Hey,
Just about the time I think about taking a break, more shit flies around the shop. I finally scored a 24-inch diameter, solid brass porthole for a room down stairs. It has no ventilation, and this 150-pound puppy will be perfect. I tore it apart. We need to strip off all the paint, then talk our resident building contractor, Jeremiah Soto, into carving a hole in the exterior bulkhead.
My Sturgis Shovel, one of my all-time favorites, a kick-only 93-inch S&S flyer has been crying lately. Two things: A squeak in the valve train, and a slightly lean condition. I was thinking about removing the rear head to investigate and pulling the Mikuni Carb apart. This ugly bastard has always been a tight, reliable, fast bike, but it’s a rigid and needs to be watched closely. Let me get through the news, then I’ll tell you what I found out. Some solutions, thanks to Berry, at Accurate Engineering.
Next, my first HORSE mag deadline is rapidly approaching. I’m working with the HORSE and Brass Balls bobbers to write the techs for the first HORSE Subscription Sweepstakes. You’ll see the Brass Balls Bike come together on Bikernet and in the HORSE. When it’s all done, the bike goes to the Sweeps winner. Dar, of Brass Balls is designing and building the bike. Bikernet threw in a 5-speed transmission. Custom Chrome donated a RevTech engine. We’re using a new BDL belt drive system, and Paughco is custom making a frame and front end to Dar’s Specification. Dar contributed plenty of Brass Balls components and Spyke, Compu-Fire, and Wire Plus is handling the electronics. But the most important aspect is Haley, the girl above. Hang on for the reports. Let’s hit the news:
Moulton reaction to Harley-Davidson Inc Announcement– CHIPPEWA FALLS-Despite calling our state home for 107 years, iconic Wisconsin motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson Inc. warned Thursday it may cut 1,400 jobs and move its manufacturing operations to another state if it can’t cut millions of dollars in costs.
State Senate candidate Terry Moulton expressed concern for Harley workers and other Wisconsin job-providers faced with similar hardships after Senator Pat Kreitlow passed nearly $5 billion in tax increases last year alone, including a $22.5 million tax increase on Harley Davidson.
?This announcement comes as no surprise after watching Senator Pat Kreitlow vote on tax increase after tax increase over the last session,? said Moulton. ?They?ve taken more money from companies like Harley Davidson to pay for increased government spending which, I fear, will force more working families to leave Wisconsin in search of job opportunities in other states.?
In an Eau Claire Leader Telegram story published in April, 2009, Kreitlow said his tax increase on Harley-Davidson and other businesses was “one of the most business-friendly actions we can take.?
?Taxing businesses and driving jobs to other states is exactly the wrong way to grow Wisconsin?s economy, and Pat Kreitlow doesn?t seem to get that,? said Moulton. ?If we are to send the message that Wisconsin is open for business, we need to repeal job-killing taxes such as these.?
Wisconsin has lost nearly 150,000 jobs since December, 2008, during which time the unemployment rate rose from 7.1% to 9.8%. In Kreitlow?s 23rd Senate District, unemployment has reached double digits in some areas: Chippewa County has 10.1% unemployment and Clark County tops the district at 12.1%.
BIKERS ARE ANIMALS REVIEW– Thanks for the review of Bikers are Animals on Bikernet…really appreciate.
Finished second book Bikers are Animals 2 – The Rest of the Crew. Will be out late September. Will send a copy your way when it hits the streets.
Again, Thanks!
–Paul
RM TAKES MONACO BY STORM WITH 33 MILLION COLLECTOR CAR AUCTION– MONACO (May 2, 2010) RM Auctions? inaugural Sporting Classics of Monaco event held at the Grimaldi Forum on 1st May was a resounding success, achieving 33,235,917* ($45,101,139) in total sales and matching the highest dollar single-day collector car auction in history, also produced by RM**. The 86 per cent sell through rate saw 88 of the 105 pre- and post-war motor cars changing hands, with five automobiles fetching prices in excess of 2,000,000, along with setting two new world records.
