While he builds hi-visual impact motorcycles, some people call California Master Builder Matt Hotch “The Invisible Man” thanks to his ability to make lines and cables disappear to create a totally uncluttered, seamless design.

Growing up in Minneapolis, he was up on two wheels by age 10. “My Grandfather was one of those guys who came back from WWII and was in one of the early motorcycle clubs, one of those guys who hit all the hillclimbs and sorta terrorized the local communities. He and my Dad had all the tools up on peg-boards in the garage, and since we didn’t have much money, we were always dragging junk home and making something out of it.”

”I got my first car when I was 12, a VW, and went through 60 of them by the time I was 17. I’d buy them and part them out.

”If you work on VW’s you learn how to fix about anything.”

In the same time frame he traded a VW Baja bug for his first Harley, a ’69 kick-only Sportster. “It was straight out of the ‘70s chopper with two square headlights,” Matt said. “I lowered it, added forward controls, and drag bars. As far as working on it, I’ve always jumped in feet first. My friends brought me their bikes. I’d screw them up and learn how to do it right for my own bikes,” laughs Matt.

By 18, he had already done a couple frame-ups, and at 20 he opened his business, Hot Match Custom Cycles in Fullerton, CA and tried to make a living building bikes. His shop was down the street from McMullen Publishing, at that time home of Hot Bike magazine and several other mags, and by 1996 he was doing a lot of tech articles for them. “I also got some good direction at the time from Skeeter Todd and Jesse James as far as parts and stuff. I got some of my first patents and starting selling my parts and just kept building crazy bikes.” (His current patents include his flushmount gas camp and springless kickstand.)

Over time Matt’s line of parts prospered and he was able refocus his full creative attention on the kinds of bikes he really wanted to build. “I was in a position where I could express my full creative instincts without worrying about catering to economics and any other restrictions. No one else touches them except me, and they’re warranteed for life,” says Matt. “Even after the customer sells it. I can do that because I only build four or five bikes a year and charge a lot of money.” (For those that want to join that rare company, the minimum entry fee is $150K, the average a cool $200K and there’s a 4-year waiting list.)

Asked how he’d describe his style of bike, Matt replies, “The thing that got me noticed was hiding all the cables, the ultra-sanitary look. I saw a lot of nice customs being built but they all had wires and cables just dangling all over the place. I’ve always built my bikes around the components, around the cables and wires; even if I could just find an inch, it would be make a difference. As far as Old School, New School, I’ve always liked the look of old choppers and bobbers, because that’s the school I’m from, so I guess you could say I’m New School or Retro. But I guess you’d call my bikes Super Radicals and they’re bought by customers with a lot of money but who also appreciate the bikes as works of art. They give me free rein, exactly where I want to me.”

About two years ago Matt moved to new facility, a 16,000 sq. ft. building on the historic registry circa 1924, originally an orange packing house and that features 24-foot ceilings and oak floors. “When I walk in here, it gets my creative juices flowing.” The place is divided into a 4,000 sq. ft. showroom and office area, the remaining 12,000 sq. ft. filled with his fabrication tools and assembly benches. When you walk in you see Matt’s eclectic collection of “toys” from dirt bikes to go-carts to golf-carts to hotrods to electric wheel chairs. Asked about the chairs, he laughs and says, “We souped up a couple of them and screw around on them just for the fun.”

A recent slate cleaning of staff and business attachments has seen Matt’s business turning into a family affair, his father who had retired and his sister-in-law and wife now composing the “staff,” while Matt’s in the middle of the 12,000 sq. ft. workspace doing his thing seven days a week, although he’s often on the road because of his “celebrity” status.

Asked about that, Matt, who’s actually not a limelight kinda guy, says, “I guess a measure of that is our 18-wheeler truck and selling T-shirts. We’ve got a whole line of clothing plus we do the bike tours and shows. I actually like the smaller events in the Midwest and East Coast. They hire me to make appearances and I sit there signing posters 12-hours a day. For some people that might get old, but I realize this means a lot to the people who support you, who come to the shows and stand in line for your autograph and to buy your T-shirts.”

Matt’s also signed up to endorse various products including a line of Hardchrome exhaust pipes as well as promoting a company called Formotion that offers a line of motorcycle mounted clocks and watches including the special $9000 diamond encrusted watch, he’s morphed into his recent Biker Build-off project. He ended up incorporating it into the bike’s gas cap.

A $9000 watch might seem extravagant, but not when compared to the selling price of the completed bike…$250,000.

Matt rather humbly says, “I’ve always been the most expensive. When I hit the $100,000 mark, everybody else started charging more money, so I had to keep raising my prices. I have a pretty strict interview process before someone can buy one of my bikes. All my costumers become very good friends, we hang out, go on vacations together. I have to be able to work with them for a long time since I warranty my bikes forever. Just because they have a lot of money doesn’t mean they automatically get a bike. Most of my costumers are in their mid 30s. They love the motorcycle for what it is. They come from all over the world. In fact, I have one guy from Ireland who discovered the cure for Mad Cow’s disease. My customers are really interesting people and buying one of my bikes is like joining a fraternity, so we have a lot of fun.”

Part of the pricing is a response not only to the bike’s appearance but to its drivability.“I never deviated from buying the best materials to build a bike. It’s a handbuilt bike that’s forever, so every element that goes into it reflects that principle. For example, one bike I built had a one-off motor, a 140-inch Delkron 4-cam round cylinder engine with a Patrick Racing top end. That and the Discovery Bikes obviously put me in a whole different league.” He laughs and says, “The first Discovery deal was pretty stressful. I actually lost hair over it. I have long hair and got stress baldness, loosing a patch of hair in the front, but fortunately it grew back.”

Matt’s built two Discovery bikes and is “the Reigning undefeated Champion” after winning both his individual and the overall competition two years in a row. He’s sold a “bunch of bikes” as a result of the TV shows and is also conjuring up his third Discovery bike, a major departure since it’s based around a classic British Vincent V-twin, but with a 26-inch front wheel and as Matt puts it, “a bunch of crazy stuff.” As for the choice of the 1950s Vincent, the fastest production bike of its time, Matt says, “My grandfather had one when he was a hooligan and hillclimbing.”

Filming is set for August and Matt’s teamed with his friend, Roger Goldhammer. “I always wanted him to be on the Build-off .We have mutual respect. I think he’s the best, and he thinks I’m the best. We decided to race at Bonneville and not each other, so it will be a lot of fun. It’s open to the public and will be at the BUB Run What You Brung event in September.”

The other big news is that Matt and his wife are enjoying their first child, a boy born on Christmas Eve. His name is Ryder Josef. “It’s the most amazing thing that’s ever happened. I just can’t wait to share everything with him.” Asked him if he’d already bought him his first bike, Matt says, “I’m building him a truck, a Bronco rock crawler.”

Matt, a major golfer, is off to the Playboy Golf Tournament then to Puerto Rico this summer for their big island paradise event, along with his bike building buddy Eddie Trotta, then hunkering down for the next Biker Build-off. To check out his schedule of appearances and for a look at more of his radical machines log on to www.hotmatchcycles.com or www.matthotchdesigns.com.

BIKERNET NEWS SPECIAL REPORTS–PLAYBOY MANSION RUN, FREE TRIP TO STURGIS, FLAT TRACKER FOR SALE, TINMAN SUPPORTS VETS, BIKERNET ART EXHIBIT, MAYFIT RALLY, LOWERED SPRINGER, BIKERNET IS THE BEST, BRASS BALLS NEWS, FRAME FROM BILLY LANE, RIVERA MIKUNI CARB, SPORTSTER TECH QUESTION, TOMMY THOMPSON PARTY AND BIKERS INNER CIRCLE TELEVISION

Continued From Page 2

Photo By Ken Conte ? Motorcycle By Saxon.

WHAT DO MOTORCYCLES, HOLLYWOOD AND PLAYBOY MANSION HAVE IN COMMON–Leather and Lace@ thePlayboy? Mansion,October 6, 2007Los Angeles, California.This exclusive party will invite motorcycle industry entrepreneurs, such as dealership owners, motorcycle rally organizers, and enthusiasts from all over the country who share the common goal of supporting worthwhile 501(c)3 charities.

Party suggestions: Info@motorcyclecharityassociates.org Prices and/or packages may be subject to change.800-327-1124Tickets are Limited – Call Today!

MotorcycleCharityAssociates.org ? 5621 Littler Drive ? Huntington Beach ? CA ? 92649Contact Motorcycle Charity Associates for details

FREE TRIP TO STURGIS–The SD Dept of Tourism is giving away a trip to the rally this summer. Feel free to forward this to anyone you know that rides or wants to experience the Sturgis Rally

The link below is the site…they ask you a lot of marketing questions so I suppose your answering machine and spam filter may get a workout if you reply.

SD ABATE has an information booth and internet cafe setup on main street in the Rally Headquarters building, as well as hosting biker rodeo every afternoon at the Chip, come and check us out too.

Deadline is APRIL 30…yep, this month. Drawing I May 1.

Oh yeah, the last question they ask is about helmet laws…would make my job easier if you would help me out on that one. Help Keep South Dakota Free.

https://buy1.snapon.com/Sturgis/SturgisTrip.asp

–Larry Nielson
Legislative Officer
SD ABATE

US CHOPPERS BOARDTRACK BIKE FOR SALE, NEW BABY TO TAKE CARE OF– I’m going to offer up the boardtrack bike for sale. $32500 for her with a $2000 finders fee. If you know anyone…

Some highlights on the boardtrack:
10th in AMD World Champs 2005
Featured on Bikernet
also in Iron Works (USA), Barnetts (USA), Freeway (France/Spain), Wild (France), Easyriders (Japan), AMD (England) and many others.
Art of the Chopper 2 introduction by Zimberoff
Also Steel Dreams TV

–Rick
U.S. Choppers
2039 S. Lyon St
Santa Ana, CA 92705
714-546-4699
Appointments Only Please
http://www.uschopper.com/

TINMAN SUPPORTS THE TROOPS WITH CANTINA MEMBERSHIPS–I went ahead and put two subscriptions to 5-ball inc. on my Pay-Pal. One for K.C. and the other to extend mine.

Doesn’t Pay-Pal sound gay as shit or what?

Was thinking about leaving an open account for all the whiny fucks that bitch about paying for your time, i.e. news. NOT!!

Peace,
–Tinman a.k.a. John Mills

BIKERNET ART EXHIBIT FOR THE WEEK–Inspired by one of my favorite tunes – The Wallflowers’ “ONE HEADLIGHT”written by vocalist/songwriter/guitarist Jakob Dylan ~ you old as dirt brothers like me, might remember his male parent Bob.

Ride Hard,
–Whiplash Biker Photog
soffordphotos@comcast.net

WHO IS JACK SCHITT?–For some time many of us have wondered just who is Jack Schitt? We findourselves at a loss when someone says, ‘You don’t know Jack Schitt!’

Well, thanks to my genealogy efforts, you can now respond in an intellectual way.Jack Schitt is the only son of Awe Schitt. Awe Schitt, the fertilizermagnate, married O. Schitt, the owner of Needeep N. Schitt, Inc. Theyhad one son, Jack.

In turn, Jack Schitt married Noe Schitt. The deeply religious coupleproduced six children: Holie Schitt, Giva Schitt, Fulla Schitt, BullSchitt, and the twins Deep Schitt and Dip Schitt.

Against her parents’ objections, Deep Schitt married Dumb Schitt, ahigh school dropout. After being married 15 years, Jack and Noe Schitt divorced.

Noe Schitt later married Ted Sherlock, and because her kids were livingwith them, she wanted to keep her previous name. She was then known as Noe Schitt Sherlock.

Meanwhile, Dip Schitt married Loda Schitt, and they produced a son with a rather nervous disposition named Chicken Schitt. Two of the other sixchildren, Fulla Schitt and Giva Schitt, were inseparable throughoutchildhood and subsequently married the Happens brothers in a dual ceremony.

The wedding announcement in the newspaper announced the Schitt-Happensnuptials. The Schitt-Happens children were Dawg, Byrd, and Horse.

Bull Schitt, the prodigal son, left home to tour the world. He recently returned from Italy with his new Italian bride, Pisa Schitt.

NOW when someone says, ‘You don’t know Jack Schitt,’ you can correct them.

–Crock O. Schitt

–from Rik Savenko

19th ANNUAL”MAYFIT” RALLYPAWHUSKA, OKLAHOMA,MAY 18,19 & 20, 2007–Located approximately 50 miles north of Tulsa, Oklahoma is home to one of the best bike rallies in the country. Anywhere from 3,000 to 5,000 bikers will ride through the Osage Indian Reservation and the scenic Tall Grass Prairie Reserve to the tiny northeastern Oklahoma community known as PAWHUSKA!

Twice a year the Osage County Independent Bikers (OCIB) hold two annual bike parties at Biker Park, USA in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. First in May is “Mayfit”, with a repeat performance in September as “Biker Days in the Great Osage.” Both rallies are for adults only and are not for the meek and fainthearted. If nudity and vulgarity offend you, then you need to stay the fuck home. Pawhuska is not a motorcycle rally, it’s a Biker Rally and known at times to be wilder than a two-bit whore on nickel nite.

Known as “Neutral Ground”, Pawhuska is more than just a gathering of friends. It’s a rite of passage for the new rider and a tradition for the clubs. As a matter of fact, Nelson and Pam Carter and the OCIB have been organizing bike rallies for more years than most have been riding.

With a schedule of events that include Bike Shows, Burn Outs, to the most down and dirty Skin to Win contest you’ve ever seen, there is no way you couldn’t have fun unless you were either deaf or dumb. Sprinkle all of this with a bunch of ‘neked” girls and cold cheap beer, and you’ve got the ‘makins’ of what an old-school rally is all about!

For 2007, MAYFIT proudly features the legendary CURTIS MOORE BAND, for some of the hottest Southern Fried Blues Rock to be heard. Moore, who is commonly known as the “Rowdy Redneck Rocker”, has shared the stage with famous groups like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, The Marshall Tucker Band, David Allan Coe and Willie Nelson, to name just a few. You can even sample some of Moore’s menu at myspace.comcurtismooreband.

