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Updating the Bikernet Experience

Hey, Here’s the deal. We’ve worked and spent an entire year to move all Bikernet Free Content (16,000 articles) onto a fast-acting, mobile-friendly, google accessible, WordPress Platform. ...
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Chopper Charlie : understanding chopper culture

Why would Anyone Chop or Bob a perfectly good Stock Bike? by Bandit Hey, Johnny White and I have been discussing the significance of choppers, not just for the motorcycle industry but for men and women. What’s it means to build a chopper? What’s the cultural significance? Well, f#@$ it. We’re going to endeavor to tell you in stories about riders, through non-fiction, fiction or thought. In this case we are trying with a fiction story. — Bandit

CLICK Here to Read this unique chopper legacy only on Bikernet.com

Riding Free for 25 years

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The famous Bandit’s Bedroll ready for the road. Click for more info.
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Puppy’s Off the Leash Tour 2022

Berry and Molly sharing thoughts

Part 1 of a Trampster Run to CA

by Rogue and Friends

I received a text message from brother Berry Wardlaw at Accurate Engineering. “Do you want to go on a Trampster Run?”
I replied “Yes” which got me another text.
“Don’t you want to know where?”
I replied, “NO, just want to know when we are leaving and are expecting to get back.”
Next message “I will let you know in a couple of days.”

A Trampster Ride will have a starting date and a tentative return date. It will also have a destination, but not the shortest route to it.

CLICK Here to read this Photo Feature Article on Bikernet.com


Riding Free for 25 years. Join the Cantina, get free swag and support the Bikernet motorcycling legacy online since 1996…. Click Here to view Details about Cantina Membership.

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Motorcycle Mondays Presents “Sturgis part II”

Open Road Radio: America’s Standard in Motorcycle Talk RADIO Show

Join our host Gina Woods & Scrapper Dan!
Penny FXR & be-Dazzlin in the house @ Full Throttle Law studios from Viva Las Vegas!

LIVE Mon Nite 9:00 pm-10:00 pm est: Coast to coast & worldwide!
1400 AM 107.1 FM KSHP- Las Vegas

  • New segment with Dave Ratner in “Meet on the Street” Dave has an exclusive interview with MICHAEL PEDERSEN of Andrews Products celebrating 50 YEARS in the Industry!!

Tonight we discuss Sturgis 2022! Listen in to hear what badd-assery is going down in the Black Hills this year!
Featuring….

  • Leah Whaley – New Executive Director @ Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame…Le brings YEARS of experience to the table …
  • Toni Woodruff is in the house to talk about the 16th year running of the Biker Bells Women’s Day @ the Buffalo Chip – where yours truly will be helping to emcee as well as an extravagant list of ladies representing the motorcycle community …just whos on this list?
  • Marilyn Stemp chimes in for the famed Flying Piston Breakfast featuring all the tiny Strider Bike Builders and many famous motorcycle builders who attend this Rally event 2x a year- check out this year’s creations!!
  • We’ll put a wrap on it by discussing motorcycle events coming up locally & nationally!

Our show is fueled by Andrews Products, Sea Foam Products, Kirsh Helmets, J&P Cycles, Biker Belle’s Women’s Day @ Buffalo Chip, Kass & Moses, Harley-Davidson, Full Throttle Law, Bike Show Mafia, Motorcycle Safety Foundation, Chixs On 66, MegWear,

Hold on tight it’s going to be a thrilling ride!

https://facebook.com/Roadhost
https://facebook.com/gina.woods.961

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NHDRO Motorcycle Action Coming Back to Edgewater

NHDRO motorcycle drag racing series race coverage report

event: NHDRO’s Summer Nationals presented by Page Racing
when: August 5-7, 2022
where: Edgewater Sports Park, Cleves, Ohio, USA

Racing so nice they’re doing it twice. The Midwest’s largest motorcycle drag racing series—NHDRO—is coming right down the return road to the head of Edgewater Sports Park’s staging lanes for the Summer Nationals presented by Page Racing on August 5-7.

NHDRO’s three races in one weekend format paid off well when the recent July Nationals presented by APE Raceparts faced a Sunday rainout. Making racing economical by giving competitors three days of racing at every event meant that two days of NHDRO Big Checks had already been distributed. And what with racing right here centrally in Ohio, NHDRO is delivering more smiles per mile of travel to motorcycle drag racers.

Friday night is Shootout time, with NHDRO Delay Box, No-Box, Road Course, Schnitz Racing Top Gas, No-Time/Grudge, and 55-and-older Shootouts.

A whole new program of NHDRO points racing starts with MPS Pro ET and Kevin Dennis Insurance Street ET timed runs at 9:00 am on Saturday—and repeats on Sunday for two complete days of class racing following Friday’s full slate of Shootouts—three full days of competition for the cost of one drive.

Schnitz Racing Top Gas, Advanced Sleeve Dirty 30, MTC Super Comp, M2.Shocks 8.70 Quick Street, Pro Ultra 4.60, Pro Street, MPS Pro ET and Kevin Dennis Insurance Street ET will all see two Big Checks apiece handed out this weekend, along with a second Road Course Shootout on Saturday. VooDoo Grudge will entertain on until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights as well

Winners and runner-ups from last time at Edgewater are a virtual “who’s who” of Midwestern and National motorcycle drag racing superstars: Ohio’s multi-time champ Jeremy Teasley, Edgewater regular Jeremy England, Defiance’s gizmo wizard Greg Mallett, Quick Street season champion Marty White, Iowa wheelie bar legends Tom and Joe Klemme, Cleveland no-bar hitman Kevin Adams, Jeremy Hines Jr., Donnie Emerson, Rylan Rowe, Jim “Just a Swangin’” Swanger, B.J. Evans, Roger Wilhelm, Dave Beshara, Tom Guzan, Jaden Hall, Big Joe Holt, Chad Fleener, Bill Deshong, Justin Hodge, Brandon Holland and more will all aim for similar or better results this time down the Edgewater 1320.

Weekend wristband is $45, Saturday after 5:00pm is $25. Arriving on a motorcycle after 5:00pm on Saturday? Pay only $10 per person.

If you arrive on Friday, you must purchase a weekend band. If you leave before 11:00pm Friday, you will be refunded $20 and you band cut off.

If you arrive on Saturday before 5:00pm, you must purchase a weekend band. If you leave before 11:00pm Saturday, you will be refunded $20 and band cut off.

Niki and Brian Welch can’t wait to see the NHDRO family back at shady, park-like Edgewater just outside of Cincinnati on August 5-7. Bring your bike and show us what you got!

NHDRO thanks M2.Shocks , Kevin Dennis Insurance , MPS Racing , Liguori Drag Racing , Schnitz Racing , Voodoo Custom Motorcycle Components , Vanson Leathers , BB Racing , MTC Engineering , Advanced Sleeve , Rock Auto, High Risk Motorsports , Page Racing and APE.

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Ride to your favorite Summer Motorcycling Events in comfort. Have a look at out ballistic nylon vest.
Click Here to view the all-new 5-Ball Racing Shop

Riding Free for 25 years

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Rolling with the All American, Most Innovative Half Shell

The KIRSH CHM-1 Lid by Prince Najar

Donny Devito, President and Chief Operating Officer of KIRSH Helmets, is the go-to guy for introducing the latest technology in helmets – the KIRSH’S CHM-1 Helmet Technology.

I met up with Donny at the 2022 Flying Piston Benefit during Daytona Bikeweek and discussed his latest product offering, the CHM-1, which features fluid displacement technology.

What is this Fluid Technology?
KIRSH’s innovative liner features fluid, not Styrofoam. Because of its fluid, it performs better at both low and high-energy impacts, from any direction at any one point in time.

KIRSH says that the silicone and fluid construct mimic the body’s natural protective functions. The brain sits in fluid in the skull. And now with this technology, the skull sits in the fluid within the helmet.

