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ORIGINAL DAVE MANN ARTWORK FOR SALE–An old friend of mine, Mustang Jack owns these David Mann originals. If anyone is interested don’t hesitate to call Jack at (818) 776-0147. These are the originals, not prints, posters or copies.

Jack hung out with Dave in the old days and collected Mustang motorcycles. That’s one of his bikes in Dave’s art.

Weekly (Sometimes) Contest Winners– Here we go again, new winners walking away with the goods. All you have to do is enter one or both of two free contests. In the free area and one in the Cantina.

Next week I?ll be giving away two certificates, good for a 3-day, 2-night stay in a deluxe guest room at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fl. You must enter the contest in the Cantina to be in the running!!! Make sure you are able to get yourself there and feed yourself as the certificates are only for rooms.

If you?re not a Cantina member I think you should become one cause this is a sweet deal, if you need a couple days to relax and gamble. That?s it, here?s this weeks winners.

MIKE KELLY
DELTONA , FL 32738 – USA
Suggestion: DO AN ARTICLE ON HOW TO DO A KILLER SHINY BLACK PAINT JOB FOR US PO BASTARDS BUILDING IN OUR OWN GARAGES PALEASE
Wanted: KILLER FENDER BRACE FOR IRONHEAD HARDTAIL I’M BUILDING OR ANYTHING ELSE YOU CAN SEND ME. T-SHIRT,HAT,BOOK ON PAINTING HELP ME!!!

Ken w Hall –
Hickory, N.C. 28601 – U.S.A.
Wanted: one xxL t-shirt

STEALTH BIKE WORKS REPORT FROM NC–We keep moving along here at STEALTH BIKE WORKS. We have been working on our second in house part, a diamond shape oil tank by Chopper John. The good thing about this part for us is that it is already sold! The tank is not finished yet, but it will feature a battery tray, wrap-around style without the wrap! This week I am not really going to talk about SBW a lot. Instead I thought I would talk about the ride I took last weekend.

Last Saturday I headed back to Virginia to visit my brother Gary and the rest of my family. It was good seeing them all but I have to be honest I wanted to go for the ride. The weather was perfect all weekend, temps mid 80’s and no humidity. A few miles from home I was in the zone, nothing but the road, my bike, me and my surroundings. No worries about the shop, bills or whatever else haunted me. My blacked out ’03 Electra Glide Std. ran great all weekend.

Sunday morning Gary and I headed out early and rode to the dealership where he purchased his new Wide Glide. I won’t go into why we went or what happened when we got there. I don’t want to ruin the story. We rode deep into the mountains and the cool crisp air made all of the senses come alive. The sky was clear and you could see forever. When we reached the top of the mountain the air was fresh and cool, and you almost had to put a jacket on, but I chose not to. I wanted to feel all of the sensations that a ride like this brings.

As I looked up in the sky two hawks were soaring above just watching them made you feel free. We took our time on the way back to Gary’s place. We stopped at Ed’s Designs, a friend of Gary’s who does fine custom paint work. We also stopped by Madison Motorcycle Repair. Keith the owner is a stand up guy and a top notch wrench.

Before I knew it was Monday morning and time to head home. I decided that I was going to take my time and enjoy the ride home. I did a lot of thinking on the way home, not worrying, just thinking.

I thought about how lucky I was to take a trip like this and for the weather to be so great. I knew I would store this trip in my memory for a long time and replay it when needed. The miles rolled away and before I knew I was home and to meet me was “THE MEANEST” and J.C. our pit bull puppy. I was home and life is good! I wish the trip would have lasted longer but as with all good times there is an end.

If you haven’t taken a long ride this summer, plan one before the weather turns cold. There isn’t anything like it. It’s good for your soul. It’s amazing how much we take for granted. It makes you thankful for so much.

Until next time, RIDE!

–STEALTHMAN

HAMSTER HURRICANE RELIEF–I got your e-mail, we’re staying with Mike Guidry and he’s been really taking care of us. It makes our losses a lot easier with friends like Mike and the Hamsters. Bobby Kavalec has been great to us also and I hope I’m not leaving any names out, but there has been so many that has called and offered help…I just want to Thank EVERYONE for the care and concern.

–Doc

HOT BIKE MAGAZINES LOUISVILLE KENTUCKY SHOW THIS WEEKEND–Hot Bike Magazine comes alive in Louisville Kentucky for the first annual RC Components Hot Bike Kentucky Super Show Sponsored by Bikernet.com. Builders like Bobstar Customs, Precious Metal Customs, Russell Marlowe, Nicky Bootz, All American Choppers, PB Choppers, Coast 2 Coast Choppers are all going to be displaying the hottest East Coast Creations.

Bikes from bobbers to baggers and choppers to fat-tire prostreets will jump from the pages to the pavement on September 10th & 11th, 2005 at the Kentucky International Convention Center. Horse Power Promotions will bring together some of the industries biggest and best know manufactures and suppliers to fill the Motorcycle Marketplace. The isles will also be filled with some of the hottest bikes from mild to wild battling it out for one of kind trophies in the custom bike show.

Did I mention Michele Smith host of Speed Channel’s American Thunder will be there? With the smell of good food and the sounds of great music it’s sure to be a full 2-wheeled weekend. Admission price is only $15 and everyone receives a free T-shirt. For more info checkout http://www.horsepowerpromotions.com

HEY CHOPPERNUTZ– Tory Hansen got the site up and running for the upcoming David Mann Chopperfest…It’s a wonderful site with great photos. David Mann would be proud…Love to all…Big Dave http://www.chopperfestival.com

SEAT COLORING BEGINS–The coloring process begins. On this seat, I put down several coats of black dye. I like to put black dye down first when I use acrylics on top. The drawback is that it will take more coats to cover.

Watch for Seat Tech Number Two tomorrow. –Rocky
http://www.purekustom.com
Tel:480-924-6866
mailto:rocky1@purekustom.com
Mesa , Az

FEATURE YOUR OWN BIKE ON BIKERNET-READER’S SHOWCASE AREA–It said to send some pics for his big deal. Here is mine. It’s title says 1950 but that is the only thing that old. You might know the bike. A man called Chopper George owned it for 35 yrs. It’s been in Easyriders mag and all over this country. It sure is a fine scoot.

— Cowboy

The Reader’s Showcase area allows any reader to post shots of his bike and tell his or her story. Ken Conte and Jo Ann Bortels from Crazyhorse Custom Painting will help you with edits and they’ll launch each bike. No charge. Over the years hundreds of thousands of riders will read your story. –Bandit

BIKE FEATURE COMING SOON – ART’S BIKE–A while back I managed to sober my ass up and move from behind the vacant Mc D’s . It has been a wild ride so far and a blessing. Life is good today and as you can see I’m back doing what I really love, building bikes . This one is a scratch build. After getting beat-up on ebay enough times, I had to break out all the pay checks and live the life we all know all too well. But in the end, we reap the rewards of hard work and time spent doing we love.

This bike was built as a tribute to the first Harley I ever owned . It was sadly totaled but has been immortalized as you can see here .

Without surfin’ the net two years ago and finding the best damn web site on the planet, I would have gone it alone. Thanks to guys like Bandit , Dusty Dave , Highwayman , Mike ” The Stealth “, Drifter , Rebel , Johnny from Texas , Concrete Pete , John Towle and that crazy guy from Missouri that does the great Bikernet gun reports I’ve persevered an completed this beauty.

Keep the rubber side down fellas and the knees in the breezzzze . You to Weasly Oily from Denver.

–Art

Art and I will work on a complete build-up feature over the next couple of days. It will be posted in Bike Features next week.–Bandit

BIKERNET DISCOVERS THE VERY FIRST BLONDE GUY JOKE–An Irishman, a Mexican and a Blonde Guy were doing construction work on scaffolding on the 20th floor of a building.

They were eating lunch and the Irishman said, “Corned beef and cabbage! If I get corned beef and cabbage one more time for lunch, I’m going to jump off this building.”

The Mexican opened his lunch box and exclaimed, “Burritos again! If I get burritos one more time I’m going to jump off, too.”

The blond opened his lunch and said, Bologna again! If I get a bologna sandwich one more time, I’m jumping too.”

The next day, the Irishman opened his lunch box, saw corned beef and cabbage, and jumped to his death.

The Mexican opened his lunch, saw a burrito, and jumped, too.

The blonde guy opened his lunch, saw the bologna and jumped to his death as well.

At the funeral, the Irishman’s wife was weeping. She said, “If I’d known how really tired he was of corned beef and cabbage, I never would have given it to him again!”

The Mexican’s wife also wept and said, “I could have given him tacos or enchiladas! I didn’t realize he hated burritos so much.”

Everyone turned and stared at the blonde’s wife.

The blonde’s wife said, “Don’t look at me. He makes his own lunch!”

–from Art F.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON MARKS 25 YEARS OF MDA SUPPORT–WITH $4.6 MILLION CONTRIBUTION.Twenty-five years cumulative MDA contributions top $55 Million. MILWAUKEE — (September 7, 2005) Harley-Davidson’s 25th year of fundraising for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) topped $4.6 million dollars, the company announced during the Sept. 4-5 Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon. The contribution brings the total fundraising for Harley-Davidson’s 25 years of involvement with the MDA to $55 million.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company President and Chief Operating Officer Jim McCaslin presented the $4.6 million on behalf of the thousands who raised the funds. “Harley-Davidson’s family of dealers, suppliers, riders and employees were hard at work this year planning open houses, rides and other special events to raise money for MDA,” said McCaslin during the Telethon broadcast. “Their hard work helps make life brighter for people with neuromuscular disease and helps make headway in finding a cure.”

Joining McCaslin in the presentation and representing the Harley-Davidson dealer network were Dennis from Schaeffer’s Harley-Davidson, Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania; Rose Schoch and Jan Boyer from Schoch’s Harley-Davidson Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania; Jenny and David Alwin, South Central Wisconsin HOG Chapter and Kutter Harley-Davidson in Janesville, Wisconsin; Chris Smith; Motor City Harley-Davidson, Farmington Hills, Michigan and Virgil, Debbie and Rebecca Schulenberg, Sauk Prairie Harley-Davidson of Sauk Prairie Wisconsin.

Buzz and Lori Warnke of Lansing, Illinois also participated in the telethon as winners of the Thrill of Giving Sweepstakes. The contest was an in dealership promotion to celebrate Harley-Davidson 25 years of support for MDA.

Harley-Davidson fundraising activities for the Muscular Dystrophy Association took place over the 12-month period leading up to the Telethon and included pledge rides, dealer fundraisers, motorcycle raffles and pin sales.

Harley-Davidson has been a national sponsor of the Muscular Dystrophy Association since 1980. The funds raised support life-saving research, comprehensive medical care for children and adults with neuromuscular disease, and MDA summer camps.