The event?s top seller was a rare 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Cabriolet Pininfarina SWB, s/n 3309 SA, achieving a new world record for a Superamerica when it sold for 2,800,000 ($3,799,600) and well exceeding its high estimate of 2,450,000.
Additional star lots surpassing the two million euro mark include:
a hugely desireable 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, s/n 3401 GT, selling for 2,632,000 ($3,571,624);
a rare 1960 Maserati Tipo 61 ?Birdcage?, s/n 2470, setting a new world record for a Birdcage at 2,464,000 ($3,343,648);
the ex-Harrah 1957 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Tour de France, s/n 0925 GT, bringing ?2,352,000 ($3,191,664); and,
a beautiful 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder, s/n 1253 GT, fetching 2,072,000 ($2,811,704)
of Monaco event were generated by the registered bidders from 33 different countries on the telephone, over the Internet and assembled in the standing-room-only venue. RM welcomed a number of first-time clients to its Monaco debut with new bidders representing 28 per cent of all registrations. In addition, approximately 3,300 people watched the live streaming video coverage of the sale over the Internet.
Other notable auction results include:
a stunning 1938 Delahaye 135 MS Competition Cabriolet, s/n 49197, selling for 1,792,000 ($2,431,744)
a significant 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II ?Special Town Car? by Brewster, s/n 218 AMS, achieving 1,456,000 ($1,975,792)
a rare alloy-bodied 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C Berlinetta, s/n 07933 , selling for 784,000 ($1,063,888)
a fully-restored 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta, s/n 10045, selling for 767,200 ($1,041,090)
a matching-numbers 1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Zagato Spider, s/n 8513064 , fetching 879,200 ($1,193,074)
a historic 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster Le Mans Racing Car, s/n CSX 2136, bringing 744,800 ($1,010,694)
the well-known 1934 Rolls-Royce 40/50 hp Phantom II All Weather Cabriolet, s/n 188PY, celebrated as the ?Star of India?, reaching 644,000 ($873,908)
a superb 1950 Aston Martin DB2 Vantage Saloon, s/n LML/50/19, achieving 291,200 ($395,158) in a bidders? war; more than 100,000 over its high estimate of 175,000
The sale?s cover car, the 1937 BMW 328 MM ?Buegelfalte?, s/n 85032, considered one of the world?s most significant pre-war sports racing cars, exchanged hands within less than 24 hours of the sale?s conclusion for a confidential sum and is not included in the final sale results. However, the Buegelfalte had reached a high bid of ?4,300,000 ($5,835,100) and its addition to the final auction results produce the most successful collector auction in history.
* The figures include the buyer’s premium and are rounded to the nearest dollar. The exchange rate used at the time of the sale: 1 EURO = 1.357 USD
KENTUCKY BIKE BLESSING COMING– New Bike Blessing date is May 16th. We have already taken steps to get the word out to the Biking Community.
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT SPECIAL SUNDAY CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS THIS WORD: sesquipedalianism ses-kwi-PEED-l-iz-uhm, adjective:
1. Given to using long words.
2. (Of a word) containing many syllables.
Quoting those who insist on engaging in sesquipedalianism (using ?large words when smaller ones will do,?) Cavett romps and stomps over his subjects in a veritable malign-fest of the linguistically misguided.
— Susie Berta, Susie’s Year of Words – 2008 (Blog), April 14, 2008
It is very true that when the experiment of dictating is first tried, the luxury of the ease it gives is apt to be so great, that it tends to looseness and verbosity of style; for there is no better check on sesquipedalianism than the necessity of writing down one’s sesquipedalian words for one’s self.
— Christian Examiner, Volume 72
More unreal even than the sesquipedalianism that returned to him ? not as a matter for mockery but as a medium for expression ? in his lesser works and in his later days, was his moral purpose.
— Benedict Kiely, Poor scholar: a study of the works and days of William Carleton, 1794-1869
Sesquipedalianism appears in Horace’s Ars Poetica, meaning “words a foot-and-a-half long,” as an ironic criticism.
