HIGH PRESSURE BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS for July 28, 2022
By Bandit |
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
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.
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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’ 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.
Link: https://www.buffalochip.com/Evo-Bike-Show-Registration
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
- Better use of automated vehicles
- Defies various claims from tech experts on how low-end manual Labor will permanently end
- 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!
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]
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
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
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?”
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
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
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)
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
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
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.”
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.
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
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™
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
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.
www.bucklovell.com
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–
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™
–Johnny White
Chopper Investigator
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
Tenacious XDA Competitors Win in the Summer Heat
By Wayfarer |
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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Tell ’em All there Bikernet.com Sent ya !!! Riding Free for 25 years.
BUN PATROL
By Jeffery Najar |
So I’m working on a replacement to the breakfast treat. What we came up with is homemade gooey cinnamon buns.
We’re talkin’ cinnamon buns made with the softest, chewiest, lightly-golden dough, an irresistible buttery cinnamon-sugar swirl filling, and drizzled with traditional glaze.
The best thing about deciding on a bun is test tasting them. So Marilyn Stemp, co-producer and human electrical switch who knows everyone and connects everyone, took off to research the topic at Lynn’s Dakotamart, Lou Lou’s Bombdiggities Pastries & Coffee Shop, The Good Witch Cake Shop, Jerry’s Cakes & Donuts, Baker’s Bakery & Café, and many more.
In Search of the Sturgis Sticky Bun: The Answer is Closer than you Think
Chip owner Rod Woody Woodruff found some were too doughy, some not sweet enough, some more air than substance. But ultimately, he found a candidate that had just the right of amount of cinnamon, the ideal chewiness, and an irresistible buttery texture.
And that my friends is the signature sweetness that will be provided at the 8th annual Flying Piston Benefit that kicks off at the Big Engine Bar located at the Buffalo Chip’s west gate at 8:30 AM on Sunday, August 7th.
To attend this year’s Flying Piston Benefit, click here to order your ticket – https://rallytickets.com/2021-flying-piston-breakfast-benefit/
The ’69 Shovelhead Chopper History & Build
By Wayfarer |
The Little Red Story, Part 1
by Kent Weeks with photos by Sil and RFR
To say this project has a long story is quite an understatement. We have all stayed friends and loosely in contact over the years. During this long, drawn-out period there are so many memories, kids, work, life and the madness that comes from it all, haha!
Sometimes things can be good and bad at the same time, and my fever for motorcycles took the lead. We ended up doing a final assembly on a project and that started to bring in more mechanical work, and that lead into more complete-build projects like Little Red here.
CLICK Here To Read this Awesome Build Process only on Bikernet.com
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Want to see 25 years worth of Custom Builds? Understand Features with Specs & How various legends in the industry did it ?
It’s all available FOR NO CHARGE – exclusively on Bikernet.com !!!
If you like the editorials, feature articles, tech, tips, reviews – Support Riding Free – Join the Cantina and get free swag. Click To Visit Cantina Membership Section here for details.
Podcast features Motocross Trailblazer Jackson Strong
By Wayfarer |
Monster Energy’s UNLEASHED Podcast Welcomes Motocross Trailblazer Jackson Strong
Episode 36 Gets personal with 30-Year-Old FMX Innovator and Six-Time X Games Gold Medalist
Start your engines! Monster Energy is proud to welcome freestyle motocross innovator and six-time X Games gold medalist Jackson Strong on Episode 36 of the sports and pop culture podcast UNLEASHED with The Dingo and Danny.
This latest one-hour episode released today across Monster Energy’s social media channels and was recorded inside Monster Energy headquarters in Corona, California. A must-listen for all motocross fans, the podcast gets the inside story from the 30-year-old from Lockhart, New South Wales, Australia, who became a professional freestyle motocross rider as a teenager and left his unique mark on the sport ever since.
