September 9, 2004 part 3
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 2
HELP A BROTHER OUT–Hey, it?s Dean from Pa, If you would like to pass this memo around for me it might help. And I need help. I found a set of aluminum Roberson Thunder Heads, those are very hard to find. They were made by a small manufacture back in 1980. They are a 20-horse bolt on head set, so they say. But what I?m still looking for is the set of flat top pistons for them, (cant use stock). Any help I would thank you for. My name & phone if you need is Dean Garbrick (814) 237-9476. I have a 1982 Sportster 1000cc
–“Dean Garbrick” deangarbrick@adelphia.net
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Fasteners have all sharp edges removed before the plating process.This prevents the start of cracks and chips that initially mar the chrome surface but eventually degenerate into flaking and peeling of the plated finish.
They report that, in independent tests, these fasteners were highly resistant to rust and corrosion.
According to Chrome Hardware Supply the tensile strength of its fasteners is between 180,000 and 200,000 psi.
This places the fasteners well above Grade 8 requirements it is claimed there is no problem with hydrogen embrittlement.
CHROME HARDWARE SUPPLY
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Tel: 888 629 2476
Fax: 602 437 9102
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JOANN ?CRAZY HORSE? REPORT–
It’s a gray cloudy day here in old Waxhaw Creek but I feel quite at peace. Ilive in a very beautiful place. The house is not too fancy or too big. It’sa very humble doublewide that needs a new roof. But it has two additions,one of which is an enormous sunroom that looks out onto the yard and thewoods beyond. The new roof was to be bought with the proceeds from sellingmy new chopper, but since I have fallen totally in love with the bike, I’llhave to work my ass off painting to get that new roof.But I’m not painting today. In fact, I haven’t done much painting since thefirst of August. It’s the longest break I’ve taken in 3 years. After so manyyears of bike painting, sometimes it’s hard to come up with fresh, newideas. Burnout is a motherf’er. The real world being one also doesn’talways allow for us worker bees to recharge.
20 years ago when I worked at a diesel equipment company called Stanadyne, they had a 2 week shutdownevery summer. Employees had no choice. The whole plant shut down. I clearlyand fondly remember those 2 week vacations. I would go to the beach with myboyfriend’s family where we would fish or snooze on the beach in the sun orlounge on the porch of the rented beach house when it rained. We would goback to work with our heads cleared of stress.A lot has changed in 20 years, especially for the blue-collar working class.I won’t even get into the astoundingly sick and unfair way the corporategreedheads treat the people who work for them, asking more and more, forless and less in return. It’s a sad cycle that shows no signs of ending.
More and people are turning to self employment, and quite a number arepainting bikes. And so this old girl has had to put in some long, hard hoursover the past few years. Sometimes, most of the time, it seemed there’dnever a real break, like those 2 weeks plant shutdowns so very long ago.Downtime that would make all those brutal hours worthwhile. I mean what goodis it to have a nice home with a killer sunroom with an awesome view, if Inever get to spend time in it? What good is that flat screen TV we bought 3years ago, if it hasn’t been watched but a few hours in all that time?And so after living here for 8 years, most of which this room was shut offfrom the rest of the house as it was too expensive to heat or keep cool,I’ve been relaxing on the antique couch I dragged up from Florida, watchingthe super clear picture on that TV or gazing out those tall windows at thosewoods I pay taxes on each year. I did do a little work in the past fewweeks.
I edited the edited copy of my book, right here in this sunroom, on mylaptop which sits on the teak coffee table I carried with me from rentedhouse to rented house since 1990. I did do some painting. I flamed a wideglide tank with the sweetest set of single flames I’ve ever done. I hadn’tplanned on doing them the way I did. I’d had a whole different color andtechnique in mind. But after Sturgis, my mind was clearer and I thought of avery simple, yet very effective way of doing the flames. The thing thatbugged me was why hadn’t I thought of it years ago? In fact, I’ve thought ofa lot of answers for painting related questions lately.
Recent events have made me treasure even more the life I lead. As screwedup as it can be at times, it’s still something of value because it is mine.Just like all these antiques I’ve collected over the years and have had solittle time to enjoy. You could say it all started at Sturgis, when I got onmy chopper. Riding that bike was so surrealistically wonderful. It made timestand still. The past month has been a treasure, precious time spent withfamily, friends, and no one at all. Tomorrow I go back to painting, buthopefully this time maybe I’ll manage my time better or fate will be kinderor whatever. But for the first time in a long time, maybe since those daysat Stanadyne – I feel recharged. Like life is worth working all those hours.Maybe I’m full of shit. I don’t care, it?s just nice to relax and not feel asthough the world is about to cave in on me if I stop working even for amoment. Oh, And that bike? It sits there waiting. Waiting for 3 weeks fromnow, when I ride it to Myrtle Beach.
I hope some of you out there were about to take time off this Labor dayweekend. My heart goes out to those who suffered in the storm down inFlorida and here in the Carolinas. My friends who live in Daytona were amongthem. But the rain iscoming this way, and a crapload of painting needs to get done so I can callthe roof guy.
Crazy Horse–
BIKERNET NEWS ALERT–Soon you’re going to turn on the TV and see a weather reporter pointingto another spinning red thing headed toward our coast and making two basicmeteorological points:
1. There is no need to panic.
2. We could all be killed.
–from Rogue
HURRICANE REPORT FROM ROGUE–Well the Bitch is here.We have been waiting for days and are now in the middle of it.144,000 in Brevard County with out power, many loosing it Saturday. 400,000 State wide
I did a perimeter check at 11:30 last night and every thing was fine except for heavy rains and winds. I paid a lot of attention to securing the house and area and hopefully it will continue to work. About 12:30 I heard the transformer go in the back yard and we lost electricity. Since most of the crew was sleeping I decide to do the same.
I got up this AM and started the generator and we have power again. I wanted coffee and that was the way to get it.
We are watching the reports on TV and keeping up on things thanks to the generator set.
It is nasty outside and will continue for many hours yet. The storm is hitting us from the North East and will soon switch to the South West. It is far from over. I am happy that I have Good Motorcycle Rain Gear for when I do go out side to make my checks or adjustments.
I just saw a neighbor’s shed go sailing down the street and I have heard a animal crying but can not find it. I hope it is up under one of the vehicles. Of course we will check before we start any thing. I just had to go service the generator as it sucked water up into the paper air cleaner and started to load up. No big deal. Remove paper air cleaner, install foam and make a deflector. YEA! Working great.
NO I AM NOT RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE!!!!
Phone calls in and out checking on each other and family members and a lot of reports of damage around the city.
I can not get on line as that went out some time ago. I am on lap top and was going to use cell phone but lost signal. Regular phone just went out so I do not know when I will actually send this.
Well it looks like I may be able to get some work done on a article or two and maybe even a bike I have in the garage. Got to look at the good side of this and take advantage of it and not sit here and get bored. I can not get drunk as I am in charge of emergency decisions and repairs. No sex either. Doris said the whole house would know what we were doing. DUH I really do not care but I guess she dosen’t want her kids to know we still have sex. Silly Girl. They complain I get more than they do. That’s the way it should be.
I have been at it for hours. The storm has left the area but the rains are still with us.
5:30 Sunday evening. Serviced and gassed the generator. I checked the area, trees and branches down, trash all over the place.
I lost a grapefruit tree and a bunch of branches off other trees but none of them hit the house. Lost some shingles but the roof is intact. Boy am I glad I added all those extra braces a few years ago.
The women have left because they are nosey, bored and what ever. They went to check Kenny’s house. Actually I think they used that as a excuse to go look for alcohol. Hell that ain’t all that bad.
Wires down, streetlights and power lines laying in the road, trees and trash across road ways, pieces of buildings laying all over. They are in one of them new Dodge’s that you see in the commercials that goes any where and I guess there are seeing if it is true. My work is done for now. Food, Jack and sex are on my schedule. Well two out of three ain’t to bad.
The crew made it back. Kenny’s house is fine and the phones there worked so every one checked in and all is fine.
They came back with more food and Beer. No liquor stores open today. Damn!
Looks like I have to push for food and sex! Oh Yea. Beer is No Substitute for Jack Daniels.
The rain continues and there is a small lake forming in the drainage ditch in front of the house. I might go swimming after I check for snakes and gators.
There is a dusk to dawn curfew in most places and no one is being allowed back on the beach side up and down the coast. Reports are coming in that the power companies are planning to start checking for downed wires at day light and some time Monday maybe letting people over the causeways to the beach side. I woke up during the night a couple of times to just check on things. It is still raining heavy but winds are stating to slow down as the storm moves inland.
Monday morning. The rain has stopped and the sun is out. A lot of tree and other damage but all is fine here and with the neighbors. Looks like we got lucky. Good thing we have the generator at least we have lights, TV, refrigerator, water etc. If we want air conditioning we have to shut every thing else off. DUH No Air. Open doors etc. They are starting to let people back over the causeways to the beach side but you have to have ID to prove you live there. It is a mess. A lot of damage. Our friend’s house is not bad. Minimal damage but no electricity. They have gone there anyway as the looters have started to come out. Pat feels the same way as I do. You try to loot here I will shoot you.
We are helping those we can and know. BJs had gasoline so we refilled the pickup and the gas cans for the generator. Luckily we got there early because the lines formed quickly. We are waiting now for phone service and the electric company to restore power. Because of the generator we and the neighbors are a lot better off than a lot of other people and are thankful for that.
Well the Fun Filled (?) Labor Day Weekend is over and things are starting to get back to normal. I am not really sure what that is though. Doris is off to work; I am on clean up detail around the yard and house repair. Some neighbors have power. Shopping centers are opening and of course long lines for every thing. Toilets, showers, food, water, and numerous other things being set up by FEMA
The motorcycle is the way to get around as the weather is nice. Have to be careful though as a lot of stuff in the road as well as down power lines. Of course a lot of the assholes in cars are not paying attention to the lights being down makes that intersection a 4-way stop. Cars getting dented, cops frustrated and tickets.
The newest thing on the TV is reminding everyone that we still have a 9:00 to dawn curfew. Bars are opening until 12:00 or in some cases 2:00. So if you are out and driving you will get stopped. If you do not have a valid reason you will be arrested and taken to jail. If you have been drinking you can add a DUI to that.
Latest is that they are suspending sale of beer and alcohol in stores. Shit if they do that people will not be able to drink at home and have to go to the bars. The state of Florida lost a lot of money on their big DUI Crackdown this past Labor day Weekend and it looks like they are going to try and make up for some of it.
There are DUI ads on TV all through the day again and some one has to pay for them. Do Not Be One of The People Donating. Latest info I have is that the average DUI costs $16,000.00 and that does not count the grief and other bullshit you have to put up with. They are not really looking for the real Drunks but for People that have had a few drinks. People with good jobs and families that have to drive to support them and of course have the ability to pay.
DUI is a Big Business and They Are Looking For You To Help Support It. There are a lot of high paying jobs involved.
Had to give up the generator. Plugged into neighbor. Phone back on.
Every one is okay. Will mail more later.
Rogue
Continued On Page 4
September 9, 2004 part 2
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 1
BIKERNET CARIBBEAN REPORT–I turned in my news a little early this week cause there’s lots of stuff to be done. I’m flying to Las Vegas for the Artistry in Iron show, and then taking a red eye to New York and Indian Larry’s memorial.
Frances is history, I hope that our readers from Florida, even Bahamas and the near islands are in good shape. If you have endured a hurricane, you only know what it is, there’s no comparison. In reality Florida was lucky, Eleuthera, Turks and Caicos, Providenciales and the Bahama islands took the bitch full force. The worst part in Florida was the length of time, but then again that is the price we pay for living in the tropics.By the time this is published we will be watching our asses, Ivan is on the way, as it looks now like I will be getting some primo surf, but someone is going to get the rage.
I had a thought last week about what my report was going to be about, as we all know, destiny changed my plans, but when I really thought about it, it did had a lot to do with the event that unfolded last week.
So here I go again.
This happens to be a close knit community, the bike industry. I mean, people from all walks of life, different places, different continents, most people that are outcasts, the freaks, but there’s a strong bond that has united many of us. We do the same thing, we can relate to each other?s hardship, we respect each other and admire each other?s work. So what do I have in common with some guys from Long Beach, or Brooklyn, fuck even Tokyo, Stockholm, or Helsinki? Lot?s, fucking lots. First of all, I believe we are all dreamers, we all are hands on people, we have a common bond, which starts with a simple but miraculous invention called the motorcycle, and not being able to leave it alone.
I can’t say since I’m not a painter, nor a sculptor, I don’t build cars and I’m certainly not a musician, but what I know is building bikes, and there is a very strong friendship bond amongst those of us who do it. Sure there are separate cliques, but the one I belong to is very strong and it’s the only one I can talk about. We are the outcasts in an outcast society, the punks, the kids, (even though we all are in our late 30’s and more) the rebels, the ones to shake the establishment, have no bosses and no one tells us what to do.We are lucky and stubborn enough to hold on, wait ’till some become the toast of the town, wait till the masses take what we do as cool. We do what we please, we live like there’s no tomorrow (and sadly, sometimes there is not) and we laugh our asses at life while giving it the finger. Sure some are rolling in dough and some are still busting their knuckles, but at the end, it makes no difference. We can all sit down and shoot the shit, no matter if you have a million, or a mere buck to your name. Money is not relevant. We get to travel, have so many good friends every place we go and some are treated like true rock stars, then again, when the spotlight is gone, everyone goes back to what we really are, friends.
