It’s the day before the I go to work for Monster Garage. I need to get some sleep. Jesse said in MM3 that he quit drinkin’. I drank enough for both of us last night, then this morning Mark, who just came home from Iraq and Dr. Hamster drug me out of bed and to the harbor for Mexican brunch and Mimosas.
We better hit the news before I pass out:
Gypsy Tribute Announcement And David Mann Party
Miss BB out of Orange County, Huntington Beach. If it were not known to the club Gypsy (Aunt Gypsy Thunder Press Paradigm Pad) passed away June 12th. His memorial was held last Saturday at the Southlands Church International by the Soldiers For Jesus MC.
I am writing a memorial tribute in honor of who Gypsy was and what he meant to us. Possible to be published in Shiftin’ Gears Magazine.
Per Weasel Dave David Mann is very, very ill. Easyrider Magazine has turned their backs on David and don’t give a fuck of what he did for their rotten piece of shit rag magazine or the act he is going to die. Weasel Dave along with Rick (Hollister Rally) are putting together fund raiser to generate funds for David. People are donating paintings, drawings and what not to be auctioned off or rallied in hopes of raising enough funds to help him.
Next Wed. night held at Shiftin’ Gears Pit Stop bar owned by Rick, a per-Hollister party and benefit night for David. I believe David will be there. After the party is over it’s a run straight to Hollister.
If anyone wants to know more and you do not have contact information regarding David Mann’s Manager Weasel Dave I can help you connect.
Live free
–Miss BB
Biker Publicist & Freelance Photojournalist
Home Phone: 714-840-6771
Personal Cell Phone: 714-330-1893
E-mail: miss_bb69@yahoo.com
Tire Industry Evolving As Globalisation Forces Change
OVER past decades, the tire industry has been a relatively stable market, dominated by only a handful of major names.
Historically, domestic tire markets prospered and the main players were able to thrive as sales in motor vehicles boomed. This was particularly true in America, whose production of tires overshadowed that of the rest of the world.
Today, the situation is very different, with fierce competition from Europe and, more importantly, from developing industries in the Far East.
In the USA, only Cooper (owns Avon) and Goodyear-Dunlop remain. The main competitors are: in Japan, Bridgestone-Firestone; in France, Michelin; in Germany, Continental, Metzeler and the Italian Pirelli brand; in the UK, the Cooper subsidiary Avon. Of course, many of these firms exist now in a very different corporate format to that in which they started out, with numerous brand purchases and mergers.
The growing Asian tire market comprises Japanese companies such as Toyo and Yokohama, Hankook and Kumho in Korea, and Vee Rubber in Thailand. The latter firms are forcing down prices and increasing pressure on the industry by profiting from low labour costs.
Goodyear is still the world’s largest tire company, and its plant in Tonawanda, New York, has recent and continuing capital investments in excess of $6.8 million, which include a development program for motorcycle tires. That said, the company is facing significant financial problems and has incurred a high amount of debt. Over the past three years, the manufacturer has lost more than $2 billion. This has led to job cuts, the closure of plants and the refinancing of loans.
The outcome of this dynamic phase in the history of tire manufacturing is difficult to predict, but the battle for domination of global trade continues to intensify.
Goodyear-Dunlop continues to develop tires for Harley-Davidsons such as this Dunlop D402 Touring model
Smoke Out Report
Here are some of the first pictures from the Horse Smoke-Out. The skies cleared and the day turned out great. The “Meanest” and I checked out early, getting ready for the “Wedding” tomorrow. I got to see Lee Clemens from Departure Bike Works, Fab Kevin, Kendall Johnson, the crew from Redneck Engineering and Grandeur Cycles. Thanks guys for the Run For Breath awards, they all blew me away!
The place was packed and some of the baddest choppers around were in attendance. More pictures to come this week! My hat is off to “Edge” he organized another great Smoke-Out!
Later!
–Mike (Stealthman)
Bikernet Correspondents Try To Make It Home Unsuccessfully
Well, it took a little longer getting home than expected … Mailman’s attempt as the “Off-Road King” didn’t quite end successfully. We were finally off the California coast on Wed, 6-23, cruising north on winding Hwy 96 on the Hoopa Indian Reservation heading for home in the early afternoon. Mailman took this turn slowly, but a little wide, caught the trailer’s tire on the road edge and slid on the gravel then along a dirt bank. He was ok, just a skinned right knee and shin, but sadly the Non-Off-Road King took a beating. He and I were straining to upright the bike and a number of people suddenly appeared and gave a hand. Amazing, considering the rest of the ride on that particular road held virtually no cars at all.
