Cycle Source Magazine - Issue 283- Feb - Mar 2021

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December‘10 CYCLE SOURCE

Edsnd@bellsouth.net

CYCLE SOURCE FEbruary FEbruary - March '21 7

BIKES

Static Shovel

Brandon Miller's First Full HD Build.............................................................. 22

Q-Vo

Magoo's 59 FL-ish Burly Build........................................................... .............40

Blue Steel

Bling's Cycles In Motion Twin Cam.............................................................. 58

Uninvited Pan

McQuiston' Chopper Designs Molded Chopper..................................... 70

Ol Fifty-Nine

Constante's Pan To Pass On.............................................................................80

Atoms Of Peace

Garage Builder J. Vas Take On An Ironhead..............................................88

XSive

AMO & Stakely Team Up On An XS650............................................................94

FEATURES 2020 Year In Review

The Good and Bad Of The Year That Was.....................................................10

Reader's Rides

A Little Spotlight On Our Friends.................................................................... 28

Best Of Awards

Ya'll Gave The Nod To Those That Earned It.............................................. 30

Getting There Is ALL The Fun!

Garmin zūmo XT GPS Review ........................................................................... 32

Great American Road Chip

Life On The Road With Chip .............................................................................. 36

Hell On Wheels

58

The Party That Rages In The Sweet Cornfields Of Iowa.......................52

Top Ten Bike Of 2020

You Spoke, We Listened ..................................................................................... 67

TECH

Pandemonium Electronic Ignition

System for Yamaha XS650 277 Rephase Engines .................................. 18

Art Of Winterizing Your Motorcycle

Cycle Stop USA Teaches How & Why .......................................................... 48

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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, Heather Callen, Dan Venditto, Melissa Shoemaker, Tyler Porter, Troy Bensinger

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

CONTRIBUTORS

Benny Stucker, Marjaorie Kleiman, Jason Hallman, Chip Parisi

STAFF ARTISTS Jimmy Frizzell, Chris Callen

ADVERTISING

Heather Callen- Sales Manager - cyclesourcemain@comcast.net

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GRAPHIC ARTISTS

Chris Callen, Heather Callen, Amelia Rose, Missi Shoemaker

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

CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Heather Callen - 724-226-2867

COPY EDITOR Judy Duggan

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SPARE PARTS In The News

The World Report Powered by BikerNet.com ......................................... 99

Hot Off The Rack

94

New Products From Industry Leaders ......................................................... 102

DEPARTMENTS

From The Editor’s Desk .................................................... 8 Pin-Up Of The Month ....................................................... 16 Photo Hunt ........................................................................... 64 Chopper Charlie ............................................................... 76 Killing Time With ............................................................. 86 Art Of Our Culture ............................................................ 91 InSlide Line ....................................................................... 104 On The Edge ...................................................................... 108 Gut Busters ........................................................................ 114

LEGAL COUNSEL

James L. Paz Attorney at Law - Tarentum, PA - 724-226-9PAZ For Any Subscription Questions Call 724-226-2867 The Cycle Source Magazine® (ISSN 1935-0287) is published 12 times a year by The Cycle Source Magazine with Offices at 119 Dellenbaugh Road Tarentum, PA 15084, 724-226-2867, www.cyclesource.com. U.S. Subscription rate is $30.00 for 12 issues. Canadian Subscription rate is $45.00 for 12 issues. Back Issues, when available, are $6.00 each, payable in advance. Periodicals postage paid at Tarentum, PA ad additional mailing offices. The Cycle Source Magazine® reserves the right to reject any advertising or contributions that it deems unsuitable. Opinions expressed are those of the author and not of The Cycle Source Magazine®. Nothing printed in The Cycle Source Magazine® December re-printed in whole or part without the express written consent of the publishers. Copyright ® 2020. The Cycle Source Magazine®, A Grass Roots Motorcycle PublicationSM, Scooter Tramp ™ Wild Man™ Low Down & Dirty Rotten™ Grease & Gears Garage™ Grease & Gears TV™ Grease & Gears Garage Roadshow™ ShopTalk™ Do It Your Damn Self™ Inslide Line™ are registered trade marks.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Cycle Source Magazine 119 Dellenbaugh Rd. Tarentum, PA 15084

ABOUT THE COVER

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Bill Dodge is no stranger to magazine covers but that's not because he's a solid brother. It's because he's an innovating, hard working, passionate bike builder that settles for nothing less than perfection. The bike that graces the cover is no exception to his rule.

This Twin Cam Bobber was built not only as a show stopper but to be ridden the hell out of. We are thrilled to have it on our pages.

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y time in the motorcycle thing has given me many, many, great memories but even more valuable than those have been the life lessons that I have learned through parables played out in two wheeled life. This month I realized that some of those come from years and years of experience.

Much like the Tai Chi masters who only realized a lifetime of combat study was hidden in their daily movements. It all comes together with a new perspective.

Take Shovelheads for instance. In my time of owning Shovels, I have picked up so many great lessons, some of the best being anything worth having is worth working for, the simplicity of a basic machine is a beautiful thing, be prepared for anything that can happen will, and last but not least, you must not quit. For the purpose of this article, we will focus on the last as it applies to the lessons that we all need moving into a long hard winter and only the prospects of a new year and the possibility of a clean slate to set us free.

Back in the day I rode my Shovel everywhere on God’s green earth. It was my A machine, my B machine, hell I didn’t even have a car for many years, so it was pretty much my everyday ride to work, for play and in the rain... even the snow, it was the only choice I had.

I learned quickly that this wouldn’t only mean a rigorous service schedule and routine maintenance checks to ensure nothing came off and went down the road without the rest of the motorcycle, but it would also require some pre-planning on my end. You see those days were also fraught with budgetary concerns that I didn’t always have extra scratch for the best parts on the market so we made

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did the best we could with what was affordable. I got used to the idea that I would keep an extra part or two in my saddle bag along with a well-fortified tool roll. This list of parts grew over the years and at one-point, I had very little room for coats or clothing alongside piles of tools and parts. A coil, points ignition and weights, spark plugs, wires, extra stator and rotor, spools of wire, crimper and wire ends, extra headlight, tubes of JB weld, gator clips, baking soda and super glue, all tucked away for the “Just in case” roadside repairs. I found myself in need of these items many times and back then it wasn’t like you just rolled up to any house and asked to borrow tools or use the phone, especially in the country. We didn’t have the ability to put out a “Down Bro” call on Facebook and Instagram. Back then, only a few people on the planet carried cell phones at this point so you were basically on your own. Bikers, not motorcycle riders, were still on the fringe of society so the chance of anyone pulling up and asking if you needed help was slim. So, we learned how to patch things up and get these bikes home, or to someone’s home at least. A network of tramps and vagabonds collected each other’s numbers and addresses in case of these situations. As I look back at it today, it really was the best half of it. Don’t get me wrong, breaking down sucks but life was a little less hectic then and the adventure that ensued from a good mishap ended up being some of the best stories I have to this very day.

So, I told you this was part of a lesson we could all use today. Well, follow along little campers and see if the wise words from Uncle Guppy can see you through the way they did me. “What are you a

pussy? Are you just gonna quit?” Ok, so let’s say that a little more eloquently, “You Must Not Quit.” Whether it’s your broke down Shovelhead on the side of the road, your busted ass computer that you need to finish a magazine on or something as big as the pandemic that kicked 2020 in the ass, you must not quit. In the struggle to overcome are so many great opportunities to learn about yourself, the people around you, the things that are really important, life itself.

You just have to stay the course, put your head down and refuse to quit. Even in the times where the end results are not as you had hoped or what you had planned for there are great opportunities for change. In that, the only real failure would be to quit and walk away. You end up leaving before the good part happens and that my friend would be a damn shame. So, whatever you are facing today, and brother I know that times are heavy, just remember those words, either Uncle Guppy’s version or mine, and DO NOT QUIT. This is our Year In Review Issue and I have never been so proud of sending an issue off to press as I am this month for the very reason I stated above. We overcame everything that 2020 could throw at us, right up until the very end, and we did not quit. I have to thank the motorcycle Gods once more for providing me with the opportunity to grow and possible teach through my experience.

God bless you and yours and our hearts go out to you for this holiday season and the end of a hard year. See you all in 2021 and all we can hope for some more time with each other and another chance to learn.

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Article By: Chris Callen Photos By: CSM Staff & Contributors

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e have carried out the idea of a “Year In Review” issue every year since 2007. I can tell you with all sincerity that I have never felt as intimidated as I sat down to pen the narrative that kicks this issue off as I do this year. I mean, to say that COVID made this year a real bastard is one thing, but it would seem from its onset in early March, one thing after another started to go wrong with the world and for us here as well. The Pandemic, the politics, the civil discord, the economy, all bad enough on their own, but the universe seemed to be out of whack for some reason.

The simple things even seemed to go off-kilter.

Just about the time that you would start getting some momentum, something else would come up and remind you that this…. well, this was 2020, and there was no way anything was going to be easy.

We started the year with Sprinter problems that were carried over from last year that only got worse. We decided to fix it one last time near the end of the year and then just sell it and replace it with a new one, thinking that would be the biggest hurdle we would have to overcome. As I sit at a second computer, I face the fact that our primary storage device, a secured mirrored storage unit, has failed. We have shipped it off to a firm in California to see if it can be saved. For

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right now, that means that the entire 24-year history of the magazine may be lost. We managed to get a small amount of data off the drive before it was shipped out, and we started working on this issue. If you are

reading this, then at least that part was successful. While that might be enough, the computer I use every day also crashed, leaving me to work on a windows system instead of my MAC. If I resorted to pulling any more of my hair out this year, I might go into 2021 with very little left to tie back when we do get to ride again. With that said, there were good and bad in the year that was

2020. Let’s take a look at them one last time before we split into the new year.

THE INDUSTRY: It was a damn hard year for the motorcycle industry as a whole. As we all carried out the duties at the kick-off in Daytona, we started to hear about this Corona Virus. By the end of Bike Week, they were closing the rally down, and we still didn’t even realize how bad this was or, worse yet, how bad it would be. From that point on, week after week, we waited in our homes under the new guidelines of “Sheltering In Place” to hear when it would be over, and we would get back to normal life. However, one after another, events started canceling. The quarantine was extended, and we sunk into a strange new normal that saw business close and left us with few choices but to find things to do at home. This was a big boost for many of the parts manufacturers in the motorcycle game.

The year saw some of the biggest sales numbers in the history of some of their companies.

For dealerships and media, event workers, and the like, this was skid row.

Being too dumb to lay down, we decided to throw a little event called the Cyber Rally. The one-day first of it’s kind even included everything you might imagine you would see from all over the country. How, you might ask?

Well, through the now universally

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adapted technology called Zoom. Cycle Source hosted some 100 motorcycles in the bike show, one owner at a time, vendors, barmaids and bartenders, stunt riders, burnout contests, even a wet t-shirt show all carried out from the safety of our own personal spaces but brought together through stream broadcasting.

We had a virtual tip jar that raised money for people affected by the shutdown that make their money at the national rallies and managed to collect some $6,000 for them. We were not the only ones to see the need for unity in these troubling times, and Rob Buydos, through his partnership with FITE TV, started to announce some pretty big ideas. They would be events without spectators, but more importantly, they would feature legends of motorcycle racing all from several generations.

From motocross to flat track racing Rob gave people some outlets for the need to get out of their head through motorcycles and at the same time answered ageold questions like “What would happen if Scotty Parker, Chris Carr and Jay Springsteen all got on the same track as the young guns from today’s flat track racing. It all added up to the granddaddy of all races when he and Drag Specialties rolled into Laguna Seca for the first-ever King Of The Baggers. Right alongside the greatest in the sport of World Superbike, the performance bagger segment took it’s place and was validated in a big way.

But I’m jumping ahead to the good at the end of the year. What about the middle?

Well, we all limped through the first half of the year, waiting for an announcement on the eightieth anniversary of Sturgis. Rod Woodruff and the Buffalo Chip became a shining beacon of the show must go on, but the city was pushing the idea hard that it may, in fact, be canceled. Through what I can only say was outstanding leadership

by SD Gov. Kristi Neom, the rally went off and saw 460,000 attendees with no real impact on the rest of the country. The mainstream media tried to demonize The Sturgis Rally as a super spreader. Still, those of us who knew that the motorcycle rally was one of ten or more significant events in South Dakota that otherwise got no mention at all knew better. The Mustang Rally and the Cool Deadwood Nights car show that both went off with excellent attendance didn’t seem to offend anyone from the media... hmmmmm. Most rallies closed up for the year, some tried to run under new rules, and a few of them did ok. Others failed horribly. It seems that if you take the social part of this thing away, it just doesn’t work as well.

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THE CULTURE: Despite the large rallies being absent

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from our scene, the culture was alive and well. People were building bikes, taking epic rides, and living their lives the best they could under the new normal. What seemed to be an unexpected side effect of this virus was that everyone who had been so damn busy stopped and took a look at their lives. We all started to realize how precious a day is and started to waste less of them. At first, it was a shit show of doing anything to stay busy. Still, as time dragged on, we all started to get back to why we do all this, to begin with, live, experience, and enjoy life and each other’s company.

To that end, we started four more weekly broadcasts through what was becoming “Source Media,” but we weren’t alone.

Dave & Jody Perewitz started a new show on Choppertown, so did the likes of Rick Fairless and others. Many new podcasts popped up, and we were finding new ways to become connected again. For us, the crowning achievement came during the Sturgis Rally when we gathered as a team and created what I believe to be our finest work in 24 years. Sturgis Live, eighty years in a day. A 2-1/2 hour documentary not only on the Sturgis rally but also the part of the country that was in many ways the birthplace of freedom and where many staunch individualists came before us cut their teeth. If you haven’t seen it yet, head over to our website for info.

OUR LOSSES: While 2020 represented a year that most of us couldn’t wait to see end, there were so many great people from the ranks of our community who wouldn’t see it’s ending. Skeeter Todd, Charlie Brechtel, Ray Wheeler, Carl Morrow of Carl’s Speed Shop, Ralph Hudson, and Bill Tuman A Member of the Indian Wrecking Crew; to their families and friends, our deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers go out. Finally, this was also the year that American Iron Magazine announced they would cease publication after 30 years of running what was considered the gold standard of motorcycle publications. We will miss their contributions to this industry and culture. Outside of motorcycling, we lost some of our long-time heroes with the passing of Eddie VanHalen, Sean Connery, Wilford Brimley, Charlie Daniels, Alex Trebeck, and Neil Peart, just to name a few. Of course, this was the year that we were given the Tiger King, So there’s that.

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HOW WE DID: This is the spot where we typically list all of our numbers regarding the number of articles and events we did in the previous year. In truth, the fact that we are still here bringing you motorcycle news and

entertainment is our most significant accomplishment in 2020. With retails stores closing in April, we scaled back to an issue every 60 days, reorganized some of what we do, and god willing, will be back to regular business at the start of 2021. We launched an entirely new content creation branch under Source Media. Through several new streaming broadcasts, we have been bringing you more content than any year before. While subscriptions are way up, and we can’t thank you enough for the support, it seems as if COVID has brought new life into what we are doing here, the big picture. You can expect as things go back to normal with the magazine and events, the added media and programs like Grease & Gears Garage, ShopTalk, and Grease & Gears TV will continue to be a big part of what we do.

As for all of you, remember the words I proclaimed from the Main Stage at The Buffalo Chip this year. Be safe, take care of one another, but live your life! Do not let fear take another day from you. God willing, we will see you all soon, and we can all talk about how COVID used to be a scary thing. Until next year, go do something with your motorcycle.

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Article And Photos By: Daniel Donley

www.pandemoniumcustomchoppers.com

ere at Pandemonium, I do a lot with the Yamaha XS650 Platform. For this month’s tech I am going to show you how to install one of my new 277 RePhased electronic ignition systems. I assemble each one of these systems in house. Installation is easy as 1...2…3…

Install the ignition plate with the two hold down screws, washers, and snug into place. Refer to photos for startup placement.

The 277 electronic ignition is for RePhased Yamaha XS650 Engines ONLY. This is a complete kit and includes everything you need for installation.

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The ignition system is to be used with the stock mechanical advance and advance rod. Now would be a good time to service your mechanical advance per your manual. Make sure everything is moving freely and properly moving for smooth operation.

Install the rotor making sure the

dowel pin is in its location, large washer, lock washer, and M6 nut (use a dab of blue Thread locker here) Hold the nut on the advance mechanism side firmly (Advance Rod Right Side) when tightening the nut on the rotor side (Left Side). Failure to do this may break your mechanical advance.

Refer to photos for your wiring.

Please note that with this 277 Ignition wire is Right or Left Side Specific.

Extra length spark plug wire is included in the kit and will need to be cut to your desired length for your application. The NGK spark plug caps can then be twisted onto the spark plug wire.

Be sure to install an in-line fuse of 10amps, ON/OFF Switched power.

Make sure that your chassis ground is good and clean.

You will need to gap your NGK Spark Plugs to .040 and it is always good practice to use a little Anti Seize on the threads for installation.

Prior to starting your engine for the first time you will need a timing light set up and ready to go. Once the engine fires for the first time check your ignition base timing. It will need to be at 13 to 15 Degrees BTDC at idle. Clockwise rotation of ignition plate will advance timing. Counter clockwise rotation of ignition plate will retard timing. See I told you it was easy as 1..2..3..!

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Some additional things you need to know.

