Nick and Dina Gaines, Publishers Publisher@fullthrottle-magazine.com
Nick and Dina Gaines, Editor Editor@fullthrottle-magazine.com
Contributing Writers
B.Blanton, Rocky, Roger Ferris, Dina Gaines, Reine Knobbe, John Stephenson
Sales Staff
Nick and Dina Gaines
Design and Layout by Monster Graphics
Contributing Photographers
Nick and Dina Gaines
Reine Knobbe, Quinton McLendon, Sven White Robert Blanton
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March is here let’s have some green beer or something like that !!!!!!
But first I would like to recap February’s events !!
If you made it to Cycle Showcase STL at the Pageant you saw two days of awesome bikes in a very well put together show. We saw lots of friends and got some great shots , check them out on pages 8,9,24,25.
We almost got rained out for Mardi Gras but our friend’s Jamie & Chris’s house party in Soulard kicked. We finished the day off with two of our favorite bands Infringement and Bad Habit. They played the under the tent down in Festus at Taytro’s Bar & Bristo.
I would like to give a shout out to three of our new advertisers starting this month. Let’s welcome our friend John and Inkbox Tattoos , Mark with Portable Welding Service and once again The Hideout is back and the best thing about that is knowing Bike Nights are just around the corner!!!!!!
March
As March starts we kick off the new Car and Bike show season with April & June flyers so you can start your spring and summer calendar of events . Plan ahead for Fairway’s Car show ,Shriners Car & Bike Show and we are also heading up to Grafton Bike week in May. At all of these shows we will be set up with Full Throttle merch ,come and get you some ......
We will be at St. Charles Harley for the Ladies Garage Party on March 5th . If you are a Woman rider or you want to be, you should make it up to this event as riding season approaches. Its a really great event for women riders with free food and giveaways . If your husband /boyfriend or both want to come with you, Big St Charles is having their awesome Boat Show that whole weekend , so you may need two trailers for your summer cruising .
Check out the Mills in Granite City on page 7. They have awesome music and events all month long.
Also on March 7th our friends Infringement hit the stage at Silver Creek Sports & Social over in Belleville, IL.
March is full of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations all over our area ( apparently the whole state of Missouri is Irish in March )
Cottleville is kicking it off with the Irish Fest on March 14th with Native State & The Plastic Kings for an all day free party from 11:00am -8:00pm They always throw a killer party !!!!
Also on March 14th, The 57th annual St.Louis St Patricks’ Day Parade starts at 12:00
Let’s talk about St. Pats Day March 17th!! We are going to start at Helen Fitzgerald’s for breakfast and then head down to Dog Town to Colombo’s & Failoni’s and all the other great bars. Hoping for a sunny and warm day of green beer (Cold Coronas) and a day of old friends, new friends and lots of good times. Come down and find us!!!!
As we get rolling through March and after (the March 18th hangovers)
Lets check March 21st, It looks like a busy night for some of our great local bands !! Lets start with Infringment @ Kennys in Barnhart, The Clover Band @ Helen’s Fitzgerald’s So. County and the Decade of Decadence @ The Contrarian concert hall & theater in Festus
March 28th brings the 1st Annual Rock & Roll Bingo with the Teamsters Motorcycle Association Chapter 13. Doors open @ 6:00 pm and bingo starts @ 7:00 Benefiting Butterfly Haven
We have our first car cruise of the season on March 28th starts at 12:00 @ The PISA Bird Cave in Alton ending at Klondike Park with stops in-between.
As always these and other events can be found in our Crusin Calendar page and through-out our magazine and on our Facebook page.
Next month will be our two years of publishing this magazine !!! Dina and I would like to thank you all for your support and following us on socials.
ROCKSHOW: THE ULTIMATE TRIBUTE TO JOURNEY
FRIDAY, MARCH 6
Experience the killer vocals and driving melodies of Journey like never before! From soaring leads to those iconic power ballads, you will know and love every single song this high-energy band performs for an unbridled rock and roll experience. Get your tickets now
BITTERSWEET: LOCKDOWN 4
SATURDAY, MARCH 7
Due to massive demand, Pro Wrestling Epic is back at The Mill for another highstakes night of action! Come see the Granite City gang—including Fitchett, Barretta, Mephisto, and Bax—compete in the intense and dramatic Lockdown matches. Don't miss your chance to see these warriors battle it out in the ring for ultimate glory!