The MAYFIT rally may not be one of the biggest, but it is dam sure one of the best in the mid-west! Admission is $15, with a $15 admission for cars and $50 admission for Motorhomes. No one under 18 admitted. For additional information, call: 918-287-3244.

–DynaMike

JOHNNY HUMBLE LOWERS HIS SPRINGER–It was recently a stock springer softail until he hit it with rattlecan black and a Heartland kit. He couldn’t stop there, with new Hooker Headers he stepped up to an H-D 95-inch kit and a Terry Components EFI upgrade.

DON’T MISS SANTA MARIA MOTORCYCLE MADNESS– BTW I have a dozen of your books in the Trailer ! You can run a piece on your Thursday news that says “Stop by Motorcycle Madness and ask for your free Bandit book at the official T shirt stand.” 1st 10 get a free book! Then look for the Bandit to get it signed ! We are having a wine tour on Saturday at 1pm. It is the 19th.

We’re working on Bikernet Bandanas. This is just a portion of George Fleming’s art.

BIKERNET IS THE BEST PERIOD!– Keep up the great work and screw the cheapos who dont wanna pay for the news. Shit newspapers scooter mags are not free! for the work you guys have to do it’s a steal. Plus where else can you get this much info for one price. People just kill me.

–Eric F.

BRASS BALLS BOBBERS DEAL OF THE WEEK–We will try feature a bike either for sale or a cool build we are doing for a customer. We will also try to keep you informed about what we are doing at the shop.

We stay very busy but promise to do our best to keep you informed. Please pass along to friends. Have them sign up too.

This is a great bike! Scalloped Old School Sporty tank, rounded rear fender. The finish is Fire Engine Red. Gloss frame w/”Orange Peel” matte tins. Black PM grips, blacked out H-D evo w/6 speed tranny. Standard 1 year warranty. Ready for delivery.

Call Dar for more info. 405-285-0808 x208

NEW DOUBLE DD FRAME FROM BILLY LANE–Check out the Choppers Inc. new tough frame, made right here in America.

MONSTER 48MM MIKUNI FROM RIVERA–
48mm & 45mm ?TOP GUN? MIKUNI CARB KITS
FITS EVO & TWIN CAM MODELS 1984 to PRESENT
THE IDEAL PACKAGE FOR BIG INCH MOTORS !
BIG-TIME FUEL DELIVERY THAT?S TUNEABLE . . . OUR ?TOP GUN? KITS FEATURE A NEW, PROPRIETARY SUPER-FLOW INTAKE MANIFOLD DESIGNED AND MATCHED TO THE LARGE VENTURI MIKUNI CARBURETOR. NOW YOUR BIG INCHER WILL GET A CHANCE TO SHOW ITS STUFF. NECK-SNAPPING ACCELERATION PUTS YOU OUT FRONT & PULLS YOU ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE POWER BAND SMOOTHLY.

AVAILABLE FOR 1984 to PRESENT EVOLUTION & TWIN CAM BIG TWINS. EACH KIT INCLUDES A 45mm or 48mm CARB FEATURING A THROTTLE SLIDE ROLLING ON STAINLESS STEEL ROLLER BEARINGS, ACCELERATOR PUMP, HIGH FLOW MANIFOLD, FREE-FLOWING AIR CLEANER WITH CHROMED RIVERA COVER, HEADBREATHER KIT AS WELL AS A COMPREHENSIVE INSTALLATION BOOKLET.

FITS 1984 to PRESENT
EVO & TWIN CAM BIG TWIN MODELS

ACCEPTS 1990 & UP STOCK-STYLETHROTTLE CABLES

RIVERA PRIMO INC.
12450 Whittier Blvd.
Whittier, California 90602
Tel: 562-907-2600 Fax: 562-907-2606
www.riveraengineering.com

BIKERNET SPORTSTER RIDER NEEDS TECH ASSISTANCE–I was wondering who constructed the offset sprocket unit that was used in the black 1993 Sportster? I need this same unit constructed for my build. Who can I order one of these from?

–Anthony
dero4567@yahoo.com>

BIKERNET READER TECH QUESTION–I have just come into possession of a P & P Girder. I have disassembled it, cleaned all the shafts, bushings, zerks, replaced neck bearings, etc, reassembled, and put it on my ’81 shovel in an ’86 Paughco rigid.

It seems to work well, but I was wondering if you might have any info concerning how tight to set the nuts on the crossshafts. I do not know if this affects ride quality or not. Each end has a deep acorn nut on it with a set screw.

I do not know whether to tighten them down, or leave a bit of play and then set the setscrews or what. I know you have been at this for a very long time, and perhaps would have some experience with a girder.

–Preacher
prchr@usadatanet.net

TOMMY THOMPSON FOR PRESIDENT PARTY– I want to thank you for all the help you have been so far in helping Tony and I promote Tommy Thompson for President. We will continue to keep you informed on what progress is being made as well as continue to update the Team Tommy.org website.

There are numerous things we are presently involved in and they include getting people to know who Tommy Thompson is. Getting people to attend the party in Ames Iowa on August 10th and then having Iowa residents vote on the 11th

Along with getting people to know who Tommy is we have started to contact well know people in the world of motorcycling to endorse him. We are already receiving and have commitments for endorsements from motorcycle publications, Hall of Fame members, Motorcycle Rights Leaders, and others.

By all means they should check him out and the website before they do. Endorsements will be posted on the Team Tommy website. I am sure that after Tommy is elected we will look back on these endorsements and the other ways that people helped.

I do not feel that there are any other candidates that will be as helpful to those of us that ride and especially to those that have motorcycle related businesses. Asking people and those in the industry to Support One Of Our Own seems like a reasonable request.

–ROGUE

BIKER INNER CIRCLE TELEVISION–NEW SHOW EVERY SATURDAY. Check Out Our You Tubes. BECOME A SPONSOR

— CHARLIE BRECHTEL
209 479-1860< www.big7productions.com/sponsors.htm br>

360 DEGREE BRAKE ON STOCK SOFTAIL–This is the type of work Dave Welch of Chopper City USA is doing out of Jacksonville Florida. He spaces the brake to the outside only. Instead of putting the spacer between the brake and the wheel he bolts the brake to the wheel and uses a much smaller diameter spacer between the brake and the swing arm.

Dave Welch
Chopper City USA
(904)721-1961

–Chet Burozski
Sales and Marketing Director
Baldwin Wilson Development Corp.
1531 E. Northfield Dr.
Brownsburg, IN 46112
W. (317)852-7867
C. (317)370-0920
F. (317)858-9287
www.360Brake.com

Continued On Page 4

BIKERNET NEWS FLASH –CYCLE WORLD RIDE FOR KIDS, DAVE SCOTT TO HEAD UP IMS SHOWS, SUZUKI WINNER, BRITISH SUPERSPORT CHAMPS, TENNESSEE RESCINDS HELMET LAW, ABATE PA RALLY, WHY MOTORCYCLES ARE DANGEROUS, BAN CELL PHONE USE IN CARS, ASSALT WEAPAN REPORT, SUPPORT VETERAN’S KIDS, AND BCCOM NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

Continued From Page 1

CYCLE WORLD MAGAZINE’S RIDE FOR KIDS–The Ride For Kids program works in conjunction with Cycle World Magazine and the International Motorcycle Shows to raise awareness and donations for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.

Roland Sands worked with Cycle World Magazine this year to build a custom bike that was unveiled at the Long Beach show and which will be raffled off on May 1st. Each week attendees could buy a ticket for a chance to win this one-of-a-kind Roland Sands custom.

With the drawing for the bike near , this is your last chance to buy a ticket for a shot at that bike and to support a great cause. You can still purchase tickets until midnight April 30th online or by calling 800.253.6530! ($5 ea. or 5 for $20)

CLICK HERE TO BUY A TICKET FOR THE MAY 1ST DRAWING

Click here for more information including a video of the unveiling of the custom Honda 919 and check www.motorcycleshows.com where we’ll be sure to announce the winner!

DAVE SCOTT ON THE MOVE AGAIN–Advanstar is pleased to announce the appointment of Dave Scott to Director of Sales and Marketing for the Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows. Scott recently served as Show Manager for the Big Twin West and publisher for Big Twin Dealer magazine, a role that he will continue.

Before coming to Advanstar Scott was the Director of Communications for Global Motorsports where he directed the advertising, public relations and event management for the group.

“I’m looking forward to building on the success of the International Motorcycle Shows and working with a truly professional team,” said Scott. He currently resides in Orange County with his wife, Tammi, and son Cody.

SUZUKI BOULEVARD M109R WINNER ANNOUNCED!–Russ McClilland from Wixom, Michigan is the lucky winner of the brand new Suzuki Boulevard M109R that was on display at each of the 13 stops on the 2006-2007 tour. Guests were encouraged to register to win the brand new bike, courtesy of Suzuki, with the winner being recently drawn at random. McClilland was informed that he was the lucky owner of the brand new Suzuki.

Having already taken the Rider Education Course , McClilland was at the Novi show shopping for a bike that he hoped to buy in the spring. “I just took the course last year and had not yet obtained my motorcycle license because I didn’t have a bike to take the test on yet,” said McClilland. “Wow, now I have the bike.”

Keep an eye out this spring for a guy on a new Boulevard M109R with a very big smile on his face! Congratulations Russ and thanks thank you Suzuki for making his day!

BIG TWIN and SPORTBIKE CUSTOMS BEST OF SHOW!–During the 2006-2007 Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows Presented by Toyota nearly six hundred thousand guests of the show were encouraged to vote for their favorite customs in both the Big Twin Customs presented by Newmar display and the Sportbike Customs showcase.

These two areas showed off the best of the best in unique custom builds from local and national builders. We now encourage all of you to visit the online voting for the 2006-2007 ‘Best of Show’ winner for each category. The winners will be featured in the 2007-2008 Powersports Magazine.

DAWSON’S NEW RIDE TO BE FEATURED IN BIKERNET’S READERS SHOWCASE DEPARTMENT–Anyone can feature their own bike in our Reader’s Showcase Department. Crazy Horse is our official editor and she will help you through the process, when she’s not being interviewed by Jay Leno.

This is my New pony for the stable, Dawson said. ” 10.5 feet long, lean and fast!” He needs a fast bike for times when the rain clouds are bunching up against dem hills. The Reader’s Showcase area was set up as a department for reader’s ride. It allows you to tell your own story with what ever bike you choose to feature.

DRAMATIC FIRST RACE FOR THE MAXXIS 2007 BRITISH SUPERSPORT CHAMPIONSHIP–Tyre manufacturer Maxxis is the new title sponsor of the 2007 British Supersport Championship, one of the leading motorcycle racing series in the UK and Europe and second only to the British Superbike Championship (BSB) in popularity.

The dramatic first round of the Maxxis British Supersport Championship at Brands Hatch saw Michael Laverty take a fantastic race win. The race was stopped after Dennis Hobbs crashed out heavily taking Laverty with him. The race was then restarted to be run over ten laps. However incident plagued this first race with Five riders crashing out at Paddock Hill bringing out the safety car.

The final lap came when Billy McConnell crashed heavily and the red flag was brought out again. It was at this point the race was declared, with Laverty the winner, Martin Jessopp second on the Ducati and Jamie Robinson in third.

As the support series to the British Superbike Championship, Supersport is looked upon as the final step on the ladder up to BSB and, as such, is considered the breeding ground for the Superbike stars of the future.

Unlike BSB, there are limits as to the kind of modifications teams can make to obtain maximum performance from these machines, which inevitably gives rise to close, competitive racing, full grids and career enhancing opportunities.

“Our sponsorship of the 2007 Supersport series provides us with an ideal platform from which to promote the Maxxis brand and in particular road tyres like the Supermaxx,” says Maxxis International UK managing director Derek McMartin.

TV coverage of the Maxxis British Supersport Championship will form part of the SKY Sports and ITV packages. Last year Sky Sports broadcast 29 programmes during the season, amounting to more than 100 hours of programming for the British Superbike series and Supersport support races. Rounds of the Supersport Championship will also be broadcast as part of ITV1’s 2007 racing package, reaching around a million viewers a week.

Contact Maxxis 08704 282272
For further information on the Maxxis British Supersport Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Details on the full range of Maxxis motorcycle tyres is available at www.maxxis.co.uk

British Supersport – Brands Hatch Race Result
1 – Michael Laverty – Suzuki – Relentless Suzuki by TAS – 13.01.199
2 – Jamie Robinson – Honda – Margal – 13.01.722
3 – Ian Lowry – Suzuki – Relentless Suzuki by TAS – 13.01.903
4 – Aaron Walker – Honda – TJW Racing – 13.05.284
5 – Stuart Easton – Kawasaki – Isilon MSS Discovery Kawasaki – 13.05.574
6 – John McGuinness – Honda – Padgetts Motorcycles – 13.06.035
7 – Richard Cooper – Yamaha – AIM Racing – 13.06.706
8 – Steven Neate – Honda – Angel Racing – 13.07.405
9 – Ian Hutchinson – Honda – – 13.07.623
10 – James Westmoreland – Honda – Centurion Racing – 13.08.355

Championship Points
1 – Michael Laverty – 25
2 – Jamie Robinson – 20
3 – Ian Lowry – 16
4 – Aaron Walker – 13
5 – Stuart Easton – 11
6 – John McGuinness – 10
7 – Richard Cooper – 9
8 – Steven Neate – 8
9 – Ian Hutchinson – 7
10 – James Westmoreland – 6

TENNESSEE RESCINDS ADULT MOTORCYCLE HELMET LAW– NASHVILLE – The Senate voted 18-12 on Monday to rescind the mandatory motorcycle helmet law for adults in Tennessee.Any licensed motorcyclist at least 21 years old could opt not to wear a helmet under the bill – SB1511 – sponsored by Sen. Tim Burchett, R-Knoxville.

Burchett last year withdrew a similar bill from a Senate vote after it became clear the House would reject the measure. It passed Monday without any discussion on the Senate floor.

The companion bill has yet to be scheduled for a vote in a subcommittee of the House Transportation Committee.Officials at Vanderbilt University placed the average cost of treating a nonhelmeted motorcyclist at $63,956 between 2005 and 2006.

