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Read More April 10, 2008 Part 1
By Bandit |
Hey,
There’s so much going on I’m not going to blither on about shit I’m doing. Just back from the new Indian facility. Check it out and enjoy the news:
INDIAN IS ALIVE AND GROWING ON A MOUNTAIN IN NORTH CAROLINA–I witnessed it. A lovely blonde picked me up from the airport, covered my head with a blindfold and drove me into the hills of Gastonia, then I’m not sure where, to be the first motorcycle journalist to take a tour of the Indian Plant.
Over the following weeks I will deliver reports on their plan, including marketing, the bikes, the redevelopment of the engines and chassis, their Baker 6-speed tranny and EFI testing. Here’s some background on the current deal:
Owners of Chris-Craft boats acquire Indian motorcycle brand
London (July 26, 2004) — Stellican Limited, a London-based private equity firm, today announced the acquisition of the trademarks and related intellectual property of Indian, America?s oldest and most iconic motorcycle brand.
Indian Motorcycle was founded in 1901 in Springfield, Massachusetts, two years before Harley-Davidson, and was a leader in the motorcycle industry for the next 50 years with a U.S. market share approaching 50%. The Indian motorcycle was the pride of the American road, enjoying an unmatched reputation for quality and innovation. In fact, motorcycle historians cite the Indian Chief as the originator of today?s cruiser class motorcycle. In addition to playing an important role at home in America, the company played an important role in World War II by contributing over 40,000 motorcycles to the war effort. In 1953, the company filed for bankruptcy and, for the ensuing 45 years, the Indian brand was effectively dormant. It was not until 1998 that Indian Motorcycle was restarted by a series of investor groups. Unfortunately, however, their substantial efforts to make the company profitable ultimately failed. In September, 2003, Indian Motorcycle elected to be liquidated through an Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors process managed by CMA Business Credit Services in Burbank, California.
In 2002, the United States heavyweight cruiser market (over 900cc) exceeded $4 billion with over 230,000 units sold. The market recently has experienced double-digit growth rates with continued strong growth projected. The premium (+$12,000/unit) heavyweight cruiser market is considered to be the most profitable segment. This is where Indian Motorcycle competed by providing the only credible alternative to Harley- Davidson in terms of brand, heritage, style and American quality. Today, Indian has an extraordinary 94% aided brand awareness in the USA and enjoys a cult-like following among motorcycle enthusiasts and the population in general.
?I believe Indian remains among the most powerful brands in the U.S. motorcycle market, and we are delighted to own such an iconic American brand,? commented Stephen Julius, an Anglo-Italian financier and founding Partner of Stellican Limited. ?Our primary goal is to return Indian to its rightful position as a premium motorcycle brand, selling beautifully designed, high quality products and delivering world-class services. We will do so by carefully and thoughtfully developing the business from the ground up, guided by an overriding determination to remain true to the rich heritage of the Indian brand. We are long-term brand builders, obsessed with product design and quality. We have clearly demonstrated our ability to the world over the last three years with our re-launch of Chris-Craft boats, another business we own today and which we purchased out of the 2000 bankruptcy of Outboard Marine Corporation. We are confident we will repeat our success with Indian,? added Mr. Julius.
Stellican Limited is an unusual private equity firm in that it specializes in acquiring and reviving distressed companies, almost all with heritage brands, mainly in the recreational products area. Even more unusually, its capital is provided by its own principals who actively manage its portfolio companies directly. Most recently, in addition to Chris-Craft boats, Stephen Julius, through Stellican Limited, acquired and turned around the iconic Italian yacht manufacturer, Riva, and the Italian Premier League soccer team, Vicenza.
Stellican will now begin the process of determining how best to re-position and re-launch the Indian? brand, addressing such issues as where to manufacture in the USA, which engine technology to utilize, which dealers to appoint and when to re-start production. An enormous investment has already been made in product and engine development and Stellican is aware of the need to re-start production as soon aspossible once its strategy has been clearly defined. In addition to world-class motorcycles, a key component of the future strategy will be an integrated approach to the parts, accessories and apparel business.
Stellican will ensure all of Indian Motorcycle?s many constituents – suppliers, dealers, current and future customers and the motorcycle and business media – are kept informed of its plans as they develop over the coming months. Stellican will arrange one-on-one interviews with media at the appropriate juncture.
?We are excited about this challenge and are confident Indian will live up to its great potential under our ownership. This is a tremendous opportunity to revive a great American brand and we intend to do exactly that,? added David Wright, a Partner at Stellican.
BIKERNET READERS WAITING FOR BIKERNET BONNEVILLE BOOK PRE-ORDERS ARE BEING TAKEN– Just to wish you all the luck with the book. I guarantee it will fly off the racks as fast as the ?Weapan?. Hell, I don?t know where you find the time. You inspire me.
–Your ?South African? correspondent? Mikey.
MORE ON ALEXA INTERNET REPORTING–Alexa only records activity based on toolbar usage. So it is skewed and not a scientific sampling. It is another one of those internet ters like (hits) that sound like they have meaning but really have no meaning at all.
–Jeffrey Najar
President
Horse Power Marketing
Office: 919-383-0500
Mobile: 928-814-2935
BIKERNET WEEKLY TOOLING ADVICE COLUMN–HACKSAW: One of a family of cutting tools built on the Ouija boardprinciple. It transforms human energy into a crooked, unpredictablemotion, and the more you attempt to influence its course, the more dismalyour future becomes.
VISE-GRIPS: Generally used after pliers to completely round off boltheads. If nothing else is available, they can also be used to transferintense welding heat to the palm of your hand.
–from Buckshot
WIN A BRASS BALLS BOBBERS MOTORBIKE– Watch the pages of IronWorks Magazine to see the motorcycle build. Enter to win the Digger by subscribing or renewing an IronWorks Magazine subscription or sending a 3×5 card. Design The Giveaway BobberDesign the IronWorks/Brass Balls Bobbers Giveaway bike and we will keep track of the components that get voted on. The parts that get the most votes will be designed into the custom Bobber and will be given away at the 2009 Daytona Bike Week.
–Jeff
D&D PERFORMANCE ENTERPRISES GOES DEALER DIRECT– From the desk of Dave Rash, “The Pope of Pipe”
I wanted to take a moment and explain to our franchise and independent dealers that D&D Performance Enterprises has decided to go dealer direct and discontinue the distribution channel. We feel that in this tightening economy that we can provide improved service and better access of our Fat Cat and Boarzilla performance exhaust systems.
This change also means better bottom line performance for our dealers.
Call 817-834-8961 for details or log on to www.danddexhaust.com.
ACTION PACKED WEEKEND SO DIAL IN YOUR RIDE– Here is our cruising calendar page for future reference of events in April and May.http://www.fullthrottleusa.com/florida/cruisin.htm
TONIGHT 6pm till 9pm – OLD TOWN HARLEY-DAVIDSON MONTHLY BIKE NIGHT9841 E. Adamo Dr. Tampa, FL 813-740-9898With The Host with the Most – Radical RandyLive music, Lots of Vendors, Cold Beer, Great Food, Harley-Girls and much more.
For more info check out www.oldtownharley.com SATURDAY APRIL 12 – Gulf Coast Harley-Davidson’s 5th Anniversary Party10am till 5pmEnter to win a $2500 shopping spreeBIKINI CONTEST limited to 20 contestants – CASH PRIZES -Music By The Greg Billings Band and Rockus SUNDAY – FULL THROTTLE’S 5 BRIDGE POKER RUNGo over the 5 major bridges that connect the Tampa Bay AreaSkyway, Gandy, Howard Franklin, The Bayside and The Courtney CampbellStarts at Smitty’s Pub and Grill (3812 Manatee Ave. West Bradenton)Stops include: Smitty’s, Kahunas, Green Iguana, Tucson’s, Hennessy’s and Ends at Brothers Tavern.Maps will be given out at RegistrationSign up from 8am till 11am at Smitty’s in West BradentonLast bike in by 4:30 with trophies awards at 5pm sharp! Patches for the first 250 registered – Cost is $10 per hand or 3 for $25 For more info or questions 813-814-1424 –Tony Cianci IN THE NEWS SAVES MAGAZINE PAGES–If you need something laminated for life, like a feature of your bike, you favorite tech or that girl feature you can’t carve out of your mind, these are the guys. Just send them the magazine, the old document or your first dollar bill and they’ll laminate it to a solid board, in a very cool way, and ship it back. RENEGADE 3-PIECE BILLET RIMS–Over the last few years, Renegade has been riding on the cutting edge of custom wheel design and their new and very exclusive collection of 3-piece wheels is certain to raise the benchmark another notch. The new rims are, in fact, cut from solid blocks of billet. Each block is machined to rim shape, the center is removed and then the remaining rim is laser cut in half. The inner section is machined to any of Renegade?s signature styles from solid billet and bolted between the halves using grade 8, 12 point cap screws and lock nuts. This 3 piece design means you can order any style you like finished in black powder coat, chrome or any combination of the two. Very Cool! All Wheels are shipped complete with applicable hubs and bearings and are available in diameters from 16?-23? and widths from 2.25? to 14?. Pricing on the 3-piece Renegade starts at just $1550.00 and that includes a Lifetime Structural Warrantee! For complete details and interactive fitment chart, check out www.renegadewheels.com MORE ON CUSTOM CHROME EUROPEAN DEALER AND CUSTOM AMD SHOW–LA CROSSE, WI (April 9, 2008) S&S? Cycle Inc. announces participation in CCE?s Tenth Annual Dealer Show & the AMD European Championships in Mainz, Germany.March 27th through April 2nd found Brett Smith & Kurt Peterson of S&S Cycle in Europe for the annual CCE Dealer Show & AMD European Championships. The CCE Dealer Show celebrated its tenth Anniversary this year at the familiar Phoenix Hall; an old German tank factory located in Mainz, Germany. ?Attendance appeared to be up, the dealers were enthusiastic and CCE & AMD both did a great job in their respective areas related to this event? said Kurt Peterson; Sr. Manager or Customer Support & Distributor Relations. Each year, S&S puts on a dealer only seminar each of the two days of the show, to assist the European Dealer Network in understanding new S&S products and services provided with the release of its latest catalog. It is a great way to show the dealers we support those distributors that support us and the dealer network on a worldwide basis. S&S President Brett Smith, along with Holger Mohr & Kurt Peterson, crowned this year?s winner of the ?Presidents Pick? award. For the last three years, S&S has provided substantial prizes for 1st through 3rd place in this category. This year was no exception as S&S gave a Dual Purpose QSU including S&S ECIII/noise compliant mufflers and teardrop aircleaner for third place. Second place took home an S&S/MAC Toolbox and 187 piece toolset. This year?s 1st place winner was Jerry Greenlaw of Custom Garage in Munich, Germany. Their creation, The X-Wedge Dragon, represented a tribute to the 50th anniversary S&S is celebrating in June and the official unveiling of the X-Wedge in Europe. Jerry worked with Habermann Performance to get the chassis designed and built in time to complete this project for the European Championships. ?I think the bike turned out to be a fitting platform for the X-Wedge unveiling here in Europe? said Brett Smith, president of S&S Cycle. ?Jerry has always been a strong supporter of the S&S product line; invested in training and has always gone out of his way to make Kurt and I feel welcome when we are here.””The 10th Anniversary Custom Chrome Europe (CCE) Dealer Show was another record event in dealer and vendors attendance as well as show orders. Our team can be very proud of what they accomplished. It started as a little warehouse open house and became the leading European V-Twin dealer show. I personally appreciate the support S&S has given us throughout the years and look forward to a great season in 2008″ said Holger Mohr, president of CCE. Another surprise at the show was a sneak peek at what Freddie Krugger is showing up to LaCrosse with during the 50th celebration in June. “Freddie’s bike, named Half Day, is an example of the quality and craftsmanship we can expect to see during this summer?s celebration? said Peterson. 50 of the best builders in the world will be gathering during June 27-29th, 2008 for what is said to be the world?s largest bike build off. 50 Builders, 50 Bikes for $50,000.00. For more information, go to: www.sscycle50th.com. PLAYING IN BIKERNET STUDIO– 80 Year Old Painter Still Kicking Asphalt. Bill Riedel, Master Sign Painter and Guilder, demonstrates the unique technique of making a paint cup out of a 4″ x 6″ index card. http://www.riedelsignco.com/ Checkout more Bikernet TV and Radio Shows in Bikernet Studio. OLD SCHOOL BARTER SYSTEM BENEFITS ALL IN FOUR-WAY TRADE AT DAYTONA BIKE WEEK–Daytona Beach, Fla. — April 9, 2008 — This Daytona Bike Week saw two segments of biker culture align for the benefit of both. For those who say that the motorcycle industry has lost its way, that everyone involved today is just interested in making a buck, this story shows that there are still old-school values that people live and work by. It all started at the V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati when Ami James and Marlowe B. of Love Hate Choppers met up with Duane Ballard of Duane Ballard Custom Leather. Ami and Marlowe were working on their debut bike and knew that they would need a custom seat to match the quality of the rest of their bike. They walked the floor of the show and Duane pointed out all the seats he had done for various builders. Blown away by what they saw, Ami and Marlowe were even more impressed when Duane offered to hand tool the seat in exchange for a tattoo by Ami. Duane, a huge Evel Knievel fan, knew he wanted something to commemorate America’s first motorcycle daredevil, so he called George Sedlak, Evel Knievel’s painter, to see if he could get a sketch of the original “Color Me Lucky” helmet to use as the basis for his artwork. He was psyched about the prospect of getting tattooed by Ami and even more psyched about getting an Evel Knievel original design by George Sedlak tattooed on his leg. George took some time to work up the design from archival photos, and when they met face-to-face Duane saw the artwork of the helmet and knew it was exactly what he was looking for. Ami, being a man of his word, decided he wanted to do the tattooing while he was in Daytona, so he called a friend, Gordon Chippewa, and found a great shop that was willing to let him set-up, East Side Tattoo. Owner Chris Mack was totally psyched to help out a fellow artist. Ami wanted to add something of his own to George’s design, so he did a Ratfink type guy wearing an Evel Knievel helmet. It was an Ami James original. While Duane was getting tattooed, Ami and Marlowe B asked George Sedlak to letter Marlowe’s bike and pinstripe Ami’s bike. George agreed to do it because he loved the bikes and they seemed like good guys. Then the deal got even better when Carrie Repp of R&R Promotions offered up the Dog House Bar and Grill as the place to get it done. When George walked in, he found himself in a great space to ply his trade… in front of a huge audience. With the music blaring and bikers peering over his shoulder, the pressure was on but George lettered the bike flawlessly. As they sat and Duane got tattooed, it was obvious that everyone involved took away from the exchange something greater than simple profit. It just reinforced that, even today, when several artists get together anything can happen. Duane spotted a rug by tattoo artist Chris Hawkens, something handmade that was very reminiscent of Evel Knievel; on the spot he made a deal to trade another custom seat for the rug. Another barter deal done, and another example of how the motorcycle industry and its true biker values can shine. You can see more at: Continued On Page 2
Editor ? Florida Full Throttle Magazine
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tonyc@fullthrottleusa.com
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Oldsmar, FL 34677
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www.sedlakstudios.com
www.lovehatechoppers.com
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April 03, 2008 Part 4
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 3
ROAD RUNNER MAGAZINE GROWING–RoadRUNNER Magazine is now bigger and better than ever before! Thanks to record breaking advertiser support for our title in 2008, we are proud to announce that we have added 16 more pages to our three Spring/Summer issues to accomodate industry demand!
