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About 1,500 people attended 11th annual Wyoming Valley Motorcycle Club show at Kingston Armory.

Kathy Hollock, Edwardsville, of CBXMan.com, wipes down bikes for the motorcycle show at the Kingston Armory.

For the Times Leader/Jonathan J. Juka

KINGSTON – Dressed in black leather chaps and an ivy cap with the Harley Davidson insignia, Joe Ferack stopped a reporter, redirecting the writer’s attention to a 2007 Harley Davidson Street Glide.
“Now this is one hell of a paint job,” said Ferack, owner of Ferack’s Auto Service in Plains Township. “If this bike doesn’t win the top prize this year, I’ll sell my Harley.”
The machine, owned by Frank Castellino of Harding, featured a dark red and orange flame job; the flames beginning from an evil looking dragon on the center of the bike’s front fairing, then flowing to the side fairings, over the gas tank and ending on the rear fender.
“The paint job costs $3,500,” said Castellino, a computer builder when not on the open road. “I’ve got lots of time and work into this bike, which is why there is only 3,000 miles on it. I should have 15,000 (miles) on it by now.”
Ah, the passion for the two-wheeled machines.
And the 11th annual Wyoming Valley Motorcycle Club show at the Kingston Armory Sunday afternoon featured that two-wheel passion; a feeling that is only known in motorcycles circles.
About 1,500 people attended the show, and all the proceeds benefit the Wyoming Valley Children’s Association, a non-profit agency that has served local disabled children and their families.
“Last year $10,000 was raised,” said Kim Rollman, public relations and events director for the WVCA. “This year is our best ever…we hope to raise more than last year’s event.”
The show featured everything from motorcycle apparel companies, to insurance agents and local motorcycle builders, such as Death Row Motorcycles, a Sugar Notch company that builds of custom motorcycles and provides regular maintenance.
Four of their bikes were on display, including a charity bike they built in three weeks for the 365th Engineer Battalion in Scranton; a camouflage low rider with an S&S motor, Baker 6-speed transmission and a gas tank that is contained within the backbone of the frame. The bike was built in just three weeks and painted in 12 days.
“These shows are great for getting our name out there,” said Frank Stancato, president of the bike shop. “It’s great how you can get all these lovers of bikes together and help out with such a great cause (WVCA).”
When motorcycling began gaining popularity in the 50s and 60s, a feud began between what type of motorcycle the rider rode. There were the Harley-Davidson riders, popularized in culture by the myth of a tough group of bar brawlers donning black leather jackets and chaps; and there was the myth of the more conservative-types operating bikes built overseas like Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki.
But not anymore; some motorcycle clubs promote ideas which are directly against that mythical feud of different riders, such as the Narrow Gate Riders, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association.
The group, whose membership thrusts people into a world-wide ministry that is dedicated to reaching people for Christ and the highways and byways through the avenue of motorcycling, was at the show promoting their ideals.
“It’s definitely a different concept, one most people would never conceive,” said Philip Mancini, president of the local chapter. “Motorcycling and the kingdom of God. What could possibly be better?”
And as for the contest for the first prize winner, it looks like Ferack won’t be selling his 2002 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail. Out of 43 motorcycles entered, Castellino’s bike took first place.
“This (first place) plaque was a surprise,” Castellino said. “But now it’s time to not worry about how clean the bike looks and just get out there and ride.”