Welcome to American Thunder Magazine – Australia.
What's it all about? A completely electronic magazine for enthusiasts of American Motorcycles. We aim to bring you detailed articles, including photo’s and video’s of everything involving American Motorcycles. We hope you return over the coming weeks and months and see what we’re up to.
A quick tutorial on how to navigate our site...
Crossy's Profile:
Crossy started riding dirt bikes at the age of 13, the first bike was a Zip Start Minibike then a YZ80E, XR75, CR125 and CR250. When he turned 16 and 9 months he bought his first road registered bike which was a 1978 Honda XL185s. Crossy has only had 5 road registered bikes in his life, a XL185s, CB900, VF1000F2, Shadow 1100 and his current bike 2005 Fatboy. In September 1989 Crossy founded the Sydney Motorcycle Inc. and was the first president, he served another 4 years as Vice President. He rode almost every ride for the first 6 years and then became less involved as time went on. In 2003 he was made the first and only Life Member of the club. In 1999 Crossy was asked by the Honda Riders Club of Australia to run the NSW Chapter of the club which he accepted and did so for ten years. He was ride leader on almost every ride while at HRCA only missing 5 because of other commitments. During the time he was running the club he won Clubman of the year and dealer chapter of the year at every HRCA Rally.
In 2003 Crossy started working on Performance Street Bike Magazine at Federal Publishing Company in Alexandria NSW. After 9 month as National Advertising Manager on Streetbike he transferred over to Live To Ride Magazine which he spent the next 11 years on. During the time he was working on Live To Ride he was Advertising and Business Manager, he also worked as a contributor through his business White Knights Photography with Editorial, Photography and Custom Motorcycle Features. In 2013 Crossy was asked by John from Elite Special Event Tours to be a Lead rider on the Las Vegas to Sturgis tour, of course Crossy accepted and has been leading the Sturgis rides ever since. In 2015 Nick Phillips, who is a long time Sturgis ride leader, asked Crossy if he wanted to start an on line magazine...
Nick's Profile:
Nick got his license to ride at 16 years and 9 months (the earliest possible age) and has been riding ever since. Being older than Crossy means he's been riding longer. His first bike was a Honda CB 250 and quickly progressed to a Honda CB 750. Then an ex-racing bike from Mentor Motorcycles. They had it in the workshop and it was unregistered. He took one look at that Lime Green Kawasaki 900 and knew he had to have it. After a bit of work replacing the head light, blinkers etc. it passed rego first go. He loved that bike... but alas Marriage got in the way and it had to go. As his circumstances changed he went from a Sportster to a Buell Firebolt and finally an Electra Glide.
As for his professional life he started as a computer programmer and quickly began writing business applications to run a distribution warehouse involving the travel industry. During this time he came in contact with John Cruwys at Elite Special Event Tours. John was putting together a Sturgis Tour and needed an experienced rider to lead the group through America. Nick's hand was up for that job and has been involved with the motorcycle tours since the beginning.
Nick's experience with computers also involved website maintenance, design & graphics for the distribution company so it's wasn't a huge step into video for the new magazine. So when he met Crossy and found out about his past with Live To Ride it made sense that the two skill sets could produce something great.
And there you have it - "American Thunder Magazine Australia"
C&R Engineering Harley-Davidson Shovelhead Restoration
C&R Engineering Harley-Davidson Shovelhead Restoration A little while ago Crossy visited Chris at C&R Engineering to do a video. There was an old bike there in a condition one could only call “less than ideal”. After Chris’ attention and some time the bike has been restored to showroom condition. Have a look at it now. […]