The Northeast Motorcycle Expo is homeless! After many years of fabulous bike shows, the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston, Massachusetts, is no longer a viable option for the good folks at Kev-Marv productions. They are looking for a new venue somewhere south of Boston, maybe the South Shore or Rhode Island. Contact Kevin at kpclement@aol.com or call 978.688.8888 if you’ve got any suggestions. In the meantime, the two remaining shows have been rebranded to bring attendees lower-priced, more affordable entertainment. Kev-Mar will hold “10 Buck Bike Shows” in Wilmington, Massachusetts on February 11–12 and Marlborough, Massachusetts, on February 27–28. Keep an eye on kevmarv.com for more info… Frank Diehl, owner of Blairstown Power Sports, has asked me to let everyone know about his good friend Joe Mahaffrey of Knowlton, New Jersey, who was involved in a motorcycle accident on August 20. Joe, who suffered serious injuries, needs months of intensive rehabilitation, and he and his fiancée Ashley are dealing with a mountain of medical bills. Frank asks that you please find room in your hearts to help out. You can search GoFundMe.com for Joe Mahaffrey Knowlton to find out more and to contribute… Congratulations to Brookfield Indian Motorcycle, which held its grand opening September 24–25 at 29 Federal Street in Brookfield, Connecticut. The event featured vendors, giveaways, and a display of Indian motorcycles from the 1940’s, among other activities. This is the first Indian dealership in the state, and the newest Victory dealership, so stop by and check it out… THUNDER PRESS contributor Mark Supley sent me a cool story. When he was at The Way We Were car show in Ballston Spa, New York, he happened upon on a 1926 Model T pickup truck with a 1916 Indian in the back. He asked the owner if he could visit his shop, Karl’s Garage, and Mark says, “Upon arriving I could see his building surrounded by old gas and oil signs and gas pumps. The model T still had the Indian in it from the day before. Dan Karl came out to meet me with his son Daniel. The garage was first opened in 1926 by his grandfather Charles F. Karl and has been in business ever since. Bo is well known in the world of dirt modified stock car racing, and Dan rebuilds, repairs and restores both Harley and Indian motorcycles. About 20 years ago Dan bought that Indian from a friend up the road who had bought it in Ohio about 10 years before. It was buried under a big mound of hay in a barn by its original owner who served in World War I and never returned. Dan got the Indian running but does not plan on restoring it. Other old cars, boats and machinery surround the building, but Dan says they have never sold anything… And now, dear readers, a bittersweet announcement: I have taken on more responsibilities at THUNDER PRESS, so this will be my last The Shadow Knows column. I started with the column in April 2006—that’s 129 issues’ worth of gossip and other good stuff. But fear not! Longtime THUNDER PRESS contributor Loretta Jackson will let everyone know what’s happening with her new column, Northeast Passages, which launches in January, 2017. If you have news to share about fun events, awesome shops, important legislation, or juicy gossip of interest to Northeast riders, e-mail Loretta at lorettaj9@gmail.com.
