East Coast - West Coast Connections at Motorcycle Event News

For the last several years, I have enjoyed writing about major motorcycle events and rallies all over the world and I've made some great friends. Two of my favorite industry friends live on opposite coasts in the USA and they have agreed to become contributors. ~ May 31, 2011 ~ MJ Reynolds, editor and owner of MJR Media.

Jeff Darwell - the good looking guy on the right, pictured with the Ice Cream Man From Hell, Jimmy Trotta - is the owner/editor of Bars4Bikers.com.

His website is based in Orlando, Florida but it features biker bars and biker-friendly places all over the world.

Jeff will be featuring one of his favorite bars from somewhere in the world on a weekly basis right here on the "Motorcycle Event News" bike week news blog.

Bars4Bikers... where IT IS about the destination.

WEST COAST & Beyond - Lisa Ballard, the west coast editor of Cycle Source Magazine and Cycle Source Blog is also the marketing director for Limpnickie Lot builders. So get ready for news from the west coast and beyond from a true insider! This photo of Lisa (BTW) was take of her with the Source guys at Daytona Bike Week.

Her husband is Duane Ballard - DBCustomLeather.com  and she is friends with some of the coolest young-to-old builders on the planet. We share a special interest in biker art, so also look for her posts on Motorcycle Art Shows. More about Lisa at her blog: TheShinySide.

The Aermacchi/Harley-Davidson Club

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The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to announce that the Aermacchi/Harley-Davidson Club has been selected as the Classic Club for 2011 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, July 22-24, at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

“Motorcycling history is rich with distinctive relationships that produced some of the most interesting examples of motorcycle technology,” said Jack Penton, AMA director of operations and Motorcycle Hall of Famer. “The Aermacchi/Harley-Davidson line of 1961-1978 certainly fits that description, and we’re pleased to provide attendees of AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days an opportunity to appreciate these special motorcycles.” ... Read more

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24th Rolling Thunder First Amendment Ride Through Washington

This was the scene of Rolling Thunder XXIV, May 29th 2011!
Rolling Thunder began in 1987 as a demonstration to bring awareness to the plight of prisoners of war (POW) and to those missing in action (MIA). Rolling Thunder originated when four Vietnam Veterans, exercising the First Amendment "Right to Petition and Assemble," organized the first group of 2,500 motorcycles to ride through the streets of Washington, DC. This first Rolling Thunder run was made in an attempt to petition the government to take responsibility for the soldiers that were abandoned after the Vietnam War ended.

Thanks To The Brave!! And Thanks to Southern Bike Night TV for posting their season finale - Rolling Thunder XXIII interview in 2010 with Artie Muller, national executive director and one of the founders of Rolling Thunder First Amendment Demonstration. 

There was an official count of 500,000 motorcycles in the demonstration and in the parking lot, with an estimated crowd total of 900,000 for the 2009 Ride Through Washington and that number was expected to top one million by 2010 or 2011. 

Rolling Thunder 2011 - Former vice presidential candidate, Sarah Palin announced last week that she would be kicking off a new "One Nation" bus tour over Memorial Day weekend 2011 in Washington DC. 

There was speculation that she might join the Rolling Thunder First Amendment Ride Through Washington, and she did.The 24th Rolling Thunder Run was Sunday, May 29th and Ms. Palin was among riders close to the front, riding on the back of a black Harley-Davidson. She apparently did not make prior arrangements with organizers of the massive ride, creating a lot of confusion and delaying the ride, when she came to the front of the Pentagon's north parking lot, where event staff and press were assembled. 

“I’m very not appreciative of the way she came in here,” Ted Shpak, Rolling Thunder’s national legislative director, said in a press interview. “If she wanted to come on the ride, she should have come in the back.”

Rolling Thunder has evolved to be not only a demonstration for the POW/MIA issue but also a demonstration of patriotism and respect for soldiers and veterans from all wars. With the approaching 10th anniversary of 9/11 there is even more emphasis on the broader cause of honoring patriotic heroes.

Related Rolling Thunder video post  

This year, about 80 riders including U.S. Rep. Allen West, NBC4's Jim Vance, and 105.9 The Edges' Mike O'Meara participated in a ride on Friday to RFK Stadium, two miles east of DC to kick off a new 4-day event, Stars, Stripes & Spokes  that also featured military equipment and vehicle displays, camping, concerts and vendors.

 A Stars, Stripes & Spokes custom bike was built by Sterling, Virginia Hardcore Choppers and is being raffled off to benefit veteran programs at Walter Reed Hospital.

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Photos courtesy of friends at the 2011 Rolling Thunder and Stars, Stripes & Spokes.




