1. GoPro Plans To Launch Its First Tech-Enabled Motorcycle Helmet In 2025 2. GoPro Motorcycle Helmets Will Likely Be Sold To Riders Through Existing GoPro Motorsport-Related Retailers 3. GoPro Plans To Provide Motorcycle Helmet Tech Development Assistance To Other Premium Helmet Manufacturers 4. GoPro Plans To Extend Its Existing Subscription Plan Structures To Its Future Tech-Enabled Motorcycle Helmet Line 5. GoPro’s Current Forcite Helmets Acquisition Timeline Is Q1 Of 2024. GoPro had announced plans to acquire Australian smart helmet maker Forcite Helmets in January 2024.

‘World’s first’ cargo Two-Wheeler aims to be a disruptor in logistics

After around 6 years of development work, an electric scooter designed to be a cargo carrier, is gearing up for commercial production. Customer trials of this EV, by a Pune city, India, start-up, have begun, and its market introduction is expected during the first half of this year.

Two-wheelers including scooters, motorcycles, mopeds and even bicycles are commonly seen on India’s roads, delivering everything from groceries, medicines, restaurant orders to online orders from the top ecommerce websites. Most private courier delivery companies also empoy two-wheelers. These vehicles work for B2B as well as B2C sectors.

City traffic will always spot these buzzing around trying to get ahead to make maximum deliveries per day. So it is not a rural trend at all, though that’s the fastest growing market for two-wheelers.

Fleet management concept includes a fleet of two-wheelers by entrepreneurs who take up franchises for making deliveries.

Popular motorcycle racing series, MotoAmerica, has expanded its 2024 Mission King of the Baggers Championship by adding a new round at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. Scheduled for April 12-13, it will coincide with the third round of the FIM MotoGP World Championship.

This is the first instance where the King of the Baggers event will be showcased to an international audience. This occasion is set against the backdrop of the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas, an event that attracts global attention.

The latest battle over combustion-powered two-wheelers in the French capital.

The city council of Paris, France is reportedly considering a partial motorcycle and scooter ban inside the city limits in February 2024.

Electric motorcycles, scooters, and mopeds of all shapes and sizes would not be affected by the proposed ban.

For the many who use scooters and motorcycles to commute, Pierre-Yves Bournazel, an official pushing this ban proposes doubling current financial assistance programs to encourage combustion bike riders to try other, quieter forms of transport.

French Federation of Angry Bikers suggests that one of leaders of Ras le Scoot, a group that campaigns against motorbikes in general, works for an e-bike and cargo bike company as his day job (as is clearly shown on the man’s LinkedIn profile). The implication (not an allegation) is corruption and profiting from public office.

Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame Names New Executive Director and Board Members

Sturgis, SD – February 13, 2024 – The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame recently announced the appointment of Heidi Haro as Executive Director and four new members of the museum’s board of directors.

“Heidi has tremendous energy along with expertise in delivering superb guest experiences, she’s already bringing great new ideas to her museum team,” said Board President Craig Bailey. “Heidi lives here in the Black Hills, so she knows how special this area is for motorcycle riders.”

Haro has earned bachelor’s degrees in both Business Administration and Social Sciences. She was previously an executive with Aramark, a nationwide food service and facilities administration contractor. During her 14 years with the company, she developed high performance teams focused on delivering great experiences for guests at three universities in South Dakota and Minnesota.

“We want to make sure that every motorcycle fan coming through the Black Hills to know to stop in and connect with the bikes and the stories that live here in the museum,” said Haro. “This is a special place that reflects the spirit of the riding community.”

“I grew up in a family that loved the outdoors, so outdoor recreation, like motorcycling, holds a special place for me,” she continued. Haro started spending summers in the Black Hills in 1998 and moved to the area full time 4 years ago. She has four children and seven grandchildren. In her new role, Haro has a seat on the Museum’s board.

The Sturgis Museum Board also named several new members to its board of directors.

Keith Ball, a military veteran, former editorial director of Easyrider’s Magazine and currently the owner of Bandit’s Bikernet, joined the board and has taken the position of Secretary. Ball an accomplished writer and novelist, is well known in the motorcycle industry for his stunning custom bikes and his influence on custom culture through a variety of media, including print, television and online. Ball lives in Deadwood, South Dakota.

Ari Levenbaum is co-owner and CEO of the American Association of Motorcycle Injury Lawyers (AAMIL), known as the Law Tigers. He started working part-time for the organization in 2002 while also working as a full-time middle school teacher. He ultimately purchased an interest in AAMIL in 2014 and became COO at that time. As a rider, Ari has a unique understanding of the motorcycle community, which is reflected in his role with the Law Tigers. He lives in Arcadia, Arizona.

Scott Peterson, is the founder of Scott Peterson Motors in Sturgis and Belle Fourche, SD, an auto and truck retailer in the area. Peterson operated the award-winning dealerships for three decades until selling them recently. Peterson has been a driving force in the Sturgis community and is noted for his commitment to business excellence and his dedication to uplifting the lives of those around him.

Kirk Willard has been President and Board Chairman of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, the predominant rider’s rights organization in the country, since 2006. His involvement in motorcyclists’ rights goes back further than that, as he has held membership and leadership positions in rights groups throughout the country. Willard was awarded the Freedom Fighter Award by the Sturgis Museum in 2018. He lives in Wausau, Wisconsin and has ridden to the Sturgis Rally 38 times.

The other members of the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum board of directors are Craig Bailey (President), Mark Carstensen (representing the City of Sturgis), Paul Fosdyck (Treasurer), Darcy Harbott, Scott Jacobs, Chuck Potts, Irv Stone (Vice President), Tim Sutherland, Vinny Terranova, Keith Terry and Rod Woodruff.

###

Hey,

This has been a wild week and it’s not over. You’ll be blown away by the news. I’m now on the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Board of Directors, and we have our work cut out for us. You’ll see in the news.

I feel like I should write a story about learning stages in life for younger folks. I’m still learning and seem even more focused now, but maybe I’m fulla shit. I’m looking at this country and the myriad of struggles and evil shit going on, and then I think about our short history and the weird shit we’ve been through.

It just pisses me off that we can’t respond to negative issues quicker. Billy Lane said the other day, “I often use your quote, ‘We’re burnin’ daylight’.”

Yep, so it took them 20 years to put us in this bad spot. Will it take us another 20 years to straighten shit out and get our freedoms back? Hang on!

Let’s hit the news:

The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by companies who also dig Freedom including: Cycle Source Magazine, the MRF, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown, BorntoRide.com and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.

MRF ROADSHOW STOPS–Posse ~ Chicago

The Chicago Area Posse is an organization that gathers riding groups and clubs from around the Chicago area. The Posse consists of ABATE Chapters, HOG Chapters, Law Enforcement Clubs, Firefighter Clubs, Rolling Thunder, and many other riding groups.

Their purpose is to share information on Education, Legislation and Charity Rides. They met this past weekend in Wauconda, Illinois, where MRF Board Members Eric Ross and Seven, along with MRF Reps Dennis Yeager, Robert Carroll, Cathy Dial and Christy Gunderson were in attendance.

The Posse also received a presentation from MRF Assistant Executive Director Ryan Hubbard on MRF Priority issues and the importance of membership.

THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARIAN SPEAKS OUT–How to ruin a good laugh

Here is overthinking and ruining of a good joke by yours truly…

Looking closely, I think the motorcycle is on a side-stand and the father is just pretending to race the motorcycle for the camera. The child may be high on sugar or actually just truly, deeply, excited to be on a motorcycle. The dirt is there near the tires but it’s not flying—and of course rotating wheels can’t show spokes so easily in a photo I believe.

What do you think? Should I drink a whole bottle of whisky or binge-eat twenty apple pies to stop with the thinking?