Knoxville News Sentinel

–from Rogue

A.B.A.T.E. of PA Motorcyclist Rights Rally–May 21, 2007–Ride with A.B.A.T.E. of PA to fight for your rights. The 30th Rights Rally departs Shellsville VFW Picnic Grounds at 11 AM, the Rally takes place at noon in the State Capitol building – Harrisburg, PA. Commemorative Rally patch to first 1000 riders. Weekend camping available.

Contact the A.B.A.T.E. of PA state office at 717-731-8955 or visit http://www.abatepa.org/ for more information.

— from Rogue

REAL COWBOY’S TOMBSTONE– Kinda brings a tear to your eye, doesn’t it? The headstone of RussellJ. Larson in the Logan City Cemetery, Logan, UT.

–from Rik Savenko

Kevin Baas Kennedy HS Class winning build-off bike.

WHY MOTORCYCLES ARE DANGEROUS TO RIDE–We all know how dangerous it is to ride a motorcycle. That is not because the motorcycle is dangerous but many of the others on the road are not paying attention to operating their vehicle. There is no doubt that the use of cell phones while driving is one of the major distractions, that is not to say there are not others such as eating, distractions from passengers, putting on makeup and even changing clothes.

Making a law to ban cell phone use would be very unpopular but it would be a start to promoting safety and cutting down on crashes and collisions.

There are a lot of factors to consider and of course that is legislators who want to be re-elected and in many cases are also guilty of cell phone abuse themselves. How about motorcyclist who want the law passed, so they say, but then use cell phones while in their other vehicles.

To promote safety you need to stop collisions and crashes as opposed to trying to protect people when they are involved in them. Stronger enhancement laws and enforcing those laws already on the books is definitely the way to go and adding thing like banning cell phone usage would be a great addition. It may not be popular but it would work

People really need to understand that operating a vehicle is something that requires all of our attention and not something that includes multi-tasking that is so popular in other activities we do.

Please get involved in safety and let your legislative people know how you feel on the issues.

— Rogue

BILL TO BAN TALKING ON CELL PHONES WHILE DRIVING ON HOLD IN FLORIDA SENATE–TALLAHASSEE — Motorists will be able to continue to ask for directions, tell their spouse what time they’ll be home, or just chatter aimlessly on their cell phone while driving in Florida.A measure that would have made it against the law to talk on a cell phone or send text messages while driving was put on hold in the state Senate on Monday. A return call for the bill isn’t likely this year.

The measure was on a Senate committee’s agenda, but the panel didn’t take a vote because there’s no companion measure in the House, making it nearly impossible to get the proposal through the Legislature this year.

— By DAVID ROYSE

–from Rogue

V-TWIN TV RUCKER PERFORMANCE ON THE SPEED CHANNEL–Rucker Performance will be featured on V-TWIN Television on April 10, 2007 on the SPEED Channel. V-TWIN goes behind the scenes of Rucker Performance, one of the top builders in the motorcycle industry. Check out this episode of V-TWIN TV featuring Rucker Performance on the SPEED Channel.

Tuesday, April 10, 10 p.m. & 2 a.m.
Wednesday, April 11, 10 a.m.
Saturday, April 14, 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Times)

To find out more information about V-TWIN Television and upcoming episodes, check out SPEED TV.

The fork by RMD, designed by Leo DiOrio for the Assalt Weapan.

ASSALT WEAPAN UNDERWAY–The Bikernet Bonneville effort is underway for 2007, and it better be. We have our Paughco frame and we’re working with Leo DiOrio on our front end. He contacted me recently for more info:

A. ground clearance from the bottom of the frame to to the ground______________

That’s 3 inches.

B. from the bottom of the frame to the center of the neck _______________

Directly down from the neck it’s 24 _ inches.

C. rake_______

34 Degrees as Leo requested.

D. front tire diameter_________

Right now it’s 24.5 inches, but if we shave the tires, it will be less, by maybe one-half inch.

E. no brakes on the front____________

Yep, no brake. This bike ain’t about stopping.

F. approx neck dia at at the ends____________

That was approximately 2 3/16 inches.

G. picture of the fork stop______________

Here ya go:

H. distance over bearings in fork cups ______

No fork cups

If any of this doesn’t make sense let me know

Some, but we’ll figure it out.–Bandit

SUPPORT VETERAN’S KIDS–As you know, thousands of brave American troops have died fighting in just the past four years, and their children desperately need your help now more than ever. And you can help by attending the 3rd Annual BFE Ride & Rally on Saturday, May 12.

Please visit www.BFERIDE.com/register.html right now to register for your FREE T-shirt, ride pin and chance to win $1,000 cash!

Last year, hundreds of patriotic American bikers just like you attended the BFE Ride to help raise money for the “Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund” and other educational charities — and a really good time was had by all! This year, with your help, we hope to raise $50,000!

For your registration fee (tax-deductible donation), you get all this & more…
– Meet the famous Bill Goldberg, Grand Marshal
– Hot breakfast & blessing of bikes at St. Peter’s School (Fallbrook CA)
– $1,000 Poker Run of 80+ miles (scenic & challenging route)
– FREE T-shirt & ride pin (sign up by May 5th)
– Afternoon rally at Bates Nut Farm (Valley Center CA)
– BBQ lunch & beer/wine garden
– Live classic rock music by “Ruthless”
– Best bike contest & awards (winners get trophies & photos/story in QuickThrottle Magazine!)
– 50/50 cash raffle, plus lots of other raffles & FREE door prizes
– Vendors of all kinds (from leather & chrome to jewelry & eyewear)
– Several local casinos (Harrah’s, Pala, Pauma, Pechanga, Valley View)
– Plenty of camping & lodging nearby (stay the night or weekend!)

So please sign up today at www.BFERIDE.com/register.html and “Ride With Me to BFE ” on Saturday May 12 to support youth education and the children of our fallen American heroes. And if you can’t attend, will you please make a donation and help spread the word to your fellow bikers & friends?

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, May 12, at the 3rd Annual BFE Ride & Rally!

–Matthew J. Downey
Chairman & Founder
Bikers For Education Foundation
Web: www.BFERIDE.com
Email: info@BFERIDE.com
Phone: 760-583-1919
Fax: 760-451-1697
Mail: 3068 Via Loma, Fallbrook, CA 92028

VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED FOR THE WESTCOAST CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE SHOW – THISWEEKEND – APRIL 14-15–We are still looking for some volunteers to help out at the BCCOM booth atthe Westcoast Custom Motorcycle Show on April 14-15 at the Tradex Centre inAbbotsford. Volunteers will receive free admission into the show. Here arethe shifts we are looking to cover:

Saturday, April 14
10am-1pm
1pm-4pm
4pm-7pm

Sunday, April 15
1pm-4pm
4pm-7pm

If you are able to give us a hand please contact us at (604) 580-0111 or1-877-580-0111 or reply to this email. Thank you!

British Columbia is the undisputed home to some of the world’s top custombuilders including professional bike builder Roger Goldammer of GoldammerCycle Works in Kelowna, BC who will be at the show with several of his bikeson display.

Goldammer’s amazing work has garnered him many accolades over the yearsincluding: 2006 British Columbia Creative Achievement Award, Winner BikerBuild Off 2006 (ExperiMental) where he earned first place in DiscoveryChannel?s Biker Build-off, after he raced his bike against other contestantsat the Bonneville Salt Flats, 1st Place AMD World Championship 2005(Trouble), 1st Place Artistry In Iron Vegas Bikefest/Hot Rod Bike 2005(Trouble), 1st Place Artistry in Iron Vegas Bikefest/Hot Rod Bikes 2004(BTR#3), 1st Place AMD World Championships 2004 (BTR#3), Most InnovativeBuilder VQ/Easyriders Daytona 2004 (Roger Goldammer), and 1st Place OverallOakland Roadster Show 53rd Annual 2002 (Dragon Bike) to name just a few.

SHOW HOURS
Saturday, April 14th from 10am-7pm
Sunday, April 15th from 10am-6pm

Westcoast Custom Motorcycle Show
Phone: (604) 580-0111 or 1-877-580-0111
Email: office@westcoastcustom.ca
Website: www.westcoastcustom.ca

Continued On Page 3

BIKERNET NEWS TOP STORIES–BIKERNET NUMBERS TOP 300,000, NEW PARTS BLASTING TECHNOLOGY, SAM STILL RIDES THE WALL OF DEATH, WIND VEST SET-UP IN LAUGHLIN, TOMMY THOMPSON FOR PREZ, POT SMOKING JUDGE ARRESTED, CHECK HELMET MONTH, APC FREE FLOORING, BIKERNET READER WINS AGAIN, NEW CHASSIS FROM WIDE OPEN, CRAZY HORSE ON THE TODAY SHOW AND CHINESE RIMS?

The Girls of Saxon are still hanging around.

Hey,

We’re back from Australia and the news is cranking. The girls complained that my intros have been too intense. Sure, there’s a side of me that wants to weld, drink whiskey and chase women all day, but that’s not happening at the moment.

I suppose, in a sense, I reflect what’s current with myself and the gang here and my limited touch on the industry. So take it or leave it, this is what’s happening right now in the life of Bikernet. When it becomes all mellow again, I’ll let you know. Or just tell me to shut the fuck up.

I would like to offer this news as a tribute to Wil Phillips who passed away about two weeks ago. Wil designed the Rubbertail frame, the first true rubbermount Softail, and lots of other products including the lifesaving True-Track system for touring Harleys. Wil was a damn good friend who was surprised by terminal cancer only a couple of months ago. He was our suspension designer for our V-Panhead, the Salt Shaker, last year, and we looked forward to working with him this year. Hopefully his good friend, Ronnie, will pick up the True-Track product line and run with in.

Let’s hit the news, then I’ll pour my guts out once more:

BIKERNET NUMBERS FOR MARCH–We have a Web Trends software system linked to Bikernet constantly. It reads our numbers 24 hours a day and we download a report every month. Over the last three years Bikernet readership has grown more than 285 percent thanks to you.

Here’s our numbers for March:
Unique Users: 303,625
Impressions or page views: 1,113,000
Visits: 625,000
Hits: 10 million

NEW BLASTING SERVICE– Bearing Distributors Incorporated, my current employer, offers a new service that involves cleaning with dry ice. I don’t know a lot about it, but I know enough to know that it is pretty badass. It is as precise as bead blasting and you can adjust the size of the bead as you work. Also, the dry ice cleans grease and grime as well as paint, and evaporates on contact.

Here’s a link to our company website www.bdi-usa.com. Check it out when you get some free time. This may be something that the restoration guys might be interested in.

–Peter Jean
BDI
pjean@bdi-usa.com

They are going to send us one of these units to test.–Bandit

SAMANTHA DEATH RIDE CONTROVERSY–I just checked out the site again and I LOVE the additional pictures you added to it of the vintage stuff! Just a couple of things still need fixed (unless you did and I just pulled up an old version of the page)- sorry and I hope you don’t regard me as a pain in the ass.

The bike I rode for Jay Allen was his ’46 Indian Chief – NOT the Harley you have pictured. I am enclosing a picture of his bike in this email.

I hope this does not cause you to throw away the article, because it is awesome and is getting LOTS of attention. Also, I am sorry to be the cause of so many problems. I know you have a business to run and don’t need hassles like this. I even linked to it on our (me & Goth & Sara Libertes’) www.motorcyclefemmefatales.thrillarena.com website.

–Sam Morgan

Check the article on the Home page about Samantha’s history at the American Motordrome and her crash. There were some discrepancies with Sam’s descriptions, and we’ve pulled quotes from the owner and a member of Cycle Source Magazine staff, plus Dave Nichols at Easyriders. So all is well in Bikerdom once again and Sam can heal in peace.–Bandit

NEW FROM WIND VEST–Come see us at the Laughlin River RunApril 25th – 29thWe’re located at the Riverside!

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE TOMMY THOMPSON SAYS HE FAVORS FREEDOM OF CHOICE FOR HELMET USE–I still don’t understand why people are running for President two years before the election, but fortunately one individual is a biker. Over the months ahead, we will bring you his views on several topics. You decide.

Rogue is our correspondent for Tommy Thompson and claims that he favors freedom of choice when it comes to the helmet issue. Here’s a strange one. We are constantly hammered, by the press, anytime a biker goes down. They’re all too happy to give up freedom for insurance profits, but when it comes to freedom of speech they go berserk. I don’t get it. Isn’t freedom on all fronts important?

–Rogue and Bandit

GANG OF WILD HAMSTERS RAID EASYRIDERS DENVER SHOW–Denver police report that Hamster motorcycles and yellow shirts made children cry and spectators were unable to view motorcycles for the glare. Young hot babes were harassed.

“We promised to drink more beer,” said Harlan, Hamster member representative.

“We set up additional security around the show trophies and bikini girls,” said John Green, Easyriders Show promoter.

No arrests were made.

“The finals are right around the corner, May 5 in Kansas City,” John Green said. “We hope to have the Hamsters under control during the 2007 Invitational finals and Pro Class finals. All 2008 Centerfold Builders will also be selected in KC May 5. I know some Hamsters are in the competition. It could get ugly.”

EASYRIDERS BACKS AMERICAN MOTORDROME–“Jay Lightning and his team put on a helluva show. The Motordrome is apart of two wheeled history that needs to be embraced by riderseverywhere. Watching these trick riders do their thing is truly amind-blower.

If you see the Motordrome at a bike show, rally or run, makesure to take the time to support it. Without your help this amazinghistorical attraction could go the way of the Dodo bird. We don’t wantthat.”

–Dave Nichols
Editor Easyriders & V-Twin Magazine
Paisano Publications, LLC

POT SMOKIN’ JUDGE NOT ARRESTED, WHY DOES THAT NOT SURPRISE ME?–BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. — A Broward County judge accused of smoking marijuana in a Hollywood park is taking a leave of absence while his legal situation plays out.Last month, Judge Lawrence Korda was in Stanley Goldman Park near Hollywood Boulevard when police patrolling the park smelled marijuana, followed the scent and found him seated on a bench, police said.

Korda, 59, was not arrested but was issued a notice to appear in court and faces a charge of marijuana possession, according to police Korda was recently reassigned from Family Court to Probate Court, a move that had him swap jobs with Judge Larry Seidlin. Both judges made national headlines for their involvement in the Anna Nicole Smith case.

Korda begins the indefinite leave of absence Wednesday.

