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NEED A MOTORCYCLE MOVED?–Mike will handle it, near or far. He’s based in the center of the country, but he’s constantly on the move. Just give him a call.
SPRING INTO THE SEASON WITH A LEATHER RIDING JACKET– Bandit has been working overtime and has made available in the Black Market a new line of old-skool kool leather jackets from Torian Chopper Leathers that are made for hard-riding guys and gals.
The Torian Chopper Leathers apparel line is designed to accommodate all the gadgets and stash that bikers carry with them. Each jacket is made from the finest naked cowhide for a supple feel and quality that provides years of protection while maintaining its good looks.
?This is now my favorite riding jacket,? stated Bandit. ?It felt comfortable and worn in the first day I threw it on!?
Checkout all the latest Torian Chopper Leathers outstanding old-skool kool jacket.
Torian Chopper Leathers is an exclusive in Bikernet?s Black Market.
CYCLE SOURCE MAY ISSUE REVIEW– Been scanning thru. the May issue. I like the layout, all the stuff.
One add, pg. 98 though really hit home. The the logo on the T shirt in the add is Right On. “Ride It Like You Can Fix It”. It cannot be said any better!!Pablo
–Pablo
ABATE of California’s Motorcycle Awareness Month Bill PASSES State SenateSCR 99 Rides to the Assembly–ABATE of CA Lobbyist Jim Lombardo said he would try to have it done by the ABATE So-Cal Regional Rally on Mother’s Day in Lake Elsinore…which would be really cool since I’m the emcee for the Motorcycle Awareness Month Ceremony at the rally…and he’s right on track for making that happen. Thanks, Jim!
This year’s Motorcycle Awareness Month bill for the state of California, SCR 99 – has passed its first hurdle in the state senate. SCR stands for Senate Concurrent Resolution – meaning, it will run concurrently in the Assembly, as well. If the bill had originated in the Assembly, it would have been titled “ACR” for Assembly Concurrent Resolution. SCR=Senate. ACR=Assembly.
What does that mean? Well…if it passes on the Assembly floor, that means it is approved by BOTH houses….and that’s something you can use to get your local media involved – to get them to do news stories and articles asking the public to take notice of motorcyclists. Hey…don’t poo-poo the idea…the life you save just might be your OWN.
Here’s how it went….tell me if you see any of YOUR legislators as a sponsor…or, take a look at how YOUR senator voted on the senate floor. (at the bottom of the page)What? Dunno who your state legislators are? Visit: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html
You have one State Assembly member, and one State Senator representing YOU in Sacramento. There are 40 senators and 80 assembly members making laws for 36,457,549 people. Over one MILLION of those folks have an M1 license….ABATE does this every year – along with gathering up MAM proclamations from cities and counties from all up and down the golden state – in hopes of heightening motorist awareness to motorcycle riders.
Also take note at how the voting isn’t as “partisan” as other votes on issues we’ve monitored in the past….Motorcycle Awareness Month is the ONE issue that almost everyone can agree on, meaning…it’s an excellent opportunity to build relationships with legislators who might otherwise disagree with our “other” issues…make a friend on THIS issue, and they just might “vote with their feet” on another issue of relevance to motorcyclists…which, in a pinch, could help get a bill out of committee when they choose to walk down the hallway for a drink of water instead of sitting there to vote “No.”
Remember…a couple of these folks came on board with us at the very beginning of their political careers…THAT is the time to catch them, during their first election….which….whaddyaknow….just happens to be 2008 for the current crop of newbies. Hint hint.
Contact the ABATEPAC representative in your local and find yerself an ABATEPAC Endorsed Biker Friendly candidate and WORK that campaign and (hopefully) make us a new friend.
With your help TODAY, the sport just might survive – TOMORROW.
That would be a good thing….my dresser – that hasn’t been washed in four or five years, the Fisher-Price Deathmobile thanks you.