–Wayfarer
Certified Librarian
Bandit’s Cantina

BUFFALO CHIP BAND CANCELS—But the Bad Wolves step up.

We intended to announce a band today that would’ve been the headliner on Friday, Aug. 9, but THEY CANCELED ON US. Yesterday.

Luckily, we got last-minute approval last night to announce the band that will be kicking off The Best Party Anywhere…

BAD WOLVES
Friday, Aug. 2

Thank you, guys.

Get ready to tilt your head back and howl into the South Dakota sky as this platinum-certified outfit delivers an evening of unapologetic hard rock during the Buffalo Chip’s Official Sturgis Rally Kickoff party!

The fun doesn’t stop there…

THE 100-WORD FICTION SHOOT-OUT CONTINUES–Here is a short for you.

Blow Up a Sportster

Nicko worked at the garage down the block when his Mom called in a panic. Nicko hauled ass in his hopped up ‘67 Cougar. The alley gate lock to the storage yard swung open. Where is Dad’s Tahiti blown race boat?

“Which way did they go,” Nicko yelled. “Did they steal anything else?”

“I don’t think so,” Mom said.

Nicko ran into the garage and still under the tarp was his turbo-charged Sportster street racer. Nicko flew from the garage in a wheel stand heading West down the alley. When his front 21 touched down, he rolled into the gas station where the thieves stopped to refuel.

–Gearhead

THE LATEST FROM GREASE & GEARS TV— The moment has arrived!

ShopTalk Featuring Warren Heir, Jr from Mama Tried is starting right now, and we wanted to ensure you don’t miss out on the action. We have a front-row seat waiting for you!

Thank you for your continued support!

BRAND New Bikernet Reader Comment!–Photo Gallery from Sturgis 2000

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/Photo_Gallery_from_Sturgis_2000.aspx

Like to see photos from 2001-2002

–Thomas
Belmont, NH

“Wow, those brought back memories. I built and rode that Evo-chop to Sturgis. What a great ride. The paint was handled by the talented Harold Ponterilli.

I believe I hit a deer in 2001 in Wyoming on a Buell. Also, a great ride until I smacked the deer and ended up in a hospital in Casper. I survived to ride to Sturgis again.”

–Bandit

LATEST FROM THE NASH MOTORCYCLE USA FACTORY–100% U.S.A. made Motorcycle Handlebars

Handlebar customers please note – We build ALL handlebars to order. Handlebar orders will take a MINIMUM OF 3 BUSINESS WEEKS to complete from fabrication, to coating or chrome, and then to packing and shipping.

Our bars are 100% U.S. made by us and only U.S. made materials. No China or overseas stuff here!! It’s well worth the wait!!! We do custom work and can address any needs you may have on your handlebar order, gives us a call, text, or email for questions.

THERE ARE NO REFUNDS ONCE ORDER HAS BEEN PLACED! WE WILL ALLOW RETURNS TO EXCHANGE FOR A DIFFERENT PAIR OF BARS IF NECESSARY!

DICK ALLEN SPRINGERS COMING FROM IRISH RICH—

Rich from Shamrocks Fabrication in Sturgis South Dakota is hand fabricating the first round of Dick Allen springers using some historic DA parts and some stock Harley springer components modified to fit.

“Got the spring perch filled and finished,” said Rich. Gotta order the spring rods, spring cips and washers for the top stem nut.”

Each step will take a lot of time, figuring, welding and filing, then he will have parts scanned and mass fabricated. Some element are available from Paughco.

We will bring you reports as they come together.

–Bandit

NEW INDIAN MOTORCYCLE’S ROADMASTER ELITE— COMBINES HIGH
-END SOPHISTICATION WITH MENACING BLACKED-OUT STYLING

2024 Roadmaster Elite Delivers Custom-Inspired Indian Motorcycle Red Paint Scheme

Indian Motorcycle, America’s First Motorcycle Company, day before yesterday unveiled its latest Elite model–a showstopping Roadmaster combining high-end sophistication, upscale fit-and-finish, and world-class touring capabilities.

Indian Motorcycle designed the 2024 Roadmaster Elite to deliver an authentic, custom-inspired paint scheme for riders looking to turn heads and stand out from the crowd.

In 1904 Indian Motorcycle first debuted the brand’s iconic Indian Motorcycle Red paint scheme. Today,the brand is excited to honor its iconic color with an all-new Indian Motorcycle Red tri-tone paint scheme with a premium candy finish, which delivers a vibrant and eye-catching look.

THE DICEY KNUCKLE GETS AN OFFER FROM THE TEXAS WEATHERMAN–

Dude that Knuckle is looking good! And since you’re building that new one, you really don’t need two, so you might as well sell me the Dicey Knuckle.

I mean there is already a picture of it in my garage, you don’t want to be like Bandido Jimmie Dee, who had a complete bike, along with another engine and transmission. And when I said if he sold me the engine and transmission, we’d both have Knuckleheads!

“No, I have two and you have none,” he replied. Wait, I have cash too! Probably a million dollars in Bandit Bucks!

I wonder where Jimmie’s stuff all ended up after he passed? His boys weren’t old enough, nor cared. Probably like me, who knows where it will go? I hoped to teach my grandson, but don’t get to see him anymore.

Anyway, while you’re considering my proposal, do you know anyone with turn signals for my fairing? They seem to be hard to find. Gonna just make my own. My girls pointed it out to me. They’re smarter and better mechanics than me. They weren’t onboard with my aluminum foil rigging!

–RFR

“How’s the weather in Texas. It’s snowing in the Black Hills of South Dakota but just slightly. Hell, the sun came out awhile ago.

You can get LED inserts for anything now.”

–Bandit

BRAND New Bikernet Reader Comment!—Deadwood John’s 1960 Panhead 4-Speed Rebuild

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/Johns_1960_Panhead_4Speed_Rebuild.aspx

Nice work, good to see the trial and error honesty involved, without a lifetime stash of OEM parts a guy would be hard pressed to do the same. That’s what brotherhood is all about.

— Anson Alexander
Long Creek, SC

AMERICAN PRIME TO THE RESCUE–The Big Fix Kit

Back in 1937 when H-D came out with their stud & coil spring clutch. H-D thought it was state-of-the-art, but the problem was it had so many deficiencies. For the next almost 4 decades the riders had to deal with all those problems.

One of the biggest was the small needle bearings encapsulated in the stamped tin cover. They just didn’t hold the hub well adding to the instability of the whole damn clutch.

So, back in the late ‘70s, a couple of clever guys (John & Mel) introduced The Big Fix Kit which used longer needle bearings to keep the hub steady. It worked so well, we decided to re-introduce them to the market for all those guys stuck in the past who refuse to upgrade their clutch for something immeasurably better (like our Comp Master™ clutch)!

–Ben Kudon
Mastermind
American Prime

PRO FREEDOM FLIER—

Becky, from ABATE of Wisconsin inspired me. ABATE of Wisconsin attends every motorcycle event in their state. They set up booths, try to inform riders and build membership for themselves and the MRF.

I was inspired to create a flier for Freedom and the shop organization Independent Motorcycle Aftermarket IMA, so I went to work.

With the help of the CO2 Coalition and Kirk Willard, the president of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation we received the approved text. Chris Callen made it come to life on paper and Becky’s team will print it.

Through Eric at the MRF we will try to make these available to State Motorcycle Rights Organizations all over the country. Let me know if you need any.

–Bandit
Bandit@bikernet.com

JOIN US FOR WHEELS THROUGH TIME OPENING DAY!–

We’re excited to announce an opportunity for you to join us for a VIP experience on opening weekend in April 2024!

This month, with your purchase of the “Greater Deal” package or higher, you will be entered to win a 3-day 2-night expense paid trip to Wheels Through Time’s 2024 opening day.

