Stimulating Bikernet Weekly News for September 29th 2022
By Wayfarer |
CLICK To Read this Week’s News on Bikernet.com
Hey, It’s an interesting day, week, month, year. Things a popping. Day before yesterday LiveWire went public. Today Porsche went public. No messing around. Let’s hit the news… Also: We are working on another compelling story from Amy Irene White. A couple of us are digging into the history of Brough Superior and BSA. I’m hoping to meet with the new executive director of the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum, Leah and discuss stories, features and museum expansion. I need to seed the grass, save the trees, rock the world and finish a Chopper Charlie story I’m working on. Could be Winter is a factor. In the meantime, ride fast and free forever! –Bandit* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Over 90% of the content on Bikernet.com is free! If you appreciate the efforts of Bikernet.com crew, support Riding Free by joining the Cantina — get access to exclusive content including entire novels. That’s not all, you get your money’s worth instantly with the Free Swag mailed to you Free of cost. Believe it, it’s the Best Of Times on www.Bikernet.com Click to View Cantina Membership options and goodies.STIMULATING BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS for September 29th 2022
By Bandit |
Hey,
It’s an interesting day, week, month, year. Things a popping. Day before yesterday LiveWire went public. Today Porsche went public. What could it mean?
No messing around. Let’s hit the news:
The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by companies who also dig Freedom including: Cycle Source Magazine, the MRF, Las Vegas Bikefest, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown, BorntoRide.com and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.
LIVEWIRE READIES LATEST S2 DEL MAR ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE–Reservations Open September 27th for the Production S2 Del Mar, Expected to Begin Deliveries Spring 2023
MILWAUKEE, WI (September 27, 2022) – As the company becomes the first publicly traded EV motorcycle company in the U.S., LiveWire is opening reservations for the production version of the all-electric S2 Del Mar™ motorcycle, the first LiveWire model to feature the new ARROW architecture, and the first bike to sit next to the LiveWire ONE—the company’s flagship electric motorcycle.
• The production S2 Del Mar will deliver immediately after the Launch Edition, which sold out this past May in 18 minutes.
• Priority delivery will be given to customers with confirmed reservations, which can be placed now at livewire.com for expected delivery in the spring of 2023.
• The Del Mar Launch Edition models will feature 3 unique colors; Pacific Gray, Nightfall Blue, and Asphalt Black at an MSRP of $16,999.
• Performance highlights include expected outcomes at production of output of 80 horsepower (59.6 kW), 184 ft-lb of torque, 75 minute 20%-80% recharge time using L2, and 431 pounds of weight, delivering projected 0-to-60 mph times of 3.1 seconds.
• Del Mar range in city riding is targeted to be 110 miles. *
“Today we are pleased to be opening reservations for the production edition of the S2 Del Mar – our second LiveWire motorcycle and the next step in the evolution of the LiveWire Brand,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman and CEO of LiveWire Group Inc. “The modular ARROW architecture underpinning the Del Mar, developed in-house at LiveWire Labs, demonstrates our ambition to lead in the EV space and establish LiveWire as the most desirable electric motorcycle brand in the world. We’re excited about the future at LiveWire and look forward to the company creating the path to the electrification of motorcycling.”
Advanced LiveWire ARROW Architecture
LiveWire’s scalable ARROW architecture with proprietary battery, motor, charging, and control systems debuts on the Del Mar model and was designed at LiveWire Labs in Mountain View, California. The ARROW architecture is intended to be modular and serves as the central component of the motorcycle chassis.
Del Mar is designed to offer its rider thrilling performance with a targeted output of 80 horsepower (59.6 kW), delivering projected 0-to-60 mph times of 3.1 seconds. City range is expected to be 110 miles.* The Del Mar model weight target is 431 pounds.
The Mark of Urban Riding
Built for agility, and soulful by design, S2 Del Mar is the mark of urban riding and beyond. The newest electric riding experience form LiveWire presents an upright position for a comfortable and controlled riding experience. Equipped with custom developed LiveWire Dunlop DT1 tires equally capable on paved and dirt surfaces, the capabilities of Del Mar are uncompromised by road condition.
Production Model
Equipped with L1 and L2 charging capabilities, over-the-air updates, and a 4-inch TFT LCD display, the riding is immediately different and instantly familiar as LiveWire. The 10.5 kWh pack that powers the bike is the central component of the Arrow architecture, and first clean sheet, in-house design from LiveWire. Complete performance highlights and equipment specifications will be published at the time of retail launch.
The production S2 Del Mar debuts with an MSRP of $16,999. Delivery of the production version is planned to follow the Launch Edition, with an expected timeline set for the spring of 2023. All LiveWire S2 Del Mar motorcycles will be assembled at Harley-Davidson Vehicle Operations in York, PA.
To learn more about the LiveWire S2 Del Mar Launch Edition motorcycle visit: livewire.com/delmar.
THIS JUST IN FROM THE MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION–Motorcycle Fuel Debate in Europe
Wednesday morning, members of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) leadership team attended a virtual seminar titled “Bridging the Gap to Climate Neutrality – The Case of eFuels for Motorcycles.” The event was hosted by the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers and the eFuel Alliance of Europe.
The movement to end the use of fossil fuels in Europe has gained steam in recent years. As part of this plan the European Union has proposed that all new cars registered as of 2035 will be zero-emission. While motorcycles and other two wheeled vehicles are not yet included in this directive the writing is on the wall.
The eFuel Alliance and motorcycle manufacturers in Europe are seeking ways to end the use of fossil fuels while not fully embracing the electric motorcycle. Just like in the United States, motorcyclists and their allies remain skeptical of full electrification. Concerns regarding range, grid dependability and charging locations voiced by those in the U.S. are also concerns of Europeans.
To push back against electric motorcycles and expand options for bikers, many believe the answer is the use of eFuels. eFuels are climate-neutral synthetic fuels produced from renewable energy sources, including solar, wind and hydrogen. However, the cost and production concerns of eFeuls remain to be fully flushed out.
The motorcycle sector has a $20.5 billion impact on the european economy and is seen as key to many of the transportation problems facing Europe. Motorcycle tourism and events alone contribute over $2 billion to the economies of European countries.
By including all two wheeled vehicles into the numbers Europe has nearly 40 million two wheeled vehicles on the roads. The appeal of this form of transportation is obvious. The cost to commute is 1/3 that of traditional cars and because of their smaller size help alleviate much of the congestion and space issues that older, crowded European cities face.
As MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard has repeatedly warned, “Policy ideas that first appear in Europe have a history of popping up in the United States.” Speaking on that topic Karl-Maria Grugl, a member of the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers said, “Europe is setting the scene for other regions of the world. We hope that other regions of the world follow the lead of Europe.”
The MRF has a long-standing partnership with the Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Association (FEMA) and remains committed to addressing the challenges all bikers face together. We will monitor the fuel debate in Europe and prepare for its migration to the U.S.
SPEAKING OF DEBATE—The Climate Debate, Doomsday arguments are going public. Gregory Wrightstone is one of the leaders on the side of no-Doomsday and he reached out to Bikernet recently to compliment us on our coverage.
He offered several signed books for us to give away to our interested readers. If you would like one of these books, just drop me an email with your address and I will take care of sending you one.
Send your email to Bandit@bikernet.com
–Bandit
TWIN POWER Launches New Oil Pump for Harley M8 Models with Performance Exceeding Stock
Fort Worth TX – September 28, 2022 – Tucker Powersports’ Twin Power brand has added a high-performance oil pump designed for Harley-Davidson motorcycles with air cooled Milwaukee 8 engines to its portfolio of great parts and accessories for V-Twin motorcycles. The Twin Power oil pump has significantly improved performance over the stock equipment.
The Twin Power Oil Pump offers better crankcase evacuation, resists sumping and improves oil flow, specifically, an increase of 123% on the feed side and 146% on the scavenge side versus the current (fourth generation) M8 oil pump (testing done at 2500 RPM). In addition, a corrective spacer is included, which improves performance and prevents wear on the factory camplate. A stock-style seal is incorporated into the cover, similar to the latest factory design.
“We love the new Milwaukee 8 platform. It’s a fantastic design with huge benefits over previous generation Harley engines. We saw that there were design changes since the engine’s original introduction, and we know that a reliable oil system is critical to any engine, whether it’s a stock rebuild or a maximum performance hot rod. That’s why we are offering this oil pump that’s better that the stock version on M8 models produced today. With a true bolt-in installation, compatibility with stock or aftermarket components, and an affordable price… what’s not to like?” said Twin Power Brand Manager James Simonelli.
The new Twin Power Oil Pump fits all air-cooled Milwaukee 8 model Harley’s. It retails for $149.95 and is available at Twin Power retailers around the country now. Twin Power part number 601827 perfectly replaces H-D part number 624000247.
THE BEST OF TIMES–From the First Page of Frank Miller’s BATMAN : The Dark Knight Strikes Again
WINDVEST DELIVERS From Harley to Honda
and Everything in Between
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Now through October 10, 2022
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The Indian Chieftain has a motorized windshield, allowing adjustability with the height. WindVest can add to the overall performance of the windshield because of the flip at the top of the screen, which gives better coverage to the rider and passenger. Sizes available are 10″ or 12″. Drop the screen low for around town or raise it up for those long hauls.
For more information visit our website at www.windvest.com or email at sales@windvest.com
A MAJOR POLITICAL CONUNDRUM IN THIS COUNTRY CURRENTLY IS HONESTY AND INTEGRITY—If politicians can lie and cheat the public, what does that say to the average Joe. Should he or she go about life lying and cheating?
Who teaches morals in this country if schools are fucking with the kids? Strange times. When there’s confusion and stress, I sometime meditate to find the correct path.
Buddha defined the right path:
The right contemplation
The right consideration
The right thoughts
The right intentions
The right plans
The right practices
The right livelihood
The right amount of love
The right actions and…
The right outcomes forever!
Repeat that every day. You can’t go wrong.
–Ming Ball
Senior Guru
Bikernet Emerald Thought Temple
Pillar Peak, SD
–RFR
Available worldwide at
SUPPORTGOODTIMES.COM
NEWS FROM THE MASTER OF LIGHT— Many of yesterday’s pieces have found homes already, but some of them are still available. Wanted to add a few pieces based on conversations yesterday. Thanks to all and have a great weekend!
Artist David Uhl
Welcome to our new subscribers! Quick event update – we will be at Pig Trail Harley-Davidson in Rogers, AR for the Bikes, Blues and BBQ rally October 5-9. We will also be at Biketoberfest in Daytona October 13-16. We finish this trip with the gallery at NBAA (National Business Aviation Association) in Orlando October 18-20.
Every month or two, I put out an email with client-owned pieces that need new homes. Many of these have been sold out for years and unavailable. And most of these are offered at very reasonable prices!
Please review the offerings below and let me know if you’d like to add any of these to your collection. You can click on the images to see all specifics on our website, including the current studio pricing.
My apologies, but I do not have time to list all of the prices, so please email me if you want prices/details.
Each of these is hand-signed by David Uhl, numbered and comes with the appropriate documentation.
This is not an exhaustive list, so if you’re looking for something that isn’t shown here, please email me and I’ll see if I can help!
Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.
Keep skunks, bankers, and politicians at a distance.
Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.
Words that soak into your ears are whispered, not yelled.
If you don’t take the time to do it right, you’ll find the time to do it twice.
Don’t corner something that is meaner than you.
It doesn’t take a very big person to carry a grudge.
You cannot unsay a cruel word.
Every path has a few puddles.
When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.
Don’t be banging your shin on a stool that’s not in the way.
Borrowing trouble from the future doesn’t deplete the supply.
–Sam Burns
A REPORT FROM THE NATIONAL MOTORIST ASSOCIATION–Community Speed Watch: Is it Snitching or Driver Education
We had varied responses to the September 11th NMA E-Newsletter #713 on the new community speed watch program, in Green Bay, WI. We appreciate any comments that are sent to the NMA and please feel free to email us anytime at nma@motorists.org.
Community snitching is a slippery slope to something that starts to rival other types of community surveillance that occur in authoritarian regimes. But how do you stop motorists from driving faster than they should through neighborhoods?”
I have no problem with people reporting on speeders especially where there is no law enforcement action taken on the basis of it. The problem is that authority only ever always grows itself.
If 75 percent of drivers are exceeding the speed limit, the municipal authorities should take a hard look at increasing the speed limit. They seldom do because they would rather collect the ticket revenue.
Indeed, many speeders will actually slow down when traffic conditions are less congested or if stop lights are properly timed so that drivers don’t get repeatedly stopped at each and every stop light down the road.
Increasing the speed limit usually increases the safety level. I’ve actually seen this occur in Sheridan, Colorado. The speed limit on US 285 (locally known as Hampden) between US 85 (Santa Fe) and Federal Blvd. was, for years, set at 35 to 45 mph. It’s a six-lane boulevard with a median and little cross traffic. The speeds were set unreasonably low and the flow of traffic generally exceeded the speed limit in an effort to get through the jam.
