Hey,
What a week? It’s been a scramble and it’s not over. The IMS Long Beach Show is this weekend. Lots of folks in town for the show and we’re having a builder’s party at the headquarters with Holt and the Hot Bike crew and Chris Callen, Heather and Cycle Source.
I’m not much of a bartender, but I’m doing my best to prep for the builder’s, industry and Hamsters. We will cover the show, offer you a report on the industry and tell you about any new models to hit the crowded streets from the Long Beach prospective.
It’s never dull.
LATEST FROM SADDLEMEN– Introducing the new Saddlemen Renegade LS.
Now Available for the 2013-2017 Softail Breakout from Harley Davidson
Saddlemen’s new Renegade LS for 2013 through 2017 Harley Davidson® Softails® was created for a single purpose: create a comfortable stylish minimalistic seat for your solo ride.
This Slammed Solo is built to streamline and compliment the Softail Breakout® while maintaining the comfort riders have come to expect from every Saddlemen seat.
Built with our exclusive GEL-Core Technology and featuring a beautiful lattice stitch pattern, our solo will keep you classy and comfortable for miles.
Gel-Core™ is engineered to dampen, divert, and deflect energy to create a smooth, therapeutic ride. When combined with the latest in co-molding technology reduces engine vibration by up to 50%, and direct impact forces by up to 92%.
Why does Saddlemen use this innovative material? Simple – to add hours and hours of comfortable riding time to every ride!
A quick look at the Renegade LS reveals that styling and good looks were not compromised for comfort.
The Renegade LS enhances and complements other accessories and upgrades, providing the finishing touch for the 2013-2017 Harley Softail Breakouts.
All Saddlemen seats are designed, tested, and built exclusively in the USA for the long ride. American made quality and craftsmanship is something we take very seriously since 1987 at the Saddlemen Long Beach, California manufacturing facility.
Every detail, every stitch, and every step of the process from raw materials to the final product has been carefully considered and inspected to insure that Saddlemen’s standards for quality, craftsmanship and comfort are continuously upheld. Experience the Quality, Craftsmanship, and Comfort built into every saddle
Saddlemen remains America’s first choice when upgrading a motorcycle seat; Saddlemen recognizes that every different body, and every bike, is built a little different and that sometimes even the best motorcycle seat may not meet everyone’s comfort expectations.
Unlike other seat companies, Saddlemen will help make it right. If for some reason a customer is not completely satisfied with their new set just call 800-397-7709 and a friendly Product Specialist will gladly assist.
Features Include
•The perfect seat choice for a minimalistic approach for a solo styling approach.
•The Renegade LS™ provides a new and improved modern look and comfortable feel unlike the OEM seat.
•SaddleGel™ is scientifically proven to increase the amount of time a rider can travel as its engineered to dampen, divert and deflect the energy from the road.
•The Renegade-LS comes standard with an interior combination of progressive density foam and SaddleGel™. The progressive density foam has a perfect balance between support and compliance for durability as well as comfort.
•Available with black or brown covers
•Sewn with a retro style lattice stitch to infuse old school looks with a modern day twist.
•Designed and made in the U.S.A.
•Show bike styling
Saddlemen seats are available at most local motorcycle shops served through Drag Specialties, a leading distributor of accessories and parts for Harley Davidson® motorcycles. Call 800-397-7709 or visit http://www.saddlemen.com/ . Prices: $250.00 in black or brown
Fitment: Harley-Davidson
Model: FXSB Softail Breakout
Year: 2013-2017
Seat: Renegade-LS
Part Number: 813-27-002LS Black Cover with Black Stitching
813-27-002BLS Brown Cover with Black Stitching
Saddlemen
17801 So Susana Rd
Compton, CA 90221
www.saddlemen.com
sales@saddlemen.com
800-397-7709
GREAT FROG IN LONG BEACH AT IMS–
Originators of the infamous skull ring. The Great Frog continues to deliver individually hand-crafted pieces from its Soho basement where it first opened its doors in 1972.
Imogen will man the booth and you don’t want to miss her.
–Bandit
NEW FROM BRASS BALLS– Derby Covers: Piston-Helmet Design
A cool and easy custom performance upgrade.
