THE AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE is brought to you by Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), and is sponsored by the Law Offices of Richard M. Lester. If you’ve been involved in any kind of accident, call us at 1-(800) ON-A-BIKE or visit www.ON-A-BIKE.com.

 

NCOM BIKER NEWSBYTES
Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish,
National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM)

Dear NCOM Board; We have spoken with Doc (NCOM Board Chairman “Doc” Reichenbach) and he has given us the go ahead to solicit relief assistance from our affiliates. After helping our friends and neighbors, we are now ready to contact the motorcycle community to assist with a storm that has contributed to the greatest property loss in our nation’s history.

We have responded to an effort led by Central Harley-Davidson in Austin, Texas. They are receiving donations and then trucking them to dealerships in the affected areas, principally Houston. We asked if we could get our organization’s members to ship to their store and they said yes, but make sure the boxes are marked. We see a great need with the cleanup efforts, so this is what we are proposing –

Phase 1 – Groups can order cleanup supplies from the box stores – Walmart.com, Target.com or even the Home Depots and Lowes. Package one type of item per box and then labeled (ex. attached hurricane relief – tarps, or hurricane relief – surgical masks, etc.).
Phase 2 – We are coordinating with Motorcycle Resource Teams and bike clubs to volunteer at Central H-D and delivery points to load/unload boxes so the motorcycle shops can still conduct their daily business.
Phase 3 – Once delivered we will assist with getting the supplies to the areas in most need. Getting a group to set up at the Golden Triangle H-D shop and delivering supplies to neighborhoods in the affected areas.

Following is a list of needed supplies – extension cords, box fans, work gloves, tarps, box cutters, blades, nylon rope for tarps, bug spray, antibacterial wipes, disposable surgical masks, rubber gloves, shop vacs.

If folks would rather send money donations, a Houston organization that is networked with a multitude of churches and organizations in the state who are doing the relief work and gets the supplies that are needed in a very timely manner is www.somebodycares.org. Please check them out, and they have a donate button on their website. They also have a Houston warehouse with trucks going to affected areas daily, so we will also put them on the suggested list of recipients for Mancuso H-D.

We want to thank you in advance for the assistance offered from our awesome motorcycle community.​
Serving Him with Joy,
Lou & Denise Nobs, NCOM Christian Unity
ncom.christianunity@gmail.com

NCOM BOARD OF DIRECTORS / REGIONAL MEETING IN OKLAHOMA CITY
The National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) Board of Directors will hold their bi-annual board meeting at the Biltmore Hotel, 401 S. Meridian Ave in Oklahoma City on Saturday, November 11, 2017 in conjunction with the NCOM Region II Conference.

All motorcyclists are invited to attend this free event, to learn and share with fellow bikers rights activists from around the country and across the region (NCOM Region II consists of Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska).

For further information, contact NCOM at (800) ON-A-BIKE or visit www.ON-A-BIKE.com.

 

LACONIA MOTORCYCLE WEEK ORGANIZER ELECTED TO N.H. STATEHOUSE
Longtime motorcycle enthusiast and organizer of the annual Laconia Motorcycle Week, Charlie St. Clair has won a House Seat in a special election in Belknap County, New Hampshire, posting a mild upset in the previously Republican-held district.

Charlie rides a Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic and has been riding cross country every year for over thirty-four years to attend Laconia’s sister rally in Sturgis, South Dakota, and was inducted into the Sturgis Museum Hall of Fame in 2008. He has served as executive director of the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association since 1992, and will continue in that role.

Newly-elected State Rep. St. Clair (D-District 9) says “People know me, and I’m going down there to represent my constituents in my district. As for motorcyclists, I’ll be watching out on their behalf whether they’re constituents or visitors to the state.”

ILLINOIS LAW MANDATES STUDENTS LEARN WHAT TO DO DURING A TRAFFIC STOP
In addition to reading, writing and arithmetic, students in Illinois will now learn a possibly life-saving lesson; What to Do during a Traffic Stop.

The new state law, signed by Governor Bruce Rauner, is aimed at preventing a situation from escalating when teens are pulled over by police, and mandates that teachers dedicate instruction time to ensuring that students learn what to do and what not to do during a traffic stop, and how not to panic and do something that may seem like a red flag to cops.

“My hope is that if we uniformly require that driver’s education include the protocol and what is expected when you interact with a police officer that things will not escalate,” Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield), who sponsored the bill, told the local station ABC 7.

ARKANSAS BECOMES 37TH STATE TO REVISE SLINGSHOT LICENSING
Polaris Industries reports that Arkansas no longer requires Slingshot owners to have a motorcycle operator’s license, thus making the Natural State the 37th state to classify the three-wheeler as a car for licensing purposes.

“When Slingshot was introduced to the market in 2014, most consumers were required to hold a motorcycle endorsement or license to operate it,” the company said in a recent press release. “Because Slingshot does not feature handlebars or straddle seating, but rather offers a unique three-wheel configuration with a steering wheel and side-by-side seating, state policymakers have recognized the need to update their operator licensing laws.”

Although Slingshot resides in the motorcycle classification which has long provided for three-wheel designs, operator skills are more similar to those required for a passenger car. “Our goal is to gain a unified classification and operator licensing scheme across the country to provide more opportunities and driving freedom for consumers looking for the ultimate thrill experience that Slingshot offers,” said Rachael Elia, Slingshot Marketing Manager.

BANNED KNIVES NOW LEGAL IN TEXAS
A bipartisan House bill repealing the Lone Star State’s 1871 ban on Bowie knives and other large blades has been signed by Governor Greg Abbott, dropping the carry of illegal knives such as “Bowie knives, daggers, dirks, stilettos, poniards, swords, and spears” from the Texas penal code on weapons, a crime which currently carries fines of up to a year in jail, a fine of up to $4,000, or both.

Still off limits for knives with blades over 5.5 inches will be places such as schools, correctional facilities, houses of worship, and bars that derive more than half their income from alcohol sales. Minors, under 18, will not be able to buy or carry a location-restricted knife.

FACING BACKLASH, CONFEDERATE MOTORS CHANGES ITS NAME
When Matt Chambers created his company in 1991 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he chose to name it Confederate Motors “in a salute to good Southern principles,” but in today’s politically charged climate that associates the Southern Confederacy with racism and white supremacy, Chambers has decided to retire the name.

“The Confederate brand was no longer viable. I think we lost a lot a business with that name,” Chambers told the Los Angeles Times, adding “We’ve missed out on branding opportunities. So, it’s time to retire it.”

The company is now the Curtiss Motorcycle Co., named after the father of American aviation, Glenn Curtiss, who gained fame competing with the Wright Brothers to dominate the skies, but who also famously built and raced motorcycles.

Their first model will be called the Hercules, the name originally used for Curtiss’ motorcycles, and will be an electric sportbike.

BRITISH MOTORCYCLISTS RIDE ON PARLIAMENT TO PROTEST BIKE CRIME
Hundreds of concerned motorcyclists rode through London on Saturday, Sept 9th to protest a staggering increase in bike thefts, bike-jackings and brutal attacks on motorcyclists in the U.K.

The protest comes after acid was sprayed at six scooter riders in a 90 minute period in a series of attacks in London in July, with one victim suffering “life-changing injuries” according to police. Due to these vicious assaults, acid attackers now face life in prison, and prosecutors have been advised to impose sentences of up to four years just for carrying acid.

