BIKERNET THURSDAY NEWS – H-D TESTING IN AZ, CRAZY MINI BIKE, D&D WITH ZIPPERS AND MORE…

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MAKE BIG D&D/ZIPPER’S HORSEPOWER IN YOUR GARAGE–It?s end of summer and you are thinking about a little more lead in your pencil.

Where do you go? Go no farther than D&D?s Bandit Kit – It makes asphalt ripping performance for your Harley-Davidson fuel injected motorcycle. The Bandit Kit comes with a D&D performance exhaust pipe, high-flow air cleaner and Zipper?s Performance ThunderMax with AutoTune tuner.

D&D will provide a 15% discount just by mentioning the Bandit Kit! Call 817-834-8961 to order.

The Zipper?s Performance ThunderMax with AutoTune tuner calibrates itself so you don?t need to put your bike on a dyno. That saves time and money. Also, if you add more go-fast parts, it knows it and modifies itself. Fast, efficient and easy to use – that’s the D&D way.

Your Performance Hotline – 817-834-8961

So call the D&D team today or get more information by clicking here and start making horsepower gains tomorrow.

–Jeff Najar

THE LOST DOG REPORT–Look what is riding around in Daphne, AL.. Too funny. A lady told us the other day that she saw a man driving down theinterstate, and a dog was hanging on to the tail gate for dear life.

She said if he hadn’t been going so fast in the other direction she wouldhave tried to stop him.

A few weeks later her son saw this truck at the bass pro shop! It’s ataxidermist! THIS IS REALLY IN DAPHNE ALABAMA !

OFFICIAL BIKERNET SURVEY–Honest opinion, fellers… Do these Z bars look too narrow, or are they okay? The grips add another 1″ on each side. They’ll be mounted on “dogbone” risers for final assembly.

–B.

AND NOW A BIKERNET BREAK FROM THE WOES OF LIFE AND BAD LEGISLATION– 1. Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

2. Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

3. Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don’t.

–from Dave Clancy

HARLEY-DAVIDSON OFFERS DEMO RIDE SWEEPSTAKES–Enthusiasts who demo a Harley-Davidson motorcycle at a Motor Company event are eligible to be entered into the 2008 H-D Demo Ride Sweepstakes.

After taking a demo ride, the enthusiast will receive a $10 gift certificate redeemable after seven days, but not more than 21 days after the event. Within that time period, enthusiasts must take the gift certificate to a dealership for authentication. Enthusiasts who redeem a valid gift certificate will be automatically entered into the sweepstakes.

The grand prize is a new 2009 Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The winner will be chosen in December 2008.

Demo rides will be held at Femmoto, Biketoberfest, California Bike Week and the Lone Star Rally.

MEET THE ZIPPER’S TEAM AT BIKETOBERFEST in DAYTONA BEACH, FLA–Zipper?s Performance Products will be attending Biketoberfest in Daytona Beach, Florida from October 16th 2008 until October 19nd 2008! (Look for us at Destination Harley-Davidson) If you?re curious as to how ThunderMax can improve your EFI-equipped Harley, or are a current ThunderMax user, please stop by and say hello!

Just Released! The ThunderMax with AutoTune System for V-Rod models will be available at this event! In addition, stop by and see the new ThunderMax 50 ECM with AutoTune, ARB-Legal Closed Loop System (executive order D-644).

Zipper?s Performance also carries air filter upgrades and performance exhaust pipes. Want a quick performance upgrade? Ask us about a Zip Kit! You can even have it installed at the show. (Installation charges apply)

Some of the products in this press release are Legal in California only for racing vehicles which may never be used upon a highway.

ZIPPER?S PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS
6655-A Amberton Drive
Elkridge, MD 21075
Phone 410.579.2828
Fax 410.579.2835
www.ZippersPerformance.com –
www.Thunder-Max.com

JIMS TOOLS FOR HARLEY ENTHUSIASTS AVAILABLE THROUGH BIKERNET.COM–

Bikernet’s Black Market is your place to find the stuff to make your sled perform and look good doing it.

We featured world-class American-made Harley tools from JIMS Performance Parts And Tools. JIMS builds an entire line of tools for working on Harley-Davidson drivelines, including tools to work on the new twin cam models. Click here for the latest tools.

