Big Twin West 2005–World Championship
By Bandit |
The second annual AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building reached a crescendo Saturday, November 19th with a remarkable results.
The winner, for the second year running, was Canadian custom engineer and parts specialist Roger Goldammer. That was a remarkable Achievement.
However, second place was again scooped by Michael Prugh of Independent Cycle,Rapid City,South Dakota,and third place again taken by Bertrand ‘Freddie’ Krugger from Belgium!
Judging was by ‘peer group-review’ which is to say that the competitors themselves were given the hard task of selecting the World Champion from among the 111 competitors and 166 top class custom bikes that had entered the event by the time it started on Friday November 18th.
They were invited to select their twelve favorite bikes from the entirely open ‘Freestyle’ class, from which the Champion is chosen, and rank them in order. Points were then allocated to their choices in a system that gives some advantage to first and second choices, but in a way that avoids undue influence on the overall outcome.
The competitors’ own judging was then ‘topped-off’ by votes from a small number of selected and experienced custom magazine journalists, and representatives from the parts and exhibitor community at the event.
In total 94 judging forms were returned, making the World Championship one of the most comprehensively judged bike competitions ever seen (public voting systems aside).
The first World Championship saw five ‘international’ builders and five domestic US competitors placed in the top ten, and with this second annual event pulling entries from thirteen different countries in addition to the United States, the World Championship’s credentials as a truly global competition, was further confirmed and reinforced with six out of the top-ten competitors coming from outside the United States this year.
Fourth place was taken by Brian Fuller of Fuller Hot Rods, Atlanta, Georgia, with qualified medical doctor turned bike builder Vaclav Vavra of VAV Tuning from the Czech Republic taking fifth place on behalf of the fast emerging custom v-twin scene in the former Soviet controlled and rapidly developing Central and Eastern European markets. Mika Nieminen of Mr Moore Custom Craft fame in Finland took a sixth place that follows the third spot he won at the European competition.
Popular ‘Biker Build-Off’ finalist Scott Cox of Scotty’s Choppers in New South Wales, Australia, took seventh place. Piet Hofman of Violator Motorcycles in the Netherlands backed-up his European Championship second place with eighth place in the World Championship, and ninth spot went to Mark Warrick of Soncy Road Speed and Custom of Amarillo,Texas.
Master builder Bob Phillip (Wizard Cycle Creations, Scottsdale, Arizona) tied for tenth place with Rick Krost (US Chopper, Santa Ana, California) and Mike Pruss (South Florida Choppers, West Palm Beach, Florida) completed the top twelve that were honored in the stage presentation at the Saturday evening awards ceremony.
The staff of AMD is proud to report that this second annual World Championship saw the highest standard of custom v- twins ever assembled in any one place.
”Whilst we are of course very proud of this,” Robin Bradley, AMD Publisher, said, “our role is simply as facilitator. The real praise must be reserved for the enthusiasm, creativity and excellence of the market itself. That such a fine display can be staged is testament to the depth of quality that this market has in engineering and design terms
Four sub-classes were also voted on by the competitors. These saw John Franco and Sallie Dinkler’s Wicked Bros (Phoenix, Arizona) take the ‘Licensed Manufacturer’ class; with Mike Kamalian (Revolution Manufacturing, Marietta, Georgia) second, and father and son team Steve Broyles Snr & Jnr (Stevensons Cycle, Wayne, Michigan) voted third.
The ‘Modified Harley’ class was taken by Warren Lane (The Neighbourhood King, Miami, Florida) with the rapidly emerging talent of Roland Sands taking second and third place with two out of the three entries that he had in the competition.
The ‘Custom Chrome Motorcycle’ class (formerly HR3 kit bikes) was taken by leading kit bike specialist The Hog Farm, of Hamersville, Ohio, with Californians Binford Custom Cycles (Manteca) and Central Valley Choppers (Chowchilla) second and third respectively.
Newly added to the World Championship this year, the ‘Metric’ class was scooped by Jim Giuffra (AFT Customs,Martell,California) with Roger Allmond of the United Kingdom second, and Michael Brandtner (Brandy’s Biker Store) of Germany third.
As World Champion, Roger Goldammer took away the first prize of $25,000 with $10,000 again going to Michael Prugh for his second place and $5,000 to ‘Freddie’ Krugger for his third. Each of the sub-class winner won $2,500,with $1,000 to the second placed builder,and $500 each to those who were third.
With the exception of the ‘Metric’ class this year’s prize fund was generously put-up by Advanstar, who staged the Custom Chrome presented competition at their Big Twin West Dealer Expo at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas.
The prize fund for the new ‘Metric’ class was put up by AMD’s own publishing company, Dealer-World, on behalf of their all-new soon to be launched domestic US ‘street and dirt’ sector dealer magazine of the same name, and their established and internationally respected European industry journal International Dealer News (IDN).
Commenting on the outcome,AMD publisher Robin Bradley said: “I’d like to pay tribute to Advanstar for providing the prize fund and a magnificent setting for the World Championship. Above all, though, all credit must go to the competitors themselves. They have allowed us to stage a true custom bike spectacular. As a focus for industry excellence,it doesn’t get much better than this.”
Because of a calendar clash with the ‘Milan Show’ in Italy (the world’s single largest motorcycle show of any kind) AMD will be unable to hold its next World Championship at the same event next year, and will be exploring several alternate options in the coming weeks and months.
Bradley went on to say that “while keeping the event in Las Vegas would provide continuity, it is an expensive city for an event such as this. Though the venue and location worked well for us this year, and appears to have been popular with most of the competitors, we have to respect the needs of the builder community for an easily accessible venue and user-friendly facility that can be embraced at sensible cost.”
“On average our competitors will have invested at least $5,000.00 each in hard cash terms just to take part, many will have spent much more. That is without taking account of lost workshop hours and the value of the bikes. As near as we can estimate it, our readers have made an off-balance sheet investment of between $10m and $15m into Big Twin West, and when that kind of money is involved, the interests of the competitors ,the vendors they buy from, and the public who fund both have to come first. The needs of those traveling from overseas are particularly sensitive and we have a responsibility to all concerned to ensure that this great event is nurtured and handled appropriately. Anybody we partner with moving forward will have to demonstrate that they are on the same page as us in these respects.”
In addition to keeping the event in Las Vegas, on an alternate (earlier) Fall date, other U.S. cities are being considered, in addition to the possibility of moving the event to an annual Spring slot.
ADDITIONAL JUDGES
Inaddition to the competitors themselves voting in the World Championship, the 95 completed voting forms that the results were based on included a selection of custom motorcycle magazine journalists and representatives from the parts and accessories exhibitor community at the Big Twin West Dealer Expo.
Everybody concerned commented that they thought the task of judging the World Championship was extraordinarily difficult, and it certainly was time-consuming. AMD would lik eto express its formal thanks to all those competitors who did act as judges and to the additional following industry professionals for their assistance:
Kenny Price (Samson Exhausts)
Walter Clarke (Biker’s Choice)
James Simonelli (S&S Cycle)
Ed Martin (Jammer)
Ted Doering (Tedd Cycle/V-Twin Manufacturing)
Chris Maida (American Iron)
Totte Wiman (MCN Sweden)
‘Blue’ (Backstreet Heroes UK)
T-Bear (The Horse, Bikernet.com &Kopteri magazine,Finland)
Zed (Freeway magazine,France) BertrandDubet (France)
“BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS”
Going into this year’s World Championship we had decided that in addition to the high level of electronic and postal communications that we undertake throughout the year with the competitor community, we would create at least one (ideally two) occasion(s) at which builders could meet personally with the AMD team to discuss event progress, policy and news.
Plans are therefore being made to host a ‘Breakfast of Champions’ on the morning of Saturday February 4th 2006 in Cincinnati, Ohio, beforethe V-Twin Expo opens for business.
Subject to World Championship timing it is hoped to be able to make arrangements for a similar second such event during Sturgis.
Texas National Bike Show 2005
By Bandit |
I had the privilege of attending the inaugural Texas National Bike Show this past weekend sponsored by Bikernet.com. The show was held in The Convention center of the San Luis Resort in Galveston, Texas. I interviewed The Devil, Kent Weeks, several months ago for a feature here on Bikernet.com, when he invited me to the show. Being an aspiring young writer looking to get my fingers working on any new story, I was elated to be included.
My only experience with bike shows was limited to one Easyriders bike show I attended last year. Besides that one show, I didn’t know dick about what goes on to put on a show. Let me say, if a promoter charges 25 bucks a head to enter the show, you’re getting off cheap. It cost so much in time and energy to put any show together that it’s worth every dime. For many promoters breaking even isn’t a remote possibility after all their time and effort. Oh well, sucks to be them, back to the report.
