By Lulu

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Known for music, T-shirts and booze, they certainly brought a stage full of beauties to the famous Boot Hill Saloon! The crowds were shoulder to shoulder when the lovely ladies took the stage. In this contest the crowd’s response picked the winner, and it was hard by their hooting and hollering to tell which girl won. All week Boot Hill entertained the masses with great music all day every day. And it isn’t just during Bike Week and Biketoberfest that you can kick back and enjoy great music, Boot Hill brings music to Daytona more nights than anyone in town! They also have Bike Night on Wednesdays so ride in any time of year!

By Lulu

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Phaedra Lee and the folks at Main Street Station are known for Bike Nights, great bands and being very hardworking! But each Bike Week and Biketoberfest they have a new claim to fame…HOT bodies of beautiful women on stage! This year they hosted the Miss Twisted Tea Contest and unveiling of the Twisted Tea Chopper. Cycle Source Magazine and Twisted Tea partnered to create this Twisted Beast. To win you simply send a video to Instagram or Twitter to #TwistedTeaChopper #Sweepstakes to let them know why you should win. You could be the lucky one! But the lucky lady of Bike Week was Nicole Gatrell who walked away with the cash and sash! Congratulations Nicole and I am sure the huge crowd thank Main Street Station for the entertainment!

By Lulu

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As far as putting Bike Week events into a list of my favorite things, Willie’s Chopper Time at Tropical Tattoo is heads above the rest. A parking lot full of unique masterpieces is what you will find! Cool people and celebrities, this year that included Dave and Jodi Perewitz. If you decide to go inside and get tatted, you will be putting yourself in the hands of some of the best ink artists anywhere. Willie’s has been in the same building at 825 S. Yonge St. since 1990. My one and only tat was done at Willie’s by Ron a couple of years ago, and if I wasn’t such a sissy I would have probably let him get under my skin again that day. The bands this year rocked the back yard and our friends, NY Rockabilly Rockets, had their first experience of playing for the crowds that gather in the backyard. One thing that must be said about Willie’s show is you can always count on cold beer for charity, great music, awesome bikes and plenty to take pictures of. Special thank you to Rue & Ziffra law firm for their support of this event and to Bill Grotto from Twisted Tea for bringing Twisted Tea and eye candy to my favorite event of Bike Week.

By Lulu

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Bruce Rossmeyer would be so proud of his children and wife. They have fought hard to continue his legacy and to keep Destination Daytona the epicenter of Bike Week. With great bands like The Outlaws, bike shows such as Dave Perewitz’s Paint Show, vendors and of course, sweet deals on bikes and a magnificent showroom full of Harley apparel there is so much to do on the property there is not much need to go anywhere else, except of course TO RIDE that Harley! They kicked Bike Week off with their Biker Block Party and a motorcycle giveaway and the happy winner was Eleena Clark, lucky girl.

I must mention two other exceptional things about the Rossmeyers…they participate in the biking community and in the business their father built. You see Will, Shelley and Mandy running around keeping the wheels of success moving. And they ride often planning overnight excursions for their monthly ride.

The other is their continued involvement with Camp Boggy Creek…my best memory of Bruce is his beaming face as a live auction was playing out on a little soapbox car an ill child had built years before and signed by Paul Newman…knowing full well however much that little car brought he was matching it dollar for dollar. That camp’s success is in large part due to Bruce Rossmeyer and his family! And of course, to all of you that participate in the fundraisers and ride throughout the year.

By Lulu

A legacy is defined as a gift from an ancestor or predecessor. Ronnie Luznar passed away after Biketoberfest 2015. His legacy to not only his family, but to the family of motorcyclists that make their yearly trek to Daytona Bike Week…and to the Cabbage Patch is in good hands! His sons Ronnie and Roger took the baton being passed and continued the tradition of being one of the most visited spots during Bike Week. Coleslaw wrestlers, bike shows, ice cold beer and great drinks, vendors and great bands, which always includes Joe Santana, make this a must stop for everyone during Bike Week and Biketoberfest. The rest of the year, the bar is always open, loving anyone who walks through their doors and happy to be a stop on your poker runs. Don’t forget they have a classic car & truck show the first Sunday of each month and a free BBQ with live music the 3rd Sunday!