This allows for less mass, reducing impact torque, and a fluid buffer that more effectively protects the skull and brain… meaning that it has better brain protection. And the malleability of the liner ensures that it conforms uniquely to each user’s head, ensuring better protection and a custom fit, which means much greater comfort.

How does the CHM-1 Feel on a Ride?
I sent a text to Bill Brissette about his real-world road test with KIRSH. We set a time to confab about his test. Bill is a hardcore long-distance rider that within 4 months put 10,000 miles on a new bike wearing the CHM-1 helmet. Previous bikes clocked 112,000 miles in six years and 158,000 miles in nine years.

Bill Brissette on the gas with KIRSH
He said that in high wind conditions, riding between 65 to 80mph, the helmet acts like a gyroscope. “My head’s never been so steady and stable,” explained Bissette. “It’s really bizarre. I don’t know how else to describe it.”
Bill also said that the gel shapes to the contours of your head and at the same time you can feel cooling because you feel the air circulating around your head.

And the fit? “They really fit snug nicely across the face so I don’t have any strap smacking me or moving around or making a whiny noise in the wind,” commented Bill.

6 Questions with Donnie Devito, President of KISH Helmets
Question: Why when everyone is sourcing products overseas is he building an American-made product.

Donnie Devito – We found out that v-twin riders really valued American-made products. And we know it is better for the United States.

Question: KIRSH Helmets employ veterans and Americans with disabilities. Why is that important?

Donnie Devito – Both veterans and Americans with disabilities show up. They work hard and care about the work they do. And they get excited about doing things to make a difference.

Question: Why do you think that you get so much loyalty from your product?

Donnie Devito – The proof is in the ride. Riders come back and say how stable that helmet is. They experience the freedom of riding without having to think about the helmet. You don’t have to think about buffeting and the discomfort that comes from that or neck strain or head wobble. You can look around and actually enjoy your ride and focus more on the experience of riding.

Question: In Sturgis last year I saw a peculiar sight. At your booth, you were pulling helmets out of a refrigerator. Why?

Donnie Devito – It’s probably one of the best features. Riders can chill the liner for 10 minutes and get a couple of hours of a cool head.

Question: So what’s your most popular color of helmet?

Donnie Devito – Matte black or gloss black, no surprise there. Also very popular is our hydro-dipped patriotic helmet.

Question: Where can you get a helmet?

Donnie Devito – Check out the website at KIRSH Helmets. You can get it online from us or go to the dealer locator on the site. Also, check them out at the Indian Motorcycle Sturgis located at 2130 Main St, Sturgis, SD 57785.

Win a Signed Billy Lane Sons of Speed KIRSH CHM-1 Helmet

Experience the technology for yourself. A custom builder signed KIRSH helmet from the Flying Piston Benefit that features Billy Lane’s Son of Speed racing. It’s up for auction at the 2022 Sturgis edition of the Flying Piston Benefit. Check out the online Flying Piston Benefit silent auction – https://qtego.net/qlink/flyingpiston

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Support Riding Free, Support Bikernet.com by becoming a Subscribing Member of Bandit’s Cantina…..

Why? Because more than 90 percent of Features, Custom Builds, Road-Tests, Aftermarket Product Reviews, Photos, Tech, Regulation Updates, Fun and more are all completely Free for anyone with internet access !!!

So Click Here to See Details of What You Get to Support and Free Swag when you Join the Cantina.

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In Search of the Sturgis Sticky Bun

BUN PATROL by Prince Najar

Fuel for this summer ?

This is the 8th year of the Flying Piston’s Builders Breakfast hosted by the Buffalo Chip and presented by Russ Brown. As co-producer this is also the 8th time I’ve been voted down on serving waffles. I ask you, who doesn’t love waffles in the morning?

So I’m working on a replacement to the breakfast treat. What we came up with is homemade gooey cinnamon buns.

The Answer to this Search is Closer than you Think.

Click Here to Read this Article on Bikernet.com

Well, no Secret Recipe is revealed here, but checkout where they pinpointed for the perfect taste.

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Bikernet.com offered one of these in the 2020 Flying Piston event, handmade by Bandit

Catch us at Sturgis and especially at the Flying Piston’s Builders Breakfast

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Sturgis Buffalo Chip: Free Installation & Show Discounts

Stop By And See How WindVest Can Improve YOUR Ride!!

  • Street Glide 8″ Light Smoke
  • 10″ Gun Smoke
  • 16″ Gun Smoke Black Hardware

WindVest Motorcycle Products
16840 Joleen Way, Ste B2
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
408-762-7180 local
sales@windvest.com
www.windvest.com

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STAY UPDATED With All Motorcycling Events, News, Updates, Products, Reviews and More.
Grab the FREE Bikernet Blog Weekly Newsletter. CLICK HERE.

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High Pressure Bikernet Weekly News for July 28, 2022

All the Motorcycle News that matters

Hey,
It seems like the pressure is on. The rally is just around the corner and the projects and commitments are piling up and then there is Bonneville. I’m on it even today.

See the new model & the women’s T-shirt on her from Frank’s Five Ball Racing Platform.

Bikernet.com’ 5-Balll Racing is headed back to the Salt, 2022. You can be a sponsor, even if you can’t make it. (check out past Salt record essential “How To Build A Salt Flats Motorcycle” book by Keith Ball, click here). I just received a proof of our Bonneville shirts.

Bikernet.com Billboards are up in the Badlands.

Ride fast and free, forever!
–Bandit

CLICK Here to Read the Weekly News only on Bikernet.com

Bikernet.com, Riding Free for 25 Years

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.

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HIGH PRESSURE BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS for July 28, 2022

Hey,

It seems like the pressure is on. The rally is just around the corner and the projects and commitments are piling up and then there is Bonneville. I’m on it even today.

I try to commit Thursdays to just the News, but then other shit slips into the fray. Today, I will try to handle some bureaucratic requirements for the FIM European Bonneville sanctioning body.

Finally, Fuel Cleveland is happening this weekend, which according to Cabana Dan, one of our Bonneville Team members, is a little over 18 hours, about 1250 miles. He’s been an invited builder four years running and he’s headed out. That’s close to the run from LA to Sturgis, about 1500 miles. Maybe that’s why fuel Cleveland is such a success. We wish them the best this weekend.

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.

NEWS FROM THE MASTER OF LIGHT— Greetings from the Air Show here in Oshkosh, Wisconsin! If you are in the area, please stop by and see us in Hangar B.

We are pleased to announce the release of David’s second Sturgis commemorative for 2022.

And, as a reminder, with a minimum purchase of $900 through August 14th, you can own a David Uhl original oil painting!

Around this time last year, we introduced a special contest and had so much fun with it, we decided to do it again this year!

Starting today, with a minimum purchase of $900 through August 14th, you will be entered into a drawing for an original David Uhl oil painting!

The winner will be responsible for shipping. We will film the drawing shortly after the end of the Sturgis Rally on August 14th.

David’s new piece, titled “Full Throttle” is his first 1960s piece. His work has lived mainly in the earlier decades, but his friend Dennis Goodson built this ’68 Shovelhead which lent itself to David jumping ahead into the ’60s.

As David stated, “Have you ever seen when the light does this to the fields? In the middle of a storm, a swath of light hits the fields. It’s ultra-dramatic and in a way so beautiful. This piece is deeply symbolic. We have all been weathering some tough storms. This is about leaving them in the rear-view mirror whilst arriving again in the majestic Black Hills.”

“Full Throttle”
David Uhl
2022 Sturgis Commemorative

–Greg Rhodes
International Sales Director
David Uhl Fine Art
Uhl Studios
303-913-4840

AT LAST THE STURGIS HALL OF FAME 2022 Inductees—
 
Bill Davidson

William J. “Bill” Davidson is the son of Willie G. and Nancy Davidson. He serves as the vice president of the Harley-Davidson Museum, which houses one of the largest corporate archival collections of unrestored Harley-Davidson motorcycles and artifacts in the world. His role as ambassador for the brand gives him the chance to travel the world as well, meeting and greeting people from all walks of life from all points on the map.

