Helluva day. Here’s the schedule. Sunday Post first, install a banister in one of our many stairwells, a brass porthole in a door, work on the Shovel and watch the Superbowl. Think I’ll make it. Something tells me I doubt it unless the game goes all to hell and it’s not worth watching. I need to test my wild gargoyle concept notion.
My seemingly old I-Mac crashed twice this morning amping my frustration level, but Sin Wu informed me that there are plenty of sleek women to post. That took the heat off.
Here’s a brief update on the Shovelhead. I picked up the engine from Phil’s Speed Shop in Anaheim. He rebuilt the battered heads and lifter stools, installed new JIMS lifters, S&S roller rockers and CCI Black Diamond Valves. He welded and repaired cracks and exhaust manifold threads. Old used Shovelheads can be fragile.
I installed studs with a mixture of liquid metal and red Loctite. I don’t like screwing anything steel in and out of aluminum. It wears on the threads and stressed the weaker material. Besides, from the extreme heat expansion and contraction the threads always feel loose. So I packed ’em with liquid metal to tighten the fit and added the red Loctite to keep them from coming loose. We’ll see.
I dug through my junk drawers and discovered another top motormount stud. I treated it the same as the exhaust manifold studs for a tight lasting fit, I hope. I’ve decided to fab shotgun pipes. The front out the left and the rear out the right and attempt to keep the lengths the same. I would like to work in some shorty mufflers for performance and sound reduction, but a couple of fish-tips caught my eye this morning.
Let’s hit the news then I’ll finish up the update:
Sunday Religious Time Out
Sitting by a window of her convent, Sister Barbara opened a letter from home one evening. Inside the letter was a $100 bill her parents had sent. Sister Barbara smiled at the gesture. As she read the letter by the window, she noticed a shabbily dressed stranger leaning against the lamppost below.
Quickly she wrote, “Don’t despair. Sister Barbara” on a piece of paper, wrapped the $100 bill in it, got the man’s attention and tossed it out the window to him.
The stranger picked it up, and with a puzzled expression and a tip of his hat, went off down the street. The next day, Sister Barbara was told that a man was at her door, insisting on seeing her. She went down and found the stranger waiting. Without a word he handed her a huge wad of $100 bills.
“What’s this?” she asked.
“That’s the $8,000 you have coming, Sister,” he replied. “Don’t Despair paid 80 to 1 in the second race yesterday.”
–from Katmandu
Abate of Illinois ~ Update – ALERT!!
After only 6 days of session the 94th Illinois General Assembly has filed over 1300 pieces of legislation. Below are bills that ABATE of Illinois has requested and those that they oppose. While bullet points and positional papers will be prepared soon, one bill needs your immediate attention.
HB-329 an ATV under 18 helmet bill may be heard in committee as early as next week. Please contact the Transportation Committee (complete list, phone numbers, & bullet points included below) and let them know that ABATE of Illinois OPPOSES this legislation. If they ask about the other legislation listed here, let them know if we support or oppose it and that more information will be forthcoming.
Keep your motors running.
Cheryl
ABATE of Illinois Supports:
HB-934 Sponsored by Brandon Phelps– Prohibits Seizure of motorcycles for muffler violations
HB-730 Sponsored by John Bradley– Allows punitive damages for municipal helmet citations (same language as SB42)
SB-42 Sponsored by John O. Jones– Allows punitive damages for municipal helmet citations (same language as HB730)
HB-932 Sponsored by Brandon Phelps– Limits liability to those who allow others on their land for the purpose of recreation or conservation
ABATE of Illinois Opposes:
HB-150 Sponsored by Paul Froehlich & David Miller– Prohibits 16 & under to ride 90cc ATVs
HB-329 Sponsored by JoAnn Osmond– Under 18 helmet bill for ATV’s and Snowmobiles
Bullet Points:
It allows the Police Department to enforce the vehicle code on private property
It impacts the utility use of these vehicles i.e. farming, landscaping, etc.
