Jul 2009

MAGAZINE ®

Pennsylvania

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 JULY 2009

Pennsylvania’s Premier Issue

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Alaska - Cory Texter - Justin Lefever Ride - Events A Pet’s Ten Commandments - Rules For Non-Military

AMERICA’S FASTEST GROWING BIKER PUBLICATION

Michelle Johnson

Welcome to Thunder Roads PA Magazine!

Editor / Owner Robin Montgomery Lapp 717-682-7529 thunderrdspa@yahoo.com Sales Staff Robin Keys 717-286-4689 reller65@aol.com Tony Montgomery 717-431-4551 tmonty22@comcast.net Jason Shiflet 717-201-7675 teufelheunden@hotmail.com David Peterson 215-439-5271 davidapeterson@verizon.net Layout and Design Warren Ells, Art Director Thunder Publishing Warrenlayout@yahoo.com NATIONAL FOUNDERS Toni McCoy Shearon & Brian Shearon 1421 Chapmansboro Road Chapmansboro, TN 37035 Office: (615) 792-0040 Fax: (615) 792-7580 Email: thunderroadscharter@charter.net

Although Thunder Roads has been around for 10 years and currently covers 21 States, this is the first time Thunder Roads has a presence in our fine State of PA. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to take the State of Pennsylvania and run with it!

I have never seen a passion like I have seen amongst the biker community. Whether you belong to a group, a chapter or a gang, it is the divine feeling of the wind in your face and the freedom to ride, ride, ride. It’s a simple understanding amongst friend and comrades that doesn’t need explaining.

I am hoping as your State Editor/Owner that I can bring you valuable information and exciting stories of others who share your passion. Please don’t hesitate to email me and let me know how I am doing and if there might be something you would like to see added. I would like to see a lot of reader participation, and don’t forget to send pics of riders and events.

My sincerest thanks to all of my advertisers who took a chance and helped me get this thing off of the ground.

Keys, who gave up so much free time to get out there and hustle and who shares the same dream.

My brother who said whatever I can do to help and his computer skills, and especially...my husband who had the faith and confidence in me and mostly the patience to put up with me this first month.

Mostly, I want to thank my son and daughter-in -law who have really given me the support to do this all the way from Iraq, where they are serving the Marine Corps and our Country.

Ride Safe, Ride Friendly And feel the Thunder!

Hello, My name is Michelle Johnson. I have only been riding motorcycles for about 2 years. I became interested because my husband rides.

I started learning how to ride on a Hodaka Road Toad on a track in our yard. After a lot of “practice riding”, I went and got my permit, took the Motorcycle Safety Course and got my license. When my husband decided to trade in his “05 Sportster for a Dyna Super Glide, I inherited it. Then Christmas, 2007, my husband surprised me with an ‘05 Heritage Softail. I absolutely love it!

My husband has been my inspiration and encourages me everyday with his knowledge and love of riding. I can only hope that this magazine, especially for you ladies, inspires you to ride and encourages you to do so. You will see the world from a whole different view.

Have fun and ride safe!

Michelle Johnson Holtwood, PA Check out these sites: www.pamsp.com www.msf

Sincerely, Robin Montgomery Lapp

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

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ALASKA

My nephew Kevin lives in Alaska. Here are some notes from emails he has sent about some of his rides. -Robin Our ride Sunday was great. The weather was awesome. We left Anchorage with about 50 bikes, some went out on there own. Once we were out of town everyone went to Kenia at there own pace. Look forward to doing it again next year.

Kevin All, Our spring continues to be awesome, sunny and 60’s. Chris and I went to Portage Lake Sunday. It was beautiful. It was so calm along Turnagain Arm the inlet looked like a a big pond.

Kevin My buddy Randy and I have decided to do more riding together this year. The plan is to take off after work every Tuesday.

Last week we went to Girdwood, but I forgot my camera. This past Tuesdy we went to Eklutna Lake. We have been having one of the nicest springs that I can remember. It is cool in the morning (mid 30’s), but getting up to the 60’s during the day and nothing but sunshine for the last couple of weeks. Kevin Went to Portage with my buddy Randy. The ride up the arm was so windy we got pushed all over the rode, but Portage Valley made it all worth while. Kevin This week my buddy Rod joined us with his new Ducati Sport. We went to the tailrace to see if the kings were there yet. They are running late like all the kings this year. This weekend Randy and I are going to join in on Throttle Thunder. It is a ride that starts in Fairbanks and ends in Kenia.

This is the link to their website http://www.forgetmenotmission.com/ Kevin

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Rules for the Non-Military Dear Civilians, ‘We know that the current state of affairs in our great nation has many civilians up in arms and excited to join the military. For those of you who can’t join, you can still lend a hand. Here are a few of the areas where we would like your assistance:

(for those who didn’t know) is our CinC regardless of political party. We have no inside track on what happens inside those big important buildings where all those representatives meet. All we know is that when those civilian representatives screw up the situation, they call upon the military to go straighten it out. If you keep asking us the same stupid questions repeatedly, you will get your ass kicked.

1. The next time you see any adults talking (or wearing a hat) during the playing of the National Anthem - kick their ass.

9. ‘Your mama wears combat boots’ never made sense to me - stop Saying it! If she did, she would most likely be a vet and therefore could kick your ass!

2. When you witness, firsthand, someone burning the American Flag in protest - kick their ass.

10. Bin Laden and the Taliban are not Communists, so stop saying ‘Let’s go kill those Commies!’ And stop asking us where he is! Crystal balls are not standard issue in the military. That reminds me- if you see anyone calling those damn psychic phone numbers, let me know, so I can go kick their ass!

Thursday, February 19, 2009 at 12:02am

3. Regardless of the rank they held while they served, pay the highest amount of respect to all veterans. If you see anyone doing otherwise, quietly pull them aside and explain how these veterans fought for the very freedom they bask in every second. Enlighten them on the many sacrifices these veterans made to make this nation great. Then hold them down while a disabled veteran kicks their ass.

4. (GUYS) If you were never in the military, DO NOT pretend that you were. Wearing battle dress uniforms (BDUs) or Jungle Fatigues, telling others that you used to be ‘Special Forces, collecting GI Joe memorabilia, might have been okay when you were seven years old. Now, it will only make you look stupid and get your ass kicked.

5.. Next time you come across an *Air Force* member, do not ask them, ‘Do you fly a jet?’ Not everyone in the Air Force is a pilot. Such ignorance deserves an ass-kicking (children are exempt).

6.If you witness someone calling the *US Coast Guard ‘non-military’, inform them of their mistake - and kick their ass.

7. Next time Old Glory (the US flag) prances by during a parade, get on your damn feet and pay homage to her by placing your hand over your heart. Quietly thank the military member or veteran lucky enough to be carrying her - of course, failure to do either of those could earn you a severe ass-kicking.

8. Don’t try to discuss politics with a military member or a veteran. We are Americans, and we all bleed the same, regardless of our party affiliation. Our Chain of Command is to include our Commander-In-Chief(CinC). The President Thunder Roads Magazine 8

11. ‘Flyboy’ (*Air Force*), ‘Jarhead’ (*Marines),* ‘Grunt’ (*Army*), ‘Squid’ (*Navy*), ‘Puddle Jumpers’ (*Coast Guard*), Etc., are terms of endearment we use describing each other. Unless you are a service member or vet, you have not earned The right to use them. Using them could get your ass kicked.

12. Last, but not least, whether or not you become a member of the military, support our troops and their families. Every Thanksgiving and religious holiday that you enjoy with family and friends, please remember that there are literally thousands of soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen far from home wishing they could be with their families. Thank God for our military and the sacrifices they make every day.

Without them, our country would get it’s ass kicked..’ *’It’s the Veteran, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press.’

‘It’s the Veteran, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.’

‘It’s the Veteran, not the community organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate.’

‘It’s the Military who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.’

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Bag Lady Sue presents Motorcycles, Metal, and Mayhem Rally - 2009 On a cooler than normal Pennsylvania day in early June, Greensburg’s Westmoreland Fairgrounds would host the first bike rally organized by “Bag Lady Sue,” Suzanne Austin and Clyde, AKA, “Bonnie & Clyde.”

An idea sparked within their eighteen year relationship to help raise funds for the Operation Troop Appreciation Foundation and soon came to fruition the first week in June. The fairgrounds are located off the winding and curvy roads Pennsylvania is known for and approximately twenty miles southeast of Pittsburgh, home now to NHL’s Stanley Cup Champions, the Pittsburgh Penguins. (Congrats!)

Operation Troop Appreciation, OTA, supplies the troops overseas with a variety of basic resources needed to make life a little easier while away and far from their family life on the home front. OTA’s mission here is a simple one, but one of great merit. To boost the morale of our troops overseas while maintaining an elevated and focused spirit though their selfless service and daily sacrifices.

By providing a “Wish List,” to the thousands of deployed troops, all branches of our Armed Forces receive from many sources, big business, small business, and anyone wishing to donate everyday items we sometimes take for granted. From books to stationary, phone cards to personal written letters of appreciation, and prayers, this diversity shipped thousands of miles away ensures a little peace while instilling a confidence that we true Americans still care.

