Greetings Riders,

 

If you missed the newsletter last week and the story and photos of my ride in the Air National Guard KC-135 refueling mission of F-16’s, Click Here to read. There are 45 pictures and 3 short video’s of this unique experience.

 

Well, the newsletter editorial will be shorter for the next couple of weeks as I am scrambling to get the new bike build finished. The parts are now at the painter, C.R. Designs, and the first 2 coats of Torch Red paint has now been sprayed on. The exact color had been all over the board from Yellow to Boyd Red, Viper Red and finally deciding on Torch Red after seeing a Chevy SSR on the street last week. This is a very bright red without the hint of orange that some reds will get. After 2 more coats of clear this week, wet sanding and buffing, I should start getting parts back on Monday to begin final assembly with installation of lights, wiring, etc. Just about everything that could be taken off to chrome has been done as well as the addition of chrome engine parts.

 

From here on out it will be details, details, details as this bike long ago has turned from a casual custom to a full blown theme bike influenced by a 1965 Mako Shark Corvette and has now been dubbed the “Mako Glide”. Featuring a 23” front wheel, stretched and raked by Paul Yaffe’s Bagger Nation, 6 weeks in fiberglass customization by Jim Machaud including a built in GPS and cell phone, one piece bags and side covers, Mako inspired front fairing and every piece of chrome on the engine possible topped off by torch red paint, it should be a real head turner when completed. Click Here for progressive photos of the build.

 

Since this is my first venture into a custom bike I am really excited to get it finished. The “Mako Glide” will be unveiled for the first time to the public at the last Cyclerides.com Westgate Bike Night of the season on Wednesday, November 16th. The plan is to present the bike after a short video on the giant LED screen showing the progress from stock to where it will be on the 16th. The unveil will be at 8:00 PM. Live Music with Hardride for the evening. I look forward to sharing the story of how this bike evolved from the idea of putting a piece of chrome into the fairing and rounding the nose to where it ended up and would love to see everyone there to end the Cyclerides.com Westgate Bike Night season on a high note. For those of you that will be unable to make it to Westgate on the 16th, I will have it on display in the Photo Gallery at the last Cyclerides.com Mesa Riverview Bike Night of the season on Friday, November 18th. Hope to see you there.

 

Next Wednesday night, November 9th, we will be doing a salute to Veterans at the Cyclerides.com Westgate Bike Night. I am really excited about this night as we will have special guest Jessica Thomas singing the song, “I Thank The Soldier” live on stage to honor all Veterans. For those of you that attended the Cyclerides.com Hearts to Heroes back in 2007, you might remember Jessica singing the song on that day where she received a standing ovation from the 2000 riders who attended the event. Not only is she a beautiful singer, but the words of this song come from a special place in her heart as her brother was killed in Iraq in 2006. We will also play an interview of her telling the story of her brother on the LED screen. You won’t want to miss this presentation and the Salute to our Veterans! We will also honor our Veterans at the Cyclerides.com Mesa Riverview Bike Night on Friday, November 11th.

 

There are only 3 bike nights left for this season, hope to see you at all of them starting Wednesday, November 2nd at Westgate with Live Music by the very popular and bike night favorite band “Hardride”. Friday, November 4th at Mesa Riverview we will have Live Music from “Sour Diesel Trainwreck”. You will not want to miss these guys as they are VERY GOOD. Please only support the restaurants that support bike night at Mesa Riverview. They are Cactus Moon, Matta’s Cantina and Chili’s who make bike night possible in Mesa. Thanks for their support. Toby’s chooses not to support bike night.

 

 

Tidbits and Updates:

 

**Mako Glide Update. (Updates from past week’s prior to update above): The new Rinehart 4 inch True Dual Exhaust has been installed, the Chrome Exchange parts have arrived and an updated photo of the new Air Cleaner. The parts are now at C.R. Designs for paint and the progress is going well. Hopeful to spray red paint this week. Click Here to view. We have added one last part, the custom air cleaner. We covered half of the original air cleaner with fiberglass and left some chrome exposed. The fiberglass cover will be screwed on the sides which will show no visible bolts to attach the air cleaner. The fiberglass part will be painted red like the bike. It is the last picture on the page. It ends up that only one part on the bike does not have fiberglass fabrication and that is the front fender. This has turned out to be a way bigger project than I had envisioned, but I think we have created a really cool bike in the process. There has been a little change in color as I have decided to go with Viper Red. With the Corvette theme, it just seemed like the thing to do. One recent piece that Jim fabricated was the Chin Spoiler that I thought came out real nice.

