Back Street Heroes - August 2019 - Preview

THE BEST BIKE EVENT YOU’LL NEVER GO TO!

ISSUE 424

AUGUST 2019

UK OFFSALE DATE: 01/08/19

£4.20

14: FLANDERS CHOPPER BASH the best bike event you’ll never go to…

20: SHOVELHEAD H-D

another fiendishly clever bike by Ger Conlon!

24: RIDGEWAY MCC’S GEORGE TO THE DRAGON RALLY it were damp, but it were good!

26: 750 BONNIE gorgeous blast from the past!

32: YORKSHIRE MAG’S INTO THE VALLEY RALLY

the first of this year’s Yorkshire bunfights

TO GET THE DIGITAL EDITIONS APP, SIMPLY SEARCH FOR ‘BACK STREET HEROES’ IN THE APPLE APP STORE FOR iPAD OR ON GOOGLE PLAY FOR ANDROID CHECK OUT THE BSH FACEBOOK PAGE (BACK STREET HEROES) AND THE BSH FACEBOOK GROUP AT BACK STREET HEROES – THE OFFICIAL GROUP

36: PANHEAD CHOPPER

proper ’70s chop by those specialists in such things, Death Grip Choppers

42: YOU’VE BEEN NABBED 28

all the gen on one of the best events in 2019

48: FINNISH CHOPS

built by a mechanic who’s ever so slightly manic…

52: BANDIT 1200

home-built Hard Up Chopper

60: ATCO 90

the coolest bike built out of a lawnmower you’ll ever see!

6: NEWS all that’s new and happening in the custom bike world 8: PRODUCTS loads of good stuff for you to spend your hard-earned on 12: LETTERS sound off, one, two, sound off, three, four!

56: CENTRESPREAD an artistic poster for you to put on yer wall 58: SUBSCRIBE TO BSH see here for the best subscription offers 70: KATANA PROJECT brakes… brakes... please let it have brakes!

74: TECH BSH’s resident spanner monkey twirls his implements… fnurk 78: MR BRIDGES the guru imparts more of his knowledge of mechanics 81: MAG NEWS our regular column by the MAG chairnon genderspecificperson 84: BSH CUSTOM CHAMPS 2019 the winners from the NABD 88: THE BIZ another interview with a leading figure in the custom world

98: READERS’ LIVES two pages of your pics... and our silly captions 101: EVENTS your essential guide to the best rallies, shows and parties 112: SMALLS sell your bike here for free!

113: NEXT MONTH just to whet your appetite…

114: RICK HULSE the musings of one of the most eloquent thinkers in bikerdom

92: JIM FOGG FICTION another of the master’s excellent works

BE PART OF THE BACKSTREETHEROES COMMUNITY

AUGUST 2019

3

editor:

NIK SAMSON

nik@backstreetheroes.com

“You ride just like a police rider,” he said.

Things wot have amused me recently…

So the assessing gentleman turned up and, in his pre-ride appraisal, asked me if I’d done any advanced motorcycle training? I blithely informed him that, yeah, I’d done the IAM test (I haven’t), but a very long time ago and I’d probably forgotten everything as it was that long ago. He nodded, and away we went.

We rode down to the nearest town to me, cutting across country on a variety of road sizes, to where I’ve been learning to drive so I know where all the tricky spots are (it’s apparently the most difficult place in East Anglia to pass your car test as there’re so many roundabouts and narrow little side roads). We did all of those, zigzagging backwards and forwards across town to take in as many of them as possible and then, after about an hour, stopped for lunch. As we’re walking into the cafe, he said: “I can tell you’ve done the IAM test.”

“Oh”, I said, “can you?”

Anyway, after lunch we headed back to mine, again using a variety of roads, and when we arrived home he asked if I’d done any police training? “Err, no”, I said, “why?”

staff writer:

DAVE MANNING

dave@backstreetheroes.com

Pic by Alex

Anyway, after quite a lot of faffing around with dates and bike loan arrangements (I didn’t think the assessing types’d be that happy about me doing what equates to a test on my own bikes with no indicators/mudguards/mirrors/speedometers etc.), it was finally arranged for the middle of May. Originally I was told that it would be four to six hours of riding which (a) seemed utterly unnecessary, and (b) I wasn’t up to doing anyway, so we arranged that, instead, we’d do just an hour and a half or so’s riding, but take in every kind of road condition we could in that shorter time frame.

