HOG WILD

EVENTS
March 14 – 31st
Spring Welcoming Celebration
Pig Roast on the 19th
Save 15% on leather jackets and
15% on lighted floorboards.
Spring hours begin Sunday March 20th.

April 5th – 16th

Supe It Up Days
Save 20% on Screamin’ Eagle
intake components.

April 16th
Spring Swap Meet

May 17th – 29th

Memorial Day Celebration
Save on obsolete, end-of-season
spring motorclothes.

June 10th – 12th

Thunder Roads Madness
Enjoy our annual event with food,
bands and more!

80 Thunder Road, Williamstown, WV 26187

304-375-2530 | sandpharleydavidson.com

I-77 Exit 185

 March 5th
Benefit for Dave Mast
Sign-up 11:00 • Kick stands up at 12:00
$15 single/$20 with passenger
Food at the end, Raffles • Prizes
3 Bands

March 12th – Band 9:00pm - Torn

March 17th
St. Patrick’s Day
Beer Specials
Corned Beef and Cabbage
March 19th – March Til Morning
(Heavy Metal)
March 26th – TJ Davis Band
(Southern Rock)

April 1st, 2nd and 3rd

Friday Night April 1st –
8 – 10pm
Annie Seger & Chris Pallidino Duo
(Classic Rock – 60s, 70s, 80-s, 90s Rock)
10pm - ? Cross Bonz

Saturday April 2nd –

Spring Poker Run
8:30pm – Cross Bonz

Sunday April 3rd –

Bike Show, Vendors
 Dragon Tales
I can feel it in the air. Spring is right around the corner. Thank
goodness, because I am getting pretty twitchy about not riding for
so long. I miss the feel of the wind in my face and the sun on my
shoulders. It has been way too long since I heard the sound of my
ride. So long that I actually went out to the garage a few days ago
and started her up, just to hear the growl of the engine and smell the
exhaust. I needed a fix. Now what? Where do you go from there?

Well, you go to a bike show. The Timonium Bike Show is one of

the biggest bike shows on the East Coast and Thunder Roads West
Virginia was there last month. The show included hundreds of bikes
consisting of custom show bikes and many new and used models for
sale. There was a nice array of vendors offering all kinds of things that
we bikers need. Really! We needed that new chrome bling for our ride.

There were also some great celebrities that attended the event.
You could meet and greet with some and get a photo and autograph
with others. There was one celebrity that I had my sights set on, I am so pumped about meeting an icon of custom builders. I am
though. Arlen Ness. I have been a fan of Arlen Ness’ work since I can okay with working extremely long hours, 7 days a week, for this
remember. I have fond memories of watching NOVA, a science show magazine if it means I can put my arm around someone like Arlen
on PBS back in the day, with my father and watching shows about Ness, and get a picture with him. This is what it is all about. Yeah......so
Arlen Ness and his custom bikes. So, to meet him in person was a when do we ride?
dream come true for me.
Ride safe and keep the shiny side up!
I can tell you now that Arlen Ness is a great man, and is as down to
earth as anyone else you know. That signature smile radiates from him
and sets you at ease, even though you are in the company of someone
as famous as Arlen Ness.

2 Thunder Roads® West Virginia MARCH 2011

 Thunder Roads® West Virginia From The Editor………………..….................4
P.O. Box 606 / Charles Town, WV 25414
www.thunderroadswv.com
Letters.......................................................... 5
Arlen Ness.................................................... 6
Owner / Editors
Gary Westphalen, Editor-in-Chief Hidden Highways – The Old Double Nickel....... 8
gary@thunderroadswv.com / 304-616-0102
Donna K. Westphalen, CFO Timonium Bike Show.................................. 10
donna@thunderroadswv.com / 304-261-1609
Bike of the Month – Marshall’s Memorial.... 14
Layout & Design
Meredith Hancock / Hancock Graphics
Health Insurance & Bikers: A Survey.......... 16
Center Calendar......................................... 18
COPY EDITOR
Thomas M. Korzeniowski Spring Cleaning.......................................... 20
Helmet Repeal Proposed........................... 23
office manager
Melinda Hendrix Seats & Saddles......................................... 24
Contributors Mountain State Ink..................................... 26
Michael Henshall, Jim Jammer Marcum, Earl Nuzum
The Jokers Wild.......................................... 27
Advertising Sales / Distribution TNT............................................................. 30
NATIONAL ACCOUNTS
Donna K. Westphalen - 304-261-1609 / donna@thunderroadswv.com Upcoming Events....................................... 31
EASTERN PANHANDLE Biker Friendly Directory.............................. 32
Dave Luksa - 304-268-1315 / dave.luksa@thunderroadswv.com
The High Road........................................... 35
NORTHWEST WV
Earl Nuzum – 304-816-2863 / earl@thunderroadswv.com
ON THE COVER
PARKERSBURG Modern motorcycle design reflects the creative genius of
Michael Carsey - 440-667-7553 / michael.carsey@thunderroadswv.com
tens of thousands of engineers, designers, fabricators,
POTOMAC HIGHLANDS builders and other specialists who have been defining
Moe Vetter - 304-668-9563 / moe@thunderroadswv.com and redefining the physical essence of the motorcycle
for well over a hundred years. You can drop a lot of
SOUTHEAST WV
Jeff Davis – 304-673-7321 / jeff@thunderroadswv.com important names in a conversation about who has
contributed the most to bike design, but when you utter
the name Arlen Ness, the debate is over. His singular
vision of what a motorcycle can be rises above the noise.
Copyright 2011. Published by Thunder Roads West Virginia, LLC under license from Thunder
Publishing. All rights reserved. No part of this magazines content may be reproduced without The Ness influence in nearly every bike on the market
the written permission of the Publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility and is not
to be held liable for errors beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error, slander of any today is undeniable. Thunder Roads West Virginia has
group or individual, failure to produce any issue as scheduled due to reasons beyond our
control, any and all suits for libel, plagiarism, copyright infringement, and unauthorized use
had the opportunity to hang out with this legendary man,
of a person’s name or photograph. Opinions and claims made by advertisers and authors and we are happy to share the experience with you,
are their own, and do not necessarily represent the policy of Thunder Roads West Virginia,
Thunder Roads Magazine, or Thunder Publishing. The Publisher does not promote the abuse starting on page 6.
of alcohol or other drugs.

www.thunderroadswv.com MARCH 2011 Thunder Roads® West Virginia 3

 Before you read my column,
you need to read the first Letter to
the Editor on the facing page. Go
ahead. I’ll wait for you. Award Winning artists with 45 years combined experience
You’ve read it? Good. Dave
is one of our crew of Account
Representatives scattered around
the State. As Dave said, every one
of us in the Thunder Roads West
Virginia family is passionate about what we’re doing here. We
are dedicated to serving the needs of the motorcycle community
and the businesses that welcome bikers through their doors.
That’s it. That’s our whole mission statement.
Pattys Art Spot
We want to see this magazine grow stronger every month. (304) 598-0190
But, we’re only a handful of devoted people tackling the daunting Pattysartspot.com
responsibility of reaching every hill and holler in the State. That’s Tattoo & Piercing Studio
why we keep asking you to get involved. Take the pictures and
write stories about your local fundraising rides. Submit a story for
Bike of the Month or Hidden Highways. Write about your favorite
ride, the friends you’ve made on a bike, or the experiences you’ve
had riding in our state. Many readers have already shared their
stories, and it is the richness of our varied experiences that
provides for page-turning reading each month.
Now, I’m asking you to do a little more. On the cover of this
magazine it says “Free – Take One.” I want you to ignore that,
and take two. Keep one for yourself, and pass the second copy
on to a local business owner who would benefit from advertising
with us. Tell him or her that Thunder Roads West Virginia is an
honest, home-grown magazine that regards every advertiser and
every reader as family. Tell them that those names on our staff
page aren’t tied to faceless people who live in some big city, who
are just siphoning off their money. We are real people who ride
the byways of the Mountain State in an endless effort to make
this magazine the best it can be. By doing that, we help every
advertiser’s business grow stronger. Tell them we are people
worthy of their trust. If they don’t believe it, tell them to call or
email me. They’re not going to get a secretary or an answering
service. They’re going to get me.
Next, show your copy of Thunder Roads West Virginia to your
friends. But be forewarned that if you give it to them, you may
not get it back. Tell them where you got your copy, and let them
get their own. When they do, have them thank that advertiser
for supporting the biker community. The more our advertiser and
readership bases grow, the better we can make this magazine.
Help us spread the Thunder Roads West Virginia word.
Share your excitement for this magazine with your friends and
the businesses you frequent. Get them all involved, and help us
make this magazine even stronger. You will be rewarded with an
ever-growing, FREE monthly magazine that unites the motorcycle
community all across West Virginia and brings our culture alive!
It’s not the Destination…It’s the Journey.
Gary

