IT?S BEEN AN INTERESTING WEEK HERE AT THE HEADQUARTERS– Bandit tore down the Sturgis Chop in preparation of powder coating. Joe from Crime Scene is sending him that cool gas cap we featured in last week?s news, one of the last items Bandit needed for the final touches. We?re looking for a powder coater hopefully close to us so we don?t have to ship the frame. So if anyone knows of any in the Los Angeles area, let us know.

I was told that if you try to handle too many tasks at once, you?re brain won?t work. You forget things, and I think that?s what happened to me. Commercial property insurance, teenagers smoking pot, grown sons without jobs, painting fences, leaks under the building, website content, book orders, divorce, curtains, closets ? I?m fried. I would say it?s been one of those weeks but it?s more like one of those years.

Brain is not working so on to the news?

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP EXPANDS TO LA CALENDAR SHOW– Los Angeles, CA, April 11th – The Los Angeles Calendar Motorcycle Show, America’s premier custom and performance street bike event is excited to announce its affiliation with American Motorcycle Dealer magazine, the world’s leading dealer trade magazine for the American V-Twin market, as an official Affiliate Sponsor and Qualifying Round of the AMD Pro Show World Championship of Custom Bike Building sponsored by Custom Chrome.

The Los Angeles Calendar Motorcycle Show is produced by Gianatsis Design Associates, a well-known and respected advertising design agency in the motorsports market, and producer of the world famous FastDates.com Motorcycle Calendars and Website. Agency Director Jim Gianatsis had this to say about the Show’s new affiliation with the AMD Pro Show series of events:

“We have been a strong supporter and friends with publisher Robin Bradley and his American Motorcycle Dealer magazine since he first began publishing it some 10 years ago. For our own advertising clients like Mikuni American and STD Performance, Robin’s AMD magazine is the most effective, affordable and attractive way of reaching dealers and distributors world-wide in the American V-Twin market.

Our affiliation as a Qualifying Round for AMD Pro Show’s World Championship of Custom Bike Building sponsored by Custom Chrome is a natural pairing. It brings together our LA Calendar Show, America’s premier custom and performance consumer street motorcycle event with its key industry manufacturers and retailers exhibiting their products here to the public, our international media attention from all the world’s top motorcycle magazines and TV shows, along with many of the world’s top custom bike builders showcasing their hottest newest machinery here, now joining together with AMD’s recently established World Championship of Custom Bike Building which will is poised to become the crown jewel in the professional bike building world.

The LA Calendar Motorcycle Show AMC Pro Show Qualifier with its own huge $70,000 Cash and Awards Purse, will be taking place again this year at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA, the 3rd weekend of July on the 16-17th this year, will give our $5,000 Performance Machine Best of Show winner, our $5,000 Best Performance Machine Equipped Bike winner, and the top 3 winners in our Pro Builders Class a guaranted invitation to the AMD World Championship Final in Las Vegas on November 15-16th 2005 with its own huge $50,000 cash purse posted by sponsor Custom Chrome.

The tie-in is even more significant because Custom Chrome and Motorcycle Stuff under the Global Motorsports Group are two major distributors of our very popular FastDates.com Calendars. Even more exciting is the fact that last year’s AMD World Championship winner, Roger Goldammer of GoldammerCycle.com out of Canada, his incredible winning retro Board Track racer is featured on the cover and inside the upcoming of our new FastDates.com 2006 Iron & Lace Custom Motorcycle Pinup Calendar which will premier at our LA Calendar Motorcycle Show in July.”

BLOND NUN–MOTHER SUPERIOR CALLS ALL THE NUNS TOGETHER AND SAYS TO THEM, “I MUST TELL YOU ALL SOMETHING…. WE HAVE A CASE OF GONORRHEA IN THE CONVENT.”

“PRAISE THE LORD” SAYS A BLONDE NUN AT THE BACK. ” I’M SO TIRED OF CHARDONNAY.”

Chris T.

GUN-FREE AUSTRALIA–Here’s a thought to warm some of your hearts…From: Ed Chenel, A police officer in Australia

Hi Yanks, I thought you all would like to see the real figures from Down Under. It has now been 12 months since gun owners in Australia were forced by a new law to surrender 640,381 personal firearms to be destroyed by our own government, a program costing Australia taxpayers more than $500 million dollars.

The first year results are now in: Australia-wide, homicides are up 3.2 percent, Australia-wide, assaults are up 8.6 percent; Australia-wide, armed robberies are up 44 percent (yes, 44 percent)! In the state of Victoria alone,homicides with firearms are now up 300 percent. (Note that while the law-abiding citizens turned them in, the criminals did not! and criminals still possess their guns!)

While figures over the previous 25 years showed a steady decrease in armed robbery with firearms, this has changed drastically upward in the past 12 months, since the criminals now are guaranteed that their prey is unarmed. There has also been a dramatic increase in break-ins and assaults of the elderly.

Australian politicians are at a loss to explain how public safety has decreased, after such monumental effort and expense was expended in “successfully ridding Australian society of guns.” You won’t see this on the American evening news or hear your governor or members of the State Assembly disseminating this information.

The Australian experience proves it. Guns in the hands of honest citizens save lives and property and, yes, gun-control laws affect only the law-abiding citizens.

Take note Americans, before it’s too late!

MAIN STREET BECOMES THUNDER ROAD ? LITERALY– LEESBURG ? Thousands of people lined the sidewalks of downtown Leesburg Saturday, watching a sea of shiny motorcycles on the street, glistening in the rain. Steven Trapp of Fellsmere joked that he and his wife India rode their motorcycle to Leesburg?s Ninth Annual Bikefest Saturday ?because we wanted to get wet.? Decked out in rain gear and sheltered by an overhang as the rain came down Saturday afternoon, Indian River County sheriff?s deputy Steven Trapp said it was the first time they had attended Leesburg?s Bikefest, but could only stay for the day due to work commitments. They planned to return and stay overnight next year, however. ?We came to get rid of some stress,? Trapp said. ?We?ve already ran out of cash, so we?re doing our part for the City of Leesburg.? The Trapps had visited the hundreds of vendors, and picked up some souvenir T-shirts and collectible pins along the way. Cloth patches, food vendors, clothing vendors, tattoo parlors and even a Biker Beauty Bar ? where festivalgoers could get haircuts ? were a few of the hundreds of stalls set up for the event. Three stages also offered a variety of live music throughout the day and night.

Richard and Alma Bierlair of Fort Lauderdale also rode to Leesburg with 10 members of the Wings of Gold Motorcycle Club. It was the Bierlairs? first time attending the Leesburg Bikefest too. ?It?s small compared to the Daytona Beach one,? Richard Bierlair, a former Leesburg resident, said. ?But I?m loving it. It?s all good and is well designed. The rain ain?t doing much to slow it down, but it?s good for the rain gear guy,? he said, pointing to a vendor selling waterproof wear.

Jeff and Lori Moser of Homassasa brought their 8-year-old daughter Lindsey to the event for the day. Jeff Moser purchased a motorcycle a little more than a year ago. ?Everybody I had talked to have raved about Leesburg being a nice festival,? Jeff Moser said. As they sat on a bench waiting for the rain to ease up, the Mosers said they had arrived early Saturday and enjoyed the sunny weather in the morning as they shopped, watched the bike games and the bands. ?It?s nice. It?s small enough you can walk and see the whole thing, and a lot of kids are here,? Jeff Moser said. Lori and Lindsey had followed Jeff to Leesburg in the car. ?Although I don?t ride, I love going to the different events and looking at all the different motorcycles,? Lori Moser said. The roar of motorcycle engines throughout Lake County will continue today, until Bikefest wraps up this evening. Leesburg Downtown Partnership officials anticipated about 130,000 people would attend the event over the course of the weekend. There were only a few rules in downtown Leesburg for the event, including no alcohol outside designated areas.

Jennifer Hopkins, 18, a volunteer helping with Bikefest, said although the organizers loved all types of motorcycles, trikes were not permitted on Main Street, where thousands of motorcycles of all shapes, designs and colors were lined up all for blocks. ?There?s not enough room, but we love trikes. We love all types of bikers, trikes just may not fit through the aisles,? Hopkins said.

JODIE MUNRO O?BRIEN
The Daily Commercial

Rogue

BIKERNET WEBSITE OF THE WEEK–The site Travmatix.com was reviewed today in the local newspaper. It is a free service that maps along interstate highways as well as showing every motel, gas station and restaurant at each exit. I did a search from Louisville to Tucumcari NM and based on what I can recall from my ride out there last month it is pretty darn accurate.

It even shows where the rest stops are and uses the highway exit numbers as the point of reference. I plan to use it whenever I travel, if for no other reason than to locate fuel and lodging. I prefer traveling along US Highways but armed with this info and a road map it wouldn’t be hard to get back to an Interstate ramp if the need arose.

Here’s the link:
http://www.travmatix.com/travmatix/index.cfm

If it doesn’t open when you click on it then just copy and paste it into your browser to get there.

Later
Nick

MIKE ROMINE TAKES SCREAMIN’ EAGLE NITRO HARLEY EXHIBITION VICTORY AT BRISTOL DRAGWAY– BRISTOL, Tenn. ? Mike Romine has a nice streak going and a little rain wasn’t any reason to keep him extending it another year. What’s the streak? He’s won at least one Screamin’ Eagle Nitro Harley Exhibition Tour event at an NHRA POWERade event for the last three years.

Romine took the victory Sunday at the O’Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, beating Larry Brancaccio in the final round. It’s the third time Romine’s Top Fuel motorcycle has won an NHRA exhibition event.

“It’s the second win with me on the bike but the third for the bike,” Romine said. “In 2003 I hurt my back just before the race at Joliet (Route 66 Raceway) and we had Mark Conner ride the bike and he won. Then we won the same race last year. It’s great we have a win before we even get to Joliet this season.”

Romine’s bike broke near half-track, slowing to a 10.536-second pass at 76.75 mph, beating Brancaccio, who broke at the 100-foot mark. It was the worst run of the day for Romine, but he was still the best in the final.

“There is a lot of luck involved with this sport,” Romine said. “You have to run well but a little luck every now and then helps get you the win. On a day like today when they were rushing us through the rounds, we were consistent and we didn’t have any major problems until the finals and even then, we had that race covered.”

The rounds were raced on a quicker pace than usual because of the rain that turned the Thunder Valley Nationals upside down. Rain forced NHRA officials to cancel all qualifying runs on Friday and most of them on Saturday. The Nitro Harley competitors had just one round of qualifying, held Sunday afternoon.

“We sat around for two days because of the rain and we didn’t have a great run during the qualifying pass because we had a problem.” Romine said. “We fixed that and went out and ran a great pass and won first round and kept going from there.

“We started to get a little anxious about racing because every time they got the track dried and ready to go, and we started getting ready for a run, the rain started again. The great thing is that we got the race in and we don’t have to come back and finish it later. Even better, we won the event.”

Romine beat Doug Vancil in the first round. Vancil went 6.851 at 207.37 and Romine was the clear winner, but no time or speed was recorded for Romine. Romine went on to beat Mike Lehman with a 6.612 at 210.87 to Lehman’s 6.709 at 206.45 in the semifinal.

ANNOUNCING THE SECOND ANNUAL NORTH TEXAS ROCK RALLY–
Rock & Roll Biker Party To Feature Headliner Ted Nugent and Custom Bike Builders,
Guitar wildman Ted Nugent and rock’n’roll outlaw David Allan Coe will share top billing with Rick Fairless, Kendall Johnson, and other top custom bike builders at the second annual North Texas Rock Rally, a three-day blow-out featuring 150 acres of music, motorcycles, and related madness at Coyote Texas July 15-17. The event is presented by RJ’s Roadhouse and Hooters.
“We had about 18,000 people last year at our kick off, and I expect we’ll more than double that number this year,” said Gary Littlefield, the event’s founder and CEO of The Pegasus Agency. “We have 60 bands coming from all over, we have the top builders, it’s a national event and the only one of its kind in North Texas, so I’m really expecting great things this year.”
A portion of the event proceeds benefit Texas Confederation of Clubs (DFW Chapter), J.W. Rock Foundation, B.A.C.A. (Bikers Against Child Abuse) and The Tom Hanley Memorial Fund benefiting the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.
In addition to Fairless and Johnson, bike builders Kim Suter, Jeff Nicklus, and Jeff Long, lead designer for American IronHorse Motorcycle Co.-who also plans to conduct a search with Hooters for AIH’s 2006 calendar girls at the rally-will be on hand. An Indian Larry Tribute with Paul Cox and Keino also is scheduled to honor the late, great builder, and organizers are negotiating with a half-dozen other top designers to attend.
Mark Farner, formerly of Grand Funk Railroad, will heat it up with Nugent and Coe on the entertainment stages, which also will feature A-List acts like Blackfoot, Warrant, Jackyl, Blackberry Smoke, Maylee Thomas, and Back in Black.
In total, 60 bands from the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean will rock North Texas ’round the clock on three stages over three days, come rain or shine. Other action planned for the bash includes a custom bike contest with celebrity biker judges, motorcycle stunt show, car show, rodeo with biker bull riding, chili and BBQ cook-off and an opening day motorcycle parade that drew nearly 1,000 bikes last year.
No one will be admitted to Coyote Texas without a ticket. Tickets prices begin at $45 per person for a three-day general admission pass. Advance tickets can be purchased online at www.NorthTexasRockRally.com until July 1or at RJ’s Roadhouse or any DFW Hooters location.
Lead sponsors of the 2005 North Texas Rock Rally include RJ’s Roadhouse, Hooters, American IronHorse Motorcycle Co., Rick Fairless’ Strokers Dallas, Shark Performance Art, Weld Racing, Wells Cargo, Skinz Wraps, Comfort Suites and Interior Supply Services.

