Bandit Interviews Jeff Bleustein
By Bandit |
Jeffrey L. Bleustein is theChairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer ofHarley-Davidson, Inc. Of late we look down our noses at big buckCEO’s and their bonuses, but the man at the top is responsible forevery aspect of the company and the fall-guy if something goes wrong.He has primary responsibility for the company’s strategy and performance.
Since joining Harley-Davidson in 1975 Bleustein has served in manycapacities including President and Chief Operating Officer, ExecutiveVice President, Vice President of Parts and Accessories Division; andVice President of Engineering.
Prior to joining Harley-Davidson, Bleustein worked as a technicalconsultant in mechanical engineering for American Machine & FoundryIncorporated (AMF), which owned Harley-Davidson from 1969 to 1980.In 1975 Bleustein moved from AMF to Harley-Davidson’s engineeringdivision and provided leadership as the Vice President of Engineeringuntil 1984. Under Bleustein’s guidance the Company’s EngineeringDivision developed technical innovations including the belt drive,vibration-isolated powertrains and anti-dive suspension. Newmotorcycle designs such as the Tourglide and Softail; and totalredesign of the V-Twin engine, which resulted in the criticallyacclaimed Evolution engine, were all developed during his tenure.The reorganization entailed re-staffing, modernizing engineeringpractices and a major expansion and improvement of the Company’stesting and product development facilities. The primary challengewas to preserve the distinctive styling of the motorcycles whileincorporating new technology. The results of this work contributedsignificantly to the Company’s survival and subsequent prosperity.
Bleustein then focused on strengthening the Company’s Parts,Accessories & Apparel Division. After overhauling operations toeliminate excessive backorders and to generate more new productintroductions, the division began to grow profits. Bleustein’s maincontribution was in conceiving and executing a plan to transform thedealer-owned retail stores into modern retail establishments. Theresulting retail environments motivated both riders and aspiringenthusiasts to buy motorcycles, accessories, apparel and memorabilia.
Jeff also managed to launch an aggressive licensing program that,combined with tighter trademark control, reduced infringement andimproved the Company’s image while establishing a new and successfulprofit center.
In 1980 a group of 13 executives offered to buy Harley-Davidsonfrom AMF. As one of the 13 executive owners, Bleustein helped theCompany regain market share and by 1987 Harley-Davidson recapturedits position as the leading heavyweight motorcycle manufacturer inthe United States. In 1988 Bleustein became Senior Vice President, in1990 he was promoted to Executive Vice President, and in 1993 toPresident and Chief Operating Officer. In 1997 he became Presidentand Chief Executive Officer and in 1998 he assumed his current roleas Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.
Prior to joining AMF, Bleustein was an Associate Professor ofEngineering and Applied Science at Yale University from 1966 through1971.JB holds Masters of Science and Ph.D. degrees in EngineeringMechanics from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Science degreein Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University.
He serves on the Board of Directors for the Milwaukee FlorentineOpera, the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, The Boys and Girls Clubs ofGreater Milwaukee, the Greater Milwaukee Committee and is a member ofthe Board of Regents of the Milwaukee School of Engineering. He alsoserves on the board of the Brunswick Corporation.He also owns two Electra Glides and a Buell Blast motorcycle.
Jeff Bleustein is no slouch and responsible for thousands of jobs,over 600 dealerships and all the motorcycles we ride. I asked him afew business related questions at a Road Tour (celebrating the 100thAnniversary) location:
Bikernet: What’s your perception of the current stockmarket and the crises which surrounds it?
JB: There’s obviously a lot of volatility in the market,with terrorism, the Middle East, and the economy environment. Peopleare very nervous to make long term investments.
Bikernet: As the boss of a public corporation, have theseactions changed what you do or how you do it from day to day?
JB: No, not really. I don’t think the marketplace as awhole effects how we run our business. The market will have good andbad times. We need to run our business for the business. We feel ifwe make our customers happy, make great products and continue toenhance motorcycling that sooner or later the stock market will comearound.
Bikernet: Do you feel that there are more corporate lawsthat should be passed in an effort to stave off criminal behavior?
JB: I’m from the school that says you can’t legislatehonesty and values. You can make laws that punish if it’s not there,but the same people who would cook their books are the same guys whowould sign off and say that they’re right. There is a movement towardbetter governance which may encourage people to make positivechanges.
Fundamentally there needs to be morality and ethicswithin the company. It is the only way you will have honestmembers.
Bikernet: Do you feel Harley-Davidson is blessed right nowto have their 100th Anniversary to help carry them through a toughperiod of time economically?
JB: We’re certainly blessed to have a 100th anniversary.There have been many special times in the history of the company thathave made is a survivor through tough times.
The 100th duringthis period gives the people of America something positive to lookforward to.
We’ve already witnessed a bump in sales ofmotorcycles, motor clothes, and accessories, that indicate people areenjoying the 100th celebration.
We have been very active in thenew product development which has been a major driver for thebusiness to give our customers exciting new products and to developproducts for people who aren’t into motorcycling or aren’t intoHarley-Davidson yet.
Bikernet: Is there a new profit center started or one yourare considering for the future?
JB: Our business has a lot of different features to it.Motorcycles are 80 percent of our revenue. Parts and accessories isgrowing faster than any other aspect of our business. Our clothingline grows every year and our financial services is growing verynicely. We are always looking for new things to enhance theHarley-Davidson experience. Not everything we do is profitable. Somethings you do because it’s the right thing to do. If we had a newnotion and no one wasTools and Garage talking about it, I wouldn’t be either.
Weare always looking for new things to do, because our customers arealways looking for something new. We are always looking for somethingthat has a connection back to motorcycling.
Bikernet: What’s your best tool for keeping a finger on allthe elements of the company, or is there a tool?
JB: Never sleep…We have good information systems so I’mable, without a lot of hassle, to look at a lot of data and see howthe various networks keep the business going. Basically we run thisoperation in a very participation oriented way. We delegated a lot ofauthority to our heads who work together with teams of other people.People are used to sharing information.
I have a phenomenalstaff.
People who are empowered to do things and if something isgoing wrong they speak up about it and let us know what’s happening.
No one gets beat up for making a mistake. You get talked to, ifyou make it a second time. The third time is a real conversation. Theidea is that people are committed to take the business to the nextlevel, and if something is going wrong to speak up about it. That’sthe way to move toward corrective action quickly.
We really tryto eliminate the fear factor, and when you do that you find out thatinformation flows very easily through the business and makes it veryeasy to see what’s going on.
March 23, 2006 Part 2
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 1
KING REPORT UPDATES–For you Road King Fans we recently launched three King techs. We installed the new True-Track system for all wobbling touring Harleys. It vastly improves big bike handling and riding comfort.
We also installed Carlini saddlebag arms to eliminate the rear crash bars. Plus we are testing Keith Terry’s new, Terminal Velocity, Fuel Management System for EFI bikes. It delivers a complete closed loop system, without dynos and tuning headaches. Both techs are listed on the home page (Carlini’s is incorporated into the Terry Component tech).
BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES AND DODGE TEAM IN ROAR OF THUNDER SWEEPSTAKES–One lucky winner will take home two dream vehicles: a 2006 Big Dog Motorcycles K-9and a 2006 Dodge Ram SRT10, a prize package valued at over $80,000.00
Big Dog Motorcycles, the leader in the high-style cruiser niche and the largest manufacturer of chopper-style motorcycles in the world, is excited to announce a new sweepstakes with Dodge, a leader in the automobile industry, especially the highly competitive truck segment.
In the Roar of Thunder Sweepstakes, the two companies give consumers a chance to win two of the toughest prizes ever given away: a 2006 Big Dog Motorcycles K-9, recent named Bike of the Year, and a 2006 Dodge Ram SRT10, the world’s fastest production pick-up. Together, the prize package is valued at a jaw-dropping $82,505.
The sweepstakes launched on March 8 during Daytona Beach Bike Week and lasts until October 31, 2006. The sweepstakes will be promoted primarily at motorcycle and automobile rallies and events throughout the year as well as within the dealerships.
Consumers over the age of 18 can register to win at www.roarofthunder.com.
In addition to the sweepstakes, the two companies have synergized their brands through other avenues: in summer 2005, Big Dog motorcycles appeared along side the new Dodge Charger in a television spot aptly named, “Bikers”; a few Big Dog motorcycles accompanied a Dodge Ram SRT10 in a recent Speed Channel’s Test Drive program; and Dodge will have exposure at Big Dog Motorcycles’ Tornado Rally, held in June 2006.
MINNEAPOLIS JUDGE PULLS RED LIGHT CAMERAS–A Minneapolis, Minnesota area judge has given red-light cameras a taste of their own medicine. Hennepin County District Judge Mark Wernick has put the red light on the county’s automated traffic signal cameras installed this past July.
The judge found legal fault with the county’s ‘Stop On Red’ program, which (like virtually all red-light camera programs) tickets the owners of the offending vehicles, not the drivers themselves. As Minnesota state laws put the responsibility for light violations on the driver, Wernick threw out the challenging ticket, saying that Minneapolis lacks the authority to make law an ordinance that would hold vehicle owners responsible.
The motorist who brought the case to court was represented by an American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) volunteer attorney, Howard Bass, who argued that the ordinance was unconstitutional, though Judge Wernick didn’t comment on that facet of their case.The city is mulling whether to appeal the decision, but the case could set an important legal precident nationwide, as it is estimated that as many as 160 other cities employ red light cameras.
–from Rogue
BURIED TREASURE DISCOVERED IN WILMINGTON CALIFORNIA–In the middle of a hectic Bikernet day a call came in from Back Alley Frankie, a shady character, from the ghetto. He explained, in a drug worn, gravely voice that a garage had burned down and we could scavenge any of the contents. Later we discovered during our ashen investigation, the garage caught fire seven years ago.
Escrow caused the deadline. The older gentleman either vacated the contents or walked away. This is one of the crazy finds. It’s a motor from a Cushman Husky.
MC ROLLS RIGHT WITH RIDE WRIGHT–When it comes to spoked wheels, Ride Wright the most recognizable product in the motorcycle industry. With monstrous Fat Daddy spokes, Ride Wright is the talk of every rider and builder shooting for the classic custom look. Available in a huge variety of powder coated, chromed, and spoke styles, Ride Wright can take your vision to rainbow of realities. Contact your MC Advantages dealer for complete fitment and pricing information.
MC Advantages is a distributor of high-performance V-Twin parts based in Grimes, Iowa, serving dealers in the U.S. and abroad. MC Advantages distributes many brands including: S&S? Cycle, Martin Bros.?, Spyke?, Stampede, Prowler?, Bulletproof, D&M Custom Cycle, Rivera Engineering?, Platinum Air Suspension, Tauer Machine? and many more.
MC Advantages
1-800-726-9620
www.MCAdvantages.com
NOT ENOUGH JOKES THURSDAY–Law of Mechanical Repair: After your hands become coated with Greaseyour nose will begin to itch or you’ll have to pee.
Law of the Workshop: Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the Leastaccessible corner or under something.
Law of probability: The probability of being watched is directlyproportional to the stupidity of your act.
Law of the Alibi: If you tell the boss you were late for work Becauseyou had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat Tire.
Variation Law: If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one You werein will start to move faster than the one you are in now. (works Everytime)
Law of the Result: When you try to prove to someone that a Machinewon’twork, it will.
Law of Coffee: As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee,Your bosswill ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is Cold.
Law of Dirty Rugs/Carpets: The chances of an open-faced jelly Sandwichof landing face down on a floor covering are directly correlated to Thenewness and cost of the carpet/rug.
Wilson’s Law: As soon as you find a product that you really Like, theywill stop making it.
–from MaryAnn Hart
RICHMOND CYCLE EXPOS STORY– Just thought I’d send you a couple of pics from the Cycle Expo last weekend here in Richmond. The first picture is of the “Billy Bike” panhead we just finished for a customer.
There’s lots of little details on this thing that most replicas don’t have. Look for a BIKERNET feature on it soon. The second pic is Andrew’s wife Drenda Williams next to the BEST IN SHOW WINNER, “Titties & Beer”.
We are very proud of the accolades this bike has already received, as it’s a tribute to our fallen comrade, Travis Lee Clemens. RIP Brother…..
