From The Editor’s Desk

ya know, the motorcycle industry is a funny thing. There’s always some drama unfolding, but it seems as of late that the common code that existed among us has been thrown away. What used to stand as a gentlemen’s agreement about who was known for what, came up with something first, or was doing it longer, have all fallen by the wayside in the face of new world media that gives weaklings and Nair-do-wells the ability to lay claim on anything they see fit. And hell, if they have enough followers or just pour enough money into social media, they can quite easily get away with it since we are all too willing to just sit back and watch it for fear of reprisal from the mob. But who can blame them, right? I mean, the motorcycle business is so much smaller than it was ten years ago, and everyone’s survival is on the line….. Uh. No.... That’s a load of horseshit you tell yourself to feel better about this, but let’s take a look at the truth. As we go down this rabbit hole, I ask you to consider the rules that have governed behavior in even the most extreme environments of survival. The Geneva Convention made sure that even nations bent on killing each other would have a set of rules to follow that would ensure humanitarian conditions never fell to an unacceptable level. The act of the gentlemen’s duel, where competitors would be set upon killing each other in the name of honor but doing so without rules, would be considered a disgrace to the offender. Hell, even pirates had a code to follow.

While the movie Pirates Of The Caribbean has us believe that Pirates Morgan and Bartholomew devised the “Pirate’s Code” at the second meeting of the brethren court, it was an actual thing. It’s said that the first set of the “Pirate’s Code” was written by the Portuguese buccaneer Bartolomeu Português in the early 1660s, but let’s not have factual history stand in the way of a good story. While the actual pirate’s code outlined the articles of treatment of each ship and its crew, let’s refer instead to the 13 rules laid out in the movie. More specifically, rule number 9, “The subsection ‘Revenge’ states that betrayal is punishable by death,” and rule number 12 reads, “The Code calls for pirates to respect their fellows on the account. Knowingly targeting and sinking other pirate ships is strictly forbidden.” In this cinematic parable, you see that even those considered to be the most ruthless, lawless individuals of the time had a code of ethics that would ultimately serve to benefit their greater survival. They didn’t do any of this for the need to honor each other. No, in truth, it is literally where the term honor among thieves comes from. The entire world was out to get pirates already, and if they turned on each other, their doom would be at hand.

So why am I running on at the mouth about all this, you may ask? Well, as I prepare for the great pilgrimage to South Dakota, there are more and more shows and activities each year. While so much of this is great for the rally goer, stacking things one on top of the other is not. For instance, if there are four chopper shows on the same day, it isn’t good for all concerned because while plenty of folks are in attendance to show up and drink at the establishment hosting the party, there are only so many great choppers to enter the shows. At the end of the day, the bike is the star man, and that’s what people come out to see. Let’s face it, the beer tub girls, the banner heavy accouterment, and blaring music are common distinctions at each place. What makes them great are the truly unique features that they have to offer. In that, I call for PARLAY! Summon the pirate lords, elect a Pirate King and let’s put an end to this skullduggery. Before one more slick corporation slithers its way into our culture and truly ruins the longstanding traditions of this being an “US against THEM” proposition. The motorcycle thing has always been a place of refuge from the “RAT RACE” as we called it. A place where good times and great brothers were immune from the greed and politics of the outside world. Let’s not see that slip away under our watch like so much has in the outside world these days. Yo ho ho ho, A Pirates Life For Me!

dcondition or a 100-point restoration, it just needs to be espite the 2022 Texas Fandango being it’s 3rd Article By: Heather Callen Photos By: Benny Stucker And Heather Callen Country. There are also a number of distilleries, restaurants, and running, it was the first time antique, and you need to love it. boutique shops to browse through

Chris and I had been available to Works for us! if one of you needs more than make the trip to the great state of The Texas Fandango is held at motorcycles. The Fairgrounds

Texas to join the Cherokee Chapter the Gillespie County Fairgrounds, are almost the perfect facility for a for their celebration of all things two the oldest fairgrounds in the motorcycle event with more than wheels. We were first introduced Lone Star State in beautiful ample parking for motorcycles, to the Cherokee RVs, tents, and

Chapter several whatever else years back in the masses

Dallas and were choose to roll in welcomed with with. Camping open arms despite was allowed in being what the massive wellsome antique groomed grassmotorcycle covered parking enthusiasts area. It was great would consider to see Travel blasphemous with Trailers, RVs, our 1949 Panhead Buses, camper chopper. vans, and tents