Rally online at http://www.NorthTexasRockRally.com.

DEVELOPMENT IN DAYTONA ? A NEW DRAW FOR BIKERS–
New York Times
Daytona Beach, Fla., is about to get even friendlier to two-wheeled tourists.One of the motorcycling world’s magnet cities and the host of the Bike Week rally every March, Daytona will gain another attraction this summer with Destination Daytona. The 150-acre site will have what is called the world’s largest Harley-Davidson dealership — 109,000 square feet that will include a motorcycle museum — as well as a hotel and condominiums, two restaurants, two bars and more than 30,000 square feet of retail space.

Project creator Bruce Rossmeyer owns 10 Harley-Davidson dealerships, including the one at Destination Daytona. The roughly 500,000 bikers who visit during Bike Week spend about $400 million, said Kevin Kilian, a spokesman for the local Chamber of Commerce. “People who can afford $20,000 toys,” he said, “are people you want visiting you.”

Rogue

SOLO SEAT RETURNS WITH COLOR–Flyrite Choppers Solo Seat is back and in color. Still available in black vinyl at the original $110 price, the seat consists of a custom steel seat pan formed in-house then powder coated semi-gloss black with standard mounting hardware/springs. Due to a high demand, we have added custom upholstery ranging from metal flake vinyl to pinstripe stitching, starting at $200. Personalized seats are available, from copies of your tattoo to a company logo to matching a paint scheme, but you will have to call us for a quote. Watch our website, http://www.flyritechoppers.com, for pre-made colored and stitched seats, offered as available, and ready to ship. Call the shop, (512) 918-2467, or email us, flyrite@flyritechoppers.com to order and get quotes.

THE BIG, BAD DAUGHTER OF TIM AND ALYSSA–That’s right! If you haven’t heard already, Alyssa gave birth to Audrey Odalene Conder at quarter to midnight on April 25th. Audrey Odalene, a.k.a. “Audrey O”, “Odie” or “Little Tex” was 8 pounds 8.8 ounces and was 22 and a half inches tall.

She’s pink, with a happy, all knowing demeanor. We have taken to consulting her on all manner of family business…A smile means “yes”, a grimace means “no”. The doctors say she’s just gassy, but I’ll never believe it.

We seem to have grown some sort of SUPERBABY who’s beauty is only rivaled by her lightning fast (almost catlike) reflexes. We’re very proud to say the least. My wife Alyssa showed poise, bravery and a threshold for pain that defies description.

Our family and friends sprung (have sprang?) into action, cutting a smooth velvety swath through the jungle that is our lives so Audrey and Alyssa could land safely. How a guy like me wound up with this unbelievable family is a mystery, obviously there are powers at work here that can’t be explained.

This world is a superbad, chopped, chromed, candycoated metalflake sled and I’d like to thank everyone who’s in it with us.

– Merry Christmas,
Tim, Alyssa and Audrey

The Conderosahttp://www.armageddontopfuel.com

Continued On Page 2

COAST TO COAST BIKER NEWS

Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish, NCOM

HIGHWAY FUNDING BILL REINTRODUCED– The new Surface Transportation Bill, H.R. 3, a reincarnation of last year’s highway package that failed to pass Congress due to budget impasses, was introduced in the U. S. House of Representatives on February 9th and will take up where prior Congressional negotiations left off.

This time around, the House version of the highway reauthorization legislation includes similar motorcycle-friendly language contained in last year’s Senate proposal; including the establishment of a Motorcyclist Advisory Council to “coordinate with and advise the Administrator (of the Federal Highway Administration) on infrastructure issues of concern to motorcyclists”; a call for the completion of a motorcycle accident causation study; and would establish grants for motorcycle safety and awareness efforts.

The House bill authorizes $299 billion to fund highway projects for the next six years.

Last year, House and Senate conferees were unable to hammer out a compromise that would appease both chambers and the White House, as President Bush threatened to veto any package over $256 billion.

The Senate version of the bill has yet to be reintroduced.

NORTH CAROLINA MAY BAN CHILDREN ON MOTORCYCLES– Representative Nelson Cole introduced a bill in the North Carolina legislature, HB-39, which would make it illegal for anyone under the age of 10 to ride as a passenger on a motorcycle.

“This has nothing to with helmets – they just can’t ride at all,” said Sam Nobles, State Legislative Officer for CBA/ABATE of NC and Lobbyist for NC BikePac. “If you have been complacent about getting involved in bikers’ rights, this one ought to wake you up! How would you like to explain to your child or grandchild that you can no longer take them for a ride, because your government doesn’t think you are responsible enough to make decisions for your own family?”

So far there is only one sponsor to the bill, and CBA/ABATE of NC is asking help from bikers across America to help shut this bill down now. “Our goal is to generate enough e-mails and phone calls to Rep Cole to shut this down before he has time to get cosponsors,” said Cotton Tedder, President of CBA/ABATE of NC and member of the board of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM).

You can contact Representative Nelson Cole at Nelsonc@ncleg.net or phone (919) 733-5779. Remember to be polite and considerate, but let him know your views about kids being able to go riding with their parents.

PENNSYLVANIA CONSIDERS BAN ON “SELF SERVE” GAS– The Keystone State is considering legislation that would prohibit self-service gas stations. House Bill No. 73, dubbed the Gasoline Station Dispensing Safety Act, which states in part: “The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:Because of the fire hazards directly associated with dispensing fuel at a fuel dispensing facility, it is in the public interest that gasoline station operators have the control needed over that activity to ensure compliance with appropriate safety procedures, including turning off vehicle engines and refraining from smoking while fuel is dispensed.”

“When customers, rather than attendants, are permitted to dispense fuel, it is far more difficult to enforce compliance with safety procedures.”

“Exposure to toxic gasoline fumes represents a health hazard when customers dispense their own gasoline, particularly in the case of pregnant women.”

“The significantly higher prices usually charged for full-service gasoline in states where self-service is permitted results in discrimination against low-income individuals, who are under greater economic pressure to undergo the inconvenience and hazards of dispensing their own gasoline.”

The bill goes on to prescribe penalties for “non-authorized users” and stations that do not comply, and describes training and certification of attendants to qualify them to pump your gas.

“In my opinion, this bill is an answer to a question nobody asked!,” said John Mullendore, Legislative Coordinator for ABATE of Pennsylvania and a member of the board of directors of NCOM. “Let your representatives know that this is not a good idea especially with motorcycles. I will fill my own thank you.”

Currently only the state of New Jersey prohibits “self-serve” gas pumps. Oregon bikers won exemption from such a law in 2001, winning their right to pump their own gas thanks to the legislative efforts of BikePAC, ABATE of Oregon and Oregon Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (AIM) Attorney Sam Hochberg who helped draw statewide attention to the problem.

HONDA PLANS TO DEVELOP AIRBAGS FOR MOTORCYCLES– Japan’s Honda Motor has launched research into developing the first safety airbags that could be mounted on motorcycles, reported the mass-circulation newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun.

Japan’s largest motorcycle manufacturer aims to commercialize motorcycle airbags in about three years, the paper reported on January 5, 2005 without citing sources.

Honda plans to develop an airbag that will fit under the handlebars and protect the driver from the head to lower back when it is opened in the event of an accident, it said.

No immediate comment was available from Honda.

Honda wants to commercialize the product after finding ways to minimize production costs and working out the best suitable shape of the airbags, the daily said. The newspaper said that the technology had been offered before, on BMW motorcycles, but it had proved too costly at more than $2,000 for most buyers.

ARIZONA MULLS EMISSIONS TESTING FOR MOTORCYCLES– Arizona is currently the only state to require motorcycles to pass emissions-testing, which are required only in Pima and Maricopa Counties as part of the state’s clean air plans. But that may soon change as collectible-car and motorcycle enthusiasts are nibbling away at the state’s vehicle-emissions policy, successfully arguing that they should be exempt from the vexing test because they barely put a dent in air quality.

A state study backs them up, although only for the 6,200 motorcycles registered in Pima County, where Tucson is located. The 22,000 motorcycles in more populated, and polluted, Maricopa County, home of the city of Phoenix, would not get the same pass.

However, motorcycle and collector-car enthusiasts say they see House Bill 2357 as the first step in efforts to exempt their vehicles entirely from the test, regardless of location.

A study done by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality concluded that a blanket exemption would harm the clean-air plans in the Phoenix and Tucson areas. But certain groups would have only a “negligible impact” if they were exempted.

Bobbi Hartmann, a lobbyist for ABATE of Arizona, is hoping to persuade lawmakers this year to exempt all motorcycles. The MMA of Arizona and the Arizona Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs agree, and are also lobbying for passage of the emissions exemptions.

Arizona, she said, is the only state that tests motorcycles and the test, she argues, gives a skewed picture of emissions since it’s done only when motorcycles are idling, and air-cooled engines don’t run clean at idle, making it difficult for them to pass emissions testing.

“The two big things, looking at the big picture as far as emissions, is that motorcycles are absolutely nothing,” Hartmann said. “And the fact that they’re testing only under idle is unfair.”

The bill, which won unanimous support from the House Environment Committee, later passed by a near-unanimous vote on the House Floor on February 2nd and will be taken up next in the state Senate.

NEW MEXICO GOVERNOR SUPPORTS LID LAW FOR ATV RIDERS– Governor Bill Richardson has pledged his support for an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) safety bill that would require riders younger than 18 to wear a helmet and eye protection and pass a training course.

SB 252 would also establish a fee that would both pay for the training and be used to establish new ATV trails and recreation areas, require adult supervision for all riders 12 or younger and prohibit passengers on vehicles that are designed for one rider.

Richardson said 62 New Mexicans have died as a result of ATV crashes in the past 10 years. A quarter of them were 18 or younger, according to a University of New Mexico study.

A similar bill passed in the Senate last year but died in the House when time ran out on the 30-day session.

LONE STAR BIKERS FIGHT HELMET LAW– Okay, so Texas was one of a handful of states to recently rescind their states’ mandatory helmet law for adult riders, but in order to ride lidless a rider must be at least 21 and complete a safety class or carry a minimum amount of medical coverage.

Those requirements may change now that a state lawmaker has introduced legislation to allow anyone 21 and older to ride without a helmet, regardless of safety training or health care insurance.

Proponents feel they have a right to decide whether or not to wear a helmet, especially on hot summer days, but opponents of the measure fear that further weakening the helmet law could result in more fatal accidents. Now it’ll be up to the legislature to decide.

CHANGING GEARS– When Fox Cable Networks Group re-launched Speed Channel in February 2002, executives thought that devoting two-thirds of their scheduling to fast-moving cars and a few motorcycle races were all the network needed to draw viewers. Now the head honchos are changing gears.

The network has gained more than 20 million subscribers, and now reaches 63.3 million homes, but ratings gains have not equaled the expectation that a growing nationwide interest in Nascar would deliver a big audience boost.

This February, Speed Channel hopes to do better by pushing past its car racing roots to, among other things, launch a new reality series for those who like to watch a good bike build. Only this time it’s not Jesse James or OCC wrenching on a fabulous putt, it’s just Joe Average.

“Build or Bust” is billed by Speed Channel as being a little different than typical reality shows. The customization occurs on motorcycles, and regular Joes rather than specialists do the work. The series, which premieres February 23, gives motorcycle enthusiasts all the tools to build the bike of their dreams in 30 days. If the task is completed, the builder keeps the bike. If not, they get nothing.

QUOTABLE QUOTE:– “The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

Theodore Roosevelt, “Citizen in a Republic”, April 23, 1910

FROM THE GUNNY SACK–

We are always talking about getting our biker people elected to the legislatureand other elective offices in our states. This is a good thing, but it isn’t allthere is to it.

A good friend of mine, Clark Brooker, is working on a bill to present to ourlegislature and he is looking for a sponsor to get it considered. He is lookingat the left turn signals and other electronically-driven traffic lights thatdon’t trip for motorcycles.

He says, and I agree, that bikes should not have to sit all day waiting for thelight to change when it’s obvious it won’t change unless a CAR hits the rightspot on the road. He proposes that after the second or third cycle of thelights, the bike should be permitted to proceed through the light with caution.This doesn’t automatically allow the biker to ignore the light, but it gives usa practical solution!

What’s interesting is that ONE PERSON can do this, with some spare time and alot of energy. We can do much to preserve our rights and freedoms just bygetting involved in the processes that govern this land. It’s easier than you think!

