FROM THE PUBLISHER

MAIN OFFICE: 12467 Kinsman Rd, Burton, OH 44021 • (440) 273-9000 • (440) 425-0314 fax

RETAIL STORE & OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday - Friday • 10am - 4pm

PUBLISHER & EDITOR Derek Armstrong Smith • ThunderRoadsOhio@gmail.com • (440) 785-7331

SALES & MARKETING Iron Cowboy Productions, LLC • info.ironcowboy@gmail.com • (440) 678-8608 Northwest Ohio Area • Mike Stock • mikestock.tro@gmail.com Cincinnati Area • Doug & Cheryl Taylor • dougtaylor.tro@gmail.com

DIGITAL MEDIA Timothy Cermak • DigitalMedia.TRO@Gmail.com • (440) 273-9000

LAYOUT & DESIGN Bob Mazur • Bobmazurphoto.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THUNDER ROADS OHIO are available for $34.95. Check or Money Order, payable to Iron Cowboy Productions, can be sent to: Iron Cowboy Productions 12467 Kinsman Rd, Burton, OH 44021

NATIONAL FOUNDERS Toni McCoy Shearon & Brian Shearon 1528 Matlock Drive / Chapmansboro, TN 37035 Office 615-792-0040 / Fax: 615-792-7580 email: thunderroadsfounders@yahoo.com

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF ITS CONTENT MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION. PUBLISHER ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY AND IS NOT TO BE HELD LIABLE FOR ERRORS BEYOND THE COST OF THE SPACE OCCUPIED BY THE ERROR, SLANDER OF ANY GROUP OR INDIVIDUAL, FAILURE TO PRODUCE ANY ISSUE AS SCHEDULED DUE TO REASONS BEYOND OUR CONTROL, ANY AND ALL SUITS FOR LIABLE, PLAGIARISM, COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT AND UNAUTHORIZED USE OF A PERSON’S NAME OR PHOTOGRAPH. OPINIONS AND CLAIMS MADE BY ADVERTISERS AND AUTHORS ARE THEIR OWN, AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE POLICY OF THUNDER ROADS MAGAZINE OR THUNDER PUBLISHING. PUBLISHER DOES NOT PROMOTE THE ABUSE OF ALCOHOL OR OTHER DRUGS.

We are patriots that love our community and our nation. We DON’T riot, vandalize, burn buildings, or hurt others to show what matters to us.

And unfortunately, there are those that mistake that restraint – and common sense – as a sign that we don’t really care… or that we aren’t as passionate about our beliefs. I believe it’s the exact opposite. It’s the love of our country and our core

beliefs that prevent us from acting out and causing destruction simply to get attention.

However, we still need to come together and make certain that our voices are heard. We also need to create opportunities for our community leaders to both hear our message and share their own. We need to provide platforms for them to SPEAK and share ideas – WITHOUT filters, warning labels, or other restrictions. On Saturday, May 1st – ABATE of Ohio will be hosting their Annual Motorcycle Awareness Rally in Columbus. (page 12) They stage at Farrow Harley-Davidson and then riders are escorted downtown for a RALLY and call to action on the steps of the State Capital. ABATE does this every year for US – as RIDERS. It’s a chance for our riding community to speak up and be heard by our state leaders. Thank you to Mike Stock – State Chairman of ABATE of Ohio - for organizing this event each year and everyone that helps or simply joins to the ride to support them. Similarly, I’ve chosen to support events such as the PRESIDENTIAL GALA (pg. 47) being held on May 20th.. And even if you’re not from Geauga County or able to attend; I’d ask that you like, follow, and share it to your friends and family. This is a grass roots event to help support local leaders and those in need. We cannot simply leave it to big business or billionaire socialists to fund community activists and positive local leaders – or we might just find ourselves in a mess…. possibly even worse than the one we find ourselves in now as a

nation.

So what’s the solution? We get out and show our support of those that are trying to make a difference. The folks that are STILL FIGHTING for our rights and the values we share. And on May 1st and 20th – we have such opportunities. We need to mobilize and support GRASS ROOTS community events such as these – and we need to HELP SPREAD THE WORD! And even if we feel like we are down and we may have lost a round, we cannot give up on the causes we believe in. As BIKERS, we often RIDE TO BE HEARD – and as a publication representing our community, we help promote such RIDES. Whether it’s our own RIGHTS AS RIDERS, our basic FREEDOMS, or a cause that we believe in – such as supporting VETERANS or those challenged by ILLNESS; we come together and RIDE TO BE HEARD as a riding community. That’s our job – and DESPITE all that we’ve been through over the last year and challenges that appear to be on the horizon, we remain committed to the fight and supporting those making such efforts. That’s what we do. And stay tuned for more to come…. 2021 is just getting started. Ride safe – and RIDE TO BE HEARD!

Sincerely, D. A. Smith Publisher

FEATURES DEPARTMENTS

16 SPORT TOURING - TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS

18 INDIAN EFTR JR.

22 START SOMETHING OLD

24 BUCKEYE THINDER RUN

06 FROM THE PUBLISHER

08 ROAD TALES

10 MOTORCYCLE MINISTRY

12 ABATE OF OHIO

26 CALENDAR FEATURE

28 FINAL WORD

30 IRON & INK

32 TRO NETWORK: Where to get the mags!

35 SERVICE SPECIALISTS

34 MARKETPLACE

42 UPCOMING MOTORCYCLE EVENTS

46 FUNNY STUFF

48 RECIPES

49 WORD SEARCH

50 PARTING SHOTS

52 SPONSOR LISTING

52 SCAVENGER HUNT

36 TECH TIP - AIR RIDE

ON THE COVER - “Let’s Ride!” Collage designed by Bob Mazur, feature shot taken at 2021 Daytona Bike Week by D. A. Smith.