Cycle Connections

Back when we decided to feature Mark Kozak’s 1917 Harley-Davidson Model B on our January 2017 cover to commemorate the 100th birthday of this nostalgic bike (1917-2017), our studio photographer Dick Carlson suggested we have the folks at Chop Tops in Westport to do our cover model’s hair and makeup to match the flapper-style period-era dress Dick had ordered for the shoot. I thought this was a great idea, so Dick contacted Chop Tops owner Cilla Holopter to bounce the idea off her. Cilla and her husband Jim were thrilled to help us out, so we scheduled cover model Katy…

When I first heard there was a new Indian Motorcycle dealership opening in Kansas City, I was beyond excited to go check this place out and see what the new bikes were all about. Although I’ve been a Harley guy for a long time, Indians have always held a special place in my heart, which I’m sure is true for other old school bikers (I’ve been riding a little more than 46 years, so I’m not sure if that qualifies as old school, but please work with me here). As Indian enthusiasts will tell you, if you choose to bring…

Eric Miller is a fellow motorcycle enthusiast and the owner of Miller’s Mark Firearms Training. He has 20 years of military experience and is an NRA Certified Pistol Instructor and Range Safety Officer. Eric has been shooting firearms for over 30 years, and offers classes seven days a week. He teaches NRA Basic Pistol Instruction, NRA First Steps Pistol, NRA Home Firearm Safety Course, NRA Personal Protection in the Home Course, and Missouri CCW Classes. Eric is certified to teach CCW Classes to residents in Jackson County, Johnson County (MO), Lafayette County, Platte County, Pettis County, Cass County, Benton County…

Worth Clearance Center is located at 6609 N. Oak Trafficway in Gladstone, Missouri in the previous Worth Harley-Davidson dealership location. Upon entering the Worth Clearance Center, you’ll be overwhelmed by the wide selection of pre-owed motorcycles of which primarily consists of the ever-dominant Harley-Davidson, but they also carry all makes and models of metric bikes as well. On the day that I arrived, the showroom included everything from Sportsters to Ultra Classics, Evos to Big Twins, and completely stock to heavily modified, including bike models as new as 2010 and 2011. After speaking to the staff at Worth Clearance Center,…

There are several independent motorcycle shops in the Kansas City area, and even more that have shut down over the past few years, but how many shops do you know of that are actually expanding and growing their business; especially in this economy? I know of only one; Knobtown Cycle in Kansas City, Missouri. Owner Kit Fox opened for business in April 2004 at the intersection of 350 Highway and Noland Road in Knobtown, Missouri, which is just south of Kansas City International Raceway (KCIR). From the day they opened, Knobtown Cycle earned the respect of the local motorcycle community…

On Monday, April 29, 2010, Worth Harley-Davidson, one of the Midwest's highest volume Harley-Davidson dealers moved to a newer and larger location to accommodate their thriving business. Less than one week later on Friday, June 4 and Saturday, June 5, Worth Harley-Davidson celebrated their Grand Opening by putting on 'Worth Stock' the largest free concert Kansas City has ever seen. No expense was spared on this event, which brought in several national music acts. Friday, June 4 was Free Country Concert day, which included Chris Cagle, James Otto, the Flat River Band, Drew Six, the Scott Ford Band and Outlaw…

Just twenty miles south from the Kansas City, Missouri downtown loop; a new Harley-Davidson owner has set up shop. Rawhide Harley-Davidson, formerly known as Central Harley-Davidson South, is the new show in town. The new owners bring experience and passion for motorcycles, specifically the Harley-Davidson brand. Holding their grand opening on Friday, June 18 through Sunday, June 20, they found out what Midwest weather was really about, mostly hot with a heavy pop-up thunderstorm midday on Saturday and heavy heat the other two days. Most of us Midwesterners remember how dedicated Central Harley-Davidson was to its customers. Heck, Central Harley-Davidson…

Although the Low Life Choppers & Hot Rods Grand Opening that was scheduled for Saturday, June 12, 2010 was rained out, there was still a good turnout for the event. Owners Chad 'RC' Howerton and John 'Shadow' Ralston are rescheduling their Grand Opening as we speak; however, I still wanted to go ahead and publish some of the photos I took that day so you could get a sneak peek at their new shop.Make sure to keep an eye on our Local Rallies & Events page for thier new Grand Opening date and I'll see ya there!By Mike Schweder~Prev Page …

Shawnee Cycle Plaza has always been one of Kansas City's premier Honda, Yamaha, and Kawasaki motorcycle, scooter and ATV dealership, and in March 2010 they finished a major remodel that almost doubled their size. They now have a huge showroom to display their wide selection of motorcycles, scooters and ATVs, and their parts, accessories and apparel department is second to none. Their 5-star service department has also been expanded with the addition of more service bays so they can get you in and out even faster. Owner Barry Bunner took the time to show us around, and you could sense…

When was the last time you saw scooter riders mingling with Harley riders? Take some time and think real hard, because unless you were at the EagleRider Kansas City Grand Opening on Saturday, May 22 in the Crossroads Art District, I'll bet your answer is…NEVER? Wally, one of our fellow Cycle Connections team members and I rode our motorcycles to the grand opening, and as soon as we turned onto 19th Street it was quite apparent that some type of major event was taking place. Upon pulling into the alley next to the dealership, the pleasant aroma of hotdogs cooking…