MAD BIKERNET METRIC SUPREME EDITOR IN CHIEF FOUND GUILTY– I apologize for the mass email but it has to be done sometimes. i wanted to let you know that the freedom or death machine needs to be on a truck to Austin, Texas from Saint motorbikes in Baltimore in four weeks, so time is of the essence.
Now that you’re in a big fucking hurry, would you take a photo of you with the part you are sending us? They will not be juxtaposed with chinese laborers or pink polo shirts, i promise. it’s my understanding that placing faces instead of logos in ads and posts will generate a feeling of bonding with readers and a sense of familiarity. With your photo, a potential client knows what you look like when they email or call. can you help?
Thanks for all you’ve done, guys. we’re doing all we can to make the freedom or death machine something that brings you more business and a bit of proper infamy. i’m a mad poet. jeff from saint is mad for believing in me. um. you are, too. thanks for thinking we’ve got something good going on. we can’t do it without you. please hurry with the stuff and send pix.
–Trent
BikernetMetric Editorial God
MOTORCYCLE DRAG RACING BOOK OF THE YEAR– There is nothing like the sound of two Harley-Davidsons leaving the line to get your adrenaline pumping. Harley-Davidson Drag Racing uses over 300 color photos and 144 pages to capture that same raw energy of unleashed V-twin power.
From your neighbor?s Sportster to the Top Fuel machines, the bikes are all here. Each chapter describes one of sixteen classes, with pictures of the bikes and an explanation of the rules that make that class unique.
Sidebars scattered throughout the book take the action inside the pits. Meet the riders capable of turning a 6 second quarter mile, the mechanics that keep it all running at 200 miles per hour, and the track officials who make each event possible.
With an abundance of color photos, Harley-Davidson Drag Racing is a visual feast. Whether you just want to drink in the action or learn more about the bikes and the classes, this book is sure to satisfy that need for speed.
Bikernet Insurance, Sunday, May 2, 2010: The Savings Continue– We do more than just quote rates at Bikernet Insurance. We go all out to put money back in your pocket and we make sure you get the best coverage for your hard-earned money. We make it so easy that even a biker with a bad credit-score can benefit. Case in point.
Bro contacts Bikenet Insurance last week to tell us he thinks his current insurance company is charging him too much for his motorcycle insurance. He was paying $785 annually for a 2004 HD Electra Glide. In that premium, included a charge of $60 for instalment fees. Too boot, they hit him with a $500 deductible on collision and comprehensive (all other losses).
We went to work fast for our brother and, after qualifying him for a good driver discount and an affiliation group member discount, he got an annual premium of only $489 annual with a $250 deductible. That’s a savings of almost $300. $296 back in his pocket to be exact.
We can do the same for you folks. Even if you already have motorcycle insurance today, you may be paying too much. Go Ahead. Go to www.bikernet.com/insurance and start your ride to savings. No point in paying any more than you have too for your motorcycle insurance.
Ride Safe Out There. We Care About You.
Bikernet Insurance Center LLC
CA 0G67810
Phone: 888-467-8703
Email
ClientService@Bikernet-Insurance.com
NRA-ILA GRASSROOTS ALERT, McCain, Tester, Childers And Souder Introduce Bills To Reform D.C.’S Gun Laws– This week, Senators John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Jon. Tester (D-Mont.), and Reps. Travis Childers (D-Miss.) and Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.), introduced the “Second Amendment Enforcement Act.” The Senate and House bills (S. 3265, with 14 Senate cosponsors and H.R. 5162, with 64 House co-sponsors, respectively) would eliminate several of the District’s most restrictive gun control laws passed in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark 2008 decision in District of Columbia v. Heller.
“We believe that residents across this country should be able to exercise their constitutional right to have access to firearms to protect themselves,” Sen. McCain said. Sen. Tester added, “This legislation sends a clear message: Washington, D.C., isn’t an exception when it comes to law-abiding folks and their Second Amendment rights.” Rep. Childers noted, “Today’s legislation seeks to secure for District residents the rights reinforced by the Supreme Court’s decision in Heller.”
