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Read More July 6, 2006 Part 2
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 1
STURGIS TOO SOON–29 days till we haul ass for Sturgis! Springer shot in Deadwood 2004 and photoshop’d onto Rushmore .
Ride Hard Bros, NEW WIDE REAR TIRE KIT FOR HARLEY-DAVIDSON V-ROD–MILWAUKEE (May 29, 2006) – The new V-Rod Wide Rear Tire Kit ($3,495.95) from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories gives many 2005-06 Harley-Davidson VRSC V-Rod models the same menacing, full-fender look first offered on the 2006 Screamin’ Eagle V-Rod model. The kit includes a Dunlop D419 240R/18 rear tire to replace the standard Dunlop 180/55ZR18 74W tire, plus an 18-inch Reactor five-spoke custom rear wheel and matching Reactor sprocket, a chrome wide-tire swingarm, a chrome sprocket compensator bowl, chrome upper and lower belt guards, 38mm-stroke shock absorbers, and a primed rear fender. No frame or powertrain alterations are required for installation. Rear fender color-matched painting service may be arranged through the Harley-Davidson Spectrum Paint Program. Add a matching Reactor 19-inch front wheel (sold separately) for a complete custom conversion. A V-Rod Wide Rear Tire Kit is available to fit 2006 VRSCA and VRSCD models (P/N 43687-06), and 2005 VRSCA and VRSCB models (P/N 43820-05). A new Fender Base Plate Kit (P/N 51098-06, $129.95) fits the wider fender and provides the attachment point for upright and luggage rack options. See dealer for ordering and fitment details. For additional information on Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories, see your local Harley-Davidson dealer or visit the Harley-Davidson Web site at www.harley-davidson.com. To find a dealer near you, call toll free 1-800-443-2153 in the U.S.A. or Canada. CHAIRMAN SUBMITS A REQUEST TO BIKERNET–Hey Bandit I’m a one of the chairman for the American Biker Party and I would like to know how to put or can you put our web sit on your web site. Check it out for yourself it’s http://www.americanbikerparty.com. We would appreciate it, if you can do this. I also have been a subscriber for three years and think your web site is a really righteous site. — Frank (Claim Jumper) Rios No problem. This is a free Bikernet Service, available to anyone who is cool. There’s only one problem, waking up Snake to get the job done. May take a couple of weeks.–Bandit REPORT IS IN ON HOT BIKE ROSE BOWL BIKE FEST–The Hot Bike Rose Bowl Bikefest June 24th and 25th was the place to be if you were looking for the biggest and the best manufactures and vendors that the West Coast has to offer. Horse Power Promotions and R.G Canning Events put on this two day motorcycle marketplace and custom bike show at the world famous Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. After outgrowing previous So Cal venues for the West Coast Super Show, Hot Bike Magazine decided to give the Rose Bowl a shot. The outside circle was filled with vendors and manufactures like Performance Machine, American Iron Horse, Big Dog, Saxon, Incubus Alloy, and Havoc Industries and over a hundred more booths with everything to fill your needs. Glendale Harley-Davidson Buell one of the major sponsors had some of their inventory on display as well as info on the Love Ride 2006. Lifestyle Cycles the events other major sponsor had a stage in the middle of their area with a non-stop work being done to motorcycles. Saturday S&S replaced one of their motor that had over 100,000 mile with a brand new one. The old motor is going to be displayed at the S&S museum. Lifestyle Cycles also had a fashion show with some hot women wearing the hottest new riding apparel. Live music rocked the Bikernet.com sponsored music stage all weekend long while David Chaves International Trials Pro thrilled crowds with his balance and agility on his stunt course. The Martin Bros were the featured builders of the show making the long trip from Texas. Scott Long and Trevelen showed off their Discovery bikes along with other top builders like Gard Hollinger, Jesse Rooke and Tom Foster. Maxim Magazine hottie Kerri Kasem was on hand to take pictures and sign some autographs, as if the warm summer weekend needed more heat. Incubus and Martin Bros Alloy awarded the top bikes in the custom bike show with one of kind handcrafted trophies. If you are into 2-wheeled machines then check out www.horsepowerpromotions.com for more info on up and coming events BIKERNET 5-BALL RACING TEAM ART CHANGES–Here’s the 2 versions of the art with the type roughed in.One with Bikernet.com at the bottom and one with it on the helmet.Had to take the snaps off the helmet to fit it in. If you like one, I’ll clean up the type and make it fit the image better, then color it.I’ll have to change the way it was colored from before to work the orange 5-Ball in. –CGK Let us know which one you like, or your thoughts. –Bandit WHITEHORSE CHRISTMAS IN JULY SALE–Place an order online between now and midnight on Thursday, July 20, 2006, and save 10% on all regular-priced merchandise. Follow the link below to search or browse our online catalog for apparel, gear, tools, gadgets, books, and accessories. The special 10% discount will not appear on our checkout page, but we will deduct 10% when we process your order. This is a rare chance to get a reduced price on that special item from our catalog that you’ve always wanted, but you must follow this link. .July Christmas Sale link or refer to EN0610 to qualify for the discount. NEW BIKER TUNES COMING TO STURGIS–Copperopolis, CA – Renowned motorcycle historian, musician and storyteller, Charlie Brechtel, will be releasing Iron Buffalo at the world famous Buffalo Chip Campground during their 25th Anniversary Celebration. Iron Buffalo is a fitting tribute to Indian Larry and David Mann. The title track, Iron Buffalo will take you on a trip to Gasoline Alley where you can imagine Larry wrenching on a bike. Ghost Cowboy is a melodic journey to the wide-open spaces of the old west where you will see visions of the Ghost Rider, made famous by Dave Mann. Sonny Keaton, a true “Old School Biker and Bike Builder” collaborated with keyboardist Ray Ray Crow to compose a true biker anthem, Horses of Iron and Steel; this song is what being a biker is all about. The album also includes songs about Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductees along with future members of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. This will be the third Album for the Charlie Brechtel Band, and with each song you will feel the wind in your face and the sweet vibration of the road. Charlie will take you on a journey through time and boundaries that have been closed to all but a chosen few, he will take you into the Inner Circle. Charlie also produces a weekly radio show on the Internet at www.big7productions.com and has a number of videos available. To purchase your copy of Iron Buffalo or any of the other CD’s, DVD’s or listen to the radio show, go to www.big7productions.com BIKERNET REPORTER EMBEDDED IN SHUTTLE INVESTIGATION–The Space Shuttle Just Took Off.We watched it from our front yard. Not big as close-up, but still very Impressive. –Rogue COOLBETH RIDES SCREAMIN’ EAGLE HARLEY-DAVIDSON TO SECOND CONSECUTIVE VICTORY IN LAKE ODESSA–LAKE ODESSA, Michigan (July 3, 2006) – Last week Screamin’ Eagle Flat Track rider Kenny Coolbeth didn’t even qualify for the AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Twins championship series event at Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima, Ohio. This week Coolbeth did everything he could to forget what happened in Ohio. Winning a race goes a long way toward healing a missed event, and Coolbeth took advantage of that on Sunday during the fourth round of the AMA Flat Track championship season. Coolbeth finished on top of the podium at I-96 Speedway, collecting his first victory of the season and his first as a Harley-Davidson factory rider. It was his second consecutive win at that track. “It was such an exciting race and I still can’t believe we got the win,” Coolbeth said. “It hasn’t even really sunk in yet and I’m just so proud to be able to give my new team an event win. Everything was going well for us in Lake Odessa and it was a blast riding out there. I didn’t want the race to end. I could have kept going for a few more laps at least.” Coolbeth took home two wins as well as four other podium finishes in 2005. He said this victory, however, was even more special. “It was a dream of mine to race on this factory Harley-Davidson team and it means a lot to be able to earn my first win with this crew,” Coolbeth said. “We have championship goals and winning this race helped re-energize those goals.” The win aided Coolbeth’s major jump up in the AMA Flat Track point standings. Coolbeth was ninth going into the weekend’s event. He walked away from the event in third place, behind points leader Chris Carr and Screamin’ Eagle teammate Rich King. King is 12 points behind leader Quality Checked Certified Pre-Owned Ford’s Chris Carr as the team prepares to head to the next event on the AMA tour this weekend. Coolbeth is just 13 points behind Carr. For much of the race Coolbeth’s biggest challenge came from Jared Mees, one of his Wrecking Crew teammates. To honor the successful racing teams in the 1920s, Harley-Davidson designated two riders – Jared Mees and Bryan Smith – to form a four-man Wrecking Crew team along with King and Coolbeth. This weekend would have made the Wrecking Crew of the past proud. Mees, a Clio, Michigan, resident, led the race until lap 16 when Coolbeth moved around him for the lead. On lap 22, Mees had a flat tire after sliding high in Turn One on his Johnny Goad-tuned/Texter Harley-Davidson XR 750. Mees rode at the front of the pack for an event-best 15 laps. He finished 17th overall. Coolbeth led 10 laps. “I was really disappointed about the tire going down because the bike was running so fast,” Mees said. “I had it in a great groove and I was having a lot of fun running up front and mixing it up with Kenny.” King rode his Screamin’ Eagle entry to fourth place while Smith, sponsored by Pat Moroney’s/Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson, rounded out the top five. It was the first time this season three of the four Wrecking Crew riders have finished in the top five of the same event. “We’re so happy that Kenny got his first win with the Screamin’ Eagle team,” Harley-Davidson Racing Manager Anne Paluso said. “It’s great to see the team working together so well and being such a competitive force on the track. Jared would have been right up at the top of the pack if he didn’t have a tire go down. For that to happen but still have three of the four Wrecking Crew riders in the top five is a great weekend.” Mees qualified in the No. 1 position and finished first in his heat. Coolbeth was fourth in qualifying before going on to win to his heat. Smith, another Michigan resident, rode his Moroney’s Harley-Davidson into the No. 6 position in qualifying. The next AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Championship event is the Half-Mile GNC Twins race at the West Virginia Motor Speedway in Mineral Wells, W.Va., on July 8. LA CALENDAR SHOW COMING RIGHT UP– I dropped my bike off at the Honolulu docks today to be shipped to San Diego. I will pick it up on the 14th of July. I was just wondering if there was a pre-registration form I needed to fill out for the L.A. Calendar Motorcycle Show? I went to the website and tried to look for a form, found one for vendor information, but could not locate one for entering the bike show. I recall with the Tiki Chop, Roger registered at the gate. Could you please let me know if I need to pre-register the bike. Thanks for all your help and look forward to seeing you again. Take care and keep up all the great articles! –George Lindemann AVON TECH QUESTION OF THE WEEK–What causes dry rot (weather checking, fine spider line cracks on sidewall of tire)? Dry Rot/Weather Checking (fine lines on Sidewall) This is usually seen in the spring after bikes have been stored for the winter. Also very hot, sunny climates are hard on tires. Ways to avoid dry rot: –Sukoshi Fahey (Ms.) Continued On Page 3
Whiplash Biker Photog 
– Keep both tires up off the ground in winter
– Use mild soap & water to clean tires, not tire cleaners or preservatives
– Avoid exposure to fertilizer, ozone, extremes in temperature
– Do not park under electrical wires nor near electric motors e.g. furnaces
– Don’t store near gasoline or solvent tanks (hydrocarbon fumes)
– Use bike cover to protect tires from extreme sun conditions
Sales Manager, North America
July 6, 2006 Part 1
By Bandit |
Hey,
We’re burnin’ daylight, goddamnit. Whatta year, and we’re over the halfway mark. I was in the shop to midnight working on the V-Bike and praying for Jim Murillo to complete the paint. Next weekend is the LA Calendar show. I’d feel damn good if the V-Bike was running for that show, but I may be dreamin’.
Here’s the deal. I woke up the morning after the 4th holiday and thought it was Monday and I had a full week in front of my sorry butt. That wasn’t the case. Over half of the week was gone. I made a plan to work on the bike during the day and Bikernet at night. The phone started ringing and my plan fell on its face.
I set to the wiring last night, hydraulic brake lines, and miscellaneous projects. I spoke to Accurate Engineering last night. My engine will be shipped in 6 days. I made a kickstand last night, the last part that needed to be fabricated. I’ll finish it tonight. Hopefully you’ll see a tech on our progress by Saturday and an image of the V-Bike here in the news today. It’s actually all good as the clich? goes. I’ll finish the stand tonight, hook up the clutch cable and start the final wiring. As I crawl into bed after midnight, I’ll kneel down beside the bed. Like a kid, and pray for parts to arrive, paint to be completed and powder coating supplier to call. Then I’ll check my supply of bullets. Let’s hit the news:
CYRIL HUZE LAUNCHES NEW WEB SITE–See All Our New BikesIn A New Redesigned Website. You can also enjoy a feature on his new creation for the Firemen’s union on Bikernet: http://www.bikernet.com/bikebarn/PageViewer.asp?PageID=991. Check it out.
Cyril Huze Custom Inc.
Tel: 561-392-5557
Fax: 561-392-9923
http://www.cyrilhuze.com
BONNEVILLE CLASS CORRECTION–I was confused and a brother pointed out that our 45 was destined for the 750 class and not the 500 cc record. I immediately contacted brother Rodan, a lifetime member of the SCTA, and a judge. Here’s what he said:
–Tom
BUTTEN CYCLE COMES TO BIKERNET FROM ACROSS THE ATLANTIC–Hey Bandit, ho’ws things your side of the water? Allow us to introduce ourselves….Sammy and John (Butten Cycle). Please take a minute to look at our site and enclosed is a piccy of a little old school thing we’ve just built…
It has many features including adjustable motor mounts so you can go up a rear tyre size or two by simply loosening the mount bolts and sliding the motor across to line up. We will be manufacturing these from August 1st and will be 3 sizes (150-180, 200 – 250 and 250 – 300). No more offset extensions and wide ass kits. This means that the rider can run the smaller wheel or a wide one. It can all be changed it the backyard!!
–Johnny and Sam
29 Fort Street,
Sandown, Isle of Wight,
PO36 8BA, UK
Call/Fax;
UK; (01983) 407461
International; (+44) 1983 407461
Email; http://buttencycle@aol.com
RFR SHOOTS TRIUMPH COLLECTION OVER 4TH OF JULY–Here is what I spent part of my 4th of July in the company of, did a more in-depth shoot on the Black Bird. There were two more running ones in the garage along with a 1935 BSA and two more down in the shop.
The BB is being submitted for consideration into the motorcycle museum.
I was mainly shooting the ’53 Black Bird he is submitting pictures to the motorcycle museum for possible consideration. The bike has a lot of hard to find items the seat is original, apparently you can buy the seat badges and rivet them on. The tool box, the tire pump, carb all hard to find items.
If you look hard, the rear suspension is in the hub itself & the hub uses 5″ bearings which he was able to locate. The white bike is pretty rare as well, it is one that was built to be used as a cop bike, but never happened.
Today is day one at the new job, the owner of the bikes and job was showing me pictures from when he and his buddy rode to Snake River for the Evil Knievel jump.
–RFR
FTW CONTROLS FROM JESSE JAMES–Ever wonder if billet aluminum is so rugged and tuff why they don’t build real stuff like trains and bridges out of it? Me either, but one thing is for sure and that is there’s nothing better than good ole AMERICAN STEEL. And, if these “creepy” looking controls from WCC are any indication, Mother Steel is poised to make a big comeback. Designed by Jesse and meticulously fabricated at the West Coast Choppers facility in Long Beach, the lean, hardcore styling of these new forward control assemblies is as user friendly as it is intimidating to look at.
Developed for Softail applications and finished using space age plating techniques each piece is hand TIG welded and fit with aircraft quality bushings machined to provide smooth, precise pedal transition. Featuring a slick master cylinder configuration and “Bear Trap” style pegs, these babies are unmistakably WCC. Priced right, there’s no excuse not to PAY UP.
