The Norton Project

The Norton Project from Jamtron on Vimeo.

This is a story about how two brothers stole their father's 1969 Norton Commando, had it restored and then gave it back to him for Christmas. He had no idea.

What a wonderful story... and, actually, funny as hell.

Crossgen: Resurrected

Broken Frontier has recently released the latest copy of their e-magazine The Frontiersman featuring a cover story on Marvel's recent announcement about the return of Crossgen properties. The article includes a creator roundtable discussion with several former Crossgen creators including Chuck Dixon, Ron Marz, Jim Cheung, Greg Land, and myself among others. Also inside - two unpublished El Cazador covers that I drew for issues 7 and 8.

The Frontiersman #10 is now available for download at brokenfrontier.com or at the iTunes store for the iPad.

Learn to Ride the High Mountains of Europe

Bike Tour Germany can teach you to ride the High Mountain twisty's and hairpin curves of the High Alpines in Austria. The ride is 2.5 hours between Munich and Grossglockner High Alpine. The roadway is open until October each year.

My buddy TJ lived in California before returning to Germany and he's well qualified to make your dream of high mountain European motorcycle travel a reality. CK this out!

The season will soon come to a close for 2010.  The usual meeting point for the training ride is this car park, left of the toll booth, where a training group of riders met, August 18th.

This is one of the photos from TJ's Grossglockner 2010 - Picasa Album.

CLICK ABOVE FLYER TO VIEW ENLARGED DETAILS

Bike Tour Germany offers high mountain training, as well as guided tours through Germany. You can also join TJ and his crew on rides to the 24 Hour Le Mans Race, the IMOT Munich Bike Show and other European events.

Perewitz, Michele Smith & Others Join Sturgis of Asia Tour

The Next Dave Perewitz Bike Night in Bridgewater, MA,Wed. Sept 8th will be the last of the season for 2010!

"Jody & I are leaving in 2 weeks for Sturgis of Asia in South Korea!," Dave told friends a few hours ago.  "The bikes are on their way."

People in Japan, South Korea and China will soon have a taste of the Sturgis rally without having to travel to the United States, courtesy of a new company, SturgisAsia. The first tour of SturgisAsia is Sept. 17 to 21.

The company is headed by Tom Bandy of Rochester, Minn., who has been a rally licensee for a dozen years and has been attending the rally for nearly 40 years. It has been Bandy's dream for a few years to bring Sturgis to the rest of the world. SturgisAsia will fly participants and their motorcycles to South Korea.

VIPs signed up for the first trip include custom builders Arlen Ness, Cory Ness, Eddie Trotta, Dave Perewitz and Donnie Smith, along with Harley-Davidson artist Scott Jacobs.

Also signed for the first trip is Michele Smith, who co-hosted “American Thunder” on the Speed Channel and recently co-hosted "Two Wheel Thunder" on Discovery's HD Theater.

Next year, SturgisAsia will take a group of bikers to South Korea and Japan. In 2012, it plans to visit South Korea, Japan and China. And in 2013, it will add Australia to the tour.

The program in South Korea will include a hill climb, a mini moto cross, a rock concert, a traditional Korean performance, a custom bike show and a biker fashion show, plus plenty of riding through the South Korean countryside. The tour is expected to attract tens of thousands of South Koreans, eager to catch a glimpse of American culture.

SturgisAsia will also tour a US military base in Seoul, Korea. The tour will present a Support the Troops Day for American and South Korean military. Then, accompanied by American service personnel, the tour group will ride up to the demilitarized zone.

The tour costs about $3,500 for two people, depending on travel packages. For more information, go to Sturgisasia.com

SKATE TATOO AND PUNK.. IN MEXICO... WE WERE THERE

Four Becomes Three

Fantastic Four writer Jonathan Hickman and editor Tom Brevoort discuss the upcoming storyline here and here. Oh and there are a few new pages of preview art by some guy that they got to draw the book.

(click images to enlarge)

Porcupine BASH 2010 This Weekend in Chatham, Michigan

Biker-friendly Salute To Our Military - Aug. 27 to 29 in Chatham, Michigan.
Donny Hartman Band kicks off the BASH, followed by Willie Nash Band, North Country Band and the Red, White & Blues Band. Dan Lawson Band on Friday & Saturday nights.

Presented by the Porcupine Press to celebrate the 21 yr birthday of UP Magazine - humor from the Upper Peninsula "Yooper" of Michigan. $40 weekend/ $20 day passes.
 
