During a late night North Carolina thunderstorm I got a call from Edge, the Commander of the Smoke Out High-Security Team. He caught me just as I was finishing the last savory drops of my double Jack on the rocks. With Edge, you never know what alley a conversation will take, so I shook myself like a dog coming out of a rainstorm to free the cobwebs from my charcoal clouded head.



To my surprise he jabbered about a Smoke Out 14 video. I thought it was a good idea especially since he had enlisted Zack Coffman of Choppertown and the Sinners fame. We batted around using a crowd-funding site like Kickstarter or Indiegogo to secure funds for the project. A long story short, the Indiegogo project was a total failure even though the Smoke Out DVD is on schedule and looks outstanding.




 
 Edge, the magnificent event producer cut a 5-year deal, with a vast non-compete clause, for Jillian to provide pinstriping clinics during the Smoke Out and you will see her work in the new Smoke Out DVD. Here’s an example of her craftsmanship.



Striping the THBSC Lid

Before she came out to the event she created the Horse Backstreet Chopper helmet. She started out with a flat black Bell Custom 500 lid and removed the trim molding with a razor blade. Then she used 3M Green tape to mask and re-mask the helmet and upholstery.



Next order of business was prepping for paint. It requires primer and sanding. Once ready, a silver metallic basecoat paint was applied.
Then the HOC-KK01 C02 House of Kolor Brandywine candy layers were misted over the smooth surface. They were selected to complement the Horse logo.



Jillian’s friend and fantastic airbrush artist, Yuliya, put down an amazing replica of the Horse logo on the backside of the helmet.



The Pinstriping started with a black base, and a basic design. Then Jillian flowed on a bright red stripe and delicately scrolled it to the top and along the sides of the helmet. Then a third color, peach, (Are your peaches sweet?—Wolfman Jack) was used to compliment the bright red on the helmet. These three colors play very well with the color of the candy.



The whole basis of the design was to layer on a ballistic pinstriping style, to cover the whole helmet from top to back.



“It’s a geometrical, wild style of pinstriping,” said Hell Cat. “Very fine lines are overlapping one another to create the overall design for the helmet.”

Jillian did the pinstriping; her father laid down the paint and Yuliya handled the airbrush.




Pinstriping, and the art of the line, is as old as the very idea of creativity. For thousands of years – going back to the Roman Empire – pinstriping has adorned objects of nobility. By the 1800s, pinstripes decorated the intricate bodylines of coaches and carriages.

In the early 1900s, everything from buggies, fire engines, safes, salon windows, doors, furniture, and much more was decorated with the art of fine lines.



The use of pin striping on motorcycles as it is commonly seen today was pioneered by artists Kenny Howard, (aka Von Dutch) and Dean Jeffries, Dennis “Gibb” Gibbish and Ed “Big Daddy” Roth. These artists are considered pioneers of the Kustom Kulture lifestyle that spawned the early 1950s and are widely recognized as the “originators” of modern pin striping.

Today there are pinstriping competitions all over the world, and you can be sure you will find a master pinstriper at any auto or motorcycle show. Seen mostly on Hot Rods, Motorcycles, and high-end custom cars, pinstriping has found it’s comfortable nitch in the vehicular world.

Well I woke up this mornin’ drizzlin’ rain,
Around the curve come a passenger train,
Heard somebody yodel and a hobo moan,
Jimmy he’ dead, He’s been a long time gone,
Been a long time gone, Been a long time gone,
If you wanna get to heaven gotta D-I_E,
You gotta put on your coat and tie!

Chris Wade, the owner of this classic Panhead named it Waymore’s Blues. Never was told the reason except that Chris digs the song by the old outlaw Waylon Jennings and that’s good enough for me.

Through all my years, the ups, the downs, the good times and the bad, I have never lost my passion for motorcycles. When my son Justin passed away at the age of 16, the toughest time of my life, I almost lost that passion, but I re-claimed it. When I see a bike like this Panhead, the passion inside of me starts to burn. Just like when I first got into bikes a long time ago.

You know what I am talking about, that feeling inside, the excitement, knowing this is the reason I love bikes and the people who build and ride them. For me there is nothing like that feeling, nothing else comes close!

