Hey,
It’s Cincy weekend, and the industry is sequestered in a downtown conventional hall in snow-bound Cincinnati, Ohio, but our news is still strong and we are receiving reports from the V-Twin hall as I hammer away at the Keyboard.
I spoke to Chris Maida, the Editor of American Iron for his take on the show and the hottest new product. “It feels good,” Chris said. “We’re back to normal slow times in the winter and anxious growth as the weather lightens up. The hottest buzz on the floor was the 7-Speed transmission from Baker. It’s still one-to-one in the final gear but they added another gear to help pull the bike through lower gears. Great for heavy touring bikes.”
There you have it direct from the floor. I’ll deliver more stunning news at the end. In the meantime, let’s hit it. I’ve got a Superbowl to watch:
NAVY TRIBUTE ON BIKERNET– I”m a Navy vet, 1974-2000. Your tribute to the Navy brought back fond memories of my time in the Navy. My second to last tour, I was a shooter in USS John F. Kennedy, CV 67, and here’s a quote we had on the hanger next to the ship’s bell..
“Any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction, I served in the United States Navy.” John F. Kennedy. I think that says it all..
Thanks for the tribute shipmate, Rickr USN Ret
rickr1955@bellsouth.net
P.S. KB, A little bit of Navy trivia. Every President from JFK to Ronald Reagan (draft dodger Clinton broke the string) served in the Navy or Navy Reserve. All but Carter and LBJ served in combat.
ANOTHER BIKERNET CARE-PACKAGE WINNER– I received the posters and want to “Thank you” for them and the “Care Package ” you sent earlier for the “Stand Down.” I want to continue to make our Veteran Brothers lives a little easier so with your permission I am gonna frame them and donate them to the Walla Walla V.A. P.T.S.D. dorm rooms so the guys at least can dream about being in the “wind” while trying to cope with the dragons that come to them in their weakest moments.
Again , thanks Bandit you have always been “Stand Up” in my book from reading ya in E.R. then and now.
–MOthergoose
CVF/FCV
Of course you can frame them and share them with the VA hospital. Thanks for the effort.–Bandit
WALMART WARS RESPONSE– Thank You for using your magazine and Internet platform to raise awareness. I hope the public start to listen as this has been going on for a long while.
The cows are being lead to slaughter & standing in line to do it!
Keep up the good work!
mi Chelle Vara
Ballard Road Art Studio
Sculpture, Fabrication, Welding & Paint
6 Ballard Road Wilton NY 12831
HOT PROPERTY IN DAYTONA FOR BIKE WEEK, LIMPNICKIE LOT– Experience the best of the best at Daytona 2008. Located at the Stone Edge Skate park off of Ridgeway, the next generation of Bike Builders unite together to give you a true motorcycle experience at the LimpNickie Lot in Daytona Beach, Florida this year.
Sponsored by H & H Trailers, Baker Drivetrain, Wellendorf Performance, Dealer Transport, Millers Motorcycle Parts, Kronik Energy Drink, Knuckleheads Clothing, and Cyclops Distributing. In addition to hosting the Cycle Source Magazine Chopper Show on March 7th from 12-5pm, Pro Skateboard demos by Benji Galloway with the Bacon Skate Team, and autograph signing by the world famous photographer Josh Kurpius, these builders will be on hand all week; Nash Motorcycle Company, Led Sled Customs, Lucky Charm Choppers, Keino Cycles, Rich Phillips Cycles, French Kiss Kustoms, Blings Cycles, Street Smart Cycles, Detroit Bros, and Bare Knuckle Choppers.
Come visit and hang out with all the builders, see all of their featured parts and bikes, and why not get some skateboarding in while your there. Check out Limpnickielot.com for updates of events!
BANDITS CANTINA DEEP THINKING SUNDAY SEMINAR– Q. What is the difference between a drug dealer and a hooker?