Other riders have had their bikes stolen from them by armed thieves. Recent crime figures have shown that vehicle theft has risen 18.6% nationwide in the last year and 25.9% in London, which is a trend that has been plain to see for bike owners. The thieves are more brazen than ever, posting pictures of bikes they’ve stolen on social media.

As the police struggle with motorcycle theft, the army may be called in to address the situation.

Protest organizers ‘#BikersUnited’ say 65 bikes are stolen a day in the capital, while riders increasingly face “violence, knives, acid and even death from the thieves.”

Formed of a number of biking groups including MAG (Motorcycle Action Group), #BikersUnited says on its Facebook page: “We represent the 1,000s of riders of motorcycles and scooters in Britain and are protesting about the outrageous escalation of bike theft and bike jackings in our country.”

PHILIPPINES CALLS FOR BIGGER LICENSE PLATES TO DETER CRIMES
The Philippine Senate has unanimously approved a bill requiring the Land Transportation Office to provide bigger and reflectorized license plates for motorcycles and scooters to deter crimes.

Voting 21-0, the upper chamber approved on final reading Senate Bill 1397, or the proposed “Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act of 2017”, which would require significantly larger license plates for the front and rear of all motorcycles and scooters for easy identification to deter motorcycle-riding criminals from easily getting away.

STUDY SHOWS CAR DRIVERS ARE CONFIDENT THEY CAN TEXT AND DRIVE SAFELY
A recent study by Progressive Insurance reveals that about one third of car drivers feel confident in their own ability to text and drive, yet the majority believe distracted driving is the biggest cause of auto accidents and more than 90% say it should be illegal.

The report showed a sharp difference in attitudes between younger and older drivers, with more than 60% of 18-34 year olds being confident in their ability to safely text while driving, compared to less than 6% of those 55 and older.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,477 people were killed, and 391,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in the United States in 2015. Teens were the largest age group reported as distracted at the time of fatal crashes.

The study further showed that men think they are better at texting and driving, with twice as many men (21%) as women (11%) saying they are “very confident” in their ability to text while driving. Despite that confidence in their own abilities, some 88% of men and 97% of women think texting should not be allowed.

Among all drivers, more than 65% of individuals polled believe that texting/looking at one’s phone while driving is the most common cause of traffic accidents in the United States. And 83% of individuals believe police should be able to pull over drivers for texting alone. Yet at the same time, 34% of respondents said they were somewhat or very confident in their ability to text while driving.

Meanwhile, the study said the most common feelings evoked when seeing another driver texting is concern (62%) followed by irritation (50%), and these feelings didn’t vary by age or gender.

QUOTABLE QUOTE: “A society that gets rid of all its troublemakers goes downhill.” 
~ Robert A. Heinlein (1907-1988) science-fiction author

Preparing for Launch….
Bikernet has been following the adventures of the Venice Vintage Motorcycle Club since day one when they got up and running a decade ago. Along the way they’ve offered monthly group rides as well as a steady stream of world class bike shows and rallies, case in point their most recent bike party, the 2017 10th anniversary, so congrats all around. Again hundreds of vintage, classic and antique bike fans of all flavors showed up for the event taking place near Venice, CA’s famous Abbot Kinney Avenue and the beaches of the Pacific a short putt away. You could say that the surf was up as waves of riders streamed their way into the event from all over CA and beyond. Without further ado, here’s Paul’s Pix, not an easy chore considering the wide spectrum of unique machines and their equally unique riders, so let’s get at it.

 
Best Non-NFL Kick Off to Show Start
The 1947 Douglas T35S was a one year model, originally owned by GP champion Hugh Anderson of New Zealand. Bike is part of Rob Pollard’s Brit bike collection as is the Sunbeam S7, also vintage 1947.

 
Best Motorcycle Jousting Stance

Double Thumbs Up for the Rally
Loren Elyse Buckley and Andrew Hancock manned the Tobaccomotorwear booth, one of many vendors offering their

 
Surfs Always Up with JSK – Project Argent Corundum
Built around the Honda Rebel 250cc powerplant, but radically “updated,” JSK motorcycles has come up with the perfect SoCal lifestyle transport with surfboard in tandem. While frame and motor were retained, 50 lbs. was trimmed from the bike. Builder Samuel Kao, originally from Taiwan, focused on sourcing most of its parts from Taiwan to showcase what are in reality are of high quality. What’s Argent Corundum mean…? Argent can mean money…corundum a super tough mineral abrasive..? So maybe, making money the hard way?

 
Speaking of Indians…Here’s One that’s Crock related
Torrance, CA based Michael Schacht enjoys his ’39 Indian as a fan of historic vintage iron to the point that he’s invested his blood, sweat and tears over the past many years bringing back the legendary Crocker motorcycle, cloning it down to the original nuts and bolts. It’s truly a story of history repeating itself in a good way. While something only 54 original Crockers exist, Michael has used the original factory documentation to bring them back to life.

 
Is it Realer than Memorex?
So intent on making it the exact replication of the O.G. Crockers, Michael employed labor intensive sand casting rather than CNC machining to fabricate the bike’s components, each hand-crafted to original Crocker spec sheets.

 
Best Cup of Coffee…Make that Fifth of Expresso
Entrepreneur/Restaurateur/Biker Lorenzo Dalla Vedova offered us a taste of his new expresso liqueur called Bola just now becoming available. Lorenzo has been the leading force behind a movement to create the Los Angeles Motorcycle Museum (LAMM) and is actively seeking a collaboration of motorcycle movers and shakers to provide Los Angeles with a truly world class facility.

 
No, Please, Really… I Didn’t Vote for Brexit
A temporary halt at the entrance to the event brings Mark Jarel and his Brit-built 1946 Ariel VB to a halt. Fortunately the 600cc single flathead, still wearing its original license number FAX 759, was granted passage. Note the very cool classic “Brooklands” silencers, the finny exhaust so named after the famous English raceway. Mark bought the bike in England and toured on it before shipping it home. That was in 1981 and he’s had it ever since.. Says Jarel, “It’s a non-stopper that just keeps on going.”

 
Beaming Beemer Winner
Best Euro Award went to Jim Murphy’s 1966 BMW R60/2 with Steib sidecar. Notice how his trophy nicely covers strategic letter on his t-shirt. And check out the message on the other guy’s black t-shirt. Need a lighter to help with the interpretation?

 
Bad Boy Beemer
Now for a walk on the wild side of the Bavarian airhead twin…1977 R100S converted to a monolever rear suspension and showing polished alloy bodywork. Built by BMW café racer designer/builder Dan Rodarte, its performance was upgraded via OSHMO Motorworks custom components including fuel injection system….in other words…Wunderbar! Van Nuys based Osh Minetian of OSHMO specializes in performance upgrades and parts for both BMW cars and bikes.

 
Got Wrench?
No need to water this rendering of a Lotus flower (we think), the design chosen for Best Japanese entry, with Eric Martin taking it home for his Eddie Lawson Replica Kawasaki 1000R. Cool event trophies were fashioned by Venice Metal Worx.

 
Green Meanie
Eric humbly says he restored the bike but it could have been better. Judges definitely thought it more than good enough. Built for only two years, 1982-83, only 750 were produced. As a street bike, it clocked out at 128mph. The special edition was in homage to 1980s super star racer Eddie Lawson, four-time winner of the 500cc World Championship during the 1980s, not to mention coming out of retirement in 1993 to win the Daytona 200 for the second time.

