil for prizes as well. Friday saw another first for us at the Iron Horse and one that will continue to be a tradition for years to come. We decided to call it the “Biker Olympics” and was a series of motorcycle challenges big and small. It started off with Minibike Drag Races complete with full-size Christmas tree lights. Contestants were invited to bring their own bike or ride one of ours. In the end, of a couple hours’ worth of rounds it was Nick Pensabene who took the win and the $200 cash prize. Now, in the bike games it was Gary Thomas who couldn’t be stopped all day. Everything from the slow race to the spoon race, saw him beating out the competition. What’s the spoon race you may be asking? Well, we made this one up on the fly, and each rider had to have a passenger carry a raw egg on a spoon in their mouth. Each of our four games came with $100 cash and points to add up to see which would be our overall winner and carry away the Championship leather belt from Curt Green at Bare Bones Leather. Like I said in the beginning, a down year by the numbers in attendance but for those of you who were on hand, you were treated to nothing short of world-class events and entertainment. All of this on the year before the 80th anniversary, can you imagine what’s in store for next year.
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Article And Photos By: Daniel Donley
www.pandemoniumcustomchoppers.com
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ver the previous months, I have been reaching out to you readers and industry professionals seeking a problem or situation and its s fix. So, here are some of the problems, from being broke down on the side of the road. To some situations in the shop like Fabrication, painting, electrical, troubleshooting, etc. This month’s part of “99” Problems comes to you from a guy with a turbo problem. Will just call him “Chris” Thanks for your submissions. Have a Plan, with any broke or stripped fastener every situation is unique. With that being said… SLOW DOWN. First rule of thumb here is to do the least amount of harm possible. The price of this problem will be rewarded with wisdom. Trust me for as much wrenching as we do on these old motorcycles, before long you will be a wise man… There are many ways to achieve the same task. And none of them are right or wrong but when done in the wrong order. The outcome could be very time consuming and expensive. So, if this don’t work, this will be my next step and then so on. Have a plan…
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You have a bolt that will not come out, and the head is totally stripped away. This is NOT an easy fix; you start by filing or grinding the surface (if there is one) to be flat and center punch it in perfect center and then start drilling. Using cutting fluid and take your time and go slow step up the drill bit sizes in small increments until you have completely removed the fastener. At this point you can use a pick to remove the small debris of the remaining threads. This is difficult to do with a hand drill, and typically I only use this method in the last resort area.
A commonly known way to remove a stuck or stripped bolt is with the use of EZ outs. They make these in a spiral flute or a four-flute type. The biggest thing with using EZ outs is using them the way they are intended. You can guarantee if you do not use the right size drill bit or EZ out size, for the fastener they will break every time. The four flute seems to be much stronger than the spiral design. But I will be honest I have never had good luck with these. You’re disassembling the 2 halves of a brake caliper. The calipers are bolted together with button head style Allen bolts. Then the inner Allen head decides to give up and strip out. The best way to solve this situation is to take a large drill bit and then drill the
head of the fastener off. When the 2 halves come apart you will have a stud sticking out, and you can turn it out with your fingers. IF this does not work, take a pair of vice grips, and it’s about a sure shot every time.
You break the head off a Philips or flat head screw approx. 10/32 or smaller size…. These can be a challenge because they are so small. Here my tool of choice is an engraver or a small prick punch. Use the engraver to vibrate in the direction in removing the fastener, and you will be quite surprised that typically they come right out. You can also substitute a small prick punch and light tapping of the hammer to simulate the same thing, just go in the direction of removal. Lefty Lucy!
Carburetor screws, those little Phillip’s head fasteners that have been removed and put back in way to many times and the Philips head is stripped out. But the guy who last assembled it figured out how to tighten the shit out of it. A good fresh set of vice grips on the fasteners head 90% of the time will crack it loose, and you can spin it free with your fingers. Another option here is to use a hacksaw or cutting wheel and cut a slot into the stripped head then use a flat blade screwdriver and remove.
Studs… Exhaust/ cylinder head these can be very stubborn to remove. Typically jamming 2 nuts together on them trying to remove is about a lost cause. Add some heat to the surrounding surfaces will help. If you have a stud puller and some heat that is the hot ticket! I have found the key thing here is HEAT applied to the surrounding surfaces of the stud. It is not smoking; it is not hot enough. Applying heat to any of the fastener situations can be beneficial. But sometimes it can really mess things up in a hurry. Sometimes there may be surrounding bearing or bushings or seals that be ruined during the heating process. So once again it is good to have a plan. I like to use a portable heat source like propane torch, MAP gas, or butane. Many different style tips are available for these from a fine pencil tip flame to a big rosebud style. Just use the one that best fits your application.
Drill guides… So, you broke an exhaust flange stud or a tappet cover stud. This can commonly happen with the age of anything. Drill guides Novmeber‘19 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 17
are available through many different companies. They allow you to bolt the guide at one point and the other has a hardened guide for drilling out the broken stud. The drill guide does what it says.
Penetrating oils… PB Blaster, Liquid Wrench, your grandpa’s recipe… They are used for penetrating thread surfaces that have been locked into place and help in the removal of a stuck fastener. Side note here: I
would definitely be curious to know Grandpa’s Recipe! Please Email Me! Calling all readers and industry professionals! Please Submit problems WITH fixes and PICS to the email below If there is something that you would like to see a Tech article on call me or email me with your idea! If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at the shop anytime 419-576-6812 Facebook- Pandemonium Custom Choppers Instagram – pandemoniumc2 info@pandemoniumcustomchoppers.com www.pandemoniumcustomchoppers.com
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w
e all know that the usual love of motorcycles story starts with “my dad, my grandad or my uncle put me on their bike when I was a tot, and the bug bit me right then”… or something close to that anyway. However, Stephane Grand’s, the builder of this fine Knucklehead, passion
for motorcycling started at what many would consider late in life, age 30 and is not the typical tale at all. Grand is an electrician by trade, but that didn’t seem to suit him very well, so from there he went on to be a test rally driver and bar owner before opening his own custom motorcycle and hot rod
shop, T4 Motor-Cycles in Geneva Switzerland. Stephane says the world of motorcycling, when it did finally take hold, seem to come to him naturally. The first motorbike to come out of T4 MotorCycles was a 1972 Shovelhead with a rigid frame. Since then he’s built nine more along with
Article By; Heather Callen Photos By: Missi Shoemaker
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a few hot rods. The latest to be the SG4 that you see on these pages. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Cole Foster and Indian Larry, Stephane spent eight months transforming a 1947 Knucklehead to the showstopper that has taken him around the world. Grand states that he had a clear vision in his head of what he wanted this bike to be, not realizing what an undertaking using the original frame would be. He also states that the tank was a challenge, and I’m sure you can see why. Grand takes great pride in the fact that he hand fabricates every custom piece himself. Not too shabby for someone that for the most part is self- taught. He bought his first welding machine and through trial and error, and maybe a class or two he seems to have
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mastered the art. Stephane has also managed to learn the art of metal shaping through his own creativity and perseverance. One wouldn’t think that we’d share the same circles with a builder from across the pond but come to find out, we sure do. It turns out that Stephane met our dear friend Bill Dodge of Bling’s Cycles back in 2018 while they were at a rally in Punta Bagna France. Oh and by the way, SG4 just happen to win Best Of Show there as well. Now, I’ll be honest due to some language barriers and
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SG4 Knucklehead Tech Sheet Owner: T4 Motor-Cycles/Stephane Grand City/State: Genève Suisse Builder: T4 Motor-Cycles/Stephane Grand Year:1947 Model: FL Value: Time: 8 Months ENGINE Year: 1947 Model: Knucklehead Builder:T4 Motor-Cycles Ignition: Platinum Screw Displacement: Pistons: Heads: Carb: S&S Cam: Air Cleaner:T4 Motor-Cycles Exhaust: T4 Motor-Cycles Primary: T4 Motor-Cycles TRANSMISSION Year: 1958 Make: Panhead Shifting: FRAME Year: 1958 Model: FL- Custom Twisted & Brassed Rake: O° Stretch: O° Forks Builder:T4 Motor-Cycles Type: Springer Triple Trees: Extension: WHEELS Front Wheel: Custom Alu Size:18” Tire: Excelsior Front Brake: Mechanical Origin 1947 Rear Wheel: Custom Alu Size: 18” Tire: Excelsior Rear Brake: Hydraulic 1958 Modified PAINT Painter: No Paint Color: Type: Graphics: Chroming: ACCESSORIES Bars: T4 Motor-Cycles Risers: T4 Motor-Cycles Hand Controls: Foot Controls: Gas Tank(S): T4 Motor-Cycles Oil Tank: T4 Motor-Cycles Front Fender: None Rear Fender: T4 Motor-Cycles Seat: T4 Motor-Cycles Headlight: Carriage Oil Lamp Tail Light: T4 Motor-Cycles Speedo: None Photographer: Missi Shoemaker
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not being able to do the typical phone interview I’m sure to be missing a bunch of fantastic information, but I assure you, between the images captured and the tech sheet you can understand why it’s a winner. On a maiden voyage for both the motorcycle and Stephane to the United States, the SG4 swept the shows in Sturgis, taking Best Of Show at the Schools Out Chopper Show, Best of Class at the Full Throttle Custom Show, Best Antique at Rat’s Hole and Best
Of Show at our Custom RideIn Show at the Iron Horse. Not only did he have to figure out how to get four trophies back to T4-Motor-Cycles, but his winnings included two rolling chassis from Paughco to boot! If this is the typical creation that comes out of Stephane’s shop we sure hope he comes back to America with his next build, we’re looking forward to what’s to come.
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ou can drastically alter a Harley-Davidson Sportster’s look with some very minor changes such as replacing your handlebars, gas tank, and or even the seat. One of our favorite things to do that is extremely easy and takes a Sportster to the next level is getting rid of that pesky belt drive and changing it out for one of our chain conversion kits. The pulley works wonders but its really bulky and doesn’t nearly look as cool as a sprocket pulling a blingin’ oily chain. So, get out your tools, your jack and follow along with Todd as he walks you through how easy it is to change out this 2003 Harley-Davidson XL883 belt drive to our chain conversion kit.
Step 1 - Remove the brake line clamp on the front pulley cover. Remove the two bolts from the rear master cylinder. Remove the three bolts that
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Article By: Lowbrow Customs Photos By: Mikey Revolt / Lowbrow Customs hold on the front pulley cover on. Move the cover out of the way.
from the rear wheel. Push the wheel forward to allow you to move the brake caliper and belt out of the way so you can remove the rear wheel completely from the bike.
Step 2 - Remove the 2 socket head screws from the lock plate on the front pulley nut. Use an impact to remove the front pulley nut. Note this is a left hand threaded nut.
Step 4 - On a workbench or table remove the 5 bolts from the main drive pulley. You can use an impact to remove these bolts. Helpful tip, if the pulley seems stuck you can use a 2x4 piece of wood and put it between the tire and under the pulley. Push down on the 2x4, and it will pry the pulley off easily.
Step 3 - Remove the cotter pin from the rear axle. Loosen axle adjusters on both sides. Remove the axle
Step 5 - Using a 7/16 -14 tap, run the
tap into all 5 holes to clean out any Loctite. Use brake clean and some air to clean out any leftover residue from the tap.
Move the rear shock out of the way and pull the belt off of the bike.
locking tab washer. Using red Loctite, thread each bolt down evenly. In a star pattern torque the 5 bolts to factory specifications for your model. Do Not use an impact for any reason to torque down the bolts. After bolts are torqued properly bend over the locking tab on each bolt. Step 6 - Place the rear sprocket onto the wheel hub, make sure the grooved line that goes around the outside of the sprocket by the teeth is facing out towards you. Place each of the washers down on the sprocket and then match up the holes with the
Step 7 - To remove the belt from the bike, all you have to do is remove the bottom bolt from the rear shock.
Step 8 - Remove the front pulley. Clean off any rust or dirt off the main drive splines. Use a wire brush, brake clean, and air to blow off any residue.
Step 9 - Slide on the new front sprocket, the beveled end should
FIND TEN DIFFERENT THINGS ON DYSLEXIA 1. Missing Bolt On Rear Rocker Box. 2. Larger Velocity Stack. 3. Extra Bolts On Front Rocker Bolts. 4. Longer Moustrap Spring. 5. Extra Strap On Generator Mount. 6. Front Cylinder Has Dual Exhaust. 7. Missing Base Bolt On Rear Cylinder. 8. Damaged Fin On Rear Cylinder. 9. Missing Oil Line Under Carb. 10. Longer Foot Peg.
NO THERE ISN’T ANY REAL PRIZE, JUST SOMETHING TO DO WHILE YOU’RE IN THE CAN.
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face in towards the motor leaving the flat side with small edge facing out towards you. Hand tighten the nut on the front sprocket. You cannot torque this nut before putting on the chain, all it will do is continue to spin.