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S&S ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF AHDRA SPONSORED CLASSES-SURDYKE MIDWEST NATIONALS–MADISON, IL (September 4, 2005) S&S Cycle, official sponsor of the AHDRA Pro Stock, Pro Gas, Super Sport and S&S 124 Challenge classes, announces the following summary and results from the Surdyke Midwest Nationals, presented by Drag Specialties.

Labor Day is the last big weekend of the summer and the crowd at the Surdyke Midwest Nationals presented by Drag Specialties was treated to enough excitement to last until next summer. “This is the first time that the AHDRA has hosted a national event at this race track. Gateway International Raceway is a first class facility and, hopefully, this event will become the next Labor Day Classic,” said Ted Grabowski , Race Technician for S&S Cycle. “It was really great to see long-time S&S customer, Mike Lozano, in the winner’s circle. This win should lock up the 2005 S&S Cycle Pro Gas Championship for him.”

Winners of the S&S sponsored classes this weekend were as follows:

Pro Stock:
P. Smith .094 R.T. 7.680 E.T. 174.44 mph
M. Collier Broke

Pro Gas:
M. Lozano .070 7.564 173.85
F. Collis .049 7.615 177.98

Super Sport:
M. Harrison .035 10.570 115.11
J. Holiday .057 10.593 120.09

S&S 124 Challenge
M. Ray .056 11.639 83.77
J. Sternotti foul 15.043 75.94

The next scheduled AHDRA event is the Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts Nationals, October 15-16, 2005 in Rockingham , NC . Visit <>www.ahdra.com for more information.

BIG DOG HOUSTON GOING OUT OF BUSINESS SALE–Dear Customers and Friends,It is with deep regret that we must announce the closing of our motorcycledealership, Big Dog Motorcycles of Houston. The past eight-years have been funand we have made a lot of great friends. Over the past year the toll-roadconstruction, a slow down in luxury item sales, burglaries, other economicfactors and finally a move, have taken their toll on our business.

Our plan is to have a BIG LIQUIDATION SALE over the next 30-days.The sale will begin this Tuesday, September 6th and will continue untileverything in the store and our warehouse is sold. In addition to great dealson parts, accessories and bikes, we will consider offers onfurniture, fixtures, tools and equipment.

The service department will remain open to complete all work in processand any minor repairs that might be taken in and completed on a dailybasis.

All recent bike sales transactions will continue to be licensed andfinalized until complete.

The manufacturer, Big Dog Motorcycles, LLC in Wichita, KS, has alreadybegun to qualify one or more BIG DOG WARRANTY & SERVICE CENTERS in theHouston area. We will let you know who they decide on as soon as thedecision has been made.

Once again…thanks to all of you who have supported us over the years.We appreciate ALL of you!

Debbie, Bert & Lee
Big Dog Motorcycles
16205 Westheimer
Suite 200
Houston, TX 77082
(281) 752-6966

–from Rogue

KATRINA REPORT FROM LOUISIANA–I sent a message to ABATE of LA’s President, Poet, to make sure he is ok after Katrina ripped through. I heard back from him today and I asked him what we could do to help the bikers of Louisiana. Below is his response, followed by an address where funds can be sent.-Rogue

I know there are many ways to help the people of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida in the wake of what Katrina has left or NOT left behind. I send this as an option for those who would like to specifically help the bikers of LA. I know it will be greatly appreciated.

On a personal note, I would add that when Virginia learned Col. Champagne of LA. was coming to our capitol to testify against our helmet bill, I contacted ABATE of LA. and talked with Poet, Laddie, and many others. Each of them went out of their way to provide information we could use during the testimony.

When we needed help from ABATE of LA., all we had to do was ask. They were all over it and stayed in touch every step of the way. Bikers counting on bikers and bikers helping bikers. That’s what it’s all about.

–Penny

Penny,

–Poet
State Executive President
Abate Of La., Inc
ABATEPOET@aol.com

BIKERNET’S HIDDEN POLICE CAR CAM– The following were snatched from actual police cars.

#15 “Relax, the handcuffs are tight because they’re new. They’ll stretchout after you wear them awhile.”

#14 “Take your hands off the car, and I’ll make your birth certificate aworthless document.”

#13 “If you run, you’ll only go to jail tired.”

#12 “Can you run faster than 1,200 feet per second? In case you didn’tknow, that is the average speed of a 9mm bullet fired from my gun.”

#11 “So you don’t know how fast you were going. I guess that means I canwrite anything I want on the ticket, huh?”

#10 “Yes, Sir, you can talk to the shift supervisor, but I don’t thinkit will help. Oh .. did I mention that I am the shift supervisor?”

#9 “Warning! You want a warning? O.K., I’m warning you not to do thatagain or I’ll give you another ticket.”

#8 “The answer to this last question will determine whether you are drunkor not. Was Mickey Mouse a cat or a dog?”

#7 “Fair? You want me to be fair? Listen, fair is a place where you go toride on rides, eat cotton candy, and step in monkey $#*!.”

#6 “Yeah, we have a quota. Two more tickets and my wife gets a toasteroven.”

#5 “In God we trust, all others we run through NCIC.”

#4 “Just how big were those two beers?”

#3 “No sir we don’t have quotas anymore. We used to have quotas but nowwe’re allowed to write as many tickets as we want.”

#2 “I’m glad to hear the Chief of Police is a good personal friend ofyours. At least you know someone who can post your bail.”

and the best one . . . . .

#1 “You didn’t think we give pretty women tickets? . You’re right, wedon’t. .. Sign here.”

NEW SAMSON CALIBER HIGH PERFORMANCE MUFFLERS–Caliber? High Performance Exhaust is now introducing the all new top of the line Caliber Slip-on Mufflers. These amazing mufflers were designed to fit all V-Rods and Street Rods. These Slip-on Mufflers have a suggested retail price of $ 399.95, which is less expensive than a complete full set. Every Caliber Exhaust has extra emphasis on performance, quality and style.

The Slip-0n Mufflers come complete with a one piece heat shield that looks better and provides superior protection. This particular heat shield was specifically designed to give the muffler a distinctive and classy look. Also included is a patented Veritech Baffle that constantly scavenges away spent fuel away from the engine while at the same time it increases exhaust gas velocity which greatly enhances low and mid-range torque. Chromed billet end caps, which are engraved “Caliber” on the end gives a quality finished look and lets everyone know that you have the highest quality motorcycle exhaust available.

All Caliber Exhaust systems include a Full Two Year Warranty that speaks to quality and reassures customers’ peace of mind.

Samson Motorcycle Products designs, markets and manufactures premium quality motorcycle exhausts at their state of the art facilities in Anaheim, CA. Every product has been thoroughly tested to improve performance, enhance appearance and give the sound customers are looking for. As the industry leader in aftermarket exhaust, every part is inspected for the highest quality standards.

Samson Motorcycle Products markets products under the Samson?, Caliber? and Shogun? Brand Names. For more information visit our website http://www.CaliberExhaust.com.

HANG ON, STURGIS 65TH STATS– It has already become part of the legend of the Rally itself.If you missed it, you can always lie to yourself and the grandkids. They’llnever know as there were an estimated 525,250 people that did make it. Yep,over 1/2 million people came out for theparty/riding/rendezvous/concerts/beer/women/men/party.

Did I mention theparty? Well more like a 100,000 parties, all going on at the same time.5 years from now there will be over a million people that will claim “I wasthere!” 🙂

Ok, Here are the facts and figures (and some out-right guesses too).These stats will also be online at http://www.Sturgis.com/2kstats.html

Estimated Attendance:
1990 – 50th – 400,000
2000 – 60th – 633,000
2002 – 62nd – 450,000
2003 – 63rd – 502,000
2004 – 64th – 514,951
2005 – 65th – 525,250

Marriage Licenses Issued:
1990 – 50th – 179
2000 – 60th – 197
2002 – 62nd – 110
2003 – 63rd – 100
2004 – 64th – 133
2005 – 65th – 109

Vendor Licenses Issued: Sturgis/Meade County
1990 – 50th – 243/307
2000 – 60th – 943/187
2002 – 62nd – 806/136
2003 – 63rd – 848/165
2004 – 64th – 863/222
2005 – 65th – 901/287Rally Related Deaths: SD per SD Highway Patrol & Meade Co. Sheriffs Office
1990 – 50th – 11
2000 – 60th – 10
2002 – 62nd – 8
2003 – 63rd – 6
2004 – 64th – 4
2005 – 65th – 6Felony Drug Arrests – Sturgis Police Dept.
2000 – 60th – 56
2002 – 62nd – 8
2003 – 63rd – 8
2004 – 64th – 16
2005 – 65th – 17Misdemeanor Drug Arrests – Sturgis Police Dept.
2000 – 60th – 307
2002 – 62nd – 111
2003 – 63rd – 84
2004 – 64th – 97
2005 – 65th – 110

Must have been good shit on the streets in 2000.–BanditArrests for Non-Traffic Violations – Sturgis Police Dept.
2000 – 60th – 264
2002 – 62nd – 250
2003 – 63rd – 230
2004 – 64th – 248
2005 – 65th – 258Traffic Violations – Sturgis Police Dept.
2000 – 60th – 500
2002 – 62nd – 149
2003 – 63rd – 172
2004 – 64th – 145
2005 – 65th – 115Jailed – Meade Co. Sheriff
2000 – 60th – 111
2002 – 62nd – 140
2003 – 63rd – 374
2004 – 64th – 405
2005 – 65th – 448Hospital Emergency Room Visits:
2000 – 60th – 390
2002 – 62nd – 292
2003 – 63rd – 334
2004 – 64th – 340
2005 – 65th – 317Taxable Sales / Temporary Vendors:
1990 – 50th – 3 mil
2000 – 60th – 14.3 mil
2002 – 62nd – 13.1 mil
2003 – 63rd – 14.8 mil
2004 – 64th – 16 mil
2005 – 65th – 14.9 mil

The traffic in Sturgis this year was MUCH better… Getting in and out ofSturgis was much quicker because of the cameras and man-hours provided bythe DOT.

This seems to tell us that the Rally is continuing to expand out from thecity of Sturgis. We hear a lot of comments from people saying that they arestaying in the Black Hills and going into Sturgis a couple of times duringthe week. Maybe one day of shopping and looking, and then a concert or twoin the evenings. The rest of the time is spent riding and meeting old andnew friends in all the different areas of the Black Hills.

