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Read More June 11, 2003
By Bandit |
Title: Neighborhood Watch
We all thought we were slum kids, and the rich punks from the better side of the tracks didn’t do much to help us see otherwise.
Two days after the doctors absolutely forbid him to ride a motorcycle again, he bought the Duo Glide, used and abused, from a gas jockey who couldn’t keep his hands out of the motor long enough to keep it running right.
If we timed it right, we’d still be on the street playing when the big scooter came roaring back into the neighborhood. 
I heard one of the downstairs neighbors, a fat man with glasses, bad teeth, and a thinning hair combed over a big bald patch, tell my father, “Mac, you better come quick something’s happened to your motorbike.”
Here it comes, I thought. The fire! The brimstone! The thunder and the lightning! He’s gonna start kicking ass.
Read More by R. M. Hutchison
It’s funny, the things you remember, the things that seem to stand out in your mind as the years pile up. Back when I was a wet nose kid, we lived in a third floor walk-up that was part of an apartment complex lashed together for vets returning from the big war. It was made up of three story brick buildings each containing twelve apartments clustered around two stairwells. There were twenty buildings lining both sides of a quarter mile of street. It was old when we moved in. It wasn’t really the kind of housing project you see in the inner cities now, but we didn’t know that.
My old man was a big, ornery bad ass who’d made his bones leading an infantry company all the way from Normandy to Berlin. It was made up of what he lovingly referred to as misfits, goofballs, and losers . Not all of them made it, but of the ones who did, most of ’em came by at one time or another to thank the old Sarge and shake his hand. That was how I learned he’d been in the war. Some guy would show up at the door and him and the old man would hug each other and then break out the Old Sunnybrook. I’d get sent to bed early and have to listen from the door of my room as they talked way into the night about things the old man never mentioned. That’s when I understood that my old man was different from the other stiffs he worked with down at the plant. If even half of what those ex soldiers said about him could be believed, my old man was a cross between a water-walking, miracle-working savior and some kind of savage, blood drinking stone killer.
He was different in other ways too. This was the 60’s and nobody in our neighborhood rode motorcycles. Nobody except my old man. He’d ridden old Indians and Harleys as a kid but because of some of the combat injuries he suffered in the war, he’d laid off since then. All that changed about the time I turned seven.
One fall day just before Kennedy got elected, my first grade teacher came running into the room and dragged me to the office. They told me the old man had been in a car wreck and one of them drove me to the hospital and turned me over to my mother. Pissed off and blind drunk, he’d launched the family Plymouth station wagon airborne, at the end of a curve, on the bank of the Elk river, wrapping the big Detroit iron around a perfectly good tree. It died. He didn’t.
He spent three months in intensive care with a broken back and neck, then another three months wearing a brace that looked like a space suit out of a fifties monster movie. They told us he’d never walk again. They forgot to tell him. Three weeks after he strolled out of the hospital, Ma found out he’d been bangin’ one of the nurses since getting out of traction.
When he rode it home the first day, the neighbors had a fit. It was noisy, big and stood out against the beat up Fords and Chevys that hogged the parking spaces in that working class part of town. Somebody had painted the sonofabitch bright blue and that made it stand out even more. There were no lid laws in those days and the old man wouldn’t have pissed in one anyway. He wore boots, khaki work pants with white t-shirts and topped it off with a pair of mirrored “Roy Orbison” sunglasses.
I was in love with the bike and in awe of my old man. All the kids on the street were. He played it up to the hilt, knowing that it drove their parents nuts. Once in a while, if he hadn’t been drinkin’ much, he’d take the neighborhood kids for a short ride. My younger sister came up with the idea of chargin’ the little crumb grabbers a dime for each ride. We had seventy cents and were on our way to a buck-fifty when the old man caught on. He made us give all the money back and gave the rest of the kids in the line a free ride, after which they all got to watch him bust my ass. Since I always lied and took full credit for our evil deeds, my sister missed out on all the old man’s sessions with the big leather belt. All I could do was grit my teeth an hold on while he lit me up.
If we were really lucky, when he was in a good mood and not too hung over, he’d let us kids watch him tear the V-twin motor down. He did it right there in the parking space with all his tools laid out on an old piece of canvas. We knew better than to touch anything or even talk to him until he got the scooter back together and tuned just right. He’d start in the morning and have her purring by mid afternoon. The neighbors went ape-shit.
The kids loved him, the parents hated him, and me, I just wanted to grow up and be like him. I’d watch him tear out early in the morning on weekends to go on rides or to hill climbs. Once the big Panhead had disappeared, I’d listen till I couldn’t hear it anymore then go racing back and jump on my bicycle. We put baseball cards in the spokes to make engine sounds and pretended we were riding with my old man. We’d ride all day and into the night.
He always parked in front of our building so he could be as close to the bike as possible. He left his big logging chain and lock and the huge green tarpaulin in the middle of the parking space to keep some cage driver from taking it. He’d pull up and back into one of the old straight-in parking places between a Desoto or a Dodge , lay it over on the side stand and smoke a cigarette while he waited for the motor to cool. Then he’d cover the bike, wave at the loafers who lounged on the stoop in front of the manager’s office, then head inside.
Although nobody ever said anything about it, it was understood that most of the neighbors thought it was uncivilized to have a big, nasty, oil dripping, motorcycle taking up one of the rare and valuable pieces of prime parking real estate. They couldn’t understand why he didn’t leave it around in the side parking lot, sort of as an incentive to the hubcap thieves and glove box pilferers that prowled that area. But nobody ever actually made the suggestion. Face to face confrontations weren’t their style. The old man continued to mark his spot with his tarp and chain when he was out riding. The neighbors continued to bitch and whine behind his back.
As the weeks wore on, they couldn’t let it go. Seeing the big blue behemoth oiling up that pristine parking stall just ate away at them. Something had to be done and when they finally got up the courage to make their move, they chose guerilla tactics over diplomacy.
They waited in the dark until the old man wasn’t around and then someone knocked over the Duo Glide.
None of us saw it happen of course. They were very careful about that. We were all upstairs in that sweatbox of an apartment waiting for Ma to finish dinner, so we could eat and get back outside where it was a somewhat cooler. The old man answered the door, shirtless like he always was in that heat.
Looking past the old man, I could see a couple more of the local loafers hanging back, down on the lower landing. I watched the neighbor as my old man’s eyes bored holes in him. His face began to quiver a little around the jowls. He was sweating buckets. “Uhh. We think somebody hit it with a car. Probably trying to park in that space..not much light there you know.”
The old man closed the door in the guy’s face while he was still stammering. He turned toward the kitchen, and I saw my mother step away from the stove. She heard what the neighbor said and her face went white. She’d had enough experience with the old man’s temper to know what was coming. We all had.
The old man looked like he could kill death itself. He pulled on his boots and a shirt and headed down the stairs. By this time the messenger was long gone. I followed even though I knew it would be smarter and a whole lot safer to stay inside. I had to see this. I just knew the old man was going to go down there and just start kicking the shit out of whoever got in range. I mean, he didn’t have a choice. He was known to be a bad hombre and he couldn’t let a thing like this go by without some blood and broken teeth, if he expected to hold onto that rep.
I followed the old man out of the hall way into the hot dark night. I could hear the murmuring of the crowd that had gathered around the old man’s parking spot. “Wonder how it happened? Car musta hit it or… Ain?t safe parking a motorbike out here…Them juvie hot rod punks. They probably did it.” I remember thinking, it was funny that they were all men. On a hot night like this there should have been women and kids all over the street.
As he walked across the small square of grass that separated our building from the street, the little knot of men parted for him like he was Moses at the Red Sea. As they stepped back, he saw his beautiful Harley Davidson Duo Glide lying on it’s side puking oil and gas. He stepped up to his scoot and stood there, hands on hips looking down at it. His face was like a stone wall. He said nothing.
Finally, one of the little weasels got the nerve to speak up. “Hey, Mac, ain’tcha gonna pick up yer sickle?”
The old man shook his head. “Nope,” he said, as his eyes drilled into the crowd. “I ain’t the one that knocked it over.” He crossed his arms and glared at them. “And I won’t be the one pickin’ it up.”
I heard another voice from the crowd. “Well, gosh Mac. What are ya gonna do?”
But I thought wrong.
The old mans voice was calm and steady. Eerily conversational. “What I’m gonna do is, I’m gonna go back upstairs to my apartment, have myself a cup of coffee, and smoke a cigarette. That’ll take about thirty minutes. Then I’m gonna come back down here…” He let his gaze rest on each one of the men for emphasis. “By that time, whoever knocked that fuckin’ bike over had better have it sitting up on the kickstand all wiped off and just like I left it.” He turned on his heels without waiting for an answer and strode back inside the building.
I chased after him not knowing what to think. Somebody had kicked over the old man’s beloved motorcycle and no one was bleeding yet. He’d just turned around and gone home. I couldn’t believe it. I was just a kid, but even I knew one of those limp dicks in that crowd had done the deed. Was he just gonna let ’em get away with it?
I got upstairs just as the old man was putting a pan of water on the stove for instant coffee. Ma, being wiser the rest of us, had disappeared. My sister was oblivious in front of the TV and that left me as the only witness to what the old man did. And what he did was nothin’. He made the coffee, sat down with it at the kitchen table, lit up a Camel and watched the clock above the refrigerator wind down.
It was the longest half-hour of my life. The old man was quiet. He just sat there smoking and drinking the bad instant coffee. When a half hour had passed, he got up without a word and headed out the door and down the stairs. I chased after him, keeping my distance. Now maybe we’d see the fire, or the brimstone or maybe at least a little thunder and lightning. Maybe now he’d start kickin’ some ass.
By the time I got to the street, the old man was already there, standing in the big pool of yellow light cast by the street lamp. We were alone. The crowd of neighbors had evaporated. The street was empty. Empty accept for the big blue Duo Glide sitting upright on it’s kickstand, and centered perfectly over the oil stain that marked it’s spot in the middle of the parking place. The green tarp had been neatly folded and placed on the big leather seat.
The old man walked over to his bike and looked it over quickly. Once he was satisfied, he unfolded the tarp and covered the scooter. He stepped back and surveyed his work. Then he crossed his arms and did a slow scan of the entire street with those wicked looking eyes of his. He nodded his head slowly in satisfaction and turned to go back inside.
