Hey,
This will is a wild news. American Iron Horse was bought. You’ll see the story here. The LA Times featured a $120,000 MV Agusta F4CC, 1078cc, 6-speed model yesterday, but revealed that MV is in trouble based on Italian banking financial problems. They’re looking for a partner. You knew that Mid-USA filed Bankruptcy and other guys are having banner years. Oil prices have me baffled. And get this; Myrtle Beach wants to cancel all biker events.
We better hit the news quick:
Myrtle Beach officials: No more biker rallies–MYRTLE BEACH ? Furious and frustrated after the weekend shooting death of a 20-year-old Coastal Carolina University student, Myrtle Beach City Council members said Tuesday that they do not want motorcycle rallies in the city any more.
A group of local ministers and a bike-rally event promoter spoke to the council at a morning workshop Tuesday and implored the city to help them “do something” about the behavior they witnessed during the past weekend.Other groups have complained to city officials in previous years after the Atlantic Beach Bikefest biker rally and the Harley-Davidson spring rally.
“I experienced something … enough is enough,” the Rev. Tim McCray told the council on Tuesday. He said he and others had not slept for the past four days during the Atlantic Beach Bikefest, staying up to get a firsthand look at the parties that have for years concerned residents and prompted complaints. “They were up there partying, doing things they shouldn’t be doing.”
Grand Strand Connection is an umbrella group that is trying to help solve “issues that threaten the harmony of Myrtle Beach,” said McCray, the group’s founder.The group is bringing together local officials, clergy, hotel owners, restaurants and other groups that plan and hold events geared toward bikers to make the spring and fall bike rallies more organized.
McCray said he witnessed public sex acts and other behavior, not among the sport bikers who traditionally have come to the area during Memorial Day weekend, but among the 16- to 20-year-olds who arrive by the carload to party during weekend rally.
“We know the NAACP has you locked down,” McCray told the council. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has sued the city and area businesses for what it has called racist behavior during the Atlantic Beach Bikefest, which is visited predominantly by African Americans and happens around Memorial Day weekend.
Others argue that those who come to the Atlantic Beach Bikefest ? whatever their race ?don’t behave properly, don’t respect the city and its residents and cause more trouble than they are worth financially.
The NAACP has monitored the Bikefest and the Harley-Davidson spring rally to make sure people are treated fairly at both events.
Myrtle Beach Councilman Mike Chestnut, who appeared visibly upset by the weekend shooting of CCU student Corey Brooks, asked McCray and the others what they expect the city to do to make bike rallies more successful.
“Why should we invest in this event when we don’t in any other?” Chestnut asked. “Let me tell you what’s going to happen. The City Council is going to shut it down. We’re not going to have a 20-year-old shot because someone is too cheap to pay for a $20 parking space.”
Police have not confirmed a motive in the shooting.Hakim Harrell, an event promoter, said he understands the city’s concern, but hopes more organized activities scattered throughout the city would draw people away from Ocean Boulevard.
“We don’t care which rally it is, we’d just as soon stop them,” Mayor John Rhodes told the group.
“We don’t need them,” Rhodes said. “We can fill all the hotel rooms without bike weeks.”
? The (Myrtle Beach) Sun News
–from Rogue
Bad Ass Brass Balls Bobbers In Bikernet Studio–
The 411 on the Military Bike Build-Off
Darwin Motorcycles, Builder of Brass Balls Bobbers & Choppers, came away with a win at the Military Bike Build-Off in Branson, Missouri held May 15-18, 2008. Dar talks about the components on the build and what makes a Brass Balls Bobbers really a Bad Ass Bike.
Brass Balls Bobbers competed with Scorpion Choppers, South Side Kustoms and Coyotes Customs in this tightly contested event.
Dar Holdsworth, President of Darwin Motorcycles, talks about the military motorcycle build. He built a raw, punch-you-in-the-mouth bobber sled.
George Emmons Najar of Horsepower Marketing producing.
AMERICAN IRON HORSE PURCHASE–Scott Meyers completes American IronHorse deal: “I want us to be the best, not the biggest”
The troubled Fort Worth, Texas, custom motorcycle manufacturer American ! IronHorse has been bought out from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection by Scott Meyers, an American IronHorse dealer with custom shops in Montana and Minnesota.
Meyers is a former senior defense industry executive with an impeccable business career record and all the corporate credentials needed to indicate that he has the experience necessary to successfully rescue the business.
However, he is also a lifelong rider who hails from a family that has ridden since the 1920’s, and he became a custom shop owner five years ago with American IronHorse and Arlen Ness franchises.
With two dealerships, Rocky Mountain Choppers at Bozeman, Mt., and BlackWater Choppers of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Mn., Meyers comes at the acquisition from the position of being a dealer who is both committed to the brand, and has an insider’s experience of the difficulties the company encountered.
Within hours of his deal being approved by the bankruptcy court, Meyers gave AMD an exclusive interview that will be published in full in the July edition! . Meyers said: “American IronHorse swamped the market with bikes in 2005 and when inventory started to stick they agreed to pay for the flooring. In my view this is what ultimately caused the bankruptcy”.
