Hey,
Women and their sneaky ways. Right in the middle of pouring over the Sturgis Shovel daily, riding it, testing it and tweaking it, I get a call. My grandson, Franky, wants to come over and work on his mini-chopper, according to his mom. I?m thinking I don?t have a spare minute, but the sly Sin Wu wispers in my ear, ?There?s nothing going on this weekend. You have the time. Then she promises some long languid evening of bedside frolics. I go for it.
That?s cool, I think. I?ve meant to get together with Franky for a while and his football practice session will begin soon. Then Saturday morning it starts. Let?s get to the news and I?ll explain.
New Transmission and Stiffer Swingarm for all XB Models
EAST TROY, Wis. (July 23, 2005) – Buell Motorcycle Company will extend the reach of its product line in 2006 with the introduction of two new models, the Ulysses XB12X Adventure Sportbike and the Lightning Long XB12Ss, a longer version of the original Lightning XB12S that maximizes comfort. In addition, all 2006 Buell Lightning and Firebolt models are enhanced with a new swingarm design, a new transmission and a redesigned intake system.
The 2006 Buell product line features eight models: the Firebolt XB9R and Firebolt XB12R sportfighters; the Lightning family of streetfighters, including the Lightning CityX XB9SX, Lightning XB12S, Lightning XB12Scg and the new Lightning Long XB12Ss; the new Ulysses XB12X adventure sportbike and the versatile Buell Blast.
Buell Gets Dirty and Goes Long
The new Ulysses XB12X is an Adventure Sportbike with long-travel suspension and aggressive tires designed to offer outstanding performance on paved and unpaved roads. With a dry weight of just 425 pounds and the broad powerband of the 103-hp Buell Thunderstorm 1203 V-Twin engine, the Ulysses will offer an outstanding power-to-weight ratio and sporting performance on the tight-and-twisty back roads that often lead to dirt roads. (See Ulysses XB12X releases for details.)
A larger frame and extended swingarm stretch the wheelbase of the new Lightning Long XB12Ss to 54 inches, two inches longer than the Lightning XB12S, to give this model a more relaxed personality and a cockpit that may better suit taller riders. Fuel capacity of the Lightning Long is 4.4 gallons, compared to 3.8 gallons for the Lightning XB12S. Handling remains quick and responsive, and the thrust of the Buell Thunderstorm 1203 V-Twin is undiminished. (See separate Lightning release for details on the Lightning Long XB12Ss.)
Updates Enhance All 2006 XB Models
All Buell XB models benefit from the following design changes in 2006:
New Swingarm
Designed to be significantly lighter and stiffer, the new XB swingarm weighs 0.56 pounds less than the previous swingarm, a significant reduction in already low unsprung weight. The XB swingarm continues to double as the engine oil reservoir, and the oil-fill cap has a new easy-to-open design and is relocated for better access. The upper and lower belt guards and rear inner fenders have also been reshaped.
A New Transmission, Lighter Clutch, Stronger Belt
A redesigned transmission for all Buell XB models offers reduced mass and improved shift quality, quieter operation and extended service intervals. This transmission replaces moving/sliding gears with thin steel “dog rings” that slide to cause gear changes, a design commonly used in automotive racing gear boxes. Because the dog rings have less mass than gears, shifting is quicker. New helical-cut gears are smoother and quieter than straight-cut gears. The new transmission requires Buell Formula + Oil, and the oil change interval for the primary/transmission case is extended from 5,000 miles to 10,000 miles. Clutch effort has been reduced by 15 percent (on 984cc powertrain) and 22 percent (on 1203cc powertrain) due to a lighter spring. Finally, a new Goodyear Hibrex final drive belt with Flexten Plus technology has been reinforced for enhanced durability. The new belt weighs just over one pound, compared to drive chains that can weigh up to five pounds, a significant contribution to the Buell philosophy of minimizing unsprung weight.
New Air Intake System
The engine air intake is relocated and integrated with a wrap-around fuel cap cowling in the airbox cover, where air flows through an aluminum hex screen. The new intake system replaces the intake duct that previously passed through the left-side frame section, and thus also results in increased fuel capacity to 3.82 gallons, as the frame doubles as the fuel tank. The duct on the left side of the motorcycle below the frame now delivers cool air exclusively to the rear cylinder.