-------------  BRING A GIFT FOR A VETERAN TO BASH 2010 ---------- 
 
Details: BASH 2010 - Salute To Our Military Photo Album


UPDATE: News on cabins and campgrounds

The nicest place in the area is Timber View Lodge that donated lodging for all of the bands that played at The BASH - They have modern 3-BR and 5BR cabins that include cable TV and ESPN. (Which we discovered is NECESSARY to Johnny Lange, who was at the event with his Strip Club Choppers Roadhouse Tour.)

Otter Lake Campground is also within 12 miles of the event. Wooded sites, electric, showers, water available and a pump out. 906-387-4648 

Ride To Nova Scotia Wharf Rat Rally

A while back, Cycle Source Magazine announced a contest to "Win A Trip" to the Wharf Rat Rally in Nova Scotia as a riding partner with Bean're aka The Mayor of Fun.

My photographer friend, Jack Mcintyre saw that as a call to action!

"The moment I heard that I emailed Chris Callen of Cycle Source Magazine and stated that I would like to go along on motorcycle with Bean’re as a Photo Journalist."

Now it's one week before the rally and Jack will be heading out with Bean're to capture the action. "If I can get on the net in the evenings, I will post as many pics as I can because knowing this crew, it’s gonna be a blast," said Jack.

You will find hundreds of photos of Sturgis 2010 Rally, and look for photos of the Wharf Rat Rally at his photography website: BikerPICS.ORG.

Read More: Wharf Rat Rally - Sept. 1 to 6 in Digby, Nova Scotia.

Indianapolis Grand Prix Motorcycle Race This Weekend

Jorge Lorenzo’s dominant 2010 campaign takes its next step at the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix this weekend, as the Fiat Yamaha rider looks to extend his season's lead even further. Late-night television host Jay Leno will serve as grand marshal of this year's race in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The 23 year-old has a 77-point lead over nearest Championship rival Dani Pedrosa in the standings going into Round 11, thanks to seven wins from the opening ten races of the campaign.

Having already won in the previous U.S. round at Laguna Seca this year Lorenzo has winning form at Indy too, where he stood on the top step of the rostrum last season. The Spaniard was on the podium the year before as well and is planning a continuation of his phenomenal 2010 run this weekend.

"The first back-to-back races in the second half of the season are coming, and this first one is after a few days of holiday in the U.S. for me,” said Lorenzo. “This weekend will be the second race in this country in 2010 and I am looking forward to it because I would like to repeat the same result as I got in Laguna! I just have good memories from America, last month in Laguna and last year in Indy.”

Reflecting on his success last season and with plans for continued success this year Lorenzo continued: “Last year was amazing, but this time I don't need to take too many risks. We can avoid it! Indy is a track that I like a lot and it has amazing history. The team and I are planning to continue our great season there this weekend."

Source: motogp.com

The History And Future Of Tattoos

GILL MONTIE'S WORLD FAMOUS TATTOO

MANIA drew capacity crowds every day at Broken Spoke Campground during the 70th Anniversary of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally - Aug. 7 to 15 in Sturgis, South Dakota.

VIKINGS
It is very likely that the vikings were tattooed. An Arabic scribe in the year 1100 reported meeting some Vikings he thought were "very rude, dirty - and covered with pictures."

SAILORS
Sailors on their ships returned home with their own tattoos, usually very basic designs of flowers, hearts, mermaids, ships, anchors, snakes, birds, and names. They also had tattoos to mark their voyage around the Horn of Africa, considered a life challenge.

CRIMINALITY

Tattoos did not enter the mainstream of society in most areas of the world until recently, within the last 50 years. For a long time, tattoos were popular only among sailors and criminals. In prison, tattoos - professionally done and homemade - embody what the prisoner is missing: Autonomy and Identity. In many prisons, any new tattoos are strictly forbidden. 

THE ULTIMATE SYMBOL - Tattoos are the ultimate symbol of gang members, a permanent mark that shows total commitment to the gang. The tattoos reveal lots of things: who you are, what gang you're in, your beliefs (racist, etc.), what you have done, where you have been, how many years you have been in jail and even the fact that you have killed. Teardrops under the eye as well as spider webs on the elbows are known to symbolize people killed. 

Somewhere between outlaw and mainstream, tattoos became a major symbol of the life-style enjoyed by bikers. The iron horse riders, like the American Indians began expressing what was on their heart and in their souls through the tattoos on their bodies. Brotherhood, Freedom, Hero, Nature, Rebel, Soldier, Warrior.  - Such as this tattoo underway by Albertino Feghaly.

