Life’s bananas. We’re in the ghetto so it’s more difficult to coerce contractors to visit us on the industrial side of the tracks. The cable company, Comcast, won’t return our calls so we ended up running everything through the SBC phone company. Of course the DSL line went down two days after we finally got back on line. Through SBC we hooked up the phones, DSL for the Internet and dishes for television. Screw cable.
My 20 foot wide roll up door quit the other day. A kid came by, took one look at it and told me the door was toast. Just five grand to replace it. Then he sent me a bill for $250 to tell me that. The plumber told me he’d be here last Friday, called around 4:00 p.m. to tell me he couldn’t make it till Monday morning. Showed up at 3:00 p.m. Monday and couldn’t finish the job. I ordered polished diamond plate cut in segments for the shop head. Mendez told me that he would be back the next week. It’s been a week and I can’t reach him. Shit, I’m lucky the guys at Home Depot will talk to me. We had a new alarm system installed. Nothing worked, still doesn’t. If you see a report that I shot someone, you’ll know why.
Hang with us while we dial all this shit in. Let’s hit the news.
SCREAMIN’ EAGLE/VANCE & HINES V-ROD WINS GATORNATIONALS–H-D Team Dominates NHRA Pro Stock Bike Opener; Hines Wins Historic Final.GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 21, 2004) – The Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines team scored a historic victory at the 35th Annual Mac Tools NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway, as Harley-Davidson V-Rod riders Andrew Hines and GT Tonglet dominated the first Pro Stock Bike event of the season. Both riders advanced to the final round of eliminations, and Hines beat his teammate to win the event. It was the first time a V-Twin-powered motorcycle has won an NHRA Pro Stock Bike event.
“We worked so hard to get this bike to a point where it’s competitive with the top bikes,” Hines said of the Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines Pro Stock effort, now in just its third season of competition. “Now we are the top bike. It’s nice because a lot of people have put a lot of time into this project. Let everyone else chase us for awhile. I’m out here to win the championship and right now, with the bike I have, I think I’m a strong contender.”
Hines and Tonglet set the tone for their weekend in qualifying. Hines took the number one spot away from reigning NHRA Pro Stock Bike champion Geno Scali, setting a new Pro Stock Bike track record in the third round on Saturday with a 7.097-second elapsed time at 189.43 mph to Scali’s 7.104/192.80. Scali found himself in a V-Rod sandwich, with Tonglet posting a run of 7.141/188.16 to take the third spot in qualifying.
Hines and Tonglet advanced cleanly through three rounds of eliminations on Sunday, each reaching the finals without the benefit of an opponent’s red-light start or mechanical failure.
In round one, Hines broke the track ET record he set in qualifying with a 7.051/190.83 run and defeated Josh Helvie (7.285/186.37), while Tonglet (7.092/189.87) powered past Chris Bostick (7.298/182.03). Tonglet (7.085/190.27) beat veteran Antron Brown (7.264/183.48) to take his second-round match, while Hines (7.156/189.15) defeated Joe DeSantis (7.318/180.32) to advance to round three.
Tonglet drew Scali in the semi-final round, and the champion powered his Suzuki off the line first with a reaction time of 0.057 seconds to 0.065 for Tonglet, but the Screamin’ Eagle rider chased Scali down at half-track. Tonglet (7.119/187.93) crossed the line ahead of Scali (7.140/188.87) and put one Harley-Davidson in the final.
VOTE FOR GARAGE PAGE–Just wanted to drop you an email to say thank you for putting up the garage page and all info therein. Also wanted to say your Touring Chopper is fantastic and one of the main reasons I decided to chop my Virago. I’m incorperating hard bags based on your design (made from fiberglass though). I’ve included a few pictures of my progress so far if it is of any interest, but mainly wanted to say thanks.
Thank you for the reply, I appreciate the time. Here is a shot of it withthe pipes and headlight tacked toegther and mounted. It will be taken apartand finish welded and bodywork done in the next week or so. I’ll send anupdate at that time. Thanks again.
Clinton Hoines
winger9@telusplanet.net
CREMATION URNS SPECIFICALLY FOR BIKERS–Lake Worth, Florida – January 10th, 2004, “What better way to memorialize the biker in your life than to put their ashes in an urn made from parts for a vintage Harley motor?” says Jerry Falk, creator of the “Biker Ash box”. He goes on to say, “We’re offering a very unique, custom made, final resting-place for your loved one that truly reflects his or her interest in the Harley-Davidson lifestyle with many choices and options.”
