Hey,
The year is off with a bang. We’re just a few tantalizing weeks into 2007 and we’ve witnessed three bike shows and another one next weekend-I’m a judge for the world’s most beautiful motorcycle! Look out. Cincy dealer extravaganza is just a couple of weeks away, where we’ll discuss Bonneville, the Bikernet Noise Study and how SEMA can help motorcycling. We will also meet with Senator John Brueggeman regarding his replica motorcycle bill. Rock and roll.
Here’s a test of the next Girl of Bikernet from Curt Lout, www.STUDIO9000.COM. Coming soon.
Let’s hit the news this is play-off Sunday:
BIKERNET MEDICAL EVALUATION– A woman calls her boss one morning to tell him that she is not coming in as she is not feeling well.
“What’s the matter?” he asks.
“I have a bad case of anal glaucoma,” she says in a weak voice.
“What the hell is anal glaucoma?” It’s I can’t see my ass coming into work today!!!!
–from Rik Savenko
BIKERNET 5-BALL RACING HELMET APPROVED–I’ve written the few of you that I thought might appreciate quality racing gear. Tee Hee. I’m not sure if it’s SNELL approved, but I think I found the perfect helmet for use at Bonneville.
Can you imagine showing up at tech. inspection…. Let’s see, Boots, Gloves, Leathers,….Whoa..what the F*ck is That!
–Drew Gatewood
drewsmcserv@verizon.net
VICTORY VISION DRIVES TOURING MOTORCYCLE DESIGNER CRAZY– Please send design royalties to my home address. Thank you.
— Dick Allen
dickallen@shaw.ca
POLITICIAN SENTENCED– WASHINGTON — Former Rep. Bob Ney was sentenced Friday to 2? years in federal prison for trading political favors for gifts and campaign donations from lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Ney, the first congressman ensnared in the lobbying scandal, pleaded guilty in October to conspiracy and making false statements. He admitted being corrupted by golf trips, tickets, meals and campaign donations from Abramoff.
“You violated a host of laws that you as a congressman are sworn to enforce and uphold,” said U.S. District Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle, who recommended that Ney serve his time at a federal prison in Morgantown, W.Va.
Ney will also serve two years probation and must pay a $6,000 fine. Huvelle recommended he enter a prison alcohol rehabilitation program for treatment of a drinking problem he has acknowledged in recent months. Completing the program could knock about a year off his sentence. Huvelle did not set a date for Ney to report to prison.
The sentence was harsher than recommended by prosecutors or Ney’s lawyers, Huvelle said, because Ney had violated the trust placed on him as a public official. “Both your constituents and the public trusted you to represent them honestly,” she said. Ney apologized to his family and constituents during a brief speech to the judge. “I will continue to take full responsibility, accept the consequences and battle the demons of addiction that are within me,” he said. Earlier, Ney’s defense team filed letters from his doctor and a former staff member who described his drinking problems and how they accelerated when he came under scrutiny in the Abramoff lobbying scandal.
–Rogue
Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Member 2005
SUNDAY BIKERNET RELIGIOUS MOMENT– A woman was at work when she received a phone call that her small daughter was very sick with a fever. She left her work and stopped by the pharmacy to get some medication. She got back to her car and found that she had locked her keys in the car. She didn’t know what to do, so she called home and told the baby sitter what had happened. The baby sitter told her that the fever was getting worse.
She said, “You might find a coat hanger and use that to open the door.”
The woman looked around and found an old rusty coat hanger that had been left on the ground, possibly by someone else who at some time had locked their keys in their car. She looked at the hanger and said, “I don’t know how to use this.”
She bowed her head and asked God to send her help. Within five minutes a beat up old Harley pulled up, with a dirty, greasy, bearded old man who was wearing a skull rag on his head.
The woman thought, “This is what you sent to help me?” But, she was desperate, so she was also very thankful. The man got off of his cycle and asked if he could help. She said, Yes, my daughter is very sick. I stopped to get her some medication and I locked my keys in my car. I must get home to her. Please, can you use this hanger to unlock my car?
He said, “Sure.” He walked over to the car, and in less than a minute the car was opened.
She hugged the man and through her tears she said, “Thank You So Much! You are a very nice man.”
The man replied, “Lady, I am not a nice man. I just got out of prison today. I was in prison for car theft and have only been out for about an hour.”