Keep it Greasy
— Greg “Z” @ DBW
HARDBIKES NEO BOBBER IS ONE PART PRO STREET AND ONE PART HOT ROD BOBBER–The 330 Neo Bobber is the Best of Both Worlds.Bob Kay, Hardbikes’ VP Sales and Marketing,performed motorcycle alchemy by taking the best design elements of an OldSchool Bobber and combining it with a Pro Street sled to create a stunning newdesign called the Hardbikes’ 330 Neo Bobber.
“It?s the best of both worlds with a Harley-Davidson softail-style suspensioncombined with a 5 inch backbone stretch for smooth riding,” said Kay. “The 330Neo Bobber is a contemporary drop seat motorcycle that is more rider friendlywith outstanding handling and balance because of the right side drive powertrain.”
The 330 Neo Bobber sports a fat 330mm tire that sits on a 12 inch wide customrim that is hooked to a cool dual rail swing arm. Out front the oil tank ismounted on the curved double downtubes. This lowers the center of gravity andassists in the handling characteristics of the bike.
Additional features include color matched frame, 38 degrees rake with 5 degreesin the trees, stretched chopper tank, second-look tread pattern in the frontfender, sculpted rear fender and a show-polished S&S Engine with the newhigh-tech IST Ignition system that automatically calibrates itself during breakin.
Hardbikes convert owners into custom motorcycle designers by allowing them todesign their own 330 Neo Bobber. They log onto the Hardbikes website,www.hardbikes.com, and building their bike in the software application calledthe Design Wizard. After the design is completed owners sit down with theirlocal dealer-designer to be fitted for the bike according to their physicaldimensions and riding style.
Each owner selects from a deep list of world-class custom components to buildtheir 330 Neo Bobber. This includes Weld Wheels, Hawg Halters with differentialbore for better stopping, Tech Starters, D&D Performance Exhaust, Primo BruteBelt Drives and a Riveria High Performance Clutch.
AMERICAN IRON MAGAZINE NEW DRAG RACING EVENT SCHEDULE– We are launching a new concept in Harley events in a couple of months and thought you might want to get involved in it. The deal is our AMDRAGS event. It’s a blend of Harley drag racing, a custom and classic bike show, and an old fashioned motorcycle swap meet. All at the same location over a weekend with one admission ticket to all.
In 2006 we are doing 3 events – June 3 & 4 at Rockingham, NC, July 8 & 9 at Maple Grove, PA and Sept 9 & 10 at Maryland International Raceway in MD. We plan on expanding west in 2007.
–Buzz Kantor
Publisher
HARLEY-DAVIDSON NAMES DEALER IN CHINA– Harley-Davidson (NYSE: HDI) today announced the next step in its market entry into mainland China, with the appointment of Beijing Feng Huo Lun (FHL) as the first authorized Harley-Davidson dealer there. Operating as Beijing Harley-Davidson, the dealership will offer Harley-Davidson? motorcycles, related products and after-sales service.
Beijing Harley-Davidson will have an initial staff of 14. The dealership is located on the Fourth Ring Road, just outside the downtown area in northeast Beijing. The dealership is headed by FHL founder, owner and Executive Director Wan Jidong.
Beijing Harley-Davidson will celebrate its official grand opening in early April, with festivities at the dealership, including an event for motorcycle enthusiasts. The dealership will sell a range of Harley-Davidson Touring, Softail? and VRSC motorcycles, Genuine Parts and Accessories, and General Merchandise, including Harley-Davidson MotorClothes? apparel, and collectibles.
In addition to motorcycle sales and service, the dealer will offer rider training, organized rides and events. The dealer currently has a large riders? club in Beijing.
Harley-Davidson has indicated that it expects market entry into China to be a gradual process. According to the Company, the leisure-oriented market for premium, heavyweight motorcycles is just beginning to emerge in China, with market development limited by ownership and riding restrictions in most large cities and on highways, and by limited but growing disposable income. Harley-Davidson?s long-term strategy in China seeks to address the riding restrictions over time and to help lead the development of a leisure-oriented heavyweight motorcycle market as consumer buying power grows.
ABUSED CHILD TRIBUTE PARTY–I reported a depo of a woman in the Shakopee prison. Her 3-year-old son was murdered by her boyfriend. The little guy died of a skull fracture, child abuse. After the depo, I was a mess for a while because the details were so awful. He was abused for about six months before he finally died. The boyfriend is in prison as well. The little boy was from Lakeville. So anyway, I had to do something with all that negative emotion and so I got a bunch of people rallied and we have put together this party. It’s going to be just amazing!!!!!!!! We even have famous people coming now (:
I am personally inviting you and really hope you’ll come. It’s going to be lots of fun and will also create a child abuse chapter in Scott County because right now there isn’t one. If we don’t do something, kids will continue to be abused and I just can’t let that happen.
Melissa A. Klima
Chaser Court Reporting
Prior Lake, MN
Phone: 612-986-5960
Fax: 952-226-1784
PALMER SNELL 50TH ANNIVERSARY MOTORCYCLE AUCTION– Palmer Snell’s Motorcycle Auction – one of the longest running bike auctions in the country – passed the 50 mark in March 2006.
This is no ordinary bike auction – you never know what you’ll find at Palmer Snell. You would expect classic British machines – Triumph and BSA twins, Velocettes and Vincents. But they are just part of the sale – there’s a huge variety of machinery at every Palmer Snell auction.
A 1942 Harley-Davidson WLA can sit side by side with a Honda CX500 sidecar outfit. A Mobylette or Puch Maxi moped follows on from an overhead cam Jawa built for the ISDT. The last few sales have seen a whole string of Euro rarities too: Ratier, the French ‘BMW’, a Swiss Universal and more familiar bikes like the Moto Guzzi Le Mans and Cagiva Elefant.
Fancy some cheap performance? How about a GS750 Suzuki or CB900 Honda, at £200 apiece? Or a well kept BMW R75 at just £700? A Russian-made Cossack Voskhod sold for £90 and a Honda CD200 for £60. All of them complete, not basket cases.
Or perhaps Japanese classics are your thing? Honda’s early fours – the CB400 and 500 – plus Kawasaki KH250s and Suzuki GT380s, have all featured recently. Too modern? A 1926 Norton M18 and ’24 Raleigh 2 3/4hp have sold too. Too common? How about an MZ ETZ 250 built by Difazio Motorcycles for endurance road runs? Or a Jawa speedway frame, road registered and ready to take a Triumph T100 twin power unit!
Road, race, grasstrack, cyclemotors, speedway, mopeds, sidecars, British, European, Japanese, American – variety is the spice at Palmer Snell.
Contact Details: http://www.palmersnell.co.uk/ (01935) 812218.
Entries now accepted for October 2006
Continued On Page 3
May 18, 2006 Part 4
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 3
STURGIS ATTRACTION THUNDER ROAD SPONSORED BY BIKERNET.COM, PICKED TO HOST AMD’S 2006 OFFICIAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OF CUSTOM BIKE BUILDING EVENT–AMD Magazine has inked a deal with Sturgis Bike Week (SBW) Productions to make their popular Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building event a premier attraction at Thunder Road in Sturgis this year.
More than 100 competitors from 34 states and 13 countries participated in last year?s Official World Bike Building Championship held in November. For its Sturgis debut, organizers will once again offer the largest single cash prize for a custom bike competition with awards totaling more than $50,000.
“We are very excited and honored to see how fast this event has grown and to see how well it has been received in the industry,” said Robin Bradley, AMD Publisher and Official World Bike Building Championship owner. “What better location to have this competition than Sturgis, the world’s largest biker rally, and at Thunder Road, the custom bike capital of Sturgis. Our decision to relocate the event will create more opportunities for the builders and more visibility for our sponsors.”
The Official World Championship will kick off Sturgis Bike Week and begin on Saturday, Aug. 5 and run for three days ending Monday, Aug. 7. The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on Monday, Aug. 7 at 3 p.m. During the exhibit, visitors will have an opportunity to meet the world-rated custom builders, as well as get autographs and photos in the “Meet the Champions” lounge.
For the first time, AMD is expanding the sponsor roster to include parts and accessory vendors. Companies interested in sponsoring the Championship should contact Chris McGee at (310) 374-3140 or email chris@dealer-world.com.
BIKERNET RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THERE ARE SEVEN TYPES OF SEX– The 1st kind of sex is called: Smurf Sex. This kind of sex happenswhen you first meet someone and you both have sex until you are blue inthe face.
The 2nd kind of sex is called: Kitchen Sex. This is when you havebeen with your partner for a short time and you are so horny you willhave sex anywhere, even in the kitchen.
The 3rd kind of sex is called: Bedroom Sex. This is when you havebeen with your partner for a long time. Your sex has gotten routine andyou usually have sex only in your bedroom.
The 4th kind of sex is called: Hallway Sex. This is when you havebeen with your partner for too long. When you pass each other in thehallway you both say “screw you.”
The 5th kind of sex is called: Religious Sex, which means you getNun in the morning, Nun in the afternoon and Nun at night.
The 6th kind is called Courtroom Sex. This is when you cannot standyour wife any more. She takes you to court and screws you in frontof everyone
And last, but not least, the 7th kind of sex is called: SocialSecurity Sex. You get a little each month. But not enough to live on.
–from Robin H.
VON DUTCH/DAVID MANN AUCTION RESULTS–Did you go to http://www.rmauctions.com and hit the {results key}? Click on Brucker Collection and finally…{show all}. I could not believe how inexpensive much of the collection ultimately was. The huge shocker was the ME 108B airplane. As a WWII complete aircraft and the parent design of the ME 109…a total bargain…$44,000.That is about one tenth of it’s real value. Take it to sell at The Oshkosh fly-in and you would easily get $440,000 and probablymuch more. David’s paintings were relatively cheap as well. Jacquie was heartbroken she could not participate…still, she understood and accepted the lost opportunity. Hope you are well. We will all be at Hanford next Sat. morning for the big antique bike swap and show…hope you can make it. Yours daily….{I am ez}
….Big Dave
THUNDER IN THE COUNTY–RIDE IN SUPPORT OF THE MS SOCIETY OF PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY.
DATE: JUNE 3RD 2006
LOCATION: THUNDER CYCLE AND SPORT 456 COUNTY ROAD #1 PICTON, ON
Thunder Cycle and Sport will knock 10% off in-store purchases for this event
Arrive 8:00am
Ride kicks off 10:00am sharp
All riders welcome
Entry Fee $20 per person or $25 per couple
Complimentary BBQ and Raffle ticket with entry fee
Info Contact John Jackson 476-4110 or Jason Lentz
398-6732
Or Thunder Cycle and Sport 476-5225
Ride route will be a scenic tour of the county with a short stop at the Black River Cheese Factory ending at the Jackson Farm with a BBQ
BYO “beverages” no bottles cans only please
BIKENET BLONDE JOKE OF THE WEEK– Q: What do you do if a Blonde throws a pin at you?
A: Run, she’s got the grenade in her mouth!
ANOTHER BRUKER AUCTION REPORT–A cache of artwork and memorabilia by Von Dutch and Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, icons of the so-called Kustom Kulture, was a hit with collectors.
Such pop culture items as a sign featuring the late Dutch’s trademark flying eyeball prompted spirited bidding during Saturday’s RM Auctions’ Brucker Collection sale at the Petersen Automotive Museum. The sign fetched $149,500.
Dutch’s painted “Good-Bye Cruel World,” created long before the Von Dutch brand became an overused clothing label, sold for $110,000. It shows a man turning the crank on a meat grinder that is consuming his own body.
“The name Von Dutch has become an international icon, but the man behind the name is one of the most influential and enigmatic artists of the 20th century,” said Rob Myers of RM Auctions.
More than 500 items were on the auction block and some sold for 10 times as much as had been expected.
One of the most coveted items – Von Dutch’s Personal Paint and Pin-Striping Box – fetched $310,500. Dutch’s personally engraved tools also raked in big bucks, including a body hammer ($4,600), Binks spray gun ($10,350), and custom letter opener ($3,670).
Also triggering a bidding frenzy Saturday was the late Roth’s iconic “Rat Fink” sketches, including the “Rat Fink’s Revenge” drawing. It brought in $9,775.
Roth was well-known in hot-rodding circles for Rat Fink and other motor-crazed monsters as well as fanciful hot rods such as the Beatnik Bandit or the Druid Princess.