Meyers says his aims are simple: “I want to create a sustainable, profitable business; I want to make the transition into it being so as quickly as possible, and as easy as possible for the firm’s dealer network. We are fully committed to supporting the American IronHorse brand in every way possible”.
“We will slim down the dealer network,” Meyers went on to say. “Those dealers who wish to stay with us will be asked to agree new dealer contracts, but the level of commitment we have to ensuring that their business dealings with American IronHorse are profitable is absolute”.
Meyers says that his dealerships spent a six-figure sum on flooring finance interest in 2006 alone, “so we fully understand the position that American IronHorse dealers have been in! . We are fully committed to establishing American IronHorse as the pre mium brand in manufacturing highly profitable custom motorcycles. My aim is that American IronHorse should be the best, not the biggest”.
Meyers cites the cycle of Harley’s own experience, with authorized Harley dealers seeing their businesses move from wait lists to discounts on MRSP’s in less than a decade. “We need to return exclusivity to the American IronHorse experience, and we can’t achieve this without supporting the profit objectives of our loyal dealers”.
Meyers has said that he is making ‘Good Faith’ offers to dealers in respect of warranties and finance. “We have agreed terms with Textron for them to continue to offer flooring programs to American IronHorse dealers. While dealers themselves, rather than the company, will have to pay for that finance, our manufacturing policies will ensure that inventory can be financed profitably and moved quickly”.
“In terms of standing behind the motorcycles built since the company started, we are going to ! honor warranties on all unsold bikes, and provide factory warranties for all bikes already on the road that have not yet had warranty claims”.
At this time the plan is for the existing management team to continue. Meyers went on to tell AMD that “the transition to our ownership will have been completed by the end of May and we will be in a position to make substantial capital available immediately to enable the business to re-start trading activities as soon as possible”.
NEW CHROME TRANSMISSION OIL DIPSTICK FROM HARLEY-DAVIDSON—A Functional Accessory with the Bar & Shield LogoMILWAUKEE (May 29, 2008) ? This new Chrome Transmission Oil Dipstick ($21.95) from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories is a decorative and functional accessory designed for easy removal by hand, eliminating the need for a wrench. Its hexagon-shaped cap is chrome plated and features an embossed Bar & Shield logo. Chrome Transmission Oil Dipstick P/N 37103-08 fits 1987-1999 Evolution 1340-equipped models and most 1999-2006 Touring, 2000-2006 Softail and 1999-2005 Dyna models; P/N 66532-07 fits 2007-later Softail and Touring models. For additional information on Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories, see your local Harley-Davidson dealer or visit the Harley-Davidson Web site at www.harley-davidson.com. To find a dealer near you, call toll free 1-800-443-2153 in the U.S.A. or Canada.
FROM THE BIKERNET PET RESCUE MISSION–Hey , Bandit what do you call a dog with no legs ?……. It doesn’t matter he ain’t coming !!!
–RON in TX.
JOKER MACHINE H-D Sensor Type Throttle Tube For Rubber Grips– Introducing our Billet Throttle Tube For (’08) Harley Davidsons with Sensor Type (non-cable operated) throttle grips!
Tube Features are:
Fully CNC machined billet construction with precision diamond knurl pattern to insure no-slip grip performance.
Our special “HARD BLACK” Anodized finish for exceptional smooth action and wear durability over plastic units.
Works super smooth due to the precise bore finish………works especially well with a light coating of lithium grease.
Allows Installation of virtually any rubber style hand grip (Joker Radial we recommend – p.n. 03-61) in minutes………simply remove the (2) screws from the stock H/D throttle housing, slide the old grip tube off, then slide our tube onto the gear found on the sensor unit!
03-88 H-D Sensor Type Throttle Tube For Rubber Grips $49.95
Radial Rubber Grips / Trim Caps
Introducing our Billet Throttle Tube For (’08) Harley Davidsons with Sensor Type (non-cable operated) throttle grips!
Tube Features are:
Fully CNC machined billet construction with precision diamond knurl pattern to insure no-slip grip performance.
Our special “HARD BLACK” Anodized finish for exceptional smooth action and wear durability over plastic units.
Works super smooth due to the precise bore finish………works especially well with a light coating of lithium grease.
Allows Installation of virtually any rubber style hand grip (Joker Radial we recommend – p.n. 03-61) in minutes………simply remove the (2) screws from the stock H/D throttle housing, slide the old grip tube off, then slide our tube onto the gear found on the sensor unit!
03-61BLK Black Radial Rubber Grips (Pair) $22.95
03-61R Red Radial Rubber Grips (Pair) $22.95
03-61W White Radial Rubber Grips (Pair) $22.95
03-62 Trim Cap for Joker Radial Rubber Grips, Raw (Pair) $9.95
–Kendall Rawson
Joker Machine
4668 Mission Blvd.
Montclair, CA 91773
EASYRIDER READER LOOKING FOR VHS– I talked to Kit at Easy Rider and he referred me to you. In 2000, a VHS tape was made of:Easyriders’ Top Fuel World Championship. ADBA (America Drag Bike Association)ran Top Fuel Bikes in Australia for the World Championship and Bill Furr from the USA was the winner.