“I think freestyle motocross is in a bit of a transitional period at this point in time. There are a lot of guys doing a lot more freeride-type stuff, like what Axell [Hodges] is doing is really cool. But I think we’re going to see freestyle move away from being inside small stadiums and moving outside with bigger jumps, longer distances and highest air. But we’ll always have the Best Trick and people learning new tricks,” said Strong.
Fans can now tune in to Episode 36 of UNLEASHED featuring Jackson “Jacko” Strong.
Released today, the new podcast is streaming on all major platforms, including Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube.
Jackson Strong’s career is without parallel in professional freestyle motocross. At age 13, Strong began performing in shows with the Crusty Demons crew and has pushed the limits with never-been-done tricks ever since. He earned his first X Games gold medal in 2011 and has clinched the win in Motocross Best Trick six times since. His X Games record currently stands at 13 medals (6 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze) and includes one bronze from Snow Bike Best Trick. A fearless innovator and next-level athlete, Strong embodies the action sports mindset like few other riders and keeps the innovations coming in boundary-pushing video parts.
Learn about Strong’s innovative approach to motocross and unparalleled mental resilience in conversation with the two podcast hosts, Australian action sports personality Luke “The Dingo” Trembath and professional snowboarder Danny Kass on Episode 36 of UNLEASHED. Tune in right here.
Born in New South Wales, Australia, to a farming family spanning several generations, Strong discovered dirt bikes at a young age. “For me it all began riding around dirt bikes on the farm. More like a ways of getting around, sort of my transport. It was how I got to school,” said Strong on UNLEASHED. With a penchant for catching air, he soon began building his own jumps and training at abandoned spots near his home. And he got good quick: When he was only 13 years old, Strong began touring with the Crusty Demons of Dirt crew. “I learned all the bad habits of life, early on. Crusty tours were fun,” said Strong.
Ultimately, the young rookie began traveling to the United States and competing in the world’s biggest showcase for action sports: The X Games. In what was only his second X Games appearance, the Australian shook up the established order by claiming gold in Motocross Best Trick with a spectacular front flip. “I’ve been doing this for a long time. That’s eleven years ago now, I was age 19 then,” said Strong.
Over the next few years, Strong began dominating the Best Trick discipline like no other rider before – and kept the trick innovations coming. In 2015, he landed the first-ever double back flip into dirt off a quarter pipe as one of many never-been-done tricks on his resume. “There are so many more tricks that can happen. Moving forward, we are going to see more technicality in the jumps. And when it comes to Best Trick, we’re going to see more air bag landings and things to make the sport safer.”
Before the pandemic, Strong built his own training facility, The Sandbox, to prepare for competitions and film his viral video segments: “I built it because with a busy traveling schedule of doing shows, it was hard trying to find enough time to practice. For me when I’m practicing, I want to go riding two times a day. I want to put in the work and be as current as I can! Freestyle motocross is a very real sport. And that’s why I love it!”
Constantly evolving his skill set, Strong also took his freestyle talent to the snow, competing in the Snow Bike Best Trick event at X Games Aspen 2020, where he won a bronze medal. Not known for resting on his laurels, Strong also likes to get his kicks base jumping from bridges and tall cliffs. “My friends at home who sky dive, fly planes and base jump, I started hanging out with them a lot more because you couldn’t travel as much during the pandemic.”
After dealing with several heavy injuries, Strong began cultivating a resilient mental attitude to fortify himself against doubt and distractions. “There have been lots of injuries and broken bones. But anyone who’s looked at action sports has their fair share of bones and injuries happen. It’s not something I like to pride myself in, because you’ve done something wrong when that happens, but everyone who’s looked at a motor bike had something happen.”
Want to hear it from Monster Energy’s Jackson Strong himself? Visit the landing page to access Episode 36 of the UNLEASHED with The Dingo and Danny Podcast featuring daredevil FMX athlete Jackson Strong.
