Hey,

We were just getting rolling when, flicker and pop, the lights went out. I immediately lit a candle and asked Sin Wu to meet me in the bedroom. She panicked and ran out the door screaming something about finding the brass engraved plaques for the Sturgis Brouhaha Trophies.

Finally at 2:30 p.m. with the streets fulla cops and DWP trucks, the lights again flickered and we were back in business. So no babble from me, let’s hit it, or I’ll be here all night:

ZIPPER’S PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS IS THE LATEST BIKERNET SPONSOR, WE WELCOME THEM–For over 27 years, Zipper?s Performance Products has had one simple mission: Improving the performance of the Great American V-Twin. From humble beginnings as a two-man machine shop, Zipper?s has sustained steady growth throughout the years by adding top-notch staff members developing the latest technology into well-engineered parts and engine kits that offer true value through their performance and durability.

Improving the performance of your V-Twin in today?s world presents new challenges for the rider. Increased displacement, narrower cam profiles to meet lower emissions and lessening fuel quality are among the challenges that must be overcome to improve performance.

Increasing output while working to improve fuel mileage and stabilizing engine temperature are the main focus of our R&D. New techniques and components are developed, tested and evaluated on a daily basis to bring the rider the most advanced packages available.

Zipper?s is the source for many proprietary products such as the ThunderMax EFI module, ThunderMax throttle bodies, Red Shift cams, ThunderJet carburetors, Muscle engine kits and RaceCase transmissions. Zipper?s was the first to offer production CNC-ported cylinder heads, and today we offer the most extensive lineup of CNC heads from Evolution to Twin Cam, Sportster and Buell. We offer exchange cylinders for Twin Cam models in 6 different piston configurations. Our Red Shift cam line is available for Twin Cam, Evolution, Sportster and Buell models. Our Muscle? engine kits are complete kits, engineered with the correct airflow, compression, cam timing and engine management for hassle-free implementation ? everything needed to transform your engine to a leading edge performer is included in a single part number.

Our products are available through better dealers world-wide or direct from Zipper?s. Please browse our web sites or call us to discuss your performance needs.

www.ZippersPerformance.com
www.Thunder-Max.com
Zipper?s Performance Products
6655-A Amberton Drive
Elkridge, MD 21075 USA
Phone 410-579-2828
Fax 410.579-2835

We look forward to educating our readers on the benefits and applications of various Zippers products in the near future.–Wrench

BIKERNET RIVERA/PRIMO THURSDAYA PRODUCT, BRUTE III EXTREME ENCLOSED BELT DRIVES– 1-3/4? WIDE?11mm BELT?CLOSED PRIMARY?ELECTRIC START FITS 1990-2008 EVO & TWIN CAM SOFTAIL? & DYNA MODELS

The BRUTE III EXTREME is specially designed for high horsepower (150+ HP capability) street or competition applications requiring above average strength & ability.

Designed to live with the extreme shockloads generated by large displacement, highly-modified American V-Twins without whimpering, the BRUTE IIII EXTREME represents the latest technological advances in primary drive and primary belt design.

Featuring a 1-3/4? wide, 11mm ?dense pack? Kevlar polychain belt which is virtually indestructible, this drive is designed to run in a closed environment, between the inner & outer primary covers. The 34-tooth front & 49-tooth rear pulleys provide great gearing for even the strongest of motors.

Included with these kits is our new & improved complete PRO-CLUTCH assembly with its seven Kevlar on aluminum core friction plates for better engagement. In addition, these kits include our one-piece sealed bearing for the inner primary, replacing the stock two-piece bearing. It?s I.D. is made to fit directly on the mainshaft without a bearing race.

The BRUTE III EXTREME? is available in several models, with & without offsets as well as with different starter ring gears. MSRP’s range between $ 915.00 & $ 985.00 for the entire kit w/new clutch.See the listing below for your application:

BRUTE III EXTREME? ENCLOSED BELT DRIVE KITS COMPLETE KIT w/PRO-CLUTCH? ASSY

2015-0065. . . Fits 2006-Later Dyna & 2007-Later Twin Cam Softails
2015-0055. . . Fits 2000-2006 Twin Cam Softail? & Dyna (except 2006 Dyna) w/102-tooth ring gear
2015-0051. . . Fits 1994-1999 Softail? & Dyna w/102-tooth ring gear
2015-0053. . . Fits 1994-1999 Softail? & Dyna w/84-tooth ring gear
2015-0052. . . Fits 1990-1993 Softail? & Dyna w/84 tooth ring gear
2015-0050. . . Fits 1990-1993 Softail? & Dyna w/66-tooth ring gear
2015-0054. . . Same as #2015-0050 above, except kit supplied w/.500? front pulley offset
2015-0056. . . Same as #2015-0050 above, except kit supplied w/ 1.00? front pulley offset
2015-0057. . . Same as #2015-0050 above, except kit supplied w/1.50? front pulley offset

For further info on these & other fine products contact:
Rivera Primo Inc.
12450 Whittier Blvd.
Whittier, CA 90602
Tel: 800-872-1515
? 562-907-2600
? Fax: 562-907-2606
Web: www.riveraprimoinc.com

KOPP WINS TO TAKE GRAND NATIONAL POINTS LEAD AT GREENVILLE–Coolbeth is Fourth for Harley-Davidson, Smith Sixth on Darke County Half-Mile GREENVILLE, OHIO (July 20, 2008) ? Latus Harley-Davidson/Screamin? Eagle rider Joe Kopp won his third AMA Grand National Twins race of the season, besting American Suzuki rider Glen Schnabel in a race-long battle on the half-mile oval at the Darke County Fairgrounds. The win moves Kopp one point ahead of Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle factory rider Kenny Coolbeth in the Grand National Twins season points standings. Coolbeth, the two-time defending Grand National Twins champion, finished fourth on Saturday night.

The win and the points lead are momentum Kopp hopes will carry him to reclaim the Grand National championship he won in 2000.

?I feel like I?m ready to win that championship back this season,? said the Harley-Davidson Wrecking Crew rider. ?I?ve battled Kenny before, and I?m fully committed to getting it done.?

Kopp and Schnabel faced each other in the night?s first qualifying heat. Schnabel prevailed in that 10-lap preliminary round, and in the process earned the pole position for the start of the 25-lap Grand National main. Schnabel was out front at the start of the main, with Kopp on his tail. Nick Cummings slotted into third, followed by Coolbeth, positions those riders would hold for the duration of the race. Running a high line on the race track, Schnabel led the first seven laps before Kopp was able to power past the Suzuki, guiding his Harley-Davidson XR-750 along the low line to take the lead. Schnabel stayed with Kopp and briefly re-took the lead on lap 19, but could not hold the position as Kopp charged back to the front. A last-lap charge by Schnabel fell short as Kopp roared across the line to win by just 0.06 seconds. Cummings crossed the line about four seconds behind Schnabel, with Coolbeth another four seconds back.

Harley-Davidson Wrecking Crew rider Bryan Smith rode the Moroney’s Harley-Davidson/Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson XR-750 to a sixth-place finish at Greenville. Blue Springs Harley-Davidson/Screamin? Eagle rider Jared Mees finished fourth in a semi-final heat and did not qualify for the main.

Following his win at Greenville, Kopp leads the AMA Grand National Twin series with 127 points. Coolbeth is second with 126 points, and Wrecking Crew rider Smith is still in contention with 116 points in third place. Mees is 10th with 53 points.

The 2008 AMA Grand National Twins Championship will race again on July 27 on the Hagerstown Speedway half-mile in Hagerstown, Md.

The Screamin’ Eagle Flat Track team is sponsored by Matco Tools.

BIKERNET FAMILY COUNSELING MINI-SEMINAR–I rear-ended a car this morning.So, there we were alongside the road and slowly the other driver got out of his car.

You know how sometimes you just get soooo stressed and little things just seem funny?

Yeah, well I couldn’t believe it…. He was a DWARF!!!He stormed over to my car, looked up at me, and shouted, ‘I AM NOT HAPPY!!!’

So, I looked down at him and said, ‘Well, then which one are you?’

And then the fight started…..

–from Lizette

THE BIKERNET CREW WANTS TO THANK THE FOLLOWING GANG FOR SPONSORING THE BIKERNET BROUHAHA STURGIS SHOW AND EXTRAVAGANZA AT THUNDER ROAD ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 8TH, BE THERE, BE THERE–Hard Krome ? Product Sponsor
Road Burner ? Product Sponsor
Roadhouse ? Product Sponsor $3,200
Bikers Choice –
CCI –
Dupont – Hot Hughes ?
D&D Performance Enterprises –
Torian Chopper Leathers ?
Saddlemen ?
Headwinds ?
Parts Unlimited Raffle ?
Spectro Oils –
Metric Thunder
W8LESS ROTORS
Biker Pros
Horse Magazine

NOW AVAILABLE VANCE AND HINES MONSTER OVALS– Monster ovals…forTouring 1995-2008,With twice the internal volume of standard slip-on mufflers and technologyyou won?t find anywhere else, Monster Ovals crush the old saying that morepower requires more noise.

Monster Ovals provide more horsepower with a stereo friendly deep rich tonethat?s perfect for those cross-country tours. Encased in blue proof formedheat shields featuring billet machined end caps in either chrome or black,Monster Ovals are the future of touring slip-ons. Catalyst systems alsoavailable.

THE LOST BRASS BALLS PICTURES OF MEGAN–After moving to new admin offices, the team at Brass Balls Bobbers & Choppers found a number of old photographs of one of our biggest supporters, Megan. Not only did she love how a Brass Balls Bobbers’ Digger felt, she looked good on it too! Checkout our Megan Gallery on Flickr.

To see the best Bobbers made in the USA go over to www.brassallsbobbers.com.

BIKERNET & JS PERFORMANCE PHOTO–Jeff and Sydney Mikelson of JS Performance Photo want to thank Keith R. Ball of Bikernet.com for the opportunity to be the photographers for the 2008 Brouhaha bike show, Friday August 8th, in Sturgis, South Dakota. We would also like to thank Olympus for the equipment and support needed to perform at the level required at prestigious event.

You may find us before and after the Brouhaha, at the Katmandu campground, outside of Sturgis.

We look forward to seeing you there.

–Jeff & Sydney Mikelson
JS Performance Photo

I SEE A PRO-TOUR ‘S’ IN THE FUTURE–As many of our ?regular? visitors know, we were in the beginning stages of another build when we began the Pro-Tour ?X? build, but we weren?t far enough along for people to envision what it was going look like when completed.

We started with a Genuine Sportster chassis as our platform, cut out and dropped the seat area 3 ? inches, stretched the swingarm 6 inches to give the bike ? inch MORE wheelbase than a full size dresser, added StreetGlide air shocks, built an oil tank that?s cradled between the swingarm horizontals and set the battery just above the oil tank.

What you end up with is a Lightweight, long-wheelbase, low center-of-gravity, drop seat Hot Rod with many attributes of a purebred Drag bike. Here?s the kicker ? this set up will be dressed with same components that you see on the award winning Pro-Tour ?X?! That?s right ? the racy yet functional fairing, the side covers that double as storage compartments, and of course our exclusive ?clamshell? rear fender/storage area.

We?ve designed these components to be duplicated and it is our intention to make this available as a ?kit? that can be installed into any stock Sportster chassis by DOUGZ or any qualified customizing/fab shop.

LIMITED EDITION “DESTINATION DUO” BY BRUCE ROSSMEYER AND SUCKER PUNCH SALLY’S–Limited Edition “Destination Duo” presented by Bruce Rossmeyer’s Destination Daytona and built by Sucker Punch Sally’s to be Auctioned Off as Part of the First Annual Legends Ride, Celebrity-Charity Event Sturgis 2008.

Motorcycle entrepreneur and owner of the world’s largest dealership, Destination Daytona, Bruce Rossmeyer has teamed up with the preeminent manufacturers of “Old School” Sucker Punch Sally’s to create a limited edition series of motorcycles that both celebrates the 50th anniversary one of the first fully suspended American motorcycles that changed the face of motorcycles and captured the bold, no nonsense style of a true, Sucker Punch Sally’s one off custom motorcycle.

The limited edition “Destination Duo” features a powerful reproduction Panheadtm power plant, 5 speed kick and electric start transmission, original style 2 into 2 exhaust combination with rear suspension, functional custom leather pogo seat, optional buddy seat, and choice of a springer or hydraulic front-end. This bike will encompass the look of the first year of the American fully suspended functionally driven motorcycle.

There will be 50 limited edition, Destination Duotm motorcycles built, each with its own commemorative serial number, with “serial number one” of the series to be auctioned off as part of the first annual Legends Ride. In addition to the number frame on the motorcycle, each will have a numbered motor, custom leather seat also numbered, and a limited edition print from renowned hotrod artist, Sara Ray.

“This is the first of many projects that my company Sucker Punch Sally’s and Bruce Rossmeyer’s Destination Daytona will partner in. We both believe in the resurrection of this classic bike and what better way to launch it than at a great benefit like the Legends Ride in Sturgis” said Christian Clayton President of Sucker Sally’s.

Scheduled for Thursday, August 7th during the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, the Legends Ride presented by the Legendary Buffalo Chip and sponsored by the City of Deadwood has already raised over $20,000 for the Kids & Chrome Foundation, which in turn benefits the Children’s Home Society and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.An all star roster of celebrities from film, television, music and the world of premium cigars are set to kick of the event’s festivities in historic Deadwood along with over 20 legendary custom bike builders including Roger Bourget, Billy Lane, Chica, Jerry Covington and Roland Sands.

After enjoying a variety of entertainment at Deadwood Tobacco Company and an exclusive appearance by the Playboy Playmates at The Silverado-Franklin Gaming Complex, Legends Ride participants are escorted on a beautiful 50 mile ride through “The Hills of Dakota” on the way to the Legendary Buffalo Chip for food, drinks and concert featuring the red hot country duo “Sugarland” and rock and roll hall of famers “ZZ Top.”

Tickets for the Legends Ride may be purchased for $150 online at www.legendsride.com or for $200 the day of the event. Participants will receive a souvenir gift pack which includes an official event T-shirt, poster and other sponsor items, plus food, drinks and concert admission.

www.suckerpunchsallys.com
www.destinationdaytona.com

A SOLID FOUNDATION: THE NEW HARLEY-DAVIDSON TOURING CHASSIS–Enhanced Comfort, Increased Capacity and Refined Maneuverability for the Road.

MILWAUKEE (July 22, 2008) ? The new chassis that underpins the 2009 Touring motorcycles from Harley-Davidson improves comfort and functionality of these legendary machines, while preserving the timeless character that makes a Harley-Davidson Touring bike the King of the American road.

The Touring frame, triple clamps, swingarm, engine mounts, exhaust system, rear fender, wheels and tires have been redesigned, and together provide the foundation for what are truly all-new motorcycles. Key styling elements ? including the front end, fuel tank, saddlebags and Tour-Pak ? are essentially unchanged, so that these Touring models are visually similar to those distinctive motorcycles that precede them. Ride quality remains smooth, while maneuverability is precise and responsive.

The Frame
Forming the core of the 2009 Touring chassis is a new frame with a single-spar, rigid backbone designed to sustain the demands of long-haul touring riders and today?s powerful engines. The new frame provides a strong foundation that supports a 70 pound increase in carrying capacity. The storage compartments have a 15-pound increase in rated cargo capacity (five pounds per saddlebag, and five pounds in the Tour-Pak).

The frame is engineered to be manufactured with the latest coordinated motion robotic welding process, which offers outstanding dimensional accuracy and weld quality. The frame design results in a 50 percent reduction in parts, and a 50 percent reduction in the total length of welds. T-studs have been eliminated, and the components of the new frame are joined with cast and forged node-tube joints.

A separate bolt-on tail section isolates the main frame from the tail frame, providing better quality-control during manufacturing and more product-design flexibility. The new tail section improves the fit-and-finish of the rear area of the motorcycle through more-precise alignment of the rear fender over the rear wheel.

A new swingarm is formed with a two-piece, deep-drawn shell with a forged pivot section. The new swingarm contributes significantly to the overall system.

The engine-isolation system has also been revised, resulting in reduced engine and vehicle vibration at idle speed. The new system replaces a single front isolator with twin front isolators with a single tie link. The front and rear mounts are designed to provide optimal balance between stiffness and isolation, and are intended to be very durable. Finally, new asymmetric snubbers provide improved control of the clearance between the engine and frame during extreme bump events.

Wheels, Tires and Suspension. A new wheel-and-tire combination plays a key role in the responsive performance of the 2009 Touring chassis. Front wheel diameter is increased to 17 inches from 16 inches (except for the Road King Classic, which has 16-inch Laced chrome steel wheels front and rear), while the width of the 16-inch rear wheel is increased to five inches from three inches. New 28-spoke cast aluminum wheels were designed using finite element analysis for maximal stiffness with minimal weight. The Street Glide has restyled Slotted Disc cast aluminum wheels that have also been engineered for maximum stiffness with minimal weight.

Hang on. In the next couple of days see all the new Harley 2009 models featured on Bikernet. If you’re going to Sturgis check the H-D display and new models in Rapid City, at the convention center.–Bandit

BIKERNET DIETARY ADVICE COLUMN–The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because by thenyour body and your fat have gotten to be really good friends.The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy areplacement.

He who hesitates is probably right.

Did you ever notice: The Roman Numerals for forty (40) are ‘ XL.’

If you think there is good in everybody, you haven’t met everybody.

If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind toblame.

–from Buckshot

THE ULTIMATE INSTANT CUSTOM ENHANCEMENT-SCULPTED TWISTED RISERS ARE A PERFECT CUSTOM COMPONENT– These polished chrome plated risers move your handlebars back 3⁄4? for a more comfortable riding position. Available for 1? or 1 1⁄4? handlebars, the risers bolt on in minutes eliminating lengthy installs.

In most applications, these risers allow you to use your stock cables and wires. Customize your cruiser today by bolting on our sculpted chrome Twisted Risers!

Part Number ? 55-334X for 1? Handlebars
Part Number ? 55-335X for 1 1⁄4? Handlebars
Suggested List Price $129.95 pair

LA CALENDAR SHOW PROBLEMS– I wish I had my wits about me that afternoon to take a photo of the ?Queen Mary Gestapo? driving off in their little green cart with all my wine! Was just too pissed off. My exhibitor agreement said I would be selling wines ? I had it in writing from Jim G that ?carry out sales of wine bottles would be OK?.

When the security from QM showed up we had Jim come over so we could all discussit ? they both just shrugged their shoulders and said ? Oops ? miscommunication? and then they both walked away. I wish they would haveboth talked before we drove 9 hours to get there!

