A long time self-confessed bike nut, Glenn remembers riding back in the day when dodging dinosaurs rather than Volvos was the biggest on road challenge. Well maybe I am stretching things a bit, but he’s been riding a long time. Glenn told me, “I bought my first bike when I was thirteen and paid for it with money I earned from my three paper rounds. It was a Royal Enfield, cut down to a sort-of mini bike. It had no brakes and a hand shifter on the tank and went like sh*t – I don’t really know how I didn’t kill myself. Unfortunately the cops caught me on the main road and gave my parents an ultimatum to sell the bike or they’d charge me. Well, at thirteen, guess what?” But when biking is in your blood it takes more than a gnarly snarly sergeant to hold you back and it wasn’t long before Glenn was back on two wheels and it’s been that way ever since. Of course once he had the bucks the bikes have been mainly Harley-Davidsons and Glenn has enjoyed a slew of models and generally keeps a couple of bikes in his shed. I first met Glenn when he came on the Heavy Duty Sturgis tour in ’99 and while most people partied themselves until their livers fell out and then used them for pillows, Glenn rode the wheels off the bike he’d hired. Since then he’s been back to the USA many times and become good buddies with some of the leading American bike builders and also with Bandit, former Easyriders editor and now head honcho of Bikernet.com. Being partial to old school bikes, it was only natural that Glenn spent more time with like minded blokes like Indian Larry (and now Paul Cox and Keino), Johnny Chop and others who favoured the in-ya-face mechanicals of the original chopper/bobber culture, rather than over-the-top billet-laden high-end customs. Well both Johnny and Larry have left us to compete in that great biker build-off in the sky and Glenn thought he’d do a sort of tribute bike in the style of these masters, with homage to other legends such as Von Dutch who – until his name became a fashion statement thanks to walnut-brained air-heads like Britney (vomit) Spears – was ‘The Man’ when it came to Californian pin-striping. Glenn also acknowledges Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, the famous artist and cartoonist who created the hot-rod icon Rat Fink and was a key figure in Southern California’s Kustom Kulture/Hot-rod movement of the 1960s. I asked Glen how this bike came about. “Well Doc, it was a great deal and I’d been thinking about getting another Shovel anyway. It’s good to get back to basics and y’know, I don’t intend to part with this bike. There is definitely something about riding old iron. I think it takes me back to my youth or “something like that”. Well I reckon Glenn’s nailed it with this bike, building a cool custom that’s pretty damn true to the era. The bike is loaded with visual cues that spell hardcore in capital letters, from the reach-for-the-sky bars to the rigid-looking rear end this bike is a cool as it gets and is light years away from the merest skerrick of bling and that Frisco-mounted gas tank is a literal and visual highpoint. There are many little custom touches all over this cool ride, things like Johnny Chop’s motto “Stay Gold” Glen worked into the leather hand grips he made and Indian Larry’s “Question Mark” which represented his philosophy of life. Neat touches, all over. I’ll turn the story over to Glenn once again. “It started out a King Sporty tank I got from my mate Rusty out at Bayside Customs and then Little Mick lengthened it about 3-in, cut the tunnel completely out of it, and moved the filler neck as far to the top as he could. The petrol cap I got from master leather man Paul Cox from New York City who worked side by side with Indian Larry for many years. I then put a Pingel fuel tap right at the bottom of the tank to gain access to all the fuel as being on such an angle you’ve got to set it up like this. With this tank I can squeeze in thirteen and a half litres of fuel, which is great. The first tank we did we didn’t go to this extreme and I was lucky if I got half of that useable fuel. Which was a bit of a shame really because Little Mick did some great art work on that tank. Still, what I’ve done with that tank is to get little Mick to sign it along with Keith R. Ball (Bandit) from Bikernet and I will have it mounted to put in my Leather Studio. The rear mudguard and sissy bar are mounted to the swing arm and there is a custom made chain guard along with custom taillight mounts. I had a pair of 7-in dog bone risers with a 2-in