Okay,
The clock is running out on the year, and 2012 will hit like Ray’s 124-inch Twin Cam on nitrous. I’m damn excited about 2012. There’s a new level of efficiency aimed at the Bikernet Headquarters, and a whole new batch of opportunities. I could write about them all day, but I’ll just highlight the general topics. I’m hoping that everyone everywhere feels the same and is experiencing the same level of positive energy.
Here’s our list:
1. Major expansion of Bikernet
2. Major changes to the Bikernet Headquarters
3. Building three bikes for the run to Sturgis
4. Help kick off the Motorcycle Riders Foundation Industry Council
5. Our first Bikernet/Cycle Source Lot on Lazelle
6. Two Bikes being built for Bonneville this year
7. Complete the next Chance Book and write another one
How’s that? It means not a day can be wasted on bullshit, breakdowns, or health issues. We need to stay strong and focused. Okay, I’ll have a glass of whiskey once in a while, and ponder a big-titted redhead. But that’s all.
THE WORLD HAS GONE GLOBAL– We are pleased to present our Automotives, Spare parts, Accessories & Transportation Trade Fairs Calendar in the emerging market of AFRICA.
15th AUTOEXPO KENYA 2012
10 – 12 May, KICC, Nairobi
15th AUTOEXPO TANZANIA 2012
20 – 22 May, Dar es Salaam
Exhibit at both fairs and avail following benefits:
• A Corner Booth at any one of the above event will be provided.
• 10% discount on the stand on participation confirmation.
• East African Importers Database worth USD 225.
• Quarter Page advertisement in Exhibition Catalogue worth USD 450.
• Nairobi National Park Safari Tour.
It will be a contentment for me to assist you in the matter.
With best regards,
Sonia A.
International Exhibitors Consultant
Expogroup Worldwide, Dubai, UAE
Dir: +971-50-4730490
Tel: +971-4-3721421
AMERICAN CHOPPER BUILD-OFF–Despite only 200,000 people voting for the best bike in American Chopper: The Build, many more tuned in to see who would come out on top in the competition between Orange County Choppers, Paul Jr. Designs, and Jesse James.
In total, 4.8 million viewers tuned in to the live show, where Paul Jr. was declared the winner. Proving just how popular the long-awaited build-off turned out to be, the live episode of American Chopper became the second highest-rated episode in the history of the series (that’s including the episodes from American Chopper: The Series).
With these three bike builders delivering such high ratings, one has to question whether or not Jesse James may be lining himself up for an official return to television with his own series. He spoke a lot about returning to his roots as a bike builder, but his new show may be about cars.
And since James ultimately came second in the build-off, one could argue that Discovery may have used the opportunity of this competition to test the proverbial waters in regards to whether or not people would be interested in seeing James return to television. On top of having his own workshop built onto his house, James would also have a handful of builders on hand from South Austin Speed Shop, which he co-owns. Viewers may be familiar with the folks from the South Austin Speed Shop, who came in towards the end of the build to help James finish his bike on time.
Of course, with talk of James receiving his own show, one has question whether or not Paul Jr Designs should split from Orange County Chopper and have a show that focuses solely on their work. After all, Paul Jr. did end up winning the build-off…
But could a Paul Jr Designs series survive on its on, without the drama that Orange County Choppers creates? And conversely: what would happen to Orange County Choppers if Paul Jr Designs wasn’t a part of American Chopper? Could it survive on its own?
–Discovery Channel
THE TERRY THE TRAMP CHRONICLES–Sitting here in Washington, D.C. …I was just about to drop you a note about the TTT book…but first I opened up an email from club brother/Hollywood mega-star, Robert Patrick…he was all happy that he had received your book for Christmas…this is what I wrote back to him:
…glad to hear that Santa brought you K. Randall’s book about Terry…I finished reading it on the flight over here and I was just about to drop the author a note…I’ll be writing the review of it for Thunder Press…I loved the book!!!…one of the best parts of it is the fact that it isn’t all about every minute detail of TTT’s life (like that horrible book about that idiot exiled from the Bandidos)…no…this one is excellent because Randall brings in comments and descriptions about the eras and the history of the lifestyle in the ’60s well beyond just Tramp’s life…it’s truly a great book!!!!
–Bill “Press” Hayes
National Press & Publicity Officer
Boozefighters MC
FEATURE HEADED YOUR WAY ABOUT THE ACTUAL BUILDER OF THE EASY RIDER BIKES IN 1968 BY CLIFF VAUGHS–I’m a magazine writer. I understand you’re the guy responsible for building the Captain America, and the Billy Bike for the movie Easy Rider. Do you have any interest in letting me write a story about you, with part of the focus being about the building of those two bikes?
