riders

Gasoline Alley Harley Davidson hosts 7th annual Toy Run

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by Sean McIntosh at https://www.reddeeradvocate.com Bikers jumped on their motorcycles this weekend to help make Christmas better for central Alberta children. The seventh annual Toy Run was held at the Gasoline Alley Harley Davidson Saturday morning, where toys and money were donated to the Red Deer Christmas Bureau. “We have to hold the event a little early every year so we can ride before the snow hits,” Bailey Quirico, Gasoline Alley Harley Davidson marketing manager. “Our hog chapter, a group directly out of our dealership, puts (the Toy Run) on for us. So we just basically host it and provide the food.” The bureau is a non-profit organization that supports children and families in need at Christmas through mobilization of community volunteer and financial resources. The total dollar amount raised is expected to come in around $1,000, with about 100 toys donated – the business had toy donation bins up for the past two weeks. Quirico said the event has grown since its inception. “It’s getting a lot more attention. We’ve noticed a lot of other riding groups are starting to do it as well,” she said. “A lot of times (the participants) will strap the toys to their bikes and do little parades. It’s a way to give to children for Christmas.” Teresa Patterson, Red Deer Christmas Bureau Society vice-president, said the organization is 100 per cent volunteer-run and receives no government funding. “The only way we keep our doors open is events like this … and with the help from all our sponsors,” she said. “We completely rely on community fundraising and volunteers.” This past year, more than 1,200 children received presents, as well as Christmas dinner and breakfast. “I think one of the biggest Canadian traditions we have is Christmas. With the way the economy has been […]

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A contraction of “Norton” and “Triumph,” the Triton was born

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Road racing on a closed circuit may be the most demanding of a motorcycle chassis, an engine and the leather-clad rider. Perhaps most revered, especially for its chassis, is the “Featherbed” Manx Norton made from the 1950 through 1962. Earliest Manx models were rigid (no rear suspension) with girder forks. Then the plunger rear suspension was developed. But fitted with the McCandless brothers Featherbed frame for 1950, the Manx was at its height in chassis design, and the bike to beat on tracks like the Isle of Man. But the Manx Norton was never road legal, so many street riders seeking maximum handling qualities emulated the Manx, and substituted road-going Norton twin frames and used more street-able engines like Triumph twins at the same time. A contraction of “Norton” and “Triumph,” the Triton was born; the Norton featherbed frame and a Triumph twin engine. Going all out and using a Vincent twin engine, a NorVin was created. As with this machine, clip-on bars, a “bread loaf” fuel tank, a decked seat, alloy rims, big front brakes and rear-set foot-pegs were mandatory, even if comfort was compromised. These features put the rider low in a streamlined posture and offered fuel capacity for long races. Light weight is desirable for racing so many components are aluminum, even magnesium on true old race bikes. This Triton uses a lot of aluminum for chassis components and to add to its style, much of it is polished. Bold striping on the silver paint and red piping on the seat mimic the Manx Norton design as does the oil tank access through the seat and conical rear brake. As big fans of closed course road racing, European and British riders built the earliest of cafe racers and proudly rode them on public roads, often running over the speed limit. The craze came to America in the 1960’s and

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Motorcycle ride raises money for St. Jude

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September 13, 2019 by Clint Eiland at https://www.wbbjtv.com DYERSBURG, Tenn. — More than 200 motorcycles, nearly $1 million and 450 miles. Those are just some of the numbers involved in St. Jude Rides. “Almost 400 people total, and to see it all come together, and to be here in Dyersburg, it is just overwhelmingly emotional,” Jill Libert, development specialist at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, said. “One of the most well organized events that I’ve ever been a part of,” Stann Wiebler, marketing manager at Walter Brothers Harley Davidson, said. “They do so much planning. The police do a phenomenal job of getting us here safely.” The trip started Thursday in Peoria, Illinois, where riders began a six-hour drive to Dyersburg. The motorcade arrived in Memphis on Friday, where they delivered a check worth around $1 million to St. Jude. Wiebler’s father helped start the event 13 years ago, and Stann has done it the last six years. He says this event is one of his favorites. “It’s a huge event in our family. It’s part of our business anymore. No decision goes in to our business these days without thinking about St. Jude and how it would affect it,” Wiebler said. “It’s a very passionate group. They fund raise all year long with asking family and friends. They really are outstanding and selfless,” Libert said. Each rider raised at least $1,000, with one couple even raising $40,000. “Kids are precious. Thank you to all the people who are here to do this,” Kevin and Debbie Onnela said. As they rode into the hospital parking lot, the patients and employees were there to welcome them. “Patients, doctors, they all come out into the streets, and they have signs and balloons, screaming and yelling, a lot of tears flowing on these