You’ll find specific pricing, fit and finish details along with the entire line of WCC accessories, clothing, Videos and more at www.westcoastchoppers.com.
CUSTOM CHROME KICKS OFF T-SHIRT/CATALOG OFFER–We are kicking off a retail catalog promotion that includes a free t-shirt and would like to provide you a fresh piece of art for a link. Please let me know if this posses any obstacles. I’m passing on your contact information to our web guy, John Gomez and he can provide you any relevant material.
Thanks in advance for your help!
-michael
BIKERS HIT THE STREETS TO BENEFIT ANIMALS–Downey, CA- Nothing on two wheels compares to the roar of a Harley- Davidson Hog and nothing shows more support for SEAACA’s animals and programs than columns of motorcycles rolling into the SEAACA animal care center after a 100 mile fundraising ride scheduled for Sunday, July 9, 2006! The event is called the CRITTER RUN III and it is organized by the Mid-Cities HOG Chapter based out of Downey, and L.A. Harley-Davidson located in South Gate, California. Proceeds from the event benefit the animals and programs at the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority (SEAACA).
The ride begins at the L.A. Harley-Davidson located at 13300 Paramount Blvd. in South Gate, at 9am. All motorcycles are welcome. The 100 mile scenic, southern California poker run ride ends at SEAACA , located at 9777 Seaaca St. in Downey. The festivities will include a biker sized BBQ lunch, live music, pet adoptions, tours of the animal care center, custom bikes on display, a bounce house for the kids, an appearance by the Laker Girls and cash prize raffles to be held at 2:30 p.m. sharp. Raffle tickets, good for lunch, the ride and cash prizes, cost $10.00 each and may be purchased at L.A Harley-Davidson or the SEAACA animal care center. Proceeds are tax deductible and winner need not be present to win the raffle prize.
Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner actress Linda Blair will be at SEAACA to welcome the riders and show her support for this wonderful event. Ms. Blair, an avid animal rights proponent, founded the non-profit foundation World Heart Foundation and devotes her life to helping animals in need, particularly homeless(domestic) pets.
CRITTER RUN III – Benefiting the animals and programs at SEAACA.
* Sunday, July 9th, 2006
*9am – Ride Starts @ L.A Harley-Davidson (13300
Paramount Blvd. in South Gate)
*12:30 pm – Festivities begin @ SEAACA (9777 Seaaca St. Downey
**Pet adoptions, tours, live music, BBQ lunch (vegetarian too), bounce house, Laker Girls, cash prize raffles and special celebrity guest, Ms. Linda Blair!
For more information on this fantastic fundraising event for the animals, please call Aaron Reyes at (562) 803-3301 x223, Sheila Schumaker at L.A. Harley-Davidson at (562) 408-6088
MC ADVANTAGES SUMMER SPECIAL–We have combined with MC Advantages to create a summer special that can not be beat.
Our platform was paired up with a Round Engine and drive-train package to re-create the look of our famous “No 1” boardtrack bike which took 10th at the AMD World Championships.
This package provides incredible performance advantages and a patented look known world wide.
The quality of products in this package speaks to the discerning builder and bike connoisseur.
This sale will last through July of 2006.
We can only provide this cost to dealers of MC Advantages. Without their cooperation and the aid of Kiwi Indian and other suppliers, we would not be able to bring you this incredible price.
If you or your local shop are not signed up with MC Advantages, use this as your opportunity to sign up now! The quality of the parts they carry will be a welcome change to you.
We hope that you take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity.
We hope that this summer brings much success and happiness to you and your families.
–Rick Krost
U.S. Choppers
2039 S. Lyon St
Santa Ana, CA 92705
714-546-4699
Appointments Only Please
GENERAL MEDIA ATTACKS RIDERS NATIONWIDE– Motorcycle riders in Florida and across the country have been attacked on the radio and in the news media in recent programs and articles. These attacks are in direct response to a motorcycle crash involving Steelers Quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger was injured when a car turned left, in front of him. The 62 year-old car driver was clearly at fault in the collision and issued a citation for violation of right-of-way.
However, since Roethlisberger was not wearing a helmet, he was issued citations for failure to be endorsed and riding without a helmet illegally. The broadcasts have directed their attention toward the helmet, versus non-helmet use by motorcyclists. These reports have been negatively inflammatory, at best. ABATE of Florida, Inc. (American Bikers Aimed Toward Education) has fought this type of misinformation for many years in the courts and in the legislature.
In 2000, after careful review of the facts, Governor Jeb Bush signed legislation, which allowed motorcycle riders in Florida, over the age of 21, to choose whether or not to wear a helmet when riding. The helmet law was not repealed. In fact, restrictions were attached requiring the adult, non-helmeted, endorsed rider and their passenger to have medical insurance in order to ride without a helmet.
In several news reports, 1999 Florida crash statistics have been used as a comparison to the most recent crash data available. The helmet laws were still in FULL affect for ALL riders in 1999. Twenty-two deaths of non-helmeted motorcycle riders are being reported, at a time when helmets were still required, by law. During that same year, 143 helmeted riders were killed on Florida roadways.
The most recent figures available from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, report 200 motorcycle riders, wearing helmets, died in motorcycle related crashes during 2004. During that same time period, 188 riders who were not wearing helmets were killed. In fact, 60.1% of the time, riders and their passengers who were not wearing helmets reported no injury in a motorcycle crash.
The facts are; helmeted riders are more likely to die or sustain serious injury in a motorcycle crash. Those are the facts, nothing more, nothing less. Statistics clearly prove helmets are not the issue. Driver awareness and public education is. The number of motorcycle riders in the state of Florida has nearly tripled since 1999. Still, in the majority of crashes, involving motor vehicles and motorcycles, the driver of the car was responsible for the crash. With three times the number of motorcycles on the highways, driver awareness is an ever-increasing issue. Public education and motorcycle crash prevention would be far more productive than debating helmet use.
Regardless of your point of view on helmet use, helmets cannot prevent crashes from occurring. 388 deaths are 388 too many. For additional information on Motorcycle Safety Awareness Programs and the legislative activity of ABATE of Florida, Inc. you can write to PO Box 2720, DeLand, Florida 32721 or visit
ABATE of Florida, Inc. –from Rogue
Cyndi von Bulow
Public Relations Officer
PO Box 2520
DeLand, FL 32721-2520
386.760.6610 
Continued On Page 2
June 1, 2006 Part 3
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 2
ALL AMERICAN MADNESS WINNER–All American Madness winner Spencer Baughman shown here with Patrick Douglass is this year’s Central Coast Trailer giveaway winner at the Santa Maria All American Motorcycle Madness show, Sponsored By Bikernet.com, May 19th – 21st. To qualify for a free trailer there were no tickets to buy, you just had to sign up for the weekend package and get lucky.
Spencer was blown away and tried to thank Horse Power Promotions for the trailer, Seth Doulton of Horse Power Promotions was quick to point out that all the props go to Central Coast Trailers of Paso Robles for sponsoring the trailer. Checkout www.HorsePowerPromotions for more info on this and other Horse Power Promotions shows.
BIKERNET AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT–Two Southern farmers, Jim and Bob, are sitting at their favorite bar, drinking beer. Jim turns to Bob and says, “You know, I’m tired of going through life without an education. Tomorrow I think I’ll go to the Community College and sign up for some classes.”
Bob thinks it’s a good idea, and the two leave. The next day Jim goes down to the college and meets the dean of admissions, who signs him up for the four basic classes: Math, English, History, and Logic.
“Logic?” Jim says. “What’s that?”
The dean says, “I’ll show you. Do you own a weed eater?”
“Yeah.”
“Then logically because you own a weed eater, I think that you would have a yard.”
“That’s true, I do have a yard.”
“I’m not done,” the Dean says. “Because you have a yard, I think logically that you would have a house.”
“Yes, I do have a house.”
“And because you have a house, I think that you might logically have a family.”
“I have a family.”
“I’m not done yet. Because you have a family, then logically you must have a wife.”
“Yes, I do have a wife.”
“And because you have a wife, then logically you must be a heterosexual.”
“I am a heterosexual. That’s amazing; you were able to find out all of that because I have a weed eater.”
Excited to take the class now, Jim shakes the Dean’s hand and leaves to go meet Bob at the bar. He tells Bob about his classes, how he is signed up for Math, English, history, and logic.
“Logic?” Bob says, “What’s that?”
Jim says, “I’ll show you. Do you have a weed eater?”
“No.”
“Then you’re a queer.
–Sarge
FROM THE ’70S ARCHIVES–Here is an old pic from 1970 you might enjoy…Nelson on my ’53 Pan.
–Nelson
nelson@alachuacountychoppers.com
NEW BALDWIN WILSON 360 BRAKE SYSTEM–The Baldwin Wilson Development Corporation introduced the “360 Brake” at the Daytona Bike Week. The 360 Brake is a revolutionary new braking system for motorcycles that replaces the disk brake rotors and calipers that tend to hide the custom wheels that bike owners have paid a fortune for.
The “360 Brake” will be sold as an easy to install kit tailored. The Baldwin Wilson Development Corporation is the designer and owner of the “360 Brake” and intends to market the brake to industry wholesalers and retailers alike. This unique patented braking device offers superior braking power for its extremely small size and weight when compared to existing brake designs currently in use
Imagine a Brake that:
Can fit in the palm of your hand
Is user friendly in both installation and service
Is approximately 80% more effective than a typical rotor/caliper set-up
Is affordably introduced at $1000 per wheel plus the arm
Doesn’t hide your high dollar wheels!!!
If you have any questions please feel free to contact Micki Wanzer at 317-407-7087 or by email at mwanzer@baldwin-wilson.com.
BUELL MOTORCYCLES SWEEP ASRA THUNDERBIKE PODIUM–Bilansky, Bemisderfer and Estok Dominate at Summit Point. West Virginia’s Summit Point Raceway was the site of a dominating Memorial Day Weekend performance by Buell riders who swept the podium in the American SportBike Racing Association’s (ASRA) Thunderbike class. Hal’s H-D/Buell – Hal’s Speed Shop rider Dan Bilansky took the victory on Monday from pole position, with Harley-Davidson/Buell of Frederick’s Bryan Bemisderfer and Veatch Motorsports rider Dave Estok filling the final steps on the podium.
Bilansky took the ASRA Thunderbike Pole on Sunday with a 1:18.865, followed by Bemisderfer with a 1:19.274 and defending 2005 National Thunderbike Champion Estok’s 1:19.325. Seven of the top 10 qualifying spots were held by Buell XB riders.
Nate Kern led the opening laps of the race on his BMW, but the heart of the 14-lap Thunderbike race was the three-way battle between the top-running Buells with positions swapping until the end. Bemisderfer took the lead on the last lap only to have Bilansky overtake him coming out of the final corner for the win with Bemisderfer settling for second and Estok third.
“It was a real good weekend for us. We scored maximum points and that’s important for the Thunderbike championship. We need every point possible,” said Bilansky.Fourth place went to Kern. Buell riders Sam Rozynski (Sound Waves/Hal’s Speed Shop), Art Diaz (Classic & Schaffer’s H-D/Buell) and Joe Rozynski (Sound Waves/Hal’s Speed Shop), finished fifth, seventh and eighth, respectively.Buell racers also took four wins and 11 podium finishes during the Championship Cup Series support races at Summit Point, with Estok nabbing the expert CCS Thunderbike and SuperTwins race wins and Roanoke Valley H-D/Buell rider James Delk, Jr. winning the amateur Lightweight Supersport and Thunderbike classes.Bemisderfer’s second place finish closed his gap in the ASRA Thunderbike Championship points standings to just two points behind Kern. With three of eight rounds completed, Kern leads with 81 points, followed by Bemisderfer (79), Bilansky (73), Rozynski (61), and Estok rounding out the top five with 58 points. The next race on the eight-round ASRA Thunderbike National schedule is June 16-18 at Kansas’ Heartland Park-Topeka.
FIRST ROSE BOWL BIKE SHOW– The West Coast motorcycle world comes alive on June 24th and 25th 2006 for this annual show in Pasadena, CA. Ride out from the stress of the city to the scenic hills of Pasadena is why The Rose Bowl is the perfect venue for this event. This site will be able to handle the steady growth of this show.
Builders from the California area such as Scott Long of Central Coast Cycles, Gard Hollinger from LA County Chop Rods will mix with talents from far away like the Martin Bros just to name a few. If you think the Incubus Alloy Custom ride in Bike Show will be showcasing all the hottest bikes around.
The Rose Bowl Motorcycle Marketplace will be filled with the industries top manufactures and vendors selling everything from custom motorcycles to the hottest apparel and more for the motorcycle enthusiast.
Glendale Harley-Davidson Buell will be crowning the most beautiful Harley at the show as well as showcasing their latest products from the motor company.
David Chaves European Trails rider will thrill the crowds both days with his trials trick riding. The summer heat should be just right for the Ultimate Bikini Contest and great live music playing all weekend on the Lifestyle Cycles stage. Don’t miss the Lifestyle crew replacing an 115,000 mile S&S Motor with a brand new S&S power plant. This all makes for a great ticket price of only $15.00 with free bike parking.
For more info visit www.HorsePowerPromotions or call (805) 686-2007
AVON TYRE TECH QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK–Why is the Mileage and Grip so good on Avon’s sport/sport touring radials?
Several reasons:1) the VBD construction (Variable Belt Density) is unique to Avon. The zero degree belt is wrapped wider apart on the shoulders of the tire and tighter in the center. By wrapping it tighter in the center this gives the tire a better mileage and high speed stability. On the shoulders when a rider is leaned over the tire is much more compliant and makes a huge contact patch. Underneath this belt is a bias belt which also helps
2) Deep tread depth 3) Silica compound is what gives grip and the more you use the more grip the tire has. It’s a balancing act though because if you use too much silica then your mileage goes down. Avon compensates with the deeper tread depth and VBD construction which gives the better mileage so we can use a lot of silica for grip.
4) With a zero degree tire – main advantage can put softer compound as they don’t grow, don’t overheat, high speeds – very stable, diameter and circumference stays same and mileage is better. Soft compound = better grip. Depending on how you lay the cord, etc. (matrix) makes the compound work differently. With this design you actually have a multi compound tire – acts like it’s softer in the shoulders as the carcass will flex more and acts like it’s harder as tire is stiffer in the center so very high tech. Because of the carcass you have a tire that goes from hard to soft across the tire without having to make a multi compound like other manufacturers.
If you go to the Avon website www.avonmotorcycle.com and click on technical info and then Tyre Construction it will actually show a little slide show of the tire construction.
–Sukoshi Fahey (Ms.)
Sales Manager, North America
Lynnwood, WA 98036 USA
800 624-7470 toll free
425-771-2115 phone
www.avonmotorcycle.com
NORTH TEXAS ROCK RALLY AT COYOTE UGLY–The North Texas Rock Rally will be based at the Austin Coyote Ugly on 6th Street (501A East 6th Street at the corner of Neches) during the evenings of June 2-3, 2006. The Rally is presenting a selection of the builders that will be featured during the North Texas Rock Rally (July 21-23, 2006) at the outdoor display area by the Coyote Ugly patio.
The Featured Builders are:
Denny Garley of TC Custom Bikes
Jimmie Lee & John Coen of Three Two Choppers
Scott Arndt of Scott’s Hardcore Kustoms
Danny Davidson of Williamson County Choppers
Each builder will have at least one bike featured in the display and will be on location throughout Friday and Saturday evenings at Coyote Ugly for photo ops and interviews.