Stay tuned for the 66th Rally, August 7th – 13th, 2006

Just Published!?The New Up-To-Date Second Edition ofThe Motorcycle Safety Foundation?s Guide toMOTORCYCLING EXCELLENCESkills, Knowledge, and Strategies for Riding Right–Center Conway, August 2005?Whitehorse Press has just released the new, completely updated, second edition of The Motorcycle Safety Foundation?s Guide to MOTORCYCLING EXCELLENCE. This is the most authoritative book ever published on safe riding techniques and strategies for current and prospective motorcyclists who want to do it right.

Founded in 1973, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) is recognized internationally for its rider-training curriculum, which has been used worldwide by thousands of trainers in teaching more than three million motorcyclists the skills necessary to stay safe and have fun on the road. This book is the essence of what the MSF has learned about teaching students of all ages and experience levels. It is the definitive reference for the sport?a perfect refresher for anyone who has ever taken an MSF course, and an eye-opener for those who haven?t.

In a clear, engaging style with detailed diagrams and extensive full-color photographs and illustrations, the book covers rider attitude, protective riding gear, pre-ride inspection, maintenance, and troubleshooting, as well as basic and advanced street skills. Tips on how to create a ?space cushion? to avoid traffic hazards; stop quickly; counter steer for better control; manage traction; position your body for smoother, more consistent riding; travel skillfully and safely in a group; maneuver effectively and efficiently in off-highway riding; and much more, are included. The new edition also features advice from legendary racers Kevin Schwantz, Nick Ienatsch, Freddie Spencer, Rich Oliver, and Reg Pridmore, as well as contributions from Erik Buell on motorcycle geometry, Keith Code on counter steering, and Paul Thede on suspension adjustment, among other experts.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation?s hands-on Rider Courses SM have been responsible for sparking in many people a lifelong passion for motorcycling. As they remind us, ?The More You Know, The Better It Gets!? This new edition of Motorcycling Excellence provides the opportunity for every motorcyclist to discover for him or herself the thrills and joys of ?riding right? by getting the best from self and machine.

Paperback, 8 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches,192 pages, full color illus and photos, $24.95. Copies are available at your local bookstore, dealer, or directly from the publisher, Whitehorse Press, 107 East Conway Road, Center Conway, NH 038 13-4012. Phone toll-free 800-531-1133 or visit their web site at www.whitehorsepress.com.

Here's the original deal as published in Hot Bike and on Bikernet. It all changed, though, for the better.

We're leaving and having a helluva ride. This form will give you all the basics, so we're all on the same page.

This will also document the hotel locations and basic ride directions.

First Stop Phoenix:

From Phoenix we head north on the 17 into Flagstaff about 130 miles. We can stop for lunch and check out the Grand Canyon. I've never seen it. (That's bullshit. You can't see the Grand Canyon from Flag. It's another 80 miles north of Flag. What was I thinking?)

From Flag we take the 89 North, for 50 miles and stop in Cameron for gas.

Another 17 miles and we slide off on 160 toward the bleak town of Kayenta at 90 miles.

We cut north there on the 163 and head into Monument Valley for 24 miles.

Then we catch 262 east to the 41 then 160 into Durango another 83 miles. (Actually it's 450 miles to Durango from Phoenix.)

Day Two

From Durango we head north up the 550 to Montrose, 107 miles. We can stop in Silverton for Breakfast.

Then we turn right or east on the 50 to Monarch at 129 miles where we stop for Lunch or catch the 24 north and stop at Buena Vista for Lunch.

25 Miles up the 24 we catch the 82 into Aspen about 38 miles.

Day Three

Now we head out the 82 east for 38 miles to the 24 North and in 13 miles catch Highway 91 North to interstate 70 east 50 miles. Georgetown on the 70 maybe a lunch stop.

Or we keep going to the 40 North and catch the 34 into the Rocky Mountain National Park. We could stop in Grandby for lunch. It turns east and leads us directly in interstate 25 North about 70 miles into Loveland.

From Loveland it's 42 miles into Cheyenne.

Hey,

Day Four

From Cheyenne were almost home. We jump on the 25 North, but immediately catch the 85 North for 73 miles into Torrington.

There's a shift in Torrington, but we stay on the 85 for 47 miles into Lusk where we meet up with the Hamsters for lunch.

Another 80 Miles on the 85 and we run into Newcastle and we're 29 miles from 4 Corners.

Then it's 11 miles into Lead and Deadwood and we're home.

Here's the background. At one time I rode with the Hamsters each year and we carved out a week, which allowed us one day of rest halfway there (2000 miles generally). It's the only way to go. I was at HOT BIKE at the time this plan was laid out and they discussed the ride they organized for the past two years. It was a mad dash to Sturgis in three days. It also had the smell of being a private clique of riders and I wanted to offer it to readers and additional advertisers. I spread it out to five days for a more comfortable ride.

Then I left HOT BIKE, but was going to be the editor-at-large and still help out. That didn't last long once the egos were set free to roam the halls. I won't mention names, but they jumped back to the private clique ride. Don't get me wrong, many of the guys on their organized ride are friends of mine. But when you're in the magazine business it's tough not to invite everyone. That was up to them, but I couldn't ignore a few readers who wanted to ride, so I kept the fires burning. Upon reflection, I should have immediately switched to the proven Hamster philosophy, since the ride out is everything. Hell, the Hamsters invited me to ride along, but my plan was published-the show must go on. It's all about what this industry revolves around, the ride and the readers, right?

As the weeks crept up on me along with the Choppers Only show in Hawaii and the LA Calendar show, I wrenched on the project Shovel, worked on mags and Bikernet. I was rapidly burnin' daylight. The Shovel fired the week before the LA Calendar show, but wasn't running right. First, I needed to switch out the Compu-Fire electric starter ignition for the kicker model. It's true that electric start ignitions turn the bike over three times before the plugs fire. Can't generate that action fast enough with a kicker. When Nui, Roger, Keith and George arrived from Hawaii, with their bikes, for the Calendar show they dropped everything to wrench on the Shovelhead. We realigned the Rivera intake manifold and attempted to install the wide rubber bands, but didn't have the clamps, so we shifted back to the O-ring style and filled the gaps with silicone. The key is the heads and they needed to be aligned with the Rivera manifold before they were bolted down. Then the O-rings would have sealed. I'll fix that next week with a new set of S&S heads.

We waited overnight and tightened the stainless straps which fixed the leaky manifold. Then we fired the bike once more. It wouldn't idle and ran too lean on the low end. I dug through my carb locker for jets and found a larger pilot jet. Roger pulled the carb down and replaced it. The bike finally ran strong and I started my Eddie Trotta break-in business. I rode it for a block then checked it over. The front axle was loose. The Big Boar battery sparked violently against the frame. There was still a problem with the BDL alignment.

I rode it to the show, but was sliding off the Lucky Devil Seat. Kent recommended taller seat springs. I ran to Ed Walker's shop for main shaft shims and 5-inch seat springs. I was attempting to build a strong, long-lasting Shovel chop, but ultimately discovered the error of my mechanical ways. It's interesting, each year as we build customs and fuck with the tried-and-true ways of building bikes just to be different. It's part of the code, but it also points out why people build bikes a particular way then stick with it. For instance, I went to the World Championship of custom bike building this year and discovered that a couple of builders were using Heim joints to hold spring mounted solo seats in place. It was very cool, I thought and tried it. It's doesn't hold the seat aligned like the old straps, which created problems. Just one of those things.

I attempted to ride the bike daily and then make adjustments right up to the final day. Brothers and sisters rolled into town. Bikes were shipped from Hawaii. I serviced my Road King for an Australian moto-journalist and we jammed to launch as many articles on Bikernet as possible. We were burnin' daylight.

I'll point out the other errors of my bike building ways as we roll out. This was a different sorta Sturgis ride in so many ways. I suppose each year of our lives have a new slant, new women, new lifestyles, and new roads. Then there's the open road, a fresh new chopper and the adventures that lie ahead. I don't know that I ever just straddle a motorcycle and rode to Sturgis, like an average Joe slipping into a station wagon for a cruise across the country. I enjoy and get a kick out of the adventure side of the coin, screw the fast food and cruise control, as you will see.

I'm going to paste in a couple of paragraphs from various Bikernet News and Sunday Posts just prior to departure. You'll experience the various adjustments prior to riding out.

Bikernet News 7/28

Hey, it's pre-Sturgis week and bikes are being delivered to the headquarters for the Run. Johnny, the young Texan writer, is meeting us in Durango. I just installed a couple of Pro One running lights on the Sturgis Chop since Japanese Jay couldn't see me in the Long Beach ghetto and almost ran over my ass while we hunted for his favorite Taco joint. Just one more mechanical project to deal with then more test rides, changing oil and tightening bolts.

You wouldn't believe the bullshit mistakes and scary elements. I finally ran it onto reserve. I didn't have any notion of the gas capacity. It took 2.76 gallons. With reserve that's maybe 3 gallons. So 2.76 times 35 mpg gives me 96 miles before I hit reserve. I can live with that-I Hope.

Wanna hear one more bullshit mistake? Crime Scene Choppers recommended that I drill a needle-sized hole in the top of the gas cap for ventilation, if the tank wasn't vented. It's easy to break a bit that small, so I drilled a 1/8 inch guide hole, but drilled too far-through the cap. Okay, so one solution would be to spot-weld the underside and re-drill, but my aluminum welder was just evicted from this property. The owner sold it.

So it tapped the hole with a 10-32 and drilled a tiny stainless set screw and in she went. Let's hit the news.

Sunday Post 7/24

BACK TO THE LIFT–I'm about to hit the lift and fix my glitch and my BDL engine pulley. Every time I build a bike I ponder the weak links, until they're fixed. They haunt me. It might be a potential clearance problem, the manner in which I mounted something or something I left off. Here's my list for the Sturgis Chop: I mounted the taillight in too close to the frame which blocks rear visibility. Motorcycles need visibility, as much as I like side mounted tail and license plate systems. So I'm going to run a couple of Pro One bullet running lights.

Next I mounted all the electrics where the Starter usually fits. It's mighty close to the chain that's flying past on the backside. I'm going to fix that with a Teflon guard thanks to Larry Settle of Settle Motorcycle Shop in Harbor City.

My last glitch, almost, is the BDL front pulley. There seems to be a problem installing the main shaft nut over the splines. It loosens up. Can't have that. I'll try to fix it this afternoon. I believe it's the shelf in the nut that's riding on the splines and not allowing the nut to seat.

Last night I worked again until 11:00 p.m. changing fluids and then tuning the front end. I checked the trail with Sin Wu's assistance. We ran a rod down the center of the neck on the left side until it touched the floor. Then I dropped a line off the axle and measure between the two. My trail is running between five and six inches.

Then I jacked up the front of the bike and lifted the rockers. I felt a notorious clunking sound. There was way too much play in the neck bearings. Something had dangerously settled. I removed the bars, risers and top tree, snugged up the stem nut, tested it, snugged it again and put the sucker back together.