Bob Kay
Bob Kay and his wife Deborah partnered with a friend and opened Motorcycle Madness in 1974. He later went to work at Honda of Boston. In 1979, with the help of Ralph Cerundola, he started Recreational Dimensions, a parts distributorship.

After graduating from Dean College with high honors, he went to work and later, with Deborah, bought into Nempco. He also met Dave Perewitz, who suggested he organize a bike show benefiting children’s charities in Laconia and later Sturgis.

In 1992, his partners retired and Nempco was sold to Tucker Rocky, to become Bikers Choice. He managed the integration and became VP at Tucker and GM of Bikers Choice. He went on to found Biker Pros to help American custom builders, initially supplying parts and eventually focusing on custom bike shows helping builders get better exposure and sponsorships.

Carlo & Emma Lujan
Carlo and Emma Lujan of Auburn, California, grew up dreaming of the life they ultimately created. In 1982, Carlo and Emma opened their first motorcycle shop and it was called Carlo’s Custom Motorcycle Parts. In 1988, Carlo was National #1 Pro Dragster for the Drag Bike series. In 1989, Carlo and Emma became C&E Auburn Harley-Davidson. It took up much of their time and racing got put on the back burner. However, they did race in Sturgis in 1990 for the 50th Anniversary and won 1st place. They closed their old dealership in 2008 but reopened an independent shop. In 2014, they added Polaris and Indian and they became C&E Auburn Indian and V-Twin.

Karen Davidson
Karen Davidson has a lifetime of living the Harley-Davidson experience. Davidson, the great-granddaughter of the company’s co-founder, William A. Davidson, and daughter of Willie G and Nancy Davidson began riding at the age of nine.

As director in Harley-Davidson’s Marketing Dept., she maintains Harley-Davidson’s distinctive reputation and legacy as she works on new initiatives for the company. Upholding her belief that authentic H-D design and innovation must be original, she acknowledges her father, Willie G Davidson as her greatest inspiration for pushing newness and originality in design.

Robin Bradley
Robin Bradley started AMD Magazine (initially as European Dealer News) in September 1993; International Dealer News followed in 1997, and the collaboration with Custom Chrome resulted in the first AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building in 2004, at Morgan Hill, California. The event moved to Las Vegas (Big Twin West, 2005) and then to he moved it to Sturgis, at the ‘Thunderdome’ in 2006; then to Lynn’s Dakota Mart lot from 2007 to 2012, before moving the show to Europe.

He gravitated to the dealer and industry journal publishing market. He learned that a publication positioning itself well as a ‘trade enabler’ can establish itself as the oil in the engine that drives a market’s business cycle. He brought consumer magazine personality and production values to a ‘trade publication,’ and set a new template for how industry magazines could operate in a consumer market.

Tom Seymour
Tom Seymour studied science and received a full scholarship to Cooper Union. He earned his BSME in Engineering in 1969 and his MBA in 1973. He worked for several large corporations as an Engineer, Test Engineer, and Engineering Manager.

Later, Tom launched Saddlemen seats. With Saddlemen, Tom used his engineering skills and experience of thousands of hours to develop some of the best motorcycle seats on the market. He was personally granted several patents on innovative seat technologies including gel technology.

Tom has supported industry innovation, all levels of racing efforts including his own, a tireless advocate for the entire motorcycle industry, his longtime employees and continues to riding cross-country on a regular basis.

Kickstands Down
Ben Hardy

Benjamin “Benny” Hardy was a prominent Harley-Davidson motorcycle mechanic and custom builder. His business “Hardy’s Motorcycle Service” was in Los Angeles CA.

He was well-known in the Black motorcycling community and was a mentor for motorcyclists in the area. Hardy built both iconic motorcycles used in the movie “Easy Rider.” The “Billy Bike” encapsulated Benny’s idea for a cut down or “chopped” Harley and set the style copied by Black builders of that era.
 
 

Freedom Fighter
Motorcycle Riders Foundation

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is a national organization dedicated to lobbying for those who ride, to protecting and defending their rights as motorcyclists, and to addressing the concerns of street riders and the motorcycle industry they support.

In 1985 the MRF held its first annual Meeting of the Minds conference. For many activists from around the country this marked the first time they’d met to discuss how to best preserve and protect motorcycling. The main issues of the day, mandatory helmet laws, unfair insurance laws, and the right to modify motorcycles, are still faced today, along with many others.

In 2022, the MRF will hold its 38th Annual Meeting of the Minds, representing an unbroken chain of unparalleled training and networking opportunities that has molded the American biker’s rights movement into the highly effective force it is today.

MRF also holds its annual ‘Bikers Inside the Beltway’ grassroots lobbying event where riders from all over the country go to Washington, D.C. to help fight for their rights.

Arlen Ness Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
Don Emde

Don Emde’s list of accomplishments is extensive. He began AMA professional racing in 1969 and won AFM racing association’s overall national championship. His racing successes continued, and he moved to Expert level in 1971, riding with the BSA factory team and ranked 11th in US. In 1972, he switched to Yamaha.

When he won the Daytona 200, he set many milestones, including the first Daytona 200 victory for a Yamaha motorcycle, first two-stroke and smallest engine size to ever win that challenging race. After racing for a few more years, he transitioned into other roles and went to work for Bell Helmets and was promoted to its VP of Sales & Marketing.

In 1986, he became the publisher for “Motorcycle Dealernews.” Some of his notable changes were to shorten the magazine’s name to “Dealernews” and add the tagline “Voice of the Powersports Industry” to reach a larger audience.

Emde was instrumental launching the PR campaign in the ‘90s “Discover Today’s Motorcycling” (now motorcycles.org). He started his own newsletter, self-published many books, and produced a dealer publication for Parts Unlimited.

Emde served on the AMA Board of Directors, helped to create the bylaws and election processes for the AMA Hall of Fame, and has been involved with Trailblazers for over 25 years and served as its president for the past 10.

 

BRAND New Bikernet Reader Comment!–Salt Torpedo Chapter 25

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/Salt_Torpedo_Chapter_25_.aspx

Wow…looks amazing. We all need to be there!

— Gary
Garyjmraz@gmail.com
Sedona , AZ

 

 
 
LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK– Stiletto red Harley-Davidson FATBOY FLFBS
FOR $19,995.00
 
Stock # 13470 is a 2020 Stiletto red Harley-Davidson FATBOY FLFBS with only 4726.00 miles!
 

 
This bike is a LOW MILEAGE Fatboy with a 114 c.i.motor
 
 
 
Some of the features/Add-ons on this bike are
* 114c.i.Motor with a 6-Speed trans
* Rinehart exhaust
* Daymaker headlight
* Ape hangers
* Solid machined cast aluminum wheels
* Removeable passenger seat
* Satin chrome front end
* 240rear tire
 

 
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.
NOT LOCAL? WE HAVE SHIPPING AVAILABLE!
 
Call today (714) 490-0155. Open 7 days a week.
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/
 

 
 

 

NEWS FROM DAKOTA V-TWIN NEAR STURGIS–
STURGIS RALLY DYNOTUNING
 
Dakota V-Twin is now offering appointments for Dynotuning during the 75th Sturgis Rally. Act fast as spots are booking up quick. Get your fuel injected or carbureted motorcycle running at optimum performance and fuel mileage at all elevations with our state of the art Dyno facility utilizing the latest model Dynojet 250i.

We have the area’s best professionally trained Dyno tuner and are setup directly with Dynojet via Tuning link. We are a full-service year-round shop located just a few miles from downtown Sturgis.

