Motorcycle Picture of the Week - Gary

Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These pictures are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery. See Gary's 2007 Big Bear Chopper w/American Trike kit under Men on Motorcycles. There are no Bikes Only, Trikes Only or Women on Motorcycles this week. We need more pictures of women with their motorcycles. Get your picture in. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.

Paul Teutul Sr. to Appear on Thump's Celebrity Apprentice

Orange County Choppers (OCC) will again be in the limelight as founder, Paul Teutul Sr, appears on Donald Trump's Celebrity Appentice. This is a must see as far as I'm concerned. Whether you're a fan or not, this should make for interesting TV. Here's an article in motorcycle-usa.com by Bryan Harley that gives the details. Here's an excerpt:

"Senior’s business acumen will be put to the test as he gives up building motorcycles for a short stint to become one of 18 contestants who will be divided into groups to work as a team on different business-oriented challenges. In the case of 'Celebrity Apprentice,' contestants compete to raise money for their designated charities. Paul Teutul, Sr.’s charity-of-choice is the Make-A-Wish Foundation." -- Bryan Harley

Read the article.

Motorcycle Pictures of the Week - Gary A. Heil

Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. This feature has been expanded to include Bikes Only and Trikes Only. These pictures are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery. See Gary A Heil's 2007 Big Bear Sled Chopper converted to a trike under Trikes Only. There are no Women on Motorcycles, Men on Motorcycles or Bikes Only this week. We need more pictures of men and women with their motorcycles. Get your picture in. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.

It's just photos today...

This is at JoAnn's shooting booth... in Waxhaw NC. (Crazy Horse Painting)

This is at Jim Bortel's shop. Love the beefy-ness of this unit....


This is JoAnn and an example of her flame work. This is her chopper....


I don't know why...but I like this shot of JoAnn on her Chopper...



This is a "busy" photo of Wheels Through Time, but it gives you an accurate look at what just how BUSY YOU will be as you visit from one exhibit to another. I love this place.



This is an antique headlamp for an early motorcycle.  I can't remember which bike I was photographing when I took this...but I love it.



Well that previous statement was dumb of me. Here it is... DOH!



This display is one of my favorites as well. Nicely put together...the Quarter Masters School and the HD's for the couriers

.

This is another photo I heavily favor...the patina, everything about it ... well. I Like it



This is enough for now I guess. Thanks for coming.

FROM WICKED WILLY’S CHOPPER SHOP TO THE WHEELS THROUGH TIME: CYCLE SOURCE’S GYPSY TOUR POURS ON THE MILES, SMILES AND FUN!

May 18th, 2010. Rolling out of bed, it’s hard not to notice the steely gray of the clouds blocking out the sun. The dips in the pavement are filled with water from last night’s rain. Although the party isn’t until six PM tonight, I’m anxious to strap the bags to the fender and be gone. I decided a couple of weeks ago, I will be at Wicked Willy’s Pre-Gypsy Ride Party. It is the first biker party of the year for me. In fact it’s been several years since I had attended a party. I’m a wet blanket for the most part at parties…so I just don’t normally go. But this party held the promise of something else, something different. I wanted to go.

I was on my packed bike heading east into North Carolina, looking for roads that I hadn’t been on, to take me to Taylorsville, NC. OK, that’s almost impossible to do. While I hadn’t ever been to Taylorsville, the general direction to get there forced me to partake of several roads I had traveled on last year. All the same, I managed to leave the state of Tennessee without getting very wet. Once I got over the mountain and into North Carolina the clouds were basically stopped or slowed to a crawl by the low mountain peaks.

I meandered through North Carolina, slipping down this roadway and turning around when it ended in someone’s driveway: turning around to find another small two lane country road heading in a similar direction as me. I found the adventure stimulating. Its fun to explore, and I didn’t have to be anywhere for several hours. Eventually I found my way into the driveway of Wicked Willy’s Choppers. I was the 1st to arrive even though I had done my best to get lost and found.

IMAGE CAPTION: WICKED WILLY’S GARAGE

Wayne (the proprietor of Wicked Willy’s), was working on a chopper when I arrived. I walked into the shop and introduced myself to the guys gathered about a chopper on a lift. It turns out; this party is also the un-veiling celebration for this very good looking Yamaha Chopper. I learned Chris from Cycle Source was coming to photograph it for a layout in his magazine. I have some really great photos of this bike, but I can’t show them until the bike premiers in Cycle Source. I promised….