My wife and I had made it to the Lone Star rally Friday afternoon and were starting to look for a nice place to get a cold beer and rest our feet, (my leg was throbbing constantly, but I didn’t say anything ‘cuz I’m not a bitch). We were just about to hit a little bar off The Strand when my phone began vibrating like crazy. (I always let it vibrate a few times so I may derive a small amount of guilty pleasure from the movement next to my crotchital region.) Thanks to Caller ID, I saw it was Bandit.
“Hey ya Old Bastard, what’s up?”
“What’s up? Well, first I’m going to plant my foot up ‘yer ass for calling me ‘old’ again. Second, where the fuck are you?”
“I’m on The Strand with Salena. We’re heading that way in a few minutes.”
“Get your ass here. I want to start judging these bikes and Nyla refuses to help me. She says I’m too picky and I frustrate her.”
“Ok, Boss. I’m on my way.”
“Hurry up, Goddamnit! I’m not waiting all day.” With that last heartfelt sentiment, the phone went silent. He probably started the timer on his watch to see how long it would take me before I finally showed up. Luckily I wasn’t far from where we had parked my Softail springer, so we were on our way in less than 10 minutes. The Rally is located around blocks 19 to 29 while the Bike show was around block 53. We didn’t have but 20 straight, flat, wide, city blocks to ride.
As we headed to the show, we enjoyed the scenic coastal view to our left while the city was jumping on our right. Everything seemed peaceful and exciting all at once. Then again, it could have been the handful of Seconal and Vicodin I mixed up half hour before we left the rally.
When we arrived at the resort and parked downstairs, I was surprised to see very few bikes in the lot. I’m not kidding; there were less than 30 bikes there. Huh, I guess everyone probably parked by the beach and walked in. WRONG!
We walked upstairs and were met by The Devil himself. He was pacing the balcony overlooking the beach. He strode back and forth like a caged lion waiting to be unleashed on a feeble Christian sacrifice during the reign of the Roman Empire.
I approached him with a smile and my head bowed, never looking him in the eye. My hand outstretched as if I was trying to pet and aggressive dog that could bite at any minute. Never daring to look up, I could tell he was close to me by the persistent halitosis that emanates from his mouth. He only gets this way when he’s pissed, and I could feel the hair on the back of my neck beginning to shrink from the heat.
“H…h…h…Hello….Kent. How’s it going?”
“The amount of feeble piss ants running these streets makes it almost impossible for me to slaughter someone without the chance of a few witnesses.”
“Bad day, huh?” I was really trying to act cool, but I would have run like a bitch if my wife wasn’t standing there. Truth be known, I ended up sharting (pushing out a fart and actually shitting in your pants) and was in need of finding the head.
“No, not necessarily a bad day. I am just irritated being out in the public eye for this amount of time. I don’t like to leave the lair; I’m too exposed right now. What was that?” He looked over my shoulder as if he had heard a noise he perceived as a threat.
“Hear what, dude? All I hear are the bikes, man.”
“I swear I heard a trumpet. You didn’t hear a trumpet?”
“No man, no trumpet here. Maybe it’s the Rapture.” With that he was gone as quickly as a cool breeze in July. Before I knew it, I saw him holding a pedestrian 6 inches off the floor while cussing like a rabid dog. The guy’s intense.
Holly, the devil’s evil temptress, saw us milling about outside and immediately invited us into the show. She quickly gave us the lay of the land as she explained where the refreshments were. I needed a cold beer badly. She led us towards the Devil’s cave-like display to let us grab a cool one, when I was distracted by the sight of something spiraling towards my head. It was only due to my great Ninja reflexes and fighting skills (Yeah, ok!), that I was able to dodge the projectile and knock it out of the air before it took my wife’s pretty head off. Ok, it was actually a plastic Gatorade bottle, but I still dodged it. Bandit launched it from the Bikernet booth with the lovely Nyla, and thought it was a good idea to chunk his junk my way.
“Hey Old Man, what’re you doing?”
“What did I tell you, kid? Stop with the Old Man shit! You ready to go look at some bikes?”
Well hell, yeah I was. I didn’t come down here to talk to your gigantic noggin!
“Yeah, sure thing, boss.” We left the girls running the booth as we began to look for the bikes listed on Bandit’s judging sheet. The place had somewhere just over 50 bikes displayed, and many more not in the competition. Being Friday afternoon, I guessed people were at work, so the crowd was minimal. Things would definitely pick up the next day.
Bandit started schooling me on the art of “judging” a bike show.
“First thing to remember is a brand new stock bike is a 5. We are judging on a 10 point scale. If the bike is worse than stock in an area, then that area gets less than 5 points and vice versa. The first thing we do is make sure it’s in the right class.”
We began circling a few bikes and I watched as he diligently wrote numbers for each bike. He was meticulous in his critiques, but he knew when to say enough is enough! After half the bikes, we called it quits to watch the burlesque show. Let me tell you, this was definitely an adult affair. No little kids circling the stage on this one. It all started with The Sultry Suzanna and her “Balls of Death”. She danced and hopped around stage swinging these little glass balls on what looked like small chains. I could feel the sexiness in the air, but unlike the few knuckleheads screaming in the front row, I reserved my cheering. The girls who followed ranged from the 6’3” Bohemian named Estella Roman to the pert and petite headliner Bee Bonnie, “the housewife”. I enjoyed Bee Bonnie’s dance the most, as she came out with an ironing board and was wearing an apron. That sight alone gave me wood. She finished her tease by taking the frying pans she had been hiding her half naked body with, only to reveal two large egg yolk style pasties covering her nipples. I don’t know why, but I suddenly had the urge for eggs….mmmmm!
We finished the day with a few more bikes to judge. Bandit’s expertise showed as compared to my glitter stricken eye. I was ready to award 9s and 10s on a few bikes while Bandit stayed with 6s and 7s. It was an honor to be a part of the judging with the old crack head, but I just don’t have enough experience to judge a bike show just yet. Still, it was cool as hell and I had a blast.
We ended up checking out a few of the booths there and Bandit ended up paying several hundred dollars for some old, rusty, antique toys and a few trinkets. Personally, I think the guy must be running a whore smuggling ring in Southern California, but who am I to judge?
That night at dinner, my wife and I had the pleasure to join, Bandit, Nyla, Kent, Holly, Eric, a few girls from Eric’s harem, and Rick Fairless’s partner JT. Everyone was a real blast to hang out with and we enjoyed a wonderful meal at Landry’s. I particularly enjoyed talking with everyone, and enjoying the meal and drinks while hearing the bikes roar by on The Seawall. It was surreal.
The next morning, my wife and I attended the Easyriders bike show in Houston. Due to the hurricanes in September, both these great shows were scheduled for the same weekend. Although the show was cool, the crowd was small and the bikes at The Devil’s show were more competitive. I think Kent and Holly had more bikes in their show, but I didn’t confirm that with anyone.
We rode back to Galveston on a beautiful Texas morning of clear skies and high 70 degree temperatures. We were joined riding by my wife’s friend Amanda and her cool as hell Houston firefighter boyfriend, David. David was riding a kick ass ’05 Softail Springer, and I was aboard the ’05 Springer Classic. We roared down I-45 hauling ass when we noticed the sky turning black ahead. Shit!!!! It looked like rain ahead. Like many places in America, Texas is famous for weather that can change in a minute.
The weather wasn’t bad, but I was relieved to get to The San Luis Resort. Being that the bike show was indoors, we’d remain dry. We were immediately drawn to the crowd inside. There must have been 4 to 5 times the amount of people in the convention center on Saturday as compared to Friday. I would venture to say as many as 200 people were at the bike show at any one time, so it was definitely more successful the second day. The atmosphere was much lighter, the music kicked ass, and I even think I saw The Devil smile once. We were having the time of our lives. After two days, the time had come to name the winners of the show.
The lovely ladies who finished 1-3 in the bikini contest were trophy presenters along with some old hack, Bandit. The winners were announced and the crowd went out to enjoy the bikes that won by looking at their kick ass Lucky Devil Metalworks designed trophies. They looked like the state of Texas was on fire; just radical! My favorite bike in the show, listed as a ’02 Pan, also won The Judges Choice Award. Check the winners list below.
All the winners were very gracious, although Billy Akron wasn’t present. He was at the Easyriders show. All in all. it was a great show that will definitely keep growing every year. The bikes were first rate, the music was awesome, and the people running the damn thing were just cool as hell! I will make this an every year show for myself and I hope you do the same.
That night I got to watch Bandit get liquored up on Mai Tai’s at The Safari café. He kept shivering like a little bitch when the mechanical monkeys would come out of the walls and start singing. I think he was just trying to get a feel on Nyla, but that’s just me.We ate dinner and said our goodbyes. My wife and I headed out to check the end of The Rally.
