MMI Grad builds motorcycle shop from ground up

When Bret Sealy set off from his small Central Texas hometown for Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI) Orlando, he had little more than his Harley, a toolbox and the goal of owning a motorcycle business. Since then, Bret has worked hard as a student struggling to make ends meet, a machinist serving the U.S. Army and National Guard, and a one-man construction company to earn his most prized possession – his own motorcycle repair shop.

Today, he’s back in Richland Springs, Texas, pursuing his passion for motorcycles as president and owner of San Saba Ironhorse, Inc. But achieving this childhood dream hasn’t come easy.

“From the time I watched a friend ride his dirt bike around our neighborhood, I knew I wanted to be in this industry,” explained Bret. “Whether I was working odd jobs or serving on Army convoy missions, I never lost sight of that goal.”

Though his jobs have varied along the long road to entrepreneurship, Bret’s work ethic has remained strong. While studying at MMI, he earned $100 a day tiling pools. After graduating in 2007, he briefly worked as a technician for a Harley-Davidson dealership, but he couldn’t ignore the desire to be his own boss. To help save enough for startup costs, he joined the Army and trained to be a machinist.

“Besides the chance to serve my country in Iraq and Kuwait, the Army prepared me for the motorcycle business,” said Bret. “When I got back to Texas, I expanded my skills by making wheels and axles for rail cars at machine shops, and fitting pipes for oil and natural gas drilling. Between working as a machinist and my training at MMI and in the military, I feel like I can make just about anything.”

Despite his growing mechanical expertise, Bret still needed to boost his savings to start the business. He joined the National Guard for the weekend drill pay and slowly began laying the foundation for his new motorcycle repair shop … literally. He dug trenches for plumbing, poured the building’s concrete foundation, erected its steel structure, wired electrical systems and painted it inside and out. Until the shop really got off the ground in 2012, his do-it-yourself approach raised more than a few eyebrows around Richland Springs.

“It’s a small town – there were just 16 in my graduating class,” said Bret. “I’ve known lots of people who talk about their dreams, but never do anything about them. I knew I wanted to be different.”

At 27, Bret has developed San Saba Ironhorse into a burgeoning business. Specializing in Harley-Davidson and Yamaha motorcycles, the shop also services other bike brands and ATVs used by hunters who visit the area. He’s boosted profits by fixing wrecked motorcycles he buys from insurance companies and selling them online. MMI’s entrepreneurial training has come in handy as the business has evolved, too.

“Right now, I’m still just a one-man show. But Ironhorse is growing and I hope to hire a team someday,” he said. “If you want to build your own business, you have to understand it’s not going to happen overnight.” Brett would like to express a http://www.sansabanews.com/news/110717/special thanks to his friends and family who helped along the way to make everything possible.

“People had all kinds of negative things to say when I told them about my goal for this shop,” he added. “But if people tell you that you’re just dreaming or being unrealistic, they’re wrong. Don’t let other people’s opinions get in the way of what you want to achieve. It’s all up to you.”

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Source: San Saba News (AP, 9/7)

Motorcycle lost in Japan tsunami found on Canadian island

It must have been a wild ride. Japanese media say a Harley-Davidson motorcycle lost in last year's tsunami has washed up on a Canadian island about 4,000 miles away.

The rusted bike was found in a large white container where its owner, Ikuo Yokoyama, had kept it. He was located through the license plate number, Fuji TV reported Wednesday.

"This is unmistakably mine. It's miraculous," Yokoyama told Nippon TV when shown photos of the motorcycle.

Yokoyama lost three members of his family in the March 11, 2011, tsunami, and is now living in temporary housing in Miyagi prefecture (state).

The motorcycle is among the first items lost in the tsunami to reach the west coast of North America. In March, an Alaska man found a football and later a volleyball from Japan; their owners were located last week using names that had been inscribed on the balls.

Canadian Peter Mark, who found the bike and its container, told Fuji that he "couldn't believe that something like that would make it across the Pacific." The report said he found it April 18 on Graham Island, off the coast of British Columbia.

