Nov 2009 by Thunder Roads Magazine of Pennsylvania

MAGAZINE ®

Pennsylvania

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 5 NOVEMBER 2009

Toys For Tots F

Delmarva bike week It’s Great Being A Guy Gary Fisher Geneva crossword Veterans Day

AMERICA’S FASTEST GROWING BIKER PUBLICATION

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 Julia Holland 609-937-2494 julesotg@yahoo.com Philly and West NJ Area Layout and Design Warren Ells, Art Director Thunder Publishing Warrenlayout@yahoo.com Tom Roe Tom Roe Photography Cover and Calendar Photo tomroe.photography@yahoo.com Distribution and Article Contributions Michelle and J.D. Johnson 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

© 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.

The leaves are changing and the weather is starting to get crisp! People will be thinking of riding less. I say…head South! It is also a great time to get the bike in the shop and get a little maintenance work done. Get it to sparkle like new! Old Glory comes to mind. My buddy Ted Carson will take good care of you! Maybe you might consider getting a custom bike made or some really cool after market chrome work done over at Freebyrd! Of course…you can find everything you need for your bike at Lancaster Harley, too. If you need to store it, check with Manny at East End Storage. Make sure you mention Thunder Roads Pa sent you. Winter isn’t even here and I am already looking forward to Spring. Remember when you were a kid and it seemed forever until Christmas vacation rolled around? Now I barely get one Christmas paid for and another one is here. Life might be a little crazy, but I am doing what I love, surrounded by people that I love. Doesn’t get much better then that! “Most people are about as happy as they make up their mind to be.” ~ Abe Lincoln~ “Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude.” ~Denis Waitley~ See you at The “AXIS OF STEEL” at the Lancaster Convention Center. Oct 30, 31 and Nov. 1 It will be a blast! Make sure to stop by and say Hi!

KEVINâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S KORNER From

ALASKA

IF THIS WAS YOUR AD Thousands Of Riders Would Be Seeing It Right Now

Randy, Steve and I went to Eklutna Lake yesterday. It was 50 degrees and sunny when we headed out. Beautiful ride. As soon as the sun started to dip down below the horizon you could feel the temperature drop. It was 34 degrees when I got home. Termination dust is on the mountains and the leaves are falling off the trees. My ride to work this morning was 25 degrees. The end of our riding season is close. Kevin

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S K I N A R T

Veterans Appreciation

I would like to Thanks all of the Active and Retired Military who have given of themselves selflessly! I am the proud parent of Gunny Charles Speitel, USMC. A proud Mother In Law of SGT Jessica Speitel, USMC, A proud Stepmom of CJ Lapp who will be attending OCS in January, USMC and Aunt to Master SGT Kraig Pickle, USMC. To you and your comrades, past and presentâ&#x20AC;Ś.we owe you our lives and our freedom. Thank you from All of us at Thunder Roads Pa Thunder Roads Magazine 6

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DELMARVA

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Howl At The Moon ‘Til The Moon Howls Back

MARINE POEM We all came together, Both young and old To fight for our freedom, To stand and be bold.

Got Out Hit the Road At dawn’s first crack Full tank Saddle bags Leathers on my back

In the midst of all evil, We stand our ground, And we protect our country From all terror around.

Sunrise Fresh new wind Pocket full of jack

Peace and not war, Is what some people say. But I’ll give my life, So you can live the American way

Look down Endless road And never look back

I give you the right To talk of your peace. To stand in your groups, and protest in our streets.

A poem from: “Rubber Side Down” “The Biker Poet Anthology”

But still I fight on, I don’t fuss, I don’t whine. I’m just one of the people! Who is doing your time.

WHERE IS THIS?

I’m harder than nails, Stronger than any machine. I’m the immortal soldier, I’m a U.S. MARINE!

Last Months Winners of A Thunder Roads Pa T shirt and Koozie are:

So stand in my shoes, And leave from your home. Fight for the people who hate you, With the protests they’ve shown. Fight for the stranger, Fight for the young. So they all may have, The greatest freedom you’ve won Fight for the sick, Fight for the poor Fight for the cripple, Who lives next door. But when your time comes, Do what I’ve done. For if you stand up for freedom, You’ll stand when the fight’s done By: Corporal Aaron M. Gilbert , US Marine Corps USS SAIPAN, PERSIAN GULF

Can you guess where the World Famous T Burk is this Month? What did Forrest Greely say? Holy Mackerel ! Somewhere in Pa!!! Good Luck!

Deanna Yocum~Mountville, Pa Joe Sanders~ Lancaster, Pa T Burk was at The Renaissance Fair

Joseph Ambrose, an 86-year-old World War I veteran, attends the dedication day parade for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 1982, holding the flag that covered the casket of his son, who had been killed in the Korean War. Official name Veterans Day Observed by United States Type Federal (and most U.S. states) Significance Honors the 24.9 million military veterans in the United States Date November 11 (or nearest weekday) Observances Parades, ceremonies honoring local veterans Related to Armistice Day, Remembrance Day

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A Blast From The Past Road Racing Legend Gary Fisher I had the pleasure of meeting one of the most accomplished Riders of our time. When my friend JD came to me about doing an article on Gary, I had no idea. After meeting Gary…I still had no idea! He was the most modest man I think I have ever met. Here was a man who could have boasted his accomplishments, but chose to allow me to talk and ask questions. After doing some research, I had become even more intrigued. His Father was one of the leading National Road Racers of the 1950’s. He won the prestiguos Laconia Classic in 1953 and was always a top contender during his time. He opened a Motorcycle dealership in Parkesburg, Pa in the 50’s until he sold it in 1998. He passed his love for motorcycles and racing on to his son Gary. The Fisher’s were the first and only Father Son combo to win The Laconia/Loude Classic AMA National Road Race. Gary started racing at age 13 with Piston Poppers and never looked back. Gaining sponsors and experience, he was the one to catch! Riding a yellow and white Yoshimura Krause Honda CR 750, he rode at The Daytona 200 in 1971. Gary led the race 10 laps when his cam chain broke. Gary #110 This never slowed him down. In June of ‘72 at Louden, NH he won his first National Championship. District Six Champion, Gary Fisher. Gary Fisher took the victory circle 19 years after his Father had won the same race. Gary went on to race and accomplish much. Along came the AMA SUPER BIKE CLASS. When the new “Super Bike Series” was announced, BMW US importers saw an opportunity. Undo Gietl, super tuner went to work converting the R90S sport bike into a Race Bike. A lot of transformation included that the stock rear suspension was replaced by a custom-built Koni monoshock adapted from a Formula 1 race car. The BMW team was born and made it to Daytona to prove their stuff ! The team had 3 Riders. McLaughlin, Pridemore and our own Gary Fisher and 3 bikes. One of the bikes is currently on display at The Motorcycle Hall of fame Museum at AMA headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio. Pridemore, McLaughlin dominated. Although Pridemore won the Championship, this team helped launch the success of the R90’s and change peoples perception of the BMW Motorcycle. Though the program was pulled, Gary Fisher was instrumental in giving BMW a championship in 1976. The first year that the AMA recognized the class with a National title. What a treat it was to meet this humble man, who was well spoken, casual and very accomplished. No need to boast. The records speak for themselves. You get the sense, he was the hot ticket around the 70’s and after meeting him some 30 years later, I had the feeling I had met someone very special. Gary raced from 1969 until his last pro race in 1977. He did however race from time to time including some 30 years later at Daytona in the AHRMA Formula 750 and Formula Vintage Classics

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Cory TexTer

TID BITS

Another month in the books and our racing season is com-

Ziploc baggie fly control

ing to a close. I have had a really busy summer traveling

FYI We went with some out of town friends to Sweety Pies on Sunday for breakfast, and we sat in the enclosed patio section beside the house. We happened to notice a couple of Ziploc baggies pinned to a post and a wall. The bags were half filled with water, each contained 4 pennies, and they were zipped shut. Naturally we were curious! Ms Sweety told us that these baggies kept the flies away! So naturally we were even more curious! We actually watched some flies come in the open window, stand around on the window sill, and then fly out again. And there were no flies in the eating area!