FAMOUS BUILDER HUEY SCHWEBS RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL–Huey here, home now, everything went fine with the parts install. Would like to thank everyone who called me while in the hospital, I love this group of guys, again thank you my brothers.

Hamsters Forever, Forever Hamsters,
— Huey

Stay outta hospitals, 800 guys might die in Iraq this year, but 150,000 will die in hospitals this year of hospital infections. They’re dangerous places.

Glad you’re feeling better,–Bandit

Texas Scooter Times? FALL SWAP MEET WEEKEND – Comin? UP !!– Mark Your Calendars For – SWAP MEET Fort Worth – Saturday November 8th at the Will Rogers Memorial Complex

SWAP MEET Dallas – Sunday November 9th at the Gigantic Historic Longhorn Ballroom

END OF SEASON BARGAINS!!!! LOTS of LEATHER!!

LIVE MUSIC At Both Shows !!! Parts & Party

For More INFORMATION – Maps – Directions & What’s Happenin?CHECK OUT —— WWW.TEXASSCOOTER.COM OR HOLLAR——- 254-687-9066

BONNEVILLE RACER GETS THE GIRLS– Photos are of Staci, my lady rider, on the starting line with John Petri. John help me set all four of my records over 200 mph with my GoldWing GL 1500 powered Streamliner. Our fastest record of 232 mph is a tie with the current Women’s fastest motorcycle over all record for ladies .

We are looking for additional lady riders who would be interested the top ladies record challenge. We are looking for lady riders to set Bonneville World Land Speed Records. Must live in the SoCal area of Calif. Single, Fit, Age 18 to 25, not taller than 5’6″.

We need men to build bikes and pit crew for the ladies. The bikes are completely sponsored to the lady rider. We are currently working on a 1949 Indian Arrow for the ladies in the Vintage Class.

We train you to ride safety. I have worked with seven women, who all together have set 18 Bonneville World Land Speed Records. We have set records with BMW, Harley, Honda, and Triumph motorcycles. See the Nov/Dec 2007 issue of Red Rider Magazine, and December 2007 WingWorld Magazine. Filmed for National Geographic TV , and NBC’s Jeep World of Adventure Sports.

My Double engine Harley ran 190 mph in 1983 and was featured in EasyRider Magazine, article by Keith Ball. View it at Bob Alford’s web pages at: www.prostreetchoppersinc.com

Kenny Lyon
(310) 637 6094
www.goldwingracingproject.info
www.projectgoldwing.org

METRIC MINI-CHOP ROCKS BIKERNET– I know most bikes on the site are HD-but I sent a few pics of my oneand only effort at a bike….

It is a water cooled bike, 800 CC Kawasaki V Twin, with all cooling componentry in and under the tanks,above the motor.It is also Belt drive ,take a look…Thanks for a great site.

–Kenny Baker
the Chopper Rod Shop
since 1976
http://akathechopper.tripod.com/Index-2.html

BIKERNET POLITICAL JOKE FACTORY–While walking down the street one day a US senator is tragically hit by a truck and dies. His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

“Welcome to heaven,” says St. Peter. “Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we’re not sure what to do with you.”

“No problem, just let me in,” says the man.

“Well, I’d like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we’ll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity.”

“Really, I’ve made up my mind. I want to be in heaven,” says the senator.

“I’ m sorry, but we have our rules.”

And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him.

Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, Shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting Rich at the expense of the people.

They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne.

Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it is time to go.

Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises…

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him.

“Now it’s time to visit heaven.”

So, 24 hours pass with the senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.

“Well, then, you’ve spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity.”

The senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: “Well, I would Never have said it before, I mean heaven has been n delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell.”

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.

Now the doors of the elevator open and he’s in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage.

He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above.

The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder. “I don’t understand,” stammers the senator. “Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there’s just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?”

The devil looks at him, smiles and says, “Yesterday we were campaigning. Today you voted.”

–from Steve Bauman

HARLEY-DAVIDSON DESERT PROVING GROUND OPERATIONS TO RELOCATE–Harley-Davidson Motor Company has reached an agreement with Chrysler to test motorcycles at the automaker’s Arizona Proving Grounds (APG) in Yucca, Ariz.

