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Performance Machine Element wheel when only the best will do–New from Performance Machine for 2010, the Element wheel is a cutting-edge design. It features 5 unique spokes with deeply engraved lines originating from the hub and reaching all the way to the rim lip. The directional nature of the spokes creates a semblance of speed on any motorcycle very impressive wheel setup.
If you prefer an even more dramatic look, just try the Element in its Contrast Cut Platinum version. The result of the black ano against the polished lines on the Element is absolutely stunning. The wheel is transformed from its chrome version into an aggressive-looking counterpart.
As is the case with other Performance Machine wheels, the Element is offered with matching discs and sprockets.
A click on the banner below will take you right to the Performance Machine site.
FAMOUS MOTO-JOURNALIST REVIEWS THE NEW BIKERNET BLOG–Overall I really like the “feeling” of the page. Good navigation, good tabs,excellent look and color. Articles are well written and offer a consistentstream of information about the industry. I haven’t tried the comment thingand I don’t appear to be alone in that but it seems like a good idea. In theend the blog has a familiarity to it of a well written traditional papermagazine.
The only real complaint is of my own habit of I think 6+ years of scanningdown the right hand of the home page and clicking on the new articles so Isometimes forget about the blog. A revamp of the homepage will break thathabit. Mind you last time you tried to change the home page lots of peopleseemed to complain in “Your Shot”.
–Wayne
Copper Chopper by Paul Yaffe to celebrate Arizona’s Centennial–Arizona, the last contiguous state to be admitted into the union, will be celebrating its Centennial in 2012, in February that year, to be exact. The same year marks the 150th anniversary of Arizona being recognized as a territory of the United States. While the preparations for many festivities and celebrations are barely getting started, one centennial project is already taking shape: an officially commissioned custom motorcycle designed and being build by Paul Yaffe.
Dubbed the ?Copper Chopper,” the bike will be themed by Arizona’s rich and ongoing tradition of mining foremost copper, also other metals like silver and gold.
The Arizona Centennial Commission, the body responsible for planning and organizing the Arizona Centennial, has officially asked Paul Yaffe to build this custom motorcycle only a few weeks ago. The plans in form of design sketches and first details have been unveiled in a ceremony last week.
The project, perceived as the centerpiece for the Arizona Centennial, is the brainchild of Arizona State representative Jerry Weiers (Rep.), who is a motorcycle enthusiast and avid rider himself. As a group, the commission came up with a brief outline for the Copper Chopper and gave Paul free reign on the design to build whatever he wanted.
?It’s pretty damn cool and an honor to be chosen, the fact that we are going to be a part of Arizona history forever, says Paul. A hundred years from now, when they are doing the bicentennial, they will be talking about what we did for their first centennial, which is pretty amazing.
When we visited Paul’s shop this week, work on the Copper Chopper had merely started with a bare rolling chassis sitting on one of the lifts. The raw tank already exists, and the engine, a Harley-Davidson TwinCam, is lurking in a corner just waiting for its new home. Many details, some of which are already illustrated on the design sketches, are still evolving in Paul’s head.
A special challenge to building this bike is making the theme work: The bike is not only supposed to look like copper, it will actually incorporate the very metal that gives it its name. Copper does although not provide the strength required for motorcycle parts for its softness. Elements like wheels and tanks will therefore be manufactured from traditional materials and receive a copper plating which will be afterwards treated to preserve the new look, preventing the bike from developing the otherwise characteristic patina. The copper used for this bike will come from a local mine in Arizona, and is provided by Freeport-McMoRan, headquartered in Phoenix
Paul hopes to have the bike complete and road-ready in August this year, one month before it is due in September. Following will be 18 months of promotion for the Copper Chopper, culminating on February 14, 2012, in a huge centennial party in downtown Phoenix. Part of the celebrations will also be a centennial ride, a huge biker party for the state’s centennial thrown by the Arizona state government or so it appears right now. “It’s really inconceivable, Paul comments the plans. ?It’s mind-boggling, but totally cool for us. I couldn’t be more honored.
There will be lots of information forthcoming until Arizona’s Centennial is upon us, and right now it seems a lot of that information will be involving motorcycles and bikers.