Since the mid-1970s, D.C.’s gun control regimen has been similar to laws imposed in countries where-as Second Amendment author James Madison put it in The Federalist-“governments are afraid to trust the people with arms.”
A MEMO FROM THE BIKERNET VETERINARY CLINIC SPONSORED BY DANNI ASHE– A guy calls his buddy the horse rancher and says he’s sending a friend over to look at a horse.
His buddy asks, “How will I recognize him?”
That’s easy, he’s a midget with a speech impediment.”
So, the midget shows up, and the guy asks him if he’s looking for a male or female horse. “A female horth.” So he shows him a prized filly.
“Nith lookin horth. Can I thee her eyeth”? So the guy picks up the midget and he gives the horse’s eyes the once over.
“Nith eyeth, can I thee her earzth”? So he picks the little fella up again, and shows him the horse’s ears.
“Nith earzth, can I see her mouf”? The rancher is gettin’ pretty ticked off by this point, but he picks him up again and shows him the horse’s mouth.
“Nice mouf, ca! n I see her twat”?
Totally mad as fire at this point, the rancher grabs him under his arms and rams the midget’s head as far as he can up the horse’s twat, pulls him out and slams him on the ground. The midget gets up, sputtering and coughing.
“Perhapth I should rephrase that; Can I thee her wun awound a widdlebit”?
–from Monty Brown
NEW BOOK FROM MOTORBOOKS, Modern Motorcycle Technology: How Every Part of your Motorcycle Works– by Massimo Clarke.
Modern Motorcycle Technology offers motorcyclists an up-to-the-minute technical overview and explanation for all the major mechanical and electrical systems comprising their motorcycle. Whether you ride a sport bike, cruiser, tourer, dual-sport, or off-road machine you?ll learn precisely how your bike works, which will help you keep your motorcycle in top condition.Author Massimo Clarke takes you through all the major components of your motorcycle focusing on subjects such as engine architecture, fuel systems, transmission, and chassis.
The detailed text is accompanied by revealing photos and diagrams that illuminate precisely how these systems work. Whether new to motorcycling or a road-seasoned veteran rider, you?ll find page after page of fascinating information. Modern Motorcycle Technology is the single reference you?ll return to again and again.
Title: Modern Motorcycle Technology
Author: Massimo Clarke
ISBN-13: 978-0-7603-3819-3
Retail: $24.99 US
Binding: Paperback
Page count: 240 Pages
Publication Date: April 15, 2010
NEW FXRP BUILD THE THE CHOP N GRIND RACING TEAM– I purchased this ’89 fxrp for a $1000.00, after it had been sitting in the back of someone’s yard for over ten years. After bringing it home and using a little Marvrel Mystery oil, I got it running.
I rode it for about three years, from here to kingdom come. In my adventures I found a plethora of FXRT and FXRPS enthusiasts called BROTHER SPEED and after seeing what they had done with their FXRs, I was hooked.
BROTHER SPEED builds some the BADDEST AND FASTEST bikes I’ve ever seen, and this is my vision of their style with all the LOVE AND RESPECT I could dig up in my bike building soul, thanx FUCKIN BURLEY
–Larry
CHOPNGRIND RACING
SO.CAL
MRF Washington Update– Youth Motorcycle Ban and NHTSA Administrator Strickland– Thursday in Washington, the United States House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection held a hearing on the Consumer Product Safety Enhancement Act. This bill, which has yet to receive a number, aims to tighten up some of the problems with the initial consumer product safety act (CPSIA) such as the all-out ban of youth motorcycles and ATVs.
In the opening statements by the Members of the Committee, many of the problems with the current law were listed all the way from lack of exemption authority of the Consumer Product Safety Commission to job loss. One of the best examples of the consequences of the CPSIA was the forced removal of brass musical instruments and microscopes from schools because they contain too much lead.
The Motorcycle Industry Council?s (MIC) attorney gave testimony on why removing age appropriate models would be directly linked to greater injuries and that they need specific exemptions for youth motorcycles.
