Contents
May Issue 87
Ad Index
Features Meaning of Memorial Day 13 The Safe at Home Bike Show 14 Appalachian Backroads 20 Vigilante Motor Works 24 Horsepower & Torque-Rob Schwellinger 36
Columns
13
JP’s Ramblin On-What is Going on Here? 9 Ranger Greg Blackwell-Veteran’s Needs 27 Nefarious James Gladstone 28 Craven Moorehead-May I send you a Message 39 Christian Motorcycle Association 40
Departments Contents Page Ride Safe, Ride Smart-The Creeper Born To Ride Kids-Happy Mother’s Day
2 6 40
Reports
40
Craig Can Fix It! 10 Thunder Tower H-D West Welcomes You 18 Jim Fannin - Happy Mother’s Day 23 Movie Review-The Wild One 30 Matt Danielson-Law Report 32
On The Cover Angel City Rally and Music Fest June 17th-21st Stay Healthy with Fresh Country Sunshine, Clean Air and a Healthy Dose of Vitamin D www.AngelCityMotorcycleRally.com
AAA IFC Angel City 16 Appalachian Backroads 20 BornToRide.com 26 BTR App 4 BTR Babes 8 BTR Ocean Cruise for Bikers 5 BTR Heat Up 10 BTR Lifestyle 38 BTR Magazine Subscription 33 BTR Radio 4 BTR YouTube 7 Cigelske Law Firm 41,IBC Cycle World of Athens 11 Georgia Motor Trike 8 HawgFest 34 HD Thunder Tower West 19, BC LawBike.com 1 Leather Lid Inserts 33 Leather, Love & Freedom 33 Motorcycle Law Group 31 Progressive Insurance 3 ProRider Ken Anderson 6 Rockabillaque South Carolina 22 Tiny Trailer Nation 12 Toys Wanted 33 Wanted GI Joe 33 Wife Swap-Now Casting 33
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888-795-5779 Start Born To Ride TV and Magazine in your city! Call 888-795-5779 The information contained herein is provided by Born To Ride Magazine or by its advertisers. BTR makes every effort to present accurate and reliable information in the issue. Born To Ride Magazine does not endorse, approve, or certify such information, nor does it guarantee the accuracy, completeness, efficacy, timeliness or correct sequencing of such information throughout this magazine. Use of such information is voluntary on your part, and reliance on it should only be undertaken after your independent review. Reference herein to any specific manufacturer, company, commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, or otherwise does not constitute or imply endorsement of or recommendation of said by Born To Ride Magazine.” “Born To Ride Magazine (including its employees, contributors and agents) assumes no responsibility for consequences that may result from the use of the information herein, including the use of the information obtained at www.borntoride.com and it’s linked sites, or in any respect for the content of such information, including (but not limited to) errors or omissions, the accuracy or reasonableness of factual or scientific assumptions, studies or conclusions, ownership of copyright or other intellectual property rights, and the violation of property, privacy, or personal rights of others. BTR Magazine is not responsible for damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on such information. No guarantees or warranties, including (but not limited to) any express or implied warranties are made by BTR Magazine with respect to such information contained throughout the site.” No part may be copied without written permission of the publisher, Born To Ride, Inc. P.O. Box 3021, Brandon, FL 33509. 888-795-5779, Fax 813-689-2996.
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Ron & Selena Hawks, Chris Miller, Scott Odel, Eric Albright, Tom Seiter, Chopper Dave, JP Brady, Erick Runyon, Craig Miller LAW FIRM
Rubenstein Law 1-800-FL-LEGAL
BTR 4 | BORNTORIDE.COM
Riding along a suburban street, you approach a slow-moving car. You would like to pass, but the driver keeps speeding up and slowing down, causing you to delay that action. After following the creeper for several blocks, you become frustrated and decide to accelerate by. As soon as you pull out to pass the creeper, the driver makes a sudden left turn into a driveway, leaving you no room to stop or swerve. Strategy: The car’s erratic pace should have tipped you off that the driver was searching for something (a street address, perhaps) and that her attention was elsewhere rather than on surrounding traffic. Evaluating the situation, you should have predicted that the driver might turn or stop suddenly. Your best strategy in a situation like this is to separate yourself from the hazard. You could have dropped back at least two seconds. If you choose to pass, do so only after clearly establishing contact with the driver, preferably after receiving a hand signal from her. Never pass at an intersection or other traffic situation where the car could turn in front of you. For more information go to www.msf-usa.org
What is Going on Here?