Step 10 - Reinstall the bolt-on rear shock. Reinstall the rear wheel, making sure the brake caliper and spacers are all lined up correctly. Liberally apply anti-seize on your axle before reinstalling. Make sure to loosen axle adjusters completely and move the wheel as far forward as it will go in the swingarm.
able to tighten the front sprocket nut. Step 14 - With the wheel on the ground use your torque wrench to torque the front sprocket nut to your model’s torque specification. (Remember this is a left hand threaded nut) If the wheel wants to move have a friend hold down the rear brake pedal. Install the locking plate for the front sprocket nut, use blue Loctite on the screws.
Step 17 - Adjust free play on bottom run of chain with rider weight on bike. Then proceed to torque the axle nut and reinsert your cotter pin.
That’s it! You’ve done it, your bike went from ordinary to extraordinary in less than an hour! Now get out there and GO FOR A RIDE!
Step 15 - Reinstall your cover, master cylinder bolts, and brake line clamp. Step 11 - Place your chain on to both sprockets feeding from the rear to the front and back around. On the rear sprocket lay the chain over top of the other end of the chain pulling it as tight as it can go. Determine which link needs to be removed paying attention not to remove the wrong link so you will be able to put the master link in. Use a marker to designate which pin you will need to remove.
Step 13 - Tighten chain in order to be
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Step 16 - Check your axel alignment. Sportsters have a hole in the swing arm that you can use a coat hanger with a 90-degree bend inserted into the hole and then with a small zip tie that can slide, check from side to side from the hole to the center of the axle. It should be the same on both sides.
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Article By: Amelia “Killer” Rose
f
or some, the number 13 is seen as evil, unlucky and a sign of bad things to come. And then there’s Jeremy Curlee who, now in his 13th year working as a leather artisan, is reaching creative heights no one has yet imagined. And he considers himself a fortunate man. But he didn’t just pick up his tools one day and create a masterpiece: No, his love of leather and art started, like many artists in these pages, at a very young age. All through high school and into college where he received a degree in graphic design, his mind was always in the world of art. He first started working in acrylics and then soon after moved to oils. For the fine art that he still creates today, he uses these two mediums exclusively. Over the past few years he has also been
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working on mastering pinstriping and
finds his inspiration for that artform from old school hot rods and the OG
Ed Roth. When he began leatherworking, Jeremy’s inspiration (or FIRE as he likes to call it) came from an interesting combination of both frustration and creativity. When he was first getting started, the custom leather world offered him very few choices. So he began teaching himself how to tool leather and he put his 20+ years of fine art training to the test. In order for him to find what he was looking for, he had to literally make it himself. Everything he saw that was already out there just wasn’t cutting it for him. Eventually it became a sort of internal competition to see how good he could become. Today his inspiration comes from something more primal. Its almost as though he was born with an internal instinct to create. Both of
his children also keep his passion alive and are even following in their father’s footsteps and learning some of his trade. He’s loved watching them hone their artistic abilities and share his passion. It’s a fantastic experience to be able to share your passions with the ones you love most, and when you get the chance it’s important to cherish every moment. Jeremy considers himself to be a true artisan as well as a master craftsman. For him, craftsman and leatherworker don’t necessarily describe the kind of art he’s trying to bring into the world of custom leather. Being the one to push the boundaries of an old-world craft is challenging. By using varying and often unusual mediums like pinstriping paint, acrylics, or even metallics, has allowed him to explore entirely new avenues and set himself apart from the rest. And I’ve gotta say, it worked. Jeremy is by far one of the most exciting leather artists I’ve seen thus far. And that isn’t to say that my other Leather profiles were lesser, not at all. But seeing someone change the game, even rewrite the rules, to something that has pretty much stayed the same since its inception? That’s really punk. Something inspiring to the other artists in the world. One of the reasons he loves leather so much is the challenge it brings to his work. It forces him to harness every drop of artistic ability in his body, as well as physical strength and an incredible amount of finesse all at the same time. It’s incredibly satisfying to know you’ve created a handmade piece for someone that will last them the rest of their life and beyond. There are pieces he’s made 10 years ago that look better today than when they were first finished. Wow! Jeremy has owned his own business since 2009. That’s when he cleared out a small area in his tightly packed Texas garage, and he still works there today, though the space has grown substantially since. His business consists of just him. His philosophy when dealing with customers is to just keep it simple and communicate openly. Word of mouth and satisfied customers is how he’s both built and maintained his business over the years. Keeping his business small allows him to control the quality, assuring each piece is the best it can be before reaching the customer. On top of his incredible leather career, he is also an avid semi-pro photographer, fine artist (of course), and even spent CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE - Novmeber‘19
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some time as a tattoo artist! Talk about a jack-of-all-trades! Over the years his art career has taken him on many an adventure and given him memories to last a lifetime. He has been lucky enough in his life to have shown his work in some of the most extensive galleries from Texas to New York City. For the future, let’s just say he’s got some major things planned that the world of leatherworking might not be quite ready for. So stay tuned!! The one thing, and probably the best that his
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art has given him is his freedom to create and dream as his heart moves him. He’s been able to meet some incredible people along the way and enjoys it the most when he’s able to give back and donate pieces to great causes across the country. To any aspiring leather craftsman or artisan, Jeremy’s advice is simple. Set yourself apart. Easier said than done, of course, but through trial and error and never quitting, eventually the storm clouds become
clear and you can create things most only dream of. Thanks so much for reading and if you want to check out some more of Jeremy’s incredible work or even commission pieces for yourself, you can go to his instagram @jcurlee_art_ photography or his website: www.jcurleeartandphotography.com
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i
’ve heard what’s been said about Sturgis - it’s for “RUBs,” it is for old farts, it’s for leather-clad dentists. Well, I’m here to tell you it’s not - although some may put on their “biker outfit” as they leave their rented mansion in the Black Hills, there is so much to Sturgis that it is sometimes hard to take it all in. From all the Cycle Source shows to the new Camp Zero (a $20 a night, no-frills, fun-having, party zone) to the Buffalo Chip hosting racing of all kinds, rides with your buddies, and partying on Main Street, there is something for EVERYONE. And who would pass up the chance to ride motorcycles and eat Sweeto Burrito? Not me. Here’s a rundown of some of the events I got to attend this Bike Week! Peanut Butter & Jelly Ride, hosted by J&P Cycles, Camp Zero and Go Fast Don’t Die - The first inaugural PB&J ride hosted just that - riding through the Black Hills and ending up back at Camp Zero for some killer peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Oh, and burnouts, minibike racing, and beers. Leaving from Camp Zero and heading towards J&P Cycles, I hopped on the back of a Dyna so I could adequately shoot this ride. The group casually assembled. Camp Zero activities are often apt to be a little bit on the “dgaf”/disorganized side. If you haven’t heard of CZ, it’s a new camping area located just past the Buffalo Chip - it’s all of $20 a night, and the punkiest campground you could find. Shenanigans and fun are
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the name of the game. The ride headed up Vanocker through Lead and the surrounding area. This was a killer time on the twisty roads of the Black Hills. Brady from Go Fast Don’t Die did his usual “riding techniques” that included surfing and a move I like to call “it’s time to buy new shoes.” When we ended up back at Camp Zero, it was time to ditch the v-twins and hit the mini-motos. An all-out minibike brawl ensued, sending riders flying off the pull start bikes. No safety gear required, one guy was even in a speedo! Schools Out Chopper Show, Buffalo Chip The School’s Out Chopper Show is the newest chopper show on the block at Buffalo Chip- hosted by Haul Bikes. This show goes down at the infamous and free Crossroads area upfront. They even give away a Paughco roller! Bikes of all sorts show up for this. There are wide-tire builds from 1999 to long stretched, raked 70s choppers. A little bit of everything, encompassing the entire range of the chopper world. Judged by the guys from Counting Cars, this show is a great time! FXR Show - In its 7th year, the FXR show is a highlight of the Sturgis rally. Hosted by Big Joe Mielke; this show takes place at the Buffalo Chip, and all proceeds go directly to the LifeScape South Dakota charity. FXRs and Dynas flooded into the chip, ready to show off their fresh builds, full “dad” vintage FXRs, and custom touches. Each year, sponsors like Lincoln Electric, WeldTables,
Article And Photos By: Savannah Rose
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Hot Leathers, Biltwell and Metzeler, along with countless aftermarket companies donate products to be raffled off to some lucky bike show winners and ticket holders. Bikes of all varieties, 122 of them to be exact, from fully restored FXRP’s to full performance Dyna’s, and everything in between were on display. Some of the crowd favorites were John Jessup’s build - that he will be giving to his daughter, Natalie K’s FXLR with a fresh 111” engine, and an all-white FXR complete with fairing and lowers. Don’t forget the Dyna - it’s invited too. A solid lineup of them showed up. If you’ve got an FXR or a Dyna, don’t miss this show next year! AFT TT RACE at BUFFALO CHIP The Buffalo Chip has hosted the AFT TT races for a couple years now - Sunday night races make for a great start to the rally. Throwing in a jump and a right turn keep things interesting, as they round past the double decker bar, and towards the food vendors. Flat trackers are notorious for turning left, and throwing in anything else can sometimes throw off the best of them. This race was no different. Some bikes got knocked out because parts fell off after a hard landing, and some racers just never got into their grooves. All in all, it was an exciting race, all set before the nights musical headliner. The racing was head to head, but right as the checkered flags were about to drop, JD Beach made an incredible pass by Jake Johnson who seemed to have some engine troubles just before the line. Jake ended up second, with Mees in third, Bronson in fourth, and Vanderkooi of H-D in fifth. V-TWIN VISIONARY PERFORMANCE BIKE SHOW - This year was the first year of the V-Twin Visionary show hosted by Jeff G. Holt - based solely upon performance, all types of bikes were welcome at this free show at the Crossroads at Buffalo Chip. Everything from performance baggers, like Danny Wilson’s Leading Edge, powered 151” Road Glide, to performance Sportsters like Tucker Speed’s hooligan bike were there. Bikes from Victory, Indian, and more made an appearance, and each one was boasting some sort of aftermarket performance upgrades. Sponsors of all sorts donated parts and gear to be raffled off, culminating in some delighted folks! Awards were given for a variety of categories, and each winner was well deserving. This
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show promises to grow each year and be a force to be reckoned with! BIKER BELLES - The Biker Belles have been going strong for 11 years now, proving that anything you can do, we can do better! No really - Biker Belles are a staple of female empowerment in the motorcycle world - and all for charity. Starting out at the Lodge in Deadwood, this escorted ride allows women (and men!) to ride all the way through Vanocker Canyon without ever putting your feet down. They arrived at the Buffalo Chip on everything from a blinged-out bagger ala Diva Amy, to the borrowed 125” H-D Softail (thanks to V-Twin Visionary) I was riding, and just about everything in between. The highlight of Biker Belles isn’t even the delicious lunch, but the special guests - ranging from Gloria Struck, who is in her 90’s and has been riding about 75 years now, to Criss Simmons, a long-time moto-journalist. Jessi Combs was another speaker this year, a personal friend of mine, she is an inspiration she fabricates vehicles and is looking to reach 500mph on 4 wheels. Many other women were special guests, each of whom shared a bit of their story. I was fortunate enough to share a bit of my own story as a special guest as well. The Biker Belles ride culminates in a women’s bike show - so if you ladies have a bike, be sure to check out this ride! SPORTSTER SHOWDOWN at Camp Zero - The Sportster Showdown is one of the best parties, and bike shows around - and not just because I am biased about Sporties! Led Sled Customs, along with Camp Zero and SENA host this party at Camp Zero’s barn. This year, they decided to host a hog roast along with the party! Laidback and chill, this show brings out the best of the quad-cams. From Ironheads to Evos, and the occasional K model and even a ‘52 race bike made an appearance. Choppers to trackers, there’s something for everyone. Call
them girls bikes, call them what you will, the Sportster has a die-hard fan base. These lightweight bikes are capable and easily modified, making a great platform to build just what you want. And that’s what everyone at this show has done! And per usual for Camp Zero, the shenanigans ensue about halfway through the show. You’ll have to check it out next year to see all the fun! BLACK HILLS HALF MILE - The Black Hills half-mile has always been
an incredible AFT race - with the long stretch on the half-mile, the speeds of the racers get going quickly and lead into a bike-leaning, tire sliding turn. This race was full of thrills and chills as the racers tried their damndest to get a podium. The singles races saw Shayna Texter keeping close with Chad Cose, the Cali Kid. The racing became nail-biting, edge of your seat spectating as they fought for the lead. In twins, Indian Motorcycle ruled the podium once again. The Bauman Brothers, the newest addition to the Indian Wrecking Crew, put up stiff competition for the privateers. The podium consisted of the Baumans and Jeffrey Carver, all on FTR 750s. During the race, racers like Mees battled hard to keep a standing position but ended up just out of reach. Once on the podium, Bronson was so excited to spray the champagne that I
actually had to run away and shield my camera from the sticky spray! The night ended with Briar in 1st, Carver in 2nd and Bronson in 3rd. BUFFALO CHIP SUPERHOOLIGAN RACES - SuperHooligans. What else is there to say? The SuperHooligan races, hosted by Roland Sands and crew, are always an entertaining circus. Starting early on Wednesday afternoon, these racers hit the track on their 750cc+ street legal, or near street-legal machines. Everything from H-D Sportsters, to Indian Scouts and everything in between took to the dirt track in front of the stage. There was even a class for totally inappropriate motorcycles, like Danger Dan’s chopper! The lovely Jacqui Van Ham announced as each round of motorcycles bounced off their rev limiters as they left the starting line. A quick left turn, into a right turn, and back into a wide left made this TT track incredibly exciting to watch. There were crashes galore as racers lost traction on the soft amphitheater dirt, close calls and bar banging ensued. Races were won by mere inches or entire motorcycle lengths, exciting the crowd each time. After the main event, suddenly the track was torn down, making way for Snoop Dogg to play his first-ever Sturgis show. OTHER SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF STURGIS - Ives Brothers Wall of Death at Buffalo Chip The Ives Brothers, Cody, and Kyle are a sight to see as they ride a completely vertical wall round and round - even on an H-D Hummer! It’s a free show that goes down multiple times per day at the CrossRoads. These two get wild - and even ride 2 bikes on the same wall, at the same time, making for a thrilling show. Got a dollar bill? Hold it out over the wall, and they’ll reach up and grab it as they ride by. Got a $20? Well that will get you a shirt, hand-delivered by Kyle as he rides by at nearly 30mph.
