Fuel Saving Tips

As one of the Host’s of the Biker Lowdown Radio Show and a Freelance writer on the Biker Lifestyle, I have covered many great events and gotten to meet some very cool people . Sorez the Scribe is a Biker poet who I would have to say has written some of the greatest poems about about being a Biker I have ever read. Sorez really captures the essence of the Biker world in his words.

Not Long after an interview I did with Sorez, I received an e-mail from him. In the email was a poem Sorez had written about me. I have to say I was more then Honored that one of if not the worlds greatest Biker Poet had been inspired enough to write a poem about me!

I want to share that poem with you now !

LJ James ~By Sorez The Scribe

A righteous Brother of the wind, Proud of his Patch and where he’s been, Stands tall and proud amongst his Bro’s, He’s there and ready whenever called, LJ’s wise beyond his years, His call for peace don’t make him weak, He sees the future and what could be Without Brotherhood and Unity, His glass is half empty also half full, His dear ol’ Pappy taught him well, Concerned about what the future holds For the lifestyle we live for one and for all

if you like this poem and would like to read more Biker Poetry by Sorez you need to check out the book “Living The Life”

The Book is a joint effort between Sorez and his good Friend Q-Ball ! Q-Ball is a Photographer of the Motorcycle world and He has been taking picture’s of the real behind the scene’s Biker world for close to 40 years. When you look at the pictures in “Living the Life” they really take you back to a time in the Motorcycle World when both bikers and the Motorcycles they rode just seemed to have had so much more character.

When you take the Photos and the Poetry and put them together like they have here in “Living the Life” you have a book that will be on the Coffee table of every True Biker for many years to come!

Living The Life is not just another Biker Picture book with a few words thrown in, This book is a true work of art from two of the Biker Worlds best, I recommended “Living The Life” to everyone! Get your copy now at vtwinbiker.com

Long May We Ride Your Bro LJ James AmericanBikerX.com

LJ is a Brother of the Mortal Skulls Motorcycle Club LJ is also a Freelance Author on the Biker world and a fan of Biker Poetry

Anyone who has been reading any of what I have been writing over the past few years, Knows I fight for Bikers Rights , Safety and Unity. In the past few months my big concern has been the new Biker Movies and TV shows coming out like “Hell Ride” and “Sons of Anarchy” I knew these shows would have people wanting to join Motorcycle Clubs for all the wrong reasons! One thing I know will happen is many people will go out put patches on there backs and think they are now a Motorcycle Club and start acting the way they saw the Clubs in the Movies act. As I have stated in other articles, most Clubs for many years have been working for the betterment and unity of the Motorcycle Club world.Most MC’s want to put the Hollywood Biker Gang image way behind them. They want to focus on the Brotherhood that is the heart of all Motorcycle Clubs.

Most Clubs make good money selling their Support Shirts and gear. Over the past few years I have seen many large chain department stores selling T-shirts that are Dangerously Close to the Colors/Patches of Some of the worlds Major Clubs. It does not take much for one to assume these Stores know what they are doing and they just do not care about the people who buy these shirts or any of us in the biker world, All they care about is the cash flow! When Motorcycle Clubs contact these stores about copyright infringement the response from most if not all of these companies to the clubs is one of you don’t count or matter! When I see a person who knows nothing about the biker world wearing one of these shirts I understand that person just does not know better, But when I see a person who is a biker wearing one of these shirts I let him know “He is selling us all out ” There are too many who use the excuse they are only weekend warriors! I understand cash runs the world so these companies are going to try to skate the line by changing these shirts just enough so they can’t be sued under copyright laws and all the wannabe bikers will buy these shirts and wear them! In my opinion it is a total slap in the face to every biker out there!