–Rogue
Sturgis Freedom FightersMotorcycle Hall Of Fame Member 2005
www.bikerrogue.com

APRIL IS CHECK YOUR HELMET MONTH FOR HARLEY-DAVIDSON– Dealers Offer Helmet Information, Purchased-On Date Stickers;New Helmet Section Launched at h-d.com.

MILWAUKEE (April 11, 2007) – How often should a helmet be replaced and how snug should it really fit? These are two key questions that many enthusiasts regularly ask. April is Check Your Helmet Month and MotorClothes specialists at Harley-Davidson dealerships are available to answer these questions and others regarding helmet fit, function, care and replacement.

As the riding season begins to ramp up, it is important to ensure a helmet is ready for the rides ahead. During April’s “Check Your Helmet Month” and throughout the year, enthusiasts are encouraged to visit their local Harley-Davidson dealer for personalized helmet fitment advice and a free helmet check.

Based on helmet manufacturer and SNELL Memorial Foundation recommendations, helmets should be replaced every three to five years, depending on use and wear. This info and more is also available in “The Heads-Up on Helmets” brochure which is available at dealerships.

Harley-Davidson carries a range of helmet styles including Half, Three-Quarter, Full-Face and Modular helmets to meet rider needs. In addition to learning about styles, materials, fit, and more, Harley-Davidson is helping to make it easier for customers to manage the lifecycle of their helmets with the use of Purchased-On Date Stickers. Starting this month, dealers are adhering Purchased-On Date Stickers at the time of purchase on the inside of helmets under the comfort liner. This provides customers with an accurate date of purchase and a useful reminder for when to replace their helmets.

In addition to the information provided by MotorClothes Specialists at local dealerships, consumers can visit www.harley-davidson.com for detailed information about helmet styles, components, fit, care and replacement, as well as check out the selection of helmets offered by Harley-Davidson. This information can also be accessed in the new helmet section at www.harley-davidson.com/helmets.

AMERICAN PERFORMANCE CYCLE ANNOUNCES FREE DEALER FLOORING–American Performance Cycle (APC) has announced that dealers who qualify can get up to 12 months worth of free flooring (through GE Capital).

Mike Sample snr, CEO stated: “We realize that the market is experiencing a little downturn in recent months, and we are always thinking of ways to assist our dealers.”

APC sales are up according to Mike Sample Jr, Vice President of APC. Sample Jr. added: “We feel that our bikes are at the perfect price point for where the market is today. Our bikes are CARB and DOT approved. They are world class custom production bikes and are listed in NADA and Kelley Blue Book.”

The company has recently hired three new builders to keep up with their current demand and has appointed Matt Dahlin as its new General Manager. Matt has been in the motorcycle business for 19 years and brings to APC a wealth of retail knowledge. “We feel very privileged to have Matt join our family and look forward to his expertise regarding our forward progress. Matt is already an extremely valued part of our executive team,” concluded Sample Sr.

APC also has a unique program for dealers who aren’t able to get their customers financed. APC uses a variety of lenders that they have established credit with, so if a dealer is having problems financing a deal, and if it’s an APC bike, the dealer can ride off of APC’s coattails and get their customer financed.

–AMERICAN PERFORMANCE CYCLES
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Tel: 702 314 5272
Fax: 702 314 528
> E-mail: apccycles@aol.com
www.apccycles.com

DANA GELINAS WINS MARCH’S THUNDER SADDLE CONTEST– Dana Gelinas has won the March contest with his patriotic tattoo and will receive a custom Thunder Saddle with his tat embroidered on the seat.

Dan rides a 2001 Harley-Davidson Pearl White FLSTFI Fatboy. His riding takes place on the weekend running along the coast or up the mountains from his home base in Massachusetts, weather permitting,

Enter The Contest

Entering is easy. Just send an email to tat@horsepowermarketing.com with your:

• Name
• Telephone number
• Picture of you and your tattoo
• Year and model of motorcycle

Take a moment and look at February’s contestants. Or click here to get all of the contest details.

NEW CHASSIS FROM WIDE OPEN CYCLES– The bike pic I sent you is of Wide Opens own new chassis called the Bitch. That bike is named Solid Gold and is number two of a set of ten being built and designed by Wide Open. Solid Gold was completed at the end of Jan. 06 for the Florida bike build-off conpetition which we won for the second time.

Right after that we took the bike to Cincy V-Twin and on to Louisville Easyrider show where we qualified for the finals in Kansas City. The bike is nine and a half feet long with a seat height of 17 inches while still maintaining a frame to ground clearance of 4.5 inches. The powerplant is a El Bruto 120 backed up with a Baker 6-speed rsd trans and Jaybrake trans brake. Tauer machine designed the extended primary that ties it all together. A 5 inch coil over shock under the seat provides the cushion for the rigid chassis with a Metzeler 300 on a Renegade wheel brining up the rear. PSI big air carb delivers the fuel needed thru it’s new no jet design. Wide Open then finished the bike with Pagan gold paint to accentuate our exotic and sanitary flowing fab work. The bike as are all of of our bikes our built to be true rideable works of art.

–Vince
Wide Open Cycles
wideopencycles@bellsouth.net

CRAZY HORSE PAINTING TO BE FEATURED ON THE TODAY SHOW–I found out back in Feb that I was going to be profiled on the Weekend Edition of The Today Show. And Tuesday they filmed me.

The preparation for this was more extensive than I had imagined. Getting the studio, shop and place looking good and polished. I know shops that spend weeks getting ready for a filming. Now I know what they go through.

Most of my time during the winter and spring is spent working and my place gets trashed. I spread out my spring cleaning and organizing over several months in late spring.But this year, I had less than a month to get it all done and still find time for work.

Well, the filming is behind me, and I’ll be in the studio doing 16 hour days (and nights) until each and every paint job is out the door.

Being on The Today Show is the kind of thing I could never even imagine. I was shocked when I got the email that started all this.As for when the show will air, it will most likely be in the next 4 weeks. It will only be about 3 minutes long.

They liked the fact that if you go by my place, it looks like just another anonymous house in the country. No clue that an Easyriders cover bike (that I ride the living shit out of), show winner, and a bike that most everyone on the m/c industry recogonizes lies just beyond the plain tan garage door. There are no flames on my mailbox, no signs, but go past that door and some very intense bikes are there. I had my chopper, the sporty, and a customer’s ’51 Panhead chop here at the house for them to film.

Plus they also filmed down at my husband’s fabrication shop at the H-D dealer. You go from flowers and trees backwoods to the chrome and neon of Jim’s shop. Plus there are about six of our full blown custom bikes there on display.

The whole thing was quite a ride. They wanted to present me as an artist/writer/journalist/spokeswoman for women riders.

They filmed the reporter Jay Gray and I riding. He rode my Sportster and I was on the chopper. They also filmed me blasting down the interstate on the chopper. They filmed me in my studio airbrushing on a fender. They interviewed my in the garage and some of the inprocess bikes we are building.

As soon as I know when the show will air, I will post it.

–CrazyHorse

SHANGHAI RIM MANUFACTURER REACHES OUT TO BIKERNET–We are very glad and solemn to send you this introductory letter, hoping that it will be the prelude to mutually beneficial relations between us. We learned that you are specialized in motorcycle spare parts especially on Rims from your homepage. we are the biggest Motorcycle Wheel Rims Supplier in Shanghai, and we mainly cooperate with big and famous company due to their needs, so we recommend our company to you in the hope of receiving your orders on motorcycle rims from time to time. As one of the biggest Motorcycle Wheel Rim Manufacturer in Shanghai, We specialize in manufacturing and selling special aluminum alloy rims, including alloy professional rims and alloy rims for models of motorcycles like scooters, choppers, dirt bikes, off-road and so on. In our minds it’s our obligation and desirability to produce good quality products to serve all customers in the whole world. Till now, our motorcycle rims sell well and the output increases year by year, we are awarded of good reputation with excellent quality Wheel Rims and best service. Unison Rim masterpiece would satisfy all your rim – needs for safety, new profiles and durability.

Our company is a Sino-us JV company formed by two investors: America Sunrise Group and Shanghai Guanghong Group. It is the biggest specialized manufacturer of aluminum extruded profiles and aluminum products in Shanghai district.

Sino-U.S Shanghai Unison Aluminium Products Co., Ltd.(Motorcycle Wheel Rim Branch)

–Simon Young

You do know this is us trying to be funny by posting this, right? Layla

Continued On Page 2

BIKERNET NEWS FLASH -BIKERNET DOOR PRIZES, H-D ADJUSTABLE FOOTBOARDS, BUILD-IT-YOURSELF SEATS, FAST ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE, STEALTH REPORTS IN, AND MORE CULTURE FROM BIKERNET–CHRIS KALLAS ART

Continued From Page 4

NEW ADJUSTABLE PASSENGER FOOTBOARD MOUNTS–MILWAUKEE (March 30, 2007) – Dial in passenger comfort with the new Adjustable Passenger Footboard Mount Kits from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories. The adjustable mounts replace the orignal equipment, fixed mounts and raise or lower the passenger footboards through five positions. The lowest position is 2 inches forward from stock, while the highest position is 2.5 inches higher than stock. Adjustment is easy with a common hex wrench. Each kit includes a left and right adjustable support assembly and all required mounting hardware. Footboard pans and inserts are sold separately.

Two Adjustable Passenger Footboard Mount Kits are available: P/N 50768-07 ($349.95) fits 1993-later Touring models. P/N 50769-07 ($369.95) fits 2000-later Softail models (except FLSTS, FLSTSC, FLSTN, FLSTF, and FXSTD). FLSTC models require separate purchase of Saddlebag Relocation P/N 90238-00.

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.

BUILT-IT-YERSELF LEATHER SEAT–Check out our newest products; the “Built-it-yourself” leather seatkit and the dual and single seat shocks offered through GuiltyCustoms. Guilty customs is the east coast distributor for”ChopperShox” out of Las Vegas NV. Dealer inquiries welcome.

–Carl (Cj) Hanlon
Guilty Customs, LLC
407.453.0844
www.GuiltyCustoms.com
Read our BLOG at:
http://www.bloglines.com/public/Warden
http://www.flickr.com/photos/guiltycustoms/

ELECTRICAL MOTORCYCLE REACHES 155.87 MPH–The KillaCycle electrical reach new record speeds of 155.87mph.At a drag race in Chandler, Arizona, the electrical bike finished a quarter mile in 8.168s, breaking the old record of 8.801s held by Dennis Berube with an electric car for more than six years.

The KillaCycle is not the fastest electrical vehicle under the sun though. Take the Ohio State University Buckeye Bullet, which reach already 321mph back in 2004.

The bike is powered by 990 lithium ion cells from A123 Systems, a Massachusetts start-up that is also making batteries for General Motors.More details on CNET and on the KillaCycle site.

— from Rogue

STEALTH REPORT FROM NORTH CAROLINA–It has been like winter all over again around her the past few days. We set a record for low temps Easter Sunday, it was 21 degrees that morning! Hey, It is Spring and that is the way it goes! I love Spring, the earth comes to life, bikes are back on the road, baseball is back, it is just a good time of year.

Once in awhile I need a good kick in the pants to remind me how blessed I am and it usually come form “THE MEANEST,” she is pretty good at that. I guess we all need a good kick once in awhile. This past week my buddy Hiway from your shot kinda reminded me. You know when I stop and think about it, I am very fortunate to do what I do at STEALTH BIKE WORKS. No, I am not talking about how much money we make, because at times it is a real struggle, but we still find a way to keep going.

In May we come up on our 2-year Anniversary. I think we have done very well for a small shop. We are starting our 5th ground up build, we have made a lot of new friends along the way and we have carved our own little niche around here. A lot of people come in for old school and bobber inventory. That is what we do, bare bones, no frills, no extras thrown on bikes. That is what I grew up with and I have always held onto that style bike. SBW ain’t for everyone and it was never intended to be. No boutiques, just parts and bikes. You can hear the sounds of a bike shop and SBW smells like a bike shop, not a bad smell, which to me and our customers is a good thing. When you enter the shop, you know you are in a bike shop, not a mall.

It is Spring, like I said. I remember being a kid and from morning until night we played baseball, all day everyday. I played through high school and two years after high school. Man those were some care free days and you thought they would never end but as with everything in life, they ended. At the time we all took it for granted that those days would go on forever. I guess myself and all of us took those days for granted. Man we got to play baseball everyday and now I find myself thinking about SBW in the same ways except i am not taking any of it for granted. Man, I get to go to a motorcycle shop today, It doesn’t get any better for me!

Until next week, RIDE!

PM Contour Clutch Slave for 6 Speed HD–With the addition of 6 speed transmissions in all new HD?s the aftermarket has had to redesign their Hydraulic Clutch Slaves to fit. Naturally Performance Machine was one of the first to market with an updated version of their proven parts. Machined from solid aluminum, the fluted Clutch Slave is designed to work perfectly with their line of Contour Master Cylinders. Ultra smooth and effortless clutch action and the machined aluminum beauty only PM can create! Get yours in polished or chrome finish.

For more information, call or write to:
Performance Machine, Inc.
6892 Marlin Circle,
La Palma, CA 90623
714-523-3000

MORE BIKERNET CULTURE, ART FROM CHRIS KALLAS–Since you were out of town and not breathing down my neck, I haven’t worked on the Assalt Weapan mascot girl.Actually been busy selling art and stuff on ebay, helping my brother, and working on my taxes.

Mike (Stealthworks), Pullin has contacted me about doing another Run for Breath t-shirt design since he’s doing the event again this year.

Shameless plug: The article on my art is in the latest (june issue), of Bike Works. By next week it should be available everywhere.I haven’t seen it yet myself. Here’s some eye candy for the news, a jpg. of a work in progress. It’s a re-do of a piece I did awhile ago.

–Chris Kallas

RICK FAIRLESS? STROKERS DALLAS TO EXPAND, GAIN 16,000 SQUARE FEET–Dallas, TX (February 6, 2007)- Rick Fairless? Strokers Dallas, the 35,000 square feet motorcycle mecca located in northern Dallas, is in the process of a major expansion. Plans were recently unveiled for the 16,000 square feet property adjacent to Strokers Dallas on Shorecrest Drive that Fairless has purchased. Construction will begin soon to add showroom and service department space, new offices, a larger parts department, a tattoo parlor, and a new outdoor bar area.