Of the things I have done in my life I have never seen such as strong bond as the one I’m talking about, and many of you know of whom, I’m talking about. Not all is a rose garden, there’s assholes lurking around, and ego is a strong flaw. But those are weeded, sooner or later, and become extinct. It’s amazing how a whole world can get together and share stories, steaks or suds, anyplace, anytime.For those of you who think we go to bike events for the chicks, bikes and mayhem, yep you might be right, but we go to see friends and spend time with them. In a morbid way, we live on a very narrow ledge, and some of us, don’t come back.
Many of us will go out of their ways to lend a helping hand to others, no matter for what, and that is the way it should be. People from all walks of life, cultures, vocations, religions and whatever else you might want to add, have formed a common bond, nothing expected as reward, not done to gain. Just done because we are the same. Some will never belong, no matter how hard they try.
None of this is done for fame, nor glory. Most of us met way before it was cool to build bikes and TV showed up. I believe this is done because it can be done; it’s a big fuck you to society and ill wishers. Some of us feed out of those, it just makes us prosper and do better, be better.We are no saints, not even close, then again when your soul is uncluttered you don’t need to prove it. And when you know things, you don’t have to prove not one nothing.
Again, there’s no news, just my normal rants. It?s cool to be able to say what you please without receiving menaces of being banned, or edited. Those who know me know who I am, those who don’t can come up with their own conclusions. Those who hate me and are trying to censor me are wasting their time.
See you next week, from Las Vegas….Sin City baby…How appropriate.
Jose, Bikernet reporter
BUELL DEALER TEAMS COME UP SHORT AT ROAD ATLANTA–Early Incident Foils Promising Formula Xtreme Weekend for Hal’s and Kosco EffortsBRASELTON, Ga. (Sept. 4, 2004) – Kosco Buell/Innovative Motorcycle Research rider Michael Barnes and Hal’s Performance Advantage rider Mike Ciccotto each put in top-ten qualifying efforts aboard Buell Firebolt motorcycles at the Road Atlanta round of the AMA Lockhart Phillips Formula Xtreme series. They were running a strong third and fourth during the first laps of the race, but both saw their race end early on the second lap of the event.
Ciccotto, who qualified seventh, highsided his bike while running fourth and crashed on the second lap, which brought out the red flag to halt the race. Ciccotto did not restart the race due to some swelling in his left hand. Barnes, who had jumped from eighth on the grid to third on the start, experienced an electrical charging system failure during the red flag period and could not restart the race. The race was won by American Honda rider Miguel Duhamel, who clinched the Formula Xtreme season championship with the victory.
“It was a tough weekend for both of these dealer teams,” said Erik Buell, chairman and chief technical officer at Buell Motorcycle Company. “But it was great to see the Buell Firebolts running up front as Hal’s and Kosco learn more and continue developing the bikes.”
AMA Formula Xtreme is a class open to highly modified motorcycles with 600cc four-cylinder engines or larger-displacement V-Twin engines. The final stop on the 2004 AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship schedule is Sept. 17-19 at Virginia International Raceway near Alton, Va.
To learn more about Buell Motorcycles, visit your local Buell dealer today and experience the pure streetfighter attitude, style, and performance only found on board a Buell. For the Buell dealer nearest you, pull into www.buell.com.
WIDE FUCKING OPEN FOR CARL & ROBIN–It is with a profound sense of loss that I write to you today and tell you what a wonderful tribute we had for our fallen friends Carl Pethybridge and Robin Raulerson. After a good breakfast with friends, I rode to meet the four eastern county biker families at the designated spot and found that the park was full of soccer moms in SUV?s who couldn?t or wouldn?t grant us space to park. So we took over the side of the road and the pack grew larger as the time to leave got closer. Over one hundred bikes comprised the pack pf plenty that travailed west on SR 76 to the Port Mayaca cemetery where they now rest in peace; locked in our road laden minds, our beloved fallen friends.
Looking in my mirror, I saw a breath taking double strand of headlights, like a yellow diamond necklace reaching for the throat of heaven. The Treasure Coast Chapter of the US Military Vets MC road captained us safely, proudly and we ensnarled the small ceremonial grounds with the thunder of rolling iron and wondrous steel.The Tuckahoes MC captained an additional one hundred bikes in from the West. As a sad, but loyal band of brothers and sisters, we listened, the winds were weak, the August Florida sun too strong. Alan Schroder, who spoke last year at the funeral, took up the mantle again this year and address the mass huddled under the shade of a scrubby oak tree. Both Bill Houston, shop owner and USMV President Bronco saluted the veteran down and his lady down, as the bronze plaques screamed closure and words of being in the wind. Great spirits circled and comforted us.
Together we rode, hundreds strong, through Indiantown Florida, through the slum to blind the crack heads and down trodden, showing them how good life can be. We arrived to the waiting arms of the local VFW Hall and the fabulous food finds of Suzie Raymond, Canteen manager. She produced for us, pork steaks and baked beans, fresh salads and corn bread, all proceeds going to benefit the small welcoming facility. The acoustical fun filled sounds and strings from Ben and Dave lead friends to dance as the free keg beer outside went down way too fast. A local man suggested a pickup truck ride to see an alligator. An old alligator! Now that?s southern fried fun and off they went to see a gator the size of a small car in his small captivity of a tiny swamp pit!
As the sun remained merciless, everyone sweaty, I said my good byes and rode home alone. It gave me all the time in the world to think, to remember, and to send them my love. You see Carl and Robin were very dear friends to so many of us here on the Treasure Coast. They lived and loved Harleys. Carl was big, a father of many, and at 60, a grandfather to all of us. Robin, tall, sharp wit and tongue, she was biker woman personified at 49. She rode behind Carl for over twelve years. They had gone to dinner on that fateful night last year, on a Friday, after work for both of them. Riding his rigid frame ?79 Shovel, Carl felt the need to remain sober while Robin had a few cocktails to enrich her ride home. At the same time, a younger man, only 31, was drinking heavily with friends around a campground out by Lake Okeechobee. His day had not gone very well. He was known to be an angry man, he got into his Ford 250 pickup and headed out onto the road. He needed to be somewhere and be there fast.
Carl and Robin said good by to their friends at the restaurant and headed out on the two lane highway, leaning for home to enjoy each other?s company and get ready for the weekend, a ride they had done a thousand times before. The Shovel was loping in front of a cage, the riding was easy. The bike knew the way home.The pick up truck was reported to have been going over eighty miles an hour when he passed that car and didn?t see the motorcycle as he pulled back into the eastbound lane. The impact killed Robin immediately but the Shovel got wrenched up under the front fender and Carl was dragged several hundred feet before the heap of twisted metal came to a halt. He was cut in half and quickly bled to death as the viscous driver put it in reverse and left my brother to die. He pulled over approximately two miles down the road, his truck over heating, his cell phone in hand, he was over heard to say at ?something bad? had just happened.
Almost one year to the day, Shannon Vinson was convicted of two counts of DUI manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident. Horrific and gristly the authorities reported. Weeks later his sentencing came the Monday before our Memorial Run.Vinson, while showing little emotion or remorse, was given thirty years on the first count and fifteen for the second. There is no gain time here in the Sunshine State, he will have to serve 38 years for killing two bikers.
I rode for home but found myself at the crossroads. I took the turn towards the banyan trees that line SR 714 and their cool canopy eased the heat of the setting sun. A few extra miles in their honor would be worth it. So what I was running on empty. This tragic tale was coming to an end; there would be closure for me and many others who couldn?t attend the funeral last year. Carl and Robin would have been the first one in line for a funeral, or a party for a friend, as long as he didn?t have to work. I?d had to attend a run in Tampa. Brenda was out of town. For others, it was their own family commitments.This run and the Memorial WFO party for us was one of the best participated and well organized that the four counties had seen in a while. The only thing missing was Carl and Robin.
Our friends were important people in our biker family. Death ends a life, not a relationship. As I eased off the interstate, this magnificent late summer riding day gone, I will always believe that Carl & Robin are now frozen solidly, cool within time and forever in our hearts.
Wide Fucking Open!
Katmandu
JOE EDWARDS–, of Custom Cycle Control Systems of Las Vegas, was killed in a motorcycle accident on August 14th, 2004.Adding to the sadness of the occasion was the fact that it was Joe’sbirthday. He was 59.
This sad news was relayed to us by Aaron King, who, with Joe, ran Custom Cycle Control. The business has been established less than a year and was formerly known as Climax Control Systems.
Climax had established a reputation for stylish and innovative engineering solutions in the field of custom motorcycles.
All at AMD send condolences to Joe’s wife, Jana, and to his family and friends.
CUSTOM CYCLE CONTROL SYSTEMS
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Tel: 702 438 2129
Fax: 702 438 4276
E-mail: aaron@customcyclecontrols.com
www.customcyclecontrols.com
MORE FROM THE BROS CLUB–Improved Benefits for BROS Club Members Start in September 2004.
On September 1, 2004, BROS Club announced it had severed ties with its former dispatch service provider, and teamed up with the JD Power & Associates #1 rated motorcycle emergency road service provider.
BROS Club and CycleServices North America members will be pleased with the improvements. In a statement released on September 1, 2004 BROS Club?s National Director, DJ Coates assured members that the organizations future looks very bright. Not only do new members benefit from the changes but also all current members.
The most significant new feature is the program?s new emergency transport mileage guarantee.?Our program now provides up to five disablement calls per year (rather than 4) and a mileage guarantee of 35 (thirty-five) miles per incident, rather than no mileage guarantee.?Coates noted, ?We?d heard reports about tow companies who?d jack up their per mile charge when bikers were stuck in remote locations or when a large rally was in town, making the cost of emergency services prohibitive. A set mileage guarantee ensures that our members will receive the same dependable benefit every time they need to use the service.?Other improved benefits,? Coates continued, ?include better dispatch center standards. Our new policy strives to never hang up until we?ve got a transport service identified and an Estimated Time of Arrival has been provided to our member. This in itself is a huge improvement over the former system.??Although our program is exclusively for BIKERS, most members also have cars or small trucks and though not covered for towing in our program, all members are entitled to discounts at Hertz Car Rental Centers, Jiffy Lube, MAACO, AAMCO and can receive as much as a 30% discount at Clarion Hotels.? The BROS Club and CycleServices coverage territory includes the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.Coates considers this, ?a total revitalization of the organization! New and current members are getting the best possible emergency motorcycle road service available.?
For V-Twin riders you?ll want to check out BROS Club at: If you ride a metric bike, check out CycleServices at: http://www.cycleservices.org
Continued On Page 3
September 9, 2004 part 1
By Bandit |
Welcome back for another news column, this week brought to you by the women. While Bandit is off to Alaska for week, we?re defending the headquarters from crack heads and meth zombies. Let me tell you about my day so far?
I had to get up at 3:30 this morning to take Bandit to the airport. Once back home, I had two hours to sleep before taking my daughter to school. I?m almost asleep when a ruckus breaks out across the street. Two homeless women and one man are screaming at a pack of dogs fighting, their dogs. Homeless people with dogs? whatever. This goes on for fifteen minutes then settles down. Now I?m up and can?t go back to sleep wondering if the dogs are all right.
Back from taking my daughter to school, my son calls. He?s up the street, out of gas. I grab a gas can and head out, but one step out of the gate and the local Meth Queen greets me. Toothless and twitching she asks for someone who used to live here/deal here, I don?t know. She?s looking at me talking but I can tell nothing I?m saying to her is registering. I end up walking away from her pissed that I have to waste my time explaining there is no ?Cindy? here. When she finally realizes she?s not getting anywhere she tells me she?s got a problem and do I want to hear it. Fuck no I don?t want to hear it! I have to get my son some gas so he can go to school, then get my bootay back home and get started on the news.
Usually I?m a very patient person and I will try to help anyone to the best of my abilities. However, I have no patience for people who just want to get loaded all day then beg for help or money. They choose that life, the life of the streets and I?ll be damned if I hand over one penny to them. OK, I?ve vented, I feel better. Now for the news?
SCREAMIN’ EAGLE DRAG TEAM IN SEMI-FINAL ROUND AT U.S. NATIONALS–Andrew Hines Holds NHRA Pro Stock Bike Points Lead after Big Weekend at Indy.CLERMONT, Ind. (Sept. 6, 2004) – The Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines drag racing team put riders GT Tonglet and Andrew Hines into the Pro Stock Bike elimination rounds at the 50th Annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park-the most prestigious stop on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Hines rode his Screamin’ Eagle V-Rod to the semi-final round of eliminations and maintained his lead in the chase for the NHRA Pro Stock bike season championship.
Five rounds of qualifying runs put 16 of 34 Pro Stock Bike entries into the U.S. Nationals elimination rounds. Tonglet qualified his Screamin’ Eagle V-Rod fourth with a run of 7.191 seconds at 186.92 mph. Hines was right behind his teammate with a 7.194/186.10 run, which was good for fifth position. Chip Ellis was the top qualifier with a run of 7.115/186.85
Hines and Tonglet faced off for the fifth time this season and for the second race weekend in a row. Tonglet took a shot at a quick light but was just early, handing the red-light win to Hines, who had his best run of the weekend with a 7.145/187.96 pass.
The semi-final round found Hines facing Shawn Gann. Both riders had amazing starts with identical 0.004-second reaction times and it was a dead heat for the first 330 feet before Gann pulled slightly ahead. At the line, it was Gann (7.264/183.37) just beating Hines (7.268/183.99) to take the win by 0.0046-seconds, or about 15 inches.