Government takeover? It looks like it to me. They shut down our economy, then left town. Went home. No more congress in Washington. No more leadership. But no cut in pay for congress. Again, like I asked last month, whatever happened to the “real” ABATE (A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments)? Wake up folks. This is a government takeover. You gotta stay home. They tell us to let them take care of us. How, you ask? How about shutting down our economy. WHAT!?!? The government tells us that people are dying. Just like they do everyday of the year. But wait a darn minute. Why don’t we just blame Trump? It’s all his fault. Yeah, right. We can survive. I vote for the bikers of America to take over Washington NOW. Right now. We can do it! We can meet in the halls of congress, wearing masks of course, and get this country going again. Open it up, I say! Let’s get back to work. NOW. Wear masks.
Social distancing. Wash your hands. We can survive. Americans always do. We’re tough! Sure we gotta make some changes in activity. But that is the key word. Activity. Work. Play. Live your life. Don’t let the little sissies in Washington that ran home to mommy tell you how to live your life. Put on your big boy pants. We have already been through a lot in America. We can cope with difficulty. We can fight disease. We can make changes. We can win this war! Let us get out of the house and prove it! In less than 2 months our economy has collapsed. Our economic growth, prior to that time, was unsurpassed! Continue like we are, or get back to work? GET BACK TO WORK!!!!!!! That’s it in a nutshell. Now go jump on your bike during the next beautiful, sunny spring afternoon, and clear your head. This is America! We CAN do it! Ride captain, ride. We can’t stop the Coronavirus, but we can
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deal with it. WEAR A MASK. WASH YOUR HANDS. SOCIAL DISTANCING. RIDE YOUR BIKE!!!! So let’s get back to our roots, A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments. A Brotherhood Against shutting down the American economy. Let’s do this! Get outta the house. Go to work. Support your family. Ride your bike. Stay safe. Until next month, “Go fast, you’ll get there” Ps. To all the American Bikers Aiming Toward Education, WAKE UP. This isn’t dress rehearsal. This is your life. I hope you GET EDUCATED before it’s too late.
Until next month, “Go Fast.... You’ll Get There”. JP BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 9
Fuel Tank Rusty? Craig Can Fix It!
On a motorcycle, your fuel tank is the heart and soul of your machine. What do you do when it’s rusty, when it leaks? Radiator shop over-the-counter stuff? You know it doesn’t work, try anyways and guess what? It doesn’t work. I offer an alternative service for the inside of your tank, I remove all rust clean them out and coat them with epoxy tank liner that’s clear and works, I guarantee it with gasoline and even methanol. I even repair failed Kreme and Redkote liners. I save vintage tanks that leak, rusty tanks that nobody would ever think of using again. I turn them around quickly within three days Many of the leading motorcycle dealers use me on a regular basis, (Tampabay Powersports, Tampa Triumph, and Eurocycles Tampa) when they’re tired of cleaning carburetors they call Craig. Prices are 129 any tank any condition, three day turn around.
www.CraigPaintsBikes.com • 813-407-2226
MEANING OF MEMORIAL DAY NEVER FORGET OUR VETERANS WHO SERVE
I have approached this subject several times over the years, Memorial Day is not the official start of summer, nor should it be the reason for a 3-day long weekend of parties, barbecues, or car sales. Memorial Day has had several names over the 150 years of its existence; however, the reason for Memorial Day stays the same. The day is for honoring and showing respect for those who have been killed while serving in the military, beginning with the Civil War through current military engagements. Over the years Memorial Day has
diminished as a national holiday and has became the unofficial start of summer and big box store specials. Why has it gotten to that point? Simply stated, people don’t seem to care as much as they have in the past. With only 10% of the American population having served in the military, the other 90% seems to have forgotten what the actual cost of freedom is, those who have given their lives. Cemeteries will have small American Flags placed on the final resting places of our warriors and American Flags should be flown at half staff from dawn until noon
Remember and Honor our Veterans and Never Forget the meaning of Memorial Day.