Police had a field day creating a sizable revenue for the city of Sheridan. Later, the speed limit was increased to the 45 to 55 mph range and mostly 55 mph. The flow of traffic got far less jammed and more spread out because it accommodated much higher number of vehicles who didn’t get stopped at multiple stop lights within a 1 mile stretch. That highway is a MUCH safer highway now with far less road rage and travel times have been significantly reduced, and many vehicles actually have slowed, resulting in a much more relaxed driving experience.
Tim Cresswell, Colorado
Something similar started in 1933 Germany (spying on neighbors) and there were warnings about where that would lead–slippery slope, indeed!
Not on the same level but given the divisiveness in this country it presents a platform for more problems. Wonder how the police will keep records (aren’t police overburdened enough & they won’t get paid for this!). If it’s not well thought out, there will be unintended consequences.
Jeff Gemutliche, Oregon
Talk about 1984, seems like it’s here now!
Dorsey Delavigne, California
I welcome all neighbors who would like to observe me driving. Maybe it would help them to learn to put down the phone, turn down the radio and observe their surroundings–a much safer way to be behind the wheel.
Paul Allison, Georgia
Some of this is old fogies overreacting! We have a short street near us popular to cross over but with a 25 mph limit. It has speed reporting signs, slow down signs by residents, no sidewalks, one basketball hoop roadside, but in the years of traveling it, I never saw a child, no bicycles, and rarely even a pedestrian! I suspect kids are out playing sports somewhere, in backyards playing, or inside–on the internet, watching TV, or playing video games. Suburbia!
David Pickett, New Jersey
As a member of an (ineffective) HOA here in Evans, GA I support this effort to report speeders.
We have speed humps which I hate because they are used by spoiled teenagers driving lifted 4WD pickups as ‘jump bumps.’ They try to see just how fast they can take these humps and maybe get some ‘air.’
Parents are to blame but talking to them is ineffective. They are so clueless since they give these spoiled brats $40K ‘toys.’
Talking ‘sense’ to them is useless. A couple letters from the County Sheriff might make them aware that their little darlings are endangering everyone in the neighborhood.
What these young drivers do in this case would be a firm foundation for a liability lawsuit when (not “if”) they hurt someone with their careless driving.
Paul Mallon, Georgia
We should NEVER tolerate any program that encourages people to snitch on others. That is how tyrants control people’s normal and acceptable behavior, which just happens to dissent from their preferred propaganda.
A person without a radar gun has no way to judge speed anyway. It would be highly subjective. The solution for the 35 mph zones is to put in a pedestrian light. This program sounds like an invitation to get angry and become a scofflaw.
Quote from the Newsletter #713
“Perhaps, motorists themselves need to check their speed more consistently so that community surveillance, cams, and traffic calming do not become entrenched.”
Motorists are not the problem!
The problem is, these methods are calculated to fleece the drivers, and as long as this motive remains, what drivers actually do, and occasionally slip up (which has happened once to me), has very little bearing on what kinds of measures they use.
Certainly, Vision Zero is not intended to control speed, but to discourage cars altogether. These measures are fueled by greed, not safety concerns.
Speeding is usually not the primary problem in an accident. It is simply a convenient way to pull someone over because the police observed other behavior they consider a risk for accidents. If everyone is speeding at the same rate, there is little danger of speeding causing an accident. Disparity in speeds is much more dangerous, and a speed limit set too low encourages disparity.
Anonymous, Arizona
—NMA
SONNY BARGER MEMORIAL— Watch Sonny Barger Funeral from Speed Union TV
https://www.speeduniontv.com/products/sonny-barger-funeral
LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK—
2016 Harley-Davidson FXSECVO Breakout CVO for $19,995.00
SEE IT HERE: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=12752801
This bike is a CVO Break-Out with a 114 motor Pro-Street style some of the features/Add-ons on this bike are
* 114c.i.Screaming Eagle motor with a 6-Speed trans
* Screaming Eagle High-Flo intake
* Two seats the stock CVO and a custom two-tone Black and Brown
* CVO paint
* Fairing
* Mini apes
* CVO wheels
* Dual front rotors with ABS
This bike is only $19,995.00
Plus license, $85.00 documentation fee, and local sales tax. NO HIDDEN FEES like some dealers. And we have no reconditioning or prep fees. This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 92-point safety/mechanical/structural inspection.
Fill out an online application today. We have EZ FINANCING and EXTENDED WARRANTIES available!
Lifestyle Cycles is located at 1510 State College Blvd,Anaheim,CA,92806. Open 7 days a week.
NOT LOCAL? WE HAVE SHIPPING AVAILABLE! Call today (714) 490-0155.
We carry Street Glides, Road Glides, Road Kings, Ultras, Sportsters, Softails, Dynas, and much more!
We are California’s pre-owned Harley Mega-Store with over 200 Pre-Owned Harley-Davidsons in stock! To view our current inventory,
Please visit www.LifestyleCycles.com or www.facebook.com/LifestyleCyclesUsedHarleys/
THE MAGNIFICENT ARCH Motorcycle’s Fall 2022 Apparel Collection—
We’re excited to announce our Fall 2022 Apparel Collection. The new ARCH 1s T-shirt and Stacked Snapback shown here are just some of the new offerings now available at the Official ARCH Motorcycle Apparel Store.
We created a new line of hats, shirts, sweatshirts and more for our official second offering, but will be expanding the line with even more products in the future. We hope you enjoy the latest line of soft goods and we thank you for your continued support of ARCH Motorcycle.
NEWS FROM THE DAV—
Each year, thousands of people come together for the DAV 5K, presented by Humana and USAA, in honor of our nation’s veterans.
And alongside family members and supporters, there are so many inspiring veterans themselves who walk, roll, run or ride in the DAV 5K — veterans like Dayne Lindsey.
In 2020, Dayne was faced with the startling news that he might lose one of his legs. A decade prior, he was on a 7-mile circuit run as part of his active-duty training in the Navy when he suffered an aortic dissection — a potentially fatal condition — in his right leg. He received emergency medical attention and thought that problem was behind him. But nearly ten years later, after suffering a complication in the same leg, he was told it would need to be amputated from the knee down.
Fortunately, his medical team made the decision to transfer him to another hospital where doctors were able to save his leg. To celebrate, Dayne participated in the Virtual DAV 5K in 2021 — just 11 months after surgery.
Whether you’re a veteran with something to celebrate or a dedicated champion of our nation’s veterans, your participation in the DAV 5K will help raise critical funds to support DAV’s mission: Empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity.
There are two ways to participate in the 2022 DAV 5K: Join us in person in Cincinnati on November 5 or virtually from anywhere November 5-30.
We hope you’ll consider joining us for this inspiring — and impactful — event in honor of veterans like Dayne.
Learn More and Register
We hope to see you there.
The DAV 5K Team
*This discount is not available with any other discount or promotion.
[page break]
AUTOPILOT STILL KILLS MOTORCYCLISTS—
Euro NCAP stars do not protect motorcyclists. FEMA considers this an unacceptable situation and sent a letter to Euro NCAP to alert them to this unsafe situation, caused by their own testing methods. Euro NCAP denies their tests are inadequate.
In September 2022, Euro NCAP, a voluntary vehicle safety rating system, rated the Tesla model Y with 5 stars. This is not unusual for a modern car. These five stars are partially based on a very high rating for ‘Safety Assisi’, 98%, which is almost as high as you can get. We consider this very high rating remarkable at least.
Since Tesla cars hit the roads with their ‘Autopilot’ system, there are reports of remarkable and unexplainable accidents with Tesla cars that can be linked to the driver assist systems. Even this year, in July 2022, two motorcyclists were killed in the USA in crashes that were caused with, or should we say ‘by’, Tesla cars. In both situations, the motorcycles, riding in the dark, were not recognized by the Tesla safety assist systems and by the drivers who seemed to rely too much on the safety systems in their Tesla.
For years now, experts point out that the Tesla assist systems have one big shortage. They are entirely based on camera sensors. All other car manufacturers use a combination of camera and radar or lidar, but Elon Musk has always made clear that in his view camera sensors are enough.
Even when many Teslas crashed in the past six years due to failing safety systems, Musk sees no need to change that. The issue with cameras is that – contrary to radar and lidar – they have only a limited capacity to estimate distance. In the case of the two killed motorcyclists mentioned above, they rode on cruiser-type motorcycles with very low taillights. Since the cameras could only detect the taillights and not the rest of the motorcycle and the riders themselves, the safety system estimated their distance wrong, which caused the crashes.
In other situations, Tesla safety systems did not recognize emergency vehicles that were parked on the border of a motorway, a motorcycle policeman, waiting for a traffic light, etcetera. The point is: the Tesla safety assist systems have proven themselves to be inadequate and unreliable.
Now back to the Euro NCAP star rating. The safety systems of the cars are tested in several situations. Mostly with cars, but some tests are also performed with dummy cyclists and pedestrians. A few tests are performed in the dark. No tests are performed with motorcyclists yet.
The AEB tests were performed with cars, pedestrians, and cyclists. The tested Tesla model Y that got the five-star rating in September 2022 had only camera sensors, which worked well under these circumstances. It was tested in two situations with pedestrians in the dark, and that worked well too.
But the crashes in July 2022 show that the Tesla camera sensor has problems with recognizing motorcyclists (and possibly also cyclists) in the dark, because it seems to confuse them with further ahead driving cars. Euro NCAP does not test this common situation where a car nears a motorcycle from behind. What you do not test cannot fail, and this way the Tesla model Y gets 5 stars awarded, but that does not make it a safe car, although the buyer may believe otherwise.
From the beginning of the arrival of cars with safety systems we have lobbied for the inclusion of motorcyclists in the tests. This started in 2016 with the crash of a Tesla car with a young motorcyclist in Norway. Slowly we are getting somewhere, but this high rating of the Tesla model Y shows that we are not there yet. We sent a letter to EuroNCAP to alert them to this unsafe situation, caused by their own testing methods. We also told them that we consider this an unacceptable situation.
In reply to FEMA’s letter, we received this disturbing answer: “Euro NCAP is continuing to improve protocols and has invested a lot time and efforts to develop test procedures including PTW (powered two-wheelers, ed.). These will become part of the rating next year. Euro NCAP already is far beyond what is legally required, but with this update will push the vehicle manufacturers even more to improve their systems. Tesla has performed very well in the tests we currently conduct and deserves credit for it, not questioned. Is it optimized to the test? Maybe, but so are others.”
Written by Dolf Willigers
FEMA
NASCAR Jimmie Johnson Retires—
Johnson is regarded as one of the greatest NASCAR drivers in the sport’s 74-year history, having become the only driver to win five consecutive championships from 2006-10, and is one of only three to win seven total. With 83 total victories, Johnson ranks in the top seven in all-time wins. He retired from NASCAR’s stock car racing after nearly two decades, transitioning to the lighter, open-wheel vehicles of IndyCar racing (see car racing overview). After two seasons in IndyCar, Johnson had two top-ten finishes over 29 races, with a fifth-place best in Iowa.
– Babe Didrikson Zaharias
KATIE ABDILLA WRITES— It’s about time I actually made my own post about this!
A few weeks ago I was honored with becoming a Global Ambassador for 2022 @gentlemansride and received this beautiful @hedonworkshop
DGR helmet (swipe along) I will proudly wear on the 22nd of May. I’ve hosted and participated in several of these events over the years in little Hobart, Tasmania, raising funds and awareness for prostate cancer research and mental health.
To me, this event celebrates the men in our lives who have either had their own bout with prostate cancer and come out the other side, the men we have lost to prostate cancer and miss dearly.
The ones who have put out their own flame, and the ones who need a lantern bearer, a helping hand. As participants in this global event, we ride for our loved ones and the future they deserve.
As a rider in this charity event, I am trying to raise funds for @movember but cannot do so without sponsors! I need YOUR help. You can click this link: https://gfolk.me/KatieAbdilla215912
–Sam Burns
Associate Editor
Bikernet.com™
THIS JUST IN FROM PAUL’S TRIKE FILE–Bagger Nation Swoop Rear Fenders for Tri-Glides and Freewheelers
“With the H-D Trike platforms rapidly gaining in popularity, there are more trikes than ever out on the road, so our Swoop rear fenders will help put a classy stamp of individuality on your customer’s trike.
“We offer fitment options for both the Harley-Davidson Tri-Glides as well as the newer Freewheeler. These big swooping fenders look good with the stock wheel size, but are large enough to accept a 20″ x 8” wheel without any problems.
“Big wheel Freewheeler fenders are 3-D molded from the highest quality materials and hand-laid by skilled Arizona craftsmen to assure a perfect fit and finish every time. These direct bolt-on replacement fenders include all the needed install hardware.”
If you have the US sized 4″ x 7″ license plate frame, Bagger Nation says it can french it into your fender. Just select the side you want it in and order it with choice of black or chrome plate frame. “We will build them in right from the factory. Each fender includes a limited lifetime warranty.”
PAUL YAFFE’S BAGGER NATION
www.baggernation.com
HOLD ON, WE’RE OPENING THE REALLY REALLY BAD JOKE LIBRARY–
1. When we were kids, we used to be afraid of the dark.
But when we grew up, the electricity bill made us afraid of the light!
2. I just got my doctor’s test results and I’m really upset. Turns out, I’m not gonna be a doctor.
3. Patient: Oh doctor, I’m just so nervous. This is my first operation.
Doctor: Don’t worry. Mine too.