the country and racing. Last year was my first year with a GNC license and we did most of the races, but not the whole series. This season was our first full year on the circuit and we did it while dealing with my dads health issues through-out the year. I think overall we had a good year as we learned a lot, got some more experience and had some descent finishes along the way. I am a perfectionist and I don’t think I will ever be happy at any point in my career. If I get a top 10.. I want a top 5. If I got a top 5.. I want a by a lot, not just a little. With the racing season slowing down, I have got to spend

Ziploc water bags

some good time with my family who I don’t get to see a lot during the summer. It is refreshing and something I look forward to. I have been getting back to a more regular training schedule as well. I train a ton in the winter, but during the race season, I limit it to 2-3 days a week because I don’t riding a bit and trying to work on different areas of riding such as MX and woods riding to build up my 450 program for next year. I am going to try and do quite a bit of MX over the off-season and even try to head down south for some warm weather and riding time as well as some ice riding when our lakes freeze over. Besides motorcycle racing, October is a pretty important month for me. Most people don’t know, but a lot do. I am a really big Philadelphia Phillies fan and October is playoff month. I am pretty much a walking, talking Philadelphia Phillies stat book. I have always watched them since I was a kid and the team they have now really inspires me with their hard work and winning ethic. Most people root for underdogs, but I am a little different. When a team is winning game after game and championships every year, there is a reason for that. They work together, put in alot of hard work and deserve to win. Nothing is handed down at the professional level in any sport and I respect every champion in every form of athletic competition. As I write this, I am also preparing for our last national in

eyes, to them it’s like a zillion disco balls reflecting light, colors and movement in a dizzying manner. When you figure that flies are basically prey for many other bugs, animals, birds, etc., they simply won’t take the risk of being around that much perceived action. I moved to a rural area ant thought these “hillbillies” were just yanking my city boy chain but I tried it, worked immediately! We went from hundreds of flies to seeing the occasional one, but he doesn’t hang around long.

This morning I checked this out on Goggle. Below are comments on this fly control idea. I’m now a believer! More comments not included here were about pet dogs and fly problems.

podium. If I podium.. I want a win and if I win.. I want to win

want to be sore heading into race weekends. I have been

This was passed on to me! Worth a shot, so I tried it! It works

fornia and I have never raced there, so I am excited to get out there and meet a new group of fans to market myself to and hopefully get a good finish out there to close out the year. For anyone out there who reads my article, feel free to contact me with any questions or what you would like to hear about in the next issue. I can be contacted @ CTexter@hotmail.com. Also feel free to check out my website @ CoryTexter.com. I also update my twitter daily and that can be reached at Twitter.com/CoryTexter. My family and fans follow my Twitter daily to see what’s going on at the race track and also personal views, photos and even videos. It is a pretty cool deal. I also have some shirts available still on my website for the 2009 season. Shayna & I are also selling our limited edition poker chips on there a well. Check them out on my website. Cory Texter AMA Grand National #65 717-330-8408 CoryTexter.com

Pomona, CA. It’s been a while since I have been to CaliThunder Roads Magazine 14

Sue says: Many people swear that a Ziploc bag filled half-way with water and attached over entry-ways will repel flies. No one yet knows how or why it works, but there is speculation that it has something to do with the way the moving water refracts light. If you have tried this please use the comments form at the bottom of the page to share your results with the rest of us. Ann Says: October 5th, 2008 at 5:51 pm I did try the Ziploc bag and pennies this weekend. I have a horse trailer with full LQ. The flies were very bad this weekend while I was camping. I put the baggie with pennies above the door of the LQ. NOT ONE FLY came in the trailer. The horse trailer part had many. Not sure why it works but it does!!!!!!! Danielle Martin Says: September 20th, 2008 at 8:43 pm Fill a Ziploc bag with water and 5 or 6 pennies and hang it in the problem area. In my case it was a particular window in my home. It had a slight but significant passage way for insects. Every since I have done that, it has kept flies and wasps away. Some say, that wasps and flies mistake the bag for some sort of other insect nest and are threatened by this. Maggie Says: June 7th, 2009 at 11:40 am I swear by the plastic bag of water trick I have them on side porch (our house entry) and all around the basement door. We saw these in Northeast Mo at an Amish grocery store & have used them since. They say it works because a fly sees a reflection & won’t come around. Just DJ Says: May 16th, 2009 at 7:25 pm Regarding the science behind Ziploc bags of water? My research found that each of the millions of molecules of water presents its own prism effect and given that flies have a lot of

Noodle’s Tips For The Road Horse and buggies Well…suck it up and deal with it! As frustrating as it is to get stuck behind one, if you live in or visit Lancaster County you just may get stuck! Please be extra careful passing. People cut to close in front of them and if you are on a bike, the sound scares them. The ones with blinders go by sound, so they get especially freaked out! If they get spooked, they can cause all kinds of after affects. Not the least being a big pile of horse poop. Have ever run through that with your bike? It’s not the poor horses fault they are out there. They would rather be back in the barn eating hay! So next time you pass Sadie Esh…go wide!

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Painting 101 with Jason Sprengel What’s up! Here we are again for part two of our Painting 101. Hopefully you enjoyed the first part and learned a couple things in the process. Now that we have covered what it takes to get the colors laid down, we are ready for the fun stuff! We will be covering the graphics in this issue and finishing the job. This is where all the creativity and personalization comes into play. The possibilities for a custom job are endless, it is only limited to your imagination. I realize that not everyone is going to have the ability to do the complete paintjob, but you will be able to lay down the base colors and have someone else do the artwork for you if you choose. This is where you are going to be able to get a very nice custom job for not a whole lot of money. By having the colors down and prep work done, you should be able to come to myself or any custom shop and have some nice artwork done for a few hundred bucks and be ready to roll! This will give you the freedom to have a base color down and do any graphics you may want and still have a professional stripe job or a bit of airbrushing into it and not have a small fortune in the bike! Feel free to contact me with any questions or ideas you may have with your project. Check out the site at www.sikpaint.com or call (618)559-7800. Step #7: Scuff and Clean - We left off last month with all the base color, candy color, and clear already sprayed. As mentioned before, the job can be left a solid color or add more layers of graphics or any other ideas you may desire. Here we are scuffing the clear so we can add scallops and pinstriping over our candy gold. Once the clear is plenty dry we are going to wet sand the job with 1000 grit paper and scuff the edges with a Scotch-Brite pad. Make sure again that the surface is dry and clean. After it is sanded and scuffed, wipe the area down with a damp paper towel and clean water. Step #8: Layout Design - This is where the job really gets fun! I’m sure by now you are tired of sanding and scuffing and all the boring stuff. We are going to be putting a simple scallop design on the tank and a stripe on the rear fender. I am laying out the design with fine line 3M tape. Using the fine line will allow you to bend tight curves and get an idea of where you want the graphics. Any design or style can be used here whether its flames, scallops, stripes, or two-tones. Personalization is the key here because everyone is going to have a different idea in mind for their bike. Once you have the design you want, start covering the area you do NOT want painted with masking tape. Simply cover the areas that you want to stay the same color because spraying the graphics will completely cover up the base color.