offset I was going to use for the Panhead I’m in the process of building, but I thought the offset dog bone style would suit the Shovel better so I got Wild Willy to cut 4-in off the risers and weld a big washer for the base of the riser. Then it was off to the chrome platers and I reckon they ended up perfect. Plus I think the other half of the risers will work on the Pan but we’ll see about that down the track. I discovered a few years back that I have a bit of a talent for hand-tooled leather work and have been doing a few seats for customs so it was natural that I created the one on this bike which readers of a certain hard-core biker publication will recognise. The rear guard is a chopped down one that was originally suitable for a 300 tyre. Wild Willy, the Mad Fabricator, did the honours on that one and I should have mentioned he did the seat base also. All told this project took me nearly three years but to me, no bike is ever really finished. Having said that, I need to add that for the moment I’m really happy with this Shovel as it is doing everything just right and it’s a helluva lot of fun. Besides after about four years I’ve just got all my parts together for my 1963 Panhead custom. I’m really looking forward to finishing the Pan as it is my own personal tribute to Indian Larry and hopefully I will have it finished by Christmas. But this bike is really special to me because I’ve built it with a lot of great artists in mind like Ed Roth, Von Dutch, Indian Larry, David Mann and Johnny Chop because, in a small way, I hope to keep their spirit alive here in Australia. Like all projects there’s a heap of blokes to thank and all were most helpful. Thanks to Ollie from Ollie’s Engineering and Machining 07 32883400, Brett from Brett’s Custom Paint (0416 002425), Little Mick from Koolsville Studio (0407 637697) www.koolsville.com for another great artistic touch, Traditional Chromers (075 4280066) for the shiny stuff and, lastly but not least, Wild Willy the Mad Fabricator who you can’t ring ‘cos he doesn’t have a phone. Powder coating thanks goes to Scott and Ensoll (075 4534955) and thank you Mike from Mike Warner Motor Cycle Specialist (075 4931966) for rebuilding my rims. I’d like to also thank Mike from Mike’s Custom Shop in Noosa (075 4499555) for his advice and help along the way. And a very special thanks to my beautiful wife Kerry who supports me in whatever I am doing.” TRIBUTE SHOVEL GUTS&BOLTS ENGINE Model: Shovel Capacity: 1200cc Builder: Ollie’s Engineering & Machinery Cases: Stock Crank: Trued and balanced Bore: 10 thou over Stroke: Stock Compression ratio: 8.5 to 1 Bearings: HD Conrods: HD Oil pump: Reconditioned original. Oil cooler: Lockhart Oil: Kendall Cam: Andrews (mild) Lifters: Velvet Touch Pushrods: Velvet Touch Barrels: Stock HD Heads: Long reach spark plug conversion Tungsten alloy valve seat conversion. Ports: Ollie did his thing Rockers: Stock Valves/springs/retainers: Black Diamond valves Andrews Valve Springs Ignition: Crane single fire Carburetion: Evo CV Manifold: Stock Fuel: High octane super. Air cleaner: S.U. Exhaust: Custom made ceramic coated duals Mufflers: Original 1990 Sturgis mufflers Power: More than enough for me Maximum revs: No idea Top speed: No idea (no speedo) Other mods: Externally mounted oil filter TRANSMISSION Year: 1972 Type: Ratchet Lid 4-speed Close ratio Andrews gears Gearchange: Original FLH Clutch: Barnett Primary drive: Original chain Rear Drive: Chain. SUSPENSION Front: Sonic Telescopic Triple Trees: FXWG Wide Glide Extension: 4-in over Rear: Rebuilt originals by Rad Shocks in Brisbane WHEELS Front: 19-in. HD re-chromed Tyre: 100 x 90 Bridgestone Spitfire Hub: HD Brake caliper: Banana Caliper (It works well) Brake rotors: Aftermarket Brake lines: Braided. Rear: 16-in HD re-chromed Tyre: 300 x 16 Bridgestone Spitfire Hub: HD Brake: Juice Drum Brake (Also works well) Brake line: Stock FRAME Type: Genuine swingarm Year: 1972 Model: FLH Rake: Stock Mods: None CONTROLS Handlebars: 16-in Apes Grips/levers: Billet grips Custom leather outers Risers: 3-in Paughco offset dog bone risers Master cylinder: HD Switchgear: HD Mirrors: One Headlight: After market Gear change: Stock Footpegs: FLH running boards Rear brake master cylinder: HD Speedo/tacho: Nope Other: Oil pressure gauge and oil warning lightTaillight: L.A. County Choprods GUARDS/TINWORK Tank: Little Mick Oil tank: Paughco Front guard: Cut down stock Rear guard: Wild Willy Seat: G.P.Leather glenn@gpleather.com.au OTHER Paint: Satin black Photos by Doc and Matt Black