This bill seeks to substitute the State?s judgment for parental responsibility
It is yet another attempt to regulate motorcycles and their cousins, ATV?s and snowmobiles, and is the foot in the door for mandatory helmet laws
Alert – Maryland Motorcycle Helmet Law Modification – Hearing Scheduled
Maryland General Assembly Session 2005, Motorcycle Helmet Bill Hearing Scheduled (February 15, 2005). The motorcycle helmet law modification bill was filed, assigned a bill number. The bill number is HB 450. Bill details can be located at The hearing for this bill will be in the House of Delegates Environmental Matters Committee on February 15, 2005 at 1 pm in Annapolis. We encourage everybody who is able to be there for the hearing to attend. Information about locating the hearing room will be provided in a subsequent legislative alert. The motorcycle helmet bill will eliminate mandatory motorcycle helmet use by adult riders. The 2004 bill includes some language that is similar to the recently enacted Pennsylvania helmet bill. These provisions are that a rider must be over 21 and must have either two years of riding experience or must have taken a motorcycle safety course. It also includes provisions for passengers and three-wheeled vehicles. The primary sponsor for HB 450 is delegate Norman Conway. Co-sponsors include Delegates Cluster, Aumann, Bartlett, Bromwell, Boschert, Costa, Hogan, Impallaria, Haddaway, Frank, Glassman, Gilleland, Edwards, Eckardt, Dwyer, Minnick, McConkey, Kelly, McKee, Murray, O’Donnell, Shank, Sossi, Stull, Weir, Weldon, Stocksdale, Bates, Bohanan, Boteler, Bozman, Cadden, Cane, C. Davis, Elmore, Goodwin, Harrison, Haynes, Heller, Jameson, Jennings, Kach, King, Kirk, Myers, Oaks, Parker, Ramirez, Shewell, Smigiel, and Wood. The first milestone that we must pass is to achieve a positive committee vote. House of Delegates Environmental Matters Committee members are listed below. When contacting a sponsor of the bill, please be sure to thank them for their support. When contacting those who have not yet stated a position ask them to vote for HB 450. Many delegates will vote for our bill, but prefer not to be listed as a sponsor. Be polite and respectful when making your request. If you live in the Delegates district, make sure to mention that in your letter or e-mail. 
New Hairdresser–
Got onto this new hairdressing mob, looking for some more clients, wanna go?
Ray R.
Monroe Church Ministers To Bikers
The pea-colored church pews vibrate when the Rev. Danny Trichell, clad in black leather pants and matching vest, leads Sunday morning worshippers in a fiercely rock ‘n’ roll rendition of “Amazing Grace.”
An overhead projector magnifies the words across a white screen. But Trichell’s flock barely glance up. Hands clasped, they sway and croon, “I once was lost, but now I’m found.” Because for many in the tie-dye, leather and denim clothed crowd, those words speak volumes beyond the hyped-up hymn.
A good number of worshippers at Trichell’s The Church, that recent morning were bikers. They lived for years along society’s fringes, amid a culture of violence, lawlessness and, of course, the roaring vrooom vrooom of motorcycles.
They came for a rare biker event that the church offers twice a year as part of its biker ministry. The outreach infuses the roughest riders with Christianity.
“I look at where I’m at today, and it’s like that was another life,” said Trichell, as he ordered gourmet coffee mocha Irish cream with a double shot of espresso in a Monroe cafe.
“It’s just so miraculous, what God has done with me, that he uses me like he does,” he said.
Two years ago Trichell, 48, founded The Church after years spent riding independently with motorcycle gang members throughout the South and Southwest. In those years, Trichell saw his own life spiral through the chaos of drug addiction, drug trade and alcoholism.
Trichell also oversees an active prison ministry with his wife, Terry. He became a Christian in 1993. A friend invited him to a Christian motorcycle rally, where a preacher and former Hell’s Angel shared his testimony.
“He was so mean that even the Hell’s Angels had to lock him up in a barn sometimes,” Trichell said. “The transformation in his life was 180 degrees. I knew that was the answer.”