4. I visited my friend at his new house. He told me to make myself at home.
So I threw him out. I hate having visitors.
5. I was playing chess with my friend and he said, “Let’s make this interesting.”
So we stopped playing chess.
6. The other day, my wife asked me to pass her lipstick, but I accidentally passed her a glue stick.
She still isn’t talking to me.
7. My husband is mad that I have no sense of direction.
So I packed up my stuff and right !
8. The guy who stole my diary just died. My thoughts are with his family.
9. My boss told me to have a good day.
So I went home.
10. AND FOR FINALE, A GOOD BIKER JOKE:
Never break someone’s heart. They only have one.
Break their bones instead. They have 206 of them.
Wayfarer,
Editor – Bikernet Blog
https://blog.bikernet.com/
Comes with a free six pack… of crayons silly.
Flat Out Friday & Mama Tried have partnered up with the AFT to put on a Hooligan race during their program, this will be the first time the Hooligans hit the big stage, so grab your tickets and get ready to cheer on your local Hooligan!
WILD STORY OF THE WEEK—
A crowded United Airlines flight was canceled. A single agent was re-booking a long line of inconvenienced travelers.
Suddenly, an angry passenger pushed his way to the desk. He slapped his ticket on the counter and said, “I HAVE to be on this flight and it has to be FIRST CLASS.”
The agent replied, “I’m sorry, sir. I’ll be happy to try to help you, but I’ve got to help these folks first; and then I’m sure we’ll be able to work something out.”
The passenger was unimpressed. He asked loudly, so that the passengers behind him could hear, “DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHO I AM?”
Without hesitating, the agent smiled and grabbed her public address microphone. “May I have your attention, please,” she began, her voice heard clearly throughout the terminal. “We have a passenger here at Gate 14 WHO DOES NOT KNOW WHO HE IS. If anyone can help him with his identity, please come to Gate 14.”
With the folks behind him in line laughing hysterically, the man glared at the United Airlines agent, gritted his teeth, and said, “F*** You!”
Without flinching, she smiled and said, “I’m sorry sir, you’ll have to get in line for that, too.”
Life isn’t about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.
–Sam Burns
SATURDAY OCTOBER 1st, 2022
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH (Sept. 22, 29 2022) – Ride & Destroy is excited to announce the final Brawl series event of 2022, the Las Vegas Brawl at Red Rock Harley-Davidson.
Now in its fifth season, “The Brawl”, a first-of-its-kind V-Twin specific motorcycle stunt competition, has become highly popular for professional V-Twin stunt riders to perform and compete in a controlled, legal environment. “The Brawl” stunt contests are invitation-only, giving 20 highly qualified and proven stunt riders the opportunity to display their riding abilities, rewarding the best top five riders of the day with a cash purse and prizes.
“It has been one crazy year for the Brawl competition series.” stated Max Kuszaj, owner of Ride & Destroy and founder of the Brawl. “The 2022 Brawl series went coast to coast, from Daytona Beach Florida, to San Diego, California, to Sturgis, South Dakota. Wrapping up the season in Las Vegas couldn’t be more appropriate or exciting. Riders will be in attendance from all over the U.S., Canada and even Australia!”
In 2022, The Brawl restructured its competition format. All invited Brawl riders get two, 2-minute competition runs, where the best of two runs will score. The top honors will be determined by a highly knowledgeable, rider based, all-star judging panel.
Las Vegas being the final stop in the Brawl series for 2022, the Brawl will be crowning an overall 2022 series champion post event at Red Rock Harley-Davidson.
Rider practice for the 2022 Las Vegas Brawl at Red Rock Harley-Davidson will be on Friday September 30th 3pm-6pm PST, and on Saturday, October 1st at 10am-12pm PST. The Las Vegas Brawl Finals at Red Rock Harley-Davidson competition will begin promptly at 1pm PST located at:
2260 S Rainbow Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89146
Highlights from the competition will be uploaded to the following social media outlets. (@RedRockHarley @Ride_and_Destroy_com)
The Las Vegas Brawl at Red Rock Harley-Davidson is supported by:
Red Rock Harley-Davidson, Ride & Destroy, Harley-Davidson, Legend Suspensions, Feuling Parts, Lexin Moto, DynoJet Research and Plex Audio.
All event information and competition rules are available at: www.RideAndDestroy.com/TheBrawl
INDIAN MEETS DICE MAGAZINE—Meet custom motorcycle builder to the stars: SHINY KIMURA
The originator of the “zero style” custom bike, Shinya Kimura has built custom motorcycles for some of today’s biggest celebrities. While he customizes all brands of bikes, his personal machine is a 1915 Indian Motorcycle that he rebuilt to run—even taking it on the 3,000+ mile Cannonball ride.
Check out his First Movers feature created in partnership with DiCE Magazine.
But I kept on with Bandit’s site here, and I dig it a lot, where else would I get to read this magnificent article?
–M. Zaputil
“I appreciate this. There are a lot of untold stories floating around. I respected Lou and worked with him for a decade. I knew Joe Teresi and Mil Blair mostly from Jammer. Lou and I stayed up late nights to finish Jammer catalogs.
I left in ’81, and Joe asked me to come back in ’87. Times had changed and Joe was trying to navigate the mags. There are lots of stories about change and how we dealt with them. Maybe someday I’ll get around to some of them. Thanks again.
Hell, we are facing change right now and I’m fighting back. This time us grubby bikers need to step up and fight for the truth.”
–Bandit
THE MEANING OF LIFE AUSTRALIAN RESEARCH DEPARTMENT–The Meaning of Life Is Surprisingly Simple!
This advice relies on one very strong assumption—that life actually has meaning. Not everyone will agree with this.
Each of us has to decide whether we believe this is true. I cannot say for certain; it is, as you might say, an “untestable hypothesis.” The paradox of the untestable hypothesis is that even if we seek, we can never be sure that we have found what is real and true. But one thing is certain: We will not find anything unless we look.
–Ray Russell
Australian Philosopher to the Gods
Internationally recognized ’boutique’ motorcycle seats designer Le Pera’s comfortable ‘Aviator’ solo seat for ’04-’06 and ’10-’22 Sportsters has a “tapered low profile with a heavily contoured bucket and styled seating area.
“A design that will not overpower your customer’s Sporty, it is available in ‘Smooth’ and ‘Upfront’ with a 12.5-inch wide rider seating area.”
Celebrating its 50th anniversary as the market’s design leader this year, Le Para still handcrafts all its seats at its North Hollywood, California headquarters.
All its seats feature an optimized rider seating area, a highly detailed powder-coated steel, carpeted base plate, specially poured high density ‘Marathon’ molded foam foundation and double-stitched, handcrafted ‘BikerTec’ custom cover with bonded polyester thread for durability.
LE PERA ENTERPRISES
www.lepera.com
NEWS FROM RACE CENTRAL–A few motorcycle places remaining on November’s epic London to Dakar rally
Bespoke Rallies’ upcoming London to Dakar Enduro is a marathon automotive adventure in the vein of the Peking to Paris and Grand Prix of South America events.
To view the full version and related files, please Click here:
BUILD. TRAIN. RACE–Kayleigh Buyck Crowned at Royal Enfield at Barber Final
Jaycee Jones victorious again in BTR Flat Track Championship while Kayleigh Buyck brings home BTR Road Racing title with a win at the final round
Milwaukee, WI (September 27, 2022) – Royal Enfield’s Build. Train. Race. program was burning at both ends over the weekend with action in both Flat Track and Road Racing. The BTR Flat Track women took on the all-new American Flat Track venue for the Cedar Lake Short Track, the penultimate round of the season, while BTR Road Racing wrapped up the six-round championship at the Barber MotoAmerica round. In both cases, the race winners each earned their respective titles—Jaycee Jones in BTR Flat Track and Kayleigh Buyck in BTR Road Racing.
Click to download high-res images. Images provided by Royal Enfield North America are copyright free for editorial purposes only.
BTR ROAD RACING – BARBER MOTOAMERICA
For the BTR ladies on the Road Racing side, the season came full circle at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. It was here that they met their teammates for the first time and got their first track time on their completed builds during a two-day test prior to the start of the MotoAmerica season.
With three from a possible five wins already to her credit, all Kayleigh Buyck needed was a podium finish to clinch the championship. But she went above and beyond in the final round, putting a stamp on her title with a victory in what was the most thrilling battle of the season.
When the light turned green, Jenny Chancellor and Buyck rocketed off the line and headed the field. Buyck, Chancellor and Chloe Peterson duked it out in a three-way battle before Buyck and Peterson broke away for their own duel. Peterson, fresh off her first pole position of the season, was eager to turn her fast lap advantage into a race win. But in the end, Buyck would not be denied. In a battle to the end, Buyck claimed the victory and the championship.
“I knew it was going to be close after Jersey,” said Buyck, referring to the previous round where she finished off the podium in fourth. “I just put my head down and came into this weekend. I wanted to have fun. It’s been a stressful season. Everyone has been kicking butt the whole time. I wanted to win the whole race, but I knew if I at least finished decent, I’d hopefully be able to lock it in. Locking in the championship by winning the last race is definitely the way to end the perfect season.”
Peterson collected second place while Chancellor got caught up in the battle for third with previous round winner Crystal Martinez. Martinez eventually broke free from Chancellor to secure third, and made a push to close the gap to the lead duo, but ran out of time and had to settle for third. Despite giving up a handful of points to Peterson at the final round, Martinez still secured second overall in the championship, two points over Peterson.
Jenny Chancellor held on for fourth while Ash Truxal rounded out the top-five in Barber, mirroring their overall championship placement, as well.
“It’s fitting that our season wrapped up here at Barber, where it all began earlier this season,” said Breeann Poland. “It’s all gone by in a flash and we all can’t believe it’s already done! This season was absolutely life-changing for so many. We’ve had some ups and downs this year, and to watch these women flourish with their fortitude, their confidence and their talent was really rewarding. The speed this group of women has reached in these six races is astonishing. I couldn’t be prouder of each and every one of them.
Read the whole story on Bikernet tomorrow.
–Bandit
CRUISING FOR A CURE WINNER— Last weekend I took a couple of my customers’ bikes up to Cruising For A Cure Car (& bike Show) in Costa Mesa. I came home with a ‘Best of Show’ for one of them.
It was for a friend/customer from Santa Fe, NM.
–EL Waggs
Air Stream Studios
If you’re thinking “this guy looks familiar” you are right. We featured Jason Ochoa’s Knuckle “Satan’s End” back in Issue 1. While chatting with him a few months ago, we got to talking about all the killer builds coming out of Texas. I asked Jason to have all these guys send me pics of their bikes. One-by-one, the Texan choppers started filling my inbox.
–Cary Brobeck
Supreme Commanding Editor
Chopper Magazine
[page break]
This is not just an Album but also a Netflix original animation as well. An incredibly well-done project by award-winning Country Singer Sturgill Simpson who does not limit himself to sounds and instruments.
The Netflix short-film is actually the entire album from start to end as a continuous music video. It is set in a futuristic world where the government attacks its own people with weapons of mass destruction.
Rebels fight back with honor.
The defense contractor is literally shown printing an invoice every second he shoots and bombs people. Incredible design and animation achieved through Video Game creator-director. A must-watch.
You would also enjoy the climax featuring a motorcycle, especially if you have read the book Sam ‘Chopper’ Orwell by our K.Randall Ball.
Please Note, though this is an animation — It is Not a movie for children or teenagers!!! Extreme violence and some nudity.
Song: “Remember to Breathe”
Artist: Sturgill Simpson
Album: Sound & Fury (2019)
Lyrics: John Sturgill Simpson
I go out late at night just to see what I can find
Stayin’ in the shadows where the light don’t ever shine
Having one-way conversations with the darkness in my mind
He does all the talking ’cause I’m the quiet kind
So peel it off, pull ’em down
Let me see it, turn around
Just lay back and let it happen
And remember to breathe
Staying off the radar like a bomber on the run
Do another lap around the target just for fun
Stayin’ quiet, keeping calm until I find the one
Feel the wave wash over me when the deed is done
So peel it off, pull ’em down
Let me see it, turn around
Just lay back and let it happen
And remember to breathe
Well, just lay back
Oh, just lay back
Oh, just lay back
Oh, just lay back
Oh, just lay back
Oh, just lay back, oh, just lay back
And remember to breathe
Well, just lay back now and let it happen
And remember to breathe
–Wayfarer
Editor – Bikernet Blog
https://blog.bikernet.com/
BILTWELL GRIPS–Freedom of Choice
All of our TPV Grips are back in stock. With five designs in five colors each, that’s a lot of options! At only $20 a pair, you can replace ’em whenever you feel like it. We’ve got low-flange, tall-flange, and no-flange models and the new TPV rubber compound is more durable and UV-resistant than the old models which lead to greater longevity with zero impact on performance.
These grips require a traditional aluminum throttle sleeve like on our Whiskey Throttles.
I got it at Space Coast Harley-Davidson in Palm Bay Florida, because they Gave Me A Better Price than any of the other dealers I contacted.
I want to Thank Everyone who helped me in getting this motorcycle.