Sunday Post 7/31

IT'S A WRAP FOR NOW–We'll hit the road at O-dark 30 Tuesday morning and head for the desert. We leave at the crack of dawn for several reasons. Los Angeles is like a no-man's metal battlefield during rush hour. The sooner we can peel out of town the better. We'll watch the sun rise and be in Phoenix in the early afternoon.

I have this thing about Los Angeles spreading across the desert floor toward the Arizona border and Vegas. It's a nasty plague against the land, and you better get up early to escape.

We'll be in and out of touch for the next couple of weeks. Home base is destined to be the Full Throttle Saloon on Lazelle. They have computer hook-ups so hopefully I can report in from time to time. No news next week.

Okay, so here's my superstition bit for the day. I had a blast building this bike until a particular point, then I ran into humbling glitches. One of the knickknacks on the bike was my hand made oil tank plug. I welded a copper washer to the brass plug and hung a brass antique Douglas Aircraft parking token from it as a novelty. At the same time I had a brass bell, but decided on the bullshit token, which meant nothing to me except that it was quirky. I continued to look for a location for the bell, but never discovered one.

So last night during the oil change I pulled the oil plug, which incessantly leaked when I first installed it. I turned and there was the lucky Bell waiting for me. I yanked the token for the brass good-natured security item. After I installed it Chris, Nyla's brother, walked in the Bikernet shop and handed me a 15-year-old bottle of Scotch and offered to stand by while I tuned the front end. For the first time I felt that the machine was road ready. The bell's working already.

Weight Comparisons

All 2006 Models, running weight
1200 Custom Sportster 575
V-Rod 629
Softail Deluxe 724
Softail Heritage 703
FLH Street Glide 776
Road King 750

Sturgis Shovel 520

We cut a dusty trail out of Wilmington, California at 5:00 a.m. and hit the Long Beach Freeway next to West Coast Choppers, which is in upheaval. Jesse fired his main man Bill Dodge after almost 10- years with him. Bill's wife Renee and Mark quit and many of the staff are threatening. Even today, a couple of days after Sturgis, I know customers who are scrambling to grab their ordered parts before WCC implodes. I don't think it will. Sometimes a shake-up is good to clear the air. We'll report more in the near future.

We jammed north on the LB Freeway to the 91 or Artesia Freeway East. The 91 turns into the 60 or Pomona Freeway then slips into the interstate 10 toward Blythe on the border of California and Arizona. It's about 380 miles from LA to Phoenix where we planned to hook up with friends and riding partners from the past. My first mistake hit me hard on the rugged city freeway miles peeling out of metropolitan Los Angeles. It's a no-man's land for much of the day. If you want out of the City, you hit the road early, like 5:00 a.m. You don't stop for breakfast until you're half way to the border, in the center of the desert near Palm Springs. The morning traffic will eat you alive.

We held tight to our rumbling handlebars for 92 miles before we stopped in Banning. All seemed to be fine with the Sturgis chop. Sure, I'll point out all the negative aspects to share the info with you, but on the positive side the bike was built to ride and be comfortable. The sitting position was glorious, relaxed and the Paughco front end handled well with 35 degrees of rake in the neck and three in the Paughco Springer trees. The bike was light and agile, handled like a dream with the 180 Avon, CCI 18-inch stainless spoked wheel in the back. But my gearing was off. I was pushing the RPMs too much and the vibration swept my feet off the Joker Machine pegs. If you read one of the last techs, it will explain the problem and why I wasn't prepared. I sat astride a 5-speed Rev Tech transmission installed in a late model 4-speed with a kicker-only. I originally planned the build with a JIMS 6-speed, but the kicker element forced a change. I should have switched my rear sprocket from a 51-tooth chain to a 48 or lower. The 48 is currently on order from Custom Chrome.

Couple the gearing with the new motor and trans on a rigid and the vibration was costly. I adjusted the Joker Machine Peg angle for a position that would cause my new work boots to float inward, instead of the other direction.

Here's my editorial comment about building bikes and in particular building this one. I'm a biker because I enjoy the lonely aspects of riding alone, building alone and controlling my destiny. But I'm never actually alone. Building a bike is pure pleasure with the industry we have at our fingertips. So it's not about being alone at all, it's about building a brotherhood of experts who will share their knowledge at the drop of a hat.

I'll mention a couple of people who helped from the very beginning including the base for my project, Ron Paugh at Paughco, James Simonelli from S&S, Martin Tesh and Giggie from Compu Fire, Ben Kudon at Rivera, Bob at BDL and the list goes on. These guys and shop owners like Kent at Lucky Devil Metal Works in Houston, Lee Clemens at Departure Bike Works in Richmond, Larry Curik from Mid West, and John Reed from Custom Chrome are all terrific friends and when I need an answer, they're willing to help.

There's more and I'll mention brothers and sisters who assisted while rumbling across the country. Okay, so we're buzzing into the Mohave desert. The Australian Connection, Glenn Priddle and his lovely wife Kerry, Chris Tronolone and the Queen Joerline. Humble Johnny was waiting in Arizona where we hooked up with Billy and his sidecar. He's handicapped and promised to write a couple of articles about setting up a sidecar rig for a paraplegic.

It's interesting to hit the road on a ground-up, kick-only, rigid Shovelhead surrounded by a bunch of stock bikes, yet Chris's '03 blacked out 95-inch Standard was the first bike to breakdown. Chris T. planned to hook up with his brother, Bob T., in Yucca Valley the day before and we were going to wave him down in Palm Springs. His starter quit the day before, and we had to swap out a new one from BDL, that I wasn't using. We also fed the standard a new battery from California Harley-Davidson and he was good to go, we thought.

At the first gas stop in Banning, California I took 2.3 gallons and we had peeled through 92 miles for a nuts-on 40 mpg. Not bad for the high revving Shovel. We were keeping our speeds down to a reasonable 70-75 mph, since at that point, almost 7:00 in the morning on LA freeways I still only had accumulated only 300 miles on the new build.

As we cut across the state and my speed increased to 90 mph we stopped at the Chircaco Summit after 76 miles and I took 2 gallons of gas for 38 mpg. Then in Blithe at the Arizona Border I poured 2 gallons of gas into the tank and we had just peeled through 64 miles, for 32 mpg-strange.

In Vicksburg I loaded the aluminum XR tank with two gallons, but only had 60 miles on Glenn's Road King clock. I adjusted the pegs and pondered 30 miles to the gallon. Little did I know my speed had nothing to do with gas consumption. It was already well over 100 degrees and we were flying. Myron Larrabbe, from the Scottsdale Billet bar was waiting in Phoenix with the drinks and entertainment and Charlie from Custom Performance had a table reserved at Banderos, the finest Rib Joint in Scottsdale.

I could sense and smell the drinks and chow and our speed increased proportionately. I was begging to detect the strengths and weaknesses of this motorcycle. My Joker billet pegs were unfinished. I needed rubber inserts and a tail lip to keep my feed firmly planted, but the light bike cruised with ease. The Paughco Springer handled speeds and wind shifts like a dream. The bike was light and I plan to have her weighed before this article is completed. My drawback was the vibration due to the new motor and trans at just over 500 miles and my poor choice of gearing. Still I was beginning to pass trucks as if they were standing still.

That's when it happened. At just 60 miles out of Phoenix, with the smell for fresh Tortillas wafting in the 110 degree air, my Shovel shut off, quit, ca-put. I was in the left lane doing 90-something and I looked down to see if the plug wires escaped. I fucked with the Spyke petcock, as if I hadn't turned it on and the float bowl fuel lasted for 30 miles. No such luck. I changed lanes to the right one and down shifted. We ran out of Long Beach on the 710 to the 91 east which turns into the 60 and slowed to a standstill through 15 miles of two lane construction, then it met the 10 and two lanes became five, then back to two as we entered the Mojave desert.

More and more that 2-laner should be four as the crowds and construction spreads toward the Arizona border. The speed limit is 70 mph with 55 for the trucks, but they're flying. I pulled off into the rugged, partially gravel emergency lane and stopped with the crew and our lowered Ford F-150 back-up truck. Nyla held the wheel and her daughter Karley was co-pilot. Immediately a half dozen rumbling, spitting and steaming hot semis, which we had just passed, screamed upon us like mad dinosaurs hoping to stomp the bugs that got away.

We were 60 miles from Phoenix as I sat there and looked down between my legs. Gas was running all over the rear cylinder. I reached down and the ignition switch was turned off. How that happened, I don't have the slightest, but it was one of those mysterious Harley moments.

I jumped off the seat and made sure none of the guys were within flame throwing distance. It could have exploded as gas spilled onto the rear cylinder, but I didn't. Yet the dark angel of death that roams the earth turned off my ignition and whispered in my ear, “Get off that motorcycle quick mother-fucker. It's gonna blow.”

We pulled the spare can of gas out of the back of the truck, yanked the line off the Mikuni carb and Glenn began to attempt to unload the tank via the traditional way as it continued to spill fuel all over the smoldering engine. It never blinked in the desert heat as hundreds of tons of metal sped past kicking gravel and chunks of discarded chains in our direction. We emptied the tank, pulled the ramp, reloaded the gear, loaded the Shovel and jumped back on the road.

Phoenix is one of those terrible indications of sprawling society to come. It's spreading across the desert like a plaque faster than they can build freeways. We figured our path to the hotel and let the crew hide from the heat, then I called Charlie, one of the partners of Custom Performance, located near the Deer ValleyAirport, next to Bourgets and Jim Nasi's shops. Custom Performance (623) 879-8488, is a supporter of Branscomb Richmond's efforts to raise funds for the Crazy Horse monument in the Badlands. He also builds turbo systems for V-Rods and twin cams. At 4200 rpm these puppies double the horsepower of any bike without the damaging effects of a nitrous system. I followed Charlie's directions to the Custom Performance headquarters where their motto is “Making Fast Bikes Faster”(FastbikesArizona.com).

We barged in on them the afternoon after 2/3s of the crew split for Sturgis. Nick, the partner, fortunately was still on hand. I had split the aluminum tank wide open around the rear left bung, I added for additional rubber-mounted support. “The rubber mounts are too stiff,” Nick said as he reviewed the damage Tuesday afternoon. “Was the bike buzzing as you crossed the desert?”

I hadn't encountered that term before, but damn I could relate. It fit perfectly as my slippery boots in the desert heat spun against the Joker billet and I sensed a deepening vibration. I needed another gear. Nick delivered the tank to a professional welder. The wild bracket I made to support the Mikuni carb snapped and one nut backed off the rear exhaust manifold. Not bad, but there was no way we'd make it to Durango the next day. That was cool.