A. A hooker can wash her crack and sell it again.
Q. What’s a mixed feeling?
A. When you see your mother-in-law backing off a cliff in your new car.
Q. What’s the height of conceit?
A. Having an orgasm and calling out your own name.
Q. What’s the definition of macho?
A. Jogging home from your vasectomy.
Q. What’s the difference between a G-spot and a golf ball? A. A guy will actually search for a golf ball
Q. Do you know how New Zealanders practice safe sex?
A. They spray paint X’s on the back of the sheep that kick!
Q. Why is divorce so expensive?
A. Because it’s worth it!
Q. What is a Yankee?
A. The same as a quickie, but a guy can do it alone.
Q. What do Tupperware and a walrus have in common?
A. They both like a tight seal.
Q. What do a Christmas tree and priest have in common?
A. Their balls are just for decoration.
Q. What is the difference between “ooooooh” and ” aaaaaaah”?
A. About three inches.
Q. Why do gay men wear ribbed condoms?
A. For traction in the mud.
Q: What’s the difference between purple and pink?
A. The grip.
Q. How do you find a blind man in a nudist colony?
A. It’s not hard.
Q: How do you circumcise a hillbilly?
A: Kick his sister in the jaw.
Q: What’s the difference between a boyfriend and a husband?
A: 45 minutes.
Q: Why do men find it difficult to make eye contact?
A: Breasts don’t have eyes.
Q: What is the difference between medium and rare?
A: Six inches is medium, eight inches is rare.
–from Bob Clark
HARLEY-DAVIDSON DAYTONA WOMENS’ DAY RIDE INCREASES COUNT TO 500– Largest Women’s Ride in Harley-Davidson History
MILWAUKEE (February 1, 2008) – On March 4, 2008, in Daytona, Fla., 500 Harley-Davidson women riders will join together in what the Motor Company believes will be the largest women’s ride in the Company’s 105-year history. Originally, the Harley-Davidson Women’s Day Ride, benefiting Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), was to be limited to 105 women; but after an incredible response from women riders asking to join the ride, Harley-Davidson decided to increase the size to accommodate 500 women.
The riders will join Karen Davidson, great-granddaughter of one of the Company’s founders, as well as the six Get Down to Daytona contest winners on the last leg of their ride into Daytona. The ride will conclude at the Ocean Center at 10:45 a.m. on March 4 for Women’s Day, so riders attending Daytona Bike Week and local residents are encouraged to come out and watch this historic ride. Details on the route will be announced soon.
Women participating in the ride are encouraged to raise money for their local MDA chapter to help send children to MDA Summer Camps, and the top three fundraisers will receive a Harley-Davidson leather jacket.
One week at MDA Summer Camp costs $800 per child, so women who raise that amount or more will receive a unique Harley-Davidson/MDA sterling silver and gold charm in recognition of their gold-level fundraising. Women who raise at least $400 will receive a sterling silver charm.
All 500 riders will receive a 2008 MDA Pin, a special Harley-Davidson/MDA flag and will be entered in a special MDA drawing for a women’s Harley-Davidson 105th Anniversary leather jacket. Anyone can make a general contribution to the ride at
For more information about the Get Down to Daytona contest, newly posted profiles of the six winners, details on the women’s activities in Daytona, and more, visit
RENEGADE “SCOTTSDALE”– Tired of spokes that are virtually impossible to clean; and worse yet, having to true them on a regular basis? With the Scottsdale one-piece full 3D spoke you can retain the classic look without the inherent issues of conventional spoke wheels. In a class all its own the SCOTTSDALE reflects Renegade’s unmistakable talent for creative styling. A rolling piece of art, with a contemporary take on a classic design, the SCOTTSDALE stops em’ in their tracks with its precision carved 3 dimensional spokes.
As with all Renegade wheels, the SCOTTSDALE is precision machined from a single block of the highest grade billet aluminum. Wheels are then 100% polished to a glass smooth finish and dipped in brilliant, extremely durable show quality chrome.
All Wheels are shipped complete with applicable hubs and bearings and are available in diameters from 16″-23″ and widths from 2.25″ to 14″.
Pricing starts at just $1150.00 and you’ll get a Lifetime Structural Warrantee! For complete details and interactive fitment chart, check out www.renegadewheels.com or call direct to 714-998-7241
WALMART WARS– Just wanted to thank you for the mention of our Wal-Mart Wars!!!! That issue (March ’08) is just about to hit the streets and we can’t wait to hear what the general public thinks. Of course you are more than welcome to print the article for your readers and they are all welcome to share their opinions on our forum at http://www.cyclesource.com
The March ’08 issue has some pretty cool stuff in it in addition to the Wal-Mart War. The title of the issue is Stock Still Rocks and the whole thing is based around the Stock Modification movement.
