General Posts

Indian Motorcycle is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Chief Classic, Dark Horse, Chieftain, Roadmaster, Vintage, Springfield, and Chieftain Dark Horse motorcycles manufactured April 15, 2013, to June 16, 2015. In the event of an engine misfire, unburned fuel may pass through parts of the exhaust system, raising the exhaust temperatures. Elevated exhaust temperatures may result in an increased risk of fire. Indian will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine control module (ECM) software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in July 2016. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian’s number for this recall is I-16-02. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. The full NHTSA report is available here.

Already a Sturgis Museum Hall of Fame member circa 1992, Arlen Ness was a unanimous choice to receive the first Lifetime Achievement honors. “Arlen truly is the ‘Godfather’ of the custom bike movement,” says Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall Of Fame Executive Director Myrick Robbins. “No one has done more to influence the look of what a custom motorcycle is.” Victory Motorcycles also recognizes Arlen’s achievements and is honored to be part of the induction ceremonies this year. “Victory Motorcycles has worked with Arlen Ness for many years now,” says Rod Krois, General Manager of Victory Motorcycles. “Early on the designers and he helped to create the now iconic Arlen Ness editions of several different models. Arlen has always been the head of his time, and we are proud to be the presenting sponsor at this important event.” Inaugurated this year, The Lifetime Achievement award was established by the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame Board of Directors to honor those who have greatly contributed to the world of motorcycling and have been recognized by many of the leading motorcycle related organizations, their peers and the general riding community. “There is no more recognizable and recognized figure than Arlen in the world of custom motorcycles,” adds Robbins. “Given their close working relationship, it is awesome that Victory Motorcycles has stepped up as the presenting sponsor!” As innovative and influential as Ness has been to the motorcycle industry, the contributions he and his fellow Hamsters club members have made to local charities over the years, including Children’s Care Hospital & School Foundation and LifeScape Children’s Care of Rapid City, are equally important. “The Sturgis Museum’s charter is two-fold, in addition to honoring individuals we want to pay tribute to the heritage of the Sturgis Rally,” Robbins explains. “Arlen and the

The 2016 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show on Saturday July 23rd continues its now 25-year tradition as the premier outdoor streetbike event in America as we rock the legendary biker hangout and party zone: the Sagebrush Cantina in beautiful downtown Calabasas, California. Featured as always are many of the world’s top Celebrity Custom Bike Builders competing in the Calendar Bike Building Championship, selected Vendors and Exhibitors, Calendar Girl Music live performances. Top Builders and Cool New Customs to premier at the 2016 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show at the Sagebrush Cantina. Past Show winning Calendar Builders confirmed to return with their latest builds include Russell Mitchell / Exile Cycle, Jim Giuffra / Aft Customs, Ron Simms / Ron Sims Customs, Chris Redpath / Moto GPwerks, Richard Pollock / Mule Motorcycles, Gustoveo Penna / Apogee Motoworks, Samuel Kao / JSK Custom Designs, Adam Bean / Custom Airbrushing, Nick O’Kane / K&N Filters, Thad Wolf, Adam and Lisa Gaspic / Gasser Customs, Mike LeFountain / Raccia Motorcycles and many others. The 2016 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show produced by Calendar photographer Jim Gianatsis will pay special tribute this year to legendary custom bike builder Ron Simms / Ron Simms.com as one of the favorite and most successful FastDates.com Calendar and Industry Bike Builders over the last 25 years. You’ll certainly want be there as the Calendar Bike Show honors Ron and he premiers his newest custom bike builds! The Show marks the world premiere of next year’s new 2017 FastDates.com Motorcycle PinUp Calendars featuring the world’s top Sport and Custom Motorcycles with the beautiful Calendar Kittens in attendance including Penthouse cover model Blake Eden. And the Calendar Music Show exciting performers include American idol finalists Alex Nester – vocalist and keyboardest with the legendary Carlos Santana band, and singer songwriter Jaq MacKenzie. The Show takes

