VOLUME 1 ISSUE 2 JANUARY 2010

MAGAZINE R Minnesota

FREE
TAKE ONE

Happy New Year!

AMERICA’S FASTEST GROWING BIKER PUBLICATION
Thunder Roads Magazine of Minnesota I hope everyone had a great Christmas and an
P.O. Box 769 even better New Year. I would like to tell you I
Albert Lea, MN 56007 have enjoyed traveling the state and meeting you
(877) 230-4520
thunder@thunderroadsminnesota.com
in person. I did get to meet Santa at quite a few
establishments. It took me awhile to convince
Staff Santa to let me sit on his lap. I just wanted to
get a few things on his list for me. It was a great
Owner/Editor
feeling seeing everyone getting into the Christmas
Willie Matthews spirit. Some of the dealers’ clearance racks were
(877) 230-4520 filled with nice Christmas gifts cheap! So I took
willie@thunderroadsminnesota.com advantage to fill a few stockings. I keep getting told
I have a strange accent and that’s weird. Why?
Willie’s Assistant
Because I thought your accents up here are a little
Joe Matthews strange! But at least we have communicated with
(641) 483-3022 no problem. I just wish everyone all the best for
joe@thunderroadsminnesota.com the coming year! Hope that if you didn’t get that
Photographer
bike or chrome you wanted for Christmas. Well!
Just maybe! You might be able to pick it up when
Kane Jacobson you get your income tax check. Or got to www.
bikerchiksready.com and find your soul mate (just
Layout and Design
kidding). Happy New Year and God Bless You and
Warren Ells, Art Director our military as we bring on 2010.
Thunder Publishing
Warrenlayout@yahoo.com Willie Matthews
State Editor/Owner
National Founders

Toni McCoy Shearon & Brian Shearon

1421 Chapmansboro Road
Chapmansboro, TN 37035
Office: (615) 792-0040 Fax: (615) 792-7580
thunderroadscharter@charter.net

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ERS AND AUTHORS ARE THEIR OWN, AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE
POLICY OF THUNDER ROADS MAGAZINE OR THUNDER PUBLISHING. PUBLISHER
DOES NOT PROMOTE THE ABUSE OF ALCOHOL OR OTHER DRUGS.
 CONTENTS On The Cover…
Model: Sunshine Kluver
Thundercam.................................................................4 Bike: 1966 FLT. 4383 Actual Miles
The Broke Spoke.........................................................5 Available at Zylstra Harley Davidson in Ames, IA
515-232-6223
The Johnny Lightning Bike..........................................6
Photographer: Kane Jacobson
Joker.............................................................................8
www.web.me.com/kanejacobson
Seats And Saddles.....................................................9 Bike and clothing provided by Zylstra Harley Davidson
Women Riders............................................................10 Photographed at Zylstra Harley Davidson, Ames, IA
KISS.........................................................................13

TNT.............................................................................17

IF THIS WAS
Bardahl Runs Through His Veins.............................18

Tech Tips.....................................................................20

YOUR AD
Motorcycle Clubs and Organizations...........................21

NCOM News Bytes.....................................................22

Skin Art.......................................................................26

Highway Safety...........................................................28 Thousands Of Riders Would Be Seeing It Right Now