V-ROD MONOSWINGARM–In the past years Rick’s Motorcycles developed a lot of revolutionary parts for the Harley Davidson V-Rod. After the 19l tank, Rick’s latest part is now leaving the “House of Custom”. Rick’s Monoswingarm for V-Rod:The swingarm, which is made out of high quality aluminium on a CNC milling center, fits to all V-Rod models. As known from all Rick’s V-Rod swingarms, also the Monoswingarm is available in different sizes:
– Rim: 10,5″x18″, tyre: 280 / 18, offsetpulley + bearing supportplate: 42 mm
– Rim: 11,5″x18″, tyre: 300 / 18, offsetpulley + bearing supportplate: 55 mm
The complete kit is an absolute High-Tech product, but also the single parts are technic pure:
– new, bigger tank
– Rick’s 4-piston brake calliper with Drive Side Break
– Mono Shock Absorger, adjustable
– belt adjustement with excenter
– spezial Gates belt
– much more?
All the necessary fitting parts and a detailed assembly instruction will be delivered with the swingarm. Only have to order the matching Rick’s wheel, brake rotor and pulley have to ordered separately.
The complete technique, all the measurements of the swingarm, fitting parts and the T?V approvals are all made special for Rick’s wheels, so that their is no warranty, that other wheels can be adapted without any problems.
–Ricks`s motorcycles
ricksmotorcycle@t-online.de
COOLBETH EARNS PODIUM FINISH FOR SCREAMIN’ EAGLE TEAM IN SPRINGFIELD MILE SEASON OPENER– Kenny Coolbeth is perfectly fine not having all the information about what happened during Sunday’s season opening AMA Grand National Twins event at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. There were several crashes. Red flags stopped the race twice. Coolbeth didn’t see any of it and that’s just how he likes it.
Coolbeth rode his Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle entry to third place while factory teammate Rich King finished sixth after a crash and Wrecking Crew teammates Jared Mees and Bryan Smith finished eighth and 11th, respectively.
“I didn’t see any of the crashes,” Coolbeth, a Connecticut native said. “I was riding up front, in the top four for the entire race and I avoided all the accidents. I didn’t see any of it and I’m very happy about that.”
King crashed in the 14th lap of the 25-lap main event. His bike flipped end-over-end, throwing King off the bike just after Turn Three. The team scrambled to get the bike back in racing order as quickly as possible and King returned to the race. He was 18th with 11 laps remaining and fought his way back up to sixth.
“I feel pretty good about the results because I’ve been to Springfield and finished sixth before without flipping the bike at 130 mph,” King said. “So having the same result after crashing and having to leave the race more than halfway through the event only to thrash on the bike and get back out there isn’t so bad.”
Harley-Davidson Racing Manager Anne Paluso said King’s performance on Sunday was a great example of what King is best known for – being tough and never giving up.
“Rich is the King of the Mile and this was a tough race for him to walk away from without a podium finish,” Paluso said. “Without the accident, he would have had a great chance to win that race.
“We’re very happy that Kenny finished in the top three and overall the Wrecking Crew debut went well. There were a lot of crashes in qualifying and in the main event and we’re glad our guys are OK.”
Quality Checked Certified Pre-Owned Ford’s Chris Carr won the event with Supertrapp’s Jay Springteen taking second place.
It was the first race that Coolbeth and King shared a pit as teammates. Coolbeth said the Screamin’ Eagle team learned a lot even with the wild, crashed-filled event.
“It was an awesome weekend because everyone clicked,” he said. “What we needed fixed, got fixed and it feels great being back in the racing season again. I was pulling my hair out for the last two months waiting for this weekend. I’m happy everyone did their jobs and I think this is a great team to be part of.”
Coolbeth and King finished first in their qualifying heat races while Mees was second in his qualifying heat and Smith finished third.
“Everyone had to deal with the weather (temperatures well into the 90s) and the new team setup and I think the guys did a good job preparing for the event,” Paluso said. “The long-waited season opener is over and now we can focus on the rest of the season.”
In addition to the direct team sponsorship, Harley-Davidson will also provide support through professional flat track contingency and the Rider Support Verification Program (RSVP). Under the Screamin’ Eagle banner the support will total more than $140,000 throughout the 2006 season. This includes a contingency program for qualified Harley-Davidson XR750 riders on the AMA Flat Track series.
BIKERNET READER NEEDS TECH HELP–i found the site and it was right in front of my damn face the whole time. i’ve seen what you are talking about, but i need to post a bulletin or something about a specific wiring diagram for the revtech 100 motor specifically to find out what the 5 wires are on the ignition advance module are. i appreciate the advice you’ve givin me and anymore you may have…. shawnmeatpost7@yahoo.com
Continued On Page 4
June 1, 2006 Part 1
By Bandit |
Hey,
I want to touch on something regarding the EPA business. There’s been a bunch of shit flying regarding the issues, but it’s all worked out for the best. The MIC and MRF are working together to curb and control the regs. The engine certification system is moving forward and will allow builders to build as many custom bikes as they want as long as they install and don’t mess with these power-plants. This system won’t hinder with the do-anything-you-want, once in a life time bike, or the 24 show bikes from shops.
There’s also a gentleman working up a state-to-state bill to allow older bikes to be built unhampered. So most all is well. There’s another obstacle headed our way from Europe that we need to address, but the best minds in the industry are now working together to monitor any restrictions. We’ll keep you posted. And if you’re facing noise issues feel free to print out the Bikernet Independent noise study and share it with law makers. It worked locally to demonstrate that there’s two sides to every issue.
Let’s hit the news:
YOU’RE INVITED!!!–Big Dog Motorcycles and the City of Wichita would like to invite you to participate in the 2nd Annual Tornado Rally to be held June 10-11th, 2006 at the Big Dog Motorcycles Factory Headquarters located at 1520 E. Douglas in Wichita, KS.
Last year Big Dog Motorcycles hosted Kansas’s 1st ever-national motorcycle rally, which attracted 15,000 riders, enthusiasts and families. The 2nd Annual Tornado Rally expects to draw many more thousands from across the United States promising to bring business and awareness to Wichita.
This FREE exciting weekend comes complete with live music including a concert featuring Eddie Money, factory tours, custom bike show, bikini contest, bike games, dyno shootout, monster truck, custom builders, and of course dozens of exhibitors. Exhibitors are what helped make the 1st Annual Tornado Rally so successful and we are looking forward to having your business on display this year. We hope you will consider being a part of this year’s festivities!
In addition to our exhibitors, sponsorships play a major part in making this event possible. For more information on promotion opportunities or becoming a sponsor, please visit our website at www.tornadorally.com.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us by phone at 316-219-7050 or through email at tornado.rally@bigdogmotorcycles.com
POLICING IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA–A Highway Patrolman pulled a car over and told the driver that because he had been wearing his seat belt, he had just won $5,000 in the statewide safety competition.
“What are you going to do with the money?” asked the policeman. “Well, I guess I’m going to get a driver’s license,” he answered. “Oh, don’t listen to him,” yelled a woman in the passenger seat. “He’s a smart ass when he’s drunk.”
This woke up the guy in the back seat who took one look at the cop and moaned,” I knew we wouldn’t get far in a stolen car.” At that moment, there was a knock from the trunk and a voice said, in Spanish, “Are we over the border yet?”
–from Chris T.
HORSE MAGAZINE LOOKING FOR CONTRIBUTORS–We are currently looking for west coast artists, writers, photographers and experienced West Coast advertising sales reps for The Horse Magazine.
Contact Geno to send samples of your work and discuss fees – .
THE HISTORY OF AVON TYRES– Cooper-Avon Tyres Limited of Melksham, UK, owned by the Cooper Tire & Rubber Company of Findlay, Ohio, USA, has more than a century’s experience at the leading edge of tyre technology. Tyre makers since 1885, Cooper-Avon produces a full range with the emphasis on grip, comfort and value for money. Cooper-Avon Tyres are supplied as original equipment to Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Morgan, Westfield, Caterham and Land Rover. Avon racing tyres have been the exclusive fitment of the F.I.A. Formula 3000 International championship since 1986. Cooper-Avon also supplies racing tyres to championships supported by Ford, Vauxhall and Audi.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company is headquartered in Findlay, Ohio and specializes in the manufacturing and marketing of rubber and plastic products. Products for Cooper’s tyre group include automobile, motorcycle and truck tyres, inner tubes, tread rubber and retreading equipment. In the automotive group, Cooper is an original equipment supplier of sealing, trim, vibration control and hose systems for the automotive industry in North America, Europe and South America. Other products for this group include rubber and plastic sealing components for the refrigeration industry North America. Cooper has more than 20,000 employees and 57 manufacturing facilities in 13 countries.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company acquired Avon Tyres in March 1997. Cooper-Avon Tyres Ltd. was also the first tyre manufacturer in the world to gain the prestigious ISO 9001 quality award.
–John Leach – Sales / Racing Support
Avon Tyres North America
1-800-624-7470
www.avonmotorcycleusa.com
STEALTH REPORT–Last weekend I rode back to Washington D.C. forthe annual Run To The Wall. The weather wasgreat! If you have never attended the Run ToThe Wall you should make plans to. It is a greatway to pay your respects to those who have madethe ultimate sacrifice to preserve our freedom.The ride was estimated at 350,000 riders! TheMonuments are magnificent at night. I didn’t getpictures as I forgot my camera, sorry.
Back here at STEALTH BIKE WORKS we are stillbusy. We are out growing our space very quickly.We will see how it goes down the road as far asspace is concerned. Chopper John’s Sportyproject is coming along. It is going to be a hotrod, S&S 93″ engine. The tank is a one-off handmade piece by Chopper John. It is going to be acool bike!We had a couple of riders from Tennessee (Hope Ispelled that right?) stop by this week, theysaid they had read about STEALTH BIKE WORKS onBIKERNET. That was cool, sometimes you forgethow many people read this every week! If you arein the Charlotte area stop by STEALTH BIKE WORKSat 141113 E. Independence Blvd Matthews NC.28194, 704 -882-0889. You are always welcome!
Around here everyone is gearing up for The HorseSmoke-Out June 23rd and 24th. The Smoke-Outrules when it comes to old school bare boneschoppers! Don’t miss it – STEALTH BIKE WORKS willbe there.
That is it for this week, I have to get back to real work!Until next week, RIDE!STEALTHMAN
HOT ACES 2 FOR 1–HOT ACES 2 FOR 1– Come to Hot Aces Casino, make a $100.00* deposit and get TWO entries into the Dinner in Las Vegas with Cindy Margolis. A weekend for two people in fabulous Las Vegas, stay at the Palms or Bellagio for a weekend and have dinner with Cindy Margolis all on the tab of Hot Aces Casino. What a Deal…come on in and play your favorite casino games atwww.hotacescasino.com. *see terms and conditions at hotacescasino.com
BIKERNET DISCOVERY BUILD-OFF COVERAGE GOT SOMEONE’S ATTENTION– It looks like we got someone’s attention with the report on the Discovery Build Off between Vivian “Gypsy” Charros and Kim Suter. I had headed out for the weekend and received a phone message from Craig Constantine who is producing the show for Discovery he would like me to call him. I did.
The conversation started off that they had seen the piece on Bikernet and there was some concern about the content. I had mentioned that Berry was going to be building a Knucklehead engine for Gypsy’s Bike.
They were concerned that with Kim knowing that it would give him an advantage. I explained that Kim was already committed to what he is building and actually we would like to let him and everyone else know just how special Gypsy’s bike is going to be.
Well next I was asked if I would mind talking to Kim. Not At All.Kim started off the conversation with a comment that he was told I was suppose to know something about motorcycles and could he ask me a technical question. We chatted. I did tell him if he or his shop would like to make a statement about the build they could send it to me or directly to Bikernet. I told him he sounded like a nice guy and wished him luck as he was sure going to need it to beat the bike that was being built at Accurate Engineering.
The motorcycle is being painted as I write this and will start final assembly very soon. I am sending some teaser shots and will have other shots soon.
I am hoping that a lot of people show up to see the competition and judging of the bikes. I am not hiding the fact that I have known “Gypsy” for around 25 years and that she is a friend of mine BUT this is a build off and I just got to call it the way I see it. Bikernet and everyone else would like to know.
— ROGUE
SMOKE-OUT VENDOR APPLICATIONS READY–Vender applications are starting to arrive for The HORSE, Backstreet Choppers Smoke Out West, SPONSORED BY BIKERNET.COM. It’s a good sign for a new event –but then again the Smoke Out is a good deal for many venders. True, Daytona and Sturgis draw a lot more people than the Smoke Out. However, if you get a vender spot at say Daytona — it’s way more expensive and maybe only 3% of the folks that go to Daytona will get to your booth. The Smoke Out is affordable. It is held on a fairground and 99% of the people that show up visit every booth. Further consider that this is an event for folks that build and work on their own bikes –and you realize it’s a great deal.
The HORSE, Backstreet Choppers Smoke Out Smoke Out is the world’s largest Chopper Rally and will be held out West for the first time October 6 and 7, 2006 on the Verde Valley Fairground in Cottonwood, AZ (20minutes South of Sedona). For more information (or a vender packet) check the HORSE, BC website (theHorsemag.com) or call (800) 531-9733. See ya there. Edge
BILLY LANE’S 1ST ANNUAL BUILDER’S BREAKFAST GAINS MOMENTUM– Lane’s Builder’s Breakfast at World Famous Broken Spoke on Lazelle, SPONSORED BY BIKERNET.COM,adds to its already amazing roster. Imagine sitting down to a plate of eggs and pancakes one morning in Sturgis this August when you look up from your plate you realize this isn’t a dream, you are actually sitting with the very best builders EVER having breakfast. How could they all be at one place at the same time (Tuesday, August 9th at 9:00 a.m.)? Billy Lane.
This event is quickly becoming history in the making. We all know the builders are at the event, but never are they all at one place and for one reason. Billy has rounded up the best in the industry for the 1st Annual Billy Lane’s Builder’s Breakfast in Sturgis at the world famous Broken Spoke on Lazelle St.
“Everyone is so busy these days and we are all asked to participate in many charities throughout the year, so I thought why not create an event we can all create excitement for-together. It seemed that if I could get the builders to etch out a small amount of time during the biggest motorcycle rally in the US, we could make a difference. The breakfast idea made it simple, bring the very best to one location with the goal of raising money for a great cause” said Billy Lane. I immediately knew of the best place to hold such a cool event The Broken Spoke in Sturgis. Jay Allen never even hesitated when I asked him to allow us the space and to help coordinate a hot breakfast, Jay even offered to flip pancakes!” finished Lane.
The builder list grows daily. As of now, there are over 20 of the very best bike builders confirmed. Below are the builders that have confirmed attendance:
Billy Lane Kendall Johnson Arlen Ness & Cory Ness
Mondo Dave Perewitz Donnie Smith
Paul Cox Aaron Greene Russell Marlowe
Kim Suter Jerry Covington Russell Mitchell
Brian Klock Rick Fairless Paul Yaffe
Randy Simpson Jesse Jurrens Jesse Rooke
Michael Prugh Scott Webster Eddie Trotta
Chica
*Johnny Chop & Indian Larry Memorial Table
Also joining the breakfast will be nationally acclaimed photographer Sara Liberte. Sara will be on hand selling her Builder & Machine posters. Sara will be donating a portion of proceeds to the charity as well. Additionally, Sara will donate a professional portrait to one lucky breakfast ticket holder on site. The winner will be photographed with his or her favorite builder. Sara will send the portrait to the winner following the event in August. What an amazing way to remember this once in a lifetime event!
This event is open to everyone. Please come! Tickets are on sale now, only online ticket holders will be eligible to win the portrait with their favorite builder photographed on site by Sara Liberte.
ALL ticket proceeds will benefit Kids & Chrome. To get your tickets online, please visit http://www.choppersinc.com/
BUENOS DIAS!!!–JOU HAVE YUST RECEIBED A MEHICAN BYRUS.
SIN WE NO HABE SO GOOD TECHNIOLOGICALLY ADBANCE IN MEHICO, DEES IS A MANUAL BYRUS.
PLEESE DELETE ALL JOUR FILES ON JOUR HARD-DRIVE JOURSELF AND SEND THEES E-MAIL TO EBERYONE JOU KNOW.
