’ve said it before. Our magazine tells the readers about new products, but it’s the stories about the people who make them that I enjoy the most. By now you’ve seen the front cover of this issue and probably said “Wow!” or something close to it. As you can read starting on page 44, when Rick Fairless of Strokers Dallas was asked to build a Drag Specialties FatBook bike, he said he would, as long as he could give it a paint job he had in mind. He got the “OK” and went to work on the most unique custom bike we’re ever featured in this magazine.
     Be sure to read the story on the bike, as well as the sidebar on Fairless. When you read this, his new “Texas Hardtails” show on Speed Channel will have kicked off. The show is listed by Speed as a “half-hour motorcycle-themed reality show spoof, more comedic than confrontational.” Fairless and his real-life crew from Strokers Dallas and the related food and beverage business are featured “playing themselves in real environments under fictional circumstances.” It’s a fun show on Tuesday nights. Check your local listings.
     Another noteworthy feature in this issue of “people with a story” is about Vic Edelbrock, Jr and the history of the Edelbrock family business. Vic’s dad is one of the true pioneers of the motorsports world and Vic grew up totally immersed in racing and the industry that his dad helped create. There is a whole book that you can buy that tells the long version of the story, but this article will give you the basics of one of the industry leaders.
     Someone that we have featured often in our magazine is the work of Don Hotop. In this issue we have another, one of the most practical project bikes you’ll ever find. Basically, a stock Sportster made to look and run the way the Harley factory should have made it in the first place. I’d think a lot of guys with “Sporties” would like theirs to be just like this. Check it out.
     Out west, one of the top rallies of the year is the annual Laughlin River Run. After the big shoot-out a couple years back, there is a lot more security on hand nowadays, but the atmosphere is mellow again and everyone had a good time. In case you didn’t make it there last April, we’ve got a pictorial with some of the highlights from this year’s event.
     Speaking of events, when this issue hits your desk, it will be time to start getting packed for Sturgis. My folks went to the rally back in the late-1940s. One thing that is still the same is the faces on the rocks at Mount Rushmore, but just about everything else is different now from those days. It was primarily a race back then with some riders hanging around in town. Now it’s the other way around. Mostly people hanging out in town and a couple of races.
Whatever takes you out on the road this year, have fun and ride safe.