Wow, I just returned from Thailand on a 14-hour flight. Talk about grueling. We sailed with six other yachts from island to majestic island, with Bob Bitchin, for seven days. Once the publisher of Biker magazine, he now runs a sailing giant Latitudes and Attitudes magazine. If you ever dreamed of a sailing adventure, there are share the sail adventures available all over the world. Check out his mag for more info.
Just before we stepped into the sweltering heat and 100 percent humidity of Phuket, we spent four days with the Sultan of Selangor, Malaysia, who is a biker.
We hung out with the Head Hunters in Malaysia and discussed a run from Malaysia to Thailand. I’ll bring you more reports in the near future. Let’s hit the news, I’m still swaying in my chair.
SPEAKING OF BIKERS AND BOATS, NEWS FLASH– Scott Jacobs will be in Chicago this weekend to shoot the research for the upcoming DOOBIE BROTHERS album cover painting. We will keep you posted on any developments as the painting progresses. Their new album is scheduled to be released this fall.
Here’s a painting that you probably wouldn’t guess was done by Scott Jacobs; except it was. Scott’s inspiration for this work came from a trip the family took to Europe last year and he ended up doing a few European themed paintings. This particular scene was shot from the balcony and Scott felt such a sense of serenity and calm looking out at this simple little boat in the water and therefore named the piece AEGEAN CALM.
Unlike anything you’ve seen from the studio, this painting is one more shining example of Scott’s command of diverse subject matter. The framed giclee shown below is now available in an edition of only 50 plus 10 artist proofs for limited time at the special price of $950 FRAMED (FREE CUSTOM FRAMING!!!)
–Ron Copple
Scott Jacobs Studio
303-431-4453
BDL’s Black Out Drive for Shovelheads SHOVELHEAD– powered bikes are the latest ride to be catered for by Belt Drives Ltd (BDL), with the introduction of its open belt 2-inch Black Out Drive. It has been created specifically for use on ’70-’78 Shovelhead applications.
The drives, which are sold as complete kits, include not only the 2-inch drive belt, pulleys and guard, but also a BDL Ball Bearing Lock-Up pressure plate and proprietary Kevlar clutch.
BELT DRIVES LTD
Orange, California, USA
Tel: 714 685 3333
Fax: 714 685 3339
E-mail: bdlusa@aol.com
www.beltdrives.com
TEXAS BUILDER, DANIEL SANCHEZ OF CUT THROAT CUSTOMS, TO COMPETE IN AMD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OF CUSTOM BIKE BUILDING– The Kids & Chrome Charity’s mission is to mobilize the generosity of the motorcycle community to enrich the lives of children and preserve the history of motorcycling. The Kids & Chrome Foundation celebrates, educates and advocates for Kids & Chrome charities by hosting a premier benefit event during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, providing an annual funding source to “Kids” through The Children’s Home Society of the Black Hills and by providing an annual funding source to “Chrome” for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame.
Read more about the Kids & Chrome Charity here: www.kidsandchrome.com
NASWA’S ‘PETER MAKRIS MEMORIAL RUN’ KICK-STARTS LACONIA MOTORCYCLE WEEK– Bikers Boaters Raise Money for Fire Department Water Rescue Unit and Veterans
Laconia, NH — A convergence of horsepower on land and water Peter Makris will benefit New Hampshire veterans, the local water rescue unit and serve as “party central” as the official kick-start to the 87th Laconia Motorcycle Week this June 12th. The NASWA Resort’s 4th Annual “Peter Makris Memorial Run” commemorates the life of this community leader, biker and boater, whose wife’s family founded the historic Lake Winnipesaukee destination, celebrating its 75th Anniversary this year.
While the flotilla leaves the NASWA docks for a waterway tour of the lake, the motorcycles — escorted by police and an antique fire engine — also enjoy a “feet up” ride around the lake by land, through Meredith, Center Harbor, Wolfboro and Alton; everyone reconvenes at the NAZBar Beach Bar for a “boaters meet bikers” bash, including a BBQ Buffet, live music, raffles and give-a-ways, combining all of the passions that made up Peter Makris’ life.
Proceeds from the event, will help fund Laconia Fire Department’s Life Saving Fund and Water Rescue Unit and the Easter Seals New Hampshire’s “Veterans Count” program. Makris, a veteran, helped get the rescue unit on the water with a $5,000 start-up donation.
“My husband always served his community,” said his widow, Hope Makris, second-generation matriarch of the family business. “He heartily supported the fire department’s efforts to provide water rescue on the lake and as a proud US Marine, the veterans’ organizations were also important to him.”