Replace the heavy stock derby cover with a light-weight, precision machined billet aluminum derby cover featuring our Piston-Helmet logo.
Brass Balls Cycles : Derby Covers, Piston-Helmet Design
• Precision machined from aircraft grade 6061 T6 billet aluminum
• Black anodized with contrast cut machined design
• Direct replacement for stock
• Multiple fitment options
• Light weight and strong
Brass Balls Cycles parts are available through Biker’s Choice Dealers or at BrassBallsCycles.com
Dealers can order at their convenience via the dealer portal at BrassBallsCycles.com
HOT NEWS FROM THE CLIMATE DEPOT– Building a midsize fully electric vehicle results in 15% higher emissions than building a gasoline powered vehicle.
Study: Cars can’t match electrics on efficiency
Gas-run vehicles would need to average 55.4 mpg
From Staff Reports
USA TODAY
DETROIT – If you prefer gasoline power over a fully electric vehicle, you’ll have to buy a car that’s a lot more fuel miserly than the one you’re probably driving now if you want to try to match efficiency.
A new study by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute finds that gas-powered vehicles need to average 55.4 miles per gallon in the U.S. in order to produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than a batteryelectric vehicle. That’s because even most electric cars aren’t oil or coal free. Their batteries are charged by electricity generated at power plants, which often are fired by oil or coal.
The disparity between electric vehicles and conventional gas-powered cars depends on what is used to make the electricity that charges a battery. In countries where coal or oil is king, generating electricity for a full charge creates more carbon dioxide emissions than in places where hydroelectric power, for example, is the main source.
Gas-powered cars sold in the U.S. have a long way to go to match electrics.
The mileage leaders among subcompact cars in the U.S. are the Ford Fiesta SFE and Toyota Yaris iA at 35 mpg in combined city and highway driving, the U.S. Energy Department and Environmental Protection Agency say.
Hybrids, those vehicles with gas and electric power plants that work together, do better.
The study looked at only fully electric vehicles, which are known as battery electric vehicles — not plug-in electric hybrids — vs. gas-powered cars.
Sivak and Schoettle reviewed data for 143 countries, finding wide disparities in those values. Albania, which produces all of its electricity from hydroelectric power, was at the high end of what a gas vehicle’s mpg would need to be to beat a fully electric vehicle.
At the other extreme were Gibraltar and Botswana, where electricity is produced from either coal or oil. The study relied on data from the Union of Concerned Scientists and the International Energy Agency.
The study did not consider the impact of manufacturing the vehicles but did note that the Union of Concerned Scientists has found that building a midsize fully electric vehicle results in 15% higher emissions than building a mid-size gasoline-powered vehicle. Larger battery packs push that gap to 68% higher for full-size vehicles.
–from Rogue
Supreme Commander
Bikernet Baggers
TRAILBLAZERS NEWS
There was a lot going on this past weekend. Hope all of you Veterans know how much we appreciate your service to our country. We thank you for answering your call to duty that interrupted your lives at their prime.
Tom White was remembered with a memorial at Glen Helen. All fees were waived for the day. More than 100 riders were on the motocross track doing laps to honor Tom. His very good friend, Jody Weisel, spoke of their friendship and Tom’s last months. There was a video narrated by Larry Huffman, and one of Tom acknowledging and thanking family and friends. The day went just how he had planned. His family will be carrying on his legacy and he will never be forgotten.
74th ANNUAL TRAILBLAZERS BANQUET
APRIL 7, 2018
Reminder (one of many to come). The banquet will again be held at the Carson Center in Carson. The reception and bike show will start in the afternoon, followed by dinner and Hall of Fame presentation. Those being inducted this year are Scott Autrey, Kel Carruthers, Debbie Evans-Leavitt, Bruce Flanders, Dennis Kanagae and Chuck Miller. The late Skip Van Leeuwen will receive our annual wine toast and Tom White will be honored with the 2018 Dick Hammer Award, the Trailblazers’ highest honor.
Tickets go on sale online the first week in January. Watch the newsletters for an exact date. $75.00 each or you can buy a table of 10 for $750.00. If you are buying for a group, please give us their contact information so we can put them on the banquet roster, printed their names on the ticket and ticket envelope and add newsletter list . You have over a month to round up the information so no excuses.
