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Now with locations in IA, IL, KS, MN, MO, NE, SD, WI
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March 2009 online edition:
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Underground Art Studios
rises above
Throttler talks to custom artist/designer
Scott Takes
By William Fare
We’ve all known someone who’s compelled to draw, doodle or paint on any surface within arm’s reach. Scott Takes, 38, owner of Underground Art Studios in Cedar Rapids, IA, takes his obsession to another level. Before you even enter the building the brick walls are covered with art, as if every surface inside had already been filled in and it leaked right out the door.
Although relatively new — it’s been operating in its current location for about six years — Underground has garnered a reputation for the world-class bikes that emerge from their garage doors. You may have also seen Scott’s original art hanging in Quinton’s Bar and Deli in Iowa City or his American Traffic mural in downtown Cedar Rapids, just to name a couple of commissioned pieces.
Takes shares an impressive workload with his two co-workers, Casey Fleming and Lowell “El Ray” Underwood, who bring their own specialties to the table. Lowell paints and deals with laying the foundation and finish polishing, and Casey mans his own airbrush when not spending time with their increasing computer work.
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What Harley is right for me?
Considerations before the big purchase
By Harley Rhoades
When going in to purchase a Harley-Davidson, there are a lot of things to think about before you go into the store. Do some research online — Harley-Davidson has some great resources on the models that they have available for purchase. Many of the local dealerships have excellent Web sites which will let you know what they have in stock.
Harley-Davidson dealers have a smell all their own. You get that new leather smell that is exclusive to Harley stores. When you go into a good Harley store you could go in with just the knowledge that you want to ride. That’s all.
A good sales person will ask certain questions, and these are all to get you on the right bike. They will ask you questions like, have you ridden before? This will move them towards bikes for an experienced rider or beginner, depending on the customer.
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Do you know?
Dustin Veld
By R. Kabel
Last month Throttler magazine received a call from Jackie Ingraham of F & J Racing in Marshalltown, raving about a young boy they built a custom motorcycle for. “I wanted to tell you about Dustin Veld who came to us three years ago for a custom motorcycle. He’s even winning contests with it now, and he’s only 16,” she says.
When Dustin Veld was around the age of 13, a friend of Dustin’s father stopped by their home to buy a back rim off his dad’s shovelhead. It was that day that Dustin caught the bug and pondered the possibilities of building his own motorcycle. “The guy told my dad that he needed the rim for his own son’s project and it got me thinking ‘why not give it a shot?’” Dustin says. “Back then, all I knew was that I wanted a bad-ass bike by the time I was 16.”
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Motorcycle technologies
Keeping up with motorcycle innovations
By Tony Tice
With the increasingly complex technologies being introduced in racing and in the automotive industry, the trickle-down effect is causing production motorcycles as a whole to become more sophisticated, economically efficient, and environmentally friendly.
One of the first changes noticed on production motorcycles is the inclusion of fuel injection. There are still motorcycles being manufactured with carburetors, but fewer models are being left out of the Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) trend.
EFI, for the most part, is a more accurate (read precisely measured fuel/air ratios) version of a carburetor. Some of the systems are not your average open-loop systems either (open loop means they are not self-monitoring and self-correcting) — closed-loop systems are more frequently being used, which is an even more accurate and sophisticated system.
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Ban on lead hits
small business
Dealerships now wonder what to
do with inventory
By Tony Wenck
On February 10, Congress passed a law called the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. Their intentions were to eliminate hazardous toys being imported from China. Like many laws that are passed these days, there was a huge oversight in how the law was written and everyone it will affect. Congress has banned all products sold for children’s use that contains certain amounts of lead — which is understandable, considering small infants and toddlers place toys in their mouths.
However, the law is so broad that it doesn’t exempt specific products that are designed for kids 12 and under. This includes mini-bikes, ATV’s, and even bicycles. The lead contained in these “toys” is not in the paint, it’s in parts like the engines, frames, cables, and swing arms.
