Cycle Source Magazine - Issue 292 August 22

6 August ‘22 - Cycle SOURCE MAGAZINE FEATURESBIKESTECH Surf Coast PolishingFirstLegendsHighneckSleezyAButlerMarkStevens1946Knuckle............................................................................22BoardTrackerUK883SportsterReinvisioned..................................................................40SlipperMadFab'sDivorcedIronhead.........................................................................58ThrowdownJeffZ's1987FXRS.....................................................................................................70SiouxCityPrettyNieman's1972Shovelhead..............................................................................80RosiePosieVagabondChoppers78FLH..............................................................................90ChopperDutchGarageBuild..............................................................................................94Daytona22Sun,Rain,AndRacesAtTheSeasonOpener............................................10CycleShowcaseSTLBigRandyDoesItAgainAndBetterThanEver.......................................32Willie'sWinners2022ChopperTimeStandOuts.....................................................................38HistoryOfTheSmokeOutTheEventThatLaunchedA20YearMovement.....................................46&LegaciesTheOG'sAndTheNewbiesOfSmokeOut...................................................52RideOnTheNightsterYou’reGoingToHateIt,AndThat’sOkay..................................................64AndTheWinnerIsWhoTookHomeTheHardwareInDaytona...........................................101DaytonaPerformanceAQuicklyGrowingSceneAtBikeWeek..................................................103Crimpin’MyStyleTips&TricksOnGettingTheBestCrimp...................................................18101TheBasicsForGettingTheBestShine......................................................28TestYourJetsBaxter'sGarageTellsUsWhatToLookFor...............................................54 10 32 58

70 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 7 EDITORIAL OFFICE The Cycle Source Magazine 118 Dellenbaugh Road Tarentum, PA 15084 For Any Questions Or Comments Please Call 724-226-2867 or e-mail cyclesourcemain@comcast.net EDITORIAL STAFF Christopher Callen - Editor In Chief - cyclesource69@comcast.net Heather Callen - Managing Editor - cyclesourcemain@comcast.net Kevin Baxter- Tech Editor - Kevin@baxtersgarage.com Milwaukee Mike - Mid-West Editor - neanderthalneon@hotmail.com Roadside Marty - South East Editor - roadsidemd@bellsouth.net Keith “Bandit” Ball - News Editor - bandit@bikernet.com STAFF WRITERS Chris Callen, Milwaukee Mike, Jack Schit, Pat Jansen, Xavier Muriel, Charlie Weisel, Mitch Bodine, Amelia Rose, Daniel Donley, Joshua Elzey, Jimmy Frizzell, Roadside Marty, Heather Cal len, Dan Venditto, Melissa Shoemaker, Troy Bensinger, Jason Hallman, Chip Parisi, Matt Reel STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Chris Callen, Heather Callen, Mad Stork Ken, Twila Knight, Dan Venditto, Melissa Shoemaker, Deb Fitch CONTRIBUTORS Erick Runyon, Panhead Jim, Scott Wheeler STAFF ARTISTS Chris Callen ADVERTISING Heather Callen- Sales Manager - cyclesourcemain@comcast.net GRAPHIC ARTISTS Chris Callen, Heather Callen DISTRIBUTION Comag 5230 Finch Ave. E., Ste. 1, Toronto, ON, M1S 4Z9 Cycle Source - Dealership Direct Distribution 724-226-2867 CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Heather Callen - 724-226-2867 COPY EDITOR Judy Duggan LEGAL COUNSEL James L. Paz Attorney at Law - Tarentum, PA - 724-226-9PAZ For Any Subscription Questions Call 724-226-2867 The Cycle Source Magazine® (ISSN 1935-0287) is published 10 times a year by The Cycle Source Magazine with Offices at 118 Dellenbaugh Road Tarentum, PA 15084, 724-226-2867, www.cyclesource.com. U.S. Sub scription rate is $40.00 for 10 issues. Canadian Subscription rate is $50.00 for 10 issues. Back Issues, when available, are $7.99 each, payable in ad vance. Periodicals postage paid at Tarentum, PA ad additional mailing of fices. The Cycle Source Magazine® reserves the right to reject any advertis ing or contributions that it deems unsuitable. Opinions expressed are those of the author and not of The Cycle Source Magazine®. Nothing printed in The Cycle Source Magazine® can be re-printed in whole or part without the express written consent of the publishers. Copyright ® 2022. The Cycle Source Magazine®, A Grass Roots Motorcycle PublicationSM, Scooter Tramp ™ Wild Man™ Low Down & Dirty Rotten™ Grease & Gears Garage™ Grease & Gears TV™ Grease & Gears Garage Roadshow™ ShopTalk™ Do It Your Damn Self™ Inslide Line™ and SmokeOut™ are registered trade marks.

From The Editor’s Desk .................................................... 8 Pin-UpOfTheMonth.......................................................16 TheInNewGreatChopperKillin'TimeWithX............................................................50Charlie...............................................................76AmericanRoadChip.........................................86PhotoHunt...........................................................................93GutBusters........................................................................114ProductsHotOffTheShelf......................................................................................................68TheNewsWorldReportPoweredbyBikerNet.com.........................................106 SPARE DEPARTMENTSPARTS 22 18 80 40 94 54

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Cycle Source Magazine 119 Dellenbaugh Rd. Tarentum, PA 15084 ABOUT THE COVER Ok, we're starting to lose count of how many killer customs Brock Bridges has built, but we'll be damned if so far they aren't all cover worthy. This one is no exception, as a matter of fact, you're probably going to want to look at it several times to take in all of the engineering and ingenuity of this Ironhead. We're thrilled to have it on the cover.

8 August ‘22 - Cycle SOURCE MAGAZINE

l et’s have a little talk about inspiration. You see, I get to hear from hundreds of bike builders and artists alike who or what their inspiration is, but do you ever wonder where that inspiration comes from? Well, dear reader, in this short offering, I have a mind to bring together a couple of things that we have been talking about. I would put it to you that inspiration that is derived from having respect for something or someone is due to the fact that there is respect in the first place. Now, how do we trace back respect and its origin is another thing entirely, but let’s stick withForinspiration.something to earn a level of respect that inspires other people, I believe it must adhere to a particular set of values, at least in the motorcycle thing. It must rise above the petty bullshit around us, span time over several generations, or be the product of hard work. A buddy of mine consistently uses the words “Cheat Codes” when he talks about people taking shortcuts to get immediate gratification. Now take, for example, a bike builder inspired by one of the OGs and loves his style and builds a bike that is heavily influenced by it. That’s all good; however, the lack of respect that can be shown by not admitting that these attributes are influenced by that builder starts to damage the whole process. To go further, and I know you’ve seen this as well, for that newer builder to take his first or second motorcycle out to the world and claim his place among the top of the pile, well, that’s just dog shit. Now, I can play out scenarios like this with about any other part of our culture today. Everything from art to bike parts to events can inspire other people to do their own thing, but doing it without giving props to where it came from is shady. Instead of rewarding these offenders, like we do all too often, they should be shunned. But the great social media and all its rules of engagement make it impossible to call bullshit today. And let’s not forget that the entire world is preoccupied with the lame-ass idea that we should all just love each other, even though that’s just a smoke screen for hidden agendas. So rather than sitting here and complaining about why the board is tilted, I decided to give you an example of one of my inspirations; The Horse Backstreet Choppers Magazine. Ok, go ahead and let the hate mail happen, but the truth is, they did inspire so many of us. Now by the end of their run, it’s true that the American Newsstand went to shit, and they were forced to close the operations, and while I can’t speak on how that went down, I can tell you that there was probably nothing harder for them to do than make that decision. That said, let’s move on to the meat of this article. What I have realized without the benefit of the regular monthly offerings from that staff is that they were arbiters of truth and frequently helped deliver consequences. While we at Cycle Source have always kinda been in the middle ground, The Horse didn’t have a problem hanging somebody’s bullshit out in front of the nation. That used to seem rash to me until I realized that without them serving as watchdogs, the lunatics are running the asylum. They were leaders in our community, glorifying our accomplishments and keeping the whole system in check.

Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t always agree with what they said sometimes, it pissed me off too, but it is this very thought-provoking action that seems to be lacking in today’s motorcycle culture. Now, instead, we have daily affirmations of how blessed we are, and if anyone does have anything to say about somebody using a cheat code or offending the values, well, the post is taken down, and we never talk about it again. Otherwise, the whole system goes on with little heart-hand emojis and “Love You Bro” comments. No wonder we have changed the meaning of the word biker to the point that no one wants to use it anymore. If we met a real biker today, they’d kick ourAllasses.ofthis came up over the past two months while I have been working on the History Of The SmokeOut article, which you can read in this issue. We seem to be short on any great accomplishments these days, and I wonder if we policed this thing a little better, made sure that it mattered a little more if that stature of greatness would be more prevalent. Anyway, hats off to everyone that worked at The Horse. Much of what you did is sorely missed today.

10 August ‘22 - Cycle SOURCE MAGAZINE

August ‘22 - Cycle Source mAGAZINE 11 see, normally when I’m doing something dangerous she reminds me that the magazine needs me and if I get hurt... you know. But for some reason, she lit a fire under my ass that had me 10 seconds faster on my lap times from Biketoberfest. Once again, thanks to my brother Tom Keefer for allowing me to pilot his 1916 J model for these races. Other news from Sons Of Speed saw newcomer, Tom Banks, pilot his single to his first of what I’m sure will be many checkered flags. A new face in the management of the organization, Andy George, whom you may recognize from h my God, is it good to get back to Daytona every year! This year that seemed even more so since we had never really let off the gas over the winter. No matter how hard we tried, we just never seemed to get back on schedule. The Dennis Kirk FXR was waaaaay far from being done, despite working on it on and situationaIturnsthethroughoutoffyear.Itoutthatreallyneedlast-minuteto finish any bike, I guess. Luckily, Jason opened up Cycle Stop for me to cram for this exam the week before Bike Week. I showed up with the sheet metal still drying and screwed down to the desks in the van. So it was a crazy week, but come to think of it, kinda par for the course for this crew. Anyway, we made the deadline by the skin of our teeth and pulled into Daytona just in time for Sons Of Speed practice at New Symrna Speedway on Friday. Heather had given me some much needed advice and told me that if I was gonna do this, then go do it. You o

performance thing continues to mature, John is starting to gather the best from the scene in one spot.That same day Warren Lane opened the festivities at the Broken Spoke. True Grit, as it’s named, is a gathering of antique, vintage, and old choppers,

his years at Hot Leathers, is now the point man for the racers and management of everything SOS. It was noticeable right away, and his influence will be a welcome addition. I still can’t find words to explain how incredible a day at this event is. If you haven’t been yet, I suggest it. Somehow I managed to keep Tom’s bike on two wheels, and while I didn’t get a win, I made the mains, which was great forWithme. racing behind us, it was time to kick Daytona into gear. We started by attending Flying Pistons builder breakfast theshowDaytona!thetowardsJohnShow.PerformanceCyclesHardcorerightwhichRossymeyers,atledintotheMan,isworkingbeingKingofThiswasoffrails.Asthe

Article By: Chirs Callen Photos By: Missi Shoemaker

and man, the Spoke was a sea of ‘em. Warren prides himself on a loose schedule and hands out some awards basically for bikes he likes. It’s a refreshing twist on bike shows, and everyone enjoyed the day. At the Speedway the other Lane, Billy was unveiling his Cool Hand Speedco bikes. These limited edition motorcycles will be like hens teeth by the time they are ready for the streets. All will be titled as Harley and Indians and modeled after his Crocker. What we thought was gonna be a long end of every day was actually one of the best parts. We had taken up an offer to stay at the Spring Garden Ranch out by Deleon Springs. This 20-minute drive was well worth it as we spent dawn each day watching trainers exercise the Harness Racing horses. It was the best way I’ve ever started the chaotic work days of Daytona. Monday was the Torque Performance Show at the Spoke. It was very well attended despite there being another show that same day. Big thanks to NAMZ, Spectro, Klock Werks, Law Tigers, Twin Power, Toce, Sawicki, and S&S for their support. Best of Show was Tom Keefer with his bitchin’ little FXR-T. Later that night, we unveiled the Dennis Kirk Ride-AWay Give-A-Way bike, still fresh off the stand. Special thanks to Steve Broyles and Dan Toce for the lastminute hustle in helping me get the final details tied up. Tuesday was a long one. We had our bike Show at the Spoke, where Brandon Keene took top honors. The joint was packed again, and it seemed like we gave away a dump truck full of hardware and prizes. That night, Toce’s place on Beach Street was the spot. We had advertised Tacos and Burnouts, but it was just supposed to be a small gathering of friends and family. At first, it seemed just like that until the flood gates opened, and we ended up at his shop until the wee hours watching everything from the latest innovations in performance to old slungback seventies choppers roll in and out of the lot. Even a group of the Hamsters rolled in to put the OG stamp on our first shindig at the Toce compound. I should mention that a host of events were going on at the Speedway. An unnamed corporate sponsor was paying big money to get influencers to bring new shows

12 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 13 to Daytona, but we missed most of those, so look for other reports about that. To be fair, there is almost nothing worth the hassle of getting in and out of that venue for meWednesdayso..... was the Perewitz Paint Show at the Spoke. Since we had not stopped to do anything for our own motorcycle habit and we had a reporter at that show, Heather and I agreed to meet Roadside and his daddy at the Volusia Swap Meet. There is one thing to be said for just snooping around the Dayton Swapmeet, quite another when you get to do it with Mr. Shelton Davis. That man has forgotten more about what fits what than I’ll ever learn, and he hasn’t forgotten much. Of course, I had to get the mandatory hamburger at the swap meet, and Heather got ice cream. In other words, it was a banner afternoon. We made it back to the Paint Show for awards, and they got them off just as the skies opened up. It seemed odd to me at first. I can’t remember the last time we had a rainy Daytona, but sure enough, proof that God is a biker, every day it seemed that just after the show of the day was over, it would rain like hell, then clear up for the night. It was like they did it on purpose to chase us all off the streets for a big reset.Thursday, there is only one thing to talk about in Daytona: Willie’s Tropical Tattoo’s Chopper Time. Despite another day of threatening storms, attendance was anything

14 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE but lackluster. The front lot was full of bikes, and the back was groovin to music by Big Rick and the boyz. The whole thing almost went off without any rain, but right near awards, it started to come down. To their credit, nobody left. Yeah, it’s that kinda crowd! As a matter of fact, most people stayed way longer than they typically do. We hurried and popped up some extra easy-ups, and everyone huddled together to hear Roadside Marty insult the winners. It was officially Daytona!Friday brought the Dennis Kirk Garage Build Show, and man, it does my heart good to see that this show has taken its place as a staple of the big rallies. A show just for the garage builders and as diverse as the motorcycle community is today. The winners for that and our bike show can be seen in this very issue. By the end of the week, we were beat up from the feet up, just like a good Daytona should do to you. You need to take in as much of this as you can since no matter if you are going home to sunshine or if you, like us, have to go back to the freezing ass cold, it’s the memories you make at Daytona that will get you through the next few weeks of work and family bullshit you have to endure for taking time off. We were lucky as hell that our host back at the ranch, Phat Phill, is a master at the Low Country Boil. Sunday night, he treated us to a five-star version of this simple meal, and when I tell you the shrimp were buttery soft and so full of flavor, ok, now I’m Beforehungry.weknew it, we were saying our goodbyes. That usually consists of meeting up with different groups outside Willie’s to bid each other a safe journey until we meet again. That has to be the hardest part of these gatherings; as the years go on, you never know who may or may not be at the next one. There’s something to take away from that. These are the best days of our lives, with each other, doing motorcycle shit! In the immortal words of Jay Allen, there will only be One Daytona ‘22. I hope you didn’t miss it!

aking your own spark plug wires is easy and very cost effective. Here I’m using a set of crimpers from RM Stator. These come with jaws to do double crimps on wiring terminals; there just like crimps on a factory wiring harness. With a little searching on the web, I found some replacement jaws from MSD that crimp plug, and coil wire terminals and they do a fantastic job.

www.pandemoniumcustomchoppers.comArticleAndPhotosBy:DanielDonley

These crimp dies also have a stripper so you can expose about ½” of the solid core wire and then bend it back over the outside of the wire.

m

18 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

I am using solid core plug wire from NAPA and terminals and boots from Taylor Products. I smear some dielectric grease on the plug wire, which helps the coil boot slide easily about 4-6 inches from the end.

