Hey,
The Hamsters rolled into the Badlands yesterday, along with riders from all over the country and the world. The rally is officially underway.
Rogue, Buck Lovell, and Bikernet Betsy have all the action covered in Sturgis, while we scramble to finish our Bonneville bikes. Incredible. Let’s hit the news.
FINAL SMOKE OUT CREDITS—This year the Long Road was organized by Brian “Uncle Ben” Sauer. He is from Canada and did a hell of a job.
The Pig Roast was put on by Ash Payne (502) 220-9940.
–Commander Edge
Smoke Out
NEW SINGLE-SIDE SWINGARM BAG FOR SPORTSTER MODELS–
A Handy Bag Available in Black or Brown Distressed Leather
MILWAUKEE (August 2, 2012) The new Sportster Single-Sided Swingarm Bag (P/N 90200572 Black Leather, P/N 90200573 Brown Distressed Leather; $219.95) from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories® will hold riding essentials a rider might otherwise stuff into pockets or bungee across the passenger pillion.
Constructed of heavyweight leather, the bag features a pouch-style flap lid that is secured with two quick-disconnect clips hidden behind traditional straps and buckles. The semi-rigid-backed bag is secured to the left side of the bike with easy-to-install brackets and adjustable straps. Shaped to hug the contour of the frame, this 430-cubic-inch capacity bag gives a Sportster an old school look. It fits 2004-later Sportster models equipped with solo seats. Installation requires removal of any passenger pegs.
HOKA HEY UNDERWAY– The Challenge began early this morning with riders beating the desert heat on their first leg of their almost 6000 mile journey. Triking Viking is following challenger Kelly Quinn (ThrottleGirl) as she takes on the Hoka Hey Challenge to raise money and positive advocacy for the Northern Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation (NNCCF). Follow her (number 730) on Fleet tracking at the Hoka Key Website http://www.hokaheychallenge.com/ and here at Bikernet
KLOCKWERKS Pre-Sturgis Party–Klock Works held their 6th Annual Pre-Sturgis Party at their shop in Mitchell SD on Thursday and then gathered up on Friday for a group ride into Sturgis.
They are set up at Black Hills Harley-Davidson in Rapid City where you can try out their Flare Windshield and or purchase any of their other products.
I have their Flare Windshield on my 2004 FLHT and it really works well.
Stop by and see them when in the area.
–Rogue
www.bikerrogue.com
GO TO STURGIS, ART HIT THE SURFING NATIONALS IN HUNTINGTON BEACH– The competition and bikinis ran all week with the finals last Sunday.
–Art
Magnificent photographer, Quick Throttle Magazine
International Editor, Bikernet.com
17 PALMS SUPER SUNDAY DEAL–Deal of the week, titled ‘78 Shovelhead needs cosmetic work, but an extremely strong runner asking just $6500.00. Only ‘cause I have to kick-up a comission to that thieving Bandit.
Helping out an old scooter tramp down on his luck.
–Dry Sand Larry
lsr9990@yahoo.com
A BROTHER DOWNED–If you’re receiving this, then I’m fairly confident you knew our brother Garry Hughes.
It is with a heavy heart that I convey that Garry Hughes passed away yesterday after a valiant battle with cancer for over two years now.
Attached you will find a pdf that share’s our thoughts and feelings about Garry.
I’m sure details will follow, but for now, please keep Denise (Garry’s Sister) & Susan (Garry’s Wife) in your prayers.
He truly was part of our family.
–Paul Platts
JIMS Machine
NEW HARLEY RIDE– Starting August 4th, join a group of Harley riders as they take to the open road to visit some of the most picturesque places in the world.
The ride begins in Xining, China, a city of over 2 million people, and then heads south through the towns and villages in the mountains of China. We’ll be meeting new people, seeing new sights and sharing new experiences throughout this adventure.
To participate in this Epic Ride, join us on Facebook, Twitter and #hd110 and #Epicchinaride.
READER COMMENT–Just an idea of a show to pitch for TV, how about one about the freedom fighters such as ABATE or MRF?
