Midwest Motorcyclist, Oct 2014 issue

Victory Motorcycles Demo Truck Friday, October 3, 2014 Saturday, October 4, 2014 Sunday, October 5, 2014

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Midwest Motorcyclist

3

IN THIS ISSUE…..

Columns 5 6 7 8 17 18 20 cc media publications

This Month’s Contributors: Contributing Editors Patrick Armitage Nicole Espinosa Franz Hoffer Mike Mekinda plus

Emily Flinkstrom, Malisa Hinderliter Dondi Vesprini, Jason Waechter

Publisher/Managing Editor

Ray Peabody publisher@midwestmotorcyclist.com rpeabody@sbcglobal.net

To Our Readers Tech Talk: B atteries by Franz Hoffer Motorcycling and Law: Law Regarding Loud Pipes by Dondi Vesprini The Live It Right Dream Ride: Message from the Owl by Emily Flinkstrom The Fiery Road to Love by Nicole Espinosa Dr. Cycholl by Patrick Armitage Michigan’s Helmet Law: A Brief Tutorial by Jason Waechter

Features, News & Reviews 10 13 16 16 18

Profile: Disorder Studio’s Seth Elkin by Ray Peabody Toolkit Helps Avoid Bogie in the Boonies All New 2014 Aerostich Catalog Diamond Gussett Teams with OCC to Create Ultimate Motorcycle Jean 2014 Ton Up a Success with Move to Street by Malisa Hinderliter

Resources 5 21

Advertiser Index Event Schedule

Cover photo: Contyributing Editor Mike Mekinda is always coming across these incredible motorcycle de21. The cover photo is a picture of his latest acquisition, a 1973 Harley-Davidson FLH with HD sidecar.

Photo by Mike Mekinda.

CORRECTION: In the September 2014 issue, BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan’s full page ad indicated that Factory Finacing to qualified buyers was available through the end of September 2014 and included the water-cooled R 1200 GS. Factory financing was not avialable on the watercooled R 1200 GS. Also, it wasn’t clear at the time whether the Factory Financing would be offered beyond August 31, 2014. We apologize for any inconvenience these errors caused.

Make us your fall destination ride!

Advertising Sales/ Web Master / Distribution Ray Peabody publisher@midwestmotorcyclist.com rpeabody@sbcglobal.net

Cover Design Julie Kirkendoll

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How to contact us: 709 Fall Street Spring Lake, Michigan 49456 (810) 923-8738 www.midwestmotorcyclist.com Copyright 2012-2014 cc media. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, photocopied, or electronically transmitted without the expressed written permission of the publisher.

Advertisers, their agents, contributors of event information, freelance contributors and/or editorial contributors will defend, indemnify and hold cc media and RTP Enterprises, Inc. harmless in any claims of libel, copyright or trademark infringement, plagiarism, violation of local, national, or international privacy laws and any other claim or suit that may arise subsequent to publication of said advertisement, stories, event information, and/or editorial. Submission of material for consideration for publication in Michigan Motorcyclist/Midwest Motorcyclist, American CycleRider either solicited or unsolicited, constitutes agreement to these terms. Except for the Publisher and Managing Editor, all writers are free-lance contributors.

Any and all opinions expressed are those of the authors, and don’t necessarily reflect those of the publisher.

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October 2014

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Harley-Davidson ...........10, 11, 19 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Battle Creek Harley-Davidson ....10, 11, 19 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Bent Wheels Competition Club.................5 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 BMW MC of Detroit.................13, 16 21 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 BMW of Grand Rapids..........3, 18, 21 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 BMW, SE Michigan..............5, 12, 17, 23, 24 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Brighton Harley-Davidson .......10, 11, 19 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 C & S Harley-Davidson ...........10, 11, 19 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Capitol Harley-Davidson ..........10, 11, 19 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Classic MotorSports........,.........10, 11, 19 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Cycle Conservation Club ...........................7 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Diamond Gusset Jeans ............................10 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Driftless Destinations..........................13 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Fremont Boot.............................................17 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Gildner’s Harley-Davidson ........10, 11, 19 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Grand Rapids H-D................. ...10, 11, 19 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Great Lakes Dual Sporters ....................7 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Great Lakes Harley-Davidson ..10, 11, 19 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Hamilton’s Harley-Davidson ......10, 11, 19 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Harley-Davidson dealers ..........10, 11, 19 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Harrison Motorcycle Service ................12 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Hot Rod Harley-Davidson ........10, 11, 19 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Jason Waechter, The Motorcycle Lawyer..24 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Jerry B’s Cycle Works .......................12 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Kelley & Sons Trailers ............................17 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Live It Right Dream Ride..............................9 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 MI Supermoto...........................................8 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Michigan Chrome Shop.......................5 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Michigan City Harley-Davidson..............21 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Motor City Harley-Davidson ...10, 11, 19 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Motor City Underwriters ......................12 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Motorcity Motorcycles.................2, 14, 15 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Motorcycle Mike’s............................20 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Motorcycle Solutions, LLC......................12 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 MC Sport Touring Association..........6, 7 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Perry’s Harley-Davidson ..........10, 11, 19 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Ray C’s Harley-Davidson..........10, 11, 19 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Retail Warehouse ..................................4, 5 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Sandy’s Harley-Davidson ...........10, 11, 19 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Shiawassee Harley-Davidson ....10, 11, 19 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Small Displacement Motorsports..................9 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Sport Bike Track Gear ............................ 22 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Sweet Trikes ...........................................12 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Tecumseh Harley-Davidson .....10, 11, 19 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 The Alibi Bar & Grill...............................8 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Town & Country H-D................10, 11, 19 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Vehicle City Harley-Davidson ..10, 11, 19 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Wolverine Harley-Davidson .....10, 11, 19 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Zip’s 45th Parallel H-D..............10, 11, 19 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901

Advertiser Index

It’s always the motorcyclists who seem to come through. I was recently making my business calls on the east side of the state when my serpentine belt slipped off the multiple pulleys. I struggled to get the belt back in place while compressing the spring loaded tensioner pulley. A significant number of cars passed me by as I struggled with the belt. It was a motorcyclist who stopped to give me a hand.

Less than five minutes later, the belt was in place and he was off. Little did I realize that the reason the belt slipped was because of a bad water pump. Nonetheless, it was another motorcyclist who stopped to give me a hand. Much thanks to the unknown rider.

11, 13, 17

Terrific issue for you this month. New contributor Malisa Hinderliter reviewed the 2014 Ton Up Motorcycle and Music Festival for us this month. The latest iteration was held on Cross Street in downtown Depot Town. It’s a terrific event and the street location is where it should be. Don’t miss Malisa’s story.

I profiled Seth Elkin, owner of Disorder Studio, for this issue. Seth is an interesting combination of artist and philosopher. It was one of the most interesting conversations I’ve had in awhile. I hope it shows in the profile.

Franz “The Preacher” Hoffer returns with another Tech Talk column about batteries for you this month. With the coming cold, battery maintenance is a timely subject for this relatively new column. Be sure to read this story to help keep your battery charged and efficient for a long time.

There’s a lot more news and information for you in this issue. Thanks for reading and sharing this issue with friends when you’re done with it. Please patronize our advertisers. We appreciate it and so will they.

Have an excellent autumn riding season. Watch for deer and other critters as well as leaves on the road surface.

See you on the road,

EXTEND YOUR RIDING SEASON We stock the full line of heated gear from both Gerbing and Powerlet. Stop by our store today if you want to keep riding long after other riders have put away their motorcycles for the season.

The Bent Wheels Chapter of the CCC is looking for new members.

BWCC has a long history of promoting events of all kinds and in preserving our ORV trail system. We are a family orientated, working club and ride the trails almost every weekend. If you’re looking for good times with great people - check us out.

Contact Billy Vanderhoff by email at bentwheelsbilly@gmail.com.