In the final round, Gann (7.238/185.74) lost to Antron Brown (7.213/185.77), who claimed his second final-round win in a row.Brown now trails Hines by 153 points in the Pro Stock Bike championship race with three events to go on the season. After 12 of 15 rounds, Hines has 1038 points, followed by Brown with 885 points, and Gann with 839 points. Savoie is fourth with 821 points, followed by Craig Treble with 789 points and Tonglet in sixth with 695 points.
On Sept. 4, Hines and Tonglet faced off in the final round of the 14th Annual K&N Filters Pro Bike Klash, a special bonus event for Pro Stock Bike competitors held during the 50th Annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals. Eight riders qualified based on points earned for qualifying performance during the year. Hines defeated Michael Phillips and Brown to make the final, while Tonglet advanced by beating Scali and Angelle Savoie. Hines (7.203/186.10) beat Tonglet (7.270/183.99). The Screamin’ Eagle teammates agreed to split the $20,000 purse evenly beforehand, so the race was for bragging rights only.
The next Pro Stock Bike event on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series is the 20th AnnualLucas Oils NHRA Nationals, Sept. 16-19, at Maple Grove Raceway near Reading, Pa.
Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts are inspired by and built in the spirit of the raw adrenaline and power of motorcycle racing. Screamin’ Eagle Pro parts are specifically designed for race-use applications, while Screamin’ Eagle parts offer street-use performance options for the Harley-Davidson motorcycle owner. Visit www.harley-davidson.com for more information.
The Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines Pro Stock Bike team is sponsored by Dunlop, Ford Quality Checked Certified Pre-Owned, Matco Tools and S100.
ORIGINAL NARROW SPRINGER FROM PAUGHCO– WITH the introduction of the latest version of its springer forks, Paughco has updated one of the most enduring products in its catalog.
The choice of sizes covers just about all style options as the new forks are offered in stock length as well as 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21 inches over.
Using 4-? ins bar centers, the forks are suitable for both dog bone and Glide style risers.
Original springers can be ordered with an additional three degrees of rake, although forks of 15 inches over, or longer, are supplied to this specification as standard.
Finish can be chrome plated or black powdercoat.
PAUGHCO
Carson City, Nevada, USA
Tel: 775 246 5738
Fax: 775 246 0372
E-mail: info@paughco.com>info@paughco.com
BIKERNET STEALTH REPORT–Hey Bandit,Here is a little something for the Thursday News(9-9-04)
This is going to be short and sweet this week or maybe not so sweet. I finally got back to work this week (4 hours a day), still getting over my back surgery. It has been good to get out of the house.Since I have been stuck in the house though I have not had a chance to get out and find things to write about.
It has been a tough time all around and not being able to ride has taken a toll on me. So I am going to end for the week right here. No need to bore you any longer! I go back for a check up next week and maybe I will be able to ride after that. Sorry for such a SORRY report!
Until next week!
Later!
STEALTHMAN
BROS CLUB ? INSURANCE INFO YOU WON?T WANT TO MISS–BROS Club National Director?s Take on Motorcycle InsuranceBy E.Villaverde
Motorcycle Insurance is just plain boring. But in my recent interview with BROS Club?s National Director, DJ Coates, you?d think he was a friggin CRUSADER FOR JUSTICE for their members.
Coates has managed the BROS Club and CycleServices MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE division for the past 14 years. ?Over the years I?ve seen some pretty interesting things happen in the MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE marketplace. My job is to help keep things generally stable for our members; the companies we work with have been genuine in their efforts to help us to do just that.
Coates went on to say that he pretty much thinks ?INSURANCE SUCKS, but to be without it when the incident happens, is a lot worse than working through the initial placement of coverage or making the monthly payments to keep the coverage in place.? Not to mention the reality that IT CAN AND DOES HAPPEN TO YOU.
On July 4th, 1981 Coates survived a serious freeway accident wherein a drunk driver crossed four lanes and clipped the front wheel of his motorcycle sending him and the bike into a 70 mile an hour slide in the No#1 lane of the 210 Fwy.
Coates recalls, ?It was like everything went into slow motion, I felt like I had all the time in the world to react. I basically hopped on top of the shiny side and road it till it stopped. It was a while before I even realized the injuries I had sustained in the initial impact. As the bike slowed down I heard this voice say, ?Move fast when you stop.? as I scrambled off the highway, an 18 wheeler zoomed by and totally demolished my bike which was directly in the path of the truck, there?s no way he could have avoided me.? Coates says, ?That?s when I got a peak at the Holy City, and truthfully, my life was changed?.?With the help of a good samaritan, the witnesses and I found the drunk hiding out; a bystander had tailed him as he tried to flee the scene of the accident. After the crap was beaten out of him, he spent the night in jail, but the guy didn?t have a pot to piss in. I was glad for the insurance coverage I had arranged.?
Coates pointed out that some of the modern day policies are better than the ones that were available back then. BROS Club?s program includes an option for something Coates says many of their members really like, called ?Full Value? coverage. This changes the ?depreciation? wording in the policy and makes the coverage more favorable to the policyholders that purchase it.
After speaking with BROS Club and CycleServices National Director, I joined. These people seem truly dedicated to the well being of their members, right down to their quality control survey following each dispatched emergency rescue call.
Recently BROS Club and CycleServices announced how the surveys they conduct impacted their organization by uncovering a service problem within their (former) dispatch team. On September 1st 2004 they announced the termination of their former dispatch service in favor of the No #1 quality rated dispatch service in America, as rated by J.D. Power & Associates. Coates, as usual, is enthusiastic about how this change will help their members to receive even better service in their times of need.
BROS Club and CycleServices seem to have found their true niche, providing quality service and attention to the details on behalf of their members, all across America & Canada, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
Don?t take our word for it, check out their website and call for yourself. See if Bros Club is just what you need for Bikers Insurance peace of mind.
Hey all,
Here’s a landmark that I photographed today on the way back from the4-Corners rally in Durango, Co. This is actually in Farmington, New Mexico.
Too Funny.
John
Very cool JD bobber I brought back from Davenport
–Don Whalen
Subject: Top 9 comments made by the NBC Olympic commentators–Here are the top nine comments made by NBC sports commentators during the Summer Olympics that they would like to take back:
1. Weightlifting commentator: “This is Gregoriava from Bulgaria. I saw her snatch this morning during her warm up and it was amazing.”
2. Dressage commentator: “This is really a lovely horse and I speak from personal experience since I once mounted her mother.”
3. Paul Hamm, Gymnast: “I owe a lot to my parents, especially my mother and father.”
4. Boxing Analyst: “Sure there have been injuries, and even some deaths in boxing, but none of them really that serious.
5. Softball announcer: “If history repeats itself, I should think we can expect the same thing again.”
6. Basketball analyst: “He dribbles a lot and the opposition doesn’t like it. In fact you can see it all over their faces.”
7. At the rowing medal ceremony: “Ah, isn’t that nice, the wife of the IOC president is hugging the cox of the British crew.”
8. Soccer commentator: “Julian Dicks is everywhere. It’s like they’ve got eleven Dicks on the field.”
9. Tennis commentator: “One of the reasons Andy is playing so well is that, before the final round, his wife takes out his balls and kisses them… Oh my God, what have I just said?”
–from Kendra
Continued On Page 2
September 2, 2004 Part 3
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 2
CONDER PAINT SHOP IS UP– Here’s a brief list of prices for future reference….
Labor rate – $70 per hour until Jan 1 ’05.
Plastic filler work is a $150 minimum
Minor welding a.k.a fender rivet removal, hole filling or cracks is a $150 minimum
* Average stock 4-piece H-D, NO BODY WORK NEEDED, multiple clear, cut, polished, rock gaurded…
* Solid color (no candy) – $1000
* Candy with pearl, metallic or metalflake base – $1500
* Ghost flames (mine come detailed with a ghost pinstripe out line for a more finished look.) – $1200 to $1500
* Old school flame/scallop/panel jobs – $2000 and up
* Airbrush – $1500 and up
* Conder Custom blown glass style multi-layered candy job – $3000 and up.
* Wild ass stuff no one has seen before, with conceptual renderings of the paint throughout the project – $4000 and up
— Tim
The Conderosa
http://www.armageddontopfuel.com
BIKERNET RELIGIOUS MOMENT–“Lord, I have a problem.”
“What’s the problem, Eve?”
I know that you created me and provided this beautiful garden and all ofthese wonderful animals, as well as that hilarious comedic snake, but I’mjust not happy.”
“And why is that Eve?”
“Lord, I am lonely, and I’m sick to death of apples.”
“Well, Eve, in that case, I have a solution. I shall create a man for you.”
“Man? What is that Lord?”
“A flawed creature, with many bad traits. He’ll lie, cheat and be vain; allin all, he’ll give you a hard time. But he’ll be bigger, faster and willlike to hunt and kill things. I’ll create him in such a waythat he will satisfy your physical needs. He will be witless and will revelin childish things like fighting and kicking a ball about. He won’t be assmart as you, so he will also need your advice to think properly.”
“Sounds great,” says Eve, with ironically raised eyebrows, “but what’s thecatch Lord?”
“Well…..you can have him on one condition.”
“And what’s that Lord? “
“As I said, he’ll be proud, arrogant and self-admiring….. so you’ll haveto let him believe that I made him first. And it will have to be our littlesecret……..you know, woman to woman.”
–from M. Hart
Hart, you’re in trouble.–Bandit
BROS CLUB ANNOUNCES MAJOR CHANGES–___Chillocothe, OH / Pasadena, CA: Bros Club and CycleServices North America announce major changes to enhance benefits to members.
September 1, 2004 – Bros Club North America and CycleServices North America officially announced the termination of their dispatch service after continuing unresolved reports of bad service threatened to mar Bros Club?s otherwise excellent reputation.
In an interview with Bros Club’s National Director, DJ Coates, Coates explained, “After each and every dispatch, members receive a quality control survey. We were shocked to hear the way some of our members had been treated in recent months and despite efforts to resolve the problems with the former provider, determined it was time for a change.”
Coates reported, “After months of investigation, we have teamed up with the JD Power & Associates NO#1 rated Motorcycle Emergency Service Provider. Along with providing better service to our members, Bros Club and CycleServices can now provide enhanced benefits to current and new members.”
Full details of the expanded benefits are available at the BROS Club and CycleServices websites or from links on other popular Biker related sites. http://www.brosclub.org
HELP REQUESTED, CHECK IT OUT–I need all the Biker help I can get. I made a trip to the state of California from Alabama for a visit and to attend the Hollister Independence Day Rally. I have seizures and have a seizure alert dog (medical alert dog) that is recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act because she is able to alert me up to two hours prior to my having a seizure. When in Hollister we were asked to leave because we couldn’t have the dog! I tried to explain to the officer that she was a medical alert dog – not just a pet – and he was adamant that I leave the city. This was a very expensive trip! Please have all bikers take 5 minutes and write an email to mailto:hirc@hollisterrally.com, or hirc@hollisterrally.com. g
Go to the website www.hollisterrally.com , or take the time to call 831.634.0777. If you can take the time to write an e-mail, these can be printed and the committee can take the outpouring to the city council to try to make a difference.
I know that I can “do something with the law” but that only helps one person – help me help others! Thanks.
–Rita Patrick
HELMETS AND HEAD INJURIES–We recently received several complaints about the media coverage of Indian Larry’s accident. I responded and said, “Fuck helmets and the way society tries to shove them down our throats. It’s bullshit. If they want to truly save lives make ’em wear them in cars.” But here’s another response from a Bikernet Reader.
You got that right! My wife and I were watching motorcycle mania 3, part 3 on Discovery channel a night or two back. Jessie and Kid rock were riding in Mexico and talking about this one area they were overlooking on how overregulated such a place would be if it were in the states. How true!
It goes back to personal responsibility and that is where helmet laws should be….If you want to wear one fine, but if not, well that’s fine too. Here in ND a few years back the voters passed mandatory seat belt usage. Well, we were hip to what they were doing and now it has happened. At first no seat belt usage could not be a stand-alone scenario where the cop would pull you over, it had to be in correlation with some other violation. Now a few years later, it is NOW a crime (a stand-alone offense) if you are caught without a seat belt on. And that means more cash in the man’s pockets to use whatever they use ticket money for.
Have to be very careful when such initiatives as seat belts, helmets, etc., items are tried to passed by the states. It usually comes back to bite you in the ass no matter how much good you think the new statute will be.
–RD
Fargo
BIKERNET COMPUTER TECH SUPPORT–Last year I upgraded from Girlfriend 7.0 to Wife 1.0 and noticed that thenew program began unexpected child processing that took up a lot of newspace and valuable resources. No mention of this phenomenon was includedin the product brochure.
In addition, Wife 1.0 installs itself into all other programs and launchesduring system initialisation, where it monitors all other system activity.Applications such as Poker Night 10.3, Drunken Boys Night 2.5 and SaturdayFootball 5.0 no longer run, crashing the system whenever selected.
I cannot seem to keep wife 1.0 in the background while attempting to runsome of my other favorite applications. I am thinking about going back toGirlfriend 7.0, but the uninstall does not work on this program.
Can you please help me !!!???
Thanks,
A TROUBLED USER
Dear TROUBLED USER,
This is a very common problem men complain about, but is mostly due to aprimary misconception. Many people upgrade from Girlfriend 7.0 to Wife 1.0with the idea that Wife 1.0 is merely a UTILITIES & ENTERTAINMENT program.Wife 1.0 is an OPERATING SYSTEM and designed by it’s creator to runeverything.
