By TJ

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Toasting 55 years in business and the grand opening of their new location on US 1 in Ormond Beach, this was not your everyday celebration. The Connor family knows how to throw a bash with a combination of a virtual taste of Daytona, free flowing sampling of all their beer and wine lines and a full-blown rock concert with legendary .38 Special playing the hits like Rockin’ Into the Night and Hold on Loosely. Beautiful ladies were promoting their brands. NASCAR drivers were on hand including Brad Keselowski signing autographs for the fans. S. R. Perrott has been a successful business in the Volusia/Flagler area for 55 years distributing our favorite alcohol products.

By Lulu

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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 $10,000 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 I had never been to any of the stops. 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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If you came to Beaver Bar at the very busiest moment of Bike Week…the crowds would still be bigger at Heavy’s Anniversary Bash for Midwest Motorcycles. The entire property was packed, cars were parked up and down the street. Crashrocket was jamming. And the folks in the bike contest waited patiently for the award ceremony. They presented Leslye Beaver a stuffed beaver for her continued support of the biking community. The weather was perfect and everyone seems to really enjoy this event each year. Thanks, Heavy and Christine for being so active in the community, for being part of Thunder Roads Florida and for the hard work you put into this event!

By T-Rex

We stopped in Post 350 off Rt. 1 in Port St. John for Biker Day at the Tiki and who did we run into? Nancy and Sean from Stargazer Embroidery. They were set up with two sewing machines non-stop, no waiting…also hanging around, patches, vests and much more. The machines were singing all day along with the Henderson Band. The Tiki was packed. Bartenders going non-stop too. Stephanie, Janice and Debbie a big thanks to you girls. They had food, horseshoes and this time poker with darts. Looking forward to the 3rd Saturday of the month for their monthly Biker Tiki Days. See y’all there.

Welcome to Stargazer Embroidery!

We are in the business to provide our customers with a high-quality product at an affordable cost and always in a timely manner. We provide embroidery, screen printing, die cut vinyl, heat transfers and custom patches. When not working at the shop Monday through Friday, we are available to be a vendor at your event where we will sew patches, sell patches and biker apparel. We make custom patches so if you have a saying, a design or want a patch you cannot find, come to us!

Thank you,
Nancy and Sean Dahlke

By Danny Martin (American Cycle Auto & Truck)

Well Folks, thanks for having me back for my third installment of Playing in the Cat Box. This month is truly a “You Can Do It Yourself” with minimal tools article. While I was down in your wonderful state for Bike Week it just so happens that my voltage regulator decided it did not want to work. So with a Mr. T starter kit tool set and a little help from Brigit at Custom Works on Beach St. in Daytona I got all the stuff I needed. A new Drag Specialties battery part number 2113-0021, a voltage regulator #2112-0783 and just in case a starter switch relay #DS325849. So if you are ready here we go.

On this particular bike as with most custom built bikes and anything before 1998 usually you can find the voltage regulator mounted between the uprights right behind the front fender. A small rectangular box with a plug that goes into your stator. It is right on the primary side. I determined that a loose plug on the primary stator is what caused mine to fail by shorting out and not working properly and it was surging. It burned out my regulator overcharging my battery making it work too hard, so always check that connection. That is usually the first reason why when you leave your house and get to the bar your bike won’t start, because the battery is dead.

Let’s start by removing it. It is all pretty simple you can usually just cut the wires and pull them out. But you have to fish them back through so keep that in mind. So now take your 10mm wrench and remove your battery. Take the 7/16 socket and take the broken regulator off. Now you are ready to reinstall. This assembly process is a little more tedious than difficult. You remount the voltage regulator, plug in your stator plug…making sure this connection is snug. Take the wire now and feed it back through the way you took out the old one. Remounting with either zip ties or tabs or whatever has been supplied by your builder or dealer. Route the voltage regulator wire all the way back to the battery, or sometimes there will be a circuit breaker or mounting tab where the old one was. Reinstall the supplied factory butt connector. If you read the first article, you already know your battery is charged and ready to install. Hook up the negative first, then the positive and you should be ready to ride.