Modern day cartoons often pay tribute to their origins in the world of tattoo designs and drawings. Cartoon characters are also in popular demand as tattoos - such as this Spiderman tat by world famous Gill "The Drill" Montie.

Tattoos obviously influence motorcycle paint wraps - and vice versa.

Hellboy Day 2010

(click image to enlarge)
August 21st has rolled around again, and as always I celebrate the blog's birthday with a Hellboy sketch (commemorating the first post I made here). Since I don't have a lot of time for anything elaborate, I just did a quick digital sketch and then dressed it up with some fancy computer tricks. Even so, I kind of like how it turned out.

Usually on this date I also make a promise declaring my intent to post more often and then proceed to post even less, so this year I'm not going to do that. I'll just say thanks to all my subscribers and commenters and keep my intentions to post more to myself. That way maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised if it actually happens :)

The Johnny & Jay Sturgis 70th Report

Here's a news report from Johnny Lange and Jay Barbieri - Sturgis Turns 70

THE GRAND DADDY OF RALLIES IS ALIVE AND WELL. The annual Sturgis rally promised to be big and it exceeded expectation. Estimates put attendance at 600,000 and from what we experienced that was accurate. The weather was great and the vendors were busy. This might not be an indicator of an economic recovery but it’s for sure that bikers are sick of sitting home and being afraid to enjoy the life style we all love. It’s never been about money. Enough bad news from CNN all you need is some gas and a tent. The bars, restaurants, hotels, campgrounds and concerts were all rockin.

Kid Rock, Bob Dylan , ZZ Topp, Ozzy Osbourne, STP and Guns and Roses jammed their greatest hits to crowds in excess of 20,000, at several points in the show everybody fired up their bikes at once… Ahh that sweet sound mixed with smell of gasoline and smoke from campfires, the perfect combination’

The Strip Club Choppers Roadhouse was located at the Legendary Buffalo Chip and the party never stopped, The Chip, as it is affectionately referred to, is the essence of Sturgis itself, camping, bars, concerts, food, girls, vendors etc., encompasses the true biker life style. Hat’s off to Rod “Woody” Woodruff and his daughter Toni for making it the place to be! We were so blown away by this venue that we signed a five-year deal to appear there.


Many people cannot afford to attend multiple rallies, so if you can only get to one a year make it Sturgis. Oh yeah and the riding is as good as it gets with, Mount Rushmore, Devil’s Tower, Crazy Horse, the Badlands, Custer State Park and more are only a few hours away.

As always visit us at www.stripclubchoppers.com and come see us at: The Freeport Blues Festival in Freeport Texas on September 3rd to the 5th, The Texas Rally September 9th to the 12th in Somerville Texas, The Lake Of The Ozark’s Bike Fest in Missouri from September 16th to the 19th and the Thunder Beach Rally in Panama City Florida from September 30th to October 3rd.

Jay Barbieri and Johnny Lange have been traveling together all season, shooting episodes of the new "Two Wheel Thunder" TV Show that airs Monday Nights on Discovery's HD Theater.

Johnny and the Strip Club Choppers Roadhouse freightliner have just rolled into Michigan.. and you can hang out, listen to some tunes and ck out their products at the Porcupine Bash, Aug. 27 to 29 at the fairgrounds in Chatham, MI in the upper peninsula.

The Russians Are Coming To Porcupine BASH 2010

By MJ Reynolds - A plan was launched by 77-year-old Ken Ulich the day he heard about Porcupine BASH 2010 that will spread good will and show some retired veterans a good time, Aug. 27 to 29 in Chatham, Michigan.

Ken "builds quality" back into Russian military sidecar motorcycles, at a shop called U2.

He will be traveling 250 miles to bring his Dnepr Russian sidecar to the BASH so he can ride the veterans around the fairgrounds all weekend. "I would like to bring a little joy into their lives as a small payback for all they have done," said Ken, who has a vivid memory of soldiers returning home from WWII.

Mark Schmidt was the self-described shy kid in the back of the class, just trying to "blend in." He became a mail man and one day, he met Ken and knew that he wanted to work on the bikes. Now, he decorates his Russian Ural for all occassions and has a blast.

"If you get a couple inches of snow and go for a cruise, legalized insanity!" said Mark. "Both bikes will be available for rides, and I look forward to participating in the BASH."

"The beautiful thing about a Russian sidecar bike is that it was basically designed for year-round military use in a cold climate," said Ken. "So on a sunny day in winter when it's not too cold, you can bundle up and go out for a ride. Plenty of people in Canada, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin ride their Russian bikes right through the winter." 

