Full Throttle Magazine May 2026

SATURDAY, MAY 23RD

Lets welcome two new Advertisers

Roads Worthy by John Stapleton................

Amber Mae Tate make another appearance with Iron Motorcycles 2023 Lowrider ST... 16,17,18 & 19

Charles Harley-Davidson

FullThroTTle2024@ouTlook.com

Nick and Dina Gaines, Publishers Publisher@fullthrottle-magazine.com

Nick and Dina Gaines, Editor Editor@fullthrottle-magazine.com

Contributing Writers

B.Blanton, Rocky, Roger Ferris, Dina Gaines, Reine Knobbe, John Stephenson

Sales Staff

Nick and Dina Gaines

Design and Layout by Monster Graphics

Contributing Photographers

Nick and Dina Gaines

Reine Knobbe, Quinton McLendon, Sven White Robert Blanton

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It’s MAY. It’s finally freaking May !!!!!

There was a couple of days I didn’t know if we would make in those cold ass winter months, but here we are!!!

I can definitely tell its May because Allegra is now my friend again, but its Freaking May...

Let’s talk a little about April.

We had a great April, with events starting to happen with the weather breaking.

The Easter Car Show was a huge success as always and it turned out to be a great sunny day. We have pictures of the show on pages 8 & 9 and about 150 more pictures on the Facebook Full Throttle Page.

Next, if you have been to a bar, nightclub or concert venue in St. Louis or surrounding areas in the last 20 years you have seen the Well Hungarians playing.

We got to celebrate the founder of that band Johnny Holzum’s 60th birthday @ The Falls with a whole room just full of talented musicians from all over.

It was a great day for Johhny but really it was a great day for everyone that attended the show!

The first Cruisin Lindbergh car cruise was the on the 18th and as always, it was a great night to be out Cruisin Lindbergh even though it was a cold night the St. Louis Car community did not disappoint.

Theres two more Cruisin Lindbergh events scheduled for this year on July 18 & Oct 17. We hope to see you there.

As I write this, we are getting ready for the first Bike Night at the Hideout tonight. It’s a beautiful day and should be an awesome night, hope we saw you there .... Let’s move into May.

We are heading down to the Majic Dragon Street Meet Nationals Car Show at The Lake of the Ozarks 1st, 2nd & 3rd. This is such a great car show that it’s hard to put into words.

They reserve each parking space from the top to the bottom of the Bagnell Dam Strip and fill it with 800 of every kind of classic, unique vehicle, hotrod and motorcycle.

Only the ones that are registered are allowed to drive through. Even if you have not registered, it’s worth it to go, it’s such a well-attended event. This Event started in 1987 we have had a car in the show for around 20 years.

Next, we are all looking forward to Grafton Bike Week in Grafton, IL. on May 12-17. Last year was their first year for the event and it was very well attended. They are moving full steam ahead with more days, more bands and more rides and events. We have the times, events and dates of the show posted daily on our Full Throttle Facebook page so take a look and come on out!!!!!

We will have our tent and merch at this show and others this year.

Let’s talk about the Detail 360 3rd Annual Car and Bike Show. Saturday May 23rd 10-3 @ Lakeside Park in St. Peters Mo. Detail 360 puts on such a great show that features custom and classic cars and bikes, food and music.

Come out and see us at the show ......

To finish off May, back again is Big St. Charles and St Charles Harley’s first bike night of the year!! This is always one of the very best & biggest bike nights in the area, and it always draws a huge crowd. If you know you know, if you don’t, come out and find out!!!!

We will be set up with our tent and merchandise at a lot of these events because you need a Full Throttle Shirt, Tank or Hat to add to your closet....

Once again, we thank you for following us on Facebook and all of your support in the community.

2023 Lowrider ST

White Sand Pearl Motor

● 117 CI M8

● Darkhorse Custom Man of War Flywheels

● Counter Balancer Removed

● CP Custom Forged Pistons at 9.5 Compression

● Feuling Race Cam Plate, Oil pump, and Lifters

● Feuling Rocker Arm Studs, Rocker Arm Shafts, and Breathers

● Woods 408x Cam & Valve Springs

● S&S Piston Jets, Lifter Cuffs, Intake Manifold

● Thundermax Fuel Management

● Injector Dynamics Fuel Injectors Driveline

● Darkhorse Man of War Compensator

● Trask Billet Clutch Basket

● Trask Derby Cover

● Custom Baker Manual Adjuster

● Vulcan Chain Drive 25/48

● DID 530 O-Ring Chain

● Alloy Art Chain Adjuster Transmission

● A1 Cycle Back-Cut & Polished Gearset

● Trask Vent Cover

● AIM Hydraulic Conversion & Slave Cylinder Suspension

● Ohlins HD 516 rear shock

● GP Cartridge Front Forks

● Trac +2 Billet Swingarm

● Mymachinest Triple Trees Wheels/Brakes

● BST 17 inch Carbon Fiber Torque TEK Wheels

● Beringer Calipers

● Galfer rotors

● Kraus Radical Mount Brackets & Custom ABS Delete

● Duel front bango brake lines Turbo

● Garrett GTX2867R Turbo

● Tial Wastgate & Blow Off-Valve,

● JMB/IMP Custom Stainless Piping and Intercooler

● Turbosmart Boost controller Body

● Custom Paint from Radical Revisions

● Custom Powdercoating by JMB Performance

● Custom tank/faring lift, fender Drop

● Custom wiring

● Nasty Hog Rebel Chopped Saddlebags with Crash Guard & Fender/Side

● Trask Risers

● LA Chopper Stainless Bars

● Saddleman SDC Pro Seat

● Glowsift Boost/Oil Pressure Gauges

● Custom Dynamics Shark headlight and vent blinkers

● Thrashing Gauge mount, and Perch clamps

● Thrashing Shift and Brake Adjusters

● Arlen Ness grips, Gas Cap, pegs, and controls

● Klock Works Wind Screen

Motorcycles with History!!