This unit works on 277 Re-Phased Engines ONLY! DON’T DO!!!!!

• DO NOT Adjust your carburetors using the Dead Cylinder method as the manual explains.

• DO NOT Apply Power to the unit until installation is 100% complete.

• DO NOT Apply Power if a Spark Plug OR Wire is Disconnected.

• DO NOT LEAVE the ignition switch on when the Engine is NOT running!

If you do any of these things you WILL Burn up the IGNITION! If you have any questions during installation, please call me. 419576-6812 If there is something that you would like to see a tech article on please 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 Daniel Donley

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Pandemonium Custom Choppers Facebook- Pandemonium Custom Choppers Instagram – pandemoniumc2 happydandemonium@gmail.com

www.pandemoniumcustomchoppers. com

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ike so many, Brandon Miller started riding at an early age by riding dirt bikes at age four. He knew then that he would have a lifelong love of two wheels.

Later in life, that love turned into a passion for building custom motorcycles.

Brandon explained that their

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front yard was not flat, and power wheels would not work in the yard, so his parents bought him a dirt bike and his sister a 4-wheeler, and this is where the story begins. He graduated from the front yard to the woods behind the house, racing from the time he was eight until he was about eighteen. Miller then

turned to street bikes; you know, the ones… those “crotch rocket” things that so many young guys start out on. However, Miller states he just couldn’t seem to stay out of trouble on those bikes, so he turned to Harley’s.

Brandon says he’s never been satisfied with leaving a bike as it came, you know, “STOCK.”

Article And Photos By: Missi Shoemaker

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So, it was natural for him to start customizing his motorcycles as he did with every other thing he owned. Whether it was just putting some personal touches on it, adding performance parts, or delving into the complete customization of motorcycles, he always had to change something.

Brandon does some work for others out of his garage, mostly to fund his own projects, some repairs, and minor customizations.

Starting out, Brandon built metric bikes like the Honda Shadow because they were much more economical to chop up. He did three or four of these builds before he got an old Shovel, which of course, he couldn’t leave the way it came!

His love for the classic old school chopper was what prompted him to tackle the beauty you see here. Being a full-time diesel refrigeration tech and welder/fabricator at his last job, it was natural that he would finally make the decision that he wanted to do a classic chopper. Still, he admits he was very intimidated by it. It also ended up being a

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bigger project than expected as it went along because the vision kept changing. But none of you have ever experienced that problem now, have you?

Static started out as a stock Shovelhead; it was pulled out of a shed, not running. Brandon kept the front 1/2 of the frame, the engine, and transmission. Within the first 4 to 5 hours of owning it, he had it on the table and cut in half.

Being a fabricator at his previous job turned out to be a handy skill.

However, he had never tig welded and actually learned how on this build. He made the oil tank, seat pan, sissy bar and did all the frame mods. He also custom made the exhaust, which he admits took him 18 hours to complete.

Brandon said the biggest challenge during this project was

actually the image he had in his mind. He even warned the painter ahead of time that he would be very particular in how it was done. Well, the painter sure did a fantastic job, but he did lay out several times before he finally told Brandon, “I know someone as f#@ked up in the head as you, let me call him so you can explain to him what you want.” They had a meeting, and the layout was finally what Brandon envisioned.

Apparently, the painter likes to do

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static Tech Sheet Bike Name: Static Owner: Brandon Miller City/State: Shepherdsville, Kentucky Builder: Brandon Miller Year: 1980 Model: Harley FatBob FXEF Value: $25,000 Time: 2 Years ENGINE Year: 1980 Model: Shovelhead Builder: Brandon Miller Ignition: Dynatek Dyna S Displacement: 80ci Pistons: Wiseco Heads: Stock Carb: S&S Super E Cam: Sifton Air Cleaner: Speed Dealer Customs Exhaust: Brandon Miller Primary: Open BDL primary TRANSMISSION Year: 1980 Make: Harley Rotary Top 4-speed Shifting: Foot Shift FRAME Year: 1980 Model: Stock Frame/V-twinHardtail Rake: Stock Stretch: Stock Forks Builder: Brandon Miller Type: 39mm Shaved & Polished Triple Trees: Shaved & Polished Sportster Extension: 4 Over WHEELS Front Wheel: Led Sled Invader Size:21” Tire: Coker Firestone Front Brake: None Rear Wheel: Led Sled Invader Size: 16 “ Tire: shinko 240 Rear Brake: Kustomtech Sprotor PAINT Painter:John Alvey Color: Toyota Super White 040 Type: Graphics: John Alvey Chroming: Perfection Plating Polishing:Henry Higgs ACCESSORIES Bars: Gusher Cycles Risers: Riserless Hand Controls: Foot Controls: 2006 Dyna Mids Gas Tank(s): Butcher Chop Rhett Oil Tank: Brandon Miller Front fender: None Rear Fender: Lowbrow Customs- Manta Ray Seat: Brandon Miller Seat Pan/Upholstered By Ned Couch Headlight: Aris Triangle Headlight Taillight: Grote LED Trailer Lights Speedo: None Photographer: Melissa Shoemaker

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things symmetrically, and Brandon didn’t want symmetric. He wanted it to flow from one side to the other. Well, I think they nailed it!!

For his first old school chopper, I’d say Miller did one helluva job and has set the bar pretty high for himself. Personally, I can’t wait to see what Brandon’s next vision will bring us!

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ALBERT DEAN - 2018 CUSTOM RIGID 200

ALLAN DOUG - 1975 H-D CRITTER

COE KANE - 1979 SHOVELHEAD FXE

GREG CARTER - 2013 HERITAGE

ISRAEL LEE - 1969 SHOVELHEAD

JOE TIZOL - 1983 FXR

JUDD CHAPIN - 1969 H-D FL

MARK VAN DER KWAAK - EVO CHOP

MELVIN RODRIGUEZ - 1984 IRONHEAD

MICHAEL TABAK - 2015 FLRT TRIKE

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RODNEY GROSS - 1959 FLH

RODNEY GROSS - 2020 WCC CFL

RYAN HAAR - 1985 H-D FXEF

STEVE NOCITA - 1979 H-D ROADSTER

TYLAR HARMAN - 1993 SOFTAIL

TYLER HARMAN - 2006 SOFTAIL

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

2020’s Best Production Model motorcycle

Harley-Davidson Low Rider S While many turn to the new products from one of America’s oldest motorcycle manufacturers, our readers have moved to the days gone by, at least in design appeal. The Low Rider S harkens to a time of the early eighties and the bike that most of us wanted to own, the original bad boy of H-D a low rider. It’s gold rims and basic design reminds us of the roots from where all this started. Adding in some of the new cultural influence like the sport fairing and the M-8 makes it the best of the old and the new. It was then, and is again today, the bike that could be ridden just the way it is, or made into a dozen other styles of bike as well. For keeping us connected to the roots of all of this, we are pleased to announce Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Low Rider S as the 2020 Cycle Source Readers’ Best Production Model Motorcycle of the Year!

2020’s motorcycling’s Man of the year

Charlie Brechtel - Purveyor Of Modern Day Motorsiklisims

This year we had the sad duty to bring the news of an industry icons passing. Charlie Brechtel of Biker’s Inner Circle Radio Show. No matter how you may have been exposed to Good Time Charlie, there is little chance that you don’t recognize this man. For me, he was my brother. The first of us to realize the potential of internet radio, frequent contributor on Choppertown, movie producer with two full length feature films (Rough Boys and ) he was all about motorcycle media.

Also an accomplished musician and song writer he appeared every year on the main stage at the buffalo Chip, toured the word at motorcycle rallies as far away as Russia playing his brand of motorcycle anthems rooted in Louisiana blues. I remember Charlie telling me that John Lee Hooker asked him “Charlie, you wanna be famous or a legend?” Charlie’s answer was a legend and Hooker laughed before telling him that most legends die broke. I can firmly say today that you got your wish brother, you have become a legend. For his lifetime commitment to motorsiklisim, and for leaving us all such an amazing catalog of his work, we are more than honored to name Good Time Charlie Brechtel as the 2020 Cycle Source Readers’ Motorcycling’s Man of the Year!

2020’ s motorcycling’s woMan of the year Porsche Taylor

Porsche Taylor is the founder of Black Girls Ride Magazine which is a magazine that not only celebrates women of color, but all women riders. The idea for the magazine came as she was doing research on the pioneer women in motorcycling. Her focus has been to represent and be the voice for all women riders. She participated in the Women Riders World Relay and is currently working with Polaris as a member of the Empowersports Women’s Riding Council. The council is made of 12 powerful women from all backgrounds to uplift the passions that fuel women and put forth deliberate efforts for increased representation, inclusion and participation of women in powersports. We are honored to name Porsche Taylor as the 2020 Cycle Source Reader’s Motorcycling Woman of the Year!

2020’s sportsperson of the year

Stephanie Peitz - Industry Model, Hooligan Racer, Mechanic

Since the Motorcycle Industry Council announced that women were the largest growing segment in Motorcycling a few years back it seems that more and more female faces are showing up at the top of our ranks. Few are as diversified as the winner of this award as Stephanie is as well accomplished in all ends of the spectrum. She is a bad ass on the track, in the shop but at the end of the day, as we found out when she was on ShopTalk, she is proud to be a woman and is also one of the sexiest models that shows up in motorcycle catalogues and literature today. Not offended by using her female form in one part of her life and not intimidated to show people another part of herself in others, she is a perfect example of today’s women in motorcycling . For leading girls in a new direction we are thrilled to announce Stephanie Peitz as the 2020 Cycle Source Readers’ Sportsperson of the Year!

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2020’s Builder Of the year

Bill Dodge - Bling’s Cycles I am so proud to call this man my brother and to know that he is alive and on the mend from a life threatening accident this year. When it comes to his qualifications as builder of the year, I can think of several reasons why this is perfect. Not only has Bill been an example of making custom motorcycles your life’s work, and then following through with the rigors of doing that work day in and day out, he has managed to set the tone as the scene has changed around him. One of the front runners in the use of new and old motor platforms Bill has the ability to use any parts, any model, in almost any arrangement while still executing each build with the style and grace of a Bling’s Cycle build. For showing the world that whats in your heart is what it takes to survive the years, we are thrilled to name Bill Dodge as The 2020 Cycle Source Readers’ Builder of the Year!

2020’s Best accessory part

Memphis Shades In 1976 in a barn, a single man, Allen Mueller started a small business. Now some forty-six years later that small company occupies an 84,000 SqFt facility on the outskirts on Memphis. Memphis Shades is a leading in form and function when it comes to custom motorcycle windshields, fairings and accessories for just about every make and model you could ask for. Not only do they boast being Made In The USA but the company prides itself on manufacturing everything in house right down to the hardware. A mantra of Memphis Shades is “Raw Materials In, Finished Goods Out.” For their continuous innovation, growth, and keeping it at home we are proud to name Memphis Shades as The 2020 Cycle Source Readers’ Accessory Product Of They Year!

2020’s Best performance part

Screaming Eagle 131 Inch Crate Engine To say that you can always use some extra inches, when it comes to the Harley crowd, truer words have never been spoken. Introducing the 131 M-8 crate Engine, the most powerful street-compliant engine that Harley-Davidson has ever created! As if the M-8 wasn’t impressive enough out of the box, H-D has a torque packed punch in this mill that provides 131 ft pounds of it with 121 HP at the rear wheel. If installed at the dealer it even fits into the warranty.

For giving their customer options, we are happy to announce Screamin’ Eagle 131 Gate Engine as the 2020 Cycle Source Readers’ Best Performance Product of the Year.

2020’s best custom product of the year

Denver’s Choppers Narrow Springer Once upon a time there was no such thing as a chopper, and then the boyz at Denver’s Choppers got a hold of stock bikes from Harleys and Indians to old CB750s and combined with old radius rods and an idea of what would be cool.... Well, the rest is history. Well after running the name sakes of that Shop for 25 years Denver himself passed away in a race boat accident! Over 25 years later Mondo continues that brand and continues to make custom bikes and parts in the same tradition they always have at Denvers. Their latest addition, the narrow springer, smacked us in the face in Sturgis and is for those of us afflicted with the 70’s chopper fever the perfect front end for the next build. For continuing to fuel the passion , we are happy to name The Denver’s Choppers Narrow Springer as the 2020 Cycle Source Readers’ Best Custom Product Of The Year.

2020’s Apparel Product of the year

Hot Leathers - Flannel Shirts Who can argue with the all purpose nature of a god flannel shirt these days however they have become an integrual part of our culture. You can see them in every capacity from fashion statement, to general shop use and even in performance riding gear as some now come with hidden armor in key locations. Leave it to Hot Leathers to not just join those ranks but jump to the head of the line with a flannel shirt that matches the look and feel of the leading brands in that space but to improve on the quality and for about half the price. They also provide these same great styles in an armored version for those who want to take their flannel show on the road. For knowing that the good stuff doesn’t always have to have a designer price, we are happy to name Hot Leathers Flannel Shirts as the 2020 Cycle Source Readers’ Best Apparel Product of the Year!

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2020’s craftsman of the year Paul Cox - Paul Cox Industries

Paul Cox has been an example of the finest craftsmanship in our industry for decades now from earl days of tooling leather seats in New York City to building full custom motorcycles that have been among the best in our times. He has designed parts, introduced a custom line of knives, all the while staying true to his own brand of motorcycle art. In recent times Paul has seemingly redefined himself by leaving city life behind and opening a new chapter in Upstate with a new studio. Still tooling seats. Still building bikes, Paul continues to push the limits of his own abilities in an attempt to go to that next level. For keeping us grounded through his expressions in art, we are proud to announce Paul cox of Paul Cox Industries as the 2020 Cycle Source Magazine Readers’ Craftsman of the Year!

2020’ s Best event of the year The 80th Anniversary Of Sturgis

From the early part of 2020 no one would believe that anything could stop the Sturgis rally especially since this was the grand daddy 80th anniversary. Plans had been made for half a decade and besides it was months away.

But then the weeks slipped by, COVID took a foot hold and the worry became very real that this event was not going to happen. I should say that this award goes to several people involved with the event, starting with South Dakota’s Gov. Kristie Gnome, Rod Woodruff, Michael Ballard & Jesse James Dupree, Andy From Hot Leathers, Everyone at the Iron Horse, the people of Sturgis and of course our staff. There are many more to name but the people mentioned above worked tirelessly and fought all odds, some of them like Rod Woodruff became a target for the media in doing so. But each of them stood strong to make sure that the 80th running of this historic gathering would endure. Of course it was different but for the fact that it went on in spite of such overwhelming odds we humbly award the Sturgis Rally as 2020’s Cycle Source Readers’ Best Event of the Year!

2020’ s artist of the year Steve Gibson - Air, Oil & Lead

There are those that have artistic abilities and create beautiful expressions of our culture and then there are those who seem to be Gods own photographers. Taking their art beyond what could even be captured through the lens of the most expensive camera but painting a picture through their own eyes and hands that is more than real life. Steve Gibson is one of the second types of artists. His realism goes to another world, airbrush murals that seem like you could walk right into them defying their 2 dimensional prisons. He is maybe the most amazing artist in this medium in our culture today and we were thrilled to wrote about him in our June issue this year. For immortalizing moments in our time through his art, we are happy to name Steve Gibson as the 2020 Cycle Source Readers’ Artist of the Year!

2020’s Best Media Release Of The Year

Coast 2 Coast Weekly Simulcast Many things changed during the pandemic in 2020 and how we communicated was one of the biggest of them. Early on it seemed as if tons of podcasts and multi-casts were launched and all of a sudden the motorcycle world entered the 21st century through technology. This has been great for holding our community together and for highlighting those who stand out in it, and in real time. Cris Sommers Simmons along with Co-Host Mike Lichter are now in their second dozen of episodes and that show is growing like mad. With guests that span the range of generations of motorcycling women, great commentary and a line up that speaks to our depth in this culture today.

For being an example of overcoming a new set of rules we are thrilled to announce the 2020 Cycle Source Readers’ Best Media Release of the Year for Coast 2 Coast!

2020’s Best shop related product Of The Year

The Fork Vise By Motion Pro There are a few things that you happen upon in the average work that goes down in your average motorcycle shop that make you cringe by just thinking of. Fork work, for me, is for sure one of them. It’s dirty, hard to do without a second set of hands and in general a pain in the ass for all it entails. Enter the folks at Motion Pro and viola, a solution. The Fork Vise is an amazing product and a welcome addition to the Grease & Gears Garage. It holds, it catches, it pivots and even has a place to gather the small parts while your hands are full. Made very well and mounts easily to your work bench, this thing is a must have for any maintenance related shop pro or garage guy. For helping us have the right tool to do the work better and without an extra hand, we are happy to name The Motion Pro Fork Vise as the 2020 Cycle Source Readers’ Shop Related Product of the Year!

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i

t’s said that getting lost is half the fun, and while that can certainly be true on a road trip to nowhere when you have all the time in the world, there are situations when I need to get somewhere quickly. Like many riders, I’d mark up a map or just write or print out directions (in later years, using online mapping programs) and tape them to my tank. Or stick the directions in my pocket, pulling them out when I needed to see where the next turns were. Using my smartphone has worked in a pinch, but phones depend on cellular service rather than satellites, and they don’t offer much routing flexibility.

Around eight years ago, I acquired a Harley-Davidson Road Tech zūmo 665, which at the time was one of the top-rated GPS products on the market. It worked well for years, and I was quite pleased with the upgrade over my manual efforts until several months ago when it just ceased to function. l companies manufacture GPS systems, yet only a few offer units specifically for motorcycles. It turns out that Garmin had just introduced the new zūmo XT GPS, and its functionality was touted as far superior to its competitors.