Step #9: Spraying Graphics - Make sure all areas are covered where you do not want graphics. Any color can be used for graphics. You can use any color for the graphics that you may desire, here we are using black. You will want to use a basecoat because the whole project is going to be re-cleared eventually. Spray the graphic color light and easy to make for a little less of a paint line in the end. Keep nice even coats until the base color is completely covered. Once even coverage is achieved pull all the tape off the panels to reveal the base color. More than one layer can be sprayed into the graphics as well. When all the graphics are done and colors are how you want them to look we will lock the colors down with a clear basecoat to get ready for pinstriping or regular clear coat if the job is done. Step #10: Outlining Graphics - On this project we are outlining the scallops with an off white pinstripe. We are laying all the stripes by hand with a long hair pinstriping brush. Sometimes you can do this on your own by laying an outline with fine line tape and painting it on but this takes hours of practice. Once the job is to this stage you can usually take it to your local pinstriper or custom shop to have it striped and then you can re-clear the panels yourself. By having someone do the pinstriping for you it will save you time and will give you a more professional look without spending a bunch of money. Pinstriping will also cover up any mistakes that may have been made while laying out the design.

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any artwork laid out on the bike and you will not be spending as much money as having the whole bike painted. On this bike we are doing a little bit of pinstriping on top of the tank and doing a big piece on each fender. I am laying down the off white first to match the outline color we have been using and then I am accenting it with a tan color that is close to the off white. Using 2 colors in the pinstriping makes for a more dramatic look and gives it some dimension. Again, any custom shop including myself will be more than happy to do the artwork or striping for you for a reasonable price so that you can have a nice job in the end without spending a ton of money for the whole job to be done. Just call the shop ahead of time to see how they prefer you to bring the bike to them. Step #12: Final Clear - When you have all the colors and graphics to your liking it is time to clear everything in. Nothing more has to be scuffed before clear as long as you are within a time window that allows the clear to adhere well enough. This window is usually 18 to 24 hours. It is important to clear the job within this time in order for everything to adhere properly. This is going to be the final layer

of the job and seal everything in. The same rules apply as what we used to clear the bike before. Wipe any contaminants off with a damp paper towel very carefully and allow a couple minutes to dry. I usually do 3 coats of clear but use your judgment and follow the manufactures specifications. When the clear has dried you are free to buff it, polish it, and put it back on the bike. Now you have a whole new look for the bike and are ready to hit the road again. Hopefully this has helped solve some of your questions and you are now a bit more knowledgeable about what it takes to paint a bike. Remember to have fun with it and the possibilities are endless!

Step #11: Freehand Pinstriping - This is an art in itself. I’m not going to go into how to learn to pinstripe or we would be here forever! Here again, you as the painter can take it to a pinstriper or custom shop to have Thunder Roads Magazine 17

Pennsylvania

FIREARMS REFRESHER COURSE October 30 Axis of Steel – A Motorcycle Experi-

1. “Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not.” ~Thomas Jeffer son

ence (Oct. 30 – Nov. 1) – Lancaster

2. Those who trade liberty for security have neither. ~John Adams

Convention Center

3. Free men do not ask permission to bear arms. 4. An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.

November 1 Eastern Pa Toy Run – Leesport, 29th Annual Delaware Valley A.B.A.T.E. Toy Run for the Kids

5. Only a government that is afraid of its citizens tries to control them. 6. Gun control is not about guns; it’s about control. 7. You only have the rights you are willing to fight for. 8. Know guns, know peace, know safety. No guns, no peace, no safety. 9. You don’t shoot to kill; you shoot to stay alive.

Philadelphia, Pa 29th Annual Delaware Valley ABATE Toy Run For the Kids

10. Assault is a behavior, not a device. 11. 64,999,987 firearms firearms owners killed no one yesterday.

Woman Rider Hi,This is Michelle checking back in, werve had some really great riding weather, hope you’ve had some time to enjoy it. First, I’d like to congratulate our Owner\Editor Robin Montgomery Lapp and Sales Staff Robin Keys for getting their motorcycle permits, Congratulations, Ladies!! It’s hard to believe that the Pennsylvania Edition of Thunder Roads is over 3 months old alreadylAs fast as my husband and I put them on the shelves, they’re gone,Thanks to all of our readers and sponsors for continuing to make’ TR a success!! Recently my husband and I went to our local parts house to pay our monthly bill,as I pulled into my parking spot,pulled the front brake and slightly tumed the handle bars,I lost my balance and that was it! I fell over! There I was on the ground, my leg pinned by my 850 pound bike,stunned and not knowing what to do I just laid there {what seemed like forever,was only a few seconds} My husband and his buddies came running over picked the bike up, and made sure I was okay .The only thing that was hurt was my pride and my confidence, I remember what our motorcycle safety instructor told us, Everybody will drop their bike at least once,

it happens to the best of us,especially “new’riders, I’ve also read some articles and stories from other women {and men} who have done the same thing, so then it started not to bother me so much. So after a few minutes, and some encouragement from my friends and my husband, I gained my composure and got right back on. So you see Ladies these “little incidents” are going to happen ,don’t let them get you down or be intimidated by them. Pick yourself up,get over it,get back on and keep on riding!! There are more and more Women riders out there and I hope and breathe some crisp Autumn air,Let’s make our statement! See Ya next time And maybe we’ll meet on the road somewhere, Michelle Johnson Check out this web site www.womenridersnow it continues to grow. So get out there ride, Women can ride!!!

November 7 Bros. M.C. Annual Toy Run-Birdsboro

13. The Second Amendment is in place in case the politicians ignore the others. 14. What part of ‘shall not be infringed’ do you NOT understand?

November 21

15. Guns have only two enemies; rust and politicians.

25th Annual L.V. Chapter of

16. When you remove the people’s right to bear arms, you create slaves.

A.B.A.T.E. - Trexlertown

17. The American Revolution would never have happened with gun control.

December 12 & 13 Lehigh Valley Motorcycle Extravaganza – Allentown, Agricultural Hall, Allentown Fairgrounds

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The Hills Are Alive With The Sound of …Motorcycles There’s a place where it doesn’t matter what you ride, just that you ride. It doesn’t matter if you wear black, brown, purple leathers or racing gear, where you come from, how old or young you are, or what color you are, just that you are. It doesn’t matter what “colors” you fly, or that you don’t fly any at all. There are no boundaries. Instead, there is great camaraderie. We truly are one! Sound far-fetched, like a bunch of crap? It can happen…and did happen at AMA’s International Women & Motorcycle Conference presented by Harley-Davidson and Buell. Unless you had your eyes closed, you noticed a marked increase in Colorado women riders recently. The 2009 AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference took place August 18-22 at 9280 feet in beautiful Keystone, Colorado. With 1,000 or more riders (mostly women), coming from all over the world, representing over more than 50 riding clubs, 40 states, Europe, Canada, UK, Japan and more, the group was as diverse as their machines. Riders came rolling in on cruisers, sport bikes, dual sports, trikes and more. The conference theme, Riding to New Heights, honoring the contributions of women riders past and present, was perfect and fitting. The atmosphere was electric, charged with anticipation, energy, and excitement. There were no “hot shots” coming in big rigs, trailers or vehicles hauling their motorcycles. We rode! The Colorado Rockies were alive with the sounds of 2 and 3 – wheeled machines. Pete & Alexandra terHorst coordinated the conference media and public relations activities, which included a President’s Reception on Wednesday afternoon, the 19th of August, providing opportunities to meet Rob Dingman, President of the AMA (American Motorcyclist Association) and visit up close with VIP’s. Later that evening, more than 800 motorcyclists attended the Opening Ceremony. Speakers included Leslie Porterfield who broke 3 land speed records in 2008, became a member of the 200 Club and was named AMA’s 2008 rider of the year, Karen Davidson, great granddaughter of HarleyDavidson’s co-founder William A. Davidson and Leslie Prevish who oversees women’s outreach for Harley-Davidson. Women’s Motocross Association National Champion and Keynote Speaker Ashley Fiolek addressed the crowd, using sign language, while her mother Roni interpreted. 18 yearold Ashley made racing history twice this year; She is the first female athlete in history to be signed with Honda’s factory team and