The motorcyle was caked with "a lot of corrosion, a lot of rust," said Mark.

When he saw the Japanese license plate, Mark wondered if it might have drifted from Japan after the tsunami, and contacted a local TV station.

The Fuji report said the motorcycle would be shipped back to Japan, and that the shop that sold it to Yokoyama would help with paperwork and storage.

Debris from the tsunami initially gathered in the ocean off Japan's northeastern coast and has since spread out across the Pacific. In February, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said currents would carry much of the debris to the coasts of Alaska, Canada, Washington and Oregon between March 2013 and 2014, though they correctly predicted that some of it could arrive this year.

Last month, a U.S. Coast Guard cutter fired on and sank a fishing boat in the Gulf of Alaska that had drifted from Japan after the disaster. Authorities had deemed the ship a hazard to shipping and to the coastline.


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source:  Fox News (AP, 5/2)

Biker still at home on motorcycle at 84

George Brown got his first Harley at the age of 16. Nearly 70 years later, he’s still riding.

Brown took home a new Harley trike Wednesday, the latest in a long line of motorcycles he’s owned over the years.

“I’ve been riding since the ’40s” proclaimed the 84-year-old.

Brown still remembers his first motorcycle.

“It was an old clunker,” he said.

Brown had worked at a grocery store plucking chicken feathers to earn enough money to buy it and recalls getting the license.

“I went to the drugstore and got the license for a quarter,” he said, adding jokingly, “you can’t do that now.”

Brown took a brief break from riding following his grocery job and worked on a tugboat on the river that took him to such cities as New Orleans, St. Paul and Pittsburgh.

Brown continued his career on the water and enlisted in the Navy at age 17. But once back on shore at the base, he continued to ride motorcycles.

After leaving the Navy, Brown was able to continue his passion for motorcycles, riding for the police department in Fort Worth, Texas, for four years.

“I could teach these kids a lot about riding,” he said of the experience.

Brown estimates he’s had eight or nine motorcycles in his years of riding, and they all have been Harleys except for one.

“I had an Indian for a while, but it had too heavy of a torque for me,” he said.

Brown’s most prized motorcycle was a 1955 police bike he sold more than 10 years ago when his wife became ill with cancer.

His partner in life, he noted she also was his partner on the road.

“She got on behind and rode with me,” he said of his wife, who lost her battle with cancer a short time later.

In all the years, Brown has managed to ride unscathed until last year when he was heading into Niemerg’s Steak House and was struck.

“It was the first accident I ever had,” he said.

Brown noted it was the reason he was getting a new Harley and trading the 2010 sidecar motorcycle.

“I carried a stuffed dog in the sidecar,” he said.

The accident didn’t deter Brown from riding again. The Mason resident rides into Effingham daily for lunch.

Brown isn’t as concerned for his safety as others who periodically look out for him.

“I have people at church who check on me every now and then, and neighbors keep track of me,” he said.

Brown has ridden his motorcycles great distances, with long trips up the East and West coasts and in Babler State Park near St. Louis, where he did volunteer maintenance about 10 years ago. He hasn’t given up his motorcycle trips, either, participating in the Sheriff’s Posse Ride and taking trips to Missouri and Ohio to visit former shipmates.

When he’s not riding, Brown keeps busy “puttering” in his shop and working on mechanical projects that include making parts for outboard motor boats for friends.

But Brown looks forward to the open road and doesn’t see his hobby as unique for his age.

“I know quite a few riding past 80,” he said. “The age limit now is being stretched. The retiring at 55 and giving up — that age is gone.”

Brown plans to continue riding into his sunset years.

“It’s in my blood. To have the wind in your face and all open space is just a tremendous feeling,” he said.

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source: The EDN (Thoele, 3/1)

Deus Bald Terrior 1200 Motorcycle

 

Deus continues its string of drool-worthy bike conversions with the Deus Bald Terrior 1200 Motorcycle ($TBA). Based on a Harley Sportster, the Bald Terrior features custom 19- and 18-inch wheel sets, brake calipers, and rotors, one-off inch clip-on bars, a Vance & Hines performance exhaust, a PM Super gas air filter, custom length Ikon rear dampers, a Daytona electric speedo, and a hard black chromed fork sliders.

