Thunder Roads Magazine of Oklahoma/Arkansas June 2014 | Page 8
FEATURES
JUST KICKERS RALLY
ARTICLE AND PICS BY PANHEAD TOM
I rode my old slapped together Panhead down
to an event called Just Kickers in Davis, Oklahoma.
It is held at the Washita Hideaway, half way between
Oklahoma City and Dallas. This is not your normal
money making affair. There were no vendors, no
wet T-shirt contests, or any of the other tomfoolery
that comes with most of today’s rallies. This was
a no BS gathering of like minded individuals. The
name was selected to only allow sleds that are
kick-start. Although some that came through the
gates did have electric start, the majority of them
did not. This was not a place for baggers, big tires,
radios or anything not necessary to make the bikes
perform. It was also a “21 and older” occasion.
This was my kind of shindig.
This was a “social gathering” put on by
hard working fellows who value friendship and
have a passion for old motorcycles. I saw 30+
Panheads, 10 Knuckleheads, several Flatheads,
countless Shovels, Triumphs, Ironheads, BSA’s,
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Thunder Roads Magazine of OK/AR
Honda chops, long 70’s Chops, bobbers, cafes,
etc. There were some in original form, some with
high dollar paint jobs and everything in between.
There were two Harley JD’s, one a 1926 model
in chopper configuration and the other one in
pristine original condition. Both beautiful, both
ride-able and both mind blowing to the person
like myself who really digs the old motos and the
lifestyle. The person who understands what the
term “biker” used to mean. I met dudes there who
had just gotten their two wheels up and running to
be able to come to the event, cats who had saved
every last penny, rolled up a bed mat and hoped
that someone would feed them while they were
camping. Grown men who jumped and ran at the
last minute, bringing nothing with them except what
was on their person and on their bike. But it didn’t
matter. The camaraderie that I saw was amazing.
One guy was having trouble with his magneto on
his flattie. No problem, let me help you out. I went