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Cross Country Chase Stage 8

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Excitement is building as we race toward the finish line with two more days of riding under predicted dark skies, wind and occasional rain in the forecast. Today’s weather, however, afforded riders their first look at the ocean as they made their way toward Crystal Harley-Davidson for an elegant hot lunch served on the dealership veranda. Riders enjoyed the hospitality and lingered over lunch before hitting the road again with the hopes of staying dry, which didn’t happen, but the sporadic rain served to cool things off enough to make the trip even more enjoyable. By the time the group pulled into Lakeland Harley-Davidson for the hosted dinner, the clouds gathered for another attack and sent riders off to the hotel with soggy duds. Again. So, race fans, here are the scores from Stage 8. You’ll notice the top five have been juggled again but the top two spots are a BSA ridden by Todd Cameron in first and a Harley-Davidson ridden by Jim Gilfoyle holding second, followed closely by a Triumph, then five Harleys, an Indian and a Norton to round out the top ten spots with a good showing from a variety of marques. The list of bikes that have dropped out includes 1-BSA, 3-Indians, and 4-Harley-Davidsons and the list #5 James Maloney #17 Rick Salisbury #42 Michael Bruso #50 Rowdy Schenk #62 Scott Funk #70 Will Lusignan #77 Brent Mayfield #91 Jeff Fredette There are an additional 5 riders with various issues that have taken them out of the competition in terms of contending, but they continue to ride to finish out the trip and that list includes 2-Harleys, 2-Indians, and the only Zundapp entered: #51 Shane Masters #36 Bill Reese #96 Richard Campbell #22 Don Gilmore #65 Mike Butts As of tonight’s tally, there are still

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Hunter Sills Racing Earns Four World Records and One U.S. National Record at the AMA

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Hunter Sills Racing Earns Four World Records and One U.S. National Record at the AMA and FIM-Sanctioned Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials With Their BMW S 1000 RR Motorcycle Associated Press | WENDOVER, Utah – September 10, 2019 – ( Newswire.com ) Hunter Sills Racing captured five records with its BMW S 1000 RR at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Wendover, Utah, during the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials event held Aug. 24–29, 2019. The team also earned Top Time of the Meet and Fastest Naturally Aspirated Motorcycle and increased the speed of their world’s fastest BMW motorcycle to 238.398 mph. Both riders, Erin Sills and Trev Richter of Hunter Sills Racing, earned 1000cc FIM records aboard a nitrous-powered BMW bike affectionately known as “Snoopy.” With improving track conditions over the week, the team was able to set records early, then progressively improve them over the event. Ultimately, Sills piloted the Alpine Performance Centre-built BMW S 1000 RR to 237.287 mph to earn the FIM kilometer record in the faired, naturally aspirated 1000cc class; a record that was previously set in 2014 by her late husband Andy Sills, also of Hunter Sills Racing, at 221.863 mph. Erin was later able to improve her own FIM mile record set in 2018 on the Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia at 229.265 mph, making the new mark 236.889 mph. “After the poor track conditions presented by Mother Nature during Speedweek, we were looking forward to seeing how our bike would perform on a better course,” said Sills, rider and owner of Hunter Sills Racing. “Shane Kinderis of Alpine Performance Centre put together an incredible motor which performed beautifully with the Wizards of NoS nitrous system. I also found the AirTech fairing to be incredibly stable and grounded at speed.” “Our senior race technician Curtice Thom