TM

Midwest Motorcyclist

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Tech Talk

Batteries

by Franz “The Preacher” Hoffer

On my recent trip to Sturgis (September MM), I wrote about my buddy Jimbo’s battery dying unexpectedly. Since then, I’ve received several e-mails from you readers and heard many stories from other riders about how a dead batter surprised and derailed them. Seems like no one really knows or understands how to select a battery, how to care for a battery, or when to replace a battery before you get that unwanted surprise. So I’m here today with Jerry Battaglia (Jerry B) of Jerry B’s Cycle Works located at 25430 Harper in St Clair Shores, MI. 48081, Ph# 586-773-BIKE. The Preacher (TP): Jerry, thanks for taking the time to talk to me. I know how busy you are.

Jerry B (JB): That’s OK, my friend, if the information I put out there helps one biker, that’s good, but I suspect it will help many.

TP: Jerry, I’m going to give you the floor and just ask a general question and then not interrupt you, I know how much you like to talk…. How do you select a battery, care for a battery, and know that battery is about to go dead?

JB: How many pages is Ray giving you in the magazine, because if I go in-depth, I can fill every page. Batteries is a good topic especially with the winter season hitting the northern states and most riders storing their bikes with their batteries in them. First of all, a battery is like anything, if you keep taking things out without putting anything back in, at some point it’s going to be empty.

All those electrical “toys” on our bikes need energy to run. It wasn’t that long ago when all a battery had to do was start the bike and honk the horn. On modern cycles, the draw on the electrical system and battery has increased exponentially. I see many bikes come in here with add-on electrical parts that the owner’s have attached directly to the battery. That type of connection creates a large energy draw. There are plenty of other places to draw power from and be more efficient and energy-wise in the process. Ok, so battery selection:

Now in West Michigan

Selection: Basically, there are two types of AGM (Absorbed Gas Mat) batteries (both styles are sealed): starting and deep cycle. The starting battery is designed to give you quick and strong bursts of energy desirable for starting engines, while the deep cycle battery is designed to deliver less instant energy, but longer term power generation, good for marine use. For your motorcycle, you would most likely prefer the starting style. I won’t get into Wet Cell or Gel Cell as just about every battery I see is a sealed AGM style; suffice it to say that you want a sealed battery. And make sure it’s one that fits well on your bike. You should not have to force it into a tight spot. There needs to be some ventilation all around the battery to prevent heat buildup. Heat is one of the primary factors adversely affecting battery life. (This may sound dumb, but be sure you purchase a battery that is 12 volt). I don’t prefer one battery brand over another so I won’t make a recommendation. Almost any battery, properly installed and well maintained will give you many years of good, faithful service. Be sure you buy what I call a “fresh” battery; most batteries have date of manufacture on them someplace. Get as recent a battery as you can.

Maintenance: This is an important issue and one that gets almost no attention. I mean, I see bikes coming in here all the time and, as part of my regular safety check, I look at the batteries. Most are so dirty that you know no one has looked at it. I see a lot of loose connections, which is the kiss of death for a battery. Check those connections often and keep them tight; remove one screw on a Harley to get the seat off and inspect the battery. If there’s build-up/corrosion on the poles, disconnect and take the battery out. You can clean those poles to look like new with a mixture of baking soda and water. At the same time, clean your battery leads on the bike the same way. Be sure to protect the surrounding wires and other parts of the bike. Some mechanics prefer to put a gel or silicone/Vaseline on the connections. I don’t. A well-maintained battery, one that is inspected on a regular basis, will not need that gel. When not using the bike, even if only for a couple of days and definitely over the winter, use a Battery Tender (not a trickle charger – that can ruin your battery) that generates 750MA to keep the battery at maximum charge. You can hook up leads directly to the battery where it’s very

Get Ready for Fall Riding with Gerbing Heated Apparel This club is like none other - no politics, no B.S. We travel to great riding destinations close by and far away. We learn to be better riders. We share camaraderie and a common passion: The Passion To Ride!

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Disclaimer: This ain’t your mamma’s pokey bar hoppin’ motorcycle club. It also isn’t a squidly club. We ride and we ride well. You are expected to ride within your limits.

You are expected to wear appropriate safety gear, ride a safely maintained machine, and follow reasonable group riding etiquette. We welcome riders of all skill levels, ages, genders, and marques. You will likely find like-minded members who ride at your level of skill. The MSTA and Michigan MSTA assume no responsibility for your safety, state of mind, average lean angle, or degree of rockin’ fun that you’ll experience with us. Just motorcycle enthusiasts getting together to ride.

Check us out on Facebook @ MSTAWestMichigan or send an e-mail to rpeabody@sbcglobal.net for more information.

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www.midwestmotorcyclist.com

simple to plug in the Tender. Another good thing to have is a volt meter. I sell one here in the store that you can hook up right to your charging connection and it will tell you how many volts your battery is putting out. A reading of 12.7V means completely charged; 12.4V means 75% charge; 12.2V you are at only 50%; 12.0V you are at 25%. Anything lower than that - if your battery is not already dead - it will be very soon; time to replace it.

Remember this, as little as 24 hours in hot weather or several days in cooler weather without some type of charging will negatively affect your battery. You can’t keep taking energy out without putting energy back in.

When to Replace: Believe it or not, a well-maintained battery can last up to eight years. It’s important to keep it charged and to check that voltage. It might be a good idea to check the voltage every week or every time the bike has been standing for long periods. Don’t forget that your bike does have parasitic drain. Bikes have computer systems, some have clocks, and most new bikes have alarm systems. These all drain power when your bike is off.

Don’t think there’s nothing going on when the bike is in the “off” position. When starting your bike, it should crank strong immediately, without any interruption. If it turns a quarter or half a turn then hesitates and then cranks again, your battery needs to be replaced.

So to make this easy: DO – Safety first always; buy as “fresh” a battery as possible; regular inspection and maintenance especially in hot weather; recharge the battery after each use with a Battery Tender (not a trickle charger) if possible; keep poles/leads clean and tight.

Anytime you are working around a battery, remove all your jewelry. The hydrogen gas that batteries make when charging is very explosive. It’s a good time to use those safety goggles. A battery blowing up is rare, but if it does happen, count on an acid shower…all over you and everything else. Be careful!!! DON’T: Forget safety; connect new “toys” direct to the battery poles/leads; place the bike in storage without some type of charging device attached and don’t put off charging.

TP: Thanks Jerry…this is all good information and I appreciate you sharing your knowledge and experience with our readers. Oh, on more thing….just like Colombo….what about jump starting a bike from another bike or car?

JB: I was waiting for you to ask that question. The best thing is if you have a couple buddies with you, try push starting. If you have any power left in the battery it will work. Just make sure you put the bike in 2 nd gear, turn on the ignition, depress the clutch and be careful….when it starts it’ll jump forward - and tell your buddies to watch their feet and hands. However, if you have no other choice, you can jump it from another motorcycle or car but be careful. If from a car, your best bet is to remove your motorcycle battery and hook it up to the car battery to charge for a while (with the car running). If going direct from the car, you may overpower your charging/electrical system. I’ve seen that happen maybe 20% of the time, so only do this if no other option exists.

From another motorcycle, the same risk is there, but not as great. There are these new “Zero Gravity” units out there that are probably the safest. It’s a portable battery pack that you charge up from your house current and then take with you; it’s only about as big as your computer power pack. It is supposed to hold enough charge to start a bike for several months and then you can always recharge it.

TP: Thanks Jerry, always good talking with you!

October 2014

Motorcycling & Law

Law Regarding Loud Pipes

Sport Touring is Our Middle Name!

We Ride! ...All Makes of Bikes ...All Over the Country ...On Back Roads ...On Racetracks ...At Novice-Advanced Levels ...In Our Sleep!

by Dondi Vesprini One of the most distinguishing characteristics of a motorcycle travelling down a Michigan road in the Fall is the rumble of the engine and the distinctive sound emanating from the tailpipes. As most motorcyclists know, the sound from the exhaust also serves to alert surrounding motorists that your motorcycle is nearby.

Hence the phrase, “Loud pipes save lives.�

What some motorcyclists are not aware of, are the provisions of the Michigan law that regulates how loud a motorcycle may be without being considered illegal.