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Article And Photos By: Marjorie Kleiman

So choosing another Garmin seemed like a no-brainer to me.

The zūmo XT, first available in March 2020, ships in a kit comprising the GPS unit, motorcycle mount and hardware, motorcycle power cable, USB cable, and documentation. The installation of the powered motorcycle mount was straightforward and took about an hour

to attach and connect. The hardware in the kit provides for two different mounting solutions; one a U-bolt fastened around the handlebar, and the other attaching the handlebar base directly to either the right or left handlebar switch housings. I chose the latter method as I planned on making

the mount a permanent attachment to my Road King’s handlebars. Longerthan-stock screws are provided in the kit; however, I found that I needed even longer ones, so make sure to check the screw lengths before starting the installation.

Several easy steps explained and illustrated clearly in the owner’s manual are required to install the handlebar base to the handlebar housing, attach the power cables to the motorcycle mount, and then attach the base plate to the motorcycle mount and the handlebar base in order to fit the device into the motorcycle mount bracket. The unit’s wiring harness can be connected either directly to the battery the ignition. I chose the latter.

The zūmo XT has exceeded all my expectations by far. One of the most important upgrades, in my opinion, is the improved, expanded, glove-friendly 5.5” screen with a super-bright display, meaning that I can actually see the graphics in direct sunlight. I’ve also used the XT on my FXRS Shovel, which doesn’t have the motorcycle power cable installed (I just use a RAM mount that attaches to the handlebar). The internal battery provides enough power for several hours—even

longer if I don’t set the backlight to maximum brightness. It’s also rugged and rain-resistant: I’ve used it in some wicked downpours with no adverse effects, and I’ve dropped it on the pavement a few times resulting in no discernable damage.

The zūmo XT can calculate routes using faster time, shorter distance, or offroad. You can avoid U-Turns, highways, toll roads, ferries, carpool lanes, unpaved roads, and even specific areas or roads. And there’s a sliding scale for “adventurous routing,” which is a setting that favors curvy roads, hills, and fewer highways—great for both on-road and off-road exploring.

Rider alerts (i.e., railroad crossings, curves, etc.) can be set, as well as speeding or reduced speed alerts. The XT can display “upcoming services,” which include fuel, food, and lodging, and you can even set it to display a break reminder if you’ve been on the road for an extended time. Built-in sensors can detect incidents involving your motorcycle. The device can generate a text message with location information sent to a contact of your choosing.

Another huge improvement over prior GPS systems is Garmin’s use of apps like TripAdvisor, Foursquare, History, iOverlander POIs, Ultimate Campground, and directories of U.S. national parks as well as motorcycle dealerships and repair service locations, which in addition to Garmin’s own extensive database, provides directions and information about, literally, millions of points of interest around the globe.

As with any GPS system, the XT provides both verbal and visual turnby-turn directions, with additional functions such as hands-free calling using Bluetooth technology. Through the use of the Garmin Drive phone app, smartphone notifications appear on the XT display, and if you’re not worried about distractions, you can make handsfree calls. Garmin Drive can also be used to access real-time traffic and weather information, as well as information about red light and speed cameras. And you can enable the device’s fuel tracking function—a handy warning system for motorcycles that don’t have fuel gauges.

Although the zūmo XT does a fine job getting you from Point A to Point B using the trip parameters of your choice, much of my usage involves custom routing—a function at which the XT excels. You can set and edit your route on the unit itself, or you can use the Garmin BaseCamp software on your PC or Mac to plot sharable routes and then upload them to the XT. There’s a learning curve to this complex program,

but its advanced functionality can make your efforts worthwhile. I also use online software such as Google Maps or the Harley-Davidson Ride Planner to create routes for my XT. Garmin GPS systems accept the GPX files that are created from these programs, and they can be further modified once they’ve been uploaded to your device. Along with creating dozens of back-country routes for day trips around the New York/New Jersey/Pennsylvania tri-state area, I

mapped out a four-day mid-summer road trip to Southern Vermont. Through all my usage, the XT performed admirably, not letting me down once.

Additional features include track recording, which allows you to record your route to save it for re-use, or share with others. The XT can pair with certain inReach satellite communicators for twoway messaging, to share locations, and to send an SOS in case of an emergency.

One of my favorite features is the music player; music can be streamed from a

smartphone, or MP3 files can be loaded and played on the XT. The XT comes with 32GB of internal storage, and I bought a 64GB microSD card (it can accommodate up to 128 GB) to hold the thousand-orso MP3 files I loaded. I can play entire albums, create playlists, or randomize the songs. This is the first time I’ve ever listened to music on a motorcycle in all the years I’ve been riding. I found that on long trips where I’m pounding the pavement, playing my favorite tunes, along with new ones I’ve never heard, sure seems to make those highway miles speed by a lot faster.

The XT comes with pre-loaded on-road and off-road maps, and updates are free for the life of the device. They can even be downloaded using the unit’s built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. Along with the maps, free access and downloading via WIFI is provided to high-resolution BirdsEye Satellite Imagery around the world.

The Garmin zūmo XT (P/N 01002296-00) retails for $499.99, although it’s currently on sale for $449.99. Once I saw how easily the installation could be accomplished on my Road King, I decided to order just the mounting and wiring components for my FXD so that I could quickly swap my zūmo XT between bikes. The components needed to install a mounting system on a second bike include the Handlebar Mount Kit (P/N 010-10962-10) for $59.99, Motorcycle Mount Bracket (P/N 010-12953-00) for $19.99, and the Motorcycle Power Cable (010-12953-03) for $39.99. Also suggested is the zūmo XT Carrying Case (P/N 010-12953-02) for $24.99.

Garmin GPS systems have a oneyear warranty from the date of purchase; however, I’ve called Garmin Customer Service about my old GPS unit years after the warranty expired, and they have always tried their best to assist with whatever issue I was experiencing.

It’s a pleasure to speak with staff that know these products inside out, and I’ve learned plenty of tips and tricks from them, as well.

The zūmo XT is by far the best GPS system I’ve come across, and there’s plenty of additional functionality that I haven’t even addressed here. The only downside is that you’ll begin to depend on it so heavily that you won’t want to leave home without it.

Garmin www.garmin.com 855.607.2536 - @garmin

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Article And Photos By : Chip Parisi

b

y July 4th, 2017, I made the decision that I was going to Sturgis to “work the rally”. At the time I had a good cushion in the bank, but knew I couldn’t travel the way I wanted, indefinitely, without some source of income. My previous month-long trip, which took me across 30 states and 7,500 miles was a blast, but it left me with less money than I thought I would need. I’m no math magician, but it was simple arithmetic, and couldn’t be ignored.

Thankfully, I had recently learned that I wouldn’t be trailblazing through uncharted territory. Drifters like Joe Sparrow, Scotty Kerekes, Scorpio Drake, and Billy Burrows had all paved the way and had left a good blueprint behind.

Whether it was a handful of years, or numerous decades, those guys were all able to fill their tanks, pockets, and bellies by trading their hours for dollars, at annual motorcycle events.

To learn more about this unknown path, I reached out to Scotty, the unofficial ambassador of nomadic scooter tramps. Scotty had a laid-back California demeanor and was very generous with his time. He was a wealth of nomadic knowledge. Through a few long phone conversations, and an afternoon together in Asheville, North Carolina (during my 2nd trip from Rhode Island to the Smoky mountains that Spring), this eager “Student of the Road” learned as much as that road-tested Master would teach.

Among his stream of advice on how to stretch the dollar, maintain sanity, and avoid getting burned-out, was a tip about camping for free during the Black Hills Rally. Yes, it was nothing more than one of the countless primitive camps littered throughout the country, but it was the first time I had heard of it. This planted the seed of my dream to head west for the rally

in August. According to Scotty, as long as I showed-up a few days early, pounded the pavement a bit, and talked to enough people, I’d have no problem finding some kind of work. Sounded good enough to me!

Between that meeting and my launch day in lateJuly, I made my way up to Laconia Bike Week, in New Hampshire. Though I was there to ride the White Mountains, indulge in standard bike week debauchery, and spend time with friends, it seemed like the perfect chance to “practice”.

With a quick, “I’ll be back in a minute”, to my friend Chad, I walked-up to a random food vendor and asked if they needed any help.

The guy in charge, “Chicken Bob”, said they were all set, which was a relief, as I wasn’t really ready for the party to end right there. However, as I was about to go down the line to the next vendor, he said, “...but we could use you in Sturgis”. Excited at the prospect of the job, and even more at the chance to end my search in under a minute, we exchanged numbers. He gave me some chicken-on-a-stick, and I was back to my friends before the next round was poured.

With a free place to stay and a job lined-up, all that was left to do was ride, an area in which I exceled! After servicing my old Road Glide, packing (repacking, then repacking again), I hit the road late one day toward the end of July. My target for the day was the middle of Connecticut so I had only 100 miles to cover. After saying goodbye to my folks, I made it about 30 miles before the drybag riding bitch decided to go for a roll down US Route 6! It was not the start I’d hoped for, but that embarrassing walk-of-shame, to retrieve my jettisoned cargo, really taught me to double-check my rig before raising the kickstand!

Before hitting the road the following morning, I

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changed my plans, which is typical, in my lifestyle. It occurred to me that even though I needed to be back in RI by Thanksgiving, and had already chalked-up two-thirds of the 48 states, doing all of the remaining in one go would be much more remarkable than just riding 48 total, in the year. This idea tempted my ego enough to see me head North through Massachusetts and into Vermont, then East through New Hampshire and into Maine. Though this detour was admittedly fostered by vanity, I just couldn’t live with the threat of conquering 45 states only to return to RI in late November and have the weather keep me from the 3 states in northern New England.

After imposing on some friends for an impromptu night in their basement on a spare mattress, I got back on-track, now further from Sturgis then when I started.

That day saw big miles as I blasted Interstate 90 to Niagara Falls, and rode into Canada. I hadn’t seen those magnificent cascades since I was about 10 years old. The dense and unrelenting crowd of yuppie tourists really stole the spirit from that World Wonder, and there seemed to be more people streaming down the sidewalks than water over the falls.

I continued about 200 “Canadian Miles” west into Ontario, partially hugging the coast of Lake Erie.

Just before sunset I rolled-up to the Huber’s soybean farm, where these stereotypically friendly Canucks (from the internet) invited me to camp in their massive barn. That evening was frittered away getting to know this generous family in the best way I know how; drinking beer around a campfire. That serene scene was in perfect contrast to the bustling tourist-trap I had escaped earlier, and was just what I needed. It was not only the perfect end to a long day on the road, but a really good example of all the wonderful people you meet when traveling like this.

Shortly after daybreak I was up and the tent was down. I loaded the bike, double-checked everything, and with well-wishes from my hosts, I pointed ole Gloria north, and headed up the Bruce Peninsula. Within a few hours I was laying in the mid-summer sun, on the deck of a large ferry, with Gloria below, tethered to the floor of the cavernous cargo hold. The water on Lake Huron was calm that day, which made for a very relaxing voyage.

Upon departing the ship I spotted a well-dressed couple struggling with their freshly-polished Electra Glide.

Turns out they were hotel-hopping for a short week, but had failed to carry any tools with them. They didn’t even have a single screwdriver to remove the seat. While silencing my inner critic, and trying not to judge him too harshly, I dug into my tool kit, hoping to help. About

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a minute later I became their hero with a single turn of a 10 millimeter socket on one of their battetery terminals. It always feels good to help someone out, but I rolled away feeling embarrassed for the guy, since this was surely a crack in his badass biker facade!

Around 7PM, with plenty of summer daylight remaining, I started looking for a place to “stealth camp”. A big part of being successful on the road is watching your pennies. To me, it’s not a matter of how much I make, but rather, how much I don’t spend. Paying to camp can add up very quickly, and is something I completely avoided for years, except for one $10 campsite, and one $30 motel room, both of which were split with a friend. Despite having camped this way almost every night while on a 38-day bicycle trip, earlier in my life, I struggled. The primary mistake I made on that first attempt on my 1,000 pound bagger wasn’t really something I did, but actually something I failed to do. I now know to scout trails into the woods before diving in! It seems obvious now, but taking a single-lane path, downhill into the woods is a bad idea! The 90 minutes I spent turning that half-ton beast around when the narrow path ended in a lake is etched into my memory!

Wish I could say I’m disciplined enough to have never repeated that mistake, but I’d be lying.

Thankfully, that inlet on Lake Huron was the perfect temperature for a sunset swim, which is what I’ll call it, because referring to it as a bath just sounds wrong.

I was up at dawn and dropped my bike in McDonald’s parking lot by 8AM. After a few days with no internet access in Canada, I spent an hour on their wifi, before bombing west on the Trans Canada Highway, then south over the International Bridge, back into the good old USA. I continued down the map, through the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I stopped for a picture of the iconic Mackinac Bridge, before crossing it. The outside lanes were closed for resurfacing, so I had the ‘pleasure’ of riding the steel-grid center lane, 200 feet above the water below. The strong wind-gusts made for an interesting ride as I tried to ignore thoughts of sliding across that oversized cheese-grater.

Once back on terre firme I connected with “future-friend”, Dave Wolf, who was then just stranger on the internet. This hard-riding lone wolf offered me a place to camp, near the middle of “the mitten”, adjacent to beautiful Houghton Lake.

Upon retreating to my tent, after getting sidetracked with him in his 3-season room, I punched “Sturgis” into my GPS. I knew it was almost due west, but Lake Michigan was in the way I needed to decide which route to take, as the rally was suddenly just a couple days away.

Much to my surprise, the projected difference in time between going back up over the bridge and west through the UP vs going south through the corner of Indiana, was only 3 minutes! With that unexpected bit of info, the next morning I took the scenic route north, which included a blast through Michigan’s famous Tunnel of Trees”.

With Cheese Grater Bridge behind me, I made miles on US-2, which hugs the northern coast of Lake Michigan.

I recall being shocked by the sandy

beaches and crashing waves, and the fact that this was a lake, and not the ocean. However, the best part of that day was still about 100 miles west, at a dumpy gas station. I passed by rather quickly, as I’m known to do, and saw a loaded-down bike, with a few people gathered around it. I talked ole Gloria into turning around because she’d never really met another pack mule before, this whole lifestyle was new to her too, and it was important for her to see that she wasn’t alone out there.

Before I even dropped her kickstand we got a warm greeting from Earle Kellett, and his biker-dog Pugsley. Once the curiosity-seekers dispersed, I learned that this Yukon Cornelius-looking guy, and his equally bushy pooch, were 4 months into a road trip, which ultimately brought them through 48 states and almost 40,000 miles! We chatted for a bit, then road together for a while. We stopped under an overpass to suit-up for some rain, but got separated when I stopped to checkout a reproduction of the Scooby Doo Mystery Machine.

Thankfully, we connected online,

and have stayed in-touch since. He’s currently saving-up in hopes of takingoff for a couple years, and adding more miles to Pugsley’s already impressive resume of over 250,000 motorcycle miles!

Later that day I scouted a rural cemetery to call home for the night, and just like that time by the lake in Ontario, my hammock got the call while my tent stayed packed. I slept extremely well that night, but not nearly as sound as all my new neighbors! I hit the road early the next day, but not before righting a bunch of small American flags which the wind had almost gotten the best of.

I made great time blasting down I-90, across Wisconsin and Minnesota, which was the plan, since I hadn’t heard back from “Chicken Bob”, and I suddenly wanted to be in Sturgis ASAP! I don’t regret that nap I took in the grass, or the great conversation I had with a traveling tradesman who was very generous with his beerfilled cooler.

I finally finished my westward trek across Minnesota, and camped-out behind a 24-hour gas station, just over the South Dakota line. Again, Scotty was right; all I had to do was ask, and not only did I get a convenient place to sleep (with bathrooms and wifi), but also a free shower, courtesy of a trucker with a surplus of vouchers. He seemed to understand how I’d be about 46 gallons of fuel short of my own free-shower voucher, and was happy to share.

My final day from Rhode Island to Sturgis was entirely on I-90, with a stiff headwind and the most wideopen country I’d ever seen! There were sections of bulbous ‘Teletubbies’ hills, but mostly it was just unimpeded horizon lines in all directions, which was truly foreign to this New Englander.

As I passed Rapid City, SD I finally allowed myself to say “I made it!”, and then finished the cut by taking a quick loop around Lazelle and Main, before heading to Camp5, in the Black Hills National forest. They were expecting upwards of 500,000 people at the rally. I knew one of them, but prayed that, that would change.

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Article By : Chris Callen Photos By: Missi Shoemaker

m

itch “Magoo” Bodine has been a friend of the magazine for longer than either of us want to admit. I first met him as a Bling’s hang-around when Bill Dodge first moved to New Jersey. We became fast friends as he was another smart ass East Coaster. Mitch likes to build bikes and rock crawler trucks, but at the end of the day, he is down for anything. As time went on, he was one of the guys and became a significant

part of the Limpnickie Lot effort.

Between Mitch and his partner in crime, Tom Freund, there may not have been a Limpnickie Lot at all if not for the two of them making long-ass trips to pick up builders and their bikes to help them make it to the show. Of course, this was a time when we were all kids and broke as a joke. I even found myself sharing rides in the Limpnickie trailer, with cases of magazines; it even used to be my “hotel” once all the bikes were out on display. Of course, time

flew by, and Mitch and I are old men now, but his love for custom bikes never faded. If anything, it has grown stronger as the years have passed.

