By Danny Martin (American Cycle Auto & Truck)

Well the spring and summer riding season is coming into full swing with poker runs, charity rides and all. What this means is you’re going to be pulling into a lot of parking lots, many which are sand and gravel, and maybe you want to feel just a little more comfortable when you put your feet down. Let’s just say you got rid of that Softail, Wide Glide, or Sportster and got yourself into something a little heavier with some saddle bags. You don’t have to be a 5’2” vertically challenged rider to want your bike a little bit lower or to want a firmer foot placement, so let’s learn how to lower your touring bike.

To start off we’re going to use a drag specialties #1304-0091 Burly rear kit. You should be able to pick one of these up from your local independent Drag Specialties dealer & be able to walk out the door for about $100 bucks. Now I know you have seen those $50 kits sitting there in eBay that promise to lower your bike 3 inches, but trust me ya really can’t just lower your bike three inches. Lots more stuff comes into play than just sticking on a couple of pieces and BAM! you are three inches lower…not worth the saving of the money. Okay now that we have our part from our local dealer and back at the house, we must find a way to support the center of the underside of the bike. A simple scissors jack will work, you can pick up a small jack at any of your local discount tool houses. We’re ready. Start by removing your saddlebags, loosen the top shock bolts, but don’t take them out yet.

Now go ahead and remove the lower shock Bolt, put the kit piece in its place and secure it tightly with your thread locker and the supplied Allen Bolt, put the spacer and the lengthened Bolt from the kit back through the lower shock Bolt, tighten up a little bit not all the way, take out the top bolt, put in the spacer, use the longer bolt with the washers, (the reason I say leave stuff loose is because you may have to lift up the jack a little bit or adjust just ever-so-slightly to get those bolts to line up to go back into their holes) now put everything back in its spot, remembering to use a dab of thread lock, repeat on the other side.

Check the air pressure in your air shocks if you have them…and you should on an FL model double check to make sure all your bolts and nuts are tight and you have no clearance issues with your saddlebags, at this point you should be ready to ride. The comfort and security of a lower bike will add to your confidence and the best part about it is you did it all in about an hour.

I like to think that doing this little piece helps everybody in more ways than one: in that it gives you the confidence to work on your own vehicle and that it’s helping us to support our local and independent Drag Specialties and parts dealers. We’re meeting new friends and doing new things. As always if you feel I’ve left you out or didn’t address something that you wish to be covered please contact the magazine, the owners of this magazine are indeed bikers and longtime members of this community they are committed to you, thanks for playin’ in the box…AMCAT

By Lulu

Most everyone would rather just get on their bike and ride to their destination, but time, weather and aches and pains can make long hauls impossible. The thought of loading your bike on a ramp of any kind or into the back of a pickup truck can be frightening. Too many trips, even just to a repair shop, I have seen become nightmares when the bike being loaded tipped over damaging the bike and even the rider. So, when I watched the video on Rampless Motorcycle Trailers website I was impressed. Even more impressive is seeing it live! They will be set up during Bike Week inside Bruce Rossmeyer ‘s Daytona Harley-Dealer one of their distributors.

SAFE, FAST & EASY to load…your feet remain planted firmly on the ground, as the trailer bed lowers to the ground! You can tow with confidence! No danger to you or your bike! And it is a one woman (or man) operation. The entire load or unload is done while hooked to your vehicle!

The trailers are made in Ft. Lauderdale with domestic steel, DOT compliant and come with a VIN. Wiring is internal in the tubular frame for protection. Self-locking front wheel chocks are made in the USA by Condor Products, #1 rated nationwide. The trailer colors can be customized with powder coat, aluminum wheel upgrades, stone guard or a spare tire kit. These trailers are built to last.

The company began in 2016 when Dan Scott acquired the patent and formed a partnership with Sam Graffeo, owner of SG Steel. Dan and Sam are both avid riders and fell in love with the ease of this product. They perfected the trailer for single, double, ATV and Trikes. The company is rapidly expanding and distributorships are now available.