Well as if those shirts where not bad enough I was recently informed of a jean company who has come out with T-shirts that are Motorcycle Club Member T-shirts of Fictional Motorcycle Clubs ! Go to the websites emoda.com/item.asp?prodid=129470 and emoda.com/item.asp?prodid=129464 to see these shirts. Anyone from the new rider to the old time Club Member who saw a person wearing one of these shirts could easily think that person is a member of a real Motorcycle Club . These Shirts are made by some rich corporation who probably does not care what they are doing ! The shirts go for around $52-$65 ! For $20 you can go out and buy a real Motorcycle Clubs Support shirt and Support the Biker World. The final insult to all in the Biker world is on the left sleeve there is a Diamond, this leads me to believe that the Manufacturers of these shirts knows at least a little bit about what they are doing. From the pictures I can not see if it says 1% inside the Diamond, But even if it does not it can be mistaken for one. The 1% Diamond is supposed to mean you are part of an elite Motorcycle Club the best of the best, and if you are wearing the shirt of a fictional Motorcycle Club that you paid $60 for, Well then you do not even rank as high as a wannabe Biker in my Book!

Motorcycle Clubs do not all always get along, But we all have always taken great pride in what we are and what we stand for! We true Bikers are the ones who know what “Freedom” really is! We are the ones who feel it for the rest of the world every time one of our rights are taken away. The mass population walks around blindly not caring about the things they are no longer aloud to do!

My one concern about posting this is that more people will see these shirts and buy them and wear them! If you respect anything about the Biker world not only will you not buy these shirts you will speak out and let those who make these shirts know you think this is an insult! When you are at a store and you see a biker looking shirt that looks like the patch of a Motorcycle Club you will speak out, Even if its a club you are not a fan of ,It is still an insult to all Clubs and all true Bikers! I remember hearing as a child that all Bikers where “Brothers in the wind” No matter what they ride. I always figured that even if you did not like your Brother you would always fight along side him when he was under attack! I feel this is an attack on all of us at the very heart of what we are ! So I ask those out there that came before for me, what they think and what do we do next ?

I am Your Bro L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com

Anyone who has been reading any of what I have been writing over the past few years, Knows I fight for Bikers Rights , Safety and Unity. In the past few months my big concern has been the new Biker Movies and TV shows coming out like “Hell Ride” and “Sons of Anarchy” I knew these shows would have people wanting to join Motorcycle Clubs for all the wrong reasons! One thing I know will happen is many people will go out put patches on there backs and think they are now a Motorcycle Club and start acting the way they saw the Clubs in the Movies act. As I have stated in other articles, most Clubs for many years have been working for the betterment and unity of the Motorcycle Club world.Most MC’s want to put the Hollywood Biker Gang image way behind them. They want to focus on the Brotherhood that is the heart of all Motorcycle Clubs.

Most Clubs make good money selling their Support Shirts and gear. Over the past few years I have seen many large chain department stores selling T-shirts that are Dangerously Close to the Colors/Patches of Some of the worlds Major Clubs. It does not take much for one to assume these Stores know what they are doing and they just do not care about the people who buy these shirts or any of us in the biker world, All they care about is the cash flow! When Motorcycle Clubs contact these stores about copyright infringement the response from most if not all of these companies to the clubs is one of you don’t count or matter! When I see a person who knows nothing about the biker world wearing one of these shirts I understand that person just does not know better, But when I see a person who is a biker wearing one of these shirts I let him know “He is selling us all out ” There are too many who use the excuse they are only weekend warriors! I understand cash runs the world so these companies are going to try to skate the line by changing these shirts just enough so they can’t be sued under copyright laws and all the wannabe bikers will buy these shirts and wear them! In my opinion it is a total slap in the face to every biker out there!

Well as if those shirts where not bad enough I was recently informed of a jean company who has come out with T-shirts that are Motorcycle Club Member T-shirts of Fictional Motorcycle Clubs ! Go to the websites emoda.com/item.asp?prodid=129470 and emoda.com/item.asp?prodid=129464 to see these shirts. Anyone from the new rider to the old time Club Member who saw a person wearing one of these shirts could easily think that person is a member of a real Motorcycle Club . These Shirts are made by some rich corporation who probably does not care what they are doing ! The shirts go for around $52-$65 ! For $20 you can go out and buy a real Motorcycle Clubs Support shirt and Support the Biker World. The final insult to all in the Biker world is on the left sleeve there is a Diamond, this leads me to believe that the Manufacturers of these shirts knows at least a little bit about what they are doing. From the pictures I can not see if it says 1% inside the Diamond, But even if it does not it can be mistaken for one. The 1% Diamond is supposed to mean you are part of an elite Motorcycle Club the best of the best, and if you are wearing the shirt of a fictional Motorcycle Club that you paid $60 for, Well then you do not even rank as high as a wannabe Biker in my Book!