Anyway ? we told people to come by our hotel room on Sat after the show ? had people coming by until midnight to buy wine from us. We at least recovered out costs for attending the event & Travel expenses.

We also got some great photos of our new ?V-Twin Vineyards Vixen? at the event.

Our incident followed on the heels of the security guards going booth-to-boothand confiscating any beers in personal coolers, cars & trailers. I?ve never seen anything like it before ? at least not sincehigh school prom.

There were a lot of pissed-off vendors. I was open to staying the rest of Sat just to promote ? but we bugged out that afternoon since we couldn?t sample or sell. I thought for everyone?s best interest that we check-out that afternoon and go play tourist on Sunday. Probably won?t be attending that event again.

Scott Del Fava
V-Twin Vineyards
P.O. Box 7912
Santa Rosa, CA 95407
Direct: 707-490-5198
Fax: 707-573-8215
Office: 707-573-8215

V-Twin Zin brings home the Gold, Silver, & Bronze!

Reminder – Free Shipping offer expires July 25th 2005 V-Twin Zinfandel

AWARDS:
GOLD MEDAL – 2008 Riverside International Wine Competition

SILVER MEDAL –
2008 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition

SILVER MEDAL –
2008 San Francisco International Wine & Spirits Competition

BRONZE MEDAL –
2008 Orange County Fair Our 2005 V-Twin Zin was selected from vineyards in the Dry Creek and Alexander Valleys and is bursting with berry aromas and flavors of raspberry and black cherry. Barrel aging provides hints of oak and vanilla to the wine leaving a soft, smooth caramel finish. We have blended this Zin to be smooth & drinkable.

Free July Shipping offer on all V-Twin Vineyards wines:

Mix & Match any 3 or more bottles and receive FREE UPS Ground Shipping. Stock-up for the summer on these award winning wines.

Click HERE to order www.vtwinwines.com

Continued On Page 2

April 21-22, 2006, Charlotte, NC—The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) and Concerned Bikers Association/ABATE of North Carolina, Inc. hosted Beast of the East, which drew 122 people from 14 states. Biker’s rights issues are rooted in the core values of the American system—freedom and equal treatment under the law. As the gathering of activists attests, where bikers choose to work the system, the system works for them. Progress is made in state legislatures and on federal issues by the most active motorcyclist’s rights organizations(MROs).

At Friday evening’s general session, state reps shared their strategies and results.Everyone is capable of influencing government, MRF president Karen Bolin made an example of Washington State’s last governor’s race, won—by a margin of 129 votes after three recounts —by the candidate that the MRO opposed. “So don’t tell me your vote doesn’t matter,” she said. The SMRO had some success in passing a secured loads law for trucks.

As in most states, leaving the scene of an accident is a crime; in North Carolina, penalties have been increased.

In Colorado, ABATE is working with the Department of Transportation to update the state’s rider education rules. Their Right-of-Way penalty legislation was weakened from license revocation to suspension.

In New York, ROW bills were redrafted to include road users and pedestrians beyond motorcycles, but now face the journey through the country’s slowest legislature.

In Tennessee, like many other states, the government plays fast and loose with designated rider education funds. ABATE is watching closely and fighting for every dollar. They won an exemption to the mandatory helmet law for parades under 30 mph. Tennessee has also sanctioned the use of certain bicycle helmets certified by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, for use on motorcycles (motorcycle helmets are subject to Dept. of Transportation-NHTSA standards, a separate agency.) Handlebar height restrictions were also removed; Delaware, Kansas, and New York have loosened their laws to shoulder height.

New Hampshire residents had unlimited opportunity to pass a road test after acquiring a 30-day learner’s permit. A new law effective July 1 requires anyone who fails a road test twice to take the state’s rider training course. Effective January 1, 2007, permit applicants must take a written test, similar to other states. NH also now requires a 45-minute motorcycle-awareness module in driver education curriculum.

Ohio currently allows riders over the age of 18 the right to choose helmet use, ABATE helped defeat a bill that would raise the age to 25 and increase penalties for failure to comply.

Wisconsin’s Senate and Assembly Transportation Committee passed Roadway Users Responsibility Act in March. The RURA toughens right-of-way violation penalties; allow motorcycles and bicycles to pass red lights after 45 seconds when sensors don’t recognize them; and mandates motorcycle awareness in driver education. It awaits Governor Doyle’s signature.

Tom Greenbank of Maryland found a loophole in the state’s law that allows him to ride without a helmet legally. The statutes that apply to only antique motorcycles classify a helmet as part of the bike’s equipment, not the rider’s. Tom keeps a copy of the law in his pocket when he rides.

Michigan’s helmet choice bill has been approved by the state senate, but faces a rough ride through the house.

The Massachusetts Motorcycle Association expects their helmet choice bill will become law by July 1.

California joins Florida’s steps at graduated driver’s licensing. There are plenty of practical reasons, but the devil is in the details. The European model is far stricter.

In the two years since the American Motorcyclist Association began the Justice for All campaign, a total of eleven states have passed new legislation. Penalties for drivers convicted of right of way violations that cause serious injury or death have been increased: in OK it’s a fine up to $1,000, In GA, the fine is at least $250, in addition to other penalties. They join Arkansas, Iowa, Maine, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.

MRF president Karen Bolin overviewed the national issues since the highway appropriations bill was passed after two years of delay in July, 2005. The bill includes $25 million in grants for motorcycle education, safety, and awareness programs over the next four years. Contact the MRF to learn how your state can apply, if the money is not spent, it will not be renewed in the next budget cycle.The long-awaited crash study has been funded, and a National Motorcycle Advisory Council has been created. It will be comprised of: a member of a national safety organization, the AMA, MRF, Motorcycle Safety Foundation, a state motorcycle safety administrator, a highway construction expert, two state DOT officials or engineers, and two SMRO members.

The loophole in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act that permits an insurance company to exclude benefits based on source of injury still stands. Keep after your senators and representatives to support S577 and HR2793, all the more important now that the state of Massachusetts just passed a law requiring everyone to have health insurance. The mandated insurance product currently does not exist.

HR2048 is the Right to Repair Act for all motor vehicles. It forbids manufacturers to withhold tools or training from owners or mechanics, current law makes only emissions tools available. If HR2048 does not pass, independent repair shops could eventually be forced out of business.

Gang legislation in both houses does not directly mention motorcycles, but refers to garments and other details too vague to avoid misinterpretation. The House version calls for more educational programs, the Senate version calls for more law enforcement.

The National Highway Safety Administration has been holding quarterly safety meetings; the AMA, MRF, MSF, members of the major manufacturers, law enforcement officials, MROs, and alcohol distributors. They are working to reduce alcohol-related deaths, which are on the rise.

Another disturbing trend—as many as 65% of all rider deaths are from single-vehicle crashes, most involving alcohol. Alcohol (and pharmaceutical drug) advertising in motorsports is still increasing, could there be a connection?

The Environmental Protection Agency issued new emissions rules affecting all motorcycles produced from 2006 forward. United Nations committees are working on international standards (not rules, compliance is voluntary) for emissions. Currently, the European Unions are the most stringent, the United States are the least, and Japan’s standards are in the middle. A new emissions test will be developed, which will force the EPA to reexamine its rules yet again.

Sound regulations are still controversial within the UN, Germany supports the toughest four-part test, roadside enforcement and penalties including confiscation. The US and many others want a two-part test with no post-factory follow-up. A NGO comprised of the AMA, MRF, FEMA, and FIM serves to represent the interest of over 35 million riders.The MRF has received over seven thousand responses to its survey of motorcycle shops. They are still compiling data, so tell your mechanic to log on to MRF.org-links to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=98991669717

A lengthy discussion on rider education was presented by state directors of Rider Education Dave Galloway(North Carolina) and Jay Jackson(Indiana). Most programs were started by SMROs, who created their funding structure of license and registration fees. The MRF views rider education as a state issue which should not be co-opted a marketing tool for the industry. NHTSA’s own survey of rider training found three of the top five programs in the country are not from the MSF.

The MSF is selling its program, then trying to control its use or threaten to pull certification from the provider. Jackson related how the MSF tried to insist that Colorado, which certifies more than one curriculum, use only the MSF program, then told Oregon to allow other programs besides TEAM OR to operate. Illinois is testing the MSF’s Beginning Rider Course against the TEAM Oregon program for efficacy.

Galloway observed that the most under-served segment of the market is longtime riders who have never had formal training, which accident rates bear out. North Carolina waives regular skill tests if one successfully completes a BRC or an ERC, but this has not increased demand for ERCs. Seems those old dogs don’t want to learn any new tricks. Riders over 40 have more accidents, and returning military personnel have been pushing up the death rate. Takes a different set of skills to survive insurgents than motorcycles.

Honda has developed a motorcycle simulator, the same concept as a cockpit simulator for training. Some instructors fear that factory-sponsored rider training courses would use this as a replacement for riding module, others acknowledged that it could be very helpful as an additional module.

As one who must step outside the biker realm with far too much regularity, I’ve found biker’s rights conferences, whether sponsored by one of the national organizations or the SMRO, are far better focused and in general, meatier than professional groups. Yet the level of camaraderie and support is exactly what most bikers would expect of one another…everyone’s eager to share. Motorcycle riders are just two percent of the road users. We’re a pretty small part of the gross domestic product, we don’t generate very much tax revenue and we’re not the richest special interest group in the capitols. But despite the lies, corruption, and incompetence, we still have the most accessible system in the world. We’ve got the precious right to vote, and so much more.

Contact: Motorcycle Riders Foundation http://MRF.org
American Motorcyclist Association http://ama-cycle.org/
Motorcycle Safety Foundation www.msf-usa.org/
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration www.nhtsa.dot.gov/
Environmental Protection Agency www.epa.gov/

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

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

INTEREST IN MOTORCYCLES SOARS WITH FUEL PRICESMotorcycle and scooter sales across the nation are booming as drivers look for ways to trim the cost of soaring gas prices, but the rush of inexperienced riders hitting the road has had deadly consequences.

NADA Guides, which publishes a well known book of used vehicle prices, reported that the number of people researching motorcycle purchases has increased nearly 50% over last year.

Scooter sales jumped 24 percent nationwide in the year’s first quarter, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council. While new motorcycle sales were lagging on the whole, those with smaller engines that get better gas mileage saw an upturn, according to MIC spokesman Mike Mount, adding that used motorcycle sales also are climbing.

The small fuel-efficient vehicles are easy on the mileage and the pocketbook, which has made them wildly popular with gasoline prices surpassing $4 a gallon. Depending on engine size, motorcycles can get between 40 and 60 miles per gallon of gas. Scooters, which tend to be smaller and easier to drive, can reach 100 miles per gallon or more. That’s attracting newbies, dealers say, with many new buyers citing the price at the pump as their primary motivation for turning to two-wheel transportation.

According to a recent report by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), motorcycle sales have tripled from 1997 to 2006, from 356,000 to almost 1.1 million, while motorcycle fatalities more than doubled from 2,110 in 1997 to 4,810 in 2006.

Last year, the GHSA asked state highway safety agencies to complete a survey on motorcycle safety activities designed to curb the annual increase in motorcycle crashes.

The surveys revealed “a patchwork of helmet laws,? with only nine states and Puerto Rico indicating special efforts to help law enforcement identify helmets that don?t meet federal safety standards. Rider training courses have been overly strained due to the influx of new=2 0motorcyclists and, as a result, 29 states “indicated they have capacity problems with delays ranging from one day to 12 weeks for training classes. Only three states, Florida, Maine, and Rhode Island require rider education for all riders, regardless of age,” according to the association. The report also says many motorcyclists drive without valid licenses: In 2006, 25 percent of operators in fatal motorcycle crashes did not have a valid motorcycle license, compared to 13 percent of drivers of passenger vehicles.

GEORGIA TURNS SPEEDERS INTO FUEL PUMPS It?s a ridiculous concept, reports the National Motorists Association (NMA), but somehow it seemed inevitable. Check out this st ory from USA Today: The surging price of gasoline has come to this: a “fuel surcharge” on your next speeding ticket.

Drivers caught speeding in the north Atlanta suburb of Holly Springs soon will have to pay an extra $12 — to cover $4-a-gallon gas costs for the police officers who stop them.

Is your police cruiser running low on fuel? No problem, just pull over someone driving home from work, ticket them, and you?ll have a full tank of gas in no time.

Need to balance your budget? Maybe you should look to Pizza Hut for inspiration: Police Chief Ken Ball says he was seeking ways to maintain patrols despite record high gas prices. “I was hearing that Delta (Air Lines), pizza deliverers, florists were adding fuel charges to their services, and I thought, why not police departments?” he says.

Unfortunately it looks like this isn?t going to be an isolated case. As with any situation where money is available to be taken from citizens, local government is on the case immediately: Ball says he?s being “inundated” by calls from police chiefs and city managers. “I?ve heard from at least a dozen police chiefs and half a dozen city managers,” he says of their municipality?s recently-passed measure. “They want to know how we did it, and could=2 0we send them a copy of the ordinance.”

MARYLAND RIDERS LIGHT IT UPMotorcycle riders in Maryland hope to get more attention from car drivers with a new state law that allows the use of specified auxiliary lighting, which can only be used after dark, thus increasing their visibility to other road users at night.

Senate Bill 713, the “Night-time Awareness – Auxiliary Lighting” bill, passed unanimously through the House and Senate, and was signed into law April 8th by Governor Martin O’Malley.

The new law, which went into effect June 1st, addresses the use of LED lights that illuminate the sides of the motorcycle, thus allowing other drivers to see motorcyclists from the side as well as front and rear. The lights cannot be blue or red and cannot blink, flash or oscillate. They can only be directed toward the engine and drive train and are specifically prohibited from being on wheels.

Pat Corcoran, spokesman for ABATE of Maryland, said “Most motorcycle accidents involving another vehicle, are almost always the fault of the other vehicle, and usually the comment of the other driver is, we just didn’t see him.”

The law also allows the use of blue-dot tail lights, which also increases conspicuity in traffic.

STATES GREEN-LIGHT NEW RED-LIGHT LAWS FOR MOTORCYCLESMotorcyclists in a growing number of states are being allowed to go through red lights when sensors aren’t able to detect they are there.

In May, South Carolina became the seventh state to give motorcyclists license to proceed with caution after stopping when the device that causes the light to change from red to green doesn’t activate, according to a recent article in USA Today.

North Carolina passed a similar law in 2007. Wisconsin (2006), Idaho (2006) Arkansas (2005), Tennessee (2003) and Minnesota (2002), all have passed laws the past six years, while similar legislation has been introduced in Georgia, Missouri and Oklahoma.

The traffic lights in question are controlled by devices buried under the road that operate similar to metal detectors, according to Doug Hecox, a spokesman for the Federal Highway Administration. Their sensitivity can be set to detect motorcycles, but the proper balance is difficult to adjust, he said.

California has chosen a technological solution. A law adopted last year requires that when new traffic-activated signals are installed, they be capable of detecting motorcycles and bicycles.

?In Texas, we took a different approach,? said Sputnik, President of the Texas Motorcycle Rights Association (TMRA-II) and Chairman of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists? Legislative Task Force (NCOM-LTF). He told a gathering at the recent NCOM Convention in Houston about a law passed there last year: ?When a traffic light doesn?t detect motorcycles, they have to fix them so they do.?

EU MOTORCYCLES TO GET ONBOARD WARNING SYSTEMSMotorcycles will get new onboard warning systems to tell the rider when he’s going too fast under proposals unveiled recently at a motorcycle safety conference in Brussels, Belgium. The technology will tell the rider when he’s going into a bend too fast or exceeding the speed limit. A ?frontal collision warning? system will detect when the bike is too close to an obstacle.

On-road trials of the In-Vehicle Information System technology will begin by 2010 under the European Commission’s plans, which are backed by the Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations (FEMA).

The project, called SAFERIDER, ?aims to develop devices to improve the comfort and safety of riders through technology such as warning devices to alert the rider of a potential crash or provide information about black (blind) spots or traffic design,? according to a FEMA press release, adding that ?The decision by FEMA to participate in the SAFERIDER project is because we need to find out if technology can assist a rider to make decisions to avoid collisions or crashes. We need to ensure that the technology being developed can benefit riders – but if doesn’t, then we need to be in a position to make our point of view clear.?

More information on the SAFERIDER project can be found at www.saferider-eu.org.

BIKER FUNERALS ILLEGAL DOWN UNDERGypsy Jokers from across Australia gathered in Adelaide for a funeral which would be illegal under new ?anti-bikie? laws enacted by the South Australia State Government.

The bikers were farewelling club president Wayne “Chiller” McGrath, 42, a father of four and part-owner of four tattoo parlors, who suffered a fatal heart attack while exercising on a treadmill at his Virginia home. More than 300 people – including more than 100 Gypsy Jokers motorcycle club members nationally and abroad from Germany, Norway and the US attended his funeral. The mourners – who included wives, girlfriends and children – then went to the Gypsy Jokers clubhouse for a wake to honor their fallen brother.

Legal sources said under the new anti-biker laws passed by the government and now taking effect, the funeral and wake would have been declared prohibited events as ?bikies? will be prohibited from associating with each other once their so-called ?gangs? have been declared illegal organizations by the Attorney-General.

The new laws – the first of their kind in Australia apart from the federal anti-terror legislation – have been attacked by lawyers and civil libertarians as “draconian” and an erosion of individual rights, particularly freedom of association.

The laws contain provisions that members of outlaw motorcycle clubs can only associate with direct family members such as their parents, brothers and sisters, grandparents and children. They are not permitted to gather together or have contact with their uncles, aunts or cousins – or neighbors and other friends or acquaintances.

Anyone who breaches the laws – whether they are bikers or individuals having contact with bikers at least six times a year – can be jailed for up to five years.

Control orders restraining the movements of individual bikers can also be issued by magistrates and judges on the application of SA Police. Criminal intelligence or any other information used by police to obtain the control orders must remain secret and anyone issued with an order cannot seek to have it independently reviewed by a judge.

WEIRD NEWS: DIRTY20DEEDSMore than 600 emergency workers participated in a mock disaster drill simulating an attack on Long Island by a fake biker gang detonating a ?dirty bomb” at a federal courthouse, testing the abilities of authorities to handle such a radioactive attack.

Police, firefighters, medical workers and other personnel from 60 agencies converged on the fire academy in Yaphank, NY, which also involved 10 area hospitals.

The exercise was dubbed ?S.C.R.U.B,” or ?Suffolk=2 County Response to an Unknown Bomb,” and the scenario involved a local biker gang called ?El Diablo,” which would attack the courthouse with a deadly dirty bomb after federal officials arrested their leaders.