The beauty here is having the right tools to do a proper job. You can do this whenever you need a set of plug wires and make them the exact length you need. I then place the coil terminal in the crimper and ratchet to hold it in place. Insert the plug wire with the bend to the outside facing down and continue ratcheting until the crimper releases. Changing the crimp die is very straightforward, remove a couple screws, remove the dies, and install the other dies. Then put the screws back in. It’s a piece of cake.

CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE - August ‘22 19

These crimp dies come with the RM Stator crimpers and will do a double crimp. This means they crimp the wire and the PVC wire coating in one action (Double Crimp).

A Beautiful Crimp!! Just like factory wires! Now, slide the boot over the terminal, and you’re done!

20 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE With some wire strippers, strip off about ¼” of the PVC coating and then twist the wire tight You will notice that the dies have a large and small crimp size. Large size crimps onto the PVC wire coating and the small side crimps onto the wire. Ratchet into place and squeeze firmly until the crimpers release. As you can see in the results, these crimpers produce professional results. I tried a single crimp eyelet just for fun, and I was not disappointed. Check out RM Stator -Crimper Kits Hugh’s Handbuilt- Crimper NAPA – Plug Wire Pertronix -Taylor Wire products It’s always good practice to use dielectric grease on all electrical connections and plugs to reduce moisture and corrosion. If there is something that you would like to see a Tech article on or have any questions call (419-576-6812) or email (happydandemonium@gmail. com)me at the shop anytime. FB - Pandemonium Custom Choppers IG –pandemoniumcustomchoppers.com@pandemoniumc2

representation of the 1960s style custom that was built to be ridden around the central Florida Atlantic Ocean. The motor and frame were found in Pennsylvania. The transmission was sourced from Texas and was rebuilt by Bryan Henke. The motor was sent to one of the best in the business Dan “Bacon” Carr of DC Choppers, who rebuilt the Knuck to stock 74” specs. The ignition was provided by the time-tested

friends, I’m a sucker for traditional style choppers with any type of Harley Davidson engine configuration, but when it’s powered by a genuine Knucklehead like the beauty on these pages, well then, you certainly have my attention! Mark Stevens, from beautiful Ormond Beach, Florida, carries the paper to this sweet machine. He told me that after Daytona Bike Week 2019, he got the bug to build another custom bike…possibly his last. He already had one 47 Knuckle and thought, why not. So the decision was made to use another Knuckle as the platform. Yeah, Yeah, I can hear it now… like one Knucklehead ain’tFromenough!the beginning, Mark had a pretty good idea of how he wanted the bike to look. He decided the build would be a rideable vintage chopper/ bobber. He wanted a true

22 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

Article By: Roadside Marty Photos By: Missi Shoemaker CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE - August ‘22 23

24 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE Morris Magneto, and the fuel is fed through a Linkert M74B carburetor. Love them or hate them, a Linkert that’s tuned correctly will run just fine! That sweet air cleaner was made by Mark himself. A 1 1/2’’ BDL belt drive was used while a set of V-Twin steel primaries were brought to keep them covered. A set of Paughco upsweep pipes with the timeless fishtail tips were used to expel the spent gasses, and man, do they sound crisp!

The 62 transmission is an OEM Harley 4 speed that carries a twisted stainless jockey handle with a shift knob that perfectly matches the paint job. The frame is a stock 46/47 “bull neck” Harley frame with a stock 30-degree rake and all of its original tabs and brackets except for tool box mount and fat bob mounts. If you’re wondering about the bull neck description, that helps identify the 1946 and 1947 frames because there’s a very distinct extension of material at the bottom of the neck. The springer front end is also a 46 to 48 item as it’s an “offset” springer which means the neck stem and the springer legs have a slight offset to them instead of being in a straight line with each other. It does retain its original stock

CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE - August ‘22 25 length. The front wheel is the traditional 21” star hub front wheel which uses the stock Harley drum brake, while the rear rolls on an 18” star hub and uses the stock Harley mechanical drum rear. The bars are 11” stainless steel mini ape hangers made by Arie Vee at Vee Choppers. They sit inside custom dog bone risers that Mark fabricated. The fine guys at Prism Supply are responsible for the grips that utilize an Ultima internal throttle with Bates linkage, while the grip collars are more of Mark’s handiwork. The stock rocker clutch and rear brake pedal are also V-Twin items, as are the oil tank and oil filter. The solo seat is a custom Bates style by Mother Road Customs, and Mark added the rear grab rail. The headlight is aftermarket 4 1/2”.  Gabe Kajimura at After Hours Choppers sent the taillight that keeps it legal. That beautiful stainless steel sissy bar at the perfect 12 oclock position was bent by Mark. I almost forgot that everyone’s favorite shop

HandRisers:Bars:ACCESSORIES11”SSapesmarkstevensControls:ultima internal throttle Foot Controls: stock Gas Tank(s): wassell Oil Tank: stock Front fender: None Rear Fender: 4” Mantra Seat: mother road customs Headlight: 4 1/2” Nates style Taillight: after hours choppers Speedo: Photographer:None missi shoemaker teacher Kevin “Teach” Baas did those sweet floorboards. Atlas Plating was used for all of the chroming and polishing that went into this Knuckle. For the paint, Mark turned to Brian Boan from Devil Candy Customs. The paint scheme represents the colors you see when you stand on the beach. The teal color turning deep blue at the horizon and the small white pin stripping around the flames represent the breaking wave: the color is Winnebago Sea Mist. I think Mark totally nailed the execution of this bike, from the paint to the chrome to the motor and style of the bike! Thanks for sharing your bike with our readers Mark!!

Owner: Mark City/State:DaytonaStevensBeach, FL Builder: Mark Stevens year: Model:Year:ENGINETime:Value:Model:EL19461.5years1946knucklehead el Builder: dc choppers Ignition: morris magneto Displacement: 61 cu Pistons: stock Heads: stock Carb: linkert 74b Cam: stock Air Cleaner: Mark Stevens Exhaust: paughco upseep Primary: BDL

mkii Front Brake: stock Rear Wheel: Spoke Size: 18 Tire: Avon mkii Rear Brake: stock Painter:PAINT devil candy customs Color: winnebago sea mist Type: Chroming:Graphics:dupontatlas plating

Tire:Size:FrontWHEELSExtension:TripleType:Builder:FORKSStretch:Rake:Model:Year:FRAMEShifting:Make:Year:TRANSMISSION1.5”1962HarleyJockey1946bullneck30°StockHarleyoffetspringerTrees:stockWheel:Spoke21”AvonSpeedmaster

26 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE surf coast Tech Sheet

going to polish aluminum, dirt and grime are not conducive to having a smooth, clean, and shiny finish on the part. I am going to polish an intake manifold for an Evo engine before I move on to the heads andOnceblock.that surface was cleaned and degreased, I wanted to vapor hone it. I know not everyone has access to a Vapor Honing Technologies cabinet, but I do, and I know that it will make my job a little easier and perhaps even provide a better finish. After the vapor honing, I started sanding. I decided to use a dual-action 90-degree sander that I bought originally intended for this tech article to demonstrate how easy it would be to polish your Harley-Davidson engine cases, cylinders, and cylinder heads using two tools you [likely] already have. Well, let me tell you, polishing your own engine cases isn’t easy at all, even with the correct tools for the job. So, I will do a multiple-issue polishing tutorial that I hope will work my way up to the engine cases within only a couple of issues. The polishing process is made up of several smaller steps that by themselves are very easy tasks and with some patience you can do a bang-up job and save I

28 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

The first step in polishing is to clean the part you are going to polish thoroughly. If you are

Article And Photos By: Jason Hallman

yourself some significant money. Besides, isn’t the feeling of accomplishment still something we can all revel in?

CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE - August ‘22 29

Once chrome parts are scratched or rusty, it is almost impossible from Mac Tools forever ago. It is small and agile. The Velcro sanding pads are easy to change as I move from a rougher grit to a smoother grit along the way. I started with 80-grit and then moved on to 240grit. Once I had most of the casting flash and other flaws (like damage from use), I moved on to the finer grit sanding discs like 800, 1000, 1200, 2000, and [finally] 3000-grit discs. By this time, the entire surface of the aluminum intake was free of casting flaws and smoothed out, ready for the first round of polishing on the buffing wheel. I also want to go over polishing a part that has already been polished once but needs a freshening up. These would be things like outer primary covers, rocker boxes, cam covers, and a transmission cover or two. These are not chrome parts (although you can polish up some dull chrome). to make them look new again without sending them to the chrome shop for plating. That is the beauty of polished aluminum. I feel as if the soul of the aluminum can be found in the polished surface. Even when there are dents, gouges, and even severe damage to an aluminum part can be polished up to shine over and over again. Once the part you intend to polish is prepped, the polishing process is the same. In most cases, you will utilize three basic compounds to polish an aluminum part once it is sanded. The first compound is Emory, the second is Tripoli, and the third and final compound is White Rouge. Using a buffing wheel is not as easy as it may seem. If I am being perfectly honest, it can be downright dangerous and requires 100% of your attention. One wrong move with the part and the wheel will rip that part right out of your hand faster than you can think with no warning. Polishers

usually have two wheels. One on each side. Generally, the left one has a fairly stiff wheel to cut the surface of the metal using the Emory (the more coarse) compound. Tripoli is the second compound you will use, and this is when you start to really see the shine of a part. Keep in mind that you are basically “cutting” very fine scratches into the surface of the metal. Once the Emory and Tripoli have given you a smooth surface and shiny finish, it is time to move to the looser wheel (usually mounted to the right side) for a finish shine with the white rouge. There is no voodoo here. Just keep practicing and pay close attention to the finish, and you will develop a “feel” for what works and what doesn’t. Remember safety first, and wear gloves! The parts will get too hot to hold very fast, and you do not want damage from dropping them. Though… since they are aluminum, you can polish out the damage! Until next time, work [and ride] safe!

30 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

32 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE i Article And Photos By: Missi Shoemaker

CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE - August ‘22 33 022, the year of getting things back to normal… whatever “normal” means to you. To me, it means getting to visit with my moto-family and friends again. Thankfully motorcycle events are happening again in full force. And what better way to celebrate that than Cycle Showcase St. Louis! To those of us who are about all things motorcycle, the winter months mean that our bikes are parked, and there are no rallies to attend. It also means indoor bike show season, and while seeing those fresh and at times not so fresh builds is great, sometimes, believe it or not, it isn’t only about the bikes. Indoor show season is just as much about the fellowship as the outdoor rallies are. This was very apparent at this year’s Cycle Showcase, which was held at the City Foundry STL.The event’s Pre-party was at Rock Star Tacos at Gaslight, a nice little bar that was standing room only, and that standing room was shoulder to shoulder. It was great to see everyone socializing and having a great time. As always, curator Randall Noldge put together a show that was off the hook and chose an absolutely perfect venue. If this was your first Cycle Showcase, or if you’ve never been, that probably doesn’t mean much to you. But to those who have been following this show from the beginning, you know that this is part of the attraction. You always have to wonder -WHERE it will be held. Every year it’s in a new location; its’ been everywhere, from a beautiful theatre to an empty warehouse, to an event space designed for such gatherings. Each year it is a true labor of love. Randall not only puts in the time inviting the builders and artists and following up with them as the show gets closer, but he also completely cleans and remodels the space to accommodate the show. Sure, some years, this is an easy task, like this year, because the event space is designed specifically for these types of events. Some years, however, it’s not an easy task. Randall has had to build walls and clean spaces that hadn’t been occupied for extended periods. Noldge strives to have a quality show and has definitely achieved that status. Each year, it seems to get better. The display of motorcycles was as impressive as the space they occupied. There was something for everyone from antique racers to v-twin choppers to sport bikes to performance baggers. Randall once again managed to put together an eclectic group of builders and showcased their many different talents, which showed just how diverse this industry really is. Some unveiled their bikes for the first time, including Jeremy Valentine, who was brave enough to let Randy name the bike. This came about after some banter between the two and ended with the motorcycle being called “The Velvet Hammer,” which actually suits the bike perfectly. Watch for it in an upcoming feature. This year’s artwork was provided by one artist, the master himself, Michael Lichter. Michael’s art was a perfect fit, and he was on hand the entire weekend to speak about it. If you have never heard Michael speak, you must put it on your list of things to do. His passion for the art of the motorcycle is like none other. Oh My Gosh... there was even a doggy kissing booth! Randall always chooses dog rescues for his SaturdayMissouriDirkscontributions.charitableTheFundRescueofjoinedusonandhadthe most adorable fluffs on hand and they were so loving! The Dirks Fund rehomes Retrievers and Great Pyrenees. Sunday’s furbabies were from the Illinois English Bulldog Rescue and they were giving out so many kisses! 2

I found myself gravitating toward their corner a lot over the weekend, cause, well, you know…um... DOGS! It was really hard to leave there without taking one of them home! Thanks, Randy, for all that puppy love! One of the best parts of the Cycle Showcase weekend is always the bowling after-party; this year was even better. The Saratoga Lanes, established in 1916 and located in the upstairs space of the building it occupies, was one of the best bowling allies I’ve ever been in. It was large enough to accommodate the crowd, yet still small enough to have the intimate feeling of a group of friends just hanging out. Some were having fun playing pool, those who were having fun bowling, and those who just hung out having a few drinks and socializing. Most enjoyed all three. Of course, Randall couldn’t let us all just stay at any ol’ run-of-themill hotel. This year’s host hotel, The Angad Arts Hotel, provided the perfect “artsy” feel for the weekend. You could choose your color of room, Red, Blue, or Green, and the entire room was done in that color. I chose yellow because sunny days make me happy! I look forward to seeing what Randall has in store for us next year, and I am sure I am not the only one! Maybe we can talk him into an ice cream social? You can keep tabs on Randall and Cycle Showcase STL on Instagram @ csstl.

34 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE - August ‘22 35

Speaking of bitchin band announcements. If you are not already following the SmokeOut Rally on instagram, you need to hook that up quick to stay in the loop for all the news. We let the cat out on our Saturday Night headliner with Nine Pound Hammer, but that’s only part of it. We also have Dallas Moore, Koffin Kats, Michelle Leigh, Big House Pete, Barnyard Stompers, Spacey and Sneaky Tree. From start to finish there promises to be a killer music line up but that’s not to take anything away from the other events. We have a full line of bikes shows, bike games, chopper dirt drags and of course Hammer’s Strongest Biker Worlds, officiated by Ralph “Hammer” Janus himself. And yes damnit, there will be mini bike racing you maniacs.

Yeah, there’s a lot going on with SmokeOut, you’ll have to excuse us, this is a big deal around here! So one of the coolest things, in addition to some bitchin band announcements, is the fact that we have partnered up with Randall Noldge of Cycle Showcase to curate the Legends And Legacies at this year’s SmokeOut. What this means is that in addition to STL, Randy can now add SO to the lineup of Cycle Showcase. He will be bringing the same level of professionalism to the event hall and will be overseeing every aspect of it from the art installations to the 18 bikes and their builders that are making up the invitational. With what he has accomplished at Cycle Showcase STL, we know that this is in good hands!