–Eric Bass RoadRUNNER Magazine Corporate Headquarters FORGE-TEC INTRODUCES THEIR NEW MIDNIGHT SERIES WHEELS–Oxnard, CA- Forge-Tec Motorcycle, an industry-leading manufacturer of high-end aluminum forged one-piece wheels and blanks supplier to many of the industry?s leading wheel manufacturers is proud to introduce their new Midnight Series of wheels. All 13 styles are available in this new and exciting color combination except for the Legacy and the Nomad. All four FHO wheels (For Harleys Only) will also be available in this new finish. New for ?08, The Midnight Series Wheels?black anodized finish combined with classic machining gives these wheels a totally ?badass? look. Forge-Tec?s wheels are also available in black powder coated, show polished and luxurious chrome. These wheels are available in all popular sizes and applications (?84-?08?including ABS equipped models) and all have matching rotors and pulleys to display and sell. Mark Finnie, GM for Forge-Tec?s motorcycle division added, ?All Forge-Tec Wheels come with a lifetime Structural and Two-Year Chrome Warranty. Our products are of the highest quality to mirror Harley-Davidson.? For further information on complete wheels and FHO?s special dealer pricing, please contact Forge-Tec Motorcycle directly at 888-367-4385. Forge-Tec Motorcycle Wheels and Accessories, 950 Richmond Ave., Oxnard, CA 93030. Dealer inquiries invited! www.forgetecmotorcycle.com CYCLE WORLD INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE SHOW IS BACK IN LONG BEACH THIS DECEMBER!– Save the date! The 28th Annual Cycle World International Motorcycle Show Presented by Toyota returns to the Long Beach Arena, December 5-7, 2008! In the coming months stay tuned for exciting new features, demo ride details and of course, updates on the latest model releases from the largest collection of leading manufacturers. So mark your calendars now for another great event for our So Cal enthusiasts. Upcoming Events – Spring Off Road Expo For you off-road enthusiasts who love to blaze the unbeaten path, don?t forget to check out the Spring Off-Road Expo, coming to the Pomona Fairplex this weekend. It?s a perfect way to kick off the season with great show specials and to check out the latest innovations in the Powersports industry. Adult tickets are only $10 when purchased online at www.offroadexpo.com or by printing this email for those who prefer to purchase tickets at the box office. Thank you for a great show in 2007 and for your continued support! The IMS Staff www.motorcycleshows.com THE LA CALENDAR SHOW IS PLAYING AT BIKERNET STUDIO– Some of the best chassis from across the country are seen in Long Beach, California at the LA Calendar show. Agent 001 was on hand and gave this up and close report of the activities at the show. See and hear more in the Bandit?s Bikernet Studio –Jeff THE BLACK MARKET IS ROCKIN IN BLACK LEATHER–The Torian Chopper Leathers? Race Hoodie is the most popular leather jacket to hit the Black Market. It is made of naked leather that is soft, comfortable and offers substantial protection. It comes in classic black and feels like you have had it for years when you first put it on. The Race Hoodie is the most popular old school jackets that has hit the Black Market. Click here for the to check it out. –Jeff SPECTRO OILS COVERS THE CRUISER MARKET–When we say ?Cruiser? we?re talking about a V-twin. Yours could be a stock Harley, a big Yamaha, or a one-off custom. It could be clean and simple or fully-decked. It could be old school or radical. No matter – it?s meant to look good, ride great, sound strong, and rule the road! And no matter which it is, Spectro has the right products ? a complete line of Heavy Duty products engineered to deliver optimum performance and protection for Harley-Davidson? and other American V-twin engines. a full line of lubricants for V-twin metric cruisers meeting or exceeding JASO MA and all known OEM requirements. Either way, we?ve got you covered! CRIME SCENE CHOPPERS RAPIDE 4.5 HEADLIGHT–The Rapide headlight features a distinctive scallop design, with matching grill and uses either a 4.5? sealed beam lamp or the Crime Scene Choppers triple lamp unit with 175 watts of penetrating candlepower (not included). The Rapide headlight is available in two different finishes; a satin aluminum bucket with highlighted scallops and a polished brass grill, or all chrome. Check out the matching LED tail light and air cleaner. The headlight comes complete with the hand finished body and grill, stainless hardware, mounting block, gasket and wiring harness.
Associate Publisher
RoadRUNNER Magazine
3025 Second St., #4
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Phone: 310-435-1768
FAX: 336-464-2222
email: Eric@RoadRUNNER.travel
URL: www.RoadRUNNER.travel
1400 Old Mill Circle, Suite C
Winston-Salem, NC 27103
IT’S TIME TO PEEL OUT–I’m going to finish the Shovelhead or die trying and go for a ride. Brad just rolled up with his classic ’61 Panhead. He’s done a beautiful job of refurbishing her. He rode it over to California H-D in Harbor City and the owner wanted to buy it. He was born in ’61.
Okay, I’m posting the S&S Carb tech (Brad’s carb rebuild) later today or tomorrow and a report from Horst on the German show mentioned in the news. Then I have Matt’s and his longtime brother’s feature to post. Next week we’ll be jamming with more features from Chopper Dave, Don Yates and a 1912 Pierce. I need to wrap up Doc’s story/tour of the J&P museum and there’s this Girl Of Bikernet just waiting to show her stuff in the Cantina. Hang on.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
April 03, 2008 Part 3
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 2
PRO ONE BLACK SERIES WHEELS–Pro-One has expanded the black out series to include their complete line visually stunning billet aluminum one piece rims, CNC machined for a precision fit to a wide variety of machines.
Rims come complete with appropriate hub, bearings and mounting hardware. Available in diameters from 16? to 23? and widths from 2.15? to 10.5? these awesome wheels can be ordered in Black Out anodize with or without machined highlights or finished in flawless show quality chrome, fully polished or black anodized with mill cut highlights.
Additionally, Pro-One offers pulley and sprocket assemblies to match wheel designs and finish. Wheel pricing starts at just $699.95 and delivery times have been virtually cut in half. For complete details call 800-884-4173 or visit them on the Web at www.pro-one.com.
A BIKER’S TOAST TO BIKERNET–Made me rather proud to see you post “The Biker’s Toast” the day after I sent it to you brother. I’ll send you another one of my short stories sometime (sent you one on the “first ride” series a few years ago).
Always a pleasure to visit Bikernet.com. I make sure everyone that I know is aware of your site. Keep on doing what we love (as if you’d have it any other way).
–Blue Cat
Houston, TX
terry.v.claibourn@mhes.com
SPRING PLANNING FOR LAS VEGAS BIKE FEST–Spring is upon us and it’s time to start planning for Las Vegas BikeFest. This is the 8th year of Las Vegas BikeFest and we are very excited about it because 8 is our lucky number (everyone needs a lucky number in Las Vegas).
If you weren’t able to join us last year, you missed the most beautiful weather in the history of Las Vegas BikeFest. The entire weekend never exceeded the mid-80’s, absolutely perfect riding and partying weather.
We are looking forward to another great year!
Registration Is Open
Online registration is now open. If you prefer to send in your registration you can download the form from our website. We continue to keep registration fees low with no increases for the 2008 event. Register for as low as $25.00.
The Party Pass ($25) includes Vendor Village Admission ($15.00 without registration); event t-shirt; rally pin; grand prize drawing entries; discount on food and beverage in the Vendor Village; entry into Artistry in Iron, Master Builders’ Championship; commemorative Las Vegas BikeFest gift (first 7,500 to pick up their package at the event); food and drinks at the Welcome Party; shuttle to Vendor Village from Fremont Street Experience; and eligibility and entry for all the events and competitions (excluding the Poker Runs, Poker Walk, and Custom Bike Show bike entry).
The Friday Fun Pass ($40) includes everything in the Party Pass plus: participation in the Friday Poker Run or Poker Walk; bike entry in the Custom Bike Show.
The Saturday Fun Pass ($45) includes everything in the Party Pass plus: participation in the Saturday Poker Run; bike entry in the Custom Bike Show.
The Ultimate Fun Pass ($65) includes everything in the Party Pass, Friday Fun Pass and Saturday Fun Pass.
The Party Pass is the only registration package that is unlimited so if you want the Friday, Saturday or Ultimate Pass, register early before they sell out.
All registration fees increase at the event.
THUNDERBIKE OF GERMANY SCOOPS SECOND EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP IN THREE YEARS– Andreas Bergerforth and the team at Thunderbike (of Hamminkeln in Germany) can now add their names to the list of those who have proven their championship grade credentials on multiple occasions, having backed up their 2006 European Championship win with this year’s title.
In 2006 Thunderbike won in Europe and went on to be second in the Official World Championship with ‘Spectacula’. This year’s return to the podium two years on from that success was with ‘Open Mind’, an S&S-engined fusion of old and contemporary styling that showcased the kind of engineering and production excellence that has become the acknowledged hallmark of Championship program winning bikes.
Thunderbike took the win in one of the closest European Championships yet seen. Second place was taken by last year’s third-placed builder, Riverside Motocyclettes of Vallon Pont d’Arc in France (in collaboration with Mort-M Garage) with ‘Sugarland Express’.
Third place went to another German, and somebody who is a veteran of the European Championship program, Tobias Guckel of TGS Motorcycles (Tittling/Rappenhof, Germany) with ‘Seppster 2’.
Fourth and fifth places went to two more program veterans. Frenchman Bertrand Dubet (Odyssey Motorcycles) was fourth with the much-admired ‘V-Rage’, featuring a reversed Engenuity 147 cu inch motor and futuristic biometric ignition recognition system.
Fifth place went to Freddie ‘Krugger’ Bertrand, with ‘Half Day’, a bike named for the Illinois Race Track where S&S Cycle founder George Smith used to race in the 1950’s, and the appearance of the bike marked the first competitive debut for one of the S&S-engined bikes that have been built to celebrate S&S Cycle’s 50th anniversary.
The event also saw Cory Ness’s S&S 50th bike being seen publicly for the first time, and a European unveiling for the S&S X-Wedge, with Jerry Greenlaw’s Custom Garage of Germany giving the new platform its first competitive outing outside the United States.
The event itself was the fourth annual Official European Championship of Custom Bike Building, and was staged at Custom Chrome’s European Dealer Show at the Phoenixhalle at Mainz in central Germany.
Altogether 100 bikes were entered this year, with builders coming from 15 countries in total.
There were eight entries in Custom Chrome’s own Motorcycle sub-class, with 62 bikes competing in the acclaimed Freestyle ‘Class’ from which the builders themselves, with selected former competitors and champions, custom journalists, Affiliate event operators and members of the Official Partner and exhibiting vendor community, chose the winners using the unique and internationally respected Championship Program judging formula.
In the Modified Harley-Davidson class, which received a record 30 entries, the win was taken by industry veteran Claus Guenther of USM from near Hanover, Germany, with ’48’. Second place in the Modified Harleys went to Alex Sluyter (Harley Factory Frankfurt, Germany) with ‘The Apprentice’; and French custom shop School Bar Atelier took third with ‘Old Gun’.
Tobias Guckel added to his third place Freestyle European Championship success with a win in the Custom Chrome Europe Motorcycles Class (bikes based on one of CCE’s kit bike packages) for the second year running, with Outback Cycles (Germany) second, and Custombike (Gerardo Chillico, Italy) third.
Custom Chrome Europe’s logistics partner DHL has generously supported the European Championship again with providing the top three with a voucher worth 5.000,00 euro (approx $7,500.00 each) towards the costs of bike freight for them to compete at this year’s 5th annual Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building at Champions Park on Lazelle Street during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (August 3rd to 6th).
Jammer Old School winner was Andreoli Motorcycles of Italy, with Independent Choppers and Hells Kitchen Choppers second and third.
S&S President’s Pick winner was Custom Garage in Germany for ‘Dragon’, their X-Wedge project; with Krazy Horse Customs from the UK second, and RMF Motorcycles, Germany, third.
The event is trade-only for Custom Chrome Europe dealers and European Championship competing builders on the Saturday, with additional local consumer attendance welcomed through the doors on the Sunday.
www.amdchampionship.com
BIKERNET LAYS OFF ONE EMPLOYEE–When Peters learned that he was being fired, he went to see the head of human resources. “Since I’ve been with the firm for so long,” he said, “I think I deserve at least a letter of recommendation.”
The human resources director agreed and said he’d have the letter the next day.
The following morning, Peters found the letter on his desk. It read, “Jonathan Peters worked for our company for eleven years. When he left us, we were very satisfied.”
–from Rev CarlR
HINES RIDES SCREAMIN? EAGLE V-ROD TO SEMI-FINALS AT HOUSTON–Krawiec Out in Second Round of NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle National.
BAYTOWN, Texas (March 29, 2008) ? Andrew Hines rode his Screamin? Eagle/Vance & Hines V-Rod to the third round of Pro Stock Motorcycle eliminations at the 21st Annual O?Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park.
Hines qualified fourth for the event with a pass of 6.972 seconds and beat Edward Murphy and Steve Johnson with runs of 7.107 and 7.171 seconds to advance to the semi-finals, where he lost to Matt Smith on the Nitro Fish Wear Buell with a 7.076 to Smith?s 6.991. Smith, the reigning NHRA POWERade world champ, beat Matt Guidera on the Rocklin Motorsports Buell in the final round, 7.060 to 7.140, to take his first event win of the season.
?This was certainly a better result for us than last year at Houston, when we both went out with red lights in the first round,? said Hines. ?We swapped engines twice before the finals, and then kind of missed our set-up on Sunday, when there was a big change in the humidity from Saturday. We gave it all we had and I didn?t beat myself, so it was a good weekend.?
Eddie Krawiec rode the other Screamin? Eagle/Vance & Hines V-Rod into the third qualifying spot with a 6.971 in the final Saturday round, bumping Hines down to fourth. Krawiec beat Michael Phillips with a pass at 7.066 in the first round on Sunday, but went out on a red light in the second round to lose to Guidera.