This is a story of love, budgets and practicality. Terry Lee, the boss of Envy Cycles and Street Walker Exhaust, has been designing and building custom motorcycles for over three decades. Bikes are still at the core of his soul, but the bills are predominately paid with sale of 80-100 sets of Street Walker exhaust systems a month, with 80 percent of them containing elements of his lightening holes motif. But once in awhile, he builds a shop bike to promote with, or a customer steps up and asks Terry to build him a ground-up.

This story is based in Arizona, one of my favorite places on the planet to ride. It personifies the old west, open spaces and hot nights blasting across the desert; that is, until urban sprawl implants a MacDonald's, Wal-Mart, Target and Home Depot on every corner, all selling Chinese products. A grizzly thought. So let's start in the Desert Emerald Palace on the Colorado River, Laughlin, a couple of years ago.

“I had my big tire gold bike, featured on Bikernet and in Easyriders, on display,” Terry said. “A young man approached and started asking me to build him a bike, but he had a concrete $25,000 budget. That blew it for me. I couldn't build anything close to our gold bike for that.”

It was a blistering day on the Laughlin strip and Terry didn't take Troy seriously. He had lousy casino food, lots of cops, and hot asphalt to contend with.

Scroll forward and Troy, a young rookie cop in Mesa, Arizona, kept coming around, but the budget didn't change. He was on the verge of tying the knot and buying his first home. Ah, but the Envy Cycles Chopper was still a major priority. While waves of heat rippled off the desert floor drawing any man away from all that straight society challenges us with, to ride alone and free, Terry and Troy negotiated a deal. This aspect of the story has an educational, thought-provoking side.

Troy, who never owned a chopper before, had his mind filled with chrome and steel desires. He wanted a wild shovelhead hotrod rigid that was capable of long blistering runs across the country. That recipe was, in many respects, an oxymoron, and he was still handcuffed to his budget.

“I had to convince him that his budget made it necessary to reconsider expensive engine options,” Terry said, “but I was able to install a very reasonably priced 120-inch Ultima engine, with primarily JIMS components.” Terry explained that Ultima 120s are square motors, don't vibrate, run strong and are reliable.

“I also had to point out that long-distance riding on a rigid wasn't exactly the best formula,” Terry said. He saved money with the Canadian frame purchase.

“I took the bite out of the 6-up, 4-out, 40-degree frame with Chopper Shocks under the seat,” Terry continued. “He also wanted a suicide clutch, jockey shift, like a Rat Fink job. I had him ride one of my bikes for an entire day with a hand shift and a Grandeur auto clutch. He fell in love with it. They’re quirky, but work terrifically for jockey shift bikes.”

As a safety device, Terry installed a bright but small neutral light in the headlight bucket so Troy would know when he wasn't in neutral and not to rev the engine.

“They're terrific for racing, instantaneous launch, but out here in the desert, we need to keep the dust out of the pressure plate or the clutch gets sticky,” Terry explained.

The quest for the finest, unique, hand-built chopper for a little over what a stock dresser cost from a dealership continued. A mid-west 6-speed, built overseas, was used to keep the price down. Terry handled all his own sheet metal fabrication, including the rear fender, a slightly larger oil bag (4.25 quarts for long cool runs), frame mods, battery box, and copper oil lines.

“I learned a trick from Billy Lane at Mike Lichter's display, at Thunder Road, in Sturgis. He recommended the short oil line additions to prevent vibration troubles from a rigid on a long run.”

