Showing posts with label motorcycle rider. Show all posts
Showing posts with label motorcycle rider. Show all posts

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Firefighter ~ Philanthropist ~ Bike Builder

Robby Smith
I am a career firefighter with a passion for building bikes.  I started building bikes a few years ago and anymore, it seems like it’s all I want to do. Up front I have to say that I do not build motorcycles alone.  I will never take full credit for my builds.  I have a lot of help, mainly, from my good friends Josh McBride, Todd Speckman, and Christian Logue.  Together, they have and continue to teach me an immeasurable amount of…

In addition to my friends, I have learned from a combination of self teaching, a lot of trial and error, and a “how to” book by Billy Lane of Choppers Inc.  To be honest, I’m still learning as I go. 






I like my bikes to be “bare bones” with rigid frames, I don’t like tires bigger than 250mm.  I build my own springer front ends with my friend Josh.  They are very clean and built right.  As far as paint, I believe in the “less is more” concept. 

Paint by Sprengel's Innovative Kustoms
 Jason Sprengel of Sprengel's Innovative Kustoms is my painter.  He is a friend of mine, is very talented, and has painted for Jesse James.  My friend, Adam Croft, is my “leather guy” and one of my best friends.  He has done several seats for Choppers Inc.  Heather New of New Line Engraving is my engraver.  She is very talented and above anything else, she’s a really cool/nice lady.


New-Line Engraving
I don’t deny that my bikes are heavily influenced by Billy Lane of Choppers Inc and I will always own that.  To me, he is the best bike builder in the world; an artist that changed the game and I love his stuff.  He is on another level.  His style is what I like. His style is what his “how to” book teaches.  I have put many Choppers Inc. parts on my bikes including a gas tank (I customized it), tag lights, builders kit, angel wings, oil tank, etc.  As I stated earlier, I am still learning as I go and I hope to develop my own style and move from his influences.  Understand that before I started building bikes, I didn’t know ANYTHING.  I was raised by a single mother and grew up around Longaberger baskets, and Pampered Chef parties.  I had to start somewhere and because this is all new for me, I had to learn how to do something, before I can change it and/or get ideas of my own.   

King of Sleeze built by Billy Lane at Choppers Inc.
I don’t want to be the world’s next famous bike builder.  I just want to keep building cool bikes, continue to develop my own style, and continue to fund more tool purchases.  This world is bigger than JUST me so I want to do positive things with my bike builds…which is what lead me to building a bike for charity. 

In September of 2009, I helped develop/organize an art show at my local art gallery in Illinois.  The theme of the show was “Street Art: Another Dimension” and included artwork from tattoo artists, graffiti artists, pin stripers, car painters, air brushers, leather workers, and skateboard artists from throughout the nation.  The show also showcased two motorcycles that my friends and I built.  I truly believed in that show and I helped give the gallery their biggest opening reception to date, estimated at over 800 people.  It was cool and it left me hungry to find more positive things that I can do with motorcycles.

Hard Knocks Chopper


Built By: Robby Smith, Josh McBride, Todd Speckman, Custom Frame designed by Robby Smith, 100″ Motor, 6 Speed Transmission, 3″ Up, 2″ Forward, 40 Degree Rake, Customized Sporster Gas Tank, Hand Tooled Seat by Adam Croft, Engraving by Heather New, Mooneyes Oil Tank, Handmade Foot Controls, Foot Pegs, Top Motor Mount, Sissy Bar, Handlebars, Shift Linkage, Exhaust built from ” bending mistakes”






Eventually, I answered that hunger by deciding to build a motorcycle for the Catch-A-Dream Foundation, which gives children 18 years and younger with life-threatening illnesses the chance of a lifetime to experience an outdoor adventure.  The project has been an awesome experience to date, and is slowly, but surely coming together.  I have an amazing list of sponsors/donors to for the project and the bike is going to be beautiful.  Soon, I will be building the frame and working on private fund raising events to purchase the “big ticket” items such as the motor, transmission, wheels, and primary, for which I have had difficulty finding sponsors for.  Regardless, this project will happen, the bike will be built.  I don’t know how to fail. 

"Always with us!, Brad Kirby, #35 Forever!"
(left; Robby, right; Lumpy)
Another example that I will make as short as possible…I lost my cousin Brad in 1999.  We graduated from the same college, yet he raced late model race cars and that’s what he wanted to do with his life.  In February of 1999, he was on his way to his friend, Christian “Lumpy” Logue’s place in Indiana to pick up a chassis for the upcoming season’s car and struck a tree with his vehicle and passed away.  10 years later (there’s more to the story) I heard my aunt talking about reconnecting with Lumpy.  I was never personally friends with Lumpy, but I remembered my cousin telling my family that Lumpy was the best welder he had ever known and it hit me… there wasn’t anybody else that I wanted to weld on my bike and teach me how to TIG weld than Mr. Lumpy Logue.  I called him the next day, told him about what I had been doing with my motorcycles and we set a date to meet up.  On my 32nd birthday, my aunt and I trailered my bike to Indiana and Lumpy and I spent the weekend working on my bike.  We laughed.   We cried.  I learned.  The experience was good/healthy for both of us.  The whole time we worked, my cousin’s sheet metal from his race car, #35, hung on the wall above us.  It was cool.  