TANK JOU FOR HALPING ME.
–JULIO MANUEL JOSE RODRIGUEZ-GARCIA—-
MEXICAN HACKER
–from Chris T.
U.S. MILITARY SUPPORT WEB SITE–Thank you for joining millions of your fellow Americans in wanting to find ways to show support for our military. Whether you want to send a care package to a soldier, donate airline miles to help reunite returning military men and women with their families, support scholarship funds or send support to wounded service members, on this page you will find over 150 non-profit organizations dedicated to helping our troops and their families._
_If you know of a non-profit organization in your community focused on helping our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Coast Guardsmen, Marines and National Guardsmen that is not currently listed, please contact America Supports You today to have them join the team.
http://www.americasupportsyou.mil
XBRR TEAMS TO CONTEST ROAD AMERICA FORMULA XTREME ROUND–Buell Motorcycle Company announced today that two race teams will enter Buell XBRRs in the Formula Xtreme class during Round 5 of the 2006 AMA Superbike Championship June 2-4 at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis.
Deeley H-D/Buell Canada’s Steve Crevier, who tested the XBRR at Road America during the American SportBike Racing Association (ASRA) event in April, will return to the AMA Formula Xtreme series for the first time since competing in the Daytona 200.
Classic H-D/Buell-Millville H-D/Buell-Innovative Motorcycle Research rider Mike Hale will also contest the Formula Xtreme round at Road America. Hale tested his XBRR at Summit Point last week, but it will be his debut event on the bike.
“Steve and Mike are both great riders with a lot of experience. I’m as excited as anyone at seeing these XBRR riders take to the track. And they’ll have plenty of fans cheering them on Road America,” said Chairman and Chief Technical Officer Erik Buell.
Indeed there will be many Buell owners on hand at Road America, as the Formula Xtreme race will serve as one of the highlights of the Buell Riders Adventure Group (BRAG) Homecoming event held that weekend.
Both XBRR teams at Road America are receiving support from Pirelli Tires, Sentry Insurance, Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Screamin’ Eagle SYN3 Synthetic Motorcycle Lubricant, and Harley-Davidson Visa.The Buell XBRR is a limited-edition production racing motorcycle based on the Firebolt XB12R and produced exclusively for closed-course competition. It offers private racers a professional-level, race-ready, production-based platform.
Continued On Page 2
June 29, 2006 Part 5
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 4
LATEST HONDA AMENITIES–For a $24,000 sticker price, the latest Honda has all the amenities you’d expect from a modern set of wheels- a heated seat, an in-dash satellite-navigation system and a newly engineered air bag.But there’s only one thing that distinguishes this model from every other feature-laden car on the road.It’s a motorcycle.
As motorcycle sales continue to grow, these icons of tough-guy rebellion featured in films like “The Wild One”and “Easy Rider” are being refashioned for an older, chubbier crowd that wants the same features found onupmarket sedans.
Although bikes designed for comfort have been around for a few decades – purists have dubbed one modelthe “Geezer Glide” – innovations now hitting the market include cell phone hookups, heated handgrips that adjust automatically to the ambient temperature and a windshield that rises to limit the air blast on thehighway.
One BMW due out next year will have electronic tire-pressure monitors.This growing class of upscale “touring bikes,” like Honda’s Gold Wing, is becoming a major source of profit:Harley-Davidson says it sold about 110,000 touring bikes in 2005 – a 56 percent increase in three years andmore than double the sales-growth rate for all its models.
“I’ve gotten used to these features in the car, but for a long time you couldn’t get them on motorcycles,” saysMeir Amir, a New Jersey limousine-company owner. Since Amir bought a new BMW K1200S (base price: $15,800) a few weeks ago, the veteran biker says he’s come to love the gadgetry- including a button that allows him to adjust the suspension without having to haul out his toolbox.
For years, motorcycle buyers were famously slow to embrace innovation. Even now, some companies continue to build machines with the same basic technology as bikes built after World War II – a bare-bones engineconnected to a chain that drives the rear wheel.
On rare occasions when they introduced modern conveniences – like an automatic transmission in the1970s – the market responded with a collective yawn. Some loyal bike buyers still prefer carburetors to more-efficient fuel-injection systems because they consider the latter too fussy.
When Harley-Davidson introduced the Electra Glide, a larger, more comfortable “touring” oriented bikein the mid-1960s, the improvements consisted mostly of basic elements like electric starters, outsizesaddlebags and generously padded seats. But in the last decade, the motorcycle market has shifted.
From 1998 to 2003, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council, the average age of a motorcycle ownerrose by three years to 41, while the percentage of women owners this year reached 10 percent for the first time.
Buyers are also getting wealthier: In its last survey, the trade group says 13 percent of riders reportedhousehold incomes of more than $100,000 – up from just 6.1 percent in 1998. All this is good news formanufacturers: Motorcycle sales have risen 57 percent since 2000 to 1.1 million last year, while car saleshave sagged over the same time span.For this new breed of buyer, there’s no shame in spending a little extra for a bike with car-like touches.
Since a typical bike gets 45 to 55 miles per gallon, owners figure a motorcycle will cost significantly less tooperate than other recreational vehicles – like sports cars, boats and motor homes.Bike manufacturers seem to be borrowing a page from the auto industry’s experience with sport-utilityvehicles: taking a breed of relatively simple machines, larding them up with “extras” and charging apremium. The average motorcycle price is $9,500 this year, up almost 7 percent from last year.Harley-Davidson’s “Screamin’ Eagle,” which comes with satellite radio, has a base price of $31,995.Not that all motorcyclists are interested in comfort. When Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisbergerhad a highly publicized wreck earlier this month, he was riding on a Suzuki Hayabusa – a super sport bike whoseclaim to fame at its introduction was that it could go 200 miles per hour.
Even some manufacturers are sticking with the basics: Erik Buell, the founder of Wisconsin-based BuellMotorcycle, says he continues to build lighter, more maneuverable bikes that are more fun to ride. His latest model, the XB12X, weighs in at 425 pounds (a fully equipped Honda Gold Wing weighs morethan 800 pounds) and doesn’t have antilock brakes, a fancy suspension or any other “clutter,” as Buell calls it.Moreover, some purists say these gizmo-laden cruisers, with their car-like mufflers and pollution controls, are makinglife tougher for enthusiasts who like performance bikes that still let out a healthy growl. To answer the growingdrumbeat against the noisy bikes of old, some bikers wear T-shirts that say “Loud Pipes Save Lives” -a reference to the idea that the noise of an oncoming bike warns other motorists to get out of the way.”Most people ride motorcycles to escape,” says Mark Mederski, executive director of the Motorcycle Hall ofFame Museum in Pickerington, Ohio. Many of the cushy features coming out now, he says, “just defeat the purpose.”
Nonetheless, manufacturers show no sign of turning back the clock. Yamaha’s latest advancement, out forjust a month, is a transmission that allows riders to switch gears with a button rather than a clutch – a technology that’s mainly available on exotic sports cars.
BMW began offering heated seats a few years ago, and last year, the company rolled out an adjustablesuspension that allows riders to correct for extra weight or riding style.
Later this summer, Honda will start offering a unique feature for its Gold Wing tourers: an air bag.And one of Harley-Davidson’s new options is a voice-activated cell phone system.”Sometimes the only way you can get away for a ride is by giving the boss a way to reach you,”says a spokesman – showing a seemingly un-Harley-like concern for office politics.
–from Rogue
AVON TECH QUESTION OF THE WEEK–What is the difference between a radial, bias, and bias belted tire?
Types of tire constructions:
Radial tire has a ply that is at or near 90 degrees to the direction of travel and the ply goes from bead to bead.Bias ply tire has the ply(s) cut at an angle and the plies are laid over each other in a criss cross method
Bias belt tire has a ply cut at an angle and the belt is wrapped around the circumference of the tire over the bias ply or radial ply
Zero degree belt is laid at 90 degrees to the direction of travel over the other plies
Benefit of a radial tire (if your bike can work with a radial construction tire) is :
1) a better, more compliant contact patch
2) better transitioning response over bias
3) not as forgiving as the taller profile bias
4) Low aspect ratio – better grip but at max adhesion they slide more quickly with less warning
5) low profile looks great on many bikes
Criteria for running radials
1) Suspension of bike must be stiff enough to work with radial tires
2) wheel width must be wide enough to work properly for radial application
3) never run a radial front and bias rear
–Sukoshi Fahey (Ms.)
Sales Manager, North America
BIKERNET JIMS TOOL OF THE WEEK– Right Side Drive Trap Door Puller, No. 998 – Use on all JIMS Right Side Drive transmissions and other aftermarket rightside drive transmissions. Use this tool to properly remove the transmission trap door.
BIKERNET RADIO INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK–Dave Rash started D&D Performance Exhaust because he couldn’t find an exhaust pipe for his race bike. Now he makes exhaust for Harleys, Hardbikes, Sportbikes andChris Carr’s Harley-Davidson racebike.
Thunder Bob, from Metric Thunder and Bikernet Radio, caught up with Dave and put him on the hot seat. Don’t miss it.
FORT BEND COUNTY CHOPPERS-ALL HARDBIKES, ALL THE TIME–Hermitage, PA (June x, 2006) – Nestled in Richmond, Texas, 31 miles outside of the burgeoning metropolis of Houston is the new 5,000 square foot Hardbikes only dealership, Fort Bend County Choppers. The dealership is owned and operated by Rick Leubeck, a multi-line Polaris, Victory, Suzuki and Triumph motorcycle dealer owner from Houston, Texas.
Fort Bend Choppers will carry the entire line of Hardbikes motorcycles including Choppers, NEO Bobbers, Old School Bobbers and Pro-Street sleds.
“The reason I’m working with Hardbikes is because Bob Kay, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, is very focused on what he is trying to accomplish and he is exceeding in the unique style of his product line” said Rick Leubeck, Owner. “His designs are fresh and they are what people want to purchase. Hardbikes motorcycles are unique and they don’t look like everyone else’s iron. For example, we motored one of our 330 NEO Bobber to the Bugs Bikes and Babes Hooters American IronHorse show and won!”
“Another benefit of the Hardbikes motorcycle is the handling characteristics. Our award-winning 330 NEO Bobber has great balance with the right combination of wheel, rake, motor throttle response and tranny. It’s an easy to handle motorbike.”
“We are excited to have Rick Leubeck represent the brand for us in the Houston metropolitan area,” said Bob Kay. “He is a true motorhead and entrepreneur and we are looking forward to enjoying this ride together with him and his crew.”
At Fort Bend County Choppers motorcycles are available for purchase from the samples on the showroom floor as well as through Hardbikes’ custom bike program.
The way the process works is, a buyer can either come into the dealership or log on to the Hardbikes website and design their custom motorcycle through a software application called the Design Wizard.
Enthusiasts have over a million custom parts to choose from. The Design Wizard is calibrated to offer a diminishing list of choices based on the original selection; this allows the customer to make appropriate decisions and not be overwhelmed in the process.
After that is completed they sit down with their Fort Bend County Choppers’ designer to get fitted for the bike to their physical dimensions and riding style on the Hardbikes Design Center.
The dealer pulls three measurements that include seat position, forward controls setting and handle bar position. This allows the designer to make sure the relationship of the leg extension, arm reach and posterior position fall within a comfortable riding position in the comfort triangle. Enthusiasts get a perfectly fitted bike that avoids back strain and increases safety and performance.
ROLLINSIXES PARTS OF THE WEEK–Solo Seats– The Solo seat has been around since the beginning of motorcycles. Simplyput, this Solo is a time proven winner. This Old School Solo combines old school style ofdecades past with excellent detail and craftsmanship. Old School Solo seat comes inmany colors with our trademark animal print bottom. We are sure you will be impressedwith the effort to carry on a bit of Bobber tradition.
–Tim Ellis
rollinsixescustomchoppers@yahoo.com
DUCK AND RUN–The news is finished for now. Anything flying in the direction of Bikernet from this moment on goes into the exclusive Bandit’s Cantina Sunday Post File for the Sunday News. Gotta be a member of the cantina for the Sunday News. We can’t give it all away. Besides the girls in the Sunday Post, each week, are poor, they have fewer clothes than the Thursday News girls. Does that make any sense.
The roller is just about complete for the 45 flathead Bonne Belle, Bonneville race bike. The engine configuration changed again, from dual carbs and dual front heads to a K-model top end. Dale Walksler from the Wheels Through Time Museum has jumped in to help out, but we’re still looking for KR or KH cam sets for this puppy. Other than the cams we’re good to go, once we figure out the gearing and I get the tanks from Jim Murillo to Yvonne Mecalis for final bomber girl paint work inspired by Chris Kallas.
We need help with the cams and hopefully a few more sponsors will sign on. Over this long weekend I’ll scramble the V-bike from RevTech back together. I’m riding it to Sturgis, so she’ll be all broke in for the Salt Flats. I’ve got a month to make that puppy run as reliably as a stock bike, just faster. Hang on, all the reports will be featured on Bikernet in our Bonneville 2006 Department.
In the meantime, have a helluva weekend. Let me know how all the runs worked out and ride safe, goddamnit.
Ride Forever,
Bandit
June 29, 2006 Part 4
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 3
STEALTH UNDERCOVER WEEKLY REPORT–This week at Stealth Bike Works we are all wore out from a great time at the smoke out. Stealth is taking a break and I (Chopper John) will be doing the news. I’m going to use this opportunity to thank a few people and ramble on about how great the Smoke-Out is.
First off The Smoke out once again out did itself! We saw the best hand built chops in the whole world. There are rat chops,vintage chops,modern chops and chops that have no explanation. All the usual suspects were there Billy Lane, Indian Larry Legacy and the list goes on and on.
Stealth and I had a small booth set up in an awesome location which gave the shop great exposure. We sold some hand made parts and a few “Old School” parts that the shop carries. Fritz and Gary decided to pay us a visit from Indiana and they are always a good time. Those two are chopper heads all the way, as we watched all the titties and chops ride by us we think out loud where the hell do all these damn bikes come from? Stealth Bike Works gets a fair share of chops but man Smoke-Oout chops are the greatest! So if you all live in the Charlotte area get in gear and come to the shop! I wish I had pics to show you but I’ll be damned I didn’t bring a camera. Maybe Stealth can slip a few in when I email this to him. Enough of the Smoke-Out now onto thank yous.
For the last month or so I have been working on a chopper all hours of the night and day! This absolutely would not been possible if the STEALTH BIKE WORKS FAMILY didn’t pitch in. Mike and Sandy are the best people anyone could know. There generosity and the long hours made my chop exist and there were some long ass hours spent drooling and slurring words and losing nuts and bolts to get the bike built. But we did it almost I still need to put a wire or two on it. Fact is we all need friends like this “true” Bikers , also I would like to thank my wife Suzanne and my son Andrew”the Monkey” for the semi understanding of the whole build. Last but not least a big thank you to Dennis “Fuck face” Elliot for drilling the one hole in my triple trees.
See you next week! Ttill then ride hard and workless! Maybe there will be pictures of the damn bike too.
–Chopper John
ANOTHER BIKER BABE NEEDS HELP WITH HER TV GIG–A couple of months ago I let you know about a friend of mine who is a singer, a biker and a babe. At the time she was getting ready for a US tour and looking for gigs. Well, that’s been put on hold. Instead she’s made it to the finals for ROCKSTAR SUPERNOVA, The Tommy Lee Project on CBS, VH1 and MSN. For the next few weeks you can catch her on CBS beginning with the 90-minute premiere Wednesday, July 5th at 8PM ET. Then again Thursday, July 6th, for the first elimination show at 9PM ET. After that, every Tuesday and Wednesday night, so get your calenders organized!