Usually, I would have tried to remain invisible at a time like this. But I had to know what had just happened. “Hey dad?”
I started for the entrance, trying to talk while still keeping a safe distance in front of him. “How’d you know?” “How’d I know what?” “How did you know who knocked the bike over?” For the first time he grinned. “Didn’t know.” he said. Then who set the bike back up?” “I got no idea.” I stopped and turned to face him. “Well, don’t you wanta find out?” “It’s not important for me to know who they are,” he said as he took my hand. “What’s important is for them to know who I am. Tonight, I just had to remind ’em a little.” “But Dad,” I said, still not catching on. “Don’t ya wanna kick their asses?” I heard him laugh that deep mean laugh of his. “I just did, boy,”he said. “I just did. Now get yer butt back up those stairs.”
June 10, 2003 Part 4
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 3
NEVER ANGER YOUR NURSE–A bigshot business man CEO had to spend a couple of days in the hospital.
He was a royal pain to the nurses because he bossed them around just like he did his employees.None of the hospital staff wantedto have anything to do with him.The head nurse was the only one who could stand up to him.She walked into his room and announced, “I have to take your temperature.”
After complaining for several minutes, he finally settled down, crossed his arms and opened his mouth.
“No, I’m sorry, the nurse stated, “but for this reading, I can’t use an oral thermometer.”
This started another round of complaining, but eventually he rolled over and bared his behind.
After feeling the nurse insert the thermometer, he heard herannounce,”I have to get something. Now you stay JUST LIKE THAT until I get back!”
She leaves the door to his room open on her way out.He curses under his breath as he hears people walking past his door, laughing. After almost an hour, the man’s doctor comes into the room.
“What’s going on here?” asked the doctor.Angrily, the man answers, “What’s the matter, Doc?Haven’t you ever seen someone having their temperature taken before?”
After a pause, the doctor replies,”Yes, but never with a daffodil!!”
–from Bob T.
STROKER’S ETHIC letter Vol 1; Issue 1– The current alert from The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stating an alarming 50% increase in fatal motorcycle accidents since 1997 is a lie. Many of you may already be aware of that. What troubles me is, why we do not have a louder voice proclaiming this to be a false statement.
First I saw the alert on the Internet. Then I saw it in the News Papers, then Television. Now, I see it being printed in Motorcycle Publications. I have yet to see anyone else stating it is not true.
NHTSA is basing their statement on statistics showing increased deaths per Vehicle Mile Traveled (VMT). The problem being, the source for the VMT is not accurate and statistically invalid. It is an estimate based on counting less than one percent of all vehicle traffic.
NHTSA gleans the VMT data from the (FHWA) Federal Highway Administrations VM-1 table. State DOT’s are required to collect and submit this data to the FHWA. The collection methods are not regulated and State DOT’s are not even required to submit motorcycle classifications. The primary reason this information is submitted is for calculating federal highway monies to the State governments. In collecting traffic counts the State DOT’s are mostly concerned with road wear and traffic patterns. The data does not need to be highly accurate. The estimates can be made on as little as 0.2 percent of total traffic. This data was never intended to be used in determining public safety nor making decisions that effect live and death on public roads.
The VM-1 table says that in the year 2001 each motorcyclist in the United States traveled only 1,800 miles. I conducted a survey that showed less then 5 percent of motorcyclist ride under 2,000 miles per year. 72 percent traveled more than 5,000 miles per year, including 25 percent traveling over 10,000 miles per year. .
Why are the State estimates for motorcycle travel so inaccurate?
Less than one percent of total road traffic is counted. Motorcycles make up only 2 percent of that total traffic, making the sampling rate for motorcycles statistically meaningless.
Road sensors have a difficult time detecting motorcycles.
Vehicle classifications (car, truck, motorcycle, etc.) are calculated from road counter hits using mathematical algorithms based on axle spacing. State DOT’s are not required to use a specific algorithm. State DOT’s are primarily interested in heavy truck traffic as they are responsible for most of the wear on the roadways. Algorithms are tuned to detect heavy truck traffic, motorcycle counts are the lowest priority.
State DOT’s are not required to submit motorcycle classifications.
Motorcyclist tend to follow the road less traveled. The scenic and twisty back roads that traffic counters are never placed on.
I have charted data from the latest NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts publication dated December 2002 and attached copies for you to use.
If you look at actual recorded data like, number of accidents, number of deaths, and number of registered motorcycles. You will see that the deaths per accident as remained nearly flat for the period that NHTSA claims a dramatic rise. The number of motorcycle injury accidents have lowered. The number of deaths compared with the number of registered motorcycles has had a widening gap since 1986. There are no alarming trends in motorcycle death rates. Motorcycle injury accident rates have been lower every year since 1997, a period in which 6 states have removed their mandatory helmet laws. Indicating that fewer motorcyclist are injured in accidents if they do not wear a helmet.
You will notice the only data that does not correlate is the VMT. From 1998 to 2001 the number of motorcycles on the road increased by more than 1 million (25% increase). Yet, NHTSA says 3/4 billion fewer miles were traveled. Using this false data and comparing the number of deaths per Vehicle Mile Traveled it shows the huge increase that NHTSA is alerting about.
When I asked the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) how over one million additional motorcycles could yeild 3/4 billion fewer miles traveled their response was “The 1800 mile/mc figure for 2001 is an anomaly which will be revised in the 2002 version to bring it more in line with the NHTS.”
The NHTS (National Household Travel Survey) is a survey given through a joint effort between FHWA and the BTS (Bureau of Transportation Statistics). For the current survey out of 53,235 responses exactly 77 answered the motorcycle VMT question. A sample size of 77 out of the nearly 5 million motorcyclist in this country. This is the data that the Federal Highway Administration will use to determine the next publication of motorcycle VMT.
NHTSA knows this is a false manipulation of the data. When numerous recorded data sources show a decrease and one estimated source shows an increase you do not use the estimated data to make false statements.
Why did they chose to release the alert anyway? Notice the time period. 1997 was the year the federal motorcycle helmet law was removed. You can be sure NHTSA will use this false alert that is being broadcast and published everywhere to push for new federal and state helmet legislation.
We need to call NHTSA on this false statement and we need to do it loudly and quickly.
FTW,
Stroker
This is the premier issue of ETHIC. The mailing list of nearly 500 MRO’s from accross the nation was painstakingly gathered by hand. If you do not wish to receive future copies simply return this with a note to remove you from the list. If you know of anyone that would be interested in receiving it, have them send their email address to be added.
In future issues I will disclose new sources of proof that helmets cause injury and how NHTSA is illegally lobbing State, Federal, and International Governments through their covert department the MSF. This year they introduced $10,000 grants (bribes) through the MSF to anyone that will push their agenda. Encouraging MRO’s to accept this bribe money and attacking us from within our own ranks.
BIKERNET RELIGIOUS MOMENT– Moe: “My wife got me to believe in religion.
Joe: “Really?
Moe: “Yeah. Until I married her I didn’t believe in hell.
–from Rev CarlR
IT’S BACK TO THE GARAGE–We’re completing the Beach Ride, Bikernet, Custom Chrome Goliath project bike, so it’s back to the garage. Watch for reports and techs on Bikernet and in American Rider. It should be cool.
If I can stay awake long enough we’ll also post a short tech on the construction of our 1928 Shovelhead exhaust system built by Strokers in Dallas, formerly Easyriders.
We’ve been contacted by ABC news. They want to jump into the motorcycle game. It’s interesting how bikers have been bitch slapped for years. Suddenly we’re hot property. We’ll see what happens next.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
June 10, 2003 Part 3
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 2
GET READY HOUSTON–Saturday Nite July 12th – It’s ALL HARLEY RACIN’ – – AT IT’S BEST !!WILD – Tire Smokin’ – Gear Bangin’ – Hard Ridin’ – Nitro Powered Action & Partee!!As the Texas Scooter Times “Texas Style Party Drags” RUNS – The 2nd Annual HOUSTON CHAMPIONSHIPS “UNDER THE LIGHTS” – At HOUSTON RACEWAY PARK.Featuring – Top Fuel Harleys – Top Gas Harleys – Nostalgia Fuel Harleys – & 30 Sportsman Trophy Classes for any type of Harley Davidson Motorcycle From Stock to Drag Modified!! Live Rock & Blues Band – Albert Storo & The Soul Searchers LARGE VENDORS MIDWAY – With Everything from Charity Bike Raffles, To Biker Lifestyle & Motorcycle Accessories – Leathers – & New & Used Parts.
Gates open 3 pm – Time Trials and Pro Qualifying 4pm – First Round of Eliminations 8pm. Adults $20 (includes pit access) – 5 thru 12 $5 – Under 5 no charge
Houston Raceway Park is located East of Houston. Take I-10 to exit 798, then south 3 miles on Highway 146, then 0.8 miles southeast on FM 1405, then 1.5 miles northeast on FM 565
CHECK OUT THE VIEW FROM THE HOUSTON RACEWAY PARK GRANDSTANDS ON STREAMING VIDEO AT WWW.TEXASSCOOTER.COM & MORE HOUSTON CHAMPIONSHIPS INFORMATION TOO –ALSO – CURRENT “TEXAS STYLE PARTY DRAGS” INFO & PICTURES AND STREAMING VIDEOS FROM OUR LAST RACE – CHECK OUT OUR UPDATED SITE !!!
