MOTOCLECTIC 002

moToclectic

ISSUE

002

moToclectic

RIDER FRIENDLY DIRECTORY

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Right Side Up Kreations

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ISSUE

002 CONTENTS

IFC | R IDER FRIENDLY DIRECTORY 02 | F ROM THE TEAM

We’re just a couple of nobodies

05 | I NTERVIEW: JEREMY HIGGINS He’s got this racing thing down

STAFF SCOTT WAKEFIELD Editor-in-Chief

DAN HOSEK Art Director

CONTRIBUTORS Jon DelVecchio, Tom McCann, David Werner, Eli Hackett, Keith Johnson, Jr., James Meyers, Michael Hanlon

12 | 3 0 YEARS TO ITALY part 2

The conclusion to an emotional trip, 30 years in the making, for two long-time friends

18 | T HIS IS A GAME CHANGER

Level up your safety with a Pittsford native’s invention

22 | R OC MOTOSOCIAL

What’s all the noise? Eli fills us in

26 | R UST 1894

Something shiny catches our eye

28 | R EBUILDING THE PAST Printed by Tri-Tech Inc. tri-techcanada.com © 2 019 DHSW Media, LLC All rights reserved

The cover image is cool, and so is this!

36 | O UR CORKSCREW

A quick thrill on the Oatka Trail, and possibly Jon’s new nickname

40 | E VENTS

MOTOCLECTIC | 01

FROM THE TEAM Thank you.

Please allow us a short moment to tell you how great you are. We know, no one likes hearing praise and adoration, but bear with us for just this little while.

When we set out last year to make Motoclectic, it came from a desire to mash our passions for motorcycles, cool people, amazing places, beautiful pictures, and great stories together.

We thought this would take months to gain steam. A print magazine from a couple of wellmeaning goofballs isn’t exactly a recipe for atomic energy. Well, we were wrong, and I’ll tell you why: Because of you! From the moment we started talking about a motorcycle magazine, we were flooded with ideas for articles. Often, we couldn’t write fast enough to capture the stream of consciousness flowing from riders’ mouths. “You need to talk with so-and-so,”

and “Have you seen what such-and-such is working on?” were common refrains. Seeing the spark of interest, and the excitement over a moto-magazine has been an unbelievable shot in the arm.

Thank you.

The long lead-up to Issue 001 was a path full of uncertainty and snags. The successful launch of Issue 001 took us by surprise. The overwhelming response to Motoclectic has humbled and encouraged us. Now 002 is in your hands, and we couldn’t be happier.

These are your stories. These are your friends building things, and going places, and serving our community. We all share a common love, and we couldn’t be happier sharing it with you.

CONTACT US! To inquire about advertising opportunities: advertising@motoclectic.com To let us know about any upcoming events: events@motoclectic.com For general inquiries: mail@motoclectic.com To contact Scott directly: scott@motoclectic.com To contact Dan directly: dan@motoclectic.com

www.motoclectic.com

02 | MOTOCLECTIC

COFFEE ǀ ESPRESSO ǀ TEA | DESSERT D A L A S | OUP PANINI | S

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04 | MOTOCLECTIC

INTERVIEW

JEREMY HIGGINS Scott and I met with Jeremy Higgins and his wife, Amber, at The Eli Fish Brewing Company in Batavia to have some food, a few drinks, and to talk about flat track racing and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The conversation ended up meandering and being about much more than that.

I walked into Eli Fish and the first thing I noticed was that it was busy for a Wednesday night. I made my way past the long bar stocked with all kinds of local beers, including some of Eli Fish’s own brews. I’m a little early, but see Scott already beat me to a table. I join him just as he gets a text from Jeremy that he and his wife are on their way and will arrive shortly. I order an 8 oz “Azacca What I Need!” IPA and before I finish taking my first sip, Jeremy and Amber round the corner, each with a pint. I should have gotten a bigger beer.

and the last thing I need is for our hour-long conversation to be drowned out by random questions about the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

(Spoiler alert: the phone worked fine, which is why you’re enjoying this.)

We start to look at the menu. I want a burger, but never had one from here before. Amber tried the pork belly burger a week ago and liked it.

Jeremy loves the pulled chicken tacos. I’m torn now—chicken tacos or a burger? Scott wants to order banana pepper perogis, which leads to a discussion about what the plural of perogis We had previously met Jeremy at the launch is. Pero-guy? Pero-gae (like Nebulae)? The party for issue 001 at Leaf & Bean, and that’s conversation floats from there to English in where we hatched the idea to continue to follow general, to texting habits, and to the ever-evil the RIT story by interviewing the man who misuse of there, their, and they’re. “There are would ride REV 2, the bike the Electric Vehicle Team was building to race at Pikes Peak. We reintroduce ourselves, sit down, and discuss our beer choices (Jeremy is having a “Sloop Juice Bomb” IPA and Amber the “Lil’ Dreamer” white ale). As the conversation continues we learn that Jeremy and Amber had their rehearsal dinner at Eli Fish on the day before New Years’ Eve. In the middle of Amber’s sentence a loud voice booms over the speaker system. It’s trivia night.