The stainless steel bumper was broken and cracked, so he used tie down straps to bandage the hitch to pull the trailer. He added a few hose clamps at a NAPA parking lot in Cave Junction, OR and another hefty strap for good luck. We limped the thing home 525 miles from “Mailman’s Curve”, stopping at Doyle’s H-D in Roseburg, OR to get a new tire on the back. He had just replaced that tire prior to leaving on our trip. Man, was he pissed. Looked a lot like the Yeddi standing in Happy Camp, CA.
We got home late Thursday night, about 10:30 pm and he was packed and leaving for Seattle International Raceway for the All Harley Drag Races by early afternoon on Friday. By then, he was feeling a few more aches than he’d been while his adrenalin was pumping. We’ll elaborate more on this and other parts of the trip a little later, including the clothing optional beach we found.
I’m just now starting to shake the fatigue. Mailman read your piece on the BDL drive and loved it – all grins.
–Helen Wolfe Helen and Mailman rode from Washington to Las Vegas to cover a women riders oriented Harley announcement which will be launched soon. The rode from Vegas to Los Angeles Ivory Tower, Bikernet Headquarters for four days of debriefing, then headed north toward home.
New Frame From The Lucky Devil
Howdy from the Devils playground! I thought you might enjoy this. I just Finished this custom Triumph frame for Joe T. in Dallas. RFR said he will take some more when he gets back Here from the Smoke Out.
Take care Lucky & the Devil
Biker Sets Iron-Butt? Record, Makes 5,632-Mile Trek
MIAMI – A U.S. motorcyclist made the 5,632-mile (9,011-km) trek from the northernmost road in Alaska to the southernmost tip of Florida in 100 hours and set a transcontinental record certified by the “Iron Butt Association” of bike enthusiasts.
He bested the old transcontinental “Iron Butt” record of 114 hours and 49 minutes, set last year by a BMW rider from Maryland.
A few hours after starting his Ducati Multistrada journey on a gravel road in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, a truck forced Eagan off the road and his motorcycle flipped over into the tundra, breaking his windshield, one rearview mirror, auxiliary fuel tank and shearing off the saddlebag containing his spare clothes.
“I think I broke my big toe and dislocated my finger and elbow,” said Eagan, 56, of Salt Lake City, Utah.
He patched the bike together with zip ties and drove on through Alaska, Canada and the continental United States and making a pit stop in Kansas City to change tires.
Eagan said he endured suspicious border patrol agents, traffic snarls and torrential thunderstorms but completed the trek without any speeding tickets. “You don’t have to really ride that fast to do a record like that. You just have to stay on the bike and be efficient,” he said.
–from Rob Steffens
Superintendent
Chateau Construction Company
mailto:rob@chateau-construction.com
The Cantina Blond World
Did you hear about the two blondes who froze to death in a drive-in movie? They went to see “Closed for the winter.”
Why did the blonde resolve to have only 3 children? She heard that 1 out of every 4 children born in the world was Chinese.
–from Rogue
Ken Miller Project Paint
Just got my paint back. The bike is flying together. Will have a feature for you shortly.
–KM
Police Dogs Need Warrant To Sniff
WEST PALM BEACH — A trained Broward Sheriff’s Office dog cannot sniff out drugs on private property without a warrant, an appeals court ruled.
The Fourth District Court of Appeal’s decision affirmed a circuit court judge’s ruling to throw out evidence found in the search of a Hollywood man’s home in April 2002.
In that case, detectives allowed a trained dog to sniff for drugs outside the front door of James Rabb’s home. The dog, named Chevy, smelled marijuana, and authorities obtained a search warrant based partly on his findings.
Detectives’ discovery of 64 cannabis plants, Ecstasy and the anti-anxiety drug Xanax in Rabb’s home led to his arrest.
The appeals court released its divided opinion this week.
Judge Bobby W. Gunther called the search “unreasonable and illegal.”
But Judge Robert M. Gross said the front door was accessible from the street, so lacked that type of constitutional protection. “A dog is a dog, wherever it may wander,” Gross wrote.
Charles Wender, Rabb’s attorney, said he was pleased the court “has recognized the dangers of these types of searches and the sanctity of the home.”
