Hey,
Daytona rumors, reports, studies, and stories are flooding in. We’ll do our damnest to launch ’em all. Shortly you’ll see and hear Branscombe’s American 1902 Motorcycle report, then the Seminole Roadhouse Rundown from Carrie Repp and Rogue’s Daytona coverage. That’s just the tip of the sand castle. Hang on.
Let’s jump right into the middle of it:
UNDERCOVER BIKERNET REPORTER INVESTIGATES DEPARTURE BIKE WORKS– I made it to Virginia back in February, just in time for a 12 inch snow storm. I finally made it down to Richmond this past weekend and wanted to let you know the guys at Departure Bike Works took good care of me. I contacted Greg, “Z”, in service and he told me to come on in.
They did a 5k service and replaced a rear tire for me on a Saturday on short notice. I got to meet Lee and Greg and the other guys, and gal, in the shop. They even served up lunch and a cold beer while I was waiting. I had the opportunity to stand around and tell lies with Lee. All-in-all a comfortable way to kill a couple of hours on a Saturday afternoon.
I also got the nickel tour around the shop including a peek at the Bikernet Bonne Belle ’45 engine parts ready for DBW to work their magic.
I just wanted to give DBW their props for taking good care of a fellow Bikernet bro.
–Chuck
BIKERNET RACING WOMAN GETS FIRST AHDRA WIN–After winning her first trophy at the NOPI Nationals this weekend at Firebird International Raceway, Valerie Thompson (Scottsdale, AZ) is ready to go against ALL Harley’s in April. Thompson was named the Street ET Bike Champion with a 9.59 second pass at 138.33 mph. Valerie is sponsored by Monster Energy Drinks and Bikernet.com.
The All Harley Drag Racing Association members and fans will see racers on only Harleys, but of either gender during the Nationals event at Firebird April 8th and 9th.
Valerie Thompson is a motorcycle drag racer. Not just any motorcycle; a Harley Screamin’ Eagle V-Rod Destroyer, powered by a 1300cc engine, bragging 165 horsepower. Hacienda Harley in Scottsdale supplied the hog as part of her sponsor agreement for the ’06 season. “The opportunity to run my bike in Arizona, at Firebird Raceway, makes the April event more important to me than any other stop on the schedule” Thompson stated about racing in her home state.
This lady hot rod was a collections agent in her “former life” and now has the bug for drags and for Harley. “Nothing compares to the roar of the engine, the rush off the line and the realization of the finish line” said Thompson. She left behind collections to compete in the AHDRA series with more than $1 million in prize money for Harley racers to collect. More information about Thompson at her website www.vtracegirl.com.
Racers with a valid AHDRA Competition License capable of safely operating a motorcycle can compete in 16 different classes. All motorcycles must meet the requirements outlined in the AHDRA Rulebook. For tickets and information go to www.firebirdraceway.com or www.ADHRA.com.
SPLATT SEZ– Turn your turkey baster on stun and get ready to stick it to yet another idiot and his publisher. Just remember, when you write, you represent ALL of us, so be polite, make your point in a few short sentences and always use spell-check.
Contact info for The Lake Cities Sun
The Lake Cities Sun
PO Box 879
Lake Dallas, Texas 75065
(940) 497-4141
Fax (940) 497-2273
Mark Henry –
Publisher.editor@sunnewspapers.com
Tina Moore – Business Manager.
tina@sunnewspapers.com
“I want so badly to open my car door just before they reach me.” (As motorcyclists pass by)
Airing of grievances
Douglas Simpson
Managing Editor
To quote Seinfeld’s Frank Costanza at Festivus dinner, now is the time for the airing of grievances.
Usually there’s one hot topic to prompt me to write a column, as my fingers angrily dance across the keyboard. But there are a few things that are, well, bugging me that I need to address.
Here they are, in no particular order:
1. Motorcycles. Why are these things street legal? I challenge anyone out there to remember a time they saw a motorcycle that was driving the speed limit and adhering to all traffic laws.
When I see them, they are usually going about 120 mph down I-35E, weaving in and out of lanes like those white lines are just there for show.
Nothing irks me more than sitting in dense 5 p.m. or Friday traffic, only to see a motorcycle driving between the rows of cars, going about 40 mph. I want so badly to open my car door just before they reach me.
I’ll never forget the time I was driving down the George Bush around 10 p.m., when all of a sudden scorching down the road were not only about five motorcycles driving erratically, but they were all riding on their back tires. Popping a wheelie while doing 80 mph down a public roadway: stupid.
I remember a few years back, I think after Gary Busey had his bad motorcycle wreck, there was a public service announcement asking motorists to keep an eye open for motorcyclists, like they are being abused by us car and truck drivers.
I remember telling the TV, “I’ll look out for them as soon as they start obeying traffic laws.” I’m still waiting, so in my eyes, they are fair game.