Once again thank you for playing in the box, if you have questions or comments please let me know.
AMCAT

By Lulu

We do our Thunder Roads/Twisted Tea parties almost every month, and every so often one just Twists Out of the Park! The crowd was huge! I can tell how much the regulars love the owner Jan…since they were all there to wish her a Happy Birthday complete with a beautiful cake! Well, Blue Diamond vocals and music rocked the party all day long, the tea sampling and giveaways had a steady flow…but what really set this party apart was the generosity of the locals. We raised $184 dollars and 78 pounds of food for the Second Harvest Food Bank! They couldn’t be more appreciative when they see me coming. As most of you know we donate the money and the food in the county it is raised in. Thank you to Jan and Barry, the staff, the patrons, to Twisted Tea for the continued support, to my help (particularly Earth and Mama Bear as my Twisted Tea girl came down with a bug last minute)! Our next party is at St. John’s River Grille in Deland on April 19th 6-9p. This is a beautiful setting on the St. John’s River with the time change there is no reason not to get on your bike and ride out for a night of music, friendly people and bring some cans to help stock the food bank!

By Jeani G.

DeLand lost a beloved friend and avid biker earlier this year. Glenn Lane bravely served his country in the US army in Vietnam and Germany. He was an accomplished engineer and retired from Sparton Electronics. Glenn was well known for his cheerful disposition and was always quick to offer a smile and a helping hand to friends and strangers alike.

On Glenn’s birthday, January 22nd, family and friends retraced the route of the last motorcycle ride he took earlier that month. Laurie and Dan Bowden organized a wonderful memorial run and on what started out as a blustery overcast day, Glenn smiled down from Heaven with sunshine on the myriad of bikes and cars riding together in his honor. Fabulous photos of the day’s journey were taken by Susie Macon.

The ride started with breakfast supplied by OB’s Restaurant & Lounge in DeLand; headed for Three Bananas in Crescent City, then on to Shrimps R Us and More in Welaka, where the proprietor and staff treated us to delicious shrimp and an array of snacks and beverages. Next, we rode to Renegades by the River in Crescent City, then headed back to DeLand, stopping at the Brass Rail and ending the day at OB’s with a wonderful barbeque buffet, live music by Joe Santana’s Kingfish and lots of reminiscing among family and friends where the most common comments were “Glenn was the first person I met when I moved to DeLand” and “He always greeted you with a smile and handshake or kiss”.

We love you Glenn and we will miss you … Ride on and keep smiling!

By Lulu

A unique Valentine’s night was hosted at Grandview Live in Daytona Beach. For those who had a little extra money in their pocket and a heart of gold…a night on the town was available for purchase. 12 eligible bachelors and bachelorettes donated a night or afternoon of their time complete with a planned date. The auctioned males and females were to choose their charity. Thousands of dollars were raised for charities that included Hospice, United Way, Operation Changing Lives, Salty Family Services, Faine House, YMCA, American Cancer Society, Humane Society, Surfers for Autism, Neighbor to Family, Make A Wish Foundation, St. Jude’s, and Crohn’s in Childhood Research Association. What a great group of folks…the auctioned and the bidders, as both gave of not only their hard – cash but also their time to give a little “Love” to charities that are near to their hearts. We must say a special thank you to AJ Costa who not only was auctioned, but also took our camera and shot some of the photos.

By Ron Cox

Between 400 and 500 of their closest friends converged on Naples Harley-Davidson on February 25th to help the Naples Chapter of LAMA (Latin American Motorcycle Association) celebrate its 3rd Anniversary.

The 80’ tent covered the numerous tables and chairs for the riders and their guests as they consumed a choice of chicken or pork, rice and beans and other Latin favorites. Unlimited soft drinks were on hand and adult beverages were available for purchase. Live entertainment was provided by the Bonita Springs based band Rockin’ Horse and they did just that, rockin’ the house. Vendors were also on hand, offering everything from native American jewelry to Argentinian empanadas.