Rock, Rumble & Rebellion Kuryakyn customized motorcycle and matching Epiphone guitar classically represent 35 years of Buffalo Chip history, and the new owner will be treated like a rock star for life. The stunning Rock, Rumble & Rebellion Kuryakyn customized motorcycle and matching Epiphone guitar created to commemorate SturgisBuffalo Chip’s 35th anniversary have been packaged with a never before offered VIP pass for life. Read more.   Advertisement

Under the pen name Scooter Tramp Scotty, I’ve been writing for several publications, both printed and online, for years. These true motorcycle drifter adventure stories offer a unique niche and have gained me a large following that continues to grow. Once a story has been published in print, I then pass it along to Bikernet, and eventually a few smaller publications as well. Although monthly now, I started in the mid ’90s by putting out only an occasional piece that generally saw print in Easyriders magazine—for there were no online mags back then. So later, when Keith asked me for material to be used in bikernet.com, I didn’t take this new-age computer crap too seriously. Real magazines, I figured, were something one could hold in his hand while seated on the john. In time however, the computer age came to full swing and it was necessary that I become involved in social media. To my absolute surprise, I’ve found that social media response to my printed stories is minimal, yet once this same material hits Bikernet my damn computer blows up! I guess the world’s become full of computer freaks these days, and must also attribute this phenomena, at least in part, to the fact that online media is by its very nature world wide. This has made the publication of my work in bikernet.com far more important. —Scotty Click here to read all of Scotty’s ‘life on the road’ stories. It’s fascinating stuff!

New from Barnett is the Scorpion “Complete” Clutch Assemblies for 2007-16 Harley Davidson Big Twins. It includes your choice of a Scorpion low-profile lock-up clutch or non-lock-up clutch and Barnett’s new ‘bolt-on’ billet clutch basket. Superior in quality and durability compared to the stock basket, this basket simply bolts on to your existing ring/primary gear. With the durability of the CNC precision machined billet basket and the proven performance of the Scorpion high HP/TQ capacity clutch, this is the ultimate clutch assembly for your Big Twin! These kits come assembled with the bearing included and installed. Hydraulic versions are also available. This product is made in-house and in the USA. To order, contact you dealer or hit the banner below. MSRP: $949- $1236 Advertisement

Presidential Candidate Donald Trump Names Motorcyclist Governor Mike Pence as Running Mate WASHINGTON, DC – Speculation on who would be Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s possible Vice-President pick grew to a fever pitch this week. All eyes were on Indiana when candidate Donald Trump made a pair of visits to the Hoosier state earlier in the week. The first was a standard fundraiser but the second event was a rally where inquiring minds waited for a possible announcement of Trump’s Vice-Presidential pick. They were rewarded on Friday when it was announced via twitter that Governor Mike Pence would indeed round out the Republican presidential ticket. Speculation on Governor Pence as a running mate grew as rumors of a series of private meeting between the Governor and Trump persisted over the last several days. Perhaps one of the groups most excited about the announcement are motorcyclists from the state. During his tenure in office, Governor Pence has been a supporter of motorcycle rights, working directly with ABATE of Indiana (American Bikers Aimed Toward Education) and receiving a personalized basic rider training course arranged by the group’s Executive Director, Jay Jackson. “I think Governor Pence saw the strong connection his predecessor, former Governor Mitch Daniels, had with the motorcycling community. He saw the value in engaging this group because they are politically active, passionate about their cause and most importantly, they show up to vote!” Jackson stated. Governor Pence rides on a bike several times a year participating in the Ride with the Governor event, which brings awareness to motorcycle safety in the Hoosier State and raises funds for the Indiana National Guard Relief Fund. He also has participated in other charity rides as well as served as an escort to bikers passing through the state on their way to the nation’s