SOME STUFF WE GOT IN LAST MINUTE BEFORE PRESS DEADLINE AT HQ

36 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE BITSMAGAZINE ‘N PIECES

The Sturgis Hall Of Fame awards ceremony has become a real integral part of the Black Hills Motorcycle Classic and this year promises to be a new level. We won’t spoil the surprises but if you happen to not be one of the over half million people expected to visit the Black Hills for this years rally, we have partnered up with the Museum and Hall Of Fame to bring the ceremony to you live. From start to finish we will be the official inaugural live broadcast of the Awards. In addition, we will be there for pre show to get some red carpet interviews as the attendees stroll in. If you’ve never been to this prestigious event it is a real who’s who in motorcycling. It’s kinda like our version of the Emmy’s. Finally, a word about our little magazine here. It is an extreme honor that I can report to you that Cycle Source has survived COVID. I’m not sure how many of you realized but when COVID lock down hit we lost half of our distribution when the retailers closed their doors. Half of the magazines that first month just got thrown away and there was nothing we could do about it. We reacted as quickly as we could and cut down to printing every other month. For the first time in our quarter of a century history, we had to slow our roll. It turned out to be a smart move and helped us make it back around to things being back on track at the newsstands. Starting with this issue we are heading back to 10 issues a year, thanks to our advertisers , subscribers and newsstand readers who stuck with us and helped us through these trying times.

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 37

38 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 2022 daytona bike week chopper time winners willie’s tropical tattoo Best Bobber - Jeremy ValentineBest Antique - Jeff FordingB&D Customs Choice - John Boy Best Brittish - Ron Zuk Best Flatty - David LoweryBest Evo - Anar KuczerBest Creative Custom - Daniel Heman Best Hardcore - Matt McCarthy Best Panhead - Dan HaasBest Metric - Robbie HardbargerBest Knucklehead - Joe Lingley Best Shovel - Jack Deagazio Blings Choice - Eric AllardBest Twin Cam - Keith HarkerloadBest Sportster - Angelo Crowd Favorite - Xotic customs

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 39 Perewitz Choice - it’ll rideMo’s Image Customs - Xavier Muriel (CC Accepting)Cycle Source Choice - Tom Keefer Rev Al Award - PT Jungerman Turners Choice - Josh DeBenedettoTropical Tattoo Choice - Johnnie CrawfordRoadside’s Choice - Luke Heafner Willies Choice - Bob Belmont

40 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

s

Article By: Lullabelle Marie Photos By: Del Hickey imon Butler has built bikes over the years just for himself and was never interested in doing a bike for other folks because its time consuming, and most nonbike builders don’t understand what’s involved. In most cases, they question all the costs and are constantly changing their mind. In other words, a real pain. It’s easier to build a bike in your own time and to your own design, and if you decide to sell it, they are buying the finished product without all the hassle. Having spent most of the COVID 19 lockdown in his workshop, Simon managed to churn out two bikes for himself, the first being a homage to two strokes of his youth by building a Suzuki GT750 engine in a Yamaha FZR 1000 frame with modern running gear and also recently a handbuilt frame, the Billet twin-cam which recently won the best engineering in the Back Street Heroes biker build off.Having completed these, Simon sat in his workshop admiring his collection while praying for better weather and the end of lockdown. It was only March; it was going to be a while. He wondered what he would do with himself now? A few weeks later, Butler got a phone call from a bloke, Nathan, who explained that he had a bike that leaked oil and just

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 41

42 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE wasn’t what he wanted. He further explained that he heard that Simon was a bike builder who could get the bike to look like he wanted. They decided that Simon would check out Nathan’s bike to see what he would be working with. Butler said that it was immediately apparent from the property and the cars in his garage that money wouldn’t be an issue for Nathan. In the corner of Nathan’s garage was a very sorry looking 883 hardtail bobber. Nathan explained that he wanted it completely rebuilt to look like an old-school flat track inspired board racer. The donor was in an extremely sorry state, had clearly been tinkered with, and had some less than satisfactory things done to it that would need correcting.Acouple of days later, it arrived at Butler’s workshop, where he spent a few days looking at what was in front of him to determine what could be salvaged and what was needed. The engine required a rebuild as it was leaking all over the place. The oil tank was ill-fitted and rubbed the frame. The rear mudguard was all out of shape. The chrome on the springers had all been rubbed down to the nickel underneath, the electric’s had no fuses inline at all, and the list goes on and Nathanon.explained he liked the colors and loved the fuel tank. That being said, Simon could do anything except change the tank or color. The bike was completely stripped down. The chrome was sent to Derby platers, which would be a three-month turnaround. Which allowed Simon time to re-fabricate the rest of the bike.

Starting with a blank canvas, the oil tank was the first thing Butler tackled, followed by the rear wheel, which didn’t look right with a disc on the rear. Simon unlaced it and found that a triumph pre-unit hub and drum brake assembly would fit the bill. Simon fabricated the spacers as well as the near-invisible wiring harness that is run throughout the frame once the battery location was decided. He hid the Motogadget M unit in the headlight, making it accessible but still hidden. With the frame fabrication completed, Simon sent it and other small parts off for powder coating. It was time to address the leaky engine. It was clear that the leaks were coming from the top end, so suitable replacements were purchased, and the top end was

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 43

stripped and rebuilt over the next fewTheevenings.camside casing had an EMD over cover, giving it that vintage look. After looking at EMD’s website, Simon found a primary side casing available for it. A quick phone call to Nathan explained there was a case available for his engine. Did he want it? He quickly replied, “Order it, tell me how much it is, and I’ll send you the money on one condition. I want it with the shotblasted look on both sides.” It was the first time Harry at Briteworx had to shotblast brand new cases and primary cover. About a week later, Simon picked up the frame from powder coat, just then, Harry called to say the cases were ready and he would drop them off. Armed with a load of newly refurbished parts, it was time to start assembly. With the engine in and secure, it was time to get it back on its wheels. The frontend parts were still out for chrome, so it sat as a mono cycle for a bit which made fitting the newly built rear wheel with its new drum brake hub a little tricky. This didn’t go as

44 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE BUTLER BOARDTRACKER TECH SHEET

stack Exhaust: One off straight through pipes in Model:Year:FRAMEShifting:Make:Year:TRANSMISSIONPrimary:stainlessStandard91HDHDUnknownHardtailbobber

front forks Builder: Big port Type: TripleSpringerTrees:Big port Extension: Std FrontWHEELSWheel: 19” rim using a Honda 350 twin leading shoe brake system Size: 19” Tire: Firestone Deluxe Champion Front Brake: Honda 350 twin leading shoe Rear Wheel: 19” rim fitted size: 19” Tire: Firestone Deluxe Champion Rear Brake: pre unit hub & drum brake Painter:PAINT Del Whittaker Color: Black on polished brass & ally Type: Graphics:N/K N/A Chroming: Bars:ACCESSORIESN/AModified Triumph TR5 Risers: Aftermarket Hand Controls: Kustom Tech Foot Controls: Rearsets handbuilt to suit Gas Tank(s): Storz Dirt Track Oil FrontTank:fender: N/A Rear Fender: Slime line bobber Seat: Speedo:TailHeadlight:AftermarketLucasheadlightlight:UnknownoriginMotogadgetminibrass speedo Photographer: Del Hickey smoothly as Simon had hoped, but with some swearing, elbow grease, and ingenuity, it all started to come together.Bythe time Butler had everything lined up, the chrome was ready, and it was time to rebuild the newly chromed springer front end without damaging it. Butler built a jig to compress all the springs without causing any damage. Simon says the forks were slipped into the frame “like giving your first girlfriend her first knee-trembler behind the bleachers at school.” Because Nathan wanted it to look old school Simon decided to introduce some brass accents into the mix to give it a contrast between the black and alloy. The oil tank was fitted and plumbed using braided lines with black anodized fittings and a brass knurled knob to secure it. Simon even made a matching choke knob to match.

Owner: City/State:NathanDerby, United Kingdom Builder: Simon “UNKY” Butler Year: 883 Sportster from 91 up Model: 883 Sportster from 91 up Value: $12,000 Time: 1 year Year:ENGINE883 Sportster from 91 Model: 883 Sportster Builder: Simon “UNKY” Butler Ignition: AirCam:Carb:Heads:Pistons:Displacement:Standard883StandardStandard40mmCVcarbStandardCleaner:Brassvelocity

unknown origin Rake: Forks:Stretch:StandardStandardBigportspringer

The bike finished, and now with its very proud owner, who was thrilled with how it turned out..and so are we!

46 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

The following year Hammer would turn to the organizational powers of Edge to keep this gathering going and through the rigors of coming up with a tag that would go along

ArticleBy:ChrisCallenPhotosBy:MichaelLichter

s

o, things are heating up for the SmokeOut Rally, and after announcing its return along with its return to Salisbury, I was amazed the hear a conversation where one young chopper jockey said to another, “So what is this SmokeOut?” It then occurred to me that nowhere online or on social media is there an accurate and complete history of this iconic event. I mean, people of my generation or older surely remember a lot of it, but even some of the younger generation that had attended might not realize why this particular event was so instrumental over the past two decades. So, like a good journalist, I went to task with great anticipation of bringing it all to light. Now, I should say that this will be an abbreviated text of the entire history, which will be displayed at The SmokeOut Hall of Fame and on smokeoutrally.com.www.No matter how you slice it, 4,000 words are just too many for today’s print media. In the early days of the Horse Backstreet Choppers Magazine, they were a rough and ready bunch. The magazine was so raw, so much more than anything else on the newsstands in those days. That’s code for “They had a lot of followers” for you millennials. But these were still times when we had to meet face-to-face to get to know each other. The Horse had a Message Board called “BackTalk,” kinda like Facebook but with only words. So, the beginning of citizen participation was starting to amp up. People could have their voices heard in a way that would eventually change the world. Not everyone back then could “Go Live” at the drop of a hat, but this was undoubtedly a sign of where social media came into the motorcycle magazine world.  After some of the readers clamored for a meet-up where they could see who was behind this deviant print publication, a plan was made. Ralph “Hammer” Janus told the rest of the staff that they should just pick a place and ride. It turned out that it would be a hotel in Pigeon Forge, TN, and as many of the staff that could make it should show up. They told the readers when and where. Got on the bikes and headed out. Edge remembered it being archaic compared to today since they actually had to stop from time to time to read real maps, on the side of the road, with a flashlight since the invention of Google maps was still a decade away. Once at the hotel, some 50 people showed up, and everyone was on a chopper. A few standouts were Matt Daigle (who eventually became a writer for The Horse) and the New Jersey Boys, that traveled with only a gas card between them, no actual money for food or anything, so if they wanted to eat, it all had to come from the gas stations.

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 47

The Discovery Channel had just done a new type of program with a man named Jesse James, with more viewers than all ten of their top shows combined. They still didn’t know much about this motorcycle thing, but they knew they had to have more of it and startedyoubutDiscoveryhitaofnextprogramsuccessyouhaveprobablyinSmokeOutcalledbewouldstipulation,showtheBillyBikertheyone-offBourgette,builder,againstwasLane.namedthebuilderanotherapproachedyoungfromEastCoastBillyTheirideatopitLaneanotherRogerinashowwouldcallBuild-off.agreedtotermsofthewithoneithavetoataneventTheRallySalisbury,NC.Now,Idon’ttotellabouttheofthisandthetenyearswhatbecamerunawayseriesforwent,IwillremindthatitallwiththeSmokeOut and that this was a credit to Mr. Lane. Of course, Billy had home-field advantage and took that first win hands down. It was almost unfair to Roger since Billy was already at superhero status with this crowd. From then on, The Horse Magazine staff and the SmokeOut hugely influenced the Biker Build-Off series.

The Horse was consulted for the early to say the least. On an average night, there would be flaming burnouts that ran so long they would dig a hole into the blacktop and usually end when the bike’s tire blew off and the wheel ground to a halt. Office chair races saw lines of ten or more hotel office chairs being towed by a chopper and a ratchet strap. Bikes rode through doors of the hotel, there was fire, there was chaos, it was out of control, and yet I can’t remember anyone getting seriously injured or arrested. I mean, I’m sure that these things happened, but the fact that the National Guard was never brought in is a credit to the people of Salisbury.Aftera couple of the Board Members got riled up about SmokeOut in Salisbury, they lost that spot. In the next election, those members also lost their seats, but nonetheless, it was on totallythatthecountrybeThisStampede.”calledcompetitionoff-the-recordstartedRock,movedthe2020.itDragway,themadetheregonnaknewFarmington,InFarmington.tooneyearattheyitwasn’tmakeiteitherandadealwithRockinghamwhereranuntilAroundtimetheytoTheHammeralittle“Thewouldacross-racetoSmokeOutwasillegal, completely unsafe, and totally badass. Stampede racers had auxiliary fuel tanks and crazy contraptions for everything from taking a pee to eating that could help them stay on the road and get to the SmokeOut faster.

48 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

seasons of the Biker Build-Offs. This may have been because they had so many ties to the builders of that day. It may also have had a little to do with the crew from BBO being a wild-ass bunch of partying fools… It was just a good fit either way. The SmokeOut become known as a king-maker, and builders who make an impression at the event make an impression EVERYWHERE Let’s not forget to talk about the Holiday Inn. Of course, when you get that many creative people together, there is bound to be a certain level of depravity to go along with it. Suppose you tell someone you were at a SmokeOut in Salisbury and don’t know anything about the Holiday Inn. In that case, you’re a lying bastard, and you were never there. Sure, the daytime had the events at the Rowan County Fairgrounds, but at night, the entire focus shifted to the parking lot of the Holiday Inn just down the street. How these people put up with us is amazing, with the words Smoky Mountain….. The Smoke Mountain SmokeOut was born. For nearly a decade, things were solid in Salisbury. The fairgrounds, the people, and the local police all pulled together to help make the event work. As it slowly inched forward from year to year, SmokeOut would come into the international motorcycle scene through a series of events that, to this day, are as amazing as they are true.

XS Speed had brought some mini bikes to play with, which turned into a full-on event. Edge knew some roller derby teams and had them come out

So, at this point, the stage is set, the events are planned, the bands are booked, and the next chapter in SmokeOut history is waiting to be written. What will the story be? Who will the names in the next pages be? Only time will tell, but you can be there when it happens. A third generation of chopper loving fools are about to take this thing back to Salisbury, back home, back where it all began!

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 49 to SmokeOut. The Shade Tree Boyz and Their Guinness Book Record “World’s Longest Chopper” was set at SmokeOut. One year they made SmokeOut Poker Chips, and now you see branded poker chips in every Harley dealer you visit. The legendary flaming burnouts, the flaming mini bike jumps, the far-out flame and flake paint jobs, chopper drags in the dirt, so much of what became ingrained in our culture today started with this simple gathering of the chopper faithful. It is amazing. After two decades of the World’s Greatest Chopper Party, the magazine had suffered from the American Newsstand turmoil, and Edge was ready to retire from promoting. He announced that the 2020 SmokeOut would be the last he would run and thanked everyone for 20 years of support. A deal was made with the owner of Rockingham since the event had been so good there, and they wanted it to continue. Unfortunately, before the ink dried on their deal, the owner decided it was not for him and instead started another event without the SmokeOut name, Thunder At The Rock. We wish him all the luck with this endeavor, but in case you were unaware, this is NOT SmokeOut! This is where Chris and Heather Callen, along with their Cycle Source Magazine, come into play. Chris had been going to SmokeOut since the second year on the reservation and had supported the event and bikes that were part of it over all those years. Callen feels like if there hadn’t been a SmokeOut, we would be well short of so many things in the custom motorcycle world today. While Edge had conceded himself to retirement, losing this event would be unconscionable. Callen had been publishing a custom bike magazine for 25 years at this time, and his wife Heather was long-time operations manager of all the Broken Spoke Saloons across the country, including the Sturgis facility that was a 600-acre campground, so between them, they felt like they had what it would take to organize an event like this. After running their own Big Mountain Run for nearly ten years, a much smaller event in the same spirit as the SmokeOut, Callen decided to challenge Edge to let them try and resurrect SmokeOut. So that they did not miss a year, a simple toast was planned during Willie’s Chopper Time during Bike Week in 2021. It was a tip of the hat to how SmokeOut started; a small group of the chopper faithful gave the nod to the history and tradition of the event, some shirts were printed, and the plan was announced. They would take it all a few steps back. Back to the basics, back to the beginning, back to Salisbury! The Rowan County Fairgrounds had come so far over the years with way more camping and a much nicer venue than ever before, and they were immediately in love with the idea of having SmokeOut back. So were the local hotels and businesses, along with the local government. They have been so helpful in getting SmokeOut back on its feet. It almost seems like they are truly partners in it.