Under Michigan law, a motorcycle may not be operated on a street if it produces total noise exceeding any of the following limits. (i) Eighty-six decibels from a distance of 50 feet: if the maximum lawful speed on the highway or street is greater than 35 miles per hour. (ii) Eighty-two decibels from a distance of 50 feet: if the maximum lawful speed on the highway or street is not more than 35 miles per hour. (iii) Ninety-five decibels under stationary run-up test at 75 inches.

The decibels are measured for purposes of this law on the a-weighted network of a sound level meter as specified by the American National Standards Institute. A person operating a motorcycle which violates the noise level could be subject to a civil infraction. In my experience, the problem that law enforcement has is that many officers do not carry a sound level meter in their vehicles, which makes it very difficult for law enforcement to prove that the sound the

officer heard was in fact above the specified decibel levels allowed by law.

The law also prohibits a person from operating a motorcycle that is not equipped with a muffler or is equipped with a cutout, bypass, amplifier or similar device.

Along similar lines, the law prohibits a person from selling, installing, modifying, repairing, replacing or removing a muffler or exhaust part that cause the vehicle to exceed the noise limits. A person who violates the law could be subject to a civil infraction or even a criminal misdemeanor.

A new bill, being House Bill 5726 was introduced in August which would expand liability to repair facilities that modify an exhaust system so as to produce noise in excess of the stock decibel levels produced by an exhaust system as designed and built by the original manufacturer. A facility which violates this proposed law would be subject to a $10,000.00 fine for each violation.

Be aware of these limitations if you have after market pipes or have modified your exhaust system to make it louder as indeed there could be a price to be paid tied to a motorcyclists attempt to alert other motorists of their presence.

As always, if anyone has any questions or if I can be of legal assistance to you or anyone you know who has been injured in a motorcycle accident, please don’t hesitate to contact me as I deal with these types of claims on a daily basis on behalf of injured motorcyclists statewide. Give me a call at (248-569-4646) or shoot me an e-mail at Dondi@buckfirelaw.com.

The Great Lakes Dual Sporters is a like-minded group of offroad motorcyclists who enjoy riding Michigan’s vast two-track trails and back roads. All done using a street legal dirtbike also known as Dual Sport.

If you’re looking for fantastic dualsport riding and the company of great friends, join us. Check out our website at www.gldsmc.org to learn about our group, our events and much more. Only $10 to join!

Our members come from all across the Midwest (and beyond) and we ride many makes of street bikes - including: • Aprilia • BMW • Buell • Ducati

• Harley-Davidson • Honda • Kawasaki

• Suzuki • Triumph • Yamaha ....and brands in between

We travel to great riding destinations close by and far away. We learn to be better riders. We share camaraderie and a common passion: The Passion To Ride!

For information about membership, meetings, events or rides, contact the MSTA group in your state: In Indiana, contact: Donald “Moose� Parish mooseparish@sbcglobal.net

In Kentucky, contact: Gary Dehner g.dehner@insightbb.com

In Michigan, contact: Gregg Mitchell mi_hsta@voyager.net In Ohio, contact: Doug McPeak coach-mac@columbus.rr.com

• MAINTAINED TRAILS

In Wisconsin, contact: Alan Tesch al_lynn_t@yahoo.com

N O N - C O M P E T I T I O N

• ORGANIZED EVENTS • FAMILY FUN • ALL LEGAL

Let’s Go Trail Riding!

No place to ride? Michigan is home to the largest organized network of off-road trails in the world - more than 3500 miles of marked, maintained ORV trails for the entire family to enjoy! Since 1968, The Cycle Conservation Club of Michigan has led the charge to assure continued access to public lands for motorized recreation by working closely with state and federal government. Membership in the CCC offers organized trail rides, a map CD of the entire trail system, a subscription to the Great Lakes TrailRider Magazine and a host of other member benefits! Call us today at 517-781-4805.

The Cycle Conservation Club of Michigan PO Box 486 t $PMEXBUFS .* t XXX DZDMFDPOTFSWBUJPODMVC PSH

www.GLDSMC.org TM

Midwest Motorcyclist

Event Listings

7

The Live It Right Dream Ride

A Message from the Owl

By Emily Flinkstrom

Before Jay & I left, I was talking with a group of students at the University of Michigan about our upcoming adventure. We were at a leadership retreat and I had been asked to talk about the experience Jay and I had developing our vision for The Live It Right Dream Ride. I shared the process we went through planning and preparing for the trip. I also talked about the larger vision for my life which includes closeness with family and having kids of my own. It was an invigorating conversation in which I hope to have inspired at least a few students in the crowd to go for a dream they once viewed as unreachable. The evening left me with questions to ponder though, including one asked by an astute student: “You mentioned that family is really important to you, and you are also seeking a life with adventure and travel. How do you plan to have both?” The question caught me off guard and gave me pause. Do you have to choose one over the other, or is it possible to strike the right balance between being connected to family and satisfying the internal wanderlust? I placed the question in my back pocket and went back to focusing on the immediate details of our trip.

As some of you know from reading our blog, Jay and I recently took a four week hiatus from our bikes to spend time celebrating several

get back to life on the road...or so I thought.

After spending a few more days with family in Oregon and getting the bikes ready to ride, we took off for the coast toward Newport, Oregon where we picked up highway 101 headed south. The drive along the coast offered spectacular views of the ocean. I found myself constantly turning my head to the right to soak in the beauty of the magnificent rock spires jutting up out of nowhere on the vast Pacific shorefront. I was in awe, yet there was something dampening my excitement - a heaviness that held down the unbridled enthusiasm I thought I should be feeling given the incredible beauty surrounding me. Feeling guilty for not fully enjoying this incredible experience, I ignored the negativity and kept riding.

The next morning we decided to take full advantage of the Oregon sand dunes and rented two ATVs to ride for an hour. Fish tailing and speeding through deep sand in a setting almost otherworldly caused me a few good giggles, but that heaviness remained. This time, instead of pretending the feeling wasn’t there, I decided to explore it - and what better time to sort through my thoughts than cruising down the road on my motorcycle.

Continued on next page

milestones with family. We flew from Portland, Oregon (with our bikes stored safely in Jay’s uncle’s garage) to Maine where we celebrated my grandmother’s 80th birthday, dad’s 60th, nephew’s 5th, sister’s 15th, and my other sister’s wedding. We then flew to Chicago to welcome Jay’s newest niece who was born two weeks before our arrival. The month filled us with love, support, good memories and The Live It Right laughter, but we were ready to

Dream Ride is sponsored in part by:

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2014 Schedule

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October 2014

Support the Live It Right Dream Ride!

50%

We have departed on our 15-month journey to Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. You can help support the adventure by buying a stylish t-shirt of the proceeds from or sticker. Stop by our online store today. Follow t-shirt / sticker sales during September our journey at www.liveitrightdreamride.com/. will be donated to Thank you for your support! the National Alliance on Mental Illness

Live It Right Unisex T-Shirt With a 50/50 cotton/poly blend this comfortable, yet durable shirt is great for both men and women. Spread the message to Live It Right while supporting our Dream Ride and looking stylish! $20 + s&h

Live It Right Women’s V-Neck T-Shirt This flattering women’s v-neck tee is 100%

After an hour of digging, I pinpointed my feelings of restlessness, anxiety, cotton making it both comfy and fashionable!

Purchasing this shirt will not only support The sadness and unease to homesickness. I was missing my family. The comfort that comes Live It Right Dream Ride, but will add a new with a familiar environment and being surrounded by people you love who have known staple to your wardrobe. $20 + s&h you since birth is not found on the road. The realization that I would not see my family Live It Right Dream Ride Sticker (upper left image) This 3.5 inch diameter, white for a year hit me harder than expected. It also brought back the question posed by that vinyl sticker can go anywhere! Support The Live It Right Dream Ride by purchasing student so many months ago; how to live a life with travel and adventure and family. stickers to go on your motorcycle, car, laptop, helmet, water bottle, fridge, wall...the The following evening we were camping in the heart of the redwood forest in options are endless. $1 + s&h northern, California. Our site butting up against thick woods, I was awakened at dawn by http://www.liveitrightdreamride.com/the-merchandise-1/ a unique, yet familiar bird call. I listened for a few minutes before I realized why such a distinct noise seemed so commonplace. Several years ago, Mounting & my brothers discovered a ridiculous YouTube video of Balancing scientists discussing the call of with tire purchase the Barred Owl. They described Tires, tune-ups and brakes for your motorcycle. Most brands and models. Now is the time to get your the noise as sounding as though the bird is asking, “Who cooks service and repair work done - before our service department gets jammed. Call or stop by our store for you? Who cooks for you-all?” today to schedule your service or repairs. Don’t wait ‘til the last minute!