–John
John has been in touch with Cliff, and the story is more twisted by the second. Hang on for all the facts.–Bandit
CHYNA AND A BEVY OF GORGEOUS ADULT SUPERSTARS BRING THEIR OWN ENERGY TO VIVID ENTERTAINMENT’S OFFICIAL NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY AT ECCO ULTRA LOUNGE– Former Pro-Wrestler/Adult Superstar Hosts LA’s Sexiest Holiday Party Sponsored by Vivid Vodka
LOS ANGELES – (December 24, 2011) – Former pro-wrestler turned Vivid Entertainment star Chyna, known as the “Ninth Wonder of the World” in her professional wrestling days, will host a sexy New Year’s Eve party at Ecco Ultra Lounge, 1640 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood. Chyna has invited a bevy of adult superstars to meet and greet guests and pose for snapshots at the open-to-the-public party, which starts at 9pm and goes to 4am (guests must be 21 years of age and up). Vivid Vodka, the edgiest new super premium drink, is sponsoring the bash and providing a free sample tasting from 9-10pm. The party is Saturday, December 31st.
Ecco is located at 1640 Cahuenga Blvd in Hollywood, CA 90028.
For tickets visit www.eccohollywood.com/tickets
Table and bottle service is also available contact Ecco.
Art Hall, the Bikernet International Editor will be there.
SAMSON INTRODUCES THE LEGEND SERIES “Rip Saws” Exhaust–Brea, CA- Samson recently introduced their new “Rip Saws” exhaust, part of their Legend Series (two individual pipes on one side) for most Harley-Davidson Softails. Every exhaust manufactured by Samson is dyno tested before going into mass production for the ultimate in performance. This high performance exhaust system has been designed and tuned to produce maximum horsepower, torque and awesome sound. The removable 2 ½” massive one-piece heat shields are pre-installed and the system is ready to bolt on right out of the box.
Samson has over 675 different styles to choose from and they have all styles available for Harley’s new 2012 model lineup.
Additional Features and Benefits:
• Fits ’95-2012 Harley-Davidson Softail Motorcycles, 2006 and earlier models require O2 sensor plugs, purchased separately
• Fits 2006-2012 Harley-Davidson Dyna models
• Two stepped high performance system produces up to 20% more horsepower
•Equipped with 1 3/4″ diameter x 10″ long removable baffles
•Awesome deep tone (Listen to it on Samson’s website)
•Available in luxurious chrome or “sinister” black ceramic (special request)
• Mounting hardware included
•Limited 1 year warranty
• MSRP: $699.95
*$629.95 (*If ordering directly off of the internet)
• Don’t forget about Bikernet.com viewers special 15% DISCOUNT…order direct from Samson and mention Bikernet.com to qualify
• Listen to the sound of Samson’s exhausts right on their website
• FREE SHIPPING until the end of the year
Check out Samson Exhaust’s entire product line at www.samsonusa.com or contact them directly at (888) 572-6766; Samson Exhaust, 655 Tamarack Ave., Brea, CA 92821…email them at info@samsonusa.com.
UNCLE MONKEY ON WORKING ON BIKES– I love working on bikes. It is not something that I get to do everyday anymore having sold my Harley last year.
I’ve had a huge hole in my soul as I pined for the days to be riding and spinning wrenches on a bike again. Now almost two years later my back, the reason I sold my bike, is better and the weight that I put on is slowly melting away. It means I can look forward to riding again.
It has been a rough couple of years but the Ol’ Lady kept me busy doing small jobs around the house. It kept her happy and me occupied but that list is coming to an end and she has seen how miserable I am without a bike. With the unusually mild weather for this time of the year I found myself in the garage tidying up. As I stared at the pile of boxes nestle in the corner and with my wife’s encouragement I decided it was time to make the push to finish building my bike.
I have had the Softail mocked up a couple of times but there were always parts missing or I simply didn’t install them because they weren’t pertinent. Mock-up is a crucial part of the build especially with a ground up construction. It gives me chance to make a list of what is missing (like half of the hardware from the sealed bag for the rear debris deflector). It also is a time to make notes on how parts go together so that paint nicks and scratches are minimal. There is nothing more frustrating then trying to install a freshly paint part and not knowing how to install it without a shoehorn. Along with these notes will be a detailed build sheet as well as lists of parts to be painted, plated and polished.
