An Unwanted Ironhead Gets a Second Chance Words by Kurt Diserio — Photos by Alexa Diserio A person’s path into building motorcycles can typically be traced back to their creative roots. Some of the most impressive bike builds come from those who dove deep into a craft and then merged that passion with their interest in these two-wheeled troublemakers. In Raymond Karhut’s case, his love of painting and desire for learning new techniques were the perfect fit for jumping head-first into constructing a classic ironhead chopper. We spoke with him about his 1985 Harley-Davidson XLH, the process behind the build, and his path from a tattoo apprenticeship to custom chopper paint. This is your first feature in our publication, so let’s get into your history with bikes.Raymond Karhut: I first got into building Japanese bikes through a couple of friends and started meeting some chopper guys. We were building cafe racers out of Kawasaki Ninja 250s, some Suzuki Savage bobbers, and a couple of weird Honda Rebels. It was some really obscure shit. Who builds a custom 250? Eventually, I wanted to build a cool American-made chopper. It was a strange jump from the smaller metric engines. One of my biggest motivations was seeing Ed Jankoski’s Sportster chopper completed and how silly and fun it was. He had such a good time building that bike that it made me want to give a Sporty a go. How did you find this bike initially?RK: My buddy Mike living in San Diego knew that I was looking for a Sportster for sale. He put me in contact with Tyler Valentik who works at Steel City Harley-Davidson in Washington, Pennsylvania. Their dealership had a shitty trade-in that they were just trying to get rid of. It was garbage at the time, and I couldn’t even test-ride it since the chain was seized. I heard it run for about thirty seconds and still took it as a project build. When was that?RK: That was August 20, 2021. I remember because that was actually my old lady’s birthday, and I bought myself a project motorcycle. We got it complete and running on August 20, 2022. That was the first test ride, so a year to the day, we took it to a show. How did you go about the build?RK: I knew I wanted a hardtail lane splitter–something really narrow but still street-legal, rideable, and inspectable. That way, anybody could buy it and have it inspected if I ever wanted to sell it. The front end is 4-over with NOS tubes from Forking by Frank that came out of Norm’s Cycle Center. It was sitting in a box since 2009. The handlebars are Lowbrow Customs rabbit ears that we heated and bent in more because they weren’t quite narrow enough. The headlights are NOS Dixies, the tank is also from Lowbrow, and the seat and hardtail are TC Bros. We removed the foam on the seat and put in gel pads. Uptahn Metalworks did the frame cut and welding. I did the paintwork by myself over a 2-week span during last year’s holiday layoff and most of the motor work and wiring during that same time. You did a great job on the paintwork. What made you choose this theme?RK: I knew I wanted it to be a few shades of brown since that’s my favorite color. I also wanted to mix some gold and pink into that 1970s look. Somebody called it a hot turd at one point, so I thought of “Sexual Chocolate” as a theme and nickname. This is my third paint job on a bike. I was just messing around with an airbrush and tape and liked the look of classic paint styles. I figured out some of the ancient tricks with it and figured I could give it a shot. Future bike plans? RK: My old lady’s dad had a survivor chopper he parked in maybe 2001 or 2002. It’s a 1976 Bicentennial XLCH kickstart-only. I’ve been asking if I could buy it off him for years. After he saw this finished bike, he dropped it off at our house for free. We’re going to do that up for her. Anything else you’d like to say?RK: I had such a great time learning and tinkering on this build. I’ve always been into painting, maybe not always motorcycles, but it was a neat, fun project that I definitely want to do again sometime soon. Thanks to Big Ang and Ed Jankoski for helping with the bike build, along with Uptahn Metalworks for helping me with the welds. This was a group project that pulled on everybody. Also, thanks to everyone who has built and ridden a chopper for all of the cool ideas. Featured in Issue 12 1985 HARLEY-DAVIDSON XLH 1000 SPORTSTER Built by RAYMOND KARHUT instagram Words by KURT DISERIO Photos by ALEXA DISERIO