SOMEBODY TO LOVE
FRIDAY, MARCH 20
From the swagger of “Fat Bottomed Girls” to the arena-shaking stomp of “We Will Rock You,” experience the power and show-stopping vocals of this incredible tribute to Queen. This high-energy performance captures the magic of rock’s most iconic stadium band. Tony Colombo & the North County Sound Machine open the show.
REAM POLICE & RIDIN’ THE STORM OUT
SATURDAY, MARCH 21
This is a powerhouse night of classic rock you cannot miss! The show opens with Dream Police, the definitive Cheap Trick tribute, followed by a high-octane performance from one of the nation's top REO Speedwagon tributes, Ridin’ the Storm Out. Get your tickets today!
Model: Danielle
Bike Owner: Carl Rakers
1987 XL Rigid Hard Tail Custom
Photographer: Robert Blanton
2026 Harley-Davidson Street Glide 3 Limited: Redefining Trike Touring
The 2026 model year marks a pivotal moment for Harley-Davidson’s touring lineup — especially in the threewheel sector. At the heart of this transformation is the all-new 2026 Harley-Davidson Street Glide 3 Limited, a fully redesigned trike that blends classic Grand American touring DNA with cutting-edge performance, comfort, and technology. Designed for riders who want long-distance capability without sacrificing confidence and control, this trike is one of Harley-Davidson’s most complete three-wheel experiences ever produced.
A New Breed of Three-Wheel Touring
Unlike previous trike models, the Street Glide 3 Limited isn’t just a derivative of a two-wheel bike — it’s engineered from the ground up. Harley-Davidson calls it “trike touring, reimagined,” and with good reason: every major system — from suspension and engine to comfort features and onboard technology — has been thoughtfully redesigned to elevate the three-wheel experience.
The first thing riders will notice is the completely revamped Batwing fairing and bodywork. It carries Harley-Davidson’s iconic profile but with contemporary styling and functionality — improved airflow, integrated modern LED lighting, and a sculpted stance that signals touring intent. The wider rear bodywork underscores stability and confidence, key traits for long days on the asphalt.
Power and Performance
Underneath its bold lines, the Street Glide 3 Limited packs serious touring capability. It’s powered by the Milwaukee- Eight VVT 117 engine — a displacement-enhanced V-twin with variable valve timing that delivers strong torque right off idle and broad power throughout the rev range. With up to 105 horsepower and 129 lb-ft of torque, this engine offers riders both the grunt and smoothness needed for highway cruising or climbing winding mountain roads.
Handling in a trike has historically been a trade-off — but not anymore. The 2026 Street Glide 3 Limited debuts an all-new rear suspension system that replaces a solid rear axle with a more sophisticated setup, drastically reducing unsprung weight and doubling wheel travel. This redesign significantly improves ride comfort and stability, especially over uneven roads.
Additional performance attributes like selectable ride modes and advanced safety systems help riders tailor the dynamics to their preferences and conditions. Combined with robust braking and modern chassis tuning, the Street Glide 3 Limited feels confident whether cruising level highways or tackling tight canyon turns.
Comfort That Makes Miles Disappear
Harley-Davidson has long set the standard for touring comfort, and the Street Glide 3 Limited continues that tradition — but with a few contemporary upgrades. Riders and passengers alike benefit from redesigned heated seats with on-seat controls, allowing personalized warmth even in cooler temperatures. Heated grips and ergonomically optimized floorboards extend comfort to hands and feet for extended rides.
Storage is another cornerstone of true touring capability. The all-new Grand Tour-Pak provides abundant luggage space — enhanced by premium lining, LED lighting, and integrated speaker pods that let riders enjoy their soundtrack on the road. A luggage rack and refined trunk assembly make packing and unpacking for multi-day journeys more intuitive and practical.
The Street Glide 3 Limited also embraces climate adaptability, with vented fairing lowers that manage airflow and heat to maintain rider comfort across seasons. Highway pegs and a heel-toe shifter add ergonomic variety on long journeys, allowing riders to shift positions and reduce 0 fatigue without sacrificing control.