IMAGE CAPTION: THE BIKES ARE ROLLING IN

I’ve set my tent up in the yard where suggested. It was dry and under a tree. I was in front of the band stand by about half a football field. It was perfect. How strange though, to be standing in a chopper shop and many of the people who came to visit, to party, and to congratulate the builder rode all different models and brands of motorcycles. Everyone was comfortable at Wicked Willy’s!

This is the next “long distance” bike to come in. I fell in love with it. Classic. The owner (Wes) rode in from Missouri. I walked around it taking pictures, I really liked this EVO.

IMAGE CAPTION:Long Distance EVO

IMAGE CAPTION: EVO and DIE

Before long the parking lot was filling up with locals, all there to help celebrate with Wayne his newest Chopper.

IMAGE CAPTION: THE PARKING LOT IS FILLING UP

There were many bikes there either built by Wayne, or was on the road because of Wayne’s help. For instance, there is this trike that Wayne put together for a buddy. I wonder why I only got this much of the bike? Kick my ass sometimes.

IMAGE CAPTION: TRIKE BUILT AT WICKED WILLY’S

IMAGE CAPTION: Trike owner and friends

As the sun was setting, the grill was lit, the band fired up and the party was in full swing. Chris and Michael Lichner arrived, and very soon everyone was eating, drinking, and having fun. Did I mention the police blocked off the road? It was a true block party. We had the full co-operation of the town and the police. The Bar-B-Q was so damn good. Amazing how hamburgers and hot dogs can be so tasty after a long ride, and good company with fantastic conversation. I was lying on my air mattress, cozy under my sleeping bag by midnight. I slept like a dead one. I needed the rest. Ah man it felt good.

The next morning found many of the guests rousing from sleeping under the stars. We stirred about the shop, rubbing sleep from our eyes, packing our tents and bags, preparing for the ride to TillEy’s Harley Davidson. It’s my understanding it is only 30 miles from Taylorsville. How come we traveled 90 miles? HA! And we were late on arrival to Tilly’s too! It’s all good, I’m just glad my 2 gallon gas tank didn’t leave me high and dry before we arrived at Tilly’s. I fueled up, the tank took 1.8 gallons. Whew! So glad I got my carb fixed last year!

IMAGE CAPTION: THE GROUP WAITING FOR US AT TILLEY’S

When we pulled into Tilley’s we had a contingent of about 30 riders. Pulling into the parking lot, there were somewhere around 45 or 50 more riders waiting for us! After a brief layover at Tilly’s, Michael Lichner gave us the lowdown on what he expected from us as we traveled with him and his cameras. I couldn’t believe I was getting the opportunity to watch Michael Lichner, the great photographer at work. I am an idol worshiper.

As I’m walking into the dealership for the “rest facilities” I lock eyes with a woman who appears to recognize me. I had to go…but when I came back out, JoAnne Bortles came up and introduced herself to me. I was so happy to meet her at last. JoAnne is the owner of Crazy Horse Paint Shop. The fantastic painter of all things cool, beautiful or artistic on your tins and fenders!

IMAGE CAPTION: JoAnne Bortles

Before we leave Tilley’s parking lot, JoAnne is inducted to lead the motley group of about 90 bikes through hills and dales, over mountains and through townies. She did a very good job. The group was so large; many broke up into splinter groups. We were able to catch up with each other at gas stops. Chris loaded Michael facing backward on the bagger he was riding, and the two of them rode the inside lane, photographing the line as we charged up next to Chris and the bagger, following the hand signals given us by Michael (move forward, slip back, come closer left, move further right.)

How do I explain how comfortable it was to ride beside the Rock of Gibraltar of motorcycle operators? This man was dead steady through every turn keeping his line true and predictable as we rode wheel to wheel: the bagger’s rear wheel equal with our front wheels. It was, and still is an experience unequal to any other I’ve experienced. Riding like this on two lane mountain twisty roads rushing along between 30 and 55 miles an hour was an exploit that gave me the big time grins. These roads, these speeds, these people with whom I was privileged to share the roads with, still make me smile with pure pleasure. Almost better than sex, oh hell, who am I kidding, I think its right up there with sex, and it lasts longer too.

IMAGE CAPTION: CHRIS, MICHALE AND THE BAGGER

Eventually, as the sun was sitting low on the horizon our group pulled into The Wheels Through Time Museum. In the parking lot of WTT was a medium sized contingent of riders. I figure about 60 riders were waiting for us as we pulled in. Our group arrived finding a great strip of grass next to a babbling creek. Those of us who planned to camp unloaded our tents and equipment and set about our task of making a home for the evening.