I wanted to thank Kent and Holly weeks for putting on a great show. You guys rock and I hope this work out for ya’ll. You guys letting me hang around you for a few days made my wife think I am less of a stalker, so I may actually get a little action now and again. I also wanted to thank the many builders who took the time to talk to me at the show. Everyone was great, and we will never forget it! Till next time, Ride Safe!
Antique Class
First Brad Johnson. 49 FL
Second Keith “ Crash “ Giles. 54 Triumph
Third Bill Taber 63 Duo Glide
Street custom Class
First Karlton Styron 01 Dyna
Second Myles Anthony 01 H-D fxst
Third Leroy Potts 03 Fat Boy
Specialty Class
First Billy and Beth 02 Pan
Second Jim Best 53 chopper
Third Disqualified
Production Custom Class
First Jeff Stepp. Redneck Hardtail
Second Scooter Big Dog Pitbull
Third Phillip Harmon Mcc Street chop
Radical Custom Class
First Synister Cycle Designs
Second Wilson. Kingpin cycles
Third Snakes Texas heat
Best of show
Synister Cycle Designs
Best Paint
Hemi Head Texas Chop
Judges choice
Billy and Beth 02 pan
Due to the twin bitches, hurricanes Rita and Katrina, this bike event was moved from the sweltering heat in September to the more “tropical” climate of November. I am thankful now that it was. This was the 3rd year of this rally, and it was set up perfectly, again. Very classy and well organized from start to finish. The local hotels and restaurants must made a killing throughout the weekend.
If you have never been to Galveston, Texas, the layout is very simple. Basically, once you get to the seawall, everything is on one side, so it’s virtually impossible to get lost. That doesn’t mean I didn’t manage to do so, but I would never admit to it. Once you arrive in the old downtown Galveston, just look for The Strand. That’s where the party was.
For a minimal fee of 5 bucks per bike, you bought a pass to ride down the strand. Everyone needs to ride the strand at least once. I would recommend it Thursday or Friday, because Saturday is just insane. The line to get on The Strand can last more than an hour. Once you get to enter The Strand, the pace is a minimal idle down the strip with erratic burnouts occasionally. It’s amusing to see the women flashing as you ride by and people pawing you. You have to be careful not to run anyone over, cuz people are freaking retarded. The atmosphere is upbeat, and much like a shark feeding frenzy for bikes, food, and beer! What a show!
So, like Sturgis and Daytona, you have a main strip decorated on each parallel street with vendors. Lots and lots of vendors. The great thing about Galveston’s rally is the bikes constantly rumbling by while you check out parts, leathers, and of course eye candy. Although I wasn’t at the rally till the end every night, I did stay till well after midnight. Let me say this, things get crazy after the sun goes down. I saw a wild mix of people, from whole families with little children walking the streets, to girl on girl full lesbianism running rampant down the street, not bad. It was great. My wife attended the rally for the first time with me, and she had a blast. We were there Friday and Saturday evenings, driving the 65 miles home every night. If I would do anything different, I probably would get a hotel room next year. (Maybe we could have more fun like we did Saturday morning, right baby?)
This year’s rally started on a scary note for me. I traded in my 2003 Fatboy on August 18 for a Softail Springer Classic. August 28th, the day after I dropped the bike off at the dealer to check a fuel injection hesitation, the bike had over 7500 dollars worth of damage. Unfortunately, the mechanic test riding the bike was hit and laid the bike over on its side. The dealer handed me the keys to a 2005 Road King to ride during the wait, but I am a very impatient.
Well, I finally received the call Thursday afternoon that my bike is ready. Ecstatic, I trudged through the, ever-slowing work day and prayed for it to end. At 5:01 pm, I headed to the dealer on the 2005 Road King. Now, even though Houston is the 4th largest metropolitan city in the U.S., traffic is really minimal. We have traffic jams occasionally, but for the most part, it’s the ducking and diving nimrods talking on cell phones while they act like they are driving in NASCAR and jabbering on a cell phone. Well, literally less than 2 miles from the dealership, I have an accident on the King.
While driving on loop 610 heading west towards the Main street exit, I get sideswiped by some asshole on the left. He just drove right into my lane smacking my left side at 70mph! I don’t know how I did it, but I kept the bike up. Unfortunately, this cocksmoker didn’t stop, and I wobbled off the freeway by myself. I heard people honking and screaming at him, but I was a distracted with the pain in my left leg and the emergency attempt to keep it upright.
My leg was momentarily pinned between the car and the bike. Throbbing like a sonuvabitch, I barely pulled into the dealer parking lot when the bike stalled out due to the broken clutch housing, which was the only damage on the bike. Thankfully, the dealership was really cool, and they replied with a half-hearted, “Well, I guess we’re even.” I only half laughed. They were really cool about the whole incident, and I wanted to thank Mancuso Harley-Davidson for helping me out with the rental. They were very helpful during this whole ordeal.
By the time I got home, my left leg had swelled to three times its normal size. My wife took one look and made me change into shorts so we could blast across town to the ER. What a disaster that was. After 6 hours, I ended up with x-rays of a badly bruised leg, a lecture on the dangers of motorcycling, and a shiny set of crutches. Miraculously, I awoke the next morning with little more than a bruise and a limp. My body reminded me all weekend to keep my head on a swivel while riding.
The rally was filled with plenty of action between the bands, all local, and the vendors kept my eyes busy. The beer flowed and the fun lasted through the weekend. Sometimes a great party will re-energize you for the rest of the year. Forget the bills, the mortgage, and the kids’ college fund. Forget work, gossip, and neighborhood association letters. Let your hair down and have a great time. Like my Grandpa used to say, “Sometimes a man (or woman) just has to let their hair down and have some fun.”
Very true Grandpa, very true.
Overall, the rally was first rate. The attendance seemed a little more manageable this year, but it was still packed. I haven’t been given an official number yet, but I heard the estimate was around 200,000 folks rumbled to the island this year. I could believe that. While the celebrities weren’t here like the big rallies, the fans were. But who cares, the rallies aren’t for the builders and celebrities anyways. This rally is for us, the bikers. They didn’t let us down.
Caribbean Bike Week 2006
By Bandit |
Well, the Holidays are here, time always flies, soon there will be another digit on the year, we will be screwing up checks, and making false promises that we all know won't be kept. Anyway.
Well, my early resolution is to hit Japan big. I know they like my bikes there, a lot, but I want to target Japan, heavily. I have a few new bikes ready for the magazines, and have a few others almost done, so it will be a very interesting trip, after keeping incognito most of 2006.
We just finished our yearly event, Caribbean Bike Week, but what many know as Rincon, plain and simple, there's many changes going on , so sadly we had to cancel Sunday activities, since some of our sponsors pulled out two days before the event, Oh well….
But still the plans for Friday and Saturday went on full blast, and speaking of blasts, we had one.. for sure.Every year we ride from my shop in San Juan to Rincon, about 100 miles give or take, ask any builder from the US that has been here and they will tell you about this ride. It’s more or less an all-balls race to the West side. Laws are non existent, speed limits become jokes, red lights ignored blatantly and such. It's not total anarchy, just a way to release all the shit that goes on, day after day. It’s a celebration of what we can do when laws are a bit more relaxed than anyplace else, but it's also fun. Just friends riding alongside (our friend the Motorcycler has a couple videos on You Tube from that day). It's a good time to make those Pans and Shovels scream, clean the plugs up, and just haul ass. Too bad there's no photos of my Chop Off pan flying a couple feet off the ground on one of the bridges, that to me was fun.
Friday night was a full attack on our friends bar, a great time to just hang out, unwind an talk to friends, old and new alike. Hank Young joined us once more on this trip, It has become his yearly vacation, and we nicknamed him the Georgiarican.
Saturday a few went riding up into the Central Mountain range, some were riding to Rincon from San Juan, and the bulk had a BBQ at the beach with friends.. After I was done with all the shit I had to do, I grabbed my board and went surfing… Sanity has a steep, price.
The opening party Saturday, became the mega party, Monica and her band, La Guerrilla (
Sunday (thank God we did not have to go to the booth) was a late start, Luis shot some of the bikes, even though the event was canceled, there were many bikes in the area, just riding around, enjoying what beautiful Rincon has to offer. I had plans to go surfing, but never happened (besides I have the whole Winter season to do so).
A few groups formed for the ride back to San Juan, as always it was almost as much fun coming back…We even had friends come over from Texas and California, sure they were a bit dissapointed that the main event did not happen, but after all that went on and the partying, im sure they did not give a fuck.
We are starting to plan now for next year, the sales tax turmoil should be done by then, the sponsors are in and it's the 5th anniversary so we want to do something really cool.Dates for 2007 are Nov 30th, Dec 1 and 2nd. Or check the website
If anything, just have the best Holidays you can….I'll be in Rincon, surfing.By the way, the babe singing is spoken for….