– – C.S. Berg
Bikernet Desert Correspondent
FLAT RAT RACING HEADING TOWARD DAYTONA–I’m thoroughly thrashing to make Daytona. Dean and I will put the finishing touches on my motor Friday night at Fuller HotRods.
Headed down Saturday, I have mandatory riders meeting and tech Inspection on Sunday, fib 28, at Volusia County Fairgrounds. This is an excellent time to come out and look at the bikes, and talk to fellow vintage bike enthusiasts. Not as much tension as can be at the track. There is usually a very good swap meet there the whole week as well.
I’ve re-configured my bike. The tank was too long, placing me farther back on the bike.I prefer a more aggressive stance closer to the front wheel. This means I’ll be sporting last years sheetmetal. Good Ol Orange, Black. And White.yellow plate # 798..yeah buddy!
I’ll be pitted outside the garages (Nascar Garages cost extra J) with my friend and current Bonneville land speed record holder / Daytona winner Stan Keyes, and his crew from Cyco Cycles.black rig with silver lettering, and beautiul Nortons. Anyone is welcome to stop by I’ll have Flat Rat T-shirts for sale, and Stan will have his also.
I’ll be mostly flying solo on this one. I will take pics when I can. any readers pics would be great! You will get a full report sir.
Later, wish me luck!
–Charley Young
Flat Rat Vintage Racing team
BIKERNET SHORT STORIES WRITTEN BY MEN!– When I was a kid, I used to pray every night for a new bike. Then I realized that God doesn’t work that way. So I stole a bike and asked Him to forgive me.
My girlfriend was in labor with our first child. She was shouting, “Get this out of me! Give me the drugs!” She looked at me and yelled,”You did this to me, you fuck!”
I casually replied, “If you remember, I wanted to stick it up your ass but you said, ‘That would hurt too much’.”
I went to an extremely attractive female doctor today for my annual checkup. She told me that I had to quit masturbating. I asked why and she said, “Because I’m trying to examine you.”
–from Ted Terebenetz
Former police officer pleads guilty to Danziger Bridge shooting cover-up of stunning breadth– Police must be held to the law, U.S. Attorney Jim Letten said on the steps of the federal courthouse Wednesday. Admitting a cover-up of shocking breadth, a former New Orleans police supervisor pleaded guilty to a federal obstruction charge on Wednesday, confessing that he participated in a conspiracy to justify the shooting of six unarmed people after Hurricane Katrina that was hatched not long after police stopped firing their weapons.
The guilty plea of Lt. Michael Lohman, who retired from the department earlier this month, contains explosive details of the alleged cover-up and ramps up the legal pressure on police officers involved in the shooting and subsequent investigation. It’s unclear when Lohman’s cooperation with federal authorities began, but he presumably is prepared to testify against the officers he says helped him lie about the circumstances of a shooting he immediately deemed a “bad shoot.”
— By Times-Picayune Staff John McCusker
–from Rogue
all right bandit. here is what’s up on bikernetmetric: i’ve been talking with jon ard of ardcore choppers. we’re doing an interview. he’s been invited to sturgis this year to participate in the world championship of custom bike building. we talk about his past racing speedway bikes, the affordability of metric bobbers and choppers with unique, one-off parts, and more. we should complete that next week.
more interviews with more custom builders and parts manufacturers are coming in march. these are guys doing things for simple, bare-bones bobbers and choppers. the tires are skinny but the creativity is exploding.
last night i posted a first for bikernetmetric; a tech article. jeff of saint motorcycles details an interesting, easy, and thorough way to clean your carburetors. look for more tech stuff to come.
as i’ve told you, bikernetmetric is booming. since i took over operation and you posted in the thursday news on november 19, it’s grown 285% in unique readers and 452% in pageviews. we’ve had 1,867 pages read in the past two days alone. when we started, 10% of our visitors were returning readers and now it’s 50%. people like it! i’m humbled and made more arrogant simultaneously.
got the donor xs650 bike for the bikernetmetric freedom or death bobber being built by saint motorbikes with help from some good folks from all over, including texas and california, detroit and baltimore. it’s going to kick ass and there will be many to thank and link to in the coming months.
so that’s it. world domination plan coming to fruition. soon bikernet will rule! now to practice my evil doktor laugh.