The resort has a long-standing reputation as being biker-friendly as Peter was a loyal “Leatherneck” US Marine Motorcycle Club member and a belief in producing family- focused community events including bike and boat poker runs and other fund raisers. As the “Peter Makris Memorial Run” enters its fourth year, it joins the long list of events. “We enjoy dad’s run as one of the traditions at the NASWA,” said Karen Makris Lowell, who hosts the dining room, while her sister, Victoria manages Guest Services. “We enjoy seeing his community activism live on and can think of no better tribute to our father than this annual Father’s Day event,” added Cynthia, who runs operations.
A new logo (above) for the run was developed by David Uhl Studios, a long-time Harley Davidson licensed artists and supplier of Harley-Davidson Motor Company. Uhl is best known for his stellar collection of Harley Women, reminiscent of Vargas girls on bikes. The collaboration of fine artist David Uhl and illustrator Danial James, who because of their dedication to bikers and to old friends, created a logo that embodied the dual spirit of the Peter Makris Memorial bike and boat run and its roots on Lake Winnipesaukee. The artistic duo have formed Uhl Wear (perhaps a play on “You’ll wear!”) and the Peter Makris Memorial Run logo is a precursor of the fine artwork and clothing that will come from that brand.
Early registration for the run is $40 and includes a gourmet buffet breakfast at the NAZBar Beach Bar, a commemorative T-Shirt, bountiful buffet lunch, drink chip and live music with the Dan Lawson Band and the New Hampshire Fire Brigade Bagpipers. Day-of registration is $50. VIP, front of the pack and prime parking status is $60. Special rates are available from the NASWA Resort for participants who want to stay and play.
Other activities include promotional give-a-ways from Budweiser and 3 Olives Vodka, prize drawings, a silent auction and a variety of Laconia Motorcycle Week food and drink specials. Complete details and early registration are available from the NASWA Resort by calling 888-55-NASWA (62792) or 603-366-4341 or at www.naswa.com.
Milwaukee Police Celebrate 100 Years Using Harley-Davidson Motorcycles– In recognition of the 100th anniversary of its use of Harley-Davidson motorcycles to patrol the streets of the city of Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Police Department motorcycle unit held its shift change roll call at the Harley-Davidson Museum on May 13 during the first of the Museum’s weekly Bike Nights for 2010.
Willie G. and Bill Davidson were joined by MPD Chief Edward Flynn for the ceremony, which was attended by over 40 motorcycle officers and their Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Police motorcycles.
MRF LEGISLATIVE ALERT: FHWA MOTORCYCLE ADVISORY COUNCIL– The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently convened its Motorcycle Advisory Council (MAC) to discuss motorcycles and how they relate to the country’s transportation infrastructure, and make recommendations to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is a member of the MAC and attends all council meetings. In addition to council members, the MAC invites specialists from the government, industry and universities, with the goal of reducing motorcycle crashes and injuries to motorcyclists. They carefully consider the small road signature of motorcycles and the how they interact with the roads, bridges and barriers of this country. This was the 8th time the council has met over 4 years.
The feds announced that will be doing two “scans” of motorcycle safety to observe best practices and identify alternative solutions for smooth interaction between motorcycles and infrastructure. They will conduct a domestic scan to study programs throughout the U.S., and will also travel to Europe and Australia for an international scan. The MRF was invited to participate in the international scan, as well as to help craft amplifying questions for international partners in that scan. The sole focus of the scans is improving U.S. infrastructure for motorcyclists.
Much of the discussion at this meeting was focused on how to get the message of the MAC into the right hands across the states. In an earlier meeting of the MAC, a brochure was developed with the mindset that it would provide key recommendations of the MAC to state highway developers. The information is fantastic, but the brochure was met with little fan fare. Oftentimes safety documents are lengthy and dull, and don’t get the attention they deserve. So the goal of this group is to not only create something that will get into the right hands, but will also get their attention. Many ideas were discussed, from video public service announcements to boiling down all current motorcycle safety documents into one simple, bullet-point document.
SCARY SHIT SPONSORED BY DANNI ASHE: TRAVELER OPINION AND PARTICIPATION SURVEY– The feds also announced that they will be doing a Traveler Opinion and Participation Survey (TOPS) during the summer of 2012. They will survey a random sampling of adult Americans over the phone to gage how the general public feels about the roads they use, the traffic they sit in, the purpose of travel and so on. As a direct result of the MAC’s recommendation to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, the survey will, for the first time, include questions about motorcycles.
This was the last official meeting of the MAC under its current charter. The MRF is working with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, a past recipient of the MRF Champion Award, to extend the MAC’s charter for another two years. This would be the 2nd extension of the original Congressionally-mandated charter.