4 Thunder Roads® West Virginia MARCH 2011

 SALES • SERVICE • RENTALS • RIDERS’ EDGE® TRAINING
GENUINE HARLEY-DAVIDSON® MOTORCLOTHES APPAREL,
COLLECTIBLES AND PARTS & ACCESSORIES
Conveniently Located at Exit 220 off of I-81
213 Rolling Thunder Lane, Staunton, VA 24401
www.shenhd.com 540-213-7433(RIDE)
A view from the other side
I have been with Thunder Roads West Virginia since
December, 2009, and every month I get emails from Gary and
Donna with encouragement for bringing in advertisers to keep
this dream alive. I just wanted to put out there to every reader,
business, and MC club that we need your support. This is your
connection to our state and the events going on in the biking
world. Each month we bring you what has happened and what is
going to happen in all parts of the state. We need you!!! Give us
your stories, hang outs and places that we all need to see. We
can not be everywhere every time things are going on, so keep
us informed.
We also need your support so we can keep this rag going.
Encourage every business that you see our mag at to place an
ad with us. Buy a subscription, or tell us were we need to be. We
as the sales team don’t do this for the money, but for the love of
the wind, not to get rich. Each month we pay for paper, ink, and
logistics before we put the pictures and articles in place. Then,
add in the fuel and time to get it to your hands. We need your
support to keep this going.
Dave Luksa
Thunder Roads West Virginia

Dave is our Account Representative in the Eastern Panhandle.

He’s part of our crew that literally works every day of the week
to put this magazine in your hands. Flip back one page and take
a minute to read the names listed in our Staff column. We are
all bikers and we are passionate about what we’re doing here.
Thunder Roads West Virginia is here to stay because of the
efforts of this crew. I want to thank each and every one of them for
going beyond the call, every day
Gary

Dear TRWV,
I love the mag very much. It’s how I find out what’s going on in
the biker world of our beautiful state of West Virginia. I can’t wait
till spring riding season. I ride a ‘98 Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom
I bought last June. I’ve been a biker in my youth, and now am
re-kindling that lifestyle before I get too old to enjoy it. I wrote
a poem I’d like to share with your readers about a Daytona bike
trip. If interested, let me know and I’ll send it to you. Keep up the
great work.
Greg “Roach” Nicklin

Roach,
Welcome back to the family. Donna had an ‘03 650 Custom
and put about 35,000 miles on it before she sold it to a friend.
Thanks for the compliments. We truly appreciate it. As for the
poem - send it on, along with a picture of you and your scoot
(the highest resolution you have). Maybe the mag, maybe the
website, but we’ll get you in somewhere. Contributions are
always appreciated.
Gary

www.thunderroadswv.com MARCH 2011 Thunder Roads® West Virginia 5


By Gary Westphalen
Look at a street bike that has been built
in the last thirty or so years. Any brand, any
style, any size. Look at its smooth, flowing
lines. From nose to tail, the undulations of the
machine’s outline are elegance in motion, even
when it’s not moving. Notice how the shape of one
piece melts into the next. Watch as the downward
curvature of the fuel tank blends stylishly into the
swoop of the seat. See how that swirl of paint accents
the arching surface that would otherwise go unseen.
Look closely, and you’ll see him. Arlen Ness is there.
No one has had more influence on modern motorcycle design
than Arlen Ness. So, when Thunder Roads West Virginia got the
chance to spend some time with this Master Builder and Motorcycle
Hall of Famer, Donna and I couldn’t help but be thrilled. One of the
first things we talk about is the fact that his designs have been so
dominant throughout the industry.
“You can look at almost any new motorcycle today, and see your
design influence in it,” I say to Mr. Ness. We are standing in the
middle of the enormous Timonium Motorcycle Show, surrounded by
hundreds of motorcycles ranging from new stock bikes to radically
customized machines worth six figures.
“It’s nice,” Arlen says about the impact he’s had on motorcycle
design. “Sometimes you don’t like it when they copy your designs
and stuff. But you’re supposed to take it as a compliment, and that’s
what it is. It’s good.”
___________________________________
6 Thunder Roads® West Virginia MARCH 2011
Arlen shows Donna his Signature Series Victory Vision.
In his teenage years, the life of Arlen
Ness was filled with hot rods and cruising
East 14th Street in Oakland, California.
Although he was encaged in the four wheel
world, Arlen always found himself cruising
by biker hangouts. American bikers had been
modifying motorcycles since just after World
War II, and by now the Bobber of the early 50’s
was morphing into the Chopper. But for Arlen Ness,
owning a motorcycle remained just a dream.
By the mid-1960’s, Ness was a young father of two. He
moved furniture for a living, and in the evenings he bowled
in a semi-pro league. The small amounts of prize money he
won bowling were tucked away, earmarked for an eventual
motorcycle purchase. One day he saw a 1947 Knucklehead
wearing a For Sale sign. The $300 dollar asking price matched his
bowling stash, and the deal was made. It is said that the measure of
one’s life comes down to just a few moments. This was one of those
moments, and not just for Arlen Ness, but for generations of bikers
to come.
Ness got to work on this ’47, stretching the tank and customizing the
paint. When he entered the bike in a show, magazine photographers
made his creation famous and the die was cast. The popularity of
his design led to more customizing jobs, and more and more press
coverage. Before long, he traded in his furniture moving job for his
own business painting and customizing bikes. Choppers were all
the rage at this point in time, and Ness built his share of them. But
that wasn’t where his heart was. He wanted to take bike building in
a different direction.
 He graciously spent hours signing
autographs as throngs of bikers
lined up for a chance to rub
elbows with the master.

“I always liked the early cars, the big bodied cars, art deco and
that kind of stuff. I got my early designs from there,” Arlen says.
Those persuasions are easy to see in many of his creations. The
bike named Smooth-Ness, he says, is derived directly from the
1932 Bugatti Roadster. His Ness-Stalgia bike is perhaps the most
literal version of automotive influence. Designed to look like a 1957
Chevrolet Bel Air, all of the bodywork is handcrafted from aluminum.
The headlight bezel is the only real car part.
Take a look at the modern-day Victory Vision, and tell me you don’t
see Ness-Stalgia and Smooth-Ness echoed in the design of that
touring bike. In fact, Victory has taken so many of its design cues
from Arlen Ness, that the two have now teamed up. The cover photo
of this issue of Thunder Roads West Virginia is the 2011 version of
the Arlen Ness Signature Series Victory Vision. With custom paint,
His creation Smooth-Ness was inspired by the lines of the graphics, and accessory parts designed by the man himself, this
Bugatti Roadster. bike is pure Arlen Ness style.
Fortunately for the motorcycle world, the story doesn’t end there.
Arlen’s son Cory and grandson Zach are integral to the continuing
success of the Arlen Ness empire. They have each produced a
Signature Series bike for Victory as well. The family business now
operates out of a huge facility – complete with its own museum of
Ness bikes - just footsteps away from where it all started. In addition
to worldwide marketing of top-shelf aftermarket parts for virtually
every motorcycle built, they are also producing their own line of
custom-built bikes.
Arlen Ness, the most recognizable name in the world of
motorcycling, is a regular guy. At this show in Timonium, we watched
him chat with people, sign autographs, and smile for pictures for
hours on end, during the three-day event. His easy-flowing demeanor
and smooth charm never waver. I came to realize that he may say
the graceful lines of his motorcycle creations are rooted in external
design cues, but in reality, they are a reflection of his character. Arlen
Photo by Jeff McCann
Ness puts his soul into everything he does.

