She Wolf of the Moment- Hayley M

Every month or so, we choose a different woman to spotlight that inspire us!

We feel as if it’s important to introduce real womxn in the motorcycle community as a way to empower and inspire others to follow their dreams and just keep shining! For the Month o March, we reached out to Hayley from Ontario and asked her about what it’s like to be a women builder/creator. Here’s what she had to say:

Please tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got your start. 

Well, I went to school for Computer Science and had a pretty nice job slapping code on a computer for a while until I realized that the highlight of my day was guessing if Gary was gonna talk to me with white shit in the corners of his mouth. I left everything behind and just started aiming for jobs that were fulfilling. It worked, less stress but also a lot less money. I worked rehabilitating dogs for forever homes to grooming dogs. At this time I was already building a bike and working on what I wanted and it turned out my first chop was actually my resume. I was offered a gig at a vintage Japanese motorcycle shop. I jumped into that role with ease. I started out as a parts clerk and then switched shops to where I am now.  I’m the Parts Dept. Manager for a really great shop that specializes in Harley.  Feeds the addiction, basically everything to feed my addiction. I can list off the weirdest part numbers off the top of my head for bikes that date back to the fuckin ‘30s  like what the fuck eh? 

What inspired you to build? 

I’ve always been a pretty aggressive human, naturally. I don’t know exactly where the fire comes from but I’ve always been extremely driven. I was never fortunate to grow up with sober stable parents and figured out early on that I had to take care of myself first. I was pissed off at my upbringing and the shitty cards I was dealt and basically found a really good way to get back at my past by making my future brighter. No better way to say fuck you then to channel your anger in a good place. I am an extremely happy person in general, likely because all my anger gets shoved into every bike I've ever built. Haha Even the cute bikes are full of rage. I’m kidding, I mean I can sit here and pretend I’m inspired to build by a fuckin sunset but the truth is it’s all spite, that's what works for me. The more pissed off I am, the better the bike. 

What do you ride? Did you build it? 

My daily is “ Big Bone '' (a play on what I love and what I am, big bones and big boned) a Honda CB750K8 I chopped up.  I picked it up for $400 after racing a pal to it. Naturally the engine was completely baffed and I had to gut the entire thing. I made her beautiful on the inside because the plan was to make her real mean and ugly on the outside.

Are you currently working on anything right now? If so, what?

I’m working on a couple things right now! I bought a 1977 Dodge B100 Van “Muffy” to hopefully take it down south this year!. A ‘60 Harley Davidson Pan that I’m putting together for fun. A racing lawnmower to go around town in and a couple minibikes.

How many projects do you take on at a time? 

I usually take on a couple! You can choose to hold off on projects and focus on one thing at a time, or what I like to do, buy anything that makes you happy for a screaming deal and make it into something fucked up later. I have a mental note of what order everything gets done in. Sometimes building a chop for too long can get monotonous, I like taking breaks in between and rip around on something else for a week or two until I start missing the chop.

What’s the most enjoyable thing to make? 

I love fabricating, moulding frames, and playing with the grinder. It’s hard to say it’s all fun. I’m rebuilding a 4 speed jockey on the Pan right now and even that’s fun. Hell even when the entire can of metal flake exploded in my face it was fun. My ultimate goal in everything I do is to have fun, if I stop having fun I’ll lose interest real fast. 

What’s it like being a womxn builder in a male dominant environment?

It’s whatever you make it. You can choose to be a “woman builder” and use that to define yourself (not that there’s anything wrong with that, with peace and love) or you can just be a builder and ignore the bullshit. I’d rather be called a builder than have any gender attached to what I'm doing. It’s not a descriptive term for my abilities, this isn’t a sport, it’s dickin’ around with grinders and micrometres. I feel that the playing field should be equal and I make a large effort to not exploit the fact that I am female in everything that I do.

What is the least enjoyable to build/make?

Different aspects of each build can be a real pain in the ass. With vintage bikes you don’t know what you’re going to find until you get into it, and by then it’s too late to turn back. Be it a stamp sealed frame you have to hardtail, welding up custom exhausts, leaking gas tanks. Currently fuckin trying to find a barrel and piston for a ‘37 M22 BSA.  The least enjoyable thing for me to do is go online and order brand new parts. I actually haaatttteeeeeeee ever having to do, and it’s rare that I do. But understand that’s what I do, I build my own parts. That’s part of my experience, so for me to buy parts is like paying someone else to do my work.

