While we won’t be attending this years Limpnickie Lot happenings, it doesn’t mean you and your fellow builders can’t!  For Bike Week attendees there are ton’s of activities, seminars, photo’ ops, trainings, and just fun things to do at the Lot.  Remember last years paint ball wars?  We’ll we’ve added mini bike races, autograph signing sessions, movies, concerts, bike shows and much more. So stop by the lot and say hello to every one!  ! You won’t be sorry!

Hey, thanks for coming back! Great to see there are a few of you out there that have taste and style! Seriously, thanks for visiting. If you know of stories you think people would be interested in, shoot us a line C'ya!

Yep, we’re doing it again this year!  The gang is taking on the Easyriders V-Twin Expo shows and making every effort to turn it on it’s ear. With the return of the Limpnickie Lot for the 2nd year in a row to the Cincinnati show, you can expect not only the unusual, crazy, trend setting but also a bit of the wild from the gang. (Like you’ve come to expect anything less!) So if your looking to see what’s really going on in the custom motorcycle industry, stop by and talk with the guys at the Limpnickie Lot.  Cause we’re the ones leading the charge! C’ya!

“Could’a, Would’a, Should’a” can not be in your vocabulary this year! These two events (while on opposite coasts) need to be on your 2010 calendar of “I Gotta Attend” events.  So no excuses!  Get your gear and cameras ready, your bike fixed, your money saved, your tickets and girl and crank it up and roll.

Anytime a fellow motorcycle rider is hit and/or killed by a motorist we as an industry are put on “notice” as to the frailty of life, (and the stupidity of some people). Former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke was hospitalized after breaking his leg in a motorcycle accident shortly after attending the Easyriders show this past weekend in Pomona, CA. Gilby was struck by a motorist making a left hand turn in front of him in Los Angeles. The driver of the truck then left the scene. (Hope they find the slug!)

Clarke replaced Izzy Stradlin in Guns N’ Roses in November 1991, and remained with the band for the next three years. In addition to releasing several solos albums, he’s played with Heart, Nancy Sinatra, and the reformed MC5 on the group’s 2005 European tour, as well as other artists. He’s also produced such bands as L.A. Guns, Ladyjack, and Bullets and Octane, among others. Traci Guns, guitarist for L.A. Guns and a friend of Clarke’s,  in a Facebook posting said, “Gilby got nailed on his motorcycle last night (Jan. 10). His leg is broken in three places. I’m gonna try to go see him tonight – he will be ok.”

So, want to be part of a historic effort that will very likely impact our industry? Well here is the opportunity to do just that. We heard that Charlie Brechtel and Bikers Inner Circle have teamed up to push forward the production of a film on the life of Dave Mann. If your not familiar with Dave’s work, well, you’ve probably been living under a rock or just don’t recognize his name; but you’ve surely seen his work!  So, here is their initial “B” role content.  If interested contact Dave or the BikersInnerCircle directly. Enjoy

One of the regular blogs we visit is our friend Genevieve Schmitt’s place called “Women Riders Now“, as we try to keep our hand on the pulse of the women motorcycle industry.  Recently she featured this news update on my favorite personal trainer, (ok, i have to admit she’s as hot as my wife!) Jillian Michaels from the “Biggest Loser” show. Seems Jillian has teamed up with H-D and National Garage Party Month to promote women ridership.  Here is the full release.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company is partnering with TV’s The Biggest Loser host Jillian Michaels to encourage women to gear up and get behind the handlebars of their own motorcycle. Michaels, a life-long motorcycle enthusiast and licensed rider, is teaming with the Motor Company to spotlight National Garage Party Month, which features a special promotion that will reward one lucky woman and three of her friends with a transformational weekend and an opportunity to meet Michaels.

“Learning to ride a motorcycle was an empowering experience for me, so I want to share that with other women,” said Michaels who’s been empowering people through her wellness books and DVDs for years. “That’s what Garage Party events are all about. Women get to learn about the sport from other women in a non-intimidating environment, which is why I’m excited to be a part of this effort.”

Harley-Davidson dealerships across the country are gearing up for National Garage Party Month in March 2010. Garage Party events provide a fun, social environment for women to learn about the sport of motorcycling, as well as meet other women who are interested in riding. Dealers host the events year-round, but the Motor Company has declared March as a special focus to bring national awareness to the events, which have encouraged thousands of women to learn to ride in the last few years.

During National Garage Party Month, the Motor Company is also hosting a sweepstakes that will reward one lucky woman and three of her friends with a transformational weekend in Los Angeles. The weekend will feature participation in the Harley-Davidson Rider’s Edge New Rider Course, spa treatments and a motivational talk with Michaels on how to live a better, healthier life. To find a Garage Party near you, visit Harley-Davidson.com/womenriders.