IMAGE CAPTION: MY SPORTSTER AND TENT…

We soon learned Matt and Dale Walksler, had ordered a HUGE amount of pizzas to feed the horde. There were a few of us who were looking for something a bit… meatier. We were advised of a nice restaurant a bit down the road. It was serving rib eye…potatoes…and…ahhh it was so good at $10.00 a plate. Some had so much meat on their plates they couldn’t eat it all. OOOOO….decadent stuff.

Upon our return to Wheels Through Time, the party was in full swing. The Walksler’s had decided to keep the museum open all night. Upstairs, in the lounge area movies of pioneering bikers was flickering on the TV. Outside, shadows of men and women were dancing against the ground and the walls of the outdoor fireplace pavilion.

Further from the building was a larger open fire pit where many more men and women were singing to a lone guitar player accompanied by someone on mini conga drums. The guys and gals were singing, imbibing and enjoying the camaraderie of their brothers and sisters. I slept like a baby once more this night. Those of us who had left out of Slick Willy’s to travel the Gypsy Tour had almost 300 miles under our belts this day.

IMAGE CAPTION: OUTDOOR PAVILION WITH STONE FIREPLACE

Here are a few of the bikes you will find inside the Wheels Through Time Museum. You’ve got to stop in here when you come to Maggie Valley!

IMAGE CAPTION: I’M DROOLING AT WTT

IMAGE CAPTION: IN LINE 4 HENDERSON

IMAGE CAPTION: WHAT MORE COULD THE CRAFTSMAN ASK FOR

Friends, this story is getting long. We still have to get up in the morning, get our group together and ride onto “THE DRAGON” at Deals Gap then further up into the mountains riding the Cherohala Skyway from Robbinsville NC to Tellico Plains, TN. A mile high amazing route over the Smokey Mountain passes. This road offers spectacular views and a technical ride from North Carolina to Tennessee. Stay tuned for part II, where “THE GYPSY RIDE” MEETS BIG MOUNTAIN RUN IN TELLICO PLAINS, TENNESSEE!

I don't like bike night, because....

,I’m gonna get a rant going here today. I’ve been thinking about what is commonly known as “bike nights”. These, for the uninitiated, are nights set aside at eateries and local watering holes for bikers to ride up with their motorcycles, have a special place in the lot for them to park their bikes, and to be “catered” to by the staff and patrons of said business.

I don’t like bike nights. I guess I don’t like them because somewhere in the communal thread of life, before Forbes and Elizabeth Taylor made motorcycling chic…we weren’t welcome at these same establishments. The only business’s that accepted a group of us, were ones that were established as “hole in the wall” business’s. It’s not that we didn’t have the money to go to a finer establishment; it’s that we were not looked upon favorably. Not because our behavior was disruptive, (although at times, I must admit we did become loud and exuberant) but because the business would not give us the opportunity to establish ourselves as respectable members of the community within their walls. The people who rode in my circle were varied. One was a meat cutter for Publix, his ole lady was head cashier. Another owned a manufacturing business; he made the sleeves that you wrap cut flowers in. His girlfriend worked in the geek business for Harris Corp. I’m not sure exactly what she did for a living…but she earned a good living. Me? I was a parts manager at the local HD dealership, my hubby was the lead mechanic…yes, back then they didn’t need fancy names…we didn’t call a mechanic a technician, he was exactly what he was, a wrench twister. Our boss would frequently ride with us…yes, the owner of HD of Melbourne. Then we had a few construction workers, and even a few guys from the AF Base nearby who we enjoyed company with. Now, as you can see, we were a varied bunch. We weren’t convicts; we rode nice baggers, custom choppers, and factory bikes. We all worked, had money in our pockets, our clothing was clean, (even if our thoughts weren’t!) We would ride, we would stop to eat, have a few beers, then ride some more. But we were never really welcome at places like Hooters until Forbes made us “respectable.”

Now, it seems, we are welcome on certain nights…we are fussed over, and made to feel like we are special patrons. I don’t get that, I would rather you liked me every night. I would like to feel special every night I stop in your place. If not special, than I would at least like to be waited on like everyone else in the place. I do not wish to be ignored, I do not wish to be looked down upon, I do not wish to be placed at the worst table in the restaurant, and I do not want my bike regulated to an unlit and unprotected portion of your parking lot, if you offer protected parking for us on “special” nights. You should always offer safe parking for the bikes.