Terry lengthened the Sporty tank to afford more miles on the open road. “He wants to ride it to the Rocky Point, Mexico Run,” Terry said.

Terry fabricated the sissy bar, and since he came from a background of painting custom cars, he handled the paint himself, except for the Von Dutch-styled pin striping by Tony Perez. The frame was powder-coated for durability and price.

“We ducked chrome and used powder for cost savings and durability,” Terry said. He stripped the headlight of chrome, soda-blasted it, copper-plated the ring, and added satin powder to both to protect the finish. He did the same to the battery box, which he built out of steel.

“For awhile,” said Terry, “I had access to a cool water jet house to cut the holes in my products, but they snagged a large contract and my stuff slipped to the back burner. I now drill all the holes in all of our products and pipe heat shields by hand, hit 'em with deburring tool and polish.”

That brings us to his Street Walker pipe business. If you look at the engine close, you'll notice how he stretched the rear pipe and built the air cleaner out of the way, to allow the rear exhaust pipe extra space and yet maintain that massive shotgun style.

“I make every effort to keep the length the same or similar for tuning,” Terry said. He built these pipes with a titanium ceramic coating and a brushed satin heat shield protected by the insul-shield for a slightly different hue.

“We have a popular set that is Titanium flat black ceramic on the pipe with gloss black powder on the heat shield with a layer of insul-coat on the inside of the heat shield to create a 2000 degree heat barrier between the two elements.” He offers his hand-made pipe systems in black, titanium or copper finishes. “I don't even polish the copper. We heat it slightly and it creates a wild patina.”

Here's the latest on the Street Walker Exhaust line:

NEWEST STREETWALKER HITS THE BRICKS

The newest entry in the ever-growing stable of Streetwalker Exhaust Systems, the FMJ (Full Metal-Jack-it) is now available in three different colored ceramic coatings in addition to show chrome.

The FMJ is a two-into-one, with 1 ¾-inch head pipes stepped up to 1 7/8-inch and coming into a merge before transitioning smoothly into a 3-inch collector. The custom exhaust system is constructed entirely of 16 gage DOM tubing. It is designed to fit stock bikes with either Evo or Twin Cam motors. It is available with an O2 bung for bikes equipped with an O2 sensor. Dyna owners, take note: It is transmission-mounted. The FMJ comes with the full sleeve heat shields, and several styles of flanged bolt-on tips will be available.

Designed to have a hot rod look, the FMJs will be available in black ceramic, show chrome or the new titanium ceramic finish shown in the pictures. The full sleeve heat shields require the rider to make a serious choice between show chrome, a brushed satin finish, ceramic black or titanium.

FMJs are also available in a right side drive (RSD) version that will fit a 300 belt or 330-rear chain drive. The RSD model is not intended for cable clutch applications.They are available online at www.streetwalkerexhaust.com or call 602 391 8488 to place your order.

Since they started with the road-worthy hot rod Ultima engine in a natural finish, he carried the silver base throughout the Envy Chopper, ultimately named the Neighborhood Bully. We spoke to JIMS to confirm their involvement in the Ultima engine package:

“Right now just crank pins, sprocket and pinion shafts. We used to do their oil pump, breather gears and pinion gears, but Kenny went overseas for them,” said Paul Platts of JIMS.“We are sensitive to the made-in-America mantra and like to support products built by our brothers and sisters whenever possible.”

There you have it. Troy plans to ride this dazzler to the Phoenix Raid Run to support the Race Against Impaired Drivers in the near future, and he's sure to turn heads, run at the head of the pack with this hot rod and keep jamming right across the country to escape the impending marital shackles. This scoot met the deadline, the budget and the design criteria, plus it looks killer. Hit the road, Troy.