–Harvey
I’m working on it. It could be the most uplifting, meaningful, enlightening piece of Television artistry to ever burn up the airwaves. We’ll see.
–Bandit
BELL HELMETS AND ROLAND SANDS DESIGNS CONTEST–Launched at the beginning of the month on the Bell Powersports Facebook page, the unique promotion challenges cyclists to offer their most compelling rationale for why they and their bike deserve the “Star Treatment” from Bell and Roland Sands Design (RSD).
Please see this video of Roland making a direct call out to riders across the country: Watch here..
The grand prize includes:
· Trip to Roland Sands Design (RSD) headquarters in Southern California to work with Sands himself on a customization plan for the winner’s motorcycle
· Trip for 2 back to Southern California for the unveiling and an inaugural ride with the RSD and Bell teams
· RSD special edition Bell Star Carbon helmet
· RSD riding jacket and gloves
People can enter the BELL STAR TREATMENT contest by visiting the Bell Powersports Facebook page or Bell Powersports website (www.bellpowersports.com). The contest entry period ends on August 31, 2012 with the winners being announced shortly thereafter. Additional information can be found in the release (attached and below).
–Jeff
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY SUMMER SCHOOL VOCABULARY LESSON–
billet-doux BIL-ey-DOO, noun;?plural billets-doux bil-ay-DOO(Z):
A love letter.
The bouquet struck her full in the chest, and a little billet-doux fell out of it into her lap.
–E. M. Forster, Where Angels Fear to Tread
Or you receive a billet doux in a careless scrawl you can’t read. What sort of billet doux is that, I ask you?
–William H. Gass, Willie Masters’ Lonesome Wife
“A billet-doux means love letter, in French like.” “Then why didn’t you just say love letter?”
“Because French is the language of love, my boy. Something you should keep in mind, but will soon forget.”
–William W. Johnstone and J. A. Johnstone, The Brother’s O’Brien
Billet-doux literally means “sweet note” in French. It entered English in the 1660s.
SPEED WEEK AT BONNEVILLE RIGHT NOW–Dave & Alex have invited Katie Schellinger and Kenny Lyon to be “Live”,on “Racing Roundup” this Sunday.
Topic: Katie’s record challenge! , Bonneville SpeedWeek, & Salt Flat Racing.
KCBQ Radio AM 1170 San Diego, Ca.
Dave Stall/Alex Plewniak, Racing Roundup: at 7 PM (Pacific Standard Time) Sunday August, 5, 2012.
Listen Live on the web!
The show is on KCBQ, AM 1170 (“intelligent talk radio”) If you would like to learn more or listen live on the web you can click here: http://kcbq.townhall.com/
Thank You
Kenny Lyon
www.goldwingracingproject.info
BIKERNET VETERANS AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT– Approve the liver transplant of Vietnam veteran Lucius Littlejohn–My father served in the United States Army in Vietnam from 1967-1969. While on duty, his platoon was directly sprayed by Agent Orange- an extremely toxic herbicide used by the United States military- which, 40 years later, caused his liver to fail. A liver transplant could save my father’s life.
Duke University Hospital is ready to perform the transplant once they receive the necessary insurance money to pay for it. Unfortunately, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), has been dragging their feet to approve the insurance benefits my father is entitled to as a veteran. The VA said that my father qualifies for the insurance over 2 years ago but little action has been taken. So now, my father is dying in Duke University Hospital while the VA takes their time in processing his paperwork.
A doctor in the VA has already told us that if we don’t seek outside help, my father will soon die. He is only 62 years old and wants to watch his two grandchildren- Cody, 6, and Kenzie, 2- grow up. Rep. Trey Gowdy of South Carolina is pushing the VA to approve the liver transplant for my father but we need more voices.
Please add your voice to save the life of Lucius Littlejohn: a father, grandfather and United States war veteran.
–change.org
–from Ben Lamboeuf
Supreme Advertising Director
Bikernet.com
PARTY AT THE CHIP–The fun has already started at the Buffalo Chip in Sturgis; we got into town in time to see the Charlie Brechtel Band perform. He and other groups will be there during the week as well as plenty of other entertainment.
