WHERE THE HELL IS MURPH - MAY 2012 PART II — Bikernet Blog

The FH-DCE (Federation Harley Davidson Clubs Europe) goes back to the 1960’s when the H-D Clubs from the Netherlands Germany and Belgium met at Harley-Davidson Rallys.

One of the most popular was the Pinkster Rally in Holland, the first one was in 1964.

After the 1973 Pinkster, the name was changed to the Super Rally and the first one was held at Kastelree in Belgium.

Today, the Super Rally is held in a different country every year, next year, 2013, the Super Rally will be held in Poland.

In 2011 it was held in Lithuania, in 2010 it was in Greece, 2009 was Finland, 2008 was Denmark, 2007 was here in the Netherlands, 2006 was Norway, 2005 was Italy, 2004 was Sweden, 2003 was the Czech Republic, 2002 was Belgium, 2001 was Greece again, 2000 was Finland.

That, for me, is what makes the rally interesting, you get to ride to another country and spend a little time there with all the other H-D clubs from all over the place.

My last H-D was back in 2000 or so, I had a ’76 Shovel, choppered it out then sold it a few years later when choppers started to come off assembly lines.

The Euro chopper scene is a little reminiscent of the ’70’s and 80’s chopper scene back in the day when choppers were still cool and not an accessory like watch or a ring.

I haven’t seen a chopper this long since Pat Kennedy built his goose-necked long bike somewhere in the ’80’s or ’90’s.This one may be longer.

I know of a Yellow one that used to be at the Rats Hole in Daytona that was probably longer, had a big ‘ole yellow girder front end half a block long on it.

I would not recommend touching this bike…

….or any of the other 700 or so bikes that were there belonging to the Bandidos.

Police escorted in on Sunday afternoon, the Bandidos rolled in two abreast in a nearly one mile long procession down a narrow country road in Ballenstedt toward the entrance to the Super Rally, stayed for a few hours, drank some beers, had some food and were police escorted out later on that evening.

Meanwhile, in other parts of the campground….

This was an interesting build, a Hot Wheels bike, not my type of chopper, but well done nonetheless.

Lots of nice little touches on it.

Interestingly enough there were a few families at this event, nice to see. It’s not all bawdy and raucous y’know, although most of it is.

This has possibilities for a “Caption This’ contest……

…as does this babe hittin me with severe Stink Eye.

This little beauty caught my eye through all the dust as everyone was leaving, I only got these two shots of it, and I love this bike. Wish I had of seen it inside the campground. The skinny knobby tires look great with the solids, it just works.

Things that stood out on this bike, notice the headlamp support arms, the nice curve to ’em; really nice touch. And I love how so many of the Euro bike builders use muted colors, it’s hard to identify exactly what this color is, but it looks real good and lets the bike speak for itself.

Don’t ask.

What I want to know is what happens if he decides to change clubs?

The Italian contingent on their way home.

[photo 29386]

Only the Italians can make cleaning up look sexy.

And speaking of sexy…

SO, impressions of the 2012 FH-DCE Super Rally? Fucking awesome. Get yourself to one if you can. If you can’t, then still go anyway.

Next years FH-DCE Super Rally is in Poland, don’t say I didn’t give you plenty of time to save up for the tickets. I will be there, and by then my 2 Wheel Drive sidecar will have some serious miles under it.