Bike building is not hard but it requires time, money and attention to details. For most of us the first two come to the usual dilemma of when we have time we don’t have money, when we have the money we don’t have the time. My Softail has been a slow collection of parts. Some are left over from when I had my own shop, others picked up while on sale and others, like the frame, have been bought and sold several times but seemed to found a way back to me. Attention to detail is the real killer. It means working at something over and over until it is right. Sometimes it finds it own way and others have to be scrapped to be reinvented. That is the importance of the mock up. Building a bike takes time to sort out the details.
My ultimate goal is to ride to Sturgis this year. It won’t be easy as there are still lots of little parts that I still need to get like the charging system and rummaging up enough spare change for paint. In the end it is the time between man and machine that will makes a difference.
–bad Uncle Monkey
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MOONEYES 2011– Many hundreds of unique vehicles at this event. Mooneyes is an old hot rod parts manufacturer. They go way back to the ’50 -’60s and still today are very popular.
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Some motorcycles but mosly about counter culture cars. Great day in the 80s compared to last year’s rain.
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–Art
Photographer extraordinair,e Quick Throttle Magazine
NEWS FROM THE BIKERNET WYOMING SALOON– A cowboy, who just moved to Wyoming from Texas, walks into a bar and orders three mugs of Bud. He sits in the back of the room, drinking a sip out of each one in turn. When he finishes them, he comes back to the bar and orders three more.
The bartender approaches and tells the cowboy, “You know, a mug goes flat after I draw it. It would taste better if you bought one at a time.”
The cowboy replies, “Well, you see, I have two brothers. One is in Arizona , the other is in Colorado . When we all left our home in Texas , we promised that we’d drink this way to remember the days when we drank together. So I’m drinking one beer for each of my brothers and one for myself.”
The bartender admits that this is a nice custom, and leaves it there.
The cowboy becomes a regular in the bar, and always drinks the same way. He orders three mugs and drinks them in turn.
One day, he comes in and only orders two mugs. All the regulars take notice and fall silent. When he comes back to the bar for the second round, the bartender says, “I don’t want to intrude on your grief, but I wanted to offer my condolences on your loss.”
The cowboy looks quite puzzled for a moment, then a light dawns in his eyes and he laughs.
“Oh, no, everybody’s just fine,” he explains, “It’s just that my wife and I joined the Baptist Church and I had to quit drinking.”
“Hasn’t affected my brothers though.”
–from Josh Placa
REVOLUTION ON BIKERNET–A new sponsor just came to Bikernet – Revolution Engineering. They are carbon fiber product designers and much more. We will share their products with you in the months ahead.
–Wrench
BIKERNET THAILAND RUN NEWS–Phuket Tourist Mourns Tsunami Friend, Has Sex With Two Patong Bar Hostesses, And Dies
PHUKET: A man from New Zealand who came to Phuket to mourn a friend killed during the tsunami seven years ago has died after a surfeit of sex, say Phuket police.
The man and another male tourist mourned their big-wave victim friend by joining a candles-in-the-sand ”Light Up Phuket” ceremony last night on Patong beach on the anniversary of the December 26, 2004 tsunami.
The friends, aged 30 and 29, went out on the town in Patong later, police said.
One man took two bar hostesses back to his room and was found dead about 9am today in the Keeta Guesthouse, a short walk back from the beach, said Lieutenant Jakapong Lurng-On of Kathu Police Station, which oversees Patong.
”The man told his friend that both girls were beautiful so he decided to take both back to his room,” Lieutenant Jakapong said. ”We found two used condoms and a sex stimulant in the man’s room.”
His friend discovered the man’s body this morning. The two bar hostesses had gone, Lieutenant Jakapong said.
The man who died was overweight and may have had undisclosed health problems even though he was aged only 30, Lieutenant Jakapong said.
Almost 5400 people, about half of them tourists, died on Phuket, on other islands and along Thailand’s Andaman Sea coast in the tsunami. A total of more than 220,000 people were killed in nations around the Indian Ocean rim.
By Sert Tongdee
COVINGTON RETURNS TO BIKERNET–I just shot these pics last night of Olivia Watson and her new Tricycle she got for Christmas. Olivia’s dad, Tony Watson used to work for me at Steed Musclebike fabricating all the cool custom sheet metal for me, lately he’s been busy designing, machining and fabricating this cool custom Trike for his daughter.
This three wheeled Steed has billet wheels with custom rubber tires, billet grips, custom candy paint by Chuck McPherson, Daisy/Skull illustrations by Rick Westcott (both from the old Steed Crew) and Tony’s wife Sadie had a big hand in bringing Sadie into the world!