Episodes of UNLEASHED are filmed on a special set inside Studio M at Monster Energy headquarters in Corona, California. The podcast is hosted by the dynamic duo of Australian action sports personality Luke “The Dingo” Trembath and professional snowboarder Danny Kass. Known for their deep roots in action sports culture, the two starred in the beloved cult TV show ‘The Adventures of Danny and The Dingo’ on Fuel TV for five action-packed seasons in the early 2010s. Both hosts have walked the walk as pro snowboarders and possess the interview skills to find common ground with guests from any type of background – sports and pop culture. Always look out for new episodes dropping bi-weekly on Mondays.
The UNLEASHED with The Dingo and Danny Podcast is here to celebrate the personalities behind the Monster Energy lifestyle.
For more on Monster Energy and the UNLEASHED Podcast, visit www.monsterenergy.com.
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AHDRA Nitro Harleys Coming to Milan Dragway
By Wayfarer |
AHDRA All-American motorcycle drag racing is bringing their big-time nitro Harley show to reborn Milan Dragway on July 29-31.
event: AHDRA Southern Michigan Bike Fest
when: July 29-31, 2022
where: Milan Dragway, Michigan, USA
The Southern Michigan Bike Fest will see Top Fuel Harleys, Nitro Funnybikes, Pro Fuel, all the gas classes, and even the return of Jr. Dragbikes! Everything a motorcycle lover would want to see, hear and smell will be thundering down Milan’s quarter mile. Feeling racy? You too can thunder your own American-made motorcycle at Milan during the Bike Fest!
It’s been a minute since AHDRA’s weeper-shortened, season-opening Don “DJ” Johnson Nitro Spring Nationals sponsored by MTC and Gainesville Harley-Davidson, and Top Fuel Champion Ryan Peery will be anxious to notch a win and defend his title.
2020 champ Rich Vreeland will seek to regain his title-winning form, and will be joined by “Billy Jack” Jackson, Robert “Ziggy” Stewart, Bad Apple Racing’s Tracy Kile and Dr. Jimmy “Mac” McMillin, and more.
Hawaya Racing Nitro Funnybike champion Michael Balch loves making winning laps on his mean machine. Chris Smith loves doing the same on Peery’s always stout “Big Nasty.” But Smith fractured his thumb in Bowling Green and won’t be racing at Milan. Balch will still have Sam White and Rocky Jackson to deal with, amongst others.
White and Jackson also have Hawaya Racing Pro Fuel carbureted nitro mounts to ride, along with Jim Martin, Jason Leeper and a growing horde of others.
Leeper also is the defending 11.50 index champ. He and his son Jordan race multiple gasoline classes, which form the backbone of AHDRA.
Pingel Modified, GMS Racing Engines Xtreme Outlaw, V-Twin Powersports Hot Rod Bagger, Super Stock Bagger, Horsepower Inc. Pro Outlaw Bagger, MTC Pro Comp Outlaw, Vreeland’s Harley-Davidson Super Gas 9.90, Super Pro 10.30, Universal Fleet & Tire 10.90, Eliminator, Top Eliminator 9.30, Zippers Performance Pro Modified and Trophy classes will all be competing.
Scott Tomsu, Timothy Whitehead, Chuck Ragan, Reggie “Hamma” Elliott, Julius DeManss, Victor Gotay, Donnie Huffman, Gary Degrange, Michael McManus, Kimberly DeShields, Crosby Blair, Charley and Gary Douglass, Dwayne “Smokey” Gee, Greg Quinn, Shane Pendergrast, Jeff Workman, Ken Strauss, Brad Reiss Jr., Robert Willis, Michael Best, Nathan Thayer, Nate Carnahan, Loren Potter and more will enter one or more of these classes, and you can too!
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Bring your own Harley or Indian, along with proper safety gear, and test your skills on the Milan 1320.