Return to the Bull Pen Words by Kurt Diserio — Photos by Alexa Diserio After the roller coaster of uncertainty we’ve been dealing with for a few years, anything that happened pre-pandemic now seems like the distant past. Things have changed quite drastically since our first annual Summer RideOut in 2018, but one thing remains certain–if the weather cooperates, you can always expect a good turnout at a motorcycle gathering. This year’s event on Sunday, July 10, was our first in over two years, carrying on the tradition of bringing together hundreds of motorcycles with live music, barbeque, and booze at the Bull Pen Rustic Inn. Located in the small town of Avella, Pennsylvania, the Bull Pen is just far enough from the city to give riders a choice of different routes through the beautiful Western PA countryside but still close enough to make it home before sundown. With both indoor and outdoor bars, entertainment from the band Black Dog Hollow, and enough parking to fit everyone that showed up, the location was super chill and even worked as a place to stop and relax for those who organized long Sunday rides throughout the tri-state region. The Summer RideOut has also served as a way for us to connect with enthusiasts and find interesting custom builds for our magazine features and Glory Daze motorcycle show. As always, we truly appreciate everyone who made it out this year and helped spread the word about the event. We plan to return again next year with a couple of fun additions. For those interested in joining or organizing a group ride to Avella for the day, stay tuned for the date announcement in early 2023. Featured in Issue 12 SUMMER RIDEOUT 2022 July 10, 2022 BULL PEN RUSTIC INN301 County Park RoadAvella, PA 15312 Words by KURT DISERIO Photos by ALEXA DISERIO

Strap in, it's Race Day Words by Kurt Diserio — Photos by Alexa Diserio Those who love vintage cars, motorcycles, and street racing look forward to July in the Steel City. It’s tough to describe an event like the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix to someone who hasn’t yet experienced it, but every year, an overwhelming number of cars, both classic and new, swarm the city for the nation’s largest vintage street race. Spanning ten days, the event includes parties, parades, car shows, and a motorsports race through the streets of Schenley Park. Of course, the part of the event we’re most interested in happens to be the Motorbikes section. We talked with Sergio Kyriakis of Ton Up Pittsburgh about what role their group plays and the history of the event. How would you describe the PVGP event (as a whole) to someone who hasn’t attended before?Sergio Kyriakis: The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix (PVGP) is a long-running motorsports event here in the city of Pittsburgh that spans ten days and two race weekends. In fact, this past year was the event’s 40th anniversary. It’s a great family event and when the weather cooperates, it is an automotive showcase miracle. The entire show supports the Pittsburgh Autism Society and The Allegheny Valley School. It is not only for a great cause but a significant one at that. The show brings great vintage race cars and show cars as well as custom restorations out en masse. It’s the oldest vintage race car show where participants can actually race, making it an event to behold! Can you give a background on the history of the Vintage Motorbike Show at the PVGP and how it’s evolved throughout the years?SK: There was a gentleman by the name of Tip Paul that would bring out a number of vintage Moto Guzzis. He started the motorcycle portion of the Vintage Grand Prix. Our Club, Ton Up Pittsburgh, supported Tip, and when he made the decision to step aside from heading up the motorcycle part of the Grand Prix in 2016, we decided to step in. Patrick Martin, one of our club members, decided to take the pole position in organizing the Motorbikes at the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. Patrick works tirelessly to round up interesting vintage bikes and builds to ensure those who come really have a unique motorcycle experience. I’d also like to acknowledge the addition and leadership of Ton Up Pittsburgh’s Tom Furey. While Patrick stepped up to take pole, it’s been even better with Tom’s ability to rally the troops on show day and keep things organized. What type of bikes do you typically see at the event? Did you have any favorites or notable mentions?SK: We started supporting the event in a big way in 2016. We typically seek vintage clubs to come out and bring exciting