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e
ric Bennett has run Bennett’s Performance on Signal Hill next to Long Beach, California for 20 years. He’s been to Bonneville over a dozen times with his dad, Bob Bennett. He’s been known to chase off girlfriends with his wild behavior from time to time, but he’s a good shit, works hard, knows performance and loves to build something new every year. In this case, Bill Dodge
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challenged him to build a scooter for the Tennessee Music Revival. He had 102 days to get ‘er done and said no way. He was in the middle of building an old Chevy station wagon hot rod in the shop yard. WTF? And then, of course, the historic tide turned. Johnny Surprise showed up with this water-jacketed Shovelhead, and Eric reached out to me. Eric asked where it came from and was told that it was the front
engine for the first Jammer streamliner built by Bob George. It would ultimately become the Easyriders Streamliner and set the World’s Land Speed Record for Motorcycles in 1990 at 321 mph. The engine was rebuilt in 1991 by Keith Ruxton and never ran until Eric put fuel in it. It fired immediately to life. The R&R cycles water jackets (Hawthorne, California) were
Article By: Keith Ball Photos By: Michael Lichter
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designed by Bob George and machined by Perry Sands, the Performance Machine founder. The engine inspired a wild build and Eric was all in. He went after an early ‘70s stock frame configuration with severe mods to dodge the modified exhaust ports. It became a single-loop frame with a notch for the exhaust. Because of the position of the rear exhaust port, shocks were cut from the build and Gabe, another Bennett’s master mechanic, came up with the notion of struts under the swingarm. It’s a rigid. Working with swap meet digs, he came up with a ‘60s drag racing 32mm Cerriani front end. It was easy to modify the neck stem, but Cerriani made three versions of this front end, and he ended up buying all three to make one. It has no front brake, and the suicide clutch is on the
right. Hang on! He used an old round swingarm and juice brakes on the rear. The cooling system was a trick, but a Bennett’s Performance customer who owns US Radiator made a small radiator. It took the place of the usually massive Shovelhead battery case. Eric made the pan for the radiator and the battery behind a louvered cover where the oil tank would usually go. So, the oil ended up in the right side gas tank. His girl, Gabrielle Sagona, who has an artistic bent, took felt pens to the bare tanks and drew the paint scheme, which Eric delivered to his painter, Bondo. Her inspiration came from the original Jammer Streamliner, stars-and-stripes theme. This puppy exceeded Eric’s every expectation. “This bike did it all,” Eric said. It wasn’t a chopper, a bobber, not exactly a race bike, a drag bike, or a flat track
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THE JAMMER SPECIAL TECH SHEET Owner: Eric Bennett City/State: Signal Hill, CA Builder: Bennett’s Performance Year: 1977 Shovelhead Model: FXE Custom Value: Mucho Time: 102 Days ENGINE Year: 1969 Model: H2O Shovelhead Builder: Keith Ruxton & Bob George Ignition: Bowmar Magneto Displacement: 93 cubic inches Pistons: S&S Heads: Highly Modified H-D Carb: S&S Cam: Lienweber Air Cleaner: Velocity Stack Exhaust: Bennett’s Performance Primary: Primo and Barnett TRANSMISSION Year: 1977 Make: H-D Shifting: 4-Speed Hand FRAME Year: 1977 Model: H-D Rake: Stock Stretch: Nope, Single Loop Mod Forks Builder: Cerriani/MMK Type: 32mm Glide Triple Trees: Cerriani Extension: None WHEELS Front Wheel: Borrani Rim Size: 21” Tire: Firestone Front Brake: None Rear Wheel: Borrani Rim Size: 18” Tire: M&H Rear Brake: Juice PAINT Painter: “Bondo” Color: Red, White and Blue Type: Acrylic Lacquer Graphics: Bondo Chroming: Romero Polishing ACCESSORIES Bars: Flanders Risers: Built in Hand Controls: Nissan Foot Controls: Bennett’s Performance Gas Tank(s): Lowbrow Oil Tank: Bennett’s Performance Front fender: None Rear Fender: Lowbrow Seat: Saddlemen Headlight: Ebay Tail light: Afterhours Choppers Speedo: None Photographer: Michael Lichter
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bike, but something exciting, hot rod and historic. “First bike I ever built without rebuilding the engine first,” Eric added. He made it to Tennessee, to the Roland Sands Motobeach event, David Mann Chopperfest, IMS in Long Beach and Chicago, the Seal Beach Vintage Car show
and Born Free. He scored major awards at each show. Not even the evils of drink could stop Eric during this project. He can always find a new girlfriend, but you can’t find another engine like this one.
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Article And Photos By: Twila Knight
a
s I sit here at my desk, the only light in the room is my screen, alone in the wee hours of yet another rainy morning, I find myself trying to come up with an original story to write about Chopperfest. It seems that every year, I have a similar thing to say, or another person to interview for a new perspective. No one is awake for an interview, so I guess this one is all me. I can’t even say how many years in a row we have been to Chopperfest. It is usually my husband, me, and a ragtag group of friends. We hop on bikes in the early morning and head west. Some years that ride has been smooth as silk, on others my husband cracks his helmet from throwing it on the ground in frustration at
something going wrong along the way. Yet, as fate would allow, we always cross those gates. This year though, life has
been different for my family and me. There have been so many changes I couldn’t even say.
That would be an article unto itself. But what it boils down to, is this year, we hopped in my ‘ol Chevy Suburban and loaded up our 3 kiddos. We always take them to other shows, but since we usually enjoy the ride to Ventura, we have kept this one just to ourselves. There are only 2 of us, but there are 3 children, and since we don’t have a sidecar, and none of them ride a bike yet, we had a pretty good excuse to ditch them. But this year, a little family time was much needed. We are all pretty close, well as close as parents can be with teenagers at least, so we normally have a pretty good time together. Watching the show unfold in front of my kids eyes for the first time was pretty fun. It reminded me of the bare bones of the
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event itself; the art, the love of the industry, the gathering of family and friends to support one another. As we started out our day, our first stop was the David Mann Custom Culture art show in Anacapa Hall. It’s one of my favorite parts of the show. I don’t know if I like meandering to view other’s art, as much as I do daydreaming of making my own. Everything in the show inspires me. It’s a curse really. So, as we strolled through the aisles of art, I photographed, and I could hear my kiddos commenting and calling one another over to view something they found fascinating. The skill of the artists astounds us all. Every now and then I would hear a noise that let me know whatever I was about to descend upon inevitably had naked females. It would be an instant “oooohhhh” the kind that starts low and ends a little higher pitched, almost as if were a question. I can only guess because to them, it’s a little questionable, well,hopefully haha. We would all get a laugh out of the reactions when it snuck up on them. We ran into a friend or two, or an artist we have met from past events, it’s an excellent calm way to start the morning. For me, the next step is always the vendors.Typically, there is booth after booth of vendors that are friends, vendors we have gotten to know, or friends among them. This year it seemed those were a little fewer amongst the pack. Maybe it is because of the slowdown in the circuit that has happened for us the last year or two. Of course, there were still some vendors we know and love. As we head up the aisle, it usually consists of peeking around corners saying hey, and just taking it all in. This year, we seemed to drop in numbers by one or two as the kids headed off into one of the booths. The girls were always scouring the clothes and accessories booths, the boy seemed to hit every leather and knife booth in the bunch. They have good taste, what can I say, we raised them right. Even our daughter picked out a little knife of her own. I’m not saying it is going to be very useful in say, a camping situation, but hey, a sharp object is never a bad accessory in my book. So many vendors, I should start remembering to write them down for, I don’t know, maybe an
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article? Of course, there is your usual suspects, Helmet Division, Duane and Lisa Ballard with their side by side setups for his amazing leather and of course the one and only Chop Cult for Lisa. Always the grass group selling parts and bikes, Speed Merchant, Kiwi Indian, and Paughco were set up surrounding the place. And, of course…. Beer. But alas, I have come to the bikes. Row after row of bikes, new, old, shiny, not-so-shiny… Ones that were even labeled “expensive trash” as they decked out some scooters for our viewing pleasure. It never fails, there is always a few that my camera cannot stay away from. I duck down to get just the right shot and then wait as the passers-by clear just enough room to catch it. It is a waiting game, and I don’t mind in the least. Everyone that sees me ducks and runs then apologizes for their friend that strolled on by. This doesn’t bother me a bit, at these events, it’s part of the game, sort of the fun part of the challenge. It makes my shot better if I can sneak it in there with no legs, or others in the same pose with a cell phone creating their own shot. But
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the best part this year? Watching the kids react to the bikes. They have been to numerous shows with us, but Chopperfest is always a different soul. I can’t describe it. But they all found multiple bikes they hope to mimic someday. Even the youngest, who isn’t precisely the bike type, found a cute little sidecar she wouldn’t mind rolling around in. Finally, the time comes to settle into the bleachers for the big band at the end, this time it was “The Midnight Rider Band,” and I have to say, they did NOT disappoint. Neither did the people watching that occurred???. Once the dancing came to an end as the music stopped, the awards began. I always try to find a new perspective to shoot from. The hustle by the stage is fun, but, to me, being on the stage and being under the stage are two very different things. And personally, shooting up someone’s nose isn’t their best look. This year I opted to stay put. I threw on my big lens and sat with my family up in the bleachers. Not a terrible way to finish out the show in my book. As I handed the phone to my husband to feverishly keep notes of the happenings up on stage, I shot away. The winners had some new faces and some regulars. Talent is never far from that stage. Sugar Bear and Mondo were the first ones up on stage, followed by builder after builder graciously accepting their awards. Dalton Walker took Chopper Class for his 1950 Pan, Johnny Branch took Radical Design, Mondo snagged the Sportster class, of course Anthony Robinson nailed the British Class. Lisa Montagna won the Ladies Show class with her FXRS-SP. And let us not forget the Best of Show award that Eric Bennett walked away with thanks to his talent on his build of “The Jammer.” There were so many more awards and so many great bikes. I can’t wait to see what next year brings. Maybe we won’t have the kiddos, and we can hit the Tavern yet again for the pre-party. Only time will tell. Until then, ride ‘em like you stole ‘em, but be safe out there, those cages are nucking futs around us “biker” types. Until Next Year guys.
