Our world as subscribed by Michael Richardson’s art is full of full of Southern-fried funk, eye popping graphics, face melting illustrations, metal-flake designs, screamin’ guitars, and fast vixens.
In three words, Richardson creates “soul-satisfying stories” through his artistic view. And he adds a twist to his designs. His work is peppered with Easter eggs.
Indian Motorcycle Dealer Bike-Farm Melle wins top spot with a nearly 3:1 voting ratio
Last weekend, during the Custom Bike Show in Bad Salzuflen, Germany, the finals of the European Biker Build-Off saw Indian Motorcycle Dealer Bike-Farm Melle gain nearly three times the votes with their Indian Chief based Longfork Chopper “Purple Haze” over Harley-Davidson Bielefeld to take the title.
First held in 2007 and the highlight of the famous Custom Bike show, the European Biker Build-Off sees two teams competing to complete their custom bike in just three days, live, under the eyes of the trade show visitors. This year’s title fight was even more exciting as both finalists come from the region, just 30km from each other: Bike-Farm, the Indian Motorcycle dealer from Melle and Reibchen + Stegemann the Harley Davidson dealer from Bielefeld.
From Friday to Sunday at noon, the creation of two extraordinary custom bikes could be followed on the show stage and by 1 pm on the Sunday, the time had come: Judgement Day. With 529 to 179 votes, nearly a 3:1 ratio, the audience chose Bike-Farm’s ‘Purple Haze’ Indian Chief chopper as the clear winner.
“A classic long fork chopper based on the 2022 Indian Chief! It’s absolutely stunning what the Bike-Farm crew has created here. This bike radically brings to flower the seeds that are at the core of the current Chief lineup: The spirit of the past combined with the technology of today.” said Ola Stenegärd, Director of Industrial Design at Indian Motorcycle. “We always had the builders in mind during development and we worked really hard to make the reimagined Indian Chief a delight to work on. So, it’s such a pleasure to see this great canvas to create motorcycle art.”
Not only has ‘Purple Haze’ been completely designed around the current air-cooled Thunderstroke 116 engine, it also still features all the electronic amenities of the original Chief Dark Horse from which it evolved: from ABS to GPS navigation, via the touchscreen of the original gauge now cantered in the revised Chieftain tank.
Other core components have also been adopted and adapted from the original bike such as the footrests and brake systems. The frame, with a full 48° rake, was manufactured by the Dutch experts VG Motorcycle Specials, and all other components are custom-made by the Bike-Farm crew: Sheet metal parts such as the tank cover with integrated gauge and GPS transmitter to the fender were created in-house just like the sissy bar, seat, wheels, handlebars, final drive, intake and exhaust system. Even the seal-less, oil-free fork with its Teflon-lubricated sliding tubes incorporating Progressive Suspension Cartridges. Finally, Lange Metallveredelung took care of the chrome surfaces, while Vossi Lackcenter Melle traditionally handled the finishing of the paint.
“The entire bike was created within just eight weeks,” as workshop manager Tristan Frische recounts. “With four men, we wrenched, shaped and turned day and night. All the more we are delighted with this title. Not only have all the electronic features been retained, but also the fully road legal, including remaining Euro 5. So, this dream bike will soon be seen quite regularly on public roads.”
In case anyone feels inspired to build their own Longfork Chief Chopper: the VG frame is available for order at Indian Motorcycle Melle, the Indian Chief, of course, at any official Indian Motorcycle dealer.
More information about the ‘Purple Haze’ and Bike Farm/Indian Motorcycle Melle can be found on www.indian-melle.de and on their social profiles at Facebook and Instagram.
For more information on Indian Motorcycle visit IndianMotorcycle.eu and follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
ABOUT BIKE-FARM MELLE: What started in 1987 in a barn with a few friends has grown into a large company with highly specialized employees. Official Indian Motorcycle dealer since 2019, the 2,000-square-meter Bike-Farm is all about American V-twins. A constantly changing exhibition showcases custom bikes created on site, which regularly receive top marks in international competitions.
Photos by Ben Ott (@benottfilm) and Fabrian Friese (@fabfri)
WATCH THE VIDEO: Insane 3 Hour Mini Bike Enduro Race is a Nonstop CRASH AND BURN!! | 2022 GPS 180
Three hours of mini bike racing on a grueling 3.5 mile rocky race track. Bikes hold up astoundingly well considering the terrain, but the competition is fierce! Some built an awesome full suspension racing mini bike, and racers do their absolute best on this mini bike race trail.
Only about half the bikes that started this race made it to the finish line.
When you see the number 180, what’s the first thing you think of? For many, it’s a complete reversal—you’re going in exactly the opposite direction from which you came. If you’re Go Power Sports, though, it’s a three-hour enduro race run entirely on minibikes in the wilds of its Texas grounds.