Be our guest as we unveil new exhibits, introduce a whole host of new machines, and fire some of the rarest machines as we celebrate our 2023 season opening!

THIS PACKAGE INCLUDES

-3 days free admission to Dale’s Wheels Through Time
-A 3-day 2-night hotel stay (on us)
-Travel expenses up to $300

THE 1936 HARLEY-DAVIDSON KNUCKLEHEAD

This year’s Raffle Bike is the stunning 1936 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead. Finished in H-D Factory Custom Gold, trimmed in Brillant Black, and hand-striped with chrome accents.

This 61c.i. OHV Knucklehead powerhouse sports a 4-speed transmission, art deco styling with full fenders, iconic “skull” dash, and 100-mph speedo. Plus, a list of one-year-only parts too numerous to mention.

The machine was meticulously restored to showroom condition in the WTT Restoration shop, and it is ready to GO home with one lucky winner this 2024!

New TECHNICAL Bikernet Reader Comment!—

Bikernet Investigates the State of TP Engineering (click here to read)

Hi. I just recently acquired a TP Engineering engine and are trying to find out the displacement etc. for it. The Vin # on right side front of lifter block is N02007. I can’t seem to access their web site with my Desk top …”word press error” whatever that means?

Are they still around, still building engines? It’s a beautiful looking v-twin for sure. Thank you for any info you might have.

“I hooked him up with TP Engineering and I believe the bike might be a Big Bear Chopper.” –Bandit

Much appreciated! I was up in a little town in northern B.C. Canada visiting a Buddy who runs a towing business/wrecking yard and saw the complete chopper wrecked…just sitting there, all beat up. It was tied up with the insurance company. I went back home to Prince George but I couldn’t get this bike outta my mind…hahaha it had a hold of me, big time. As it turned out my Buddy put a bid on it and ended up with it. The law says it can’t be repaired but can be disassembled and sold for parts…anyhow to make a long story short…I managed to get the engine and the gas tank …so far. Anyhow ….thanks again!!

— Dennis Kuharchuk
Prince George, BC, Canada

MORRIS MAGNETO GOES REALLY OLD SCHOOL—

Join us for an adrenaline-fueled day of vintage outlaw motorcycle racing on March 2nd, 2024!

Get ready to witness the roar of powerful engines and the thrill of high-speed action. This in-person event will take place at New Smyrna Speedway, where racing enthusiasts from all over will gather to experience the excitement firsthand.

From the moment the flag drops, you’ll be captivated by the daring maneuvers and heart-pounding moments as these legendary machines tear up the track. Feel the nostalgia as classic motorcycles from a bygone era compete for victory, showcasing their timeless beauty and raw power.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan, a casual observer, or simply curious about the world of vintage outlaw racing, this event promises to be an unforgettable experience. So, mark your calendars for March 2nd, 2024, and join for a day filled with thrills, camaraderie, and the spirit of speed. Click here to purchase your advanced tickets.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with us and discover what we have to offer. We’re looking forward to meeting you!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK–

“Success can make you go one of two ways. It can make you a prima donna – or it can smooth the edges, take away the insecurities, let the nice things come out.” –Barbara Walters

 Epoch Times

FIVE-BALL LEATHER REPORT—

 Hang on for more reports.

–Bandit

A MEMO DIRECT FROM THE MAYOR OF BUFFALO CHIP—

COMING THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8

– SAVE BIG NOW–

Special Prices End

 Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 5 p.m. MST

-PLUS-
For Three Days Only
GET 50% OFF VIP for Aug. 7th
(Theory of a Deadman & Hinder)
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ARTIST OF THE WEEK—Joe Slack

–Sam Burns
Official Art Curator
Bikernet.com™

ECONOMIC QUOTE OF THE WEEK–

“I favor the policy of economy, not because I wish to save money, but because I wish to save people. ” –Calvin Coolidge

Epoch Times

BABE OF THE WEEK—Olivia Casta

–Sam Burns
Official Talent Scout
Bikernet.com™

INSPIRATIONAL NOTES FROM THE BIKERNET THOUGHT TEMPLE HIGH ON A MOUNTAIN TOP IN THE BLACK HILLS–

Impossible
I M POSSIBLE

Success comes from taking the initiative and following up… persisting… eloquently expressing the depth of your love. What simple action could you take today to produce a new momentum toward success in your life?

–Tony Robbins

I embrace the power within me to transform ‘impossible’ into ‘I’m possible.’ With determination, creativity, and perseverance, I can overcome any challenge that comes my way.

Last night I was watching America’s Got Talent and was overwhelmed by the amazing talent of the contestants. The talent included a woman who drew stories with sand to a one-legged fellow dancing so creatively that I forgot that he was dancing with one leg, to a dance and acrobat team from the slums of India, that define the limitations of the human body in their act. Each and every act was absolutely amazing.

As I watched these artists, I became aware that the word impossible was not in their vocabulary. They took the word Impossible and made it I M POSSIBLE. They were able to take even impossible challenges and make them possible through non-stop determination to one of the greatest stages in the world.

As I witnessed these artists shine, I realized that each of us holds untapped gifts and talents waiting to be expressed. Today, let’s shift our mindset from seeing obstacles as impossible to embracing the belief that we are capable of achieving anything we set our minds to. Let’s make ‘I M POSSIBLE’ our mantra and unleash our full potential.”

Today’s Affirmation: I embrace the belief that I am possible, and I am ready to take on a challenge I’ve always dreamt of pursuing.

I M POSSIBLE.
And so It Is!
Namaste

–Yale

Whatever it is, do it, do it ‘till you’re satisfied.

–B.T. Express
Smokey Robinson’s Soultown

[page break]

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New EVENT Bikernet Reader Comment!–TROPICAL TATTOO BIKE WEEK 2023

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/TROPICAL_TATTOO_BIKE_WEEK_2023.aspx

I have old bike what is you date this year for the antique show at the bike week and the time for incription i want bring some bike

— Roberto Marin
Lanoraie, QC, Canada

EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE NEWS–

Rights and Freedom Quotes

“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.”
~ Nelson Mandela

“We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.”
~ Ronald Reagan

—Wayfarer
International Philosophy student
Bikernet University
West LA

VLXAFL5 SEAT COMING—

Your seat was supposed to arrive yesterday. I just checked the tracking number, it shows it’s out for delivery. Thank you for your patience. I appreciate the business.

–Howard Knight

“It arrived!”
–Bandit

WAIT, THERE’S MORE FROM THE TOWN OF BUFFALO CHIP—

Sink your teeth into a sizzlin’ good time at the first-ever Buffalo Chip Ribfest on July 27, 2024! The grills will be fired up, and we’re bringing the heat with a smokin’ lineup of events that’ll have you asking for seconds.

Bring the whole family and take in the ultimate BBQ experience served up with a heaping side of vendor shopping & foods, live entertainment, a cornhole tournament, Bloody Mary challenge and the famous Raising of the Flags. It’s free to the public. Come for a day or stay for the weekend and camp under the stars at the Buffalo Chip Campground.

HOUSE OF CHOPPERS LIVES—

Posted by Jack McIntyre,
Images by Chopper Dave

The 26th Annual Thunder By The Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival is a three-day event held Feb. 16-18, 2024 at the Sarasota Fairgrounds. It benefits Suncoast Charities for Children.

Headline acts performing include Molly Hatchet (Friday – February 16), Grand Funk Railroad (Saturday – February 17), and […]

–Jack

NEWS FROM THE MASTER OF LIGHT–Artist David Uhl

From time to time, we release a print edition via “Flash Sale”. Reservations are taken for 24 hours only, then we close the edition.

The clock is officially ticking on this beautiful new piece, titled “Down on the Farm”. These watercolor prints will all come hand-signed by David and numbered with Certificate of Authenticity. These will be offered framed and matted at $895 or unframed at $595. Shipping is additional.