Kristen Holloway, founder and President of OTA, along with the strong support of SFC Robert Moser, Career Counselor and 20 year veteran of the Pennsylvania National Guard, worked the entire weekend educating those who stopped by their booth while gaining support in many ways. One of the many highlights this weekend, not only the impressive display of a military Hummer and amphibious unit on each side of their tent, was when they were both fired up after a tear jerking ceremony on stage. The OTA presented Sue with an encased American Flag along with a special “Thank you speech” by SFC Moser. As the engines were rolling over within a low toned deep thunder and the bag pipers of the Western Pennsylvania Firefighters Memorial Honor Guard marched away from the stage area, Sue and Clyde were invited to ride along in the rather large, tan amphibious military tank! What an impressive way to make a departure!

The three day rally included a poker run, lead by personally by Sue, a variety of affairs to participate in and witness throughout the fairgrounds. Mechanical bull riding was a crowd favorite, along with a dunk tank, bike games, a bike show, bikini bike wash, as live bands performed continuously complimenting the weekend and its non-stop schedule of events. This uninterrupted line-up of top performers included the Kentucky Headhunters, Jasmine Cain, Rebel Son, Navasota-Rio, Big House Pete, Camshaft, Land Mynd, Trapline, The Motorpsychos, As Fate Burns, with a special appearance by Project Morbid. Wandering around the grounds each day entertaining all within reach and ear shot were the world famous Scally Wags Pirate Comedy Show. At the top of the weekend’s entertainments, comedy with the “Cajun Queen” Caroline Picard, the American Motor Drome Company’s-America’s Original Extreme Motorcycle Thrillshow & the famous Wall of Death along with the Daredevil Duo, all female, Circus Una high wire motorcycle balancing act.

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and most touching moment of the weekend came to light on stage and at the end of “Bag Lady Sue’s” act. A completely caught off guard, wordless, “Deerin-the-headlights-look” award was earned by Clyde as the woman of his 18 years stood before him with a trembling, heartfelt speech of love. The crowd now in total silence, Sue on bended knee, proposed to her man on stage!

The mic dropped to the floor as they embraced, tears from Sue and a very big “YES!” from Clyde ensued.

Attending more poker runs than I can remember, participating in the various memorial events over the years, blasting through to the next bike rally, one after another, while adding the hundreds of thousands of miles driven on two wheels and a variety of motorcycles, this “first time rally” professionally presented in every way by Sue, Clyde, and their many loyal “Minions,” was a first class, top notch rally boasting the quality of a seasoned ten year bike week.

Ed Spicuzza Thunder Roads Motorcycle Magazine Michigan

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SON OF WRATH “Hello this is Bob”, I replied answering my cell phone.

“Bob this is Gary McGettrick and I’d like you to build me a motorcycle.”

“What did you have in mind?”

“I’m not sure, why don’t you just build something and surprise me.”

Just two days later the funds for the motorcycle were wired to my account and so began the process of building Gary McGettrick a bike; a bike whose only criteria and direction was one that would surprise him.

Every project begins with the frame and I chose a favorite of mine; the War Eagle Wrath, manufactured and sold by War Eagle Custom Motorcycles, formerly of South Africa now located in South Florida. The engine chosen was Mid-USA’s Powerhouse 114; built with a one piece crank, Chevy connecting rods, Keith Black pistons and cylinder heads designed by Vern Ott. This combination of engine components produces a very smooth, vibration free engine capable of cranking out 150hp at 7200 rpm. A billet 6spd Baker transmission drives the RMD Billet three piece rear wheel through a Primo Brute V primary. The bike’s rear suspension is a Legend L8 softail system and the front is another favorite, an inverted fork assembly from Ted LeBlanc and American Suspension. Hawg Halter’s handlebar controls, Hawg Halter’s rear sprotor and Accutronix forward controls as usual do what they do best, perform flawlessly.

With Gary’s words still echoing in my ears, “just surprise

me”, I purchased two 4x8 sheets of 16 gauge mild steel and fabricated a custom gas tank, front oil tank/air scoop and seat pan area. Custom gauge pods with analog Autometer gauges, speedometer and tach, were integrated into the gas tank. The exhaust was fabricated from exhaust bends then ceramic coated by Jet Hot. The exhaust exits through two black powder coated mufflers whose part numbers indicate they should be mounted on a Yamaha Warrior. A custom fabricated aluminum heat shield with a Kevlar inner liner and the words, “McGettrick Racing” Waterjet cut into will keep Gary’s right leg cool while riding the bike. The chrome and polishing duties were performed by Buddy at St. Louis plating and the seat pan was covered by Dave at South Town Upholstery. I wanted to keep the paint simple so as not to compete with my fabricated body panels; a late model Mustang paint code, T8, was chosen and 6 grams of blue pearl added to accentuate and highlight the bike’s body lines.

It has been a year and Gary still has not seen the bike; he doesn’t even know the bike’s color. He is scheduled to pick it up in a couple weeks; I hope he is surprised when he sees it.

Safe riding, Bob Sparkman St. Louis Chopper Works

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Cory TexTer Hey Everybody, My name is Cory Texter. I am not your average 21 year old graduating from college this spring. I don’t spend my weekends partying or hanging out with the crowd. You won’t find me venturing into a bar on a Friday night or stressing out over what I’m going to do with my life. When I put on my work clothes, they consist of my racing leathers, my trusty Arai helmet and my steel shoe that I slide across the ground at speeds up to 140mph. My job is a professional motorcycle racer racing against the best the world has to offer in the AMA Professional Dirttrack Series.

My father, Randy Texter started racing when he was about 9 years old. My grandfather, Raymond dipped his feet into racing when he was young and of course the tradition continued. My grandfather started Lancaster Harley-Davidson in 1951 alongside his wife Betty. They built it from the ground up and through some rough times, it has found success as one of the most respected dealerships in the country. Raymond raced as more of a hobby, but Randy took it to the next level. He was an AMA licensed professional in both the AMA Dirttrack and AMA Road Race Series. He had a lot of success and won many championships along the way. In 1987, Randy was blessed with his first son, Cory, which would be myself. In 1991 my sister Shayna, was born and the journey began.

My father put me on a motorcycle for the first time when I was 3 years old.

I came down the hill at our Harley shop, forgot to turn and ran right into our barn we had out back. I put a big dent in the side of it and also a big dent in my confidence. I told dad I never wanted to ride again. Sure enough, hours later I was back out there and the rest is history. Shayna and I didn’t start racing “full-time” until 2003. It was hard for us to race on the weekends when my dad still had a career racing as well. After a very serious crash in Harrington, Delaware that almost took his life, my dad decided to hang up the steel shoe and help us pursue our dream.

We started racing in 2003 as a hobby. Dad got me one of the new 450cc 4-stroke bikes and we went to the local tracks. I have always been a real competitive kid. Whether it was winning in Super Mario Kart on Nintendo or seeing who could throw a rock into the pond the farthest, I loved to win.

Sure enough, that carried over the dirt tracks and it wasn’t good for my competition. Shayna started racing in the middle of 2003 after seeing me do it and the results started to come in. After winning the local amateur classes in 2003 and dominating all of our classes in 2004, we made the move to attend the AMA Amateur Dirttrack Grand Championships in Springfield, Illinois.

This event has the best amateur kids in the world in attendance.

I won 2 overall amateur national championships in 2005, as well as various regional championships, and 6 overall district championships my first year racing our local expert class. This effort was great, but it made it even better because mid-summer I was diagnosed with lyme disease a week before the Amateur Nationals and I fought through it and came out on top.

Most kids wait various years before turning professional, but after racing most of the professionals from the east coast at our local races in 2005, I turned pro-sport in 2006. Racing around PA has good competition but we lack bigger tracks like the 1/2 mile and mile tracks. Shayna had a break through amateur year in 2006 winning her first set of Amateur National Championships in Illinois that year. It was huge for her being the only female on the track=2 0and taking home the gold in a sport dominated by men. Her efforts won her the 2006 District 6 Female Rider of the Year as well as the most coveted award a female motorcyclist can earn, the 2006 AMA Female Rider of the Year Award.

By 2007, we turned what was once a hobby, into a full-time job. Sponsors started to approach us, we started doing interviews and even some photo shoots for magazines. It was a dream come true. Most people expected so much of us by this time, but this was still only our 4th full year racing a motorcycle. In my 4th full year racing flattrack, I was lining up next to some of my heroes growing up like our 7 time national champion, Chris Carr.

In 2007, I got-delete suffered a broken ankle that required some metal that kept me out for most of the year. I came back from my injury swinging, and won my first ever expert twins 750 race in Tucson, Arizona at our season finale. 2008 was a learning year for me as it was my first year racing the GNC Dirttrack Class, the highest level you can race on-delete in the world.

Shayna was the 2nd ranked pro-sport rider in the nation, winning 5 main

events through-out the year and gaining a large fan base across the country as the girl who beats the men. I learned alot my first year and even managed to qualify for my first grand national main event in fr ont of 30,000 spectators at the Indy Mile which was broadcasted on Versus TV Channel.

2009 is a new year for Shayna, myself and the rest of our family and team.