Chris told me it took him, with the help of some good friends, about 5 years to produce what you see. This 1953 FL Panhead features the best of everything: S&S cases, 1963—’65 barrels, Andrews A-grind cam, S&S carb, Bare Knuckle Springer, and a classic Santee straight-leg rigid frame. Chris wanted his good friends to have a hand in this build.

Rori at H&G cycles, known to us as Heavy, and Ben Jordan stepped in to help. Ben has had some heavy duty iron featured here on more than one occasion. Heavy handled the majority of the engine work while Ben knocked out all the welding and fab work. Ben also laid down the killer Kona Blue paint job. This bike is a no nonsense lean mean machine! There is nothing extra, nothing else needed.

So after everything was finished and the Pan was ready to roll, Chris rolled it down to the Easyriders Show in Charlotte. I mentioned to Vicki (my wife and photographer), that I thought his bike was the best in the show and as it turned out the judges agreed. That is right the Pan took home “BEST OF SHOW” honors!

Chris told me he was knocked out when the show host announced his award, and Chris, being Chris said he was happy for all the guys who had a hand in making this bike a show winner. Give yourself some credit Chris, you had a BIG hand in this!

Chris is a family man and he always attended the “RUN FOR BREATH” in memory of my son Justin. Chris tells me he loves this bike. He and his wife Sarah have a daughter, Maggie, and I believe she is around 8—9 months old and has a heart condition that will require surgery when she is a little older. Chris may have to sell his bike in order to pay medical bills, and he tells me he is all right with that because his daughter means the world to him.

Chris, you are a stand up guy and I am proud to call you a friend. You know you and your wife and Maggie are in my prayers. The rest of you reading this, send up a prayer for Maggie and her family. I hope everyone enjoys this bike as much as I do!

Until next time, RIDE!
–STEALTH

Owner: Chris Wade
Bike Name:Waymore Blues
City/State:Waxhaw, NC
Builder:Owner & Rorie at H&G Cycles, Jordan Designs
City/state:Waxhaw, NC
Fabrication:Ben Jordan
Welding:Ben Jordan
Machining:Ben Jordan

Engine

Year:1953
Make: Harley Davidson
Model: FL Panhead
Displacement:93 inches
Builder or Rebuilder: H&G Cycles
Cases: S&S
Case finish: Natural
Barrels: ‘63-‘65 Panhead
Heads: Harley Davidson
Head finish:Natural
Cams: Andrews A Grind
Lifters: S&S
Carburetion: S&S
Air cleaner: TT & Company
Exhaust: J&P – Owner

Transmission

Year: 1963
Make: Harley Davidson
Gear configuration:4-speed
Final drive: Chain
Primary: H& G Cycles
Clutch: Foot
Kicker: yes

Frame

Year:?
Make: Santee
Style or Model:Rigid Straight Leg
Stretch: 2-inch
Rake: 32 degrees

Front End

Make: Bare Knuckle
Model: Springer
Length: Stock late-model

Sheet metal

Tanks: Ben Jordan
Fenders: Front Street
Oil tank: After market (7 year old Chinese girl)

Paint

Sheet metal: Ben Jordan
Base coat:Kona Blue
Frame: Powder coat black

Wheels

Front

Size:21-inch
Brake calipers:Brembo
Brake rotor(s):Harley-Davidson
Tire:black

Rear

Make: Harley-Davidson
Size:16-inch
Brake calipers:Harley-Davidson
Brake rotor: Harley-Davidson
Tire:black

Controls

Foot controls:Speed Demon
Finish: black
Master cylinder:Speed Demon
Handlebar controls:Speed Demon
Shifting: Hand
Kickstand: One

Electrical

Headlight:TT & Company
Taillight:TT & Company

Seat:Rich Phillips (Betty Page)
Mirror(s): nope
Gas caps:tiny
Handlebars:Front Street
Grips:Speed Demon
Pegs:Speed Demon
Oil filter:Steel Co
Throttle:Speed Demon

Throwback Risers – engraved for Jimmy (VATO LOCO)

Credits: Heavy, Ben Jordan, Sarah & Maggie

This motorcycle was number 1073 off the assembly line. Never removed from the crate, this particular bike was donated to the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. The crate itself is part of what sets this motorcycle apart – when the crates left the factory, many of the employees signed the ends of the crate.