When it comes to this ’59, Magoo got the deal of the century from Chopper Parts Swapper.

A buddy of his drug it back from Florida for him. At the time, it wasn’t a Panhead… well, parts not all of it. More specifically, the engine and title were a ‘66 Shovel. In Mitch’s own words it was “Worn the F#@k out!”

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This was a great opportunity though, Tom had a bike named Greenie that was all of a ’66 Shovel except the ‘59 Pan motor. A trade deal was on the horizon, and Tom now proudly owns a complete ‘66 with a matching title.

That left Mitch with a ‘59 Pan motor that wasn’t in a whole lot better condition than that ‘66. He hit up Steve McBass in Homel to rebuild the mill and left that part to the expert. Steve kept it mostly stock with some STD heads, and of course, Magoo slapped a Lectron Carb on it. He is one of the biggest fans of these carbs, but what can I say, I feel the same about my SU’s. The ‘59 was paired up with a Shoveled transmission using a BDL belt drive inside a tin type primary.

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While Steve worked his magic, Mitch had his work cut out for him. He began to notice that the frame was way outta whack. 3/4 of an inch or better, to be exact. It had been broken down at the casting where they always do. Someone had bogeyed it back together. Enter ’47 Mike, who was charged with the task of taking the fame that needed a lot of love and turning back time. When he finished, it was straight and beautiful again. This gave Mitch a solid platform to build from. He talked over the idea with Will, the owner of this build, of what he wanted to go with. Will wanted a tough bike that would be a mix of on and offroad influence. Will knew he wanted the Dogtown logo displayed on it somewhere in the paint. It’s funny, but when Will asked

Mitch if he knew what Dogtown Skateboards were. Mitch showed him his very first tattoo ever and you guessed it, the Dogtown logo. Right then, they knew they had a good team for this build.

Magoo went about mixing and matching, a CRF 450 silencer

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Q-VO TECH SHEET Owner: Will Sulcer City/State: Pueblo, Colorado Builder: Magoo’s Motorsickles Year: 1959 Model: Fl-Ish Value: Lots Time: One Year Engine Year: 1959 Model: FL Builder: Steve McBath Ignition: Mallory W/ Dyna Coils Displacement: 80” Pistons: Wiseco Heads: STD Panhead Carb: Lectron Cam: Andrews Air Cleaner: Old-Stf Mfg Bee Blocker Exhaust: Magoo’s W/ Mod Honda CRF450 Silencer Primary: BDL Transmission Year: 1977 Make: Harley Shifting: Foot Frame Year: 1959 Model: FL Rake: Stock Stretch: Stock Forks Builder: Harley – Magoo’s Type: 39mm Triple Trees: Bare Knuckle Extension: None Wheels Front Wheel: Harley – Magoo’s Size: 21” Tire: Pirelli MT60 Front Brake: Honda CRF450 Rear Wheel: Harley – Magoo’s Size: 16” Tire: Pirelli MT60 Rear Brake: Fab Kevin Paint Painter: Mr Oz Color: Gold, Brown, Lime Green Type: Shiney Graphics: Mr Oz Chroming: None Accessories Bars: Renthal Twin Wall Risers: Renthal Hand Controls: Honda CRF450 Foot Controls: Harley – Fab Kevin Gas Tank(S): Sporty Oil Tank: Speed King Racing Front Fender: None Rear Fender: Lowbrow Customs Seat: Swap Meet Headlight: KC Hilites Taillight: Chevy Pick Up Speedo: None Photographer: Missi Shoemaker

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on his custom tabbed pipes, Renthal bars with a Bareknuckle Triple clamp, tough-ass enduro tires, all coming together to make the moto-inspired look. Mitch took the stock Shovelhead swingarms and cut off all the original amounts to make it exactly what he

needed. The stock shocks weren’t going to work for where he would need to mount them. It gave him the chance to make some nice round custom mounts instead. For paint, Mitch finally got the opportunity to work with Mr. Oz. He met Cory back in the day just as he was starting to break out and was excited to get some of his art on this build.

All and all, Magoo came up with a hell of a runner that looks like it could hit the doubles… if you have to balls to try it. Clinton Wallace, pictured at the motocross track with this bike, had the chance to take it for a spin on a “first ride,” but you’ll have to wait for that in an upcoming issue.

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Article And Photos By: Jason Hallman www.cyclestopusa.com

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f you live in a seasonal climate, then storing your motorcycle for part of the year is part of the ownership experience. While I recommend that you store your beloved motorcycle in the living room of your home (have your wife call me, I’ll explain it to her), this is not always an option.

the “Lead-Acid” type and require little or no maintenance. Battery voltage is affected negatively by temperature, and cold temperatures can compromise the life cycle of a battery. I recommend removing your motorcycle’s battery once you plan to store your bike and place it on a battery maintainer in a place that the temperature will not go below freezing. If this is not an option, you should still place your battery on a maintainer (I recommend the Optimate PN3807-0316 available at any Drag Specialties dealer).

In this article, I will explain the easiest and most cost-effective methods of storing your motorcycle so that when you throw your leg over the saddle in the spring, you are ready to ride with little or no maintenance due for the entire season.

Let’s break storage down into small digestible chunks:

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Batteries Most motorcycle

batteries

are

Engine Oil Whether you use synthetic oil or not makes no difference when it comes to storing your motorcycle. All engine oils get contaminated by combustion.

When you leave contaminated engine oil in your engine during extended storage periods, the additives in your oil break down and become caustic.

The by-products of combustion leave some nasty things in the oil, and contaminates can limit your oil’s adhesion properties. Oil adhesion is very important during storage. You need oil to stick to internal engine parts so that they will not rust, and you also need your oil to provide ample lubrication on dry start-up after the storage season is over.

Primary Oil Primary oil is something that Harley mechanics LOVE to debate. Some insist on using factory oils, but since I am a “synthetic guy,” I rely heavily on purpose-built oils from companies like Spectro; that I know are tested and formulated for my exacting purpose. The primary fluid in your Harle-Davidson is arguably one of the most overlooked fluids. It needs to be changed annually regardless of mileage.

Trans Fluid Harley mechanics all have their own opinions based on their own experience. I know mechanics that only run synthetics. I also know mechanics that I trust and respect, that only run the stockequivalent fluids they have relied on for decades. For my money, I feel like a thicker (more viscous) fluid does the best job. Keep in mind, though, a thicker fluid will coagulate more quickly when it is exposed to extreme cold. Therefore, I stick to my earlier recommendation of getting your motorcycle up to full operating temperature and changing your oil before storage. Also, I NEVER USE

ENGINE OIL IN A TRANSMISSION! Brake Fluid

Brake fluid is by far the most overlooked fluid in your motorcycle.

In issue 282, I went into great detail regarding the perils of Dot 4 brake fluid. If you can see paint bubbling from the caps on your master cylinders, this means that trace amounts of brake fluid are getting past the seal. This also means that

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trace amounts of humidity from the atmosphere are getting into your braking system, reducing your brake fluid’s boiling point. Flushing your system once annually with denatured alcohol and replacing the fluid with new clean fluid will ensure that your braking system will last long. You will always have brakes when needed.

Fuel

and treating your fuel with Sentry Fuel treatment for many reasons.

First, it prevents Phase Separation.

Secondly, it treats the Ethanol so that it won’t contaminate your injectors and or fuel pump. If you are still carbureted, treat your fuel and then turn your fuel valve off and run your carburetor out of fuel. That way, you’ll be ready to ride when the sun starts shining in a few months.

I recommend filling your fuel tank

Covered Storage You know those little “DO NOT EAT” packages that come in electronics boxes? Those packages contain Silica Gel, and they absorb humidity in the air that can destroy electronic circuitry. Silica Gel is a common thing to find in areas of the country where basements are found. Most hardware stores sell Silica Gel, and it works great for motorcycle storage to prevent surface corrosion. If you are going to cover your bike, I also highly recommend that you purchase some Silica Gel and place it under the cover with your bike. Rapidly changing temperatures can cause condensation on your bike, which can cause rust, paint damage, and dull your polished aluminum surfaces.

My advice is to take your motorcycle out for its last ride of the year and once it is good and hot, drain all of the major fluids. I also recommend that you do not start your bike unless you intend to take it to full operating temperature and ride it until spring has sprung. By starting your engine and letting it run for just a few minutes, you risk damage from dry start-up. You will also have to use your enrichener to start the engine.

The additional fuel required to start the engine can wash away the oil on the cylinder walls. In addition, you will also cause condensation on the inside of the crankcase that you cannot see. Once the condensation dissipates, it can cause corrosion on the surface of internal engine parts and can damage bearing surfaces.

If possible, I also recommend storing your bike with the tires off the ground.

This will prevent flat spots on the tires and can prevent problems with sealed wheel bearings.

I hope this helps. Your wallet and your motorcycle will thank you once it is time to get your knees in the breeze again!

If you’re cold....they’re cold...

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or the last five years, in the middle of nowhere, a party has raged in the sweet cornfields of Iowa. It is held in memory of a fallen biker, a friend, a father. Nathan Kirchner wanted to honor his father in the best way any biker could hope for- get all of his rowdy friends together on two wheels to ride and rage.

Since 2015 this grassroots show, with no frills or attitudes has proven that you don’t have to have a single dollar in your pocket or know a single person to show up.

Once you were there, in true biker tradition, you were family.

In fact, Nathan shared with me that the spirit of the event has always been about family.

Danny ‘Teddy Bear’ Kirchner, a member of the Chosen Few for 30 years had a lot of friends, and a loving family made up the first memorial in 2014. He was compared by many to Tom Fugle, old school to the core. Nathan confided, Teddy Bear once told him that he watched Easyrider

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when he was younger, and knew right then what he wanted out of life. It was in that spirit that Hell on Wheels was born.

Deno, The area’s own triumph wizard, was also a rider with the Chosen Few, he’d been friends with Teddy Bear since the 70s, and he stepped in and helped

with family matters. Deno has been involved with the ride ever since day one, and this year he got the honor of leading it.

Steve Davis used to lead, but he would go too fast and the pack got split up and ended up chasing his

ass all day. “This year we jokingly said **** IT , Deno is leading the pack, he won’t be runnin’ 90 miles an hour on that old trumpet!” So this year, at the fifth annual Hell on Wheels, Deno lead a pack of over 70 custom choppers, stock gems, vintage gold, and new school trash (me included on the 2015) on a 90 mile, 5 hour loop of the better part of eastern Iowa local watering holes.

The locations involved for 2020 were all hospitable to a group of dingy hung over bikers of… pretty much every age.

We swarmed in, took over the small towns, representing roughly 3% of the population, and lined the streets with laughter, energy and motorbikes.

We stopped at a handful of local pubs in the Franklin Iowa area, and ended in Franklin at the Franklin Tap where they have always hosted great entertainment. This year didn’t disappoint with Singer Songwriter Polly Ann, The Last Knife Fighter, and the one man band, Riff Worm.

Article And Photos By:Benny & Amy Stucker

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There were over 100 bikes lining the street in front of the Franklin Tap, and the party went on well into the darkness. Finally we retreated to the campgrounds where most in attendance were staying for the night, a much anticipated change from last year’s hop over the state line to find a resting and party place in Galesburg Illinois. It was ten feet from the train tracks and had a train run through every 5 minutes. ALL NIGHT LONG. It was a great time.

The campgrounds offered a retreat where we all just hung out and partied. The family reunion style atmosphere that the campgrounds embodied led to 2 cabins and dozens of campers just mingling around the bikes and lake, watching a few brave souls jump a bicycle off the dock to cool off after the long dusty ride from the Tap. There were midnight egg rolls fried up on a camping stove, live music into the night with singalongs and stories, memories and new friends.

No matter the location, friends and family of Danny ‘Teddy Bear’ Kirchner find a reason to celebrate the life of someone they held so dear, multiplying the friends every year.

If you missed out this year, I would tell you to come next year, but unfortunately after this one, you’re shit out of luck. This was the last year of the “Official Hell on Wheels: Chopper party of all midwest chopper parties”. This was one of the few remaining, MidWest grassroots motorbike gatherings, next to the Clam Jam and Tramp Fest, where there are no trophies, no sponsors, and NO masters.

It could not have happened without The Franklin Tap, Cody, Jenny and Jeff Grabau, Ash, Mamma Joycee, Stretch and Shelly, Tina Conrad, the Davis brothers, Flying Weasel and Dan Hass.

Thank you for the last five years guys- they will be remembered as a half decade of rowdy good ***** times.

-Amy Sue Stucker @amysue_rides @AmySueStucker Photos by @Benny_Stucker for Benny Stucker Photography: Find more on Shootproof, Patreon & Facebook.

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Article By: Jason Hallman Photos By: Missi Shoemaker

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f all the motorcycles that I could be asked to write a feature on, who would have guessed it would be the one bike built in the last few years that I relished owning for myself from the moment I saw it? I consider everything about this chopper unique and near perfect!

Due to my friendship with Bill Dodge, I had the pleasure of watching this bike come to life throughout the build process. Bill always has several projects in queue. There is no shortage of

folks wanting a custom-built Bling’s Cycle) but it wasn’t until TMMR in 2019 that I saw this work completed.

The owner is a repeat client of Bill’s.

Bill is an innovator, and he is fearless when it comes to building bikes. I once told him that I was amazed by what he has the balls to fabricate and what he has the balls to use in the way of stock modified componentry. Bling’s Cycles is a study in motorcycle ingenuity. As a student of Bill’s, I can attest, that no matter how far back you go, his subtle use of mismatched parts flow

as fluid as the Amazon River through the jungles of South America.

From the custom split rocker boxes to the magneto driven ignition, no one else can take simplicity to the intricate levels that Bill does on each build. It is damn near impossible to find a flaw in his artwork because the canvas evolves as you look at the bike over and over again.

Fearless in every aspect of the build, Bill takes on a color palette so broad that it simply doesn’t work on paper. That is what makes him so ingenious…he sees things in

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a space that only he can see. Almost everyone finds it hard to follow him down that wormhole.

I attribute that singularly to the lack of cohorts in his shop. Not only is his work ethic intense; he operates in such chaos that no one can keep up. He stops only to ponder his next move while dragging on his cigarette and sipping his black coffee. I don’t think he actually enjoys either anymore…it is merely for sustenance and brain fuel.

One can’t even imagine the level of synapses firing inside the creative mind of Bill.

Operating at the highest level in any art form is daunting even for the heartiest of prodigies.

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Bill’s unique craftsmanship has not only placed him in a class by himself, but he has single-handedly rewritten how choppers are built.

Because I am a fan and a student of his work, but [mostly] because Bill re-wrote how choppers are constructed, I can spot a Bling’s Cycles motorcycle instantly.

Bill doesn’t present you with your machine until HE is satisfied.

There is no time line. If it isn’t to his standards, it certainly can’t meet yours. Without fail, Bill will make sure that your bike is perfect, so that you can enjoy it from the moment you throw your leg over for the first time and head down the road.

Along with the aesthetics,

Bill also makes sure that functionality is a major factor of the build. Bill is a sucker for fast motorcycles, calm music, and sage advice. He always pays homage to and gives credit to those that do what they do more efficiently or effectively than he does. For instance, walking around this work of art on the pages in front of you, one finds several “bits” and “bobs” from some of Bill’s closest peers that he affectionately calls his “brothers.” The air cleaner is from Paul at Bare Knuckle Performance.

Eric at FNA Cycles made the Magneto cap. Bill himself supplied the Bling’s Cycles produced one-off mid controls, the rear wheel, and the exhaust.

Starting with one of his Bling’s Cycles frames, Bill made all of the necessary modifications to properly align a high-horsepower “B” motor between the blue metal flaked frame rails.

The tranny design has become a

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BLUE STEEL TECH SHEET Owner: Jason “DooDah” Markwell City/State: Sandy Hook KY Builder: Bill Dodge Year: 2006 Model: Handmade Rigid Value: Priceless Time: 5 Months ENGINE Year: 2006 Model: Twin Cam Builder: Bling’s Ignition: Morris Magneto Displacement: 88 Pistons: Harley-Davidson Heads: Harley-Davidson Rocker Boxes: EMD Carb: S&S G Cam: Andrews Air Cleaner: Bare Knuckle Choppers Exhaust: Bling’s Cycles Primary: Tech Cycles TRANSMISSION Year: 2006 Make: Baker 6 Speed Shifting: Hand Shift FRAME Year: 2006 Model: Bling’s Manufactured by Tinworks Rake: 35° Stretch: 1 1/2 Up 2 Out Forks : Modified Super Narrow Glide Builder: Bling’s Cycles Triple Trees: Bling’s Cycles Extension: 2 Under WHEELS Front Wheel: Bobs Cycle Shop Size: 23 x 1.60 Tire: Bridgestone Front Brake: None Rear Wheel: Bling’s Cycles R9 Size: 18x5.5 Tire: Pirelli Rear Brake: PM PAINT Painter: Willie Color: Roth & HOK Type: Flake Graphics: Pinstripe by Mike and Hellcat Pinstriping Julian Rossi ACCESSORIES Bars: Bling’s Cycles Risers: HD Modified By Bling’s Cycles Hand Controls: Brimbo Foot Controls: Bling’s Cycles Stainless Gas Tank(s):Bling’s Cycles Oil Tank: Bling’s Handmade Aluminum Front fender: None Rear Fender: Bling’s Cycles Seat: Bling’s Cycles Headlight: Found Tail light: Bling’s Cycles Speedo: None Photographer: Missi Shoemaker

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staple of the Baker drive train menu but actually started at Bling’s. As matter of fact Bert himself refers to Bill as the original sperm donor of what would become the Franken tranny.