Naples had a table full of trophies, too many to list ’em all here so let’s just say that Orlando rode off with the Best Rep Chapter while Southern Atlanta scored the Longest Distance and Port St. Lucie was the first to arrive.

LAMA was founded in 1977 in Chicago. Since its inception, LAMA was intended to be a Moto-Touring Club with truly democratic ideas. In 1995 a Chapter was formed in Miami and in 1996 LAMA became a National Association when the first national president was elected. In 1999, LAMA became an International Association when Chapters were formed in Puerto Rico, Mexico and Cuba. 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.

By Lulu

I am not a cigar aficionado…never even puffed one, but when Bill Grotto from Twisted Tea invited TJ (a fine cigar loving man) and myself to attend The Great Smoke we took the long ride down the coast to Lake Worth for a new experience. The event was held at the American German Club hosted by Abe a local cigar expert. For the purchase of a ticket (base price is $150) you receive a purse size cooler and then you go “Trick or Treating” to sample 41 cigars. Some of the proceeds go to a children’s cancer charity. A great variety of free food and alcohol was served and a good band played. Girls from the Spearmint Rhino were on a pole entertaining the masses and allowing photos. So, for men it was a perfect playground…hot girls, good food, cigars and music. And for me it was a wonderful afternoon with two of my best guys and 3 new friends! If you enjoy cigars and have never gone to one of these events check it out next year it was a great time!

Whether your taste for Bike Week is bikini contests, racing, bike shows, live music or free food there is too much to do and too little time. We have tried to condense the list of events that might spark your desire to get on your bike and ride!

Thursday, March 9

WHOG RADIO REMOTE-PORT ORANGE, Roadside Tavern, 3400 S. Nova Rd., 7-9p

HAYFIRE-PORT ORANGE, First Turn Steakhouse, 7p

ORANGE AVENUE-DAYTONA BEACH, Main Street Station

Friday, March 10

LIVE MUSIC BY DEADLANDERS-NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Bay 3 Bar, 2810 N. Dixie Freeway, 6-10P

MIKE HARD LEMONADE PROMO-PORT ORANGE, Roadside Tavern, 1-6p, samples, games, giveaways

SAUCE BOSS-PALM BAY, Space Coast H-D

Saturday, March 11

2017 SUNSHINE NATIONAL MEET-NEW SMYRNA BEACH, 625 Tomoka Farms Rd., celebrating 60 years of the Sportster, field games, antique motorcycle show, swap meet, low country seafood boil, AMCA judging, SunshineAMCA.org

MIKE HARD LEMONADE PROMO-PORT ORANGE, Roadside Tavern, 1-6p, samples, games, giveaways

MUSTANG SALLY-PALM BAY, Space Coast H-D

CONFEDERATE RAILROAD-ORMOND BEACH, Iron Horse Saloon, 9:30p

MONSTER ENERGY SUPERCROSS-DAYTONA, International Speedway

LIVE MUSIC BY MAX “Q”-NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Bay 3 Bar, 2810 N. Dixie Freeway, 5:30p

ARM CRUSHER 2 ARM WRESTLING TOURNEY-ORMOND BEACH, Destination Daytona, Russ Brown Pavillion, BruceRossmeyer.com

ROCK OF DAYTONA REMOTE-PORT ORANGE, Roadside Tavern, 3400 S. Nova Rd., 2-4p

Sunday, March 12

MISS TWISTED TEA CONTEST-DAYTONA BEACH, Main Street Station, 316 Main St., 1pm, Twisted Tea Chopper and builders, Bearded Brothers 3p

WAYLAND-PALM BAY, Space Coast H-D

2017 SUNSHINE NATIONAL MEET-NEW SMYRNA BEACH, 625 Tomoka Farms Rd., celebrating 60 years of the Sportster, field games, antique motorcycle show, swap meet, low country seafood boil, AMCA judging, SunshineAMCA.org