 
Speaking of Trophies – V for Victory
The special VVMC Club Choice award went to Eugen Garcin who brought his stellar Brit made 1934 Cotton 25J. Eugen is well-known for his awesome collection of multi-showing vintage BMW’s, but just had to go for the Cotton.

 
Wash and Wear English Classic

 

Quick, Hide the Peanuts!
Best British Bike trophy went to Rob Pollard’s 1929 Scott Sports Squirrel…no kidding, that’s it name and a great if somewhat wierdish bike. Way ahead of its time in many ways, the water-cooled two-stroker surprised everyone back in the day. Rob has a penchant for Brit iron and has a nice collection including several WWII era bikes he brought to the show.

 
Sharp Edged Classic
Best Race-Inspired Award went to Tony’s 1982 Suzuki Katana 1000 aka GS1000SZ. Now 35 years young and still looking good, the bike offered 90 HP and German designer Hans Muth’s design touch who was challenged by Suzuki to come up with something deliberately outrageous to draw attention to the maker’s bikes. He did just that.

 
Best Custom – Hutchbuilt Show Stopper
VVMC award went to South African Jeremy Hutch who now makes L.A. area his home where he’s building some very unique bikes of all flavors. This one was based around 1979 BMW R80 but radically modified.

 
Wicket Trophy for a Wicked Cool Bike – Jeremy Hutch

 
Have You Hugged Your Böhmerland Lately?
Here’s a bike and a half that you don’t see every day as in rare as dragon’s teeth. Owner Paul Greenstein, seen here with longtime riding buddy Dydia DeLyser, usually rides vintage Indians, but couldn’t pass up the opportunity to get hold of the Czech built masterwork even though he had to follow it from Hungary to Germany where it somehow then took a shipping tangent to China for unknown reasons before finally arriving at the Long Beach port. Okay, so how do you pronounce it? Buumerland…there’s too little dots over the o.

 
Looking Back in History and Forward to Some More
The various models of the Böhmerland were built from 1934 until 1939 in what was once Czechoslovakia until Nazi Germany stomped on it. So where did it get its styling cues? Ah, literally out of thin Czech air. Seems the builder, one Albin Leibisch had not built a motorcycle previously so started with a clean sheet, maybe even a real one to draw up his vision of the ultimate road bike, one that could carry up to four passengers. Tech facts: 600cc overhead valve single cylinder, a lonnnggg all-welded very stiff tube frame, in fact the longest production wheel base motorcycle. So how does it ride? Says the owner, “Like a log. But actually very smooth.”

 
Launching Cezeta aka “The Pig”
That’s what the Czech’s called the popular two-stroke scooter first built in 1957 behind the Iron Curtain. This one, a 5021 built in 1963. The nose cone design was supposedly inspired by Sputnik and the early Space Race. Plans are afoot in the newly renamed Czechia (aka Czech Republic) to build the scooter but electric powered. Here Dydia gets a helping hand from Crocker revivalist Michael Schacht. Dydia by the way has earned a Ph.D. as a geographer so she knows her way around, even how to get Czechia even if it’s not on the maps.

 
And the winner is….Best of Show Winner Böhmerland ….!!!

 
Czech Off Another Winner
Dydia’s Scooter garnered top honors in the Best “Ugly Bike” Class.
News was also welcomed by her four-legged friend of some 13 years, his name Harpo, who took it all in stride.

 
Skateboard Icon
If you saw “Lords of Dogtown” or any of the documentary films about the history of California skateboarding, then you recognize Ray Flores, seen here on a bike just a bit bigger than a board, in this case a rare 1983 Suzuki GSXR factory 90cc racer. With 60 years “skating” and board inventions to back him up, Ray opened The Board Gallery in Venice to chronicle the history of the sport.

 
Another Scooter Heard From – Dress for Success
Philip Ancheta aka “Scooter Hero” dons his Dainese leathers and makes the world a better place while patrolling about on his Vespa. Note his trusty sidekick with camera equipped helmet ready to document his exploits.

 
“You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda”
That was a famous ’60 Honda ad line but it holds true especially in the case of Lisa and Steve who came to the aid of Jono Winters who won the Best Café Racer award for his home built 1973 Honda CB350. He had not a penny to his name and no means to carry the heavy trophy home on the bike so Lisa and Mike came up with a cargo net and some cash to help make his day even better. Says Jono, “I bought the bike because it was the cheapest I could find on Craigslist…$300…and it wasn’t running.” It does now and Jono even painted it himself. The 655 number refers to his motocross race number.

 
Most Innovative…Can You Spot it?
Greg Chatsworth spent years R&Ding an ingenious independent suspension system as incorporated into his Harley Softail. Benefits include major improvements of handling and safety both on the street and track. Owning several patents, Greg says the system is applicable to almost any motorcycle. So far no manufacturer has opted to for it so it’s up for grabs. (gregatchatsworthelectric@yahoo.com).

 
Malibu Mark and his FLH
Mark Harris has owned, ridden and enjoyed his flamin’ red 1965 ex-Police Special for the past 12 years including a 2500 mile cruise. A contractor by trade, he’s decked in the right work gear…and the right workhorse.

 
Animated Harley
With its ‘20s boardtrack racer turned down handlebars, film and commercials animator Zack Iddings has radically trimmed and slimed his 1995 Sportster 1200XL including both fenders. Shorter shocks and slammed forks bring his solo rider rapid transport hugging the ground, making one cool no frills, all thrills custom. Says Zack, “It’s very chopped up. Have had it two years.”

 
Best Knuckle Sandwich

 
Best Wrenchable Furniture – “From Track to Table”
Fashioned from an assortment of real bike parts like cranks, brake rotors and gears, Encinitas, CA based Moto Redux craftsman Mathew Clough offered awesome and usable furniture for home and garage including variety of tables, bar stools and unique lighting fixtures.

 
Best Recycling Moment

 
Boys to Young Men in the Band
These guys have been playing at the VVMC rallies for several years and we’ve watched them grow in both physical stature and musical talent…and they ROCK! Other top flight bands playing the soundtrack for event included Cougar Getting, Jr., Lou Pine, Highland Hawks, Neighbor Thieves, and National Anthem.

 
Getting’ Sporty
The photogenic Nana Taimour and friend Melisa Provencio add to the matte black classic lines of Nana’s 2015 883 Harley.

 
Nana Moves Out
We spotted Nana at speed as she headed home from event. She’ll be back for the 11th VVMC Rally scheduled for September 2017. So what about you?

 
Raffle Baffle
Shannon Sweeney and VVMC crew man the raffle booth, lots of loot won by the rally attendees along with the El Dorado Triumph raffle bike. This year’s event sponsors included Lucky Wheels Garage, Wes White of The Factory Metal Works, Triumph of L.A., Safeway Sandblaster and Powder Coating, Deus Ex Machina USA, artist Sonny Boy and Moto Classic Garage.

 
Lucky Guys Following the Golden Rule
It only took one ticket for Tom Woods and his son Will to win the El Dorado Raffle bike, the 1950 Triumph 650 custom built by VVMC members Farin Hoover and Matt Rowe. Tom tells us that he plans to
sell or auction off the bike hopefully with help from some celebrity, then donate all the proceeds to the VVMC’s charity, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.

 
Miss VVMC 2017 Pinky Suer from Ontario, CA sits on the “Golden Throne” Raffle Bike along with the VVMC crew.

 
… And last but not least the author won the Bohmerland!!!!

Brake fluids are notorious. When I started in this industry, DOT 3 brake fluids were used everywhere, but they had a terrible reputation for damaging paint. For custom guys that was the kiss of death. Just the mention of bleeding brakes would raise eyebrows and cause skin to crawl.

