By Lulu

The tornado that destroyed Troy’s house in Bunnell made the news. AND I want everyone to know what great people can do on a chilly day for a person in need, it is newsworthy! As the bikes rolled into the Iron Horse for registration Troy was in his own words, “humbled” by the turnout. It was the type of morning that it would have been easy to just stay under the covers. But an amazing amount of us put on our chaps, face warmers and mittens to ride around in the crisp damp air of Volusia and Flagler County for a friend of many. Troy Robertson is a local motorcycle wrench and musician.

I spent countless hours listening to him strum at the White Eagle years ago. So, a lot of us knew Troy, but strangers also took the time to ride for him. Sometimes it isn’t even the money that helps someone in a time of devastation. It is the hugs and that people cared. So, it was on Troy’s run. He was touched beyond words by all of you. We made the stops at Circus II, Boot Hill Saloon, Beach Front Grille and ended at Ike’s where the band Halo Violation kept the party going. The food spread warmed our innards. And a special thank you to Iron Horse Saloon for the donuts and coffee at registration!

By Lulu

If Jan at Gator Harley-Davidson in Leesburg knows anything it is how to throw a party. With martinis flowing, a fabulous food spread and scantily dressed male and female elves there was fun in the room for all! A toy drive and silent auction helped LCUMA make someone’s Christmas season full of joy. The runway included local favorites and Harley wear for all to wish for. Free gift wrapping and a nice discount made Christmas shopping easy!

By Lulu

Twisted Evolution Motorcycle Shoppe is located on a corner in Bushnell, a sleepy country town. Fred Rudat and Neil Fullilove are both graduates of Motorcycle Mechanics Institute in Orlando and LIVE motorcycles! Fred graduated in 2006 and has twelve years of dealership experience under his belt. Fred’s in charge of daily operations and is the first “Twisted” face that will greet you when you walk through the door.

Twisted Evolution is a family run shop. Fred’s wife, Crystal, tracks and maintains the parts inventory. Neil graduated M.M.I. in 2016 and handles the motorcycle repairs. Neil’s brother, Adam who was a Marine, lends a hand with the bookkeeping. They offer discounts to military veterans and first responders. The focus of the shop is routine service and repair of Harley-Davidson Motorcycles 1984 to current. Extended warranty work is not a problem and Twisted Evolution keeps most common size tires for your Harley-Davidson motorcycle in stock. Located at 212 N. Main Street in Bushnell.

I have been delivering to the shoppe for the past six months and they seem to have a well-honed, organized business and they couldn’t be nicer! When I asked them about future goals for the shop they said, “We just want to be the local motorcycle shop that people can refer and rely on.” The four partners all agree that if they could do this for the next fifteen-years they would feel very accomplished. Twisted Evolution has no illusions of grandeur or of being that custom build shop, they just want to wrench on bikes and make your riding safe and a pleasure. They’re closed Sundays and Wednesdays. Hours of operation are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9a-6p and Saturday 10a-2p. Stop in and visit if you are in the Bushnell area. The phone number for Twisted Evolution is 352-617-5224

By Lulu

So Yappy Hour at First Turn in Port Orange means the afternoon has “gone to the dogs” and the furry creatures were everywhere including Santa’s lap. Benefitting Pawsibilities and Sophie’s Choice there was also a huge auction to raise much needed funds. The afternoon included belly dancers, pirates (big and small), mermaids and a huge pig! Too much to photograph!!! Check out the rest of the pictures from the day on Thunder Roads Florida Facebook page so check it out and follow us there!

By Lulu

Our first time to ride over to St. Pete to participate in Bert’s St. Pete Bike Fest held ON THE BEACH at Tradewinds Resort was awesome. I must say this is something between a Biker’s Spring Break and a bike rally. Most of the activities are pool side or on the beach!! I really felt like I was on vacation with friends that ride. Tradewinds is a beautiful resort with several properties and many pools, hot tubs, amazing sunsets, great foods and enough bars to walk down the beach to, that if you finished their Pub Crawl you would need to stumble back to your room. No cars were allowed on property…motorcycles only!!! And there were bikes around every nook and hallway.