Juxtapoz magazine founder Robert Williams’ painting “In the Land of Retinal Delights,” completed by Williams in 1968 and considered the epitome of the imagination of the Kustom Kulture movement, sold for $184,000.
The art was dubbed Kustom Kulture during a Laguna Beach art show.
There was also a great deal of interest in the items owned by actor Steve McQueen, including his Von Dutch-engraved airplane hangar locks that were bid up to $12,650 by the time the hammer fell.
“The creative legacy of Dutch and the other artists represented during the sale continue to cast a long shadow over today’s pop culture world,” Myers said.
–from Ron Starrantino
Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Development
Von Dutch Kustom Cycles
Office (909)481-0600
Cell (949)468-8746
http://www.vondutch.com
NEW PREMIUM LEATHER TOUR-PAK FROM HARLEY-DAVIDSON–Gives Road King and Electra Glide Standard Models Custom Touring Style. The new Premium Leather Tour-Pak Luggage (P/N 79189-06, $1,499.00) from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories is the same king-size Tour-Pak introduced on the 2006 Screamin’ Eagle Electra Glide Ultra Classic. The smooth leather-wrapped exterior features an embossed ostrich pattern insert, leather braiding and custom stitching. The raised center section allows this Tour-Pak to accommodate most full-face helmets. This Tour-Pak also includes a chrome luggage rack, chrome accent spears, and an interior light.
The Premium Leather Tour-Pak Luggage fits 1997-later Road King and Electra Glide Standard models equipped with a Tour-Pak Rack and appropriate docking hardware kits. A Tour-Pak Installation Kit (P/N 90067-06, $399.00) includes a wrap-around passenger backrest pad and required installation hardware. 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.
ALL AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE MADNESS SPONSORED BY BIKERNET.COM–?Santa Maria Fair Park, Santa Maria, CA,?May 19,20, 21, 2006.Thousands of motorcyclists will fill the Fairpark for this 3-day event. This show will feature something for every type of enthusiast. Non stop action all weekend will include 3 killer bike shows, poker run, motorcycle stunt show, motorcycle racing, live music, Santa Maria Style BBQ, Ms. Ultimate Bikini contest and? over 150 vendors in the vendor village. ?
Value packed registration packages include: event t-shirt, tool kit, run pin, and a chance ticket to win The Count & Mitch Bergeron?s American Dream Bike that is being assembled at the show. ??
Come experience the MADNESS!! I’ll me there signing books, giving out Bikernet stickers, Smoke Out posters and Big Dog Calendars. Check for the HorsePower Booth.
THE END, ALMOST–I looked for something tantalizing to kick the news off with. I’ve been running at so many projects I sensed dryness in my pros. I sat back, looked at an un-open bottle of Jack, girls in overalls hammering nails and half-finished motorcycles. Maybe that’s why we’re not sitting back having fun and not working so goddamn much. I pondered, then Sin Wu burst into my office with a letter from our Vet.
That’s right our veterinarian wrote to explain the odd operation on our new evil black cat. It was turned over to us because its last owners couldn’t handle the year old monster. It crawled the walls, curtains, you name it. So we took it to be fixed. It was a female, we thought.
Here’s what the doc discovered:
We all took a close look at the external genitalia and saw vulva, clitoral fold and vagina entering. It is Female! I decided to extend the incision caudally and reflect the bladder for a good look. I saw two structures that were instantly recognized as vas deferens coursing from the neck of the bladder around and disappearing into the inguinal ring, and I now could identify the spermatic artery and vein joining and entering the ring also. I tugged slowly with increasing pressure and first one, then the second perfect testicle was drawn back. I tied them off with their adjacent blood supply. Your cat was a perfect textbook hermaphrodite.
Maybe that explained his or her moods. Have a terrific weekend. I’m judging Seth’s Bike Show in Santa Maria, California, Sunday, so the Sunday Post will be a late night edition. Hang on.
Again, I want to thank Chris Kallas for a killer job on the Salt Shaker logo, although there may be some slight modifications. Make sure to check out the R-rated version in the Sunday post.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
May 18, 2006 Part 3
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 2
STEALTH REPORT ON THE GROWTH OF NEW NC SHOP–We got wet last night at Kristopher’s bike night but as “THE MEANEAST” always says “If you ride long enough, you are going to get wet!” Hey, we had a great time anyway!
It is Myrtle Beach rally time around here this week and a lot of people have left Charlotte for the beach. Customer traffic has been down this week at STEALTH BIKE WORKS but that is to be expected with the beach rally going on. We are still busy in the shop though.
The UPS man just delivered Chopper John’s Paughco rigid frame for his S&S Sportster engine. He has already fabricated a cool gas tank for the project. Hey, if anyone out there has a good used wide glide front end for sale, give us a call at 704 -882-0889.
Tomorrow night we host “Biker Night” at STEALTH BIKE WORKS. We do it the 3rd Friday of every month. It is just a good time for us and our customers. We have food and we have biker DVD’s going on the tube.
Back to the bike nights. Man you see some strange things at bike nights. You see bikes that look like Christmas trees with all the neon lights under the tanks and just about everywhere you can stick them. Not my thing but I guess if that is what you like, go for it. Some leave them on while they eat or drink or whatever they do while others like to turn them off and then proceed to turn them on every ten minutes or so. Very strange?
Until next week, RIDE!
–STEALTHMAN
G2 MOTORSPORTS LOOKS TO TURN SEASON AROUND IN COLUMBUS–G2 Motorsports is heading to Columbus for the NHRA/POWERade Pontiac Performance Nationals with one objective; turning their season around. The team is a serious player in the points race but now it’s time to step up and get both bikes into the fray. Considerable time was spent on the dyno to pick up more horsepower and with a little luck to go along with the considerable hard work; the G2 Motorsports team should be one step closer to the winner’s circle.
“We made some changes to the electrical system on Matt’s bike after Atlanta and found some horsepower on the dyno,” said George Bryce, G2 Motorsports Director of Racing.
“Columbus has always been good to the G2 team in the past and we are looking forward to going fast this weekend. We plan to do everything possible to put both bikes at the front of the pack.”
Matt Smith, rider of the Torco Fuels/Skull Gear/G2 Motorsports Buell said, “We had electrical gremlins in Atlanta that frustrated us. But my team took care of them and they are behind us now.”
“Our game plan for Columbus will be to run our program. We want to win and in order to do so we need the bike and rider to be on the same page. That is our goal for this race.”
Chip Ellis, who rides the DRAG Specialties/G2 Motorsports Buell, still feels that consistency will be the key. “We were very consistent in Atlanta,” said Ellis. but we need to get out of the first round. You can’t get to the winner’s circle until you win in the first round. I am very comfortable with the way the DRAG Specialties machine is running now and I feel like Columbus could very well be the turning point in our season.”
BIKERNET PHOTO ART OF THE WEEK–In the year 1870, Crazy Horse and the Lakota fought against terrorism in their homeland.
Ride Hard,
Whiplash Biker Photog
ROCK’N THE RALLY– Sturgis, Aug. 6-10. Each summer thousands of bikers converge here to sound their heavy metal thunder at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Why not start a gigantic festival of classic rock and country?
“We took the reverse view of the ‘build it and they will come’ theory,” one of the organizers said in a statement. “We figured, 600,000 people attend Sturgis Bike Week each year, let’s ‘build it where they already are.’ ” And so an $11 million facility was built on 34 acres in Sturgis, a town along Interstate 90 near the Wyoming border.
The entertainment includes Big and Rich, Sammy Hagar, the Black Crowes, Keith Urban, the Steve Miller Band, Nickelback and, sure to get the engines revving for “Born to Be Wild,” John Kay and Steppenwolf.
.
THE DYNA THAT DIDN’T MAKE IT– Please give your input on this build, I am anxious to hear what people think of it.
It is a ’99 FXDWG, the fender is a 48-52 Panhead fattened up a little. The front end is a ’04 fatboy. The tank a Sporty, and a whole list of hand fabricated parts by Kotic Kustoms in Ga.
Michael Willis
770-855-9500
Keep watching, we may feature his Dyna on Bikernet.–Bandit
SPIRIT HARLEY-DAVIDSON CLOSED–Just got done watching the News tonight and I was shocked to see Spirit Harley Davidson on the news. It wasn’t because of some run that raised money. Nor were the Police there to get their bikes serviced, but to handcuff him this time….Guess you can’t get away with everything these days, Terry.
The owner Terry Sanfold was arrested today for RAPE of 2 of his employees! The Police have closed and locked the doors of the stealership.
A few months ago his ex wife Donna and daughters were caught embezzling 1 million dollars from the business. They are no longer owners and have got the boot and as one can clearly see on the web site they are not on it any longer.
These people have screwed ALOT of people including me, many, many many people I know don’t have kind words to say about this place or owners..and the ones that do don’t know any better.
Just 2 weeks ago my best friend went there to buy a front tire, Terry the owner walked up to his truck and opened his coat to show his piece. He left and went to Heritage HD to buy that front tire.
Ask any employee or ex what he’s like to work for. HELL is better than him!
I hope they hang him high raping these employees!
–from Rogue
BIKERNET JIMS TOOL OF THE WEEK–Dyna Transmission Stand (Modular) ToolNo. 992 -Use on all 2006to present Dyna Transmission. Use with base standNo. 1138.
CITY NOT AMUSED WITH T-SHIRT LOGO– Never mind the suggestive weenie-bite contests or the leather-clad revelers at the BikeFest.Leesburg’s got class, said city commissioners, who took offense when they learned T-shirts reading “Sleesburg BikeFest” were sold at one of the city’s biggest annual events.
Commissioners say the nickname implies Leesburg is downright sleazy, when it’s nothing but a wholesome city. This week, commissioners voted to send a letter expressing their distaste to Charles “Troy” Townsend, who designed and manufactured the T-shirts. The city’s letter will follow one that Townsend has received from the Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce.
“We are dismayed that you, a business owner and resident who should be extremely proud of this town and all it represents, would stoop to such licentiousness,” the chamber’s letter stated. It said the T-shirts will “be worn all over America.”
The shirts were intended to humor more than insult, Townsend said.”I don’t think I ever really gave it a thought that I would offend anyone,” he said.
He sold them for $10 each in front of his storage-rental business on Canal and Main streets during BikeFest, which was April 28-30.
The 59-year-old entrepreneur and Leesburg resident said he can’t understand why commissioners are so appalled. “Kids have been calling the city that for years,” Townsend said. He pointed to other phrases known around Central Florida, such as “Useless” for Eustis and “Dead Land” for DeLand. The T-shirts were a hit with locals, he said.
Anyway, bikers just want to have fun, Townsend said, and generally aren’t concerned about being prim and proper.
URGENT CALL TO ACTION–The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) reports the United States House of Representatives will hold a legislative hearing on HR 2048, the “Right to Repair Act”. The hearing will be held by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection in the Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2123 at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, May 17th 2006 and is open to the public.
This legislation is important to all motorcyclists who want the right to choose where to have their motorcycle repaired. HR 2048 would make the same computer diagnostic information, tools and training available to the owners of every type of vehicle including motorcycles that currently is only afforded to those under the dealership umbrella. The deliberate withholding of pertinent information compels independent repair facilities to turn business away forcing vehicle owners to return to the dealership when any kind of computer diagnostics is necessary.
The MRF believes every American has the right to choose who performs the diagnostics on their motorcycle or automobile. Furthermore, consumers should have the right to choose where, how and who will ultimately repair their vehicles and also have the right to do the necessary work themselves. Automakers should not be making service decisions for consumers.The Motorcycle Riders Foundation needs your help to move this legislation through the House committee. Please take a look at the list of Representatives currently sitting on the subcommittee.
These members will be hearing HR 2048 on this Wednesday, May 17th and are NOT already supporting the bill. If your state is listed below, call your Representative’s office as soon as you can. The key to the bill’s success is hearing that their constituents at home support HR2048.If your state is shown below, call your member of
Congress and tell them the following:
1. Identify yourself as a resident of the state of
2. Let them know you are calling on behalf of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation
3. Tell them you support HR 2048, the motor vehicle “Right to Repair Act”
4. Ask them to co sponsor HR 2048
5. Tell them HR 2048 is being heard Wednesday, the 17th in the Energy and Commerce committee and you would like the congressperson to support it.