They are based in Ft. Lauderdale at 850 NW 61st St. Call them for more information at 954-218-6611. Visit their website RampLess.com. You won’t meet nicer peeps, so stop in and check out Rampless during Bike Week at Bruce Rossmeyer’s Daytona Harley-Davidson, buy yourself a trailer and take the worry out of hauling your pride and joy!

By Lulu

What an absolutely beautiful day to ride! We left Port Orange on the Ultra with leathers on but by the time we arrived at the VFW Post #505 in Winter Springs it was just perfect weather to be on a motorcycle. The major fundraiser for the Seminole County HOG chapter is billed as a Valentine’s Poker Run, lots of women and men had on pink, red or hearts. The stops included Shay’s Airport Hangar, Rockin’ Rhonda’s, Casselberry’s Patio Bar and ended at The Green Parrot. Hundreds of folks rode for their cause which includes the Orlando Bahia Shrine, Orlando Veteran’s Homes and Wreath’s Across America. A 2017 Heritage Softail or $10000 was being raffled off as part of the festivities. I believe all 1000 tickets were sold! The Bobby Friss Band that I love were putting their heart and soul into the celebration. Live and silent auctions were an additional stream of money for their charities. This was a very well organized event and I loved that ALL the stops I have never been to. Thank you SCHOG and to all of you who spent your day helping them to help such worthy charities!!!

By Lulu

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A combination of celebrating that 2017 was about to arrive and the anniversary of The Rock of Daytona (104.7 FM WORD) had people partying the night away at Boot Hill Saloon on Main Street in Daytona. The City of Daytona Beach closes the streets to traffic for New Year’s and celebrates with a ball drop and fireworks at midnight. There were costumes, stilt walkers, music, and cake!!! Boot Hill took the time to honor the military calling branch by branch to the stage.

By Lulu

In a world where businesses come and go, there are few that have history…Tri-City Cycles in Flagler Beach has been in it for the long haul! Started 36 years ago, in 1980 by Fred Hambleton in Bunnell, he moved to the current location a year after opening. After five years in business he sold Tri-City Cycles to Ed and Denise Sarfde. They built the business and reputation over their 11 years at the helm until Ed passed away. Current owners Scott and Judy McNitt were friends of the Sarfde family and Scott had dreams of changing from his 20 years in the auto repair industry to motorcycles, but didn’t want to step on the business of his friends. So, it was only an answer to prayers for both Denise who needed a buyer and Scott who wanted a business for the ownership change. Two years after leaving Tri-City Cycles Scott hired Denise back and to this day it is “home” to both Denise and the McNitts. Denise is originally from Lowell, Massachusetts and Scott from Jamestown, New York, but their hearts and years in Florida make them true Floridians.

By Lulu

10 years ago, I walked into Mother’s in Flagler Beach and into Kneecap’s world. Bull (the original owner of Thunder Roads Florida) and Kneecap became instant friends. Too many hours were spent on bar stools and quite a few hours were spent on motorcycle seats by those two. So, when Bull decided to start Thunder Roads Florida, Kneecap volunteered to write a monthly article which became Nobodies Opinion.

Sadly, these two characters are gone now, if you believe in heaven maybe despite their sins they are back together riding the clouds. Kneecaps article from the onset has always been the page that garnered the most comments, both negative and positive. Kneecap certainly made us think, reminisce and laugh. He loved to ride. He loved to tell tall tales. He loved to drink. He loved his friends. He loved me. And I miss him.

I am grateful for his friendship, his support during times of great sadness after the loss of Bull and his contribution to Thunder Roads Florida. Kim hosted a memorial party at Annie Oakley’s and a final toast could not have been a more appropriate way to say my goodbyes to my friend. Thank you, Kim, Irv, Annie Oakley’s, to all his friends for coming and to all of you who have sent letters in complimenting his thoughts and “Opinions”.