Recently reborn itself, AHDRA can’t wait to put on a show at the “New” Milan Dragway. Bill Rowe and his family welcome the whole AHDRA community of racers and fans to the Southern Michigan Bike Fest.
Link to all class rules, including Jr. Dragbike (Click Here)
Test and Tune from 5:00-9:00 pm on Friday, gates open at 10:00am
Qualifying begins at 1:00pm on Saturday, gates open at 8:00am
Raceday opening ceremonies at 11:00 am Sunday, gates open at 8:00am
Admission is $25 per day, $45 for a 2 day pass, or $55 for all 3 days
The AHDRA website is at http://raceahdra.com/
For more information, email AHDRA’s Bill Rowe at bcrowe92891@gmail.com
AHDRA is owned by Pulse Marketing, the motorsports promotion company run by veteran drag racer Rowe and his family.
AHDRA thanks Cox Double Eagle Harley-Davidson, Vreeland’s Harley-Davidson, Gainesville Harley-Davidson , MTC Engineering , Hawaya Racing, Pingel Enterprise, GMS Racing Engines, Zippers Performance, Horsepower Inc., Vanson Leathers , Universal Fleet & Tire, IHDRA, V-Twin Powersports, Daryl Coffin Motorsports, All-Harley World Shootout, Axtell Cylinders and Racers For Christ.
This report was prepared by Tim Hailey. Enjoy everything there is to read, see and watch about motorcycle drag racing and more at https://www.eatmyink.com ;
Kawasaki Rider Jason Anderson Secures Consecutive Podium Finish
By Wayfarer |
Monster Energy® Kawasaki Rider Jason Anderson Secures Consecutive Podium Finish at Washougal
July 23, 2022 | Washougal MX Park | Washougal, Wash.
Foothill Ranch, Calif. (July 24, 2022) – Round 8 of the 2022 AMA Pro Motocross Championship headed to the Pacific Northwest in Washougal, Washington, where Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson claimed his fourth overall podium finish with a third-place result. Fellow Monster Energy® Kawasaki rider Joey Savatgy capitalized on two superb starts to earn seventh overall with 7-7 moto scores. In the 250 Class, Monster Energy®/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Jo Shimoda mastered the forests of Washougal to claim third overall (3-3), while teammate Seth Hammaker battled to respectable 5-8 moto finishes for sixth overall.
The evergreens of the Pacific Northwest provided a picturesque background for the 41st running of the Washougal MX National as a sea of fans cheered on the world’s elite motocross racers. Drastic changes in elevation, dark shadows and mixed soil conditions offered unique challenges for all riders from the start of qualifying. The 450 Class qualifying sessions began with both Anderson and Savatgy recording lap times inside the top-10 before electing to make slight bike adjustments to better suit the slick track conditions. As the second qualifying session began winding down, Anderson recorded a 2:11.361 lap time to qualify third overall. An accident towards the end of the second session cost Savatgy the opportunity to better his 2:14.155 time from the first session but was still fast enough to rank the No.17 ninth fastest heading into Moto 1.
The start of 450 Moto 1 would see both Monster Energy Kawasaki riders emerge from the first turn inside the top-5. Anderson and Savatgy utilized the power of their KX™450SR motorcycles to keep the leaders within reach early on. A mistake by Anderson on Lap 2 would drop the No.21 back to seventh however, a quick recovery allowed the New Mexico native to maneuver past his competitors and back into fourth place within one lap. Running 15 seconds behind his closest championship points rival, Anderson steadily chipped away at the deficit as the race progressed. With less than 10 minutes left in the moto, Anderson placed heavy pressure on the rider in third before lighting up the roars of the crowd by making the pass for the podium. Meanwhile, the No.17 was engrossed in a three-rider battle for sixth nearly the entire duration of the race. When the checkered flag flew, Anderson crossed the line in third and Savatgy finished seventh.