The Kory Souza bike show was held in their banquet hall. Another banquet hall was turned into motorcycle parking…it was cool that they took such care of the guests staying on site. To keep the crowds entertained, games by the pool included building a boat out of cardboard, a hula hoop contest, trivia, hairy chest contest and belly flop contest (which our friend Kelly from Chrome Premium Cigars won). She was the best and the only girl that competed!!! There was a huge tent full of vendors at the hotel including Paul Sr. from OCC.

The property really filled up as the bands kicked in. The headliners this year were Fuel, Soul Asylum, Bret Michaels and The Charlie Daniels Band all drew a huge crowd. Two stages on the beach allowed bands time to set up and only short breaks in between. Saturday at sunset, a plane dropped parachutists to a huge flag on the beach. It was a very moving ceremony. Saturday night closed out with a great fireworks display. Sunday afternoon Tobacco Rd. Band played, and I had to buy a CD I enjoyed them so much. Bert’s Barracuda H-D gave away a 2019 Street Glide Sunday as part of the festivities. A short ride from Tradewinds at Bert’s Barracuda Harley-Davidson, was a parking lot full of vendors for those interested in shopping or buying a new bike. I can’t wait till next year. I will be poolside with my sunglasses and a frozen Margarita staying at Tradewinds…hope you join me!

By Lulu

The second Oyster/Chowder Veteran’s Salute at First Turn Steakhouse & Lounge in Port Orange was packed. Owners Rick and Denise love our vets! So, in November they combine an oyster fest/chowder contest with a fundraiser for the veterans. The day is complete with live music, an oyster shucking and oyster eating contest, a chowder cookoff with patrons tasting and judging the chowder. A patriotic tattoo contest is judged by Holdfast Tattoo. There was a retiring of the flag ceremony and raising of a new one, the National Anthem, and at the end of the day, Taps was played. Veterans were honored and there were 2 World War II vets in their 90’s in attendance with their families. A young mother won the 50/50 and she gave most of it back. The entire day just makes you feel proud to be an American! Thank you to our vets and to all who came to honor them. And a special thank you to First Turn for all they do for our community!

By Lulu

For the past three years beginning in August, a weekly amateur pole dance competition runs from August until the “Finals” just before Biketoberfest. Each year I am amazed by the talent and physical fitness of these athletes. Gone are the days of seedy strip clubs. The famous “twins” were on hand to perform and to congratulate the new beautiful blonde winner! Grandview Live is first class from the ambiance of posh interior decorating to the talent of the girls. The bartenders are friendly and happy to mix up your firewater! Grandview is a great place for birthday and bachelor parties. Located on Grandview Ave in Daytona Beach, make your party a weekend getaway. Call them to schedule your event and check into the nearby Hard Rock Hotel for your room!

By Chris Oathout

So, here’s my story and my bike…it is a 1982 FXE Super Glide. My friend Rocky from Statesboro, Georgia called me in April to say he was looking at a bike that might be a Shovel. He knew I wanted to build a Shovelhead. Rocky calls and tells me it is a running Shovelhead with a title for only $800. I told him to check the numbers, everything matched up and that is how I ended up with this bike. It ran but was in rough shape. The starting solenoid was held on with zip ties, the enrichener had a vise grip on it as a lever and it was blowing a bunch of smoke. After taking it for a quick ride I decided to rip it all apart and rebuild it. I really didn’t know anything about rebuilding a shovel, but I have always worked with my hands and love to take things apart. First thing I did was get a Harley service manual. I took a lot of pictures and labeled everything as I disassembled the bike. I had to purchase a welder and teach myself how to weld. I watched a lot of videos on YouTube. I am smart enough not to trust my welding ability on anything structural just take mounts, seat posts, sissy bar, etc. etc. I used Instagram to gain knowledge and that is one thing about this community that is awesome. Brent from Chopperpartsfor you and Chickenfriedchoppers were very helpful and I can’t thank them enough. I even found the guys that painted my tins on Instagram. Pelican Studios out of Buffalo, New York. I have never met these guys, but they were awesome to deal with. Mark from Black Gold Cycles was generous with his vast knowledge of older bikes and MRD Machine in Bunnell helped me rebuild my motor. The entire process took about 7 months. The Russ and Bob show was my first, and I thank everybody that voted for my bike.