More than 100 people were injured or killed in the fake attack, and the injured had to be cleansed and decontaminated before they were actually sent to local hospitals for treatment. Police had to determine the cause of the blast. Other participants practiced decontamination, detecting radiation exposure and coordinating responses with multiple agencies.

Authorities called it the largest emergency drill in Suffolk County’s history. It was funded by the Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency services with a $175,000 grant from the Department of Homeland Security.

QUOTABLE QUOTE: “These are days when many are discouraged. In the 93 years of my life, depressions have come and gone. Prosperity has always returned and will again.?

John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937), American industrialist

FILM STAR MATT SCHULZE?S CUSTOM HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE TO BE WON IN FREE ONLINE SWEEPSTAKES AT CINSAY.COM–

Continued From Page 4

Los Angeles, CA July 142008 ? On December 20, 2008, Cinsay.com, the unique interactive entertainment and social networking website, will give away to one lucky member the custom Harley-Davidson motorcycle owned and ridden by movie star Matt Schulze (?The Acquirer,? ?Fast and the Furious,? ?Blade?). The custom 2001 Harley is in prime condition, and is valued at $20,000. To enter the sweepstakes, interested fans need only go to Cinsay.com and register as a member. Membership is quick, easy and completely FREE. Then, on December 20, one lucky member will ride away on the bike of their dreams.

The custom bike giveaway is taking place to help introduce new entertainment fans to ?The Acquirer,? the original presentation starring and directed by Schulze and co-starring Tom Sizemore (?Black Hawk Down,? ?Saving Private Ryan?). Shot in luxurious HD, the film centers on the exploits of master-thief Lucien Hayes (Schulze), who finds himself embroiled in one dangerous adventure after another.

Cinsay.com is a unique entertainment and social networking website which allows viewers to enjoy greater interaction than ever possible before. Customized features allow viewers to ?click? on various elements featured in the programs in order to participate in promotions, make purchases or simply find out more about a product. All original programs are presented free of commercial interruptions and are shot and presented using the latest HD (high-definition) technology, providing the clearest and sharpest possible viewing experience … whether viewed on an Internet-enabled television, computer or a handheld device. Cinsay.com is truly revolutionizing the way we go to the movies by bringing the movies home to us.

ONE HELL OF A VISIT–CALLAWAY – Not everyone believed Paul Stevens when he said in June he was starting a chapter of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club in Florida.

Stevens however, brushed off the cynics as well as any mention of possible retribution for using the club’s name and insignia without permission.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he said, maintaining his legitimacy.

On Saturday, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office received a call from Stevens’ wife. Two men identifying themselves as Hells Angels were at the door.

“They were as sweet as sugar,” said Sgt. Adam Buff, a responding officer. “I can only speculate as to why.”

The bikers apparently served Stevens with cease and desist papers, then got back into their van and left, according to the incident report. It began with an ad

A curious advertisement last month in The News Herald featured the Hells Angels skull and wings “deathhead” logo and called for 50 new members for a new Gulf Chapter. It said: “all races & sexes welcome.” In a subsequent article, Stevens laid out plans for a chapter he hoped eventually would encompass any state touching the Gulf of Mexico, and possibly Mexico.

The public response was swift and unforgiving. Numerous men claiming to be Hells Angels took odds with Stevens’ claims. One phone message summed up their collective sentiment: “This guy’s a clown down there. C’mon, man, you’re asking if this guy’s real? Please!”

“A single man does not decide he’s going to start a chapter of the Hells Angels and just hang out a shingle,” said a man identifying himself as Fritz Clapp, an attorney who represents the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club copyright interests.

He said he was not happy about the news coming out of Florida.

“We make a very big deal about it,” Clapp said of the club and its licensed images. “People have died for these things. They are the elite of motorcycle clubs.”

Clapp said Stevens would be issued with cease and desist papers, requesting that he abandon the Hells Angels Gulf Inc. moniker registered in 2007 as a Florida corporation.

“Ordinarily, it doesn’t take much more than a stern warning,” Fritz said, recalling his suits against Disney and Pepe Jeans. “It’s usually a one-punch fight.”

Stevens didn’t flinch: “Until I actually end up in a courthouse, I’m not worried about it.”

In Outlaw land

Motorcycle clubs in America generally are territorial. Florida is not thought to be friendly territory for the Hells Angels.

“Are Hells Angels in Florida? No,” said Ruth Sasser, spokeswoman for the Bay County Sheriff Office. “It is generally accepted that the Outlaws are in Florida.”

When Stevens began heralding his Gulf Chapter, ears in the law enforcement community perked up.

“Any group with the reputation of the Hells Angels coming to town, obviously we’re interested in learning more,” said Tommy Ford, supervisor at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Panama City office.

Ford said he didn’t know if Stevens was legit. “I don’t know,” he said. “I have been unable, just like you, to verify the validity of it.”

Local law enforcement wasn’t entirely unaware of Stevens. In May, officers responded to an incident in Panama City Beach that involved an apparent standoff between Stevens and a collection of local Outlaws. According to the incident report, Stevens reported that four local Outlaws had taken issue with his selling T-shirts out of a truck marked “H.A.M.C. Store.”

The situation, as reported by Stevens, escalated until one of the Outlaws pulled out a gun, Stevens pulled a knife, and a number of his T-shirts were taken. After taking his two children home, Stevens apparently returned to the scene.

“He stated that he could not hide,” the report detailed. “He had to stand his ground.”

Deputies were not able to verify the Stevens’ account, and no arrests were made.

If Stevens’ T-shirt standoff didn’t immediately grab the attention of law enforcement, his news of a Gulf Chapter did. “I’ve got undercovers circling my block since the article came out,” Stevens said.

Ford said there was a concern for Stevens’ safety, as well as the possibility of friction between motorcycle clubs. They were keeping an eye on the situation.

“I would say monitoring at this point,” Ford said.

Stevens reported receiving death threats. He also was fielding calls from bikers interested in joining up. A woman from Britain, he said, seemed very interested.

“She’s been calling every two days,” he said. “She wants to move over here.”

Chaotic waffles

The Hells Angels is more than a motorcycle club; it’s a corporation. But unlike a corporation, there is no official voice, no public relation specialist or press statements. Further, as a rule, the group does not talk to the media.

This shadowy modus operandi makes verifying identity and claims an iffy task. Clapp attempted to get several Hells Angels to go on the record for this story, but was unsuccessful.

Stevens also was reluctant to provide a higher-up to verify his Gulf Chapter plans. He eventually did come up with a phone number, which led to a man claiming to be a sergeant of arms with the Hells Angels. Stevens had referred to him as an “enforcer.”

“This is Chaos, you looking for Chaos?” said the voice that answered the phone.

Chaos said he did not know Stevens, but was planning to visit Bay County to get a handle on the situation. He made plans to discuss the matter at a local Waffle House.

“I’ll let you talk with Sonny Barger,” Chaos said, promising a telephone interview with the Hells Angels icon. “You know who Sonny Barger is?”

Barger can’t be considered a spokesman for the club, but is the most recognizable face of the Hells Angels. The founding member writes books and signs autographs.

Clapp laughed at the notion of a Waffle House teleconference. He recounted a recent visit with Barger during which the pair discussed the brewings in Florida.

“We were joking about how far out this guy must be,” Clapp said. “He’s flat-out delusional, but he’s keeping up the show, there’s no doubt about that.”

Chaos never showed to eat waffles in Bay County. Neither did Fritz provide verifiable Hells Angels contacts.

“I think I have indulged you about as much as I need to,” Clapp said. “Would you like a member named Big from South Carolina to stomp into your office? Would that give you a thrill? Actually, we don’t need to prove anything to you.” Knock, knock

NYC Choppers has invited you to join Ignition Nation–Ignition Nation is the place to bring the world together through the one true universal love ? Cool Rides and Hot Bikes.

Please join our new site, www.ignitionnation.com and link to me as a friend. Also, please put some information, pictures and events up on the site. We would appreciate your help.

NO ONE BUILDS OLD SCHOOL CHOPPERS AND BOBBERS LIKE NEW YORK CITY CHOPPERS. A BIKE HAND CRAFTED AND CREATED BY NYC CHOPPERS IS NOT MERLEY A TOY OR JUST A FORM OF TRANSPORTATION?IT IS A STATEMENT ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU WANT TO GO.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON ANNOUNCES 2008 SECOND QUARTER RESULTS– Milwaukee, Wis., July 17, 2008 — Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HOG) today announced its results for the second quarter ended June 29, 2008. Revenue for the quarter was $1.57 billion compared to $1.62 billion in the year ago quarter, a 2.9 percent decrease. Net income was $222.8 million compared to $290.5 million in the year ago quarter, a decrease of 23.3 percent. Second quarter diluted earnings per share (EPS) were $0.95, a 16.7 percent decrease compared to last year?s $1.14.

?During the second quarter we shipped 80,326 Harley-Davidson motorcycles to our dealers and distributors around the world. While this result exceeds our guidance range of 76,000 to 80,000 units for the quarter, it is a decrease of 15.6 percent from the year-ago period. This decrease reflects the impact of the shipment reduction we announced April 17th in response to ongoing weakness in the U.S. economy,? said Jim Ziemer, Chief Executive Officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc.

?We expect U.S. economic conditions and ongoing consumer concerns to continue to create challenges at least through the end of the year,? said Ziemer. ?We believe the actions we took to reduce shipments to our U.S. dealers and our related workforce reduction position us appropriately for the current economic environment. I am confident about our future as we continue to manage and reinvest in the business for the long-term.?

?Last week, we announced our planned acquisition of the MV Agusta Group and celebrated the grand opening of the Harley-Davidson Museum. Next Tuesday, we introduce our exciting new 2009 motorcycles. A month from today, we kick off our 105th Anniversary Celebration with the launch of the first of 105 motorcycle rides to Milwaukee from around the U.S. These are just some of the ways we are positioning the Company for the future, strengthening bonds with current customers and reaching out to new customers,? Ziemer said.

The Company expects to ship between 74,000 and 78,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles during the third quarter of 2008. For the full year of 2008, Harley-Davidson still plans to ship between 303,500 and 307,500 units. The Company continues to expect full-year EPS of $3.00 to $3.18, a decrease of 15 to 20 percent compared to 2007.

Motorcycles and Related Products Segment ? Second Quarter Results

Revenue from Harley-Davidson motorcycles was $1.19 billion, a decrease of $67.0 million or 5.3 percent versus the same period last year. Shipments of Harley-Davidson motorcycles totaled 80,326 units, a decrease of 14,791 units or 15.6 percent compared to last year?s second quarter.

Revenue from Parts and Accessories (P&A), which consists of Genuine Motor Parts and Genuine Motor Accessories, totaled $265.7 million, an increase of $2.3 million or 0.9 percent over the year-ago quarter. Revenue from General Merchandise, which consists of MotorClothes? apparel and collectibles, totaled $76.8 million, an increase of $4.1 million or 5.6 percent over the year-ago quarter.

Gross margin for the second quarter of 2008 was 35.7 percent of revenue compared to 37.4 percent for the second quarter last year. Second quarter operating margin decreased to 20.1 percent from 23.9 percent in the second quarter of 2007. The Company?s gross and operating margins were adversely impacted this quarter by the shipment volume reduction.

Motorcycle Retail Sales Data

During the second quarter, worldwide retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 3.6 percent compared to the prior year second quarter. In the U.S., retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 8.7 percent for the quarter. The heavyweight motorcycle market in the U.S. increased 0.8 percent for the same period.

Retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles grew 11.2 percent in international markets during the second quarter of 2008 compared to the second quarter of 2007. Second quarter retail sales increased 8.7 percent in Canada; the Europe Region was up 9.0 percent; the Asia Pacific Region was up 7.3 percent; and the Latin America Region was up 67.1 percent.

Financial Services Segment

Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS) reported second quarter operating income of $37.1 million, a decrease of $28.1 million or 43.0 percent compared to the year-ago quarter. The decrease is primarily due to a $19.5 million reduction in securitization gain and a $6.3 million write-down of retained securitization interests. Last year?s second quarter benefited from a $950 million securitization transaction compared to no securitization transaction during the second quarter of 2008.

Harley-Davidson, Inc. – Six Month Results

For the first six months of 2008, revenue totaled $2.88 billion, a 2.9 percent increase over the year-ago period. Earnings per share were $1.74, a decrease of 7.9 percent compared to the same period last year.

Through the first six months of this year, shipments of Harley-Davidson motorcycles were 152,194 units, a 6.6 percent decrease compared to last year?s 162,878 units. Harley-Davidson motorcycle revenue was $2.20 billion, up 2.7 percent compared to last year?s $2.15 billion. P&A revenue totaled $447.6 million, a 0.9 percent decrease from last year?s $451.6 million. General Merchandise revenue totaled $160.8 million, an 8.0 percent increase compared to $148.8 million during the same period in 2007. HDFS operating income was $72.1 million, a 42.0 percent decrease from last year?s $124.1 million.

Cash Flow

Cash and marketable securities totaled $803.9 million as of June 29, 2008. Cash used by operations was $39.0 million during the first six months of 2008 compared to $1.06 billion of cash provided during the first half of 2007. This decrease in cash flows from operations was a result of net proceeds from securitization being $1.27 billion less than the same period in 2007. During the first half of 2008, HDFS funded a greater percentage of its business with proceeds from commercial paper and medium term notes than in the same period last year. Capital expenditures were $99.6 million during the first six months of 2008. For the full year of 2008, capital expenditures are expected to be between $235 million and $250 million.

Stock Repurchase

The Company repurchased 1.3 million shares of its common stock at a cost of $50.0 million during the second quarter of 2008. On June 29, 2008, the Company had 235.3 million shares of common stock outstanding.

As of June 29, 2008, there were 19.3 million shares remaining on a board-approved share repurchase authorization. An additional board-approved share repurchase authorization is in place to offset option exercises.

CHOP SHOP CUSTOMS COMES TO BIKERNET.COM– MY NAME IS BERNIE FROM CHOP SHOP CUSTOMS. KEITH FROM KEITH’S CUSTOMS SEAT TOLD ME TO SEND THIS NEW BIKE WE JUST FINISHED. KEITH IS PUTTING ONE OF SEAT ON THIS PUPPY. CHECK MY SITE IS WWW.CHOPSHOP-CUSTOMS.COM

Progressive Suspension – 430 Series Shocks–Always the innovator in the custom suspension market, Progressive Suspension has once again upped the ante with the street rod styled 430 series of shocks. Utilizing a high pressure gas mono tube design with deflective disk damping to insure high performance ride control the 430 Series can also be mounted rod up or rod down, depending on your application. Threaded pre-load adjusters allow for tool-less adjustment, and effortless tuning of ride quality.

First of their kind, machined aluminum spring perches and street rod styling of the new 430 Series are complimented by smooth lines and a polished chrome body. Available in chrome or contrast cut black anodized finish to match the look of your bike.

Contact your local Progressive Suspension dealer for more information.

–Progressive Suspension
6900 Marlin Circle
La Palma, CA 90623
877.690.7411
info@progressivesuspension.com
www.progressivesuspension.com

CDC Alert—The Centers for Disease Control has issued a medical alert about a highly contagious, potentially dangerous virus that is transmitted orally, by hand, and even electronically. This virus is called Weary Overload Recreational Killer (WORK). If you receive WORK from your boss, any of your colleagues or anyone else via any means whatsoever – DO NOT TOUCH IT. This virus will wipe out your private life completely.

If you should come into contact with WORK you should immediately leave the premises, take two good friends to the nearest grocery store and purchase one or both of the antidotes – Work Isolating Neutralizer Extract (WINE) and Bothersome Employer Elimination Rebooter (BEER).

Take the antidote repeatedly until WORK has been completely eliminated from your system.

You should immediately forward this medical alert to five friends. If you do not have five friends, you have already been infected and WORK is controlling your life.

–from Steve Davies

Grease Monkey Mayhem will be having its annual Sturgis Party Thursday August 7th–Make sure to add this to your schedule for Sturgis Week!!We will have Jennifer Scott performing some of her new music, lots of food, drink and great people!!

Special thanks to JAMMER CATALOG for sponsoring the party!!

BALL OF STEEL AT BRIGHTON, ACE CAF? NEWS–Three Days – Three Rides – One Reunion!

Ace Cafe London’s 70th anniversary and 15th annual Ace Cafe Reunion, a special party weekend that is being filmed for USA TVs Speed Channel, starts on Friday 12th September with the arrival from 6pm of The Continental Run for the cafe’s Bike Night, with Dyno Shoot-Out and rockin’ sounds from The Unknowns and DJ Jimmy Guntrip.

Saturday 13th September, join us for breakfast at the Ace from 7am. A Cafe Racer & Rockers Ride-Out will depart at Noon to the London Motorcycle Museum in Greenford, which is being filmed for a USA TV documentary ‘Cafe Society’, returning to the cafe for a Cafe Racer Review at 2.30pm with awards for the ‘Best Ridden Cafe Racer’ and two runners-up, being presented by special guests Colin Campbell (Actor in the film ‘The Leather Boys’), David Hailwood, Dave Degens and actor Oliver Tobias (featured in the book ‘Rockers! by Johnny Stuart)

From Noon until late, The London Rockin Rollers, who will steal your hearts and then your con rods, will be adding some eight-wheeled thrills and spills, together with a Dyno Shoot-Out, raising funds in aid of the Jeans for Genes Genetic Roadmap Appeal.

You can also make your visit count, by being sponsored by family and friends, be it as a solo rider, group or club. Go to the homepage on the Ace Cafe London website to download a sponsorship form or pick one up at the cafe.

“Little Miss Dynamite”, the Stonebridge Motor Company built S&S engined Ace Cafe Racer will make her debut at 4pm with opportunity to meet the builders, followed by a photographic review of the history of the Ace. The line-up of entertainment includes some of the top all British rock n’ roll bands on the circuit, The Coy Dogs, Furious, and Crazy Cavan & The Rhythm Rockers with DJs Tracy Dick, Bill & Jimmy Guntrip spinning the wax, plus a ‘Best of Burlesque’ with Miss Zara Ann.

Sunday 14th September, the Brighton Burn Up & Ride With The Rockers to Brighton’s famous seafront road, Madeira Drive. The Ace opens at 7am with the ride leaving the cafe at 10.30am.