The woman hugged the man again and with sobbing tears cried out loud, “Oh, Thank you God! You even sent me a Professional!”
GOD IS GOOD!
BIKERNET TECH SERIES DUE TO BE PUBLISHED IN HOT BIKE MAGAZINE– “Howdy, this is the second springer I’ve shortened and moved the shock on,” said Tim Conder. “Neither one of them are being ridden yet and I’d like to hold off on a tech until some miles are put on ’em. I’m doing another one next month and I’ll shoot the process and get it all to you when I do.”
We have recently published two Techs from the Conderosa, one on a Softail Bomber conversion and installing classic Halibrand Wheels on a Harley. This is the next one, shortening stock springers. We are working with Eric Ellis and will deliver the series to HOT BIKE magazine soon.
BUSINESS CLOSING– It is with deep regret that I write you this letter, but after much thought and consideration the time has come to close the doors. Skooterz was a dream of mine for a long time and I guess you can say I did live the dream for awhile, but at this point in time and due to circumstances that I have no control over Craig and myself will be working our way out of the business world.
I want to say “Thank You” to each and everyone of you that have supported us from the beginning. Without you we would have not made it this long. It has been real and it has been fun but it is time to close this chapter in our lives. Skooterz helped us make a lot of new friends and brought out old friends from out past and for this we are grateful.
I thought after months of consideration this was going to be easier to do but sending this message has been a very hard thing for me to do. I think I’ve been sitting her for about an hour and you see how far I’ve got. This was one of the hardest decisions I have had to make in a long time. Thank you all again for the love and support you have given Craig and myself. We will never forget any of you, so don’t forget us when you get ready to ride.
Beginning tomorrow, January 20, 2007, we will have a storewide sale everything must go. If any of you are interested in or know anyone that would be interested in buying out any of our products please forward the information to me. The plans at this time are to be out of our building by the end of February.
Craig and Leigh Ann Neal
LANDCNEAL@aol.com
BIKERNET STAFFER IN HOUSTON INSTALLING HEARTLAND KIT– Just letting you know I got the heartland kit two days ago. I started the disassembly process last night, but after a twelve hour shift, I wasn’t going to get to deep into it. My wedding anniversary is Saturday, so my weekend is putting me on lockdown between work and the anniversary. I will try to get it together next week. Maybe ride it for a week with the unpainted fender to make sure it is ok, then beg Kent to have his painter throw a layer of black on it. I’ll be in touch.
It’s coming together. Sunday i will start on the fender strut mounting. Monday will start the electronics. I will be riding by Wednesday, so you will have a few teaser pics for the news. I will get you the first part of the tech article in a couple of days. Maybe do a series like the Road King.
–Johnny
VT RACE GIRL UPDATE Friday, January 19, 2007– It is that time of year again when engines start to rev-up and the race season is fast approaching. In the meantime, it is also the time for the world famous Barrett-Jackson Auction here in Valerie’s hometown of Scottsdale, Arizona. Last year Valerie drove a 1932 Roadster onto the auction block, which fetched $47,000 for its owner who was only expecting $30,000. She really worked the crowd and you can see for yourself if you look closely at the TV commercial that runs on Speed Vision promoting this year’s auction. Just like last year, Valerie will work the crowd to sell another fantastic ride, the two -wheeled kind this time.
Harold Fischer owner of Chandler Custom Cycle asked Valerie to ride the “Single Minded Chopper” onto the auction block this year. Hand built in his shop, Harold hopes his badass ride will bring some serious bidding and excitement to tonight’s event. That is right, I said tonight so tune to Speed Vision and look for stock #1081 and Valerie as she works the crowd.
The Four Corners Biker Rally is alive and well. The traditional Labor Day motorcycle rally in the Four Corners Area will continue with the support of the local business community.
Contact Information: Dee Dee Casillas
Marketing Coordinator: Durango Harley-Davidson
970-259-0778
The very popular Four Corners Biker Rally is alive and well for 2007. Business organizations from communities all over the Four Corners area are supporting the rally in a unique way this year with a variety of local events that represent the entire Four Corners area.
This year the rally is being organized on a “Sturgis-like” format with events in several communities that include free access to vendor areas. The emphasis on variety and multiple locations will be the key to a unique rally experience in 2007.