The battle over whether or not to be forced to wear helmets when we ride isn’tthe only fight. I agree, we should have the choice and I will fight for thatright as long as there is breath in my body, but I’m not against wearing a lid.I wouldn’t for the world deny people the CHOICE. I think there are a lot ofissues out there we need to deal with that are just as important. The wholereason we have this country to live in is the folks who went before us neededthe freedom of choice in their lives just as much as we do, and they paid dearlyfor us to have those liberties.

ALL MOTORCYCLISTS INVITED AND WELCOME! MAY 5-7, 2005.This year’s National Coalition of Motorcyclists Convention is to be held inNASHVILLE, TENN., folks. It will prove to be one of the best yet, for sure. Roomreservations can be made at the Sheraton Music City Hotel at 777 McGavock Pike,Nashville, Tenn 37214. Call (615) 885-2200. The special rate is $79.00 per nightsingle or double. You get the rate by mentioning you are attending the NCOMConvention. After the end of March you will have to pay the full amount becausethe special rate will end then. Make sure you don’t miss out on this trip. Youcan pre-register for the conference by calling NCOM at (800) 525-5355. Theseminars will be the best and the party won’t be forgotten for many moons. Therewill also be a National Confederation of Clubs meeting you just don’t want tomiss. I’ll see you there.

NEWSBITS ‘N’ PIECES: DAKAR: Marc Coma of Spain won the Dakar cross country racefor motorcycles. The race this year took two bikers’ lives, so it was animpressive win of one of the world’s most difficult races.The Dakar rally covers 5,566 miles of some of the most treacherous terrain inthe world, from Barcelona Spain to Dakar Senegal. I think I’ll park my ‘Wingthis year, so I don’t show up all those racers.

MALTA, N.Y. Starfire Inc, Manufacturer of motor products has a new ceramiccomposite disc brake system that is drawing high praise from Jason DiSalvo, oneof the world’s foremost motorcycle racers. The system is comprised of a newlightweight brake pad and rotor system that even improves fuel mileage

Starfire is a leader in improving motor vehicle performance with innovativeimprovements in design and operation of many components of motor vehicle partsform autos to trucks to motorcycles. The braking systems will be available formotorcycles early this year.

KEIZER, OREGON: The cops are at it again in this small town that’s grown into asuburb of Salem. Our Oregon AIM attorney, Sam Hochberg, is doing a pro bono (forfree) case down there for around THIRTY Gypsy Joker MC folks who were ticketedby some over-zealous officers. It’s also a project of the Oregon Confederationof Clubs, the COC. It’s the same story Sam keeps running into over the last fewyears: The police see ONE rider who they THINK committed a traffic infraction,and it turns into a citation festival ? or as Sam says, a “fund-raiser” for thetown’s treasury ? when they cite ALL the bikers. Sam’s going to court on itsoon, so we’ll let you know what happens at trial, right here in The Sack.

DANA POINT, CA: Patriot Motorcycles Co. has proven there is a growing market inAmerica for the affordable “Yamoto” off-road bikes, made in China. They tookover distribution last November and in the first 60 days they delivered 1,750units at the average price of $950.00 each. We need to pay more attention to themanufacturers off shore! If you’re interested in selling Patriot bikes, you cancall their Sales Director at (949)488-0434. Who knows? You might make a newcareer with a dealership.

Click To Check It Out

PORTLAND, OR: I looked over a Korean motorcycle in one of our shops here inPortland not that long ago ? Columbia Scooters it was ? and I was impressed atthe fit and finish as well as the good looks of the machine. If you’re in thearea, go check out all the other interesting machines they sell there. They havea 3-wheeler truck with a motor under 200cc’s that can haul a full ton and itsips the gas! They’re made in India, where they use ’em all the time.

ATLANTA, GA: Bluelinx Corp and Orange County Choppers (of TV fame) pulled outall stops for the International Builders Show in Florida and apparently it was ahuge success.

GERMANY: Police in Germany are hunting some folks they think are justpranksters, who have been sticking miniature US flags into piles of dog poop inpublic parks. You know, some people around the world have very little regard forthis country, and they can have their opinions, but THIS kind of thing irritatesme.

German authorities say they don’t know what they will do if the clowns arecaught, because there is no statute that deals with this sort of behavior. Maybethere should be. There are laws that govern everything else, especially in Europe.

WEB-WRECKS: For those who are interested in reading about bike wrecks, there’s awebsite that supposedly collects and links you up to all motorcycle accidentsthat are reported in the papers. It’s interesting to see how folks mess up; butit’s scary when you see the ones you just know could have been you.

Sobering stuff, but it DOES keep this Gunny’s eye on the ball just that muchmore, out on the road. Here’s the site, courtesy of my boss, Sam Hochberg, ourOregon AIM Attorney. He likes to poke around the internet:http://www.wcow.com/html/motorcycle_accident.html . And NO, Sam says he’s doesNOT send out letters to accident victims, like a dozen or so other lawyers dohere in Oregon. Sam’s plate is pretty full anyway. He says it seems prettydamned slimy to send out a letter trying to hustle some poor guy who’s allbusted up. Some states forbid that altogether, but not Oregon.

PORTLAND, MN: David Sharp of the Associated Press brings us this bit of news:Safety experts suspect older motorcycle riders with a lot of disposable incomeare buying more machine than their aging brains and out-of-practice bodies canhandle. Several other groups have come out with similar stuff on us OLDERriders, and I’m starting to get annoyed about it. I may be the exception, butthen I’ve been riding a looonngg time; well in excess of fifty years, and I’mstill doin’ OK. I ride a big bike, too. The difference might be that I takerider ed courses often. It really helps folks, especially with the traffic onthe highways the way it is nowadays. It distresses me to read about all thefolks being killed and maybe for no better reason than lack of preparation whenit comes to getting on their scooters to enjoy life a little more. Please take ariding course if you haven’t ridden for a few years, or if you’re a new rider.It just might save your life and keep your family from losing someone they love.The annual number of motorcycle fatalities among 40-plus riders tripled over thepast decade to 1,674 in 2003, in the USA. That’s way too many of us gone.

HELMET PROTEST in INDIA: Cutting across party lines, elected members of the PuneMunicipal Corp. (PMC) resolved to launch a mass protest against the state’sdecision to make helmets compulsory for motorcycle riders and passengers. We arenot alone in the agitation caused by compulsory helmet laws, folks. These areelected officials protesting what the state says they have to do. KUDOS forthem. I hope it does the job.

GUNNY AGAIN: As always I remind you good people, the AID TO INJUREDMOTORCYCLISTS (AIM) attorneys across this country are the best source of helpthat bikers have when we get ourselves in a nasty accident or any other messdealing with the laws of this land. Use their expertise and be glad they arehere for us. We have enough going on in our lives without trying to get aroundthe insurance companies alone. The number to call is 1-800-On-A-Bike. Visit ’emon the web, at www.On-A-Bike.com or www.AIMNCOM.com . Both’ll getcha there! Youwill get at least some info, or if you need it, good advice.

Keep the round side on the bottom.
Gunny, Oregon’s AIM Chief of Staff

Continued From Page 3

BIKERNET BABYSITTING ADVICE ? DON?T MESS WITH KIDS–A little girl was talking to the teacher about whales. The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small. The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale. Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible. The little girl said, “When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah”. The teacher asked, ” What if Jonah went to hell?” The little girl replied, “Then you ask him”.

A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child’s work. As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was. The girl replied, “I’m drawing God.” The teacher paused and said, “But no one knows what God looks like.” Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, “They will in a minute.”

A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to “honor” thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, “Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?” Without missing a beat one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered,

“Thou shall not kill.”

One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head. She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, “Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?” Her mother replied, “Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white.” The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, “Momma, how come ALL of grandma’s hairs are white?”

The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture. “Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, ‘There’s Jennifer, she’s a lawyer,’ or ‘That’s Michael, He’s a doctor.’A small voice at the back of the room rang out, “And there’s the teacher, She’s dead. ”

A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of the blood. Trying to make the matter clearer, she said, “Now, class, if I stood on my head, the blood, as you know, would run into it, and I would turn red in the face..” “Yes,” the class said. “Then why is it that while I am standing upright in the ordinary position the blood doesn’t run into my feet?” A little fellow shouted, “Cause your feet ain’t empty.”

The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray: “Take only ONE. God is watching.” Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. A child had written a note, “Take all you want. God is watching the apples.

RevCarl

BENEFIT NEEDS YOUR HELP–Bandit: There will be a Bike Benefit in Minden LA Sat April 30,2005. This is for 23 yr old Keith Stanley, He is currently at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge, LA….He has battled this horrible disease since last Fall, right after he had just graduated from LSU on a Golf Scholarship, and had just been accepted to Law School… It has been a long road with a lot of Bumps… The Cancer is now in his brain and his bone marrow….The Doctors say this is the final stages….

The Bike Show will be this Saturday…we have been trying to reach every biker we can…Please PLease Please help spread this invitation….we do have the Sport Bike Angels from Dallas Texas coming to make an appearance….We need all the help we can get…there will be a band that has volunteered their time…and we have a lot of things scheduled… We will have BBQ Plates and a lot of food. There will be a Silent Auction with a lot of nice items donated by area merchants….

Please if there is any way you and others can make this trip for a special young man…it will be greatly appreciated.. If you need me to FAX you a Entry Form or any other info…Please Email me…or even Call…We Need YOUR HELP….

Thanks for your time,
Tina
The Hitchin’ Post
15273 HWY 80 East
Minden, LA 71055
318-382-1901
MY CELL 318-834-2988

We are about 30 miles from Shreveport
Off I 20 Take Exit # 49 NOrth on Hwy 531 about one miles to Hwy 80…Take Left and you will be looking at us….Please COME!!!

HIGH TECH 3″ introduced by ROADMAX–With the introduction of this extremely rugged yet stylish 3″ open belt conversion, Roadmax has once again raised the bar for strength, precision fit, function and reliability. Focusing on the needs of enthusiasts running big inch, high horsepower engines, the “HIGH TECH 3″ belt drive is unique in its superior strength and use of advanced materials and manufacturing techniques. Sold as a total package, each Roadmax belt kit includes everything needed for a straight forward, no hassle installation. From the polished, solid billet motor plate assembly to the ultra strong Gates 3” belt, complete diaphragm clutch, HP front and rear pulleys, polished pulley covers and chrome belt guard, to the aircraft quality mounting hardware, pulley JIG and even a tube of Locktite, it’s all here.

Manufactured to the same industry leading standards found in Roadmax revolutionary transmissions, the new open belt system is specifically designed and manufactured from materials capable of handling the awesome torque being produced by contemporary street machines. “HIGH TECH 3” is currently available for all Softail models from 1990 to present. If you’re looking for piece of mind in a truly brutal primary drive give Roadmax a call at 714-446-0787. For a closer look at all of the latest from Roadmax visit http://www.roadmax.net.

GOTHAM RODEO PRESENTS–Awesome honky tonk throttle rockin’ music.

See us every Friday at Snitch (59 West 21st) 6pm – 11pm for the Honky Tonk Happy Hour Hootennany.

May 21st is the Off the Hook Motorin’ Party at The Hook in Red Hook, Brooklyn.

All info is on the website http://www.gothamrodeo.com. Lots more shows to come.

We are NYC & W citybillies! Come on and party with us.

-Sasha

JAMES ULTIMATE PAN SEAL– This is it! The final answer to those leaky Pan covers. No matter if you are running painted stamped steel, chrome, cast or billet aluminum covers these high tech PAN SEALS, just introduced by James Gaskets, are going to provide a seal that virtually eliminates seepage like nothing offered before. These unique PAN SEALS feature a solid steel core, which is fully encapsulated in a thin layer of high-temp NBR rubber. This revolutionary compound provides outstanding torque retention while a thick perimeter bead on two sides produces the conformability needed to seal the wide range of covers that have been produced for these popular engines.

The new JAMES PAN COVER SEALS are sold in pairs and can be used on all Panhead engines from 1948-1965 and clone engines with the same Pan cover to head design and specifications.

For complete details and the location of a JAMES GASKETS dealer near you call 775-246-2220 or visit them on line at http://www.jamesgaskets.com.

NEW FROM BIG BOAR PRODUCTS–200mm Fat Tire Kits for ?86 ? ?03 models. Kit includes Beefy Big Swingarm, 200mm tire, 8 ?? high-quality composite fender, offset pulley, spacers, etc., complete with instructions. For $995.00 you can fatten up your hog!

Big Boar Products
6289 Corporate Park Drive
Loudon, TN 37774
865-458-8640 ? phone865-458-6754 ? fax
email- bigboarpro@aol.com

BIKERNET MODEL OF THE WEEK–My name is Michelle Renee and I am a semi-professionalmodel in Dallas, Texas. I am interested in shootingfor your magazine/website if you are seeking models!

I am 5’6, 123 lbs., dark brown hair, brown eyes andlong legs. My measurements are 34D-25-35. Pleasetake a moment to review a recent photo which I haveattached. If you are interested in using me for aphoto shoot, please let me know.