Doing break-in now and getting ready to personalize it (add and or change some parts to fit me).
Some Tech Article in the future.
–Rogue
BIKER’S CHOICE UPS ITS GAME— with an Expanded Lineup of Handlebars for V-Twins
Fort Worth TX – September 28, 2022 – Biker’s Choice, Tucker Powersport’s classic brand that serves motorcycle riders with great custom and service parts, today announced an expanded line of American-made handlebars. Updates to the full handlebar lineup include machining to allow use on throttle-by-wire equipped (TBW) motorcycles as well as a new powder coated, gloss black finish.
A 19-inch version of the Biker’s Choice Prime Ape has been added to the company’s ape hanger line, which currently has 10-inch, 13-inch and 16-inch bars. The bar is designed to fit FLHT (Batwing Fairing), Softail/Dyna/Touring models as well as 2015 and newer Road Glide models.
Another addition to the lineup is the Straight-Rise T-Bar, which is available in 10-inch, 12-inch and 14-inch sizes. The Straight-Ride T-Bar is fabricated from 1 ¼” high-quality steel featuring a chrome or gloss black, powder-coated finish.
All Biker’s Choice bars now feature machining that allows for throttle-by-wire technology. They all feature a knurled midpoint for solid mounting, accept standard 1-inch controls and are manufactured in the USA. In addition, an adapter is available to space out the hand controls one-quarter inch, which accommodates bikes that utilize cables.
“We’ve really done our research to create new styles that match the latest trends, as well as add features to ease installation and offer greater convenience,” said Roger Maddox, Brand Manager for Biker’s Choice Brand. “We’re expanding the Biker’s Choice portfolio and we’ll have a bunch of great new products for riders in the next few months.”
“We have to map based on what is available to us, and it’s not a lot,” said Flashman, an IT director living in Edgewater, Fla., near New Smyrna Beach. “And if we go anywhere else, we have to check the reviews to see if recently they stopped working.”
Flashman and other long-distance Florida motorists may be getting some relief. Florida, a state with the second highest number of electric vehicles behind California, is getting an infusion of nearly $200 million in federal dollars over the next five years to ramp up its electric vehicle charging network.
–Daytona News Journal
There are some things that need to be repeated over and over again in the climate debate, including one that also has to be repeated over and over again in economic debates: If something needs a subsidy to compete it isn’t secretly more efficient and only government knows. It is less efficient, so subsidizing it destroys wealth and takes you further from where you want to be.
But we won’t say it again, because Bjorn Lomborg just did: “We constantly hear that electric cars are the future – cleaner, cheaper and better. But if they’re so good, why does California need to ban gasoline-powered cars? Why does the world spend $30 billion a year subsidizing electric ones?” And, he adds, for no purpose at all, because even on the alarmists’ own terms, switching to EVs will do nothing for climate.
–Climate Discussion Nexus
“The answer is always Doomsday. As long as another Doomsday exists, they have all the reasons and justification to do anything. Eliminate the doomsday and all the bullshit falls apart.”
–Bandit
We would like to introduce our newest team member. Ben Saggers will be heading up operations in the United Kingdom as our new Adventure Consultant.
Come and meet Ben and Vintage Ride’s founder Alex at the screening of our new film “ Ride to the Moon” an adventure in Argentina.
As well as the screening there will be drinks, nibbles, information about our tours and we’ll be dropping some details about other upcoming events in the UK.
Vintage Rides
53 Rue président Kruger
69008 LYON (France)
teamvr@vintagerides.com
+44 20 70 31 60 50
THE NASH MOMOA REPORT–Momoa X Nash Motorcycle Knuckle Choppers!
The Knuckle Choppers, one of the most sought-after collaborations between Nash Motorcycle Co. and Jason Momoa’s, On The Roam. Offered in stainless steel – “The Knuckle Chopper” or aluminum bronze – “The Golden Knuckle Chopper”! Go grab one of these Knuckle Choppers today!
Handcrafted leather accessories!
Every Knuckle Chopper comes with a full grain leather sheath! Add one of our hangers and or holsters for mounting or carrying! All U.S. made in our shop by our hands! Choose from black, brown, or natural leather.
Golden Choppers come with old brass hardware. The Knuckle Chopper comes with old nickle hardware.
Super serious as usual!!!
The Source
SHERIFF MEDIA GROUP SWEDEN
WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA RADIO ROUNDTABLE–Travis Mills and Gary Sinise Foundation on Wreaths Across America Radio RoundTable
This discussion, focused on veteran healing through stories of resilience, purpose and success, will be heard exclusively on Wreaths Across America Radio!
COLUMBIA FALLS, Maine — Sept. 28, 2021 — Wreaths Across America Radio is proud to announce the next episode in its series of roundtable discussions focused on veteran healing through sharing stories of resilience, purpose, and success. This discussion will take place on Thursday, October 13, 2022, at 12 PM ET, and can be heard exclusively on Wreaths Across America Radio.
The roundtable will focus on the recalibrated warrior, and how finding purpose can benefit not only in your own journey of resilience but help connect with others working to overcome similar challenges. Guest panelists – listed below – will be interviewed by Wreaths Across America’s Executive Director Karen Worcester and Director of Military and Veteran Outreach, Joe Regan, United States Army Veteran.
Guest Panelists Include:
Travis Mills, Founder and President of the Board for the Travis Mills Foundation. United States Army Staff Sergeant (ret.) Travis Mills of the 82nd Airborne is a recalibrated veteran, a motivational speaker, actor, author, and advocate for veterans and amputees. He is one of only five quadruple amputees from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to survive.
On April 10, 2021, Travis was critically injured by an improvised explosive device (IED) during a routine patrol in Afghanistan and spent 19 months at Walter Reed. After his recovery, Travis attended an adaptive sports camp in Colorado and realized the need for a such a place where a veteran, and their entire family could relax, reconnect, and find strength. Born out of this idea, the Travis Mills Foundation Veterans’ Retreat was founded.
Ginger Gilbert Ravella, Author, Military Wife, and Ambassador for the Gary Sinise Foundation. Ginger Gilbert Ravella is a military wife, Gold Star (widow), mother of five and stepmother of two. Her personal mission is to encourage anyone who seeks reconciliation and peace when life hurts the most and to continue to serve a nation by serving others.
Ginger works tirelessly to support and raise funds to help fallen and disabled veterans and their families. She is an international speaker and author devoted to her God, her family, and her country. She is remarried to another widower and USAF fighter pilot, Colonel (Ret) Jim Ravella, who lost his wife to breast cancer. Ginger currently resides in Nashville, Tenn., with her family.
The goal of the roundtable series is to help reduce barriers for veterans by:
Supporting generational bonds between service veterans through stories of service and success;
Destigmatizing issues faced by veterans and asking for help; Combating inaccurate perceptions of veterans by discussing the diverse experiences, challenges, and success of service members, veterans, and their families; and Connecting veterans with valuable resources.
“I know this is going to be a meaningful discussion,” said Karen Worcester, Executive Director, Wreaths Across America. “As everyone involved has a synergy of mission and a deep understanding of veterans’ needs and the needs of their families. We look forward to this opportunity to share these stories and the importance in addressing veterans’ healing.”
You can listen to Wreaths Across America Radio’s 24/7 internet stream anytime and anywhere on the iHeart Radio app, Audacy app, TuneIn app, or at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/radio.
“Success is about you – and no one but you – let go of everything that conflicts with your goal.”
“A successful team was one that was made up of individuals that were able to set themselves aside.”
“Physical ability represents not only your mastery of the world around you but also of yourself.”
“EVOLVE: Earn Victory Over Life’s Vast Excuses. Make winning a habit.”
–Wayfarer
Editor – Bikernet Blog
https://blog.bikernet.com/
HISTORIC LOST HIGHWAY—
REKINDLED AS THE PREMIERE EAST COAST MOTORCYCLE AND MUSIC EVENT
Lehman Township, PA (September 28, 2022) – The motorcycle, music and camping destination festival, LOST HIGHWAY™ is rekindling its flame on the East Coast with POCONO MOUNTAIN HARLEY-DAVIDSON for east coast riders to enjoy next year. Dates for the weekend events are May 19–21, 2023.
A smash success on the west coast, Lost Highway looks to bring its inimitable motorcycle show and concert to POCONOS PARK™ in the beautiful Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. Poconos Park is located 18 miles north of Stroudsburg and only 2 miles North of Bushkill Falls, near Delaware Water Gap National Park. It is less than a 90-minute motorcycle ride from New York City and Philadelphia, and only 75 minutes from Newark, NJ.
LOST HIGHWAY conceiver and event producer John M. Oakes’s real-estate development and venue management company, From The Roots, acquired the 200+ acres that comprise Poconos Park earlier this year, including the $40 million complex formerly known as Mt. Laurel Performing Arts Center and the Tom Ridge Pavilion.
Overlooking the shores of 90 acre lake, First Pond, in some of the most beautiful, forested countryside in the entire country, Poconos Park, including its 10,000-capacity amphitheater, is ideal for weekend festivals. Attendees can stay in top-rated hotels, AirBNB’s, timeshare accommodations or camp, as it suits them.
Lost Highway was announced by John Oakes live on stage this past weekend at the inaugural Cowboy Luau at Poconos Park just before headliner Brantley Gilbert.
“All the Lost Highway events have been great,” said John Oakes, CEO and founder of From The Roots/Poconos Park. “But it’s always been a goal of mine to custom tailor a festival in every respect, and, with the venue being ours, we are in a great position to do just that with Lost Highway.”
Regardless of where folks are coming from, every route to POCONOS PARK™ includes some of the best motorcycle-riding terrain in the country. Attendees will once again be treated to motorcycle shows, locally-sourced artisan food vendors, charity rides, races, bike giveaways, and more.
Announcements for national music headliners and support acts will launch in the near future and Early Bird tickets to go on sale shortly thereafter.
CLIMATE HELP FROM ALEX EPSTEIN–Snappy answers to energy questions
This election season candidates are getting lots of energy-related questions. Here are pro-freedom, pro-human answers to some of the most popular ones.
What’s your policy on energy, environment, and climate?
I believe in energy freedom: the freedom to use all forms of energy, with laws against emissions and practices that are significantly harmful and reasonably preventable.
1. Liberate responsible development
2. End preferences for unreliable electricity
3. Reform air and water emissions standards to incorporate cost-benefit analysis
4. Reduce long-term CO2 emissions via liberating innovation
I’m a climate thinker. The doomsday folks are science deniers.
I recognize that climate is ever-changing, that humans have some very minor influence, and that humans with plentiful energy can master virtually any climate. That’s why, as CO2 levels have gone up, climate disaster deaths have plummeted.
What’s your plan to deal with CO2 emissions?
My plan is:
1. Recognize that CO2 is a benefit to all life and more of it will only help the planet.
2. Liberate nuclear and other promising alternatives.
Why did gasoline prices get so high this year?
While multiple factors, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, played a role, the fundamental cause is US and international anti-oil policies that prevent supply from rapidly increasing to meet demand.³
Why don’t oil and gas companies drill more despite record profits?
Oil and gas would like to profit much more from currently high prices but it is difficult to increase drilling short-term under the present regulatory regime and investors are scared about more government punishment.4
Why is Europe in a far worse energy crisis than we are?
Europe has taken anti-fossil-fuel policies further. For example, while we have allowed fracking to produce abundant energy, Europe has largely banned it.
With the “Inflation Reduction Act” are we getting closer to Europe?
No. We should always use the best form of energy for the job. E.g., we don’t use animal dung for energy in the US.
The best source of energy in any situation is what business and consumers choose as best on a free market with reasonable anti-pollution laws.
If something can’t compete on these terms then we shouldn’t use it—whether it’s animal dung, solar, or wind.
What’s your position on solar and wind?
Solar and wind should be required to compete on a real market. In the context of electricity that means generators using solar and wind should be held to the same reliability standards as everyone else. Currently they’re not—which is disastrous.
What’s your position on nuclear power?
Nuclear power is an extremely promising technology that is uniquely safe and clean, and has the potential to be cost-effective.
Tragically, nuclear has been nearly criminalized by governments. We need radical reform to decriminalize it.
What’s your position on electric vehicles?
Electric vehicles are a valuable product for certain people but not yet cost-effective for the vast majority of us. Let electric vehicles compete on a free market; don’t in any way pressure anyone to use them before they can afford them and we have the grid that can handle them.
What’s your position on the “Inflation Reduction Act?”
It’s a 4-step recipe for ruining US energy:
1. Make us more dependent on unreliable electricity
2. Impose new oil and gas taxes during an energy crisis
3. Give EPA more power to restrict fossil fuels
4. Give more power to anti-fossil-fuel activists?
How does the Inflation Reduction Act affect my state?
The Inflation Reduction Act got passed in large part by offering various payoffs to various states. Whatever benefit you get from those payoffs pales in comparison to higher energy costs, an unreliable grid and a worse economy.¹°
Do you believe in taking money from fossil fuel companies?
I believe candidates should proudly take money from fossil fuel companies if they and the company support energy freedom policies.
Fossil fuel companies are essential to the survival of 8 billion people for the foreseeable future.
