The two builders and their teams met in Two Harbors Minnesota on Tuesday (6/13/2006) in preparation for the ride that started at the Split Rock Lighthouse just north of the rock, on Wednesday morning at sunup. The lighthouse is approximately 100 miles south of Canada on Lake Superior and very scenic. Oh YEAH! It was Leather and or Thermal weather.
The motorcycles were first viewed by each contestant and the crews at that time. They were beautiful, well built and as different as night and day, as was the builders. Gypsy the small blond female and Kim the tall large male. The motorcycles were reflective of each builder.Engine shot
Gypsy’s bike was a rigid. She designed the frame. Berry Wardlaw, of Accurate Engineering, built the 80- Cubic-Inch Knucklehead Engine with two Rear Heads and Dual Mikuni Carbs. The fire engine bobber hosted a myriad of hand made parts.
Kim had a drop seat frame built by MAXIMUM METALWORKS for a 330mm tire, with a prototype swingarm and a new S&S 120-Cubic-Inch engine.With Discovery film crew in hand, they rolled from the lighthouse to La Crosse Wisconsin. While in La Crosse we all visited the S&S facility for a tour. It was very interesting and entertaining to say the least.
The next morning the motorcycles and crew went for a ride on the La Cross Queen Paddle boat down the Mississippi. They then headed for Dubuque Iowa. Kim had some electrical problems on the way. He’s extremely experienced builder and repaired his bike quickly, on the side of the road, allowing him to finish the ride.
They play pool on the paddle boat?
We stopped at Midwest Cycles to see Glen and his crew and have a few cold beers before heading to the hotel.
Saturday morning we headed for the final show event. The Build-off Bikes would take center stage for voting. It’s named the Sturgis Mississippi River Motorcycle Rally. It was a County Fair type of thing, with motorcycles. The two contestants were displayed promenantly, and the builders were present to talk to the folks attending and voting on what motorcycle they liked best.
When it was all over Gypsy Won!
Gypsy with her main team members, Berry Wardlaw, of Accurate Engineering, and his helper, Bill.
Another major Gypsy team player, Larry Curik of Lone Stare Choppers. He made the pipes, intake manifolds and more.
”I know these guys (other custom builders) don’t want to get beat by a girl,” Gypsy said, “but it’s time for them to realize, it’s not a boys’ world out there anymore. It might be a boy’s club – but not their world.”
The Build Off is scheduled to air the end of August or early part of September. It will be interesting to see what happens next. Will Gypsy be invited back? Will she compete against another male or a woman?
I had a terrific time as part of this whole thing and was able to meet a lot of people and make some new friends.
I would also like to say that I was very impressed with the producer Craig Constantine, the camera man Dillon O’Brien, and the rest of their staff. I just know it will be a great show. I guess I will have to watch it and see. I hope you do too!
–ROGUE
GYPSY’S BIKE “Bitch Slap” SPECS
Frame Built by Bill Dodge. Designed by Gypsy
80 Knucklehead engine with two rear heads built by Berry Wardlaw – Accurate Engineering
Stainless Intakes and Exhaust built by Larry Curick
Paint by Robert Pradke
Parts include
Cory Ness Wheels
Avon 120/70 Tires
Baker 5 Speed Transmission
HSR-42 Mikuni Carbs
Primo Belt Drive
K&H Handlebars
Antique Items
1930 Taillight
1918 Brooks Seat
1928 Moto-Guzzi Front Forks
1950 Unity Headlight With H-4 Bulb
1925 Pyrene Fire Extinguisher Converted To Oil Tank
Everything Else Hand Made
There are reports on the Gypsy/Kim Suter Ride on INNER CIRCLE BIKER RADIO this Saturday.There will also be reports from the party in Dothan, Interviews and the New Song about GYPSYPLEASE LISTEN TO IT at <http://www.big7productions.com/>http://www.big7productions.com/
There’s Hugh King, Chopper King, producer of the Build-Offs for Original Productions. Yep, he is the king.
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