at which time they will be brought back to full staff (or to the top of the pole). To properly bring the Flag to the half staff position the flag should be raised to the upper most position on the staff and then lowered to the half way position. Now you should have some idea as to what Memorial Day represents and what respect and dignity the day should be shown. Please say a special prayer for those who we have lost over the years. God Bless America and those who serve in uniform. It’s not about the war; it’s about those who serve to protect us. Terry Longpre
BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 13
Thunder Tower H-D West:
We’re more than a Friendly Face—we’re Family With so many shops in the Atlanta area it’s hard to stand out, but one HarleyDavidson dealer is up for the challenge, Thunder Tower West in Morrow, GA. Gene and Betty Preston, Thunder Tower West H-D owners, have brought their winning formula for exceptional customer experience to the Atlanta market. THE OWNERS’ REMARKABLE STORY In July of 2014, Gene Preston became the new Dealer Operator of Thunder Tower – West Harley-Davidson, the authorized Harley-Davidson® dealership located in Morrow, GA. Gene and his wife, Betty, are also the current owners of Thunder Tower Harley-Davidson located in Columbia, SC, which they acquired in 2006. Collectively, Gene and Betty oversee the dealership operations at the Columbia dealership with their son, Chris Preston, as the General Manager. Prior to purchasing Thunder Tower HarleyDavidson, Gene spent 30 plus years in Nuclear Engineering, including 7 years with Ontario Power Generation culminating as the Chief Nuclear Officer and Executive Vice President. In 2003, he launched Preston Consulting, LLC where he was the business development and senior consultant to management in major US nuclear utilities and Department of Energy national laboratory senior leadership. Both Gene and Betty enjoy spending time with their four sons, ten grandchildren and one great grandson. In addition to riding motorcycles, Gene enjoys traveling and collecting and driving sports cars, especially Corvettes. The Preston family is enjoying this new chapter in their lives and will always continue to strive to provide the best customer service and experience. Through teamwork and availing best practices, they intend to continue to grow both dealerships and to promote the Harley-Davidson culture and passion with customers and enthusiasts. We Understand customers have other options and the reason why their team is dedicated to ensuring each customer who walks through the door has an exceptional
experience. Every department offers individual attention to detail with customers to ensure all questions are answered. The owners lead by example; they are present and available to meet and interact with the customers daily. They make sure everyone on their team is dedicated and understands the customers’ needs and will go above and beyond to make sure those needs are met. From the large selection of bikes, clothing and staff to the weekly customer appreciation days, Gene and his family-run store go
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We’ll meet or beat any price, we’ll bring your New Harley to you. 770-960-6000
above and beyond to make sure their customers feel valued, and all it takes to experience it for yourself is to stop by the store. Thunder Tower West is located in the Atlanta metro area near South Lake Mall. Make sure you tell them BTR sent you. For more information about upcoming events please visit www.thundertowerwest.com, call 770960-6000, or stop by the store at 1384 Southlake Parkway Morrow, GA 30260.
BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 21
BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 23
Chopporama Builder Profile: Jon Bonner of Vigilante Metalworks, LLC. of Fort Myers, FL.’Bonner’ as his friends call him, and his wife Christal Maiden form a pretty interesting dynamic duo within the motorcycle community.in the Fort Myers area. Bonner has been building and fabriBTR 24 | BORNTORIDE.COM
cating since he was a kid in a bicycle shop. About six yrs ago he was in a serious bmx bicycle accident which literally cost him his life (for a brief moment). After a year in recovery he decided it was a good time to pursue his dreams and open up a custom motorcycle shop. As anyone
knows in the business, it’s not easy to start from ‘nothing’, but if you have a dream or a goal that you want bad enough, you can make it happen. Here we are 5 years later and he’s busy as ever with everything from fabrication jobs to complete builds His contribution to Chopporama was
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a beautiful Yamaha XS650 Chopper with so many hidden Gems built into it, your head would spin. His wife, Christal Maiden has a name in the industry as well, Christal has a huge social media presence,
with thousands of followers within the motorcycle, modeling and tattoo industry. Her pin -up, and Moto Model images have garnered attention from publications worldwide. So the dynamic between Bon-
ner and Christal works out really well, he builds great looking bikes, she makes them look even better! I’d call that a ‘win-win situation’ for everyone involved. If you wanna touch base with Bonner or Christal, you
Are you interested in being a part of Chopporama 2021, Let us know: info@borntoride.com
can give them a ring at his Fort Myer’s shop at 423303-9560. You can also find Bonner on Instagram @vigilantemetalworks and Christal @christal_maiden_official BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 25
Veterans Needs for the motorcycle community “22 Veterans a day are committing suicide and one of the key indicating factors is the lack of connectivity”
“I am so Thankful To Greg Blackwell for Believing in Born To Ride and for Giving Veterans a platform to come together and to let them know how much we care” Ron Galletti I am Greg Blackwell, past US Army Ranger that spent 11 consecutive years in the special operations world. I have been twisting the throttle inside the Motorcycle community since 1982. I also work with organizations to help rebuild the lives of (and sometimes houses) of veterans. So I bring a unique perspective to what is happening currently. I say this not to brag, but to add validly to my statements. I have seen an issue and opportunity inside the veteran and motorcycle community. In the Veteran and motorcycle community we are experiencing a time that has not been felt since World war 2 and the VietNam era. World War 2 brought our brotherhood together because of a need to be around like minded individuals, and the motorcycle clubs were formed. Viet Nam started a resurgence in our community based on the same reason. At the time we did not know why, or how to identify that