It is unlikely you would be able to purge Wife 1.0 and still convert backto Girlfriend 7.0. Hidden operating files within your system would causeGirlfriend 7.0 to emulate Wife 1.0 so nothing is gained. It is impossibleto uninstall, delete, or purge the program files from the system onceinstalled. You cannot go back to Girlfriend 7.0 because Wife 1.0 is notdesigned to do this.
Some have tried to install Girlfriend 8.0 or Wife 2.0 but end up with moreproblems than the original system. Look in your manual under “Warnings-Alimony/Child support”. I recommend you keep Wife 1.0 and deal with thesituation.
I suggest installing background application program C:YES DEAR toalleviate software augmentation. Having installed Wife 1.0 myself, I mightalso suggest you read the entire section regarding General PartnershiphtFaults (GPFs). You must assume all responsibility for faults and problemsthat might occur, regardless of their cause. The best course of actionwill be to enter the command C:APOLOGISE. In any case avoid excessive useof C:YES DEAR because ultimately you may have to give the APOLOGISEcommand before the operating system will return to normal. The system willrun smoothly as long as you take the blame for all the GPFs.
Wife 1.0 is a great program, but very high-maintenance. Consider buyingadditional software to improve the performance of Wife 1.0. I recommendFlowers 3.1 and Diamonds 2K. Do not, under any circumstances installSecretary with Short Skirt 3.3. This is not a supported application forWife 1.0 and is likely to cause irreversible damage to the operatingsystem.
Best of Luck,
Tech Support
BIKERNET CARIBBEAN REPORT–Indian Larry is dead, Long Live Indian Larry !
If you have been following the news, my friend, my brother, Larry is with us no more. It?s a sad, sad event, but as everyone has paid their respects and stated their condolences, I am dedicating the news to the memory of his life, not his passing away. In the few years I really knew Larry, I dare to say that he was one if not the truest most humble person in this industry. He was there for his fans and his friends, always. He was the guy that would stay from 10 am to 10 PM at his booth in Daytona, shaking hands, taking photos and signing autographs, non stop, he was always there, no matter what. Needless to say I feel a great admiration for Larry, as a bike builder but more so as a human being.
So where do I begin?
As you might know, I had the fortune of spending a lot of time with Larry during the last couple years, so the stories are long and many, but everything has a beginning, so let’s get rolling.
Many moons ago, chance took me to New York City, as I became a “permanent” resident. I had heard of a guy people called Indian Larry, this is way before I was building bikes or had a business, that’s when we where all riding old clunkers. So I got a cab and gave them an address deep inside Alphabet city. When I got there, a place called Psycho Cycles, even the cabby took off in a hurry. I walked in and met someone, they had a really bad attitude, but I could deal with that, it was NY after all. So I got a shirt and got out. As I walked behind the building the shop was corded off but I just stood there and watched the guys work on some very cool bikes. It?s such a long time ago and my memory is not clear, but I stood there for some time and watched the guys work, and yes, you guessed it, one of them was a fellow named Indian Larry. I walked to the next subway station, it was dark already, I did not care, but I dare to say those bikes changed my life. I had a sudden urge to go back home and start tearing my bike apart, make something as cool as what I saw that Summer day in the bowels of NY.
Fast forward many years, it seemed like I saw Larry and Paul everyplace I went. Sure I was in the biz now, way deeper, so by chance and I would say luck, we would say hi, talk a bit and go our ways. He was famous, but famous in a way that you are when you happen to be in the underground, no TV, no hordes of well wishers and fans, famous as you respect an elder who’s on top of his game and with tons of talent, just waiting for the monetary chance to shine, and shine it did. Indian Larry became a world- wide name after Motorcycle Mania 2. I don’t know the details, nor remember how, but we became friends, good friends.
So let’s go to the stories. Even in Sturgis last year, we asked Larry to marry my friends Wicho and Keren, which he gladly did. It was a very impromptu ceremony, I will never forget, they stopped the music on the main stage, Larry got up and got them hitched. His exact words before that, “you love each other? You are married, go fuck? typical……He told us that wedding had made his trip and I knew he meant it.
Or in Puerto Rico, breaking every single law created by whomever creates them, riding wide fuckin’ open down the highways, just having as much fun as possible without getting arrested, or the side by side burnouts, while he laughed as a mad man and just cranked the throttle ’till my ears felt like they were popping, people here love him, he was kind to everyone and certainly enjoyed his time in the island, we will miss him dearly.
Or Miami, when we went to a bar and the drunk guy was calling him Crazy Larry, Larry Indian, and everything else, he just calmly smirked and put some distance between the drunks and himself, with us in the middle, just in case. At the same show, he was so happy with his new throne; to him it was so cool, to me too. To tell you the truth, he was the king, and he is the king. He was enjoying the success due after 30 odd years of busting his ass and his knuckles. The recognition he deserved and was way overdue. In a certain way I am very glad that he was able to enjoy these couple years, and he went on top of his game, no doubt about it.
So let’s keep going, in Daytona when people would not even let him take a piss without opening the port a potty door and we had to stand watch, or the time he took off just to get into WCC’s trailer and help Bill put his bike back, that was Larry. The only way he got away from his fans was to help his friends, even stop eating halfway through his lunch, just to say hi to someone and get a photo. Even his party in NY, he offered the Grease Monkey for me to ride while there, the bike that I had always drooled over, the bike I got to relate Larry with, I did not say no, but I could not do it, to me that bike was him and it is his. I remember Hawaii, we rode like madmen around the island, enjoyed each others company and managed to raise some hell while there. He was the last one to leave the event and was so stoked to be there. I will never forget when Billy blew the motor up and we were debating if the Fat Boy signal light bar would hold the towing, Larry walked over tugged the shit away of them and said” yeah they will hold” with his typical smirk/ grin, then we took off, the master had approved it. The guys in Hawaii enjoyed our rides, and Larry loved life, we all knew it.
Or two weeks ago, in Sturgis, when he said he will come by the house to eat and never showed up, typical, but still we wanted his company up there, amongst friends and away from the crowds. It?s what we all enjoyed, being able to shoot the shit about whatever, just friends hanging out. At the journey Larry pulled me aside and he said he loved my bike, I never did tell him but his words made my proud, like the teacher giving the thumbs up to the pupil. I know he always liked what I did, even if he would not, he was too good of a human being to say otherwise, and I also know he always pushed for me to be on TV. He thought I deserved it. Why do I say this, simple, besides being a great human being, he was a great friend to me. I had a hunch that he had been “trying to make it” for such a long time and wanted to bring everyone up with himself. I’m sure he was also proud of my bike and me.
I do feel proud of him and his legacy. More so, the last Saturday of Sturgis, we stopped by the booth to say hi. My mother wanted a photo with Larry and Paul. I jokingly said that she wanted a photo with a famous builder so Larry took the camera, shot us and said “Here’s your shot with a famous builder”. To me that said it all, and needless to say , floored me. Sadly that was the last day I talked with him, as a person alive, with the excitement on his behalf of coming back to Puerto Rico, and having a hell of a time to continue the mayhem and burning the tires that were left. We would have met in any upcoming event, like we always did, and to tell you the truth, as with many other friends, something I was looking forward to, but now, it will never happen, unless the event is someplace that we don’t know of yet, but he does.
What did I know that last Saturday, when I picked up my phone to say hi to a friend, just because, I would never be able to do so, ever.
We need to celebrate the life and achievements of a person that was important to us, not a hero, since they are only in books and movies, a real human being with downfalls and success. An example to us and everyone, just a really good addition to what we call life. I know many of you will miss him, I know I do, in a selfish way, since I know he is having a better time than us in a place that we wish we will be allowed to some time in the future. We need to enjoy and keep his legacy alive. Larry never compromised, he built what he liked, he followed his dreams and left us when he was enjoying the fruits of his hard labor. I will miss being able to talk to him, or have him on our side the next ride. I will definitely miss not being able to see him again, smirking and giving us the thumbs up. I know all of us will miss him dearly.
That night in NYC after his party I was standing outside Hogs and Heifers, I heard a thunder like noise coming down and echoing in the canyon like streets, from one moment to the next , there was Larry. He parked his bike, got off and dropped a smile, a wicked smile, just like a kid that had done something wrong and knew it. I’m sure that is what God saw at 3:40 am August 30th, and I’m sure that God as I did, gave him a hug and was really glad just because the simple matter of seeing him.
His family, crew and friends will celebrate Indian Larry’s life the 19th of September at his shop in Brooklyn. At their request, please send donations instead of flowers and such to the following charities, please do it in Indian Larry’s name, http:// www.ASPCA.comand or The national council of Alcoholism, 1675 White Horse-Mercerville road, Suite J, Hamilton NJ 08619tel # 609-689-0121, or the same at NYC.
If you feel the need to show your support and help out, go to his site http:// www.IndianLarry.com and purchase his stuff, show how much you loved him and admired him, it’s a large machinery and it needs to keep on rolling in order to keep his life’s work.
I will take the liberty in name of Bambi, Bobby, Elisa, Paul, Anne, and the rest of the crew and family to thank everyone for the well wishes, e-mails and calls, and last but not least, that great man I am paying tribute to, tonight, Larry.
To end this, and tell you the truth, I have never ever been so flattered, humbled, nor proud as that night at the Journey, when Larry asked to buy my Bobber, but I could not sell it to him. I truced for a swap, and left it at that. 15 minutes later, Bobby asked me about the swap, Larry was dead serious and again I took it as a joke, you know what, every single time I get on that bike, it will be with you in mind, it’s yours my friend, and you don’t owe me jack, the one that owes way too much to repay is me.
Jose
Continued On Page 4
September 2, 2004 Part 2
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 1
FROM THE BIKERNET BLONDE FILES–A guy walks into a bar with a pet alligator by his side.He puts the alligator up on the bar. He turns to the astonished patrons.
“I’ll make you a deal. I’ll open this alligator’s mouth and place mygenitals inside.Then the ‘gator will close his mouth for one minute.He’ll then open his mouth and I’ll remove my unit unscathed.In return for witnessing this spectacle, each of you will buy me a drink.”The crowd murmured their approval.The man stood up on the bar, and dropped his trousers, placing his privatesin the alligators mouth.
The gator closed his mouth as the crowd gasped. After a minute, the mangrabbed a beer bottle and rapped the alligator hard on the top of its head.The gator opened his mouth and the man removed his genitals unscathed aspromised.
The crowd cheered and the first of his free drinks were delivered.
The man stood up again and made another offer.”I’ll pay anyone $100 who’s willing to give it a try. ” A hush fell overthe crowd.
After a while, a hand went up in the back of the bar.A blonde girl timidly spoke up. “I’ll try, but you have to promise not tohit me on the head with thebeer bottle so hard.”
–from Bob T.
AUSSIE CONNECTION AND LARRY– Really sad to hear the terrible news. I only had a brief encounter with Larry in Hawaii and I feel like I’ve known the guy for years. He would’ve touched a lot of people’s lives with his nature and it will be a huge loss to the people who loved him and the people who had the pleaure of meeting him.
–Regards Glenn.
READER’S SHOWCASE BIKE COMING–Here’s one for readers rides . He’s come along ways since this photo was taken but what the hell it’s mine I own it and he will be one bad assed shovel when he’s done .
–LTR ArtKeep in mind that you can share any bike with Bikernet readers. Create your own feature in the Reader’s Showcase area. –Bandit
INDIAN LARRY TRIBUTE–I just wanted to say how sorry I was to hear of the accident. The motorcycle world will never be the same again. It is truly a devastating loss to the industry. We have lost one of the truly nice guys in the business, one that was always there for his fans. I want his family to know I will keep them in my thoughts during this incrediblly hard time.
–Larry Brown
INDIAN LARRY TRIBUTE PARTY–There are plans for a party in celebration of Indian Larry’s life on Sunday the 19th of September outside his shop at 151 N.14th St in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NYC come by any time during the day.
–TBear
INDIAN LARRY PHOTOGRAPHY–FROM HIS RECENT ENGAGEMENT IN HAWAII AT THE CHOPPERS ONLY SHOW.
KINDA HARD FOR ME TO LOOK AT…BUT WORTH REMEMBERING HIM….THOUGHT PEOPLE MIGHT LIKE TO SEE LARRY IN HAWAII…HE SURE LOVED IT HERE.
ALOHA,
–JIM
A MEMORY OF INDIAN LARRY–I first met Indian Larry back in the early 1970’s, although he had not yet acquired the “Indian” moniker at that time. I was a young dude that wanted to be a biker so bad I could taste it. I just got my hands on an old 1950 Panhead EL and didn’t know anything about wrenching yet and I was broke down in front of our local “biker bar” at 2am. There I was, kicking till it felt like my leg would fall off. All the older regulars were standing out side the bar laughing at the “newbie” and didn’t offer any assistance at all.
This guy I’d never seen before then pulled up and parked along side me on his Panhead. “Great”, I thought “someone else to laugh at me”.
He said”Having trouble”? I told him that I had just had gotten the bike a week ago and was really stumped as to why she wouldn’t fire. Well, He took a spark plug from the rear head and had me kick the bike over as he checked for spark. There was none so he checked my wiring and looked here and fiddled there and informed me that he was pretty sure my coil was fried.