I bought a copy of the tape (which was excellent) from ADBA. They had gone out of business,since then and I would like to purchase another tape as a spare because my husband & I like to watch it so much, I’m afraid it may wear out & it will break! We can’t copy it because of the copyright.
Kit said you may have an idea on where I could find the tape? I looked on the Internet but couldfind anything. Do you have any ideas? Enclosed is an attachment of the VHS tape.
Please send me any ideas:
Darlene Briner
jb1320@earthlink.net
SPECTRO OILS APPOINTS NEW EXPORT MANAGER–Spectro Oils promotes Ken Ciocci to Export Manager.
Brookfield, CT? Spectro Oils of America has promoted long time employee, Ken Ciocci, to the position of Export Manager of Intercontinental Lubrications Corporation.
?I am energized by Ken and have been over the years. Ken has worked in many capacities over the years at Spectro. He has continually driven success for the company, we expect that to continue in his new role as Export Manager? explained Spectro President, Dave Miller.
In 1981, Ken Ciocci started out in the sales department at Spectro and spent a great deal of time running NERTA and GNCC events. He left the company from 1988 to 1994 to pursue a private venture. Returning to Spectro Oils in 1994 as the National Sales Manager, Ken has been going full steam ahead ever since. Ken?s promotion to Export Manager of Intercontinental Lubrications Cooperation is a result of his considerable knowledge of motorcycling, deep sales experience, and strong record with Spectro Oils.
Spectro brands are manufactured and marketed by Intercontinental Lubricants Corp. of Brookfield, CT, ILC, one of the world?s foremost manufacturers and packagers of quality lubricants.
For more information on Spectro Oils, please visit: www.spectro-oils.com
BONNEVILLE RECORD BREAKER LOOKING FOR WOMAN RIDER–As you know, using a women rider to set the records generates a lot of publicity. The last two years I have worked with Kimberly, and she has set five records now. I met Kimberly in December 2005, and she had never operated a motorcycle. By August 2006 she was setting two records in front of National Geographic TV film cameras and in 2007, she was filmed for NBC Jeep World Of Adventure Sports while setting three Land Speed Records. Kimberly still does not have the experience to handle a bike with high horsepower. For SpeedWeek 2008, I do not need a rider with a lot of experience, as the two bikes we have entered do not have a lot of hp. I would like to find an additional women rider, who would be interested in setting records and then accept the challenge of racing for the title of Women’s Fastest Motorcycle Rider. The new rules require that the rider have a m/c endorsement on their driver license.
We could build my GoldWing powered Streamliner for record attempts at 206, 211,213 and 232 mph records that I currently hold with my Streamliner. This would give the lady a chance to gain entry into the famed 200 MPH Club and a chance at the top ladies record of 229 mph set by Marsha Holly in the Don Vesco Streamliner. For some additional records we can install the sidecar on to the Streamliner, as this may be the best way to get the lady rider dialed in to the operation of a Streamliner.
–Kenny Lyon
kenylyon@hotmail.com
www.projectgoldwing.org
www.goldwingracingproject.info
310 637 6094
BIKERNET CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE DEAL OF THE WEEK– Well El Loco is for sale! Previously I sold it to a good friend and now he is willing to part with it for 16K. An article on El Loco can be found in the Bikernet archives, search El Loco on the home page Google thing. Anyone really interested should contact me at www.lonestarchoppers.com
–Larry
NEW MOTORCYCLE SOCIAL NETWORK FROM CYCLEWORLD–Hi, looking to hear from other motorcycle lovers who could give me advice in growing our new Motor Cycle Social Networking site.Can I ask you to link to the site and then get your comments and ideas?
Just go to the site, sign up for free and then “kick the tires”.Be a part of a group of Founding Members.www.cycleworldnetwork.com
We’re growing thanks to the buzz…www.cycleworldnetwork.com
–Jesse
cyclelover1@gmail.com
BIKERNET CIVIL SERVICE SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT–More ?At the Pump Woes?–The Shell Oil Company recently issued a warning after three incidents in which mobile phones (cell phones) ignited fumes during fueling operations.
In the first case, the phone was placed on the car?s trunk lid during fueling; it rang and the ensuing fire destroyed the car and the gasoline pump.
In the second, an individual suffered severe burns to their face when fumes ignited as they answered a call while refueling their car.
And in the third, an individual suffered burns to the thigh and groin as fumes ignited when the phone, which was in their pocket, rang while they were fueling their car.
You should know that:
Mobile Phones can ignite fuel or fumes.
Mobile phones that light up when switched on or when they ring release enough energy to provide a spark for ignition.Mobile phones should not be used in filling stations, or when fueling lawn mowers, boat!, Etc.Mobile phones should not be used, or should be turned off, around other materials that generate flammable or explosive fumes or dust, (i.e. solvents, chemicals, gases, grain dust, etc.)
Four Rules for Safe Refueling :
Turn off engine2) Don?t smoke.
Don?t use your cell phone – leave it inside the vehicle or turn it off.
Don?t re-enter your vehicle during fueling.
Don?t ever use cell phones when pumping gas.
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