Madeira Drive will be open to the public from 9.30am. Attractions on the Ace seafront stage feature bands, The Rhythm Aces, The Diamonds, plus DJs Bill & Jimmy Guntrip, a seafront blessing by Father Scott Anderson & Father Dennis McSwinney of the 59 Club at 2pm, a presentation of the Ace Cafe London, Bike Legal and BikeSafe prize Scooter at 2.15pm and the introduction of Stonebridge Motor Company, builders of the S&S engined Ace Cafe Racer, “Little Miss Dynamite”, at 2.30pm.

The Ball of Steel from their home in Texas , are on their first ever UK tour, and will be performing their amazing motorcycle stunts. With nine years experience on National Tour, these riders, fuelled by Monster Energy Drink, have been dubbed the youngest motorcycle stunt team in the world.

The show is a high energy fully self-contained performance that features 3 riders inside a 14ft steel globe as well as a free-style show on mini bikes, jumping from steel to steel.

With sound equipment, MC and DJ who are almost as entertaining as the riders, you will leave this years Ace Cafe Reunion with a smile on your face and a high heart rate!

Stands and displays include from Triumph, Yamaha and BMW to Brooklands (2008 being the centennial of motorcycle racing at the legendary circuit), the 59 Club, VMCC, Busy Bee Club, BMRC, Jukebox Madness and many more!

For more information check out Ace Cafe Reunion on: www.ace-cafe-london.com www.ballofsteel.com

LINDA WILSMORE
Ace Cafe London
Tel: ++44 (0)20 8961 1000
Fax: ++44 (0)20 8965 0161
Website: www.ace-cafe-london.com
Ace Cafe London
Ace Corner
North Circular Road
Stonebridge
London
NW10 7UD

BIKERNET FAMILY TRADITIONS–All of his life, Len had heard stories of an amazing family tradition. It seems that his father, grandfather and great-grandfather had all been able to walk on water on their 21st birthday. On that day, they’d walk across the lake to the boat club for their first legal drink.

So, when Len’s 21st birthday came around, he and his friend, Corky, took a boat out to the middle of the lake. Len stepped out of the boat and nearly drowned! Corky just managed to pull him to safety.

Furious and confused, Len went to see his grandmother.

“Grandma, it’s my 21st birthday, so why can’t I walk across the lake like my father, his father and his father before him?”

Granny looked Len straight in the eyes and said, “Because your father, grandfather and great- grandfather were born in January. You were born in July.”

–from Rev CarlR Secrest

BIKE SHOW AND PARTY EXTRAVAGANZA —Join us this Saturday July 19, 2008 for for our 3rd Annual Hooters Bike Show!

Bike Registration begins at 10 am and only costs $5 per entry.

Awards will be given in all classes, BEST IN SHOW TAKES CA$H!!!!!

COME SEE OUR S&S P-SERIES50TH ANNIVERSARY BUILD BIKE&THE BIKER BUILD OFF’S “VIRGINIAN”

Live music from Barbies n’ Bondage! Plenty of food and beverages available. Fun for the everyone…bring the kids

Hooters
1211 Huguenot Rd
Midlothian, VA 23113
(804) 378-9464

TORIAN CHOPPER LEATHERS SPONSORS BIKERNET BROUHAHA–Torian Chopper Leathers is providing a sleeveless Torian Work Shirt for the Brouhaha! Tattoo contest that will showcase any biker’s tat.

The Torian leather shirt is a favorite of bikers everywhere for hot summer time riding. It features 2 chest flap pockets, 2 hand warmer pockets and a full lining.

Our shirts are made from the finest goat skins to provide the feel of lamb and the durability of cowhide in a light weight.

STURGIS OR BUST–That’s it for the news. I need to jump back into the shop and start welding. The damn deadline is approaching. Today a care package arrived from Rogue for our Pro Street Touring Project with Redneck bags. Then the Kevin Baas Plates arrived for our Brouhaha Best of Show awards. I’ve got to make the bases.

Get this, more 5-Balls arrived today and the trophy supplier promised our trophy parts tomorrow. Let’s see, my To-Do list for this weekend: Work on a Ducati, Finish the Free Wheel Sculpture for Mr. Lichter’s display at Thunder Road, finish the Best of Show Trophies and assemble the 5-Ball trophies.

Can I have a margarita? I’ll bring you a progress report on Sunday.

Ride Forever,

–Bandit

Continued From Page 3

Best of Show awards: 1st through 3rd (trophies by Kevin Baas and Bandit). The trophies are sponsored by Custom Chrome and each award receives a set of Hard-Krome Pipes.

The following classes are all awarded first and second place: first place trophy from Dupont, second place 5-Ball sponsored by Custom Chrome.

American Manufactured: Harley, Victory bikes with unmodified frames. First place receives a set of D&D pipes. Second place receives an oil change kit from Spectro Oil.

European Manufactured: Any bike produced by a European manufacturer. Unmodified frames. First place receives a performance racing jacket from Parts Unlimited and second place receives an oil change kit from Spectro Oils.

Metric Manufactured: Asian manufacturers, unmodified frames. First place gets a full Road Burner exhaust system and second place receives an oil change kit from Spectro Oils.

Touring Bike: Custom dressers and modified touring bikes. Should have windshield, saddlebags and a faring. The Touring class winner receives a complete set of Hard-Krome exhaust, and second place takes home a Spectro Oil, oil change kit.

Trikes and Sidecar bikes: 3-wheeled bikes with a motorcycle engines and bikes with sidecars. First place receives a bitchin’ seat from Saddleman and second place get the oil change kit from Spectro Oil.

Auto Bikes: Any bike with an automotive engine. May be broken into 2-wheeled or 3-wheeled. Hey, the Auto-Bike winner receives a full set of rotors from W8Less, and second place will receive the Spectro Oil prize.

Radical Chopper Category: Extended forks and or highly modified frame. Any make or model accepted. The winner gets a complete Headwinds Headlight system, and the second place bike will receive the Spectro Oil Special award.

Bobber Style Category: Any stock rigid frame with traditional forks and low bars. Any make or model accepted. The best Bobber gets a set or Road House exhaust and second place takes home the Spectro Oil prize.

Early Chopper Style: Any bike with highbars or outrageously high risers and stock length front ends and stock or nearly stock frame rakes. Any make or model accepted. The Winner receives a set of the lightest rotors in the world from W8Less, guaranteed not to ever squeak. Second place will receive an oil change kit from Spectro Oils.

American Manufactured Custom: Current D.O.T. manufacturer including Big Dogs, Titans, etc. The winner of this class will take home a new Saddleman Seat, and second place will get a Spectro Oil change kit.

Traditional Bobber: Actual Pre-1957 rendition of true bobber of the era. Any make or model accepted. This first place takes home a set of Road House exhaust, and second place wins the Spectro oil change kit.

Race Bikes: Any bike actually used in a racing form to include board track, off road, moto Cross, drag racing and Scrambles. Any make or model accepted. D&D Exhaust goes to the winner and Spectro oils takes care of second place.

Sport Bikes: Caf? racers, street racers and sport touring bikes. D&D put up a complete dyno tuned exhaust system for first place and Spectro stepped up for second place.

Antique Bikes: Original paint and restored antiques. Any make or model accepted. Another super cool Parts Unlimited jacket goes to the winner, and Spectro will set up second place with the stuff for a fresh oil change.

Antique Customs: Custom bike designed with an antique bike flair. Any make or model accepted. W8Less Rotors will supply a complete set of rotors to the winner, and 2nd place takes home the Spectro Prize.

Individual awards: All 5-ball trophies except Paint by Dupont trophy. Each winner receives a $100 gift certificate from W8Less Rotors and a Spectro Oil Prize.
Judge’s Choice Award
Best Paint
Best Design
Best Detail
Best Sheet metal

All 5-Ball Trophies and best of show trophies sponsored by Custom Chrome. All best of show bikes will be shot for Bikernet Bike Features.

GENO FROM STRANGE CAR MAGAZINES TO BRING HIS NEW KNUCKLEHEAD BOBBER TO BIKERNET BROUHAHA–Here’s some “undercover” shots of my 39 KnuckI will get you finished shots when its donemight be a good online feature?Whattyatink?

–Geno

Cochise Chops Magazine The Way It Was And The Way It Still Should Be– A lot of people know the name, a few are lucky enough to know the man, now you can read the magazine. After many years of contributing to the likes of local and national motorcycle magazines Cochise has launched his own effort in the motorcycle publishing realm. So what is this magazine? Well, the title is Cochise Chops Mag. and what it is in a few words is an attempt to preserve the purist view. Some people think that that’s living in the past but to Cochise, it’s paying homage to everyone who made this possible to begin with.

“There is change, we’ve gone from drum brakes to disc, some change is good but some things shouldn’t change like brotherhood and doing the right thing.”

In each issue of Cochise Chops Magazine, you can expect to find: the real deal, straight forward editorials from both a political and social standpoint, features on cool bikes and rods, articles on parties and personalities from the culture side of this thing.

“About Cochise”Cochise bought his first motorcycle in 1968 when he was just a boy, a Honda Super 90 that he traded in for a 305 dream about six months later. Around 1974, while he was in the military, he chopped a 650 Honda in a rigid frame, then in ’78 bought his first Harley, a ’73 Sportser.

Cochise has been a contributor to The Horse, Cycle Source, a local mag. called Florida Biker Digest, Kentucky Thunder Roads Magazine, is member of The Lords, has also started a motorcycle ministry called “Soldiers For Christ,” back in 1990, and remained at the head of that organization in 2000; it went nationwide with 14 chapters in 7 states. They took the message of the Bible to the streets and even one of the most well known names in the motorcycle club scene referred to them as the 1 percent version of the Christian Motorcyclists.

Cochise has always had a chopped bike and a place where he could work on motorcycles. Whether at his house or a little garage somewhere, this cat is well rounded in the art of motorcycle maintenance and the Zen of its culture.

The mag. is a free publication in the Volusia, Brevard and Flagler county areas of Florida, paid for by the advertisers – and he distributes around 4,000 copies a month. Subscriptions are available on line at http://www.cochisechops.com and it’s well worth the couple bucks for an undiluted view of the world.

On a final note I would personally like to thank Cochise for all he has done to further our magazine, and keep the real side going. He is a man among boys and I’m proud to call him my brother. I will leave you with a final quote that sums up what makes this a person worthy of the respect he is given.

BIKERNET MAJOR KART RACING SPONSOR–My kids are kart racing. This is their first year and we are just getting into it. However, we are having a lot of fun together.

Darwin Motorcycles is sponsoring the kids and Jeff Najar is doing a web site for them. Since you’ve been so generous with exposure for my company, I thought I’d put Bikernet on the kid’s karts. Then when we get them linked into our site, your logo will be on the Karts for the world to see.

See you in Sturgis.

–Dar

WILL PRO ONE STILL BE AROUND–Auctioned planned for Pro One this weekend. They’re selling off their machine shop equipment and renting the space.

ABATE’s MOTORCYCLES OK SIGNS IN HOV LANES BILL NEARS PASSAGE– Wednesday July 16, 2008 is “Ride to Work Day” for motorcyclists across the nation. Website: http://www.ridetowork.org/

ABATE of California reminds you to utilize the HOV lanes when riding to work – or at anytime!!!

ABATE’s bill requiring CalTrans to replace the “Motorcycles OK” signs that they removed from HOV lanes a few years ago, passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee yesterday!!!!

AB 2617, Duvall, is on its way to the Senate Floor.

The Assembly Floor vote was a unanimous 75 – 0.

We’re asking motorcycle riders in the Golden State and across the nation to tell all their friends about a letter writing campaign to Governor Schwarzenegger!!

Please call, snail-mail, fax or email a respectful letter to the Governor asking him to…

“Please support AB 2617, Duvall, a bill to replace the “Motorcycles OK” signs in the HOV lanes on California’s highways.”

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-558-3160

Main District Office:
300 S. Spring St., Ste. 16701
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Phone: (213) 897-0322
Fax: (213) 897-0319

E-mail: governor@governor.ca.gov
Website: http://gov.ca.gov/

ILLUSION MOTORCYCLES STILL ALIVE AND GROWING–The very fist manufactured customs rolled out of the Illusion Motorcycles factory in Southern, California. The originator Donnie Bittman is no longer at the helm, but his legacy lives on through Rusty Coones. Rusty along with Billy McCahill of Spyke and Compu-Fire threw in with Australia’s AMI’s, Brad Parfitt, to form 3B-1R to include Billet Concepts and STD to form the backbone around growing the Illusion name once more.

They have developed California CARB approved engine packages, EPA certified drivelines and now they’re producing a line of signature bikes including five choppers a month signed by Jesse James, then Eddie Trotta and Dave Perewitz. Here are a couple of their one-off customs we just spotted at their shop and featured for American Iron and the Cycle Source. In the very near future we will bring you a full report on their first group of Jesse James “HellRazor” choppers. Hang on as this company explodes onto the scene.

D&D DEALER PROGRAMS EXPANDS WEEKLY–This allows guys to fined performance Tuned Exhaust nearby. If you don’t see a shop here, Check the D&D Web site.

1) Anaheim Fullerton H-D 2635 W Orangethorpe Ave Fullerton, CA 92833 714-871-6563
2) Biker’s Haven & Equipment 25250 LA Hwy 333 Abbeville, LA 70510 337-652-9926
3) Arrow Custom Cycle 5255 Trans Canada Hwy Ducan BC CA V9L5J2 250-740-0373
4) IDC Motorsports 1415 Aviation Blvd Redondo Beach, CA 90278 310-937-7402
5) A & C Extreme Sports 717 N Pearl St Bridgeton, NJ 08302 856-451-0300
6) St. Croix H-D 2060 Hwy 65 New Richmond, WI 54017 715-246-2959
7) Star City Powersports 5120 Peters Creek Rd Roanoke, VA 24019 540-366-8500
8) On Cycles 800 Morrison Rd Columbus, OH 43230 614-577-8080
9) Southern Tier H-D 1152 Front St Binghamton, NY 13862 607-773-0264
10) Pro Tuned Performance 4906 Red Pine Ct Jacksonville, FL 32210 562-260-9443
11) Ring’s Custom Cycle 15280 S Robert Trail Rosemount, MN 55068 651-423-3909
12) PRM Cycle & Custom 2222-F Patterson ST Greensboro, NC 27407 336-855-0526
13) Extreme Motorsports 622 N Maclay Ave San Fernando, CA 91340 818-838-1801

–Jennifer

The Roads Are All Clear toMazda Raceway Laguna Seca! —After weeks of battling fires throughout California, firefighters, along with the help of the National Guard, have the Big Sur fire more than 61% contained and have reopened all parts of Highway 1.

Most restaurants and hotels in the region reopened on Monday, July 14, after being closed for weeks due to evacuation. Firefighters expect that fire to be fully contained by July 30.

The weekend forecast for the Monterey/Salinas area shows highs ranging from the upper 60’s on Friday to the mid 70’s on Sunday with overnight lows in the 50’s. So bring your sun block, but bring a jacket too, for when you’re hanging out on Canery Row.And don’t forget if you’re riding up, stop at the Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows presented by Toyota Pit Stop in San Luis Obispo!

Date: Friday, July 18, 2008
Time: 9:00a.m. ? 3:00p.m.
Location:Chevron Extra MileAt the 1/101 Interchange (cross Streets are SANTA ROSA (Hwy 1) and FOOTHILL Ave)
151 N. Santa Rosa Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: 35:17:42N
Longitude: 120:40:08W

At the Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows presented by Toyota Pit Stop we’ll have for you:

Giveaways including Free Gas, Helmets and Gear! (Don’t worry, we’ll ship them to you after the weekend)Motorcycle and helmet cleaning station featuring free Mothers detailing products, a Mothers Detailing Professional and Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows presented by Toyota detailing towelsFree fountain drinks (courtesy of Chevron Extra Mile) and snacks Red Bull USGP race schedules

When you get to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, be sure to swing by our trackside display in the Yamaha Marketplace where we’ll have more moto swag to give away and you can enter to win:

Shoei helmets
Fulmer helmets
Chatterbox communication system
Deluxe Mothers detailing gift basket
Gift certificate for Pirelli tires
Tickets to the Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows Presented by Toyota
And much more!

Shows presented by Toyota detailing towel you got at the Pit Stop to our booth at the track for your chance to win VIP prizes and discounts!!Hope to see you on the ride and trackside!

Motorcycle shop owners charged with racketeering– FRESNO, Calif. (AP) ? A federal grand jury in Fresno has indicted a Stanislaus County motorcycle shop owner, his son and six others on racketeering and conspiracy charges.

Federal officials said Tuesday that 61-year-old Robert Holloway and 36-year-old Brent Holloway are accused of trafficking in stolen motorcycle parts through Red Dog Cycle Center in Denair, as well as robbery and making “extortionate extensions” of credit.

The indictment alleges that the motorcycle shop was “a gathering place for and commercial supplier for various outlaw motorcycle clubs.”

Three current and former Stanislaus County law enforcement officials have also been charged with lying to a federal grand jury in separate indictments connected to the probe.

AFFILIATE EVENT FROM FAAK TO STURGIS–CUSTOM Chrome Europe’s Ride-In Bike Show at Lake Faak, Austria, is the latest European event to join the Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building Affiliate program.

Now in its 6th year, the one-day event on September 6th, during European Bike Week, will see one lucky builder win 5,000 Euro towards travel expenses to compete in the Official World Championship in Sturgis in 2009.

Faak joins a line-up of events around the world that includes Australia, Canada, Japan, Hungary, Portugal, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Russia, Spain, Italy and Sweden, all of which offer travel expense prizes for their “Best in Show” winning builders to compete at the Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building (OWC).Staged from August 30th to September 7th, European Bike Week features a continuous program of events, rides and entertainment ? with the Custom Chrome Europe Ride-In Bike Show as the highlight.

The bikes will be judged by a jury, selected from members of the custom press, builders and V.I.P. vendors.Last year saw the introduction of a specialty Sportster-engined bike sub-class (which includes Buells), which is open to factory and Harley and aftermarket Sportster-style engined bikes. Other classes returning for 2008 include Radical, Old School, Chopper, Modified Harley (factory frame and/or engine) with the Best of Show scooping the OWC Affiliate prize.

As is the case with most custom bike events outside the United States, ‘Faak’ is a ride-in show and participation will be international, so the sub-class and the Best of Show winner could be selected from any country. The 5,000 Euro DHL voucher for the winner’s bike freight to the 2009 OWC at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is sponsored by Custom Chrome Europe and Arneitz Custom Show/ European Bike Week.

