Hey,
Here’s another wild week. There’s some controversy, which I don’t like to post and avoid like the plaque. But there’s some informative tech questions, cool new parts and wild bikes. There’s a couple of deals floating around, event updates and more.
We’ve finally nailed down the classes for the first Bikernet Brouhaha in Sturgis at Thunder Road, and several Sponsors have lined-up to assist with trophies and hearty prizes for the contestants. I have to fire up my welder and work with Kevin Bass on the five (as in 5-Ball) best of show trophies.
Let’s get to the news so you can check the classes and send me complaint letters:
STEAL THE BRASS BALLS BOBBERS MILITARY DIGGER– The Brass Balls Bobbers military Digger represents the arm services of America and you could steal it for just pennies on the dollar!
Why you ask? Because the Branson Rock Ride Remember Motorcycle Rally is auctioning it and all the build off bikes on eBay.
How can you steal it? As of this post the custom Military Digger is at $10,000. If it holds you could snag it for very little loot.
About the Rally
The Rally raises money for non-profit charities and military organizations in the Missouri region and the Ride to the Wall Foundation. The event benefits America?s Military Veteran?s, so rally organizers created a build-off that featured ?a branch of service? or a ?specific military conflict? tied-in to each bike. Those themes went into four totally different, original bikes, by four very distinct builders.
–Jeffrey Najar
J&P CYCLES BOBBER RAFFLE–MEDFORD, NEW JERSEY ? One ticket. That?s all it took for Jim Peters of Medford, New Jersey, to win the beautiful 2007 Custom Bobber, custom built by J&P Cycles and painted by Chad Renken of Def Air Custom Paint in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Peters purchased the one raffle ticket benefiting the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, Iowa, online on Aug. 15. Ticket number 06285 turned out to be the lucky one.
Shortly after pulling his name out of the bin on Dec. 28, Museum Director Jeff Carstensen called Peters to notify him of his good fortune. Unfortunately, Carstensen could not reach Peters, so he sent him an e-mail. When Peters received the e-mail, it was 9:30 p.m. eastern time, but he called Carstensen right away. Having never won anything before, Peters was floored.
I told Carstensen, ?You have got to be kidding me. I am freaking out right now.?
Peters purchased the ticket while looking at different bike raffle sites. He said he was looking for a bike and thought maybe he could win one instead of buy one. With an extra $5 handy, he purchased one ticket.
?I thought the bike was pretty cool and the money was going to a good cause.? He especially likes the retro bobber style, so thought he would try his luck.
That was in August of 2007. The ticket came in the mail and Peters posted it on his refrigerator and forgot about it. In the meantime, he purchased a 2001 Harley-Davidson Road King. By the time the weather changed, he had already logged 5,000 miles.
His new bike will be the good weather bike. ?I look at this bike as more of a hot rod,? he says. He is thrilled with his good fortune. ?Everything about the bike is everything I envisioned,? he said. ?The style and actual type of bike was something that stood out.?
The cool, retro Bobber features a Xotic Knucklehead style RevTech motor and 5-speed transmission donated by Custom Chrome. Jeff Wiley and Kody Wisner built the bike. KraftTech donated the Rigid frame. The paint is themed after a 1940s Crocker motorcycle.
The 2007 raffle was a great success. ?This raffle again exceeded our expectations. The success is based on our sponsors and their support year-in and year-out,? said John Parham, president of the museum?s board of directors.
Even though the 2007 bike has arrived at its new home in New Jersey, the 2008 raffle is underway, so everyone will get another chance to win a beautiful bike. This year?s National Motorcycle Museum raffle bike is a 2008 S&S Panhead. Custom-built by J&P Cycles and painted by Scott Takes of Underground Studios, this year?s bike is a beauty!
The National Motorcycle Museum features over 225 vintage motorcycles from around the world. The museum is open seven days a week, year-round except major holidays and Sundays in January. As a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, the museum relies on memberships, contributions, admissions, fund-raisers and gift shop sales to support its goal of preserving the history of motorcycling. For more information, contact the National Motorcycle Museum by mail at 200 East Main St., PO Box 405, Anamosa, Iowa 52205, by phone at 319-462-3925 or go to their website at www.nationalmcmuseum.org.
