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The Road to Paloma Movie Bike (Interview with Jason Momoa)

 
Reposted from an article by Zack Coffman on August 12, 2014 (with permission).
 


 
I recently had a chance to sit down with Jason Momoa (director, co-writer, lead actor of “ Road to Paloma”) for a couple minutes and ask him about his inspiration for the story and get some specifics on the cool custom bike he rode in the film.

Zack Coffman: What was the inspiration for the film? How did it come together?

Jason Momoa: I wanted to make a road movie for a long time, but it isn’t easy. You need to meander in the film, but it has to have a story or you’re just jacking off, you know?  I love Five Easy Pieces, Jack Kerouac [On the Road], and Easy Rider of course, but it’s kind of for a different generation.  Co-writer and co-star Robert [Homer Mollohan] and I are both into bikes and he told me about the injustices happening on the reservations and it opened up a whole world. I couldn’t believe all this was happening in our country. That gave my character some purpose. We wanted to make a road movie about a man saying goodbye to his life.

Our company Pride of Gypsies is just a group of friends – talented artists and directors, we made the movie with seven guys – it’s kind of like building a bike.  I like keeping people around me that I love and trust, and we hopefully can all raise each other to the next level. We lived in the dirt and shot the whole film on a Canon 5D [digital camera].
 

ZC: Seemed like some of the shots had a real Terrence Malick feel.

JM: He was a huge inspiration for the visuals of the film. It’s a great feeling to trust someone like that [Brian Mendoza] to shoot it with the same artistic sense.  I would just pack the scene with the background and feel I wanted and I knew he would get the shot.

ZC: Where’d you shoot it?

JM: Five states – Utah, Colorado, Arizona, California, and Nevada.  We shot with the Aha Macav [Mojave] out of Needles, CA.  I loved featuring all the real native peoples in the film.

ZC: What about the bike?

JM: I had it since I was nineteen, bought it in Hawaii on Oahu. It was more stock than now, not fully stock, but was like a Knuckle Pan – with big fenders and a four gallon tank.

I heard about Love Cycles [in Phoenix, AZ] and called Jeremiah, told him about the movie and he was like “My newborn daughter is named Paloma, wow.”  So we met up and camped out at his place while he did the work.  I wanted it to really represent my character [Wolf] and be streamlined and look like it’s held together with duck tape.


 

ZC: So what’s on it?

JM: She’s a ‘56 pan with a ‘48 springer front end.  I named her “Mabel” for my grandmother.

She’s got a Model “A” back fender,

Buick tail light,

Vintage cop’s light on front,

Internal throttle,

Custom tank,

Jockey tape grips,

Open primary and open belt drive,

Suicide shift – my first time riding one, so that was interesting.

No front brake, rear drum,

The seat is from an old piece of leather I had.
 

 

ZC: The scene when you’re working on the bike is great, but did you really start it with your hand?

JM: [Laughs] I didn’t think it would, but when it did I looked at my cameraman and was like, “Fuck yeah.”

ZC: Wow, must have been tuned great.

JM: Yeah, it was.


 
ZC: Tell me more about the film, what inspired it?

JM: I wanted to make a film about what would happen if someone did that to your mother… you would just take care of it, you know? I mean, do what you want, but you better not touch my family, right? So my character [Wolf] has been on the run for six months and he’s just saying goodbye. What do you leave in the world when you’re gone?

One more thing. People keep giving me shit about one funny thing – riding with no glasses in the movie. The problem is if you wear glasses on film you need to remove the the cameraman reflection digitally and it’s really expensive. So we tried this anti-glare spray, but I was basically riding blind and almost got into some accidents.  We didn’t have the money or the time to worry about it and I just finally said, “OK, I’m a bandit and it’s a movie.”  Haha.  But tell everyone, yes I do wear glasses when I ride normally.

 

ROAD TO PALOMA is the beautiful journey of two bikers traveling across America’s vast west. While Native American Wolf (Jason Momoa) is being pursued by the FBI for having taken the law into his own hands, when his mother was raped and killed on their reservation he crosses paths with Cash (Robert Mollohan), a down and out musician who is coping with the end of his marriage. An unlikely friendship develops, as they ride together towards the Teton mountain range, where Wolf will spread his mothers ashes. 

ROAD TO PALOMA stars Jason Momoa, Robert Homer Mollohan, Lisa Bonet, Sarah Shahi, Michael Raymond-James, Chris Browning, Timothy V. Murphy, and Wes Studi. Directed by Jason Momoa.Watch the full movie now at http://bit.ly/RTPiTunes
 
 
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2014 Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame Breakfast

 
 
 
 
The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame holds a breakfast during the Sturgis Rally to honor a Motorcycle Freedom Fighter and six other people who have had an impact on the motorcycle community.

The event this year was held at the Lodge at Deadwood S.D.

The Freedom Fighter was Deb “Tiger” Chandler and the other inductees were Clyde Fessler, Jesse Jurrens, Jay “Lightnin” Bentley, Keith Terry, Bonnie Truett, and Paul Yaffe.
 

THE FOLLOWING IS FROM THE STURGIS HALL OF FAME
 
 

Deb “Tiger” Chandler

Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame

Deb “Tiger” Chandler has been an active part of the motorcycling community for over 40 years. In partnership with the Colorado Confederation of Clubs (CCOC), she assumed the role of Colorado Commander of the Coalition of Independent Riders, a registration of independent riders. Tiger has worked tirelessly through the state legislature to address issues of importance to motorcyclists in Colorado including funding for beginning rider training and alcohol interlocking devices for motorcycles. She has also been instrumental in implementing a Biker Day at the Capital in Colorado as a means of opening dialog between bikers and legislators.
 


Clyde Fessler

During his 25 year career at the Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Clyde Fessler played an integral role in the turnaround of the company. He served in multiple marketing positions, including Director of Marketing, Vice President of General Merchandise, Vice President of Motor Accessories, and Vice President of Business Development. He was responsible for many innovative programs, policies, products, and marketing strategies that made Harley-Davidson one of the most recognized brands in the world. Since his retirement in 2002, Fessler has remained active in motorcycling as a member of the Hamsters Motorcycle Club. He recently wrote a book, “Rebuilding the Brand,” and now travels extensively as a Keynote Speaker.
 