Don’t be fooled by the fly by night dyno guys. Trust the professionals at Dakota V-Twin for all of your motorcycle needs during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT
605-717-0009
3123 East Fairgrounds Loop
Spearfish, SD 57783

(605) 717-0009
contact@dakotav-twin.com

THE CLIMATE DEBATE IS OPEN
Why climate change is good for the world.
 

Don’t panic! The scientific consensus is that warmer temperatures do more good than harm

Climate change has done more good than harm so far and is likely to continue doing so for most of this century. This is not some barmy, right-wing fantasy; it is the consensus of expert opinion. Yet almost nobody seems to know this. Whenever I make the point in public, I am told by those who are paid to insult anybody who departs from climate alarm that I have got it embarrassingly wrong, don’t know what I am talking about, must be referring to Britain only, rather than the world as a whole, and so forth.

At first, I thought this was just their usual bluster. But then I realized that they are genuinely unaware. Good news is no news, which is why the mainstream media largely ignores all studies showing net benefits of climate change. And academics have not exactly been keen to push such analysis forward. So here follows, for possibly the first time in history, an entire article in the national press on the net benefits of climate change.

There are many likely effects of climate change: positive and negative, economic and ecological, humanitarian and financial. And if you aggregate them all, the overall effect is positive today — and likely to stay positive until around 2080. That was the conclusion of Professor Richard Tol of Sussex University after he reviewed 14 different studies of the effects of future climate trends.

To be precise, Prof Tol calculated that climate change would be beneficial up to 2.2°C of warming from 2009 (when he wrote his paper). This means approximately 3°C from pre-industrial levels, since about 0.8°C of warming has happened in the last 150 years. The latest estimates of climate sensitivity suggest that such temperatures may not be reached till the end of the century — if at all. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, whose reports define the consensus, is sticking to older assumptions, however, which would mean net benefits till about 2080. Either way, it’s a long way off.

Now Prof Tol has a new paper, published as a chapter in a new book, called How Much have Global Problems Cost the World? It is edited by Bjorn Lomborg, director of the Copenhagen Consensus Centre, and was reviewed by a group of leading economists. In this paper he casts his gaze backwards to the last century. He concludes that climate change did indeed raise human and planetary welfare during the 20th century.

Overall, Prof Tol finds that climate change in the past century improved human welfare. By how much? He calculates by 1.4 per cent of global economic output, rising to 1.5 per cent by 2025. For some people, this means the difference between survival and starvation.

–Matt Ridley
The Spectator

QUICK, OPEN THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY
 
Common Sense Comes with Age
 

Common sense is like deodorant. The people who need it the most never use it.

My tolerance for idiots is extremely low these days. I used to have some immunity built up, but obviously there’s a new strain out there.

It’s not my age that bothers me; it’s the side effects.

I’m not saying I’m old and worn out, but I make sure I’m nowhere near the curb on trash day.

As I watch this generation try and rewrite our history, I’m sure of one thing: It will be misspelled and have no punctuation.

As I’ve gotten older, people think I’ve become lazy. The truth is I’m just being more energy-efficient.
 

I haven’t gotten anything done today. I’ve been in the Produce Department trying to open this stupid plastic bag.

If you find yourself feeling useless, remember it took 20 years, trillions of dollars, and four presidents to replace the Taliban with the Taliban.

Turns out that being a “senior” is mostly just googling how to do stuff.

I want to be 18 again and ruin my life differently. I have new ideas.

God promised men that good and obedient wives would be found in all corners of the world. Then he made the earth round. . . and laughed and laughed and laughed.

I’m on two diets. I wasn’t getting enough food on one.
 

I put my scale in the bathroom corner and that’s where the little liar will stay until it apologizes.

My mind is like an internet browser. At least 19 open tabs, 3 of them are frozen, and I have no clue where the music is coming from.

Hard to believe I once had a phone attached to a wall, and when it rang, I picked it up without knowing who was calling.

 

Apparently RSVPing to a wedding invitation “Maybe next time” isn’t the correct response.

She says I keep pushing her buttons. If that were true, I would have found mute by now.

Sometimes the Universe puts you in the same situation again to see if you’re still as stupid as the first time.

There is no such thing as a grouchy old person. The truth is that once you get old, you stop being polite and start being honest.

And there you have it!

–Sam Burns

 

ADD THIS TO THE 5-BALL RACING CHECK LIST
Working with JIMS Machine for the answer:

Maybe you guys can help me with our Salt Torpedo. We are only running a tack and need to know when we hit 100 mph. We are running your 135-inch Twin Cam, a standard BDL belt drive, your Fat5 overdrive transmission and a 46-tooth rear sprocket.

–Bandit

Vance & Hines Expands VO2 Air Intake Lineup
with New Radiant, Stingray and Eliminator Models for Harley-Davidson Motorcycles

Vance & Hines’ VO2 Air Intake lineup is the company’s fastest growing product line, driven by the improved airflow and the dramatic styling upgrade the VO2 units provide to Harley-Davidson V-twins. The lineup of air intakes now includes new styles and finishes, including the addition of “skullcap” styles, which are the definition of minimalistic styling. All of these new additions to the VO2 lineup are priced under $300.

“We’ve seen tremendous demand for the improved performance and style offered by our VO2 Air intake products,” said Vance & Hines President and CEO Mike Kennedy. “It’s only natural that we offer more options for Harley riders looking for the finishing touch for their bike.”

Vance & Hines begins the expansion of their VO2 lineup with this month’s launch of the Radiant III and the Radiant V, which are three and five spoke styles allowing the customizer to match the air intake’s look with other components on the bike.

The sleek and minimalistic design delivers maximum air flow to a bike’s engine using a high-capacity air filter and the new patent pending Force™ Velocity Stack. The Radiant III and Radiant V deliver increased air flow and give a motorcycle a sleek custom look. Both models are available in Black, Brushed Stainless Steel or Chrome. Fitments are available for Harley-Davidson’s Milwaukee 8-powered motorcycles, Throttle By Wire Twin Cam, Sportsters and early Twin Cam models. Radiant III and Radiant V retail for $299 in black(red filter element), $259 in Brushed Stainless Steel(red filter element) and $279 in Chrome(black filter element).

Also new to the Vance & Hines portfolio of VO2 Air intakes are two “skullcap-style” intakes, the Stingray and the Eliminator. These units are the ultimate in minimalistic styling, allowing the washable filter element to remain in full view while the cover provides visual impact to the engine. Both offer improved airflow using the company’s Force Velocity Stack and add a touch of Vance & Hines style to a rider’s bike. Available in both Black and Chrome versions, the Stingray and Eliminator are available as a full air intake setup and also as a replacement cover for other Vance & Hines VO2 air intakes.

The VO2 Stingray Air Intake is inspired by the scoop hoods of classic high-performance hot rods. The Vance & Hines logo adds the finishing touch to the Stingray cover.

The look of the VO2 Eliminator Air Intake, inspired by the company’s racing heritage, emulates the CNC-machined pockets of the billet end caps used on Vance & Hines racing motorcycles from flat track to road racing.

Fitments are available for Harley-Davidson’s Milwaukee 8-powered motorcycles, Throttle By Wire Twin Cam, Sportsters and early Twin Cam models. VO2 Stingray Air Intake Kits and VO2 Eliminator Air Intake Kits retail for $249.99. Stingray and Eliminator skullcap covers, which can also be purchased separately to go on Screamin’ Eagle or other aftermarket round filters with a center bolt mount retail for $79.99.

Rain covers are available for all of the new VO2 Air Intakes.

MORE FUN STUFF FROM THE CHIP
 
These are the limited-edition Mint Speed Shop flannels made specifically for the Evo Entanglement show. The only way to get one is to register in advance or on site to enter the show. And show entry is Free!

