Bikes On The Streets Of Paris

We have been in Paris for six days and these are some of the bikes you will find on almost every street -- From Champ de Mars near the Eiffel Tower, to the French Pantheon and the Latin Quarter to the high winding streets of Montmartre.


Click images to enlarge.

This cool old Harley was along Rue Amber near the Paris Opera.

This National Motos Honda Varadaro was parked just outside the
 Justice Building in front of the French Pantheon.

This Yamaha was outside a neighborhood cafe near the Eiffel Tower.

It is really beautiful in Paris in May
with lots of spring flowers - 45 to 70 (F)

10th Illinois Motorcycle Freedom Ride, June 16

The 10th Anniversary Illinois Motorcycle Freedom Ride will roll into Marseilles, Illinois on Saturday, June 16th to honor three decades of US Veterans killed during wars in the Middle East, since 1979. They will gather at the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial.

For Directions To The Wall < - Click Here.
You can download a PDF event flyer < - here.  

Carla: Middle East Conflicts Wall

The Middle East Conflicts Granite Memorial Wall was dedicated on June 19, 2004 to commemorate the servicemen and women who have lost their lives in worldwide conflicts since 1979. The project was built with donated material and labor and is the first of its kind in US history to honor fallen soldiers by name, during the ongoing war.


It took 20 years to Honor our Vietnam Veterans. Almost 60 years to Honor our World War II Veterans. The names on the wall represent our fallen heroes from such diverse locations as Panama, Lebanon, the Balkans, Grenada, Somalia, Haiti, USS Cole, USS Stark, Terrorist attacks in Italy, Greece, Scotland, and the current conflicts in the Middle East.

The Purpose of the Illinois Motorcycle Freedom Run is to show "Our Brave Servicemen and Women, and their Families, that we support them, and to Honor Fallen Heroes." 

The route is lined with Americans waving American Flags and paying tribute. In the past we have had 10's of thousands of participants. The money raised through generous donations is used to update and maintain the Memorial, and to put this wonderful event together. Co-Founder Jerry Kuczera remains on board to assist the organization. The first Memorial erected was in the small town of St Anne, Illinois, the hometown of Capt. Ryan A. Beaupre, one of Illinois' first casualties in the war against terror. Since then, memorials have been donated to all of the veteran homes and hospitals in the State of Illinois in Honor of all our Veterans , Past and Present.

"We have assisted many of our Fallen Heroes Children, with funds for their education, in hopes that through education, they will learn to diplomatically resolve their problems." - ilmotorcyclefreedomrun.org/

National "Ride For Kids" 2012 Kicks Off in South Florida

The National Ride for Kids 2012 kicks off every year in South Florida to benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. 

This year's kick-off was Sunday, April 15th at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach.

The 40-mile police escorted ride included a light breakfast, and lunch and "Celebration of Life" program. photos posted at   www.SFRideforKids.org

Learn more and find a ride in your area.

What's Happening at the 71st Daytona Bike Week 2012

 

The 71st Daytona Bike Week enjoyed nearly picture-perfect Florida weather, March 9 to 18 with temps in the low to high 70s and only a couple of rain days. Bike Week 2012 was one week later than usual, due to a scheduling conflict at Daytona International Speedway. So bikers mingled on the beaches and in the bars with spring breakers on the last weekend, but no one seemed to mind.

Cold beer, hot biker chicks, world-class racing, bike shows and hundreds of vendors draw an estimated 500,000 visitors to the Daytona Beach event every year. 

Related story: 70th Bike Week Anniversary.

Click here for a Google Map of Key Bike Week event locations

Saturday, March 10th 2012 - many bike riders headed to DeLand (20 miles west on US 92) for the Pro-Am Bike Show & DeLand Rally that featured bands on two stages downtown and bike-only parking.

The historic downtown is filled with building-sized murals that make a beautiful backdrop for motorcycle photographs. 

Biker author, Edward Winterhalder was at the Seminole Harley-Davidson booth in DeLand on Saturday. He is also the creator and executive producer of the Biker Chicz reality TV series. 