Even though we boondocking out live in Pittsburgh, in the field. This

PA, we chose was also where the Cherokee one could find

Chapter of the a little nightlife

AMCA as our if they were so

“home chapter.” inclined. Little

Now, I’m not sure pop-up parties if this is because dotted the field

I’ve fallen in love throughout with the Texas the evening. I

Hill Country and must say, there secretly wish for it to be our home Fredericksburg, Texas. Quick were no problems, everyone on or because the Cherokee Chapter Tip: For those of you looking for a had was there to have fun and is one of the most welcoming to all way to make it couples weekend, celebrate the motorcycle. incarnations of old motorcycles. now worries Fredericksburg has Once inside the event area, you

They have embraced the younger that covered too as it is home to were treated to a well-organized, generation and chopper lovers of over fifty of the more than 100 well-laid-out swap meet, airthe antique segment. Your bike wineries, vineyards and tasting conditioned exhibit hall, and doesn’t have to be in original rooms that can be found in Hill grandstands that provided plenty

of shade from the hot Texas sun that overlooked an expertly groomed horse racing track. The Fairgrounds committee not only allowed the use of the track but also cut another track into the infield to better suit the needs of the Texas Fandango. Now, that’s what being a good partner means.

Man, oh man, what a swap meet it was! It if had to do with motorcycles, particularly those of the older generation, you could find it there. It was hard to not just do laps all day, to make sure you didn’t miss anything. It was even harder to not call the bank and increase our daily limit. I could have very easily filled the trailer, well probably a few trailers if I had an unlimited budget. But alas, I did not, and I am proud to say that as hard as it was, I resisted the temptations of the motorcycle goldmine.

As I mentioned before, the Cherokee Chapter of the AMCA embraces us dirty chopper jockeys with open arms, and the Texas Fandango proved that point with the Chopper Corral. This is where we struck Chopper Gold in the Texas Hills. Oliver Peck, an avid motorcycle enthusiast himself, was at the helm of this eclectic group. It was here that you would find Choppers in all configurations. Along with a few choppercentric vendors, including Stay Rowdy, Destroyer Garage, and MC Shop T’s, to name a few. Peck, along with Just Kickers Kirk, organized the ever-popular minibike races and chopper dirt drags. Both events took place on the horse racing track in front of the filled-tobrim grandstands. The Chopper Drags were definitely a crowd favorite. In one instance, you could hear the masses gasp in unison during a particularly hair-raising near-death experience between one long curly-haired photographer and the infamous Danger Dan. Not to worry though. I came out completely unscathed, thanks to the centimeters I had to spare and with a killer story. Chris on the other hand, happened to catch the scene through the lens of his drone and was less than pleased with me, but forgiveness was quickly given when he saw that shot!! Hahaha. The Chopper Corral was also where attendees were treated

to the musical stylings of Dangerous Dan and his band of merry men.

As you well know, racing has been at the heart of just about every motorcycle rally for the last 100 years, so it only made sense that there be racing at the Texas Fandango. There was outstanding Flat Track Racing hosted by Xtreem Flat Track went on in the inner circle of the track. Though you may not recognize the name Xtreem Flat Track was previously known as Vintage Dirt Track Racing Association (VDTRA), so they weren’t new to putting on a stellar race series. The Open Pro Vintage Class was an excellent exhibition of racing between the defending champion Jim Ottele, Rick Reed, and KeystoneKopp. There was a little contact off the start, but as they say, “rubbin” is racin.” Throughout the day, the action thrilled the crowd. What a great addition!

Now, for the coup de grace, the Cycle Source Antique Motorcycle Show, that is, after all, what brought us together, old motorbikes and the people that love them. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen such a diverse assortment of old iron under one roof. A hundred plus immaculate examples of almost every make and model motorcycle known to man. There were Nortons, Bultacos, Indians, BMWs, Vincents, Triumphs, Binellis, and of course, Harley-Davidsons of all engine families, to name a few.

Boy, oh boy, am I glad that I did not have to judge that show. I left that task to the pros, Steve Klein, Rodney Sterling, and Chris. Lol, just kidding, he knows more about motorcycles than I’ll ever forget. I do know that I absolutely love the choice for Best of Show, the 1972 FLH owned by Jeff Sharer that you can see in the pages of this very magazine.

I can’t forget the few fellas that took time out of their day to share their knowledge with the masses through live tech sessions in the exhibit hall. John Martin talked Magnetos, Doug Wothke provided some tips for twowheel travel overseas, Bill Page gave a lesson on timing J Model Harleys, and Greg Nelson imparted some wisdom on Linkert Carburetors. All the sessions were very informative and entertaining., Thanks guys!

All in all, I’d say the 2022 Texas Fandango was a tremendous success, and I’m so glad we were able to see it for ourselves. Cycle Source has proudly been a supporter of this show since its inception. Now, more than ever, I’m certain we will continue to do so for as long as they’ll have us. Be sure to stay up to date with what they have in store for 2023 by giving them a follow on Instagram at @texas_fandago or on their website https://thetexasfandango.com/