Bikernet.com Extreme Envy Tech Chart

Regular Stuff

Owner: Troy Lepird
Bike Name: The Neighborhood Bully
City/State: Mesa, Arizona

Builder: Envy Cycle Creations
City/state: Peoria, Arizona
Company Info:
Address: 22928 N 85th Ave
Phone: 602 3918488
Web site: www.envycyclecreations.com www.streetwalkerexhaust.com
E-mail: terry@envycyclecreations.com
Fabrication: Envy Cycle
Manufacturing: Envy Cycle
Welding: Envy Cycle
Machining: Envy Cycle

Engine

Year: 2008
Make: Midwest
Model: Ultima
Displacement: 120 inch
Builder or Rebuilder: Midwest
Case finish: Natural
Carburetion: 45mm Mikuni
Air cleaner: Envy Cycle
Exhaust: Streetwalker Exhaust

Transmission

Year: 2008
Make: Midwest 6 speed LSD
Gear configuration:
Primary: Road Max
Clutch: Auto Clutch

Frame

Year: 2008
Make: Maximum Metalworks
Style or Model: Rigid Chopper
Stretch: 6 up 4 out
Rake: 40 degrees
Mods: Lightening holes and stress bar removed

Front End

Make: Paughco
Model: Springer
Length: 8 inches over
Mods: Brushed satin finish

Sheet metal

Tanks: Envy Cycle
Fenders: Envy Cycle
Oil tank: Envy Cycle
Other: Gas tank holds 4 gallons and the oil tank 4 quarts

Paint

Sheet metal: Envy Cycle
Molding: Envy Cycle
Base coat: Envy Cycle
Graphics: Envy cycle
Frame: Affordable Powdercoating
Base coat: Affordable Powdercoating
Type: Graphite Grey Powdercoat
Pinstriping: Tony Perez@ Pinstripping by Tony

Wheels

Front
Make: Streetwalker Glory Ole
Size: 2.15 x 21

Brake calipers: GMA
Brake rotor(s): Streetwalker Glory Ole
Tire: Avon 90/90 21

Rear
Make: Streetwalker Glory Ole
Size: 18 x 5.5
Brake calipers: DNA
Brake rotor: DNA
Tire: Avon 180 x 18

Controls

Foot controls: Streetwalker Foot Fetishes
Finish: Black Powdercoat
Master cylinder: Streetwalker
Shifting: Hand Shift by Envy Cycle

Electrical Envy Cycle

Ignition: Crane Hi-4
Harness: Doug Rich at Envy Cycle
Headlight: 5 1/2″
Taillight: Streetwalker

What’s Left

Seat: Streetwalker Hand Tooled leather
Mirror(s): Battistini
Gas caps: Nash
Handlebars: Envy Cycle
Grips: Battistini
Pegs: Battistini
Oil lines: Copper

Comments: Envy was contracted to build the bike for an Arizona Police Officer. His prime criteria for the build was a tough little rigid frame chopper that had a hot rod look to it. He plans on riding the bike out on the road, and an upcoming run south of the border to Rocky Point, Mexico is penciled in on his calendar. The bike's first run is the R.A.I.D. Ride ( Race Against Impaired Driving) in memory of Autumn Bourget, and sponsored by the Arizona Highway Patrol during Arizona Bike Week in April. Paul Yaffe, Roger Bourget, Jim Nassi and Brian Klock are scheduled to ride in the R.A.I.D Ride so Troy is riding his Neighborhood Bully with some heavy hitters on his maiden voyage.

Bikernet.com Extreme Envy Tech Chart

Regular Stuff

Owner: Troy Lepird
Bike Name: The Neighborhood Bully
City/State: Mesa, Arizona

Builder: Envy Cycle Creations
City/state: Peoria, Arizona
Company Info:
Address: 22928 N 85th Ave
Phone: 602 3918488
Web site: www.envycyclecreations.com www.streetwalkerexhaust.com
E-mail: terry@envycyclecreations.com
Fabrication: Envy Cycle
Manufacturing: Envy Cycle
Welding: Envy Cycle
Machining: Envy Cycle

Engine

Year: 2008
Make: Midwest
Model: Ultima
Displacement: 120 inch
Builder or Rebuilder: Midwest
Case finish: Natural
Carburetion: 45mm Mikuni
Air cleaner: Envy Cycle
Exhaust: Streetwalker Exhaust

Transmission

Year: 2008
Make: Midwest 6 speed LSD
Gear configuration:
Primary: Road Max
Clutch: Auto Clutch