Don’t miss the cool iPod dock on the ape hangers, and the speakers mounted in the koa wood rear deck!
— John Covington
Ph: 602 502-7833
NEW PRODUCT COMING TO BIKERNET FOR TESTING–I wanted to ask you a question. I am working with a newer company, Motorcycle Armor. They have a great product, an optically clear paint protectant film for H-D baggers that can be applied by the owner in minutes. I tried it because I didn’t believe it was that easy but even I could work with it. It is available for gloss and matte finishes. They even have numerous parts they have custom cut film for, including tops of saddlebags, tanks, front-end lowers, fenders and much more.
Not only does it protect the paint but it can also hide some existing scuffs and scratches. The product is Made in the USA and the company is family owned and operated company, they offer a lifetime replacement warranty on all their film kits.
They have a good web site and sell directly to the public as well having some dealers who have embraced their product across the US. They offer kits for all H-D baggers and
trikes. I was wondering if we can send a you kit so you can see how easy it is to install and see what you think, with the possibility of doing tech install article in the future?
–Ken Conte
Of course we will test it to the highest Bikernet standards. Look forward to it.–Bandit
Crusin’ Down Lake Amistad ! – That’s a Big Bad Boat! –It is so sad we have come to this to protect our shores and people.
–from Jerry Head
HOLIDAY GREETINGS FROM 2WHEELERS– Happy New Year to All! Thanks Bandit for all the Biker news in 2011, Have a wonderful holiday Thanks for all you do for the biker world.
We see 2012 to be swell ! Ride On!
Putt’in the final touch to the 1942 Panhead 21-21 bike in 2012 a must see in Sturgis.
–Arlin, Donna and the 2wheelers crew
L.A.TIMES YESTERDAY ROTH COLLECTION– Ed ‘Big Daddy’ Roth, creator of Rat Fink: A son remembers Darryl Roth has a large collection of his Kustom Kulture hot rod building and designing father Ed ‘Big Daddy’ Roth’s work; he’d like to see it in a museum.
By Nate Jackson, Los Angeles Times
In the den of Darryl Roth’s Corona home, cartoon ogres cover the walls, staring back at him with salivating tongues, bloodshot eyes, jagged claws and gnashing teeth. To Roth, the images represent rebellion, a gloriously grotesque imagination & and his father.
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-big-daddy-20111227,0,4747407.story
HERE IS THE THURSDAY DEAL FROM THE BIKERNET CLASSIFIEDS! A 1993 Heritage Softail! Drag pipes, 12″ Ape Hangers, Sissy bar with pad, Saddlebags not pictured, 11k on the clock, too many chrome accessories to list. A GREAT all around bike at a GREAT price, $6500!
QUICK, GO CHECK IT OUT AT THE BIKERNET CLASSIFIEDS, WHERE THE ADVENTURE IS JUST WAITING TO BEGIN!
–MIKE the STEALTH
http://bikernet.sprocketlist.com/FLSTC-Heritage-Softail-Classic/2418154/1993-Heritage-Softail-Classic.html
BIKERNET CHRISTMAS COOKIES REJECTED FROM THE CHURCH BAKE SALE– It’s important that a man get his cookies. Well, the Church removed my cookies
from the bake sale … again. I don’t know what their problem is – I just used a dog bone cookie cutter… cut them in half and decorated them!
I thought they looked rather cute!
–Sam Burns
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY TARDY STUDENT HOLIDAY VOCABULARY LESSON– interpolation in-tur-puh-LEY-shuhn, noun:
1. The act or process of introducing something additional or extraneous between other parts.
2. Something interpolated, as a passage introduced into a text.
3. Mathematics. A. The process of determining the value of a function between two points at which it has prescribed values. B. A similar process using more than two points at which the function has prescribed values. C. The process of approximating a given function by using its values at a discrete set of points.
When men interpolate, it is because they believe their interpolation seriously needed.
— Thomas Paine, The Age of Reason
“I am inclined to think,” he added after a moment, once he had their attention again, “that if some pages were interpolated it was either done around the time of the original edition, or now, in our time.
— Arturo Pérez-Reverte, The Dumas Club
Interpolation is derived from the Latin word interpolatus, meaning “to refurbish or touch up.”