The second 450 Class moto began with both Monster Energy Kawasaki riders again crossing the holeshot line inside the top-5. The No.21 established himself in third from the start of the race and briefly latched onto the leaders pace, but slick conditions and deep ruts made it difficult for Anderson to match the pace. Savatgy settled into fifth early in the race but came under heavy pressure around Lap 4. Unwilling to concede the position, Savatgy raised the pace and focused forward. This pressure forced a mistake by the rider ahead, allowing Savatgy to capitalize and secure fourth for a couple laps before a mistake of his own dropped him three positions. At the finish, Anderson secured his second consecutive podium result with a third overall (3-3), while Savatgy brought home a respectable seventh overall with 7-7 finishes.
“Being the third best guy out there is hard to accept. I expect to be up front every round and I’ve proven I have the speed to do it, but we just didn’t have it today. The guys up front were running a crazy pace. All in all, it was still a good day for us and we made up points in the race for third in the championship. We’ll try to keep this podium streak going as we head into the final four rounds.” – Jason Anderson
“I had a scary moment in practice after I caught my foot in a rut coming off the face of a tabletop. It could’ve been really bad but I’m happy I was able to save that one. Overall, seventh is right around where I expect to be right now. Obviously, I’d like to be up front with the leaders, but we’re making progress. If I can keep fighting for the fourths, fifths and sixths until the end of the season I’ll be proud.” – Joey Savatgy
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Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Seth Hammaker was poised to improve on his seventh-place result from last weekend as he set the fourth fastest time in 250 Class qualifying (2:13.741).
Meanwhile, Shimoda clocked in the seventh fastest lap (2:14.252) overall.
At the start of Moto 1, Shimoda launched his KX™250 out the gate to claim the holeshot and the lead. Teammate Hammaker was also out to a great start, emerging from the first turn in fourth. With a clear track ahead, the Japanese-born sensation tried to break away from the pack but was instantly met with heavy pressure from the rider in second. The No.30 had the crowd on their feet as he defended attack after attack from his opponent for four laps before conceding the position. The pressure didn’t stop there, however, as Shimoda was again faced with pressure from another competitor behind. The roars of the crowd followed Shimoda around the track as he used a combination of raw speed and optimal line selection to maintain second position. The intense battle reached its climax when the No.30 dropped to third. Fellow Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Hammaker was sitting comfortably in fourth most of the race before a former 250 Class Championship began creeping up behind him. Unphased by his opponent, Hammaker upped his pace and fended off his attacker for six laps before settling for fifth. When the checkered flag came out, Shimoda crossed the line in third and Hammaker was not far behind in fifth.
The second 250 Class moto hosted green out front again as Shimoda came across the holeshot line in third and Hammaker close behind in fifth. A quick pass by the No.30 moved him into second before the end of the opening lap. With only one rider in front, Shimoda began to slowly chip at the leader’s advantage until he was caught in a battle of his own to maintain second place. Shimoda did all he could to hold last year’s 250 Class champion at bay but a slight bobble down the backside of Horsepower Hill saw the No.30 move into third. The battles for Shimoda continued down to the checkered flag as he put on a heroic effort to hold off the Moto 1 winner for the last two laps of the race and cross the finish line in third. Hammaker, comfortably in fifth for much of the race, faced a mid-moto push by the riders behind who caught up to the No.47 and moved him back to eighth by the time the checkered flag flew. Despite Shimoda’s brilliant 3-3 performances, the swapping of positions from the top four riders awarded the No.30 fourth overall with his teammate Hammaker securing sixth (5-8).
“Overall, it was a good day with me getting the holeshot and leading in Moto 1. I was able to stick with the leaders for a long time and win some hard battles which is nice because I think my speed was off today. Next week we’re going to do some more practicing before taking a little break to recharge during the off weekend so we can finish the season strong.” – Jo Shimoda
“It felt good to mix it up with the guys inside the top-five for as long as I did in both motos. My goal is to keep progressing with each week and hopefully, after the two-week break, we’ll come back recharged and ready to battle for podiums.” – Seth Hammake
The Little Red Story, Part 1
By Bandit |
To say this project has a long story is quite an understatement. Miracles two, we have all stayed friends and loosely in contact over the years. During this long, drawn-out period there are so many memories, kids, work, life and the madness that comes from it all, haha!