BEST OF THE BEST IN SANTA MARIA MOTORCYCLE MADNESS– The best of the best is the only way to put the weekend into words. From the perfect 80-degree weather to some of the best vendors around, Santa Maria?s record crowds got a real treat.
This year Santa Maria Harley-Davidson made sure that the Quick Throttle Motorcycle Madness sponsored by Bikernet.com had something for everyone.
On the entertainment side Michele Smith (The first lady of motorcycling) and host of Speed TV?s American Thunder was surrounded all weekend and had thousands of fans sharing a Kodak moment with her.
The 36 acre Santa Maria Fairpark was wall to wall handlebars and headlights. The attendance on Saturday topped 7000 and the show field was packed with scooters.
Non-stop music rocked the Budweiser main stage which also was the place to catch the Barely Nothing fashion show.
The Ego Tripp bike show had some first class iron on display. Taking home a truck load of billet trophies was Chris Crowe of Concord Ca. with his San Francisco?s most elegant bike 5000 dollar winning bagger.
Hot Bike Bagger Magazine was on hand to crown him best novice builder for his work on his bagger.
An excited and large crowd cheered on the 26 boxing bouts put on by the Santa Maria boxing club.
Vendors reported great sales for almost anything for bikes and riders alike. Martin of Freedom Exhaust Products stated ?I was not prepared for the crowd. My crew and I stayed busy installing and selling and were low on product and catalogs by mid afternoon?. SoftBrake also stayed busy installing their products. Meguiars sponsors of the show and shine had their big rig on hand and helped out keeping all the rides shinny.
If you were in the mood for riding there were MDA rides leaving Santa Maria Harley-Davidson Saturday and Sunday that covered some of Central California?s best riding. All money going to the MDA.
For metric lovers, Thorsen Motorsports was set up with some sweet Suzuki cruisers and a showroom full of apparel and accessories.Speaking of apparel, everything from leather to lace was available in the motorcycle marketplace.
Jesse Williamson has made the trip from Colorado the last 5 years. ?Motorcycle Madness is my favorite rally? ?I?ve been to almost every rally from coast to coast and Santa Maria is full of fun and the price is right?. ?I mean 20 dollar ride-in and you get a free event t-shirt?. ?That?s what keeps the crowd growing?. Not to mention everyone got to sign up for a chance to win the US ARMY BMC Chopper. While we are talking about winning Evelyn Reynon of San Jose pulled the Interstate enclosed bike trailer home after her winning ticket was pulled on Sunday afternoon.
Checkout www.horsepowerpromotions.com for more info on Motorcycle Madness and other Horse Power shows.
BIKERNET ATTACKED BY ANTI-HELMET ADVOCATE–What’s with all this helmet crap on Bikernet? DOT APROVED my ass. Tell these assholes that DOT does not approve helmets.
Also, The court date for the Quigley vs CHP is May 19. The trial brief was filed today.
Kit–
MOTORCYCLE CLUBS BEING ATTACKED AS TERRORISTS–Motorcycle clubs are terrorists? Stop enforcement practices which violate free speech, free travel, due process and the right to association.
–Pan
Story:Local Police Thwart Bad Bikers
Local law enforcement agencies teamed up Saturday in a county-wide effort to discourage what Litchfield Police Chief BJ Wilkinson called “criminal intent from coming to Litchfield and the surrounding villages and towns.”
The Sons of Silence motorcycle club had promoted its intention to sponsor a run with stops in Montgomery and Macoupin counties, Chief Wilkinson said.
For more of this story, click on or type the URL below:/http://www.thejournal-news.net/articles/2008/05/15/news/news04.txt
NEW LINK TO NORTHSIDE CHOPPER IN ILLINOIS–Northside Choppers
518 W. Eugenia st.
Lombard, IL. 60148
ph# 708.345.8550
Or
630.627.8550
http://www.northside-choppers.com
WIKI MOTORCYCLE LAUNCHED–I thought you and your readers (American and metric) might want to know about and help support a new motorcycle wiki that we and a group of motorcycle enthusiasts are starting up.
www.motorcyclia.com
The plan is for www.motorcyclia.com
A wiki is basically a free on-line encyclopedia that can be read by anyone with on-line access and created or edited by anyone who has registered, which is free and easy to do.