Of course, that first modification was done to an evo tranny, A softail six.

This being a Twin Cam style is still among that same lineage.

The factory engine and transmission cases are show polished. To ensure the commitment to “chopper” held sway, a kicker was installed. The foot clutch hand shifter combination staves off the “can I try it really quick” crowd.

Bill is no stranger to high horsepower.

The Twin Cam engine will fry the tire from a roll in third gear. That makes for a daunting commitment on a foot clutch/hand shift bike combination for sure. There is something rather Zen when it comes to the space you occupy in your mind riding a bike this spartan.

There is no hill holder, no blinkers, and no mirrors, and why should there be? Why do you need to see where you have already been?

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1. Missing Letters On The Tank.

2. Different Color Flames On The Tank.

3.

Rocker Arm Ends. 4. Different Color Cap On The Distributor. 5. Larger Tali Light.

6. Extra Rear Cylinder Pipe. 7. Different Design On Kicker Pedal. 8. Extra Ribs On The Foot Pedal. 9. Missing Spoke On The Front Wheel. 10. Missing Oil Crossover Between The Rocker Boxes.

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

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our choices for our Top Ten Bikes from 2020 have been gathered in these pages to give a little extra credit to the builders of your favorite bikes from this years pages of Cycle Source Magazine. We do this at the beginning of each year to make sure that what we are putting in each issue are the bikes that you want to see.

More over, it is the constant celebration of the motorcycle culture from the Rockstar Builders all the way back to the two cats in a garage, talking about the perfect motorcycle over a cold beer. It has been our extreme honor each and

every year to be the care takers of the custom motorcycle segment of our culture. Riding motorcycles and motorcycle people have always been a higher calling but for those who spend the unending hours perfecting fine lines and small details, we are proud to keep the torch held high and provide a space to show the world the best of what we do with those crazy machines. To each of the Top Ten, we congratulate you and humbly ask... What’s next?

1. GRACE Xavier Muriel - January ‘20

This bike was featured on our January 2020 to celebrate Xavier Muriel getting Cycle Source Magazine’s “Builder Of The Year” after he scored “Easyrider’s Bike Of The Year” with it as well. It makes perfect sense that it starts off the following year as the number one feature bike, our Bike Of The Year if you will. It represents the past present and future with an IL engine, Providence designed parts and a sign that the guys coming into this thing are ready and able to take it to the next place.

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2. SPACE GHOST Rob Hulz - january ‘20

Bobby Good Times pulled up to our show and we knew it was a must have for It was one of a few incredible the show that day but this one hit was a knuckle right out of the pages of chopper handbook and was finished with pearl white paint made it impossible walk past it and at Motoblot that’s pull off.

3. BONE DADDY

Flat Broke Chops & Rods - feb ‘20

The “Bone Daddy” graced our Feb 2020 cover and I am so stoked and humble to see it among your top choices.

If it wasn’t for the effort Mark and & put into this bike I would pass on an award but this was separate from what we do with Cycle Source, this was our Lichter bike for a show he called “The Skinny.” It was all about the less is more of custom motorcycles and in Bone Daddy we felt we killed that theme and took it back to the seventies style choppers that Flat Broke Chops & Rods has become known for.

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at Motoblot the magazine. bikes he had at us in that spot. It the 60’s - 70’s precision. The for people to a hard feat to

4. BLOODY KNUCKLE Majik Mike - April ‘20

Mike Rabideau is one of our favorite builders and he never disappoints but when it came to the Bloody Knuckle he took it to another level. That level was agreed upon by his peers and the industry when he was awarded the top spot at In Motion in Galveston and the &10,000 check that went with it. I can’t say enough about the work here and if you missed this one we suggest that you order the issue with the full feature and give it a closer look. It is without a doubt one of his best builds to date.

5. ROOT BEER FLOAT

the butcher chop - march ‘20

Rhett Holley built this little gem and it was featured in our March 2020 issue. Not only is it a flawless build from font to back it is a true story of a barn find build. The owner actually drove through a snow storm to chase down the rumors of an old bike in a barn behind someone’s house and came home with a superglide that would become the “Root Beer Float.” A beautiful combination of perfect lines, aluminum, stainless and chrome, this bike is a jaw dropper. Upon its completion it raced out the Raleigh for the Ray Price Motorsports Expo Invited show, where it took 1st place in its class. Not to bad for and old bran find, but better yet, Rhett built it to ride so the best is yet to come.

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6. ZEUS

kevin baas - august / september 2020

Kevin Baas is no stranger to the cover of Cycle Source Magazine so it was no surprise to see his Motorcycles As Art build show up there. But the bike was front to back as fine a piece of machinery as I have ever seen come out of Kevin’s Minnesota workshop. He stated in the article that all he wanted from the bike was that it would go like Zeus. Well not only is it a runner, which Kevin was happy to prove as soon as it came off the bench, but it stood out in a room full of the best the industry had to show at the Buffalo Chip.

7. BOTTOM FEEDER Chris LeDuc - february ‘20

We are thrilled to see Chris LeDuc’s Shovelhead here, not because he is one of our buddies or anything but simply because it was his first custom build. This is the reason we started Cycle Source 24 years ago, so that the effort of the average man or woman would have a place to get recognized and to see that it was overall one of our reader favorites proves to us that you all get that. Let’s not take anything away from the bike either, it is a beautiful build and scores high not for being his first custom, but the level at which he executed a great build.

8. PLAYER SPECIAL

warren Lane - june / july ‘19

There are so many stories we have printed over the 24 years of this magazine’s history that site different builders from separate generations as their influence and of course Warren Lane’s name has been mentioned in those more than just a few times.

His bikes are for most of us filled with the details we hope to have in a build of our own some day. I too am one of those who is inspired by this man’s work and have been since the very first time I saw a bike from the Neighborhood King. What moves me more are quotes from him that tell the story of his love for this industry and the people that make it up. I mean Warren is a man’s man, no bullshit and talented but what sets him apart is the appreciation he has for it all. The bike, well.... c’mon man, what more can I say? .

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9. BIG BOOTY JUDY

three two choppers - April ‘20

To say that the guys from Three Two Choppers have set down their own style for custom bikes would be putting it lightly, that’s what makes this particular build that graced our pages in April ‘20 that much more special, it wasn’t based on that style. A while back we noticed them rolling a few bikes out that were going back to their roots and when we saw Judy it took us all back to the days where regular joes were doing bikes like this in garages all over America. You took an old shovel and made it into one of fourteen styles it could be and you made it your own. Of course, in Three Two Style they make the flawless execution of a simple design look common. Once you look this old girl over you start to see how much went into making it this perfect example of a classic design.

10. KING SOLOMEN Rick Bray - May 2020

Solomen was on our May ‘20 cover and for good reason. Not only was this bike an absolute masterpeice, it was in the hunt, neck and neck with Bloody Knuckle for the top prize at In Motion. It literally came down to a few precious points. Rick has been on our front page a few times, and I would put one of his bikes there any chance I get because his craft is an example of breaking away from tradition, even when executing a classic chopper style. The extra mile he went on Solomen is a perfect representation of what I’m talking about and that’s not something he did special just for this one show, it’s how he approaches all of his builds.

pin up of the year April 2020

Model: Stephanie Infante Bike: Pat Infante Photo: Mark Velazquez

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yan McQuiston has this crazy shop packed full of parts, people, and stories and is the builder of this beautiful Panhead. I asked him to give me a little background on this Pan, and boy did he. McQuiston ended up with the Pan when a buddy needed a few bucks for the short term. Long story short, his friend fell on hard times and opted to let Ryan keep the bike.

Ryan went to work building it for the People’s Champ show but didn’t quite make it. So the Panhead went on the back burner. He’d mess with it when he had extra time. It was about 65% finished when the email

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from Chris Callen came, asking if he’d like to attend the InMotion show in Galveston, TX for the Lonestar Rally. He said hell yes: He just didn’t realize the show was only 45 days away! Really motivated, they hustled hard, put another $17k into bike, and ordered parts left and right. Things went together pretty smoothly right down to the last few days before they had to hit the road. They had to make the “Shakedown Run” on Thursday.

Bikes don’t get judged if they don’t make the run.

The Sunday afternoon before “D” day, they fueled and oiled the Pan. They were waiting on a carb support bracket that wasn’t going to be there

Article And Photos By: Twila Knight

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‘till Monday morning. No big dea: Ryan figured he’d take it around the block a few times to get used to riding it. “Well, as my crazy luck would have it, I go up the street where all seemed well, so I decided to really get on it. I must have hit a bump. The carb dropped down and hooked up on the fin where the throttle cable is. I’m wide open, t, with a magneto and no kill switch, just the small grounder I put on, which I couldn’t reach and pull in the clutch at same time. If you’ve been to my shop, you know tractor trailers are all over this place. They will squash ya like a bug. I pulled in the clutch and slammed on the brake. I laid the bike down ever so carefully, only tearing up the end of a grip and the clutch pressure plate. I finally got the bike shut off and picked it up. Amazingly enough, there was not one scratch on the chrome or paint!” Ryan did the walk of shame with the bike back to his shop. Now its 4pm… he finally got a bracket made and ran the clutch basket on a lathe to get the diggers out. He spent a bit putting the bike back together. By this time, everyone is at his shop hustling.

Ryan isn’t giving up. He takes it outside, the bike starts right up. He decides again to take it around the block. “I come back, and everyone is yelling and pointing at

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the transmission leaking fluid. I turn the bike off, look down, I have a hole the size of a quarter in the backside of my VERY expensive ‘36 Knuckle transmission.” A massive puddle of tranny fluid beneath you is not the sight you want to see. At this point, he’s panicking.

Dead in the water, planning to leave for Texas early the next morning. He gets the tranny out and up on the table. He notices a shifting pawl in the bottom of the case.

If you know anything about transmissions, the shift pawl is in the ratchet top and can’t even get to the bottom of a tranny case.

His best guess was when he laid the bike down earlier that day, it must have jostled the shift pawl from the low spot in trans, where it was NOT hindering gears, to a spot where it lodged between the case and gears, then blew a hole in the case.

He asked a friend who is awesome with welding dirty cast aluminum cases. Sure enough, he finished it in a snap like it never happened. By some miracle, they got the bike back together Monday night, test rode it around the block once, then stuffed it in the trailer for the long haul.

They made it to Lone Star Thursday morning.

The day was overcast, slightly rainy, and partially flooded. Ryan hadn’t slept

in 17 hours but he was worried about how the bike would run. He knew some tweaking was still needed.

They pulled the bikes out, kicked over the Pan, it started right up. He wanted to ride it, but the streets were flooded, and he had just cleaned & polished it to the nines. He grabbed the trailer with the Pan in tow and took off to the show. Clinton Wallace and Brian Buttera were already there getting their scoots ready so McQuiston

followed them over to the staging area.

By this time, the other builders were showing up. Jeff Cochran was among them, and he was stoked to be around all these amazing builders.

Ryan decided to be a cool guy and kick over his bike. It starts right up!

Then that damn Bendix Carb starts

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UNINVITED PAN TECH SHEET Owner: Ryan McQuiston City/State: Long Beach,CA Builder: McQuiston Chopper Designs Year: 1959 Model: HD-FLH Value: 40k Time: 1400hrs Engine: Year: 1959 Model: FLH Ignition: Morris Magneto Displacement: 80” Pistons: Wiseco Heads: H-D Carb: S&S E Cam: Leinweber Aircleaner: Smokey Exhaust: McQuiston Chopper Designs Primary: Open Belt 2” BDL Tranny: Knuckle Ratchet 4 speed Year: 1936 Make: Knuckle Ratchet Shifting: 1Up 3Down Go Fast Frame: Year: 1959 Model: H-D Molded By McQuiston Rake: Top Secret 2 Up 3/4 Out Forks: Builder: McQuiston Chopper Designs Type: Wideglide 41mm Triple Trees: Extensions:+12 Forking by Franks Wheels Front Wheel: V-Twin 80 Spoke SIze: 21” front tire: Firestone Front Brake: Performance Machine Rear Wheel: 16” Rear tire: MH Drag Tire Rear Brake: Performance Machine Paint painter:Two Thumbs, PeeWee, McQuiston graphics: Targino Kustoms Moulding: McQuistons Chopper Designs Chrome: MyChromer Accessories Bars: 12” Apes Risers: Polishfarmer Hand Controls: Custom Foot Controls: Replica V-twin Gas Tank: Mustang Oiltank: Replica V-twin Rear Fender: 36 Knucklehead/McQuiston Tail Light: Warbird Photographer: Twila Knight

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leaking like a faucet. Ryan shut the fuel off, pulled the bowl off, and tried to adjust the tang. After three attempts, it’s still leaked.

Leahy jumps in the game with Ryan with the same ritual, and with his 2nd attempt, came in swingin’ at the tang. He tweaked the spring just a bit too much, and that was it. Game Over. The Pan was toast. Pat suggested going back to the house to grab the CopChop. It’s about 30 minutes until the run starts and about a 15 minute ride back to the house. Back at the house, Ryan’s chick calls to let him know they announced live on Facebook that Ryan and Will Ramsey didn’t make the run. Ryan hauls ass back to the staging area. “I want to say I was going 100mph, but we all know my shovel only goes 80 screaming hahaha.” At the staging area, they see Heather, who says the builders just left, but if he can catch ‘em, he can still be in the show. Ryan hauled ass to catch up.

The ride along the sea, around Galveston, is awesome compared to the 405 and 710 roads in California! Ryan’s blasting along, with one hand pinned on the throttle, and the other hand tucked on the tank, wide open. Finally, coming

around the corner, he saw all the builders. He own shifted and flipped a bitch. “I was f#@king absolutely 100% stoked to see everyone smiling, happy to see me!”

“What a kick-ass show, with kick-ass people, and a kick-ass time.”

As soon as Ryan got home, he threw that carburetor right into the trash and stuck a brand new S&S E carb on. Ryan ended up raffling the Uninvited Pan to fund his next In Motion build, and from the sneak peek, we saw it’s a bitchin Knuck!”

Ryan says “huge thanks to the state of Texas. The people are awesome!

Also to the Lonestar Rally, InMotion, and Cycle Source Magazine.” “Shovelhead Till I’m Dead!!!!”

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Article By: Charlie Weisel

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t was a Saturday morning, much like any other Saturday morning in late November. The first rays of sunlight crossed the threshold of the horizon piercing through the darkness of the night sky, the birds chirped a strained winter’s chirp and the mornings frost evaporated away into a mystical blanket of steam not unlike something seen in Lord of the Rings. There was something different about this morning though that was proving to be an unusual occurrence in these frazzled and uncertain times, I would be meeting a good friend in Platteville, Colorado for a motorcycle ride.

Hallelujah.

Justin and I agreed that choosing a random destination on the eastern plains and arriving at that destination by way of the most obscure route imaginable would be just what we needed to add a little life back into what has become an otherwise dull and uneventful existence, a sad but honest reality that has plagued much of the world. We met at a gas station, a typical

meet up spot for most of us, sipped some coffee, ate a donut and hit the road on what would become a 200 mile loop.

Northbound, we charged up Highway 85 before quickly turning off the main highway to begin meandering our way down some of the least traveled byways and dirt roads in the state. The further North and East we traveled

the more remote we would find ourselves, and the more loose and sloppy the gravel under our tires would become. Slow and steady we navigated our stretched out choppers through hard pack dirt, deep sand, chunky rocks and everything in between.

These are not roads designed for choppers and our choppers

are not designed for these roads, but therein lies the adventure and challenge. Therein lies the sort of mind clearing expedition we were both desperate for. These are the sort of roads that require every bit of your attention, leaving no room for distracting thoughts that achieve no more than muddying the soul.

We would occasionally bring the bikes to a stop to revel in the farm land silence and take in the beauty of the wide open plains, but for the most part we simply carried on at a comfortable meditative pace. A pace that allowed forward progress without the stress of concerning one’s self with a high speed disaster. A pace that leaves a look of contentment on your face. That is, of course, until you find yourself, in the blink of an eye, unknowingly transitioning from relatively hard pack soil to a sloppy deep sand that would seem more at home on a California beach then on the Colorado prairie. It was is in that moment that my cool, calm and collected meditative state of mind transitioned instantaneously into

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a state of panic and terror. My front tire dug in deep to the fine sand and began thrashing from side to side, my rear tire followed suit but thrashed in the opposite direction of my front. I was now in a full blown, five alarm, out of control tank slapper that probably resembled a rodeo clown trying to wrangle a greased up bucking bronco. I held on for dear life as sand sprayed in all directions, imagining Justin was likely in the same out of control boat. Worst case scenario immediately ran through my brain, I began planning an exit strategy that would minimize damage to both myself and my motorcycle.

I pictured us both broken and battered waiting for a rancher to come along and scrape us up. I pictured repairing our broken machines with barbed wire and duct tape to get us home. I pictured us doing almost anything other then what came next.

As quickly as things unraveled and as quickly as our tires were fighting each other in opposite directions, they were suddenly, and without explanation, realigned in symbiotic harmony.

We both came though unscathed, a bit rattled, but unscathed nonetheless.

As quickly as our motorcycles were righted our minds were too and we were soon laughing about the ridiculousness of the situation.