LIFESTYLE DEAL OF THE WEEK, SWEET 2007 SOFTAIL! ONLY $11,995.00–Looking for a deal on a solid Softail? Look no further than this super-clean 2007 Softail Standard! It’s got a powerful 96 cubic inch motor, 5-speed transmission, Saddleman two-up seat with rider backrest, smoked turn signals, Kuryakyn Zombie rider and passenger pegs, 21″ spoke front wheel, tool bag, saddle bags and much more! Come see it today! footpegs, and much much more.
Like all of LifeStyle Cycles pre-owned Harleys, this bike has been thoroughly tested and inspected by a LifeStyle Cycles technician after undergoing a rigorous 38-point motorcycle inspection.
The Numbers Tell The Story… Again–In last week’s E-newsletter, we dug into the numbers behind the NTSB’s proposed ban on the use of all portable electronic devices while driving. Let’s try the same approach with another issue that’s popping up frequently: the use of so-called stop-arm cameras on school buses.
These systems are designed to photograph drivers who pass by stopped school buses while they load or unload children. Several states, including Virginia, Maryland, New York and Connecticut, have recently passed legislation enabling school districts to pursue stop-arm camera programs.
Montgomery County, Maryland has been testing the cameras for more than a year and is expected to deploy them fleet-wide in January. A recent article in support of the initiative goes to great lengths to justify the cameras based on these impressive numbers:
1,273 schools buses transporting 96,000 students every day
100,000 fleet miles traveled per day, the equivalent to four trips around the earth
19 million fleet miles traveled per year, nearly the distance to Venus
So, how many Montgomery County school children were killed by careless motorists speeding by school buses in 2009? None, according to NHTSA. Overall, there were two school bus-related pedestrian fatalities in Maryland in 2009, but those were caused by the bus. The article doesn’t mention that.
So, from 2006-2009, 83 percent of school bus/pedestrian fatalities were caused by the bus.
Now, as a parent of two kids who ride the school bus every day, I’m concerned with my children’s safety, and I’m sympathetic to all those affected by these tragedies. But perhaps we should be paying more attention to the level of training and qualifications of those we entrust to drive our children those millions of miles every year.
But that may foil the plans of the camera companies, who are aggressively promoting their systems, as well as politicians who eagerly adopt any camera-based enforcement system, no matter how misguided or ineffective.
By John Bowman, NMA Communications Director
NEW BENEFIT FOR WORKING AT BIKERNET–Just installed in every room at the Bikernet Headquarters.
–RFR
BIKERNET/LATS AND ATTS CARIBBEAN CRUISE FILLING UP– The trip filled up with the last e blast. Thereare more boats available but I have to wait to get clearance. It’s part of the new money losing strategy. I’ll let you know when we have more berths to sell. See you in the Grenadines!
–Captain Woody
JUDGE SAYS ‘Daytona Beach Bike Week’ is generic, invalidates trademarks– ‘Daytona Beach Bike Week’ is too generic to be trademarked, according to a federal judge in Florida, who denied a company’s recent petition to trademark the popular motorcycle rally name.
The decision may have implications for ongoing trademark disputes over the Sturgis motorcycle rally in South Dakota.
The ruling is a victory for the Daytona Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce, which sued Joe Cool Inc. and Mettemp Inc. last February after the two companies registered the trademark with the State of Florida and sought license fees for using the term from other rally vendors.
The chamber and Good Sports Inc., parent company of Hot Leathers, sued Joe Cool and Mettemp, seeking to have the state mark invalidated. In a Dec. 19 ruling, Judge Mary S. Scriven found that the state mark was either “fraudulently obtained or improperly granted.”
She based her finding on the plaintiffs’ argument that the term “Daytona Beach Bike Week” has been in general use for at least 70 years, and that consumers do not associate rally goods with any particular vendor. The judge noted that Good Sports has been using the term on rally clothing since 1983, five years before Joe Cool claimed to have exclusive use of the term. She also noted that the chamber has been the only entity empowered to designate rally sponsors since 1988, when the city conferred that authority.
“Daytona Beach Bike Week has been held in Daytona Beach, Fla., for at least 70 years. During that time, innumerable vendors have sold products, including all manner of clothing, bearing the words ‘Daytona Beach Bike Week,’” Scriven wrote. “Because the phrase ‘Daytona Beach Bike Week’ has been used by so many different entities over the past few decades, consumers do not associate the term or phrase with any one source and no one entity has had any control over the use of the phrase ‘Daytona Beach Bike Week’ or the quality of the products on which the phrase was applied. Therefore, the court finds that the phrase ‘Daytona Beach Bike Week’ and its functional equivalents and generic and cannot receive trademark protection.”