Jesse Jurrens

Legend Suspensions began in 1998 when Jesse Jurrens recognized the benefits an air spring could have on motorcycles and sought to develop the technology for Harley-Davidson Softail Chassis. Eventually being convinced, Gates™ Rubber Company, the leader in air spring technology, agreed to lend their patented Kevlar impregnated rubber air spring technology to the fledgling South Dakota start-up. Since that time, Jesse has continued to develop innovative suspension systems. Today, Sturgis South Dakota based Legend Suspensions manufactures Aero Air Suspension systems and Revo coil suspension systems for all Harley-Davidson models and off-road UTVs. Legend Suspensions are available world-wide providing a smoother ride with “on the go” adjustability, increased vehicle capability, and versatility. The Offroad systems are used by the U.S. Military and countless fire and rescue operations. Legend has become known for its innovative quality products, Lifetime Warranty, and outstanding customer service. The company is a recognized leader in suspension technology.
 
 
Jay “Lightnin'” Bentley

From the time he was a teenager, Jay Lightning rode in a motordrome owned by Pappy Boudreaux – at first part-time, and later full-time. Early on, Jay rode Harley Hummers as a straight rider, but soon graduated to trick riding on the wall on Indian 101 Scouts. By 1998, Jay took out a loan against his home to purchase wood and equipment to begin building what would become the American MotorDrome Wall of Death. Completed in 2000, it was the first of its kind to be built in over 50 years. For the past 14 years, the American Motor Drome has toured the country full-time. Besides keeping the drome running, Jay collects classic motorcycles and wall bikes that he displays as part of the traveling show.
 
 
Keith Terry

An avid motorcyclist since he was 15, Keith Terry’s career actually started in the automotive industry, after which he operated a company that promoted bicycle motocross races. In 1994, Keith built his first custom motorcycle, and he’s been building them ever since. Keith and his wife, Fran, have owned Terry Components, the largest supplier of motorcycle starter motors and battery cables in the industry, for 20 years. More recently, Keith—along with Chris Malo—started Baggster LLC, a company that manufactures custom conversion kits for Harley-Davidson applications. For the last three years, Keith has been in charge of the Buffalo Chip Challenge working with Sturgis Brown High School students to build a custom bagger that is auctioned at the Legends Ride each year.

 
 
Bonnie Truett

Ask anyone in the drag racing world about who has had a broad impact on the sport, and Bonnie Truett’s name will likely come up. Bonnie started racing in the 1960s and was constantly working to get more out of his drag bikes. He started by changing the flywheels in his own Sportster, but eventually he and his partner, Paul Osborn, started to create and manufacture their own flywheels, frames, cams, cylinders, and rods. Bonnie continued to race until 1984, and he and Paul continued to run Truett and Osborn together until his retirement in 1997. Following his retirement from racing, Bonnie helped his son, Scott, who is a four time champion in Pro Drag class in AHDRA. Bonnie is well known to everyone in the drag racing world as a friend, mentor, and all around “good guy.”
 
Paul Yaffe

For over 20 years, Paul Yaffe has created custom motorcycles, working on as many as 12 commissioned bikes in any given year. Many a Paul Yaffe Original has graced the pages of motorcycle magazines in the U.S. and abroad. As part of his creative process, Paul often engineers new and exciting parts for one of his custom creations. Often those parts are in demand from others in the custom-bike building world. Therefore, Paul created and built his Bagger Nation brand of custom parts and accessories for touring motorcycles. Paul’s contributions do not end with the motorcycle industry, though. He’s also well-known as an advocate and fundraiser for children’s charities both in Phoenix and in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
 
 
 
 
 
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El Serape, Long Beach XS 650

 
 
Gaylord Street rests on the west side of Long Beach, California, a bunched industrial community of little stucco shops, cinder-block buildings, even a small home or two, and oil refineries next to the Port of Long Beach. It’s the low rent district.

There’s an unmarked shop next to a blacked-out iron gate very close to the end of Long Beach proper, the largest city in Los Angeles. McQuiston’s Custom Cycles is definitely on the outskirts of the city, but it’s packed with projects. Ryan McQuiston loves choppers. “But everyone wants to build bobbers these days,” he says.

Ryan has his own code of the West. He loves building motorcycles with his shop mouse, cute Oginee (she works as hard as any of the guys). It’s not about the money; it’s about helping a brother or sister hit the road in rustic style. “Nobody has any money,” Ryan said. 

He prefers to work on Knuckles and Pans, but will work on anything delivered to his shop unceremoniously, usually in old milk crates and oil-soaked cardboard boxes, like this 650 XS Yamaha. Right now he’s inundated with Triumphs and Ironhead Sportsters.
 
 

This shop project began as a basket. “I had a skateboarding buddy from Carson, California, and he needed some money,” said Ralph Garcia of Long Beach. 

“That was a year and a half ago. I drove out to Carson to find it in boxes for a couple of grand.”  

Ralph, a certified air-conditioning tech had never built a motorcycle, but he had a goal. “I wanted to ride a bike I built to Born Free in Irvine, California.”
 
 

He had no notion of what he was scrambling into, and another friend introduced him to Ryan McQuiston. Of course, Ryan offered to help and away they went. 

The basket came with the hard-tailed frame and miscellaneous pieces and they went to work. Ryan made parts, frisco’d the peanut tank, built the pipes and guided the mechanics. Ralph studied XS650.com for info and started to build his first bobber. Since budget was a major consideration, they went with a DNA springer, noted for breaking. 
 
 

“It comes with a notice,” Ryan said. “It says for show only, not the street.” The overseas Paughco knock-off comes with axle spacers. “I think the spacers are the key. If you don’t set up the wheel spacing properly, it will add stress to the springer legs. I’ve never had one break.”
 
 

Ryan made the electrical box behind the engine and the fender rails, while Ralph installed a PMA Alternator Kit and the TC Brothers forward controls. He wired it, and the tuning process began. Five months later, he finally figured out the Mikuni carbs after spending plenty of time setting up the float bowls, adjusting the mixtures and figuring out the jets. 

He missed the 2013 Born Free while grappling with the carbs. “We spent five months surrounded by carb issues.” And in the end, he switched out the plugs, re-timed the motor and it came to life and runs like gangbusters. He rides this puppy daily in the SoCal region. 
 