The case against Rabb is still pending.
–from Rogue
Czechs Roll Out Marijuana-Flavored Liquor That Packs a Real Buzz–
PRAGUE, Czech Republic – A large alcoholic drinks manufacturer has launched a marijuana-flavored vodka liquor, the company said Friday.
The drink does not contain any tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which is the active substance in marijuana. But the beverage does have an alcohol level of 16 percent, said Jiri Janak, the head of liquor production at Drinks Union.
“We produce it from hemp, but there’s no THC in it,” Janak said, adding he has received no complaints from anti-drug activists.
–Associated Press
–Rogue
2,754 Gather For Nude Photo Shoot
They came. They stripped. And they were photographed. Saturday between 4 and 8:30 a.m., 2,754 art lovers shed their clothes to be part of one of New York artist Spencer Tunick’s installations. They set the North American record for the largest number of naked people in a photograph. Montreal held the previous record with 2,500.
A year ago in Barcelona, Spain, about 7,000 people set the world re cord for one of his shoots.
–Michael Heaton, Plain Dealer Reporter
–from Rogue
Australian Panhead Project
I thought I ‘d give you a little update on the Pan .The $50 project Pan has turned into a total rebuild ( I call it that because I took it to Rusty’s Bayside Customs in Brisbane for something minor and one thing has led to another). I have decided to put new life into the old girl.
Matt from Poppa Wheelies Hog Shop, it’s a neat little custom shop situated in Northgate, also in Brisbane, made me a great offer on the Pan motor in exchange for a new V-Twin Pan, hey !! It was tempting, but “Old School” wins out. So Rusty stripped her down (with me lookin on with a keen eye) and the rebuild begins.
Except for the motor rebuild, I have most of the parts to complete the bike, so a couple months should see it cruising the highways. Well, I think I might go start packing. I look forward to seeing you and every one else at the “Choppers Only Show” in Hawaii, next week and may every one have a dam good flight over.
–Glenn Priddle
(The Australian Connection)
Florida Cops in The News Again
You will note No Charges Filed because of Witness?s reluctance (SCARED ?) to come forward. Palm Bay Police are known for covering their own.–Rogue
PALM BAY — Officer Steven White of Palm Bay police resigned this week after allegations were made that he had sex in his patrol car while on duty. Investigators discussed the case with assistant state attorney Wayne Holmes, who determined that based on the information provided and witnesses’ reluctance to come forward, White would not be charged with a crime.
“Holmes indicated that it appeared that departmental administrative actions would be more appropriate,” according to an FDLE report.
Palm Bay spokesman Lt. Doug Dechenne declined to comment on the case. White, 33, has been with the department for nine years. On his last evaluation, his supervisor, Lt. Dave Crispin wrote “Steve has gone the extra mile to make his zone a safe community.” In 2000, his evaluation stated that his continued careless driving could result in termination, but otherwise, White’s performance met expectations.
–BY LOURDES BRIZ, FLORIDA TODAY
UPON THE WALL
–by the Ironhorse Writer?
He stood in silence, that cold, grey fall,
Gaze affixed, upon the wall.
Of those like him, of those who came,
In search of a meaning, in search of a name.
All of twenty-two, when he returned,
Medals, Memories, Nightmares, all earned.
Thoughts of, “That boy,” who answered “The call,”
Of all who answered, upon the wall.
Remembered his dad, the day he came back,
Six packs, smokes, the Pearl Harbor attack.
“Sometimes son, ya’ have to settle the score,”
“I know dad . . . least yours was a war.
Then, there was mom, steadfast and true,
“I knew that God would see you through.”
His mind accepted God healing all,
But his soul remained upon the wall.
“One big board, each piece with a name,
Political pawns in a military game.”
“Spin the wheel, watch the ball,
Your numbers up. . . upon the wall.”
Faceless spectres haunt his mind,
Upon the wall? or left behind?
Perhaps, for those, like him, to heal,
Must first control the spinning wheel.
No more bullshit, no more games,
We owe that much to all the names.
With dignity and reverence he stood proud and tall,
Then saluted the names upon the wall.
“Got a long way home,” as he kicked down the gear,
Was glad to have made it here.
“Long way home? . . . “Still and all,
I’ve family here, upon the wall.”
