Hey,
It’s cold in the Bikernet Shop this Sunday. Goddamnit, one day it’s chilly, the next it’s summer on the coast. Wish it would make up its mind.
There was two Birthday parties in Pedro last night, my choice lost out, and the girls piled in a car and peeled to the San Pedro Brewing company. I stayed home, drank Coronas and helped a brother, Zack Conor, rebuild his 2005 Sportster rear brakes. He had no pedal and I checked it out from stem to stern. One of his brake pads was shot, so I sent him to the dealership. He returned the next week, same problem with new brake pads. This time we discovered no movement in the fluid, so we pulled the mastercylinder off the bike. The bastard is under the frame, what a bitch to reach.
When we pulled it apart, and discovered a split rubber piston. Next, was the hunt to find another mastercylinder or a rebuild kit. California Harley said, “We don’t sell any Sportster parts, so we don’t stock them.”
We peeled out to Los Angeles H-D. No problem, bought a rebuild kit and returned to the Bikernet Nerve center to complete the job. Zack recently bought the Chowder Barge, a floating restaurant on the Los Angeles harbor. You’ll see reports on his restoration in the near future. Don’t start to imagine a massive gambling yacht. This is currently a barely floating dive, but when he’s finished, it will be a cool hangout. Let’s hit the news, then I’ll finish the tech explanation. It wasn’t all peaches and Dot5:
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT CONFUSING WORD OF THE DAY SPONSORED BY HARLEY-DAVIDSON–megrim MEE-grim, noun:
1. A migraine.
2. A fancy; a whim.
3. In the plural: lowness of spirits — often with ‘the’.
That might justify her, fairly enough, in being kept away from meeting now and again by headaches, or undefined megrims.
— Harold Frederic, The Damnation of Theron Ware
Tonight, by some megrim of the scheduler, I have the honor of working with the departmental chairman, Dr. B.
— Pamela Grim, Just Here Trying to Save a Few Lives
They do say it’s always darkest before the dawn, she thought. I reckon this is proof of it. I’ve got the megrims, that’s all.
— Stephens Mitchell, Scarlett
Sinwu learned a long time ago that the best way to deal with El Effe’s megrims was to maintain an attitude of determined cheerfulness.
–Renegade, Bikernet.com
Megrim is from Middle English migrem, from Middle French migraine, modification of Late Latin hemicrania, “pain in one side of the head,” from Greek hemikrania, from hemi-, “half” + kranion, “skull.”
MORE SONS OF ANARCHY REPORTS, SECRETS, COMING FROM THE RIVER RAT– How would you feel about a part 3 of the soa? Their pr guy called and we discussed that option. He’s going to set me up with their transpo people to talk about the actual set bikes and other stuff that might be worth another chapter. Meanwhile, they start shooting on April 30, so I’d like to get this part submitted before that date.
We talked some about the script, which is not yet written but the opener is and he says there will be a death..made me laff…BIG leak there. He did tell me that at the wrap party last season, the prospect “Half sack” who was killed off at the end, got his full patch. Lotta good that did him, huh?
–River Rat
HARLEY REPORT CONTROVERSY CONTINUES, Dear Bruce Snyder– As a writer I always appreciate feedback on my editorials.
As I stated and you agree with the AMF merger was necessary to help ensure the future of Harley-Davidson. I also stated that at the time of the buyout in the Eighties it was a win/win situation for both parties as AMF sold off the liability that Harley-Davidson represented on their books while Harley-Davidson was brought under new management. As you pointed out Harley-Davidson ?was literally hours away from crashing and burning because of financial insolvency.? During its time under AMF, Harley Davidson had been able to use AMF to fund research and development. The Evolution motor, rubber mount drivetrans, and the softail frame were the result of this R&D. Even the V-rod?s roots can be traced back to R&D during AMF years.
You state that Harley?s rebel bravado came after the buyout yet models such as the Superglide and the FX lines of motorcycles were introduced in the 1970s and were billed as Harley?s answer to customized motorcycles. The heritage and tradition I reference is the way the Softail frame mimics the lines of a traditional rigid frame Harley-Davidson motorcycle. As you point out the origin and inventor of the Softail frame is heavily disputed. An aftermarket Softail frame was available several years before the introduction in 1984. Once again it seems you confirm my statement that Harley Davidson relied heavily on the aftermarket.
Custom built motorcycles are nothing new. Builders such as Arlen Ness and the like have been around for decades along with many small independent shops. Companies like California Motorcycle Company; later to become Indian Motorcycle (1999) however were few and far between before the late 1990’s. Since then we have seen companies such as Suck Punch (2002), Big Dog (1994), Flyrite, Exile Cycle (1995), Excelsior-Henderson (1999), American Ironhorse (1995), OCC (1999) “mass” producing clone, imitation, knockoff, pseudo ?Harley? style motorcycles.