I told him that I would never be able to replace his friendship with my cousin Brad, but I could help fill the void and I told him that he was stuck with me now.  He replied with a hug and a “same here” and we have remained friends ever since.  Again, if I never decided to try and build bikes, none of this would have ever happened for either of us.  Lumpy and I attended the Beatersville Car Show on Memorial Day weekend-2010 and 2011.  I didn't enter anything this year, but last year I won the best American Motorcycle division with my "Hard Knocks" motorcycle.  

Building motorcycles has been such a positive addition to my life.  I think I’ve delved into many negative temptations in life, but none of them were as near as satisfying as building bikes.  It hasn’t all been rosy.  I’ve met some dirt bags along the way, but I’ve also met some amazing people whom I have developed new friendships with and I have improved and gained a better appreciation for already existing friendships.  I’ve been able to do so many things that I, otherwise, would never have been able to experience.    

I’m going to leave you with a cheesy statement that would be perfect for a bathroom wall somewhere…


“If Cinderella is proof that shoes can change your life, then I’m proof that motorcycles can too.” 
                                                                                                                      -R. Smith




Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Freedom is not free and it never will be.










Klock Werks Kustom Cycles Dyna


10th annual Poker Run sponsored by Klock Werks, the Moonlight Bar, Miedema Sanitation, and Porter Distributing. Main Street is closed on the Saturday of Memorial Weekend, to turn this “Run” into a city-wide event. Memorial Weekend in Mitchell  helps raise awareness of and funding for cystic fibrosis.

Memorial Weekend in Mitchell, SD  More info




BOOZE BROTHERS at Moonlight Bar - Mitchell, SD 6/05/04 SWEET HOME CHICAGO


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NEW at Thunder on the Rock 2011 we will be hosting a Battle of the Bands on May 28, 2011. A $50 entry fee is required to enter. Winner of the contest will be featured as official Thunder on the Rock battle of the band winner, along with a cash prize and will be in the opening spots for the headliner on Sunday May 29th. Judging will be based 50% from fans and 50% based from judges from different music industry/venue positions.  


A few of the bands that will be performing at Thunder on the Rock Rally include


The Fabulous Thunderbirds "Wrap it up"


Molly Hatchet "Flirting with Disaster"


Georgia Satellites "Keep your hands to yourself"


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29th Annual RedRiver New Mexico Memorial Day Motorcycle Rally
 20,000 bikers invade Main Street for One Wild party!
More info.



Extended dates in 2011!  Come in and start the party Wednesday, May 25th! 
KOB-TV's Steve Stucker, Albuquerque's most loveable meteorologist, will lead you through incredible scenery .…Bobcat Pass, The Moreno Valley, Cimarron Canyon State Park & the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Each rider gets a classic t-shirt, lunch from Zeb's at the Memorial, & a shot at thousands of dollars in prizes. All proceeds benefit Make a Wish of New Mexico (granting the fondest wishes of children with life threatening conditions). The ride kicks off at noon on Saturday, May 28th, in front of the Red River Conference Center.



Darrell Mansfield "People Get Ready"
Darrell Mansfield will be performing two concerts at the RedRiver Rally


Memorial Day Biker Rally, Red River, New Mexico


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Rolling Thunder is an annual motorcycle rally that is held in Washington, DC during the Memorial Day weekend to call for the government's recognition and protection of Prisoners of War (POWs) and those Missing in Action (MIAs). About 300,000 veterans and motorcycle enthusiasts will roar across Washington, DC on their motorcycles as a tribute to American war heroes.  Various branches of the US armed forces will be displaying numerous military vehicles and other equipment for public access. Experienced crews will be present to explain and educate the public on the use of the vehicles and equipment to give attendees a better sense of exactly how the troops carry out their missions. There will also be live music, hundreds of vendors, lots of food and cold beer, and free bike parking. The legendary Blues and American Roots band, The Nighthawks will be playing Monday afternoon.




Rolling Thunder ride crossing the Memorial Bridge in Washington, DC - 2009

Want more info on America's Memorial Day Rally?  Check out these links;
Rolling Thunder Ride to the Wall XXIII
Ride of the Patriots
Hogs and Heroes Foundation
Stars Stripes Spokes


A solitary Marine holds vigil at full attention during the Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally in tribute to fallen comrades.