Unfortunately, we did have a few more miles of this deep sand to contend with but we quickly found the best way to navigate it and got through without any more cheek puckering moments.

Sitting here now, looking back on this, I can’t help but think that

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there is a heady metaphor in there somewhere, a deep metaphysical comparison to our lives. Allow me to elaborate. If we condensed our lives all the way down to that one particular stretch of road I think we would find a lot of similarities. For the most part we cruise along, devoid of anything real noteworthy, until suddenly our world is turned upside down. It may be the loss of a job, the loss of a loved one, a sudden

and unexpected change in lifestyle, which currently would be this never ending pandemic, ultimately though, it could be anything that has a large and undeniable impact on our lives.

In the moment, we perceive it as an insurmountable obstacle, we can’t see the way out or how our lives look on the other side, we panic and look for an exit strategy much in the same

way Justin and I did after colliding with that out of nowhere patch of sand. Typically, as quickly as these challenges and obstacles step into our path, they are gone, the result nearly always impossible to predict.

We do have some control though, I don’t believe it is all left to fate. We can choose to come out the other side in a number of ways. Bitter and angry, laughing and smiling, educated and clear, just to name a few. That is the real test of one’s character, how we handle the tank slappers life can throw at us.

Some people will learn and grow while others crumble under the pressure.

I know many people often struggle to see the positives in life’s wrench t h r o w i n g tendencies, but they are there if you are willing to look for them.

Personally, I’m looking forward to when life gets back to normal, whatever that will look like, but in the meantime, I will continue with riding my motorcycle as often as life allows, learn as much about myself as possible and come out the other side a stronger and more self-aware individual.

I think if we all dedicated ourselves to personal growth through these trying times we will find ourselves stepping into a new exciting world when life’s doors once again swing wide open.

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here’s no denying that the motorcycle life is embedded deep in the soul of Mike Constante. Mike’s Uncle Dom, a man Mike never got to meet, used to ride his Flathead from West Virginia to Detroit to work in a B-25 Bomber factory during World War II. Sadly, the lifestyle he loved took Mike’s Uncle Dom’s life when he was killed in a motorcycle accident before Mike was born. Throughout

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his childhood, Mike had mini bikes and Honda 50’s that were actually pretty common for that generation.

Mike joked that he and one of the younger of his many uncles could both fit on and ride a Honda 50.

The motorcycle love that his departed Uncle Dom had shown later in life when, at 18, Mike picked up a 1973 Harley Davidson Sportster. Then in 1979, while living in Texas, Mike bought a new

Silver and Black Harley Davidson Low Rider. However, the thrill of a new motorcycle was shortlived. Roughly six months after purchasing the Low Rider, it was stolen and never recovered.

After the loss of the ‘79, Mike went a couple years without a motorcycle. Then, a couple big things came into Mike’s life. First was his daughter’s birth, and a few months after that was the 1959

Article By: Matt Reel Photos By: Missi Shoemaker

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Panhead you see here. Having a new family, one of Mike’s Uncles stepped up and helped him out with the Pan’s purchase.

Needless to say, with losing a brother to a motorcycle accident and Mike with a new family, Mike’s dad was not happy about the Panhead purchase. As Mike told me, his dad had a few choice words for him, but the Pan stayed none the less.

After obtaining the Pan, Mike just rode it, precisely what motorcycles are for. The Pan took him all around Texas and

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eventually West Virginia when he moved there. The loyal scoot took Mike from West Virginia to Pittsburg to visit family with his daughter in tow on the fender.

Eventually, in 1992 the engine needed a rebuild, but after that, back on the road, it went creating joy and memories.

Move forward to more recent years, Mike decided the Ol 59 deserved a freshening up. The sheet metal was pulled off and given to Bob Streets at Streets Customs in Morgantown, WV. If you frequent this magazine, Bob’s name is probably familiar. Bob has had bikes featured with his paintwork, including his personal chopper, the Twisted Tea Chopper, and also painted my personal ride. Bob made sure all the metal was straight and solid

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OL FIFTY-NINE TECH SHEET Owner: Mike Constante City/State: Morgantown, WV Builder: Mike Constante Year: 1959 Model: FL Value: 39 Years!!

Time: 6 Months ENGINE Year: 1959 Model: FL Builder: Mike Constante Ignition: Stock Displacement: 74 cu in Pistons: .40 over Heads: Stock Carb: Stock Cam: FLH Air Cleaner: Stock Exhaust: Paughco Primary: Chain Drive TRANSMISSION Year: 1959 Make: Harely-Davidson Shifting: Stock FRAME Year: 1959 Model: Stock Swing Arm Rake: Stock Stretch: None Forks Builder: Mike Constante Type: Stock Triple Trees: Stock Extension: None WHEELS Front Wheel: Stock Size:16” Tire: Shinko White Wall Front Brake: Stock Rear Wheel: Stock Size: 16” Tire: Shinko White Wall Rear Brake: Stock PAINT Painter: Bob Streets Color: HiFi Red, Birch White Type: Base Coat / Clear Coat Graphics: Stock Chroming: Some ACCESSORIES Bars: Stock Risers: Stock Hand Controls: Stock Foot Controls: Stock Gas Tank(s): Stock Original Oil Tank: Stock Chrome Front fender: Original Rear Fender: Original Seat: Original Headlight: Original Tail light: Original Speedo: Stock Photographer: Missi Shoemaker

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and then applied a HiFi red and Birch white paint scheme that really draws the eye. In the meantime, Mike cleaned up the engine and touched up anything needed.

Everything was then reassembled to bring you the beautiful bike you see here. With everything together, the ‘59 was back on the road better than ever.

Bump to today, and the engine has received another overhaul. This

time, Luke Atkinson at Hillbilly Mafia took care of the rebuild by boring the cylinders for new pistons and bringing everything else back to stock specs. Luke is another name you may recognize from Cycle Source and The Big Mountain Run. Luke is a young guy with the knowledge and passion for old iron that led Mike to trust him to breathe life back into his ol girl for many more miles.

So, there you have it, the story of how a family member that Mike Constante never got to meet lives on in his soul through the love of motorcycles. As for the 59, Mike plans to keep on riding it and one day passing it on to his daughter to enjoy and carry on the passion.

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g

reetings, my fellow moto aficionados. As I write this, we are closing out an “interesting” 2020, and soon we’ll be ringing in 2021. I’m sure, like me, many of you are more than ready for it. It not that I think we are in a hurry, but more so we can all put the past behind us and look forward to what the future might hold. I’m looking forward to it with great anticipation. A sage man once told me, “You must understand adversity, to truly know success.”

I believe that holds true in all of life’s mysteries. There’s so much to be excited about in this industry.

There’s an entire foundation waiting to be built upon by those who truly know and feel this thing we call the “motorcycle way of life.” And the rest will, as it always happens in any industry, find its own way out.

Ok, enough soapbox crap, let’s get to the meat of things. I was recently invited to the “Wheels of Steel’’ show in Lakeland, FL, put on by Jason Hallman of Cycle Stop USA. Considering that the

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Article By: Xavier Muriel show was in December and in the middle of a pandemic, there was a great turn out. It was fantastic to see that it managed to pull in some outstanding builders and vendors.

It was a true testament to the world that “We will not go away.”

No matter what, we will support our industry and our friends in the moto family. Wheels of Steel was set inside a huge hall. There was an incredibly diverse pool of builders, and the food, and drink was flowing.

One of my personal favorite parts of the show was the tricycle track for the kiddies… and I may have even caught a few of Lakeland’s finest, giving the track a whirl!

The show was hosted and emceed by none other than Jeff G. Holt of V-Twin Visionary, a

grand time was had by all. While strolling Downtown Lakeland in the evening, looking for places to eat, I got to see how beautiful this community is. This was only a two-day event, and I can’t wait to return next year. My sincere hope is that 2021 will prove to be a much bigger year for all of us.

Many thanks to Jason and all who were involved in making Wheels of Steel a success.

I traveled to the Wheels of Steel

show in the new van that the High Seas Rally has graciously provided. With the new rig, I can take the High Seas Rally Dialysis Fund raffle bike on tour with me all across the country for the 2021 Rally Season. Since we’ve all missed so much time at rallies during the pandemic, you can bet your ass I will be bringing the build everywhere I possibly can to show, and to sell as many tickets for the foundation as possible.

I just started the final assembly of the HSR build. I always get so excited when I see the parts returning from chrome and powder coat; I’m like a giddy little kid again. My shop mate, Mark, made a comment when the mockup was torn down to be sent out.

He asked, “Doesn’t it bum you out that it takes so long to build, and only hours to tear down?” I never really thought about it until he said it, but then I remembered something a mentor once told me. “Be present in every moment of it; enjoy the process.” I try to live by those words every day.

Some days it’s more difficult, but as long as I keep trying to

improve on it, the more satisfaction I get when the next stage presents itself. I’m so grateful to have had so many friends be a part of this build.

Not only is it special to my heart because of the HSR Dialysis Fund, but it’s a representation of the kindred spirit we share as motorcycle enthusiasts and riders. For those of you who want to follow along, I’ll be posting progress pics on my Instagram account @ providencecycleworx.

Remember, where we take the motorcycle community is entirely up to us. The time is now to take it to a whole new level. The torch will be passed... Until next time my friends, as always be kind to yourself and to one another. God Bless.

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u

nlike many, this month’s Dennis Kirk Garage Builder was not born with the motorcycle affliction. Actually, Jose Vasquez was born and raised on the streets of New York City to a nonriding family. Instead, in 1987 when he saw Indian Larry on the pages of Iron Horse, he was thirty-two years old. Most people that saw or heard tales of the Legendary Indian Larry were hooked almost instantly. They wanted to have the same fire in their soul as he did. It wasn’t much different for J. Vas, as he likes to be called. J describes himself as a hip-hop, break dancing, RX-7 driving, NYC raised man with a love of two wheels.

When he was ready, his first bike was a 1982 Honda C70 Passport; hey, ya gotta start somewhere! Now, this killer little Ironhead isn’t the first bike that Jose has

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ATOMS OF PEACE TECH SHEET Owner: Jose Vasquez City/State: Orlando, FL Builder: J.Vas Year: 1982 Model: XL 1000 Value: Pricelss Time: 1 Year ENGINE Year: 1982 Model: XL 1000 Builder: J. Vas Ignition: Points Displacement: 60.84 ci Pistons: Stock Heads: Stock Carb: S&S Super E Cam: Sifton Air Cleaner: J. Vas Exhaust: J. Vas Buckshot Primary: Closed Primary TRANSMISSION Year: 1982 Make: Harley-Davidson Shifting: 4 Speed FRAME Year: 1982 Model: Harley-Davidson Rake: Stock Stretch: Stock Forks Builder: Showa Type: 35mm Telescopic Forks Triple Trees: Stock Modified Extension: Stock WHEELS Front Wheel: Henry Abe Honda Size: 19” Tire: Shinko Adventure Trail Front Brake: None Rear Wheel: Yamaha XS650 Size: 19” Tire: Shinko Adventure Trail Rear Brake: Kinja Tokico Single Piston PAINT Painter: Milkbone Kustom Color: Gloss Black Type: Gloss Graphics: AMF Chroming: None ACCESSORIES Bars: J. Vas Risers: Stock Hand Controls: J.Vas Foot Controls: Kawasaki Ninja Gas Tank(s): J. Vas Oil Tank: J. Vas Front fender: None Rear Fender: J. Vas Seat: J. Vas Headlight: Triangle Tail light: Custom Made Speedo: None Photographer: Joel Sim

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built. No, that first one was a 1997 Evo that included a 6-speed with a 3” belt drive in a custom ridged frame adorned with a 27-inch long springer. Since then, he’s built a 1972 XS650, a ’96 Sporty, a 1978 CB750, and even a 69 BSA that he put in a 42 springer frame. So, even though he got a late start, at 51 years young, Jose is no longer new to being a garage builder.

The bike you see on these pages started seven years ago when he started collecting parts.

Initially not having a definitive direction for the project, over time, he drew inspiration from reading magazines, motorcycle and hot rod alike. Jose says the biggest challenges were horseshoe style oil tank and battery box. By the looks of it, he conquered those challenges just fine. He also says getting the timing right was no walk in the park either; playing with points is no fun!

If you take a look at the tech sheet, not only did Vasquez make a lot of his own parts, but he found uses for parts from the metric world, drawing knowledge from his previous projects. Despite that unconventional array of parts, the bike flows well and functions as it should. Jose says it’s definitely a rider, although he treats it like his baby! Milkbone Kustoms laid down a killer traditional AMF paint job that gives this bike a classic early 80’s aesthetic.

After spending years collecting the necessary pieces to put “Atoms Of Peace” together, J. Vas says once he actually started the build process, it took a year to get her rolling down the road. Time well spent if you ask me. Jose is just the kind of garage builder that Dennis Kirk likes to share with the world, working out of the garage and massaging old scoots until they are just how he envisioned them.

J. sends out special thanks to his fiancé, Reina, for always being in his corner.

e

very artist does their best to develop a “style,” whether it be a recreation of someone else’s or something entirely their own. Well, this month’s artist Michael Grosso a.k.a Pinstriping By Hoff, has a style that not only is entirely his own but is recognizable from miles away.

Growing up, art was something done during free time. He would try to freehand copy 90’s skateboard logos, and graphics with pencil and paper, which is no small feat. As he got older, he found himself in the custom truck scene. He wound up working at a local custom suspension/welding shop and soon got himself into pinstriping. One of the other kids that worked at the shop had stolen his dad’s pinstriping kit and left it at work. Curious, one night, Hoff picked it up and gave it a whirl, which then turned into practicing with it every day after work. Eventually, the kid came back to grab the kit, but by that time, Hoff was totally hooked.

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Grosso says biggest inspiration comes from anyone who has or is currently working creating surf, skateboard, Low Brow, or Kustom Kulture Art. When he first started out, he was looking towards the art of Jim Phillips, Ed Roth, and Von Dutch, some of the biggest names in the custom moto art scene.

Hoff started pinstriping Kustom Culture style art back in October 2010 and was selling his work parttime by Christmas the same year.

Not to say he was great back then.

It was a rough learning curve. But he liked the challenge of the art form and found motivation in discovering accuracy and creativity.

“The execution of every line weight and the perfect connections from line to line all while creating a design that flows with the canvas whether it be on a bike fender, car hood, or even a flat artist panel.”

After that, he began pinstriping at night and selling pieces via his various social media accounts and on the weekends at local car/ bike shows. He’s been cruising the motorcycle world as an artist for eight years now. Initially, having been drawn in by the freedom of creativity without restrictions and the ability to express himself, however he saw fit.

Like most pinstriping artists, Hoff prefers to use 1shot Sign Painters Enamel. He says the enamels have a solid control consistency and flow. The durability for auto or motorcycle applications is choice.

For what sets him apart though, it’s his determination and self-critique.

He is always pushing himself to be a better artist, to focus on the smallest of details, whether it be painting or pinstriping. He also tries his best to go above and beyond what the customer asks of him, always giving 200% with every project he gets.

His base of operations is actually out of his two-car garage in Downingtown, PA, but he’ll also travel to clients if needed. He has been known to host shop pinstriping events as well as car/bike events.

As for his plans for the future, he’s a simple man with simple needs; World Domination, of course. Well, no. Maybe in the future. For now, it’s to continue growing his small familyowned business, maybe move to a larger commercial space to continue his work.

The one thing Hoff is proudest of is that through his art, he has been able to quit working for others in order for February - March ‘21 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

them to look good. He’s able to live the American dream of owning his own business while also being able to work with great customers and make their visions a reality through his artwork.

If you want to check out more of this cat’s incredible artwork or commission a piece for yourself, you can find him on any of the social media listed below! Thank you so much for reading, till next time.Instagram- @ the1hoff Facebook- Pinstriping By HoffEtsy- Pinstriping by Hoff IG hashtag- #pinstripingbyhoff Emailpinstripingbyhoff@hotmail.com

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here is more to this story than just a bike… So, let us take a stroll down memory lane.

Mark Stakely, the owner of this killer XS, and Austin Andrella, the co-builder of it, have lived in the same community for decades, working for the same company for two decades.

Oddly enough, despite the decades-long commonalities, the two never crossed paths.

People asked all the time if Mark and Austin knew each other. However, it was not

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up until 6 years ago that the duo met and quickly became friends. Mark stopped by Austin’s shop one day to just check it out. After that, he would stop by almost every day just to hang out and see what was going on. Fast forward three years. Mark had traveled across the country and back again to a number of different shows with Austin.

Stakely would hang out and lend a hand needed. On numerous occasions, Austin mentioned that he should get a bike to build so Austin

could guide Mark along the build process. Mark had no interest in building a bike.

Unlike many people, he was not looking for anything in return other than friendship.

Austin was in Galveston with his bike “Timeless” at the first Cycle Source “In Motion” show when Mark called Austin out of the blue to say “Yo, I bought a hard tailed XS”. The seed was planted, and the build began. Austin walked Mark through stripping the bike down. Bead blasting the hard tailed frame first and

Article And Photos By:Kerri Schindler

Article By: Matt Reel Photos By: John Jackson

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uncovering things that no one should have to witness. The MiG Welds had pin sized holes that had also been smoothed and bondo’d. After performing surgery and getting down to the bones and to the standards they wanted, the brain storming began. Mark knew he wanted something simple, clean and classy. Which is really Austin’s forte’. Mark wanted to build a bike exactly like he wanted the first time around. No cutting corners, no shortcuts but a fun, reliable scooter to ride.