It quickly became a running joke No tire is too big. No in our family to imitate the call • Street, off-road and racing tires We recently purchased state-oftire is too when trying to get each other’s small! attention. (Yes, my family has an • Tires of every size, from the wide the-art tire changing equipment.

We can handle interesting sense of humor.) That cruiser style tires to mini-bike tires all of your We can handle every motorcycle early morning I was hearing that motorcycle • On the motorcycle or off call loud and clear. A huge smile tire needs. tire changing chore. broke out on my face which • Any brand or model motorcycle turned into laughter. I took this as a sign. A sign that my family will always be with me, maybe NEW DUNLOP 404 VALUE PRICE OE on Honda Shadow Aero, Yamaha V-star 1100 and Royal Star and the Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad not physically, but their love H-rated for speeds up to 130 mph or S-rated for speeds up to 112 mph. Tread compound delivers excellent balance of mileage and grip and support will surround me wherever I am.

FRONT Reg Price Our Price REAR Reg Price Our Price I still don’t know the 130/90-16 $133.95 $104.95 $ 99.95 130/90-15 $124.95 answer to how to find the right 150/80-16 $183.95 $134.95 $114.95 140/90-15 $144.95 balance, and maybe I never will.

150/80-16WWW $201.95 $144.95 $129.95 150/90-15 $170.95 I do know that for now the 120/90-17 $124.95 $ 99.95 $139.95 150/90-15WWW $190.95 140/80-17 $154.95 $119.95 $139.95 heaviness I felt has lifted and I’ve 170/80-15 $185.95 140/80-17WWW $207.95 $149.95 $109.95 130/90-16 $126.95 found myself feeling more “at 150/80-17 $163.95 $124.95 $119.95 140/90-16 $155.95 home” as we continue down the 100/90-18 $102.95 $ 89.95 $129.95 150/80-16 $165.95 Pacific coast on our DRs. The 110/90-18 $107.95 $ 94.95 $109.95 130/90-17 $137.95 people we will meet along the 120/90-18 $131.95 $104.95 $104.95 110/90-18 $124.95 way and the communities we 100/90-19 $110.95 $ 94.95 $109.95 120/90-18 $136.95 will be passing through will 110/90-19 $133.95 $104.95 80/90-21 $110.95 $ 94.95 serve as temporary family as we satisfy our desire for adventure.

To learn more about the details of our travels, visit our 6971 Highland Road 248-666-4651 website at Waterford, MI 48327 www.tech-care.com www.liveitrightdreamride.com.

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Profile:

Disorder Studio’s Seth Elkins

By Ray Peabody

“Sethro” Elkins transforms things. He takes a no-longer-useful thing and turns it into something else that is not only useful but beautiful. He works with all types of metal and is a master with old motorcycle gas tanks, turning them into headlight nacelles, café racer-style seats, fenders, battery pan, and much more. He has lots of work, with motorcyclists waiting in line for him to customize their bikes. As he said, his customers have to be patient because it takes time to create a truly unique motorcycle.

Disorder Studio, Seth’s work place, is situated in the garage of his old farm in Whittaker, Michigan. The farm, originally purchased by Sethro’s grandparents when he was just seven years old, is much like you would expect. There is a large twostory farmhouse, a big red old-style barn, a chicken coop, lots of chickens roaming the yard, several other out buildings and a garden. When he talks about the farm, Seth talks about self sufficiency and sustainability. He wants to be self reliant. To accomplish that end, he plans to expand the garden,

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Battle Creek BATTLE CREEK HARLEY-DAVIDSON® 5738 BECKLEY RD BATTLE CREEK, MI 49015 (269) 979-2233 www.battlecreekharley.com

Bay City Photo by Robbie Bolog

plant fruit trees and raise some pigs and cows.

The studio reflects another time when a garage wasn’t simply an enclosed space for parking cars and storing stuff. Instead, it’s a workplace. Seven motorcycles occupy the space; two parked side by side behind a sofa near the entrance, four in-progress café racers up on homemade stands and another, Sethro’s long-term HarleyDavidson Knucklehead chopper project, is up on another work bench. His own motorcycles sit neglected as he works on customer bikes.

“Three or four projects in process at a time is perfect,” he says. “It gives me time to think and consider the different designs I can use.”

The skills that he uses to create unique motorcycles have their foundation at the farm where his father and grandfather created the parts they needed. When things broke on the farm, they were fixed on the farm. Broken parts were replaced with new parts the men fabricated themselves. What he didn’t learn from his father and grandfather, with the exception of a welding class at Washtenaw Community College and some art classes, he learned from books and practice. Seth doesn’t read for pleasure but rather to learn.

He got his start with trucks and low riders back when he was a teenager in the early 90s. He bought a new Ford Ranger - for which he had already purchased a lowering kit - and began cutting into it as soon as he got it home. He learned about suspension geometry, pinion angles and range of movement – you guessed it – from books. Seth and his buddy, Jeff Stokes, worked on the Ranger all night and finished the project just in time to go to school the next morning. It still needed an alignment but he drove it anyway. It wasn’t long before friends were bringing their cars and trucks to Seth for modification.

Those early projects ignited a fire.

Seth has been fixing and fabricating ever since.

Everything Seth creates is custom; once he uses a Photo by Robbie Bolog design, he never uses it again. That’s one of the reasons Seth has multiple projects going at any one time. He moves from one motorcycle to another as Continued on page 14

www.midwestmotorcyclist.com

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October 2014

The 2015 Models Are Coming!

There are exciting things happening at your local Harley-Davidson dealership. New models will be arriving soon including the return of the Road Glide® and the new FreewheelerTM Trike, both part of Project Rushmore. Stop by your local HarleyDavidson dealer to see the 2015 models.

2015 FreewheelerTM

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Hot rod-inspired style and a smaller, easy-handling size make the new Freewheeler™ model unlike any other trike on the road. Confidence comes instantly in this saddle. Starting at $24,999

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The choice of the high-mileage road warrior is back, loaded with attitude, modern style and Project RUSHMORE features for the long haul. The all-new Road Glide® motorcycle. Starting at $20,899

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There has never been a better time to buy a pre-owned Harley®.

Visit your local Harley-Davidson® dealer to see their selection of pre-owned motorcycles.

Don’t wait. Your dream machine might be in the dealership waiting for you.

For more information, visit www.mhdda.com Gaylord

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GILDNER’S HARLEY-DAVIDSON® MOTORCYCLES 2723 S M-76 WEST BRANCH, MI 48661 (989) 345-1330

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BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan 14855 N. Sheldon Rd., Plymouth, MI 734.453.0500 www.bmwmcsem.com

photo: Ben Slavin/Motolombia

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(Route 4) Miles: 150 Time: 3:58

Off-Road Kit is Compact, Capable, and Affordable Sonora, California — August 28, 2014 — CruzTOOLS today announced the SPEEDKIT™ DMX™ aimed at off-road motorcycles, ATVs, and UTVs. Off-road motorcycles and quads, which often venture into remote areas, suffer more abuse than other types of powersports vehicles. Experienced riders therefore know to carry tools with them.

Unfortunately, OEM tool kits lack quality and content or are missing altogether. While the DMX™ Fanny Pack and Fender Mount tool kits from CruzTOOLS are highly regarded, some riders prefer a smaller or lower-cost option.

To address the need for tech-grade tools in a compact and affordable package, CruzTOOLS developed the SPEEDKIT DMX. It includes 10mm and 12mm combination wrenches, a 14mm x 17mm open end wrench, 8mm nut driver, 5-in-1 screwdriver, locking pliers, four each hex and star wrenches, 2-in-1 spark plug socket with handle, and low-range tire pressure gauge.