–Jose
Seminole Hard Rock Finale Coming, December 10th
By Bandit |
FT. LAUDERDALE, FL (November 9, 2006) – The Seminole Hard Rock Roadhouse 2006 Tour will be making its final stop as part of the 18th Annual Toys in the Sun Run on Sunday, December 10th in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The Seminole Hard Rock Roadhouse is a touring attraction visiting motorcycle rallies across the country that features custom bike builders, their Seminole Hard Rock bikes, the Roadhouse stage and great entertainment including live shows and giveaways through out the day. To top it off this will also conclude a year-long free national sweepstakes to enter to win a trip to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and the grand prize of one of the four 2006 Seminole Hard Rock custom motorcycles.
This year the Roadhouse Tour features motorcycle builders Paul Cox and Keino of Indian Larry Legacy in Brooklyn, NY; Eric Gorges from Voodoo Choppers in Detroit, MI; Gard Hollinger of L.A. County Choprods from Marina Del Rey, CA; and Aaron Greene of Paramount Custom Cycles from Reno, NV.
Taking place on the Main Stage at 2 pm at Markham Park, one of the five semi-finalists will be announced by Seminole Hard Rock Roadhouse host, Max Osceola. The pinnacle moment of the year, the winner will actually get to choose his/her favorite of the four Seminole Hard Rock bikes to take home. Also, on the main stage the Purrfect Angelz, a nationally acclaimed dance troop, will be taking the stage at 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm.
Max Osceola shared, “The Seminole Hard Rock Roadhouse has been featured at many rallies across the country and we are very excited to have the Roadhouse at Markum Park for the Christmas Toys in the Sun Run. The Seminole Tribe of Florida is a great supporter of this amazing, world-class motorcycle parade and event and having it here in our own backyard makes such a difference for Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. We hope the Seminole Hard Rock Roadhouse will bring an additional element of fun and excitement for everyone to enjoy.”
Title sponsor of the Roadhouse, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is a destination for rock n’ rollers from across the nation to discover their rock n’ roll dreams. The 86-acre resort in Hollywood, Florida, located between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale is pure paradise, featuring a colossal 130,000 sq. ft. casino, a lush 4-acre lagoon tropical pool area, a legendary Hard Rock Café, sensational European-style spa and fitness center, and the famous Hard Rock Live concert hall. Seminole Paradise, South Florida's newest entertainment destination for savvy shopping, delicious dining and explosive entertainment offers a little something for everyone, both day and night. Other sponsors include Budweiser, Hawaiian Tropic, S&S Cycle, Performance Machine, Baker Transmission, Bikernet.com, HOT BIKE and Keyboard Carriage. For more information, please visit www.hrroadhouse.com.
8th annual premier VIP motorcycle event in South Florida
WHAT:The 8th annual Ft. Lauderdale Harley-Davidson Biker’s Bash will include:
Biker’s Bash Registration and Hospitality, from 8:30am to 3:00pm at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino—participants can pick up their weekend credentials and commemorative Biker’s Bash gift bag.
Morning Ride and Lunch Kick-Off Party, from 9:00am to 3:00pm- participants will ride to the Admirals Club Marine Academy, Sunrise Harley-Davidson and finish at Quarterdeck on Las Olas Blvd. for lunch.
BIKER’S BASH from 6:00pm to 11:00pm at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino—end the night with a fabulous dinner, live entertainment and a charity auction. Host Max Osceola will introduce the four Seminole Hard Rock Roadhouse ALL FOUR BIKE BUILDERS join Supermodel Niki Taylor on stage to show off their motorcycles. Builders will then proceed to the Center bar After-Party.
The 2006 Seminole Hard Rock Roadhouse is a national touring attraction that recognizes custom motorcycle builders from around the country. This year’s event will includes live entertainment, the Seminole Hard Rock Roadhouse Builders, and of course, their custom built motorcycles.
WHERE: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
WHEN: Friday, December 8th, 6 pm to 11pmAfter party at Center Bar www.bikersbash.org
Space Coast H-D Birthday Party
By Bandit |
It has been a busy year since Space Coast Harley-Davidson in Palm Bay Florida opened their doors. They recently wanted to thank all their customers by having a party. Darby Koller who heads-up marketing and promotion for the dealership, put on numerous events during the year but she wanted this one to be special.
For starters she brought in the women builders “Gypsy” the first Female Discovery Channel Biker Build-Off Winner, “Shorty” the worlds First Female Bike Builder and “Athena”, a.k.a “The Vagabond Chickie” from Dearfield Beach Florida.
As if that wasn’t enough she had the “Purrfect Angels” who put on a biker fashion show and their dance routines through out the weekend. They appear at motorcycle events all over the country and besides being beautiful put on a really good show. They also pose for photos with those in attendance like my buddy Jennings Wardlaw and others.
The Hooters Girls were doing a bike wash and having some fun with the water hose from time to time. Not a bad show in itself.
Though the women were out in force, the men were not neglected either. The Easyriders Teresi Dyno Drag Truck was on hand for those who wanted to see how fast their bikes were, under safe conditions, while not coping speeding tickets.
Chef Steve was cookin’ for the famous Big Bore Deli. There were numerous other food suppliers also. Budweiser was the beer of the day and there were plenty of non-alcoholic drinks available as well.
The Ride In Bike Show had a wide variety of classes and the winners received trophies made by “Nicky Bootz” and distributed by the three female builders often with hugs.
Music, Music and more Music, Steve Thorpe and The Blues Orchestra. Southern Rock All Stars “Tribal Tongue”, Derrick and The Slammers while the ever popular Doc Holiday took care of the DJ duties.
“Gypsy “and “Shorty” were also Co-Grand Marshals of the March Of Dimes “Bikers For Babies Ride” on Sunday which was a 75 mile police escorted ride and raised a lot of money for that organization.
I would like to thank all that helped make this event a success. For those of you that do not know, this is my Home Town and I am Very Proud of The Bikers and those who Support Them at events like this.
–ROGUE
Nashville, Road Atlanta and Barber Motorsports Vintage Racing
By Bandit |
Team Old and Oily is:
Keith Bennett, #797
Jack Houman, #796
Charlie Young, #798
Alec Harper the Wrench / pit crew
David Brock, our corner worker / safety rep.
It's been a great season! Can't think of a better way to spend several weekends throughout the year. Here are some team stats:
•2nd place in the nation, WERA 500GP class
•Southeastern Regional Champ, WERA 500GP class
•Only 1 non-podium finish out of a dozen races
•2 Blown Honda 350 motors
•1 Blown 750 Norton motor.
•4 crashes
oBent fork tubes, footpegs, dented exhaust (repair by Josh Mills, Mills and Co), Scuffed leathers, banged up helmets, and a nap on the track for my buddy Jack….twice!!
•2 Ambulance rides
•1 hospital visit
•LOTS OF FUN!!
I can say for my teammates Jack Houman, Keith Bennett, and our honary crewmember Alec, that it was a successful year. Our three Hondas sometimes made up half the field, normally with about 10 bikes total in our region. The Honda 350s appear to be more popular up north.
Alec came to the first Barber Motorsports Park race as a spectator, saw Keith’s English flag flying, and struck up a conversation. He eventually showed up for almost every other race and wrenched on every bike we had! Great to have along, ‘preciate his time.
We made a lot of friends, including Doug Bowie, #150 and National Champ 350GP and V5 classes. Russel Baggett, National Champ V1 class on a Honda 350, Stan Keyes Norton 750 racer, And Mike Ewer, Runner up to Russel. I cant forget our Norton Club brothers, who provided moral support all year! Then of course our wives and familys….who are probably glad to get rid of us for awhile, as long as we come back in one piece!!
Here’s some details from the last 3 races, Nashville Superspeedway, Road Atlanta WERA Grand National finals, and the AHRMA race at Barber Motorsports Park Vintage Vestival.
Nashville, 9/16/2006: This one started off rough for me a couple days before. Fuel issues (rusty tank, chunks in carbs) had caused problems the previous race. I decided to fix them once and for all. My friend David Brock coated the tank, new petcock configuration, and rebuilt carbs. I got it all done, road test went great…but thought I was a little lean, went up a lot on jets, still lean.
Typically with my FXR, this would lead me to the intake gasket, so I went there with this honda…….and snapped a bolt off in the head!!!! SNAP! In reflection I was lucky to get three out of four out. They were in bad shape.
So day before the race, drill the bolt…motor still in place…get an easy-out in and SNAP!….broken easy out!…long story short, also wound up cracking the head at the pad, BUT got a tap and Heli-coil in it. Inserted a stud and some JB Weld, and crossed my fingers!! Got the manifolds on, carbs on, bike ran. Drove 4 hrs, Alec and I got to the hotel near the track after midnight….up at 5:00, headed to the track.