Scriven’s ruling was a default judgment, something courts may impose when a party fails to respond to civil allegations or have a representative in court. The judge found that the chamber and Good Sports had been diligent in seeking to serve Joe Cool and Mettemp with court papers, but were unable to find a representative for the company.
She also granted an order invalidating the state mark and forbidding Joe Cool and Mettemp from asserting trademark rights to the term.
By: Holly J. Wagner
Published courtesy of Dealernews: www.dealernews.com
BIKERNET Idle Thoughts–
I planted some bird seed. A bird came up. Now I don’t know what to feed it
I had amnesia once — or twice
I went to San Francisco. I found someone’s heart. Now what?
Protons have mass? I didn’t even know they were Catholic.
–Sam Burns
US AIR FORCE INVESTING HEAVILY IN BIOFUEL– President Barack Obama is leading a new drive to introduce more advanced biofuels into the military usage. Speaking at Andrews Air Force base he said, “Our military leaders recognise the security imperative of increasing the use of alternative fuels, decreasing energy use, reducing reliance on imported oil and making ourselves more energy-efficient.” He went further and called for 50% or more alternative fuels to be used in navy planes, ships and vehicles within the next decade.
The US Air Force has already carried out a test flight with an A10C Thunderbolt II using a 50:50 blend of conventional fuel and biofuel. The 90 minute test flight marked the first time an aircraft has been running all its engines on biofuel. The Marine Corp. is even testing blended biofuel in a tank.
A US Navy F-18 fighter, called the ‘Green Hornet’ is scheduled to fly on Earth Day running on a similar 50:50 blend of biofuel and will hopefully be the first biofuel powered aircraft to break the sound barrier.
The fuel being used is based on Camelina, also known as ‘false flax’. This crop has been cultivated for centuries as an oilseed and has a number of advantages over other biofuel crops. For starters it is not a food crop and does not need much water or fertiliser, it can also grow on marginal land unsuited for food crops. Meal left over from the crop after the oil has been extracted may also have another use as animal feed.
Critically, in line with US attempts to reduce carbon emission, Camelina based biofuel creates up to 80% less carbon emissions than conventional jet fuel.
–from Energy Global.com
QUICK BIKERNET WEATHER REPORT FROM THE NORTH–I just got off the phone with a friend living in North Dakota near the Canadian Border. He said that since early this morning the snow has been coming down, it is nearly waist high and is still falling.
The temperature is dropping way below zero and the north wind is increasing to near gale force. His wife has done nothing but look through the kitchen window and just stare.
He says that if it gets much worse, he may have to let her in….
–John Covington
BIKERNET 5-BALL RACING WHEELER REPORT–We’re less than 48 hours from one helleva 2012 and beyond. Pack your bags, gas up your hot rod and hop on for the ride of a life time through the eyes and the hearts of Bikernet, with a multitude of roving reporters and contributing readers from around the globe.
Good News
2004 Dyna 96 inch build
By the time the news hits the stands this evening we may have all of the missing pieces to complete the top shelf RevTech, DarkHorse, Fueling, Branch, Bennetts Twin Cam build. Once all of the parts are in hand its off to Bennett’s Performance to get in line for the build.
Rebuilt cases by Hyperformance, Dark Horse precision 4 inch stroke lower end w/H-beam rods, CCI 96 inch kit w forged pistons, rings and cylinders, Branch/O’Keefe massaged twin cam heads, Crane Roller Rockers, H-D hydraulic chain drive cam support plate and oil pump, Fueling Reaper Series cams (.574 lift), Fueling Race series lifters and pushrods. A set of blacked out Samson pipes are standing by to handle the hot air. Closer by the day.
2012 Bonneville 5-Ball Raycer
Randy at Hyperformance is nearing final assembly of the turbo charged 124-inch twin cam for the 2012 racing season. Once the motor is shipped we’ll have more info and images to share. We expect a 90% completed bike early March or mid April.
On the 2012 horizon
Mark your calenders for the 72nd Annual Sturgis event in early August. Bikernet and Cycle Source are teaming up with a lot full of premium vendors. With late hours you can count on, we will be located on Lazelle Street in the middle of the block across from the new Easyriders Saloon, Hooters and Jay Allen’s Famous Broken Spoke. Stop by and say hello.
Haul Ass!
Ride for your Life!