To learn more about these issues, check out
The Energy Freedom Platform
The irrefutable case for a Fossil Future
20 myths about fossil fuels, refuted
Electricity Emergency
Testimony: “How the Biden Administration and the Global Anti-Fossil-Fuel Movement Caused an Energy Crisis and Inflated Our Cost of Living”
The “Inflation Reduction Act” is a 4-step recipe for destroying American energy
TUCKER POWERSPORTS— Expands E-Power Portfolio with Five New Segway Products
Fort Worth TX – September 26, 2022 – Tucker Powersports, a leader in electric powered adventure products, added several new products from Segway to its E-Power portfolio. The products include a moped/electric bike, a scooter, updated versions of the original Segway device for both adults and children and a go kart.
“Our partnership with Segway gives us access to a wonderful range of products for both kids and adults” said Jamie Kempinski, Tucker’s Director of Business Development. “Early orders from dealers indicate that they are extremely excited to have these units in their dealerships.”
Segway’s iconic self-balancing, stand-up device now has a simple, cool look. For adults, the S Max features two brushless, DC hub motors, an air-cooled battery pack, LED lights, an adjustable control bar and adjustable speed controls. The S Max integrates with a mobile app which assists with rider training, adjusting the LED lights, and monitoring battery and mileage. Suggested retail price is $1199.99.
Kids get a unit that’s just as fun, the S Kids version comes with three different riding modes, non-slip, maintenance-free tires, LED lights, and it also integrates with a mobile app. Control is as easy as a nudge of the right or left knee on the control pad. Most kids learn to ride in about three minutes with the aid of the mobile app. The S Kids will travel eight miles at up to 8.7 MPH. Suggested retail price is $499.99.
An equally fun approach for kids is the eKickscooter Zing A6, which features three different riding speeds, lights, a rear brake, and thermo plastic rubber grips. It’s lightweight, easy to disassemble for transport and has a range of over three miles. Suggested retail price is $199.99.
For customers interested in making their commute more fun, Tucker offers a moped-styled Class 2 e-bike called, appropriately, the eMoped C-80. It’s available in four colors and comes with an intelligent management system that includes functions like Airlock System, NFC Tag, Smart Seat Detection and Auto-Lock mode. Its small size makes it perfect for travel to an office or home and it’s compact, so it fits in an elevator. It also has a removable battery that can be swapped for one that’s fully charged. The eMoped’s range of 47 miles easily covers the distance of a typical commute. Suggested retail price is $2499.99.
Also new to the Tucker offering from Segway is the Go-Kart Pro, an electric powered cart with four driving modes which makes it appropriate for beginners to professionals. Designed in partnership with a professional go kart racer, the vehicle has a custom high-end, brushless motor with pure copper coil, low internal resistance, reduced heat generation and electricity loss. It comes equipped with special drifting TPE tires. Drivers can choose from four driving modes: Safety, Regular, Sports and Race. Suggested retail price is $2299.99.
Tucker’s new offerings from Segway, as well as the other exciting E-Power products are now available at Tucker dealers around the United States.
–Ray Russell
Senior Philosopher
Bikernet Think Tank
Australia
ELECTRIC VEHICLES and the evacuation of Florida
Large swaths of Florida’s heavily populated Gulf Coast have been ordered evacuated. The map below, prepared by the Florida Department of Emergency Management, shows the mandatory areas in reddish colors. The actual evacuation order from the state is found here. At least 300,000 people from the Tampa Bay Area must leave.
It is fortunate that as of the current moment, electric vehicles constitute only about 100,000, out of nearly 8 million vehicles registered to drive on Florida’s roads. What if they all were electric, the (impractical) dream dream of greenies?
Depending on how heavily loaded they were, even assuming everyone had a full battery charge, cars from southern Florida would start running out of juice after 100 – 250 miles. They would then have to spend hours at recharging stations, which would rapidly be clogged with other cars and trucks waiting their turn, since an electricity “fill up” can easily take an hour or more, as compared to a couple of minutes for gasoline. Cars waiting to be charged would spill onto the highways, potentially blocking traffic.
Those cars that ran out of juice on the highway would block traffic. Even assuming that emergency service vehicles could get to them (unlikely if the entire fleet were electric cars), towing a portable generator (powered by fossil fuels, of course) and recharging the stalled vehicles would take plenty of time, as well, further blocking traffic. The stranded cars would, of course, have no air conditioning, no wipers, no GPS.
In all likelihood, the highways would become vast parking lots, trapping their passengers wherever they happened to be stalled, waiting for the storm and flood waters to reach them, unable to get to safety.
It is a nightmare scenario, and it is perfectly predictable. California and other states have already mandated a conversion to an all-electric vehicle fleet. When natural disaster strikes and the fleet is electric vehicles, the disaster will be compounded if this mad scheme is carried through.
Hat tip: Joe Heslin
American Thinker
WHAT’S COMING UP?—We are working on another compelling story from Amy Irene White. A couple of us are digging into the history of Brough Superior and BSA. They built very similar V-Twins back in the early 1900s. We want to see if there’s any connection or competition.
I’m working with Markus Cuff photography and Harley-Davidson on a story about gas tank design and manufacturing. Markus has a 30-year history of shooting bike features for Bikernet and several magazines.
I’m hoping to meet with the new executive director of the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum, Leah and discuss stories, features and museum expansion.
The Redhead escaped to take her folks home to Olympia, Washington, and I’m scrambling to get shit done including insulating the other garage, drywall and paint. I need to seed the grass, save the trees, rock the world and finish a Chopper Charlie story I’m working on. Could be Winter is a factor.
I’ve watched a few new movies including the Outfit, Lucky and last night, an old Matt Damon film, the Bureau something released around 2008. For some crazy reason once in a while a film will inspire a Biker story. Sometimes it’s a character and sometimes it’s a style issue, like the Outfit. Interesting film all based around an old tailor. The film never leaves his shop. Ultimately, it was fulla holes, but still the notion was cool. Sometimes a topic motivates me or makes me mad.
If you watch Lucky, let me know what you think. It’s another old-guy film.
Cabana Dan just asked me about the Texas Mile in March. We will investigate, but right now I’m preparing for winter in the Black Hills.
I’m also close to writing the first VL/XA/FL Knuckle head bike build tech. I’m hoping Atomic Bob can send me an inspirational illustration.
I’m headed into the hills just after this weekend to check out the trails. Hang on.
In the meantime, ride fast and free forever!
–Bandit
SAVE A LIFE COURSE
By Bikernet Contributor Rogue |
BIKER LIVES MATTER held their first Accident Scene Management Course: The Bystander Assistant Program, “A Crash Course For The Motorcyclist,” at the American Legion Post 81 in Melbourne, Florida.
Diane “DMAC” McLennan Accident Scene Managements Florida Lead Instructor taught the class. She is available to organize a class anywhere in Florida. If you are interested in having one in your area email contact@bikerlivesmatter.com and leave your contact information and a message.
I should mention that the Accident Scene Management Courses are considered the leading International Motorcycle Trauma Training Organization. For more information on them, go to https://roadguardians.org/
Having the course at the American Legion was a perfect place, not only because they are set up for this type of training session, but they have facilities all over the country. There is also a part of the organization named the Legion Riders. Three members of that group took this class and now will be better able to help other riders in case of an accident. They will also be able to explain the course to other Legion posts. Obviously, the more people who take this course the better chance of keeping more people alive.
Prior to the class starting, Coffee and Donuts were available and bottled water during the class.
First order of business included Rogue, the founder of Biker Lives Matter, (me) thanking everyone for attending and asking that they take what they learn in this class and share it with others so more people can become educated on what to do to help their fellow riders.
Though this class was specific to motorcycles the majority of what was taught would apply to any accident.
The Bystander Assistance Program is designed to reduce injuries and fatalities to motorcyclist through education. This includes securing the accident scene, so no further injury occurs.
It uses common sense and adult principals of learning to teach essential skills that connect the motorcyclist to the Emergency Medical System (EMS). The more information the EMS has the better they are prepared to handle the situation.
Prevent Further Injury
Assess The Situation
Contact The EMS
Treat The Injured With Life Sustaining Care
The topics of this class were limited to management of a crash scene. Other more advanced classes are available as well.
The afternoon portion of the class had hands on demonstrations on how to treat and protect the injured and to keep them alive until the EMTs arrive.
All of those completing the class received class materials, a certificate of completion, cloth sew-on patch and a Trauma Pack
There are many safety items that can be used and Dee displayed and discussed them with attendees.
Accident Scene Management recommends that you carry Adequate supplies. Special Thanks to Motorcycle Riding Attorney Brad Sinclair who Donated Trauma Packs to those who completed the course.
Kayleigh Buyck Crowned at BUILD. TRAIN. RACE. Final
By Bandit |
Jaycee Jones victorious again in BTR Flat Track Championship while Kayleigh Buyck brings home BTR Road Racing title with a win at the final round
Milwaukee, WI (Tuesday, September 27, 2022) –
BTR ROAD RACING – BARBER MOTOAMERICA
For the BTR ladies on the Road Racing side, the season came full circle at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. It was here that they met their teammates for the first time, and got their first track time on their completed builds during a two-day test prior to the start of the MotoAmerica season.
With three from a possible five wins already to her credit, all Kayleigh Buyck needed was a podium finish to clinch the championship. But she went above and beyond in the final round, putting a stamp on her title with a victory in what was the most thrilling battle of the season.
When the light turned green, Jenny Chancellor and Buyck rocketed off the line and headed the field. Buyck, Chancellor and Chloe Peterson duked it out in a three-way battle before Buyck and Peterson broke away for their own duel. Peterson, fresh off her first pole position of the season, was eager to turn her fast lap advantage into a race win. But in the end, Buyck would not be denied. In a battle to the end, Buyck claimed the victory and the championship.
Peterson collected second place while Chancellor got caught up in the battle for third with previous round winner Crystal Martinez. Martinez eventually broke free from Chancellor to secure third, and made a push to close the gap to the lead duo, but ran out of time and had to settle for third. Despite giving up a handful of points to Peterson at the final round, Martinez still secured second overall in the championship, two points over Peterson.
Jenny Chancellor held on for fourth while Ash Truxal rounded out the top-five in Barber, mirroring their overall championship placement, as well.
Barber BTR Results
1. Kayleigh Buyck #16
2. Chloe Peterson #55
3. Crystal Martinez #25
4. Jenny Chancellor #19
5. Ash Truxal #31
6. Jessica Martin #23
7. Nicole Pareso #11
8. Cora Tennyson #95
9. Hannah Stockton #62
10. Michaela Trumbull #27
11. Trisha Dahl #44
12. Kayla Theisler #52
13. Alyssa Bridges #30
14. Patty Paul #79
Final Championship Standings – BTR Road Racing
1. Kayleigh Buyck (113/4 wins)
2. Crystal Martinez (94/1 win)
3. Chloe Peterson (92)
4. Jenny Chancellor (72/1 win)
5. Ash Truxal (62)
6. Jessica Martin (60)
7. Michaela Trumbull (48)
8. Trisha Dahl (43)
9. Nicole Pareso (38)
10. Alyssa Bridges (38)
11. Cora Tennyson (35)
12. Bridgette LeBer (26)
13. Hannah Stockton (21)
14. Kayla Theisler (12)
BTR FLAT TRACK – CEDAR LAKE SHORT TRACKAs the ladies of BTR Flat Track took to the high-banked 3/8-mile clay oval at Cedar Lake, the ever-dominant Jaycee Jones had the bullseye squarely on her back. Aside from the preseason exhibition race at the Volusia Half Mile where Jillian Deschenes nabbed the win, Jones has managed to dominate every round, and was ready to clinch the championship one round early should things break her way. BTR veteran Deschenes and 18-year-old rookie Zaria Martens were hungry for a win, and looking to keep their title hopes alive.
The BTR field was slated to have a test at Cedar Lake prior to the race, but sadly, the weather had other plans. Unfortunately, the inclement weather also spilled over into race day, and as the skies opened up and dumped on the track just before the first practice session, which prompted officials to postpone racing until Sunday.
An abbreviated schedule meant the women had little time to figure out the track and get their Royal Enfield INT650 motorcycles dialed in. Jillian Deschenes led the way in practice, setting fast laps, but it was rookie sensation Zaria Martens with the pole position for the main event.
While the overall title may be spoken for, the battle for runner-up in the 2022 BTR Flat Track championship remains tight, with only two points separating Deschenes and Martens heading into the final round, the Volusia Half Mile, where Deschenes already tasted preseason victory. The series concludes on October 15 in Barberville, Florida, where Jones will receive her number-one championship plate.
Cedar Lake BTR Results
1. Jaycee Jones #33
2. Jillian Deschenes #31
3. Zaria Martens #8
4. Makenna Hiatt #81
5. Stephanie Pietz #57
6. Erin Ferris #909
7. Kaiela Hobart #46
8. Alex Bumpus McDonald #2
9. Anna Serena #800
10. Nean Kiskela #27
11. Gabrielle Hughes #327
12. Mia Reese #15
About Royal Enfield : The oldest motorcycle company in continuous production in the world, Royal Enfield made its first motorcycle in 1901. A division of Eicher Motors Limited, Royal Enfield has created the midsize motorcycle segment in India with its unique and distinctive modern classic motorcycles. With its manufacturing base in Chennai, India, Royal Enfield has been able to grow its production rapidly against a surge in demand for its motorcycles. Royal Enfield is a leading player in the global middleweight motorcycle market.