“Down on the Farm”
David Uhl 2024

The image size is approximately 16″ x 22″ and the framed dimensions are 26″ x 32″.

The edition will close tomorrow at 11:00 am Mountain time.

Please let me know if you’d like to add this new piece to collection.

–Greg Rhodes
International Sales Director
David Uhl Fine Art
Uhl Studios
303-913-4840

STURGIS MUSEUM NEWS—

Hang on for the action to be hot and heavy around the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. The curation committee is adding more historic bikes including Truett and Osborn record breaking drag racing motorcycles and maybe the Easyriders Worlds Fastest Motorcycle Streamliner from 1990 to 2006 at 321 mph.

The staff is refining the inventory and upgrading insurance on every bike or collectors’ items.

Improvements are happening to the website daily with new videos and photography.

First of next week Steve Piehl will release the first of two press releases. The first one will cover new board members and our new Executive Director, Heidi Haro.

A week or so later the next release will cover the 2024 Hall of Fame inductees and news about the Hall of Fame breakfast.

Stay in touch with the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame as we hit a growth spurt. This museum is way more than an old post office building in downtown Sturgis. It’s the centerpiece of the custom motorcycle world. Hang on as it becomes world class and world renowned, for you and every rider in the world.

–Bandit

New PANHEAD Bikernet Reader Comment!–

John’s 1960 Panhead 4-Speed Rebuild

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/Johns_1960_Panhead_4Speed_Rebuild.aspx

Good job. You must have been taking notes during the process.

–John Martinisko
Deadwood, SD

“I use the photos to take my notes and remind me of what the hell I did, or didn’t do…”

–Bandit

NEWS FROM THE DIME BAG EMPIRE—

Started a new custom leather seat for Folds of Honor charity bike build made by Johnnie Mac Choppers in Philly. Happy and grateful to be a part of this custom build.

Made some updates to shop on Route 66 including merch displays, shelving and more.

Thanks for the support

 –Adam Croft

QUICK, New Bikernet Reader Comment!—

The David Mann Chopper

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/The_David_Mann_Chopper.aspx

My boyfriend Shawn and I now own this bike after Tom passed away. We are really excited to say that we will have it on display at Chopperfest this coming weekend!

I’m very excited that Micah will be there, and I finally get to meet him. Who knows, maybe it will win the David Mann Memorial Award again.

— Christine
Newbury Park, CA

CUSTOM BIKE BUILDER OF THE WEEK—Paul Capodanno

–Sam Burns
Certified Bike Show Judge
Bikernet.com™

MORE FROM OUR TEXAS WEATHERMAN—

So, I finally stumbled on the Wheels Through Time videos on YouTube, although I still want a Knucklehead. My dad had a Panhead and now I want a ‘52 or ‘53. I’ll have to dig the pictures out tomorrow but my Harley book say the oil filter wasn’t standard until ‘53. They get blurry and are angle shots but I don’t see one, no mention of black lower legs that I saw either.

I’m almost positive my grandmother showed me a color picture of it when I was younger and I think it was blue? Which was available in ‘52 & ‘53. If the small one was his first motorcycle in March of ‘52 and the first picture of the Panhead came February of 53, he transitioned fairly quickly. I don’t imagine there were too many mini bikes or 70-125cc Honda & Yamahas around then.

So, I’m thinking green would be a darker shade in B&W. Figure you’ve seen more B&W motorcycle pics than I have. Maybe I’ll start a Go Fund Me, “ Won’t you please help a young lad’s dream of having a motorcycle like his dad’s?”

–RFR

15th ANNUAL MICHAEL “BOZ” Kerr–

Bikers Inside the Beltway
May 20 & 21, 2024

The 15th Annual Michael “Boz” Kerr Bikers Inside the Beltway is the ONLY National Motorcycle Lobby Day held in our nation’s capital. Motorcyclists from around the country ride to Washington D.C., to help educate Members of Congress regarding the issues facing motorcyclists today. This event will be held Monday, May 20th and Tuesday, May 21st, 2024.

All online registration and attendance confirmation need to be completed by May 15, 2024.

MAKE YOUR CONGRESSONAL APPOINTMENTS NOW!
ALL ROOMS NEED TO BE BOOKED BY APRIL 22, 2024.
ROOMS ARE LIMITED

SCHEDULE

Monday, May 20th
MRF Board Meeting @ Embassy Suites – start 8am
Lobbying Prep. Session @ Embassy Suites 6-8 pm

Tuesday, May 21st
Lobby Day @ Congressional Offices (KSU: TBD)
Post Debrief Session @ Embassy Suites 6-8pm

HOTEL

EMBASSY SUITES
1900 Diagonal Rd
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-684-5900

Reservation Code: MRF
$260 Base Rate
Rooms Are Limited!

REGISTER FOR BIKERS INSIDE THE BELTWAY 2024
Click to Register
JOIN THE MRF TODAY!

A LANDMARK ENERGY FREEDOM RESOLUTION FROM THE RNC—

The Republican National Committee has passed an unprecedented resolution that powerfully advocates for energy freedom in America.

I don’t identify as a Republican or a Democrat, and since 2022 I’ve made it a policy not to support any political party nor anyone’s candidacy for elected office.

However, I am always happy to give praise when anyone from any political party says or does something good in the realm of energy.

And the Republican National Committee (RNC) has just done something great in the realm of energy. It has passed a landmark resolution that powerfully supports the kind of transformative energy freedom platform I have been advocating.

I say “powerfully supports,” because instead of containing empty or least-common-denominator language, it instead contains specific, meaningful language in favor of principled policies and even-handed thinking on climate issues.

Here’s an excerpt my readers might find familiar:

WHEREAS, Fossil fuel energy gives us an unprecedented ability to protect ourselves from the climate, driving down climate disaster deaths by 98% over the last century by powering the technology that protects us against storms, extreme temperatures, and drought;

The official resolution is available here, and I’ve also copied the text below in full.

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A TRANSFORMATIVE ENERGY FREEDOM POLICY FOR AMERICA

WHEREAS, Affordable, reliable energy is essential to American and human prosperity because it gives us the ability to use machines to become productive and prosperous; and more affordable and reliable American energy leads to a better economy, a lower cost of living, more well-paid job opportunities, a smaller deficit, and greater national security;

WHEREAS, Fossil fuels are and for the foreseeable future will remain a uniquely affordable, reliable, scalable, and secure source of energy—the only source that can provide plentiful energy to billions of people in thousands of places;

WHEREAS, Energy poverty is a crucial problem at home and abroad, affecting tens of millions of Americans and billions worldwide, including the three billion individuals who survive daily on less electricity than a household refrigerator;

WHEREAS, Fossil fuel energy gives us an unprecedented ability to protect ourselves from the climate, driving down climate disaster deaths by 98% over the last century by powering the technology that protects us against storms, extreme temperatures, and drought;

WHEREAS, America and the world need an energy policy that ensures plenty of fossil fuel energy and fosters promising cost-competitive alternatives like nuclear energy;

WHEREAS, America can enrich itself and empower billions with policies that free human ingenuity to produce energy in as low-cost, reliable, plentiful, and clean a way as possible—while protecting us against harmful emissions and dangerous practices;

WHEREAS, The Biden administration has restricted investment, production, and transport of American fossil fuels on the false promise that they can be rapidly replaced by solar and wind; has shut down reliable power plants and created unprecedented electricity shortages; has sought to excuse their policies from fault by blaming price spikes on “Putin’s price hike,” post-COVID demand, or the supposed greed of oil companies; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That America should take the following steps to promote American prosperity, increase energy security, improve our environment, and enhance the well-being of billions around the world through energy freedom: (1) Liberate responsible development of domestic energy resources; (2) End preferences for unreliable electricity; (3) Reform air and water emissions standards to incorporate realistic cost-benefit analysis; (4) Withdraw from climate agreements that punish America instead of fostering innovation; and (5) Unleash nuclear energy; and

RESOLVED, That the Republican National Committee urges the United States Congress and the White House to advance energy freedom policies that liberate American energy for the benefit of all.

