49TH Annual Charlotte CBA Swap Meet & Bike Show

50 The Carolinas’ Full Throttle Magazine The 49TH Annual Charlotte CBA Swap Meet & Bike Show

By: LincoLn infieLd

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Meet and Bike Show is a good ol’ traditional biker event. Whether you are looking for parts for your current build or looking for a good time, you’ll find it there. This is the 49th Annual meet and Rick Nail has been the coordinator of this event since it began, and he and his crew have this event runnin’ smooth. This is one of those events that we look forward to every year, there is something about sifting through those tables and tubs of parts and the folks that lug em out to the events, it’s just a good time, every time.

The weather for Saturday was gonna be warm and sunny, with a lingering chance of rain in the afternoon. We knew there was gonna be a huge crowd, so Maggie and I got in and set up the Carolinas’ Full Throttle Magazine canopy Friday night to make Saturday morning easier on us and brought Dad’s 1973 Servi-Car to put in the bike show. When we got to the fairgrounds on Saturday morning, it was already packed. It was great to see all our friends out milling around, some we see every other week, others we only see at this event. The outside loop of the fairgrounds holds most of the parts vendors. We were set up beside our friends Kristin and Zach of The Rebel Sprit and next to them was Rob Whitlow of Evil Twins Motorcycle Parts. Honestly, we could have hung out at our set up all day and had a hell of a time. We had brought along a ’74 Harley-Davidson X90 Shortster to play around with. It was Ray Price’s Pit Bike in its former life and everyone that walked by wanted to take a gander at it. Jim Blair of Jim’s Motor Service in High Point, NC helps us keep it in tip top shape. Most folks stopped to tell me that they had had a Shortster just like it when they were younger. It sure is a cool bike and I don’t blame ‘em for checking it out, I even had a few unsuccessfully offer to buy it. While we were standing around, we ran into a ton of friends including Grant Eagle who used to be our Concord sales rep, Angelo Greco from the old Tank Town Tavern, Shoprag from Custom Dynamics and a ton of others. Jeremy Stowers and his wife Sondra were hanging out at the TRS tent along with Mike Banks from Stay Humble Performance. I always make a point of going to see Luke Heafner’s set up, he always has some quality parts and a cool chopper to check out. I even ran into a Tom of Two Wheel Accessories all the way from Rocky Mount, NC.

We finally broke away from the tent to look around at what folks were selling. There were tables, tarps and tubs all full of old and new parts, engines, rollers, and everything else

Tyler Stiles (R) Wins The Hoffvilla Challenge For Team McGrath Law

to see who could take down the Hoffzilla. Shannon Rights, McGrath events coordinator, put in the order and Tyler and I took on the Hoffzilla. The sandwhich that came out of the kitchen had 9 porkchops on it and all the fixins, it was intimidating for sure. Now, a man has to admit when he’s been defeated and Tyler definitely won The People Vs. Hoffvilla even if neither of us finished the sandwich, (that was quite a bit bigger than the advertised challenge sandwich). The photo doesn’t look like much, but my man Tyler ate over half that monster sandwich. Next up was the Pinup Contest with $500 in cash prizes up for grabs. The band was rocking hard and finished their set to let the four lovely ladies and two young ladies took up the challenge promote strength and beauty while keeping it classy. These ladies all took turns imaginable. One guy just down from us was selling a custom strutting the stage and had to tell the crowd ironhead rolling chassis it was a little crusty and had the re- what they liked most about the Pinup Culture. The contest mains of a cool custom paint job still on it. It came with a ton was judged by official looking folks and the two young ladies of parts to go with it for only $300! it was a tempting offer that both won $20 a piece from 740 Auto and in the ladies class, both Zach and I considered taking home. I couldn’t pull the Heidi won first prize and $250, Genevia came in second and trigger on it, but I noticed not to long afterwards that some- was awarded $150 and Maggie took home 3rd place and $100! one had taken the bait! I hope I see that bike all put together Congrats to those hot, classy ladies! sometime in the near future. It was easily the biggest crowd I Next up was the beard contest that was sponsored by Gabhad seen out there in a few years and it was a truly awesome by’s Beard Products. There were eight shaggy looking dudes day to be out and about. up on the stage (including myself) that weren’t near as purdy