To read more about the MAC or view the motorcycle safety brochure visit: http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/mac/
To read the TOPS findings from the last survey (2005) visit: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/reports/traveleropinions/1.htm
HUMOR FROM THE BIKERNET OFFICES IN THE SOUTH–
Tennessee– The owner of a golf course was confused about paying an invoice, so he decided to ask his secretary for some mathematical help. He called her into his office and said, ‘You graduated from the University of Tennessee and I need some help. If I were to give you $20,000, minus 14%, how much would you take off?’
The secretary thought a moment, and then replied, ‘Everything but my earrings.’
Alabama– A group of Alabama friends went deer hunting and paired off in twos for the day. That night, one of the hunters returned alone, staggering under the weight of an eight-point buck.
‘Where’s Henry?’ the others asked.
‘Henry had a stroke of some kind. He’s a couple of miles back up the trail,’ the successful hunter replied.
‘You left Henry laying out there and carried the deer back?’ they inquired.
‘A tough call,’ nodded the hunter… ‘But I figured no one is going to steal Henry!’
Texas– The sheriff pulled up next to the guy unloading garbage out of his pick-up into the ditch. The sheriff asked, ‘Why are you dumping garbage in the ditch? Don’t you see that sign right over your head’..
‘Yep’, he replied. ‘That’s why I’m dumpin it here, ’cause it says ‘Fine For Dumping Garbage’.
Louisiana– A senior at LSU was overheard saying, ‘When the end of the world comes, I hope to be in Louisiana .’
When asked why, he replied he’d rather be in Louisiana because everything happens in Louisiana 20 years later than in the rest of the civilized world.
Mississippi — The young man from Mississippi came running into the store and said to his buddy, ‘Bubba, somebody just stole your pickup truck from the parking lot!’
Bubba replied, ‘Did you see who it was?’
The young man answered, ‘I couldn’t tell, but I got his license number.’
North Carolina– A man in North Carolina had a flat tire, pulled off on the side of the road, and proceeded to put a bouquet of flowers in front of the car and one behind it. Then he got back in the car to wait..
A passerby studied the scene as he drove by and was so curious he turned around and went back. He asked the fellow what the problem was.
The man replied, ‘I have a flat tire.’
The passerby asked, ‘But what’s with the flowers?’
The man responded, ‘When you break down, they tell you to put flares in the front and flares in the back. Hey, it don’t make no sense to me neither.’
And this from South Carolina– ‘You can say what you want about the South, but I ain’t never heard of anyone wanting to retire to the North. AMEN
–from Robin Hartfiel
Danni Doll Pin-Up Girl Big Air Kit– Baron’s Custom Accessories, manufacturer of the original Big Air Kit, brings to life pin-up model Danni Doll in their newest edition of the popular performance product. The exceptional photo quality imagery is achieved using an amazing new powder coat technology. The beautiful two-piece cover, wrapped in a billet aluminum ring, fits over 15 models of motorcycles. Don’t let the good looks fool you; this kit still flows a ton of air with one of the slimmest profiles on the market. Offered as a complete kit, or just a cover to update your current Big Air Kit.
Baron Custom Accessories & LA Choppers
17531 Metzler Lane
Huntington Beach, CA 92647-6242
(714)274-4065
www.LAChoppers.com
www.BaronsCustom.com
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/LAChoppers
K&N FILTERS PRESENTS: WEST COAST THUNDER XI By Skip Fordyce Harley-Davidson– The event takes place on Memorial Day, Monday May 31, 2010. This year over 7,500 motorcyclists will pack the streets gathering at Skip Fordyce Harley-Davidson on Indiana Avenue in Riverside, California to celebrate the tradition of West Coast Thunder.
2010 celebrates the 11th anniversary of West Coast Thunder, which includes the annual parade to the Riverside National Cemetery. The parade will begin at 9:11 am on Memorial Day morning on its way to the Riverside National Cemetery. There will also be a closed, escorted ride to Soboba Casino in San Jacinto, California.
The after-parade festivities will be held at Soboba Casino. Riders that take the parade to the Riverside National Cemetery may pay their respects for as long as they would like; then depart for the Soboba Casino for the celebration and festivities. Soboba Casino will house live entertainment, food & product vendors and official event ceremonies. All this culminates with a performance by Nashville recording star James Otto with special guest American Idol finalist Danny Gokey.
Proceeds for this event will benefit the Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee
Event participants will receive 20% off K&N Filters at Skip Fordyce Harley-Davidson including K&N High-Flow Air Filters, Wrench-Off Oil Filters and Complete Intake Assemblies for your Harley-Davidson, car or truck. K&N will also provide Free K&N Wrench-Off Oil Filters to participants who have premium oil change service performed at Skip Fordyce Harley-Davidson. Promotion expires on June 12, 2010.
www.westcoastthunder.com
WWW.KNFILTERS.COM
www.skipfordyce.com
MAD BUILDERS CUSTOM SHOW IN MEXICO–Some 3,000 riders and a total attendance of around 20,000 people turned out for the 2nd annual Mad Builders Motorcycle Rally and Custom Show held over Mexico’s National Holiday weekend (May 1st to 3rd, 2010) at Jocotepec, Jalisco.