In 2017, when Sons Of Speed made its debut during Daytona Bike Week, he was one of the first riders and a huge supporter of Billy. I was honored enough to race with him that year and a few other times after that. At some point, Freddie spoke to Sugar Bear about purchasing one of his infamous springer front ends, and when Freddie got it, he asked me if I would be interested in seeing it through for him. Of course, I jumped at reetings, my Brothers and Sisters. I hope this month’s article finds you all well and safe. There is lots happening at the ole Providence shop these days. Since I’ve been back from Daytona and Arizona Bike Week, I’ve constantly been trying to acquire parts for customer builds. Parts I ordered at the beginning of the year are just now starting to show up. What a crazy time we live in, but you can hear all about that on the tube... I’ve started to build my first long bike for a customer, and when I say long, I mean looooong! It has none other than a Sugar Bear front end. The bike is now at the mock-up stage and is over 10 feet long. Before you go shouting, “wait, now you’re a chopper guy?” This build is for my good buddy, Fast Freddie. Some of you might know him as the owner of God Speed Racing. g the opportunity to see his dream come to life. I met Sugar Bear in Sturgis a few years back at his Chopper Ranch. Billy, Freddie, and I helped Sugar Bear and his crew set up tents for the next day’s activities. Sugar Bear was an absolute gem of a human to speak with. He told us stories from the good old days that most folks would have paid good money to hear. What an honor it was to be able to ask questions of one of the most iconic builders ever to grace the chopper roads. It took a while, but I finally got all the parts I needed to start building Freddie’s Bike. I was even given Sugar Bears’ number if I had any questions. I was like, “Right, like he’s gonna remember me from years back.” Well, wasn’t I surprised when I called him, and as I started to go into my speech telling him who I was and why I was calling, he spoke very quickly and softly, “I know who you are, Xavier, you helped

Article By: Xavier Muriel

50 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

Simple pure chopper if ya ask me. Stay tuned. You will see more of this build in future issues. At the same time, I’m doing the Sugar Bear project; I have another customer build going on. This one is the total opposite. It’s on an RKB frame that is two out and 4 up, housing a monster 124 by S&S, Baker 6 speed, 200 rear, and 21 up front. This one will get the kitchen sink thrown at it. The owner has given me cart blanche to do as I feel, which is kinda scary since I’m constantly changing my mind on stuff at the last minute. I’m going to push myself on the fabrication to create stuff I’ve had in my head for a while. And last but not least is my personal build. I’ve been asked to participate in next year’s “Chopper Friends Throwdown.”

I finally have what I consider the Holy Grail of motors, a 1968 Genny Shovel, which also happens to be my birth year. The engine will get all the good stuff from Rich Pitoniak, a master at the old stuff... Linked with a 5 into 4 tranny and set in an RKB frame. I’ve gotta run, I’m heading to Born Free with my FXR, which is pretty cool. I’m really excited to do some riding in So. Cal. with Rick and a few good friends... I’ll report on that next month... God Bless. X.

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 51 with my tents, and you’re the fella who built that pretty pan/shovel in Lichter’s exhibit.” I about damn near fell on the floor. After I composed myself and got my shit together, he instructed me on what to do to make that bike ride like nothing I’ve ever had. He said, “it will change your outlook on long bikes, trust me.” So when a guy like that tells you how to do it, you do it. I’m still amazed at the kindness and humility that man had during our conversation. I learned not only about the Art of The Chopper but also how important it is to pass along the knowledge from those who came before us. A part of me wants to make him proud of what he’s shared with me. This just isn’t another build to me; it’s a representation of me carrying on the love and respect of the motorcycle that I feel sometimes has been put on the back burner, being replaced by the newest trend or those who seek something other than what this culture truly is about. I hope to do my best to be the giver, not the taker... Ok, enough of that heavy shit. Freddie’s build will house a 65 Panhead with a matching 65 4-speed Tranny. The frame has a 40-degree rake, running an 18” 200 in the rear and a 21” up front.

Our initial class of 2022 is laid out here for you to consider. While we may have missed a few, we have, for the most part, captured the known associates of SmokeOut back in the day. Each of these builders will be responsible for se lecting a legacy builder of their choosing that they believe will carry the torch.

2. OG: BILLY LANE - LEGACY: XAVIER MURIEL Who will ever forget Billy Lane rolling Choppers Inc. builds into the gates of the SmokeOut or the Biker Build-off Shows surrounding it all? Well, if you missed it all the first time around, you will have a chance to relive those epic moments this year in Salisbury as Mr. Lane will be featured in the Legends Gallery at SmokeOut along side his Legacy Invitation; Xavier Muriel. Muriel has been blazing a trail through the custom bike world for the past five years after leav ing his tenured position as drummer for the international recording artists Buckcherry.

3. OG: DONNY LOOS - LEGACY: RICK BRAY

4. OG: ROADSIDE MARTY - LEGACY: DAN STARKEY Who could say SmokeOut without thinking about Roadside Marty, his epic motorcycles and his undeniable contributions to the two decades of this show. Roadside is part of the Flat Broke Chops and Rods are and hails from beautiful sunny Pensacola Florida. His legacy is on the fast track in his own rights as well. Dan Starkey out of Indiana is an incredible human being and just happens to have a perfect eye for the old school beauty of a chopper mixed with his own flair.

Donny Loos was half of the original Sucker Punch Sally Dynamic Duo and really shot off like a rocket through the Smokeout Years, Undoubtedly a pillar of SmokeOut and a blast that he will be returning to the scene of the crime to help us kick off a new era of SmokeOut. He will be displaying a Don’s Garage Custom in the Legends Gallery along side his Legacy Invitation; Rick Bray. While Rick is far from being a newbie to bike building, with any national magazine covers to his credit, he is new to SmokeOut and makes him an excellent pick for The Legacy Invitational.

SmokeOut Legacy Invitational Is what we came up with as a way to institution alize the builders who blazed the trail through SmokeOut history while provid ing them with a platform to invite the next generation in. As SmokeOut originals, the veteran builders will have bikes on display throughout the weekend, some of which may be the very bikes that they broke ground with at this very location.

52 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE W

1. OG: JEFF COCHRAN - LEGACY: CLINTON WALLACE Jeff Cochran was one of the pillars of SmokeOut through the years and it is an honor that he has agreed to help kick off this new chapter. He will be displaying a SpeedKing Machine in the Legends Gallery at SmokeOut along side his Legacy Invitation; Clinton Wallace. Clinton is no slouch either with two Cycle Source covers under his belt and an appearance in the Motorcycles As Art Show at the Buffalo Chip. ith all of the invitational bike shows today, we wanted what we decided to do with SmokeOut to be a little more substantial or have a little more meaning as it pertained to SmokeOut. You see, by now, you know that this was the place that launched the garage builder culture and was in a big way part of the Biker Build Off from the beginning. The

You may have noticed that Paul was the inspiration behind this years SmokeOut Character from the event poster. That shot was an iconic moment from Salisbury where Paul came outta the bottoms on Berserker. Needless to say, this list couldn’t be complete without his name in the mix. Paul’s skills as a builder are legendary in themselves and we can’t wait to see who he decides to select as his legacy for this first year back at SmokeOut

7. OG: STEVE BROYLES - LEGACY: DAN TOCE Steve has been responsible, both behind the scenes and in front of it for a large part of the Custom Motorcycle Culture and industry for the past three decades. Notable accomplishments like split rocker boxes, reversed heads, exotic intake systems have consistently made his builds a step above. While the name Toce Performance is wildly regarded as one of the elite companies in the sport bike world, he has been making waves in the V-Twin custom industry all the way back to 2004. Today Dan has the distinct honor of being the leader in performance exhaust systems and many other manufacturers are constantly looking to him for the new direction in R&D.

9. OG: PAUL COX - LEGACY: TBA

6. OG: STEVE GARN - LEGACY: EVAN FAVARO Steve “Brew Dude” Garn to date has over 100 tech articles published in national magazines; of course, those include the Horse and Cycle Source. Steve also holds 5 AMA Bonneville Records and 4 FIM land speed records in ECTA and has two number one AMA plates for record runs at Bonneville. He is a fantastic addition to this lineup! Steve’s pick Evan started young. At 12, he was scratch-building two-stroke race motors. He was welding by age 14 and, by 15, had built his first mini chopper. Evan has attended classes under Fay Butler, appeared on national television shows and in magazines. He is regarded as one of the most talented metal fabricators in our industry.

8. OG: PAT PATTERSON - LEGACY: MIKE SCHRICKEL

No one will ever forget the original havoc of the Led Sled Trailer at SmokeOut in Salisbury. So of course we had to have Pat Patterson on the list of OGs for this first year back. Pat started Led Sled with one goal in mind: To make the Sportster cool again and all these years later I’ll be damned if he hasn’t. Another Ohio custom bike builder will be Pat’s Legacy Invitation; Mike from Chop Machine. Even though Mike only opened his doors to Chop Machine back in 2013, he has over 35 years ex perience as a Harley-Davidson mechanic and bike builder. He kills that 70s style with all of his builds no matter if it is a long or a short bike and isn’t afraid to put them to the test once they’re complete.

?

5. OG: BILL DODGE - LEGACY: JOHNNY HUMPHREY Bill Dodge is an icon in the custom motorcycle industry not only because he has stood the test of time, survived both the physical and monetary ups and downs of life with the motorcycle but largely for his ability to make sure everyone comes along for the ride. In his own BC Moto Bill has taken the invitational from a place of ego to a place of honor, helping the younger builders find their groove. Johnny is one of my favorite builders in the country. He has been doing this for long enough that I can’t remember a time he wasn’t part of the scene but he has done it all as a sleeper, without tons of fan fare, building exquisite machines, one after another!

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 53

iston jets were first introduced in the twin cam and have carried over to the M8. They are a cast aluminum nozzle with a small ball and spring on the inside that acts like a check valve. Oil is fed through the cam plate, then through the engine case to the lifter bores, and finally to the piston jet, which sprays oil on the bottom of the piston. Their purpose is to help cool the piston due to leaner fuel mixtures used in later model engines. For the most part, the twin cam piston jets function quite well with very few issues. However, many of you have most likely heard of the problems the early M8 engines had with the screws being too long, preventing the gasket from sealing. Oil would then pour into the crankcase constantly, and the oil pumps couldn’t keep up. Other issues I have seen include contamination from small pieces of case sealer that is used when cases are assembled and metal fragments along with a check valve that doesn’t operate properly. All of these can lead to sumping issues. If the piston jets leak at the o-ring or gasket, or the check valve doesn’t function properly, they can also be a

54 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

Article And Photos By: Kevin Baxter source of many other shouldbuild.youattentionpayyouispistonafailurescompletehavepressures.crankcaseduepromoteconsumptionblow-byseal,affectcanOverthelubricationidle,noisyoilincludingproblems,starvingtothetopend,tappetsatandoverofcylinders.lubricationnegativelypistonringincreasingandoilandsumpingtoincreasedIseenmanyenginecausedbymalfunctioningjet,sothisacomponentwillwanttoparticulartowhendoanengineThecheckvalveremain

p

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 55 closed until oil pressure reaches 13 to 15 PSI and then stay open above that. They are designed to work only above 13 to 15 PSI so that too much oil isn’t being sprayed into the crankcase at idle speeds. Also, since the jets get oil after the lifter bores, it can help keep the lifters pumped up when the pressure is at its lowest, which is at hot idle. If you have a sumping problem or anytime you go into a top end which would give access to the piston jets, it is best practice to remove and test them. This not only confirms proper operation, but it also allows you to install a new o-ring for twin cam, or a new foamette gasket from Cometic on M8 models, as well as verifying proper screwYourlength.piston jets can be tested using a tool from JIMS. The easiest way to use the tool is to mount it in a vise with a set of soft jaws. You always want to make sure the inside of the tool is clean. There are two pipe plugs in it so you can flush it out with solvent. You can test your piston jets with compressed air or oil to verify the spray pattern, ensuring even oil distribution on the bottom of the piston. For this article, I randomly chose seven twin cam piston jets taken from engines with various miles on them. I used air for these tests. Four of the seven passed the test, and three did not. To test them, I slowly increased pressure. There should not be any flow from the piston jet until the gauge reads close to 13 PSI. Once the gauge smallhearPSI,approximatelyreaches13youshouldorfeelaamountof air flowing from the jet. At this point, you can steadily increase pressure up to 20 psi or more but not above normal operating oil pressure. You should easily hear air escaping from the jet, progressively increasing as more pressure is applied. Another way to see the airflow would be to apply a small amount of grease inside the port of the jet. When air begins to flow, the grease

56 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE will be pushed out of the port. If you are testing for spray pattern, use a sheet of paper behind the jet. A lot of oil will be sprayed, so be sure to have a pan of some sort to collect the drips. You may be asking yourself, “How do I know if I have a leaking piston jet without having to remove the cylinders?” The unfortunate answer is, you don’t. You can, however, pay particular attention to how your motorcycle functions to provide hints that you may have a sumping problem that could be caused in whole or part by a leaking piston jet. If you experience intermittent power loss, feeling as if you’re dragging an anchor, notice a drastic loss or variance in fuel economy, excessive engine heat, or see your oil levels change drastically in a short period of time, that oil could be collecting in the crankcase. The loss in fuel economy and power is due to the resistance placed on the crankshaft having to churn thru oil. Your H-D is a dry-sump system meaning little to no oil should remain in the crankcase during normal operation. Still not sure if you may have a sumping problem? On M8, you can remove the crankshaft sensor from the bottom of the case. For twin cam, there is a pipe plug that can be removed…but do it delicately as some have red Loctite on them, and you can crack the case or strip the threads if not done correctly.

Little to no oil should drain from the crankcase. If you see more than a few ounces drain, you could very well have a sumping issue.Testing piston jets certainly has its value. If you’re having an engine built, ask your builder to perform this test. If you’re an engine builder, this is something that should be checked. At the very least, I would recommend removing them and replacing the gaskets or the o-rings on every engine when cylinders are removed. It could save you, your customer, and their engine. To see how this test is done on video, and for other great content, visit and subscribe to my YouTube Channel at www.baxtersgarage.comcom/kevinbaxterwww.youtube.