“Oh, do I?” I replied, laughing inwardly as what I really wanted to say was (a) “Oh, I hoped I was slightly better than that…” and (b) “You don’t think that’s because you’re following me, assessing my riding, and if I don’t pass I don’t get to play with any toys, do you?

Of course I’m going to be riding to the letter of the law, I’ve got an assessor watching my riding!”

Pic by Pam

Back towards the end of April, the powers-that-be decided that, after my off in February, I needed to do a riding assessment because, you know, I’ve only been riding for 36 years, almost every day due to the fact that I don’t have a car licence, and I’m an ex-courier who’s dabbled a wee bit in stunt and track riding, so obviously I’d need to prove that I’m capable of riding a bike…

07884 052003

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DAN SAVAGE

If you got caught out in the appalling weather at the beginning of June then I really must apologise as that weather’s all my fault.

Y’see, on the way to Flanders Chopper Bash I bumped into an old mate of mine, Vince Summers, who’s really, really good at building chops with old Harley engines, and is also a bit good at getting old ’uns running just so too. I told him mine was still being a pain in the arse, and he told me to bring it down after the Bike Shed, where it was on display on the BSH stand, and he’d have a look at it. Meself and my good friend Loon, who’d been roped in for driving duties that weekend, duly deposited it with him at about 8pm on the Sunday night, and he took one look at it and said: “It’s about half an hour’s work, that… I’ll not do it tonight, but I’ll have a look in the morning.”

Sure enough, about 10.30 the next morning a video appears on me phone of him starting it first kick, and it settling down to a lovely burbling tickover. He also made a new gate for the gearchange to stop it from being about as vague as a politician’s expense claims, and changed the huge rear sprocket for one that’ll allow it to do more than 45mph.

Meself and Loon drove back down a couple of weeks later, loaded it on to the trailer and drove it home in some of the heaviest rain I’ve seen in a long time and, pretty much, it’s been horrible every day since I got it back so, if you’ve been getting wet each day on your way to and from work or on your way to a rally, that’s probably my fault… sorry.

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freelance contributors:

IAN SHIPLEY, PAM BARAUD, SIMON EVERETT, GARRY STUART, LAUREN RADWELL, CHARLEY CHARLES, SIWER OHLSSON, PAUL & LUKE MARLTON, MR BRIDGES, SELINA LAVENDER, JIM FOGG RIP, LOUISE LIMB, RICK HULSE editorial address:

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Distribution by Marketforce UK Ltd, 5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London E14 5HU. Tel: 0203 787 9001. Printed by William Gibbons and Sons, Wolverhampton. ISSN: 02679841. BSH is copyright to Mortons Media Ltd 2019 and all rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

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GLOSSARY

A brief, not too serious explanation of terms commonly used in the magazine. This month, the Ds:

WELL NEWS DONE WEMOTO!

BRIGHTONA NEEDS YOU

This year’s Brightona, on Sunday 13th October, is in need of your help. The event, which raises money for worthy charities, has been hit by bad weather for the last couple of years and, because of this, attendance is down, meaning that they’re in very real danger of having to close the event because of the costs involved.

So, they’d like you to make a note in your diary of the event, 13th October, and if you live anywhere close by, please try and attend to ensure the continuation of a long established grand day out. You can also donate online to the event at www. brightona.net where you can find out all the latest info on it too.

On Tuesday 19th March, at the official launch of the 2019 Isle of Man TT, Wemoto handed over a £16,590 cheque to the Manx Grand Prix Supporters’ Club.

The cheque was a result of the company’s fundraising efforts in 2018, and the money will help fund the MGPSC’s life-saving helicopter ambulance during the Manx Grand Prix, and also to support injured riders and their families.

Now that its fourth fundraising year’s complete, Wemoto is happy to announce that it’s now raised £65,000 for the charity in total, and it’s grateful to everyone who’s bought a T-shirt over the years, and to those in the industry who’ve helped support the cause.

Their new 2019 T-shirt has recently been released with a print of a vintage racer at the famous Kate’s Cottage, and they’re available to buy at www. wemoto.com for just £10, with all the profits raised going towards supporting racers on the Isle of Man.

BRISTOL BIKE NIGHTS

Bristol Bike Night is back at Fowlers Motorcycles from 5.30-8.30pm on the first Friday of every month until September. Entry is free, and everyone is welcome, whatever they ride. Fowlers is at 2-12 Bath Road, Bristol (BS4 3DR), on the A38 inner ring road, and you can find out more by calling Fowlers on 0117 977 0466 or visiting www.fowlers.co.uk.