We made our way to the top of the loop to visit with the to look at as the Pinup Girls. Amy Harvell of the CBA was just Karney Law Firm, Attorney Sean Clayton was on hand enjoy- getting ready to announce the winner when that pesky chance ing the day along with two gorgeous Karney girls that were of a storm started to arrive at the fairground. It was some real passing out swag and posing for photos. Bob wasn’t able to Wizard of Oz storm and unfortunately the wind messed up a be there, but they were debuting their new 7 foot tall Bulldog whole bunch of pop up tents and the following rain cleared out mascot blowup and everyone wanted to get a photo with it. the event. It was a shame cause it was a huge crowd in attenWe stopped by Bad Ass Cigars tent to talk to William and his wife, they are always slinging big sticks and are good for a chat. Near the main gate it’s a must to stop off and talk to Rick and Myra Nail. As previously mentioned, Rick has been at the helm of this event and a CBA member for near 50 years, not only that, but they are some real cool folks and good friends of the family.

It was getting close to 1pm and time for our first event of the day. Now, it wasn’t an official event of the Swap Meet but more like a side show. Hoff’s Grill, the on premises food vendor, was offering a Hoffzilla Pork Chop Sandwich Challenge. You have 45 minutes to eat a 6.5lb, all the way, pork chop sandwich and some fries. By the looks of the promo photo, I figured I had a chance of pulling this off, so, I challenged McGrath Law Firm Attorney, Tyler Stiles L-R: Pinup Contests 2nd Place Genevia, 1st Place Heidi & 3rd Place Maggie

dance that afternoon. We hung out in side one of the buildings on premise that houses some more vendors. While we waited out the rain, I got a chance to hang out with Chuck and Clyde of STE Powersports, Kary Blaylock of Pandemonium Performance and Hector from Cartel Baggers. There were a ton of other vendors in the building still and some good shopping to be had. We even swung over to the Bike Show building and checked out some sweet show bikes. The bike show features classes from Antique to Exotic and all points in between the big cash goes to the people choice winners and you could take home $500 just for parking your bike in the show.

The bike show judging is on Sunday afternoon, so we came back down to continue the party. The last minute votes were being tallied by the dedicated bike show committee and all the bike show participants were hanging out waiting on the results. There were a lot of good looking motorcycles in the show and once again, I was glad I didn’t have to judge them! Trophies were presented to 1st and 2nd place winners in each class, and they saved the People’s Choice Cash Awards till last. Jerry Kepley took home 3rd place and a wad of cash with his red radical chopper, Zach Shipwash was awarded 2nd place and $300 for the Rebel Spirit Honda CB750 Chopper, Boogie Nights. They also took home some cash for best display. Top honors and $500 cash went to Jeremy Novak for a really killer blacked out Softail. It was clean, low, and dark with only the engine chromed out. It was a great looking bike and not surprising that it got the peoples votes.

The bike show awards ended the 49th Annual Spring CBA Swap Meet and Bike Show. If you didn’t make it out, no worries, Rick Nail and the Charlotte CBA will be back in the Fall at the Rowan County Fairgrounds for the Fall CBA Swap Meet and Bike Show. Come out and

have a great time at an old school biker party. At the very least come out and support the CBA. These folks are some the ones who go to bat for your rights as a biker. There are chapters all over North Carolina that hold regular meetings and work on the topics that threaten our lifestyle and lives. They are working on topics like stricter penalties for people who blow grass clippings in the road, updating the verbiage on distracted drivers on their phones and the helmet law. Everyone has a busy schedule, but it’s worth your time to protect our way of life. CBA members have joined forces to put an end to discriminatory legislation, to educate and to protect the freedom and safety of all, both riders and non-riders alike. We do this not only to benefit us, but also to promote a better image of motorcyclists in general. Even if you don’t have time to go to meetings, you can help out by becoming a member. It’s only $20 per year and comes with a CBA patch and a free death/ dismemberment insurance policy. Plus, those funds and membership numbers help them fight the good fight. You can sign up online at cba-abatenc.org or in person at any CBA meet, like the Fall Swap Meet in November!