Two of our favorite people here at the House of Harley-Davidson were married this weekend. Jim and Robin both volunteer at every event they’re in town for, take professional photographs wherever HOG Chapter 66ers are, and Robin is Ms Harley-Davidson Alaska 2012. Naturally, it was a Biker wedding 🙂
A short biography of local biker Neal Kutchins
He sits astride his blue iron steed, a warrior. Sitting straight and proud, a newcomer to the world of Harley-Davidson motorcycles and the Harley Owner’s Group, a man looking to find his place within.
His name is Neal Kutchins. Neal is quiet, but he listens and watches. He has participated in the Christmas party planning and rally talent planning committees. When he speaks, we all listen to what he has to say since he is sparing with his words, but each one counts in helping to push the groups forward to their final accomplishment.
Neal Kutchins and his pride and joy.
Neal is a numbers man, owning Neal Kutchins CPA. Since 1990, he’s been spending his time doing taxes, business consulting and accounting for small businesses. Neal also worked for the State of Alaska for 15 years in the Medicaid department, auditing hospitals and charges for Medicaid services, and doing taxes on the side. Although retired from the state, he still works more than part-time, but not full-time, at his CPA business.
He’s married to Kathy, who does not wish to ride but sends him on his way to meet the group whenever he has the time. They have two kids, and a grandaughter. The daughter rides a Honda scooter, and the son in law does road racing.
So what does Neal ride? It’s an interesting story. Neal started riding in 1968 when he bought his first bike, a black 1967 Harley-Davidson Sprint, from Laidlaw’s Harley-Davidson near Los Angeles. He’s owned other bikes as well, including a Triumph 500 that he sold along with other parts and pieces of his life so he could move to Alaska.
By 2008 Neal was back on a bike, a blue Yamaha V-Star. But he’d always been drooling over and looking at Harley-Davidson’s. He looked online; he looked at bike shows, he looked everywhere at everything, but he just never took the leap into Harley ownership.
When Neal worked at the Frontier Building and was retiring, Kathy called and said she was having some car trouble and could he come out to the parking lot to talk with her. He did, and the whole family was standing next to a blue Harley sitting in the parking lot with a big bow on it. Jokingly, Neal asked, “Is that for me?” “Yes, it is,“ Kathy replied. Neal said it was a real surprise.
Neal is now part of the blue crew side of our Harley family. He did say that Kathy wanted a red bike for him, but sometimes when buying used, you have to take blue. But no matter what color he rides, he’s now a member of our Harley-Davidson and HOG family.
Neal was born in East Los Angeles, known as the cruiser area. He went to UCLA, then to Los Angeles Technical College, where he got a degree in motorcycle technology. He worked for Ed Kretz and Louie Thomas, two old-time motorcycle dealerships that carried BMWs, Triumphs, Suzukis, BSAs and Hondas, to name a few.
In 1974 Neal moved to Delta. He’d read Jack London books and wanted to come to Alaska. A friend was moving up from the Lower 48, so he asked if he could come, too.
The city boy’s first job was as a buffalo herder. He had to keep the buffalo out of the haystacks. Hay was sold to the pipeline companies as mulch. But the buffalo liked to eat it, tear it up, lay in it and poop in it. From buffalo herder, to pipeline work to construction. There was a wide range of jobs and expertise. If you ever need a buffalo herder, ask Neal for advice.
Neal built a log cabin, completely chinked and with moss on the roof. There was no indoor plumbing, meaning no running water or facilities. It was a lot of work, keeping the woodstove stoked, to keep it warm.
In 1979 he was visiting family in California and met Kathy, his wife to be. After visits and corresponding, they got married in 1980, and she and her son moved to Delta, where they all lived in the cabin that Neal built, the one heated with wood and no running water. Five years later, he built a house with indoor plumbing.
Still living in Delta, working on the slope in minus 40 degrees, Neal started to wonder if he really wanted to keep doing that work, and he decided since jobs were scarce, he had to go back to college. He went to UAF and got a degree in Accounting. Kathy was working for DMV and got a job in Anchorage, so while Neal was then working in Fairbanks, they decided Anchorage was the place to be and moved here in the early 90s.