–By MAGIN McKENNA
–from Rogue
http://www.bikerrogue.com
Hard-headed Hog Rider Changes State Helmet Law
You might say Dave Sutton is hard-headed on the issue of motorcycle helmets. But after several years of serving as legal affairs point man for Virginia ABATE (American Bikers Advocating Training and Education), the 40-year-old Lynchburg resident has fine-tuned his arguments like a thrumming Harley-Davidson engine.
As of last Wednesday, Sutton fully expected House Bill 1828, allowing Virginia motorcycle riders over 21 the option of discarding their headgear, to come roaring out of the Military, Police and Public Safety committee and into the House of Delegates chamber.
?We?ve gotten it out of committee a couple of times,? said Sutton, whose motorcycle of choice is a 1977 Harley-Davidson Superglide, ?but it?s never passed the full House. Each year we get a little closer, though.?
Momentum, Sutton claims, is on his side. Two years ago, Pennsylvania rescinded its mandatory helmet law, and Texas did the same in 1997.
?The way it stands right now,? Sutton said, ?is 30 free states and 20 mandatory states.?
As you might expect, Sutton can rattle off the usual litany of helmet complaints. They?re too heavy, they?re hot, the ?full-face? version tends to impair vision, they cut down on a motorcycle operator?s hearing (although I would imagine a full-throttle Harley engine bellowing just beneath you would have a greater effect), and they can snap the necks of hapless accident victims if some other part of the body strikes the ground first.
“You want to talk about something that can distract you when you?re driving?? Sutton added. ?Try getting a hornet inside your helmet.?
But these aren?t necessarily the reasons Sutton and his fellow ABATE members want to put a bee in the bonnet of the General Assembly.
?We?re not anti-helmet,? he said. ?There are times when I would still wear mine, just not all the time. I just think I should have that right.?
What ABATE wants is a bill similar to Pennsylvania?s: Riders over 21 can have the option of inviting road breeze through their hair if they have been licensed to ride a motorcycle for two years or have completed a state-sanctioned motorcycle safety course.
–from Rogue
http://www.bikerrogue.com
Speaking Of Helmets
Harley-Davidson launched a new line of jackets and gear including this super-light, Carbon Fiber full-faced helmet. I’ve never worn one until I hefted this job and was blown-away by the feather-light weight.
Don’t get me wrong. You won’t find me sporting this bastard every time I ride. They’re a pain in the ass. You’re trapped with this snug shell engulfing your head. But if you’re into helmets, check it. It’s not uncomfortable and if I was riding across state in chilling climate, I’d consider it.
–Bandit
Called To Arms
These North Carolina, Kentucky, West Virginia, Missouri, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee boys will be dropped behind enemy lines and have been given the following facts about Terrorists:
1. The season opened today.
2. There is no limit.
3. They taste just like chicken.
4. They don’t like beer, pickups, country music or Jesus.
5. They are DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE for the death of Dale Earnhardt.
This mess in Iraq should be over IN A WEEK.
–from Skooter
Win This Bike–
Bandit- I wanted to let you know and your readers know that the bike that Redhill Motorcycle Werx built for the 2005 Colorado Motorcycle Swap Build off will be raffled off on March 5, 2005 to benefit the Tiny Tim Center in Longmont Colorado . We will be selling 1000 tickets at $50 a piece between now and then which can be purchased at Redhill Motorcycle Werx or you can purchase them over the phone at (970)227-3588, we expect to sell them quickly so get your tickets today!
The Charity:
Since 1956, the Tiny Tim Center has been a valuable and vital resource for young children with special needs and their families from the Longmont area and surrounding communities. The Center offers equal educational preschool experiences to ALL children, regardless of disabilities or challenges.
The Center also specializes in working with children with special needs birth to 12 years of age – offering pediatric language and motor therapies in the home or other community sites as well as working with a local teen parenting program. Tiny Tim is a one-of-a-kind jewel providing nurturing, structure and a safe learning environment for our most precious resource – our children.
