It’s the last weekend of February. Can I say Wahoo! On this fine and for once sunny Sunday, I journeyed to Scranton to the Ice Box Sports Arena for the Winter Blast. This was a motorcycle show and swap meet. I think swap meet translates into flea market. Music was provided by the Commander Cody Band. These guys are a little before my time, but they rocked the house.
There were bikes of all kinds and several charities represented. Children of all ages were there in leather and do-rags. You could buy parts of any kind here. From way-cool mirrors to special passenger pegs for your bike. Clothing of all kinds, leather and cotton and everything in between could be purchased. I bought a new guardian bell for my bike. I remember how lucky it was for my friend Galvin. This one had a bird totem on it and felt pretty lucky. I guess we’ll just have to see! If I put that on the bike and my guardian angel pin from Galvin and his mom on my jacket I should be OK. I’m taking them both to Daytona with me just to be on the safe side. Who knows how wild that week will be?
On this cold yet sunny February day this seemed the place to be. There was quite a crowd on hand. Honestly, there wasn’t much else happening in the bike world with this much snow on the ground. I noticed a few bumper stickers that said “my other car is a Harley” and lots of Harley stickers in the windows of big trucks.
I met people from all over. Steve from Selkirk, N.Y., was there with some pretty amazing motorcycle parts and his dog. He never gives out the name of the dog, but I have to say he was pretty amazing and even-tempered. Steve says he’s stopping here on his way to Daytona. Yes, the dog is going with him. He drives a custom-built bike that he built back in the ’90s. He puts all this stuff on his tractor trailer and goes about the country. He’ll be by the Speedway at Daytona. He tells me that sales are a bit down this year and that Scranton is actually not his best show.
Then I met some guys from the local area. I have to say, I was intrigued by their name, Death Row Motorcycles. Having just finished a run with the King’s Theatre in “Dead Man Walking,” the name drew me in, and I just had to meet them. This group is from Drums, and I’m told that the name came after a few of the lads got together and had a few beers. I’m told that the boss himself will be taking a couple of the bikes down to Daytona to ride around and show off some of their custom work. I have to say I was quite impressed with their design work. Of course, the electric chair in the display was also a draw for the crowd.
Greg Stauffer is their graphic designer, marketing guy, etc. He tells me that they have an in-house tattoo artist and are adding some clothing to their inventory. I can’t wait to head up to Drums and see all this first hand. They will be having a grand opening in June. They do inspections and work on anything that is “V-twin,” and you have got to give Greg credit, he didn’t laugh when I told him about my ride.
I have to say that my favorite T-shirt was the one that said “If you can read this the B*&%H just passed you.” I’m hoping that they still have this when I get to Daytona. The other shirt saying was one on a tank top that said “silicone free.”
One of the other great things was that everyone was talking about Daytona. This is a huge thing. The vendors are going. The people who came to the show are going. I wouldn’t be surprised if Commander Cody was going.
The only thing I found somewhat disenchanting was the bike show voting. There were only five bikes to choose from for the best-of-bike class. As usual, my husband’s vote cancelled me out. Just like any presidential voting, I vote one way and the old man votes another. I had to vote for the Death Row red bike. Doug of course went for the Nos Kawasaki. We were told that it dyno’d out at 235 hp. No matter who won, all the custom bikes were very well designed and built and showed well.