 
“I’m ready to build a long-distance bike,” Ralph said. He’s looking for a Panhead, Shovelhead, or Ironhead. “It’s up in the air, but I gotta ride a long distance, maybe to Sturgis.”

 
 
In short order, we will bring you more about Ryan and McQuiston’s Custom Motorcycles, on the pages of Cycle Source Magazine. Hang on.–Bandit 
 
 


McQuiston’s Chopper Design’s XS 650
AKA El-Serape 

Owner: Raphael Garcia
Builder: Ryan McQuiston
City/state: Long Beach, CA
Fabrication by: Ryan McQuiston
Year: Basket case blues
Model: XS Yamaha
Time: 1 year
 
 
 
 
 

Engine

Year: 1978-‘83
Model: XS 4-stroke
Builder: Ralph Garcia sorta
Ignition: HHP PMA electronic
Displacement: 650 cc
Pistons: Factory
Heads: XS
Cams: stock Yamaha
Carburetor-PWK Performance 32mm Mikuni (2)
Air Cleaner-XS Performance Pods
Exhaust-Custom built McQuiston’s Chopper Designs
 
 
 

Transmission

Year: What could it me?
Make: Yamaha
Kicker-XS Performance kick only

Frame
 
Year: Around 1980
Make: Yamaha
Rake: Rake is stock 
Stretch: 4 inches up, drop 2-inch custom hardtail 
 
 
 

Front end

Year: 2010
Make: Paughco knock-off
Extension: Minus 2 inches
Triple Trees: Show only DNA
 

Wheels: 

Front wheel: Spokes
Size: 21” Harley-Davidson 60-spoke
Front tire: knobby Shinko
Brakes: None

Rear Wheel: Spoke 
Size: 16″ stock XS spokes
Rear tire: Shinko square
Brakes: Stock drum 
 
 
 

Paint

Painter: McQuiston’s Chopper Designs
Color: Anything buy Blue, Red, or Green
Type: Metal flake
Graphics: Airbrushed graphics
Molding: Not much
 
 
 

Accessories

Handlebars: Custom built Z-bars
Risers: J&P Cycle
Hand controls: Mike’s XS throttle, Biker’s Choice
Gas Tank: Frisco’d traditional Peanut 
Rear fender: A chunk by Ryan
Seat: Swap meet or Le Pera
Foot Controls: TC Bro’s forward control kit
Oil Tank: In engine
Taillight: Re-pop from J&P
Headlight: Triangle from Throttle Addiction
Speedo: None
Other: Struts, pipes, gussets, Battery tray, and electrical box by Ryan

Credit to Cycle Source for featuring the bike in their September 2014 issue. This is Ryan and Ralph’s first published bike feature.
 
 
 
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Riding the Rez with Betsy

 
 
 
Editors Note:  The article was too long to put all in one. Part One is here, Part Two will be coming soon.


In a world that sometimes seems to be spinning out of control, I try to keep my daily focus on being truly aware of my surroundings, the signs and blessings each day brings, and to recognize and show appreciation for those gifts and opportunities when they present themselves. When two full blooded Navajo men, William Yazzie and his son-in-law Shaun Martin crashed Michael Lichter’s Art Show at the Buffalo Chip in Sturgis, South Dakota and came over and introduced themselves to me, I immediately knew I was in the presence of kindred spirits. But I had no idea the magnitude of the experience it was about to unfold.  
 

These two extraordinary Navajo men had just ridden their Harley Davidson’s to the Black Hills for the first time from Chinle, AZ, which is in the far northeastern corner of Arizona on the Navajo Reservation. William told me he was the Chief Park Ranger at Canyon De Chelly National Monument, which was just south of my favorite roads in Monument Valley. Having ridden across the country alone many times, I have been through many of our countries Reservations, and have sometimes felt like an intruder. Much like traveling through a third world country, I try to have respect for our countries Native people, their heritage, their cultural beliefs and ways, and their right to privacy. I don’t just point my camera at anything or anybody with asking first. And I try to make my journey through their land without a trace of my having been there.

When they suggested that I visit the Rez for a guided tour on THEIR favorite roads, I considered this an honor, and not only accepted……….I immediately started planning the dates upon returning home from my summer travels. Within a month I was headed for the Rez, and told them I didn’t have a lot of money, or a lot of time, but to show me all that they could. I pulled into the dusty Rez town of Chinle just as the sun was setting to find a camper complete with bed and kitchen all set up for me in Canyon de Chelly National Park. They had grilled a huge pan of fresh chicken and veggies for dinner and I got to meet their wives and children as we had a simple, healthy meal together watching the sun set over the rocky red cliffs. 

 
 
 

Prepared to make the most of our time, they yanked my unorganized butt out of that trailer at the crack of dawn, and I was glad they did! It is not often that I find myself overwhelmed by more wisdom than I can wrap my brain around, but there is not a tree or a rock in the path of these two that doesn’t have meaning. Every single creation is a gift from Great Spirit, and should be appreciated as such. All life forms have a purpose and a meaning. All living creatures are seen as souls, with the only thing setting us apart being ten fingers and toes. Every place we would stop had a story and history with meaning behind it. 
 
 
 

Along with this great wisdom came great kindness and generosity, but it was interlaced with silliness and humor. Our first stop was at a place they call “Butt Rock”. I have no idea why they call it this. But I did learn after making a little bit too much childish fun of the rock, that it would behoove me to respect the history and sacredness of the Butt. 
 
 
 
 
 

About every ten miles I wanted to stop, because the simple beauty of the land and the roads as we carved our way through it was spectacular. The best part about life on the Rez is the obvious lack of civilization. It is simply Mother Nature and Great Spirit left undisturbed to do their fine work together.
 
 
 
 
We pulled over at Buffalo Pass Overlook to look out over “Shiprock” where we were headed, and it was plain to see that a lot of cars pull over to enjoy the view, and leave their mess behind. William pulled a hefty sac out of his saddlebag and immediately began cleaning the mountain top, and we all joined in. I have long hiked with a back pack for this exact purpose, so it warmed my heart to watch this “of the earth” family in action. 
 