What are some challenges that you face with what you do? What are your highlights?

Covid!! Swap meets around here came to a screeching halt! I love swap meets more than Encino Man, eating meat with my bare hands and even more than spraying whip cream straight into my gullet. I could easily travel  5+ hours just to hit up a shit swap meet. The ’78 XS650 “Boogie Shoogie” was a complete Covid bike, I used all the parts I’ve collected from years prior to build that bike. Even the carbs I had to salvage from a scrap yard. It was a brutal year for junk hauling. There were a couple months there where swaps opened back up. I found a sweet rear invader set up for the Pan, and some other fun goodies. Then it closed back up again haha. 

What is your most enjoyable experience while riding?

Always and 100% riding with friends, not just tagalongs but the friend that pops in at your shop unexpectedly and calls on ya to go riding. Where no bikes break and no one runs out of fuel. Goofing off on the road, playing tag, having passengers holding out their arms to catch the air. There’s always a good game of rock paper scissors at every red light. You know, the good folk you ride with, the ones you don't have to worry about, the ones that know how you ride and can ride hard. 

What advice can you give to a womxn rider/builder? 

This goes for everyone, don’t miss out on amazing people because you’re too busy trying to be something you’re not. There are beautiful people from all genders and backgrounds that are building bikes and doing incredible things. Don’t sleep on these people because they don’t look like you, or ride your style of motorcycle. Everyone has at least one thing you’ll learn from, so meet as many people as you can and learn from them all. Unless they’re toxic as shit, then leave them the fuck alone, usually a dead giveaway is when they start talking about their ironhead. Im jk im jk not jk okay im jk 

Are there any other womxn builders we should look into that inspire you? 

I asked permission before sharing her info but she’s one of my favourite ladies, IG@the_fairychopmother. She is so relentless in her support. She keeps me grounded and I love her for that. I met her when @hondachopper_dot_com reposted her Honda CB750 and I had to be her friend! HI RALLY!!! 

I’ve been following  @jshia for years. Everything that she does is gold and she is real inspiration and a testament to ingenuity to the motorcycle community. I thank her for that. 

What is a good tip every rider should know? 

In Ontario when the winter melts down and the roads are getting a little warmer, one thing happens like clockwork. Eager riders who can’t wait to get on the road wash the fuck out on loose dirt and destroy their motorcycles. LIKE FUCKIN’ CLOCKWORK, every year. Take it easy when you hop back on your bike after the winter thaw, the roads are janky, your tires are cold and hard  and you’ll fuck up your bike for a shitty ride in the cold. 

What are your other passions/hobbies? 

I have a real habit of doing as much as I can. I bought a silkscreen set up last year and made some really funny chopper shirts, bought a button maker too and made a bunch of funny buttons for the folks at work. I guess you can say I have an entire room dedicated to all the other crafty hobbies that I’ve picked up along the way. I always think if someone else can do it, I sure as hell can too! I wanna try stained glass though, that would be cool to do. 

Please tell us anything else you’d like to! Be sure to add your ig or any other platforms you’d like us to share! Thank you! 

Thanks for the interview! It’s been a real honour. You can follow my Panhead build on tiktok at @haylorization or on IG @haylorization. 

I’m always up for a good chat so don’t hesitate to send me a DM! Thank you for the support. This really means a lot to me. 

Thank you for Hayley, can’t wait to learn more from you and your wonderful videos! You’re an inspiration to us all!

She Wolf of the Moment-Sanna Boman

Every Month or so, we choose a different woman to spotlight that inspire us!

We feel as if it’s important to introduce real womxn in the motorcycle community as a way to empower and inspire others to follow their dreams and just keep shining! For the Month of October, our focus is Sanna Boman of San Diego, California.

