[Elsboss]

Hey Dudes, I didn't see any topics pointing to any Daytona hangouts. Haven't been on the board for awhile. Can anyone save me from cruising through a ton of posts if there's any time, place, rides, goings-on, in Daytona? Gary, Rick, Tom, Steve, Doug and about 6 other SW Florida boys will be there from the first Saturday til about Thursday. Anyone wants to hook-up, please advise. No snobs or duechebags please. Just read a post here about some unfriendly, head-up-their-ass Hoss riders.

Elliot

 

[Conrad]

Elliot,
Check out Ricky's thread (Redtro) on Jan 21st regarding Daytona. Some of us were hoping one of you Floridians more familiar with the area would offer some suggestions. Sounds like the old Highlander spot is out (previous thread has the details). I'll be there from the 5th-11th and staying at the Holiday Inn in Deland. It's on Int'l Spdw Blvd about 15 miles from the speedway. New to BH, went to Tan-Tar-A last year and met some of you. Biketoberfest in the fall was a little disappointing as we were scattered everywhere. Although I ran across several of the BH riders we never met as a group or had a place to call "home" base. Lamont mentioned Sunshine Mall where the Honda folks meet as a possibility. Now that I've been on this web site more I would like to put a face with the names and check out some of your rides for more ideas. On second thought maybe not as it costs me money every time I see something new. If we can't find a home maybe at least pick a bar or meeting place and a time that we could all meet. Maybe even a run down Main St one evening before the last weekend as a group. Count me "in" if any of you leaders takes the bull by the horns...Lamont are you listening? My cell # is 440-343-5663 if anyone comes up with an idea after we get there in the event that we don't get an itinerary set on this site.
Conrad

 

[Elsboss]

Conrad,

Thanks for the reply. Didn't know anything about the Highlander and that's been the spot for years. I'll have to read that post as it's also been the watering hole of choice for myself and a number of us SW Florida guys. Hmmm.

I'm still shaking my head at Lamont's earlier post. We've unfortunately noticed the same with dealers and some owners over the years. Pretty unfortunate. Lots of arrogance and have found that most of guys who think their **** don't stink have lots of tutti frutti when it comes to paint and chrome but not much in the balls dept. So it goes.

I'll give some thought to a good spot and make a suggestion or two. We always get with Lamont and V-Man at Sunshine for a visit and some riding.

We'll be staying at a condo on S. Daytona Shores along with Steve Barr and Tom Breedlove. Five other BH buds will be close by. I'll put my cell number below and already put yours in my phone. I'm sure we'll get a chance to hook-up and ride. That is, if you don't mind sucking some smoke, hee hee.

Elliot
(239) 410-3040

 

[Conrad]

Elliot,
Looking forward to it. It'll be nice to meet you guys as your posts have been a great help to me in modifying my bike...as well as solving mechnical issues. I'm still a novice so I don't mind catching your smoke. My Nesco #7 just came in last week and should be in the bike by bike week. The carb and distributer mods are complete as well. I'll be feeding the "nads" in the meantime but I'm going to progress slowly and watch you big boys before I go crazy on the smoke shows. At my age I don't heal quickly. A little at a time til the confidence grows (or the balls).
Conrad

 

[Elsboss]

Ok guys, I may have the answer 'cause it sounds like there is nothing formalized anyhow. There was nothing wrong with the Highlander last Oct 'cept all the dealers weren't there. Big deal. There was the new KY dealer (nice guy and won the Rat's Hole V8 division), the Daytona guy, a number of vendors, etc.

Highlander is still the place to go IMHO. Good location, paved, plenty of room, still known by most of the V8 guys over the years...and a great little bar overlooking the parking lot. Good food too. There's always lots of citizens coming in to gawk 'cause of all the vendors on Ridgewood right there and Millers. There will most probably be the bike wash babes there as usual also. Couple of great wet T-shirt contests this past Oct.