Several Years ago Mr. Falk lost a loved one who was into the motorcycle scene. She was cremated and the family searched for months for an appropriate urn to keep her ashes in. They called Harley dealers, funeral homes, searched the Internet, etc, but couldn’t find anything close to what they were looking for. So, as a seller of used Harley parts, Jerry found some valve covers from a Harley-Davidson Panhead Motorcycle (Made from 1948 to 1965) and made one himself.
Jerry Falk
Biker Ashes
561-963-1102
WWW.BikerAshes.Com
Email:Marketing@BikerAshes.Com
BIKERLADY IN PASTEL–Look at this painting that this fellow did of me. Though the colors aredifferent, that’s YOUR BLUE FLAME bike, too!Artwork by Jim Piper. Your photograph was the inspiration.
Love,
Sasha
DAYTONA BEACH–TALK ABOUT RESPECT–The city’s campaign to curb drunken lawlessness during Spring Break suffered a sucker punch early Monday. A thief in the night swiped 300 trash can sleeves emblazoned with the city’s new catch phrase: “It’s all about respect.”
The theft of the trash can cozies was committed in the core tourist district, historically where college kids converge to drink and often cause trouble.
But the plot thickens as investigators try to solve this baffling whodunit. No Spring Breakers are suspects, and police are wondering if they’re on the trail of some organized crime.
“I can understand how some students would have taken one or two or maybe 10,” Mayor Yvonne Scarlett-Golden said. “But to have taken 300 of them from the one corridor?
“It leads me to thinking it’s an organized effort, although I can’t think of who would have led that.”
TRUCK DEAL OF THE WEEK–Just in case you guys might know someone looking for a diesel truck, attached is the shit on mine, 2000 Dodge crew cab. Selling it for $21,500 obo.
Bob Bitchin
Founder & Publisher
Latitudes & Attitudes Magazine
publisher@latsandatts.net
www.latsandatts.net
888-8-WE SAIL
(310) 798-3445
SONS OF LIBERTY RIDERS E-NEWS– Missouri asking for more help…Get the word out for us, please. I personally spoke with the Lt. Gov. lastevening in Hannibal. He has always been our friend. Thanks.Freedom of Road Riders? has asked that everyone send letters to tourism totell them how much money they won’t spend in Missouri because of the helmetlaw. People tell me they are receiving replies that tourism can’t lobby socontact their legislators. Well, for all of our friends around thenation — our Lt. Governor will be pleased to receive your letters, and hecan lobby our cause! So we need letters — if you’ve already written –please write again! Send your message to:Lt. Governor Joe Maxwell: ltgovinfo@ltgov.mo.gov
Louisiana is under attack!!!!!
TWO bills have beenintroduced, one in the House and one in the Senate, that would once againrequire ALL motorcyclists to wear helmets.Skelly hooked me up with Ollie “Laddie” Elkins, ABATE of LA., Capitol AreaChapter. Louisiana NEEDS OUR HELP and they’re asking for a nation wide e-mailcampaign. We need to write the members of their Senate and House (at end ofthis email) and ask that they reject these bills – SB-29 and HB-109.
STEEL PONY EXPRESS BIKE RUN–Steel Pony Express, a bike run to New Orleans that ends with a weekend ofpartying (Last years attendance was about 10,000),Riverboat casinos in north and south Louisiana,Scenic rides: I-10 & I-20 run east and west through the state and I-49, I-55& I-59 take traffic north and south,Miles of coastline with some of the best fishing in the Gulf of Mexico andscores of restored plantation homes that are open to tour in both north andsouth Louisiana.The Mississippi River with at least 9 bridges and the way to see the riverfrom a bike about 12 auto ferries.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON AND BUELL DAYTONA BIKE WEEK RIDE-IN SHOW WINNERS ANNOUNCEDDaytona Beach, Fla. (March 04, 2004) – The Harley-Davidson and Buell Ride-in show took place Wednesday, March 2, 2004 at the Daytona Beach Ocean Center.
Judges, including Willie G. Davidson, Vice President and Chief Styling Officer, Bill Davidson, Director of Marketing, Motorcycle Product Development, and other Company representatives, selected “Best of Show” winners in 18 categories. Entries were judged on street function, paint, style and more.
Winners are:
1. Antique Class:
Best In Class: Gale McFarland, Largo, Fla.
1st Runner Up: Peter R. Schmidt, Dresden, Germany
2nd Runner Up: Ron Princler, Inverness, Fla.
Honorable Mention: Kent and Venner Saul, Los Lunas, N.M.
2. VRSC Class:
Best in Class: John Hamlin, Daytona Beach, Fla.
1st Runner Up: NY Myke, San Diego, Calif.
2nd Runner Up: James Rogers, Riverview, Fla.
Honorable Mention: Kim Kelley, Port Richey, Fla.