6. Ask them to vote for the bill
7. Let them know that this will be scored as a “key vote” by the Motorcycle Riders Foundation.
NOBLES STUMBLES IN CHAMPIONSHIP CHASE–Tripp Nobles championship aspirations took a slight wrong turn at the recently completed AHDRA Gypsy Rendezvous Nationals in St. Louis. Nobles, who was working on a two-race winning streak bowed out in the semi-finals to Gainesville winner, Don Stratton, Jr.
“We had some computer problems during the weekend that we were never able to work out,” said Tripp Nobles. “We thought we had a handle on the track Saturday, but on Sunday the track went away for us. Coupled with our computer problems we weren’t able to make it three in a row for LVHD.com.”
Following three rounds of qualifying Tripp Nobles took the LVHD.com team to times of 9.323 at 141.25 MPH, 9.417 at 134.52 MPH and 9.427 at 140.31 MPH. Once qualifying was over the LVHD.com team sat number six in the thirty-two-bike field.
In Round One it was the Tripp and Tripp show as Tripp Nobles took on Terry Tripp. When the win light came on Nobles was on to the next round. Nobles ran a 9.301 at 138.56 MPH to Terry Tripp’s losing 9.704 at 131.81 MPH.
Round Two saw Tripp paired off with perennial AHDRA champion, Junior Pippin. Once again Nobles ended his opponents day when he ran a 9.334 at 136.18 MPH to Pippin’s 9.723 at 131.63 MPH.
Tripp’s Round Three opponent was also a multiple AHDRA champion; Donnie Huffman. After running a 9.369 at 136.51 MPH to Huffman’s 9.611 at 132.58 MPH Nobles was heading to his third straight semi-final appearance.
Tripp’s opponent in the Semi-finals was the answer to the question; who was the first AHDRA V-rod Destroyer class winner? Don Stratton, Jr. For the first time in three races, Nobles event ended there. Stratton, Jr. ran a 9.313 at 139.06 MPH to Tripp’s close but losing 9.343 at 138.39 MPH to end the winning streak.
“That final round was one of the closest races I’ve ever been involved in,” said Tripp. “I saw him (Stratton, Jr.) all the way down the track. With each gear shift we inched up on each other and I didn’t know who won the race until I got my time slip.”
“I hit the rev limiter slightly in first and second gear and that was just enough to knock us out of the race. But my hat is off to Don and Eric Ryder. They both had their stuff together and they let everyone know that this will be a race to the finish.”
STOP THE PRESSES-TBEAR COMMENTARY–You know our shirts are down right rude.We at http;//www.TBearWear.com like to make a statement about the culture we live in with the profits going to benefit handicapped children, but, up to now we’ve tried not to offend any one’s political views.
Well, those days are long gone. After our ears were assaulted by the media about Illegal Immigration,(key word here being “ILLEGAL”) we thought it was time to take a stand.
After years of living in the “outlaw” culture we’re trying to be a bit more law abiding.So in that vein, TBearWear.com lets you show the world how you feel.
WE’RE CLOSED – TRY FRANCEjust about sums up our feelings on the matter.
Fighting for Truth, Justice and the American Way,
–TBear
BIG MIKE’S BOBBER ROLLER COMING SOON–coming soon bmc bobber 88 roller just as you see here …….$3,599.00
Continued On Page 4
May 18, 2006 Part 2
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 1
NO DEALS FROM THE CHEAP BASTARDS AT DEPARTURE BIKE WORKS–Not a whole lot to report on this week….we’ve been balls to the wall getting customers bikes running for Myrtle Beach, as well as attending events every weekend since God only knows!!!!
A coupla weekends ago, it was the VA is for Lovers Extravaganza at the VA Motorsports Park. That’s where the first coopla shots were taken….look at that lineup, would ya!!!! Last weekend, we put on the Hooters Annual Spring Bike Show… That’s me surrounded by a bevy of beauties….This weekend, we’ll be co-sponsoring The Strokes concert at a local amphitheatre, and next weekend is the DBW SPRING THROWDOWN here at the shop. I’ll try to get Justin to email you the flyer, but we both know how that’ll go. Until next time….
Keep It Greasy,
–Greg “Z” Hall
Service Manager/Public Relations
Departure Bike Works
BLACK MARCHESINI MADE IN ITALY FORGED WHEELS–WE HAVE ONLY LIMITED QUANITY THESE WILL SELL FAST.
DEMONS CYCLE SOUTH
378 SW 14 TH AVE
POMPANO BEACH
33069 FLORIDA
BUBS BONNEVILLE 2006 INTERNATIONAL SPEED TRAILS POSTER HOT OFF THE PRESSES–New 2006 posters are here and ready to be sent out to you! If you haven’t already, let me know if you want one, or more and I would be happy to send some out to you!This year’s poster features over 40 riders, is the same great quality, and best of all…… is FREE!!!!
Our flyers, sponsored by Bikernet.com, with entry information on the back will be arriving on Thursday so I can also send those out to you too.Do you have a store or dealership? We can send out extras for you to distribute.
Just drop me an email with the quantity, and your name and postal address and we put them in the mail.If you have participated at our event previously- I already have one to send to you- so no need to write, it’ll be on its way.
Don’t forget to keep posted to our website- we will be having regular salt conditions updates in the news section. We will be checking the salt several times during June and July, so for all those looking forward to the Bonneville racing season, keep posted.
Remember…. pre-entry must be postmarked by 4th July, so get it in early to ensure you get all the extras.
As usual if you ever have any questions don’t hesitate to call us!
International Motorcycle Speed Trials by BUB and Sponsored by Bikernet.com Information
PH: 530 272 4310
FAX: 530 477 7489
Email: eventinfo@speedtrialsbybub.com
AMA NEWS, DANNY’S LAW– West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin, himself a motorcyclist, has signed a bill that increases penalties for reckless driving convictions. “Danny’s Law” was named in honor of Danny Kneisly, who was hit and killed when a driver turned left in front of him; the driver subsequently received a $20 fine. Danny?s death and the ensuing support of his family added momentum to efforts to pass the bill, which ABATE of West Virginia, AMA members and staff, and other motorcycle activists had been working toward for nearly five years.
The new law provides for penalties of a minimum of 10 days in jail and a maximum of six months, and/or a fine of at least $50 and up to $1,000, for those convicted of reckless driving if they seriously injure someone.The AMA Justice for All campaign is focused on inadequate sentencing of drivers who seriously injure or kill others on the road. Learn more at www.AMADirectlink.com.
The Ohio Office of Budget and Management (OBM) recently proposed transferring $750,000 from the Motorcycle Safety and Education Fund for to be used for purposes other than rider education and training.The AMA alerted the Ohio riding community through the AMA Rapid Response Center and encouraged AMA members, motorcyclists’ rights organizations, and other supporters of rider education to contact the six elected officials of the Ohio Controlling Board (OCB) to stop the transfer. The Fund is financed by a $6 assessment on every motorcycle registration in Ohio and is to be used solely for the motorcycle safety and training program, Motorcycle Ohio.
The OCB, at its April 24 meeting, agreed with the motorcycling community and amended the request from the OBM. The Motorcycle Safety and Education Fund was preserved.
BRITISH PROTEST RIDE ENCOURAGED– The British Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) is encouraging all motorcyclists who ride into the City of Westminster to respond to a web-based consultation on motorcycle parking.
The consultation focuses on whether there is sufficient provision for motorcycle parking, whether motorcycles should pay for parking, whether secure parking facilities should be provided and whether motorcycles should pay the congestion charge.
MAG in London has long been campaigning for increased motorcycle parking provision to accommodate the increase in motorcycle commuting as commuters switch from cars to bikes to beat both congestion and the congestion charge. Presently many commuters are left with no option but to park on pavements where they are being ticketed and can cause obstructions to pedestrians.
MAG insist that riders are helping Westminster’s congestion problem, as motorcycles from the smallest scooter to the largest touring bike not only use less space than cars when moving and parking but they also liberate road space for essential four wheeled traffic to move more easily.
TRUE-TRACK RESCUES BONNEVILLE EFFORT–Is that an OEM front rubber motor mount that you put on the Bonneville Bike? If so, my own experience tells me that the ‘120’ torque is gonna squish that thing flat in the first 10 minutes of your maiden putt. Am I right on this? May wanna double check on this one?
–Pauly D.
Will Phillips, the master engineer of V-twin handling, is coming over next Tuesday. We are going to switch out the rear rubber mounts with heavy duty jobs and a 3/4 swingarm axle. We’re adding steering dampers and a True-Track system to keep this puppy in line. I’ll ask him about the front mount.–Bandit
QUESTION OF THE DAY-WHERE THE HELL IS HALLCRAFT WHEELS?–Just a note to let you know that I found my industry directory, and the numbers for Hallcraft are all disconnected, so if you hear anything through your very large grapevine in regards to that let me know, we are trying to find some super fat spoke wheels.
–Lucky Devil
I suggested Black Bike for killer spoked wheels.–Bandit
BRAND NEW BONNEVILLE CONTINGENCY PRIZE–Nick’s Performance Accessories is sponsoring a $500.00 cash prize for the fastest American V-Twin using Amsoil Synthetic Motorcycle Oil at the 3rd Annual BUB’s International Motorcycle Speed Trials, Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah,September 3-7 2006.
Eligibility requirements are as follows:
1. To be eligible for this award the vehicle must be powered by an American V-Twin Engine,No imported engine, transmission or other final drivetrain component allowed.
**************Made in the USA means Made in the USA!*************
2. Winning motorcycle must use Amsoil Synthetic Motorcycle Oil and display Amsoil sticker prominently on race vehicle.
3. Sign-up at the Nick’s Performance Accessories Booth at the event Sept 2-6 2006 or online via email at amsoilprizemoney@mac.com anytime prior to the online closing date of September 1, 2006.
4. All entrants will be asked to provide a photo of their entry and to provide documentation of their time at theNick’s Performance Accessories booth at the event.
5.’Top Time’ Definition: Top times are defined as the motorcycle that reaches the highest speed over a timed measured mile, and that meet the appropriate category criteria as listed below. All times will be verified by the official event timer’s and the event promoters.Proof of time will be the original time slip issued by the Bub’s International Motorcycle Speed Trials.
6. This prize will only be awarded at the 3rd Annual Bub’s International Motorcycle Speed Trials.It will not be valid after the event has ended Sept 7, 2006.In other words don’t come whining to us after the event closes, If You Snooze You Lose.
All decisions of the The Event Promoters, Nick’s Performance Accessories staff and advisors are final and binding.
–Nick Roberts
WIN A SPECIAL EDITION V-ROD ENTRY FORMS AT CALIFORNIAHARLEY-DAVIDSON/BUELL–Enter the “Harley-Davidson in the Movies Sweepstakes” and startscorching some asphalt of your own. You could win one of just twospecial edition V-Rod motorcycles replicas of the hot-blooded,liquid-cooled machine seen in the new movie “X-Men: The Last Stand”.Only in theaters.
We have um…The official Sweepstakes entry form can be had atCalifornia Harley Davidson/Buell. Just stop by anytime between nowand May 31st 2006
— www.californiaharleydavidson.com )
BELLY PAN FOR SALT SHAKER–Are you fabricating a belly pan for the Pan???? Having run the same trans at one time…. I was preparing a skid plate before the theft happened in Sacramento. Might be worth considering????
–Ray Wheeler
Something to think about. I could add weight to the bike with the pan.–Bandit
BIKERNET QUOTE OF THE DAY–“The discipline of writing something down is the first step toward making it happen.”
— Lee Iacocca
–from Joe Lankau
NEXT BCCOM MEETING IS IN KAMLOOPS MAY 24th–When: 7:00pm
Where: Upstairs at Malone’s pub on the 900 block of 8th Street
Come find out what BCCOM is currently working on and discuss any issues youfeel are pertinent to motorcycling in B.C.All motorcyclists are welcome!For more info call 1-877-580-0111
WHITEHORSE PRESS DEALS OF THE WEEK– Special New BMW Book Available.We’re pleased to announce publication of BMW Motorcycles: The Evolution of Excellence, and to offer a special pre-publication price of $25.00 if you order before publication day on June 1st. Filled with dazzling photographs of most BMW models, this collector’s edition tells the full story of one of the world?s most admired and enduring companies whose pace of innovation is simply stunning.