It Ain’t Easy Being Sleezy It’s a 1972 Harley Davidson Divorced Sportster called “The Sleezy Slipper” built by the talented Brock Bridges out of central Illinois. This award-winning XLCH 1000cc Ironhead was masterfully transformed into what you see on these pages, a genuine work of art. Let’s start with the paint. Brock applied House of Kolor Brandywine over White metalflake. Combine this with the gold-leaf, and it gives the paint a certain flow. Brock also did a great job with the slick pin-striping. 58 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

The gas tank, oil tank, and rear fender are all handmade byHeBridges.grew up around the need for speed. Brock’s father is the former Top Fuel Dragster racing legend Randy Bridges. As a youngster, Brock would tour the country with his father

Article And Photos By: Mark Garcia August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 59

60 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE and grandfather, Joe: they were the pit crew. Around this time, Brock began to show off his talent in pinstriping and the passion he developed for the Kustom Kulture over the years. Let’s take a look at the B-side of this motor, starting with the iron heads. Which are flipped 180 degrees placing the two Amal carbs minus the air cleaner on that side and the handmade stainless-steel exhaust on the same side. All this makes you do a doubletake and look a little closer. Is it necessary to mention all this flappity flop was done by Brock? I think so. The 1970 Four Speed transmission with the suicide shift sits nicely inside the handmade stainless-steel 30-degree raked hardtail frame. It takes skill and creativity to do what Brock has done in building this Sportster. For instance, there are handmade stainless handlebars, taillight, and headlight. When it comes to the front end, the smooth radius on those triple trees looks very nice. The 35mm shaved forks, with stainless tubes minus 4 inches, were fabricated by… you guessed it, Brock Bridges himself. There are no brakes on the

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 61

homemade front 10-spoke black wheel mounted with a 21-inch Firestone tire. The18-inch 10-spoke black rear wheel is mounted with a Coker tire. The rear sprocket is also homemade and is on the same side as the brake rotor. Finally, if you were wondering who did the leather seat on the Sleezy Slipper, well, that was Brock too.Brock’s grandfather Joe was a pioneer in the hotrod game. He spent most of his early days working on hotrods with his buddies at Lomelinos BlacksmithMachineworks in beautiful Virden Il. When little Brock was old enough, his grandfather would bring him to hang out at the

Model:Year:FRAMEShifting:Make:Year:TRANSMISSION19704-speedHDsuicide2020handmade,stainless

Owner: Brock Bridges City/State: Nilwood, IL Builder: Brock Bridges Year: Exhaust:AirCam:Carb:Heads:Pistons:Displacement:Ignition:Builder:Model:Year:ENGINETime:Value:Model:1972Sportsterpricelesstoomuch1972DivorcedSportsterBrockBridgespoints1000ccstockflipped1802amalsstockCleaner:suckshandmade,stainless steel Primary: inch and a half open belt

steel Rake: 30 degrees Stretch: none Forks: shaved 35mm Builder: Brock Bridges Type: handmade, stainless steel Triple Trees: handmade Extension: -4

62 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE SLEEZY SLIPPER TECH SHEET

FrontWHEELSWheel: handmade 10 spoke Size: 21” Tire: RearFrontfirestoneBrake:sucksWheel:handmade 10 spoke Size: 18” Tire: Coker Rear Brake: outside rotor same side as sprocket - handmade Painter:PAINT Brock Bridges Color: brandywine over white flake Type: Graphics:HOK handmade, gold leaf and pin stripe Chroming: Bars:ACCESSORIESn/ahandmade, stainless steel Risers: n/a Hand Controls: n/a Foot Controls: handmade, stainless steel Gas Tank(s): handmade Oil Tank: handmade Front fender: sucks Rear Fender: handmade Seat: TailHeadlight:handmadehandmadelight:handmade, stainless steel Speedo: bugs in your teeth Photographer: Mark A. Garcia shop with the local gearheads. That’s why Brock wanted to do this photoshoot at Lomelinos. It’s sort of a small tribute to his grandfather, Joe. I had an amazing time with Brock and his family. I appreciated their hospitality. They cooked up the best raccoon meat and exposed me to a local favorite, the Horseshoe burger. Thank you, I sincerely mean it. I’m looking forward to the next hard liquorinfluenced creation that only Bridge’s Fab can create.

64 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

h arley-Davidson has released a new Sportster, and you’re going to hate it! And that’s okay. I know you want nothing younger than an Evo, still dump on Twin Cams, think M8s are for yuppies and refuse to even acknowledge the Livewire as part of the family. You’re a “purist,” an old school chopper jockey, and you’re almost supposed to hate this leap from the past, Nightster 975T. You barely want a front brake, let alone standard ABS and traction control. temptinthemodels.short-livedbornSportsterago,apologies.makingformakeMoCounderstand,Pleasethedidnotthisbikeyouandisn’tanySome65yearstheoriginalwasfromtheKOneofprimarygoals1957wastoriders,who weren’t already on Harleys, to give the iconic American brand a shot. Smaller import bikes were making a dent in the total market share, dominating the speedways and dragstrips, and Harley wanted their piece of the pie. Back then, they were not trying to get people to trade their big twins for Sportsters. They wanted BSATriumph and Norton riders (and racers) to turn their heads and say, “Hey, maybe I DO want a Harley!” With this newest offering, the same is true today. At 20 feet or 20 MPH, you might actually mistake this little ripper for one of its ubiquitous predecessors. Contrary to 2021’s Sportster S, this one “looks like a Sportster” and is worthy of the title. The stance, geometry, and silhouette are almost identical to what we’ve known and loved for decades. Unlike the S, which is a fine motorcycle, but one I never thought should have been called a Sportster, it has dual coilovers in the rear, a round headlight, and the wheel-sizes (19 & 16) and gas tank shape of a Sporty (though the actual fuel cell is under the seat, and has a metal shell hiding the robust airbox on top, very similar to the ahead-of-itstime, however,inspection,UponV-Rod).closeryou’ll find that looks can be deceiving! The first thing you’ll notice is a 975cc version of the Revolution Max motor, which is surely on deck to replace all Milwaukee 8s; if you choose to believe my humble prediction. Last year, timing,variableliquid-cooled,thisvalve60degree v-twin made its debut in HD’s first adventure bike, the Pan America 1250. In a move that is undoubtedly cost effective, the smaller version used in the Nightster is actually the same motor but with variations to the bore and stroke. Aside

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 65 Article By: Chip Parisi Photos Courtesy: Harley-Davidson

66 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

if the true catalyst is EPA regulations and even stricter worldwide standards. The good news for the purists? There are plenty of old Harleys out there to last our lifetime and possibly beyond. Volkswagen stopped making the classic Beetle a long time ago, but I still see those air-cooled boxers almost every time I ride. My advice is to embrace the change, as the RevMax motor could be the last generation of internal combustion engines we’ll see before everything eventually gets pushed to full electric!

mistake. Acceleration is dialed way back, and the braking is still very effective but muted. While this would be the obvious choice for slick surfaces and those damned days of deluge, I think it offers a lot more than just that. To me, the biggest benefit of rain mode is for beginners. First time riders can get a feel for riding and gain comfort on the road, and in traffic, without the fear of whiskey-throttle or jerky starts and stops. Then, when they are ready to upgrade to a more aggressive bike, they can flick their thumb and have an entirely new experience. Instead of starting on a small “beginner’s bike,” outgrowing it in the first season and feeling the need to upgrade, they get to keep the bike they learned on and not need to buy/sell just to have a more capable machine. I hope HD pushes this idea because it seems like a really good selling point for first-time buyers.Another excellent selling point, and one that is in line with the storied history of Sportsters, is just how customizable these bikes were designed to be. Though it’s difficult to tell from looks, it employs a modular (or trellis) frame, with the motor acting as a stress member. The lack of a loop frame gives space for the radiator (and battery) up front, without looking overly bulky, out of place, or completely un-Harleyish. This multi-piece frame also means no more chopping the neck when from not being prone to overheating, like generations of air-cooled Harley power plants, this thing wants to spin fast! Redline is at 9,500 RPMs, and peak power is achieved at 7,500 RPMs, under stock tuning. In addition, the entire thing weighs around 80 pounds less than the “regular” Sporty, has a much lower center of mass, offers increased suspension travel (4.5” front, 3” rear), and gets its stopping power from Brembo brakes, all around. This combination creates a very nimble and responsive bike, one I’ve described as the love-child of an XL1200 and a CBR600. I can’t overstate how fun it was to rip the canyons of Los Padres National Forest in SoCal and not shift until 8k! The throttle just seemed to go and go, with little need to leave third gear on those rollercoaster roads!Like many modern bikes, the 975T comes with a big ole bucket of brains. As mentioned, ABS and traction control are standard, but so are the three different riding modes. I, of course, wanted to spend all day in Sport mode, which gives the most power, most engine braking, and least ABS and traction control input, the latter of which can be turned off easily (but not perpetually, as I’d have preferred). Throttle response seemed on par with most fuelinjected, throttleby-wire bikes of late and wasn’t as touchy as traditional cable-actuated mechanisms of yesterday, which I believe is by design. Even in stock configuration, this “full power” mode is quick AND fast. One click down is (middle-of-the) “Road” mode. This setting takes the edge off a little and really shines in the city and during stop-n–go traffic. There is still plenty of pep, but less room for rider error. I didn’t spend much time in this mode, as I was more interested in feeling the difference between the two extreme ends of the pre-programmed spectrum. At the bottom of the dial is “Rain” mode. This could easily be called “Idiot” mode, simply because it is hard to make a you want to change the rake, just swap that piece of the frame out. This is nothing new for motorcycles in general, but a huge change for Harley, the most often customized bike in the world. Instead of taking the motor (and transmission) out of the frame to modify it, now you just remove a few pieces of the frame from the motor and then build off of it, which will surely lead to some pretty wild customs.

Aesthetically, it is very sleek, modern, and minimalistic, with an overall retro vibe. This satisfying combo comes from meshing traditional round headlight and signal housings with modern LED lights, round bar end mirrors, and a round speedometer with an integrated LCD info screen. In a nod to the classics, color options only change the tank (or airbox, in actuality), with all three color options being delivered with black tins, everywhere else. All-in-all, I’d say Harley really hit their mark in preserving the aesthetics of the lineage, while incorporating the technology of today. It took them a long time to embrace change, and for good reason; their core customers just weren’t interested in anything but traditional, loud, heavy hogs. After years of biketoseemadvancements,anddevelopmentsuppressinghidingtheyveryexcitedbebuildingalikethis,even

Replace your OEM caliper with a Drag Specialties Front Brake Caliper Kit. This OEM-style caliper comes in a chrome finish with all necessary mounting hardware and brake pads. This left-side caliper fits 00-07 Dyna, and Softail models along with 00-03 XL single-disc models. This kit has a suggested retail price of $256.95. DragFor7010695;r=eJyrVkrLzClJLSpWsoqOrQUAJusFKA%3D%3Dhttps://www.dragspecialties.com/search;q=1moreinformationgotodragspecialties.comorcontactyourSpecialtiesdealer.

Z1R introduces the brand-new women’s Friske vest. Style meets comfort in the Friske vest. The corduroy chassis is lined with a ultra-soft and comfortable sherpa fleece liner. The vest also features adjustable zippered gussets for a custom fit, two hand warmer pockets, and interior conceal and carry pockets. Pick up this vest just in time for Spring and hit the road! Suggested retail $89.95. Available in sizes XS-3W. Head on over to your local Z1R dealer or www.Z1R.com to check these out!

DRAG SPECIALTIES FRONT BRAKE CALIPER KIT

68 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE speed and position of the crankshaft and transfers that information to the ECM for proper fuel delivery and spark timing. This high-quality replacement sensor is for 17-20 FLHT, FLHR, FLHX, FLTRX, FL TRU, and FLTRK models along with 18-21 Softails (repl. OEM #32700048). It has a suggested retail price of UAJusFKA%3D%3D=10220261;r=eJyrVkrLzClJLSpWsoqOrQhttps://www.dragspecialties.com/search;q$53.95.

Help reduce the torsional vibration from your motor and drivetrain shock with the Drag Specialties Compensating Sprocket Kit. This kit comes com plete with a high-quality 34-tooth sprocket, sprocket retainer,sliding cam, sprocket bolt and spring pack. This kit works with 17-21 M-Eight mod els (excluding FXBR/S, FXFB/S and FXDR/S models) and replaces OEM #40100076. Suggested retail price is $299.95. 3D%3Dties.com/search;q=11200435;r=eJyrVkrLzClJLSpWsoqOrQUAJusFKA%https://www.dragspecial-

Slip-on Exhaust from 2022+ HD Nightster

DRAG SPECIALTIES COMPENSATING SPROCKET KIT

Welcome to the next generation of the Sportster. The performance gurus at S&S Cycle are on the job and have recently launched a slip-on muffler that allows the most technically advanced Sportster ever created to sound more like, well, a Sportster. Designed to mesh with the factory header and shields, the S&S exhaust features their trademark removable dB Reducer that allows for easy sound and performance tuning. Wake up your Night ster with the Grand National Slip-on and look for more performance parts for HD’s latest from S&S Cycle. Like everything else S&S does, their ex hausts are all made in the USA! https://www.sscycle.com/products/grandnational-nightster-black-45-slip-on-muffler-for-2022-nightster

z1r friske vest

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 69

CARDO AND KTM JOIN FORCES TO UNVEIL SPECIAL EDITION KTM PACKTALK EDGE Offering 13-hours of battery life, the KTM PACKTALK EDGE comes standard with a USB-C plug and fast charging technology. A quick 20-minute charge gives users two hours of ride time, with a full charge achieved in less than two hours. The KTM PACKTALK EDGE is fully compatible with any KTM TFT* to receive FM radio (with six presets) or other App options. Over-the-air software updates via the Cardo Connect App, mean that no cables or Wi-Fi adapters are required to ensure the KTM PACKTALK EDGE device is loaded with the latest firmware. The new KTM PACKTALK EDGE has an MSRP of $389.95/€389,95 and will be available from KTM and Cardo System retailers in June, or ordered directly from www.cardosystems.com.

DRAG SPECIALTIES SEATS CABALLERO SEAT Keep your bike looking and feeling cool with the Drag Specialties Seats Caballero Seat This seat has a dual-material finish with solar-reflective leather in the seating area and automotive-grade vinyl on the sides. Solar-reflective is a patented process to re duce the surface temperature by as much as 25°F for a cooler seat, higher durability and longer life over conventional leather or vinyl. The molded polyurethane foam gives you maximum com fort and styling while the ” ABS thermoformed seat base provides a perfect fit. Available in a Diamond stitch style for 97-07 FLHR and 06-07 FLHX models. Made in the USA with suggested retail price of $489.95 and includes all mounting partNumber=08011133https://seats.dragspecialties.com/products/?productId=433613&hardware.

70 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

j Article By: Jason Hallman Photos By:Missi Shoemaker August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 71 eff Z is counted among the group of men that drive our industry forward with technology, innovation, and killer builds like the FXR you see on these pages. The challenge of coming up with new ways to skin old cats is what gets Jeff out of the office chair and into the laboratory to create machines that look and perform as well as his bikes do. As you will see, this FXR has technology that no company has attempted to bring to market successfully before. This technology was built and tested as a challenge to Jeff’s ingenuity and will soon be available in the aftermarket for your build at home too.For starters, this bike may not have even happened if not for the prodding of friends; Jason Mook (of Deadwood Custom Cycles), Paul Yaffe (Paul Yaffe Originals), Curtis Hofmann (Hofmann Designs), Brian Klock (Klock Werks), and Nick Trask (Trask Performance) all deciding that they should push each other to build “their” version of an FXR to be ridden to Arizona Bike Week. For the build and final assembly, Jeff and his pal Mike Allerton worked tirelessly to make the Arizona Bike Week deadline, which was only weeks after the spring Daytona event. Jeff has never put a bike together without making a solid attempt to integrate some new innovation into it. This FXR is no exception. While the devil might be in the details, some of the new technology introduced on this FXR are things like Lectric Lighting’s new 7” LED headlamp with integrated turn signals and NAMZ new proprietary twist-grip throttle (available soon) and plugand-play (non-canbus) wiring housing for late model Twin

72 August ‘22 - Cycle SOURCE MAGAZINE Cam engines. NAMZ partnered with the legendary Thundermax manufacturer, Thunderheart, in Tennessee to develop an entire engine control system that will allow the ability to run newer and more technologically advanced engine control systems on any chassis! The bike started life as a nondescript basic 1987 FXRS. In six months, it went from that basic bike status to the detailed performance and technological wonder it is today. At the heart of the driveline is a 2009 Twin Cam pulled from a running Harley bagger. While, overall, the bike may lack subtlety, it is far from over the top. The black ceramic-coated Thunderheader looks and sounds like only a Thunderheader can. The orange powder coat on the engine draws your attention to the driveline and perfectly accentuates the matching orange wheels and orange in the flames. The paint features a Vivid Black base coat with proper old-school flames and was painstakingly laid down by Kenny Mondello. Parts were sent out to Meclec for chroming, while

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 73 the polished aluminum parts were brought to new life by GH Marketing. The bars are from Drag Specialties, and the risers are Accutronix. The stock triple trees were modified to fit 49mm suspension and a front fender from a 2018 Sport Bob. The hand controls are from BDL, while the foot controls are modified mid controls from Performance Machine. Michelin rubber wraps the stock 19/16 mag wheels brought to a halt with factory late model HD/ Brembo brake calipers.