Link: https://www.buffalochip.com/Evo-Bike-Show-Registration

It’s at the Chip Crossroads, free to attend. Weds August 10, Register by 1, awards at 4. Sponsored by S&S Cycle with co-op from Paughco and Baker Drivetrain. WIth Bill Dodge of Bling’s Cycles! I’ll attach the flyer too.
 
Best of show wins over $15K in prizes:
 A complete V-111 S&S engine, Paughco Frame and tank, Baker OD6 Transmission!

And, BTW, attached are two handmade Tank Trophies by Ron Harris of Chop Docs Choppers in S. Daytona.

–Marilyn Stemp
Editor:
•Iron Trader News
•Kiwi Indian E-News
•Sturgis Rider Daily

FROM THE BIKERNET INTERNATIONAL NEWS BUREAU
  1. Better use of automated vehicles
  2. Defies various claims from tech experts on how low-end manual Labor will permanently end
  3. My view is that even basic Farming Techniques should be essential teaching and saved for future generations.

Man Beats Robots at Mercedes’ most efficient factory

Mercedes Menz’s Factory 56 in Germany is probably one of the first ones to have reduced robots and replaced them with human and highly digitized shopping cart model to enhance efficiency.

This particular factory claims to be 25% more efficient than the company’s previous most productive factory. Surprisingly, this was achieved by removing over a dozen robots and enhancing digitization and syncing it with human resources.

The new in-house-developed digitalization setup is called MO (Mercedes Operations) 360 degree which can digitalize every production process, the company said.

The factory has moved ahead of the conveyor belt and adopted the most flexible shopping cart model where thousands of AGVs (automated guided vehicles) of different sizes keep ferrying parts all around the assembly and manufacturing lines. The carmaker calls the transition from lean manufacturing to digital production.

AGVs move on unending serpentine magnetic strip crisscrossing Factory 56 which is almost equal to the size of 30 soccer grounds.

SOURCE: https://auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/passenger-vehicle/cars/man-beats-robots-at-mercedes-most-efficient-factory/93168060

IMAGE: image only typical representation – Not the Mercedez Factory 56, Germany.

–Wayfarer
Chief Investigator
Bikernet.com™

WISDOM QUOTES : by Dale Carnegie
from his second best-selling book – still topping Top 10 Lists: “How To Stop Worrying and Start Living”

“Nothing can bring you peace but yourself”
– Dale Carnegie quoting Emerson in his Essay on ‘Self-reliance’

“I have never known six happy days in my life.”
– Napoleon at St.Helena

“I have found life so beautiful”
– Hellen Keller (blind, deaf & dumb)

“A man is not hurt so much by what happens, as by his opinions of what happens”
– Montaigne (French philosopher)
Dale Carnegie comments : ‘And our opinion of what happens is entirely up to us’

“Sit up cheerfully and you will be on the path to cheerfulness”
– William James (practical psychology)

“To be wronged or robbed is nothing unless you continue to remember it”
– Confucius

“The best doctors in the world are Doctor Diet, Doctor Quiet and Doctor Merrymen”
– Jonathan Swift (author of Gulliver’s Travels)
Dale Carnegie comments: ‘most devastating pessimist in English literature. Quote about great health-giving powers of cheerfulness and happiness’

CAVE SPRING MOTORYCLE AND MUSIC FEST

Located on the Trail of Tears in Georgia, Cave Spring is holding its 9th Annual Motorcycle Rally and Music Fest. New this year – Ice Cold Beer, Born To Ride Choppertown Live, Ride in Bike Show, Bike Games hosted by Georgia Riders!

Extra cool mountain riding weather has been ordered just for you!

LATEST FROM CHOPPERS MAG
 
Twin Rivers Chopper Campout is an event so magical, even the dirt has a sparkle.

Tucked away just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in a small North Carolina town called Crumpler, a gaggle of folks get together to throw down in the woods for a weekend. Hosted for its third successful run by Zak Gibbons, a couple of hundred curious individuals from near and far flooded the primitive campsite with choppers, vans, and good times.

Luckily a buzz had hit the town alerting the only close gas station to be fully stocked with extra brews, as people began filing in on Thursday ready to hang out riverside and breathe in that sweet mountain breeze.

[page break]

THE HUMBLE REPORT–
 
Here’s a few pics from the new project. Son in Law started with a 2002 Sporty years ago and recently wanted to offload the bike… I had to grab it up and keep it in the family.

Small changes to Lil Ruby…added a different air filter assembly, grips, and a gas cap. Contemplating springing’ goofy pun intended, for a springer front end. More changes on the way…

–Johnny White

WINK ELLER SELLING PRIZED ROADSTER–
 
Taking offers on my Roadster it’s not going to be easy seeing it go, health issues and I want to get out of California. Keep all smart A$$ remarks to yourself.

–Wink

BIKERNET TRIKE OF THE WEEK—
 
The National Motorcycle Museum does it again. 1912 Wells Fargo Delivery Three-Wheeler

Almost from the beginning of motorcycle development and manufacturing, makers sought to expand the usefulness of their machines. Besides the civilian population seeking transportation to work or riding for pleasure, they hoped for businesses to use their machines for delivery, police and fire service and hoped the military would adopt motorcycles for a range of specialized duties.

Foremost among package delivery three-wheelers might be the Indian Traffic Car which is almost a panel truck in design. This super rare Indian was on display some years back in the Motorcycles at Work exhibition and was originally used by Norman Bent’s Cycle Shop.

Much like trucks and some automobiles of the era, the Traffic Car’s coachwork construction was contracted to a specialist company. Indian did not make the body. Indian also made the smaller Dispatch Tow, currently on display, and Harley-Davidson, in the ’teens, the “forecar” and later the Servi-Car.

Harley also offered sidecar rigs with boxes instead of typical sidecar bodies. Maneuverable and easy on gasoline, all of these machines were great for short runs in the city or between small towns.

Wells Fargo was founded in 1852 by Henry Wells and William G. Fargo. It served banking needs and also delivered packages not unlike the United States Postal Service, UPS or FedEx does today.

By 1917 when World War I began, it had 10,000 offices and about 80,000 miles of railroad route and was international. Today Wells Fargo, through numerous mergers and acquisitions, is a very large banking organization.

To our knowledge, Wells Fargo never used such a machine as this three wheeled “truck.” But about 20 years ago, the creative minds, resourcefulness and skilled hands of Bryan Vander Laan and Lonnie Isam, Jr made what they imagined Wells Fargo might have commissioned for package delivery.

It uses a Yale single cylinder inlet over exhaust engine of 573 cc’s and likely produced about four horsepower. An Indian Tri-Car front end and an American Motorcycle rear frame section are the basis of the chassis.

When you visit the National Motorcycle Museum you can take in a range of purposeful two and three wheeled motorcycles including an early Indian Tri-Car, military motorcycles and a beautiful Indian Dispatch Tow. This fine creation is from the Jill & John Parham Collection.

Racing Legend Richard Petty and SEMA Advocate for RPM Act in Washington, D.C.

On Tuesday, July 19, “The King” Richard Petty joined SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola in the nation’s capital to advocate for Congress to pass the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act (RPM Act). The bipartisan bill (H.R. 3281/S. 2736) protects Americans’ right to convert street vehicles into dedicated racecars and the motorsports-parts industry’s ability to sell products that enable racers to compete.

Like most NASCAR drivers, Petty competed in racecars that started out as street-legal vehicles. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains the position that such modified race vehicles are not legal under the Clean Air Act, threatening many classes of racing along with an industry that employs tens of thousands of Americans and contributes more than $2 billion to the U.S. economy each year.

Petty and Spagnola sat down with key members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to advocate for the interests of racers, enthusiasts, builders, tracks, sanctioning organizations and businesses, while also looking to gain stronger congressional support to protect one of America’s oldest pastimes and hobbies: motor-vehicle racing.