She needs the biker community to rally around her and cast a few million votes her way in order to win the competition. Singing won’t be a problem and you won’t be disappointed getting the chance to watch her perform. Her name is Dilana. You’ll remember her because she’s 5-foot nothin’, tattooed and a little hottie. She’s also one tough little biker having gone down once and fractured her skull, but she’s still ridin’.
The official website is: www.rockstar.msn.com. She’ll appreciate all the votes she can get. Thanks in advance to the biker bro’s and sisters. And Dilana, we’ll see you on the big stage!
–Chuck
RIDE FOR LIFE COMING–Please join us on July 22nd, 2006 for the Ride For Life Forever to benefit the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program. To learn more about the ride go to, www.rideforever.org.
–Brandee Voit
www.rideforever.org
please check this site out!!
Ride For Life Forever
16294 W 13th Ave
Golden, Co.
80401
303-215-9797
720-261-0677
SUPERMAX, PHIL ROSS, SAVES WORN BILLET BELT PULLEYS–Here are a couple of pictures for you to look at… The “Keyword” here is Squealing and Worn Pulleys. When I went to the task bar and typed in Squealing pulleys it came to your website…Too Cool. I have had some customers say that they found it on Bikernet.com.
The ‘Over-Lay’ business is pretty good but could always use a lot more. Every pulley ever made could use this system…Some are faster wearing than others..The Gilroy Indian is a great candidate…We do a ‘Lot’ of those. We offer 65 and 70 tooth and am looking into the second series Victory pulleys as well…Get a lot of calls on those but haven’t located a second series pulley yet. The 1st Series was black and in the photo I sent you…Can’t do them as they machined so much meat out of the backside that there isn’t enough meat left for me to over-lay. I understand that the second series pulleys are a good candidate. They were die cast aluminum and are silver in color…They use a 64 tooth rear wheel pulleys on some models and 70 tooth rear pulleys on the 6 speeds, I understand.
–Space Doggie.
SuperMax Belt Drives
RICH KING RIDES SCREAMIN’ EAGLE HARLEY-DAVIDSON INTO SECOND PLACE OF THE AMA FLAT TRACK STANDINGS–Wrecking Crew Finishes Well in Lima, Ohio. LIMA, Ohio (June 26, 2006) – Rich King may not have won the AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Twins championship series event Saturday at the Allen County Fairgrounds. But he made a big step toward his ultimate goal – the series championship.
With his seventh place finish at the track that suffered through a tornado earlier in the week, King moved up from sixth to second place in the series standings. King qualified 14th for the main event and methodically worked his way up the pack.
“I’ve never been great there, just so-so but we got the bike to work better and better,” King said. “We made a lot of changes and things were going pretty well in the main event. When the red flag came on, I was ninth but during the restart a couple of guys got together in front of me and I rear-ended Jay Springsteen and I was 14th by the first turn with just 15 laps to go. Still, I felt like I was going really well and I passed a lot of guys. We had a great setup, but we just ran out of time.”
This is the second time in three events this season that King has made a late-race effort to climb back into the top 10. At the season opening event in Springfield, Ill., King rode from 18th to sixth place in just 11 laps.
“Rich is one of the most competitive riders around and I know it’s disappointing for him to not finish on the podium,” Harley-Davidson Racing Manager Anne Paluso said. “The team didn’t fulfill its own expectations this weekend but for us to walk away from that event with Rich moving up four places in the standings is a real positive for the team.”
King’s Screamin’ Eagle factory teammate Kenny Coolbeth finished 11th in the first heat but suffered mechanical problems in the semifinal race, failing to qualify for the main event for the first time this season.
Screamin’ Eagle Wrecking Crew members Bryan Smith and Jared Mees finished fourth and 12th, respectively.
Smith finished first in the Heat 1 race, qualifying third for the main event. Smith finished fourth, barely missing his first podium finish of the season, just behind race winner Dominic Beaulac, Joe Kopp and Glen Schnabel.
King sits in second place in the point standings, 11 points behind leader Chris Carr as the team prepares to head to the I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Mich., for the July 1 event. Smith is fifth in points with Mees and Coolbeth taking seventh and ninth, respectively.
“Even though it is still way too early to look at the points, I feel pretty good about being in second place,” King said. “But there are a lot of things happening right now. What I am most happy about is the way the team worked on the bike and dialed in the setup to get me comfortable enough on the bike to work back into the front. That says a lot about this team. By the end of the race we had one of the faster bikes on the track.”
In addition to the direct team sponsorship, Harley-Davidson will also provide support through professional flat track contingency and the Rider Support Verification Program (RSVP). Under the Screamin’ Eagle banner the support will total more than $140,000 throughout the 2006 season. This includes a contingency program for qualified Harley-Davidson XR750 riders on the AMA Flat Track series.
MICHIGAN GOVERNOR VETOS HELMET REPEAL LEGISLATION, June 23, 2006–Gov. Jennifer Granholm today vetoed a bill that would have repealed the state of Michigan’s 37-year-old mandatory helmet law.Advertisement “Repealing the requirement that motorcyclists wear helmets would be costly to all Michigan families,” Governor Graholm wrote in her veto letter to state officials. By failing to require sufficient insurance protection, this bill would force higher medical and insurance costs on all Michigan citizens, the letter said.The veto came a day after a coalition of safety and insurance groups held a press conference in the state capitol Rotunda calling for the governor to veto the legislation (SB 297).
The Michigan Association of Insurance Agents, along with AAA-Michigan, medical physicians, consumer safety advocates and law enforcement officials were united in their opposition to repealing the helmet law.
“We are pleased that the governor has rejected any attempt to weaken Michigan’s motorcycle helmet law. This was bad legislation and it was opposed by every responsible group, “said Gary Mitchell, spokesman for the Michigan Association of Insurance Agents. “We continue to believe that helmets save lives and reduce serious injuries.”
veto of legislation that would repeal Michigan’s 37-year-old mandatory motorcycle helmet law.In a written statement, AAA said that “without her veto, the new law would have recklessly endangered Michigan citizens. Studies have shown that at least 22 additional fatalities and 742 additional injuries would result annually if Michigan repealed its mandatory motorcycle helmet law.”
The veto was criticized by the American Bikers Aiming Toward Education (ABATE) of Michigan. The group had successfully lobbyied the state legislature to pass the bill, and some reports said that this attempt for a repeal was as close to a final approval ever in the 37- year-history of the Michigan law.
Insurance Journal contacted ABATE, but did not receive a response from the group. A written statement was not issued at the time of this writing.
If signed by the governor, the legislation would have let riders 21 and older decide whether to wear a helmet. To be able to ride without a helmet, motorcyclists would have needed to pass a safety class or have been licensed for two years. They also would have needed to carry an additional $10,000 in personal injury protection insurance coverage, according to the language of the bill.Granholm said the extra insurance protection outlined in the legislation is “woefully inadequate” and said that helmet usage reduces fatalities by 37 percent and prevents traumatic brain injury by 67 percent.
Thirty states, including some in the Midwest, give adults the option to not wear a helmet.
Here is a quote from page 59 of this month’s AMA American Motorcyclistmagazine:“When our government relations staff members sit down to talk to the sponsorof some anti-motorcycling bill, they can casually point out that they’respeaking for 273,000 enthusiasts who care very much about this issue. Andthat makes a big difference.”
Well, it didn’t make “a big difference” in Michigan…. And THAT, mybrothers and sisters, is why we lost.AMA, WHERE WERE YOU?!?
–Bruce
www.ldrlongdistancerider.com
BIKERNET STEALTH REPORTER EMBEDDED BEHIND THE LINES AT HORSE SMOKE-OUT–This year The Smoke-Out was very different for me. STEALTH BIKE WORKS was set up as a vendor this year so work was involved, but it was fun work. The temps soared in the 90s! It was hot to say the least and the bikes that showed up were just as hot!
The bikes at our booth got some attention and we were excited about that. The Horse Smoke-Out is always a gathering of old friends. I got to see my friends from Departure Bike Works. It is a place to meet and make new friends also. I finally got to meet Katmandu, she is a great person to talk to.
For me The Smoke-Out is like a trip down memory lane with all the old school choppers and bobbers. There are no “cookie cutter” bikes here, well maybe a few, but they stick out like sore thumbs. Very few touring bikes. These bikes are all business and bare bones. If it won’t fit in your pocket, leave-it-at-home bikes. These bikes are what we used to see in Dave Mann centerfolds. All day long you could hear the open primary belts singing their sweet song. Kick starters rule on this weekend every year. These bikes are what most of us remember it being about. Cool is king here! Chopper John kinda said it best when he said “It makes you emotional seeing all of the cool stuff.” For some that may sound kinda corny but I think it sums it up pretty well.
There were some big names on hand, like Billy Lane but he doesn’t act like a big name. He is down to earth as they come. On this weekend it really doesn’t matter what your name is. All that matters is that you love those old style choppers and bobbers.
The build-off bikes were great. I really liked Fabricator Kevin’s bike. Fab Kevin is one of the nicest guys you will ever met. He is real easy to talk to and makes you feel real comfortable being aroundhim. It was good to see you Kevin!
The bike that Kevin Bass and the kids from Kennedy High School built was a great looking bike! Nice job!
My buddies Fritz and Gary came in from Indiana early Friday morning and were my guest for the weekend. We had a great time! Fritz and Gary are the real deal when it comes to bikes and bikers.
I really don’t have any numbers to base this on but from what I saw this has to be the biggest Smoke-Out ever. All the guys at THE HORSE did a great job especially Edge. If someone told me I could only attend one bike event a year, I would pick The Smoke-Out without hesitation! I wouldn’t miss it for anything. For all of us at STEALTH BIKE WORKS, it was an honor to be a small part of such a great event. See you next year!!
–STEALTHMAN
GRIMES HANDS TEAM OWNER THE BEST BIRTHDAY GIFT OF ALL – A VICTORY AT PACIFIC RACEWAYS–Former Pro Stock Motorcycle Racer Notches First AHDRA Win. KENT, Wash., (June 25, 2006) – Tommy Grimes earned his first Screamin’ Eagle AHDRA championship victory Sunday. The rider of the Ray Price-Samson Exhaust Harley-Davidson Top Fuel motorcycle earned his first Top Fuel victory of his career by beating Tracy Kile in the final of the Kresto Pacific Nationals presented by Destination Harley-Davidson, Downtown Harley-Davidson and Eastside Harley-Davidson at Pacific Raceways.
Grimes and team owner Ray Price have earned victories in exhibition events, but this was the first Screamin’ Eagle championship AHDRA win. On his team owner’s birthday Grimes recorded the top E.T. of the weekend – a 6.504-second pass at 218.87 – in his semifinal round victory over P Schmidt’s 7.000 at 199.94. Grimes went on to beat Kile in the final with a 6.608 at 216.48 over Kile’s 6.764 at 203.37 on the Bad Apple Racing Harley-Davidson.
Kile qualified in the No. 1 spot for eliminations with a 6.683 pass. Mike Lehman was second with a 6.685 while Grimes qualified third with a 6.686.
Derek Nonnamaker earned the Destroyer category victory for the first time this season with a 9.382 pass at 139.80 over Gene Thomason’s 9.506 at 138.36. Thomason left the line first, using a ..053-second reaction time over Nonnamaker’s .102. Nonnamaker swept the category throughout the event, earning the No. 1 qualifying award as well, posting a 9.250 second time.
Stan Sheppard earned the SEP win, riding his Harley-Davidson to an 11.519 pass over Donnie Huffman’s 11.517.
Bon Drapp recorded his second consecutive victory in the ET category. Drapp turned in a 9.74 pass but didn’t need it as Jack Wagner fouled at the starting line, handing the win to Drapp.
The next AHDRA event is the Cycle Mid-West Nationals in Earlville, Iowa. The action kicks off July 22-23 at Tri-State Raceway.
Continued On Page 5
June 29, 2006 Part 3
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 2
40,000 BIKERS RUMBLE INTO FORT PIERCE–FORT PIERCE – Tens of thousands of bikers will descend on St. Lucie County in August when the 29th Annual National Bikers Roundup sets up camp at the fairgrounds.Members of several motorcycle groups made a presentation to county commissioners Tuesday morning, telling them about the event, which was held in North Carolina last year. The roundup will run Aug. 1 to 6.The event, which is being conducted for the first time in Florida, is expected to bring more than 40,000 bikers to town and fill up hotels up to 100 miles away. Event assistant co-chairman Carl Laury said there could be anywhere from 70,000 to 90,000 attendees passing through the gates of the roundup before the week ends.
County officials called the roundup the largest county-hosted event in history.”… If it all comes down like it’s predicted, this will make history for us. This (kind of event) was just what we were looking for,” said Sherry McCorkle, fairgrounds manager. “I believe it will put our site on the map …”The event also is expected to have a huge economic impact on the county, with McCorkle predicting at least $10 million spent during the event week.
St. Lucie County beat out several other Florida locations to hold the roundup, including the Gainesville and Daytona Beach areas, Laury said.”St. Lucie offered a number of things we couldn’t duplicate in other places,” said Laury. “It offered us the open space and the ability to get on I-95 and the turnpike … what was really important was that the St. Lucie County fairgrounds offered all of that and they were willing to work with us.”
Another event co-chairman, Kevin Perry, first noticed the area when he worked on the Treasure Coast for FEMA in 2004 and 2005. Perry put St. Lucie County on the list of possible sites and it turned out to be the organization’s strongest candidate, Laury said.
According to the contract between the organization and county, the county will receive $50,000 for rental of the facility and 30 percent of the concessions sold during the event.
McCorkle said the county negotiated the contract with the group.Between rental costs, bands, equipment, security and other expenses, Laury estimated it will cost from $200,000 to $300,000 to put on the event.
Along with musical acts like Jeffrey Osborne, Norman Brown and Robert Lockwood Jr., there will be food, a Harley Davidson fashion show, rodeo exhibition and children’s activities.
As part of the event, attendees host the annual God’s Wheels Food Drive and this year’s proceeds will go to the Treasure Coast Food Bank. The group also awards several scholarships during the event and will host the Sister to Sister “It’s a Woman Thang” seminar, which will feature information including motorcycle riding tips, hair tips, health information and information about domestic violence.
–from Rogue
HAWAIIAN PARADISE BIKE FEST THIS WEEKEND–Well It’s finally upon us. That’s right. Hawaii’s biggest motorcycle rally. Wholly shit! I can barely contain my excitement at the spectacle Noah [O?Geen] of Maui?s Hotrod Alley & one of Nui of Grumpy’s Customs [Oahu] have been busting their asses to get their one-off bikes ready for voting. Shit, Dennis Mathewson [of Cosmic Airbrush] has been overwhelmed with paint jobs for the ride-in bike show. This weekend is gonna be INSANE!! With tickets only $10.00 ($15.00 at the door), how can you miss?
In case you didn’t know, Sunday, July 2nd (12:00-6:00pm) Kapiolani Community College (KCC) will play host to the Paradise Bikefest & Bike Build-Off. Replacing the annual Choppers Only show, the Bikefest will feature some of the premier builders in the motorcycle industry. On the heels of his ?Biker Build-Off? win over El Pitts, Harold Pontarelli of H-D Performance will be on hand along with his radical chopper that?s been featured in the book ?Art of the Chopper?. Joining Pontarelli, legendary black builder Sugar Bear will is in town with his latest chop. Big Mike of BMC Choppers is also here with a one-off BMC bike that is sure to blow the minds of every chopper freak in Hawaii. Did I say Chopper Freak? The Horse Magazine’s Jose “The Chopper Freak” De Miguel of Caribbean Custom Cycles is also here to dispense his brand of “chop theory”. All the way from Las Vegas, Shannon Aikau has brought out his tribute bike in honor of his father Jimmy.