HIRE A CHOPPER!

Northwest Leisure Hire is a new company set up by a gentleman named Mike that hires out choppers, cruisers and Harley-Davidsons – one of which is Yammy’s old mega-long XS1100 as featured in BSH many, many moons ago.

He also has less radical bikes available too – ring him on 07713 411020 or go to www. northwestleisurehire.co.uk

PHIL DANIELS UKARTIST

Phil Daniels is a professional artist working from his studio gallery in Norfolk whose art has sold into collections across the world, mostly traditional 2D wall art, but he also does highly detailed airbrush pieces including bikes, helmets etc. using innovations in water-based paints, and special effects etc., to provide tantalisingly cool-looking paint work for bikes.

Contact him on 01603 879378 or go to his website at www.UKartist.co.uk

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AUGUST 2019

DAYTONA – town on the east coast of Florida that holds the Daytona 200 motorcycle race and is invaded each year by hundreds of thousands of bikers for the Bike Week and, later, Biketoberfest, and not a place to go if you’re frightened by the sight of very old ladies wearing skimpy clothing more suited to their slimmer, much less saggy granddaughters. Also a model name used by Triumph, originally in recognition of Buddy Elmore’s win at the 1966 Daytona 200 on a Tiger 100.

DESMODROMIC – valve closure by mechanical rather than sprung means, used particularly by Ducati, and always spelt without a single letter ‘n’.

DIGGER – a low-slung style of custom bike

first made by popular by the late great Arlen Ness, invariably with a goosenecked frame and a prismic or rocket-style fuel tank.

DIAMOND EMPIRE – the National Chopper Club, thanks to the diamond-shaped background to the club logo which was, incidentally, designed by former BSH editor Stu Garland.

DIAVEL – unpronounceable, custom-styled Ducati that, in its purest form, will have the men in blue serge taking away your licence quite quickly indeed.

DILLIGAF – Do I Look Like I Give a F**k… no, it looks like you’re trying too hard.

DIRT TRACK – a generic term usually used with reference to flat track racing, but also covering speedway.

DISC – used as a brake, a flat disc is bolted to a wheel and has brake pads forced on to it by mechanical means, usually hydraulic but occasionally operated by cable. Also, what aliens arrive in, as described by people who’ve spent too much time in fields in the Brecon Beacons.

DIVERSION – commuter Yamaha popular with trikers, despatch riders, skint rat-bikers, and almost nobody else.

DIVIDER – the strip, metal or leather, that seperates two fatbob tanks and often carries the speedo and ignition switch. Also someone who’s fiendishly good at working out restaurant bills.

DOHC – double overhead cam, two camshafts situated in the cylinder head, one operating the inlet valves, one for the exhaust.

DOT – motorcycles built in Salford from 1907, latterly using two-stroke power-plants from Villiers, and proving popular in off-road sports.

The name is an acronym for ‘devoid of trouble’… please stop laughing.

DOUGHNUT – unbelievably sugary fivefor-£3 foodstuff available at rallies that’s simultaneously so hot it takes the skin off the roof of your mouth and a soggy congealed mass capable of inducing Type 2 diabetes. Also a circular burnout much frowned upon by pub landlords when performed in their car parks.

DRAG ‘BARS – not drinking establishments for men who like to wear ladies’ clothing, but short, flat handlebars with slight pullbacks at each end.

DRAG ‘PIPES – short (and loud) exhausts designed to get the exhaust gases out as quickly as possible. Also what happens when your rear exhaust mount rots through…

DRAG RACING – two vehicles, racing side-byside, usually over a timed quarter mile. Nothing to do with competitive cross-dressing.

DRUM – the other type of motorcycle brake in which frictional material (known as brake shoes) is forced to the inner surface of a wheel hub, thus slowing it down... allegedly. Usually they’re cable-operated, but are occasionally hydraulic (such as the H-D ‘juice’ brake).

DRY SUMP – an engine with a separate oil tank that uses a pump to supply (and return) the oil from and to said tank.

DUAL SPORT – a style of bike that’s a cross between a tourer and a dirt bike, exemplified by the BMW GS, the Honda Africa Twin, the Triumph Tiger etc. The people who ride them are called ‘Charleys’, after Charley Boorman, because they’re not cool enough to be Ewans.