Everything fits into a durable pouch that measures only 7" x 2" x 2" (18 x 5 x 5cm) and weighing 1.75 lbs. (0.8 kg.), fitting into many OEM tool cavities. In keeping with its outdoor theme, the pouch sports a “camo” material pattern. The SPEEDKIT DMX retails for $39.95; part number SKDMX. “Our full-feature DMX fanny pack and fender mount kits have set the standard for off-road tool packs,” stated Dan Parks, President of CruzTOOLS. “Our goal was therefore to condense their essence into the format of our popular SPEEDKIT Tool Kits. And I think a lot of riders will also really love the camo pouch!”

CruzTOOLS provides highly functional tools and tool kits to the motorcycle, music product, and general aviation industries, which are sold through dealers and distributors internationally. For more information, please contact CruzTOOLS at PO Box 250, Standard, CA 95373 U.S.A.; toll-free 888-909-8665; fax 209-536-0463; or visit their web site at www.cruztools.com.

BMW Motorcycles of Detroit 34080 Van Dyke Ave. Sterling Heights, MI, 48312 (586) 274-4000 www.bmwdetroit.com

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He’s looking for an apprentice now; someone who wants to learn his techniques and help generate design ideas. Seth outsources engine and electrical work to focus on motorcycle aesthetics. While much of his work involves complete transformations, he also creates individual parts, such as handlebars, cut-down fenders and license plate holders, as requested. He wants to create motorcycles that look good even while sitting still.

His work has paid off. Not only does he have a solid business with a growing list of customers, his work was featured in the January 2014 issue of The Horse, Back Street Choppers magazine. The article is about Heirloom, a chopper Seth built from a 1981 Harley-Davidson Sportster roadster for Cliff Scott Jr. (To see pictures of the bike and read the story, visit sethrosdisorderstudio.blogspot.com/)

Continued from page 10 - Seth Elkin Profile

he considers ways to differentiate each piece he’s creating for each bike. His artistic talent comes naturally. His Mom says he was always artistic and still has childhood drawings to prove it.

It takes time to make a part that is artistically unique every single time for every customer.

“It takes as long as it takes,” he says.

“Patience is the key to success.”

He works mostly alone but will occasionally have an apprentice working with him.

questioning authority, spirituality versus religion, and community. He rails against the anger (“Anger is the easiest yet most damaging emotion,” he says.) and lack of courtesy he sees in society. He rarely uses a computer and hasn’t owned a television in years. He is not interested in trends or normality.

Our conversation, which was originally planned for an hour or so, lasted more than two and half hours. Not only did we talk motorcycles and art but also much more. While we talked, a number of friends and customers stopped by to chat or just hang out. It’s a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere good for transforming metal into more useful, aesthetically appealing things. He’s busy and that’s good.

For more information about Seth, Disorder Studio, his projects or the apprentice opportunity, text Seth at (734) 645-1628. You can call him at that number, too, but you’re likely to get a faster response with a text. Look for a story about a complete project in a future issue.

Spend some time with Seth, who is 37 years old, and you learn he’s something of a philosopher. He talks intelligently on a wide range of subjects from the importance of working with your hands, thinking and living independently,

Photo by Robbie Bolog

Pre-Owned Harley-Davidson Motorcycles

2013 Harley-Davidson FLSTC Heritage Softail Classic, 14 miles, $17,800 Out the Door!

2007 Harley-Davidson FLSTF Fat Boy 23,745 miles, $11,000 Out the Door!

More Pre-Owned Motorcycles

2003 Harley-Davidson 100th Anniversary Wide Glide, 9,586 miles, $10,000 Out the Door!

2007 Yamaha Royal Star Venture 11,122 miles $9,000 Out the Door!

1765 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI One mile north of Square Lake Rd. on the east side of Telegraph Rd.

248.920.2000 • www.ridemotorcity.com 14

2008 Harley-Davidson FLSTSB Cross Bones, Black, 13,459 miles, $15,000 Out the Door!

2009 Harley-Davidson FLSTF Fat Boy 9,142 miles, Loaded, $12,000 Out the Door!

2011 Victory Cross Country 13,750 miles $13,800 Out the Door!

on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MotorCityMotorcycles

www.midwestmotorcyclist.com

October 2014

It’s the perfect time to buy a Victory motorcycle.

The 2014 model year is winding down and we’re making room for the 2015 models that will be arriving in the next few months. We’re moving out the 2014s with a 0% financing program. What could be better than interestfree financing*? Stop by our dealership today to learn more about this exceptional financing program.

Victory Demo Truck Coming to Our Dealership!

Not familiar with Victory motorcycles? Stop by our store on Friday, October 3, Saturday, October 4 or Sunday, October 5, 2014 to test ride any of the 2015 Victory motorcycles. You’ll experience the reasons that so many motorcycle enthusiasts are switching to Victory motorcycles: gorgeous styling, ground-pounding power and uncompromising quality. Don’t miss this opportunity to test out the new Victory motorcycles.

1765 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI One mile north of Square Lake Rd. on the east side of Telegraph Rd.

248.920.2000 • www.ridemotorcity.com

on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MotorCityMotorcycles

* Offer subject to credit approval. Offer may not be combined with certain other offers, is subject to change and may be extended or terminated without further notice. Offer valid on new 2012 through 2014 Victory models. Terms up to 60 months available for purchases based on credit approval criteria. Fixed APR of 0.00%, 3.99%, or 6.99% will apply. An example of monthly payments required on a 60-month term at 0.00% is $16.67 per $1,000 financed. An example of monthly payments required on a 60-month term at 3.99% APR is $18.41 per $1,000 financed. Terms of 0.00% For 60 months offer available to those consumers who qualify. Those consumers that utilize this offer will forfeit standard rebates. See participating retailers for complete details and conditions. Offer ends September 30, 2014 **The 5 year powertrain is available on new 2012 through 2014 Victory models. Offer is valid only in the U.S. and Canada and does not apply to prior purchases. Five year powertrain coverage consists of 12 months’ factory warranty, plus 48 months Polaris Power Protection for a total term of 60 months. In Florida this is given as a free of charge Limited Warranty. Subject to $50 deductible, no mileage limitation. See dealer for details. Offer must be redeemed by September 30, 2014. Rebates vary by model and model year. Must purchase a 2012 through 2014 Victory model between July 28 and September 30, 2014. Victory or Polaris® dealership employees are not eligible for this offer.

Victory® and Victory Motorcycles® are registered trademarks of Polaris Industries Inc. Always wear a helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing and obey the speed limit. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol. ©2014 Polaris Industries Inc.

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Diamond Gusset Jean Co. Teams with Orange County Choppers to Create the Ultimate Motorcycle Jean BON AQUA, TN - Diamond Gusset, the American-made jean company known for its unique gusseted apparel construction, recently teamed with worldfamous Orange County Choppers (OCC) founder Paul Teutul, Sr. to develop and launch the ultimate jean for motorcycle riders.

Together, Teutul, of Discovery Channel’s hit reality series American Chopper, and the denim designers at Diamond Gusset, crafted the Defender V2 Motorcycle Jean, which features a newly designed larger gusset with unique shape for added comfort, making it the most comfortable riding pant for bikers.

Made of premium 100 percent cotton ring spun denim, the pants are tinted with a wash that stays darker longer. A triple needle back yoke enhances durability, ankle buttons stop wind flap and angled, reinforced pockets keep phones, wallets, etc., secure. The Defender V2 is also one of the only motorcycle jeans on the market today with DuPont™ Woven Kevlar® aramid fibers in the knee, hip and seat areas for extra protection that’s also cut resistant. Woven Kevlar allows the garment to be lighter, cooler and much more comfortable than commonly used knitted Kevlar.

“We’re a made-in-the-USA brand and riding motorcycles has long been a part of American culture,” said David Hall, president and co-founder of Diamond Gusset. “So it was a very natural extension to team up with Paul and the folks at OC C to create the ultimate riding jean. Our 27 years of denim expertise coupled with Paul’s extensive experience working on and riding motorcycles has led us to create a truly standout jean that provides the style, comfort and utility that bikers look for.”