By Lulu

If you come to Bike Week and don’t go to the races shame on you. After all, that is what Bike Week is about…motorcycling. We seem to have confused that with beer, booze and babes. Honestly, I have only gone out to the track twice to try my hand at shooting things flying past at 130 miles an hour. This year I asked Cameron Newpher to shoot down at the track and he did a great job! Flat Track Racing has been going on for over 90 years. It suffered a loss of popularity for a bit to Grand Prix and motocross racing but it is seeing a resurgence with the comeback of Indian Motorcycles. During the height of Flat Track Racing it was the battle of Indians against Harleys that fueled the sport. Racing on dirt, the speeds on the straights hit 130 miles an hour and the bikes slide into the turns at 90 miles an hour almost touching. A friend of mine Ace Myers raced when the track was still on the beach in Daytona and he speaks of how back then the crowd would reach out and touch you as you hurtled past. Put this on your list of events to check out. They have races scheduled all over the U.S. Check the schedule at AmericanFlatTrack.com

Photos by Cameron Newpher

By Lulu

Final day of Bike Week and most are already home licking their wounds, but we always have one more chance to howl at the Dog Pound Saloon in Bunnell. This year the BBQ and music was served on one of the prettiest days of Bike Week. The crowd seemed larger this year. The band Southern Chaos always provide a great afternoon of music. We love seeing all our old friends particularly Glenn and Martine. Miss living up in their neck of the woods. The Dog Pound is doing live music on Sundays with $2.50 Bloody Mary’s. Ride up and hang out on the porches…bring your pooches!

By Lulu

Avid antique motorcycle lovers and collectors are a breed of their own. Perfection is what they work toward on OLD scoots. Trying to replicate parts is not an option…they search and find mint condition originals to maintain or restore their prize possessions. And when I say possessions…I mean it is like an addiction most who love the old Shovelheads or Panheads, etc…seem to collect more than a bike or two. So, meets such as the Sunshine National Meet during Bike Week are essential. It is like going to the mall for a shoe shopper. Vendors and collectors display their wares so you can search for that part you need to complete your restoration. During this event, they combine an antique bike show with the swap meet, field games, AMCA judging and a low country seafood boil.

By Lulu

Sometimes it isn’t what you need but who you know! And sometimes “who you know” can provide exactly what you need. So is the case for Helen Tacoma who is fighting the big C. Friends and family came together to help with mounting medical expenses, but what poker runs provide even more than the financial boost…is the outpouring of love showered on those who need it most during a difficult time. Hundreds came out to raise the much-needed money…but the smile on Helen’s face for the day is more valuable than the money.

By Lulu

Space Coast Harley-Davidson works hard at being innovative in all things. And when we rode down to spend a bit of Bike Week with them we certainly saw things we haven’t seen before. Tobi and Mustang Sally were one of the many bands brought in…I have seen them and love their music. But what I haven’t ever seen was a small woman hold two motorcycles while they took off in separate directions. I don’t even know how she could breathe much less how she was able to hold them without moving! They also had crab races inside with prizes for the winners. I mean real live crabs with a crabby guy telling us not to point at them…as if the crabs would know we were pointing. Space Coast H-D has monthly events so check out their website for updates.

By Lulu

One of the best places to ride to during Bike Week, a favorite of all on two wheels, is First Turn Steakhouse on US 1 in Port Orange. Owners, Rick and Denise, have created the perfect perch for those who love to ride. Bikers love to be outside, love good food, and great music. And the First Turn combines all that on a 5000-square foot tiki bar with seafood, sandwiches and their famous Sizzlin’ Steaks. Denise takes great pride in the music she brings in and this year Hayfire, Tim Dugger, Megan Katarina Band, 4 Play, and Easystreet were just some of the groups brought in to entertain. This year Goat from Full Throttle was on the mic when I stopped in and the crowd loves him. Don’t forget that on Bike Nights, Tuesdays they do some free grub and $1.50 longnecks with live music!!