Once at KCC, a registration fee of $15.00 ($10.00 advance) will secure you entry into the Paradise Bikefest. There will be a ride-in bike show featuring 11 catagories [$25.00 for the first bike & $15.00 for each additional bike entered], a tattoo contest [$25.00 per category entered], a bikini contest featuring some of Hawaii’s hottest women, live Hawaii, Rock & Blues. Joining local classic rock warriors Big Dawg will be Big Head Records/Warner Bros. Records recording artist Kevin McKaY. One of the world?s top harmonica players, McKay is sure to keep you energized and entertained.
And what would a biker event be without some giveaways? Courtesy of Big Mike, BMC Choppers, someone on hand will take away a BMC Rolling Chassis, and others will win prizes such as, a H-D Springer front end, a set of Indian Chief fenders, a H-D Big Tire kit, Avon Tyres, round trip shipping to the mainland courtesy of Pasha Hawaii, and other great prizes.
The Paradise Bikefest is going to be Hawaii’s most talked about event this fourth of July weekend. Get your tickets and join us for, what WILL be the premier motorcycle rally in the State.
Tickets are currently on sale at:
Cycle City Harley-Davidson
South Seas Harley-Davidson
Pacific Rim Cycle
Grumpy’s Customs
Domenico’s
Rosas? Ice Tee
Mikey’s Speed Shop
Marine Corps Base Hawaii Ticket/Tours office (Marine Corps Exchange)
Navy Tickets & Tours office (Navy Exchange)
Schofield Army Base (Ticket office)
–Steve Kalnasy
Editor/Publisher
Hawaiian Chopper Magazine
GEORGE FLEMING WORKING-UP NEW BANNER ART FOR BIKERNET–Here is a rough sketch for Bikernet’s Lion Head Logo.Its pretty much the same kind of design, I just addedsome clawed paws, a few more teeth inside the mouthand some more detail to the design. Let me know whatyou think so far. I will email you some morethumbnails of the revised Bikernet logo t-shirttomorrow evening.
–George
Some of you old school guys will recognize this art from IRS limited, a mail order company, I had in the ’70s. We’re reviving the art. It was too cool to let it rust.–Bandit
SAND IN THE HOUR-GLASS NOTICE– Shot this at Devil’s Tower during the Rally 2004. 34 days and a wake up ’till we leave for Sturgis.
Ride Hard,
–Whiplash Biker Photog
mailto:soffordphotos@comcast.net
NEW COLOR-MATCHED RADIATOR COVER AND SPOILER FOR VRSC–Add A Splash of Color to Any Harley-Davidson VRSC Model.MILWAUKEE (June 29, 2006) – The new Color-Matched Radiator Cover and Spoiler ($199.00 to $225.00 depending on finish) from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories incorporates a scooped chin spoiler and chrome-plated perforated screen to give any VRSC model a race-ready appearance.
Manufactured from high-impact composite materials, the insert covers the original-equipment center section and stretches the color of the radiator end caps across the front of the bike. The kit includes the necessary hardware for quick-and-easy installation.
Available in 14 different colors and aluminum finish to match orginal paint, this kit fits 2002-later VRSC models, but may not fit with some accessories. See a Harley-Davidson dealer for details.
For additional information on Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories, see your local Harley-Davidson dealer or visit the Harley-Davidson Web site at www.harley-davidson.com. To find a dealer near you, call toll free 1-800-443-2153 in the U.S.A. or Canada.
CANADIAN MOTORCYCLE DRAG RACING ASSOCIATION GEARING UP FOR RACES–The Canadian Motorcycle Drag Racing Association (CMDRA) is gearing up fortheir third race of the Power Twins/Parts Canada All Motorcycle Drag Raceson July 1-2 at Mission Raceway Park in Mission, B.C.
It is proving to be another exciting year of the fastest, most exciting allmake motorcycle drag racing action in Canada featuring the Screamin’ EagleTop Fuel Series, Screamin’ Eagle Pro Fuel Series, Screamin’ Eagle ProDragster Series, Ainsworth Lumber/Core Pipelines Pro Modified Series, ProGas Series, Pro Stock Series, Godoy’s Insurance Only Modified Series, CorePipelines/Ainsworth Lumber Super Gas Series, Screamin’ Eagle Stock XL (883)Series, Pro Street Series, McNeney & McNeney Super Bike Series, MissionSprings Brewing Company Street Series, the BRAND NEW Screamin’ Eagle V-RodDestroyer Series, PowerTwins Gas Shootout and Image Racing Fuel Shootout!
Saturday
9:00am – Free Race School, sponsored by Deeley Harley-Davidson
Canada & theTrev Deeley Foundation
9:30am – Test & Tune
12:30pm – Qualifying
Sunday
9:30am – Test & Tune
11:30AM – Eliminations
BIKERPICS GIVES UP GIRL IN CHAINS TO BIKERNET–She was Miss BIKERPICS for a while. She is kind of tough looking, she’s yours now.
–Jack
BIKERPICS.ORG
She’s in the Bikernet Basement with the girls. Wonder what they’re doing?–Bandit
BILLY LANE SMOKE-OUT REPORT–Well-known motorcycle customizer charged with driving while impaired
A Florida biker who is known for his customized choppers was charged early Sunday with driving while impaired on Jake Alexander Boulevard.
William David “Billy” Lane, 36, of Melbourne, Fla., was charged about 1:10 a.m.
N.C. Highway Patrol Trooper Matthew Strawbridge specified in his report that Lane was driving the wrong way on a two-lane road – going south in the northbound lane of Jake Alexander Boulevard.
Strawbridge also noted that Lane was not wearing a helmet. He refused a breathalyzer test.
Lane was apparently attending Smoke Out VII, an annual motorcycle rally at the Rowan County Fairgrounds.
Lane, owner of Choppers Inc., has been featured in magazines and on television programs, including The Discovery Channel’s “The Great Biker Build-off” series.
Lane was released on a $1,000 bond. His court date is Aug. 24.
Staff report
–from Rogue
SUCCESSFUL BIKERNET MARKETING CAMPAIGN BY HORSEPOWER MARKETING AND D&D PERFORMANCE EXHAUST–Horsepower Marketing just concluded a successful campaign with D&D Performance Exhaust, manufacturer of performance-oriented v-twin and sportbike exhaust pipes, where online traffic increased by 103% and retail sales improved 30% over a 60-day period.
Utilizing BIKERNET.COM – The campaign revolved around introducing a new exhaust product for the Harley-Davidson DYNA motorcycle called the Fat Cat exhaust. Members and visitors of Bikernet.com voted on fellow members’ DYNA motorcycles.We had over 20 participants from three continents show their Harley-Davidson pride.
Bikernet.com receives over 300,000 unique visitors each month and the contest received thousands of votes and page views.Since this was the only promotional campaign taking place at D&D Exhaust, the results speak volumes on what a targeted and highly focused online promotion can provide a manufacturer.
Campaign Marketing Messages – Unique features include 2 into 1 pipe design that improves performance by as much as 10HP, heat shields and show-quality chrome.
Campaign Results – Improved traffic by 103% and increased retail sales over 30%.
“Keith Ball of Bikernet.com really came through for us and gave us what we needed to deliver on this campaign,” said Jeffrey Najar, Chief Marketer. “His site, support and assistance allowed us to extract the maximum out of this campaign.”
BILL ORCE, ILLINOISE ABATE LEADER DIES–I’m sad to report that Bill Orce, a founding father of A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois, passed away on June 21, 2006. He acted as State Director in the mid-seventies, and many of us in Wisconsin thought of him as ABATE of Chicago. He was a dynamic organizer and helped Wisconsin ABATE by putting us in touch with the late Ed Armstrong, Fox River Grove, who provided expert testimony at several of Wisconsin’s public hearings on our helmet repeal bill.
Bill was always willing to help out and listen. His enthusiasm helped to persuade many early freedom fighters to join A.B.A.T.E. and work toward keeping Illinois bikers free.
Born on September 18, 1947, Bill was an avid martial arts enthusiast/instructor and worked on biker publications and ran a small bike shop for a time.
His wake is tonight, June 28th, at Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL. Visitation is from 3:00 PM until 9:00 PM. The funeral is tomorrow, Thursday, June 29th, with interment at Arlington Heights Wheeling Township Cemetery. Hopefully, some old time ABATE members will attend to say goodbye to a true friend of bikers. I plan on riding down as soon as I finish this post.
Tony “Pan” Sanfelipo
Founder, ABATE of Wisconsin
Continued On Page 4
June 29, 2006 Part 2
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 1
TONGLET GOES ROUNDS AT GATEWAY INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, JUMPING BACK UP THE POINT STANDINGS–ST. LOUIS (June 25, 2006) – GT Tonglet was getting anxious about winning rounds on his Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines V-Rod. After all, he hadn’t gone past the first round in two events and had not been to the semifinals since the Houston race in April.
The anxiety subsided on Sunday as he made a semifinal appearance at the O’Reilly Midwest NHRA Nationals at Gateway International Raceway. Tonglet beat Shawn Gann in the opening round of eliminations before topping Craig Treble in the second round. Tonglet fouled at the starting line in the matchup against Michael Phillips in the semis but the two round wins went a long way.
“It felt great to get a couple of round wins, especially the holeshot (winning with a slower elapsed time aided by a quicker reaction time) win in the first round,” Tonglet said. “The bike was moving really well, especially the first 60-feet and we’re definitely going in the right direction. I think I just got a little too anxious in the semifinals. We had a great shot at winning but I just got antsy on the starting line.”
The points helped Tonglet jump back into the top 10 of the NHRA POWERade series standings. He was in 11th place going into the event and is now ninth after the sixth of 15 events.
Teammate Andrew Hines is still holding strong in second place. He notched a first round victory against Chris Rivas. Hines turned in a 7.167-second pass at 185.89 mph, beating Rivas’ 7.244 at 178.26. Hines fell short in his race against points leader Angelle Sampey, going 7.185 at 184.50 to Sampey’s 7.142 at 187.29.
Tonglet recorded a 7.222 run at 184.50 against Gann’s 7.170 at 187.31 for his first round win since the May 21 event at Columbus. He beat Treble with a 7.187 at 185.33 to Treble’s 7.290 at 181.86.
Crew chief Matt Hines said the round wins was a much-needed turn around from the two first round losses suffered last week in Englishtown, N.J.
“We really needed to come out of this race with some wins in eliminations,” Hines said. “Now we have a couple of weeks before the next event and I expect us to find some more horsepower and build off the positive things we saw in St. Louis. This is a great momentum builder and we really needed to get GT back into the top 10 of the point standings.”
Hines qualified in the No. 2 spot with a 7.085 pass at 188.89. Tonglet – the winner of the 2001 event at this track – was 12th with a 7.168 at 186.85.
Hines is currently second in the point standings, aiming to defend his two consecutive NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Motorcycle championships (2004-’05). Hines is 28 points behind points leader Sampey. While Sampey beat Hines in the second round, she fell to eventual race winner Chip Ellis in the semis.
“I felt really comfortable on the bike this weekend because of the changes we made to the setup,” Andrew Hines said. “We’re going to head back to the shop and test some more changes and see what we can come up with for the next event. We need to make up those 20 points that we gave up to Angelle this weekend.”
The NHRA POWERade Drag Racing event featuring the ultra-quick two-wheeled entries is the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway in Denver, July 14-16.
Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts are inspired by and built in the spirit of the raw adrenaline and power of motorcycle racing. Screamin’ Eagle Pro parts are specifically designed for race-use applications, while Screamin’ Eagle parts offer street-use performance options for the Harley-Davidson motorcycle owner. Visit www.harley-davidson.com for more information.
The Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines Pro Stock Motorcycle team is sponsored by Ford Truck, Dunlop, Matco Tools and S100.
SAXON MOTORCYCLE COMPANY PARTNERS WITH NEW REBEL MOTORCYCLE, EXCLUSIVE EUROPEAN DISTRIBUTOR–Casa Grande, Ariz – June 27, 2006 Representatives from Saxon MotorcycleCompany today announced a partnership with New Rebel Motorcycles, dbaSaxon Motorcycles Europe, a company based in the Netherlands, todistribute Saxon Motorcycles throughout Europe.
New Rebel Motorcycles, founded in January 2006 by Frank Vermeulen andRinke Andringa of the Netherlands, was created specifically to provide theEuropean market with custom, American style motorcycles. The partnerschose Saxon because the philosophy of New Rebel was so similar to Saxon’s.”We chose Saxon because they produce a great looking motorcycle at anexceptional value. In addition, their philosophy, professionalism, andstrategy matches ours perfectly. Saxon’s focus on quality and customerservice makes them a standout in the industry and a great partner forentering an entirely new market.” Said Rinke Andringa.
Saxon Motorcycles Europe wants to challenge people to escape from their”ordinary” lives and create freedom and fun on the road by providingcustom, American Motorcycles and related lifestyle items to the Europeanmarket. Saxon Motorcycle Company will be one of the first American, custommotorcycle manufacturers to be granted EU Type Approval, meaning SaxonMotorcycles will be legal in all European Union countries. SaxonMotorcycles Europe plans to begin marketing the Saxon line in dealershipsthroughout the EU beginning in October 2006.
“Saxon Motorcycle Company?s partnership with New Rebel Motorcycles allowsSaxon the ability to expand into a new market and strengthen our brand. Weare very excited to be working with the team at New Rebel Motorcycles.They’ve done their homework and have a solid plan to develop the Saxonbrand and support our customers in Europe.” Said David Schwam, VicePresident of Sales and Marketing.
Saxon Motorcycles Europe will initially offer two of Saxon’s models forEuropean distribution, the flagship chopper Warlord and the long and lowFirestorm. Both models come standard with a right side drive transmission,two-year unlimited mileage warranty, 96 S&S engine, swingarm suspension,and have both have EU Type Approval. Saxon Motorcycles Europe can be seenonline at www.SaxonMotorcycles.eu. Dealer inquiries are welcome.
THE SOCKET WEDDING RINGS ROCK–I’m a newlywed, and my husband and I have both been long time readers of both O’l Skool and Deluxe. Like most engaged couples, money was tight. But my ever resourceful man came up with quite the alternative to gold wedding bands. He made us rings outta sockets. I was thrilled, and I’m sure many of your readers will get a kick out of his creativity. Feel free to rob the idea boys!
–Mrs. Jill Hated
ROAD TRIP PHOTO EXHIBIT AT ORLANDO MUSEUM OF ART–July 6th,at the Orlando Museum of Art,a one day exhibition titled Road Trip USA,featuring two of our art photos.
If you’re in the neighbourhood, come and say hi.
–The Chief & The Duck
chief@ccphotoart.biz
BRASS NUTS FOUND AT CRIME SCENE–Crime Scene Chopper’s Brass Nuts lend a cool retro flair to you Evolution or Twin Cam powered ride. These stylish head bolt covers slip over the existing head bolts and are secured with a setscrew, which can be positioned to the side and accessed between the fins. CNC machined out of brass billet, these are provided with a fine machined finish. A set of four Brass Nuts, including set screws, is $59.
Part number CSC-700
Crime Scene Choppers
www.CrimeSceneChoppers.com
831.406.0126
All products are available for purchase through our secure online store or by phone. We accept Visa, MC, American Express and Discover.
BEMISDERFER SNAGS THUNDERBIKE WIN AT RAIN-SOAKED V.I.R.– Buell Riders Finish 1-2 at ASRA National Event. ALTON, Va. (June 25, 2006) – Harley-Davidson/Buell of Frederick rider Bryan Bemisderfer survived an off-track excursion from the rain-soaked Virginia International Raceway and recovered to pass Veatch Motorsports rider Dave Estok on the last lap to win the American SportBike Racing Association (ASRA) Thunderbike National, part of the Sixth Annual VIR Festival of Speed. Bemisderfer and Estok were both riding Buell Firebolt motorcycles. Arnold Hasting was a distant third on a Suzuki SV650.
Estok, the defending National Thunderbike champion, led qualifying for the race, posting a lap of 1:33.461 on the 2.25-mile VIR road course.