–Alex Epstein
Energy Talking Points

CAKE MOTORCYCLES– Files For Bankruptcy In Sweden

Multiple factors are reportedly to blame, including the failure of the firm’s most recent funding round.

NHTSA made a safety recall on Cake Kalk dual sport motorcycles in January 2024 for battery cells that could potentially catch fire.

“Climate issues are no longer in focus; we are in a recession.” Cake CEO Stefan Ytterborn told a Swedish newspaper.

There was also the realization that you can’t expect people to pay 40,000 Swedish Krona (that’s about $3,811 USD at current conversion rates) for something online that they haven’t ridden. Company was selling direct-to-consumer on their website as a sales plan initially.

An official statement on bankruptcy filing is awaited from Cake and the most recent statement is shown on their website referring to a distribution network for their bikes.

Cake website: https://ridecake.com/en

This shows what happens when governments and greedy investors force a product down customers throats. Imagine your vehicle no longer existing, no parts nor service after a few months since purchase because the Tech Startup folded. What about the dealerships and recharge infrastructure that invested in this short-sighted corporate plan of EV urban mobility? A motorcycle company with retail products launched and sold because EV was trending on social media?

Automotive business and industry is clearly not as easy as eating a piece of cake! Started in 2016, their first product appeared in 2018 and presently they offer only three models of their electric bikes.

As ridiculous as their product and design was, this shows that worse things about EV are yet to arrive and all the eager environment empathizing customers who believed in the fables sold by Wall Street con men will be wondering how to recycle their toxic trash which is what will be their vehicle soon.

–Wayfarer
International Editor
Bikernet.com™

NEW FROM THE COMPETITION DISTRIBUTING FACTORY-–

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THIS IS A PRE ORDER FOR THE HIGH COMPRESSION 7 BOLT VL HEADS
(DIRECT REPLICA OF THE PERIOD CORRECT WN SMITH PERFORMANCE HEADS)

COST OF HEADS $2075.00

TO RESERVE A SET OF HEADS IS $1.00 USD. WHEN THEY ARE FINISHED BEING MADE WE WILL SEND YOU AN INVOICE FOR THE REMAINING BALANCE. (LEAD TIME 3 TO 4 WEEKS)

THIS WILL BE A VERY LIMITED RUN SO GET THEM BEFORE THEY ARE GONE!

We Strongly recommend copper gaskets and larger washers with new hardware when installing these.

–Competition Distributing

THAT CAN’T BE THE END—Believe me it isn’t.

Karley is testing her Sportster metal on the streets of the LA Harbor. She does more mechanical stuff every week.

I’m damn proud of my involvement, pushing the city of LA to give the folks of Wilmington access to the water. It’s almost completed.

I’m working with Tracy, Buck’s wife to find the photos Buck shot of Charlie’s dual carb Knuckle last year. It’s about to be featured in Cycle Source Magazine, but we need the shots. I turned in the feature story a while ago.

Our next tech will cover part 7 of the VLXAFL5 bike build, final assembly. The driveline has been the toughest challenge. Got the Paul Cox primary chain in place and aligned. The rear chain is also aligned, but I’m not sure it’s just right yet.

Cabana Dan is on his way to Mama Tried with this 1914 Harley re-pop restoration. The engine is real, most of the rest is re-pop. Beautiful job! He’s one of the few who have been invited to Mama Tried every year.

I just received this print of the Ball/Chamberlain clan from England in 1913. Need to have it framed and protected immediately. Good looking bunch.

The Redhead is still working in the Chocolate Mines on the outskirts of Deadwood. Believe it or not, she works for Chubby Chipmunks. These are some of their chocolate bars, amazing stuff. She is now, officially a chubby chipmunk, and I’m still a Hamster…

Every week, every day this year will be significant. It better be.

Ride free forever,

–Bandit

Now, if you’re a commie hippie douchey-douched douchery of doucheness type you might think that the American CEO is public enemy number 1. Not number 13. But no. He’s number 13. He’s preceded by some real experts in fuckery: the IRS, the WHO, the CDC, the FBI, the CIA, the BLM, the ATF, the DMV, the WEF, the DEI. the EPA and the ESG.

You might also probly think than an American CEO – or any CEO for that matter – if he has risen up the ranks to the level of being the boss of a multi billion dollar a year operation…..you might think that he might ON SOME LEVEL actually know what the fuck he’s doing. Well, if you think helping the IRS and the WHO and the CDC and the FBI and the CIA and the BLM and the ATF and the DMV and the WEF and the DEI and the EPA and the ESG destroy what’s left of America is “knowing what the fuck you’re doing,” then, yeah, they know what the fuck they’re doing.

Now, some alert person might ask “Why are CEO’s even involved with all that other crap anyway? They can actually DO things.” Actually, no. No they can’t actually do things. CEO’S are the reason all the other Letter Triads in that list exist: CEO’s could command all those bureaucrats out of existence tomorrow. There’s a hell of a lot more CEO’s than there are bureaucrats. With a lot more potential clout. But they’re too afraid. They’re so doucheried up the ass by now they make Adam Schiff look like Brock Lesnar. Now, you might say “What are you, a Commie Fuck? CEO’s are the backbone of American Free Enterprise! You must be a Commie Fuck!!”

No. I am not a Commie Fuck. I was born in Boston, the cradle of Liberty. I am a diehard pro-colonialist “to the victor go the spoils” war monger. Jesus the Jew is my deity. John Wayne is my guidance counsellor. Paris Hilton is my notion of the perfect woman. I think illegals and “the homeless” should be marooned on the Channel Islands in a Lord of the Flies scenario. And I think Israel and the United States both need to learn lessons from Alexander the Great on how to fight wars, which if Israel and the United States are listening right now here’s a hint: you fight wars in order to conquer. Not just to get your own guys killed for no reason or to rescue some asshole nation who likely hates us.

Now then: American CEO’s are not paragons of United States Might and Industrial Supremacy. They’re amateur politicians ordered-around like little bitches by PROFESSIONAL politicians and whose allegiances are to the gambling halls of the various global stock exchanges and who give as much a fuck about their own products and the satisfaction of their customers ABOUT as much as I give a fuck about the fate of the Kaaba and the Dome of the Rock: pending the day America decides the World Trade Center buildings need to be avenged. Which day is apparently Neverday.

Returning now to the imbecility of CEO’s, a CEO is not an owner. Unlike what you have been taught to call “the robber barrons.” Who were owners. Not robber barrons – as the press and the government and your school books as a child in mandatory de-education centers in the USA refer to the industrial tycoons who had a flair for making and selling products and services – like, ya know, cars, trains, planes, cameras, etc. that made lives easier. As opposed to the makers and sellers of bullshit who are called “American Office Holders” who are dedicated to fucking with anyone doing anything and outlawing whatever it is they’re doing as “being a threat to the public health and safety.”

The “robber barrons,” as our Marxist government and Marxist “news” shitfucks call them, were actually what is called OWNERS. Not fucking CEO’s. “Ownership” is very important to God, and USED to be important to Americans before the “everything is everything” hippie intellectual wasteland became the governing philosophy of America.

The Ten Commandments, with the possible exception of the one about lying, are basically a list of property rights. You don’t hear this preached in school or in church because teachers and preachers are all either fucking stupid or are so busy having their cocks sucked and their twats licked by demons from hell that they just don’t have time for learning anything that happens outside their scrotums and slits.