You also agree Harley -Davidson would lobby the Federal government. I wrongly assumed that most readers knew that as a major motor vehicle manufacture Harley is held to stricter federal regulations for such things as mirrors, lights, noise, and safety then small ?limited run? manufactures. Harley-Davidson also mass-produces motorcycles for the California market which has the strictest regulations in the country. As you point out in lobbying for tougher guidelines for motorcycles Harley-Davidson is hoping to bring the other manufactures up to the same level of safety requirements that they have to adhere too. Companies that cannot will be forced to close. One only has to look at recent laws being passed that state not only does a motorcycle exhaust has to be EPA approved but must also be OEM to see the influence.
All markets are different. I know that Colorado, Las Vegas, and Texas have very strong used motorcycle sales but in talks with family friends, and associates over 200 motorcycles have been traded-in in recent years in other markets but less then 10% have resurfaced. Phoning my local dealers revealed each had less then 8 used bikes available.
You also agree that there are dealers who refuse to work on older motorcycles. As for you assertion that waiting lists were more prevalent a decade ago the figure would appear to be more like 15 to 20 years ago. A decade ago many would be consumers were already waiting for 100th Anniversary models to be coming out in less then 2 1/2 years. Yes, it is possible to walking into a dealership and purchase a new black Roadking but if the consumer is looking for a specific color and model, a new Red Hot Sunglo Softail Custom for example, they will have to wait for delivery. Dealers are only allotted motorcycles based on their previous years sales.
Some dealers may only be allotted 50 motorcycles total for a year while other high volume dealers maybe allotted 50 Screamin? Eagle models alone. In areas of the country more affected by the downturn in the economy many people loss their jobs so they have canceled their order or deferred delivery. So while some market may have 10 of each model and color, others don?t. You may ask why we not simply buy from outside of your region to get your bike now? Of the ten dealerships I?m in regular contact with only two will perform warranty work on motorcycles purchased from other dealerships.
Yes, Evo motors and accessories are listed as available through the Accessory Catalogs however many part numbers come up as back ordered with no ETA as to when or if they will be available again. Dealers are reluctant to order older parts, as they are unfamiliar with the models and interchange ability. They would rather turn a customer away then risk being stuck with a part or accessory that they consider obsolete. Even fewer are willing to install parts on older motorcycles. Again as I stated in my article and you agree many “legacy” bikes are repaired at smaller, independent shops instead of at the dealership.
Finally, you state that Harley only scaled back production in response to declining demand and sales in the depressed economy. Sound business sense however Harley Davidson decrease production numbers in the years prior to the current financial collapse. Your assertion would mean Wall Street, most major corporations, and the Federal government all failed to see it what Harley-Davidson did.
Thank you for comments and providing examples to support my editorial. I am however confused why, when it appears that you agree with the majority of my editorial you would regard it as fiction.
Sidebar, Bruce – Adj. 1. pseudo – (often used in combination) not genuine but having the appearance of; counterfeit, imitative – not genuine; imitating something superior.
–Wayne Wuschke
DAVID MANN TRIBUTE BIKE HITS THE STREETS– I finally got this old bike legal and rode it over two hundred trouble free miles. The trans leaks a tiny bit behind the sprocket but it is quite in all the gears and it runs as good or better than the black ’56 I used to have. I glued Dave’s self portrait on the tank with a little dedication. If anyone objects I will remove it.
Really sorry about Jesse’s scandal, would love to hear his side of it. If Sandra wants a biker boy that won’t screw around, I’m single. LOL I plan on being back in Vegas by winter or maybe even So Cal if doesn’t fall in the ocean. I can’t take any more Oklahoma winters.
The Pan is for sale, I owe citicorp 17K and I hope it will set me free.
–Bill
Check me out!
SEMA Publishes Guide to New Healthcare plan– In March 2010, President Obama signed legislation into law which mandates health care coverage for most Americans. The new law impacts virtually everyone. It contains provisions that will benefit many SEMA members, such as exchanges which will offer small businesses access to a variety of competitively priced plans. For other members, it may have a profound negative impact (e.g. mandates on larger companies and not enough cost controls).
Some parts of the law have already taken effect but most of it will be phased-in over the next few years. The following are highlights of provisions that directly impact companies, workers and individuals, along with a timeline for implementation:
Individual Mandate
For the first time in American history, individuals will be required to obtain ?essential minimum coverage? for themselves and their dependents, beginning in 2014. The rationale for the individual mandate is to ensure that everyone participates in the system, thereby increasing the risk pool and potentially reducing overall costs. If individuals do not obtain coverage, a $95 penalty will be assessed in 2014, increasing to $325 in 2015, and $695 in 2016.