The agreement commences on July 1, 2009. “We will begin moving testing operations from our current Arizona testing facilities in Mesa beginning April 2009 with full utilization of the new facility by July 1,” said Senior Vice President Ron Hutchinson.

Harley-Davidson will improve and occupy several buildings at the APG’s 3,650-acre facility and use an existing five-mile, high-speed, banked oval track for vehicle testing. Other features at the APG include:

The Motor Company will also be constructing a durability road and a vehicle dynamics road course that will be used exclusively for Harley-Davidson and Buell testing.

The decision to relocate the testing operations was prompted when General Motors’ announced plans to sell its Mesa testing facility, a portion of which Harley-Davidson currently leases for testing.

“We are pleased with the new facility and anticipate a smooth transition with little impact to our continued ability to test current and future Harley-Davidson and Buell motorcycles,” said Hutchinson.

TO HELP OUR VET’SOCT 12th 12:00 TO 5:00pm SOMERS POINT AMERICAN LEGION POSTPENNSYLVANIA AVE and 1st StreetCHINESE AUCTION 50/50 ALL BIKERS WELCOMERain or shine–FOOD BY Featuring German food $10.00 per person DONATIONEAT IN TAKE OUTSPONSORED BY

ALL PROCEEDS GO TOWARD ALL VETERAN AFFAIRS. Cash bar benefit of American Legion Post

–MOTORCYCLE EVENTS OF SJ

BIKERNET SPONSORS CHOPPER CHALLENGE–In a highly secret meeting between Bandit and Chopper Challenge Boss, Eric Harryman a sponsorship agreement was signed in blood to promote the next series of Chopper Challenge TV series for 2009 on Bikernet.

Again it will air on CMT and we’ll bring you inside information on the contestants and where you can view last year’s bike line-up during events. Hang on for more reports as filming begins in early 2009.

WILLIE G. CUSTOM H-D TRIKE– I recently wrote you about the Tri Glide- maybe you’ve already seen this– Willie G’s custom trike. I definitely think there’s a lot of potential in these things.

–Keith Silcox

Continued On Page 3

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Coast To Coast Legislative News

/ Bikernet Rights News, Free Departments / October 9, 2008

<imgsrc=”http://www.bikernet.com/aim/aimgraphic.gif” border=0>THE AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE is brought to you by Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), and is sponsored by the Law Offices of Richard M. Lester. For more information, call us at 1-(800) ON-A-BIKE or visit us on our website at http://www.ON-A-BIKE.com.

COAST TO COAST BIKER NEWSCompiled & Edited by Bill Bish,
National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM)

U.S. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY LOBBIES FOR HELMET LAWSThere’s a big difference between promoting helmet usage and advocating helmet laws, and U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters made it clear to Congress that she prefers the latter as her cornerstone to motorcycle safety.

In testimony before the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee Transportation Subcommittee on March 6, Secretary Peters revealed her desire to promulgate nationwide helmet laws; “I support giving the information to states so that they can act on those laws,” she told Senators, adding “And I certainly have made myself available to a number of states, and, in fact, have called governors when I see substantial increases in the number of motorcycle deaths in a state, especially a state that has repealed a helmet law.”

Calling upon the federal government to ease lobbying restrictions imposed at the behest of motorcycle rights organizations across the country, Peters has requested legislation that will allow her to divert motorcycle safety funding to convince states to enact mandatory helmet laws.

Peters has sent letters to House and Senate leadership urging legislation to allow states to utilize federal funds intended for motorcycle rider training and awareness programs to promote helmet laws instead.Why doesn’t she lobby for helmets in cars?

SIKH SEEKS FREEDOM FROM CANADIAN HELMET LAWBaljinder Badesha, a 39-year-old father of four who immigrated to Canada in 1989 and had been an avid motorcyclist in his native India, disputed a $110 ticket for riding his 2003 Yamaha Shadow motorcycle without a helmet in 2005 has is now in court fighting Ontario’s motorcycle helmet law on religious grounds.

With the Ontario Human Rights Commission at his side, Mr. Badesha argued that Ontario’s helmet law violates his religious freedom, since Sikhist beliefs prevent him from wearing anything over his turban.

But Ontario Court Judge James Blacklock ruled that while the law prohibiting anyone riding a motorcycle without a helmet does violate his right to freedom of religion, it’s justifiable in terms of the benefit that society gains in possible reduced health costs and the possible loss of people’s loved ones.