CUSTOM HEROES

Regular readers’ll know that we hold our very own show-within-ashow at Birmingham’s Motorcycle Live each year, the UK’s biggest motorcycle show, with Custom Xtreme holding its own for not far short of the last 20 years.

For 2019, however, we’re doing something a little different, and we’re not only having some of the very finest custom motorcycles in Christendom on display by the BSH stand, but we’ll also be playing host to a select few craftsmen who ply their trade in the world of customised motorcycles. For this, we have a new title for the segment of the show – Custom Heroes. The name encompasses not only the folk who build their own, stunning custom bikes, but also those who help with the process, facilitating specific techniques and talents that so many of us will never, ever be able to even contemplate undertaking.

With this in mind, not only will there be the winners of this year’s Back Street Heroes Custom Bike Championship (the dates for which are on pages 84-85), plus a varied selection of some of this year’s very best custom bikes, but there’ll also be the new addition of a specific demonstration area within the display for our four invited artists, who will each be displaying their talents on different days of the show.

We’ll be introducing you to the artists in question over the next four issues and, this month, we’ll start off with the person who’ll be responsible for the backdrop to the display area, which you’ll be in with a chance to win after the show has finished – Joeby’s Airbrush Art. Aside from the physical creation of the parts required for a custom machine, a great part of customising is in the final finish – whether that be highly polished or anodised aluminium, chromed steel or, of course, the vastly variable world of custom paint, the final look of a bike is dependent on the finish.

Of course, this applies to every single form of motorcycle, and not just custom bikes, although those folk involved in painting motorcycles get to cover a huge variety of machinery – from race replicas to classic restorations to full-on psychedelic custom jobs with every single creative product and technique known to mankind thrown in – metalflake, gold leaf, true flames, pearls, candies, realistic, caricatures, and everything else.

In this respect, Steve Slight, known to all and sundry as Joeby, is certainly no exception, and it could be said that he covers a greater variety of

styles and finishes than most airbrush artists, as a quick look at his portfolio will show.

While he runs the eponymous Joeby’s Airbrush Art, Steve actually started painting his friends’ helmets back in 1974, when he was just a teenager. Today the shop is run with the help of his wife Helen, located

amid the beautiful Somerset Levels, in the historic and stunning city of Wells.

Being based where he is, there’s little surprise that Joeby caught the attention of one Larry Houghton of Lamb Engineering, with the result being that many of Larry’s show-winning machines were painted by Joeby – the Spirit of Endeavour JAP V-twin, Norton cafe racer, Circus of Speed Bonneville, and the bonkers little nitrous-huffing Road Runner Honda. You’ll also have seen his work on a significant number of NCC bikes as well. As you’ll see from the pics hereabouts, his work is not only of a standard that’s among those at the very top of the world’s stage, but is also incredibly varied, and you’ll be able to see this quality, and variety, in person as he takes centre stage at Custom Heroes in November.

STEVE ‘JOEBY’ SLIGHT – 01749 677498, 07974 840106, WWW.JOEBYSAIRBRUSHART.CO.UK, UNIT 1 KEWARD BUSINESS PARK, GLASTONBURY ROAD, WELLS, SOMERSET, BA5 1QE AUGUST 2019

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OXFORD AQUA DRYPHONE

PRODUCTS

MERLIN DRAX BOOTS

These G24 (2.4mm cowhide leather) Drax boots from Merlin have a unique ‘Crazy Horse’ finish. This casual, urban style follows on from the success of their taller Legacy boots. They have CE certification, a triple lining that’s waterproof and breathable, reinforced heels/ankles/toes, both laces and top hooks, a gear-change patch, comfortable filled Amara collar, and high density rubber soles.

They’re available in black or brown, in all the usual sizes, and cost £149.99 from anywhere that stocks the Merlin range or www.merlinbikegear.com

The Dryphone range is suitable for all the iPhones, and most Samsungs (check the website to be sure), and allows you to mount your ‘phone safely and securely to your handlebars, keeping the phone dry. It is both waterproof and allows for touchscreen operation, making it ideal for use with built-in navig gation syy stems.