Jack was at the hotel when we arrived. He had his Honda #796. Keith nor his bike made this race…still fixing his blown up motor!
Practice and Jack is flying!….I’m running like crap….just junk, terrible! Jack has an extra set of carbs, and they work better, but still not right. My first race, we changed needles on the first set of carbs and ran them…..still terrible.
Long story short….Jack wasn’t racing the second race, so I ran the carbs off his bike and did great.
Jack's carbs let me clinch the Regional Championship….Thanx Teammate!!
Nashville was a BIG BULLET…and I dodged it! Had a good time. My niece and her hubby came over and took these pics.
WERA Grand National Final, Road Atlanta, Oct 11-15, 2006:
We had three Hondas on track, it felt good! I ran the optional practice day on wed. Pulled into the pits and saw a friend's rig, Stan Keyes, owner of Cyco Cycles in Jacksonville Fl. He had his Norton there, and extra pit space, so I pitted with him and saved room for my teamates arriving tommorow. Stan and his wife Dee were all set up and ready to run.
Their son Derick Keyes, just landed a Kawasaki Factory test rider job, and would be riding the AMA 8 hr endurance race in Daytona during Biketoberfest, on the brand new EX650 “vertical twin” Ninja. He finished 2nd in class.
I had someone to beat for the National Championship…..Steven Barber, #106 bike, from Roanoke, Va. I had to finish first….If he finished 2nd, we tied, 3rd, I win. I had to go for it.
My friend and fellow racer Doug Bowie, who has been racing for over 30 years, ex-AMA Pro, was feeding me pointers….”Charlie, I’ve followed him before, he’s “Digital” / squared off, not smooth, and he brakes early….you can do it….Go out there in practice and follow him….Look for his weakness and your strength….don't make your move till late in the race…”
Doug is good….watching him ride that F1 “big” Ducati is like magic. Multiple WERA class champ, including one of my classes on a Duc 250. The guy is a great rider.
This guy Steven Barber was fast! He would leave me on the long back straight at Rd Atl. One fast bike! I got by him once, but he took it back….I made him earn the championship though!
Old and Oily scrambled in the pits at Road Atlanta. Keith and Jack were up late finishing and installing Keith's motor. He puked a quart of oil in the first practice….they fixed the leak and he ran well. I broke my 2 into 1 exhaust in half at the collector….alum strap splints and hose clamps baby!! I also lost a footpeg bolt and couldn’t shift for half the last lap…still finished good though! Foot hangin off in thin air!!
My 350….awsome little bike…like that tailpipe?
“Grass Roots” enough for ya?…almost looks like the salt….minus bandits “Harem”….lucky bastard!
Jack and I had our best race yet….we were handlebar-to-handlebar at 80mph or so, inches apart, numerous times. We swapped positions at least 5 times in 8 laps. I had him in starightaway speed, he sucked me back in during the corners….it was a blast! Last lap, turn 10B, he went off track trying to get by me, and I took the 2nd place trophy!….I come pulling into the pits, and Stan Keyes says “Hey, charlie ran so hard he knocked a carb off!”….and I did! I tore my tank strap, Keith and I modified it, but the tank set lower, and vibrated a carb loose from its rubber intake manifold! Hanging by the cable!!
Jack and I battling it out.
Jack Houman….A good hard racer!….we’ve battled inches apart, and I’m fine with that!
Oh yeah….another little incident. Fire the bike up to go to the grid for the race where I could win the national title…..I’m nervous…and I’m on the pole. Getting ready to go out for warm-up lap and my bike sputters and dies!!…The pack heads out, and I’m cussin big time!…this guy standin on pit wall asks if I need a push…..I say hell yeah….then he asks the magic question….”IS THE GAS ON?”…..shit!….like I said, I was nervous! I found him at the awards banquet and thanked him for asking the magic question!
The banquet was fun, right after the races. Keith and I went with Doug. I was collecting a 2nd, and Doug 2 – 1st place trophys and National #1 plates.. We drank alittle, good meal…crossing the bridge back to the pits, and Doug stumbles on the last step down, and falls on his ass!…..Keith and I, being the friends we are, rush to his side….keith starts kicking him in the side while I grab those #1 plates!!! Yeah buddy, what are friends for?
I also bought another bike this day. A 1994 Kaw EX500. Vertical twin, OHC, 4 valves per cylinder, water cooled….strong bike!….and I’m used to my 113” FXR!
Next race is an AHRMA event, held at the Barber Motorsports Park, in conjunction with their annual Vintage Festival.
Barber Motorsports Park, Vintage Festival and Races, 10/21/06: This event is bound for a bright future. AHRMA races Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. John Surtees on a bike and in a Ferrari, vintage sidecar demo race, Airshow by some old WWII navy birds, The Museum, Vendors, Swap Meet, Numerous Motorcycle Clubs…..it goes on and on.
I arrived Friday afternoon. Got set up in the pits, bike tech’d in, signed up, etc etc to run Saturday. My first ride on a new bike, I let the Honda 350 rest this time. This Kaw is strong, and handles a lot different than the Honda……imagine that.
Friday nite, chilled out. Beautiful weather, drank a few, BBQ ribs on the grill, and all the fixins…..man!….Maggie and Martha treat us all like kings. They also do the same at Daytona every year…..thanx ya’ll!!
Saturday First practice, and I’m slow…..second practice was better, but the bike is still more than me. All mechanicals are good to go. I’m pitted with my buddy Doug, who is running a Triumph Thruxton out of Atlanta Ducati / Triumph…..he’s got a rear wheel issue, but will, as he says “ride through it!”
Yours truly, looking alittle “uncomfortable” or SLOW if you ask me!! Gimme a couple track days before Daytona ad I’ll be good to go!!
Jack and Keith, Old and Oily teammates, didn’t make this trip.WERA season is over….I’m representing O & O, with Alec in the pits.
Numerous friends drove their motorhome up from Jacksonville. I pitched my tent, amongst others, near “Norton Club Central”…..Barney and Maggies motorhome.
Being entered in the races, I didn’t have much time to brouse the vendor area / swap meet. I heard it was very good, except for being alittle muddy due to the rain thurs nite…..anyhow, I missed several friends who had booth’s….Bernard, our Norton club treasurer, and Brian Holzigal, from British and American cycles, I hope they did well.
TC Christansen, AMA Hall Of Famer of “Hog Slayer” drag racing fame also came down and camped out. I enjoy BS’ing with TC everytime I see him…..great guy, lots of stories. He brought his TRIPLE ENGINE TOP FUEL NORTON DRAG BIKE down for the show……”TRICLOPS”….all I can say is Jeeeezzzzuuusss! He also brought a cool old Norton Chopper.
TC….AMA Hall Of Famer.
Heres a picture…..The HogSlayer Himself, Sitting on a Hawg!…a moment I had to catch on film! Me being a Harley guy, I’m surprised he isnt flippin me off! Its my friends Charlie and Martha’s bike, with Maggie, Martha, and Alec.
Nice pic of TC’s Norton Chopper……..
There was an airshow during lunch. I build F22 fighter planes for a living, but these old piston engine birds steal my heart. Awsome planes, Awsome Show!
Race time!…..over 60 bikes on the grid…..I’m dead last. I havent run an AHRMA race all season, and grid is by points. 2 classes in this race, Battle of Twins Formula 1 (BOT F1) and BOT F3, that’s me. 26 bikes in my class…..I started 26th and finished 21st. Not the success I’ve been used to on the honda, but first time on this bike, most bikes I’ve ever raced with, didn’t know anyone, I felt OK about it.
This EX500 has a lot of potential, and I’ve got a lot to learn. Heck, BOT F1 are Ducati’s and new Buells….and some F3 bikes were SV650’s……and I held my own. Only got lapped by a few, and didn’t finish last!!
These races are great! CAN YOU SAY PRE-1940 HANDSHIFT CLASS?!?!?….Indians and flathead HD’s slugging it out……good stuff. There must have been 15-20 bikes in this class.
From Flatheads to Supermoto bikes, dirt bikes with race tires…..it was all there!
Killer ants at this track!
Our campsite early thursday….nice spot, huh? Right on the track.
A shot from inside the museum. Photos by Mehmet Dogu
Honda 350 racers Russel Baggett, Buff Harsh and Todd Henning….these boys make em go fast!
Other racers / friends:
David Hurst, We raced clean all year, he sold me the EX500 Kaw.
Russel Bagget, fast Honda.
Everyone who reads this……you can do this! It has been a blast all year. I don’t know what else to say…..I aint in it for a bunch of money (some people are), but I’ve got about $3,500 in BOTH MY BIKES. It costs about $100 to race, $60 to rent a transponder if you don’t own one.