Thank you,
Michelle Renee
rnmphotography@yahoo.com

A THURSDAY WRAP–The girls did it again, while I played footsiewith a redhead at lunch. Not really, although the red sauce on the pastawasn’t bad. Let’s see what I can report on. We’re wrapping up the July issueof Street Choppers, the August Issue of Hot Rod Bikes (about to relaunch asBike Works), planning Sturgis and our HOT BIKE Sturgis survival guide, andthe evil 13th issue.

It just dawned on me that we’re jamming to Sturgis in August andthe run and party plans continue for two weeks, so how the hell are wesupposed to put together the December issue. Got that? A December issue inAugust that hits the stands in the middle of October. Makes no sense to me.

This weekend is my Shovelhead deadline, but whatI hadn’t planned on yet, no stinkin’ switches. I remember a Panhead I had in ’73. Itwisted wires to make it run. Could I do that again? Maybe not, but I needto plan a switch, something crazy. The bike is torn down to the wheels andI’m finishing the bracket under the trans for the Dyna coils, Compu-firevoltage regulator and a fuse or two (maybe circuit breakers). I need tofinish and grind all the welds and off to the powder coater next week. Keepyour fingers crossed.

I’m going to post a battery tech from Aaron at Big Boar in the nextcouple of weeks as a teaser for the September issue of Hot Bike. It’s amassive 300-page issue with a 36-page outsert Sturgis Survival guide.Remember it hits the stands in July.

Have a helluva weekend,

–Bandit

Continued From Page 2

MRS. STEALTH REPORT–Hey Layla and Mr. Bandit and Bikernet.com Readers,

This is Meanest! Maybe you haven’t heard from me in a while, but I’ve been around. Life has been crazy lately, getting Stealth Bike Works off the ground. Looks like we won the final battle in the red tape war and the shop should be open on May 10th. We have tried to make the shop the way Mike remembers a bike shop used to be, and we have tried to add our own special touches and make it a place where you can stop by or you can stay awhile. There is the corner where you can play checkers; there are some of Mike’s most prized collectibles, and then there is “The Wall” where our friends and neighbors can permanently make their mark with their comments and their signatures.

I asked Mike if I could do the Thursday news this week, but I didn’t tell him why. He sent me the following e-mail today and the way he pours out his heart and soul is something that I would like to share with all of you. We should all be so lucky to be so excited about going to work every day!

Mike mentions Ben and Chopper John and Shorty — without the help of these guys, we would never be where we are right now. We couldn’t have done it without them!

Love and kisses,
Meanest

E-Mail from Mike to Meanest, 4/23/05

Hey Meanest,You know sometimes it does not seem real that the shop will be open in a couple of weeks. I am really at home there. I am comfortable there and I can be myself. I like the feeling of not having anyone looking over my shoulder. This has been a long time coming and I have always dreamed about it. No matter what the shop turns into or how big it gets or how much it grows I am never going to lose sight of who I am and what it is supposed to be about. I can’t wait for the shop to open on the May 10th. It is funny how you never know where you will end up or how things will turn out.

Last October I felt like I lost who I was when I left my job but you know I now realize that was never who I really was. It was some good experience but it was not who I was or what I believe. Now I believe in what I am doing and I know if I do it right the money will come, but what is most important to me is to make a decent living and when I know someone needs help to help if I can, not to just see the $$$$$ signs.

My heart for what I love and do will never leave. It is funny that after all these years of being into bikes I still get excited and I get a certain feeling inside when I see a nice bike and I get that same feeling when I am around Ben, John, Jay and Shorty, they all do it because they love it. You can tell who those people are, the ones with heart. I think that is what I got tired of the most at a dealership, there was no heart or soul.

I feel like I have a new beginning and everything is new again. I never thought I would be this close to opening a shop. I feel like I belong to a special club with people like Bandit, Jose, Ben Edwards and everyone else who owns his own shop or business in motorcycles. It is a special feeling to think that you belong with people you have looked up to for a long time.

So I guess that is enough, I am anxious and real excited and I want to thank you for everything you have put up with and for everything you have done for me. You are half of STEALTH BIKE WORKS and that is a pretty big part!

So as we set out on this journey I look forward to it all, the tough times, the in between times, the good times, and the really good times because come what may it is ours and we have each other and no one can change that or take that away and that is the best thing about all of this!

I love you!

Mike

MOTOJOURNALISM MUSEUMAND INTERNET CAF?–Coming This Springin beautifulEagle Nest, New Mexico.Featuring men & women?s bunkrooms with full bath and lockers, covered, locked bike parking, in-house computers with free hi-speed internet serviced by:

Enchanted Circle Macintosh
For more information call:
(505) 377-3010
Email: info@gotwanderlust.com

NEW FROM FAB KEVIN–I finally have these taillights ready for sale. They have 2 high intensity (dual intensity) LED lights, housed in a case machined of 6061 aluminum.The light is held onto the bracket with polished stainless steel fasteners, and polished brass wingnuts.

The bracket is my “standard” style steel side mount, designed to last forever.
It is also available as a “custom” fender mount too.
Priced at $200 for the side mount, and $175 for the fender mount.

HEY, IS THAT LIVIA?–Chopperz4Life Mfg. Co. signs Livia as spokesmodel for 10 shows and will be using her photos in a national advertising campaign covering several biker magazines.

This weekend is the Virginia Beach Bike Classic held in Virginia Beach, VA. Livia will be signing new photos of her on a Chopperz4Life Pro Street 300 Series. You’ll also be able to check out the new 330 Series Chopper at the show. Just look for Livia in the Chopperz4Life Booth and stop by to get a signed photo or polaroid.

You’ll also be able to see Livia at these events in the Chopperz4Life booth:

Virginia Beach Bike Classic – Virginia Beach, VA April 29 – May 1
Myrtle Beach Weekend – Mrytle Beach, SC May 12-22
Thunder Run in DC – Bull Run, VA May 27-29
Gettysburg Bike Week – Gettysburg, PA June 7-10
Thunder in the Valley – Johnstown, PA June 23-26
Little Sturgis Rally – Sturgis, KY July 14-17
Summer Bikefest – Carlisle, PA July 22-24
WVMountainFest – Morgantown, WV July 29-31
Mid-Atlantic MotorFest – Fairfax, VA September 2-3
Delmarva Bike Week – Ocean City, MD September 15-18

MANURE– In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported by ship, and it was also before commercial fertilizer’s invention, so large shipments of manure were common. It was shipped dry, because in dry form it weighed a lot less than when wet, but once water (at sea) hit it, it not only became heavier, but the process of fermentation began again, of which a by-product is methane gas.

As the stuff was stored below decks in bundles, you can see what could (and did) happen. Methane began to build up below decks and the first time someone came below at night with a lantern, BOOOOM! Several ships were destroyed in this manner before it was determined what caused theexplosions.

After that, the bundles of manure were always stamped with the term “Ship High In Transit” on them which meant for the sailors to stow it high enough off the lower decks so that any water that came into the hold would not touch this volatile cargo and start the production of methane.

Thus evolved the term “S.H.I.T.,” (Ship High In Transit) which has come down through the centuries and is in use to this very day. You probably did not know the true history of this word.

Neither did I. I thought it was a golf term.

Chris T.

BIKERNET PRODUCT PICK OF THE WEEK–
Crime Scene Choppers Introduces Speedster? Gas Cap
Flip-top gas cap brings vintage race car style to your bike
? Crime Scene Choppers announces the availability of the Speedster gas cap ? a custom gas cap inspired by vintage race car style, scaled for a bike.

The Speedster is CNC machined from 6061-T6 and hand finished. The pivot arms are mirror-finished stainless. The Speedster is available with your choice of brass or polished stainless pivots and mounting screws. A weld-in mounting boss and gasket are available separately.

The Speedster is made in the USA.

Quality and Style

?Our new gas cap? said Joe McGlynn, owner of Crime Scene Choppers. ?traces its roots to quick release gas fillers used on Indy cars in the 1950s. I wanted to capture that style with lots of fine details, and scale it to look right on a custom bike. We introduced the cap at the Laughlin run last week and we?ve had an unbelievable response!?

Speedster Availability

The Speedster gas cap is available through http://www.CrimeSceneChoppers.com immediately. The cap may be ordered with either stainless or brass pivots and mounting screws. New products are being introduced every month, so check the website for the latest news.

REQUEST FROM THE NATIONAL COALITION OF MOTORCYCLISTS–At the 2002 NCOM Convention in New Orleans, in a moving tribute to Brothers &Sisters Lost, Doc Reichenbach, Chairman of the NCOM Board and President of ABATEof Florida, read a list of names of recently deceased Freedom Fighters submittedby motorcycle organizations and clubs nationwide for this special dedication.ABATE of Florida donated a brass bell to the National Coalition of Motorcyclistswhich was rung once for each name on an 18-page list, which took eight minutesto read.

This dedication has become a Convention tradition and will once again take placeduring the 20th Annual NCOM Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, and the NationalCoalition of Motorcyclists is requesting that MRO’s, motorcycle clubs, andriding associations submit the names of those members and supporters who havedied since May 2004, so that we may pay tribute to their memories.

IN ADDITION, the National Coalition of Motorcyclists is once again requestingthat Convention attendees from motorcycle rights organizations, clubs andassociations please bring an auction item on behalf of your group to help raisemoney for bikers? rights and provide entertainment after the Silver Spoke AwardsBanquet on Saturday evening. Proceeds from the auction go into the Freedom Fund,which provides funding for several NCOM programs and projects that benefitmotorcycling and bikers? rights efforts.

The 20th Annual NCOM Convention will be held May 5-7, 2005 at the Sheraton MusicCity Hotel, 777 McGavock Pike, Nashville, Tenn 37214. Call (615) 885-2200. CallNCOM for Convention registration information and hotel availability at (800)525-5355.

RFR – RIGID FRAME RICHARD ? ROVING FREELANCE REPORTER–So how was the weekend? Not bad here I had to miss a party at Spanky & Vanna’s with ALL the girls from here club last night in Houston. I shot that orange panhead today for Greg, he called after you forwarded my e-mail and said he was interested. It won 3rd Place Spectator Class at the ER show yesterday.

I also shot this bike for the shop, it won 2nd Place Antique Judged Class. They took two bikes and came home with two trophies, not bad for a days work. There are no riding shots it was just finished, Seth said they fired it off for a few minutes and rolled it in the trailer and went to Dallas. I told them I would let you check it out. I have 3 other contact sheets if you want to see more.

RFR

P.S. You are more then welcome to send large cash donations for my birthday in the am or high end photography equipment. Someday I may learn to use it.

When is/was your birthday?

CYRIL HUZE SPIKEE RISERS– These riser kits have a unique design with spike covers. They feature invisible hardware: cover hides the upper handlebar clamp bolts. They are beautifully chrome plated. Available in 3″, 5″ and 7″ rise for 1″ handlebars. Matching hand grips, foot pegs, mirrors, coil brackets, engine head bolts, are also available.

Cyril Huze.
Tel 561-392-5557
Fax 561-392-9923
http://www.cyrilhuze.com

Continued On Page 4

Continued From Page 1

NEW TAXI SERVICE IN WAIKIKI–Chris T.

MOTOHAAS DETACHABLE–Wall mount storage for all your detachables.?

The standard docking station comes with all the hardware necessary to store your Harley? detachable windshield and detachable passenger backrest.?

Should you prefer the backrest mount luggage rack for your ride, the backrest can easily be remounted to accommodate you with the addition of two docking points, into the pre-drilled holes.

Check out the website– http://www.motohaas.com/home1.htm

BILL RUCKER IS RECOVERING FROM THE STURGIS ACCIDENT OF 2004–
Rucker Performance is Delivering American Muscle Bikes
There is no thrill like being on your motorcycle and seeing Rocky Mountains lay out in front of you. As your gaze levels you can see the ribbon of asphalt wind down and then up to the next peak, your large-bore S&S engine provides reassuring power, and you have become one with the bike and the road.
Then tragedy strikes, a distracted motorist nails you head on and sends you forty feet in the air. After 21 days in the hospital you come out with your lower left leg removed-facing months of excruciating physical therapy.
What would you do if that happened to you? If you’re Bill Rucker, President of Rucker Performance, you grab your dream even tighter, pull your family and friends together and do what you do best? build cutting-edge motorcycles.
After the accident and during the recovery Bill’s daughter, Erin Rucker took control of the firm and kept production moving. By necessity she became highly efficient at putting out fires, resolving supplier and customer issues and making sure that the bikes were getting to the dealers. The accident occurred right after Sturgis in 2004. As of April 2005, Bill is fitted with a prosthesis and is up walking around on his own.
The accident slowed Bill down but hasn’t reduced his creative fire. Ever since Bill co-founded American IronHorse, he has been turning out inspired and innovative designs.
Since the entire team at Rucker Performance lives and breathes high-performance American Muscle Bikes, it is no surprise that the latest designs are cutting edge all the way.
Rucker’s latest design is the Predator; it is a long, lean American Muscle Bike that sports a high-output S&S 124 CI engine with metal skin. The technology advanced Assassin uses the new S&S closed-loop fuel injection system with carbon fiber tail section, belly pan and light housing. In addition, the rear suspension uses a cantilever Indy-style suspension that makes ride height adjustments a snap.

