For those of you who have never spent much time in the San Francisco area, you probably know that this is a world-class city with world-class parties, but may not be familiar with some of the more unusual events. There are events such as the Gay Pride parade (do I really have to tell you what that’s all about?) that winds its way through downtown San Francisco each year. This parade involves lots of naked people who are very interested in the plumbing of other people like themselves. Then, a few weeks later, there is the Love Parade. This parade winds its way down the same route, and also involves lots of nude people, but has a subtle difference. The people in the parade are interested in seeing the plumbing of people of the OTHER gender. In each of these parades, nudity is pushed to the limits of what the good and decent, God-fearing people of the Bay Area will allow (pretty much anything short of actual sexual athletics). Are you starting to see a trend, here?

Finally, we come to the Exotic Erotic Ball. And, oh yeah, Charlie Brechtel and his band. First things first, though. The Exotic Erotic Ball is held each year in the Fall, in large auditoriums, away from the innocent eyes of the more decent folks (should we say “tight-assed”) in the Bay Area. This is a party in which pretty much anything you’re willing to do and wear goes. People of both genders show up in all states of dress, from tuxedos and evening dresses to, well, uh, nothing.

The alcohol and the food, the music and the entertainment are all plentiful, while people from all walks of life and all states of age and fitness show off their bodies in the dim lights. Let me tell you, there are people who should think about doing something else, but then again, there are people who should be given a hearty, long, passionate hug, an award, and a kiss from the judges….but I’m wandering here.

Right about now, you’re asking yourself where this article is going. According to the title of this thing, this is supposed to be about Charlie Brechtel, and his band. Why are we talking about all the weirdness in San Francisco? Have they been dipping into the ganja down there at Bikernet? Stick with me. It all comes together neatly.

Charlie Brechtel is a big part of the biker scene, AND the San Francisco scene. I don’t know if he parades through San Francisco in the Love Parade, but he DID perform a gig at the Erotic Exotic Ball. This is where it all comes together. First, a little bit about Charlie and his music.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Charlie Brechtel Band, let it be said that Charlie and his posse are kick-ass biker-music and blues lovers. And they can kick some serious riff booty on the stage. When you listen to his stuff, you hear the music of the muddy Mississippi, the sun-scorched wide-open spaces of Texas, the melodious, almost ballad-like blues music of the southeast, and the roar of the road in your ears. It is good, down-home, hard-driving rock and roll. In these days of synthesizers, sampling, and overdubbing, Charlie’s music is good ol’ kick ass, what-you-hear-is-what-you-get rock-n-roll.

The music was born in the USA, preserved by bands like Charlie’s, and celebrated every time people like Charlie and his crew grab a stage and an audience. There ain’t no surfer music here, and cats like Cat Stevens aren’t even allowed in the building, thank-you-very-much. You want to rock to road music? Go see Charlie. His love for music and the personal mission he has, to preserve and grow the music and the biker culture, is literally what he lives for. He’s ridden bikes since he was 9, and played since he was 15, and the two passions fit together perfectly for him and those who get the treat hear him play. It’s good music that’ll get a good crowd going.

This year’s promoters of the Exotic Erotic Ball heard of Charlie’s reputation and style. They’d heard his music could fire a crowd up, and get them jumpin’. They’d also heard that Charlie’s band included a bevy of fine-looking, leggy girls he calls the “Sturgis Rider Live” girls, who’s dancing repertoire (think strip club) would fit nicely with the who EEB situation. In short, if you ever see Charlie’s band, and the girls, you’ll have a hard time concentrating on the music, and you find yourself reaching for dollar bills.

The promoters told Charlie they wanted, “a good show” and he should pull out all the stops. Charlie, being a biker, said, “Uh. Sure. No problem,” and immediately started hatching a plan.

Now remember, this Exotic Erotic Ball is a wild time, but it’s no biker event. The kinds of shenanigans that are the daily bread to feed the biker spirit weren’t (until this year) expected. Charlie, hearing the words “a good show” on the other hand, figured the promoters wanted some Sturgis-style over the top entertainment, and lined hot elements with their wild mantra in mind. Of course, he brought his kick ass band, and he brought the sweet-assed Sturgis Rider Live Girls, but he also tapped some biker buddies of his, some just hard core bikers, and some Hells Angels to help him put on the show. The idea came into focus, and he executed the plan.

The night of the show, amid flashing lasers, strobes, colored lights, and fog machine mist, Charlie’s band was introduced to a partying crowd. As the first licks of musical heat came off the band’s instruments, the crowd erupted in cheers and shouts. These people may not have all known Charlie, but they knew kick ass music when they heard it. A few bars into the first song, called “Freedom”, the music shifted from an innovative rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, into hard-driving biker rock and roll, and just as that happened Charlie’s biker buddies came roaring into the venue on their bikes, right up onto the stage.

The crowd went absolutely nuts at this spectacle within a spectacle. Can you imagine what this looked like? A hard-rocking biker band, blasting tunes with Harley engines adding a syncopated beat, overlooking a crowd of partying, half-dressed people. Wait….sounds like Sturgis. Okay, okay. You get the notion, anyway. As Charlie and his team charged forward jamming music, the bikes roared and the girls danced. It was something the crowd at the Exotic Erotic Ball had never seen before, but absolutely dug, right from the first note and the first bike.

Charlie played the rest of his kick-ass set, with his buddies sitting on their bikes, digging the music and enjoying themselves right in the middle of his stage set up. Two of the more memorable riders and bikes were Dennis Sanfilippo, who sat on a Captain America replica Panhead, and Jim Elrite, a 35-year member of the Red & White, who sat on the “My Evil Twin” show bike. Overall, it was a great night, with bikers, dancing women, bikes, and a lot of half (or completely) naked, half or completely drunk people. Like I said, it sounds like a normal night with Charlie, to me.

Charlie, as I mentioned, is a well-known icon in the biker community, often playing at the big biker events around the country. At Sturgis, he’s always invited to play at one of the sacred lands of bikerdom, the Buffalo Chip. Generally, if bikers are gathering, Charlie will be there to entertain them. And the biker crowd comes to see him in mobs.

They come to hear him because they hear the road in his music, and they hear licks and sounds from BB King, Deacon Jones, Freddy King, and John Lee Hooker. Why? Because Charlie played and toured with those and other famous, world-renowned musicians. Having played with these guys makes Charlie’s music cross cultural, class, and racial lines easily. It echoes the core of what makes bands like the Allman Brothers, and ZZ-Top, as well as BB King and his Lucille great mucisians. But let’s be clear, while Charlie’s music has the same roots as these other down home bands, he has his own unique style of music that you have to hear to appreciate.

People who listen to Charlie hear the kind of music that has its roots in broken-down little Riverside bars, where the whiskey and the women are cheap and you better mind your manners lest you get a percussive attitude readjustment. Good ol’ down home stuff.

Charlie’s music can be hard to find, since most big producers think of it as “biker music” and don’t think it will sell (they’ve been wrong before). If you’ve heard him, and can’t get enough, check out his website at www.charliebrechtel.com. He’ll be coming out with a new CD soon, called “Ironvudu” which is a musical tribute to his own bike, now being built by Texas customizer Sonny Keaton and Rich (a Tophatter from Charlie’s current stomping grounds in Angel’s Camp, California). Give it a listen. It’ll make you feel like your heels are ripping down the road, 4 inches from the blacktop, just listening to it.

But now Charlie is branching out, and getting up close and personal with the Internet. His girls, his band, and the general biker lifestyle are all going to be promoted in that electronic window on the world, complete with videos of builds, gigs, girls who like to work on bikes topless, and bikers who want to learn from mechanics that don’t smell like 90 weight. If you want to hear Charlie’s stuff, and hear him narrate some really cool videos, go check it out. It’s excellent stuff.

Charlie has been a good friend of our own Mr. Ball for years. Even some of the songs Charlie has written are references to Bandit. I’ll let you guess which ones, but if you’re still a little vague on this, check out songs that have references to “5-Ball” in them. Charlie has watched him grow the Bikernet site from a little one-page, small-time on-line site into a big, well-respected international website that gets thousands of hits a day, and contains the latest and greatest writings of famous and well-respected authors, like me (had to give myself a plug…no one else will). Charlie took that seed of an idea and said, “Well, hell, if Bandit can do this, who can’t?” Or something to that effect (I’m just guessing).

Charlie has set up a site called www.sturgisriderlive.com, which will work well with his Biker’s Inner Circle internet gig. This site is “adult” oriented, which I take to mean that there are significant numbers of shots of adult body parts. Lots of photos and videos of women admiring custom bikes in their altogether, while we all admire their altogether. The site will have photos and videos of things going on all around the biker kingdom.

You’ll get to vote on-line each year for Ms. Sturgis at the Buffalo Chip, and there will be photo and video shoots of custom bike builds and shows. There is an area that’s a tribute to the late Dave Mann (Charlie and Dave were good friends). Like any site run by someone in the core of a culture, this site will grow and get better and better, and will be a stop off for bikers from all over the world. The site is up and running now, so stop by, put your feet up, keep your hands in sight, and enjoy!

–Hiway

Once more this year Senigallia jumped into the ‘40s and ‘50s forwhat everyone is referring to as 'The Hottest Rockin' Holiday onEarth.

It has been now seven years that the Associazione Culturale SummerJamboree organized this incredible event! Every year thousands ofpeople who love the music from the ‘50s, swing and rock 'n’ roll, havegathered in this small seaside Italian town. They come form every part ofEurope, from the U.K., Germany, Holland and France.

Every August it's expected to be 'all sold out!’ Never short ofCadillac, Mercury, Dodge, exclusively from the ‘40s and ‘50s, in mintcondition!!

For the 2007 edition, the Summer Jamboree organization was able tokeep the wait exciting with the revelation of two great namesappearing exclusively nationally: 'Wild One' Jerry Lee Lewis (24thAugust, with his historical formation with the lead guitarist KennyLovelance).

Plus, in addition to the festival of music and culture of America from the‘40s and ‘50s, they delivered with a splash, the strip-tease of the glamourous Dita Von Teese,which took place the next day (25th August). Dita posed on the touring chopper built by Bandit and Jesse James a decade ago and she still looks very hot.

Known for her marriage (and following divorce) with the singer MarylinManson, Dita Von Teese has brought 'burlesque' to its apex, withher strip-tease with corsets and feathers typical of the ‘40s and‘50s.

With skin like porcelain and an incredible figure, Dita VonTeese is considered the queen of erotic cabaret (and ironic inhistoric lingerie) which is erupting from London to New York and thatthe 'Summer Jamboree' has brought first in Italy, proposing it alreadylast year.

Do you want to find out more? Visit their web site www.summerjamboree.com

–Ela Dutch

“The hard way”… Well, not really

I had just returned home from my sidecar excursion with the kids, and was trying to figure out a way to break it to the old lady that I was leaving again in less than 48 hrs to head back down south on another bike trip.

I had been kicking the plan around for weeks. I was to hook up with Bandit and crew, and ride out to the Smoke out in Cottonwood AZ. I had already started packing before I even told her about it. After a while, I figured I might as well get this over with and propose the idea to her.

I told her of my plans, and then waited for the backlash. To my surprise, nothing happened. She was cool with the whole thing, and understood my need for the open road. Did I mention how lucky I am to have this woman by my side? Anyway, that’s a whole other story that I haven’t really figured out yet my self. So Sunday afternoon, I called Bandit to see when he was thinking of leaving. He wasn’t home, but Nyla tells me they planned to pull out on Thursday morning. YIKES! I’m located about 3 days away, and still had a ton of shit to do to the Glide before I could hit the road.

Monday morning.

I hit the ground running that morning with the destination of Port Alberni (where my bike was located) locked into my sights. Once I got to the bike, I immediately began tearing in to it. One of my main tasks was to pull the fairing apart, and fabricate 3 of the 4 brackets that hold the thing on the bike. The LA roads busted the shit out of them on my last trip down there with the sidecar. I also want to change all the fluids as well as do a quick repair on the main bracket that holds the tour pack on.

As is usually the case, once I started working on her, I remembered several other items that needed tending. I had to rig a toggle switch to replace the ignition switch that had calved on me the week before. It totally gave up the ghost after I had gotten home.

After a few hours of cutting and torching, all brackets were fixed, ignition was working, and I saved about $200.00 on parts from the stealership. I would leave on time. Although it was raining heavily at my departure Monday at 3:00 pm, I doggedly rode ahead for the ferry scheduled for a 5 pm departure to the mainland. I just made it before the ship was ready to depart. It stopped raining while I was on the boat, and I thought I was in for a break. NOT !!!

When I got off the boat, the rain really started to come down. Adding to the drama was the fact it was getting dark as well. Riding in the rain isn’t that big a deal on a touring bike, but riding in the rain and the dark, forget it! I tucked into some dumpy little motel right by the border, and thought to myself, I will hit it hard in the morning….