With the dealers all over the damn place there's not going to be a hub and bikes will always be in and out wherever/whenever. To that end, I would suggest everyone use the Highlander as a meeting spot. Park the bike, get a beer, wave any V8 guys pulling in over...unless they have an attitude. If so, buy them a beer and they'll be ok.

The SW Florida folks (about 17 V8 bikes) will be in and out at Highlander. If you see my orange V8 chopper, Gary's blower chopper, or Tom's trike, you'll know we're there raising hell. Hope to see any of you guys there.

Elliot
(239) 410-3040

 

[HogV8]

I have to agree with Elliot . How many places can you pull your Boss in on a nice paved parking lot , park right in front of the bar and sit on you bike and drink a beer . Plus if we all hang out there from time to time , there will be plenty of V8 bikes and riders there to look at and bull**** with . Also if the weather turns ****ty , there's plenty of shelter and great food .

Jack

 

[MBFsupport]

That's fine but in October there was nobody there. :roll: I guess if we are going to meet there then we better pick a time of day that we all could hookup. Maybe between 3pm and 5pm would be good and if folks wanted to stay longer that would be fine too. 8) You guys let me know and I will try and hookup with you all.

I would like to make a run down to the airport and checkout Daytona Boss Hoss. We need to make a time to do that. 8)

 

[Conrad]

Beer, Boss Hosses, wet T-shirt contests, paved lot....Ah, let me think.....OK, I'll be there. The Highlander it is. Any thoughts of picking one particular time (other than our usual cruising in) for maybe a run as a group downtown or even a couple of destinations? Unfortunatley I have to head back home on the 10th but anytime before that count me in.
Conrad

 

[Green Bean]

I'm not sure what dates I'll be in Daytona yet, but I'll plan to spend some time at the Highlander this year. I like Lamont's idea about riding to the airport also. Someone step up and set a time.

Last Biketoberfest, is when I took my demo ride on a B.H. at the Speedway and later that day, every Boss that went by caught my eye. I even stopped in at the Highlander and looked at a few B.H.'s. I can't wait to pull in there on my own bike this year and meet some of you fellows.

I'm looking forward to continuing the, "growing of the nads" that is in full swing for me right now. I'm really looking forward to going down to Hooter's Bike Night here and leaving that place in a cloud of white smoke. So, I want to meet you guys with a "full grown set" so I can get some coaching. If any of you snowbirds care to fly south for the event, let me know who you are and I'll by the beer. I owe Steve a few anyway. :capwin:

 

[Elsboss]

Gentlemen,

On behalf of the SW Florida guys or at least half dozen of us and Tom B, we'll look forward to seeing you all at the Highlander. Gary and I were hoping to get a bunch of V8's together and do a run down Main Street Saturday night as well. We'll be arriving around noon Saturday and will head to the Highlander for much of the afternoon after getting checked in. See you there.

Elliot

 

[V8GRUMPY]

Elliot,

I thought I read somewhere here that the new owners of the Highlander complex were not very "biker friendly" and that was the reason it dried up at Biketoberfest????????

How is Stan doing? I got to talk to him for quite awhile in Sturgis and got a closeup view of the choppers. At that time he sounded pretty optimistic about the outcome of the Florida situation. He sure seemed like a stand-up guy and didn't have the "attitude" of some of the other big bike mfgrs.

Did you ever change or refab your exhaust system? Thought you said you were working on that some time back.

Tried to do some fishing between Ft. Lauderdale and Miami Beach a couple weeks back, nothing biting........watched some young kids catching tarpon at the back of our ride while we were berthed at Miami and the rear underwater lights were going................wished I had the BH down there, although it was pretty cool according to the natives :lol:

Tim

 

[Elsboss]

Hi Tim,

We found the Highlander to be fine as always. I'd be surprised if they weren't friendly as the majority of their business is as a feeding and watering hole. During Oct or March 99% of that is bikers. I think a lot of the noise is scuttlebutt.