?I learned a big lesson in that second round,? said Krawiec. ?My bike stalled on the line before pre-stage, which has never happened to me before. We restarted but I lost my routine at the line and rushed myself, which caused the red light. It?s too bad, because the bike felt strong. We had the third-best time in the first round and I think we could have won some more. I?ll learn from that mistake and move on.?
After two rounds in the 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, Matt Guidera leads in Pro Stock Motorcycle points with 212, followed by Smith with 195, Hines with 171, Chip Ellis with 151, and Krawiec with 111. NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycles will race next at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals, April 24-27 at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Ga.
?The team had a challenging weekend,? said Harley-Davidson Racing Manager Anne Paluso. ?There were some great passes and some passes we weren’t so happy with, but as always we learned a great deal that helped us prepare for Sunday. In the end, we went rounds on Sunday and gained valuable points for the countdown.?
The Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines Pro Stock Motorcycle team is sponsored by Ford Truck, Dunlop, Matco Tools and S100.
ABATE OF ILLINOIS ATTORNEY WARS–Many of you know already that I have complained for over 10 years about an advertising agreement ABATE of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio have with Rod Taylor and Associates law firm. Taylor started something called ABATE Legal Services back then, in part to “protect” the membership from so-called bottom feeding attorneys. Of course he and his attorneys eat from the same feed bag, so I?m not sure what the distinction is. I do know that he wrote in recent newsletters for the above named ABATE states that anyone hiring an attorney that was not an ABATE (Taylor) attorney was probably getting ripped off. That inflammatory statement is an insult to the thousands of good attorneys in ITLA (Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
The president of South Suburban ABATE, Mike Donahue, an attorney himself, sums up the problem in a front page article. He alludes to his chapter being publicly chastised and threatened with a year’s probation for publicly thanking Attorney Michael Hupy for donations and other community support (like offering a $5,000 reward for information about the person who killed five women at a Lane Bryant Store in Tinley Park).
Editor Leo O’Conner complains about lawyers and finger pointing, etc, etc. Well, there are certainly some bad lawyers out there. I’ve seen my share, including one in Milwaukee who was advertising while serving time in federal prison for ripping off clients. Then there are the kind who want exclusive advertising agreements, like Taylor, that serve his purpose and little else. But in my 35 years in biker’s rights, I’ve dealt with dozens of good attorneys who never said no when asked to help us out, either financially or with some legal work, pro bono. I used the law library of one attorney back in the early 1970’s as I prepared testimony for public hearings at our state capitol. Another attorney took on several of my helmet tickets, pro bono, and also dealt with some community problems facing bikers at the time. Still another attorney helped us with our angle parking law and three bikes to a single meter space. To say that only ABATE Legal Services attorneys should be used is ludicrous. For the past 15 years I have been working for Attorney Michael Hupy.
There’s no way I would work for an attorney who didn’t help out the rights movement and certainly not if he were ripping off bikers. I’ve turned down offers of employment from at least two other law firms, because those attorneys didn’t do much of anything for the rights movement. On the other hand, Michael Hupy has donated tens of thousands of dollars to the rights movement nationally. He supports and has donated to the California Judicial Fund. He supports and donates to the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame. He supports and donates to ABATE of Wisconsin, A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, the AMA Museum and much, much more.
Finally, it’s been said to me that some of the negative commentary and email blogs may bring the whole rights movement down some day. I say they have much more to worry about with the current leadership and trends in today’s SMRO’s. We’re getting further away from our mission of fighting for biker’s rights, while embracing the business of exclusive advertising agreements and censorship of the members. That is what will bring it all tumbling down in my humble opinion.
–Tony “Pan” Sanfelipo
Founder, ABATE of Wisconsin
National Director, BOLT
Sturgis Freedom Fighter Hall of Fame, 2002
Accident Investigator, Hupy and Abraham, S.C.
Accident Scene Management, Inc
ORIGINAL COSSACKS GAS TANKS FOR SALE– Here are the pics, the Cossacks gas tanks. I’m going to run them on a flathead 80, if I don’t sell them. Will be a fucking cool rat bobber. Keep the rubber side down.
–FATBOB
ps- I saw the parts in the Sunday Post, could have used a better pic, even though I am a shitty photog. I will find a complete ’69 if that’s what you want.
TECH QUESTION OF THE WEEK–I remember those Easyriders tech tip books and have some copies of certainpages. Any chance of getting the idiot wiring diagrams for the 1980 andolder Shovelhead? Would greatly appreciate it if you could help me out!
–Al
Hines.Alan@orbital.com>
POWERDRIVE 6-SPEED RIGHT SIDE DRIVE TRANSMISSIONS from RIVERA PRIMO–
? Features a close-ratio 2.94:1 first gear & a .860:1 overdrive 6th gear
? This combination will improve acceleration yet will reduce vibration
? Manufactured to our specs, each trans has super-strength shafts & forged back-cut gears for smooth & positive shifting
? Cases are designed & fit like a stock-style 1990-1999 Softail? trans
? Delivered with a chromed hydraulic clutch actuator or chromed cable- actuated end cover & a 32-tooth final drive pulley as well
? Backed by a 2-year replacement warranty
? Choose from full chrome finish or polished finish
? MSRP for the fully chromed hydraulic model is $1584.16, whereas models in a polished finish with hydraulic or cable-actuated end covers are $1409.12
? Always in stock, ready-to-ship !
Continued On Page 4
April 03, 2008 Part 2
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 1
SUCKER PUNCH BIKES HOT OFF THE LINE–Here are a couple of pics of a new SPS bike painted by Sara Ray…it should be in an upcoming issue of the Horse. It features a new SPS signature Panhead motor, H-Bomb Oil bag and custom everything.
Killer photos are courtesy of Jeff Cochran. It’s already sold but we are working on several other full on custom bikes. If anyone is in AZ for AZ bike week stop by the shop to get a tour or call 480-778-9500
14982 N. 83rd Place
Scottsdale, AZ
–Ken
SOUTH FLORIDA ALL GIRLS MOTORCYCLE CLASS– For the first time in over 5 years, South Florida has scheduled an All Girl’s Motorcycle Class on April 19th and 20th. The Basic Rider Course is being held at the Southeast Florida Motorcycle Safety School in North Dade and is being coached by certified Rider Coaches Becky Cohen and Lizz Egan.
This class is presented with materials from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and includes both classroom sessions and riding practice. Attendees expected are first time riders or those just interested in honing their skills or just “getting legal”. Riders will leave the class after successfully completing a written and riding evaluation and will be ready to have their motorcycles endorsements added to their driver’s license.
“Since we’ve started coaching we’ve been eager to share our passion for motorcycling with other women” said Becky Cohen. Lizz Egan added that since becoming a motorcycle rider — and subsequently an instructor — life has changed in many ways. “New friends, new vacations and the love of being outdoors and experiencing nature in new ways” are some of the reasons Lizz loves the world of biking.
Riders need show up with only the basics – sturdy pants and boots, eye protection and gloves. The SEFMSS will supply motorcycles, helmets and lunch. Becky Cohen added “For a nice change, we’re providing lunch on this class so that we have an opportunity to discuss everything from helmet hair to high heels during our break”.
Contact: Southeast Motorcycle Safety School
Jack Benveniste
305-430-9997
motorcycleschool@aol.com
www.sefmss.com
Contact: Lizz Egan
305-772-6292
MASTER REALIST ARTIST SCOTT JACOBS JOINS FORCES WITH ARLEN AND CORY NESS– (April 1, 2008 San Diego, Ca.) ? Celebrated artist Scott Jacobs announces that he is teaming up with the world?s foremost motorcycle customizers Arlen and Cory Ness on a national exhibition tour. The events will include such prominent motorcycle rallies as Myrtle Beach, Daytona, Sturgis and many more. The ?always innovate, never imitate? father and son team of Arlen and Cory Ness have been the guiding force of motorcycle customization for decades as their creations have graced the covers of every major motorcycle magazine in existence. Arlen and Cory?s bikes are typically the ?must see? display at most of the preeminent national and international custom motorcycle shows including Paris and Milan.
The tour will incorporate the unrivaled presentation of Ness creations and products along with a gallery style exhibit of Scott Jacobs most recent artworks depicting both his motorcycle and lifestyle imagery. Mr. Jacobs? works are highly sought after and renowned for their spectacular detail and photo-realistic qualities. His paintings and prints now reside in over twenty museums and in over sixty countries. Jacobs? private collectors list reads like the Who?s Who of the motorcycle industry as well as many celebrities.
Mr. Jacobs is honored to be part of this new collaboration and states: ?Arlen, Cory and I have been riding buddies and close friends for many years and it?s just very cool to finally get together on a tour and connect with our collectors and customers on a whole new level. It made a lot of sense to Arlen, Cory and me and I?m looking forward to the experience; it?ll be fun.?
Finally, Scott Jacobs has been chosen by Harley-Davidson Motor Co. to produce an official painting commemorating their 105th Anniversary this year ; I have seen the photo research for the work and it?s definitely a WOW painting. Hint: one of Scott?s daughters is depicted in the painting. We anticipate releasing the limited edition canvas around Sturgis. Keep your eyes peeled for a future alert and visual of this painting.
Please direct any questions to: Ron Copple
Scott Jacobs Studio
303-431-4453
www.scottjacobsstudio.com
PERFORMANCE IN A BOTTLE —No matter if you?re running hard on the street, smokin? the 1/4 or packing cross country, today?s American V-Twin motorcycle engines require lubrication capable of addressing excessive load operating temperatures and high performance stress like never before. Formulated by Lubeatech Performance Technologies specifically to meet and exceed these unique requirements, LAT High Performance Full Synthetic Motorcycle oil provides superior levels of wear protection, high stability and exceptional resistance to thermal breakdown.
Consisting of group IV and V base oils treated with LAT extreme pressure additive, LFR, the new lubricant provides superior sustained high RPM protection, high flash point and extreme wear protection for maximum horsepower and torque. Additionally during independent tests LAT was shown to provide significant increases in horsepower and torque while reducing running temperatures. Currently available in 20w/50 for American V-Twins.
For complete visit the LAT web site at www.lubeatech.com
South Side Kustoms UPCOMING EVENTS and NEWS!– SOUTH SIDE KUSTOMS 3rd ANNUAL CHARITY BIKE RAFFLE is American Red Cross Themed Bike, Benefits American Red Cross Greater Buffalo Chapter (100% of Proceeds) – $10.00 each or 3-$25.00 , Tickets will be available thru www.buffaloredcross.com or any events South Side Kustoms and American Red Cross attend/host. You can also check status of bike’s progress vis South Side Kustoms website or South Side Kustoms MYSPACE Page www.myspace.com/powerflames, TICKETS ARE ON SALE , they will be available thru South Side Kustoms, American Red Cross or any of our events we will be at with the bike!
South Side Kustoms SUPPORTS OUR TROOPS! As Well as Law Enforcement/Firemen/EMTs – WE Give mentioned service personel (active/reserve/gaurd/retired) a 10% off discount on parts (excludes sales/discounts/apparel/helmets) OR $1,000 off a custom built motorcycle! It’s the least we can do to say THANK YOU for doing what you do!
— Jason McCudden (Owner)
South Side Kustoms
146 Barnard St.
Buffalo, Ny 14206
716-823-6279
1-800-675-3191
email- southsidekustoms@verizon.net
website – www.south-side-kustoms.com
JAYBRAKE’S DEFENDER CALIPER–JAYBRAKE’S Defender is a locking system designed to prevent a motorcycle from moving and it is claimed not to cause damage if anyone tries to ride the bike before unlocking it.
After the existing caliper is removed, the Defender is mounted permanently on the front fork, and then the caliper is remounted on the Defender.
To lock the bike, the spring-loaded hardened stainless steel locking pin is inserted into the Defender and the bike needs to be rolled a few inches. This allows the pin to engage through one of the rotor holes. The bike is then immobilized.
The Defender will work with stock rotors as well as many aftermarket brands. Multiple models of Defender are available to ensure a direct bolt-on application for 1984 to current H-D models (excluding Springer). Defender models have also been developed to fit 2003 onward Victory motorcycle models.
The JayBrake Defender is available in polished, chromed, satin black anodized, and satin clear anodized finishes, and left and right side mounting versions.
–JAYBRAKE
Springville, New York, USA
Tel: 716 5920554
Fax: 716 592 7075 fax
E-mail: info.jaybrake@hbpllc.com
www.jbrake.com
NEW WEB SITE FOR EASYRIDERS EVENTS–Welcome to Easyriders Events!
The new front page for the Rodeos is up and running. Check it out.Thanks once again for your support.
–John Green
Easyriders Events
www.easyridersevents.com
www.lonestarrally.com
www.brokenspokesaloon.com
SB-802 GENERAL BILL by Garcia (Compare HB-137)–“Motorcycles or Mopeds/Reckless Driving [EPCC]; Provides that if a person is operating or is in actual physical control of a motorcycle while driving recklessly, a law enforcement officer shall arrest the person, take him or her into custody, and seize the motorcycle. Requires that a person riding on a motorcyle or moped must ride while sitting astride the seat with one leg on each side and with both wheels on the ground at all times, etc.”
Fellow Freedom Fighters:Big Brother’s right to seize your motorcycle has come one step closer to becoming a reality in Florida and a nightmarish precedent for statehouses nationwide. Yesterday, HB-137’s companion bill SB-802 passed unanimously through the Florida State Senate Transportation Committee. Here is a verbatim report from Dara “Sam” McLain, who along with fellow bikers’ rights advocate Robert “RC” Conroy attended the meeting and spoke out against the bill:
Subject: SB 802 Hearing – reported by Dara “Sam” McLain
At the first hearing, I and others, protested that, among other things, this bill is one-sided. Their aim, they said, is to prevent senseless death of these Sport Bike riders. While we pointed out they were ignoring the senseless death of many more riders that happen daily at the hands of distracted drivers who go unpunished.
So, late last night, an amendment was added to SB 802, to stiffen the penalties of drivers who cause death or injury to another through a traffic violation. For whatever reason – a dangling carrot, an honest concern, whatever – it was added to this bill. However, and far more importantly, SEIZURE is still very much alive in this bill. Fine me $1000, give me jail time, take away my endorsement for a period of time, but the government does not have the right to confiscate my motorcycle. Period.
The Forfeiture law was enacted to prevent the continuation of drug manufacture and sale after the dealer was convicted. Confiscating cars and/or motorcycles for driving violations is out of those bounds and unconstitutional.Sadly, many Senators who are fairly new to this bill, are so focused on the Sport Bike issue that they immediately shot down this amendment that might have done some good. So once again, we are back at square one, and this bill is still very much alive! And again, where the hell was the support?? Where are all the Sport Bike riders who oppose this bill? I can almost understand the biker community who does not ride the sport bikes not having a concern, but this bill seriously targets Sport bikers. Do you not care? Or are you merely waiting for those of us who are willing to fight for our freedom to do it for you?