Motorcycle Clubs do not all always get along, But we all have always taken great pride in what we are and what we stand for! We true Bikers are the ones who know what “Freedom” really is! We are the ones who feel it for the rest of the world every time one of our rights are taken away. The mass population walks around blindly not caring about the things they are no longer aloud to do!

My one concern about posting this is that more people will see these shirts and buy them and wear them! If you respect anything about the Biker world not only will you not buy these shirts you will speak out and let those who make these shirts know you think this is an insult! When you are at a store and you see a biker looking shirt that looks like the patch of a Motorcycle Club you will speak out, Even if its a club you are not a fan of ,It is still an insult to all Clubs and all true Bikers! I remember hearing as a child that all Bikers where “Brothers in the wind” No matter what they ride. I always figured that even if you did not like your Brother you would always fight along side him when he was under attack! I feel this is an attack on all of us at the very heart of what we are ! So I ask those out there that came before for me, what they think and what do we do next ?

I am Your Bro L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com

For it is Gods plan !

There once was a young couple who lived in a beautiful town. They had the best of everything. Their love was strong and real. When their first child was born she was the most beautiful child they had ever seen.The couple believed their life to be perfect.

One day when their Daughter was about seven years old the Couple was in a car crash.Checking his wife right away the husband was relived to see she was ok. They both had received only a few scratches.They turned to check on their young daughter and as soon as they saw her both of them burst into tears.The wife started screaming NO GOD ! PLEASE GOD NO ! Their pain was felt by anyone and everyone who happened to be around them that day. The Beautiful young child had passed on and left this world .

During the funeral the deceased child’s mother kept asking why ? Why my child? oh dear Lord why? People paying there respects to this wonderful couples most beautiful child tried to console her. They told her things like “It is the Lords will” and “She is in Heaven now” These things did not help the child’s Mother and she cursed God Saying to the People “There is no God” for if there was such a God how could he allow something so terrible to happen? Surely he would have saved my child and she would still be here with us!!

Years passed by as they always do and the pain this Couple felt started to ease. They had more children over the years, all very beautiful None quite as beautiful as their first one.Their life went back to being as close to perfect as can be.But Every time the women heard something bad had happened in the world it reinforced her belief that there was no God and no Heaven up above,For surely no God would allow such terrible things to happen in this world !!!

One day as the Woman was walking to the store she heard these screams “NO LORD PLEASE LORD NO” The tone of the screams took her back to the death of her child and she ran toward the sound of them. She saw the woman who was screaming and behind her she could see a building on fire, My Child is in there Screamed the woman! Pointing to the building engulfed in flames. Knowing the pain this woman would go threw and not wishing it on anyone she raced into the building. Flames shot at her and she could feel them burning her but the pain was some where else and did not hurt her .As the flames got larger and the heat got much hotter the woman thought this is what hell must be like! Then she thought but there is no hell for if there is No God and No Heaven then there can’t be a Hell can there? These thoughts passed threw the woman’s mind as she felt herself begin to grow tired.

As She felt herself about to pass out the Women saw a child in the distance and with new found strength she started walking towards the child. As she got closer she could see it was the most beautiful young girl she had ever seen . When she reached the child the child spoke hello mother it is I your Daughter the one killed in that car accident those many years ago.

No the Woman said you are gone your Dead. Dead yes I may be Mother but gone no I have never left you .I have always been in your heart and you in mine. But I am with the Father now in the most Wonderful Kingdom imaginable. With who? asked the Woman , The Father God answered the child the one you denounced upon my death. No said the woman there can’t be a GOD or a heaven For surely no God would allow the Terrible things to Happen that happen upon this earth. Terrible things are done by terrible people answered the child and they will answer for their sins in the afterlife have no fear of that my Mother, The Lord will see that justice is done.