PRE RACE PARTY AT KT’S Cycle Service – Baytown – Details www.texasscooter.com or 281-576-4662
RACE INFORMATION – 254-687-9066, Texas Scooter Times, 124 W. Main St. Itasca Texas,76055
–TST
BEACH RIDE BIKERNET PROJECT BIKE TOUR–We have identified the following dates and sites for the Beach Ride Bike Tour. We can make some dealer stops to promote ride originations and other stops you might like us to cover. Another idea is to visit existing ride originations to promote the event, especially if a dealer is already having a promotion. We can review this schedule and finalize dates and locations on Monday:
Blues Cafe, Long Beach
Blue Moon Cafe, San Pedro
Cooks Corners, Irvine
Route 66 Rendezvous, Lytle Creek, 7/12, Saturday
Walteria Benefit M/C Show, Torrance, 7/13 Sunday
LA Calendar M/C Show, Long Beach, 7/19, Saturday
Irvine Lake Harley Fest, Irvine, 7/20, Sunday 7/26 Saturday
Long Beach Cycle Swap, Long Beach,7/27 Sunday
John Force Cruise Night, Yorba Linda 7/30, *Wednesday 8/2 *Saturday
LAPD Charity M/C Ride, LA 8/3 *Sunday
NHRA Museum Cruise, Pomona 8/6 *Wednesday
Giovanni’s Pizza cruise, Fullerton 8/7 Thursday
Biker Beach Party, Harbor City 8/9 Saturday 8/10 Sunday
Famdamily 12th Ann., Signal Hill 8/12 Tuesday
100th Anniversary Party,Las Vegas 8/16 Saturday
100th Anniversary Party, Las Vegas 8/17 Sunday
13th Annual Viet Vets, Pala 8/23 Saturday
Toys N’ Tots, Ventura` ` `8/24 Sunday 8/30 Saturday
Long Beach Cycle Swap, long Beach 8/31 Sunday
HEY BANDIT–I was looking in the Cantina, and checked out the Antiques.Thought these two Vincents might be of interest, they were photographed at Motorcycle World 2003.
I also included another pic of the Harley.
–The Ferryman
HARLEY HISTORY, A TRIBUTE FOR THE 100TH–In 1903, the same year Henry Ford incorporated the Ford Motor Company and the Wright brothers first flew, William Harley and his friends Arthur and Walter Davidson launched the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. They gave their bike a quality engine, so it could prove itself in races, but planned to manufacture it as a transport vehicle.
That same year the merchant, C. H. Lange, sold the first officially distributed Harley-Davidson in Chicago, a city given to “motoracing” and auto-touring. Another of the Davidson brothers, William, joined the company, which soon burst the seams of its first manufacturing center and, by 1906, had to move to larger quarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
From the beginning the Harley-Davidson motorcycle began to set records. In 1908, for example, the Harley achieved a record 188.234 miles per gallon. It captured seven first place finishes in 1910 motorcycle racing, and, by 1912 claimed 200 U.S. distributors. A sturdy Harley-Davidson Sidecar won the first annual Pike’s Peak race in 1916, and another bike claimed first in the 1922 Adelaide to Melbourne South Australia race.
By the 1960s “the hog,” as it affectionately came to be called, scored seven consecutive victories at the Daytona 200. During the next decade the Harley took four consecutive wins at the AMA Grand National Championships and broke the world motorcycle record for land speed.
The Harley-Davidson came to be America’s most recognized motorcycle, but it was not the first. Howard Roper developed a coal powered steam-engine motorcycle in 1867 and Gottlieb Daimler, a German, developed a gas-powered motorcycle in 1885, which he attached to a wooden bike. That marked the moment in history when the dual development of a viable gas-powered engine and the modern bicycle collided.
Turn of the nineteenth century inventors who worked with both the engine and the bicycle chose to follow one of three paths. Daimler, for example, went on to develop automobiles, the Wright brothers left their bike shop to fly airplanes, and men like Harley and the Davidsons developed motorcycles. Their business competitors were other new start-up companies such as Excelsior, Indian, Pierce, Merkel, Schickel and Thor.
From the beginning a unique and characteristic sound endeared the Harley-Davidson to its owners. The Harley’s pistons connected to its crankshaft in a way that caused the motor to give two “pops” then a quiet pause as it hummed along the road. Yet around that constant sound, other things evolved and changed: a 45 degree V-twin motor was introduced in 1909, the “Bar and Shield” logo in 1910, and the teardrop-shaped gas tank in the 1920s. In the 1930’s an “eagle” design was placed on those tanks and the famous “Knucklehead” engine was introduced. At a time the Harley became widely used as both a police and a commercial vehicle, the company even manufactured sidecars and sported motorbikes built for two.
During World War I Harley-Davidson manufactured nearly 20,000 motorcycles for the U.S. government. And during World War II virtually all of the Harleys produced went towards the war effort. As nations such as England were forced to give up motorcycle production to favor production of tanks and planes, Harley’s motorcycles were also shipped overseas to U.S. allies.
Following WWII the Harley’s market share, as well as its myth, continued to grow. Its main U.S. competitor, Indian Motorcycle, ceased production in the 1950s. And veteran owners, new bikers, and even movies such as Easy Rider raised the Harley Davidson to the status of American icon. Glamorous stars pictured with Harleys, from the early Mack Sennett Studio, to Jayne Mansfield, Elvis Presley, and Peter Fonda, certainly enhanced the company’s image.
For the most part, however, Harley-Davidsons, like all motorcycles, are enjoyed by individuals and groups who find biking a wonderful way to get where they are going. Who in on-the-road-America has not seen bikers tooling along the highway whether on a Fall outing, in a parade, making a statement, or raising money for charity? Indeed, the Harley-Davidson company prides itself on the money it has raised for charity during the last quarter century, with the help of its customers and dealers.
–from Rogue and Library of Congress
Continued On Page 4
June 10, 2003 Part 2
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 1
BIKERNET SALOON ADVICE–This guy has been sitting in a bar all night, staring at a blonde wearingthe tightest pants he’s ever seen. Finally his curiosity gets the best ofhim, so he walks over and asks”How do you get into those pants?
The young woman looks him over and replies”Well, you could start by buying me a drink.
–from Rev CarlR
BIKERNET SEXUAL STUDY–It has been determined, the most used sexual position for married couples isa doggie position.The husband sits up and begs, andThe wife rolls over and plays dead.
–from Rev CarlR
JOKER CHOPPER PIPES–At last, a set of SUPERCOOL chopper pipes that compliment our billet line! Give your bike the HIGH STLYE it deserves with these state-of-the-art pipes manufactured by us at Joker!
? Has Unique Reverse slash cut ends and our diamond logo plate brazed on midway along the outer pipe for an “Old School” look.
? Hand Crafted 3-Step exhaust design will surely enhance the looks and performance of any soft tail.
? Show quality fit and finish including our exclusive support bracket system.
? Fits 89-03? FLST and FXST?s
? Optional power cones available:
BIKERNET BLOND JOKE–A blonde calls Delta Airlines and asks,”Can you tell me how long it’ll take to fly from San Francisco to New YorkCity?
The agent replies, “Just a minute…
“Thank you,” the blonde says, and hangs up
–from Rev CarlR
THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF MICHAEL LICHTER CAPTURES THE PULSE, CELEBRATION AND SPIRIT OF STURGIS– St. Paul, Minn. – One week each August, The Sturgis Rally and Races, which began as a half-mile dirt-track race in the Black Hills of Sturgis, S.D., transforms from a small, Midwestern town of 6,700 into the center of the universe for more than 600,000 motorcycle enthusiasts from around the world.
Sturgis: The Photography of Michael Lichter, by Michael Lichter (available now from MBI Publishing Company), is a stunning photographic record of this world-famous motorcycle rally and features nearly a quarter of a century’s worth of Lichter’s artistic photography.
Sturgis: The Photography of Michael Lichter retails for $29.95 (in Canada $47.95) and is available in bookstores everywhere. It also can be ordered through Classic Motorbooks at (800) 826-6600 or
BIKERNET WASHINGTON REPORT– Here’s the kind of party I love being invited to. A ‘Renewal’ ceremony, not a ‘Wedding’ on the 4th of July for Dave and Debi Goodale. 10 Years ago these two crazy kids got hitched on Independence Day, ironically, and vowed they’d do it over again on their 10th and sure enough they did and with style! Not a detail was missed, from the sequined blue tailcoat of the groom, the mad-hatter top-hats even on the preacher, right down to the matching red, white and blue sneakers of all the people in the ceremony, the flowers and balloons – even the bride’s eyelashes and finger nails were multicolored, adorned with stars & stripes. Later on Don Graf graced us with some traditional Scottish bagpipe songs while the bonfire was ablaze and then the band took over.
Their granddaughter was a flower girl, Deb’s only daughter gave her away, and the preacher and ceremony were pretty comedic as well, though he recited a heart-felt yet funny poem – written by the groom which made the bride cry, but there was hardly another tear falling ’cause it was an upbeat ceremony in unseasonably warm weather for Tacoma, WA. The reason behind it was best of all; two of the nicest people you’d ever wanna know celebrating not only 10 years together as a married couple, but renewing their vows to remain together.
Congratulations, Dave & Debi … and many more …
–Helen Wolfe
BIKERNET QUOTE OF THE DAY– “Life isn’t like a box of chocolates … it’s more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today might burn your ass tomorrow. ”
–from Bob T.
BIKERNET CARIBBEAN/HAWAIIAN REPORT– As you all know we have been sunning our asses in Hawaii for the past week, all I can say is that it was a fucking blast ! Sure everything has a downside, like the swell that never showed up, but the rest was gravy. I did so many things that it will take me a couple days to gather my thoughts, so this week’s news is just going to be a fly by, and I’ll save the details for my story later on.I must say everyone was more than helpful and willing to bend over backwards to make our visit there the best possible, bikes were available, cool ass cars (thanks Deacon) cool people, shops, surf boards, even chicks….
The hotel location was primo and the sidewalks of Waikiki and every nook and cranny packed to the gills, the show was a hit and although Billy was getting most of the attention, reducing my famous status to semi famous, but I did my duty and took care of the lonely honeys that were lost amongst the rows of bikes. I got to meet the most talented builders in the island as well as the master of all masters, Mr Tiger Wong, who was kind enough to allow me to drool over his vast collection of kick ass chops and local boyz. I got to see friends that I have not seen for a long time , get in a shaping room and be able to mess with tools and screw up my own board (Thanks Jay Hodge, you go suck some foam you fucker !) This trip was epic, we met Tom from Rumble Customs and George in the street and of course we got to hang out (thanks for Mortons)The radio station was a blast with Augie and Lanai, plus the babe of babes Melisa ( Island Rhythms 98.5) , Cosmic paint, Nui, Roger, Ole Pan, Deacon, Dan and Melody, Captain, Larry, Chris T, Joerlene, Jay, all the dinner invitations, all the parties, all the whatevers we were invited to…..