I will be tackling the whole AMA GNC and Hot Shoe series traveling to more then 15 states through-out the year. Shayna will be doing the same racing in the pro 450 class. The journey that my dad started for us back in 2003 had some ups and downs over the years but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. All the nights staying up till 1am working on race bikes while my friends were at school dances and partying were well worth the results on the race track. The bad news for my competitors is we are not at all satisfied yet. Our amateur results were good, but we look to continue the competitive attitude as our professional journey now starts. We train daily and stay focused on the task at hand. This is our life and this is what we do.

Cory Texter #65 CoryTexter.com

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A PET’S TEN COMMANDMENTS 1) My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

JULY 5 5 5 5

Hurricane Hills Motorcross D

SP/Y/4W Sleepy Hollow MX Motorcross D SP/Y Valley Forge Trail Riders Hare Scramble D SP/Y Blue Mountain HOG Carnival Run 9-2 From Lebanon Valley MC 11 MILES MTN MX Supercross N SP/Y/4W 11 Pagoda MC Supercross D/N SP/Y 11Mason Dixon Motor Sport Short Track N

SP/Y At Lampeter Vol Fire Co 11 Motorcyclist For Jesus Bike Show(NP)

3-10 11 Gentlemen MC Dice Run D

4-7 Ron Busswood Memorial Run 12 Evansville MX Quad only Motorcross SP/Y/4W 12 Pagoda MC

Motorcross D

SP/Y JR Cycles 12Miles Mtn Mix Motorcross D

SP/Y/4W 12 Reading MC

Field Meet (NP) D

1-3 12 Lebanon Valley MC Poker Run D

9-2 18,19 Carlisle events

Bike Show D 18,19 Raceway Park

Motorcross D

SP/Y 18 Double Gap MX MX practice-MDRA D

SP/Y Practice 10AM-4PM 18 4TH ANNUAL CPL BRANDON HARDY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP RIDE Cost is $25 Begins 7:30 AM Riders leave from Gap Fire Hall, Lancaster at 9 AM and Return 1PM for luncheon Pre Register, call: Chad@717-314-9554 Judy@ 717-442-9508 For More information call Chad or Doris Miller @717-314-9554 Visit the website for directions and more information at www.cplbrandonhardy.com 19 Double Gap

Motorcross D

SP/Y MDRA Race Series 19 Evansville MX

Motorcross D

SP/Y 19 Two Wheel Promotions

Half Mile D

SP/Y/4W 19 Susquehanna Off Road National Endurance D

closed course event 19 Pagoda MC

Poker Run D

10-2 19 Schuykill County MC

Carnival Run D 9-2 19 York MC Poker Run D 9-2 19 Zinc City MC Poker Run 11-2 Fun Drags Noon-6PM 25 Hurricane Hills Motorcross D

SP/Y/4W 26 Sleepy Hollow MX Motorcross D SP/Y 26 Miles Mtn MX Motorcross D SP/Y/4W 26 Shippensburg MC Shorttrack D SP/Y/4W 26 Brandywine Enduro Riders Enduro D 26 Rausch Creek Hare Scramble D SP/Y/4W Round#8 PA State H S Series Cycle and Quads AMA National Motorcycle HS 29 Thunderbird MC Poker Run D

11-4 31 B.C.T.R.A

Shorttrack N

SP/Y At Timonium Fairgrounds

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2) Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3) Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my wellbeing.

4) Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have you.

5) Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6) Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget.

7) Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.

8) Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me.Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9) Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.

10) On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can’t bear to watch. Don’t make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

Take a moment today to thank God for your pets.

Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be much duller, less joyful experience without God’s creatures.

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Pennsylvania

A Letter From Seth Obetz

S I X

A F F A I R S

The 1st Affair

The 4th Affair

A married man was having an affair with his secretary. One day they went to her place and made love all afternoon.

Exhausted, they fell asleep and woke up at 8 PM. The man hurriedly dressed and told his lover to take his shoes outside and rub them in the grass and dirt. He put on his shoes and drove home. ‘Where have you been?’ his wife demanded. ‘I can’t lie to you,’ he replied, ‘I’m having an affair with my secretary. We had sex all afternoon.’ She looked down at his shoes and said: ‘You lying bastard!

You’ve been playing golf!’

A woman was in bed with her lover when she heard her husband opening the front door. ‘Hurry,’ she said, ‘stand in the corner.’ She rubbed baby oil all over him, then dusted him with talcum powder. ‘Don’t move until I tell you,’ she said. ‘Pretend you’re a statue.’ ‘What’s this?’ the husband inquired as he entered the room. ‘Oh it’s a statue,’ she replied. ‘The Smiths bought one and I liked it so I got one for us, too.’ No more was said, not even when they went to bed. Around 2 AM the husband got up, went to the kitchen and returned with a sandwich and a beer. ‘Here,’ he said to the statue, have this. I stood like that for two days at the Smiths and nobody offered me a damned thing.’

The 2nd Affair A middle-aged couple had two beautiful daughters but always talked about having a son. They decided to try one last time for the son they always wanted. The wife got pregnant and delivered a healthy baby boy. The joyful father rushed to the nursery to see his new son. He was horrified at the ugliest child he had ever seen. He told his wife: ‘There’s no way I can be the father of this baby. Look at the two beautiful daughters I fathered! Have you been fooling around behind my back?’ The wife smiled sweetly and replied: ‘No, not this time!’

The 3rd Affair A mortician was working late one night. He examined the body of Mr. Schwartz, about to be cremated, and made a startling discovery. Schwartz had the largest private part he had ever seen! ‘I’m sorry Mr. Schwartz,’ the mortician commented, ‘I can’t allow you to be cremated with such an impressive private part. It must be saved for posterity.’ So, he removed it, stuffed it into his briefcase, and took it home. ‘I have something to show you won’t believe,’ he said to his wife, opening his briefcase. ‘My God!’ the wife exclaimed, ‘Schwartz is dead!’

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The 5th Affair A man walked into a cafe, went to the bar and ordered a beer. ‘Certainly, Sir, that’ll be one cent.’ ‘One Cent?’ the man exclaimed. He glanced at the menu and asked: ‘How much for a nice juicy steak and a bottle of wine?’

‘A nickel,’ the barman replied. ‘A nickel?’ exclaimed the man. ‘Where’s the guy who owns this place?’ The bartender replied: ‘Upstairs, with my wife.’ The man asked: ‘What’s he doing upstairs with your wife?’ The bartender replied: ‘The same thing I’m doing to his business down here.’

The 6th & Best Affair Jake was dying. His wife sat at the bedside. He looked up and said weakly: ‘I have something I must confess.’ ‘There’s no need to, ‘his wife replied. ‘No,’ he insisted, ‘I want to die in peace. I slept with your sister, your best friend, her best friend, and your mother!’ ‘I know,’ she replied. ‘Now just rest and let the poison work.’

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Bikers Make History At 2009 National Coalition Of Motorcyclists Convention By: Tiger Mike Revere

The air of the Reno, Nevada Metro Area reverberated May 7-10, 2009 with the thunder of motorcycles and trikes of all types as riders converged on the Nugget Hotel and Casino in Sparks for the 24th Annual National Coalition Of Motorcyclists Convention. The NCOM Convention, which was hosted by the Northern Nevada Confederation of Clubs, represented an opportunity for motorcyclists of every background to get together in an atmosphere of unity and cooperation, and focus on issues common to and threats facing all motorcyclists worldwide. Riders learn, teach and share with one another, and coordinate with likeminded individuals and groups to forge relationships and foster communications. I’ve been a member of the NCOM Board of Directors since 1997, representing Region 2 which comprises Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa. I’m very proud to report every year to the Board on what a great riding environment and Quality of Life Oklahoma’s motorcyclists enjoy. We were truly blessed with beautiful weather in the low 80s all week and the Sierra Nevada/Lake Tahoe scenery was breathtaking! Over 1,400 motorcyclists and trikers attended the Convention and conventioneers represented almost all major patch holding motorcycle clubs, as well as, a wide array of motorcyclingoriented organizations and associations including a majority of State Motorcyclists’ Rights Organizations across the country.

The NCOM Convention featured educational seminars covering such diverse topics as Biker Rights and Civil Liberties post-9/11 and the Federal Trademark Seizure threat where all club insignia are put at risk, combating Anti-Biker Discrimination, Christian Motorcycle Club unity, Women in Motorcycling, and a host of other legislative, judicial, and lifestyle issues. A highlight of the Convention’s agenda included a Mock Legislative Session demonstrating political maneuvers leading up to a floor vote addressing important motorcycling-related issues such as an Equal Access Bill protecting Biker Civil Rights before the Legislature.

The Worldwide Confederation of Clubs meeting Friday Night was packed with over 900 club members expressing solidarity and a renewed commitment to work together and defend Riding Freedom. The meeting also provided an occasion to honor the memory of longtime participants in past NCOM Conventions and in the fight for Motorcycling Liberty who have passed from the scene in the past year, including AIM Attorney Joe “Big Guy” Eggleston, Bob Illingworth, and Robert “Grub” Chafe.