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Harley auctions V-Rod motorcycle signed by Captain America stars

Even as superheroes and motorcycles are roaring their way through the summer blockbuster ‘Captain America-First Avenger’ Harley-Davidson are auctioning a V-Rod autographed by the stars of the movie.

The 2011 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle VRSCF motorcycle is signed by Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Neal McDonough, director Joe Johnston, as well as comic actor Stan Lee. All of them took some time out during the film’s world premiere in Los Angeles to put their John Hancock on the Harley-Davidson.

The sum raised will support Disabled American Veterans.

Harley-Davidson collaborated with Marvel Studios to create five motorcycles for the Captain America: The First Avenger film, which traces Captain America’s origins as a World War II era Super Hero who rode a military motorcycle as a means of transportation.

To get the authentic look that appears on the big screen the Milwaukee motorcycle manufacturer coordinated the modification of the current day Harley-Davidson Cross Bones model to resemble an original 1942 WLA Army motorcycle. The Motor Company also worked with Marvel Studios to recreate additional parts, such as an ammunition box and leather gun scabbard, to ensure the motorcycles looked as authentic as possible.

In real life during World War II, Harley-Davidson produced and dispatched almost 70,000 WLA motorcycles overseas to support the war effort. The motorcycle was affectionately known as the “Liberator” by U.S. Service Men and Women.

Bids will be taken on the motorcycle from July 28 through August 4, 2011 on eBay with all the proceeds of auction to benefit Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charitable Service Trust to fund the Harley’s Heroes program. DAV is a non-profit organization that represents the nation’s disabled veterans that provides assistance to veterans in a number of ways.

Harley-Davidson is a major supporter of the DAV since 2006 when The Harley-Davidson Foundation gave a $1 million grant to the organization. A second $1 million grant from The Foundation DAV received in 2010. The grants helped fund the creation of the Harley’s Heroes program, which brings benefits, education and counseling to veterans in communities all across the U.S. through the DAV Mobile Service Offices.

Since 2007, Harley’s Heroes has visited thousands of sites across the United States to secure the benefits veterans obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense and other government agencies.

For those not lucky enough to win the autographed motorcycle, the ones used in the movie itself can still be seen up close and in person. Two of the motorcycles will become part of the Harley-Davidson Museum’s permanent collection.

Also, Harley-Davidson Motor Company has created the “H-D Free the World” promotion, which features two grand prizes. One lucky U.S. military member, as well as a non-military member, will each win the opportunity to work with Marvel and the Motor Company to customize their own one-of-a-kind new Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom motorcycle in Harley-Davidson’s hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Each of the grand prize winners of the “H-D Free the World” promotion will travel to Milwaukee to create the Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom of their dreams at one of the Motor Company’s production facilities. The promotion also features unique “first prizes” for one U.S. military member, as well as non-military member to attend a Harley-Davidson Academy of Motorcycling Riders Edge class to learn how to ride alongside a friend.

Additionally, Captain America fans can visit their local Harley-Davidson dealers to secure an exclusive poster featuring Captain America on his 1942 Harley-Davidson “Liberator,” while supplies last.

“Captain America and Harley-Davidson are both great symbols of freedom, but we can never forget the brave men and women who have made extraordinary sacrifices to protect our way of life,” said Dino Bernacchi, Harley-Davidson’s director of Marketing Communications. “We’re excited about the potential of this unique auction to strengthen our relationship with the Disabled American Veterans and the work they do.”


source: www.clutchandchrome.com

The Impact of Harley Davidson Motorcycles

The Harley Davidson motorcycle was and always will be an American icon. Although other American motorcycle companies have flourished, none has had the staying power of Harley. Over a hundred years after its inception, the Harley Davidson motorcycle company is stronger and better received by the American public than ever before. Its line of motorcycles is diverse enough that it appeals to both men and women and priced for those on a wide range of budgets. The bikes themselves are only the start. The clothing, accessories, and memorabilia are an extension of the motorcycle and the entire concept of the Harley lifestyle reaches outward to interest just about anyone with a fascination of two-wheeled transportation.