I will take this space to thank all and everyone that showed up, helped out, took care of us, invited, partied, drank, talked, hung out, got me boards, lent me bikes, etc.etc,etc……. It was a real pleasure meeting everyone and being able to hang out and create some chaos…..Femme Nu for treating us like kings, even our cop bust was a set up !
It was a great time, and I hope I can go back there soon, or let me repay the hospitality here in Puerto Rico if life brings you by our shores…
One big fuckin’ ass Mahalo to all !See you next week, I’m fuckin’ jet lagged and trying to get all the shit together for Sturgis, plus the photos up on the site….
Whadda fuck, to play you gotta pay…..
–Jose
Visit our Web Site
Continued On Page 3
June 10, 2003 Part 2
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 1
BIKERNET SALOON ADVICE–This guy has been sitting in a bar all night, staring at a blonde wearingthe tightest pants he’s ever seen. Finally his curiosity gets the best ofhim, so he walks over and asks”How do you get into those pants?
The young woman looks him over and replies”Well, you could start by buying me a drink.
–from Rev CarlR
BIKERNET SEXUAL STUDY–It has been determined, the most used sexual position for married couples isa doggie position.The husband sits up and begs, andThe wife rolls over and plays dead.
–from Rev CarlR
JOKER CHOPPER PIPES–At last, a set of SUPERCOOL chopper pipes that compliment our billet line! Give your bike the HIGH STLYE it deserves with these state-of-the-art pipes manufactured by us at Joker!
? Has Unique Reverse slash cut ends and our diamond logo plate brazed on midway along the outer pipe for an “Old School” look.
? Hand Crafted 3-Step exhaust design will surely enhance the looks and performance of any soft tail.
? Show quality fit and finish including our exclusive support bracket system.
? Fits 89-03? FLST and FXST?s
? Optional power cones available:
BIKERNET BLOND JOKE–A blonde calls Delta Airlines and asks,”Can you tell me how long it’ll take to fly from San Francisco to New YorkCity?
The agent replies, “Just a minute…
“Thank you,” the blonde says, and hangs up
–from Rev CarlR
THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF MICHAEL LICHTER CAPTURES THE PULSE, CELEBRATION AND SPIRIT OF STURGIS– St. Paul, Minn. – One week each August, The Sturgis Rally and Races, which began as a half-mile dirt-track race in the Black Hills of Sturgis, S.D., transforms from a small, Midwestern town of 6,700 into the center of the universe for more than 600,000 motorcycle enthusiasts from around the world.?
Sturgis: The Photography of Michael Lichter, by Michael Lichter (available now from MBI Publishing Company), is a stunning photographic record of this world-famous motorcycle rally and features nearly a quarter of a century’s worth of Lichter’s artistic photography.
Sturgis: The Photography of Michael Lichter retails for $29.95 (in Canada $47.95) and is available in bookstores everywhere. It also can be ordered through?Classic Motorbooks at (800) 826-6600 or
BIKERNET WASHINGTON REPORT– Here’s the kind of party I love being invited to. A ‘Renewal’ ceremony, not a ‘Wedding’ on the 4th of July for Dave and Debi Goodale. 10 Years ago these two crazy kids got hitched on?Independence Day, ironically, and vowed they’d do it over again on their 10th and sure enough they did and with style! Not a detail was missed, from the sequined blue tailcoat of the groom, the?mad-hatter top-hats even on the preacher, right down to the matching red, white and blue sneakers of all the people in the ceremony, the flowers and balloons – even the?bride’s eyelashes and finger nails were multicolored, adorned with stars & stripes. Later on Don Graf graced us with some traditional Scottish bagpipe songs while the bonfire was ablaze and then the band took over.
Their granddaughter was a flower girl, Deb’s?only daughter gave her away, and the preacher and ceremony were pretty comedic as well, though?he recited a heart-felt?yet funny poem – written by the groom which made the bride cry, but there was hardly another tear falling?’cause it was?an upbeat?ceremony in unseasonably warm weather for Tacoma, WA. The reason behind it was best of all; two of the nicest people you’d ever wanna know celebrating not only 10 years together as a married couple, but renewing their vows to remain together.
Congratulations, Dave & Debi … and many more …
–Helen Wolfe
BIKERNET QUOTE OF THE DAY– “Life isn’t like a box of chocolates … it’s more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today might burn your ass tomorrow. ”
–from Bob T.
BIKERNET CARIBBEAN/HAWAIIAN REPORT– As you all know we have been sunning our asses in Hawaii for the past week, all I can say is that it was a fucking blast ! Sure everything has a downside, like the swell that never showed up, but the rest was gravy. I did so many things that it will take me a couple days to gather my thoughts, so this week’s news is just going to be a fly by, and I’ll save the details for my story later on.I must say everyone was more than helpful and willing to bend over backwards to make our visit there the best possible, bikes were available, cool ass cars (thanks Deacon) cool people, shops, surf boards, even chicks….
The hotel location was primo and the sidewalks of Waikiki and every nook and cranny packed to the gills, the show was a hit and although Billy was getting most of the attention, reducing my famous status to semi famous, but I did my duty and took care of the lonely honeys that were lost amongst the rows of bikes. I got to meet the most talented builders in the island as well as the master of all masters, Mr Tiger Wong, who was kind enough to allow me to drool over his vast collection of kick ass chops and local boyz. I got to see friends that I have not seen for a long time , get in a shaping room and be able to mess with tools and screw up my own board (Thanks Jay Hodge, you go suck some foam you fucker !) This trip was epic, we met Tom from Rumble Customs and George in the street and of course we got to hang out (thanks for Mortons)The radio station was a blast with Augie and Lanai, plus the babe of babes Melisa ( Island Rhythms 98.5) , Cosmic paint, Nui, Roger, Ole Pan, Deacon, Dan and Melody, Captain, Larry, Chris T, Joerlene, Jay, all the dinner invitations, all the parties, all the whatevers we were invited to…..
I will take this space to thank all and everyone that showed up, helped out, took care of us, invited, partied, drank, talked, hung out, got me boards, lent me bikes, etc.etc,etc……. It was a real pleasure meeting everyone and being able to hang out and create some chaos…..Femme Nu for treating us like kings, even our cop bust was a set up !
It was a great time, and I hope I can go back there soon, or let me repay the hospitality here in Puerto Rico if life brings you by our shores…
One big fuckin’ ass Mahalo to all !See you next week, I’m fuckin’ jet lagged and trying to get all the shit together for Sturgis, plus the photos up on the site….
Whadda fuck, to play you gotta pay…..
–Jose
Visit our Web Site
Continued On Page 3
June 10, 2003 Part 1
By Bandit |
Just returned from the first Choppers Only show in Hawaii put together by Deacon and Dan “Ozzy” Franco. It was a massive success. Wild bikes, beautiful women, beautiful beaches and warm clear days. That’s why they call it paradise. We want to extend a special thanks to Chris and Joerline Tronolone. They had to put up with our bullshit for the whole week and were very gracious about it.
Now we’re rocking with deadlines for Bikernet, the HORSE and Hard Core Choppers in Japan. Hang on for some fine material and features. Let’s get to the news:
LATE BREAKING NEWS!PENNSYLVANIA HELMET FREEDOM– Keystone State motorcyclists scored a monumental victory on July 1, 2003 when the House of Representatives voted 118-79 to modify Pennsylvania?s 35 year-old helmet law and allow adults over 21 who are experienced riders (licensed at least two years), or have passed the Motorcycle Safety Course, to make their own decisions about helmet use.
The State Senate previously approved Senator John Wozniak’s helmet law modification bill, SB 259, by a vote of 29-20 on June 16. ABATE of Pennsylvania successfully defeated several undesirable amendments. The bill now goes to Governor Edward G. Rendell, who has stated publicly that he will sign the measure if it gets to his desk.
To keep abreast of this breaking news item, you can call the ABATE of Pennsylvania Legislative Hotline at (866) PA-ABATE, sponsored by the National Coalition of Motorcyclists and the Law Offices of Richard M. Lester.
TROPHIES ARE IN FOR UPCOMING SHOW–Mike Pullin, the founder reached out to pull in handmade trophies for their upcoming charity event. Bikernet supplied the honors for the Best of show, but some of the other trophies are really cool. Don’t miss this opportunity to collect a truly original trophy.
HEY DIXIE RIDERS–My favorite time of the year is here! July 4?Independence Day?.Parades, parties, BBQ, fireworks?..and not to mention all the other stuff that happens when I leave the house!
I?m sorry, that was a lame joke but it?s deadline and my humor reservoir is running low?.
Anyway, I wanted to invite you to come to Atlanta Ga (McDonough Ga actually) this Saturday for the Liberty Bike Show. It?s our first one and we hope to make it an annual event. I?ve attached the flyer for directions and if you live anywhere close come on out and join us. MotorHeads is a brand new bar and grill and from what I?ve heard is going to be THE COOLEST BIKER BAR in the Atlanta area. Harley-Davidson?s hanging from the ceiling.. plus a ton of motorcycle memorabilia. I?m looking forward to it.
Wherever you spend this Independence Day weekend, please take a minute to say a silent prayer for our nation?s warriors who are in harms way defending our liberty. We respect and appreciate your sacrifice.
Please ride safe and have a good holiday!
SONS OF LIBERTY RIDERS E-NEWS– Support the “Freedom to Read Protection Act”!From: Matt Howes, National Internet Organizer, ACLU:Under an infamous provision in the USA PATRIOT Act, the FBI has the power tosearch your library and book-buying records by simply telling a secret courtthat the records are “sought for” an intelligence investigation.Furthermore, if the librarian or bookseller tells you that they turned yourrecords over to the government, they could be imprisoned.
Proposed legislation before the U.S. House of Representatives — the”Freedom to Read Protection Act” — would remove this power to search yourrecords without a warrant or probable cause. It is a much-needed fix to theUSA PATRIOT Act, the controversial and sweeping anti-terrorism law rushedthrough Congress just after September 11.
