SHIPPING NOW!
Here's a Sampling of the
July Issue's Features:
Fallen Heros Tribute Chopper
Darrel and Pam Carver along with several hundred family and friends stepped out of the Coweta High School Gymnasium on November 10th 2007 where they had just attended the services of 19 year old PFC Cody Montana Carver. They were met by nearly 300 members of the Patriot Guard Riders, Rolling Thunder and other motorcycle organizations from 5 states and had lined the sidewalks with American flags. They saluted as Private Carver’s flag- draped coffin was wheeled down the sidewalk with his family and friends following behind. . .Page 9
Motorcycle Mania at Gail's Harley-Davidson
?To me, when a dealership goes the extra mile to host a fun filled Saturday with all of the amenities of a party right there in the parking lot is what we bikers are looking for. It’s great to see old friends and meet new ones, listen to live music, hang out, and do a little shopping. . . .Page 13
The Innaugural 2010 Wide Open Bike Show Tulsa
?T he Midwest Coast has a brand new host city for the annual Wide Open Bike Shows. For 2009 the Wide Open crew will be making their way south to the Sooner State to bring the folks in Tulsa their very own stop on the Wide Open Bike Show tour. Others may not have been able to pull this off, but we are going to show them what Kansas City and St. Louis folks already know. Nobody puts on a bike show like Wide Open. Nobody!. . .Page 15
How to Win a Bike Show
Wide Open has been doing bike shows in Kansas City and St. Louis, starting next year we will be heading to T town, (Tulsa, Ok). . . .Page
21
Sparks America
?My name is Tony Ward, founder and owner of Sparks America Campgrounds, and I would like to give you some background on our event and where it has come from. . . .Page
24
Gailapalooza 2009
The best indicator that spring has finally sprung here on the Midwest Coast is the annual celebration of Gailapalooza at Gail’s Harley-Davidson. This year’s edition of the riding season kick-off party was held on April 4. Once again Gail won the dice roll over the unsettled weather patterns of a Missouri April. While the skies and the forecast were somewhat threatening, we enjoyed a dry, if somewhat chilly, day, other than a couple of random sprinkles. . . .Page 26
Bad Influence
?Every once in a while a bike comes along that leaves me at a loss for words. Anybody that knows me can vouch for the fact that just doesn’t happen very often. Larry Moore’s Bad Influence is just such a bike. This machine defies being pigeon-holed into a category. While little bits and pieces of several motorcycle styles are evoked in your first glance at the machine, none of them seems to fit. This is one of those builds that you look at, start to walk away, then go back to see some more. The list of innovations on this ride is mind boggling.. . . .Page
28
Bikes 2 Trikes Open House
Geral Fischer and Mark, owners of Bikes 2 Trikes, really love what they do and they’ve become a major player in the Midwest Coast! This was apparent if you were able to attend their open house April 11th. Their customers must also love what they do as over 500 bikers stopped in to check out the festivities, packing the unique conversion shop.. . . .Page 32
Road Trip Tips
Gonna get your motor runnin' and head out on the highway? Lookin’ for adventure, out Sturgis way, maybe? You want to be sure that your two-wheeled transportation will get you there and back as trouble-free as possible. . . . Page 34
Eric Loe's 2007 Streetglide
Talk about a breath of fresh air. Eric Loe's 2007 Streetglide with its flat paint job and lack of chrome is a pleasant change. Don’t get me wrong. I love multi-colored candy paint jobs and copious amounts of chrome just as much as the next guy, but I have friends with bikes of that type and for some, it limits their riding. Whether it be not wanting to ride in the rain, or refusing to ride on gravel (by the way I live on a gravel road) these riders’ bikes effectively limit when and where they ride for the most part. Gravel and mud do a number on custom paint, billet and chrome which explains why I don’t have much or any of the above.. . . . Page 36
Gail's Harley-Davidson 36 Hour Sale
?When we saw the forecast Thursday had no mention of rain, we made heavy plans to go to O’Bryan’s Bike Night to meet up with several of our friends. The bikes were rolling in, the place filling up, and dinner was on the way. Then to our lucky eyes, we see “Male” Gale Holsman and “Larry”, aka Steve, approaching our group!. . . Page 40
Margarita Chiquita
The term "old school" has been thrown around a lot the last few years. Those that really understand the concept are few; the bikes that fit the mold are even fewer. Some, on the other hand, immediately take you back to a time when “custom” parts came from your own shop, not a blister pack on a retail store wall. Fritz Schenk built this bike in the late 80s, well before old school was trendy. Fritz developed his style while working side by side with Indian Larry and Paul Cox at Psycho Cycles handling the painting chores in the days before Gasoline Alley and Larry were known to millions..