the first deaf medalist in X Games history. Emotions ran high, eyes welled with tears and the crowd came to it’s feet more than once as Ashley spoke of her racing roots, obstacles she has faced and adversity she has overcome in a sport with no clear career path for “girls”, doing what she loves to do. Deaf since birth, she said that has never been an obstacle. The biggest obstacle is achieving success in a male-dominated sport. There is no defined path for girls who race. Ashley is changing that, carving a path and helping to pave the way for generations to come. It was just day one of the conference and already one of the most phenomenal experiences I’ve ever had at any motorcycle event. Each day was filled with activities including seminars and training sessions on many topics of interest; roadside wrenching, safety, street strategies, accident scene management, riding “twisities,” guided tours, independent tours, dual sport riding, adventure riding and more. There were opportunities to shop at the vendor marketplace with lots of merchandise available; riding gear, jewelry, apparel, aftermarket parts, books, and some female specific items, like the H-D Riders Edge shirt stating, “I am not a backrest.” Demo rides were packed and for good reason. The many models provided by the manufacturers, BMW, Buell, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki, Kymko and Yamaha offered riders a broad range of choices. The 21- mile (and longer) route included riding around Lake Dillon and provided great opportunities to test handling of each machine in various road conditions and kept permanent smiles on all of our faces! Scheduled celebrations with entertainment, fashion shows, refreshments (and a shuttle bus), included a Barn Dance sponsored by Kawasaki and Denver dealer Fay Myers, and the International Street Party, hosted by the Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada (MCC). We’re sure that some worked in a stop at one of the local Blues Jams that went on all weekend. Dickey Betts, former Lead guitarist

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for The Allman Brothers Band played in Frisco, less than 10 miles from the conference. Closing ceremony keynote speaker adventure motorcyclist, Lois Pryce pulled up on a 750 cc Ural, loaded with gear, tents, sleeping bags, coolers, and husband in the sidecar. In 2003, Pryce, bored working in an office cubicle in England, quit her job, bought a 250cc dirt bike and set out on a 20,000-mile solo journey from Alaska to So. America, then a few years later, traveled from London to Cape Town, South Africa. Pryce captivated us all with accounts of her travels. “There were many naysayers that told me I’d be raped or murdered. There were often times I wondered, “What the hell do I think I’m doing? A pasty-faced red-headed white girl in Africa?” She rode through the Sahara desert, traveled on “roads” that were nothing more than mud puddles and at one point in her journey found herself riding in a mine field. Pryce says riding her bike lets her focus totally on the road, with no distractions like cell phones or radios. “All you need is to dress appropriately for the weather and enjoy the ride” Lois has written several books chronicling her adventures, including the title “Red Tape and White Knuckles” www.Loisontheloose.com The closing ceremony ended with lots of hugs and thousands of dollars in door prizes, including the grand prize –a trip for 2 to Australia, with 3 nights lodging in Sydney. The winner wasn’t present so the presenters were urged to call her for all of us to hear! She didn’t answer. She was probably riding! I think something amazing happened daily to all of us who attended this conference. For some, it was a chance to meet someone they admired, hear amazing stories of courage, tenacity and determination, make new friends, finally meet someone you’ve only talked to in the past, see a bear! For

others, it was just being in Colorado. Some found a new passion in dirt bike riding or dual sport riding. Everyone learned something new or was inspired in some way by someone or something that happened! It was a chance to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. It was sisters and brothers sharing a passion for the same thing… riding on 2 (or 3) wheels. Rob Dingman summed up the conference with one word “Incredible!” He credited all the hard work of Event Manager, Tigra Tsujikawa and his AMA team. “The conference was another example of how the AMA is ‘all things motorcycling’,” Dingman said. “The AMA welcomes all riders. It doesn’t matter if you are male or female, an off-road or cruiser rider, a commuter or a long-distance rider. If you are a motorcyclist, you belong in the AMA.”This conference the fifth, has been held every 3 years in the past. When I asked if they were going to wait another 3 years, the response was, “Probably not.” Thunder Roads Colorado male staff members commented: Joe Farrow - “From the youngest speaker and most outstanding young lady Ashley Fiolek to the oldest attendee, myself, I was completely blown away! I have never experienced an event like this before, but I would welcome the chance to do so again if you ladies would allow me to do so. You Rock!” Russ McCartney - “It was awesome!” Note: According to the latest survey conducted by the Motorcycle Industry Council, 5.7 million (23 percent) of the 25 million people who rode motorcycles last year were women. Linda McCartney For more photos, check out our website. www.thundercolorado.com, WomenAndMotorcycling.com. Video coverage of the conference is also available on the AMA’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/AmericanMotorcyclist.

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Reasons Why It’s Great To Be A Guy

36. You can wear a white shirt to a water park.

1. Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.

40. Michael Bolton doesn’t live in your universe.

2. You know stuff about tanks.

41. You can whip your shirt off on a hot day.

3. A five day vacation requires only one suitcase.

42. You don’t have to clean your apartment if the meter reader is coming by.

4. Monday Night Football.

43. Car mechanics tell you the truth.

5. Your bathroom lines are 80% shorter.

44. You don’t care if someone notices your new haircut.

6. You can open all your own jars.

45. You can watch a game in silence with your buddy for hours without even

7. Old friends don’t annoy you if you’ve lost or gained weight.

thinking: He must be mad at me.

8. Dry cleaners and haircutters don’t rob you blind.

46. You never misconstrue innocuous statements to mean your lover is about

9. When clicking through the channel, you don’t have to stall on every shot of

to leave you.

someone crying.

47. You get to jump up and slap stuff.

10. A beer gut does not make you invisible to the opposite sex.

48. One mood, all the time.

11. Guys in hockey masks don’t attack you.

49. You can admire Clint Eastwood without starving yourself to look like him.

12. You don’t have to lug a bag of useful stuff around everywhere you go.

50. You know at least 20 ways to open a beer bottle.

13. You can go to the bathroom without a support group.

51. Same work....more pay.

14. Your last name stays put.

52. Gray hair and wrinkles add character.

15. You can leave a hotel bed unmade.

53. Wedding Dress $2000; Tux rental $100.

16. When your work is criticized, you don’t have to panic that everyone

54. You don’t care if someone is talking about you behind your back.

secretly hates you.

55. You don’t mooch off others’ desserts.

17. You can kill your own food.

56. The remote is yours and yours alone.

18. The garage is all yours.

57. People never glance at your chest when you’re talking to them.

19. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.

58. ESPN’s sports center.

20. You see the humor in Terms of Endearment.

59. You can drop by to see a friend without bringing a little gift.

21. You never have to clean the toilet.

60. You have a normal and healthy relationship with your mother.

22. You can be showered and ready in 10 minutes.

61. You needn’t pretend you’re “freshening up” to go to the bathroom.

23. Wedding plans take care of themselves.

62. If you don’t call your buddy when you say you will, he won’t tell your

24. If someone forgets to invite you to something, he or she can still be your

friends you’ve changed.

friend.

63. Someday you’ll be a dirty old man.

25. Your underwear is $10 for a three pack.

64. If another guy shows up at the party in the same outfit, you might become

26. The National College Cheerleading Championship

lifelong buddies.

27. None of your co-workers have the power to make you cry.

65. Princess Di’s death was almost just another obituary.

28. You don’t have to shave below your neck.

66. If something mechanical didn’t work, you can bash it with a hammer and

29. If you’re 34 and single nobody notices.

throw it across the room.

30. Everything on your face stays its original color.

67. New shoes don’t cut, blister, or mangle your feet.

31. Chocolate is just another snack.

68. You don’t have to remember everyone’s birthdays and anniversaries.

32. You can be president.

69. Your pals can be trusted never to trap you with: “So... notice anything

33. You can quietly enjoy a car ride from the passenger seat.

different?”