According to Fairless, all offices currently located in the dealership will move next door to the new larger space, increasing their current showroom floor by nearly 1,200 square feet. This new additional space will allow Strokers to display more motorcycles, increase their parts section, and expand their apparel selection.

There are also plans to add and open up a second floor in the parts room, which was formerly closed to the public. This will allow Strokers to increase their inventory and showcase their products to customers. ?This will give us the opportunity to show our customers what a wide variety of parts and accessories we really carry. Before, people weren?t able to see everything behind the closed doors,? said Fairless. ?Now, they?ll be able to see it all.?

The new outdoor bar space will occupy 7,500 square feet on the north end of the property. This new space will allow for even more motorcycle parking and party areas during the packed weekends at Strokers. There are also plans to build a new stage area and increase covered motorcycle parking.

?With the addition of the new outdoor bar, we will now be able to accommodate more private parties and events by renting out that space to large groups or companies? said Fairless. ?We?ve had parties and weddings here before, but this will be cool for those people to have their own area aside from the rest of the crowd.? To get more information on having an event at Strokers, call them at 214-357-0707.

THAT?S A WRAP FOR THURSDAY–I?ve been thinking about what the girls were whinning about and something came to me. Each week when I run down our projects they freak. It might be workload pressure. Some folks love accomplishments and goals, others run from them.

Our fearless shop dog, Tank.

I take a lot of pride in this industry and want to run all the news, whether the company advertises with me or not. I want you to receive all the goddamn news I can deliver.

The Assalt Weapan Paughco frame.

I?m sure you?ve noticed that generally there?s three or four contest going on. From now on we?re going to up that number with our own contest area. Check it out and sign up. We?re shooting for five winners a week. Don?t forget to sign up for the D&D contest and the Saddleman/Metric Thunder prizes. They?re giving away $1000 prizes monthly.

Just so I don?t disturb the girls sensitive nature this week, I?ll keep my projects list mellow. Hang on for Australian reports and more on our Bonneville effort. We?ve put in to be a major Bubs Bonneville sponsor this year. We?ll let you know the outcome this week.

Ride Forever,

–Bandit

BIKERNET NEWS ALERTS–MISSOURI STILL FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM, AMERICAN 1902 TRAILERS, MIKE RETURNS, D&D EXHAUST PIPE CONTEST, AUSSIE RUSTY SHOP, SEARCH FOR REBEL, BRUTTE III BELT DRIVES AND FIVE BIKERNET DOOR PRIZE WINNERS–YOU CAN WIN ON BIKERNET

Continued From Page 3

BIKERNET SCIENTIFIC STUDY FINDINGS RELEASED TODAY–A 2006 study found that the average American walks about 900 miles a year.

Another study found that Americans drink an average of 22 gallons of beer ayear.

“That means, on average, Americans get about 41 miles per gallon,” said Wilburn Roach, lead Bikernet Science Director.

–from Rogue
Bikernet Communications Specialist

MISSOURI HELMET REPEAL UPDATE–Missouri Helmet Bill 155 passed both chambers, it goes to Governor Blunt.He has expressed in public that he will sign bill into law.

Local media has been shitting razor blades. Local scooter tramp populationjust shaking their heads at the disinformation as the bigots and hypocritesshow their asses.

Ignored is the fact that a majority of motorcyclists voluntarily wearhelmets. Along with the fact that helmet law promoters are rarely-concerned with our safety and more towards their inbred prejudice cause weride motorcycles.

–R.E. “Pompeii” Popplewell
Charter Member- FORR, INC. Missouri

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE CO. 1902 INTRODUCES COMPLETE LINE OF MAC2 SIGNATURE SERIES TRAILERS–Phoenix, Az. American Motorcycle Co. 1902 unveiled its latest licensing program to the public at the recent NitroSyndicate West Side Expo in Phoenix Az to an enthusiastic audience.

The “AMC2 Signature Series” custom motorcycle trailer program manufactured by ROXX Tec, Inc.

The reception was well beyond all expectations. We left the show with serious commitments for both custom motorcycle trailers, and custom built mobile marketing / vending trailers.

The three AMC2 trailers shown included:1)
The “AMC2 Traveler”. A fully customized motorcycle trailer built to meet the standards required to transport today’s hottest custom motorcycles. This trailer comes with it all and offers very few options. This is the big daddy of custom motorcycle trailers. Trailer is built to load the lowest customs, is pre-wired for GPS Security system and air-conditioning/ heat, has front entry for easy access to wheel chocks and storage, electric ramp doors, LED lighting, can be custom painted to match any theme, custom wheels to match your car or truck, aluminum storage cabinets, high-end AM/FM/CD stereo w/ sub-woofer and ton’s of power, and so much more. Also a commercial grade awning is available as an option.

2)
The “AMC2 Alpha Star”. Although the little brother to the “Traveler” this takes no back seat. It has all the build features and quality of the “Traveler” but leaves the custom features to the buyer to select. This is still one of the highest quality trailers on the market, but the buyer selects all the little details the would like so it shows off the buyers individuality.3)
The “AMC2 Merchant” is a trailer program like no other. This program will design and build a custom trailer for mobile marketing, vending, and related activities. We will work closely with every customer to meet the needs of their unique form of retail or marketing to make it the easiest, quickest and most efficient vending and marketing space on the road today. If it works better then the experience of vending becomes better. We know what the customer needs, and will enjoy working to deliver this to them each time?no cookie cutter solution here. We will build it to meet your needs.

Check out all the features of the AMC2 Signature Series trailers at:www.amc1902.com/traileror atwww.ROXXTec.com

send all inquiries to inquiry@amc1902.com
714-389-4792

MIKE RETURNS TO BIKERNET–I have lot’s of shit to do but I didn’t forget about the best biker web-site. I checked in every once in a blue moon. You’re still the crazy dude and why I bought a Harley 7 years ago.

Anyway, I hope all is well with you and I will sign up for the Cantina on account I like the Thursday news. I see you got an accountant or did someone kick you in the nads? Most probably Sin. I love that dame. I can go on but I enjoyed your story of Vince. You had me then you delayed, delayed and my detour began.

Time to ride, in between my kids functions, baseball, wrestling. Shit.

–Mike Ruiz

BIKERNET WORKS WITH PAUGHCO ON TECH ARTICLE–Over the last couple of years the Bikernet staff faced a variety of transmission plate questions. When you’re building a bike from scratch, there’s a wide variety of options. As we attempted to slip our 5-Speed Softail transmission in the Assalt Weapan frame we were perplexed when two Softail mounting plates didn’t work. I spoke to Jason from Paughco and he clued me in. We will bring you a tech on the variety of transmission mounting plates in the near future.

ANOTHER WAY TO WIN FREE SHIT ON BIKERNET–Enter Bikernet’s Sharpest Softail Contest. WIN a new set of high-performance Fat Cat or Boarzilla performance exhaust pipes for your Harley-Davidson Softail. It’s easy send us:

Name
Email
Picture of your bike
Telephone
Details on your bike
Why you need a performance pipe

Send entries to softail@horspowermarketing.com and we will post them on bikernet.com, DandDexhaust.com and have the community at bikernet.com vote for the ‘Sharpest Softail’ of Bikernet.

About Fat Cat & Boarzilla Details

The 2 into 1 Fat Cat & Boarzilla Performance Pipes make up to 12 additional horses depending upon your configuration. The stylish upswept design provides the performance rider with extra ground clearance. Each pipe is hand fitted and installed with heat shields.

Each pipe is tuned for performance and sound. Not only do D&D pipes look good, you can feel the deep rumble that only a D&D equipped V-Twin can make.

To get a performance pipe for your Harley or custom V-Twin logon to www.danddexhaust.com .

ABOUT D&D Performance Exhaust

D&D uses the state of the art Super Flow Eddy Current Ram Air Dyno, Super Flow Flow Bench, and the first in the industry multi cylinder Lambda Fuel Air Ratio Sensors interfaced with the Dyno for real time meter and graph analysis.

To see how your bike will look and perform log on to the D&D Web site. www.danddexhaust.com/catalog. Each Harley model has a dyno chart and dyno video.

THANKS!
–Jeff Najar
Horsepower Marketing
jeff@horsepowermarketing.com
O: 919-383-0500
M: 928-814-2935

MISSOURI HELMET BILL STILL HAS HURTLES TO CROSS–HB-155 passed out of House to Senate, voted 8-2 w/do pass out of Senatecommittee. 155 has been placed on calendar, Sen. Charley Shields is incharge of bringing 155 onto Senate floor for a vote…

TV news went over the top informing the public that bikers would fill up thehospital wards, the morgues, on the public’s tax dollar as if the bill waspassed.

Could use some help with a notice to Missouri bikers about their phonecalls/emails ect. to Senator Charley Shields to politely put HB-155 ontothe Senate floor for debate & a vote, would be very helpful. All the”numbers” for this available at FORR.NET. This is where we were at lastyear this time (ignored).

As I put in my 2cents to the Senator; It’s not like we’re going to rideoff mad, we’ll be back same place, same time next year, same “point of order& call for the question.” The stunning image we get? Ignored. -There wasmore, but polite & to the point, you know the line.

–Pompeii

From Left Dr. Glenn Priddle, Bikernet Correspondent, Rusty, me, and Wayne, in front of Rusty’s shop.

RUSTY’S BAYSIDE CUSTOM CYCLES IN AUSTRALIA REPORTS IN–Many thanks for taking the time to come and visit my little patch of our lifestyle..It was really good to meet you and look forward to vibing with you in the future. Just a short note to say G’day and regards to Nyla. All the best and look forward to your next chapter. Cheers for now and all the best.

–Rusty Clark
rustyscustom@powerup.com.au

Rusty has a stash of Panhead and early Shovel parts. He’s a source, so give him a shout. Watch for his story in the next couple of weeks.–Bandit

IN SEARCH OF THE REBEL–I am currently building a Hardtail Springer Sportster basket caseproject and I was browsing through Rebels Sportster/Buell build and Iam interested in a lot of the mods he did to the bike. One that I wouldlike to clear up is the wiring diagram you have located athttp://www.bikernet.com/news/images/PhotoID10268.jpg The picture istoo small to be of use to me and I was wondering if you have alarger/readable picture I could use for my build?

–Brian Stern
stern666@gmail.com

BRUTE III EXTREME TM BELT DRIVES–1-3/4? WIDE . . . 11mm BELT . . . CLOSED PRIMARY . . . ELECTRIC STARTFITS 1990-2007 EVO & TWIN CAM SOFTAILS & 1990-2007 DYNA MODELS

THE BRUTE III EXTREME TM IS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR HIGH HORSEPOWER (150+HP CAPABILITY) STREET OR COMPETITION APPLICATIONS REQUIRING ABOVE AVERAGE STRENGTH & ABILITY.

THE 11mm, 1-3/4? ?DENSE PACK? KEVLAR POLYCHAIN BELT IS EXTREMELY DURABLE. PRIMO?S BRUTE III EXTREME TM WAS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO LIVE WITH THE EXTREME SHOCKLOADS GENERATED BY LARGE DISPLACEMENT, HIGHLY-MODIFIED AMERICAN V-TWINS WITHOUT WHIMPERING. IT REPRESENTS THE LATEST TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES IN PRIMARY DRIVE POWER TRANSFER & PRIMARY BELT DESIGN.

THE BRUTE III EXTREME TMCOMES COMPLETE WITH OUR NEWLY-DESIGNEDPRO CLUTCH TM ASSEMBLY,ENGINEERED FOR BETTERENGAGEMENT.

INCLUDED, TOO, IS OUR ONEPIECE SEALED BEARING FOR THE INNER PRIMARY (PP-216), REPLACING THESTOCK TWO-PIECE BEARING.IT?S I.D. IS MADE TO FIT DIRECTLY ON THE MAINSHAFTWITHOUT A BEARING RACE.

KITS SUPPLIED w/KEVLAR BELT

FITS INSIDE STOCK or AFTERMARKET INNER & OUTER PRIMARY COVERS

RIVERA PRIMO INC.
12450 Whittier Blvd.
Whittier, California 90602
Tel: 562-907-2600 Fax: 562-907-2606
www.riveraengineering.com

BIKERNET STUDIES WOODPECKERS–An Hawaii woodpecker and a California woodpeckerwere arguing about which place had the toughesttrees. The Hawaii woodpecker said Hawaii had a treethat no woodpecker could peck. The Californiawoodpecker accepted his challenge, and promptlypecked a hole in the tree with no problem. TheHawaiian woodpecker was in awe.

The California woodpecker then challenged theHawaiian woodpecker to peck a tree in Californiathat was absolutely im-peckable (a term woodpeckerslike to use). The Hawaiian woodpecker expressedconfidence he could do it, so accepted thechallenge.

After flying to California , the Hawaii woodpeckersuccessfully pecked the tree with no problem.

So the two woodpeckers were now confused. How is itthat the Californian woodpecker was able to peck theHawaiian tree and the Hawaiian woodpecker was ableto peck the Californian tree, but neither one wasable to peck the tree in their own state?

After much woodpecker-pondering, they both came tothe same conclusion – Your pecker is always harderwhen you’re away from home.

–from Chris T.

LAYLA?S GIVING SHIT AWAY IN THE FREE CONTEST–I have to say, when I read suggestions from some people, it seems many of them really don?t know Bikernet at all.

Show us more home-built chops, more tits, techs on this or that, why don?t you have this section or that section? Here are the five winners I chose, and then I?m gonna touch on where most their suggestions already exist or how you readers can help make them exist.

MARIE –
CAPE CORAL, FLORIDA 33991 – USA
Suggestion: I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE ABOUT WOMEN BIKERS, WOMENS MOTORCYCLE ORG, OR CLUBS!!
Wanted: TO PAY MY BIKE OFF, OR TO OWN A CHOPPER!

CHARLENE CASEY ,
CARSON, CA 90746 – USA
Suggestion: HOW ABOUT A “BIKER CHICK” SECTION – PICS AND INFO BY AND ABOUT LADY BIKERS? ALSO – A BIKE CLUB SECTION THAT INCLUDES INFORMATION ON HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH BIKERS IN A SPECIFIC AREA THAT MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN RIDIN FROM TIME TO TIME.
Wanted: LADIES LONG SLEEVED SHIRTS TO RIDE IN!