social or mental needs. Today we have a better understanding of the need that our soldiers are coming home with a sense of comradery and a feeling that there is still a mission. Our community provides that connection. The majority of veterans clubs have a mission and focus to provide help and support, not only national charities but local individuals as well. It is time for us to look at how we can reach them. I ask this question. When you are at an event are you standing there with sunglasses on, arms crossed and staying in a small group, or are you out introducing yourself and talking to the public? Just remember, that one person you walk by may need the same brotherhood that you have. It’s time for us to come out of our protective shells and reach out to the community. 22 Veterans a day are committing suicide and one of the key indicating factors is the lack of connectivity. By a simple act of introducing yourself could save a warriors life. I truly understand MC protocol and respect our traditions, but it’s time for us to reach out. Not just for the growth of our community but for the health and well being of those warriors that are
returning home. It’s time for us to band together. Every warrior you meet will have different needs. Some may fit better with a motorcycle association, riding association or some may be a good fit for another 3 piece club other than yours. We can’t turn our backs on our brothers. As long as everyone communicates we can have an impact on this epidemic. As I’m writing this article I was called by a warrior’s wife who’s husband was having issues. He was not a fit for my club or any traditional club for that matter, but I know of a MA that would be a good fit and connected him with them. My closing point is this. As veterans we have a primary mission to defend and protect our country. It is now a unique time to start talking to each other, MA,RC,VMC,MC. We have warriors that are out there looking for a brotherhood. We must put down our guard and reach out. If we communicate amongst each other we can direct that soldier in the right direction. If we get to know each other without an agenda we could not only grow our community, but more importantly save a life, “Rangers Lead The Way” Ranger Greg Blackwell Get Involved with Greg Blackwell’s Mission. Let him Know Your Thoughts: info@BornToRide.com BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 27
Nefarious James
I believe the past month has been hard on a lot of people. It’s not a normal occurrence that the bikers out there are told to stay home and put up their motorcycles in hopes of fending off an unseen attacker. Normally when we are attacked, we respond back with the closest version of what’s described under our second amendment and be done with the issue. This however is a whole new type of BTR 28 | BORNTORIDE.COM
deviant. I don’t want this article to be about this virus. I’ve decided to make it about something a lot of people won’t talk about. With this quarantine crap going on we are faced with a whole new menace. Those we love and ourselves. Whoever first wrote ‘we can be our own worst enemy’ was not kidding. Even worse, we as a society are prone to massive amounts of stupidity. I’m afraid to say, but I believe it’s in
“Second
some people’s DNA. I’m talking about self destructive behavior. I’m no doctor or shrink but I’ve fucked up a relationship or two. I screwed up a 24 year marriage with self destructive and negative behavior. What’s my excuse for all of this? Not a single thing I can come up with that would justify what I had done. But, I learned immensely from it. With those lessons I’ve learned come these little gems of advice. So listen up before it
Born To Ride Magazine, Real Editorial Content, Real Value every month for you the Reader
Amendment”
is feeling the same thing. Fighting won’t fix it. My ex wife would say “you can be mad that it’s broken or happy that it’s broken, either way it’s broken”. I’m sure not happy it’s broken, but I get the gist of it. Smart woman, but I would have the tendency to be mad first anyway. Human nature I guess. But good news is you can change that. I came across a quote from a guy named
“You may not be her first, her last or her only She loved before she may love again But if she loves you now what else matters?”
costs you what it cost me. First off I am not an advocate of striking a woman. No matter how much anger I’ve had, I’ve never laid a hand on a woman. Men, well that may be a different story. I understand that some people are fine with putting their hands on a female but I’ll tell ya, it’s a shitty idea and a worse thing to do. Now we are stuck in close quarters with our demons, self destructive tendencies, stress about bills, no money coming in and the constant voice in your head screaming how are we going to make it? Then there is the burden of trying to hold it all together. This whole scenario really sucks. Remember your significant other
Bob Marley. As I happen to be writing this on 4-20-2020. I felt it was fitting to share. Read it carefully and thoroughly more than once if need be. It’s some of the deepest wisdom I’ve read in a very long time that hits the nail on the head and it applies to both men and women. It reads: “You may not be her first, her last or her only. She loved before she may love again. But if she loves you now, what else matters? She’s not perfect - you aren’t either, And the two of you may never be perfect together but if she can make you laugh, cause you to think twice, admit to being human and making mistakes, hold onto her and give her the most you can. She may not be thinking of you every second of the day, but she will give you a part of her that she knows you can break her heart. So don’t hurt her. Don’t change her. Don’t analyze her and don’t expect more than she can give. Smile when she makes you happy, let her know when she makes you mad, and miss her when she’s not there. Love with your whole being when you receive love. Because there are no perfect girls, but there will always be a girl who is perfect for you.” Spot on. You just got that one for free. Probably one of the best quotes on a relationship I have ever read. I hope you read that quote again and really get the meaning of it. If you get it and its genuine meaning, you would be hugging your girl or guy right now. It’s powerful stuff. I believe you all get what I’m driving at. Be the change you want to see around you and make the difference in peoples’ lives that only your life experience can bring. It’s as easy as that. Battles and wars are not fought alone. Remember that. See you out there.