World’s Largest Motorcycle Tourism Company Comes to KC(Kansas City, MO.) – EagleRider will roar into town with an official launch and grand opening of EagleRider Kansas City on Saturday, May 22, 2010 from 10:00 am to Noon, at 7 E. 19th St. (corner of 19th & Main Streets) in the Crossroads Arts District. EagleRider is the world’s largest motorcycle tourism company and the largest source for motorcycle and scooter rentals in the world. This will be EagleRider’s 38nd U.S. location. EagleRider KC is partnering with the charitable organization, Surviving Spouse & Family Endowment Fund (SAFE) for the event. The Surviving…

Most bikers dream of having their own custom bike, but few have the money, time and resources it takes to make it happen. Unless you have $35K or more burning a hole in your pocket for that factory custom chopper you've had your eye on for some time now, instead, you probably chose to stop by your local dealership to pick up that 'last' piece of chrome or bolt-on part. There's nothing wrong with that, but where do you go from there? That's probably about it unless you've been saving your pennies for a custom paint job or have been…

Papa Clutch Customs - Sucker Punch Sally's Dealership in Ainsworth, IowaPapa Clutch Customs is a small-town motorcycle shop with big-time plans. Located in tiny Ainsworth, Papa Clutch is Iowa’s only dealership for Sucker Punch Sally’s factory custom old-school motorcycles with bobber and chopper styling. In fact the only other SPS dealerships in the center section of the United States are in Denver, Minneapolis, and St. Louis. According to Tim Anding who co-owns the business with his wife, Dana, the plan is to sell 30 bikes this year. Sucker Punch Sally’s began building motorcycles in their Scottsdale, Arizona, manufacturing facility in…

So wadda ya do when the zipper breaks on your leather jacket or that snap at the bottom of your chaps finally gives out? Do you try fixing it yourself before giving up and trudging down to the local leather store to shell out a few hundred dollars for some new duds? If you're made out of money, that may be an option; however, for those of us who aren't so lucky, or are sentimentally attached to those old leathers that have protected us for thousands of miles in the saddle and are just starting to get broken in, it's…

Papa Clutch Customs is a small-town motorcycle shop with big-time plans. Located in tiny Ainsworth, Papa Clutch is Iowa’s only dealership for Sucker Punch Sally’s factory custom old-school motorcycles with bobber and chopper styling. In fact the only other SPS dealerships in the center section of the United States are in Denver, Minneapolis, and St. Louis. According to Tim Anding who co-owns the business with his wife, Dana, the plan is to sell 30 bikes this year. Sucker Punch Sally’s began building motorcycles in their Scottsdale, Arizona, manufacturing facility in 2002. Their aim is to produce the best stripped-down bobbers…

Ozark Leather Shop is a family owned and operated business owned by Dave and Donna on 1503 S. 3rd St. in Ozark, Missouri. The family has owned the business since its inception in 1995. Starting out as a trade show vendor, they have morphed into a motorcyclist’s specialty shop with just about anything a motorcyclist could want apparel-wise, all under one roof. Specializing in leather apparel, you could not ask for more bang for the buck. Excellent products with excellent service are the standard for Dave and Donna. They take great pride in being able to offer services such as…

An Interview with Chris Cofield of CC Custom GraphicsBy Dave MillerWatching a professional auto body technician, you soon realize this is not a trade everyone can do. When it comes to giving an award winning paint job at a very reasonable price, you can rest assured that individual is right here in the great state of Missouri. Just five short years ago I had the pleasure of meeting Chris Cofield with CC Custom Graphics. At that time I had a special idea in mind when trying to a few things on the Cycle Connections Ninja. Ever since the first time…

Watching a professional auto body technician, you soon realize this is not a trade everyone can do. When it comes to giving an award winning paint job at a very reasonable price, you can rest assured that individual is right here in the great state of Missouri. Just five short years ago I had the pleasure of meeting Chris Cofield with CC Custom Graphics. At that time I had a special idea in mind when trying to a few things on the Cycle Connections Ninja. Ever since the first time I met him, Chris has truly amazed me by his…

Ay, There’s the Rub — With Sauce on the Side Celebrating Five Years of Smokin’ Guns BBQ & CateringNORTH KANSAS CITY, Mo. — When Shakespeare’s Hamlet talks “rub,” he means “problem.” When Smokin’ Guns BBQ & Catering talks “rub,” the only problem is deciding whether to eat those ribs with or without the sauce. The rub is that good. It has been five years since Smokin’ Guns opened its doors at 1218 Swift Ave., but the rubs were already famous. They had helped owners Phil and Linda Hopkins take the grand champion title at the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational…

Riverfront Harley-Davidson has brought the same things to the city of Lawrence, Kansas that the venerable motorcycle manufacturer brings to all its riders—a huge smile and a lasting impression. Mike Patterson is a third-generation owner of Topeka Harley-Davidson and graduate of Kansas University. As a student, he enjoyed Lawrence enough that 17 years ago he began searching for a suitable location to open a second dealership in the city. Patterson wanted to be near downtown Lawrence, but not in it. He found the perfect location at 608 North Second in North Lawrence—barely a minute drive from downtown and just moments…