“Fantastic, where the hell am going to get a new coil at 2 a.m?” He told me to wait right there and he’d go see what he could do. Truth is I never expected to see the guy again, but back he rode about 45 minutes later with a brand new coil tucked in his jacket. He took out his tool kit and replaced it for me right there on the spot. I tried to pay him for his troubles but he wouldn’t take it. I argued with him to at least let me pay him for the new coil.
“Nope,” he said. “Us dirt bags have to look out for each other.”
He told me his name was Larry and that he had to go because he didn’t feel like hanging around with the bunch of dudes at the bar that would let another biker sit there broke down with out trying to help out. We’d run into each other from time to time after that. We’d have a brew together and take a ride around town to hook up with mutual friends. Larry was just that kind of guy. He’d help out anyone any way he could. He had opened a shop in NYC and every one he knew would show up at his shop at one time or another, broke down and cash poor. Larry always took time away from a cash job to make sure that his buddies got back on the road.
You did not have to know Larry well to know him. Even years later when he was finally recognized as a master builder and was on the Discovery Channel’s Biker Build Off shows, Larry would take the time at his personal appearances to shake hands, talk to fans and answer tech questions from aspiring young builders and try to guide them down the right path in their building. Larry epitomized the term “Old Skool” in his work. Many have come before and I’m sure that many will come after, but there never be another Indian Larry and I, for one will never forget him.
–TBEAR
SCOTT JACOBS LOOKS FOR ARTISTIC INPUT–First of all we send our sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to Indian Larry?s family and friends; he was a great guy and will be missed tremendously. May he rest in peace and our prayers are with him.
Harley-Davidson Artist Scott Jacobs would like some feed-back on a couple of new ideas for paintings so please respond and let us know your feelings. The question involves subject matter for upcoming works. Keep in mind that each painting takes upwards of 4 to 8 weeks to complete and the criteria is basically desirability. Here goes: 1. Do you like the idea of a new race painting depicting Rich King? (Possibly of his latest win at Springfield)
2. How about a painting depicting a Servi-Car? (not been done)
Your answers will definitely be taken into account and greatly appreciated. If you have other ideas lay them on us.
Kindest Regards,
Ron Copple
Artists Riding Together (A.R.T.-Inc.)
“ron copple”
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CANDIDATE–Member at Large Representative to the Motorcycle Riders’ Board of Directors.
Almost a decade ago, I traveled to my state’s capitol with ABATE of Florida, Inc.Billed as a “Freedom Run”. I recall the feeling of pride as hundreds of motorcycles crested the hill riding onto the red brick of the plaza.
Taking the inclement weather in stride, the membership understood we were taking our place in the history of the motorcyclists’ rights movement. The sound of scores of heels moving over the gleaming marble floors, the sight of our leather-clad legislative warriors crossing the threshold of the Governor’s office and the respectful recognition of our state President gave me the desire to learn and do what I could to help promote sound government and good law in our state.
Since that weekend in April many years ago, the leadership of Florida’s SMRO taught its membership and supporters the value of activism in a democratic society. By holding offices on both the local and State levels I committed my energies to doing what I could to insure the preservation and protection of our hard won freedom. Embracing the passion witnessed that day in Tallahassee lead me to search for other organizations across state lines and nationally that shared my resolve.
My introduction to the Motorcycle Riders? Foundation in September 1999 was an epiphany. Before the convention in Denver, my political action experience was limited to my state. Our President had reported on meeting and events he had attended representing ABATE I had not ever imagined how powerful a “Meeting of the Minds” could be.
I am announcing my candidacy for the position of Member Representative at Large to the Motorcycle Riders’ Foundation Board of Directors. I look forward to the opportunity to serve all MRF members in every state and pledge to encourage new members and sustaining organizations.
Regardless of the outcome at election time, I will continue to be an outspoken advocate for every rider, everywhere.
–Susan “Miss Red” Snyder-Huttman
Email: REDSTER883@aol.com
PARTY QUOTE OF THE DAY–“He was a wise man who invented beer.”
–Plato
BIKERNET ACCIDENT REPORT–Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, and Al Gore were in an airplane that crashed. They’re up in heaven, and God’s sitting on the throne.
God addresses Al first.”Al, what do you believe in?”
Al replies, “Well, I believe I won that election, but that it was your will that I did not serve. And I’ve come to understand that now.”
God thinks for a second and says, “Okay, very good. Come and sit at my left.”
Bill replies, “I believe in forgiveness. I’ve sinned, but I’ve never held a grudge against my fellow man, and I hope no grudges are held against me.”
God thinks for a second and says, “You are forgiven, my son. Come and sit at my right.”
God then addresses Hillary. “Hillary, what do you believe in?”
“I believe you’re in my chair.”
Continued On Page 3
September 2, 2004 Part 1
By Bandit |
Many of the comments and news items this week will revolve around the tragic loss of Indian Larry. I’ll let our readers from all over the country express their feelings. I’m writing a short tribute to Larry for Hard Core Choppers in Japan. Larry touched many riders all over the world and the respect is evident by the many heartfelt reactions. Hang on. Let’s hit the news:
Larry, Chris Tronolone and Bandit at the Choppers Only 2004
INDIAN LARRY DIES IN STUNT RIDING ACCIDENT–WELL-KNOWN custom bike builder ‘Indian Larry’ (Larry Desmedt), died on Monday, August 30th, as a result of injuries sustained after a motorcycle accident.
Indian Larry was appearing at the Liquid Steel Classic and Custom Bike Series, taking place at the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center, North Carolina.
The event was being filmed as part of further appearances for Larry in Discovery Channel’s ‘Biker Build-Off’ program.On Saturday, August 28th, he was performing stunts in a parking lot before a huge crowd when he lost control of the motorcycle.
Indian Larry became a legendary figure in the custom bike scene, with his work featured in movies, video, TV and in many magazines.
He claimed his influences were the choppers of the Fifties and Sixties, especially those from the West Coast scene where Ed Roth and Von Dutch had achieved cult status.
He was also much in demand for personal appearances and the popularity of Biker Build-Off increased his standing.
Born in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York, Larry became fascinated by the chopper movement by the time he was a teenager, riding his own Knucklehead.He re-located to the West Coast for a time, to learn his craft from Ed (‘Big Daddy’) Roth.After being involved in numerous projects, he eventually settled in Brooklyn in 1991 with the stated aim of becoming ‘the best chopper builder in the world’.
His business was located at Gasoline Alley, in Williamsburg.
Indian Larry was 55. He leaves a wife, Bambi, and his mother and sister.The family has requested no flowers, but donations, if desired, to the National Council on Alcoholism.
INDIAN LARRY
Brooklyn, New York, USA
www.indianlarry.com
WE’LL START BY PISSING OFF SOMEONE: What’s the difference between a porcupine and BMW?
>A porcupine has the pricks on the outside.
What’s the difference between Beer Nuts and Deer Nuts?
Beer Nuts are $1, and Deer Nuts are always under a buck.
Did you hear about the dyslexic Rabbi?
He walks around saying “Yo.”
BIKERNET SIGN IN THE MAKING–Kevin Baas is making a steel sign for Bikernet and you’ll see the tech tomorrow right here. Come back and check it out.
BIKERNET LEGAL DEPARTMENT MEMO– You’re 66 times more likely to be prosecuted for a crime in the USA than in France.
Rogue
http://www.bikerrogue.com
LAYLA’S RIDING EXPERIENCE– That’s a real sharp little gal you have there. Nice to see a pic of her. I read the story “If She Can Ride”. My daughter here in Vegas is about her size and went through the same experence. I Sold the Ironhead she rode. It scared me to death to see her take off on that thing. Maybe one of those new Triumph Bonneville Americans lowered a bit. Anyway you might have to settle down now…
After Laughlin I went to Dallas and got aquainted with Rick and hung out at the Icehouse a bit. I came back and put my house up for sale. It sold in five days for almost 100 grand profit. I found five acres in the woods, just east of Norman, Oklahoma, for 30G with a trailer and stuff. Going to build bikes and play Music.
Here is a shot of the Softail I bought wrecked and fixed up for my friend John. Total cost for what you see was $7500. It is a ’92 with 10K on it. Now I need to build one for me. I also bought this Black Pan.
I like your new Place. Are you going to have a real Cantina? I am available for gigs. I’ll send a CD as soon as I make one.
Ride on Bro,
–Bill
ioobill@juno.com
COPS DISCIPLINED FOR TASERING GRANDMOTHER–KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Police said Friday two officers have been disciplined and department policy changed following an investigation into the officers use of a taser when arresting a 66-year-old grandmother who honked her car horn at a police cruiser.
Louise Jones was arrested in June on charges of misuse of a car horn on a city street, resisting arrest and intentionally inflicting bodily harm on an officer. Her husband, Fred Jones, 74, was also arrested and charged with interfering with an arrest.
Police said Louise Jones tussled with officers when they tried to give her a ticket for honking the horn. One of the officers used the taser, which is capable of issuing a 50,000-volt shock, to stun her. The officers said Fred Jones then came downstairs and jumped on one of the officers’ backs.
Louise Jones said she pulled away from the police when one of the officers grabbed her arm, and her husband said one of the officers had his knee on his wife’s chest.
As a result of an internal investigation, the department has increased the threshold for when taser use is appropriate and now requires a field commander to look into each taser deployment. Police also have developed a task force made up of community members and department personnel to look into the department’s current taser-use policies.
–from Rogue
POLICE CHASE ENDS WITH TRACTOR CRASHING INTO TREE– ROLETTE, N.D. – Rolette County authorities say they chased a man across more than 20 miles of roads, corn and wheat fields after he took off in a stolen all-terrain vehicle, then a truck, and finally drove a tractor into a tree.
The 20-year-old Belcourt man could face a string of charges, Sheriff Tony Sims said.
“He could be charged with anything from reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, unauthorized use of motor vehicle, burglary – I don’t have all the reports in yet,” Sims said Wednesday.
Sims said the chase began about 6 a.m. Wednesday, after a four-wheel ATV was reported missing in Rolette. The four-wheeler was abandoned, and a truck was reported missing moments later in the city, authorities said.
Sims said he found the truck being driven by the suspect, and it did not stop when he signaled for the driver to pull over. Authorities chased the truck several miles west on state Highway 66 in Rolette County, he said.
“The driver threw tools, an air compressor, whatever he could, out the windows,” Sims said.
Rogue
http://www.bikerrogue.com>
TRUCKER CHARGED IN BEER HEIST–TORONTO (Reuters) – Somewhere in Canada there are thieves with nearly 50,000 cans of beer they will have a hard time selling, although police said on Thursday the truck driver who disappeared with the loot has been arrested.
The shipment of Moosehead beer, worth over C$75,000 ($57,000), was on its way to Mexico from an East Coast brewery when it went missing, along with the driver.
The transport truck was recovered last week — still running — in Grand Falls, New Brunswick, but with most of its cargo missing.
The 30-year-old driver was picked up in Lindsay, Ontario, about 1,000 miles from Grand Falls. He has been charged with theft but police reported he did not have any beer with him.
The shipment of Moosehead was labeled in English and Spanish for export to Mexico, so it could not be sold in Canada. Nor could it be shipped into or through the United States without proper documentation.
“Its one of these classic, dumb-crook stories,” said Joel Levesque, a spokesman for Moosehead.
“They can’t sell it anywhere in Canada without giving away the immediate fact that it’s been stolen… So we have crooks stuck with 50,000 plus cans of beer that basically they can’t fence.”
Very little of the stolen beer has been found. Four cans, three of them empty, were found in various parts of the New Brunswick province, according to the police and media reports.
On Monday, police found another 5,000 to 8,000 cans after a half-ton truck with a homemade trailer went off the road in New Brunswick. The driver of that truck fled the scene.
–from Rogue
http://www.bikerrogue.com
SCREAMIN? EAGLE RIDER RICH KING EIGHTH AT SEDALIA HALF-MILE–Determined Racer Competes in AMA National with Injured Shoulder. Sedalia, Mo. (Aug. 29, 2004) ? Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts rider Rich King finished eighth in the AMA Grand National main at the State Fair Speedway half-mile, riding with a painful shoulder injury he suffered in a near-crash at the Peoria TT on Aug. 22. The Sedalia event, the 12th stop on the AMA Progressive Insurance Flat Track Championship, was held on Sunday afternoon after the original Saturday-night program was postponed by rain.
?Rich is still riding with some pain after the incident in Peoria, so this was another gutsy performance by a veteran rider who?s dedicated to his team and his fans,? said Harley-Davidson Racing Manager Anne Paluso. ?The Screamin? Eagle team put him on a good bike this weekend and Rich rode as hard as he could.?
King qualified for the main by winning a semi-final heat race after placing fifth and failing to transfer during the first heat. He ran as high as 8th place in the main.
Coziahr Harley-Davidson/National Cycle rider Johnny Murphree won the main event aboard a Harley-Davidson XR750. Murphree took the lead when the race was re-started after SuperTrapp Racing rider Mike Hacker and Gerencer?s Harley-Davidson/Kerstings Cycle rider Kevin Atherton bumped on lap 20. It was Murphree?s first win of the season. KTM USA/Jones Powersports/Mid-America Harley-Davidson rider Joe Kopp was second, followed by his teammate, Ken Coolbeth, in third. The series points leader, Quality Checked Pre-Owned Ford/Lancaster Harley-Davidson rider Chris Carr, finished fourth.
With four straight podium results, Kopp continues to reel in defending AMA Grand National champion Carr in the season points standings. With five races left on the schedule, Carr still leads with 213 points, but is just 19 points ahead of second-place Kopp. Coolbeth is third with 162 points, followed by Murphree with 149 points.