Then suddenly we were saved. Somebody developed DOT 5 a silicon based brake fluid. You could pour it over your new custom paint job without a problem. We thought we were saved.

Then it started to get confusing. Another chemical engineer developed DOT 4 supposedly for high temp applications. What the hell?

Suddenly I didn’t know what to use where. Of course most manufacturers put their recommended fluid on the caps of all master cylinders, but that doesn’t work for some custom applications.

I’ve wanted to create a reminder sheet for brothers to follow for safe application of the various DOTs. I spoke to Eric Bennett at Bennett’s performance recently for a shop perspective.

“DOT 4 is bad for paint but it handles heat,” Eric said. “But DOT 3 is even worse on paint. You can’t mix DOT 4 with DOT 5. It will cause calipers to lock up. Stick with what it says on the master cylinder, if you can read it. All European makes use DOT 4 now.”

I spoke to John Dunne the Spectro Oils tech expert and he cleared up lots of issues.

I will list all of the Spectro scientific data, but here’s the drill.

DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5.1 and even DOT 600 are a different compound from the silicone based DOT 5.

Harley and military applications use DOT 5 because of the more flexible silicon based compound, which gives the rider a softer feel and won’t mess with paint.

DOT 3, 4, 5.1 and 6 are made up of a chemical compound that can handle more heat and give the rider a more immediate response. It’s meant for tougher application and most European makes use DOT 4 now. The higher the number the more pure the mixture, but there’s a catch. You can’t leave a DOT 3, 4, 5.1 or 6 open. It will collect moisture, which will cause corrosion and affect the boiling point.

Perhaps mixing DOT 5, Silicone based material with any of the others would be like adding water. That’s not the case. DOT 5 will not mix with the other DOTS.

If the water or DOT5 causes the material to expand, it could lock up your brakes. Don’t co-mingle fluids,” said John Dunne.

I spoke to Rick over at Performance Machine. He mentioned a couple of helpful items. Harley recently switched from the softer DOT 5 to the more performance oriented higher heat tolerant DOT 4. “DOT 4 won’t compress,” said Rick. We confirmed the years at the factory with H-D:
These models all use DOT 4: ’06-later VRSC™, ’07-later XL, ’06-later Dyna and Softail, and ’05-later Touring models.

Starting in 2005 with certain touring models, Harley-Davidson began to spec DOT 4 brake fluid by 2007 all models were using DOT 4.–Jenn

Rick also pointed out that DOT 3 and 4 can mix. They are basically the same chemical make-up but DOT 4 is more pure. Mixing will harm the purity but won’t cause major issues.

If you open a master cylinder and don’t know what resides there both DOT 3 and 4 will mix with water, but DOT 5 will not and separate from the water.

Eric mentioned a caliper that locked up with DOT 4 mixed with DOT 5. Rick explained, “The mixture will cause the fluid to coagulate and block the tiny master cylinder return hole which will cause the caliper not to release.

Here are the Spectro Specs:

Designed to surpass all DOT 5 specifications and requirements, Heavy Duty DOT 5 is the ideal brake fluid for all Harley motorcycles specifying a DOT 5 fluid but it’s better, because this fluid beats specs in every way. Check the master cylinder caps and note the models and years above.

It meets full OEM requirements, and should be used according to manufacturers’ instructions. Do not use when a DOT 5.1 or DOT 4 fluid is specified! Non-hygroscopic, it will not absorb water; it will not harm painted surfaces, and it is formulated specifically for Harley and Big Twin applications. Dyed purple. It exceeds all known OEM and Harley-Davidson warranty requirements.

Golden Semi-Synthetic Supreme DOT 4 Brake Fluid Used in all late model Harley models

Designed to meet the most demanding high performance conditions in today’s braking systems. Suitable for ABS systems, this moisture resistant synthetic fluid has a dry boiling point of 271º C (520º F). Golden Supreme DOT 4 surpasses DOT 4 specifications and meets European DOT 5.1 specifications.

This borate ester polyalkyglycoalkylether fluid is formulated to provide the highest possible resistance to fluid boiling and degradation in high performance and racing conditions, Spectro® DOT 4 Racing Brake Fluid “600” is your best defense against “lost” lever pressure caused by progressive heat buildup. Spectro DOT 4 surpasses DOT 4 specifications — with a 312° C. dry boiling point, it solves virtually any fluid boiling problems hard riding can create. Excellent for both on and off-road applications.

Spectro Oils Contact info:
P: 203-775-1291 x108 C: 646-302-3484

A: 993 Federal Rd. Brookfield, CT. 06804

Sources:

Spectro Oils

Biker’s Choice

Bennett’s Performance

Performance Machine

 

Buzz of The Buzzzzz Rag – Classic Motorcycle Magazine records a little of motorcycle history in this book. He became infatuated with the idea of this locomotive of a motorcycle and embarked on a quest to locate it and share it with the world. When a motorcycle is 17 feet long and weighs in at 3280 pounds, what else would you call it. During his search he uncovered the history behind the bike and the man that made it come to life. Wild Bill Gelbke was a colorful, larger than life man who with his knowledge and passion went about designing and building motorcycles that were ahead of their time. Buzz captures some of his exploits and give a glimpse into the man and his dreams. From his time working as an engineer for McDonnell Douglas to him owning his own motorcycle shop, Wild Bill lived a full and exciting life.

Buzz’s stories left me wanting to hear more about Wild Bill. I am sure there is more to tell and as Buzz helps his legacy and Roadog live on I am sure more stories will surface.

A little history, a little motorcycle with, some mayhem, this book covers it and make you smile.

 

 

 

 

•Mo Diaz of Mo’s Image Customs
•Kacey Elkins of Krossover Customs
•Atomic Bob of Atomic Dice Studio Arts
•Jason Maddox of Timebomb Kustoms

All the artists were deserving but in the end, there could only be one winner. Kentucky’s own Kacey Elkins of Krossover Customs took the win with his lovely white, gold and striped helmet.

The other participants in the shootout include Jace of Fast Life Garage, Brittnay of Bombshell Deluxe, Dusty Pine of Krambo’s, Rodney Smith of Southeastern Customs, Spacey Lyons of Spacey Tattoo, Ron Harris of Chop Docs Choppers, Jeff Brown of Right Coast Tattooing, Rod Pond of Infinite Custom Werks, Jason Wharton of Jason Wharton Art, Zach Matthews of ZM Custom Paint, Pinstripe Mickey Ayers of Pinstriping by Mikey, Chris Garrison of CG Marine, Todd Gilbertson of Gilby Street Department and Kathy Braune of Kathy Kool Graphix.

 

“We can’t,” said Larry over our ear radios, “keep this up. We’ve got to stop him otherwise it’s just a matter of time before one or both of us make a mistake. He’ll just keep following until it happens.”

“We need to trap and destroy him,” I answered back.

“Easier said than done but I’ve an idea,” said Larry. “It’ll mean getting him to follow us down a dead-end alley and sacrificing one of the bikes.”

Larry at the same time made a hard right turn down a dead end alley. He continued to ride straight to its end where a brick wall with a closed wooden door blocked us from going any further…amend that to it should have blocked us from going any further. Larry didn’t stop nor did the door stop his Vegas 8-Ball from crashing through it. Had his handlebars an extra coat of paint his bike wouldn’t have made it inside.

“My bike’s too wide, I can’t make through,” I shouted at the same time I skidded to a stop inches from the entrance.