Sim mple to insta all, they coss t just £2 29.99 with all the fittings required, and you can get one from anywhere that stocks the Oxford Products range or w ww. oxford products. com

WEISE STEALTH HOODIE New from Weise, the Stealth looks like a classic black hoodie, but is fitted with CE-armour and a tough aramid lining. Made from heavy-duty cotton, and lined with aramid fibre throughout, a mesh overlay adds to comfort in hot weather, and the CE-approved shoulder, elbow and back protection can be removed. The hood has drawstring adjusters to help seal out the cold on chilly days (and is also removable) and elasticated and ribbed hems and cuffs seal out draughts too, while both external pockets have zips to keep contents safe on the move.

The Weise® Stealth Hoodie comes in sizes small to 5XL, in black, is covered by a twoyear warranty, and costs just £119.99 from anywhere that stocks the Weise range or www.thekeycollection.co.uk

TORX EZ-GO HELMET BRAD HELMETS CARRY STRAP These E-approved motocross inspired helmets are great value for money, and their trendy style will match many vintage or neo-retro motorcycles. They feature a classic black and white block race-inspired pattern, a removable sun visor, and ventilated mouth-guard.

They’re available now from your Zodiac dealer in sizes XS (54cm) to XL (61cm), and in black, white, red, and yellow. Check out www.zodiac. nl to find your nearest place.

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AUGUST 2019

All riders know this proble em – you arrive at your destination, park you ur bike, and then have to carry your helmet, or you want to go and pick up a friend d for a ride, but you need a way to carr ry a spare helmet safely. The EZ-Go helmet carry strap is a universal fit, features an extra-wide shoulder strap so it doesn’t drag and hurt your shoulder, and has a one-cclick clamp.

They’re now available att your local Zodiac dealer, in a choice of black or grey/orange. Go to www.zodiac.nl to find your nearest stockist.

SHINY BIKE SAUCE SW MOTECH ION S TAIL BAG

Compact and easy to attach, this useful tail bag expands to more than double its size, but measures just 33x29x10cm (expanding to 18cm). It’s shaped to sit on a pillion seat or luggage rack without hindering the rider in any way, is tough and durable, has reinforced sides and a water-resistant coating (plus a waterproof inner bag), a mesh compartment inside the lid for keys and change, a small outer compartment, a carry handle, and a full-circumference zip that’s lockable.

It retails at £95.95 from www.motohaus.com

Shiny Bike Sauce is a spray-on solution that’s environmentally friendly and pH neutral, but still cleans dirty bikes beautifully, and is available in single and twin packs, as well as a Six-Pack with six one-litre bottles that saves over £2 per bottle over the single bottle price. You just spray it on to an already wetted bike, wait a few moments, and then just wash it and all the poo off – simple as that.

It’s safe for all components, and won’t pollute the watertable too, and you can get it from all good bike accessory retailers or www.shinysauce.com

TWO BROS RACING STUBBY EXHAUST

These new stubby little Two Brothers Racing zorst cans both look cool, and sound as fruity as fu…err, flip too. They’re available in a variety of finishes (the carbon pictured looks the sexiest), and in a variety of sizes from the Two Brothers Racing website at www.twobros.com or from M&P Accessories at w ww.mandp.co.uk Oh, and they’re used on Vandal and Toddy’s bikes in the Two Brothers Racing Stunt Team stunt shows too – check them out on Facebook or YouTube.

OXFORD HINKSEY SLIM FIT JEANS J

SIMPSON VENOM The rather funky Simpson Venom helmet, the road-legal version of the classic Simpson bad boy helmet, now comes in a range of very moody new graphics, including a very tasteful black/fluoro yellow (not often you can say something fluoro is tasteful, is it?), black/ silver, black/grey, and black/white.

The prices remain the same at £299.99, and you can get one from anywhere that stocks the Simpson range or www.tri-motive.com

These new slim fit bike jeans from Oxford Products are available in men’s and women’s sizes (28 to 42 men’s, 8-18 women’s) in a variety of leg lengths, and in blue, black or light blue. They have a chevron-style coin pocket, chevron back pockets, YKK auto-lock zips, and Dupont Kevlar elements, fully felled twin-needle chain stitching, and knee and hip armour too for maximum protection.

Priced at just £99.99, you can get them from anywhere that stocks the Oxford range or www.oxfordproducts.com AUGUST 2019

9

accessories

clothing

Need to agree, or even disagree, with something you’ve seen in the mag? Heard a bloody awful joke you think we should groan at? Email nik@ backstreetheroes. com or send it snailmail to the address in the front (somewhere) of the mag!

In days of yore a lot of knights chose to ditch their visors so as to have peripheral vision – very important when guys are trying to brain you from the side. It’s okay when jousting in a full helmet when your opponent is coming at you from the front.