Happy New Year

Thunder Roads Magazine 2 Thunder Roads Magazine 3

 The Broke Spoke
Mable and Stevie Haas, Broke Spoke was
heavily damaged by fire as a result of faulty elec- game
trical wiring. The 60-year-old building became
a national landmark in 1997, when the Kiln’s
home-boy, Green Bay quarter-back, Brett Favre,
led the Packers to Super Bowl XXXI.  The local
bar drew hundreds of Wisconsin fans to watch
the New England Patriots’ defeat.
The bar made national news once more when
the fire broke out on April 21, 1999. Originally
opened in 1985, as the Broke Spoke, even the
fire didn’t prevent local patrons as they continued
to gather at an outside bar to watch and partici-
pate in the rebuilding process.
However, much of the Packer memorabilia
that had been donated by fans from all over the
United States, in addition to hundreds of person- attack and fatal car crash, Brett Favre took the
ally autographed, ladies lingerie had been fried
to a crisp.
Following two months of mostly volunteer
repairs, the Haas, had a grand re-opening
ceremony and ribbon-cutting, and exclaimed,
“Our friends stood by us and now we’re back,
and we’re happy again.”  Wisconsin visitors were cally simply as “the kiln” Kiln also happens to be dignity.  We as fans salute Brett Favre, and hope
welcomed to the renewed Broke Spoke just
after the fire, as they posted some new Packer’s Green Bay Packer, New York Jets, and now Min- never see another one like him. Be sure to email
memorabilia.
On entering The Broke Spoke, one must
climb three, worn, wooden steps to face the
darkness lit only by the daylight rays from the
front entrance and a few beer signs.  Maneuver-
ing between two pool tables reaches a shabby
wooden bar bordered by five or six unmatched
and unadorned stools of uneven heights. Upon
seating and ordering a beer, the mass of as-
sorted signs, posters, memorabilia, become
distinguishable to the eye one by one.  The floor
is plywood and the low ceiling is cluttered with an
imposing array of women’s assorted undercloth-
ing — having been refreshed since the fire.  
Also, prior to the Fire was an old wood stove
which was the only source of heat during winter
months. Posted at one wall is a Dart Board. Even
with the one air-condition unit protruding from a
wall, the front door is left open for fresh air.
“The Broke Spoke” building was originally an
old grocery store built by Orlando Hass in the
1930s.The Haas Grocery catered primarily to the
neighboring Negro community selling ham hocks
and mustard greens, — however, local town
folk went there for specialties such as smoked
sausage, salt meats, and Cajun-cooked Boudin. 
Thunder Roads Magazine 4
If in doubt then get your stats and compare them
to theirs. The loser gets to buy a round for every-
one in the bar and then gets kicked out.
Mabel said Brett has not been in the Broke
It didn’t take long for word to spread through- Spoke in years. When he quit drinking he had
out Hancock and Harrison communities neigh- no use for coming out. But she still has a poster
boring Big Irv’s turf near the Kiln. One of the first of Brett on a bike “autograph” wow! Inside it
places to hear of Irvin Favre’s auto accident was looks like you walked into” THE BRETT FAVRE
at the Broke Spoke where Irv Favre was known HALL OF FAME’. This year they are watching
to saddle up at the end of the bar on a near the Minnesota Vikings play on the TV screens.
weekly basis.  He would swap stories and on Mabel said we have a lot of New Orleans Saint,
leaving, would twirl his pointed finger in the air fans here, But all of us are Brett Favre fans “GO
and say, “I’m gone.” BRETT”. If you have any doubts why he is not
 Just before Christmas 2003, age 58, Big Irv the greatest, e-mail Thunder Roads, and tell us
made his final farewell as he had a heart attack why. We have posted his stats for you so look
that caused him to run his pickup truck off the them over real close. Don’t make a fool out of
road. yourself!
His father, “Big Irv” Favre, was the whole Brothers, Allan Easton and Ron Easton paid
the Broke Spoke a visit. Allan of “St. Anthony,
to Brett.  As his coach at Hancock North
Central High School in Kiln, Mississippi, Irv Iowa” told Thunder Roads it was an awesome
experience. A trip of his lifetime and hopes
taught Brett the importance of execution, preci-
sion, and sacrifice.  He rarely let Brett throw the the good Lord willing he can take many more.
Thanks to Allan “Thunder Roads” has an original
ball; rather, he had him lead the run-oriented
wishbone offense, which required him to handoff photo of the “Broke Spoke”.      
Virtually, everything about Brett Favre is
and then block for his teammates. When no
major college had any interest in Brett as a quar- both admirable and engaging.  We as fans, are
terback, Irv got the University of Southern Missis- truly blessed to witness such a player who is a
sippi to give him a shot as a defensive back. certifiable superstar, and yet identifiable as a
human being. Regardless of his amazing on-field
Brett did the impossible at Southern Miss
--- moving from defense to the team’s starting accomplishments and undeniable talent, we find
ourselves connecting with him on a personal lev-
quarterback in his freshman year. Irv was there
the whole way. el.  He’s the type of guy, that if you were to meet
him, you may not even talk about football.  You
Just one day after losing his father to a heart
would probably find yourself telling jokes, chat-
ting about the weather, or any of the other “under
field for a Monday Night Football game against
the notorious Oakland Raiders. Even with the the sun” topics.  His life story in recent years
Green Bay Packers clinging to a slim chance for could draw comparisons to the biblical story of
a playoff spot, his teammates and his adopted Job, and yet, true to his unwavering character,
he has weathered the storms of personal tragedy
city didn’t expect Brett to suit up.
Located in the middle of Kiln, Ms… known lo- with unbelievable personal performances, and
as always, class, humility, and a down home
the place where the Atlanta Falcons , legendary
that he can continue to play longer, as we will
nesota Viking, Brett Favre , was born and raised
. Brett, according to the locals is, arguably, the us with your pictures and stories to
greatest NFL quarterback to ever play the game. willie@thunderroadsminnesota.com
Johnny Lightning Special, Al Unser, Sr. Commemorative Motorcycle Johnny Lightning Special Motorcycle Specifications
Story By: “T”
Photos By: “T” and Brandon “Maverick” Bike Builder Sam Wills, Bike Owners: Al Unser, Sr and Susan Unser
Racing Innovations
If this sweet ride doesn’t warm you up in the midst of Racing Innovations Al Unser Special Pro Street
Built By: Racing Innovations, OKC, OK - Sam Wills, Shawn Norris and Delvin Clark
this cold winter, I’m not sure what will! This motor-
cycle was built for Al Unser, Sr. to honor his first of Paint By: Manny
four Indy 500 wins beginning in 1970 in the Johnny Powder Coat by: Performance Coatings
Lightning car. Al had “back to back” wins in 1970
and 1971, a feat that has not been repeated by any Chrome By: Diversified
other driver since. I had the opportunity to interview Solo Seat By: David Lee
Al Unser, Sr. in April of 2009. At that time, he was the
Special Guest of the Thunder Run V in Oklahoma Frame: Racing Innovations 38o Rake, 5” Forward, 0 up.
City. In visiting with him, he let me know that he and Front End: Racing Innovations Special – 4130 Aircraft Streamlined with Spring Shocks
Sam Wills, builder and owner of Racing Innovations, Wheels: 1963 Halibrand – Magnesium Knockoff’s 18 X 8”
had just begun discussing a build of this bike. It has Tires: Metzler’s 240 X 18/ Hubs by: Racing Innovations
been built to be sold at the Barrett-Jackson Auction
with proceeds going to Al’s charity of choice, Unser Fender Fabrication/All Sheet Metal Work By: Shawn Norris
Children’s Discovery Center, of which he donates Tank – 3.4 Gallon, Aircraft Filler 3”
$16,000 in scholarships per year. At the time of our Hand Controls By: ISR
going to print, the Unser family were awaiting a con- Foot Controls By: Racing Innovations
firmation of acceptance to the January 2010 Barrett- Ex Custom 2” Step Pipes with Ford Cosworth Parts
Jackson Auction. Please watch for this confirmation
at www.unserracingmuseum.com. Motor 113 Hot Rod By: Robbie McKay – 625 1.FT Cam, 11.1 Comp Ratio
As I mentioned above, the bike is built commemorat- Includes Special Cut Cylinder and Heads, Diamond Cut Fins
S&S G Carb with Thunder Jet
ing the Johnny Lightning car in which Al won his first
Crane Hi4 Ignition
Indy 500. My favorite part of that story was that it
Tranny 6 Speed Ultima
was the first race the car was entered into! At first, Al Belt Drive 2” Ultima
was very skeptical about the sponsor, Johnny Light- Starter By: GPE Starters of Edmond
ning Toy Company, when he was first approached. Sprotor By: DNA
His car owner assured him that although the car was
being sponsored by a toy company, he would not Special Thanks to Sam Wills, Racing Innovations; Al Unser, Sr. and Susan Unser for
become the laughing stock of the racing industry. Af- sharing this fine piece of machinery representing a rich history with us.
ter that win in Indy, the toy company and the Parnelli
Jones Race team were laughing all the way to the
bank. A matter of fact, Al was told by the owner of
the toy company that, if Al won the Indy 500, he’d pay
him a million dollars. Remember, this was also in
1970, so it was worth even more back then. How-
ever, once the race was won, Al found that he didn’t
personally get the million dollars, but the money was
given to the race team for use on the car.
Once the bike build was agreed upon, Sam Wills
made a trip to the Unser Racing Museum in Albu-
querque, NM to photograph, study and review the
Johnny Lightning car display. He also got an op-
portunity to dig around in a few of Al’s old parts and
come up with a few things he could actually use
on the bike. For instance, check out those accor-
dion flanges on the exhaust and those big ol’ 1963
Halibrand Magnesium Wheels. The builders, Sam,
Shawn and Delvin built this bike, working diligently to
closely duplicate the details of the original race car.
Look over the photos and specifications carefully.
You will find many details that resemble an Indy Race
Car. This was an amazing build.
If all goes as planned with acceptance to the auction,
you can see this bike displayed alongside the actual
Johnny Lightning car at the Unser Racing Museum
until it is sent to the Barrett-Jackson Auction. From
there, one very fortunate bidder will take it home.
Please see www.unserracingmuseum.com for a full
museum schedule.