A CEO is a tip-toeing smiling, basically show-dog ass sniffer who’s MAIN function is to never say anything politically incorrect or in other words, never say anything that is remotely connected to actual physical reality anywhere in this galaxy. He can rise up through the company ranks OR he can be hired from the fucking moon. He can be appointed from off the streets. Just like the Pope can.

Only “corporations” have CEO’s and a corporation is a mini government created by the ruling government, that, like the ruling government, becomes in essence a mystical entity. It becomes a “person” but with no physical attributes, yet is regarded as an “entity.” Like an angel or a ghost. Just like the government is regarded as.

Corporations are LEGAL creations created by the lawyers in government – which is damn near everyone in office – in order to dilute the capitalistic production-pool of its owner-operators – or in other words the people with the ambition to provide a product or a service who can actually DO something. Unlike anyone in government OR in a legally-created-out-of-smoke, office-post that the government obeys. This week it’s health advisors. Soon government-licensed “weather experts” will be running things into oblivion.

Having a private ANYTHING is now considered a health threat to society since we are all in this together. You don’t even have the right to be healthy anymore since the Covid con. You are a threat to the group of people who are not healthy: you might survive while they die. You are therefore immoral. You are a threat because of success at not being a threat. That’s what I said. That’s what’s now in play.

Since the American “robber barrons” were barreling-ahead of DC in making life better for everyone, the lawyers running the government, lawyers being very cunning, realized that if private American empires of productivity and increased standards of living weren’t reined-in that federal, state, country and city governments would become obsolete. Which would upend the entire course of human history.

No one wants to do that. No one wants to move fucking forward, all our sacred traditions of war and taxes and jail and mandatory service and mandatory obligations to neighbors we would just as soon kill as assist – would evaporate. Who would want to bring an end to that?

Since personal computing and wide-spread global communication between individuals is, on a small scale, reproducing the same effects among the populace as the robber barrons created – namely, things being more bitchin’…..this governmental panic is again on the rise and all the worthless shitheads ordering people they never met around and tossing them into jail and taking their stuff and their licenses and their cars and boats and guns are huffing and puffing that all this free exchange between normal people is mostly “false information.”

Trust me, the only false information is coming from every fucking mayor, governor, senator, congressman, assemblyman, councilman, cop, sheriff, marshal, park ranger, license-inspector, health advisor grotesquerie in existence. Not from us. We don’t have a MOTIVE for spreading false information. And government has no motive for spreading TRUE information.

Which brings us to CEO’s and global warming.

The CEO’s of America – not the business owners but the business douchebags with keys to the executive toilets because the underlings must never realize that the executives’ shit actually does stink – the CEO’s of America are in a race to 1: proclaim their dedication and devotion to the preposterous fables that the earth is a greenhouse, that methane from cows is the only methane source that is actually dangerous, that carbon – which is what we’re fucking made of – is a threat to human existence, that “the damage from capitalism and industry the past 200 years” is “locked-in atmospherically” – as they are now proclaiming – such that even with universal compliance with all the trillion climate edicts, even if that happened right now overnight…..it would take hundreds of years for the earth to “get back to normal.”

In other words, it’s already irreversible even with full cooperation and all of us living like Bangladesh beanpoles sitting in the dirt. You might think “then why even bother. Let’s just go balls-out pollution.” Yeah, well you think like that because you have a fucking brain. Climate Gurus don’t have brains. They have cocks up their asses.

Since CEO’s are agreeing to basically go out of business, as a last ditch effort to stay afloat a little longer, they are kissing government ass. This is not hard for a CEO to do because corporate management, as opposed to private ownership management, is all about kissing ass. Private ownership management is all about doing a fucking job so good the boss has no choice but to promote you since you are actually valuable.

Ceo’s are not only not valuable, they are SO not-valuable they are basically interchangeable. A CEO from Fukme Beer can move on over to being a CEO of Yormom’sawhore Bedding and Bathmats Corporation overnight with no disruption in either company as a result: the downslide will continue both places uninterrupted.

Since kissing ass is all CEO’s actually DO, the pressure from the climate con via the government is causing the small and ineffective corporate brains which only understand kissing ass and lying about other employees….this pressure is causing CEO’s to come to the moronic conclusion that maybe government will allow them to exist a little longer if they become HOLY!!!! Government is all about holiness, after all.

Having a “proper moral compass” is almost like a sacred runic mantra to bureaucrats. Bureaucrats are high priests of global humanity and non bureaucrats – who outnumber the bureaucrats basically 6.9999 billion to one – non bureaucrats are gentle Eloi who look to the sacred morally-compassed bureaucrats for truth and guidance and safety.

CEO’s, noticing this, being politically cunning but naive when dealing with actual politicians, have assumed that by touting their companies’ SANCTITY rather than their companies’ PRODUCTS this will buy them an extra year or two of whopping salaries before they are shut down forever as being a threat to the atmosphere, the public health and “the moral compass” of the citizenry and Gaia.

Hence you have car manufacturers saying their cars are built with love, not competence. Other car makers are going around giving Cute Little Consuelo guitar lessons and buying a new RV for Hammadi Dudi; drug makers of compounds with three-syllable names and a litany of possible if not likely fatal side effects are displaying people either happy beyond description taking these drugs despite these nightmare-level risks while living vivacious lives, judging from all the smiles and happy greetings and chowing-down ice cream.

OR, if it’s an anti-depressant with a thousand warnings, they are depicted living slow-motion, trance-like lives but still smiling with a kind of transcendent calmness, like the spirit of the Dali Lama has infused their entire being. You have stores posting banners inside declaring how much of a percentage of everything you buy will be given by the store to the maimed burn victims from meteorite strikes in Bangladesh and how a percentage of the profits from Fukmehighly Brand Asswipes will be devoted to providing “affordable housing” for crackheads….in your very own home. What? You don’t like that idea? You are so immoral!!!

In other words….CEO’s are useless assholes trying to win bureaucrats, not customers.

In an effort to prove this, here is an interview of the former marketing something or other for Bud Lite being interviewed by someone every bit as dim as the marketing director and not even close to the marketing director’s pay rate, and this upper level management CEO-in-training gives a very clear and concise picture for one unrelenting hour on the depth and degree possible for sheer blather calmative word-salad brain-obliviating emptyness that is actually possible within a corporate executive washroom member’s airhead head when the air in the head is filled with metallic skull-dust blowing at a hundred miles an hour against whatever stray braincells it may encounter on it’s way to exiting the ears.

The average serial killer is more focused and coherent than this broad.

This imbecile….THAT SOMEONE HIRED AND PROMOTED!!….is trying to sell beers to queers. In fact if she had had that as a slogan instead of installing a wrongly-wired aberration of the terrestrial reproductive mandate for life on earth to try and sell sell product to actual men rather than to deranged crossdressers……she might still have a job.

She has NO idea of “make a product…..sell a product.” She doesn’t get that. What she DOES get is bunnies and “what is home” and women are special and that a cock-sporting pinwheel in a dress is a good way to sell beer to drunken men who boast about the foulness of their farts and like to kill handsome noble deer for fun and put their severed heads on the living room walls.

No: she thought Bud LIte meant light in the loafers. Or who the fuck even knows what she thought. Her CEO certainly had no clue. And he’s really the one with the problem. He ok’d all this shit. God only knows where she is now, but her boss? The Ceo? He’s right there firmly in place planning his new scapegoat. As for the product? Oh, well, who gives a shit about the product, we can always get more product. In fact, it’s still in the warehouse, exploding one can at a time. Walk in with your mouth open, sparky, have a drink.

Why are CEO’s all idiots? Because idiots are what the Feds – the creators of corporations – are rewarding with trips to the little girls’ bathrooms underneath the Capitol building, and with looking the other way regarding corporate violations of one or more of the ten trillion anti-corporation laws in exchange for a little more emphasis on the need for Climate Awareness in your ads and a little less emphasis on your product.

Shell Oil is actually running ads declaring their commitment to achieving a “fossil-fuel free” planet. Shell Oil is running ads saying oil is bad. Only a CEO would agree to this. An owner would blow the brains and butthole out of anyone who ordered him to run self-destructive ads. But then owners weren’t created by government lawyers. Ceo’s were.

CEO’s in interviews, the few CEO’s that give them, never talk about their product. They talk about their Quest For Universal Love. “Don’t hate us because we are trying to provide you with something to make your life better, why should YOUR life be better when other people cannot afford our product? No, rather let us not focus on crass materialism which Karl Marx has proclaimed immoral, let us focus instead on how virtuous I, as CEO of Shitstain Industries….am.”

You ever hear Elon Musk talk crap like that? You ever see him trying to get an interviewer to like him? No. He in fact goes out of his way to piss interviewers off because he doesn’t need their fucking approval: he’s selling product. Who care’s if it bursts into a fire even Superman couldn’t put out by flinging it into empty space. Let the buyer beware, it’s not as though its a fucking SECRET lithium batteries are unexploded bombs.

If his company was turned over to a CEO? Holy shit, Tesla factories would start producing party clothes for the starving children in Padook Pradash India and the Tesla name would become a Fashion & Designer brand on Project Runway.?
–J.J. Solari

Images from Mr. Way and Sam Burns

endo

by Bandit, John, Frank R.I.P. and Lee Clemens with photos by Weed

We Started with Box of Parts and Pieces

A friend, the notorious Deadwood John, called recently about his 1960 Panhead roller project, sort of a basket case on wheels. The engine still remained in the frame and a glide front end was in place, but not much else.

He wrote to Ron the shop owner in Alaska and said, “What about the transmission?” Ron who ran this shop for 40 years was an old friend. Semi-retired he was willing to help with all aspects of the build, so he sent John a box of transmission parts.

John tried to hand it to his engine rebuilder who rightfully turned him down. I’ve been around 4-speed transmissions for 50 years and rebuilt one in 1971. Kinda fucked it up but made it right.

Click here to read this photo feature Tech only on Bikernet.com

* * * *

See more Tech and Tricks at our dedicated Tech Department with feature articles and photos. Click here and start rebuilding.

A friend, the notorious Deadwood John, called recently about his 1960 Panhead roller project, sort of a basket case on wheels. The engine still remained in the frame and a glide front end was in place, but not much else.

He wrote to Ron the shop owner in Alaska and said, “What about the transmission?” Ron who ran this shop for 40 years was an old friend. Semi-retired he was willing to help with all aspects of the build, so he sent John a box of transmission parts.

John tried to hand it to his engine rebuilder who rightfully turned him down. I’ve been around 4-speed transmissions for 50 years and rebuilt one in 1971. Kinda fucked it up but made it right.

“I’ll give it a shot,” I said to John and went to work with a manual, a parts manual from the era, a Lowbrow, Frank Kaisler video and any other resource I could find. I worked with Frank for years at Easyriders and he was a Hamster until his passing a few years back. I also dug out every 4-speed transmission part I could find, which took serious sorting from all the 5-speed stuff.

So, if you’re in the mood to rebuild an early, greasy 4-speed transmission I’m going to share my notes and suggestions from the bros. I will also share product warnings, tools, etc.

Watching Frank’s video with the Lowbrow crew covers the entire process, but I find videos cumbersome. I want to turn the page and see what I need. Can’t do that with videos without getting grease all over the screen.

Still, if you watched the entire video before you started the process, you would know what you’re up against and what you need.

My notes here will help with the sloppy effort and inform you of the blunders I encountered.

First, I inspected all the shit in the box. Much of it was junk and needed to be replaced. I soaked the trans case and the partially completed kicker cover. I studied all the threaded holes and the stud threads.

Ron sent a case which was approximately a 1965 electric-start version with the wings cut off. The corner of the case was also damaged where the mounting stud rested. It had been welded and later in the game the stud came loose. I re-installed it with red Loctite. I also coated the inside of the case where you can see the studs, with Permatex to prevent leaking.

Otherwise, the case seemed fine, but then I noticed the counter-shaft steel sleeves were missing and we ordered some. Here’s a major point. There are good parts out there and there are shit parts. You can go to a distributor and find good shit and shit, so it’s on you to determine what’s good quality, and stick with it. I won’t mention names.

We ordered a new set of counter-shaft mounting sleeves, and I heated the case using a portable room heater. You can use an oven, which might stink up the house. I coated the sleeves with never-cease and found some appropriate punches to do the job, including one JIMS tool. In the process I annihilated my right thumb with my JIMS brass hammer, but after a few tender weeks survived. Regarding these sleeves be careful. One is specifically designed for the kicker side and one for the sprocket side.

Before I started final assembly. I heated the case and tapped them a few more times. Under ideal conditions you can feel when the sleeve bottoms.

With the sleeves in place, I studied the case for other missing elements. We didn’t have a drain plug or the fifth mounting stud. I checked the threads and took care of those from the tranny stash.

The next move included securing all the pieces for the main-shaft and John reached out to Ron, who sent us another box of goodies. The shaft he sent was over-heated and damaged. I had a shaft with a slight ding to some of the mounting threads, otherwise it was golden. I also had other shafts. They were longer, so I researched early 4-speed shafts. There are three or four leading from about 1962 to 1971. They started to get longer as soon as the first electric-start was introduced and a ring-gear added to the clutch basket.

1936-1965 Knuckle and Pan era. Kicker only: 11.750 inches

1965-1969 Pan to kidney Shovelhead with electric start: 12 inches

1970-1984 Cone motor Shovelhead to Evo with alternators and electric start: 12.5 inches

1985- Belt rear drive Evos: 13.750 inches

Some of Ron’s gears were dinged and I discovered I had some good replacements. My mainshaft could not be corrected, so I reached out to Lee Clemens, who operated Departure Bike Works for over 40 years. He scored me another mainshaft and started to coach me on the rebuild. Lee is also a Hamster. Neither of them were rich guys, but they were a part of the industry since the beginning.

Ron sent us used main bearings, but not the sleeve. We ordered one and Frank recommended ordering a new main bearing, since they are cheap. It came as a sealed bearing, which I question.

We also ordered a new set of thin, long roller bearings. There are 88 bearings in total and the batch came with extras. Here’s where the quality issue came into play. Just because one distributor sells the bastards for half the price of another, doesn’t mean you want them.

Out of all the 4th gear choices we had, we picked the best one, cleaned it, cleaned and checked the case race, checked the thrust washer that goes on the inside, greased the bearings and stuck 44 around the gear race.

Frank slipped the gear, bearings and thrust washer up from the inside of the case through the case race and added the sleeve and the massive left-handed nut to hold everything in place and then he moved on.

I watched another film about tranny rebuilds and they installed the fourth gear, the sleeve, the cork washer and the seal. They checked for a .003 to .013-inch end play, and then they started to install the other gears and main-shaft.

I watched both films a couple of times and moved along with Frank’s process. He slipped his 4th gear with the thrust washer and bearings stuck with grease right into place, bada bing.

I wasn’t so lucky. They wouldn’t go. I could get them started from the outside of the case, but not from the inside. I struggled with it a few times and then took three bearings out and was able to install it. I added the three back in from the outside, no sweat. Then I added the sleeve, a couple of Shovelhead intake manifold O-rings and the left-handed nut to hold everything in place as Frank did.

Installing the mainshaft is a puzzle. Just slip the shaft through from the kicker side. About 2/3s the way in, you will add the third gear, thrust washer, keeper snap-ring, which needs to be worked up over the shaft teeth carefully and then the shift dog. The shift dog will have “High” stamped on one side. It goes towards the 4-speed gear. The dog will also help in pushing the snap ring into place evenly once you get it started.