After 2016, the penalties increase by the cost-of-living adjustment. The government will provide subsidies for lower-income and unemployed individuals. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will be responsible for the verification and enforcement of this requirement. Whether the federal government has the authority to impose the mandate is subject to court challenge.
Employer Mandate
The law imposes significant requirements on mid- and large-size companies, but is friendly to ?small? businesses. Employers with 50 or fewer employees are not required to provide health insurance. However, they are provided tax credits as a mechanism to voluntarily offer coverage. The law allows employers to go over the 50-employee limit for 120 days when using seasonal employees.
While there is no direct mandate, companies with 50 or more employees must effectively offer qualified coverage by 2014 since they will be penalized as soon as any full-time employee receives a government subsidy under the individual mandate. If the penalty is triggered, the government will impose a fee of $2,000 for every full-time employee (30 hours or more per week), minus the first 30 employees. A company with 51 employees, for example, would be assessed a fine of $42,000 annually.
Exchanges For years, SEMA has lobbied in favor of legislation that would allow small companies to purchase nationwide insurance or bargain collectively within state lines, thereby infusing competition into the marketplace. The law establishes a mechanism for achieving this result through ?exchanges.?
Every state is required to establish a health insurance exchange by 2014, if not sooner. Under the exchange, small businesses and individuals will be offered a menu of private-sector health plans, which have been established under common rules regarding the offering and pricing of insurance. The exchange has the ability to pool a large number of potential consumers and thereby help organize a more competitive marketplace, especially if cost is a primary issue. Consumers will be provided with transparent information to help understand the options and differences between the plans (covered benefits, deductibles, premium costs, etc.).
The exchanges will be called the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP), for companies, and the American Health Benefit Exchange for individuals. The exchanges may also be combined. They will be administered by a government agency or a non-profit organization. The SHOP exchange will be open to all companies with up to 100 employees. Beginning in 2017, states will have the option of allowing companies with more than 100 workers to participate as well.
States may also form regional exchanges or allow more than one exchange to operate in a state as long as each exchange serves a distinct geographic area. The federal government will contract with private insurers to offer at least two national or multi-state plans in each exchange. The federal government will also seek to foster the creation of non-profit health insurance companies to help spur competition.
There will be four benefit categories of exchange plans, plus a separate catastrophic plan. All of the plans will provide essential health benefits with an out-of-pocket limit equal to the Health Savings Account (HSA) current law limit ($5,950 for individuals and $11,900 for families in 2010). The plans will differ in the amount of covered costs: 60% (bronze), 70% (silver), 80% (gold) and 90% (platinum).
Small-Business Tax Credits The law provides an immediate tax credit to small employers that purchase insurance if they have no more than 25 employees and average annual wages of less than $50,000. The credit varies according to size, wages and the amount of employer contribution for the premium. Beginning in 2014, small businesses that purchase through a SHOP exchange will be eligible for a two-year tax credit, based on firm size and average annual wages.
Taxes
The law will cost an estimated $940 billion over 10 years and provide coverage for 32 million Americans, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The revenues will be collected through a variety of resources. Medicare taxes on individuals earning more than $200,000 a year ($250,000 for couples), for example, will jump from 1.45% to 2.35%. There will also be a new 3.8% tax on unearned income, such as dividends and interest. A 40% excise tax will be imposed on insurers of employee-sponsored health plans with values that exceed $10,200 for individuals and $27,500 for families. There will even be a 10% tax for indoor tanning services.
Other Provisions
The law imposes a variety of restrictions on the insurance industry. It prohibits individual and group health plans from placing lifetime limits on the dollar value of coverage, or annual limits on the dollar value of coverage. It provides dependent coverage for children up to age 26 for all individual and group policies, and prohibits pre-existing condition exclusions for children. The law establishes a national high-risk pool to provide health coverage to other individuals with pre-existing conditions.
The law limits deductibles for health plans in the small group market to $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for families unless contributions are offered to offset deductibles above these limits. It also provides grants for up to five years to small employers that establish wellness programs and allows companies to offer employee rewards to participate (premium discounts, waivers of cost-sharing requirements, etc.).
Timeline for Major Provisions
2010
* Tax subsidies for very small businesses that provide coverage.
* Children permitted to stay on parents? policies until 26th birthday.
* Insurance companies barred from denying coverage to children with pre-existing illness.
2011
* Businesses must begin reporting the value of health care benefits on employees’ W-2 statements.
2012
* New information reporting is required for businesses making payments in excess of $600 over the course of a calendar year to corporations.
2013
* A new 0.9% surtax will be tacked onto the 1.45% Medicare payroll taxes paid by individuals earning more than $200,000 per year or joint filers earning more than $250,000 per year. A new 3.8% Medicare surtax will also be imposed on these same individuals/couples. It will be the lesser of: (1) net investment income; or (2) any modified adjusted gross income over the threshold amount.
