General Posts

    In Pursuit Of Rare Vintage Motorcycles Story by Paul Garson, Photos by Paul Garson and Courtesy of Glenn Bator This is a story of motorcycle sibling rivalry that went down a few years ago and now worth retelling as 2013 winds down, the tale told by Glen Bator of Bator International. Case in point, two 1939 Crocker Big Tank V-twins, consecutively numbered 106 and 107. They even have names: The Black Bike and The Red Bike. And that in itself is an indication of the fork in the well-bent road taken by these two cult classics. As the reigning Holy Grails of the current vintage motorcycling feeding frenzy, Crockers continue to set auction records. For example, a trio of Crockers up on the Bonhams auction block broke the existing world record for the brand in August 2012 when a 1937 and a 1940 both sold for $302,000 each at the Quail Lodge sale. Back in 2006 Steve McQueen’s 1937 Crocker “Hemi-Head” went for $276,500.For the price of a nice island off Costa Rica, collectors are pistol whipping each other to own one of the bikes built by a maverick American designer/entrepreneur by the name of Albert Crocker. CLICK TO READ ARTICLE

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The 5th stop of the Progressive International Motorcycle Shows Tour took place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York, Friday, December 13 through Sunday, December 15. Attendees reveled in hundreds of North American motorcycle models from the world’s leading manufacturers. The New York Motorcycle Show also played host to several new model announcements from manufacturers such as Dirico Motorcycles USA. Black Hawk Down Custom Motorcycle! Dirico Motorcycles USA unveiled a one-of-a-kind custom designed motorcycle with Retired U.S. Army LTC. Danny R. McKnight, one of the real-life veterans portrayed in the book and movie. The motorcycle will also be sold at the upcoming Barrett Jackson Auction in Scottsdale January 12-19, 2014 with all proceeds going to the Veteran’s Count and Easter Seals Foundations. “I want to personally thank Steve Talarico of Dirico Motorcycles USA for all he has done to coordinate this huge initiative, David Uhl for allowing us to share space in his booth with his amazing artwork, Chris Wall of Metzeler Tire for their sponsorship of the Black Hawk Down bike. Their support will mean tens of thousands of dollars of emergency financial assistance will go to deserving service members, veterans, and their families.” Karen Van Der Beken – Chief Development Officer, Easter Seals of New England. www.vetscount.org “When I found out that Metzeler could be a part of helping out veterans and their families, we jumped at the opportunity. In motorcycling, one of our favorite words used to describe our passion is freedom. Well, it’s the veteran’s and their understanding families that put it all on the line for that freedom. We are honored to be a part of the Veteran’s Count charity and to meet LTC. Danny R. McKnight, a true American hero, in person.” Chris Wall – Marketing Director, Metzeler Tire. Www.metzeler.com

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    Cantina XMAS 2013 Text and Photos by David Cambell The night before Christmas Done with working and riding for the day Just pondering things a little risque The Springer is locked up tight in the shop Back from a romp down the sweet blacktop CLICK TO SEE WHAT COMES NEXT!        Cantina Members ONLY If you are not a Cantina Member, you really are missing out on a lot!  Join The Cantina – Click Below…  

    Scooter Tramp Scotty Brings Toys, Santa, Happiness and Smiles Photos and text by Scooter Tramp Scotty ABATE of Louisiana was founded by B.B.’s late husband Pops some 33 years ago. Pops then organized this toy run the following year. Its purpose is to benefit the residence of a home for mentally retarded kids. Well…almost kids. Although their ages range from 6 to 60, most have the mind of a 5-year-old child. But we brought no toys this day because, before the run ever started, each kid (I really can’t call them anything else) gets to write down what he wants from Santa Claus. These wish lists are then distributed by the C.M.A (Christian Motorcycle Association), ABATE and other motorcycle groups to their own members. Each participant then takes that list and gets that child his or her presents. Pops must have been one hell of a man. CLICK TO READ ARTICLE  

    MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE BIKERNET FAMILY May Your 2014 Be Absolutely Amazing! Make The Most Of Every Day.

    3-Generation Basket Case Project Knucklehead By Christine Paige Diers This 1938 Knucklehead was put together with lots of found parts – some of which were original. Gillette, Wyoming builder Gary Garlick purchased the ’38 EL motor in Idaho where it was also rebuilt. Gary and his children and nephews then went to Green River Wyoming to purchase an early model Knucklehead frame and oil bag. The transmission was from a 1953 Panhead. The 2003 FL Springer was purchased off of E-Bay from a man in California, and the Speedometer was an original purchased from a meticulous collector out of Canada. CLICK TO READ ARTICLE   Advertisement  

The American Motorcyclist Association is offering a special discount to its members on tickets for AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, July 11-13, 2014, at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. AMA members can purchase a weekend pass for $45 or a one-day pass for $25, saving $5 off the regular advance purchase rate. The AMA member discount is in addition to the regular $10 savings on advance ticket purchases, and there is no service charge for AMA members when purchasing through the AMA. AMA member pricing, available through May 27, is only available by calling the AMA directly at (800) 262-5646. In addition to these exclusive AMA member ticket savings, all kids under 12 will be admitted free with a paying, supervising adult. “AMA members enjoy significant discounts on gear and services with their membership, so it only makes sense that we carry that benefit over to the country’s premier event for vintage motorcycles,” said AMA Vice President of Operations Jeff Massey.   “AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days offers the perfect opportunity to hang out with thousands of motorcycling friends, see some incredible machines, learn from motorcycling experts, meet some heroes and watch or race in some fun vintage contests in motocross, road racing, dirt-track, observed trials and hare scrambles,” Massey said. “The only thing better than attending is saving some money at the same time, so get your advance tickets now.” A fundraiser for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days features classic motorcycles of all makes and styles, and honors the riders who made them famous. Activities include the AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships, which include amateur national championship road racing, motocross, hare scrambles, trials and dirt-track; North America’s largest motorcycle swap meet; bike shows and awards; stunt shows; demo rides of current production bikes;