Posted by MJ Lloyd Reynolds/MJR Media marketing services for the motorcycle industry - mjr.media@earthlink.net

Born Free 3

If you happen to come out to Born Free stop by the Alluminati booth and see these two.

Bandit's BikerNet Celebrates 15 Years

Keith Ball owns a company called 5Ball Inc. based in Wilmington, CA and for the last 15 years he has been producing Bandit's Bikernet at Bikernet.com -- a free digital news website with a subscription based "Cantina" zone.

I have not met Keith face-to-face, but over the years, I feel like we have become online friends. He was the first website editor to extend a "welcome" and offer encouragement when I popped up on his radar as a new bike website editor... He is in California and I am in Florida. He doesn't miss anything!

Since then, I have heard countless stories about his kind encouragement of fellow-authors and web editors. If he can directly help a media friend in any way, he will immediately! He is a beautiful man, inside and out!

Where the ride begins and the
Adventure never ends

Bandit is writing the 15-year epic history of Bikernet... and he says, "Good god what a daughting task. I had to figure out when we built the Blue Flame, when I hit the deer, and when we moved into our existing 1923 building. It's nuts, but for new readers; it will spell out the big steps we took to get to this point."


I read a lot of motorcycle news, but I really enjoy the Thursday news by  Bandit, Scott Jacobs, Bob T., Gypsy Raoul, Mark Blackwell, Norm, Don Smith, Billy McCahill, Tim Porter, River Rat, Uncle Monkey, Mike Pullin, Ron, Vickie Kelly, Dennis Johnson, Rogue, Cigar Marc, Sin Wu, and the whole gang at Bikernet.com. - Thanks Bandit "Ride Forever!"

Posted by MJ Lloyd Reynolds/MJR Media marketing services for the motorcycle industry - mjr.media@earthlink.net

Earing Mike's South Bay Chopper, or Ask and You Shall Receive?

I said I'd like to see more of the bike, so I get a call from Joe Hurst saying, "you asked for it".


Mike still has his bike and as you can see, not only is it almost unchanged, but it also looks fresh as ever. The beautiful forks deserve a double take as they are narrowed and extended Harley (by Mike), with Dick Allen rockers.


While not having all of the exact same styling cues, the look and stance is definitely South Bay. The Sportster headlight, Hunt magneto, 12 spoke mags, and D.A. rockers do add to the recipe. Go back and look at Joe's White Bear, Foots bike, or Bruce's Funny bike, and you'll see it was all in the family of friends.


Compare this shot with the one in the last post and it drives home how, other than the paint and the plug wires, nothing has changed!


While repainted, the tank retains the Ride to Live and Wings theme. The frame is fantastic. Note the seat area. It's been stretched, raked, and molded with metal before chroming. The sissy bar doesn't have the normal South Bay Swoop, but instead has an almost invisible fender following support bar. The oil tank reminded me of the Funny Bike's tank and it's no coincidence since it was made by Bruce's mentor, Steve Davis.

My thanks go out to Mike and Joe for sharing this cool ride.

Triumph wheels for sale

SOLD 1 triumph WM-19 FRONT RIM WITH TIRE. GREAT SHAPE SOME SURFACE RUST.

1 TRIUMPH WM-17 WITHOUT TIRE.

CONTACT ME FOR PRICE.

Alluminati Tees

Check out the Gas Huffer store over on the right hand side.

FLOATING OVER KÖHLBRANDBRÜCKE, HAMBURG

FLOATING OVER KÖHLBRANDBRÜCKE, HAMBURG from MOTORBIKE EUROPE on Vimeo.

Ride with the thousands of other motorbikers over Köhlbrandbrücke in Hamburg, Germany, in the sunshine.

WATCH MORE VIDEOS HERE, ON MOTORBIKEEUROPE.COM >>

HOOK UP TO THE MOTORBIKE EUROPE BLOG HERE >>

Vintage Motorcycle Helmets

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Remember the era when many Motorcycle Helmets were nearly the size of space helmets?

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More Parrish Arts

Another tank by Bruce Parrish. While compared to others he'd done, it's somewhat simple, it's one of his favorites.


It was done for Earing Mike. I'd like to see more shots of this bike. Check the belt guard and iron cross shift knob. Got to love them cargo jeans with patches.

1970 Harley NOK (New Old Kustom)

I saw this bike when it was originally for sale (just before Big Scott bought it), at the Long Beach Swap. It especially caught my eye because I own a restored '70. It was on a trailer as found, covered with the dust and patina of time and for the most part, looked little used. It was very puzzling until I checked the speedometer.


That's one wild dresser! It's amazing how chrome and paint can transform a stock configured bike.

I talked to the seller about it. He told me about it's history and how it was built for a show (something like Autorama, or World of Wheels? my memory), in San Diego in late 69? For such a nice relic, it was being offered at a bargain price. Later I saw a photo of it on a blog somewhere.