Business owners and chamber organizations from Cortez, Durango, Farmington, Ignacio, Mancos, Ouray and Silverton are already working together to welcome riders and provide entertainment that allow several options for rides and entertainment during the Labor Day weekend event. This new approach allows rally visitors to “choose their own medicine” or simply ride the San Juan Loop for a relaxing day in the saddle. Poker runs, Harley-Davidson demo fleet, raffles, concerts, a bike show, cookouts, and incredibly scenic rides await all who attend the 2007 Four Corners Biker Rally. With plenty of camping and hotels in the Four Corners area, attendees can choose their favorite location for lodging and enjoy the incredible scenery and friendships that have come to characterize the Four Corners Rally.
Be sure to visit the Official Rally Website at www.fourcornersbikerrally.com for more information.
BIKERNET BONNEVILLE WORLDS FASTEST PANHEAD FRAME IS IN THE WORKS– Yep- frame in the works tomorrow, if your around and want to come by in the afternoon for some pics and editorial fodder, let me know and I’ll give you a call when everything is tacked up. We will be in Corona.
Still no calls on the knuck- I’m surprised! This is a classic deal on one of the last year Knuckleheads.
Here’s a link to the article about this classic: http://www.bikernet.com/bikebarn/PageViewer.asp?PageID=1332
-Rick
U.S. Choppers
2039 S. Lyon St
Santa Ana, CA 92705
714-546-4699
Appointments Only Please
http://www.uschopper.com/
Bike Week is being “Revolutionized.”– If you are planning on setting up a display or vending space at “Bike Week” March 2007 Daytona Beach, FL. you have to know what the Metric Revolution has planned. We have joined teams with Wyotech College located next to Bruce Rossmeyer’s Harley Davidson…this location known as “Destination Daytona” has steadily grown over the past couple of years and is now the single largest venue during Bike Week and Biketoberfest. During Bike Week March 8-11th 2007 we are turning Wyotech’s property into “The Metric Experience.” This will prove to be one of the most exciting venues during Bike Week this year. Don’t miss your opportunity to get your space at this location.
For more information please reply to this email or give me a call at the number below. If you would like to be removed from our mailing list, please reply to this email and type REMOVE in the subject line.
Thank you.
Milton Campis
Senior Account Representative
Multi-Media Marketing and Production, Inc
20283 State Road 7 Suite 400
Boca Raton, FL 33498
561-482-9370 ext 2042
Fax 561-482-9371
www.MetricTV.com
www.m3pi.com
BERT BAKER LECTURES AT V-TWIN EXPO– If there’s a chance that may be interested in any news or happening at the V-Twin Expo, I’ve set up a lecture due to popular request.
Bert Baker will crawl out of his engineering hole to be up front and center sharing his wisdom of the drivetrain. With my boss being such a character, this should be entertaining as well as informative.
Aside from the many, many customers asking advice, we learned at the Drag Specialties Showcase last summer that there was demand for some clarification on what goes on in and around the gearbox. The Showcase crowd had more questions then the time allotted to Bert’s presentation. We got busted by the organizer for sucking up so much time. (Sorry Drag). So, here’s a chance to listen and question the mad-scientist figurehead of the drivetrain authority – BAKER Drivetrain. It’ll be after lunch, so we’ll try to provide something caffeinated – not that you’ll need it though
Title: 1:1 6-Speed Designs and Applications by Bert Baker
Date: Saturday, February 3rd
Time: 2pm
Room: Room #250
Desc.: Spend some time with Bert, father of the 6-speed and co-founder of BAKER Drivetrain – The Drivetrain Authority. As lead engineer at BAKER, Bert will cover topics like noise, shift quality, manufacturing, gearset layout, shift system, torque capacity, durability, efficiency, future trends, and more.
V-Twin Poised to Do It Again– V-Twin Expo on track to once again deliver the best v-twin trade show in the industry today at its 7th Annual show in Cincinnati Agoura Hills, CA-With the industry’s best exhibitors, distributors and builders set to attend, the V-Twin Expo by Easyriders is clearly the one and only show for v-twin dealers. Over 500 exhibitors are loading and packing trucks to head to Cincinnati to show their innovative, high quality product line to attending V-Twin dealers. “This show allows me and my parts and merchandise buyers the ability to see what our customers are going to want before they even know it is available. This is SEMA for the bike market” explained Don Tilley of Tilley Harley-Davidson, North Carolina. “I wouldn’t miss this show, I can’t afford to” finished Tilley.