Royal Enfield North America (RENA) is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is developing a growing network of more than 150 dealers in North America, including the contiguous U.S. and Canada. RENA currently offers the all-new Scram 411, Classic 350, Meteor 350, Himalayan and the 650 Twins (INT650 and Continental GT 650) motorcycles, along with a range of Genuine Motorcycle Accessories and apparel.
King of the Baggers Championship Season Recap
By Wayfarer |
TYLER O’HARA CAPTURES 2022 MOTOAMERICA MISSION KING OF THE BAGGERS CHAMPIONSHIP FOR INDIAN MOTORCYCLE RACING AND S&S CYCLE
Riding the Mission® Foods S&S® Indian Challenger, O’Hara’s Consistency Through the Seven-Round MotoAmerica Series Carries Indian Motorcycle Over Rival Harley-Davidson to Reclaim Coveted Crown
Minneapolis, MN. (September 14, 2022) – This past weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park, Tyler O’Hara battled through rain-soaked conditions to finish second in the Main Event, earning the necessary points to capture the 2022 Mission King of the Baggers (KOTB) Championship for Indian Motorcycle Racing and S&S® Cycle. This is the second KOTB Championship in three years for O’Hara and the Indian Motorcycle Racing-S&S team in the increasingly popular MotoAmerican bagger-racing class.
O’Hara’s 2022 Championship run was a picture of consistency throughout the seven-round series. The Petaluma, Calif. native captured five podium finishes over seven rounds; including a victory at the Daytona Speedway season opener, along with two fourth-place finishes aboard his ever-reliable Mission® Foods S&S® Indian Challenger. This year’s Championship came at the expense of Harley-Davidson Screaming Eagle rider Travis Wyman, who entered the series’ final round with a three-point lead in the Championship point race, only to see his hopes literally slip away when he crashed midway through the second lap while frantically chasing O’Hara through the rain soaked circuit in New Jersey.
It was an afternoon rainstorm that spoiled the best-laid plans for points leader Wyman and served up a golden opportunity for O’Hara and teammate Jeremy McWilliams, who both thrive in wet conditions. Starting from the fourth and fifth positions respectively, O’Hara and McWilliams jumped out to a fast start, overtaking Wyman and Vance-Hines Harley Davidson rider James Rispoli and moving into second and third position respectively coming out of turn one. This allowed McWilliams to slow the pace for the field behind him, including Wyman, and create breathing room for O’Hara who consistently maintained pace behind race leader Kyle Wyman.
With an added level of urgency thanks to McWilliams’ stifling efforts, the younger Wyman made an aggressive outside pass on McWilliams and immediately began aggressively pushing to close the gap with O‘Hara, ultimately low-siding and sliding into the infield late into the second lap. Although he was able to get back on his bike and continue the race, Wyman fell to the back of the pack, while O’Hara stayed close behind the older Wyman brother, holding his second-place position to the finish and capturing his second KOTB Championship.
“Even though it’s one rider that earns the Championship, this was a situation where the support from Jeremy and our ability to work together made all the difference, and I could not be more grateful for his support and the tireless work of my entire Indian Motorcycle-S&S team,” said O’Hara. “Every member of this team sacrificed so much of themselves over this past year and to stand on that podium and celebrate this Championship with them is a testament to our commitment and nothing short of a dream come true. I’m so proud to reclaim the crown and the number-one plate for such an incredible and talented group of guys who put their hearts and souls into this season.”
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McWilliams, a veteran road racer of Moto GP fame, joined the Indian Motorcycle-S&S factory team at the start of the 2022 season. Along with a virtually unmatched level of experience and skill that resulted in a Round Two victory at Daytona and fourth-place finish overall, McWilliams brought an invaluable wealth of knowledge to the team. His technical input and collaboration with Indian Motorcycle-S&S engineers and mechanics throughout the season allowed the team to continually evolve, refine and improve the Indian Challenger, optimizing set ups specific to track conditions at each and every round.
“Jeremy’s expertise and experience, combined with Tyler’s skill and competitive fire is something truly special,” said Gary Gray, Vice President Racing, Service and Technology for Indian Motorcycle. “When you back those two guys up with the expertise, commitment and heart of this entire Indian Motorcycle-S&S crew, you come away with a Championship. On behalf of everyone at Indian Motorcycle, I could not be prouder of our team and what we’ve accomplished this season.”
Ultimately, it’s the commitment of the entire team, including the engineers and mechanics behind the riders, that makes the difference between winning or losing a championship. This was no better evidenced then by the consistency of O’Hara and his Mission® Foods S&S® Indian Challenger throughout the entire season. Not only did O’Hara’s #29 bike finish every race during the season without fail, it never finished lower than fourth place.
“This Championship is the result of the sacrifices and commitment made by each and every member of our team – so many days on the road away from their families and sleepless nights working to ensure our bikes were dialed-in for Tyler and Jeremy,” said Jeff Bailey, S&S Cycle Crew Chief. “Every member of our crew played a critical role, making unique sacrifices and sharing in the highs and lows we experienced together throughout the season, and that’s truly what makes this Championship so gratifying. I could not be prouder of this group of incredible individuals.”
Sponsors for Indian Motorcycle Racing’s King of the Bagger efforts include Mission® Foods, S&S®, Medallia, Drag Specialties and Parts Unlimited.
To learn more about each race team, visit SSCycle.com, RolandSands.com, Saddlemen.com and LloydzGarage.com.
For information about Indian Motorcycle, visit IndianMotorcycle.com, or follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE® : Indian Motorcycle is America’s First Motorcycle Company®. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com.
ABOUT S&S® CYCLE : S&S® Cycle was born from a passion for racing and has spent over six decades building performance for the powersports market. Their unwavering focus on quality, reliability and top shelf power has made S&S® Cycle the absolute leader in high performance on the street and track.
ABOUT MISSION® FOODS : MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit www.missionfoods.com
LiveWire becomes the first EV motorcycle company to list on the NYSE
By Wayfarer |
Harley-Davidson, LiveWire and AEA-Bridges Impact Corp Announce Closing of Business Combination
• LiveWire raises approximately $334m in gross proceeds
• LiveWire becomes the first EV motorcycle company to list on the NYSE
• Trading beings on September 27th under the new ticker “LVWR” on the New York Stock Exchange
MILWAUKEE, NEW YORK and LONDON (September 27, 2022) —
Harley-Davidson, Inc. (“Harley-Davidson”) (NYSE: HOG), the world’s most desirable motorcycle company, and AEA-Bridges Impact Corp. (“ABIC”) (NYSE: IMPX), a special purpose acquisition company with a dedicated sustainability focus, sponsored by executives of AEA Investors and Bridges Fund Management, today announced the completion of their previously announced business combination under which LiveWire EV, LLC (the “Company”), Harley-Davidson’s electric motorcycle division, combined with ABIC, to create a new public company.
The business combination was officially approved at an extraordinary general meeting by ABIC stockholders on September 16, 2022. Upon completion of the business combination, the combined public company will operate as LiveWire Group, Inc. (“LiveWire”) and its common stock and warrants will begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbols “LVWR” and “LVWR WS,” respectively today, September 27, 2022.
Through this combination, LiveWire will become the first and only EV motorcycle company in the U.S. to list on the NYSE.
“This transaction represents a proud and exciting milestone for LiveWire towards its ambition to become the most desirable electric motorcycle brand in the world,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO of Harley-Davidson, and Chairman and CEO of LiveWire. “We believe LiveWire is well positioned to define the two-wheel EV market, and we’re excited about the future – in celebration of our listing today, we’re pleased to open reservations for the production version of the S2 Del Mar for the U.S. market.”
LiveWire will be ringing the opening bell at the NYSE today, to celebrate LiveWire’s public listing
Soulful by design, LiveWire is transforming the everyday into urban adventure and beyond. Building a future for riders differentiated by look, sound, and feel. LiveWire is leading the electrification of motorcycling by means of design, software and experience. Backed by 119-years of engineering and manufacturing heritage but with the agility of a start-up, LiveWire is well positioned to define the future of two-wheel EV.
About LiveWire
LiveWire is the future in the making for the pursuit of urban adventure and beyond. Drawing on its DNA as an agile disruptor from the lineage of Harley-Davidson and capitalizing on a decade of learnings in the EV sector, LiveWire’s ambition is to be the most desirable electric motorcycle brand in the world. With a dedicated focus on EV, LiveWire plans to develop the technology of the future and to invest in the capabilities needed to lead the transformation of motorcycling. LiveWire benefits from Harley-Davidson’s engineering expertise, manufacturing footprint, supply chain infrastructure, and global logistics capabilities. Innovating by design and attracting industry-leading talent, LiveWire is headquartered virtually, with initial hubs in Silicon Valley, CA (LiveWire Labs) and Milwaukee, WI. www.livewire.com
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About Harley-Davidson : Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. Our vision: Building our legend and leading our industry through innovation, evolution and emotion. Our mission: More than building machines, we stand for the timeless pursuit of adventure. Freedom for the soul. Our ambition is to maintain our place as the most desirable motorcycle brand in the world. Since 1903, Harley-Davidson has defined motorcycle culture by delivering a motorcycle lifestyle with distinctive and customizable motorcycles, experiences, motorcycle accessories, riding gear and apparel. Harley-Davidson Financial Services provides financing, insurance and other programs to help get riders on the road. www.harley-davidson.com
Advisors : J.P. Morgan Securities LLC served as financial advisor to Harley-Davidson, and Latham & Watkins LLP acted as legal counsel to Harley-Davidson. Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC served as financial advisor and capital markets advisor to ABIC. Citigroup Global Markets Inc. served as capital markets advisor to ABIC. Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as legal counsel to ABIC.
Forward-Looking Statements Legend
This communication may contain a number of “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include information concerning LiveWire’s possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, debt levels, competitive position, industry environment, potential growth opportunities and the effects of regulation, including whether the business combination between the Company and ABIC (the “Business Combination”) will generate returns for shareholders. These forward-looking statements are based on Harley-Davidson’s or LiveWire’s management’s current expectations, estimates, projections and beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events. When used in this communication, the words “estimates,” “projected,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “forecasts,” “plans,” “intends,” “believes,” “seeks,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “future,” “propose” and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside Harley-Davidson’s or LiveWire’s management’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors include, but are not limited to: (a) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of LiveWire to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain its management and key employees; (b) costs related to the Business Combination; (c) changes in applicable laws or regulations, including legal or regulatory developments (including, without limitation, accounting considerations) which could result in the need for LiveWire to restate its historical financial statements and negatively impact the trading price of LiveWire’s securities; (d) the possibility that Harley-Davidson and LiveWire may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (e) Harley-Davidson’s ability to execute its business plans and strategies, including The Hardwire; (f) LiveWire’s estimates of expenses and profitability and (g) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the final prospectus of LiveWire, including those under “Risk Factors” therein, and other documents filed or to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Harley-Davidson or LiveWire. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Harley-Davidson and LiveWire assume no obligation and, except as required by law, do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Neither Harley-Davidson nor LiveWire gives any assurance that LiveWire will achieve its expectations.
Barry’s Favorites in Girls of Bikernet
By Wayfarer |
Barry said these shots don’t need a story. He’s right!
On your darkest day, these shots will bring back warm memories, longing, a broad smile, tender thoughts, beauty, touch, Nirvana and pure heaven right here on earth.
— Bandit
* * * *
Get inside the Cantina, explore 25 years of biker pics, Click to Subscribe today !!!
NHDRO Caps Season in Beautiful Racing Weather at Norwalk
By Wayfarer |
Beautiful Racing Weather at Norwalk
event: NHDRO’s Midwest Fall Nationals presented by Liguori Drag Racing
when: September 16-18, 2022
where: Summit Motorsports Park, Norwalk, Ohio, USA
NHDRO’s Midwest Fall Nationals presented by Liguori Drag Racing finished off the Midwest’s largest motorcycle drag racing series’ season in true NHDRO style—family, festive, high stakes fun at unquestionably one of the top-tier tracks in the world: Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.
Norwalk was the final event of a 2022 NHDRO season that saw three race days at each and every event, maximizing racer paybacks for their travel dollar in a time of high expenses for all travellers. Champions were determined in all classes following two full points races on Saturday and Sunday, plus the usual NHDRO Friday night shootouts.
Schnitz Racing Top Gas and Shootout
There are no bigger advocates for Summit Motorsports Park than Cleveland’s Adams family, so it is only fitting that Craig and Kevin Adams had so much success at the NHDRO race—including sweeping both Schnitz Racing Top Gas points races.
Craig and his wheelie bar dragbike faced tough competition in Saturday’s final against no-bar racer David Beshara—winner on both days of the recent Edgewater event.
But Craig’s .018 light vs. Beshara’s .047 laid a table that Beshara couldn’t clear, despite running dead-on 8.20 with a 9, and Adams was able to win with an 8.22 at 28 miles per hour less than Beshara.