The Bike:
The fenders, tank, oil bag, exhaust as well as a large portion of the frame were handfabricated in the shop at Redhill by Scot Ross and his team of builders. You can be sure that you haven’t seen a bike like this before. It has 127″ engine assembled in house and the paint, done by Phil Greff of Black Canyon Custom Paint is balck with copper leaf and red striping. As with all of there bikes it is a head turner.
The Shop:
Redhill Motorcycle Werx, located off Highway 66 in Lyons, caters to all motorcycle enthusiasts, stocking everything from t-shirts to transmissions. There exceptional service department has incorporated a power commander dynomometer and has an in house paint shop, Black Canyon Custom Paint.
Thanks,
Ken
This Triumph’s Got Rocket Power
As the biggest production motorcycle on the road, Triumph’s Rocket is in a world of its own in style and performance.
At a filling station in rural Tennessee, an older man got out of his Cadillac and pointed to the big red bike: ”I don’t know anything about motorcycles,” he said, ”but, does that have a bigger engine than most motorcycles?”
”Yeah,” came my answer with a grin, as we stepped back to look at the Triumph Rocket III. ”It’s the biggest production motorcycle on the road today. That’s a 2300cc three-cylinder engine — 140 cubic inches — and it’s really, really fun to ride.”
”Looks cool too,” he said.
A week on the Rocket generated plenty of those types of questions and comments. At one rest area in Northwest Georgia, 10 people stood out in the cold to admire the bike. Said one, whose comment typified that of others: ”I’ve read about these but this is the first one I’ve actually seen. It’s beautiful.”
All this attention should come as no surprise. The Rocket III was designed to make a big impression and it succeeds in doing so in every way — its size, styling and performance put it in a class of its own.
Triumph spent five years developing the Rocket. A preproduction mock-up displayed on last year’s show circuit drew huge crowds, and its sales record proves Triumph was on the right track with this project.
Triumph mounted this massive inline-three (it has the same-size pistons as a Dodge Viper) longitudinally so the bike is actually as narrow as a regular V-Twin cruiser. This pays off three ways for the rider:
? A narrow engine can be carried lower without compromising cornering clearance so the center of gravity stays down low where it belongs.
? It keeps the rider’s legs from having to be uncomfortably splayed around a wide engine to reach the forward foot controls.
? And, combining the narrowness with the 29-inch seat height, the bike is easier to maneuver at slow speeds than its 6.6-gallon fuel tank, one-yard-wide handlebars, and big chrome-accented radiator would have you think.
Building a motorcycle with an engine that is larger than is found in many of today’s sedans had to be a huge challenge for the design team. It would have been easy for this thing to come out looking industrial or campy, but it doesn’t. Actually, Its stylized fittings, shaped accents and flowing lines give it a pleasing art deco feel.
The Triumph blends form and function into a graceful, distinctive package that would set it apart from every bike on the road even if it weren’t the biggest, baddest ride available off the showroom floor.
For more information, visit triumph.co.uk/usa/
–BY JAMES HESKETH
–from Rogue
http://www.bikerrogue.com
Boot Hill On The Move
The Jackson Hole Saloon which is on US1 in the vicinity of the Famous Iron Horse Saloon has been sold to Karin Gerhis owner of the Boot Hill
It includes a restaurant and nearly 3 acres of property with a stage and last party area for bikers and vendors.
The area known as the Ormond Strip is increasing in popularity and will grow even more when the new Harley shop is finished at Interstate 95 and U.S. 1
The growth in the area is part of a move to eventually move activities off the beach side and on to the main land.
I have not heard what the plans for Bike Week are yet but you can bet they will be open as there is a lot of money to be made.