But what of you asked the Mother you where not taken from me by a terrible person it was an accident why did the Lord take you from me. The Child smiled at her Mother and spoke Mother what you see as the most terrible thing ever is not. For I am in the Kingdom of the Lord and there is no greater reward then that ! My life on Earth was short Mother, I agree with you on that but Mother let me let you in on a little secret “All life on Earth is short” It is just a blink of the eye to the Father. Miss me Mother for I know you always will, But have faith in the Father for if you believe in him and follow his words you will be with me again one day and then you will feel no pain or sorrow ever again. The Mother reached down picked up her child closing her eyes and hugging the child to her bosom, She heard a voice that was not her Daughters say “I will always Love you my Child”

The woman opened her eyes and she saw lights and heard sirens and the voices of many people. Not sure what was going on she looked down at her child only to see that she was not holding her child but a small young boy. The Woman who she had seen screaming was grabbing for this child saying Thank you oh thank you Lord for sending this Woman to rescue my Child ,In my heart Lord I always knew you would save him, for surely you would never allow something so terrible to happen !!!! By L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com Listen to LJs Radio Show at BikerLowDown.com

On Saturday and Sunday April 12Th and 13Th 2008 Kev-Marv Productions Once again hosted the Northeast Motorcycle Expo at the Suffolk County Community College in Brentwood. This event had a lot to offer the Long Island Motorcycle fan. While Checking everything out I ran into many friends from Motorcycle Shops like Hell Bent Choppers, Deadwood Choppers, Radical Rides, I also saw friends like Fingers from WBAB and The Men of the Long Island Hells Angels MC and many others!

I also got to meet and make some new Friends like Famous Bike Builders Dave Perewitz and Billy Lane. Both of them where very cool and as I spoke with them I felt as if I was just talking to a couple of my Buddies, These are two very down to earth guys!

As I walked around checking out booths like Renu Powder Coating,Wild Wind Transporting all the other booths with great Biker Apparel The Music of “Joe Rock and the all Stars” filled the room, I have heard this band many times before and they have always sounded really good. Now I’m not sure what it was maybe the acoustics of the the building,The Vibe of Biker Brotherhood that filled the air or if these Guys where just feeling good! But they really brought their A Game and had the Crowd Rocking! I like to think it was a Combination of Everything.

also got to meet Michele Smith of the Speed Channels “American Thunder”, Now I have to be honest I have never really watched “American Thunder” but after meeting Michele I think I am going to be tuning in!

have been a fan of Kev-Marvs events for years and I am really glad to see them add Long Island to their list of stops! I hope they can grow this show into one as great as the other Kev-Marv events I have attended across the Northeast over the Years! As much as I love all the Bike shows I really like the warm weather when I can be out Riding my Motorcycle instead of looking at someone Else’s!!!

I’ll see you on the Road Your Bro L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com Radio Show at BikerLowdown.com

Every year In a Little Town in New York called Ridge, On a Big Sandbar known as Long Island, Hundreds of Bikers who have only Antique Motorcycles on their minds. Gather to attend The Big Sandbar Chapter of The Antique Motorcycle Club of America,Inc’s annual “Winter Blues Swap meet” at the Ridge Firehouse. As I entered I was greeted by two lovely Lady’s. I told them who I was and they where happy to tell me about the Big Sandbar Chapter of the AMCA. I was told how the AMCA considers any Motorcycle 35 years or older an Antique.

Being I am a few years older then 35 and not feeling anything like an Antique, I’m thinking maybe it should be moved up to like 55 years an older! After all they say 50 is the new 30!

I also found out The Big Sandbar Chapter prides itself on being very Family Friendly, many of the Members are made up of Husbands and Wives and even some of their Kids. Many of the Big Sandbar Chapters events are Designed so the whole family can enjoy them together!

Of Course you Don’t need to be Married with Children to be a member of the Big Sandbar Chapter of the AMCA! All you need is a love for Antique Motorcycles and live anywhere in their coverage area which is from Montauk to Manhattan. The Chapter meets six times a year and is Well known for it’s Annual May Swap Meet at the Fireman’s Park in Ridge!