“Leave your pistol on the ground beneath the gas tank and with its cylinder open…hurry he’s right behind you.”

I hated to lose the 44 magnum and the Suzuki M109 but I knew Larry’s plan wouldn’t work if they weren’t sacrificed. If this explosion didn’t stop the shark nothing would.

A long shadow outlined by the nearest streetlight passed by just as I ran through the doorway and into the building. The shadow didn’t go away but circled where I’d been standing seconds before. I looked up. Swimming/floating lazily ten feet above the M109 was the shark.

“You’re trapped;” laughed the shark, “you’ve finally out smarted yourselves. You’ve picked one of the few buildings in Oakley that has one exit. I’m here and you’re there and there’s the exit and there you’ll stay.”

“Get behind the wall,” said Larry at the same time he sighted his Glock 10mm at the bottom of the M109’s gas tank. “If I miss detonating your pistol’s cartridges which should detonate the gas leaking from the gas tank… then…”

“Hey, no…thens;” I interrupted. “you can do this.”

To taunt us the shark had descended to where he was just above the M109. When he was three feet over the bike Larry fired twice. A 10mm round when loaded to its full capacity is moving fast enough to create a hydrostatic shock wave ahead of it passing through fluids…meaning the shock wave that’s being pushed ahead of the bullet will blow a bigger (think of the mile in diameter crater near Flagstaff Arizona created by a piano size meteor) hole going out the other side…meaning the gas tank empted almost instantly.

“Hey, I thought you guys learned your lesson; I’m self-sealing…your bullets can’t hurt me. And your aim needs improving…you missed me…hey, what da…”

At the same time the shark said ‘hey, what da’ he must’ve realized we weren’t aiming for him and tried to swim upwards. At the same time of that same time Larry fired another round hitting and detonating the bullets in my 44 magnum…the gasoline explosion that followed was massive.

Seconds later and with my ears still ringing I said, barely able to hear what I was saying, “The door saved us.”

“Tell that to my eyebrows,” said Larry minus his eyebrows and grinning through a blackened minstrel face. “My eyes will need a minute to adjust to the explosion’s flash. Let’s find out if we were able to stop that thing.”

The damage in the alley was extensive. From where my M109 had been outwards to twenty feet the alley was clear of debris. What had not been blown away was burning. What was left of the shark was wedged between some charred pallets which were wedged between some dumpsters. The force of the explosion, because of the alley’s small closed-in shape, had been directed upwards cutting the shark in half. No amount of self-sealant or all the King’s men were going to put him together again.

“Don’t get too close,” cautioned Larry at the same time he tossed a piece of wood at the shark.

“Good advice,” said the shark’s head minus the rest of its body while snapping the piece of wood in two.

What was left of the shark convulsed, snapped its jaws a few more times then became still. A second later it began to deflate. When done deflating it was two dimensional enough to look like it had been painted on the concrete. It was then something as big as a school bus passed over us.

“It’s, rather the owner’s, here…r…r,” I said in my best ‘Poltergeist’ movie voice. I then grabbed a still disoriented Larry and led him back into the building.

“I should be back to my old self in a few more seconds. We’ve got to somehow stay hidden in this place until Oakley turns back into Middleton. Once dawn comes and Oakley becomes Middleton we’ll double-up on the Vegas 8-Ball and get outta here.”

“What about Hilts and Kate?”

“Something must’ve happened to them…maybe a change of plans?”

“You of so little faith,” said a familiar voice from the shadows behind us.

“Finally the cavalry,” said Larry without turning around.

 
The cavalry, rather Hilts, had arrived minus Kate. I had to believe Kate was in a safer place than trapped inside an old building with just one exit.

“Kate’s safe,” said Hilts as if reading my thoughts. “She’s back at the fountain. The ‘new’ owner’s a master shape-changer and unwilling to reason.”

I had to ask, “She’s safe and why owner not owners?”

“Safer than we are,” continued Hilts. “Whatever’s in her ‘special’ brew of coffee she’s piped into the fountain’s spray the new owner wants no part of it. Kate’s safely enveloped inside the spray until I return. And a yes to owner not owners; there’s only the one owner. You just blew-up his right-hand man…employee of the month maybe but not co-owner.”

Thoughts of Kate standing under the fountain’s spray, a spray laced with her special ancestral brew of protective coffee, brought forth a mixed picture of a trapped but safe soaked to the skin Kate smelling like breakfast café.

“So what’s the plan?”

“Firstly,” answered Hilts turning to me, “I arrived in time to see you blow-up your bike to blow-up the shark; so I’ll need to conjure you a new motorcycle.”

“Something,” I interjected, “that’ll keep up with Larry’s Vegas 8-Ball through the turns.”

“Secondly,” continued Hilts, “I’ll need to conjure you a new pistol. I’ll keep it simple for both of us and just make a copy of Larry’s Glock. You can share the 10mm ammo.”

“Thirdly, there’s always gotta be a thirdly,” added Larry as he handed Hilts his Glock 20 to copy.

“Thirdly;” said Hilts after a sobering pause, “I’ve got to hold off the new owner long enough for you two to get out of town. We can’t wait until dawn. He’s quite powerful.”

I had to ask, “How powerful?”

“He’s powerful enough to break into this building.”

“We’re staying with you;” I said, “together we’ll meet…”

“…the ‘new’ owner,” said Larry completing my sentence and pointing upwards to where the roof was being peeled back.

 
“First and second things first,” said Hilts as he closed his eyes. “The bike I’m conjuring for you is a Dyna Low Rider. It won’t have the M109’s power, but with its shorter wheelbase and good lean angles it should make it easier for you to keep up with Larry’s 8-Ball through the corners.”

Larry and I then watched as Hilts closed his eyes, held Larry’s pistol in both hands and while exhaling slowly pushed his arms out equally slowly. There was a sound behind us.

A black Dyna Low Rider with a new Glock 20 on its seat was now parked behind us beside the Vegas 8-Ball. What amazed me about the conjuring was that I wasn’t amazed. Since visiting the Borderlands I’d come to accept its rule of reality. Characters like Ma and Pa, Elvis, Hilts and Larry, even mythological ones like Charon and Paul E. Femus, were as real here as the people you meet in yours. Their existence contingent upon you (you being the unconditional catalytic observer author Deepak Chopra writes about) choosing to see them unconditionally.

“No excuses for not keeping up;” said Larry admiring the Low Rider, “especially if we trade bikes.”

“I’m ok with the trade but why?” I said as I picked up the newly conjured Glock 10mm.

“A long time ago,” answered Larry with a nostalgic far away look, “so long ago it almost seems like another lifetime, I build a custom chopper called the ‘Wild Child’. For some reason this little Dyna Low Rider reminds me of it. What’s so weird is the two bikes don’t really even look alike. It’s just that I’m getting the same vibes from the Dyna. The ‘Wild Child’ was one of the best bikes I ever built and I…”

“Enough said, the Dyna’s yours…in the meantime, whatever’s breaking through the roof is huge…easily school bus size.

 
“We’re not leaving until we know you’re safe.”

“Hey, don’t count me out;” laughed Hilts, “I may actually be able to destroy it…which I can’t do with you two nearby.”

“Don’t sacrifice yourself for us.”

“Don’t flatter yourself, I’m not about to sacrifice myself for you two; but the collateral damage from what I plan to do to it will put you two at risk…I…”

Hilts was unable to finish his sentence. The roof of the warehouse gave way and the ‘new owner’ swam, amend that to floated down into the building.

