Wednesday, May 12, 2004

One-of-a-kind motorcycle for charity stops first in Atlanta

By ELLIE WHITE-STEVENS
ewhite@thecitizennews.com

On the edge of Peachtree City and Fayetteville, Black Jack Motorcycles is one of five authorized dealers of Desperado Motorcycles in the country. With Desperado, Black Jack is promoting and supporting the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

According to Black Jack co-owner Garry Heget, Desperado only produces 300 motorcycles each year. Of those, four are custom “one-off” bikes built for exclusive clients by CEO and Master Bike Builder Jeff Nicklus.

Nicklus’ most recent custom bike is not for a wealthy client, but rather to benefit seriously ill children through the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

On May 18, Nicklus will showcase this latest creation at the ESPN Zone in Buckhead. This Atlanta venue is the first stop for the bike, after its unveiling in Orlando. It will tour the country, reaching Chicago in November where it will be auctioned off to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities.

“He’s donating the bike--probably worth $100,000 or more. It may raise well over a million dollars,” shares Heget.

Heget is well aware of the value and quality of Desperado bikes, as well as the demand. He’s sent them all over the U.S. , and recently had a request from Saudi Arabia. “The quality is unsurpassed,” he says.

The charity bike started as a “what if” idea being tossed around during a dinner with Jeff Nicklus, Garry Heget and Bill Whelan, Black Jack’s other co-owner. Children, especially sick children, have always been a soft spot for both Heget and Whelan.

“Bikers will always come together to help sick children Ð all you have to do is ask and they are there with their hearts, hands and pockets open,” explains Heget.

“Jeff asked me how we would feel if he came to town with the Ronald McDonald bike. So it was decided that we would do a bike night at the ESPN Zone and unveil the bike to the Atlanta public. The local unveiling will be on May 18th. We will have the Desperado Show Rig, the Black Jack trailer and plenty of Desperado bikes on hand.”

To see the bike and/or ride from the ESPNZone to the Atlanta Ronald McDonald House on May 18, call Black Jack for details at 770-486-9888. In addition, Black Jack will be accepting donations for the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

“At Desperado, we’ve had a long-standing commitment and involvement with Ronald McDonald House Charities,” says Nicklus. “Building a McDonald’s/Ronald McDonald House Charities-themed bike is a natural way for us to do more to help critically ill kids and their families.”

Ronald McDonald House Charities, a non-profit, 501(c)3, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. It’s programs are grassroots-driven to enable the charity to offer help where children need it most--right in their own communities. RMHC makes an immediate, positive impact on children’s lives through its global network of 181 local chapters in 47 countries and its three core programs: the Ronald McDonal House, Ronald McDonald Family Room, and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile. RMHC and its chapters have awarded more than $400 million in grants to children’s programs around the world. For more information, visit www.rmhc.org.

Desperado Motorcycles is a global leader in building custom motorcycles. Desperado manufactures a line of seven premium, high performance motorcycle models, as well as the “Jeff Nicklus Signature Series” exclusive one-off motorcycle. All models are available through Black Jack Motorcycles.

The Black Jack Riding Chapter has chosen the Ronald McDonald House as their primary charity to sponsor. They will be participating in other rides for fun and for charity. If you are interested in joining the Riding Chapter, contact Black Jack at 770-486-9888 or visit the web site at www.blackjackmotorcycles.com for more information. Located on Highway 54, Black Jack Motorcycles is Fayette County’s source for choppers and motorcycles.