~splatt
ABATE of California Board of Directors
Road Dog Emeritus
FORGE-TEC INTRODUCES A NEW 3D WHEEL, THE HAMMER– Oxnard, CA- Forge-Tec Motorcycle Wheels and Accessories announced today the introduction of the Hammer, a new 3D wheel designed exclusively for their FHO Program?For Harleys Only. The Hammer is available in all popular sizes and applications (?84-?08?including ABS equipped models) and has matching rotors and pulleys. Harley dealers can also buy any one of Forge-Tec?s 13 other wheel designs, but these can also be found at other types of bike shops. No FHO wheels will be found at a dealership except Harley-Davidson stores.
All FHO wheels will be kept in stock at Forge-Tec?s warehouse (only in the most popular sizes) and dealers orders will be shipped in record time?No more waiting 12-16 weeks for a set of wheels! These wheels are available in black powder coated, show polished, luxurious chrome and new for ?08, all styles (except the Legacy and the Nomad) will be available in our Midnight Series?black anodized finish combined with classic machining gives these wheels a totally ?badass? look.
All processes are completed in-house, utilizing only state-of-the-art equipment and highly sophisticated process technologies. All Forge-Tec wheels are rotary forged utilizing one of their proprietary forge presses using only ?virgin? aircraft grade 6061 aluminum?.there?s no recycled aluminum in their products.
All wheels go out shipped with the rotors and pulley attached and torqued to OEM specs which eliminates a lot of guess work at the dealer level and ensures that wheels arrive to their customers in perfect condition.
For further information on complete wheels, please contact Forge-Tec Motorcycle directly at 888-367-4385. Forge-Tec Motorcycle Wheels and Accessories, 950 Richmond Ave., Oxnard, CA 93030. Dealer inquiries invited!
STURGIS SHOTS FROM AUSTRALIA– These shots were taken in Sturgis 2005>>>> only in Sturgis.
–Glenn
GP Leather
BIKERNET TAKES US BACK TO THE ’60S– It was a hot Saturday evening in the summer of 1960 and Fred had a date with Peggy Sue. He arrived at her house and rang the bell.
‘Oh, come on in!’ Peggy Sue’s mother said as she welcomed Fred in. ‘Have a seat in the living room. Would you like something to drink? Lemonade? Iced tea?’
‘Iced tea, please,’ Fred said. Mom brought the iced tea.
‘So what are you and Peggy planning to do tonight?’ she asked.
‘Oh, probably catch a movie than maybe grab a bite to eat at the malt shop, maybe take a walk on the beach…’
‘Peggy likes to screw, you know,’ Mom informed him.
‘Really’, Fred asked, eyebrows raised?
‘Oh yes’, the mother continued, ‘when she goes out with her friends, they all do!’
‘Is that so’, asked Fred incredulous?
‘Yes’, said the mother, ‘as a matter of fact, she’d screw all night if we let her’.
‘Thanks for the tip’ said Fred as he began thinking about alternate plans for the evening.
A moment later, Peggy Sue came down the stairs looking pretty as a picture wearing a pink blouse and a hoop skirt, and with her hair tied back in a bouncy ponytail. She greeted Fred.
‘Have fun kids!’ the mother said as they left.
Half an hour later, a completely disheveled Peggy Sue burst into the house and slammed the front door behind her.
‘Twist mom!’ she angrily yelled to her mother in the kitchen. ‘The Twist, dammit! It’s called the Twist!’.
–James Schnarr
VAGABOND CHICKIE SHOP EXPANSION– I am so ready to do some fantastic things- I have great designs for some one-off cool choppers and have some really great things in the works. I started my business with $5,000.00 and a garage full of tools and my passion and love for doing it. Vagabond has grown in leaps and bounds from a tiny warehouse in an industrial park, to a huge store front shop on main roads ( Sample Rd & Dixie Hwy). I have just gotten some really cool merchandise hanging up for the ladies and guys that’s not your typical stuff, so all that is great. But I could use a sponsor to help us expand.