WERA is a great organization. I felt safe with their officials, especially Chuck the starter. All the officials did a great job. The cornerworkers are jonny-on-the-spot.
AHRMA also appears to be a good sanctioning body. I’m looking forward to running at Daytona International Speedway with them in March. Anyone interested, come check it out on Monday and Tuesday of bikeweek…..Look for that green Kaw #798 and come say hello. 2 days of racing vintage bikes.
Thanks to Bandit and the bikernet crew for the exposure. I’ve allways enjoyed the site. You have it goin’ on Holmes!!! Any of your crew gonna be in Daytona, holler.
I’ll be road racing next year, but I’m also gonna start to build up a 1972 Ironhead Sportster I own and try some drag racing…..might run my FXR as well…AHDRA in Atlanta in may….I’d also love to try the salt some day.
Hey…..can you send Val over here to gimme some pointers?….yeah….maybe she wants to try some roadracing also…???…She can ride my machine anytime!! She’s hot AND fast, does it get any better?? Congrats on the records Val!
Allways a good crowd.
Anyhow…..here’s Chuck with the checkers!!!!!….till next year….
Charlie Young, #798
Old and Oily Racing
Atlanta, Ga.
Here's one from the museum for Bandit and the Salt Flats Teams…..Can you say Don Vesco? Bravo on all your runs and records! Awsome job from start to finish!
Lone Star 2006 Rally
By Bandit |
The Lone Star Rally came at a very beautiful time this year. My wife and I had a sitter for the kids, we were both scheduled off from our jobs, and the weather called for three days of clear skies and beautiful weather. With our hotel reservations set, we departed from beautiful humble, Texas about mid-morning on Friday, November 3. My wife was riding her sleek little 883 custom while I was aboard my trusty Springer. We were joined on the trip by my partner-in-crime, Mike, and his lovely wife, Tonia.
We expected the rally attendance to be down again this year due to the fact the rally was held on opening weekend for deer season. I am not to sure about the rest of the country, but most men in southeast Texas, watch the calendar and count the weeks to opening weekend of hunting season. What made this year even more unique was, we had a cold front late Thursday evening that put the temperatures in the high 40’s, low 50’s. We only have a week of winter in my neck of the woods, and to have a cold front move in the day before deer season are nearly as remote as finding a true running Panhead with matching numbers for under 5 grand. Well, we were wrong in assuming the numbers. I guess all the Harley riding hunters figured they still have two months to hunt, but this is the last damn rally of the year, might as well enjoy the party.
We had an uneventful ride into Galveston, just smooth sailing. We arrived in Galveston and headed to our hotel room, The Best Western, on the Seawall. Now if you have never stayed in Galveston, it is a pretty straightforward set-up, street-wise. The turn-off from the highway takes you to a road that runs parallel to the coast; the Seawall. You can go for miles to the right or to the left, either way; it’s just beaches, hotels, restaurants, and fishing piers. Our hotel was on the seawall, which gave us quick access to the beach, food, bikes, and a view to die for.
After a quick meal at one of our famous Mexican food restaurants, we were ready to hit the Strand. This year, its fifth year , the Lone Star Rally not only ran from 21st street to 25th street on the Strand, but also had a section of vendors on the Seawall. This was an unprecedented event, considering the Seawall had never been closed for an event before. We decided to bypass the Seawall vendors and go straight to the Strand. We were not disappointed.
The Strand was once the upper-class shopping district in Galveston in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. A series of fires, hurricanes, and exiled heavyweight champion started the eventual slide away from Galveston.
We like to look for these signs as we travel. They seem to give us a sense of perspective and make us appreciate today. Look for them if you ever travel through Texas.
Today, The Strand is nothing more than a quaint little shopping district geared towards tourists looking for a taste of the old times. From a small old-time soda shop and candy store, to the brick roads with tram tracks running through it; The Strand is a piece of history placed into this century.
It didn’t take very long at all for the streets to get overwhelmed with activity.
Now I have read plenty of articles lately with the author complaining about yuppies, newbies, old-school, new-school, bobber, chopper, not a real biker, blah, blah, blah. I will not do that here. For the most part, the rally is filled by a bunch of people who all have one basic love, motorcycles. Everyone seemed to be having a great time and I do not recall seeing anyone getting too out of control. While the cops were on hand to apprehend if anyone acted completely out of line, I did not see anything out of the ordinary. From the time I arrived on the strand Friday night, to the time I left Sunday evening, the place was packed from front to back with bikes, beer, and people. It was a blast!
Bikes like this were commonplace. The only difference seemed to be the paintjobs. They are impressive, but seem to be “blending in” which is sort of anti-chop.
Another carbon-copy style chopper with an upgrade in graphics.
This green monster caught my eye and definitely displayed some intricate details. I was starting to get a little “crowded” at this point, so my options of taking pictures gets limited sometimes to partial, detailed, close-ups of parts of the bikes.
Friday night was filled with us traveling up and down the streets looking at bikes, drinking beer, and generally just having fun. I met quite a few people on Friday who were regular stiffs just like me who just happened to ride a Harley. It was kind of nice visiting somewhere that everyone didn’t associate themselves as a master builder just because they turn wrenches.
The Strand stayed busy throughout, and it was a constant parade ground for everyone to show off their bikes. While it is not Sturgis, it is definitely the closest thing to it in these parts.
The girl on the left is my wife, Salena. After buying her an 883 Custom in March, she has been slowly riding more and more. I am very proud to say she made it through the rally and all it’s “brewhaha” without a single scratch on her bike. She has become my favorite riding partner on the road as well as life. The girl on the right is her best friend Tonia. She is a rider herself, but after having a near-fatal, bike cartwheeling, whipping-through-the-air after hitting a car at 120 mph on a GSXR last year, she was a passenger this year. We all thank the Big Man upstairs for allowing her to be with us again this year.
this was a cool little chop that caught my eye.
The night life is approaching.
I was glad it didn’t rain. When it rains, the bricks and railcar paths get slick. I was nervous enough for my wife without the thought of her slipping down and getting hurt due to unusual conditions.
It was not uncommon to see the older crowd cruising along on their pensions.
Friday was pretty much a great, Sturgis-like, night until I realized I lost my Panoptx glasses. I was pissed all the way back to the hotel room when my wife realized she had lost her cell phone. I just got back on my bike, rode back to the Strand, and looked for her phone for another two hours. Talk about a buzz kill.
This was The Strand later after I went back. Pictures do not do it justice as you have to envision the sound of rev-limiters, popping engines, and an all-night party atmosphere. Believe me when I say the freaks come out at night. I laughed my ass off.
I went back to the room to find my wife and my best friend in bed together. Nah, just kidding. I was just giving ya a check to make sure you were actually reading this. Actually, they were all fast asleep and I came back to a very noisy (snoring) room. I only slept a few hours before I woke up and rode back to the party grounds to see if maybe the glasses or phone had been kicked to the side during the night. I was surprised to find the streets had already been cleaned and all the trash cans were emptied. It was only 4 in the morning! I decided to ride Galveston for a while and just relax.
Saturday Morning, November 4th
I took these sunrise shots from our balcony on Saturday morning. I am still learning about these digital cameras, but I think these shots look pretty great!
There is something special about certain rides. Each one has it’s own characteristics that makes it special to each individual, but every one reminds us about how special it is to ride. There’s all the riding at Sturgis, night riding on an empty freeway, riding through twisties, and then there’s coastal riding. There is nothing like riding along the coast on your Genuine H-D experiencing the exhilarating explosion of sensory overload. It’s times like that where I realize why people would move to the West coast and need to ride the PCH. It must be incredible.
The parking lot of the IHOP was as busy as any bike show I have ever attended. It was awesome!
This guy pulls up on this chopper like he had been riding it for thirty years. I tried to get a shot of him but he was obviously in a hurry because he just ran into the restaurant covering his face.
Although Saturday really melted over from Friday for me, I was pumped to get the day started. Upon my wife waking up and checking her jacket for God-only-knows-what, she found her phone tucked safely in the breast pocket. At least we were now only out 200 bucks for my glasses and not 450 for the glasses AND the phone.
My buddy Mike sitting on my bike at the parking lot. He rides a Geezer Glide, so I guess he wanted a chance to look cool. He failed.
Once everyone from my camp had woken and taken their showers, we ate breakfast at the local IHOP before heading over to The Convention Center for The Texas National Bike Show. While waiting outside IHOP for a table, I took several great shots of bikes zooming along with the ocean and sun creating only black silhouettes of cool.
Coastal riding, In the Wind, cruising, and whatever else caption you think fits.
Looks like a postcard or something, doesn’t it?
Heading over to the Convention Center.