We would love to show more from the women, however we don?t get much. I can see that we get a few women who enter the contest, but no articles, no posts in the forum. I don?t know you?re there unless you speak up. I created a category in our Forum Board under Lifestyle and Culture. C?mon ladies, lets hear from you!
http://forum.bikernet.com/

BRYAN S. SWEET –
LANDENBERG, PA 19350 – UNITED STATES
Suggestion: HOW ABOUT HAVING A WEEKLY SUBMISSION FROM A SUBSCIBER REPORTING ON A LOCAL EVENT. THERE ARE A LOT OF GREAT SMALL EVENTS OUT THERE. IT WOULD BE A GOOD WAY FOR READERS TO LEARN ABOUT SOME OF THE SMALLER(BETTER)EVENTS AND SUPPORT THE LIFESTYLE.
Wanted: I AIN’T PICKY! MAYBE A T-SHIRT OR TWO FROM A LOCAL EVENT OUT THERE ON THE LEFT COAST.

Bryan, we post what is sent to us. In addition to many categories in our forum board, we also have a Events Calendar http://www.bikernet.com/calendar/ and Event Coverage http://www.bikernet.com/events/ for any of you who send in your own event coverage submission. We run two news columns a week that include event info from those who have taken the time to submit. So, what events have you been to lately, Bryan?

KEVIN.C.SCHUMACHER
BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND 4075 – AUSTRALIA Suggestion: G’DAY, HOWZ ABOUT A SITE FOR BIKERS AND BIKERETTES TO GET IN TOUCH, OR TO LET OTHER BIKERS WHO MIGHT BE TRAVELLING SAY OVERSEA’S KNOW WHERE TO MEET AND MAKE FRIENDS OR EVEN STAY OVER.
Wanted: UUUMMM,LETS SEE, MAYBE A COOL T-SHIRT (XXL) LOOK I’M NOT FUSSY, I’D BE GRATEFUL FOR ANYTHING..EXCEPT SHIT…THANKS KEV.

http://forum.bikernet.com/ Again, in our forum board we have three categories for this under ?Travel?.

BILLY AZLIN
ATOKA, TN 38004 – USA
Suggestion: MORE STUFF FROM READERS
Wanted: LESS PAIN, MORE SEX

You said it, Billy. ~Layla

Some of our prizes are sponsored by Big Dog, 2Wheelers, Bikernet and more.

Continued On Page 5

Dick’s biz card.

After watching “The History of the Chopper” Jesse did on the Discovery Channel, it brought back memories of Dick Allen back in the day.

I was fresh out of the Marine Corps in 1971. I bought a H-D three wheeler and chopped it up. Saw the Dick Allen Springer front-end around the South Bay and had to have one. But I could not find Dick Allen. He must have been in jail again. I did find out about a machine shop on Artesia Blvd, in South Redondo Beach, where Dick worked in his early years. It turned out to be true.

Pops at 3 rivers run, Bob T in background.

I went in and asked the old machinist for a Dick Allen Springer front-end. He said, “Go ask Dick Allen.”

My response, “Dick is nowhere to be found, heard he was in jail.”

He yells back, “sound’s about right.”

I Came back the next day and went over the build for the new Springer. A few weeks went by when I got the call and the front-end was done. It still was a Dick Allen Springer because this old guy worked hand ‘n hand with Dick at the beginnings of the front end.

The Springer was in the corner of the shop. Going over to it, I yelled, “Where’s the chrome.”

His come back was, “Does this look like a chrome shop?”

Off to find a chrome shop I go. Then I mounted it on the old trike.

Dick Allen narrow springer front end side view—a classic.

Eights months later I sold the Trike for enough money to buy my new Shovelhead. As time rolled on I met Dick Allen with some of the South Bay guys I was riding with. Going to his shop was always an adventure. I learned always bring beer or other party favors with you; this was a good trade for work.

Dick Allen collector

I picked up a 12 spoke, 15-inch mag (Magnesium rim off drag cars) for the rear of the rigid Shovel. All of us knew him as “POP”. He was the only one, at the time who adapted the car wheel for a motorcycle. Being a 15-inch wheel there was no motorcycle tires on the market, so we ran a car tire, a 155/15 or 165/15. I ran a 155/15 Pirelli radial with low PSI for better handling.

Dick was the first to introduce large tires. This was a car radial 15.

Dick was definitely ahead of his time. He developed the Belt Drive, Disc Brakes, the long narrow Springer front-end that worked, Stainless steel one piece oil lines, 2-into-1 exhaust collector and many other items which he never got credit for. Pop lived the life to the fullest each day.

12 spoke mag with a 15515 Pirelli

I am still running the 12 spoke mag today except with 15-inch Avon tire. His shop was a cool place to hang once in awhile, we never knew what he would come up with next. Once he took a Chevy 327 and put it in a H-D trike, rolled out and hit the throttle. It had so much torque it twisted and threw the trike into a telephone pole. Just another day at the shop.

12 spoke mag with an Avon.

One thing that stands out was about 1974. We left the South Bay for the Kern River Run on Memorial Day weekend. Meeting up with a bunch of the So. Cal. Guys, we stayed a day at Kern River and than split to Three Rivers up north where there was a party on someone’s property. Can’t quite remember. A band was playing and there were lots of party favors. Everyone was loaded to the sky.

At night a barn fire was blazing, I remember everyone was dancing in the blaze of the fire including Pop. It was one hell of a weekend run, one of many. Monday night it was homeward bound for all. Running in the holiday traffic I missed the turn-off for fuel and ended riding by myself in this madness home. But then, in my rear view mirror, I noticed a light flicking in the distance moving fast down the white line of traffic. It was Pop, he slowed that old Knucklehead down looked over at me said, “Hey kid, lets go.”

Classic Pan from the era.

I was in my early 20s then. Off we went down the white line so fast the cars looked blurred. I swear it was the Twilight Zone. I guess I was as loaded as Pop. I will never forget this. Dick Allen was a pioneer for the industry. He was a true biker and rebel.

REST IN PEACE

–Bob T

Dick Allen Tribute Girl from Sam Dixon

BIKERNET NEWS FLASH–HEADING HOME

Hey,

We’re packing our shit and heading toward Brisbane for a couple days, then a 14 hour flight home. This news is just a tease. We’ll hit it hard Sunday, if I don’t have all the time differences screwed up. I’m anxious to return to my I-Mac and hammer out reports on this trip with stunning photos. You’ll meet many of the biker talents on the east coast of Australia.

Next we will run at our Assalt Weapan project like mad dogs. Hang on as we begin the sheet metal process. There’s a ton of content waiting to be posted, features, tech, Girls of Bikernet and more.

I need to work on the Bikernet Noise Study with D&D Exhaust systems. I’m giving a talk on noise at the National Coalition of Motorcyclists Convention in May. Then I’m the keynote speaker at the Banquet. I was supposed to work on that speech during my time here, but it’s slipped away. I’ll let you know what I’m going to say, even before I catch the flight to NC. Maybe I can hammer on the speech on the return flight.

Let’s hit the brief news so I can haul ass to the airport.

BIKER HIT IN HARBOR CITY, CA – HELP NEEDED–I’m looking for any information regarding a hit and run, between a harley and a dark suv on sun 3/25/07 around 6 pm on the corner of Anaheim and Gaffey.

It was a dark suv with possible driver side broken window and dent below window, with a dollar sign on the back window.

The suv made a illegal u turn in front of me messing up my bike and putting me in the hospital for 4 days.

Any information please contact Martin Solarez at #310-507-3612.

This is our friend/plumber/all around good guy. He has his own plumbing business and can’t afford to be laid up in the hospital while the fucker who did this to him roams free. Please contact Marty or the authorities if you think you know anything that my help bring the piece of shit hit and run driver in to face his mistakes.

Layla

ROLAND SANDS DESIGN INTRODUCES NEW PRODUCT FOR STOCK SOTFAILS– April 3, 2007 (La Palma, Calif.) ? Roland Sands Design has expanded their widely popular RSD Vintage Conversion Kit to include new fender and seat kits that accommodate a 200mm rear tire on stock Softails. The new product builds on the successful RSD Vintage line, while eliminating the need for costly wide-wheel conversions. These two new kits carry the same vintage look of the RSD Vintage Handlebars, RSD Vintage Gas Tank and Cap, and the RSD Vintage Cover Line.

The 200mm Vintage Seat Kit fits all 2000-2006 stock Softails and includes a hand laid fiberglass battery cover, CNC machined billet aluminum seat pivot, laser cut steel seat pan support, stainless steel ?torsion? seat springs, stainless steel spring perches, hydroformed steel seat pan and all necessary hardware. The RSD Vintage Seat Kit retails for $599.95.

The 200mm Vintage Fender Kit is designed to be used on OEM Harley Davidson Softail frames from 1990-2007 accommodating any tire up to 200mm. RSD recommends a 180mm tire on 18? x 5.5? rear wheel, or a 200mm tire on an 18? x 5.5? to 6? rear wheel to make this fender kit look clean. The kit includes CNC machined billet aluminum fender struts, one piece formed, 14-gauge steel fender and all necessary hardware. The RSD Vintage Fender Kit retails for $899.95.

Both kits are manufactured in the U.S.A. by Performance Machine, Inc. and are available through Drag Specialties. For more information, please contact your local Drag dealer or visit www.dragspecialties.com for product information and specs.

Please visit our website at www.rolandsands.com.

OCC HORRIBLE NIGHTMARE–I’m going with Photoshop. Even if it’s true it’s still a joke. But my 2? says horrible nightmare.Is this real or is this a joke?

JJ SOLARI BOOK ALMOST READY FOR THE PRINTER–ok ok. dont get hostile. settle down. it’s almost ready for the printer. just moving stuff around and tweaking the design. any circa 1975 easyriders reader who doesnt like this 400 plus pages of shit gets a free swing at my head with a crowbar.

S&S CARB TUNING QUESTION–I read the tuning of carbs but mine will miss when starting off the line and really getting on it, what would be your guess for this condition. Please keep in mind that this is a chrome shorty with the throat bored out, I have one of the D&M spike air cleaners and it all worked great when the “spike” was pointing forward but, when I pointed it straight up it started the missing.

–Venier, John
John.Venier@parsons.com

HOLLEY PERFORMANCE SPONSORS SOMERNITES POWER CRUISE–Holley Performance Products is proud to announce that it is the official sponsor of the Somernites Power Cruise to be held July 28th.

Please click the following link for full details. If you can find a place for this in your magazine, website news, club listings, or other news outlet please feel free to click on the image, then right click and save the image as a high resolution jpg.http://www.holley.com/HolleyNews/Holley%20Somernites%20Power%20Cruise%202007.asp

–Matthew Held

HARLEY-DAVIDSON JOINS BUELL AS FEMMOTO 2007 SPONSOR–MILWAUKEE (April 4, 2007) ? For the first time at Femmoto, female riders will have the opportunity to demo ride motorcycles on the street as well as the track, and Harley-Davidson is excited to be one of the event sponsors. Buell Motorcycle Company has offered on-track demo rides at Femmoto for the last two years, but this is the first time Harley-Davidson will be involved with the event, held at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway from October 5-7.

For the past five years, manufacturer demo rides at Femmoto were limited to on-track riding. The organizers, Sportbike TrackTime, decided to broaden the scope in 2007 to include street rides. They also changed the format to include a track day on Friday, October 5, for men and women riding their own motorcycles. Saturday and Sunday, October 6-7, will be women-only demo rides on the street and track.

In conjunction with the event, Las Vegas Harley-Davidson will host a Garage Party the evening of Thursday, October 4, geared toward non-riding women interested in getting into the sport of motorcycling. In addition, the dealer?s Rider?s Edge New Rider Course that weekend, October 5-7, will be exclusively for female students. Details on the Garage Party are still being finalized, but interested women can sign up now for the New Rider Course (which is limited to 12 participants) by contacting the dealer directly at 1-888-218-0744.

More details on Femmoto activities will be announced in the coming months. For more information and to register for the event, log onto www.femmoto.com. For updates on additional Harley-Davidson and Buell activities at Femmoto, keep an eye on the Women & Motorcycling section of www.harley-davidson.com (under Rider section).

Femmoto began in 2001 as a women-only track day, but has quickly evolved into much more. Today Femmoto is an organization that looks to fill the void for women motorcycle riders who are looking not only to improve their riding skills with on-track instruction, but who need information, contacts, and specialty services/products. The event also raises money for The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation “Race For The Cure”. A portion of Club Femmoto membership fees go towards this cause along with a donation from the proceeds of the event.

DAYTONA SPECIAL UP FOR AUCTION–Up for auction is the SHK ’06 Daytona Special: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290101328060&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:US:11

Cheers,

–Svenmeister–
Order SHK Swag now!www.SvenmeisterHardcoreKustoms.com/tshirts.htmSVENMEISTER HARDCORE KUSTOMSSven JekerPO Box 140358Edgewater,Co 80214United Stateswww.SVENMEISTERHARDCOREKUSTOMS.com

See Grown Men Cry!– Check out the closing stages of the recent Official European Championship of Custom Bike Building on YouTUBE … www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GGuV3OuVaEThis is a flavor of what the industry will see when the Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building moves into its new permanent home at Champions Park, on Lazelle Street, Sturgis.Share the vision, share the passion, share the opportunity!

See all the winning bikes and all 108 entries from the European Championship at: www.amdchampionship.com

For Sturgis bike registrations – Neil ‘ShowMaster’ Blaber at: “E-mail: neil@amdchampionship.com

For Champions Park vendor enquirys – Mary Beth Crowe at:”E-mail: info@sturgis-events.com

WELCOME TO LATINO BIKER MAGAZINE– http://www.latinobikermagazine.com/ Latino Biker Magazine takes pride in being the first online motorcycle lifestyle magazine for the Latino biker community, as a whole. We have known for quite a long time now, that the Latino rider is everywhere. From Daytona to Sturgis the crowds are filled with our brothers and sisters. Every one of us has been in those crowds, only to have our ears perk up when we hear our language being spoken from every corner and space, accentuated with our special laughter and salsa.