Thunder Roads Magazine 6 Thunder Roads Magazine 7

It was down in southern Louisiana and an old man was
sitting on his porch early one morning when he looks
out and sees a young boy walking along the road carry-
ing a roll of chicken wire. The old man yells out at him,
“Hey boy, whatcha got there.” The boy yells back at him,
“Its chicken wire.” The man asks, “Whatcha goin’ to do
with that.” The boy replies, “I’m going to catch me some
chickens.” The old man just shakes his head and mut-
ters, “Damn fool, you can’t catch chickens with chicken
wire.” Late that evening about sunset the old man looks
out and sees the boy walking back stringing the chicken
wire behind him with about 10-12 chickens caught up
in it. Early the next morning the old man is back on his
porch again and he sees the same boy walking up the
road with a roll of tape under his arm. The old man yells
out at him, “Hey boy, whatcha got there.” The boy yells
back at him, “Its duck tape.” The man asks, “Whatcha
goin’ to do with that.” The boy replies, “I’m going to
catch me some ducks.” The old man shakes his head
again and mutters, “Damn fool, you can’t catch ducks
with duck tape.” Late that evening the old man looks out
and sees the boy walking back up along the road with
the duck tape strung out behind him dragging about a
dozen ducks along with him. The next morning the old
man is back on the porch and this time he sees the boy
walking up the road carrying a long reed with a thistle on
the end. The old man yells out at him, “Hey boy, whatcha
got there.” The boy replies, “It’s a pussy willow.”
The old man stands up, and says “Hold up there now,
lemme’ get my hat.”
A little boy was sitting on the curb with a gallon of
turpentine and shaking it up and watching all the
bubbles. A little while later a Priest came along and
asked the little boy what he had. The little boy replied,
“This is the most powerful liquid in the world, it’s called
turpentine.” The Priest said, “No, the most powerful
liquid in the world is Holy Water. If you take some of this
Holy Water and rub it on a pregnant women’s belly, she’ll
pass a healthy baby. The little boy replied, “Oh yeah,
well, you take some of this here turpentine and rub it on
a cat’s ass and he’ll pass a Harley-Davidson.”
A few questions going into 2010 ? ? ? ?
Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on
all fours? They’re both dogs! Who was the first person
to say, “See that chicken there? I’m gonna eat the next
thing that comes outta it’s ass.” Do illiterate people won-
der about the funny shapes in their Alphabet Soup?
Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog’s face,
he gets mad at you, but when you take him on a car ride,
Thunder Roads Magazine 8
he sticks his head out the window? Why do people
point to their wrist when asking for the time, but don’t
point to their crotch when they ask where the bathroom
is? If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that
Acme Co. crap, why didn’t he just buy dinner for himself
at a 5-star restaurant? Why does your OB-GYN leave
the room when you get undressed, only to sit down
in front of you and see all you got to see in plain view,
when they return to the room? If Jimmy cracks corn
and no one cares, why is there a song about him? Can
a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane?
A man suffered a serious heart attack and had an open
heart bypass surgery. He awakened from the surgery to
find himself with a “Nurse Ratchet” type of woman
standing in front of him with her clipboard. As he
was coming out of his fog, the irritated looking Nurse
proceeded to ask him billing questions, regarding how
he expected to pay for his treatment. She asked if he
had health insurance. He replied, in a raspy voice, “No
health insurance.” She then asked if he had money
in the bank. He replied, “No money in the bank.” The
Nurse asked, “Do you have a relative who could help
you?” He said, “I only have a spinster sister, who is
a nun.” The Nurse became agitated and announced
loudly, “Nuns are not spinsters! Nuns are married to
God.” The patient replied, “Good, send the bill to my
brother-in-law.”
A guy out on the golf course takes a high-speed ball
right in the crotch. Writhing in agony, he falls to the
ground. As soon as he could manage, he took himself
to the doctor. He said “How bad is it doc?.....I’m going
on my honeymoon next week and my fiancée is still
a virgin in every way.” The doctor told him, “I’ll have
to put your “willie” in a splint to let it heal and keep it
straight. It should be okay in about a week.” He took
four tongue depressors and formed a neat little 4 sided
splint, and wired it all together; ..an impressive work
of art. The guy mentions none of this to his girl, mar-
ries her, and goes on their honeymoon. That night in
the motel room, she rips open her blouse to reveal her
beautiful, huge, round breasts. This was the first time
he had seen them. She huskily proclaims, “You’re the
first; no one has EVER touched these breasts.” He im-
mediately drops his pants and exuberantly proclaims.
“Look at this…...it’s still in the CRATE!”
Thunder Roads Magazine 9
Women Who Ride

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Thunder Roads Magazine 10 Thunder Roads Magazine 11

 THUNDER BALLS ....... 2010 PARTY STYLE
1 - 14oz. Can Jellied Cranberry Sauce
1 - 12oz. Bottle Heinz Chili Sauce
1 - 2 Pound Bag of Frozen, Cocktail-Size Meatballs
Combine sauces in a large saucepan. Cook over medium-
low heat, stirring until smooth. Add meatballs. Cover and
cook for 15 mins. or until meatballs are heated through.
You can also make these in a crock-pot: Place meatballs
in pot, combine sauces and pour over top, cook 4 hours on
High, then switch to Low or Warm. These taste fantastic!
and are great on a bun with melted cheese also.
BELOW ARE VARIOUS STYLES OF SPREADS TO JAZZ
IT UP FOR 2010!
CRANBERRY MUSTARD
Stir together 1 Cup or 1 Can of Whole Berry Cranberry
Sauce, 1/3 Cup of Dijon Mustard and 1/4 tsp. Dried
Crushed Red Pepper.
*Great served on New Year’s leftover ham sandwiches with
White Cheddar Cheese.
CREOLE APPLE BUTTER MUSTARD
Stir together 1 Cup of Apple Butter (in Peanut Butter & Jelly
section of grocer’s), 1/4 Cup Creole Mustard.
*Great served over pan-fried pork chops.
LEMON-RASBERRY MAYO
Stir together 2 Cups Mayonnaise, 2 Tbls. Chopped Fresh
Rosemary, 1-1/2 Tbl. Lemon Zest and 1 Garlic Clove;
Minced.
* Serve on Roast Turkey Sandwiches.
CRANBERRY CREAM CHEESE SPREAD
Stir together 1 Pkg. Softened Cream Cheese, 2/3 Cup
Sweetened Dried Cranberries, 1/3 Cup Orange Marmalade
and 1/2 Cup Finely Chopped Walnuts.
Chill at least 3 hours.
* Great on Ciabatta Bread or English Muffin, as it seeps
down into all the nooks & crannies. Add turkey, lettuce &
tomato and you’ve got it made.
Thunder Roads Magazine 12 Thunder Roads Magazine 13
HUNGARIAN-STYLE CHILI w/POLENTA
compliments of: Rachel Ray website * Perfect for a Cold
or Rainy Day
2 Tbls. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 Pounds Coarse Ground Sirloin
1 Red Chili Pepper; Seeded & Finely Chopped
1 Red Bell Pepper; Chopped
1 Large Onion; Chopped
4 Cloves Garlic; Finely Chopped
Salt & Pepper to Taste
1-1/2 Tbls. Chili Powder
1-1/2 Tbls. Smoked Sweet Paprika
1 tsp. Dried Marjoram or Oregano
1/4 Cup Tomato Paste
1 Quart Beef Stock
1-1/2 Cups Chicken Stock
1-1/2 Cups Whole Milk
1 Cup Quick-Cooking Polenta
2 Tbls. Butter
1 Cup Shredded Smoked Gouda Cheese
1 Cup Sour Cream
Finely Chopped Fresh Dill, Parsley & Chives for Garnish.
Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef
and brown, apprx. 8 mins. Add the hot pepper, bell pep-
per, onion & garlic and season with salt & pepper. Cook
to soften the vegetables, 8 mins. more. Stir in the chili
powder, sweet paprika and oregano, Add the tomato
paste to pot and stir all to combine, 1 minute. Add the
stock to the pot and bring the chili to a boil. Reduce the
heat to simmer and cook for 15 minutes more.
In a separate pot, bring the chicken stock and milk to a
boil; whisk in the polenta and cook for 2-3 minutes until
thickened, but not too thick. Stir in the butter and cheese
and season with salt & pepper.
To serve; fill large, shallow bowls with polenta, making a
well in the center. Fill up the well with delicious, hot chili.
Mix your finely chopped fresh dill, parsley & chives into
your sour cream and add a big fat dollop of this on top of
your chili to melt down into it. Serve w/ hot, crusty bread
and honey butter. OMG! This is killer!
 MINNESOTA

