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!

Have To Have One
Ricky Mitchell was at a friend’s house when he walked out to the garage to see the new toy his friend just bought. It was a ’99 Softail Custom with flashy paint and a load of chrome. Ricky sat on the bike and knew he had to have one. The timing was not right for him to buy a new bike, so he had to wait. However, just over a year later Ricky heard that the ’06 Softail Standard comes with a 200mm rear tire, so all he wanted to do was swap the sheetmetal out with a Heartland kit. In the end he got just what he wanted.

Manufacturers Made Me Do It
Darcy Guidry had been reading every motorcycle magazine he could get his hands on, pulling pictures of all the cool parts he would put on a bike if and when he was ready. One lucky day in January ’07, Darcy picked up a stock ’01 Deuce that was such a good deal it was almost free. All the money he saved went into customizing it the way he’d seen in the magazine. He started with a 240 Phattail kit and a set of wheels, then 5-degree triple trees and an open belt drive. When it came to the paint it was a toss-up to go with flames or tribal, so this is what he got. Not bad.