CUSTOM CHROME EUROPE
Bad Kreuznach, GERMANY
Tel: +49 (0)671 888 880
Fax: +49 (0)671 888 881 00
E-mail: info@customchrome.de
www.custom-chrome-europe.com
www.arneitz-custom-show.de

DETROIT BROS. CUSTOM SEATS– If you?re in the market for a custom seat, look no further. James? custom seats, made in house at Detroit Bros., are some of the best you?ll find in the market. There are tons of options to choose from, including leathers, vinyls, and exotics such as crocodile and stingray. Colors, hand stitching, top stitching, hand tooling ? it?s all up to you.

We can also use your existing seat pans, or build you one. Pictured is an actual customer?s seat, which reads ?Grudge?, built on one of our springer seat pans? his price $850.

Priced individually, for quotes and ideas call 866-DET-BROS or send an email to: james@detroitbros.com

Continued On Page 5

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ERIC HERRMANN REPRESENTS THE ANGRY AMERICAN IN STURGIS–AngryAmericanUSAA Sculpture by Eric Herrmann & His Friends.

Are you pissed about Fuel Prices? Well I sure am! I make my living off of motorsports, and it?s sure affecting everything I?ve worked so hard for.Farmers, Truckers, Racers, we?re all in the same fix, and it?s not good.

I thought I?d do something about it, the only way I know how. Through my artwork. So here you have a work in progress. I can?t take all the credit, as it?s become a joint effort. (no pun intended) My biker friends have donated bike parts for the base, Cave Creek Welding did the welding, Rich came up with the idea of the POW MIA bracelet, Ray, the vet, has given me a number of ideas. So I?ll be painting more tattoos and adding accessories to the AngryAmericanUSA as he begins to tour the country. The first stop is Sturgis, and the next is Milwaukee for Harley?s 105th Anniversary. Stop on by and give me some input. We?re all pretty pissed off at the way things are and I think this is a good way to show it.

My basic concept is the Angry American, a mere skeleton of his former self, with a fuel can handcuffed to his arm. I?ve lettered fuel prices on the can, in five year increments, since 1959 (the start of the Vietnam War) to the present. Motor parts lie at his feet, rusted, as he can?t afford to drive anymore. Tangled in barbed wire, and struggling to stand, this patriot will not give up. He proudly carries the flag, and will give his right arm for the USA. His right arm is tattooed with military significance. I?ll do his left arm with personal significance. Mom, his girlfriends or wife?s name, children?

Like all art, there will be a time when it?s complete. But it?s not just yet. Who knows where this will go. But keep in touch and sign my mailing list. I?ll keep you informed about developments with the AngryAmerican. You can also get straight to the facts by going to www.AngryAmericanUSA.com.

Eric calls it “Brutal.” It actually moves in the wind. His jaw flops and his dick swings. We ran rebar through the bones, and bent it until we got to the balance point.

–Eric

Sparks Fly and Metal melts as Harley-Davidson Museum Opens in Milwaukee–MILWAUKEE (July 12, 2008) ? The Harley-Davidson Museum, located in Harley?s hometown of Milwaukee for nearly 105 years, opened its doors for the first time to the public today. The Museum opening kicked off with a Harley-Davidson-style ?ribbon cutting? ceremony in which a motorcycle primary chain wrapped around a Museum tower was cut with an acetylene torch. The festivities ? including the Harley-Davidson, Inc. president and CEO Jim Ziemer receiving his first tattoo, a 2008 Super Glide Custom bike build-off, and live music ? continued all weekend.

?Harley-Davidson has dreamed about building this Museum for a long time,? said Jim Ziemer, president and chief executive officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc. ?It adds a whole new dimension to the Harley-Davidson experience.?

The Museum exhibits tell the stories of the extraordinary people, products, history and culture of Harley-Davidson. The stories are told through both chronological and thematic exhibits, which are linked together by a chronological procession of landmark motorcycles from the Company?s 105-year history. Vintage photographs, posters and other artifacts explain major moments in the Company?s history such as the entrepreneurial start in 1903, survival during the Great Depression, involvement in WWII, and the landmark buy-back from AMF in 1981.

Along side the history galleries, four galleries dive deeper into specific topics of importance to Harley-Davidson culture. The Engine Room provides an education on Harley-Davidson engines and the science behind how they work. Another exhibit explains how motorcycle competition spurred the creation of motorcycle clubs and includes a recreation of a 1920s board track complete with factory race bikes banking a corner. Elvis Presley?s motorcycle is featured in an exhibit on customization along with paperwork proving that he purchased it just days before he became famous with the hit single, ?Heartbreak Hotel.? The Design Lab gives a look into the process of developing a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle from concept to manufacturing.

?Riders will instantly feel at home at the Harley-Davidson Museum,? said Stacey Schiesl, Harley-Davidson Museum director. ?And those who aren?t yet riders will be able to experience the passion that riders feel every time they fire up their motorcycles.?

In addition to enjoying a variety of exhibits, Museum patrons will also be able to take a peek into a portion of the previously private Archives, home to hundreds of motorcycles and thousands of artifacts and historical photographs.

Beyond the exhibits and Archives, Museum visitors and the general public can tap into the Harley-Davidson experience in a number of other ways – from grabbing a boldly flavored American meal in Motor, the Museum?s 150-seat restaurant, or Cafe Racer, a grab-and-go dining spot, to reading the various personalized messages on the Living the Legend rivets, found on curved steel walls and in plazas. With customizable indoor and outdoor spaces, the Museum also provides a variety of unique special event spaces that can accommodate an intimate gathering of 20 to freewheeling festivities for 15,000. The Museum site, located on 20 acres of park-like green space and bordered by the Menomonee River on three sides, is open to the public free of charge, 24 hours a day.

Timed tickets to the Museum are on sale online at www.h-dmuseum/tickets . General admission tickets are $16 for adults, $12 for students and seniors, $10 for children (ages 5-17 years), and children under 5 years of age will be admitted free with an accompanying adult. Visit www.h-dmuseum.com for additional details on the Harley-Davidson Museum.

Tickets to the Museum are not available during the Harley-Davidson 105th Anniversary celebration, August 28-31, and Harley-Davidson 105th Anniversary tickets do not include admission to the Museum.

BIKERNET FAMILY CONSELING SEMINAR– When I got home last night, my wife demanded that I take her someplace expensive….So, I took her to a gas station…..And then the fight started….

After retiring, I went to the Social Security office to apply for Social Security. The woman behind the counter asked meFor my driver’s license to verify my age. I looked in my pockets and realized I had left my wallet at home.

I told the woman that I was very sorry, but I would have to go home and come back later.

The woman said, ‘Unbutton your shirt’.

So I opened my shirt revealing my curly silver hair. She said, ‘That silver hair on your chest is proof enough for me’ and she processed my Social Security application.

When I got home, I excitedly told my wife about my experience at the Social Security office.

She said, ‘You should have dropped your pants. You might have gotten disability, too’And then the fight started…..

–from Lizette

THE FIRST ANNUAL BROKEN SPOKE OLD SCHOOL RIDE-IN CHOPPER SHOWRide your nasty lil? oil-drippin? scoot down to the world-famous Broken Spoke Saloon on Lazelle on Wednesday, August 6th and party with your brothers and sisters from Easyriders, V-Twin and Biker. Custom-made trophies will go to:
Best Knuckle
Best Pan
Best Shovel
Best Evo
Best Sportster
Best Brit Bike (BSA, Triumph, Royal Enfield, etc.)
Best of Show (1st, 2nd and 3rd Place)

No pre-registration, just sign up at show. Sign up time is from 9am to 10:30am and the awards will be given out at 5pm followed by live killer rock by Jasmine Cain. No Metric bikes, and your scooter must be ridden to the show. Best of Show winners will get a bike feature in Easyriders, V-Twin and Biker magazines. Bike Show judges will be Dave Nichols, editor of Easyriders and V-Twin, Dean Shawler, editor of Biker magazine and John Green of the Broken Spoke. Come hang with us at the coolest place in Sturgis.

Prizes and trophies include:
Best Knuckle trophy and “Sweet Hog ?O Mine” feature by Biker magazine
Best Pan trophy and prizes by Bikernet
Best Shovel trophy and $250 gift certificate by Jireh Cycles
Best Evo trophy by Carolina Custom Products
Best Sportster trophy and $250 gift certificate by Jireh Cycles
Best Brit Bike trophy and $200 bar tab at the Broken Spoke$1,500 in Supertrapp product for Best of Show Winners
Best of Show trophies and product prizes by Carolina Custom Products

–S&S Cycle jackets for all winners!

BIKERNET BONNEVILLE BOOK REACHES HAWAII– The mail lady was honking her horn today so i went out to see her and she had your new book, Thank-you so much, what a supprize, pictures are great, cool to see my brother in some, got to sit down and start reading it..again Thank-you very much.. We miss you guys Aloha Chris & Joerline

Big Dog Motorcycles Enters?The Dog Days Of Summer,? Which Offers Cash Allowances Of Up To $4,000.With new model year-end event, customers can enjoy substantial cash allowances of up to $4,000 on the company?s line of high performance, high style motorcyclesWICHITA, Kansas (July 15, 2008) ? Big Dog Motorcycles?, the leading manufacturer of high performance, high style motorcycles, has launched an all-new retail incentive: The Dog Days Of Summer, which provides new buyers a manufacturer?s cash allowance of up to $4,000 on new 2008 and 2007 models.

?The foremost premium motorcycle just became more accessible to more people wanting to experience ownership,? commented Paul Hansen, the company?s Marketing Director. ?From the award-winning Pitbull to America?s number one chopper, the K-9, our motorcycles come packed with high style, high performance, and now ? a lower price.?

Highlights of the ?The Dog Days Of Summer? Incentive Program, effective now, include:

?2008 Mastiff, Mutt, Pitbull, and Ridgeback: $3,000 manufacturer?s cash allowance

?2008 K-9: $2,000 manufacturer?s cash allowance

?2007 Bulldog, Chopper, Mastiff, and Pitbull: $4,000 manufacturer?s cash allowance

?2007 K-9: $3,000 manufacturer?s cash allowance

For complete information and program restrictions, visit an authorized Big Dog Motorcycles dealer or www.bigdogmotorcycles.com.

The Latest Issue Of Latitudes & Attitudes August 2008, Is Now Available On-Line-Free–Okay! The full 164 page August issue of Latitudes & Attitudes is now available for your perusal, free, of course. This months issue includes video action and the ads for marine products are Hot-Linked directly to the advertisers website so you can get more info when you want it.

Also with this issue is our “Brokers Corner” with all the boat listing in one place, and all of them are linked to their sites, so when you want more info on the boat you are looking at, it will be easy to find.And don’t forget, the amazing new Latitudes & Attitudes Radio station is now live as well. Also free, of course! All the hard to find boating artists in one place, commercial free, 24/7/365. Just go to www.seafaring.com and select the Radio Icon!

ANNIVERSARY PAINT SCHEME REVEALED–I sent an E-mail to you earlier, but if your message was like my CC there was no picture. This message has an attachment that should open up the picture. Here’s my 105th Paint job. Would you show it to Willie G?

William C. Colvin
wccolvin@innersoft.net>

105th HARLEY ANNIVERSARY PARTIES–In conjunction with this year’s Harley Davidson 105th Anniversary celebration, the Harley-Davidson Dealers of Metro Milwaukee will be hosting this year’s action packed Milwaukee Rally! This year’s Rally will be held August 27-31, 2008 at the four Milwaukee area Harley dealer locations:

Milwaukee Harley-Davidson/Buell
11310 W. Silver Spring Road
Milwaukee, WI

Hal’s Harley Davidson/Buell
1925 S. Moorland Road
New Berlin, WI

Suburban Motors
139 N. Main Street
Thiensville, WI

House of Harley-Davidson/Buell
6221 W. Layton Avenue
Milwaukee, WI

The Milwaukee Rally will feature FREE entertainment at the four dealer locations, plus Sunday night – to finish off the weekend, a street party will rock Water Street in downtown Milwaukee – its FREE and open to the general public and motorcycle enthusiasts worldwide!Stay tuned for more details.

LIFESTYLE DEAL OF THE WEEK–2004 HARLEY DAVIDSON NIGHT TRAIN! WIDE TIRE KIT, CUSTOM PAINT, SHORT FENDER. JUST $17,900.

Rivera Primo’s New POWERDRIVE 6-SPD LEFT SIDE DRIVE TRANSMISSIONS for FLT/FLHT/FLHR’s–Designed to have a stock-like appearance these POWERDRIVE? 6-speeds feature a full complement of high performanceupgrades. Patterned on the 1993-1998 style Touring models (FLT, FLHT, FLHR) they’re sold with the oil pan (black wrinkle finish)below the trans and includes a custom billet aluminum oil filler spout for the 6-speeds, which have a wider than stock trap door.The filler spout can also be purchased separately.

Among the many upgrades you’ll find are super-strength shafts and forged, back-cut gears which provide exceptionaldurability and faster shifting. Every trans features a 2.94:1 close-ratio first gear as well as an overdrive .860:1 sixth gear,delivering better acceleration off the line and reduced vibration & rpm’s at high gear cruisin’ speeds.

Available in natural, black wrinkle or fully polished finishes, each POWERDRIVE? assembly comes with a 2-year warranty.

6-SPD, LEFT SIDE DRIVE TOURING STYLE TRANSMISSIONS from RIVERA PRIMO?
1215-0013 . . . 6-Spd LSD Touring-Style Transmission / Natural Finish . . . . . . . MSRP $1765.10
1215-0014 . . . 6-Spd LSD Touring-Style Transmission / Black Wrinkle Finish . . MSRP $1786.40
1215-0015 . . . 6-Spd LSD Touring-Style Transmission / Polished Finish . . . . . . MSRP $1958.40
1215-0026 . . . Billet Oil Filler Spout Kit Only / Natural Finish . . . .MSRP $99.83
1215-0030 . . . Billet Oil Filler Spout Kit Only / Polished Finish . . MSRP $147.57

For further info on these & other fine products contact:
Rivera Primo Inc.
12450 Whittier Blvd.
Whittier, CA 90602
Tel: 800-872-1515
562-907-2600 ?
Fax: 562-907-2606
Website: www.riveraprimoinc.com

BIKERNET BONNEVILLE BOOK GETS RAFFLED– Tony showed me the book you sent him of the Fastest Panhead. I hope you don’t mind but I stole it from him and am auctioning it off in a live auction at my Women In Motion Fundraiser this weekend.

I think the thing that would top that book off and make it worth twice as much is if we could offer a personalized autographed picture from Valerie Thompson to go with the book. Is that something you think you could make happen???

Vicki Roberts-Sanfelipo, RN/EMT
Director Accident Scene Management, Inc.
President of SOS & Conspicuity Inc.
W246 S3244 Industrial Ln. A
Waukesha, WI 53189
www.accidentscene.org info@accidentscene.org
(877) 411-8551 – toll free
(262) 521-2880 – local
(262) 436-0286 – fax
Give to ASMI while you shop! It’s easy – www.iGive.com/ASMI

Continued On Page 4

Continued From Page 1

JON TOWLE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES– Seems everywhere one goes, Bikernet stuff is there.

–j-

SMITH TOPS AMA GRAND NATIONAL TWINS ON BEULAH PARK MILE–Kopp is Third, Coolbeth Sixth but Holds Series Points Lead.

GROVE CITY, OHIO (July 13, 2008) ? Moroney’s Harley-Davidson/Screamin’ Eagle rider Bryan Smith mastered a tricky mile track and rode a Harley-Davidson XR-750 to his first win of the 2008 AMA Grand National Twins season at Beulah Park, near Columbus, Ohio. The event was delayed until Sunday afternoon after heavy rain on Saturday evening interrupted the action following the fourth heat race. Fellow Harley-Davidson Wrecking Crew rider Joe Kopp was third on the Latus Harley-Davidson/Screamin? Eagle entry and Jared Mees placed his Harley in fifth. Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle factory rider Kenny Coolbeth finished sixth and now leads the series by seven points.

It was the first AMA Grand National Twins race held at Beulah Park, a sand-based horse racing track that provided a slick surface with a narrow racing line. Smith took the lead on lap five of the 25-lap Grand National main after battling through a pack that included Chris Carr, KK Supply / Roeder Harley-Davidson rider Geo Roeder and Kopp. Kopp and Carr each lead two early laps before giving way to Smith. Smith then steadily built his lead and was not challenged as he raced smoothly to the finish. Carr finished second, his best result of the season. Roeder faded and finished 11th.

?I found the fast line down low fairly early and just stayed there all day,? said Smith, who is now just eight points behind Coolbeth in season points. ?I?m just going to keep chipping away at the championship.?

The results at Beulah Park tightened the AMA Grand National season standings, as both Smith and Kopp gained on Coolbeth, the series leader coming into the weekend. Coolbeth now has 111 points, with Kopp in second place with 104 points and Smith in third with 103. Carr is fourth with 80 points. Mees is seventh with 53 points.

The 2008 AMA Grand National Twins Championship will race again on July 19 at the Darke County Fairgrounds half-mile in Greenville, Ohio.

The Screamin’ Eagle Flat Track team is sponsored by Matco Tools.

STURGIS WALL OF DEATH NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT– I have a couple of things I would like your input on. I am trying to get 10 people or companies to donate $500 dollars a piece to pay for the expenses to get the Wall of Death to Sturgis.

We are trying to put together a Memorial at the Sturgis County Line The New Broken Spoke also am looking for someone that has room to haul Jay Allen’s Record setting Chief to Sturgis as part of the display. The Chief is at Iversons in El Cajon and I am sure I can get it to the LA area. Thanks for any input you have. Harry

–Harry Bostard
flashdemonet@yahoo.com>

PERFORMANCE MACHINE IN STURGIS–Visit Performance Machine at two locations during the 2008 Sturgis Rally! You can come by our big rig at Black Hills Harley-Davidson or find the blue PM logo at J&P Cycles on Lazelle Street in downtown Sturgis. Show specials will be available at both locations with plenty of PM product available for purchase and on-site installation.

Click For More Info!

THE CLARION INN LOCATED IN GILLETTE, WY -NEED A PLACE TO STAY IN THE BADLANDS?–We have 159 rooms, including 13 suites, all newly remodeled. We have a large mineral pool (so no chlorine and no chlorine smell!) plus hot tub and steam room. All of our first-floor rooms have a door that opens to the parking lot and also a door to the inside hallway. We are totally non-smoking but have five pet-friendly rooms. This would be a great spot to rest and recover after a hot day in Sturgis.

Enjoy the hot tub, a warm shower and room service for a relaxing evening or hit the town (Jake’s Tavern, Attitudes, Mingles) to continue the fun. For reservations, call 800-686-3368.