Cutting-Edge Technology and Connectivity
Modern touring shouldn’t come at the expense of connectivity, and the Street Glide 3 Limited delivers. At its core is Harley-Davidson’s Skyline™ OS integrated infotainment system, complete with optional embedded navigation and premium audio powered by Rockford Fosgate. The system displays crisp, clear visuals and responds intuitively to rider inputs — ensuring navigation, audio, and communication features are always within reach.
Safety tech isn’t missing either. A suite of Rider Safety Enhancements — including ABS, traction control, and other cornering-aware systems — lend confidence in challenging conditions. These features work seamlessly behind the scenes to keep the trike stable, predictable, and responsive.
Style That Speaks Volumes
Styling remains quintessentially Harley-Davidson, but with a fresh lens. Premium paint options, choice of chrome or black trim, and attention to surface detail ensure the Street Glide 3 Limited stands out in any parking lot or on the open road. Cast aluminum wheels and refined body panels balance form and function, giving the trike a commanding presence without losing the touring elegance riders expect.
Additionally, Harley-Davidson continues its tradition of special editions. The Liberty Edition, for example, celebrates 250 years of American heritage with unique graphics, colored stitching, and commemorative detailing — adding emotional resonance to its technical prowess.
Ride Experience: The Whole Story
So what’s it like to actually ride the 2026 Street Glide 3 Limited? Early impressions suggest that this model represents a meaningful leap forward for three-wheel touring. The redesigned suspension brings agility and confidence previously unheard of in the segment; the torque-rich engine gives riders ample power for passing and cruising; and the combination of comfort features makes multi-day trips genuinely enjoyable rather than exhausting.
In a market where touring expectations are rising, Harley-Davidson’s new trike aims not just to meet them but to exceed them — offering a package that’s equally suited to seasoned riders seeking swagger and newcomers wanting stability without compromise.
Tech Tips with Mac!!!!
What are your spark plugs telling you
By Mac, Iron Motorcycle Performance
Even in today's world of technology, nothing gives you a better understanding of how your Harley is running than spark plugs. They act as a "window" into your engine's combustion chamber, revealing its health through color and deposit buildup.
Inspection Interval: Harley-Davidson generally recommends inspecting plugs every 5,000 miles and replacing them every 10,000 miles. To get the best reading, I will run the bike and shut it off as soon as possible with little to no idle time.
The key factors are Color of Center Electrode, Ground strap Electrode, and Gap
What the Center Electrode says Key Spark Plug Indicators:
• Normal (Light Tan/Gray): Optimal combustion; engine is running well.
• Dry Black Soot (Carbon Fouled): Indicates a rich air/fuel mixture, weak spark, or frequent idling.
• Wet/Oily (Oil Fouled): Indicates oil is entering the combustion chamber, usually due to bad piston rings, valve seals, or head gasket.
• White Glazed/Melted Tip (Overheating): Caused by improper ignition timing, lean fuel mixture, or wrong heat range.
What the Ground Electrode (Ground Strap) says:
The position of the color change on the ground strap indicates how much heat is being generated by the ignition timing.
Ideal Timing: The color change or "heat line" should appear precisely at the middle of the bend in the ground strap. This suggests the spark is firing at the optimal moment for peak power without damaging the engine.
Advanced Timing (Too Much): If the color change is closer to the base/threads of the plug where the strap is welded, your timing is likely too advanced. This can lead to pre-ignition or detonation.
Retarded Timing (Insufficient): If the color change is only at the very tip of the strap (above the center electrode), the timing is retarded. This often results in lost power and a sluggish engine response.
And last but not least Gap:
Proper Gapping: Correct gap settings are critical for performance. For Twin Cam engines, the gap should be 0.038–0.042 inches, while Milwaukee-Eight (M8) engines require a tighter 0.031–0.035 inches. If you use forced induction you will have to tighten the gap or risk blowing out the spark. There are several more things they can tell you, but this is the core thing every rider should know.
Hope this helps out. As always, thanks for taking the time to read the article. If there is a topic you would like more info on feel free to email us at Sales@IronMotorcyclePerformance.com and put tech article in the subject line Mac.