Ness-Stalgia, his take on a ‘57 Chevy, is probably the most “I was always willing to try something a little different,” Arlen says
famous bike in the Arlen Ness collection of works that spans with a warm smile. “I just loved what I was doing, so I tried all kinds
nearly 50 years. of things. Most of them worked.”

www.thunderroadswv.com MARCH 2011 Thunder Roads® West Virginia 7

 Hidden Highways

the old
double
nickel
by Gary Westphalen swoopy curves and gentle grades.
The debate has been raging since 1965, They love it.
when construction of the Appalachian I love it too, because all that traffic no
Highway Development System became part longer clogs up My highway. Old State
of federal law. For 45 years, the plan to build Highway 55 makes exactly the same trip
a modern highway linking I-81 at Strasburg, as its young sibling, but it does it with
Virginia in the East, with I-79 in the West, biker style. It’s 30 miles of twisted tarmac
has generated sharply divided opinions. that hugs the natural topography of the
I remember riding through the incredible region, winding its way up and down over
scenery of the Potomac Highlands Region ridge after ridge. It follows the Lost River
of West Virginia more than 20 years ago, for a good chunk of its length, and you
and seeing signs like “Corridor H – BUILD know how meandering a mountain river
IT” and “No Corridor H.” The debate rages bed likes to be. It has straight-aways,
on today, even though major sections of the serpentine ridge crossings, and scenery
roadway are now open, with groups such as galore. It’s the kind of road that can be
Stewards of the Potomac Highlands calling This is rush hour on Old Highway ridden on a lazy Sunday afternoon of
it “The Road to Nowhere.” 55. Ya gotta love it! cruising through the beauty of West
Regardless of on which side of the debate Virginia, or it can be ripped apart at
you find yourself, if you’re a biker, you have extreme wrist-twist on a 1,300cc Super-
to admit one thing: the opening of Corridor H from Wardensville Sport Crot…Never mind. I didn’t actually say that last part.
to Moorefield has provided one priceless gem for bikers. The new Even before the opening of this stretch of Corridor H, I still
highway cuts about a half hour off the drive time between the two counted 55 as one of my favorite roads. But I often found myself
towns, largely by bulldozing right over the mountaintops. It provides stuck behind a truck full of live chickens, headed for the processing
trucks, RV’s and cages with a modern divided highway of big, plant in Moorefield, or worse, a minivan full of Virginia flatlanders

8 Thunder Roads® West Virginia MARCH 2011

 Donna rides Old Highway 55 while
Corridor H soars high above.
who were petrified by altitude changes. And I would always catch up
to them just as we came to one of the really exciting sections. There
is nothing more painful than riding a bike, in the wake of a minivan,
over a winding mountain pass at 12 miles-per-hour.
For years, I rode Highway 55, looking up at the ridge tops where we
could see the construction of the new road. Corridor H would involve
enormous bridges that span from ridge to ridge, high above the
Lost River. The bridges are so long, that they themselves are giant,
sweeping curves in the sky. The construction traffic had to reach the
new roadbed by way of my beloved 55. This was a very dark period
of time on My Highway. But, I kept telling myself that, eventually, the
construction would move on, the chicken trucks would take the new
road, and “Old Highway 55” would become Mine! All Mine!
That day finally came. The new road opened up, and did, indeed,
siphon off virtually all of the traffic that used to clog My road. Thirty
www.thunderroadswv.com
miles of blissfully crooked road with no traffic is a biker’s dream.
But there was no cause to celebrate, because an even more
dreadful impediment appeared. Someone who oversees the
maintenance of the old road decided to apply a painfully heavy
treatment of tar and chip resurfacing to major chunks of the road,
through some of the sharpest curves. And because the traffic count
on Old 55 was now almost nonexistent, it would be two full riding
seasons before the loose gravel found its way to the roadsides.
I am extremely happy to tell you that those days of dangerous
deposits of gravel are behind us. It is now possible to go from
Wardensville to Moorefield on Old Highway 55 on a safe roadway,
and not have to deal with a single cage or truck. The scenery is
gorgeous, the twisties are invigorating, the ride is therapeutic. This
is everything a biking road - My biking road - should be. I’ll even loan
it to you. Go ahead, and ride My road anytime you want.
MARCH 2011 Thunder Roads® West Virginia 9
 Robert and Cheryl Staubs (left) and Mike McBrearty (right) entered their West Virginia bikes in the show.
Staubs’ bike brought home a second place trophy.

Timonium
Bike Show
By the time mid-February rolls around, bikers in our region are
getting downright twitchy. For most, it has been months without a
ride. Even for the four-season riders, miles have been scarce this
winter. So, it’s no surprise that a well-run motorcycle show will draw
enthusiasts from several states away.
Such was the case at the Timonium Bike Show, held at the
Maryland State Fairgrounds. The three-day event drew so many
visitors that parking lots filled early, and the throngs of people swelled
to maximum capacity of the enormous buildings housing the show.
Hundreds of show bikes were dispersed around almost as many
vendors, blending bike show, accessories, and new bikes into a
seamless pageant of eye candy for melancholy motorcyclists. Many
West Virginians made the trek to Timonium, Maryland, and a few
had bikes in the show.
“I like the people. I get new ideas,” says Robert Staubs of Inwood,
West Virginia. His 2005 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy, sporting a tribute
to the U.S. Air Force, scored a second place trophy in the Mild
Custom Division. “One guy this morning came up to me and said he
got ideas for his bike from mine,” he adds. “I like that. It makes me
feel good.”
Mike McBrearty, another Inwood resident, agrees. His radical
custom is about as far out there are anything at this show. “There’s
satisfaction from all the people seeing what kind of a job you did
when you built it. They appreciate good stuff when they see it.”
Mike was also passing out thousands of fliers for the West Virginia
Rumble in the Valley bike rally that he is spearheading. His team of
organizers is busy pulling together the details for this first-year event,
which will be held in Martinsburg, West Virginia, the last weekend of
June. “We’re getting a good response so far, so it should be a real
good turnout,” he says.
Turnout was certainly not a problem at this show in Timonium.
Although the Friday crowd was predictably thinner, the Saturday and
Sunday crowds were simply overwhelming. It was clear evidence
that, at least for bikers, winter has overstayed its welcome.
10 Thunder Roads® West Virginia MARCH 2011
 Bikes of every shape and style made for an impressive display of hardware and attention to detail.

www.thunderroadswv.com MARCH 2011 Thunder Roads® West Virginia 11

 The show included a few oddities like this single-wheeled creation, with its seat inside
the wheel, and a motorized skateboard for the truly adventurous.

Vendors selling everything from brand new bikes to chaps were busy displaying their wares.

The Maryland Division

of Motor Vehicles
offered test rides on
a new computerized
simulator for
motorcyclists. Using
realistic controls,
Donna was challenged
to navigate her way
through a series of
road hazards that
present themselves to
motorcyclists every
day. How did she do?
Well, let’s just say that
no real pedestrians
were run down during
the exercise.

It’s a bike show. Yes, there were girls.

12 Thunder Roads® West Virginia MARCH 2011

 Present this ad for

15% OFF
YOUR
ROOM RATE
OFFER EXPIRES APRIL 2011.

www.thunderroadswv.com MARCH 2011 Thunder Roads® West Virginia 13

 BIKE OF THE
MONTH

Marshall ' s Memorial

Sometimes a customized bike is just that. It’s a stock machine
made unique by the gifted touch of fabricators and painters.
Other times, the customizing memorializes an event or person
important in the life of the bike’s owner. In the case of our March
Bike of the Month, Jim Marshall’s 2006 Harley-Davidson Dyna
Wide Glide not only remembers eight men he fought alongside
of during the Vietnam War, but the fact that they didn’t come
home with him.
1968 is a tumultuous year in U.S. History. In Vietnam,
the year starts with the Tet Offensive, an effort by the North
to win the hearts of the South Vietnamese people, so that
they will rise up against the Americans. It doesn’t work,
although it does fuel the anti-war fires here at home.
Protests occur on a hundred college
campuses, many of them more
than once. Ten-thousand
anti-war protesters descend
on the Democratic National
Convention in Chicago.
They are outnumbered
more than two-to-one by police and National
Guard troops, and the brutal crackdown plays out
on live TV. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy are both
assassinated. Richard Nixon is elected President on a promise to
bring an “honorable” end to the war.
With all of those headlines demanding the attention of worried
Americans here at home, it’s little wonder that an isolated ambush
of American soldiers never floated to the top of the list.
Jim Marshall, a resident of Bruceton Mills, West Virginia,
remembers it like he was there, because he was.
“I was 11-Bravo. Straight-leg infantry. I was in a real
tight outfit,” says Jim. It was the 13th of June, 1968, when
the ambush occurred. “They were my buddies, and they
were in my outfit…my platoon and my squad. So,
in honor of them, I put their names on the
front fender.”
The memorial to Jim
Marshall’s service in Viet
Nam doesn’t end there.
The entire bike is designed
to honor veterans of that
war. A lone soldier stands in silhouette on
the horn cover. Jim’s got the likeness of every