–Dara McLain
aka Sam
KLOCK WERKS MO? TIRE KIT HITS THE STREETS IN A FAT, SUPER SIZED WAY–Klock Werks MO? Tire Kit built to easily fit touring models from 1997 to today?s 2008 Harley-Davidson?s featuring cush drive. MO? Tire Kit eliminates Left side pull, uses stock belt plus no Tranny Disassembly Required.
Mitchell, SD? The Klock Werks Design Team; synonymous with custom Baggers, releases the MO? Tire kit allowing for a super easy 180 rear tire installation into a stock HD Factory frame. Klock Werks MO? Tire kit does not require swing arm replacement or disassembly of the transmission and eliminates the left side pull while offering improved balance. No need for an extended main shaft or offset primary, just a quick, easy installation, especially with the use of the Klock Werks Signature E-Coated, pre-drilled, stamped all steel fender and filler panels, which are included in the kit as well as all hardware.
?The MO? Tire Kit puts the emphasis on Make Over (MO?). Our new kit allows a complete bike transformation in one day or less on stock HD?s from 1997 to today?s 2008 with Cush drive. All the rider has to do is choose a taillight and drop your new E-Coated fender, upper and lower fillers to your painter. Once painted they just bolt on, no expert builder required!? said Klock Werks Owner, Brian Klock. ?This kit is more about what you DON?T have to do, rather than what you have to do? finished Klock.
. Kit requires the use of a 5.5″ rear wheel with a 3.485″ drive side hubmeasurement. The MO? Tire kits come complete with pulleys (when needed), allgaskets and hardware. “Our design team went the extra mile to add value tothe kit by making it the easiest, most complete package on the market” stressed Klock, “we made it quality, you make it kustom? finished Klock.
To see the Klock Werks parts line up, visit: www.kustombaggers.com
please visit www.kustombaggers.com
To reach the shop, please call: 605-996-3700 office or 605-996-9900 fax–Make sure to tell ’em you saw it on Bikernet.
AMSOIL Severe Gear? Synthetic Gear Lubes Provide Superior Protection Against Thermal Runaway–The extreme loads, pressures and temperatures experienced by modern vehicles place increased stress on gear lubricants that can lead to a serious condition known asthermal runaway. As temperatures in the differential climb upward, gear lubricants tend to lose viscosity, while extreme loads and pressures can break the lubricant film, causing increased metal-to-metal contact and heat. The increased friction and heat, in turn, cause the lubricant to lose further viscosity, which further increases friction and heat. As friction and heat increase, lubricant viscosity decreases. As viscosity decreases, friction and heat continue to spiral upward. The hotter it gets, the hotter it gets. It is a vicious cycle that eventually leads to greatly increa! sed wear and irreparable equipment damage.
AMSOIL Severe Gear Synthetic Extreme Pressure (EP) Gear Lubes feature an exclusive blend of high viscosity, shear stable synthetic base oils and an extra treatment of high-performance additives that provide a highly protective iron sulfide barrier coating on gear surfaces. Severe Gear Synthetic Gear Lubes effectively protect equipment from thermal runaway through superior viscosity protection. See the full story in the April Action News.
Continued On Page 3
April 03, 2008 Part 1
By Bandit |
Hey,
Another wacky day in paradise. Our Bonneville Book is hung up at the printers. I need to work on our Chance book. Content is flying at Bikernet faster than I can launch it, and there’s a chance we could help produce a Biker Movie this year. Plus, there’s a remote chance we could be involved in another Sturgis-like rally. Whatta ya tink?
In my gut, I believe, resides a motorcycle movie that could rival Easy Rider and rest in our hearts and souls for years to come. It would take a sponsorship effort like crazy to raise the funds. Let’s hit the news. I need to ponder this stuff:
WOLFGANG GOES TO BAT FOR BIKERNET BONNEVILLE BOOK PROJECT–Our book must be waiting in the queue behind some other big order, as it’s not scheduled to come off the press until the 23rd. I bitched, let’s see if they move up the date. Then we can plan our PR campaign. I thought we might have advance copies soon…..
I will keep you posted.
–Timothy Remus
Wolfgang Publications
Office: 651-275-0198
Sales: 651-275-0143
Fax: 651-439-7052
24 Hour Order Line: 651-275-0194
TIRES AIN?T PRETTY, BIKERNET PRODUCT RESEARCH EVALUATION REPORT– Tires aren?t pretty, YEA you heard me right I said tires aren?t pretty, BUT ya gotta have em! They come in a lot of sizes, some thin, some fat, black wall and white wall But they still ain?t pretty.
Choices ? Choices ? Choices
Everyone has a opinion about which one is best and there are a lot of things to consider, MILEAGE ? COMFORT ? GRIP both wet and dry and of course price
I was on a Discovery Channel Ride and I commented that damn I got to change oil and tires again before I ride to Sturgis. I was reminded that I put a lot of miles on and that both items were part of maintenance.
That was when Larry Curik suggested I try a set of Continental Milestones. He said they were especially made for heavy touring bikes and cruisers and would give me the mileage I was looking for. I ride a lot of interstate and most of the time over the posted limit and in all kinds of weather and did not want to give up handling especially in the rain.
He assured me that the tires would give me exceptionally high mileage and high levels of wet and dry grip.
I did some checking and found out that the ContiMilestone tire used a ?Activated Silica Compound? that is said to give 30% more wet grip and at the same time more mileage.
I had thought that wet grip was a trade off for mileage and that appears to be the case with some other brands. I also found out that the Continentals used a combination of Nylon and Rayon in their casings that gave good stability.
The thread design is directional oriented using a lateral wide and narrow groove which gives good stability even under the worse conditions. That is also something the central thread design can not do.
The tires can be run with or without a tube and come in various sizes to fit 15-16-19 and 21 inch rims. I ended up putting a set of black walls on my 2004 Harley Electra-Glide. A 130/90H-16 went on the front using 36 lbs of air. The rear took a 140/90H-16 and 40 lbs of air.
Riding from Florida to Sturgis and back I was on every kind of road surface that you can think of both wet and dry.
The tires were everything that Larry said they would be. THANKS BRO!
There was one thing he didn?t tell me though. I was tooling along around 90 mph just enjoying life when I spotted the rain grooves in the road ahead; I was waiting for that uncomfortable feeling of them wanting to take the handlebars from my control. It Never Happened! I hardly knew they were there. Not what my experience had been with the factory tires.
Oh yea I got a little over 5000 miles on them now and hardly any wear at all.
I?m Keeping These! Hey if you?re tired of changing tires so often you may want to consider trying a set yourself. Check with your local shop. You can also find information on the internet at http://www.contionline.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/motorcycle/themes/motorcycletires/cruiser/milestone/milestone_en.html or by putting Continental Motorcycle Tires in the search engine.
Continental Tires,
39E. Main Street, Suite #117
New Albany, Ohio, 43054
Phone 614-855-6960
–Rogue
Sturgis Freedom Fighters
Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Member 2005
www.bikerrogue.com
BIKERNET WEEKLY TOOL TECH, ELECTRIC HAND DRILL– Normally used for spinning pop rivets in their holesuntil you die of old age.
SKIL SAW: A portable cutting tool used to make studs too short.
–Buckshot
D&D DELIVERS A MONSTER HORSEPOWER SOLUTION–More Power * More Grunt * One Package.
The feedback has been through the roof from guys taking our D&D+Zipper?s kit and in an afternoon bolting on an asphalt ripping performance across the entire RPM range. The horsepower kit includes a free-flowing D&D pipe, Zipper?s Performance ThunderMax with AutoTune tuner and a Zipper?s ThunderBird air filter.
But wait, there?s more? D&D has put together this package at a significant discount for Bikernet readers. Save BIG dollars for BIG performance and all you have to do is tell them you?re from Bikernet.
Call 817-834-8961 or logon to D&D Performance Enterprises website. This package has everything? price, performance, exhaust tone and of course, show quality chrome.
Note: This kit is designed for any Harley Delphi ECM fuel injected bike and D&D pipe.
–Jeff
FROM THE EXTENSIVE BIKERNET BLONDE FILES–A brunette walks over to her blond friend’s home and finds hercrying. “What happened…why are you crying?”
The blond tells her that her mother has passed away.
The neighbor makes her some coffee, comforts her and thenleaves.
The next day the neighbor goes back over to the house and findsthe blond crying again.
Once again, she asks her why she is crying.
This time the blond replies hysterically… “I just got offthe phone with my sister, her mother died too!
–from Jester
BRASS BALLS BOBBERS IS GIVING AWAY A FREE BOBBER–IronWorks Magazine thinks so much about the Bobbers built by Brass Balls Bobbers and Choppers that they decided to give one away? for free. This is a 20K+ Bobber that you can help build by selecting the components of the bike.
Should the build have an S&S Engine, Harley 80 inch or an Indian-style V-plus? Help the crew at Brass Balls Bobbers and Choppers on their build by selecting the components. The winning components get incorporated into the build.
Go to Brass Balls Bobbers and help us build the bike now. After the selection is made follow the build at Bikernet and IronWorks Magazine.
–Jeff
SEVERE BIKERNET COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT–In this week’s article the FLH bars look good. How about a source for the bars, clutch cable and throttle cables? Would like to do that upgrade on my 2007 FL. While we are at it could you do a tech on removing the FLH fairing? My dealer refuses to allow me in the shop to see how it’s done.
A Norton Sporty? A blast from the past. I used to know a guy, Jeff Sell, who worked for TC Christenson. TC was the guy who drag raced a dual engine Norton back when. My friend Jeff Sell piled up his Norton on a car at an intersection breaking both his wrists. As luck would have it after his healing he did a tool and die apprenticeship at J I Case tractor and became a machine shop owner.
His later passion was fishing and he continued with manufacturing salmon fishing rigs. Talk about a convoluted chain of events. The kids and I just returned from a week in Key West. Lots of bikes and “bikers”. What I noticed is that the foreigners are buying up the Keys due to the devalued dollar. Germans, Polish, British are now the new owners. And why not? The Hispanics are gone and it is now European chic. Anyway my daughter caught a bonnet head shark which is what you and Rogue held up in Daytona years ago. My son took to scuba diving and I found that sun and fishing are what keeps an “old” man young.
–Anson
anson600@yahoo.com>
BIKERNET TESTIMONIAL–I’ve had a number of people call and e-mail us on what a great feature article it was.We have a stat sheet that we get weekly from the host of our Streetwalker site and I always look at it to make sure the traffic counts are where we want them to be. One of the criteria they evaluate by is referring sites and to qualify as counter somebody has to come onto your site from a link on another site.
Bikernet is always in the top four sites for referring hits to our site. It isn’t uncommon to have between 75 to a 100 “referrals” a month from Bikernet. It’s a terrific tool for exposure and never fails to drive traffic.I’m starting to sound like a paid endorsement so I’m outa here. Take care and thanks for all your efforts.
–Terry
Boss
Street Walker Exhaust
Envy
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE CARVES ITS NICHE FOR FALL LAUNCH IN HEAVYWEIGHT CRUISER MOTORCYCLE MARKET ONCE MORE–Indian Motorcycle prepares for Fall launch of its classically inspired, reengineered V-Twin Cruiser.
Kings Mountain, NC? Indian Motorcycle, America?s First Motorcycle is revving up for its much anticipated release of the classically inspired Chief model featuring the dramatic curves of the fenders that have become a motorcycling icon.
?For model year 2009, this Indian revival has been extremely well thought out and engineered to improve overall rider features and comfort and of course improved styling echoing what the First American Motorcycle delivered in 1901. Not to mention the tireless efforts put forth by the engineering team and our suppliers to present a significantly improved product including the PowerPlus? 105cc engine? explained Nick Glaja, Indian Motorcycle Vice President, Engineering. ?We have successfully redefined a classic by blending modern technology and implementing stringent quality requirements all to deliver a better performing, more reliable Indian Motorcycle? finished Glaja.
Indian Motorcycle located in Kings Mountain, North Carolina is on target to deliver model year 2009 units to its dealer base Fall 2008 with a consumer unveiling and launch at the motorcycle Mecca; Sturgis, South Dakota during Bike Week.
Indian is intent on slowly and methodically carving out its niche in the heavyweight cruiser motorcycle market. Having a considerable cofor a premium line of motorcycles under the Indian Motorcycle brand, the company will focus on supplying genuine, American made motorcycles which are beautifully designed, made of the highest quality materials, reliable and supported by a qualified dealer network.
Indian Motorcycle Company will make further launch announcements including scheduled event attendance, the release of their event and demo vehicles and Indian branded dealership openings.
THE FINEST FROM AUSTRALIAN BIKE WEEK–Attached are a few pics from Gold Coast Bike Week in Queensland last Sept.
–Doc
ADVICE FROM KIDS FOR BIKERNET READERS–“Never trust a dog to watch your food.”-Patrick, age 10
“When your dad is mad and asks you, “Do I look stupid?’ Don’t answer.”-Hannah, age 9
“Never tell your Mom her diet’s not working.”-Michael, age 14
SAXON MOTORCYCLES TO HOST OPEN HOUSE– To celebrate the end of Arizona’s 12th annual Bike Week, Saxon Motorcycles will host an open house Saturday, April 5, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its Casa Grande headquarters. Come tour Saxon’s facilities and enjoy live music, vendors, special guests and factory direct pricing on all of brand new Saxon Motorcycles and Apparel.
Special guest Caren Cooper of Big Sky Motorcycles, one of the top rated female Racers on the SIR Circuit and winner of the 2008 Easyriders Final Invitational Judge’s Class for Radical Build, will be available for autographs and photos. Guests can enjoy the music of The Tall Paul Band, mingle with the sexy ladies of the Bombshells Boutique, and visit with vendors such as the Stitcher & the Patch Lady, Made to Be Worn Jewelry, Arizona Biker Leathers, Aces & Eights Tattoos, Wicked Bros. Exhaust, AlphaTech Coatings, Bikini Bike Detail and many more.
Admission is free for all riders. The Budweiser Truck will be selling beer for an additional charge to benefit the Petty Foundation, an organization committed to helping Arizona’s Youth by providing scholarships to under privileged children.
Come visit us at Saxon Motorcycles for rock-bottom prices, great music and good company. Saxon Motorcycles is located at 555 W. Main Avenue, Casa Grande, Ariz. For additional information, please visit www.saxonmotorcycles.com or email us at info@saxonmotorcycles.com.
–Ken Conte
NEW CUSTOM BIKE ASSOCIATION (CBA) OFFICIALLY DEBUTS– CINCINNATI, OH ?? The Custom Bike Association (CBA) made its official debut February 1st at the 2008 V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati. Anticipating strong interest in the organization, CBA staff members were thrilled to collect over 200 new memberships from enthusiastic Expo attendees.