Welcome back Full Throttle readers! This month we are not going to talk about something new. Rather something that has been around for a while. The Evolution engine from Harley Davidson.

This is James Kelly, a motorcycle salesman at St Charles Harley Davidson with his 1992 Softail Custom (FXSTC). Featuring the iconic 80 cubic inch Evo motor! The bike has a custom paint set from the factory. James says the upgrades include the Vance and Hines longshot exhaust, Screamin Eagle ignition and a carburetor jet kit. Easily missed is the H-D factory padlock used for the steering lock. Easily missed but a cool feature!

The story of the Harley-Davidson Evolution engine—better known simply as the “Evo”—is not just about mechanical design; it is about survival. Introduced in 1984, the Evo engine became one of the most important developments in Harley-Davidson’s history, largely because of its durability and the role it played in restoring the company’s reputation at a time when collapse seemed imminent.

By the late 1970s and early 1980s, Harley-Davidson was in serious trouble.Years of mismanagment under AMF ownership had led to declining quality, unreliable motorcycles, and a damaged brand image. Riders increasingly turned to Japanese manufacturers whose bikes were smoother, cleaner, and far more dependable. Harley’s existing engine, the Shovelhead, had become notorious for oil leaks, overheating, and inconsistent performance. The company’s survival depended on fixing one core issue: reliability.

The Evolution engine was the answer. From a design standpoint, it represented a major leap forward. Unlike its predecessor, the Evo used aluminum cylinder heads and barrels instead of cast iron. This change alone improved heat dissipation, allowing the engine to run cooler and more efficiently. Cooling improvements were critical because excessive heat had been a major contributor to engine wear and failure in earlier Harley designs.

But durability was not just about materials—it was about engineering discipline. Harley-Davidson delayed the release of the Evo to ensure it met strict reliability goals. Executives insisted the engine had to be “durable, oiltight, and bulletproof,” even though the company desperately needed a new product quickly. Engineers subjected the engine to thousands of hours of dyno testing and hundreds of thousands of miles of road testing before it reached production. This obsessive development process paid off.

Tech Tips with Mac!!!!

Let’s Talk About Oil

By Mac Iron Motorcycle Performance

Choosing the Right Oil for Your Harley-Davidson: Conventional vs. Synthetic

When it comes to keeping your Harley-Davidson running strong, the oil you choose matters more than many riders realize. Your engine’s lifeblood doesn’t just lubricate; it cools, cleans, and protects against wear. One of the most common questions we hear at Iron Motorcycle Performance is: “What’s the difference between conventional oil and synthetic oil for my Harley?” or “What’s the best oil brand?” Let’s break it down.

1. What They’re Made Of

- **Conventional Oil**: This oil is refined from crude oil and features naturally varying molecules. While it provides decent lubrication, its consistency is often less reliable.

- **Synthetic Oil**: Engineered in a lab, synthetic oil has uniform molecules that create smoother flow, stronger film strength, and more reliable protection.

2. Heat Resistance

Harleys run hot—especially models like the Milwaukee-Eight and air/oilcooled engines.

- **Conventional Oil**: This type can break down faster under high heat, leading to thickening or oxidation.

- **Synthetic Oil**: Designed to withstand higher temperatures, synthetic oil protects your engine during summer rides, traffic, or long-distance touring.

3. Cold Start Protection

- **Conventional**: Tends to thicken in cold weather, delaying oil flow on startup.

- **Synthetic**: Flows faster when cold, ensuring critical engine parts are lubricated right away

4. Cleanliness & Additives

- **Conventional**: While effective, it tends to form deposits and sludge sooner.

- **Synthetic**: Keeps engines cleaner for longer by holding detergents and additives in suspension more effectively.

5. Oil Change Intervals

- **Conventional**: Typically requires changes every 2,500–3,000 miles for Harley applications.

- **Synthetic**: Can last up to 5,000 miles, depending on riding style and conditions. For aggressive riding in hot weather, a 3,000-mile change is still recommended.

6. Cost

- **Conventional Oil**: Costs less per quart.

- **Synthetic Oil**: More expensive upfront but lasts longer and offers better protection, making it a smarter long-term investment.

7. Harley-Davidson’s Recommendation

Harley-Davidson highly recommends synthetic oil for Milwaukee-Eight, Twin-Cooled, and high-performance models due to its superior protection against heat and wear

8. The Best Brand

A wise man once said, “The kind you change.” While personal preferences vary, the key takeaway is that regular oil changes are crucial, no matter the brand.

The Bottom Line

If you ride older models or prefer to change oil frequently, conventional oil will do the job. However, for the best protection, especially in modern Harleys or during long, hot rides, synthetic oil is the way to go. Remember: oil is cheap, but motors are not. Prioritizing the right oil can lead to a longer-lasting, better-performing engine.

I hope this helps. As always, thanks for taking the time to read the article. If there is a topic you would like more info on, feel free to email us at Sales@IronMotorcyclePerformance.com and put “Tech Article” in the subject line.

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