The Crown’s case centered on increased costs to the health system should helmet-less Sikh motorcycle riders end up suffering head injuries, though Badesha’s attorneys pointed to a study that concluded that, assuming half of all Sikh motorcyclists wear turbans, the increase in serious injuries would be between .43 and 2.83 Sikh riders a year. The study also projected that medical treatment for traumatic brain injuries would increase from $151,700,000 to $151,834,685 — a .00005-per-cent overall increase in the province’s annual health-care budget.

Badesha has announced that he will appeal the decision, and backed by the local Sikh community he now intends to challenge the constitutionality of the law rather than focusing his fight solely on his ticket. He and his supporters will also lobby politicians to change the law.

Following the ruling, the World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) issued a statement expressing disappointment at the court’s decision and asserting that wearing a turban doesn’t substantially raise the risk either to the rider or to others on the road. The organization pointed to the Sikh motorcyclists in other jurisdictions who have been riding without helmets for many years. India, Hong Kong and Britain exempt Sikhs from wearing motorcycle helmets, as do the Canadian Provinces of Manitoba and British Columbia, where a human-rights challenge precipitated the exemption. Similar challenges have failed in the United States.

“We are confident of winning the battle this time,” Badesha said. “We don’t believe a helmet is safe. Every day riders with helmets die in road accidents. If I’m supposed to die today, I will die, and nothing can save me.”

CYCLE SALES SLIDEEconomic pressures, weakening dollar and decreased discretionary spending have contributed to the first downturn in the motorcycle market in 14 years, and according to a recent LA Times article, especially hard-hit are small-displacement dirtbikes and Harley-Davidson.

On the up side, motorcycle sales in 2007 were over the 1-million mark for the fifth straight year, and battery and tire sales indicate that ridership and enthusiasm for the sport remain high.

According to the Times article, the U.S. Department of Commerce estimates a 2.2% sales drop in 2007, but some manufacturers are estimating a slide of up to 8-10%.

In a regulatory filing, Harley-Davidson Inc. said industry wide U.S. sales of large displacement motorcycles (over 650cc) fell 5 percent last year. Harley’s large-motorcycle domestic market share dipped to 49.4% from 50%, while their closest competitor Honda had a U.S. market share last year of 14.2%, down from 15.1%.

Bloomberg news services reported recently that Yamaha is experiencing its first profit drop in eight years, Kawasaki claims sales are down but less than the industry average, and Honda and Suzuki each admit losses that parallel the industry overall; but there’s also some bright spots including Ducati, KTM, Victory, and overall scooter sales.

On another positive note, industry market research group Freedonia has predicted an expanding global demand for motorcycles of 6% annually due primarily to emerging markets such as Asia and South America.And while declining motorcycle sales industry-wide has taken a toll on Harley-Davidson’s stock price, one of the country’s largest financial institutions, Citigroup, has removed the Milwaukee motorcycle manufacturer’s stock from its “recommended to sell’ list, citing sales trends that had “stabilized somewhat”.

HONDA TO CEASE U.S. MOTORCYCLE PRODUCTION IN OHIOAfter nearly 30 years, Honda Motor Co. plans to stop producing motorcycles in the United States next year, ending production at its first U.S. plant and consolidating the Marysville Motorcycle Plant production at a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Kumamoto, Japan which will be capable of producing 600,000 motorcycles a year.

“This move allows us to improve the competitiveness and appeal of our products by applying the latest technologies and production systems at one efficient location,” Akio Hamada, president & CEO of Honda of America, said in a statement. “Obviously, the motorcycle plant has a lot of historical significance,” he said. “It was Honda’s first plant in North America. It started producing motorcycles on Nov. 10, 1979. So obviously, there’s a lot of emotion involved in this kind of decision.

The sprawling plant, in Marysville, Ohio, employs 450 workers. Honda said there will be no layoffs when production ends in spring 2009. “There were a lot of people who felt disappointment,” said plant manager Jan Gansheimer, noting that many of the employees are motorcycle enthusiasts who have spent much of their careers at the plant.

Mirroring the rest of the industry, Honda’s U.S. motorcycle sales fell in 2007, but the company said that its decision to end Ohio motorcycle production was not based on a softening American motorcycle market.