The Saturday Night events were festive, featuring the Silver Spoke Awards Banquet, attended by almost 700, where recognition was given to notables in the fields of education, publishing and media, legislation and government, commerce, legal/judicial achievement, and special recognition for service for the benefit of Free Motorcycling on the state level. The Entertainment Award was given to TV and movie actor Robert Patrick of “The Unit” and “Terminator” fame, who not only is an avid rider and ABATE of California member, but also is a Chapter President of the Boozefighters Motorcycle Club! I was honored to present the Commerce Award to Oklahoma’s own Clay Ridley, founder of the Ridley Motorcycle Company, for his pioneering efforts

with Automatic Transmission Motorcycles which led to many more riders taking to the highway who might not have otherwise. In addition, the Ron Roloff Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Pepper Massey of South Dakota, who has dedicated much of her life to campaigning for Motorcycling Freedom with NCOM, and to interfacing with Bikers of all types as manager of the Sturgis Bike Rally and Sturgis Museum/Hall of Fame.

An event of this magnitude does not occur spontaneously, and certainly isn’t spontaneously successful, or the exclusive responsibility of one individual. I’m very grateful to all those in NCOM, State Motorcyclists Rights Organizations, and the Worldwide Confederations Of Clubs who worked together to make this Convention happen as well as it did. As State Coordinator of ABATE of Oklahoma, Liaison for the Oklahoma Confederation of Clubs, and a longtime member of NCOM’s Board, I know what kind of effort is expended in so many different areas to ensure logistics are effectively dealt with, and I received a lot of positive feedback from Convention attendees. Part of the Convention planning involved easing the fears of those uncomfortable at the idea of bikers from so many different background congregating together in close quarters. NCOM made the point that, given the current challenges to Free Motorcycling in our country, it was in the best interest of all bikers attending, more than anyone else, that the Convention go off without a hitch. This point was also emphatically made to law enforcement agencies who, once they saw our dedication to defending our lifestyle principles and our sense of commitment to making the Convention a success, conducted their affairs with a much more low-key, relaxed approach. What draws record numbers of concerned riders from across America to this event is the opportunity to work together in unity and cooperation for the betterment of Motorcycling.

The 2009 Convention was concluded Sunday Morning with a Word For The Road and Blessing Of The Bikes by Doug Boyd and the Christian Clubs present. Everyone I talked to came away from this year’s NCOM Convention with a great deal of enthusiasm and motivation to continue the fight for Motorcycling Freedom in their areas, and some solid ideas for defending that Freedom more effectively in their respective legislative, judicial, and social arenas.

Well, that’s a recap of how the Convention went, and I sure hope all who attended came away with something good to take to their respective homes as a souvenir--at the very least, a sense of how hard all of us Free Motorcyclists work together as a community to support and defend the values we hold dear. That certainly reinforces how glad I am that I staked my claim as a Biker in the Sooner State! I wish for all of you a celebration of the Liberties we enjoy here and sometimes take for granted in Oklahoma and throughout the Nation, many miles of Free and Safe Riding as we travel together on life’s road, and I look forward to seeing a large number of you, old friends and new, at the 2010 SILVER ANNIVERSARY NCOM Convention in Orlando, Florida!

Wishing you Sunshine and Fair Winds, Tiger Mike

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miles in with little distractions. Once we headed south into Colorado, the clouds cleared and the sun popped out. The temperature came up slightly making the ride a little more enjoyable. Snow still rested on the sides of the roads in

by Robin Goforth Colorado Springs from the last week’s snow. The mountains I’ve only been riding since topped with snow in the distance were an awesome sight after we headed south of Pueblo. Evening was sneaking up July of 2006, but I just love on us, but we got across the Raton Pass before complete it. I used to be an office darkness. Pulling in to Las Vegas, NM after dark for a well manager and my Harley needed rest stop,(tired had caught up with us all)we ended was my stress reliever. up staying there probably 45 minutes or so, drinking cokes Now, I work at a HarleyDavidson Store and don’t so and coffee and washing our faces with cold water. Then much need a stress reliever back on the road for the last 150 miles. I think this was the , so it is a source of fun and longest stretch of all.

Approaching Moriarity, NM , out of nowhere we saw what relaxation, like it should must have been a meteor or something bigger than a falling be. Shortly after getting star.

It was a huge round ball with a blue tail and red around my Harley, my brother told the back of the ball. Kind of a “Congratulations you’ve made me about an Iron butt Run....The opportunity for us to ride it,” sign.

Pretty awesome. Pulling into a hotel at 2:30a.m. one together hasn’t been available yet. However, I decided Central Time at 1,035 miles, to finalize the ride. We were I was going to do an Iron butt this year. I thought a ladies ready to be finished, but pumped that we had done it. Just a only ride, that we planned ourselves, would be way cool. So few ‘girls’!

We are pretty proud of our accomplishment and that is what I set out to do. on Sportsters to boot (and a Honda SUV).

Goal: 1,000 miles in less than 24 hours. Step one: To find I would like to thank our husbands and our HOG group, someone you feel can accomplish it with you. I asked TeBecky and Jan, of course, and my friends at work for all of resa Pape if she would be interested in doing the ride with their support and belief that we could do it. me. She has been riding about the same amount of time We took an extra day and night in Madrid,NM ( Wild Hogs as myself. She rode a smaller Honda for most of that time, movie site) before heading home , the extra 680-700+ then her husband surprised her with a Harley XL1200L miles.

Sportster last year. She said, “Yes!” Step two: Figure what would be the best and quickest On search for the next challenge, route to accomplish your goal. (After several changes; Robin Goforth finally done) Step three: Practice. Teresa and I rode each week together, each week further. We did a couple of 200 mile rides, a couple 300 mile rides and a 500 mile ride. We didn’t let rain, high winds, or wind gusts stop us. We figured it’s just good practice.

Two good friends, Becky Harrington and Jan Gunter, volunteered to go as our chase vehicle. Awesome!(I say that is a sign of good friends; volunteering to ride for 1000+ miles, for no gain of their own. Just for the experience and to help us out.)

Becky just took possession of her new Lehman Trike a HD XL1200C, Sportster recently, after riding behind her husband for years. Jan has been riding her husband’s Heritage until she, recently, purchased a Sportster. She felt it fit her better. She had been riding passenger for years. The only thing left to hope for now was good weather. (You don’t always get everything, you hope for.)

We started out Saturday , April 25th,meeting at 4:30 am at a gas station in Stillwater ,Oklahoma. We filled up our tanks and hit the road just before 5:00a.m. Headed North through Kansas; stopping just short of Salina to put rain suits on. Dark grey clouds filled the sky and it felt like it could just pour on us any second. Suddenly the temperature dropped. We were headed to Colorado. Stopping to fill up with gas, scarf down a gatorade, or a power bar, about every 120-150 miles, then hit the road again. We have a deadline!

Kansas was good for a straight, flat road to get the

1,000 Mile Ladies Ride

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Stay Tuned For The Exciting Adventures Of Sturgis 2008 Coming In August Edition Starring Christy, Elam and the World Famous T Burk

Noodle’s Tips For The Road The Left Lane Is For Passing ONLY!!!!

Even If you Are doing the speed limit…GET OVER!

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“REAL DEAL” RELLENOS, WITH CREAM & WALNUT SAUCE OVER TOP Compliments of: Rachael Ray Show 05/05/09 8 Poblano Peppers 1/2 Cup Walnuts 2 Tbls. EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) 1 & 1/2 Lbs. Ground Pork OR Beef 1 Onion; Large Chop 4 Garlic Cloves; Finely Chopped or Grated 2 Tbls. Tomato Paste 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon 2 tsps. Cumin 2 tsps. Smoked Paprika 1/4 Cup Raisins 1 Cup Beef Stock Salt & Ground Pepper to Taste 2 Cups Heavy Cream 2 tsps. Orange Zest If you have a gas stove, char the poblanos on a long fork over open flame until the skin is black all over. If you don’t have a gas stove, pre-heat your broiler, place the poblanos on a baking sheet & char under the broiler, flipping them halfway through (about 3 mins. per side). Place the peppers in a bowl & seal the top with plastic wrap. Set aside.

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. On a baking sheet, toast the walnuts until golden brown; apprx. 5 mins. When toasted, put in a food processor or in a zip-lock back, (stick w/ a pin to allow air pressure to release) and roll over & over it w/ a rolling pin or heavy tumbler. Set aside.

While your walnuts are toasting though, place a large skillet over medium-high heat with 2 turns of the pan of EVOO. Add pork (or beef) and cook until tender. Add in tomato paste, cinnamon, cumin, smoked paprika, raisins, beef stock, salt & pepper, & cook for about a minute to reduce a little & gain flavor. In a small sauce pot over medium heat, combine the ground toasted walnuts, heavy cream, orange zest, salt & pepper. Let that come to a bubble & thicken, about 5 mins. Keep your eye on it to make sure it doesn’t boil over. Once it heats up good you’ll need to adjust heat down a little. While the cream is cooking down & thickening, peel all the blackened/charred outer skin off of the pob-

lanos & remove the seeds by cutting a lengthwise slit in each pepper. Get all the seeds out. Fill the poblanos with the meat filling; pack em’ up full and high. Lay them out on a serving platter. Top generously with thickened walnut cream and put remainder of sauce in a gravy boat for extra servings. This reads wayyyy more complicated than it actually is to make this phenomenally tasting dish. And this creamy walnut sauce is the perfect cherry on top!