Like so many things in life, it all started by chance. Fairly early in my career, as a Welder/Fabricator, I built handicap equipment, which entailed serious vehicle mods and such. Daily I drove past this cool little shop, thinking, “Man that would make a great fab shop,” and one day a hiring sign went up.
What often caught my eye was serious TIG welding action. While I was well rounded in the fab shop and had a good handle on MIG welding, I had not learned to TIG weld, and I was on a serious mission to do just that!
Soon, I made time to stop in and meet Tom. I started to come around and help with odd projects, but it was mostly MIG work or things I already knew how to do. Finally, I sat down with Tom and explained that I was really coming around because I was determined to learn TIG welding. I don’t mess around for long, as my wife, Holly, would attest to.
I quickly had the chance to work on exotic materials and a wide variety of specialty projects. And yeah, we did a lot of metal work on vehicles, mostly motorcycles.
Her story started off like a lot of custom projects. The owner, a long time rider spent a lot of time enjoying custom motorcycle mags for many years while serving our Country in the Navy and dreamed of building something custom for himself, a hot rod hardtail!
He brought the chassis in for some metal work, where I worked with my old friend and mentor Tom Young (American Heli-Arc). We bounced around a few sheet metal options, started off with some twin tanks and a hex horse shoe oil tank among other things.
Right about the time we were wrapping up the sheet metal or close to it anyway, our buddy Harvey (the owner) got the word that his temporary disability retirement from the Navy was under review. Knowing he’d rather have full retirement he hit the gym and trimmed up for his review and was subsequently reinstated.
I remember him stopping by in his dress whites on his way, so we could wish him good lucky (pun intended haha), good times.
Sometime in the Summer of 2000, Harvey was off to Japan! Needless to say, we had to put the project on hold because the Navy made a good choice and put him back to work. It was one of the few times when you’re glad to see a project held up.
“I spent 14 years in Japan,” Harvey added. “That’s putting a project on hold.”
Sometime after I had moved into my own shop, I ended up hosting a bike show event where we had a small chop off “builders” event. We had all stayed in touch to some degree, and we invited Tom to participate. Harvey was kind enough to just let the guys at American Heli-Arc do whatever they wanted, so they took that rascal and dolled her up for the show (They had been working on it anyway, and just needed a small excuse to step up the progress).
The guys made some really cool changes, different gas tank, oil tank and front fender to name my favorites. After the event Tom and the guys also took her around and showed her off a bit at events for the shop for a few years.
When Harvey was finally getting close to retirement, he reached out to Tom about making some changes to the bike to make it a little more comfortable and to add some bells and whistles. By this time Tom was not doing much mechanical work at his shop, so he said, “Let’s call Kent and get him involved.”
This was back while I was still in my old Lucky Devil shop slightly before I took in my “last” highly detailed Resto mod project (But you’ll have to wait for that story. It’s a long one also, haha!).
One of the ergonomic touches was upgrading the seat, I modified the mounts to run a set of custom shocks and changed the front mount a little. So unfortunately, I had to get into a little red candy touch up work. Good news, it came out alright, especially for a welder.
Probably the biggest and best changes we did to the bike was to upgrade the tranny to a Baker 6n4 with a N1 shift drum with a spline shaft and Evo style clutch basket. Now, she can keep up with modern traffic, shifts like a dream and there is no hitting Neutral in between 1st and 2nd (ask him about that and he’ll tell you really quick he fell in loves with it).
I also modified a BDL SHS-600 Shovel Shorty electric start drive support plate and Evo-style clutch basket to run with the 3-inch system we had for hanging the starter. It also seemed like a good time to upgrade to an S&S oil pump to keep things flowing well.