“Even though our two rides were both brief (less than six hours total), what we experienced suggests Excelsior-Henderson has put its motorcycle where its press releases were. Handling, ride and engine performance all appear to be comparable with and perhaps better than much of the competition.

With such limited seat time and no side-by-side comparison, it’s impossible to say exactly where we would have ranked the Super X among the other big twins. It also remains to be seen if, at about $20,000 a pop out the door, the Super X has what it takes to sell the 4000 to 5000 units the company plans to build this year.”

You might still see a Super X on the street occasionally, but you can always stop by the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and take a look at the one we’ve got here.

The first motorcycle produced by the company rolled off the assembly line in early 1999. Unfortunately for the company, the production capacity of 10,000 motorcycles a year at that new plant would never be realized. The financial crisis of 2000 resulted in the company not having an expected infusion of cash, and eventually the company filed for bankruptcy. Before that, Excelsior Henderson produced 1851 motorcycles.

This motorcycle was number 1073 off the assembly line. Never removed from the crate, this particular bike was donated to the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. The crate itself is part of what sets this motorcycle apart – when the crates left the factory, many of the employees signed the ends of the crate.

“Even though our two rides were both brief (less than six hours total), what we experienced suggests Excelsior-Henderson has put its motorcycle where its press releases were. Handling, ride and engine performance all appear to be comparable with and perhaps better than much of the competition.

With such limited seat time and no side-by-side comparison, it’s impossible to say exactly where we would have ranked the Super X among the other big twins. It also remains to be seen if, at about $20,000 a pop out the door, the Super X has what it takes to sell the 4000 to 5000 units the company plans to build this year.”

Many motorcycle riders, myself included, wish they still had the first motorcycle they ever owned. Jay Ternes is not one of those riders. He, in fact, still has his first motorcycle. It’s a 1977 Harley-Davidson XLH, which he purchased in 1977 from a Harley-Davidson dealer in Iola, Kansas. Ten years earlier was the first year of electric start option for Sportster (XLH), and the last year for some kick start Sportsters was 1968. The factory bragged that late ’60s Sportsters pushed 60 horsepower, but when the Evo Sportster was released the factory claim was only 55 horses.

Jay says the original shiny red paint job was like a magnet. After spending three years at a teaching college in Emporia, Kansas, Jay graduated with a teaching degree. He then landed a job teaching at a local school. His first paycheck was used to purchase the motorcycle you see here. He has owned it ever since. Jay happily rode that motorcycle around in stone stock condition for more than 4 years, something most of us wouldn’t or couldn’t do. I know I would have been bolting on new pipes or some damn thing. I’ve never been able to leave a new motorcycle unmolested for long.

Jay allowed Frank’s Harley-Davidson, a long gone Harley-Davidson dealership, then operating in Spearfish, South Dakota to customize the Sportster with a Black paint job over laid with orange flames. The motorcycle stayed that way until Jay retired, at which time Jay had the bike painted completely black, and he chromed everything else that could be plated with the shiny stuff.

The Dakota V-Twin crew, Randy and son Nick performed the makeover to Jay’s specs. Dakota V-Twin also used a whole bucket of Hot Toppers to add icing to the cake. Every visible bolt head or nut has a Hot Topper on it. I gave up trying to count ’em all. The Ironhead Sportster was the motorcycle of choices for many late 1970s customizers. It was inexpensive, lightweight, and handled well. It didn’t take a boatload of cash to get an Ironhead running like a hardcore pavement burner.

Many Harley-Davidson enthusiasts and Big-Twin snobs think of the venerable Ironhead Sportster as a boat anchor. But as with any thoroughbred, the Ironhead requires a extra maintenance to stay in peak operating condition. Keeping any Ironhead maintained properly includes constant checking of all the hardware to make sure something hasn’t vibrated loose.

For guys like Jay, it’s worth the extra effort. In fact, Ironhead owners consider it an honor to be able to own and ride a piece of history. This motorcycle turns heads wherever it goes, and not just the heads of motorcycle riders. This is a handsome machine and attracts admirers across the board. That super buffed glossy black paint, and abundance of chrome says “Chopper” like nothing else ever will. Thanks Jay, for letting us photograph your pride and joy two-wheeler. I hope you and her have many more years of riding pleasure ahead of you.