The time has finally arrived when Latino Bikers have a place to call home and a platform to show off; not only the work of up-and-coming or established bike builders, but all the events nationally geared to our unique riding community. Whether it be a local ride or event or a national event, we will provide the space for the info. If you are a Latino builder interested in getting national exposure, or even a garage builder who wants to show off his pride and joy, Latino Biker Magazine is the place. We’re always interested in getting to know anything and everything about what our Latino brothers and sisters are up to, when it comes to the biker lifestyle. So, if you ride and you have pride, Latino Biker Magazine is the online place you can call home.

SLANT CUT FUELIE SLIP-ONS–Expanding on their and rapidly growing selection of BASSANI exhaust systems, NORTH COUNTY CUSTOMS is now offering a FUELIE version of their SLANT CUT SLIP ON mufflers that is designed to be fully compatible with 2007 closed loop fuel injection systems. An exaggerated slant cut barrel provides a Heart-of-Steel image and unmistakable exhaust note. Featuring rugged 16 gauge steel construction with a show quality chrome finish the latest mufflers from Bassanipipes make a bold statement with massive 4? diameter tips.

Developed to enhance the appearance and performance of Road King, Road Glide, Dresser and Twin Cam models, these awesome mufflers fit precisely and quickly to your stock pipes using factory hardware.

Suggested retail for the FUELIE SLANT CUTS is $419.00. BASSANI exhaust systems are available exclusively from North County Customs. Call toll free: 866-439-4287. On the Web at www.bassanipipes.com

THAT’S ALL YOU’RE GONNA GET–until I’m stateside again. Wait, I want to give a RIP to Joe McPherson of Joe’s Garage. He passed away last weekend.

He owned several Southern Californian car dealerships and collected rare Indy race cars. Recently, with Don Whalen, he started collecting antique motorcycles. We photographed his museum, Joe’s Garage, and several of his bikes. After almost a year a 45 flathead, historic Indian, finally made it to the pages of American Iron. Joe read the article, and smiled approvingly, only a few hours before he passed away. He was in his 70s, and a good man to know. If you’re ever in Orange County, maybe you’ll have a chance to see his collection.

Ride Forever,

–Bandit

BIKERNET NEWS FLASH FROM AUSTRALIA–AUSSIE BIKE DEAL, HUNGARIANS WIN EUROPEAN SHOW, TEEN PRETENDS TO BE A COP, ASSALT WEAPAN RACING NEWS, MINI-HD TURNSIGNALS, BILLY NAYLOR OPENS A SHOP, SHOTGUN SOFTAIL SHOCKS RELEASED, BIKERNET TO MAKE USO TOUR, COURTNEY UPDATE, WEST COAST CHOPPERS LAYOFFS, RUCKER TANKS JESSE JURRENS COMES TO BIKERNET, BANDIT JUDGES RIP’S BAD RIDE SHOW, NEW SUCKER PUNCH SALLY MODELS, CUSTOM CHROME SHOW AND MOTORCYCLE STAMPS IN JEOPARDY–HANG ON

Continued From Page 1

This is Geoff from Ultimate Choppers. They have a badass chopper for sale. He’s on Roselle Street in Frankston, Australia 03-9789-7313

REQUEST FOR GIRLS OF BIKERNET CALENDAR– Ya gotta put together a Girls of Bikernet calendar. I would pay real money for one of them! Would look real good and would warm up the garage on cold winter days when I run out of propane for the heater.

–Papa Bear

We?re all over it. In fact, I think I?ll stay in Australia for a couple of months and produce the Down Under version, then I?ll fly to Europe, build a bike and clamor around Europe working on the next one. Sounds like a plan to me.–Bandit

Hungarians stop time at Official European Championship of Custom Bike Building–The 7th annual European Championship of Custom Bike Building once again took place in Mainz, Germany, during the Custom Chrome Europe Dealer Show, over the weekend of 24th-25th March.This year’s show attracted over 100 bikes from 18 countries, including the USA, Russia and Japan.

“The quality of these bikes is just incredible,” said both AMD publisher and show organizer, Robin Bradley and Custom Chrome President Holger Mohr.

This year’s show will be remembered for the number and quality of bikes entered by Eastern European builders, including the show’s overall winner, Hungarian, Sapka Muvek with his H.G. Wells tribute bike The Time Machine.

French builders completed the top three with Art Of Racer’s Rock ‘N Bike second and The Crosser, built by Riverside Motorcycles, taking third place.

In the supporting classes the Modified Harley class was taken by the Hank Young built P-Tang, which was entered by Giovanni Valla of Numero Uno Milano, Italy. In the Custom Chrome kit bike class, Helter Skelter from Germany’s TGS Motorcycles took the top honors.

TEEN POSED AS POLICE OFFICER– Melbourne police sayEx-Explorer held; policies under reviewBY JEFF SCHWEERS and J.D. GALLOP FLORIDA TODAY Melbourne police began an internal investigation and separately are reviewing what procedures may have been violated after the arrest of a former Explorer accused of breaking into the police station, driving off in a squad car and making a traffic stop.Ramon Perez Jr., 17, of West Melbourne was arrested Monday and charged with impersonating an officer, grand theft, burglary, unlawful use of a police badge and unauthorized use of a police radio frequency.

ASSALT WEAPAN BONNEVILLE RACING WIND TUNNEL INVESTIGATION– The March 2007 issue of Hot Rod magazine has a good article about the A2 wind tunnel in Mooresville, NC, that might give you some information on the smooth vs rough paint finish and the golf ball dimples. The dimples didn’t work on cars they have tested and since there are no formula one race cars or fighter planes with dimples, they must not work in these high speed, big buck applications either. My guess is they won’t work on a bike. Even though it’s about car testing, there is some other good aero information in the Hot Rod article so it might be worth a read. Good luck in September.

–Rick
rickr1955@bellsouth.net

Thanks Rick, this is the kind of investigative findings we need. I?m hoping to fly out to the University of Texas and work with Dave Rash, of D&D Exhaust, on wind tunnel experiments and learn something along the way.–Bandit

NEW MINI-BULLET LED TURN SIGNAL KITS FROM HARLEY-DAVIDSON —MILWAUKEE (March 30, 2007) ? The new Mini-Bullet LED Turn Signal Kit ($214.95) from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories features fast-acting, LED turn-signal elements in a chrome-plated, mini-bullet housing with a lens diameter of 1.75 inch. The compact front turn signals tuck in tight to the hand controls, while the smaller size trims the rear profile. Available with clear, smoked, or amber lenses, each kit includes front and rear signals and the required controller.

The Mini-Bullet LED Turn Signal Kit is available in multiple variations for many Harley-Davidson models. See dealer for fitment details. Installation requires separate purchase of the appropriate mounting kit.

Note: These signals were designed to meet European lighting requirements and are ECE approved. As part of the ECE requirements, the front turn signals do not operate as running lamps; they only operate as directional lamps. These turn signals do not conform to DOT requirements for North America because the lens diameter is smaller than DOT minimum requirements.

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.Sturgis Freedom Fighters Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Member 2005

1st Of Many New Developments at Wire Plus Powersports Electronics–Anaheim Hills, CA- Wire Plus Powersports Electronics has recently hired V-Twin Marketing as their first agency of record because of the profound success other V-Twin aftermarket manufacturers and custom bike builders have attained with their help. Rick Raus, owner of V-Twin Marketing is extremely proud to have landed this account because Wire Plus has been providing innovative high quality products for the V-Twin market for the past decade and continues to provide their customers with the most cutting edge technology needed to survive in the custom bike industry.

Marlon Crow, National Sales Manager for Wire Plus stated, ?We manufacture a complete line of self-diagnostic wiring systems to fit any stock or custom bike application. Some of the advantages that you get with products from Wire Plus include Solid State breaker technology (the breakers never have to be replaced) and a replaceable start relay that can be purchased at any auto parts store. Our power modules are submersible waterproof and very compact in size with harnesses that are engineered to be smaller than any other on the market.? Wire Plus? main focus is on the reliability of everything that they manufacture.

Wire Plus also manufactures the most innovative, state-of-the-art digital instrument panels in a rectangular or circular design which provide the rider with a speedometer, tachometer (bar graph tach on rectangle shape only), trip, odometer and all indicator light functions. Unlike most of the digital units on the market, Wire Plus instrument panels feature super bright display technology for true daylight readability with a built-in light sensor for auto dimming for night riding.

Industry leaders such as Arlen & Cory Ness, Kevin Alsop, Kendall Johnson, OCC, Jessie Jurrens, Russell Mitchell, Jerry Covington, Tim Edmondson, Bill Rucker, Wayne Kemp and Michael Prugh all use products manufactured by Wire Plus. In addition to these world renown custom bike builders, Wire Plus products can also be found on the following production bikes: American Performance Cycle/APC, Apollo Choppers, Big Bear Choppers, Covington Cycle City, DD Customs, Desperado, Edmondson Custom Built, Hellbound Steel Motorcycles, Paramount Custom Cycles, Pro-One, Proper Chopper, Ridley, Spencer Bowman Customs, Swift, V8 Choppers and Thunder Mountain Custom Cycles.

Rick Marler, President and owner of Wire Plus stated, ?We feel confident in this first series of moves that will take our business forward and we can?t wait to see the results that V-Twin Marketing will produce.? Rick Raus of V-Twin Marketing added, ?It will be exciting to be involved with the marketing of their innovative, state-of-the-art products and the new products that Wire Plus is planning on introducing to the industry.?

For those interested in obtaining more information on Wire Plus, you can reach them at (620) 221-2417 or check them out online at www.wire-plus.com or email them at sales@wire-plus.com. To reach V-Twin Marketing, please call (714) 280-8537 or email Rick Raus directly at rick@vtwinmarketing.com.

BILLY NAYLOR SHOP OPENING–Howdy, Billy Naylor here. Dangerous Doug just came into my shop and wanted me to tell you “Howdy”I saw you on American Chopper a week or so ago. We finally got our bike shop open and have built 3 and have 2 in the finishing stages and 2 more in roller I will send you some info in a week or so on what we got going.

–Billy
Sass4130@aol.com

FINALLY, THE SHOTGUN SHOCK COMES TO MARKET–How you guys doing, we met at the Vegas dealer show. We have developed a Softail air ride which gives the builder and user the ability to ride the bike slammed into the weeds. The unit has a one way valve in the body so that no outside air pressure is needed. The ride is great in any position since we have the ability to pressurize each side of the pistons. The Softail can be made to look like a rigid with the ride of a Roadking. www.myspace.com/shotgunshock

–J.D.

Here’s Loose Bruce and his wife on their five acreas outside Milicent in South Australia. Incredible home. Bruce shot photos for Easyriders back in the ’70s.

BIKERNET AND CALIFORNIA CUSTOMS USO TOUR UPDATE–I just spoke with the USO people and have a couple of things to remind and ask.I’m assuming everyone is a US citizen.Everyone needs a valid passport. If you don’t have one there is still time but they do take awhile to get so I’d ask everyone to get there’s if it’s needed.They will fly us business class, you’re able to upgrade but they can’t fly us first class since this is all paid for with donor money.

He wants me to ask if there are any special requirements from anyone.He also asked if we’d like to send along give-aways. I mentioned shirts. They will have things for the troops to get autographs on like pictures, etc. but if you have something special we need to discuss it with the tour manager when it gets to that point.

He asked if we’d be willing to go to Afghanistan as well as Kuwait and Iraq. A lot of people bypass the troops in Afghanistan.I think that covers everything so far. Thanks for supporting the project.

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM ROBERT “RC” CONROY, BIG BEND BIKERS FOR FREEDOM:The time has come once again when ALL concerned bikers need to come to theaid of their brothers and sisters. We have an opportunity in Florida topass SB620, a total [handheld and hands-free] cell phone ban while operatinga motor vehicle. IF we can, as was told to me by Senator Bullard of theSenate Transportation Committee, “MAKE A LOT OF NOISE.”

How does this affect us “bikers”? Simple, add to the victims of carelessdrivers’ left-hand turns the victims of cell phone impaired drivers. Whosuffers the most? US!!! Demonstrate that bikers across the country aretired of being victims! PLEASE CALL AND EMAIL the Florida SenateTransportation committee members NOW and ask them to support SB620:

“SB 620 (sponsored by Senator Bullard) Cellular Telephone Use/Vehicles[EPCC]: prohibits use of cellular telephone while operating motor vehicle;provides enhanced penalty for violation that occurs in posted school zone.” http://tinyurl.com/2cpdgx

Email copy and paste list:
baker.carey.web@flsenate.gov
bullard.larcenia.web@flsenate.gov
constantine.lee.web@flsenate.gov
joyner.arthenia.web@flsenate.gov
margolis.gwen.web@flsenate.gov
villalobos.alex.web@flsenate.gov
webster.daniel.web@flsenate.govhttp://tinyurl.com/o9bzh

PLEASE RESPOND … PLEASE MAKE YOUR CALLS AND SEND YOUR EMAILS ASAP … ANDPLEASE FORWARD!

–Bruce Arnold
Bruce@LdrLongDistanceRider.comhttp://www.ldrlongdistancerider.com/

ONLY THREE DAYS LEFT, SPREAD THE WORD– http://myworld.ebay.com/ebaymotors/donation4titoThe auction items for Courtney Tito Halowell!!!! BIKE WORKS EDITOR STILL NEEDS YOUR HELP– The editor of Bike Works recently had a stroke and can no longer work. Primedia hired him to produce truck magazines and he recently left the headquarters. When the current editor of Bike Works left they asked Courtney if he would produce Bike Works on a freelance basis, as a test, before taking him on full time.

Courtney is a veteran rider, has a long history with motorcycle magazines and is well respected in the industry. Suddenly he was cut down with a stroke and could no longer work. Freelance stature didn’t afford him company health benefits and his Cobra health plan was out of wack. There are several items donated by several company’s across the US. Go and bid on the items and help a fellow biker out! If you would like to donate items please email a photo of the item and description to donation4tito@johnsonsgarage.com

MORE WEST COAST CHOPPERS LAYOFFS–We were recently informed of 20 more employees laid off from WCC, then this just in:This letter is to inform you that I have been discharged from West Coast Choppers. I thank you for your support and friendship. I am networking to find suitable employment. If you have any knowledge of possible opportunities let me know. Once again thank you.