APPLE CINNAMON CRESCENT ROLL-UPS Courtesy of: Debbie Jackson, Ashland City, TN 1 Bag of Pre-Cored & Sliced Granny Smith & Red Delicious Combo Pak (over in refrigerated fruit section of any grocery store) Melt down in small saucepan; 1 Cup Orange Juice 1 Cup Sugar 1 Stick of Real Butter After butter melts down, gently stir in 1 tsp. of real Vanilla.

Take one tube of Crescent Rolls and section of into the pre-perforated triangles. Take your pre-sliced apples and cut off the rind of all. Fit as many apples as you can on each Crescent Roll triangle (about 3 or 4) gently roll up from big end to triangle tip. Now, sprinkle cinnamon generously all over the top of each roll-up, then pour your saucepan mixture of o.j., sugar & butter all over your rollups. Sprinkle more cinnamon if desired. Cover tightly with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes. Serve hot, right out of the oven, with quality slow-churned vanilla ice-cream. These’ll hurt you, only good.

SIMPLE-EASY DRESSING FOR CHICKEN, FISH OR JUST ABOUT ANYTHING! 4 Tbls. Orange Marmalade 2 Tbls. Grey Poupon’ Dijon Mustard Lemon Juice of One Real Lemon 1 Cup of EVOO Mix thoroughly & pour, baby pour......( slurp!)

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The Gathering Of Eagles We come as a gathering of Eagles We are warriors of sorts every one We have flown from the far horizons To rest from our days in the sun We have spread our wings over oceans Swept the earth with our gaze Answered the call to our duty Given the world our best days History stands as our witness To battles we have fought and won The staff that carries our banner Is bloodied by the deeds we have done We left our comrades on foreign soil Their souls now rest in God’s hands They are the spent generation Their blood is mixed with the land Though our feathers are ruffled and gray The beat of our wings is not stilled Now we must fly to the end of the sky To see the dream of peace fulfilled (c) James W. Ferris

New From Harley NEW DIGITAL DIPSTICK INDICATES OIL LEVEL AND TEMPERATURE

Push-Button Convenience Replaces Rags and Oil Drips MILWAUKEE (October 20, 2008) – The new Oil Level and Temperature Dipstick with Lighted LCD Readout ($134.95 to $139.95) from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories offers a combined oil level and oil temperature check with the push of a button. A direct replacement for the stock dipstick, this chromed digital instrument eliminates the need for a rag and prevents oil drips on pipes and the garage floor. The blue-backlit screen indicates oil level with a foursegment readout and digital oil temperature in Fahrenheit or Celsius, and reminds that oil should be checked when it is hot. The waterproof LCD display operates on a long-lasting, replaceable lithium coin-type battery. The display also features a low-battery indicator. Fits most 1999-later Touring and 2000-later Softail models. See dealer for fitment details.

For additional information on Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories, see your local Harley-Davidson dealer or visit the Harley-Davidson Web site at www.harley-davidson.com. To find a dealer near you, call toll free 1-800-4432153 in the U.S.A. or Canada.

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The Biker’s Creed

Can You Hear Me?

However, if they show me disrespect, they will be slapped. It will be my task to mentor new rid-

Around 40 million Americans suffer from hearing loss; 10 million is because of Noise Induced Hearing Loss.

Hearing loss can also be caused by medication, natural aging, cancer, etc. The human ear hears in hertz, we can hear as low as 20 Hz, and as high as 20,000 Hz. This wide range gives us the ability to enjoy many sounds of life including music, different animal and bird noises, and so on. Sounds are measured in Decibels (db), usually on a Decibel Scale. Someone or something quietly crunching through the leaves is usually about 0db-5db. A normal conversation with someone is around 60db. Any noise level 80db-85db or above that we are subjected to for extended periods of time, can cause Acoustic Trauma to our ears which may result in permanent damage. For example, listening to music at mid volume level produces about 100db, this can cause permanent damage in 15 minutes. Studies have shown that riding a motorcycle at varying speeds can produce 85db-120db. Most would think that loud pipes would be the largest contributing factor in theses dangerous levels, however, it is wind turbulence. At these levels, and riding without ear protection, Acoustic Trauma and permanent damage can occur in just a few short minutes. So, being that we love to ride in the wind, hear the pipes and listen to our buddies bikes around us, how do we prevent premature hearing loss from doing something we love to do? It is very simple, go to your nearest drug store and pick up some inexpensive foam ear plugs. Also, you can get reusable rubber ear plugs, which work as well, at a sporting goods store. Whether you use the foam or the rubber, they will cut the harmful decibel levels to 35db which can allow you to ride basically worry free all day. I do admit that it is just another thing we have to do before we can just get on our machines and ride. However, I would like to be able to hear my grandchildren ask me for a ride on my bike someday. Ride safe, have fun, and God bless.

ers, that so desire, into the lifestyle of the biker, so that the breed shall continue. I shall instruct

Kevin G. Charleville (Doc)

I ride because it is fun. I ride because I enjoy the freedom I feel from being exposed to the elements, and the vulnerability to the danger that is intrinsic to riding. I do not ride because it is fashionable to do so. I ride my machine, not wear it. My machine is not a symbol of status. It exists simply for me, and me alone. My machine is not a toy. It is an extension of my being, and I will treat it accordingly, with the same respect as I have for myself. I strive to understand the inner-workings of my machine, from the most basic to the most complex. I will learn everything I can about my machine, so that I am reliant upon no one but myself for its health and well being.

I strive to constantly better my skill of control over my machine. I will learn its limits, and use my skill to become one with my machine so that we may keep each other alive. I am the master, it is the servant. Working together in harmony, we will become an invincible team. I do not fear death. I will, however, do all possible to avoid death prematurely. Fear is the enemy, not death.

Fear on the highway leads to death, therefore I will not let fear be my master. I will master it. My machines will outlive me. Therefore, they are my legacy. I will care for them for future bikers to cherish as I have cherished them, whoever they may be. I do not ride to gain attention, respect, or fear from those that do NOT ride, nor do I wish to intimidate or annoy them. For those that do not know me, all I wish from them is to ignore me. For those that desire to know me, I will share with them the truth of myself, so that they might understand me and not fear others like me. I will never be the aggressor on the highway. However, should others mess with me, their aggression will be dealt with in as severe a manner as I can cast upon them. I will show respect to other bikers more experienced or knowledgeable than I am. I will learn from them all I can.

However, if my respect is not acknowledged or appreciated, it will end. I will not show disrespect to other bikers less experienced or knowledgeable than I am. I will teach them what I can.

them, as I have been instructed by those before me. I shall preserve and honor traditions of bikers before me, and I will pass them on unaltered. I will not judge other bikers on their choice of machine, their appearance, or their profession. I will judge them only on their conduct as bikers. I am proud of my accomplishments as a biker, though I will not flaunt them to others. If they ask, I will share them. I will stand ready to help any other biker that truly needs my help. I will never ask another biker to do for me what I can do for myself. I am not a part-time biker. I am a biker when, and where ever I go. I am proud to be a biker, and hide my chosen lifestyle from no one. I ride because I love freedom, independence, and the movement of the ground beneath me. But most of all, I ride to better understand myself, my machine, the lands in which I ride, and to seek out and know other bikers like myself. -Anonymous- ~The Biker’s Creed~ Thunder Roads Magazine 28

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News Bytes MISSOURI HELMET LAW EXEMPTION GOES TO GOVERNOR The Missouri legislature has passed a bill modifying Missouri’s mandatory helmet law to exempts persons 21 years of age or older from wearing protective headgear except when operating or riding motorcycles or motortricycles upon interstate highways. Over the past twenty years proposals to repeal the mandatory helmet law have been controversial, but this year’s measure to simply modify the law received little debate in either chamber. The House gave the bill final approval Wednesday, Apr 29 on a vote of 93-65. The bill easily passed the Senate earlier, with a 23-6 vote.The measure now goes to Governor Jay Nixon for his final signature or veto. The helmet provision was amended onto SCS/SB 202, an act that provides that operating a motorcycle, in and of itself, shall not be considered evidence of comparative negligence in accident claims. The act also provides that when investigating an accident or settling an automobile insurance policy claim, no insurer, agent, producer, or claims adjuster of an insurer shall assign a percentage of fault to a party based upon the sole fact that the party was operating a motorcycle in an otherwise legal manner. The effective date would be August 28, 2009, and the helmet provision would expire in five years under a sunset clause. Steve Carroll of Hannibal , MO , a spokesman for FORR-MO (Freedom of the Road Riders of Missouri) said passage of the bill is the result of a growing movement. “It’s been a long time coming -- in the educational process -- and I think it’s long overdue,” he said. Senator Luann Ridgeway, R-Smithville, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, said the helmet law was tantamount to a “nanny state making safety choices for other people.” Pointing to other injury-prone activities, such as skiing, horseback riding and even riding in a car, she asked why the state doesn’t require helmets for those.

“Where do we draw the line in terms of a caretaker state?” she said. House sponsor Rep. Gary Dusenberg, R-Blue Springs, also said it was a freedom issue. The people the bill affects can “go off to war and carry guns under the flag of our country,” said Dusenberg, a former highway patrol officer. In 1999, then-Gov. Mel Carnahan vetoed a similar bill. Governor Nixon has refused to comment on the bill, but if signed into law Missouri would join 30 other states that allow most adult riders to choose regarding helmet use. Only two of the eight states surrounding Missouri mandate helmet use at all times.

