Happy Goddamn New Year,
I mean that in many ways. I hope the economy improves, our government’s regulatory nature subsides, and freedom and innovation become King once more. It’s sorta like the Helmet laws. They passed like crazy in the late ’60s. Bikers organized and protested in the ’70s and 13 helmet laws were repealed. Then some smartass came up with the public burden notion, that made helmets a taxpayer problem.
That’s what we face in Washington now, a terrible notion that regulation is King, and new agencies need to be established to protect us from everything. One of the inherent problems is corruption between the agencies, and overlapping agencies fighting for turf and making deals. We need to roll that aspect of government back. I like the notion of education over legislation.
Enough of that bullshit. Here’s the condensed Bikernet State of the Union address. Actually it’s a handful of 2010 goals. First we’re heading back to Bonneville with the Assalt Weapan and the Bonne Belle. You’ll see the Assalt Weapan testing and tuning with the Accurate freshened engine and Pegasus Fuel injection with Nitrous. You’ll see us modify the rear fender to be consistent with the new sleeker Bonneville rules. And you’ll watch as we take the Departure Bike Works 45 flathead from 1940 and try to build a Burt Munro streamlined chassis around it.
My first Chance Hogan book will be printed in January, and the second installment should be completed by the end of 2010. Motorbooks is talking to me about another Book Project and you’ll see it come together on Bikernet. The 5-Ball factory racer will be featured in some magazine this year, and I’ll begin the Mudflap girl FXR around Redneck bags and a new Paughco frame.
Finally, we are making major changes to Bikernet. We have a new team of web masters in Ohio. And we are going to bend over backwards to bring you an easier to navigate site, with more content and services than ever before. Hang on. Let’s hit the news and break out the Baileys for my second cup of coffee. It’s New Year’s Eve.
BIKERNET RESEARCH CENTER PRELIMINARY SURVEY–As we dial-in Bikernet, we will hit you with various survey question. We want your input on changes to Bikernet:
Do you like the article blurbs on the home page.
Suggestions for the home page?
What do you like about blogs?
What don’t you like about blogs?
Just drop me a note:
E-Mail Bandit
DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE, THIS SERIES OF LAWS WENT WAY OVER THE TOP, UNTIL THEY ARE ABSOLUTE BULLSHIT–WARNING: The consumption of alcohol is a major factor in dancing like a complete idiot.
“Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel doesnot go nearly as well with pizza.”
~ Dave Barry
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may cause you to tell your friends over and over again that you love them.
To some, it’s a six-pack, to me it’s a Support Group. Salvation in a can!
~Dave Howell
–from Jim Waggaman
NEW CASTINGS FOR STOCK REPLACEMENT FRAMES–Thanks Bandit for taking a look at my parts. I am attaching some shots of my new cast steel frame parts for wishbone frames. I am presently reproducing necks, sidecar loops and rigid frame axleplates. Will offer motor mounts very soon.
All my castings come in steel or special order stainless steel. Necks can be special ordered raked to 50 degrees. Allow 4-5 weeks on special orders. Made in USA. these castings are produced using the lost wax technique, far superior to sand castings.
We will show you how it’s done next week in a tech feature on Bikernet.
Remember, BUY AMERICAN FIRST ! See all my parts at www.hardtailchoppers.com or e-mail
john@hardtailchoppers.com . Thanks Bandit. You know you got big play here . Respects, John
ERIC HERRMANN SCHEDULED TO PAINT THE 5-BALL FACTORY RACER ON CANVAS DURING NEXT BARRETT-JACKSON AUCTION ON LIVE TV–“Last year Live TV followed my entire process of painting a bike on canvas during the auction,” Eric said. “I look forward to painting a unique, masterpiece like the 5-Ball Factory Racer. I will send you shots of the process.”
STAY WARM WITH HOT LEATHERS–
These are great for layering on chilly rides. Warm and stylish, Hot Leathers? hoodies are quality-constructed cotton/ polyester blend and available in many sizes. Each hooded sweatshirt has an original Hot Leathers? design created by our own artists! Your friends will want to know where you bought such a cool sweatshirt and you can tell them HotLeathers.com, of course!