–Trent
Supreme Editor in Chief
BikernetMetric
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT WORD OF THE DAY SPONSORED BY RIPS BAD RIDE, gregarious grih-GAIR-ee-us, adjective:
1. Tending to form a group with others of the same kind.
2. Seeking and enjoying the company of others.
True locusts, which are actually certain kinds of grasshoppers, are usually solitary and rather sluggish, but when they are crowded they enter a gregarious and highly active migratory phase.
— Gilbert Waldbauer, Millions of Monarchs, Bunches of Beetles
In the newly discovered gene, the change of a single unit of DNA converts the worm from a solitary forager into a gregarious diner.
— “Can Social Behavior of Man Be Glimpsed in a Lowly Worm?”, New York Times, September 7, 1998
My efforts to cultivate an identity as a strong silent type have consistently been undermined by my gregarious nature and my delight in conversation.
— Marty Jezer, Stuttering: A Life Bound Up in Words
Gregarious is from Latin gregarius, “belonging to a herd or flock,” from grex, greg-, “herd, flock.”
HOT FLAME MIRRORS FROM AEROMACH USA–FLAME MIRRORS – Aeromach mirrors are designed to be the clearest mirror available today. (http://www.aeromachmfg.com) First, the mirror itself is glass, not a plastic. Aeromach only uses glass because glass has the best optical properties. Second, the mirrors are made from billet. The density of the aluminum is much higher than the cast stock mirrors from Harley or other accessory suppliers. This metal density combined with glass optics instead of plastic increases the clarity of the mirror by as much as 40% over stock.
The Aeromach Flame Mirror is built using CNC machines to carve lightweight and strong custom mirrors from billet aluminum. The mirror housing is chromed to a show-quality finish.
The Aeromach mirrors and stems are manufactured in NASCAR country right outside of Charlotte, NC using aircraft quality solid billet extruded T6 aluminum. When the CNC machine isnt carving up 200 MPH go fast parts, its delivering consistent design and quality motorcycle mirrors, stems and grips.
Aeromachs mirror are available at http://www.aeromachmfg.com
‘Widespread fraud’ in California’s smog test program–State aims to make major changes after finding that nearly a third of older cars fail roadside smog checks within a year after passing at test stations.
Nearly a third of older-model cars stopped for roadside smog tests in Southern California failed them, despite having received a passing grade at inspection stations within a year, a state audit has found.
The results of those surprise inspections of 6,000 models manufactured before 1996 have led law enforcement officials to crack down on unscrupulous stations, step up fines and file more criminal charges.
Legislation
“We found widespread fraud in the program,” said Leo Kay, spokesman for the California Air Resources Board, which is sponsoring the bill.
“There are quite a few people out there who will get your dirty car passed,” said Tom Cackette, deputy director of the board. “You can stick a probe up the tailpipe of a clean vehicle. And the dirty car doesn’t get inspected but it gets certified. We put people in jail for that. Undercover activity shows it is prevalent.”
The legislation, introduced this week by Assemblyman Mike Eng (D-Monterey Park), also would fundamentally change how the majority of inspections are done. Testers would be required to use a hand-held scanner that reads data from on-board computers found on post-1996 cars, which report the vehicle’s performance over time. Tailpipe-and-treadmill testing, which is more susceptible to manipulation and fraud, will be phased out as older cars leave the state’s roads. Bill backers expect the test, used in 22 states, to take half as much time, which could drive down prices for consumers.
The computer device would register the car’s model and VIN, making fraud difficult. Information gleaned from onboard computers, which monitor components from catalytic converters to gas caps, would go directly to the state Bureau of Automotive Repair.
Some 23 million motorists are included in the state’s smog test program and would be affected by the proposals. Cars made before 1996 constitute only a quarter of the fleet but account for three-quarters of vehicle pollution, the board says.
By cracking down on smog check stations, the state estimates it will prevent an additional 70 tons of pollutants per day from fouling California air, on top of the 400 tons daily that the smog test program is credited with averting.
“This new and improved program will have the same result as taking 800,000 old cars off the road,” said board Chairwoman Mary D. Nichols.
