2000 Harley-Davidson Road King
In 1992 Randy Meeks and his wife Anna bought a hunting camp in the Alleghenies and called it the "Last Shot." In 1996 they bought a bar on West 12th Street and called it the "Last Shot Bar & Grill." Now at age 51, Randy admits this beautiful 2000 Road King may be his final 'last shot' at his motorcycle perfection!
Years ago, even before this tavern owner hit 21, he already had a date with destiny. As a neighborhood guy, Randy would frequent his favorite watering hole at the 12th Street Tavern. Little did he realize that one day he would own the Westside landmark and make it his own. Ride-Erie caught up with him one June afternoon, on a tip from our friend Rick. He told us about Randy's multi-award winning crusier and suggested we take a look. We found the owner where he usually hangs, relaxing with friends just outside the back door of the Last Shot. As you can see from the pictures, his bike certainly lived up to the hype.
He bought the bike from Harley-Davidson of Erie after returning from Daytona years ago. Randy was involved in a bad accident down there on his old '95 Road King. The bike was mangled up pretty bad and Randy wasn't too much better. After several weeks of recovery, he was finally able to travel back to Erie. Hearing of his experience and knowing a customer had just cancelled their Road King order, the gang at H-D of Erie wanted to help. They made an offer and closed the deal.
He started with paint. It left the showroom as deep red but after a Sturgis in 2002, he decided to change it up and make it his own. "That red was hotter than heck" Meeks said, and wanted to make sure he picked a color that remained cool. Keeping his eyes open, he one day passed the Cadillac dealership and saw a pearl white car on display. He knew that was it, nothing fancy just nice and cool. He took some designs to Danny at Art Attack, sort of using a checkerboard theme and wanting a simple black and white motif. Take it from me, when you check this paint up close... it's deep! The overlapping and flowing illusion they created, needs to be seen.
There's a lot of chrome and extras on the bike like the really cool 'closed' hand levers but let's face it, we all want more power. H-D had just come out with the Big Bore kit and this bike was the first around here to get it. Now at 96 cubes, this vehicle is "beauty" and "beast!" (Maybe that's the reason for the ANAML plate!)
When talking about the H-D of Erie shop, Rand said "...they built and tuned it and the bike runs exceptionally well. I really like the unique injection system from that year too, plus bottom line is it just fits me!" Billy at the Harley-Davidson of Erie shop does all Randy's work and according to him, "...as long as he's there, he does my work."
We had to ask, was this his last bike? Randy replied he hoped so. "It fits me like a glove. I know it, and quite frankly I don't want to start over again. Yes after 5 years of work on it I'm pleased. Early on I went the leather and lace route with it but this look now is for keeps."
Like most of us, Randy went through a few bikes before finding what was right for him. He told us about his first bike as a kid was given to him by his brother. He was returning from Vietnam by way of Jacksonville, FL and carted this motorcycle back for me hanging out the back of his Rambler. Randy promptly drove the big bike into the neighbors hedges but it began a lifelong love for bike at the then age of 7 or 8 years old. From there, minibikes and rice grinders until what he felt was his first real bike.. a basket case 1968 Triumph chopper! It was a hardtail and was eight and a half feet long! He rode that bike for 17 years before selling it and moving on to Sportsters. After 3-4 of those came the Road Kings and a Heritage for his wife Anna. He said that his additional love for bikes came from the very bar he now owns!
Soon to be their 4th year in business, Randy opened the bar on St. Patrick's Day. Now that's a grand opening! This year has been a little tough with all the construction and everything but there's a lot to draw you into this cool welcoming bar. First and foremost it's a great bar with great people. The decor is another cool aspect. Not only are there some slick pitbikes hanging as artwork on the walls but interesting memorabillia everywhere! I know, I know, what about the important stuff? Well they usually have a band every bike night (Tuesday) and if they don't, they have a DJ. The place can be jammed with bikes and sometimes girls in bikinis. There are always drink and homemade food specials every night! (Check out their famous Hog Shot!) There is never a cover charge, ever, even w though they get some big name artists to perform... and remember, the LAST SHOT in the bottle is ALWAYS FREE!!
The Last Shot Bar & Grill is located at 3064 West 12th Street in Erie, PA, 16505, 814-833-7106 |
