Summer 2012 Newsletter – PDF

RiverValleyRamblings
River Valley Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America Inc.
Summer 2012 Issue
From the President Russ Sobecki
Hello members, Now that the plants are growing and the bikes are rolling we still
don’t know what the weather is going to do from day to day. The one thing I do
know is we have some great guys in the club. I would like to thank two of them
for spending all day helping me on two of my bikes.
Thanks again Ken and Larry. With guys like them we
IN THIS ISSUE:
keep old iron moving. I would also like to thank all
President’s Letter
1
of the members that volunteered to work the gate
Strikes and Spares 1
at Wauseon! Without your help it wouldn’t be the
Marie’s Report
2
Indian Hill Climbers
2
success it is!
Ride free Russ
Artist Dave Mann
3
Milwaukee Trip
4-5
Five Iconic Bikes
6
Wolverine Meet 7
Important Dates
8
FOR SALE
8
Lucky no one was
seriously hurt when Chris
tried to pass everyone.
Strikes and Spares by Marie Boetsma
On Saturday., Febuary 12th, Doc, Peggy, Ricky, Rick, Karen,
Paul, Chris, Bob, Roxane, and Marie went to Strikes &
Spares in Mishawaka. we played golf, rode go carts (FYI)
never ride with or beside Chris, she is a crazy woman
behind the wheel. She told me to move over because, I was
going to slow (VERY SCARY) all of us ended up bowling.
The winner was Paul.Very impressive but, Paul I wouldn’t
quit my day job.
Marie’s Magical Report by Marie Boetsma
MARCH - The meeting was held at Jack’s Grill. President Russ
Sobecki called the meeting to order at 7:14 p.m. 36 members
were present. We took a bus trip fo the Harley-Davidson
Museum, 5l people went. We had a great time. Passed around
work schedule for the Cavalcade of wheels, would like 3 to 4
people for each shift. Russ, Mike, David, Don, and Tony will
be going to the Wauseon plan meeting the end of this month.
Russ and Larry to get information on cleaning up section of
town. Also getting information from state highway department.
State would put sign up with the chapter’s name. Tony
Baranowski is having a hog roast Saturday, August 18th for his
50th birthday, members invited.
APRIL - The meeting was held at Jack’s Grill. President Russ
Sobecki called the meeting to order at 7:l5 p.m. 29 members were
present. Club decided to pick up trash locally on Saturday, May
5th. Meet at Eddie’s Steak Shed at 8:00 a.m. for breakfast. Freda
passed around work list for names and phone numbers for Larry
to call us. Russ passed around work sheet for members to work
the Wauseon meet Friday and Saturday. Jim Keller gave scooter
chat. Bob Newman gave talk on Ride for Kids - Sunday, July 8th.
Starts at PinHook Park. Ride is a 50 mile ride. Usually is done
by 1:00 p.m. Last year they raised approximately $69,000. Last
Saturday of every month Hoosier Harley-Davidson has get
together. Bryan Miller said at Simonton Lake there is bike
night at the Simonton Lake Drive-In every Monday night.
MAY - The meeting was held at Buffalo Rose’s. Newsletter
editor David Marks called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
31 members were present. Russ, Larry, Freda, Hank and JoAnn
had breakfast at Eddie’s Steak Shed, then picked up trash along
Currant Road. Marie read information regarding picking up trash
along state highway. She will fill it out and return. Gilmore meet
is Sunday, June l0th at Hickory corners. Wolverine chapter is
having swap meet on Sunday May 20th. Mike Skopec gave
information to Marie regarding selling the book,Two-Wheeled
Treasures, published by the Antique Motorcycle Foundation.
It comes in cases of 40 and sells at a cover price of $20. This
means that each case has a retail value of $800. Will table till
next meeting.
Indian Hill Climbers
1930’s Indian Scout, 92 cu. in. / 1490 cc. Found in New York,
Chief motor in a Scout frame. Built for hill climbing.