Thunder Roads Magazine 14

Gringo & Mickey’s Moto

St Cloud
Psycho Swap Meet
612-308-9034

BACA Meeting Anoka Ronald McDonalds Kick

Billy’s Bar & Grill 7:30 pm Off New York Mills Party
651-497-1618 Kary@lakesplus.com

22-24 Mokatokazi Indoor January Thaw Dance

Thunder Roads Magazine 15

Motocross Champion- Mankato

ship Info www.motoka- 507-388-7576
zie.com Fergus Falls
Winter Bash Spring Lake
Park nfo www.metromn.com

Garage Party Elk River

Zylstra HD Danette 763-
241-2000
 TNT

Thunder Roads Magazine 16 Thunder Roads Magazine 17


Bardahl Runs Through His Veins
Chuck Ksohiol of Zap Leather and Cycle in Paynesville, Minnesota
has owned and ridden hundreds of bikes, from Airheads to Shovelheads,
Aprilia to Vespa, Ariel to Yamaha. Beezers, Beemers, and Bonnies.
Cam-Ams, DKWs and Ducs. Snotin’ Nortons, Ossas, Puchs, and Sachs.
KTMs, KDXs and Super Xs. PEs, KZs CZs, MZs and Goot-zees. He
says “he’s loved ‘em all”.
Chuck ‘s first motorcycle ride was on a neighborhood kid’s step-
through Cushman. He didn’t know if he could make it around block
without tipping over. He did. And he knew he was hooked. In high school,
still unable to afford a bike, he had a buddy who wanted a car for dating.
A guy can’t ‘you know what’ on the back seat of a bike. So they came
up with a plan… the use of Chuck’s junker ’55 Ford for the use of his
buddy’s Suzuki X-6 Hustler. Every other week, Chuck had a bike ride.
One of his 30-mile trips home from college was at 20 below zero.
At the age of 19, the rebellious Koshiol found himself kicked out of col-
lege, with a revoked driver’s license, and in the Air Force during wartime.
(Oh, that’s right, it wasn’t a war, it was a ‘conflict) Instead of Vietnam,
they sent him to New Mexico. Once out west, he bought a $5 Cushman.
It didn’t run, but at least he had a vehicle carrying ‘risk insurance’, which
was the only way he could get his driver’s license back. A $50 Vespa
came next, followed quickly by a ’65 Yamaha YDS3, a BSA Victor 441, a
BSA Lightning, and a Kawasaki Greenstreak.
After four years of riding wide-open western highways and mountains
roads, and dirt-biking in dried-up riverbeds and high desert mountains
forests, it was ‘back to the home state’ to raise a family.
The BSA thumper made the trip, and was soon joined by a Norton
Atlas project. While performing a crank- up rebuild, Chuck heard about a
new product called Form-A-Gasket, which he anxiously (and copiously)
put to use. A Brit-bike that didn’t leak would be a rare machine. Many
week-nights later, and fifty miles into the break-in, the bike came to a
screeching halt--its engine locked up tight. Back in the garage, the sump
filter was removed to find a thousand little blue balls clogging the screen,
which of course stopped the oil flow. Removal of the head and cylinders
found one connecting rod broken clean off at the big end, with not much
damage to the pistons. Koshiol was working 6 days a week, and he not
going to have time to spilt the cases again. He rotated what was left of
the con rod, unbolted the big end, and reassembled the engine as a
single. He rode the bike another year, thumping around the backroads,
cursing little blue balls, finally replacing the bike with a Royal Enfield
Interceptor.
Throughout the 70s, British twins shared the garage with a dirt bike or
two and the occasional Moto Guzzi, BMW boxer, or scary-fast Kawasaki
3-cylinder H-1 or H-2 screamer. Chuck says he almost always had more
than one motorcycle.
As to road adventures, Alaska was calling. On the first day of his ’82
trip, Chuck rode a CX500 1,010 miles in 20 hours, camping in Calgary.
The Cassiar Highway is 400 miles of gravel, and riding the Honda twin
like he rode a motorcross bike, he crashed on the rough road near Wat-
son Lake, Yukon. Like the officers like to say, ‘riding too fast for condi-
tions’. The bike made it to Homer, Alaska, but gave up the ghost a before
the trip could be called a success. Alaska-1, Koshiol-0.
Better-prepared in ’83, with fuel-injected GPz1100, the successful,
10,000-mile adventure was Koshiol’s ‘best six-week ever spent on a
motorcycle’. They didn’t call them sports bikes back then, but the big
Kawie’s chassis handled 70MPH on the rough gravel as well as it carved
a line road-racing through the ribbons of mountain blackstop. When he
Thunder Roads Magazine 18
had good highway, he’d rig his homemade cruise control at 110MPH,
slowing down only when he needed gas again.
One gas stop found him next to a fast new Honda V45 Intercep-
tor rider who was just leaving the pumps. Koshiol says, ‘we exchange
greetings, and we both wondered if we’d bump into each other, as he
would have a ten-minute head start on me. The guy asked me how fast
I was going, and I answered, ‘right around 105-110’, to which the felloe
exclaimed he was traveling a steady 120. I thought, ‘wow pretty fast, but
I guess the bike was made for those speeds’. He left, I gassed up, and
back on the road I soon caught up with him. He was only doing about
75. ‘Why would he lie about his speed’, I thought . Surely he knew I’d
catch him. We shouted back and forth a few times, then I said goodbye
and speed off (too slow for me!). Five minutes later I figured it out. He’s
Canadian and he’s traveling 120 KILOMETERS per hour. I laughed out
loud, knowing that it him that long as well, to realize ‘that crazy American
is going 110 MILES per hour’. He must’ve thought I was insane.
For some reason, 1984 found Koishiol short on road-worthy bikes.
If that wasn’t bad enough, a workshop fire started by a spark from The
Prince of Darkness and a leaky petcock left him only with only a beat-up
Mach 3 to ride. He rode the triple all over hell, and its poor handling (at
over the ton) caused him many moments of adrenaline rush. Later, he
rebuilt the GPz and restocked his garage with worthy ‘riders’. Throughout
the next few decades various Brit-bikes were always joined by a big, fast
four-cylinder ‘ something-or-other’ along with a BMW K-bike, sometimes
a Sportster, and always a couple dirt bikes.
Now that you have an idea what kind of bike nut Chuck is, let me
tell you about his bike shop, which is a non-typical MOM and POP
shop. They carry more leather appeal than I’ve ever seen in one place,
and their showroom is full of different types of motorcycles. But more
interestingly, they restore British iron, along with BMW Airheads and the
occasional older Harley.
During the riding season, you’ll find him and his wife Tiff working in
the shop 7 days a week, and he’ll give you ‘the nickel tour’ any time you
ask for one. Wandering through his shop you’ll spot an immaculate ’48
Norton ES2, which is his ‘birthday bike’. He rides it often, and says ‘with
all the Nortons we restore, its only fitting I own a Norton as old as I am’.
You’ll also spot a ’57 Ariel Huntmaster, and he’ll quickly fill you on
the marque’s history, whether you ask him or not. The man likes to talk
bikes. Sitting next to the rare 650 Ariel is a Matchless G2, a gorgeous
customized ’69 Norton Fastback, a wonderfully restored ’76 R90/6, and a
Thunder Roads Magazine 19
beautiful European 750 Bonneville retro-fitted with 60’s exhaust and side
covers.
Across the isle is a café’ racer, which was originally built by an
acquaintance, and gets updated with minor changes or additions every
year. It started life as a ’55 Norton Dominator, and was modified with a
’66 Atlas engine shoehorned into its Wideline Featherbed frame. The
bike is true to the ‘60s, except for a modern carburetor and electronic
ignition. Look real close and you’ll chuckle when you notice that the carb
is a Keihin from a Sportster, with ‘Harley Davidson’ stamped on the side
of the carb body.
On one wall, you’ll admire the makings of another café’racer. This
is a ’73 Commando with every trick racing part you can dream of. It’s
adorned with tons of Steve Manely Racing parts, and the alloy gas and
oil tanks are homemade in Wales. The Marzocchi front forks are from an
’87 Ducati F1 racebike, and the Brembo rotors and calipers are from a
90s Moto Guzzi. The boys in the shop are ithching to finish building this
beauty.
Some old dirt-biking gear hangs on a wall, along with about a hundred
racing trophies.The silent display tells the story of a dirt-biking fool who
went on to race the National Enduro Series when he hit his 50’s, taking
home the Super Senior Class Championship in 2000 and 2001.
Another interesting chapter in the Zap Cycle story is that the shop has
become the sales department for Minnesota Super X. You might say
that Minnesota Super X what’s left of the recent Excelsior Henderson
company, as they own the remaining Super X parts-inventory (57 semi-