The ‘new owner’ had broken through the warehouse roof and now hovered above us.

“I didn’t think,” I said in a surprisingly calm voice, “killer whales grew to that size. He must be 35 feet long?”

“Closer to 40,” countered Larry in an equally calm voice, “would be my guess if I had to estimate.”

“38.5 feet,” said the killer whale, “but who’s counting and you can call me Al.”

“Well Al since we’re all on a first name basis,” I said at the same time I fired my recently acquired 10mm three times into the monster’s belly, “why don’t you just let us go?”

Al winced a bit, probably more for dramatic effect than discomfort, “No first kiss…no foreplay?”

The killer whale, that I was sure was longer than 38.5 feet, quickly descended. His descent was limited by the overhanging shelves above us. One swipe of his tail and they’d no longer be an obstacle.

“Maybe,” said Larry, “we’re looking at fighting this monster the wrong way?”

“Any suggestions right now would be appreciated,” answered Hilts. “I’m the first to admit I often get so close to a problem I overlook the obvious.”

“Obviously,” continued Larry, “we’re not going to hurt this monster attacking him from the outside, so why don’t we attack him from…”

“…the inside,” I said interrupting Larry.

Hilts suddenly brightened in attitude, “Out of the mouths of babes comes the obvious answer, the Achilles Heel. I’ve overlooked the obvious and it was in front of me. You’ll still need to leave before I detonate it.”

“Detonate what,” I had to ask?

“The dynamite I’m going to conjure up inside our very large friend with the very large teeth; but first I need to conjure up dynamite here, than light it, and then conjure it inside its belly, then…”

“Seems too complicated,” said Larry, “what if …?”

“Get going…I’ll worry about the what-ifs.”

Without any further argument Larry was soon aboard the Dyna Low Rider and pointed towards the only door leading out of the warehouse. A few seconds later I was aboard the Vegas 8-Ball and right behind him.

As exposed in the open as we were, Al a.k.a. the huge killer whale did not pursue us.

“Al laughed. “After I have your friend for dinner I’ll chase the two of you down to work up an appetite for dessert.”

With no further prompting Larry and I accelerated out the warehouse door, down the alley and out into the street.

“This road,” said Larry pointing at the pink and yellow color of a rising sun, “leads out of town and is pointed at the rising sun.”

“Before we ride any further I want to hear the dynamite go off. I want to know Hilts was able to conjure up the explosives and detonate them inside that monster.”

Larry seemed reluctant to respond and when he finally did it wasn’t what I wanted to hear.

“I was able to see what Hilts conjure up and it wasn’t dynamite.”

“What did he conjure.”

“Two highway flares,” answered Larry.

 
And then I remembered Hilts telling us, “You of little faith.”… And I pictured two sticks of dynamite instead of two flares. And the explosion that followed made the ground shake.

 

The art of adventure and motorcycling are the two wheels that roll through all roads. The level of freedom and excitement that is felt on a bike is unique, so it’s no surprise that motorcycling has been the subject of many films over the years.

Travel films are no exception – they tap into the consciousness of riders who are curious for more – always asking questions and always wondering ‘where next? Here is a list of must watch motorcycle adventure films, and discover why watching them will get you in the mood for your next big trip….

1. The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)

 
2. On Any Sunday (1971 Documentary)

3. One Week (2008)

 
4. Easy Rider (1969)

 
5. Riding Solo to the Top of the World (2006 Documentary)
In India, journeying from Mumbai to one of the most remote places on earth, the Changthang Plateau. Filming entirely as a one man unit, he captures some incredible moments with the landscape, the people who inhabit it as well as himself and his own experience of this stunning journey.

 
6. On Any Sunday: The Next Chapter (2014 Documentary)

 
7. Long Way Round (2004 Mini-Series)
This documentary series follows actors Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman on a motorcycle trip around the world… (315 mins.) Between April and July 2004, Charlie Boorman and Ewan McGregor travelled from London to New York ‘the long way round’ – taking two BMW R1150GS bikes with them and transversing some of the most difficult terrain the world had to throw at them.

8. TT3D: Closer to the Edge (2011 Documentary)
By vividly recounting the TT’s legendary rivalries and the Isle of Man’s unique road racing history… (104 mins.) If you’ve never been to the Isle of Man in May to watch the annual Tourist Trophy, this film is almost the next best thing to being there.

9. 12 O’Clock Boys (2013 Documentary)

 
10. The World’s Fastest Indian (2005)
The story of New Zealander Burt Munro, who spent years rebuilding a 1920 Indian motorcycle, which helped him set the land speed world record at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats in 1967. (127 mins.)

 

11. Why We Ride (2013 Documentary)
The passion of the riders and the soul of their machines. (89 mins.) Through exquisite vintage and slow-motion footage from places such as Bonneville, Daytona, motocross tracks, and campsites in the California desert, the audience is taken on a stunning visual journey into our two-wheel world, with dozens of riders, some famous, some not, speaking poignantly about what motorcycling means to them.

12. The Wild Angels (1966)
The “Angles”, a San Pedro motorcycle gang, parties in the Coachella Valley’s Palm Springs Indian Canyons, California, and wreaks havoc with the local police. (93 mins.)

13. Dust to Glory (2005 Documentary)
A documentary on the Baja 1000, an annual off-road race held in Baja, Mexico that attracts hundreds of racers, their souped-up machines, and thousands of fans. (97 mins.)

14. Dust to Glory (2005 Documentary)
A documentary on the Baja 1000, an annual off-road race held in Baja, Mexico that attracts hundreds of racers, their souped-up machines, and thousands of fans. (97 mins.) This follows the Baja 1000 race and all of the competitors through 650 miles of the Mexican desert. There was a huge film crew, several helicopters involved in making this film and the result is pretty spectacular. Not only do the competitors have some fearsome terrain and weather conditions to ride through but they also have to watch out for the spectators that take some pleasure in laying traps for them.

 

15. Stone (1974)
Members of the Grave Diggers Motorcycle Club are being knocked off one by one, and someone needs to find out why! Sandy Harbutt’s timeless Australian cult film about a bunch of renegades riding Kawasaki 900s. (103 mins.) an interesting snap shot of motorcycle culture outside the U.S

16. Hells Angels on Wheels (1967)
At first gas station attendant Poet is happy when the Hells Angels gang finally accepts him. But he’s shocked when he learns just how brutal they are. (95 mins.) Ralph ‘Sonny’ Barger, President of the Hells Angels, is credited in the titles as being a consultant to the filmmakers and he plays a non-speaking part early on in the film.

17. Choppertown: The Sinners (2005 Documentary)
Custom chopper builder and punk rocker Kutty Noteboom builds his working man’s chopper from the ground… (93 mins.) An interesting take on Southern California motorcycle culture and life. This award-winning documentary takes a refreshing look at what it takes to build a custom motorcycle with a group of friends. It’s not your OC Chopper story but an honest look at why Rico Fodfrey and his So Cal Sinners crew build their bikes. How they do it and why they do it. How they search for parts and re-use parts in clever and innovative ways.

18. Electra Glide in Blue (1973)

 
19. The Wild One (1953)
Two rival motorcycle gangs terrorize a small town after one of their leaders is thrown in jail. (79 mins.)

 

20. Road to Paloma (2014)
Wolf, a Native American on the run after avenging his mother’s murder, flees across the desolate American West on his motorcycle, where he’ll discover that justice has a cost. (91 mins.) This is very emotionally moving story and showcases the cruelties faced by Native Americans even in 21st century.