Tuesday morning.

I got up about dark-thirty and chugged a few Styrofoam cups of bad coffee while waiting for the daylight to appear. Unfortunately the rain was still lashing down like liquid knives ready to cut me to ribbons. I was encouraged by the rising sun hoping the new day would slow the rain, but I would have no such good fortune this day. So once again, I donned my rain suit, and loaded up for the road. Before I knew it, I was minutes from the border. I decided I would wait to eat breakfast until I crossed the border. I planned on some biscuits and gravy on the other side, a meal you can’t get in Canada. I rode for a couple of hours before finally stopping to eat. It was still raining off and on. My plan was to ride hard as long as I could, and head inland towards I-90, and then on to Yakima. I hoped to get a break in the weather as soon as I got over the Cascades. While it did ease up a bit, it still wasn’t the best.

I took I-90 to Ellensburg, then I-82 to Yakima, and got on to Highway 97; 97 runs all the way from Northern BC to the California border. It is a great Highway with decent speed limits, until you cross in to Oregon.

What the fuck is up with Oregon?

That state has a no fun law as soon as you cross the border! I was doing 75 mph plus with no problem until I crossed into Oregon, then BAM! I had to slow down to 55. Oh well, carry on and make the best of it. The weather was starting to clear up a bit, but still grey and foreboding. I stopped in Bend to have a look at one of the Harley shops along the way, but once you have been to one, you have been to all of them.

After a while, with a bit of sunshine poking through here and there, it really started to look better out. I jammed all afternoon, staying on 97 and after seeing a few deer on the side of the road, I decided to shut it down about 8:00 pm. I have an innate fear of deer after hitting one on my bike about 20 years ago in the dark. Believe me, they leave a mark.

I was just outside of Klamath Falls Oregon, near the California border. I had ridden about 600 miles. Not bad for day one in the rain. I checked into a cheap motel and got the weather report for the next day from the girl behind the front desk. RAIN!!! WTF?!!! In Klamath Falls? It’s like a desert here, and I hit it the one day a year they get rain? Oh well….

Wednesday morning…

She was right, it was raining out. I sat in the lobby and filled up on the free continental stale breakfast muffins and cereal. In the dark I sat, waiting for the sun which seemed as if it would never come. Finally, I toweled off the bike with some complimentary super 8 towels, and hit the road. It was just after 7:00 am. I crossed over into California less than half an hour later still on 97, and heading for Weed, Cal.

It was really coming down, but I could see off in the distance there was some sunshine. The combination of rain and morning sunlight created some of the most brilliant rainbows I have ever seen. I just had to get past this one downpour, and I did, shortly after hooking up with I5. It was nice now. Clear sunny skies and crisp morning air. The bike and I were digging it now.

I rode hard for the next few hours and ended up in Redding just before lunch. I stopped for fuel, a bite to eat, and asked the station attendant how long he would guess the drive to LA from here was. He says, “Oh no sweat, you are pretty much there, only another 550 miles, and absolutely nothing to see between here and there”. This guy wasn’t kidding man. It’s a wasteland along that stretch, like something out of Chopper Orwell. The good thing about it is you can really make time, so that’s what I did. This stretch of road was pretty uneventful, other than cooking along at sometimes up to 90 mph, and covering some major miles. I hooked up with another rider on an Electraglide like mine. We rode together for the next couple of hundred miles taking turns in the lead while really booking it. We never communicated, it was just an unspoken agreement, we were both in a freaking hurry, and would take turns riding out front…and risking the ticket. I finally lost him when I turned off for a rest after a 150 mile stretch without stopping, and he carried on.

The weather was nice enough now, I was down to a long sleeve T and a vest. This is the reason I ride all the way down here at this time of year. After some time in biker euphoria, I’m back on the freeway jamming. I knew I was getting close, and I didn’t want to stop. It was still warm when the sun started to go down, and I just needed to cross over the hills outside of LA and I would be done for the day. It got a bit crisp at the top of the hills, but was still warm enough to ride in a T shirt so I carried on making it in to LA before dark. I arrived in Santa Clarita around 7:00 pm, just as it started to get dark. I called Bandit to let him know I was there and that I would see him in the morning.He tells me I am welcome to spend the night at his place, but I am done. From where I am to his place was about an hour on some of the scariest freeways on the planet. Besides, it’s dark now, and I just rode about 700 miles. I’m spent. Thanks anyway Bandit, but I couldn’t if I wanted to. I grab a room at the same Motel 6 I just stayed in a couple of weeks before with my kids, which is just down the road from Magic Mountain. It is familiar, and I am tired.

Thursday morning

I woke early, and was stoked. It was a sunny and warm day, and I knew I was on my way to ride with a legend. I called Bandit and told him I would be there in an hour or so. “No hurry” he says, “we are just getting ready to load the bikes in to the truck”………….I said “Pardon”???…………………..He tells me that he and the boys are loading up the bikes and truck them out of LA as far as Parker AZ. After the ride from Santa Clarita to Long beach, and Bikernet HQ, I ask him if there is room in the truck for one more bike. I don’t know how you cats that live down there do it man. Those roads are THE SHITS!! No 2 ways about it and I’m on a bagger. Now I see why he wants to truck them until we hit the desert. I wouldn’t last 50 miles in downtown LA on a rigid.

I arrived at the HQ just in time to meet Nyla, who is just pulling out. I told her I was just going to grab a quick bite to eat, but she says “hang around, I am just on my way out to grab some breakfast burritos with Glenn.” She has Glenn Priddle from Australia with her, so I pull in to the high security compound at HQ, and a minute later Jeremiah pulls in on “The Hard Way”, a bad as shit rigid him and Bandit put together for the Smokeout. I had met Jeremiah a few weeks earlier at the Salt flats, so we had a good bullshit for a bit, while we were waiting for Bandit to get out of the shower. I was looking over their creation, and was in awe of the details that went in to this bike. Bandit hasn’t done a feature on it yet, but I’m hoping he will. It is unreal. Not a big buck show bike, just a mean as hell, in your face, shovelhead, rocker foot clutching, jockey shifting, sprung seat, open piped, bitchin rigid ride. I loved it right away…

Some of the mounts on this thing look like they should be in a museum, and Jeremiah tells me they are all Bandits doing. The oil bag and the oil filter mount he whipped up should have a patent on them. Easy to see why Bandit was chosen for the one and only chopper build that Monster garage has ever done.

The man pulled up the big garage door and we started getting things ready to roll. Nyla and Glenn P pulled in, and I got to meet Glenn for the first time. We hit it off instantly, and you could tell right away that this guy is the real thing.I play official photographer as the boys messed with tie down straps and what not, loading up the bikes. I ain’t touching these things….. Long story……

They got them lashed down, and we finished up our breakfast burritos, and hit the road. Bandit, Glenn, and Jeremiah in the Bikernet shop truck, and me taking up the rear on my E Glide. We were headed for Palm Springs to meet up with Larry Petrie from Chop N Grind racing team, and have a quick lunch at the “Handle Bar” right next door to the Harley shop. It is a dark and ominous place with waitresses that just oozed attitude, even in the middle of the day. I like it.

We had a quick lunch, then hit the road again. The landscape was surrounded by a thousand windmills sucking up the continuous gale force wind that this area is known for. I had never seen anything like it. Again, it reminded me of something out of Chopper Orwell; very futuristic.

We passed through Joshua Tree National Park and 29 Palms, on our way to the AZ border. It was downright hot out, but the roads were smooth and endless. I was still following the shop truck, but couldn’t stand the sight of these 2 beautiful choppers in the back of a pickup anymore. I had to twist the wick, pass the boys, so as to have the whole desert to myself, or so it seemed.

I love blasting through the desert on a bike, and this road is one of the most beautiful stretches I had ever seen. I know it was killing Bandit and Jeremiah to have those things in the truck, but we were just about at the unload point, in Parker AZ.

We crossed the border around dinner time, and I threw my helmet in the back of the shop truck at around 60 mph. Wouldn’t be needing that for a few days. We checked our room and went down the road to the local steak house. Several people had given us different directions but we managed to find it anyway. Had a great dinner, and then hit the nearest Casino for a few drinks and a bit of fun. Turns out Jeremiah is a master at the slots. He was winning small jackpots all over the place, but then started really searching for that one machine that would pay off. He found it.

He plugs a $5 bill in to his machine of choice, gives the side a gentle rub, like you would if you were trying to talk your old lady in to a night of passion, and then pulls the one arm bandit. Bells, lights and whistles fill the room…On his $5 bet, he wins $764.00…. Drinks are on Jeremiah tonight

We headed for one of the local taverns, had a couple of cool ones courtesy of Jeremiah, and shot the shit. We looked at the Thursday news on my little pocket PC so Bandit can make sure Sinwu is on the ball while he is away. After a few nightcaps, we headed back to our rooms. Glenn P and I shared a room and a late night bullshit session before we drifted off; another very good day. Tomorrow, we ride……

Friday

The next morning, Glenn and I were up early. We grabbed a free cup of luke-warm, stale coffee from the motel office. Bandit and Jeremiah are late sleepers from the look of it, so we shot the breeze in the morning sunlight, outside our room, admiring the two custom built bikes in the back of the shop truck. Finally, around 7:30, the boys are up. We unloaded the bikes and got ready to hit the road.I offer my ride up to Glenn, who is a long way from home and probably itching to ride. I had been on the road for 4 weeks already doing various trips, so a morning in the truck wouldn’t be so bad. Glenn accepted the offer, getting his gear on for a brisk morning ride through the Arizona desert. We decided to put on a few miles before stopping for something to eat. This was great, as it’s the way I usually roll, so for all of us to agree on this was unusual.

We stopped in a small town called “Hope” for fuel. After leaving town I see a sign on the side of the road “You are now beyond Hope”. I didn’t have a camera ready, so I missed the opportunity for a picture. After a few hours, we stopped for breakfast in a small, nameless, ghost town. There were 4 other choppers in the parking lot of this disheveled restaurant, and from the looks of them, they were headed to the Smokeout. 2 were highbar, springer, rigid choppers that looked like they were just completed the day before. No paint to speak of and a plethora of bungee cords holding belongings to whatever they could strap on to. One was a new triumph ridden by the only woman in the group. They were from San Diego, and were in fact on their way to Cottonwood.

We talked for a while when we entered the restaurant, and then followed them outside to see them off. One of them was having trouble with his charging system, so they had to keep swapping batteries back and forth between one of the other bikes. The lone woman was telling us what a long trip it had been from San Diego because of all the breakdowns they were experiencing, but nobody seemed the worse for wear. They were all in good spirits, and this was no big deal. Just what it takes to ride a home built, back-street chopper to the Smokeout.

Once they were underway, we went back inside for a great breakfast and then hit the road ourselves. Glenn rode my E Glide for a couple more hours, then I took over at the next fuel stop. It was sunny and warm day, and it was killing me to be sitting in the pickup truck. Bandit was the next to offer up his ride to Glenn, which he accepted gracefully, so Bandit jumped on the “Hard Way” and Jeremiah drove the chase truck. We were jamming through the desert, and it was perfect. I will remember that stretch of highway for ever.

I pulled out my camera and snapped a few shots as we cruised the barren desert. A couple of the shots I took that day are among my favorite pictures of all time. You know the ones; you take hundreds, and you get a few that really turn out. Thank God for digital cameras. I cant tell you which highways we were on, as I don’t have my map in front of me as I write this, and to be honest, the number of turnoffs, and changes we took after the directions Bandit got from one of his friends, still has me baffled. I just followed along.

We stopped for lunch a few hours later, and Jeremiah was ready to ride, so Glenn took over in the truck, and we hit it hard. Maybe it was just me, but I noticed the pace picked up considerably. I think it was probably the younger Jeremiah pushing us a little harder, taunting us to twist the wick just a bit more, so we did.

Approaching the town of Jerome in the late afternoon, there is a stretch of highway that is all twisties climbing up in to the mountains, and then descending again into town, which is about midway up the hills on the east facing slope. What a ride! We got lucky as far as traffic was concerned. There wasn’t any, so we rode hard up the mountain. My Glide was starving for power going up, and looking for breaks going down, but I wasn’t going to lose pace to Bandit and Jeremiah who were up front. These cats can ride!!! You would swear they were on a couple of sport bikes the way they attacked the corners, not a pair of rigid frame hand shifting stroked shovelhead choppers.

My twin cam was groaning under the pressure to keep up, but it did. Coming down the other side was a trip to remember. Hitting the stretches with way too much throttle, and then diving on the breaks for the hair pin mountain road turns to avoid the drop from the precipice at every turn. I know that if some of my riding buddies from home were with us, we would have been waiting at the bottom for them for a while. It was hairy, but exhilarating. When we reached the town of Jerome, I pulled up to Bandit, and yelled above the open pipes of his chopper, “What a fuckin hoot, lets go do that again!” He just laughed, and grinned a grin that told you he had done it a thousand times.