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i
first saw this bike in Sturgis this year at the Cycle Source Ride in Bike Show. I, like most people did a double-take because I thought I was seeing things! I mean c’mon are the heads really reversed? No, wait everything is reversed! Well, if you’ve been following the work of Hawke Lawshe of Vintage Technologies, you’d understand how this bike became such a wild machine. Hawke was born and raised in Kalispell, Montana, which is not what most people would consider a chopper hotbed, but he was raised
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in the Harley lifestyle at the tail end of the AMF era. Most of his early memories were cleaning all of his Dad’s buddies’ bikes, which were mostly Shovelheads. His dad was a recreational builder in the early 70’s and always kept his personal Panhead roller in the barn while the engine and transmission slept nicely at the foot of his bed. Hawke has some great memories of sitting on the roller and making engine noises as a kid and dreaming of the day when he would feel that chopper glory! Unfortunately, his Dad passed in 1993 and that
Panhead, the Godfather, was willed to him in pieces. The rest, as they say, is history. He said he sleeps and breathes Harley-Davidson motorcycles. And after 27 years in the game he doesn’t see an end in sight! He now runs a small shop called in his hometown doing pretty much everything the local dealership can’t and won’t do. Lawshe truly enjoys keeping these old 2-wheel tractors on the road and running well. This Sportster started out like most choppers, which means it started out as a 1981 that was
Article By: Roadside Marty Photos By: Missi Shoemaker
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bone stock when it arrived at Vintage Technologies in the spring of 2016. Initially, the customer’s vision was a relatively straight forward list of chopper upgrades that included hardtailing the frame, a long, twisted springer front end and a set of Invader mag wheels with a “white with gold flames” paint job. The build started, and parts were ordered including the wheels, but they ended up being on backorder for 11 months. This was a significant delay, and a chance was presented to enter the People’s Champ 5 contest at Born Free 9. So, after some short negotiations the original designs took a different turn. Fortunately, all Todd and Terri Anderson insisted on was the color and “lots of 70’s twisted stuff”. Hawke reached out to his righthand men, Gayden Mansir, and Justin Anderson, for their help and ideas. Before the end of the second day the trans case was severed from the engine and the original parts that were ordered were immediately sold off as the entire bike would be redesigned into what you see now. After the close of the first week of design it was decided to try to pull off the seldom seen old trick of reversing the top end of the engine. After that decision was made, the whole “dyslexic” theme went into overdrive. The headlight is a repurposed Panhead taillight with a trick lens from Mason at PSYCORESIN, while the taillight is actually a small “headlight” with a red LED from the guy’s at Prism Supply. Along those lines the kickstand was mounted on the right side, the
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pipes are inverted fishtails on the left side. The sprocket and rotor are offset to the inside, and the intake is a one-off lefty. The generator is mounted upside down, and the gold leaf flame job just had to be run backward. In case you’re wondering about the brass symbol on the tip of the sissy bar is the universal symbol for “dyslexia.” Everything on the bike was made in house, and if not, it was sourced specifically as “oneoff” pieces by some of the best in the
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DYSLEXIA TECH SHEET Owner: The Anderson Family City/State: Kalispell ,Montana Builder:Hawke Lawshe’ Year: 1981 Model: XLS Value: Too Much Time: 1800 Hrs ENGINE Year: 1981 Model: XL Ironhead Builder: Hawke Ignition: Points Displacement: 1000 cc Pistons: Stock Heads: Reworked & Spun Carb: SU Cam: 4 Of Em Air Cleaner: Nope Exhaust: Inverted Fishtails Primary: Open Belt TRANSMISSION Year: 1968 Make: 4 Speed Shifting: Ratchet Lid FRAME Year: ‘81 Neck Model: Curvy Shortster Rigid Rake: Just Enuff Stretch: Plenty Forks Builder: Paughco Type: Twisty Springer Triple Trees: Cro’s Nest Extension: +21” WHEELS Front Wheel: Invader Size: 19” Tire: Speedmaster Front Brake: Never Rear Wheel: Invader Size: 16” Tire: Shinko Rear Brake: Hurst/Airheart PAINT Painter: Hawke Lawshe Color: Cadillac Pearl White Type: NAPA Baby Graphics: Reverse Flames/Gold Leaf Chroming: DIP ACCESSORIES Bars: Curvy Rabbits Risers: Cro’s Nest Hand Controls: Internal Throttle Foot Controls: Pegbrake / Rocker Clutch Gas Tank(s): Molded/Hawke Oil Tank: Molded/Hawke Front fender: Never Rear Fender: Molded Manta/Hawke Seat: Loose Ends Upholstery Headlight: ‘58 Guide Taillight/Psycoresin Tail light: Prism One-Off Speedo: None Photographer: Missi shoemaker
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business. This chopper utilizes very few actual “part numbers.” While Dyslexia didn’t win the People’s Champ 5 competition, it did walk away with the best Sportster award at Born Free 9 and definitely landed on the radar of a lot of people. A few months later she went on to win Best Sportster and Best in Show at The Rat’s Hole show in Sturgis 2017, which landed her a full-ride trip to the
“Swiss-Moto” show in Zurich Switzerland. The original owners of this bike are the parents of a good brother and recently brought the bike from North Dakota back to Montana for pictures at his wedding where it was ultimately left for him as a pretty fitting “wedding gift”!! Now it lives back in Montana and will be put into service as a fun rider for its new owner, Justin Anderson!! We look forward to the next build from Vintage Technologies!
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he un-incorporated town of Grant, CO sits quietly at the intersection of US Highway 285 and Guanella Pass Road, about 40 miles southwest of Denver. With a small post office, a tiny motel, one restaurant, a BBQ stand, and a small campground, cars whiz by day-in and dayout with nary a glance. Yet one weekend a year, for the past four years, the population of un-incorporated Grant swells from about 150 inhabitants to well over 300. That’s the one weekend the Marinara Mountain Run comes to town. The Marinara Mountain Run is the brainchild of Charlie Weisel and Kayla Koeune, and its origination is worthy of a brief divergence. Back in 2015, Charlie and Kayla got the wild idea to ship their choppers across the Atlantic Ocean and spend a few months riding throughout Europe. When those two put something on a bucket list, you can be damn well sure it’s going to get checked off. Before setting across the pond and being the social creatures they are, Charlie and Kayla had already established some solid relationships with like-minded chopper-heads, and it flowed from there like a rigid on a twisty road. While in Florence, Italy, and in need of some
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mechanical assistance, Charlie called upon the Mekka of Choppers crew (long bike builders like himself) for some aid. They, in turn, introduced Charlie and Kayla to the Gas Station Disciples (cause that’s how chopper folk operate, making intros and friendships one oil-coated skinned knuckle at a time) and upon completion of said repairs, they all headed into the country-side for a chopper campout hosted by the Road Crew Party. And in the midst of the revelry, beers, biker games and whatnot, a dinner bell was rung and precisely at 9PM everyone in attendance sat together for a simple pasta dinner, wine, and conversation. And when I say everyone, I mean everyone. And thus, with the help of fellow chopperheads and longstanding tradition, the inspiration for the Marinara Mountain Run was born. The first run here in the States happened later that same year. With the exception of the year when Charlie and Kayla got hitched the run has returned to Al’s Campground in Grant, CO annually. It is a celebration of the coming together of like-minded folk that feels somewhat lost in today’s world. And organically it has grown, year after year. Those who attend spread the gospel of the run like something out of the book of revelations. Al’s Campground and the town of Grant, while
Article By: Steven Elmes Photos By: Troy Bensinger
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somewhat un-assuming, are f*****g magical and Charlie and Kayla knew this as soon as they set their eyes upon it. Sitting at 8600’ of elevation, the campground is long and narrow, grass-covered, shaded by old-growth trees. A river runs down the middle of it providing cool air throughout the day and soothing sounds throughout the night. Fish if you like, you’ll probably catch something. Fire pits are scattered about, a rickety old shed serves cold beer as late as you need it, and the surrounding terrain is a biker’s paradise. Now Al might fire off a few rounds in the middle of the night to scare away a bear rummaging in his garbage, and if you get their late your tent might end up on gravel or in the middle of the horseshoe pit, but it’s a chopper gathering, and shit happens, so you’ll roll with it, and in the end it will only add to the tale you’ll tell (trust me on that one). As one vagabond rider said “I’m renewed in faith that the biker life of old still exists and will continue long after I’m gone. I fit right in. I finally found a bunch of like-minded bikers. People from everywhere on the planet, not one attitude, and even some full-time travelers like myself.” The ride into MMR is pretty damn magical from almost any direction, and if a bike is at the MMR, it’s because it was ridden there. From near and far, they come. The bikes are all choppers of sorts, no show bikes, barely a stocker to be found. And you couldn’t categorize them all if you tried. They are as unique and individualized as those who ride them. There are many low budget bikes, some with faded fancy paint scarred by a life of riding, rust n dents are all around. Fixed it on the road and why fix what ain’t broke? You’ll see plenty of those at the MMR. What you won’t see at the MMR… trailers, cars, RVs (minus the few broken-down ones Al swears he’s gonna fix up), rows of vendors and sponsor banners. It’s bikes and tent camping only, wedged into every available corner. There is no fee at gate, donations only. Pay if you can, Charlie and Kayla don’t care. It’s their baby, and they are psyched to have you. Food; bring your own, take a run down the road to the Shaggy Sheep or over the pass to Georgetown, the riding makes it all taste even better. But on Saturday night, you’ll partake in tradition; you’ll take a moment to sit down, break bread, swap stories and eat with 150 or so of your fellow riders.
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Kayla cooks it all; a big Saturday night dinner of sausage, meatballs, pasta, and marinara. No dinner bell yet, but I suspect it’s in the works. Over the weekend there are plenty of rodeo games, same old games, but the skill level is on high, and if you are feeling competitive you best bring your “A” game. Slow bike, twoup weenie dangle, motor-oil covered plank riding, ring toss, folks are init-to-win-it, and it’s as much fun to spectate and heckle as it is to ride. If you ride, you’re going to get dirty, the likelihood of breaking shit is real, and so is the possibility of a bunch of folks you just met 24 hours earlier pitching in to get you fixed up and back on the road right quick. Each night the fire pits, one-by-one, spring to life and the night air becomes filled with laughter and exaggerations, old friends reconnecting and new friendships being made. In the center of it all sits a humble wooden stump and possibly one of the most emasculating games one might every play: Hammerschlagen. Drive a nail into the stump with a hammer. A dollar to play. Winner takes all. Sounds simple enough. It isn’t. Round after round dreams are shattered, egos broken
and a winner will emerge…most likely they will stay, bolstered by their accomplishments, only to lose their newfound winnings before the night is over. The nights are late, but not loud; Folks finding more enjoyment in
spirited conversation than burnouts and bands. Come Sunday, the un-incorporated town of Grant begins to return to normal, as bikes start firing up at the crack of dawn for the ride home. For some, it’s a quick meandering ride back to the front range, for other riders they are staring down a couple days before their journey ends, and for a few vagabonds it’s back to the road the wind or weather or an old friend long forgotten telling them which way feels right. And before they roll; High-fives, pats on the back, numbers exchanged, hugs, and well wishes until paths cross again. If a weekend in the scenic mountains of Colorado with an abundance of choppers, tent camping, great people, no attitudes, fantastic food, laughter, conversations, old friends and new ones sounds like a hell of a way to spend some of your time, then come on out and check out the Marinara Mountain Run. There’s always room for one more at the dinner table.
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his story and feature dates back to 2013 when George, from Chaos Cycle, told me to check out this dude from Jersey and his very cool Yamaha XS650 at the NYC IMS show. Who would have thought that 7 years later Evan Favaro, of Speakeasy Motors would become an admired friend and one of the best custom builders I have yet to meet. Not to mention he took the first of a now long list of awards for Street Modified that year to boot! For those of you living under rocks let me give you the rundown on Mr. Speakeasy. When I first met
Article And Photos By: Mark Velazquez
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Evan, he was a Jersey boy with a shop in Paramus. That is where I first shot the bike you see before you, the “Butler 650”, now a 650 bored out to 750cc. Funny thing about this ride, I must have shot this bike a half a dozen times, and I am happy to say it is finally getting it’s due here in the pages of Cycle Source. Long overdue but well worth the wait. This is the bike that opened all the doors for Evan to walk through and when he did he never looked back. As far as the Butler 650 goes, it was his first true show build. He picked it up, a basket case like most
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new builders do for just $350! Low on funds at the age of 19 the bike became a side project which took several years. But when she was done, she was done. Now let it be known that Evan has blown this bike up several times but with each return the Butler 650 has only come back that much stronger and that much better. Luckily, after all these years, the bike has stayed in the family and resides with Evan’s stepfather, Steven, who claims he will never let her go. The bike is one to be admired. Evan takes great pride in being what he calls a “metal shaper.” Learning this craft from the legend himself Fay Butler, Favaro shows an old soul style with a modern twist. The handmade café tail section with molded taillight was the beginning of things to come. Simplistic perfection is the secret behind this build. The engineering on this bike is hidden and only seen by those who know what to look for. This bike, of all the bikes Evan has built, is by far my favorite. When I look at it, I see the reason why Evan has become the man and the builder that he is today. He has built over 100 bikes while working at OCC, bikes for the
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likes of Shaquille O’Neil, parted with his personal daily rider to the one and only Pink, worked with buddies Carey Hart and Jake from Barnstorm Cycles on an All-Star Indian build, and put together a timeless piece of art on two wheels and named it after his grandmother Ethel. This my friends is just the tip of the iceberg. The list is far too long and shows no signs of letting up. With the love and support of his new wife Jaclyn, and truly a great family (I love his mom!) this ride has just begun! I know this story was supposed to be a tale of a feature bike, so feel free to throw your stones now, and if you do you, then you don’t understand why some are blessed to build. The real feature in this story is the man behind the bike. After all is said and done Evan has evolved into one of the world’s true craftsman’s in his trade. Never forgetting his roots and those along the way. You can
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BUTLER 650 TECH SHEET Owner: Steve Omstead City/State: Wallkill, NY Fab. By: Evan Favaro Year: 1978 Model: Yamaha XS650 Value: A Little Time: A Lot Engine Year: 1978 Model: XS650 Bored To 750cc Builder: Evan Favaro Ignition: Electronic Mixes XS Displacement: 750CC Pistons: Wiseco Heads: Stock Carb: Stock Jetted Cam: Mixes XsS Air Cleaner: Uni Exhaust: Handmade Primary: Transmission Year: 1978 Make:Yamaha XS650 Shifting: Standard Frame Year: 1978 Make: Yamaha XS650 Rake: Stock Stretch: Stock Forks Type: 06 GSXR 750 Builder: Extension: Triple Trees: 06 GSXR750 Modified Wheels, Tires, Brakes Front Wheel: Stock Size: Front Tire: Front Brake: Tokico Dual Disc Rear Wheel: Stock Size: Rear Tire: Rear Brake: Stock Painting Painter: Bert Graphix Color: Custom Candy Red Type: Graphics: Bert Graphix Molding: Chroming: Accessories Bars: Clip Ons Risers: Hand Fuel Tanks: Front Fender: Rear Fender: Handmade Cafe Tail Section Seat: Foot Controls: Stock Mirror: Oil Tank: Headlight: Sportster Taillight: Molded Tail Light Speedo: photographer: Mark Velazquez
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find him anywhere the rest of us roam. Be it the stage of Grease & Gears Garage, TV, Main Street Daytona, or yes the local bike night, this dude remains grounded and genuine in his beliefs, even if they’re not yours. Always packing a smile and loving every minute of doing what he does best, which is create. So enjoy the view and remember there is a beginning to everything. And for Evan I am sure the best is yet to come!