That entertainment includes the contest for Miss Buffalo Chip. Since we were on stage when they appeared most of my shots are from the back side, I hope that is not a problem LOL.
I will be there and other places during the rally looking for photo opportunities, hope you turn out to be one of them.
–ROGUE
A-Bombers Old Style Weekend 2012– true art in motion.
–Sheriff
MEDIA GROUP
S-36030 LAMMHULT
SWEDEN
HERE IS THE Sunday USED HARLEY BIKE DEAL FROM THE BIKERNET CLASSIFIEDS!– A used 1997 Heritage Softail! 111-inch S & S Super Sidewinder EVO engine, S & S carb, Ape Hangers, White wall tires, Candy paint, Samson exhaust. Clean, tight bike for $12,500!
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? QUICK, GO TO THE BIKERNET CLASSIFIEDS for Used Motorcycles, WHERE THE ADVENTURE IS JUST WAITING TO BEGIN! YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU WILL FIND!
–MIKE the STEALTH
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JASMINE CAIN IS IN STURGIS RIGHT NOW– The wait is over and this week in Sturgis fans will have first shot at the new acoustic album Modern Day Gypsy. Available online September 1st!
BIKERNET 5-Ball RACING WHEELER REPORT
THE ADRENALINE CLOCK IS TICKING
Speed Week Bonneville, 5 days
BUB Speed Trials Bonneville, 19 days
Loring, Maine, 25 days
With less than 20 days and another fantastic, productive week in Morgan Hill stationed out of the Beach Racing facility.
It’s Bonneville salt addiction MAGIC!
Day by day we’re making noticeable major progress. First light last Thursday Vince and the in-house-wizards at Mike Corbin’s shop in Hollister, CA jumped on the 124 inch Twin Cam Raycer build with both feet. The hairs on the back of my neck are standing on end thinking about our upcoming ride on the salt.
http://www.airtech-streamlining.com
The Air Tech front fairing was reworked the first day to mount a headlight, a bright idea and adds to the aerodynamic package. Research shows the mirrors are designed in wind tunnels for the Busa, channel the wind past your shoulders for a quicker ride into the sunrise or sunset.
This coming week the trusty UPS drivers will hit the shop on a regular basis as the final pieces of the build arrive in a timely manner. Air Tech shipped the lower part of the fairing destined for the Corbin Wizards Team for a precision trim, mount and paint session.
The fuel tank is painted while the front fairing is body worked and in primer. The front fender is body worked and primed. The tail/seat section now has mounting plates for a Busa tail light, as well as modified to comply with the latest rules governing A (altered)-(purpose built) motorcycles. The added hump is easily removable with two strategically located fasteners.
http://www.daytona-twintec.com
On the two week plate ahead of us, wiring (wires are tagged), oil lines, fuel system (tagged), air system (tagged).
We’ll peel out of Morgan Hill to the tuner in Napa for start up and an easy tune for a brief break in period around the 17th, then the final Bonneville tune up for an attempt at going real safe, real straight and real fukin fast.?
Hang on tight, your 5-Ball racing Team is headed to Bonneville in 19 days and a get up with 20 days of work on the table? What?
See ya at the BUB Speed Trials.
Haul Ass!
Ride for your Life!
Ray c wheeler
Performance Editor
wheeler@bikernet.com
[page break]
THREE DAYS INTO OUR RIDE–
We spend last night in Missoula right outside Glacier national park. I felt like I was part of a Nativity scene as we rolled into the area last night only to find that there was no room in the INN. Luckily we found the last remaining room in missoula thanks to price-line on the smart phones.
At 11:00 last night biker after biker came into the hotel looking for lodging complaining that there was not a room to be found for 200 miles in any direction. I have a feeling that many a biker spent the night in a TP or under an overpass last night. I offered to share our room with a couple of bikers who politely thought they might try a few more hotels before accepting my offer.