MUSTANG SALLY-ORMOND BEACH, Iron Horse Saloon, 9:30p

9th ANNUAL SAM SWOPE MEMORIAL CHARITY RIDE-ORLAND/DAYTONA BEACH, Volusia Top Gun, 2900 Bellevue Ave., 8:30-10:30a, $30 day of ride, grand prize 2017 Heritage Softail, live music, lunch, www.samswopecharityride.org

BIKE WEEK PARTY-PORT ORANGE, The Boat Bar, 5395 S. Ridgewood Ave., 2-6p, BBQ, live music by Red Gate, 386-333-9909

WARREN LANE’S TRUE GRIT PRE-77 BIKE SHOW-ORMOND BEACH, Destination Daytona, Russ Brown Pavillion, 10a-6p, BruceRossmeyer.com

NY ROCKABILLY ROCKETS CONCERT-ORMOND BEACH, Broken Spoke, US 1, great rockabilly music, 1pm

BIKE WEEK KICK OFF PARTY-PORT ORANGE, The Boat Bar, 5395 S. Ridgewood Ave., live music by Red Gate 2-?, free BBQ, 386-333-0009

RAT ROD INVASION-ORMOND BEACH, Broken Spoke, 1151 N US Hwy 1, 11a-4p

Monday, March 13

NY ROCKABILLY ROCKETS CONCERT-ORMOND BEACH, Destination Daytona, US 1, great rockabilly music, 4-8p

MUSTANG SALLY-ORMOND BEACH, Iron Horse Saloon, 9:30p

MEGAN KATARINA BAND-PORT ORANGE, First Turn Steakhouse, US 1, 6p

MIKE HARD LEMONADE PROMO-BUNNELL, WHITE EAGLE, 1-6p, samples, games, giveaways

MORNING RIDE-DAYTONA BEACH, Main Street Station, Main Street

Tuesday, March 14

NY ROCKABILLY ROCKETS CONCERT-DAYTONA BEACH, Boot Hill Saloon, Main St., 7-10p

CYCLE SOURCE BIKE SHOW-ORMOND BEACH, Broken Spoke, 1151 N US Hwy 1, noon-4p

MARK BRODE’S PEOPLE CHOICE AMERICAN V-TWIN BIKE SHOW-ORMOND BEACH, Destination Daytona, Russ Brown Pavillion, 10a, awards 3p, BruceRossmeyer.com

MIKE HARD LEMONADE PROMO-BUNNELL, WHITE EAGLE, 1-6p, samples, games, giveaways

MEGAN KATARINA BAND-PORT ORANGE, First Turn Steakhouse, US 1, 6p

KENTUCKY HEADHUNTERS-ORMOND BEACH, Iron Horse Saloon, 9:30pm

BUDWEISER TRADITIONAL RIDE IN BIKE SHOW-SAMSULA, Cabbage Patch Bar, Tomoka Farm Rd., Reg 11a, $20 per class

Wednesday, March 15

NY ROCKABILLY ROCKETS CONCERT-ORMOND BEACH, Destination Daytona, US 1, great rockabilly music, 4-8p

PEREWITZ PAINT BIKE SHOW-ORMOND BEACH, Destination Daytona, Russ Brown Pavillion, 10a-1p, awards 4p, BruceRossmeyer.com

GOAT-PORT ORANGE, First Turn Steakhouse, Goat from Full Throttle, 7p

COLESLAW WRESTLING-SAMSULA, Cabbage Patch Bar, Tomoka Farm Rd., noon

CYCLE SOURCE ANNIVERSARY PARTY-ORMOND BEACH, Broken Spoke, 1151 N US Hwy 1, 7p, Twisted Tea Bike Reveal 9p

BIG ENGINE-SAMSULA, Cabbage Patch Bar, Tomoka Farm Rd., 7-11p

KENTUCKY HEADHUNTERS-ORMOND BEACH, Iron Horse Saloon, 9:30pm

Thursday, March 16

LEATHER & LACE BIKER RODEO-EDGEWATER, Angels Landing, $10 pp, 3p, 386-345-0562

BON PARTY-ORMOND BEACH, Broken Spoke 1151 N US Hwy 1, 4p

OUTLAWS-ORMOND BEACH, Iron Horse Saloon, 9:30p

WHOG BREAKFAST-DAYTONA BEACH, Main Street Station, Main St., 8-10a, free biscuits & gravy