Here comes the fun stuff, Austin reached out to several of his connections. First it was Elliot from Black Bike Wheels, who provided them with a 21” black loop front and a 16” Rear, both with stainless steel

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spokes. They then shaved and lowered the front end 2” to achieve the stance they were going for. Andrella then reached out to a buddy that is a pinstriper ,“Atomic Bob”, to take care of the paint on the gas tank. Atomic was used to doing finish striping on other peoples work so this was a first time for him, and he knocked it out of the park. Austin just happened to have a seat on the shelf that Curt Green from Bare Bones leather gave him.

Lowbrow Customs provided the seat pivot and springs, also the aluminum sting ray fender which they fabbed up some nice simple curved fender struts for. Keeping the simple curved look, they then fabricated some bars with bolt through risers that were nickel plated.

They stripped the stock motor and inspected and upgraded it while it was open.

They added 700 cc JE forged

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XS-IVE TECH SHEET Owner: Mark Stakley City/State: Akron, Ohio Builder: Mark Stakley/Austin Martin Originals Year: 1977 Model: Yamaha XS650 Value: Costly Time: 3 Months ENGINE Year: 1977 Model: XS650 Builder: Mark Stakley/ Austin Martin Ignition: Pamco Displacement: 750 Pistons: JE Forged Heads: Stock /Kibblewhite Valves Carb: Stock XS Cam: Shell 1 Air Cleaner: K&N Exhaust: Austin Martin Originals Primary: TRANSMISSION Year: Make: Shifting: 5 Speed FRAME Year: 1977 Model: Stock / TC Bros Rake: Stretch: 4” Forks Builder: Mark Stakley/ Austin Martin Type: Stock Triple Trees: Extension: Lowered WHEELS Front Wheel: Black Bike Wheels Size: 21” Tire: Avon Speed Master Front Brake: Rear Wheel: Black Bike Wheels Size: 16” Tire: Shinko Double White Rear Brake: Stock Drum PAINT Painter: Atomic Bob Color: Black Pearl Type: House of Kolor Graphics: Filigree/Embossed Silver Leaf powder coat: Capital Powder Coating ACCESSORIES Bars: AMO Risers: AMO Hand Controls: 138 Cycle Fab Grips/ Internal Throttle, Custom Tach Lever Foot Controls: Iron Heart Mids Gas Tank(s): Lowbrow Peanut Oil Tank: Front Fender: Rear Fender: Aluminum 4 ¼” Stingray Seat: Barebones Leather Headlight: Scalloped LED with Grill Taillight: LED Speedo: Photographer: Kerri Schindler

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pistons, Kibblewhite Valves and HD Springs, Shell 1 Cam and had the head re-worked by a local machine shop. The carbs and rocker tops were vapor honed by Daniel at Pandemonium Custom Choppers, who also did the final engine set-up and gave plenty of welcome advice along the way.

They painted the jug and bottom end with black wrinkle high heat paint and RH Capital Powder Coating handled that task, they

always do a killer job. They also spent a good amount of coin on Stainless Steel Fasteners.

This bike took Best of Show at the 2018 XS650 Chop Off and Mark couldn’t be happier with his scoot. Austin always builds running, riding bikes, and this was no exception.

Hey, Has this year been nuts or what? Quick, let’s focus on next year, a life-saving vaccine and bike shows. It’s nuts, but freedom always works. Riding is the best cure for the blues and Covid. Just stay in the wind, and you’re safe from the Covid calamity. Plus, they proved the Sturgis Rally didn’t cause any massive spread. We are cool, but we always knew that…

Let’s hit the news!

AMA NEWS - The AMA cautioned the California Air Resources Board and offered to work with the agency as it revamps its testing fee structure for off-highway and dualsport motorcycles.

Fee increases that raise the price of motorcycles or aftermarket equipment reduce the demand for those products. And that reduced demand affects economic opportunities related to the use of those products, such as hotel stays, restaurant visits and other spending by individuals and families.

“With respect to youth-oriented off-road models, recognition of different use and cost implications of a new testing fee structure is critical,” the AMA wrote to CARB. “AMA members and their families

need continued access to reasonably priced, youth-appropriate vehicles. Without access to these appropriately sized vehicles, younger riders might be wrongly encouraged to ride adult-sized machines.”

The intent, the governor said, is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The move is expected to quicken the shift to electric vehicles and those powered by other alternative fuels.

Those bastards are after us.

Although their mandate is deeply flawed, unrealistic, and inaccurate.

It’s their control religion, and we let it get too far. Hang on!--Bandit 2021 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Is

Revving Up For 81st Anniversary In August - Anyone who may have questioned whether the 81st Anniversary of the Sturgis Rally was still on can stop now.

Sturgis Rally venue and organizers Sturgis Buffalo Chip ripped off the

starting line today with Kid Rock and a massive King of Sturgis $30,000 prize vacation giveaway for the first major announcements set for the August 6-15, 2021 Rally. Other rally entertainment and activities being planned include military tributes, Wall of Death stunt shows, charity rides and much more. Sturgis Rally Registration is open and taking registrations now at Sturgis.com.

Fresh off the heels of the controversial 2020 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, venues and local businesses in the Black Hills area are eager to welcome bikers back for the 81st. And bikers are eager to come celebrate the freedoms that are the birthright of all Americans afforded to us by the United States Constitution.

“The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is an expression of freedom for all who attend. It has been around for 80 years and will always be around.” - by Randy Peterson of Sturgis.com Businesses are confident the 2021 rally can be held safely and are ready to host the event in August.

Many rally campgrounds have hundreds of acres available for people to spread out. In a press release from the Sturgis Buffalo Chip, Rod Woodruff, President and CEO of the Buffalo Chip, stated: “We know from last year that outdoor events can be safely held when proper precautions are taken. The majority of people act respectfully and practice social distancing when they are expected to act responsibly. Plus, we feel good about the highly effective vaccines coming soon to market.” by Rod Woodruff, Sturgis Buffalo Chip CEO Summer events are being planned again have boosted confidence that life will be closer to normal next summer. Bands are announcing summer and fall tours, music festivals have announced 2021 dates and the Tokyo Olympics is set to take place in late July 2021.

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THE CYCLE SOURCE WORLD REPORT - POWERED BY BIKERNET.COM

Rally venues, campgrounds, businesses and local governments all over the Black Hills region took holding a rally in the midst of a pandemic seriously in August 2020.

Rally-goers had made up their minds they were coming no matter what.

They had the right and the freedom to do so and were welcomed with open arms by local businesses and venues. It also came to surface that without federal or state intervention, the Sturgis Rally could not, and cannot, be cancelled because there is no single owner of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The rally belongs to the people who attend it and everyone who contributes to putting it on.

The 81st Sturgis Rally is full speed ahead for August 6-15, 2021. Sturgis.com will have all the latest rally announcements and comprehensive schedule at Sturgis.com/events/ all-events. –courtesy of www.sturgis.com IOM Government Statement: TT 2021 Cancellation - The Isle of Man Government has taken the decision, as a result of the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, to cancel the 2021 Isle of Man TT Races, which were due to take place from Saturday 29th May to Saturday 12th June next year.

Minister for Enterprise, Laurence Skelly MHK said: “We do not underestimate the disappointment that this decision will cause to many people. However, we are making an early, logical decision to provide certainty and clarity to race fans and everyone else involved in the event.

“The TT relies on thousands of volunteers and officials across a wide range of organisations and we could not move responsibly towards a positive decision to proceed in planning for 2021, which would involve committing to welcoming tens of thousands of people to the Island in June, despite the progress towards a vaccination programme globally and on the Island.

“We evaluated all possible options including moving the TT to a date later in the year but there are

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complexities and risks, including scaling up of certain infrastructure and critical delivery elements of the TT, as well as existing resident and visitor travel in late August, which would cause further disruption to thousands of people.

“This decision has not been taken lightly but has been taken in the interests of the Island, the health and wellbeing of residents and visitors, and is in line with our ongoing pandemic strategy. However, whilst making this decision, it does not necessarily mean that we believe the Island’s borders will remain under the current restrictions as we hope to welcome visitors back to the Island at the earliest opportunity.

“To the fans around the world I would say that we are really sorry to

have to make this decision, but that we sincerely hope that we will still see you at some point next year.

“The cancellation will have clear and immediate impacts on the Island’s tourism and travel businesses, and the Department for Enterprise will be issuing a further statement today (Monday), regarding additional support for industry to maintain and protect our strong visitor experience for the long term.”

The Department will continue to work with the Manx Motor Cycle Club and other partners towards delivering the 2021 Classic TT and Manx Grand Prix, which are scheduled to run from Saturday 21st August to Friday 3rd September.

Whilst the ongoing situation will be

monitored on a regular basis, a final decision on whether these events will run as scheduled will be made by the end of March 2021.

In support of this decision, the Isle of Man Treasury are also today confirming that the traditional Senior TT Race day bank holiday on the Isle of Man will move from Friday 11th June to Friday 27th August in 2021, coinciding with the Classic TT and Manx Grand Prix, which, when combined with the UK bank holiday on Monday 30th August will offer a four day bank holiday weekend building on the successful SuperManx Bank Holiday weekend in 2020.

The Department for Enterprise has confirmed that the 2022 Isle of Man TT Races are scheduled to take place from Saturday 28th May to Saturday 11th June 2022. – courtesy ofwww.iomtt.com – Dan Walker Custom Harleys In For A Fight As Indian Launches Build-Off Challenge - Like it or not, Harley-Davidson motorcycles are the rulers of the custom twowheeler world. There are so many of them out there that they simply dwarf all competition and, knowing this, the Milwaukee company keeps pushing people down the custom route.

It was at the beginning of the year that Harley held it’s King of Baggers competition, a race between 15 motorcycles designed by Harley dealers worldwide but featuring two Indians. The competition called for machines to be customized, within a budget, and using mostly the bike maker’s parts. Indian won 1st and 3rd place.

Now winter is upon us, and as Harley is battling some other challenges, its major foe, Indian, announced it is launching its own build-off competition. Called 2021 Project Scout 3K Challenge, it too is meant for dealers, but sadly just for the ones in the UK. The rules are simple: those taking part will have to use an Indian Scout as a base, and only 3,000 British pounds ($3,900 at the current

THE CYCLE SOURCE WORLD REPORT - POWERED BY BIKERNET.COM exchange rates) can be invested in the project. Why this much?

“Our customers tend to invest an average of three thousand pounds upgrading and customizing over their ownership period, so we wanted our dealer network to showcase that average customer spend in our Project Scout 3k Challenge,” explains in a statement Indian Motorcycle UK Sales Manager, Andrew Simpson.

The bike maker gave its dealers a 12-week deadline to complete the projects, meaning we’ll only get to see the finished products in the early weeks of 2021 - Indian says Project Scout 3K builds will be shown publicly on January 31, 2021, when it kicks off the celebrations for its 120th anniversary. -Daniel Patrascu, Autoevolution

Sons Of Speed, Daytona Bike Week 2021 Cancelled – It is that time of year when Billy and I would normally be preparing to send out numerous racer packets, so that we could start planning a race schedule fr our Bike Week Sons of Speed Races. We really missed seeing everyone in October and had high hopes that the pandemic would be in an improving state by the time March arrives. There are a lot of logistics behind the scenes, including, but not limited to, securing insurance and the track. Because these events can take months to plan, and we are unable to obtain event insurance due to COVID, Billy and I have made the very difficult decision to NOT hold our races in March. Government regulations and mandates are something we also took into consideration when making our decision. The health and safety of our staff, spectators, racers and their crews was also very important.

We respect that manu of youi have to make adjustments to your schedules when traveling to Florida for Bike Week, and wanted to give you all as much notice as possible.

We dreaded having to make this decisision ,but simply, have to for all involved. We appreciate your support and undserstanding in this decision and hope to see you all in

Ocobter of 2021, Thank you for your continued support, The Lane Family

HARLEY-DAVIDSON BRINGS THE WORLD TOGETHER TO DEBUT ALL NEW 2021 PRODUCTS IN THE H-D 2021 GLOBAL DIGITAL EVENT ON JANUARY 19 - MILWAUKEE, WI (December 09, 2020) – Throughout Harley-Davidson’s 118-year history, the brand has never before brought the entire world together to experience the debut of all-new Harley-Davidson® motorcycles. On Jan.19th, 2021, that all changes with a single virtual event. During H-D 21, the company’s first virtual launch experience, Harley-Davidson will announce new 2021 motorcycles, parts and accessories, riding gear and apparel.

Those who participate will hear from Harley-Davidson leadership, product experts, and passionate enthusiasts who are leading and shaping the industry on all that’s coming to Harley-Davidson® dealerships in 2021. To take part in the H-D 21 virtual launch experience, register now at www.H-D.com/21.

New Approach to Product Launches - The global virtual launch is part of the company’s streamlined and overhauled approach to bringing products to market for customers.

Earlier this year, Harley-Davidson announced significant shifts including streamlining its planned product portfolio by 30 percent, shifting it’s new model year debut to align with the start of the riding season and amped-up marketing

efforts to drive desirability and maximize impact in the market “We’re thrilled to bring the world together virtually to showcase the inspiration and passion behind our 2021 motorcycles, including a glimpse of our first adventure touring motorcycle, Pan America™,” said VP Marketing Theo Keetell. “We look forward to sharing this moment with our customers and dealers from around the world.

Adventurer Jason Momoa Shares his Passion - American actor, producer and motorcycle enthusiast Jason Momoa will play a key role in the Jan. 19th event. Forever seeking new adventures, Momoa will share his thoughts on how Harley-Davidson’s upcoming Pan America motorcycle has expanded his passion for HarleyDavidson and created new opportunities to explore endless horizons beyond paved roads.

“Harley-Davidson has unlocked opportunities for me to find adventure with amazing people, awe-inspiring places, and expand my inspiration seen in the United We Will Ride content series,” said Momoa. “I was excited to collaborate with Harley-Davidson for a first look and chance to ride the Pan America 1250 motorcycle. It’s the perfect vehicle that combines my love of the outdoors, the unknown, and Harley-Davidson.

People are going to be completely stoked about this bike that Harley-Davidson has created.”

Harley-Davidson Pan America Global Reveal Feb. 22nd, 2021 - Harley-Davidson’s all-new Pan America™ 1250 adventure touring motorcycle will be previewed in the Jan. 19th H-D 21 virtual launch experience. Harley-Davidson will be bringing the world back together on Feb. 22, 2021, to reveal the motorcycle’s full details in a separate digital event with the spotlight on the new Pan America motorcycle.

Stay informed at www.H-D.com/ PanAmerica.

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S&S Cycle - 131 Cubic Inch Stroker Kit for M8 Engines

S&S has been building big bore kits since the 60s and has it down to an absolute science. Their latest efforts are aimed at the Milwaukee Eight® platform (2017 and newer big twins) and opens up a whole new level of performance for these engines.

Combining a new design forged piston with their 4.25” cylinders to net a tire melting 131 cubic inches when paired with their 4.625” stroker crank. “We build our big bore kits and cranks to much tighter tolerarances and with higher quality materials than the factory parts”, states product manager Grant Hilligass. Hard to argue that and we believe this new piston/cylinder kit will be a solid platform for massive power and can’t wait to see the beasts that will get built around it! Take a look at the details on their site https//www.sscycle.com/131-kits

Letric lighting Co. NEW “colorful” Royal Flush Mount & 45-Caliber Mini-Marker LED’s

The Royal Flush Mount LED’s are ultra-bright, boasting COB LED technology, for brighter light and a wider array all wrapped in an aluminum housing. Four lighting styles, red, white with amber switchback, red/red and red/amber dual function. Now available in polished aluminum, black, blue, gold and red anodized finishes. Our newest tiny LED’s require a small 3/16” hole for mounting, have an aluminum body and conical lens that is less than 7/16” in diameter! Three lighting styles, red, white with amber switchback and red/red dual function.

The little LED’s pack a COB LED bunch and are also available in gun metal gray, blue, gold and red anodized finishes. The 22-gauge wire harness is covered in heat shrink and is 18” long making universal installation simple. Even have mirror mounting studs for stealth installation! www.namzccp.com

BDL’s 3” Open Drive for Shovels

Tried and proven part # SHS-630 fits machines 1970 – 1978 with Ratchet top transmissions only. Conversion comes as a complete drive system, stator rotor stator/rotor guard, pulleys, belt and high performance clutch with a ball bearing pressure plate. The formidable 3” unit boasts BDL’s legendary quality, precision fit, flawless function, and reliability. The SHS-630 provides smoother operation with less stress on shafts and bearings. The package provides an excellent way to cure all those “floating basket” and starting issues. Kit requires use of a 1989 -2006 style starter. Minor modifications and use some customization skills are also a must. This conversion is offered with polished finish only. If you’re into that cool open look this is the real deal. Suggested retail is just a $1418.50 and can be purchased from BDL dealers worldwide or straight from the manufacturer at www.beltdrives.com

DRAG SPECIALTIES SEATS CHOPPED TOUR-PAK BACKREST PADS Drag Specialties Seats new Chopped Tour-Pak® Backrest Pads are now available to match their Double Diamond stitch seats. These backrest pads feature a high-density foam interior for maximum comfort. The exterior has solar-reflective leather in the contact area and automotive-grade vinyl on the sides.