?The excitement and interest we experienced at the V-Twin Expo this year was incredible,? said CBA cofounder and director Tim DeMirjian. ?Every new membership reinforced our belief that the industry not only needs but is absolutely ready for the industry standardization, education and certification the CBA endeavors to provide. The enthusiastic response we got was really inspiring.?
The CBA was also thrilled to get the attention and encouragement of industry heavyweights at the annual Metzeler V-Twin Expo Roundtable discussion where the esteemed panel of Eddie Trotta, Brett Smith, Bert Baker, Paul Cox, Paul Teutul, Jr., Mark Wolfram and Chris Maida agreed that the CBA mission is worthy of endorsement.
Established to provide standardization, education and certification across the custom bike and aftermarket industries, the CBA?s main goal is to serve as an advocate, provider and promoter for the dealers, manufacturers, distributors, builders and enthusiasts that comprise this community.
Building on their success at the Expo, the CBA staff has been hard at work on their second stage of website development, the foundation for the standardization and certification processes.
PANHEAD BIKERNET DEAL OF THE WEEK– This guy has a nice ’57 Pan for sale. Just giving you a heads up if you know of anyone who is looking. I?m not in the motorcycle sales business, so I don?t know a price or details. The only thing I do know is that Tim Petersen, artist from Spearfish, did the paint.
Contact owner directly for more info. His name is Gary Garlick Spartans@vcn.com
REV TECH ENGINE DEAL–A serviceman reader in Korea is replacing his H-D engine with a square RevTech job, but has to buy it from the U.S. when it was built in Korea. Here’s his story to date:
I bought an engine..yeah.. from a distributer of CCI in North Dakota. I guess its an 88″ 4×4 stroker engine..Gen III..I paid $2300 USD for it. They are freighting it back to Korea, the republic of.
I don’t know the whole deal yet.. the engines have the same warranty.. the whole issue… but I think.. the are just taking back the old stock, ’cause they wanna sell some new shit right fast quick and in a hurry..Ima happy camper. I want to know seriously, how to become a CCI agent here.
The new engine was shipped out of O’hare this morning so I will have it next week.
–H
BIKERNET TRIKE REPORT–Finally finished the paint on Reggie?s trike.
–Buckshot
LIFESTYLE 2006 CUSTOM BUILT BOBBER DEAL OF THE WEEK– Old School Bad Ass with Plenty of Attitude! ONLY $ 11,995.00
MISS STURGIS CONTEST WRAPS UP–On-line vote proves diversity of the biker community.Sturgis, S.D. ? March 31, 2008 ? The Miss Sturgis 2008 and Girls of Sturgis Bike Week contest, after eight weeks of on-line voting, has produced a diverse array of 12 beautiful and personable finalists for the title of Miss Sturgis. A panel of judges will make the final selection for Miss Sturgis; the ladies are coming in from all over the country for their interviews and photo shoots.
Following the fourth round of voting, more finalists were announced. They are:
MxChick, a model, actress, pro wrestler and motocross racer from Louisville;
Barbie, a nursing student from Lima, Ohio, who loves to ride Harleys;
Sparky, an outdoors woman who loves to dance, from Scottsdale, Arizona; and
Brandy, an avid traveler, who recently moved from Omaha to Rapid City.
The new Miss Sturgis already has her first assignment. At the end of April she will be flying to Redwing Motorcycle in Boston where she will shoot the cover photo for the ?Sturgis Rally News? with Aerosmith?s Steven Tyler.
The Girls of Sturgis Bike Week will also be busy with radio and magazine interviews and, of course, the photo shoots for the calendar. Each page will feature a different location and motorcycle. Miss Sturgis will grace August 2008 where she will be photographed at the production line of Lehman Trikes. The lady chosen for June will be on a chopper in the casino at Deadwood Gulch Resort. December will feature the lingerie of One Bad Bitch and August 2009 will be on location at Black Hills Harley-Davidson. Other pages for sponsors Budweiser, Cranky Ape and Epic Outdoor Signs will be with an assortment of custom and antique motorcycles in a variety of exciting Black Hills locations. Sturgis Bike Week, Inc. designed the wardrobe for the Girls of Sturgis Bike Week.
The calendars will be free at Thunder Road, the Sturgis Bike Week retail stores on Main Street, and several sponsors? locations where the Girls will be autographing them, August 3-8. For more information, go to www.misssturgis.com.
PRICING REPORT FROM W8LESS ROTORS– W8less is finally getting their pricing structure together. However, we are offering those who encountered less expensive quotes the opportunity to get W8less Rotors and pads at the price quoted. Ray would love for you to extend this ?show offer? to YOUR readers as well. If you can, please let them all know about the “269.95 deal. All I ask is that they mention that they read about it on Bikernet.
In addition, we do have dealer pricing based on show special pricing as well. This is ONLY going to last 30 days. The dealers will get 30 percent off the new price of $319.95 WITH OUT PADS.
If you would like additional information on the product, please see the W8less Rotors website at www.w8lessrotors.com.
In addition, if you have any friends that would like to take advantage of this limited sale, please have them contact W8less Rotors direct at the number below.
Regards,
–Ray C Wheeler
Director of Sales
W8less Rotors
831-594-7783
Continued On Page 2
March 27, 2008 Part 4
By Bandit |
THE BUFFALO CHIP CAMPGROUND LLC ANNOUNCES NEW HIRE– The Legendary Buffalo Chip, Sturgis? premier entertainment and travel destination, has hired Angela Gonzalez as an executive marketing assistant. Gonzalez will be responsible for the day-today service and account administration and will assist marketing, sponsorship, event production, PR and media relations and publishing the Buffalo Chip Gazette and Sturgis Rider News.
Gonzalez earned a BA degree in international business from Rollins College, Winter Park, FL and has experience in different facets of the music industry, including concert production and management.
OLD CAR EMISSIONS EXEMPTION THREATENED IN 8 CALIFORNIA COUNTIES– Hearing Scheduled for April 1. Legislation (S.B. 1549) has been introduced in the California State Senate by Senator Dean Florez (senator.florez@sen.ca.gov) to repeal the state?s current emissions test exemption for pre-1976 vehicles registered by new owners in the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District. The District includes eight counties in California?s Central Valley: San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and the valley portion of Kern.
Under the bill, after Jan. 1, 2009, new owners seeking to register a pre-1976 vehicle in these eight counties would be subject to emissions tests for the life of the vehicle. S.B. 1549 is scheduled to be considered by the California Senate Transportation and Housing Committee on April 1, 2008.
We Urge You to Call, E-Mail or Fax Senator Florez and Members of the Senate Transportation Committee (List Attached) Immediately to Oppose S.B. 1549
Please phone, fax or e-mail Senator Florez to express your opposition to S.B. 1549. Senator Florez can be reached at:E-Mail: Senator.Florez@sen.ca.gov Phone: (916) 651-4016Fax: (916) 327-5989
Please phone, fax or e-mail members of the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee to express your opposition to S.B. 1549California Senate Transportation & Housing Committee
THE BIKERNET AMSOIL TECH COLUMN–As an AMSOIL Dealer I sometimes have to deal with so called “experts” from time to time. Sometimes they are people who are simply ignorant about synthetic oils or have opinions based on false assumptions. Sometimes they know somebody… who knows somebody… who knows somebody… who had their engine “ruined” by synthetic oil, and enjoy spreading the story. Wherever these “experts” come from they are usually misinformed or are repeating some other misinformed “expert’s” opinion.
The fact of the matter is that no properly formulated, properly filtered, properly applied synthetic motor oil has ever ruined a properly maintained engine, period. I can refer to Federal Mogul`s Engine Bearing Service Manual 1803EB, where the results of studying over 7,000 case histories, for both synthetic and petroleum oils, on engine bearing failure are detailed. Want to know what their findings were? DIRT!… Dirt is the major culprit!!!!! Dirt causes 43.3% of all bearing distress in an engine. Other causes include insufficient lubrication, bearing misassembly or misalignment, overloading, corrosion, etc., but dirt is absolutely the major culprit.
Dirt in an engine may come from many sources. Airborne dirt enters through the air filter which is why I use only Amsoil EaA air filters instead of oil wetted gauze which does a very poor job of capturing the small dirt, (microscopic in size, measuring 5 to 20 microns) which eats up your rings and bearings. Machinings left during engine manufacture or disassembly are also classified as dirt. Using that old funnel you have hanging on the wall is another great way to add dirt to your engine too, that’s why I always tell my customers to use the Amsoil Fast Funnels (Product Code G-1816) because they don’t have any of the microscopic dirt, that is in every shop no matter how clean it looks, in them because they are new unused funnels.
One other proven way to add dirt to your engine is to wipe the dip stick with a dirty rag; yeah I know you think your funnels and rags are clean but if you were to look at them with a microscope you would see dirt and grit all over them. Engine wear produces its own kind of dirt in the form of metal particles. Any and all of this dirt can cause bearing distress or cylinder scoring if it is not filtered out of circulation with a high efficiency oil filter such as an Amsoil EaO Oil Filter.
That`s why it is so important to use an AMSOIL EaO Oil Filter and why I highly recommend the use of our incredibly effective EaA air filters to all my customers. High Efficiency Amsoil EaA Air and EaO Oil Filters keep your oil clean, and clean oil cannot hurt an engine!
–Nick Roberts
SHASTA SALUTE TO AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE RALLY UNDER FIRE–PRESS RELEASE – Tuesday, March 25, 2008In response to Monday’s SDN Press Release regarding the Shasta Salute to America Motorcycle RallySouth Bay Biker Productions, Inc. respectfully requests to be given equal opportunity to provide “the other side of the story” concerning yesterday’s SDN article about the Shasta Salute to America Motorcycle Rally.
Thirteen months ago & after we were invited to Siskiyou County, we made a firm commitment with top officials in Siskiyou County & Yreka to bring a high quality patriotic event to Yreka, CA that would benefit Siskiyou County businesses and provide donations to the local peace officer & veteran charity, the Far Side Run & to Operation Gratitude, a military charity held in the highest regard in the American military community. During this time we have worked diligently with local law enforcement – Siskiyou County Sheriff – Rick Riggins, Under Sheriff & Siskiyou County Veterans Commissioner – Michael Murphy & Executive Director of the Yreka Chamber of Commerce & Siskiyou County Veterans Representative – Mark Dean for thirteen (13) months & Yreka Police Chief Brian Bowles for seven (7) months and numerous other Siskiyou County business leaders & community members. We have complied with every request and laid out a comprehensive plan concerning alcohol, proper security & all other issues inherent to sponsoring a public event.
Following our fourth committee meeting held on January 24th, 2008 @ 2:00pm & a public presentation held on January 25th @ 10:00am, we received the following email on January 31st from Chief Bowles:
“If the ABC license were to come across my desk today I would write on it the following:
1. Hours of operation 0930am-1200am (midnight).
2. 25 security persons including supervisor staff. Adequate security staffing levels to the number of patrons .Security Supervisor staff to provide and possess California guard cards or retired law enforcement credentials. (We talked about options if impossible)
3. Uniformed law enforcement required on site during all hours alcohol is served. Peak hours (600PM-0100AM) minimum of 6 uniformed Law enforcement officers on site at the event.
4. No larger than 14 oz cups.
5. a patron will be allowed to carry back from the bar no more than two drinks per person.”
On Friday morning, March 21st, with no warning, Jeff Kraus, the President of South Bay Biker Productions, Inc., received a phone call from Chief Bowles & a Press Release via fax. The Press Release stated that a closed session meeting with the Yreka City Counsel & Chief Bowles had taken place the night before. (This meeting was held with no notice & no opportunity for South Bay Biker Productions to provide input.) The Press Release stated that Chief Bowles would not permit alcohol to be sold at the Shasta Salute to America event – a 100% reversal of a plan that had been in effect for over one (1) year. Also contained in the Press Release were several defamatory & prejudicial comments regarding the motorcycle rider community (contradicting the “biker friendly” comments on the Yreka Chamber of Commerce’s website).
