Bigger, better show ready for area bikers

[totalmotorcycle]

Bigger, better show ready for area bikers
Wednesday, January 03, 2007 - The Republican - masslive.com



After last year's inaugural Springfield Motorcycle Show, promoter Doug Sousa of the Outdoor Sports Expo Group took a step back and asked himself, "What can I do to make this show even better?"


Well, Sousa has taken suggestions from the motorcycle public and used it to bring you a bigger and better show. This year's show kicks off Jan. 19 and runs through Jan. 21.


Once again the show will be held at the Eastern States Exposition grounds in West Springfield. This year is will be held in two buildings in order to accommodate all the features in store.


The ever-popular Michele Smith, host of television's "American Thunder" program, will be making a return engagement. Smith proved to be quite a draw last year and now considers this show to be one of her regular stops due to the response she receives here.


There will be two featured bike builders for the show in the persons of Steve Stone of Stone's Custom Motorcycle Co. and master bike-builder Scott Plourde. Stone brings more than 30 years of experience building handcrafted custom bikes. Plourde's reputation for forging rolling works of art from bare metal is quickly garnering notice everywhere.


Last year's featured bike builders, East Coast Chopper Works, whom I featured in an earlier column, will also be on hand with artist Joe Ventura of Joe Dean's All-Customs of Chicopee. Remember these two have collaborated on the "Wild Child" custom motorcycle that will be raffled off to benefit the Shriners Hospital for Children.


There will be a giant display by one of the show's co-sponsors, Tibby's Harley-Davidson of Springfield. Tibby's carries a complete line of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, parts, accessories and motorclothes merchandise.


Also, there will be several contests including a best bike competition, tattoo contest and a Michele Smith look-alike contest to be judged by none other than Smith herself.


The trophy sponsor for this year's best bike competition are Trantolo & Trantolo, and the trophies, cash and plaques will be awarded on the main stage on Sunday afternoon by Smith and Sgt. Joe Kowalski of ESPN's "Rods & Wheels" show.


Last year's crowd wanted more motorcycle parts, so the show has added All Out War Cycles, the largest "rolling" new parts dealer in the world.


One of the many other great displays to see will be the Marine Corps Tribute Bike, one man's tribute to his son who was killed in Iraq.


Shovelhead will be performing on the main stage, and this year's official "Stage Sponsor" is radio station WAQY Rock 102.1 and its sister station, Lazer 99.3. The Lazer Rock Girls will be on hand to help out with a motorcycle fashion show.


I will also be there on Saturday on behalf of The Republican's Plus Papers, so please stop by and say hello.


If you want to see the newest stuff in the industry - from the latest makes and models to the hottest accessories and clothing from a vast array of exhibitors - put the 2007 edition of the Springfield Motorcycle Show on your must-do list. For more information or to download a bike competition registration form, log on to www.osegshows.com


Adult admission $5 discount coupons are also available on the Web site. Sousa can be reached at dougoseg@gogtt.net or by calling (413) 467-2174.

Goins on: There will be a benefit for injured biker Steve "P-Zer" Pease on Jan. 14 at the Dalton American Legion on Route 9 in Dalton. The benefit starts at 1 p.m. and will feature good food, good fun and live music by Hot Tottie, Summit Hill and the Jake Larkin Band. Steve was rear-ended while sitting on his motorcycle at a red light on Oct. 5, and has incurred considerable expenses in medical bills and lost wages since. For more information or to find out where to get tickets, contact Joe Tatro at (413) 684-5125 or visit www.COBBWM.com


Attention veterans: There will be an organizational meeting of the American Veterans Motorcycle Club on Jan. 20 at 11 a.m. at Dad's Diner on Route 20 in Charlton. Area representative Wally Kittredge is trying to start a Massachusetts chapter of the club, which is open to veterans of the armed forces. If you ride and are interested in joining, you can contact Wally at (508) 867-0394 or e-mail wallykit@msn.com; for more information on the club, go online to www.americanveterans motorcycleclub.com