Exile Cycles 10th Anniversary Open HouseNot only has Exile Cycles reached the 10-year mark, but it has also just acquired a new 20,000-square-foot facility in Southern California. Russell Mitchell and his crew cordially invite you to help them celebrate on Saturday, April 22, 2006, at their new address, 13209 Saticoy St., North Hollywood, CA 91605. Kickoff is at noon, and you’ll be kicked out at 6 p.m. Russell promises “Bikes, Beer, and Birds,” but he hints that music, food, and cars will also feature prominently in the celebration. The Exile boys count among their friends nearly all the custom-bike scene’s heavy hitters, so there’s no telling who might show up.

Russell tells us that the new premises will allow Exile Cycles to enter its next decade with an even greater level of professionalism. He commented, “We were so cramped in our old place that it was impossible to be efficient. We are now focusing firmly on customer service with high stocking rates and rapid order fulfillment for both parts and bike orders.” Expect a steady stream of tough choppers and super-clean parts to boot.

The impressive new digs, combined with the new website and catalog, certainly put Exile in a great position to storm its second decade. Be sure to help Russell and the gang celebrate the occasion!

Open house: Saturday, April 22, 2006, 12-6 p.m.

Harley-Davidson Marks 25 Years of MDA SupportHarley-Davidson’s 25th year of fundraising for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) topped $4.6 million dollars, the company announced during the September 4-5 Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon. The contribution brings the total fundraising for Harley-Davidson’s 25 years of involvement with the MDA to $55 million.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company President and Chief Operating Officer Jim McCaslin presented the $4.6 million on behalf of the thousands who raised the funds. “Harley-Davidson’s family of dealers, suppliers, riders, and employees was hard at work this year planning open houses, rides, and other special events to raise money for MDA,” said McCaslin during the Telethon broadcast. “Their hard work helps make life brighter for people with neuromuscular disease and helps make headway in finding a cure.”

Joining McCaslin in the presentation and representing the Harley-Davidson dealer network were Dennis from Schaeffer’s Harley-Davidson, Orwigsburg, PA; Rose Schoch and Jan Boyer from Schoch’s Harley-Davidson, Stroudsburg, PA; Jenny and David Alwin, South Central Wisconsin HOG Chapter and Kutter Harley-Davidson in Janesville, WI; Chris Smith; Motor City Harley-Davidson, Farmington Hills, MI; and Virgil, Debbie, and Rebecca Schulenberg, Sauk Prairie Harley-Davidson of Sauk Prairie, WI.

Buzz and Lori Warnke of Lansing, IL, also participated in the telethon as winners of the “Thrill of Giving” sweepstakes. The contest was an in-dealership promotion to celebrate Harley-Davidson’s 25 years of support for MDA.

Harley-Davidson’s fundraising activities for the Muscular Dystrophy Association took place over the 12-month period leading up to the telethon and included pledge rides, dealer fundraisers, motorcycle raffles, and pin sales.

Nine Who Changed Motorcycling Join the Motorcycle Hall of FameNine individuals who left their mark on motorcycling officially joined the Hall of Fame in a dinner ceremony that capped a weekend of events at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.

Some, such as Bill Johnson, changed the business, and others, such as Doug Henry, thrilled us with race wins and dramatic comebacks. Some, such as Jerry Branch, toiled quietly in a workshop yet earned the admiration of thousands. Some so clearly and flamboyantly loved their slice of motorcycling that they became famous-notably, Scott “Mr. Daytona” Russell and T.C. Christenson, the man who unleashed “Hogslayer.”

But when it came time to collect their medals as members of the Hall of Fame, they were all humble.

“As a young boy back in Memphis, I never dreamed anything like this would happen,” said Jerry Branch, who worked 61 years in the industry and added, “Every day was like Christmas.”

T.C. Christenson’s drag-racing exploits on dual-engine Nortons took him across the country and across Europe-not bad, he noted, for an ordinary guy working out of a shop in Kenosha, WI. But the motivation was simple.

“I simply got into it for the thrill of it all,” he said.

From a Hall of Famer to a first-time rider, that’s a sentiment any motorcyclist can understand.

The Class of 2005Ralph Berndt-Dominant Harley-Davidson tuner from 1957 to 1967. Won four consecutive No. 1 plates with Carroll Resweber.

Jerry Branch-Master tuner of Harley-Davidson motors for AMA Grand National Dirt Track racing and stock-based engines for the street. Owner of Branch Flowmetrics and noted author of many books on Harley-Davidson engine optimization.

Tom Cates-Sales rep for Honda motorcycles in the early ’60s. West Coast BSA Distribution Manager in mid-’60s, followed by BSA National Sales Manager and manager for K&N; Engineering. Flat-track racer in the ’50s.

Tom Christenson-Last successful campaigner of Norton drag bikes in the U.S. National record holder in the ’70s. Builder of the 1620cc “Hog Slayer,” the motorcycle that bridged drag racing’s early amateur days and today’s professional sport.

Doug Henry-AMA Motocross and Supercross Champion. 1993 125cc East Supercross. 1993 & 1994 125cc Motocross. 1998 250cc Motocross. 1998 AMA Athlete of the Year. Member of the United States 1998 Motocross des Nations team.

Bill Johnson-First U.S. importer and distributor of Triumph and Ariel motorcycles. Pioneered the establishment and growth of British motorcycle sales in the U.S.

Nick Nicholson-Competitor and sponsor of Catalina Grand Prix, desert races, trials competition, scrambles, flat-track, and road racing. Multi-winner of Catalina Grand Prix and 1954 winner of the 100-mile Daytona Beach race. One of the first Americans to compete in the British Scrambles. In 1959 Nicholson Motors Inc. became the American distributor of Greeves Motorcycles.

Scott Russell-AMA Superbike Champion 1992, AMA Superstock Champion 1990-’92. World Superbike Champion 1993. Superbike Rookie of the Year 1988. Athlete of the Year 1992. Won 1993 Suzuka Eight Hour. First five-time winner of the Daytona 200, earning him the nickname “Mr. Daytona.”

Gavin Trippe-Legendary promoter of virtually every type of racing, including Trans AMA series, U.S. Grand Prix Motocross, Superbikers, Trans Atlantic Match Races, Ascot 1/2-mile dirt track. Brought the 500cc U.S. Grand Prix of Motocross to America. Invented, promoted, and trademarked the “Superbikers,” the foundation for today’s “Super Motard” competition.