Scott cleaned it up and changed the seat. It had a funky but similar brown seat when unearthed.

Then Big Scott of Cycle Zombies emailed me.

Howdy Chris,
After seeing Stretch's blog (nostalgia on wheels), and seeing the pics of all the dressers, I read your comment that you just posted a bunch. Well I just sold a 1970 FLH custom that was built by the owner of El Cajon Harley, Chuck Holinda. Anyway, he took a brand new bike in late 1969 (first year alternator motor), tore it down completely and chromed it all! Then he molded the tank, frame etc. with raised molded flames! Really cool! By the way only has 3 miles on it! Here is a few pics that you might want to add to your blog. Thanks, Big Scott czombieblog.com

The shocking truth! This explained the bike's unused appearance.


Everything mechanical was given a dip of the bright stuff!

Since my memory was foggy I emailed Scott for the show infomation.

Scott replied, "I don't have a lot of info on the shows it was in. There was one show in '71 where it took 3rd place. Randy Smith and Bob Clark of Street Chopper were both judges but, thats all I know".

Molded flames to raise the judges eyes.

Scott added, "The bike cleaned up amazing, a little bit of chrome flaking off the aluminum heads and covers. Anyway, post what you want"

Later, I ran into Scott at the Long Beach swap and he told me how after flushing the tanks and some proper prep it fired right up and ran like new. It was then traded for a nice original '58. It's current owner has stripped and is storing the bags, changed the seat, put apes on it, and now rides the hell out it!

Photos: Big Scott. Re-imaged/Photoshoped: CK.

Ask The Phelper - Jason Jessee Part 2

Rolling Thunder XXIV POW-MIA Ride Through Washington

"Run For the Wall" riders from as far away as California and Texas will again join fellow riders on Sunday, May 29th for the Rolling Thunder XXIV Ride Through Washington.. an event that draws more than 300,000 to the streets of DC.

Rolling Thunder -- the largest annual event in Washington D.C.  -- is a First Amendment demonstration run that takes place during Memorial Day weekend for POW/MIA awareness. Here are some of the activities planned for the weekend.

Friday, May 27th - 9pm Candlelight Vigil at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Saturday, May 28th - 9am Thunder Alley opens at 22nd St & Constitution Ave
11 am - US Navy Memorial Wreath Laying, Navy Plaza, 701 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
11 am - 3 pm - Saluting our Troops...speakers/musical tributes located on state between Reflecting Pool and Lincoln Memorial.
Sunday, May 29th - 7 am - Reveille - bikers rally in North Pentagon Parking lot.
12 noon - Rolling Thunder XXIV starts...bikers depart the North Pentagon parking lot.
1:30 pm - Rolling Thunder Speaker Program - speakers  on stage between Reflecting Pool and Lincoln Memorial.

Memorial Day, May 30 - 3 pm drawing for Rolling Thunder XXIV Raffle Bike 2011
at Thunder Alley, 22nd & Constitution Ave. NW. Tickets 3@ $10 available all weekend at Thunder Alley - Winner will be called by phone immediately after the drawing.


This year, there is also a free 4-day event, "Stars, Stripes & Spokes" at RFK stadium, two miles east of the Capitol.

"We ride for those who can't" is the motto of the organization, Run For The Wall.

Click the flyer below to learn more about the RFTW mission to bring veterans on a cross-country journey to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall & Rolling Thunder Ride. 

RUN FOR THE WALL
By: Jennifer Jensen Walker
 
Thunder in the streets,
Tears in the eye,
As our love and honor
...Go to the ones that die.
We remember them,
We always hold them dear,
As they serve their country
Through their blood and fear.
Some families still wonder
Where their brothers may be hid,
But all we can do is honor them
For the service that they did.
So raise the flag up high!
Keep it ever from the dirt!
Help the soldiers in your life to see
We never want them hurt!
POW ... MIA ...
We pray that hearts will mend!
We cry for you, we ride for you,
Our vigil will not end!
Run for the wall!

Ask The Phelper - Jason Jessee - Part 1

Oscar by Alpinestars by Adam Wright

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Josh Alverson

Dimitri Coste

Jeff Decker

Roger De Coster

Cole Foster

Len Higa

Mitsuhiro Kiyonaga

Drake McElroy

Photographed and selected by Adam Wright

Paying homage to roots in early motocross and motorcycle culture, Oscar by Alpinestars exists as a classic, rugged collection punctuated by modern materials, processes and features.
Drawing inspiration from the nearly 50 year old heritage of the Alpinestars brand and fusing it with the technology of today, Oscar is the embodiment of traditional motorcycle styl e from a contemporary perspectiive.

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