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 The 2011 Nebraska State HOG rally will use The Great Platte River Road Archway as its homebase. A hog roast will kickoff the activities on Friday night followed by opening ceremonies. Saturday is packed full of activities including downtown "on the bricks" walking poker run. Four different rides will be available for attendees. One ride will go to the Golden Spike in North Platte for which an admission of $6.50 will be charged followed by a free lunch at Budke Harley-Davidson. The other rides will go north to the sandhills and will allow rides to stop at Uncle Buck's, or on to Burwell or to Fort Hartsuff south of Burwell. All three stops offer excellent food. Another ride will go south and yet another ride will be a GPS run. All will still allow you to return to Kearney and the archway for a special family meal.
Good food, good rides and time with good friends will set the 2011 Nebraska State HOG rally apart from all others.    Registration Deadline for NE State HOG Rally~April 8, 2011  Register now~for next year!  






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6th Annual Party in the Pines  Longview Fairgrounds Complex  Longview, TX  More info


$1,200 in Cash Prizes for the BIKE SHOW

There's a twist to the JOKER RUN you're gonna love!!  5 riders will have a chance to win $10,000.  Could be you!









Mustang Sally Band will be performing at the Party in the Pines
Visit the official Mustang Sally website


Party in the Pines Events~ Games, Bike Show, Music, 
Memorial Parade, Joker Run, Rides, Ride like a pro ~More info.


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Glory~ Harley Davidson Museum Ambassador
Get to know Glory, the feathered Ambassador at the H-D Museum.  Glory is a ten-year-old Bald Eagle & will be making an appearance at the H-D Museum Sun. 5/29/11 10am-2pm

Memorial Weekend Events Schedule;
Wed. 5/25/11
     Back Roads Tour & Steel Toe Tour
Thurs. 5/26/11
     Bike Night at the H-D Museum
 Fri. 5/27/11
      Back Roads Tour & Steel Toe Tour
 Sun. 5/29/11
      Glory Visits at the H-D Museum
 Tue. 5/31/11
      Vintage Day




As you enter this gallery, it is impossible to miss the Exploded Bike display. Separated into a multitude of pieces, this 1940s Knucklehead is a mechanical drawing brought to life. The display highlights signature design and styling elements that define a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle.

Across the north wall resides our version of a "family tree." Set against a wall of orange, the engines on display illustrate the evolution of the Harley-Davidson engine from its earliest to its latest incarnation. Spread throughout the rest of the gallery, you will find interactive exhibits showcasing engine mechanics.





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More info. on West Coast Thunder Memorial Day Bike Runi
Riverside California


West Coast PSA


Aaron Lewis Country Boy will be performing at West Coast Thunder XII


Marshall Tucker Band will be performing at West Coast Thunder XII


Tickets to the Marshall Tucker Band and Aaron Lewis Concert are $35.00 each.  Buy here
Registration is mandatory to ride in the parade.  Register here
Event begins at 9:11 am
Join 7,000 riders to tribute the Veterans and raise money for the cemetary.





Visit the official West Coast Thunder website



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Memorial Day is a day of honoring Americans who have died in all wars.  

     There were so many events to choose from... If you would like me to feature one not listed here, please send me an email to JuneSoftly@gmail.com.  I would love to hear from you and wish you a wonderful, safe and fun Memorial Day 2011 as we remember and pay tribute to all of our U.S. soldiers killed in war.  

                                                                                                                               ~June





Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Motorcycles and Guns

Mad Dog Handgun Mount

Moose Racing Official NRA Handgun Mount


Motorcycle Seat with built-in Holster




Harley with a 6 barrel Gatlin Gun attached

Gun Foot Pegs


Gun Foot Pegs



On March 5, 2010, Anthony Graber was riding his motorcycle on Interstate 95, and was confronted by a plainclothes Maryland State Police trooper as he came to a stop at an exit.  Graber had a video camera prominently mounted on his helmet to record his ride, and the camera recorded the officer's actions and statements at the outset of the encounter, which ended with Graber receiving a ticket for speeding.  Five days later, Graber posted a video on YouTube showing the encounter, in which the state trooper leaps out of his unmarked vehicle, not in a uniform, and with his gun drawn, yelling at Graber for several seconds to get off of his motorcycle before identifying himself as a police officer.

On April 7, after seeing the video online, the State Police obtained an arrest warrant charging Graber with a violation of the state wiretap law.  Read More





Cop pulls out gun on Motorcyclist






Discovery Channel: Motorcycle Women: Girls and Guns



Discovery Channel:  American Chopper 5:  Mounting Gun



Form follows Function or Function follows Form
Discovery Channel: American Chopper: Sr vs Jr: A Ton of Guns


Mz Jai Motorcycle Model



Friday, April 29, 2011

Try a new VIEW


Click on any of these links to take a spin on a new view

June Softly Biker Book Blog in Flipcard

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June Softly Biker Book Blog in Sidebar

June Softly Biker Book Blog in Snapshot

June Softly Biker Book Blog in Timeslide




Thanks for visiting my biker blog

Sunday, April 24, 2011

I love to ride my bike






















The remodeling of the frame, metal and the welding was done by http://www.lmc-bikes.com/
I have done the rebuilding and all the other parts.
Sascha Seidel Chillimann