 

**New Google Search for the Cyclerides.com Archives: If you remember something from a newsletter that you want to revisit but can’t remember the date of the newsletter, now you can use the new Google Search of the site. Just choose a “keyword” that is unique to the subject and click search. It will come up with all the newsletters that have that word in the letter. Click Here to give it a try. Or go to the Archives button on www.cyclerides.com.

 

 

 

Cyclerides.com Westgate Bike Night: Now on Wednesday Nights!

 

Live Music by “Hardride”.

Petersen Johnson Accident Lawyers.
Petersen Johnson is a local Arizona law firm, whose attorneys have over 60 years of combined legal experience in Accident/Injury law and DUI/Criminal Defense law. We have substantial experience in representing riders injured in motorcycle accidents. Ron Petersen and Brad Johnson are involved in every injury case. We discount our fees; never our service. Please call us locally at 602-650-1200 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Arrowhead HD and Ridenow Powersports Your local Harley-Davidson dealership and proud sponsor of the Cyclerides.com/Westgate Bike Night. We are located just South of 83rd Ave. and Bell Rd. Stop to see the latest 2011 HD motorcycles and to pick up the new Cyclerides.com Westgate Bike Night T-Shirt. 623-247-5542.

Curly's Customs.
Curly's Customs is a full service Custom Paint & Body Shop for the motorcycle enthusiast. We refinish Harley Davidson and Metric motorcycles. Our goal is to provide high quality workmanship & materials at a very reasonable price. Curly's is located at 12030 N. 111th Ave. in Youngtown, AZ. 623- 977-0339. Stop by and see them at Bike Night.

T.E.A.M Arizona Motorcycle Training - "T.E.A.M. Arizona is the premier motorcycle rider education organization in Arizona. We are dedicated to providing motorcycle education as a life-saving public service. Through our passionate coaches and staff, we strive to deliver a FUN, safe, and consistent motorcycling experience to riders of all backgrounds and skill level. T.E.A.M. Arizona is Your Road To Ride For Life."

 

Cyclerides.com Mesa Riverview Bike Night:

We will be doing 10 consecutive weeks at Mesa Riverview starting on Friday, September 16th and ending on November 18th. Event time 6-9 PM. I will also be programming theme nights at Riverview with Live Bands, Vendors and static displays including the best of Monster Trucks, Power Boats, Sand Rails, etc. for you to view. The Cyclerides.com Photo Gallery will also be back with some new photos from the archives and from our trip this year. For those of you on the East side, we are looking to bring you even more fun this season. Look forward to seeing you there. See Photos. If you would be interested in being a vendor contact me at info@cyclerides.com . Click Here for Details.

 

Live Music from “Sour Diesel Trainwreck”.

Chester's Harley-Davidson - Your local Harley-Davidson dealer. See our display at Bike Night. Store location at 922 S. Country Club Dr. in Mesa, AZ. 480-894-0404

The Law Tigers - The Law Tigers are Arizona's Injury Lawyers Who Ride. We know bikes, riders, and the law. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, call 1-800-LAWTIGERS (529-8443) Visit www.lawtigers.com.

Ridenow Powersports. Valley wide locations for all of your ATV, Jet Ski and Motorcycle needs.

 

 

 

 