MIKE HARD LEMONADE PROMO-SAMSULA, Cacklebery Campground, Tomoka Farm Rd., 1-6p, samples, games, giveaways

HARLEY-DAVIDSON RIDE IN BIKE SHOW-ORMOND BEACH, Destination Daytona, Russ Brown Pavillion, 11a-1p, BruceRossmeyer.com

WOMEN’S MDA RIDE-DAYTONA BEACH, International Speedway, KSU 10a, ends at Destination Daytona, BruceRossmeyer.com

DAYTONA TT RACING-DAYTONA, International Speedway, flat track racing

CHOPPER TIME- ORMOND BEACH, Tropical Tattoo, 825 S. Yonge St., bike show, live music by NY Rockabilly Rockets noon-2p, 11a-4p, 386-672-1888, tropicaltattoo.com

NY ROCKABILLY ROCKETS CONCERT-PORT ORANGE, Roadside Tavern, Nova Rd., 9p-midnight, great rockabilly music

BURNOUT CONTEST-ORMOND BEACH, Broken Spoke, 1151 N US Hwy 1, 8p

TIM DUGGER-PORT ORANGE, First Turn Steakhouse, US 1, 6-10p

BATTLE OF THE BAGGERS-SAMSULA, Cabbage Patch Bar, Tomoka Farm Rd., Reg. 11a, $25 per class

BAGGER SOUND OFF-SAMSULA, Cabbage Patch Bar, Tomoka Farm Rd., Reg. 11a

Friday, March 17

8th ANNUAL BOARDWALK BIKE SHOW-DAYTONA BEACH, free to public, 11a-5p, 727-935-4875

TIM DUGGER-PORT ORANGE, First Turn Steakhouse, US 1, 6-10p

THE BURNING BIKE-DELAND, Volusia Fairground, live music all night, burning of the bike, Miss Burning Bike Bikini Contest, $5 admission

NY ROCKABILLY ROCKETS CONCERT-ORMOND BEACH, Destination Daytona, US 1, great rockabilly music, 4-8p

ST. PATRICK’S DAY BASH-PALM BAY, Space Coast H-D, 21 musicians

LIVE MUSIC BY DEADLANDERS-NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Bay 3 Bar, 2810 N. Dixie Freeway, 6-10P

BADDEST BAGGER DAYTONA BIKE SHOW-ORMOND BEACH, Destination Daytona, Russ Brown Pavillion, 10a-1p, awards 4p, BruceRossmeyer.com

FIREBALL BIKINI CONTEST-DAYTONA BEACH, Boot Hill Saloon, Main St., 9pm

TATTOO CONTEST-SAMSULA, Cabbage Patch Bar, Tomoka Farm Rd., 4-6p

OUTLAWS-ORMOND BEACH, Iron Horse Saloon, 9:30p

MIKE HARD LEMONADE PROMO-SAMSULA, Cacklebery Campground, Tomoka Farm Rd., 1-6p, samples, games, giveaways

Saturday, March 18

GOODBYE PARTY-PORT ORANGE, The Boat Bar, 5395 S. Ridgewood Ave., 2-6p, live music, free food, 386-333-9909

TATTOO CONTEST-DAYTONA BEACH, Boot Hill Saloon, Main St., 4-6p

MIKE HARD LEMONADE PROMO-SAMSULA, Cacklebery Campground, Tomoka Farm Rd., 1-6p, samples, games, giveaways