The next stop on the AMA Progressive Insurance Flat Track Championship series is the annual Springfield double-header at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, with the Springfield TT scheduled for Sept. 4 and the Springfield Mile set for Sept. 5.
The Screamin’ Eagle Flat Track team is sponsored by Matco Tools.
BIKERNET OIL FILTER INVESTIGATION CONTINUES–THE BEST FRAME OIL FILTER TO USE WITH AN AFTER MARKET REMOTE OIL FILTER SYSTEM IS THE HP1 OR EQUIVALENT. IT IS A HIGH FLOW LOW RESTRICTION RACE FILTER THAT WORKS GREAT WITH THE BIKES.
THAT IS THE SAME ONES PAUL COX AND INDIAN LARRY TOLD ME TO USE WHEN I WAS BUILDING THE SCHOOL PROJECT ’57 PAN.
–Kevin
MIDWEST MOTORCYCLE SUPPLY–OPEN HOUSE– MIDWEST MOTORCYCLE SUPPLY Open House #8 is on Saturday, October 2nd, 2004, and we are told this one will be bigger and better than before.
As well as products from other manufacturers, Midwest is anxious to show off the additions to its own Ultima brand lines and many other new products.Some of these are the work of the Doc Havoc CAD-CAM design team.This is Midwest’s own in-house group of engineers, who are constantly looking to improve existing parts or develop new products.
The Vinegaroon range of seats has been expanded and there are new highway bars and starters.A new inner primary has just been introduced for Softail models.On display will be the award winners in the Black Cloud, Silver Lining competition.
Further product developments expected to take pride of place include the latest 127 cubic inch El Bruto motor.This was not expected to be ready in time for the show but a big effort by all concerned means it can now be prominently displayed.See them all, and more, on October 2nd.
MIDWEST MOTORCYCLE SUPPLY
Arnold, Missouri, USA
Tel: 636 296 2200
Fax: 636 296 4430
E-mail: midwest@midwest-mc.com
http://www.midwest-mc.com
Continued On Page 2
September 2, 2004 Part 4
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 3
MOTORCYCLE SAFETY TIPSFOR LABOR DAY WEEKEND RIDING– With 64 percent of motorcycle fatalities alcohol-related and 50 percent taking place at crowded intersections, both motorcyclists — and the auto drivers who can hit them — need to be particularly cautious during holidays.
So says Keith Code, the world’s top motorcycle instructor, who has trained more than 125,000 motorcyclists at his California Superbike School in 12 countries to date. His bestseller books are in five languages and recommended reading for all riders enrolling in Norway’s national motorcycle operator’s licensing program with applicants directed to visit his Website, www.superbikeschool.com
During holiday weekend riding Code recommends the following:Booze and bikes don’t mix.
Next to alcohol-related deaths, intersection collisions are still the major source of accidents, when a car makes a left in front of the motorcycle. A motorcyclist has to take safety precautions at an intersection other than eye contact. ”A driver may look right at you and not even see you,” Code said.
Let a car run interference for you at an intersection. If you have a choice,run off the rear right fender of the car in front of you. Other autodrivers are geared to look for cars, not motorcycles which have a muchsmaller profile to the eye.
Use your front brakes. They provide 90 percent of the stopping power. The tendency in a tight situation is to use your rear brakes only, but they are 20 percent as effective and can actually cause accidents from misuse. Stopping with your front brakes is much more reliable and effective.
Code says that riding defensively can make motorcyclists even more invisible.”That means you’re going to have to have 360-degree vision, and knoweverything that’s going on around you,” said Code, “Assume cars neversee bikes because ‘it’s not their job’.” He advocates aggressivemaneuvers–speeding up and slowing down, moving back and forthwithin a lane–to create visibility. “I don’t mean ride illegally, Imean use your advantage of maneuverability to put the bike whereyou want it and do it in a positive manner that lets drivers know youare there,” he said.
Code also cautions riders not to rely too heavily on wearing brightcolors–or installing loud muffler pipes. “There are too many thingsin the environment that compete with bright clothes, including brightlycolored cars,” he said. “But a rider with a brightly colored top andloud pipes who’s moving around in his lane, is going to improve hischances of recognition.”
2005 INDY BOOGIE–For those interested in attending the 25th annual “BOOGIE” ,next year, save the third week-end in July. Sponsered by ABATE of Indiana, it’s in Lawrence county, at the Lawrence County Recreation Center. Highway 37 south out of Indy, about 25 miles south of Bloomington. Follow the signs.
It’s well marked. Or follow the bikes. They’re all headed to the same place. You can find event listings, bands scheduled, and all pertinent information at their webb site. www.abateofindiana.orgSee you at the party!
The 1953 K Model
READER TECH QUESTION–I have been reading your web site for awhile and like it alot. I am sending this e-mail in hopes that you may be able to help me. If not, that’s cool too. I have a ’73 Sportster that I am building from the ground up for my wife. I would like to do away with the chain drive. My question is, do you know of any companies that build the parts for the belt drive conversion?
–Bobby Epling
bepling@eng.auburn.edu
LATEST CATALOG FROM COLONY– COLONY MACHINE is a distributor to the wholesale trade and its latest catalog features the continually expanding range of products.
The company’s main specialty is hardware and it has a selection of fasteners for Harley models from 1911 up to present day.Colony Machine can supply bulk hardware, or fasteners packaged as kits.
These have specific applications and contain all the necessary parts to secure individual parts, or sub-assemblies, to a particular model.
Many catalog items are offered in chrome-plated finish, including dress-up kits of fasteners for later models.
As well as regular hardware, the catalog lists a range of engine components as well as many small but essential parts such as mounting brackets.
COLONY MACHINE
Brunswick, Ohio, USA
Tel: 330 225 3410 (Toll Free 800 321 3412)
Fax: 330 225 9412
E-mail: info@colonymachine.com
www.colonymachine.com
IDAHO STATE VETERANS FUNERAL FOR SPC. BRANDON TITUS–More than 130 motorcycles roared onto the grounds at the new Idaho State Veterans Cemetery Monday afternoon for Spc. Brandon Titus’ funeral. Tom Titus, Brandon’s father, is active in Run for the Wall , a motorcycle ride to the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C.
About Idaho’s Veterans Cemetery
? Dedicated: July 31. Idaho was the last state in the nation to get a veterans’ cemetery.
? Where: North of West State Street, off North Horseshoe Bend Road. Take North Horseshoe Bend Road to Dry Creek Cemetery. The address is 10101 Horseshoe Bend Road.
? Size: 77 acres. The cemetery has room for close to 9,000 graves and cremation sites, including a place to scatter ashes.
? Officially opens: In October. An exception was made to allow Titus to be buried before the official opening.
–from Rogue
BIKERNET TECH RESEARCH ON OIL FILTERS– Pre Twin Cam big twins (EVO) and Sportsters can use the same oil filters. Dynas use that long filter, EVO’s only. The Dyna filters are good for Sportsters pre ’04 and “Tube” frame Buells for added capacity. Twin Cam filters have a finer filter meduim, Orange in color. Evo color is black.
Then we have the V-Rod, Buell (cast frame), and the Buell Blast. Buell firebolt and Blast use the same filter. V-Rod has it’s own filter also.
Oh yeah for the Chromosexuals. The plain black finish is better than chrome on an oil filter for what it’s worth.
— Pablo
See the Sportster Filter article in the Sportster Department for more info. Our research is on-going.–Wrench
INDIAN LARRY TRIBUTES–As a request from family, crew and friends, rather than flowers please make donations on his name to the following charities:
www.ASPCA.com and /or
National Council of Alcoholism
1675 White Horse-Mercerville road, suite J
Hamilton, NJ 08619
tel (609)689-0121
I talked to Paul, and he said Larry would be honored if I built a bike tribute to Larry.
–Jose
BIKERNET HISTORIC RESEARCH–A chicken and an egg are lying in bed.The chicken is leaning against the headboard, smoking a cigarettewith a satisfied smile on its face.
The egg, looking a little ticked off, grabs the sheetand rolls over and says,
“Well, I guess we finally answered THAT question!”
–from Skooter
THE STEALTH REPORT–This past week has been a tough one. I looked forward to going to the Liquid Steel Bike Show. The first time I got out since my back surgery, and I was really looking forward to being around people and the bikes.
On Thursday I received a phone call from my brother Gary back in Virginia telling me that we had lost a friend in an accident. His best friend Tim had lost control of his bike in a curve and went into the ditch and hit a drain pipe. This hit home hard. Our friend Tim was only 35 years old. I was not able to attend the funeral since I can’t travel long distances right now. Tim, I hope you are riding the highways in the sky right now.
I was still looking forward to the Liquid Steel Show. The “Meanest” arranged for a wheel chair and we planned on going Sunday. Saturday afternoon I got another call from my friend Phil, telling me that Indian Larry had an accident. At the time no one knew how serious the accident was or what his condition was. When we arrived at the show everyone was telling us what had happened and it was apparent that it was not good. Everyone at the show was concerned for Indian Larry and everyone was hoping and praying for the best.
All of the local TV channels had coverage of the accident on the news and it seems that each one would over emphasize how he was not wearing a helmet. That was his choice and his style. He would not have done it any other way and that is what the news people did not understand.
By now everyone knows it didn’t turn out as we all hoped. I had the pleasure of meeting Indian Larry this past spring at Daytona Bike Week. To me he was friendly and genuine, nothing fake. He was the real deal.
Because I love old school bikes, Indian Larry’s bikes were my favorite on all the bike build-offs. I am glad I told him that while in Daytona.
With the loss of Indian Larry we all lose. He was bigger than life. I think he lived life to the fullest and got the most out of his time. It reminds me of a saying I heard, “You plan your life like you are going to live forever, but you live your life like today is your last day!” Life is precious and fragile!
From everyone here in the Charlotte area, our thoughts and prayers are with Indian Larry’s family.
I don’t want to end on a down note so I would like to mention that I had the pleasure of meeting Deacon from the Choppers Only show in Hawaii. It was fun to eat lunch together and talk. I also got to talk to Crazy Horse for a few minutes. There were top name builders at the show and the bikes were cool.
In closing, a suggestion for the weekend. Everyone go for a ride as tribute to Indian Larry in honor of the way he lived. Think about it!
Until next week!
Later!
–Stealthman
BIKERNET DRUNK DRIVING TEST– A Pennsylvania State Trooper pulled a car over on I-81 about 2 milesnorth of the Pa/Md State line. When the Trooper asked the driver why he was speeding, the driver answered that he was a magician and a juggler andhe was on his way to Harrisburg to do a show that night at the ZemboShrine Circus and didn’t want to be late.
The Trooper told the driver juggling fascinated him, and if the driver would do a little juggling for him that he wouldn’t give him a ticket. The driver told the Trooper that he had sent all of his equipment onahead and didn’t have anything to juggle. The Trooper told him that he hadsome flares in the trunk of his patrol car and asked if he could jugglethem.
The juggler stated that he could, so the Trooper got three flares, litthem, and handed them to the juggler.
While the man was doing his juggling act, a car pulled in behind the patrol car, a drunk got out and watched the performance briefly, he then went over to the patrol car, opened the rear door, and got in. The Trooperobserved him doing this and went over to the patrol car, opened the door andasked the drunk what he thought he was doing.
The drunk replied, “You might as well take my ass to jail, causethere’s no way in hell I can pass that test.”
–from Skooter
BIKERNET DUNGEON INFO–The United States incarcerated 2,166,260 persons over the past twelve months. This total represents persons held in:
Federal and State Prisons 1,361,258
Territorial Prisons 16,206
Local Jails 665,475
INS Facilities 8,748
Military Facilities 2,377
Jails in Indian Country 1,912
Juvenile Facilities 110,284 Rogue
HOLLEY CARB CONNECTION–TERRY COMPONENTS– Web site is http://www.terrycomp.com/ Phone is Toll free 1-866-388-3779 and the shop is 1-605-642-5300
Darrell was talking about a Holley and I have never used one because somany people have had problems with them. Weber’s are another story. I have run them for years and have a bunchof info on them. Smitty at Spirat is good with them also.
Tell Darrell good luck.
–ROGUE
BIKERNET SPORTING NEWS–
The Englishman’s wife steps up to the tee and, as she bends over to place her ball, a gust of wind blows her skirt up and reveals her lack of underwear. “Good God, woman! Why aren’t you wearing any knickers?” her husband demanded.
“Well, you don’t give me enough housekeeping money to afford any.”
The Englishman immediately reaches into his pocket and says, “For the sake of decency, here’s $50. Go and buy yourself some underwear.”
Next, the Irishman’s wife bends over to set her ball on the tee. Her skirt also blows up to show that she is wearing no undies.
“Blessed Virgin Mary, woman! You’ve no knickers. Why not?”
She replies, “I can’t afford any on the money you give me.”
He reaches into his pocket and says, “For the sake of decency, here’s $20. Go and buy yourself some underwear!”
Lastly, the Scotsman’s wife bends over. The wind also takes her skirt over her head to reveal that she, too, is naked under it. “Sweet mudder of Jesus, Aggie! Where the frig are yer drawers?”
She too explains, “You dinna give me enough money ta be able ta affarrd any.”
The Scotsman reaches into his pocket and says, “Well, fer the love ‘o Jasus, ‘n the sake of decency, here’s a comb. Tidy yerself up a bit.”