Then we have the kind of people who actually attend bike nights. For the most part, from what I have experienced, many more of these people have bikes they do not ride except to bike night, or to a few local charity rides, perhaps a fifty mile ride with someone from their office. They are there not to meet up, enjoy some company, discuss where they are going to ride to from there, perhaps eat something and have a few liquid refreshments anticipating the ride ahead. Instead, these people come to these establishments, and strut around their bikes, beer in hand, talking BS about bikes, but never really going anywhere. Never really using the machine for what it is intended for…riding! Yeah, they are chick magnates…. But your not regulated to staying at just one place in order to attract a decent woman…get varied. Leave your comfort zone and ride a couple hundred miles on your day off. Stop in at cool places on your route, invite a few of those people you see at the bike nite hot spot to join you. You can even end your ride right back where you started, at the business that is hosting your local “bike night”. You can dance the rest of evening away, you can regale your friends at the bar who didn’t take their bikes out for an afternoon delight…with the adventures you and your buddies experienced…talk about the gals you encountered along the way…or hug close to you the one you picked up at the last place you visited before you arrived back at your bike night host’s business. But at least you got your ass off the barstool, and went somewhere on that very expensive pussy magnate. And if you’re a gal who goes to bike nights just to socialize rather than ride her bike…shame on you…big shame on you…RIDE YOUR ASSES OFF….and then come back to your bike night host: stiff, sore, tired, hungry, thirsty…and ready to laugh and recount the best parts of the day!
That’s my take of bike nights.

A Visit to Orange County Choppers - Road Trip

The regular monthly gathering of Chapter NJ-F (F Troop) of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) was held at the Empire Diner in Freehold, NJ on July 27, 2008. After the gathering, many members and guests rode to the Orange County Choppers (OCC) headquarters in Newburgh, NY.

We rode in three groups, each with a leader and drag rider. Most members communicated via CBs to keep the groups together and informed.

I had seen the guys from OCC in June, 2004 when I was at the Americade Rally in Lake George, NY. At that time they were becoming well known through their TV show, American Chopper.

The motorcycle community was split as to whether they were amateurs who got lucky or genuine biker craftsmen who knew how to create a masterpiece chopper. I think that most were amazed that they caught on so fast and made a bundle of money doing what backyard mechanics had already been doing for 30 years.

Sometimes when I attend a motorcycle rally, something unexpected happens. At Americade 2004, I found out that the Orange County Chopper (OCC) cast from the Discovery Channel's American Chopper (now on The Learning Channel), was going to be in the area. This was not an official Americade event. It was thought up by the town fathers of Bolton Landing, a town 10 miles north of Lake George. They felt that they needed to do something to attract some of the 60,000 or so Americaders and get them to spend some money in their town. Turns out that a few emails and a phone call did the trick and the whole cast of Orange County Choppers (OCC) showed up for a 4-day run to meet with their fans and sell a few autographed T-shirts.

The Teutuls: Paul Sr, Paul Jr, and Mikey have to choose carefully their visits to rallies to allow them time to build the theme bikes required on their TV show. They skipped Laconia that year and instead did Bolton Landing where they brought 20 of their most popular theme bikes. Here's a picture of Paul Jr signing my OCC T-shirt. My wife, Jane, stood in a long line to get these shirts signed.

The Teutuls were just getting started then. They still had a small shop but millions of fans were watching them on TV every week to see that next theme bike being built and to hear the yelling and screaming as Paul Sr and Paul Jr clashed.

Years passed and they built a bigger and bigger reputation. Now they were in a huge building in Newburgh, NY that contained a showroom of their merchandise and products. Tucked in the back of the building is a small factory where their choppers are built in the glare of TV lights and multiple cameras taping everything going on in the creative process including the antics of the Teutuls and their employees.

Many motorcyclists now visit the facility. It's almost a motorcycle mecca. In fact, our group from New Jersey was only a small part of the riders present that day.

I took a few pictures of the new digs for OCC. The place is quite impressive. I have written descriptions and captions for each picture. Take a look.

If you'd like to know more about choppers, take a look at my Choppers article, my Chopper Gallery, and my Choppers subject. I also wrote a book review, Orange County Choppers: The Tale of the Teutuls - A Motorcycle Book Review.

If you decide to take a trip to Orange County Choppers, you won't be disappointed. Just don't expect to see any of the Teutuls there on Sunday, the day we chose to visit.

First picture ©2008 Jane Ann Kern; second picture ©2004 Walter F. Kern

Big Bear Choppers Recalls Choppers for Frame Cracks

Big Bear Choppers has issued a recall of certain 2004-2005 Devil's Advocate and Venom Choppers and 2005 Sled Choppers.

Some motorcycles may have inadequate weld penetration between the neck, backbone, and down tubes of the frame. High loads created when riding on rough road surfaces, structural modification made to the frame by owners, and/or failure to maintain the specified torque setting of the top motor mount may cause the affected welds to crack.

351 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.