About Rucker Performance
Rucker Performance Motorcycle Company started production in 2004 and have quickly become a leading designer and manufacturer of custom American Muscle Bikes and Chopper motorcycles. Rucker Performance is known for ground-shaking performance with fit and finish that is comparable to one-off custom motorcycles.
Additional design queues include soft-style suspension, high-performance V-twin dual-cam 124 cubic inch engines, clean, sharp lines, 6-speed transmissions, stretch tanks and fat tires. Designing and manufacturing is performed at the company’s headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas.

S&S CYCLE RECEIVES TUV APPROVAL FOR 96″ ENGINE–GERMANY (April 19, 2005) S&S Cycle announces TUV approval for its popular 96″ high performance V-Twin engine. This is the second engine to receive TUV approval; the S&S 124″ engine was approved on March 20, 2005.

The European Community has strict guidelines regarding emissions and noise standards. The S&S 96″ engine has met the required criteria for EC regulations of emission (2002/51EC) and also passed the current noise limits (97/24EC Chapter 9) testing. The results of the testing on the S&S 96″ engine were in accordance to the strict requirements for TUV. Testing and approval of additional S&S engines is expected.

S&S is now able to deliver products in the European community without having to rely exclusively on the verification or certification of other dealers and distributors. These stringent TUV guidelines help establish standards for safety and quality for a variety of products sold in the European community, including Proven Performance S&S products.

Related to the 96″ and 124″ approvals, S&S received TUV verification on December 20, 2004 for their Quality Management System, used for producing complete assembled engines and frames, among other things. This verification was approved following a detailed audit performed (#20662508) at the S&S facilities in Viola and La Crosse , Wisconsin .

“This is great news,” said S&S president Brett Smith . “Our 96″ engine is extremely popular; having TUV approval of this engine, along with previous approval of our 124″ engine is another important step in strengthening our international distribution and showing our commitment to our European customers.”

TUV sets the standard for safety and quality for new and existing products, systems, and services for the European community, with Germany having the most stringent requirements. This TUV verification gives S&S Cycle even more credibility in the European market as business continues to expand internationally. S&S products are sold through their extensive international dealer network, including direct dealers and distributors across the globe. For more information visit the S&S web site at http://www.sscycle.com.

COFFEE & DONUT DONATIONS NEEDED FOR ABATE HOSPITALITY BOOTH AT RFTW– ABATE Locals from throughout California will be hosting a Coffee and Donut Tent at the starting point of Run For The Wall on Wednesday May 18, 2005.

6-8 AM at the T/A Truck stop in Ontario, I-10 @ Milliken.

No cost. No politics. No recruiting. Just a nice thing to do for our nation?s heroes and their supporters. A stack of Bailing Wires will be on hand for riders to take along and my Biker Civics 101 column for the May issue talks about the ride.

Please contact Robert at 909-574-8909 or your Local ABATE President if you would like to donate money, donuts, coffee, supplies or time as a volunteer.

Any and all donations are greatly appreciated. Small road items too, for instance, one generous donor contributed 400 tubes of lip balm and another donor contributed packets of Flavored Oatmeal for riders to eat or take along.

WHAT IS RUN FOR THE WALL?

Run For The Wall (RFTW) was started in 1989 as an effort by a couple of Vietnam Veterans who traveled across the heartland of America on motorcycles, talking to local Radio, TV, and Newspapers about the fact that we have thousands of men and women still unaccounted for from all of our wars. We continue this tradition every May.

We don’t give political speeches or stage demonstrations. Run For The Wall gets its message across by traveling through the United States in a safe and orderly manner. We obey traffic laws and treat the citizens with respect.

But the issues of public awareness are only part of the benefit of Run For The Wall. We also give Vietnam Veterans the opportunity to get the welcome home they never got twenty years ago, and start their healing process.

Everyone who has fought, or has friends or loved ones who have fought in a war has their own issues from their experience. Everyone has something, be it the welcome home, the good-bye to buddies lost, the ability to finally help the young boys we watched every night on TV, or just trying to make up for coming home alive. Once you have participated in Run For The Wall you find that whatever you’ve been missing, can be found in the Run For The Wall family. You can finally start settling issues that have been put away for over twenty years.

There is no charge for participating in Run For The Wall, although you have to pay your own expenses. We have been very fortunate in the past in that we generally get a great deal of support from organizations and people along the way. Most night?s dinners are provided free or for a small donation by concerned citizens, as well as some breakfasts and lunches. We have generous groups who have paid for gas and lodging as well.

The trip takes ten days to reach the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, where our Run officially ends on the Friday evening before Memorial Day. Additionally, we have things scheduled for the weekend, ending with participation in the Rolling Thunder Parade in Washington DC, on Sunday. It is quite a sight to behold, 200,000 motorcycles all starting at once and parading through downtown Washington, ending at the Wall.

Along the way across the U.S. we make stops at Memorials, Veteran’s Hospitals, and we enjoy parades, escorts, and welcome home receptions from many of the patriotic towns.

The ages of the participants range from eight to eighty, there are mothers, fathers, grandfathers, grandmothers (who ride their own bikes!), veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, active military, supporters, and family. Everyone is welcome. The only rule is NO ATTITUDES.

Some people join Run For The Wall and think of it as just another vacation or motorcycle event. But after one or two days you realize this is something very special. It is unlike anything else you have experienced, and it becomes a mission! You become part of the Run For The Wall family, whose members come from all over the United States, Canada, and Australia. What could be more perfect than having fun, making new friends, and helping a very good cause, POW/MIA.

You don’t have to ride a motorcycle to participate, we have some members who drive chase trucks, some bring motor homes, or cars, one year there was even an 18 wheeler who joined us. The important thing is to join the cause!

Visit the Run For The Wall website: http://www.rftw.org

Thank you for your support of this worthwhile endeavor, an opportunity for ABATE of California Members to say “Thank You” to our Nation’s Veterans and their Families.

~Richard “Splatt” Hall

Assistant State Director, ABATE of California

BIKERNET/HOT BIKE/STREET CHOPPER/HOT ROD BIKE RIDE TO STURGIS OPEN THE PUBLIC–Yep, it’s the third annual HOT BIKE, Bikernet.com, Street Chopper and BikeWorks Charity Ride to Sturgis. I’ll give you a brief rundown: The charityefforts are to support the Crazy Horse Monument in the Black Hills. We leave from Phoenix on Wednesday the 3rd of August and ride alongwarm twisting highways, ducking interstates wherever possible to Durango,Colorado for the night. Then it’s up Thursday morn and down the terrificmountain roads into Aspen, Colorado for the night. Both these towns areknock-outs for terrific restaurants and nightlife. Friday morning we cut adusty trail north again into Cheyenne and we’re almost home. Saturday wemeander up killer roads into the Badlands and Deadwood, but we won’t stopuntil we reach the Full Throttle Saloon for our first party of the Rally.

It’s a chance to ride with the staffs of all three mags and thegirls of Bikernet to Sturgis. We’ve designed the ride to be comfortable andentertaining while supporting the Crazy Horse Monument. Each day will cover250-300 miles so we’ll roll into town in time to hang out by the pool, hitthe gym, shop in town then have a killer meal. We’re looking for IndustryCompanies to sponsor each evening meal, beginning in Durango, then Aspen andfinally in Cheyenne. We’ll handle all the arrangements, just pick up the taband support our Charity. Full Throttle will take care of our First RallyParty in Sturgis. That’s it, you cover the hotels and your expenses, we makeall the arrangements and you make a donation to Crazyhorse.

To get hooked up you need to contact Joerlene, our travel agent andline up hotels. She will have rooms booked from Phoenix to Cheyenne and ifyou’re not hooked up in Sturgis, she’ll try to help. Her email address is – carefreetours@hawaii.rr.com.

We can’t wait for the ride.

Bandit

Continued On Page 3

ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE–There?s a few things whirling around my feeble brain today; first is the new Hot Bike that?s about to come out. Bandit always gets the first few copies and brings them home for my boys and me. I look through them and try to be biased of my opinion. Of course anything Mr. Editor does I like cause, I like him. However, I always try to look at it like I don?t know him or anything about the magazine business, just as a consumer. My honest opinion is the mags always look good. I read the ?Letters To The Editor?, more specifically the complaints. I?m amazed at the close-minded individuals out there. Now this is just my opinion, just like those who write in, but who buys a motorcycle magazine, geared towards adults and complains that because now that there is a woman (yikes!), and a cuss word or two, they can no longer buy the magazine cause their wife won?t be happy, or child can?t read it? You can go to any public beach and see more skin than what they show in Hot Bike or Street Chopper. And I?m sure these 8-year olds are gonna read the articles verbatim. I know we?ve been through this before but I?m picking an old scab cause of the letters posted in the newest issue. I guess I shouldn?t let it bother me cause just like here in Your Shots, for every one bad letter you get ten good.

Secondly, I?ve stayed away from posting too much about the progress of the Headquarters cause I didn?t want to seem like we turned in to ?Biker Home Improvement?. But recently a few people have mentioned that they liked seeing the pics of the building and following the progress, so next week I?ll show you what?s happened in the last couple of months. I promise not to get carried away.

Third and lastly, I just want to thank all who come to Bikernet and take the time to write to Your Shots, submit your Events, post your Bike Shops, Bars & Hangouts? This really is an exciting time in this industry and being able to spend my days corresponding with you readers, industry leaders, start-up companies be it bike products or apparel, it?s very rewarding and enjoyable.

OK, enough bull-crap, now for the news?

ALL AMERICAN CHOPPERS–Bandit, These came from All American. Check out the Dark Blue custom.

Don

GREAT SITE YOU GOT THERE BROS– Just Posted an Event with you for Nebraska, We’re a New (REAL) Biker Foundation. Legal with the Man, if you know what I mean.

Send Us a Banner, and we’ll put your Link on Our Site, and Hope you do the Same. All we ask is Spread the Word We’re Here to Try and Help…..

HOT BIKE SUPER SHOW IN IRVINE–YO, Horse Power Promotions artist has been working hard to create this killer One-of-a-kind Hot Bike Super Show tour free t-shirt. Each person that pays the 15 dollar ride-in admission to the Hot Bike Super Shows at The All American Motorcycle Madness May 20-22 in Santa Maria, Ca. The West Coast Super Show June 4th and 5th at Hidden Valley in Irvine, Ca. and the Kentucky Super Show September 10th and 11th in Louisville Ky. will be sporting one of these free tour t-shirts. If you?re not lucky enough to visit one of these motorcycle market places, just click on to http://www.horsepowerpromotions.com and order one for 15 dollars and we will pay the shipping. For more info on these and the Hot Bike Mid State Rally check out the web site.

The Hot Bike Super Show tour is just what it says ,a super bike show. Horse Power Promotions, the tours production and promotions team has pulled out all the stops to create a bike show worthy of being tagged Super Show. You know what I mean, 90% of the bike shows out their give away cheap little plaques like spelling B plaques from second grade. Even though they were always out of my reach. Horse Power Promotions works with some of the craftsmen in our industry like Cycle Smith, Dakota Digital, Ego Tripp, Carriage Works and Joker Machine to come up with some killer one of a kind billet and handle bar awards. First through third place are awarded in at least 17 classes for baggers to bobbers. So get that polishing going. No matter if you have an American V Twin , chopper or a metric bike we have a class for you and a trophy that you will be proud to put in your case.

The Hot Bike All American Motorcycle Madness May 20-22 Santa Maria Ca.
The Hot Bike West Coast Super Show June 4-5 Irvine Ca.
The Hot Bike Mid State Rally Sept. 2-4 Paso Robles Ca.
The Hot Bike Kentucky Super Show Sept. 10-11 Louisville Ky.

For more info check out http://www.horsepowerpromotions.com or call 805-686-2007

FROM LAST WEEKS NEWS–We ran the article about Billy Lane and Mike Ferussi, but didn?t have a picture of Mike. Now we do.

DO-IT-YOURSELF MACHINING–As spring reaches most of the United States, auto and motorbike do-it-yourselfers are turning to eMachineShop http://www.emachineshop.com/, the world’s first online factory for customized parts. EMachineShop.com is helping customers ready vehicles for the road and track, restore classic cars and prepare motorcycles for rides in the coming good weather.

In just the past week, eMachineShop.com has produced parts for automobile shifter brackets and linkages, brake dust shields, and windshield wiper arms. Motorcyclists have created customized parts for handlebars, locking and brake mechanisms, tank spacers and engine crankshafts.

“Customization of cars and motorcycles is extremely popular, and gear-heads often need to quickly, inexpensively and accurately obtain specialized parts made from steel, aluminum, brass, plastic and just about any other industrial material, “ said Jim Lewis, eMachineShop.com president.