Several Members of the Committee agreed with the MIC that the ban on youth products with too much lead should not include the smaller motorcycles and ATVs.
The current law is flawed for many reasons but perhaps the best way to express it was said by George Radanovich (R-CA). He stated that “the FDA allows 1 microgram of lead per gram of candy, A toy maker wanted an exemption to the law but was denied. The toy he was seeking exemption for had less than 1 microgram of lead in a brass axle but it still exceed the consumer product safety levels.”
Much work remains on this issue, but the hearing was a positive step in putting this issue to rest.
NHTSA?s New Chief
The MRF also met with the new National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s new Administrator, David Strickland. ABATE of IL was in DC lobbying, so they put some pressure on former IL Member of Congress Ray LaHood to push a meeting request with the Administrator. LaHood, being a former MRF Champ winner, made it happen. The AMA also joined in on the productive meeting.
Recently at a US House hearing, Strickland commented that motorcycle helmet use should be the ?core? of motorcycle safety programs so this meeting was especially important. During the meeting Strickland behaved as any government safety official would, he defended helmet law, saying he is a “data guy” and that he has to “follow the numbers”. He also agreed that there are other aspects to motorcycle safety – one of the most important is education. The MRF congratulates Mr. Strickland on his post and we look forward to working with him. Who knows, we may even see him on a motorcycle at some point as he expressed interest in learning to ride a motorcycle. We say “Go for it Administrator!”
Bikers Inside the Beltway
Don?t forget to mark your calendars for the National Motorcycle Safety Month event in Washington, D.C. The date is set for May 20th, 2010 and will begin the day around 9 on the national mall. This will be a day of educating the Congress on the importance of motorcycle awareness and motorcycle safety. Contact the MRF office if you plan on attending or want more information.
BIKERNET STAFFER GETS PULLED OVER– A Texas State trooper pulled a car over on I-10 about 2 miles west of the Louisiana / TX state line. When the trooper asked the driver why he was speeding, the driver said he was a Bikernet Magician and Juggler and was on his way to Lake Charles to do a show at the Shrine Circus. He didn’t want to be late.
The trooper told the driver he was fascinated by juggling and said if the Driver would do a little juggling for him then he wouldn’t give him a ticket. He told the trooper he had sent his equipment ahead and didn’t have anything to juggle.
The trooper said he had some flares in the trunk and asked if he could juggle them. The juggler said he could, so the trooper got 5 flares, lit them and handed them to him.
While the man was juggling, a car pulled in behind the patrol car. A drunken good old boy from Jasper, TX got out, watched the performance, then went over to the patrol car, opened the rear door and got in. The trooper observed him and went over to the patrol car, opened the door asking the Drunk what he thought he was doing.
The drunk replied, ‘You might as well take my ass to jail, cause there ain’t NO way I can pass that test.’
–CB
IT’S MARGARITA TIME AT THE HEADQUARTERS–I fixed by Sturgis Shovelhead. I pulled the rear tappet stool, and the rear exhaust tappet roller was shot. I checked the oil for metal fragments, but it seemed to be cool. I contacted Larry Settle, of Settle’s Motorcycles in Harbor City. He had a set of rollers, so we replace all the tappet rollers. That solved the squeak.
Berry Wardlaw, the master engine builder from Accurate Engineering sent me his recommendations for 42 mm Mikuni Carb jetting. I checked the main jet and shifted from a 155 to a 160 jet. He reminded me to check for air leaks, which it did and discovered a loose clamp. Let your bike idle and spray WD40 or contact cleaner around the intake manifold or the back of the carb. If the idle changes, smoothes, or speeds up, you have a leak. I had a leak, tightened the clamp and she’s good to go. Damn, what a good feeling to own a running motorcycle again.
On top of that, Larry checked the float boat, needle and seat in the good Doctor’s VL Linkert carb. He adjusted the float, checked it, replaced some gaskets, and this afternoon the VL will be complete once more.
Plus, through the English mag Back Street Heroes I discovered a woman who collects Pin-up girl art. What could be better.
Have a terrific week. I’m going for a ride.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