Got something to say to James? Let Us Know Your Thoughts: info@BornToRide.com
James “Nefarious” Gladstone
BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 29
Midwestern town and interrupt a motorcycle race being held there. A member of the BRMC steals a trophy, and presents it to Johnny who is the president of the gang in a show of respect. This trophy will become a focal point in the rest of the film, as it was not ‘won’ in actual competition, but ‘won’ by the ‘club’ as a spoil of confrontation. Johnny never actually states that he won the trophy until the gang heads to a local café, where Johnny meets Kathie Bleeker (played by Mary Murphy) who is the daughter of the local constable. Johnny tries to impress Kathie by stating that he won the trophy in the race, and asks her out to a dance being held later in the evening. Kathie refuses, and as the gang causes more and more disturbance, the locals in the town prod Harry Bleeker (the local cop played by Robert Keith) to deal with the gang. At this point in the film it becomes clear that Kathie is actually attracted to Johnny, and his wild lifestyle, but the romance never seems to work out. … As Johnny and his gang leave the Café, they encounter Chino (played by Lee Marvin) and his gang. Johnny and Chino are old enemies, and it is inferred that they were both members of another – larger- gang. Their rivalry escalated when Johnny broke off and formed the BRMC. Chino tries to recover the stolen trophy, but is unable to do so. As in all films of this nature, a fight breaks out between Johnny and Chino - Johnny wins. During the melee, a citizen hits a motorcycle with his car, and Chino drags him out of the car to beat him up. It is at this point that Harry the Cop arrests Chino. Harry was going to arrest the citizen also, but he lets him go in fear of future retribution. With Chino in jail, Johnny returns to the café to once again ask Kathie out. She again refuses using the ‘trophy’ and the alleged theft as an excuse. … (I guess she didn’t want to be a “Trophy” wife!) Later that night, Chino’s gang abducts the citizen from his home and in a hilarious scene they attempt to put him in jail with Chino. They actually get him into a cot in the cell, but Chino is too drunk to get up, so they just leave him there. He later breaks out! How you ask? The locals form up a vigilante squad to run the The entire review could be summed up in a sentence: “This film bikers out of town. When they go to the jail to retrieve their neighbor, Chino escapes and disappears into the darkness. Later Chino created an image and a lifestyle that yet endures.” Yes, the image and his gang attempt to abduct Kathie, but our hero Johnny saves of a young Brando sitting on his Triumph motorcycle, dressed in a the day! Kathie and Johnny soon part but the vigilantes capture black leather jacket, tilted cap and a stolen trophy attached at the Johnny and give him a good beating. He escapes, and returns to his headlamp, is certainly one that literally everyone has seen at least motorcycle and as the vigilantes give chase, one of them throws a once. Some of you still live that image today! This film arguably started the biker exploitation explosion in this tire iron at the speeding bike. The tire iron knocks Johnny from his bike, but the rider-less machine careens into an elderly bystander, reviewer’s eyes, and set the tone for hundreds of “B” movie skirt killing him. … riders that are still being spawned as we speak. Released in 1953, Johnny is arrested and charged with manslaughter, but after The Wild One was based on a short story The Cyclists’ Raid by Kathie and another witness corroborate his story he is released from Frank Rooney which was published in Harper’s magazine in 1951. jail. In the end, even though it is apparent that Johnny doesn’t want Rooney’s story was inspired by the Life magazine expose dubbed “The Hollister riot” published in July 21, 1947, after the famed ‘motor- to thank his witnesses for speaking up for him, he returns to the cycle weekend’ on July 4th. Curiously, that event is still celebrated in Café to offer the trophy to Kathie. This film is a classic piece that you will likely enjoy if you are Hollister to this day! Further research will show that this piece was fan of biker exploitation films. I stated earlier that this is the one that not as well accepted as some of Marlon Brando’s other work, such started it all, and if you like this kind of action this is a must see! as Streetcar Named Desire and the film was actually banned in the UK for 14 years! What is Johnny rebelling against? “What have you The film runs 79 minutes; it is presented in beautiful black and white, and available on DVD! I’ll give this one 5 stars, and you will play it got?” The story starts out when Brando, starring as Johnny Strabler, and his gang the Black Rebels Motorcycle Club roll into a small over and over again, I promise. …
The Phantom Movie Review
BTR 30 | BORNTORIDE.COM
Do you have a favorite Biker Movie we don’t have? Let us know: info@borntoride.com
Why Motorcyclists Can’t Afford to Just Sit Back and Enjoy the Ride By Matt Danielson, The Motorcycle Law Group