“Automotive enthusiasts are a very demanding breed,” continued Mr. Lewis “yet most franchise auto parts retailers simply cannot meet their needs with off-the-shelf parts. Therefore, obtaining exactly the right part for an out-of-production 1960 Sunbeam Alpine sports car, or a special saddlebag bracket for a Harley-Davidson low-rider means looking in new places. eMachineShop.com is an innovative solution offering the easiest, most cost-effective way to turn ideas into real 3D parts at both prototype and production quantities. Car, truck and motorcycle applications are by far the most common specialized parts we create,” he said.

eMachineShop.com drives the solution

Until now, someone needing a custom part had to buy and learn expensive and complex CAD software, make technical drawings, locate a machine shop, find a way to transmit the drawings to the machine shop, discuss the design with an accomplished machinist, sift through numerous price quotations, and eventually get the part – often paying much more than necessary while adding weeks of delay. Via the Internet, eMachineShop.com has put computing horsepower where it will do the most good – right at the fingertips of the customizer, restorer, racing technician and shade-tree mechanic.

eMachineShop is a subsidiary of Micro Logic, a privately held technology organization located at 666 Godwin Avenue, Midland Park, NJ 07432. Telephone 201-447-9120.

Web site: http://www.emachineshop.com/.

FAR OUT LEATHER–My name is Dror Shalita and I own Far Out Leather in Needham, MA. We import tanned ostrich leather from our family owned ostrich farm in South Africa. In recent weeks I have been receiving unusual increase in volume of inquiries regarding ostrich leather for motorcycle seats and automotive upholstery.

Incase you also got inquiries or need ostrich leather, we offer:

1. The right ostrich skins for the job. We have the capacity to produce exactly what you like.
2. Custom tanning to your needs (water and UV protection)in standard and metallic colors.
3. All the advice you need for making the best custom ostrich leather job.
4. Ostrich leather accessories for motorcycles and other motor sports.

More information about our ostrich skins is available at http://www.faroutleather.com

Thank you
Dror Shalita
Far Out Leather
60 Nardone Rd.
Needham, MA, 02492
tel: 781-400-1054

WHO THE FUCK!?– Hey Bandit!! Can you make out that shirt? Bring back any hazy memories? My 2nd tattoo at Samy’s in Frankfurt, Germany during the 70’s…Having fun in the military mom!

You can almost make out the duct tape on the right boot in the one image, hell yea, Good Times!

That one image is from the night of our party for the movie The Wild One, first time it had shown on base. Heilbron, Germany, 22nd Maintenance Company.

RFR

BUELL ANNOUNCES NEW 2005 RACING CONTINGENCY PROGRAM–
More than $200,000 in Cash Contingencies Offered to Privateer Buell Racers
MILWAUKEE (April 21, 2005) ? Buell Motorcycle Company recently announced a new addition to its racing support program for 2005, with $134,350 in contingency paid to racers aboard Buell motorcycles in multiple regional race series. Combined with the already announced $70,500 support for the Formula USA National Thunderbike series, privateer Buell racers will be chasing more than $200,000 of cash contingencies at race tracks across the U.S. in 2005.

The new program pays cash to Buell racers competing in Championship Cup Series (CCS) Expert and Amateur Thunderbike class, Willow Springs Motorcycle Club (WSMC) Battle of the Twins (BOTT) Middleweight Expert class, Washington Motorcycle Road Racing Association (WMRRA) Formula Thunder Expert class and All Harley Drag Racing Association (AHDRA) Hot Street class. Any year and model Buell motorcycle is eligible for the contingency program and racers should contact the racing organizations to receive the Buell contingency form with complete program details.

For more details go to http://www.buell.com or contact the race series organizers listed above.

?As a former privateer racer, I understand and appreciate the hard work and dedication it takes to compete week in and week out. We?re proud to support the efforts of Buell racers nationwide,? said Erik Buell, Chairman and Chief Technical Officer of Buell Motorcycle Company.

To learn more about Buell motorcycles, visit your local Buell dealer today and experience the pure streetfighter attitude, style and performance only found on board a Buell. Call 1-800-490-9635 for the Buell dealer nearest you. Or go to http://www.buell.com.

BOOMERS HAVE A TICKET TO RIDE–MOTORCYCLES: The market for two-wheel excitement continues to grow, fueled by middle-class baby boomers.
BY RICK BARRETT
MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL
MILWAUKEE – Ken and Jessica Sierszen are the kind of bikers the motorcycle industry just can’t get too many of.He rides an American Iron Horse chopper. She rides a Buell motorcycle and completed a Harley-Davidson Rider’s Edge program aimed at getting women and younger riders into the sport.

The residents of Bay View, Wis., come from a middle-class background, aren’t shy about spending money on their bikes and plan to ride for decades. That’s exactly what the U.S. motorcycle industry wants as the baby boomer generation pushes the middle-age envelope.

“My interest will always be on two wheels,” Ken, 42, said. “As long as I am healthy enough to ride, I will keep going.”

Thank goodness for the baby boomers, born between about 1946 and 1964.They’ve been the driving force behind two major expansions in motorcycle sales during the past 40 years, according to David Anders, a Merrill Lynch analyst in New York.And the baby boomers aren’t finished yet, as many reach their peak income-earning years.

Given that an average boomer is 49 years old, they will continue to ride another 10 or 15 years, Anders said in a research report released in March.Even a 2 percent increase in motorcycle sales to this generation would result in about 750,000 new riders, and that’s probably a conservative number, Anders said.With kids in college and more free time, baby boomers have returned to motorcycling after at least a few years on the sidelines or having never been in the sport.

Since 1995, U.S. motorcycle registrations have increased from 3.8 million to nearly 6 million at the end of 2004. Baby boomers are in the driver’s seat of the current expansion, Anders said.

“Not surprisingly, between 1990 and 2003, motorcycle ownership rates among baby boomers increased 44 percent, versus only 6 percent with non-baby boomers,” he said.

Harley-Davidson has fueled much of the growth, too, Anders noted.Nearly 75 percent of all highway motorcycles sold in the United States in 2004 were cruisers and touring bikes, which are the categories where Harley has done well. The company significantly improved its product quality and selection, upgraded its dealership network, and launched effective marketing campaigns, Anders said.

“And the potential customers were right there: the baby boomers,” he said.

Harley-Davidson, which skated on the edge of bankruptcy in the 1980s, was in the right place at the right time in the 1990s, said Bob Simonson, an analyst with William Blair & Co. in Chicago.Consumers went on a buying binge from 1995 to 2000.

“They bought just about anything you put in the store, and that included Harleys,” Simonson said.

Harley’s sales outlook remains solid for another decade, but the motorcycle icon can’t rely on baby boomers to stay in the saddle forever, he said.

“When these guys reach their mid-60s, they may not be buying motorcycles the way they used to,” Simonson said. “At different times in your life, you do different things.”

Harley sales won’t fall off a cliff when the baby boomers reach their senior years, but the company won’t have the wind at its back, either, analysts say.The percentage of young motorcycle owners has consistently fallen for more than 20 years, according to Anders.

In 1980, for example, nearly 25 percent of bike owners were between 18 and 24 years old. In 2003, that age group represented less than 11 percent of the owners.Harley officials would not comment on demographic trends. But the company knows it must bridge a generation gap between baby boomers and younger riders, said Donald Brown, a motorcycle industry economist in Irvine, Calif.

Harley has tried to narrow the gap through bikes such as the V-Rod, a sport bike that appeals to some younger riders, and a separate line of Buell motorcycles aimed at riders who otherwise would be on Japanese-made bikes.But the V-Rod is too expensive for many first-time motorcycle buyers, and so far it hasn’t been a great success, Brown said.With a wide range of smaller, less-expensive bikes in their stables, the Japanese motorcycle manufacturers have an advantage over Harley when it comes to recruiting younger riders, according to Brown.

The price of an on-highway motorcycle has increased almost fivefold during the past 20 years, Anders said.

“Considering the additional insurance costs and the necessary gear, motorcycling has become an expensive passion to pursue, especially for young people,” he said.

Since the 1990s, consumers have had more entertainment options, from more-sophisticated video games to faster, user-friendly motor scooters. Attitudes toward motorcycles also have changed, Anders said.

“Some argue that motorcycles have evolved from a symbol of anti-establishment in the 1960s and 1970s to a prestige and status symbol of the establishment,” Anders said. “Adults demonstrate their youthfulness with their powerful motorcycles, whereas young people look for other activities… to express their rebellion.”But the trend toward fewer young people owning motorcycles might be slowing.One reason is the growing popularity of custom bikes such as the Orange County Chopper that have been given generous amounts of media exposure through reality television shows. The TV shows have struck a chord with a young audience, as well as baby boomers, and will help increase motorcycle sales, analysts said.They’ve given custom bike builders more credibility with people who might not be hard-core riders, said Jamie Strasser, president and owner of Jamie’s Customs, a Big Bend, Wis., motorcycle dealership.

“It’s almost like the stock market,” Strasser said. “People see their friends and neighbors getting into it, and they jump in, too.”

Harley has set a goal of producing a record 400,000 motorcycles in 2007. The company will need between 8 percent and 9 percent annual sales growth to reach that target, according to analysts.

In a survey of 20 Harley dealerships in 19 states in March, only 11 dealers, or 55 percent, said they thought Harley could sustain 8 percent to 9 percent sales growth during the next three years, according to Piper Jaffray Co., a Minneapolis investment firm.

“This is down from an 80 percent dealer response in our September 2004 survey,” said Anthony Gikas, a Piper Jaffray analyst.“I think it’s highly unlikely that Harley’s business will start heading down,” he said. “But the standing question is whether they can increase sales enough” to meet ambitious sales goals.

Harley can still get plenty of mileage from the baby boomers, at least for another seven years or so, according to Anders.

“The boomers have been the major customers and growth drivers of the motorcycle industry for a long time,” he said.

Rogue
http://www.bikerrogue.com

Continued On Page 2

Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish,
National Coalition of Motorcyclists

FEDERAL HIGHWAY FUNDING BILL ON THE MOVE AGAIN — Following six deadline extensions since October 2003, the massive federal highway funding bill is on the move again, this time passing the House on March 10th by an overwhelming 417-9 vote.

The House version, H.R.3, the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (TEA-LU), contains several motorcycle safety provisions including providing federal grant money to promote rider training and motorcycle awareness.

With the current extension expiring on May 31st, the Senate has yet to introduce their version of the comprehensive highway funding bill. Once the Senate passes their own highway bill, both measures will go to a conference committee to iron out any differences and then would go to the President for his signature or veto.

In other news from the Capital, Senate Bill S.577, the HIPAA Recreational Injury Technical Correction Act (Senators Susan Collins R-Maine and Russ Feingold D-WI) “To promote health care coverage parity for individuals participating in legal recreational activities or legal transportation activities” was re-introduced on March 9 and is essentially the same bill as last year. S.577 would close a loophole that allows health insurance providers to deny medical coverage to insureds who are injured while participating in so-called “risky activities” such as motorcycling, snowmobiling, skiing, horseback riding and other legal activities. The Senate passed similar legislation last session, but time ran out before the House of Representatives could act on it.

MOTORCYCLE CLUBS OPPOSE PATRIOT ACT– Sacramento, April 9, 2005 (AP) — The Northern California Confederation of Clubs, representing 41 motorcycle clubs – including the Hells Angels and the Vagos – is asking its members to send letters to their senators opposing the USA Patriot Act. They also oppose California’s Gang Abatement Act and a similar measure now before Congress (S 155, HR 970), according to an article appearing in the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

According to Nick Vales, a Vagos member and founder of the Sacramento Bill of Rights Society, the California Justice Department classifies Hells Angels and Vagos as “motorcycle gangs” and treats them the same as street gangs. Critics call this a form of group profiling.

“We are not a gang,” said Vales. “Last year we raised money for Christmas presents for the kids at the Sacramento Children’s Receiving Home and donated $1,000 to a school for disabled children in Auburn. In August we sponsor a campout for our own kids.”

The federal legislation contains several provisions similar to the Patriot Act, but unlike the Patriot Act, these provisions don’t have a “sunset clause,” i.e. they are not subject to periodic review and possible expiration. “If they lose those parts of the Patriot Act, they will still have them in the gang law,” Vales said.

Under the California Gang Abatement Act, a misdemeanor charge (“like spitting on the sidewalk,” said Vales) automatically becomes a felony if you are identified as a gang member, and a six-month sentence can be increased to five or 10 years. It also becomes a strike against you under California’s Three-Strike law.

People are being coerced by the threat of long sentences to sign a statement admitting to being a gang member. “This would make me a ‘person of interest’ under the Patriot Act,” Vales said.

“Because of the vagueness of the legislation, if I go to see my brother in Chicago, I can be charged with money laundering because I take cash across a state line and am identified with a motorcycle club.”

“Our club also has ties in other countries, such as Mexico and Japan,” Vales said. “If I give a club brother in Mexico $100, I could be charged with supporting terrorism in another country. Even collecting dues for any club or association can be called money laundering.

“As a young man I volunteered for the military,” he said. “Now they are trying to tell me what to wear, who I can associate with, what causes I can fight for. We’re trying to educate all our people that they have rights and should stand up for their rights.”

BIKERS LOBBY AGAINST NEVADA HELMET LAW– Motorcyclists showed up in force in Carson City to back a bill that would let them ride without helmets if they’re at least 21 years old. Senate Bill 151, sponsored by Sen. Bob Beers, R-Las Vegas, would remove the helmet requirement for adults who have been riding for at least a year and who have completed a state-approved motorcycle safety course. Also, passengers over 21 wouldn’t have to wear helmets.