trailers full). Chuck had been riding these big V-twins for several years,
and Zap Cycle has sold a dozen of the rare bikes. All their Excelesior
Hendersons have been upgraded for reliability and the unique bikes are
beautiful to behold and a blast to ride. Chuck will let you test-ride one of
his Super Xs, as long as the roads are dry and you have the desire to
experience one of these high-performance V-twins.
Mixed in with all the other bikes in the shop, you’ll see a well-used
Moto Guzzi V11 Sport, and very well used mid-90s Ducati 900SS, two of
Chuck’s favorite sport bikes. Koshiol likes exotics and their shop services
them. And there is yet another oddity in the shop. You’ll always see two
or three pristine Honda Pacific Coasts on display for sales. And I spotted
an unwashed PC in the workshop getting serviced. Seems this is Chuck
and Tiff’s weekender, and they put 1800 miles on it during the deer-
hunting season. Wasn’t it 55 degrees that week? Chuck’s personal PC
gets a beefed up suspension and tweaked engine. Chuck and Tiff hit the
twisties hard. Chuck and Tiff love going fast. Chuck and Tiff love living
life. And we at Thunder Roads love that attitude.
Email us your stories at willie@thunderroadsminnesota.com
Tech Tips
Harley Hop-Up by Kirby Apathy
GOT A BROKEN LIP?
One of the problems with 1970-up cases is the very flimsy alternator lip
that fits into the inner primary. From vibration, misalignments or what-
ever, they tend to crack and break.(pic 1)Their are guys out there who
weld & re-machine them, but an old friend of mine, Ron Trock (who
unfortunately passed 2 weeks ago) came up with a indestructible fix, a
ductile iron ring (pic 4)that we have used for many years now. Anyone
whos not familiar with Ron Trock, he was an innovator, the creator of
the shovsters, pansters, XL iron trap doors and many Harley machining
tools being used by shops all over the world, a great loss. We get calls
when a rider finds out he has broken the lip on his cases, wondering
if the cases need to be replaced, they are usually very happy to find out that the fix is both inexpensive and will be
much stronger than it was to begin with. the process starts with chucking the cases half in the lathe and machining
the old lip off (pic 2),once the old lip is removed, the alternator recess is machined to accept the ductile iron ring with
a .005 inter fit (pic 3).the case is then heated and the insert is pressed in. Once cooled, the alternator plug hole is fix-
tured in a milling machine and machined to original size. (pic 5) The end result is a stronger case that will not break
again, we have installed 100`s of these and never have had a recurring failure. One other mistake made to often is
when the motor or trans is removed, is to not have the motor, trans and primary aligned properly, causing the inner
primary ears to crack, or break off completely. MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO GAPS WITH RE-INSTALLING INNER
PRIMARY!! Next month we will cover Thunder jet theory, installation & tuning. Until then, ride fast but safe!! Kirby
Apathy
veetwin@bluemarble.net
Thunder Roads Magazine 20
Motorcycle Clubs And Groups
ABATE of Minnesota , Contact: Contact: Liz Herzog (507) 487-5000,
StateOffice@abatemn.org American Bikers for Awareness, Training
and Education is a not-for-profit motorcycle rights organization
committed to educating motorcyclists and the general public about
motorcycling.
ABATE LOWER CHAPTER SE MN American Bikers for Awareness,
Training and Education is a not-for-profit motorcycle rights
organization committed to educating motorcyclists and the general
public about motorcycling.
Blue Knights, The Blue Knights is a non-profit organization of active
and retired law enforcement men and women who enjoy riding
motorcycles.
BMW Motorcycle Owners,  Contact: Karol  k75karol@yahoo.com
612-534-RIDE, BMWMOA promotes the camaraderie and friendship
of individual members and BMW motorcycle clubs.
Central Road Racing Association,   612-332-4070 CRA is a
volunteer-run racing club always looking for new members and
volunteers to help ensure fun and safety.
CHARIOTS OF LIGHT” Phil 2:15 The Chariots of Light Christian
Bikers Club is an evangelistic outreach of Jerry Savelle Ministries
International, Brooklyn Park MN, 55444 web site
Contact info Jim Ferdig jferdig73@gmail.com Pastor DuWayne
Peterson dpetersen@lwcc.org
Chrome Divas, Contact: Kristen King, kristen.king@richfield.k12.
mn.us  Chrome Divas is a ladies-only motorcycle group, riders and
passengers and even some non-riding women, who love motorcycles
and participating in charity functions.
Concours Owners Group, Contact: Randy Schafer (612) 433-
5605, rides1zg@aol.com  COG promotes camaraderie and technical
support for Kawasaki Concours.
Christian Motorcyclists Association,  The Christian Motorcyclists
Association is interdenominational and evangelistic in nature.
Collectively, the states work together to spread the Gospel of Jesus
Christ throughout the United States. Link is to the local chapter in
Rochester MN, several groups in MN and USA
Dry Riders,  Men and women who are family-oriented and have
formed a club to promote motorcycling without the use of alcohol or
drugs while riding.   mnstatedirector@startouring.org
Faith Riders of MN group of Christian people from all walks of life
who love to ride motorcycles and trikes. We ride for the joy of riding
and good fellowship. info
Freedom Riders Christian Motorcycle Club...based out
of Constance Free Church in Andover, MN. An experienced,
professional riding club for fun! Several rides and trips planned each
season. brgenck@qwestoffice.net
Gold Wing Riders Association Contact: (800) 843-9460, Friends for
fun, safety and knowledge, the GWRRA is the world’s largest social
organization for owners and riders of Honda Gold Wing & Valkyrie
motorcycles.
Harley Owners Group,  Contact: 1-800-CLUBHOG (1-800-258-
2464), For Harley riders to share their passion and show their pride.   just show up for a ride.   The rides leave from The Junction Bar & Grill
Hog Chapter Rochester MN SE MN
Honda Riders Club of America , 616 Elk St , Duluth MN 55803
Honda Sport Touring Association,   Contact: Roger Ries,
rogerries@yahoo.com  952-448-5008, HSTA brings together riders
whose focus is motorcycle sport touring regardless of type or brand of
motorcycle.   sign in at the ride destination. After the last ride in Sept the WBMC
Midwest Motorcycle Club (MMC) of Bemidji. For information call
Max Lowe 218-547-0419.
Minnesota Valkyrie Owners Association,  Contact: Mike Garris
mgarris@mn.rr.com  & Lori Bruzek CustomValk@aol.com
Minnesota Sport bike,  Internet-based group where Minnesota sport
and sport touring riders set up “Pace” rides, share opinions, and
balance safety and sport riding fun.
Minnesota Voyagers Association,  Contact: Joy Mattson
jsmattson@usfamily.net A group consisting of all brands of
motorcycles.
Minnesota Wings,  Individuals and their partners who enjoy owning
and riding Honda Gold Wings.
Moto Guzzi Owners,  Contact: Earl Cleven, 507-684-2608,
e.cleven@excite.com  Sociable Guzzi people, great times, and Moto
Guzzi information direct to you from Moto Guzzi enthusiasts world
Thunder Roads Magazine 21
wide.
Motorcycle Dial a Ride, 1-888-DIAL RIDE (888-342-5743), MDAR
offers safe ride service for impaired motorcyclists from the last weekend
in April through the last weekend in October. Hours of operation are 6
p.m. Friday through 12 a.m. Monday (midnight Sunday).
Northern Cruisers Riding Group  (NCRG)We are a group of cruiser
riders who have been together since 1997. We ride mostly Yamaha
cruisers, although ALL bikes are welcome. Your attitude will “make
or break” your membership with us, not the kind of bike you ride. Our
members consist of couples, and male and female singles that are
mostly in their 40’s and 50’s. We meet year-round for dinner and/or
rides to keep our friendships alive and strong. Our ride scheduled is
the 1st Saturday and 3rd Sunday of each month from mid-April to
October with Extended trips possible (2 nights to over 1 week in length).
We require you to sign a liability waiver and have proof of insurance and
a motorcycle license or permit before riding with us. We are a TOTALLY
independent local group with NO national organization to appease.
RED KNIGHTS Contact: Pete prrkmn1@yahoo.com Share the
common interest of motorcycling, promoting motorcycle safety, and the
brotherhood of firefighting.
Shifting Gears - Women Motorcycle Riderz -Group of women
motorcyclists who gather and ride in the Bemidji area. Founded in 2008.
Membership is free. Contact Cheri Stout or Rachel Bolter
Six Seasons Christian Riders, Contact:info@sixseasons.org