By Lulu

Usually our Biking Business article deals with motorcycle shops, builders or bars. This month we decided to step on the wild side and feature St. John’s River Tours in Astor. Bill Nordle and his wife, Tina, have run the Blackwater Inn and Williams Landing for years. They recently purchased the river boat tours that run out of the docks behind their restaurants…a favorite with bikers traveling 40. The boat ride on the MV Neptune Star is a two-hour informative tour of the pristine St. John’s River, Blue Creek and into Lake George. You are certain to see gators, exotic birds, turtles of all shapes and sizes and we even saw a raccoon, eagle and manatees. Captain Bob is an expert on wildlife and the history of Florida and its waterways…he also is pretty darn funny! The boat rides run Tuesday through Sunday twice a day. Leaving at 10:30 and 2:30. Registration is available online at www.St.JohnsRiverTours.com although they will take you if seating is available without a reservation. The cost is $25 per person, $15 for children under 10. Group rates are available for clubs by calling 866-349-0674. The boat seats 20 and even has a restroom. Smoking is not permitted. After cruising the river, you are certain to have an appetite for shrimp…so climb the stairs and sit in their treetop porch for a cold one and some delicious chow! So even though Bill and Tina aren’t in the motorcycle industry, they provide what motorcyclists love…good food, cold beer, stiff drinks and the place to kick back and enjoy nature. Don’t forget they are closed on Mondays!

By Danny Martin (American Cycle Auto & Truck)

Well it’s that time again we’re going to dig our hands into the cat box and see what we can come up with. This month I’m going to try to tell you how to change that broken clutch or brake lever on your handlebar controls. It’s going to be simple so when you’re ready you can do it. For this you might need one little specialty tool, but you can get it from your local Drag Specialties dealer while you’re there picking out the multiple different levers. Or you can just have them order you this and it’s a good tool to have in your collection if you don’t already have one. It is the Motion Pro #MP08-0186 Snapring pliers for about $15.00. It will come with some interchangeable extra tips for doing other jobs or to make some jobs like this one even easier. So, run down to your dealer get your tools and your parts and get ready to go.

Let’s start with the right-hand side it’s always the easiest, sometimes you may have to loosen the mirror so you take your Allen wrench (if it’s a stock Harley you’ll need a half inch wrench). Loosen the mirror so it will not be in the way of the pin that we need to remove, now with the mirror loose let’s take our snap ring pliers find the funny looking little thing underneath the bottom of the brake lever perch put the tips in the holes squeeze it open and slowly remove it. Be careful do not let this thing go flying or you’ll be looking all over for a little snap ring. Now that we have the clip removed simply push the pin up and slowly ease out your broken brake lever. On some of the older bikes like the one I’m working on, there’s a nipple barrel end fitting in there that you need to realign back up with your brake plunger. Put that all back in and put it back together in reverse order and you have a new brake lever.

For the left-side it gets a little more complicated. We have to loosen up the clutch cable a little bit so you can get the cable out of the clutch perch. Take your 7/16 or 1/2 inch wrench, locate the adjustment in the middle of your clutch cable and loosen the lock bolt, then put it all together by shortening the cable which will loosen your lever. Once it’s nice and loose you can take your C clip removal tool, your mirrors already loose, push the pin out and wiggle out your clutch lever. Remove and replace the lever with the spacers and things that hold in your clutch cable. Put it all back together and we will readjust the clutch. So, I would guess in this article we’re going to learn how to change levers AND adjust a clutch LOL. Now you will tighten your clutch cable up to a point where there is only about an eighth inch or less of play in your lever. They say to put a nickel between the perch and the lever and that’s about where you need to be adjusted. Tighten up the lock Bolt and you should be ready to go riding.

Now if I have forgotten something or if there is something you would like to give me a chance at showing you how to do. Please contact the magazine or me at AMCAT, I will do all I can to help you. Thank you once again from Thunder Roads Florida and AMCAT’s Cat Box.

By Lulu

Even those who have never made it to Bike Week, have heard of the world-famous Iron Horse Saloon…and almost everyone who comes to Daytona visits more than once while in town. Locals and those from miles and miles away, ride in for T-shirts, Craiger’s beef tips and the fine music that Iron Horse always provides! This year was no exception with crowd favorites such as Mustang Sally, Confederate Railroad, Outlaws, Kentucky Headhunters and Brian Howe. People who enjoy great FREE music love the Iron Horse! One other staple of the Iron Horse is the Wall of Death that stuns those who have never climbed to the top to watch the trick riders. Many ride in simply to see their favorite bartender year after year such as Sherry and Diana. Whatever your reason for riding in the owners, Melissa and Sally do appreciate your business and work hard to provide great food, music, t-shirts and just a cool place to cool your pipes!

By Lulu

Just south of Daytona in New Smyrna Beach on US 1 is a really cool bar, Bay 3 Bar. Owners Barry and Jan are well loved by all who ride down to spend some time drinking and hanging out. During Bike Week, they filled the place with bands such as Deadlanders and biker favorites Mistreater! They have GREAT beer prices all year long so ride down and visit soon!