As I got to know Neal through this interview, I found that he wasn’t the quiet guy I’d thought he was. Given a chance he is willing to share his life and experiences, and they were really interesting. Look for Neal at the next HOG event and sit down to share a drink or meal with him. You’ll find someone well-worth the effort of knowing and calling “friend.”
 A Harley-Davidson motorcycle recovered on the coast of British Columbia after drifting for more than a year and 4,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean following last year’s Japanese Tsunami will be preserved by the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee as a memorial to the tragedy that claimed more than 15,000 lives, in accordance with the wishes of its owner, Ikuo Yokoyama. |
The remarkable story of the 2004 FXSTB Softail Night Train motorcycle’s survival and recovery by Canadian Peter Mark made international headlines after he found it washed ashore on a remote beach on British Columbia’s Graham Island at low tide. Mark discovered the motorcycle, still bearing its Japanese license plate, along with several other items in the remains of an insulated cargo van container where the motorcycle was being stored by Yokoyama prior to the Tsunami that struck Japan on March 11, 2011.
Working with news agencies and representatives from Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada and Harley-Davidson Japan, contact was made with 29-year-old Yokoyama, who lost his home and currently lives in temporary housing in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. Harley-Davidson offered to return his bike. But still struggling to rebuild his life in the aftermath of the disaster, Yokoyama respectfully declined. Although grateful for the offer to repatriate his motorcycle and touched by the outpouring of support from Harley riders around the world, Yokoyama requested to have it preserved in the Harley-Davidson Museum in honor of those whose lives were lost or forever changed by the disaster.
“It is truly amazing that my Harley-Davidson motorcycle was recovered in Canada after drifting for more than a year,” said Yokoyama. “I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation to Peter Mark, the finder of my motorcycle. Due to circumstances caused by the disaster, I have been so far unable to visit him in Canada to convey my gratitude.
“Since the motorcycle was recovered, I have discussed with many people about what to do with it. I would be delighted if it could be preserved in its current condition and exhibited to the many visitors to the Harley-Davidson Museum as a memorial to a tragedy that claimed thousands of lives. I am very grateful to Harley-Davidson for offering me an opportunity to visit the museum, and I would like to do that when things have calmed down. At the same time, I would like to meet Peter, who recovered my motorcycle, to express my gratitude. Finally, I would like to thank all people around the world once again for their wholehearted support of the areas hit by the earthquake and Tsunami. I would like to ask them to help convey messages from the Japanese people about the tragedy of the Great East Japan Earthquake, which was a disaster of historic proportions.”
“My heart really goes out to Ikuo Yokoyama and all the survivors of the Tōhoku earthquake and Tsunami for everything that was taken from them. I cannot even begin to comprehend the loss of family, friends and community,” said Mark. “I think it is fitting that the Harley which was swept across the Pacific Ocean by the Tsunami will end up in the Harley-Davidson Museum as a memorial to that tragic event. It has an interesting and powerful story to convey preserved in its current state.
“I look forward to one day meeting Mr. Yokoyama face to face. I would also like to express my gratitude to all those that have taken part in the retrieval of the motorcycle, especially Ralph Tieleman, Steve Drane, and Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada.”
The motorcycle was recovered by Mark with the help of friends and transported to Victoria with support from Ralph Tieleman and Steve Drane of Steve Drane Harley-Davidson. It has since been transferred to Deeley H-D Canada in Vancouver. Plans for its transportation to and display at the Harley-Davidson Museum are being developed.
“I’ve always felt Harley-Davidson motorcycles have a soul, and their owners obviously have an emotional attachment to their bikes. I just wanted to reunite this bike with its owner,” said Steve Drane of Steve Drane Harley-Davidson in Victoria, B.C.