Because NASCAR pushed the date of the 2012 Daytona 500 back one week, Daytona Bike Week 2012 started a week later in order to give Daytona International Speedway time to prepare for the Daytona Supercross and Daytona 200 motorcycle races.

Saturday, March 10th

Daytona Supercross by Honda.

The race draws the world's top Supercross riders such as Ryan Villopoto and Ryan Dungey to battle on a course designed by five-time winner Ricky Carmichael.

Thurs & Friday, March 15 & 16, The Daytona Flat Track hosted  AMA Pro Flat Track racing on a quarter-mile lime rock track in the West Lot, just outside Turns 1 and 2.

First Turn - by David Uhl

Saturday, March 17th, The Daytona 200 kicks off the AMA Pro Racing season with a 200-mile battle on Daytona's road course with America's top motorcycle stars.

During Bike Week 2012, the artist David Uhl was juggling events at two locations -- the Uhl Gallery at Destination Daytona (Ormond Beach) and the new Uhl Works Patio at Beach Street Harley-Davidson, downtown Daytona Beach.

Tuesday, March 13, David Uhl, Cris Sommer-Simmons and Pat Simmons (Doobie Brothers) signed signing limited-edition giclee prints of David's latest masterpiece, "Leading Ladies," and Cris's new book, "The American Motorcycle Girl's Cannonball Diary," along with a solo acoustic concert by Pat. Special appearances by Gloria Tramontin Struck, David's new "Woman of Harley," along with appearances by Laura Klock and Jodi Perewitz. David Uhl painted "Leading Ladies" last year, but waited to release it until Cris had completed her Cannonball book.

Tuesday, March 13, the 5th Annual Harley-Davidson MDA Women's Ride rolled out from Riverfront Park on Beach Street at 10am and returned at 1pm. Details:  mdariders.org.

The 2012 Bike Shows

This year, the Limpnickie Lot of "next generation" builders was at Stone Edge Skate Park, 1848 S. Ridgewood Ave. in South Daytona, with Led Sled/ Street Chopper across from Limpnickie and a new lot at Iron Horse, 1068 North US 1, Ormond Beach.

Progressive International Motorcycle Show at the Ocean Center,  101 N. Atlantic Ave. - March 14 to 17 featured the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike United States Championship, affiliated with the AMD World Championship Competition. There were Smage Brothers Stunt Shows every afternoon, and  "A Century of Motorcycling" historic bike display presented by Motorcycle Magazine. Staff from the National Motorcycle Museum was on hand to answer questions and relive stories of the historic bikes on display. The show floor was open Wednesday, March 14, from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.; Thursday, March 15, 11 am – 7 pm; Friday, March 16, 11 am – 7 pm; Saturday, March 17, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

Saturday, March 17 • Paul Teutul, Jr. of the Discovery Channel hit show "Senior Vs Junior American Chopper" unveiled a new custom bike and filmed an all-new American Chopper TV show that debuts March 26th on the Discovery Channel.

Victory Motorcycle demo rides weree open all week at Daytona International Speedway.Tuesday, March 13th, Big Engine was in concert for a Victory Motorcycle Bike Night at Dirty Harry's on Main Street.

Wednesday, March 14th was the 3rd Annual Victory Custom Bike Show at Volusia Motorsports, 1701 State Road 44, New Smyrna Beach.

Friday, March 16th, Victory owners rode with Zach Ness. Kickstands up at 10am from Volusia Motorsports. The ride ends at Halifax Harbor Marina, where Victory owners are invited to a luncheon from noon to 2pm at the Blue Grotto.

Thursday, March 15th - Bike Builders Dave Perewitz and Paul Yaffe played host to this year's Biker Fusion "Salute to the Troops" benefit, 7 to 10pm at  Dog House Bar & Grill on Main Street that featured a live auction, entertainment and a number of great bikes from an impressive line-up of builders, moto-journalists and industry notables. 100% of the proceeds went to Soldiers' Angels, a volunteer-led non-profit that provides aid and comfort to active servicemen and women of the US military, as well as veterans and their families.
 