14 Thunder Roads® West Virginia MARCH 2011

medal awarded to him painted on the tank. The toe shifter is a .50
caliber casing. A passenger on Jim’s bike is going to rest his or her
feet on replicas of .45 caliber pistols, and the valve core caps for the
tires look like casings from the same handgun.
The passenger backrest supports some of the most interesting
and unique elements of the entire bike. For starters, a replica
grenade sits high atop the custom-machined framework. On the
backside, there are several inscriptions commemorating Jim
Marshall’s fighting unit. A map of Vietnam has been cut from billet
steel.
“I drew this up, and took it to Wiskybilt,” Jim explains. Using
their computerized machining equipment, they created the map of
Vietnam, along with the insignia of the 25th Infantry Division and
stars marking the areas of the country where Marshall served.
“I constantly get complimented on it,” Jim says of the reaction he
gets from other veterans when they see his bike. “They appreciate
me doing this. It just makes my day to see another veteran look at it,
and thank me because he didn’t get thanked when he came home.
www.thunderroadswv.com
But he does now.”
Jim and I are standing next to his bike at the MountainFest Rally
last summer, as we talk about this machine. Just as he made that
last statement, another biker who had been looking at his bike walks
up to us, reinforcing the point Jim has just made.
“You’re a Purple Heart recipient?” the man asks Jim.
“Yes,” he replies.
The man shakes his hand as he says, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Jim didn’t create this rolling memorial just to have it sit around at
shows. “I ride it. I want veterans to see it,” he says. “I’ve had people
tell me that they admire me for doing this, because most people that
start putting the money in that I have in this motorcycle, they don’t
ride it. But I ride it. That’s why I’ve done this.”
The bike isn’t finished. He’s having Wiskybilt machine a few
new parts and he’s working on a new seat. Jim Marshall plans to
debut the new parts with the upcoming riding season. Look for him
out on the road. You’ll find him riding proud out there.
MARCH 2011 Thunder Roads® West Virginia 15
 Health Insurance
and Bikers: A Survey

Did you know that it is not against the law for your health insurance
provider to discriminate against you because you ride a motorcycle?
An insurer can charge motorcyclists higher rates, deny coverage,
and even refuse to pay medical bills related to motorcycle accidents.
The interesting part of this is that Congress passed, and President
Clinton signed into law, legislation to prohibit this discriminatory
practice in 1996. Yet, when federal bureaucrats wrote the rules
governing implementation of the law, they ignored the wishes of
our elected representatives and allowed the insurance companies
to continue discriminating against motorcyclists and riders of
ATV’s. Numerous attempts to eliminate this practice by members
of Congress in the fifteen years since have failed. As the law stands
today, your insurance company does not have to pay medical bills
related to a motorcycle accident.
To see what practical effect this policy is having on bikers in the
Mountain State, Thunder Roads West Virginia is conducting an
online survey of readers. We want to know if you have experienced
discrimination at the hands of a health insurer because you ride.
So, please take a minute to log onto www.thunderroadswv.com
to fill out our anonymous Insurance Survey. Your experiences will
help shape an upcoming story on the subject.

16 Thunder Roads® West Virginia MARCH 2011

www.thunderroadswv.com MARCH 2011 Thunder Roads® West Virginia 17
 Gather the
By Gary Westphalen equipment and oil? Uh-huh. This would be a good time
Sometime during this month of March, supplies before you to do it, making sure to also replace any
you’re going to be tempted. The temperature start the work. In just seals that might be leaking. Since you’re
is going climb over your minimum riding a couple of hours in lubricating mode, replace the final drive
threshold. The sun will be washing down over your bike will be oil if your bike is shaft drive, or apply
the mountains of West Virginia, blanketing ready for the summer chain lube if that’s how your bike puts
this great state in comforting warmth. The season ahead. the power to the pavement. Belt driven
road is going to call out to you. You’re going machines get a pass on this step, although
to want – need – to throw a leg over and go you need to check for cracks or other damage
for that First Ride of Spring. You’re ready. But, and wear on that rubber band.
is your motorcycle?
That depends entirely on how you’ve
treated her through the dark months of
EleCTRICAl
winter’s oppression. Some of us keep Since the battery has been connected to a
our bikes road ready all year long. smart charger, such as a Battery Tender, all
Some of us carefully winterize winter long (don’t tell me otherwise) you won’t
our bikes, putting them in need to replace it. But corrosion may have built
Your bike may have up on the terminals and connectors attached to
a state of suspended a couple of grease
animation to minimize the them. This is caustic stuff, so carefully clean it
fittings that could
effects of the cold weather use a fresh squeeze. away with a mixture of baking soda and water,
hiatus. Still others never Check the steering and apply a coating of grease to keep future
gave it a thought as the cold head and the corrosion at bay. Once you reconnect the
winds of winter wound around swingarm pivot are battery, check all of the wiring and lights on your
that motorcycle, enveloping it two places to look. bike to make sure the bulbs and switches are
in a frontal assault of moisture, performing properly. While you’re checking the
corrosion, and deterioration. lights, also check the lenses that cover them.
A cracked lens can allow moisture in, which
Regardless of how you cared for your will eventually corrode the socket and give you
bike, these days just before the beginning more headaches than you really want.
of the riding season are a good time to do
an overall assessment of its mechanical
condition. If you’re a four-season rider, there TIReS
are a few steps to take. The winterizing rider
Check every inch of the tread, especially if the
needs to take the same steps, as well as
bike has been sitting in one place. The contact
undo some of the things that were done to
patch can be dried out by the constant touch
pickle the bike last fall. The procrastinator has
of dirt or concrete floors. Raising the tire off the
all of this and more waiting to be done before
floor, or parking it on a piece of plywood, would
that abused bike is ready to roll. So, let’s
have been a better idea. Check for tread wear,
get started.
damage to the sidewalls, and foreign objects
that may have become embedded in the rubber.
LUBRICATION Check the air pressure as well.

The first step is to change the oil and filter.

Moisture has a way of getting into the system, BRAKeS
and oil contaminated with water doesn’t Aside from the tires, your brake system is the
lubricate your moving parts well enough. You bike’s most important safety system. Check the
may be able to skip this step, but only if you pads, shoes, and discs for wear, replacing as
did an oil change last fall, and the bike has needed. Replace the brake fluid.
had a cushy winter, kicking back in a climate-
controlled garage. If there are any grease Check the tire
fittings, or Zerks, on the steering head and tread for wear and FUel
suspension of your bike, give them a squeeze damage. Proper
inflation of the tires If you used a high quality, naphtha-based fuel
or two of fresh stuff. Lubricate the cables as stabilizer in your tank last fall, you should be
is critical for safety,
well, checking their condition as you do so. handling, and long good to go. If you didn’t, drain that nasty gas
When was the last time you changed the fork tire life. before you even think of starting the engine, and

20 Thunder Roads® West Virginia MARCH 2011

 overcome this lack of start-up lubrication.
A good washing When was the last time you adjusted the
gets rid of the winter
valves? Do it now, and you probably won’t
accumulation of grime
and corrosion. This have to think about it all summer. Put a shot
is also a good time to of oil on the cam lobes before you button it
closely inspect each nut up, for the same reason that you did this in
and bolt, to make sure the cylinders. Clean or replace the air and
everything is buttoned fuel filters.
down.
FINISH
Clean every bit of winter dirt and corrosion off
all surfaces of the bike, and give the finish a good
waxing. See our story Hog Washing in the July, 2010 issue
of Thunder Roads West Virginia to learn how an expert does
it. A thorough detailing will not only keep the finish in showroom
shape, but it gives you an opportunity to closely examine every
inch of the machine, making sure that each nut and bolt is firmly
tightened down.