 
 
 
 

“Shiprock” itself figures prominently in Navajo mythology. It is known as the “rock with wings” because from certain angles it resembles a giant bird with folded wings, said to have carried the Navajo from the cold Northlands to the Four Corners region. It was given its name because it is also thought to resemble a 19th century clipper ship. Jonny Depp had just been to “Shiprock” filming “The Lone Ranger” and Shaun’s whole family got to meet him. Shaun’s son Maverick was still imitating all of the many voices Jonny was sweet enough to take the time and do for them. And he did so all the while on the set of the movie and in full Tonto regalia.
 
 
 
 

We stopped in the town of Shiprock for a fry bread lunch so I could meet William’s youngest son Justin who was starting his first year of college, and on the track team at Dine College. He is following in the steps of Shaun and Melissa, who are both long distance runners. In fact, Shaun holds the record for being the fastest guy on the Rez, and runs about 30……..yes, I said 30 miles a day! He was also just named rural teacher of the year, coaches the track team, and sets an incredible example to every kid on every Rez. His father started him running races when he was just 5 years old, and Shaun quickly learned that with running came a freedom. His own two feet became his transportation. Coming from a very poor family, he learned that this was his ticket to take him anywhere he wanted to go……….on or off the Rez. 

Justin had just come from track practice, and was really excited because Billy Mills had just visited the team and signed his t-shirt. Billy Mills was the Native American Sioux underdog from the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota who took home the Gold Medal for the 10,000 meter race in 1964, and became the second Native American to take home a medal. Meeting him was an honor for Justin, and it was clear to see that it made a huge impression. 
 
 
 
 
 

By the time we reached the San Juan Inn & Trading Post in Mexican Hat, Utah, the sun was already on its way down, and I started to panic that it would be dark by the time we reached Monument Valley. So we stopped for one quick picture in front of the motel that all of us girls loved and remember fondly from filming “Motorcycle Women” for the Discovery Channel. That show is where William and Shaun had first seen and knew of me, which is how it came to be that we met. 
 
 

We entered Monument Valley as the sun was on its way over the horizon, and we only had time for a few photos before our long journey back to Chinle in the chilly dark of the night. The golden sun setting on the Monument rocks is without a doubt my favorite place to ride through in all of the United States. Every time I pass this spiritual place is as if I am seeing it for the first time. There is a good reason our Native people were drawn to this place. It has a haunting, lonely, sacred feeling. Even John Wayne couldn’t resist its lure. I am glad that it is a place that is sacred still, protected and respected as it should always remain.
 
 
 
 
 

After the long, dark, cold ride home I was happy to crawl into my warm sleeping bag in my little camper. I drifted off to sleep reflecting over the wisdom that William shared and how wonderfully his knowledge represented the culture and ways of his people. And now he is passing that knowledge down to his children and his grandchildren so that the stories and history will never be forgotten. He also speaks to large groups of tourists at the local hotel, and teaches and informs us all about the ways of the Navajo so that we all might have a better knowledge and understanding of our native people. His goal is that one day we might all sing, dance and laugh together. 

I thought of how equally important the roles of Shaun and Melissa were, who are inspiring and educating the youth of today, on and off of the Rez. Melissa and Shaun are both teachers, long distance runners, and Shaun is the coach of the high school track team. He was awarded rural school teacher of the year in our entire Nation for his efforts in leading the young kids on the Rez as much by example as by his young wisdom. He is the fastest man on the Rez, winning countless marathons. But he mostly runs like he does for the spiritual connection it gives him to his land and the Great Spirit. He is teaching these students a healthier way of life and showing them per his example about the value of self-identity and respect. Every kid in town wants to be like Coach Martin. After all, he is healthy and handsome, has a beautiful wife and children, can run farther and faster than any man on the Rez, AND he rides a really cool Harley! “Outside” magazine recently did a long article about Shaun’s many accomplishments. And Melissa’s role speaks to the women both young and old, as she is daughter of the wise, wife of the inspirational, mother of the cutest two kids ever, teacher, runner, and above all else…………kind and humble. You have to be the master of balance to do all that this family does, and to make it look this simple! Ultimately their challenge is to have a healthy balance between the proud old ways of their heritage, and the modern world they are a part of.

End part one. Tune in next time for our scenic journey into the narrow caverns of Canyon de Chelly, and a visit to the Memorial for the Navajo Code Talkers. Too many fantastic photos of this special place to cut them short!
 
 
 
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What the hell is CSAL?

 
 
Rogue and I just got back from a mostly back roads trip to Tennessee, where we attended the West Tennessee Valley Rally.  It’s a  4 day motorcycle event,  in the western  TN town of Morris Chapel.   Shiloh Battlegrounds, Buford Pusser’s Home, Pickwick Lake/Dam, Tennessee River, Natchez Trace Parkway, and the Rattlesnake Saloon  are all within a reasonable riding distance from the rally  location, and give you a lot of options of things to do when you are out in BFE! 

While we were there – we met up with Jim “Rebel” Henderson, a Florida transplant to TN.  Rebel has been up to some good (this time!!!), and hooked up with MAFT-Motorcycle Awareness Foundation of Tennessee, about 3 years ago.  He has been presenting their CSAL course to local  high schools, colleges, technical schools, and just about anyone that will listen to the presentation they call – Campaign Save a Life, and invited Rogue and I to tag along to a presentation later that week.
 

We rode out with Rebel, his wife Chandra, and  Captain Morgan/Steve  on Thursday, August 21st to the Middleton High School in Middleton, TN, at the crack of dawn to make an 8 o’clock presentation by Rebel of Campaign Save A Life to their sophomore students.   (Never mind that we had to be there by 915am for the first presentation, yes, that’s Rebel always on time!!! )  We were welcomed by the school administration/staff with open arms.  They were really excited to have the program introduced to their  sophomore students that day.  There were two  45 minute sessions scheduled that morning.  The first class had 13 students plus their Coach, and the second  session included 10 students.   Rebel spoke, in his deep thundering  voice, about MAFT and their mission and how MAFT is made up of a group of volunteers that are dedicated to make the Tennessee roads safer for motorcyclists and motorists….and  promote rider education. MAFT is also a  501c-3  non-profit, charitable organization.
 