First thing I think is that explains the big crowd.

Next, I think, hopefully my phone will record our conversation more than the background noise. It’s the first interview I’ve done like this

www.motoclectic.com | 05

Liberty Pumps. A little rougher, the tolerances were loose. It was still cool, ‘cause you take this water-soluble wax, and then dip it in ceramic, then take the ceramic and pour the metal inside of it. You’d make the negative to the positive of the negative, if that makes sense.”

I say yes, but my confusion must have shown on my face, because he continued, “You make the inside of the outside of the inside of the part.”

He liked what he was doing, but wasn’t progressing. He wanted to get more into it. Get more accurate. That’s when he landed an interview at Romold that lead to Jeremy getting into the New York State Apprenticeship Program. Then Jeremy told us about his daily schedule, which made me ashamed that I ever some guys, they’ll use all three forms exactly complained about a couple late nights working wrong every single time,” Jeremy said. “If you just on this magazine to get it ready to go to press. randomly picked one, you’d have a better shot.”

“I’m working 50 to 55 hours a week. Tuesday The server comes to take our orders. Amber nights I have night school and I do online orders the pulled chicken tacos; Jeremy, the pork courses for my apprenticeship.” That’s already belly burger; Scott, the pretzel weck, and I go an impressive workload, and he hasn’t even classic and get a bacon cheese burger. Another touched on the flat track stuff. round of drinks, and I follow Jeremy’s suggestion and try the Juice Bomb. Finally—after we order “Obviously on top of that, I basically run all of the food—we turn the conversation to “real my own race program.” interview” questions.

“When do you find time for the race program?”

I don’t know a ton about flat track racing, but I I ask, honestly wondering when he could do it. know most people aren’t getting rich doing it, so I ask about the 9-to-5 job. “Right now I’m a mold “It’s late at night,” he replied. “A typical day making apprentice for Romold Incorporated. It’s for me would be wake up 4 AM, get ready for a mom and pop shop out of Gates. We do a lot work...” of medical optical and farm molding. Very tight tolerance, very close precision parts. A lot of “There’s a 4 AM?” Scott asks half-jokingly. medical and optical stuff. When I was working down in Pennsylvania, when I first moved down “Yes, yes, there is. I leave the house around 5, there to live with Amber, I was working in a wax and I work 6 AM to 4:30 PM at my job, and then injection mold shop and we did a lot of work for if I don’t have school or anything else after work,

06 | MOTOCLECTIC

JEREMY HIGGINS I’ll go to the gym and work out for an hour or two. That gets me out of there around 6:30ish, home around 7:30, and 7:30 to 10:00 I’ll go out in the garage and work on bikes for a while.”

races ‘cause all of my equipment was blown up very early in the season. My two twins that I built last year never even touched the track, which was heartbreaking.”

“Wow,” Scott and I both say.

Scotts asks the same thing I was wondering, “What exactly do you race?”

“But it’s me and my dad that do all of the bike stuff,” Jeremy says. “Every season he and I personally tear down my engines down to the cases. Inspect our cranks, inspect our rods, binding parts, selecting main bearings for the next season. Always playing with cam timing and tolerances. We’ll build them from the frame up throughout the winter, little by little, when we can afford to buy some parts. Then we can get this far, then afford to buy a little bit more.”

“So it’s safe to say you race for the love of racing?” I ask.

“I do not make money from this,” Jeremy answers.

“I will be the first one to admit it. There’s a lot of guys, especially in the pro stuff now, that operate off their parents’ credit cards and stuff like that. I’m not one of those guys. I do it solely by myself. My dad helped me until I turned pro and a couple years into it, I was spending every dime I had and he was still helping me out… It got to the point where I’d rather see him do what he wants to do and have fun. So my dad’s kinda phasing out of the week-to-week grind of it. I mean, he’ll show up, and still hang out with us and help out at the races and stuff. I usually try to do about 40 races a year and he usually comes to about 10 or 15 of them.”

“So, my main flat track bikes are Kawasaki EX650-based engines. They’re in hand-built frames. We take an EX650 engine, which is a parallel twin 650cc, liquid-cooled. We’ll take it from 48 to 50 horsepower and push it to 103 to 105 horsepower. They have billet cranks— insanely expensive billet cranks, billet rods, billet pistons, the cams are all one-piece billets, special transmission ratios, hand-built clutches.

When we’re done with our engines, the only thing that’s OEM is the casting of the head and the cases.”

“And you do all that work yourself? You machine it yourself?” Scott asks.

“We’ll purchase the cranks. We don’t have the technology for that. That’s very specialized.

You’ve got to have a million-dollar machine sitting there just for that. We’ll send that away, there’s a guy in Michigan that does that. But, for instance, I bought a crank from him for $4,300 and it was a nine-month wait. Just to give some perspective.”

“Are most of them local, or do you go all over for the races?”

“We go all over the place. Last year, I had the opportunity to ride for someone for a couple

www.motoclectic.com | 07

JEREMY HIGGINS He continued, “We had a local guy that helped us out a lot with head porting and valve sizing. We open up the valve size, we open up the throttle body, hand-built exhaust, hand-built intakes.