Over the past thirteen (13) months we have received an overwhelming majority of positive input and several sponsorships from local businesses that understood the integrity of our company. Along with the written endorsements (see the “Contact Us” page on the Rally’s website – With an event such as the Shasta Salute to America coming to the County for the next six years (the term of our agreement with the Siskiyou Golden Fairground), real help for Siskiyou County’s economy is on the way. Does anyone believe that the endorsements of these individuals who have been “kept on the table” if South Bay Biker Productions was not worthy or we had not earned them? Does anyone think that these endorsements would have been given if there was a potential for harm to Siskiyou County residents or businesses? We have tried through other sources & it is apparent that Chief Bowles has no intention of changing his mind. Because of the defamatory Press Release & the manner that word spreads throughout the motorcycle, veteran, law enforcement, entertainment & vendor communities, Chief Bowles has accomplished what he set out to do leaving Siskiyou County’s economy in no better shape than it was. NEW-LINE HEATHER ENGRAVES CHUCK PALUMBO CUSTOMS–I recently completed these for Chuck Palumbo Customs…He is a wrestler in the WWE, and has built a couple bikesfor Rey Mysterio, and Dave “The Animal” Batista for an up-coming show. Despite his rough exterior, the guy was a sweetheart, and a total pleasure to deal with…He even sent some stuff for my wrestling fanatic sons…(after all these years, they have finally figured out their mom is “cool”! hahaha) There’s so much more stuff I’ve done too… –Heather SOMETHING ABOUT AMERICAN FREEDOMS–When in England at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was askedby the Archbishop of Canterbury if USA plans for Iraq were just anexample of empire building by George Bush. He answered by saying, ‘Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return. You could have heard a pin drop. NCC PARTNERS WITH SOFTBRAKE–In their ongoing expansion campaign, North County Customs announced today that they have finalized negotiations with SoftBrake Inc. Under the new agreement North County Customs will be the exclusive world wide distributor for the very specialized line of products manufactured by SoftBrake. The plan is for SoftBrake to devote 100% of their efforts to the development and manufacturing of unique replacement parts for Harley-Davidson motorcycles while NCC utilizes it?s formidable marketing powers and world wide customer base to distribute the entire SoftBrake line. Based in Fullerton, California North County manufactures and distributes some of the most recognized products in the industry sold under different brand names. In past years they have been instrumental in the success of one of the most recognized names in the exhaust industry. Currently the SoftBrake line consists of replacement brake pedals designed for superior comfort and brake operation, billet master cylinders, redesigned billet shift linkage, passenger peg risers, LED license plate frames, license plate relocating brackets, stainless splash guard foot board spacer kits the awesome replacement Tombstone taillight housing and more.North County Customs can be contacted direct at 714-680-0911 and DEALER INQUIRIES are invited. ADVANSTAR INTERNATIONAL BIKE SHOW TOUR REPORT–Another whirlwind of a tour wrapped up in mid February with the largest show in our 27 year series history in Chicago, snowballing from the positive momentum generated over the 16 week tour. Thank you for being a continued part of our success and sharing the 13 show season with over 585,000 great friends and eager enthusiasts. The Results Are In! Thanks to the over 10,000 enthusiasts who offered their valuable input in helping to improve our shows. We value your feedback and, with your help, are taking steps to make the 2009 International Motorcycle Tour even better! For survey results and details. Now?s Your Chance to Get Involved With IMS! If you?re passionate about the powersports industry, we?ve got a couple great opportunities for you to get involved with a winning team. We?re now seeking ambassadors and product specialists in our local markets to help promote our motorcycle shows across the country. Are you the guy or gal that lives, eats and breathes motorcycling? Big Dog & KTM Winners The winners of the Big Dog and KTM sweepstakes are in! See who lucked out and walked away with some great prizes in our New York and Cleveland special promotions. Stay tuned for the winner of the Suzuki GSX650FK8, the ?Official Motorcycle Giveaway” of the tour. Check out the announced CORBIN OCC BAGGER– On a fuckin’ roll today. Check out this O.C.C ” Custom Bagger” –Tinman RUCKER PERFORMANCE BUILDING FRAMES–FORT WORTH ? March 25, 2008 Rucker Performance continues to enhance the quality of their motorcycles with their new in-house frame building department. The frames will no longer be outsourced, which will allow complete customization from the earliest stages of production. Designs created by Bill Rucker and his team will be more efficiently transferred to the end consumer through this new business venture. ?Customers expect the highest quality product, and we are providing that by entering production at an earlier stage than in the past. Our commitment to quality will continue as we take the idea of customization to the next level by constructing our own frames,? says Erin Rucker, Chief Operations Officer of Rucker Performance. ?We believe Rucker Performance continues to set itself apart with our company?s progress, innovation, coupled with the stunning designs of our bikes.? Rucker Performance recently revealed the 2008 model line up with the updated frames. The line up includes the Predator, Vandal, Assassin, Copperhead and Gauntlet. For more information on these products, visit our website at www.ruckerperformance.com or call us at 817-838-3200. BOSTON GUN CONTROL HALTED–Boston police officials, surprised by intense opposition from residents,have significantly scaled back and delayed the start of a program thatwould allow officers to go into people’s homes and search for gunswithout a warrant. Maria Cramer TriRod Motorcycles launches F3 Adrenaline–TRIROD Motorcycles has launched its F3 Adrenaline, a radical three-wheeled motorcycle which features two wheels in front with Formula-One type suspension. When developing the bike, TriRod Motorcycles set out to create a radical new vehicle that would combine advanced technologies from Formula-One racing, aerospace, and motorcycles. The F3 Adrenaline is said to be exceptionally stable and corner aggressively due to its low center of gravity and a wide track. TriRod’s engineers chose the 2-1 layout (two wheels in front, one in back) over the traditional 1-2 trike configuration for its superior handling, stability, and rollover resistance. Carbon fiber body panels are used on the F3 Adrenaline, and the high-tech feel is continued with fully adjustable racing shocks. Robert Miller, TriRod Motorcycles’ Co-founder and Chairman, says: “TriRod’s platform offers increased safety and stability over traditional motorcycles while adding a whole new level of thrilling performance.” TriRod’s F3 Adrenaline is the first of a line of tandem seat three-wheel performance motorcycles under development. The company is taking orders now for the 2008 F3 Adrenaline, which is scheduled to start shipping during the 2nd quarter of 2008. TRIROD MOTORCYCLES, INC. THE THURSDAY NEWS ENDING–My notes are scrambled, but here’s what’s coming to Bikernet: We have a bitchin’ build from Envy Cycles that will launch tomorrow. I need to write our S&S Super E rebuilt right away, because we’re performing a D&D pipe and Zippers EFI install to my Road King next week. Remember we just installed a set of S&S gear driven cams. Now the tuning begins. Another green highbar custom haunts the line-up from Jon Fox, in Minneapolis. It’s a killer classic. We’re about to kick off the restoration of a 1972 Sportster. This will help anyone trying to restore almost any Sportster. I’m still looking for a 1969 XLCH. Chopper Dave’s X-Wedge will spring onto Bikernet, next week, then there’s the choppers from the two brothers in Long Beach and a Dyna Glide True Track tech install from the gang at Palm Springs H-D and brother Bob T. Plus I have another leather seat tech from the lovely Vegas redhead. Almost forgot the Girl of Bikernet from Europe. I’ve got my work cut out and scattered all over the table. So hang on. It’s all happening on Bikernet. If you know something we don’t, pass the word. We’re here to share the pure joy of building and riding the coolest bikes on the planet. Plus it’s the goddamn Code of the West to make it as easy as possible for our readers to build fabulous scooters and chase women, or ride the open highways. Makes me want to peel out. Ride Forever, –Bandit
Globe Staff
The Boston Globe
SanDiego, California, USA
Tel: 858 547 9545
Fax: 858 547 9030
E-mail: paul@trirodmotorcycles.com
www.trirodmotorcycles.com
March 27, 2008 Part 2
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 1
THE BIKERNET.COM BROUHAHA SCHEDULE EMERGES FOR FRIDAY, STURGIS BIKE WEEK, AT THUNDER ROAD– brou?ha?ha na noisy commotion or uproar (formal)–
Encarta? World English Dictionary ? 1999 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.
10 am: event opens
10 am-12 pm registration for bike shows until 12 noon (bikes stay in place 12 noon to 6:30 pm)
Bike Shows. Three separate bike shows will happen simultaneously on the Bikernet Day at Thunder Roads. The draw to these shows is that the winning bikes will be featured on the Bikernet (and Bikernet Metric) websites.
12- 6 pm bikes in place for the bike show (Sportster, Softail, Dyna, Bagger, Metric, Vintage, British, Chopper/Bobber and Custom).
11 am- 11:30 Tattoo Contest (walk up) cool prizes
11:30- 11:45 Fake Orgasm Contest
12:00 – 1:15 pm Band Plays (throw out prizes on break)
1:30 pm – 2:15 pm Honey I’m Home. We would also have a contest (withtrophy) called “Honey I’m home.” We would need a bed and a small wall section with a open window. The contest will be open to 10 people with bikes that can be kick- started.
The contestant starts out laying on the bed (in their shorts) next to one of our beautiful models. We make the sound of a slamming door and the MC yells, “Honey I’m home,” which starts the clock.
The contestant gets out of bed, puts on their pants, crawls through the window, pushes his or her motorcycles about 30 feet (which will take it out of the building) and the clock stops when they kick start the bike and it fires up.
We plan to add some surprises for the contestants to liven it up evenmore.
2:15 pm-2:45 pm Wet T-Shirt Contest
2:45-3:15 pm Burn Out’s in the Burn Out Pit (we need a prize forthis) (put video link of winner on Bikernet)
3:15-4:00 pm Tattoo Contest (winners featured on Bikernet)
How’s that for our initial line-up. Thanks to Edge from the Smoke Out fame. We’ll look for a passel of sponsored prizes, sign-ups beautiful models and bikes as we roll toward Sturgis in August. Contact me if you want to be involved.–Bandit.
Bandit@bikernet.com
MOTORCYCLE GROUPS SUPPORT TROOPS– In a sea of black leather vests, colorful patches and tattoos stood a pair of young soldiers dressed in camouflage and combat boots. With outstretched arms, they took in all the care the bikers had to give.
“This is great,” said Tom Coriale, coordinator of the Army Reserve Family Readiness Group, with the Army Reserve Center in Daytona Beach. “This is just what we need to send care packages to our troops overseas.”
Parked on the street outside the U.S. Military Vets Motorcycle Club were a few hundred Harleys and a single green military 5-ton truck with its rear gate down.
As soon as a bike rounded the corner and parked in the club lot, the rider jumped off with a bag or box filled with basic necessities, all heading to Iraq, Afghanistan or Kuwait.
Some clubs, from as far away as South Florida, needed trucks to bring their donations — books, T-shirts, soap, shaving cream, dental floss, chewing gum, beef jerky, zippered bags and even footballs and Frisbees. The items will go to fill 30 “care” packages matched to 30 deployed soldiers.
“They tell us what they need before they go and we try and send it to them,” Coriale, a volunteer, said. “We send these boxes out every three months.”
Marty Lynch, president of the U.S. Military Vets in New Smyrna Beach, said the North Florida Confederation of Clubs had its bimonthly meeting at their clubhouse and decided to turn it into a care package drive.
“Although not all the clubs are military clubs, many of them have members who are veterans,” he said during the event Sunday. “It is a good cause and(motorcycle) club members are giving people.”
Jean “Frenchie” Morland, sergeant-at-arms for his ABATE Motorcycle Club, said members were pleased to help the men and women overseas. “We care about the soldiers,” the Orlando biker said. Coriale said his group gets no government funding. His volunteers work with clubs and businesses to collect the items and then gets donations to pay the mailing costs — around $1,200 per shipment. Boxes are sent four times a year.
As long as the war goes on, Nancy Coriale said, so will the care packages.
“They count on us and we will be there to help them,” she said.
For more information or to make a donation, call Tom Coriale at386-304-2968 or the Army Reserve Center at 386-252-6041.
–By SANDRA FREDERICK Staff Writer NEW SMYRNA BEACH —
–Rogue
Sturgis Freedom Fighters
Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Member 2005
www.bikerrogue.COM
BONHAMS TO HOST ANNUAL AUCTION at LEGEND OF THE MOTORCYCLE CALL FOR CONSIGNMENTS ANNOUNCED– Renowned auction house Bonhams & Butterfields will again host an auction of rare and historic motorcycles at Legend of the Motorcycle Concours d?Elegance next spring, and consignments are now being accepted.
The announcement comes after Bonhams successful auction at the Concours last May when their inaugural Legends Auction garnered nearly $1-million in sales, which is quite a remarkable sum for a first time motorcycle sale. Already consigned for the2008 auction is the famous 1903 Rex Single once owned by Harold Williamson that won the historic 875- mile Land?s End to John o’ Groats Run in Great Britain over 100 years ago.
Last year’s results confirmed the obvious and that is there’s a strong demand for an auction ofimportant collector motorcycles and memorabilia at the world’s foremost motorcycle event,” says Bonhams & Butterfields Motoring Department Head, Mark Osborne. “It also demonstrates the continuing interest and upswing in the market for historic bikes.”
Says Concours co-founder, Brooke Roner, “With so many enthusiasts and remarkable motorcycles from around the globe already in one place at one time, an auction is not onlynatural but a perfect addition to the schedule of events.” She adds, “Bonhams is one of theworld’s leading auctioneers of motorcycles. We knew that if an auction were to be held that it needed to be done by the best and Bonhams was the clear choice.”
The formal addition of the auction to the Concours calendar now makes for two motorcycle auctions Bonhams & Butterfields conducts during the year, the other being at the Petersen Automotive Museum in the fall. The auction at Legend of the Motorcycle will take place on Concours day at the event venue.
Now in its third year, the annual Legend of the Motorcycle Concours d’Elegance will take placeon Saturday, May 3rd, 2008 at the ocean-side Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay, California, just south of San Francisco. For more information on this unique world event, visit LegendoftheMotorcycle.com.
For more information on Bonhams, visit Bonhams.com/us. To consign a motorcycle in the auction or for questions about the events, please contact:
BIKERNETS? JIMS TOOL OF THE WEEK–Head Holder Tool,Use to hold head in vice through spark plug hole. Has 14mm and 12mm ends.
This tool allows you to easily position head for all types of work.
Instruction Sheet No.2341-IS.
No.2341 – Use on Big Twin 1948-present. (Includes Twin Camaftermarketheads.) Use on Sportster 1957-present. Use on Buell 1987-present, except1125R.
Suggested Retail Price $ 49.15
–JT Lepien
www.jimsusa.com
FROM THE BIKERNET ZEN CATALOG– As John Steinbeck once said: Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you.
MOTORCYCLE TRANSPORT NEAR YOU– He’s up near Mineapolis right now, Just give him a call if you need a bike moved…513-404-5370.
–Erin
NEW J&P METRIC CRUISER CATALOG–J&P Cycles is proud to announce that the new, 2008 Metric Cruiser catalog will be available April 15! This latest catalog features parts and accessories for your bike, whether it’s a Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Honda Gold Wing, or Victory, you don?t want to miss this! With over 424 pages with more than 15,000 parts and 2,700 new items, it has everything you need for your cruiser!
J&P Cycles spent months searching the market to find the very best products available from the hottest manufacturers in the industry. Countless hours were spent organizing the catalog and updating fitment information to make it as easy as possible for you to use. For the second year, J&P will produce a separate Sportbike catalog.
“We are very excited to get this year?s catalog in the hands of our customer,” said J&P Cycles President John Parham. “The quality of our catalog is one step in providing you, the customer with the best service in the industry.”
J&P has filled each section with a great selection of the newest and best parts on the market by top industry names such as Avon, Baron Custom Cycle, Cobra, Jardine, Kuryakyn, Memphis Shades, Milwaukee Twins, Show Chrome, Vance and Hines and more.