Frame

Year: 2008
Make: Maximum Metalworks
Style or Model: Rigid Chopper
Stretch: 6 up 4 out
Rake: 40 degrees
Mods: Lightening holes and stress bar removed

Front End

Make: Paughco
Model: Springer
Length: 8 inches over
Mods: Brushed satin finish

Sheet metal

Tanks: Envy Cycle
Fenders: Envy Cycle
Oil tank: Envy Cycle
Other: Gas tank holds 4 gallons and the oil tank 4 quarts

Paint

Sheet metal: Envy Cycle
Molding: Envy Cycle
Base coat: Envy Cycle
Graphics: Envy cycle
Frame: Affordable Powdercoating
Base coat: Affordable Powdercoating
Type: Graphite Grey Powdercoat
Pinstriping: Tony Perez@ Pinstripping by Tony

Wheels

Front
Make: Streetwalker Glory Ole
Size: 2.15 x 21

Brake calipers: GMA
Brake rotor(s): Streetwalker Glory Ole
Tire: Avon 90/90 21

Rear
Make: Streetwalker Glory Ole
Size: 18 x 5.5
Brake calipers: DNA
Brake rotor: DNA
Tire: Avon 180 x 18

Controls

Foot controls: Streetwalker Foot Fetishes
Finish: Black Powdercoat
Master cylinder: Streetwalker
Shifting: Hand Shift by Envy Cycle

Electrical Envy Cycle

Ignition: Crane Hi-4
Harness: Doug Rich at Envy Cycle
Headlight: 5 1/2″
Taillight: Streetwalker

What’s Left

Seat: Streetwalker Hand Tooled leather
Mirror(s): Battistini
Gas caps: Nash
Handlebars: Envy Cycle
Grips: Battistini
Pegs: Battistini
Oil lines: Copper

Comments: Envy was contracted to build the bike for an Arizona Police Officer. His prime criteria for the build was a tough little rigid frame chopper that had a hot rod look to it. He plans on riding the bike out on the road, and an upcoming run south of the border to Rocky Point, Mexico is penciled in on his calendar. The bike's first run is the R.A.I.D. Ride ( Race Against Impaired Driving) in memory of Autumn Bourget, and sponsored by the Arizona Highway Patrol during Arizona Bike Week in April. Paul Yaffe, Roger Bourget, Jim Nassi and Brian Klock are scheduled to ride in the R.A.I.D Ride so Troy is riding his Neighborhood Bully with some heavy hitters on his maiden voyage.

 This journey started at Space Coast Harley-Davidson, March 2024, one sunny Saturday morning, where I test rode and bought my 2023 FXST Softail Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

 Years ago, I owned a Sportster and recently have been riding one, but I felt it was time to go to a Bigger bike, so I did.

 While I had been riding the Sportster with a windshield, I realized it was a definite must to have on my Softail and couldn’t ride without one.

 Riding on the east coast, there are times when it’s very windy and I feel the windshield protected me. So, with some research I decided on a detachable wind splitter windshield

It features a contemporary contour that sets it apart from the crowd.

 The great feature that sets it apart from other windshields is the contour at the top which manages airflow and turbulence across the top keeping the wind going up.

 With the help of my boyfriend Rogue, I chose Harley-Davidson #57400327 model. It is the 18-inch Clear Windshield with Polished Braces And Clamps.

 https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/shop/wind-splitter-quick-release-compact-18-in-windshield/p/57400327

We began our mission of installation together. He is not a beginner by far, I haven’t performed any kind of installation to a motorcycle before, but I was ready for the challenge.

 The kit came with all the correct parts and instructions. We provided the necessary tools for this task. Since this is new for me, the instructions seemed very easy to understand.

 I have built furniture pieces from instructions so following step-by-step instructions was not difficult. I believed with Rogue’s guidance and support, I would be able to accomplish this easily.

 

 Our first step was to remove the windshield from packaging, and verify that all the parts were in place.