New Tie-Down Connection
All XB models feature new rear reflector brackets with an eye designed to act as a tie-down point for cargo. The passenger heel guard can also act as a tie-down point.
Sioux Falls Argus Leader, SD – What do you get when you cross SportsCenter with the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally?
Kenny Mayne has no idea. “I’ve never been much of a motorcycle guy,” admits the quirky ESPN anchor, who will broadcast live from the world-famous biker bonanza next month. “In fact, I can’t tell you if I’ve ever been on one. But I know this is a big happening.”
Big enough to be part of “SportsCenter Across America,” an ambitious summer trek that started Sunday at Boston’s Fenway Park and swung through the “Field of Dreams” in Dyersville, Iowa, on Wednesday.
The idea is to send ESPN’s flagship studio show into the sporting heart of America – where various anchors will visit 50 states in 50 days to showcase unique events.
The Sturgis rally, which began as a motorcycle race in 1938 and now packs more than 500,000 bikers into a town of 6,000, was presumably chosen to salute our state’s tolerance for leather and loitering.
In the roving-set tradition of “College GameDay,” Mayne will file his SportsCenter report from the corner of First Street and Main – with Sturgis’ circus-like main drag as backdrop.
And you thought the frat boys from Purdue were disruptive?
Luckily for ESPN, Mayne is on the case. Though not quite an honorary Bandido, the deadpan anchor’s refusal to take sports too seriously has earned him a cult following.
“We’ll have a good (joke) or two, but we want to celebrate the event rather than parody it,” Mayne said from his Connecticut home this week.
“It will be fun to find out who the people are who do this. I’m predicting that it will be sort of like Raider Nation, which I did a story on recently. They looked sort of scary, but most of them turned out to be accountants or insurance salesmen.”
It’s natural to question why the folks at SportsCenter – which debuted in 1979 and draws 88 million viewers a month – chose to cover a motorcycle rally. Spending time at a rodeo or the state amateur baseball tournament might have better illustrated our summer sports scene.
But the ESPN tour already includes the Snake River Stampede in Idaho and the Prison Rodeo (don’t ask) in Oklahoma. And baseball is all over the board – including the Cal Ripken tournament in North Dakota and a Durham Bulls minor-league game in North Carolina.
Besides, it could be worse. The people of Maine are reeling from being told that a Blueberry Festival pie-eating contest is essentially the pinnacle of their existence.
“We wanted to find some obscure events that provide a feel of Americana,” says Dan Quinn, ESPN’s director of communications. “We do SportsCenter from Bristol (Conn.) all the time. Instead of talking into cameras, we wanted to go out and see who our fans are.”
And this is not all about Sturgis.
As part of its on-site report, ESPN will furnish South Dakota factoids (the state’s highest point is Harney Peak – at 7,242 feet!) and reveal the results of an ongoing ESPN.com poll.
The voting includes topics such as favorite team, most memorable sports moment (make it Billy Mills’ 1964 gold medal) and favorite personality – a competitive category in which Sitting Bull goes up against Cheryl Ladd.
–fromRogue
Thought the Bikernet.com readers might want to know about the premier tattoo contest that will be happening in Sturgis this year at Thunder Road.
Uncle Rusty’s Tattoo Contest sponsored by Miller Productions Tuesday August 9th, Thunder Road.
Registration $10
Registration 12-1:30
Judging 2-5 pm
Lots of categories including sexiest female tattoo, best biker/miltary tattoo and lots more
Compete for cash and prizes or just come out and watch.
–Ken
Sounds like the Shovel is running good , that’s great…Bet you can`t wait to get on the road to Sturgis.
Just want to say the Thursday Post was outstanding. You out did yourself again.
Be Cool
–Bob T
The only thing it missed was old shot of antique bikes and vintage riders from your collection. I miss that shit. –Bandit
Dear Bandit, We have been incredibly busy the past few months. Post-production work on SHIFTED has been very time consuming, especially since we upgraded our editing studio. It has been very exciting to see the film take shape, so we wanted to share our progress with you.
Our composer, Scott Ericson has finished the score for the film, incorporating the music of Neal Casal, Hazy Malaze and Joan Wasser. We are most fortunate to have so many talented people involved with the film. www.nelsonmadisonfilms.com
Our new Flash website was launched on April 1st. We wanted to be able to show you pictures of the cast with links to their IMDB pages, pictures of some of our locations and also some of the songs featured in SHIFTED.