3. Sidecar Class
Best in Class: Erwin Boeckmann, Munich, Germany
1st Runner Up: Otha Johnson, Baytown, Texas
2nd Runner Up: James E. Bub Lollis, Greenwood, S.C.
4. Custom Trike Class:
Best in Class: Merce Schmidt, Menasha, Wis.
1st Runner Up: Janice M. Bizzell, Princeton, N.C.
2nd Runner Up: Larry Werkmeister, Gowanda, N.Y.
5. Full Dresser Class:
Best in Class: Wayne Drayer, Ocala, Fla.
1st Runner Up: Barry Norsell, Valparaiso, Ind.
2nd Runner Up: Jerry Cataland, Ocala, Fla.
Honorable Mention: Ken Zettelmeier, Milwaukee, Wis.
6. Ladies of Harley (LOH) Sportster Class:
Best in Class: Lora Biggs, Evansville, Ind.
7. Street Custom Sportster Class:
Best in Class: Biff Prinkey, Timonium, Md.
1st Runner Up: Penny Ezell, Honeoye Falls, N.Y.
2nd Runner Up: Dave Adams, Grayling, Mich.
Honorable Mention: Cec Prinkey, Timonium, Md.
8. Radical Custom Sportster Class:
Best in Class: Gordon Cooke, Orillia, Ontario, Canada
1st Runner Up: Dennis Oliva, Armonk, N.Y.
2nd Runner Up: Rick Kirchoff and Mike Temore, Monsey, N.Y.
9. Pro Sportster Class:
Best in Class: Dave Finn Motorcycles, Tappan, N.Y.
1st Runner Up: Mark Missildine, St. Simons Island, Ga.
2nd Runner Up: Troy Pentland, Indianapolis, Ind.
Honorable Mention: Jeff Schneider Motorcycle Works, Olathe, Kan.
10. Ladies of Harley (LOH) Big Twin Class:
Best in Class: Sandi Blackmer, Port Orange, Fla.
1st Runner Up: Margaret R. Nicastri, Bowie, Md.
2nd Runner Up: Rosie Dearmore, Leawood, Kan.
Honorable Mention: Vickie West, Greenup, Ky.
11. Street Custom Big Twin Class:
Best in Class: Mike Hall, Fairborn, Ohio
1st Runner Up: Ken Lipack, Charlotte, N.C.
2nd Runner Up: Richard Ezell, Rochester, N.Y.
Honorable Mention: Billy Fumich, Pleasant Prairie, Wis.
12. Show Custom Big Twin Class:
Best in Class: Joe Sciato, Alexandria, Va.
1st Runner Up: Dan Spina, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
2nd Runner Up: Jimmy Fleshman, Annapolis, Md.
Honorable Mention: Mike Pullin, Charlotte, N.C.
13. Street Custom Big Twin Class:
Best in Class: Todd Osborne, Ooltewah, Tenn.
1st Runner Up: Avery Gardner, Spotsylvania, Va.
2nd Runner Up: Kevin Pezzuti, Annapolis, Md.
14. Show Custom Big Twin Class:
Best in Class: Bruce Gardner, Tampa, Fla.
1st Runner Up: Dan Dearmore, Leawood, Kan.
2nd Runner Up: Lee Mullins, O’Brien, Fla.
Honorable Mention: Robert Berkowitz, Atlantic Beach, N.Y.
15. Radical Custom Big Twin Class:
Best in Class: Charlie Tilse, Alphouelta, Ga.
1st Runner Up: Phillip Blackmer, Port Orange, Fla.
2nd Runner Up: Scott Nortnern, Waterford, Va.
Honorable Mention: Jim Murphy, Sanford, Fla.
16. Sport Touring Class:
Best in Class: Chris Neal, Jeffersonton, Va.
1st Runner Up: Roger Klock, Emery, S.D.
2nd Runner Up: James E. Robinson, Fairmont, W.Va.
Honorable Mention: Mike Patrick, Owensville, Mo.
Honorable Mention, Richard Teinert, Battle Creek, Mich.
17. Pro Big Twin Class:
Best in Class: Ed Jean, Norfolk, Mass.
1st Runner Up: Preston Fairchild, Kenner, La.
2nd Runner Up: Scott Hall, Melborne, Fla.
Honorable Mention: Russ Austin – Precious Metal Customs, Roswell, Ga.
Honorable Mention: Dave Finn Motorcycles, Tappan, N.Y.
18. Buell Class:
Best in Class: Richard Rodney, Canfield, Ohio
1st Runner Up: Lisa Pentland, Indianapolis, Ind.
2nd Runner Up: Thomas Connelly, Polk, Fla.
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