Sanna lives with her dog Steve, cats Ninja and Turtle, and four motorcycles (two Harleys, a Royal Enfield, and a Honda). She’s the editor in chief at Roadtrippers and spends most of her days dreaming of and planning road trips. When she’s not working, she’s most likely riding to a national park or cool lake somewhere.  Below are a few questions we’ve asked Sanna to get to know more about her moto journey:

What inspired you to ride a motorcycle? 

I’m not really sure. I didn’t know a single person who rode motorcycles until after I started riding myself, it was just something I had to do. Way later I found out that my great grandmother was a badass moto babe who rode motorcycles in the 1910s, so turns out it was in my blood all along!

Where is your favorite element to visit on two wheels?

I love riding anywhere scenic, but I’m not picky. Some of my favorite things are national parks, mountain passes, big rocks, cool bridges, literally any body of water, steep canyons, deserts, and twisty roads. 

Where is the furthest you have visited on your bike? Tell us about it! 

The longest ride I’ve done on my bike was a cross-country road trip from San Diego to Canada and back a few years ago with three friends. It was really epic. We were crushing miles the entire trip but still managed to do a lot of amazing riding and see a lot of spectacular places. 

What do you do to prepare for a road trip? What do you pack, etc?

I always prepare by making a detailed pack list on my phone that includes everything from gear to clothes to tools to snacks. That last part is really important—I’ve spent years perfecting my road trip snack game! Other than that I always bring layers and gear for multiple weather scenarios. Motorcycle road trips are unpredictable, and you never know when you’ll end up riding through a surprise rainstorm or over a snowy mountain pass. Also, I always bring a swimsuit. 

What’s your typical day on the road look like? 

I plan all my stops around meals (because eating is important), so the first thing I do when I wake up in the morning, while eating breakfast, is look for a place to stop for lunch. Then I’ll try to find the most interesting way to get there, whether that means taking the most scenic and twisty road or hitting up some weird roadside attractions along the way. Same thing after lunch—I’ll figure out where I’m having dinner and plan my route accordingly. 

I know you recently built a Shovelhead. Please tell us about it! 

So, I didn’t actually build the shovel. Here’s what happened: Several years ago, I bought a running ironhead that I took apart and built into a chopper. Once that was done, I realized I didn’t like it, so I sold it and bought a friend’s shovelhead instead. I’ve had that one for about 4 years now, and this past year it got a big makeover. It’ll probably never be completely done though, I think that’s always the case with choppers. 

What is something interesting about yourself that you’d like to share with the world?

I grew up in Sweden and my whole family still lives there. I haven’t been back to visit in a while because of covid, but I’m trying to plan a big European motorcycle trip as soon as it’s safe to do so.

Do you have any advice for anyone who is new to riding? 

Ride within your comfort zone and gradually start pushing your own limits. Don’t compare yourself to others or try to keep up/show off when riding with more experienced riders, it’s not worth it. Take a safety class and wear proper gear while you’re still learning (then do whatever you want). 

Who is someone that inspires you and why? 

I’m constantly inspired by all the amazing women who are doing cool things in the motorcycle community (including you!). 

Where is somewhere that you’d highly suggest to go visit on a motorcycle? 

I spent two weeks this summer riding through Alaska on my Royal Enfield Himalayan, and it was one of the most epic things I’ve ever done. I highly, HIGHLY recommend visiting Alaska, especially on an adventure bike or dual sport. It’s a magical place—rugged, intimidating, and just bonkers beautiful.

Thank you for talking the time to let us get to know you, Sanna! See ya on the road!

If you’d like to personally follow Sanna, and her continuous route, check out her instagram @cylinderella

She Wolf of the Moment-Michelle Valdovinos

Each Month or so, we’ll be choosing a human that inspires the moto community. Stay tuned! Who knows, maybe the next She Wolf will be you!

Photo by: Matthew Nigel

For The Month of July, we are honoring The Wonderful Michelle Valvodinos. Residing in Long Beach with her hubby and three dogs (Danzig, Ozzy, and Sid). Michelle is equally passionate about dogs as she is about motorcycles, and is the mastermind behind our ‘Ride Hogs Pet Dogs’ Slogan! Get to know more about Michelle below:

How Long have you been riding? please tell us about your bike Journey:
I’ve been riding about 4.5 years. I started with a 1974 Honda CB 125 and rode that little thing EVERYWHERE for about a year. My second bike was an anniversary gift from my husband, a 1980 Suzuki GS 450. I decided to test ride a  2016 Harley Davidson sportster for fun and ended up taking her home.   