Stan really is a good guy. They are having a real problem with the lawsuit and the old company but doing great with V8 Choppers. They've made some really nice custom jobs including Warren who owns Dixie Chopper (lawnmowers). He was featured on an episode of Orange Cnty Chopper where Paul Jr.& Sr. made him a bike with one of the mower motors. Probably ran as good as the avg Vtwin, hee hee.

Gary just hits his stainless exhaust with some sandpaper occasionally and it comes back to life. I was too lazy to be carrying around grit so I had them Jet Hot coated. Used their Sterling finish and it's ok. Not thrilled as it's a bit uneven and when something gets on them while hot, you're stuck with them. The verdict's out on what I'm going to permanently do.

Fishing wasn't too good eh? I've had plenty of those days. Fortunately, they get punctuated by an occassional good day so it keeps me going at it. Next time you're that close Tim, come on over to the left coast of Florida and we'll put you on a 2 wheeler. I've got 3 in my garage, Gary has 3 (2 Goldwings) and there's plenty of boats. The really good tarpon holes are less than 20 minutes from my dock and if it's nice, I'm Tortugas bound in the bigger ride. Be glad for your company. Take care,

Elliot

 

[Wild Bill]

V8 Bike Riders Group Ride at Daytona

FYI,
Elliot, any chance that you and the S. Florida gang are thinking about staying until Friday? I am in the process of setting up a "V8 Bike Riders Ride" for Friday the 11th at 2pm. All V8 bikes are welcome.

I set up a last minute ride a couple of years ago at Spring Daytona and we had a pretty good turnout. This year I am making posters to take to all the V8 Bike Dealers and am hoping that we can get a BIG group.

The tentative details are:
- Friday, March 11th
- 1pm gather/stage at the Sunshine Park Mall (just South of Millers on the opposite side of the road)...Lamont's hangout!
- 2pm start the ride (approx 40 miles)
- End ride at Chops Restaurant (Formerly The Highlander)
- Anyone interested could then do an informal group ride from Chops to Daytona Boss Hoss where Randy Epling told me they are having a hospitality area.

I have been in touch with the Daytona Police Department's Special Ops Division to, hopefully, get some traffic management help and an escort. This is still tentative as they seem to take forever to make decisions there.

The current plan is to ride north and do "The Loop" which is a very scenic route that the Daytona Chamber of Commerce recommends highly. I have ridden it and it is pretty cool. There are hundreds of bikes going each way along the route, yet there are never any traffic issues. The ride would then take a lap down Main Street, Beach Street and then South on Route 1 to Chops Restaurant (The Highlander).

I would sure like to hear from anyone who will be in Daytona and is thinking about joining this ride. You can reply here or email me at: [email protected]

See you in Daytona!

Bill Taylor

 

[Elsboss]

Bill,

Thanks for the heads-up and invite. You'd actually let us lowly V8 Chopper scumbags ride with you guys, hee hee?!

If at all able, I'd like to stay from Sat-Sat as we have the room that long. With my coming and going with partner Gary, I may have to load up and head out anytime from Wed on as a result of his work agenda. Kinda up in the air til the last minute.

It appears you're more in the know than me. Didn't know it changed names. You hear anything that would prevent our hanging there? Is the bar still open?

If we're still there, we'll look forward to that ride. In the meantime, looking forward to seeing you earlier in the week. Best,

Elliot

 

[Wild Bill]

Elliot,
I spoke to Randy Epling, previous owner of The Highlander, today about the area that is now Chops Restaurant and he said that we should be fine there.

He said that it most likely won't cater to bikers quite the same way that it did when he was the owner, but he's a biker...they're just trying to make some money. He has encouraged them to bring in an outfit that will set up some biker-type activities like a wet T-shirt contest etc. He is hopeful that they listened.