However, Ken's business centers around the fact that Russian military bikes are heavy and not designed to travel on smooth roadways. The cast-iron brake drums were never turned on the military sidecar bikes, he said and "the wheels on a Russian bike are on the far side of terrible." They have heavy, durable spokes designed to keep on rolling through snow and mud at a top speed of 65mph. The bikes were built to travel around 50 mph on Russian roads that are "worse than muddy Iowa farm roads," said Ken. He and his son, Lorne have rebuilt 50 engines and 250 Russian motorcycle wheels for clients all over the country. He traveled to Kiev in the Ukraine in June to pick up a new batch of motorcycle parts that will supplement the hundreds of parts and accessories that he finds on eBay for his restoration work.

Ken Ulich is a retired airline pilot, who was flying diesel fuel into Alaska as recently as four years ago. He has been widowed twice. He has raised a family of eight children and still farms in the little town of Mosinee, in northern Wisconsin. "The man upstairs never said it was going to be easy. But, I have raised eight children and none of them have ever been on drugs or welfaire and for that, I am very thankful."

You can meet up with Ken Ulich for the rest of his story at BASH 2010, Aug. 27 to 29 at the fairgrounds in Chatham, Michigan.

Belt Drive Betty on Conga of F.I.R.R.E. to Wharf Rat Rally

Canada's Renee “Belt Drive Betty” Charbonneau mounted her bike Saturday morning, Aug. 14th in Grande Prairie, Alberta on a journey to “Light a F.I.R.R.E. of Awareness” across eight providences in a national motorcycle conga to the Wharf Rat Rally in Digby Nova Scotia – Canada’s Largest Outdoor Motorcycle Event.

The outspoken editor of the Busted Knuckle Chronicles newspaper is most known throughout the world as the author of the Belt Drive Betty Blog and editor of the Canadian travel-events website BeltDriveBetty.com.

Riding across Canada on her motorcycle, Belt Drive Betty will be spreading awareness of F.I.R.R.E - Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education.

The first leg of her journey was to Morinville, Edmonton then on to Lloydminister to meet with representatives of the Border Bike Rally and other motorcyclists in the area. She is due to ride as far as Saskatoon on Monday, where she and her husband will be meeting with members of the Saskatchewan Lone Wolves. They reportedly have members from all over the province coming out to learn more about how F.I.R.R.E. can benefit their riding community.

The Conga of F.I.R.R.E. will also be meeting with riding groups and community leaders along the way in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, PEI and Nova Scotia:


The Saskatchewan Lonewolves in Saskatoon, The National Motorcycle Ride for Dad 10th Anniversary Run in Kenora ON, The Mother Daughter Ride for the SOS Villages in Butler ON, The Retreads in Thunder Bay, Liz from the Women’s Council and Shaun de Jager of Road Awareness in North Bay, The Bikers Church & the Biker Coffee Company in Ottawa, Chrome Diva’s in Ottawa & Montreal, the Bike Klub and Big Boy’s Toys in Moncton NB and Bean’re from Florida at the Ferry in St John NB – then in to DIGBY!
 

The Wharf Rat Rally in Digby, Nova Scotia was just a small event with about 750 motorcycles.

Today it is the  largest motorcycle rally in Atlantic Canada, attracting an estimated 80,000 people and more than 17,000 motorcycles.
 
"Our mission is to spread the message to riders about F.I.R.R.E. - the Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education," said Belt Drive Betty.

"We also want to spread the word to those who don't ride about who we really are as motorcyclists. So that when drivers see us from behind their steering wheels they see something more than a helmet, and gear - they see the person and the family behind that person. We want to ask them to take more care when they are driving their trucks, vans and cars.

"In far too many cases drivers of automobiles tend to be distracted and forget to shoulder check. They throw on a signal and start to move without realizing that the vehicle they are in command of is a weapon when not used with respect and care. Many times they just move - no signals, no warning. Our goal, our mission is to create some awareness...for and about riders."

Belt Drive Betty has one other personal mission -- To send one terminally ill child and their family to Orlando, Florida to the Give the Kids the World Village. "I would love to see a terminally ill child be allowed to be a child and their family be allowed some time to enjoy. I have seen so much sadness in this world and if I can help to spread a little joy - to see a child have their heart lightened...that would be fabulous!"