Same thing with us bikers – open-face lids leave no blind spots for that car alongside you missed to hide in, or for you to miss that other bike up your tail pipe.

Yeah, you trade some protection for being able to see.

Also I did the Faro Run back in the day, 90 in the shade, would’ve baked alive in a full-face. Cheers!

CLIVE I did the Faro Run six times in a full-face; as far as I know I remain to this day still unbaked. You wear what you want to wear, I’ll wear what I want to, okay? N.

Recently taken to buying your magazine, and I have to say congratulations on the writing – full of humour too. Writing for real people, and not assuming everyone is Captain Fantastic when it comes to mechanics. Your ABC guide is proving very useful too.

I also wanted to comment on the excellent article by the NABD group. My husband suffered a severe RTA some years ago. His body and brain made contact with a concrete lamppost. But he is made of strong stuff and despite being full of metal and acquiring a brain injury, he still rides his bikes. To quote him, it makes him feel “whole again”. He also restores and it’s truly his great passion, followed by the dog, his sheds and I think I might be next.

Keep up the good work!

STELLIE BURKS 12

AUGUST 2019

Reference your comments to Wonks’ letter in issue 417 – ‘The world now seems to be a much more angry and aggressive place’. It would seem many of us are having the same conversation.

For instance, when did being an arse’ole become a badge of honour? If social media memes are to be believed, 90% of posters wish it to be known that this year’s resolution is, ‘to continue being just as big an annoying twat as always’!

Great. I’ll try and make sure the words are carved on your headstone the next time you cut me up in traffic while sending that all-important FB post.

Some aspects of the world are becoming increasingly ugly.

Remember when film clips carried the ever-present proviso ‘Nobody was hurt during the making of this film’? When did it become socially acceptable to laugh at someone receiving life-changing injuries or possibly death? I can’t rewind and not see something that’s just innocently turned up in my FB feed. I can’t undo the emotions that’re now triggered, but I’d like to continue to be able to react to such things and not have my senses dimmed by the constant exposure to the ever-widening limits of what FB regulators deem acceptable.

This everyday exposure is possibly converting many to the character of the ‘top annoying twat’ that so many appeared to aspire to on New Year’s Eve memes.

When those people were trapped on that roller-coaster last year I’d like to think, had I been there, I could’ve helped in some way. Whether it’s via my engineering background or just the first aid learnt at a ‘Rider Down’ course, but 98% of the crowd were standing there, phones glued to their outstretched hands, anxious to be the first to capture the distressed faces of those poor unfortunates – to be the first to post it and proudly claim: “I was there. Yeah, you could ’ear ’em screamin’ an’ everyfink, it was a right larf.”

The next time something like that happens, check out some of the comments below it. These people are walking among us and standing next to you in the supermarket queue! They’ll be the ones turning to sneer at you with your three or four items as they decant their two trolleys loaded with the supplies for Mafeking, because the nonMuslim/Hindu shops’ll be shut for a day at Christmas. It’s usually those of 45+ years now who’ll turn and ask me if I’d like to go first these days.

Why is it okay now to just say or show all that you think?

“Oh, if you don’t like it, just scroll on by, snowflake, it’s just a bitta banter, innit?” I hate the word ‘banter’. It’s 300+ years old, but irrevocably brought into mainstream usage by the Loaded/Nuts generation and popularised by some braindead amoeba from a crap ‘reality’ show. Whatever happened to taking the mick/p*ss? And if banter is the replacement, then we’re taking the mick out of someone who’s just received life-changing injuries or worse in your amusing ‘epic fail’ videos, and I think that diminishes us.

What if I was to post a pic of a woman being abused by her domineering partner to draw attention as to how that’s done habitually in some less-enlightened countries, where women are still second-class citizens? ‘Post removed as inappropriate’ probably. Why? If you don’t like it, scroll on by, snowflake. Why are your abusive words, using language that I wouldn’t use in mixed company, more appropriate than my image? Mine had a message and wasn’t meant to titillate the majority like so many!

When did the ‘C’ word become acceptable for everyday use? Where do you go from there? Better to save it for those hopefully rare occasions when someone really is living up to the name and deserves it. It’s all the little changes that’re adding up, slowly chipping away at how we used to be. As we’re all getting older, without youngsters coming into the motorcycle fold, the pet food and toy runs will be consigned to a footnote as more people leave their charity work to the small percentage donated by the Lottery owners, and assume that’s enough.