Don’t Miss our May 20th Open House This SaturdayFree BBQ, Prizes, Lively Talk, and Good Shopping
Come for a fun day in the White Mountains! The First Annual Whitehorse Open House is this weekend on Saturday, May 20th, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Join all of us and special guests, Fred and Cherie Rau, for a fun-filled day of eating, schmoozing, and shopping. Here’s your chance to touch, feel, and try on all that good stuff you see in our catalog and online.
A number of groups, clubs, and individuals tell us that the Open House will be their first day-long ride of the season. How about you and your friends? It?s the perfect time to explore the notches of the White Mountains and enjoy the fresh air and spring glories of our beautiful Mount Washington Valley
Whitehorse Announces Russian Edition ofThe Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Guide toMotorcycling Excellence, 2nd Edition.The ever-popular riding skills guide, Motorcycling Excellence, has been translated into the Russian language and will be published early this summer in Russia. Russia is an emerging market for motorcycling, with new motorcycle sales at around 5,000 units in 2005, plus an additional 5,000 to 7,000 used motorcycles entering the country each year. It is estimated that about 50,000 motorcycles are now in active use in Russia.
This motorcycle market has developed mainly over the past two to three years, as the Russian economy began to stabilize from the dislocations that occurred in the 1990s.
TOP ANGEBOT VOM POCKETBIKE-ZENTRUM, MONATS-H20 WATERCOOLED ROCKETBIKES– Hammerangebot : Rocketbikes H2 O watercooled für nur 250,00 Euro !!!zzgl. nur 20,00 Euro Versandkosten – Europaweit !!!!Viele verschiedene Modelle sofort lieferbar, z.B.
Rocketbike – Fortuna Yamaha Spider Design
Rocketbike – Kawasaki Ninja Design
Rocketbike – Team Suzuki Design
Rocketbike – Valentino Rossi Yamaha Design
Rocketbike – Repsol Honda Design
Rocketbike – Marlboro Ducati Design
Rocketbike – Red Bull Ducati Design
Alle Bikes sind sofort lieferbar ! Auf Wunsch versenden wir Ihnen die Bikes auch per Nachnahme !Sie zahlen sicher und bequem, erst bei Empfang der Ware. ( Nachnahmezuschlag 12,00 Euro )
Bestellungen und Informationen unter :
Angebot gilt bis einschließlich 18.05.2006 – Nur solange Vorrat reicht !
Continued On Page 3
May 18, 2006 Part 1
By Bandit |
Hey,
Another week at the Bikernet ghetto headquarters. We’ve machined shit backwards, bought the wrong parts, snorted drywall dust, bought a ’98 Dyna basket, waited for the 45 flathead sheet metal painter and got more writing assignments than we can handle.
Ah, but there’s new girls, the Bonneville bikes are looking good and the news is sizzling. Let’s hit it:
CYRIL HUZE KILLER CHOPPER SPRINGER FRONT END– This Springer front end is offered in any length from 2″ under to 20″ over, both in narrow, mid or wide glide styles.It features corner rounded trees and corners for a super smooth appearance.
It uses Delrin isolated springs and needle bearing rockers. Available raw or in chrome.
Cyril Huze
Tel: 561-392-5557
THE BAKER FIRESTARTER:A STARTER LARGE ENOUGH TO MEASURE IN HORSEPOWER–Everyday BAKER Drivetrain talks to customers who are building radical customs or upgrading existing bikes. BAKER learned that most of the performance starters out there have notorious durability problems and that they are manufactured with rebuilt (used) cores and sold as new. In addition, the O.E Harley starter is durable but lacks cranking power, so BAKER Drivetrain decided to get involved.
The new BAKER Firestarter is the most powerful starter available and durable from the first start. Each unit is tested on a dynamometer for proper function and has an individual dyno sheet to validate the output. Units typically dyno at 2.3±.1 kilowatts; that’s 3-horsepower for us English speaking folks. That’s huge – if not the biggest. Meanwhile, the amperage drain is still considered low. Big dog uses a similar version of the Firestarter in their later motorcycles and they’ve been proven to be durable on their big-inch choppers.
The Firestarter has a stylish show chrome finish with a stylish, polished billet aluminum end cap. Available as a conventional remote start button type or as a manual push button type for those who want the clean minimalist look. The manual version features a Teflon lined button shaft that is longer than normal, which allows a smoother, non-binding operation that prevents wear or jamming.
THE NEW BAKER FIRESTARTER
2.3kw translates to 3-Horsepower in non-metric, American language
Low Amperage Drain
Dyno Performance Chart Included With Each Starter
Available for 1990-1993 jackshaft or 1994-up jackshaft applications
For additional information, go online to see page 33 of the BAKER 2006 catalog.www.bakerdrivetrain.com
PARADISE BIKEFEST &BIKE BUILD-OFF AT KAPIOLANI COMMUNITYHonolulu, HawaiiJuly 2nd, 2006–Over this year’s Independence Day weekend, Honolulu will be host to the 50th State’s largest motorcycle rally, and we at Hawaiian Chopper Magazine, BMC Choppers, Pasha Hawaii, Pacific Rim Cycle, South Seas Harley-Davidson, Woody’s Hotdogs, Avon Tyres, and our other fine sponsors would like to invite you to get in on the festivities.
Beginning with Hawaiian Chopper’s 2nd birthday party on Friday, June 30th, at Honolulu’s Hard Rock Cafe motorcycle enthusiasts and fans of Discovery Channel’s “Great Biker Build-Off” series will join Discovery Channel Biker Build-Off Champion Harold Pontarelli, Internationally celebrated motorcycle builders, Big Mike of BMC Choppers, Shannon Aikau of Count’s Kustoms, Jose De Miguel of Caribbean Custom Cycles, and the legendary Sugar Bear.
I am particularly pleased to announce the addition of the wildly popular Big Schwag of Discovery Channel’s Monster Garage series.
The Hawaiian Chopper birthday party will be open to the general public, and partygoers will be treated to musical entertainment, great food & beverage specials, prize giveaways, and plenty of aloha making this “The Party” to be at over the holiday weekend.
Continuing the festivities on Sunday, July 2nd, Kapiolani Community College (KCC) will be transformed from an institution of higher learning, to a haven for motorcycle enthusiasts, and fans of the genre.
Once at KCC, riders will be required to pay an entry fee of $15.00 ($10.00 advance). Spectators and participants will be treated to a spectacle larger than December 2005’s “Great Hawaiian Biker Build-Off”. Along with some of the top motorcycle builders and their bikes made famous on television and numerous motorcycle magazines, visitors to this year’s event will actively engage in the festivities by voting on the build-off bikes from Oahu’s own Nui Kauhane of Grumpy’s Customs and Noah O’Geen of Maui’s Hot Rod Alley.
These two builders have six weeks to build their versions of the Hawaii’s coolest bike. Kauhane’s reputation as one of the top builders of the “Local Boy” style will be on the line when he takes on O’Geen.
One of Hawaii’s best up and coming motorcycle craftsmen, O’Geen’s creations were featured on the cover of Hawaiian Chopper Magazine, and will soon be published in other great biker magazines as well.
A bikini contest featuring some of Hawaii’s hottest women will be held on the main stage. Cash prizes will be given to the top three women chosen by a pre-selected panel of judges. Instructions for registration in the competition will be conducted at Panama Hatties in Pearl City on Thursday, June 29th (8-10pm).
On behalf of Hawaiian Chopper magazine and Ten Toes Enterprises, allow me to welcome you to Hawaii’s greatest motorcycle event. This year’s rally is sure to be the highlight of the Independence Day weekend.
Mahalo nui loa
–Steve Kalnasy
808-780-2998
THE WORD IS OUT ON BIKERNET– Roland Sands won the Discovery Biker Build Off 2006 v. Jesse Rooke!! This year, Discovery Channel has OK’d the release of images and information regarding the build off show before the episode air date so have at it!
Roland Sands of Performance Machine and Roland Sands Design built the “No Regrets” custom race motorcycle in ten days against Jesse Rooke of Rooke Customs for the Discovery Channel’s Biker Build Off 2006. After a heart pounding day at Willow Springs where the bikes were put to the test in three race series, the form and function of Roland’s “No Regrets” custom came out as the champion.
Our episode has so much hype surrounding it that Discovery has it scheduled for the season premiere on August 7th, 2006!!! We will be throwing a premiere party in Sturgis at One Eyed Jacks on Monday night and I will have more information regarding that on our site http://www.rolandsands.com/ in the near future.
–ERIKA DECKER
LONE STAR CHOPPERS BUILDER, LARRY CURIK MISSING– Where is Larry Curik?That seems to be the hot question these days. Larry Curik the famous custom bike builder is not around his usual haunts.
But the Bandit Knows Where He Is. There are no secrets from the Bandit (drum roll, etc).Larry is on special assignment, or kidnapped by Gypsy during the filming of the first girl Biker Build-Off builder for the Discovery Channel show. He’s chained down at the Accurate Engineer Headquarters welding exhaust pipes.Rumor has it, he’s assisting Vivian “Gypsy” Charros in a Biker Build Off for the Discovery Channel.The build is being done at Accurate Engineering in Dothan Alabama and Berry Wardlaw the famous engine builder is building a one-of-a-kind Knucklhead engine for it.
She is going up against Kim Suter of Kansas City and though he must be somebody to garner a Build-Off pick, he’s got his hands full up against Gypsy. Have you seen her chest-unbelievable.
It is hard enough to win one of these things and loosing is a bitch, but add loosing to a big-tittied blonde. Poor Dude!
–Rogue
Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Member 2005
http://www.bikerrogue.com/
SMOKE-OUT COMES OUT WEST POSTER RELEASED–We just received the new full size posters to promotethe event in Cottonwood, AZ Oct 6 and 7th www.horsebackstreetchoppers.com
We have a good number of addresses to ship the postersbut we could sure use more. If any of you have shops or dealersor parts distributors who you think would help us get the word out,please e-mail me the address and we will ship them a pack of posters.
–Geno
STURGIS GUIDE DEADLINES–THE STURGIS GUIDE. This year, American Big Twin will be distributing the mostsought-after guide to the Sturgis/Black Hills Rally.
The Guide is more than just great coverage of Sturgis, It also covers events all over region, and enthusiasts will refer to it again and again.It’s the perfect showcase for your products.
AD CLOSING: June 23
MATERIALS DUE: July 5
CALL BECKY DEMMERLE FOR DETAILS!
800-225-4569 ext. 3163
mailto:bdemmerle@advanstar.com
CYRIL HUZE BOBBER FRAME–
This very clean new bobber frame accepts a rear tire 180 mm with up to 200 mm with a chain.It includes a CNC transmission plate welded to the frame, CNC axle covers & a 1″ rear axle for strength. 32-degree rake for a true Bobber look.All other components to build your project (steel fenders, oil tank, front end, gas tank, transmission, brakes, etc…) are also available from Cyril Huze.
Cyril Huze.
Tel: 561-392-5557
www.cyrilhuze.com
BIKERNET DISCOVERS MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS MONTH–Hey, did you know May is motorcycle awareness month?
–from Gene Koch
BIKERNET MEDICAL DEPARTMENT REPORT–In Pharmacology, all drugs have two names, a trade name and generic name. For example, the trade name of Tylenol also has a generic name of Acetaminophen. Aleve is also called Naproxen. Amoxil is also call Amoxicillin and Advil is also called Ibuprofen.
The FDA has been looking for a generic name for Viagra. After careful consideration by a team of government experts, it recently announced that it has settled on the generic name of Mycoxafloppin. Also considered were, Mycoxafailin, Mydixadrupin, Mydixarizin, Dixafix, and of course, Ibepokin.
Pfizer Corp. announced today that Viagra will soon be available in liquid form, and will be marketed by Pepsi Cola as a power beverage suitable for use as a mixer. It will now be possible for a man to literally pour himself a stiff one. Obviously we can no longer call this a soft drink, and it gives new meaning to the names of “cocktails”, “highballs” and just a good old-fashioned “stiff drink”. Pepsi will market the new concoction by the name of: MOUNT &DO.
–From Bob T.