What is your most memorable riding experience?

My favorite riding memory is riding through the desert coming back from Vegas with my husband and the sun was rising. It was breathtaking. Just us and the road.  I felt like I was in  the movie Easy Rider. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself:

I’m married with 3 dogs. I‘ve been a bartender for 21 years but decided to go back to school for Respiratory Therapy during the pandemic. My husband and I have a vintage business as well. We truly enjoy hunting for rare Harley Davidson pieces, Chimayos or anything with fringe.   

Also, what is something someone may not know about you that you’d like to share?

I’m also over 12 years sober. I struggled for many years with alcohol and other things. It was such a crazy and dark time in my life. I have so much gratitude for my life today.

Anything coming up that you have planned on two wheels?

I’m super excited about BRO in Borrego Springs. I’ve never been before and riding with a group of women just hits different.

If you could give any advice to a newer rider, what would it be?

For new riders I suggest taking a motorcycle safety class, invest in protective gear ( huge fan of Tobacco) and PRACTICE ALOT.   It’s ok to be nervous, just work through it. I still have so much to learn. Always learning. 

If you could have any bike in the world, what would it be and why?

Dream bike?? I really want a black Heritage Softtail with 14” bars, fishtails and no bags. Mspeachi has one of my favorite dream bikes. I want the goth version of her bike 🖤🕸🦇🥀💀

Thanks for sharing with us, Michelle! Can’t wait for our next adventure together.

Michelles IG: @misshell666

Business page: @la_onda_vintage_co (awesome biker wear and vintage items)

Photographer: Matthew Nigel @matt.nigel

Photo by: Matthew Nigel

Pre-Ride Tire Check by Olivia Montalbano

“Being the only connection between you and the road, here are a few important things you can check before you head out on your next ride!”

We recently reached out to Olivia Montalbano, founder of The Lita’s Sacramento, Vlogger, Mad-Max Wasteland Machine Maker, and asked her to give us some simple advice on how to check your tires.

Here’s what she had to say:

PRE-RIDE CHECKS: TIRES

1. TIRE PRESSURE
Did you know the pressure rating on the sidewall of your tire is NOT the recommended tire pressure? That is the tire’s MAX load, and not what you should necessarily be riding with. Find your bike’s tire pressure specification in your owners manual, VIN sticker, or even with a quick internet search. The correct tire pressure leads to a better ride!

2. TREAD LIFE
Like your favorite pair of shoes, the tread wears down as the miles go up. If your tires are starting to lose their grooves and gain a flat spot, it might be time to start looking for your next set. Some tire brands even have “wear bars” inside the tread, so when you’ve worn down to the bar, you know it’s about that time. To keep the rubber side down, make sure you’ve got enough of it!

3. TIRE AGE
On every tire since the year 2000, there’s an easy to read 4 digit date code displaying when the tire was manufactured. Since rubber degrades over time, it’s recommended to replace tires 6-10 years old. Signs of age are cracking inside the tread, hardening of the rubber, and even cracks on the sidewall! Despite how much tread may be left, an old tire is not safe and should be replaced.

A few more tips before taking off:

Check your brakes!

Check you brake lever (front and back) to make sure brake system is working. Also, check for brake fluid levels, and look for any leaks.

be sure to also check your clutch cables, throttle clicking back and fourth property, signals & horn working, loose spokes, etc.

Inspect the outer surface of the tires. Look for any punctures or nails. Also, excessive wear in the tread, cuts or cracks on the tread or sidewall, exposed threads or wires, or bulges. If you see any of these, replace the tire.

Stay tuned for future info on how to ride safe, and stay safe!

Olivia’s IG: @killswitchqueen

YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/KillswitchQueen

Thanks for reading!