That’s the cool thing about the flat track stuff, they’re race bikes, but they’re almost works of art by the time you’re done with them.”

wanted the opportunity to, so I guess when he had me, he saw a chance to live vicariously a little bit. You know, he never pushed me to love it or enjoy it. He always gave me the option. He brought home a dirtbike and asked if I wanted to learn to ride it. I got it for my third birthday and sure as shit, before you know it, I had the training wheels off the thing before I had the Scott, realizing the appetizers have arrived but training wheels off my bicycle.

Jeremy hasn’t eaten anything says, “If you want to eat food and not talk the whole time, feel free “I took to it right away. I don’t know what it was, to eat. I feel bad, I’m here ‘Oh, tell me more, keep but it was what I was meant to do. Throughout talking’ while I stuff my face.” high school I played sports. I played football, I wrestled, did baseball, even a couple seasons I Jeremy laughed, “I love this stuff, obviously. If I did swimming and basketball just to keep active. didn’t love it and still did it, I’d be pretty dumb. But I always did that stuff to stay in shape for I could talk about it for hours. It’s a lot of fun. I racing. I was never committed to the sport. I really love doing the flat track stuff. The speed was always committed to it to get me better is awesome. for racing in the spring. I never wanted to be a great wrestler, I always wanted to be the best “When I first started I was always helping my motorcycle racer. That’s all I cared about.” dad in the basement building bikes. And that’s stuck with me my whole career. It’s a cool thing that he and I do together in the winters. It’s a good amount of time spent with my dad and it is fun. We’re both into it, we both understand it, and we’re both very good with it.”

Scott asks, “Now, did he do it before?”

“No. So he got me started when I was three years old. He bought me a PW50. I’ve got a picture of me. It’s the most ridiculous picture you’ll ever see.”

“Can we put it in the article?” We say again in unison.

Jeremy laughs, “Sure. Sure. So when my dad was growing up, he lived on a farm out in Elba.

Always had dirtbikes, always had motorcycles.

He was always around bikes, but his parents never really got him into the racing. He always Jeremy on his PW50

08 | MOTOCLECTIC

RIT’S ELECTRIC JEREMY VEHICLE HIGGINS TEAM Curious about his other experiences I asked, Have you tried motocross?”

Final concept of theelse?

REV2.

“Have you renderings tried anything

“When I started out, my dad took me to both.

We started going to some local flat tracks and local motocross tracks. I wanted to ride every night and go racing every weekend. We went back and forth between flat track and motocross, because that’s what was readily available for any 4 to 5-year-old child living in this area. It got to the point that my dad saw that I was really into it, and he wanted to give me a good opportunity to do something with it if I really had the knack for it. We kinda had to choose between the two ‘cause he would swap suspension and wheels overnight sometimes, we’d go race motocross Saturday and race flat track on Sunday. He’d drive all the way home, change a bike all over again, get it ready for the next day, and we’d go racing all day on Sunday. Obviously, I was no help in the garage at that point. It was all on him, so we decided we had to choose one path that we really wanted to go for, and I was just in love with the flat track stuff.

with on Friday night with from school. I would be texting my friends from Illinois saying, ‘Dude, I’m so excited to race in Ohio tomorrow’, and we’d go meet in the middle and go beat up on each other at some track in Ohio. I was spoiled when I was little.”

“It sounds awesome. It sounds like your dad 100% supported what you wanted to do,” I say.

“Absolutely. I mean, to an extent. With anything motorsports-related you got the guys with money falling out of their ears. We weren’t that.

He’s a tool and die maker by trade, my mom works in an auto body shop, so our racing budget wasn’t $250,000 a year. We didn’t pay a mechanic to get my bike ready. I think once I was 10 or 12-years-old, my dad got me into working Jeremy’s father soon built a track for him in the on them with him. We would hang out and work backyard, and his young life became more and on bikes all night to be ready for the next race. It more about flat track. “Once you start going to was cool, because it almost ended up becoming the track on a regular basis, you start gaining a career for me. I was really good at it. I still love your friends and expanding your family-base working on my bikes. It’s just fun.“ at the racetrack. ‘Cause you’re there and you hangout every weekend. I didn’t have many “It’s good, though, right? It saved you a ton buddies from school, I had buddies from the of money, ‘cause you don’t have to pay other track. I didn’t have guys that I would hang out people to do the work for you,” I ask.

“Even today I’ll still do motocross during the summer. I’ll do Tuesday nights at Pavilion Motocross and then maybe Wednesdays I’ll hit Area 51 and do some riding, too. I haven’t done it yet this year, my practice bike is still set up for ice racing. I still do it, I still love it. But there’s something about the speed I was into more than the jumps.”

www.motoclectic.com | 09

JEREMY HIGGINS

“Exactly. I’d say there’s about five or less professional flat track racers that actually work on their own bikes to the extent that I do. Very few and far between. Most of them have crews that are six or seven people. Whereas, last year, I rented a bike for a race because all my bikes blew up. It was the only way I was gonna get pro points. So I rented a bike from a guy. Didn’t really know me, I didn’t know him much. We knew of each other, but we weren’t friends. Ended up, it worked out. Amber and I drove on a Friday after work. We drove through the night from New York to Oklahoma City for a Grand National. 18 1/2 hours. Unloaded next to this guy, I slapped my number plates on his bike about ten minutes before practice.”

