General Posts

Hey, We live is such strange times. On one hand we could be at a terrific juncture in out history, having a great time, living longer, healthier, safer and more free. But the same old shit gets in the way, control freaks (government) and religion. Damn, I’m glad I’m a biker. I’m fighting the California Air Resources Board for internal combustion motorcyles to continue to exist. But they are like the sheriffs in a town paid for by the Mayor. In this case the governor who has mandated (don’t you love that word) Zero emissions by 2030. That means only electric motorcycles and no barbecues. Get this. Last year the California Legislature passed a new fine for motorcycle products that are not CARB approved (at a major expense). The old fine was $500 per widget sold. It has been raised to $3,700 per product sold. Can you imagine receiving a ticket for that amount for your backyard barbecue? Read more.

Many moons ago I made my way to Stockholm, Sweden, where I found work in a restaurant at the Hotel Domus, and very much enjoyed the endless summer days and the local fauna and flora—lots of it very blond. At that time, vehicles drove on “the other side of the road” as in England, and I dodged many a Volvo and Saab, but not one Husqvarna TT of 1934 vintage. That would have to wait until I migrated to Los Angeles where all things motorcycle are possible. As a result, and this several years ago, I had the good fortune to meet  Chris Carlson, a native Swede now living the SoCal life, but also realizing a childhood dream to own and ride that very rare Husqy. Like all odysseys, it took time and determination and a few thousand miles traveled, and no small expenditure of hard-earned coin. Read more.

  Indian Motorcycle Racing secured its fifth consecutive all-Scout FTR750 podium, as the factory Wrecking Crew placed 1-2-3 at the Red Mile. Reigning Grand National Champion and current points leader Jared Mees continued his dominating season by earning his sixth win in 2018. Fellow Wrecking Crew riders Bryan Smith and Brad Baker rounded out the podium with second and third place finishes. After winning each Semi, Mees and Smith earned the top starting positions for the Main. Mees jumped out to an early lead and steadily increased his lead on Smith. Baker, who had a tough start from the third starting position, battled his way from the middle of the pack to the third-place position. After a red flag restart, Mees again stretched the gap between he and Smith, while Baker battled with Indian privateer Henry Wiles (Wilco Racing/Willy Built/Bandit Industries) and secured the final podium position by .008 seconds. “The team was awesome tonight. It felt good to get another win and our first Wrecking Crew sweep of the season,” said Mees. “It was one of those nights where the Scout FTR750 was just incredible.” Of the 11 Scout FTR750’s competing in the Main, 8 finished inside the top 10. In addition to the top four positions from Mees, Smith, Baker and Wiles, Indian Motorcycle privateers Chad Chose (Indian Motorcycle of Oklahoma City), Jeffery Carver Jr. (Roof-Systems, Indian of Metro Milwaukee) and Kenny Coolbeth Jr. (Nila Racing/Columbia Avionics) placed sixth, eighth and 10th, respectively. The Red Mile marked the first race Jake Johnson (Estenson Racing, McCandless Truck Center) put the Indian Scout FTR750 into competition, where he finished in ninth place. “The track was fast with a challenging and narrow groove. But Mees came out dialed in and ran the line to near perfection,” said Gary Gray, Vice President

Hey, I’m just an old grubby biker, not the CEO of a major motorcycle manufacturer, but I feel compelled to speak out. At one time, my contention included only that motorcycling amounted to such a small impact on the planet that we should be left alone. Since then, my reasoning has expanded many-fold. Here are the broad strokes: 1. In order for politicians or bureaucrats to advance policy goals, they must prove manmade global warming and they can’t. 2. Motorcycling is such a small fraction of the total fossil fuel emissions it shouldn’t even be considered. 3. The road to zero-anything is fraught with problems and human sacrifice, except when applied to a growing, expanding regulatory bureaucracy. 4. What is government, but by the people for the people? Is it designed to regulate, fine and attack everything for its own power and financial gain? No! 5. The world regulatory competition. We should not ever compete with countries around the world in a race to pass more laws than China or the EU. Read more.

The sixth annual FXR Show & Dyna Mixer is a unique social opportunity to hang out and talk motorcycles with friends while admiring what some consider the best-handling Harley-Davidsons ever manufactured. Over 100 FXR and Dyna motorcycles are expected to show up to the Sturgis Buffalo Chip free-access CrossRoads, making it quite possibly the largest single show of the rally. The FXR has a long standing history in the custom world and has along with the DYNA found popularity once again with a new generation of riders and customizers inspired by legends like Don Hotop, Billy Westbrook, Donnie Smith and many others. In lieu of trophies, winners are awarded quality motorcycle parts and merchandise, thanks to the support of some of the biggest names in the industry. Entrants are encouraged to ride in their FXR or DYNA and enter for free. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., the show opens at 11 a.m. and awards are presented at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018. “To many FXR riders, the FXR never went away, however, FXR fans both new and old are riding a new wave of popularity that continues to swell,” said Joe Mielke, show organizer. “The Buffalo Chip provides a great place for this event with all of their resources. We draw a lot of people who are there just to hang out and talk motorcycles. Come early and stay late for all the entertainment the Buffalo Chip has to offer. It’s a great fit.” “This is a great show,” said Rod Woodruff, Sturgis Buffalo Chip President. “We love having the cool bikes and even more so the people who thought to build them all at the Chip for a big social event. The fact that they raise money for LifeScape is such a bonus. I’m looking forward to being

Paughco’s new Trike Conversion Kits have got to be the coolest thing to hit the industry since Capt. America. Seriously, Paughco has made converting your Sportster from 2-wheels to 3, a simple, do-it-yourself proposition that is certainly going to evolve into a whole new trend in chopper design and styling. Read more.

A custom motorcycle built for the Sturgis Buffalo Chip by celebrity builder Paul Teutul Jr. on Discovery’s hit TV show “American Chopper” was revealed during an episode that aired May 28. Teutul first introduced audiences to the Buffalo Chip-inspired custom bike in the series’ March 1 season premiere. The second episode again featured the build as he visited the Buffalo Chip and surrounding Black Hills for inspiration and then completed the project. Bikernet has a full photo feature on this impressive custom bike here. Advertisement