Lucky 2013

Wow...can't believe it's already January 15th.  Happy New Year to All!  Thanks for stopping back in to check out what's on my mind.  One thing that is on my mind is that I hope this year isn't as tragic for the United States.  With Hurricane Sandy and the Sandy Hook tragedy and all the other stuff in between, our Nation needs a huge amount of healing!  I know a great way to get there...Get on your bike and RIDE! 

I'm very excited because the Des Moines Chrome Divas are up to 10 members!  I can't wait for spring to get here so that we can get some saddle time in!  I'm also super excited because a group of us are attending Sturgis this year.  I hate to wish time away but I'm so looking forward to the trip.  We are staying at the Legendary Buffalo Chip so I know for a fact we will have a freaking amazingly memorable time.  The other night I was reminiscing with my friend and hair stylist, Kristin, about the year we stayed at the Chip.  OMG we had a blast!  If any of you IHG followers are going to be at Sturgis this year, let me know and maybe we can meet up for a cocktail! 

I've been watching TruTV and the Full Throttle Saloon show.  I've watched it the last 3 seasons and I'm thinking I might be over watching it.  While it's really fun to see Sturgis, I'm not sure that I care about all the behind the scenes drama.  Don't get me wrong, when I go to Sturgis this year I'll be visiting the Full Throttle, it's a great place to party.  There is superb people watching.  When I first visited the FTS in 2004, the bike builders where in full glory.  I saw Billy Lane and Indian Larry at FTS.  I really kind of miss that whole scene, minus the OCC.  I miss Russell Mitchell and Aaron Greene.  I really miss Billy Lane and of course Indian Larry.  Indian Larry was one in a million! 

Well that's all I have for today!  Again...Happy Lucky 2013!!! 

News on Billy Lane

I once loved Billy Lane. His talent blew me away. In 2004 my friend Kristin and I went to the Full Throttle Saloon every day to try to meet him. And we did! I was floating on motorcycle fumes as Kristin took my picture with him. Now because of poor judgement my once idol is going to prison for possibly 9 years. I think he got too caught up in all his hype and a greater power did this to bring him back down. What a tough way to be brought back down to reality. My hope is that someday Billy will rise again and bring back that mad talent.

Day 3...Sturgis

Monday morning I'm up at the crack of dawn...showered and ready to get on the road. Where are we headed? Well to Sturgis of course. I can feel the excitement in my belly. We are motoring down the interstate with hundreds of other bikes and we are all going to the mecca of all rallies. When I finally see the Sturgis Next 2 Exits sign I throw up my arms again. My entire body gets chill bumps and I have the hugest smile on my face. I'm sure if you were following the stats of this years rally at all you have heard that attendance was down. I believe that it was somewhat because it was pretty easy to enter town that morning and we were able to ride down Main Street with ease. I'm going to post pictures from that day so that you can check it all out. It's hard to explain the feeling you get when you are an obsessed motorcycle addict like me. I truly felt at home again there in Sturgis with all of the thousands of other bikers who love the lifestyle as much as I do.








After we walked around downtown we decided to head out to Thunder Road and the Full Throttle Saloon. Progressive Motorcycle Insurance did an excellent job finding people places to park out at Thunder Road. They gave out silver bells for your bike and if you had your coupon you could get your free Sucker Punch Sally's t-shirt. Here are a few photos from Thunder Road.




We left Thunder Road and headed across the street to the Full Throttle Saloon. It was pretty early in the morning when we got there so there wasn't a lot going on.




We left Sturgis for a little while and just road through the beautiful country of South Dakota. More to come on Day 3...including Jasmine Cain and Sasha Mullins!

Twisted Choppers - Pure American Metal

Back in February at the Capital City Customs Swap Meet and Bike Show I happened upon Twisted Choppers. As I said in a previous post I was drawn to the bike that they call Mudshovel. I wanted to know more about these guys from Sioux Falls, SD and wanted to share their story and work with my loyal readers, so I contacted them.


Twisted Choppers is located in southwest Sioux Falls, SD and has 5 crew members: Jason Kangas, Kai Morrison, Joe Skinner, Dustin Olson, and Chad Lemme. Jason and Kai have been chopping for about 10 yrs. The guys grew up riding dirt bikes and admiring old hot rods. After high school they got their first bikes and began rebuilding them in their parent's garages. The parts that they would try to use never seemed to fit so they began making their own. Those parts turned into a portion of the business that they have today and it is also the main source of their income. If you need a frame, fenders, fuel tank, or various accessories, most likely Twisted Choppers will have what you need.

Jason Kangas

Kai Morrison


You may have seen the guys of Twisted Choppers on the Discovery and Speed Channels. They've been in a Michael Lichter documentary, on V Twin TV, and the Travel Channel. Their work has also been featured in several motorcycle publications in the US, Europe, and Japan. They thought it was a rush to see their work in Easyriders, Chopper Build, 100% Biker, Biker, and The Horse, to name just a few of the many they have been in. Mr. X Games, Shawn Palmer, even bought one of their bikes a few years back.



Rat style bikes are among their favorites. "The sole purpose of the bike is to have fun and ride the hell out of it. It's nice not having to worry about fancy paint jobs and a lot of chrome. Polishing and cleaning takes time away from riding." says Kai.


Mudshovel

Rat Chopper

Insane Pan



The guys at Twisted Choppers don't have any one builder that they admire or get inspiration from. They are into various styles and seeing new stuff really helps them get their creative juices flowing for the next chopper idea and build. Other builders have stopped into their Sioux Falls shop to help out and Kai has helped in other shops while on vacations, including a shop in Puerto Rico. These guys are so devoted to what they do that finding time for those vacations doesn't come often. They do get to ride in what they believe is the best place to ride in the United States, the Black Hills.


In the next year they will be displaying in various shows and if you make it to Sturgis 2008 you will find them at the Full Throttle Saloon. Make sure you look for them there. You will not be disappointed. They have some wicked rides and they are a really down to earth group of guys. Twisted Choppers strives to be different or unique and they provide high quality American made parts at affordable prices.

I would like to thank the guys at Twisted Choppers for taking the time to answer my questions for this story. Make sure you check out their website. http://www.twistedchoppers.com/index.asp

All pictures were taken from the Twisted Choppers website.