“And you worked the whole day?” I asked stunned.

“Worked all day Friday.”

Now, just for reference, I drove from Batavia to Yellowstone with my family this past summer.

And the first night, to get it out of the way I drove about 18 hours straight, but I napped in the afternoon before we left, so I don’t know how he didn’t crash. By three or four in the morning I was done. I don’t know how you work a full day, drive through the night, get to the track ten minutes before practice and compete in a race.

“We’ve done it a couple of times, unfortunately.

It’s not the best-case scenario, but I’d gladly do it if I have an opportunity to race. And that was a Grand National. Sat on that bike about ten minutes before practice. Ended up qualifying in the top 20 and ended up getting 12th overall.”

“On a borrowed bike,” I added, shaking my head.

10 | MOTOCLECTIC

The food arrives, but Jeremy’s passion for racing keeps him talking, even if it means his food gets cold. “You guys can eat, don’t worry about me.

So, in like 2015—long story short— my dad and I bought a used chassis off of one of our buddies and bought an engine off eBay for about $600 dollars, put all the good stuff in it—custom rods, custom pistons. We build that bike and ended up doing pretty good in 2015. We couldn’t afford the crank shaft at the time, so I was racing a 700 in the 750 class, which doesn’t sound like a lot but it’s a very, very big difference.”

We all get distracted when we hear the next trivia question. “What speed does the Delorean in “Back to the Future” have to reach to go back in time?”

Eyes rolling in concert, we all say 88 miles per hour. Coming up next are Beatles and Simpsons questions. Now we’re talking. Maybe we should form a team and come back next Wednesday?

Stay tuned for the conclusion of our interview with Jeremy Higgins next month when we discuss RIT and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. And, for great grub and an outstanding assortment of local beers on tap, stop by the Eli Fish Brewing Co. on Main Street in Batavia. www.elifishbrewing.com

www.motoclectic.com | 11

FEATURED ARTICLE

30 YEARS TO ITALY Part II

By Tom McCann

The town of Amalfi was like a dream, and we knew this was where we needed to stop for the evening. We wanted to continue, but the light was fading and so were we. After a meal filled with wonderful food at a nearby restaurant we went to bed with the beautiful blue water playing silently as we drifted off to sleep.

The next few days offered more of the same. Wonderful weather and views that we hoped would not end. The land rises and falls as we continue south.

A beautiful sunset along the Mediterranean.

12 | MOTOCLECTIC

T

A sign post for Reggio Di Calabria

he bikes are running well and you almost wonder if it is possible that the view affects the machine. The roads wind along the coast, popping in and out of the small villages that line the coast. Once in a while as we pass through a town, we would stop for coffee to just give ourselves rest. This is an experience to be savored.

Soon we find ourselves at the toe of the boot, in Reggio Di Calabria. We found the port and ferry that will take us to Messina, Sicily. After a halfhour ride we arrived, excited to finally step foot on the land of my roots.

That evening we found ourselves just to the north Soon we found ourselves back on the Auto of Catania in the village of Mascali, enjoying the Strada. Sicily is a very rocky province and the company of Davide, Andy’s friend, who instantly Auto Strada is really the only way to get to became the best person I had met on the trip thus far. He is the classic Sicilian—friendly, outgoing, Mascali, our destination for the evening.

www.motoclectic.com | 13

THIRTY YEARS TO ITALY

generous. He just seems to have a real special the same time. By mid-day I am going to find soul. After introductions he took us out for dinner myself deep into the mountains of Sicily in the at a nearby patisserie. little village my Italian ancestors came from.

Davide is really happy to see us both, and after dinner I tell him about why I’m there and my journey to Valledolmo. He loved my story and instantly jumped at the chance to drive us there the next day.

I have had this day playing through my mind for years; I couldn’t believe that day had finally come.

We start the day like most locals at a patisserie.

Good strong espresso and some pastries get us started for the long day ahead.

I could hardly wait.

We have a three-hour journey ahead of us and Sleep eluded me that night, as memories of my each mile ticks on like time is standing still. grandfather played through my head. My heart Soon we are well off of the Auto Strada and on leapt with joy but ached with sorrow at the same the backroads riding deep into the province of time. I wished he were here with me. My mother Palermo, on our way to Valledolmo. once told me long ago that grandpa never had any interest in going back to Italy. To him, Rochester Signs start to become more obvious as we ride was his home. In my case, part of me now belongs on into the center of this quiet land. There is no to each place. industry here, just basic life like there has been for hundreds of years. The feeling of time slowing In the morning we were once again greeted by down becomes more and more evident the farther a beautiful day. I am both happy and anxious at we go. Suddenly, we see the village sign.

14 | MOTOCLECTIC

THIRTY YEARS TO ITALY The sense one has of a long journey suddenly coming to an end is an overwhelming experience under normal circumstances but this day is even more profound. It seemed like a dream to be here. We slowly made our way down the narrow passages that undulate thru this tiny town. I would have to believe that if my great grandfather had been there with me that day he would have looked around and probably said it looks the same! Now I’m trying to make time stop myself.