Heavy rain on Sunday posed a significant challenge for riders during the eight-lap Thunderbike National. BMW rider Nate Kern, who was in second place in Thunderbike season points, crashed out on the second lap, while Hal’s H-D/Buell-Hal’s Speed Shop rider Dan Bilansky crashed his Buell Firebolt on lap three. Neither rider was able to return to the race.
Bemisderfer was in third place behind Estok ad Bilansky when he rolled onto the run-off area on the first turn of lap two, after entering the corner too fast for the wet conditions.
“I was really going pretty slowly when I left the track,” said Bemisderfer. “I just didn’t have confidence I could make the corner and decided to play it safe.” Bemisderfer did not fall, but lost significant time, and spent the next six laps reeling in Estok.
“I could tell I was gaining on him in every turn,” said Bemisderfer, “but I wasn’t really close enough to try and pass him until the last half of the last lap. I planned to make a move on the last corner, because I’m quite a bit heavier than David and on this wet track I was getting better traction on my rear tire. I thought I could get a little drive on him there and make the pass, and that’s just how it worked out.”
Buell riders Walt Sipp (Blue Springs Harley-Davidson/Buell), Sam Rozynski (Sound Waves/Hal’s Speed Shop), James Delk, Jr. (Roanoke Valley Harley-Davidson/Buell), and Anthony Caligiuri (Liberty Harley-Davidson/Buell) finished fourth through seventh.
Buell racers also took three wins and four podium finishes during the Championship Cup Series support races at VIR. Estok won CCS Expert Thunderbike, while Bemisderfer took a victory in CCS Expert SuperTwins, and Delk won the Amateur GT Lights race.
His victory at VIR gives Bemisderfer a boost in the Thunderbike season points race. After five of eight races, Bemisderfer has 135 points, Estok moves up to second with 125 points, and Kern drops to third with 108 points. The next race on the ASRA Thunderbike National schedule is August 11-13 at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala.
To learn more about Buell motorcycles, visit your local Buell dealer today and experience the pure streetfighter attitude, style and performance only found on board a Buell. For the Buell dealer nearest you, pull into www.buell.com.
SARA LIBERTE MAKES SPEED CHANNEL–if you have Speed Channel Corbin’s Ride on is featuring North Hills Cycle and Sara Liberte’s Builder and Machine photography artwork.
CRO – #11020 – PremiereTues, July 4 @ 8:30pm E / 5:30pm P
Tues late night, July 4 @ 3:30am E / 12:30am P
Wed, July 5 @ 7:30am E / 4:30am P
Sat, July 8 @ 7:30am E / 4:30am P
Have a safe and Happy 4th!!
–Sara Liberte
www.saraliberte.com
www.northhillscycle.com
BIKERNET READER TECH QUESTION OF THE WEEK–I own my first Harley Davidson which is an ’03 Ultra Classic that in my opinion does not have bright enough lights on the back.The problem is, I don’t like to drill holes and I like to keep the bike looking stock with no major modifications.
Are there LED bulbs available that are direct replacements for the stock bulbs, both rear turn and brake lights?
–Dane
“dane”
Yes I think there’s LED replacements. Try Dr. Neon or Hi-Tech Products. Also there’s an H-D mod that makes all your rear lights light up when you hit your brakes. We installed it on my Road King. Check the King department.
Last night I was going through the 2006 H-D accessory catalog and discovered LED light bar lights. Check it out.–BANDIT
Not just the roads are deadly: the soaring fatality rate on the range
Back in 2002, there was an article published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Harley probing 2 deaths in rider safety classes”. It included this bit: “But safety officials said they know of only one other fatality at a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course in the past two decades.” And there’s this quote: “”Something that severe is very rare,” said Ron Thompson, manager of Wisconsin’s motorcycle safety program.”
And it’s true; back in 2002, deaths were rare.
According to the M$F, from 1973 through 1998 there were 1.67 million students trained. And no one knows of any rider error deaths on the range.
Let me emphasize that:
47 different state-run programs with different administrators. Thousands of instructors. 1.67 million students trained. And no death of a student or instructor that involved rider error.
Now let’s look at driver’s ed training for comparison. From 1930’s-2006:
Over 70 years of training.
Over 200 million trained.
Hundreds of thousands of instructors.
50 states.
A great number of curriculums.
A vast number of public and private training entities.
Three incidents involving student driver error resulting in deaths.
But since 1999, in motorcycle rider training, there’s been: six deaths due to rider error and at least two near-fatal.
Quite a change, eh? Can’t believe there’s that many?
This came from http://moonrider.journalspace.com/Some interesting facts.
–ROGUE
WHO CARES WHAT KIND OF MOTORCYCLE THE FOOTBALL PLAYER WAS RIDING; A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT IS A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT…..AND WHETHER OR NOT HE WAS WEARING A HELMET DON’T MATTER EITHER SINCE IT HAPPENED IN A STATE THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE A PERSON OVER OVER THE AGE OF 21 TO WEAR ONE!!! HE WAS NOT AT FAULT THE DRIVER OF THE CAGE WAS AT FAULT!!! THAT IS THE FRIGGIN’ POINT!!!
ALSO ANOTHER COMMENT ON THE MOTORCYCLIST WHO WAS HIT BY A DRUNK DRIVER AND BURNED……OH MY GOD-I PRAY FOR HIM AND HIS FAMILY AND HOPE THE DUMBASS WHO DID THAT TO HIM GETS WHAT HE DESERVES IN COURT!!!!
THESE TWO INCIDENTS ARE WHY CAGES NEED MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS AS A MANDATORY FACTOR TO GET AND KEEP A DRIVERS LICENSE!!!!!! THEY ALWAYS INJURE OR KILL A MOTORCYCLIST AND SAY, “OH WELL I DIDN’T SEE HIM”…THAT’S AN EXCUSE NOT A REASON…AND IT MAKES YOU RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MURDER OR INJURY OF A MOTORCYCLIST!!!! PERIOD~
THANX FER LETTIN’ ME VENT~
–GYPSY*
–from Rogue
Continued On Page 3
June 29, 2006 Part 1
By Bandit |
HEY,
Yep, it’s hot, humid, steamy and grizzly. My computer smokes as I hammer the keys drastically trying to finish the news. All the powder for my V-120-inch Sportbike Panhead is curing overnight for pick-up tomorrow.
Berry Wardlaw called yesterday to give me an update on the Accurate Engineering Engine. “We were considering aluminum rods. We’re upping the compression another notch and installing pork chop flywheels,” Berry said. “Remind me never to get involved in another Build-Off.”
Let’s hit the news and I’ll fill you in on the girls and the 45 flathead with the K-model top end, later:
THE BAKER STREET PERFORMANCE 9-PLATE CLUTCH–HASLETT, MI,For those who are looking for a great replacement to his OEM clutch. BAKER Drivetrain an improved solution. Available this summer, the BAKER Street Performance 9-Plate Clutch offers many upgrades.
Features:
of the new BAKER clutches is the 1-piece starter ring gear AND clutch basket – an industry first! Black phosphate-coated 8620 gear steel for smooth pinion-to-ring gear engagement and friction plate stick-slip reduction. Ring gear is 23% thicker than stock manufactured to AGMA 8 or better. Available in 66-tooth starter ring configuration.
Torque capacity (Rear wheel) up to 125ft-lbs.
Nine Kevlar friction plates for 71% more friction plate area than stock
One piece starter ring gear/basket for superior structural integrity
Clutch hub is hard anodized
Single snap ring installation: No disassembly of plates necessary
Chain sprockets are available with 35, 36, 37 or 38-teeth
Diaphragm style clutch spring makes holding the clutch open easy
Designed to fit your stock Big Twin
Basket and Pressure Plate is hard anodized laser blue
For additional information, go online to www.bakerdrivetrain.com.
EVIDENCE THAT BIKERNET EXISTS–Mr. White here. I was perusing through my mag collection when I happened across the July 1996 Easyriders. I was reading your ‘Short strokes” section and noticed you had announced launching Bikernet only the week before. I thought that was pretty cool.
Anyways, keep up the work and I am proud to be a part of it. I knew it had been ten years, but it was cool to find the original announcement. Pretty cool. I am sure you have the issue, but I would send it to you if you wanted it.
Also, I’m waiting on a new assignment, boss. I have still heard nothing from Big Dog.
–Johnny
CUSTOM STURGIS POSTAL DELIVERY TRUCKS–Here is a copy of the trucks the USPS will be tooling around in during the Rally. They are really quite enthusiastic about it!
See the USPS stamp story in Special Reports. You can see the bikes featured on the collectible stamps at the Sturgis Museum this August.
NEW SPRINGERS AVAILABLE–Just to let you know I have TWO new, Parks Custom Springer, models coming out. One is the all tubing front end. It does not have triple trees. I’m deputing it on John from Wicked Bros bike. The other is a retro. it has curved rear legs and I’ll be doing one for ELL form Vegas City Choppers!
— Brian
Donald Parks
parkscustomspringers@hotmail.com
DAVID UHL TO ENHANCE “RUBY” FOR KIDS & CHROME EVENT– June 2006 – – In 1998, David Uhl was licensed by Harley-Davidson to help capture the nostalgia and rich history of The Motor Company. The motorcycle art world has never been the same.David was the only Harley-Davidson painter to be commissioned to do two pieces to celebrate the 100th Anniversary in 2003. “The Enthusiast” was featured on the February 2003 cover of Enthusiast Magazine and quickly became the most popular and best-selling print in the history of the company’s fine art program.
David’s work resides in the homes of celebrities such as Jay Leno and in countless museums and galleries throughout the world. He has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning, which referred to him as “The Norman Rockwell of Harley-Davidson artists” and most recently on Speed Vision.
In 1998, David Uhl created “Ruby”. A masterpiece set in 1926, she immediately captured her audience with an intensity like no other work of motorcycle fine artLong sold out, the canvas and paper “Ruby” prints are still in great demand. The canvas serigraph prints, available in 1998 for $750 each, have recently been valued as high as $7,500.
David has agreed to create a one-of-a-kind canvas “Ruby” for Kids & Chrome. He will be painting over one of the last 2 remaining press proofs of Ruby, resulting in a truly unique original work. The image is 27″ x 17″ and painted over a canvas giclee. The work comes with a hand written letter of certification describing the uniqueness of this piece. “I am very honored to participate in this event, fostering such a worthwhile cause. I sincerely hope Ruby can rally her popularity here to promote a great endeavor”.
To see “Ruby” and learn more about David and his collection of artwork, visit http://www.art-inc.biz/david_gallery.html.
For more information about Kids & Chrome visit www.kidsandchrome.com
CALIFORNIA HELMET LAW UPDATE ON COURT RULING–Quigley had his day in court again, seeking relief from the helmet tickets he received in Santa Cruz County. The judge explained he could dismiss the tickets, and that would be the end of it. Nothing would prevent the CHP or other enforcement agencies from writing more tickets to Quig or anyone else. Quig stated he wants the law gone, For everyone. Bottom line, the judge is not sure he has authority to issue an injunction, or exactly how or what form to do it in. So he is asking for help from Quig and his legal team, and the judge will also research this. The DA objected and wanted the tickets dismissed of course, so business as usual could continue.
The judge has asked the parties to return on Bastille Day (July 17) and he will rule or issue the injunction then if he has authority. It’s mind boggling how the DA wants to proceed and ignore the injunction language in the Easyriders case, which comes up several times.
You can read the actual transcripts at www.usff.com/print and scroll down to 062306 transcript. PDF and click.
I’m going to research the Michigan case cited from 2003, which found their law unconstitutional. Quig keeps chipping away at the California law, without much outside help. Let’s hope he has time to make it fall.
–Pan
RICK FAIRLESS RETURNS TO STROKERS STURGIS IN ’06 WITHMORE BIKES, BABES, AND BEER–Dallas, TX (June 14, 2006)- As a follow up to last year’s success, Rick Fairless and the gang from Strokers Dallas will return to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally for their second year at their ‘home away from home’: Strokers Sturgis. Located in the 40,000 square feet venue at Thunder Road, Strokers Sturgis is a piece of the ‘Big D’ all the way up in the Black Hills of South Dakota. This year the joint will be even bigger, with more bikes, babes, and beer than any other place in Sturgis.
As the “Custom Capitol of Sturgis,” Thunder Road is the perfect match for Strokers. Owned and managed by SBW Productions, the place has everything a true Rally go-er could ask for. With lots of cool customs on display, bikers can come in and buy a cold beer from a hot babe, order some hearty food from the bar, and chill out to some good tunes. Once again, the place will be decked out in true Rick Fairless style, with plenty of his collected memorabilia, vintage signs, and lots of posters and pictures on display. New this year, the bar will stay open until midnight all week serving beer and playing live music, allowing everyone to get the most out Strokers Sturgis.
“We’re very excited about our second year at Strokers Sturgis. Last year was a huge year and this year will be bigger and better,” Fairless said. “Sturgis is all about bikes, babes and beer, and I think we have it all. I also have several new customs I will be showcasing this year, so since we’re staying open late, I want to see people hanging out longer and having fun.”
Click her for more info on the Day Roll and Bed Roll!
BANDIT’S BEDROLL AND DAY ROLL TESTIMONIAL–Just wanted to let you know that I used both the dayroll and bedroll for a road trip this past weekend (was headed to the Horse SO but never made it). I love them – one of the best “parts” I’ve bought for my chopper
Only have one suggestion. There should be a velcro’d flap over the zipper – that’s the only place that rain got in. I’ll just put plastic over my stuff next time
–Rich M
Hey Rick, I’ll look into more rain proof options. You too can buy a famous Bandit’s Bedroll by clicking on the Black Market banner below. Thanks, Bandit
ON LINE, ALL CLASS GAMBLING AND YOU COULD WIN A $7000 ENGINE–A HOT new RevTech engine for $50.00!!! That’s right, Bikernet and Hot Aces Casino are sponsoring a contest to win a new $7,000 HOT ROD, REVTECH engine. Just go to Click here www.hotacescasino.com register, make your $50.00 deposit and enter the code ENGINE. You will be automatically entered into the drawing. Drawing to be held July 14, 2006. *see promotion terms and conditions at www.hotacescasino.com BIKERNET MARRIAGE ADVICE–An 80 year old woman was arrested for shop lifting. When she went before the judge he asked her, “What did you steal?” She replied: a can of peaches. The judge asked her why she had stolen them and she replied that she was hungry. The judge then asked her how many peaches were in the can. She replied 6. The judge then said, “I will give you 6 days in jail.” Before the judge could actually pronounce the punishment the woman’s husband spoke up and asked the judge if he could say something. He said, ” What is it? “ The husband said “She also stole a can of peas.” BILLY LANE VS. RUSSEL MITCHELL BUILD-OFF BLASTED TO AN END–Billy’s 5th Biker Build Off is now complete. He was up against Russell Mitchell from Exile Cycles in CA. For the build off Billy built an amazing hubless wheel bike. He had some special guests join him during the build that helped him to create one if his most amazing bikes to date. Billy and Russell rode from Chicago to Laconia, NH. Along the way lots of interesting things, things you will have to see to believe happened, you won’t want to miss the show. Billy’s bike caught fire and Russell broke his ankle. Don’t miss it. The air date has been set. Please be sure to mark your calendars and tune in. Discovery ChannelMonday, Aug. 7, @ 9 p.m. ET/PT (Billy’s episode kicks off season 3) –Darcy BIKERNET.COM FREEBIES—This week we give away another ?Worlds Fastest Indian? DVD. That leaves one more to give away next week, and that?s all we got. Not to worry, we have so many other cool things that we?re gonna get rid of. Posters, Easyrider collector plates, Monster Garage Series 2 box set, OCC DVD box sets, I know you all want that, and much, much more? The winner of ?The Worlds Fastest Indian? DVD is: William Moore from Greensboro And from our free section we chose: NELSON CITTA from LAKE CITY, FLORIDA That is a good idea, Nelson and we are currently having some made. Remember, you can?t win if you don?t enter. You must be a Cantina member to enter for the WFI DVD, however anyone can enter in the free area. Bandit and I have been tossing around the idea of getting rid of the contest in the free area, only having the one in the Cantina as a perk for members. We send the carrier pigeon with this idea to Digital Gangster today and he makes the final decision. You’ll know what he decided if it’s gone… Layla
Wanted: Damn near anything, but a copy of “the Worlds Fastest Indian” will do
Suggestion: HOW ABOUT MAKING SOME DECALS OF THE TWO BONNEVILLE TEAM EMBLEMS FOR SALE TO RAISE THE MUCH NEEDED FUNDS ??
