Think Pink - First Look

Thankfully, the lump discovered in one of Joan Mernick's breasts turned out not to be cancer. But that scare 18 months ago put into motion a series of events that led to the blatantly pink Buell Blast you see here.

First, Joan got her motorcycle license, then husband John surprised her with a very used 2002 Buell—"Beaten, battered and abused," says Joan, "but I thought, 'Let's see what we can do with her.'

Like almost every other family in America, she and John have lost friends and loved ones to breast cancer, so the direction for the Blast's re-do soon took shape. "I decided I wanted to do a breast cancer awareness theme, especially with more and more women riding every year," says Joan. "I know there's not a lot you can do with a Blast, but I tried to make her as sexy as I could."

With help from friend Eric Schroeder, owner of Tribal Iron Choppers in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, the Mernicks began work. Wheels, hand levers and foot controls were powdercoated a shade of pink that would do a Pepto-Bismol bottle proud, matching the paint on the gas tank and fenders. Airbrushed ribbons highlight the paintwork: Three on the tank read "Faith," "Love" and "Fight." On the tailsection there's "Imagine Life Without Breast Cancer" and the front fender's ribbon simply reads "Courage."

"Words of inspiration for all women," says Joan. The bike's vanity license plate is ONEN8 because one in eight women is diagnosed with breast cancer. "I have several runs planned for the bike this year, and if all goes well I should put about 3200 miles on her and hope to do more next year," she adds.

"The bike has received a lot of attention in the few short weeks it's been on the road," Joan says. "If one woman sees this bike and thinks to get checked, maybe it will save her life, and that's the best reward I can hope for. This bike is dedicated to all those who have lost the fight, and to all those who will not quit the fight. I named the bike 'The Awareness' and I hope it does just that, makes everyone aware."

Amen to that, Joan.

For more information about breast cancer, visit www.komen.org.