For pipes I made some 2-to-1 split pipes for the headers and constructed a muffler can from a blank I got from Bikernet while working on the Root Beer Float project. I did put just a little more baffle inside to keep the neighbors happy at night.
Harvey also had an old Pat Kennedy front end lying around. Tom used it for the original mock up. Harvey had him put a springer on it for the “old school” look. We ditched the springer and went with the narrow 41mm set up as that was the original plan, and we thought it might be smoother.
By this time, parts were hard to come by for this front end, so I made a custom offset bracket for the front brake caliper among other little things. I built a mount for the turn signals, tool roll and tweak bar. Yeah, I said turn signals for an early Shovel.
We also added a digital speedo with everything needed to be legal for import to some random places in the world, just in case. For that we used a Motogadget speedo with a custom mount I made up with indicator lights.
Needless to say, I had to molest the front fender a little to work with the new front end. I tied it into the front brake caliper mount I made to make it a little stronger instead of just using the 1/4×20 mounting holes on the sliders. I did a couple changes to the gas tank, and then just like that it was in need of a paint job.
A great example of why true customs and one of a kind work can “Take so long.” I don’t do a lot of painting myself and usually don’t do art work, but I did have fun with the flames on this one.
There are quite a few fine details on this rascal and as usual I did a little extra detail work on a few parts out of friendship, a small gift of time and material for those who support true custom work is always in order!
Long time coming, but Harvey finally got the chance to enjoy some saddle-time and right now we are finishing some break-in miles and basic service stuff so her story is just kicking off.
Resources:
Lucky Devil Metal Works
American Heli-arc
https://www.americanheliarc.com/
Belt Drive Ltd.
S&S
Baker Drivetrain
Motorcycle Mondays Presents “Sturgis Preview”
By Wayfarer |
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 with Justin in the 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 to the show Dave Ratner makes a special appearance in the Meet on the Street – and Peter Cage our new effin awesome engineer is in the house!
Tonight we discuss Sturgis 2022!
- Featuring highlights & low lights (jk), of Sturgis 2022.
- Woody & Marilyn join us and have a full 14 days’ worth of happenings! Sturgis 22 is on!!
- Keith Ball swoops in to give us his take on what Sturgis is going to look like and gives us a little preview of Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials coming up!
- We’ll put a wrap on it by discussing motorcycle events coming up and NEXT week a surprise guest from Sturgis!
https://facebook.com/Roadhost
https://facebook.com/gina.woods.961
Our show is fueled by Andrews Products, Sea Foam Products, Harley-Davidson, Full Throttle Law, Bike Show Mafia, Motorcycle Safety Foundation, Kirsh Helmets, Chixs On 66, MegWear, & Biker Belle’s Women’s Day Buffalo Chip
Hold on tight it’s going to be a thrilling ride!
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Tell ’em Bikernet.com sent ya!!! Riding Free since 2006. See you in Sturgis.
Bandit’s Salt Torpedo: Prepping for Bonneville 2022
By Wayfarer |
Chapter 25 of latest Bonneville Effort by 5-Ball Racing
by Bandit
Getting Ready for the Salt
We’re beginning to prep the Salt Torpedo for the BMST event from August 27 until September 2 in Bonneville, Utah on 65-square miles of salt.
This event will take place just a couple of weeks after the historic Bonneville Speed Trials for everything on wheels. The BMST was developed by Dennis Manning solely for us grubby bikers.
I had to dig up and test various chain hoists and trolly apparatus to work with our new gantry in Sturgis, South Dakota.
–Bandit
CLICK HERE To Read this Photo Feature. Latest Action from 5-Ball Racing.
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Check Out 5-Ball Racing success & build your own Land Speed record (click here)
How to Build a Bonneville Salt Flats Motorcycle documents the construction of “The Worlds Fastest Panhead”