2
1928 Indian 101 Scout Hill Climber, 45 cu. in. / 750 cc. Found
in Maryland.This bike belonged to Edward A Cosgrove, owner of
Cosgrove Cycle and Tire of Cumberland, MD. Cosgrove was an Indian
dealer. Bike was built around 1929 and was raced in AMA events.
EASYRIDERS DAVE MANN, BIKER ART The Selvedge Yard
the only custom-bike entry in the show, so for his creative
efforts the judges initiated a new class and trophy
specifically for him. Dave Mann painted several posters
for Big Daddy Roth, the California custom car creator
and publisher of the first chopper magazine. In 1965, he
went to work in the mailroom at Scheffer Studios in
Kansas city, where he met an architectural renderer,
Dave Poole, who taught him technical drawing.
By 1967, Mann developed into an architectural renderer,
having studied at the Kansas City Art Institute.
Dave Mann’s dad was a lifelong illustrator and active
member of the Society of Scribes in London. The younger
Mann was born in Kansas City, Missouri.
In 1957 he first drew pencil sketches of
hot rods while feigning attention in high
school. His crude sketches opened the
door for Dave’s first job, pinstriping cars
for Doug Thompson and Ray Hetrick’s
custom car shop in Kansas City. The
wild allure of the West Coast drew Dave
and buddy Al Burnett to Santa Monica,
California. While cruising the seaside
community he stumbled across Bay
Area Muffler, an area custom car house,
and there discovered completely insane
chopped Harleys. The bikes drove him
wild. They projected freedom, power
and mobility with every chromed curve.
He was immediately hooked.
Then in 1971, Dave discovered a new magazine –
Easyriders. And the rest as they say, is history – the two are
now forever inseparable in any hardcore biker’s heart and
mind. Easyriders was the first full-fledged,
lifestyle-related bike rag. Since Easyriders
third issue, Dave Mann has led the biker
magazine industry by capturing the
essence of a changing lifestyle in the
epic center-spreads.
Due to his failing health, Dave Mann
was forced to retire from Easyriders in
2003 — the years of paint fumes had
deteriorated his lungs to the point
where surgeons had to remove them
both and put him on a breathing
machine. Sadly, Dave died about a
day after his 64th birthday, September
11, 2004.
Dave Mann returned to Kansas City and
bought his first new bike, a ’48 Panhead,
for $350. At the same time he created
his first painting, “Hollywood Run.”
It represented the wild, unleashed,
Hollywood outlaw lifestyle. Riding
his customized Harley with his
painting tucked under his arm, Dave
entered the ’63 Kansas City Custom
Car Show. That car show launched his
artistic and biker career. Dave Mann had
3
Bus Trip to Milwaukee Harley-Davidson Museum - March 3, 2012
On Saturday, March 3rd, 2012 the Chapter chartered a bus to the Harley-Davidson
Museum in Milwaukee, WI. A big thanks to Marie Boetsma and David Marks for planning
the flawless trip! We even filled a 56 passenger bus this year. Thanks also for everyone
showing up on time and those members who brought guests. The trip was FREE to all
River Valley members which included passage into the museum. We stopped in Gurnee, IL
on the way home for dinner at TGIFridays. What a GREAT MUSEUM and TRIP!
4
5
FIVE ICONIC BIKES THAT MADE HISTORY
Harley-Davidson XR-750
Harley-Davidson’s dominating, and sexy as all hell, flat track
racer. First introduced in 1970, and seriously upgraded in
1972 as the aluminum “Alloy XR,” it not only became an
icon on the dirt track, it was also Evel Knievel‘s weapon of
choice. With its classic H-D orange/black graphic appeal
and clean, uncluttered form – it’s a bike for the ages.
Husqvarna 1970 400 Cross
Husky’s icon that became synonymous with another icon
– Steve McQueen. Featured in his 1971 film, “On Any
Sunday,” Husqvarnas were the most badass and beautiful
motocross bikes of their day, with their 400 Cross becoming a highly coveted classic. The legendary Malcolm Smith
tore it up alongside McQueen on an innovative eight-speed
Husky 250, which he also used to handily dominate the
competitive off-road circuit. Hell yeah, Husky!