I want to absorb the moments that now possessing me. It is Sunday and main street is the center of activity. Church recently ended, so people were walking around town dressed in their Sunday best. Funny thing is, the only thing opened for business is a cigarette machine nearby and business was brisk.

The second Guarino family tells us there is a Signora Guarino nearby that has more information.

We make our way there following the road back down the hill to her house.

She is excited to see someone looking for a The first thing Davide did was get out of the car Guarino family and happily welcomed us into and flag down a nun walking by the church. He her home. The soccer game is playing on TV and wants to find somebody named Guarino, and he’s there is a spread of food on the table. not leaving until he does. I love his spirit! She can’t help him so he wandered up the road asking She invited us to sit and eat while she starts anyone who will stop and talk to him. pulling a box of photos out of the closet nearby.

She seems to be desperate to show them to me Eventually he came across an older man named hoping I’ll see someone I recognize. I can only tell Pepè. her my grandfather came over as a small child and there will be no photographs that I’ll recognize. I Pepè knows that some Guarino families live up could see her disappointment as she gently set the hill. He tells us he sees travelers several times the box back down. a year, and he has helped in the past.

She tells me she can understand some English Now I understand. I’m not alone in my search! and I ask her how. It turns out that many of the families that went to America back then, including Eventually we all get into the car and make many Guarino families, all ended up going to the our way up to the nearby apartments. The first same part of New York State. She said she spent Guarino family doesn’t have any ancestors that two years living in Rochester, trying to trace the immigrated to America, and it’s the same with the Guarino families. I can’t believe I came all this second. Apparently, saying Guarino in this area of way to find someone who has been to Rochester.

Italy is like saying “Smith” or “Jones” in the USA. Talk about the human connections!

www.motoclectic.com | 15

THIRTY YEARS TO ITALY Then it occurred to me. It seems that many of the families still in Italy are trying to find out what happened to the ones that went to America. It is a realization that I find unexpected, touching, and profound. They too want to know what happened to all of their loved ones who left home years ago.

It was kind of her to invite us but I never intended to look for all the Guarino families. I just wanted to understand where my family came from in the first place.

There must have been many families over the course of time that have made these same She told us she had to leave for a while, but invited attempts, like an animal that returns to the exact us back for dinner to talk more about the Guarino spot where it was born. The overwhelming genetic families. We gave her our regrets, telling her we trait of natal homing—the process by which had a long drive back to Mascali before dark. some adult animals return to their birthplace to reproduce—cannot be limited to just the wild kingdom. Humans by nature and evolution demonstrate the same tendencies.

This thirty-year friendship I have shared with Andy and the parallel course that took us back to Italy to find my grandfather’s home town has forever changed me. I now understand the importance of not only knowing where we are going, but also understanding where we came from in the first place.

Travelers the world over talk about the journey being the important part of a trip. Andy and I have had many enjoyable rides together bearing this concept in mind. Over the last thirty years however, never was a trip as important as this trip had been to us both. It tipped the scales equally between journey and destination. His need to gain an education in Italy all those years ago was a cosmic education as well. Destiny wanted us to meet and fulfill the path together that had been laid out before us long before we were born.

Andy, thanks for the last thirty years of great riding adventures and for being my friend, brother, and cosmic tour guide. The trip was an awakening. Grandpa, I now understand where you and the family came from, why they left behind all that they knew, and how they discovered a land of freedom and opportunity in America.

This is Main Street. How often does anyone ever see a road marked with marble?

16 | MOTOCLECTIC

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SPONSORED ARTICLE

THIS IS A GAME CHANGER Third Eye Deign is improving motorcycle visibility forever with their wireless, helmet-mounted brake and turn signal light.

Since the advent of the 12-volt electrical system, motorcycle tail and brake lights have remained basically unchanged. Because motorcycles have only one small brake/tail light, there just isn’t much candlepower available to attract attention.

Additionally, studies show that human depth perception is affected when a motorcycle is viewed among much bigger cars and trucks, making the motorcycle seem farther away than it really is. Motorcycles by their nature are hard to see.

With the low placement of the brake light, and just a single source of light, being approached by car or truck while stopped is one of the most dangerous situations a motorcycle rider can encounter. These reasons and more have created a demand among motorcyclists for ways to improve visibility.

A

study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) measuring the long-term effectiveness of center high mounted stop lamps in passenger cars and light trucks found that these lights prevent thousands of motor vehicle crashes and injuries each year, and more than a half billion dollars in property damage costs.

did not see the motorcycle before the collision, or did not see the motorcycle until too late to avoid the collision.” Studies from around the globe share these findings—motorcyclists get hit because they aren’t seen.

Third Eye Design’s story began after its founder experienced a near collision with a motorcycle possessing a low-mounted, hard-to-see taillight.

From this encounter, inView™—a wireless helmet brake and turn signal light—was born. After years of research and development, focus group studies, engineering development and patent work, national market research and a successful U.S. pilot, inView™ was ready for production.