replace it with fresh. You’ll also have to pull the float bowls from the
carburetors (unless your bike is fuel injected), and give them a good
cleaning. Don’t dump the old fuel on the ground. Put it in your truck,
or better yet, give it to your least favorite neighbor to run in his truck.
ENGINe
Pull the spark plugs, and either replace them, or check the gaps
if you deem the plugs to still be good. Since the bike hasn’t run for
several months, the oil that lubricates the cylinder walls has long-
since drained away. That first thirty seconds of running the engine
in spring could do more damage than an entire season of riding. A
small squirt of oil in the cylinders before replacing the plugs will help
How many of these things you do yourself depends entirely upon
your own mechanical skills and comfort level in the garage. For
each step, make sure you have the necessary knowledge, tools,
and supplies to do the job. You don’t want to get halfway through a
valve adjustment, only to realize you don’t know what you’re doing.
There are skilled professionals all over the state who can handle any
part of this checklist that makes you uncomfortable. Just check our
advertisers to find the best shops.
Getting your bike ready for the riding season ahead shouldn’t be
looked upon as work. This is Garage Time. It’s the therapy that helps
bikers maintain sanity during bad weather. If you get these things
done now, you’ll not only feel better while you’re doing it, but you’ll
also be ready to roll the moment that good weather arrives.

www.thunderroadswv.com MARCH 2011 Thunder Roads® West Virginia 21

 Dining
Family rience
Ex pe Mome’s
Plac
ed
n u se r v
Full me to 10pm
6am
S-M-T at 24 hrs
W-S

“Her legacy lives on”

“ G ood The end of

H om e ”
Hoult Road by the
Phillips Plant in

Cooking Fairmont, WV

West Virginia
One year subscription to Thunder Roads is only $35 a year.
The nation’s largest FREE biker publication
can be delivered right to your door.
Name___________________________________
Address_________________________________
City____________________________________

State_________________ Zip_______________

Make Check payable to:

Thunder Roads West Virginia
Mail check and this form to:
Thunder Roads West Virginia
P.O. Box 606
Charles Town, WV 25414

22 Thunder Roads® West Virginia MARCH 2011

 Helmet Repeal on the Table Again
West Virginia’s helmet law is once again on the table in Charleston. For
the third year in a row, State Senator Jack Yost has introduced a bill that
would exempt motorcyclists from mandatory helmet usage, provided they
meet certain safety and insurance requirements. This is the third year in a
row that Senator Yost has sought to rescind the state helmet law. Senate Bill
7 would make helmet use optional for riders over 21 years of age, provided
they have a minimum of two years experience as a licensed rider, complete
a safety training course, and have health insurance that covers at least
$10,000 in medical benefits for motorcycle-related injuries.
“I think that freedom of choice is our guarantee under the Constitution,”
Senator Yost told Thunder Roads West Virginia when he introduced the
bill last year. The bill he has introduced this year is the same as the proposal
offered in 2010.
That bill died in the Senate Transportation Committee because its Chair,
Senator John Unger II, a Democrat from Berkeley County, refused to put the
bill on the committee’s agenda. But Senator Unger is no longer a member
of the Transportation Committee, which is now Chaired by Senator Robert
Beach, a Monongalia County Democrat.
The other members of the current Senate Transportation Committee are;
Vice-Chair Orphy Klempa (Ohio); Douglas Facemire (Braxton); John Pat
Fanning (McDowell); Robert Plymale (Wayne); Gregory Tucker (Nicholas); Bob
Williams (Taylor); Clark Barnes (Randolph); and Karen Facemyer (Jackson).
Senators Facemire, Fanning, Plymale, Barnes, and Facemyer were on the
Committee last year. Senators Beach, Klempa, Tucker, and Williams are
the new members. Senate Bill 7 is currently pending in the Transportation
Committee.
There are several other bills before State Legislators that are of interest
to motorcyclists. Senate Bills 209 and 260 concern the use of wireless
communication devices while driving. The bills, similar in nature to House
Bill 2555, would create a misdemeanor offense for texting while operating
a motor vehicle. The Senate versions are also before the Transportation
Committee, and the House bill has been referred to the Roads and
Transportation Committee.

www.thunderroadswv.com MARCH 2011 Thunder Roads® West Virginia 23

 Seats
& Saddles

24 Thunder Roads® West Virginia MARCH 2011

www.thunderroadswv.com MARCH 2011 Thunder Roads® West Virginia 25
26 Thunder Roads® West Virginia MARCH 2011
 Only the Irish have Jokes Like These

Into a Belfast pub comes Paddy Murphy, looking like he’d
jus been run over by a train. His arm is in a sling, his nose
is broken, his face is cut and bruised, and he’s walking with
a limp.
“What happened to you?” asks Sean, the bartender.
“Jamie O’Conner and me had a fight,” says Paddy.
“That jerk, O’Conner,” says Sean, “He couldn’t do that to
you, he must have had something in his hand.”
“That he did,” says Paddy, “a shovel is what he had, and a
terrible lickin’ he gave me with it.”
“Well,” says Sean, “you should have defended yourself.
Didn’t you have something in your hand?”
“That I did,” says Paddy.
“Mrs. O’Conner’s breast, and a thing of beauty it was, but
useless in a fight.”
An Irishman who had a little too much to drink is driving
home from the city one night and, of course, his car is
weaving violently all over the road. A cop pulls him over.
“So,” says the cop to the driver, “where have ya been?”
“Why, I’ve been to the pub of course,” slurs the drunk.
“Well,” says the cop, “it looks like you’ve had quite a few to
drink this evening.”
“I did all right,” the drunk says with a smile.
“Did you know,” says the cop, standing straight and folding
his arms across his chest, that a few intersections back,
your wife fell out of your car?”
“Oh, thank heavens,” sighs the drunk. “For a minute there, I
thought I’d gone deaf.”
________________________________________________
Mary Clancy goes up to Father O’ Grady after his Sunday
morning service, and she’s in tears. He says, “So what’s
bothering you, Mary my dear?”
She says, “Oh, Father, I’ve got terrible news. My husband
passed away last night.”
The priest says, “Oh, Mary, that’s terrible. Tell me, Mary, did
he have any last requests?”
“That he did, Father.”
The priest says, “What did he ask, Mary?”
“ He said, ‘Please Mary, put down that damn gun.’”
_________________________________________________
AND THE BEST FOR LAST
A drunk staggers into a Catholic Church, enters a
confessional booth, sits down, but says nothing. The Priest
coughs a few times to get his attention but the drunk
continues to sit there. Finally, the Priest pounds three times
on the wall.
The drunk mumbles, “Ain’t no use knockin’. There’s no paper
on this side either!”

Brenda O’Malley is home making dinner, as usual, when Tim

Finnegan arrives at her door.
“Brenda, may I come in?” he asks. “I’ve somethin’ to tell
ya.”
“Of course you can come in, you’re always welcome, Tim.
But where’s my husband?”
“That’s what I’m here to be telling ya, Brenda. There was an
accident down at the Guinness brewery....” Got a Favorite Joke?
“Oh, God no!” cries Brenda. “Please don’t tell me.”
“I must, Brenda. Your husband Shamus is dead and gone. Thunder Roads West Virginia wants to share it!
I’m sorry.” We are always looking for submissions of all kinds for the
Finally, she looked up at Tim. “How did it happen, Tim?” magazine, and that includes your jokes. We let our hair
“It was terrible, Brenda. He fell into a vat of Guinness Stout down a little bit on this page, so moderately adult humor
and drowned.” is welcome. However, bad language and blatantly nasty
“Oh my, dear Jesus! But you must tell me the truth, Tim. stuff might get shared around the office, but isn’t going to
Did he at least go quickly?” make it into print. Send your funny business to jokerswild@
“Well, Brenda, no. In fact, he got out three times to pee.” thunderroadswv.com.

www.thunderroadswv.com MARCH 2011 Thunder Roads® West Virginia 27

 Thunder Roads Magazine
National S.E.O. Of 2010
DENNIS MARTIN of THUNDER ROADS MISSOURI/SO. ILLINOIS
DENNIS MARTIN of THUNDER ROADS MISSOURI/SO. ILLINOIS  is the proud recipient of
the THUNDER ROADS STATE EDITOR/OWNER OF THE YEAR AWARD for 2010.
Dennis has been a very vital and contributing member of this fabulous
Family/Network since 2005. So yes, he is without a doubt an oldie-goldie Thunder
Roads veteran. We've had the pleasure of meeting up with Dennis at a few rallies
over the years with he and his lovely wife, Stacey, and they are not only a very
savvy, smart  and hard-working couple, but they're damn good looking too.
Well...Stacey's a knockout anyway and Dennis is well...he's a biker, what else is
there to say? But Dennis has ALWAYS had great ideas and valuable contributions and
is just a team player who loves doing his magazine and has put out a top-notch
quality magazine since 2005!!!! and that aint easy in a world where every month
you've got to top the previous month. Way to go, Dennis. You're a helluva guy and
we're proud to know you and proud to have you as part of this Family/Network. Keep
up the high standards and quality magazine for your loyal readers/bikers of Thunder
Roads Missouri/So. Illinois.