“The Harley-Davidson Museum is honored to receive this amazing motorcycle to ensure that its condition is preserved and can be displayed as a memorial to the Japan Tsunami tragedy,” said Bill Davidson, Vice President of the Harley-Davidson Museum.
by Patti Bogan
Frank has been around the HOG chapter for quite awhile. You might recognize him from hanging at the Harley shop drinking coffee at the high-top table, or showing up for chili on a Saturday.
He started riding motorcycles in Idaho in 1970. He dirt raced, did cross-country riding, motocross and trials which is riding over rocks, trees and other obstacles. He’s owned Bultacos, Yamahas, and, of course, Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Frank’s first Harley was a 1200 Sportster, purchased about 1994.
Currently Frank owns three bikes – a 2010 Heritage Softail Classic, license plate “thawed,” an Ultra Classic Limited with the plate “hybrn8” and a trike with the plate of “frozn.” It appears there is a license plate theme. He’s owned blue, gold, black and green bikes, so there is no theme there, although right now the bikes he has are mostly black.
So with all the winter-related license plates, you are probably wondering why Frank’s road name is the Sizzling Hippie. He had a new leather jacket, and you know we all want leather that doesn’t look new; leather that might single us out to others as “new riders.” Although Siz’s story is that he wanted to just “loosen” it up a bit since the leather was so stiff.
To loosen it up, Siz put the jacket and a pair of Birkenstocks in the clothes dryer. The Birks got lodged in the dryer drum and started a lint fire. With the toughness of the items, the Birks survived as did the jacket, which was worn for many road miles. And indeed it did not look new at all! Therefore, a road name was born … the Sizzling Hippie.
While Siz shows a tough exterior, he can become positively giddy when something appeals to him and he chooses to laugh out loud. But don’t sell him short. He is tough, and could be considered the Lance Mackey of motorcycle riding. He’s known for riding every day of the year; and at one point had ridden about 720 days in a row; that’s a few days short of two years, nearly 24 months. That’s tough. He’s better than the Postal Service, riding through rain, sleet, snow, hail.
In the early 2000s, Siz was the HOG Head Road Captain for three or four years. He was also the Treasurer for one of the rally committees. Some of us traveled a lot of miles with Siz. One of the trips involved Jaz, Daisy Corn (Stacey) and me (Peppermint). We were riding about 2,200 miles to get to the 2002 Canadian HOGs on the Hill rally in Penticton, B.C.
At the time, Siz was also known as the “Head of the Hons” because the four of us had ridden so much together. So it was the Hons and Frank. When we got to the rally we had a wonderful photo taken … and it was our pride and joy. Willy G. was also at the rally, so unbeknownst to Frank we had a photo taken with him, too. The one with Willy G. ran in the Hog Jaw Herald, with a title of “the new Head of the Hons.” Barry came out to one of the Wednesday night rides and asked Frank what that was all about. Frank did not like losing his Hons, not even for a single photo. But we made up for it … and traveled together again.
It’s all about having fun, and in case you’ve not figured it out, there is no mercy in this group. And that’s what makes for a great group, and fun times. While Siz took a hiatus and wasn’t around much, he’s back now, so get acquainted. We can all learn a lot from him.
It’s not a good thing to get between HOGs and their food. And to Alaskan HOGs, food seems to be even more important. It’s social, it’s necessary and it’s fun to eat and share stories over a good meal.
Alaskans like to eat out, and it seems that most don’t eat at home very often. There are lots of restaurants in Anchorage – some excellent, some good, some not so good, and some downright mediocre or worse.
Our lady Elesha, the Ladies of Harley Officer reserved a new spot in March for the HOG group for its monthly winter breakfast. It was at the Greatland Grill, in downtown Anchorage, and two of our members, Sherri and Troy, have whole lot of sweat equity in the endeavor that is owned by Rob, as well as Troy cooking on weekends and Sherri providing moral support and pitching when in when necessary. The restaurant had only been open for two weeks, but the group is always up for something new.