Third Eye Design was founded on the belief that technology can be used to make the world a better, safer place—one motorcycle at a time.

The safety risks associated with riding a motorcycle are higher than those with driving an automobile. The Hurt Report, conducted through the NHTSA and the University of Southern California, showed that approximately 75% of all motorcycle accidents involve a collision with another vehicle, and that rear-end collisions are the most significant risk. Among their findings, it was shown that “the failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic” is the predominant cause of motorcycle accidents. inView™ is a remote helmet-mounted brake and They further report, “The driver of the other signal light utilizing a revolutionary, patented vehicle involved in collision with the motorcycle communication technology. This technology

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provides an energy efficient, wireless lighting system capable of displaying brake lights, turn signal indicators and emergency lights. It is highly visible, and once installed, requires no more user interaction than a standard brake light.

Its operation is fully automatic, does not require switches or the need to turn it on or off.

inView™ key features: • Brake, turn signal & hazard light functionality • Technology so efficient it doesn’t need an on/off switch • Automatic diagnostics that test function, LEDs and battery life • Integration with the motorcycle braking and signaling systems • Deceleration (down shifting) illuminates helmet light and accessory motorcycle tail light (included) • Ultra-bright LEDs—for daytime visibility • Long battery life • Utilizes common, easily replaced batteries • Easily transfers between helmets • DIY installation • Engineered and manufactured in the USA

inView™ uses state-of-the-art LEDs mounted where it should be—at eye level on the back of a motorcycle helmet—to alert motorists when a motorcycle is braking or turning. It attaches to any helmet; the included transmitter connects easily to any motorcycle including those with CAN Bus systems. Its innovative design features built in diagnostics that alert the rider to a successful connection with the transmitter and warns of a low battery situation. It is fully programmable and upgradable to include features such as brake Sold directly through Third Eye Design’s web modulation, multiple pairing options, simple site (www.ThirdEyeDesignInc.com) and select transfer from helmet to helmet, and brakeless dealers nationwide, inView™ is available now. deceleration detection with simultaneous brake light illumination.

Wireless Brake and Turn Signal Light

Ultra Bright Helmet Mounted www.thirdeyedesigninc.com For a limited time, use code MCSpring2019 for a $25 discount.

Also available with red lens.

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HARLEY DAVIDSON HONDA INDIAN KTM

KAWASAKI SUZUKI TRIUMPH VICTORY YAMAHA BMW

www.CorteseCycleSales.com 2781 WEST HENRIETTA ROAD ROCHESTER, NY 14623

(585) 413-0320

WE SPECIALIZE IN low MILEAGE, extra CLEAN MOTORCYCLES AND superior SERVICE .

FEATURED EVENT

THE ROC MOTOSOCIAL Eli Hackett wanted a place for every rider, so he and his buddies made it happen. Btw, you don’t want to miss this monthly motorcycle mecca.

T

he ROC Motosocial originally grew out of a vintage motorcycle night that met at Glen Edith Coffee on Somerton, at the time known as Pour Coffee Parlor. It was a very lowkey gathering without any real advertisement, and was really not much more than a circle of friends who shared an interest in vintage motorcycles. I moved to Rochester in the fall of 2014 to finish my bachelors at RIT, bringing my ’94 Kawasaki Ninja 600 with me. It just so happened that one of my older brother’s best friends, Jed Burke, was looking for a second roommate in the 19th Ward.

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At the time Jed had a handsome blue ’05 Kawasaki Vulcan and shared my passion for being on two wheels. Jed introduced me to the vintage bike night and we would ride from the ward down to the Park Ave neighborhood whenever we could make it. It wasn’t long before the third person involved with the creation of the ROC Motosocial came on the scene. Joel Witwer moved back to Rochester after living in Zambia for a couple of years where a small 150cc motorcycle was his main mode of transportation; a small bike for a man several inches north of six feet. Joel liked the idea of the vintage

THE ROC MOTOSOCIAL

bike night but saw an opportunity to broaden the The first year was small and very slow growing. appeal to other types of bikes, and to free the meet We started in the Pour Coffee Parlor parking lot from its one location at Pour Coffee. and then branched out to Fuego Coffee in the center of midtown and then other local coffee We decided to start a monthly meet that was open shop locations. Most months simply consisted to all people and all bikes, and after exploring a few of our circle of friends with the occasional new name options, settled on The ROC Motosocial. person who had heard something through word of We decided on a monthly meetup that changed mouth. A true marker of our success was whenever locations, and that Wednesday was generally a one of the guys from the local custom shops— good day for broad evening availability. Our main Interstellar Motors or Lowborn Garage—would goal for the Motosocial was to create an event make an appearance. They were like celebrities in where all people and all bikes were welcome, the local motorcycle community, sometimes seen where they catch up with old friends or make riding their custom rides through downtown at new connections. There’s a lot of division among night but seemed to mostly keep to themselves. the riding community, American vs. European To them, we felt like we were just some nobodies. vs. Japanese, differences in riding style, safety By the end of the year we had doubled in size, to philosophy, fair weather riders vs. hardcore moto around twenty on a good night, and had learned vagabonds, an so on. While there are endless some things about selecting our location. One ways to divide the riding community, the two early month we made the mistake of trying to have main things all riders can come together on is the a cook-out at a local park, only to have almost no love and freedom of being on two wheels, and the one show up. We realized that a key in making pride they have in their own ride. Creating a space newcomers feel welcome was to host it at either for people to set aside their differences allows a custom shop, or a café or eatery of some sort. them to focus on what they have in common.