If you look on a map, Jerome is shown as a ghost town, and when you roll through it, you can see why. The streets are lined with houses that literally butt right up to the sides of the roadways. They wind their way through this hillside town like a snake. There are taverns on every corner it seems, and no particular rhyme or reason for any of the criss-crossing streets. I would guess they were laid out before the turn of the century, and haven’t changed much since. We didn’t stop here on our way through, but I did go back there in the next day or so, and it is a town I would like to visit again, when I have more time.

We carried on as we were only a few miles from our destination, Cottonwood Arizona, home of the “Smokeout West 2”, put on by Colonel Edge.

We went straight to our hotel to check in and get cleaned up. Bandit informed us we were invited to a luncheon put on by the Horse to welcome all staff and press to the event. The luncheon was put on in the Legion in Cottonwood, and they had a great spread of all kinds of food and deserts. It was around dinner time actually, so this was a welcome treat after another long day on the road.

We were introduced to Hammer from the Horse, and Edge, the event promoter, and quite a few other staff members from the magazine. It was great to meet all these people that I have been seeing in the magazine for years.

Now here I was sitting down to a meal with them. After a great dinner, and good company, we went back to our room, and got a few things ready before descending on the fairgrounds for the kickoff to the event at 5:30. The Smokeout was on!

We rolled in on our bikes, and found a place to park near one of the many buildings filled with cool bikes and chopper part vendors. Glenn and I hooked up and went for a walk around the site while Bandit was yakking with one of his many friends there.

You can’t walk 50 feet with Bandit at one of these events without him bumping in to somebody he knows, or someone who knows him. One of the vendors I saw there was a guy who could take any digital image, and transfer it on to a mug, or T-shirt, or anything you could think of.

It hit me right away. I went and took him my memory card, and had him make up 3 T shirts with one of the pictures I took earlier that day of Bandit and Glenn P jamming through the desert. One for each of them, and one for me to keep. It is now one of my favorite shirts.

I had to put the stall on Glenn as he kept hanging around the booth where the guy was making the shirts, so I gave him some bullshit excuse about not being able to find the bathrooms. I got him away from there and, anyway, long story short, I gave the boys the shirts later that evening. They were blown away.. gotta love modern technology.

We toured around the fair grounds, trying to take in all there was to see before things got crowded, but it was getting busier by the minute, and there was still tons of stuff to check out.

One of the highlights for me was seeing the Suckerpunch Sally’s booth there. I have been a HUGE fan of their bikes for years, and seeing them up close was the best. I got to meet Jeff briefly, and Donny, and got to tell them what a fan I was of their work. They both seemed like good guys.

Down to earth, the kind of guys you would want to hang out with and shoot the breeze over a cold one. Unfortunately, they were both pretty busy, understandably. I did get to spend way too much time scrutinizing their bikes though, and I can tell you first hand, these things are built tough. They have the appearance of a bike you could ride the shit out of, and then park it for the night, not ever having to give a second thought before getting up and riding the shit out of it again. I WANT ONE!!!! There was a ton of builders on hand there, but these bikes really stood out.

Another one of the builders that really caught my eye was Route 66 choppers.They had a board track racer style bobber there that I just fell in love with.As I was drooling over this bike and all the super clean details of it, I was pondering on how much a machine like this would be worth, when out of the blue, the owner, tells me it’s for sale. I was afraid to ask, when he volunteered the price anyway, $17000.00!! Are you freaking kidding me? This was sure to be one of those high dollar customs I could never afford, and could only dream about. Unreal!! As much as I would have loved to sign on the dotted line right there and then, it wouldn’t have been mine. I plan on building my next scoot, but I did get a bunch of ideas that would lend themselves well to my Suckerpunch bike that I plan on buying one of these days.

I went to tell Bandit about this board track racer in the show barn, and he was interested in taking a look, so when I took him back to the barn to introduce him to the owner, wouldn’t you know it, he knows the dude already. Go figure. “Hey, how ya doin man””My buddy says you got a bitchin bike on display?”So he takes us back to where his bike was, and Bandit was impressed. So much so, that this bike was one of his 3 choices for “Bandits Choice award” at the Smokeout. When I win the lotto, I will be calling Route 66 very soon.

There were so many stand out bikes there, I couldn’t possibly talk about them all here, but I will try to mention a few more. Another was the “Cadillac Gangster”, a chopped, FLH type, shovelhead that was clean beyond words. It had just the right mix of chrome and black accents with whitewalls and gloss black paint. Hand-formed copper hard lines were very tidy and discreet, from the rockerbox crossover tube to the copper spun oil tank; just a very nice job.

The “Dublin Mob” put together some very kool chops as well with details like revolver tail lights, black powder gun shifters, and heavy patina type finishes on their frames. These were tough looking bikes, like the kind, you don’t wanna fuck with whoever rides it, even if it’s a chick !!

Some of the coolest bikes there were not even in the show, but out in the parking lot, as usual. I tried to take pictures of as many of them as I could, but when I reached close to 300 pics, I thought, I had better slow down.

Friday night we decided to hit one of the local bars for a few drinks. We went back to the hotel and dropped off the bikes, flipped a coin to see who the designated driver was going to be and started for the bar. I don’t remember who lost the coin toss, but I hope it wasn’t me. It was a hoot. We ran in to the same group from the breakfast restaurant the day before with the lone chick rider, and had a good BS.

There was just as much going on outside the bar as there was inside, especially with all the bikes coming and going. There was a pretty strong police presence there, but they were not screwing around much with bullshit infractions. Seemed to me they were just looking for serious shit, like DUI and the like. They were everywhere, so I’m glad I wasn’t driving. At least I don’t think I was.

After returning to our hotel later that night, Bandit suggested we walk down to the lounge right in the hotel we were staying in. It was a quiet place, yet a good spot to sit and talk over a Jack on the rocks. Bandit, Glenn P, Jeremiah, and myself hit the lounge and had a great time just gabbin about all the shit we had seen as well as coaxing a few stories out of Bandit.

I have been reading his stuff for years, but let me tell you, it is nothing like sitting in a bar over a few drinks and listening to him tell you stories about back in the day. Some of them I had read here or there before, but listening to him tell them in person, you can’t help but feel you are in the presence of a motorcycle legend. This was one of the other highlights of my trip. Just sitting at the bar, bullshitting with the man.. What a night…

Glenn and I are up early again, and decided to jump in the truck and take the 20 minute drive to Sedona for breakfast. We knew it could be a few hours before Bandit and Jeremiah roll out of the rack..

Glenn had been to Sedona before, so he knew the best spots for scenery and good food. Unfortunately, we were there before most places were open, but we did find one spot that served up great food. After a quick bite, we went for a walk around town. This place looks like it just jumped off a post card. I can’t wait to go back again with the wife on the back of the bike. A quick walk around town to some of the local shops, and Glenn found a small touristy shop that had everything you could think of including some very cool leather works which, if you haven’t read any of Glenn’s pieces, is right up his ally. We took a few photos that he would use when he got home as patterns for making his own stuff. Glenn has made a few pieces that have been featured on this site, and most recently, the seat for Johnny Humbles’ brothers’ bike, that he is presenting to him on his return from Iraq. (You can check the coverage of the build here on bikernet in the garage section)

I buttered up Glenn to make a sheath for my switch blade that I carry on the bike with me. I will post some photos when he is done, although after hearing what his schedule is like, it could be some time before I actually see it.

We headed back to Cottonwood around 10:00 in the morning hoping that Bandit and his sidekick would be out of the sack. Glenn saw the bikes in a parking lot of a local eatery, so we stopped and joined them for coffee, and made a plan for the day. We headed back down to the Smokeout for the day, and took in some more of the activities to be had. Edge told Bandit that he was going to be presenting the “Bandit’s choice” award at 8:00 that night, so he had to get busy and check out all the bikes, a daunting task at an event this big.

Every time he turned around there was either some celebrity trying to get his attention, or some hottie who wanted her picture taken with him. I stuck to him like glue. We hooked up with Paul Yaffe, Myron Larrabe and Doug, the Cottonwood Police Cheif, for a visit, then Jeff and Donny from Suckerpunch. I hooked up again with Glenn, and we took in the wet T shirt contest, and the bikini bike wash. The girls were very busy, as the whole event was held in a gravel parking lot, and it was very windy most of the time, so every bike outside was covered in dust.

There was the roller derby girls, who put on a great show. We hooked up with Bandit again, and we got to meet Goth Girl from the Devil Dolls. What a hoot. A bit later in the day, we went for dinner at one of the local taverns, and then back to the bar from the night before, for a couple of drinks, then we had to high tail it back to the fairgrounds for the “Bandits Choice” awards. We hung out for a couple of the live bands that were playing there, who put on a wicked show. There was a great turn out for the shows and everybody was having a blast. Later on, we headed back to the hotel to take in the impromptu mini-bike races that were taking place that night at midnight.

George the Painter, and Gothgirl were there as well as a bunch of Horse staffers. The races were a hoot, but it was pitch black so getting pictures was tough, although one of the girls there was a professional photographer, and tried to give me a few tips. I think I will just wait to see her pictures show up in the horse.It was the small hours of the morning when we finally shut it down for the night, but we weren’t the last ones to call it a night. You could hear burn outs going until almost daybreak, and a party in every other room. The Horse staff knows how to party.

Sunday Morning

We were all up a bit later than usual, but not too late. We fired up the bikes and headed to Sedona for breakfast. It was packed and we had to wait about a half hour to be seated, but it was worth it, as the food was great. After Breakfast we went to Chris Kallas’s new house in Sedona for a visit. What a place. It was beautiful and he and his wife are very lucky. I am very envious. We hung out there for an hour or so, and then started getting ready to hit the road. Bandit, Jeremiah, and Glenn were getting ready to head back to LA via 29 palms for the night, but I decided to head north out of Sedona, and head for home.

We said our goodbyes, and went our separate ways. My weekend with Bandit and crew was one to remember. I had an absolute blast, but this was about week 5 away from home, so I was on a mission. I rode as far as Zion National Park on Sunday, and got a room just outside the park, as I wanted to check it out in the morning.

At first light, I was on the road in nippy Utah, and rode through the parks’ many tunnels, and winding mountain roads. This is now my new favorite place to ride. If you have never been there, I highly recommend it. I rode through Zion, then back on to the freeway heading north, and on to Salt Lake City and beyond.I rode in to Idaho and as far as Boise on Monday, where I shut her down for the night. Tuesday was going to be a ball buster.

I woke early and left Boise at first light headed for home. I wanted to make it to the ferry in Vancouver before the last sailing at 9:00 pm. I crossed over in to Oregon early in the day, and stopped only for fuel, and a quick bite to eat once in a while. The weather held out for me the whole way, right in to Washington state, but as soon as I crawled down the western slopes of the cascades, in to the Seattle area, it started to rain again. Welcome home.

I rode in the rain for a couple more hours before arriving at the ferry terminal around 6:00 at night. I loaded on to the 7:00 pm ferry, and treated myself to the buffet dinner they serve on this particular sailing. Upon hitting the Island, I cruised the last half hour in the rain to my folks place in Victoria. A little over 750 miles making it extra nice to be home.

As I drifted off to sleep, I wondered how I was going to break it to the Old Lady, that I was going on another trip in a week or so… I will let you know how that goes after I tell her.

Bombay Bikers (http://www.bombaybikers.com ) has completed just over one year riding the roads of Free India in the expanded freedom of Motorcycles. As we met many youthful riders and a diverse demographic of citizens in our trips, we wanted to add the element of a ‘distinguished purpose’ to our rides. As is, we ride to see the beauty of our vast culture and geography. But then why stop like tourists, when we can ride further into the mind-space of our fellow Indians.

Peace Ride 2007 is our effort to bring to focus the invaluable cause of truth, justice, human rights and non-violence as propounded by our greatest of leaders during India’s Freedom struggle. The voice that still echoes across schools and villages is of course of Mahatma Gandhi and his eternal, devout and memorable message of peace and brotherhood for all mankind. It will be our endeavour to reach out to our busy workaholic nationals and inform them about their basic human rights and privileges as covered by the Constitution and Laws.

Bombay Bikers will be riding with support for ‘Save India Family Foundation’ ( http://www.saveindianfamily.org/ ) across Mumbai streets. Save India Family Foundation is a pioneer in informing and assisting people who are victims of misuse of legal procedures. The Foundation aims to help victims find justice by applying the legal process as it should be and not how it could be, by miscreants who find loopholes to forward their vindictive agenda. In celebration of Gandhi Jayanti, Bombay Bikers will spread this NGO’s scope and purpose with the Peace Ride. October 2 marks Birth Anniversary of the Father of the Nation in India.