Brian & Toni, Thank you for the recognition. Without an outstanding staff and the support of my lovely wife
Stacey, we wouldn't have won this award. The other Thunder Roads State Editor Owners (SEO) publish a
fantastic magazine every month and I am grateful to be among them. Last year was one busy-ass year, and
I feel honored to be a part of the best magazine network around. There have been some bumps in the road,
but I am sure all the SEOs have their stories on the past.

Dennis Martin | Thunder Roads Magazine MO / So IL | Owner / Editor

THUNDER ROADS®
Thunder Roads Magazine is looking to expand!
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 TNT

30 Thunder Roads® West Virginia MARCH 2011

MARCH
UpComing Events
March 5 – Martinsburg, WV
Benefit Ride for Dave Mast
Starting at Nan & Pop’s Place 3845 Winchester Avenue, Martinsburg, WV
(304) 267-2007. Registration at 11:00 with kick stands up at 12:00 Noon.
$15 single/$20 two-up. Food at the end of the ride, Raffles and Prizes
throughout the evening with 3 bands scheduled. All proceeds to benefit
Dave Mast to help with medical expenses.
APRIL
April 1 - 3 – Martinsburg, WV
Nan & Pops Spring Fling
Friday night music. Saturday Poker Run. Sign-up 12:00 Noon with kick
stands up at 2:00 p.m. Food buffet and live music. Sunday Bike Show.
Registration 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Judging at 4:00 p.m. 3845 Winchester
Avenue, Martinsburg, WV (304) 267-2007
April 16 – Charleston, WV
WV Oral Health Bike Rally
Sponsored by the WV Healthy Kids and Families Coalition. This rally will
take place at the Laidely Field Parking Lot, Piedmont Rd & Elizabeth St.,
Charleston, WV. Proceeds to benefit the WV Oral Health Fund to provide
dental services for those in need.For more information please contact
Jeffrey Allen (304) 344-3141 www.wvoralhealthrally.org
April 23 – Romney, WV
Romney Cycle Spring Open House
Romney Cycle Spring Open House Event 9:00am - 4:00pm at 51 Industrial
Park Romney, WV 25757 (304) 822-3933 www.romneycycles.com
MAY
May 7 – Martinsburg, WV
Relay for Life Poker Run to Moorefield, WV
Starting at at The Rock Sports Bar located on Rt.11 North of Martinsburg
2573 Williamsport Pike, Martinsburg, WV. Registration at 9:00am. Kick
stands up at 11:00am. $10.00 per bike and $5.00 for passenger, Cars can
follow for $10.00 per car. There will be door prizes at each stop. All You Can
Eat BBQ at the end for $5.00 per person. Music by Cross Bonz. See our
flyer in this issue of Thunder Roads West Virginia for stop information. All
proceeds will go to Relay for Life.
Any question please contact: Pam (304) 582-8571 or Sharon (304) 676-2781
JUNE
June 4 – Nutter Fort, WV
10th Annual Hogs for Dogs Dice Run
Sponsored by B&B Harley-Davidson.
The ride starts at B&B Harley-Davidson in Nutter Fort.
Registration is from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. For more information
call (304) 592-1600
www.thunderroadswv.com
June 4 – Romney, WV
Romney Cycles Bike Night
Romney Cycles Bike Night 4:00pm - 8:00pm
Store will be open from 9:00am until 8:00pm
Romney Cycles 51 Industrial Park, Romney, WV 25757
(304) 822-3933 www.romneycycles.com
June 5 – Williamstown, WV
8th Annual Juvenile Diabetes Benefit Run
Sponsored by Borderline Chapter Harley Owners Group
The ride starts at S&P Harley-Davidson, 80 Thunder Road in
Williamstown. The first bike will leave at 11:00 am and the last bike
will leave at 1:00 pm. All motorcycles are welcome. The fee is $10.00
for each person. The ride ends with cash prizes and door prizes. This
event will benefit area diabetic youth attending Camp Kno-Koma.
For more information call (740) 373-0682, click here to send e-mail,
or go to www.sandpharleydavidson.com
June 11 – Farmington, WV
Dana Hibbs Memorial Ride
Charity ride to honor the memory of Dana Hibbs who died tragically
as a result of a crash while riding her Harley Davidson motorcycle.
Dana was an avid NASCAR fan and the proceeds for her ride
go the Kyle Petty’s Victory Junction Gang camp. The camp is for
children with serious and/or life threatening diseases or illnesses.
For more information contact: Brad Hibbs (304) 290-2899 or email
BHibbs373@aol.com.
June 23 – 26 – Martinsburg, WV
WV Rumble in the Valley
Our 1st Annual Rumble in the Valley is going to be awesome with
great food, biker games and camping.
Hours of Operation:
June 23rd: 11a-11p, June 24th and June 25th: 10a-11p and June
26th: 10a-4p
Cost For the Event: $25.00 per day or $50.00 weekend pass
Cost for Camping: $30.00 per day or $75.00 weekend pass
No Colors - No Animals - No Weapons - No Attitudes
Mikje McBrearty (304) 229-5288 Harleyconst@aol.com
www.rumbleinthevalley.com
LIST YOUR MOTORCYCLE EVENT FOR FREE
Let bikers all across the state know about your motorcycle event without
spending a penny. Thunder Roads West Virginia provides this space to
announce upcoming events free of charge. Events unrelated to motorcycles
are not eligible.
You may attach a flier with information to an email, and send it to
events@www.thunderroadswv.com. Information we need is: City or
County where the event is being held; Date; Name of Event; Name and
address of the Start/Finish location; Timing of the event (sign-up, kickstands
up, finish time, etc); A brief (2-3 sentence) description of the event and who
is benefiting (if applicable); also a name and phone number or email to
contact for more information.
MARCH 2011 Thunder Roads® West Virginia 31
 BIKER FRIENDLY DIRECTORY
ATTORNEYS
Law Offices of Ralph C. Buss
Motorcycle Accident/Injury Law
Ohio, WV, KY, PA & Indiana
(800) 582-5577
www.ralphbuss.com
BAIL BONDS
Weatherholtz Bonding
306 West Stephen Street
Martinsburg, WV 25401
(304) 267-5888 or (304) 728-6889
tweatherholtz@verizon.net
BARS & RESTAURANTS
Bee Hive Tavern
463 Morgantown Avenue
Fairmont, WV 26554
(304) 282-8196
One block from Thinkin Ink Tattoo
Cindy’s Bar & Grill
Route 3 (End of Speedway)
Fairmont, WV 26554
(304) 363-0058
Pool Tournaments Weekly
Colt’s Restaurant and Pizza Park Inc.
425 S. Main St.
Moorefield, WV 26836
(304) 538-2523
Country Inn - Under New Management!
1202 Meadowdale Rd, Fairmont
(304) 333-6310 Daily Specials and Live Music!
Pool Tables, Video Games & MORE!
Banquet and Private Parties Welcome
Desperado’s Bar & Grill
35 Potomac Street
Ridgeley, WV 26753
Food – Games – Cold Beer
(304) 738-0010
Donna Jean’s Family Restaurant
23480 George Washington Hwy.
Aurora, WV 26705 (304) 735-3260
Serving Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Mon-Fri 5:30 - 7 Sat & Sun 7:00 - 7
Doodles Place
Rt. 50 Augusta, WV
(304) 496-9481
Four Corners Club
72 Pedal Car Drive
Inwood, WV 25428
(304) 229-3443
www.the4cornersclub.com
Hide Away Tavern
Rt. 50 Burlington, WV
Near WVDOH District 5 Shed
(304) 289-5396
32 Thunder Roads® West Virginia
Iron Horse Bar & Grill
HC 84 Box 33 (Cutoff Road)
Keyser, WV 26726
(304) 788-7533
Longshots Billiards