As the thunderstorms turned the blistering heat into another world, we ate fine barbecue then had a drink at the Billet Bar. I'll try to get the hell out of Phoenix, but I need to mention an ACE hardware in the Deer Valley area. I ran up there with Glenn while Chris hauled his FLH Standard to Hacienda the dealership that won't work on sidecar rigs. We searched for the Ace to buy some _-inch studs to replace the tank Allens. Nick suggested Loctite sealed studs to prevent constant thread meshing in the bungs. We also needed softer, thicker rubber- mounts. Rubber grommets aren't easy to find, but this Ace had a serious selection. I bought every goddamn grommet that would remotely fit.

As Chris rolled into Phoenix on a new battery he noticed that his charging system shut down. He blasted to Hacienda while we peeled to Deer Valley. They replaced his stator and regulator, but five miles out of the shop it acted up again, and he returned just in time before the roll-up door closed. We were stuck for the night.

A notorious electrical killer are poor grounds, especially on rubber-mounts. The engine needs proper grounding and so does the frame, since they're not connected like a rigid. Chris requested that the dealership run another ground to the frame from the Battery. The next day we hooked up with Billy, a paraplegic from Hawaii who recently displaced himself to Phoenix. We hauled to Custom Performance in the morning and by noon we were ready to rock. Everywhere we hauled in Phoenix took 45 minutes. I can't thank the staff of Custom Performance enough. Every member on-hand helped in anyway they could. I rode the Turbo V-Rod and was blown away. Fast and smooth isn't the word. It's a goddamn rocket ship.

This is where the travel plan changed and I'm glad it did. As the afternoon sun set, we headed due north out of Phoenix to Flagstaff just 150 miles, but directly into the hills on the 17. Plus a daily weather pattern was set is darkening clouds. If we didn't grab an early start, we'd face the threat of thunderstorms every damn day. We rode directly into an afternoon downpour. I removed my front fender before departure. Above 40 mph, no problem, but putting around town was a nightmare. It was as if I had a hose aimed right at my ugly mug, spewing street water and granite sand. We had a blast hunting for our hotel, getting kicked out and finding another one. Dirty Bikers.

Generally the ride from Phoenix is a journey from hells kitchen to the gates of Heaven. It's a beautiful departure from the sand, cactus and heat into the Tonto National Forest. I love the road to Prescott, then my favorite highway 89A into Jerome, Cottenwood and Sedona. Phoenix isn't a bad city. The women are beautiful, there's cleanliness about the city, but it's one of the fastest growing bergs in the country.

We copped a terrific meal at some restaurant, can’t remember the name, where the Bourget crew was chowing down, then crashed for the night. I tightened the tank the next morning and rolled down the hill to the Conoco gas station to discover the Mikuni side vent was spewing fuel. I was beginning to snag and explosive aura. The trip nemesis was fuel threats. That's twice I could have burst into flames. I called Lee Chaffin, from Mikuni, on my cell and he explained that the float was snagged open, probably due to crap in the float bowl. Chris Tronolone held a small container as I released the cap on the float bowl and watched _ a cup of gas spill into my modified soda cup. Yep, it was full of fine crap, perhaps from welding on the tank. We replaced the cap, turned on the gas and it quit venting.

We hit the road toward Durango through the vast dry and desolate Hopi Indian Reservation. We called ahead and friends were waiting in Durango. We peeled up the 89 North toward Cameron, the best spot for Turquoise jewelry in Arizona at the Cameron Junction. They've scored a tremendous cache of opals but there's an ancient code. It's not good luck to buy yourself an Opal. I let the Lovely Nyla pick something out then I bought it. The girls were loosing site of the daylight as Dawson said once in Wyoming, “Dem clouds are bunchin' against the hills. We better keep moving.”

I shouted, “Wind 'em up!” The toursists ran for cover and the girls barely moved. We caught 160 east and rolled through Kayenta into Mexican Water to refuel. Just another 40 miles and we crossed the border into Colorado. We didn't stop to see the four-corners monument, but that didn't help. In Cortez we pulled up for a late lunch and a beer. The food was good, but we shoulda kept rolling. The sky was darkening as we neared the twisting highway into Durango. We pulled over and suited up for the rain, but I didn't don the rain pants. It rained on us for 40 miles right into town. The Shovel ran like a champ and even started easier the wetter we became.

I also discovered that I didn't need to climb on the kicker at 8.5:1 compression. I could push her through and she fired. We were soaked and couldn't see a damn thing as we darted around the wet tourist traffic. Scheduled for rooms at the Iron Horse, I stopped at a station and collected the other riders. We hadn't seen the hotel as we slid through town and tried to make out neon through fogged and wet glasses.

“I'll tell you exactly where it is,” the young attendant said and looked up the hotel in the phone book. Unfortunately he didn't know North from South. “It's back through town.” He was very specific, but the hotel didn't exist in the center of town and two smiling shop clerks braved the rain and chill to explain the error of our ways. We all flipped-off the Exxon station attendant as we rumbled through the pouring rain once more and moseyed out of town where the bristling wind picked up.

Thinking it was just a couple of blocks I took my smeared Panoptic glasses off to find my way with improved vision. The showering weather worsened as we left the city limits hidden in a protected canyon. Just outside of town the wind whipped through the valley and I couldn't see shit. I pulled off to the side of the road and Johnny rolled ahead, found the sign for the hotel and pulled off. When he lingered and we didn't show up he turned around, a gust of wind caught his torso leaning against highbars and blew him over just as we arrived. We left him there to rot and pulled off the highway, anything to escape the rain, the cold and the wind.

Don't ever stay at the Iron Horse. The help sucked, an unfriendly bunch, and the rooms are odd mixes of patchwork and wood paneling. It was freezing yet there were no logs for the fireplace. My buddy, Joe Lankau looked at me sideways when he picked us up for dinner, “It hasn't rain here in three weeks,” he said and drove us to a hippie steak house (is that possible?) on the other side of the highway. The food and service was incredible. Joe's pal, Trip, followed us to the restaurant on an '04 Big Dog. He loved the bike although fought electrical problems from time to time. “You've got to get the hell through the pass, passed Silverton and Ouray before it starts to rain,” he said and wiped the rain out of his face.

The next morning was ominous, but dry. Gray clouds covered the sky and it was cold. We met up with Joe, his wife Paula, and their kids as we stopped for gas. I wanted to pour fuel quick and split as I constantly glanced at the sky, but we held up for group shots. I've known Joe since about '83. We had some wild times although he wasn't a rider. He talked about bikes constantly as he motored from one yuppie phase to another. His base salary came from being a Los Angeles fireman, although he never lived in LA. No Shit. I met him in Camarillo, California. Then he moved to Phoenix and commuted and finally he retired and escaped to Durango to be a State Farm agent. Good people, he finally bought a Screamin' Eagle Deuce in Phoenix. A month later his wife, Paula, rolled up the driveway on her own Softail.

We peeled north along one of the most classic mountain roads in the country into Silverton an old mining town. I filled and it took 2.5 gallons for 90 miles through 10,600 feet of elevation (36 mpg). I remembered jamming along the same road on the Touring Chopper built by the crew at West Coast Choppers. That bike was super low and had wide steel bags. It wouldn't turn, but I handled it like a dirt bike through the mountains for a wild ride. This bike was designed narrow and had all the ground clearance in the world, but I was holding back on account of the tank and vibration. I would have loved to spend a week there carving up and down that road.

Glenn and his wife Kerry straddled the King and loved every minute of it. Chris's 95-incher, even when the Hawaiian Queen Joerline was riding in the truck, struggled in the hills. Johnny's Softail played along but the light, 93-inch Shovel lead the pack. That puppy is so light compared to a dresser, she just danced through the twisties. Twice she coughed or missed and I always held my breath. She ran a tad rich, but that's okay for the break-in spell. The Shovel set the gas stop regulations for a while. Everyone else had at least 4-gallon tanks and could carve through 200 miles between stops. Billy's sidecar rig was heavy and powered with a 107 TP engine. He began to point at his tank from time to time, indicating low fuel. He felt his capacity only allowed him 125 miles, so we watched it.

Our original plans called for a right in Montrose on the 50 to the 25 and north to the Aspen Highway, but the thunder clouds had spooked us. We were jamming for the 70 interstate and Glenwood springs. We beat the rain out of the pass and were bundled in preparation for stinking weather as we entered Montrose then Delta 21 miles down the road. We were heading north but large and small groups of bikes were flew by, in the opposite direction, and the riders, to a man and woman, wore vests without T-shirts, tank-tops and t-shirts.

In Delta we took a vote. A mad dash into Grand Junction for the interstate, or a roaming highway 65 into Grand Mesa. Some investigation told us that 65 was under construction. That answered the question. A couple of times we ran into the road construction threat. That and thundering clouds pushed us along the fastest, most direct route. We were a day behind and burnin' daylight.

Even the 141 cutoff on the outskirts of Grand Junction to Palisade held warnings of delays and construction. We peeled directly into town and the freeway east for 100 miles into Glenwood Springs a picturesque berg with the worst traffic signal in the world. What a fuckin' mess, but we found a Harley Shop so Billy could have his clutch checked and we discovered Doc Holiday's bar on the edge of town, after we cruised the bubbling hot springs on the Colorado River. I discovered that my wheel sprocket bolts were loosening so I replace them with new stainless jobs, washers and nyloc locking nuts. A gentleman at our hotel took a liking to my beast and gave me an Eagle Feather for luck. I carefully stashed it with my rain gear in my Bandit's Dayroll, which also carried a full assortment of tools. Rumor had it we had clear skies for 250 miles to Cheyenne. We'd see.

That brings me to the contention that bikes, especially Harleys have a life. They speak to you if you're listening. I heard a slight squeak in the rear and that's how I discovered the loose sprocket fasteners. Even though I replace them, the bike reminded me to replace the sprocket by tricking me into buying the wrong size fasteners. I needed 7/16, which I will install with the new, correct 48-tooth sprocket.

We hung around until Billy showed up with his factory inspected motorcycle and sidecar. He was apparently good to go, so we cut a dusty trail toward Denver and again we pulled off the freeway and took a vote. Take the 40 north into the Arapaho National Forest toward the Thunder clouds or jam right into Saturday, Mile-High City traffic. Again the clouds hung ominously against the hills and we peeled out for the city. It was a helluva ride, winding out into the White River National Forest, through Vale and across the Summit in Frisco, Colorado, until we hit the city limits, then my frame screamed as we encountered concrete lips, metal spinal cord breakers and nasty potholes. I hit one so hard my bars changed direction and a heat shield snapped off the left exhaust pipe and bounced down the road. Johnny tried to snatch it for a souvenir.