–Mary Kelley
The Clarion Inn & Convention Center
2009 S. Douglas Highway
Gillette, WY 82718
307-686-3000, Ext. 130
mkelley@wyhcc.com
www.clarionhotel.com

BIKERNET STAFF STAYS AT THE CLARION IN GILLETTE– Glad you’ll be joining us for Sturgis!! Just wanted to pass along that the Clarion Inn is the host hotel for the BMW motorcycle rally going on here in Gillette this week. We’ll have over 7,000 people (& their bikes) in Gillette, Wyoming (population about 30,000) this week.

The rally officially starts Thursday, 7/17 and runs thru Sunday 7/20. We’ll be promoting our available hotel rooms to those rally attendees also who may want to just stay over.

Our restaurant here in the hotel, Bootlegger’s, is doing concessions for the rally – offering meatball sandwiches, strawberry pecan salad, cheesecake, breakfast casserole, muffin tops plus all the specialty coffee drinks and frozen granitas.

Should be a great time! Beautiful sunny days around 90 degrees here and low humidity. I wouldn’t move back to Indiana for all the tea in China! Thanks! Mary

–Mary Kelley
Director of Marketing
The Clarion Inn & Convention Center
2009 S. Douglas Highway
Gillette, WY 82718
307-686-3000, Ext. 130
mkelley@wyhcc.com

STURGIS MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM OPENS NEW WOMEN?S EXHIBIT–July, 2008 ? for more information, contact Christine Paige Diers, (605) 347-2001 – – The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the opening of its newest exhibit entitled ?First Ladies of Motorcycling.? The exhibit occupies a room in the museum that has been reserved for exhibits honoring women in motorcycling.

The ?First Ladies? exhibit is the first exhibit conceived of and designed by Executive Director Christine Paige Diers who was new to the museum in November. ?I?m very excited about this exhibit as it pays tribute to some of the women who have broken barriers in the motorcycling world,? said Paige Diers. ?It?s been fascinating for me to research and learn about these great women who were first in their field.

The ?First Ladies? exhibit includes displays about the first women?s transcontinental solo ride in 1916, the first women?s motorcycle club, the first woman motocross contender, the first woman to race superbikes, the first mother/daughter land speed record holders, the first woman to sit on the Motorcycle Industry Council, the first female commercial bike builder, the first professional female motorcycle racer from South Dakota and of course ? Pearl Hoel, the first lady of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Paige Diers said, ?These are just a few of the many women who have made a difference in the sport and the industry ? we don?t even pretend that these are the only important contributors or the only ?firsts? out there. Our goal with this exhibit was to honor at least a few of the women who?ve made a difference and maybe made it easier for women today and in the future to be part of the sport of motorcycling.?

Funding for ?First Ladies of Motorcycling? was provided by the Mary Chilton Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution through the Mary Chilton DAR Foundation, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

American Road Shop Grand Re-OpeningSaturday July 19th After Facility Overhaul–WATERFORD, Mich.–July 12, 2008–American Road Shop today announced it will hold a grand re-opening on Saturday, July 19, 2008 after completing extensive renovations to make the shop a true destination place for Michigan’s motorcyclists. The shop will open at 10 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. on Saturday so be sure and stop by for a look at the area’s incredible new facility.

To celebrate the grand re-opening, the day’s festivities will include food and drinks, giveaways, a bike contest and a special appearance by Kerry McLean and his Mono-Cycle, as seen on the Discovery Channel. Bike contest participants must register before noon. Attendees can also take advantage of savings on items throughout the store and will receive a free gift with any purchase. A 50/50 raffle will also be held to benefit The Rainbow Connection, an organization that grants wishes for Michigan children with life-threatening or terminal illnesses. Fifty percent of the money collected from the sale of raffle tickets will be presented to the winning ticket holder and the other 50 percent will be donated to The Rainbow Connection.

Also on American Road Shop’s agenda for its grand re-opening weekend is the Rainbow Connection Charity Ride Poker run on Sunday, July 20, 2008. Registration begins at 10 a.m. at American Road Shop and the ride will leave the shop no later than 11:30 a.m. Riders will make stops at Mel’s 2 Diner, Dave & Amy’s, Klancy’s and 59 West before ending up at the Quake on the Lake hydroplane finals at 1:00 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for the best and worst hands and participants will receive coffee and donuts, a Quake t-shirt, an Oakland County Street Map and entry into Quake on the Lake. The cost of the ride is $20 per driver and $10 per passenger, plus $6 for vehicle park admission into Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area.

American Road Shop relocated and has been remodeling in and effort to improve its facilities and better serve its customers. The business added a 2,000-square-foot service shop, increasing its total size from 3,200 to 5,200 square feet. The new service shop will offer fast, drive-in oil and tire changes and will service all makes of motorcycles, including metric bikes.

For those who like to keep an eye on their ride, the business added a window between the store and the service area so customers never lose sight of their bikes while they are being serviced. American Road Shop’s newly design retail area offers a variety of motorcycle accessories, apparel and gifts, and customers can also take advantage of the in-house coffee shop, which serves hot and cold drinks, snacks and ice cream.

“We’ve worked hard to make American Road Shop a true destination place,” said owner Tim Beaubien. “Whether you need your bike serviced, need advice on a part or just need a place to hang out and grab a drink before you hit the road again, American Road Shop has got you covered.”

American Road Shop is a full-service, state-licensed repair facility and retail shop located at 7675B Highland Road in Waterford, Mich. For more information on American Road Shop, please call (248) 666-2490 or visit www.americanroadshop.com.

Continued On Page 3

Okay,

Senator John Brueggeman is flying in tonight and we’re working on his Ducati for his ride to Montana. We’ll show you soon. Billy Lane is flying in, in about a week, to ride his flathead to Sturgis. Jeremiah is pounding on our bathroom and getting his Shovel bobber ready for the ride to Sturgis. I’m welding nails to impress Michael Lichter into displaying my welding skills in his Thunder Road Art Exhibit. Plus I’m trying to get Todd’s Cycle to fill out a tech chart so I can write his bike feature.

Wait, there’s more. Where’s my To-Do list? I need to fix a Hamster Kendon trailer for the trip. Yeah, I’m a trailer Queen this year. First year I’ve ever pulled a trailer to Sturgis or any other event, although I remember about 1976 and pulling a funky box fulla bikes to Daytona with the entire ER crew stuffed in a motorhome. What a trip that was. We’re hauling the Salt Shaker, my Sturgis Shovel and Caleb’s bobber, another bike for the Mike Lichter display. Mike owes me a year’s supply of Coronas and limes. Let’s hit the news:

SSINSTER CHOPPERS WINS CHOPPER CHALLENGE–That’s cool he did a helluva job in the desert with rattlesnakes slithering through the shop. But this competition was quirky. Viewers only got one week or two to vote on Alan Lees? bike or Yaniv Evan from Power Plant in Hollywood, so how could they compete against guys who could work the voting booths for months. Ah, what the hell, its television.

RAY WHEELER, THE GOD OF W8LESS ROTORS SURVIVES S&S 50TH– I think Ray really wanted to have his picture taken in La Crosse. It was pretty funny, there he was after the event was over in a huge empty tent with his broken and very swollen foot all bandaged up after a wreck on the way out, hobbling away to find his ride back to California, with a huge smile on his face – and I heard him saying to himself something to the effect, isn’t this livin’ the dream!!!

–Michael Lichter Photography, LLC
Studio phone 303 449-3906
Cell phone 303 517-1726
Email mike@lichterphoto.com
MySpace page http://myspace.com/lichterphoto

Ray Wheeler survived to ride another day, from the Bikernet Headquarters home. He’ll be in Sturgis at the Bikernet Brouhaha running the Tattoo Competition. W8Less rotors is sponsoring our show with sets of rotors for class winners and gift certs for specialty awards like Best Paint. Be There! No charge to enter your bike Friday morning at Thunder Road.–Bandit

FROM D&D – MORE MPG & HP FOR 2008 BAGGERS–Exhaust pipe manufacturer D&D saw a need to improve performance and economy in a package that is economical for the 2008 Harley Bagger rider. The results are in? 6.3 mpg and 10 HP increase over stock.

D&D’s Test Program D&D mapped out a 106 mile test that consisted of the same route, same gas station, same pump, with the motorbike set on cruise at 70mph. The stock results were 42.24 mpg; stock air cleaner w/Super Boss Slip-ons delivered 47.24 mpg; and Super Boss Slip-ons with Screamin? Eagle air cleaner delivered 48.5 mpg!

In another independent test we sent a set of Super Boss pipes to Tilleys H-D in North Carolina and they produced dyno results of an increase of 10 HP and 10 Torque with the Super Boss Slip-ons and Screamin? Eagle air cleaner.

D&D is building some of the most advanced exhaust systems that increase performance, improve economy and deliver value to your billfold.

Lowering The Performance Entry Point If you have a 2008 fuel injected Bagger then performance is a big issue for you. Dave Rash, The Pope of Pipe, delivered a bolt-on solution that produces power and torque right out of the box without a tuner. Just add the slip-on and high-flow air kit and you are good to go.

Hacienda Brothers? Arizona Motel & Tour Update —Dave Gonzalez of the Hacienda Brothers is currently on tour supporting the band?s new release titled Arizona Motel. The tour is also a tribute to his fallen Brother and musical partner Chris Gaffney. Dave Alvin, Gaffney?s longtime friend, will be joining Gonzalez as a special guest for the Austin Continental show on July 19 & the Northern California shows Aug 7-9 (for a complete list of show dates scroll down to the bottom). The CD was just released on June 24th and here?s a sample of rave reviews already coming in:

Philadelphia Inquirer

?This is the last Hacienda Brothers album, with good reason – lead singer Chris Gaffney died of cancer in April at 57. It’s also the best Haciendas album, as Gaffney and his fellow front man, Dave Gonzalez, continue to explore a hybrid of their own dubbed ‘Western soul.’

Country Standard Time

?The final Hacienda Brothers album perfects everything that Gaffney and the band had blueprinted on their previous two studio albums (and brought to magnificent life on their live album, last year’s ‘Music for Ranch & Town’). Featuring production from legendary boardsman Dan Penn on four tracks, this may well stand as the best work in Gaffney’s diverse and long discography simply because it seems to draw on all of the sounds and styles that he touched in his career.?

Los Angeles Times

?This third, and final, album from the group Gaffney formed in recent years with ex-Paladins guitarist, songwriter and singer Dave Gonzalez includes several stirring examples of Gaffney’s ability to hop musical fences. His rich baritone — part oak, part gravel — sounds equally convincing on the Waylon-esque ‘A Lot of Days Are Gone,’ written by Gonzalez and Jeb Schoonover, the western swing of Hank and Curly Williams’ ‘When You’re Tired of Breaking Other Hearts’ or the Southern soul of Gonzalez and Dan Penn’s ‘Used to the Pain.’

Arizona Motel is available at www.haciendabrothers.com or at your local record store. Dave Gonzalez will also have the new CD with him as he tours this summer to the dates listed below. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Helpgaff fund set up to aid the family of Chris Gaffney.

BRASS BALLS AND IRONWORKS WORKING SIDE BY SIDE AT BIKERNET BROUHAHA– Dar Holdsworth and Marilyn Stemp (mstemp@triadbiz.rr.com) of IronWorks Magazine will be working the Bikernet Booth on Friday.

–Jeffrey Najar

BIKERNET INVESTIGATES CAPITAL OF FLORIDA– Subject: Re: Tallahassee Law EnforcementAs you’ll see in the news today and in the morning, Tallahassee Police Chief Dennis Jones agree to assist us so we can do the escorts.

Dear Sheriff Larry Campbell,

I am a Patriot Guard Rider, whose mission is to honor fallen soldiers. Last Saturday, Master SGT Shawn Simmons, a Green Beret, born and raised in Florida, was laid to rest. Some 50-60 Patriot Guard Riders spent Saturday away from their own families to honor this fallen soldier and his family. It was our honor to be there, provide support to the family, and to escort the funeral procession to his final resting place.Our own Patriot Guard provided road blockers, who rode ahead and blocked intersections so that the funeral procession could proceed without interruption. Several of them were threatened, shouted at, and had drivers attempt to drive around them to cut in anyway.

But this is not about us, or what we do. It is about the very distasteful fact that Leon County Sheriff and Tallahassee Police will not provide an escort. And it is all about the respect and honor SGT Shawn Simmons deserved.I have attended funerals and homecomings with the Patriot Guard for about a year and half now. And I am appalled at the thoughtlessness and disregard of this issue that I know you are aware of. Nowhere else I’ve ridden, in surrounding counties or in Georgia, is police escort refused for such a worthy cause. Is your life so all encompassing that you cannot see what a dishonorable thing this is? In our own state capitol?

I have lived in many other states, and have NEVER seen local law enforcement refuse to provide an escort. All of those towns provided an escort for any military funeral, and some for motorcycle rallies as well. We aren’t asking for rally support, only escort for soldiers who come home in a casket. Those who fight for our freedom so far from home have not asked us for anything but respect. Will you continue to deny them such a small thing?

Somehow I don’t think LE in this city would deny a police escort for one of your own. This morning I attended a press conference at the capitol, and no less than eight motorcycle officers showed up to spend about an hour there, parking their bikes in a neat row for the media cameras. The escort we needed on Saturday would have taken approximately 20 minutes of time for half as many. Apparently media coverage ranks above SGT Shawn Simmons too.

We will not continue to look the other way. I personally will visit every church in Leon County that has police traffic control every Sunday and tell these God worshipping people how Leon County cannot provide a police escort for the most honored of citizens in this country, but they can direct traffic on every major artery so these people can leave church unhindered. I will pass out flyers to every home in my neighborhood of Killearn Lakes and tell them all how our County LE cannot lift a hand to change this “no-escort” policy for military personnel, but churches, press conferences, sports teams, and politicians are excepted.

I was not born and raised here, but I chose Tallahassee because I felt “at home” here. After only a year and half as a resident, I am wondering if I have made a serious mistake. Somehow I expected better of Florida’s state capitol.I strongly urge you to seek a change in this escort policy. Your “Commitment to Excellence” statement demands that you do. For if you do not, you are no better than those who threatened us last Saturday when asked to wait 5 minutes for the most honored of all American citizens to pass. And you will have lost all integrity in my eyes, my voter support, and that of anyone else I can sway in the that direction.

Sincerely,

–Ms. Dara “Sam” McLain

–from Rogue

New factory parts for Big Dog PitbullBIG Dog Motorcycles has increased its line of proprietary BDM Performance Products parts for its award-winning 2008 Pitbull motorcycle. The latest additions are a drop solo seat and drag bars.

The new parts will be of particular interest to riders at opposite ends of the size spectrum, as the leather seat lowers the saddle height 2-1/2in to 23in. For those riders looking for a longer reach the 1-1/4in diameter drag bars are 4-1/2in forward of the stock handlebars.

“With these new accessories you can make the look of the Pitbull more radical, the riding position more aggressive, and the feel of the motorcycle completely different,” says Paul Hansen, Marketing Director of Big Dog Motorcycles.

Additional parts available in the BDM Performance Products line include passenger seats and pegs, sissybars, touring bags and windscreens.

BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES
Wichita, Kansas, USA
Tel: 316 267 9121
Fax: 316 267 2597
E-mail: dealers@bigdogmotorcycles.com
www.bigdogmotorcycles.com

KRAWIEC BATTLES TO SEMI-FINALS AT NHRA MILE-HIGH NATIONALS–Krawiec Qualifies Number One, Hines Holds On to NHRA Points Lead.

MORRISON, COLO. (July 13, 2008) ? Screamin? Eagle/Vance & Hines rider Eddie Krawiec advanced to the semi-final round of NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle eliminations at the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway. For the second straight event, Krawiec also rode his Harley-Davidson V-Rod motorcycle to the number one spot in qualifying rounds. Screamin? Eagle/Vance & Hines rider Andrew Hines qualified fourth and lost in the second round at Bandimere. However, he retains his lead in the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle season points race.

Krawiec made a 7.328-second pass at 181.74 mph in the third round of qualifying on Saturday morning to take the top spot at the high-altitude track, where the Vance & Hines team, which until recently was based in Colorado, has enjoyed much success.

?We were one-two right off the trailer on Friday, and had a great set-up all weekend,? said Krawiec. ?Our crew chief, Matt Hines, has won here in the past and so has Andrew, so we can really bank on that experience when we come to Bandimere.?

On Sunday, Krawiec coasted through the first two rounds as his opponents, Ryan Schnitz and Karen Stoffer, started early and were out on red lights. In the semi-finals, Krawiec lined up against the Snap-On Tools Suzuki of Steve Johnson, but never left the starting line.

?Right after I staged, the throttle cable failed and the bike just settled into an idle,? said Krawiec, who went out in the third round for the second event in a row. ?That?s really disappointing because we had a great bike and I felt comfortable and was making consistent starts. I?ve got qualifying figured out. Now I?ve got to get past the semi-final round.?

Hines also advanced through the first round when David Hope drew a red light, but then lost to Johnson?s 7.390 pass despite putting down a solid 7.423-second run and an outstanding 0.008 reaction time. Johnson lost to NitroFish Wear Buell rider Matt Smith in the final round.?I cut a really good light and made a clean pass, so it?s hard to get too upset about losing that round,? said Hines. ?I felt confident I?d be facing Eddie in the semi-final round, but Johnson just had a little more power. I?ll take the points lead to Sonoma, where we?ve run really well in the past.?

After eight rounds in the 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, Hines has 668 points and continues to lead the Pro Stock Motorcycle class. Smith moves into second place with 630 points, followed by Chip Ellis with 569, Chris Rivas at 512, and Krawiec with 481 points. NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycles will race next July 25-27 at the Fram/Autolite NHRA Nationals at Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, Calif.

The Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines Pro Stock Motorcycle team is sponsored by Ford Truck, Dunlop, Matco Tools and S100.

THE MOST VERSATILE WORD IN ENGLISH–For Our First Lesson – Utilizing one of the most versatile words in the English language for fun and profanity.

See more great biker programming in the Bikernet Studio.

ALL NEW REDNECK SWAMP BIKES–from the Rogue high-dollar factory in Florida.

–Rogue

Continued On Page 2

I recently was hit by Noise Freak efforts and it scared
me that in a noisy world bikers would take the brunt of their
silencing efforts. Even the AMA suggested that we cower and
hide to prevent future intrusions into our rights. A respected
Motorcycle mag editor said this to me, in defense of his notion
to be quiet and maybe they’ll go away:

“I think if our pipes exceed an acceptable level (whatever that means), and we
continue to make people (non-riders) hate us, we will reap
whatever ‘rewards’ they want to heap upon us,” he said.