–from Skooter
WOMEN RIDERS WEBSITE– My friend Petra in Carson City has what is probably the best website on the net for women and new female riders.Everything from how to keep your hair looking nice under a helmet, to how to pick a bike up.
http://www.vtwinmama.com
My wife is a ex-motorycle instructor in Sydney she has some advice for Layla.
–Jaqhama
jaqhama@yahoo.com
QUOTE OF THE RACECAR DAY:“Auto racing is boring except when a car is going atleast 172 miles per hour upside down.”
– Dave Barry
THAT’S IT–Life is nuts. We send our thoughts to Larry’s family. Then this crazy world continues to turn. Shortly we’ll have Sturgis Reports up, a Buell top end tech from Jett who sent the report on Sportster oil filters. And tomorrow we wake up to a wild Labor Day Weekend.
Be careful out there, will ya, goddamnit.
Ride Safe,
–Bandit
Sturgis 2004 The Best Bikes and Chicks
By Frank Kaisler |
Who needs to see another goddamn Jack Pine tree. We experienced one of the quietest Sturgis nights ever this past August. Itmight have had something to do with the temperatures sinking down into thelow 40s setting a lowest temperature known since the late 1930s.
Theexact night was either Tuesday or Wednesday. Instead ofheading for the sack with the constant rumbling multitudes of twin exhausts reverberating in thethe chincy motel walls, there was only the occasional blast of a lone rider searching for thewarmth of a shared sleeping bag in some outlying campground or maybe aclose-by motel room and a hot shower to release the chill from his or her bones.
The entire week was one of cool temps over the Badlands, hot chicks and bitchin’ bikes. Addedto the overall experience was a new show touting the top 50 custom bikes inthe country, sponsored by Legend Air Suspension and held intheir parking lot down in Rapid City. The Journey Museum also housed a new exhibitcalled “Bob is Back” featuring Dave Mann art work and a plethora of bobberstyle bikes, the Journey Museum is also in Rapid City just east of theconvention center where H-D displayed their new line of ’05 bikes andaccessories.
We're not messing around now. You've read about the shows, downtown, Buffalo Chip bands, politics and a couple of ride stories, let's cut to the chase. Here's the best bike and babes I was fortunate enough to capture with this long-assed lense.
We ran across this trick shovel at the Top 50show at Legend Air Suspension’s facility, there are a ton of handmade partson this bike such as the truss mounted rear fender and modified pistonheadlight. Check out the VL I-beam front end, handmade footboards, controls,and the oil tank set into the top of the gas tank. The engine is sporting anearly style L-series S&S cab with a handmade velocity stack.
S&S Cycle from Viola, WI had founder George Smiths dual carbPanhead on display at the Journey Museum show. This is a true period bobberwith cut down fenders homemade foot peg mounts, buckhorn handlebars and ofcourse, some go fast goodies in the S&S motor. The most distinctive feature isthe dual DC Linkert carbs bolted to the modified heads. S&S was one of thefew companies that modified stock H-D heads for dual carbs. The story goesthat George Smith melted down broken fins from other heads to make weldingrod to weld up the stock intake ports and make new ports facing out the leftside of the bike.
This Indian Chief bobber was one of Steve McQueen’s bikes fromhis extensive collection of old motorcycles. This bike is a true era bobber,stripped of the huge fenders the bike takes on a racy look. The muffler hasbeen removed with the head pipe left open to announce the bikes arrival.
Ted Tine of Essex Motorsports, in CT, was buzzing around Sturgis onthis bright green metal flake Softail. All of the bodywork is metalconsisting of close fitting panels easily removable for service. More metalsculpting is seen on the rear fender with frenched turn signals, licenseplate and seat area.
From the Sucker Punch Sally shop, in Ohio, comes this tight littleShovel with high mount Sportster gas tank, Moon oil tank and two-into-oneexhaust system with “cocktail shaker” muffler. No front brake but dual rearcalipers provide enough stopping power. We shot these photos at the Metzlershow held in the parking lot of the Journey Museum.
I spotted this rigid frame Sportsterat the Metzler show, not inthe show but parked at the curb. The Ironhead engine fits the rigid frameperfectly. The round oil tank, abbreviated rear fender with the shorthandhold fender brace looks clean. An early aftermarket springer front endwith a spool front wheel and only the original drum rear brake probablymakes for an interesting ride. The seat appears to be a Bates mounted to theframe and the air cleaner looks handmade.
Out in front of the Journey Museum was a great line-up of bikes,Indian Larry’s Discovery Channel bike, Jeff Decker’s CFL, Big Chris fromNY’s new Panhead project and a couple of bikes from WCC.
Keino, out of Indian Larry’s shop, in Brooklyn, NY just got his newbike up and running. We really liked this Panhead with the single down tubeframe, midmount controls, high straight pipes and handmade gas tank. The oiltank is in the rear fender and the late model narrow glide front end adds tothe sleek lines.
Check out all the drilled holes for reducing weight, even thereinforcing rails welded to the front down tubes of the frame. We couldn’tfind out what size the engine was but it breathed through an S&S two throatcarb into a set of trick knuckleheads. Check out the hand shift and footclutch along with the adjustable height rear foot pegs.
Matt Hotch of Hot Match had his Biker Build Off winning bike ondisplay at the Top 50 show where it always had crowd huddled around it. Witha unique air suspension system front and rear, people were on their handsand knees looking for air under the frame.
Talk about a long bike, we spotted this guy riding around theLegends show toward the end of the day. The bike is a big twin with every goddamn thing handmade The frame is a mono-shock set-up with the shockmounted down and behind the solo seat. The bike sports a right hand drivetransmission and a decent size nitrous bottle just forward of the rearwheel.
This evo rigid looks as if it rolled out of the late60s or early 70s. The gold plating hidden fender supports, sissy bar andreverse paint job elements are wild. The give away that this bike was newlyconstructed is the right side drive transmission, 3-inch belt drive and whatappears to be 80-spoke wheels. No matter when it was built, it is still asharp bike.
We caught this Sporty cruising down Lazelle Street. The springerfront end with what looks like an early K model front hub, fits therigid framed Ironhead, so does the coffin tank and the long rear fender. Thebattery sits on the side of the frame behind the primary with a big twin oiltank mounted beneath the seat.
There is something about this Shovel that made our eyes follow ittill it was out of sight, it may have had something to with the blonderiding pillion. A stock 4-speed frame with a cone motor shovel, loweredfront and rear suspension and a nice mix of new custom parts such as theside mount plate holder, mirrors and tapered turn signals on the rear fenderstruts. The triple trees are billet, the tanks have been extended and thefenders are custom.
Just a couple of guys having fun on Main Street in Sturgis. TheEvo Softail closest to you is a nice clean road-bike in basic black with anice mix of custom and performance parts. The Thunderheader and S&S aircleaner lends one to believe it moves out smartly, while the 80-spokewheels, custom fenders, extended tanks, t-bars, and headlight enhance thecosmetic image. The red bike in the back of the photo appears to be a custombuilt unit with a big inch S&S motor and inverted front.
There were plenty of good-looking Indians in town, this is butone. The ape hangers look comfortable, and the black paint with flames andupswept fishtail exhaust were right at home in Sturgis.
That's all you're gonna get outta me this year. The finest bikes I could find from Wyoming to Rapid City. That's my job, and I can't wait to do it again.
–Frank Kaisler
August 26, 2004 Part 4
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 3
SUMMER ISSUE OF ENTHUSIAST IN HOMES–The Summer 2004 Enthusiast landed in readers? mailboxes this week announcing the new 2005 Harley-Davidson and Buell models.
Also included in this issue is a special ?Enthusiasts? article on two Vietnam veterans who found each other years after the war ended and are now friends and riding companions. Regular departments include the editor?s column, new Genuine Harley-Davidson Motor Accessories and MotorClothes items, Harley-Davidson news, letters from readers and photos of Harley People.
HARLEY-DAVIDSONS SEIZED AT POLICE CHECKPOINTS–A carefree cruise to a Harley-Davidson Rendezvous in Duanesburg turned into a nightmare journey for two Delaware County men after the state Department of Motor Vehicles Auto Theft Unit seized their motorcycles.
Jim Healey, 35, of Walton and Dave Bailey, 35, of Hamden were about a mile from the Rendezvous on June 25 when they passed through a state police vehicle checkpoint.
They were pulled over and told that their motorcycles might be stolen because the vehicle identification numbers had been altered.Their motorcycles were loaded onto a flatbed truck, Healey said, and they were left standing on the side of the road.
After more than six weeks with no word about the status of the investigation or when the motorcycles would be returned, the men hired lawyer Terence O’Leary of Walton to help them reclaim their property.”We just thought they were checking registrations and inspections, so we were surprised when they motioned us over,” Healey said.
Healey said the men were told to scrape paint off the frames of their bikes to make the vehicle identification number tags more visible.Healey, who has owned his 1971 Harley-Davidson Sportster for four years, said an officer compared the numbers on his VIN tag with a template.
“He said my numbers appeared to be altered because they didn’t fit the profile on the sample he had,” Healey said. “My numbers matched my registration and the numbers on the frame matched the numbers on the engine, but they seized the bike anyway.”
“This motorcycle is my American dream,” Bailey said. “It’s the first one I ever had, and I planned on keeping it to pass on to my children.”
“We wouldn’t be fighting this if we had done anything wrong,” Healey added. “How can New York state just snatch your stuff?”
Investigator Ken Theobald, of the state police Auto Theft Unit, said Tuesday that if the motorcycles have not been returned at this point, they probably wouldn’t be.
“We take great pains to ensure that we are not seizing bikes without cause,” Theobald said. “If there wasn?t a good reason for the seizure, they would have had their motorcycles back by now.”
“Antique-car collectors, street-rod builders and anybody else who has ever changed a transmission or an engine is in danger of having their vehicle seized,” Bailey said.
Christine Burling, DMV public relations spokeswoman, said Tuesday that if the motorcycles are found to be stolen or unidentifiable, the owners in most cases can’t get the motorcycles back. The vehicles are sent to a state police impound where they are issued a replacement VIN and are auctioned off.
Inv. Antoine Rainville of the state DMV Division of Field Investigations Auto Theft Unit signed the vehicle impound receipts for the motorcycles. Rainville gave each of the men a business card with his phone number on it, but Bailey said repeated messages left on Rainville’s answering machine have not been returned.
–from TBear
SCREAMIN’ EAGLE DRAG TEAM MAINTAINS MOMENTUM IN MEMPHIS–Hines is Top Pro Stock Bike Qualifier and Pads His Season Points Lead. MILLINGTON, Tenn. (Aug. 22, 2004) ? The Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines drag racing team increased its points lead in the Pro Stock Bike season championship at the 17th Annual O’Reilly Mid-South NHRA Nationals where riders Andrew Hines and GT Tonglet each advanced in elimination rounds. Hines rode his Screamin? Eagle V-Rod to the top qualifying spot for the seventh time this season and advanced to the semi-final elimination round for the fourth consecutive NHRA event.
Hines was quick from the start at Memphis, posting a run of 7.132 seconds at 188.17 mph in his first qualifying run on Friday, an ET and top speed that were not topped throughout the weekend. Tonglet qualified eighth with a pass at 7.226/184.09.
?That 7.13 was the best pass we’ve made since the 40 pounds was added to our V-Rods,? said Hines. ?It’s a totally different bike than before, but we’re figuring it out.?
Both riders advanced easily through the first elimination round on Sunday. Tonglet (7.249/182.85) beat Chip Hunter (7.373/182.85), while Hines (7.213/184.55) dispatched Lloyd Straus (7.335/183.16).
The two Screamin? Eagle riders faced each other in round two. It was the third time Hines and Tonglet have raced head to head in eliminations, with each scoring a prior win. Tonglet (7.465/160.44) got a better start, but Hines (7.319/183.07) passed him at the 60-foot mark to take the win and advance to the semi-final.
In the semi-final round, Hines faced Matt Smith. Both riders played the late staging game, but Hines ended up with a very late start, posting a 0.238-second reaction time versus 0.028 for Smith. Hines then shut down his Screamin? Eagle V-Rod mid-run, for a 10.052/85.36 time to 7.290/179.92 for Smith.In the final round, Smith jumped the start by 0.010-second to hand the event win to Antron Brown.
The win moved Brown into second place in the Pro Stock Bike points race, but Hines actually gained ground on his rivals at Memphis. After 11 of 15 rounds, Hines leads with 964 points?196 points ahead of Brown who?s in second place with 768 points. Angelle Savoie drops back to third place with 765 points; Shawn Gann is fourth with 746 points; Craig Treble is fifth with 736 points; and Tonglet is sixth with 640 points.
?We have a championship to win and it’s all about going rounds at this point,? said Hines. ?We know what we need to do, I feel confident in my riding, and the Screamin? Eagle/Vance & Hines team is working really hard.?
?The Screamin? Eagle team is getting back in its groove, having adjusted to the mid-season rules change,? said Harley-Davidson Racing Manager Anne Paluso. ?We have both riders in the top-ten in points and the team is racing with a lot of confidence right now as we roll into the Indy Nationals.?
The next Pro Stock Bike event on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series is the 50th AnnualMatco Tools NHRA U.S.Nationals, Sept. 1-6, at Indianapolis Raceway Park in Indianapolis, Ind.
The Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines Pro Stock Bike team is sponsored by Dunlop, Ford Quality Checked Certified Pre-Owned, Matco Tools and S100.