To learn more about the AMCA go to www.thebigsandbar.com

Your Bro L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com and Radio Show at BikerLowdown.com

I recently took a trip back in time to Long Island NY’s past! No I was not in a Delorean. I was actually in a 1929 Model A Ford,It was one of many in a pack of Model A Fords.My trip back in time was hosted by members of the Model A Ford Club of Long Island. The Club Established in 1959 is one of the oldest and largest Model A Clubs in the U.S. The Trip took me back in time to Long Islands distant past,Way Back before the LIE back before even the Northern and Southern State Parkways.All the way back to the glory days of William K. Vanderbilt Jr’s Long Island Motor Parkway. The Motor Parkway or the LIMP has been forgotten by many.Portions of it can still be found across the Island some parts are even still in use now going under other names. I must admit I knew almost nothing of the Long Island Motor Parkway before this trip back but as I learned about its history and how it was a major part of shaping the Island we all know and love today, I became very interested in learning more and I would like to share with you a little of what I have learned.

The history of William K. Vanderbilt Jr’s Motor Parkway began on June 6th 1908 when its construction started. It was one of the first concrete roads in the Nation and it was the first to use Bridges and over passes so as to not have any intersections. The Motor parkway reached its almost full length of 45 miles from Queens to Lake Ronkonkoma in 1911 with 65 Bridges and many twists and turns.(There was a 2 and a Half mile western extension built in 1928)

The Motor Parkways History of racing is that of legend and still remembered by many Long Island race fans, William K.Vanderbilt Jr was an avid race fan and racer. He often raced in America and France. Disappointed by the lack of Americans winning any of the races he started the Vanderbilt Cup races in 1904 here on Long Island. The race was an international event and would pit 16 Drivers against each other for the prize of the $2000 Silver Cup which was designed by Tiffany & Co.The Cup was the first major trophy in American auto racing. The Races where first held on 30 miles of local roads in Nassau County.These Races where the Beginning of America’s love affair with auto racing.In 1906 when two spectators where killed and many others injured by a racing car on Jericho turnpike near the intersection of what is known today as NY Routes 106 and 107, Vanderbilt and friends soon came up with the idea for the Long Island Motor Parkway. The Cup Races where Successfully held on Long Island in conjunction with the Motor Parkway Until 1910 when four spectators where killed and twenty injured.

With the Cup races gone the Motor parkway became purely an access route with a toll of $2.00 and was used mostly by New York’s rich looking to hit the party circuit or to go for Sunday Drives and of course by those just looking to drive really fast.The Motor parkway was a privately owned toll road with no speed limit, No Commercial Traffic and because it was privately owned it was off limits to law enforcement. During Prohibition the Parkway gained a reputation as a rum runners road as bootleggers started using the road to transport alcohol.In 1917 the toll was lowered to $1.00 and when more Drivers started using the Motor Parkway to travel across Long Island the speed limit was reduced to 40 mph and local Police where aloud to begin patrolling the parkway to improve traffic safety. An estimated 150,000 cars per year used the Motor parkway at its prime. There where 12 toll lodges along the parkway and the toll lodges have a great story all their own. The Long Island Motor Parkway Continued on until Easter Sunday,April 16th 1938 when it was forced to close. The Motor Parkway even after reducing its toll again to only 40 cents was No longer able to Compete with Robert Moses State of the art Toll free Northern State Parkway. After its Closer the Motor Parkway was split up and sold off, Many of its Bridges destroyed and roads forgotten.Although some Remaining Sections of this Historic Parkway like the 13 Mile eastern most Section in Suffolk still remain in use Most of the Parkway and its History has gone forgotten until recent years.