Interstate highway 25 North is a virtual straight shot over roaming hills sides into Wyoming. I've ridden this highway directly into the badlands before. Even three years ago, once out of Denver, there wasn't anything as far as the eye could see except soft rolling hills and farmlands. Suddenly, over the last three years construction has added one town after another, two massive Harley-Davidson dealerships, Budweiser event center, and a sprawling Budweiser plant. As we rolled onto the 25 a mountain climber warned us that it was pouring in Fort Collins, Colorado. “But you know the word,” He muttered under his breath? “The weather changes every 15 minutes whether you like it or not.” The Skys were clear as a bell as we rumbled through Fort Collins, checked our watches and blew into Wyoming to the Best Western Hitchin' Post in Cheyenne. First we had to check the Eagle's Nest. an old A-frame biker bar. It was packed. Once more we had a killer dinner full of laughs and wonderful road tales.

We blew out of Cheyenne early. One last day into Deadwood. I noticed that my tank was leaking again, but only slightly. I prayed it was the petcock. I watched every aspect of that motorcycle, checked and tightened it constantly. It endured one harsh break-in run and so far it survived. Even as we roamed north on the 85 through bleak barren lands over smooth and rough roads I held my breath slightly. The bike was hanging, but I didn't know for how long, just like the rain. It was threatening, but we didn't know how far we would make it before it cut loose again, so we kept riding, telling jokes and having a helluva good time. I spoke to Rogue in the morning. They were scheduled to meet us in Cheyenne, but he arrived a day early, or were we a day late.

We hit Lusk, the meeting spot for the Hamsters the day before. We missed lunch but gassed and the stations were jammed up with riders. Some 90 percent of the bikes we passed or passed us were new twin cam models. It wasn't until we were within 500 miles of the badlands that older bikes showed up, metrics and even a Pan and an early flathead Indian. Didn't hardly see a production chopper, except Trip's Big Dog in Durango. My mileage was dropping again. I poured 1.6 gallons in the tank after 53 miles for 33 mpg. Then in Newcastle, with 81 miles under my belt it, took 2 gallons for 40mpg. I was wondering what the hell was going on as we ducked the rain once more as we slid into the badlands and we found Chris's turn-off outside Lead. It was just beginning to pour.

We rolled into Deadwood and I found Hamsters, but couldn't find Eric Herrmann's digs on the outskirts of town. We picked up some directions and discovered that we were only a mile off the mark. I pulled into the yard in front of Eric's rented house and stood off the seat. With a gloved hand I reached under the tank and it came back wet. I kneeled down and watched it drip gas on the rear sparkplug.

It's difficult to define. Sturgis was a traffic jam of action, events, parties, dinners and rides. I wish I could have attended each and every function I was invited to, but it wasn't possible. From the moment we rolled into town it was non-stop. First I need to apologize to Billy Lane and Darcy Betlach for never making the dirt trail to the Buffalo Chip or Broken to the Blood Sweat and Gears display that Bikernet Sponsored and followed all year long. I also didn't make it to the Seminole Roadhouse on Main that we also sponsored and we'll bring you reports on throughout the year. There's one helluva bike raffle going on at that booth. Nyla did sneak by and deliver a stack of Bikernet stickers. We will feature all four Bikes onBikernet. One will be given away and each one is a world-class custom, not like my Shovelhead. Doug Kiem built one, then Johnny Chop, Roland Sands and Jesse Rooke. The winner gets to pick. Incredible.

So here's a quick blast through the week. We arrived a day late, Sunday afternoon and I called Rogue. I was ordered to meet him and Berry Wardlaw from Accurate Engineering for dinner above the Number 10 Saloon in Deadwood. Next year my Sturgis build will be based around a 120-inch Accurate Engineering Panhead, a Baker Transmission and a John Reed sportbike-V chassis. I'm calling it the first Panhead Sportbike.

Berry was pissed off as he ordered another bottle of Fat Bastard Wine and I ordered Jack on the Rocks. “We raced to Wyoming and you didn't show,” he said, guzzled wine and played grab ass with the waitress. “Remember when you tried to steal my girl in Bonneville, when you guys set the record?”

I took a shot of Jack and remembered my last fist-fight. Deadwood was just the place. “But I love you, brother,” Berry said and took another slug of wine.

I looked across the table. I was out numbered. He had a gang of people with him including Rogue and his son. Sometimes, “I love you,” means, “I love you, but I'm gonna kick your ass tonight.” You know how that works.

Seems to me as the night wore on I found out about another notorious Bandit act that resided forever in the back of Berry's mind. I could do nothing right. But we also heard a story that will forever be remembered and relished. Berry build a Sportster years ago and took it to Bonneville. He named it the Enola Gay after the B-59 that delivered the atom bomb. Get this, several years later he offered to give it to a girl in Tennessee. He told her that her she couldn't change the name of the bike. As it turned out her name was Samantha Enola Gay. Her father was an rigger on the project and named her after the plane. I told you Harleys have a life and a soul.

Monday I was convinced that the leak in the tank had something to do with the Spyke petcock. I stripped the spigot before I left and prayed that it would hold. I was also loosing oil out of one of the hard copper lines, so I made a made dash to J&P in Sturgis. They set-up the only major aftermarket shop in the city and it was teaming with customers. I bought everything I needed and hit a hardware store on the outside of town, Campbells, for hard line components.

On the way back to Deadwood we spotted Dave Perewitz, the Prez of the Hamsters. He asked me if I would like to come back into the fold and invited us to the annual Hamster Dinner. I worked on the Shovel all afternoon and thought I had it fixed until I filled the tank once more. Then we showered and rolled down the mountain to the Spearfish Holiday in for the dinner, watched new Hamster being inducted and the raffle that raised $38,000 for Kids and Chrome effort to support a Rapid City Children's hospital and the Sturgis Museum. I was a Hamster for 13 years and it was good to see the brothers and I was proud of their efforts for this charity.

Tuesday I was scheduled to sign books at the Sturgis Museum and I took my wounded tank, on the off chance I could have it repaired or sealed (most builders cringe when I mention sealing any tank). While setting up to sign Orwells and give half the proceeds to the Museum, Ray Wheeler, a Monterey biker I met a couple of times before over the year, roamed into the museum and I told him about the tank. He disappeared and in 15 minutes returned. He found a welder who had the facility to repair the tank. I gave him the tank and he disappeared into the main street crowd.

At noon we wrapped up the signing after selling 50 books, the box we hauled from the west coast. Unfortunately the rain pierced some of them. We were ready to roll, but the tank was nowhere to be found. Nyla's daughter looked at me as if I was nuts to give my tank to a stranger, especially in Sturgis. We roamed through the crowded streets to Two-Wheelers where I found my old friend Arlin Fatland. He said the only welding shop closed up and rolled his eyes when I told him the story. I knew, and expressed to Karley, that the brother would return with the tank. That's one of the major wonderful things about this lifestyle, the brotherhood. If a Brother says he'll fix something, he will.

We ate lunch, I found the welder, John, at Dave's Welding down the street from the Napa Auto Parts. The tank couldn't be repaired at his shop. He only housed a MIG welder and it needed a TIG. Raymond had returned my tank to our pickup. His partner was in Rapid, and he would come out, pick up the tank and fix it. So I left the tank behind and we returned to Deadwood to prepare for Mike Lichter's Journey Museum party in Rapid. Nyla kept pointing out a low tire on the truck. I dismissed it, the pressure was only five pounds lower than the other tires. I shot it with some air then discovered a massive metal screw embedded in the thread. I yanked it and plugged the hole. Shot some air in it with Fix-O-Flat and crept up to a local Conoco for a refill. She was good to go, but we were too late to make it to Rapid City, so we canceled.

Wednesday morning was a special day. The induction breakfast into the Sturgis Hall of Fame, and two brothers from Bikernet were being inducted, my Bandit self and Rogue for his years as a leader in the motorcycle Freedom Movement. We were back at the Spearfish Holiday in once more and what a breakfast it was. A room full of friends, from New York Mike as the MC, then Branscomb Richmond, Pepper Massey-Swan the executive director of the Sturgis Museum, Dave Perewitz introduced me, Dave Nichols respected me by saying that he wouldn't have his start without me. Mick Lichter did the same as he accepted his induction. The room was packed with industry folks, past inductees and Hamsters.

I returned the girls to the Bandit hideout in Deadwood and cut a dusty trail toward Rapid City to retrieve my tank once more. The shop for Reb's Welding was planted on the hillside behind the booming Black Hills Harley-Davidson dealership. The tank looked strong enough to ride forever and I beamed with confidence that I would finally ride the Sturgis Chop through downtown and out to the Crazy Horse Charity ride to support the monument on Thursday. Then Ed, or Reb, or Red, as he called himself muttered, “I don't know what happened to the petcock. Dave or John must have left it in the tank while they welded it.”

I looked at the petcock and shrugged my shoulders. Sure it looked fried, but I thought it would work until I inspected it close. No way. The inlet hole was packed with slag or boiled chrome. Nyla scolded me about the cash we were spending, while she stayed glued to the phone shuffling balances and deposits to keep our action afloat.

I still swung into the Black Hills Dealership lot and made a bee-line for the parts counter. Natch, they didn't carry any old shit, so in the rain I moseyed back toward the Badlands. We had another dinner engagement at the Kids And Chrome banquet/Auction at the Spearfish Holiday Inn once again. The dining room took on a completely different atmosphere this time around. It was lavish to say the least and the auction items including Eric Herrmann and Scott Jacob's prints lined the walls. Ted Sands was the guest host and handled the proceeding with aplomb. Dave Perewitz helped with the auction and I needed to find out the sales amount. We supported the Kids and Chrome effort from the beginning through Bikernet, but Nyla kicked me under the table if I attempted to bid on any item.

Thursday was the last day for us Bikernetters. The girls dropped my sorry ass off at the Full Throttle Saloon, the largest bar in Sturgis, for Branscomb Richmond's Celebrity Crazy Horse ride to the monument. Glenn Priddle and Kerry rolled in along with 60 other riders, including Senator Dave Zien from Wisconsin. We followed Branscomb up the hill towards Deadwood, Lead and some 70 miles through the Black Hills.What a killer ride except for the threat of rain that rumbled into the hills, clouds stacking against one another until the threat became a reality and it poured.

We missed any precipitation on the ride out and the vast parking lot under the monument to the American Indian was packed with riders. Branscomb set up a stage while we watched an historic documentary on the evolution. I didn't know that sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski, who was born in Boston of polish descent was approached by Indian chieftain Standing Bear, while he worked on Mount Rushmore, to create an Indian monument in the name of warrior Crazy Horse. The first blast rocking the mountain occured a few months after I was born on June 3, 1948. I was fortunate enough to meet his wife Ruth during the ceremony, when we offered up the $6,000 we raised including $250 from Bikernet Sponsor Michael Hupy. I also didn't know that Branscomb supported this effort with celebrity rides for the last six years. He's all right.