  

Thursday, March 15th, Willie's Tropical Tattoo Old School Chopper Time Show at 824 S. Younge St. Ormond Beach. (click link for photos and details.) 

One of the biggest crowds, ever turned out for the 2012 Chopper Time bike show. Three bands performed this year: The Dirty Chucks, Hair of the Beast and The Kings. Bigger every year, excellent bobbers, choppers and rats, hot rods and hip place to spend the day: The lot is always packed, and is always a great "adult" party time, with BBQ and cheap beer -- noon to 4pm on the last Thursday.

Friday, March 16th, the 22nd Boardwalk Classic Bike Show @ Oceanside boardwalk at Main Street.

- 20 classes from domestic to metric with 50 trophies. Call Bill Chaffin at 386.871.0398.

      

Saturday, March 17th - the World Famous Rat's Hole Custom Bike Show celebrated a 40th anniversary at Daytona Bike Week with an all-day show at Daytona Lagoon: 601 Earl Street (north side of the Ocean Center.) Trophies in 23 classes. 

Biker Musician Pat Savage Films New Show in Thailand

Pat Savage's newest CD, "Wind & Fire" is dedicated to fire fighters all over the world, and was recorded during the filming of an upcoming episode of "Savage Roads" in Thailand. The title track is a haunting tribute to the daily trials and tribulations of fire fighters everywhere, who are often on the front line of local, state and national disasters.

"Wind & Fire" is Pat Savage’s 7th solo album in a 30-year career rockin’ around the world and features 11 original tracks: Harley Rock & Blues, a little Country and even some Spanish guitar to keep you rollin' down the road.

My favorite song and favorite lyrics, in fact are from "Keep on Rolling" ... A Harley man is what I am round the world, across this land -- I gotta keep on rolling, Ride to Live, Live to Ride. It's the feeling down deep inside, gotta keep on rollin' keep on rollin'.

Pat's new "Savage Roads" adventure series will take riders to exotic places in the world to enjoy the local culture and entertainment and to ride the country's best back roads. Shows are initially being filmed in Thailand, Norway and South Africa. The series is being independently produced for a pay-per-view and TV audience.

During the filming of "Savage Roads" in Thailand, Pat took the opportunity to record the "Wind & Fire" album with ex-South African rock producer Gary Crause, at his Legend Music studio in Phuket.

Pat is the international celebrity ambassador for Wind & Fire MC, a united group of more than 4,500 fire fighters in 49 states and 24 countries who ride Harley-Davidson® motorcycles. Pat wears the W&F colors with pride on his concert tours that have taken him to Iron Horse events, Ride for Sight rallies, Arizona Bike Week, Daytona Bike Week, the Celtic Warriors Birthday Bash in Godmanchester, the Hamburg HD 100th, National Norwegian HD, National Spain HD, National South African HD, and other HOG bashes all over the world.

It was Pat’s third solo release “Hog Wild” that secured a  major record deal with SONY in Europe. He subsequently relocated to Europe, basing himself there for six years, before returning to live in Toronto, Canada in late 2009.

Pat Savage headlining the northern most
HOG rally in the world at Ballangen, Norway

In the last three years Pat has taken a much needed break from almost three decades of relentless touring at the largest Harley Davidson events, as well as major rock and blues festivals from Norway to South Africa and from Iceland to Dubai!

He took time to realize one of his dreams in 2010, releasing a great Progressive Rock album called "Dream of Odin" that was recorded at Vancouver’s prestigious Emerald Ridge Studios with producer and famed Canadian drummer Phil Krawzcuk. He closed 2011 with a two-night concert at "Bikerfest" in Osoppo Udini, Italy.

His time for the most part, away from major world tour shows has been an introspective time.

"It takes a sensitive ear to tune into the silence of the heart, but it is there in each one of us," he said recently to Google+ friends. "Am I busy now? You better believe it!"

"Will start soon pre production developing my new acoustic unplugged CD "Savage Steel" with Eddie Sorez , Larry Scerri & Fred Steele! Title song for my biker TV series "The Savage Roads" has just been written for me by Gary Crause & Robert Cooke my writing partners who wrote "Big City Lights" & "Coolest Place Is In The Shade" for "Wind & Fire". The track "Savage Roads" is killer! Working to edit the preview for the final presentation to the program director of Travel Channel & setting up our pay-per view channel."