The engine was given the Zippers treatment from stem to stern and displaces 107 cubic inches. The final assembly was handled by

THROWDOWN TECH SHEET Owner: Jeff Zielinski/NAMZ City/State: Oreland PA Builder: Jeff Zielinski, Mike Allerton Year: Builder:Model:Year:ENGINETime:Value:Model:1987FRS6-months2009TwinCamHD/Zippers/Mike Allerton Ignition: NAMZ/Thundermax EFI Displacement: 107” Pistons: Zippers Heads: Zippers Carb: Stock HD Throttle Control Actuator Cam: Red Shift/Zippers Air Cleaner: Ness/HD Evo NOS Exhaust: Ceramic-coated Thunderheader Primary: Polished HD Shifting:Make:Year:TRANSMISSIONHD6-speedPM/NAMZ modified Builder:Year:ForksStretch:Rake:Model:Year:FRAME1987FXRSStockStock2018H-D/NAMZ modified Type: Triple49mmTrees: Stock/Modified Extension: N/A FrontWHEELSWheel: 87 FXR 9-spoke Size: 19” Tire: 100-90-19 Michelin Front Brake: HD Brembo Rear Wheel: 1987 FXR 9-spoke Size: 16” 9-spoke Tire: MU-85-B16 Michelin Rear Brake: 2021 Road Glide/Brembo Painter:PAINT Kenny Mondello Color: Vivid Black Graphics: Old school flames Chroming: Meclec polishing: GH Marketing GasFootHandRisers:Bars:ACCESSORIESDragSpecialtiesAccutronixControls:BDLControls:PM/HD/NAMZTank(s):1987FXRS/NAMZ modified Oil FrontTank:fender: 2018 Sport Bob/NAMZ Rear Fender: 1987 FXRS Seat: Custom LePera Flip-kick Headlight: Lectric Lighting Co Tail light: Lectric Lighting Co Speedo: Dakota Digital Photographer: Missi shoemaker 74 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE Mike Allerton. A Thundermax auto-tuner with wide-band O2 sensors makes easy work of tuning any engine combination you can throw at it. While the 107 has yet to hit the dyno, Jeff was impressed with the overall performance. A stock Harley Davidson Cruisedrive 6-speed handles the gear changes, and a stock primary transfers the engine power to the gearbox. Jeff rides on a LePera seat while monitoring the engine RPM and motorcycle speed with a Dakota Digital speedometer. The FXR frame retains the factory geometry (if something works flawlessly, why change it?), and Jeff made the modifications (like adding a fuel injection pump, regulator, etc.) himself. Of course, all of the lighting is from Letric Lighting, and all wiring supplies are from NAMZ. This bike does a perfect job of paying homage to what a proper FXR should be while integrating the type of suspension and engine management technology available today. This only leaves one question: what the hell does NAMZ stand for? Well, I guess, you’ll have to ask the Z-Man himself the next time you are at a rally!

Tours. After exchanging multiple messages back and forth, he was generous enough to offer me a place to stay and a 3-day tour so that he could show me some of the best of this often forgotten country. To say that my eyes were opened would be a colossal understatement, and to say that I was taken out of my element would also be an understatement. On the first day, Paddy (Patrick) sent us straight out to the desert near the Azerbaijan border into a landscape that I otherwise would not have even known existed in Georgia. There were huge expanses of green rolling hills broken only by twotrack roads heading far off into the distance. Cattle farmers and sheep herders were the only signs of civilization. This was a landscape I would have only pictured in a place like Mongolia, certainly not here, where I had only imagined the Caucasus Mountains. I saw caves turned into Churches perched high on the hillsides, ancient castles, and catacombs filled with human remains just off the side of the road.

76 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE s

Old towers marked the entrances to a new territory, with no fences and no Private Property or No Trespassing signs. Americans often refer to parts of the United States as the Wild West. Well, as much as that might be true in some ways, the desert of Georgia truly is. All of these structures and caves and castles are just there. There are no gates or entry fees, no one telling you where you can and can’t go, no signs, no guard rails, and no rules. You just simply find them and go wander around. I love that. For three days, around,wanderedwe traversing southern Georgia before pointing ourselves north and heading to the Caucuses Mountains. This is the part of Georgia I had always pictured: Towering snow capped peaks, narrow and twisty dirt roads, incredible views, and rivers flowing through deep canyons. We saw

ince my last writing I have ridden across Turkey, along the entire coast line of the Black Sea, and made my way into Georgia for a few days in Batumi before eventually making my way east across the country to Tbilisi. It is here where a decision has to be made about what my next move will be. As many of you know, the original goal of this trip was to circumnavigate the globe; that is exactly what I intend to do. Before diving into that, however, I’d like to share a little about my experience here in eastern Georgia. Through this globally connected and tight OnwardandwhoPatrickgentlemanputcommunity,motorcycleIgotintouchwithanamedMans,istheowneroperatorofMotorcycle

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 77 Article By: Charlie Weisel

sheepherders with their dogs sitting high on the hillsides watching over their flocks. I am no stranger to large mountain ranges. I do live in Colorado, after all, just on the doorstep of the Rocky Mountains. But the Caucuses have a magic of their own and for all the same reasons as the desert did. There was little to no traffic, again no fences or signs, just nature and the few people brave enough to call this rugged landscape home. I keep bringing up this topic of no fences and no signs for a reason, and I have in the past and in previous articles.

I do that because we often don’t realize how limited our movements are until we find ourselves in a place with a little freedom to roam. In most western societies, we are corralled through life, placed on the path, and guided through life with signs doing the navigating. That doesn’t leave a lot of room for satisfying the innate curiosity we all have inside us. In fact, I don’t think we realize just how much we are stifled until those barriers are gone. So what is the next move for me? Well, it’s a big one. It is a move that some may not agree with and one that many will. It is a decision I have made based on my belief that people are inherently good and that the need to separate politics from the average person is critical to unifying this world in a way that we desperately need. I will not give specifics about my next move until it is underway for a number of reasons, but primarily because, in the next few days, the decision about whether or not it will happen will be made for me. But, what I want to impress upon you is that when we dissect anyone, from anywhere in the world, regardless of language spoken, how we were raised, belief systems we hold, or the color of our skin, we all have a unique desire to help others and be part of something bigger than ourselves. It is these traits that keep travelers safe in all environments and cultures. It is the challenges that I am about to embark upon that provide proof that I set out seven months ago with a goal in mind, and throughout this journey, the dynamics of the world we live in have changed dramatically. These changes have not only created hurdles to overcome but also provided an opportunity for me to learn more about myself. They have taught me how to better navigate change both on the micro and macro scale. They have shown me my own personal

78 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 79 limits and made me question just how far I am willing to push myself. Most importantly, however, these changes have taught me to look outside myself and into the eyes of the person standing across from me. It should also be noted that I am not going into this with only blind faith. My realistic side wouldn’t allow that, which is also something I’ve learned over the years. Have faith but do some research as well. A massive amount of reading, networking, and communicating with others has taken place. A web of support has been developed, and a route has been plotted. In a matter of days, I will load my motorcycle and begin the final leg of my journey, pass those borders and signs I so much despise, and look into the eyes of those across from me. The adventure will continue against all odds, and it will be one for the books. Whether or not you agree with my decision, I ask that you trust that I have explored all possibilities, options, and ideas and have chosen do to what I am about to do based on my research and faith in humanity. So, what am I doing? Tomorrow morning I will be headed north from Tbilisi and crossing the Russian border. From there, I will traverse the 6,200 miles across the Russian landscape, Siberia, and on to Vladivostok, where I will ultimately return to either Mexico or the United States. The bike is ready, I am ready, and by the time you read this, I will be deep in the heart of one of the most remote places on earth. Stay tuned for updates in the next issue and possibly an update on Cycle Source’s very own Shop Talk. For day to day, updates are sure to follow me on @travelingchopperInstagram

80 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

Article And Photos By: Missi Shoemaker August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 81

first saw Chris Nieman’s 1975 Shovel in Sturgis sitting at the Iron Horse Saloon. I was drawn to it because it was a clean looking old school chopper. One you could tell had been put together with the intent of riding it; to me, that is what it’s all about. Riding them! It all started for Chris when he was about twelve years old, riding i his dirt bike in the field across the street from his childhood home, raising hell with the neighborhood kids. He graduated to his first street bike when he was seventeen, a 1972 Ironhead hardtail bobber that he got from a nearby little town in Iowa. He tore it apart, learning as he went, he chopped it up, put a set of drag bars on it, painted it green, and rode the crap out of it. Chris deployed for a couple of years to Iraq and later did another year in Afghanistan, where he spent his free time ordering parts and having them shipped to his dad’s house. He arrived home to the spare bedroom full of parts. He picked up a ‘74 Shovel, ordered a Baker trans, and built a Chopper. Nieman rode it for a while before he eventually tore it apart, and it

82 August ‘22 - Cycle SOURCE MAGAZINE became a partial donor for this build. By this time, Chris had been working for Dana Menefee at Siouxicide Choppers in Sioux City, IA, and he was making a lot of contacts in the industry. As it happens, these contacts turned into friends, so many of them were critical in this build. Dana had an 80s frame sitting around that Chris traded a case of beer for, another friend had the tank, and you guessed it, he bartered a case of beer for that too. And with a little help from Dana and another old friend, this bike was pieced together over the course of the next four to five years total. He spent a lot of time picking through the take-off parts and the junk drawers at Siouxicide Choppers. He used a lot of “factory” parts, many of which he modified because he knew this bike was one he wanted to ride and not have to worry about it breaking down. Somewhere along the line, Chris came across the Crazy Frank fender and knew he had to have it. It was an original, made before Frank went to prison. He acquired it for $400. Of course, it wouldn’t fit the 80s-style frame, so he bought a SpeedKing drop seat kit and modified the frame just to run the fender. The oil tank came from a friend who had put a new one on his own bike and passed it down to Chris. It was cracked, so he repaired it and changed out the frame tabs so it would fit. This became a thing, gathering parts from friends and having to “make them fit.”

Chris met Hideo Tsunenaga from Japan, and they quickly hit it off, becoming friends. Hideo makes custom kickstands. Hideo made Chris a custom snake kickstand and sold it to him for the cost of the shipping.Oneof the most complimented pieces on the bike is the magneto cap. Chris was talking to his wife

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 83

SIOUX CITY PRETTY TECH SHEET Owner: Chris Nieman City/State: Sioux City,IA Builder: Chris Nieman Builder:Model:Year:Engine1976ishShovelheadChris,Dana, and Tim Ignition: Morris M5 Magneto Displacement: 93” Pistons: S&S Heads: Harley Davidson Carb: Mikuni 45mm Cam: S&S 514 Air Cleaner: Custom built deflector Exhaust: I built 308L stainless steel pipes Primary: BDL 1-1/2” open belt with Primo Rivera Make:Year:Transmissionclutch2010Baker6into4 speed Shifting: Foot shift with an N1 drum kit Model:Year:Frame1980s?Shovelhead frame converted with speed king castings to make it an older styled drop seat frame Rake: Builder:ForksStretch:StockStockHarley (FXDX) Type: Hydraulic 39mm dual disc Triple trees: Aluminum 39mm Extension: None FrontWheelswheel: Harley 9 Spoke Mag Size: 19 Tire: American Elite Front Brake: Harley dual calipers Rear wheel: Harley 9 Spoke Mag Size: 16 Tire: American Elite Rear Brake: Heavily modified GMA softail brake and bracket Painter:Paint Harley and years of use Color: Black and Gold Bars:Accessories7/8diameter 14” tall black powder Risers:coat FXDX Stock risers Hand controls: Modified Harley Foot Controls: Performance Machine Oil Tank: Unknown Front Fender: None Rear Fender: Original Crazy Frank (before his Seat:release)Notsure; it came on the fender Headlight: LED Taillight: LED Cat eye that fits the Fender Speedo: Photographer:None Missi shoemaker 84 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE Raeann one day about what to do with the cap when she came up with the idea of dipping it like she does fingernails. So, this became her task; using gold nail polish, she repeatedly dipped it until it came out the way she liked. And she absolutely loves that it is the thing people always pick out first on the Chrisbike.stated, “When I decide to build a bike, it takes over my mind until it’s done. I usually develop a vision of what I want it to look like...what stance do I want, and then I develop it from there. This bike is special because I had this exact image in my head and all these people I consider friends gave, sold, or traded me parts, and it just so happened to build the bike I had envisioned.” Well done, Chris!

86 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

ctober 2018 ended my first full season working motorcycle rallies to sustain my travel addiction. It also fueled my need to be something other than what society said I should be. By then, I felt like a seasoned vet of the lifestyle. I was barely working, maybe 60 days that year, but I was making more than I spent and couldn’t help but feel like I was winning. I had probably camped out some 200 nights and enjoyed just about every second! I had good reason to think I was the next Scotty, possibly the next Billy, and was truly convinced that was admirable and By: Chip Parisi

o Article

@chipakid

good. Nowadays, I fully understand the flaw in goals like that and have long embraced the idea of not being the next anybody but simply being the first me and taking a lot of pride in living life my way. An entry in my online journal from then was just another day on the way to figuring this out: “Mike (Mchone) and I snaked our way east through Tennessee, from outside Nashville. We rode the Tail of the Dragon at dusk and many of the area’s better but less famous roads. I’ve ridden that fromthedisplayadaylighthad,goodNeedlesswithfirstbutearlierHokaincludingamarketedmagnificentlyroadoverdozentimes,duringtheHeyChallengethatyear,thiswasthetimeslayingitBomberMike.tosay,timeswereandthefadingmadeforvirtualfireworksasIchasedsparksflyinghisfloorboards in every curve and corner. After taking the 30-mile Foothills

hadmyforcoverage,goodbike.towheel,side,thecontemplatedcompressor.high-poweredIlayingoldgirlonherremovingtheandtakingitashoponMike’sIhopedtohaveroadsidecellsocallingatowwouldbeeasyoption.Ofcourse,Iterriblecell

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 87

AGAIN.Now, if I had been a good little doobie and had done what is always recommended, but often ignored, a pre-ride inspection, I would have seen the flat and plugged it again. Since I didn’t, and not only rode on it but also made an aggressive move, I popped the bead, and the tire came off the wheel. Wonderful! Now, the only solution was to get the bike’s weight off the wheel and pop the bead back on with a

coverage, so the small chore of calling for help took an hour. Of course, I was plagued by very frustrating dropped calls.... which meant I had to start the tedious process all over again. Grrr! Within about 4 hours, yes, 4 hours, Gloria was on a trailer, and I was in the truck’s cab that was bringing us to

Parkway that’s right off the Dragon, we jumped on one of my favorite stretches in the country, the Cherohala Skyway. For some, it was Space Mountain-like night riding. Without saying as much, I know we were both thinking of pulling another all-nighter, but a dense fog finally took all the fun out of things and grounded us at a parking area of a trailhead. With a picnic table and four stakes, we made what would be our last tarp fort that year. This was clearly a “Day Use” area, but without a “No Camping” sign in sight, we figured nobody would give us a hard time... and nobody did. The following morning we slowly packed up, then started to roll out, just as the guys who rolled in with some heavy equipment began demolishing the cinder block bathroom building. I wanted to stay to enjoy the show, but I knew Mike had to start making real progress towards home in Maryland. After warming Gloria up for a minute, I made the slow and sharp maneuver around the now naked picnic table we called home. Then, deep into that corner, Gloria’s ass-end washed out on me and almost put us both on the ground. I avoided kissing the ground by using a lot of throttle and having a little luck on my side. Unfortunately, this also made a minor problem much worse. Seems that the (double) plug I fixed a flat with a thousand miles ago had failed, and my tire was flat…

“Thanks again, man. How much do I owe you?” “$120.” Now, I didn’t say what I wanted to say (what?? Are you serious?? For a patch and 30 minutes of labor???), but did ask if he could do any better and that I had no idea such a small job, equal to mounting one tire, would be so much. In the end, I gave him a hundred bucks, told him to call the cops if that wasn’t good enough for him, and walked out.After that, we made our way towards Asheville, where our Camp 5 (Sturgis 2017) brother, Jersey Mike, had given us permission to camp behind his shop. If you’ve

inside, re-mounted the tire, and gave it to me to reinstall on the bike, I went to settle my bill. the closest shop. Since this incurred no out-of-pocket expense, I refused to be upset by the ridiculous delay and instead focused on how it allowed me to see the demolition of that brick shithouse (while “be careful what you wish for” thoughts circled in my head).Once we got to the shop, I had her up on a jack in a shady corner of the parking lot, just like I had discussed with the owner while on our way there. Getting shop owners to agree to let me do as much labor as possible is usually a great way to save some money when repairs are needed, so I was thrilled that this guy was game. “What a great guy!” I thought. NOPE! After he took the tire off the wheel, patched it from the 88