I didn't ride the Shovel but a late model Indian painted red and white with American Flag graphics that belonged to Mike, a friend of Branscomb's. It was a terrific ride and I can't express how much I appreciate any man who loans out his motorcycle. Plus it was a treat to meet the wife of Mr. Korczak, who passed on several years ago. Ruth was a delightful woman who continued the tradition to build the monument, the Indian Scholarship fund, a medical center and school on the property. She handles it with six of her eight kids who have stayed on board to see the historic mission through. They've come along way since I visited four years ago. I will always support their efforts.

In a sense they're rebels like many of us bikers. They've fought to complete the devoted Indian center without government grants or funding. Since the Scholarship fund was developed they've given over a million dollars to American Indians for schooling. Ultimately the Future of Crazy Horse will include the Indian Museum of North America, the Indian University of North America and Medical Training Center and the visitors complex. Crazy Horse was born on Rapid Creek in the Black Hills of South Dakota in about 1842. While at Fort Robinson, Nebraska, under a flag of truce, he was stabbed in the back by an American soldier and died September 6, 1877. “They made us promises, more than I can remember-They never kept but one: They promised to take our land, and they took it.” Red Cloud, Lakota, 1891.Glenn, Kerry and I looked at the clouds bunching against the hills and said, “We've got to cut a dusty trail.” We took off down the mountain dodging rain until we reached Trout Haven. We snatched lunch while watching bikers fish for their grub out back. While we ate trout it rained and we watched drops splashing on the pond out back. By the time we finished our beers and chow the rain let up and we peeled north along the meandering highway toward Deadwood on the 385. We dodged curtains of rain over every mountain and across every valley. Our lucky dice were running strong as we gassed up in Deadwood and wound down the mountain into Sturgis.

Glenn and Kerry jumped off the snarled main drag of Lazelle to reach their Sturgis digs. I kept going thinking that it would break once I passed the Junction intersection. No Fuckin' way. Worse that any Los Angeles traffic jam, that I would have split lanes through, It was humid with cloud covering but still blistering hot. I felt for the lumbering Indian and pulled off on a side street to give it a break. I had refueled the loaner, and I wasn't going deliver a smoldering air-cooled twin home. I rested on the corner of the street adjacent to the Broken Spoke until she cooled then rumbled out of town to the next traffic jam at the Full Throttle and Strokers Sturgis, set up by Rick Fairless. What a fuckin' madhouse.

Relieved to return to the American Motorcycle 1902 booth in the Full Throttle Chop Lot of vendors, I stepped off the bike, returned the keys to the shapely girl in the booth and for the first time made my way into the largest Saloon in Sturgis, the Full Throttle. It contained Stages, girls, comfortable lounge chairs, burn-out pits, sellers of T-shirts, knives, massages, girls, several bars, chow hall, carny sports, circus acts, and Charlie's Custom Performance Horse Power competition. The damn joint was jammed with people, and there was one girl in particular who assisted with the bike show the day before. She was a bubbly as a soda fountain, intelligent, and her body was a mixture of eye candy and hardened muscle. I'll pray for a shot of her from Bob Page, Branscomb's partner.

As the sun set and a constant flow of bikes entered the lot I ran into Dexter, from Ft. Worth (he works in a shop, but I can't find his card), who rode a rigid '51 Pan to Cheyenne in a day and endured 150 miles of rain. He covered 950 miles, with 16 gas stops, and he's 51 years old. Not bad.

Branscomb Richmond, Bob Page, of American Motorcycle 1902, Larry Crowe, of Competitive Edge Gun Works, Berry Wardlaw, of Accurate Engineering had something up their sleeves as we jumped on the stage between acts and announced Barry's new line-up of Outlaw Panheads engines (120-inches of raw power). Larry Crow pulled a 45 Caliber revolver out of his pants and awarded it to Berry to commemorate his achievement then grabbed the mic and announced, “For your hard work in the industry I'd like to award you with this highly modified Rugar, .45 Caliber revolver.” He had another one in his pants and yanked it free. These guns are wild cannons of precision and classic design. I'll show you more as we work with Custom Chrome to build a John Reed designed V, or the first production, big twin Sportbike powered by an Accurate Engineering, 120 inch Panhead. That night was the icing on the cake for me, and this run to Sturgis.

The next morning I threw the Shovel in the back of my truck, along with all our gear and we split to the west. In less than two days we covered 1,400 miles past the Devil's Tower, through Devil's Gate, over the Devil's Playground, into Death Valley and through the Calico Ghost Town. It was bitchin to kick back and flip-off any thunderclouds we encountered.

So ended the clamoring Sturgis 2005 Run. I already have a 48-tooth sprocket for the rear, to fix the Shovelhead gearing. Every time I attempt to check the plugs the thread inserts want out, so I'm going to replace the heads with a new set of S&S Performance Shovelheads. I may have the pipes jet hot coated black and I'm going to lower the seat and change the hinge in the front. That was a bad move. I'm also going to change all the copper hard lines and replace the fittings with vibration dampening ferrules. Ah, one more critical item, the pegs. I need a tail lip or rubber inserts to prevent my boot from being carved on by the engine pulley. That should do it and she'll be ready to rock for good.

Hope you had a helluva ride, if not hope you enjoy our Bikernet adventure.

–Ride Forever,

–Bandit

Go on to the next page for pictures of Sturgis and alone the way.

Continued From Page 3

EUROPEAN BIKE WEEK / Penz Charity Ride– EUROPEAN BIKE WEEK is scheduled for September 7th-11th 2005 at its usual venue, the picturesque Lake Faak in Austria.

After the success of the inaugural Penz Charity Ride in 2004, another will be held at this year’s Bike Week. The ride will start at 14.00 hours from the Peter Penz Custombike booth at the American Bar at the Arneitz Platz in Velden. A tombola competition will offer prizes such as motorcycle parts from W&W, Custom Chrome Europe, Penz and Rick’s. There are also trips from DFDS Seaways and a shuttle voucher from SKS. The proceeds will go to charity and the chosen cause this year is ‘Licht ins Dunkel’ (‘Light into Darkness’) for children and others in distress.

Custom Chrome Europe will be supporting the event as part of the 2005 itinerary for its Show Truck. Other vendors will include BSL, Pistor, LightCon, Avon, Paradise Custom Bikes, UHS, DHL and ‘Fat Attack’ from Switzerland, among others. The Carinthia Chapter will have a Custom Chrome ‘Dragon’ kit bike built by Thomas Sonnet. The Chapter is holding a draw for the bike and hopes to sell 4,000 specially produced pin badges. The winner will be declared on Saturday night at the Carinthia Chapter tent.

PETER PENZ ORIGINAL CUSTOMBIKES
Altheim, AUSTRIA
Tel: +43 7723 44690
Fax: +43 7723 44691
E-mail:
info@penzcutombikes.com
http://www.penzcustombikes.com

DRUNKEN COP KILLS MAN, CRIPPLES DAUGHTER– read it all at www.realdealnews.com.

It Takes four years to come to court, he’s convicted, and now appeals as cop skates toward his pension on paid vacation.

Never heard this story? We’re not surprised. The police, courts and media conspire to downplay police wrong doing with Friday court dates, Saturday publication, and a rash of delayed cases that get charges tossed and spare crown attorney’s those uncomfortable moments at police cocktail parties. For bikers the formula is reversed and bows are taken.

Equal justice under the law is the biggest Canadian joke there is… Are you laughing?

–Webmaster
Hells Angels Downtown Toronto

TRAFFIC COUNTERS INDICATED FEWER VEHICLES IN STURGIS– STURGIS, S.D. – Automatic traffic counters showed fewer vehicles at the Sturgis motorcycle rally this year.The counters, operated by the state Transportation Department, don’t tell how many people attend the event, but only how many motorcycles, cars and trucks go in and out of Sturgis each day.

This year’s count averaged 74,951 vehicles per day, or 524,657 for the week-long event.

The state said that is down 4 percent from last year but still above the 10-year average of 69,980 vehicles a day.-Associated Press.

–Rogue
http://www.bikerrogue.com

STURGIS RALLY SMOOTH ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES– Sioux Falls Argus Leader, SD – Law enforcement officers working the 65th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally say it went smoothly.”The arrests were normal for the rally: DWIs, open container and simple assaults. No homicides,” said Meade County Sheriff Chief Deputy Tom Wilts. “We’re very pleased with the outcome of the rally this year.”

Wilts said it was hard to estimate the number of visitors but noted the rally spread well beyond Sturgis city limits.”The majority of the (law enforcement) effort was concentrated in Sturgis, but coverage was all over,” said State Highway Patrol Lt. Randy Hartley.

At the Sturgis rally, troopers arrested 157 people for DWIs, 145 for misdemeanor drugs offenses and 34 for felony drug offenses.

Overall, troopers arrested 262 people for driving while intoxicated, made 247 drug arrests, and issued 1,727 citations and 2,964 warnings.

According to the Meade County Sheriff’s Office, 448 people were placed in their jail from Aug. 6-14.Six fatalities were recorded this year; only two in the Sturgis area. Other motorcycle-related deaths occurred in Custer and Kadoka.

Wilts said changes in the way visitors entered the Buffalo Chip campground helped alleviate traffic problems. Cyclists and campers used different entrances this year.”It was a huge benefit for us,” Wilts said. “It helped the flow of traffic.”

Wilts said campground owners are working to make changes to benefit the rally because law enforcement officers have been having “a big night, every night” at campgrounds when big name entertainers perform.Hartley said education and experience play a role in keeping people safe at the rally.

He said he’s seen a lot of new bikes as well as people who just got a motorcycle license during the rally.Hartley said experience is needed for safe riding.

“Problems come with the unexpected,” he said. “The Black Hills are a difficult place to ride a motorcycle … a beautiful place to ride a motorcycle. But there are a lot of curves and the scenery can be distracting.”

–from Rogue

FIVE S&S POWERED PROSTOCK BIKES QUALIFY AT THE LUCAS OIL NATIONALS–BRAINERD, MN (August 14, 2005) – For the first time this season, five S&S powered Prostock motorcycles qualified at the Lucas Oil Nationals in Brainerd, Minnesota, with G-Squared’s Chip Ellis advancing to the quarter finals. Tom Bradford, of Hal’s Harley-Davidson, joined the other teams using the S&S V-Twin Prostock engine as the most recent qualifier.

S&S Cycle’s NHRA Prostock Motorcycle contingency sponsorship has been paying out consistently this year with the success of the 160″ Prostock powerplant. These S&S powered bikes continue to perform very well in this highly competitive season with speeds now exceeding 190 mph and ET’s nearing the 6’s.