76 Wolfcraft Way
Charles Town, WV 25414
(304) 724-1975
www.longshotsbilliards.com
Lost River Brewing
155 West Main Street
Wardensville, WV 26851
(304) 874-4455 www.lostriverbrewing.com
Under New Ownership
Main Street Bar & Grill
608 N. Main Street
Moorefield, WV 26836
(304) 530-5111
“Behind Anthony’s Pizza”
Mom’s Place
Full menu served 24 hours a day
The end of Hoult Road by the Phillips Plant
Fairmont, WV
(304) 368-9223
Mountaineer All Star Cafe
U.S. Rt. 220 South / 2 mi. from Keyser
A Family Restaurant with a Sports Atmosphere
(304) 788-6433
Nan & Pops Place
3485 Winchester Avenue
Martinsburg, WV 25405
(304) 267-2007
www.nanandpopsplace.com
Petie’s Pub & Grill
304 Morgantown Avenue
Fairmont, WV 26554
(304) 363-0698
Bike Nite to Start April 1st.
Poor Dave’s Restaurant and Lounge
Rt. 55 – American Legion
Petersburg, WV 26847
(304) 257-4322
PoorDavesRestaurantandLounge@hotmail.com
Potter’s Hill Top Inn
4726 US Hwy. 33 West
Camden, WV 26338
(304) 269-4004
Coldest beer in town.
Quaker Steak & Lube
Bike Nite starting April 21st
2931 Mountaineer Blvd.
Charleston, WV (304) 746-9401
www.the lube.com
Road Hogs Saloon
415 Clayton Street
Rivesville, WV 26588
MARCH 2011
The Rock Sports Bar
Located on Rt. 11 North of Martinsburg
2573 Williamsport Pike
Martinsburg, WV
(304) 263-5558
Rock Forge Inn/Haught Diggity Dogz
Serving WV’s #1 Rated Chili Dog
Off I-68 at Sabraton Exit #4
Turn left .2 mile – Red Roof on right
Rt. 7 East (304) 291-DOGZ (3649)
Royal Restaurant
88 N. Main St., Keyser, WV
Good Home Cookin’
Check us out on Facebook
(304) 788-9825
Santana’s Pub
2430 Smithtown Rd (Rt. 73, near Goshen Rd)
Morgantown WV (304) 241-5762
Full Kitchen Now Open!
Outside Facilities – Awesome Food!
Sissie’s Bellview Bar
1009 Pennsylvania Ave. Fairmont, WV 26554
Tues. 8pm Pool Tournament
Thurs. 8pm Women’s Pool Tournament
Cold Beer - Good Food
Star Mercantile, LLC
80 W. Main Street
Wardensville, WV 26851
(304) 874-FOOD (3663)
star.wardensville@gmail.com
Steve’s Broken Spoke Bar & Grill
14977 SR 55
Needmore, WV 26801
(304) 897-7706
www.oldroute55.com
Swervé’s Bar & Grill
Speedway Ave. Fairmont, WV 26554
(304) 367-0075 Welcome Truckers
“Swerve on In” Daily Specials
Located beside K&T Truck Stop
Uncle Joe’s Wood Pile
Rt. 1, Box 400
Ridgeley, WV 26753
(304) 726-8505
Your Tavern
304-329-2078 Rte. 7 Kingwood, WV
Friday night Wing night
Big Screen TVs
Where friends meet year ‘round.
BIKER ACCESSORIES, APPAREL,
LEATHERS & GIFTS
Cool Ridge
329 High St. Morgantown, WV 26505
(304) 296-5757
Mon - Sat 11 to 7 / Sun 12 to 5
“Take It Easy”
 BIKER FRIENDLY DIRECTORY
Hawgs-N-Dawgs JT Cycle & Hoodlum Motorcycle Garage FINANCIAL SERVICES
Biker Apparel – Leather – H-D Boots Aftermarket & Custom Parts & Accessories Edward Jones
Patches & More 486 Ragland Road, Beckley, WV 25801
112 Davis Avenue - Glen Lyn, VA 24093 (304) 255-2468 Yvonne Williams, Financial Advisor
(540) 726-3080 www.jtcycleparts.com 210 N. Main Street
Moorefield, WV (304) 538-2811
HIAWATHA’S M&J Motor Company Yvonne.Williams@edwardjones.com
Boots – Hats – Jewelry – Gifts – Aigner Leather Lehman Trike Conversions
Moccasins – Beaded Jackets – WV Shirts 1000 S. Queen Street
Jct. Rt. 250 S. & 33 E. Elkins, WV 26241 Martinsburg, WV 25401 HEALTH & BEAUTY
(304) 636-4836 (304) 262-6200 www.mjtrikes.com A Therapeutic Touch of Fairmont
“JUST LOOK FOR THE INDIAN PRINCESS” 210 East Park Avenue
Mercer County Choppers Fairmont, WV 26554
4156 Coal Heritage Road
CUSTOM ART Bluewell, WV 24701
(304) 366-8711
Art by Weeze (304) 589-6222 EVERYBODY NEEDS A MASSAGE
Custom art on bikes, leathers, helmets, www.mercercountychoppers.com
auto, canvas & murals Meredith Hancock
Martinsburg, WV (304) 264-4604 Morgantown Powersports Independent Beauty Consultant
www.artbyweeze.com 526 Mileground Road www.marykay.com/mhancock78
http://profile.to/weezemace/ Morgantown, WV 26505
(703) 965-1848
304-296-9055
www.morgantownpowersports.com GET YOUR COLOR FIX!
CUSTOM DESIGN & FABRICATION
Brown’s Custom Coating & R.G. Honda-Yamaha & Polaris INSURANCE
Fabrication 1619 Buckhannon Pike Jarrell Insurance
Nutter Fort, WV 26301 Bike Insurance Specialists
Powder Coating & Fabrication
(304) 624-5420 (800) 734-3694
Rte. 1 Box 603 Mt. Clair, WV 26408 The Fun Starts Here! 2404 Camden Ave. & 4545 Emerson Ave.
(304) 669-8976 Parkersburg, WV 26101
Romney Cycle Center (877) 876-9076
Cosmic Wizard L.E.D.s 51 Industrial Park
Specializing in Motorcycle L.E.D. Lighting. Romney, WV 26757
Accent, Brake, Turn Signals, and Much More. Mathias & Associates Insurance
(866) 766-1495 (304) 822-3933
(740) 706-2288 (740) 423-2028 Farm – Home – Auto – Life - Health
www.romneycycles.com
www.cosmicwizardleds.com Motorcycle – Boat – RV Insurance
Ruff Road Cycle L.L.C. and Retirement Planning
Smack, Jack and Wack Upholstery Authorized Drag Specialty Dealer (800) 628-3064 mathiasins@hardynet.com
Custom Motorcycle Seat Specialists Tires & Service – Fast Turn Around
Seat Softening and Gel Pad Inserts 2050 Burke Rd. Masontown, WV 26542 Rider Insurance
“Set Your Crack On Smack, Jack and Wack!” (304) 980-2005 Est. 1971
Morgantown, WV (304) 328-5707 For a hassle free ride …Ride with Rider
S & P Harley-Davidson
80 Thunder Road For a quick quote call (800) 595-6393
Toxic Paint Williamstown, WV 26187 www.rider.com
Custom Air Brush, Fabrication, I-77 Exit 185
Design & Collision Repair
Morgantown, WV 26505 - Star City
(304) 375-2530 www.sandpharleydavidson.com LODGING & CAMPING
Danny (480) 650-4743, Shenandoah Harley-Davidson River Bridge Retreat
RJ (304) 826-6688 Tod (304) 376-4333 213 Rolling Thunder Lane Your Personal Get-Away
Office (304) 777-2134, Shop (304) 599-4195 Staunton, VA 24401 Moorefield, WV
(540) 213-7433 (304) 886-5100
Wiskybilt www.shenhd.com www.RiverBridgeRetreat.com
It’s all about the ride.
Smitty’s Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha South Branch Inn –
Custom crafted parts made in WV Rt. 33 E. Corridor H
(304) 379-1214 Romney & Moorefield
Buckhannon, WV 26201 1500 U.S. 220 N. Moorefield, WV 26836
www.wiskybilt.com (304) 472-4824 Route 50 Romney, WV 26757
www.supersmittys.com 800-856-9167 Moorefield
DEALERS & SERVICE 866-492-3122 Romney
Busted Knuckles Custom Cycles Synful Cycle
Service * Repair * Customizing www.southbranchinn.com / Open 24 hours
47 Post Office Lane
Bunker Hill, WV 25413 54 GM Access Road, Suite G
(304) 229-9360 Martinsburg, WV 25403 MOTORCYCLE PARTS
(304) 262-2400 Check us out on Facebook CycleMart -
www.bustedknucklescycles.com
Your Motorcycle Parts Store
Country Chrome The Twisted Spoke All Makes All Models
Cycles – Trikes – ATVs Custom Builds, Motorcycle & ATV Repair 202 Elkins Street
Parts – Accessories – Repair 97 Milford Street Clarksburg, WV 26301 Fairmont, WV 26554
16435 Parkersburg Rd. Elizabeth, WV 26143 (304) 326-HOGG (4644) (304) 366-8119
(304) 273-4986 www.countrychrome.com www.thetwistedspoke.com
continued on next page