Interview with Tracy Ta- A woman mechanic and rider

As International Female Ride Day is upon us, I decided to take the time to get to know the women in our community, and their contributions. Tracy Ta from San Diego is an all all over badass that works on her own bike(s), as well as helps others with their own. I asked her a few questions, and heres what she had to say:

Interview with Tracy Ta

IG handle: @tracythewild

“Like, just looking out and seeing the way the ocean breathes, or standing against the wind at a viewpoint, on the edge of a mountain, next to my bike and realizing… this machine that I rebuilt with my own hands, brought me up here. That feeling is truly something else.”

What do you ride?

I got a 2007 Suzuki LS650 and a pain-in-my-ass-to-work-on vintage 1986 Honda Shadow VT700

What’s the most memorable experience on a motorcycle?

I feel like I often have these moments where I’m riding, and I’m like, ‘man…the universe really does all come together’. I guess those are the moments why we ride right?
But if I had to highlight just one time though, I’d say it was this random test ride. I had gone through months of working on this bike (the LS). And by ‘working on it’, I actually mean fixing it, it breaking down on me while going up a hill on some random road, doing roadside repairs, then more breaking down, gutting, etc.
…So that day started something like this – After long hours of research, rebuilding, replacing, and cleaning the slime out of the carburetor, I set out to test it. I started out in my neighborhood, then local streets. Honestly, I was so nervous but I knew I had to test it through high RPMs. I hit the highway, and I guess the adrenaline of it actually functioning properly got to me and I found myself out in Alpine going through the Cuyamaca mountains. Mind you, this is my first proper ride out with this lightweight 350lb single banger; the bike was gettin’ squirrelly, blasting up the tail end of that 6% grade incline through some gnarly winds. Dude, I felt like I was in some 80s hair metal video! Eagle soaring over the canyon beside me, lightning striking behind me as I rode into these mountains… Lol!!! I was pretty stoked!
Well, I took Sunrise Highway and celebrated the success of my work by hitting up some Laguna Mountain riding. I was super proud of myself for fixing this thing right. It took a lot, mentally and emotionally, to get myself to learn this mechanical stuff. And it wasn’t easy facing all the failures along the way. So yep, this was THE moment for me.
Yee-Haw!!!!!!!!!!!

Please tell us how you got into motorcycle engineering, and what inspired you to learn to build.

Growing up, my dad had an auto repair shop, my brother and uncles fixed bikes and raced CMRA, so I was always interested in all things mechanical. But because I’m a girl, I think asking my dad to teach me how to work on cars, wasn’t in my stars. Certainly, they planted the seed of inspiration.
I started riding around 10 years ago, but I never go to own my own bike. My friends would let me ride their bikes here and there, and I shared a 2004 Suzuki GSXR 600 for a short period with my partner at the time.
So fast forward to 2018 – I had gone through some heavy life stuff and I just needed to pick myself back up in so many ways. What better way to do that then to really challenge and test yourself? I said, the only way I’d get a bike and get back to riding again, was if I could work on the bike myself. I’m a firm believer in being self-sufficient. But I had never worked on a motorcycle and honestly, didn’t even know if I still remembered how to ride.
I found the LS for a steal. It hadn’t been running for over two years and the owner had no idea what was wrong with it. At this point, I was really questioning myself, and thinking I was probably biting off more than I could chew.
After doing some research in diagnosing what the problems could have been – I found that it might be anywhere from a simple carb clean (I had no idea what that even entailed) or it could have a blown motor, or anything in between. I was hesitant for sure, but I figured my backup plan was that if I couldn’t do it – I could at least sell it for what I bought it for. So, I borrowed my uncle’s truck and we pushed it up into the bed.
Then I just went down the rabbit hole from there. I did so much research by reading, watching YouTubes, trolling Suzuki forums, highlighting and taking notes in the service manual, studying diagrams, learned to read schematics, and all that happened before I even touched the bike. I was too chicken to start messing with anything in fear I’d break that thing even more haha.

Where is your favorite element to ride in? Why?

When I get on my bike, I usually find myself heading towards the ocean or into the mountains. I tend to seek places where I can be in solitude and really, just be with myself. The bike already does that for you, but when you pair that feeling with your surroundings, it becomes really real. I guess that physical sense of being alone, lets me let go spiritually and allows my mind to be free. Like, just looking out and seeing the way the ocean breathes, or standing against the wind at a viewpoint, on the edge of a mountain, next to my bike and realizing… this machine that I rebuilt with my own hands, brought me up here. That feeling is truly something else.