Members of the Model A Ford Club of Long Island had known about a section of the Long Island Motor Parkway with one of its Bridges still standing hidden away behind Old Bethpage Village and Restoration on Round Swamp Road in Old Bethpage Where the Club holds its Monthly meetings. For those of you who don’t know Old Bethpage Village and Restoration is a pre-Civil War Long Island Village with more than 55 historic buildings and a place where anyone of us can travel back in time for the day.I’m sure most of you out there from Long Island will remember it from field trips back in your School days.Well It is all still there with its same historic Magic and those old fashion Sodas and Candies you remember. I have found Old Bethpage to be the perfect place for a first Date! It will not only take you back threw time but it will make you feel like a Kid all over again. In the early Months of 2007 the members of the Model A Ford Club of Long Island started Clearing away what time and neglect had covered up. Then in May 2007 after much hard work the Members of the Model A Ford Club of Long Island got together at Old Bethpage Village and Restoration and took the first Cruise since its closing on their own private piece of the Motor Parkway and Long Islands History. Mark Adler and his 1931 Model A Coop had the Honor of leading the Group and being the first the travel on it! Long Island has some great History and We must always remember We need to save our Historic Buildings and Land marks!!!

For more info about this article go to the Model A Ford Club of Long Island’s webpage at www.freewebs.com/modela

While researching this story one thing that kept coming to my mind was that if Long Island is one of the first place’s where Auto Racing in the US began then doesn’t that mean that Auto Racing really needs to stay here? Lets reclaim the Glory!!!

Till next time this is your Bro L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com

I recently took a trip back in time to Long Island NY’s past! No I was not in a Delorean. I was actually in a 1929 Model A Ford,It was one of many in a pack of Model A Fords.My trip back in time was hosted by members of the Model A Ford Club of Long Island. The Club Established in 1959 is one of the oldest and largest Model A Clubs in the U.S. The Trip took me back in time to Long Islands distant past,Way Back before the LIE back before even the Northern and Southern State Parkways.All the way back to the glory days of William K. Vanderbilt Jr’s Long Island Motor Parkway. The Motor Parkway or the LIMP has been forgotten by many.Portions of it can still be found across the Island some parts are even still in use now going under other names. I must admit I knew almost nothing of the Long Island Motor Parkway before this trip back but as I learned about its history and how it was a major part of shaping the Island we all know and love today, I became very interested in learning more and I would like to share with you a little of what I have learned.

The history of William K. Vanderbilt Jr’s Motor Parkway began on June 6th 1908 when its construction started. It was one of the first concrete roads in the Nation and it was the first to use Bridges and over passes so as to not have any intersections. The Motor parkway reached its almost full length of 45 miles from Queens to Lake Ronkonkoma in 1911 with 65 Bridges and many twists and turns.(There was a 2 and a Half mile western extension built in 1928)

The Motor Parkways History of racing is that of legend and still remembered by many Long Island race fans, William K.Vanderbilt Jr was an avid race fan and racer. He often raced in America and France. Disappointed by the lack of Americans winning any of the races he started the Vanderbilt Cup races in 1904 here on Long Island. The race was an international event and would pit 16 Drivers against each other for the prize of the $2000 Silver Cup which was designed by Tiffany & Co.The Cup was the first major trophy in American auto racing. The Races where first held on 30 miles of local roads in Nassau County.These Races where the Beginning of America’s love affair with auto racing.In 1906 when two spectators where killed and many others injured by a racing car on Jericho turnpike near the intersection of what is known today as NY Routes 106 and 107, Vanderbilt and friends soon came up with the idea for the Long Island Motor Parkway. The Cup Races where Successfully held on Long Island in conjunction with the Motor Parkway Until 1910 when four spectators where killed and twenty injured.

With the Cup races gone the Motor parkway became purely an access route with a toll of $2.00 and was used mostly by New York’s rich looking to hit the party circuit or to go for Sunday Drives and of course by those just looking to drive really fast.The Motor parkway was a privately owned toll road with no speed limit, No Commercial Traffic and because it was privately owned it was off limits to law enforcement. During Prohibition the Parkway gained a reputation as a rum runners road as bootleggers started using the road to transport alcohol.In 1917 the toll was lowered to $1.00 and when more Drivers started using the Motor Parkway to travel across Long Island the speed limit was reduced to 40 mph and local Police where aloud to begin patrolling the parkway to improve traffic safety. An estimated 150,000 cars per year used the Motor parkway at its prime. There where 12 toll lodges along the parkway and the toll lodges have a great story all their own. The Long Island Motor Parkway Continued on until Easter Sunday,April 16th 1938 when it was forced to close. The Motor Parkway even after reducing its toll again to only 40 cents was No longer able to Compete with Robert Moses State of the art Toll free Northern State Parkway. After its Closer the Motor Parkway was split up and sold off, Many of its Bridges destroyed and roads forgotten.Although some Remaining Sections of this Historic Parkway like the 13 Mile eastern most Section in Suffolk still remain in use Most of the Parkway and its History has gone forgotten until recent years.