INTRODUCTION

Bombay Bikers is a team of riders with a desire to ride whenever, wherever. We encourage riders to be confident of their ride and riding. We ride in formation and in teams, the lead rider guides the team and the rest keep pace. No rider is left behind and there will always be someone to lend a hand when the need be.

The idea is to form a weekend getaway team of riders and distance has never been a constraint. Emphasis is on riding on your much loved wheels and exploring interesting places. Honing our mechanical talent and discovering trusty friends, we chart a route out for the long road ahead.

Why motorcycles? Why not? These wheels let you feel the road, breathe the atmosphere, live the location and we are close to nature. The thrill of riding is only known to a rider.

We come together for a journey that stays with us through the highway of our memories.

PREPARATION

Thursday Night

Ride was on Sunday 30th Sept 2007 and on Thursday we decided that we needed to be prepared for the peace ride 2007. Preparations involved, road permissions, gathering around 50 bikers, arranging T-shirts and caps, printing stickers, making instructions and very importantly making a road plan. So keeping all these in mind we started working on our preparations. The tees, caps, stickers and banners were finished in 2 days. Till then we also had around 30 confirmations (bikes and bikers). The ride was a Peace Ride 2007, so we teamed up with a NGO called Save Indian Family. They confirmed another 10 bikers. This now seemed like a good number to ride on Bombay roads showcasing peace and promoting Gandhi-giri.

Friday Night

Friday night it was decided to have a dry run to form the riding pattern, halts and route map. Around 11 bikers and total 16 members were present. It was a good number for the test ride. The most marvelous thing was that, we had newcomers coming for the test ride. Meeting time was 10pm and we started at 11pm. A formation on 2, 1, 2, 1, was decided and the first halt was Mahalaxhmi race course.

Riding speed was 20 kmph. It was so slow even walkers-by were overtaking us. The route taken was Tulsi pipe road. Then suddenly we raised the speed to 40 kmph. A halt at the race course was taken. Riding pattern was accepted by all. The leader was accepted by all. But still everyone had their inputs to be aired. After a lot of discussion the riding speed was decided on 30 kmph. Some more riding tips got cleared and we continued (This all by 12.30am).

We proceeded further and at Bachelors juice center, we remembered that we were hungry. We still rode further to get more practice of riding. And finally we halted at Regal theatre for more views and corrections. At that time there were not many errors and we proceeded to Parag juice center to fill ourselves at 2am. Few plates of pav bhaji and few glasses of juices were sufficient to fuel us with energy. We bid adios to all and reached home by 3.30am.

Saturday Night

We again decided to take another test ride with another set of bikers. We wanted to be perfect. We again had 10 bikes and 15 people. The meeting time was 9pm and the ride started at 11pm post discussions. One biker went across 12 police stations taking acknowledgements for police stations. It was very nice of Bombay police to be so supportive towards our cause for the ride.

The test ride, through the same route got over by 1.30am. We all left, to meet again on the big day. Few friends stayed back with us. And full with vigor and excitement we were not able to sleep till 4am. Finally we had to force ourselves to take some rest, as morning was to bring a very important endeavour of our biking experience till date.

Constraints

Our efforts with the police resulted in the route being modified to weed out VIP sensitive areas and group riders limited to a maximum of 30 bikes. We had positive & good intentions for the ride so decided the riding pattern to cause minimal problems for Mumbai’s routine life.

Final Route

Bandra Reclamation >> Mahim Church >> Mahim Station >> Matunga Station >> Tusli Pipe road >> Lower Parel Flyover till Big Bazar and Pheonix Mill >> Mahalaxmi Station >> Haji Ali Signal >> Tardeo >> Nana Cowk >> Wilson College, Chowpatty.

PEACE RIDE 30th Sept 2007 Sunday

Sunday morning we woke up to phone calls of riders who were already on their way and were about to reach the meeting point – Bandra Reclamation, end of the flyover. We hurried, got ready, had breakfast and were all set to ride. Rally was to start at 10:30 AM. Ashish, Ujjwal & Vishal had stayed overnight at Kamal’s home for last minute co-ordinations. We stepped out on Sunday morning only to find front tyre of Ujjwal’s Bullet punctured; so others carried on while he got it repaired.

We reached by 9.10am. It was amusing to see a good amount of crowd already waiting for us. Hat’s off to the volunteers! We reached Bandra Reclamation and saw bikes lined up in the formations like we had decided. Babu, Karan and Reema took the responsibility of distributing the t-shirts and stickers. Ashish distributed instruction sheets to volunteers who explained other riders how to follow them, on wearing helmets, following all traffic rules and since it is a peace ride no one would honk, only hand signals. We were to ride in single file on flyovers to avoid traffic jams. Afraz, another Bullet-eer took responsibility to check if all bikes were in good condition also checking air pressure and fuel in all bikes.

The Media reached on time as well as the SIF representatives. There was a crowd of 47 bikes and flashbulbs of cameras while SIF guys gave interviews.

As decided Hussain and Sid (Pulsars) were at lead and as usual Kamal and Ashish were at the sweep. And Big guy’s Ishmeet, Bawa, Rajat (Bullet-eers) decided to reach the end point and welcome the rally.

At 10:30 AM, all engines were started and bikes roaring to go. Narial (Coconut) for Shri Ganesha was cracked for good luck. Final instructions were given to all riders to follow the rules. We left and cop’s vehicles were behind us to make sure that every thing went smoothly.

We were being noticed by passersby and people from cars and pedestrians were waving at us. A smoldering snake of motorcycles rode through the ‘naka-bandi’ at Lilavati. Soon we reached Wilson College past two traffic signals where we were greeted by our big fellows and a Cop Van. Since we were on a busy street, after some bonding all riders were asked to disperse and ride home safely leaving a memorable picture in the minds of Mumbai citizens who witnessed the Peace Ride.

Special Thanks to all who contributed their time and efforts for this event. Our sponsor Sundaram books has supported us crucially and the Mumbai Police were very cordial at this idea even though it meant extra work for them on a Sunday.

The Hard Rock, Saturday, October 20th, 2007. I prayed a silent prayer behind the stage just before one of the most powerful moments of my life. 17 months from conception to fruition, I had finished the bike build on time. With the help of many, my brother would be getting a brand new motorcycle; I was just hoping I wouldn’t pass out before I could present it to him (see the build features in the Bikernet Tech Area).

We arrived in Daytona at around noon, and visited the Sucker Punch Sally’s booth at Willies Tropical Tattoos. Ken Conte, Sucker Punch’s PR man, immediately greeted us with strippers and beer. My brother, having just exited the army, was ready to get some partying behind him before starting his new life in Miami. He was aware we were giving him something, but he was expecting a roller with a paintjob…he got much more.

When we arrived at the Hard Rock, Carrie Rep showered us with hugs and kisses while simultaneously orchestrating the series of events at the Hard Rock.. Within moments, Joey was whisked away to mingle with the crowd as we lifted his bike to the stage. The bike had been parked next to the stage with a sign thanking everybody who was involved with the build. We would never have accomplished this without the help of many.

Christian Clayton, Phoenix’s SPS mogul, stormed the stage and began handing out shirts, posters, and stickers for the crowd. He was like a trainer at Sea World getting the sharks into a feeding frenzy. The crowd was going wild!

The next moments seemed to pass quicker than I could have anticipated. Joey and I were called on the stage as Christian relayed the story of our journey to give this special gift to a soldier. As Joey stood there looking at the covered shape of his bike, I could see his hands shaking. To be honest, my knees were beating together like a kick drum. All I could hear were the chants of the crowd as Christian’s voice became more and more muffled by the resonating energy of the group staring at us. They all wanted to see the bike.

With that Christian pulled the cloak from the bike and unveiled our masterpiece. A SPS base, parts from all over the globe, filled with my love, devotion, and respect for our soldiers; this machine represented so much more than a bike!

Joey was speechless, he circled in amazement before his eyes settled on the crown jewel…the seat. A custom-made, hand tolled leather ass pocket constructed by Glenn Priddle, our Australian connection. Before I knew it, Joey was hugging my neck and saying how much he loved it. The tears flowed from many as we shared a moment very few could understand. I will never forget it.

I spoke to the crowd for a few moments as he viewed the symbol of freedom he had dreamed about for so long. I remember the roar when I asked, “What do ya’ll think? This is better than any fucking care package, right?” The crowd erupted with approval as it was apparent we all shared one common love, that of our country.

I don’t know how many people came up and thanked us, but I appreciated everyone hanging out and watching me give him the bike. It was an honor.

Keep your eyes peeled for the final build pics as well as a full feature on the bike here on Bikernet. I will also be submitting several articles to Hot Bike.

After the build, we hung out at the Plaza while watching all the crazies ride up and down the street. From what I saw, nothing’s changed at Biketoberfest except the year. There were chops, bobbers, stockers, and some wild customs I had never seen, but nothing happened after the presentation that could raise my pulse. The highlight of the weekend was over for me, and it may have been the highlight of my life.

So brother, enjoy your bike. May you ride forever, knowing you had the support of our community, the bikers, behind you all the way. May God bless our troops and bring them all home safe to us.

The next moments seemed to pass quicker than I could have anticipated. Joey and I were called on the stage as Christian relayed the story of our journey to give this special gift to a soldier. As Joey stood there looking at the covered shape of his bike, I could see his hands shaking. To be honest, my knees were beating together like a kick drum. All I could hear were the chants of the crowd as Christian’s voice became more and more muffled by the resonating energy of the group staring at us. They all wanted to see the bike.

With that Christian pulled the cloak from the bike and unveiled our masterpiece. A SPS base, parts from all over the globe, filled with my love, devotion, and respect for our soldiers; this machine represented so much more than a bike!

Joey was speechless, he circled in amazement before his eyes settled on the crown jewel…the seat. A custom-made, hand tolled leather ass pocket constructed by Glenn Priddle, our Australian connection. Before I knew it, Joey was hugging my neck and saying how much he loved it. The tears flowed from many as we shared a moment very few could understand. I will never forget it.

I spoke to the crowd for a few moments as he viewed the symbol of freedom he had dreamed about for so long. I remember the roar when I asked, “What do ya’ll think? This is better than any fucking care package, right?” The crowd erupted with approval as it was apparent we all shared one common love, that of our country.

I don’t know how many people came up and thanked us, but I appreciated everyone hanging out and watching me give him the bike. It was an honor.

Keep your eyes peeled for the final build pics as well as a full feature on the bike here on Bikernet. I will also be submitting several articles to Hot Bike.

After the build, we hung out at the Plaza while watching all the crazies ride up and down the street. From what I saw, nothing’s changed at Biketoberfest except the year. There were chops, bobbers, stockers, and some wild customs I had never seen, but nothing happened after the presentation that could raise my pulse. The highlight of the weekend was over for me, and it may have been the highlight of my life.

So brother, enjoy your bike. May you ride forever, knowing you had the support of our community, the bikers, behind you all the way. May God bless our troops and bring them all home safe to us.

The World Championship of Custom Bike Building was first staged at Custom Chrome's annual dealer show at their Morgan Hill, California, headquarters, in October 2004, where it attracted 48 competitors fielding 63 bikes.

The second annual Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building was staged at Advanstar's Big Twin West Dealer Expo in Las Vegas, November 2005. The support of both these organizations in assisting with the costs of staging the first two World Championships is gratefully acknowledged. The 2005 World Championship attracted 166 top-class entries, from 110 competitors, drawn from 14 countries and was, by common acclaim, the greatest custom bike show ever staged or seen anywhere.

Last year the Championship was hosted at Thunder Road, Sturgis, over August 5th to 7th. 100 bikes were entered by 77 competitors drawn from 11 countries, and the standard of entries was acknowledged to be even higher than that of 2005.

This year saw a move to Champions Hall, our own purpose-built facility on Lazelle Street, and attracted 77 entries from 71 competitors, again from 11 countries, with a record 25 international entries. Continuing the trend of a raised standard of entries at each subsequent show, this year's competition was agreed by the competitors to be the toughest yet.

Judging of the event is done by 'peer review', in that all competitors collectively decide the World Champion, together with a select VIP panel drawn from the press and aftermarket industry, all votes counting equally towards the final result.

The event features two initiatives – the World Championship Affiliate Program, in which the winners of associated shows around the world have expenses paid to compete in the World Championship, and the Partner Program which is explained more fully in 'Partner Program.doc' which has allowed the World Championship to become financially independent rather than dependent on a single sponsor.