OWNER: Jay Ternes (pronounced “Turnay”)
YEAR/MAKE/MODEL: 1977 Harley-Davidson XLH
FABRICATION BY: Dakota V-Twin
ASSEMBLY: Dakota V-Twin
BUILD TIME: 3 months
SPECIAL THANKS: Randy at Dakota V-Twin

ENGINE
YEAR/ TYPE/SIZE: XL Harley-Davidson
BUILDER: H-D
CASES: H-D
FLYWHEELS: H-D
RODS: Carillo
PISTONS: H-D
CYLINDERS: H-D
HEADS: H-D
VALVES: Del West Titanium
ROCKERS: S&S roller rocker arms
ROCKER BOXES: H-D
PUSHRODS: S&S solids
PUSHROD TUBES: stock
CAM(s): Sifton
LIFTERS: S&S solids
CARBURETOR(S): Keihin (the original equipment Bendix went in the trash)

AIR CLEANER: Hyper Charger
IGNITION: factory equipment points/distributor/circuit breaker type
EXHAUST: dual straight loud pipes

TRANSMISSION
YEAR/TYPE: stock
CASE: unit construction
GEARS: constant mesh/4-speeds forward/foot shifted
CLUTCH: stock
PRIMARY DRIVE: H-D chain

FRAME
YEAR/TYPE: H-D
RAKE: stock
STRETCH: zero

SUSPENSION
FRONT: factory hydraulic fork
LENGTH: stock
TRIPLE TREES: factory
REAR SWINGARM: factory
SHOCKS: stock shocks

FRONT
RIM/SIZE: 3.00x 19
TIRE/SIZE: 3.75 /19
CALIPER(S)/DRUM

REAR
RIM/SIZE: 19-inch
CALIPER/DRUM: internal expanding shoe on drum brake/mechanical/cable actuated

FINISH/PAINT
COLOR(S): Black

ACCESSORIES
RISERS: aftermarket unnameded handlebars
MIRRORS: Ness
HAND CONTROLS: factory
FOOT CONTROLS:factory
FLOORBOARDS: pegs/stock
HEADLIGHT: H-D OE
TAILLIGHT: H-D OE
TURN SIGNALS: none
LICENSE MOUNT: factory
SEAT: Le Pera semi-solo
SISSY BAR: N/A

CUSTOM OR SPECIAL FEATURES:
Custom Black Paint Hot Toppers on every nut and bolt head

If you are planning to be at the upcoming annual Sturgis Motorcycle rally, make a point of zooming to the East end of Sturgis to Guy Edward’s Caddy’s Whiskey Bar. Get a close look at this Sturgis Rat Harley-Davidson XL Chopper in person, and sit and sip a cold one of whatever it is you drink, while watching the steady stream bikes go by.

Caddy’s is the perfect place for people and motorcycle watching given the amount of two- wheeled traffic dismounting Interstate 90 on the West bound off ramp. The food here is damn good too, and most days it’s not quite as crowded as downtown eateries.

Does the little XL start-up and run…hell yeah! It starts instantly and runs like a sewing machine. No spitting, back popping, or snorting. One button push (it is electric start) and she’s ready to ride.

“Guys Chopper is truly a piece of Chopper Americana,” Buck Lovell says so. See ya in Sturgis.

Editor’s Note: I say this is not a Rat bike. We need your opinion on this subject, as part of the Bikernet Editorial Investigative Team. My contention is that this is a classic original-paint Sportster Chopper, Paughco style, with a classic Paughco rigid frame, and extended stock springer.

In the volumes of data reflected in the Bikernet Dictionary of classic Chopper Lingo a Rat Bike cannot contain polish-able chrome. That immediately eliminates it from the Rat Bike Ranks. Feel free to send us your vote.

Is it a Rat or ain’t it?

–Wilburn Roach

Summer is here and engine heat once again becomes and issue given that Twin Cam engines run hot. Often, very hot. And, as you hot them up to produce more horsepower, they run even hotter again. Which is where this JIMS innovative product comes in. The patent pending JIMS ForceFlow literally forces the heat away from your engine by pushing high velocity air through the cylinder fin pack in a wide flow pattern, directed at the head gasket surface.