By Lulu

Tony and Dar played Santa to their bar family, with gifts, dinner and a visit from Santa. Each customer received a gift for sitting on the jolly old man’s lap! Included in my gift was a coffee tumbler, lottery ticket, and a shot of something to warm your insides. They have great beer prices so you need to put this bar on your list of places to visit in 2017. The owners and bartenders are all super nice and really appreciate your business!

By Lulu

Rudy was kind enough to throw a Twisted Tea Party in December at his bar Rudy’s Bar & Grill in Holly Hill to help fill the shelves at Second Harvest Food Bank in Volusia County. We raised a pool table full of food! Plus $100 in cash! Our Twisted Tea girl, Emmy, was busy sampling Tea to the thirsty crowd. Sherry was busy with the raffle tickets. And TJ and I were busy taking photos. Rudy is thrilled to announce he now has a full liquor bar and invites you to join his bike night on Thursdays!

By Lulu

This year tragedy struck a few friends with the loss of beloved young family members on bikes. Isaiah was the grandchild of Kim from the Iron Horse and as you can imagine the family is devastated. The Iron Horse threw a memorial ride to offset some of the unexpected expenses associated with the sudden loss of a young man. More important than the funds raised, the love shown to Kim and her family was very healing. Thank you to BFFAR, First Turn, Boot Hill, Chris Lounge, Iron Horse Saloon and to all of you who spent your day on two wheels to show Isaiah’s family “the love”.

By Ron Cox

When it comes to helping Veterans, the motorcycling family comes together like no other. And so it was when the Southwest Chapter of ABATE sent out its notice for their annual ride on December 18th to the Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans Home in Port Charlotte. The Home is home to 120 Veterans, 112 men and 8 women including a 98-year-old female Vet who is pictured here.

There were many patches on display, too many to list here, but attendance was guesstimated at 175 riders/passengers.

Sun Sports Cycle and its spacious parking lot served as the marshaling point. Registration was only $5 (to cover the cost of insurance for the event) and there was an all-you-eat pancake breakfast for a modest $5. In addition to monetary donations the riders were encouraged to bring sundry items such as socks, underwear, razors, toothpaste and brushes.

Veterans Home Administrator “Liz” Barton spoke to the riders and thanked them for their continued support. Sad to say the bikers visit will be the only visitors some of these Vets will receive all year.

Ms. Barton, a rider herself, took up a spot in line just behind Santa on a trike. At the appointed time, kickstands went up and an escort from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office led the way. At the Lee/Charlotte county line units from the Punta Gorda PD took over the escort duty.

Many of the ambulatory Vets were seated outside waiting to welcome the riders. Needless to say, many of the riders were Veterans themselves and gave each Vet a heartfelt greeting.

By Lulu

Unfortunately, due to Kneecap’s illness and death this year, I didn’t receive these photos until after his death. So please accept my apologies for not getting these photos in earlier. I also do not have any of his notes of the event, but in the spirit of the intent of the event which is a Rotary charity for Christmas Comes True, I wanted to include these photos and thank those who took their time to ride. The stops included Hijacker’s, Matanzas Inlet, Ice House, Bull Creek, Scarey Mary’s and ended with a lunch provided by Beach Front Grille. Special thanks to Rue & Ziffra law firm and the Blue Knights for their participation in this worthy cause. The Rotary Club of Palm Coast took the sleigh by the bridle and I am sure Christmas Comes True appreciates their hard work.

By Lulu

What a pleasant surprise we found on the St. John’s River on Rt. 44 just outside of Deland. A fabulous bar with a roof top tiki bar right on the river. River Grille has a Wednesday night bike night complete with live music and a bunch of fun folks on 2 and 3 wheels. The view if you get there before dark is beautiful. The food…we had the burger was GREAT.

The band that night was High Cotton, and we were treated to a gent who joined in to play a mean harmonica. They played a nice selection of music and had us up dancing. This is a great ride from the Daytona, Eustis, Ocala and Leesburg areas. Put it on your list of hot spots to ride to! Wednesday nights are Bike Night but they would love to see you ride in anytime you’re out riding. Oh, and don’t forget their campground if you are looking for an RV spot during the rallies!