“The first time I tried a pair of Diamond Gusset jeans was just last year when I was given a pair at the Great American Motorcycle Show in Atlanta, Georgia,” said Teutul. “I tried them on and basically threw all my other jeans out, and now I only wear Diamond Gussets. It’s been a real pleasure collaborating with Diamond Gusset and I’m proud to put my name on this American made product.”

In addition to the Defender V2, Diamond Gusset is also releasing the OCC Roadster Jean, a more casual, off-duty look for motorcycle riders who still want to look the part even when they’re not on the road. With a modern slim-

PRE-OWNED MOTORCYCLES 2013 BMW C 650 GT Platinum Bronze 2014 BMW F 700 GS Red Apple Metallic 2014 BMW F 800 GS Alpine White 2014 BMW F 800 GT Valencia Orange Metallic 2013 BMW F 800 GT Valencia Orange 2007 BMW F 800 S Flame Red 2014 BMW G 650 GS Aura White W/ Black/Grey Seat 2007 BMW K 1200 LT Biarritz Blue Metallic 2009 BMW K 1200 LT Trike Night Black 2014 BMW K 1600 GT Dark Graphite Metallic 2014 BMW K 1600 GT Sport Orange / Black Storm 2014 BMW K 1600 GTL Dark Graphite Metallic 1994 BMW R 1100 RS Marrakesh Red 2000 BMW R 1200 C Black 1998 BMW R 1200 C Ivory / Blue Seat 2004 BMW R 1200 CL Black 2010 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure Grey Metallic Matt 2011 BMW R 1200 R Street Bikes Apple Metallic 2014 BMW S 1000 RR Granite Metallic / Alpine Wht 2014 BMW S 1000 RR Sapphire Black 2008 Can-Am Spyder SE5 Full Moon

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BMW Motorcycles of Detroit 34080 Van Dyke Avenue Sterling Heights, MI (586) 274-4000 www.bmwdetroit.com 16

fit, bootleg silhouette, the Roadster features just a hint of stretch along with Diamond Gusset’s trademark gusset sewn in. Dyed to a medium-dark stone wash and finished with a potassium spray on the front and rear, the Roadster jean offers that worn-in rider look.

The Defender V2 and the OCC Roadster styles are now available for purchase at americangusset.com. Starting in September, both styles will also be available at the official Orange County Choppers showroom and retail store in Newburgh, NY as well as at orangecountychoppers.com. The Defender V2 retails at $165, and the OCC Roadster retails at $89.50.

All New Aerostich 2014 Catalog The Annual Aerostich Catalog is a little later this year, but the wait was worth it. Over 160 all-new items are featured, plus there are scores of new updates to many products. The 260-page catalog features all the usual range of ‘Equipment for Riders’ and high-tech garments, including the all-new, totally waterproof R-3 One Piece Suit.

This year there are more custom options than ever, all available for the range of Duluth, MN-made gear, and more women’s graded sizing, as well as a bunch of new optional stitching colors, fabric colors and style choices.

As always, along with all of the new and revised items, the catalog contains dozens of new customer-shared photos, sidebar articles, quotes, guides, non-commercial content and a few of the usual ‘Easter Eggs’ to keep things interesting. Everything is also online at the http://www.aerostich.com website, too. Your copy of this catalog is free with every order, or can be mailed to you alone for $5 with an included code good for $5 OFF your next orde Request a copy today go to: http://www.aerostich.com/catalogrequest or call: 800 222 1994. Enjoy…and good riding!

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BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan 14855 N. Sheldon Rd., Plymouth, MI 734.453.0500 www.bmwmcsem.com www.midwestmotorcyclist.com October 2014

Open Terrain: Exploring the World and Soul by Motorcycle The Fiery Road to Love

by Nicole Espinosa An exciting one week solo on the road traversing our three beautiful west coast states was just what the love doctor ordered to light a bonfire between my boyfriend, Paul, and me. It was finally time to hit the road after being left behind for the previous three months as he looped North America solo on the new Suzuki V-Strom 1000 Adventure (a trip that included a stopover visit with Ray Peabody, publisher of MWM). The plan was to join him in

right, there were flames shooting from the saddlebag and exhaust!

Luckily, there was a gap between the 18-wheelers in the slow lane, and without a moment to lose I seized the opportunity and made an emergency stop on the shoulder.

The next 15 minutes felt as if I were an observer of someone else’s drama as I surreally reacted to the nightmare.

Nicole with her brother, Jonathan, aboard his boat.

Thousands of thoughts raced through my head as I wiring seemed intact. They asked if I needed a tow, tried to smother the fire by beating on it with my but I answered, “If this baby starts up, I’m outta glove. To make matters worse, I was quickly using here.” And wouldn’t you know it, my amazingly up the oxygen within my helmet with no time to reliable Suzuki DRZ kicked over immediately. So, I think of opening the visor. Waving motions to flag grabbed an extra set of ROK Straps from my tank down motorists were futile; I was left to my own bag, lashed the surviving Ortlieb saddle bag to the devices to save Jack from a fiery fate. But spying a top of my load, and was off. piece of old tire in the road, I grabbed and used it to My brother, Jonathan, had left work early knock the burning bag off the bike. And thinking to greet me at his boat. As he waited for my late fast, I spun my backpack around, snatched the arrival, he got on Facebook to pass the time, and CamelBak and poured its contents onto the inferno. discovered the post of my smiling face next to Finally, a woman pulled over and gave me two smoking Jack. As I finally pulled up, he ran out to extra bottles of water and called 911 for me. That did the trick, putting out the last of the embers.

Continued on page 19 By the time the fire engine arrived, I met them with a huge smile and laugh about how my adventure had started off with a bang. They gave Ce le the bag a final dousing, and surgically cut the ou brati melted plastic away from the pipe. A peek inside r 2 ng the damaged area revealed that only the electrical ye 1st ar! tape around the wires had begun to melt, but the

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Jack after the fire

Seattle and finish the last leg back home to LA on his 20,000 mile odyssey. But, something happened on my first day out that had me wondering if we’d ever be reunited again… when my figurative “burning love” for him became… well, literal.

There I was in the fast lane, zipping along the boringly straight Interstate 5 Freeway, a mere 100 miles from my brother’s boat home in San Francisco’s harbor. The high-pitched hum of “Jack,” my DRZ, had lulled me into a meditative state where only something out of the ordinary could shake me. And there it was—one of the worst possible moto “Richter Scale” scenarios. My butt felt extremely hot through the motorcycle pants, and as I glanced down behind to the

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17

ASK Dr. Cycholl Q&A Column For Your Questions Relating to Motorcycle Safety, Riding Techniques and Touring

By Maurice “Moe” D. Cycholl

Dr. Maurice D. Cycholl is a worldrenowned expert in Motorcycle Safety, Riding Techniques and Touring. In addition, while he is not a recognized expert in motorcycle mechanics, he does possess a fair degree of knowledge in the area of mechanical, and electrical systems found on many motorcycles. He welcomes your questions on these subjects. While you may submit questions on any subject, his advice on other subjects may, or may not be, as reliable.

Please submit your questions via email to: askDrCycholl@ hotmail.com or via snail mail to: Dr. “Moe” D. Cycholl, c/o CC media, 709 Fall Street, Spring Lake, MI 49456

Dear Dr. Cycholl, I have a restored 1975 Honda 750 and I would like better wind protection while I ride. Is there a periodcorrect fairing I can install?

Thanks, Deano Frerreria Dear Deano, The leading fairing manufacturer of the 1970’s was unquestionably Vetter. The brand name was Windjammer. These were made of ABS plastic with mounts and wiring developed to fit all of the most popular bikes of the times. They were primarily made in white, black or silver to look good with nearly any stock paint job. They looked good, were aerodynamic, comfortable and durable. I am sure with some searching you will be able to find one that works for you.

