I loaded up the transport with Aeromach custom billet goods from my home base in NASCAR country and shot south on I95 to Daytona Beach, FL. We rolled into the first event of Biketoberfest at Willie’s Tropical Tattoo’s popular Choppertime party on Thursday. You can see Rat Chops to kick-ass Bobbers and everything in between.
One chop that stood out was this crazy art deco bike named “Simson” from the Hungarian builder Zsolt Müller of Mücechoppers. It’s powered by a shaft driven Simson 425 ccm3 tractor engine. And it sports a huge 32 degree rake, 16” wheels with Firestone donuts and hand fabricated titanium pipes. It looks like something Captain America would fight the war on terror with.
Willie’s Tropical Tattoo is a small place with adult beverage concessions about every 20th step. With the outstanding hot weather, a kicking band and eye candy at every turn, a good time was had by all. The winner of the show? Uhhh, don’t know… I don’t think it really matters; I think people come there to soak up the atmosphere.
Really, you can never go wrong at Willie’s. The attendees are as fun as the chops are cool. Since it is located at a Tattoo Parlor, you know you are going to see some skin. And this show didn’t disappoint. It is amazing how two lip-locked, tatted up hotties can add to the ambiance and splendor of the show.
After Willie’s, our team rolled down Highway 1 to Miller’s Custom Parts in South Daytona Beach to set up Aeromach USA’s command post. Miller’s draws in a lot of bikers. The LimpNickie Lot is across the street and always hosts some young righteous builders.
Which Aeromach products were people digging? Large mirrors. Guys are going for more real estate on their mirrors and want real glass instead of the acrylic or plastic mirror surface. The benefit of glass is clarity. When you are on a twin that shakes – and they all do – clarity and quality optics become important.
Another part we just released that got a lot of play was our Cruisin’ Pegs. They are designed for Baggers and come with a 3-position adjustment that secures under the floorboard.
I ran into my friend Matt at Big Dog and saw their new entry level choppa. It’s a no-nonsense design with a nice rake and wide rear tire that comes in at the low $20,000 range. My initial response is that this bike can haul the mail and looks like a chopper should.
The police attended their own rally called Baitoberfest. They deployed a series of bait motorcycles in high-theft areas, hoping to deter would-be thieves or catch real ones in the act. The hot spot they were targeting was on Main Street.
Speaking of Main Street, love was in the air along Main Street as Brian Kinnaman and Linda Crosby were hitched in front of Boot Hill Saloon. The ceremony was conducted at high noon as Harleys rumbled by nonstop.
Of course my pal Skeeter and I spent a number of hours relaxing on Main Street and doing some serious people watching. I’m unhappy to report no strippers were arrested putting on a show in the middle of the street like last year.
If you watch long enough, you’ll see some standouts like the Dragon Cycle Guy, the Dog with Goggles in the Sidecar Guy, the Pumpkin-Colored Bike With Coffin-Shaped Sidecar Guy, the touring bike with the high-decibel coffin trailer, the leather chaps and thong girl stretched out on a big-inch chopper… Ahh, makes you proud to be an American.
If love was in the air, so was sin. To combat it, Chuck Pickett and John Britz parked along Main Street on their motorcycles passing out Bibles. The voices of Pickett and Britz often were drowned out by the roar from passing hogs.
“This is nothing more than a modern-day Sodom and Gomorrah,” Britz said, reports The Daytona Beach News-Journal. “I call it that all the time.” So do we, but it’s a good thing!
Everyone knows the virtues of having chow at Hooters. Well, we found a place with even more virtue, Ker’s WingHouse Bar & Grill. They specialize in buffalo chicken wings, hot sauce, beer and bikini contests.
Sure, sure, all the contestants wanted world peace, but we just wanted the night to never end. We weren’t sure who won because with this crowd, they all were winners. And rightly so, the post-contest celebration went late into the night with umbrella drinks served up and often to the bikini clad ladies.
As I sat around the WingHouse, I did an informal poll to see how bikers compared to the other tourists frequenting this fair city. From waitresses to bartenders, they say that bikers spend the most green, have the best time and are the easiest to deal with. The big myth is that you hide your women and your children when we come to town. Turns out Daytona waits for us with great anticipation… at least at the drinking holes.
Biketoberfest was started in 1992 as a way to build on the popularity of Daytona Beach Bike Week, a 10-day event held in March. It’s come a long way with crowds around the 100,000 range. It was a good time, with many people looking for a way to forget about their troubles and get away for a few days.
Until next year…
Paul Aiken – http://www.aeromachmfg.com/