* The threshold for claiming medical expense deductions rises from 7.5% of adjusted gross income to 10% (the threshold will remain at 7.5% for individuals 65 or older until 2016).
* Contributions to health care flexible spending arrangement will be limited to $2,500. The cap will be indexed to inflation beginning in 2014.
2014
* SHOP exchanges for small businesses take effect (if not sooner). Subsidies available to participating small companies based on wages and number of employees.
* Large companies (more than 50 employees) must provide affordable coverage or risk a fine of $2,000 per employee, excluding the first 30 employees.
* All individuals must now have minimum insurance or pay a $95 penalty.
2015
* Penalty for individuals that don?t have minimum insurance rises to $325.
2016
* Penalty for individuals that don?t have minimum insurance rises to $695, and is thereafter tied to inflation.
2017
* Businesses with more than 100 workers may buy coverage through the SHOP exchange, if state permits.
2018
* A 40% excise tax on high-cost health insurance plans takes effect. Paid by insurers, the tax is on the amount in excess of $10,200 for individuals and $27,500 for families.
NEW SERIES OF BIKER NOVELS AROUND CHANCE HOGAN– Bandit, just wanted to let you know I received the copy of your new book you sent me, it just proves to me the brotherhood is still alive, and you can be sure I will pass the love on, you are a true brother.
You are an example of what I have been trying to teach my three sons and daughter about, that there is a Biker Nation and we take care of each other. I can’t wait to start reading the new book and, as soon as I finish the book my second son Dominic got me “Lone Survivor” about a Navy Sea team I’m going to start it. Lastly if you’re ever in Ohio, in the Cleveland area call me, if I’m back on my feet, I’ll take you to dinner or, have my ole’lady cook you one of her great Italian meals and we’ll have some Jack.
Your bro
— Andy
peechsteel@aol.com
Mr. Insurance himself, Marc Beaulieu
BIKERNET INSURANCE TAKES ON THE GOODGUYS ROD & CUSTOM SHOW– Del Mar, California: Saturday, April 10, 2010 – The GoodGuys Rod & Custom Association put on a great show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds this weekend. This Rod & Custom Association is the biggest and best hot rodding association in the USA and it was easy to see why at the GoodGuys Nationals on Saturday.
It seemed like everyone was there. Parking lots overflowed with excited fans. Vendors were really busy doing trade (except for the beer stands who forgot that we are in a recession – trying to sell warm beer at $8.25 for a small glass was insulting). There had to be 1,000 cars exhibited. This looked like one of the biggest shows I’ve attended in years.
Motorcycle companies had a nice presence at the show. The good folks at California Boss Hoss, Harbor City, were in full force with their exhibit and huge selection of products. Chatted with their rep, Victor Vert, who said this was one of their best showing so far this year. They also had Big Dogs and and Big Bear Choppers on hand for all of us to admire. Superb exhibit. Their latest custom V-8 Boss Hoss is one of my favorites.
Also with a big presence were the guys from the California Scooter Company. These good looking scooters were inspired by the legendary Mustang Motorcycle. Good inventory with flashy colors. One of these beauties can be had for less than $5,000. Good deal from all I could determine. You can see their Scooters at www.californiascooterco.com .
Also inspected the B/Gas Streamliner, The American Eagle. What a machine this is? This Streamliner set a new speed record of 331.126 MPH at Bonneville Salt Flats on September 19, 2009. The American Eagle was designed, constructed and is driven by Skip Hedrich. What a talent this guy is.
Chatted with the president of Stith Printing, Kevin Smith, who was there with his team selling vintage signs, T-shirts and promoting his business. They are out of Santa Fe Springs and do excellent stitching work on all kinds of clothing. Good guy who does good work. Check him out at www.stithprinting.com.
Spent some time with artist and sculptor pro, Clyde “Ross” Morgan. His art is absolutely amazing. His body of work reflects the Southwest and the Grand Canyon . His work using early rustic-looking Ford models was top notch. Check him out at www.clyderossmorgan.com.
There were so many beautiful cars that I lost track. One that caught my attention was a $95,000 Corvette conversion from the guys at Classic Reflection Coachworks (CRC) out of Lakewood, Washington. They deserve a look at www.crcoachworks.com.
This is one of my favorite gear head shows. For more information, fans can go to www.good-guys.com. You can get an annual membership and support the association for only $35 per year.
Bottom-line, anybody that’s anybody and all of us who love vintage cars, hot rods and motorcycles should attend these GoodGuys shows. Very well put together. An amazingly perfect day for a gear head.
–Marc B.
Bikernet Insurance Center LLC
Continued On Page 2