The Texas National Bike Show
We entered the bike show and were amazed that the price was only ten dollars to get in. Besides having events scheduled for the better part of two days, Holly, the show’s promoter, had lined the hall with some of the sharpest bikes I have ever seen. Besides the bikes, there was beer, food, magazines, vendors, and last but not least, Darryl Briggs was doing actual photo shoots in the corner of the show. It was awesome watching a world-class photographer do his thing with the lovely ladies. I spoke with him and we will be putting together several more Girls of Bikernet features for the loyal readers of Bikernet very, very soon.
This bike was getting wheeled in while the model got ready to drape herself on it. Darryl Briggs was getting ready for the photo shoot, so out of professional courtesy, I contained my desire to also shoot pictures. Trust me; you will be seeing some of those shots very soon.
My personal pick or the show. Then again, I liked them all.
Kent Weeks, The Devil, was slithering around the center whispering sweet nothings laced with evil to a few of the models. I tried to keep my head down and shelter my wonderful wife as much as possible. While I did see some beautiful bikes, my friends wanted to get moving. I told Kent and Holly bye as I planned to be back later in the evening. Unfortunately, I never made it back.
The parade continues. Hey, I think that’s my uncle?
Picture of yours truly on The Strand. Notice what shirt I am wearing? Hmm…maybe a kickback for advertising.
Chicks on choppers…..nice.
An original chopper. Notice the old-Le pera seat? Too cool.
Discovery’s Biker Build Off
Chica’s build-off bike. He would later win.
There is so much going on during the weekend, it’s really hard to stay in one place. We ended up going to Willie g’s Icehouse and heading to the Harbor for some seafood. Mike and Tonia wanted to do a little shopping, so Salena and I just walked the line watching bikes and meeting people. On the way to Joe’s Crab Shack, we noticed Chica was standing by a beautiful new bike I hadn’t seen yet. We would soon find out it was an actual competition between Chica and Evil spirit Choppers for an upcoming episode of Discovery’s Biker build Off series. I met both builders and they both said they looked forward to seeing their mugs on Bikernet. I think they were pulling my leg.
Johnny and Chica!
Evil Spirit Choppers Build Off Bike.
I met Jay, a friend of Bandit’s, who had built a bike featured right here on Bikernet. He was very friendly and seemed as happy to meet me as I was him. We were told to be back at the main stage at 5 pm for the big winner announcement, which would later be Chica.
The Chopper King Hugh King. I think he was about to shoot me the finger.
I also met Hugh King and was surprised to find he isn’t near as kooky in person as what he seemed on TV.
Everywhere bikes could be parked was utilized during the weekend.
We ate dinner and decided to once again walked the Strand. That was the common theme of the weekend. Eat, drink, and walk the Strand. While there is some nice riding in Galveston, you feel compelled to stay close to the action because you never know what will happen.
Chica with his trophy
Saturday night!!! Party, Parade, and Pass Out!
The night time is when the freaks come out. You will see every type of bike and biker that is known to mankind. There are lots of women of all shapes, ages, and size walking around in some of the wackiest outfits you will ever see. I saw plenty of painted on outfits while we were partying this weekend.
She’s not wearing a bikini.
By far the cooling damn helmet I saw all weekend!
This was cool. The guy had a Paul Cox seat to go along with this Larry styled chop.
This is how the world began to appear to me. I am not sure if it was the deafening noise, the smell of rubber, the liquor, or if I was just drunk with joy, but it was time to call it a night. We left The Strand by Midnight, and were sleeping before 12:20. By the time I woke up on Sunday morning, we had one hour to check out!
Saturday eventually became a blur and the next thing I can recall is waking up in the hotel on Sunday morning. While I did stay in Galveston most of the day, my mind was too fogged to be of any use to anyone especially in the art of recollection. My wife and I rode home Sunday evening without incident (Yeah Salena!) and we went to bed exhausted from a wild weekend of drinking, riding, and partying. I do not know what rallies were like in the seventies, but my experience of them in the 2000’s is ok with me. I think I will definitely make this a yearly event.
Sunday morning on The Strand.
Hey, I’m trying to be like Bandit and gather my harum.
Thread City Launches Old Skool North
By Bandit |
Gary and Brenda Gagnon are my just some of the old timer biker ties that bind me to New England, forever. Gary, a talented motorcycle mechanic, and his wife Brenda became motorcycle shop owners a couple of years ago. Gary’s forte is old school as in kindergarten. His easel is filled with Knuckles, famous Flatties, steadfast Shovels and particularly Panheads. Although there were several modern Road Kings and Fat Boys waiting their turn at his lifts, as I toured his digs on Main Street in my old stomping grounds of Willimantic, Connecticut.
Gary is a great guy who used to tear apart lawnmowers, as a kid, just for fun. We’ve been friends for over twenty-five years. From eight to 28, this is where I grew up. Almost a born Connecticut Yankee, I moved to South Florida permanently eighteen years ago and while I seem to migrate back to New England every ten years to stay in touch, this trip was the best of new old times.
After years of working out of his garage in Scotland, Connecticut, he began offering his friends coffee and doughnuts on Thursday nights. He offered this thinking that once it got too cold to ride, they would stop showing up. His buds, my bros, continued to show up, regardless of the weather, every Thursday night to sip coffee and talk motorcycles.
So when Gary opened Thread City Cycles, in April of 2004, the coffee night became a Willimantic scooter tramp tradition. (Willimantic is called Thread City due to supporting one of the nation’s largest textile mills, since the 1800s. The mills were run by the power of the Willimantic River.)
Out back in the service department with Gary, is Dana Morin, son of Louie and Pat Morin. Louie was one of the original old school bikers of Connecticut from way back in the forties when most of us weren’t even a glint in anyone’s eye, (Louie passed on last year and his story is for another adventure issue here on line). These young folks experienced the heat waves of a Daytona Bike Week annually, so when I met them again this year at Willie’s Tropical Tattoo Old School show during Bike Week, we knew that the family in the great Northeast could appreciate the same type of old school chopper show. Thanks to Tropical Willie, for the inspiration, we immediately planned a version way north.
The real trees, maples, oaks, and sumacs were putting on their annual foliage show, spectacular in orange, yellow, red and gold. Pumpkins lined walkways and front steps of ancestral homes, ready for Halloween and winter’s stage. Everywhere I went, I knew there was something different about the roads. They were very improved since I lived there. Thanks to the Native Americans and their casinos dominating the employee base of Connecticut’s financial system, the roads are wider, with new black tarmacs to sail along. The familiar curves and sharp hills make the riding experience that much sweeter. But feeling 20 years slip away, now that was indescribable.
I witnessed friends, from my youth, flying along town roads on the same Shovelheads they’ve always had. I experienced one Déjà vu after another, as they came blazing up the driveway of the Franco-American Club off Route 6 for Thread City Cycles’ Ol Skool Chopper Show. It was like I never left. Still gives me the chills.
Since it was the middle of October, this writer/rider was bundled up in layers of leather and fleece. My blood has since thinned in the warm Florida climate, and I admit to being an aging puss with a windshield. But I stayed warm enough. Northeast riders are a hardy lot. With early morning temperatures in the upper 30s, there was frost on the ground and on a crystal clear October weekend, motorcycle thunder still rumbles in the crispy skies. Midnight Mike and the Jersey Sluts rode up from freakin’ New Jersey with temps well below the limits of sane people. Skeeter, John and Mike (the Sluts) came to see me as we rendezvoused now at Smoke Outs and Bike Week in Daytona. The chopper nation came from points south and north, even New Hampshire, everyone saying it was about time New England got a chance to do it right.
Parking was no problem with the spacious grassy area behind the club and the private pavilion was set up with a full bar, band where Brenda and Dawn Morin sold event tees and raffles aplenty. Area Hot Rod clubs were invited to attend and over a dozen stylish, remarkable rides showed up and sparkled in the Yankee sunshine. Frank DeMao, Tim Walsh, Dawn Bartlett, Glen & Katy Jollie, Glen Lee, Bob Avery, Scott and Kurt Marshall all helped out with the parking and as security volunteers for the day’s event.
Michael Dodds, who now lives in New Britain (who I’ve known since I was 15, good lord!), and his girlfriend Karen were in charge of the bike show registration booth. Bikes had to be of a certain criteria of old skool to gain entrance to the judges. That’s a way of combing kool and school. Mike and Karen rode over on his ’68 Shovelhead in the wee hours of the morning, to be right on time, for the nine o’clock gate opening.
Breakfast was available for a mere four dollars and plates were overflowing with eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage, toast and coffee. Lunch was bigger than any festival foods, with Burgers, dogs, whole chicken, sausage and onions, corn on the cob, potato salad AND clam chowder for only five bucks! Now tell me that doesn’t make your insides warm! Thanks go to Shasta and Tyler Bushey, Brandy Quick and of course, our favorite mom, and grandma, Pat Morin. All sizzling chow and service was incredible.