Motorcycles, off-road vehicles, and snowmobiles.
Southern Cruisers Riding Club, Southeast Minnesota Chapter #171.
We are family-oriented and ride for the joy of riding and the social
aspects of motorcycle cruising.  All brands are welcome and there is a
NO FEE. 
Southern Cruisers Riding Club, Contact: Bill Strebel (615) 804-1050
or (615) 893-7048, Membership@SouthernCruisers.Net  A free, family-
oriented club that uses the Web to communicate and focuses on the
enjoyment and fellowship of riding motorcycles safely. 
Star Touring and Riding Now with 4 chapters in Minnesota. 3 are
located in the Twin Cities area. A Family Group of riders that focus
on Riding fun with the whole family. Thou focused on The Star
Line of Motorcylces all bike are welcome, contact Jim(JC) Clark at
St Croix Valley Riders, A not-for-profit motorcycle rights organization-
proceeds go to enhance motorcycle safety, awareness and education.
Street Legal Motorcycle Club, Members include lawyers, judges,
law school deans, law students, bailiffs, paralegals, legal secretaries,
private investigators, court reporters and the like.
Twin Cities Motorcycle Club is open to riders of all makes and models
of bikes. Free to join and belong.
Twin City Victory Riders
The West Bank Motorcycle Club (WBMC) The WBMC started in 1969
and welcomes all riders and all brands of motorcycles to join us, to ride
and share with us the love of riding. Ride with us, if you like us join us.
This is a dues paying club!  The Annual Dues is $20. To Join the WBMC
901 Cedar Ave S. Minneapolis, MN 55404 at 6:30pm on Wednesdays
and 12:00 pm on Saturdays. The last Sat in April through the end of
Sept. The first ride is a potluck . The Road Captain will make 80-90
maps for Wed and 20-30 for Sat and will post one on the bulletin board.
To receive a ride credit you must be a current paid member. You must
holds year-end party in the first part of October. This is a potluck with
the WBMC providing the main entree.
Wings of Freedom MN Chapter Gold Wing Touring Association of
Motorcycle enthusiast who like to get together to ride, eat, camp and
have a good time in MN and WI
Women on Wheels If you are a lady who loves to drive or ride as
passenger on motorcycles, motorbikes, scooters, or trikes then this is
the group for you! This organization welcomes your family members
and you to indulge your passion for riding with other discriminating
hobbyists, at rallies, chapter meetings, tours, or other events
  X Winos Motorcycle Club, Contact: Iktome@xwinos-mc.com  The
primary purpose is to stay clean and sober and have fun doing it.
Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Contact Patrick J. Hahn 651-201-
 News Bytes
UNITED NATIONS LAUNCHES ROAD SAFETY EFFORTS
With traffic accidents causing the deaths of more than one million people
worldwide every year, more than malaria or diabetes, United Nations Sec-
retary-General Ban Ki-moon told participants at the First Global Ministerial
Conference on Road Safety in Moscow that more must be done to tackle the
global “crisis” of road traffic fatalities. In addition, some 50 million people are
severely injured, costing governments 1 to 3 per cent of their gross national
products. Opening the conference, the President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev
called for action on a worldwide crisis running at 1.27 million road deaths
every year, with about half of those deaths occurring among vulnerable road
users such as cyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. The conference cul-
minated with ministers of more than 70 countries around the world approving
the Moscow Declaration, which calls for a “Decade of Action for Road Safety”
and to begin to set out plans for global coordination of the unprecedented
effort to reduce road traffic injuries by 50% by 2020. The Safe Systems
strategy advocated in the Moscow Directive requires the entire road–traffic
management system to be designed around compensating for the errors of
road users, so that people can survive the consequences of their mistakes.
“Simple measures such as introducing and enforcing compulsory helmet
and seat belt laws can make a large difference in the trauma that comes with
motorization,” write risk management researchers from Australia . Only 40%
of countries currently have motorcycle laws that stipulate helmet use for the
rider and passenger, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), and
fewer than 60% of countries have laws in place that require all car occupants
to wear seat-belts. The four page Decade of Action declaration includes
specific action on vulnerable road users. It reads: “Make particular efforts to
develop and implement policies and infrastructure solutions to protect all road
users in particular those who are most vulnerable such as pedestrians, cy-
clists, motorcyclists and users of unsafe public transport, as well as children,
the elderly and people living with disabilities.” On signing the declaration,
governments, United Nations agencies, civil society organizations and private
companies will agree to set “ambitious yet feasible” targets for reducing traffic
casualties in each country.
CONGRESSIONAL ACTION SOUGHT TO PROTECT YOUTH CYCLE
SALES Because the Consumer Product Safety Commission has refused to
lift a ban against the sale of kids’ dirt bikes and ATVs due to lead content of
some parts, although the CPSC agreed to stay the ban until May 1, 2011,
the U.S. House of Representatives passed an appropriations bill on July 16th
that would prohibit funding for the ban. An amendment by Representative
Denny Rehberg (R-MT) to the House fiscal year 2010 Financial Services
Appropriations bill prohibits the use of funds by the CPSC to implement or
enforce section 101(b) of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act
of 2008 regarding banning the sale of off-highway motorcycles and all-
terrain vehicles intended for use by children 12 and under. The CPSIA as
intended to limit the lead content of children’s toys made in China, but as
an unintended consequence resulted in motorcycle manufacturers ordering
dealers nationwide to stop selling youth-oriented vehicles and parts. Similar
legislation introduced in the Senate does not contain the Rehberg Amend-
ment language, and has not reached the Senate floor for a vote. Help protect
access to youth-model off-road vehicles and parts by contacting your federal
legislators and ask them to support language in the final appropriations bill
that excludes children’s motorcycles and ATVs from the CPSIA.
Thunder Roads Magazine 22
PENNSYLVANIA NOISE LEGISLATION COULD EMPOWER NOSEY
NEIGHBORS House Bill 2104 on noise control was introduced in the Penn-
sylvania legislature on November 18 and referred to the House Committee
on Transportation to consider allowing citizens to report loud vehicles and
noisy mufflers to authorities for further action. As introduced, HB 2104 reads;
Exhaust systems, mufflers and noise control.
(f) Enforcement for violations - (1) A person who reasonably believes that a
motor vehicle is in violation of this section may file a complaint, containing the
registration plate number, with a magisterial district judge.
(2) Based on the information in the complaint, the magisterial district justice
may issue a search warrant for the vehicle and shall forward the search
warrant and information contained in the complaint to the Pennsylvania State
Police for investigation. (3) Upon receipt of the search warrant, the Penn-
sylvania State Police shall investigate whether the vehicle is in violation of
this section and shall take appropriate action to enforce the provisions of this
section. (4) A person who files more than one complaint under this section
which, after investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police, are determined
not to support a violation of this section shall be prohibited from filing any
additional complaint under this section for a period of 12 months.
ALWAYS-ON HEADLIGHT LAW PROPOSED IN ILLINOIS A state law-
maker has introduced legislation requiring Illinois motorists to turn on their
headlights even during daylight hours to make it easier for motorists to see
each other, thus reducing accidents. “It would enhance safety,” Rep. Dan
Brady said. It also would put Illinois alone in the U.S. Although day-time
running lights are required in some European countries, the only other state
where it is even being considered is Alaska . In Juneau , state lawmakers say
long twilight periods and low sun angles there produce shadows and make
it difficult to see vehicles. Most motorcycles are already required to have a