Many different things draw people to motorcycling. For some, it’s the sense of freedom. For others, it’s a source of relaxation, even exhilaration. If you’re like me, it’s to some degree all of the above. That said, it’s the ride we crave regardless of what each of us gets from it. This time of year, roads are packed with motorcyclists sitting back (or forward) and just enjoying the ride. Which begs the question: can we, as avid motorcyclists, afford to do that? I have the privilege of being able to attend motorcycle rights conferences around the country. It has allowed me to take some fantastic rides in some of the prettiest parts of this nation. I remember attending one conference a few years ago put on by the Motorcycle Rider’s Foundation (MRF), in Frisco, Colorado. If you’ve been to Colorado, you know it’s some of the prettiest riding country you’ll ever encounter. Yet on a gorgeous Saturday in June, I found myself not on my bike riding the Rockies, but in a room with motorcyclists from around the country discussing issues riders face all around the United States. Some of the issues being addressed by the participants included working to: • Prevent motorcyclists from being excluded from public parking lots, roads and parking garages • Eliminate roadside checkpoints aimed only at motorcyclists BTR 32 | BORNTORIDE.COM
• Address the ever-growing problem of distracted driving • Prohibit the use of higher ethanol blends at the pump until the effects on motorcycle engines can be further studied • Lobby for legislation allowing motorcyclists to safely and reasonably proceed when they are stuck at a traffic light that will not recognize them • Prevent legislation which arbitrarily sets age restrictions for passengers on motorcycles • Partner with state and local governments to promote sensible motorcycle awareness campaigns These are all real issues being faced by real riders. As I took in everything being discussed, I thought to myself: what would riding be like if no one was addressing these issues on behalf of motorcyclists? The answer was chilling. It’s easy to sit back, enjoy the ride, and count on everything being all right. But can we afford to do that? If we all did, we may soon find no ride left to sit back and enjoy. So what can you do to protect yourself and the activity we all love and cherish? Take some simple steps to become involved in protecting the rights of fellow motorcyclists. I’m not suggesting everyone start riding all over the country attending seminars (though it is a great excuse to ride all over the country). Get involved locally. Start paying attention to positions your local, state and federal legislators take regarding
issues affecting motorcyclists. Share your thoughts in letters and emails. Write letters to the editor of your local paper. Go to City Council or County Board meetings. Join a motorcycle rights organization and attend their lobby day, when motorcyclists go the State Capitol to discuss important issues with elected officials. I also encourage you to join the MRF, an organization dedicated solely to protecting the rights of American motorcyclists (learn more and join at mrf. org). There are numerous ways to protect your rights as a motorcyclist. The ways are limitless, bound only by your passion and imagination. There is, however, a wrong way, and that’s to count on someone else to do it. That someone may be sitting back, enjoying the ride and counting on you. If you have any questions or comments concerning this article or any other matters concerning your rights as a motorcyclist, please feel free to contact me at 1-800-3218968 or matt@motorcyclelawgroup.com. Matt Danielson McGrath, Danielson, Sorrell & Fuller The Motorcycle Law Group
Matt Danielson is a partner at the Motorcycle Law Group, a personal injury law firm whose attorneys all ride motorcycles and represent clients in GA, VA, WV, NC and SC. He also serves as a lobbyist, adjunct professor and works with motorcycle rights organizations throughout the country.
Have you been injured in an Accident? Contact our Law Firm1-800-321-8968
HORSEPOWER & TORQUE
Without one you can’t have the other. Torque and Horsepower are often confused but closely related in the equation for measuring horsepower. You just need to add RPM. The three factors involved in measuring horsepower would be torque, RPM, and the constant 5252, which is the measurement of time. It all started with the horse. Horsepower (H-P) is a unit of power for measuring the rate at which an engine or primary mover (the horse) can perform mechanical work in a given amount of time, over a set distance. In the 17th century James Watt developed the first practical steam engine. He used his engine to pump water out of mines; before that draft horses were used. So it was logical to relate the work the steam engine could do with the amount of horses it could replace. Draft horses are huge animals, like the Budweiser Clydesdales; not as pretty but these brutes did the work. The original “sled pull” started with horses pulling a sled because BTR 36 | BORNTORIDE.COM