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 89

into friends and rally veterans, emcee Smiley Gilcrest, Sloan, and Diana, two of the best and most recognizable bartenders in the game. Around 3am, it was time for my old buddy to get back to his camp, as he was in town to work, and after snapping a selfie and saying, “see you in Daytona,” I was off into the darkness. A quick look at the GPS confirmed that a 5-hour blast straight down I-95 would bring me to my friend Laura’s house. So, I filled Gloria’s belly with the finest 87 money can buy, put on a layer, and was there around 10am. Since my host and her roomie are bartenders, my sleeping all day wasn’t completely out of the norm, and it was just what I needed. After a week of too many late nights, beers, parties, and naps, I was ready to take Gloria off her kickstand and plant her right where we landed. Thanks again to Laura and Robyn for opening their home to me and giving me the perfect place to do absolutely nothing for a while. It was perfect!” been riding along since last year, you may recall that this is where I stayed on the shop couch for a week, waiting for a part to be delivered, and watching my friend and 20+ year fulltimer, Scooter Tramp Scotty Kerekes, replace his motor. In the morning, when Jersey opened the shop, Mike tried to diagnose his mystery wobble, and I did a bunch of random little chores (adjusted my drive belt, adjusted my primary chain, adjusted my clutch and cable, changed my oil and filter, cleaned my caked air filter, and replaced the bolts on one of my exhaust headers). Mike left for home around noon, and I hung around the shop until about 5. I planned to spend another night, before heading to Jacksonville for a week off at a friend’s house, then I would move on to work a couple of rallies in Florida. Well, as it goes, when you live like a bag in the wind, I decided to head toward Jacksonville instead of staying, and anticipated arriving around 11pm. At a gas stop, about a half-hour in, I saw how much fun some friends were having at the rally in Myrtle Beach and decided to alter my course. I was at Murrell’s Inlet well before midnight. I had fun sitting with a fellow rally rat in the weathered rockers outside of SBB. I bumped

90 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

Article And Photos By: Tom Beerpoot ené Wassink is the drummer of ‘Strike,’ a well-known biker band from Holland, Europe, and a Garage Builder. He also loves to ride and build radical choppers. This badass chop here is his latest. ‘Building a real Highneck chopper has always been on my bucket list, and now I have finally done it,’ the musician says. A Highneck chopper? WTF is a Highneck chopper? ‘Highnecks’ is what Europeans call all choppers with a lot of stretch in the downtubes. Although the term is not used in the US, the chopper style is still of American origin. You would probably call them West Coast style choppers or club choppers. Not only did we start liking how these bikes looked, but we also discovered how well these Highneck handle. In Europe, you will find a lot of bobbers and retro choppers. This Dutchman hails from the town of Vorden, near the German border. Building, owning, and riding a Highneck was something René wanted for quite some time. He sold his Paughco hardtail Sportster chopper and made enough to start his dream project. René still owned an old Harley Softail and was to scavenge the Softail’s motor, gearbox, primary and other parts. René ordered a frame, a springer frontend, wheels, and other components. From there, it was fullthrottle.René took the Softail apart in his little garage behind the house. He sold off the titled frame…and whatever else was left after taking what he needed to fund more of the chopper build. The single downtube frame that René had custom-built to his specs arrived, and he bolted the motor and gearbox in and quickly made it into a roller. Wassink

r

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 91

Color: Black,

Chroming: Photographer:Taillight:Headlight:FootSeat:RearFrontHandFueltank:Oiltank:Risers:Bars:AccessoriesNoneOwnerinBarsL&LchoppersVillainControls:L&LChoppersfender:Saywhat?fender:FlatbenderL&LControls:HD/OwnerBeer

Owner: Ren Groot Wassink City: Vorden, Holland, Europe by: Owner Time:Value:Model:2014HighneckNotforsaleOneyearofand on Kustom Bart from Ede, Holland silver, flames by Kustom Bart Kustom Bart fabricated the pipes, the sissybar, the handlebars, and anything else he could.René says his favorite part of building bikes is making stuff you can’t buy anywhere. In our opinion, René did an excellent job. Look at how the Z-bars curve around the gas tank and how natural they look on those springer forks! The copper oil lines look pretty cool too. Instead of buying expensive aftermarket controls, René took the stock Softail ones and chopped and rebuilt them into something personal. The fender is mounted to the swingarm. You may not have noticed, but this ain’t a hardtail. René just made it look very much like one! Lastly, Kustom Bart did an excellent job painting the tins, making this bike stand out in a crowd. The way Wasnick built this bike to be reliable as hell and handle like a dream. René rides this bike a lot and loves it. René took off the government-required blinkers for his maiden voyage. Unfortunately, local law enforcement took notice, so René had to put them back but did so inconspicuously. I challenge you, can you find the blinkers? I can assure you they are there somewhere. René is the perfect example of why Dennis Kirk celebrates the home garage builder. He builds what he loves and draws inspiration from the motorcycle scene worldwide. You can share your build with the world too, go to www.garagebuild.com

Fabrication

Year:

orange Type: Candy and baby flakes Graphics,

92 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE HIGHNECK TECH SHEET

Molding:

Model:Year:Engine FrontWheelsTripleExtension:Builder:Type:ForksStretch:Rake:Make:Year:FrameShifting:Make:Year:TransmissionPrimary:Exhaust:AirCarb:Cam:Heads:Pistons:Ignition:Builder:EvolutionHarleyDavidsonHDHDHDCVCleaner:MalteseCrossOwnerHDSoftailHarleyDavidsonFivespeed2013L&LChoppers40degrees6inchindowntubeRetroSpringerL&LChoppers18inchTrees:L&LChopperswheel:spokes,extra wide rim Size: 21 inch Front tire: Metzeler Front brake: L&L Choppers Rear wheel: spokes, extra wide rim Size: 18 inch Rear Tire: Metzeler 200 Rear brake: HD Softail discbrake Painter:Paint

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 93 FIND TEN DIFFERENT THINGS ON SLEEZY SLIPPER NO THERE ISN’T ANY REAL PRIZE, JUST SOMETHING TO DO WHILE YOU’RE IN THE CAN. Differ4.Carb.Wxtra3.Seat.ColorDifferent2.TankFuelOnPanelPaintExtra1. FrontOnCoverSmooth6.Handle.ShifterBigger5.Regulator.VoltageOnEndent Different9.Shifter.ToeHeel8.Plate.PressureOnHolesExtra7.Primary.OfPulley Plate.LicenseOnNumberChanged10.Chain.RearColor

the story about this girl and this bike is exactly why we started this magazine. You see, she gets it on a real level. You might not know it to look at her, but she’s more hardcore than ten other cats I know, can wrench her own bike on the side of the road during a couple hundredmile day, and still knows the value of words like loyalty, honor, and respect. Her bike is her best friend, like most of us that came up the way she did. In short, she’s the real deal.So let me tell you the story of Athena and Rosie Posie. She found this bike on E-bay, and it looked perfect. Of course, like most you find there, it was quite a mess in person. No matter, Athena knew that under all that pink and black Krylon, a 1978 anniversary model was waiting to be found. She got the price down and grabbed

94 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 95 Article By: Chris Callen Photos By: Desiree Sharrow

96 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE it up. On the first 200-mile run to Daytona, the bike hardly ran. She promptly drove it to J&P Cycles and told the guy at the counter she needed some jets for the carb. He gave her the old “Listen Sweetie,” and you know how that turned out. She took him to school. After some tuning, the ride home was way better, and the work began. Athena started by cleaning, a little here, a little there. Four bolts later, the tranny was out, four more, and the motor was too. The pink and black mess was everywhere, but she was determined. After a quick hundred hours, she managed to get the original black and gold finish of the anniversary year back up. It took a total of 36 cans of H-D wrinkle black spray paint to make that happen. It wasn’t even fifty miles after she got it back on the street when a lady in a car took her out, and Rosie sat bent and banged up again. It took nearly a year for Athena to be able to limp around the house herself, let alone start working on the bike. At that time, she also had decided to move her father to the other side of her duplex so she could take care of him. He had been diagnosed with bone cancer, and there was nothing more important in the world from that point on except making sure he had what he needed. But you see, this is where the bike comes into focus. Her dad Phill was her first influence in motorcycling. He was in a club and was a bouncer at a bike bar when she was 12. She used to run the streets as a young girl causing trouble, and it was her father that sat her down and started teaching her the ways of old school bikers. He was her hero growing up. While they were going through an incredibly hard time during his illness, working on the bike together made it better somehow. She pulled the wrecked bike into the back room of the house, and he would sit with her for hours while she tore it down and started making parts and repairing others. All the while, he’d tell her stories of the old days, you know, the good stuff we do. Her first job was at that same biker bar that he bounced at. She was only twelve, and it was the local police that said that it would be better for her to work at the bar than cause trouble in the neighborhood. And so, it began. Learning to take

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 97 care of yourself in a room full of drunken bikers is one thing, but being able to do it as a young girl is quite another. Athena had been riding since she was a little girl, and while he was her dad, Phil was also her biggest fan. You see, Athena or “Chickie” from Vagabond Choppers had quite a long run in the popular culture of the motorcycle thing. Phill kept every article, magazine feature, and picture of her exploits. She built bikes on the Today Show in Sturgis, rode across the country, and ran her own shop in Florida until she closed it to care for him. The project rolled on. Sometimes her old man, Don, would help out. It became a real family affair. Even the bike’s namesake was her mother Rose, and the photos that were shot on the jetties in Miami were by her daughter. This is how I remember motorcycles growing up. It was always a family deal, just like this crew. The particulars of what she put on it are all in the tech sheet, but the real story is that the build took around five years,

98 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE ROSIE POSIE TECH SHEET Owner: Athena Ransom City/State: Deerfield Beach Builder: Vagabond Chopper LLC Year: FrontTire:Size:16FrontWHEELSExtension:TripleType:Builder:FORKSStretch:Rake:Model:Year:FRAMEShifting:Make:Year:TRANSMISSIONPrimary:Exhaust:AirCam:Carb:Heads:Pistons:Displacement:Ignition:Builder:Model:Year:ENGINETime:Value:Model:2017FLHPricelessToolong1978FLH1200HDDyna200074cuHDHDS&SEShortyAndrewsBGrindCleaner:S&STeardropLoudHD1978HD4speed2017PaughcoStockFLHNoneVagabondShovel&RoadkingTrees:StockHD1978Wheel:HDMetzlerBrake:HDDualDiscwith Floating RearTire:Size:16RearRotorsWheel:MetzlerBrake:1999 FLT Painter:PAINT My brother Jamie Color: 2016 Challenger Blue Type: HandRisers:Bars:ACCESSORIESChroming:Graphics:PolyuerethaneNoneVerylittle2020StreetBobControls:Classic JayBrake Foot Controls: Classic JayBrake with Custom Pedal/Shifter Gas Tank(s): Drag Specialties 5 gallon Oil Tank: Stock HD Front fender: Klockworks Rear Fender: Drag Specialties Seat: Jeffrey Phipps Custom Saddles Headlight: Nacelle Stock 1978 Taillight: Paughco Speedo: Photographer:None

Desiree Sharrow

during which time she spent long hours with her father, more than average people get to these days. It was the year before she finished the build that he passed away, but this bike ensures he is always with her. Every ride brings back all that time and the best memories.Thefirst ride was for this shoot. Of course, it was like most shovels on a shake-down run. Athena says she’s like most women; she takes effort. Every once in a while, she slaps her on the ass, then tells her how pretty she is, and it’s all good. But after a short time, Rosie was tuned, and all the gremlins were chased out. After taking care of everything with her dad, she followed the signs and opened her shop again. She and Don own and operate Vagabond Choppers in South Florida. I strongly recommend them. When it comes to Rosie, this is her forever bike. You can tell by the way she talks about it. Her eyes light up like part of her is thinking about that next great ride, and part of her is thinking about her dad and how lucky she was to come up the way she did.

100 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 2022 daytona bike week cycle source magazine bike showBestwinnersAntiqueRadical-AndrewLiebmanBest Antique - Doug WothkeBagger Radical - Clint Carter Best Bagger - Mike Dunlap People’s Choice - Xotic CustomsBest Bobber - Jeremy ValentineBest Big Twin - Brandon Keene Best Classic - Dirty Dick Nick Best Flathead - Fish AlcornBest Evo - Kasper BranskiBest Euro - Ron Zuk Best Hardcore - Daniel Heman Best Of Show - Brandon KeeneBest Metric - Pierre DesjardinBest Knuckle - Jesse Srpan Best Paint - Ron Fleenor

To all the builders from Willie’s Show, Cycle Source Bike Show, and The Dennis Kirk Garage Build Show, we would just like to take a minute to thank you for entering your bike, whether you won your class or not. We understand that it requires a great commitment of time on your part to take away from your rally day to be at these and spend the time waiting for the judge’s decisions. These shows are very important to us and the culture since it takes a minute to acknowledge the extra hard work that goes into a show-winning motorcycle. A way to say, hey.... all those hours spent locked away in your garage really paid off. Thank you!

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 101 Best Shovel Eric Stein Best TylerPerformanceFosterBest Panhead J Crawford Best Sportster Carl Lesnick Best Vintage Jeff Fording Best Twin Cam Chris Rosenberg Best Trike The Rat Shop Most Original Josh Burkey Best JaimeeBaggerWhiteBest DavidAntiqueLouryBest XavierAmerianGrant Best BryantBobberNies Best Euro Ron Zuk Best Daily Rider Jeff Grabau Best SonnyChopperHeflin Best MarkMetricAlbers 2022 daytona bike week dennis kirk garage build bike show

Stock

Johnson Most Original Josh DeBenedetto Working Mans Angelo Scorea

shows

Best Mod Terry

winnersBestofShowMarkStevens

Best GeorgePerformanceHefflin

102 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE Article And Photos By: Scott Wheeler

Steve Klien of the Sierra Madre Motorcycle Company pictured here with the last Crocker Motorcycle to be manufacturered from the iconic company.

And because of that, the Hardcore Cycles Performance Show has become the most talked about show in the performance scene, and many builders spend their entire winter break building their bikes in hopes of debuting them in Daytona each year. With the MoCo taking notice of this style of motorcycle, it’s no secret they get many of their ideas from the killer lineup on display at Rossmeyer ’s Destination Daytona. With the success of the Hardcore Show, some felt the need to keep

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 103 Y

Man, was it a party! There were so many incredible bikes and people, such as Kyle from Forever Rad bringing not one but two complete builds, Boosted Brad and his incredible FXR (which, by the way, took home ‘Best of Show’), Jeff with

ear after year, Daytona Bike Week brings the largest collection of performance-built American VTwins to one place. Daytona has been known by many as the first big motorcycle event of the year. Many riders in the north look forward to escaping the snow and showing up in Florida for some sunshine and good times.

the party going, so for the first time this year, a second performance show dubbed the Hangover Show, hosted by the crew at Space Coast Harley Davidson, was created. This new show was held the following day and brought many of the same vendors, bikes, and some new ones. John O’Brien has been the man behind the Hardcore Cycles Performance Show, which over the years has continued to grow. I had the pleasure of attending his show during the Sturgis Rally the last two years, but this was my first time checking it out in Daytona.