$75.00 includes membership in the Trailblazers and newsletter (email only)
If you need a hotel room, the Doubletree shares the parking lot with Carson Center. We have a group rate of $145.00. Our group code is TMC. For reservations: www.carson.doubletree.com or (800) 222 8733
SPEAKING OF PRIME OF LIFE
We noticed that a good many of the Trailblazers email addresses contain their racing number. Once a racer, always a racer.
TAKE A LOOK AT JODY WEISEL’S MOTOCROSS ACTION MAGAZINE
There are several reasons to take a look, besides it being well written and great photos. Jody’s 60 best World Vet Championship Jokes or the nice spread on Tom White’s memorial ride are another couple reasons. https://motocrossactionmag.com/mag/jody-weisel, https://motocrossactionmag.com/tom-white-memorial-ride-day-photos.
MARY MCGEE HONORED AGAIN
Mary McGee, the first woman with an FIM license, received the 2017 Dirt Illustrated Lifetime Achievement Award for contributions to the sport of Motocross as a pioneer in women’s motocross.. Mary has received a pile of acknowledgments, and all well deserved. They have included the 2012 FIM Women Legend, for which she traveled to Monaco, 2005 Extreme Sports award, Trailblazers Hall of Fame and many more. Congrats Mary. You are the best.
LETTERS FROM A NEW ZEALAND LEGEND
Doug Towsley thought you might find these letters interesting. New Zealand legend, Burt Monroe corresponded with John Andrews in England for many years and the letters are now available on the Vintage Motorcycle Club of Johannesburg, South Africa newsletter.
www.vintagemotorcycleclub.co.za/KICK_START_2016 10_october.pdf
MITCH BOEHM ON THE AFT TEAM
Mitch Boehm is the new Communications Director for American Flat Track, starting immediately. Mitch has been involved in motorcycles many years as a motojournalist, racer and industry insider. He was with Motorcyclist 20 years, 14 years as Editor-in-Chief, 3 years with American Honda as an R&D expert and a year as Cycle World’s Managing Editor. The past nine years he has been an industry consultant. He also arranged and co-wrote Malcolm Smith’s 2015 autobiography. Congratulations Mitch
NEW EVENT MANAGER FOR AFT
Ashley Freas is joining the team as Event Manager. She was most recently Director of Marketing and Communications for New Jersey Motorsports Park. Her duties cover marketing, promotion, hospitality and VIP experiences. Welcome Ashley
TODD MILLAR R.I.P.
Todd was a great friend to many and a meticulous fabricator. He was a regular at the Trailblazer banquets. It was said that annually he would ride his little Bultaco Alpina out Route 66 to Death Valley, where he would camp out and stop for a beer at every watering hole along the way. Hi wife, Carolyn spread his ashes at Amboy Crater Grounds. A very nice man. Condolences to his wife and family.
LOOKING FOR SUPPORT FOR OFF ROAD PARK IN ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Jim Berry, the man behind the effort to put an off road park on 283 acres in Gypsum Canyon is looking for help. He needs to meet with Third District Supervisor, Todd Spitzer before the plan can go any further. If you can arrange a meeting or live in Orange County and wish to send an email or letter to give Spitzer a nudge, here is the information.
Supervisor, Todd Spitzer 333 W. Santa Ana, Blvd, Santa Ana, CA, 92701 (714) 834 3330 or todd.spitzer@ocgov.com Jim Berry (949) 228 5651 jfberry@sbcglobal.net
RACER PARTY IN ST. LOUIS
It is that time again when we all meet in St. Louis. The 9th Annual Racer Party will be on Saturday, January 27, from 10am to 4pm at Donelson Cycles. The gang starts showing up on Friday where the party starts at the Embassy Suites (11237 Lone Eagle Dr.) (314) 739 8929 Group code is Donelson Cycles group. There is a shuttle from Lambert Airport to hotel and to party. Rate ends January 5, 2018. We continue the party Saturday night at the hotel. Info at Kim Keen (314) 427 1204 or (314) 369 8342.
ARCHIVES IN CYCE NEWS
Larry Lawrence has dug way into the past (Issue 43) to write about a Los Angeles board tracker, “Millionaire” Morty Graves. He earned that nickname because he won so many races and took the purse home.