–C-
PS – What was that about my mom….. Figures she’d know you, she used to get around a lot of the biker digs back in the day! Hahaha- Thanks man
BIKERNET TO PUBLISH TOP ROYAL ENFIELD INDIA ROAD TALE– Some non-fiction this time. My Trip Log on “Stairway to Heaven” is among the Top 3 Most Read Trip Tales at Royal Enfiled website for the year 2007 ( http://www.royalenfield.com/ ) See RETheBeat.JPG
I have added more details and all the best photos with Captions for Bikernet.com
Hope you like it: Camping on Cremation Grounds, Sleeping at the edge of Quicksand, Haunted by stray dogs, counting Shooting Stars, …
–Ujjwal Dey
MORE ON THE FUTURE OF CUSTOM CHROME– AS the aftermarket gathers at Cincinnati for the 8th annual V-Twin Expo, the future of Custom Chrome appeared to be closer to resolution with the announcement that Global Motorsport Group (GMG) had agreed to sell its assets to Dae-Il USA, Inc “as a going concern”.
An announcement from GMG on January 31st stated that the sale includes all of GMG’s US operations. This includes the Custom Chrome, Motorcycle Stuff, and Jammer divisions, and the stock of Global Motorsport Group GmbH, which manages all of the group’s European operations which, principally at this time, means the profitable Custom Chrome operation out of Bad Kreuznach in Germany.
The statement said that in order to facilitate the sale process, the company filed a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
The Korean Dae-Il corporation is the company that has been manufacturing the RevTech program of engines and transmissions for Custom Chrome since the line made its market debut a decade or so ago.
Speculation about the company’s future has been gathering pace in recent years, and became especially intense in the past three months, once it became known that GMG owner Cerberus Private Capital would listen to proposals aimed at taking the company forward.
The announcement states that “the Company has reached an agreement with its lender to provide debtor-in-possession financing, subject to Bankruptcy Court approval, to fund the Company’s business operations while it completes the sale process. This financing will provide the Company the necessary funds to continue operations in the normal course of business, keeping all of the Company’s distribution facilities open on normal schedules, and fulfilling customer orders. The Company does not foresee any changes in employee numbers or facility locations.
“The purchase agreement is subject to the approval of the Bankruptcy Court. Definitive documents will be filed with the court, along with bidding procedures noting that qualified bidders will be provided an opportunity to make higher and better offers for the purchase. It is anticipated that the sale will be completed within 45 days. .
Scott Avila, Chief Restructuring Officer of GMG, is quoted as saying that “we are pleased to have entered into an agreement to be acquired by Dae-Il USA and are confident that this transaction will position GMG to re-establish its leadership position in the marketplace. We have carefully reviewed our options and believe that a sale will provide the best long-term prospects for the Company’s customers, vendors and employees”.
The deal sees former CEO Nace Panzica return to lead the business with which he was synonymous until his exit some eight years ago. “We look forward to supporting GMG’s success and continuing operations as a stand-alone business,” Panzica said in his capacity as President of Dae-Il USA.
As one of the original founders of Custom Chrome in 1970, and the man widely credited with managing the business to market leadership, the market will hope that Panzica’s reconnection with the business is a signal that this latest twist in the troubled recent history of the company will mark a watershed in its fortunes.
“We are committed to investing in GMG’s product lines and outstanding customer service. With the continued support of our faithful employees, loyal customers and valuable vendors, I am confident GMG’s future will be a success,” he went on to say.
The release stated that senior GMG representatives will attend at the 8th Annual V-Twin Expo by Easyriders being held in Cincinnati beginning on February 2, 2008, and that via its Motorcycle Stuff division it will also exhibit at the International Powersports Dealer Expo in Indianapolis beginning on February 16, 2008.
The company says that the transition of control to the new ownership should be concluded by March 2008.