I disagree. We must stand and fight for our rights or we deserve
to get our asses
beat.

I’ve run this concept by NCOM, the MRF,
ABATE, SEMA representatives, a senator and now I’m releasing it.
They all applauded the notion. Freedom fighters across the
country believe strongly that we must stay right in the face of
legislators, that if we acquiesce or try to hide, we’ll be toast,
quick. One guy said, “We’re the Indians now. We need to keep
up the fight.”

There’s another side to this issue–understanding. This
study was designed to improve community understanding of
motorcycling. If citizens know what we face and what every one
faces regarding noise, they may come to a fresh
perspective. So give it a read.

Feel free to share our Bikernet Independent Noise Study with
your community, law enforcement or legislators. Let’s hope it
accomplishes some of the following goals:

Let me know your thoughts,

Ride Forever,

–Bandit

BIKERNET.COM INDEPENDENT MOTORCYCLE NOISE
STUDY

In a world of increased levels of constant noise and
heightened efforts to curb excessive decibel levels motorcycles
take a hit. Bikernet.com, the world’s largest web site in the
custom motorcycle industry, sought to study motorcycle noise
against constant environmental disturbances and put the
motorcycle exhaust sound into proper perspective.

Motorcycles are unique. They are the least
pervasive of all vehicles jammed onto our roads today. They
have the least protection and the best fuel efficiency ratings. We
noted the obvious; motorcycles lack bumpers,
airbags, double-wall doors or steel ceilings, yet take up a third
of the common sedan space. Motorcycles are substantially more
agile than trucks or even compacts in avoiding dangerous
situations, and bikes have but two defensive measures to
enhance their agility, visual and
auditory awareness.

For decades motorists have used the
excuse that they are unable to see a narrow motorcycle, so it’s
okay to
hit one. State legislators are currently dealing with that fallacy.
Still between 70 and 85 percent of all motorcycle/
motor vehicle accidents are caused by motorists. Plus the use of
cell phones, GPS screens, DVDs, CD players and other major
distractions are increasing the need for motorcycle awareness.
Recent statistics indicate over 80 percent of all motor vehicle
accidents occur while the driver is distracted by cell
phones, eating or other interruptions.

Much like emergency vehicles or horns, the sound a
motorcycle
makes is critical to its ability to alert motorists of its
whereabouts. That became our study criteria, and we tested four
motorcycles to determine an acceptable decibel level to allow
motorcyclists to be heard. We also discovered a recent court
case that demonstrated this contention. A woman testified she was
unaware of the presence of a motorcycle. Sound testing proved
her a liar.

We measured the decibel levels 2 feet away
from the open end of mufflers at 45 degrees. We also
discovered that some states measure decibel levels from as far as 50 feet
away. In that case, most motorcycles tested emitted less noise
than most 18-wheelers. Here’s the Federal standard: With the
bike going 35 mph at 3500 rpm, in a straight line, on a level
paved road, with no sound reflecting objects within 200 feet,
and no more than a 12mph wind. Locate your calibrated sound
meter 50 feet perpendicular to the line traveled by the bike. The
reading can be no more than 80db.

The motorcycles we tested and their results follow:

2003 Harley-Davidson Road King Classic, 1,400cc with mild
modifications and a full Screamin’ Eagle 2-into-1 exhaust
system.

100 decibels at idle

108 decibels at cruising throttle

116 decibels fully revved

86 decibels by Federal standards

2004 1200 cc Sportster with full aftermarket Samson 2-
into-1 exhaust system.

100 decibles at idle

108 decibels at moderate rpms

120 decibels fully revved

87 decibels by Federal standards

Custom 1956 Harley-Davidson, 1488 cc, with custom 2-
into-2 exhaust system with modified shorty mufflers.

102 decibels at idle

111 decibels at cruising speeds

124 decibels revved

92 decibels by Federal standards

2007 Softail Custom 1,500 cc, original from the factory

97 decibels at idle

102 decibels at cruising speed

111 decibels revved

82 decibels by Federal Standards

For reference, we measured the noise levels of cars and
trucks passing our meter at between 35-45 mph and a 10-50
foot distance. Passenger vehicles ranged in the 78-83 decibel range,
while trucks ranged from 90-92 at that distance.

We took each one of these motorcycles and
tested them in three traffic scenarios:

Passing: A motorcycle approached a
passenger vehicle with windows rolled up and radio playing (and
without). We tested the approach from both sides of the car.

Oncoming Intersection Scenario: Again, we used a
late model passenger vehicle with the windows rolled up and a
radio playing (and without). This time, both vehicles approached
an intersection and we determined if the motorcycle could be heard
across an intersection in this test vehicle.

Cross Traffic: Again, we tested whether a
motorcycle can be heard closing on an intersection from a right
angle to the oncoming vehicle approaching an intersection,
with a building located on the right-hand corner.

Conclusions:

We discovered that the stock motorcycle could not be
heard in the passing test unless the motorcycle was alongside a
moving vehicle. If a radio was playing at 80 decibels within the
vehicle, the motorcycle was nearly undetectable. A
dangerous situation for a motorcycle taking up limited
mirror viewing area.

We discovered with a radio playing, the Sportster
could be heard at just one car length behind the vehicle. The
results were almost the same for the Road King.

With the radio off, these motorcycles could be
discerned at two car lengths from the rear quarter panel. That is
a brief span of time in traffic to maneuver, if a car abruptly alters its direction.

The custom bike could be easily detected following at
five car lengths and close to seven lengths if the radio was not
in the equation.

The intersection test was the most difficult because
speed and distance are tricky to determine and control. The un-
altered Harley-Davidson was difficult to hear at all with or
without radio interference.

The modified Road King and Sportster had a fleeting
chance of being heard across an intersection to warn a
motorist. The only motorcycle that could be easily heard across
an intersection was the 1956 Custom with modified exhaust.

The final test was most interesting. Again, the stock
bike arrived at the intersection virtually unheard, whereas
the Sportster and the Road King were detected three car
lengths before the intersection. Thus, there would be a moment
of driver reaction time available, at 35 mph.

Again, the custom bike with modified exhaust was
heard over a block away from the intersection
providing the driver awareness of an approaching motorcycle
and giving both the driver and biker time to execute defensive
maneuvers prior to entering the intersection.

Our study also identified the consistency of road sound
in an industrial area in Wilmington, California, which affords
almost year-around riding weather. This street has an average
of 450 trucks passing in an hour at about 90-92 decibels.
An average of 673 cars pass hourly during peak hours at a
constant 81-83 decibels per car and maybe a half-dozen motorcycles
pass by during that same hour for a total of 30 seconds of motorcycle
noise at 80-100 decibels.

Our findings point out various considerations
regarding motorcycle noise regulations. The public needs to
understand motorcycling survival and how motorcycle noise can
save lives.

Oakland Police Department Backs Up Bikernet Noise
Study

Text: Over in Oakland they like it loud — so loud that all 45
of the Police Department’s Harley-Davidson motorcycles have
been equipped with shiny new tailpipes, ad a cost of $500.00
apiece, to rev up their roar. It seems that the cops just didn’t
feel safe on the toned-down bikes.

“There’s an old motorcycle adage that you are heard before
you are seen,” said Deputy Chief Dave Kozicki, explaining the
department’s decision to toss the bikes’ muted factory-issued
mufflers in favor of the more high-volume pipes.

Kozicki cited an accident three months ago in which an
Oakland officer riding a toned-down cycle was struck by a
motorist who said he hadn’t hear the officer approaching. But
some City Hall insiders, as well as motorcycle cops elsewhere,
said the safety argument is a stretch.

Even the folks at the national Motorcycle Industry Council
(MIC) which represents all the big bike manufacturers, were
unaware of any safety benefits from louder mufflers.

“We encourage all motorcycle riders to keep the original low
sound levels that meet the … federal sound limit of 80 decibels,”
said industry spokesman Mike Mount. “It would seem
counterintuitive that a law enforcement agency would go against
federal standards.”

Ironically, it was just a short time back that Oakland police
were called upon to crack down on noisy motorists who had
modified their auto mufflers to make a whistling screech. The
“whistle tip” pipes were eventually outlawed under state law.

Oakland’s cops had a long tradition of riding their Harley-
Davidson with the modified, louder tail pipes, hearing them the
nickname “Rolling Thunder.” But after an officer complained
about a loss of hearing and other around town questioned
whether the police force was violating the very noise standards
it was supposed to enforce, the department brass ordered a
switch to the quieter stock mufflers.

So last year, the department launched a $1,200 study in
conjunction with the city’s risk management division to
determine whether: A) the louder motorcycles contributed to the
officers’ safety, B) were detrimental to their hearing, and C)
complied with noise standards.

Kozicki acknowledged that whatever safety-related findings
the study produced were largely anecdotal. Still, after everything
was taken into consideration, the department concluded “it was
in the best interest of the officers to put more-audible pipes
back on,” Kozicki said.

Hence, all 30 of the department’s Harleys were sent down to
the central maintenance yard for a muffler makeover at a cost of
about $15,000, according to City Hall insiders. Another 15
newly-purchased motorcycles were ordered with the louder
pipes, though at no extra charge.

Oakland officials acknowledge that the noisy pipes, when
tested, averaged 93 decibels – well above the federal legal noise
limit, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council.

But city Finance Director Mill Nolan, who oversees the risk
management division, isn’t alarmed. “if they were riding eight
straight hours, it would be a problem,” he said. “But they aren’t.”

We received a number or responses since Bill Bish sent our
initial noise study our to the NCCOM readership. We published
many of the comments below.

OUR AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE
RECENTLY RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION FROM KEITH “BANDIT” BALL, FORMER EDITOR OF EASYRIDERS MAGAZINE AND FOUNDER OF BIKERNET.COM, AND IN THE INTEREST OF BIKERS
RIGHTS AND IN RECOGNITION OF THE GROWING TREND OF
LEGISLATING AND REGULATING MOTORCYCLE EXHAUST SOUND LEVELS.

HE AGREES–I agree, Bill. We strapped our
helmets on in 1992 without any “real”
protest, and we are still wearing them 14 years later.
(Except in Santa Cruz County.)

–Quig

RECENTLY HIT BY NOISE FREAK EFFORTS–I
recently was hit by Noise Freak efforts, and it scared me that in
a noisy world, bikers would take the brunt of their silencing efforts.
Even the AMA suggested that we cower and hide to prevent future intrusions
into our rights.

———– no need to diminish the AMA . . .

but, We must stand and fight for our rights .

———— there is no doubt that one smelly
asshole can offend hundredsof bystanders in a way that an infinite number of quiet riders
cannot undo .

Additional testing and implementation by higher ups

———– they want noise enforcement, call the
local cop-shop. They’ve already got laws on the books, viz. disturbing the peace,
etc.

Keep the bastards off our backs

———– they’re simply jealous . . .

…freedom isn’t free: its price is eternal vigilance . . .

–BigWayne

bigwayne19@comcast.net

CAN’T SEE US–
They can’t see us, at least they can hear us. Been riding since
‘53.

–Bill

NOISE FREAK EFFORTS– Hummm. IMHO as
a motorcycle safety professional, the Number 1 issue facing the motorcycling community is noise. I do not buy into, “Loud Pipes Save Lives” philosophy. In my experience they (loud
pipes) just “piss off” the neighbors.

I do like this study though as it does support the idea that a
bike has to make some noise. But how loud is too loud?

In MD our noise levels are 80db for a bike at idle and 100
for a moving bike (2500 rpm). Your average lawn mower and a kitchen garbage
disposer sound in at around 90db, someone shouting in your ear at 110 and thunder
or a jet plane (at the ramp) at 120.

If I left my house in my quiet sleepy suburban
neighborhood at o’dark thirty and to my neighbors I sounded like a 737 taxiing down the street, my ride by those houses might look like Kevin Costner’s suicide ride by the
Confederate line in the opening of “Dances With Wolves”.

–Phil

DAILY HERALD NEWPAPER REPORTER–

Yes, being seen is a problem for motorcycle riders, but loud
pipes isn’t the answer. I’d like to see more done with headlight
modulation, passing lamps or other auxiliary lighting, reflectors,
etc be a bigger part of the discussion. Also, I always comment
upon the anemic horns that are fitted to most motorcycles, and
the need to have better horns standard on motorcycles. I use
my horn often when approaching intersections, and find that a
short blast or two will do much more to get a drivers attention
than anything else.

Also riders, especially cruiser riders, should take it upon
themselves to become more enlightened to wearing brighter
clothing. The ubiquitous black jeans, black leather jacket/patch
vest/T-shirt uniform make it more difficult for drivers to notice
motorcycles. Brightly colored helmets also go a long way to
being more easily seen.

Can you imagine if the same percentage of automobiles as
motorcycles fitted aftermarket pipes on their cars? Think of the
noise factor if that ever happened. A person couldn’t get a
decent nights sleep unless they lived on a farm in Iowa.

With more two wheeled vehicles getting on the road for
commuting duties due to high fuel prices, and the resultant
acceptance of sharing the road with motorcycles, now is not the
time to fight for noise rights that will set back that acceptance.
My worry is that the legislators will become emboldened by
using this popular issue to gain support for other restrictions
that truly affect riders in an adverse way. There will be no end
to the stupid ideas like seat belts, air bags, roll cages,
mandatory helmet and riding gear, that legislators will come up
with, once they open the door with stricter noise laws. The
motorcycle community should police itself on the loud pipes
issue, to keep the idiots at bay.

Ken Glassman

Hey Ken,

Thank you for the sharp response. I agree and
disagree. I find it interesting that you oppose exhaust sound,
but have no problem honking your horn at intersections. How
annoying is that? In some third world countries horns are used
constantly, rather than obeying traffic regulations. Just honk and
go.

You missed the point regarding autos. The point is
that a motorcycle needs to make some noise since we don’t have
air bags and double-walled doors. I’m not supporting loud cars.

On the other hand. I agree that more motorcycles may
open the door for more restrictions and we need to be careful
with our approach. I don’t agree that a moderately loud
motorcycle is offensive. There’s an indication of strength and
honor in sound. There’s something deeper to this issue. If we
decide that safety is more important than freedom, we’re in for
trouble. We’ll all sit at home surrounded by safety devices and
stare at computers.

–Bandit

BRAVO!!! (hands clapping crazy)–

Way to go!

–Vicki Noel

NOISE MEETINGS–
Hi Bandit,

I’m a member of MRF, HOG and run the local chapter of
ABATE in Richmond, VA (River City ABATE).

I’ve sat in on several local meetings related to noise
ordinances and hear the same ‘We need to tone it down’
speeches from supposed ‘leaders’ of the biker community.
Excuse my language, but my response has always been ‘Fuck
that, I want to be heard in traffic’. My D&D pipes on my Victory
Cruiser have saved my ass on more than one occasion.

What happened to the old refrain ‘If it saves one life it’s
worth it’ that the nanny types always use when adding
restrictions to our lives.

Freedom Ain’t Free,

–Steve Skeens, Coordinator

I ride a 98 fat boy approx 70 miles round trip to and from
work weather permitting. My pipes have been modified and I
consider it not just for show, but a way of keeping me safe. All
bikers will face a moment in time when they are faced with
having to make a split second decision. I have had to several
times and each involved what we politely refer to as “snowbirds”
in Florida.

Keep up the good work. I am copying the report and
posting it at work for my fellow co-workers who ride. I also am
sending to my mechanic and the local H-D dealer who is one of
my customers.

Thank-you,

–Mari “Mo” Mattox

 THIS JUST IN FROM A VETERAN MOTOR OFFICER–

Retired motor cop here. Sound travels at 750 MPH in a 360 degree radius in all directions. Sound also reflects off of objects and reverberates. Sound does indeed travel from your exhaust pipe in all directions. This is a common sense fact just go stand by the rail road crossing and listen and you will hear that train coming increasing in loudness until it maxes out at the exact time it is at your position and then diminishes in volume as it races away.

I was part of a study group of police officers that conducted noise level gathering in order to aid us in the prosecution of vehicles exhibiting excessive noise. Oddly enough once we set up our observation post and began to gather data we confirmed that one can, indeed, hear an approaching vehicle.

So, after listening and balancing our ears to adjust to the ambient noise we began to track vehicles approaching based on when we could hear a vehicle noise but not assign it to a vehicle near us. With members stationed up and down the road indicating when a louder vehicle was approaching we would visually confirm with a lidar laser radar the distance form us to them.

We found that most autos and motorcycles with stock configuration could not be heard until they were within less than 1/4 block of our location, yet modified autos of the fast and furious type could be heard at distances ranging from two blocks up to and including some at five blocks away a block is roughly 100 to 120 feet.

This study was done over several time periods and different time of day and at night. The purpose was to gather data to provide us an acceptable level in which to prosecute any persons operating any vehicle creating excessive noise.

We found the courts accepted that any vehicle heard from three blocks away and up from the listening point indicated that a vehicle was being operated in an excessive manner. Motorcycles of the Cruiser type driven normally at 2000 to 2500 rpm even with modified exhaust were not falling into that category. Yet, the throttle jockeys running at 3000 to 400 rpm in first gear were heard at distances further than four blocks. We found it is not so much the capability of producing the noise, as it is, the tendency for some fools to create it in overwhelming volume to amuse themselves, that creates the controversy.

I was struck in May 2009 on my police Harley with red and blue strobes flashing wearing a lime green jacket by a girl changing lanes who did not see me, nor did she hear me. I was cut off and lane pushed more on duty on my silent beauty in one shift than I ever was in a week of riding my off duty Harley with Python pipes.

I utilized the warning properties of sound to announce my location and impending arrival at intersections and as well as cross turning traffic while on duty by using my siren, and off duty by pulling in my clutch and rolling my throttle.

Horns are heard all day long in an urban environment they are ignored. In fact on our police motorcycles when working downtown we used whistles to grab the attention of motorists, as it broke through the ambient sound.

I was a Police officer 1976 to 2012, Motor cop six tours starting 1978 finishing 2012, retired as Chief Instructor RCMP Atlantic Police Motorcycle training 2012.

Loud pipes alert others to your presence, they can reduce the danger and save your life but they must be used responsibly.

Continued From Page 3

THE BIKERNET VOCABULARY WORD OF THE DAY–Electile Dysfunction: the inability to become aroused over any of the choices for President put forth by either party in the 2008 election year.