In their 29th year of business, J&P Cycles prides itself on its industry leading customer service and quality products. To order your FREE copy of the NEW J&P Cycles Metric parts catalog log on to www.jpcycles.com J&P Cycles is the world’s largest catalog retailer of aftermarket parts and accessories for Harley-Davidsons, V-Twin Cruiser and Sportbike motorcycles. Featuring tens of thousands of items in stock, in print and online, J&P Cycles delivers the best customer service and return policy in the industry. Order toll-free in the U.S and Canada at 800-318-6847 or online at www.jpcycles.com BIKERNET RANCH HIT WITH UNAUTHORIZED INSPECTION– A Department of Water representative stopped at a ranch and talked with an old rancher. He told the rancher, “I need to inspect your ranch for your water allocation.” The old rancher said, “Okay, but don’t go in that field over there.” The Water representative said, “Mister, I have the authority of the Federal Government with me. See this card? The card means I am allowed to go WHEREVER I WISH on anyagricultural land. No questions asked or answered. Have I made myselfclear? Do you understand?” The old rancher nodded politely and went about his chores. Later, the old rancher heard loud screams and saw the Water Rep runningfor the fence, and close behind was the rancher’s bull. The bull wasgaining on the Water Rep with every step. The Rep was clearly terrified…… so the old rancher immediately threwdown his tools, ran to the fence and shouted out, “Your card! Your card!Show him your card!” –from Art Friedman SPEAKING OF METRIC, NEW MODEL COMING TO BIKERNET METRIC–Here are some preview shots, I have a bike shot with this cutie and thisbike(?) which I will send to you for the metric side once I find them. Inever got a chance to work with her again she just disappeared. –RFR SWIMSUITS REQUIRED; SUNBLOCK OPTIONAL– The Broken Spoke Saloon and The Target Companies Team Up to create the Greatest Biker Campground with the World?s Largest Biker Pool! Sturgis, South Dakota? The legendary Broken Spoke Saloon, the world’s largest biker bar, has teamed up with The Target Companies, who have built camps all over the globe. Now, for 2008 the two companies have combined to bring you the best biker party in Sturgis with the convenience of a world class campground featuring all the amenities needed to make your trip memorable and hassle free? not to mention offering you the first dip in the biggest, most fun biker pool in the country! The Broken Spoke Saloon and the Target Companies are turning the 600-acre Broken Spoke Campground located in Sturgis, SD off of HWY 79 the best place to camp in 2008 and beyond. The all new biker pool will be the home of daily bikini contests, feature swim up bars, decks, live music and killer food.Swim or sun at the Broken Spoke; it’s your call. The Broken Spoke campground offers the most hassle free experience in the state with 500 over-sized, 50amp RV spots, a general store with everything you need to make your trip a breeze (including swimwear in case you forget), top quality, hot showers staffed to ensure cleanliness and comfort, great food, walk in humidor and free shuttle service to the downtown Broken Spoke location on Lazelle Street all of which ultimately delivers the best party in Sturgis. The campground is taking reservations now and will operate from August 1 -10, 2008. Special early reservations apply, only $99 per person until June 15th. Book now at www.brokenspokecampground.com http://www.brokenspokecampground.com/ “Coming to Sturgis over 20 years ago, my dream was to do exactly this, offer my friends a ride through bar, a swim in my pool, cold beer and the ability to hang out with the hottest ladies in Sturgis. The all new Broken Spoke Campground is my dream; only now it is finally here. This will be the Sturgis of your life. As always the Broken Spoke will feature the best party in Sturgis with live music covering classic rock, tribute bands, rock-a-billy and national recognized headliners. Come stay with us and find out what else we have up our sleeve? said Jay Allen, owner of the Broken Spoke Saloons. “Since 1998 when we built Harley-Davidson’s first campground, Riders Ranch, in Milwaukee we have been looking for something like the Broken Spoke property to enable us to continue doing what we love creating a permanent campground for bikers with the greatest amenities available, including green choices making your stay one that doesn’t leave a negative impact on the area. Jay had the ultimate vision for the campground and the Target Companies job is to bring the vision to life while providing campers the ultimate camping experience. Our experience doing this at the 95th and 100th Anniversaries for Harley-Davidson were dry runs for what we are about to do in Sturgis,” explained Target Companies CEO Brian Lash. The original Broken Spoke Saloon has a permanent bar and restaurant in downtown Sturgis, SD and additional locations nationally in Daytona, FL, Myrtle Beach, SC and Laconia, NH. NEW STAIN BLACK SKULL COLLECTION HAND CONTROL LEVERS–Deep-Etched Design Stands Out on Black Levers from Harley-Davidson MILWAUKEE (March 29, 2008) The new Satin Black Skull Collection Hand Control Lever Kit (P/N 38933-08, $139.95) from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories features a sinister skull logo and horizontal bars deep-etched into the black-satin powder coated hand levers. These hand control levers are designed to complement other Skull Collection accessories, and also match many new satin-black custom accessories available from Harley-Davidson. These levers fit 1996-2003 XL models and 1996-2007 Dyna, Softail, and Touring models. P/N 41793-08 fits 2008 Dyna and Softail models. (Does not fit police, VRSC, or models equipped with hydraulic clutch.) Kit includes brake and clutch levers. See dealer for fitment details. For additional information on Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories, see your local Harley-Davidson dealer or visit the Harley-Davidson Web site at www.harley-davidson.com. To find a dealer near you, call toll free 1-800-443-2153 in the U.S.A. or Canada.
Continued On Page 3
March 27, 2008 Part 1
By Bandit |
Hey,
Crazy shit, our custom motorcycle market represents so much more to this country than cheap mpg transportation. It’s the essence of freedom, the last bastion of the Code of the West and a glistening metal flake reminder of what this country was supposedly based on. So let’s party every night and defend and respect freedom during the day.
So what’s it all about? Check the news. Between global warming and safetycrats they want us wrapped and tied 24/7. I say there’s a balance, but we’ll see. In the meantime the El Diablo run approaches and so does the Legend of the Motorcycle Concourse in Half Moon Bay. I’ll tell you about my plans shortly.
Here’s my bullshit tech, money saving tip for the week. Quit buying bottled water. In most cases tap water in the United States is cleaner. A recent case Western Reserve University report found that 15 of 39 samples had bacterial counts almost twice as high as Cleveland tap water. Here’s the financial aspect: A single 20-ounce bottle of water costing $1.50 would pay for about 1,000 gallons of municipal water–enough to fill that same bottle every day for 13 years. Okay, let’s touch on global warming: It takes 1.5 million barrels of crude oil to create the plastic in just one year’s worth of water bottles. Then think about transporting this shit from Fiji, France and Maine to L.A. Then there’s the trash aspect. That plastic crap is everywhere.
This article from The Week Magazine pointed out that people are changing their attitudes regarding bottled water. Cities are banning it from job sites, etc. Incredible!
VOTE FOR MISS STURGIS, QUICK– Final Voting Round for Miss Sturgis – The final voting round ends and the final three will move to the finalists on March 29. Miss Sturgis will be chosen by April 19th.
Remember you can only vote 1 time for each girl during each elimination so take time to look at all the ladies pages and pick your favorites to move up into the finalists. …
March 20, 2008 Part 4
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 3
BIKERNET JIMS TOOLS OF THE WEEK, FORK MAINTENANCE TOOL DEPARTMENT:FORK LEG AND TUBE HOLDER TOOL–Use this tool to hold fork legs and tubes for easy hands free servicing or re-building. Mounts in a vise to hold the fork firmly during repair without causing damage to the fork assembly. Will not scratch finishes.
No.2251 – Use on smaller or larger fork tubes with a maximum 2?diameter.
Suggested Retail Price: $90.85
FRONT FORK COMPRESSOR TOOL
Use to compress the fork springs in cartridge style shocks when servicing or re-building. The com-pressor can be mounted in a vise for easy hands free servicing. Also includes an adapter for FL forks to eliminate direct contact with spring coil and a special rod to pull up the fork damper rod.
No.1776 – Use on all cartridge-style shocks.
Suggested Retail Price: $299.00
49mm FORK AND DUST SEAL INSTALLER TOOLThis tool is designed to install the lower leg 49mm fork seal squarely into the bore without damaging the seal lip surface. It is a two-piece design to aid in some assembly applications. See Instruction Sheet 2049-IS.
No.2049 – Use on all FXD’S, 2006 to present and all V-ROD’S2002-present(except inverted fork models).
Suggested Retail Price: $116.50
–JT Lepien
www.jimsusa.com
Mam-O-Man do these tools come in handy.–Wrench
BRING GAS PRICES DOWN–Here’s the idea: For the rest of this year, DON’T purchase ANY gasoline from the two biggest companies (which now are one), EXXON and MOBIL.
If they are not selling any gas, they will be inclined to reduce theirprices. If they reduce their prices, the other companies will have tofollow suit.
But to have an impact, we need to reach literally millions of Exxon and Mobil gas buyers. It’s really simple to do! Now, don’t wimp out on me at this. SPREAD THE WORD.
–from Bob Galletti
JOKES TO OFFEND EVERYONE–What do you call two Mexicans playing basketball?Juan on Juan
What is a Yankee?The same as a quickie, but a guy can do it alone.
What is the difference between a Harley and a Hoover?The position of the dirt bag
Why is divorce so expensive?Because it’s worth it.
What do you see when the Pillsbury Dough Boy bends over?Doughnuts
Why is air a lot like sex?Because it’s no big deal unless you’re not getting any.
–from Dave Florence
RUCKER PERFORMANCE INTRODUCES 2008 PREDATOR–Rucker Performance is proud to introduce the 2008 Predator model. Building on the traditional look of the renowned Predator, the new model features a re-designed, hand-built frame, new billet swingarm, re-designed oil tank, gas tank and rear fender for a more contoured look.
Although the profile of the bike is changing, the high standard of Rucker Performance is not. ?By building the frame in house, we will be able to offer better quality bikes to our customers. The redesigned profile of the Predator serves to enhance the performance and ride of the bike, says Erin Rucker, Chief Operations Officer of Rucker Performance.
The Predator will be debuting in the 2008 model line up of Rucker Performance motorcycles.
For more information or to purchase a Predator, visit www.ruckerperformance.com or call 817.838.3200.
From Bill and Erin Rucker:
Last year was a wonderful one for Rucker Performance. We were among five industry leaders to build the Project X bike, which was revealed at the Cincinnati V-Twin Show in February. The bike, which used the new X-Wedge Motor, was also the first motorcycle that Caroll Shelby endorsed, making it officially part of the Shelby product line.
The Predator took the award for ?Custom Production Bike of the Year? at this same show. In addition, we sponsored the AHDRA rally in Ennis, Texas in May, which was a huge success.
In August, our Nostalgia Bike project was featured at the 30th Anniversary of Elvis?s birthday at Graceland located in Memphis, Tennessee.
Towards the end of the year we began production on the Shelby, introduced the new 2008 Copperhead and updated our classic Predator. We look forward to another successful year in 2008.
Rucker Performance
5518 East Belknap St.
Ft. Worth, TX 76117
p 817.838.3200 f 817.838.3215
http://www.ruckerperforamnce.com
MORE VETERAN’S EFFORTS FROM CRO CUSTOMS–I’ve been mulling over an idea to organize an event for wounded veterans. My dad was 100% DAV WWII and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve been donating for years, but it would be great to put on a run/event where 100% of the cash goes to DAV.
Are you aware of any such events in California?Would you be interested in helping me get it rolling or participating in some way?
–Caleb
Caleb R. Owens
cro customs inc.
~ So – Cal ~
310-923-2613
crocustoms.com
This is the year of the Veteran on Bikernet and we will support veteran related charities whenever possible as we work toward our 2009 Bonneville Veterans Raffle.–Bandit
ABATE OF ILLINOIS CHECKS IN– Hello Bandit! It’s Ruth – you might remember me as the gal you sent a case of your books to several years back, to support ABATE of IL State PAC and FED PAC fundraisers. Everyone loved them by the way!! I’m still aghast that you signed EVERY ONE. Your hand must have ached for a month.
Just coming back around from some troubles and moving (and a marriage!) and just wanted to send out a wish-you-well yell, and a happy St. Pats! I hope to frequent the site more often now… =)
God bless from the Midwest
–Ruth (and Hopsing)
If you care to, check out my ol’ man’s club website www.ironsledsmc.com
HINES LAUNCHES 2008 SEASON WITH FINAL ROUND APPEARANCE– Runner-Up Finish Moves Three-Time Champ into Second in Point Standings.
GAINSVILLE, Fla. (March 17, 2008) ? Andrew Hines started his pursuit of a fourth NHRA Pro Stock Bike title with four straight 6-second passes at the track where he recorded the class?s first-ever sub-7-second run, but it wasn?t enough to secure his 14th career win on his Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson V-Rod.
Despite a heart-breaking loss in the final round of the 2007 season at Pomona that cost him a fourth championship, Hines came out swinging at the season-opener in Gainesville with a No. 3 qualifying spot and four consecutive 6-second passes that thrust him into a final round showdown against eventual winner Matt Guidera on his Mohegan Sun/Rocklin Motorsports Buell. En route to the finals, Hines bested Junior Pippin and Angie McBride with 6.96-, 6.95-second passes in the first and second rounds, respectively, before knocking off reigning champ Matt Smith in the semifinals with a perfect .000-second reaction time and a 6.793-second pass that matched Smith?s elapsed time. Hines then lost in the finals with a 6.98 to Guidera?s 6.94.
It was a disappointing loss, but making it to the finals in the first race of the season helps keep the team?s morale up, Hines said. Last year at this time we were struggling to find the right setup, so to start out of the box so competitively is great. Both motorcycles are running real well, and as long as we keep the V-Rods running consistent, the round wins will keep on coming.
Hines teammate Eddie Krawiec, who qualified fourth, beat Michael Ray in the first round with a 6.97 before red-lighting in a second-round loss to Chip Ellis.
What a way to start the season, with both bikes qualifying and Andrew making it to the finals. The Gainesville fans are so enthusiastic about our bikes and the riders really enjoy this event, said Harley-Davidson Racing Manager Anne Paluso. Last year we really struggled at the season opener and this was a refreshing change for the 2008 season.
2008 STURGIS MOTORCYCLE RALLY EVENTS FINAL REQUEST– STURGIS, S.D. ? The Sturgis Rally Department is in the process of compiling event information for the upcoming 68th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Schedule of Events Pocket Guide.
We invite you to submit 2008 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally related events for inclusion in the official schedule of events publication. Submitted event information should include: Event Name; Event Date; Event Time (start and finish); Event Location. Due to space constraints only the event name, date, time and location can be included in the events listing. Other information submitted will not be included. Only bona-fide motorcycle events will be included on the schedule. The Sturgis Rally Department reserves the right to final approval and editing on all submitted entries.
Events will be listed free of charge in the Official 2008 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Schedule of Events Pocket Guide, and also on the Official Sturgis Motorcycle Rally website www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com Submissions must be received by 30 May 2008 in order to be included in the 2008 Official Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Schedule of Events Pocket Guide. Events may be submitted electronically to pepper@sturgismotorcyclerally.com NEED A PLACE TO STAY FOR STURGIS 2008?–L Rancho MotelComfortable, Quiet, ConvenientMa & Pop motel in the middle of Spearfish, SD. 17 miles from Sturgis, walking distance to bars and food. Clean rooms, king beds, A/C and cable. Laundry on-site. Matt Basher PAY RESPECTS TO– Mahatma Gandhi, as you know, walked barefoot most of the time, which produced an impressive set of calluses on his feet He also ate very little, which made him rather frail and, with his odd diet, he suffered from bad breath. This made him (Oh, man, this is SO BAD, it’s good) a supercalloused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis. –from Rev CarlR HANG ON, BIG WEEK AHEAD–I’m not rambling further. I stood on the soapbox in the beginning, but I’ll mention that our Easter Week line-up contains a complete ride report from the great Northeast to Daytona and back from Art Parry. We have several hot bike features including the Envy Cycles custom, Chopper Dave’s X-wedge, Matt’s Crew and more. I have a quick John Reed tech on the verge of completion. I need a Big Boar battery, then I’m going for a ride on my 1928 Shovelhead. I can’t wait. Have a helluva weekend. Ride Forever, –Bandit
$750 for the week, group rates available.
Call 605 645-1679 or go to www.LRancho.com for more information.