Saturday, November 5th

Run to the Hills. Sponsored by American Legion Riders Post 58 in Fountain Hills. Registration from 8AM – 10AM. First Bike out at 10AM, Last Bike in 3PM. Start from 5 Valley Locations and end up at Post 58 for a party, home cooked food and live band. Preregistration at www.alr58.org with contribution of $10.00 Single, $15.00 2 Up or on site day of ride $15.00 Single, $20.00 2 Up. Start at any of the following locations: Post 26 Mesa, 506 W. 2nd St., Mesa, AZ, Post 27 Apache Junction,1018 S. Meridian Rd., Apache Junction, AZ, Post 39 Gilbert,206 N. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert, AZ, Post 58 Fountain Hills,16837 E. Parkview Av., Fountain Hills, AZ and Post 91 Chandler, 922 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler, AZ. All riders and vehicles welcome. Entry includes Home Cooked Meal and Band(Three Point Posse) at the end of the Run with Raffles, Prizes, and much fun. $100.00 Best Hand, $50.00 Worst Hand Prizes at 4:30P. Beard Contest, $5.00 entry fee and prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places. Come and join us on our beautiful outdoor patio for food and adult beverages to compliment our wonderful AZ weather. For additional info call or e mail: Ken Couture, kdc314@msn.com, 480-220-1742

 

Saturday, November 5th

Maricopa County Unity Ride. Our Unity Ride has four goals: Raise funds for homeless Veterans and families of fallen officers and fire fighters, Honor our Veterans, Promote unity throughout communities by celebrating various cultures, Promote local businesses. Ride starts at American Legion Post #41 located at 715 South 2nd Ave. in Phoenix. Registration 7:30 AM to 8:45 AM, Last bike out at 9 AM. Ride pins to first 100 riders. $25 Rider, $10 Passenger. Live Music and cultural dancers. See flyer for details.

 

Saturday, November 5th

Bikers Community Swap Meet. Bring your used parts of all kinds to Crossroads Christian Fellowship at 42425 N. New River Rd. in New River, AZ. We will have the buyers you need. Advertising in local publications, bike shops, radio and Craigslist. $10 donation. For more info: christianfellowshippr@gmail.com or call Karen at 623-606-8192. 

 

Saturday, November 5th

Officer Kelly Benefit Run. Proceeds to benefit Officer Kelly’s family. Mark Kelly, a Mesa police officer who inspired colleagues to donate their unused vacation time to him while he battled Lou Gehrig's disease, died Sunday morning. Kelly, age 32 and a six-year veteran of the force, fought not only the disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, but he fought to save his wife and five children from financial disaster.Hundreds of colleagues, including police officers, firefighters and other city workers, many of whom he had never met, donated vacation time so he could remain on the city payroll and maintain benefits. Registration begins at Chester’s HD at 9am located at 922 S. Country Club in Mesa. Kickstands up at 10am. Poker Run, 50/50 and Prizes. Final Stop at Murphy’s Law in Chandler, AZ. $25 per rider, $10 passenger. For more information on Mark Kelly, Click Here.

 

 

Wednesday, November 9th

Veteran’s Day Celebration and Benefit Concert. Celebration starts at 9am and ends at Noon at Williams Field High School Blackhawk Stadium located at 2076 S. Higley Rd. in Gilbert, AZ. Parking on site and at several satellite parking locations with busing to and from the event location. This event is the fourth annual Higley Unified School District celebration to honor our Veterans. The event is set to include flyovers, fireworks, skydivers, motorcycle riders, military vehicles, as well as songs and anthems performed by students from Williams Field High School. This year American Idol Finalist and Country singer Josh Gracin will perform his soulful acoustic country music at 11am. Additional information at 480-279-7063. Benefit concert at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts with Josh Gracin and special guest Nick Nicholson at 7:30 PM.

 

Saturday, November 12th

Chandler Harley-Davidson Harley Heroes Ride. Proceeds from this ride will go directly to Harley Heroes who help raise funds to support the Disabled American Veterans and run programs to support Veterans and their families. Ride leaves from Chandler Harley-Davidson at 10 AM. Breakfast from 8 AM to 9:30 AM provided by the Chandler H.O.G. Chapter Safety Briefing at 9:30 AM. Last bike out at Noon. $20 Single Rider, $30 for Double. First 200 registered will receive a FREE ride pin. Ride ends back at Chandler HD for an after-party from 2 PM – 6 PM. Live Music, Food, Drinks, Fun, Games, Raffle Prizes, Bike Wash by the Harley Girls and More. The Harley Heroes mobile unit will be on site filing claims on the spot from 9am – 4pm. Know a Vet in need? Tell them about the mobile Harley Unit being here. Chandler Harley-Davidson is located at 6895 W. Chandler Blvd. in Chandler, AZ. 480-496-6800.