The following racers and teams qualified:

3. Chip Ellis, G-class, Squared/S&S Buell 7.049, 193.35 mph

9. Ryan Schnitz, Team Muzzy Buell, 7.103, 182.30 mph.

11. Matt Guidera Rocklin Motorsports Buell, 7.126, 186.98 mph

13. Chris Rivas, Mohegan Sun Racing Buell, 7.144, 183.37 mph

15. Tom Bradford, Hal’s HD V-Twin Buell, 7.172, 189.68 mph

“G Squared Motorsports, in addition to competing at the highest level on the track with Chip Ellis, is doing a great job outfitting other teams with our 160-inch Prostock engine,” said Charlie Hadayia, Race Relations Manager for S&S Cycle. “We’re glad to see Tom Bradford from Hal’s Harley Davidson qualify this weekend on his S&S powered bike and congratulations to Ryan Schnitz, Matt Guidera, and Chris Rivas too. Chip Ellis did a fantastic job, despite some frustrating setbacks in the last couple of weeks, to qualify number three,” concluded Hadayia.

Crime Scene Choppers Launches Line of ?Builder Parts?
New Handlebar Riser Stude for Sanitary Wiring
Scotts Valley, CA ? July 12, 2005 ? Crime Scene Choppers now has a line of ?builder parts? to help with the fabrication of a custom bike.

The first product is a handlebar riser stud for fabricating handlebars with integral risers and hidden wiring. These hollow studs allow you to pass wires and cables through the handlebars, risers and triple trees for a clean set of bars. The mild steel studs have a ?? through hole and a generous shoulder to fit 1? x .120? wall tubing. The threaded portion is made long so that they may be trimmed to the correct length for your installation. The studs include a stainless nut, and may be used with standard handlebar bushings by drilling the bushings to match.

New Builder Parts?As a builder?, said Joe McGlynn, owner of Crime Scene Choppers, ?I always appreciate products that are priced right and make my life easier. In addition to the springer blueprints and kits, I?ve got several new products that will make the job of building a slick bike easier. We?ll be announcing those over the next few weeks, so stay tuned!?

AvailabilityThe handlebar riser studs are available through http://www.CrimeSceneChoppers.com immediately. New products are being introduced every month, so check the website for the latest news.

BIKERNET ARTIST OF THE WEEK–From award winning chopper artwork to your simplest helmets we do it all!!

Visit our website at http://www.jaysgrafx.com/ or feel free to e-mail us at Huge discounts for custom builders!

ROAD KING REPLACEMENT CHASSIS–Paughco has just released their latest in a long line of frames that are precision engineered to be exact replacements for stock Harley-Davidson units. This new addition offers anyone looking for a ROAD KING chassis with a perfect, hassle free swap. Each frame is constructed with the same dimensions as stock as well as all relevant brackets and fixtures.

Manufactured to Paughco’s superior standards for quality, function and reliability, the ROAD KING reproduction is as sophisticated as it is detailed. Designed for 1998 through present ROAD KING models the new frame retails at $1995.00.

For complete details on this or any of over 1000 other stock replacement and custom frames manufactured by Paughco call 775-246-5738 or visit them on the Web at http://www.paughco.com

BIKERNET CARIBBEAN REPORT–Been reading the reports from Sturgis, as you all might know, we are all back at the daily grind once more. Sometimes I wish I did not have the shop, or had the old shop, no customers walking in, no annoying people waiting for stuff and questioning me why I travel so much, in short, me my bike builds and a free ticket to come and go as I please. I would stay a few days more, enjoy riding the black Hills with no crowds, although with a big target on my back for cops, and just take a leisure drive (or even ride) back to Florida and the docks of Jacksonville.

I guess the freedom of what we do is going away. It?s not he same when you have the compromise of being at one place, opening the doors and getting your tired ass to do stuff. In a nutshell the answer to why people don’t ride up to Sturgis more is time, time we wish we had.

I guess the introduction always leads further and in this case you won’t be disappointed at all, yes, there is more.I have heard the tales from people that rode up to Sturgis (Sturgis as the generalization of Black Hills) from different points in the US map, all cool, and in some way I envy them. Although passing by some riders while it was very cold and raining made me really glad I had a trailer and truck (for those of you purists who bitch at trailers, please find a way I can take 11 bikes with 2 people and I will gladly do it) The stories come and go, yes I have done similar stories many times, but this time, instead of saying what we did or did not have time to do, who came around and who we did not get to see, I am going to share the story of two people, one that I already knew and another of a very interesting person I met.

To me these two stories, besides the usual meeting of friends and ever cranking BBQ at my house are what made my trip, and kind of what made me want to gain that freedom back.While I was at the journey museum I noticed this Japanese girl who arrived with some of the Chica crew, not giving her much importance besides checking her out, I kept doing whatever I was doing at the time, I said hi, but she spoke very little English, so I left it at that. Interesting how you meet someone briefly and just keep on going with your life, little did she nor I know she’s the reason I am writing this now.

The following day I was at Indian Larry’s Legacy trailer, Chica was there, Keino was there and the Japanese girl (which I can’t remember her name) We said hi again and I practiced my little Japanese, which is filthy at the most with the tutelage from Chica (my japanese speaking Sensei) Language barriers being as large as they sometimes are I did not pay too much attention to the whole thing, but I did notice that she was smiling big ass grin, ear to ear. I assumed (and you know what assuming is) that she was someone?s girl and left it at that. We met a few times more, but the conversation was based in hi and goodbye. Funny as things happen, I met Chica once more later on and asked about the mysterious Japanese girl, so here we are, finally to the story. This girl who could not have been more than 5 feet, very limited english, had called Chicas shop, asked them to buy a Sportster for her in So Cal and then flew to Huntington, hopped on the bike and proceeded to take a trip, yeap she was in Sturgis with an 883 sportster, but she went the long way. She did take off by herself to Miami, yes, Miami as in Florida, planning on heading down to key West but being denied by a hurricane, which I believe was Emily, she turned around in Miami and headed to visit the Indian Larry crew in New York. Gossip said she got a new rear tire took a few days off and headed for Sturgis. Let me remind you guys again….Sportster 883, limited English. So this brings us back to present time, amazingly she was out there having the time of her life, and more so, she was getting ready to finish her trip, riding back to SoCal, and finally taking off to Japan. If that shit ain’t ballsy…..What is ?

At the same time, I saw my good friend John (the tattoo artist from Ft Collins Colorado) when he passed by the house, he was on his way into Sturgis, showing me his new bike, Ol’ Rusty, a very cool , simple chopper, stock HD Evo motor, he had ridden all the way to Daytona and back with like a gallon and a half tank, packed to the gills. I know John can do long ass trips, he rode to Charleston South Carolina to meet us at the first Discovery build Off ride (on a chopper that did 60 miles per tank at most) yeap all the way from Colorado.While in Sturgis he met with Billy and just partied. I really liked the story that Billy was hitchhiking under the pouring cold rain and someone snatched his knuck and had it in his yard.

When he went back to the house (John) his Sturgis story was being told by his little digital camera. He was once more packed to the gills, bundled up and heading the 7 hours or whatever back to Fort Collins. He is a good friend of mine, and needless to say, a crazy motherfucker. We just sat outside looking at the photos and relieving his Sturgis adventure.

In general the feeling you get is just to grab a bike and get lost for a few months, just cruise the grand ol’ roads and visit friends along the way, stop to smell the coffee and snap some shots, Life can’t be taken too seriously, we will end up dead anyway……..

I guess I will see you guys… When I see you.

Jose De Miguel

DIRTY SOAPS SELLS IN STURGIS–ByJack Siebold.All in all, the Sturgis Rally is pretty tame these days; as any veteran biker will tell you.But travel to some of the out-of-town venues like the legendary Buffalo Chip, and you can still get a feel for the old days.

You get to rub elbows with celebrity models, shred your tires in a burnout pit and then crash for the night.But about the oddest thing to see is a sweet little old lady of 83, knitting away at a vendor’s booth. “I have to keep my hands busy. I’m one of those people that can never sit still,” Hulda Watson explained.

When she isn’t knitting towels Hulda is selling dirty soap for dirty bikers.Some soap shapes are relatively clean like the trucker or bike soap; and then you have some erotic shapes. Basically, certain parts of the male and female anatomy.

Bikers are surprised at seeing Hulda selling the erotic soap. “I think they wonder what the hell were you thinking at that time. But I said if you act like a lady, they treat you like one,” Hulda said.Now Hulda doesn’t design the soaps, but she does knit dish towels also sold at the Naughty But Nice booth.

–from Rogue

VICTORY NEWS–As for other news today… the new 2006 Victory Parts and Accessories catalog is going to be mailed out to all Victory owners shortly and will also be viewable (with items available for purchase) online at http://www.victorymotorcycles.com .

There are now just over 600 accessories now for Victory’s – not including the growing aftermarket selection of doo-dads. In addition, the apparel division is bringing out an completely expanded line of Pure Victory Apparel for 2006 – with lots of gear for women too.

LAST CALL– That’s it for the news, for this second. I immediately start collecting news again for the Sunday Post each weekend in the Cantina. Of course there’s more sex, girls and wildness on Sundays along with the Margaritas.

What else can I tell you? I’m supposed to ride up to Sepulveda for bike night in Torrance tonight. Tomorrow night the guy who designed the Bad as Hell Fork Cap for new bikes is coming over. Saturday we’ll install Porsche seats in our La Carrera Race ’53 Lincoln and Sunday it’s time for the post.

Regarding site content, I’m working on a Badlands feature, a Cantina Drama and the history of the 4-cylinder motorcycle for the Cantina. For Bikernet Free Section we have a couple of segments from Rebel on his Sporty/Buell custom, a Lucky Devil old school chopper feature is being written by Johnny White. We have an oil cooler tech from Rogue, Darren Ho’s Kustom Fab Tiki bike build and feature, and Mike O’Conners Sturgis adventure. Almorz sent in an antique feature called the Concourse, and we have a fiction submission from Chuna Lathe. There’s more. In the Cantina we’re about to wrap up the first Chance Book. Members get to see it first. I will begin the editing process and plan to publish it next year. Then I’ll start to post the second Chance book based on a trip I took on a Tramp Freighter around the world. It’s going to be a killer adventure, full of sex, lesbians and adventure for Chance. The lucky bastard. I also plan to post another Bandit, Life and Times.

We’re just about to launch, if the Digital Gangsters hasn’t handled it already, a new Bikernet department devoted to new models. It will give us a section for highlighting new models, road testing them and writing stories about new rides. Watch for it.

It’s busy out there, but hang on and we’ll do our best to post articles on a regular basis, almost everyday, but the women jump me about that goal. Let’s ride.

–Bandit