Affilate shows whose winners competed this year were:

Bike Expo, Padova, Italy
Canadian Championship of Bike Building, Olds, Alberta
Cool-Breaker, Yokohama, Japan
Custom Bike Show, Norrtelje, Sweden
European Championship of Custom Bike Building, Mainz, Germany
Fantasy Bike Show, Sestao, Spain
Irish Motorbike and Scooter Show, Dublin, Ireland

In addition, the winners of the Asian International Motorcyle Expo held in Kuala Lumpur, Malayasia, and BigTwin Bike Show & Expo in the Netherlands will compete in the 2008 World Championship.

www.amdchampionship.com

Freestyle (World Championship)

This class is for one-off, ground up customs. Any design or modification is accepted. The winner of this class will be declared World Champion Custom Bike Builder for the period of one year.

Modified Harley-Davison

Frame and motor must be original equipment Harley-Davidson. Any modification to an original H-D frame and motor is accepted. Engine case must be Harley-Davidson, but modified or changed heads or cylinders are acceptable.

Production Manufacturer

Entry must be based on a production motorcycle with over 50 units of the model produced annually. Any modifications are accepted. This class is designed for entrants whose principal business is selling production motorcycles.

Metric World Championship

Entry must be built around an import metric based motor. Any modifications are accepted. The winner of this class will be declared Metric World Champion Custom Bike Builder for the period of one year.

2007 World Championship Of Custom Bike Building… RESULTS!

In baseball there's the World Series, a competition dominated by American teams.In custom bike building there's the AMD World Championship, contested by a truly global collection of bike builders. The international flavor of the event was further reinforced by the number of countries represented in the top 20 places; 10 different nationalities were included.

Top honors in the 2007 World Championship was taken by Stellan Egeland, of SE Service, out of Skogås, Sweden. Stellan, who last year placed third with only the second bike he'd ever built, this year wowed the crowds with a speedway inspired board tracker, featuring hand made cylinders and heads on a Knucklehead bottom end.

His bike – Hulster 8-valve – takes engineering excellence to a new level. The one-off, four-valve cylinder heads had the cooling fins filed by hand and the ports manually cut, drilled and then filed to shape. With the intricate engine work completed Stellan then reworked a Norton gearbox to handle transmission duties, before adding a generator to the frame which is driven by a second chain, driven off the rear wheel.

In one of the closest results in the event's history, returning World Champion Chicara Nagata of Japan's Chicara Motorcycles, polled enough votes to take second place with Chicara Art Two. Building on the design cues of his winning bike of last year, Chicara rose to the challenge of the World Championship once again by building a bike around a Flathead motor.

The brazing showing through a fine layer of chrome, and the unique front suspension remaining from last year, but this time the frame was suspended with a single shock on the rear. As with Stellan, Chicara looked to British motorcycles for his choice of transmission; his solution was a four-speed box from a Triumph. Continuing the Old School feel of the bike is a set of 28in spoked wheels.

Chicara's countryman Keiji Kawakita, of Hot-Dock Custom Cycles, Tokyo, lifted the third place trophy thanks to his Red Gladiator bike. It takes elements of traditional Bobber and mixes in European Streetfighter styling for a truly unique machine.

At the heart of the bike is a Hot-Dock engineered HR4V engine, which takes a H-D motor and adds four-valve heads and custom fuel injection.

Dave Cook of Cook Customs, out of Milwaukee, flies the flag for the USA in fourth place with his softail bike with hidden suspension and perimeter brakes. With the exception of the motor and trans, the entire bike was fabricated by Dave in his workshop.

Sapka Muvek, the Hungarian shop who took first place in the 2007 European Championship of Custom Bike Building, claimed fifth place with Time Machine, a build based on HG Wells' story of the same name. The bike redefines the term Old School with features such as handmade wooden wheels.

Furthering the international flavor of the event, in sixth place is Paul Stewart of Dynamic Choppers, an Englishman based in Las Vegas. The stainless steel framed Epic gathered a crowd as soon as it rolled into the show hall on its 34.5in wheels.

Taking inspiration from racing bikes, Frenchman Cyril Gautier uses a Sportster engine as a stressed member in the frame of his seventh placed bike – Rock 'n' Bike.The ultra low, completely rigid bike mixes in hot rod styling, even using a complete set of Panhard PL17 hubcaps as wheel covers.

Bucking the trend for traditional styling is Jolly Roger Customs with the Jolly Roger. Built by Mario Audia and Darrion Tefft, the futuristically and organically styled machine runs a 196in Hawaya billet motor.

The top ten is rounded out by former two times World Champion of Custom Bike Building Roger Goldammer. His build Nortorious takes the idea of British café racers and in particular bikes like Norton's Manx and gives it his unique touch. Known for ignoring conventions, Roger once again took a v-twin motor and removed the rear cylinder, putting a super charger in its place. He then reworked the redundant rear head to fit the front cylinder before adding fuel injection.

Christian Dotson took tenth place with his first-ever bike, which also won “America's Most Beautiful Motorcycle” award at the Oakland Grand National Roadster Show in January.

World Championship of Custom Bike Building
Tel: +44 1892 511516 (toll free from USA/Canada: 866 849 5704)
Email: neil@amdchampionship.com
Website: www.amdchampionship.com

To the general public, the sight of well over 300 hundred bikers riding in formation down the highway is overwhelmingly one of fear. The looks on the faces of the motorists in the minivans and SUVs as the ‘bikercade’ for the Fourth Annual Rosarito Beach – Harley Run confirmed this fact. As we rode past one SUV in particular, the kids behind the air-conditioned and tinted windows looked as if they were witnessing the very arrival of the ‘end of times’! Even a friendly wave as we passed could not erase the look of fear etched on their little faces.

A smile crossed my lips at the irony of it all. The blazing bikers, those children in the SUV were so terrified of, were the same folks who had donated more than 10 truck loads of toys, school supplies, clothing and other items for the children of Baja, Mexico. The ride, along with the hundreds of leather-clad, bandana wearing, tattooed bikers who participated, was yet another example of the truly generous spirit of the biker community.

Organized summer charity rides often feel uniform and homogenized. You know the routine; go to the designated start point, sign in, pay your money, ride for a few hours, and then go home. The Rosarito Beach ride offered something different, something appealing to the wanderlust – a ride into notorious Mexico, through the whorehouse district of Tijuana. And not just a ride into Mexico, but a party at the infamous Papas & Beer Cantina! In fact, this event offered much more than the typical charity ride. Included with the entry was; a slap-on-the-wristband entry to a private party at Papas & Beer, a wet t-shirt contest, live music, drink specials all day and night, coupons for a Mexican buffet, a raffle ticket for gift baskets, clothing and drinks, a ride pin, a bandana, and secured parking directly across from the Cantina. Not a bad deal for $25!

Arriving at the Sweetwater Harley-Davidson dealership, where the ride began, was both an eye and earful. There were plenty of great bikes, crowds of people, loud pipes, music, girls in short-shorts and helpful staff. The dealership has been a proud sponsor of the Rosarito Beach Ride since the beginning according to Wayne Jorgenson. Wayne was kind enough to provide a preview of some of the new ‘08 models and even offered one of the full-sized catalogs, which, many know, are coveted as gold in the weeks prior to the release of Harley’s new models.

The facility was impressive. The dealership just moved into their new building on Hoover Avenue in National City. The staff, product line, and grounds were all polished and professional, as if they had been at the location for years. On the roof of the new building was a large patio area where the sign-ups and toy drop-off bins were located. Addition vendors for t-shirts, food, and even motorcycle insurance for Mexico were set up and available. (Note: It’s a good idea to check with your insurance carrier if you plan to ride into Mexico as many policies in the U.S. don’t cover you across the border).

As the time for departure neared, it was apparent there was going to be a large crowd. Jammed groups often cause delays due to myriad small details, piss breaks, maps, topping off tanks, breakdowns and pre-run quickies slow progress. Reading the schedule, it called for a start time of 12:00 noon. I was skeptical, to say the least. I had my eye on a counter girl, was getting the munchies, thought about a new cam for my ride and another shot of tequila. As promised, the first bikes began rolling out onto the streets at 11:59 a.m., an indication of how well planned this event was. Damn, if only she slipped me a note to meet her on the balcony. Kudos to Martin Resendez, his wife, and his crew anyway. They planned, organized and led the entire event.

The coolest part of the ride was the escort by the Federal Police through Mexico to the state prison where we were chained, the women tortured and our bikes stripped. Shit, that was the grizzley run Bandit took in 1974 to Juarez. This parade of bikes created a huge commotion as over 300 bikers rumbled through the towns led by an armed escort, sirens wailing and lights flashing. All along the route, folks lined the dusty streets. They smiled and waved. Kids tossed bags of marijuana and their sisters’ business cards.

It was very different from the yuppie response received on the U.S. side of the border, only minutes earlier from the kids in the aforementioned SUV.

Admittedly, there was some trepidation about a ride in Mexico, the guns, Federales, south of the border jails, skanky women, drug deals, knives, gambling, whores and illegals hiding in my saddlebags. Even long-time riding buddy Stitch Carmain, an avid biker, recalled stories of shake-downs, rip-offs, big tits, cold beers, the runs, cheap upholstery, worm ridden Tequila and urged caution. Our initial fears proved unfounded after only a few short hours in the country.

The folks, who weren’t toothless and making tortillas on Sterno hot plates in the filthy gutters, were shy at first, but proved to be kind, helpful and generous of spirit. They gladly offered directions when we (Stitch and I) became hopelessly lost on our way home. Cool drinks were offered as we sat idling in the summer heat waiting at a check-point. They moved carts, cones, and cars so we could split lanes, and waved us to move to the front of the line at the border checkpoint on the way back. It was all a welcome surprise and helped to change my own preconceived notions about riding south of the border.

When we arrived at Papas & Beer, the ride was at an end, but the fun kicked off. The parking was secure, monitored, and directly across from the Cantina. Once inside, the band pumped out great music, and the food sizzled on the grill. The Mexican dysentery problem was caused by the pissed in, sewage laden water supply. You can eat or drink anything, as long as it never touched water. Stay away from vegetables washed in water, drinks with ice and even frosty glasses. Drink outta the Corona bottle, wipe off that lime. Use your greasy doo-rag to clean the Tequila shot glass. The meat, that isn’t cats or rats, could be cool as long as it’s cooked to death.

Riders kicked back in the shade, layed out in the sun or cooled off in the pool located inside Papas & Beer. Stumbling around we heard the cheers of the crowd and women screaming as the Cantina’s mechanical bull claimed another victim. The Lady Rider was a great sport, though, and got a round of applause from the crowd as the donkey mounted her. After cooling off from the ride, we strolled out the beach entrance of the bar to check the surf and the bikini action. Folks were laughing, riding horses along the beach, playing in the surf, drowning, frying in the sun, burying small children under sand castles and generally enjoying the beautiful day.

I ran back to the front of Papas & Beer to find help, and we noticed a large crowd of children gathered on a side street attacking a dog and grilling it in the alley on a small charcoal grill, in a Propane can cut in half. As we neared, several black T-shirted folks could be seen at the front of the line buying small bags of red pills.

We knew them to be part of the crew from the ride. Curious, we made our way to the front of the line, which by then had stretched almost to the edge of the sand. It marked one of the distribution points for the charitable donations from the riders. It was heartwarming to see kids so excited to get paper, pencils, pens and other needed supplies for school. They immediately wrote notes and addressed them to their folks in the states. It was a great feeling to be part of this ride. And, it was awesome to see such grateful little faces smiling back me and chewing on fresh dog meat.

Yes, the Fourth Annual Rosarito Beach – Harley Run was a huge success. The weather was perfect, the ride was awesome, and the people were great. It was a new experience, that has already turned into a fond memory (the federales made me write that). If you haven’t already done so, mark your calendar for next year’s ride, and bring me bail money. In fact, please contact Martin, Jesse, Goose, Jorge and the rest of the crew. They promised to help. I’ll be here, I’m sure, after my case goes to court. I swear she looked at least 12 and she was naked. Where could she pack all that cocain?

Until next time, keep your knees in the breeze, the rubber side down, a bail bondman’s number handy and a grand in small bills stuffed in your boots. I’ll take the snotty kids in SUVs anytime.

THE MISSION

With the Assault Weapon project in full swing following on last year’s world land speed record setting success with Salt Shaker, there was no way Bandit would be riding up to Sturgis this year. Instead, two experienced Bikernet operatives from down under, Glenn Priddle and Doc Robinson were selected to carry out the mission.

After flying in to LA they were briefed on the mission details, equipped with the appropriate Bikernet equipment – most of which is in the prototype stage – as well as being top secret on a strictly ‘need to know’ basis.