CHOP N GRIND TEAM CAUGHT IN SALTERGATE CONSPIRACY–Two members of the Chop N Grind Bonneville team were caught spying on the Bikernet Bonneville bikes and looting the Bikernet Headquarters. When questioned they both replied, “We’re cool,” and hauled ass for the door. The sand snortin’ bastard escaped back to the dry desert community of 101 Palms, California. Bikernet minuteman border patrol guards are scouring the sand dunes in search of two unsavory individuals, Bob T. and Larry the Lizard.
We’ll bring you further reports in the near future.
–Wilburn Roach
BIKERNETY STREETBOB COMMENTARY UNDER FIRE–I like your commentary on the Streetbob about taking it all the way and bobbing the fenders,but you suggest something cool and classic for the taillight, how about some suggestions so that I get it right.
Unfortunately I have to keep the license plate so I’m moving it to the side.
Six Gear
Maywood EasyRiders MC
MRoyal@DeltrolFluid.com
I suggested that he contact Eye Candy Custom Cycles, Choppers Inc. or Shamrock. He might also look up Mr. Lucky for cool taillights.–Bandit
Continued On Page 2
March 16, 2006 Part 3
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 2
THE EFFECTS OF THE NEW EPA LAWS IN GEORGIA AS TOLD BY A STATE INSPECTOR– Yesterday a friend of mine had a special construction bike inspected by a state inspector to get his bike titled. During the process he asked about the new EPA laws and what Georgia is doing. He said the inspector seemed to know the EPA law very well and told him that the law is in effect here. He then went on to say that at this time the State of Georgia is NOT enforcing the law.(Specifically the one time EPA exempt bike portion). He said the state has no mechanism in place to check how many bikes you have registered or titled in your name or have had titled in your name so no one is checking to see if you are in violation. He also said that he knows of no intentions of the State to start enforcing the law.
He stated at this time that any individual or shop can build as many special construction bikes as they desire and can get then titled (with proper receipts etc of course) with no problem.
Also the law in Georgia regarding turn signals is vague & is not clear whether you have to have them on your bike when inspected. The safest thing is to have them especially if you get your bike inspected at one of the centralized spots. You MAY get by without them if you make an appointment to have the inspector come to your location but the safest thing would be to go ahead & at least put temporaries on.
Again, this is not my interpretation but from an actual inspector as told to me by my friend. Your results may vary!!!
–DouginGa
Horsemen
from the HORSE board
DEPARTURE BIKE WORKS DEAL OF THE WEEK–Whatta deal, a2002 Iron Horse “Tejas”, withLow, Low Miles, a114-inch S&S Motor and plenty of sharp extras for only:
Price: $16,500.00
This Link will take you directly to the web site.http://www.departure.com/bikesingle.asp?ItemID=57&CategoryID=&Pla
BIKERNET BONNEVILLE 2006 SALT SHAKER REPORT–First from Barry Wardlaw of Accurate Engineering:
Mock-up engine is on the way. I just now received 4 sets of 120 cases and that is since Nov. 23rd. We have a lot of orders for them. Reggie Sr. At R&R is going to help me solve the connecting rod problem (make our own) and I am discussing the crankcase solution with a casting company.
Getting ready for the Biker Build-off, finishing the center section of my building so it ain’t boring, that is for sure!
I will need the mock-up engine back a soon as you are finished. Those are not the pieces of the Bonneville engine but rather another customers. I am sending the coils, exhaust flanges and electrical components as well. I’ll be in touch. –Berry
BUSH FAILS TO PREVENT EAST COAST BLIZZARD– As President Bush and his staff cowered in the White House, the snow continued to pile up on the many poor and African American victims who could not afford to get out of town or to safety in Florida.
Crucial supplies of blankets, hot cocoa, popcorn and dark rum, so essential to surviving the stress of any major snowstorm, lay in stores undelivered.
“Where is the government? I need my sidewalk shoveled so I can get out to buy my danged lottery tickets!” said one D.C. resident from his living room.
“Why are we wasting money in Iraq when we could be spending it here on me?”
Progressive blogs blasted the President for his inaction. “We find the timing terribly suspicious, just as the Domestic Spying hearings kick into high gear, what happens? A major northeast Blizzard. Why now?” wrote one blogger.
Hearings into the Blizzards’ effect on hearings are almost a certainty.
Howard Dean has suggested he will call for an investigation once his new medications kick in and John Kerry took a break from the sporting activities of the glamorous super-rich in some exotic locale (random choice: Ice Sailing in Finland) to call for new legislation outlawing snowstorms.
“The Republican Congress has dropped the ball once again. I have always been a staunch supporter of anti-snow legislation, except for certain locations where I ski. Snow has no business on our roads and the President and Congress knows that.”
Calls for impeachment over “Snow Gate” as some are calling it already are mounting as deeply as the snow itself, and what will be discovered underneath will prove to have a truly chilling effect on the Republicans, as the inevitable thaw proceeds. Or something like that.
More breaking news……
Al Sharpton wants an investigation as to why snow is ALWAYS white.
Cheney has stock in Tru-Value Hardware. Do you have any idea how many SNOW SHOVELS they sold today to the unsuspecting consumer?
I demand to know why FEMA has been so late in reacting to this storm. THEY KNEW IT WAS COMING! And yet they failed to have crews in place to fix the electricity as soon as it went off. It just shows that Bush and the Republicans just don’t care about the people in the N.E. The Senate needs to investigate this with administration people under oath.
I’ll bet that the great junior senator from N.Y. has opened the doors of her home to all of the heatless poor of her neighborhood and is busy baking cookies for them while her husband applies body heat to the nearly frozen teen-aged girls.
–from Bob T.
BONNEVILLE 2006 CHOP N GRIND RACING UPDATE– If you can believe this we got snowed in here in the High Desert this past weekend. No real work was done except we picked up a better fuel tank, some flat stock for the new brackets for the fuel tank and oil tank.
On the brighter side of things Big Mike of BMC Choppers has lend his support. Which is way cool for Mike to take the time out of his busy schedule to help us. We all appreciate his help with our project.
Avon Tires shipped us our tires this week. So we are making some headway. Finally found a tire shop “Nates Tires” in Long Beach to shave and buff our tires to get them rated for our speed. We are trying to get them to cut the BikerNet race teams a deal.
Nick with AMSOIL is getting ready to ship our oil and lubes.We are still in the need for a front 19-inch light weight rim. Anyone out there who has one, the help will be great. I am already been getting calls from old bros of mine across the country from North Carolina to Texas that will be joining us. This event is going to be TOO COOL, hope you all can join us. We will keep you posted.
–Bob T
BIKERNET WEEKLY PHOTO ART EXHIBIT– I am somehow drawn to Main St. Daytona every year even though I tell my self to stay away …dammit I’m just drawn in by the freaks…I HAVE TO PHOTOGRAPH THEM! Here is one of the biggest who is there every year.
The hottie was riding a stretched chopper and looking very nice!
Whiplash Biker Photog
mailto:soffordphotos@comcast.net
BAD AS HELL RING COMING SOON–Soon to be available and excepting orders are these original custom made “Bad as Hell” and in process “Skull” designed rings. Made in NY by a famous designer orders will be filled first upon that a small stock will be kept.
Limited production and exclusive to the Bad as Hell line of Chrome Servives……Retail is $99 delivered made of sterling silver!
All rings delivered Fed Ex ground orders can be phoned in to 714-420-7431 Or clicking Orders are 60 days! WVBB WISH RUN AND HOG ROAST–I came across your website. I wanted to share an event we have in Summersville, WV in June. It ‘s the WVBB Wish Run and Hog Roast. Check us out on the web at wvbb.com West Virginia Biker Barn CHOPPER BUILDER DISCOVERED–Hi, my name is Anita Nicolier from Langley British Columbia Canada. I am emailing you to tell you about my brother Rick. He has been building custom choppers since 1972. He has a deep passion and natural talent to come up with hundreds of bike designs with little to no effort. I know that if you could see some of his bikes you would agree. I am emailing you two of the ones that I have pictures of. Please take the time to look at them. I thank you for your time — Anita Nicolier DO YOU WORK ON HARLEYS?– Are you looking for a one stop source for hard parts and tools?Goodson Tools & Supplies for Engine Builders has added a wide selection of hard parts specifically designed for Harley-Davidson? heads. ORANGE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS–Costa Mesa, CA Friday, APRIL 14th and Saturday, April 15th Quick Throttle Magazine is thrilled to present the first Motorcycle Expo at the Orange County Fairgrounds in 5 years! We will kick off the riding season on April 14th and 15th at the Orange County Fairgrounds & Exposition Center, 88 Fair Drive Costa Mesa, CA 92626 The purpose of this 2-day event is to bring riders, vendors and manufacturers together, 2 weeks before the Laughlin event.In one location, you will be able to buy a new motorcycle, get an oil change on your bike, buy parts, chrome, a GPS, a new seat and see all the latest gadgets and gizmos that make your lifestyle that much better. You can watch a fashion show and get yourself some new leathers and other clothing, talk to your favorite motorcycle attorney, sign up for other events that are happening later on in the year, meet and greet your favorite builder, see a Biker fashion show, buy some great touring bags to carry all your new stuff, listen to your favorite music and even keep the kids busy with the Easter Bunny! DRIVELINE TECH QUESTION– Bandit, Thanks for reply to my last email. The end of the compensator nut was that I used a 36″ cheater pipe and broke the belt in half due to the upwards pressure. I then loaded my half built chopper up and paid $8.20 to get it removed, money very well spent. I am now at a new cross-road and am seeking your expert advice. I am now trying to align my motor, tranny, and back-plate. I have read the instructions on the BDL website and cannot say that I have a clear understanding. What would you advise me to do here? I have two choices, do it myself, or pay to have it done which defeats any learning curve. –JEREMY B. NASH First, check Bikernet and click on the BDL logo on the homepage. It will take you to several installation articles. It’s always best to do it yourself. You can take your time to insure the job is done right. Mechanics are in a hurry. On the other hand sometimes they have the tools, like you experienced. The key to alignment is taking your time. First put in the engine and bolt down the rear motor mount bolts hard, then check the front for a gap. If there is a gap create a shim. Next, loosen the engine and set the tranny in place loose. Now bolt up the inner primary and pull it up tight. Then check the tranny. If it needs shims, put them between the tranny plate and the frame. The goal is to have the primary pull the engine and tranny into perfect alignment. Once shimmed, with the primary up tight, snug down the engine and tranny. Call me if you have any questions. Take your time. Make it so the primary slips into place, no binding and fits perfectly against the engine and tranny.-Bandit TECH QUESTION ANSWER OFFER–Hey bandit, In the latest Sunday post there was a article from a guy named Aubrey. This was about a leaky primary on his 1994 Dyna. If you could have him email me, I’m almost 99% sure I can help him with his problem. –Gary D. Hayes Continued On Page 4
ktkk@adelphia.net
anicolier@sutton.com
Email:GaryHayesh@aol.com
March 16, 2006 Part 1
By Bandit |
It’s another whacky week. We installed the Keith Terry Terminal Velocity fuel management system and will test it tomorrow. We’ll also installed Will Phillips new True-Track system. It takes the wobble out of touring bikes. Cycle World called it the missing link for Harleys. Finally we bolted up a set of Carlini dresser bag arms that allow you to remove the rear crash bars. I’m jazzed.
Gard Hollinger from LA Chop Rods welded the exhaust sensor bung to my Screamin’ Eagle Exhaust. He’s involved in the Build or Bust show when Russell Mitchell can’t make it. Let’s hit the news. There’s some interesting stuff afoot in this industry:
She says, “Oh, Father, I’ve got terrible news. My husband passed away last night.”
The priest says, “Oh, Mary, that’s terrible. Tell me, did he have any last requests?”
She says, “That he did, Father…”
The priest says, “What did he ask, Mary?”
Mary says, “He said, ‘Please Mary, put down that damn gun!’
–from Nick Roberts
WOMEN RIDER WEB FEATURED BY HARLEY-DAVIDSON–Thought you’d like to see an interview that a representative from Harley-Davidson did with me and that’s featured on their Web site. Click on link below.
–Genevieve
http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/Women/women_motorcycling.jsp?locale=en_US
BUELL DEALER TEAMS CONTEST DAYTONA 200 WITH BUELL XBRR– Four Buell dealer teams started the 65th running of the prestigious Daytona 200, marking the professional debut of the new Buell XBRR production racing motorcycle based on the Firebolt XB12R. The race was the opening round of the 2006 AMA Superbike/Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme series.