SUPER BOWL SUNDAY GREETING FROM THE ISLANDS– Hey, just want to say howzit and to have a great Super Bowl Sunday. Wish I knew what was said that made us laugh so hard in this picture. Oh well, it don’t matter, I know we were having a good time.
–Chris T. & Queen Joerline
BIKERNET STUDIES THE JOB MARKET– Tom retired in his early 50’s and started a second career. However, even though he loved his new job, he just couldn’t seem to get to work on time.
Every day, he was 5, 10, 15 minutes late.
But he was a good worker and really sharp, so his boss was in a quandary about how to deal with it. Finally, one day, his boss called him into the office for a talk.
“Tom, I must tell you, I truly like your work ethic, you do a bang-up job, but being late for work nearly every day is quite annoying to me as well as your fellow workers.”
Tom replied, “Yes, sir, I know. I’m sorry, but I am working on it.”
“That’s what I like to hear,” his boss said. “However, the fact that you consistently come to work late does puzzle me, because I understand that you retired from the United States Air Force, and they have some pretty rigid rules about tardiness. Isn’t that correct?”
“Yes. I did retire from the Air Force, and I’m mighty proud of it!” said Tom.
“Well, what did they say when you came in late?” asked his boss.
“They said, ‘Good morning, General.'”
–from Rik
AMERICAN IRON BOSS ON HIS MAG AND THE MAG BUSINESS–We are pleased to announce the promotion of Terry O’Brien from Advertising Director to Vice President of Sales for all of TAM Communications – American Iron Magazine, American Iron Retailer and RoadBike. Terry’s been with us for a few years and has done an outstanding job in many areas of responsibility.
As many of us old timers have been predicting for the last several years, the motorcycle business is now facing many serious challenges. There is serious financial pressure on virtually all areas of the industry from Harley-Davidson to the smallest manufacturer and independent motorcycle shop. Everyone is looking to squeeze all possible value from their limited resources. And that especially includes advertising and marketing budgets, which generally are shrinking across the board.
In spite of the industry’s overall decline in advertising, American Iron Magazine’s advertising pages continue to grow thanks to the support of a growing base of companies making us their primary marketing choice. While we have lost some long time advertisers due to their financial difficulties, we anticipate American Iron Magazine will continue to pump out fat issues between 228 and 252 pages going forward for much of the year.
We recognize the readers and advertisers can no longer support all the motorcycle publications. And as readers and advertising decreases for some of the less popular magazines their publishers will have to make some tough calls.
I wouldn’t be surprised if a few of the magazines disappear from the newsstands this year. Other than outside investors or loans, magazines really have only two sources of income – circulation and advertising, and both are in tight supply these days.
When pushed into a corner, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear some publishers are making foolish decisions. For example if the magazines are no longer sold by the larger stores, a publisher might try to stay alive by selling subscriptions at well below the cost to produce and deliver. Or if advertisers pull out in favor of better selling magazines, a publisher might offer half price sales or promise a cover feature or glowing editorial articles on advertisers’ products. At best these are short-term solutions to long term problems.
Aren’t you curious to see what happens to all the motorcycle magazines in 2008? I know I am.
–Buzz Kanter
LEE PARKS FAMOUS RIDING GOLVES–These gloves are amazing. Premium insulated performance gloves provide the widest temperature range possible by utilizing an Outlast phase-change material liner in a patent-pending design. When your hands are cold, the liner acts like insulation and keeps heat in. When your hands get hot, it acts as a heat sink and pulls heat away. Additionally, when used with heated grips, it pulls the heat from the grips and distributes it around your hand. These are the only true insulated gloves that work with heated grips as most insulated gloves insulate you from the heat on the grips.
Proudly handcrafted in the USA
2.75+ oz. U.S. deerskin is more abrasion-resistant than cowhide
Outlast? phase-change lining material changes it properties depending on temperature giving it an incredibly wide temperature range (30-70 degrees)
Inexpensive repairs available at our U.S. factory
Double-stitched ErgoTech? palm patch doesn’t bunch up and provides strong abrasion-resistance
Lee Parks Design
PO Box 1838
Victorville, CA 92393
www.leeparksdesign.com
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