1953 Triumph Blackbird
In the 1950s, there were more Triumphs sold in the U.S.
than any other country. Their top-end Thunderbird 650cc
vertical twin, with a little tinkering, could top out at 130
mph. A great bike, but fairly limited in offering. They were
available in one color only – blue. So when public demand
cried-out for a black Triumph, they finally released the
Blackbird in 1953 – and it still slays me every time I lay eyes
on her. Another important note – Brando, a motorcyclist
himself, rode his own ’50 Thunderbird in the iconic film,
“The Wild One.”
1940 Indian Scout
This beauty once belonged to none other than, you
guessed it – Steve McQueen. Here you see the
motorcycle company’s iconic Indian Head logo on the
fuel tank. I personally prefer the pared-down Scout over
the heavy-looking Chief, but they are beauties too. By
the 1940s, Indians began to sport stunning paint jobs
with up to 24 colors available, and several two-tone
options – making them some of the most beautiful
bikes ever produced.
H-D Captain America Chopper
Growing up in the ’70s, there were two bikes that were
emblazoned in my mind – Evel Knievel’s H-D XR-750,
and Easy Rider’s Captain America Chopper. The vision
of Peter Fonda, it was built by (I love this part…) a Black
brother – Ben Hardy from Los Angeles, starting with an
old ’52 Panhead Hydra-Glide bought at a Police Auction.
It became an instant icon that brought choppers to the
forefront of motorcycling, and really raised the bar for
custom builds. Two were built for Easy Rider – one
survived. Hell yeah, Captain America!
6
wOLVERINE chapter swap MEET and antique show, may 20, 2012
7
Important Dates and INformation July 8 - Ride for Kids - Pinhook Park - South Bend, IN
July 14 & 15 - 11th Annual Niles Burn Run - Niles, MI
July 17 - Ride for Kids - Elgin Community College - Elgin, IL
FOR SALE
FOR SALE: Motorcycle table lift. Asking
$250.00. 76.5” table and a 18” ramp.
574-231-0365 ask for Rick
July 19 - 22 - ABATE Boogie - Springville, IN
FOR SALE: K. R. Wilson Valve Grinder
Very early ‘30’s or late ‘20’s. 574-272-7218
ask for Hank
July 19 - 21 - Roar on the Shore Bike Rally - Erie, PA
July 20 - 22 - Muskegon Bike Time - Muskegon, MI
July 21 - 29 - U.P. Bike Week - U.P., Michigan
July 25 - 28 - Mountainfest Motorcycle Rally - Morgantown, WV
July 27 - 29 - Wetzelland 2011 - Van Wert, OH
Aug 6 - 12 - 72nd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally - Sturgis, SD
FOR SALE: 1977 FLH H-D. $7,000 Truck
load of extra parts. 574-276-2492 ask
for Dale
Aug 17 - 19 - Easyriders Rodeo Tour - Fowlerville, MI
Aug 30, Sept 3 - Milwaukee Rally 2012 - Milwaukee, WI
Aug 30, Sept 3 - Easyriders Rodeo Tour - Chillocothe, OH
Sept 6 - 9 - Bean Blossom BikerFest - Bean Blossom, IN
Jim Kersting’s Prayer
Sept 11 - Ride For Kids - Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Dear Lord, be with me always, guide my wheels straight and may
I always be concerned for the safety and welfare of others as well as
my own. In Your name dear Lord Jesus I pray always. Amen
Sept 27 - 30 - June Bug Boogie Too - Cookeville, TN
Sept 26 - 29 - Bikes Blues & BBQ Rally - Fayetteville, AR
8
David Marks, Editor
1205 Greenleaf Blvd.
Elkhart, IN 46514
[email protected]
574-262-2142
www.rivervalleyamca.com
NOW ON THE WEB AT:
River Valley Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America Inc.
RiverValleyRamblings
Summer 2012 Issue