Troy Larue
I showed up and the place was quite a bit larger than it looked from the street, with 10 booths, and multiple tables, including a Harley-Davidson sprocket-top. It was clean and I was hungry and anxious to give the food a try as it smelled delicious.
In order to get 30-40 HOGs through quickly, there was a breakfast buffet set up, making the food line short, and allowing everyone to eat in a timely and mostly mannerly fashion. There was something for everyone, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, fruit salad, scrambled eggs, fried potatoes.
Now I’m not a biscuits and gravy fan but I’d been told that the sausage was homemade from an old family recipe, so I decided I needed to give it a try. It was delicious and not greasy, and the fried potatoes were wonderful. For those of us who love it, it was a nice touch to have fruit on the line.
While the Greatland Grill is currently only open for breakfast and lunch, they are open for special evening occasions. I’m looking forward to the evening meal Birdie (Activities Officer) has set up for us on the Wednesday night ride, May 30, once riding season is in full swing. March 31. By then the Grill will be open for the whole nine yards, breakfast, lunch and dinner. You could spend the day if you liked.
You know most of us like to buy American when we can, and when living in Alaska, it’s important to support local products. The Grill uses local products whenever they can, including fresh beef from Delta Junction, pork from North Pole and chicken and eggs from the Matanuska Valley. Vegetables will also be coming from local producers, most likely from the Valley.
There’s no need to wait for a HOG event. Check it out and support some of your fellow HOG members. I did, and can recommend the home-made chicken fried steak (sourdough-based coating), which is the best I’ve eaten and I’ve done taste tests all over the country, fried potatoes a la Troy (yummy) and a sourdough pancake that I loved, and I don’t know that I’ve eaten one of those before. At least I’ve not eaten one of these. Do I sound impressed? You bet, and I may not know much, but I know food.
Sherri Larue
Sherri and Troy ride, respectively, a 2010 Dyna Superglide, red in color, and 2012 Ultraclassic Limited, red and merlot. Oh yeah, red rocks. They have two children, and have been married 18 years. Wow, and longevity, too. And , just saying, if you have a favorite photo of you and your bike in a frame, bring it down. They’d love to show it off for you.
Greatland Grill, 137 West Fifth Avenue.
MOTORCYCLE TIMES, INC. HISTORY
In 1970, Barry Matteson, an avid motorcycle enthusiast, was employed by Universal Services in Anchorage. Unable to afford the “Harley” of his dreams, he rode a 650cc Triumph. Late during the summer of 1970, upon returning from a family outing in Ninilchik, he learned that his Triumph had been stolen. Six weeks later the bike was returned to him, retrieved from the bottom of a gravel pit where thieves attempted to “strip it” using a sledge hammer and a crescent wrench. Obviously the bike was not worth repairing, but would make good “chopper material.”
Barry set out to learn about building a “chopper” by buying every magazine available that might give him information and sources for parts. Magazines and parts were both hard to come by in those days. He noticed in the few ads for custom parts which did appear, the bottom note which read “dealer inquiries invited”. Barry’s desire for the custom cycle became “Barry’s Custom Cycle”; a part time business in a one car garage on Oklahoma Street in Muldoon. In March of 1971, the Triumph sold for $250 and that covered the expense of a business license, stationary, paint, a heater for the garage, and a few parts to hang on the freshly painted red, white, and blue walls. Small ads in local newspapers got the business started.
The boss at Universal Services caught wind of the operation and gave Barry an ultimatum: “Work for USI or for himself.” Barry made the choice to stay with “Barry’s Custom Cycle.” Also in 1971, the local Harley-Davidson dealer decided to give up the Harley line. The Harley-Davidson Motor Company then placed an ad in a local paper looking for a new dealer. Barry answered the ad that year and pursued the offer until 1975 when he was finally given the franchise. The name was changed to “The House of Harley-Davidson.”
By this time, the house and garage in Muldoon had been sold and the proceeds were used to lease a building on Spenard Road next to “Chilkoot Charlie’s.” Landlord problems precipitated another move in 1977 to a small shop on Chugach Way, just half a block off Spenard Road across from “PJ’s.”
