News

Written by Brian McCauley

Wednesday, 21 July 2010 08:00

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When Chris Butterfield of Pleasanton saw a T-Rex reverse trike motorcycle at the Little Sturgis rally in Kentucky, he fell in love with the design. But when he got back home and started shopping around, he didn’t fall in love with the price.

Kirk Anderson of Olathe (left) talks with Bill Hendricks of Steinauer, Neb., about his 2002 Yamaha 1600 Road Star, which won best of Best of Show at the motorcycle show Saturday at the Paola American Legion. (photo by Brian McCauley)

“I saw the $45,000 price tag and thought, ‘Nope, I’ll just build my own,’” Butterfield said.


Starting with just two 20-foot pipes, Butterfield began to do just that about a year and a half ago, and he recently completed his sleek ride. Those who attended the motorcycle show Saturday at the Paola American Legion got to see Butterfield’s unique ride, along with a variety of other motorcycles.


With its massive back tire, two front tires and open metallic frame, Butterfield’s trike certainly stood out at Saturday’s event. Some even thought it looked a bit like the motorcycle ridden by the Dark Knight in the new Batman movies.


“I get that a lot,” Butterfield said.


There were a variety of motorcycles on display Saturday at the event, which was sponsored by American Legion Post 156 and Darrel’s Last Resort.


Larry Polfer of Paola brought his grandchildren to the show. Katie, 7, and Kevin, 5, Cosgrove excitedly walked through the line of motorcycles in the parking lot as they told their grandfather which ones were their favorites.


Some made longer trips to attend the motorcycle show. Bill Hendricks drove all the way from Steinauer, Neb., to enter his 2002 Yamaha 1600 Road Star in the show.


“We drove in this morning, 190 miles,” he said.


Hendricks, who served in the Navy from 1964 to 1968, chooses to use his motorcycle to pay tribute to his fellow veterans. On the back of his bike are painted the words “Veterans all gave some. Some gave all.”


Saturday’s event also featured some custom bikes, such as Kevin Collins’ 2006 custom ultra classic. Collins said he has made several modifications to it, including LED lights to illuminate it at night, new exhaust, chrome, new dash material and more.


Collins, who is a 1978 Paola High School graduate, said he recently moved back to town after being away for several years.


“It hasn’t changed much,” he said with a smile.


Former Miami County Sheriff Dan Morgan had his 1988 Goldwing 1500 trike on display at the show. Morgan said the trike is nice because he doesn’t have to hold it up when he stops, and it is a comfortable ride on the road.


Some of the interesting bikes parked in the lot Saturday weren’t even entered into the show, as the event attracted several local bikers who just stopped in to check out the other motorcycles.


Alan Bussell of Paola drove his 1942 World War II vintage Harley Davidson WLA military motorcycle to Saturday’s event. The antique motorcycle drew quite a bit of attention from the other bikers. Bussell, who is a veteran of the Vietnam War, said he just stopped by to check out the show.


Some of the bikes also were featured later in the afternoon at the Paola Heartland Car Show.


Many of the guests Saturday had to take breaks from the heat to cool off in the shade and enjoy some water on a blazing hot day. Those who stuck around until the conclusion of the show around 2:30 p.m. got to watch the announcement of the winners.


A number of the bikers drove off with awards, but when it was all said and done, Hendricks was named winner of Best of Show. For a complete list of winners, see the accompanying box.