Didn’t I mention a full service liquor bar was available? Add to that the tune played by The Night Crawlers Band, who is a funky blues group. They played BB King riffs as well as esoteric Molly Hatchet covers. Now that really sounds like your kind of ANYWHERE biker party, doesn’t it?
Thirty-five bikes paid ten dollars a piece to enter the show. Homemade trophies by Gary and Dana consisted of used clutch baskets, primary chain, cams, and a Harley-Davidson spark plugs. Except the best foreign bike trophy had a Champion plug. Only the truly tuned-in will understand that.
The winners were:
Best Sporty Bryan Bessette, a ‘78 Ironhead.
Best Evo, Ryan Hennessey of Thompson , Connecticut.
Best Pan was Russell Isch, the 1948 Panhead, recently excavated from the Hotel Hooker in downtown Willimantic.
Best Foreign, Billy Connelly, a tasty 70 Triumph.
Best Knuckle went to Scott Grenier with his 1938 knucklehead in the largest and more discerning class of them all.
Best Flathead Brian Banks and that red 1938 ULH Flathead.
Best Shovel was Gary Wooley’s 1980 chopper. Gary rides with local boys and girls of the MurderCycles Association.
Best Twin Cam went to Mark Queiros and his ‘04 Bobber.
People Choice was Middletown’s Paul Hubbard with his‘54 Panhead chopper, all dressed in bright white.
The trophy girls were courtesy of local attorneys Trantolo and Trantolo who also had a promo booth set up. Trantolo’s own, Kowalski, who does a Biker Report on WCCC out of Hartford every weekend, was the MC for the trophy ceremony. Northeast Rider’s editor, Mary, was there as was Kyle from Reading, Pennsylvania, of The Horse BackStreet Choppers and Old Skool Rodz magazine who works with the subscription department. Kyle and her husband, Rob, drove up in their awesome 1932 Ford Roadster and said they had a great day. It was an added bonus for these local thoroughbred bikers to get in on the trade magazines with an industry leader.
The vendors were few, since a long time ago, there were very few vendors at a bike shows. Today we all know that the vendors are a necessary part of any show, so the ones here were kept in the same vein as the event. Josh, a budding young pinstriper kept busy as did Jay Crum and John Martin with their X-treme Graphix digital photography. These guys make posters of the bikes on site. This was very awesome and a modern means indeed. Over 400 people attended the event, most all of them rode in.
The parking lot yielded more eye candy on two wheels, and if you knew what he looked like, you could chat with Robert E. Pradke. A member of the Road Agent Car Club, Robert, is one of the most prestigious and sought after custom auto and motorcycle painters in the country right now. He is also the most humble. Riding in on his prime striped ’48 Panhead, with Lock Baker of Eastern Fabrications, we know him best as the guy who paints for Indian Larry and the Indian Larry Legacy crew. His own shop is in Eastford, Connecticut, which is less than fifteen miles up the road.
But the icing on this cold but mighty morning, was seeing my riding partners of yesterday. Tommy Simmons, Mike Mekuto, Fred Cates, Sharon Potter, Rodney “Ice Man” Watson, Harry Serge, especially Jerry Doubleday, who now also lives in New Jersey, came all that way just to see me. Keith Baton couldn’t make it this year because he was killed last year at this time by a drunk driver, while riding home on his FLHT. Proceeds from the party will be going to the local chapter of MADD in Keith’s honor. His widow Carli Baton and their 11 year old son, Joe, did come out for the day and we all took the time to cry, hug and laugh. Just like the old days, even through the tears, after all those years.
Thread City Cycles can be encouraged to do this bike show again next year. I vote for warmer weather, like, yeah right, September. Please call Gary, Brenda and Dana at 860-456-2453 week days from nine to six and tell them what you thought about it. The shop is located at 255 Main Street in Willimantic. Coffee nights will resume in April when the weather breaks and the bikes are free to roll again. Well, unless you’re one of those lunatics who tries to ride all year long through the snow and slush. Yeah, I used to be one of those lunatics. Now I go back home to visit them. Who says you can’t go home again?
Smoke Out West 2006
By Bandit |
I read about the Smoke Out, put on annually by the Horse Backstreet Choppers magazine crew, on Bikernet. People always spoke of it in an almost cultish manner. An event where old school chopperheads appeared in mass out of nowhere like zombies right out of “Night of the Living Dead”, until they had taken over the village of Salsbury, North Carolina.
For years it was an east coast phenomenon as if the old school zombies couldn’t survive the dusty, arid atmosphere of the southwestern desert, so we remained safe from the annual invasion, but 2006 would be different. It would be the year that a new strain of Old School Zombies would emerge to take over the small Arizona town of Cottonwood, and it would never be the same.
They rumbled and rolled in from all over the west, California, Oregon, Washington, Texas et al, on a Friday afternoon that was as gray and damp as my grandmother’s basement. I parked and assumed, if I acted like them, I would blend in and I wouldn’t be discovered.
A metamorphosis occurred as I shuffled through the gates and into the light. I was greeted by old friends, Chop from O’School, Johnny Goodson from Insane Customs, The Count, Scotty Long, Ralph from Rockem Sockem and a host of others. But, I could swear, they had an eerie glint in their eyes. OK, I’m being a little melodramatic, and maybe they didn’t come back from the dead but the roadkill stench was overwhelming. They wandered around the grounds aimlessly and stayed out for the rest of weekend, I couldn’t see anyone melting into a pile of smoldering ash.
We’ve been deprived of this event far too long, but from conversations with Edge, who handled the promotion for The Horse, this revelry in the cactus may become an annual, and we should all be grateful. I wasn’t sure how to decipher the tone of his voice. What did he mean?
Smoke Out West had it all. Kara, focus of several magazine center spreads, did an outstanding job as the event MC. The music both nights absolutely brought the house down. Saturday night Edge brought in the “Devil Doll” right off the cover of the HORSE. A serious departure from the country rock that they usually rocks local events. She rocked the house. The sandy Bike Show, judged by Tarantulas and Scorpions, was nothing short of incredible and brought out the best the home-built bobber/chopper world had to offer. Harley, Norton, Triumph to mention just a few and the Chop-off, won by Cole Foster of Salinas Boys Customs, was a lesson in the alchemy of new school, in an old school format. They chose a new Horse Maiden and she was stunning. I didn’t get her name, which is just as well, I really don’t need another stalking charge.
Oh and the food vendors tried to cloud the evil stench with the mouth-watering aromas of half pound hamburgers that were perfectly prepared, sausage sandwiches that made me druel and scarf for least two meals a day. And cold beer … does it get any better than this? Womens’ roller derby, a huge crowd favorite, and two wet t-shirt contests a day, sans the t-shirts, tempered the blistering heat and the onslaught of a pack of rattlesnakes. Oh, and lest I forget the Burn Box. Was that the smell making my stomach turn? Old school, new school it just didn’t matter, everyone showed up at the burn box.
Bottom line, Edge and the Horse staff know how to throw an old school party. Though Edge thought there were things they could improve on for next year, I would be hard pressed to figure out what it might be. Next year I will rise up as a minion of the Old School Zombies and make the pilgrimage to Cottonwood for good old fashion fun.
You can see more pictures of this event on my website at www.ScooterShoots.com.
New York City Grease Monkey Party
By Bandit |
A brilliant blue sky was a perfect backdrop for the NYC skyline as we blasted across the Tri-Boro Bridge heading to Indian Larry's old shop in the industrial waterfront section of Brooklyn called Williamsburg.
We rode quite a way that morning to be among the thousand or so people who gathered together to celebrate the life of one of the legends of Chopperdom. Every year since before Larry's death, we braved the psycho cage-rattlers and pot holes, capable of swallowing a bike whole, down to Larry's shop for the annual GREASE MONKEY BLOCK PARTY. It was a tradition and it still continues, three years after Larry's untimely departure.
As in the past years, the celebration rev'd into high gear. You see, the event turned into more than just a reason to party. It's a way to remember a friend and to support the artistic chopper style kept alive by Paul Cox and Keino Sasaki at Indian Larry Legacy.
Four NYC blocks of hard core choppers lined the streets. Smoke billowed from burning rubber as factory walls became impromptu burnout pits. Pigs turned on spits, beer flowed and bands rocked the stage all day. Side show performers, and that Grinder Chick from the David Letterman show wowed the crowd between sets.
As the sun set in the western sky, across the river and behind the cityscape, the party rocked on. Later that evening, after saying good bye to our hosts and friends, we fired our beasts to life and headed across the river to see what kind of trouble a couple of old dirt bags could get into in the big bad city.
–CB