Powered by a cooling fan that was designed to cool brakes in NASCAR, it is claimed that the JIMS ForceFlow can lower head temperatures up to 100 degrees. The ForceFlow can either be activated by a thermostat (included), or wired through a manual on/off switch, or both.

This unique design also includes a horn inside the ForceFlow’s streamlined housing, and thus gives the horn mount, or left side of the bike, a new look. The ForceFlow comes with all necessary hardware and wiring. Now there are way too many overblown claims about various aftermarket products for American V-Twins so I wanted to give this unit a thorough test.

My ForceFlow was installed at an authorised Harley-Davidson dealership by tech Adam Kalb, better known as SuperKalb due to his predilection for bolting superchargers and turbochargers on anything that comes within his reach. This is an overview of the installation process.

1 After removing the tank and the stock horn SuperKalb cuts a hole to give access to the main wiring loom and smooths the edges.

2 The top mount is readied.

3 As is the lower mount.

4 SuperKalb puts the unit in place and now tightens both mounts to specifications.

5 He solders a couple of wires and then uses heat shrink to insulate the soldered joins.

6 Now he replaces the tank and we’re almost good to go.

In order to test the unit thoroughly I waited for a hot day to be forecast and held off the testing until 2.00pm when it was due to record a temperature of 34°C (93.2°F). In fact it reached 34.1°C.(93°F).

7 In order to be able to monitor the time and temperature of the front head during the testing, I plugged in my Power Vision unit and rested it on a plastic storage container and was able to place a wristwatch next to it. The bike was then started and left idling in order to reach a temperature suitable for testing the ForceFlow.

8 By 2.35pm the front head temperature was reading 177°C (351°F) and I used the manual switch to activate the ForceFlow.

9 By 2.42pm, despite continuing to idle in the hot sun on a cement driveway, the head temperature had already dropped to 143°C (289°), an impressive reduction for a stationary idling bike.

10 At 2.44pm – a mere two minutes later – the temperature had further reduced to 130°C (266°F) which was even more impressive. And for me, more than enough proof of the efficacy of the JIMS ForceFlow and, well, it was time now for an icy cold beer and a dip in the pool.

Twin Cam Harley-Davidson engines run from hot to very hot for all sorts of reasons,
including the need to meet EPA regulations, and while legislation may dictate this it is not so nice for the rider on a hot day. And once you modify the engine with higher compression pistons and bigger capacity, to name two common power upgrades, you are going to generate even more heat. So any product that can significantly reduce heat, is worthwhile both from the point of view of rider comfort and engine wear. The ForceFlow scores brilliantly in both areas.

The ForceFlow unit is available in Black or Silver for $420.00 MSRP, or Polished for $450.00 MSRP. Your local dealership or aftermarket shop can source this product for you or you can contact JIMS at www.jimsusa.com. Highly recommended!

JIMS has designed a unit called “FORCEFLOW” which uses a cooling fan that was designed to cool brakes in NASCAR racecars, to force cool air between the cylinders thus cooling them by 80-100 degrees.

Follow instructions on hooking up wiring and temporally install the cooler assembly on the two runner isolators. Recheck wiring for clearance and that it is not going to touch anything like the fan blade and or cylinders.

Reinstall the side cover, saddlebag, fuel tank and seat.

The switch on the “FORCEFLOW” allows you to turn it on or off. I started by starting my engine and then turning it on. I used an infrared thermometer to measure engine temps and the fan started at 110 degrees at the rocker box and 270 at the head with a oil temp if 110 degrees.

I shut the cooler off and I rode the motorcycle until the oil temp was 200 degrees, the rocker box 124 and the head 360 degrees.

I then turned the “FORCEFLOW” on and rode the same route. The oil temp dropped to 185 degrees, the rocker box to 104 and the head to 280 degrees.

I can hear the fan and motor running quietly while at a stop but not while riding. It can be shut off, but that sort of defeats the purpose.