This positive legislation will restore constitutional protections of ourprivacy. It deserves our support!Click here to get more information and to take action!http://www.aclu.org/NationalSecurity/NationalSecurity.cfm?ID=12607&c=110
“The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.”~ Plato
AMA launches ridestraight.com.June 3 – The AMA has launched a website to support “Ride Straight,” anational campaign to educate motorcyclists about thedangers of drinking and riding.
The new website, www.ridestraight.com, features a wide range of educationaland informational resources, as well as linksto other motorcycle-safety programs. The site also includes public-serviceadvertisements that can be downloaded for use in print publications.
“The AMA is proud to take the lead in addressing the issue of impairedriding,” said Robert Rasor, President of the AmericanMotorcyclist Association. “We believe that ridestraight.com can be avaluable tool in raising awareness about the risks of combining alcohol andmotorcycling.”
In light of statistics showing that 41 percent of thefatally injured motorcycle riders in 2001 had a blood alcohol content (BAC)of .08 g/dl or greater – the legal limit of impairment in many states – lastSeptember the AMA announced that it had joined forces with the NationalHighway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to produceRide Straight.
Volunteers Needed:Please take a few minutes to review the following website.http://falloncommunications.com/higginsI’m involved with an organization called Operation Just Cause.http://www.ojc.org/ We use the internet to raise awareness for the POW-MIA issue.
We are undertaking a monumental task of righting a wrong, andbased on what I’ve seen during the Myrtle Beach Boycott, This list is hasthe resources across the United States to help us.
Please review the website, http://falloncommunications.com/higginsOn the last page there is a form for volunteering for a variety of tasksneeded. Please sign up for something. When we get the petitions and wordingof the bills we are seeking finalized, someone will be contacting you tohelp get this off the ground.
–Lou “Bones”
If you need more info on this or any other subject just go to the Sons ofLiberty Riders Info Zonehttp://solrpa.com/wwwboard/ or http://www.solriders.net
DOWN SOUTH– Bubba called his attorney and asked, “Is it true they’resuing the cigarette companies for causing people to get cancer?”
“Yes, Bubba, sure is true,” responded the lawyer.
“And now someone is suing the fast food restaurants for making them fatand clogging their arteries with all them burgers and fries, is thattrue, mister lawyer?”
“Sure is Bubba,” replied the lawyer.
“And the lady sued McDonald’s for millions when she was given the hotcoffee that she had ordered?”
“Yep.”
“And the football player sued the university when he graduated and stillcouldn’t read?”
“That’s right,” said the lawyer. “But why are you asking?”
“Well, I was thinking! What I want to know is, kin I sue Budweiser forall the ugly women I’ve slept with?”
–Rogue
TONGLET TAKES SCREAMIN? EAGLE TEAM TO NHRA PRO STOCK FINAL–MILWAUKEE, WIS. (June 30, 2003) – In his best performance of the season, GT Tonglet and the Screamin? Eagle/Vance & Hines Pro Stock Bike drag-racing team defeated three tough opponents to make the final at the Sears Craftsman National Hot Rod Association Nationals at Madison, Ill., on June 29. Tonglet saved his best run for last as he posted his best time of the weekend, 7.177 seconds at 185.46 mph, but lost to Geno Scali by a mere 0.0177 seconds, or about five feet.
?We had everything together for that final run, and we needed it because the competition here is so tough,? said the 20-year-old Tonglet. ?It?s too bad we didn?t win, but we had a great weekend. The team is feeling really confident now. We?ve got two of the quickest bikes out there. We are going to get a win this season.?
Tonglet was joined in Sunday?s elimination rounds by Screamin? Eagle/Vance & Hines rider Andrew Hines. Hines qualified sixth with a run of 7.180 seconds and 191.97 mph, a new track top speed record for Pro Stock Bikes at Gateway International Raceway. Tonglet qualified 12th with a time of 7.237 seconds and 183.49 mph.
Hines was eliminated in the first round on Sunday, losing to Mike Berry after a mechanical problem caused him to miss his shift to fifth gear near the end of his run. He was leading at the time.
In his first round, Tonglet (7.183/184.88) beat Fred Collis (7.208/184.50), chasing down the Suzuki rider after Collis got a jump on the start. Collis was the winner of the previous round NHRA Pro Stock Bike event.
In round two, Tonglet advanced after Steve Johnson red lighted for jumping the start. Tonglet?s next opponent was Shawn Gann, the number-one qualifier for the event with a run of 7.168/182.72. Tonglet got an outstanding holeshot and beat Gann?s reaction time, 0.061 to 0.088 to take the win with a run of 7.235/177.65 to Gann?s quicker run of 7.222/186.07.
That put Tonglet in the final round against Scali. According to the National Hot Rod Association, it was the first time a Harley-Davidson-powered bike had made a pro final since 1980, when Ed Ryan advanced that far at Gainesville, Fla.
Tonglet responded with an outstanding reaction time of 0.010 to Scali?s 0.031, and the Screamin? Eagle V-Rod held on to the lead until just past the 1,200-foot mark, when Scali was able to inch by at the finish.
The next stop for the Pro Stock Bikes on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series is the Mopar Mile-High Nationals, July 18-20, in Denver, Colorado.
Continued On Page 2
June 5, 2003 Part 3
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 2
BIKERNET CARIBBEAN REPORT–I’m not a sports fan, but the Anaheim Angels and Expos were playing here this week and we went over to see what all the hoopla was about. I have never seen so many home runs, the Expos has taken two beatings, so if anyone out there in the LA area was watching the ball game and imagined that you saw us, you are probably right, nope it was not the pipe. That got me thinking, and you know how it is, thinking means, news or trouble… So here we go.
This guys are making millions of dollars to play a game, stuff that we all used to do (or still do) for fun, and no one considers them sellouts.
Then they do all the ads and endorsements which even bring ’em more money. No one bitches about these guys being ” untrue” to their game. So why do we? If any of us goes major, the whole spectrum changes. It’s not a “real” whatever, he sold out his soul to the TV devil…..
I received an e-mail from some retard claiming that I could not be talking about true bikers, or real bikes, since I was from PR and this island was as far from the chopper world as you could be, and we had no history of choppers or bikes. Well, I think I’ve got a surprise for everyone. I’m starting to document the whole History of Harley-Davidson and choppers in Puerto Rico, and I am getting so much material it’s going to be pretty impressive.
But this brings me to more thoughts…. Maybe, just maybe, I should have been born in England to become a soccer star…. I guess no one told the people of Brazil that their team, who once again got a World Cup, don’t know shit about soccer. Or maybe I should have been born in Hawaii to be a professional surfer. I’ll tell you this much. The conditions in Oahu are perfect to become a world champion. It’s the best surfing backyard in the world, but I guess no one told a kid from Florida (which has kinda the suckiest waves) and has won 6 World championships. Or maybe I need to be been born in Newport , Rhode Island to compete for the America’s Cup, the most prestigious sailing regatta in the planet. Shit, I think someone forgot to warn the Swiss (which by the way have no SEA) when they won the cup. No one told the poor kids in Dominican Republic that by playing with a broom stick and tennis ball, they might become a major part of the biggest American pass time, baseball. Yep, Sammy Sosa, cork and all.
Shall I keep on going? Don’t think so. It’s got nothin’ to do with your place of origin, but all in the desire, the hard work, the hours you put into your endeavor. But one thing is for sure, all you gotta do is keep your eyes open, know what is going on around you (and I mean all around, not just in your “backyard”). That way you can achieve things that are not achievable. I don’t have to brag about what I have been able to do, but I’m pretty happy with it, and that’s good enough for me (which is what matters). We as human beings refuse to sit down and enjoy the view. We need to keep on going, create more, practice more and better ourselves. In short the day that we don’t accomplish diddly squat is a total waste. In China, Russia or Hell…..Life deals the cards, and you play them as best you can. Life can’t be bluffed.Nuff said.
Let’s get to the news…
Last weekend there was an overdose of motorcycle TV shows. Every channel had something different, from Arlen Ness and the Hamsters, to Bonneville, Sturgis, Myrtle Beach and the repeats of the Biker Build Offs, Motorcycle Women and the Jesse James shows. Even the Orange County Osbournes and more Monster Garage with no others than Indian Larry and Steve Bonge from NYC.This is fucking amazing! It’s so great for the industry of motorcycling in general that channels like Discovery, TLC, the History channel and Travel Channel were up to the wazoos in Motorcycle stuff. We are being noticed and noticed big time, I just hope that all these shows remember that there’s a big ass World out there….A lot to see and film… I wish this will all come in due time.
Our plans for Hawaii are a go. I have been talking to various friends about this show. I know it’s just a single day event, but it’s a pretty good excuse for a well deserved vacation to just hang out and surf with friends. Also I would like to get a first look at the scene in Hawaii, and share it with all that don’t or won’t have the chance to see it first hand. I am sure it will be a blast.
I talked to Chris T the other day and Billy Lane is going for sure, we are trying to get JJ to come as well, why ? Cause we are friends and we surf…And if you surf, Hawaii is the place. Chris was telling me about a possible photo shoot of us surfing for one of the magazines. That would be super cool and totally odd. After 25 or so years battling waves, being featured on a surf mag as a bike builder who surfs….That would be fuckin’ cool.
As we speak the biggest bike event in Sweden is taking place. I hate to say I had to skip it after promising my friends I would go… What the fuck! I don’t have that much time, but I still wanted to head over really bad…
Last week we went over to our friends Fiel a la Vega concert. I dare to say the top Spanish speaking rock band ever. Those guys played for three hours and outdid themselves, no pun intended. Those fuckers ROCKED! If you have the chance check them out, or visit their page www.fielalavega.com. It’s in Spanish, but music knows no language. We had a blast, and the best of the best in PR hot chicks were there…..Sight to be seen. Long live low cut denim, Levi’s Strauss was a genius.
The bikes are rolling on and the building still at a frantic pace, we are getting ready for the Horse Smoke out, the Run for Breath trophies, Hawaii Chopper Show and Sturgis… It’s all around the corner… Welcome to fucking Summer !!!!Gotta go check my new surf boards being made…..See you guys later
–Jose, Caribbean Bikernet reporter
HOLLYWOOD– Sources confirm a new reality series headed for cableaudiences this summer will feature the witty hijinks of E! network starAnna Nicole, last seen ordering her lawyer/indentured servant Howard Stern(no, not that Howard Stern) to fish out her favorite lipstick after it was”accidentally” dropped in the upstairs toilet, and Discovery Channel’sOrange County Choppers styling whiz Paul Teutul, Jr. Anna’s command to,”Just reach in there and grab it! Go on! Do it!” is seen as a perfect foilto the more reflective and stoic Teutul.