Harley Davidson began its illustrious history in Milwaukee, Wisconsin back in 1903. The pioneers were Bill Harley and Arthur Walter Davidson and the entire operation was located inside of a wooden barn built by Mr. Davidson’s father. They would remain in the barn manufacturing their motorcycles until 1912 when they would relocate into a multi-level building, reportedly six stories high. The Harley Davidson motorcycle company was started with the design of a one cylinder engine which developed specifically for racing and grew from there. In 1905 they had produced eleven motorcycles and by 1908 the number had grown to one hundred fifty four. By 1912 they had begun to export their motorcycles with the first motorized bike being sold overseas in Japan. The quest for world peace also fueled the sales of Harley motorcycles in the coming years. Harley was the largest supplier of motorcycles for the United States military. Their patriotism and reliable motorcycles helped the war effort and added to the company’s ever-growing group of enthusiasts. Two wheeled transportation was proving to be a viable means of moving about versus traveling by automobile. Over the next few decades, the company continued its growth and presence on the roads of the United States and around the world. Motorcycling, however, was about to get something it never had before… a bad reputation.

During the fifties, Americans viewed the release of movies depicting motorcyclists as less than honorable citizens. The term biker gang was introduced to the world and there was no going back from here. Rebellious bikers had come to be associated with Harley Davidson motorcycles thanks to a bit of Hollywood make-believe and the imaginations of the movie goers. The success of these biker flicks fueled even more bad-boy biker films especially during the sixties and seventies. Movie goers would have a better chance of finding a needle in a haystack than finding movies with honorable and honest bikers. The whole concept of the Harley motorcycle would never be the same from this point forward. The attitude, the attire, the tattoos, and the owner loyalty would go well beyond that of any other brand of motorcycle. To this day, regardless of innovations in imported motorcycles, Harley remains as good motorcycle as any in the world. Harley owners rarely defect to different brands. The motorcycle’s simplicity and timeless design help promote the brand loyalty. To many owners, very simply the concept of riding a symbol of American ingenuity through the city streets or country roads of America is enough. Harley sounds like no other bike, looks like no other bike, and feels like no other bike. Most Harley owners would agree that it’s the only motorcycle for them. Biker rallies and get-togethers draw more and more motorcycle enthusiasts every year. Whether you consider the motorcycle a means of transportation, or a means of relaxation, depends on your overall opinion of two-wheeled travel. Harley Davidson, however, is guaranteed to remain at the forefront of the industry for decades to come based purely on owner loyalty and genuine love for the ultimate American motorcycle.

NY Motorcyclist crashes & dies from head injuries at anti-helmet protest

In the state of New York, all motorcyclists are required to wear helmets, by law. But many riders oppose the mandatory helmet law, including a group that participated on a protest near Syracuse this past weekend.

The protest ride, which was organized by the ABATE (American Bikers Aimed for Education), unfortunately ended with a tragedy: ironically, one participant riding his 1983 Harley Davidson bare-headed crashed on Saturday on Route 11 in Onondaga, New York.

The unlucky fellow in question, 55-year-old Phillip A. Contos, hit his brakes and the motorcycle fishtailed, losing control of the bike. As a result, he flipped over the bike's handlebars and hit his head on the pavement.

Contos, who was still alive when intervention crews arrived at the scene, was taken to the Upstate University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He reportedly died from head injuries, as he was not wearing a helmet. However, evidence at the scene and information from the attending physician indicate Contos would have survived if he had been wearing a Department of Transportation approved helmet, the troopers said.

"The medical expert we discussed the case with who pronounced him deceased stated that he would've no doubt survived the accident had he been wearing a helmet," said Trooper Jack Keller to NewsChannel 9.

It looks like there were no other incidents reported during the protest ride. In fact, most members put their helmets back on as they left the scene.

ABATE told the aforementioned source that despite this incident, they still believe in freedom of choice and bikers know the risk when they ride without a helmet...


source: autoevolution.com