These places give people something to do once

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THE ROC MOTOSOCIAL they get off their bike whether it’s looking around the shop or getting in line to grab something to drink. The end of the first year also brought a shift in management as Joel’s career and passion for photography brought him back to Africa, and organization of the ROC Motosocial moved to Jed and me.

Things have come a long way since those awkward early meetups. Through word of mouth, Facebook, Instagram, and promotion from the venues who host us, we reached an explosive critical mass. By starting as an event that welcomed everyone like vintage bikes, scooters, and mopeds, we were able to build a large enough base to attract the more

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hardcore and stiff groups of riders. Our struggle is no longer getting people to show up, but to find venues that can accommodate our growing size.

Starting with a core group of about ten riders, then twenty by the end of the first year, we’ve grown to 150-180 bikes during the prime months of 2018 with everything from scooters, mopeds, vintage and classic bikes, to adventure riders, sport bikes, touring bikes, and choppers. The people who enjoy the ROC Motosocial represent the full diversity that our great city has to offer. People from all ages, races, affiliations, clubs, and riding preferences look forward to the third Wednesday of every month during the riding season and know that they’ll be welcomed for what they are: riders.

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SPONSORED ARTICLE

Rust 1894 is a bit of an odd name, but it did the job and caught our attention, so we clickety-clacked over to their site and saw they had a pretty sharp offering of motor-inspired fashion accessories that we had to try. After a few simple emails, they happily sent us a Torque Cuff in Brushed Gold, and a Skull Biker Ring in Silver for a look-see.

At first blush we love the simplicity of their products. It’s rare that a motorcyclist wants anything too flashy—unless it’s chrome on their bike. The heft of the ring is noticeable, and would be an asset if you ever needed to punch your way out of a situation. The cuff bracelet pairs nicely with the ring, and is a clever re-imagining of a wrench. As a mix of utilitarian and style, it shows everyone you can clean up for dinner, but still change a tire if necessary.

Oh, and their name? Their website can explain that for you. Go check it out. rust1894.com

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M A N C U S O

helping your business grow for

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585.343.2800 www.mancusogroup.com

MEMBER National Business Incubation Association

OFFICES

COMMERCIAL Studios, storefronts and services

FEATURED BUILD

REBUILDING THE PAST Photos by Michael Hanlon

This 1986 Yamaha BW200 was our customer’s childhood bike, which his dad purchased for him as a Christmas present in the early 90s. It came to us not running, and was torn down for a full restoration to look like it did when his dad gave it to him. The frame was powdercoated by Roc Coatings. All new plastics, reconditioned seat, tank re-painted, and new graphics placed (including repops of the stickers he put in the bike, like the ear dust sticker on the front fender). We installed more aggressive tires (Kenda Pathfinders) for more traction. We tried to retain original parts when possible, and cleaned up old hardware too, but left the scratches and knicks. Those battle wounds on the original parts tell stories.

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MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT?

585-678-4500 Motorcycle Accident Victims Need Representation Right Away Insurance companies do not have your best interests in mind. They will work against you, trying to minimize the compensation you need to recover from your accident. Many people involved in a motorcycle accident have a personal injury case, but do not realize it.

Therefore, you will want to contact an attorney as soon as possible to see what your best options are to pursue a claim for your injuries. Contact us at 585-678-4500 and we can help you navigate through the claims process and make sure that you get the recovery you deserve.

www.KammholzRossi.com

BY

Doug

Cornfield

illustrated by Mark brayer

Proceeds from each Copy will continue to help D3Day be offered at no charge to all particpants!

apoundofkindness.com

D3DAY.com

Small batch spirits Rare wines Knowledgeable staff

The

YNGODESS Shop 73 Main St. Batavia, NY 14020 (585) 343-3170

FEATURED ARTICLE

OUR CORKSCREW

By Jon DelVecchio

Thrills are literally just around the corner here in Rochester. While other parts of America may have more intense riding areas, we have roads that are guaranteed to get your adrenaline pumping too.

If you only have an hour to squeeze in a sweet ride, or are looking for a cool meetup spot before hitting the road with your buddies, keep reading.

MOTOCLECTIC 3640| |MOTOCLECTIC

O

atka Trail, along the northern edge of Le Roy, NY, isn’t much of a secret to local motorcyclists. This six-mile east-west serpentine road runs along Oatka Creek between routes 36 and 19. This road is remarkably scenic and especially surreal on sunny days in the fall when the leaves lining the road are aspen gold.

of turns at Laguna Seca raceway in Monterey, California. What makes this twisty section of track unique is that the approach is blind and it drops five stories in 450 feet.

While Our Corkscrew isn’t as gnarly, it’s still quite a thrill at a street riding pace. I stumbled upon it accidentally some time ago when riding a little over my head.