By Lulu

Nanner Starnes from Newport, Tennessee, owner of the 1965 Electra Glide (Panhead) commissioned Marshall Greene to restore a “crusty, rusty bike found in a barn in east Tennessee. The old stock Pan was originally from New Jersey. What makes this bike so collectible is that it was the last Harley fitted with the Panhead motor and the first with an electric start. The owner had it chromed in New Jersey in 1987. When he quit riding in 1996, he put it in an old shed in Tennessee. Nanner Starnes bought the bike in 2016 and brought it to Marshall for a complete restoration. The bike was all there, so Marshall completely disassembled the bike and restored every piece. The only outside help was paint and chrome! Jared Phillips did an excellent job on the paint. The blue is Hi Fi Blue and the white is Birch. The paint creates a beautiful old school look. Space Coast Plating did the chrome. This was the third bike that Marshall restored for Nanner. Marshall previously worked as an airplane mechanic and has been working on old bikes on his property in Deland for years. His work on the old scoots is meticulous and it shows in the results!

By Lulu

The weather god could have been kinder to OB’s big show in November. It was cold and misty. Despite the weather, bikes rolled into OB’s in Deland for the 18th annual old school bike show. Two bands Judi Behave! and the Alex Hayes Band, entertained the crowd all day and into the evening. The judges had a hard time narrowing the winning bikes to the 7 categories. Thunder Roads Florida provided the People’s Choice trophy to Chris Oathout. Best in Show and Best Stock Panhead was awarded to Nanner Starnes. Following this article each bike also is featured in this issue. Other winners were Best Panhead Custom was Robert Wilkinson with his 1997 Panhead. Best Stock Shovelhead was Joe Henley with his 1984 Electra Glide. Best Antique was a 1952 owned by Frank Davis Harry. Best Custom Shovelhead owned by Hiram McCarty with a 2000 Flat-side Shovel. If you have an interest in the history of motorcycling, this yearly show is loaded with the old school bikes and owners that have interesting knowledge and tales to share. The show is always mid-November so put it on your calendar for next year!

By Steph Shea

The inaugural run for the “Pink Bra Ride for The Cure” marked the beginning of a tradition. Hosted by Stormy Hill Harley-Davidson, the Central Florida Trikers Association helped to coordinate a successful ride to Lake Harris Hideaway in Eustis to benefit the Greater Clermont Cancer Foundation (GCCF), a 501(c)(3) foundation.

The GCCF is 100% volunteer staffed and is funded by local business, sponsors, individuals and fundraising community events like the Pink Bra Ride. Every dollar of granted funds are distributed to qualified recipients in the local area by providing limited financial aid and support to cancer patients (gccf.us). Kay Simpson played a large part in the coordination of the Pink Bra Ride and is a valuable driving force behind the GCCF.

The Stormy Hill Harley-Davidson staff would like to thank the Greater Clermont Cancer Foundation, the Central Florida Trikers Association, Lake Harris Hideaway and all our sponsors who helped make this event a success.