headlamp on at all times for increased conspicuity, and many riders feel they
would lose their visibility and be lost in a sea of headlight beams if all vehicles
were to run with their lights on. If House Bill 4701 is approved, someone
caught for not turning on their lights could face a fine of $75. Brady said he
wants to study the issue more before he asks his colleagues to vote on the
matter.
S.C. SUPREME COURT COULD RULE ON MYRTLE BEACH HELMET
LAWSUITS Two lawsuits against Myrtle Beach over the city’s helmet law
could be heard by the state’s high court in the new year. The S.C. Supreme
Court clerk sent a letter to Myrtle Beach and the plaintiffs saying the lawsuits
filed by business owners and a group of motorcyclists might be heard in the
February session. The plaintiffs are suing the city to stop it from enforcing
the motorcycle helmet law it imposed last year as part of a package of 15
new ordinances designed to deflect the May motorcycle rallies from the city.
Attorneys for the city, BOOST (Business Owners Organized to Support Tour-
ism) and the 49 riders who protested the city’s helmet ordinance on the day it
became effective and were ticketed have filed their briefs with the high court,
allowing judges to read the issues that will be argued orally if the hearing is
slated. Lawyers representing BOOST have filed more than 30 pages of briefs
containing multiple sections, contending among other issues: The city is over-
stepping its bounds by making such a law; The General Assembly intended
people older than 21 to have freedom of choice on wearing helmets; The hel-
News Bytes
met ordinance violates the state’s Uniform Traffic Act; The ordinance should
be voided because it is vague and ambiguous; The ordinance is arbitrary,
capricious and unreasonable; And ending a motorcycle rally isn’t a legitimate
government purpose. But Tom McGrath, Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (AIM)
attorney for Virginia who is representing the protesters filed a much shorter
brief, saying among other things that most of the arguments don’t matter
because the city’s ordinance is at odds with state law, and for that reason
alone it should be tossed out. “The gist of the city’s arguments is that it has
the right to do whatever it wants to do as long as it declares something to be
a public nuisance and decides to abate it,” McGrath’s brief begins. “...If the
ordinances conflict with state law, the ordinances are void. If the ordinances
are void, their underlying merits are irrelevant.”
ARIZONA BIKERS PROTEST DISCRIMINATION AND POLICE HARASS-
MENT As a state highway patrol helicopter circled low over head and the
state gang task force took photos from across the street, several hundred
bikers from 40 motorcycle clubs throughout Arizona assembled after their
regularly scheduled Arizona Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs meeting
on November 7th for a protest ride past four Kingman bars that recently
adopted a “NO COLORS” policy. ACMC advocates for biker rights and meets
twice a month, discussing issues like helmet or emission laws or pushing
for biker-friendly legislation. Dan Balentine, president of the Desert Road
Riders Motorcycle Club and secretary for the ACMC told the Daily News that
the confederation of clubs is in the process of hiring a third lobbyist to work
on the no colors policy initiated by some bars and restaurants in Kingman.
Balentine said ACMC’s mission statement is to educate the public of the
positive aspects of motorcycle clubs and lawfully oppose intrusion to biker
rights. One of the ACMC lobbyists, Skypilot, is based at the state capital in
Phoenix and works with the legislators while a second lobbyist works on
federal issues in Washington , D.C. Skypilot reported that he is talking with
state legislators on motorcycle issues such as right of ways, emissions,
discrimination by law enforcement, correctly fastening license plates and
extended yellow lights. ACMC’s president Ray “Still Ray” Fitzgerald, said
the object of the protest ride was to draw attention to the way the gang
task force illegally forces bars to adopt the no colors policy or face having
their liquor licenses pulled. Riders wearing their club colors on the protest
ride arrived armed with discrimination forms to document people who were
turned away for a possible class-action lawsuit. “Why would they turn us
away?” said Steve Musgrave, a member of the Desert Thunder MC and a
registered motorcycle rights lobbyist for eight years. “Our money should be
as good as everyone else’s.” Musgrave, who also serves on the National
Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) board of directors said it is unfair for
police to label motorcycle clubs as gangs. “We are a club, not a gang. We
have regular meetings and pay dues,” he said. “Almost everybody here is
a law-abiding citizen who has a job and pays their taxes, just like everyone
else.”
AUSTRALIAN BIKERS THREATEN TO SUE PUBS OVER COLOR
DISCRIMINATION Members of at least 21 of the state’s “bikie gangs”
are preparing to sue the 53 pubs, clubs, hotels and cocktail bars from
Wollongong to The Entrance where they are banned if they turn up for a
drink wearing club colors or their trademark bikie jewelry. They claim the
bars are breaching the Anti-discrimination Act, the Human Rights Com-
Thunder Roads Magazine 23
mission Act and probably the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights which has been adopted by Australia . After gauging reaction from
the bars, the United Motorcycle Council NSW plans to take action on
behalf of all the clubs. The council was formed earlier this year as a reac-
tion to government efforts to ban motorcycle clubs through the strictest
anti-gang laws in the world.
JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE EXPORTS DOWN OVER 50% Motorcycle
exports from Japan have slumped by over 50%, according to shock-
ing new figures released by the industry watchdog. In October 2009
global exports of motorcycle from Japan were recorded at 41,143 units,
compared with the 90,702 units total recorded for the same month of the
previous year. The 54.6% export decrease is the twenty-fifth consecutive
month that export figures have dropped, according to a recent JAMA
report. The total value of motorcycles exported for October was 334.12
million U.S. dollars including 229.94 million U.S. dollars for vehicles and
14.18 million U.S. dollars for parts. This is a decrease of 263.09 million
U.S. dollars or 44.1 percent, as compared with 597.21 million U.S. dol-
lars recorded for the same month of the previous year, the report stated.
WEIRD NEWS: HOG VS. HORSE ACCIDENTS In a landmark 1985
study, Dr. J.L. Firth estimated that while “a serious incident can be
expected at the rate of 1 per 7,000 hours of motorcycle riding, seri-
ous injury rates exceeding one per 350 horse riding hours have been
described, making horseback riding 20 times more dangerous than
motorcycling.” As far as injuries go, horseback riding leads to more spills
on average than motorcycling. According to www.bookofodds.com, the
odds a person will visit an emergency department due to a horseback
riding accident in a year are 1 in 3,837. Most of these accidents are
caused when a horse bucks or bolts, throwing the rider, and female injury
rates are typically higher. The odds a motorcyclist will be injured in an
accident in a year are 1 in 82.55. The odds a motorcyclist will be killed in
an accident in a year are 1 in 1,488, about the same odds a person will
be diagnosed with breast cancer in a year (1 in 1,506). And the odds a
rider killed in a motorcycle accident in a year was not wearing a helmet
are 1 in 2.39. Ultimately, while motorcycles and horses occupy differ-
ent spheres of injury-influence, history reveals how risky either can be.
Horseback riding has resulted in the deaths of such historical figures as
Mongol emperor Genghis Khan, Ellen Church (the first airline steward-
ess), and, arguably, actor Christopher Reeve. Motorcycle accidents,
meanwhile, have claimed the lives of astronaut Charles “Pete” Conrad
(the third man to walk on the moon), rock guitarist Duane Allman, and
British military officer T.E. Lawrence “of Arabia .” Ironically, after treating
T.E. Lawrence’s fatal head wounds, neurosurgeon Hugh Cairns, deeply
moved by the experience, pioneered research that ultimately led to the
widespread use of motorcycle helmets.
QUOTABLE QUOTE: “Too bad that all the people who really know how
to run the country are busy driving taxi cabs and cutting hair.”
George Burns, comedian (1896 – 1996)
BIKER FRIENDLY DIRECTORY
Bars & Clubs
Big Island Bar and Grill
2306 East Main
Albert Lea, MN 56007
(507) 373-6471