Barry had worked on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline from 1974 to 1977. He used his paychecks to pay off his debts, to build his inventory, and to buy the building on Chugach Way. He worked at the business during his time off to keep it in operation.
In 1981 the business moved to its present location on Spenard Road. In 1995 the two adjoining lots were purchased by MTI to be used for service and storage. In 1996 a major store remodel to the main structure was completed. This included converting Barry and Karen’s living quarters on the third floor into a beautiful clothing and accessories store.
With plans to build an adequate facility to house the company’s continued growth, in 1998 a parcel of land was purchased on Dowling Road. Our customers and neighbors in the Spenard area were disappointed to hear of our possible move. In 1999 the old “Tradewinds/Polar Inn”, adjacent to our current facility, went on the market. Barry and Karen procured it and built a 15,000 square foot expansion with a completion date of August, 2002. We celebrated our “Grand Opening” in June of 2002.
In 1997 Kenai Peninsula Harley-Davidson in Soldotna opened. In 2000 the KPHD store moved to an exciting, new 8,000 square foot Harley-Davidson shop on the Sterling Highway.
In December of 2004 Denali Harley-Davidson in Wasilla opened a new full-service shop in Wasilla, located just off of the Parks Highway on Hyer Road.
The business has grown from a sole proprietorship with three employees in 1975, to three stores operating under one corporation, “Motorcycle Times, Inc.” We now employ over 40 people during the riding season. MTI supports community involvement as well as local chapters of the Harley Owners Group (HOG) and ABATE of Alaska. We have been instrumental in the development of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation training and education program in Anchorage, and provide “Riders Edge” training programs in Soldotna and Wasilla. We are members of the Chambers of Commerce, in Anchorage, Soldotna and Wasilla, The Anchorage Economic & Development Corporation, The Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau, The Alaska Motorcycle Dealers Association, and the National Federation of Independent Businesses.
| Harley-Davidson Styling Chief Willie G. Davidson To Retire After 49-Year Legendary Design Career March 16, 2012
Willie G. to Remain Involved as Brand Ambassador, and in Special Design Projects as Chief Styling Officer Emeritus Motorcycle Industry Visionary Built Unrivaled Motorcycle Design Group, Established Company’s Pre-Eminence in Styling Leadership  MILWAUKEE — After nearly 50 years as head of styling, Willie G. Davidson is retiring from Harley-Davidson (NYSE:HOG) April 30, 2012. Willie G., Senior Vice President and Chief Styling Officer, is widely recognized as a legend in the world of motorcycling and motorcycle design. He will continue his involvement with the company as an ambassador at motorcycle rallies and events, and through special design projects as Chief Styling Officer Emeritus. “Throughout my life, I have been truly fortunate to have the opportunity to marry my passion for design with my love for this amazing brand that runs so deeply in my veins,” Willie G. said. “What’s most rewarding has been to see the impact our motorcycles have on the lives of our customers. Everything we do in styling is based on the notion that form follows function, but both report to emotion.” Over the course of his career, Willie G., 78, built a design team at Harley-Davidson that established the company’s unrivaled leadership in custom, cruiser and touring motorcycles. Today, the styling department is led by 19-year company veteran Ray Drea, Vice President and Director of Styling, who has worked collaboratively with Willie G. in the development of numerous milestone vehicles. “It has been my privilege to work alongside many incredibly talented people at this company and I have great confidence the future of Harley-Davidson’s design leadership will continue to grow in its pre-eminence,” Willie G. said. “I look forward to spending time with riders at rallies and to my involvement in special design projects.” “Few individuals have the kind of impact on an organization, a brand and a lifestyle that Willie G. has had,” said Keith Wandell, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc. “Everyone with a love for motorcycles owes a great deal to his vision and talent, and all of us have been blessed by his presence. His legacy will continue to grow, thanks to the talent he has nurtured in the Harley-Davidson styling studio.” Willie G. has long served as ambassador of Harley-Davidson at rallies around the world – meeting riders, talking to customers, lending his famous signature to jackets, and setting an example of being close to the customer that has become one of the hallmarks of the company. Grandson of one of the company’s founders, William A. Davidson, and son of William H. Davidson, its second president, Willie G. joined the company as its first head of styling in 1963. With responsibility for the look of all Harley-Davidson motorcycles, landmark motorcycles to emerge from Willie G’s styling studio team include the Super Glide, which established the factory custom category in 1971, Low Rider, Heritage Softail Classic, Fat Boy, V-Rod and Street Glide. He is one of 13 Harley-Davidson executives who purchased the company from AMF, Inc. in 1981. |
If you’ve ever been in the shop, you know – this dealership has served as a giant scrapbook for the Alaska motorcycle community since it’s beginning. Everything from the stuffed polar bear on the third floor to the muddy photos of 80’s rally’s on the first floor. Tourists leave gifts, celebrities sign photos, Barry brings stuff back from his travels, and sometimes stuff just shows up!