–‘Sarge’
Melbourne, Florida

BUELL 1125R WINS ASRA TEAM CHALLENGE RACE AT ROAD AMERICA–Estok Finishes Second in ASRA Pro Thunderbike; Bilansky Sweeps CCS SuperTwins

ELKHART LAKE, WIS. (July 7, 2008) ? A near-stock Buell 1125R entered by Richie Morris Racing/Hal?s Speed Shop and ridden by Dan Bilansky and Clint Brotz won the ASRA Team Challenge endurance race, part of the three-day American Sportbike Racing Association (ASRA) Road America Festival of Speed held over Independence Day weekend. Bilansky and Brotz completed 38 laps of the four-mile Road America course to take the overall win and to lead the GTO class. James Gang/Hoban Bothers Racing/Appleton Buell riders Paul James and Jeff Johnson completed 37 laps to take the Team Challenge GTL class win and finish fifth overall on a Buell Firebolt XB12R.

Bilansky said the RMR/Hal?s Buell 1125R turned in a strong performance despite being raced in mostly stock trim.

?This is a bike we built for me to use in sprint races, and we decided to use the Team Challenge to shake it down,? said Bilansky. ?We were using the stock Pirelli Corsa III street tires and even the stock brake pads, with racing bodywork, dry break refueling system, and a slip-on muffler as the only mods. It worked really well, in fact it?s probably the best-handling motorcycle I?ve ever raced at Road America.?

The ASRA/CCS races were witnessed by hundreds of Buell owners attending Buell 25th Anniversary events held at Road America during the weekend, including demo rides, autograph sessions with Buell racers and an opportunity to ride in a parade lap session around the 4-mile track. More than 500 Buell owners were registered for the historic event.

Estok Second in Pro ThunderbikeFor the second race in a row, Deeley H-D/Buell Canada/Ruthless Racing rider David Estok turned in a strong performance on a Buell XB12R borrowed from another team and rode to a close second-place finish in the ASRA Pro Thunderbike National at Road America.

With his primary and back-up race bikes down with mechanical problems, the Deeley team borrowed a Buell XB12R from the Hal?s H-D/Buell/Hal?s Speed Shop squad, fitted Estok?s suspension and bodywork, and put the defending Thunderbike champion on the starting grid. At the start, Estok joined a group at the front that included BMW rider Nate Kern, H-D/Buell of Frederick rider Bryan Bemisderfer, Hal?s H-D/Buell/Hal?s Speed Shop rider Dan Bilansky and Bison Racing/Eagle H-D/Buell rider Walt Sipp. Kern led the first lap and started to open a gap on the group of Buell riders, but by lap three of the five-lap race Estok had set a new Thunderbike track lap record, reeled in the BMW and passed for the lead as the pair exited the first turn.

?I was not familiar with the clutch on the Hal?s bike, and I got a terrible start,? said Estok. ?Then it took me a lap to get comfortable on the bike. Kern was faster on the long straights but I could out-brake him into the turns, so I focused on braking to close the gap.?

On the last lap of the race, Estok passed Kern again in the first turn. Kern took back the lead on the downhill straight leading to turn five, only to see Estok retake the lead as the pair exited Canada Corner. Kern was able to draft past Estok on the long straight to the finish line to take the win by .097-seconds, the closest finish in ASRA Thunderbike history.

?I got a really good drive out of the last turn, but he had the draft and I couldn?t hold him off,? said Estok. ?I?d really like to thank Dan Bilansky and the Hal?s team for loaning me the bike. I may have to trade purse money with him.?

Bilansky finished third, several seconds behind Kern and Estok. James Gang/Hoban Brothers Racing/Appleton Buell rider Paul James was awarded fourth place after Sipp was penalized for jumping the start of the race, and Bemisderfer was penalized for exceeding the class horsepower limit. Suzuki rider Ed Key finished fifth.

After five events, Kern leads the Thunderbike series with 162 points, followed by Estok with 132 points and Sipp with 115.

The next stop on the eight-race ASRA Pro Thunderbike schedule is the Barber Festival of Speed, August 9-10 at Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Ala.

Buell Riders Win Six CCS Sprint RacesIn MotoSport.com Championship Cup Series (CCS) twin sprint races at Road America, Joel Spalding rode a Buell XB12R to take two wins in Amateur Thunderbike. Dean Hagemann won Expert Lightweight F40 on a Buell XB12R. Bilansky rode a Buell 1125R to take two wins in Expert SuperTwins, and Estok won on Saturday in Expert Thunderbike.

JULY 12 – CHRISTMAS IN JULY TOY RUN — Sponsored by Full Throttle Magazine and Brandon Old Town Harley-Davidson, Adamo Drive, Tampa. Donation will be $10 and a new unwrapped toy. This run benefits St. Josephs Children’s Hospital. Registration starts at 9am with kickstands up at 11am. The After Party will be at Gulf Coast Harley-Davidson on S.R. 54. There will be free food with supplies last and everyone has a chance to sign up and win a $500 shopping spree gift certificate. For more info call 813-814-1424 Make your group ride plans to join us and help the kids in the hospital.

SPECIAL REPORT, BIKERNET TEXAS CHILI COOK-OFF REPORT–Judge #3 was an inexperienced Chili taster named Frank, who was visitingfrom Springfield , IL .

Frank: “Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chilicook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment and Ihappened to be standing there at the judge’s table, asking fordirections to the Coors Light truck, when the call came in. I wasassured by the other two judges (Native Texans) that the chili wouldn’tbe all that spicy; and, besides, they told me I could have free beer!during the tasting, so I accepted and became Judge 3.”

Here are the scorecard notes from the event:

CHILI # 1 – MIKE’S MANIAC MONSTER CHILI
Judge # 1 — A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick.
Judge # 2 — Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.
Judge # 3 (Frank) — Holy crap, what the hell is this stuff? You couldremove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put theflames out. I hope that’s the worst one. These Texans are crazy.

CHILI # 2 – AUSTIN ‘S AFTERBURNER CHILI
Judge # 1 — Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang.
Judge # 2 — Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be takenseriously.
Judge # 3 — Keep this out of the reach of children. I’m not sure whatI’m supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people whowanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beerwhen they saw the look on my face.

CHILI # 3 – FRED’S FAMOUS BURN DOWN THE BARN CHILI
Judge # 1 — Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick.
Judge # 2 — A bit salty, good use of peppers.
Judge # 3 — Call the EPA. I’ve located a uranium spill. My nose feelslike I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now. Getme more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back, now mybackbone is in the front part of my chest. I’m getting sh*t-faced fromall of the beer.

CHILI # 4 – BUBBA’S BLACK MAGIC
Judge # 1 — Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.
Judge # 2 — Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish orother mild foods, not much of a chili.
Judge # 3 — I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unableto taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Sally, the beermaid, was standing behind me with fresh refills. This 300 lb. woman isstarting to look HOT … just like this nuclear waste I’m eating! Ischili an aphrodisiac?

CHILI # 5 – LISA’S LEGAL LIP REMOVER
Judge # 1 — Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, addingconsiderable kick. Very impressive.
Judge # 2 — Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato. Mustadmit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.
Judge # 3 — My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and Ican no longer focus my eyes. I farted, and four people behind me neededparamedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that herchili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding bypouring beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I’m burning mylips off. It really ticks me off that the other judges asked me to stopscreaming. Screw them.

CHILI # 6 – VERA’S VERY VEGETARIAN VARIETY
Judge # 1 — Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance ofspices and peppers.
Judge # 2 — The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, garlic.Superb.
Judge # 3 — My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous,sulfuric flames. I crapped on myself when I farted, and I’m worried itwill eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind meexcept that Sally. Can’t feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my buttwith a snow cone.

CHILI # 7 – SUSAN’S SCREAMING SENSATION CHILI
Judge # 1 — A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.
Judge # 2 — Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can ofchili peppers at the last moment. **I should take note that I am worriedabout judge number 3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he iscursing uncontrollably.
Judge # 3 — You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and Iwouldn’t feel a thing. I’ve lost sight in one eye, and the world soundslike it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, whichslid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava to match myshirt. At least during the autopsy, they’ll know what killed me. I’vedecided to stop breathing. It’s too painful. Screw it; I’m not gettingany oxygen anyway. If I need air, I’ll just suck it in through the4-inch hole in my stomach.

CHILI # 8 – BIG TOM’S TOENAIL CURLING CHILI
Judge # 1 — The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili. Not toobold but spicy enough to declare its existence.
Judge # 2 — This final entry is a good, balanced chili. Neither mildnor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge #3 farted,passed out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself.Not sure if he’s going to make it. Poor feller, wonder how he’d havereacted to really hot chili?
Judge # 3 – No Report

–from James Schnarr

BIKERNET EMT HELICOPTER RESCUE SEMINAR–Eleven people were hanging on a rope, under a helicopter. 10 men and 1 woman.

The rope was not strong enough to carry them all, so they decided that 1 had to leave, because otherwise they were all going to fall.

They weren’t able to choose that person, until the woman gave a very touching speech. She said that she would voluntarily let go of the rope, because, as a woman, she was used to giving up everything for her husband and kids or for men in general, and was used to always making sacrifices with little in return.

As soon as she finished her speech, all the men started clapping …….

–from Rev CarlR

LETTER TO BIKERNET FROM IRAQ– Just wanted to drop you a line and let you know Willie and I are doing well. Thanks a million for the package you guys sent. It was a huge morale booster for both of us, and our Soldiers. The stickers Chris T. sent were a HUGE success. You can find BMC Choppers, Bikernet.com, GOT BEER, Jesse Who, surf board, and Kanaka stickers stuck on just about everything in this country. I promise to shoot some pictures out as soon as the Internet is improved and is a little faster.

I got my hands on a little 250cc street bike from China and we basically beat the shit out of it for a couple days. It caught fire and blew up. Thank god no one was hurt. I would have had a hell of a time explaining that one.

Other than that, not much exiting going on. We’re on a little Forward Operating Base called FOB Normandy. Google it to find more about it. Can’t really tell you to much other than it’s small and there is no running water. We do have a Gym, which is what keeps me busy. It’s small, but it works.

I recently got promoted, which moved me indoors every day. No more patrols or any of that shit. Safer, but all in all I’d rather be out with the boys raising hell. It sucks to watch them roll out every day, knowing I can’t go out and play. I imagine thats what a normal guy feels like after he gets married and his buddies are going to the bar and he knows he can’t go. Thankfully I never went through that, but I know how everyone else feels now. Shit sucks!

Alright, enough blabbering. Keep the rubber part on the ground, drink some Jack and think of me and I’ll see you in a couple months. Ohh shit, Willies ass went to Italy for three weeks, Crazy fucker! Hope he gets warts!

Later,
–Chad

D&D DEALER PROGRAM CONTINUES TO EXPAND–If you need a set of performance tested pipes for any make or model check this list of new D&D Dealers or click on the banner above to find the D&D Dealer near you.

1) Westside Customs 1403 E 4th Joplin, MO 64801 417-623-7272
2) J & T Wheels Inc 13415 Panama City Beach Pkwy. Panama City Beach, FL 32407 850-215-5000
3) Bombay Motorsports Inc 18345 Sherman Way Reseda, CA 91335 818-342-8585
4) Jimmy’s Automotive 2841 S. Beltline Rd Balch Springs,TX 75182 972-289-0464
5) Average Joes Motorcycle 433 W Main St # 103 Mesa, AZ 85201 480-668-6363
6) C & S Sports Center Inc 4741 E Pickard Mount Pleasant, MI 48858 989-772-5513
7) Pro Tuned Performance 4906 Red Pine Ct Jacksonville, FL 32210 562-260-9443
8) Country Sports 10520 State Hwy 13 S Wisconsin Rapids,WI 54494 715-325-5381
9) Shreveport H-D 805 Brookhollow Dr Shreveport, LA 71105 318-798-1064
10) High Five Cycles 9311 LBJ Frwy Dallas, TX 75234 972-619-2080
11) Stuntwild 5780 Wells Rd Bartow, FL 33830 863-860-6993
12) Loudon Motorsports 212 Catoctin Circle SE Leesburg, VA 20175 703-777-1652
13) Performance Edge 895 Moe DR # 12 Akron, OH 44310 330-633-6777
14) Mid America Motors 2021 N 30th St Lincoln ,NE 68503 402-202-2263
15) Tilley H-D 1226 Morland Dr Statesville, NC 28677 704-872-3883
16) Triad Power Sports 6371 Burnt Poplar Greensboro, NC 27409
17) Liberty H-D 334 E Hines Hill Rd Boston Heights, OH 44236 330-650-2799
–Jennifer

TROOPER TIPPED OFF HOOKER PROBE SUSPECTS–A state trooper who was investigating prostitution at a truck stop near Harrisburg, Pa., was accused of tipping off the suspects.

A federal grand jury indicted Trooper Shawn Dillard, 39, of Harrisburg, on charges of making false statements, obstructing justice, facilitating interstate prostitution and conspiracy, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said Thursday.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison and $1 million in fines.

Prosecutors said Dillard tipped suspects about undercover agents, offered to reduce the charges against a woman in his custody in exchange for sexual favors and lied to federal agents about his activities.

He had been a member of an anti-prostitution task force that had netted 16 people for trafficking in prostitutes, authorities said.

Dillard’s lawyer did not return a telephone message seeking comment.

State police said Dillard has been suspended without pay.

–Rogue

I say we nominate him for the Sturgis Hall of Fame.–Bandit

Cycle Source 8th Annual Custom Chopper Show Moves To MountainFest!–The same annual custom chopper show that has been held in Pittsburgh for seven years, has now found a new home in Morgantown, West Virginia during their annual MountainFest Rally. This previously annual event that attracted 10,000 local riders for a one day show, promises to have much of the same killer bikes and great judging that it has always featured. There are 56 trophies in 20 separate classes with a Best of Show for Pro and Open divisions. The show, that is open to the public and costs nothing to enter, will be held on Saturday July 26th at Mylan Park. Registration will begin at 8am and close at 1pm sharp. In addition to the show, professional builders and national celebrities will be on hand all weekend to exhibit their bikes.

Names like: Bill Dodge – Bling’s Cycles, Carl Hanlon – Guilty Customs, Pat Patterson – Led Sled Customs, Paul Wideman – Bare Knuckle Choppers, Steve Peffer – Steel City Choppers, Casey – The Paint Chop, John Vyborny – Jax’s Cycles and more to be announced.

Wild and Wonderful MountainFest Motorcycle Rally Sponsored by Triple S Harley-Davidson, Wild and Wonderful West Virginia & Budweiser, is scheduled for July 24-27 in Morgantown, West Virginia. A quick look reveals that true to their motto, MountainFest 2008 promises four fun-filled days of riding, revelry, and brotherhood in the rolling hills and valleys of the Mountain State. In addition to the Chopper Show, this rally has some of the best attractions including a $20,000 FREE poker run, 20 different tourism destinations, one of the best antique and vintage displays ever assembled (HONESTLY), entertainment by Kansas and a vintage motorcycle race through the streets of Morgantown on Sunday. All of this, including all parking, comes to the event attendee for the price of $10, yep, a 4-day-event, bikes shows, entertainment and all parking for ten lousy bucks! That’s one of the reasons Cycle Source Magazine voted them best new rally in 2006.

See more on their website at www.wvmountainfest.com and for more info on the Cycle Source Custom Chopper Show visit their Web site at www.cyclesource.com

HARLEY-DAVIDSON ENCOURAGES WOMEN TO TAKE LIFE BY TWO WHEELS —Ring Promotion and New Rider Guide to Help Inspire More Women to Move into the Driver?s Seat.

MILWAUKEE (July 8, 2008) ? To help encourage and inspire even more women to take life by the handlebars, Harley-Davidson recently introduced two initiatives: Let Freedom Ring promotion and We Ride – The Harley-Davidson Guide for Women.

Women all over the world have increasingly discovered the thrill of owning and riding their own motorcycles. In fact, the number of women who have purchased new Harley-Davidson motorcycles has tripled over the past 20 years, with women now accounting for nearly 12 percent of new Harley-Davidson motorcycle purchases.

LET FREEDOM RING

Let Freedom Ring is the first of its kind promotion by Harley-Davidson, created to encourage women to learn to ride and help celebrate women who have a passion for freedom and adventure on two wheels. The promotion is available only to women who have graduated from a Rider’s Edge? course and purchased a new Harley-Davidson? or Buell? motorcycle between June 2, 2008, and October 1, 2008. Eligible women will receive a ring custom-designed by Karen Davidson, daughter of Harley-Davidson styling legend Willie G. Davidson and great-granddaughter of one of the company?s founders. Full details are available at www.harley-davidson.com/womenriders .

WE RIDE ? THE HARLEY-DAVIDSON GUIDE FOR WOMEN

Harley-Davidson is excited to release We Ride, a basic overview on what a new rider or a woman interested in riding needs to know about getting into the sport, available for download at www.harley-davidson.com/womenriders . The special 48-page riding guide can also be picked up at any local Harley-Davidson dealership or ordered by calling 1-800-LUV2RIDE.

The guide features information on how and where women can learn to ride with details on the Rider?s Edge New Rider Course, the best way to fit a motorcycle for a woman?s ergonomic and functional needs, and getting involved and staying active with riding groups, as well as inspirational stories from real women who have answered the call of the open road.

Along with these initiatives, Harley-Davidson dealerships across the country are also hosting free women-only Garage Parties to offer a non-intimidating environment for women to discover how they can get involved with motorcycles and meet other women who are interested in riding.

For more information about We Ride, the Let Freedom Ring promotion or any Garage Parties near you, visit www.harley-davidson.com/womenriders .

HOLLISTER WEEKEND RUN CLOSING IN ON US–The Summer’s in full swing. Seth Doulton is working his ass off in Hollister to develop a killer event for us riders and the folks who live there.

I’m sure most of you recognize the 5-Ball Racing Team art above. Chris Kallas has been invited to exhibit his art at Michael Lichter’s display, at Thunder Road in the dome, along with one of my bikes and a sculpture by K.Randall Ball.

I haven’t started the metal art piece, so hang on. I did scrounge around a welding shop the other day for pieces of junk metal. This is going to be interesting.

Speaking of real talent. Heather New just shipped this engraving to Kent Weeks, another master designer, at Lucky Devil Metal Works, who is building a Bobber for the lovely Nyla Ross. It will be unveiled in Sturgis, we all hope.

We’ve just kicked off a Pro Street project at the Bikernet headquarters with dark chromed Renegade wheels, a CCI front end and sheet metal and Redneck fiberglass bags. You’ll see it begin to take shape as soon as we survive Sturgis.

Hang on for the Sunday Post, if you’re around this weekend. We might get to see our first run at this magnificent sculpture for Sturgis. Damn, the pressure’s on.

Ride forever,

–Bandit