Cycle Connections

About the Owner:A few weeks ago I was contacted by Bill Hodson, who is the owner of our February 2016 cover bike, and the new owner of this nostalgic 1973 AMF Harley-Davidson TX-125. During our conversation, Bill told me a touching story about his friend/neighbor’s son Matt, who was diagnosed this past June with stage 4 cancer. He told me that Matt’s parents are elderly and very dear friends of his, and explained that both of them are pretty frail, and that Matt’s mother had recently been nursed back to health after suffering some serious life-threatening health issues.

My name is Peter Ström and I am 54 years old from Stockholm, Sweden. I have a few bike-builds behind me – I built my wife’s FXR trike, a Sportster Chopper for myself, and a Sportster bobber with a lot of engraving on it for my daughter. Every one of them has been well-appreciated and written about in a big number of magazines around the world.

This month’s featured rider is Deb Greenwood from Independence, Missouri, and from her interview, we’ve come to the conclusion that she likes shiny things. We also a chance to gather more information about her and her bike.

This month’s featured rider is Angie Beck Smith from Kansas City, Missouri. We’ve known Angie for quite some time, and below is her interview. We also gathered information about her awesome bike:

Aside from the blond hair, you may recognize this month’s featured rider as Mandy White, who was our May 2010 and March 2014 cover model. Over the years, Mandy has also helped work the Cycle Connections booth at numerous motorcycle events.

You may recognize this month’s featured rider as Jane O’Hara, who was the featured cover model on our March 2015 cover. Jane is not only an accomplished model, but she also rides her own motorcycle.

A couple weeks ago, I received an e-mail from one of our readers namedNancy Scheiterle, asking if we could send her copies of our February 2015 cover. Nancy informed me that she had recently purchased the 2013 Honda Fury featured on that month’s cover, which was the Biker Build-Off Winner at Shawnee Cycle Plaza from their Team Building Competition we covered back in November 2014.

I was admiring the entries in the Saturday morning motorcycle show during Oklahoma Bike Week’s second weekend at Sparks America Campground when I came to a truly outstanding entry. It was a Harley-Davidson V-Rod with a unique paint scheme. I was photographing it from every possible angle when the owner, Clint Loveland, came along and shared the story of the motorcycle with me. He knew that, being a photographer, the information would be of special interest to me. After hearing the tale, I knew I wanted to share it with Cycle Connections’ readers.Clint is a professional photographer who owns Photo…

Danny is a good friend, and an important part of the Cycle Connections team. Danny covers several events for the magazine and always helps out at our cover bike & cover model search events we put on all over the KC area. Danny has put a lot of time and money into his beautiful Street Glide, so I wanted to interview him and feature him and his bike in this month’s issue. CC: Danny, what is your occupation? Danny: I’m a social worker.CC: Do you have any hobbies other than motorcycling? Danny: Is there anything else? CC: Why do you…

A while back, I received an e-mail from one of our readers in Stockholm, Sweden named Peter Ström. Peter told me about a Custom Sportster Chopper he'd built for himself, which we featured in the Readers & Their Rides section of our December 2012 issue, as well as a custom trike he'd build for his wife Febe, which we included in our January 2013 issue. Peter was also kind enough to send me photos and information about his friend Kenta Falkered and his custom chopper, which he named The Hippie Chop. We’re pleased to feature Kenta’s bike in this month’s…

A few weeks ago, I received an e-mail from one of our readers in Stockholm, Sweden named Peter Ström. Peter told me about a Custom Sportster Chopper he'd built for himself, which we featured in our December 2012 issue, as well as a custom trike he'd build for his wife Febe. He asked if I was interested in taking a look at a few photos, which he was happy to send me.

A few weeks ago, I received an e-mail from one of our readers in Stockholm, Sweden named Peter Ström (one of the many perks of publishing an online motorcycle magazine). Peter told me about a bike he'd built for himself, as well as a custom trike he'd build for his wife. He also asked if I was interested in taking a look at a few photos, so I obviously jumped at the chance. I mean, how often do you get an opportunity to check out custom bikes from another country?