?Copyright2000/2002LaurenceP.Scerri(TheIronhorseWriter?)AllRightsReserved.
Melbourne’s Lane Builds Chopper For TV Competition
He hasn’t even named her yet and he’s already on a plane to Laconia, N.H., to appear at a bike-related event.
The most fitting name for his new customized chopper — which will hit airwaves next year — will come eventually. It always does.”After we sit around and have a few beers we’ll come with a name — and hopefully we’ll remember it the next morning,” Lane joked during a quick time out before heading to a back room of his Chopper’s Inc store in Melbourne. That’s where he was completing his latest masterpiece — all under the lights and cameras of the Discovery Channel.
He had been holed up at his shop for 10 days straight working nearly 17 hours a day. He’d even taken to sleeping at the shop.
Lane was participating for the fourth time on Discovery Channel’s “Biker Build-Off,” a reality garage show in which the nation’s top motorcycle builders go fender to fender with their designs. The builders are given a set amount of time to complete their projects, which are then taken to Sturgis, S.D.
There, bike enthusiasts vote on their favorite based on style. The latest season of “Biker Build-Off” premieres tonight Sunday. Lane’s footage is expected to air in April.
And while this wasn’t the first time a Lane chopper has competed on “Biker Build-Off,” it’s the fastest it’s had to come together. Past bikes have been built in a month. This time, Lane was given only two weeks.
Consider that Lane builds about six customized bikes a year, you can sense the pressure.
And yet, he appeared cool and collected as he worked, much like he does when seen cycling through mountainous terrain on Discovery.
Lane and his latest competitor, Mike Brown of Tennessee’s Amen Motorcycles, will show off their designs at the Sturgis Rally on July 16. A winner will be chosen through a people’s choice vote.
You don’t have to venture into the shop to see more stunning examples of choppers. Just turn on the television. Though his latest “Biker Build-off” spot won’t air until April, you can catch him on “Big!: Motorcycle” at 9 p.m. Tuesday on Discovery.
BY BREUSE HICKMAN, FLORIDA TODAY
–from Rogue
Move Aside, Easy Rider The newest bikers wear lipstick with leather: it’s a girl thing
June 28 issue – Over two rounds of beer and six baskets of chips and salsa, the group of tattooed and leather-vested bikers from New Jersey traded tips on gear and motorcycle dealers. They regaled each other with stories of wild road trips and lament-ed the difficulties of righting a toppled Harley. Then one rider produced photos of a powerful new Honda Shadow Sabre, a black dream bike with gray flames painted on the side. Why, she wanted to know, didn’t it come in the same shade of red as her lipstick?
Women have long been viewed, especially by men, as ornaments on the backs of motorcycles. Not anymore. According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, more than 4.3 million women operated motorcycles last year, up 34 percent from 1998. “We just got tired of looking at the back of someone’s helmet and wanted to see what the view was like from the front,” says Marlene Smith, 40, a systems manager and president of the New Jersey Spokes-Women Motorcycle Club. Jill Carlton, 47, a former doughnut baker who quit her job to work full-time for a motorcycle distributor, says riding gives her a natural high: “It’s as much fun as… well, I won’t say, if you know what I mean.”
According to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, one out of every three new riders enrolling in training school is female. Women have become such a significant buying force that companies like BMW and Suzuki are designing bikes tailored to women’s physiques. Buell, a company that makes high-powered, easy-to-handle sports bikes, reduced the weight of its Blast model, giving it lower seats with modified suspension and an easier-to-use clutch.
Women are as passionate as men about the open road, but perhaps not as likely to take chances. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcycle fatalities-which are on the rise-remain a largely male phenomenon. After five years of declining rates, motorcycle deaths began rising again in 1997-with 90 percent of the deaths among men. (Experts attribute this, in part, to a failure to wear helmets.)
Today’s female riders are reinventing motorcycle culture. The Ladies of Harley in Billings, Mont., have abandoned rest-stop visits to pubs and taverns, instead taking breaks at clothing and craft stores. Forgoing flames or the skull and crossbones, the New Jersey Spokes-Women chose the mariner’s compass as their symbol-a traditional quilting pattern. But when it comes to the joy of feeling wind on your face, all genders benefit equally. “There’s nothing better,” says Smith. And now there’s no guy blocking the breeze.