–SEMA

QUICK, OPEN THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY–
 
Charlie was installing a new door and found that one of the hinges was missing.

He asked his wife Mary if she would go to Home Depot and pick up a hinge.

Mary agreed to go. While she was waiting for the manager to finish serving a customer,
her eye caught a beautiful bathroom faucet.

When the manager was finished, Mary asked him, “How much is that faucet?”

The manager replied, “That’s a gold plated faucet and the price is $500.00.
 

Mary exclaimed, “My goodness, that’s an expensive faucet — certainly out of my price range..”

She then proceeded to describe the hinge that Charlie had sent her to buy.

The manager said that he had them in stock and went into the storeroom to get one.
From the storeroom the manager yelled. “Ma’am, you wanna screw for the hinge?”

Mary shouted back,
“No, but I will for the faucet.”

This is why you can’t send a woman to Home Depot!
–El Waggs

 

QUICK, New Bikernet Reader Comment!– 
 
Salt Torpedo Chapter 25

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/Salt_Torpedo_Chapter_25_.aspx

See you on the salt. I”ll be running 2 bikes for my (501c3) Racing For Orphans !

— Revrend Jim
Seminole, FL

STURGIS WRAP-UP PARTY NEWS–
 
Event thrown by Why We Ride filmmakers is supported by Harley-Davidson and benefits victims of human trafficking in South Dakota

Today, motorcycle industry leader Harley-Davidson announces their support for the Sturgis Rally Wrap Party on August 12, 2022, the end of the 82nd annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The event will be hosted at the world-famous Buffalo Chip bar and campground and is organized by Why We Ride / MOTOvational.org. All proceeds will benefit Treasured Lives Foundation.

The luau-themed event will take place in the Buffalo Chip Gardens and Indoor Event Center starting at 6:00 pm. It features a cocktail hour surrounded by the photography of famed motorcycle artist Michael Lichter, as well as a unique collection of custom motorcycles. Tickets include a sit-down, tropical island feast and raffle, live auctions, and special guest speakers. A notable inclusion of a limited edition commemorative luau shirt for every attendee is a highlight of the events and speaks to being part of a unique group. The event is limited to 250 guests.

“In Hollywood, the wrap party is a celebration for the completion of a big project,” said Bryan H Carroll, Founder and CEO of MOTOvational.org and producer/director of Why We Ride. “We know that there are many events during rally week, and our goal is to create an event that is turn-key, fun, and absolutely unique within the typical rally activities. It’s going to be as much fun as a wrap party for a film!

The fact that we are benefitting Treasured Lives speaks to the mission of Motivational.org and the beating hearts that fill the motorcycling community.”
Treasured Lives fights to end sex trafficking in South Dakota. Why We Ride / MOTOvational.org are partnering with them to open a crisis house for those rescued and provide the means to a fresh start in life. MOTOvational.org was founded by critically acclaimed filmmaker Bryan H. Carroll and his award-winning producing partner, James Walker.

The two were responsible for the hit moto-themed documentary, Why We Ride. When a crew member fell ill with a brain tumor, Carroll and Walker decided to use their influence – and the generosity of the motorcycle community – to support others.

Each ticket costs $195. Tickets, raffle, and auction items are tax-deductible charitable donations. For tickets and additional information, visit www.SturgisrallyWrapParty.com

SONG OF THE WEEK—

Song: “Only a Fool Would Say That”
Artists: Steely Dan
Album: Can’t Buy a Thrill (1972)

Genres: Rock, R&B/Soul, Pop
 
* * * * 

Our world become one
Of salads and sun
Only a fool would say that
A boy with a plan
A natural man
Wearing a white stetson hat

Unhand that gun begone
There’s no one to fire upon
If he’s holding it high
He’s telling a lie

I heard it was you
Talkin’ ’bout a world
Where all is free
It just couldn’t be
And only a fool would say that

The man in the street
Draggin’ his feet
Don’t wanna hear the bad news
Imagine your face
There is his place
Standing inside his brown shoes

You do his nine to five
Drag yourself home half alive
And there on the screen
A man with a dream

I heard it was you
Talkin’ ’bout a world
Where all is free
It just couldn’t be
And only a fool would say that

Anybody on the street
Has murder in his eyes
You feel no pain
And you’re younger
Then you realize
Only a fool would say that
Only a foooo oooooo ooooo oooool

I heard it was you
Talkin’ ’bout a world
Where all is free
It just couldn’t be
And a fool would say that
And a fool would say that
And a fool would say that

VENDOR SPACES AVAILABLE– 
 
You don’t want to miss out on this opportunity to show your amazing products at the original Easyriders Motorcycle Rodeo! Thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts will converge for a weekend of camping, dirt track motorcycle rodeo competitions on two-wheeled steel ponies, and a great lineup of concerts. Plus, it wouldn’t be a true biker rally without the very best motorcycle-lifestyle related vendors in the country!

The 2022 Easyriders Rodeos are coming to Fowlerville Michigan August 19-21 and Bloomville Ohio Sept 1-5. Vendor space is limited! Don’t miss your chance to be a part of the action! Ask about our poker crawl. We supply everything. Get all the attendees to stop at your booth. More information can be found at EasyridersEvents.com

5-BALL RACING NEWS OF THE WEEK—
 
Here’s the new model and the new model women’s T-shirt from Frank’s Five Ball Racing Platform.

MOTORCYCLES AS ART– You’re Invited

Please attend the grand opening of the Buffalo Chip’s 2022

Motorcycles As Art exhibition
curated by the celebrated Michael Lichter and titled, “Emergin’ Virgin: Coming Out Custom.”

5-BALL RACING CHECK LIST—
 
I’m writing this predominately to remember what to do tomorrow. Need to confirm team shirts, maybe even today. Working with a local company on Stickers.

Fire (arrow)
Ign. Kill (arrow)
Fuel (arrow)
Classification: CAP.I/GRP.B3/DIV.C/TYPE V/CLASS 2500/CYL.2

Micah reminded me to remove and clean the float bowl on the S&S G.

Today, hopefully will send photos and forms to the BMST crew and get caught up on our deadlines with the sanctioning body, FIM. Stickers.

I just received a proof of our Bonneville shirts.

I set a time during the rally with Micah, to adjust the new harness.

SOLAR PANEL WARNING–
 
Just finished first day of insurance seminar, please make sure you advise all your tree hugging liberal democrat friends that they will need to increase their home insurance to include increased limit in debris removal in the event of loss due to fire, vandalism or accidental discharge of solar panels. Pollution exposure is very expensive.

This is another expense that must be calculated in the purchase of solar on their homes and commercial buildings. (Increased insurance rates)

Now, as we all now know, life expectancy of solar panels is 10 to 25 years, in the long run pollution will be much greater with solar panels. Government and solar sales companies do not know how to dispose of them safely. Thousands of homeowners will soon find out what it costs to remove and dispose of bad panels.

–Anonymous donor

THE HUMBLE CHOPPER FILES–
 

In all the years you’ve ridden, how have you never jumped onto the fixed fairing game? I know Frank has one as does Frankie Jr, so I’m sure you get to hear all the time how great they are. Being 6’5″, I know you have a hard time fitting onto the stock bikes….I guess I’m lucky at 5’9″ as I fit on everything.

I have recently considered getting rid of the Winnebago Road Glide Ultra as two up riding sucks, and I just don’t do the cross-country riding to justify it anymore. I did look at the Indians a few times, but to be honest, I really like the Harley Fatboy. I may sell my bike and grab one of them.

Just wondering how you never jumped onto the Bagger craze, as they say everyone ends up on a glide…as for me, they’re just kinda boring to me. I don’t know.