Our police officers do a good job, I just hope they pay a little extra attention to the wheelie-popping idiots that are making the roadways dangerous for all of us.
Mr. Editor,
I have a tough time with anyone who wishes to maim or kill because someone annoys them. I’m a motorcyclist and yearly I’m forced to review statistics pointing out that between 70 and 85 percent of all motorcycle accidents are caused by motorists.
Doesn’t Douglas enjoy any aspect of this country involving freedom besides free speech? How about loud rock and roll, skateboarding, driving fast cars, snow skiing? In most cases they’re citizens vehemently opposed to some aspect of each endeavor. We need to congratulate, honor and support the freedoms we have, not kill people because they’re doing something we don’t care for.
I live in Los Angeles where lane splitting is legal. I have noticed more and more motorists pulling slightly over in their lanes to let us pass. I always try to acknowledge the effort with a wave or salute. We are riding air cooled vehicles. If they aren’t moving the engines are over-heating. There’s also a positive aspect for motorists. By lane splitting, we are moving out of traffic, eliminating another vehicle in line in front of you or behind. Motorcycles generally share parking spots, leaving another open for you.
Imagine how traffic would be reduced, if more people rode motorcycles. Imagine the fuel consumption reduction if more motorcycles were used. There’s a number of positive aspects to motorcycling, but if Mr. Douglas chooses to publicly recommend that you kill bikers or maim them, I don’t blame bikers for leaving their bikes at home and crowding thoroughfares with more gas guzzling SUVs.
–KRB
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WORLD CLASS CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE COMING–This is the first world-class concours d’elegance exclusively for motorcycles. On display will be 200 of the world’s finest motorcycles judged by an international panel of experts including legends Bud Ekins and Oriol Bulto. In addition, and exclusive to this premiere event, is the Steve McQueen?? Award selected by a panel of celebrities, the People’s Choice Award that Governor Schwarzenegger has been invited to confer, and the Field of Fame?? consisting of bikes owned by Steve McQueen, James Dean and Elvis.
Being called a judged outdoor museum exhibit, this luxury charitable event will encompass over a century of design, style and ingenuity in the form of rolling sculpture.
“Legend of the Motorcycle is a celebration of the art of motorcycling. It pays homage to the rich heritage and enormous influence the motorcycle has had on popular culture,” says co-founder Jared Zaugg. “The collaboration and the interest this has received have been incredible. Involved are extraordinary people including the curator of the Guggenheim Museum’s record-breaking exhibit ‘Art of the Motorcycle,’ the Chief Judge of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and the Chief Judge of the Louis Vuitton Classic.”
The featured marques will be the Brough Superior and the Crocker. The Brough is referred to as the “Rolls-Royce of motorcycles,” whereas the American Crocker is called the “Duesenberg of motorcycles.” These legendary bikes will be the center of attention at the concours. George Brough’s own serial number “001” and Al Crocker’s “1X” will be on display from private collections.
The lawns atop the rugged Pacific Coast at The Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay, California, will showcase the event on May 6. Half Moon Bay is a scenic 30-mile drive south of San Francisco in a spectacular setting of ocean and mountains. Sponsors include Bentley Motors, Cartier, FedEx, Forbes, Kiehl’s and Robb Report MotorCycling. For information and to purchase tickets, visit: www.LegendoftheMotorcycle.com.
SCREAMIN’ EAGLE/VANCE & HINES TEAM OPENS THE 2006 NHRA SEASON WITH A SEMIFINAL FINISH FOR HINES– Two-time defending NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Andrew Hines rode his Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines V-Rod to a semifinal round finish Sunday at the 37th annual ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway.
It was what the team considered to be the lone highlight at a track, that has normally been the site of so many momentum-building performances in the past. Fans at Gainesville Raceway have seen the first Harley-Davidson victory (2004) and the first six-second run (2005), just to name a couple of historic moments.
“This was the first race with a drastically different rules package for the Pro Stock Motorcycle class,” tuner and team owner Byron Hines said. “We knew we were in trouble after the first couple of qualifying rounds. But the team handled the situation very well. The guys rode really well, and the rest of the team rallied and worked great together. Everyone had a common goal and that was to get things handled and make sure both bikes were qualified and that we were ready to race on Sunday.”
Hines qualified third with a 7.056-second pass at 189.43 mph while teammate GT Tonglet took the 12th spot with a 7.122 at 188.16. Tonglet lost in the first round of eliminations on Sunday, turning in a 7.130 pass at 185.87 in a losing effort to eventual race winner Angelle Sampey’s 7.099 at 187.14.