–Simo
tenesmus23@yahoo.com

Simo worked for WCC for years, then for Tony Carlini, building his product line. Most Recently he returned to WCC as the GM to help Jesse reorganize after a large portion of the staff was removed.

RUCKER PERFORMANCE INTRODUCES SUPERFORM ALUMINUM TANKS–FORT WORTH ? March 27, 2007 ? Rucker Performance has partnered with Superform USA to introduce a patented process and distribute innovative aluminum gas tanks to the motorcycle industry. Superform USA is a leading supplier of aluminum and composite superformed components, supplying products world wide to major companies such as Boeing, Airbus Industries, British Aerospace, Siemens and Aston Martin.

With unrivalled technical experience, Superform USA has patented a new aluminum tank used in the Rucker Performance Assassin production model. The superplastic forming process of the aluminum can be tailored to particular shapes and formed in a range of alloys. The process and tanks do not exist anywhere else in the V-Twin motorcycle industry.

Builders and manufacturers have limitless options: a brand new design or the Rucker Performance tank. Lower volume manufacturers can have production tanks without the large volume, eliminating the high costs of tooling or the need to purchase standard tanks that require hours of fabrication labor hours.

Additionally, the use of lightweight aluminum decreases some of the weight that is added to the motorcycle. Superform tanks have unique shapes and styles with a short lead time.

To learn more about the Superform tanks, contact Bill Rucker at 817.838.3200.

The Devil is taking a break from building Layla?s bike for a new project.

INDEPENDENT CYCLE, RALLY 50 AND LEGEND AIR COMES TO BIKERNET–I WOULD LIKE TO COMPILE A CREATIVE WAY TO MARKET ALL THREE OF MY COMPANIESON BIKERNET.COM AND OF COURSE BEAT YOU UP ON PRICE AT THE SAME TIME.

WE ARE MAKING A TRANSITION TO WEB BASED MARKETING FOR 80-90% OF OURADVERTISING.

WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN WORKING ME A PRICE TO MARKET THE THREE COMPANINESTOGETHER? IF THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE COULD I COMBINE LEGEND AND ICI AND DO ASEPARATE PROGRAM FOR TOP 50 RALLY PARK?

PLEASE CHECK OUT TOP50RALLYPARK.COM IT HAS COVERAGE OF OUR 2006 SEASON ANDWE WILL BE UPDATING EVENTS AND OTHER ITEMS IN APRIL AS WE ARE STILLFINALINZING FOR 2007.

–Jesse Jurrens
jesse@independentcycleinc.com
P. 605.737.4200 x14
F. 605.737.4207

RIPS BAD RIDE COMING?BANDIT TO JUDGE BIKE SHOW?Hey, Just wanted to keep it fresh with Rip’s BAD Ride. A man named Ray Martinez from the administrative body for the BAD Ride will be calling you very soon…maybe even today.

Thanks again for your generosity and involvement. Oh, also, I’m very pleased with the outcome of the QT Expo last weekend! I had a good time…good to see you.

— Bogart.

SUCKER PUNCH SALLYS ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF 2007 MODEL LINE–SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ ? March 15, 2007 ? With the overwhelming success of Sucker Punch Sallys manufactured bikes, it’s announcing today the launch of a 2007 model line featuring four models including a 66 Bobber, the Base Model Chopper, the Hot Rod FLH Shovelhead, and the SPS Sled, a model line reaffirming Sucker Punch Sallys as the quintessential grassroots motorcycle manufacturer.

Sucker Punch Sallys’ 2007 ’66 Bobber has no rake and no stretch and features an 80″ motor, 5-speed transmission, 16-inch spoke wheels front and rear with a 180mm tire in the rear, an open belt primary, and flat track bars. The Base Model also comes standard with an 80″ motor. The Hot Rod FLH Shovel comes with a 96″ S&S Shovelhead motor. The new SPS Sled is a retro-50’s bobber with a center console, wide bars, 16″ white walls front and rear, and an 80″ motor, the company’s bike made for cruising.

Known for its commitment to quality and good value, Sucker Punch Sallys has been producing great looking, affordable custom choppers since its inception in 2002. Recently SPS moved its manufacturing facility to Scottsdale, Arizona to keep up with demand. According to Christian Clayton, the General Manager, “We are really excited about the new model line and think it will offer customers more options with the new SPS sled. Not only are we still making the bar-hoppers we’re famous for, but now we’ve got a retro Fat Bob for people who want to travel a little further.”

All Sucker Punch Sallys bikes come standard with Avon tires and are lubricated exclusively with Lucas oils.

Sucker Punch Sallys, located in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a custom motorcycle manufacturer that specializes in old school stripped down motorcycles. Sucker Punch Sallys was founded by Donny Loos of Don’s Custom Cycles and Jeff Cochran of Sinwear in 2002. They have a combined 22 years in the custom motorcycle industry and have been featured in American Iron, Ironworks, The Horse Backstreet Choppers, Easyriders, V-Twin, Street Chopper, V-Twin, Barnett’s, CycleSource, Sync Magazine,Hot Bike and numerous international motorcycle magazines.

Donny and Jeff have won three best of shows at the Columbus Easyriders show, first place at the Daytona Boardwalk Show in 2004 and first place at the Tropical Tattoo Old School Chopper Show. Please visit Sucker Punch Sallys on the Web at www.suckerpunchsallys.com Christian Clayton at Christian@suckerpunchsallys.com or call him at (480) 778-9500.

Sucker Punch Sally base model.

LEROY-THOMPSON CHOPPERS ANNOUNCES BIKER BUILD-OFF FRAME RELEASE– Mentor, OHIO ? March 15, 2007 ? Leroy-Thompson Choppers announces the release of the Ethyl frame, the frame used on Leroy-Thompson’s industrially inspired, hot rod Biker Build-Off bike, a bike that showcases Scott Webster’s imagination, combining simplicity of design and raw hand-formed metals with functionality and high performance parts. The BBO bike is clean and begs to be ridden. Like all Leroy-Thompson products, the Ethyl is the hand-made creation of Scott Webster and built with inspiration drawn from his passion for hot rods, motorcycle racing, V-twins and his industrial background of the Midwest.

The Ethyl is a low and sleek frame with all kinds of curves, built for housing a 250mm tire. All Leroy-Thompson Choppers’ frames are manufactured with 1/8 and 3/16″ DOM tubing for strength and durability, and the Ethyl has a bent and drilled down tube for killer looks. The Ethyl is available 3″ out with either a 30 or 40-degree rake and 31″ neck height, and in either a Sportster or Big Twin platform. Like all Leroy-Thompson frames, the Ethyl is also available as a roller. Everything is machined in house, including the axle covers and neck.

Leroy-Thompson Choppers is the brainchild of Scott Webster and is located just outside of Cleveland, Ohio. Leroy-Thompson Choppers specializes in handcrafted motorcycles and custom parts, and has been featured in the book The Art of the Bobber, as well as magazines such as Barnett’s, Cycle Source, Freeway, Hot Bike, Hot Rod’s Bike Works, IronWorks, Street Chopper, The Horse Backstreet Choppers, WILD, and most recently on an upcoming episode of The Biker Build-Off on the The Learning Channel, check your local listings.

You can visit Leroy-Thompson on the Web at www.leroythompsonchoppers.com or call them at 440-266-1635.

Contact Bob T. at r. r.tron@verizon.nettron@verizon.net if you?d like to be a sponsor.

SPORTSTER RIGID FRAMES FROM SOUTH AFRICA–I?m a small time builder from South Africa. I design and build my own rigid frames for Sportsters. Currently have three different styles namely Chopper, Bobber and Pro street. We go as wide as a 300 tire. Would like to send a few pics of my work just to hear what you think. Is that OK?

–Mike peter
pro1thunda@telkomsa.net

We?re all about anything that moves in this industry. Feel free to send us anything about bikes, babes, new products, noise issues, you name it, we?ll spread the word.–Bandit

CUSTOM CHROME EUROPEDEALERSHOW 2007–AMD European Championship of Custombike-Building.March 24th and 25th 2007, Phoenixhall, Mainz/Rhine/GermanyFull House: The 2007 CUSTOM CHROME EUROPE DEALER SHOW exceeded everybody?s expectations both in terms of attending dealers, visitors and bikeshow-participants. The quality of the motorcycles exhibited blew everybody?s mind ? as some 70+ never before seen custombikes premiered at what now is the most excelent bikeshow of europe.

Europe?s market leader in Customparts-Distribution again has teamed up their show with the AMD European Championship of Custombike-Building to create one of the best Custombike-Shows Europe has to offer. More than 110 awesome custombikes from all over the globe ? this years line-up included entries from Russia, USA, Japan and Columbia (!!!) participated, competing for three tickets to the World Championship at Sturgis/South Dakota in August 2007 and prices worth no less than 30.000 ? !. ?The quality seen in these bikes is just incredible?, stated both Custom Chrome President Holger Mohr and AMD Show Organizer Robin Bradley. And the show will be remembered for the huge and high-class participation of east-european customizers, with Sapka Muvek from Hungary taking the European Championship to eastern Europe with his amazing ?Time Machine?. If you ever thought how Jules Verne would have build a motorcycle ? this was the answer! Runner-up ?Art of Racer? won the jury with what might be remembered as the most compact Sportster ever: ?Rock ?n? Bike was as ?Bonsai? as a Sporty can be, with the frame running supertight around the ?customized? engine block. 2nd runner-up came from France too, featuring a great tribute to the 1924 Pikes Peak Hillclimb Race: Riverside Motorcycles from Vallon Pont d?Arc named the unique handcrafted machine ?The Crosser?. With a stunning new Bonneville theme bike ?Goodwood?, Fred Krugger won 4th and the best german bike by TGS-Motorcycles, ?Seppster? followed at 5th position. The ?Custom Chrome Motorcycle? class, based on the popular kitbikes, was won by TGS motorcycles with their entry ?Helter Skelter? and the modified Harley was taken by storm by the US-build Young Chopper?s creation ?P-Tang?, that is now owned by Numero Uno at Milano. Adding to the immense attraction of the show, both Jammer President Ed Martin and S&S President Brett Smith picked their favourite Top-3 bikes, backed up with very attractive prices including S&S 96 Cubic Inch engine, gearbox and exhaust system!

The Custom Chrome Europe Dealershow featured 21 european and 21 US Top-class manufacturers of V-Twin customparts, spareparts and accessories, answering to the dealers and the public, which can visit the show on Sunday. Several manufacturers offer seminars on their products, including S&S, Barnetts, Mikuni and Belt Drive Ltd.. A special seminar was focusing on the successful line of CUSTOM CHROME MOTORCYCLES.

?The sales department left the show smiling?, understated CCE Sales and Marketing Director Andreas Scholz, the Dealer Part of the event, ?even more important: by setting an example and inspiring the attending dealers with the bikes shown, we will boost the market ? and we are ready to ship the parts immediately. In fact, the work for us will start after the show in the shipping department!? 300 Custom Chrome Dealers with 800 shop crew members from over 30 countries attended the dealer-part of the event, several thousand visitors crowded into the Bikeshow and event halls on sunday.

This years ?Special Guests? included Indian Larry Legacy bike builder PAUL COX, world renowned Custombike photographer MICHAEL LICHTER, CCE designer and legendary bike-builder JOHN REED who left the show with new impressions and stunned by the variety of styles exhibited. Lichter, who was attending the meeting on invitation by Custom Chrome won the audience with his classic ?Sturgis? Images and two slide shows. ?We are looking forward to the 2007 season with great confidence?, said Holger Mohr, we have very interesting new products for all Twin Cam riders and our Custom Chrome Motorcycle line is running well.? There is no doubt that the CUSTOM CHROME EUROPE DEALER SHOW 2007 was a full success!

www.custom-chrome-europe.com

MOTORCYCLE POSTAGE STAMPS TO BE DESTORYED!–Did you know that once the price of postage goes up in a few months all of the unsold motorcycle postage stamps will be destroyed?

Many people worked incredibly hard to make certain motorcycles were represented on postage stamps. It would be a shame for them to go to waste.The Sturgis Post Office has a large supply of the stamps available for purchase. You can order them by calling 800.275.8777.

Just thought you?d like to know. Tell your friends.

–Pepper S. Massey
Executive Director, Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame
605.347.2001
999 Main Street, Sturgis, SD 57785
fax 605.720.0632

The telephone number I submitted for motorcycle postage stamp purchase is to a location outside of Sturgis. I?ve heard that when people call they are told there are no more stamps. INCORRECT.

This is the direct line to the Sturgis post office and they do have stamps they?d be happy to sell rather than destroy. 605.347.0100.Not trying to make money for the post office, just trying to get the word out to those of you who care. Pepper

Here’s Mick at Mike’s shop installing D&D Exhaust on Glen’s King.

THAT?S THE NEWS FROM DOWN UNDER–Yesterday we spent the entire day messing with Glenn?s ?97 Road King at Mike?s Custom Motorcycle Shop, here in Nooseville. Instead of baggage I hauled over a box of real dresser duals from D&D and a new set of Performance Machine brakes. So yesterday we went to work. Mike the owner reminded me of my best riding partner in the ?70s, Mick Carr. Mike?s right-hand man turned out to be Big Mick, a 20-year member of the Gypsy Jokers in Australia. What a group. We laughed poked fun at each other all day. There wasn?t a serious face in the joint, the way it should be. We talked bikes, riding, travels to the states, and as usual I learned from guys who have to deal with custom bikes and Harleys on a daily basis.

I would like to compliment D&D on their exhaust system. It was complete, sturdy, came with all the fasteners and detailed instructions. Everything fit. The toughest part was removing the H-D stock transmission/pipe bracket. We just about had to remove the entire front of the transmission to unleash one goddamn bracket bolt. D&D pipes come with their own flanges, no springs and complete heat shields already in place. I?ll get a report on performance later today.

The PM brakes were easy, but we replaced the Timken bearings and seals, re-greased the bearings and discovered Glenn?s new hydraulic brake lines were too short. Rock ?n? Roll, there?s always some little glitch, when it comes to working on bikes. Hang on for future reports.

Ride Forever,

–Bandit