Issue #44 tells of Piet Boonstra. Piet received the AMA’s outstanding road rider award in 2002. He rode for 67 years and covered over a million and a quarter miles until an accident in 2013.
Issue #45 has the story of David Baily winning Carlsbad USGP in 1985. Many of us can remember this one.
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50 YEARS AGO IN CYCLE NEWS
Manuel Burton won $10. For a photo of Dennis Brikman sliding his BSA at the Elsinore flat track. Gary Conrad won his 18th in a row at the Rams M.C. Pacific Southwest Championship H & H. “Little”David Aldana won the 100cc trophy dash on a Suzuki at Orange County Speedway. A road ride in Death Valley drew an estimated 10,000 riders. It might have been the beauty and bikini contests. Another road ride took place in Ensenada Mexico. Dan Haaby and Sammy Tanner dueled at Ascot. Walt Mahony photo of Shorty Seaborne on the cover. Shorty won the Ascot 20 lap State Championship. Some of the participants in the Hopetown GP were Torsten Hallman, Ake Johnsson, Joel Robert, Roger DeCoster and Dave Bickers.
40 YEARS AGO IN CYCLE NEWS
Sue Fish on the cover. Roger DeCoster and Bob Hannah dueled at the Trans-AMA MX Series in St. Peters, Missouri. DeCoster won. Jay Springsteen won the Camel Pro Race of Champions in Florida. Gary Bailey gave tips on making Bultaco perform better and last longer. Jimmy Weinert testing new plastic boots from Scott Goggle. DeCoster and Hannah at it again in Plano Texas. Roger won. Story of Bonneville. Dirt Diggers Grand Prix in Trabuco Canyon on cover. Larry Roeseler won the 500 Jr. Dick Mann won old timers master class. Goat Breker won the 250 pro class and Sue Fish the womens.
30 YEARS AGO IN CYCLE NEWS
Dick Mann’s 4th Annual Vintage Dirt Bike Rally at Sand Hill Ranch in Brentwood, CA. Participating, among other stars were, Gary Nixon, Mert Lawwill, Bart Markel and Joe Leonard. Dan Smith won Rabbit Creek H&H in Murphy, Idaho.
5TH ANNUAL KURT CASELLI RIDE DAY
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2017
This event raises money for the Kurt Caselli Foundation. Have fun and be generous. It will be held at Glen Helen Motorcycle Park. Gates open at 8am, Tracks open from 9 to 4pm. Tracks available will be: Motocross – Kids—Off Road course—Team Race—ISDE Special Test Course
$20.00 Gate Fee, camping included. Camp Caselli to follow Ride Day. Pre register to receive a shirt.
https://www.clasy.org/events/-/e151225 For info: Lindsey@kurcaselli.com www.kurtcaselli.com/events
OLD SCHOOL TT SCRAMBLES TAKE II
DECEMBER 2nd practice- December 3rd racing AT GLEN HELEN’S TRUCK TRACK FACILITY. New to the mix is a Quad support class. Check it out.
Racing on a Gary Jones designed track. Pre entries must be post-marked by 11/18/17. Or on line by midnight 11/18/17. Get a FREE event T-Shirt for pre-registering. Gates open 3pm-9pm Friday, December 1 for early arrivals and over-night camping. $10. Per vehicle, per night. Saturday gates open 7am-8pm, practice 9-2. Sunday is TT Scrambles Racing. Practice at 9am Pre-entry on-line form: http://www.oldschoolscramblesracing.com/on-line-pre-entry-form.html
List of Classes: http://www.oldschoolscramblesracing.com/classes.html
Questions@oldschoolscramblesracing.com
SATURDAY NIGHT RACES ON GLEN HELEN’S STADIUMCROSS TRACK. Their 1st race of winter. Practice at 5pm, racing at 6:30pm. https://www.facebook.com/events/2227222090637226/
VINTAGE DIRTBIKE RENTAL
If a bike of your own is what is stopping you from participating in a great weekend at the Old School Scrambles, no worries. TMC Co. Vintage Dirtbike Rentals have 100cc, 125cc, 240cc and 400 cc. They are based in Hesperia, but will bring the bike to you. (760) 403 3634.