For details, travel schedule and to donate, visit F.I.R.R.E. Conga 2010.
For more information on Belt Drive Betty visit her blog at beltdrivebetty.blogspot.com

Three Legendary Master Bike Builders Join IMBBA Hall of Fame

All photos courtesy of IMBBA photographer Jack Mcintyre, http://www.bikerpics.org/

Three legendary master bike builders joined the International Master Bike Builders' Hall of Fame at the 70th Anniversary of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally:   Master Bike Builders Ron Finch, Bob McKay & Mondo Porras.

The stage was filled with master bike builders and icons from the motorcycle industry, who enjoyed a night of camaraderie in front of a packed crowd of supporters, Sunday night, Aug. 8, 2010 at Broken Spoke Campground, 79 North, Sturgis, SD.

Jay Allen and Radical Randy of Broken Spoke were on stage when fellow hall of fame bike builder, Paul Yaffe of Bagger Nation upstaged Ron Finch with an impersonation of "Ron Finch."

Denver's Godfather of Choppers, Mondo Porras received numerous rounds of applause from a huge crowd of supporters in the audience.

"The IMBBA is proud to welcome Master Bike Builders Mondo Porras, Bob McKay and Ron Finch into the IMBBA "Hall of Fame," said Jeff Starke, founding president of the International Master Bike Builders Association. "Their lifetime achievements are in keeping with IMBBA high standards and it is with great pleasure that we present our highest achievement award for excellence and charitable contributions to these world renowned builders".

The IMBBA HALL OF FAME awards presented to Ron Finch, Mondo Porras and Bob McKay by the International Master Bike Builders Association salute dedication to the bike industry and decades of accomplishment. The IMBBA also presented Master Bike Builder awards during the ceremony to Donald Bitman, Steven Broyles Sr., Jim Nasi, Kyle Robinson, and Lee Wimmer. These awards symbolize their certification as experienced, skilled MASTER BIKE BUILDERS.

Ron Finch, Mondo Porras and Bob McKay join other legendary bike builders in the IMBBA HALL OF FAME that includes Arlen Ness and Indian Larry, Donnie Smith and Dave Perewitz, along with Fred Kodlin and Paul Yaffe. More than 200 bike builders and their guests attended a VIP dinner following the ceremony at Broken Spoke Campground.

The International Master Bike Builders presented three big events at the Sturgis 70th Rally - The IMBBA Bike Show and Hall of Fame Ceremony at Broken Spoke Campground. And a one day bike build by Athena "Chickie" Ransom with three high school bike builders from programs supported by the IMBBA that was staged at the Broken Spoke Saloon on Lazelle Street in downtown, Sturgis

IMBBA World Cup USA Team Member Chosen at Sturgis 2010 Bike Show

STURGIS - The Sturgis 70th Anniversary Rally kicked off with the International Master Bike Builders' (IMBBA) Bike Show & Hall of Fame Ceremony on Sunday, Aug. 8th followed by a VIP dinner attended by more than 200 top bike builders and guests from around the world.

BEST OF SHOW - Radical bike builder John Shopes of Sinister Industries took the top award at the IMBBA - Sturgis 70th Bike Show. He was also invited by a team of judges lead by Kris Krome to join the US team of builders headed for IMBBA World Cup Competion in Canada in 2012.

Sam Baldi talks with MC Radical Randy about his bike, "Unforgiven" that took 1st Place in the IMBBA Show Aug. 8th at Broken Spoke Campgrounds during the 70th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, 2010.  - Photos by Jack Mcintyre, IMBBA photographer - Bikerpics.org.

Jay Allen presented Dawndra Baldi with a third place trophy in the IMBBA Bike Show for her 2010 Custom Pro Street Bike, "Bella Tuono." Second place went to Pat Briggs of County Line Choppers, NY.

See more photos in the IMBBA Bike Show Gallery. 

"Gypsy Pashn" 4 Days On the Road To Sturgis

After (4) four 500-mile days on the road to Sturgis, "Gypsy Pashn," Betsy E. Lister just arrived - Sunday, Aug. 8th 2010. The ride was "long, hot, and I'm whooped!" she said. But as soon as the rain lets up, she intends to hook up with friends and go sight seeing, and ride out to the (IMBBA) International Master Bike Builders' Bike Show and Hall of Fame Ceremony at Broken Spoke Campground.

She is being honored for 20 years of dedication to the motorcycle industry at this year's Sturgis Hall of Fame Breakfast - 9 a.m. Wednesday, August 11th. She is the founder of two websites - gypsypashn.com and bikerbits.info plus three bike insurance websites. She has personally ridden more than 100,000 miles on rides, fundraisers etc. She is an advocate of bikers rights and a champion of biker causes.