 

He went on talking about their “4-4-blindspots” reminder to always  look both ways twice before turning , check your blind spots..and turn your head, don’t just scan with your eyes.   He spoke about keeping a 4 second cushion between the bumper of the vehicle you are driving, behind a motorcycle…..and not tailgating!  His presentation focused on explaining lane position, the NO-Zone around  tractor trailers, and focusing on being aware of motorcycles, all included in a power point presentation.  The students were extremely receptive to this information, and related some of their own experiences  or those from friends or family members during the interactive Q&A portion of the presentation.  There was also a 14 minute video testimonial from people involved in motorcycle accidents, and how their life has been impacted by their injuries sustained.  Some family members spoke of loved ones lost – an eye opening reminder to the students that  this can happen to anyone – anytime-anywhere.   How would they have felt if this happened to someone in their own family?
 
 

After the PowerPoint, Video, and Q&A, the students were taken out to the parking lot where the  instructors motorcycles were the last part of the presentation – they spoke of the types of motorcycles, along with the types of people who rode them.   They also discussed  techniques drivers can use to see motorcyclists on the roadways.    The program wrapped up with the school safety officer stopping by, and reminding the students it was time to head back to their next class.   MAFT was booked by the school to come back in 6 month for the CSAL presentation – continuing  the awareness campaign that  hopefully will save not only one, but several lives  of motorcyclists on the Tennessee highways and back roads. 
 
 

CSAL was started in 2007 – as 46% of MC accidents in Tennessee involved other vehicles.  They set out to educate the drivers of those vehicles – especially the High School students during their driver education curriculum.  To date, MAFT has had over 10,000 students in Tennessee attend CSAL classes.   Cindy Davidson oversaw the development of the presentation.  She and her husband have had involvement in a serious accident involving violation of their right of way.    CSAL was developed in conjunction with the Tennessee Department of Safety for high school driver programs. In 2008, MAFT was presented with the Motorcycle Riders Foundation Safety Award.   Their list of involvement and  accolades is long and can be found at their website:  http://www.maft.us/
 
 

“Shattered”, a Telly award winning  awareness video that MAFT was involved in producing, is currently used by the US Navy and the US Air Force.
Watch the video here:
 
 

 
 

It really was a privilege to be involved with this presentation at Middleton High school – and hopefully something that we discussed that day will save a life or lives in the future!

For more information on MAFT or their CSAL presentation, please call 615-906-9915, or email maftinfo@aol.com

For western Tennessee MAFT/CSAL  information – reach out to Rebel at 731-438-1024 or via email: jimrebel@yahoo.com

Ride safe n free
Peace,
Dmac
 
 
From the MAFT website:
 
MAFT. A non-profit charitable organization, dedicated to reducing the number of motorcycle accidents in TN, through driver education and public awareness of motorcycles on our roads. We achieve this through the sharing of knowledge, ideas, expertise, and resources of our members.

Did you know that over half of motorcycle crashes are caused by regular motorists who were not paying attention or violated the motorcycle’s right of way? Most motorcycle accidents are preventable. 

Unfortunately, many people have been injured and killed in accidents that might not have happened at all if they had been seen by the driver of the other vehicle. MAFT seeks to educate the public to make our roads safe for everyone, regardless of the type of vehicle they choose to drive. Whether you are on a sport bike, touring bike or a cruiser; a new rider or have been riding all of your life…all motorcyclist know that when it comes to the road motorcycle awareness is your responsibility! Motorcycle awareness isn’t “somebody else’s problem” and it’s not something that can be solved by a government program. That’s why riders like you founded MAFT…to promote motorcycle awareness across Tennessee.
 
 
 
 
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2014 Sturgis Buffalo Chip

 
 
 
Sturgis is over and everyone who went should be back home by now. I have finished most of my articles and they are posted here on Bikernet including the ones that started somewhere else and ended up at the CHIP.
 
 
 

NO Report on Sturgis would be complete without mentioning the World Famous Sturgis Buffalo Chip®. It is and has been a Big Part of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally for 33 Years and is now the Largest Music Festival in Motorcycling.
 
 
 

The well-known performers are too many to list here,  but no matter what type of music you like, it was there. Even though I had a hectic schedule I was able to make it out there on Wednesday evening August 6th to see and hear ZZ Top, Florida Georgia Line and the Big Sturgis Gig and I had a really good time. It was apparent others did as well.
 
 
 

The “CHIP” is massive and does offer onsite camping. One stop partying for some. 
 
 
 
 

Activities also included 6 Bike Shows, a televised biker build off and other activities.
The Sturgis Buffalo Chip Gazette and Sturgis Rider News is a sought after publication and has a load of information and schedules. More information can be found on line at BuffaloChip.com
 
 
 
 

 Plans are already being made for the 75th Sturgis Rally and it is going to be a Big One – So start making plans now.
 
 

 
Whether you missed out on last night’s Sturgis Rally events, or you’re planning your activities for the upcoming day, the Sturgis Buffalo Chip® has you covered with our new daily newspaper! The Sturgis Rider® Daily is an exclusive daily newspaper co-produced by the Buffalo Chip and the Rapid City Journal that will keep you informed with up-to-the-minute information about the goings on during the Sturgis Rally and the Largest Music Festival in Motorcycling™.



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FR 1750 “FAT TRACKER”

 

This bike was built by Hal’s Harley-Davidson in New Berlin, to pay homage to the dealership’s racing history. Avid Dirt Track enthusiasts, Hal and Kirk traveled the Midwest watching races since the mid ’70s. Like many dealers they turned a hobby into their livelihood when they acquired J&S Cycles in 1978. 
 
 

Huge believers in giving back to the communities they ride in and the sport they serve; racing has been a part of the dealership legacy. Shortly after becoming dealers they fielded a Flat Track race efforts ultimately campaigning nationally with AMA Rider #77 Peter Hook out of Burnsville Minnesota. This 1978 Fat Tracker represents the beginning and the current state of the dealership’s 35-year history in racing, performance, customization and fabrication.
 
 

While it may be the inspiration of the story, the build actually came about because the damn winter was too long. The crew at Hal’s had seen enough attention paid to tall front wheel, raked baggers and wanted to go in another direction, to showcase the store’s talent. Starting with a 2009 FLHR Road King, the frame underwent multiple mods including removal of rear section and a handmade aluminum subsection for rear tail kit., Morris wheels and the Karoo 3 tires were procured from Metzeler. The team converted the stock belt final drive to chain, used a Baker “bully” outer primary cover with a converted H-D hydraulic clutch.
 