I have created a sponsorship proposal that I can share with interested folks. I’m also going to write a book.
— Athena
Vagabond Chickie
OILBUD FOR PROTECTING SOFTAIL ENGINES– Means Keeping Oil Temperatures Cool.The Oilbud keeps oil temps cooler and is virtually undetectable.
(HELENA, Mont.) ? March 5, 2008 –The days of sacrificing sleek lines and design style in the name of keeping oil temps cooler are gone. The new Oilbud intercooler efficiently delivers a 35 degree cooling differential, but what?s better, the under mount design means no one knows the Oilbud is onboard.
Perhaps the reluctance to bolt the traditional radiator style oil cooler to the downtube of the frame has left some Harley owners in denial about the importance of oil temperature. Bud Clarke, owner of Oilbud, wasn?t content to let oil temps on his 2005 Softail run at 250 degrees and risk engine trouble.
One day when walking by an experimental airplane he was building at his business Air-Ryder, a thought struck Clarke. If the oil cooler he designed for his turbo charged, intercooled airplane could cool oil temps from 260 degrees to under 200, certainly he could design something for his Softail.And he did.
Inspired by aircraft technology, the Oilbud is built from aircraft quality materials, polished stainless steel tubing, braided stainless hoses and 6061-T6 aluminum extrusion and welded in header tank assembly. The temperature regulator starts to open when oil temps hit 185 degrees and fully opens at 205 degrees. Temperature differentials from the cold to the hot side of the cooler have been measured up to 35 degrees.
The durable Oilbud fits between the frame rails, and once mounted under the motorcycle, it is virtually undetectable. It is designed for 2000-2008 Softails. It is easily installed with no major retrofits required
Cooler oil temperatures means longer engine life. What are the costs when oil gets too hot and breaks down? With Oilbud, Softail owners no longer have to take the chance of running hot oil temps.
For more details and videos on the Oilbud, go to http://www.budsbikerparts.net
VALERIE THOMPSON’S NEW DRAG RACING RIDE– Let her know which color scheme you like the best. Of course she needs to keep her sponsors’ colors alive.
–Valerie Thompson
Team Owner
www.ValerieThompsonRacing.com
WHEELS THROUGH TIME MUSEUM CLOSES DOORS AUGUST 31ST, 2008– Daytona BikeWeek brings out good news and some bad news: The saddestnews this year was out already during the Annual Antique Motorcycle SwapMeet at Eustice. Well known Classic motorcycle specialist and collectorDale Walksler shocked the fans of the Collection at Maggie Valley/NorthCarolina with the announcement to shut down operation. Not because forthe lack of interest or visitors, but for reasons that could bedescribed as harassment by authorities of local government and state.
One of the most precious collections of antique motorcycles in the USA,with more than 65.000 visitors per year and an online-restoration showthat is preserving the heritage of American motorcycling and theotherwise lost knowledge how to restore (and run!) these old machines,thus will move westward and will be downsized considerably!
“The museumwill shut down opereation August 31st,” Dale Walksler said, “so everybody who wants to see theexisting collection should hurry up!” Dale will move to the West Coast,somewhere in northern California or Oregon ? and is currently lookingfor a suitable location of approx. 33.000 square feet for his futureprojects and a downscaled version of his stunning collection that willbe scaled down to 125 selected bike.
“I am planning toauction off a part of the collection and plan to move,”said Walksler, former authorised Harley-Davidson dealer, who spent morethan 30 years to get this stunning collection into his own museum. “I am currently looking for a location.”
HARLEY-DAVIDSON REPORTS FIRST QUARTER RESULTS —Company Reduces Full Year Shipments and Revises Guidance.
Milwaukee, Wis., April 17, 2008 — Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HOG) today announced its results for the first quarter ended March 30, 2008. Revenue for the quarter was $1.31 billion compared to $1.18 billion in the year-ago quarter, a 10.8 percent increase. Net income for the quarter was $187.6 million compared to $192.3 million, a decrease of 2.5 percent compared to the first quarter of 2007. First quarter diluted earnings per share (EPS) were $0.79, a 6.8 percent increase compared to last year?s $0.74.