“Faced some really tough racers, lucky to come out with the win,” said Craig. “Had to race my brother second round in a really tight race.
“Thanks to Dad, Gary Godwin, Kevin, Gavin, Niki and Brian Welch, the Short family, Ligouri Racing, my wife Jill, and Eatmyink for the great coverage as always.”
Mike Puglia was Saturday’s number one qualifier.
The roles were reversed in Sunday’s final, with Craig’s brother Kevin riding a no-bar Suzuki Hayabusa against dragbike racer Bradley Shellhaas—also a member of a racing family.
This time around, both racers had awesome lights, with Shellhaas’ .019 only .001 behind Adams. Bradley broke out by .002 while Kevin ran 8.203 on the 8.20 index—what a race!
“What an awesome weekend with family and friends!” said Kevin. “To be able to race at the best track in the country and what I consider the best motorcycle sanction out there, NHDRO!
“Friday started out slow, losing a tight race in Top Gas Shootout, but got to test our brand new bike on motor and was very successful.
“Saturday, again lost a tight race to my brother in Top Gas, but the good news was he went on and won and I ended up runner-up in Super Comp.
“And for Sunday, wow, what a day to be able to get to the finals of Super Comp and Top Gas and end up winning both against very tough competitors, and made it to the semifinals in Street ET and lost another close race.
“I want to thank Greg and Maria Kubach for being great friends and giving me such awesome bikes to race, Joe Marasco, my dad, my wife Brianna Adams, and my sons Connor and Gavin for all their help and support.”
Friday’s Schnitz Racing Top Gas Shootout winner was Doug Fisher, who bypassed a race at his home track 131 Motorsports Park in Michigan to come race with NHDRO at Norwalk.
Wheelie bar racer Fisher beat no-bar racer Michael D’Addio in the Shootout final. “The bike went 8.202 out of the trailer,” said Fisher, who also went to two semifinals.
“Thanks Richard Gadson for the tuning and pit help. David Beshara said ‘You hired a tuner.’ I replied ‘He’s fam.’
“Thanks also to Donna Fisher for going and Alexis Baker for the great food and support.
“The long rollout got us Saturday and Sunday.”
Defending and once again Schnitz Racing Top Gas champ Jeremy Teasley came up winless in the class on this particular weekend, but retains his championship regardless.
“My plan was to do better in Top Gas, but I ended up with the Super Comp win—just as good but not as many points as I wanted,” said Teasley. “I knew Jeremy England was right behind me in Top Gas, but still squeezed out the championship at the end.
“Want to thank Brian and Niki Welch for the awesome event, can’t wait till next year.”
Sunday Top Gas number one qualifier Ceslie Shellhaas ended up feeling fortunate that her progress through the field was stopped midday.
“I made my Top Gas bye run and lost the right wheelie bar panel,” said Ceslie. “Ran second round of Pro ET and won. Then came up for third round of Pro ET and the bike died twice after my burnout, so I backed out and went back.
“We made some adjustments and the bike started just fine. I went ahead and took the left panel off before heading up for Top Gas second round. I got a rag and started to wipe the bars down and when I got to the side I had just removed, the bottom bar was completely broken. And then after checking the other side again it was starting to crack along the same spot.”
So in retrospect, it was a good thing that the panel fell off, that her bike died in Pro ET, and that she took the other panel off and discovered the crack. Hitting those broken bars in Top Gas might have proven disastrous.
MTC Super Comp 8.90 index
As Kevin Adams has already mentioned, he won Sunday’s MTC Super Comp 8.90 index, beating Greg “Magnet” Mallett in the final. Kevin (also the number one qualifier) nailed a perfect .000 light that left Mallett dazed to an .084. Kevin ran .040 slower than Greg and still won.
Adams runner-upped on Saturday to Jeremy Teasley. Jeremy’s .010 light put .032 on Kevin at the get-go, and Teasley was able to take the win with an 8.96 at only 150 mph to Adams’ 8.95 at 155.
The Super Comp and Pro ET championships were won by Joe Klemme, who also won Saturday’s MPS Pro ET race. “This late in the season and in my career, I was still trying some new things at the starting line and on the track,” said Klemme. “Some of those things helped and some didn’t, but if you don’t try new things you will be just like everyone else.
“My win in Pro ET on Saturday and semifinal finishes in Super Comp on both days was, as always, a total team KPM Racing effort. I would like to thank my teammates Tom Klemme (also Joe’s brother), Tim Genung, and John Mealy for all their help at the shop and on the track. Also thanks to KPM and Ed and Bradley Grothus at Grothus Dragbikes for their continued support.
“Our team’s success this weekend secured the championships in Pro ET and Super Comp. I would like to dedicate these two championships to my late sister Judy Grothus and uncle Roger Klemme, who we lost recently.”
MPS Racing Pro ET
As mentioned above, Joe Klemme won the MPS Pro ET championship and Saturday’s race. Pete Chongris runner-upped, his .035 light no match for Klemme’s .009. Chongris ran closer to his 8.95 his dial-in, but Klemme was close enough to his own 9.28.
Kyle Dolamore won an “all-Dolomite” final on Sunday against his cousin Steven Dolamore. Kyle put .033 on Steven at the tree to pretty well settle this one, as Steven broke out by more in the double breakout race.
“Me and my cousin both actually lost first round and didn’t wanna buy back ’cause we were both frustrated about us messing up the race, and my father talked us into buying back,” reported Kyle. “As I’m putting the body on the bike to head to the lanes, I remember looking at my brother and going ‘I’m about to wear some people and everybody is in trouble and better stay outta my way cause I’m winning this damn race now.’”
And true enough, he did. “This win was special to me because exactly six years ago I won my first race, and that was the Division 3 bracket finals, so winning again on that same day six years later and it being my second win ever was just something special! Along with it being my first ever win at my home track on a dragbike!
“One of the coolest things was finally winning with my grandparents Terry and Hedi Dolamore at the track. My grandfather is the one who got all of us into racing, so finally getting him in my winner circle photo has been a goal of mine since I started racing. And doing it in the fashion of it being an all-family final and the first time we ever did that just put the cherry on top!
“Just want to thank my family for everything they have done and always supporting me, especially my dad Tony for always making sure I have the best equipment possible and always wanting the best for me even if it means he gives up his bike for me to ride that weekend, and my mom Traci. Also like to thank my brother (Michael Maday) and my sister (Morgan Dolamore, recently married so Morgan Moore) and my cousin Steven for always reminding me that I’m a ‘Bad Dude,’ as they say.
“Also wanna give a shoutout to the Bader family for always giving us an amazing track to race at and just the best in the business facility-wise! Also thanks to the Adams family for always being there to lend a helping hand or advice or even a motorcycle at times!”
M2.Shocks 8.70 Quick Street
We’ve read about brothers and cousins winning races at Norwalk, but Marty White is a one-man wrecking ball. Already the defending M2.Shocks 8.70 Quick Street champion, White repeated that title along with the Kevin Dennis Insurance Street ET championship.
White won Sunday’s Quick Street final at the expense of Eric Yost in a double breakout. White’s .031 advantage at the tree laid the table for his 8.696 to beat Yost’s 8.692.
“I couldn’t be more appreciative for my family and friends for supporting me and the whole AWR Cycles team,” said White. “Brian, Niki and the whole Welch family for giving us the opportunity to have so much dang fun, and Tim Hailey for capturing every precious moment! The racing action photos are awesome and the candids with family and friends melt my heart.
“The season was amazing for the whole team. Too many milestones to even mention. To win six races and back-to-back championships in two classes in a two season span is surreal to say the least!
“The old Katana rides like a Cadillac. I’m honored to be associated with AWR Cycles, NHDRO, Page Racing, JTR, the best photographer around, and many others. Keep safe, keep chasing your dreams, and make sure Eatmyink captures it all!”
Saturday winner Jaden Hall put .022 on runner-up Rashad Rowe at the tree, taking the win despite being nearly a hundredth slower on track.
Phil Tinsley and Tom Cooper were number one qualifiers.
Kevin Dennis Insurance Street ET
As already mentioned, double championship winner Marty White also won the Kevin Dennis Insurance Street ET title, sealing the deal with Saturday’s race win over Owen Burdick. Marty’s .029 starting line advantage proved impossible for Burdick to overcome on this particular day.
Burdick runner-upped again on Sunday, this time against Sean Neizmik. Sean didn’t post an impressive number at the starting line—a .127 to Burdick’s much better .038. But his ZX14 ran dead on his 8.97 with a 9, while Burdick’s 9.27 fell way short of his 9.11 dial-in.
“I really appreciate all the hard work Brian and his family put in to making the NHDRO venues a pleasure to race at,” said Neizmik. “I want to thank the Lord, thank my family, and really enjoy having the opportunity to compete against such a talented group of racers.”
Advanced Sleeve Dirty 30 9.30 and Friday’s Delay Box Shootout
Despite Tom Klemme’s two Advanced Sleeve Dirty 30 9.30 finals at Norwalk—winning one—it was Drew Nearhoof that won the championship.
“I’d like to thank a few people,” said Nearhoof. “My papa and uncle Fran looking down from above and keeping me safe. My uncle Dick and father who have let me store my dragbike, pitbikes, & streetbikes at the family automotive repair shop throughout the years. My uncle Kevin (Nasca) who always keeps things light at our pit spot.
“Blood runs thicker than water in our family and this championship would not have been possible without these men blazing the path for me.”
Klemme won on Saturday despite giving up the tree to runner-up Marshall Hutchinson .041 to 018. It was a double breakout, with Hutchinson’s 9.27 more offensive than Klemme’s 9.28.
“I can’t have success without a dedicated team and great pit help,” said Klemme, also Saturday’s number one qualifier. His brother Joe qualified number one on Sunday. “Zero mistakes made by my pit man John Mealy, but I made a few.”
Like going -.004 red against his brother Joe—who was trying to lose on purpose—in Street ET. Tom was trying for the bye the next round but lost the bye he already had.
“I’m still recovering from a sprained wrist and I don’t feel like I’m racing at 100%. I’m happy and fortunate to do as well as I did.”
Which included a win in Friday’s Delay Box Shootout. Tom beat David Beshara in the final.
Tom also did his job at the starting line in Sunday’s Dirty 30 final, posting an .027 to Justin Blackford’s .053. But Klemme was .005 quicker than Blackford when he didn’t want to be—at the finish of the double breakout race.
“This past weekend was an absolute blast at Summit Motorsports Park!” said Blackford. “This is my second year coming out to NHDRO events and it’s always something I look forward to.
“This season, my number one goal was to bring home a Big Check and get my first ever event win. Being able to make it happen on the last day of the last event in front of friends and family, and a lot of the people that helped me get to this point, was an awesome experience and something I’ll never forget!”
Friday Night Shootouts
Friday night is Shootout time at NHDRO, and Norwalk’s weather couldn’t have been more perfect—for all three days and nights, actually.
Buffalo, New York’s Owen Burdick may have come up short Saturday and Sunday in Street ET, but Friday was his as he won the No-Box Shootout, taking the final over Rylan Rowe.
“It was my first time at an NHDRO race and first time racing at Norwalk,” said Burdick. “This is my first full year on my new bike (‘08 Suzuki GSXR1000), so a lot of firsts. I had a great experience all weekend at the races. Great people and the event was run very well. Hats off to Brian and his family.
“As for the racing part, I felt great and the bike was deadly. Decent lights helped, and a little luck as well. The bike was very consistent for me, which made picking my dial-in time not hard at all. And a smooth, fast, and sticky track helped too. I was asked to split the money before the final round, but that won’t ever happen. Go big and fast or go home.”
The old man still has it. Crow Teasley won the Road Course Shootout, beating Chris Tucker in the final. “I just want to thank Joe Marasco for letting me ride the bike, and Brian and Niki for a great event. Had a blast.”
There was also a special Shop Wars Shootout, with speed shops competing against each other in various classes. Jeremy Teasley Racing (JTR) won Road Course and Top Gas Shootouts, while Joe Marasco’s Maximum Street Performance (MSP) won Heavyweight and Grudge. The tiebreaker was two runner-up finishes for JTR and only one for MSP, as the Testa Engines team runner-upped in Top Gas.
“It was a perfect weekend,” said Teasley. “Came in the race not knowing who to put where in the Shop Shootout, but we came together and figured it out to win by one point. MSP put up a great fight.”
VooDoo Grudge
Kevin Dennis isn’t just the Midwest’s greatest insurance agent, nor is he just the sponsor of Street ET. Kevin is also a hardcore racer, and made a big leap at Norwalk. Long time bracket racer Dennis showed up with a new VooDoo Grudge build and promptly won two big races against the most hallowed family in the Grudge biz—the Teasley’s.
Dennis and his “Full Coverage” shot out of the hole like a cannonball for the first race win against Crow Teasley on “Valhalla.” From there it was a race to get the bikes back around to run them again before the track went dark at midnight. But make it back they did, with Dennis sweating profusely from the hustle. It was all worth it, as he took the second one also.
“Really came to the race just to test it out and work on the tune-up, as the bike only had three passes in it prior,” said Dennis. “Once it ran a good number, I decided to let Brian find us a race. It’s always a little nerve racking when you see that you are racing anyone with the name Teasley on their leathers.
