I snuck out of the office today to hang at the drying Bikernet headquarters and help with the news. The March issue of Hot Bike is on the streets. You can’t miss it. The cover is Kevin from Big Bear Choppers. That’s right, instead of just another polished motor on the cover, it’s a human being. It’s the man behind Big Bear’s exploding success story hugging his wild-ass Knucklehead.
You wouldn’t believe the heat I’m getting for changing the cover mold. There’s frothing at the mouth MBAs, consultants, computer test experts and the boss of bosses pushing me to spring back to the normal paint and chrome covers. They’ve run e-mail studies, asked consultants and threatened me.
Let me know what you think. That’s not all, someone in some distant production facility saw fit to fuck up the cover print job. Of course no one will own up to it, but I smell corporate conspiracy and promised flying baseball bats if the next one is messed with.
On the positive side there’s Bree in Hot Bike, the first girl in seven long dry years. There’s action. There’s a sharp, thorough, Fuel Injection guide and techs to back it up. There’s even how to Make a Biker Movie by agent Zebra. Check out this issue and gimme some feed back. We’ll continue to bring you all the behind the scenes action at these mags. Now, let’s get to the news then I’ll tell you about the other books.
LOOKING FOR A FRIEND–I was wondering if you know where I can contact an old friend of mine Marty Ruthman. I’m a very close friend of his and his family. I’ve known him since Hi School. My contact info is
Bob Moles
530 906 0906
mailto:rwmoles@cwnet.com
S&S RACING SPONSORSHIPS–VIOLA, WI (January 11, 2005) S&S is pleased to announce the following individual racing sponsorships during the 2005 racing season.
AHDRA Sanction:
Blake Holliday – Super Gas
Dave Ostrowski – Super Gas
David Hope – Super Sport
Allen Nusbaum – Super Sport
Wanda Poff – Super Sport
Rick Maney – Pro-Stock
Dale Raudenbush – Pro-Stock
Joe Sternotti – Street-Pro
Junior Pippin – Pro-Modified
Cliff Dwy – Pro-Modified
Shaun Reno – Pro-Modified
Phil Schmidt – Pro-Drag
Greg Byrnes – Pro-Drag
Brooke McCabe – Pro-Gas
Robert Markham – Pro-Gas
Dave Delullo – Pro-Gas
Ed Biaggi – Pro-Gas
Bill Bertoletti – Pro-Fuel
Sonny Michalowski – Top-Fuel
AMRA Sanction:
Jay Wagner – Street Eliminator
Greg Walls – Street Eliminator
Jerry Cameron – Street Eliminator
Russ Johnson – Pro Eliminator
Jim Bob Kern – Pro Eliminator
Bob Burris – Super-Gas
Dave Sollars – Super-Gas
Randal Andras – Hot Street
Russ Morgan – Hot Street
Mark Sidwell – Buell
Mike Nolan – Modified
Bryan Huffman – Pro-Modified
Rick Clutts Pro-Modified
Mike Nelson/Iron Eagle Racing Pro-Modified
Dennis Cunningham – Pro-Gas
Chris Richterburg – Pro-Fuel
“These racers are well-respected within their respective sanction and class,” said Charlie Hadayia, Manager of Dealer Development and Race Relations. “We’re pleased to provide sponsorship for these accomplished racers through the next season. Staying in touch with the racing community is critical for S&S to continue producing proven performance products,?*? continued Hadayia. “Congratulations on a successful racing season in 2004 and good luck going fast at the track in 2005.”
S&S will be the official title sponsor for three AHDRA races in 2005: Bakersfield, CA on May 13-15, Budds Creek, MD on July 15-17, and Bristol, TN on August 13-14. S&S is also sponsoring the following classes in the AHDRA during 2005: Pro Stock, Pro Gas, Super Sport, and the new S&S 124″ Challenge class.
NOTES TO EGO-BOY–I am thrilled that you are taking over the lead on the Hot Bike mag. I have refused to even look at the magazine at the newstand, unless I really want to be bored. I hope you have plans to change it! I realize my tastes are satisfied with American Iron and the Horse (Backstreet Choppers), and it would be nice to see another magazine similar. Easyriders is even boring to me since you left. I know that the magazines all have their own theme, but I am totally tired of seeing the same old bikes month after month. I guess Howard Kelly thought they were unique and different, but to me they were all just the same.
Jeff Morgan
Hey Bandit, Congrats on your new job at Hot Bike! Although we’ve never met I’ve enjoyed all your work at Bikernet, including your Road King report, since I also have a Road King.I have a couple of questions if you’ve got a minute, concerning your 95″ Big Bore. I’m assuming you still have your ‘King, if you don’t,maybe you can recall after you had the work done.
Did you feel like you gained allot (HP wise) from the Big Bore kit?
Do you think the all-day ride reliability was compromised?
Did you go with high-compression pistons?
Would you do it over again, or recommend someone else having the same work done?
I’m kind of struggling with the issue as you can tell, my ‘King is a great bike but I could sure use a little more “snap”, especiallywhen I’m riding “two up”.
If you get a chance let me know, I’d really appreciate it.If you’re ever in the Seattle area let me know, the beers are on me.
Thanks man.
Randall Ralph
I’ve never heard a complaint. Generally, the Twin Cam can handle it and you should rock. Watch the cam you run. Make sure it’s a good mid-range cam and not all top end. Also make sure you back it up with the Screamin’ Eagle air cleaners kit and performance exhaust. The wrong pipes will kill it.–Bandit
Las Vegas Winter Rally —On Sunday, February 20th 2005, Hawaiian Chopper Magazine, in association with The Las Vegas Hard Rock Cafe, Count’s Kustoms, and Vegas City Choppers, are presenting the first ever “Las Vegas Winter Rally”.