The pads measure 4 1/2” tall by 12 1/4” wide. The Chopped Tour-Pak backrest pads include an optional lower pad and are secured with three bolts (drilling required). Available in Double Diamond stitch with black, silver or red thread.

The suggested retail price is $135.95 $149.95. https://seats.dragspecialties. com/products/?productId=552959

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BTX-11 HIGH PERFORMANCE EXTRA PLATE KIT DRAG SPECIALTIES ALTERNATOR STATORS

Drag Specialties alternator stator is precisely constructed to meet or exceed OEM specifications. Available for 17-20 FLHT/FLHR/FLHX/FLTRX and FLTRU models. Replaces OEM #29900042A. Mounting hardware is included. The suggested retail price is $129.95. https://www.dragspecialties.com/search;q=21121311;r=eJyr VkrLzClJLSpWsoqOrQUAJusFKA% 3D%3D

Designed specifically for 1990-97 Big-Twin & 1991 to present Sportster (XL) applications the BTX-11 performance clutch plate set consists of 9 friction plates and 8 steel plates, The friction plates have a larger contact surface area for more grabbing force.

Add the 15% stronger diaphragm spring for more force. More force is more power and that translates to more torque and horse power to the rear wheel. The new plate set runs just #147.00. Get all the details and order direct at www.beltdrives.com

DRAG SPECIALTIES DUAL GAUGE BRACKET

This sturdy steel dual gauge bracket has a wrinkle black plated finish for style. The bracket accepts the OEM speedometer, tachometer and indicator lights. It fits 99-05 FXDX, 99-04 and 95-11 XL1200 models; the gauge will also fit 95-04 XL883 and 95-04 FXD models with the factory dual gauge kit upgrade.

The bracket is a replacement for OEM #67294-95A. The suggested retail is $121.95. https://www.dragspecialties. com/search;q=22100546;r=eJyr VkrLzClJLSpWsoqOrQUAJusF KA%3D%3D

Honda CB750 Stroker Piston Sets

These 70mm diameter stroker piston kits are designed for 69mm or 70mm crankshafts (63mm is stock) and result in a 1060cc plus displacement.

These world class pistons are 170 grams (bare weight) and feature our race proven Cycle X domes.These kits include our Cycle X big bore sleeves which have become the clear favorite with engine builders. The sleeves are super dense and are some of the longest lasting sleeves in the industry. ENP-SPS $989.95http:// www.cyclexchange.net/Engine%20 Parts%20Pistons%20Page/Stroker%20Pistons/Stroker%20Pistons. htm?mc_cid=c22d0b4045&mc_ eid=4b743504ca

DRAG SPECIALTIES SPIN-ON OIL FILTERS

Drag Specialties high-quality spinon filters are a dependable replacement for most OEM filters. They have a large 900cm2 media area that is rated down to 10 microns. Filters with nut include a 17mm hex nut on the end of the filter for easy installation/ removal. The filters are available in a chrome or black version with or without an end nut to fit 17-20 M-Eight models (repl. OEM #s 62700296 or 62700297) and have a suggested retail price of $8.95 - $11.95. The filters are sold each. https://www.dragspecialties.com/search;q=07120640;r=e JyrVkrLzClJLSpWsoqOrQUAJusFK A%3D%3D

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e made it! By the time this column reaches your eyeballs we will be sitting comfortably in 2021, with the dumpster fire of a year behind us. Whether 2021 will actually be an improvement over 2020 will, of course, remain to be seen. I’m using this month’s InSLIDE Line to recap what happened and to throw a few ideas out there as to what’s to come.

As the sailors say, “Any port in a storm” and I imagine that’s exactly what happened with AFT picking the short track in Daytona to host its final two rounds. I believe the powers that be at Daytona International Speedway sat down

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Article By: Tyler Porter with leading doctors and scientists to come to the conclusion that an event inside the 2.5 mile tri-oval would

definitely spread Covid-19. Thank God that virus’ cannot spread outside

of the high banks and we were able to get our last two rounds in, crown our champions, and complete a full race season. I sincerely hope that you can smell the sarcasm dripping off of this paragraph, but in all honesty, it’s amazing the AFT series happened at all, and it happened well. Congrats to the entire team that worked overtime to make it happen for all of us fans this year.

If you foolishly set your time machine to 2020 and you traveled here from say 2015, you’d know what kind of year we had when you see that a Suzuki,

Indian, Harley Davidson and ROYAL ENFIELD all won races in Daytona.

Who would have guessed? In 2015 the only machines that seemed to be winning were Hondas and Kawasakis (yes, I know several XR750’s won in 2015, but for the sake of satire, follow along with me.)

In the Super Twins class, the Championship hadn’t quite been

everything in your power to preserve your points. Perhaps lose the battle, but win the war. Some uneducated fans may say that Briar Bauman “lucked” into the 2019 title after Jared Mees suffered a few mechanicals during last year’s season, but the young Californian left Daytona as a two-time champion and never once caved under the weight of his number

decided yet, though it was Briar Bauman that held a slim point lead over Jared Mees. When you have a series veteran and multi-time champion like Mees breathing down your neck in what amounts to a bullring covered in ice, you have to do

1 plate. While the championship was going down to the wire, the injured Brandon Robinson took advantage of the situation and rode off to wins’ on both nights. Having to be helped on and off his motorcycle, the lanky Pennsylvania native returned to his February - March ‘21 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 105

winning ways once again. If that wasn’t enough to keep your attention, Jarod Vanderkooi gave the Vance and Hines Harley Davidson team what is perhaps its last podium on the XG750 as the team parted ways with Harley Davidson factory involvement just a few weeks after the finale.

The AFT Singles class may not have had much drama going into the final two rounds since Dallas Daniels had wrapped up the title early, but with the AFT Singles class, you just knew that the racing was going to be unbelievable in every race. Of course, Daytona didn’t disappoint.

Chad Cose put his Wally Brown Racing Suzuki on the top step of the box on night 1 and Henry Wiles blitzed through the pack to just come up short at the line. On night 2 we finally got to see Hammerin’ Hank back to his old short track winning ways and what a show it was to see.

The Coondoo Kid, Australian Max Whale put up a fight, but Henry doesn’t have his hall-of-fame worthy records for nothing!

History was made in the Production Twins class as Johnny Lewis piloted his Royal Enfield to victory. It was a ground breaking win for sure, but I also think that some in the media were overdoing their reactions to it.

Johnny’s small team went directly to work with Royal Enfield and a lot of work and R&D time went into that machine, no doubt about it. The original plan was to race an entire season on the bike, but of course, the virus complicated a lot of things, most

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of which were parts supplies. It was a big achievement just to get to the final two rounds. Here’s why I feel the Royal Enfield accomplishment was a bit overplayed: 1-Johnny Lewis is one of the, if not the most, talented Flat Track racers in the world. He can ride just about

any discipline from Road Racing, to Supermoto, to Motocross and of course Flat Track. He’s truly a phenom.

2-The Daytona Short Track does not reward huge horsepower. Now, I have no idea what the Royal Enfield makes power wise. I haven’t seen a dyno sheet. But I do know it’s better to take a slow horse there than a fast one.

3- The team put in a LOT of testing on this motorcycle before it made it to the races; Months. There may not have been a lot of track time, but with Royal Enfield corporate involved and

their multi-national efforts across the globe, this wasn’t a small fly-by-night operation.

4-Did I mention that Johnny Lewis is insanely talented?

Another thing I have always noticed on the Daytona short track is how East Coast riders always seem to excel there.

Brandon Robinson won both Super Twins mains. Cory Texter was second on night one and he won night two on his G&G Yamaha in the Production Twins Class. Ryan Varnes was 4th on night one in production twins as well. (Varnes did not start the main on night 2 due to a mechanical) Former AFT singles champ Dan Bromley was a solid 5th on night two in the Super Twins class. The East Coast and especially those Pennsylvania area natives are always fast in Daytona!

So now the season is wrapped.

Vance and Hines no longer has Harley’s support though they will continue to sell race ready XG750’s for both Production Twins and Super Twins racers. Super Twins production based bikes (Yamaha, Kawasaki and maybe some new comers…) will be allowed to use traction control in 2021. While I’m writing this I’m looking at the results from the Dunlop Tire Test at Volusia County Speedway and can see that several riders have switched teams. For the year that 2020 was, I think we can not only be thankful for the racing that we had, but for all of the racing yet to come in 2021!

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ith a few hours of seat time floating amongst the distracted wasteland of vacant faced clones in the rear, I wallow unenthusiastically in a broken chair no wiser for the wear in the same jaded state of grace I was in when I lifted the kickstand hours ago. My face and hands still vibrate in response to the wind and road; my senses had danced with every passing mile, and my sinuses now drain as a result of the warmer indoor dry atmosphere. Running my thumbnail along a ridge I’ve scraped through on a weak Styrofoam cup, I view the world from beneath my brow and listen with ringing ears. With scalding hot liquid now penetrating the walls of this damn cup, I’m forced to choke down the bitterly burnt contents allowing the overflow to follow my beard to my leather coat and onto the floor at my feet. I’m reminded of the days years before when this ritual was enhanced with a Marlboro. If only for a brief instant, I miss the benefit of useless addiction. I can’t blame the moment on myself; sometimes, we just settle in, witness the stupidity dancing around us and marvel at the disdain that prepares us for the next fleeting moment of retardacity.

The grind, an existence void of inspiration fueled by repetitive monotony…

My only salvation is an inane sense of duty, and my non-stop need to watch the world around me. Fueling the constant insults spewing from a storm of chatter inside my own head, a calliope of the maladjusted finds its home. After all, that’s where the heart is.

Then, without the due pomp and circumstance that is deserved, a phoenix rises from the ashes as the door gives way to pure wonder posing as a pasty

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malnourished skeleton of a man backlit by the glow of headache-inducing office light. His swagger is that of the confidence only a marathon run of Dungeons and Dragons could supply, maybe not that of a true realm master, but certainly, somewhere in the recent future, a wizard had cast some wicked potions in some parent’s basement only miles away. I couldn’t help but notice his virus thwarting surgical mask fit loose beneath the mirrored 80’s Oakley glasses he snapped free and tucked into the pocket of his denim shirt.

His cowboy boots tapped to a silent offbeat rhythm as he then removed his fingerless driving gloves and quaffed back a bed of ginger split ends nested on his dome. The room was now his, and he croaked loose a sentence to this day I can’t remember, nor do I care to.

Somewhere lost in all this mess was some kind of urgency, but the social awkwardness wasn’t worth fumbling through; sometimes, face value is the only worth needed.

It’ may have been my lack of sleep or the effects of a recent string of mundane experiences, but the instant wasn’t lost on me at all. Trapped within a culture of individuals taking great steps in advertising their complete lack of f#@k’s to give only forces my disdain for the irony left at my feet. I care when I do, and don’t when I don’t, void of all narration to the immediate public in a blood lust for society’s praises. On this day, life just moves on, and in a world of desired peer acknowledgment, I may have inadvertently witnessed an anomaly to all that’s socially viable.

Though shrouded in a veil of overcompensation, I now have reference to the “no f#@ks given” frame of mind. Though a parallel version lost between where f#@ks once laid its proverbial head and where the socially accepted f#@k can be found today, it can only be described as lying in a

vacuum known to no man, tamed by no society. I guess this is what all those that don the D.I.L.L.I.G.A.F. moniker strive to lay their hat, but like the legends that have strolled these hallowed shores before, there can, in fact, be only one. And on this day, the Highlander chose to consume a page in the book of my life.

We’ve turned into a culture that remained anonymous to the outside to an open book proclaiming we don’t care with a slew of hashtags in its wake. Never has anyone spent so much time defending its own honor to people they will never meet, all while hiding behind a hypocritical declaration.

And all of a sudden, where I least expected to see it, I may have just witnessed an untamed unicorn. The entire train wreck was an aftershock of discarded stereotypes forgotten just as fast as they had surfaced and bundled on this helpless

meatbag. While it could have just as easily be cast aside, I reveled in its awkwardness.

This was the definition of not giving a f#@k in a horribly unfit package, and it answered every question I never had.

Yeah, I get it, this has nothing to do with anything at all. I try so hard sometimes to understand the state of grace the majority attempts to prove itself to that I flat out get disgusted. There are days that even my motorcycle can’t save me from and days I can’t even be bothered. But on this day, a moment easily passed aside if allowed to; I witnessed someone so brilliantly out of touch with all things in general that I found hope for society once again. I sure as shit don’t get it, but I don’t get most people in general, so f#@k it. The important thing is…….there’s hope.

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ADVERTISERS INDEX 5 Ball Racing Leather..................95 Bare Bones Leather....................110 Battery Outlet.............................113 BikerNet.com..............................110 Bling’s Cycles...............................64 Chop Cult....................................110 Chopper Time.............................110 Cycle Source Gear.........................4 DB Custom Leather.....................46 Dennis Kirk.....................................5 Denver’s Choppers.......................51 Drag Specialties.............................9 Dutchman....................................113 Faith Forgotten Choppers..........45 Feuling.........................................111 Flat Broke Chops & Rods..........107 GEICO.............................................3 Hot Leathers...............................109 Kiwi Indian....................................29 Led Sled.......................................63 MC Creations..............................113 Mikuni..........................................55 Motion Pro....................................82 No School Choppers...................97 Pandemonium..............................20 Paughco...................................19,57 Progressive Insurance.................31 Providence Cycle Worx................87 Russ Brown..................................27 S100..............................................49 S&S Cycle...................................116 SpeedKing....................................15 Sporty Parts................................113 Spectro Oils...................................21 Steel City H-D.............................115 Sturgis Live!..................................79 Tech Cycles..................................29 Tropical Tattoo..............................46 Twin Power......................................2 Twisted Choppers........................85 Zipper’s Performance...................75

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A

man was walking in the street when he heard a voice. “Stop!

Stand still! If you take one more step, a brick will fall down on your head and kill you.” The man stopped, and a big brick fell right in front of him.

The man was astonished. He went on, and after a while, he was going to cross the road. Once again, the voice shouted: “Stop! Stand still! If you take one more step, a car will run over you, and you will die.” The man did as he was instructed, just as a car came careening around the corner, barely missing him. “Where are you?” the man asked. “Who are you?” “I am your guardian angel,” the voice answered. “Oh yeah?” the man asked. “And where the hell were you when I got married?”

A

lady is having a bad day at the tables in Vegas. Down to her last $100, completely exasperated, she cries, “What rotten luck! What in the world should I do now?” A gent next to her, trying to calm her down a bit, calmly suggests, “I don’t know...

Why don’t you play your age?” He walks away. Moments later, he is intrigued to hear a great commotion at the roulette table. Maybe, she won! Rushing back to the table and pushing his way through the crowd, he is stunned to see the lady lying limp on the floor, with the table operator kneeling over her. He asks, “What happened? Is she all right?”

The operator replies, “I don’t know, buddy... She put all her money on 29.

When 36 came up, she fainted!”

A

Princess

woman called a local hospital.

“Hello. Could you connect me to the person who gives information about patients? I’d like to find out if a patient is getting better, doing as expected, or getting worse.” The voice on the other end said, “What is the patient’s name and room number?” “Sarah Finkel, room 302.”

“I’ll connect you with the nursing station …” “3-A Nursing Station. How can I help you?” “I’d like to know the condition of Sarah Finkel in room 302.” “Just a moment. Let me look at her records. Mrs. Finkel is doing very well. In fact, she’s had two full meals, her blood pressure is fine, she is to

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be taken off the heart monitor in a couple of hours and, if she continues this improvement, Dr. Cohen is going to send her home Tuesday at noon.”

The woman said, “What a relief! Oh, that’s fantastic . . . that’s wonderful news!” The nurse said, “From your enthusiasm, I take it, you are a close family member or a very close friend!””Neither! I AM Sarah Finkel in 302! Nobody here tells me sh*t!

A

Miss Judy

blonde wanted to go ice fishing.

She’d seen many books on the subject. Finally, after getting all the necessary tools together, she made for the nearest frozen water.

After positioning her comfy stool, she started to make a circular cut in the ice. Suddenly, from the sky, a voice boomed, “There are no fish under the ice.” Startled, the blonde moved further down the ice, poured a thermos of cappuccino, and began to cut another. Again, from the heavens, the voice bellowed, “There are no fish under the ice.” Now quite worried, the blonde moved down to the opposite end of the ice, set up her stool, and tried again to cut her hole. The voice came once more, “there are no fish under the ice.” she stopped, looked skyward, and said, “is that you lord?” the voice replied, “No ... This is the ice-rink manager....”

Joey

A

Lewis

young couple had been married for a couple of months, but the man was always after his wife to quit smoking. One afternoon, she lit up after some lovemaking, and he said, “You really ought to quit.” She, getting tired of his nagging, said, “I really enjoy a good cigarette after sex.” He replied, “But they stunt your growth.”

She asked if he ever smoked, and he replied he never had. Smiling and lifting her gaze to his groin, she said, “So, what’s your excuse?”

A

Foxxy

ging Mildred was a 93 year old woman who was particularly despondent over the recent death of her husband Earl. She decided that she would just kill herself and join him in death.Thinking that it would be best to get it over with quickly, she took out Earl’s old Army pistol and made the decision to shoot herself in the heart since it was so badly broken in the first place.Not wanting to miss the vital organ and become a vegetable and a burden to someone, she called her doctor’s office to inquire as to just exactly where the heart would be. “On a woman,” the doctor said, “the heart would be just below the left breast.”Later that night, Mildred was admitted to the hospital with a gunshot wound to her knee.

John

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