104 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE NAMZ, Jérémie from Canada, Adam Kendall and his Lucky Strike painted RG and so many more. It’s hard to put into words the craftsmanship that goes into this style of motorcycle. These bikes are not only built to look good but are ridden all over this country, smashing miles and making memories. That’s what I love about thisThesescene.shows are also a great chance to catch up with vendors and brands that are actively pushing the scene forward. Companies like MyMachinist, Lyndall Rotors, Hofmann Designs, Lexin, Death Metal Racing, Carbon Visionary, SBC, and more. Each of these brands continues to develop new products, and they support events such as these to help riders get the most out of their performance build. I’m also hyped to see clothing brands like Outcast Culture, Mercenary MC Co, First MFG Co, and Renegade Babes continue to show up to these events and party alongside us. Without people like them, this scene wouldn’t be what it is today. Following the Hardcore Performance Cycle Show that went down on Sunday, the Space Coast Speed Werks crew put together a killer event with another badass lineup of bikes, vendors, food, drinks, and good times. The Hangover Performance Show was located about 90 miles for the week. Just like the Hardcore Cycles Show, the Hangover Show did not disappoint. Photos just don’t do these events justice. With the quality of bikes and people, shows like these will be around for many years to come. To sum it up, this was my 7th Daytona Bike Week and my favorite so far. It’s great to have not one but two platforms for us performance junkies to share our passion. If you’re ever attending a rally/event and you hear there’s a performance-based show nearby, do yourself a favor and stop in and check it out for yourself. When it comes to performance-style motorcycles, it’s hard to explain what makes them so appealing. You would just have to see it for yourself. Hope to catch you at the next one!

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 105

MARIETTA, Ga. – June 2, 2022 – Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, marked the 14th anniversary of the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative (OAI) with an employee volunteer event in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, helping The Great Outdoors Fund fulfill its OAI grant project on the Oakey Mountain OHV trail system. In a fitting celebration of the OAI program awarding more than $5 million in grant funding to date, a contingent of employees and volunteers joined the effort north of Yamaha’s motorsports headquarters and factory in Georgia to clean up and restore an area decommissioned to public motorized access. “It’s immensely gratifying to help communities and improve rider access across the nation through Yamaha’s Outdoor Access Initiative, especially when seeing a consistently positive outcome after the program’s fourteen years of dedication and determination,” said Mike Martinez, president of Motorsports at Yamaha, who led the company’s attendance at the event on April 30, 2022. “When grant recipients are local and our employees can provide handson assistance, like on the Oakey Mountain trail in the ChattahoocheeOconee National Forest, it only further reinforces the vital need to keep our nation’s public lands open for all to enjoy through the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative.”

Hey, I started to write something about integrity for the Bikernet Weekly News. It’s sorta simple. If the government can lie to the people for political gains, where are we? Does that mean you can lie to the cops, the DMV, you name it for whatever reason you come up with. Isn’t that against the bikers’ Code of the West. It’s got me sorta twisted. Can I rob the Taco Truck, just because? Let’s hit the news:

YAMAHA-Honors 14 Years and $5 Million in Outdoor Access Initiative GrantsEmployees Join The Great Outdoors Fund and Grant Recipient for Georgia TrailRehabilitation Project

106 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

The 2022 Yamaha OAI program is underway and riding clubs, land stewardship associations, and public land managers are encouraged to work together with Yamaha dealers to identify projects and apply for support.“With the demand for these spaces being at an all-time high, the resources and energy required to protect, maintain, and improve access to public land has never been greater,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s Motorsports marketing manager. “Therefore, we strive to make it an easy process to receive the necessary assets through the Yamaha OAI program to fulfill projects and keep trails open; from our perspective, the sooner we get the funds working on the ground, the quicker the impact on what matters most.”To help those thinking about applying for a grant, the Yamaha OAI has answered the most popular questions about the program at YamahaOAI. com and offers recaps of some typical projects as inspiration. The first quarter grants for 2022 have been awarded to five applicants including: FireFrost ATV Club, Halstad, MinnesotaFriends of the Flathead Avalanche Center, Whitefish, SanMontanaJuanMountains Association, Durango, Colorado Turin Ridge Riders, Constable, NewTheYorkSouthern California Mountain Foundation also received a grant in the first quarter of 2022, extending a decade-long partnership that historically includes frequent Yamaha

HELMET LAW DATA FROM LAW TIGERS -Here is a quick representation of helmet laws by state.Did you realize that many states have different laws when it comes to whether or not you’re required to wear a helmet while on your bike? States with Motorcycle Helmet LawsMost states have some laws that require a rider and their passenger to wear helmets. Some states, such as Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, New Mexico, Utah, and Maine, require riders and passengers ages 18 and under to wear a helmet. Other states have motorcycle helmet laws for riders of all ages. For

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS-Good EV News in Illinois - In a win for electric motorcycling in Illinois, buyers of streetlegal plug-in bikes in the land of Lincoln will be eligible for a $1,500 EV rebate beginning July 1. This was not the case when the state’s Clean Energy Jobs Act passed in 2021, incentivizing the purchase of new and used electric vehicles with the exception of motorcycles.“Makingelectric vehicles accessible and affordable for all Illinoisans is a great way to promote sustainability,” said State Senator Dave Koehler. “By offering the same incentives for electric motorcycles that we do for other types of electric vehicles, we’re improving Illinois’ relationship with greener energy and supporting multiple modes of transportation.” –MIC California May Establish Pilot Noise Camera Program - The California state legislature is considering a bill that would create a pilot “noise camera” program to target excessively loud motorcycles and cars. Having passed one committee in the Senate, if the bill were to become law, the pilot program would go into effect on January 1, 2023 and run through December 31, 2027, after which point it will be repealed. Under the language of SB-1079, a total of six yet-to-be-determined cities across California would implement a pilot program, using automated, socalled ‘noise cameras’ to “capture vehicle noise levels that exceed the legal sound Complicatinglimit.” matters, the legal sound limits for cars and motorcycles in California have been in place for years, and are inexplicably different, with a limit of 95 decibels for cars and 80 for motorcycles built after 1985. Noise cameras have been used in Europe and came to the United States last fall when New York began piloting their use. Earlier this year, Knoxville, Tenn., also began testing a noise camera, and Newark, NJ is currently exploring their use. -Bill Bish, NCOM The SmokeOut Rally--Teams Up with Dennis Kirk! The Original Chopper Party Is Set To Do Big Things With A New Title Sponsor In 2022.With two decades under its belt The SmokeOut Rally has become synonymous with garage builders and the custom motorcycle culture. At the same time, national parts distributor, Dennis Kirk, has gone far and above to provide support to the very same culture through their GarageBuild.com, Garage Build Bike Shows and community-based efforts. It makes perfect sense that these two entities would come together for the SmokeOut Rally’s triumphant return to Salisbury, NC, September 8, 9, and 10th, 2022. This new partnership will give the SmokeOut the horsepower it needs to continue the great standard of music and entertainment that event goers have come to expect. As evident in their slogan, “We Ship Today”, Dennis Kirk understands the importance of all ends of our culture. They truly know that we want to ride more and wait less. This is part of the reason why they support their customers from the warehouse shelves through the small home garages all across the country and finally to the country’s original Chopper Party, The SmokeOut.Togetwhat you need to get your ride ready to roll to the SmokeOut or just to give them a thumbs up for their support stop by www.DennisKirk.com or GarageBuild.com.Youcangetyour tickets to the SmokeOut Rally and stay up to date with what’s hitting the line-up by visiting www. SmokeOutRally.com

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 107 employee volunteer events on the San Bernardino National Forest, providing hands-on support for trail clearing, erosion control, and facilities improvements in one of the country’s most popular areas for outdoor and motorized recreation. The application deadline for consideration in the second quarter of the 2022 funding cycle is June 30, 2022. Submission guidelines and an application for a Yamaha OAI grant are available at YamahaOAI.com. For specific questions about the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative, call the dedicated hotline at 1-877-OHV-TRAIL (877-648-8724), email Motor.comOHVAccess@Yamaha-

New Hampshire is living up to its famous state motto, “Live Free or Die!”

Congratulations to all those who worked so hard on this bill. Special thanks to Speaker of the New Hampshire House Sherm Packard, NHMRO President Traci Beaurivage and John from the Granite State Brotherhood MC for their dedication and hard work.

- MRF There you have it: It’s nuts but if you need to read more news about efforts to keep us free, come to Bikernet.com and or join your local motorcycle rights organization. They are working hard forInyou.the meantime, ride fast and free forever! -Bandit

108 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE THE CYCLE SOURCE WORLD REPORT - POWERED BY BIKERNET.COM example, riders and passengers in states such as California, Maryland, Nevada, New York, Oregon, and Washington must wear a safety helmet at all times regardless of how old they are. States without Motorcycle HelmetThereLawsarejust a few states that don’t have any requirements when it comes to helmet laws, regardless of the age of the rider. These rare states include Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire. --Law Tigers Keith Ball’s Bikernet Blog Website Breaks into World’s Top 25 Motorcycle Sites - Bikernet. com, the brainchild of publisher, writer and freedom fighter Keith Ball, reached #25 in Feedspot’s list of the 100 top motorcycle blogs and websites earlier this year.The Bikernet Blog, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, was one of the first sites to focus on the custom motorcycle market. It now includes not only custom bikes of all brands, but also technical material, travel information, legislative updates and commentary on issues of importance to motorcycle riders. Bikernet’s editorial approach is to provide the perfect mix of motorcycle hardware and culture, along with imagery that captures the artistry of custom and performance motorcycles and the people who ride them. “Bikernet has consistently been ranked in the Top 30 sites on the Feedspot list, and this year we made it to #25 in the rankings, ahead of many wellknown titles,” said Ball. “We don’t care if we’re considered relevant or not. We just do and publish what we love and hope to ride free till the end.” Ball’s background is as varied as the site. He’s a Viet Nam-era Navy veteran who served as an electronics technician on a heavy cruiser, then, upon his return to civilian life, he was a staffer and editor at a host of motorcycling and automotive titles. He eventually became Executive VP for Paisano Publications. His understanding of motorcycles and the motorcycling culture helped him develop and lead publications like Easyriders and In The Wind, which became the top newsstand titles in the industry, along with Hot Bike, Hot Rod Bikes, Quick Throttle, American Rider, Street Chopper and several other titles. Ball’s resume is lengthy. He drove the founding and growth of motorcycle rights organization ABATE and was appointed as National Director of the organization. His motorcycling experience has made him a draw for top TV shows including roles as a team member in Monster Garage and as a judge on American Chopper. ABC News interviewed Ball for newsmagazine show 20/20. His racing resume includes being part of four successful motorcycle land speed record attempts and his honors include induction into the Sturgis Museum’s Hall of Fame (2006), Las Vegas Motorcycle Hall of Fame (2016), the Motorcycle Riders Foundation Hall of Fame (2018) and the Cycle Source Man of the Year (2006).“Breaking into the Top 25 is a great honor for our site,” Ball continued. “But our mission won’t change. We’ll continue to provide a great mix of bikes, racing news, tech and opinion pieces to entertain people who love building and riding custom bikes.”

New Hampshire Passes “Prohibiting Motorcycle Profiling - Friday, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu signed HB 1000, a bill titled “Prohibiting Motorcycle Profiling.” This bipartisan bill was sponsored by 10 different members of the New Hampshire House of Representatives and passed both chambers of the legislature by voice vote before ending up on the governor’s desk for his signature. New Hampshire now becomes the 5th state with a law regarding the profiling of bikers.

The new law states: “No state, county, or municipal law enforcement agency shall engage in motorcycle profiling. Motorcycle profiling shall mean use of the fact that a person rides a motorcycle or wears motorcyclerelated paraphernalia as a basis for deciding to stop and question, take enforcement action, arrest, or search a person or vehicle under the United States Constitution or the New Hampshire constitution.”

The New Hampshire Motorcyclists’ Rights Organization (NHMRO), working in partnership with other individuals and groups, including the New Hampshire Motorcycle Task Force, fought for passage of this piece of legislation. Earlier in the year bikers testified before lawmakers about the need to address profiling and shared personal stories about how profiling had impacted them.

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 109

110 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 111

112 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE ADVERTISERS INDEX 5 Ball Racing Leather.............95 Battery TwistedTechSpectroSportySpeedKing..............................49SmokeOutSierraShopTalk................................30ShineS&SProvidenceProgressivePaughco.............................20,57Pandemonium.........................19OldNoMotionMikuni......................................55MCLedLawKiwiIron5HotHijinxHighHardcoreGEICO.....................................27GarageFeuling...................................111Dutchman..............................113DreamDragDragDenver’sDennisDBCycleCycleChopBuffaloBling’sBikerNet.com.........................110Outlet.......................113Cycles.......................109Chip...........................99Cult...............................110SourceGear.................39StopUSA.......................35CustomLeather...............110Kirk............................115Choppers.................93Specialties.......................9SpecialtiesSeats...........15RidesTennessee.......88BuiltPodcast............109Cycles...................101SeasRally.......................45Apparel......................113Leathers.........................105BallRacingLeather.............95HorseSaloon..................75Indian...............................29Tigers................................2Sled..................................63Creations.........................113Pro..............................89SchoolChoppers..............35SchoolChopperShow.....31Insurance.............3CycleWorx..........51Cycle.............................116Werks...........................85MadreMotorcycleCompany.....39Rally........................5Parts...........................113Oils............................21Cycles............................29TwinPower................................4Choppers...................17

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 113

An old man is driving along the road humming to himself. Suddenly he hears a police siren, and a motorcycle cop pulls him over. He can’t imagine what could be wrong. “Sir, do you realize that you left your wife behind in the gas station?” “I did? I am so relieved.” “You’re relieved you drove off without your wife?” The gent nods. “But didn’t you sense something was wrong?” “Yes, I thought I’d gone deaf.” Keefer Aman boards a bus with six kids. When they are all settled in their seats, an old lady across leans towards the man and asks, ‘‘are they all your kids?’’ The man replied, ‘‘I work for a condom production company, and these here are customer complaints.’’ Guy D uring a Sunday school session, a Sunday school teacher asked kids if they knew how God takes people. One kid stood up and said, ‘God takes people by the feet.’ The teacher inquired for an explanation and the kid said that she walked in on her parents and found her mother’s legs lifted up in the air while screaming ‘God I’m coming!’

John Aman gets home after work and finds his girlfriend dressed up as a policewoman. She says, “You ́re being arrested under suspicion of being good in bed”. Two minutes later, she is getting dressed again. The man asks her “will you take me to jail, officer?” The woman sighs and says, “No. All your charges are dropped due to lack of evidence”. Joe Aman decided to tattoo his wife’s name on his pen*s. When hard it reads Wendy on the side of his shaft. When soft it only reads Wy. On his honeymoon in Jamaica, he’s in the bathroom and notices the guy on the urinal next to him also has Wy tattooed on his pen*s. He asks her if his wife is also named Wendy. The guy replies, “No man, why do you ask?”

The husband explains his Wendy tattoo. The stranger laughs and then says, “When hard, mine reads Welcome to Jamaica, have a nice day”.

Jimmy

114 August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE

Sam Acouple had been married for 45 years and had raised a brood of 11 children and was blessed with 22 grandchildren. When asked the secret for staying together all that time, the wife replies, “Many years ago we made a promise to each other: the first one to pack up and leave has to take all the kids.”

Send Your Gut Buster cyclesourcemain@comcast.netto:

Micheal

There was a papa mole, a momma mole, and a baby mole. They lived in a hole out in the country near a farmhouse. Papa mole poked his head out of the hole and said, “Mmmm, I smell sausage!” Momma mole poked her head outside the hole and said, “Mmmm, I smell pancakes!” Baby mole tried to stick his head outside but couldn’t because of the two bigger moles. Baby mole said, “The only thing I smell is molasses.”

Chris Two tall trees, a birch and a beech, are growing in the woods. A small tree begins to grow between them, and the beech says to the birch, “Is that a son of a beech or a son of a birch?” The birch says he cannot tell, but just then a woodpecker lands on the sapling. The birch says, “Woodpecker, you are a tree expert. Can you tell if that is a son of a beech or a son of a birch?” The woodpecker takes a taste of the small tree and replies, “It is neither a son of a beech nor a son of a birch, It is, however, the best piece of ash I have ever poked my pecker into.”

August ‘22 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE 115