Neither Iowa nor Illinois has a helmet law.

HOUSE APPROVES HEALTH INSURANCE PROTECTIONS FOR MOTORCYCLISTS The U.S. House of Representatives voted 422 to 3 on March 31st to pass HR 1253, the “Health Insurance Restrictions and Clarifications Act of 2009”; bipartisan legislation to strengthen health insurance coverage for injuries incurred while participating in legal recreational and transportation activities, such as motorcycling, riding ATVs, snowmobiling and horseback riding. While the language falls short of closing the loophole that allows insurance companies to deny benefits to motorcycle accident victims, it does prevent them from concealing such coverage exclusions by requiring them to be “explicit and clear” in fully disclosing benefit limitations and restrictions “in a form that is

easily understandable” to the enrollee in advance of the point of sale. The bill now goes to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and concerned riders are encouraged to contact their U.S. Senators in support of the legislation.

CPSC STAYS BAN ON SALE OF YOUTH MOTORCYCLES & ATVs In denying a petition from the motorcycle industry to overturn a ban against the sale of youth-model motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) due to the lead content of some components such as brake parts and battery terminals, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted on April 17, 2009 to keep the ban in place but granted a two-year stay of enforcement to allow the continued sale of these vehicles while industry attempts to comply with the new federal lead-content rules. Congress enacted the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 to protect children under 12 from the lead content of toys and other products intended for the youth market but, intended or not, the ban has crippled a huge segment of the motorcycle industry, costing an estimated $1 billion a year as more than 13,000 dealers across the country were stuck holding millions of dollars in inventory. The two-member CPSC board voted unanimously, citing safety concerns as the reason for issuing the stay; “A bigger safety concern than lead exposure is that the elimination of youth ATV sales will likely increase the number of adult ATVs purchased to be used by younger children, therefore increasing risk of injury and death.” The stay extends through May 1, 2011, at which time the products must be brought into compliance or the industry can demonstrate to the CPSC why it is technologically infeasible to comply. In the meantime, legislation has been introduced in Congress (H.R. 1587) by Representative Denny Rehberg (R-MT) to exempt youthsized motorcycles and ATVs from the CPSIA. Help end the youth bike ban permanently by calling your members of the U.S. House of Representatives today and ask their support for H.R. 1587.

NEW MOTORCYCLE SALES DECLINE IN Q1 Despite six straight years of new motorcycle sales eclipsing the 1 million mark, the sagging economy has impacted U.S. sales in the first quarter of 2009 resulting in a 30.5% decline compared to the same period last year. According to the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC), which compiled the results based on sales figures from 12 of the leading brands, the best performing type of motorcycles were affordable, fuel-efficient dualpurpose models which only dropped by 24%. The off-highway market was hardest hit, falling by 39.7% due in part to the new federal lead-content law that banned the sale of youth models. Scooters were more popular than ever last year, setting a record of 222,000 sold in 2008, but those too are down 36.7% for the first three months of 2009. The on-highway market declined by 27.3%. “There are still many customers wanting new motorcycles, both veteran riders and those wanting to join in the fun and gain the benefits,” said MIC president Tim Buche. “But, in reaction to the economy, there have been some production cuts. And the lead ban turned many parents

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News Bytes away from buying new dirt bikes for their kids. There’s a need for wholesale financing to help keep dealerships supplied with inventory, and a need for consumer credit to loosen up so that dealerships can get those new bikes out on the roads and on the trails. It’s very hard to get retail financing now, even if you have good credit.” The early year sales decline follows a relatively flat year for motorcycles, with sales estimates for all motorcycles and scooters sold nationwide in 2008 at 1,087,000 units, down just 3.3% from the previous year.

Sales still topped the one-million mark, and did so for the sixth consecutive year, beating the longest run of million-plus sales ever recorded by the MIC, during the five years from 1970 to 1974.

WEIRD NEWS: MAN FAKES KIDNAPPING TO FIND STOLEN MOTORCYCLE After hours of searching for a toddler whose father claimed he was attacked by motorcycle thieves who abducted the child, police arrested the Florida man for fabricating the kidnapping to get police to launch an intensive search for his stolen motorcycle. According to The Gainesville Sun newspaper, Alachua County deputies took the 37-year old man away in handcuffs for filing a false report after his story unraveled during the manhunt and police learned that the 1-year old was safe with his mother. Officers believe the man was the victim of thieves who posed as interested buyers and then took his gold-and-black Yamaha, so he told his wife to take their son out of day care and he then called police to report that the child had been taken. “His thinking was if they thought my child was missing, there would be a more intensive search than for the motorcycle,” a Sheriff’s Office spokesman told the paper. The bike and the thieves are still at large.

MANDATORY REFLECTIVE VESTS URGED FOR FILIPINO BIKERS The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is proposing mandatory training and the wearing of reflector vests for motorcycle riders in an effort to curb rising deaths and injuries. According to MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando there is a need to “enhance the skills” of motorcycle drivers nationwide, and further suggested that the government adopt the practice in Bogota, Colombia where motorcycle drivers are mandated to use reflectorized vests to allow for greater visibility during nighttime and eliminate road mishaps.

There are now an estimated 2.5 million registered motorcycles in the Philippines , and motorcycle sales have been growing at an unprecedented rate, driven by high fuel costs and easy-on-the-pocket installment plans. Some 671,588 new motorcycles were registered in 2008, compared with only 46,183 new cars.

NCOM CONVENTION LIGHTS UP RENO The bright lights of the “Biggest Little City In The World” shined off the bright chrome and polish of hundreds of shiny motorcycles parked along the entranceway to John Ascuaga’s Nugget Casino and Resort, as near-record crowds of concerned bikers from around the country came together in unity and cooperation for the 24th Annual National Coalition of Motorcyclists

Convention, held in Reno, NV May 7-10, 2009. The NCOM Convention, which was hosted by the Northern Nevada Confederation of Clubs, presented an opportunity for motorcyclists of every background to find common ground and focus on issues of concern to all motorcyclists. Riders learn, teach and share with one another, and coordinate with likeminded individuals and groups to forge relationships and foster communications. Nearly 1,400 motorcyclists attended the Convention, and conventioneers represented almost all major patch holding motorcycle clubs, as well as a wide array of motorcycling-oriented organizations and associations, including a majority of State Motorcyclists Rights Organizations across the country. The NCOM Convention featured educational seminars covering such diverse topics as Biker Rights and Civil Liberties post-9/11 and the Federal Trademark Seizure threat where all club insignia are put at risk, combating Anti-Biker Discrimination, Christian Unity, Women in Motorcycling, and a host of other legislative, judicial, and lifestyle issues. NCOM also broke special ground this year with the first presentation of a seminar entitled, “The World Of Sport Bikes”, which focused on issues and concerns specific to the Sport Bike Community. The Worldwide Confederation of Clubs meeting on Friday was packed with over 900 club members expressing solidarity and a renewed commitment to work together and defend Riding Freedom. The Saturday Night events were festive, featuring the Silver Spoke Awards Banquet where recognition was given to notables in various fields who have had a positive impact on motorcycling. The Entertainment Award was given to TV and movie actor Robert Patrick of “The Unit” and “Terminator” fame, who not only is an avid rider and ABATE of California member, but also is a Chapter President in the Boozefighters Motorcycle Club.

Steve Johann of Hog Radio received the Media Award. Receiving the Silver Spoke Award for Government was Nevada Assemblyman Don Gustavson, a tireless defender of freedom of choice. The Commerce Award was presented to Clay Ridley, founder of the Ridley Motorcycle Company. Florida Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (AIM) Attorney Jerry Theophilopoulos was presented the Silver Spoke for Legal, while Special Recognition Awards were bestowed upon A.I.M. Chief of Staff Charles “Roach Hoffman and ABATE of Wyoming’s “Mileage” Mike Harrison. Rounding out the evening’s recognitions, the Ron Roloff Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Pepper Massey, former executive director of NCOM and past director of the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum/Hall of Fame and Sturgis Rally. Attendees came away from this year’s NCOM Convention with a great deal of enthusiasm and motivation to continue the fight for Motorcycling Freedom in back home in their own respective legislative, judicial, and social arenas. Plan now to attend the 2010 Silver Anniversary NCOM Convention, next Mother’s Day weekend in Orlando , Florida !

QUOTABLE QUOTE: “Just as your fortune depends upon how your money is invested, so the success of your life depends upon how your time is invested.” -Leone Kester

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The Justin LeFevre Foundation What is the Justin LeFevre Foundation?

The Foundation was organized in 2002 in memory of Justin, to join the Battle Against Cancer in Kids, and Support Local Youth. The foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt, charitable organization under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code. Justin was a typical high school sophomore until his world was rocked in September of 2000 with the news that he had a cancerous tumor from the Ewings Sarcoma family of tumors growing in his pelvis. A football player at Conestoga Valley High School, Justin remained active in sports and social activities. Justin lost his battle with the disease two months after his seventeenth birthday, but not before he earned the respect and admiration from many for the courage and determination he displayed in fighting his illness. Cancer kills more children in the United States than any other disease. The Foundation seeks to promote awareness of the need for funding, and to raise funds in Justin’s memory to provide resources for pediatric cancer research and offer support to local youth organizations.