The Vagabond Chopper Company’s 2010 Chicks Rule & Boys Drool Tour, a traveling showcase dedicated to women motorcycle riders, recently rolled out their new 44-foot event trailer sponsored by Mitchell Motorcycle Transport. This rolling tribute to women bikers will offer a mix of on-site how-to seminars, fashion shows, book signings and special guest appearances with a feminine flare.

The tour officially kicked off during the 2009 Toys in the Sun Runwith featured guests the Motor Maids, Leslie Kay of Leslie Kay’s Insurance and Jeffrey Phipps of Jeffrey Phipps Custom Saddles. The Chicks Rule & Boys Drool Tour is a traveling display of what is available for women motorcycle riders, from clothing and parts to motorcycles styled with the woman rider in mind. The tour will feature Athena “Chickie” Ransom and her unique hand-crafted custom motorcycles as well as featured special guest appearances by an array of other unique women in the motorcycle industry.

Formulated specifically for women, it also gives men an opportunity to see “the other side” of a culture commonly associated with males. Validating the concept that women riders are more than just a “chick on the back” within the motorcycle industry, the tour also provides a forum for ladies to express her likes and dislikes in a setting that is not full of skulls, iron crosses and spikes.

The tour will include 12 national event stops throughout 2010 including the Heavy Hitters, Daytona Bike Week, New Orleans Bike Week, Sturgis Rally, and coming to an end at the 2010 South Florida Bikers Bash and Toys in the Sun Run. Look for the Vagabond set up at rallies near you. Or you can check out www.vagabondchoppers.com or www.chicksruleandboysdrool.com to see the tour’s scheduled stops for 2010. Go Athena!

Three-time Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee and author of the newly published book, The American Motorcycle Girls: 1900–1950, Cristine Sommer-Simmons today announced that she will be riding in the Motorcycle Cannonball Run next year, (Sept. 10-26, 2010). Sommer-Simmons will be one of only two women riders in the cross-country endurance run of the century. The Motorcycle Cannonball Run is gathering momentum to launch a pack of riders on vintage motorcycles for an historic ride across America in September 2010.

The Cannonball Run is the brainchild of Lonnie Isam, Jr., promoter and owner of Jurassic Racing in Sturgis, South Dakota, The Motorcycle Cannonball Run of 2010 requires that participants ride classic pre-1916 motorcycles such Pope, Sears, Flying Merkel, Excelsior, Henderson, Indian, Triumph, and the Harley-Davidson’s Silent Grey Fellows. Sommer-Simmons will make the 3,320-mile transcontinental ride on September 10 on the east coast in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on her 1915 Harley Davidson.

“This is the thrill of a lifetime!” exclaims Simmons, “It’s an honor to be a part of such a historic and monumental race, and even more exciting to be the only American woman registered for the event!”

For more information about the Motorcycle Cannonball Run, visit www.motorcyclecannonball.com.

Being part of the Limpnickie Lot is something a lot of us in the group see as not only a great blessing but something that gives us the ability to “give back” to the community that so enthusiastically supports and embraces our efforts and more specifically our goals.  That goal is to bring motorcycles back to the grass roots where people not only ride but enjoy and understand their motorcycles.  Thus the reason (we believe) we’re gaining so much momentum.  One group that has been a major contributor of this resurgence is the AMCA (Antique Motorcycle Club of America).  For those that attended the 2009 Daytona Bike week (and the Limpnickie Lot specifically), you had the opportunity to see (and participate) in learning how to kick start a 1956 Harley Knucklehead and a 1945 Indian Chief. Something most people have NEVER done! We’re glad to announce that for the 2nd year in a row at the Limpnickie Lot, the AMCA will host an Antique Bike Show on Wednesday of Bike Week 2010. (March 3rd), and rally goers will not only be able to gawk over and fondle old machinery but interact with them in a way most never have….getting one started!  Our friends (and vintage motorcycle experts) Matt Olsen and Rocky Halter will be the guys guiding those interested in learning about these machines.

The AMCA Bike Show and the Kick-start Demo will run from 1 to 5 p.m. March 3 at the Limpnickie Lot in the Stone Edge Skate Park, 1848 S. Ridgewood Ave. in South Daytona. And as an added treat, (in case you can’t make it to the demo) plan on getting there on Friday, March 5, for the  Cycle Source Magazine Ride-in Bike Show with AMCA sponsoring the antique class and handing out the best Antique Chopper, Bobber, Survivor and Restored bikes.  Something everyone should see!

Ok, you “want-to-be” film makers, commentators and up and coming actors.  Here is your opportunity to shine. RockMoto is rolling out a creative idea to get you want-to-be actors or film makers working on something that can put some cash in your pockets.  Create a short video about what can be done on a motorcycle or scooter with a single tank of gas in one day. In 5 minutes or less, show what you would do, where you would go, who you would meet in one day on one tank. If you don’t have access to a motorcycle or scooter, use what you have: a bicycle with a cardboard motorcycle outline, animation, anything that will get your idea across. All we ask is that if you do show a motorcycle rider or passenger, they are wearing protective gear – including a helmet, jacket, pants, gloves and shoes – and not breaking any laws. You’ll have to submit your work as a video response to their contest video on Rockmoto’s contest video listed on YouTube (www.youtube.com/rockmoto) by December 31, 2009. Oh yeah, and the prize: $1,000 cash for 1st place, $500 each for 2 runners up and $250 each for 3 honorable mentions.  If you want to find out more or have questions, email RockMoto at onetankoneday@rockmoto.com.  Good luck!