To have your business listed here,

please contact:

Willie Matthews
P.O. Box 769
Albert Lea, MN 56007
(877) 230-4520
thunder@thunderroadsminnesota.com Contact Willie Matthews at
1-877-230-4520
For More Information

Thunder Roads Magazine 24

S Helmet Laws By State

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Thunder Roads Magazine 26 Thunder Roads Magazine 27
Highway Safety
I recently took a class at a conference on the parking you normally would. That is when you try to remember one
of vehicles on highways and roadways during an emer- thing, a bad situation can always produce a worse situa-
gency situation. It was extremely informative, these types tion, and you can reverse this process by staying calm and
of classes usually are. During one of the many videos that taking charge. Ride safe, ride free, protect the children,
we viewed during the class, I noticed that there was a and have a wonderful New Year.
motorcycle police officer that was working an accident on
a busy suburban boulevard, along with other emergency Kevin G. Charleville
vehicles on the scene. Many emergency vehicles are
the target of secondary collisions at the original accident
scene. Unfortunately, many emergency workers have lost
their lives in secondary collisions while performing their
duties at these accidents. Obviously, that was the pur-
pose of the class, awareness and preventive measures. I
thought to myself, while watching the video with the mo-
torcycle copper, this is great information to pass along to
other riders, even in a non-emergency situation. Let’s take
a look and you decide.
Rubber necking, looky loos, sight seekers, cell phone
users, driving under the influence, bad weather, and other
similar distractions, are huge contributors to most of these
secondary collisions. If you see emergency lights up head,
start slowing immediately, secondary collisions can hap-
pen anytime and anywhere close to the original scene. If
you must stop and park off the roadway, pull as far off of
the right-of-way as possible, and make a safe distance
between yourself and your bike. Motorists are attracted to
stopped vehicles, especially vehicles with flashing lights.
I have always told my sons, if you have a flat tire, drive to
the nearest exit or safe area before you stop and inves-
tigate, or attempt to mitigate the problem. So what if you
destroy a tire, better it than you, I always say. If you have
to pull off the roadway and park, try to find some type of
protection, ie. Another vehicle such as a car or truck, Jer-
sey barrier, tree, etc. If you are on a roadway that does not
have a shoulder, or soft shoulder, and you must stop, try to
establish some type of early warning to oncoming traffic,
especially on a curvy roadway. This could be another per-
son, or some type of marker that informs oncoming drivers
of potential danger, such as a flashing light or flashlight. I
see a lot of motorcyclists duck underneath an over pass
during downpours or storms; this is a great way to stay
dry until the unsettlement passes. However, if you choose
to do this, again, exit your motorcycle and make sure you
are a safe distance from it. We adore our beloved two
wheeled motorized machines and no one wants to leave
their baby’s side, however, contrary to popular belief, they
are replaceable, we are not. Basically, this is all common
sense strategies to remove you from harms way. However,
in a crisis situation, you may not be thinking as clearly as

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