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT IS OUT FOR THE HOLIDAYS–BUT THE ENGLISH TEAM PRESIDENT SLIPPED THIS WORD UNDER MY DOOR–Maybe this should be the 2010 word to live by: recalcitrant rih-KAL-sih-truhnt, adjective:
Stubbornly resistant to and defiant of authority or restraint.
If they lingered too long, Clarice hurried them along in the same annoyed way she rushed recalcitrant goats through the gate.
— Kaye Gibbons, On the Occasion of My Last Afternoon
Even then it took a sympathetic bankruptcy judge to convince a group of recalcitrant lenders that it was in their best interest to drop their opposition.
— “So Far So Good”, New York Times, May 18, 2009
This recalcitrant group grew in strength until the government changed its regulatory ways.
–Kirk Willard, President
Motorcycle Riders Foundation
Recalcitrant derives from Latin recalcitrare, “to kick back,” from re-, “back” + calcitrare, “to strike with the heel, to kick,” from calx, calc-, “the heel.”
BANDIT-LIKE TABLE DISCOVERED AT DEALERSHIP–This is a table at Dudley Perkins HD in San Franciso.Happy New Year!! (I’m on the east coast right now)
–Steve “hiway” T.
CORRECTION FOR RIDLEY PRESS RELEASE–Yesterday we forwarded you the following press release. It has come to our attention that this news has caused some confusion for owners of motorcycles with the Auto-Glide brand mark. The owners of Auto-Glide model Ridley motorcycles should know that this settlement in no way effects their motorcycle. The settlement only effect the naming of future models for Ridley and that Ridley will not produce another model using the Auto-Glide name. Ridley and Ridley Dealers will continue to refer to previous year model Auto-Glides as Auto-Glides.
We apologize for not clarifying that detail in yesterday’s press announcement.
Settlement Reached in Seven Year Legal Battle
(Okla. City, Okla.-12/28/09) Ridley Motorcycle Company announced today that it had reached a settlement with Harley-Davidson in a lawsuit the manufacturing giant brought against Ridley over the trade name Auto-Glide in 2003.As part of the settlement agreement, Ridley has agreed to discontinue use of the Auto-Glide name in any future models. The full terms of the settlement have not been disclosed as part of the settlement agreement.
The case was tried in the Eastern District of Wisconsin Federal Court in August 2007, but a verdict had not been announced before the suit was settled. Ridley introduced its automatic transmission Auto-Glide models in 2003 and remains the only U.S. motorcycle manufacturer to offer a fully automatic transmission.
Since 1995, the Ridley’s have been reinventing motorcycles through an innovative CVT transmission design.
In 1999, Ridley introduced the first fully automatic street/cruiser motorcycle known as the Ridley Speedster. The 3/4 scale motorcycle featured a nearly 600cc Ridley V-Twin engine, fully automatic CVT transmission, low 24 inch seat height, and weighed less than 270 pounds.
The next innovation for Ridley was announced in 2003, when the company introduced its first “full size” automatic motorcycle, the Auto-Glide. By focusing on key features such as a low seat height, light weight and fully automatic transmission Ridley was able to capture the new rider segment with great success. Sales of the Auto-Glide boomed along with the dramatic increase of new riders.
Now in our fifteenth year, Ridley Motorcycles are more popular than ever. A fun, easy ride that will keep any rider fully entertained and engaged. Whether you are a novice or an expert, you will be surprised at the comfort and ease of the Ridley.
Visit a Ridley Dealer for a demonstration and to purchase your new or pre-owned Ridley Motorcycle.
Ridley Motorcycle Company
35 NW 42nd Street
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma USA 73118
(405) 525-5400
MONKEY ROCK PLANS FOR STURGIS 2010Sturgis, SD, December 27, 2009 – – Always on the cutting edge, Monkey Rock USA introduced rally goers to a truly unique and provocative event experience in August at the 2009 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
After recognizing a demographic shift at major motorcycle gatherings across the country we determined to provide a higher standard of service and entertainment to our clientele. Monkey Rock not only set the benchmark in event and entertainment excellence, we also recognized the value of offering unprecedented professional services for our A-list exhibitors and builders.