The other day Barry handed me a stack of magazine pages that he identified as “a collection that a good customer gave him awhile back”. Our conversation: “Do you know who David Mann is?” “nope” “well he’s really famous”.
So maybe you guys know who he is. I didn’t though, so here’s a mini story:
Photo retrieved from: http://www.davidmannart.com
David Mann was a Biker Artist. He passed away in 2004. Once called the Norman Rockwell of the Biker world, David’s work portrayed the biker lifestyle from his personal experience using stylized realism. Many of his paintings were featured as two page spreads in Easy Rider and Biker magazine. In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, many motorcycle customizers would look at David’s paintings and then actually build the bikes he designed. His most famous piece is called Ghostrider which was featured in Easy Rider in 1983 (below).
Below are only a few in the stack that Barry handed me:
David created his first painting in 1963 which was purchased for $85 by Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, the famous car customizer and publisher of Chopper Magazine. This was the start of David’s career and he went on to do 10 more paintings for Roth.
Two days ago Barry shared another piece of the scrapbook with me, an Ed Roth poster which was signed by the Big Daddy himself (below). Barry explained that he has always been a big fan and that when he was a kid he would would try to draw that kind of stuff. I love how that kind of stuff comes full circle around here.
Get to know the new 72 Sportster and the Softail Slim
(above, tank of ’72 Sportster Big Red Flake)
(above, Softail Slim)
The all New H-D Slim is the perfect blend of classic, raw 1940’s bobber style and contemporary power that creates a modern ride with unmistakable old-iron attitude. The slim has tons of stripped down attitude, blacked out features, chopped fenders, and raw finishes. While it is easy to keep your feet flat on the ground at only 23.8 inches the twin cam 103cc motor gives you the power to crush the hills and leave the traffic and worries of life far behind you!
(Above 72 Sportster)
The authentic 70’s chopper meets modern power and premium H-D styling in the new Sportster 72. This bare bones lowrider-inspired radical custom with its big flake paint, peanut tank, round retro-style air-cleaner, ape hanger handlebars, and brilliant whitewalls, the Sportster Seventy-Two boasts a one-of-a-kind custom style that’s full of attitude. The Harley-Davidson XL1200V is n attractively priced bike that brings the best of modern chrome-and-bling appeal to an aggressive, old-school chopper attitude.
(Above Softail Slim)
Boy, do we hear some of the best “back in those days” stories around here. Take all the Alaskan personalities, combine them with Biker personalities and just roll the dice to see where they’ve been and what they’ve seen!! Pictures are always worth 1000 words so I felt like I had received a precious present from Cliffy when he shared his images from the 1954 Hollister Riot. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do – Thanks Cliff!
1954 Hollister Riot
1954 Hollister Riot
1954 Hollister Riot
1954 Hollister Riot
1954 Hollister Riot
1954 Hollister Riot
1954 Hollister Riot
1954 Hollister Riot
Cliff Evans
HarleyAlaskaBlog 