–Newsweek
New Cantina Art
A woman was in bed with her lover when she heard her husband opening the front door. “Hurry,” she said, “stand in the corner. Then she quickly rubbed baby oil all over him and then dusted him with talcum powder. “Don’t move until I tell you to,” she whispered. “Just pretend you’re a statue.”
“What’s this, honey?” the husband inquired as he entered the room.
“Oh, it’s a statue,” she replied nonchalantly. “The Smiths bought one for their bedroom. I liked it so much, I got one for us too.”
No more was said about the statue, not even later when they went to sleep. Around two in the morning, the husband got out of bed, went to the kitchen and returned a while later with a sandwich and a glass of milk.
“Here,” he said to the statue, “eat something. I stood like an idiot at the Smiths for three days and nobody offered me as much as a glass of water.”
–from Rev CarlR
WHAT EVERY MOTORCYCLE OWNER NEEDS TO KNOW BEFORE RIDING 180 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY!
Tips on how to get your adrenaline flowing (safely) on two wheels from motorcycle instructor Keith Code, founder of the California Superbike School and author of “A Twist of the Wrist”
Today’s sport bikes are beyond fast. They’re blazing. Many off-the-shelf 600cc machines can reach speeds of 170 MPH. The new 1000cc bikes can top 180 MPH, and a few of the 1200cc models can apply for membership in the 200 MPH club.
But just because your two wheeled monster can match the velocity of a 737 at lift-off, does that mean it’s actually safe to sneak onto the tarmac or freeway at 4:00 am to empirically verify the manufacturer’s listed top speed?
Is the rush of a wide-open throttle worth the risk?
“Not on the highway,” says former racer Keith Code, founder of the California Superbike School.
“It may be tremendously alluring, but there are only a few places on earth where it’s safe to ride the new sport bikes at full throttle,” says Code. “Even under controlled conditions, pro riders rarely reach top speeds.”
“You definitely need to be on a track if you plan to ride wide-open, but unfortunately, there aren’t many tracks in the US big enough to safely reach top speeds,” says Code. “Daytona is one exception.”
For those tempted to disregard the obvious perils associated with supersonic highway motoring (slower motorists, dislodged vehicle parts and debris, road imperfections, sand, oil, water, rocks, stray animals, and huge fines and court costs), Code points to a seldom considered danger lurking on the pavement which is guaranteed to spoil any high-speed rider’s day: Botz dots, the reflective lane dividers found on most US freeways.
“At 150 MPH these above-grade reflectors connect into a solid raised ribbon acting as a virtual <=-inch curb in the middle of the highway. Riders who attempt to cross them at top speed will wish they hadn't," says Code.
Without suitable venues for cyclists to safely push their sport bikes to their limits, why do manufacturers keep raising the velocity bar each year?
“The new sport bikes aren’t about top speed, they’re about power and quickness,” says Code. “Riding sport bikes is really about mastering the ability to quickly accelerate and negotiate tight corners.”
At his California Superbike School, riding at top speed isn’t any part of Code’s curriculum.
“The riders we see coming through the school are more interested in improving their cornering skills than they are in riding at the top speed limits of their machine.”
Do Code’s classes on improving cornering speed satisfy the hardcore adrenaline junkies in attendance?
“Riding in a straight line at 180 MPH isn’t the only way to produce a rush,” says Code. “Learning how to lean a bike into a turn with a knee cup skimming the pavement while staying on the accelerator will produce all the adrenaline any rider can handle.” Check out his website for more information. http://www.superbikeschool.com
Haycock Bikefest
I was wondering if you would please add an event to your events page for the Haycock Bikefest 2004 to your events page. It will be held on Saturday Sept 19, 2004 10am till 6 pm rain or shine. Web address Is http://www.Haycockbikefest.com.
All proceeds to help Haycock Fire Co. #1 Station 63
If you have any questions Please feel free to email me at mailto:Bishop819@hotmail.com
–Charlie Bishop
THAT’S IT–Let’s do something, even if it’s wrong. I gotta take my vitamins, take a nap and awake to barbecue and margaritas. Will I be ready for tomorrow? Who the hell knows.
You won’t have me to beat on for a couple of weeks. It’s Monster Garage and then off to the Choppers Only Show in Hawaii. But wait, don’t leave. We’ve posted new antique features, new life and times, news Chance chapters and Sin Wu will be working on a host of articles including a Memorial Day ride and a Panhead High School project bike. Hang on.
Let’s hit it.
–Bandit