As a raw start up in 2009, Monkey Rock USA was designed to expand through acquisitions and organic growth. Equipped with a sophisticated business model, a Fortune 1000 philosophy and propelled forward by improving market conditions, our limited liability company based in South Dakota, is positioned to acquire high quality assets within the industry at or below market rates and capitalize on substantial growth opportunities.
In addition to our commitment to several large motorcycle rallies, we intend to expand the Monkey Rock brand to year-round fixed sites in large, leisure-focused markets in the US such as Las Vegas, Miami and Los Angeles, and ultimately back to the birth place of Monkey Rock ? Europe. Not so distant future plans also include Asia.To date all Monkey Rock USA operations have been funded by its founder and CEO and the company carries virtually no debt. We are confident that by the strategic selection of acquisitions we will add significant value to the business and provide excellent growth opportunities for investors in a rebounding economy. Given the huge success attained so far and the massive potential for future growth within the industry, Monkey Rock USA is excited to announce it is going public, listing in early 2010 on the NYSE.
Monkey Rock?s post-listing financial requirement has already been pledged by institutional investors. As institutional investors are unable to purchase stock allocations prior to a company?s listing, this forms the basis for pre-IPO investors to make substantial returns by investing in promising companies as they come to market.
Investors should contact the Monkey Rock Investor Relations team for details and information at: investorrelations@monkeyrock.us.
SWEDISH SHERIFF INVESTIGATES BIKERNET HEADQUARTERS–Great memories from my short visit at Wilmington. Hope to see u somewhere 2010.I will celebrate my 55th birthday in Daytona plus my 25th visit!Enclosed some retroshots from days gone by.
Live free
–CHRIS
http://youtube.com/user/sheriffmediagroup
http://www.myspace.com/sheriffmediagroup
http://picasaweb.google.com/SHERIFFMEDIAGROUP
SHERIFF MEDIA GROUP
SWEDEN
LAST CHANCE KNUCKLEHEAD SALE–Flathead power/performance Knucklehead for sale at LA ChopRods. This is a classic from the stock frame and springer, to the stock springer front brake. Although most of the parts are repop, it’s a very correct vintage chop.
–Chop
CHOPMAN CHOPPERS
18001 S. FIGUEROA ST. UNIT F
GARDENA, CA. 90248
310-591-0179
chopmanchoppers@gmail.com
BIKER?S CHOICE WIDE-ASS SWINGARM KITS BY ZODIAC– Biker?s Choice Wide-Ass Swingarm Kits by Zodiac allow the use of w-i-d-e wheels and tires in a cost-effective manner. These kits allow stock Harley-Davidson Dyna, Softail Evolution?, and Twin Cam models to accept up to a 250mm tire with only minor modifications.
The kits are complete and include everything you need for the conversion. The one pictured here comes with:
Tig-welded swingarm
Pivot with bolts and spacers
Stainless steel fender extension plate
Crankshaft extension and nut
Primary spacer and bolts
Longer inner primary mounting bolts
Tranny offset plate
axle with chrome nuts and adjusters Complete bracket and hardware kit for the 5th transmission mounting stud and all necessary hardware and gaskets.
With the wide variety of wheels and tires available, fenders and struts are not included. Swingarms and Dyna? fender struts come ?raw? and ready for powder-coating or paint.
For more information on the various kits and other parts we carry, visit www.Bikerschoice.com Happy New Year!!
–Carmen 
CANTINA LIFE AND TIMES REVIEW– Enjoyed your views on code of the west in conjunction with having your ride stolen. The weather’s turned cold (well, Florida version of) and your musings sent me down memory lane, which is where I spend a lot of time these days.
Dug out my 30-yr-old Bates chaps which when I really suck it in I can strap on by tugging on that last damn notch in the belt. Threw on some other equally antique garb – Tony Lamas I’ve walked out of a couple of times over the last 20 years, a pair of remarkably still intact cold weather gauntlets that nobody sells anymore ’cause the new tech stuffs just so much better, my ride jacket over a hoodie w/bandana to keep my throat warm and topped it all off with my very comfortable Scorpion 3/4 w/flip up bubble shield.
I hit the road for a couple hours of early Sunday before they all head home from church riding around on the EZ start shovel, traveling entertainment courtesy of my iPod (Shure E2C ear plugs are absolutely the tits) bouncing random tunes around inside my lid. The countryside and orange groves are long gone, but the the lack of early morning traffic meant I could relax and enjoy the vibes in comfort and solitude.