The first operational hiccup came when it was discovered that the two scoots that Harley-Davidson were to supply were not available. They had been booked from the LA Press Fleet but somewhere between Melbourne Australia, Milwaukee Wisconsin and Los Angeles California, the message had been distorted. A genuine mistake or sabotage from dark forces? Investigations continue . . .Doc is the Associate and Technical editor of Heavy Duty magazine, Australia’s top biker rag (www.heavyduty.com.au) and through the rag had brought over a bunch of hard ridin’ and hard partying Aussies, all too ready to wreak their down under brand of havoc on the US biker scene. Bikes had been shipped over and the group was going to be led by Big Tony, a veteran of these trips.

RIDE THE MOUNTAIN

So as not to hold the group up, Bandit kindly let Glenn and Doc borrow two scoots from the Bikernet stable and along with the dozen or so guys and the one babe who made up the tour group, they rolled out of LA on a fine Saturday morning heading up to Big Bear Lake to visit Big Bear Choppers. Deep inside his mountain lair, surrounded by beautiful scenery, expatriate Aussie Kevin Alsop is kicking ass, producing a highly desirable and ultra-cool range of customs.

Kevin – a big bear of a bloke himself – was kind enough to give the group a tour of his facility, a facility crammed with state-of-the-art machinery including a slew of CNC machines and enough other hi tech gear that it looked as much like NASAs’ control room as a bike factory.

Now quality control is a big part of the Big Bear procedures – a critical necessity in the days when these bikes were sold in kit form – and it is carried on in the process of building complete bikes. Kevin’s demonstration and the explanation of how this is carried out is very interesting, even to the non-technically minded guys.

BACK TO LA

Following the BBC tour the group rode out toward Vegas with Big Tony leading while Glenn and Doc took off to ride back to the Bikernet Cantina. But unfortunately, a little matter of some extensive road works saw the boys take a wrong turn, a fact which they only realised when they saw signs confirming that they were well on the way to San Diego! Long story short: a two hour ride became a six hour ride at an average speed for the distance coming in at 12.5mph – at this rate they’d reach Sturgis sometime in late 2008.

WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS

There are worse places to hang around for a day or so than at the Cantina and between the resident eye candy, the Coronas and the Tequila slammers, time went quickly and Monday morning found the boys picking up a couple of 2007 Harley-Davidsons courtesy of the Motor Company. Glenn was astride a blue Road Glide and Doc an Ultra, two comfortable bikes eminently suited for cruising long distances. When heading from LA to Sturgis, Las Vegas is too close not to be visited by the boys from down under. Someone once described Vegas as ‘Disneyland for adults’ and they weren’t far wrong. Having endured the desert heat for some hours the cold beer at the Harley-Davidson went down particularly well as did a giant burger and fries. As for the rest of the evening, well, as they say – ‘what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas’.

UTAH – GREAT ROADS, PISS POOR BEER

After heading North from Vegas and crossing into Utah, the boys took the sensational road from Cedar City through the Cedar Breaks National Monument and then through Escalante and up to Torrey – what a road! What a ride!

It was on this ride that Glenn’s sharp eyes and his superb deer spotting abilities earned him the nickname of Chief Spotted Deer from a grateful Doc. At Torrey they caught up with the miscreants from Heavy Duty tour group where – thanks to ol’ Joe Smith’s boys – only low alcohol beers were available, which makes for lots of trips to the bathroom and very little mellowing effect. (Note to bikers: buy real beer in an adjoining state before crossing into Utah).

MOTEL FROM HELL

From Torrey, the Bikernet duo split from the main group and headed up to Logan where a night from hell began at a very unhelpful and unfriendly expensive motel. Between a WIFI system that was not operational – despite the motel staff’s assurance that it was – and hence a back track of some thirty miles to book in there, the sour-faced staff were a portent of things to come. Firstly, Doc was booked into a room already occupied by someone else, which the staff first denied and then stuck him with a more expensive room rate and secondly, just as the boys were sitting down to a low-alcohol Corona (again thanks to ol’Joe Smith) a fire up the canyon caused a power failure. No problem, the boys thought, we’ll just sit here over a salad and down a few more beers. Wrong!

After getting a salad of sorts – which Glenn reckons gave him food poisoning – and caused him to spend the night crossing from his bed to the barf room in pitch darkness – the staff huffily announced that the, “Chef had locked up the limes and gone home” and there were no more limes (or lemons) to be had.

“No problem folks, we’ll just switch to Bud or MGD” Glenn said, only to be informed somewhat gleefully that the boys couldn’t get any more beer of any kind. So there they were, up a canyon with; no television, no air-conditioning, no food, no drink and no light to read by – a long dark night lay ahead – followed by a morning drawing out grudging apologies from the motel staff and a dispute over the bill.

ESCAPING LOGAN

The ride up through Logan Canyon is superb, as is the view over Bear Lake and the ride down the mountain into Idaho.

Though a bit of a dampener hit the ride when the boys hit heavy rain. Soaking rain. Incessant rain. And on top of the rain was the fact that giant-brained Doc – despite being on his ninth ride up to Sturgis – had not brought any substantial rain gear. (Will he ever learn?) With Doc soaked to the bone, the boys rolled into Jackson Hole where Doc guaranteed no further rain on the entire trip by purchasing a $146 Harley-Davidson rain suit. Want a recipe for a good night’s fun? Set sixteen or so Aussies up in Jackson’s World Famous Million Dollar Cowboy bar, mix in a handful of Hamsters and let the beer and food flow until the early hours.

GRAND TETONS to CODY

Ah yes, imagine how sex starved those early French explorers must have been to imagine those spectacular mountains as ‘big tits’, the literal translation of Grand Tetons. The boys were a bit that way themselves but nevertheless, the Grand Tetons just looked like mountains to them – when the clouds were not obscuring them at least.

Yellowstone is – well Yellowstone; packed with Winnebagos, gawking cage drivers, families producing their own version of American Vacation (and looking freakishly like the Griswalds) and a zillion tourists from all over.

The ride down the hill from the Eastern entrance is always superb despite being always interrupted by road works where Doc incurred the wrath of a road worker by riding up to the front of the long queue of vehicles and attempting to convince her that, “Back home that’s how we do it” – but with no luck at all.

Nevertheless, the boys got a quick start and that long downhill section into Cody was all theirs. Sensational sweepers to be enjoyed at 80-90 mph, a superb road surface, fine weather – what a buzz!

HOWDY COWBOY

The atmosphere in Cody just before the Sturgis Rally is one of high spirits, anticipation, and the sound of American V-Twins from all over the US, Canada and countries beyond. What Buffalo Bill Cody would have made of this invasion of iron horses is anyone’s guess but he probably would’ve approved. Our intrepid Bikernet pair not only caught up with the Heavy Duty tour folk, but with other Aussies such as the blokes and blokesses from Dandenong HOG and other chapters. Like Jackson, the beer flowed, the music played and a good time was had by all including those who attended a ‘real rodeo’ right here in the heart of cowboy country.

ONWARD TO STURGIS

Cody to Sturgis is always a hoot, with thousands of bikes on the road, all heading to the same place for the same reasons, bikes, babes, bands and beer. With the world-wide connections and powerful influence of Bikernet our team was soon ensconced in a comfortable room with the Heavy Duty tour group setting up camp out front at this secret location down a dead-end road under the watchful eye of Glenn as he reported to Bikernet HQ on his cell phone.

With oak trees for shade, a nice lawn to pitch a tent upon and a view of the escarpment from where deer wander down each evening, this place is hard to beat.

Add in a short walk down to Main Street and you have biker heaven. We’ll stop right here as spilling any more details of this secret location is punishable by being forced to ride a 50cc Honda across Death Valley at noon in mid-summer, naked apart from a pair of old flip flops. After setting up camp the group began hitting the bars and the week long party began in earnest!

STURGIS 2007

There’s not much that can be said about Sturgis that hasn’t been said already and if you have never been, go there next year! Words can never convey the fantastic atmosphere of this Black Hills town during the Rally.

With Bikernet.com having a strong presence via banners in many prominent locations as well as the two beautiful Bikernet ladies whose friendly smiles gladdened many a heart and whose bodies . . . well, if you’re a guy you’ll get the point. The vivacious and talented interim Rally Director Pepper Massey informed our operatives that the numbers were down somewhat this year, but through the Bikernet team eyes this made it eminently more enjoyable as for those who did attend, getting around was not the usual grid lock traffic nightmare.

Vendors seemed happy for the most part, reporting high interest along with strong sales, facts which were attributed to the idea that those who did make the effort were serious bikers with fewer dilettantes and wannabees among the masses. Any way you look at it, Sturgis is always a helluva good event and this year was no exception.

THE SHOWS

The Big One has to be the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building held at Champions Park on Lazelle and taken out this year by Sweden’s Stellan Egeland, last year’s third place winner.

The variety is amazing with a whole host of bikes competing from quite a few countries around the world including Japan and much of Europe. The ingenuity and creativity displayed is awesome and even stirs the blood of jaded old bikers like our Bikernet pair, Doc and Glen. This year The HORSE Backstreet Sturgis Invasion Chopper Show was held for the first time and, not unexpectedly, featured for the most part, hard core choppers and bobbers.

The 5th Annual Metzeler Sturgis V-Twin Custom Bike Contest was also held at the Thunderdome and here wide tires held sway on a whole array of brilliant customs. Sculptures in Steel Bike Show was Wednesday’s big attraction at the Thunderdome while down at the Top 50 Rally Park the Legend Top 50 Custom Bike Show boasted some stunningly innovative scoots.

The Harley-Davidson Ride-In Show at Rapid City drew many entries including a fully chromed V-Rod (why?) and a chromed-out Sporty (why again?) among a slew of neat customised street bikes. Of course our old friend the Rat’s Hole Custom Bike Show was held on the Friday and as usual the red carpet was laid out for Bikernet operatives and a warm welcome experienced.

Although some of the bikes had entered in other shows, many were on display for the first time with trophies for a wide range of classes from wonderful to well – downright weird.

As the television pitchman says, “there’s more, much more” that could be said about bike shows including the role that sexy females play at the Rally but that will do us for now.

SPECIAL STURGIS EVENTS

This is another area where a lot of ground could be covered, and certainly getting to all of them would require an entire battalion of Bikernet operatives, a fact recognized by command centre which recognises and commends the outstanding efforts put in by Glenn and Doc during their visit where they put in long, hard hours in the Bikernet cause. Among the events or special happenings the boys got to was Michael Lichter’s Motorcycle-As-Art Exhibit, “One World Choppers” featured a host of choppers from around the world, outstanding customs each and every one and was a display not to be missed.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum put on a special display of the history of patch clubs in America ably demonstrating to those new to the motorcycle scene that there are many clubs who are best described as being riding groups rather than the outlaw kind. Kids & Chrome is a charity event dinner well worthy of support and which has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars toward the Children’s Home Society and to support the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame. The Hamster’s Ride-In show, held this year at Champions Park is always a Sturgis not-to-be-missed happening and the sight of hundreds of yellow t-shirt clad guys riding in on hordes of outstanding customs is a memorable event.

WORLD FAMOUS BIKE BUILDERS

No where else could you meet such a collection of world famous bike builders as at the Sturgis Rally & Races. Previous World Champions such as Roger Goldammer and Chicara Nagata were readily available at the AMD facility, while most of the famous faces from the Biker Build Off series were manning displays at their various stands in and around Sturgis. At the Billy Lane Biker’s Breakfast (a charity event) you could meet nearly all of them in one place and have posters signed and pictures autographed. And ya know, almost without exception, they are a nice bunch of blokes and a credit to the motorcycle industry.

RIDES TO DIE FOR

Being located in the middle of the beautiful Black Hills a huge plus and a big drawcard for the Sturgis Rally, with winding roads in all directions. Many publications available in Sturgis during the Rally list these and contain maps so the choices are many. Must sees include Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse monuments and the moonscape geography of the famous Badlands.

Bikernet operative Glenn took off on the Thursday to re-acquaint himself with the area, taking a loop from Sturgis to the famous Wall, through the Badlands and on to Scenic. From there he swung back via the absolutely spectacular Iron Mountain Rd, then through Custer State Park with roadside hordes of buffalo adding to the scenery, then via the Needles Highway to Hill City, finally heading North to Deadwood and then back to Sturgis, a round trip of some 320 miles. There are also quite a number of organized rides held during the Rally including the well attended Mayor’s Ride, this year’s inaugural Sturgis Women’s Ride, the Kids & Chrome Charity ride – the list is long and the choices manifold.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON NEW PRODUCT SHOW

Held at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Centre in Rapid City this popular event showcases the new products and the new model year bikes. Attention this year focussed around the new Softail models, the Rocker and the Rocker Custom. While the specs on these new models, in particular the fat back rubber are impressive, it would not be unfair to say that the onlookers comments for the majority of the time that our Bikernet operatives listened in were uncomplimentary, what with those weird- looking seats on both the Rocker and the Rocker C.