“gear heads” back then didn’t have dyno’s to see whose horse was the baddest. The horse would pull a certain amount of weight; the measured distance and time it took to move the weight became the measurement for H-P. Watt’s came up with the figure for H-P by using the horse to plot a circular path pulling at a right angle at the end of a twelve-foot lever projecting from a capstan at the center of a circle. The capstan in turn was geared to operate the pump. Watt’s estimated that the horse pulled with a force (or torque) of 180 LBS. The circle it followed had a circumference of 2 X pi X a radius of 12 feet which = 75.4 feet the horse could make 144 trips around the circle in one hour or 2.4 trips a minute for a speed of 181 feet per minute. To convert the demonstration of the horse’s power or work into measurable leverage or what is commonly referred to as torque, force, or work. Watt’s multiplied the 180 LBS. (the force the horse was pulling) by the 181 feet (the
distance the horse walked) and came up with 32,580 pounds feet per minute which he rounded to 33,000 pounds feet per minute. That means if 33,000 pounds feet per minute is divided by pi multiplied by 2 the result is 5252. This constant enters a time factor into the equation. Now we need to relate torque (work) RPM, (distance) and the constant figure 5252 (relating to time) to a rotating shaft of an engine. Torque also referred to as work or force and is what moves or accelerates the bike. Torque is the twisting or turning force that engineers measure in pound-foot equal to 1 pound of force applied at the end of a one-foot lever and is described, as 1 FT./ LBS., which is the measurement of torque. Torque is what pushes the piston down. Currently the only efficient method that exists for measuring H-P is by measuring actual engine torque and RPM with a dyno and then calculating H-P. Watt’s definition of H-P is equal to a work multiplied by a distance
divided by time. With this simple equation we can calculate H-P or torque at any RPM. Horsepower = Torque X RPM Work X Distance 5252 Time Example 100 Ft./LBS X 5000 RPM = 95.20hp 5252 Torque = Horsepower X 5252 RPM Horsepower X Time Distance Example 95.20 H-P X 5252 = 100 Ft./LBS. 4500 RPM An engines torque is determined by the percentage a cylinder is filled at a given RPM. Volumetric efficiency represents the percentage of cylinder fill. The greater the cylinder fill (VE) the greater the torque will be. Torque Peak is the point at which an engine achieves maximum cylinder filling. In a Harley motor it usually around 5000 RPM. A Harley motor is not a very efficient engine. Usually when referring to Harley’s you would refer to a torque figure in foot-pounds this is because a Harley engine does not have the ability to turn high RPM’s. On the other hand the 4 cylinder engines have the ability to turn high RPM’s because of better airflow, shorter strokes, and overhead cams. These motors
will usually turn 10,000 RPM’s. Referred to as a horsepower motor, this is because they don’t make as much torque as a Harley per stroke but they can turn twice as many RPM’s. So a torque engine works harder at a slower speed and a horsepower engine doesn’t work as hard but at twice the speed, to achieve the same amount of H-P. Again H-P is the measurement of work after it is done. An example: A torque motor making 100 Ft./LBS. of torque turning at 5000 RPM’s versus a horsepower motor making 50 Ft./ LBS. of torque turning at 10,000 RPM’s will achieve the same amount of H-P, which is 95.20. Torque Engine 100 Ft./LBS X 5000 RPM 5252 Horsepower Engine 50Ft./LBS X 10000RPM 5252 Both = 95.20hp Since horsepower is equal to torque multiplied by RPM, any torque increase results in a power increase at any given RPM level. Horsepower on the other hand is the speed at which an engine performs work the faster an engine performs a given amount of work the more horsepower is developed. If you look at a dyno chart you will see that the torque line starts out on top and meets the H-P line at 5252 RPM. The reason for this
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is, torque and H-P are always equal at 5252 RPM because 1 Ft./LBS below 5252 RPM produces less than 1 H-P. Consequently 1 Ft./LBS above 5252 RPM is always more than 1 H-P. If the torque number is larger than the H-P it’s because you’re measuring below 5252 RPM. That is why; less than 5252 RPM’s is always referred to as torque and above 5252 RPM’s is always referred to as H-P. Here are some H-P figures for some different engines. FLH Shovel makes 66 H-P at 5600 RPM; An Evo makes 69 H-P at 5000 RPM The V-Rod destroyer makes 165 H-P at 9700 RPM this is H-D’s new race bike NHRA Pro-stock inline 4 motorcycles are 101 C.I. making 300 H-P at 13,500 RPM, The G2 Motor Sports Buell is 160 C.I. and makes 300 H-P at 9000 RPM, All Harley Drag Racing Association top fuel dragster is 175 C.I. and makes 800 H-P NHRA Pro-stock car is 500 C.I. making 1400 H-P and turns 10,000 RPM The big daddy of them is NHRA’s top fuel with 500 C.I. engines turn 10,000 RPM making 7,500 H-P. The best place to see H-P is at the track. Smoke ‘em if you can. Tell him Born To Ride Sent You! Rob Schwellinger R&R Cycles RSR1Racing@aol.com
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Craven Moorehead MAY I SEND YOU A MESSAGE?