 

 Once we completed step one, we placed the windshield on a blanket, so as to not accidently scratch it and proceeded to assemble the clamps and hardware stacks, one clamp at a time till all four were finished and in open position. There are more detailed instructions on the instruction sheet that should be followed.

 

 Before I installed the windshield I placed a blanket over my front wheel, just in case something slipped and fell on my polished front fender.

 Next, I carried the windshield to the front of my bike and straddled the front wheel, centering the windshield and closing the clamps on the forks.

 

 Rogue introduced me to a tool called a Torgue Wrench. An interesting and useful tool, it had a bunch of numbers on the handle. You set it for what tightness you want to make sure you don’t over tighten something.

 This tool is recommended by Harley to be used with any install.

 

 Suddenly, project complete I was ready to ride.

 Later that wild windy day I decided go for a ride and get a feel for my new windshield.  

 Later I experienced some Florida tropic rains and only my pant legs and boots got wet. The windshield protected my upper body.

 This experience of installing my windshield has been educational, rewarding and fun. I am a hands on kinda person so being able to install parts to my bike makes me feel better about taking care of my bike. Learning new things will encourage other women to take a chance and give it a try. Thank you, Rogue, for being my mentor through this sunny process.

The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.

It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

~ Abraham Lincoln, at Gettysburg

Ram Tough by JJ Spain
with illustration by Wayfarer

We parked our bikes on the north side of Deadwood Lodge. Omaha, off I29 to I90 was a long hot ride. I stepped on green grass to stretch. A loud snort turned me around.

A Ram Big Horn Sheep with hazel eyes stared me down. He was as tall as my Harley and broad. His horns formed a perfect circle capped with gray, oyster and black ridges. Behind him stood four lady friends, half his size with matching fluffy white fur noses and rumps.

Big boy snorted again, louder and longer as he stomped a hoof on the grass. I sought protection behind my Harley.

“That ornery old goat wants you off his lawn,” Seth said…

(publication dated 25-May-2024)

* * * *

Get cookin fiction with the non-stop contest since May 2023

Check out this year’s entries at
https://www.bikernet.com/pages/Bikernet_100_Word_Fiction_Contest_2024.aspx

Read the 2023 year entries and winners at
https://www.bikernet.com/pages/100_Word_Fiction_Contest.aspx

This week bikers from across the nation descended on Capitol Hill. The 2024 Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s (MRF) Bikers Inside the Beltway was the largest in the 15-year history of the event! Motorcyclists from 37 states made the trip to Washington, D.C. to advocate for issues that matter to the street rider.

The list of policy concerns was long! Issues include: Right to Repair, Preserving the Internal Combustion Engine, Profiling of Bikers, Autonomous Vehicles, Ethanol Mandates and the Definition of a Motorcycle.

For the second year in a row, all 435 members of the House of Representatives and 100 Senators received an informational packet from the MRF. The packet explains who we are, what we’ve done, and what we want. From Alabama to Wyoming and all the states in between, the MRF knocked on doors and shared our legislative priorities.

The nearly 200 bikers who came to Washington, D.C. represented a diverse set of groups. State Motorcyclist Rights Organizations (SMRO), Sustaining Clubs, the National Council of Clubs (NCOC) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) were all represented as part of the MRF event.

Showing up matters. While it is important that lawmakers hear from us, it is also important that they see us. Every year there is a buzz that occurs on Capitol Hill when hundreds of bikers roam the Halls of Congress. The visual of so many motorcyclists united for a common cause is a powerful part of the annual event.

The MRF is committed to being your voice in Washington, D.C. We have had a presence in town since 1986 and we are not going anywhere! We are and will remain, the voice of the street rider in our nation’s capital.

Thank you to all the motorcyclists who made the journey to D.C. It is never too early to start making plans for the next installment of Bikers Inside the Beltway in May 2025.

Check out some of the pictures of your fellow riders fighting for your rights in the halls of Congress.

Join The MRF
Visit http://mrf.org/ or call (202) 546-0983

TELL ‘EM BIKERNET.COM SENT YA

Hey,

Guess what… Bandit has one more project and its the size of a building…he bought another one in Sturgis. Speaking of which, the town is roaring to get roars of crowds and motorcyclists. It is the season to be adventurous and outdoors. Bikers and actually much motorsport change the economy for the good. Small towns become self-sustained and pay bills for the whole year by hosting one month of action on wheels.