–Buzz Kanter
JOURNALIST JOE NEEDS HELP–My friend Joe isn’t a biker per se, but he is still one of us motojournalists. A couple of Joe French compatriots have gotten the ball rolling to help injured photographer Joe Bonnello out. Thanks to Phillipe Danh from Frog Specialties and Stephan LeGrand and for industry folks like Don Emde and Greg Primm immediately stepping up to the plate! Can you please help spread the word?
When I met Joe 10 years ago, I was a young journalist coming straight from France to live the American Dream. Joe helped me out. I will never forgetit.
I want to help him out now. Here is a PayPal donation I started:http://lebig.blogs.motoverte.fr/
The word is out. Donations are coming in.
A company here in town is going to print a tee-shirt “I helped Joe”and stickers for the riders. I’ll sale them at Glen Helen for the first roundof the Motocross outdoor series.
–Stephan
U.S. Correspondent since 1998
MOTO VERTE – MX MAGAZINE
BIKE VTT – MOTO REVUE – L’INTEGRAL
Phone: 1 (702) 248 9784
Mobile: 1 (702) 580 8005
www.motoverte.com
www.editions-lariviere.fr/site/accueil.php
BIKERS UNITE TO STOP BAD LEGISLATION– May has been declared Motorcycle Awareness Month by many local governments and municipalities. Many motorcycle rights activists have solicited and received proclamations from mayors, city councils, and Governors across the country declaring May as Motorcycle Awareness Month. The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is running Public Service Announcements declaring May as NATIONAL Motorcycle Awareness Month.
In North Carolina, Governor Michael F. Easley proclaimed April 21-25 as ?MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK?. What?s up with that?
First, it isn?t even in May, second, it is only one week, third, If you insulted any other demographic of citizens by reducing from one month to one week the time allotted for the proclamation, you would hear a great uprising of voices, and fourth, given its new name, it is apparently aimed at making motorcyclists aware of opportunities to enhance the safe operation of a motorcycle through ?a combination of rider training and experience, good judgment and a knowledge of traffic laws and licensing requirements? . It gives credit to North Carolina Governor?s Highway Safety Program (GHSP), the North Carolina Motorcyclists? Education Foundation, the North Carolina Motorcycle Safety Education Program and motorcycling organizations in the promotion of motorcycle safety and awareness???and finally? it reminds and encourages other motor vehicle operators to be cautious and observe motorcycles, especially during their seasonal return to our streets and highways.
Beth Horner of the Governors Highway Safety Program said that the Governor declared May as Seatbelt Safety Awareness Month in honor of the ?CLICK IT OR TICKET? campaign?s 15th anniversary. Since they ?couldn?t make two proclamations for one month (?) they chose the week before.? (??)
Well, Gov, Thanks for the proclamation, but this is supposed to be a MONTH long campaign directed at ?other motor vehicle operators? to watch out for MOTORCYCLES. Not that there is anything wrong with learning to ride properly and legally, but that?s another issue. You can read the Governor?s proclamation at: http://www.governor .state.nc. us/Proclamation_ FullStory. asp
–By: Mark Infield
NEWS BRIEF–2009 INDIAN CHIEF MOTORCYCLE–Indian Motorcycle releases specifications for the 2009 Indian Chief.
Kings Mountain, NC?The long-anticipated introduction of the all-new 2009 Indian Chief motorcycle is approaching. As the launch date draws near (although it is yet to be announced), more details about the renaissance of this iconic American motorcycle brand are being revealed. This much is clear: the new Indian Motorcycle Company is taking a wholly different and measured approach to engineering, development and marketing of the new Indian Chief.
Founded in 1901, the legendary Indian brand remains America?s first motorcycle and is highly revered. Chairman Stephen Julius and President Steve Heese have orchestrated the re-launch of Indian. Under General Manager Chris Bernauer, an eleven-year veteran of Harley-Davidson, the Indian Motorcycle team has maintained a sharp focus on product development, design and engineering excellence.
?We?re very excited about the new Indian Chief which are, in every way, both true to the legacy of the Indian brand and representative of the highest level of engineering expertise? according to Mr. Bernauer. ?Indian aficionados everywhere will be pleased with these superior motorcycles which effectively blend timeless Indian design with contemporary motorcycle performance.?