One of our favorite locations in SHIFTED was The Midnight Mission on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. This mission provides hundreds of meals daily to LA’s homeless men, women and children. They also provide a Safe Sleep area to 200 people each night, when they convert their parking lot into a safe outside sleeping environment. On our website, you can link to their website, where you can read about their great contribution to the city. A recent count found that there are more than 90,000 homeless in Los Angeles.
FILM FESTIVALS
Linda Nelson Looking for a US Premiere
Now that SHIFTED is finished, we will be submitting it to film festivals across the country. Last week, we completed our application for Sundance and dropped off our DVD to their office, here in Los Angeles. Everyone was really helpful and answered all our questions. We hope to complete at least two or three applications a month for the next several months, so that we will be able make our travel plans. Several of the festivals are here in California, but we hope to travel to Utah, Texas, New York and Canada.
Once we know where SHIFTED will be screening, we will start posting the dates and times on the website. Hopefully, we will get to see you all as we travel to different cities.
I wanted to tell you about this site at
Andrei Rybkin
HDW
5036 Alhama Dr
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
Tel.(818) 887-9065
Fax:(818) 887-9076
E-Mail: andrei@hdwheels.com
Web Site: www.hdwheels.com
The power mower was broken and wouldn’t run. The wife kept hinting to her husband that he should get it fixed. But, somehow the message never sank in.
Finally she thought of a clever way to make her point. When her husband arrived home one day, he found her seated in the tall grass, busily snipping away with a tiny pair of sewing scissors.
He watched silently for a short time and then went into the house. He was gone only a few moments. When he came out again he handed her a toothbrush.
He said, “When you finish cutting the grass you might as well sweep the sidewalks.”
The doctor says he will probably walk again, but he will always limp.
–from Chris T.
SPORTSTER builder sets from Gardner-Westcott come in chrome plate and stainless steel and are appropriate fasteners for the motor mounts, rocker box, lifter base, motor case, oil pump mount, points, cam and primary covers, intake manifold mount and header acorns. Only the head bolts need to be ordered separately.
Gardner-Westcott can also offer fasteners for frame and cycle parts for Sportsters, in both single and dual disc configurations.
GARDNER-WESTCOTT The criminal aspects of the case of Jason LaFore, killed on his motorcycle while on his way to work at the family motorcycle shop business last Fall, have been finalized in Jefferson County District Court as of Tuesday, July 19. An out-of-state driver turned left in front of him on Sheridan Blvd. in Lakewood on Ocotober 30, 2004, blocking his path of travel. Gregory Nestor was charged with Careless Driving Resulting in Death – a Class 1 misdemeanor under Colorado statute. The Tuesday venue was scheduled as a motions hearing, another in a series of motions and continuances covering many months. Surprisingly, the defendant plead guilty to the charge at this hearing, and his legal counsel attempted to acquire some leniency by painting a picture of the victim contributing to the crash and aftermath by allegedly speeding and not wearing a helmet. According to Chris LaFore, mother of Jason, the original assistant DA on the case had resigned and was replaced by a female prosecutor who took a hard line on the case; Judge Demlow also refused to buy into the arguments of the defense. The maximum sentence available under law was handed down: One year in jail, $1000 fine + costs, and restitution. Points against the license should also be assessed where reciprocity exists between states. The defendant’s attorney asked that his client be permitted to return to his home state to serve the sentence – this was denied. The LaFore Family and LaFore’s M/C are well-respected and have been an integral part of the Denver area motorcycling community for many years. They had previously lost another son, Christian, in July of 1999 to a driver engaged in similar actions. That driver in that case was not charged. We thank the prosecutor and judge for “getting it right”, and we send the LaFore Family our best wishes and thoughts as they carry on. –Dave Christy –from Rogue This a great vest for riding in the heat. You might need one for Sturgus I got a 2X and it will keep you cool, it`s like air conditioning, check it out….I know it`s black ,but it works. All us Desert Rats got them. http://www.coolingapparel.com/shop/vest/MCV_B.htm>http://www.coolingapparel.com/shop/vest/MCV_B.htm –Bob T One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, “My son, the battle is between two “wolves” inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy,sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.” The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: “Which wolf wins?” The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.” –from Chris T. Bigger Air?Better Tracks…More Speed? Coming Soon to a City Near You FORT WORTH, TX ? July 21, 2005 – Advanstar Communications ? a leading publisher of print, event, and online media for the powersports, off-road, and automotive aftermarket industries ? today released the schedule for its 2005-2006 Arenacross Championship Series. The Arenacross Championship Series will kick off its national professional and amateur racing tour at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas on November 4-6, 2005 in conjunction with the 25th Annual Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows Presented by Toyota Trucks. Four of the 12 race Arenacross series events will be held in conjunction with the flagship International Motorcycle Shows brand, Advanstar will offer a Mega Motorcycle Weekend to fans, racers, sponsors, and supporters alike. Through discounted combo ticket pricing, special racing features and event promotions, the latest accessories and merchandise for sale, and even more branding and exposure opportunities for sponsors, enthusiasts of all ages are in store for action, value, and excitement like never before. ?Advanstar?s commitment to building a breakthrough Arenacross Championship Series, including an all-star race program produced by a hand-picked veteran staff, will enable us to capture the hearts and minds of fans, riders and teams at every stop along the way,? said Mike Kidd, Race Director for Advanstar Communications. ?Backed with strong industry support, we have designed and created our new series to enhance Arenacross racing. From opening ceremonies to the final checkered flag, that?s exactly what we?ll do,? Kidd added. The complete Arenacross Championship Series race schedule is as follows: Nov 4-6, 2005* Ft. Worth Convention Center, Ft. Worth, TX Nov 11-13, 2005 The Family Arena, St. Louis, MO Nov 18-20, 2005* Denver Coliseum, Denver, CO Dec 2-4, 2005 The E-Center, Salt Lake City, UT Dec 9-11, 2005* Long Beach Arena, Long Beach, CA Dec 16-18, 2005 Glendale Arena, Glendale, AZ Jan 6-8, 2006 Sovereign Center, Reading, PA Jan 13-15, 2006 Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Winston-Salem, NC Jan 20-22, 2006 Cricket Arena, Charlotte, NC Jan 27-29, 2006 Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center Arena, Augusta, GA Feb 3-5, 2006* Target Center, Minneapolis, MN Feb 10-12, 2006 Tulsa Convention Center Arena, Tulsa, OK *Indicates round in conjunction with the 25th Annual Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows? Presented by Toyota Trucks The newest Martin Bros. exhaust pipe is showing all of its tricks at MC Advantages. Trixstas are the first right-side drive pipe from Martin Bros. to have optional heat shields. These mandrel-bent pipes are finished with the highest quality chrome layered over .065 thickness steel. The aggressively bent pipes are available in chrome, chrome with internal ceramic coating, two-tone chrome/black ceramic exterior and all-black ceramic exterior. For increased performance, the pipes are stepped to a larger diameter from 1.75 to 2 inches. MC Advantages has them in-stock and ready to ship today!
Northville, Michigan, USA
Tel: 800 521 9805
E-mail:
www.gardner-westcott.com
ABATE of Colorado Legislative Affairs Specialist 
Martin Bros.? Curb Feelers Blast Out Of MC Advantages
A new breed of Martin Bros. pipes has emerged out the shop in Duncanville, Texas. These right-side drive pipes known as curb feelers are most distinctively recognized by their muted trumpet bell billet tip that creates back pressure added performance and a strong exhaust note. These pipes, just like Martin Bros.? other exhausts are .065 thickness steel and stepped from 1.75 to 2 inches. Heat shields for these amazing pipes are also available. The aggressively bent pipes are available in chrome, chrome with internal ceramic coating, two-tone chrome/black ceramic exterior and all-black ceramic exterior. Get yours from MC Advantages today!
MC Advantages is a distributor of high-performance V-Twin parts based in Grimes, Iowa, serving dealers in the U.S. and abroad. MC Advantages distributes many brands including: S&S Cycle, Martin Bros., Spyke, Stampede, Prowler, Bulletpr?f, D&M Custom Cycle, Progressive Suspension, K&N, TFI, Rivera Engineering/Primo, Edelbrock, Russell, Platinum Air Suspension, Metal Motorsports, Nitrous Express and many more.