Members of the Model A Ford Club of Long Island had known about a section of the Long Island Motor Parkway with one of its Bridges still standing hidden away behind Old Bethpage Village and Restoration on Round Swamp Road in Old Bethpage Where the Club holds its Monthly meetings. For those of you who don’t know Old Bethpage Village and Restoration is a pre-Civil War Long Island Village with more than 55 historic buildings and a place where anyone of us can travel back in time for the day.I’m sure most of you out there from Long Island will remember it from field trips back in your School days.Well It is all still there with its same historic Magic and those old fashion Sodas and Candies you remember. I have found Old Bethpage to be the perfect place for a first Date! It will not only take you back threw time but it will make you feel like a Kid all over again. In the early Months of 2007 the members of the Model A Ford Club of Long Island started Clearing away what time and neglect had covered up. Then in May 2007 after much hard work the Members of the Model A Ford Club of Long Island got together at Old Bethpage Village and Restoration and took the first Cruise since its closing on their own private piece of the Motor Parkway and Long Islands History. Mark Adler and his 1931 Model A Coop had the Honor of leading the Group and being the first the travel on it! Long Island has some great History and We must always remember We need to save our Historic Buildings and Land marks!!!

For more info about this article go to the Model A Ford Club of Long Island’s webpage at www.freewebs.com/modela

While researching this story one thing that kept coming to my mind was that if Long Island is one of the first place’s where Auto Racing in the US began then doesn’t that mean that Auto Racing really needs to stay here? Lets reclaim the Glory!!!

Till next time this is your Bro L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com

I have just finished reviewing the 2nd episode of the new FX show “Son’s of Anarchy”. I have been a fan of the FX Show “The Shield” for years and I have to say, I have enjoyed “Sons of Anarchy” so far. The show has great bikes and lots of action!

As a Member of an Outlaw Motorcycle Club, I can see many mistakes already in the show. One thing that really surprised me is how people have reacted to the show and me personally. People who know I’m a member of a Motorcycle Club are asking me, “You guys aren’t really like that, are you?” Most of these people have known me for years! Now after a couple of episodes of “Sons of Anarchy” their wondering if I’m leading some kind of double life.

Can you imagine if a show about criminal killer Florists came out? How many people would ask the local florist if they where really like that? One fact of life about being a Biker I have come to except is, it’s real easy for people to think of Bikers as the bad guys. It has always been and probably always will be that way. I wonder how many Cops had people ask them the same question when the Shield came out? I also wonder how many Police Officers who watch the Shield and know that show is fiction will watch “Sons of Anarchy” and think that’s how Motorcycle Clubs really are! The FX show “Sons of Anarchy” is fiction and it is way over the top.

Son’s of Anarchy is going to shine a bright light into the Motorcycle Club world. Where as the last ten years have been all about Motorcycle Builders and has led to a lot of people getting into Motorcycle Riding, I believe the next ten years will be all about Motorcycle Clubs. Now this show could be a good thing for Motorcycle Clubs if, in-between all the fictional action, it also focuses on the bond of Brotherhood Motorcycle Clubs are really based on.

Although there is opportunity for “Sons of Anarchy” to make a positive statement about Motorcycle Clubs, I have a feeling the show will have a negative impact on Clubs, Independent Bikers, and the Motorcycle Community in general. By highlighting the good Motorcycle Clubs do and the positive impact that they have on their communities, I don’t think that is the way the program is going.

All the Motorcycle Clubs out there are going to need to keep their eyes wide open and watch any new prospects. MCs need to make sure that new prospects are there for the Brotherhood and betterment of the Club and the community. You don’t want prospects to live out some misguided fantasy they may have seen on TV or in some Movie. Another big concern of mine is people who will just go out and throw on a set of patches and think they are the “Sons of Anarchy”. The Motorcycle Club world is all about Respect and there is a serious protocol that is followed by all Clubs. I would not recommend violating that protocol in any way.