. . Page 42
Michael Bergen's 12th Annual Night Train Ride
?Michael Bergen’s Toys for Disadvantaged Children 12th Annual Spring Night Train Run was held on May 16, 2009. As always, just like his fall event, the ride is held “rain or shine.” For those of you that remember, the night before the ride brought typhoon-like storms to the metro area. Good things happen to good people. The 16th was a gorgeous day to be doing something for such a worthy cause. Many folks are extremely dedicated to Michael’s rides and attend year after year. This year over 400 bikes turned out to make the event a success. There is never any cash entry fees charged for these rides. The “bring as many toys as your hog will haul” program ensures that folks will not miss the event due to budget constraints. . . Page 48
Zien is Well on His Way to Second Million Miles
In the Spring Issue of Wide Open Motorcycle Magazine, it was reported that former Wisconsin State Senator Dave Zien was on the brink of establishing a new world record; one million miles on the same motorcycle. .
. Page 50
Choppers 4 Children Bike Rally
?JOPLIN — The threat of rain and windy weather could not stop a sizeable crowd converge for the fifth annual Choppers 4 Children (C4C) bike rally on Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25 located on the grounds of Construction Adventures business, one mile south of I-44 on Hwy. 43. Combined with hundreds of motorcycles throughout the area, there was music, vendors, bike games and other events.. . .
. Page 52
Motorcycle Swap Meets, A Family Tradition
In the early 70's if you were looking for parts for your Pan or Shovel, a good place to start was the monthly motorcycle swap meet at the I-70 Drive-In, in Kansas City Missouri. Today, the Swap Meets still offer parts for Pans, and Shovels, as well as Evos, Twin Cams, and a variety of riding accessories and leathers. The meets have grown over the years, but one thing holds true, they are still a great place to find good deals on anything related to riding.. . .54
Texas-Like a Whole Other Country
Mexico-Is a Whole Other Country
"So whacha doin'?" Got a call from Wide Open Motorcycle Magazine publisher Ralph Roades.. . .56
Swap Meet Special #1
With a little nip tuck from Chris Melchert,
(Stampede Champ), some wiring by yours truly (7 to count ‘em), a modified rear brake, pieced together
forward controls and numerous other goodies I found at Jeff Williams swap meets and just laying around in my buddies garages . . . and tada, low budget chopper.. . .60
2009 Stampede Race
After our win in '08 we came home and started working on our bikes……My twin cam rigid was taken down and put back together. Kyle’s bike was cut and stretched for a more comfortable ride for his 6’4” frame. Jason took the 750 Ninja to Sand Slinger Racking for a stretch, slam, and rigid over haul.. . .62
Lightning Takes Biker's Life
?Saturday April 25th, at about 5:00 pm, the biker community lost one of it’s best riders, Troy “Cowboy” Gentzler. Cowboy was on his way home from a ride with Bikers Against Child Abuse when he was struck by lightning, killing him instantly. After spending the day riding over 150 miles to visit children that the non-profit organization works with, Cowboy, his fiancé Krewzer, and 5 other members were headed east from Meridan towards Lawrence on Highway 24 when the stray bolt of lightning hit Cowboy. . .69
Plus a whole lot more... |