?With growing weakness in the economy, U.S. retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles were down 12.8 percent in the first quarter. Although these retail results are disappointing, Harley-Davidson?s U.S. dealers outperformed the heavyweight motorcycle industry, which was down 14.0 percent,? said Jim Ziemer, Chief Executive Officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc.
?We?ve said on a number of occasions that we would closely monitor the retail environment and regularly assess our wholesale shipment plans, and we remain committed to shipping fewer Harley-Davidson motorcycles to our worldwide dealer network than we expect they will sell this year. In view of U.S. retail trends and uncertainty about the future of the economy, we now plan to ship 23,000 to 27,000 fewer Harley-Davidson motorcycles in 2008 than we shipped in 2007, resulting in total planned 2008 shipments between 303,500 and 307,500 units,? Ziemer said.
?We will achieve the shipment reduction through temporary plant shutdowns and adjustments to daily production rates. This will result in a decrease of about 370 unionized employees over the next several months. Our management group and union leaders will work together to implement this reduction.?
?The Company will also be reducing the non-production workforce by about 360 jobs. We believe these actions will better position the Company for a business environment that we expect to continue to be challenging,? Ziemer said.
?Harley-Davidson is fortunate to be dealing with the current economic environment from a position of financial strength. We are a great company with an exceptionally powerful brand. We are optimistic about our long term business prospects and we will continue to invest in marketing, product development and our international business to drive future growth.?
?For 2008, the Company now expects earnings per share to decrease between 15 and 20 percent compared to 2007 resulting in expected earnings per share of $3.00 to $3.18,? said Ziemer. This supersedes all previous guidance on earnings per share and other measures.
The Company expects to ship between 76,000 and 80,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the second quarter of 2008.
Motorcycles and Related Products Segment ? First Quarter Results
Revenue from Harley-Davidson motorcycles was $1.02 billion, an increase of $125.7 million or 14.1 percent versus the same period last year. Shipments of Harley-Davidson motorcycles totaled 71,868 units, an increase of 4,107 units or 6.1 percent compared to last year?s first quarter. Shipments in the first quarter of 2007 were affected by a strike at Harley-Davidson?s production plants in York, Pa., that resulted in approximately four weeks of lost production at the facilities.
Revenue from Parts and Accessories (P&A), which consists of Genuine Motor Parts and Genuine Motor Accessories, totaled $181.9 million, a decrease of $6.3 million or 3.3 percent versus the year-ago quarter. Revenue from General Merchandise, which consists of MotorClothes? apparel and collectibles, totaled $84.0 million, an increase of $7.9 million or 10.4 percent over the year-ago quarter.
Gross margin for the first quarter of 2008 was 36.4 percent of revenue compared to 35.9 percent for the first quarter last year. Operating margin remained unchanged at 20.0 percent in the first quarter of 2008 compared to the prior year.
Motorcycle Retail Sales Data
During the first quarter, worldwide retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 5.6 percent compared to the prior year quarter. In the U.S., retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 12.8 percent for the quarter while the heavyweight motorcycle industry in the U.S. decreased 14.0 percent.
Retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles increased 16.8 percent in international markets during the first quarter of 2008 compared to the first quarter of 2007. First quarter retail sales increased 31.1 percent in Canada; the Europe Region was up 7.8 percent; the Asia Pacific Region was up 19.5 percent; and the Latin America Region was up 53.3 percent.
Financial Services Segment
Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS) reported first quarter operating income of $34.9 million, a decrease of $24.0 million or 40.8 percent compared to the year-ago quarter. The decrease is primarily due to a reduction in income from securitization..
Cash Flow
Cash and marketable securities totaled $333.2 million as of March 30, 2008. Cash flow from operations was $146.8 million and capital expenditures were $43.2 million during the first quarter of 2008. For the full year of 2008, capital expenditures are now expected to be between $235 million and $250 million.