With a brand new album and video series, Pat Savage is back on the road, and it’s safe to assume that he will once again be rocking his fans all over the world in 2012.

Daytona Bike Week 2012 Willie's Chopper Time Show

Daytona Bike Week 2012 : It's Chopper Time Again - Thursday, March 15th - noon to 4pm at Willie's Tropical Tattoos, 825 S. Volusia Street (US1) Ormond Beach (north of Daytona Beach.) The lot is always packed with the biggest, badest collection of Old School Bikes you have ever seen in your life!

Click here to see 2011 Chopper Time Gallery. -- 65 photos by Tom Tobin, Dreamweaver photography.

2012 New York Ultimate Builder - Steampunk wins FreeStyle

Congrats to Copper Mike Cole: 2012 Freestyle Winner in the AMD Championship NY Ultimate Builder Show, January 22, 2012 at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. - Photos by AMD World Championship. (Click to read all AMD news posts.)



Here are the AMD World Champion Show Results - New York Show, Jan. 20 to 22, 2012.

FreeStyle
1 – Copper Mike Cole, Gravesend Cycles – Steampunk, 2011 Gravesend Cycles
2 – Stu Speigal, Stu’s Auto – 1989 Custom Chopper
3 – George Stinsman, Chaos Cycles – Model “33”, 2011 Chaos Cycle

Mod Harley
1 – Steve Iacona, Iacona Custom Cycles – Challenger, 1996 H-D XL
2 – Ron Cirocco, Thundercycle – thunder Bagger, 2008 H-D Street Glide
3 – Eric Schoder, Tribal Iron Choppers – Facet, 05 Buell SB12R

Performance Custom
1 – Roman Levin, Full of Hate– FOH Café, 2002 Suzuki
2 – GIO, Blacksmith Motoring Co. - El Patron, 2003 Suzuki Volusia
3 – Harold Bracero – Sephira, 2008 Hayabusa

Retro Mod
1 – Fred Montalto – Spitshine – 1960 H-D Panhead
2 – Dennis Harold, TT Cycles – 1970 Triumph T120R
3 – Steve Baufeder, TT Cycles – Tri Flyer, 1970 Triumph Tr6R

Performance Custom
Roman Levin builds highly detailed street fighters that are extremely light and powerful. His personal motorcycle, FOH Café, took first in the Performance Custom class. The bike started out with a 2002 v-twin Suzuki 998cc engine on his hand built jig. He then fabricated the frame and added a Triumph-based single-sided swing arm. The tank and tail section is made from carbon fiber and then painted so that panels of the flawless carbon can be seen.

MOD Harley
The AMD World Championship alums are unstoppable as last year’s second place finisher, Steven Iacona’s Challenger, took first place in the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show MOD Harley class. His bike is built off a 1996 XL and sports a Springer front end with Invader wheels front and back.
Steve hand formed the fuel tank, rear fender tail section, oil tank, exhaust pipes, handle bars and mounts, rearsets, headlight number plate, seat suspension, tail light, battery box, steering damper mounts and motor mounts.

The ignition coils are located near battery box along with all electrical connections. Brake and oil lines are hand formed stainless steel. Oil cooler has been mounted behind front number plate. The frame has been converted to a hardtail. Engine rebuilt using Buell heads and cylinders, dual 30mm Mikuni carburetors, Stainless steel hardware has been powdercoated.

FreeStyle Class
Copper Mike Cole of Gravesend Cycles brought his latest piece of rolling art called Steampunk to the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show and took 1st place in the ultra-competitive FreeStyle class. The 1973 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead features a rebuilt engine with engraved heads and 10:1 compression. The Copper-one re-purposed numerous antique gauges and parts and rebuilt them into functional pieces. He built a hand clutch with an old Harley mouse trap. The bike is fabricated from equal parts copper and brass.