ENDUROCROSS FINALS AT ONTARIO, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18TH
Always good racing. You can watch practice for FREE from 9am to 3pm on Saturday. Doors open again at 6 pm and races start at 7:30. Citizens Business Bank Arena. Friday , Destry Abbot, and friends, will conduct a 2 hour DA8 training session on the track. Open to all riders for $100.00 https:/secure.tracksideprereg.com/endure
77TH ANNUAL TURKEY NIGHT GRAN PRIX
This isn’t bikes, but still a good show. Agajanian presents a two night USAC Midgets and USAC Sprint Cars program at Ventura Raceway November 22 and 23.
AMA DUAL SPORT AND KTM AMA NATIONAL ADVENTURE RIDE
Los Angeles, Barstow to Vegas on November 24th – 25th. This is a District 37 ride and the 34th year. It is 400 mile plus. www.district37ama.org www.labarstowvegas.com
NORTON CLUB RIDE RUN FOR THE ROSES
Departing December 31 from Pasadena to Newcomb’s Ranch. For more information. www.socalnorton.com
BSAOCSC RIDES
“Elsinore Grand Putt” Dual Sport Ride is on Sunday, November 19th. Ride leaves from 133 S. Ralph Road, Lake Elsinore, CA. Arrive at 9 am for coffee and ride at 10 AM. VINTAGE MOTORCYCLES ONLY, with street registration and spark arrestors. Info: Steve Ortiz (951) 440 3521
“1st Annual Caboose Dual/Sport Ride. Starts at Bill Getty’s “Railroad Ranch” above Banning, 49125 Boarder Road, Banning, CA. Arrive 9am with full tank, ride leaves 10am. It is approximately 70 miles of easy to moderate dirt roads. Bill Getty (951) 940 5411 or Steve Ortiz (951) 440 3521
Ortizst11@hotmail.com
FUTURE EVENTS TO PUT ON YOU CALENDAR
Might need to make plane reservations
2018 Dakar January 6 – January 20 Peru/Bolivia/Argentina
Round 1 MotoAmerica April 13th – 15th Braselton, Georgia
Round 3 MotoGP April 22nd Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas
Isle of Man TT May 26th to June 8th 2018
RIDES, RACES & SUCH
November 18 2-7 Flat Track practice at Perris Raceway
November 19th SoCal Old Time MX Adelanto/Sunrise
December 3rd SoCal Old Time MX Cahilla/Anza
December 9-10 D37 Big 6 Gran Prix Lake Havasu City
December 17th SoCal Old Time MX LACR/Palmdale
January 6 Round 1 SuperCross Angel Stadium Anaheim, CA
January 5-6 Best in the Desert Parker, Arizona (And back to the Desert Bar)
January 13 Round 2 SuperCross NRG Stadium Houston, Texas
January 20 Round 3 SuperCross Angel Stadium Anaheim, CA
May 19th Round 1 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Hangtown Rancho Cordova
May 26th Round 2 Glen Helen National Glen Helen Raceway
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This is absurd. Its like cops stopping a Mercedes car because the driver is a black man.
Sure, profiling has its merits in preventing crime and terrorism in post 911 world. But these are clearly bigoted motives and criminal abuse of legal authority. Being in a motorcycle club automatically making you out as target as an outlaw?
Maybe if the Senators and Congressmen were profiled similarly, USA would prosper again.
— Ujjwal Dey
Most Magnificent Bikernet Trike Editor
wayfarer@bikernet.com
Mumbai, India
QUICK, OPEN THE BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY– Butch the Rooster
Sarah was in the fertilized egg business.
She had several hundred young pullets and ten roosters to fertilize the eggs.
She kept records and any rooster not performing went into the soup pot and was replaced.
This took a lot of time, so she bought some tiny bells and attached them to her roosters. Each bell had a different tone, so she could tell from a distance which rooster was performing. Now, she could sit on the porch and fill out an efficiency report by just listening to the bells.
Sarah’s favorite rooster, old Butch, was a very fine specimen but, this morning she noticed old Butch’s bell hadn’t rung at all! When she went to investigate, she saw the other roosters were busy chasing pullets, bells-a-ringing, but the pullets hearing the roosters coming, would run for cover.