The guys behind the Cars and Cameras YouTube channel participated in both 2021 and 2022. Naturally, the most recent 2022 run was all about improving on mistakes made last year. I mean, that’s what all racers do, isn’t it? Overall, the experience did go a bit better, but there were definitely some hiccups that could be improved upon for 2023.
About 60 or so bikes (give or take) lined up to compete on the day, divided into three different classes. There was a junior class, for young racers. There were also two separate classes for riders with full suspensions, and hardtail riders (who were allowed to have front suspensions). The Cars and Camera crew, in their infinite wisdom, built their full-suspension entry and got it together just one day prior to race day.
While the bike and riders did pretty well, considering, as you’ll see throughout the video, building a bike the day before you plan to race it may not necessarily go how you planned. Although the team was hoping to get on the podium this year, unfortunately, that didn’t end up happening thanks to things like a chain that kept continually trying to pop off the rear sprocket. Also, have you ever had to hold a loose carburetor onto a running bike with your knee?
As they later noted, these are the kinds of things that could have been avoided if they’d had a day or two to properly shake down and test the bike prior to taking it racing. Fixing small issues and tuning the bike would have been a definite plus—and it’s something that the team is planning to do right for next year’s competition.
The attrition was pretty serious, with maybe about half the racers (or possibly less) actually finishing the race at the end. The team was very proud to have finished the race at all, which it did—and although it didn’t end up on the podium, the C&C crew did manage to bag fifth place in the softail class. The mud and memories will last a lifetime—and hey, there’s always next year.
Tuning the Ride with Saddlemen, Legends and Khrome Werks
Since buying this 2017 M8 trike, I’ve been working on refining the ride as possible. This entailed changing the shocks to coil over Legend Revo A’s, adding a lift kit and adjusting everything as optimally as possible.
Also, the front springs were removed and replaced with Legend Axio canister front suspension. The combination of the modified front and rear suspension really made the ride much, much better.
“Honoring the sacrifices many have made for our country in the name of freedom and democracy is the very foundation of Veterans Day” – Charles B. Rangal
At Nash Motorcycle Co., we value and salute the service of our veterans not just today but everyday. In honor of their sacrifice and to celebrate their dedication to our freedom, we’re offering 30% off for everyone this Veteran’s Day weekend.
We at the Motorcycle Riders Foundation wish all veterans a Happy Veterans Day. Thank you for your service in defense of our freedoms and liberties. We as motorcyclists are fortunate that so many of our fellow riders are veterans. You make not only our country, but our motorcycling community stronger.
“Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country’s cause. Honor, also, to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves, as he best can, the same cause.” – Abraham Lincoln
About Motorcycle Riders Foundation :The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) provides leadership at the federal level for states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders. The MRF is chiefly concerned with issues at the national and international levels that impact the freedom and safety of American street motorcyclists. The MRF is committed to being a national advocate for the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle and works in conjunction with its partners to help educate elected officials and policy makers in Washington and beyond.
In contrast to the last century, ‘Roaring’ is not likely to be how the current ‘20s are remembered. The Jazz Age’s nostalgic “carefree” stereotype offers little similarity to the present. Amidst all the uncertainty, one thing is clear: politics are everywhere, like it or not. With all this in mind, big issues are on the table that are ripe with controversy. Decisions on electric vehicles (EVs), automotive fuel supply, and one’s own ‘right to modify’ will make a direct impact on our community and the final results are likely to be consequential.
With so much at stake, enthusiast participation in the political process is crucial—but not difficult. Nearly 7,000 state and federal elected positions are up for grabs in November. Notably, 84% of all state lawmakers will be in the running—marking their first race since redistricting has shifted constituencies. Party control of the U.S. Congress and state legislatures will be determined in the upcoming elections.
Use the voting tool at semaSAN.com/semavotes to register to vote and learn the deadlines for where you live.
You can locate your elected officials at semaSAN.com under the “Legislators”tab.
Ready to influence our nation’s public policy roadmap going forward? Good news: the ballot box awaits! This year, head to your polling place with renewed purpose. Learn where your candidates are on issues important to you. Then ensure your voice is heard via your vote. No better way to weigh-in and make sure this important opportunity counts. Take care of fulfilling your civic duty just like your prized ride—with pride in ownership!
“After having read about Tom Cotter in the Bikernet.com Thursday News, shared by National Motorcycle Museum (click here) (past few weeks ago), I started watching Tom’s video series on YouTube.
I could resist no more and bought Tom Cotter’s Best Barn-Find Collector Car Tales (Sep 2018) and his latest mentioned by National Motorcycle Museum, Secrets of the Barn Find Hunter (May 2022). Both Hardcovers, sitting pretty, reminding me to get outdoors & cruise.”