“We believe that the real issue is freedom of choice, and there is a double standard,” said Rick Eckhardt, a Reno-area resident who questioned why skiers, horseback riders and rock climbers don’t have helmet requirements. Eckhardt of the Northern Nevada Coalition of Motorcyclists told the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee he would still wear his helmet 95 percent of the time, but would like the option not to “when it’s 114 degrees in Las Vegas.”

Beers said 26 states have some sort of helmet law depending on the age of riders, four have no law, and 20 states and the District of Columbia require helmets of all riders.

“I’m not a motorcycle rider. To me this is not about obviously having the wind blow through my hair, but instead about personal freedom and liberty,” said Beers who doesn’t have a full head of hair. “My concern is that when the government mandates a helmet, it propagates the myth that government can be your parent.”

“Education is the key, not helmets or insurance,” said Donald Boyer, senior director of Motorcyclists for Nevada. “Let me ask you: If we took all of the motorcycles off the road today, could we close down just one hospital? I wouldn’t think s

AUSTRALIAN POLICE WANT TO BAN BIKER PATCHES — Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan wants laws toughened to crack down further on outlaw “bikie gangs”. The police legal services team is reviewing possible legislation, including that affecting bikers, and Commissioner O’Callaghan will take his proposals to Police Minister Michelle Roberts within weeks, according to March 13 The Sunday Times.

South-West district Supt. Ron Randall wants the reforms to include a ban on bikers wearing their colors in public. And they should be stopped from riding in groups bigger than four when moving between towns, he said.

“All I’m saying is that the environment may now be conducive to some debate on this issue, whether or not there is a need for reforms and separate legislation, and whether or not this is viable,” he said.

Reforms that might result from such debate would benefit the community because police resources now used to deal with “bikies” could be used elsewhere, he said.

TROOPER TELLS 911 CALLER “TOO BAD” — A Connecticut state trooper was suspended for 15 days without pay after he was recorded on a 911 tape saying “too bad” to a caller seeking help for a man injured in a motorcycle accident, reported the Associated Press on March 22, 2005.

State police said the dismissive answer caught on tape by Trooper Robert Peasley did not affect the response time to the accident involving Justin Sawyer, 21, who died of a severe head injury a week after the accident last August.

Russell Shepard, a friend of Sawyer’s, called 911, which was routed to the state police barracks in Montville, CT. When he reported the accident, officer Peasley said, “Yeah … too bad,” and hung up, according to the audio tape obtained by WTNH-TV.

Shepard said he was shocked, believing he had reached a wrong number. So another friend made a second call. “Yeah,” the officer responded. “Help will get there. Shouldn’t be playing games.”

A third emergency call was finally answered by a different dispatcher, who asked about Sawyer’s condition and advised those nearby not to touch him.

“I am absolutely outraged every time I hear that ‘too bad’ and then click,” said Sawyer’s father, Jim Sawyer. “I only know that I would have felt a whole lot more comfortable if I had heard people responding on the end of that 911 call with some heart and caring.”

State police said the comments by Peasley, an 18-year-veteran, were unprofessional, and the agency apologized if “our actions added to the family’s pain.”

WEIRD NEWS: HYDROGEN-POWERED MOTORCYCLE IS TOO QUIET– The world’s first hydrogen-powered motorcycle has been launched in Britain. It can reach 50mph in 12 seconds, produces no emissions and is as quiet as a laptop computer – but that could be a problem. While anti-noise groups welcome the prospect of a quiet motorcycle, engineers are considering adding an artificial “vroom” as they worry its silence might be dangerous.

Harry Bradbury, chief executive of manufacturer Intelligent Energy, said: “There has never been a silent bike produced, so no one is used to it.” As it goes forward towards production, we’re going to give thought to some light noise modulation.” He is planning to introduce an artificial engine noise which could be used in an urban setting to alert other road users but switched off in the countryside to allow for a peaceful ride. The bike is powered by a briefcase-sized cell filled with high-pressure hydrogen, which needs to be refilled every 100 miles.

MAY IS MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS MONTH —and a member of ABATE of California has suggested a new driving game to promote awareness of motorcycles sharing the road with other vehicles.

Most of us grew up in the back of mom and dad’s car playing driving games such as “slug bug” or “punch buggy” when you’re the first to spot a VW “bug” on the road, or more recently “Cruiser Bruiser” for kids who see a PT Cruiser cruising alongside the family sedan.

Cathryne Darmer of ABATE of California suggests a new twist on the old road games with “Chopper Chop”; where the first one to notice a motorcycle gets to render a harmless karate chop to the leg of their traveling companion. The idea is to teach kids to play the game and instill awareness of motorcycles in traffic. Adds a new meaning to “Look Out For Motorcycles!”

MUSICAL “THE RIDE” DEPICTS RUN FOR THE WALL– As Memorial Day looms closer and riders across the country plan their annual trek to Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. on May 29 for Rolling Thunder, perhaps a side trip to West Springfield, Massachusetts is in order. A musical that portrays the emotional aftershocks of the Vietnam War will be presented by the Theater Project at the Majestic Theater entitled “The Ride,” an original work by Theater Project founder Danny Eaton and Majestic Theater Music Director Mitch Chakour, which will run April 21 – May 29 at the 230-seat theater.

Described as “a patriotic love story – with motorcycles!” the story focuses on a successful engineer who decides to take his first Memorial Day weekend journey to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. Eaton, a Marine Corp veteran who served from 1965 to 1970, participated in his first Run for the Wall in 2003. He acknowledges what he calls “the unquestioning sense of brotherhood among all military vets,” but notes that Vietnam veterans “kept P.O.W./M.I.A. issues top-of-mind more than any other group of vets. This play is a tip of the hat to their nobility.”

“The Ride” will be directed by Zoya Kachadurian. Mitch Chakour composed the score. Eaton and Chakour wrote the lyrics. Tickets for the play range from $17 – $25 and can be ordered by calling the box office at (413) 747-7797.

(NOT SO) QUOTABLE QUOTES:– “They are the scourge on our highway. They are an epidemic..They continue to clog the trauma centers of America.”

Dr. Jeffery W. Runge, Administrator

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)Referring to motorcyclists in a speech during the Safety Awards Luncheon at the annual Lifesavers Convention in Charlotte, NC
– March 14, 2005

I KNOW IT?S ONLY WEDNESDAY–But we?re outta here to Laughlin maybe tonight. We were thinking about heading out at the crack of dawn tomorrow, but I think we should drive all night so we can lounge by the pool with drink in hand tomorrow instead.

Sorry the news is short; we?ll make up for it on Sunday in the Post. ~~Layla

PM CONTOUR MID CONTROLS–We?re seeing more and more builders experimenting with mid mounted foot controls and it looks like the aftermarket may have noticed, as well! These absolutely gorgeous mid controls are a product of Performance Machine and the prolific mind of Roland Sands. The left side is designed to hang from PM?s Contour Belt Drive Primary, and the right side is available for both a traditional drive bike (control mounts off of PM?s clutch slave) or a totally integrated hydraulic clutch slave and rear brake assembly for right side drive bikes.

The detail on these parts is amazing and they are available with a rubber wrapped peg, as well as a trick knurled aluminum peg. PM says they?ll make then in Polished, Chrome or black anodized finish!.

For more information, call or write to:

Performance Machine, Inc.
6892 Marlin Circle,
La Palma, CA 90623
714-523-3000
http://www.performancemachine.com

TO THOSE WHO SAY MOTORCYCLING IS DANGEROUS–“Everything is dangerous if you’re stupid.”

Nick Roberts

RON HOUNIET WINS FIRST SCREAMIN? EAGLE NITRO HARLEY EXHIBITION OF THE NHRA SEASON–LAS VEGAS, Nev. (April 18, 2005) ? There was a little luck behind Ron Houniet?s victory during the first Screamin? Eagle Nitro Harley event at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Houniet beat Greg Grove on a motorcycle owned by legendary rider, Ray Price, during the final round of the NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Houniet qualified fourth in the eight-bike field with a 6.610-second run at 211.73 mph. He turned in a 7.680-second pass at 124.59 mph in the final race on Sunday against Grove, who fouled at the starting line, immediately handing the victory to Houniet.

“You never want to win on the red light, but sometimes it just happens that way,” Houniet said. “We had a couple of lucky breaks this weekend and it’s fitting we’re in Las Vegas of all places, but I think consistency was really the key for us. We kept making runs in the 6’s and it would have been nice to make bigger improvements along the way, but I’m real happy with the victory.”

The race was the first of three stops on the NHRA tour for the Nitro Harley-Davidsons. The top 10 Screamin’ Eagle Nitro riders from the AHDRA (All Harley-Davidson Racing Association) are invited to make the special appearance at the NHRA event. Houniet was more than happy to participate in an extra weekend of racing.

“Being here and being able to race with the likes of John Force, Larry Dixon and everyone else is just great,” Houniet said. “We love coming out here and it’s good exposure for the sport.”

The next stop on the NHRA tour for the Nitro Harley-Davidson motorcycles will be the O’Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway in Bristol, Tenn., April 29- May 1. The final appearance will be at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill., Sept. 29- Oct. 2.

AMACC CAR SHOW–The Alvin-Manvel Area Chamber of Commerce Car Show Committee is currently planning the 4th Annual Classic Car and Bike Show (including swap meet and craft show) to be held on Saturday, May 21, 2005.

We would like to offer your company the opportunity to have promotional items in our participant goody bags. We will be putting together 200 goody bags on May 13, 2005. All items can be shipped to the address below.

If you are interested in a vendor booth or how to participate in the car show please see attached flyer. If you have any questions, please let me know. Thank you for your time and support! Have a GREAT day!

Brandy Crain
Alvin Convention & Visitors Bureau
105 W. Willis
Alvin, Texas 77511
Phone: 281-585-3359
Fax: 281-585-8662
alvincvb@alvintexas.org

BILLY LANE RIDES WITH RANGERS– Billy Lane Rides with returning Ranger?s out of Hunter Army Airfield
At Daytona Bike Week, Billy Lane worked on a bike that belonged to 1st Sgt. Mike Ferrusi during the Blood Sweat & Gears Tour. Mike?s wife wanted to surprise him while he was gone by adding a few parts to his bike, to do it right; she sent a letter to Billy Lane asking for parts advice. Billy chose to use that opportunity as a tool to thank service men overseas for what they do─ fight for our freedom. Billy brought Mike?s bike on stage daily and rebuilt it resulting in a unique Choppers Inc bike.

Following the build in Daytona, Billy promised to personally deliver the bike to Mike when he returned. Mike and his entire battalion returned last week to Savannah, GA. Over the past several weeks, Billy worked behind the scenes with the Hunter Army Airfield officials to be a part of their annual deployment ride. Attending the ride was Billy?s surprise for Mike and the whole crew at Hunter Army Airfield.

Thursday morning nearly one hundred riders saddled up for the 5th annual deployment ride. Billy rode up just before they left on 1st Sgt. Ferrusi?s bike and proudly handed it off with a heartfelt thank you adding; ?I?m here. I live a dream life. I ride motorcycles for a living and do what I love and these guys are out fighting for OUR freedom. I thought this would be the least I could do to thank them? said Lane.

Following the formal presentation of the bike, Billy and Ferrusi led the crowd on a 60 mile ride out of the Hunter Army Airfield.

?His generosity and support are unbelievable,? said 1st Sgt. Ferrusi. ?When I called home in March and learned that I was on the phone ?live? with Billy Lane at the Blood Sweat & Gears Tour in Daytona, I could not believe my ears. Then to see what he and the Choppers Inc crew had done to my bike via satellite, I was speechless. I thought that was the end and was so pleased, but it just kept coming, before I knew it, Billy was headed to Savannah riding my bike to present it to me in person. What a welcome home!? said Ferrusi.

Blood Sweat & Gears stops in Laughlin, NV next where a new bike project will begin. Billy will begin customizing a 2005 Heritage Springer provided by Carolina Harley-Davidson in Gastonia, NC. ?Some lucky person will be handed the keys to this bike when it is done.? said Lane, someone will get it just for coming to see us on the Tour?.

Following Laughlin, Blood Sweat & Gears will be at the Broken Spoke in Myrtle Beach, SC.

For Blood Sweat & Gears Tour sponsorship information, please contact Chrome Marketing Inc at 612-940-6115. Blood Sweat & Gears Tour is owned and copyrighted by Psycho Billy LLC, affiliated with Choppers Inc and Billy Lane. http://www.choppersinc.com

GOOD, BETTER, BEST– A Denver, Co policeman had a perfect spot to watch for speeders, but wasn’t getting many. Then, he discovered the problem – a 12-year-old boy was standing up the road with a hand painted sign, which read “RADAR TRAP AHEAD”.

The officer then found a young accomplice down the road with a sign reading “TIPS” and a bucket full of money. (And we used to just sell lemonade!)

BETTER A motorist was mailed a picture of his car speeding through an automated radar post in Vail, CO. A $40 speeding ticket was included. Being cute, he sent the police department a picture of $40. The police responded with another mailed shot of handcuffs.