originals or restored vintage machines like the Ohio Valley BSA Club. The president of that club is Bud Kubena. Bud has supported the event multiple times, making sure we have a large and exciting contingent of BSAs that wow enthusiasts. This year, we had special guest Tom Baker bring out several vintage race Harleys. We try and locate clubs that have unique bikes, preferably vintage machines. This is really challenging. What role does Ton Up Pittsburgh and Steel City Mods vs. Rockers play in the event?SK: Ton Up Pittsburgh hosts both the Steel City Mods vs Rockers and Motorbikes at the Vintage Grand Prix annually. We try to tie both events into one another so that they both feed off of each other and give vintage motorcycle enthusiasts in the Pittsburgh area two really cool places to bring their rides. Our members are instrumental in making both events happen and making them what they are today. How did the weekend go from your perspective?SK: This was our fifth year hosting the event, so we kind of have it down to a science at this point. From greeting the people as they enter, collecting their donations, and directing them where to park or where to find Peppi’s subs and beverages, everything worked out very well. We see a lot of the same folks year to year, however, each year brings with it exciting new riders and their bikes. Saturday is our busy day and Sunday is a bit more laid back. Every year, our goal is to keep the event interesting while helping to raise money for the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Charities. With that in mind, we succeeded on all levels this year. Ton Up Pittsburgh donates Peppi’s Subs, Beers, and Soft Drinks so that all of the donations from the participants go directly to the charities. What are some ways our readers could get more involved or join the event next year?SK: The best way for readers to get involved in this event is to follow the Motorbikes at the PVGP Facebook community (link below). We post links so followers know the details, dates, and times for upcoming events. During 2020, when live events were put on hold, we held a few charity rides benefitting the PVGP Charities. We also hold a few of our own rides that lead up to the event. Once again, just keep an eye on our Facebook page for more info. Featured in Issue 12 VINTAGE MOTORBIKE SHOWat the PITTSBURGH VINTAGE GRAND PRIX 2022 July 22-23, 2022 SCHENLEY PARKPITTSBURGH, PA 15217 www.pvgp.org facebook Words by KURT DISERIO Photos by ALEXA DISERIO

Transforming a Bonneville Words by Kurt Diserio — Photos by Alexa Diserio A motorcycle is oftentimes a representation of its builder. While it might look simple from one perspective, this 1968 Triumph Bonneville has a uniqueness far beyond its straightforward appearance. Originally a barn find, the bike began its transformation with the goal of becoming a salt flat racer until the pandemic altered those plans and shifted the direction to what you see here. The builder, Jessika Janene, also went through quite a change during this time period, beginning a transgender journey that would completely reshape her life in many ways. This experience had its share of twists and turns, but her love for custom bikes remained. Jessika was kind enough to share the story behind this recent Triumph build, the transition, and her ongoing passion for vintage motorcycles. What is the history behind this bike?Jessika Janene: This Triumph was won on an eBay auction. The seller said it was stored in an Ohio barn since the 1970s but was originally from Indiana. It still has the original registration and inspection stickers on the frame’s downtube. I was looking for a pre-oil-in-frame bike with a unit engine, and 1968 was a good year for the Triumph Bonneville. Did you have a direction for the build or was it something that progressed over time?JJ: My plan was to buy a low-cost 1960s 650cc Triumph and create a race bike to run at the Bonneville Salt Flats in northwestern Utah in 2020, totally self-supported, with only the help of my partner, Adrienne. I was set on participating in the AMA’s Run Whatcha Brung amateur event. This was also an all-motorcycle event, which is cool. The trials are AMA-recorded and regulated. I wasn’t interested in clocking an official record like other sanctioned events, I just wanted to accomplish the goal of making a solid run on a bike that I built–an old bike at that. Then the pandemic hit, and my plans were altered in myriad ways. What was it about this particular model or style that stood