Swingarm tabs were removed, holes filled and smoothed and a mono-shock was adopted from an 1125R Buell. A 2013 V-Rod front end with custom machined fork guards was used to complete the suspension. Wheels are Roland Sands Design.
Dyna mid-controls with modified, and a reverse shifter and rear brake master cylinder were fitted for clean appearance.
 

Metal fabrication, though subtle is everywhere. An FLHX fuel tank was opened up with side panels inverted and mounts were moved forward 2 inches. Handmade louvered front splash guard, custom aluminum under tail section was fitted to a modified Vance & Hines XR1200 race tail. 
 
 

Lighting is supplied by a handmade aluminum front number plate with custom mounted L.E.D. headlights and turn signals. Custom taillight and signals came from CPV
Joker machine switch housings were used on 1-inch Flanders handlebars stepped down for 7/8-inch Accossato radial master cylinders. Gauge Face contains i-Pod  speedometer interface.
 
 

Power is supplied by Hal’s 107ci engine (1750 cc). Silver Moon Crankshafts modified the flywheel, plus Revolution performance heads, CP pistons, 598 cams and a Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle cam plate. Hand fabricated stainless exhaust system were built by Hal’s with Supertrapp silencers optional.
 
 

To finish the look, all powder coating was handled by Hal’s technician and dyno guru Tom Fritz. The bike, with exception of paint by Custom Painted Vehicles (CPV), was entirely an in-house effort with design, fabrication, engine building, and bike assembly by Jon Shearer, Jim Kopydlowski, Tom Fritz and Wally Klock of Hal’s Harley Davidson. this past 4th of July. When not at Hal’s dealership watch for it hogging up the dirt (or ice if conditions don’t improve soon) at a track near you. 
 
The motorcycle recently did a parade lap during the national anthem at the pro half-mile race at the Walworth County Fairgrounds. Not bad!
 
 
 
 
 
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ACCIDENTAL REBUILD

 

 
 
Part One

The girl lived in a trailer park on the northern outskirts of Los Angeles. She was “Trailer Treasure”, and so it was I’d come to stay for the past two weeks. Although this was not the heart of the city, neither could it be confused with countryside. Concrete ruled this place and traffic was often a nightmare.  Still, we were a long way from sky scrapers and there were middle class American homes lining the side streets and cul-de-sacs.

She worked by day and often spent time with her grandchildren on the weekends which left me to comb the city in search of things to do. Car shows, local biker events and rides through the nearby mountains, across Mulholland Drive and through Malibu along Coastal Highway 1 were common events.

Weeks passed.

 

Black Jack Cycles sat on Balboa St. only a few blocks from home. I’d seen the bikes sitting out front, but had yet to stop in. Today was the day. Like most shops, customer bikes and those for sale were pushed into the parking lot everyday to allow room inside for the men to work. I pulled in among them. As Betsy’s kickstand hit the ground I noted another old Electra Glide that sat stripped of its sheet metal and engine. A walk inside led me to the owner. Brent obviously fancied himself a sarcastic comedian and I liked him right away. When the banter of small talk faded I asked about the stripped down FL. “Its mine,” he said.“1993 FLHT. Wrecked it a while back and I’ve been parting it out ever since.” 

“Think that wiring harness will work in my 1988?” I asked. My wiring was a burned mess of short circuits and electrical tape. A new harness was no longer available, I’d checked.

“Harness is a little different, but it’ll work,” Brent told me, “The bike’s got 150,000 miles on it though, but everything worked before the wreck. I’ll take $100 bucks for it.”

I contemplated. My harness had seen 415,000 K and nothing really worked right. “Can I install it here?” 

“Sure,  long as you don’t mind working in the parking lot.” The deal was set. I’d start in the morning. Little could anyone guess that this place was to become my daily job for the next month and when the smoke cleared my bike would be dramatically changed and I’d be a far better mechanic.

It was 10:30am and Betsy sat on her center stand in Brent’s lot with seat, tank, saddlebags and fairing removed. I stared with frozen terror at the mass of tangled spaghetti wire. Ted was Brent’s sole mechanic. From inside he’d obviously noted my immobility and wandered out to help, if that’s what you’d call it. With hands moving at breakneck speed he unplugged wire connectors, cut zip ties, yanked the harnesses out of both bikes, threw them on the ground, then went back inside.

Fuck.

Totally confused and unsure of my ability to ever get these wires working properly, I began to push the harness into place and snap those connectors together that were obviously meant for each other; but there were differences. Where Betsy had the old manual blinker system, the parts bike used an electronic self canceling box which, along with the handlebar control buttons, was gone. It had cruise control, too. Now I was really lost. Fortunately lunch arrived. 

Food had been delivered from a local restaurant and I pulled up an overturned bucket then sat with the others at the lunchtime card table. Lucky lived in a trailer or shed I think and, although he drove a truck and rode only a bicycle, came by everyday to hang out for hours. From this day forward Lucky, Brent, Ted, and myself would comprise the nucleus of this little Harley shop. The consistently comical Brent was a very picky eater and today he bought my lunch. Brent rode a 100 inch FXR these days.

In an hour the job resumed. As I stood looking closely at the fairings of these two bikes the thought came that my stereo no longer worked and maybe this one did. I also noted that although busted from the accident, the parts bike’s plastic inner fairing was still in far better shape than mine, which was broken from sun exposure and plastic rot.

Eventually Brent wandered out to check my progress. As we gazed at the mass of wires that now hung loose, I spoke of my fear and cluelessness. Brent began pointing to wires and, by only their color,  he knew where every one went and exactly what it did. I was amazed, how could anyone know all that about such a tangled mass of spaghetti? He said that wires are just little freeways that take electricity where it needs to go. “These old bikes have no computers. It’s just not that complicated Scotty.” I doubted that.

 

When I asked about the stereo, Brent said it worked and he’d take $75. I bought it. As for the inner fairing Brent replied that it was no good to him broken and I could have it. In the past I’d never figured out how to completely remove my own fairing and told Brent this. He showed me where two screws are hidden beneath the sticker around the ignition switch. We talked shop for a while longer because gear-heads are like that; but eventually Brent went back inside. I settled into the task of pulling both stereos and inner fairings. I’ve always been a rather slow, yet extremely persistent mechanic and the others would poke fun about it for weeks.