Hey, There’s a secret. Another challenging week on the home front. I was told by the city to call for an inspection and they would arrive within 24 hours. I called on Monday. No one has called or come over, yet. Now, I could look at this from several perspectives. The Secret tells us to look at it from the absolutely best overall perspective. It’s all good and the inspector will come at just the right time for the most wonderful results and we will live happily ever after. We’ve had several visitors staying over at the headquarters also this week. One is an extremely well educated and talented woman who has be fighting depression for sometime, severe depression. She is beginning to understand how to change he things from down to up. Smoke Out is the Burning Man of motorcycle events–it ain’t no Born Free. Another friend and his family just rode across the country in order to fly to Hawaii to visit a service friend in a leper colony on the island Malakai. It’s now a bed and breakfast joint. Edge, the producer of the SmokeOut is facing business challenges and a friend with serious cancer. Here’s one of the codes from the Secret: Your Thoughts and Feelings Control your Life. We have news from LowBrow, Cycle Souce, Metalsport, MRF, Biker’s Choice, the Chip, Iron Horse, Sturgis, 5-Ball and Rogue click here to read all the news.

Who First Lit the 2-Stroke Match? It all began puffing along in 1880 when an English engineer Dugald Clerk banged together a 2-stroke engine design. But then it took about another 25 years before another Brit, one Alfred Scott, secured the first patent for a 2-stroke, in this case a V-Twin. To further enshrine his name into the history books, a few years later in 1912 he came up the rotary valve engine. Scott was also the innovative thinker that gave the world the Scott Flying Squirrel motorcycle, and yes the bike ridden to the Extravaganza by Jay Leno. The two-stroke design philosophy centers around efficiency and an economy of components, fewer than the number required by four-stroke engines that utilize camshafts and valves. Fewer parts also meant they are lighter pound for pound and produce more power than a four-stroke. But four-strokes get higher scores in the long run as they are less polluting, less subject to heat problems, for the most part more durable and reliable and offer a wider powerband. Two-strokes however, at least for a while, literally left the 4-stroke competition in the dust, rather the smoke. To read the full article on the event by Paul Garson click here.

Custom motorcycle enthusiasts have a rare opportunity to join renowned U.S. and international custom builders and industry luminaries for a meet and greet to benefit educational scholarships during the second annual Flying Piston Charity Breakfast at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip®. Builders displaying in the Buffalo Chip’s 2016 Motorcycles As Art Exhibition, curated by Michael Lichter, will gather with other invited top-name builders to shake hands, sign autographs and pose for pictures with fans and friends. The event, organized by The Flying Piston and sponsored by Jekill & Hyde Exhaust and Yelvinton Cycles, takes place Sunday, Aug. 7 beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Big Engine Bar in the Chip’s free-access CrossRoads. Ticket holders will also enjoy a catered breakfast and a silent auction of selected items autographed by the builders, plus the chance to meet the Chip’s own Rod “Woody” Woodruff, photographer Michael Lichter and special surprise guests. Guests will have the opportunity to visit with the likes of Bill Dodge, Eddie Trotta, Paul Cox, Roland Sands, Kevin Baas, Aki Sakamoto, Jeff Cochran, and many more to get the inside scoop on their one-off customs in this year’s exhibition. Cycle Source Editor Chris Callen and Hot Bike Editor Jeff Holt have bikes in the exhibit and will be on hand. A limited number of builder breakfast tickets are on sale now for $20 each at www.BuffaloChip.com/FlyingPistonBreakfast. All proceeds benefit the Buffalo Chip’s Scholarship Fund established to help high school graduates and U.S. military veterans pursue motorcycling as a career. Silent auction items are provided by Harley-Davidson Footwear, Revere Seats, Artist Darren McKeag, Low Brow Artist Atomic Bob, Aeromach, Cycle Source, Jekill & Hyde and others. For sponsor information or to donate auction items contact: Marilyn Stemp, 828-205-8482, marilynstemp@gmail.com Advertisement