34. Flowers fix everything.

70. Baywatch

35. You never have to worry about other people’s feelings.

71. There is always a game on somewhere.

37. Three pair of shoes are more than enough. 38. You can eat a banana in a hardware store. 39. You can say anything and not worry about what people think.

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PORK CHOPS STUFFED W/ A SUN-DRIED TOMATOES, SPINACH, GOAT & CREAM CHEESE Virgin Olive Oil (Keep in pour bottle next to stove) 2 Cloves of Garlic; Minced (You can also buy pre-minced garlic in bottle in produce refrigeration aisle) 8 Sun-Dried Tomatoes (Again, in the dried fruit section of your grocer’s) Diced 1 (10 oz.) Bag of Frozen Spinach; Thawed & Excess Water Wrung Out Into A Clean Kitchen Towel) 1 Full Palmful of Dried Thyme 1 Block of Goat Cheese; Leave Out On Counter for At Least Half Hour to Obtain Room Temp.) 1 Block of Cream Cheese; Room Temp 8 Center-Cut, Boneless Pork Chops 1 Box of Chicken Broth 1 Full Lemon for Zesting & Juicing 4 tsps. of Dijon Mustard Over medium heat, do a few laps around the pan with olive oil spout. Add your garlic and cook out for just a minute. Add the sun-dried diced tomatoes, wrung-out spinach, salt & pepper to taste and thyme. Cook until well combined; another couple minutes. Transfer to med. bowl and add both kinds of cheese and well blended. Set aside. Next, use a sharp knife and cut a pocket onto the thickest portion of pork chops. Do not cut all the way through to back. Just make a pocket. Stuff each pocket with your mixture. Do not overstuff. Pinch pocket closed. Add a few more turns of the olive oil, let warm and place chops back in same medium-hot skillet. Cook apprx. 4 mins. each side until golden brown. Remove to a platter and tent w/ alum. foil. Now, in a small bowl mix up box of chicken broth, entire lemon zest, 2 Tbls. of fresh lemon juice & Dijon mustard. Add broth mixture to skillet. Scrape up all those bottom-of-skillet bits as tons of flavor there. Let cook down only about 5 mins. Spoon some sauce over chops on platter, but also put excess sauce into a gravy boat for people wanting additional........and they will! This is such an easy dish to make and even people who swear they don’t like spinach will love it prepared this way....wait and see. Phenom!

SUPER EASY, CREAMY PASTA w/ BACON 1 Pkg. of Linguine 1 Med. Onion; Chopped (can buy pre-chopped) 1 Tbls. Olive Oil 2 Garlic Cloves; Minced (can buy pre-minced) 2 Tbls. All-Purpose Flour 1-1/2 Cups Heavy Whipping Cream 3 Eggs; Beaten 8 Strips of Crisply Cooked Bacon 1/2 Cup Grated Parmesan (buy in tub in cheese section at grocer’s) Cook linguine pasta. In a large skillet saute’ your onion in olive oil until tender. Cook your bacon on your broiler pan like I told you before, 350 degree oven, 15 mins. and it comes out perfect! Add garlic to your skillet, cook another minute. In small bowl, whisk flour & cream until smooth; stir gradually into skillet. Bring to a boil stirring constantly. Reduce heat down to med-low and let go for another minute until it thickens up. Remove from heat. Stir in a small amount of hot mixture into bowl w/ eggs to incorporate it so you won’t end up w/ scrambled eggs; return all to the skillet. Bring to a gentle boil & cook apprx. 2 mins. longer. Add your drained linguine to skillet. Stir in crumbled bacon & cheese. Mix thoroughly. This is an authentic skillet supper and is meant for (4) but with two healthy appetites it is gone, baby gone! Slurp!! TOFFEE POKE CAKE 1 Pkg. Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix 1 Jar Butterscotch-Caramel Ice Cream Topping 1 Large Tub of Cool Whip 3 Large Size “Heath” Candy Bars; Chopped Make cake according to directions. Cool, then place on serving plate. Using the handle of a wooden spoon, “POKE” holes all over cake top. Pour 3/4 cup of warmed caramel topping down into holes. Pour rest all over top of cake. Top generously with Cool Whip. Sprinkle entire cake with chopped Heath Bar candy. Refrigerate 2 hours before serving. How simple is this? and this is such a perfectly blended taste. Enjoy.

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Seats & SADDLES A man asked an American Indian what his wife’s name was. He replied, “She called Four Horse”. The man said, “That’s an unusual name for your wife. What does it mean?” The Indian answered, “It old Indian name. It mean, NAG, NAG, NAG, NAG!” A sheriff stops at a ranch and talks with an old farmer. He tells the farmer, ‘I need to inspect your ranch for illegally grown drugs.’ The old farmer says, ‘Okay, but don’t go in that field over there.’ The sheriff verbally explodes saying, ‘Mister, I have the authority of the Sheriff’s Department with me.’ Reaching into his rear pants pocket and removing his badge. The officer proudly displays it to the farmer. ‘See this badge? This badge means I am allowed to go wherever I wish on any land. No questions asked or answers given. Have I made myself clear? Do you understand?’ The old farmer nods politely and goes about his chores. Later, the old farmer hears loud screams and spies the sheriff running for his life and close behind is the farmer’s bull. With every step the bull is gaining ground on the officer. The sheriff is clearly terrified. The old farmer immediately sets down his tools, walks to the fence and yells at the top of his lungs.........’Your badge!......Show him your badge”! We went to breakfast at a restaurant where the ‘seniors’ special’ was two eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast for $2.99. ‘Sounds good,’ my wife said. ‘But I don’t want the eggs.’ ‘Then, I’ll have to charge you three dollars and forty-nine cents because you’re ordering a la carte,’ the waitress warned her. ‘You mean I’d have to pay more for not taking the eggs?’ my wife asked incredulously. ‘Yes, exactly’ stated the waitress. ‘I’ll take the special then,’ my wife said. ‘How do you want your eggs?’ the waitress asked. ‘Raw and in the shell,’ my wife replied. She took the two eggs home and baked a cake. * DON’T MESS WITH SENIORS!!! They’ve been around the block more than once! A blonde was shopping at Target and came across a shiny silver thermos.She was quite fascinated by it, so she picked it up and took it to the clerk To ask what it was. The clerk said, ‘Why, that’s a thermos..... it keeps hot things hot, and cold things cold.’ ‘Wow, said the blonde, ‘that’s amazing...I’m going to buy it!’ She took it to work the next day. Her boss saw it on her desk. ‘What ya’ got in your thermos?” The blonde proudly proclaimed, “two popsicles and some cocoa.”