The random tests were conducted by California Highway Patrol and Bureau of Automotive Repair officials between 2000 and 2006. They found that 19% of the stopped vehicles failed tailpipe checks within a year of having received passing grades at testing stations. Additional inspection of the car’s pollution systems, such as fuel evaporation controls, brought the proportion of failures to 31%.
By Margot Roosevelt, Los Angeles Times, February 24, 2010
–from Charlie Peters
Rick Fairless and Joe T talk trash on the Texas Hardtails Scooter Show Episode 39. Check out the show in Bikernet Studio. Don’t miss a minute. Hear the entire Scooter Show right here.
Stop in style with RevTech brakes, FROM CUSTOM CHROME– Custom Chrome has a new line of RevTech products for 2010, including these brake components. The RevTech Hi-Performance Billet 4-Piston Brake Calipers are designed to provide the ultimate stopping power for your motorcycle. Their performance will rival any other caliper in the market, says Custom Chrome. Made in the U.S.A., they are CNC-Machined from billet aluminum, polished and then either chrome-plated or black anodized. Calipers are available for 11.8-inch and 11.5-inch disc applications to fit most Harley-Davidson models.
While you’re upgrading your braking system, also consider the latest from the RevTech line of billet wheels and rotors. These sexy two-piece brake rotors are a perfect match for any RevTech billet wheels. They feature a universal design that allows them to fit both pre-2000 as well as 00-10 models. The disc carriers are machined from billet aluminum and bolted to a high-quality 420 stainless steel outer band that will not gaul or squeal like lesser quality discs.
These rotors are available with either a chrome-plated or black anodized midnight series center carrier. They retail from $299.99 to $329.99.
AND FOR THE WOMEN – 11 Questions with J. Louise Handbag Designer Janet Louise Fichtner–
By Marcy Clark
I had the privilege of meeting an exciting and inspiring handbag designer Janet Louise Fichtner at AccessoriesTheShow in New York last month and now I am lucky enough to represent her brand!
Her handbags are highly structured and incorporate shine and strong, shiny metallic accents with materials normally reserved for high-performance racing vehicles. Her handbags embody the same spirit high performance, fun colors, versatility and durability. Please see below an in-depth Q&A with Janet about her line, her inspirations and her secrets to becoming a nationally retailed brand in less than six months!
In less than six months your line has become a nationally sold brand. What do people say they love about your handbags?
JL: They love the unique fashion twist on my handbags and that they are different. They love that the bags are constructed and hold a shape to them, instead of being a large sack.
What inspired you to start J. Louise Handbags?
JL: I had left my corporate job and was helping my husband in his fast growing diesel performance shop. While helping I just had this idea hit me, and quickly. I mean I ran home and spent hours drawing my designs and describing the vision for the line. I guess my inspiration was being around what my husband loves and what he does best. He is a mechanical genius. Working in the shop I was inspired to take my style and mingle it with my husband’s passion, a way to bring bling, fun and elegance to my new world of working in the shop.
Would you describe yourself as a fashionista? When did your love of fashion begin?
JL: I laugh as I say no. I do not necessarily follow all the fashion trends and fashion magazines. However, I love to dress up and make a statement in how I dress. I love to be an example to women, especially younger girls, in dressing up, having fun with style, but with taste, and class. I grew up always wanting to be a fashion designer or maybe even an interior designer. Interestingly enough, I never pursued it until this idea hit me. Hey, never too young to start being what you always wanted to be!
As a professional woman, how do you balance business attire with showcasing your personal style? Are accessories a good way to do that?
JL: Accessories! Accessories help dress things up and show off your personal style regardless of what the business requires the attire to be.
What would you recommend wearing to the track?
JL: Your favorite pair of jeans, a fun sassy tailored t-shirt, and a dressy pair of flip-flops with bling, and of course any one of the jlouise handbags.
What kind of car do you drive? Are you and your husband collectors with a passion for fine craftsmanship?
JL: Okay, don’t laugh. I drive a Denali truck! It’s funny because I just got this new truck. The two things I told my husband when looking for a vehicle I don’t want a truck and I don’t want black. What do I drive a black truck! My husband has a passion for the muscle cars. He has a restored 1964 GTO that he has had since he was 18. My husband has the most eye-catching, high performance truck in the state!