Tragicaly a biker went down right outside our hotel last night. He was pulling out of a gas station when a dumb blonde in a cage ran a red light and plowed right into him. Bike was totally smashed to piece but he escaped with a broken arm. I wanted vader to use the force to strangle that lady.
Keep your eyes out for bikers please.
http://longridetosturgis.blogspot.com/
BIKERNET JOB OFFICES–I sent off a resume to SpaceX n Hawthorne.
They are looking for aerospace Heli-arc welders.
They are a commercial aerospace company.
They recently launched their own satellite into
space.
Elon Musk is the founder of the company.
Check out www.spacex.com then updates
Nasa has awarded Spacex and Boeing new
Contracts.
–Pablo
XDL STUNT BIKES AT THE QUEEN MARY– These guys can really maneuver those bikes.
Most are 600 cc Honda – Yamaha – Suziki – BMW – and a V-twin Hyosung? (Korean)
This happened on Saturday at the Queen Mary. Very close to home – nice day – cool event.
The XDL Championship Series is the premier stunt riding championship in the world and attracts competitors from the U.S., Asia and Europe. No other stunt riding championship has been around as long as XDL, which over the years has led to a large international following in countries such as India, Indonesia, Thailand, France, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and many other countries.
Today over 60% of XDL fans are from countries outside the U.S. and it is only a matter of time before we spread our wings into the emerging markets of Asia where 85% of all motorcycle in the world are sold. Stunt riding is fast becoming one of the most powerful international action sports, and XDL is regarded as the leading competition brand. To put it simply, XDL is the F1 or NASCAR of stunt riding.
XDL had a rather inauspicious start as a test event in 2005. At the time we combined drifting with stunt riding to see what kind of entertainment we could create; hence the name: Xtreme Drift League. The experiment didn’t work out so well, but we realized there was a lot of potential for a stunt riding championship. We started the XDL Championship Series in 2006 with 3 events. We went to four in 2007, and in 2008 XDL became a 6 event points series. Today we run a solid 5-s.”
One of the big benefits of our sport is that it takes place in a more or less standardized area of 100’ x 300’, which is tiny compared to the space required by a race track, and small enough to easily fit into a parking lot.
A typical XDL event consists of a practice day, followed by two event days. $10,000 in prize money is up for grabs at each time, and with 5 events that makes an annual purse of $50,000.
–Art Hall
Bikernet Supreme International Galactic Editor
ALWAYS A NEW ANGLE TO ENHANCE CONTROL, BAN AMMO–
On July 30th, U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.) introduced legislation that would impose sweeping new–and not so new–restrictions on ammunition sales. The bills, S. 3458 and H.R. 6241, are known as the “Stop Online Ammunition Sales Act.”
The bill itself has four elements: (1) A federal licensing requirement for ammunition sellers; (2) Recordkeeping on all ammunition sales; (3) Reporting of all sales of more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition to anyone without a federal firearms license within five consecutive business days; and (4) A photo identification requirement for all non-licensees buying ammunition, “effectively banning the online or mail order purchase of ammo by regular civilians.”??
The two lawmakers’ contempt for “regular civilians” is nothing new, and neither are the first two of the requirements they propose. Starting in 1968, ammunition dealers had to have licenses from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and also had to keep records of purchasers.
The recordkeeping requirement on .22 caliber rimfire ammunition was so burdensome that it was repealed in 1982. Congress did away with the remaining licensing and recordkeeping provisions as part of the “Firearms Owners’ Protection Act of 1986″ after the BATF itself said the restrictions had “no substantial law enforcement value.”
Shop owners said corporate demands for a pricey remodel and pinched supply lines led to the franchise’s budget uncertainties and ultimate demise.
This is a shocker. Talk about getting kicked to the curb.
By Drew Harwell, Times Staff Writer
LARGO — Built from the ground up by a former motorcycle racer, Bob Fletcher’s Harley-Davidson dealership was for 48 years a local biker institution.
In the mid ’90s, during the brand’s peak, biker buffs camped outside the U.S. 19 showroom for three days to score a new Harley. Evel Knievel brought his bikes there for service.