–Ray c wheeler
Performance Editor
wheeler@bikernet.com
ALGAE BIOFUEL CLOSER AS NATO AND NASA STEP INTO THE SLIME–
One day, giant algae biofuel farms like this prototype may help solve world fuel and food needs
Interest in creating biofuels from algae is increasing. We’ve covered Isaac Berzin from GreenFuel who rejuvenated NASA’s original idea; then there is Iran creating biofuel from algae (they didn’t answer our emails though); and Seambotic an Israel company launching a commercial algae farm in the USA to grow algae for use in both biofuel and food products.
There are other players in our global village: California based OriginOil, an innovator in algae based biofuel technology is forming a joint venture, Future Energy Solutions Unlimited Inc (FES), with the Energime Group of Companies to test and eventually produce algae based biofuels for strategic fuel centers throughout the world. This biofuel is targeted to be used for satisfying a “mission-critical need of US military and NATO for strategic fuels independence.”
The biofuel development will be part of feasibility studies which will be carried out by FES and its Australian subsidiary, Alternate Energy Systems Pty (AES). Marketing area emphasis will begin in the USA and in Australia, with later long term marketing in Europe, Africa and Asia.
Interest in using algae as a biofuel has resulted in a number of projects in various parts of the world, including a joint venture with Israel’s Seambiotic and China’s giant Goudan Utility Company.
Algae is one of the world’s most common aquatic plants. Studies have already shown it to have great potentials to create oils for the food industry as well as for various fuels; making it an excellent replacement for fossil fuels.
Algae as both a food source and as a biofuel has been the subject of many projects all over the world; utilizing one of the earth’s most abundant plants that has been supplying much of our oxygen as well as food for marine life. Vegans get Omega 3 from algae sources.
Being able to utilize this natural wonder product made result in long term solutions to provide food products for both animals and human beings, as well as an environmentally cleaner bio fuel. This possibility could have important possibilities for Middle East countries with large populations – such as Egypt.
–from the Green Prophet.com
OPPONENTS QUESTION STURGIS TRADEMARK GROUP’S CHARITABLE DONATIONS– The company that holds trademarks for the Black Hills Motor Classic has made donations of $50,000 to help 35 Sturgis area charities, but the donation has done little to sooth jittery vendors who oppose the trademark registrations.
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Inc., (SMRI) gave the money to the Sturgis Rally Charities Foundation to dole out to deserving organizations ranging from schools to senior citizen agencies and service clubs. Last week that group gave out $79,000 in donations, which includes the SMRI contribution, money from the city and from the annual motorcycle raffle.
But some of the trademark opponents, who fear that the city and charities will get short-changed under new licensing agreements, say the donations aren’t enough, considering profits. SMRI chairman Dean Kinney counters that the company, formed specifically to manage rally trademarks, has high legal and debt service expenses that keep it from giving more.
The City of Sturgis paid SMRI $50,291 in licensing fees it collected from major sponsors just weeks before SMRI announced its donations. That rankles some vendors opposing the trademarks.
“I feel like it’s almost a Ponzi scheme when they take money from the city and give less back, then take all the money from the licensing fees,” said Renegade Classics owner Kent Mortimer. “Why would the city go through SMRI?”
Posting to trademark opposition group Concerned Citizens for Sturgis (CCFS)’ Facebook page page, commentator Steve Johnson called it a publicity grab. He wrote: “I got an idea. If someone would give me a check for $50,291 I will turn around and donate $50,000 in front of the national media cameras … oh wait that has already been done.”
SMRI’s major cash expenditures in its first year were debt service of $201,000, legal fees of $208,000, and $53,000 (including a $3,000 donation made earlier in the year) to the Sturgis Rally Charities Foundation, Kinney says.
“Obviously the legal fees are high mostly because a handful of folks have chosen to fight rather than contribute,” Kinney says. “We must protect the marks, of course. But for this factor, however, the money available for donation would be much, much, higher.”
Mortimer says that’s a circular argument, since SMRI has sued vendors who refused to buy licenses. He says none of the license fees collected from smaller vendors appears to be going to charity.
“None of what is collected from T-shirts and buttons goes back to the community,” he says. He, along with posters to Facebook pages for SturgisBuzz and CCFS, also thinks a donation barely more than the city’s license payment is a thin veil, a charge Kinney disputes.
The lawsuits and challenges to the trademark registrations are ongoing, with no court dates on the calendar until next July.