MC Advantages Dear Friends, Sponsors and Supporters of the Lone Star Rally, We are excited to again announce our commitment you and to the City of Galveston! We wanted to take a second of your time to say Thanks for your support and co-operation. Without you, the Lone Star Rally could not happen and we are very appreciative! We want to provide you with a short preview of this years activities and allow you to view the television demo provided by Television Marketing Partners and CBS Television. The Lone Star Rally has grown again by leaps and bounds. This years attendance is expected to top 300,000! The Lone Star Rally is now the second largest event in the Houston Area next to HLSR! We are the 4th largest event of our kind in North America! Our attendees average 42 years old and their income exceeds the National average. One out of every ten customers is a female! Thought you’d appreciate an update on the happenings: We’re teaming with Dodge to give away another new Truck! CBS will produce a one hour television special about the event. The theme will be the new biker lifestyle. It will air at the end of Oct. in all Texas markets, then again in March across America and the world! We’ve opened a new area out next to the beach called the Clear Channel Rock Block. This area will feature: Another Main stage featuring live music all day with headliners on Friday and Saturday nights. We’ll still have our Main stage downtown. This year on the Pier. Over 60 free live concerts during the four days! The Custom Bike Show Sponsored by Bikernet.com is now the Texas National Bike Show and will be in the Convention Center on Seawall Blvd. It features Top celebrity builders plus much more! Booths will now be on one side of the street only downtown! More walking space! Less crowding! New portopottie company! Ten Official Entertainment Centers featuring live music free! A very unique Poker Run! The Downtown Crawl! One of our feature bands has secured a new reality TV Show and they will be filming a segment during their performance on Saturday night at the downtown stage! Once again over 100 local Galveston businesses are involved in one way or another. See A train hits a bus load of Catholic school girls and they all perish. They are all in heaven trying to enter the pearly gates past St. Peter. St. Peter asks the first girl, “Jessica, have you ever had any contact with a penis?” She giggles and shyly replies, “Well I once touched the head of one with the tip of my finger.” St. Peter says, “OK, dip the tip of your finger in The Holy Water and pass through the gate.” St. Peter asks the next girl the same question, “Jennifer have you ever had any contact with a pennis?” The girl is a little reluctant but replies, “Well once I fondled and stroked one.” St. Peter says, “OK, dip your whole hand in The Holy Water and pass through the gate.” All of a sudden there is a lot of commotion in the line of girls, one girl is pushing her way to the front of the line. When she reaches the front of the line St. Peter says, “Lisa! What seems to be the rush?” The girl replies, “If I’m going to have to gargle that Holy Water, I want to do it before Tiffany sticks her arse in it.” –from Ray R. A biker did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection. The tailgating woman behind him went ballistic, pounding on her horn and screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to drive through the intersection with him. Still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and placed in a cell. After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects. He said, “I’m awfully sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping the guy off in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the ‘Choose Life’ license plate holder, the ‘What Would Jesus Do’ bumper sticker, the ‘Follow Me to Sunday School’ bumper sticker, and the chrome plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk.” “Naturally, I assumed you had stolen the car.” –from Art Friedman New Frame and 6-Speed Cruise Drive Transmission for All-New Dyna Platform MILWAUKEE (July 23, 2005) – Six new models and a host of styling and engineering updates highlight a diverse line of American V-Twin motorcycles from Harley-Davidson for 2006. Leading the way is the Dyna family of performance custom motorcycles, which has been completely re-engineered for 2006 and incorporates a new 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission and two new models: the minimalist FXDBI Street Bob and a limited-production FXDI 35th Anniversary Super Glide. New models also join the Softail, Touring and VRSC product families. “It’s especially appropriate that the debut of a retooled FXD Dyna line coincides with the 35th anniversary of the FX Super Glide, the motorcycle that sparked the concept of a factory custom motorcycle and evolved to the FXD,” said Bill Davidson, Harley-Davidson Director of Motorcycle Product Development. Highlights of the 2006 Harley-Davidson