By Lulu

Every tattoo has a story. Some tattoos occur on a whim, some are mistakes, and others are well planned pieces of art with meaning to the person receiving the ink. Traceylee is one of those ink junkies. She was a nurse for 27 years and now has a cleaning business in the Villages. Originally from Connecticut, Traceylee has spent most of her life in Florida and now lives in Lake County. Her first tattoo was done at sixteen years old, a tribal tattoo with a bear claw, representing the Native American ancestry on her father’s side. On her back is a dragonfly and a cherry blossom tree. But her “sleeves” are a tapestry she has been etching over the past 10 years. When I asked, “What makes you endure the pain of getting tatted?” Traceylee replied, “I love the art and color and I find the experience each time exciting.” On her arm, a poinsettia represents her mother as it was her favorite flower and her oldest son’s David’s birth month flower.

A larkspur represents Traceylee’s birth month, a daisy is for her daughter Savannah’s and a rose represents her son Austin’s and her granddaughter Paislee’s. I asked her what her elderly clients think when they first see her skin art. She says most are wowed! Traceylee rides a 2019 Sportster 883 Iron. She says her bikes have always been Harleys. Previously she rode a 1994 883 “Hugger”. Some around the Edgewater area may recognize her from working at No Name Saloon, Charlie’s Timeout and AJ’s Timeout.

Most of her artwork has been created at Tropical Tattoo in Ormond Beach. She rides all the way over because she loves the work they do. Her artist John Himmelstein has been doing tats for 33 years although he only looks like he’s in his 30s. The work in progress has continued since I snapped these photos. She has visited John for four more tats!

If you are considering getting a tattoo see the guys at Tropical Tattoo on S. Yonge St. in Ormond Beach. I got my cross on my neck there and it is the only place I would go…if I ever got brave enough again!!

by Phoenix and Metric-HD

Charlotte’s Webb Pub is not just a great place to stop for a cold beer as you travel through Hardee County, it is the best place for miles around. Charlotte’s is more than just a biker bar. The owner, Charlotte, has been deeply involved in the community in Hardee for many years. Charlotte’s is that local bar that everybody goes to on their way home from work. Their package liquor store is the place to pick up a bottle for dinner or just sitting around the house enjoying something to top off a hard day at work. Charlotte’s is that place you go to on the weekend to spend time with your fellow riders from near and far. And she hosts many events throughout the year. It could be a benefit ride for a downed biker, a Christmas toy run, her own Gemini party or her most notorious Halloween party

Most recently Charlotte hosted her annual Customer Appreciation Party. When it comes to having a party, this lady knows how to make the most of everything. She had FREE food and draft beer while it lasted. The Wild Horses Band was cranking out some of the best classic Rock and Roll in the Heartland. Riders both big and small, from all around the state and beyond came out to show Charlotte how much we appreciate all she does for the community.

If you have never made it out to Charlotte’s Webb or even if you are a regular at her place, now is the time to enjoy this great riding weather and take a ride out there. The bar is in Wauchula at 3315 State Road 664 W. Tell her how much you appreciate all her and her staff do for the biker community. Ride safe and GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!

By Ron Cox

The Ft. Myers Chapter of LAMA (Latin American Motorcycle Association) hosted its 11th Annual Anniversary Party at Rockstar Harley-Davidson on Saturday, November 2nd.

Upwards of 300 LAMA members from all over Florida came to Ft. Myers as well as LAMA’s from Georgia and Illinois. Coincidentally a Chapter President from Columbia, South America was visiting family in West Palm Beach so that Chapter brought him along.

DJ Eddie and local band Remedy alternated keeping the LAMA’s entertained while they dined on typical Latin favorites. Biker games followed, using some unusual accessories like toilet plungers and rolls of toilet paper. Numerous trophies were given out and included Best Rep Chapter and the Chapter that traveled the longest distance. And for those still in a partying mood, there was an after-party party at
Chicago Boys 2.

LAMA was founded in 1977 in Chicago, Illinois. Since its inception, LAMA was intended to be a Moto-Touring Club with truly democratic ideas. Today the number of chapters has grown to more than 160 worldwide spanning the Americas, Asia, Europe and Australia. Florida boasts more than 20 Chapters.