DOHERTY UPDATES SPACER KIT FOR ? AND 1-INCH APPLICATIONS– This new MASTER BUILDER WHEEL SPACER kit just introduced by Doherty Machine provides all the convenience of their original kit plus additional sizes for popular applications. Doherty?s updated kit includes a total of 54 spacers ranging in size from ? wide to 3-inch wide. Each kit includes all sizes in both ? and 1-inch I.D. That?s a total of 27 spacers in each axle size! Machined from T-6 billet aluminum bar stock, Doherty spacers are polished to a high luster finish. For easy identification individual sizes are labeled on separate compartments. A must for professional and novice builders alike,
Doherty?s MASTER BUILDER WHEEL SPACER KITS can be ordered direct from Doherty by calling 800-956-9409.
Catch Doherty on the Web at www.DohertyMachine.com
2004 STURGIS CRIME WAS DOWN SINCE I DIDN’T ATTEND–The South Dakota Highway Patrol is reporting less crime at the 64thAnnual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, compared to previous ones. Here areThe numbers:
Troopers say they were called to four fatal rally-related accidents.A total of nine have been associated with the biker event. ThereWere 107 traffic accidents, eighty of those involving injuries. Asfar as drug offenses go, the Highway Patrol reports 238. Nearly 300Drivers were arrested for drunk driving. There were seven confirmedStolen motorcycles, and a average of 200,000 people a day hit theRally.
These numbers are only from the Highway Patrol.
–Rogue
NEW BIKERNET BABY–With all the new technology regarding fertility, a 65 year-old woman was able to give birth to a baby recently. When she was discharged from the hospital and went home, her relatives came to visit.
“May we see the new baby?” one asked.
“Not yet,” said the mother. “I’ll make coffee and we can visit for a while first.”
Thirty minutes had passed, and another relative asked, “May we see the new baby now?”
“No, not yet,” answered the mother.
After another few minutes had elapsed, they asked again, “May we see the baby now?”
“No, not yet,” replied the mother.
Growing very impatient, they asked, “Well, when CAN we see the baby?”
“WHEN IT CRIES!” she told them.”When it cries,” they demanded? “Why do we have to wait until it CRIES?”
“Because, I forgot where I put it…”
–from A. Friedman
TOP FUEL STREET DRIVE BY BDL– THE new Top Fuel Street Drive belt system from BDL features a massive3-3/8 ins wide drive belt.The belt is part of a bolt-on package, containing all the parts necessary for the conversion.
The kit allows the installer to replace the chain on Dyna and Softail models from 1990-up, including those with Twin Cam engines.
The belt is a 14mm x 85mm item, to the same specification used by Top Fuel drag race bikes for its essential qualities of strength, durability and reliability.
BDL also supplies the 6-3/8 ins Kevlar clutch and its system specific pressure plate.The clutch unit uses nine friction plates, 11 steel plates and nine springs, which fit a 7075 anodized billet aluminum hub.
The system is said to be capable of handling the output from any size engine on the market.
BDL offers two kits, TF-1000 includes an integrated side guard; TF-2000 has a reversible outboard bearing support.
BELT DRIVES LTD
Orange, California, USA
Tel: 714 685 3333
Fax: 714 685 3339
E-mail: bdlusa@aol.com
www.beltdrives.com
BIKERNET QUOTE OF THE DAY–“In general, the art of government consists in taking as much money as possible from one party of citizens to give to the other.”
~ Voltaire
–from Rogue
http://www.bikerrogue.com
BIKERNET GRAMMAR LESSON– What gender is it? If you’re like most people, common everyday items look neutral to you. But what you may not know is that many of them have a gender.For example……..
1) Ziploc Bags — Male, because they hold everything in but you can see right through them.
2) Copier — Female, because once turned off, it takes a while to warm up. It’san effective reproductive device if the right buttons are pushed, but can wreckhavoc if the wrong buttons are pushed.
3) Tire — Male, because it goes bald and often it’s over inflated.
4) Hot Air Balloon — Male, because to get it to go anywhere you have to light afire under it, and of course, there’s the hot air part.
5) Sponges — Female, because they’re soft and squeezable and retain water.
6) Web Page — Female, because it’s always getting hit on.
7) Subway — Male, because it uses the same old lines to pick people up.
8) Hourglass — Female, because over time, the weight shifts to the bottom.
9) Hammer — Male, because it hasn’t evolved much over the last 5,000 years, but it’s handy to have around.
10) Remote Control — Female…… Ha! You thought it’d be male. But consider this — it gives a man pleasure, he’d be lost without it, and while he doesn’t always know the right buttons to push, he keeps trying.
–from Skooter
IT’S A WRAP–Ah, but there’s so much more exploding from the new Bikernet Headquarters. Another philosophical treat from Tim Conder is waiting his fine illustration. Coverage of the 2004 Boogie will happen tonight along with another Lucky Devil springer front fender tech. Might try this on my chopper. The Best of Show winner from the Choppers Only show is being written as soon as we have builder confirmation. Sturgis reports from Jose, Rogue, Harley-Davidson and Frank Kaisler will hit Bikernet next week. We’ll also post another 2004 Sportster tech and goddamnit, finish up the Goliath.
That’s not all. Two more hot articles will see the launch pad. A report from Rogue on Accurate Engineering engine building capabilities is in the works as well as a motorcycle safety article on squirrels and city riding(?).
That’s it, except to tell ya that Layla and I ride daily to insure she has enough experience by next week for a group American Rider test. We’ve invited four short or small riders to roadtest the four Harley models designed specifically for more dimunitive riders with low centers of gravity and short front ends. We’ll report on the excercise in the near future.
Okay, that’s enough. Kick back, then fire up that beast and cut a dusty trail. She awaits.
–Bandit
August 26, 2004 Part 3
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 2
BILL AMICK LEAVES AMA– THE AMA’s Vice-President of Events and Entertainment has resigned after 30 years of service to the Association.Before his final appointment, Bill had held various positions within the AMA.He was Editor of American Motorcyclist magazine and had been department head of AMA Pro Racing and AMA Communications.In his resignation letter, accepted by AMA President Robert Rasor, Bill explained that he wished to take time off to recuperate from successful surgery.In the future, he hoped to open a business specializing in communications, media relations and event management.
He pledged his continued support of the AMA and remains the delegate to the Moto-Cross Commission of the Federation Internationale Motocycliste (FIM), at least until the FIM’s Centenary Congress to be held in October, 2004.
The American Motorcyclist Association was formed in 1924 and its published aims are to pursue, protect and promote the interests of motorcyclists.It represents more than 265,000 members.
AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST ASSOCIATION
Pickerington, Ohio, USA
Tel: 614 856 1900
Fax: 614 856 1921
E-mail: ama@ama-cycle.org
http://www.amadirectlink.com
EUROPEAN CYCLE NEWS INCLUDING DIGITAL TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE–Hey, what are they coming up with next: everybody needs a digital tirepressure gauge that’s inside the tire, around the tube. This way you can know exactly the heat and pressure in your tires upon the push of a button. Except I’m not going to push any button to refill my tires while going 100mph!!!! And the gizmo only costs $250!! A bargain!
–Chris Reichardt
YOUR SHOT DYNA– Thanks posting my “Shot”. Attached are pictures of my DynaThe first picture – is what my bone stock dyna looked like when I brought it home last November.The remaining pictures show what it looks like with the pinstriping and the other things I’ve added so far.
Though I’m no mechanic by any means. Anything that’s been done to the bike (besides the pinstriping), I’ve donemyself.
— Dynarider —
DAKOTA SIGNS–Just got back from Sturgis last week. While riding up hwy 16 through Custer last Monday, we noticed a building on top of this hill with a sign that said “Motorcycle Graphics”. My buddy and I whipped a U-turn and decided to check the place out. As soon as we pull in, we’re very warmly greeted by the owners – Terry & Francey Howard. For the past SIX months, I’ve been thinking about getting red flames pinstriped on my tank and fenders.
After shooting the breeze with Terry & Francey for a bit and checking out some of Terry’s work, I thought now is a better time than ever. While Terry was working on my bike, I enjoyed checking out Francey’s Indian she just recently acquired and is working on. I bull shitted with Terry, the whole time, which was really cool.
They also have a pool table in their garage to keep you busy while you wait for your bike. About an hour later, it was done, and the job Terry did was awesome.
Let me tell you, both Terry and Francey are stand up people and if you ever pass by the place while making your way through Custer one day, stop in and say hello. They’re very cool people and they don’t care if you do business with them or not, they just like meeting and talking with bikers that are passing through.
The link to their website is:http://www.dakotasign.com
Dynarider
Minneapolis MN
NATIONAL BIKERS ROUNDUP A SUCCESS IN WISCONSIN– For the eighth straight year, Harley-Davidson Motor Company participated in the National Biker Roundup. This year?s Roundup was held August 2 through 8 in the Motor Company?s backyard of West Bend, Wis.
During the seven-day event, 700 Harley Owners Group members attended the rally. The Motor Company offered demo rides from Wednesday through Saturday of the Roundup. Nearly 1,500 demo rides were given with 400 rides on Touring bikes alone.
Once again this year, Friday night at the Roundup was considered to be Harley night. Harley-Davidson sponsored live entertainment and put on a fashion show hosted by Vice President of General Merchandise, Ruth Crowley. Event attendees modeled the newest Harley-Davidson MotorClothes fashions before a crowd of enthusiasts.
For the sixth year in a row, Harley-Davidson teamed up with motorcycle club God?s Wheels to collect food and money for the Hunger Task Force. Harley-Davidson pledged to match food donations with 33 cents per pound of donated food. Overall, Harley-Davidson donated $5,000 to the Hunger Task Force at this year?s event.
BUTT CRACK SEATS– These extremely cool seats recently introduced by PRO-ONE are the perfect compliment for today?s solo cruisers and hot rod scooters. Available in three distinct styles BUTT CRACK SEATS feature a rugged fiberglass pan and extremely durable, high quality leather.
Styles include the Two-Tone Stitched Leather, Stitched and Smooth Leather. Each seat mounts easily and securely to your frame with Velcro making installation and removal a snap. If you?re looking for the ultimate in clean lines, molded comfort/support and uncompromised quality, BUTT CRACK SEATS offer it all.
Pricing starts at $299.00 for the Smooth style and they are all available from Pro-One and Pro-One dealers worldwide. For additional details call 800-884-4173 or visit WWW.PRO-ONE.COM
ON THE RECORD FROM HOOKER HEADERS–I was very impressed with your gorilla marketing on this project. Bikernet helped us complete our survey in one week. The same survey we had on competive magazine sites for three weeks with little response. Bikernet rules! Thanks!
Bill Tichenor
Marketing Manager
Hooker Headers
I would like to thank all the bikernet readers, over 700 that responded to the Hooker Survey. I’ll try to find out if a Bikernet Reader won the exhaust system.
SUCKERPUNCH WINS CHOPPERS ONLY– Donny from Don’s Custom Cycle here. Just wanted to let you know and check out my new second company. I’ve partnered with an old friend Jeff Cochran of Sinwear apparel. Please check it out and let me know what you think. I was on your site and read you were in Hawaii for the choppers only show. One of our bikes we sold and shipped over there supposedly won best of show. The burnt orange candy oldschooler with the cream scallops. Well, check the site out and let me know what you think!
http://www.suckerpunchsallys.com
–Don’s Custom Cycle
Suckerpunch Old School Choppers and Hotrods
THE BIKER AND THE SPARROW–A biker is riding along a country lane, when a sparrow flies up in front of him. The biker can’t do anything and hits the sparrow. As he looks in his rear view mirror, he sees the sparrow lying in the road. Being the kind of guy he is, he stops, picks up the sparrow and takes it home and puts it in a cage, still in a coma.
When the sparrow wakes up the following morning, he looks through the bars of the cage and says, “Shit, I must have killed the biker”.
–from Katmandu
STEALTH REPORT FROM NORTH CAROLINA–It has been a couple of weeks since I have sent anything in. As most of you know I had back surgery a couple of weeks ago to remove a tumor from the base of my spinal cord. Everything checked out good and now it is just a matter of time before I am back in the wind.
Speaking of riding and being in the wind this is the first time in 28 years that I have been unable to ride. I have never taken my ability to ride for granted and have always been thankful to be able to ride but when something like this stops you from riding you learn real quick to appreciate being able to ride even more. I have missed the wind in my face and the sound of pipes bouncing off pavement. More than all of this, I have missed being around the people who ride.
think. I have been catching up on my reading, The Horse, American Iron and of course Bikernet. Thanks Bandit for mentioning the Run For Breath in your American Iron feature. I have also dreamed up a couple of bike projects for the future. We will see how that goes?
I also have a lot of projects planned for the “STEALTH” reports in the near future. I just have to get my release from the doctor. I have reports planned on a local powder coat business, one on Ben’s V-Twins, an aftermarket and custom bike shop here in Charlotte.
This weekend the First Annual Liquid Steel Tour comes to the Cabarrus Arena. The show features some of the top names in bike building such as Billy Lane, Kendall Johnson, Indian Larry and Dave Perewitz to name just a few. The show is from Friday through Sunday (8-27 – -8-29). Hopefully I will get to attend, depending on my back.
Last, I would like to thank everyone for all their well wishes through Bikernet and all the phone calls. Thanks to the “Meanest” for all she’s done and for filling in for me over the last couple of weeks. You did a great job!
Well it is time to go take some pain killers!Until next week, go for a ride for me!
Later!
–STEALTHMAN
P.S. This is Meanest. I just read this week’s Stealth report. New projects??? What new projects??? I don’t remember approving any new projects! I think Stealthman has had too many drugs!
Continued On Page 4