Operated by Caballos Salvajes (Wild Horses), a local motorcycle club, the event was, again, an AMD Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building Affiliate.
An increased bike entry competed for prizes in Modified Harley-Davidson, ‘Metric’ custom, and ‘FreeStyle’ classes with the Best in Show prize being expenses to compete at this year’s 7th annual World Championship at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in August.
The event was supported by Rivera Primo and local dealer Harley-Davidson Jalisco, with the Best in Show ‘Sturgis’ affiliate event prize win being taken by Gabriel Solis Castillo of Puro Chingon Custom Choppers, of Hermosilio in the desert state of Sonora in Mexico.
His bike, ‘La Joya del Desierto’ (Jewel of the Desert) is a celebration of the colors, landscape and riding experience of the desert region in which he is based. Built on a heavily modified Redneck frame, the bike features a modified 1965 Harley ‘Pan/Shovel’ combination hybrid engine and modified Kiwi Indian leaf spring front-end.
www.madbuildersmotocicletasmexico.com
The winning bike, built on a heavily modified Redneck frame, features a modified 1965 Harley ‘Pan/Shovel’ combination hybrid engine and modified Kiwi Indian leaf spring front-end.
Harley-Davidson Launches Start Something Campaign with Marisa Miller– Harley-Davidson’s Start Something campaign featuring supermodel Marissa Miller, which is designed to encourage men to stop dreaming and start riding this summer, kicks into gear this week around the Maxim Hot 100 magazine issue, including an in-book ad, as well as exposure at the Maxim Hot 100 party in Los Angeles, on the Maxim Web site, social communities and their television program.
To help get men in gear, Harley-Davidson is also providing a few perks. Men can register for the chance to win one of hundreds of free Rider’s Edge New Rider Training Courses, as well as an exclusive package featuring the chance for one lucky winner and four friends to:
Participate in the Rider’s Edge New Rider Training Course together
Select the Harley-Davidson motorcycles of their choice
Go on the road trip of a lifetime
Meet supermodel Marisa Miller
The Start Something campaign extends the relationship Harley-Davidson has enjoyed with Marisa Miller, who first linked up with the Motor Company in 2008 to help launch the Harley-Davidson VRSCF V-Rod Muscle motorcycle. Miller’s role in the Start Something campaign is to encourage and challenge men to live out their dreams.
In addition to the new Start Something spread featuring Miller and her favorite ride in the Maxim Hot 100 issue, men can also visit h-d.com/start
REPORT FROM THE FIRST SPEED TRIALS OF THE SEASON–Hey all you wingnuts, gearheads, and speedfreaks it’s official, 2010 Landspeed racing season is here. SCTA kicked off there annual first meet off the year @ El Mirage and had a great turn out. I was able to catch up with Tom Evans and get a rule book for 2010. We asked him how’s the turn out and he said around 110 cars and about 50 bikes.
We arrived a little late but were able to speak with a few scooter tramps, like Dave and Jill Iversen. They are running two vintage bikes, a 1944 Knuckle and a flathead Indian. Dave pilots the ’44 knuckle in the 1350 A/VG class and currently hold the El mirage record @145.222 set in 2008. Jill pilots the Indian flathead in the 350 A/VF and also holds the a El Mirage record @106.001 set 2009. They are both headed to Speedweek in August to conquer the salt.
Chopngrind wishes them much success and were sure the SpeedGods will Bless their quest for Speed.
–Larry
CHOPNGRIND
THAT’S ALL FOLKS–Holy shit the list of projects is growing. I need to write a couple of articles on our sailing adventure for Latitudes and Attitudes, clean up the deck in the Bikernet Submarine, get to work on Bonneville Reports. I need to pick up the new seat for the Assalt Weapan from Saddleman.
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Some of the staff stayed as drunk as rum drinking sailors while I was away and didn’t post their assigned features, so the piece on Panhead Billy will hit the airwaves shortly, so will the Bubs/Wimmer tech.
Markus shot my Sturgis Shovel twice for American Iron. They turned down this shoot, which I’m going to use shortly. It’s killer, with speeding trains in the background. The bike is fixed and running strong again. It had an air leak into the intake and one tappet roller was shot. I replace all of them, and cleaned and replaced oil with a new round of Spectro synthetic. And I’m about to plug miles onto my 5-Ball Factory Racer. I can’t wait.
I need to finish my first Motorbooks chapter. I feel like the deadline gun is pointed and cocked at my head. Nothing like a vacation to add stress to our harried lives.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