21. Hell Ride (2008)
Two rival bikers gangs, the Victors and the Six-Six-Six’s, refuel their decades-old rivalry. (84 mins.)

22. Akira (1988)
A secret military project endangers Neo-Tokyo when it turns a biker gang member into a rampaging psychic psychopath that only two teenagers and a group of psychics can stop. (124 mins.)

23. The Born Losers (1967)
Billy Jack battles outlaw motorcycle gang in a small California beach town. (113 mins.)

24. Every Which Way But Loose (1978)
The San Fernando Valley adventures of trucker turned prize-fighter Philo Beddoe and his pet orangutan Clyde. (114 mins.) The biker gang are the bad guys here.

25. Somewhere Else Tomorrow (2014 Documentary)
A naive dreamer attempts to circumnavigate the world on his motorcycle, surviving only on the money he makes along the way. (107 mins.)

26. Race to Dakar (2006 TV Series)
This documentary follows the entry of motorcyclist and actor Charley Boorman into the 2006 Dakar Rally from Lisbon to Dakar.

27. An Island Legacy Edge Closer (2013 Documentary)
A feature documentary with a charming look-behind-the-scenes at the Isle of Man TT road racers and all else about the Island. Enjoy the history, the entertainment, and the glitz of it all with this documentary feature. (61 mins.)

Orange County Choppers, the most famous maker of extraordinary, one of a kind motorcycles – “choppers” – has just revealed a spectacular Texas Strong bike that will be sold at auction on October 12 in Houston. NYC-based Guernsey’s will be conducting the event with auction proceeds going to support the Peace of Mind Foundation and those whose mental health has been severely impacted by Hurricane Harvey. The 6 pm auction will be held live at Gallery Furniture, 6006 North Fwy. Bidders unable to attend can participate on Liveauctioneers.com or invaluable.com.

Under the guidance of Paul Teutul, Sr., the exploits of OCC became a sensation for nearly a decade, effectively creating the world of reality television. Week after week, the shop produced one outrageous themed creation after another, pushing the boundaries of motorcycle design. This latest gesture reflects the giving nature OCC has always exhibited as their choppers frequently have been used to support worthy charitable causes.

Sporting the “Texas Strong” banner, this long, lean custom chopper features powerful red, white and blue regalia. The 124”, twin cam, six speed bike has a tricked-out rear fender, syringe exhaust, unique gas tank and many other one-off features.

Gallery Furniture – the setting for the event – and the McIngvale family have been pillars of community support during the difficult times following Harvey. Indeed, Gallery opened its doors to provide food and shelter to those in greatest need during the darkest days. Now, one lucky successful bidder will revel in owning as extraordinary a motorcycle as this one, taking comfort in knowing that the event’s proceeds will be going towards continuing support of those who need the help most.

Years ago, Guernsey’s worked with OCC to support the Fallen Heroes Fund, and is delighted to be assisting Orange County Choppers, Gallery Furniture and the Peace of Mind Foundation in this much needed effort. The Rosen Group will be assisting on this compelling project by helping to spread the word to a global audience. Bidders needing additional information should contact the auction house at 212-794-2280.

FB – https://www.facebook.com/orangecountychoppers/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/orangecountychoppers
Twitter – https://twitter.com/OCChoppers

Like some hulking artifacts from a lost civilization, you’re passing through canyons of steel shipping containers and rivers of railway tracks as you thread your way through an area of Los Angeles adjacent to Long Beach known as the Wilmington District. You could say buried under those artifacts is another “civilization,” one that was based on acceleration and terminal velocity. Sadly it has been long since paved over with… “Progress.”

Once upon a time, specifically from October 1955-December1972, the ground shook not necessarily from the freight trains rumbling to and fro, but from hi-octane fed cars burning up the quarter mile on a famous all-American raceway called Lions Drag Strip that had been built on an abandoned train marshalling yard. While indeed it often sounded like a pride of lions was on the loose, the track was so named because of its sponsors, the equally famous Lions Clubs International who had collaborated with an L.A. judge in seeking a safe place for kids to vent their need for speed. Following the mantra, build it and they will come, some 10,000 young hotrod fans showed up for the first day of racing with some 300 cars taking up the challenge.

Fortunately for all, Lions was expertly managed by the one and only Mickey Thompson, a name synonymous with motorsport. He also brought hi-energy showmanship, and in 1957 added night time lights to the raceway, something not seen before, therefore further increasing attendance. And it was all certified by the American Hot Rod Association (AHRA), in the process quickly earning the rep as one of the country’s top venues.

A typical race weekend would see 250 pro racers battling for cash winnings on Saturday night, the following Sunday sun rising on another 400+ street stockers vying for amateur class trophies and bragging rights. Then on Wednesday nights, you showed up for the “grudge matches” where previously made challenges would be settled legally on the strip rather than the street. Lions welcomed all kinds of cars.. hotrods, Pro Stock, Top Fuelers, even jet cars and later the new “Funny Cars” as well motorcycles and all strictly checked for safety and race class requirements.

If you glued like millions of Americans to the TV back on May 27, 1965 watching The Munsters TV series you would have had a close look at Lions during the segment called “Hot Rod Herman” where Herman gets behind the wheel of his unusual “Drag-u-la” dragster. You probably can still rewatch that episode thanks to the vintage TV channels. Another manifestation of Lions was the appearance of the renowned TV announcer Larry “The Mouth” Huffman who called the motorsports media shots during the late ‘60s/early ‘70s.

Like any open area in a major city, especially one like L.A., land was at a premium and its value per sq. ft. shot past gold, plus as the population encroached, the Lions dragsters became an endangered species supposedly as a result of “noise complaints” from the local authorities aka non-gearheads so they put the squeeze on the track operators, eventually leading to its closure but not before some final good-bye races on December 2, 1972 after which fans took part in a free for all as in “take a souvenir piece Lions home with you” basically dismantling the place and scooping up all the banners, signs, lane markers, you name it. Then the track was basically ploughed over thanks to the Los Angeles Harbor Department who wanted the space to store the hundreds of thousands of storage containers that shipped in and out of the busy port.

But more recently, there’s been a revival of sorts. Rick Lorenzen, owner of the Price Transfer shipping container processing company, happens to be avid racer and a major fan of the history of Lions, so has put together an awesome collection of cars currently being turned into a Lions themed showcase/quasi museum. Toward that goal he recently put together a review of his collection at his company’s location near the original site of the raceway. He sent out invites to the event and once again they gathered from all over to make it one of the greatest showcasings of vintage dragsters and certainly one of the loudest. You left not only with a ringing in your ears but a new appreciation for the ‘50s-‘60s era of dragracing…and why many agree that it was indeed the Best of Times.

A Motto to Live By – “Drive the Highways, Race at Lions”

At one point to meet the stringent “weight to cubic inch” requirements of his B Class race category, Don bolted in a 250 lb. bus battery into the rear of his car. Don laughs and remembers, “The motor did double duty, both as the required extra weight and I also never ran out of juice to start the car thanks to that big lump of amperage.” Don would go to earn a pile of trophies as well build high performance race engines for top NASCAR stars and boat racers as well.

 
Are We Having Fun Yet?

 
Smokin’ the Tires
Don’s Gasser gets a grip at Lion thanks his favorite tires, Goodyear T.A. radials. A school buddy offered to hand letter Don’s name on the car and the car soon gained its own level of popularity.