The bar and restuarant are both opened and you're right, it is an ideal set-up to hang out at. Since we've lost the Boss Hoss Dealers as our "anchor", I think Lamont is right that we should set up a time range when we should try to "check-in" and see who's around. If not, then we will all just stop in, see no V8's, and move on. Lamont's suggestion was 3-5pm daily...I agree and will do my best to stop by for a while to see what's up.

I had a great time last year catching dinner with Lamont, BossMan, V-Man and others. We went to dinner because we bumped into each other at The Highlander around dinner time. I think the short ride to the restaurant might have even been better than the dinner! Unfortunately, it was also one of my only good memories about bike week last year as later that night my father, who was riding his bike behind me, hit a deer and spent the next nine days in Halifax Medical Center. Needless to say, I've got some pent-up bike week frustration going on! I WILL need a new rear tire by the end of bike week!!!!!!!!!!

Also, you "lowly V8 Chopper scumbags" have got me so jealous, I can hardly see straight. If ebay hadn't already outlawed it, I would have one of my kidneys listed for auction right now to pay for a new Kannon Chopper...man I love your bike!

Bill

 

[Elsboss]

Bill,

Appreciate the info and homework you did. The Highlander was like an ol' shoe to me for a number of years. I know a number of us have fond memories there. One of my most memorable burnouts...with a cop on a Harley right behind me.

Your Dad's accident was a real bad scene. I remember hearing about it from Neil. Who would have thought in Florida right?! All that development up there displacing deer and I've heard there's a bunch of them in Flagler Cnty. Just thankful he cheated checking out and is hopefully 100%.

Last year Lamont took a good chopper ride. This year we'll have to put you on one. They're both pumped up pretty good as compared to last year. Gary's blower is quite a site and has a bigblock attitude.

Looking forward to seeing you and the rest of the guys. Best,

Elliot

 

[HogV8]

Hi Bill ,
Sounds good , you can count me in .

Jack

Elliot , are you staying at Tropic Shores . I own a couple of timeshares there and will be staying there for 3 weeks .

Jack

 

[NcChopper]

Bill,

That sounds good. I am going to have to beg somebody at work to cover for Saturday the 12th so I can hang around to catch the group ride on Friday. It was very cool at the last rally I attended riding around with a pack of V8's!

Thanks for organizing it whether I get to go or not.

Chris

 

[Conrad]

I have to head back on the 10th so if there is any interest in picking an additional meet earlier in the week (or prior weekend) please offer a suggestion. If not I'll check in periodically at the Highlander between 3-5PM each day.
Conrad
cell# 440-343-5663

 

[MBFsupport]

Re: V8 Bike Riders Group Ride at Daytona

Sounds like you have a good plan Bro. If you haven't made up the posters yet maybe you can add V8BikeRiders.com to the poster somewhere. See you there. 8)

This year I am making posters to take to all the V8 Bike Dealers and am hoping that we can get a BIG group.

The tentative details are:
- Friday, March 11th
- 1pm gather/stage at the Sunshine Park Mall (just South of Millers on the opposite side of the road)...Lamont's hangout!
- 2pm start the ride (approx 40 miles)
- End ride at Chops Restaurant (Formerly The Highlander)
- Anyone interested could then do an informal group ride from Chops to Daytona Boss Hoss where Randy Epling told me they are having a hospitality area.

I have been in touch with the Daytona Police Department's Special Ops Division to, hopefully, get some traffic management help and an escort. This is still tentative as they seem to take forever to make decisions there.

The current plan is to ride north and do "The Loop" which is a very scenic route that the Daytona Chamber of Commerce recommends highly. I have ridden it and it is pretty cool. There are hundreds of bikes going each way along the route, yet there are never any traffic issues. The ride would then take a lap down Main Street, Beach Street and then South on Route 1 to Chops Restaurant (The Highlander).

I would sure like to hear from anyone who will be in Daytona and is thinking about joining this ride. You can reply here or email me at: [email protected]

See you in Daytona!

Bill Taylor