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a
customer of ours here at Faith Forgotten Choppers brought his engine in for a rebuild and decided to do some performance upgrades while we had it torn apart. He chose to have the S&S 585G cams installed. When making these changes, this is where you will start running into clearance issues between the case and cam lobes. In this case, we had to relieve the boss around the flywheel area for clearance. Some choose to use a handheld Dremel or die grinder to remove the case material. However, Zippers Performance makes an excellent tool that removes the material, it’s like a boring bar in a mill. This leave a very professional appearance and guarantees to remove the appropriate amount of material for cam clearance. Not all the cases will have to be relieved, it depends on the case (casting differences) and the manufacturer of the cams themselves. I usually check this when installing cams with a .580”
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Article By: Corey Barnum Photos By: Gandalf The Grey lift or greater. In this article I’m going to go through the process of relieving the crankcase for high lift cams.
When cutting the case for high lift cams there are numerous cutting tools available. My preference is the Zipper’s Performance Twin Cam Relief Tool #713-905/6.
The first thing to do is to check the cutting depth of the tool. As you can see in the picture, I have ours set up to 1.560”. This will give you enough clearance to run a cam with a lift up to .660”.
After making sure the tool is set up correctly, tape off all the bearings and oil passages that run the risk of getting metal shavings in them.
I prefer to have at least a .030” clearance between the cam lobe and the crankcase. This cam didn’t have enough space
between it and the case. When checking for fitment issues, be sure to check the boss around the flywheel bearing along with the area around your tappets for
clearance issues. Before installing the tool on the case, make sure to install the supplied washer
onto the shaft of the cutting tool. Using the supplied ¼-20
bolts go ahead and mount the tool to the crankcase. A drill will go on the other end to start the cutting process. The faster the RPMS are on the drill the cleaner the cut will look.
Zipper’s recommends one with 3000 or more RPMS. As you can see, pieces of metal are going to go everywhere, hence the
taping of bearings and passages. Repeat the process for the other cam. After doing both cams and a quick clean in the parts washer, take a
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look at how clean and smooth they are. This is an example of the same job that was completed using a die grinder (NOTE: This was not done
at FFC). As you can see the cut is tapered and not as clean looking. With both cam areas relieved using
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the same .030” feeler gauge we now have plenty of clearance between the case and the cam lobes. We often speak about form following function, and although simply grinding out material by hand can allow the cam the proper clearance necessary, it is always better to strive for a professional finish, even on a part that can never be seen. As a
professional shop, we feel it is simply mandatory to purchase high quality tools from a company like Zipper’s in order to provide our customers with the very best job possible. Pride and quality need to remain the calling card for American Blue Collar trade work.
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one man’s opinion Bike Shows Are Stupid... Article By:Patrick Garvin
A
s long as I’ve been around motorcycles (mainly the cruiser industry), there have been motorcycle shows. You can’t swing a dead cat anywhere across this country without hitting a bike show. Every local bike night has them all the way up to the high profile invited builder shows that draw people from all over the country. And from day one of seeing my first bike show, I didn’t get it. I just don’t understand the point, judging is subjective: what I like may not be what someone else likes. So how is it even remotely possible
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to “judge” a bike show. A builder builds a bike to their vision, and 3
or 4 random dudes are supposed to pass judgment on whether or not the machine measures up some
standard that isn’t defined. And even if the standard is defined, who gives a shit? If your building a bike you should be building it into something you like, not for Instagram likes, or a 5’ plastic trophy. And don’t even get me started on if these rolling art projects actually run or not. Can we all agree that whatever you enter into a motorcycle show should actually be a motorcycle? 30 miles, you have to be able to ride that bastard at least 30 miles for it to be considered a motorcycle. These wall hanger “bikes” aren’t really motorbikes. The base idea of a motorcycle is that you can go for
a ride, and if your entry fails to be able to be ridden you don’t have a motorcycle, you have a paperweight. I can appreciate the skills and talents it takes to build motors, fabricate parts, shape metal and paint bikes and still not like the bike. I tend to have a purpose in mind with building a motorcycle... generally that purpose is riding it somewhere… Maybe there’s a hidden purpose though. The purpose of spreading the gospel of motorcycles to the world via good ole fashion cool shit. And for that reason alone I could get behind the idea of a motorcycle show. But not a typical judged show, because you shouldn’t really give a rat’s ass what someone else thinks about your bike. I like the idea behind shows like Mama Tried or Michael Licherts show at The Chip or the general vibe of the Sportster Showdown at Camp Zero. They are more of a curated exhibition of badass builds and just as importantly a good hang. There are no
judgments being levied or places being handed out. It’s just… here are some really cool machines
The show should be about the appreciation of the medium and the builder’s vision that hopefully inspires a kid to pick up a ratchet and a hacksaw and go cut up a KZ900 or an Ironhead Sportster instead of scroll the internet for likes. No one should look at a bike show and come away thinking - man I wanna win that show… I mean I REALLY need the acceptance, validation, and judgment from some crotchety duffer with a chip on his shoulder and closeted inferiority complex about his lack of welding ability. I want people to see rad bikes at a show and go home inspired to build whatever their heart desires. Build a de-raked Shovelhead stoker or a Rotax powered trike with a Ninja Turtle paint job, let your freak flag fly, lemme see that creativity. You do you boo.
built by talented people who are passionate about motorcycles.
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h
ere’s one last old road tale before I return us to the present day. I was younger, wilder, and far more reckless back then… South Carolina lay behind me as the old Electra Glide continued north along a tiny back road. Separated by only the thick green forest that line these eastern highways, small towns came and went as warm sunshine rained down upon my shoulders. Colors passed in a kaleidoscope of motion as the engine’s drone kept constant mantra from below. A deep calmness settled down. It’s been said that God lives only in the moment. If this is true then many a motorcyclist has visited him there. The engine’s sputter momentarily interrupted my trance. Immediately it caught again and continued as if nothing had happened. I glanced down. The Electra Glide was 19-years old, had 363,000 miles on it, was 153,000 miles into its second engine, and had been running like shit since last fall. It was now mid-May. Even as I’d recently whiled away the coldest winter months on the tropical beaches of southern
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Article By: Scooter Tramp Scotty Mexico, the bike would not start on occasion, ran rough always and, at times, refused to fire on more than one cylinder. It was getting old. But hope of a solution lay just ahead. The opportunity had presented itself in South Carolina only one week earlier… Years ago, an old drifter had taught me the game of working for motorcycle rally vendors. It’s an honest job that allows one to simply come off the road, work like a dog for a week or so, grab his pay and move on. In time, I’d learned to give up leather and t-shirt vending outfits in favor of the more lucrative mobile motorcycle mechanics shops that also permeate these rallies. Just a few days ago the Myrtle Beach Rally had ended. It was at this rally that I’d taken employment with a ‘newto-me’ outfit. I worked one lift of five and had put in a hard week spinning wrenches on customer machines. During the week I’d established a good rapport with the boss and at show’s end had asked if he’d mind my visiting his Harley shop in Huntersville, North Carolina, so I could work on my own bike for a while. He’d welcomed me. So that is where I was headed.
Eventually Huntersville came into view. There was heavy traffic, obviously, the growing city of Charlotte was now encroaching on its suburbs. Easy Eddie’s HD Shop lay just ahead, and I wondered what to expect. Set back from the road, the single-story building’s right side sat against a treeline, while smooth pavement covered its front, left, and what looked like a small lot behind. Fifteen bikes waited near the door while metal tables and chairs set against the building’s face. After parking among the other bikes, I ambled inside and in short order had taken the grand tour of this unusual shop. Part of the building had been sectioned off to serve as a bar with pool table, booths, jukebox, and even a stage. The building’s second, and slightly larger, section was a showroom that offered tee-shirts, helmets, chrome goodies, etc… In the rear was the parts counter. Beyond that, the mechanic’s bay was filled with lifts, tools, bikes, and some of the mechanics I’d recently worked with at Myrtle. Upon my arrival there, a bullshit session quickly ensued. Eventually, I wandered out back in search of a place to set in camp. It would
not be the first time I’d lived in such fashion when some friendly shop owner had allowed me the use of his facility. Back there, and atop good pavement surrounded by thick forest that provided perfect privacy, sat Eddie’s 40-foot motor home. Against the building’s rear wall was an awning that sheltered one air-compressor and a rack of used tires. I’d make camp there. Eddie soon showed up with his wife Julie in tow. He was just as I’d remembered: tall, thin, basketball belly, tattoos, long black hair with a goatee speckled with gray, funky speech, and a rather eccentric lover of good times. Beside him, slightly deviate and just as fun-loving as he, Julie radiated a warm and friendly air. Although obviously busy people, both had taken time to come welcome me. When I asked if a camp would be okay, they insisted I use the large motor home instead. I settled in. It was Friday. The shop—but not the bar—would be closed Sunday and Monday leaving no access to tools. Fine. For the next three days I’d simply relax and settle in around the area. The repair job would begin Tuesday morning. The nearby city of Charlotte offered plenty to explore, and Eddie’s bar was never empty. Times were new and interesting. I reveled in the adventure of it all. The next day was Memorial Day, and in celebration, Eddie’s bar had booked a band. My coworkers from Myrtle were all there. Most were young men, and their demented comedy reigned supreme. The mood was pure nuts, and in the middle of it all a balding, middleaged, fat guy brazenly climbed onto the bar. He danced, shook (or jiggled), and rubbed seductively against the metal stripper pole. Grinning women began stuffing dolor bills into his shorts. I almost pissed myself laughing. Sleep came late that night. It was almost noon as I stepped out of the motor home, rounded the bar, and found Eddie’s daughter running an industrial-sized grill that served free dogs and burgers. The lot was already packed, and motorcycles were everywhere. To most I was a stranger, but to the staff and bosses my unique lifestyle had presented an interesting anomaly. Much talk and many questions were directed my way. The afternoon passed in a blur of color and fun. Boberry was already working on a bike when I arrived at the shop on Tuesday morning. Ken had the next lift over. Both were factory-certified techs.
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They offered me use of any tool in the shop. After wheeling my ailing bagger inside, Boberry said to grab the far lift. The work began. I pulled the seat, tank and air filter. Inspection of the carburetor revealed a hole knocked clean through its plastic cap. Upon disassembly, I found the mid-jet completely clogged and most moving parts extremely worn. At the age of 25, Eric’s testosterone-soaked mind had already cost him one leg (knee down) to a motorcycle accident, and still he rode like a maniac. Being Eddie’s parts person and right-hand man, Eric brought me a handful of old carburetor bodies from which I built one carb into immaculate condition. With my engine now exposed, and suspecting its issues ran deeper, I decided to pull the heads. The real problem revealed itself then, and I was shocked. A bent valve! And the motor had been running like this for almost six months. But the valve’s guide and seat were fine. “Hey Ken,” I said, “have you got a good used exhaust-valve lying around?” He produced one. I slid it into the guide. A warn guide is always evident to the feel of one’s hand, and this one seemed a good fit. It would do. After re-lapping all the valves by hand, I installed new guide-seals and reassembled the engine. However, I’m not a real mechanic. What ability I’ve attained is only the result of a lifetime spent repairing my own bikes. Therefore, what another might do in a day could often drag into three for me. Days passed. Easy Eddie’s maintained very few rules and customers were free to roam into the mechanic’s bay if they pleased. Many did, and since I’d become almost a fixture in this place, some great friendships were gained. With the engine reassembled, I hit the starter button, and she fired immediately. I could not remember the bike ever having run so well. My total cost for gaskets and such was $190. For some, the significance of a drifter’s bike may have little impact. But for those who spend their days riding the endless landscapes, and nights sleeping upon the land of their choosing, it’s easy to understand the role one’s steed plays in his life. For, in a world where a man’s life revolves almost entirely around a motorcycle when that machine is down, his entire world comes to a screeching stop. An old drifter once said to me, “I’d rather be broke with a good running bike than
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broke-down with money in my pocket.” Both Eddie and Julie put almost as much effort into play as work, and their next event would be the Double-DeckerTitty-Bar-Run. The late afternoon air
was warm as an unusually large crowd milled around the bar and parking lot. Their half-lit antics were loud as
laughter melded with the sound of drag pipes. Many watched as Eric, the peg-legged burn-out king, smoked yet another tire against Eddie’s pavement. I was getting used to it. An ancient, two-story bus with open-aired top-deck pulled onto the lot and I gaped with amusement. People piled aboard until the thing was packed with staggering, laughing, bikers hanging from the top rails and yelling through bottom windows. I climbed aboard. (Those with no intention of getting pickled this night mounted their bikes. ???) The bus driver cranked heavy metal tunes through the vehicle’s super stereo, aimed his load of half-lit (drinking’s legal aboard this rented bus) nut ward escapees at the highway, and hit the gas. Motorcycles surrounded him. Then, spurred on by the extremely extraverted Sheila, the girls began a crazy show of slutty, bad-girl, striptease, antics. This entire spectacle was soon cruising the crowded city-streets of Charlotte. Some of the girls, Eddie’s wife included, flashed innocent bystanders on the street below. Eventually, we pulled into the first titty-bar we came across. All the strip bars we visited that night had been pre-advised of our arrival, and everyone enjoyed the VIP treatment. Sheila, of course, took the pole to upstage the regular girls. Later, the entire party returned to Easy Eddie’s where a barbecue waited in the industrial-sized parking lot grill. It was 2am when I finally fell into bed. For business reasons, Eddie’s shop was going to move to a temporary warehouse before taking permanent residence in the new location. Evidence of this became apparent as things began to disappear around me. Piece by piece the entire shop was going away. ANDDD…It was time for me to go too. After goodbyes, I again lit out across North Carolina. The bike ran like a Swiss watch now, and my pocket jingled with change. Freedom…I’d earned its familiar taste and again the time had come to enjoy the fruits of my labor. Ahead lay the Smoky Mountains where old friends required visiting. Next would be the Sturgis Rally. After that…? … who cares. Authors note: This adventure took place long ago. Eddie is now retired, and his shop no longer exists.