The four Buell dealer entries performed well in qualifying Thursday as each team placed its rider solidly in the 71-bike field. Warr’s London H-D/Buell’s Jeremy McWilliams qualified eighth, good for a second row starting position and ran as high as seventh position during the race. Buell Hannover (Germany) rider Rico Penzkofer qualified 14th and ran as high as 11th, while Deeley H-D/Buell Canada rider Steve Crevier qualified 16th and ran as high as 12th. Hal’s H-D/Buell rider Mike Ciccotto qualified 15th. All four riders retired from the race with suspected clutch/primary drive related problems. “Some people were expecting a miracle from Buell here today,” said Erik Buell, Chairman and Chief Technical Officer, Buell Motorcycle Company. “But we know what racing is all about and this is a heck of a start. It was a thrill to have the bikes qualified so well, and it would have been great to have all of our riders finish, but the Daytona 200 is the ultimate endurance test for a racing motorcycle, and we’ve learned a lot. We will get better.” American Honda factory rider Miguel DuHamel was fast qualifier for the event, which was won by his teammate Jake Zemke. Josh Hayes (Honda) finished second and Jason DiSalvo (Yamaha) finished third, among the 47 riders who finished the race. The Buell teams racing at Daytona were supported by Pirelli Tires, Sentry Insurance, Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Harley-Davidson Visa, and Screamin’ Eagle SYN3 Synthetic Lubricant. Buell Motorcycle Company has expanded its racing support program for 2006, with more than $700,000 posted in cash contingencies for Buell racers competing in a variety of national and regional race series events and classes aboard Buell XB models and the Buell XBRR production racing motorcycle.
NOISE LEVELS IN OUR ENVIRONMENT FACT SHEET–How Loud is Too Loud? Experts agree that continued exposure to noise above 85 dBA over time, will cause hearing loss. To know if a sound is loud enough to damage your ears, it is important to know both the loudness level (measured in decibels, dBA) and the length of exposure to the sound. In general, the louder the noise, the less time required before hearing loss will occur. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (1998), the maximum exposure time at 85 dBA is 8 hours. At 110 dBA, the maximum exposure time is one minute and 29 seconds. If you must be exposed to noise, it is recommended that you limit the exposure time and/or wear hearing protection.
Measure Up and Turn it Down: Decibel Levels Around Us The following are decibel levels of common noise sources around us. These are typical levels, however, actual noise levels may vary depending on the particular item. Remember noise levels above 85 dBA will harm hearing over time. Noise levels above 140dBA can cause damage to hearing after just one exposure.
Points of Reference *measured in dBA or decibels
0 The softest sound a person can hear with normal hearing
10 normal breathing
20 whispering at 5 feet
30 soft whisper
50 rainfall
60 normal conversation
110 shouting in ear
120 thunder
50 refrigerator
50 – 60 electric toothbrush
50 – 75 washing machine
50 – 75 air conditioner
50 – 80 electric shaver
55 coffee percolator
55 – 70 dishwasher
60 sewing machine
60 – 85 vacuum cleaner
60 – 95 hair dryer
65 – 80 alarm clock
70 TV audio
70 – 80 coffee grinder
70 – 95 garbage disposal
75 – 85 flush toilet
80 pop-up toaster
80 doorbell
80 ringing telephone
80 whistling kettle
80 – 90 food mixer or processor
80 – 90 blender
80 – 95 garbage disposal
110 baby crying
110 squeaky toy held close to the ear
135 noisy squeeze toys
40 quiet office, library
50 large office
65 – 95 power lawn mower
80 manual machine, tools
85 handsaw
90 tractor
90 – 115 subway
95 electric drill
100 factory machinery
100 woodworking class
105 snow blower
110 power saw
110 leafblower
120 chain saw, hammer on nail
120 pneumatic drills, heavy machine
120 jet plane (at ramp)
120 ambulance siren
125 chain saw
130 jackhammer, power drill
130 air raid
130 percussion section at symphony
140 airplane taking off
150 jet engine taking off
150 artillery fire at 500 feet
180 rocket launching from pad
40 quiet residential area
70 freeway traffic
85 heavy traffic, noisy restaurant
90 truck, shouted conversation
95 – 110 motorcycle
100 snowmobile
100 school dance, boom box
110 disco
110 busy video arcade
110 symphony concert
110 car horn
110 -120 rock concert
112 personal cassette player on high
117 football game (stadium)
120 band concert
125 auto stereo (factory installed)
130 stock car races
143 bicycle horn
150 firecracker
156 capgun
157 balloon pop
162 fireworks (at 3 feet)
163 rifle
166 handgun
170 shotgun
Continued On Page 2
May 11, 2006 Part 1
By Bandit |
Hey,
Whatta week. Cops are crawling all over Walker’s Caf? Sunday bikers due to noise infractions. Our Bikernet Noise Study may come in handy in our hometown. Walker’s Caf? has been feeding bikers since before WWII. Now new local residents are sniveling about the bikes.
We’re in the middle dry walling Layla?s kitchen and electricians, plumbers, drywall experts and homeless sonsabitches are running in and out of our headquarters. It’s grizzly.
I want to thank Robin Bradley from American dealer for the features of the top eight European Champions. Check ’em out. Krugger, above, came in 7th and we have a full feature.
I spoke to an official from the SCTA (Southern California Timing Association) about rules, classes and Bonneville racing. Delvene reminded me that it was time to pre-register. “Running open bikes is the most fun,” Rodan said. “But lets look at what you have?” According to Rodan the 45 Flatty will run in the 500cc class, but there are several catagories. We discovered that the record for the Modified Vintage 500 cc Gas Class is 126 mph. Get this the MPS-VF, vintage, partially streamlined fuel class record is 110 mph and the gas record in the same category is 123 mph. We’re going after the MPS-VF first then change classes if we break that record.
Let’s hit the news, then I’ll tell you the Class news about the first 120-inch Panhead Sportbike.
LA CALENDAR SHOW NEWS–We are happy to announce that we have been able to get you a special…Reduced Room Rates aboard the Queen Mary for the LA Calendar Motorcycle Show.The Queen Mary is the place to stay for convenience, its cool ambiance, great restaurants, a short 200 yard walk to the Show grounds, and your room is just down the corridor from our Saturday Night Calendar Builders Party in the Observation Bar Lounge..
This special rate is $129 per night for our attendees, down from the Queen Mary’s normal $169.00 weekend rate for a twin bed room.To get this special $129 per night rate you must call Queen Mary Reservations before June 1st and mention the special LA Calendar Motorcycle Show rate.If you have already booked your rooms at a higher rate, just give QM Reservations a call now to switch to the lower rate.
Contact Now Queen Mary Reservations: Phone 1-562 435 3511
Other Hotel and Airfare Discounted Bookings with ExpediaIf you are flying into Los Angeles for the Show or want to stay at a different hotel in the long beach or Los Angeles area, and rent a car, please use the Expedia.com booking link form on our Bike Show website.This will always assure you the lowest possible rates for our Show Attendees, both now and any other time in the future you want to book travel arrangements anywhere in the world.Plus it helps support our website and keeps our Exhibitor space costs low for you.
Please visit our FastDates.com Website for all your discount Travel Reservation Needs now or in the future with Expedia at:http://www.fastdates.com/BIKESHOW.2EventSchedule.HTM
And if you haven’t made your Exhibitor Registration and payment yet, please hurry as we are almost sold out.Use the Exhibitors Registration link at the bottom of this Email.
See you at the 2006 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show!
–Jim Gianatsis, Director
V-ROD ULTRA SIZED GAS TANKS–Once again, Rick’s Motorcycles offers a complete new high-tec part for all V-Rod models:Rick’s gas tank with 19,3 l / 5,1 gallons capacity!!
Nearly all V-Rod owners around the world know about the problem that you have to look for the next filling station, soon after you left.The new Rick’s Motorcycles V-Rod tank has about 5,3 l / 1,4 gallons more capacity and offers a more reach of about 35%.
The gas cap and the injection electronic can be used like on the OEM tank and the opening mechanism can also be used like usual.
Only some modifications on the protection plate under the tank are necessary, but for this we deliver a fitting instruction with pictures.The tank is delivered in white, not painted!!
The tank is available in two variant. For tyres up to 280 and for 300 tyres.Fits all V-Rod models !!
BAKER KLASSIC KICKER GEARS: BUILT TO OUTLAST–We all know the struggle of that die-hard guy in the crowd determined to kick over his stubborn motor. This beautiful embodiment of man versus machine is pornographic in nature. Because, starting that bike in a sea of onlookers is truly the money shot. With old skool influences on the contemporary bike building culture this Johnny Wad scenario is becoming more common than not.
Chinese knock-offs of the original 1936-86 kicker gears were the only thing available up until now. Take a set of these Asian gears and roll them over in your hands. It feels they were fashioned out of fish head soup cans with a hammer and chisel by some guy making 35 cents/hour in the middle of a rice patty. Then you put them in your bike. After three kicks the kick back plate is deformed. After 10 kicks the gear teeth are starting to chip. Quite often the stop peg breaks off and finds its way into your tranny gears and then you are really screwed. This really bothered us so we took the initiative to develop a better set of kicker gears made in Michigan and manufactured with BAKER gear technology.
We manufacture our kicker gears with certified 8620 steel, to quality standards of AGMA 8 or better, on the same CNC hobbing machines that manufacture our high quality transmission gears. The stop peg has an upset head on it to give redundancy and guarantee that it will never find its way into your transmission. The kick back plate is case hardened 4140 and will not deform. The ratchet gear bushing has that critical helical groove cut in it to feed oil and lubricate the end of the mainshaft. Lastly, the kicker gears are REM finished like NASCAR gears to remove all surface imperfections and yield a semi-polished finish that screams quality.
For 1936-1986 Big Twin 4-speed transmission or similar
Hardened kick back plate to prevent common deformation
16-tooth starter gear
24-tooth crank gear
Compatible with 14 tooth OEM H-D starter gear
For additional information on BAKER’s solution to inferior kicker gears, call us toll free at 1-877-640-2004.
TIM REMUS AND WOLFGANG PUBLICATIONS TO BE ON SPEED TV– Tim Remus and Wolfgang Publications will be featured In an upcoming edition of Mike Corbin’s Ride-On show on Speed TV. The segment documents the work involved in producing Tim’s first DVD – How to Build a BOBBER. The show airs next week, be sure to tune in. Specific times are listed below.
Tues, May 16 @ 9:30pm E / 6:30pm P
Tues late night, May 16 @ 2:30am E / 11:30pm P
Wed, May 17 @ 4:30am E / 1:30am P
Wed, May 17 @ 9:30am E / 6:30am P
Sat, May 20 @ 7:30am E / 4:30am P
On Wednesday, May 10, 2006 at 8:00 p.m. EST and again on Wednesday, May 17,2006 at 8:00 p.m. EST our television specials about Carlisle Events will airon Speed TV. Our motorcycle event is featured in the May 10 program, and our entireportfolio of events are showcased during the two one-hour specials.
Dave, Donnie and other motorcycling industry personalities like MicheleSmith, Michael Lichter, The Starboyz, Kai Raecke (Easyriders Magazine) andEddie Trotta appear as well. If you think this of interest, please pass it on.
–John Detrick
PIPE WRAP ARTICLE ANOTHER BIKERNET SUCCESS–Hey Bandit – Thanks for the pipe wrap tech article. It worked out great.Follow the advice in the article to be generous with the wrap. I wasamazed that these pipes took the whole package to complete (50 feet!)
–Scrapper
IMMIGRATION MARCH HUGE SUCCESS–It appears that the Immigration March in Los Angeles was a HUGE success! According to data from the Los Angeles County Sheriff, Los Angeles had a reduction in the following:
82% reduction – auto theft
28% reduction – murders/ violent crimes/ rapes
73% reduction – vandalism / tagging
54% reduction – drug related offenses (not including the area surrounding the march)
31% reduction – domestic violence cases
64% reduction – misdemeanor cases (shoplifting, etc)
CHP reported that today was a record low in the least amount of traffic accidents on Southern CA freeways. Looks like the immigration rally was well worth it!