Hines won his first round matchup against Steve Johnson. He rode to a 7.092 at 185.37 to top Johnson’s 8.212 at 115.85. In Round Two, Hines (7.239 at 179.17) took the victory over Karen Stoffer after she fouled at the starting line. He lost to Antron Brown in the semifinals, going 7.221 at 181.56 to Brown’s 7.202 at 185.52.
Beyond being the season-opening weekend for the 15-event racing season, the team also helped debut the Harley-Davidson Acceleration Nation display. The new interactive pit display features real V-Rod motorcycles that fans can ride and is just one component in the new multi-year, multi-tiered sponsorship deal with the NHRA and Harley-Davidson, who is now the official motorcycle of the sanctioning body.
The team now has less than two weeks to prepare for the next event, the O’Reilly Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park in Houston, March 31- April 2.
NEW SHOCKS FOR CUSTOM APPLICATIONS–The company “Wilbers Products GmbH” is manufacturer of high-qualitysuspension system products which are distinguished by the predicate”Made in Germany”.
For 21 years Wilbers is supplier of suspension technology and since1998 we produce our own suspension systems. For us, the most importantvehicles on the market are motorcycles and sidecars howeverspecial-vehicles as Quads and ATVs are revised and mounted with oursuspension products from Nordhorn/Germany.
“Wilbers Racing Suspension” products belong to the world’s peakconcerning their quality, flexibility or durability. That was provenmore than once in motor sports and touring.
For example the world-championship in the Superbike-class was, in theyear 2000, won by a motorcycle, equipped with “Wilbers” shockabsorbers. Another time we sent ourproducts to Siberia for long-term testing during a boggy summer and afreezing winter. As you see, our products are intensively tested toreach highest demands.
That is why, in Germany, we are market-leader concerningsuspension-systems for many years now!Starting the first of May this year we would like to conquer theAmerican market as well. We plan to launch ourinternet appearance under http://www.wilbers.de/usa in English/Americanlanguage.At the same time we are beginning to open 100service-points throughout the USA.
Furthermore we guarantee to produce and deliver any given individualshock-absorber to every possible spot in the USA through DHL-Expressnot exceeding 14 days of delivery time.
–Benny Wilbers
Wilbers Products GmbH
Alfred-Mozer-Str. 84
48527 Nordhorn
Germany
Phone: 0049-5921-72717-30
Fax: 0049-5921-74099
LOUD PIPES ATTACK–Now the secret is out about loud pipes. And somebody went and made a commercial about it. Sheeesh. http://www.noiseoff.org/motorcycles.shtml with their fancy, printable, http://www.noiseoff.org/media/flyer.motorcycle.pdf “Bikers Beware, Citizens are Taking the Community Back” flyers, but these folks are brutal.
And if you’re FINALLY worried about losing your riding privilege, JOIN a Motorcycle Rights Organization in your state, TODAY. Here’s a http://www.geocities.com/splatt_the_harley_ratt/smro.htm LIST.
~splatt
http://www.bikernation.us
NEW BIKERNET CONTRIBUTOR–Also I have a good buddy,his name is William Mas.He has been around the old school community for some time and is friends with James (Gaskets) etc. He has some big endeavors going on right now on the manufacturing side and is suffering from the same illness the rest of our industry has- too much work, not enough money!
Anyway, thought because of the breadth of content he can provide you, it would be a good crossover to the old stuff for your site!
NEW BIKERNET SPONSORS—We are proud to announce two new Bikernet Sponsors. Big Dog and Von Dutch Motorcycle logos will be spotted on the home page shortly. We look forward to bringing you road tests, new model descriptions and company reports.
There’s never a dull moment in this industry and we can deliver the action as fast as it happens, and it’s archived on Bikernet forever, so readers have constant access.
Okay, I’m blithering. Let’s get back to the news.
A VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE BIKERNET MOTORCYCLE NOISE PLAN–Here’s Chris Maida’s, Editor American Rider, testimonial letter: I like this a lot! Bringing out that this is a safety issue, which is the truth, is a great idea. Being in CT, the land of SUVs and soccer moms, I’ve almost been whacked a number of times on a stock H-D since they’re so quiet. That’s not an issue when I ride a custom, which has quite a bit more bark to its exhaust note.
As we discussed, I believe allowing a bike to be as loud as a truck, so the noise levels are not more than what is already out there, is reasonable. As anyone who has ridden for any length of time knows, car drivers don’t see you, flashing lights and all, with the radio on, the cell phone, etc. going on inside the car. However, whenever a louder noise comes near them, they pay attention and look to see what’s making the noise.
As you know, I definitely agree that keeping a low profile is not going to work anymore. I’m surprised we got away with it as long as we did, but now’s the time to make a major push with this before we’re down for the count. As I told you, that legislator told me the greenies are watching all this very closely and they’re desire is not just cleaner air, it’s to get rid of bikes altogether.
Please keep me in the loop.
–Chris
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