But now, less than two months after Fletcher’s death, his family-owned shop has lost its franchise. By the end of the month, Fletcher’s will close for good.
The downfall has exposed raw tensions between the blue-collar franchise and the international Harley heavyweight, a rugged icon of outlaw Americana turned status symbol and boutique.
Shop owners said corporate demands for a pricey remodel and pinched supply lines led to the franchise’s budget uncertainties and ultimate demise.
“We’re a family company, and the new way of doing everything with corporate would have changed the way we do business,” said Laura Fletcher-Taylor, who has run the shop with her two sisters since Fletcher’s 1986 retirement.
Of her father, a former Harley devotee, she said, “It’s a blessing he’s not here to see this.”
The recession made Harley’s high-end hogs an unaffordable luxury for many, and Fletcher’s sales were half what they were during the ’90s, Fletcher-Taylor said.
Axed plans for the shop’s expansion onto a nearby $5 million plot left the shop saddled with a massive mortgage. And road construction on U.S. 19 that swallowed them in dust helped to drive away potential sales.
But perhaps the most crushing blow came from Harley’s tough demands on franchisees, which Fletcher-Taylor said mandated a host of cosmetic changes to meet new corporate standards. One of them, changes to a merchandise wall, would have cost $150,000.
“We needed then to put the focus on employees and health care,” Fletcher-Taylor said, “not replacing something that works.”
All franchise relationships are framed by controls from corporate bosses, and the standards set for Fletcher’s were, as shop owners said, part of the deal.
But even Fletcher’s Pinellas rival, Jim’s Harley-Davidson in Pinellas Park, said the remodeling was for many franchises prohibitively pricey amid plummeting showroom sales.
While forced to trim its hours, employees and advertising, the Jim’s franchise, the only other Harley shop in the county, paid $80,000 in recent years to upgrade its roadside sign to corporate standards.
Many shops, said Jim’s general manager Steve Greenstein, complained they couldn’t believe they had to spend so much. Harley leaders, he said, offered some financing assistance, but were “not budging” on the changes.
Officials at Harley’s Milwaukee headquarters would not comment on Fletcher’s closure or the requirements of franchisees, which spokeswoman Maripat Blankenheim called “the backbone of our business.”
Founded in 1964, and one of Tampa Bay’s oldest Harley dealerships, Fletcher’s had outlasted long periods of Harley’s decline, including during the ’70s under parent AMF, now known for its bowling alleys.
In Fletcher’s biography, The Life and Times of a Harley Davidson Motorcycle Enthusiast, former Harley CEO Vaughn Beals wrote a “corporate tribute” to Fletcher, saying his shop’s sales in the years during the company’s near-collapse “were key contributors to (Harley’s) survival.”
Fletcher, who as a teenager bought a 1929 Harley JD for $50, and in the years before World War II trained an Army motorcycle squad, was a lifetime champion of the brand. Five years before his death, at age 85, he rode to Milwaukee for the motor company’s 100th anniversary.
But the Harley he long promoted had changed in his waning years. A 2009 restructuring, led by CEO Keith Wandell, cut factories and thousands of jobs. Some suggested thinning the herd of local franchises was a subtler part of stripping the machine.
“That’s what this company was founded on: blue collar workers,” Fletcher-Taylor said. “Now it’s mostly focused on merchandise.”
Harley’s restructuring also aimed to reposition the brand, which dominates the American motorcycle market, away from its aging ridership and toward new customers, including women. Sales of the hogs gave way to more affordable clothing and accessories, including those sold at Fletcher’s Clearwater Beach boutique.
Harley’s motorcycle sales have recovered since the recession. The company reported Wednesday its second-quarter earnings, though still below expectations, had jumped 30 percent.
Owners are closing their beach boutique and will seek to sell their main store at 17129 U.S. 19 and the eight acres they bought during the boom for $5 million. The land is now assessed at half the value. Its 35 employees are looking for new jobs.
Tuesday was Fletcher’s last day as a Harley franchise, ending the shop’s incoming shipments and all warranty work. The shop can still sell its Harley-brand goods — including wine goblets, mouse pads and stuffed animals — and is doing so at a 20 percent discount.
