Gina Woods xxChromes ~ All Woman Bike
Build ~
Chicago ~ Feb-10, 2008
Gina Woods Open Road Radio,Chicago
Jasmine Bluecreek Clarks'
Perspective
summer at Biker Ally Rally and we immediately hit it off. She told me about her xx Chromes all women bike builds. With my mechanical and mc background I really wanted to try building a mc with a bunch of women. I've built a couple with guys, but no other women! Some of you know about my 'chop-off' experience with Rain of Biker Ally Mag. a couple of years back, but we didn't build that mc, we customized and chopped it - very different deal.
So anyway Gina called me up just before New Years and said she was sponsoring another mc build in Chicago at the big International Cycle World Show and could I come over and join up with 3 other women I've never met before and build a motorcycle on stage for MooseHeart School* Charity ? (*links below)
How could I say no? By now you all know I love adventures and exciting new projects and I love anything to do with motorcycles, so how could I possibly not go?
Roger and I took off from DIA after our original flight was canceled because of this blizzard going on in Chicago. Long story short our 2 hour flight took about 10 hours. We made it to Gina's place and were superbly wined and dined for our troubles. We met lots of cool, talented and interesting people over the next 5 days, including the women I was to build this mc with.
So, on Friday Feb.8th, I met Kim Jordan. We were
the first two xx chromes girls to show up. We had fun opening all
the brand new Mac Tools that were given us to use for the build while
getting to know each other just a bit.
bagger (Harley-Davidson Dresser) made her
appearance. She has set two land speed records
at the Salt Flats and was really a wonderful,
mellow presence amongst our 'team'.
The three of us built the front
end & the handlebar controls Friday night.
We taped off the frame and in this picture we're installing the triple tree
Saturday Jessi Combs
from Spike TV's Extreme 4x4
joined our all-woman build.
With four competent women, from a variety of different backgrounds, pooling our respective talents, the build proceeded rapidly, with Gina frequently asking us to slow down. After all, we weren't supposed to start the bike until Sunday at 3 pm and we were zipping right through the assembly process.
(photo includes Gina Woods and the four builders)
Sunday Laura had a prior commitment and had to leave our team with only 3 women to
finish the Moose bike. Gina asked me about mid-day if I felt confident that the Moose bike was
going to start. I told her "yeah".
~ ~ ~ At the time, I confidently believed that too ~~~
We worked hard all day getting the wiring finished, the exhaust and rear chain drive on and
much more.
Finally it was time to put the beautifully painted gas tank and fenders on.
Ultimately, we had the Moose Bike finished and ready to go by 2:30pm on Sunday.
When it came time to start it, I was quite nervous. A large crowd of 200-300 had gathered
to watch us start the bike. All our sponsors were standing around watching - it would be
terrible if it didn't start.
Not at all her fault - but the battery was not properly charged up and the bike didn't start right up. People were yelling at her to do this and do that, pull the choke, shut it off... etc, etc. to try and start the bike and the pressure was huge! At that point, I really felt for Jessi and wished that maybe I'd commited to the deed instead. Jessi held her ground and gave it a great attempt but was unable to start it.
Our wonderful Mac Tool Representative rushed to hand us an exceptional Mac Battery Booster and after a few minutes charge and much encouragement from the sponsors, I got up there and started the Moose Bike! Awesome!
~*~*~*~*~*~CHICS RULE and BIKER CHICS Really Rule!~*~*~*~*~*~
Keep Scrolling down for some great pictures of the finished motorcycle and look for more details and pictures in the next issue of Biker Ally Magazine.
Jan from Woodstock Leathers made the custom seat
Rich Keylard of AIREPHIX airbrushed the primary belt.
For More Information about the MOOSEHEART SCHOOL or for info on HOW TO BUY RAFFLE TICKETS for the Moose Bike, please go to Moose Charities web site at: Moose Charities
or the executive director of MooseHeart School, Scott Hart at: Moose Heart School-Moose Bike Raffle