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Imagine if the guys you grew up with in High School were your friends again later in life. If you still had much of the same things in common after years of raising kids and going in different directions, yet somehow finding your way back to the start. That’s the story of Mike Swafford, the owner of this hot shit little Shovel, and his friend Ron who owns a little company called Paughco. Mike first met Ron in ’61 when he graduated High School. Ron and some of his buddies were looking for a place to play hooky, and since Mike’s house was only two blocks from the school, it was a perfect fit. At the time, Ron
and another of his buddies were already riding Knuckleheads, but Mike wasn’t yet sold on the motorcycle thing. Around ’65 Mike was drafted into the Air Force, Ron’s brother into the Marines but Ron had just married and got to sit the Vietnam War out stateside. Mike went into Pararescue for the Air Force and did year and a half tour that based him out of Tripoli in Africa. By the time his advanced training was finished he narrowly missed going to Nam, only one of two from his class that didn’t. In our conversation, Mike went on to tell me that one of his classmates is the subject of a movie coming out soon, a pararescue soldier that
received the congressional medal of honor, posthumously. He got out of the military in ’69 and found his way back to old friends and old stomping grounds. Of course, by this time Ron had just started the motorcycle side of his family’s machine shop, and things were moving fast. Mike mentioned his desire to build a ’23 T-Bucket Roadster to which Ron promptly explained that he didn’t want to do that, he wanted a motorcycle so he could ride with the rest of the guys. Paugh had just scored a bunch of the old LA Police bikes and helped Mike into his first ’60 Panhead. It was only $500 bucks, and the irony was that at this same time
Article And Photos By:Chris Callen
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Mike started working on the Police Force in Burbank, CA. Time goes on, and life gets complicated. Ron had opened his North Hollywood operation about the time Mike started with the force. Years later Ron moved the whole operation back to Carson City and began to raise a family, Mike continued to work for the police, and they just lost touch. It was 1997 when Mike finally retired and moved back to Carson City, and they rekindled their friendship. About five years ago the talk of building another bike came into play. He wanted to build a Panhead from looking at two bikes that were all over the media, one was the Chopper Class Drag Specialties bike, the other, very humbly I say, was my ’49 called “The Ticket.” Again, Paugh came back with an objection, he told Mike what he really wanted was a Shovelhead. You see the Shovel is Ron’s favorite motor and he wanted Mike to have a fun bike when it was all said and done. Now, the best part of this for Mike is that he had the run of Paughco for this build. Who wouldn’t dream of that? Everything from any part to use of the chrome shop, he had the golden ticket. Obviously, they started with Shovelhead motor, fooled around with it and got it up to snuff before going through it
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all and making it the beauty you see before you here. Some of the neat tricks are the BDL Primary, and if you look closely it has an electric start, which BDL doesn’t offer for this year motorcycle. That was thanks to hours and hours from the machine shop making it happen for Mike. Two years later and the build was done, everything on it is exactly as Mike had hoped it would be, right down to the Pararescue emblem on the tank. He says that not too many people know what that is, just like the name, but if you’ve been through jump school then you know that before you get your wings you’re called a straight leg and aren’t allowed to blouse your pant legs. They spot that logo, the few who know, and Mike gets a kick out of the casual comments about it. Ron and Mike still pal around like two kids. Mike even gets out to the occasional show with this
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NO STRAIGHT LEG BLUE TECH SHEET OOwner: Mike Swafford City/State: Carson City, NV Builder: Mike Swafford Year: 2017 Model: Custom Bobber Value: Don’t Ask Time: 2 Years ENGINE Year:1969 Model: Generator Shovel Builder: Mike Swafford Ignition: Stock Points Displacement: 74 cu Pistons: Cast HC Heads: Stock Harley Carb: Keihin CV Cam: Andrews AB Air Cleaner: Paughco Exhaust: Paughco Primary: BDL Belt Drive TRANSMISSION Year: 1969 Make: Stock Harley Shifting: Foot FRAME Year: 2017 Model: Paughco Straight Leg Rake: 30 Degree Stretch: None Forks Builder: Paughco Type: Wide Springer Twisted Triple Trees: Paughco Extension: Paughco WHEELS Front Wheel: Paughco 40 Spoke Size: 21 x 2.15 Tire: Avon Front Brake: OEM Springer Rear Wheel: Paughco 40 Spoke Size: 16 x 3.00 Tire: Avon Rear Brake: PM 4 Piston PAINT Painter: Troy Albertson Color: Candy Blue Type: Special Graphics: Troy Albertson Chroming: Paughco ACCESSORIES Bars: Paughco Risers: Paughco Hand Controls: GMA Foot Controls: Paughco Gas Tank(s): Paughco Oil Tank: Paughco Front fender: Paughco Rear Fender: Paughco Seat: LeRosa Headlight: Paughco Taillight: Lowbrow Speedo: None Photographer: Chris Callen
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bike like in ’17 when he took it to Street Vibrations for Mondo’s show. He proudly took home a 2nd place for modern chopper, but the bike is the real trophy for him. To
Mike, it is the symbol of a good life, a great friend and a passion for things they loved when they were young men together.
Novme-
Article By: Xavier Muriel
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ello out there in motorcycle land. Well, the year is slowly coming to an end, which means for those of you on the east coast the leaves will start to change and the colder winds will start to make their way to you. Bikes will be made ready for the winter and thoughts of the next project will be on the way, all the while looking forward to that first crisp ride of the new year. As I write this I’m overcome with a sense of gratitude for all the incredible events and things I’ve experienced thus far in 2019. It has been, by far, the busiest for me and Providence Cycle Worx, having taken Grace to a multitude of events. Now, I’m not gonna get all my ya ya’s out by telling you all the stuff that she’s won so far this year, because honestly no one gives a shit, probably not even me to be honest. Why, you ask? Well, let me indulge you. In all the travels I’ve done on a tour bus for so many years, there’s a certain sense of accomplishment and pride I’ve come to feel knowing that there isn’t a tour manager, bus
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driver, comfy bunk with a DVD player
but just me my lil ol truck,trailer, and
my motorcycle… that I built in my garage. I know there are some readers, who like my editor in chief and his wife, have logged many more miles than me that it’s become what they’re accustomed to. That’s my point. It’s incredible what you can get used to. Whether it’s a tour bus and all its amenities or the essential bare-bones travel. At times, I feel like I take things for granted, and that’s when life seems to always throw a monkey wrench into my program. A wake-up call, if you will, to remind me that all I have is the here and now. All the road miles have given me ample time to reflect on all those events I spoke of earlier and all the great friends new and old I got to ride, eat, and talk motorcycles with. I’m always reminded of a dear friend telling me “It’s about the Experience Man,’’ and now, all this time later, I’m finally beginning to understand what he was trying to teach me. Daytona, Laconia, Sturgis, South Carolina, North Carolina, Los
Angeles,Tennessee, etc., those are all just places on a map. It’s the people that make the memory. For some, it’s all the drunken debauchery that goes on at those events and the wildness of it all., for others it’s dinners and conversation about what life is to them and how motorcycles play a part in it. Some of the best moments for me were spent sitting around a fire or by a river talking about the good stuff with someone I actually enjoy being around. Being able to hear story after story about the good ol days or learning how to fix something from someone I would have never expected to. Ultimately, the point I’m trying to make is to remember to enjoy those times and memories as much as you can. Because, as we all know, they don’t last forever. Every year it seems we are losing more and more special people and this year is no exception. Many of my Brothers and Sisters walk no more with us, people I’ve spent many many years on the road with, brothers I raced with and friends I’ve
made along the way because we shared a passion for two wheels.
One of the saddest losses this year was that of Jessi Combs, land speed record holder, Baja racer, builder, fabricator, the “Fastest Woman On Four Wheels” and all,around gear head. But that’s just what she did, it didn’t define her as a person. From my first introduction to her, I found her to not be all those things that typical celebrity’s are. Right out of the gate, she was kind, attentive and calming. Jessi made me laugh and feel at ease. To say she has done a lot for the industry would be a understatement. I’m so grateful that I was given just a little time to know her and I’m a better man for it. The world lost a beautiful soul. I take solace in knowing that Jessi’s legacy will continue to do what she did best, inspires others to somehow push themselves to bigger and greater things. I, along with the world, will miss you, my friend. Take the time to make memories for yourself and for others. It’s the only thing we can take with us. Take Care of Yourself and Others. God Bless. X.
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Article By: Tyler Porter Photos By: Savannah Rose
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n the 1859 book “The Tale of Two Cities”, Charles Dickens penned, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” and during the week of the Sturgis Rally AFT flat track races, I think the Estenson Racing team could truly relate to this statement. The best of times? Well that’s easy. JD Beach took his second T.T. win of the year at the Buffalo Chip T.T. in front of a massive crowd and of course, excellent media coverage. The worst of times? Where should I begin? Estenson Premier Twins rider Jake Johnson was the defending race winner of the Buffalo Chip T.T. In 2018 he rode an Estenson backed Indian FTR750 to a win which snapped a long winless streak for the two-time national champion. This year, he once again captured his winning ways of old as he sprinted off to a sizeable lead on the Yamaha
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powered Estenson Racing entry. Jake put in a quick, but also carefully measured ride. He’d later admit that maybe he got a little too comfortable out front, but either way, his machine had other ideas. Jake started in the pole position, which at the Buffalo Chip T.T., puts you in the driver’s seat since the first two turns are incredibly tricky to negotiate in a wild pack of riders. For the next 24 laps, Jake set sail on the Yamaha while JD battled through the pack from the 5th starting spot. A big mistake by Jarod Vanderkooi allowed JD to make the pass in turn two on both Jarod and Bronson Bauman. The only thing that stood in JD’s way now was defending champion Jared Mees. Whether you choose to believe him or not, Jared said that he knew JD was coming on strong, and since JD isn’t a full-time competitor on the AFT series, (his “full time” job is in the Moto America Superbike
class where he races for Attack Yamaha/Estenson Logistics Racing), he let JD go pretty easily to earn as many points as possible since Briar Bauman, the championship points leader was out of the race. As JD closed in on Jake in the remaining laps, all of us in the stands could see the drama unfolding. However, catching a rider is one thing, making a pass on that rider is certainly another. On the last lap, the crowd was roaring. This is what they had come for, last lap drama. In the final turn, with the double checkers waving, Johnson’s machine gave out that one puff of smoke that we all know needs to stay inside the engine. With his hand waving furiously to signal that his machine had lost power, he surrendered the lead to his teammate, JD. For everyone at Estenson racing, it truly was the best of times, and the worst of times. From the podium
JD said that winning due to your teammate’s mechanical failure isn’t how he likes to put marks in the win column. The victory lap was subdued even though Jake coasted over the line to take 2nd place. The podium celebration just had an awkward vibe to it. Back at the truck, it certainly wasn’t the celebration that you would expect. The mood there was honestly like you see when you get a top 5 finish, good, but certainly not great. After the odd feelings that befell the team at the Buffalo Chip, the
races, but when they finished within a couple of spots at so many rounds, to me, it shows that they are at the limits of their current bike set up. The story was no different in Rapid City for Jake and JD on their Yamahas. After finishing 1st and 2nd two days before, the “Blue Man Group” was mired in 9th and 10th, nowhere near where their talent would typically place them. They also qualified 16th and 14th respectively, and started 15th and 14th. As you can see, all day long, they couldn’t get away from
series moved on two days later to the lightning fast half-mile at Black Hills Speedway in nearby Rapid City. One of the advantages of the Estenson Racing Yamaha MT07 platform is that the bike is small. This makes it feel lighter and more nimble than some of the other bikes in the Premier Twins division. However, with a relatively new team and platform, they haven’t truly gotten the bike dialed in perfectly yet. Where do they struggle the most? Grooved, banked, “wheels in line” race tracks. What is Black Hills speedway? All of the above. This team that took 66% of the podium at the national before was aboard the struggle bus all day in Rapid City. In my view of the sport, I believe you can see a team’s bike struggles through their average results as a team .I’ve seen it many times with Factory Harley Davidson as they continue to improve their XG750R platform. Team riders Sammy Halbert and Jarod Vanderkooi have finished near or even alongside each other many times. Both riders are immensely talented and capable of winning
each other. Sources close to the team tell me that testing is ongoing on the chassis set up. I have heard that they could even be testing an all new “cradle” chassis before the 2020 season. At this time, their bikes are what I call a “hanger” chassis, where the motor “hangs” from the frame as a stressed member. Hanger chassis have been proven to work well in many sport bikes, but in flat track, it seems like a cradle chassis always incorporates that magic amount of flex. I hear that the current MT07 platform is much too rigid to work on racetracks where you need to keep your wheels in line and carry maximum momentum through the middle of the corners to fight for the top positions. One thing is certain, the Estenson team has the riding talent, the crew experience, and the funding to make changes. Here’s to hoping they return quickly to the best of times.