“Now as the industry stabilizes, it is the perfect time for dealers to be more efficient and return driven with their time and resources- The Expo does just that and does it very well” said Jim Betlach, V-Twin Expo Show Producer. “We constantly tweak our show plans to accommodate changes in the industry to benefit the dealers, not the show” said Betlach. An example of the on going tweaks, check out the seminar line up for the Expo held in Cincinnati February 3-5, 2007.
NEW FROM CRO CUSTOMS, LO CAL– Happy new year my man. I hope this mail finds you well. Just finished this evo barhopper, the Lo Cal I call it. Wrote a little article about the build. Hope you can use it. Pics of the bike here. When the Pan is done, very soon I hope, I’ll shoot some pics with my girl for ya.
Best,
Caleb R. Owens
cro customs inc..
Venice California
310-923-2613
www.crocustoms.com Selling the blue shovel as well. Selling the blue shovel as well.
ROLAND SANDS DESIGN, INC. TO DEBUT ITS 2007 PRODUCT LINE– The Highly-Anticipated Product Line Will be Unveiled at the Cincinnati V-Twin Expo – February 2-4
January 15, 2007 (La Palma, Calif.) – Renowned motorcycle designer Roland Sands will debut his 2007 Roland Sands Design, Inc. (RSD) product line in Booth# 400 at the Cincinnati V-Twin Expo on February 2-4, 2007. “No Regrets,” the highly-publicized custom motorcycle built for the Discovery Channel Biker Build Off, will be on display alongside “The Stocker”, a never-before-seen custom that features the full 2007 RSD product line. “The Stocker” also sports a unique paint scheme that outlines the easy steps to build one for yourself.
“This year’s products are a direct result of the feedback we’ve received from our concept bikes,” said Sands. “The fans went nuts for the covers on the ‘Glory Stomper’ and the sheet metal from ‘El Borracho.’ Seeing that we are a design studio and don’t manufacturer bikes, it was only natural that we developed the ingredients and took out the guess work involved in building your own custom.”
Taking note of the clamor surrounding the company’s iconic concept bikes, the RSD crew took on the project of delivering a simple and affordable package of custom parts to outfit stock H-D Softails, thus achieving a custom look and reliability without the pains of registration, insurance and custom fabrication. To achieve this, RSD designed, tested and produced a new genre of aftermarket products including Conversion Body Kits. The new RSD Vintage Kit that adorns “The Stocker” consists of a gas tank, fender kit (both wide and stock), handlebar and seat that together redefine the look of a stock Softail.
RSD will showcase the following products at Booth# 400:
HARLEY-DAVIDSON PROVIDES MOTORCYCLES AND MOTORCLOTHES TO NEW MOVIE “WILD HOGS”– Harley-Davidson teamed up with Touchstone Pictures to supply motorcycles for the five main characters in the new movie, “Wild Hogs.” In the movie, the characters ride a 2006 Sportster 1200 Custom and four 2006 Softails: a Fat Boy, Night Train, Springer Softail, and Screamin’ Eagle Fat Boy. Harley-Davidson also supplied MotorClothes for the lead characters.
“Wild Hogs,” which premieres March 2, 2007, is a comedy-adventure about a group of friends who decide to take a breather from their jobs and family responsibilities by taking a freewheeling motorcycle trip. As they go looking for adventure, they soon find that they’ve embarked on a journey they will never forget. The movie features Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence and William H. Macy as the mis-matched foursome and Ray Liotta as a member of a biker gang who are less than amused with the novice riders.
To view the movie trailer, visit: http://wildhogs.movies.go.com/
IT?S A PLAYOFF GAME DAY WRAP–We?re still scrambling between plays, hanging photos around the new finished digs, moving bikes (we had to fight over which bike would be displayed in the living room), making notes for next week, planning meetings at Cincy and making a list of articles we?re posting next week while working on Jeremiah?s bike. He helped run the vent for the shop heater last night with coaching from Jim Waggaman.
Halftime is over. Keep an eye on Bikernet next week. We have Build-off stuff coming, features, techs and the Manchester show from England thanks to the Chief. Here?s just a reminder of the summer to come.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