However, time will tell and if the Motor Company doesn’t come up with some fixes, the aftermarket surely will. The new Fat Bob is a cool-to-die-for model, arguably the coolest stock bike to ever emerge from the Milwaukee stable. Our Bikernet operatives got hold of one of these for a day and their report on this new model suggests a sales success in the making. Creating a lot of interest at the New Product show were the demonstrations of the new ABS braking systems available on some Harley-Davidson models. Long time Harley aficionados may scoff, but this technology can mean the difference between staying rubber side up or no in many riding situations.

BANDS, BANDS, BANDS

The list of bands playing at Sturgis reads like a who’s who of the rock and roll and blues world with such names as ZZ Top, Poison, The Fryed Bros, John Kay and Steppenwolf, the Marshall Tucker band, ex Motley Crue singer Vince Neil – the list goes on. The Boneyard Saloon alone boasted some 43 bands playing on 3 stages during the Rally. If you didn’t get your musical jollies at Sturgis, well you couldn’t have been trying very hard.

VENDORS

As usual all the big names were represented at either Sturgis or the surrounding areas and bikers can get advice from the horse’s mouth, so to speak, regarding product selection and fitment whatever the product, from cam shafts to exhausts, suspension to wheels, brakes to tyres or virtually any other area the rider wishes to upgrade. Black Hills Harley-Davidson had a huge vendor area as usual, as did Thunder Road and the Full Throttle Saloon, along with the Sturgis County Line.

WE RIDE THE X-WEDGE

Bikernet operatives Glenn and Doc were offered the opportunity to ride down the Sturgis drag strip on a bike equipped with the new S&S X-Wedge (pronounce it as cross-wedge, or x-wedge – either is okay) but as Doc had ridden them in Daytona earlier in the year he deferred to Glenn who had a ball doing so, as well as riding a hot S&S 124 cube machine. “Smooth, powerful and a whole lot of fun” were his comments upon dismounting, but it took a team of plastic surgeons three whole days to get the grin off his face.

BEYOND STURGIS – INDEPENDENT CYCLE, INC

All good things come to an end, but with good planning one end becomes another beginning. These were the thoughts our dedicated operatives held as they somewhat reluctantly rode out of Sturgis. However, with a visit to Jesse Jurren’s Independent Cycle, Inc next on the agenda the future looked promising. Upon arrival at Independent’s Rapid City headquarters, our operatives received a red carpet welcome and a comprehensive tour of the impressive facility by Independent’s Jeff Ulvestead.

KLOCK WERKS HERE WE COME

The “middle of nowhere” isn’t an unfair description of Mitchell, South Dakota, home of the famous Corn Palace and the infamous Brian Klock whose World’s Fastest Bagger set a land speed record last year with his (now) wife Laura riding it. Brian mounted another attempt this year with a newly designed fairing which has undergone extensive wind-tunnel testing. Brian and his lovely wife Laura make a great couple and have a successful working relationship in that hive of activity known as Klock Werks.

Your trusty operatives spent two full days there, photographing and riding hot customized baggers bearing the Klock Werks styling stamp. Brian is a hugely enthusiastic and exceedingly knowledgeable guy and has forgotten more about bagger setting up and handling than most people inside or outside the industry will ever know. Both Doc and Glenn greatly enjoyed spending time with him, coming away much wiser in the art of baggerology. (??)

STILL IN SOUTH DAKOTA

What is it with these South Dakota guys? What causes world famous products to emerge from the rich soil of this corn growing region? We’re speaking here of the state-of-the-art range of Dakota Digital gauges, market leaders world wide with an array of digital gauges for both cars and bikes that blows the mind. Mike Merritt, Dakota Digital's Motorcycle Products sales executive kindly gave Doc and Glenn a tour of their impressive Sioux Falls facility.

ON TO IOWA

Once again our intrepid operatives hit the road astride their 2007 Harleys, the big bikes performing flawlessly as big miles tick over. The weather is still mighty hot but by taking time to re-hydrate ever hour or two they manage to reach Waterloo, Iowa, a mere hop, skip and jump from their planned destination of Anamosa. Refreshed from a night’s sleep they hit the road and are soon in Anamosa but get the wrong directions from a local and ride out of town the wrong way. With another local’s help they manage to roll up at the home of J&P Cycles where J&P’s Nicole Ridge made the boys very welcome and introduced them to Shannon Applebee who gave them an extensive tour of this mind-blowing facility.

NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM

The museum which is situated in the main street of Anamosa contains an extensive collection of motorcycles from all eras of the sport and much motorcycle memorabilia from the fascinating to the gross. Well, gross by today’s aesthetic certainly but maybe considered cool in its day. Just about every make and model bike is represented here and hours could be spent enjoying the variety and innovation represented.

But with nearly four weeks away from home racked up already, the boys are feeling mighty starved for female company to the point where even the museum models looked very attractive. The boys must have looked good to them too as they didn’t even move a muscle to rebuff any advances the boys made.

FOGGY MOUNTAIN MORNING

Well, okay, Iowa can’t boast any real mountains in the region but heading out from Oskaloosa where they’d spent the night, the Bikernet pair encountered dense fog as they traversed the back roads, which made for interesting riding to say the least. At least they didn’t have to worry about seeing deer by the roadside as much of the time they couldn’t see the roadside at all! As the day grew hotter the fog finally lifted and a better pace could be made which saw the boys hitting Kansas City around lunch time.

After gassing up, getting lost but then regaining their way our stalwart bikers located their destination, the Procharger factory at Lenexa Kansas. Procharger manufactures superchargers for performance cars and more recently Harley-Davidson motorcycles, which make huge performance gains using this technology. The boys were given a comprehensive tour of the facility by Chief Executive Officer Ken Jones and came away impressed.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

The boys now pointed their scoots west to begin the long ride back toward California. Doc had driven this route on the way back from the V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati the previous year so he knew what they were in for, whereas Glenn was blissfully ignorant of the long, straight and hugely boring stretches of oftentimes poorly surfaced roads that they faced. Ride. Eat. Sleep. Repeat.

Sometimes on a trip like this you can begin to feel as if you have no other life but this; that you’ve always been riding and always will be. Family, friends, home, pets all seem to fade into a mist of another time and another place. Here and now is the only reality. This place. This road. And during those times when it feels like one is riding through a pizza oven, skin cracked and dry despite sun block regularly applied, tired, thirsty and with a bad case of monkey-butt it helps to remind oneself of the old saying that, “even the worst day on the road, still beats the best day at work”. Sustained by a mix of road philosophy, music from their CD players and the thought of that first long cold beer, the boys hit Wichita just on dusk, bought that longed-for cold beer and booked into the nearest motel.

DAWN OF A BIG DAY

It was time for the boys to put down some serious miles so they rose early and checked out just before the dawn. Leading the way, Glenn missed the lead onto the freeway due (he says) to poor signage and the boys found themselves wandering around downtown Wichita looking for someone who could give them directions and before too long a kindly guy put them back on track. It is 600 long and boring miles from Wichita to Albuquerque, made longer and more boring by the flat countryside and lack of curves.

Grimly determined to make a mile that day, the boys rode on with pursed lips and furrowed brows, crossing out of Kansas (Hooray!) into Oklahoma and then Texas where a steak at Dalhart provided nourishment to continue. Rolling into New Mexico it was time to join the I40 and its endless convoys of trucks and as the heat built up, a strong wind added to the boys’ discomfort until they were within striking distance of Albuquerque when they ran into a thunderstorm.

Initially welcoming the cooling effect of the rain, riding soon became difficult as visibility dropped and the boys were forced to slow down somewhat, which allowed truck after truck to speed past, each one throwing up blinding clouds of spray across the entire road. A quick stop to change from glasses to goggles and they were rolling again. As often happens, the storm cleared as quickly as it came in and the slight dampness they sustained dried out by the time they reached the outskirts of Albuquerque.

SENSATIONAL SEDONA

Glenn had visited Sedona, Arizona a couple of times previously and his enthusiasm for the roads and the scenery in the area quickly convinced Doc. So our operatives left I40 at Leupp Corner just past Winslow to take a winding back road, which took them through some awesome country, before meeting up with the sensational road through to Sedona from Flagstaff. Sedona nestles in a spectacularly beautiful valley surrounded by mountains and impressive rock formations, but like many great areas has become something of a tourist trap with prices to match. As in $180 for a share room. But the ambience, the views and the roads both in and out make it worthwhile to put up with being ripped off for accommodation. A night in a great bar with top food helps also.

JEROME AND JOSHUA TREE

Riding out of Sedona the boys took the path up the mountain to Jerome, a funky little town perched precariously on the mountain top with a vertigo-inducing steep drop in all directions. Then it was on down the other side of the mountain and on toward Palm Springs. Between a temperature of 111 degrees, a strong side wind and a zillion trucks all doing 90mph, even iron men like our two stalwart Bikernet operatives find the going unpleasant. So while getting fuel at Desert Centre they decided to get off the I10 and head north a bit before once again swinging west. This route took them through the scenic Joshua Tree National Park and down into Twentynine Palms where they camped for the night.

Next morning, given hat he lives close by a visit to Bob T. was in order. Bob is a live wire member of the Chop and Grind Racing crew whose antics at Bonneville are somewhat legendary and Bob is also a walking biker historian with a collection of Harley-Davidson memorabilia that would make most motorcycle museum custodians green with jealousy. After a pleasant couple of hours with Bob and his lovely wife Lee it was time to hit the road and make tracks back to LA.

BACK AT THE CANTINA

No matter how long or how gruelling the journey, it is always a blessed relief to arrive back at the Bikernet Cantina, to be greeted by a host of lovely ladies in brief outfits proffering icy cold beers and offering to rub the kinks from sore neck muscles. Yep, Heff can keep his Playboy Mansion; any road weary rider worth his salt would prefer the Cantina any day, an oasis where a biker’s soul can be refreshed in minutes. And after some five thousand miles of hard riding, one’s soul does need some refreshing.

ONE LAST MISSION

Kiwi Indian have been kicking ass in the retro market for some time now so before the Aussies were allowed to jump on a plane to fly back home they were sent on one last mission. The assignment was to head out to Riverside to interview Kiwi’s Mike Tomas and take a tour of his factory. Mike, as the Kiwi Indian name suggests, is originally from New Zealand and like that other bloke from NZ, Bert Munro, Mike brims with creativity and a can-do attitude. And there is no doubt that both these attributes have played a role in his continuing success.

THE DEBRIEF

A Bikernet debrief is carried out with military-like precision (well almost) and Bandit neither minces words nor suffers long winded reporting. Pushing himself back from his desk, and drawing himself up to his full height (which is an impressive 6’5”), he thundered to the boys that he’d read the written report, that all was well and they could be happy with a job well done – which is high praise indeed coming from the great man himself.

Tired and happy, Glenn and Doc packed for the fifteen hour plane trip back home and then returned the two bikes to the Harley-Davidson press fleet centre, once again grateful to the motor factory for supporting them. Another road trip completed. Another adventure survived. Another five thousand miles of great memories generated by riding across this great land.

It’s way too hard to put it all into words, but Sturgis 2007 was an amazing journey for me. The hectic intensity of the Today Show gig two weeks before, left me little energy to keep pace with what happened next. So, quick, let’s take a 2007 Sturgis journey. This time, it will be a photo journey as it would be too hard to put the whole twisted thing into words.

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

We tried to ride but the vicious thunderstorms stole away many hours of potential riding. We did get out to Wyoming a few times.

Saturday

Saturday we rode, and I mean we rode hard. There is no other way to ride when ya ride with Dozer. After getting a ticket for the apehangers on Josh’s bike, we started in Deadwood, then turned onto twisty Nemo Road. We looked on the map and picked the windiest roads between Nemo and Keystone. Our goal was Needles Highway. We blasted through a series of evil curves. Dozer used to work with Ron Finch and rides old style, that is, side by side.

It was quite an experience to ride with someone who loves to pour on the throttle and blast through the curves and is so good at holding the line. What was not that fun was having his stroker and Tony’s V-Rod blow past my stock H-D motored chopper, on the straights.

We were in Keystone when dark clouds began to move across the previously clear blue sky, but we set out for Needles anyway. Just below Keystone there is this wicked set of curves complete with tunnels and overpasses that spiral across one another. That was followed by Iron Mt Road. It was like the best amusement park ride ever, wicking through these curves. We were just about ready to peel onto Needles Highway when the rain hit.

The clouds were churning evil dark that direction so we headed for a patch of blue sky, but the rain followed us. While trying to outrun thunderstorms, I saw wild donkeys under the trees and decided it was pretty bad when donkeys had more sense that we did. I pulled over, the guys followed and we hid out under the trees for the next half hour until the rain passed. We made it back to Keystone, where Josh’s shifter threatened to jump off.

