Molly Ride report

A great friend of the AEE blog Art Holling sent in this report about the memorial ride for Molly:
"Went on the Molly Ride Saturday. Thanks for posting the ride on the AEE website. I rode my 1960 Panhead and my friend Jeff rode his 1947 Indian. The ride started out with a wonderful breakfast at the Temecula Creek Inn complements of the event sponsors. Then a nice 125 mile back roads ride to Lake Cuyamaca. There was a great assortment of bikes, Harleys, Hondas, Yamahas, a new Triumph, and a Ducati. One of the riders had purchased Mollys Yamaha and took it on the ride (see attachment). There were two Buick Grand Nationals on the ride. The owners belonged to the Grand National Club and wanted to show support for Molly because he designed the Grand National logo for Buick. Everyone there had some kind of connection with Molly. My first introduction to Molly was in 1971 when Jeff (same Jeff) was going to Cal State Fullerton. He took me to the Art department at CSF to show me three Choppers that were on display. When we got there it turned out to be a show of Mollys work. There were wall paintings ,helmets, two custom cars and the three Choppers. I've included a website that documented this show.  At Lake Cuyamaca we had a great lunch again paid for by the event sponsors. After lunch the group took off for another 100+ mile ride back to the Temecula Creek Inn. I was surprised how well I was able to keep up with all the modern bikes thru the turns with the AEE springer on my bike. Great job on the design. Both of the vintage bikes did real well against the modern bikes. I don't know if it's the old bikes or my age but after 200+ miles I sure an sore today !  It was a very well planned event that I would do again.
 http://dextrafrankel.com/paint_by_molly.htm

Art"

As a side note one of the bikes on the wbesite showing the Art of Molly is loaded with AEE parts, it was built by Chopper Specialties one of AEE's dealers in SoCal and one of Tom's friends.
That is ART's panhead behind Molly's bike.....sweet!

Sorry for no posts

Many things in my life going on right now but some are clearing the way....including I became a grandfather for the first time this morning!
So expect more AEE and soon......

NOT AEE parts on Ebay

I get very frustrated....on Ebay today are 46 items listed as AEE or AEE Choppers. Exactly 3 of them are AEE parts. Buyer be very very aware. I will happily let you know if a part is really AEE. I will not confirm anything that I am even the slightest hesitant about. I check it against my memory, the actual parts catalogs and articles and also run some of them past Lenny our parts manager and Dave our designer.
It drives me freaking nuts that some people market things knowingly as AEE and they know they aren't. Many people don't know and do it innocently. When I tell them a part isn't AEE they note it as such but others ignore me and continue to sell using the AEE name for old parts that just weren't ours.
Guys use the resource you have here!

Tom's boat?

Tom bought a motor sailer at one time. Lenny sailed on it over to Catalina Island and back, taking the wheel for the return. We do not know the exact name of the boat but it was a Virgina Reel of which there are only a few. Another of Tom's many toys that came and went during the AEE years. They look like this:

More on the Big Twin

Found these pictures of the Big Twin arriving in Las Vegas for it's restoration. There is no sight in the world like the one of the rear of this incredible AEE bike. Engines look amazing for 40 years old and the Molly paint is still holding up though I hope to god they repaint it the original red. The botched blower install and strange front end and wheel will go away thankfully. Remember that my friend and resident AEE genius Dave Brackett built this sucker from bare ground to completion in 32 days. Try that on some day!

Tom's T-33 jet

Tom bought an ex-Canadian Lockheed T-33 jet (based on the P-80 Shooting Star) in the early 70's. He was one of the first 6 owners of privately held ex-military jets in the US. It was on the cover of Street Chopper at one point in it's Molly paint. After he sold it it went through a few hands and as of 2008 was in Tennessee. It is currently listed as experimental/.racing and the registration is N72JR. Tom's number was N4TM. The first picture is the jet from when the EAA owned it in 2003 and the second is as it sat in 2008. It is T33-295 RCAF21295 build date of 6.5.54.....and now the AEE jet!