How much money we raised and where the Foundation donates?

To date the Foundation has donated $155,000 to the Four Diamonds Cancer Research Institute at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, PA. In addition the Foundation has supported graduating high school football players at the Conestoga Valley High School with $10,000 in scholarships, and offered support to other local youth organizations, Hospice of Lancaster County and families in need, having donated just under $200,000 in total.

How the motorcycle ride got started?

Shortly after Justin’s passing, his parents Jeanie LeFevre-Glick and Dean Glick founded the Justin LeFevre Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raises funds in Justin’s memory to fight children’s cancer. Jeanie LeFevre-Glick serves as president. Don Weidman, Justin’s uncle, came up with the idea for the motorcycle ride.

Don said that the idea seemed natural to him, because he rides motorcycles and he remembers how much Justin enjoyed riding with him.

It was one of Justin’s passions and he loved to ride. Don would take Justin on motorcycle rides to the Ephrata Cloister and loved spending the day with his uncle.

Facts about the motorcycle ride: -held six motorcycle ride events -motorcycle ride raised $31,000 to date -total drivers and passengers over the past six years 1,070 -the annual ride is always held the last Sunday in September rain or shine -approximately 60 miles through the country side of Lancaster County This year’s motorcycle ride: The seventh annual motorcycle cycle ride will be held Sunday, September 27, 2009, rain or shine. The ride starts at the Conestoga Valley Middle School, 500 Mount Sidney Road, Lancaster, PA 17602. We will stop along the way for a drink and a stretch and then finish our ride with refreshments and door prizes. Registration is at 1:00PM with the ride starting at 1:30PM. All drivers receive a foundation t-shirt (Don’s wife Jill Weidman designs the t-shirts) and drivers and passengers are eligible for door prizes.

Cost is $25 per driver and a $10 per passenger.

Visit our website www.justinlefevrefoundation. org for more information about the foundation and motorcycle ride.

Thunder Roads Magazine 32

The Italian says, “When I’ve a finished a makina da love withah my wife, I go down and gently tickle the back of her knees, she floats 6 inches above a da bed in the ecstacy.” The Frenchman replies.”Zat is nothing, when Ah’ve finished making ze love with ze wife, Ah kiss all ze way down her body, and zen Ah lickza soles of her feet wiz mah tongue, and she floats 12 inches above ze bed in the purest of all ecstacy. The redneck says, “That aint didley-squat’. When I’ve finished porkin’ the ole’ lady, I git out of bed, walk over to the winder and wipe my weener on the curtains. She hits the freakin’ ceilin’ every single time!

A husband and wife are sitting quietly in bed reading when the Wife looks over at him and asks the question.

WIFE: ‘What would you do if I died? Would you get married Again?’

HUSBAND: ‘Definitely not!’

WIFE: ‘Why not? Don’t you like being married?’

HUSBAND : ‘Of course I do.’

WIFE: ‘Then why wouldn’t you remarry?’

HUSBAND: ‘Okay, okay, I’d get married again.’

WIFE: ‘You would?’ (with a hurt look) HUSBAND: (makes audible groan) WIFE: ‘Would you live in our house?’

HUSBAND: ‘Sure, it’s a great house.’

WIFE: ‘Would you sleep with her in our bed?’

HUSBAND: ‘Where else would we sleep?’

WIFE: ‘Would you let her drive my car?’

HUSBAND: ‘Probably, it is almost new.’

W IFE: ‘Would you replace my pictures with hers?’

HUSBAND: ‘That would seem like the proper thing to do.’

WIFE: ‘Would you give her my jewelry?’

HUSBAND: ‘No, I’m sure she’d want her own.’

WIFE: ‘Would you take her golfing with you?

HUSBAND: ‘Yes, those are always good times.’

WIFE: ‘Would she use my clubs?

HUSBAND: ‘No, she’s left-handed.’

WIFE: -- silence -HUSBAND: ‘Oh, crap.’

A precious little girl walks into a pet shop and asks, in the sweetest little lisp, between two missing teeth, “Excuthe me, mithter, do you keep widdle wabbits?”

As the shopkeeper’s heart melts, he gets down on his knees so that he’s on her level and asks, “Do you want a widdle white wabbit, or a thoft and fuwwy bwack wabbit,or maybe one like that cute widdle bwown wabbit over there?”

She, in turn, blushes, rocks on her heels, puts her hands on her knees, leans forward and says, in a tiny quiet voice, “I don’t think my python weally gives a thit.”

A five year old boy and his grandpa are sitting on the front porch together when gramps pulls a beer out of his cooler.

The little boy asks: ‘Can I have a beer Grandpa?’

Grandpa replies: ‘Can your pecker touch your ass?’

The little boy answered: ‘No Grandpa. It’s just a little pecker’.

Gramps says: ‘Well then, you’re not man enough to have a beer’.

A little later Grandpa lights up a cigar.

The little boy asks: ‘Can I have a cigar Grandpa?’

Once again, Grandpa asks: ‘Can your pecker touch your ass?’

Once again the little boy replies, ‘No, it’s too little’.

Gramps replies, ‘Then you’re not man enough to have a cigar’.

A little later the little boy comes out of the house with milk and some cookies.

Grandpa asks, ‘Hey there young feller, can I have a cookie?’

The boy asks, ‘Can your pecker touch your ass?’

Gramps replies, ‘Hell yes, my pecker can touch my ass’.

The little boy replies, ‘Good for you, then go screw yourselfGrandma made these for me !!!

Last year I replaced all the windows in my house with that expensive double-pane energy efficient kind, and today, I got a call from the contractor who installed them. He was complaining that the work had been completed a whole year ago and I still hadn’t paid for them. Hellloooo, just because I’m blonde doesn’t mean that I am automatically stupid! So I told him just what his fast talking sales guy had told me last year, that in only ONE YEAR these windows would pay for themselves!

Hellloooo? It’s been a full year! They’re paid for!!

There was only silence at the other end of the line, so I finally just hung up. He never called back.

I bet he felt like a total bozo.

Having sex is like playing bridge. If you don’t have a good partner, you’d better have a good hand.

There are only two four letter words that are offensive to men don’t and stop (unless they are used together).

When men are born, they are given a choice - A big penis or a good memory.. Unfortunately, the majority don’t remember which they chose.

Panties: Not the best thing on earth, but definitely next to the best thing on earth.

What’s an Australian kiss? The same thing as a French kiss, only down under. :)

Thunder Roads Magazine 33

divided by two, multiply by 16.387, then add your volume of your cylinder, now divide the sum by the net combustion chamber value. Confused? Take a look at figure 1 and see if it helps explain the process. When figuring all of this you also need have the head and base gaskets considered in Harley Hop-Up by Kirby Apathy the measurements. We also have a computer program that will tell us the running of a motor, we can figure this for you This month once we have the cylinder head volume and the cam specs. we will go over In our opinion, a good street ridden hot rod motor should compression and have at least 10.25-1 to 10.5-1 while a bagger or long compression distance rider should be kept to 9.5-10.25-1. A Street terror ratios; these are can get as high as 12-1. My street softail is running 11.75-1 without a doubt and turns 10.90’s in ¼ mile. some of the most With the higher compression motors you must watch out important things for certain problems, most importantly being detonation. when attempting Detonation is when the cylinder is firing off very hot spots in to put together a the combustion chamber rather than off the spark plug. This good high horsecan be heard as a “dinging sound” on acceleration or under power motor. a load, the problem here is on a lot of high performance There are things that will determine your compression ratio bikes and drag bikes is they are too loud to hear the detoas well as many things that get determined by it. nation and must be found in other ways. On our pro gas First, lets discuss what compression ratio is. Compresbike, we actually had a shop give us the wrong octane gas sion is the amount the air/fuel ratio is compressed. The and it detonated the porcelain right out of the plugs. more the air/fuel/ is compressed, the higher the pressure On our drag bikes (gas and nitro) we look at the porcelain in the cylinder, thus making more power. The compression on the electrode of the spark plug, if we notice little black ratio is determining of the high and low pressure any given spots we know we have detonation (this is actually pieces motor has. of the piston).

When detonation occurs, you must either use When getting ready to hop up your motor, or build one a fuel additive, higher-octane fuel, or retard the timing, in from scratch, you should make your compression ratio a some cases all of the above. big factor. Decide what kind of riding you are going to be In most cases the way to raise compression is to install doing; a very high compression motor (with the right cam) higher come pistons, the higher the dome (or taking up can turn your touring bike into a stoplight-to-stoplight racer. space in the combustion chamber) the higher the compresOr with the wrong cam it may not even start, or even worse. sion.

Another way to increase compression is to mill the The higher the compression, the hotter the engine runs, the gasket surface.

This is common when wanting just a small more the need for high octane, less need for ignition timing increase in compression; it is also the easiest and cheapest and harder on generally harder on all engine parts. option.

On Shovelheads and Iron Sportsers, the domes on When we build a street motor we try to stay under 10.5high compression pistons are so high it is recommended to 1, when building light-to-light fire breathers, we run 11.5-1. dual plug the heads.

Real high domes slow the flame path Your cam choice directly affects your compression ratio so and require more ignition timing.

