Volume 2 Issue 1

Check out the barcode box on the cover. VOLUME 2 ISSUE 1. A bit of a milestone for us, and we’re now officially teenagers, as you’re about to read our thirteenth issue. Publishing this magazine is the easy(ish) part. Getting national distribution so it appears on the shelves of your newsagents isn’t, as we’re entering the realms of big business and men-in-suits, but if everything goes to plan, you’ll find us there in a few months time.

Wow, the last few weeks have been pretty hectic, with a fair few major shows under our belts now, and the Brit Chopper Roadshow has been well and truly christened. Me and SteveRedd set off for NABD 17. Mrs. Twang had donated an old caravan, and we loaded it to the hilt. The poor old tyres were groaning under the weight, so we stopped off at Phixer’s and shoved 50psi in them, and got there with no problems. On the way back, I opened my big gob. “I wonder how much longer those tyres will last” I said. “BANG”, one replied, about ten minutes later. We got back OK though.

As I say in every issue, the only way to get featured is to email us. Nasher did (see Letters to Editor) and we met up at the Farmyard. What an excellent bike. Look out for it in the next issue.

Fuel prices…very topical at the moment, but a couple of months ago, I had no toys to play with, and put a “Wanted” advert on the forum, asking if anyone had a moped I could play around with and chop. One stipulation, it had to be a Honda Step-thru, a “Crunchbox”. Turns out they’re as rare as hen’s teeth, so did I get one? No. I got two! Both were Honda 90’s, stood outside for 10 years. I set about stripping and chopping one (it’s now just over 2ft high) but the other wasn’t half bad, so I fully rebuilt it. It’s now my shopping-hack. In the past, getting the Transit out, and going into Yarmouth, was not only expensive, it was a pain, as the traffic here is crazy during the summer, and all the car-parks are “Pay and Display”. Now I can weave in and out and park anywhere, and at 40+mph and over 100mpg, it’s great. And I don’t care who laughs at me with my white plastic leg shields with Brit Chopper stickers on them and picnic basket bolted on the rack, and wearing my safety-shorts and wellies, it’s me who’s laughing as I approach mile long queues. I’m looking for one of those old helmets like the cops had in the fifties. You know, the cork lined ones with a peak and leather earflaps, preferably in white. Anyone got one? Maybe I’ll stick another advert on the forum.

Think of me on July 7^th at 10am. My Indian Trike’s booked in for its MSVA test. I’ll tell you all about it in Issue 2. Going shopping will cause much decision-making. Do I take the Transit, the Indian or the Honda? I’ve a feeling the Crunchie will win!

See you next issue. Chris (Desperate) Ireland.

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