Stock Repurchase
The Company repurchased 2.6 million shares of its common stock at a cost of $100.1 million during the first quarter of 2008. On March 30, 2008, the Company had 236.5 million shares of common stock outstanding.
As of March 30, 2008, there were 20.5 million shares remaining on two board-approved share repurchase authorizations. An additional board-approved share repurchase authorization is in place to offset option exercises.
HAVE THE NEED 4 SPEED? WE GOT YOU COVERED!–The Merchants of Speed say if you want to get more performance you need to get more air into your engine. Step 1… A free-flowing air filter. Bandit talks to Johnny Jump of K&N on Harley Air Filters. Get the scoop in Bikernet Studio. Click here to hear the latest radio programming.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHOP MEET& Custom Motorcycle Show–at Mountain High Ski Resort, Wrightwood, CAJuly 19, 2008.
Temecula, CA?Organizers of the famed El Diablo Run, award-winning motorcycle builder Wes White of Four Aces Cycle and Chris Collins at Biltwell Inc. are teaming up to give motorcycle riders, garage builders, swap meet shoppers and punk rock fans a custom motorcycle event early buzz indicates will be the biggest and best of its kind in the western United States.
THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHOP MEET & CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE SHOW will appeal to hard-core, blue-collar bikers by replacing tired bands and overpriced ?biker rally? flotsam and jetsam with the best entertainment and fun your hard-earned money can buy:
? Swap Meet with hard-to-find used parts and desirable new merchandise
? Free Custom Motorcycle Show for everyone who rides to the event
? Live Punk Rock from popular local and nationally acclaimed bands
? Great Food & Beverages
? Epic riding on twisty LA County mountain roads
? Fresh air and sunshine at Mountain High Ski Resort, SoCal?s most popular ski area
Tickets for CHOP MEET spectators are just 30 dollars per person, and include free motorcycle parking and entry into the CHOP MEET BIKE SHOW for everyone who rides. Mountain High Ski Resort, the host venue for the CHOP MEET, features indoor/outdoor bar and restaurant facilities, clean bathrooms and paved parking for the comfort and convenience of vendors and spectators alike. Three bands will light up the stage at the CHOP MEET, with Cutty Notebloom?s band The Whitewalls getting things started at 2:00 p.m. Gates open for everyone at 10:00 a.m., so come early to get the best deal on the most coveted used parts and new accessories available anywhere.
To purchase tickets and reserve vendor space for the CHOP MEET at Mountain High Ski Resort, go to www.CHOPMEET.com. Vendors and swap sellers take note: fees for vending at the CHOP MEET are ridiculously low, and space is limited to 200 retailers. Please visit the CHOP MEET website or call vendor liaison Wes White at (818) 824-1060 to reserve vendor space today.
BCCOM NEWS, CALLING ALL PETITIONS–We will be presenting the transferable plates petition to our “Minister of Motorcycling”, Blair Lekstrom, MLA for Peace River South on the steps of the Legislature on Thursday, May 1st during the 19th Annual MLA Ride.
Your voice counts! If you haven’t had a chance to sign the petition yet please do so as soon as possible and join us on the MLA Ride to let your MLA know your thoughts. We would like all petitions returned to us by April 25th. A special thanks to everyone who has supported this cause.
MLA RIDE – MAY 1, 2008
Looking for an excuse to take a day off work and go for a ride? You should join us on Thursday, May 1st for the 19th Annual MLA Ride! This is BCCOM?s Annual Ride to the Legislature in Victoria to take the MLA?s and their staff for a ride on their lunch hour. It is a chance for motorcyclists to speak directly with your individual Member of the Legislative Assembly on motorcycling and safety issues that affect you and your family and let them experience firsthand the thrill of motorcycling. It is also the big kickoff to promote May as Motorcycle Awareness Month!