 

Tail Gunner Checking in! This month I take a look at LA Choppers Big Air Kit (round), for either EFI or Carb bikes. The kit comes complete with everything you need for an easy install and an estimated 10% HP increase. The Big air kit has a built in breather, so no hose’s to fool with. The entire kit is powder coated black, then the design is machined in leaving the shinny billet to show through. There are many designs to choose from, you can see them all at lachoppers.com. Installation is straight forward, simple as one two three!

Official LA Choppers Installation Instructions:

1. First you must remove your stock air cleaner assembly and backing plate via the instructions in your service manual. The carburetor flange and threaded bosses into the cylinder heads should then be cleaned. Remove the backing on the supplied gasket and apply to the back of the large chrome backing plate.

2. Mount the large backing plate to the cylinder heads via the supplied spacers and breather bolts. Spacers have a lip that helps them seat flush in the backing plate. Be sure to use Loctite® when securing the bolts. For Evo engines, use the larger 1/2-13 breather bolts. For twin cam engines, use the 3/8-16 breather bolts. Tighten breather bolts lightly allowing minimal play in the backing plate for ease with the next step.

3. Install the three supplied standoffs w/studs through the backing plate and into the carburetor flange. Apply Loctite® to the threaded studs on the standoffs and secure finger tight (tighten down as much as possible by hand, they will be torqued in the next step). Secure the breather bolts.

4. Next, install the seal plates that fit into the backing plates, sealing off the air/oil channels from the breather bolts. Place filter over seal plates, and install cinch plate with supplied black flat head bolts sealing the air filter and seal plates to the backing plate. Be sure to apply Loctite® to the three flat head bolts. Tighten the bolts.

5. Lastly, place the decorative face plate plate into the cinch plate and install the (3) 6-32×3/16″ set screws. These screws will both attach and allow you to center the decorative plate. Clean off the cover and around the air cleaner assembly. Installation is complete. Be sure to clean and re-oil your air filter on a regular basis. Also, be sure to re-check bolts after riding to ensure air cleaner assembly remains secure.

The big air kit is available for all Harley Davidson models and many metric bikes as well.
Give the guy’s at LA Choppers a call, they can hook you up! Tail Gunner checking out, till next time!

Midnight Bugs taste Best

Saddlebags can never hold everything you want, but they CAN hold everything you need.

Wear Heavy Boots. You can’t kick things when you’re wearin’ sneakers

NEVER argue with a woman holding a torque wrench

If you’re a complainer, ride at the back of the pack so you won’t contaminate the rest of the group.

Never try to race an old Geezer, he may have one more gear than you.

The size of the PISTON don’t tell you nothin’ about the DEPTH of the stroke.

Home is where your bike sits still long enough to leave a few drops of oil on the ground.

You’ll get farther down the road if you learn to use more than two fingers on the front brake.

Routine maintenance should never be neglected

It takes more love to share the saddle than it does to share the bed.

The only good view of a thunderstorm is in your rearview mirror.

Never be afraid to slow down.

Only Bikers understand why dogs love to stick their heads out car windows.

Bikes don’t leak oil, they mark their territory.

Never ask a biker for directions if you’re in a hurry to get there.

If it take more than 3 bolts to hold it on, it’s probably crucial.

Anything that shows up on more than two bikes is a FAD.

Remember that you will be judged by the Horse you rode in on.

Don’t ride so late into the night that you sleep through the sunrise.

Pie and Coffee are as important as gasoline.

The number of kicks it takes to start your bike is directly proportional to the number of spectators.

Never ask your bike to scream before her throat is good and warm.

Sometimes it takes a whole tank full of gas before you can think straight.

If you want to get a job, you may have to compromise your principals. You may even have to shave.

Riding faster than everyone else only guarantees you’ll ride alone.

Never hesitate to ride past the last street light at the edge of town.

Never mistake Horsepower for staying power.

A good rider has balance, judgment, and good timing. So does a good lover.

A cold hamburger can be reheated quite nicely by strapping it to an exhaust pipe and riding forty miles.

Never do less then Forty miles before breakfast.

If you don’t ride in the rain-you don’t ride.

A bike on the road is worth two in the shop.

Respect the person who has seen the Dark side of motorcycling and lived.

Young riders pick a destination and go… Old riders pick a direction and go.

Overconfidence can be supplied by spare spark plugs, a set of wrenches, and a roll of toilet paper.