If there’s anything else you’d like for us to know about you, please let us know!

I think being transparent about my moto journey is important because I don’t want anyone to mistaken me for some super skilled mechanic, ya know. I honestly can’t even remember names of tools, I don’t use proper terminology with bike parts, and I call everything some descriptive name with -‘nugget’ at the end haha!
I mean I just want women to know that it is totally okay and normal to not know everything technical, in order to get in there and learn about our bikes. The drive to learn and the ‘want’ to actually do the work, is what really matters and that will get us further than what we probably give ourselves credit for.
I think it can be healthy to have a little self doubt in there, because it shows that we’re stepping out of our comfort zone but also willing to allow growth. As women riders, I think we all have a wild hair for that kind of skill.
Ride on, sisters.
@tracythewild

Tracy, thank you for taking the time to share your journey with the women’s moto world…you are truly an inspiration. See you on the road!

photo by @evilvision_photography

Tracy rebuilds the carb on her 1986 Honda Shadow, then reinstalls the heart of the bike to bring back it to life.

INTRODUCING THE SHE WOLF MOTO HIP BAG BY JAYME DOUGHERTY

Hello, Nina here, I just wanted to formally introduce what I feel is to be our biggest launch yet! We are going to break the internet.

We are so excited to announce our newest product in collaboration with The very talented Jayme Dougherty of Darling Deer Face Moto. She is a one woman show, and has been making hip bags since before I began riding. The need for Hip Bags have been skyrocketing since more womxn began to ride. We believe it is the best accessory to store all the necessities. Close to you, easy to reach. Small and compact, perfectly fits your phone, keys. wallet, chapstick, plus room for more!

This is just the beginning of being able to provide high quality vegan moto gear, while collaborating with small, Womxn ran business. I asked Jayme to tell us a little more about how ‘Vegan Hip Bags’ came to be:

"I made my first hip bag about 4 and a half years ago.  I was about a year into motorcycling and still hadn't figured out how to conveniently carry my small necessities without stuffing them into my jacket pockets.  I'd been sewing regularly for the last decade or so, and making something utilitarian wasn't completely out of my wheelhouse (see Bike Burrito).  After searching for the perfect bag (that was also vegan) and coming up empty handed, I decided to give it a go one afternoon.  It wasn't perfect by any means, it needed some tweaks, but it was then that I realized I was on to something.  

The DFM (Deer Face Moto, for lack of a better name) hip bag has undergone changes over the years, starting with duck canvas, which proved to not fare well in weather and faded at lightning speed.  Soon after, I offered it in Cordura, water resistant and fade resistant, but it still wasn't hitting the spot. The bags are all now made with a water and fade resistant nylon canvas.  While the materials have changed, the constant has been the quality.  I won't let one bag leave my home that I wouldn't use myself.  Each bag is handmade one at a time in Long Beach, CA 

The DFM hip bag has 2 solid clasps that clip onto your belt loops and a fold over flap (left plain for personalization, who doesn't want that?) that closes with 2 magnetic snaps.  Nobody wants to fuss with a zipper when you've got gloves on.  I have put several thousand miles on my bags and they have been through every kind of weather.  I have also put several thousand steps on them as well because they're the perfect grocery getter bag to boot.

I am so excited to work with She Wolf on these bags.  It was seriously a collaboration made in heaven.  We are two peas in a pod and we love carbs."

We hope you enjoy the bags as much as we do! Please follow along our journey and help support small, local, independent womxn owned business. The love and support is greatly appreciated!

Jayme, Thank you so much for the wonderful experience, and opportunity in working together. We are truly a match made in ‘vegan moto gear’ heaven!

Charity of the Month

For The Month of December, we are supporting a non profit called All Seated in a Barn. It is a farm Sanctuary located in Bakersfield, CA. They host events to raise awareness to farm animal care.

Be sure to give them a follow on instagram @allseatedinabarn or via website allseatedinabarn.com

Direct donations can be made through PayPal to: info@allseatedinabarn.com

THANK YOU!