Black Jack Cycles was a man’s place filled with motorcycles, tools, parts, camaraderie, friendship and laughter. At day’s end, time was generously allotted for a long bullshit session. When I finally helped push the motorcycles (mine included) back inside for the night, I felt at home and knew these men were destined to become good friends.

The shop opened at 9:00am and after pushing bikes back onto the lot, I tore into Betsy. Front end shimmies are almost always caused by worn or loose steering neck bearings. Betsy’s still had the original ones and to say her front end shimmy was wicked would be a colossal understatement. I’d simply been ignoring it for years. With the front end already torn so far down it seemed a good time to address this problem. I asked Brent. “Sure,” he said, “Pull it apart, I’ve got new bearings here.” 

The bike was moved into a little fenced area beside the shop before being jacked up. I began the process of dis-assembly, Brent used a torch to help remove the inner bearing races, which made it easy. I installed new ones then re-hung the triple trees. 

The forks had never seen a rebuild and with one now held in each hand this seemed a good time to address that issue as well. Brent said, “Do it. There’s new bushings and seals in the shop.”

Again progress dragged. I had no real experience with fork rebuilds and my methodical and unsure movements were anything but quick. But early Harley’s are some of the simplest motorcycles ever built and most of the job was relatively self explanatory. Still, the time moved forward into days as I continued to show up at my new place of employment.

We indulged in long bullshit sessions and I learned more about my companions. Brent was a good wrench before he’d become a factory trained tech. For many years he’d worked for H-D, then built choppers for Titan and had also done time in many other shops as well. Although I’ve worked among a lot of great H-D mechanics, Brent was the best I’d known. Now he was simply burned out. These days Brent spent his time tinkering while Ted performed most of the heavy lifting. For his part, Ted had troubles with the law (weed I think) but seemed to really like this job. Like the guys I’d grown up around, both loved Harley’s, knew a lot about them, rode exceptionally well, were exceedingly rough around the edges, quick to laugh, big hearted men who’d do most anything for a friend, except be taken advantage of.

I felt truly at home here.

Both of my fork tubes sported long scratches from dirt and years of hard use. Not wanting to install new rubber seals over scratches, and unable to acquire new tubes, I took a rouge wheel and polished the scratches out. I also noted that one fork tube was slightly bent. Well, so were the handlebars so I installed that tube backwards to tweak the front wheel slightly right and help straighten the handlebars out. It worked.

Anticipating the job to come, I’d ordered two tubes of Solerez Extreme from the Internet and began to apply generous amounts to the broken inner fairing. This is the only product I’ve used that easily repairs plastic and fiberglass. Having never seen the stuff before, Brent was very impressed and would later use it on his own bike.

It had been two years past while in Milwaukee that the proprietor of Harley-Davidson’s own museum had invited me to dinner at his home. Bill is an antique bike freak and, after a wonderful evening with his wife and children, we went to the garage where he’d produced new handlebar control buttons and an ignition switch. Mine were shot and I knew a rewiring job loomed in the future. Bill would accept no money for these parts and I was grateful to get them. I installed them now. 

Brent had allowed me to keep the speedo and gauges from the new inner fairing, and when it was mounted I was again faced with the daunting task of hooking up wires. Many of the connectors were identical and I plugged them in. The remainder was not so easy. The parts bike had used an electronic blinker box ($85), while mine took the old manual job. Brent showed me how to make a new blinker wiring harness identical to my old system. Using only three wires and a $6 blinker box from the auto parts store, I found the simplicity of this archaic design amazing.

Stock stereos use handlebar mounted controls. The switch used to change radio stations on Betsy’s bars was shot and there was no replacement available. After I installed an inexpensive toggle switch into the fairing, Brent cut two wires from the stereo harness and I ran them to the new toggle. To this day, stations are changed by reaching for that switch. 

There were other obstacles, but with Brent’s help all were eventually ironed out. After 1½ weeks work the old FL was again in one piece. To my delight everything (including brake light and blinkers which hadn’t functioned for almost 10 years) worked.

At times I had performed simple repairs on Brent’s customer bikes and, in the end, he charged me a total of $300 for this job. A great deal I thought. It felt good to be back in the saddle. For a week I stopped by the shop often and Brent and I took to riding the mountains together and attending a bike event or two.

Talk always turned to shop and I took this opportunity to pick Brent’s brain. For three years I’d been burning through batteries and it seemed like the bike just didn’t have enough electricity to run its systems properly. I was hoping the wiring would solve this problem but it hadn’t. Brent asked if I’d run an AC output test on the stator. Although I knew the test for a bad stator, I’d never heard of this one. A multimeter was produced and it was determined that my charging system’s output was down by one third.  Brent said that the magnets on the rotor had become weak, and that I should only replace it with a new stock or Compufire rotor.

The dealership had one for $100. I bought it. Little did I suspect that this simple job would ultimately lead to a complete engine rebuild…

Part Two coming soon!

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Throw Down in Milwaukee

 
 
“The heart of rock ’n roll and 2-wheel hot rods” is centered at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, and every Labor Day the dedicated come to celebrate on the museum’s hallowed ground. The weekend spectacular included not one, but two custom bike shows, with the Harley-Davidson Museum Invitational Pro Custom Bike Show featuring 3 debut bikes and 5 winning bikes that had taken 1st place in previous national bike shows. 
 
 
 
 
The first award of the afternoon was the Future Custom Builder Award, and it went to Adrijan Ozajic of Colorado for his electric Razor. The People’s Choice Award was presented to Tom Hedrick for his 1987 Heritage Softail, which showcased a Lord of the Rings motif.  Milwaukee Mike, representing Cycle Source Magazine, awarded the Editor’s Choice Award to Mike Rabideau of Majik Mike Designs for his radical trike.
 
 

MOD Harley Pro Show Class Winner

The MOD Harley class had significant diversity with the class winner showcasing a lot of talent with his 2005 Harley-Davidson Softail old school design.  The black and green color combination made the bike pop. The big-wheel and springer front-end cut a dramatic profile. 

Joel Gurath pumped up his H-D Twin Cam 95″ mil with 10.5:1 Forged Pistons, SE Heads, SE Cams, SE Push Rods, Compression Releases, 45 Mikuni Carb and SE Clutch Kit. The bike looked and sat right. He modified the rear fender, fender struts/brackets, license plate mount, headlight mount, seat pan and handlebars.
 