Reqardless it was a great day of riding. After breaking every speed limit between Deadwood and Custer, we parted company and I rolled back to Spearfish in record time, passing anyone I could. I was within 3 miles of home base when my chopper quit. After several hours, a gallon of gas, 7 rescuers, and a new coil – it looked like my ignition died. My chopper returned to the hotel in the back of a truck. A lowly first for me at any event in the past 13 years.

Sunday

The next day I rode a borrowed bobber and Jim, my Hamster husband, installed a new ignition on the chop. The bobber was cool as hell to ride, but getting back on my chopper felt like sitting on an easy chair. The bike never felt so comfy. I spent the rest of my time riding my chop thinking, “Oh yeah, this is nice.”

MondayThe latest from Bill Dodge’s Bling Cycles. French Kiss did the paint. How the hell did these guys get so frickin good at painting???Keino and Steve Broyles working hard at Grease Monkey Mayhem.

Tuesday Builder’s Breakfast, Hanging downtown, and Michael Lichter Show reception

Me and Yass at the Builder’s Breakfast. Yass is editor of Vibes. A kickass bike mag out of Japan. Yass is cool as hell and the Builder’s Breakfast was an awesome good time with great food and friends.

“A little lower please.”

Me and Athena Ransom (left), the captain of our Chopper Chick Crew along with our Today Show Chopper. Biker’s Choice provided us with their Aces High Kit Bike. The kit comes with everything; all you need is paint, gas and of course, air for the tires. The Today Show Chopper is up for auction at http://www.charityfolks.com/>www.charityfolks.com.

Paul Yaffe on his new bagger. I do not know if he rode the bagger to Sturgis. If he did it would be a first. He usually rides his latest chopper. This is one hard riding dude.

It rained like a mean mother on Tuesday. I got caught in it and was soaked again. Pulled into a gas station to get out of the rain and saw this sweet 74 shovel. It has matching frame and case numbers and an ORIGINAL Donnie Smith girder front end (I believe that’s a Durfee Girder). The owner stole it from the previous owner cos the dude didn’t know that old bikes occasionally need maintenance.

This copper tanked wonder from Vicious Cycles (with U.S. Choppers rolling chassis) took a big prize at the Metlzer Show and at a custom paint show. Huh? Sometimes the best choice of paint is no paint.

Hey, sounds like a good deal.

Sometimes the coolest bikes are out in the parking lot, like this custom from Gangster Choppers.

2006 AMD First Place Winner and all around incredible bike building master, Chicara, applies artwork to the Pink Ribbon Chopper. This bike, build by The Chopper Chick Crew for the National Breast Cancer Foundation was on display at Thunder Road. Many esteemed individuals have signed this tank.

I wanna be as cool as Paul Cox. The Indian Larry Legacy crew had some sweet chops at Sturgis. This was just one.

Keino takes a break from the brutal grind of Sturgis. His creation seen here was part of Michael Lichter's One World Show.

Can you believe someone actually gave these guys passports? Airport security must have been on a coffee break. (Glenn Priddle and Doc Robinson from Heavy Duty mag and Bikernet.com correspondents outta Australia.)

Paul Jr. signs the Pink Ribbon Chopper.

Heather and I hold up Bill Steele, street rod/bike builder/beer drinker extrodinaire. Roger Goldhammer done gone and forget a cylinder again.

“Now see here, you young whippersnappers, this is how it’s done.”

Roller Derby Girl/Evil Mistress from Leroy Thompson. Natalie shows the Geico guy whose boss.

Wednesday

Beulah, Wyoming, pop 33. This little town welcomes bikers with open arms and ice cold beer. They even have drag races in the middle of town starting Wednesday night. It’s a throwback to the old days, before tickets for bare titties.

Butch and Dawn from Stinger on their newest bare metal bike. Dawn keeps a towel between her butt and the fender to keep her jeans from getting rust stains.

The first place winner of the AMD Championship. For more info go to AMD’s website. It was too frickin to hot to think the day I took this picture. This bike is featured on Bikernet.

Second Place winner at AMD, the newest from Chicara. Someone told me he has over a million hours into this bike. Seriously, this guy is true gentleman as well as an amazing craftsman.

So I’m pulling out of Thunder Road and my bike dies and won’t start. Someone behind me is yelling, “Turn off your gas!” I look down and there’s a huge puddle of gas under my bike. I turn it off, pull forward and run like hell back to the Thunderdome, where I know Chica is walking out. I tell him what happened and he ran over to my bike. He got it started with the gas turned off and ran the carb out of gas. The float musta been stuck or something. Whatever it was, he knew just what to do. Thanks Chica! (Hey man, I’m not an expert at broke down stuff like George the Painter.)

There is no picture to go with this part of the story. I was hanging with the crew from SATA Spray equipment at Glencoe Campground when I got the call that some folks were waiting for me down in Black Hawk, a little town out by Rapid City. It was 10 pm and I was packing up the chopper getting ready to leave when I heard a familiar voice. The campsite was just behind the Rockin the Rally stage. It sounded like Joan Jett and sure enough it was. So I rode out on my late night trip to the rocking sound of “I hate myself for lovin‚ you.” It was stuck in my head for the rest of the week.

I do not recommend riding on I 90 late at night. It is russian roulette, only with deer instead of bullets, and anyone who thinks otherwise, is a fool. Think I’m a wuss? Tell that to Mike Pag who broke his leg in 3 places back in 2003 when he hit a deer doing 100 mph. Or to the guy they were putting in the bodybag outside of Deadwood that afternoon. Or better yet, tell it to the owner of this website that ended up with an antler through his lung back in 2001.

And yet, there I am, out there playing beat the odds. People are on bikes are flying past me. I’m doing about 65. Just fast enough to hopefully keep from getting run over, yet slow enough to maybe maneuver in case one of those fuckers, grazing by the side of the road, decide to take a quick hop.

At one point I was going straight up the side of a mountain in the middle of nowhere, it dark as hell, I swear I saw bear in the woods. I wondered what the hell was doing in Bear Country. This guy literally lived on top of a mountain. After our meeting, I rode the 40 miles back to Spearfish and wanted to kiss the ground when I arrived safely. But this was the funny part; I was the only woman at the meeting and the only person who rode a motorcycle to it.

Thursday

This bike makes powder blue look good.

The World’s Fastest bagger with its rider Laura soon-to-be-Klock.

We were minding our own business at the Biker’s Choice trailer and this buffalo goes strolling by down the alley behind J & P Cycles.

”This is my trike,” said da dog. “Got it?”

Vagabond Choppers Texas Chop Off bike. The scallops are actually three dimensional. This bike competed in the AMD Show.

Kenny Price, of Samson Pipes, and his custom painted Vrod. Vince Goodeve is the artist behind this daily rider.

Betsey Huelskamp and Dave Nichols are awed by the mingling frenzy of the Performance Machine / Corbin Press Party.

More from the PM / Corbin Press party. Sasha Mullins and Jayme Gray. Jayme of Pussycat Choppers, is a member of our Chopper Chick Crew.

Knocking them out with style at the Grease Monkey Mayhem Party Thursday Night. Bean’re got a new suit. And a milk maid.

Keino really needs to learn how to relax.

My buddy Sherri with Satya Krause and his totally brutal pan. It took home a 12th at the AMD Championship.

George the Painter was actually too tired to bitch and complain.The frontend on Satya’s pan is way too long.

“How the hell do you ride this thing with these wild ass bars?”

Chris Callen, editor of Cycle Source leaving the Grease Monkey party for another round of, “Will I be a victim of police profiling.” As of now I do not know if he was successful. “We went boom boom behind the bushes.” Powderman and his lovely lady Heather.

So that’s it! For more info on Sturgis, look up the dates for 2008, get the time off work and get your butt out there. It is without a doubt the best bike event in the country. Great people, brutally gorgeous riding and lots of nighttime action. And to that guy who made us wait 2 hours for our food at Cheyenne Crossing, “You didn’t have to be a jerk, just cos I didn’t laugh at your stupid joke. We used to recommend your restaurant to everyone. I won’t in the future.

The entire event can’t be all blue skies and ice cold beer. Some 90 percent of Sturgis 2007 was tops. Can’t wait for next year.

The 16th annual gathering organized by H.O.G. Europe (Harley Owners Group) was a success. The rally took place in Fuengirola, southern Spain, a holiday resort situated on the Costa del Sol. The magical and highly entertaining event was attended by over 8,000 riders from across Europe.

The 23rd and 24th July in Fuengirola were unforgettable. To celebrate this anniversary over 6,000 bikes rolled into the rally, coming from England, from the cold Norway and even from Saudi Arabia–A long way to ride to meet in southern Spain.

Many the events, from rock concerts and flamingo dancing to the breathtaking stunt displays of the world famous stunt rider, Craig Jones, were well organized. On the evening of the 23rd, la Dolce Vita held the Harley-Davidson Summer Ball with live music organized by the Formula One builder, Eddie Jordan.

At the rally, 1,300 bikes paraded on the seafront of this fantastic holiday resort to thank the people of Fuengirola.

A special thanks to Harley Davidson Italy with which, together with my show Custom&Bikers on MotoTV we had many wonderful adventures, visiting incredible places and events.

Many rallies to come in the H.O.G. world… The best has yet to come: The next pan-European Harley-Davidson meet takes place in Austria. For the 10th time, one of the most loved and well-known H.O.G. events, the European Bike Week, will be held at Faakersee.

From September 1st, for four consecutive days, riders from all over Europe and beyond, will ride to the Austrian town to celebrate the Harley-Davidson way of life with events and breathtaking rides to be enjoyed by all.

14-16 August- Harley-Davidson Scandinavian Bike Meet – Roskilde, Danimark

3-7 September- European Bike Week – Faaker See, Austria

25-27 September- 17° Annual European H.O.G. Rally – Lago di Garda, Italy

It's time to ride!

Special thanks to : Yves- Olivier Allamagny, Isabella De Alberti, Simona Bendotti for Harley- Davidson Italy , Nigel Villiers for HOG Europe.

MORE ON THE H.O.G. EUROPEAN SUMMER SCHEDULE FROM HARLEY-DAVIDSON

Harley-Davidson will make summer ‘07 its hottest yet with three world-class events for riders from Europe and beyond to experience and enjoy in France, Spain and Austria.

The temperature starts rising in May with a brand new event taking place in Port Grimaud, Golfe de St. Tropez, France. The Harley-Davidson Euro Festival 2007 (May 10-13) is open to all motorcycles and is billed as one of Europe’s best beach parties.

There will be live music throughout the festival, a series of great ride-outs on the best local roads, a major custom bike show and Harley-Davidson exhibition. Festival-goers can look forward to some vibrant nightlife and there is a great line-up of accommodation ranging from relaxed beachside camping through to five star hotels.

Having warmed things up nicely in the south of France, the party rides down to Fuengirola, Spain. The 16th European Harley Owners Group Rally (June 21-24) provides the perfect excuse to take your motorcycle down to the Costa del Sol and indulge in this showpiece celebration of the Harley-Davidson way of life.

One of the undoubted highlights of this year’s Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) rally is the new alliance between Harley-Davidson and the world-famous La Dolce Vita organization.

Renowned for creating some of the most glamorous and star-studded events of recent years, La Dolce Vita will be presenting The Harley-Davidson Summer Ball. La Dolce Vita will also create an exclusive nightclub, Evolution cc, which will be open throughout the rally and it aims to offer guests an unforgettable entertainment venue.

“We’re delighted to be teaming-up with La Dolce Vita in Fuengirola this summer because they produce events which really are that extra bit special,” said Nigel Villiers, European H.O.G. Director.

In addition to the new partnership with La Dolce Vita the Fuengirola rally will include a packed line-up of custom shows, riding challenges, live music throughout the day, and organised riding tours or just the chance to kick-back and relax in one of the hundreds of beach bars.

Harley-Davidson’s long, hot summer will conclude in Faaker See, Austria at European Bike Week 2007 (September 5-9). Now firmly established as one of the biggest motorcycling celebrations in the world, European Bike Week delivers a superb combination of great mountain riding roads and a 24-hour party atmosphere.

Harley-Davidson will be supporting European Bike Week 2007 with another major line- up of activities and facilities, including the Harley-Davidson Village (now nearing the size of a small town!) and a demonstration ride programme featuring all the latest Harley and Buell motorcycles.

For all the latest news and booking information please go to www.harley-davidson.com or www.hog.com.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON’S LONG, HOT SUMMER

Harley-Davidson Euro Festival 2007 May 10-13. Port Grimaud, Golfe de St. Tropez, France

16th European Harley Owners Group Rally June 21-24. Fuengirola, Costa del Sol, Spain

European Bike Week 2007 September 5-9. Faaker See, Carinthia, Austria