For the past few years, Indian Motorcycle?s engineering staff, led by VP of Engineering Nick Glaja, have logged thousands of hours developing, evaluating and refining each and every engineering detail. Rigorous testing continues until each component has proven its durability and performance. There will be no rush to market. Mr. Glaja, also a motorcycling industry veteran, was Principal Engineer of Powertrain Technology at Harley-Davidson before joining Indian.
Mr. Glaja says ?Our goal was quite simple: to focus on the premium nature of this brand and build the finest Indian motorcycle ever. We took a ?clean sheet? approach to the engineering of this world class American legend to ensure a solid engineering platform. Benchmarks were set high and we believe our customers will be very happy.?
At the heart of the process has been an unrelenting emphasis on quality and craftsmanship. No details have been overlooked or considered too minor to be discussed and evaluated. The final assembly of each Indian Chief takes place at Kings Mountain by a team of technicians known for the passionate pursuit of their craft.
An overriding sense of reverence pervades Indian headquarters. There is an enormous sense of pride in being a part of the rebirth of Indian Motorcycle and that feeling translates into an attention to detail and genuine care for each and every component. Assembly is both loving and methodical, with obvious care taken to produce the finest Indian motorcycles the world has ever seen.
The new Indian Chief motorcycles are rightfully positioned as premium products and will be produced in limited numbers, with the focus on outstanding quality, performance and exclusivity. Limited production will ensure the highest level of quality is maintained and owners will be certain to enjoy the enduring value of an extraordinary new Indian Chief as well as true appreciation of ownership exclusivity.
The new Indian motorcycles are designed and engineered to be powerful works of art. The 2009 Indian Chief features a redesigned 105 cubic inch PowerPlus V-Twin powertrain with electronic closed loop sequential port fuel injection. A new charging system provides increased capacity for the EFI.
Engine cylinders are Nikasil plated, eliminating the need for cast-iron liners. A new crankshaft eliminates ?scissoring?. The exhaust system is a new design with integrated 3-way catalytic converter and heated oxygen sensors. All body parts are e-coated and the frame and swingarm are e-coated and powder coated for enhanced corrosion protection.
A six-speed transmission delivers power through the belt drive to 16-inch wheels out back. Stopping is achieved via Brembo 4-piston calipers, with 11.5? dual rotors up front. Standard 5.5-gallon tank helps extend cruising range. Seats are all-leather and built to exacting specifications. But specs don?t even begin to tell the story of what it?s like to ride an Indian. It?s simply awe-inspiring.
For 2009, Indian will offer four Chief models: Chief Standard, Chief Deluxe, Chief Roadmaster and Chief Vintage. As befits these limited-edition masterworks, base prices will range from $30,999 for the Standard to $31,999 for the Deluxe and $33,999 for the Roadmaster to $35,499 for the Chief Vintage. Primary differences between models are in levels of trim, seating configurations, fender design, paint combinations, and included accessories. (Individual spec sheets and images are included separately in this kit.)
The exciting reality for all motorcycle enthusiasts is that the 2009 Indian Chiefs are so much more than the sum of their parts. Each model is an integrated whole, the result of superior engineering and a reflection of achievement well beyond incremental improvement. The 2009 Indian Chiefs are all-new and a dramatic extension of the Indian Motorcycle legacy, certain to take their place in motorcycle history.
Given the ultra premium nature of the Indian Motorcycle brand, Indian will be very selective in judging the quality and number of dealers. By the end of 2008, it is expected that no more than thirty dealerships will be in place?primarily in top motorcycle markets. A new stand-alone dealership design of 10,000 square foot will be the flagship in major markets, although it is likely that these new structures will not be completed until sometime in 2009.
At present, Indian dealers are already staged for opening for Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, Denver, Minneapolis, and Los Angeles, with an additional twelve applications being processed. It should also be mentioned that the emotional appeal, value and power of the Indian brand will soon result in the launch and merchandising of the highest quality line of motorcycle apparel and accessories in the industry. Indian Motorcycle Apparel will launch the line this summer. Items will be available for purchase through dealerships, online at www.indianmotorcycle.com and at specialty retail stores.
In subsequent years, Indian plans to expand its dealer network to additional markets. Superior engineering, quality and performance, the incredible history and present-day cache of the Indian brand, the exclusivity factor, an obsession with customer satisfaction and a commitment to long term slow-growth and success are expected to serve Indian Motorcycle Company well into the future.
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