If you ride motorcycles (and regardless of what type you ride!) your more than familiar with the “perceived” and misdirected media generated hype surrounding bikers and their lifestyles. Granted outlaw biker shows like  “Sons of Anarchy” doesn’t help to quiet the misconception either, but we won’t get into that topic right now.  Fortunately with help from an unlikely source, National Geographic, and their newest reality series called “Rescue Ink Unleashed”, people are able to see a completely different side to bikers.  Finally! “In 2007,” a gravelly voiced announcer says, “eight New York tough guys realized they had something in common other than tattoos and motorcycles: They all hated animal abuse.” You can check out one of their episodes HERE. Now this is something i can sink my teeth into.

Few things get us really excited (unfortunately) these days. We see bikes & events and “posers” on a regular basis as we travel across America.  And a lot of events seem to be run by those that just “don’t get it“!  Thats not the case with this event for sure!  FMA and Born Loser is hosting this event in Orange, CA (yeah, our newest location). Yeah, so we have to give support to the local guys too ya know!  So if your tooling around on a rippin’ vintage Triumph, Honda, Harley etc., take  a stroll over to this event and check out the other rides. Sure you won’t be disappointed!  We’re trying to make time in our travels to stop by and say hello to these guys too.

Being raised in the military (also having a brother still serving), we are keenly aware of the sacrifices our troops make everyday to protect this country. What we are continually reminded of too, is the bond that soldiers carry with them throughout their lives, and even beyond. Such is the case with the news that twelve highly motivated men (in two man teams-one being Ash Spurlin whom Guilty Customs was fortunate to build “Errant 2” for) will relay march over 800 miles, from San Antonia TX to Destin Florida carrying 50 lb. ruck  sacks and a memorial plaque for (USAF) Staff Sgt Tim Davis a USAF Combat Controller killed in action on February 20, 2009. This relay is in honor of him and all Special Tactics (ST) teammates who lost their lives in the line of duty, to include Tech Sgt Will Jefferson, and Tech Sgt Scott Duffman. The teams are looking to raise awareness and support for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF). The SOWF provides full scholarship grants, educational and family counseling to the surviving children of special operations members who die in operational or training missions. They additionally provide immediate financial assistance to severely wounded special operations members and their families. SOWF currently has 119 students in colleges and universities across the country. Their official website is http://www.specialops.org/.

The 824 journey will begin October 6, 2009 at 0500 hours (5 am for you civilians) at the Combat Control Selection Course Lackland Air Force Base (San Antonio), TX.  The mission will be completed approximately eight to nine days later at Hurlburt Field (Fort Walton Beach), Florida, October 17, 2009. Tim’s name will be added to the Combat Control Memorial at the Hurlburt Field Air Park.  You can find out more about the route, fallen soldiers and their efforts for this march, HERE.  So, help spread the word by reposting this blog or emailing to friends and family.

We get stoked every time we hear or see news about the Limpnickie Lot. Just show’s we’re getting more and more into the fabric of this industry and with that giving the next generation of riders and builders something to consider when looking at this industry.  Whether it’s on national tv shows like American Thunder, or on video’s from industry people, “any press” is always good press!  Such is the case during the last Daytona Bike Week when the video crew came through the lot to shoot some footage on various builders and personalities.  Thus they gave yours truly a chance to talk a bit about my passions, ideas, impressions on the movement.  So here ya go.  Just goes to show ya, some media people will put anyone in front of the camera!!  See it HERE.

In an effort to bring some culture to the deranged, demented and somewhat crazy souls that frequent Sturgis during the rally, Jay Allen is announcing the addition of a fine art gallery to the Broken Spoke, Sturgis County Line, located on route 79. The Broken Spoke Saloon has been a long-time supporter of the artistic community within the motorcycling world and Jay has created a unique space in the upper portion of the main bar to display the work of some of the industries leading artists. You’ll see work from David Uhl, John Guillemette, Jeff Cochran and Colleen Swartz along with bikes from Billy Lane, Ron Finch, Samantha Morgan and the BSS Worlds Fastest Indian and two more to be announced later. 

The Legends Gallery opening will be on Sunday, August 2nd at 6-9 PM following the conclusion of the Michael Lichter Ride at the Sturgis County Line. You are welcome to join the curator, Jay Allen along with the legendary artists, bike builders and iconic industry guests for a hors d’œuvres reception. The Gallery will be open throughout the Sturgis Rally from Noon until Midnight. Jay, thanks for bringing this to us at the Broken Spoke.  We’re excited to see this!