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Note * (You have to read this joke with a full-on Forrest Gump accent) The day finally arrived. Forrest Gump dies and goes to Heaven. He is at the Pearly Gates, met by St. Peter himself. However, the gates are closed, and Forrest approaches the gatekeeper. St. Peter said, ‘Well, Forrest, it is certainly good to see you. We have heard a lot about you. I must tell you, though, that the place is filling up fast, and we have been administering an entrance examination for everyone. The test is short, but you have to pass it before you can get into Heaven.’ Forrest responds, ‘It sure is good to be here, St. Peter, sir. But nobody ever told me about any entrance exam. I sure hope that the test is not too hard. Life was a big enough test as it was.’ St. Peter continued, ‘Yes, I know, Forrest, but the test is only three questions. First: What two days of the week begin with the letter T? Second: How many seconds are there in a year? Third: What is God’s first name?’ Forrest leaves to think the questions over. He returns the next day and sees St. Peter, who waves him up, and says, ‘Now that you have had a chance to think the questions over, tell me your answers.’ Forrest replied, ‘Well, the first one -- which two days in the week begins with the letter ‘T’? Shucks, that one is easy. That would be Today and Tomorrow.’ The Saint’s eyes opened wide and he exclaimed, ‘Forrest, that is not what I was thinking, but you do have a point, and I guess I did not specify, so I will give you credit for that answer. How about the next one?’ asked St.. Peter. How many seconds in a year? Now that one is harder,’ replied Forrest, ‘but I thought extra hard about that, and I guess the only answer can be twelve.’ Astounded, St.. Peter said, ‘Twelve? Twelve? Forrest, how in Heaven’s name could you come up with twelve seconds in a year?’ Forrest replied, ‘I counted, there’s got to be twelve: January 2nd, February 2nd, March 2nd... ‘ Hold it,’ interrupts St. Peter. ‘I see where you are going with this, and I see your point, though that was not quite what I had in mind....but I will have to give you credit for that one, too. Let us go on with the third and final question. Can you tell me God’s first name’? ‘Sure,’ Forrest replied, it’s Andy.’ Andy?’ exclaimed an exasperated and frustrated St. Peter. ‘Ok, I can understand how you came up with your answers to my first two questions, but just how in the world did you come up with the name Andy as the first name of God?’ ‘Shucks, that was the easiest one of all,’ Forrest replied. ‘I learnt it from the song, ANDY WALKS WITH ME, ANDY TALKS WITH ME, ANDY TELLS ME I AM HIS OWN.’ St. Peter opened the Pearly Gates, and said: Run, Forrest, Run.’

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Wounded Warriors Ride

It was a beautiful fall morning, about 54 degrees and there wasn’t a cloud in the skyl We were converging on the WaWa in Gap , routes 30\41, to ride to the American Legion in Ephrata for The “Wounded Warriors Ride”.There were 10 or 12 of us meeting at 8:00am. We had coffee and shot the breeze until everyone arrived, we then headed for Ephrata. Upon arrival I couldn’t believe my eyes! There must have been upwards of 700 motorcycles there. Now let me tell you about how our being involved in this ride came about. I stop at WaWa just about every day and on one particular day I read the bulletin board,a flier had been posted “Covered Bridge Ride For Wounded Warriors” , this caught my attention as I am a Veteran; upon farther inspection I decided my wife and I were”in’,.I told a bunch of my buddies, who also told theirs. The tour was 75 miles through scenic Lancaster County, through 12 Covered Bridges. There was a $5.00 donation per rider and every penny was being sent to Walter Reed Medical Center in D.C. For Wounded Veterans. Jeff and Karen, who put the ride together were overwhelmed with the turn out, last year was the first ride and they had l2people show up This year there were over 300 riders! lAt any rate, $9.00 gets you an all you can eat breakfast and then you can register for the ride, so for $14.00 you can’t go wrong. We pulled out around I2:00,and it was something to see. Bikes in front and behind us as far as you could see! We were provided with directions and the route was clearly marked at each tum . We saw a few deer and other critters along the way and really enjoyed the covered bridges. They were nice to see and it’s cool that they’ve survived so many years through all the seasons and weather thrown at them. So next year keep your eyes peeled for the fliers, mark your calendars and join us for the third Covered Bridge Ride For Wounded Warriors. They gave up so much for us the least we can do is give up one Sunday and $5.00 for them and have fun too. Thanks And Ride On. J.D. Johnson Thunder Roads Magazine 28

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News Bytes GLOBAL MOTORCYCLE MARKET SALES PROJECTED TO RISE Global demand for motorcycles, including electric bicycles and mopeds, is forecast to increase 7.6% per year over the next five years, reaching 114 million units by 2013. “This growth is being fueled by rising standards of living in developing parts of the world, making motorcycles a more affordable alternative to walking, bicycling or using mass transit,” states a recent study of the worldwide motorcycle market. Sales value will expand at a slower pace, climbing 7.2 percent annually to $66.6 billion in 2013, because of an expected decline in salesweighted prices due to fast market growth in low priced electric motorcycles and smaller internal combustion engine (ICE) motorcycles. These and other trends, including market share and product segmentation, are presented in “World Motorcycles”, an industry analysis released September 23rd by The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based international business research firm. The study forecasts that electric motorcycles, which are extremely popular in China but account for a minimal share of demand in most other parts of the world, will register the strongest market advances. Sales of battery-powered bicycles, scooters and other two-wheelers will be driven by their generally lower purchase prices, low cost of operation and lack of harmful emissions. However, ICE motorcycles will continue to account for more than 95% of all demand outside of China in 2013. Researchers predict that the strongest rise in sales will be registered in the Africa/Mideast region due to several factors, including the fastest population growth of any region, the lowest median age and the lowest (but climbing) per capita GDP. Population increases and higher standards of living will also help stimulate demand in the Asia/Pacific region, which will post the second strongest gains, followed by Eastern Europe (rising from a very small current market base) and Latin America. China alone will account for 55% of all additional sales through 2013, spurred by very strong electric motorcycle demand and solidifying its position as the biggest national motorcycle market. Growth is also expected to be healthy in Indonesia and lower-volume markets like Nigeria, the Philippines and Vietnam. SCALED BACK STUDY OF MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS UNDERWAY The first major study of motorcycle crashes in nearly 30 years is underway in Los Angeles, as researchers attempt to pinpoint why resultant fatalities have soared over the last decade. The last in-depth investigation of motorcycle crashes in the U.S. -- the Hurt study -- was released in 1981. Efforts to update that information have been stymied by funding issues, reports the Los Angeles Times, and the study will be a scaled-down version of what was originally planned, and some motorcycle groups are criticizing the effort including a leading industry-backed safety group that says the sample size will be too small to properly resolve the questions. The National Transportation Safety Board originally recommended that the study include a sample size of 900 to 1,200 crashes. But researchers at Oklahoma State University, tapped to conduct the new study, said use of such a large sample would cost $10 million to $12 million, far exceeding the federal government’s $4.2-million estimate. The Motorcycle Crash Causation Study is currently moving forward with a sample size of

300 crashes. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation, a nonprofit group funded by major manufacturers, had offered $2.8 million in 2007 for a study if it included a sample size of 900 crashes, but the group refused to contribute to the abbreviated study because it “will not provide adequate sampling to achieve appropriate statistical significance and may not provide new insights,” the organization said in a statement. “This limited study will likely lend only a minimal degree of validation to the major, already known contributing motorcycle crash factors.” There are about 100,000 motorcycle crashes in the U.S. each year, 5,290 of which resulted in death in 2008. According to the MSF, major crash factors include rider error, such as overbraking and running wide in a curve; and alcohol involvement. YAMAHA FURTHER INVESTIGATES BRAIN STIMULATION WHILE RIDING Yamaha Motor has announced a second round of joint research into “Smart Aging” with Tohoku University in Japan on the subject of the relationship between motorcycle riding and brain stimulation. The focus of this research will be the measurement and analysis of the cause and effect relationship involved in the operation of various types of vehicles and brain stimulation and measuring the changes in such stimulation over time by means of data gathered from a long-term mass survey in the market. The findings of the first research project in 2008 included: When riding a motorcycle, the brain of the rider is stimulated; Differences in brain use and level of brain stimulation can be observed in motorcyclists who ride regularly and in motorcyclists who have not ridden for extended periods; Incorporating motorcycle riding into daily life improves various cognitive functions and has positive effects on mental and emotional health such as stress reduction. The second research project has now begun and Yamaha will provide motorcycles for the study, make its test courses available for subject testing, and solicit test participants and staff. Testing will continue through December, and Yamaha hopes the results will contribute to the vitalization of the motorcycle market. MEN AT HIGHER RISK OF HEARING LOSS From motorcycles to lawnmowers, life is full of noise, but new research shows that it presents a bigger danger for some people than others. A study of more than 5,000 people in the United States aged 20 to 69 found that males were three times as likely to have noise-related hearing loss as women. The research was recently presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery in San Diego, California. Occupational and recreational noise exposure, as well as service in the armed forces, are likely explanations for why men are at greater risk, said Dr. Hamid Djalilian of the University of California, Irvine, Medical Center, who collaborated on the research. While the study did not focus on specific root causes, anecdotally Djalilian sees patients whose hearing problems most likely stem from music at concerts or night clubs, or outdoor activities with “powered instrumentation” such as chain saws and motorcycles. Sound travels in the ear as vibrations of air molecules, and hearing loss can result from both duration and loudness. Activities

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News Bytes

such as hunting and motorcycle-riding, which men typically do more than women, create high levels of noise that may impair hearing. Some of the hearing damage is temporary, but a small portion is permanent, and these permanent losses accumulate over time because hair cells in the inner ear may not grow back after being damaged or destroyed.Noise-induced hearing loss is the number one preventable kind of hearing loss, experts say, and if you are concerned about losing your hearing while doing a noisy activity, wear earplugs.