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vehicle count was 604,441 for seven days -- Monday through Sunday -- of the Rally in 2000, the 60th anniversary, according to DOT figures. The record attendance, by head count, was an estimated 738,000 in 2015, the 75th anniversary, according to Rally officials. https://www.bikernet. com/pages/story_detail. aspx?id=14495&id=14495 From the Bill Bish NCOM monthly legislative report.-Bandit
Hey, We live in the best of times. We’ve never had more resources, safer environments, healthier lives and yet folks bitch about everything. Maybe it’s too easy, so they need something to bitch about. Ah, but bikers understand the way. We know the freedom to build and ride and we love every minute of it. You don’t realize how strong our message is. Let’s hit the news: News From The ER Front - As you know Easyriders Magazine was shut down with the last issue, and we just received news that the next issue of Tattoo will be the last. Also, direct from the mysterious front comes news that ER events and shows are now canceled. We wonder about the subscribers and what is their fate. Also, there’s a rumor of a quarterly catalog next year, some 300 pages for $25.00. Maybe Subscribers will receive this catalog? Had a mysterious contact with ER Events. They plan to move forward, maybe under a different name. We will keep you posted. -Bandit Sturgis Rally Safest In Five Years Final Sturgis Motorcycle Rally figures indicate a slight decrease in overall attendance, but including a third
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fatality reported on Sunday, traffic deaths were the lowest since 2014 when two motorcyclists died. Four people died in traffic crashes during the Rally last year. Accidents were also down this year, with 52 injury crashes reported, down from 56; 41 non-injury crashes compared with 50 in 2018, according to the state Department of Public Safety. The number of vehicles c o u n t e d entering Sturgis, South Dakota during the 10 days of the 79th annual Sturgis Rally, from Friday, August 2 through Sunday, August 11, was down 1.2% from 505,969 in 2018 to 499,654 this year, according to the state Department of Transportation, which has been counting since 1990. The record
American Choppers Star Paul Teutel, Sr. Announces Launch Of His New Consumer Product Tattseal, Proceeds To Help Injured Veterans - Discovery Channel reality TV star and founder of Orange County Choppers (OCC) Paul Teutel, Sr., a world leader in handcrafted custom motorcycles, announced today the launch of a new, patented tattoo product that is poised to revolutionize an entire industry. Tattseal is a patented natural product that combines bioceuticals designed to reduce pain and inflammation associated with the tattooing process.
I am proud and excited to launch this incredible product. TattSeal has exceeded anything I have ever used for tattoos. What could be better than more tattoos, less pain, and helping veterans? TattSeal is a patented natural product that combines bioceuticals designed to reduce pain and inflammation associated with the tattooing process. In an effort to help raise money for injured veterans, a portion of the TattSeal™ proceeds will go to the Oscar Mike Foundation. TattSeal is a patented natural product that combines bioceuticals designed to reduce pain and inflammation associated with the tattooing process. In an effort to help raise money for injured veterans, a portion of the TattSeal proceeds will go to the Oscar Mike Foundation. “I am proud and excited to launch this incredible product,” said Paul, Sr. “As most people know, I am not easy to please. This product has exceeded anything I have ever used for tattoos. What could be better than more tattoos, less pain, and helping veterans?” In an effort to help raise money for injured veterans, a portion of the Tattseal™ proceeds will go to the Oscar Mike Foundation, a cause near and dear to Paul, Sr. Oscar Mike assists injured veterans with life-changing adaptive sports. The launch includes a national tattoo contest to win an OCC Chopper worth over $100,000. The contest winner to be announced at Villain Arts’ Tattoo Convention in Philadelphia in January 2020. “We are humbled and thrilled to partner with Orange County Choppers. Through this unique collaboration, many lives will be changed for the better. Thank you Paul Sr.” -Noah Currier, CEO Oscar Mike Artists using Tattseal™ as an applicator are seeing pieces that
formerly required two or three appointments completed in just one sitting. The product’s proprietary and unique blend not only speeds healing, but also includes essential oils that enhance the artwork’s vibrancy for both new and old tattoos. Paul Sr. teamed up with HW&B Enterprises, a highly respected research and manufacturing company known for its all-natural aloe-based products to create Tattseal™. “We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Paul, Sr. and Orange County Choppers. Tattseal™ is positioned to disrupt the Tattoo and ink business because of its unique composition and patented formulation that encourage the body to do what it does naturally – repair itself. With early trials, it has far exceeded our
expectations with consumers and artists alike.” -Christopher Hardy, CEO HW&B, Enterprises. LLC. Paul and his tattoos have aired in over 150 countries spanning his 12 years as the lead character on Discovery Channel’s American Choppers. Find out more at tatt-seal. com. -Heather LaMarre Salt Torpedo Report - Yesterday I handled the cotter-key safety wiring on the front axles. I finished the canopy latch, welded it, painted it and installed it into the top of the body. I was sketchy about the wiring and discover a couple of mistakes,
corrected them, finished the wiring and made the hot lead to the battery. Amazing, the puppy turned over. I need to add another quart of oil. I started to make up the sparkplug wires, when I discovered late model coils use a different connector to the coil. I went out to Jeremiah’s Dyna and pulled a plug wire and checked it out. After almost 100 years of doing it one way, they shifted. Frankie is going to Bartels’ to see if I can get a couple of ends, without it costing me a fortune. I fixed the brake lever return spring, which was too long for our system and reinstalled it. Then I shifted to making cardboard patterns for the firewall. I need to order 3M heat sealant today and get it shipped my way. I’ve found firewall grommets. I’m beginning to build confidence in this area. I will study how the Shrouds safety team installs the parachute. It’s ready to go back into the body. Then it’s all about making the firewall work, over the next couple of days. I’m hoping for start-up on Monday when Micah comes back, and if we’re lucky we will make our first rolling run around the block. Hang on. We ultimately didn’t make it to Bonneville, but we did make a successful lap around the block. We need to finish the firewall and install the fire suppression systems. We need a few more laps around the block. I need a trailer, and we’re hoping for speed runs in the desert in November. -Bandit NHTSA Study Shows Motorcyclists Are Reluctant To Wear HighVisibility Gear - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released a report examining why motorcycle riders choose to wear – or not wear – highvisibility gear and what can be done to encourage greater use rates. The NHTSA notes that motorcyclists are far overrepresented in traffic Novmeber‘19 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 87
THE CYCLE SOURCE WORLD REPORT - POWERED BY BIKERNET.COM
fatalities, with more than 5,000 riders dying in crashes each year in the USA. Many of these collisions are attributed to a motor vehicle driver not seeing the motorcyclist, making rider visibility paramount to safety. Conducted as part of the National Cooperative Research and Evaluation Program (NCREP), which is managed jointly by the NHTSA and the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), the research ‘Motorcyclists’ Attitudes on Using High-Visibility Gear to Improve Conspicuity: Findings From a Focus Group Study’ reports that most participants did not regularly wear such gear. Those who did wear the ideal safety gear explained their decision was based on having been in a crash with a motor vehicle or personally knowing another rider who had been affected. A total of 18 focus groups of motorcycle riders in California, Maryland, Michigan, and Texas were conducted to explore their attitudes toward wearing high-visibility gear to increase conspicuity. In most groups, only one or two participants said they regularly wear highvisibility gear. Participants recommended increasing the acceptance of high-visibility gear among motorcyclists through: More attractive and appealing clothing, with a preference for retroreflective gear over bright colors; High-visibility elements being universally incorporated across all branded motorcycle gear; Clear educational messaging backed by statistics; Financial incentives such as insurance discounts; Gradual social norming, such as encouraging use during low-light conditions. Based on the focus group discussions, several factors emerged as barriers to motorcyclists’ use of high-visibility gear. Many bikers were concerned that the look or style of the gear that did not fit in with their riding culture, even though they believe such apparel may be effective for increasing conspicuity. Another barrier to use of highvisibility gear was riders’ skepticism that high-visibility clothing provides enough of a safety benefit to warrant its use and cost. In addition, many participants expressed the belief that high-visibility gear would not improve safety, largely because of
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the perception that motorists are distracted anyway, with several suggesting that the onus should be on drivers to look for motorcyclists. GHSA member State Highway Safety Offices (SHSOs) are concerned about motorcyclist safety and working hard to reduce the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities involving them. Understanding why riders do or do not wear high-visibility gear will assist SHSOs in their messaging and outreach to the motorcyclist community. NCREP is a portfolio of research projects that are selected by SHSOs to help inform state policy, planning and programs on top traffic safety issues. -BY ADAM FROST, Traffic Technology Today
This Just In From The NMA Federal Appeals Court Upholds Tolling For General Revenue Federal Appeals Court green lights higher tolls for Pennsylvania drivers for use on transit and other unrelated projects.
Pennsylvania Turnpike - The Pennsylvania Turnpike can keep charging motorists hundreds of millions in tolls every year and use the cash for purposes wholly unrelated to use of the road. That was the decision handed down Tuesday by the Third Circuit US Court of Appeals, which rejected the challenge filed by the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) and the National Motorists Association (NMA) to this funding arrangement. The groups had targeted a state
law known as Act 44, under which the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has so far handed over $6 billion in tolling profits to PennDOT for uses that have nothing to do with servicing the toll road. According to the groups, the exorbitant tolls -- double the amount needed to run the road -violated the Commerce Clause and hindered the right to travel. The threejudge appellate panel disagreed, pointing to a transportation funding bill that allowed the “use” of excess toll profit for transit projects. “Congress... may authorize a state to take actions that burden interstate commerce,” Judge Patty Shwartz wrote for the court. “Congress’s authorization that toll revenues be used for purposes other than maintaining and operating the toll road, and servicing its debt, necessarily envisions that a public authority can collect funds that exceed a toll road’s costs before it can spend them.” The federal law in question also requires a toll road to certify the toll road is “adequately maintained” before spending on unrelated items, but the Turnpike never submitted these certifications. The court remained unpersuaded. “Their failure to comply with this condition, however, does not diminish the fact that Congress has legislated in the area of interstate commerce at issue and blessed the use of tolls for non-toll road purposes,” Judge Shwartz wrote. The proper remedy, the court said, would be for US Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to forbid the Turnpike from collecting tolls until it comes into compliance with federal law. The Pennsylvania Turnpike has run into legal troubles before. Pay-to-play scandals and what the state auditor described as an unsustainable business model are reflected in the rates charged to the public. A trip across the state costs $47.55 for a car and can cost up to $1836 for a commercial truck. -The NewsPaper.com; -from the NMA There You Have It—Life is a chase, a run, a creative odyssey. We cover it every day on www.bikernet.com If you need a fix more often visit us. It’s
never dull. -Bandit
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ME YOU DON’T BUY . .. E R O M Y N A S R E FLOW
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here’s a thousand different addictions out there, and mine happens to be motorcycles. It’s a constant inner struggle to choose the right path. It would be so easy to max out a credit card and worry about the consequences when the bills came in, but that would be too easy. I’m too ugly to sell my body and the kind of clientele I could score fall short of my needs, I’m kind of a bitch that way. In a perfect life I could have just been a pill head but the world had a different idea for me. The highs are outstanding. Wrist twisted back as the exhaust drills a hole straight through your soul driving a hook deep down, where you’ll never pull it out. Sounds and vibrations relax your mind and dull your senses, and the miles tear away at the pockets of stress you didn’t know you had buried. Until, without warning, like an unbridled slap in the face it all stops. Until you place that kickstand down the unanswered questions, scream in your skull. The blood runs cold as you gain feeling in your fingertips letting the blood regain function. The ringing in your ear hides the whisper of the hollow wind, there’s solace. But for how long?