out to you?JJ: The race history of the Triumph bikes was the draw for me. The salt flat racers I love are the spindly framed old bikes, mostly Triumphs or English in origin. I liked the pure mechanical old-school engineered DIY mentality. I don’t build pristine, showy bikes that are not meant to be ridden. This was my first build designed for a specific task–just racing on the salt. Could you run through the work involved starting with the frame?JJ: The frame was modified with a hardtail section from Lowbrow Customs. I wanted a simple, light, strong, and easy solution for a stretched-frame bike, and this provided almost four inches of length. I never intended to go with the bobber seat, headlight, or brake light–they were added after COVID scrapped my plans. I figured that I’d ride it on the streets, so I needed to keep it legal. My race seat would have been a handmade, low-profile “pad” that mounted to the rigid rear frame and mudguard. This bike has the original proportional forks on purpose, which I rebuilt with all new internals and roller bearing headset. They were the right weight and had more than enough performance for these needs. The twin leading shoe front brake is a classic and has amazing stopping power. Plus, it looks crazy old-school. The paint on the front cradle frame is original, as far as I can tell. I touched it up a little bit but wanted to keep the OG paint and the vintage Indiana inspection stickers from the 1970s. All parts except the cradle and triple tree are raw steel or aluminum, oiled to keep the rust away. How about the engine and performance?JJ: The engine is a .05 overbore with high-compression pistons, ported and flowed head with proper race springs, Black Diamond valves, new seats, and bronze guides. The cams are stock with a special re-grind that focused on duration. DiStefano Speed did that specialty work. I installed all new bearings and seals everywhere on the entire engine, even new main bearings on the reground crankshaft expertly sorted at Pittsburgh Crankshaft. I wanted to avoid a battery, like most race bikes, and my hatred of points ignition and crappy coils sent me on a quest for a magneto. I found the proper one at Electrex. It has a small single-phase alternator that puts out almost 50w and a tiny regulator/rectifier converts it to DC for use on the LED lighting with wattage to spare. I installed new Amal MK1 Premier carbs with open velocity stacks–vying for the classic Brit-looking power plant. To finish it off, I used British Standard raw steel upswept exhaust pipes, a peanut fuel tank, and a canister oil tank. Finishing this lovely Triumph build was only part of your pandemic experience. You also went through a gender transformation. Could you elaborate on this life-changing transition?JJ: I started my transition in November of 2020 amid the chaos of the early pandemic and my work-from-home hamster wheel lifestyle. This revelation hit me like a sucker punch. My egg cracked, a term used in the transgender community to define the moment of revelation. I wasn’t a person who knew all of my life that I was living as the wrong gender. I was not hiding it from others or repressing it due to societal or religious pressures, but once it was revealed to me, I swore to myself that I would not live in the shadows. My life will be the same, if not better. When I told my closest colleague and friend I was in transition, he said, “Wait, you are the most “guy” guy I know. Are you kidding me?” I have become the woman I was meant to be and still remain a passionate motorcyclist and gearhead. Being transgender and living my truth makes all of the other parts of my life more special. Knowing who I am let me stand even more firmly on the foundation of what I believe, love, and enjoy. What does it mean to you to be a trans woman in the motorcycle industry?JJ: As a trans woman in motorcycle culture, I want to be visible and contribute to bringing all transgender people up. Sometimes it’s a one-on-one conversation, a magazine interview, or a public speaking event. I don’t need to wear it on my sleeve, I just live it. To me, that’s the most powerful way to be in a culture that is mostly cis men. I’m just me, I’m a woman. To close this out, is there anything else you’d like to add about your journey?JJ: I transitioned because there is no other option for me—living my truth is not negotiable. The proverbial Genie cannot be put back in the bottle. I am, and perhaps always was, a woman. When I was young society taught me to suppress anything feminine, we didn’t have options in my small world during the early 70s. Transgender was not on the radar, and a transition was unthinkable! I wasn’t born in the wrong body, this is my body, and I have affirmed it. In moto-terms, I guess you’d call me a Restomod. Featured in Issue 12 1968 TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE T120 Built by JESSIKA JANENE instagram Words by KURT DISERIO Photos by ALEXA DISERIO