COLESLAW WRESTLING-SAMSULA, Cabbage Patch Bar, Tomoka Farm Rd., noon

4 PLAY-PORT ORANGE, First Turn Steakhouse, US 1, 2p

TIM DUGGER-PORT ORANGE, First Turn Steakhouse, US 1, 6-10p

BAD COMPANY’S BRIAN HOWE-ORMOND BEACH, Iron Horse Saloon, 9:30p

45th ANNUAL RATS HOLE BIKE SHOW-DAYTONA BEACH, Indian Motorcycle, 290 N. Beach St., ride in show, emceed by Radical Randy, tattoo contest, www.ratshole.com

GLAD YOU CAME PARTY-PORT ORANGE, The Boat Bar, 5395 S. Ridgewood Ave., free BBQ, music by License to Steal, 386-333-9909

LIVE MUSIC BY MISTREATER-NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Bay 3 Bar, 2810 N. Dixie Freeway, 5:30p

OLDEST T-SHIRT CONTEST-DAYTONA BEACH, Boot Hill Saloon, Main St., 3pm

Sunday, March 19

21st ANNUAL PORT ORANGE POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE MC FUNDRAISER-SAMSULA, Cabbage Patch, 549 Tomoka Farm Rd., $20 for ticket to win 2016 Street Glide or $14,000 cash and 10 $100 winners, only 3000 tickets sold, drawing at 1pm, 386-506-5877

NY ROCKABILLY ROCKETS CONCERT-DAYTONA BEACH, Boot Hill Saloon, Main St., 2-5p

WORLD FAMOUS SURVIVOR PARTY-BUNNELL, Dog Pound Saloon, 1406 E. Moody Blvd., free BBQ, live music by Southern Chaos 1:30pm, 386-586-0200

By Lulu

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It has been awhile since we had the time and energy to just get out and play. But the weather has finally just been awesome to get on the bike and the need to dance just got the best of me. We made it out to see Penta at St. John’s River Grille for their bike night and the band filled up the place, lots of dancing was going on. You should ride out to Deland for this Wednesday night bike night…go hungry…they have a full menu and the food is great!

On Friday night, we went down to Foxhead Lounge in Osteen. We wanted to check out the band NY Rockabilly Rockets that have an ad in this month’s issue. They are great musically and fun to watch, even if you don’t know much about rockabilly music you will know all these classic tunes. See their ad for the locations and dates for March.

We snuck in at the end of a poker run that ended at Rudy’s in Holly Hill on Sunday for their Police tribute run. We had a great time seeing old and new friends and now that Rudy has liquor this Crown drinking girl was happy. Be safe while you are out and about this Bike Week, lots of critters on the roadside and road construction everywhere you look…don’t be a hot shot…be careful…ride like you are a target on a video game because we are!

You can find more pictures of you and your friends on Facebook Thunder Roads Florida. Like and follow us there!

By LuLu

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Unlike 2016 the field was dry…no mud in Frost Park! In 2016 they had 24 hours of rain the day before, but the show still went on. The weather was perfect this year. And the crowd as always was huge. Sam from RampLess Trailers hardly got a moment to visit with us, as he was busy answering questions and showing off his product. Jillian at Hellcat was feverishly pinstriping helmets. The band was rocking the crowd and the lines at the beer and food vendors moved quickly. This is always an enjoyable afternoon. Lots of great bikes, vendors and people to photograph. I always love to try to catch someone playing the bike games with the game getting the best of them…nothing better than the cup of water on the head game!!! More photos can be found on Facebook at Thunder Roads Florida go tag yourself!

By Lulu

Any night at the Boot Hill Saloon is a good night, great music…nice folks, add to that doing something good for your community and suddenly you have a Twisted Tea/Thunder Roads Party for the local food banks. The owners and staff at Boot Hill are always quick to help with local runs and other charity events so when we asked, Karen quickly agreed to host it. She served up all kinds of food, according to TJ the tacos were great!!! We raised 86 pounds of food and $56.00 to donate to Second Harvest Food Bank. Thank you to all our regulars who show up month after month…I am so glad that Bella finally won the $50 raffle as she has spent way more than that over time entering each month! And a very special thank you to Twisted Tea for the giveaways that help make it a fun night!

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