Honda’s manufacturing venture in America began at the Marysville plant in September, 1979, where its first product was a motocross machine. Over time, a $165 million capital investment was made in the facility, which became the worldwide supplier of some of Honda’s most popular models, such as the luxury touring Gold Wing. The motorcycle plant reached its peak production in 1997 when it turned out 174,000 vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles. In 2005, ATV production was moved to South Carolina. Last year, the Ohio factory built nearly 61,000 motorcycles, 44,000 of which were Gold Wings and VTX cruiser motorcycles.

HORSEPOWER VS. HORSESENSEWhile speed and power typically dominate two-wheeled trends, a safety movement may be afoot featuring such hot topics as airbags from Honda, inflatable vests from Dainese, and “uncrashable” bike concepts from BMW.

So it shouldn’t seem surprising that “Motorcycle News” is reporting that Honda and Yamaha are working with twelve car manufacturers to test and develop technology intended to “…reduce rear-end shunts, head-on collisions and drivers who turn right across a road in the face of oncoming traffic, a common cause of motorcycle accidents.”

The systems, which will begin testing in Japan this month, enable automobiles to communicate speed and road position to other vehicles, and warn of potential accidents via voice alerts and navigation system messages.

Fueled by government funded safety campaigns and worldwide legislative initiatives, these tests could signal a gradual revolution in motorcycle safety.

MINNESOTA BIKERS FIGHT TICKETS FOR ROAD BLOCKINGA judge has dismissed charges of obstructing legal process and running a stop sign against one of about 60 bikers stopped last summer near St. Joseph, MN for blocking an intersection during a run. The ruling by Stearns County District Court Judge Frank Kundrat comes after one of the other bikers was found not guilty of a stop sign violation after a trial.

Scott Reichert recently took his case to court and was acquitted after the prosecution had presented its case and before Reichert had to put on a defense. Reichert, a member of the club Street Legal, originally considered just paying the fine he told the St. Cloud Times newspaper, but then he saw the police reports that hinted at a possible motive that police wanted to target some of the BPMs.

The July 7 run from the BPM clubhouse was intercepted by as many as 19 law enforcement agents, including members of the state Gang Strike Force and an agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The BPMs have been identified as a criminal gang based on criteria established by the Legislature, said Minnesota Gang Strike Force Commander Ron Ryan in defending their actions that day, A report filed in case by the Gang Strike Force cites two examples of criminal activity tied to the BPMs: one incident is from 1971; the other is from 1968.

Reichert and attorneys representing the dozens of bikers stopped that day contend that the officers and sheriff’s deputies were looking for more. If that’s the case, a box-score review of the stop could be considered a lopsided defeat: The nineteen officers wrote about 60 citations for riders failing to stop at a stop sign and two for riders having a small amount of marijuana. They arrested one biker for disorderly conduct, but found no one wanted on warrants and no illegal weapons.

About five dozen other cases could be headed for separate trials, according to lawyer Stephen O’Brien, the Minnesota Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) Attorney representing the remaining bikers.

WEIRD NEWS: MOTORCYCLES MAKE WOMEN’S CLOTHES FALL OFFA new trend is developing: motorcycles and undressing women, reports clutchandchrome.com, citing two recent events that have the mainstream press lending some credence to this possibility.

First, Pamela Anderson made celebrity headlines around the world with her sold out Valentines Day show at a famous Parisian Gentlemen’s club Cabaret house Le Crazy Horse. A crowd of over 500 fans paid $300 to watch the former Baywatch star give a performance that finished on the back of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

A few weeks after Ms. Anderson’s unique Valentines present, pop star Prince threw a post-Oscar party in his Beverly Hills mansion, which featured room after room of exotic dancers dressed in various themes with one featuring a scantily clad woman enthusiastically using a motorcycle as a prop.

Many industry experts would agree, if this trend of women shedding clothing at the sight of a motorcycle becomes popular, currently struggling two-wheeled sales could see a marked improvement.

QUOTABLE QUOTE: “For the saddest epitaph which can be carved in memory of a vanished liberty is that it was lost because its possessors failed to stretch forth a saving hand while yet there was time.”

–U.S. Supreme Court Justice George Sutherland (1862-1942)

–Photos from the Bob T. Collection–

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October 09, 2008 Part 2

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