STURGIS THUNDER ROAD MAIN EVENT FRIDAY–BIKERNET BROUHAHA–Registrations are already being taken for the all day show, but here’s the deal:Bikernet Brouhaha, brou?ha?ha na noisy commotion or uproar (formal)
– Bike Shows, American, Classic and Metric
-Tattoos, you name it.
-Orgasms, the contest, what could be better
-Jealous Husbands, terrifying, treacherous and violent
-Live Music from Thunder Road’s Best
-Hang with Steven Tyler, chat with Builders
-Beer from Strokers Sturgis
-Wet T-shirts and smiles
-Bikernet Girls, the biker, heart, knowledge and intellectual side
-Bandit, I’ll be serving drinks
-Custom Motorcycles displays by Michael Lichter and the World’s Fastest Panhead
The funnest da in Sturgis. Join us from 10 am to 7 pm at Thunder Road (located 3 miles east of Sturgis on Highway 34) Friday August 8, 2008 for the Bikernet Brouhaha. See Bikernet.com for all the sordid details.
BIKERNET DEAL OF THE WEEK, A DRAGSTER– FOR SALEPete Ogden “Super ’65” Front engine Top Fuel Dragster.This is the number 1 car from my Armageddon Top Fuel project. If you were to have this car built professionally today it would cost over $125,000.
Everything is brand new, the absolute best parts and craft available. It’s a very safe, simple, no computer, no reverser, direct drive pedal clutch car that’s 80% complete.
Built to be run as a tiresmoker, this car has enough power to strike the the 12 inch M&Hs on any track and smoke ’em. Full throttle, HARD passes are what it’s built for.
I can complete the car for you, down to a push board for your tow car and even a bitchin’ trailer. (I’ve got cool push cars for sale too) It comes with a sanitary little .063 short body, but I’ll build you any body you want, and paint it too. Check my work here www.condercustom.com
There are only 2 of these cars on the entire planet. There is no class for them yet, but it’s clear to run ’em in Advance e.t. along with other orphan hot rods (like the Winged Express).
Price out a new car with a Donovan set on kill, then drop me a line with any questions you may have. The engine will be on display at it’s builders shop (Rex Hutchison Racing Engines). Call me to see the car. May part out if the offer is FAIR. Make offer. –
–Tim
(707) 843-9454
GOOD GOD, THE NEWS IS FINISHED–I swear some of these day kick our butts. By the end of the day the women are leaving me, the animals are clawing the walls, the computers are smokin’ and I’m ready for whiskey.
I was going to write a music review about these two CDS, but the day escaped. I’ll tell ya quick. Love Ride 24 is a cool set of road songs benefitin’ the Love Ride Foundation, which supported a Kids charity I was involved with a few years back. Gregg Allman is featured with Jeff Healey and Jack Mack and the Heart Attack gang. I got a kick out of ’59, about the year. Every time I worked out I enjoyed listening to that cut. Search American Road Records.com for this set.
I met Deacon Jones here at the Bikernet Headquarters with the Charlie Brechtel band during a show taping. We’re still waiting for the edit to spill onto cable, but I finally listened to Deacon’s Jonesen for Money CD. He’s the master of the Hammond Organ and a phd in the blues. “If blues was money, I’d be a millionaire.” There’s something in those words that hits home. Eddie Money sings some of the vocals and Gregg Allman is also featured. Check Big7productions.com for the cut.
Okay, we’ll have more about Indian MC next week. Several killer bike features are due to be launched as I prep for the ride with Billy Lane to the Legends event at Half Moon Bay. We’re going to ride old rigids all 300 miles. He’s straddling a knuck and I’m riding my Sturgis Shovel. He’s coming down to swap old parts. I’ve got a Pope engine and he has a handful of Peashooter parts for my 1929 C effort for Bonneville, somewhere down the road. Tomorrow I’ll deliver our first Nightster road test and Matt and Isaac’s twin choppers feature. Now for Whiskey and pasta or Margarita’s and enchiladas. Roll the dice.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