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Cross Country Chase Stage 2

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A glorious sunrise kicked off a day of cruising country roads and enjoying warm hospitality as Chase riders boarded the S.S. Badger for a 60-mile cruise across Lake Michigan before enjoying lunch during a visit at the gracious Harbor Town Harley-Davidson dealership. The day was topped off by dinner, fellowship and a bike show at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee. Riders loaded up the belly of the S.S.Badger with their antique motorcycles and spent the 4-hour cruise on the old ferry by napping, eating or playing bingo with the very animated staff of the coal-burning ship. Lucky rider, Evan Riggle, #11, would later show off the cool ship cap he won during bingo aboard the transport ferry during his first-time visit to the H-D Museum. Luck also followed third place rider #72, into the museum. Larry Luce managed to roll onto the campus before the tire on his 1938 Velocette KSS went completely flat, so instead of visiting the museum exhibits as he had planned, the first-time visitor barely had time to get the flat fixed before the museum closed, though he did have time to enjoy a plateful of the great dinner the museum had prepared for the riders. Luce will start Stage 3 alongside the other riders, though James Malone, #05 and Don Gilmore, #22 have left the race completely. Good news is that rider #51, Shane Masters, has rejoined the group and is ready to make up for lost time. Be sure to check out the scores tomorrow and see where your favorite rider stands!

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Cross Country Chase Stage 1

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A dark and dreary start for the Chase did nothing to dampen spirits as 68 riders set off for their 267-mile day. By the time the first antique bikes started crossing southbound on the wet and foggy Mackinac Bridge, a group of 1,500 antique tractors had already begun their trek north. It’s an annual parade that just happened to coincide with the Cross Country Chase ride and seemed quite appropriate as the antiques met midway. Drizzle kept riders occupied through out the day, but the rain stopped long enough for the group to enjoy a nice lunch hosted by Hagerty Insurance in Traverse City, Michigan, which was followed closely by a short stop to take the daily quiz. Brainy bikers stood with clipboards and quickly answered 10 multiple-choice questions before hopping on their bikes and booking on to the final stop in Ludington. From there they will board the Badger Ferry for Stage 2 tomorrow morning. The top three positions are still held by the same Class I riders from yesterday’s Prologue, and last place is still Shane Masters, who we hope will rejoin the group for Stage 2. As it is, the sweep trailer was loaded to the max with broken bikes for Stage 1. Let’s wish them all an overnight recovery.

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The Cross Country Chase Scores

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The first official day of the inaugural Cross Country Chase consisted of a scant 13-miles as a shakedown ride called the Prologue. Riders gathered on the shores of the Saint Mary’s River across the banks of the Canada border to sit for a group photo taken by none other than the world-famous photographer, Michael Lichter. Aune Osborne Park in Sault Saint Marie, Michigan was the staging area as well as the Official Green Flag start. Rider #51, Shane Masters, was the only rider unable to start and trucked his 1948 Indian Chief some 5 hours away to have his bike worked on with the hopes of meeting the group at the Ludington stop tomorrow evening. He received a DNS (Did Not Start) for the day. Rider # 62, Scott Funk, is one of only two Class I riders on 250cc machines and, despite his missing 2 of the required miles, his handicap favored him and his 1946 BSA-C11 afforded him a finishing score of 22.0 points. Rider #5 in Class II, James Maloney, managed only 1 mile and finished with 11 points, leaving him in 68th place. Number 99, Todd Cameron on his 1930 BSA Sloper with a 493cc engine, finished the day in first place with 30 points. Stay tuned folks, it’s sure to be an exciting race as 69 riders on every imaginable motorcycle marque works their way across America. Riders are preparing for the wet forecast tomorrow as they head toward Ludington, Michigan after an arduous 267-mile ride.

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All Kids Bike

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The All Kids Bike® campaign is led by the Strider Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The Strider Education Foundation is committed to reversing this declining participation trend through its All Kids Bike campaign. READ THE REPORT IN THE CANTINA – CLICK HERE

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