Attention Hot Bike Readers! We would like to start by asking you, the reader, to help us with your ride submissions. There is no shortage of Readers' Rides coming across the editor's desks; however, only about 1/4 of them can be used. The reason: bad photos, little or no info about the bike, and even worse, no contact info to get better photos or the needed bike specs. So before you put a stamp on that envelope or send out that e-mail, make sure that you have filled out the basics: Your name, phone number and/or e-mail, where you're from. Then fill out a spec sheet-all you need to do is copy the info from the magazine: Motor, tran, frame, wheels, and so on. Last, a brief history about you and your bike. Now that you know exactly what we're looking for, we can't wait to see what you're going to send in. Thanks!
The Sergeant's Springer
Richard Klinger lives in Columbus, Ohio, he is a Sergeant in the US Army with very little free time on his hands. So when he gets a day off from protecting this great country he works on his '04 Softail Springer. It was a stock bike when he got it but soon he was swapping out the stock parts for a more custom look. First he added some Ride Wright wheels and PM brakes and calipers, added taller bars and swapped out the hand controls for PM as well. Then he replaced the gas tank with one from Custom Works and added an exhaust pipe from Thunderheader. His buddy Jeff Harris took the time to give the bike a custom paint job that Richard had never see before. He was more than happy with the outcome.
Pappy's Pan
Thom 'Pappy' Keeton stored this '54 Panhead in his father's barn in Porter, Texas, for several years, hoping to eventually find the spare time and money to perform a 'rust-o-ration.' Well, he finally got around to it and 16 months later, this is what rolled out. All the tins and chrome, with the exception of new bars and re-chromed rocker boxes, are original to the bike. Pappy converted it to a 12V system with an electronic ignition for dependability and ease of starting. It's ridden regularly and always draws a crowd as soon as Pappy pulls up at any of the local watering holes or bike events. He said without the help of his friends Lonnie, Elvis, and Nate, it would have never gotten done.
Not So Average Joe
Michael Harley Alt serves in the great state of Texas as a Army National Guard Scout Instructor. He has been riding motorcycles for over 30 years, and three years ago he bought this '06 Softail. He replaced the stock frontend with billet triple trees and chrome lowers, added 18-inch Burly bars, braided lines and cables, and a Mustang seat. He also added Samson Fishtail exhaust and spoke wheels from DNA. Michael has had almost as many bikes as years riding them, he said this is his primary transportation and thinks this bike is the best ride of them all.
Old School, New School
Stan Lenius lives in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and has a '03 Fat Boy custom. You may not be able to see it here but it is the H-D 100th Anniversary Fat Boy. Almost all the parts on the bike are powdercoated gloss black, Stan even powdercoated the switch housings. He also added all black braided lines along with a Legend air ride setup that gives him comfort on long rides but lets him make it look bad ass when parked at the local pub. Stan wanted to incorporate the old school look with new age technology and then custom paint.
Teacher's Pet
Lori Naismith is an eighth grade school teacher in Walpole, Massachusetts, she teaches science during the day and loves to ride her '09 Nightster at night. Lori said this bike gave her confidence and self esteem. She owes this to her boyfriend of six years. He gave her the encouragement and took the time to teach Lori how to ride her own bike, turning motorcycling into a family sport. The only changes she made was adding a Screamin' Eagle air cleaner and Vance & Hines pipes. Lori said this bike is great for a new rider, it's nice and low with plenty of power.
Let The Customizing Begin
Dan Miller runs the city streets of O'Fallon, Missouri, on this '03 Sportster. All he saw was stock looking bikes all over town and it made him think that no one had any ideas on how to do it. So Dan felt it was his duty and responsibility to start the trend. He custom painted it and ditched the chrome. Dan then wrapped the exhaust pipes and added a set of drag bars and custom forward controls. The first time the bike was seen out he was asked where he got all the work done? Dan told them some home shop.