The floor boards come from old fire extinguishers and the air cleaner is a brass box with a welded –in trumpet horn. Head light and taillight are sourced from a submarine. He also fabricated an analog GPS---a retooled dash mounted compass. The saddlebag is sourced from a leather Russian ammunition bag.

Retro Mod
Fred Montalto rolled Spitshine into the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show and took 1st place in Retro Mod with his 1960 H-D Panhead. It sports a Harley 1200cc mil in a custom bobber frame with a pin-up girl integrated into the tank. Paint was handled by Hi-Tech Auto Care, Inc.

John Shipley of Hoosier Daddy Choppers left the Ultimate Builder show in Cleveland, Ohio on February 1st with $3000, a class winner's trophy and a guaranteed AMD World Championship spot after taking first place in the Freestyle class with 'Whiskey Bent', a heavily customized 1977 Ironhead featuring a bar stool seat and 102 year-old brass headlight. Last year's winner Jesse Bassett of The Gasbox was runner up with a 1949 Panhead, and Misfit Custom Cycles was third.

The AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building (click link to see all news posts)

The world finals will take place Aug. 5 to 8, 2012 at Sturgis Motorcycle Rally at the World Championship of Custom Bike Building, 1205 Lazelle St., Sturgis, SD 57785 USA. Located on the lot at Lazelle & 3rd St. next to Lynn's Dakotamart.

Upcoming AMD World Championship Qualifying Shows:

• Llunatica, Oropesa Del Mar, Spain Feb 2-5, 2012
• Progressive International Motorcycle Show, Daytona, FL, USA Mar 14-17, 2012
• Progressive International Motorcycle Show, Minneapolis, MN, USA Feb 3-5, 2012
• Moscow Custom & Tuning Show, Moscow, Russian Federation Mar 30-1 Apr, 2012
• Progressive International Motorcycle Show, Chicago, IL, USA Feb 10-12, 2012
• Africa Bike Week, Margate, South Africa Apr 27-30, 2012
• Progressive International Motorcycle Show, Charlotte, NC, USA Feb 24-26, 2012
• Biker Fest, Lignano Sabbiadoro, Udine, Italy May 10-13, 2012
• London International Classic & Custom Show, Alexandra Palace, London, UK Feb 25-26, 2012
• Twin Club MC Norrtälje Custom Bike Show, Norrtälje, Sweden Jun 2, 2012

Diva Dawn's Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge in New York Post

Old School Biker “Diva Dawn” Santucci was true to her word! She took the plunge into the freezing Atlantic on New Year's Day wearing tassels and a thong, after reaching a $5,000 fundraising goal on New Year's Eve for 7-year-old Aidan Jack Seeger, Jr. who is hospitalized with a rare brain disease.

You may know Aidan’s parents, Bobby and Elisa Seeger of Indian Larry Motorcycles, Brooklyn, NY, but what you may not know is that "Indian Larry" Desmedt (1949-2004) was an active member of the Coney Island Polar Bear Club and this event continues to be an annual tradition for the Seeger family and friends.

Aidan is currently in Duke University Children’s Hospital. June 2011, he was diagnosed with a rare brain disease called Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD). ALD is a rare, inherited disorder that untreated leads to progressive brain damage, failure of the adrenal glands and eventually death.

Dawn had originally planned to participate in the New Years Day festivities with Coney Island Polar Bears and then decided to add a twist by raising funds for Aidan. The more money she raised… the less clothing she would wear! When the $5,000 mark was met on New Year’s Eve, her outfit (or lack of) was set in stone.


Members of Aidan’s immediate family and friends came down to cheer her on and also joined her in running headlong into the waves. On exiting the ocean Aidan’s Grandfather, Ed, literally gave Dawn the Indian Larry hoodie-off-his-back thanking her for her brave efforts and commitment.


As much as it looked like fun and games, she was serious about delivering what she promised to all of her supporters for Aidan’s fundraiser. Her enthusiasm was contagious, which resulted her image going viral in news stories around the world.


You can read more about Aidan’s Story at Aidanhasaposse.wordpress.com

You can also join more than 20,000 members of Aidan's Posse on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/aidanjackseeger/