Along with being our January 2007 cover model, Amy also rides her own bike. Therefore, we wanted to gather some additional information so we could feature her and her bike in this month’s issue.
CC: Amy, please tell us about your bike?
Amy: It took about five months to piece together my ideal bike. It started as a Buell Lightening S1 and ended as a compact hardtail. So compact, that in order to remove the battery I have to take off the belt and pipes. Dyno Mike Wilson helped start the process by tearing down the Buell and piecing it into a one-off frame built by Don Fullingim. Dyno donated pegs and many other parts; including a chrome Sportster front-end in exchange for the Buell's front-end. Don and I worked many evenings to finalize the frame, mounts, seat, fender, and every other detail. After trying out many tanks, Bill Eft from Chubby Customs donated a 1950s peanut tank, complete with dent and rust, but it was a perfect fit. After borrowing parts from Tim Broadbent's scrap Sportster pile, it was almost complete. Scorpion Choppers hand tooled my seat to complete the build. Bill and Dyno each did a final check, and I was off! I need to thank so many people who were involved in this incredible process. I enjoyed our time together and the lessons they taught me. I look forward to many years of riding with each of them.
CC: How long have you been riding?
Amy: My father got me addicted to the breeze in my hair when he put me on his bike as a toddler. I bought my first bike in 1997 with my college loan.
CC: What was your first bike?
Amy: It was a Kawasaki Ninja 500.
CC: How many bikes have you owned?
Amy: I’ve had three bikes. My Ninja, my Buell Lightening S1, and my Custom Buell, which was as you know, was built from my S1.
CC: What do you like most about your Custom Buell?
Amy: I was a part of building it from the ground up and was able to work with several pros in the business to fabricate my ideal bike!
CC: What is your most memorable riding experience?
Amy: Any summer evening or fall day that I can get together with fellow riders and cruise the curvy Midwest.
CC: Sounds great! So what is your least memorable riding experience?
Amy: I’d say my least memorable experience was watching my best friend miss a curve and take his bike down. Luckily, both bike and rider were repairable.
CC: Which motorcycle rallies & events have you attended and which is your favorite?
Amy: I’ve gone to Biketoberfest and Daytona Bike Week for the past three years and in 2005 I made it down to Bikes, Blues & BBQ in Fayetteville, Arkansas. I’ve also participated in several Toys for Tots rides and other fundraisers. My favorite would have to be Biketoberfest in Daytona Beach, Florida because of the great weather and atmosphere.
CC: Do you have any tattoos, and if so, which is your favorite?
Amy: I have three tattoos; one on my lower mid-back, one on my finger and one on my foot. The one on my finger is my favorite because it’s very unique.
CC: Do you prefer riding in a group or by yourself?
Amy: It depends on my mood. Sometimes a ride out a country road at my own pace can be very refreshing and a time to “refuel,” but a group of four or five riders is a lot of fun too. Big groups are my least favorite unless it’s for a good cause.
CC: Who are some of your closest riding buddies?
Amy: My father and mother Jim and Lois Blansit, my sisters and brothers-in-law Lori & Jim White and Bonnie & Rod Justice; my friends Amanda Macy, Dyno Mike Wilson, Tim Broadbent, Joe Ficarra, Jon and Michelle Welsh, and the Chubby’s crew.
CC: Just for fun, which of your riding buddies is the best rider?
Amy: Ouch! I’m pretty sure they would all be offended for not getting picked, but Dyno has the most miles under his belt.
Interview by Mike Schweder
Photos provided by Amy
.JPG', '1998 Custom Buell Lightning S1 ','640', '480'))
.JPG', '1998 Custom Buell Lightning S1 ','640', '480'))
.JPG', '1998 Custom Buell Lightning S1 ','576', '768'))