Continued On Page 2
June 22, 2006 Part 4
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 3
ULTIMATE SERVICEMAN DEAR JOHN LETTER RESPONSE– You gotta love a man like this, Humor in the face of defeat.
A Marine was deployed to Afghanistan. While he was there he received aletter from his girlfriend. In the letter she explained that she hadslept with two guys while he was gone, and she wanted tobreak up with him. AND, she wanted pictures of herself back.
So the Marine did what any squared-away Marine would do.He went around to his buddies and collected all the unwanted photos ofwomen he could find. He then mailed about 25 pictures of women (withclothes and without) to his girlfriend with the following note:
“I don’t remember which one you are. Please remove yourpicture and send the rest back.”
–from Joe Lankau
HOLLYWOOD BOBBER BARS–Check out these slick new HOLLYWOOD BOBBER BARS. Manufactured by Paughco and currently available exclusively through JAMMER’S HANDBOOK, the latest trend in custom handlebars is the hot ticket for today’s HOT SCOOTERS.
Fit with a curved cross bar for added rigidity and that BOBBER effect, the bars are 1″ in diameter and have 4 1/4″ on center mounting holes.
Designed for use with Paughco and OEM springers HOLLYWOOD BOBBER BARS come finished in flawless Paughco chrome or gloss black and are designed for use with external control cables and custom headlight installations.
Call 800-729-3332 or visit http://www.customchrome.com/
BIKERNET STANDING IN LINE PHILOSOPHY–A bus carrying only ugly people crashes into an oncoming truck, and everyone inside dies. As they stand at the Pearly Gates waiting to enter Paradise and meet their maker, God decides to grant each person one wish because of the grief they have experienced.
They’re all lined up, and God asks the first one what the wish is. “I want to be gorgeous,” and so God snaps His fingers, and it is done.
The second one in line hears this and says “I want to be gorgeous too.” Another snap of His fingers and the wish is granted.
This goes on for a while with each one asking to be gorgeous, but when God is halfway down the line, the last guy in the line starts laughing.
When there are only ten people left, this guy is rolling on the floor, laughing his head off.
Finally, God reaches this last guy and asks him what his wish will be. The guy eventually calms down and says:
“Make ’em all ugly again.
NEXT TIME YOU’RE LAST IN LINE. BE HAPPY.
–From CarlR
BIKERNET.COM ? CANTINA CONTEST WINNER!!–OK, Bikernet has two contests; one in the free area and one in the Cantina. Right now I?m giving away three copies of ?The World?s Fastest Indian? DVD in the Cantina drawing. Today I picked the first winner and the lucky duck is:
Paul Destito from Hobe Sound , Florida
I have two more copies that I?ll be giving away next week and the week after that so ENTER IN THE CANTINA!! (Must be a Cantina member to enter- duh.)
Not to leave out those of you who don?t want to become members and support our site, (thanks to those who do), we also have the winner from the Free section.
MARTIN MATANIC (BUTCH) from MORRISTON, FLORIDA
Suggestion: THERES’ NOTHING MORE PLEASING TO THE EYES THAN BEAUTIFUL BIKES AND BEAUTIFUL NAKED WOMEN (NOT NECESARILLY IN THAT ORDER)HOW ABOUT ADDING MORE WOMEN BY HAVING YOUR OWN BEAUTY CONTEST. BASE IT ON ONE OVERALL CATEGORY OR MULTIPLE ONES, EXAMPLE TITS, ASS?
Wanted: A SET OF 3-1/2 GALLON TANKS FOR MY ’99 SOFTAIL .
Martin, congratulations on being the winner in the free section, you win a box set of Monster Garage DVD?s!!! (not what you asked for unfortunately) However, in answer to you suggestion, there are naked women and cool bikes in the CANTINA. So join if you haven?t already.
Till next week – Layla
TRUE-TRACK TOURING FRAME TUNER TESTIMONIAL–Just got my True Track stabilizer link and installed it on my 1999 FLHRC-I. Installation is a breeze… Takes about 15-20 minutes.Inventor is a super person to talk with and very helpful.
Now to the results…Been out riding for several hours. At slow speeds, she handles like a smaller, more nimble bike. Much more responsive than without the True-Track. At highway speeds, the bike feels tremendously more stable and responsive. Going over the edge of road patches or tar snakes doesn’t cause the rear to feel like it’s on ice.
I’m off tonight for a spin on some back roads with known bumpy curves that used to cause a really high pucker factor.
So far, I’m thoroughly impressed and it’s well worth the price. The bike no longer feels like a 1,000 lb bear……more to come after the bumpy curve ride!
Background
I first noticed my bike wobbling when banking hard (about 70MPH), getting onto the Interstate and I hit uneven pavement. For a couple of seconds I thought I was going down. It never got to a tank slapper stage, but it was oscillating so bad, I had to pull over and check my underwear. That turned out to be a bad rear tire, but after replacing the tire I began to notice that every time I went into a bumpy curve or ran over uneven pavement the rear end would give a little shimmy.
I checked everything, frame alignment, fork nut adjustment, fork oil, rear shock air pressure, motor mounts, tires, tire pressure, spokes… Nothing was wrong or out of proper adjustment. After much frustration, someone posted the reason that FLs wobble… The rubber mount system. The rear swingarm is also attached using rubber bushings which allows the swingarm to get out of verticle alignment with the frame and front tire briefly when banking or during quick corrections. Many people may never notice it, but mine apparently was amplified or I am just extra sensitive to it.
Here’s the link that I was given:http://www.bikernet.com/garage/PageViewer.asp?PageID=776
If you’re having wobbling or handling instability on your FL, it is well worth the bucks. I do suggest that you check everything that I checked to be sure that there is not another problem as well.
WEIRD NEWS: BOLD MOTORCYCLISTS RIDING BLIND– “I live for this,” shouted VIP Charlotte Gotz over the distinctive rumble of an idling motorcycle. “I love Harleys,” she told Greater Milwaukee Today for their article “Visually Impaired Passengers Feel The Thrill Of Open Road”
The wind on their faces and scenery roaring past, VIPs (Visually Impaired Persons) rode along with members of ABATE of Wisconsin and West Bend and Hartford Harley Owners Group chapters for a BOLD (Blinded Outdoor Leisure Development) outing. The Richfield Lions Club supplies the VIP riders, and ABATE with the help of local HOG chapters, bring the bikes.
“They’re gutsy,” said Andrew Olson of the BOLD passengers he’s had over the past five or six years he has participated. “They’re getting on with somebody they don’t know, they don’t know the road, what’s around the next curve or where they’re going,” said Olson, a member of the West Bend HOG Chapter. “I would’ve thought it would be terrifying, but everyone I’ve ever taken with me knows how the bike handles, the countryside – their other senses are developed.”
When VIP and BOLD Director Marty Hutchings is asked why he enjoys the annual ride, he replied, “the feel of the wind in your hair, the open road, the freedom you have. It’s something any biker would tell you.”
–Bill Bish
DEAL OF THE WEEK, FAMOUS SHRUNKEN FXR FOR SALE–That’s right the famous Bikernet Shrunken FXR, designed for the smaller rider is FOR SALE.
This bike was specifically designed for the smaller rider. It’s a rare, Bandit built, one-off custom motorcycle-all new. Only $28,000 obo, (310) 830-0630,
SCREAMIN’ EAGLE RIDERS MAKE RARE EARLY EXIT AT NHRA EVENT AT OLD BRIDGE TOWNSHIP RACEWAY PARK–ENGLISHTOWN, N.J., (June 18, 2006) – Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines riders Andrew Hines and GT Tonglet have each earned a trip to the final round at NHRA events at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park at one point in their careers. Sunday’s K&N Filters NHRA SuperNationals wasn’t a day for repeat performances.
For the first time this season both V-Rod entries suffered first round losses. Hines – the 2004 winner of this event – lost to Ryan Schnitz. Hines turned in a 7.173-second pass at 186.25 mph, falling to Schnitz’s 7.149 at 180.48 on the Team Muzzy Buell. Tonglet lost to Matt Guidera. Tonglet went 7.168 at 187.05 to Guidera’s 7.148 at 185.36 on the Rocklin Motorsports Buell.
“We never want to make excuses for this team, but the weather really threw us for a loop,” Tonglet said. “During Saturday’s qualifying it was actually cool and not humid at all. We woke up Sunday and it was hot and humid. We just didn’t make enough changes to accommodate the atmospheric conditions.”
Hines qualified in the No. 7 spot, the lowest he has qualified since the final event of 2004 (12th in Pomona, Calif.). Hines recorded a best pass of 7.045 at 190.06 in qualifying. Tonglet was 11th in qualifying with a 7.085 at 189.95.
“We struggled in qualifying and that carried over to Sunday,” Harley-Davidson Racing Manager Anne Paluso said. “It’s unfortunate, but it happened and it’s over. Now we need to think about what we can do differently to produce better results next weekend.”
The next stop for the entire NHRA POWERade Series is the O’Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway International Raceway in Madison, Ill., just outside St. Louis. Qualifying starts Friday, which doesn’t leave much time for the team to prepare.
“I’m happy we don’t have a lot of time between races because it means we can redeem ourselves quickly,” Hines said. “Englishtown has been a bittersweet track for me. I think I used up all of my luck here in 2004 when we set the national record, took the top qualifying spot and won the race. I guess we will have to wait to come back next year and turn it around.
“Thankfully, we’ve done well in St. Louis and it’s nice to know that we are going to be back on the V-Rods in a couple of days. I don’t want the team’s first round losses to linger longer than it has to.”
Matt Smith earned the event victory, beating Karen Stoffer in the final round.
BIKERNET QUOTE OF THE WEEK– “Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.”
–Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States (1911-2004)
AVON TYRE TECH QUESTION OF THE WEEK–How load and speed are related in the tire world?
A V rated tyre is rated to 149mph sustained speed. However, after 130mph, the load the tyre can take reduces by 5% for every 10kmh increase in speed up to 149mph.
Max Speed Max Load (%)
190kmh (118mph) 100
200 (124mph) 100
210 (130mph) 100
220 (137mph) 95
230 (143mph) 90
240 (149mph) 85
Therefore, as the speed increases above 130mph, the load reduces. These tyres are drum tested (ECE reg 75 conditions which are more severe than DOT high speed conditions) for ten minutes at each speed but with a different percentage load due to take account of the fact the tyre is running on a curved drum rather than on a flat road.
This is why if you run a tire at sustained high speed with too heavy of a load you can wear out a tire quickly. It’s also important to make sure you are running the correct tire pressures.
–Sukoshi Fahey (Ms.)
Sales Manager, North America
http://www.avonmotorcycle.com/
Thunder Road “The Custom Capital of Sturgis” has more Bike Shows, Babes, Beer, and Vendors Four Years Running–
Sturgis, S.D. – For the fourth year in a row, during 2006 Sturgis Bike Week, Thunder Road will be the custom capital of Sturgis. Thunder Road will have more bike shows, babes, and beer than anywhere else in Sturgis. This year, the 40,000 square foot Thunderdome will be host to the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building, three major bike shows, and Michael Lichter’s “School’s Out; Old School, New School, All(s)Kool” exhibition, which will highlight the industry’s best builders and motorcycle artists. As always there’s plenty of free motorcycle parking at Thunder Road.
Thunder Road has grown over the last four years into the custom capital of Sturgis with custom bike builders, manufacturers, and high-end parts companies on the lot. In addition to vendors, the prestigious AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building will be held from Saturday, August 5th through Monday, August 7th. The fourth annual Metzler Custom Bike Show will be held on Tuesday, August 8th. Thursday will once again be host to the Biker/Penthouse bike show and Build-Off, an event that is sure to be a huge hit. The week will end on Friday with the ever-popular Rat’s Hole show. All these events will draw the top builders in the world, and there is no better place to showcase their world-class bikes than at Thunder Road.
“The Journey continues at Thunder Road” with Michael Lichter’s 6th annual art exhibition of custom motorcycles and wall art. This year’s exhibit includes custom bikes from over 20 of the top custom builders from around the country, and explores what is meant by the popular and often loosely used phrases “old school” and “new school.” Regardless of approach, the lines between different styles of custom bikes are blending, and “All(s)Kool”.
“We have made every effort possible to ensure that everyone who comes out to Thunder Road gets the full Sturgis experience because we’re hosting the best bike shows and exhibits, along with having the top custom bike builders on the property,” says Gary Lippold, owner of Thunder Road. “We feel like we have created an atmosphere at Thunder Road where people can come out, get a beer at Strokers, see some of the top custom bikes from around the world, and experience Sturgis Bike Week.”
The Thunderdome will once again be host to Rick Fairless’ Strokers Sturgis. This venue will be open from 11 am until midnight Saturday August 5th through Friday August 11th. There will be food and beer available all day long from Rick’s bar and there will be free live entertainment nightly.
In conjunction Thunder Road will have the best attractions around, including Miss Sturgis, The Texas Bikini Team, and even more great entertainment. Thunder Road is a part of the Glencoe Nation and is located directly in front of the Glencoe CampResort which will be host to Rock’n The Rally, an event that will have over 20 national music acts including Big and Rich, Cheap Trick, Sammy Hagar, Steve Miller Band, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and Nickelback.
Thunder Road is located 3 miles east of Sturgis on Highway 34 and is home to the premier bike builders and vendors in Sturgis.
LUCKY DEVIL UPDATE–There’s this small, humble builder in Houston who builds and fabricates like a mad dog. We’re about to receive a Girl of Bikernet feature on his Shamrock bike. He’s building a shrunken Bobber for Sin Wu. He’s just built the seat pan you see here for a Shovelhead and he’s working with Victory, Cruising Rider Magazine and Bikernet on a Victory chopper. “I really like working with those guys,” Kent said.
He works non-stop. Hell, he sold his house and moved into the shop, so he could work without the time wasted on a commute. We’ll bring you a report on the Victory shortly.
HOLY SHIT, CHIP MONK–Today started late and ran afoul, amuck, and asunder. I even dueled with computer glitches and shutdowns. I received a release from Baker and it killed my e-mail system. I’ll get Tony for that.
If all goes well here’s how the weekend could play out. Tonight the strippers invade a local bar. Tomorrow I pick up the powdered parts for the 45, then talk the girls into attending the erotic festival with me in the evening. There’s Marco’s Birthday Party on Saturday here in Wilmas and the Rose Bowl Show on Sunday, or do I have events switched? Let’s see how it really plays out.
Oh, there’s a tattoo gig also happening and Bob Roberts is going to swing by on his way. We need to discuss another historic biker feature for the HORSE and Bandit’s Cantina Archives.
Sunday morning we hit Bandit’s Cantina Sunday Post and bring you the Sunday News from Bikernet. There’s some hot shit in the Cantina.
In the meantime we’ve got a ton of content heading our way from a Saxon “Griffin” Road Test, a Von Dutch feature, an RS Performance bike feature, Girls of Bikernet from Jack Daniels and Deacon in Hawaii and a tech from Wolfgang publishing on soldering. There’s mo’, but wait, we have a feature brewing from LA Chop Rods and one on the ROT rally in Texas. Hang on.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit