At the MotoAmerica King of the Baggers Race at Laguna Seca 2020 A nearly two-second lead over the competition is pretty impressive. The first-ever Drag Specialties King of the Baggers race is officially in the books, and Indian Motorcycle’s only two entries in the entire field took first and third. Any rider or team would have to be pretty pleased with that kind of performance, exhibition event or not. Tyler O’Hara raced the S&S Cycles Indian Challenger and quickly got out in front of the pack at Laguna Seca, but ran wide at Turn Two. He was able to get back on track and win, but not before dropping back down to third for a short time. The most exciting moments of racing typically happen when racers have to pass each other—not go around in a big, fast parade around a track. O’Hara managed to claw his way back up to the front, eventually finishing the race with a healthy 1.9-second lead over Hayden Gillim, who piloted his Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson to second place. O’Hara’s best lap time was a 1:36.211, while Gillim’s was a 1:38.815. Frankie Garcia followed in third on his Roland Sands Design Indian—definitely a good end to what could have been a rough weekend for the guy. While doing a practice start prior to race time, Garcia had a big get-off that involved his ginormous race steed going over completely backward and landing on him at the start line, as you can see in this video. Thankfully, he was completely fine afterward—but that’s a pre-race trick that no one wants to do. Three racers who took the start line did not finish the inaugural King of the Baggers event. Ben Bostrom was the first racer out, followed by Michael Woolaway and Josh Herrin. Racer Michael Barnes was unfortunately unable to start the race at all. The eight-lap race completed its run in just over 15 minutes from when racers first rolled off to when the final racer crossed the finish line. Will this become a regular annual event—or perhaps even a short series? All that remains to be seen, but no matter how you cut it, it does seem like this event was pretty well-received by all concerned. by Janaki Jitchotvisut from https://www.rideapart.com    

VINTAGE INTRODUCES ALL-NEW 2020 TRACKER CLASSIC E-BIKE WITH INNOVATIVE DESIGN ELEMENTS TO IMPROVE RIDER COMFORT

New 2020 Tracker Classic Blends Performance and Comfort While Maintaining Classic Cruiser Aesthetics and Best-in-Class EV Technology

Vintage is well known for blending bygone era aesthetics with modern technology to provide riders an EV experience that is both thrilling and comfortable. In pursuit of continuing innovative designs and perfecting comfortability, Vintage is proud to announce the release of their ultimate boulevard cruiser, the 2020 Tracker Classic. With inspiration coming from the early 1920’s Indian and Harley-Davidson motorcycles, Vintage designed the Tracker Classic to feature retro-styled cruiser handlebars to allow riders a more comfortable, upright experience at high speeds. Vintage also exchanged the original rear Tracker fenders for full-length fenders that complete the Tracker Classic’s timeless design.

“With the pandemic keeping more people inside with limited options for safe, socially distanced activities, our goal was to create a bike that is more comfortable than ever before to keep our customers out on their open road adventures longer,” comments Vintage Founder Andrew Davidge. “The 2020 Tracker Classic is the perfect Winter bike for customers to get out and about during a time of the year that is not always desirable for adventuring. Our upgraded full-length fender helps protect riders against the elements, while the new handlebar design improves the rider’s posture and allows for a more comfortable long-distance ride.”

The 2020 Tracker Classic’s crown jewel is the elegant retro-styled cruiser handlebars inspired by timeless cruisers of years past. In comparison to the original Tracker model, the 2020 handlebars optimize all-around ease and riding comfort while keeping distinct original details such as the leather ring grip which subtly highlights Vintage’s timeless design. Incorporating these retro-styled cruiser handlebars allows riders to sit upright with ergonomic controls at the tip of their fingers. The Tracker Classic’s unique handlebars give riders the ability to choose between a more relaxed cruising speed or hit full throttle for a powerful experience unlike any other.

Another innovative addition to the 2020 Tracker Classic includes the full-length rear fender that allows for an ideal riding experience at any time of year. During the cold weather seasons, this full-length fender is an essential upgrade for riders to enjoy their commute while protecting themselves from any rain, mud, or slush. These elegant fenders further reduce the amount of grit that sprays onto the chains, bearings, rims, brake calipers and cables that could otherwise prematurely wear the bike out. The 2020 Tracker Classic enhances the protection for riders against outdoor elements while embodying the 1920’s motorcycle spirit to preserve the classic design aesthetic that all Vintage electric bikes exhibit.

The 2020 Tracker Classic maintains several elements from the original Tracker model, starting with the swooping hydroformed aluminum frame that maximizes performance and comfort. In addition, Vintage keeps all of the fan-favorite specifications such as the 36mph race mode option, pedal-assist capabilities, and a 720-watt hour battery with a powerful range of up to 50 miles on a full charge. With the Classic’s fresh design and exhilarating performance making it a truly one-of-a-kind machine, Vintage’s 2020 Tracker Classic has executed a timeless feel with optimal comfort included.

Vintage’s new 2020 Tracker Classic is available dressed in the iconic Indy Red or timeless Graphite Blue paint scheme at a starting price of $5,245.00. Upgrades are available depending on customer preference.

For more information on the brand-new Tracker Classic bike or other Vintage models, please visit www.vintageelectricbikes.com or call (408) 969-0836.

The city of Daytona restricted vendor permits during Biketoberfest this year. Bummer. They attempted to shut the event down, but the riders kept coming.

A result of severe lock-down meant no vendors at the speedway, boardwalk, main street etc. Events did not happen or were moved.

But wait! Destination Daytona was open and had a good turn out Friday, the day I rode over.

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Even with the Chinese Covid thing the Show Must Go On and Willie and his crew at Tropical Tattoo did it again. Thanks!

Yes, the crowd was a tad smaller than last year, but I did not hear anyone complaining. It just made it easier to get around and in some cases get better shots of the bikes and people.

Myself and many others do not miss attending this event if at all possible. I even got to bring some new people to this one.

While I do have a good time at these events, I still work grabbing photos for articles and talking to people. Luckily my son Dale was with me and helped out on the photos.

 

 

Ok, this is a Big Bike Show with over 20 classes. We brought you all the winners. Too bad about the tent…

I am sure that everyone is aware this is 2020, and it has been a very strange year. Well, weird also made it to the Old School Chopper Show. Yep someone picked this Evo as the Best Panhead.

Besides having a good time this event also raises money for the veterans and the proceeds go to www.veteranssupportfund.com

 

To find out more about Tropical Tattoo go to http://www.tropicaltattoo.com/

 

The pilot episode is complete! Ride along with Canadian music legend Pat Savage & his guests in Piemonte & Genoa Italy. Ride windy hills filled with grapes & check out Barollo Wine, Baladin Beer, Genoa Pesto and much more! The Savage Roads coming soon! Vroom.

 

by Cameron Evans from https://www.washingtontimes.com

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) – Miles McCarvel didn’t think he was ever going to get his 1972 Harley-Davidson motorcycle back after it was stolen four years ago.

On. Oct 13, though, he came home to find the bike leaning up against his garage.

The bike looked exactly the same as the last time McCarvel saw it: it was still missing a battery, the tires were flat and it didn’t have any new miles on it.

“I was like ‘what the hell,’ you know? I couldn’t believe it,” he told the Missoulian.

McCarvel hopped out of his car, took a picture of the red Aermacchi Harley-Davidson 350 Sprint and made a post on Facebook that read: “I built this bike when I was 20 years old! Glad to have it back. I guess there’s good things happening in the world too.”

The post received over 350 reactions and over a hundred comments, including one comment from a person who said their cousin also had a stolen truck returned a couple weeks later with a $20 bill on the console.

Missoula Police Department public information officer Travis Welsh said it isn’t very often that people return items they’ve stolen without police intervention, and said that once a theft has already occurred, any weight given to the gesture of returning the item at a later time would be determined by a prosecutor.

Romance Ricky spent ten years in Iraq. About to go home, he grappled with his mission. Before his time in the service, he enjoyed the fruits of his lovers. A stout, good-looking sort he rode a Panhead chopper and chased women, but like so many young men he didn’t understand the code. Most of the broads he chased didn’t get it either.

He pursued them on the west coast, in Wyoming, Denver, Minneapolis, wherever there was a bar with a girl in tight denims and a bright smile. He caught the clap in Orange County, her boobs like mountains. He got ripped off from an alcoholic in Montana who fucked for fuel. He faced religion with a soft-like-satin girl from a temperance league, who climaxed at the slightest touch.

After five years on the road and too many fifths of Jack Daniels he began to get it, but too late. He got a call from a past love from Bakersfield, California. They met in a farmer’s barn. Pregnant, she had demands, lawyers and the man. He made restitution, paid child-support and joined the service as she disappeared. Beyond cute, she held the shape of a goddess, the smile of a temptress, the eyes of a vulture and the whisper of a rattlesnake. She was no good and determined to punish anyone who touched her precious pussy. They paid, they bought her stuff, took her places, or she got pregnant – and they paid anyway.

No interest in Ricky, she continued to shack up in a constant search for the motherlode. But Ricky’s kid cramped her lascivious style and she tired of the responsibility.

Like so many heartless bitches, she rolled the dice time after time, until she fucked with the wrong dude and ended up in a ditch along highway 99 in mid-state California next to cattle fields. Older and wiser, Ricky returned from overseas and began searching for his son. He sold the chopper, bought a Dyna Glide and hit the road.

He still paid child support and it went somewhere, hopefully to the kid. Still in worn khakis, he rode to downtown LA to Child Services. The checks still sent to a P.O. Box in Bakersfield weren’t cashed. Ricky rode to the central valley with everything he owned in his bags. He found himself at a police station answering questions about Shirley, who was found in a ditch. “But what about my kid,” Ricky asked.

“One in ten thousand find homes,” the detective said as he closed the file. “We will find who dumped your old lady.”

“More of a one-night stand,” Ricky said and thought about the fleeting time he had with Shirley and her nasty voice on the phone.

“I need to find the kid,” Ricky said. The officer led him to another office in the city building, “Child Protective Services.”

A large black female clerk who managed all the cases for abandoned kids in the growing, mostly agricultural and oil town of 400,000, looked at him with depressed eyes. “Can I help you?”

“I just found out the mother of my abandoned son was murdered,” Rick said hoping for clues. “I need to find my kid.”

“You’re looking for your kid?” Gloria said and her eyes brightened.

“Yeah, he could be about twelve years old. I’ve been in Iraq and never met him.” Ricky said.

“Have you paid child support?” Gloria said, in a questioning tone while beginning to hit the keys on her computer.

“From the very beginning,” Ricky said. He pulled out a paper from Child Services in LA and handed it to her. It documented his account and where the checks were sent.

“You’re kidding,” Gloria said. “You’ve never seen your kid, but paid child support all this time and now you want to find him?

“Yep,” Ricky said.

“You’re amazing,” Gloria stuttered, “I won’t have a father like you come in here in five years. Let’s see what we can find. His name is Don and he was assigned to a foster home in Rosedale a couple of years ago, but that didn’t work out. He’s been assigned to a group home on the Southside of Bakersfield, but the reports don’t look good. He’s having problems. The next step down is Juvenile Hall or prison depending on what he gets into.” Gloria looked up at him with sad eyes. “You need to go see him, quick.” She handed him a slip of paper with an address in Terra Vista.

“Good luck,” she said and patted his hand.

The afternoon sun blazed on the streets of Bakersfield as he turned down Planz Road heading into the Hispanic section of town. He peeled down one street after another deeper into a residential district, until one house stuck out on Rio Bravo street lined with ‘50s Hispanic lathe-and-plaster homes. The unkept bungalow teetered dilapidated. As he approached, a 20-something burst onto the porch and tossed a beer can into the weeds, “No beer allowed!” he shouted.

“Excuse me,” Ricky said scrambling off his bike after kicking out the kickstand. “My son might be in your home.”

“We monitor three group homes within a couple of miles from here,” Pepe said and pushed his long scrambled dark hair out of his face. “I work here parttime and go to college at Bakersfield Community College.”

“The kids name is Don Cavalier.” Ricky said.

“Great name,” Pepe said, “Let’s see if he’s on the roster, but it doesn’t sound familiar. The tougher kids are in the Rosemont house with the more senior counselors. We are always welcoming of parents. Don’t see many.”

Pepe took him inside, where the rooms were set up as dorms. A great room and kitchen reminded Ricky of chow halls in the service. The room lined with large white charts, listing felt pen scratched names, assignments and goals. Kids lounged in various donated couches and chairs gawked at Ricky in his fatigues and a leather shirt, carrying his full faced helmet.

“Is he some kind of cop,” one smart-assed kid murmured and sat up. As his guilt surfaced and the thought of arrest threatened, he looked for the slider into the backyard and escape.

“He’s Don’s Dad,” Pepe said. “Just back from Iraq.”

All the boys, spread out around the room sat up. They didn’t see many parents around. A parent, unless drunk, was a very respected and welcome sight.

Ricky immediately noted that even the toughest looking kid seemed sorta incomplete without the attachment to his family unit. He scratched his three-day-old beard and pondered the situation. He wished he could help all of them.

Enrique, a short little kid in the corner stood up. “I remember Don,” he said and looked at the slider. “He got into too many fights, broke this slider with a kid’s head. They moved him to Stone Creek, his last shot.”

“Can I go?” Ricky asked Pepe.

“I’ll call over there,” Pepe said and reached for his cell.

“Better not mention who is coming,” Ricky said. “I don’t want to cause a problem.”

“No sweat,” Pepe said dialing. “You never know how kids will react or what they were told.”

“Do you think he knows about his mom?” Ricky asked.

Pepe looked concerned. “There’s a serious problem over there.”

“Where?” Ricky asked anxiously, grabbing for his helmet and heading for the door pronto.

Pepe pointed and gave him directions. Ricky ran out the door across the lawn to his Dyna and was down the street in a hot flash, burning onto the boulevard and across to the other side of town onto McKee Road.

He slid up to the scruffy looking group home and ran for the door as a police car rounded the other end of the block and drove across the sidewalk onto the tattered lawn.

The same detective burst out of the cruiser. “You’re here?” Officer Fernandez asked.

“Just arrived,” Ricky said and they both ran for the door as another uniform ran around back.

A short, round Hispanic woman met them at the door with blood on her hands. “Another fight,” she said and led them inside. She took a second look at the soldier looking guy with the motorcycle helmet. “Who’s this?” Maria said snatching a towel.

“A father looking for his kid,” the detective said.

Inside one of the dorm rooms, a fat kid laid on his back with his nose busted and a nasty cut on his face. “He’s the bully,” Maria said. “I knew he would find his match someday.”

“I’m Don’s dad,” Ricky said. “I take it my kid did this.”

“He’s confused, Senor,” Maria said, “ever since he heard about his mom. Never knew about a dad.”

“Just out of the service and looking for my kid,” Ricky said.

“He ran off,” Maria said. “You need to find him before the authorities or worse get ahold of him.

“But where now?” Rick asked.

“The kids talk of two means to escape,” the officer looked hard at Maria.

“Yeah,” Maria said as the EMT crew came in to take care of the kid on the grungy carpeted floor. She steered Ricky and the detective toward the outside and the dimming light from the setting sun. Still 85 degrees on the streets, she looked at the officer and toward Ricky. “They talk about help in the Cottonwood area and drugs on the eastside around Wible.”

“Most of them don’t know what the hell to do,” Officer Fernandez said. “Both places are no-win. Just depends on their level of desperation. Hell, he could try to hitchhike out of the area.”

“Fuck,” Ricky said. “Too many options and no time. If only I could’ve talked to him for a minute or took him for a ride.”

Maria took Ricky’s arm. “Most parents give up when it comes to…

“I’m not giving up,” Ricky snapped but looked deep into her caring eyes. “I’ll find him, but I would rather find him now, than after a drug dealer does. He’s tough, he’s not going to be abused in some child-sex ring.”

“I’ll send a couple of units along the highway looking for hitchhikers,” Office Fernandez said. “I’ll let the highway patrol know to watch out for him on Highway 58.”

“I’m headed to the east side,” Ricky said and reached out to Maria. “Where the fuck am I going?”

She pointed at the street and gave him directions over two blocks to the main thoroughfare, right for a half mile and you’ll be there on East Pacheco Road. He plowed into tweaker zone without a clue in the world where to go. The Eastside of Bakersfield was a failed community of strip malls, stucco and concrete. The homes were all the same and falling down. The strip malls were filled with similar businesses from pot shops, massage parlors and saloons, all with the same boxy infrastructure. Just the faded signs changed.

Ricky blasted up and down the boulevard looking for a kid he didn’t know. He could only surmise the size and shape. He saw a crowded pot shop, Devil’s Brew, the parking lot jammed with a crazy array of vehicles including rusting pickups, choppers, worn-out sedans and even a flashy sportscar or two.

Ricky scoped it out and found a safe place to stash his Dyna. He walked through the parking area to the blacked-out, glass front door with the silver-leaf Devil’s logo and pinstriping, while checking out the patrons. He knew a tweaker when he saw one. With security at the front Ricky moved around back. The pot shop expanded into the shop next door through an inside wall. Ricky could tell, because the rear door was locked down tight, but the door for the empty shop next door was surrounded by guys looking shady, making quick deals and dashing off.

A stash of bicycles leaned against the stained stucco wall and when kids approached, they were handed small packages and a note. They’d grab a bicycle and peel off in several directions. As quickly as the sales effort started, it stopped and the new steel door shut tight.

Ricky felt lost. None of the kids looked the correct stature or like a new recruit. He made his way around front where Superfly blasted from a speaker hanging from one long drywall screw. He spotted one of the security guards walking away from the front door and lighting a cigarette. He watched intently as most of the vehicles moved away from the parking area into the night.

As he puffed on the butt, the buffed black kid moved toward Ricky’s Dyna. They were similar stature, so Ricky approached. “Like it?” Ricky asked and startled the young security guard.

“Ah, ya,” he said. “I want one.” Then he turned and glared at Ricky. “What the fuck is it to you?”

Ricky raised his hands as if surrendering. “Nothing man,” Ricky said. “I rode up here to find my kid. It’s a long story, but he might be in trouble.”

“All the kids around here are in trouble,” security said and stepped back from Rick, sorta checking himself for combat.

“I’m not a cop,” Ricky said. “Just looking for my kid, before it’s too late.”

“They train the new ones downtown at the strip club,” security said and kept his distance, looking around for a sting crew. “It’s at Gare’s Circle on the corner, the Déjà Vu Club.”

“Thanks,” Ricky said and made his way quickly to his motorcycle, straddled it, pulled on his helmet and gloves, nodded to the guard and fired it to life. It sounded like a locomotive cranking up to get underway in the dry, dark air.

“Which way,” Ricky shouted and the security guard pointed. Ricky’s Dyna disappeared in the night.

Nearing midnight, he rapidly rolled into the historic downtown Bakersfield area and found himself surrounded by the glittering lights of a strip club on the busy corner. It seemed odd, but he jammed around the block to look for bicycles and kids. He found the bikes out back in a dank alley.

He pulled around front and parked across the intersection quickly and hung his helmet on the handlebars. Making his way across the busy intersection he found the front door where a security guard checked over the short soldier in camo and allowed him entrance.

Once inside, the massive layout of the joint hit him, disco-balls glimmering over several stages, girls on every platform doing their thing with polished brass poles. The crowded joint distracted him, but suddenly he focused on the flashing lights and a small troop of kids moving from table to table, selling something.

He also noticed a big rough-looking bearded fucker heading his way. He looked to be Iranian. It was then that he spotted a kid showing another youngster his stash of small zip-lock bags of meth. The kid seemed about the right stature. As the music blared, the vibrating lights did their thing to the stages, waitresses slipped from table to table delivering drinks and taking orders, Ricky hollered. “Don.”

The kid jerked and looked over his shoulder to the stout soldier-looking man on the other side of the stage. The kid saw Ricky, then the girl on the stage moving to the beat of Sly and the Family Stone. She was amazing, nearly nude and her out-thrust boobs would stop a train. Ricky, also mesmerized by her shape, size and glistening smile was sidetracked. She enjoyed her trance on men as much as the patrons did and made eye contact with Ricky standing behind the tables.

Suddenly, an open hand smacked Ricky’s chest and the boss, who’d been alerted by security back at the Pot Shop, confronted Ricky, who immediately stepped back with one leg and spun to dislodge the attack. He moved to the side of the attacker and looked for Don across the room.

The diversion afforded the bearded-one a jab to Ricky’s solar plexus. Ricky buckled and the big guy yanked him toward the door. With a sweeping arm, Ricky motioned for Don to follow and hoped for the best.

Little Don shoved the goods back into the hands of his trainer and bolted around the stage as police charged in the front doors and shouted. “This is a raid!”

Officer Fernandez jammed in behind them followed by anxious uniforms. The bearded-one stood bolt upright, let go of Ricky as the kid came to his side. The tough guy bolted for an exit but was nabbed by a uniformed officer.

Little Don wrapped his arm around Ricky’s pumped bicep as officer Fernandez grabbed his other arm and looked at the kid. “So, you found your dad. He’s been looking for you all day.”

Ricky regained his breath, stood upright, nodded to the officer and looked down at Don. “Wanna ride to Hollywood?”

“Fuck yeah,” Don said.

“Watch your language, kid,” Ricky said and put his arm around him as they bolted out the flashy front doors.

Illustrations by Wayfarer

There are many options out there, but what you need to know is:

The best solo seat pivots in the world are from Lowbrow Customs: ✔️   We created a unique, low-profile design ✔️   Super heavy-duty & reliable ✔️   A wide array of mounting styles available ✔️   Made in the USA Choose the perfect seat pivot for your build. www.lowbrowcustoms.com

Are you ready for the SS Takeover in Los Angeles! We’re bringing the Slings out with trophies for all categories! Come out and shine with us at Brookside Park on Nov. 29, 10 am – 4 pm! We’re rolling with an evening ride through Hollywood, DTLA, and Beverly Hills!

We Break all the Rules!

I’m trying to make a list of crates, if I’m ordered pack up my shop and move it to Deadwood. It’s one of those daunting tasks. I love this building, but not LA or California anymore. Got to get outta Dodge.

I started to mess with the FXR. I was going to send the Spitfire girder to Paughco to have it checked. The other one we had broke. Makes you sorta edgy about riding it. Check the News for everything new and hot in the industry.

Ride fast and free forever!

–Bandit

The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by companies who also dig Freedom including: Cycle Source Magazine, the MRF, Las Vegas Bikefest, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown, BorntoRide.com and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. Most recently Quick Throttle Magazine came on board.

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