“First race was really close, actually. Had to ask Crow who won. When they wanted to rerun, I was pretty surprised since it was so late at night.
“The second race I knew he was going to try to put a light on me hard, but luckily he redlit and on that pass I made my fastest pass ever on any bike.
“It was a ton of fun and I’m sure Crow already has plans for his revenge! Was a great night of racing and the staff at Norwalk prepped the entire track for us at the end of the night. Overall great experience and a great payday.”
There were lots of great grudge races and bikes, including Jeremy Teasley stinging the nighttime air on “Bad Draw.” NHDRO’s Brian Welch picked up a win on “Big Greasy”
Shutdown Area
Friday’s Gamblers’ Race was won by Austin Poole with Rob Neizmik the final round runner-up.
Saturday’s Gamblers’ Race was won by Jeremy Himes over final round runner-up Tony “Toni! Toné!” Roberson.
Richard Gadson got some testing in on his James Johnson-owned, “Stop Soldier Suicide,” Monster 4 valve, George Babor motor, Suzuki Pro Stock Motorcycle.
The event was visited by the international meeting of the Gunfighters Motorcycle Club. Comprised entirely of law enforcement officers, members from all over the world were represented at the event and four of them took to the track on the bikes they rode in on.
Ashley Shellhaas beat Keith Joyce in Saturday’s scooter race, and Les Stimac’s HighRisk Motorsports along with Eric “Vansboy” Yost picked up the tab for every child on the property to get some of Norwalk’s famous pound of ice cream.
Brian and Niki Welch love taking their NHDRO family out for the most fun to be had at the best tracks in the Midwest. “Thanks to everyone for a great season,” said the Welch’s.
NHDRO thanks M2.Shocks , Kevin Dennis Insurance , MPS Racing , Liguori Drag Racing , Schnitz Racing , Voodoo Custom Motorcycle Components , Vanson Leathers , MTC Engineering , Advanced Sleeve , Rock Auto, High Risk Motorsports , Page Racing and APE .
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Get to the racing events in style with 5-Ball Racing Jak Shirts, Vests, Hal Robinson print tee-shirts and Bedrolls. Designed by lifelong bikers for bikers, you won’t find these unique gear anywhere else. Click to Visit 5-Ball Racing Shop.
Little Red Chopper : Part 2
By Wayfarer |
All the Players Step Forward
By Kent Weeks and Tom Young with photos by RFR and Sil
EDITOR’S NOTE: This gets more bizarre by the week, or year, maybe decade. We published Part 1 not long ago, but perhaps this is part 1. Although, if you read the first episode, you will encounter the long back story behind a brother, a veteran who had a chopper dream through many stages and years. Then there’s the story behind the builders, models and photographers involved in this process. It’s all good, fun, and Chopper Nirvana. Enjoy.
–Bandit
Click here to read this delightful Photo Feature on Custom Build Chopper
Are you curious to know more about this bike and the successful builders involved?
Well here is a start….
You gotta see the first story for some of the details Tom mentioned in this story….
Click Here for the Part 1
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Want to see lot more on custom building your own Choppers and Bobbers ? Check out the BIKE FEATURES Page only on Bikernet.com
https://www.bikernet.com/pages/bike_features.aspx
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The Little Red Chopper, Part 2
By Bandit |
EDITOR’S NOTE: This gets more bizarre by the week, or year, maybe decade. We published Part 1 not long ago, but perhaps this is part 1. Although, if you read the first episode, you will encounter the long back story behind a brother, a veteran who had a chopper dream through many stages and years. Then there’s the story behind the builders, models and photographers involved in this process. It’s all good, fun, sexy and Chopper Nirvana. Enjoy.
–Bandit
Harvey came to me by way of John Peek, who runs Full Throttle motorcycle shop in Houston, (one of the most successful, top-gas bike racers in Texas). Harvey recently moved back to this area and didn’t have anyone to help with the custom metal work he wanted to have done. John knew I was a certified Heli-Arc welder doing steering-neck and rake-and-trail modifications on choppers and had designed a custom steering neck which had internal steering stops. Harvey had several ideas for the bike he wanted built for himself: It was going to be a chopper, which was a vision from his early days. . . an iconic, California custom, rigid-frame Harley-Davidson chopper!
When Kent Weeks and I met Harvey he brought us a pair of fatbob gas tanks, a funky old hex oil tank and some other parts that didn’t seem to go together, including a rear fender which in no way resembled the style I had envisioned for the rest of the bike.
To get the look I wanted in the rear fender of Harvey’s little red chopper, we cut slices into the sides of a flat fender, re-radiused it to the tire and then welded the cuts in place. Next, Kent and I welded ¼ inch round bar-stock onto the outer edge to give it ‘the look,’ and used my usual bar-stock supports to hold the fender over the wheel.
Originally Kent and I mounted the twin tanks, installed flush mount gas caps and set them up with coil pockets. The pockets allowed us to hide the coils from sight. The coils would mount to the frame with cut outs in the gas tanks one on either side. A trick I had used and passed on to Kent and some of the other guys I’ve worked with over the years.
Harvey brought an engine, too, which we were forced to use for a short period of time. Unfortunately, it was an early version 100-inch RevTech Evo: not really what I’d pick for the heart of a classic American chopper! I told him “Harvey, it takes as much time and effort to hang an ugly part as it does a good-looking part, so why don’t you let me help you pick out the parts needed to make a chopper you’ll be really proud to own and ride.”
He said, “Well, I got these parts cheap, and I can’t sell them on the internet because nobody wants them. So, I thought I’d just use them for a funky chopper made from old, used parts.”
I told him, “That doesn’t sound like a good idea to me. If you’re going overseas to fight for our freedom, so we can keep on riding our bikes, drinking beer and shooting pool, I’ll build you a custom chopper you can be proud of . NO CHARGE!”
By the time that promise was made I was already getting away from bike building and focusing more on specialty welding in the oil-field industry. Harvey’s bike, however, was a great project very near-and-dear to my heart. It was a project that aroused a genuine passion in me, because it was being designed and built for a true and deserving friend!
I built several custom choppers in my day, including one for myself back in the mid-‘70s while living in Southern California. I developed an intense passion for bike building from being around jockey-shift, rigid-frame choppers. I was an accomplished TIG welder, and my experiences in California along with the first chopper I built for myself, strongly influenced the style I incorporated into Harvey’s bike, but I’ll tell you about MY bike another time.
For Harvey’s bike we found a’69 Pan/Shovel FLH running bike and sold everything but the motor and tranny (we later discovered the ’69 was built the same year Harvey graduated high school). We had the motor rebuilt by Hal Cort, who ran a mechanic shop, had a pro-fuel, nitro-burning drag bike and earned a #1 plate in AHDRA sanctioned races.
In order to give this bike the look of the original West Coast style choppers, with their engraved timing covers and rocker boxes, I enlisted the well-known talents of a pin-striper named John, aka ‘Lunch Box’, who was old school when it came to engraving and was the only one I knew of who did that type of work. On close inspection, you’ll notice that the raised effect of the floral design is actually achieved by removing the metal from around the design. This technique makes the design stand out and gives it a raised look. It is expensive and requires more work and planning than most people imagine, but it is so much more impressive and if you ask me, it is well worth the time, effort and expense it required!
Instead of having an inner primary, I fashioned a custom primary support out of a ¾-inch round bar-stock, the back side of which I shaved flat to go around the alternator side of the motor to the transmission. Man, that was a lot of work but worth the look!
For the front tire I wanted more of a narrow fender, so Kent and I found a bicycle fender that was the width needed to just cover the top of the front tire. We incorporated the usual bar-stock, fender supports to hold it in place.
It was time to fit the new gas tank to the frame of this bike. We cut new pockets in a Sporty tank and fitted the right side with a single coil and we used the left side for electronics. Rubber mounted on the bottom, we relocated the petcock, new flush mount gas cap and a little skirting on the sides trimmed with ¼ round stock to carry on the look.
(If you look closely, you can find Kent’s ‘devil tail’ worked into the metal above the motor mount when he went in to revise some things during the final build).
See the first story for some of the details Tom mentioned in this story: https://www.bikernet.com/pages/The_Little_Red_Story_Part_1.aspx
The gas tank was now in place, and my work on this chopper was nearing completion. All I had to do now was build a seat and design a custom tool box. I used an English wheel to get the shape I wanted out of a piece of aluminum with a ¼-inch piece of bar-stock welded around the edge to give it a nice rolled look. I had his seat pan chrome plated and then the edge finished with cross-stitched leather: it was real long on looks but short on comfort! (LOL) I had designed a custom toolbox that was hand-crafted out of 4-inch diameter aluminum tubing, cut in half. Both halves were hinged together, covered with leather inside-and-out, and mounted to the lower triple tree. It turned out great, and honestly looked more like a jewelry box than a tool box!
The original paint work was handled by an old friend Wayne and decorated with bare metal style flames and pin striping by another longtime friend of ours Joe Cartoolow.
The custom-made rotors on this bike were designed and built by James Hall of Deep Cut Rotors out of Colorado.
That’s my part of the story of this ‘Little Red Bike’ except for this final note: Some 15 years of my life, and lots of love, went into building this bike for Harvey, and developed into a true friendship with him and his wife, Maki, which has lasted 30 years!
–Tom Young
And now for the Girls and Kent Weeks’ Notions:
For me one of the best parts of this photo session was getting everyone together because I have known most of the people involved for several years. The First Time RFR and Sil got together for a photo shoot was shortly after I opened my own shop in the old location sometime in 2002 and involved the Black Beauty. Tom felt I was turning his fab shop into a bike shop, so I started Lucky Devil Metal Works down the street.
The mechanical restoration and first assembly for the shake down on black beauty was done by Jet at Full Throttle (one of my many mentors). I had done most of the metal work on this one while working with Tom at American Heli-arc. While she was out for paint, I moved so she ended up being the first final assembly in my new shop.
I made a point not to burn bridges, so every now and then I still keep up with Jet and Robert our former painter. We still collaborate on various projects.
With Little red I did not do all the metal work. Tom and the guys did a great job with the some, and it was nearly impossible to see where I stopped and they picked it up. I’ll let Tom fill ya in on some of the original build, I wasn’t involved with that part of the project. I did watch it come together and become quite a show stopper during a chop off event down in Galveston Tx. I ended up hosting the show and had to keep me and my clients from competing. Tom and the guys put together a trophy for me anyway–good times!
With this photo project we thought it would be fun to get RFR to take some photos of Sil operating the camera. She has a lot of talents and does everything from photo shop work to working on both sides of the camera so this was a great opportunity to show off some skills and work with RFR again.
https://www.facebook.com/SilKayPhotography
Finding models,
I still do a little metalwork for other shops every now and then and I recently worked with an old friend and Harley tech on a little odd ball Ironhead. Shane, the client in common happens to run a fright factory (purgatory scream park) so I reached out to see if he might know anyone who’d like to shoot with Sil.
Fortunately, he was able to help out with that, one of his fright guys Craven Sic (Fx artist, body painter, horror model and actor extraordinaire)
Well, he just so happened to be engaged to the wonderful “Leslie Van Lovelace” who just happened to be a well-seasoned accomplished model.
Leslie introduced us to her fantastic friend “Adea Love” who is also a talented model and fun to work with ( Instagram@adea.love )
They are both members of the Houston Luscious Ladies, a philanthropy Pin up group where with their other members share the love of pinup, cool stuff, custom cars, motorcycles and helping others (I’m not sure it gets any better than that).
http://www.thelusciousladies.com/houston
The shoot went down fine, aside from the fact that true-to-form I was late hahaha. I was doing some break-in service and a couple adjustments on Little Red before the shoot and decided to just ride her down to Tom’s shop, a good ride both ways! Though, as with any full build or custom restoration, there are still some minor adjustments to be made and a bit more break-in to do, but she sure is doing well and with the 6-n-4 and the modern starting/charging systems there are no worries about getting where you want to go and getting back!
Tom knows quite a few people who are into custom bikes and classic cars from working metal and welding for a few decades (and having a true hot rod heart), so he also called up some friends to bring a few cars by for the models to climb on and we got some good shots of Tom’s ‘58 Chevy, while we were at it (and it helped keep everyone busy until I got there haha!)
Ty Thomas (a local car builder, grey car 333 ) and Tom Massimin owns the GTO and the ’32 ford ( Tom Young and the guys @ American Heli Arc did some work on the ’32 )
Tom’s oldest Son Alex has become quite a talented guitar player and was lucky enough to find a good group to work with “Zellous hearts.” They practice in the shop a bit, so he and his band mate Cheyenne stopped by to see how things were going so we got her to show off some of her fire breathing skills.
I rarely get out of the shop, almost all projects get bigger in some way and often times, I give away my free time to try and help someone or to keep things moving with short and long term projects. Needless to say, once again I was overdue for a field trip, and it was good to see everyone in one place. I had a great ride back up to magnolia and even a better time hangin’ out with Good Golly Mrs. Holly when I got home!!
Good golly, Mrs.Holly…
Sources:
Lucky Devil Custom Motorcycles
Lucious Ladies
Full Throttle Custom Motorcycles
Scream Park