According to anonymous sources, a separate Pay Per View site, offered byWWF maven Vince McMahon as part of his groundbreaking “Salute To America’sBravest!”, will allow curious voyeurs an “all areas” access to view thebedroom antics of the two “porking” in a wide tire converted ’70’s-retrowater bed, complete with replica surface-to-air missles, faux tarantulafangs, armadillo upholstery, velvet-lined handcuff restraints, theatricalfireworks on demand, and a “chromed out” flavored condom dispenser mountedon the headboard right between the exam stirrups.
The two reigning icons of dysfunctional genetics promise to set tongues towagging when they debut a Frederick’s commissioned line of “barely there”accessories and clothing separates designed for the “hefty leather” setwhose needs require versatile outfits equally at home on the golf course orin the biker bar, and which for obvious reasons are prohibited from beingshown on the Style Network. The breakthrough designs, a blend of Pakistanicowhide, “distressed” Chinese chain, and Dutch rough trade inverted spikesand smooth latex, will rollout nationally following the premier, availableboth online and at selected retail locations.
Though not yet confirmed, the new series will likely debut as, “Yo! Yo! Yo!Get To Work Or Get Your Stupid Ass Slapped, Dummy!” The previous workingtitle, “Bowling For Bitches,” was dropped as being not sufficientlyexpressive.
Sources familiar with the inaugaral episode state that the OCC motorcyclesseen on air range in price from $750,000 to $4.5 million, depending oncustomer choices for paint and displacement. Most have already been soldand are pending delivery, although OCC is currently accepting orders for2008 delivery.
–from John S.
PRISON GUARD SEX–By STEVEN WALTERS On a voice vote, the state Senate passed the bill, sending it to Gov. Jim Doyle, who will sign it into law, an aide said. The Assembly unanimously passed the measure in April. Wisconsin had been one of only four states not explicitly prohibiting sexual conduct between prison and jail staff members and inmates. “We think it’s wonderful news,” said Lara Stemple, executive director of Stop Prisoner Rape, a national human rights organization. “We agree corrections officers should not be allowed to engage in sexual acts with prisoners. We think this legislation is needed to keep that from happening.” Martin Beil, executive director of the Wisconsin State Employees Union, could not be reached for comment. In the past, union officials argued it was enough punishment if guards who had sexual contact with inmates lost their jobs for that conduct, so it was not necessary to also make that a crime. But Fitzgerald said publicity over an incident at the Taycheedah prison for women, in which inmate Jackie Noyes was impregnated by a prison guard overseeing her – and the inmate was ordered to serve nearly a year of solitary confinement – also helped the bill pass. The guard, Matthew Emery, was fired. The Journal Sentinel reported that Noyes was one of four female inmates placed in solitary confinement for having a personal relationship with guards overseeing them or for trying to report sexual misconduct. All four were released from solitary after the newspaper articles were published. –Rogue
Continued On Page 4
June 5, 2003 Part 2
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 1
CRAZYHORSE PAINT JOB OF THE WEEK–I checked out Bikernet yesterday and it’s all this Hawaii stuff. Thisis where I’ve been, and it ain’t been Hawaii. I been killing myselftrying to finish the lovely Jennifer’s paint job. In the middle ofit, I had to go down toAtlanta to attend the high school graduation of my best and oldestfriend’s oldest girl. It seemed like a tame enough situation. When itwas over I was happy that my friend and I were not in jail.
It was like something outta “Cops”. I found myself in a hot rodMustang with two handsome (very) young guys, in the middle ofdowntown Dogpaw, Georgia, at 3:00 a.m., giving thedumbest answers to the cop’s dreadfully serious questions. They had ussurrounded by four cruisers. I didn’t go to jail, so I can laugh now.
“Have you been drinking or using any illegal drugs ma’am?”
“No.”
“Is this your car?”
“No.”
“Well whose car is it?”
“His,” I then point to the kid next to me.
“Well why isn’t he driving it?”
“The car?”
“Yes, ma’am, the car.”
“They asked me to drive.”
“What is the owner of the car’s name?
“Jeremy?”
“Has he been drinking?”
“I don’t know. I was upstairs.”
‘And where was this?”
“At my friend’s house.”
“And where is that house?”
“South Scales road.” (Wrong address. I wasn’t daffy enough to givethe right one.)
“And what is happening on South Scales Rd?”
“Oh that’s where my friend lives.”
“And what’s going on there? Not an underage drinking party I hope.”
“Oh no,” I looked very sincere.
“How long have you been living in Georgia?”
“I don’t live in Georgia.”
“Ma’am, are you aware that the 17-year-old boy in the back seat isout after curfew which ended at midnight, three hours ago? And you’resaying you have nothing to do with the fact that underage teen nextto you is drunk?”
“I didn’t know nothing.”
I figured we were definitely screwed. I was just hoping they didn’tlook in the trunk.
I couldn’t call MaryAnn to warn her that the cops may be on the wayto bust the party. There was a huge cop shining a bright light intothe car watching our every move. We were trapped like rats. Thenafter the longest 15 minutes of my life, they let us go and hustledoff to nab some other idiot who was stupid enough to be out so late.
It’s actually funny as hell. Funny, cos no cars got stolen, cos no onegotarrested, because the only person who got punched deserved it, andcos only one person had a hangover, and for once, it wasn’t me.
I mean I’m a middle-aged woman who is usually in bed by midnight. I seldomgo out at night. I rarely visit my partner-in-crime from my teen years. The one time I escape, I get into some of the worst trouble in my life.
This weeks’ paint job is owned by the previously mentioned lovelyJennifer. The black flames will soon be pinstriped up at GrandeurCycle in Jonesville, NC. Mike Phillips builds some nasty hardtailsand has a state of the art paint shop. They have a full servicemanufacturing facility there but the one product they make that I’dlike to snag is their inverted springer front end, but their standardspringer is pretty sweet too. http://www.grandeurcycle.com/I sometimes sketch out the whole paint job. Here’s how Jen’s tankturned out compared to the drawing.
On Thursday I pack up the Sporty and headed out to Athens, GA to meetup with 10 members of the Amazons M/C club. We’re heading up to a Mt.top lodge in Townsend, TN where we’ll meet up with eight others for aweekend of riding mountain switchbacks, shooting pool, and eatinghomecooked meals. Werented the whole lodge, as there are so many of us. There’s even a 10person hot tub on a porch that overlooks the Smokies. It’s supposedto rain. Which makes sense as two out of three trips up there, on two wheels,havebeen in the rain.
The lesson I learned this week? One I knew 26 years ago. Beware ofcute young guys with hot rod cars. Are you listening Angie?
–CrazyHorse
STURGIS PAD AVAILABLE– A good friend has her house for rent in Whitewood, SD. for the 2003 Rally. Most of you know Susan as the bar tender at the Silver dollar (rear bar, you know our bar…).Here are the details and contact info:
House in Whitewood, SD. for rent during the 2003 Sturgis Rally. 3 bedroom (king, queen, & 2 singles), Queen hide-a-bed, 2.5 baths, master bath has jacuzzi tub, loft TV room, high speed internet, directv, garage and carport. Deck with gas grill and covered porch. 1/2 block of hard pack roack to house.