I sound like a right killjoy, don’t I, but I’m not. I like a laugh just as much as the next person and, them in your ride-outs, plan runs to be learnerironically, I’m against censorship, but friendly. It won’t take much. the seemingly unfettered approach The Bike Shed boys have the luxury of London I’ve just returned from a visit to the Bike Shed location, wages and affluence on their side, but show at Tobacco Dock in London. It was a appears to be dragging us down and it does show that biking still has appeal to the pleasure to see such a diverse crowd of people we’re losing our way as empathic younger generation. Our rallies and biker nights enjoying the biker lifestyle – if we hope to see human beings. In the town where don’t have to be all death metal, skulls and real motorcycling thrive in the future, we need to I live an elderly lady got knocked ale – think outside the box, and look to the be looking at the success of shows such as this down by a bus last year, her Dorothy future. If we don’t, we may well be the last of and examining why this range of young and old, bag scattering her shopping far and our breed. trendy and traditional, and dare I say it, nonwide. Did everybody rush to help?

If you’re part of a club or group, reach out, white British and white British males is such a rare One individual did – the rest rushed advertise your runs or rallies as learner-friendly. occurrence at many of the biking events we visit. to record. The kind ‘helper’ gathered Social media has huge reach and influence, I teach at a large college in Essex and many up all the shopping, and then so show pics that demonstrate the fun and of my students ride in to study. I usually park blended into the crowd with it. So enjoyment to be had on two wheels, and whichever bike I’m riding in the same area as intent were the others in their haste include as many different riders as you can – they park, and I often get the ‘How much?’ ‘How to record, they failed to recognise young, old, male, female, black, white. Then big?’ ‘What’ll it do, mister?’ questions. I always what was happening right in front maybe, just maybe, all the current riders’ll still take the time to chat to these impressionable of them until much later when be able to visit the seafront in our dotage and youngsters, inviting them to local events reviewing. It’s okay, breathe easy, gawp at the bikes lined up on the seafront and and shows. Unfortunately many only visit the unlike her shopping she was fine. say to the riders: “I used to have one just like occasional show, as one of the main reasons We’re losing it. It’s as if many that when I was younger.” given is: “No one talks to us, they’re all old believe the £10 text to Children in blokes who look down on our 125s.”

TREVOR DOWLING I’ve witnessed this attitude at many of the Need last time is an empathy ‘Get Been doing it for two years now at the small shows around East Anglia that I visit; out of Jail Free’ card that frees them Rat Show – anyone turning up on Ls gets you see the cool guys on their chops and big to be an unsympathetic tosser the welcomed, and a freebie T-shirt presented to cruisers standing around in groups, keeping other 51 weeks of the year! “I can be them on Saturday night in an attempt to get themselves to themselves.

The bigger bikes scathing in my FB comments to you more young folk involved. N. usually get trophies and prizes, and youngsters ’cos I’m an enlightened person at often get overlooked, the bikes they ride all other times. This bottle of water deemed not worthy of a prize.

I’ve just bought from a company We, as a demographic, need to ask, once this that promises to donate 5p to Third current generation of riders’ve shuffled off this The best letter each World wells for every item sold tells mortal coil, who will be riding? Who will keep issue will now receive you so.” Do you ever check out the a free T-shirt from the lifestyle that’s given us so much alive? It’ll profiles of the worst FB keyboard those lovely people, be all the young riders who desperately want to Laura and Mark, at warriors? What a generally ineffectual become part of the scene, but are being given Fat Maggot T-Shirts bunch they usually appear – they the cold shoulder by the veteran riders. (www.fatmaggot.com) wouldn’t say ‘boo’ to a goose if they We can all do our bit – if you’re out and about – get all your rally met you in person. shirts etc. from them, and you see new or younger riders, take a bit of they’re triffic!

Maybe it’s the detachment that time to talk to them about their bikes, include living life through a lens gives people.