Joining us for a poker run and party at the Hard Rock Cafe, are Johnny “Chop” Vasko of “Johnny Chop Industries”, (formerly of Chica Custom Cycles), Roland Sands of “Performance Machines”, Hank Young of “Young Choppers”, and Jose De Miguel of “Caribbean Custom Cycles”.
Coming along for the ride is nationally syndicated radio talk show host, and star of the Emmy Award winning “sci-fi” series, Babylon Five, Jerry Doyle. Others are sure to come for this one-day event.
Registration for the poker run will be held at Count’s Kustoms at 2714 Highland Drive in Las Vegas, Nevada, and begins at 8:30am on 20 February.
The ride will begin at 10:30. Led by the celebrity builders, riders will enjoy a poker run in the crisp winter air. Taking off to the World renowned “Denver’s Choppers” in Henderson, then on to Vegas City Choppers in Las Vegas, (and one other stop to be named later), and finally, ending up at the Las Vegas Hard Rock Cafe, where riders will pick up their final card.
Enter the “Best Custom” contest sponsored by Count’s Kustoms and win a specially designed and built trophy by custom builder Shannon Aikau of Count’s Kustoms. There is no cost to enter, but all bikes MUST be Customs. “No off the rack bikes”. There will also be other great events to be announced along the way.
At the Hard Rock, check out nearly 40 vendors that will be showing their wares at from 12:00 to 6:00pm. Already signed up are Count’s Customs, Mitch Bergeron Customs, Vegas City Choppers,O School Choppers, Denver Choppers, Jim Nasi Customs, and others to be announced later.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase at all locations along the way, and a $10.00 ride fee will be charged with a portion of the proceeds going to a fund supporting the families of service members deployed in support of the War on Terror.
In addition to Sunday’s activities, a VIP party with the celebrity bike builders will be held at the Las Vegas Margaritaville on Friday, February 18th. Entry to this event will be limited to 150 people and a entry fee of 20.00 will get you in the door (ticket for entry to the VIP party will also get you on the ride).
Special room rates available at the St. Tropez Motel (located across from the Las Vegas Hard Rock Cafe). Just mention the rally at the Hard Rock Cafe for your special rate.
For more info call 808-780-2998 or email at alohasports@hawaii.rr.com
An American hero’s story that must be told —
By Rich Lowry
You probably don’t know Rafael Peralta’s name. If we lived in a country that more fully celebrated the heroics of its men in uniform, you would. He was a sergeant in Company A, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment for Operation Dawn, the November offensive to retake the Iraqi city of Fallujah, which had become a haven for terrorists. What he did on the day of Nov. 15 was an awe-inspiring act of selfless sacrifice and faithfulness to his fellow Marines.
The only way we can honor Sgt. Peralta’s heroism is to tell his story and remember his name. What follows is mostly drawn from the reporting of Marine combat correspondent Lance Cpl. T.J. Kaemmerer, who witnessed the events on that day.
Sgt. Peralta, 25, was a Mexican-American. He joined the Marines the day after he got his green card and earned his citizenship while in uniform. He was fiercely loyal to the ethos of the Corps. While in Kuwait, waiting to go into Iraq, he had his camouflage uniform sent out to be pressed. He constantly looked for opportunities to help his Marine brothers, which is why he ended up where he was on Nov. 15. A week into the battle for Fallujah, the Marines were still doing the deadly work of clearing the city, house by house. As a platoon scout, Peralta didn’t have to go out with the assault team that day. He volunteered to go.
According to Kaemmerer, the Marines entered a house and kicked in the doors of two rooms that proved empty. But there was another closed door to an adjoining room. It was unlocked, and Peralta, in the lead, opened it. He was immediately hit with AK-47 fire in his face and upper torso by three insurgents. He fell out of the way into one of the cleared rooms to give his fellow Marines a clear shot at the enemy. During the firefight, a yellow fragmentation grenade flew out of the room, landing near Peralta and several fellow Marines. The uninjured Marines tried to scatter out of the way, two of them trying to escape the room, but were blocked by a locked door. At that point, barely alive, Peralta grabbed the grenade and cradled it to his body.
His body took most of the blast. One Marine was seriously injured, but the rest sustained only minor shrapnel wounds. Cpl. Brannon Dyer told a reporter from the Army Times, “He saved half my fire team.”
Kaemmerer compares Peralta’s sacrifice to that of past Marine Medal of Honor winners Pfc. James LaBelle and Lance Cpl. Richard Anderson. LaBelle dove on a Japanese grenade to save two fellow Marines during the battle of Iwo Jima. Although he had just been wounded twice, Anderson rolled over an enemy grenade to save a fellow Marine during a 1969 battle in Vietnam.
Peralta’s sacrifice should be a legend in the making. But somehow heroism doesn’t get the same traction in our media environment as being a victim or villain, categories that encompass the truly famous Jessica Lynch and Lynndie England respectively. Peralta’s story has been covered in military publications, a smattering of papers including The Seattle Times and The San Diego Union-Tribune, ABC News and some military blogs. But The Washington Post and The New York Times only mentioned Peralta’s name in their lists of the dead.
Scandalously, the “heroism” of Spc. Thomas Wilson ? the national guardsman who asked a tough question of Secretary of Defense Don Rumsfeld that had been planted with him by a reporter ? has been more celebrated in the press than that of Peralta.
Kaemmerer recounts how later on the night of Nov. 15, a friend approached him and said: “You’re still here; don’t forget that. Tell your kids, your grandkids, what Sgt. Peralta did for you and the other Marines today.” Don’t forget. Good advice for all of us.
From Duc Drake
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