What is less known to riders is a short strip of road near Oatka Trail that I refer to as “Our Corkscrew.” It’s our natural replica of a legendary Speeding down the road cresting a hill, I must segment of racetrack. have missed the two signs warning of curves and a downhill ahead. Once over the hilltop, The Corkscrew is a one-of-a-kind in motorsports. the road immediately hurled me toward a sharp It’s a spectacular hard-left, hard-right combination left descent through the woods, followed by a

Entering our corkscrew.

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Opposite page: The Free Style Mercantile

in their family automobiles. Almost a hundred years later we’re doing the same exploration on our motorcycles. While fuel isn’t for sale, you can still find anything else early travelers could have gotten venturing into the hinterlands.

Next, drive straight out of the mercantile parking lot onto 36 North. Although it’s tempting to throttle through the first right-hand sweeper, you’ll want to make the left-hand turn located at its apex to enter Oatka Trail.

While the Trail is a fun road to ride, there are plenty of situations to watch out for. Much of the road has very little runoff protection. Be careful of other enthusiasts like bicyclists, recreationists, and bird watchers. Driveways and wildlife also require focused attention. Feel like riding the road again in the opposite direction? Go for it! Riding it back and forth a few times is a real hoot. sweeping right-hander that opened up into a This territory has lots of great back roads, so be fielded area. After regaining my composure, I sure to spend time getting lost. Eventually you’ll went back and rode it a few more times! run into main routes that can take you back to Rochester. Specifically, routes 19 and 36 both Ready for this fun route? Head west on North intersect with the 490 expressway. Happy trails.

Rd. where it begins at Scottsville Rd. There are two gas stations at this intersection. In about Jon DelVecchio is a member of the Rochester Sport 5.5 miles, turn left to ride south on McGinnis Rd. Motorcycling & Touring club (r-smat.com). He also You’re going the correct way on McGinnis if you operates a motorcycling school, Street Skills LLC, that pass a picturesque old barn just off the road on specializes in cornering skills (corneringconfidence.com). the left after turning. Go one perfectly straight mile on McGinnis, until you see a yellow sign indicating a hill ahead. You’re now entering Our Corkscrew. Remember, take it easy your first time through it.

The road ends soon after the corkscrew section.

Take a right and you’ll immediately see the Free Style Mercantile on the left. Do yourself a favor and check this place out. The structure was built in 1933 as a fuel station to serve adventuresome city dwellers taking Sunday drives out to the country

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GARAGE MINISTRY FOR EVERY BIKER. A DIY

Vintage motorcycle repair, and restoration

60 Mt. Hope Ave Rochester, NY

585-766-5144

phone: (585) 409-9341 email: stefan.worthington @yahoo.com

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EVENTS PAGE

PLACES TO GO AND PEOPLE TO SEE Check out these local events, happenings and meetups in the area and support your moto-community.

EVERY WEEK!

MAY

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MAY

25

Every Thursday at Leaf & Bean Coffee Company 3240 Chili Ave, Rochester , 7:00 PM till they kick you out.

Harv’s Demo Days 9:00 AM–3:00 PM 3120 Kittering Rd, Macedon, NY www.harvsharley.com Spring Has Sprung Open House LowBorn Garage 60 Mt. Hope Rd, Rochester, NY 12:00 PM–6:00 PM

EVERY

MONTH

MAY

Stan’s May Test Ride Day 10:00 AM–2:00 PM 4425 W. Saile Dr, Batavia, NY www.stanshd.com

JUNE

Damascus Shriners Cruise Nights Every Friday beginning June 1 Roll-in at 5:00 PM 979 Bay Road, Webster, NY

25 1

Road Agents 11th Annual Dirt Drags

JUNE

1

JUNE

7

JUNE

15

Limerock Speedway 21 Flint Hill Rd, Caledonia, NY Sign up starts 9:00 AM Racing starts at Noon

Full Throttle Friday Globe of Death 6:00 PM–9:30 PM 3120 Kittering Rd, Macedon, NY

Palmyra Moose Riders 11th Annual Poker Run Palmyra Moose Lodge 3808 Route 31 E, Palmyra, NY 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

The Roc Moto Social 2nd-to-last Wednesday each month. Follow The ROC Motosocial on Facebook and on Instagram @rocmotosocial

JUNE

5

JUNE

8-9

JUNE

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Clutch & Go Seminar 6:00PM–7:00PM 3120 Kittering Rd, Macedon, NY www.harvsharley.com Motorcycle Xpo Motorcyclepedia Museum Newburgh, NY www.motorcyclepediamuseum.org West Avenue Cycle Customer Appreciation Party 1:00 PM–6:00 PM 5643 West Ridge Road, Spencerport, NY

Please email any events or meetups you run or know about! email: events@motoclectic.com

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WWW.KWBUFFALO.COM 5035 TRANSIT ROAD, DEPEW, NY 14043 716-651-0044

— 9 $449

On the cover: 1966 CB160 A full basket case rebuild by Keith & James at Lowborn Garage Photos by Michael Hanlon.

www.michaelhanlon.info