L Rancho Motel ? Operations Manager
Www.lrancho.com
605 645-1679
March 20, 2008 Part 3
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 2
INDEPENDENT GAS TANK CO RETURNS–INDEPENDENT Gas Tank Co is back in business and remains under the control of original founder Kyle Krejci. After a deal to sell the company fell through last year, Kyle took a break from the industry but he has now returned and is back to business as usual.
The reborn company is now based in a smaller shop of 2,000 sq ft in Gilbert, Arizona, a move which Kyle is pleased about; “It has been a good thing. It is allowing me to get back to maintaining the quality of the product we’ve always been known for. The lower overheads of the new facility have allowed me to lower the prices too.”
While the prices may have come down, the range remains as extensive as ever. Independent Gas Tank can manufacture custom, one-off gas tanks and fenders through to OE production runs running into multiple figures, all made from materials sourced within the USA.
The quality of work undertaken can be guaranteed by Kyle’s lifelong career in metal fabrication, which began when he left college and began converting Porsche street cars into race cars. This was followed by a period spent taking care of sheet metal fabrication at Bourget’s Bike Works before establishing Independent Gas Tank Company in 1999.
All of Independent’s gas tanks are handcrafted from 16-gauge cold rolled steel and pressure tested after being TIG welded. The company’s fender blanks are made from TIG welded 14-gauge cold rolled steel and available for 16in-21in front wheels in all widths and 18in 200, 240, 250, 280, 300-310 rears.
INDEPENDENT GAS TANK COMPANY
Gilbert, Arizona, USA
Tel: 480 633 6700
E-mail: info@independentgastank.com
www.independentgastank.com
BIKERNET SURVIVES COMMUNIST ATTACK, RECEIVES TECH REQUEST–I see the site is still packedwith great info and seems to be bigger and better than ever. Congrats!Looked on Bikernet in the detailing section and did not see anythingrelated to removing oxidation from a motor. To be specific, on a NightTrain that has the blacked out motor and fins? Tried a bunch ofrandom cleaners and elbow grease, but nothing has really worked. Thebike is stored in an unheated garage during the winter months(I knowthat doesn’t help) but I would really like to remove this crap off thefins.
Any suggestions or miracle cures?
–Jodi
CARTOONS SUPPLIED BY GATEWOOD–Hello, and happy first day of Spring!!!I thought this would bring a giggle for those of you who work in an office environment.
Though I myself will be spending the day in the machine shop I could still usethe Heineken water cooler.
Once again, it’s Spring!!!So, that means (at least in my world) the beginning to another fun year of:
MOTORCYCLE RACING
MOTORCYCLE RIDING
MOTORCYCLE BUILDING &
MOTORCYCLE ANYTHING and EVERYTHING
–Drew Gatewood
www.drewsmotorcycleservice.com
P.S.HAVE A BLESSED EASTER SUNDAY
D&D PERFORMANCE SHIPPING BOARZILLA– D&D Performance Enterprises is shipping dyno-tuned Boarzilla and Fat Cat 2 into 2 exhaust pipe systems for the new 2007 Harley-Davidson Dyna series motorcycles. D&D builds performance exhaust pipes ready to install that include 2008 preinstalled factory oxygen sensor ports as well as direct fitment that requires no cutting, fitting, welding or grinding.
The 2007 Harley-Davidson Dyna platform carries the all new rubber-mounted Twin Cam 96 inch motor with a high output Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) system. The new 2-into-1 high-performance Boarzilla and Fat Cat Dyna pipes improve power and torque through-out the useable RPM range.
Visit the company online at www.danddexhaust.com.
HOLD UP FOR A QUIET MOMENT OF REFLECTION– A group of friars were behind on their belfry payments, so they opened up a small florist shop to raise funds. Since everyone liked to buy flowers from the men of God, a rival florist across town thought the competition was unfair. He asked the good fathers to close down, but they would not.
He went back and begged the friars to close. They ignored him. So, the rival florist hired Hugh MacTaggart, the roughest and most vicious thug in town, to “persuade” them to close. Hugh beat up the friars and trashed their store, saying he’d be back if they didn’t close up shop.
Terrified, they did so, thereby proving that only Hugh can prevent florist friars.
–from Rev CarlR
THE CHOPPER CHICK SEARCH CONTINUED– It may seem trivial, but I had a chance to win a fuzz pedal (for guitar) if I could come up with the girl’s name. She may be an actress (porn orotherwise) or some other kind of celebrity. I do know she’s American.
–Dave
I found out who the girl is…big boobed ’70s model/actress, Roberta Pedon.
There you have it,
–Dave
S&S DELIVERS NHRA PRO STOCK GATORNATIONALS REPORT–LA CROSSE, WI (March 17, 2008) S&S? Cycle announces a great weekend of NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Racing at the Gatornationals.
The season opener of the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle racing season was packed full of S&S 160ci Billet Pro Stock powered machines in the finals. A total of eight S&S powered Buells went to the eliminations on Sunday morning, with five moving onto the second round of eliminations.
The talk of the weekend had to be Matt Guidera and his Mohegan Sun/Rocklin Motorsports S&S powered Buell. Not only did Guidera score as top qualifier, he made the most of his time on the track with passes at 7.000, 6.922, 6.955, 6.944, 6.943 and 6.949! His well-tuned bike netted him the win over Andrew Hines on the Screamin? Eagle H-D in the final round.
“This is a great season start, for the first time in NHRA history half of the elimination field was S&S powered. With bad weather on Friday creating a minimum number of qualifying runs, the results were great. All of the teams show great promise going to Houston. Congratulations to Matt Guidera on his win and Matt Smith on his riding through the weekend. Expect to see S&S powered bikes in the hunt all season long” said Charlie Hadayia, S&S Sr.Manager of Customer Relations and Race.
Throughout the weekend, it seemed like S&S powered bikes were everywhere.Chris Rivas, on the Drag Specialties/S&S/G Squared Motorsports bike fought some electrical gremlins but still won a few rounds. Angelle Sampey on the Rush Racing Products S&S powered Buell?her first race on the v-twin?won her first round of eliminations. Angie McBride on her S&S powered Buell also scored a first round win.
Hector Arana made it to eliminations on his Lucas Oil S&S powered Buell, but met up with Guidera?s 6.955 pass and went out early. The Vroom Racing S&S powered Buell, ridden by Michael Ray also made it to the first round of eliminations, but didn?t make it to the second round.
It was the same thing for Junior Pippin on his Stone Mountain H-D/Granite Mountain H-D/Piranha S&S powered Buell. Matt Smith, 2007 champion, and his NitroFish/Torco S&S powered Buell made it to the third round of eliminations for a good start to his season.
Find out more S&S information at www.sscycle.com .
BIKERNET MEDICAL CENTER RESEARCH FINDINGS–STARTLING NEWS– When I received my cholesterol test results the other day, I wanted everyone I could tell to hear this. My cholesterol has been hovering around 190 for years, which is not bad. However, my good cholesterol has been on the low end of normal and my bad cholesterol has been on the high side of normal.
Six months ago after the test results came in, my doctor put me on two things that all health food stores and many supermarkets and drug stores nowcarry: Fish Oil and Red Yeast Rice. They are in capsule form, and I have taken two of each every single day for six months. Check out these eye-popping changes, done without artificial drug solutions:
FALL TEST 9/4/07,SPRING TEST 3/12/08, NORMAL RANGE
Triglycerides 10870 < 150
HDL (good chol) 3942 > 40
LDL (bad chol) 13182 < 130
Total Cholesterol 192138 125- 200
Chol/HDLC Ratio 4.93.3 < 5.0
Those who know me well know that I am a big natural supplement user, and I think we have only begun to tap the importance of supplemental nutrition, even for those who consume a lot of raw foods.
–Tony Mancuso CGCS
HARDTAIL 180/200 PERFECTION!– These frames were priced and selling at $3,450.00 at ROAD WINGS,HALLCRAFTS, and XTREME.
We are special pricing these at $978.00 +s&h to get repeating orders.
We will use the frame as the oilbag for added $100.00
The current “jigged up” specs are:
180/200 rigid
with axels and adjusters
32 degree neck
1 & 1/8 tubing
3″ forward backbone
1″ downtube
Other specs are available with minimum orders of 3 frames per order.Or provide your own specs!
–www.ChopperPro.com
and
www.FortuneFrames.com
and
www.BikeMenu.com
Ask for Tom in Sales at 949-497-3600 (7 days – 10am – to 10pm)
SATURDAY MARCH 22,2008MONTICELLO BAPTIST CHURCH PARKING LOTMONTICELLO, MS.9:00 A.M.–CMA WILL DO BLESSING OF THE BIKES BEFORE RIDE LEAVES FOR A RUN TO RED BLUFF
HAMBURGERS AND HOTDOGS SERVED UPON RETURN
PAINLESS WIRING FROM PRO ONE– Take the agony out of wiring your next bike or update your current system with this sanitary wiring harness now available from PRO-ONE. Designed for use on bikes utilizing split Fat Bob tanks, the PRO-ONE harness comes complete with key switch, signal flashers, circuit breakers and wiring.
The coded wiring will allow you to simply and quickly lay out your bike?s lighting and ignition systems using the detailed wiring diagram. Each harness comes ready to connect to your lights and coil and is supplied pre-fit to the support bracketry as shown.
Handlebar harness sold separately.
The PRO-ONE Fat Bob harness retails for $379.95 and is available from all PRO-ONE dealers or by calling 800-884-4173. Internet:www.pro-one.com
CARNEGIE MELLON STUDY SHOWS JUST LISTENING TO CELL PHONES SIGNIFICANTLY IMPAIRS DRIVERS– Brain Imaging Reveals Drivers Are Distracted Even if They Don’t Talk.
PITTSBURGH: Carnegie Mellon University scientists have shown that just listening to a cell phone while driving is a significant distraction, and it causes drivers to commit some of the same types of driving errors that can occur under the influence of alcohol.
The use of cell phones, including dialing and texting, has long been a safety concern for drivers. But the Carnegie Mellon study, for the first time, used brain imaging to document that listening alone reduces by 37 percent the amount of brain activity associated with driving. This can cause drivers to weave out of their lane, based on the performance of subjects using a driving simulator.
The findings, to be reported in an upcoming issue of the journal Brain Research, show that making cell phones hands-free or voice-activated is not sufficient in eliminating distractions to drivers. “Drivers need to keep not only their hands on the wheel; they also have to keep their brains on the road,” said neuroscientist Marcel Just, director of the Center for Cognitive Brain Imaging.
Other distractions, such as eating, listening to the radio or talking with a passenger, also can divert a driver. Though it is not known how these activities compare to cell phone use, Just said there are reasons to believe cell phones may be especially distracting. “Talking on a cell phone has a special social demand, such that not attending to the cell conversation can be interpreted as rude, insulting behavior,” he noted. A passenger, by contrast, is likely to recognize increased demands on the driver’s attention and stop talking.
The 29 study volunteers used a driving simulator while inside an MRI brain scanner. They steered a car along a virtual winding road at a fixed, challenging speed, either while they were undisturbed, or while they were deciding whether a sentence they heard was true or false. Just’s team used state-of-the-art functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) methods to measure activity in 20,000 brain locations, each about the size of a peppercorn. Measurements were made every second.
The driving-while-listening condition produced a 37 percent decrease in activity of the brain’s parietal lobe, which is associated with driving.This portion of the brain integrates sensory information and is critical for spatial sense and navigation. Activity was also reduced in the occipital lobe, which processes visual information.
The other impact of driving-while-listening was a significant deterioration in the quality of driving. Subjects who were listening committed more lane maintenance errors, such as hitting a simulated guardrail, and deviating from the middle of the lane. Both kinds of influences decrease the brain’s capacity to drive well, and that decrease can be costly when the margin for error is small.
“The clear implication is that engaging in a demanding conversation could jeopardize judgment and reaction time if an atypical or unusual driving situation arose,” Just said. “Heavy traffic is no place for an involved personal or business discussion, let alone texting.”
Because driving and listening draw on two different brain networks, scientists had previously suspected that the networks could work independently on each task. But Just said this study demonstrates that there is only so much that the brain can do at one time, no matter how different the two tasks are.
“Drivers’ seats in many vehicles are becoming highly instrumented cockpits,” Just said, “and during difficult driving situations, they require the undivided attention of the driver’s brain.”
The project was funded by the Office of Naval Research. Other members of the research team included post-doctoral research associate Timothy Keller and research assistant Jacquelyn Cynkar. For information on the Center for Cognitive Brain Imaging, or to download a copy of this research paper, visit http://www.ccbi.cmu.edu … or simply click here:
–Byron Spice
412-268-9068
bspice@cs.cmu.edu
–from Bruce Arnold
PRO-ONE WIRING SYSTEM–These unique wiring packages from PRO-ONE are the perfect problem solver for just about any H-D application not using a dash mounted switch. The wiring harness comes complete and ready to connect to your bike?s ignition and lighting systems and are available for use with or without stock handlebar switches. Each kit comes complete with a custom side mounted control box, which mounts easily to the frame down tube and is show chrome plated.
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Coded wiring is quickly and simply connected following the supplied wiring diagram. PRO-ONE Side Mount wiring kits retail for $379.95 and are available from all PRO-ONE dealers or by calling 800-884-4173. www.pro-one.com
PUNOMANIA AT BIKERNET–There was the person who sent ten different puns to friends, with the hope that at least one of the puns would make them laugh.
No pun in ten did.
–from Rev CarlR
KEINO SASAKI, FORMERLY OF INDIAN LARRY LEGACY, HAS ANNOUNCED THE LAUNCH OF KEINO CYCLES– THIS BOLD, NEW DIRECTION WAS NATURAL EXPANSION OF HIS CREATIVE DESIRE, WHICH IS DIRECTLY BASED UPON DIRECT INFLUENCES FROM THE LATE INDINAN LARRY?S PHILOSOPHYIES.
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KEINO CYCLES OFFERS HIGH END CUSTOM CONSTRUCTION, ONE OF A KIND MOTOR BUILDING AND SHEETMETAL WORK. TO EVERYDAY SERVICE AND REPAIR WORK. VARIOUS ORIGINAL PARTS AND MERCHANDISE WILL BE AVAILABLE ALSO.
THE KEINO CYCLES SHOP IS LOCATED ON THE WATERFRONT IN A CIVIL WAR ERA BUILDING, PIER 41 IN REDHOOK, BROOKLYN. COME VISIT AND ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL VIEW OF STATUE OF LIBERTY IN THIS CREATIVE LOCATION.
KEINOCYCLES IS PLANNING TO HAVE GRAND OPENING PARTY SOMETIME MAY/JUNE TIMEFRAME. PLEASE CHECK OUT www.keinocycles.com OR myspace.com/keinocycles FOR LATEST UPDATES.
KEINO CYCLES
204 VAN DYKE ST PIER 41 BROOKLYN NY 11231
P 718-858-5767
F 718-858-5742
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