BUELL MOTORCYCLE COMPANY OUT OF BUSINESS After 26 years of building American-made sportbikes, the Buell Motorcycle Company has reached the end of the road, and officials thanked their customers, employees and dealers for an unforgettable ride. “I will always be proud of what we have accomplished. It is a testimony to what a small group of passionate and inspired people can do, and with brilliant innovations, we’ve produced some of the best-handling bikes of all time,” said Buell Chairman and Chief Technical Officer Erik Buell. “I personally look forward to exploring how I can continue to work with Harley-Davidson to bring advanced product technology to riders.” Parent company Harley-Davidson announced that it will “discontinue” the Buell product line in the wake of dismal economic conditions and declining motorcycle sales, and will “focus both our effort and our investment on the Harley-Davidson brand, as we believe this provides an optimal path to sustained, meaningful long-term growth,” said Harley-Davidson CEO Keith Wandell.Buell Motorcycle Company President Jon Flickinger said a limited number of new Buell motorcycles remain available for sale through authorized dealerships, and also stressed that Harley-Davidson will continue to provide replacement parts and service through their dealership network and that warranty coverage will continue as normal for Buell motorcycles. Founded in 1983 by Erik Buell, the Buell Motorcycle Company has produced more than 135,000 motorcycles and won numerous design accolades and awards, as well as countless races and championships around the world, including the prestigious AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Championship in 2009. Harley-Davidson also announced that it would divest the MV Agusta/Cagiva properties, acquired last year at a cost of $109 million. AUSTRIALIAN BIKERS VICTORIOUS IN COURT Two members of the Finks MC who had been banned from meeting other bikers under strict anti-association laws passed in South Australia designed to disband outlawed “bikie gangs” by restricting their movements, appealed their case to the Supreme Court which has ruled the orders were invalid. Similar anti-bikie legislation is pending in Queensland and New South Wales, but members of the United Motorcycle Council, a biker lobby group formed in response to the laws, says the high court’s ruling should come as a warning to the government that such laws are “illegal and unconstitutional”. A UMC spokesman said the decision was a victory for members of clubs and organizations everywhere. “The laws give police unfettered power to use secret, false and illegally obtained evidence against individuals, take away the right to an open and fair trial, and reverse the time-honored presumption of inno-

cence,” said Ferret. “They trample long-standing legal and civil rights of all citizens, and they have no place in a democratic and civilized society.” WEIRD NEWS: MUSLIM EXTREMISTS BAN WOMEN FROM MOTORCYCLES Hamas, a militant Islamic political party that governs the Gaza Strip, has banned women from riding motorcycles. Effective immediately, Gaza women will not be allowed to drive motorbikes and men are forbidden from carrying them as passengers, raising fresh concerns over the movement’s ultra-conservative agenda. In a decision that would raise eyebrows in other parts of the globe, the Interior Ministry said it was banning women from two-wheelers to limit accidents and to “to preserve citizen safety and the stability of Palestinian society’s customs and traditions”. The group insists compliance with the campaign is voluntary and reflects Gaza’s conservative ways, but reports have surfaced of offenders being beaten or arrested. The move is the latest step in an “Islamification” campaign by Hamas, which has been classified as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and European Union. Hamas seeks to impose a strict interpretation of Islamic code, including obliging female lawyers to wear headscarves in court and attempting to ban the display of women’s underwear in shop windows. AIM ATTORNEY RALPH VINJE KILLED IN RIGHT-OFWAY VIOLATION Aid to Injured Motorcyclists is saddened to report that North Dakota A.I.M. Attorney Ralph Vinje, 67, of Bismarck, N.D. has died from injuries suffered in an accident while on his way to work. According to police reports, Vinje was northbound and was struck at an intersection by an eastbound car whose driver failed to obey a Yield sign. Vinje was a well-known attorney in the area, handling criminal defense and civil cases. He was a longtime Aid to Injured Motorcyclists attorney who served as legal counsel for the Confederation of Clubs of North Dakota and provided legal representation to motorcyclists in accident cases and other litigation proceedings. He represented ABATE of North Dakota in a battle over a noise ordinance in Bismarck that discriminated against motorcycle enthusiasts. Over the years, Vinje fought to stop a law that lowered the legal driving limit for alcohol from .10 BAC to .08, and also tried to prove sobriety checkpoints unconstitutional. In court, Vinje was known for his mild manner and calm demeanor, while outside of the courtroom he enjoyed the outdoors as an avid hunter, fisherman, traveler and motorcyclist who rode his motorcycle every Wednesday afternoon as long as the weather was good with the Freedom Riders Motorcycle Club. He also was part owner of the Broken Oar Bar in Mandan and was a Vietnam veteran who earned a Bronze Star for his service to our country. His daughter-in-law, Tiffany Johnson, told the newspaper that “He was a rebel spirit” who had helped scores of people with battles that needed fighting. QUOTABLE QUOTE: “A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.” Edward R. Murrow (1908-1965) U.S. broadcast journalist

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Brandon Lee Robinson Indianapolis, IN – 08-29-09 Well I’m finally getting around to writing my race report for Indy. Obviously most people are aware of my injuries, but I would like to break down my night from the highs until the low. Coming into this event I was so excited since this was our biggest race of the year. It runs in conjunction with the Moto GP at the brickyard, so it means there will be so many people attending both events. Not to mention the fact that the Indy mile was going to be televised on the Speed channel. Before practice I felt confident as I knew I had a fast bike and as long as we could hit the handling part I knew we would be set. The first practice was amazing. It was the first time I truly was able to go wide open on my Lancaster H-D XR 750. The track was in prime shape at that point and I came off the track with a smile ear to ear just having a blast. Unfortunately my times were not where I wanted them to be and I was sitting around 18th place. The following session I dropped a few more spots as the track seemed to be grooving up and becoming inconsistent. The final session we made a gearing change and it made the bike to slow and I lost even more time and when everything in timed qualifying was said and done I was sitting in 30th place. It was the worst I qualified at a GNC national this year and I was a bit bummed. One thing I was happy about was the groove was starting to form and I thought we would have a better groove set up compared to a cushion set up. I was in the last heat on the night on the second row. I got as good of a start as you could from the second row and I im-