Do you enjoy racing? Watching racing? Admire racers for their determination/grit?
JL: Truth be told speed/acceleration scares me to death!! I so admire any female racer as she is doing what she loves regardless of the challenge and likely being the minority in the profession. I love that these women can know just as much as the men when it comes to the profession, the inner workings of the race car and the industry itself. In a profession like racing, it is a true example of determination!
What did you do before you became a designer? What did you study in school?
JL: I was a CEO of a state organization. Prior to that, along with my schooling, I was in the legal field.
You have a very clean, structural aesthetic that buyers and customers are responding to very well. What else do you think sets your bags apart?
JL: Unique materials, a fun concept, a twist to fashion and a well thought out vision for the business.
If you were going to support a charity with J.Louise Handbags sales, what would it be? Are you already involved personally in charity work?
JL: I have a passion and heart for charities and making a difference. From day one, I have discussed and planned on doing charity events with jlouise. More than just with the sales or money, I want to incorporate giving out the handbags, as well. I already have pages (probably too many) of ideas on incorporating my handbags with charity work and events. I am excited to start. I believe my charity work will involve helping women and children that are involved in trafficking. Rough area, too much of it happening and it is destroying the hopes of so many women and children.
And lastly What do you do for fun?!?
JL: Well up until 6 months ago I use to (just kidding). Both my husband and I have Harleys and we love to jump on the bikes and take road trips. We love our Sunday morning rides in the summer. I also enjoy playing (learning) the drums, reading, walks with my girlfriends, coffee and pedicures!
For more information about Janet Louise and the J. Louise line please visit www.jlouise.net.
D&D Rolls Out The Latest Sportster Performance Pipe: The D&D Bob Cat–
2-into-1 D&D Bob Cat Pipe Pumps Up the HP & Torque By 10%
Ft. Worth, TX – D&D has released the 2004 through 2010 Bob Cat Sportster Pipe that pumps out performance, torque and a soul-satisfying tone. The 2-into-1 full pipe comes equipped with heat shields and a flawless finish in black or chrome.
Enthusiasts also can select the materials and finishes on the Bob Cat muffler. The end caps are available in black or chrome with the sleeve portion offered in polished aluminum, black or carbon fiber.
D&D Performance Enterprises is using their new Concentric Flow Baffle System on the Bob Cat pipe. This new and innovative baffle system was first introduced on the 2009 Harley-Davidson bagger line. Applied to the Sportster line, it improves torque and horsepower by as much as 10% as well as reducing the bark at WOT.
The new baffle technology is derived from collaboration with the University of Texas at Arlington Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering department. Dr. Bob Woods and his students worked with D&D to deliver the exhaust trifecta – reduced noise, performance improvement and enhanced Harley-rumble.
D&D provides a performance kit option that includes a Bob Cat and a Zipper’s HiFlow air cleaner. This combination delivers the greatest bang for the performance-minded buck.
About D&D Performance Exhaust
In 1972 David Rash could not find the exhaust pipe he needed for his race bike. He knew that the proper exhaust for his engine configuration would give him an edge over his competition so he fabricated one himself. Thirty years and 250,000 pipes later, D&D Performance Exhaust systems are some of the leading performance motorcycle exhaust systems in the world.
D&D Performance Exhausts are available from dealers nationwide or from the factory at 817-834-8961, www.danddexhaust.com.
For additional press information, Jeff Najar,
pr@horsepowermarketing.com, 919-383-0500
IT’S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR–Daytona is just around the corner. Then maybe life will simmer down, and maybe not. The Donnie Smith show, with over 200 entries each year, kicks off in March followed by the Rick Fairless show, the Arlen Ness Show, then Laughlin. There’s never a dull moment in our lifestyle.
This web site is beginning to explode. I could post articles 24 hours a day, but once in a while I run low on whiskey. Next week we have Anson’s Life and Times article coming to the Cantina, plus another chapter of World Run. I’m about to wrap up a feature on a bike from the Charlotte ER show by Mike Pullin. It’s his first contribution. I have several fiction tales, techs coming, and the blog is ramping up like rat on steroids running in a cage. Hang on.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