A few weeks ago, I received an e-mail from a fellow motorcycle enthusiast named Rick Scarborough. Rick is one of the nicest guys you could ever meet, and we run into each other from time to time at various motorcycle events in and around the KC area. Rick contacted me to see if I’d be interested in meeting a friend of his named Richard Welsh a.k.a. Rick, who was riding his hand-built hardtail chopper to Kansas City from London Ontario, Canada.

Danny is a good friend, and a key part of the Cycle Connections team. Over the past year, Danny has covered several events for the magazine, and always helps work our booth at all the cover bike & cover model search events we put on in the KC and surrounding area. Danny has put a lot of time and money into his beautiful Street Glide, so I wanted to interview him and feature him and his bike in this month’s issue. CC: Danny, what is your occupation? Danny: I’m a social worker.CC: Do you have any hobbies other than motorcycling?…

I met Shawn at the recent Grand River Autumn Rally in Urich, Missouri, and he seemed like such an interesting individual I decided to feature him and his chopper in the Readers & Their Rides section of our October 2010 issue. During his interview, I found out that Shawn is from North Kansas City, and is a member of the Widows Sons, which is a Freemasons motorcycle organization. I have several friends and business associates who are fellow members of this organization, and they are all great people. CC: Shawn, what is your occupation? Shawn: I’m a framer.CC: Do you…

While covering the RIDE for the RED – American Red Cross event on Saturday, August 21 I met A Richardson at Frankie D's Mexican Restaurant, which was one of the stops on the ride. A told me she enjoyed our magazine and she recently did a photo shoot on her bike with Joel Overstreet with Street Photography. I know Joel, and the great work he does, so I asked A if she would like to be featured in the Readers & Their Rides section of our September 2010 issue. She jumped at the chance for an interview and had Joel…

Over the past several months, I've run into Tim Gillham a.k.a. UNO at numerous events he and his Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A.) brothers have attended. UNO is from Excelsior Springs, and this year I've gotten to know him even better while chewing the fat at some of our local bike night hangouts. We featured UNO's buddy Spike in the Readers & Their Rides section of last month's issue, so not to be outdone, I met up with UNO a couple weeks ago at the Brass Rail to interview him and take a few photos. CC: UNO, what is your…

I've known Spike and his brothers at Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A.) for years, and I finally cornered him long enough to get an interview so we could feature him in the Readers & Their Rides section of this month's issue. Spike also finally got around to painting his bike in an attempt to get on our cover. I don't really think that's why he painted it; however, he did enter one of our most recent Cover Bike Search events at Harley's and Horses Bar & Grill and did very well. I'm confident that if he keeps showing up and…

Our May 2010 cover bike is owned by Rob Sansonetti from Kansas City, Missouri. Rob's custom Road King earned this month's cover by taking first place at our Cycle Connections Cover Bike Search on Saturday, April 3, at Fathead & Braindeads Saloon in Grandview, Missouri. During our photo shoot I asked Rob if I could also interview him for this month's Readers and Their Rides article and he was more than happy to agree to my request. CC: Rob, what is your occupation?Rob: I work in probation and parole.CC: Do you have hobbies other than motorcycling?Rob: Yes. I enjoy songwriting,…

I met Doug Jones at Kansas City's All American Motorcycle Show at World of Wheels. Once I saw his spectacular Rain Maker bobber, I was eager to meet the owner and find out more about him and his ride. I was introduced to Doug by the bike's builder, Larry Moore.CC: Doug, what is your occupation?Doug: I'm Supervisor of Public Works for Wichita, Kansas.CC: Do you have hobbies other than motorcycling?Doug: I enjoy playing drums, listening and attending rock n roll shows. CC: Why do you ride?Doug: Beats walkin'.CC: How long have you been riding? Doug: I've been riding for 33…