ASking $3,500.00 for the week.Please contact Susan at: I have been to the house and it is lovely and feels somewhat secluded. Good luck and have a great day… –Jim Flickinger BIKERNET OZARK REPORT–This past weekend was the big old mountain run campout. The weather was great. Everyone met at the right time and we made the best time ever riding to the river. We have never arrived before dark and we pulled in at 5:00 p.m. The most interesting part of the trip was the juvee girl sneaking up to see me. She had to work until 11:00, and it’s a two hour drive to the river. We got to the river and I gathered up what I thought was enough wood to keep a fire going till about 12:30 a.m. We started drinking early, and I kept getting beers for the guys so they would drink heavily and maybe sleep soundly enough to sneak out of our camp and set up the juvee girl tent. At about midnight I threw all of the wood on the fire and stoked it up to burn fast. At about 12:40 I started saying how tired I was and reminding them that we were going to ride all day in the hot sun, so we needed to get some rest. I had my tent set up away from the rest of them. When they went to bed I figured I had about 10 or 20 minutes til she got there. She was right on time. We set up that tent way down the river from the rest of the pack, and we partied all night. At about 6:00 a.m. in the morning, I got up and snuck back to camp and slithered into my tent. Thought I could sleep a spell–no way. They scrambled out at 6:30 and started their bikes for a breakfast run. I made them come and wake me up, so they knew I was in my tent. We rode all day, drank beer like there was no tomorrow, then went to the mountain party town to go clubbin’. I was dead to the world. I got me something to eat and took a nap for two hours. Then we partied all night. I can’t tell you how fucked up I felt Sunday on that 200-mile ride home. In a million years you couldn’t get anyone to believe what happened Friday. Can’t wait til next year. –Ozark Ed BIKERNET NIGHTCLUB OF THE WEEK–This biker went into a nightclub and saw a gorgeous honey sitting by herself at the bar. He asked her to dance. She agreed and they took to the dance floor for a slow one. While they were cheek to cheek, the guy said, “You really smell terrific. What’s that you have on?” The flattered girl told him it was Channel #5. Then wanting to return the compliment, she said, “You smell good, too. What is it that you have on?” “Well, I’ve got a hard on, but I didn’t think you could smell it,” the guy replied. –from Rogue LITTLE JOE’S PASSING–Sorry to hear of the passing of your friend, Joe Angel. Each time we lose an old time “real biker”, our world becomes a little smaller and less poetic. Motorcycling has come a long way since I started (1964) but some changes aren’t necessarily for the better. I miss the days when not everyone was made for riding, and when you pulled up on a chopper, people looked at you as someone to be respected, feared or just plain let alone. Maybe things are better off now, but I still miss the days when “brother” meant something.Again, sorry about hearing about Joe Angel. Hope you can make it to Milwaukee for the 100th. –Tonypan DAISY CUTTER EXHAUST–Check out these new Daisy Cutter exhaust by Martin Brothers. An alternative to traditional turn down pipes. The aggressive lines & sharp cut tip compliment the lines of any chopper or pro-street style bike. Pipes feature a stepped design, from 1 3/4 to 2 1/4 for a deep, throaty sound. They are available in show chrome, ceramic black or ceramic polished finish. They are available through your local dealers. As well as Arlen Ness, MC Advantages, & Cyril Huze. For more information contact Chris Sanchez at Martin Bros. Bikes. Also check out our latest feature in June 03, issue of Street Chopper! Chris Sanchez Speed TV’s American Thunder featuresPerformance Machine Iron & Lace Calendar Shoot,Joins LA Calendar Motorcycle Show as Associate Media SponsorAmerica’s premier V-Twin Motorcycle Show goes hog wild over the FastDates.com Calendar & Show–Los Angeles, CA, June ? The Performance Machine sponsored Los Angeles Calendar Motorcycle Show produced by FastDates.com Calendar publisher Gianatsis Design Associates has grown to become the biggest and best Custom and HiPerformance Street bike Show in America. And when it comes to featuring the American motorcycle lifestyle on television, the Speed Channel’s long running series American Thunder is the sport’s most popular television program. American Thunder, produced by WATV Los Angeles (Lenny Shabis, producer; Aimen Shawaf, director), has regularly featured since 1995, TV coverage of both The LA Calendar Motorcycle Show, and photo shoots for the popular Mikuni Carburetor and Performance Machine sponsored Iron & Lace Custom Bike Pinup Calendar featuring exotic machines from America’s premier custom builders together with beautiful celebrity models. This year we are excited to announce that American Thunder, now with a expanded 24 programs per season schedule, is joining the Los Angeles Calendar Motorcycle Show as Associate TV Media Sponsor. Upcoming feature programs highlighting this new association include the following: Martina Warren shoots with Performance Machine for Iron & LaceAmerican Thunder segment scheduled to air on Speed Channel on Tuesday, June 10th at 7:30pm ETand 9:30pm PT. It re-airs on Tuesday, July 29th at 7:30pm ET and 9:30pm PT. This American Thunder program features one of the hottest new FastDates.com Calendar girls, barely legal 19 year old centerfold Martina Warren, Penthouse Pet and cover model January 2003, in a photo shoot with some hot custom bikes from Iron & Lace calendar sponsor Performance Machine. The Iron & Lace calendar shoot shoot takes place inside the high security confines of a Los Angeles County power generating plant with reknown photographer Jim Gianatsis and features two great custom V-Twins built by Performance Machine’s Roland Sands, one a contemporary red Chopper and the other a silver Bar Hopper, both running PM components and Mikuni HSR Carburetors.Pictures: Continued On Page 3
Martin Bros. Bikes
972.709.2552 Voice
972.709.2952 Fax
June 5, 2003 Part 1
By Bandit |
I’m runnin’ late. I had visitors at noon from Paughco and Bassani Pipes. They are building a high performance two into one systems for late model dressers. They claim at least 6 pounds of Torque and hp at the mid range. I may try a set.
Yesterday I rode out to Bloomington to see Joe Angel, the president of HA leathers, for the last time. He passed of natural causes at ’63, last week.
Let’s get to the news. I’ll try to figure out what the hell I’m doing as I go:
FATHER’S DAY CELEBRATION AT WILDFIRES– We’ve been serving Chicagoland for over 40 years. We’re located minutes from O’hare Airport in nearby Villa Park, Illinois. Not only do we have everything you’ll need for your Harley-Davidson, our staff of experts are also enthusiasts just like you. Stop on in to see what’s new. We’d be happy to help you. And advice is always free!
Join us on Father’s Day weekend Saturday, June 14th and June 15th for our Annual Father’s Day Weekend Party. The party will be bigger than ever! Free food and Beverages, GREAT SALES like nowhere else, Mikey Trickey sewing on Sunday, June 15th, live music, Buell demo rides, Tee-shirt toss and more. Join us for the fun and the special deals.
THE BIKERNET BUTCHER SHOP–As a butcher is shooing a dog from his shop, he sees $10 and a note inhismouth, reading: “10 lamb chops, please.”
Amazed, he takes the money, puts a bag of chops in the dog’s mouth, andquickly closes the shop. He follows the dog and watches him wait for agreenlight, look both ways and trot across the road to a bus stop.
The dogchecksthe timetable and sits on the bench. When a bus arrives, he walks aroundtothe front and looks at the number, then boards the bus. The butcherfollows, dumbstruck. As the bus travels out into the suburbs, the dog takesin the scenery. After awhile he stands on his back paws to push the “stop”button, then the butcher follows him off.
The dog runs up to a house and drops his bag on the stoop. He goes backdown the path, takes a big run, and throws himself -Whap!- against thedoor.He does this again and again. No answer. So he jumps on a wall, walksaroundthe garden, beats his head against a window, jumps off, and waits at thefront door.
A big guy opens it and starts yelling and pummeling the dog. The butcher runs up screams at the guy: “What are you doing? This dog’s agenius!”
The owner responds, “Genius, my ass. It’s the second time this week he’sforgotten his key!”
–from Bob T.
TRUETRACK DRESS STABILIZING PRODUCT–NO, TRUETRACK does not interfere with the rubbermount aspect of touring bikes (three point rubbermount system, also used in Buell, Dressers, FXR, V-Rod and RUBBERTAIL). Rubbermount travel in Harley-Davidsons must be in a verticle plane only, so the engine moves up and down as the engine rotates. But the rubbermounts are not supposed to move in a horizontal plane (left to right). That is why the front motormount has a stablizer link for horizontal position and the top has a stablizer for horizontal postion. But the rear rubbermounts do not have a stablizer link to keep them in the horizontal plane (to prevent moving from left to right) except BUELLS and RUBBERTAILS! Both chassis have a higher lean angle than Dressers and FXR.
TRUETRACK prevents the rubbermounts from compressing or deforming when the bike is verticle or leaned over by anchoring the rubbermounts in the horizontal position with the stablizer link (same as H-D) but not in the verticle position (the engine still moves up and down as it rotates). So the force by the tire and the leverage of the swing arm does not affect the rubbermount position (so there is no REARSTEER by the swing arm)!
It is the same positioning in cars of the rear axle by a watts link or panhard rod that prevents the body from hitting the tires when you go around a corner!
–Wil
THE MYSTEROUS UNCLE BUNT–I was cruising the site and read the “shot” letters, The guy looking forinfo on the Uncle Bunt bike in England. John Reed, yes, that John Reed isand was Uncle Bunt. You may want to call him, or I can if the guy wants tosend a photo of the bike.
–Frank Kaisler
BAD ASS PAN PRINT–Hey mister.How da fuck do I get my laser art prints into your art category huh?
This print was taken by the former editor of Hot Bike, Buck Lovell. He has a series of lazer bike prints from his long line of motorcycle photography. If you’re interested we may carry them in the Bikernet Gulch. Either drop Buck a line at: buck@riveraengineering.com, or me at Bandit@bikernet.com.
SONS OF LIBERTY RIDERS E-NEWS– Urgent! EPA letter needs your congressman’s signature!The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making its final sprint towardhome plate with a FINAL rule on street bikes. But has the EPA tagged allthe necessary regulatory and statutory bases?
Two of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s (MRF) Champions of Motorcyclists’Rights & Safety, Congressmen John Shimkus (R-Illinois) and Ted Strickland(D-Ohio), are ready to send a letter to the EPA asking the right questionsat the right time. These champions of your rights and safety are asking foryour help in persuading your Congressman to add his or her signature to thatletter, and you’ve got TEN DAYS to deliver those signatures!
1. Read the Shimkus-Strickland EPA letter and the MRF’s EPA Question andAnswer sheet on the MRF website (www.mrf.org/positionpapers.php).
2. Write your U.S. Representative (http//thomas.loc.gov) or call(202-225-3121). If you need assistance or guidance before contacting yourCongressman about signing this important letter, please contact the MRFoffice at wyld@mrf.org or 202-546-0983.
3. Encourage your U.S. Representative to contact either Congressman Shimkusor Strickland to add his or her signature to the Shimkus-Strickland EPAletter as soon as possible. Be sure to give them the link to the letter onthe MRF website so they can read it themselves(www.mrf.org/positionpapers.php), or you can download the letter in .pdfformat from the MRF website and mail or e-mail it to your Congressmandirectly.
Lane Courtesy Month
You may be interested in this. If you are, please spread the word. The NMAhas designated June as Lane Courtesy Month and we are kicking off thiscampaign by calling it Do The RIGHT Thing! We want to encourage slowertraffic to move to the right. You can find more information on this athttp://www.motorists.org/right/index.html
If you need more info on this or any other subject just go to the Sons ofLiberty Riders Info Zonehttp://solrpa.com/wwwboard/ or http://www.solriders.net/
Later
Hawk
ICQ 34668186
AOL SoLRHawk
NEW ENTHUSIAST COVER–On the cover of the new issue of Harley-Davidsons publication, “The Enthusiast” is a painting By Hamster Scott Jacobs depicting an early drag racing scene of a Sportster racing a flathead powered deuce roadster. The flagger is Sharon Jacobs, Scotts wife, and the driver of the deuce is Barry Cooney.
BIKERNET HISTORY– When Jane initially met Tarzan of the Jungle, she was attracted to him, and during her questions about his life, she asked him how he had sex. “Tarzan not know sex,” he replied.
Jane explained to him what sex was.
Tarzan said, “Oh, Tarzan use hole in trunk of tree.”
Horrified, she said, “Tarzan you have it all wrong, but I will show you how to do it properly.”
She took off her clothes and lay down on the ground. “Here,” she said. “You must put it in here.”
Tarzan removed his loincloth, stepped closer with his huge erection, and then gave her an almighty kick right in the crotch.
Jane rolled around in agony for what seemed like an eternity. Eventually she managed to gasp for air and screamed, “What did you do that for?”
“Tarzan check for bees.”