Thank you, Dr Cycholl Dear Dr. Cycholl, In the June “To Our Readers” column, Ray suggested setting tire pressure to the max stamped on the side of the tire. My concern is that you would be giving up grip on the road by running a higher pressure than the bike manufacturer recommends. So what is the right answer, high pressure to minimize tire wear or lower pressure to maintain safety while leaning into the next curve?

Robert Novak, Michigan City, IN Dear Robert, Thank you for an excellent question. The answer is correct; tire pressure depends on a lot of factors. What bike you ride, how you ride, how is it loaded, and what tires are you using. The recommended pressures in the motorcycle owners manual is only completely correct if you are using the original equipment tires. Personally, I am currently riding a 2003 GL1800 with ME 880 Metzler tires so I contacted Metzler for a correct answer.

Metzeler says the recommended pressure for this combo is 38-42 psi in front and 40-42 psi in the rear. I normally ride with a passenger in a sporting manner and I find no traction issues rain or shine and good life running at the max of 42 psi both front and rear.

I suggest contacting your tire manufacturer to hear their recommendations and experiment with the recommended range to see what works best for you. Keep in mind that the pressure should be adjusted up annd down to compensate for loads. It is most important that you check tire pressuure regularly and you keep it consistently in the range you find to work best for your combination of load riding style and manufacturers recommendations..

Thank you, Dr Cycholl

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October 2014

Jack with the fire truck Continued from page 17 - N. Espinosa give his only sibling an extra huge hug. There was just one answer to where we’d go to dinner that night, “Let’s get your butt in the water and kayak across the estuary to restaurant row for a well-deserved toast to life!” He said in his characteristically humorous way. And a short while later, there we sat on the outdoor waterfront patio of a fabulous Jack London Square restaurant raising our glasses to “not letting anything get in the way of chasing our dreams or love.”

Jonathan proceeded to fill me in on the new love of his life, and I got to share the details of Paul and me getting back together. It was a pivotal moment for the two of us, as we have always been each other’s biggest cheerleaders. We were filled with sheer excitement about the future as we chatted about how the last four years of challenge were actually opportunities of great growth. Our deep conversation was interrupted by the waiter who asked, “Would you like me to light the outdoor heater for you tonight?” And without a moment’s hesitation I replied, “I don’t think we’ll be needing that—I bring my own fires.”

Enjoying an evening in a celebration of life with my wonderful New Harley-Davidson® motorcycles are selling like hot cakes. brother had me reflecting on road We’re replenishing our inventories as quickly as possible. In journeys. When we open up to addition to the new bikes, we are also stocking up on pre-owned adversity, or changes to initial plans, motorcycles, either through trade-ins or outright purchases. If we often find that serendipity unfolds you’re looking to buy - or you just want to sell the motorcycle you like a radiant gift. Embracing this fiery now own - take your motorcycle to your local Harley® dealer for a event could be viewed as a symbol of quote. Do it today to make your best deal. my rising from the ashes. And it showed me that I can handle a lot under pressure—and that even dreams of a new seat and a heat shield for the Visit your local Harley-Davidson® dealer pipe really can come true. And as I today. The complete list of Michigan threw a leg over a burn-damaged seat the next morning, I knew that the love Harley-Davidson® dealers can be found that Paul and I share would help me on page 10 and 11 in this issue. scale even the tallest of mountains.

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19

Michigan’s Helmet Law: A Brief Tutorial

by Jason Waechter, Esq. When I asked our Facebook followers to send us their questions about motorcycling and the law a few weeks ago, I was surprised at the number of responses we received asking questions about helmet laws. In Michigan, like many other Midwest states, wearing a helmet while motorcycling is the rider’s choice, as long as they meet certain criteria.

The current law was enacted in April of 2012, but many motorcyclists still aren’t sure about how the law applies to them, or their passengers, or to outof-state bikers.

Obviously, I can’t get into the specific details of the law in a single article, and every case is different. We always welcome questions or comments from our readers about helmet laws or any other motorcycle-related laws; contact us directly if you have a specific question or want to learn more about a particular aspect of motorcycles and the law.

Before it was enacted, supporters of Michigan’s helmet law argued that motorcyclists should have the freedom of choice and be permitted under the law to make an informed decision for themselves. Another prominent and perhaps even more persuasive argument was that Michigan’s tourism industry was suffering because of the mandatory helmet laws. At that time, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin had already repealed their helmet laws, and it was believed that

motorcyclists from these states would avoid coming to Michigan if it meant having to wear a helmet to ride.

On the other hand, opponents of the law felt that removing the mandatory helmet law in Michigan would result in higher rates of severe head injuries to riders injured in falls. It was argued that these injuries would drive up medical costs for insurance companies, and allowing bikers to forego wearing a helmet would mean an increase in insurance rates for everyone.

Obviously, the opponents’ arguments weren’t enough to sway legislators, and the law was passed.

Michigan We carry the most popular brands of tires for every style of motorcycle you ride: motorcyclists can now ride • American V-twins • Sport Touring • Dual Sport • Sport Bikes helmetless as long • Metric Cruisers • Racing • Off Road • Trials as they: are at least • Large Touring • Vintage • Scooter • Dirt Track 21 years old; have at least $20,000 in You can rely on the expertise of our staff, with first-party medical their combined riding experience of over 100 benefits coverage years! Whether you need help in picking out the on their best tires, mounting the tires, or balancing the motorcycles, and tires on your wheels, just look to us to help. have had their motorcycle 53379 Gratiot Avenue, Suite B endorsement (CY) Chesterfield, MI 48051 for at least two (586) 270-6595 years, or got their CY endorsement www.motorcyclemikes.com

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by taking and passing a Certified Rider Training program. Since you can’t legally ride your motorcycle uninsured in Michigan, it goes without saying that proper insurance is also a prerequisite for helmetless riding. Motorcycle operators can also wear vanity helmets if they wish under the current law, as long as they meet all of the criteria listed above to ride without a helmet.

For passengers who want to ride a motorcycle without a helmet, the requirements are slightly different. Helmetless passengers must: be at least 21 years old; have at least $20,000 in firstparty medical benefit coverage, either through their own motorcycle policy (if they own and operate a bike), or through the operator’s policy.

The rule, in brief, is that each helmetless person on the bike needs to have at least $20,000 in first-party medical coverage.

I think the first-party medical coverage is the aspect of the law that people get the most confused about. The $20,000 (or more) in first-party medical benefits coverage is specific to your motorcycle insurance policy. That is, VA, Medicare, or other health insurance policies do not satisfy the requirement under the law to ride without a helmet. I always recommend that bikers contact an insurance agent who specializes in motorcycle policies. A good agent can help a rider ensure they have the right coverage for their particular situation.

Out-of-State motorcyclists who want to ride helmetless in Michigan also need to be 21 years old or older. They need to have a motorcycle license or endorsement from their home state; as with Michigan residents, they need to have had their license or endorsement for at least two years, or else have taken a Certified Rider Training course to get their license. Unlike Michigan residents, however, out-of-State riders don’t need to carry the $20,000 in first-party medical coverage, as long as they don’t ride for more than 30 days within the same calendar year in Michigan (MCL 500.3102).

Motorcyclists can’t be pulled over simply for riding helmetless in Michigan. Police officers must have an “articulable and reasonable suspicion” that the biker has violated the Michigan vehicle code (Michigan State Police Update #95).

That should cover the basics of helmetless riding in Michigan. Hopefully, this will clear up some of the confusion some of our readers and followers have expressed about the voluntary helmet law. As I said in the beginning, there is just no way to get into the specific details of this law in a single article, but we invite all readers to contact us with their questions to learn more about this law or others that affect bikers.

Attorney Jason A. Waechter is a national attorney specializing in the areas of motorcycle and motor vehicle injury litigation. Mr. Waechter has collected millions of dollars in settlements, awards and verdicts for his motorcycle clients over the past 20 years. Jason feels a duty to give back to his community. A portion of each case settled goes to educational resources for bikers, funds to help bikers while their cases are being litigated and our motorcycle accident prevention campaign. Call Attorney Jason Waechter toll free at 1-877-BIKER LAW. Or visit www.TheMotorcycleLawyer.com Legal disclaimer: The law is very fact dependent and there are many nuances and exceptions depending on your particular circumstances. Therefore, given the limited space, it is impossible to cover everything. Do not rely on the short article to protect your rights.