If you want more info you can e-mail –Rogue Hey Bandit check out this guy’s site http://64.172.168.34/neatstuff/index.html I was searching for info on building a frame table and stumbled across this gold mine of chopper building info. I don’t know if he’ll allow you to share it with your readers but it might be worth asking him. He sounds like a guy who is happy to share his knowledge and experiences with anyone who is interested. Nick Roberts Bein’ Different Donnie wanted his motorcycle to be different than anyone else. He started a search on eBay and found a kit that could convert all his controls to automatic voice activation. The kit promised to control the throttle, brakes, and shifting. The instructions said he needed to program the controller with words for each major command. Donnie programmed: “Praise God” for the throttle, “Amen” for the brakes. One day Donnie and Steve were riding down to Pompano on the Turnpike. Running late, Donnie decided to pick up the pace a little. He said, “Praise God, Praise God”, and his speedo immediately went to 90 mph. When he finally reached the last toll booth, a big truck stopped in front of him at the toll plaza. Donnie said, “WHOA, STOP, SLOW DOWN”, but he kept heading for the truck at 90 mph. Then he finally remembered and shouted, “AMEN”. The bike stopped 5 feet short of the truck. Donnie wiped his brow, took a deep breath, and said “Praise God!” –from Katmandu Charlie Brechtel In Daytona This Year We’re tremendously pleased Montgomery Gentry’s show will be the closing performance of the Daytona Chip’s Bike Week on Saturday, March 12, 2005. These two guys have put together a tremendous rockin’ band and there’s simply no better way to end a party than by kickin’ up some dust to their tunes. They’ve sold millions of albums, have won many awards and continue to make us smile. Montgomery Gentry first took the stage at the Legendary Buffalo Chip when they opened for Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1998 and have returned several times. They make our crowd Rock. You might notice that from viewing their recent CMT video which includes footage shot at the Sturgis Chip in 2004. These guys are real bikers who play real music that speaks directly to our audience. “Our sound isn’t very polished and it’s not really put together,” said Eddie Montgomery. “When you see us live, you’re seeing a bunch of friends who grew up together, listening to the same records and the same dream – and we found a way to keep going towards it. I wonder if he?s BLONDE too? A man goes into a store and asks the clerk for some “Polish Sausage.” The clerk looked at him and asked “Are you Polish?” The guy, clearly offended, says “Well, yes I am. But let me ask you something. If I asked you for Italian Sausage, would you ask me if I was Italian? Or, if I asked for German Bratwurst, would you ask me if I was German? Or if I asked you for a Kosher Hot Dog, would you ask me if I was Jewish? Or, if I asked you for a Taco, would you ask me if I was Mexican? Would ya, huh? Would Ya” The clerk says, “Well no.” “And if I asked you for some Irish Whiskey, would you ask me if I was Irish? What about Canadian Bacon, would you ask me if I was Canadian?” “Well, I probably wouldn’t,” With self-indignation, the guy says, “Well, all right then, why did you ask me if I’m Polish just because I asked for Polish Sausage?’ The clerk replies, “Because you’re at Home Depot.” –from Buckshot “FIRE PORT” EFI for Harley-Davidson motorcycles Rivera Engineerings all new Fire Port electronic fuel injection is now available for high performance American Big-Twin applications. Unlimited tunability, coupled with easy installation Make Fire Port the best choice for a high performance fuel injection system. Massive 62mm Venturi size for deep breathing hard acceleration under all conditions. Fire Port injection is compatible with ALL Harley-Davidson cruise control equipment, all EOM sensors, hardware & injectors. Available with cast, polished or chrome throttle body. Visit your local Rivera Engineering dealer or contact Rivera direct at: telephone 562-907-2600 fax 562 907-2606 please note our address information (we’ve relocated). Sex Styles– LOUD SEX: A wife went in to see a therapist and said, “I’ve got a big problem, doctor. Every time we’re in bed and my husband climaxes, he lets out this ear splitting yell.” “My dear,” the shrink said, “that’s completely natural. I don’t see what the problem is.” “The problem is,” she complained, “It wakes me up!” QUIET SEX: Tired of a listless sex life, the man came right out and asked his wife during a recent love-making session, “How