–from Miss Kris
Continued On Page 2
June 5, 2003 Part 4
By Bandit |
BIKERNET NEWS FINISH–HAMSTERS TAKE OVER STURGIS MUSEUM, HORSE MAG COVERS HISTORY, BIG DOG REPLACES EASYRIDERS AND DRUGS
Continued From Page 3
BIKERNET DRUG DEPARTMENT–A lady walks into the drug store and asks the pharmacist for some arsenic.
The pharmacist asks “Ma’am, what do you want with arsenic?”.
The lady says “To kill my husband.”
“I can’t sell you any for that reason” says the pharmacist.”
The lady then reaches into her purse and pulls out a photo of her husband having sex with the pharmacist’s wife.
He looks at the photo and says “Oh……….. I didn’t know you had a prescription
–from Ray R.
13 MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES–Pickerington, OH – (MCNW) The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is proud to announce 13 new members who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Sunday, October 5, 2003.
The Class of 2003 includes three of today’s most widely recognized racing stars, two of yesterday’s legendary racing champions, four passionate ambassadors for the sport of motorcycling, two women who defined adventure riding, one tireless race track official and one unforgettable team of winners. They are:
C.E. Altman – Promoted the Houston Astrodome dirt track races that for many years were the kickoff for the AMA racing season. Pioneer of AMA Supercross events including Houston Astrodome and Pontiac Silverdome.
Debbie Evans – First woman to compete in FIM World Championship Trials event. Top rider in Women’s World Cup Trials competition. Motorcycle stunt rider in over 200 movies and television programs.
Tom Heininger – Co-Founder of Webco performance equipment company. Promoter of motorcycling sport and business in 1950s, ’60s, ’70s. President of Motorcycle Industry Council in 1972.
Linton Kuchler – Executive Secretary of the AMA in the 1950s and 1960s. Following a stint with NASCAR, he was brought back to lead the AMA in the mid-1970s. Helped launch the creation of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation.
Del Kuhn – 1950 AMA National Enduro Champion. Three-time winner of the Greenhorn Enduro. Class A Enduro Pacific Coast Championship winner in 1948, ’50, ’51, ’52.
Jeremy McGrath – Brought to AMA Supercross a previously unseen level of showmanship. Seven AMA Supercross Championships, Two World Supercross Championships, One AMA Motocross Championship.
Scott Parker – Nine-time AMA Grand National Champion, all-time record 94 Grand National Championship race wins, including 55 AMA National Mile wins, 35 AMA Half-Mile wins. Three-time winner of AMA Pro Athlete of the Year.
Duke Pennell – Five-time AMA “Flagman of the Year”, worked for nearly five decades as a race track official starter.
Jay Springsteen – Three-time AMA Grand National Champion with over 40 National Championship flat track race wins.
Fred Toscani – The last Class A National Champion. Won 9 AMA National titles from 1933 to 1938.
Theresa Wallach – Motorcycle adventurer and author who founded Easy Motorcycle Riding Schools, Inc. and published a training manual of same name. First Vice President of Women’s International Motorcycle Association.
Bruce Walters – Midwestern dealer and event promoter who was largely responsible for the success of the AMA Sanctioned Peoria TT.
1981 United States Trophee des Nations and Motocross des Nations Team – Donnie Hansen, Danny LaPorte, Johnny O’Mara and Chuck Sun. This team swept the 250cc Trophee des Nations and the 500cc Motocross des Nations, beginning a 13-year period of domination by the United States of America teams. LaPorte and O’Mara are the first “double inductees” having been inducted on their individual performances in 2000, and now as part of these teams.
Each year, the Motorcycle Hall of Fame (www.ama-cycle.org/museum/halloffame/halloffame.asp) recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to motorcycling, including those known for their contributions to road riding, off-road riding and all categories of racing, as well as those who have excelled in business, history, design and engineering.
“Introducing today’s generation of motorcyclists to the living and legendary heroes of our sport is a responsibility we take very seriously,” said Mark Mendell, chairman of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. “It’s these talented men and women who helped build our industry into a vibrant community that encompasses millions of riders from every corner of America. Preserving their material history, stories and achievements is a very important part of our stewardship.”
The Class of 2003 will be inducted on Sunday, October 5, during ceremonies at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, located on the campus of the American Motorcyclist Association in Pickerington, Ohio. Supported by families, industry peers, friends, past Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductees and media, the induction is an emotional celebration that brings together some of the most recognizable names in the world of motorcycling. Preceding the afternoon induction ceremony will be the Museum’s 2nd annual Concours d’Elegance, which drew over 100 juried entries in 2002 – including many of the machines that Motorcycle Hall of Fame members became forever linked with. For more information, see the induction process page (www.ama-cycle.org/museum/halloffame/induction.asp).
BEST OF SHOW TROPHY–Any minute now we’ll post the article on how this 40-pound monster was mad. Yes, we hammered it together here at the Bikernet Headquarters for the upcoming bike show competition at the Run For Breath in Charlotte.
Check out the article, but don’t miss the show, bands and party. Drop “Meanest” a line if you what to enter the Show competition: Sandy G, sandyg329@hotmail.com.
BIKERNET HERO?–Jim and Mary were both patients in a Mental Hospital. One day, while they were walking past the hospital swimming pool, Jim suddenly jumped into the deep end.
He sank like a stone to the bottom and stayed there.
Mary promptly jumped in to save him. She swam to the bottom and pulled Jim out.
The medical director became aware of Mary’s heroic act and he immediately ordered her to be discharged from the hospital, as he now considered her to be mentally stable.
When he went to tell her the news, he said, “Mary, I have good news and bad news.
The good news is you’re being discharged because since you were able tojump in and save the life of another patient, I think you’ve regained your senses.
The bad news is that Jim, the patient you saved, hung himself in the bathroom with the belt of his robe. I am so sorry, but he’s dead.”
Mary replied, “He didn’t hang himself, I put him there to dry.”
–from Rev CarlR
EASYRIDERS REPLACED WITH BIG DOG–Houston, TX – (MCNW) Big Dog Motorcycles announced the name change of one of its top dealers. Easyriders of Houston has officially changed its name to Big Dog Motorcycles of Houston, making it the first Big Dog branded dealership.
Owners Bert and Debbie Williams and Lee Hayes said the name change was implemented to better highlight the dealership’s strength and be more descriptive of its business. “We have established ourselves as a top dealer for Big Dog Motorcycles, a company that has taken quantum leaps past other custom manufacturers. They lead the pack in production, performance, quality, reliability, and warranty programs and we have had great success selling their bikes. It is important our name reflects that,” said Bert Williams.
Lee Hayes said, “It made good sense to align our business with a company that has the same business philosophies as we do: Provide high quality bikes and great customer service.”
“The only thing that has changed is our sign. We are still the same dealership with same team, but with a new focus,” added Williams.
Nick Messer, president, Big Dog Motorcycles stated, “Ever since 1997, the first year they started selling our bikes, we have seen continuously growing sales, first rate customer service, and a facility that invites all types of motorcycle enthusiasts. We are excited with their decision to change and the fact that Bert, Debbie, and Lee have the flagship store.”
In addition to representing the dealership’s direction, the name change also illustrates Big Dog Motorcycles’ strategy in brand awareness and development. “While we promote our brand and bikes at rallies, dealer open houses, and through advertising and PR, a consumer seeing Big Dog Motorcycles as the primary name of their local dealership adds additional credibility and awareness,” Messer said.
NAKED MOTORCYCLIST CRASHES AFTER BEE STING–A naked motorcyclist wearing just a scarf, sunglasses and a pair of sandals crashed his bike after he was stung on the inner thigh by a bee.
The 36-year-old, who had been driving to the swimming area at a German nudist colony, lost control of the bike as he swatted the insect away.
He fell on to the road, but escaped with just a shoulder injury and minor cuts and bruises.
Police said they are considering pressing charges after the incident at Giessen in Hessen – as the man was not wearing a crash helmet.
–from A. Friedman
DEAL OF THE WEEK–A buddy owns this super clean late model Dyna. He’s interested in selling it, then have us build him a Bikernet custom. He’s the president of Bros Club and a man who takes extremely good care of his motorcycle. Contact him for info: Djcoates@uwib.com.
HORSE MAGAZINE–I write a column for HORSE about old times. Sometimes it’s stories about my sordid past, other times it’s stories from friends or riding partners. The bike above was built in the early ’70s by Bob T. He rode with me in those days and I’ll rundown the story of Bob’s first experience in the biker world and the tale of this motorcycle. Hang on. It’s wild.
In fact, that’s a pad (below) I lived in around 1974. Bob’s there somewhere waiting for us to go riding.
HAMSTERS TAKE OVER STURGIS MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM–IF YOU DO NOT ALREADY KNOW, THE STURGIS MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM HAS DEDICATED A ROOM TO HAMSTERHISTORY, LORE, AND DISPLAYS OF HAMSTER MOTORCYCLES, AND MEMORIBILLIA.
BOB ILLINGWORTH AND PEPPER MASSEY-SWAN ARE SETTING UP THE DISPLAY, IT WILL BE OPEN FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARSFOR PUBLIC VIEWING YEAR ROUND.ANYONE INTERESTED PLEASE E-MAIL OR CONTACTBOB ILLINGWORTH LOBBYMC@YAHOO.COM ORPEPPER@STURGISMOTORCYCLEMUSEUM.ORG
IF NEED BE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME CHEFBOKOZAK@AOL
BO KOZAK
HAMSTERS USA
MINNEAPOLIS MINNESOTA
BEHIND DEADLINE–Yeah, I know. I’m in trouble. It’s one of those days. I planned a weekend ride to Idlewild, California, and it went all to shit. I screwed with the morning and jumped out of bed, just as she wanted back in. That messed with my “Wa” for the rest of the day.
Tomorrow I’ll ride the King while Sifu rides his ’62 Pan. Think I’ll have it dyno’d. The Bassani guys want me to test their dresser exhaust.
Saturday I’ll return to the rock pile in front of the headquarters. I’m building a fountain powered by a 1920 Harley engine. Hang on for shots of that. Maybe tonight I’ll make up for this mornin’. That will cure the day’s timing problem.
Have a helluva weekend.
–Bandit
New Tech Article On Bikernet – 6 to 12-Volt Conversion Page 1