www.thunderroadswv.com MARCH 2011 Thunder Roads® West Virginia 33

 BIKER FRIENDLY DIRECTORY
Walneck’s Motorcycle
Swap Meets & Shows
Happening in KY & OH
7923 Janes Ave., Woodridge, IL. 60517
(630) 985-2097
www.walneckswap.com
PMS Patty Products
www.pmspattystore.com
Facebook - http://companies.to/pmspatty/
Other inquiries about PMS Patty please
call Art by Weeze (304) 264-4604
PHOTOGRAPHY
Vetter Photo
1675 Cold Spring Road
Moorefield, WV 26836
(304) 530-6855
www.vetterphoto.com
SELF DEFENSE
Dragon Cloud Dojo
Mount Mission Community Center
Rte. 9 and Mission Road
Harpers Ferry, WV (304) 261-1609
Martial arts for any age
SPORTING GOODS
Doug’s Sport Shop
New and Used Guns, Sporting Apparel,
Aigner Products and Reloading Supplies
220 North Main Street; 743B Hawse Plaza
Moorefield, WV 26836 (304) 538-6496
TATTOO STUDIOS
Pattys Art Spot
Tattoo & Piercing Studio
3399 University Ave.
Star City, WV (next to Crocketts)
(304)-598-0190
www.PattysArtSpot.com
Smokin’ Guns Tattoo
2986 Robert C. Byrd Drive
Beckley, WV 25801
(304) 250-6020
www.sgtattoo.com
34 Thunder Roads® West Virginia
VEHICLE SERVICES
Brady’s Exxon
I-79 Exit 132
Fairmont, WV 26554
Complete Auto Repair
(304) 366-0206
Brady’s Exxon
I-79 Exit 139
Fairmont, WV 26554
Complete Convenience Store
Open 24 Hours (304) 363-1810
Bob’s Tire Service Inc.
812 East Moler Avenue
Martinsburg, WV 25401
(304) 267-2797
www.bobstireservice.net
J & C Enterprises
“Cylinder Head Exchange”
612 Virginia Ave., Fairmont, WV 26554
(800) 266-5599 Fax: (304) 366-4221
TStarcher@aol.com
Rainbow Tire
10422 Veterans Memorial Highway
Masontown, WV 26542
304-854-3999
“Come See Us For Your Vehicle
Rim And Tire Needs.”
HOME SERVICES
B & B Appliance Repair
Most Brands Serviced - 25 Years Experience
(443) 605-6367 – Bill / Frederick County MD
(443) 605-6368 – Brian / Jefferson County WV
Clubs & Organizations
American Legion Riders Post #21
(Winchester, VA)
Meeting on the second Wednesday of every month at
7:00pm at the American Legion 1730 Berryville Pike
in Winchester, VA.
Harry Stine (540) 667-4388 home (540) 247-9725 cell
MARCH 2011
BACA - Bikers Against Child Abuse
(Inwood, WV)
A non-profit organization that exists with the intent
to create a safer environment for abused children.
Hot Line (304) 839-7809
bacaworld.org Email: bacaofwv@yahoo.com
Calvary Riders Motorcycle Ministry
Fishers of Men of Morgan County
For more information email Larry at
CRMMFishersofMen@live.com
CBWV – Concerned Bikers of
West Virginia (Fairmont, WV)
For more information call
Earl at (304) 366-6473 or (304) 816-2863
Email: Earl@thunderroadswv.com
C.E.’s Helping Hands (Old Fields, WV)
a non-profit organization enlisting the help of
other good hearted people wanting to contribute
to the cause of helping others in need. The
organization holds monthly meetings and several
fundraising rides every year. Donations are
always appreciated. For more information visit our
website at www.cehelpinghands.com.
GWRRA WV-A (Martinsburg, WV)
(Gold Wing Road Riders Assoc.)
‘Mountaineer Wings’
Meets the 1st Sunday of the month - 8am at
Hoss’s Steak House, Martinsburg, WV
Chapter Directors: JJ & Becky Jones
JJ: (301) 667-4040 johnjonesjgj@aol.com
Becky: (301) 667-0121 Rpepgirl@aol.com
Highways and Hedges
Motorcycle Ministry
(South Charleston, WV)
For more information email Jim “Jammer”
Marcum at: harley4me2@verizon.net
STAR Touring and Riding Assoc.
Chapter 485 (Martinsburg, WV)
Meets the second Saturday of the month – 8:00
am at Sheila’s Restaurant, Martinsburg, WV
Chapter President: Rick Shimp (703) 969-8745
grizzlybr4@yahoo.com
www.startouring485.webs.com
 By Jim “Jammer” Marcum

Silver and Gold Have I None

Several years ago a friend was going through some difficult times. He was suffering with an illness, as well as
struggling financially. In the midst of his troubles he remained faithful that tomorrow would be a brighter day, and
would always manage to squeeze out a smile. I wanted to be able to just snap my fingers and make everything
better for him. I wanted to be able to reach into my pocket and give him all the money he needed to meet his
financial obligations. But I had limited resources myself, although I helped the best I could. He told me that,
above all things, his greatest need was for prayer. This was one of his needs I knew I could fulfill fervently and
consistently. Many people prayed for him, and in God’s time He brought him through it all in complete victory!
In Acts 3:1-10 Peter and John went to the temple to pray. At the gate laid a crippled man who was lame at birth.
His only hope of survival was to ask alms (money) of those who entered the temple. When Peter and John
approached the man asked alms of them. Peter said, “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have, give
I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” The man leaped up and walked
into the temple with them praising God.
Even though our physical resources and abilities to help are sometimes limited, we have an
unlimited spiritual resource we can tap into…the power of prayer which moves the hand
of God! People may be able to supply us with a few of our physical needs, but only God
can supply us with ALL our needs!
- Jammer
Jim “Jammer” Marcum resides in Charleston and has been involved in motorcycle ministry for
nearly 15 years and serves as Clergy within Highways and Hedges Motorcycle Ministry.

www.thunderroadswv.com MARCH 2011 Thunder Roads® West Virginia 35

36 Thunder Roads® West Virginia MARCH 2011
 51 Industrial Park
Romney, WV 26757
1-866-766-1495 or 1-304-822-3933
www.romneycycles.com

NEVER any freight, prep or set-up charges! Call us today!

At Suzuki, we want every ride to be safe and enjoyable. So always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing. Never ride under the
influence of alcohol or other drugs. Avoid excessive speeds. Never engage in stunt riding. Study your owner's manual and always inspect your Suzuki
before riding. Take a riding skills course. For the course nearest you call the Motorcycle Safety Foundation at 1-800-446-9227.