 
1. Joel Gurath, Backbone Built Bikes – 2005 Softail
 
 
 
2. Tom Hedrick, Reimans Harley Davidson – 1987 Heritage Softail
 
 
 

“Our annual Custom Bike Show Weekend puts customization at center stage,” said Bill Davidson, Vice President of the Harley-Davidson Museum. “All weekend, visitors saw some of the most amazing motorcycles, which can only be described as rolling sculptures. It was an honor to have top professional bike builders from around the country participate in the invitational show and continue to make Custom Bike Show Weekend one of the best events in Milwaukee and at the Harley-Davidson Museum.”
 
 
 
FreeStyle Pro Show Class Winner

Jon Shipley of Hoosier Daddy Choppers rolled in “Free Willy”, a freshly built boardtrack-style motorcycle. The bike was built to showcase the 120R crate motor that was awarded to him last year for winning the MOD Harley class at the 110th Anniversary Pro Show. The bike got its name because Willy G awarded it to Jon.

The bike features paint by Brad Boles, frame by Rigid MMW, Hoosier Daddy Choppers’ copper oil tank and porthole gas tank. The bike combines brass and copper finishes with artic white paint.
 
 
1. Jon Shipley, Hoosier Daddy Choppers – Free Willy, 2014 Custom
 
 
 
2. Tony Prust, Analog Cycles – 1949 Indian Scout
 
 

Bob Kay, Custom Bike Show MC and Biker Pros’ Partner, thanked the sponsors, including Nino 925, Weber, Motor Clothes, Harley-Davidson P&A, Old Smokey Moonshine and the Harley-Davidson Museum, for participating and supporting the Pro Show.  
 

Custom BAGGER Pro Show Class Winner
 
 
 
Tim and Mike McNamer of Ballistic Cycles bill themselves as the leader in Custom Bagger innovations, and from what we have seen, they are using leading-edge design and the latest technologies to create exceptionally stunning bikes.  Their latest build not only hit it out of the park, it shredded the ball. 

The chassis started with a stock FL. They added a 4” stretch to their single down tube and put 3” in the backbone. Tim and Mike added a 2” custom drop seat and 3” in the swingarm. 

The Bagger features a 10 psi Aerocharger turbo system utilizing a liquid cooled intercooler with dial heat exchangers, a compete hand-formed feather-light aluminum body, 30” hubless wheel with integrated braking and air ride billet front fork assembly with custom billet hand controls.
 
 
1. Tim McNamer Ballistic Cycles – 2006 Harley-Davidson Road King
 
 
 
2. G2 Customs – 2003 Harley-Davidson Road King
 
 

Custom RETRO Pro Show Class Winner

Dennis Crabtree first encountered his 1941 Harley-Davidson WL more than 35 years ago. He worked in a motorcycle shop and would hustle parts from show to show. In 2010, he got a call from the shop owner and purchased an entire trailer full of parts and pieces. Over the next 2 years, Crabtree went to work and built his hill climb racer. The tank and fender paint (Spinel Red & Silver) are Ford interior colors on 1948 and 1953 models. 

The engine on the bike he calls “Baby Stroker” is a Flathead, 52ci stroker built by American Cycle Fab. It features modified M51 Linkert Carb, pistons & flywheels, Truett & Osborn Cams and heads ported & flowed.
 
 
1. Dennis Crabtree – Baby Stroker, 1941 Harley-Davidson WL 
 
 
2. John Kriesel, Hunters HD –1977 HD CAFE RACER
 
 

The Harley-Davidson Museum Invitational Pro Custom Bike Show is one of the most unique event experiences for the builder. The museum campus is nestled in between downtown and Walker’s Point. This is a great location, close to hotels, bars, restaurants, the river and the lake.
 
 

The show is set in Chrome, the Museum’s seasonal climate controlled tent that’s open 180 days out of the year. It’s lit by 3 stunning chandeliers and features floor to ceiling glass windows.
 

Each builder received a Harley-Davidson Museum annual membership and a behind-the-scenes museum tour.  A summer picnic and pig roast also was provided for each competitor. Each winning builder received an H-D Stage 1 Kit, Ole Smokey Swag Bag, Museum Trophy and a Weber Tailgate grill. The Museum Show Champion and MOD Harley winner also took home a Nino 925 Rockstar Skull ring. The People’s Choice winner was awarded a leather jacket.
 
 
 
The Harley-Davidson Museum Invitational Pro Custom Bike Show had strong participation from Suburban Harley-Davidson and Hal’s Harley-Davidson. Suburban brought two of their race bikes, with one bike being a backup to Benny Carlson, currently in 2nd place in the AMA Pro Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson series. 
 

Hal’s brought in their Fat Tracker, which is a touring bike tribute to Hal’s racing heritage. (It’s basically a touring bike converted into a dirt track racer.) If you are thinking that winters are too long in Wisconsin, we are thinking you are correct. 
 
 

Overall the weekend was a success with so much to do at the museum specifically, and in the city and at the local dealerships in general. And the most impressive aspect of the weekend event was something that you had to really look for to notice, the dedicated museum staff that made the event run. They put in hours and hours of time and effort to ensure that Harley-Davidson enthusiasts had a good time and enjoyed their weekend at the Museum.
 
 
 
 
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The 1st Annual Hawaii Motorcycle Rally (HMR) 2014

 
 
The 1st annual Hawaii Motorcycle Rally (HMR) 2014 is officially in the books. Mother Nature finally agreed to let the show happen this weekend since it was previously re-scheduled due to the two hurricanes anticipated a few weeks ago.
 
 
 
 
 

It was nice to see an event that brought the entire Hawaii motorcycle community together. The hype created by the “Biker Build-Off” shows that were once a craze has began to die down so it was nice to see someone in Hawaii trying to keep the spirit of bike building alive with this show. The show kept the crowd engaged with a bike contest and a variety of entertainment ranging from arm wrestling to bikini contests. The show ran for two days at the Aloha Stadium. The main attraction, of course, was the bike show. There were tons of new faces eager and ready to show what they have been working on. Below are the results and some photos.
 
1st Place: Bart  (Built by,  KustomFab) 
 
 
 
2nd Place : Chris   
 
 
3rd:  Place : Norio (Built by,  KustomFab)   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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