One fan, Ralph Singer, a tourist from Hannover, Germany, stood outside Tuesday, photographing the shop’s iconic orange-and-black logo, known as its “bar and shield.”
Clad in a tattered Harley tank top, Singer, in broken English, said he had visited the dealership 20 times.
But never, he said, to buy a motorcycle. He just likes the T-shirts.
NEW TRIKE RUNNING BOARDS FROM MOTOR TRIKE–Today Motor Trike, Inc. announced a new accessory for their Victory touring line conversion, the Vortex. To add style and design, Vortex owners now have the option of adding Vortex Trax to their trike.
Not only do these one-piece running boards add a custom look and flair to the trike, they are functional as well. They offer a patented “step and walk on” design. Optional auxiliary fog lights are also available which help enhance the rider’s vision and safety.
The Company is currently taking orders for the Vortex Trax at a price of $925.00 per set with optional Vortex Trax fog light kit at a price of $199.95. Optional color-match paint is available starting at $375.00 for one-tone.
Headquartered in Troup, TX, Motor Trike, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading trike conversion manufacturers.
PRODUCT INFORMATION
http://www.motortrike.com/mt3Vortex.aspx
THE WALL OF DEATH, SQUIDWHEELIES AND MOBILE ZIP LINE WILL THRILL THE BROKEN SPOKE–
JOIN US FOR ALL OF THE ACTION NOW THRU AUGUST 12
600 Acres of pristine camping – Pitch a tent with the Broken Spoke!
(Sturgis, SD – August 3, 2012) The Broken Spoke Campground at Sturgis is offering the thrills you seek during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally 2012 thru – Aug. 12! Come on out and enjoy non-stop action from the Wall of Death, the SquidWheelies team, mobile zip line and more!
American Motor Drome proudly presents the Wall Of Death and is just $5 for this thrill show with daredevils riding Vintage Indian and Antique Harley Davidson motorcycles on the side of a vertical board wall. The Wall of Death will be at the Broken Spoke Campground Aug. 3 – 11. The world’s steepest racecourse puts you just inches away from the action on their high-elevated platform. Enjoy trick and fancy riding performed 15 feet above the ground, right on the side of a vertical board wall. The riders will be defying death and gravity with every turn of the wheel!
Who’s ready for some wheelies? Performing live motorcycle stunt shows all over the country, the SquidWheelies team is back at Sturgis and only at the Broken Spoke Campground Aug. 4 – 10! You can count on wheelies, stoppies, burnouts, drift action, racing and everything in between, all for FREE! The SquidWheelies are based out of St. Cloud, MN and have been performing throughout the US since 2003.
The County Line Mobile Zip Line is a new addition to the Broken Spoke Campground and will take you zipping down the course giving you a unique view of the campground, then a huge adrelenine rush! You don’t want to miss this.
For more information, please visit: www.brokenspoke.com
Tuesday we will discuss a new tenant at the Bikernet Headquarters café area, and I’m hauling ass to the new BDL headquarters to write a couple of tech features. I’m hoping they can help builders understand the vast selection of fittings for hydraulic brake lines. It’s always a mystery to me. We are running all over the southland looking at trailer options, or even toy-hauler, or fun-mover truck swaps. We don’t have any money, but something will crop up. I’ll even trade the Hearse.
So by next weekend, I should be in the epicenter of Bonne Belle building without the engine. I still need to manufacturer a kickstand and an airbox. I need to reach out to K&N for Mikuni options. That might be the answer. We have another LA Choppers tech install from the Tail Gunner, a Sweeps bike build deadline, and another Spitfire Bike feature headed your way.
Think I’m going to ride to Walker’s Café to ponder the vast Pacific and meet with the crew from ATF motorcycles, and maybe wildman Jeremiah. More reports from the Badlands next week. Wait, if I ride to Walker’s it needs to be a short jaunt. I need to wire up the Bonne Belle Wire Plus speedo, and get to work on that airbox today! No time to lose.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