By putting another plug choose your cam in relation to your desired ratio. Cams are on the opposite side of the head helps speed burn. Even measured in crankshaft degrees and how long the valve is though some aftermarket Evo’s and Twin Cams come dial off the seat. The longer the valve is off the seat, the more plugged, it is not as necessary as with the early heads. fuel/air can be forced into the cylinder, however, longer Ideally you would want a flat piston with a shallow comduration lowers cylinder pressure and requires a higher bustion chamber, which is rather hard, with a Harley head compression ratio to bring the pressure up. Stock duration configuration. is around 210-230 and is good for compression ratio around So remember, high compression produces more cylinder 8.5-1 to 9.0-1. Cams with around 245-255 would be good pressure which makes more horsepower, requires less ignifor compression ratios of 9.5-1 to 10.5-1. Durations of 260 tion advance, requires higher octane gas and takes away and above are for serious high compression ratios. from the longevity of the motor. But if power is what you are The easiest way to find the compression ratio on any looking for, it won’t happen without higher compression. given motor is to “cc” the head and cylinder; this can be If you have any questions about this article or any of our done with the motor together or apart. You will need a others, feel free to call me at (821) 876-0155 or email us at 100cc burette; this is a measuring tube that gets filled with veetwin@bluemarble.net a liquid for measuring how many cc’s your head (combustion chamber) holds. If the head is off the bike, you just turn SEE YA AT THE RACES! it upside down and fill it with liquid from the burette, writing Kirby Apathy down how much it held in cc’s. If the motor is together, tilt it so the spark plug hole is level, bring that cylinder up to TDC (top dead center) then fill it the same way. Now you need the swept volume of 1 cylinder, this is your displacement

Tech Tips

Thunder Roads Magazine 34

A Day with Erik Buell

by Dennis Martin When we found out that Cycle Connection Harley-Davidson in Joplin, MO was having Erik Buell visit their dealership, I knew I wanted to be there. I would like to thank Nancy and Scott Hutson, for allowing me some time to interview Erik during their all day “Escape” event. Erik was there to meet with new Buell owners and share the company’s vision. Another name of the event could have been simply “Buell Days”. The day was filled with Demo rides on all the Buell Models, a helmet seminar, two stunt shows in the parking lot by “ILL CONDUCT”, and a fashion show featuring Buell and Icon products.

During the exclusive VIP “Meet and Greet”, I could tell right away that Erik is just a regular guy like any of us. He is the most humble, non-egotistical person you would ever meet. Erik shared his design vision of “Double Duty Parts” which is a result of Buell motorcycles having 50% fewer parts than other bikes. The Buell Corporation in East Troy, Wisconsin, employs about 200 passionate people that hand build each bike. When Erik told the “meet and greet” group that half of the bikes they build are exported overseas, he received a huge applause. At the end of Erik’s meet with us, Scott Hutson had a surprise for Erik. Scott hired a local artist, A.J. Wood, to create a painting of Erik remembering his racing days. Erik actually had a tear in his eye.

Before Erik founded the Buell Motorcycle Company he raced nationwide within the AMA and was also a chassis engineer for the Harley-Davidson Corporation. His past only fueled his passion for motorcycles and he set out to create his own AMA Formula One motorcycle. After that his passion led him to build his first sport bike. In 1994, Harley-Davidson invested into the Buell Motorcycle Company and the rest is history, or is it?

Erik is still a hands on guy and is constantly still looking to design and build unique bikes. The 2009 Buell 1125CR is one of his most innovative bikes to date. The power plant is an 1125cc liquid-cooled V-Twin with 146 hp @ 9800 rpm and 82 ft. lbs. of torque @ 8000 rpm. The Ram Air scoops on each side are designed to pressurize the air box and increase performance at speeds over 80 mph. To efficiently get the horsepower to the rear wheel, Buell uses a system known as “Immediate Throttle Response Belt Drive”. There is constant tension on the belt to eliminate any slack in the system while shifting up or down. To find out more features go to www.buell.com Erik Buell the Person Married?

Tish.

Children?

Six, youngest 16 and oldest 25.

Are they getting into the business?

Don’t know yet. The oldest daughter is going to college for Micro-Biology but hates working in the lab. She loves solving problems with DNA splicing but she can’t stand being in a white room. When she is at the (Buell) plant she says she is thinking about becoming a design engineer… maybe.

How did your parents feel about you getting into the motorcycle business?

They weren’t into motorcycles but they were never opposed to me doing it.

My mom and dad never came to a race, they let me do it but they were never engaged in it.

Riding What are your favorite riding locations and/or destinations?

It is impossible to pick one specific location; there are just too many great rides. The best rides I ever find are the ones where there is a section of twisty roads and no one there.

It doesn’t matter if it is in North Carolina, Southern California, or even Spain.

When I find a location it is just wonderful. My least favorite is the interstate.

What Buell is your favorite bike?

I really don’t have a favorite. I ride the Ulysses

the most just because it has bags and it is more practical for me.

Any other motorcycle?

Well since we didn’t come out with a dirt bike, my favorite all time street bike was my Velocette. It was a goofy bike and a pain in the butt to keep running, but it was a wonderfull bike to ride.

Do you have any riding tips for our readers?

Ride often and do the “track days” to let it out of your system.

Ride often so that you always have 20% spare change. Don’t ride over your head.

Erik Buell and the Business When did you realize you changed the motorcycle industry?

Well, I’m still working on it. I don’t know that I have. Maybe when the street fighter thing took off that we really launched with the gold S-1. We won an award for best standard with Cycle World. There was no street fighter category and they didn’t know what it was.

What sets the Buell Corporation above the competition?

I don’t know that we are above, we are just different. We are unique in such that the Buell is truly the only American sport bike. We do things differently in what I consider a very American way. Lots of invention and new ways of looking at things. Pioneering ways to do things which is what I think is the American spirit and it shows in our engineering. Our biggest accomplishment is having a little team of people building a bike that is at a very affordable price over what mass produced bikes are. Everyone does an amazing job.

Are there any projects that you are working on that you can share with us? (a very quick) NO (then silence) How did you come up with the idea that people would really dig your machines so much and why did you think they would?

Well you’re never really sure what will happen. We did some radical style design work. When the S-1 first came out they were considered insane… crazy… weird. Why is the seat so tiny? Why is this fender back here?

People just couldn’t take their eyes off it. We knew it was going to be a “lovehate” thing but that’s OK. We would rather do that than do what everyone else was doing. (In reference to the 1125 CR) I wanted an in your face hot rod look, but on a street bike. Everything has a fairing so we styled ours around a scorpion with the claws, small head and a pointy tail. It is functional art. It is a combination of a scorpion and a Harrier Jet with the scoops.

What award do you cherish the most?

Well as of now, the painting that the dealership had created for me. That is unbelievably special to me.

Some people have you and John Britten in the same circles of conversation. How do you feel about that?

It’s an honor. I talked with him a number of times on the phone about working together before he started getting sick. He was a fun and innovative guy coming from a different perspective. We were both very different from what the industry is doing and yet we were different from each another. We both wanted to build the best one-off bikes. We both had a lot of admiration for the way we were challenging the way things were normally done but in different ways.

Thunder Roads Magazine 35

Harley History

If the old saying “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” is true, then Harley-Davidson has been honored almost since its very beginning by competitors. Looking through any motorcycling photographic history book shows that the ingenuity of the earliest Harley-Davidson motorcycles was duplicated by competitors. This fact was acknowledged by both H-D advertising pieces and industry experts. A 1909 print ad mentions those who copy or “adapt” HarleyDavidson designs and regards them as a fine tribute while also reminding the reader that there is no substitute. Other Harley-Davidson advertisements of that era mention “copyists” and “imitators,” and the review sections of the magazine The Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review (pictured) seem to confirm the assertion.

Many people, especially motorcycle history buffs, ask if Harley-Davidson has ever been copied by competitors. Maybe the question should be posed not just to Harley-Davidson, but to others in the motorcycle industry as well. For example, in the January 1982 issue of Cycle World, author Steve Kimball wrote, “Measured by longevity of design the greatest milestone could be a Harley-Davidson, but which one? Touring rallies are filled with Electra-Glide replicas, usually with four cylinder engines hidden beneath the chrome and glitter of accessories such as light bars and extra big front fenders. There is an entire industry for pieces to convert Hondas and Yamahas to look like Harley FLHs.” Today, one can look at catalogs from competitors and see just how much flattery is paid to Harley-Davidson. As one example, the Honda Shadow Sabre would strike any motorcycle enthusiast as a faithful tribute to the Harley Davidson FLSTF Fat Boy motorcycle. Kawasaki’s Vulcan line pays homage to the FLHR Road King and FXDWG Dyna Wide Glide motorcycles.

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Harley-Davidson

has had praise heaped upon it for more than 90 years.

Some have even argued that Harley-Davidson’s devotion to originality was detrimental. A brief history of Harley Davidson in the October 1978 issue of Cycle World cited Harley-Davidson’s “unwillingness to copy anyone directly” as a key factor in the hard times faced in that era. Judging by recent history, sometimes the question “Why can’t you be like your brothers and sisters?” is best left ignored.

Thunder Roads Magazine 36

Ride On, John Ride On