mediately started working on the guys in front of me. I had a race long battle with Jethro Halbert and Mick Kirkness for the final transfer spot and in the end I came up a bit short in 6th place. Next up was the semi and I didn’t get that good of a start. I sat in 5th place for the first three laps. I slowly made my way to the front and once I got there I believe I led it to the line every lap afterwards. I had a great battle with AJ Eslick, Don Taylor, and Steve Murray as we were switching positions every straight. It was a wild almost four wide finish in our semi, which I was able to come away with the win and a transfer spot to the big dance. I was so excited to make the main after missing it the year before. As the green light flashed I had a pretty good jump, but as we started to enter the first turn Henry Wiles hit the ground. I went wide to miss running over Henry Wiles, but his bike had already collected Jethro Halbert and his bike collected Shaun Russell who was right in front of me. I had nowhere to go and ran right into Shaun Russell’s machine and got air born. I landed on the air fence and it made a trampoline effect as it bounced me up and off my machine and over the fence around 15 foot in the air. Apparently I hit a light pole which dropped me straight to the ground. My Indy main event was short lived as I was taken to the hospital with a broken pelvis in three spots, fractured hip bone in five spots which splintered into many more, and a broken hip socket. It took two surgeries, twenty screws, three plates, and 120 some staples to put me back together. I have to send a shout out to Joe Hartrich from Tepic Leathers and Rob Miller from Arai Helmets for their support. I didn’t have a physical scratch on my body and I never lost consciousness thanks to these great products and I highly recommend them to anyone involved in the motorsports industry. I want to thank everyone who has signed my guestbook, emailed me, or sent me cards of well wishes as each and every one of them has helped lift my spirits. I have a very long road ahead of me and I will continue to look them over to give me the inspiration to keep pushing forward. Once again thank you to all my well wishers, my friends, sponsors, and most importantly my family for all of their support. I hope someday in the future I will be able to fling a leg over a bike and be able to continue pursuing my dreams of becoming the best I can. I will continue to update everyone on my progress on a weekly basis via my website www.BRobinson44.com . Thanks Again, Brandon

Thunder Roads Magazine 32

Thunder Roads Magazine 33

Tech Tips Harley Hop-Up by Kirby Apathy

This Month we are going to explore the mysterious world of head porting. A lot of people want it, but few understand why or how their heads work in conjunction with the rest of their motor. A lot of riders come in and say they want Screamin’Eagle heads, usually because some buddy told them they read an article about the monstrous gains in horsepower and torque they would gain. What they are surprised to learn is that in most cases airflow (cfm) can be equaled or surpassed by porting their stock heads. At Vee Twin Performance, our stage II head package easily outflows the SE heads and our stage III heads flow the same as HTCC heads. There are many aftermarket heads out there, some good and some not much better than stock, but before you run out and buy you need to understand the heads, porting and flow. So here we go, Cylinder head flow is directly proportional to horsepower your motor will produce. In other words a big bad ass motor will not produce its ultimate power without a good set of heads. Your heads need to flow in accordance with your needs. This is where many folks mess up thinking that if they make their ports as big as possible and install bi valves they will gain power, that is wrong! Too big of ports will cause your “air to lose velocity and even possibly stagnate. In this situation your motor would not create power unless you were at 15,000rpms and would fall flat under 4500rpms. The secret to proper heads is to increase the airflow while keeping the air velocity (the actual speed of the air) as high as possible. This is achieved by carefully re-contouring the ports reduce any restrictions or friction on the port walls. The hardest part is the short side (bottom) of the port and getting air around the valve. As far as friction, one would think that polishing the port walls to a mirror finish would be great. This is the answer for the exhaust ports but the intake ports need slightly rough

walls (60 grit) to atomize the fuel. To understand the difference between fuel burn when atomized, you could (but don’t) take a spray bottle with gas in it, set it to stream and spray into a lit lighter, then do the same again with the bottle on mist, you would see the gas would burn much faster and more complete, AGAIN, DO NOT TRY THIS! As far as engine designs go, the airflow in a Harley is at a disadvantage right off the bat with the manifold and port configuration. Picture “A” shows a good metric bike port and picture “B” shows that of a typical Evo or TC. Just by comparing the two pictures you can see the metric port will flow much better. Now, the trick is to make the Harley port flow as much as possible and we need to start by concentrating on the short side, (or the floor of the port) to get the air to flow around the guild and more importantly around the valve. Looking back to picture “B”, we can see where the loss of flow occurs, First, is where the valve seat overhangs into the port (this is a big problem with many aftermarket heads). The second restriction you see is the short side of the port not having a smooth radius and the floor not being wide (flat) enough. Another place we need to improve flow is in front and back of the guide. The valve Job itself can make or break a good-ported head. We like to use as many blended angles as possible with a .040-.050 actual 45-degree cut. Another restriction to deal with is the port being shrouded by material in the combustion chamber. Picture “C” shows what a good Harley port will look like. The cross section shows the other areas of improvement. STD heads have a 3/8 raised port that is probably the best port out of any of the aftermarket heads (they offer a round or oval version). Now valve sizes. The size of the valve is very important to the amount of cfm (cubic feet per minute) that will pass through the port, but this must be matched to the engine size (once again, bigger is not always better) and is also limited by the bore size. 1.900”-2.00” are best sizes for most big twins with a displacement up to 110”. They are also about the biggest that can be fit into stock casings. Ok, so now you want your heads ported shop carefully as there are many “anybody can do this” porters out there and we end up trying to fix bad port jobs on a regular basis. Make sure they have a flowbench, ask the shop how long they have been porting heads, how experienced are they? Do they race? This is important because racers have done most anything possible that you can thin of when it comes to heads and porting. I hope I have answered your questions about porting and polishing heads and what it actually does for your motor. If you have more questions, feel free to call me or email me. Kirby Apathy www.veetwinperformance.com

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Dave Barr Raises the Bar By Lisa Price Waltman 83,000 miles ridden encircling the world on a Harley Davidson is probably impressive enough. 13,000 miles across Europe, Russia, and Siberia (in the dead of winter) and traversing the four extreme geographical points of the Australian mainland is nothing to scoff at and certainly warrants the two Guinness World record titles he holds. But watching Dave Barr in action, on or off of his Harley, is nothing short of amazing. A former Marine, a member of three additional global military forces and a double leg amputee, Barr walks the walk of his motto: “There is no great accomplishment without great risk.” Leading a nationwide group of riders recently in the first annual Honor Run, sponsored by the 1st Marine Division Association, Barr took time to speak to a group in Golden, Colorado, and others across the country about courage, integrity, and false heroes. “A professional athlete who knowingly breaks the law is “punished” with a small monetary fine, a two game suspension and we reward him by buying more of his jerseys.” Barr said. “A recording artist brags in his lyrics about hurting others, especially women, and what do we do? …we buy more of their CD’s. These are NOT our heroes and shame on us for treating them as such!” Barr said. In front of a packed auditorium in Beaver, Utah, Barr spoke to high school students and staff about personal choices, actions and consequences. Never boasting on himself as if to say: “Look what I’ve done and I’m supposedly ‘disabled’.” Barr carried his message of courage and leadership to hundreds of captivated listeners who just minutes before believed that forty-five minutes of time out of class and extra text messaging opportunities were to be the highlight of their day. Their facial expressions, the closed books and deactivated phones illustrated their immediate attitude adjustment. “If you get up in the morning and you look in the mirror and see your best friend, you will be able to say to yourself: “I CAN!” to anything that challenges you.” Barr said. “But if in that mirror you see an enemy, your thoughts and actions will be “I can’t.” he said. “But YOU can change that…you can be that difference in your own life…don’t make it someone else’s responsibility… it is entirely yours!” Barr said with exuding passion and determination. Barr, an advocate for the true heroes; the military and disabled, led The Honor Run, an 8,000 mile motorcycle ride from Washington, D.C., to Foothill Ranch, CA, during August and September of 2009, raising awareness and funds to help build a Fisher House, a “home-awayfrom-home” for injured and recovering military and veterans. With nearly 2,000 total riders registered, Barr was unshakable in leading the way and keeping the purpose of the ride on the hearts and minds of everyone encountered. “Our military deserve so much more than any one of us can individually give. But collectively we can make a huge difference.” Barr said as he straps on his helmet (and his legs) and takes on the next 400 miles of the day. Truly amazing.

For more information on Dave Barr visit: www.davebarr. com or visit The Honor Run at www.thehonorrun.org. Please take the time to review the information on their website, show your support and join us next year. The Fisher House Foundation has an A+ rating from Charity Watch.

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