Time to Boogie Words by Kurt Diserio — Photos by Alexa Diserio There’s something to be said about the power of a moment. It has always fascinated me how certain events could essentially become checkpoints throughout life, impacting the psyche so intensely that they shift a person’s perspective or spark an interest in a new creative craft. The good vibes that radiate throughout Glory Daze are an example of this force and a representation of the motorcycle community as a whole. It’s rare to find such an odd mix of contrasting personalities all together in one place. The combination of a magical venue, loads of art, and a shared passion for two wheels creates a moment where people can be as free and authentically weird as they want, all while absorbing a sea of inspiration. For those unfamiliar, Glory Daze is a vintage and custom motorcycle show held every September in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the historic Carrie Blast Furnaces. This national landmark is an extremely rare example of pre-World War II iron-making technology that towers 92 feet over the Monongahela River and provides a very unique and soulful atmosphere. Thanks to Rivers of Steel for their work in preserving this incredible site. Glory Daze has a funky psychedelic theme with the layout split up into a handful of different areas. The invitational bike show takes place inside the powerhouse building, where motorcycles from builders both local and throughout the continent are displayed in a curated gallery style alongside show sponsors and vendors. The outdoor courtyard is a bike-only hangout area with food and beer vendors. The show also has an outdoor vending and swap section that is adjacent to the main parking lot. This year we were treated to a wide variety of different style builds. While the curated show ultimately leans towards a chopper majority, there were quite a lot of groovy cafe racers, restorations, flat trackers, and even a Japanese Bosozuko build from Philadelphia. The dedication these builders put into their machines is easy to notice once your eyes start to wander from detail to detail. You have to admire them for continually pushing boundaries and honing their craft in a world of constant distractions. Once again, Alexa and I want to give big thanks to presenting partners Bell Helmets and Iron City Beer for continuing their support of our grassroots event. When I was first getting ideas together for this project back in 2018, Bell was the first sponsor to jump on board, green-lighting my drive to actually make it happen. Similar to last year, acclaimed artist Skratch was painting lids at the Bell Helmets booth inside the show. In addition, Iron City Beer was slinging three-dollar cold “Ahrns” and free stickers throughout the day in both the courtyard and outdoor vending areas. The Trippy Ten helmet art exhibit returned with ten new artists from the automotive and motorsports industries selected to paint either a Bell Bullitt or Eliminator helmet in a style of their choice. The artists really stepped it up this year with some fresh ideas that ranged from a twist on traditional work to very complex, detailed pieces. Special thanks to our team of workers for making the day flow so smoothly and for the vital support from show sponsors Old Bike Barn, Uptahn Metalworks, Lowbrow Customs, American Muscle Docks & Fabrication, Youngstown Cycle & Speed, and ChopCult. The custom motorcycle industry thrives because of great companies like these, so please show them some love when possible. Next year’s Glory Daze motorcycle show is scheduled for Saturday, September 23, 2023. Our team will have some new additions to the event, so stay tuned for more. We encourage everyone to carry the good energy from this year into the next round. See you all again soon! Peace + Love. - Kurt Diserio, event organizer 1980 Harley-Davidson shovelhead chopper by Ed Jankoski The historic Carrie Blast Furnaces Harley Sportster off-road racer by Tyler Valentik 1975 Harley ironhead chopper by Charlie Garrison 1978 Yamadog XS650 "Boogie Shoogie" by