come you never tell me when you have an orgasm?” She glanced at him casually and replied, “You’re never home!” DECEPTIVE SEX: A married man and his secretary were having a torrid affair. One afternoon they couldn’t contain their passion, so they rushed over to her place where they spent the afternoon making passionate love. When they were finished, they fell asleep, not waking until 8 o’clock. They got dressed quickly. Then the man told his secretary to take his shoes outside and rub them on the lawn. Bewildered, she did as he asked thinking him pretty weird. The man finally got home and his wife met him at the door. Upset, she asked where he’d been. The man replied, “I cannot tell a lie. My secretary and I are having an affair. Today we left work early, went to her place, spent the afternoon making love, and then fell asleep. That’s why I’m late.” The wife looked at him, took notice of his shoes and yelled, “I can see those are grass stains on your shoes. YOU DAMN LIAR! You’ve been playing golf again, haven’t you?” CONFOUNDED SEX: A man was in a terrible accident, and his “manhood” was mangled and torn from his body. His doctor assured him that modern medicine could give him back his manhood, but that his insurance wouldn’t cover the surgery, since it was considered cosmetic. The doctor said that the cost would be $3500 for “small,” $6500 for “medium,” and $14,000 for “large.” The man was sure he would want a medium or large, but the doctor urged him to talk it over with his wife before he made any decision. The man called his wife on the phone and explained their options. The doctor came back into the room, and found the man looking quite dejected. “Well, what have the two of you decided?” asked the doctor. The man answered, “She’d rather remodel the kitchen”. Helen W. Firming Up– One morning while making breakfast, a man walked up to his wife, pinched her on the butt and said, “If you firmed up, we could get rid of your control top panty hose”. While this was on the edge of intolerable, she kept silent. The next morning, the man woke his wife with a pinch on each of her breasts and said, “You know, if you firmed these up, we could get rid of your bra.” This was beyond a silent response, so she rolled over and grabbed him by his “wackie”. With a death grip in place, she said, “You know, if you firmed this up, we could get rid of the gardener, the postman, the pool man, and your brother.” Chris T. BACK TO THE SHOVELHEAD–Where was I? Oh yeah, I tinkered with the studs while Layla headed to Home Depot to grab some stainless steel bolts, that I could polish, and use for the motormounts. She was going to call me from the Fastener bin. I didn’t hear from here for a half-hour so I dialed her number. She forgot and rolling up to the Bikernet gate. So I dug around through drawers to find usable bolts for the time being. That’s why the spacers show up on the rear mount–it’s temporary. 
RIVERA ENGINEERING / PRIMO BELT DRIVES 
The old code called for bolting the rear motor mounts down first, so that if any spacing was needed to the front, it would show up. It did and I found a piece of almost 1/8-inch aluminum plate that fit perfectly. I cut it, drilled, polished the edges and slipped it into place. We’ll see if it works with the BDL belt drive plate.
That caused another dilemma to surface. The engine is a late ’70s Shovel with a early electric start four-speed transmission case and plate. According to Kent at Lucky Devil, there’s another variable lurking. I’m still having a problem finding the correct chain sprocket. As you can see this CCI job is meant for even earlier transmissions. Then I need a BDL system that will fit the engine, transmission and line up. Hold on for that one.
Did you see the news about the parents starving and torturing their young-uns. Terrible, but get this. Lucky Devil shipped out my rear fender and hand-etched seat, one-day air, to arrive on Friday. The voluptuous blonde, Coral, was on duty, and she slipped out the back for a nooner with Sin Wu, in a rundown Wilmington Hotel, then margaritas on the harbor. Needless to say the parcel is still in the hands of the UPS driver–Bummer. Coral is tied to her bed and the torture continues. Problem is, she likes it.
That’s the story. So now I’ll post this sucker, and hit the banister like a mad dog. We’ll post some shots of this tomb-like stairwell in the near future. It’s coming together.
Watch for the newest issue, April, of HOT BIKE. It should be on the stands in the next week, or around the 15th. Let me know what you think of it. I’ll talk to the Digital Gangster about setting up an area whe