BEST A young woman was pulled over for speeding. As the Colorado State Trooper walked to her car window, flipping open his ticket book, she said, “I bet you are going to sell me a ticket to the State Troopers Ball.”

He replied, “Colorado State Troopers Don’t Have Balls!”

There was a moment of silence while she smiled, and he realized what he’d just said. He then closed his book, got back in his patrol car and left. She was laughing too hard to start her car.

A WORD FROM ROGUE–This is Not a Good Bill. It was tried last year and defeated.It raises Money for the State but Does Nothing To Increase Penalties For Crashes, Injured or Killed People.Contact your Legislator and tell them not to pass without Loss Of License for Injury and Jail For Causing A Death.The State Does Not Need More Money and when you look at where the money goes it does not address the problem. ROGUE

Lawmakers back tough red-light penalties
By Sean Mussenden
Tallahassee bureau

TALLAHASSEE — As the parents of two young Orlando girls killed by a red-light runner watched stoically, the state House gave preliminary approval Tuesday to a law that would more than double fines for drivers who do not obey traffic signals.

The “Velez Memorial Traffic Safety Act” was named after 5-year-old Anjelica Velez and her sister, 2-year-old Victoria Velez, who were struck and killed by a sport utility vehicle that police said ran a red light on Goldenrod Road last fall.

The bill would increase the fine for running a red light from $60 to $125 and funnel the extra money to hospital trauma centers. It also would increase the number of license points from three to four as penalty for running a red light.

The girls’ father, Ivan Velez, said increasing the penalty for running a red light is a “good first step” toward preventing others from suffering as his family has.

Rep. Dean Cannon, a Winter Park Republican who sponsored the legislation, said he hopes the increased penalties will force drivers to think twice before going through an intersection after the light has changed.

“An enhanced penalty will impact behavior,” he said after the bill won approval without any debate.

State records show that in 2003, red-light runners caused 8,900 crashes that led to 115 deaths and about 13,000 injuries.

The legislation (HB 497) appears to have broad support in the House and is expected to gain final approval later this week.

A similar bill (SB 1264) is moving through the Senate.

As the House passed the measure Tuesday, Ivan and his wife, Yamilka Velez, looked on with approval from the visitors gallery. In October, Yamilka Velez was pushing Victoria in a stroller across Goldenrod in east Orange County.

Her other daughter was walking a few steps ahead when police say 22-year-old Ashley Elizabeth Townsend drove her SUV through a red light.

Townsend was charged with two counts of vehicular homicide last month. She has pleaded not guilty.

After the vote, Ivan Velez said he was happy lawmakers were moving to increase the penalty. “Florida has a major issue with people running red lights,” he said. “It’s a start. This is just the beginning of what’s needed.”

But the state Legislature has so far rejected the idea of passing a law to allow cameras at intersections to catch violators.

House Speaker Allan Bense said before the legislative session that he would block any legislation aimed at bringing red-light cameras to the state, calling it unnecessary “government intrusion.”

The devices are used in 19 states but are illegal in Florida. This year, efforts to introduce them to the state have stalled in both the House and Senate, something that has happened for years.

Proponents of the devices say it would help catch red-light runners and prevent hundreds of accidents per year. Opponents say it would invade drivers’ privacy.

Even Cannon, who pushed the bill in honor of the Velez children, said installing cameras at intersections would be going too far.

“I don’t like the idea of a mechanical device issuing a penalty, and a lot of people feel the same way,” he said.

Rogue

FROM THE LAND OF OZ–The garage was finally clean and I knew there was no way left to avoid going to the grocery store (Mrs. Oz had put milk and bread on the list) a dangerous mission, but nevertheless a necessary one. Knowing the spandex wearing bicycle riders, PETA people, and other scum that I might encounter on the run, the choice of the proper sidearm was one not to be taken lightly.

As I approached the Oz Armory I considered my choices. The Desert Eagle .50 cal., loaded with the Speer Gold Dot Action Express 325 gr. soft point or the Magnaported S&W .44 sporting the Federal 180 gr. fmj. seemed slightly heavy for this trip. (Even the most aggressive spandex wearer generally won’t be found in an APC.) As I looked over my selection my eyes came to rest on the ever popular Browning Hi-Power 9mm, loaded with the 115 grain Parabellum round, but when you think of the Krishnas and the signature gatherers that might get between you and the dairy case you had better have a little more stopping power so I picked the crowd pleasing H&K USP Compact in .40 cal., sporting Speer 180 grain with a full metal jacket.

I slipped the H&K into its breakaway paddle holster and the rig into my waistband and headed out into the world knowing I was prepared. Just then a thought crossed my mind “Agent Who?”

Oz

TIME FOR A CUTIE BREAK–Hey man, just a few shots of some hunnies and a bike or two from the Laval, Quebec “Classic Bike and Tattoo” show.

Later
Bill

BIKERNET STEALTH REPORT–I am writing this Tuesday night. I just got back from the town planning committee meeting for STEALTH BIKE WORKS and it was approved by all 10 members! That is the good news. Well there really isn’t any bad news, I have one more meeting to attend, the town council meeting, May 9th. The bad news is I can not get my business liicense until May 10th. You asked what is the difference between the town planning committee and the town council? That is a good question because I don’t know! They told me I was cool to sign the lease so I guess that is all that matters.

I have waited all my life for this so I guess a little set back with time won’t kill me. We still need another couple of weeks to get the building ready and equipment in place. This up coming weekend , the crew and I are planning on getting a lot done. You know when you decide to do something like this, you think of more things that need to be done each day. Right now the list consists of getting the power on, phones. security, insurance, equipment, signs, etc. These should go pretty smoothly since I have everything in place to make them happen.

Something else you go through when you decide to go out on your own are the ups and downs. Thankfully I have “THE MEANEST” to even them out. Like she always tells me “You know motorcycles and I know everything else!” Hey I bet a lot of you out there have a wife or girlfriend who tells you the same thing!

Another thing I am getting in place are our vendors. Right now we are getting hooked up with Custom Chrome, Drag Specialties, Kury-Akn, Teds V-Twin, Mid-USA, Gardner Westcott, S&S and Mustang just to name a few.

I don’t have our phone number as of now but I have the address:

STEALTH BIKE WORKS
14113 East Independence Blvd.
Matthews NC 28104

This Saturday I have been asked to judge a D.A.R.E bike show for the kids. I am honored to have the privilege and I am proud that I was asked. I think while I am there Saturday and the crew is hard at work, I will pass out a few SBW flyers. Hey, I think I like this boss thing! Ha! Ha! I think I will wear my BIKERNET t-shirt and hat to promote the best biker website out there!

Hey, you know life is good even though you go through some bad, some tough and even some tragic times it all has a way of balancing and sooner or later if you “keep pounding” you get to where you want to be. So keep punching! That is a wrap!

Until next time!

STEALTHMAN

WELCOME THE NEWEST BIKERNET READER– Now I know I am getting old, I am now a grandfather. I almost forgot it`s a girl, “Brianna Elizabeth Lee”

Bob T

SAMSON SPONSORS THE AHDRA PRO MODIFIED– Samson Motorcycle Products is now sponsoring the AHDRA Pro Modified Class for the 2005-2006 National Points Series. Samson will design and coordinate special long-term promotions with Ray Price Racing to maximize exposure of our products and Ray Price Racing. ?The name Ray Price is synonymous with Harley Davidson drag racing and we are proud to be able to sponsor this race team,? said Kenny Price. As title sponsor to Ray Price Racing, we are able to show are support to the industry.

Sponsorship benefits include an official designation spot in prime, central location in Manufacturers? row with full samples and sales rights. All Class awards and trophies will read: ?Samson Pro Modified Winner or Runner Up?. Samson Motorcycle Products name and logo will be added to the Class sponsor section of website with a link to sponsors website. Samson will also have a ?-page full color ad or same value increments in the Speed magazine.

?SAMSON EXHAUST is the industry leader in motorcycle exhaust and Ray Price is the leader in drag racing,? said Nick Trumbo, SAMSON Sales and Marketing Manager. ?It is only natural that Kenny and Ray team up to put the Number 1 plate on Ray?s bike.?

SAMSON Motorcycle Products designs, manufactures, markets and sells premium quality motorcycle exhausts exclusively in Anaheim, California, USA. 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 Exhaust?, Caliber? High Performance Exhaust and Shogun? Exhaust brand names.

PRUNO MFG.–What Is It?Pruno Mfg. is a cutting-edge motorcycle parts and apparelcompany. We are based out of Terminal Island, California.Featured are our innovative cut out grips and folding pegsmachined from 6061-T6-billet aluminum and engineered withadded length for comfort. We offer these in 6 differentstyles (cross, diamond, star, spade, fireman, plain) and in3 different finishes (polished, chrome, black anodized).

The grips will fit single or dual cable throttles andinternal throttle models are available upon request. Mostcustom design requests can be accommodated.

We have also just released our new custom billet wheels.There are two designs, ?The Shank? (3 spokeconfiguration) and ?The Nickel Crew? (5 spokeconfiguration). They come in both a solid one-piece designas well as a three-piece design with various finishcombinations. In addition to the wheels, we will bereleasing custom one-off air cleaner covers.

We at Pruno are also proud to announce that we are now aKendall Johnson Customs Authorized Engine Distributor. Wefeel that KJC engines are the most reliable high horsepowerengines on the market today. We will be selling to bothdealers and end users all across the country. So if you areinterested in a KJC built S&S or Ultima El Bruto engine, wecan help you.

Not only do we have unique motorcycle parts but we offer asick clothing line as well. Our ?killer? looking logocombined with the concept of the company name is sure toturn some heads. ?Pruno? for those who don?t know isjailhouse wine generally made from a fruit, ketchup andsugar base. This vile and putrid beast is so potent thattwo gallons is said to be ?a virtual liquor store?enough to get about a dozen people mind-blowingly wasted.

-PRUNO
Come check us out on the web at http://www.prunomfg.com

THE COMPU-FIRE POWER TEAM–The Compu-Fire Power Team Products areavailable for custom builders who will be required to use fuel injectionsystems to meet the new strict emissions regulations established by the EPAfor 2006. FI systems require more electrical energy than carbureted bikesand the controller boxes are sensitive to voltage drops caused by poorlyselected electrical components. Compu-Fire has the products ready to meetthe market’s needs.

The Compu-Fire Gen 3 Starter Motor produces 2kw of power while drawing onlyone half the energy from the battery compared to other starters availabletoday by using a more efficient motor design with six pole permanent magnetsin the field housing and lower ratio planetary reduction gearing. Thesefeatures allow the starter to draw less current, produce motor torque, andeliminate starter stall-out. The new 40 Amp 3 phase charging systems deliver25 amps at an idle and a constant 40 amps above 2800 RPM. The dynamicallybalanced rotor and the precision wound stator are designed to fit the narrowSoftail style primary cases used on most custom bikes and the 3 Phasevoltage regulator will attach to the frame in the standard mounting locationwithout frame mods. A large flanged seal spacer is supplied to giveadditional support to the rotor and vents in the rotor allow the stator torun cooler under heavy electrical load conditions.

For more information orfor a free catalog contact Compu-Fire at 909-598-5485.

BIKERNET/HOT BIKE/STREET CHOPPER/HOT ROD BIKE RIDE TO STURGIS OPEN THE THE PUBLIC–Yep, it’s the third annual HOT BIKE, Bikernet.com, Street Chopper and BikeWorks Charity Ride to Sturgis. I’ll give you a brief rundown: The charityefforts are to support the Crazy Horse Monument in the Black Hills. We leave from Phoenix on Wednesday the 3rd of August and ride alongwarm twisting highways, ducking interstates wherever possible to Durango,Colorado for the night. Then it’s up Thursday morn and down the terrificmountain roads into Aspen, Colorado for the night. Both these towns areknock-outs for terrific restaurants and nightlife. Friday morning we cut adusty trail north again into Cheyenne and we’re almost home. Saturday wemeander up killer roads into the Badlands and Deadwood, but we won’t stopuntil we reach the Full Throttle Saloon for our first party of the Rally.

It’s a chance to ride with the staffs of all three mags and thegirls of Bikernet to Sturgis. We’ve designed the ride to be comfortable andentertaining while supporting the Crazy Horse Monument. Each day will cover250-300 miles so we’ll roll into town in time to hang out by the pool, hitthe gym, shop in town then have a killer meal. We’re looking for IndustryCompanies to sponsor each evening meal, beginning in Durango, then Aspen andfinally in Cheyenne. We’ll handle all the arrangements, just pick up the taband support our Charity. Full Throttle will take care of our First RallyParty in Sturgis. That’s it, you cover the hotels and your expenses, we makeall the arrangements and you make a donation to Crazyhorse.

To get hooked up you need to contact Jorelene, our travel agent andline up hotels. She will have rooms booked from Phoenix to Cheyenne and ifyou’re not hooked up in Sturgis, she’ll try to help. Her email address is – carefreetours@hawaii.rr.com.

We can’t wait for the ride.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND–And we?ll be back in a couple of days.

Bandit