–Johnny White
Texas Tech Reporter
Bikernet.com™

 
Bandit’s Reply:

A long time ago, when I was still with ER, I built a custom bagger. I stretched it a few inches, lowered it and rode it to Sturgis. It was cool, but it was still a bagger. Then I built the Touring Chopper with Jesse James. It had its issues, but the notion was to build a chopper/touring bike.

I had to admit to myself that I’m a chopper rider and nothing else will ever do. Your Sportster project is a prime example. Why does anyone take a perfectly good stock bike and make it a rigid chopper? We should write a manifesto on the topic.

Choppers in America represent pure freedom, sex, exhilaration and creativity. Think about it. I have some apehanger articles touching on the subject.

Finally, fixed fairings. I rode a Victory Vision once with a fixed fairing. That was it for me. WTF? FTW. Ride free or die trying…

–Bandit

TRACK DAY FOR DAMON MOTORCYCLES
 

On an uncharacteristically sunny British Columbia day, two of our HyperSport prototypes were put through their paces at Mission Raceway Park!

And if that doesn’t get your heart pounding, an under the hood peek at some of the pre-production, full-performance bikes should get your adrenaline pumping.

Stay tuned for more performance validation content as we continue to put these HyperSport prototypes to the test.

STORM’S A BREWING—
 
New image from the master Buck Lovell.

www.bucklovell.com

SEARCHING FOR THE CODE–
 
Speaking of articles trying to identify “the chopper attraction,” this one hit home for sure…
 

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/Lifetime_Motorcycle_Returns.aspx

By the way, was your Touring Chopper or Sturgis Red Chopper covered in ER when you were there? I’m slowly making my way through the archives but can’t seem to find anything about them yet. Looking through the early 2000s and Late ‘90s.

–The Humble One
White Plains, Texas

Yes, we ran a series on the Touring Chopper build and a feature around 1998.—Bandit

NEWS FROM THE RIGHT TO REPAIR OR BUILD DEPARTMENT–

 
(— in European Union, I don’t think anyone can fly a plane they built or ride a motorcycle they made without extra scrutiny for flight / road-use permission )

Referenced Article:
Kerala, (India) Man Travels Europe With Family on Plane He Built During Covid Lockdown

The idea to construct a private plane struck him during the Covid-19 lockdown. According to the report by The Sun, the family had spent nearly INR14,000,000 (approx USD 187,300) and approximately 1500 hours to complete their project.

While speaking to The Sun, Ashok described his experience and said, “It’s like having a new toy, except much more exciting. We started saving money during the first lockdown, and we knew we always wanted to have our own plane, and in the first few months, we were saving a lot of money so we thought we would give it a go.”

His wife, Abhilasha, further elaborated and said that Ashok has worked incredibly over the last two years and now their dream has finally happened.

He has travelled to many places aboard this aircraft. These places include many European countries including Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. He has also taken trips with his friends.

Ashok moved to the UK in 2006 for his master’s degree after completing BTech in India.

SOURCE: https://www.msn.com/en-in/travel/news/kerala-man-travels-europe-with-family-on-plane-he-built-during-covid-lockdown/ar-AAZYQ2w

–Wayfarer
International Editor Supreme
Bikernet.com™

ANOTHER ONE FROM THE ARCHIVES–
 
Hahaha, found it… 1997. Amazing how ugly the bikes were back then… Easter egg paint jobs as well. Saw this gem too and sent it to Frank… amazing to see 25 years go by.

–Johnny White
Chopper Investigator

Bikernet.com™
 

 

RALLY HITTING THE BLACK HILLS NEXT WEEK— And our billboards are up.

I’m scrambling to make every bike in the shop road worthy.

I am determined to add oil filters to all the old bikes and discovered the ’69 Pan has one, so I added this one to the Pandemic. The Redhead is out buying oil line right now. I’m going to bring the ’48 UL into the shop tomorrow. I have a vintage filter for that one.

We are supposed to finish up the Clutch Tech on the Pandemic tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed. In the meantime…

It’s whiskey time. Ride fast and free, forever!

–Bandit

Read More

Tenacious XDA Competitors Win in the Summer Heat

This past weekend Maryland International Raceway hosted the 22nd annual WPGC Bike Fest with the XDA delivering the best motorcycle drag racing has to offer. The event featured Live music by New Impressionz, Baggers vs. Slingshots Sound Off, custom bike show, sound competition, huge vendor midway and a hot bikini contest!

The on-track action was star-studded as always, with over 700 entries tackling the MIR’s quarter mile. Racers showed up ready for serious competition and they weren’t letting the warm weather slow them down. With full fields and a variety of activities going down in the pits, there was non-stop action all weekend.

Orient Express Racing Pro Street
The Orient Express Racing Pro Street tuners had their A-game on this weekend in the brutal summer temperatures. Normally the performance numbers will suffer when the track temps are over 140 degrees and the air temperature is close to 100 degrees. But the evolution of this class showed this weekend as the tuners quickly adapted to the track and made it work.

“The track was not at its best this past weekend, stated XDA co-owner, Jason Miller. “I really have to give credit to the racers and tuners this weekend that were able to take a less than ideal combination and still deliver stellar performance numbers.”

Friday night, off the trailer, class points leader and champion Rodney Williford set the tone for the event putting a 6.423 on the scoreboards that would not be beat in qualifying or eliminations.

And despite the high temperatures half the class qualified under 6.68. Greg Wallace, Justin Shakir, and Darion Payne ran 6.461, 6.492, and 6.498 respectively.

During qualifying Shakir ran a 233.12 mph pass potentially setting a new XDA record. To back up the run and set the record he needed to make a run within 1% at 230.78 mph. He was unable to do that, but his current personal record still stands a 234.29 mph.

Curtis Ellerbe improved his record standing during qualifying moving up the Pro Street GOAT list from 7.323 to a 7.206.

Eliminations on Sunday kept the crowd in the stands entertained as the competition was intense every session. In round one Rodney Williford and Justin Shakir both ran in the forties with a 6.477 and 6.492. Blake Sander set a personal record of 221.67 to earn a spot on the Pro Street MPH GOAT list.

In round two Jason Dunigan took out Greg Wallace running a new personal record of 6.474 at 231.95 mph.

In the semi-final Rodney Williford stunned the crown when he went -.216 red against Darion Payne to end his reign of consecutive wins in Pro Street. Despite the red light, Williford reset his ET record to 6.372. And on this pass Payne reset his personal record running a 6.450 at 227.80 mph. Jason Dunigan took a win and a wild ride against Justin Shakir. Justin had problems off the line, but Dunigan didn’t want to take any chances letting him get back around so when his front tire started coming off the ground, he was hesitant to back off the throttle launching both wheels off the ground making it a wild pass to a win light.

In the final Payne and Dunigan were a well-matched pair for competition. But when the bulbs dropped, Payne went -.017 red sending Dunigan to his first XDA Pro Street winner’s circle, and his second with the MIROCK dynasty.

DME Racing Real Street
David Stewart continues his reign in the DME Racing Real Street as he earns more points to lock in his chase for the championship. Stewart took the number one qualifying position with a 7.463 and then went on to dominate taking wins over Mark Hylton and Brittany Bohne before facing Rickey Gadson in the final. Jeremy Teasley returned to Real Street this event but was quickly turned away when Rickey Gadson took a win over him in round one. Gadson had a bye in the semi-final and elected to break the beams after finding a problem with his bike. Gadson could not make it to the finals giving an automatic win to David Stewart. David Stewart broke the beams in the finals to officially declare his win, and in true sportsman style, reigning class champion Mark Hylton and his team helped push Stewart to the starting line and back.

MaxxECU Pro Xtreme
The MaxxECU Pro Xtreme fans were stunned Friday night when Ronnie Procopio put a 3.937 on the scoreboard right out of the gate. On Sunday Procopio took a win over Thomas Gunn in round one and earned a bye in round two to face John Collins in the final. Collins would take wins over Eran Pielert and Tyron Lemons. In the final it was a deadly close race as Procopio and Collins cut a .046 and .043 light respectively. They were side-by-side down the track as they had a photo finish crossing the finish line running a 4.061 and 4.069 with the win going to Procopio for the second time this season.