When I first started this process, I had a snap-ring, but once in place, it seemed loose so we ordered a new one. I’m glad, but the new one was a chore to slide up over the teeth on the shaft and it’s critical not to stretch it. I joke that being a good mechanic is similar to being a surgeon. Sure, we’re grubby and covered in grease, but the operations are just as critical and delicate as surgery. I think sharp mechanics deserve way more respect.

With the snap-ring in place, you want to spin the shaft and with a punch, tap the snap-ring to insure it’s properly seated. Oh, and make sure you grease all the pieces as they slip together. I used assembly lube.

The shaft slipped into place. This is the stage where we needed a main-shaft bearing housing. We had a new one, but it was larger, most likely for a 5-speed. We ordered another one quick. We also considered Frank’s recommendation and purchased a new main-shaft sealed bearing. Ron sent a retaining plate. But it was dinged. I had another one in my stash.

Between Ron and I, we had enough pieces to finish off the main-shaft assembly after the ordered pieces arrived. Throughout this process, I checked every pressed in bushing for fitment.

I shifted to the countershaft and started to research all the parts. Once all the parts were located and sourced, some from Ron and some from my stash, we ordered a set of various sized thrust washers. I sensed an issue. That’s why I heated the case and punched the sleeves again using the JIMS tool.

I took care with checking this assembly several times without the new bearings in place, 22 in each end of the countershaft gear. Once I had all the pieces, I took it apart and added the grease to help the roller bearings remain in place during assembly.

This was an early case, but not super early, still it didn’t hold an electric start countershaft, or the oil cap on the end. All the necessary pieces came in the James gaskets seal kit. So, with the countershaft assembled with the roller bearings, lock rings, thrust washers, second gear and low gear in place with bushings, the entire assembly slipped into place, but there didn’t seem to be room for even the smallest thrust washer. With the additional sleeve taping I was able to install a small thrust washer and check for end-play .008 to .012 inch.

When I slipped the countershaft into place, I had to take notice of the slotted end on the kicker side. It had to line up with the thick steel washer shape.

Throughout the video Frank struggled with the transmission on a bench. Part of his problem included filming and access to what he did. I didn’t have that issue, so I took a long chunk of angle Iron, drilled a couple of holes and bada-bing, I had a transmission rebuild tool. It was long enough to allow several mounting positions in a vice.

With the shafts in place, I moved onto the mainshaft retaining plate. It’s a trick like a puzzle to fit with an oil guide tin piece. I cleaned and wire brushed the retaining screws. The plate goes into place against the bearing housing. I used blue Loctite and tightened the screws several times carefully. Then I installed the large coil spring and the mainshaft kicker gears.

There’s a ball bearing in one gear. I made sure it was free. Most of the shafts are held in place with flat washers with tabs to bend up to prevent the nuts from loosening. I bent the tabs slightly to make picking a tab and punching it into place easier. I torqued all the nuts before bending the shafts.

I found a clean kicker shaft and I had a good kicker gear with the plate riveted to it. Keep in mind that over the years there were different kick gear ratios. Make sure you have the right shit. You’ll know as soon as you try to install the kicker cover.

I checked the kicker shaft through the kicker cover for fitment. Ron sent a new set of brass bushings, but I only replaced the O-ring seal in the center. Keep in mind the large generally chromed return spring on the outside of the kicker cover must be positioned properly. Some of the shafts come with one notch for the kicker arm bolt. This shaft had four notches. At first, I thought I was golden, but not-so Kemosabe.

With everything in place, the spring wound way too tight. I needed to take it apart and shift the gear on the shaft 90 degrees.

Next, I installed the shifter forks after hunting down the dinky shaft retaining screw. The forks only go into the shift dogs one way, when shift drum pins and sleeves face the same direction toward the front of the motorcycle. With everything in place, I dropped the ratchet top, which was in Neutral into place and carefully removed it, several times. The shift forks should be in the center between gears.

I removed the shaft and carefully straightened the tabs and shifted the shims until both shift forks were close to center. Lee Clemens said, “It’s okay to set the tranny up so that the forks lean one thin shim to 2nd and 4th gears.”

With the shift forks adjusted and the kicker cover in place, I could lock the shafts from moving with both shift folks in gear. I went digging for the JIMS tool to replace the mainshaft seal. I couldn’t find it and called Kit Maira a longtime Easyriders staff member. At one time he borrowed some of my JIMS tools, and I couldn’t find the puller/installer.

I looked in my special tools drawer, but not the puller drawer. There it was. Here’s the issue. While trying to find the proper tool I attempted to install the mainshaft seal with another JIMS tool and it worked, but I looked up from my successful operation and discovered I had not installed the cork under it.

At the time, I was consulting with Lee Clemens and he recommended I Permatex the area before installing the cork and then the seal. In order to remove the seal, I had to knock holes in it and use sheet metal screws to pull it out. Frank also recommended wiping the outside of the seal with Permatex to prevent leaking around the seal.

I found the JIMS tool, installed the screws, pulled the old seal, Permatexed the inside of the area around the sleeve, installed the cork, which was also coated with Permatex and used the JIMS tool to install the seal after I added a coat of Permatex coating the outside.

That left the ratchet top. I didn’t completely disassemble it. I took out the spring-loaded shifter paul, checked it, regreased it and replaced it. I took the cover off the ratchet case and inspected the springs, which are generally the issue with shifting. If a spring breaks, shifting goes to hell. I checked the alignment and greased everything.

I noticed a stud bolted into the ratchet top and wondered WTF? It must have been a neutral indicator for cop bikes at one time or electric-start bikes. I tried like hell to find another alternative but could not find a matching fine thread, short bolt.

I cleaned the gasket surface, found a set of fasteners. Note, that one is a vent hole. Make sure it aligns with a threaded hole through the case to the interior for proper venting.

I installed a greased gasket and the ratchet top. It shifted like a dream. I dug around for a kicker arm and found one offset and one straight, John went for the offset one, but we might reconsider. Also, I noticed the sleeve for the clutch arm, which was cast into the case was loose.

I tested green Loctite in this situation. I was told green was for studs and permanent stuff. John researched and discovered green is for situations when you can’t reach the threads. You can drip this around the opening and It will seep into the threads tighten and seal. Ya got me.

During final assembly I studied his clutch actuating system. This was a mousetrap bike with the clutch rod that extends past the trans. I knew we would incorporate and clutch eliminator bracket, which would eliminate the use of at mousetrap. We needed a shorter clutch rod and it had to be short for clearance under the oil tank. I had one.

One final note, the chain sprocket. John wanted to go with a stock 22-tooth configuration. I had a bunch of them. Some were offset for wider tires. Some were flat and seemed to rub against the case and some were just slightly dished on the inside to clear the case but run the sprocket tight to the transmission. I had a 24-tooth and discovered I also had and 22.

The trans was rebuilt and complete when I returned it to John’s Deadwood Garage. Bada-bing

–Bandit, John, Frank R.I.P. and Lee Clemens with photos by Weed

Sources:

JIMS Machine

Ron Harvey’s Classic Motorcycles
Alaska

Lowbrow

5-Ball Racing

Baker

by Daniel W. Nebert

For the past 35 years, the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned us that emissions from the burning of fossil fuels, predominantly carbon dioxide (CO2), are causing dangerous global warming. This myth is blindly accepted — even by many of my science colleagues who know virtually nothing about climate. As a scientist, my purpose here is to help expose this fairy tale.

From his seminal work while prisoner of war during WWI, Serbian mathematician Milutin Milankovitch explained how climate is influenced by variations in the Earth’s asymmetric orbit, axial tilt, and rotational wobble — each going through cycles lasting as long as 120,000 years.

Click here to read this article on Bikernet.com

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