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 From the eyes of a passenger
Riding on the back of a motorcycle
has its perks
By Stephanie Maiers
Being a passenger on a motorcycle has brought incredible joy and satisfaction to my life. If you ask anyone that knows me they will tell you I’m motorcycle obsessed. Guess what? I’m proud of it!
The motorcycle experience began for me in high school. My girlfriends and I would ask guys for motorcycle rides. I remember my first ride was on a sport bike and I could have cared less that it was raining. Then there was senior prom. My date owned a Kawasaki and we took it cruising in our prom wear. We must have looked like two crazy kids.
I took a hiatus from the motorcycle life during my twenties and early thirties but that freedom and joy that I felt from riding stuck with me all those years. One day out of the blue I talked my husband into renting a Harley. We had it for the weekend and the feelings I had experienced in the past came rushing back. The next step was purchasing our own bike. I’ll never forget the thrill of ringing that freedom bell and knowing wonderful adventures were ahead.
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Unwavering customer service
Struthers Brothers knows the key to longevity
By Scott “Kong” Chambers
1968 was the year Struthers Brothers opened their doors at their first location in Ankeny, Iowa selling nothing but snowmobiles. They made a commitment from the start that would become the cornerstone of their growth and longevity for the next 40 years: simply to do it right for the customer. Since that day, they have never changed their focus on, or commitment to, the satisfaction of their customers — as well as a commitment to selling quality motorsports equipment.
The Lundstrom family owns and operates the Struthers Brothers dealership from a sprawling complex on Des Moines’ northwest side. Lee Lundstrom and his daughter Katie Lundstrom are the deep-cycle batteries that keep the business running strong, with help from their seasoned staff of service and sales professionals.
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Sounds of
engines revving
Is it too early for
Spring Fever?
By R. Kabel and
Scott Chambers
Ahhh yes, it’s almost spring! It’s the second worst season of the year if you’re a rider. It’s filled with anticipation that’s dashed by disappointment. It’s the verge of joy smashed by sorrow. It’s a signal that the riding season is finally upon us, yet it’s also a reminder that winter’s last breath is it’s coldest and most punishing. Spring is the bi-polar girlfriend who’s off her meds.
If you’re like me, a long and cold winter spent indoors waiting to get out and ride seems like an eternity. So you seek optimism and look closely for the first robin and the glimmer of green grass amidst a sea of brown. And then you hear the distant rumble. Is that a thunderstorm? Great, rain. But then the sound of thunder takes on a different tone. It still sounds like thunder, but the sun is shining. It must be the rolling thunder of someone’s polished V-Twin. Yes, hope and joy has returned to the heartland!
The euphoria of the holidays has ended, the ball has dropped on Times Square, and the victor of the Super Bowl has been decided. That’s all there is to winter, other than stocking up on new chrome and accessories. Wherever you are in the Midwest, hibernating through the glacial spell can cause a horrendous case of cabin fever. We’re all longing for those warmer weather summer days ahead. Spring fever, that reputed and seemingly infectious malady that strikes motorcycle riders before it’s even close to Spring has myself exercising my joints getting them ready, willing and able.
Sure, you may have had an occasional chance to bundle up and ride around the block this winter. Even a quick ride to the local convenience store makes Johnny a happy boy. But none of those occasions compare to the thrill of the first truly warm day of Spring. We’re like zombies lured out of our winter haze. Dusting off the ol’ bike to hit the road and feel the wind on our face. We’re alive again.
I can feel it. Can you? Spring is lurking shyly around the corner. We may get dumped on a few more times yet but I’m pleased to see the warmer weather pop up fast and melt the dirty ice at the bottom of my driveway.
I can tell I’m not the only one, either. I continue to hear the rumbling thunder in a nearby garage as someone is revving their motorcycle, the sound of a street bike down a block getting the cobs blown out of it. I can see it now. My first real Spring ride zipping around at near supersonic speeds. If only to freeze my eyelids off will surly be worth it.
Can you smell it? I can. The time to ride is poised to pounce on us like a grizzly on a trout.
Welcome back to the riding season. Throttler will be with you all the while.
As always, ride hard.
— R. Kabel
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