Motorcycle Clubs have spent the better part of the past 20 years working hard to shake the old biker gang stereotype of the 60’s and 70’s. Now that we have come so close to accomplishing our goals, a show like “Sons of Anarchy” or the upcoming HBO show 1% are here to try and drag our image back into the gang image. How far will these shows set us back? 20-30 Years? I am asking the producers of these shows, there sponsors, and everyone else out there to please remember that Brotherhood is what the Motorcycle Club world is truly about.

Your Bro, L.J. James AmericanBikerX. com

We all know that when the first settlers came to America they where following a dream! What most do not know is that many of those dreams where inspired by paintings of the Catskill Mountains. At the beginning of this country’s history artists where mesmerized by the beauty of these mountains and painted many pictures of them. These pictures where sent and sold all over the world and they had a huge part in creating what later became know as the American dream.

Fast forward a couple Hundred years to September 10th through the 14th 2008 and now what draws hundreds of American Bikers every year to the Catskill Mountains is the Blackthorne Resort in East Durham and the Catskill Mountain Thunder Motorcycle Rally. This event which is a weekend get away for some and a week long party for others has just about everything a biker dreams of. Even though the Blackthorne Resorts grounds are large, they do fill up fast and Bikers reserve there Cabins, RV sites or Camp sites up to a year in advance just to make sure there is room for them on the grounds. (There are plenty of other resorts in the area who welcome the Biker overflow from the Blackthorne) Me and my Brother Mopar Tom arrived on Thursday Night and the first thing We did was to check out what seemed like a million vendors, Who where selling every thing from Motorcycle stickers to Custom Motorcycles.Then of course it was time to grab some drinks. First drink was at the Tikki Bar by the large in ground pool. The Second was at the Blackthorne’s on premise full service bar. Not wanting to over do it on my first night there (I would save that for my second night) I called it an early night at around 2am and was off to get some sleep.

On Friday the fuse was lit and the weekend festivities got into full swing. I spent the day wandering around the Blackthorne checking ever thing out drinking and partying with Hundreds of new and old friends. As the sun went down and the Night began things just got better! I watched Bikers take their Motorcycles up in the air and do Ariel Burn outs as I listened to the Music of Molly Hatchet LIVE !

The Nights at Blackthorne Run late and the Mornings come early! Some Choose to start their days off riding around the incredible Catskill Mountains, either in a group on a guided tour or by themselves with no destination at all. The roads in the Catskills go on forever and even after many years of riding them each trip still offers something new ! My favorite spot to ride to has been for many years Nicks Waterfall House in Gilboa, In my opinion no ride threw the Catskills is Complete with out a burger and a beer at Nicks!

Others who don’t wake till the afternoon can spend their day’s at the Blackthorne checking out the vendors buying new Biker gear, Watching Rhett Rotten and his amazing vintage Wall of Death Motorcycle stunt show, Looking at the art work of Ron Finch, Placing their votes for their favorites in the Bike show, participating in the Bike games or enjoying a list of many other wickedly fun Biker activities. Saturday Night again offered Bikers more then they could handle plus Hot Female Spaghetti Wrestling, Live Ultimate Fighting bouts, Lots more live music and plenty of late night partying. On Sunday some Bikers headed home while others hung around for another day of fun including a pig roast!

I have been a biker all my life and to this day the bond of Brotherhood that is shared by bikers still amazes me. I’m not sure if the fact that the Blackthorne is a family resort every other week of the year has anything to do with it, But I found the feeling of Brotherhood and Family to be very strong at this event. When I can hangout and party with Bikers I have just met and feel like I have known them for Twenty years, It strongly reinforces all the reasons I love being a Biker!

I have left out many great things about the Blackthorne and its Catskill Mountain Thunder Motorcycle Rally, The reason for this is because if you missed this event you do not deserve to know all its secrets until you have attended it for yourself !!! Check out CatskillMountainThunder.com and reserve your spot for next years party today!

I’ll see you there! Your Bro L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com Radio Show BikerLowdown.com