With all the recent activity in my life, it becomes unusually difficult for me to enjoy just hanging out or being my usual rotten self. I have been constantly reminded of my degenerate lifestyle and lack of reasonable income, plus the fact that no matter what I do, some kind of crap comes up that prevents my happiness and success. Well, not really. I mean, it could be worse - much worse. Here’s an example: I had to go to the office today to do some business and when I left there, RT60 was in total Eastbound chaos. There was some sort of serious accident involving a motorcycle which spread small pieces of debris and parts all the way across the 3 eastbound lanes. If I had arrived an hour later, I wouldn’t have been able to make the turnaround to the BTR office. Evidently, this was fairly serious and every type of police and emergency vehicle were present on the scene. Every month I remind all of you, my dedicated readers, to look out for and respect the motorcycle riders that are out there using our nation’s highways. I suspect that most of you actually have and ride a motorcycle, but this message goes out to the general public: Watch out for and respect motorcyclists and remember to share the road! Correctly. … And we all said please and Amen. (No, I’m not really a preacher) Originally, I was going to write the majority of this story about Lynne’s hair. You see, Eddie and Lynne are Co-Hosts on Born To Ride radio on Tuesday night. We have a lot of fun doing it and it provides a ton of valuable information to those of us who ride. But Lynne’s hair is so large it allegedly has its own zip code and area
code. On Born To Ride radio it simply has its own cameras and it’s a topic of discussion on most of the shows but not the most important of topics. I love doing Talk-Radio, and I know that Lynne and Eddie do also, but we are trying to do something good for our local community and worldwide. I can’t seem to avoid the “Talk-Radio” circuit because I have a really cool radio on the bagger, and infrequently the radio in my old pickup still works. I used to listen to the CD player on the bagger or try to find the ‘one out of many’ stations that didn’t play the same worn out seven songs between commercials. Good radio is hard to find nowadays – especially when you want to rock out or enjoy some progressive country music that doesn’t make ya want to cry in your beer. Anyhow, following talk-radio has brought me to the same plateau that watching television does. Maybe I shouldn’t say plateau, I should say cliff. Yeah you know, the one you wanna jump off when you’ve had enough BS in your life from the regulated media. And this revelation that I was given by listening to regular radio be it talk, music, or a combination of both brought me back to my abnormal reality. So with all the aforementioned conflicting and sometimes useless information that I am supplying you, I decided to get back in the Internet broadcasting business, largely due to the fact that I had extra room in my new location and moreover my personal desire to try to make things better for the general public and bikers, whether that constituent is listening or not. Honestly, I hate to just talk about radio in general and I am continually trying to change it with the help of Born To Ride. The truth of the matter is that wherever you go, you will still be exposed to the same ‘media’ slant that all the regulated outlets cram down your throat. Unless you live in a small town where you can actually call into a radio station and get your request played, you are pretty much stuck with what you get. … I am trying to change that. For what it’s worth, I believe that in the very near future the Internet is where all you regular people will get all your entertainment. It’s alarming to observe the huge number of people who get all their content from their phones ... be it TV, radio, or movies the Internet has taken the forefront in the delivery of your content. For better or worse, just live with it. You are stuck with it. …. Don’t forget to tune in to Born To Ride radio every Tuesday night between 8 PM and 11 PM. I thank you and so does Lynne’s hair. …
R.I.P. Craven Moorehead, Your Words Will Live On Forever
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CHRISTIAN MOTORCYCLISTS ASSOCIATION A few years ago I traveled to the Tennessee hills where my wife and I enjoyed the scenery and the winding roads of the area. Every day, before heading out to discover more of the gorgeous surrounding countryside, we consulted our maps and laid out a route for the day. On one particular day we decided to visit a number of dams in the local area. There were several dams to see, so off we went to explore the region. We were enjoying our day, seeing the different dams and their structures. It was mind boggling to look out over the high side of the dams and see the vast area that was covered under water due to the dams having been built. We also noticed how small and insignificant we were in the presence of the man made barriers. After we saw the sights we stopped in a small restaurant for some burgers and fries, and an escape from the heat outside. Isn’t air conditioning a wonderful invention? With our bellies full and our bodies cooled down we headed for the back half of the ride. No more dams to see on this day, but the map showed a promise of some more winding roads on the way back to the campground. Little did I know it BTR 40 | BORNTORIDE.COM
was about to become a more interesting ride! When we turned off of the main road it wasn’t long before we came to the proverbial fork in the road. Since the map did not show the two roads splitting, I took a deep breath, and took the road to the left. There were no signs to guide us and I realized that we were on a parallel road going right back from where we had just come. I have a patch on my vest that says U Turn, and that is exactly what I did, I turned around. We got back to the previous turnoff and took the other road. After a long while we were seeing homes and other signs of life, and the traffic was picking up significantly. All of a sudden I realized where we were, about 40 miles beyond where our campground was located. We were very off course, but at least we knew where we were. Sometimes life is a lot like that! Even when we think we know where we are, and we have taken the time to plan our activities, we can still find ourselves going the wrong way. The best answer is found in the Bible, in Psalm 61:1, “Hear my cry, oh God; listen to my prayer.” Even when we believe in ourselves and our own actions, we may still find ourselves needing help from God. The great news is that God is always there to help and guide you and me. He is only a simple prayer away. When you find yourself lost, look up in prayer, for God is your wonderful answer! In The Wind, Denny Dingler
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