–John and Sue
BIKERNET Lower Alabama Weather Report for December 27, 2009– Our weather is headed down hill fast. We have had an unusually wet year. Normally we receive around 56 inches of rain, this year without any major storms (i.e. hurricanes) we received much more than our share and more is expected before the new year arrives. And to top it all off we are expecting lows in the mid to upper twenties and highs only in the low fifties for the end of 2009 beginning of 2010. Hopefully these temperatures won?t hang around long; they seldom do in our area.
As I rolled past the bank in town this morning, sometime around 11AM, the marquee read 53 degrees. I figured it would be the last ride of this year for me. Tax season is headed our way and that is when my hours of work increase and play time will definitely be curtailed for approximately five months. Camy is not a happy camper during that time, just ask Richard.
The serenity and peace was broken only by the sound of my pipes as I cruised around the back roads almost totally alone on a Sunday morning. It was pure unadulterated joy being out on the bike and seeing the birds soaring overhead, even with the clouds hanging low and an occasional sprinkle of rain dancing across the windshield.
This is my kind of worship service, me in humble adoration to the creator of all this natural beauty. I feel very fortunate to have been born in the United States of America where I have this freedom and thankful, more so every day, to those brave men and women who have fought to make and keep us free. God bless them all.
As this year comes to a close I will leave you with a few photos of local scenes. There is no telling just what you may run across on the back roads of Lower Alabama. May each of you have a great and prosperous NEW YEAR!
Ride safe,
–Camy
Read Camy’s Roads and Eateries in the South book review: http://www.bikernet.com/reviews/PageViewer.asp?PageID=3001
TED FROM MORTAL SKULLS MC ON TV 1/2/2010–This Saturday January 2nd Ted Mortal Skulls MC will be on “Underdog to Wonder dog” on Animal Planet the show will air at 8pm and again at 11pm! Friends are welcome to the Clubhouse to watch the Show with us!
— MortalSkulls.com
The Transcontinental Motorcycle Cannonball Adds an Extra Day and a Stopover in Hot Springs, Arkansas–Sturgis, South Dakota, Dec. 29, 2009 ? Lonnie Isam, Jr., the promoter and owner of Jurassic Racing in Sturgis, South Dakota, and the Motorcycle Cannonball announced today that an extra day has been added to the transcontinental event now set for 17 days in September 2010. Additionally, a rest day in the event will now be held in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
According to Isam, the endurance ride for pre-1916 classic motorcycles will still get underway in Kitty Hawk, NC on Friday, September 10. A week into travel on September 17, riders will have a day of rest, repairs, and some festivities in the resort town of Hot Springs, AR. After a total of some 3,325 miles, the ride is now slated to conclude on Sunday, September 26 in Santa Monica, CA.
?With input from our participants and other experts, we?ve been fine tuning the Motorcycle Cannonball route by adjusting the mileage for some days and re-mapping a couple of the stages,? Isam said. ?As a result, we really like the way the route has shaped up.?
During the Motorcycle Cannonball event, participants will ride vintage pre-1916 motorcycles such Pope, Sears, Flying Merkel, Excelsior, Henderson, Indian, Triumph, and the Harley-Davidson?s Silent Grey Fellows. According to Isam, the event is not a race but will be a test of both the riders? endurance and the roadworthiness of their respective machines as they navigate non-Interstate roads across the United States.
Isam said that, while organizers and Motorcycle Cannonball Course Master John Classen are still working out the final details of some of the stops, it?s clear that the first week of the event will be challenging as riders make their way along the initial 1,400 miles from the Atlantic shores to Hot Springs. Throughout the run, according to Classen, riders will follow several scenic national parkways and roads like historic US Route 66. Plans are also being made to include some social events as well, with more details to follow.
The Motorcycle Cannonball 2010 has drawn entries from around the world and all walks of life, including motorcycle museum owners, authors, bike collectors and restorers. Entrants come from the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany and across the continental United States as well as Hawaii. Complete information about the Motorcycle Cannonball, including route details and some rider profiles, is available at . www.motorcyclecannonball.com
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