Experiencing things vicariously through your camera, rather than living the moment first hand, as we edge ever closer towards the ‘Black Mirror’. I’ve tried and failed a few I’ve been buying your A while ago I wrote to ask times to finish ‘Zen and the Art of…’ but one thing I did take from it was mag for years, decades what the definition of the Pirsig’s comment that ‘on a bike the frame is gone. You’re completely now, and I love it. Every word ‘biker’ was. I had seen in contact with it all. You’re in the scene’. Nowadays people seem to page. Long may this want, crave almost, to be the passive observer through a screen. It this word in your magazine a mag last. allows them to be dispassionate, and gives them the freedom to make few times, and wanted to use I’d just like to the crass comments that go with the clips. And the social media pond it myself, but no-one uses comment in regard gets wider and more shallow. The non-stop barrage from irresponsible words they don’t know the to the Readers’ Lives media that we’re in constant fear for our lives/livelihood, it all creates meaning of – I had asked a this ‘on edge’ atmosphere that filters through into the daily actions of pages. While every number of people and got a your everyday Joe or Josephine. Often when you track back from times picture is a winner, I different answer off each. of civil unrest you’ll find it’s usually something quite innocuous that was think that, for me, the Imagine my delight when the final trigger as many are kept in an artificially heightened state of picture of a rider’s I discovered that you were awareness by the media and living conditions generally. The blue touchdearly departed wife in doing a glossary of terms paper is now so much shorter, but what do you expect? a tax disc holder was I’m all for freedom of speech, but people seem to feel they and eagerly awaited the the outright winner that can say literally anything in these lapsed standards days of social list of B words, but alas, I issue, because although media. Can we not all just be a little more considerate and try to scanned the page at least she’s passed, she still get along more like we used to? There’re even rifts developing in thrice but found no definition rides with him. It relays the bike world, between sports bike and custom bike, Joe Brown of ‘biker’. such a heart-warming wearers and greasy jeans/waistcoat wearers, everyday riders Is there a reason for this? message, and proves to and weekend warriors. There always was to an extent, but it was the contrary that bikers I can only presume that you always just good-natured. Now though, as with a lot of things, may look rough, but are doing a second B list next it’s taken a negative route and could (if allowed) develop into have a deep heart. month? something more tangible.

Just thought I’d share In the past I’ve done my bit towards grid-locking London, Brussels I. P. FREELY my thoughts. and Paris, etc. but we’ll never hit those figures again if we don’t all I want to use a smiley face Regards. stick together, regardless of what we ride, ‘Two wheels good, four here, but they don’t translate wheels bad’ to misquote George Orwell.

RICHARD GOURLAY well into magazines… N. KEITH AUGUST 2019

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WORDS & PICS: NIK

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AUGUST 2019

AS ANYONE WHO’S NOT ACTUALLY CLINICALLY DEAD’LL KNOW, THERE’S BEEN A HUGE RESURGENCE IN INTEREST IN OLD-SCHOOL CHOPPERS; BIKES, PREDOMINANTLY OLDER IRONHEAD, SHOVELHEAD AND PANHEAD HARLEYS, BUT MERIDEN TRIUMPHS AND SEVENTIES JAPS TOO, DONE IN STYLES FROM THE LATE ’60S AND EARLY ’70S – THE DAYS OF THE ORIGINAL BIKER FLICK EASY RIDER.

AUGUST 2019

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his scene, for that’s what it is, has its own culture, its own exponents, its own events, and it’s growing. The folk involved in it are, in the main, younger than most of us trad’ riders, and more fashion-conscious than most of us scruffy oiks are (and, yes, I do include myself in that generalisation) and so dress the part as well – they’d no more be seen dead in an armoured Cordura jacket than most (note that, most…) of us’d in a day-glo hi-viz with ‘Nobber’… sorry, sorry, ‘Polite’ written on the back. They’re skinnier than us too, but I’m sure that’ll inevitably change as they get older – most (that word again) of us weren’t quite so… filled out, shall we say, when we were in our twenties and thirties either.

What they are though is dedicated to their bikes in exactly the same way as we are; in fact perhaps more so. Bikes that look like this aren’t cheap to build (a mate of mine who builds old-school chops was saying that the price of a Knucklehead motor from the US’s gone up to $20,000 after someone managed to get that for their engine, and now everyone wants that much) and they’re not the easiest things to ride either, with their long forks, narrow ’bars and high footpegs. So the fact that there are so many of them, and from all over Europe too (I saw Swedish, Italian, French and German ’plates) is testament to the fact that these guys live and breathe bikes as much as anyone else does.

Flanders Chopper Bash is one of the scene’s top events. Held just outside the little Belgian town of Assenede, it started as just a small gathering of a few folk who rode old-school choppers and, over the years, has grown to be one of the biggest on the scene with folk coming, as I said, from all over Europe for it. It’s

T

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AUGUST 2019

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