BIKERNET BONNEVILLE SPONSOR BIKE–Ya gotta love it, 95 cubic inch, 118 h p , via r&r cycle and Randy Torgenson, hyperformance, Des Moines, Iowa. Sputhe isolators………. caddie shocks, still dialing them in,
Just completed a 2,500 mile Laughlin road trip, just a warm up for the summer.. See you on the road…
–Ray Wheeler
LA CHOP RODS POWDER CONNECTION– I am sending you a shot of our last build. My shop is RS Performance and we are the ones who did the powder and ceramic coating on Gard’s (LA CHOP RODS) Hard Rock Roadhouse tour bike. We also do all of Kirk Taylors (Custom Design studios) powder and ceramic as well as many others.
We also build our own bikes and I thought you might be interested in doing a feature on one or more of our bikes. The orange one was finished in June of ’05 and the black one we finished in Jan. of ’06.
— Bob Simpson
RS Performance Coatings
(650) 678-9216
BIKERNET SEAT OF THE WEEK–This art was completed in Grateful Dead style by Duane.
Duane Ballard Custom Leather
603-781-7505
36 Goen Rd.
New Ipswich, NH 03071
http://www.dbcustomleather.com
LUCKY DEVIL CUSTOM CYCLES GRAND OPENING AT NEW FACILITY– We will miss your Shenanigans at our Wild Rumpus!
Ever dance with the Devil in the pale moonlight? Well now is your chance… except the Devil doesn’t dance, and it will be in the middle of the day, but Oh Well.
We are having a party! Lucky Devil Custom Cycles is finally having our Grand Opening, if you happen to be in Houston, and feel like having a beer, some tasty Texas BBQ and checking out some nice rides, and some Texas honeys, stop by on the 27th of May between the hours of 12 noon and 6:00pm and have a little down home fun with us.
Before the festivities begin we will be doing the Texas National Bike Show poster bike shoot, and once that is over everyone will have a chance to get a close up of the bike during the party, and also perhaps a chance to see and chat with Miss Texas National, the fabulous Liz.
We are excited to show off some hot new customs for sale, and our in-house painters have gone all out with some wild new paint projects.
We will also have a registration booth for everyone interested in getting a jump on the competition for the upcoming Texas National Bike Show in November.
See you all there!
–Mrs. L. Devil
NEW RUNNING LIGHT/BRAKE LIGHT KIT FROM HARLEY-DAVIDSON–Converts Turn Signals to Also Function as Red Running/Brake Light.sThe new Auxiliary Brake Light/Turn Signal Conversion Kits ($49.95) from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories add an auxiliary brake light and running light function to the rear turn signals. Red lenses glow when the headlamp is on and increase in intensity when brakes or turn signals are activated.
Easy to install, the kit simply plugs into the existing wiring harness. Red turn signal lenses are included. Meets DOT requirements.
The Auxiliary Brake Light/Turn Signal Conversion Kits are available to fit bullet- and flat-style rear turn signals on a number of Harley-Davidson Dyna, Softail, VRSC, Touring and XL models. (NOTE: Does not meet DOT standards when installed on ’04-later FLHRS, FLTR, FLHTCSE models, ’05-later FLSTN and FLSTS models, or models equipped with Bullet Rear Turn Signal Bar Kit P/N 68615-04 or 68617-04.) See dealer for fitment details.
For additional information on Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories, see your local Harley-Davidson dealer or visit the Harley-Davidson Web site at www.harley-davidson.com. To find a dealer near you, call toll free 1-800-443-2153 in the U.S.A. or Canada.
HOLLISTER ATTACKS BIKERS AGAIN–I say; why give these sanctimonious assholes our money if they don’t want us there??? Hell, let’s all invade somewhere else, and let Hollister dry up and blow away.–B.
Hollister – A local attorney asked the City Council this week to suspend parking regulations in Hollister during the Fourth of July weekend, warning that the strict enforcement promised by police during that time when hordes bikers are expected to roar into town for the “unofficial rally” could be unconstitutional.
Hollister Police Chief Jeff Miller has said that parking laws will be strictly enforced during the July 4th holiday as part of local law enforcement’s strategy to deal with the thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts anticipated to come to downtown Hollister despite the cancellation of the 2006 Hollister Independence Rally. Because of budget constraints, the police department has not routinely enforced parking laws – primarily those that limit the amount of time a car can be parked in one spot – since 2004, according to Miller.
Parking regulations, though ostensibly impartial, can easily become a means to harass particular groups if they are applied with an, “Evil eye and unequal hand,” Hollister defense attorney George Barton told the council Monday, quoting from a 1886 decision in which the U.S. Supreme Court found that a San Francisco ordinance prohibiting laundries in wooden buildings was being unfairly enforced on Chinese immigrants. If police target bikers when enforcing parking regulations, Barton said, the city will be violating their right to equal protection under the law, which is guaranteed in the 14th amendment of the U.S. constitution.
“It will send a message to our two-wheel tourists that they are not welcome in Hollister,” he said during the public comment period of the meeting. He also asked the council to pass a resolution suspending the enforcement of parking regulations during the Fourth of July weekend.
City officials disagree, saying that all vehicles will be subject to stepped up enforcement of parking laws, whether they have two wheels, four wheels or more.
“The police department’s announced plans to enforce laws downtown during the Fourth of July does not constitute selective enforcement against motorcyclists,” City Attorney Elaine Cass wrote in an e-mail. “If there is, in fact, a large public gathering downtown on July 4, whether grandmothers, republicans or motorcyclists, then law enforcement may and will take whatever action it deems necessary and appropriate under the circumstances to keep the peace.”
In an interview after Monday’s meeting, Barton said that police plans for strict enforcement of parking regulations during the holiday – even if vehicles other than motorcycles are subject to it – is intended at keeping bikers out of downtown Hollister and puts the city at risk of lawsuits.
“Equal protection means that the law has to apply equally to everybody. If you single out a group and enforce the law against them and not others, that’s a violation of equal protection,” he said. “(The city) is entering an area where it better tread very lightly.”
Bikers alone will not be targeted, Miller said.
“In our case the restraints will apply to everybody, whether it’s a car a motorcycle or a motor home,” he said.
Councilman Doug Emerson, who is among the majority on the council who voted in February to cancel Hollister’s annual motorcycle rally for 2006, said that he was initially wary about strict enforcement of parking regulations.
By Luke Roney/Staff Writer,Luke Roney covers local government and the environment for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or at lroney@freelancenews.com
–from Buckshot
Continued On Page 2
May 11, 2006 Part 4
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 3
STEALTH REPORT–We have just celebrated our one year anniversary at STEALTH BIKEWORKS! The shop is full! We have more bikes to work than ever! Doesit sound like I am excited? You bet I am!
The good news doesn’t stop there. STEALTH BIKE WORKS is beginningit’s third ground up project!This one is an Evo based riigd frame bare bones bike.
The Myrtle Beach bike rally starts this weekend and we are slammedgetting bikes ready. We are not complaining, that is a good thing.We have a lot of people stopping along the way to and from the beachrally.
STEALTH BIKE WORKS is really starting to come on. We have developedour own personality and I think people are starting to see ourstyle evolve. I try to keep our inventory different and keep thingsin stock where others have to order.
We are now set up with Bassani. I really like their exhaust systems.As far as Sportsters go, they have the coolest pipes by far. Weinstalled our first set a few weeks ago. They fit perfectly andsound great!
As we enter our 2nd year we look forward to growing, maybe notbuilding wise but customer wise.When I think back to a year ago, I remember being nervous and to behonest scared to death. A year later I feel confident and sure ofwhat we are doing. That is not to say we are comfortable or that weare ready to take a break, I guess what I am trying to say is thatit just feels right to me.What does our 2nd year hold in store for us? Who really knows? Ithink we are starting to turn the corner, but who knows what isaround that corner. It is an adventure that is what makes all ofthisgreat. One thing is for sure though, whatever we do, we will havefun doing it.
In closing I would like to leave you something to think about.“There is no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what youlove to do. There is only scarcity of resolve to make it happen.”
Wayne Dyer
Until next week, RIDE!
STEALTHMAN
VIPER OPEN HOUSE–We have moved to a new 40,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Big Lake, Minnesota. You are cordially invited to an Open House, Saturday, June 10 from noon to 6 P.M. There will be a facility tour, food and fun.
Our new address is 19950 177th St. Suite F, Big Lake, Minnesota 55309.
We look forward to seeing you.
–Terry Nesbitt
LA CALENDAR MOTORCYCLE SHOW PARTNERS AND EXHIBITORS–Please find below the details of the contract from The Queen Mary, John Adamson, Director of Special Events, clearly stating the International Tatooo Festival taking place at the Queen Mary on June 23-25th weekend and hosting a “Johnny Chop Memorial Bike Show” will not, and can not contain commercial motorcycle product venders, shops or professional builders and companies displaying bikes or advertising their companies. This is in direct violation of what the promoter Electric Ink Promotions has been producing and advertising up to this date, and he, Trac Edwards now agrees to cease this and not hold said activities.
The Queen Mary and Gianatsis Design are partners in the LA Calendar Motorcycle Show and as such, can not have competing events to take place at the Queen Mary, no matter how good the cause.In this case however, it was a commercial opportunity the promoter of the Tattoo Festival weekend was attempting to capitalize on based on the success of our Show, but now he can not.
My own offer still stands to feature “Johnny Chop Memorial” activities at the LA Calendar Motorcycle Show in place of the one which was to take place at the Tattoo Festival if any friends of Johnny might be interested in coordinating it with me.
Our Show is a much better venue to honor Johnny Chop among all his friends in the motorcycle industry, most of who will be participating at the LA Calendar Motorcycle Show in July.
Thanks for your support and I’ll look forward to see you at the LA Calendar Motorcycle Show in July.
–Jim Gianatsis, DirectorLA Calendar Motorcycle Showph 818 223 8550
CHOP N GRIND TEAM BEING INVESTIGATED–STRUGGLING FOR SPONSORSHIP FUNDS, TEAM MEMBER BUYS NEW SEAT FOR HIS DRESSER.
We questioned Bob T.,”Got a new seat for the FLH. My wife got it for my birthday (you are still older)……It’s way cool………Not bad for an old guy……It’s from C&C Motorcycle Seats,
The Bikernet Bonneville 2006 Effort team is investigating Bob T’s finances and questioning his dog.
BIKERNET WEEKLY TECH TIP–A reader wrote in last week complaining about his Big Boar Battery. I wrote him back and sent his e-mail to Aaron from Big Boar. It wasn’t the battery, but he was facing a common electrical problem. “From what he is saying, it sounds like his voltage reg. is defective and not shutting off, thereby over charging the battery and causing excessive heat inside the battery,” Aaron said. “The heat is causing the leak and failure problem. I always take pride in helping my customers, however sometimes they do not want to look beyond the battery for the root of the problem.”
Any time you have a charging problem, don’t just replace the fried part. Check all the other elements first. For instance, you batterY unexpectedly goes dead. Don’t just replace it, then damage the new one, because your alternator or regulator died. Make sure all the components are cool and you have good connections and grounds.
IT’S HAPPY HOUR SOMEWHERE–Okay, so between the workers scrambling in and out of the headquarters, working on both bikes, discussing a book contract with Motorbooks, fighting our own noise ticket, trying to finish the Bikernet noise study, write an article for the HORSE and one for American Iron, I’m scrambling to finish our Bonneville build updates.
I hope to take a break, workout, then round out a Salt Shaker update. It’s coming along. I cruised over to PM and Jason gave me a tour of the Roland Sands Designs area and some tips on some of the unbelievable work he’s done. He coached me on building pipe systems and I learned a lot. I looked at some of those amazing bikes, but realized that these guys work on bikes constantly and I’m alone building two bikes with limited skills and experience in our Bikernet headquarters. I’m lucky to get a couple of hours a day down in the shop. Both bikes are still going to be cool, but Roland and his guys are amazing. One other item. Roland is of the Sportbike school. He builds ’em cool, but they perform and handle like sportbikes. I dig it. We’ve been building choppers forever, it’s cool to shift gears.
I give Bob T. and his crew some shit, but we’re all struggling to scrape the bucks together for Bonneville and building the bikes. We sure appreciate our current sponsors and could use some more to pull the effort altogether and cover our expenses. I need to raise the funds to register our two bikes. Anyway, any help you can throw our way is seriously appreciated.
Have a helluva weekend.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit