Yesterday at the clubhouse Ed’s name-tag was put on ‘the Memory-lane’ at our clubhouse where he was joined with our other lost brothers. For my best friend Beer that day was extra emotional. It was his younger brother, who died earlier this year, which was now placed by Beer on our ‘Memory-Lane’.
I know Beer practically all my life and Ed since he was born, and to see him placing his brothers name-tag on the lane is big blow. And there we stood, the both of us, thinking about our younger brothers who were club-brothers as well. My younger brother Blut, who died in 1988 on top of the lane and Beer’s younger brother Ed, who died this year, on the bottom of the lane.
And let me tell you, it’s hard to describe, we both felt the same loss and it didn’t feel okay…
Hell, that’s what life is all about and don’t take it for granted!!!
Today, the 13th of October we, at the Rogues clubhouse Opmeer, organise a remembrance day for all our lost brothers. Also today Ed’s name-tag will be placed on ‘the Memory-lane’ at our clubhouse where he will be joined with our other lost brothers who has departed us over these last four decades.
Our thoughts will this day go out to Ed in particular and of course also to Blut, Schweik, Manny, Big Jos and Haagse Fred. But not only them, this day we will commemorate all our lost friends and family.
An article in Easyriders magazine number 40, from October 1976 by Shotgun showed different styles of choppers. More then forty years later these drawings still stand. The bikes you see nowadays looks a lot like the illustrations below made by Dennis McKay 43 years back.
Here’s one artist’s idea of the different style of chops, and in some ways a history of the chopper style of building bikes. But how the hell can anyone possibly lay down the entire trip behind buildin’ scooters? We’ve been through so many changes for so many varied reasons that it would be almost impossible to document where we’ve been or where we’re going.
Years ago, or in the beginning—whatever—bikers didn’t do anything except remove surplus crap from their scoots. Later they tore off the hinged section of the Fatbob fender and put a solo seat and pillion pad on in place of the large seat. Then came risers that raised the stock bars and next came the higher bars, etc. From that point on it evolved into an endless series of innovations, slowing only long enough for a new idea to emerge.
Take, for instance, a rider who may have been riding for about ten years. If he had flicks of every bike he had ever owned or built, they’d be a history in themselves. I know many of us started out with Fatbobs, tore them off, then years later, and a lot less gas (that costs a lot more), we’re right back to fat tanks.
Some areas of the country have evolved in different ways than others. Some have been
race, hot-shoe builders from the gate. Other areas have been into flash and doodads since
the first extended front end. But no matter what the characteristic that sticks with an area, the racers continue to build badder bikes, and glitter freaks get flashier.
So actually who gives a shit how we’ve progressed or who gets the credit for the ideas and innovations as longas we can continue to progress, do our thing, and, of course, ride ‘em. But for the sake of trippin’, here are one artist’s ideas of styles of scoots from different areas and different eras.
Almost 40 years back on the 6th of December 1979 in the States they held their 96th Congress. In the House of Representatives, they were campaigning for a Anti-Outlaw Concurrent resolution.
If you read this it make you wonder… Even forty years later. The word ‘Outlaw’ is the key ingredient.
Anyway, Easyriders magazine number 82, from April 1980 printed this resolution on two pages to make it clear what was going on those days.
Forty years back I didn’t care much about these articles from the other side of the ocean. But now, while I’m reading these old magazines once more, I noticed that my interest has ‘somewhat’ changed over the years. Then I didn’t read this at all and now while reading it I thought: “hmmmm….”
Our chapter in Almere celebrated their 13th anniversary last weekend and therefor they were rather busy. Anyway, also for them it’s time to break the week again and thus time to relax a bit. I totally dig that.
So here’s a small puzzle again to spot the ‘R’ for those who have nothing else to do then staring at these knockers…
after a two-year trial, Molly’s Hatchet is almost ready, the Sportster Ironhead (1982) has been completely overhauled. together with Beer, from BB-Design, they created a sleek machine.