line include: – The Dyna family is re-engineered and features new frame geometry, new 49mm forks, and the new 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission. The limited-edition FXDI 35th Anniversary Super Glide commemorates the introduction of the original factory custom, the 1971 FX Super Glide. The new FXDBI Street Bob offers minimalist styling reminiscent of the early days of home-built customs. – The Softail line features the reintroduction of the charismatic FLST/I Heritage Softail and the Bobtail goes wide with the debut of a wide, 200mm rear tire on the FXST/I Softail Standard, FXSTB/I Softail Night Train and FXSTS/I Springer Softail. – The Touring family includes the new FLHX/I Street Glide, an “undressed” dresser that’s sure to cause a stir. The new Advanced Audio System by Harman/Kardon (available on all radio-equipped motorcycles) is an integrated advanced audio system that sets a new standard for the motorcycle industry. – The liquid-cooled revolution continues for 2006 with the introduction of two new models to the VRSC family, the agile VRSCR Street Rod roadster and the menacing VRSCD Night Rod. – All six models in the XL Sportster family offer a new, smoother-shifting transmission and significantly reduced clutch effort for 2006. – Harley-Davidson will offer eight new paint colors and two-tone combinations for 2006. – Harley-Davidson Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) has created the new FLHTCUSE Screamin’ Eagle Ultra Classic Electra Glide for 2006. Powered by the Screamin’ Eagle 103 Stroker Twin Cam engine and featuring an exclusive paint scheme, the new Harman/Kardon Advanced Audio System, and a host of custom accessories, the new Screamin’ Eagle Ultra brings a new level of performance and style to the touring scene. The VRSCSE2 Screamin’ Eagle V-Rod, FLSTFSE2 Screamin’ Eagle Fat Boy and the VRXSE Screamin’ Eagle Destroyer professional-level drag-racing motorcycle round out the CVO line for 2006.
1-800-726-9620
www.MCAdvantages.com
A Motorcycle Thrill Show!
Monster Truck Rides and displays!
The Lone Star RV Show!
More vendors! 
Here’s some pics Lou Gasparrelli (you met him today) sent me of his friend Hannes’ accident at Bakersfield a few weeks ago. He apparently had some sort of an engine explosion and fire right at the finish line which possibly burned the chutes off. Unable to stop, he went a couple of hundred feet off the end of the track in the dirt.
The safety truck got stuck in the soft dirt and was unable to get to him right away, and their fire hose would not reach either. Eventually the safety people helped him out of the car, but they could not put the fire out.
The whole area quickly caught on fire and they had to bring in a water dropping helicopter to fight the fire. Hannes suffered some serious 2nd degree burns to his hands, arms and knees and some damage to his throat & lungs, but is apparently in good spirits and is on the road to recovery. The car is a total loss…..
Drag racing at this level definitely has its risks!
Unfortunately and fortunately some corporate genius ordered 5,000 too many, so there?s a tremendous deal going on right now for T-shirts.
Be one of the first on the road to wear the Hot Bike Tour T-Shirt. Regular $15.00 but buy now for $10.00 including shipping at www.horsepowerpromotions.com.
We have 7 HOT shows this year! Check out
–Marti Fletcher
Horse Power Promotions
Ph: 805.686.2007
Fax: 805.686.0890
BACK TO THE LIFT–I?m about to hit the lift and fix my glitch and my BDL engine pulley. Every time I build a bike I ponder the weak links, until they? re fixed. It might be a potential clearance problem, the manner in which I mounted something or something I left off. Here?s my list for the Sturgis Chop: I mounted the taillight in too close to the frame which blocks the taillight. Motorcycles need visibility, as much as I like sidemount tail and license plate systems. So I?m going to run a couple of Pro One bullet running lights.
Next I mounted all the electrics where the Starter usually fits. It?s mighty close to the chain that?s flying past on the back side. I?m going to fix that with a teflon guard thanks to Larry Settle of Settle?s Motorcycle Shop in Harbor City.
My last glitch, almost, is the BDL front pulley. There seems to be a problem installing the main shaft nut over the splines. It loosens up. Can?t have that. I?ll try to fix it this afternoon. I believe it?s the shelf in the nut that?s riding on the sleave and not allowing the nut to seat.
So Saturday morning I notice an accumulation of women hanging around the headquarters, giggling and looking as though they dressed to escape. Just as soon as Frankie, the 12-year-old football champion, arrived, the girls disappeared. Frankie and I worked on the mini chop until 11:00 Saturday night. The women didn?t return until this morning and each one had that party-all-night-long look in their eyes. I?ll get to the bottom it, yet.
It?s Margarita and motorcycle time.
–Bandit