Hayley 1955 Harley 100” stroker pan-shovel by Peter Stovicek Skratch returned to the Bell Helmets booth 1995 Kawasaki KX500 cafe racer by Krossover Customs Harley-Davidson Sportster chopper by Mikey Revolt Local fabrication shop and event sponsor Uptahn Metalworks Honda CB750 chopper by Clay Krick Presenting Partner Iron City Beer was slinging cold beers all day 1965 Harley-Davidson panhead “Cash” by Joe Marshall Custom chopper by Johnny Humphrey 1985 Harley ironhead "Sexual Chocolate" by Raymond Karhut Trippy Ten Helmet Art Show - Jennie Coulson Trippy Ten Helmet Art Show - Franny Drummond / Paint Zoo Trippy Ten Helmet Art Show - KC Elkins / Krossover Customs Trippy Ten Helmet Art Show - Mikey Favacchia Trippy Ten Helmet Art Show - Steve Gibson / Air Oil and Lead Trippy Ten Helmet Art Show - Barry Hooper / Depth of Image Trippy Ten Helmet Art Show - Jasmin Jaye / Skulltits Paint Trippy Ten Helmet Art Show - Skratch / Skratch's Garage Trippy Ten Helmet Art Show - Taylor Schultz / Schultz Designz Trippy Ten Helmet Art Show - Peter Stovicek / Quikcolor Cycle 1929 KJ Henderson Streamline EV conversion by "Detroit" Randy 1978 Yamaha XS650 Schwinn Stingray mashup by Sean Skinner View from the bike-only courtyard Black Forge Coffee was on site brewing the good stuff Limited-edition Glory Daze Big Twin roast from Black Forge Coffee Rivers of Steel had tours of the site throughout the day Big thanks to our merch team Anita, Samantha, and Jamie 120" John Harman shovelhead by Matt Mihm / ABP Performance 1980 Harley-Davidson shovelhead chopper by Dan Swiderski "Trim Reaper" panhead chopper by J Ryan Anderson of Gusher Cycles "Trim Reaper" panhead chopper by J Ryan Anderson of Gusher Cycles The Gnarly Magazine "Bitchin Lid" award went to Jasmin Jaye @skulltits Harley-Davidson shovelhead chopper by Mike Mormon 1936 Harley-Davidson VL EVO performance chopper by Matt Pontano 1981 Yamaha XS650 by Chet Aden 1975 Harley-Davidson shovelhead by Cole Glavan Harley-Davidson Sportster chopper by Jordan Kubik Custom Evo chopper from Roll-On Cycle 1972 Harley-Davidson FLH by Jesse Srpan 1958 Triumph Cub "Aunt Tiny" by Emmi Cupp Featured in Issue 12 GLORY DAZE MOTORCYCLE SHOW Saturday, September 24, 2022 Presented by PITTSBURGH MOTO IRON CITY BEER BELL HELMETS Sponsored by OLD BIKE BARN UPTAHN METALWORKS LOWBROW CUSTOMS AMERICAN MUSCLE DOCKS & FABRICATION YOUNGSTOWN CYCLE & SPEED CHOP CULT website  |  facebook  |  instagram Words by KURT DISERIO Photos by ALEXA DISERIO

Helmet Art Show Words by Kurt Diserio — Photos by Alexa Diserio The annual Trippy Ten is a psychedelic-themed helmet art exhibit I created to show appreciation for painters working in the motorsports industry. Every year, event partner Bell Helmets provides a lid to ten selected artists to paint however they choose. The finished helmets are then displayed at the Glory Daze Motorcycle Show in Pittsburgh, PA, before being returned to each painter after the event. This year, the artists were able to choose between the Bell Bullitt and Eliminator models. Have a look through the finished helmets from our 2022 show below. ARTIST: JENNIE COULSON COMPANY: GIVE IT HELL LOCATION: WATERDOWN, ON HELMET: BELL BULLITT WEBSITE: GIVEITHELL.CO ARTIST: KC ELKINS COMPANY: KROSSOVER CUSTOMS LOCATION: LANCASTER, KY HELMET: BELL ELIMINATOR WEBSITE: INSTAGRAM.COM/KROSSOVER_CUSTOMS ARTIST: JASMIN JAYE COMPANY: SKULLTITS PAINT LOCATION: SEATTLE, WA HELMET: BELL BULLITT WEBSITE: INSTAGRAM.COM/SKULLTITS ARTIST: FRANNY DRUMMOND COMPANY: PAINT ZOO STUDIOS LOCATION: LANGHORNE, PA HELMET: BELL ELIMINATOR WEBSITE: PAINTZOOSTUDIOS.COM ARTIST: MIKEY FAVACCHIA LOCATION: WILLIAMSTOWN, NJ HELMET: BELL BULLITT WEBSITE: INSTAGRAM.COM/MIKEYMACHINEPAINTS ARTIST: SKRATCH COMPANY: SKRATCH'S GARAGE LOCATION: HALTOM CITY, TX HELMET: BELL BULLITT WEBSITE: SKRATCHSGARAGE.COM ARTIST: BARRY HOOPER COMPANY: DEPTH OF IMAGE LOCATION: MANCHESTER, NH HELMET: BELL ELIMINATOR WEBSITE: DEPTHOFIMAGE.BIGCARTEL.COM ARTIST: STEVE GIBSON COMPANY: AIR OIL AND LEAD LOCATION: GALLOWAY, NJ HELMET: BELL BULLITT WEBSITE: AIROILANDLEAD.BIGCARTEL.COM ARTIST: TAYLOR SCHULTZ COMPANY: SCHULTZ DESIGNZ LOCATION: SANTA ROSE, CA HELMET: BELL ELIMINATOR WEBSITE: SCHULTZDESIGNZ.COM ARTIST: PETER STOVICEK COMPANY: QUIKCOLOR CYCLE FINISH LOCATION: CLEVELAND, OH HELMET: BELL ELIMINATOR WEBSITE: INSTAGRAM.COM/QUIKCOLOR Featured in Gnarly Magazine TRIPPY TEN ART SHOW SEPTEMBER 24, 2022 Presented by BELL HELMETS www.trippyten.com facebook  |  instagram Words by KURT DISERIO Photos by ALEXA DISERIO