 
All Thrills/No Frills
Don prided himself on building a truly clean machine without any unnecessary bling, leaving the gold to his trophies. He would go onto establish a B/Gas record of 121.80 mph.

 

Engine in the Lap Inflight at Lions circa 1963
Sharing the track with Don and the other street machines were exotic “rails” aka “slingshotters” aka “diggers” sporting massive front-mounted nitro fed motors with the pilot hanging off behind the rear tires. Now and then the 250 mph race motors did grenade sending shrapnel flying. Case in point when in 1970 legendary racer Don Garlits aboard his Swamp Rat suffered serious injuries as did a spectator. The silver lining resulted when Don shifted his race motor behind the driver which quickly became the Top Fuel standard. No one ever claimed drag racing was ever safe, and sadly the statistics at Lions over the year bore that out with at least 18 fatal mishaps.

 
Double the Trouble – Twin Supercharged 350 cubic inch Chevies
The word iconic is used too often but it does apply to Santa Monica, CA based John and Bev Peters’ “show and go” Top Gas Dragster named “Freight Train” for obvious reasons. Between 1960-70 John put together four of them, and in ’67 his last version took honors as the first to clock 200 mph, as well as numerous other major wins. But then in ’71 the NHRA “discontinued” the Top Gas class and most racers converted or recycled their TG’s but not John who kept his “as is.” It turned out to be a good call as Freight Train was called back to the spotlight in 1995 for the NHRA Motorsports Museum, then on to numerous appearances including stage center at this recent Lions museum review.

Have Dual Parachutes…Will Stop…Eventually.
“Freight Train” takes up more than one parking spot…placed just below the event’s announcer stand and the massive speakers almost as loud as the car. Packed into the rear safety bar just behind the driver, the pair of Simpson ‘chutes are needed to slow the forward moment of the 200 mph dragster once it smokes the quarter mile.

 

Tap the Keg?
Spirits of another kind feed “Winged Express,” another famous Memory Lane dragster on display, in this case built by Alvin “Mousie” Marcellus and piloted by his best buddy, the late great Wild Willie Borsch. Competing in the ‘60s and up until 1971, the now restored 1923 Ford T AA/Fuel Altered was powered by a blown Chrysler good enough for 200 mph. dragster. The record breaker was much loved by the fans for Borsch’s wild exploits including launching the car literally three times into the air at Lions, landing and still winning the race. He often drove with one hand on the wheel and also suffered from narcolepsy, literally falling asleep at the wheel, but that didn’t stop him from claiming countless victories. “Winged Express” was displayed among the tables set up for the many guests that showed up for the open house shindig.

 

‘60s Blue Bombshell – The “Swindler”

 

Open Wide
A Mustang body wearing Funny Car named “Dark Horse” also wears the famous Sone Woods &Cook logo.

 

Interview in Progress
Rick Lorenzen, Price Transfer’s honcho and the person who created the homage to the Lions Drag Strip takes a Q&A from journalists.

 

Rick’s Rides
One shiny, one muted, a pair of Price Transfer dragsters owned and run by Rick Lorenzen shares the checkboard corner of one of several display areas. The 1940 Willys is powered by a Mike Kuhl built1200 HP 392 cu. in. Chrysler Hemi. Note the “Christmas Light” dragstrip timing tree in the background.

 
Moon Eyes Match Up
You could say all eyes are drawn to the Dean Moons A/D dragster and its bodacious hauler. The circa 1961 racer runs a Chevy mill with trick crank-driven supercharger while its hauler is based on an early ‘70s Chevy ramp truck. The racer has even traveled to England because of its popularity, and also won Middle Eliminator at the Winter Nationals, and took its class win at Indy. The original car was retired first to Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Florida, then a replica also built for the NHRA museum.

 

Seeing Red
C&C Speed and Custom C Gasser’ 30s Chevy sports a pair of “nuclear powerplant” velocity stacks.

 

“Sidewinder” – Thinking Way Out of the Box
Joe Malliard’s Chrysler powered dragster got its name thanks to Joe mounting the motor at a 90-degree angle from standard. Initially many thought the radical deviation would revolutionize quarter-mile competitions thanks to the increase in torque/traction. You no longer even needed a drive shaft so a smaller, lighter, faster car in the bargain, and no big blower blocking your vision. Unfortunately a side effect was easily broken axles and controllability problems…as it the cars handled squirrelly. While many gave up on the “sidewinder” idea others persevered and came up with a wild array of racers, cars and motorcycles as well.

 

Rooms within Rooms
You are blown away about how expansive the Price Transport/Lions Drag Strip display area really is…including its own movie theater, arcade, diner and “parking lot” filled with a dazzling display of classics all in mint showroom condition.

Time Machine Dream Cars
On display a 1962 Chrysler 300H, a ‘20s Model T and a ’57 Cadillac Biarritz Convertible, all reflecting a grander time in American automobile history.

Never Enough Willys
You can tell by the large selection of various Willys models that Rick Lorenzen is a major fan, including this meticulously restored 1940 green woody station wagon. The Price facility has its own in-house full-scale restoration shop.

“Truer than Blue 41”

 

Pretty in Periwinkle
Sitting nose to nose with the True Blue truckster is a car of a very different color so to speak. Another of Rick’s Willys customs, its body and chassis fabbed by Outlaw Performance, gets its kicks thanks to a monster 540 cu. in. Chevy big block.

Stars and Stripes Forever
Look closely and you can read the names of U.S. service personnel incorporated in the paint scheme of this Jeepster displayed at the event, in this case by the Honoring Our Fallen organization that provides lifetime family support to the nation’s fallen military and first responders.

The Longer and the Short of It

 

The In-N-Out of It
It was a matter of all you could eat…you just had to stand in a line that seemed to stretch to Indy but well worth it.

 

Tognotti Pipe Organ

 

Leading the Way – The First Lady of Drag Racing

The Final Stretch of Slingshot Racers

To the Stars ‘Magicar”

 

Thanks for the Push
A classy ‘50s Cadillac gives a sleek vintage dragster a starting push to the line-up for the “cacklefest” wherein the mass of Top Fuelers lit up their monster engines producing a 10.5 on the Richter dragster scale. Drivers wore protective gear and breathing masks to prevent damage from the nitro-methane fuel. Us standers-by could hold our breath and stuff our fingers into our ears…yessir, it was a hoot and a half…and much enjoyed by the crowd.

 
Repro’d to Perfection

 

Why Recycling is a Good Thing…but not enough alcohol content to feed the Top Fuelers

 

Just Add Wings
Built in some 25 variations by the famous Afron brothers, the Green Monster measured 20 feet long on six wheels and propelled by an Allison V-12 aircraft engine. Allison also made history via the iconic P-51 Mustang fighter. The Monster topped out at 270 mph and that on street tires. The “tiger’s jaw” graphics, actually painted on the car by Afrons’ mother, were inspired by the famous WWII Curtis P-40 Flying Tiger fighters flown by American volunteers in the early days of the Second World War in China.

One Green Monster hit 564 mph, and thrice held the land speed record during 1964 and 1965, eventually succumbing to Craig Breedlove’s 600.601 MPH Spirit of America—Sonic I.

Ridinng A Jet Pack

Seen here is Green Monster #5, built by the Afrons in 1955, now owned, restored and driven by Jon. When first built, it ran a 770 cubic inch Ranger aircraft engine mounted upside down and backwards, but it was not monster motor enough, thus the eventual upscaling to the V-12 1720 cu. in. Allison.

Reath Automotive Funny Car