Never offer to fight an OLD geezer. If you win, there’s NO glory. If you lose, your reputation is shot.

A good wrench will let you watch without charging you for it.

Advice is free and worth every penny.

Sometimes the fastest way to get there is to stop for the night.

Always back your scoot into the curb-and sit where you can see it.

Work to ride-Ride to work.

Whatever it is, its better in the wind.

Two lane blacktop isn’t a highway-its an attitude.

When you look down the road, it seems to never end-but you better believe it does.

A biker can smell a party 5,000 miles away.

Winter is Natures way of telling you to polish.

A motorcycle can’t sing on the streets of a city.

Keep your bike in good repair: motorcycle boots are NOT comfortable for walking.

People are like Motorcycles: each is customized a bit differently.

More races were won in the tavern than on the track.

Never loan your bike to someone else, and never ride another’s.

If the bike ain’t braking properly, you don’t start by rebuilding the engine.

Motorcycling is a giant game of Mines Bigger than yours!

Remember to pay as much attention to your partner as you do your
carburetor.

Sometimes the best communication happens when you’re on separate bikes.

Well-trained reflexes are quicker than luck.

Good coffee should be indistinguishable from 50 weight motor oil.

The best alarm clock is sunshine on Chrome.

Learn to do counterintuitive things that may someday save your butt.

The twisties-not the superslabs-separate the bikers from the squids.

Beware the biker whose ink peels off.

New leather don’t smell right.

When you’re riding lead–don’t spit.

If you really want to know what’s going on, watch what’s happening at least 5 cars ahead.

Don’t make a reputation you’ll have to live down or run away from later.

If the person in the next lane at the stoplight rolls up the window and locks the door, support their view of life by snarling at them.

Smoke and grease can hide a multitude of errors, but only for so long.

A friend is someone who’ll get out of bed at 2am to drive his pickup to the middle of nowhere to get you when you’re broken down.

If she changes her oil more than she changes her mind–follow her.

The thicker your oil, the hotter you can take it.

Catchin’ a June bug @ 70 mph can double your vocabulary.

If you want to get somewhere before sundown, you can’t stop at every tavern.

There’s something ugly about a NEW bike on a trailer.

You can always hear a classic open primary-it sounds like $1.34 in change is loose in the friction plates.

Hunger can make even roadkill taste good.

You gotta be smart enough to understand the rules of motorcycling, and dumb enough to think the games important.

Don’t lead the pack if you don’t know where you’re goin’.

If you leave without one of your group, you better hope he doesn’t catch up at the next stop.

Sleep with one arm thru the spokes and keep your pants on.

Practice wrenching on your own bike.

Everyone crashes. Some get back on. Some don’t. Some can’t.

Three things can’t be trusted: a fart, a cook, and a rear view mirror.

Beware the biker who says the bike never breaks down.

Some bikes run on 99-octane ego.

Owning 2 bikes is useful because at least one can be raided for parts at any given time.

You’ll know she loves you if she offers to let you ride her bike.
Don’t do it and she’ll love you even more.

Don’t argue with an 18-wheeler.

Don’t lean on the horn ’till you’re out of danger. Then blast it for all you’re worth.

Never be ashamed to unlearn an old habit.

Maintenance is as much art as it is science.

A good long ride can clear your mind, restore your faith, and use up a lot of gasoline.

If the countryside seems boring, stop, get off your bike, and go sit in the ditch long enough to appreciate what was here before the asphalt came.

If you can’t get it going with bungee cords and electricians tape-it’s serious.

If you ride like there’s no tomorrow-there won’t be.

Bikes parked out front mean good chicken-fried steak inside.

If you want to complain about the pace being set by the road captain, you better be prepared to lead the group yourself.

Gray-haired bikers don’t get that way from pure luck.

There are drunk bikers. There are old bikers. there are NO old, drunk bikers.

We don’t need no stinkin’ weekend warriors.

Thin leather looks good in the bar, but it won’t save you from “road rash” if you go down.

The best modifications cannot be seen from the outside.

Always replace the cheapest parts first.

You can forget what you do for a livin when your knees are in the breeze.

No matter what marquee you ride, it’s all the same wind.

It takes both pistons and cylinders to make a bike run. One is not more important than the other.