Buffalo Chip is a great example of a brand emerging out of a brand called Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. They got a new special something lined up, check on her in the Thursday News only on Bikernet.com

Just like Bandit, there are others not willing to hang their boots and have TV dinners–though Grease and Gears TV might see Sturgis Museum action thanks to the new Board Member –guess who–Bandit’s museum related project. Speaking of which Bonneville Land Speed Racing is in the minds of other well-known custom builders too. Guess who?

Find out what Harley-Davidson might be launching overseas as a followup to the revival of their single-cylinder through X440. There are other events to consider as you await the big Rally in Sturgis. Sam Burns comes back with exclusive images you won’t find elsewhere because he grabbed them first. As always, energy, pollution, climate, EV and legal tussles are back in the news; its a like a mythical beast that grows new heads when you cut one part of the damned entity.

Get relief or release as JJ Solari re-opens our Bad Joke Library. Fine aftermarket products add to the mood and motivation. Another 100 word fiction from JJ Spain who seems to make the contest look too easy. I found the key to success and wealth–check out the article on “Work More Hours” (not a joke).

The Chevy is back (or not) which reminds me I should bitch about my Enfield–which got itself a new battery. Maybe the Sturgis Museum will take it away for good–all I wish is for someone to pay for shipping the Enfield Std Bullet 350 to Sturgis. Nothing else expected in return. Meanwhile, I do enjoy riding it except that it bleeds my money instead of leaking oil like a regular old hunk of metal.

READ ALL THIS AND MORE FROM THE BEST INDUSTRY WEEKLY NEWS EVERY THURSDAY –CLICK HERE.

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What’s It Gonna Be by Keith ‘Bandit’ Ball
with illustration by Wayfarer

Jake at 6 feet and buffed pulled up to the log cabin saloon off Highway 25, in CO on his highbar 80 flathead. No other bikes in the lot, only SUVs.

He ordered a 3-2-1 Jack from blonde and bodacious. Her eyes sparkled but darted with concern. Suddenly surrounded by a young crew in camos, they snarled and brandished weapons. “Your loud pipes are done. It’s a climate emergency!” Said big and fuzzy.

“What’s it gonna be?” Jake asked. “Freedom and Truth or a lying piece-of-shit dictatorship.”

Fuzzy hesitated and gulped.

“Bring it on,” Jake said. “Bikers are ready.”

(publication dated 22-May-2024)

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Read all about this 100 word mania at the contest page—click here
https://www.bikernet.com/pages/Bikernet_100_Word_Fiction_Contest_2024.aspx

Based on actual events in 1982
by Keith “Bandit” Ball with illustrations by Wayfarer

Deadwood, a town of outlaws, grit, gold, mile-deep mines, gambling and whores wrestled annually with South Dakota weather. It’s a bustling town of 1,200 dealing with an onslaught of three million drunken, gambling visitors a year.

About 1982 a scruffy biker named Rusty, with a full beard mowed lawns and his wife worked at Family Dollar a couple of blocks away on the cobblestone street, while the Homestake mine endured another strike. Wasn’t much going on when the Sheriff asked Rusty if he would ride along on a prisoner transfer to Sioux Falls for 100 bucks. He smiled and took the job.

Wasn’t much to it and he continued to fulfill the city position as a transport guard until busses came along and the Sheriff said, “I don’t want to lose you.”

Click here to read this incredible adventure as only retold by Bandit on Bikernet.com

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Rider’s Report by Christy

After I rode my Softail Standard that has mid controls for a few weeks I was feeling cramped, and my legs weren’t comfortable.

I have long legs and having to be able to stretch them out while cruising is very relaxing to me.

When I rode my Sportster years ago, I had forward controls. Once I got use to that feeling of extending my legs, not extending them, I felt cramped and uncomfortable while riding.

Click here to read the whole Tech with images only at Bikernet.com

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