Organizations that received donations and amounts are:
* Adult Services and Aging $1,000
* American Red Cross, Black Hills Chapter $2,000
* Black Hills State University RSVP Program $1,500
* Crisis Intervention Shelter Services $10,000
* Greater Sturgis Area Transportation $3,000
* Hellfighter Outreach Ministries $1,500
* Junior Achievement of the Northern Hills $1,100
* Meade 46-1 (school district) $500
* Meade County Housing $1,000
* Meade County Housing $300
* Meade County Senior Citizens Center $1,500
* Meade School District School Nurses $5,000
* Northern Hills CASA Program $5,720
* Northern Hills Drug Court $2,500
* PCT Program, Black Hills Care System, Ft. Meade $1,000
* Realtors for Kids $3,000
* Rural Meade Ambulance Service $2,500
* Sturgis Alliance for Churches $5,000
* Sturgis Area Arts Council $500
* Sturgis Area Child Protection Team $3,000
* Sturgis Area United Way $1,000
* Sturgis Center for the Arts $2,000
* Sturgis Elementary Music/PE Department $1,500
* Sturgis Elementary School Reading Challenge $1,000
* Sturgis High School Softball Association $500
* Sturgis Jaycees $2,000
* Sturgis Kiwanis Food Pantry $6,000
* Sturgis Public Library Children’s Program $500
* Sturgis Public Library Teen Services $500
* Veterans Club $1,000
* Western Resources for dis-ABLED Independence $1,000
* Whitewood PTO $1,000
* Sturgis High School Post Prom $1,000
* Sturgis Community Preschool $1,000
* 842nd Engineers Connect 842nd Home $5,000 (in memory of Tom Monahan)
SC HELMET LAW–Helmet Law: Here We Go Again
http://fitsnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sc-helmet-laws.jpg
Rather than passing tax cuts, spending caps, real parental choice legislation and meaningful government restructuring, South Carolina lawmakers are once again poised to approve a bunch of kneejerk laws designed to “protect us from ourselves” when they reconvene in Columbia, S.C. next month.
Oh, and they’re poised to blow a record amount of money in the process … which is just what happens when government keeps adding to its list of functions and responsibilities.
It’s the same thing every year, sadly … and every year our state winds up a little broker, a little dumber and a little less free by the time these jokers leave town each July.
In keeping with that tradition, S.C. Sen. Ralph Anderson (D-Greenville) has prefiled legislation for the coming 2012 session that would require all motorcyclists in South Carolina to wear a helmet. Currently, only riders under the age of 21 are required to wear helmets.
Anyway, Anderson’s proposed law is (rightfully) drawing criticism from A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments (ABATE) – a group of motorcycle riders who gather at the State House each year to protest infringements on our individual liberties.
And not only is South Carolina’s seat belt law an unnecessary restriction on our individual liberties, it isn’t working – well, unless of course your definition of “working” is giving the cops another reason to pull you over.
On December 9, 2005, South Carolina began enforcing its new primary seat belt law. Naturally, traffic fatalities decreased thereafter, right?
Wrong. In fact, there were roughly the same number of highway fatalities in South Carolina in 2006 and 2007 as there were in 2005. Fatalities decreased noticeably between 2008-2010 – but that was due primarily to the fact that fewer vehicles were traveling on our roadways as a result of the recession.
Hopefully S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley – who got a lot of love from ABATE during her six years as a state lawmaker – will pledge to veto Anderson’s law in the event it reaches her desk.
And while common sense dictates that everyone should buckle up and wear a helmet (particularly in a state like South Carolina – which has a disproportionate percentage of mouth-breathers on its roads), it’s not the government’s job to make us do that. In fact, state lawmakers should be focused on undoing invasive laws … not writing new ones.
By fitsnews
Most of you know this, but helmets are not seatbelts. In fact more that ten times the number of folks die of head injuries a year in cars over motorcycles. Helmets can cause deaths through neck injuries, and they can cause accidents in several ways. Wearing a helmet is a roll of the dice, so it should be your choice.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, GODDAMNIT–Another year is rapidly coming to a close, and I’m after my son and my grand kids to set goals for next year. I like to look back at a year and relish in the accomplishments with an eye toward the future.
We should all teach our kids how to buy and sell. When I was a kid I fixed up bicycles and sold them for a profit. In college I did the same with motorcycles. As an adult we could buy a piece of property, sell it a year later, and make as much money as we made working all year.
Sin Wu bitched at me for spending money on motorcycles. She didn’t realize that it was more profitable than putting money in the bank. How good is that? I love motorcycles, get a kick out of building them, I share the build process with Bikernet Readers, then if years from now we sell the bike, we will have a nest egg. Hell Pat Kennedy bought his home and other properties in the Tombstone region by building and selling motorcycles.
This coming year will be wild in the streets. Let’s make the most out of it and help our brothers and sisters whenever possible.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