October 2014

Events do change. Please call ahead.

Michigan September 20 Downtown Homer Car, Motorcycle, Tractor & Bicycle Show - 9 am- 3 pm Free Registration 50/50 drawings and horseshoe tournament Homer, MI Brad Stuart 517-568-7117 Jim Lingenfelter 517-414-8468 September 21 All Clubs Day, Downtown Stockbridge, MI September 27 Oktoberfest Open House BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan 14855 N. Sheldon Rd., Plymouth, MI 734.453.0500 www.bmwmcsem.com October 3, 4 & 5 Victory Demo Truck with 2015 models Motorcity Motorcycles 1765 S. Telegraph Road Bloomfield Hills, MI One mile north of Square Lake Rd. on the east side of Telegraph Rd. 248.920.2000 www.ridemotorcity.com

Indiana September 27 ABATE Region 7 Jackson County Toy Run In memory of Shari Stahl Fraternal Order of Eagles 122 E. 2nd Street, Seymour, IN Reg 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. $10 / person (812) 522-7146 September 27 Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Ride Southside Harley-Davidson I-65 & Southport Road Exit 103 $25 / rider $10 / passenger (317) 535-9487 October 3-4 ABATE Region 2 Polar Bear Campout Tippecanoe River State Park (4 miles N. of Winamac on HWY 35). Gates open Friday at 12:00 Noon. Eastern Time (11:00 Central). Stay till 12:00 Noon Eastern Time Sunday. ABSOLUTELY NO EARLY ARRIVALS ALLOWED. $20 per person plus $5 State Park Fee at entrance (minimum age 21). Free Camping in park cabins (RV and tent camping available in other campgrounds at additional cost) Tryoung50@embarqmail.com or call (574) 772-6842.

October 3-5 ABATE Region 11 Chili Fest Lawrence County Recreational Park, 99 Moore Lane, Springville, IN. Gates open Friday at Noon. $20 per person, $35 per couple. Power campsites are an additional $25.00. For more information contact 317850-2861 or Cook 765-346-1097.

October 4 Chili Cookoff & Swap Meet BMW Motorcycles of Grand Rapids 5995 S. Division Grand Rapids, MI (616) 530-6900 www.bmwmcgr.com

October 18 Fall Color Ride/Ride for the Cure Michigan City Harley-Davidson 2968 N. US Hwy 421 Michigan City, IN 219.878.8885

October 4 Fall Open House BMW Motorcycles of Detroit 34080 Van Dyke Avenue Sterling Heights, MI (586) 274-4000 www.bmwdetroit.com

Chili Cookoff & Swap Meet Saturday, October 4, 2014 Employee Chili Cookoff Come for a taste and vote for your favorite. Employee with the best chili (as voted by you) wins $100

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Chicago, both coasts of Lake Michigan and Northern Indiana with a Harley-Davidson速 rental from our centrallyChicago located store.

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2014 Ton Up a Success with Move to Depot Town Main Street Words by Malisa Hinderliter

Photos by Stephen McCauley

This year, beautiful bikes swarmed Cross Street (the main drag) in Depot Town (Ypsilanti) accompanied by bands, Genuine Scooter demos, displays from Apex Manufacturing, Sportbike Track Service, Tire Service, and Leather Service. Rock N Rummage also joined this year with a great display of records, posters, apparel, and other vintage treasures.

The bike show was the highlight of the event, bringing in the magnificently rare to the modern fun machine. Winners were awarded trophies created by Sethro’s Disorder Studios. Although the trophies were not as ornate (large and potentially full of tetanus) as in years previous, award winners loved the craftsmanship and their portability. Winning bikes included: Best Cafe: 1974 Honda CB550 Best Small Cafe: 1960 Ariel Leader Best American: 1996 HD Sportster Best British: 1966 BSA A65L Best European: 1961 BMW R60/2 Best Japanese: 1968 Honda CL175 Best 2Stroke: 1972 Suzuki GT250 Best Original/Unrestored: 1947 Royal Enfield G350 Most Altered: 1976 Honda CB400F People’s Choice: 1935 DKW SB200 Participants of the 50/50 had the opportunity of not only winning cash money but also a free track day with leather rental (Sportbike Track Time & Sportbike Leather Service), a set of tires (Sportbike Tire Service), clip ons (Apex Manufacturing), and a variety of booby prizes.

While planning the event, we imagined Ton Up’s vibe to simulate Depot Town’s weekly bike night. (After all, bike night on Cross Street is usually a hoot.) By moving to the street, every aspect of the event ran smoother. Fewer volunteers were needed, meaning no pesky two-hour shifts for folks who just want to have fun. Setting up was a snap, we even had time to horse around on the demo scooters. Clean up didn’t mean waking up early on Sunday, which is always good.

We received positive feedback on our new location, music selection, prizes, and the weather. The

22

www.midwestmotorcyclist.com

Ton Up drew in locals and some unexpected attendees, “I was in town for another event. Spent more time looking at bikes than I did at the event I came for. First time to Depot town.

Pretty cool.” Our expectations were exceeded this year and this has ignited planning for 2015. Of course, we hope to grow the event with more sponsors, motorcyclists, and prizes; but we are also looking for new ideas keep the Ton Up fresh and exciting.

Finally, a big thank you goes out to the event’s sponsors: Gene Butman Ford, Old Towne Coin & Gold, Maiz Mexican Cantina, Aubree’s Pizzeria & Grill, Visit Ypsi, Midwest Motorcyclist, and Cafe Racer Ypsi. Your donations, participation, and support is deeply appreciated.

Stay tuned for more information about the 2015 Ton Up. Visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thetonup and watch these pages for more information and updates. See you in 2015!

October 2014

Entering the Best Riding Season of the Year Enjoy it on one of two outstanding BMW motorcycles: the R 1200 RT or S 1000 RR. Stop by our dealership today to see and test ride either of these two exceptional motorcycles.

Factory incentives are available on both motorcycles.*

2014S 1000 RR Base MSRP: $15,150 including ABS

2014 R 1200 RT Base MSRP: $17,650 including ABS

Never-ending riding fun.

No time for second best.

A motorcycle that defined the classic touring bike segment has now reached the next stage of evolution: the new BMW R 1200 RT. With its light handling, the R 1200 RT makes it possible to enjoy what is most important: riding through the landscape.

Whether on your own or with a passenger: the new R 1200 RT is all about comfortable, relaxed riding on every tour.

Presenting the very latest in racing power, the 2014 S 1000 RR. With an aluminum bridge-type frame, radial brakes, a super sporty tail-up nose-down design, hot colors and the ultimate combination of electronic rider assistance. The RR includes four riding modes that adjust power delivery, throttle response, Race ABS action and even Dynamic Traction Control (optional equipment).

Oktoberfest Celebration Saturday, September 27, 2014 Join us in celebrating Oktoberfest at our dealership.

Don’t miss it!

BMW Motorrad Dealer of Excellence BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan 14855 N. Sheldon Rd., Plymouth, MI 734.453.0500 www.bmwmcsem.com

“Redefining your motorcycling lifestyle” SM * For qualified buyers. Visit BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan for details. Always ride safely and wear proper protective gear.

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Midwest Motorcyclist

23

OPEN HOUSE Saturday, September 27, 2014 • Demo rides • Door prizes • Food & refreshments • Savings on all in-stock apparel & accessories • Special pricing on new and used motorcycles

BMW Motorrad Dealer of Excellence BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan 14855 N. Sheldon Rd., Plymouth, MI 734.453.0500 www.bmwmcsem.com

“Redefining your motorcycling lifestyle” SM * For qualified buyers. Visit BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan for details. Always ride safely and wear proper protective gear.

MOTORCYCLE WRECK? Call the MOTORCYCLE LAWYER!

1-877-BIKER-LAW

WE TAKE AUTO & TRUCK CASES TOO! Hurt in a crash?

Call Jason Waechter - The Motorcycle Lawyer

1-877-BIKER-LAW

www.TheMotorcycleLawyer.com