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You may be down for a few minutes you may be down for a few months, how prepared are you when the addiction starts to attack you. This romance I have with my bastardized FLT has been more hate than love. It’s a horrible relationship, but I’m committed to it and a glutton for punishment. There’s never enough time between work and kids turning even minor issues and downtime into way too long of an event. I was fully aware of the trials of a basket case resurrected, but deep inside was I really? Years of sitting, being passed from hand to hand, and the introduction of swap meet gold from unknown origins has started to rear its ugly head. I pray I can salvage the tail end of the season and pack some miles in between the glitches. At this point, the bike has been completely redone because I haven’t gone fifty miles without finding something that needs to be adjusted, repaired, or replaced and while I knew that was how this season was going to be, it hasn’t made the countless blows any softer. Rested upon a sturdy lift in the confines of dank dark soulless garage I hear the whispers filling my soul with guilt as I lay awake at night. The addiction calls, haunting and relentless as I stare at the passing motorcycles with a heavy heart and disdain I unconsciously pick at
my ulcerated skin rocking back and forth begging for just one fix. And then, without warning the clouds part and a warm beam of sun shines on my steps as Jesus Christ in the big brown truck lays salvation upon my porch. The dryness in my mouth subsides, the shaking becomes manageable, and I start to feel human. This is my reality, a vicious cycle of highs and lows, dodging and weaving doing anything to get back on the road Laying in wait is the bastard FLT splayed in all it’s shame waiting for attention and to be made whole once again. Maybe it’s not an addiction but a driving force, ensuring that the dust
won’t gather too long, clawing at the back of your one-track mind. Either way, however you need to compartmentalize your issues. They are indeed an evil mistress that can take you down the darkest of paths. When life gets in the way it makes it that much worse, and that may be the reason I’m duplicating the bike on the shelves of the shop. Every professional addict has an emergency stash. The season ain’t over yet, but this pep talk is, I’ve got some wrenches to turn. I hate motorcycles.
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American Prime Manufacturing Or Rivera 6 Speed Gear Set
Do you own an American Prime or Rivera 6 Speed Gear set? Need replacement parts? We got ‘em and they’re priced right. These replacement parts are made specifically for the APM & Rivera 6 speed Gear Sets so don’t worry about fit or incorrect parts. APM Transmission Parts are manufactured specifically for the application with material specs to out-perform OEM and severe duty reliability. For More Information visit https://americanprimemfginc.com/
Corbin - Solo Saddle for 2019-2020 Honda Monkey
Crafted with high-density Comfort Cell foam to retain resiliency for a lower seating platform that gives you good ground reach and balanced riding position. The neutralized seating position helps curb sliding forward. This seat gives you more square inches of body contact and firm support. Extended length reaches all the way to the tank. Featuring a sculpted to fit to eliminate centralized pressure on the tailbone, a Fibertech basepan to support the carefully designed foam shape and rubber bumpers to protect your paint. Installation is simple and uses the front bracket from your stock seat. Part# H-MKY-19 Solo Saddle for 2019 - 2020 Honda Monkey MSRP $393 http://www.corbin.com/honda/hmky19.shtml
DRAG SPECIALTIES SOFTRIDE M-EIGHT SOFTAIL PASSENGER FOOTPEGS
Add style and give your passenger some added comfort by installing a pair of SoftRide footpegs from Drag Specialties. These footpegs are specifically designed to absorb vibrations. Their hollow core, long-lasting neoprene rubber insert cleats are isolastically mounted on a special chrome socket-head bolt. Available in a chrome or black finish. Footpegs sold in pairs. MSRP $69.95. https://www.dragspecialties.com/ products/?productId=552175
PYTHON® RAYZER 2-INTO-1 EXHAUST SYSTEMS DRAG SPECIALTIES COOL COMFORT QUICK-ATTACHMENT AIR PADS DRAG SPECIALTIES PASSENGER FOOTPEG MOUNT KITS
Drag Specialties passenger footpeg mount kits are a great option for riders looking to change their footpeg mounts or replace damaged stock mounts. Kits include left and right side mounts with 3/8-16 x 2-3/4” mounting bolts, footpeg detent plate, ball and spring, pivot pin and clip. Accepts passenger footpegs designed to fit the 18-19 Softail models. Available in chrome or gloss black finish. Replaces OEM #s 50500771 and 50500769. MSRP $99.95 https://www.dragspecialties. com/products/?productId=527056
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LED FOR YOUR SLED! Headwinds, the leader in custom headlights, introduces their all-in-one, hi-output LED bulbs for dual bulb headlamps on Road King (‘14on), Street Glide (‘14-on), Street Glide Screaming Eagle & CVO (’12-on), V-Rod & Muscle and later Police Models. These powerful energy efficient bulbs produce whiter & brighter light than halogen, a 6,500° K color temperature and 4,000 Lumens. You may never have to replace another bulb with these solid-state LEDs that withstand shock & vibration! Now sold in pairs and easy-to-install, just plug and play! Contact Headwinds @ 626-3598044 or sales@headwinds.com. Website www.headwinds.com.
Give your bike a wicked look and sound with Python’s® Rayzer 2-into-1 exhaust system. The Rayzer’s 1-3/4” headpipes flow into a 4” radical turnout megaphone and out the contrast machined billet end cap. Fits perfectly with standard or extended saddlebags and features lasercut Python branded muffler bands for premium style. Flat plane 12mm/18mm oxygen sensor ports allow for wideband tuning capabilities. To protect the look and performance of your exhaust, this 2-into-1 has full-coverage 2 1/8” header heat shields, and a 2” fiberglass-wrapped perforated baffle. Made in the USA in chrome or matte black for 17-18 FLHT, FLHR, FLHX, FLTRX and FLTRU models, the suggested retail price is $884.95 for chrome and $984.95 for matte black .www.dragspecialties.com
Grand National 2:2 Exhaust for 2018+ Softail
Inspired by their total domination in American Flat Track, S&S Cycle has taken performance exhaust to the next level. Combining a two into two format with a hidden crossover, the Grand National system is designed for pure, relentless performance. Clean bends, stainless header tubing and full shielding to create an exhaust that makes real power without the punishment of melted boots and uneven torque delivery of most other short tract systems. Available in chrome or black ceramic, the Grand National 2:2 is now 50 State legal and CARB compliant (yes, it still sounds great and makes killer power!) . Fitment for most narrow wheels Softails (Fat Bob, Street Bob, Low Rider, Slim and Deluxe). Click Here For More Information https://www.sscycle. com/grand-national-2-2-m8-softail/
Z1R Women’s Indiana Brown Jacket
Z1R introduces the brand new women’s Indiana Brown jacket. The jacket is built from our premium milled cowhide leather and we changed up the interior to the liking of our women riders by adding an extremely soft satin liner. An easy conceal and carry pocket assures you are safe and gives you peace of mind no matter what is thrown your way. Optional armor pouches allows for easy install and removal in the back panel, shoulders, and elbows. We maximized air flow throughout the jacket with arm and back vents and expanded the shoulders for the ultimate fit and comfort, on and off your bike. Available in sizes S-3XL, suggested retail $209.95-$229.95. www.z1r.com
Vance & Hines HI-OUTPUT HOOLIGAN 2017-2019 HONDA GROM
Get rowdy on your Grom with the Vance & Hines Hi-Output Hooligan exhaust system. The Hi-Output Hooligan pipe puts some sauce on the MSX125 thumper and adds a burly exhaust note to level up the fun! Featuring 304 Stainless Steel Construction; Full System; Header and Muffler; Brushed Finish; CNC Machined Billet End Cap; Laser Engraved Logo Badge MSRP $379.99 https:// products.vanceandhines.com/store/honda/14233/
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OFFICIAL POWDERCOATER OF FLAT BROKE CHOPS & RODS
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ADVERTISERS INDEX 5 Ball Racing Leather................... 92 Aidan’s Ride..................................67 Baker Drivetrain...........................32 Bare Bones Leather......................94 Battery Outlet..............................97 BikerNet.com..................................97 Bikers Choice..................................2 Blue Grass Engraving...................71 Chop Cult......................................94 Cycle Source Gear...........................4 Dennis Kirk...................................15 Denver’s Choppers........................59 Drag Specialties...............................9 Dutchman.....................................97 Faith Forgotten Choppers.............89 Feuling..........................................94 Flat Broke Chops & Rods..............81 GEICO............................................25 Harbor Freight...............................29 Hardtail Choppers.........................95 Hijinx Apparel................................57 Hot Leathers...................................91 I Draw Flies...................................97 Inferno Art.....................................94 Kiwi Indian....................................47 Led Sled.........................................65 Lone Star Rally..............................49 Lowbrow Customs.........................19 Lutz Leather..................................97 MC Creations.................................97 Metzeler.........................................59 Mikuni...........................................35 Motion Pro.....................................85 National Motorcycle Museum........97 No School Choppers.......................97 Pandemonium................................93 Paughco......................................13,75 Progressive Insurance.....................3 Russ Brown...................................33 S&S Cycle.....................................100 SpeedKing.....................................18 Sporty Parts...................................97 Steel City H-D..............................99 Tech Cycles....................................47 Tropical Tattoo..............................91 Twisted Choppers............................5 Zipper’s Performance.....................69
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lovers. After a few days, they meet up for lunch and compared notes. The engaged woman: “The other night when my boyfriend came over he found me with a black leather bodice, tall stilettos, and a mask. He saw me and said, ‘You are the woman of my life. I love you.’ Then we made love all night long.” The mistress: “Me too! The other night I met my lover at his office, and I was wearing the leather bodice, heels, mask over my eyes and a raincoat. When I opened the raincoat he didn’t say a word, but we had wild sex all night.” The married woman: “I sent the kids to stay at my mother’s house for the night when my husband came home I was wearing the leather bodice, black stockings, stilettos and a mask over my eyes. As soon as he came in the door and saw me he said, ‘What’s for dinner, Batman?”
Heard A Good One Lately ? Then Send It Along To Us At: 119 Dellenbaugh Rd. Tarentum, PA 15084 Or E-mail To cyclesourcemain@comcast.net
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n Irishman walks into a bar and orders three glasses of Guinness, drinking them one at a time. Noticing this odd ritual, the bartender explains that the beer goes flat when poured and informs the man his beer would be much fresher if he ordered one glass at a time. The Irishman explains he began this custom with his two brothers, who have moved to America and Australia, respectively. This is their way of remembering all the time they spent drinking together. The man becomes a regular at the pub, well-known for always ordering three beers at once. One day he walks in and orders only two beers. Assuming the worst, a hush falls among other patrons. When the Irishman returns to the bar to order his second round, the bartender quietly offers his condolences. The man looks confused for a moment, and then explains, “No, everyone’s fine. I gave up beer for lent.”
Evan
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he only cow in a small Kentucky town stopped giving milk. The people did some research and found that they could buy a cow just across the state line in Illinois for $200. They brought the cow from Illinois, and the cow was wonderful. It produced lots of milk all of the time, and the people were thrilled. They decided to acquire a bull to mate with the cow to produce more cows like it. They would never have
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to worry about their milk supply again. They bought the bull and put it in the pasture with their beloved cow. However, whenever the bull tried to mount the cow, the cow would move away. No matter what approach the bull tried, the cow would move away from the bull, and he could not succeed in his quest. The people were distraught and decided to ask the Vet, who was very wise, what to do. They told the Vet what was happening. “Whenever the bull tries to mount our cow, she moves away. If he approaches from the back, she moves forward. When he approaches her from the front, she backs off. An attempt from the side, she walks away to the other side.” The Vet thought about this for a minute and asked, “Did you by chance, buy this cow in Illinois?” The people were dumbfounded since no one had ever mentioned where they bought the cow. “You are truly a wise Vet,” they said. “How did you know we got the cow in Illinois?” The Vet replied with a distant look in his eye, “My wife is from Illinois.”
Bobbi
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hree women: one engaged, one married and one a mistress, are chatting about their relationships and decided they needed to spice up their love lives. All three agreed to wear black leather bras, stiletto heels and a mask over their eyes that evening with their respective
Robin
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orris and his wife Esther went to the state fair every year, and every year Morris would say, “Esther, I’d like to ride in that helicopter.” Esther always replied, “I know Morris, but that helicopter ride is 50 dollars, and 50 dollars is 50 dollars”. One year Esther and Morris went to the fair, and Morris said, “Esther, I’m 85 years old. If I don’t ride that helicopter, I might never get another chance.” Esther replied, “Morris that helicopter is 50 dollars, and 50 dollars is 50 dollars”. The pilot overheard the couple and said, “Folks I’ll make you a deal. I’ll take the both of you for a ride. If you can stay quiet for the entire ride and not say a word I won’t charge you! But if you say one word, it’s 50 dollars.” Morris and Esther agreed and up they went. The pilot did all kinds of fancy maneuvers, but not a word was heard. He did his daredevil tricks over and over again, but still not a word. When they landed, the pilot turned to Morris and said, “By golly, I did everything I could to get you to yell out, but you didn’t. I’m impressed!” Morris replied, “Well, to tell you the truth, I almost said something when Esther fell out, but you know -- 50 dollars is 50 dollars”.
George
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