HTP Performance Super Stock
In HTP Performance Super Stock Curtis McDougald took the number one qualifying spot with an 8.789 to lead the class of pro hand clutch racers. And for the second event in a row Mike Davis and McDougald met in the final round. And like Déjà vu, McDougald took the win running an 8.920 to Davis’s 8.946. This was Davis’s fourth straight final round appearance this season. There can be nothing more frustrating than being so close to a win so many times. These hand clutch killers will be back at it next month for the 4th annual Bike Bash on August 26-28, 2022.

Vance & Hines 4.60
The Vance and Hines 4.60 Index class had a record turnout for Bike Fest with forty-seven bikes competing for the thirty-two bike field. Due to the increased turnout, XDA moved the qualifying field to forty bikes allowing more racers to enter competition on Sunday. Frank Christian led the charge in qualifying with a 4.601. The field was tight with the top forty bikes running within the 4.60 to 4.74 zone. Ron Bonitatis and Wes Hawkins both dominated their sides of the ladder to earn a spot in their first final round appearances of the season. Hawkins left the line first with a starting line advantage of .046 over Bonitatis’ .066 light. Bonitatis ran dead on with a 4.608, but the hole shot for Hawkins got him the win on his 4.626 run.

HTP Performance Grudge
Soaring temperatures didn’t stop the grudge racers as the Bulls showed up in force for the WPGC Bike Fest. The grudge racers and their fans turned up the volume Saturday night to give the Sound competition on the other side of the track a run for their money as the smack talking and dolla bills exchanged sides all night.

Boosted Bulls
Malcolm Phillips on ‘Billy Mays’ is leading the points in Boosted Bulls and was the favorite for the win Saturday night over Frankie Stotz on ‘Reddi-Wip.’ But when the bulbs dropped ‘Reddi-Wip’ shot out of the can straight down the track and ‘Billy Mays’ just couldn’t keep up. This was a redemption win for DME Racing and Stotz after his unfortunate high-speed crash in April.

APE Nitrous Bulls
Jeremy Teasley returned to XDA looking for action on ‘Unhinged’ in APE Nitrous Bulls. Teasley put the smack down on ‘No Drawers’ and ‘War Cry’ before going to work on ‘Bumpy Johnson2.0’ in the final. Gaige Herrera took wins over ‘Sho-Nuff’ and ‘Kill Shot’ before facing Teasley. In the Final Teasley made ‘Bumpy Johnson 2.0’ look weak as scoreboards lit up in his favor.

3 Sixty 5 Monster Bulls
In 3 Sixty 5 Monster Bulls Spencer Claycomb for the second time in a row had to face his teammate, Jason Herron in round one of competition. However, this time the tables turned and Claycomb took ‘Under the Influence’ to the final. After taking out his own bike ‘Tic Tok,’ he also took wins over ‘Leather Face’ and ‘Son of Sam’ before reaching the final to battle it out with David Martin on ‘Unknown.’ The final was easy work for Claycomb as he got out in front of Martin and turned on his win light for back-to-back win for his team. This win also moves him to the top of the championship points chase.

Tommie’s Motorsports DMV Bulls
In Tommie’s Motorsports DMV Bulls, Caleb Holt on ‘AM Performance’ made his first DMV Bulls appearance and no one could stop him as he cut down the smack talking round after round with wins over ‘Stunna 4 Vegas’, ‘Bud Light lime’ and ‘Rick James.’ And the final again Malcolm Phillips on ‘No Cap’ was another round of pure performance domination as Holt turned on another win light for his team.

Tommie’s Motorsports All Motor Bulls
The Tommie’s Motorsports All Motor Bulls put on show and didn’t let the heat slow down their performance on the track Friday night. David Fondon on ‘Bad Bitch’ slapped ‘Nasty Bastard’ with the win light in the final round and took the win.

1 Stop Speed 5.60
Robert Parker led the 1 Stop Speed 5.60 qualifying on Saturday with a 5.604 time over thirty-five other competitors. Dustin Lee who came into this event sitting number three in points made sure he took out all the heavy hitters on his way to the final where he met Michael Graves. Lee intimidated Graves on the starting line as he went -.252 red handing Lee the win and sending him to the winner’s circle giving him the points he needs to reach a championship with only two events left in the season.

Mickey Thompson Tires Top Sportsman
Mickey Thompson Tires Top Sportsman had a quick field despite the soaring temperatures. Ryan Burnell qualified number one with a 7.431, however he took a first round loss to the number thirty-two qualifier when he had problems on the track and ran almost two seconds off his dial-in time. Jeffrey Santin and Robin Procopio both qualified in the middle of the pack and earned their win lights for a final round showing. Procopio’s husband just won Pro Xtreme and she was determined to double up their winner’s circle photo. In the final, Procopio dialed an 8.22 and cut a .020 light, Santin dialed an 8.04 and cut a .051 light. Procopio turned on the win light with an 8.257 running closer to her dial than Santin’s 8.087 run.

MPS Racing Pro ET
Over a hundred and thirty racers entered Sunday’s MPS Racing Pro ET class to test their skills and earn that $5,000 payday. Jimmie Miller and Harvey Powell won seven rounds of competition to earn their final round spots. Miller last saw a Pro ET winner’s circle in 2019 and he was determined to get back there this weekend. Miller dialed an 8.10 and cut a .015 light, Powell dialed an 8.24 and cut a .037 light. As the two riders raced to the finish line, Miller lifted right before the finish line running an 8.115, and Powell didn’t lift enough as he broke running an 8.234 helping put Miller back in the winner’s circle.

Brock’s Performance Street ET
The Brock’s Performance Street ET class yielded action packed rounds as competitors were running close to their dials and giving the crowd a show on Sunday round after round. Montrell Johnson and Micheal McAllister both won six rounds to dominate their side of the ladder. Johnson dialed an 8.77 and McAllister a 10.84 for the final. McAllister left first with .077 reaction time, and Johnson cut his worst light of the day at .129. The two raced to the finish and neither racer was lifting! McAllister got their first but broke out with a 10.838 pass giving the win to Johnson who ran an 8.771. It was a great final round.

VooDoo Components Bracket Bash
The heat did not deter the VooDoo Component Bracket Bash with over 170 racers entering for a change at the $3,000 payout. Nick Hamlett and Mike Schulz both worked their way through seven rounds of tough competition to Saturday night to face off in the final. Hamlett dialed an 8.72 and Schulz an 8.63 making it a close actioned round. Hamlett left the line first with a .009 reaction time to Schulz’s .041 light. As the two raced down to the finish line they were side eyeing each other as they both lifted off the gas trying to take the finish the line without breaking out of their dial. Hamlett’s starting line advantage got him there first and he took the win with a .021 margin of victory running an 8.807 to Schulz’s 8.706.

Hard Times Parts & Service Gambler’s Race
It was back-to-back wins this weekend for Ben Knight in the Hard Times Parts & Service Gambler’s race. After taking a win last month, he fell right back in the win light groove and methodically picked off the competition round after round. In the final he faced Michael Parsons, but the work was made easy when Parsons went red to send Knight to another winner’s circle.

For full qualifying and round-by-round results of the event, visit www.xdaracing.com.

The XDA will head back to Virginia Motorsports Park for the 4th annual Bike Bash on August 26-28, 2022. There will be over 700 Professional, Sportsman, and Grudge motorcycle racers in competition battling it out for over $80,000 in cash purse at this event. Get August 26-28 on your calendar now!

About XDA Racing : The Xtreme Dragbike Association (XDA) is an east coast motorcycle drag racing series with 700+ motorcycle racers competing at each event.

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