To Sarah’s amazement, old Butch had his bell in his beak, so it couldn’t ring. He’d sneak up on a pullet, do his job, and walk on to the next one.
Sarah was so proud of old Butch, she entered him in a Show and he became an overnight sensation among the judges.
The result was the judges not only awarded old Butch the “No Bell Piece Prize” they also awarded him the “Pullet Surprise” as well.
Clearly old Butch was a politician in the making. Who else but a politician could figure out how to win two of the most coveted awards on our planet by being the best at sneaking up on the unsuspecting populace and screwing them when they weren’t paying attention?
Vote carefully in the next election. You can’t always hear the bells.
–from Rogue and Sidehack Jerry
INTERNATIONAL EDITOR COVERS THE ACTION IN THAILAND–
Overcast sky makes it possible to eat outdoors. Cool even.
–Art Hall
Bikernet Supreme International Editor
I can not wrap my head around Bergdall getting a pass, we lost good men trying too rescue a traitor, maybe in my war he would be left for the scavengers.
— Alex Jemery
Deland, FL
I’ve noticed another political maneuver in the history books. For instance, in England authorities snatched poor kids from their mothers and shipped them to Australia where they were slaves of some church. The government drug out the case for 25 years until all the authorities could retire or escape. I’ve seen this tactic many times.
–Bandit
Trike Editor tries to learn and adapt to American customs and traditions.
www.BikernetTrikes.com
Suffragettes Centennial Motorcycle Ride Announced for August 2020– A ride celebrating the power, freedom and unity of American women on the centennial of the right to vote
Progress is measured in big and small ways every day. A formative step towards the equality of Women in America was the passage of the 19th amendment of the US constitution allowing American women equal vote in fair and free elections. Progress continues on to this day and will be celebrated in August of 2020 with the Suffragettes Centennial Motorcycle Ride. This cross-country ride is dedicated to all women who have fought for equality in the voting booth, in business and in life.
The Suffragettes Centennial Motorcycle Ride 2020 (SCMR2020) is a female-centric multi-route cross-country motorcycle ride. The primary routes depart from the West Coast and arrive in Washington, D.C. approximately three weeks later. Major cities across the country will be announced as starting points for rides that will join into a single large group as they roll towards Washington, D.C. The ride will benefit several charities that service female interests across the US, and will be broadly shared via social media and editorial coverage.
Riders will have the option of registering for a nearly all-inclusive three-week tour, with other options for shorter rides. Each ride will feature unique points of interest, historic locations and will wrap itself in the majestic scenery of the United States. SCMR2020 is being announced early to inspire women to brush up on riding skills, learn how to ride and to set a goal to join what will surely be an legendary group making a powerful statement.
The event is being managed by Alisa Clickenger of Women’s Motorcycle Tours in partnership with Robert Pandya of SpokesPeople LLC. “I have been hosting rides and events for women for many years after discovering the freedom and sisterhood of riding, and I am humbled and inspired by the Suffragettes,” says Clickenger. “Two summers ago I produced the Sisters’ Centennial Motorcycle Ride to celebrate the bold American attitude and confidence of the legendary Van Buren Sisters ride in 1916. The Suffragettes Centennial Motorcycle Ride is intended to honor and increase the appreciation for how far women have come, and how far we will go.”
“I have been involved in women’s riding initiatives for my entire professional career,” says Pandya. “SCMR2020 is going to be a great and meaningful event, and will arrive in Washington, D.C. with the strength and power that only a women’s ride can deliver. I know that this ride will be transformational for every participant and I know it will inspire women for generations to come.”
Those wanting the latest information on SCMR2020 can sign up for a mailing list at www.centennialride.com . Updates will be sent regularly in the coming months. There will be limited entries into the three-week full ride tour program, with other shorter ride options as well. Registration will start in 2018.
SCMR2020 is open to sponsorships and activation opportunities, and we’ll be tailoring each ride to create the most compelling experience possible for the participants. Interested organizations and companies can connect with the SCMR2020 team at Info@CentennialRide.com and www.centennialride.com
The complete website inclusive of the general route, inspiring stories of female riders, resource listings such as riding schools, female-friendly motorcycle media, apparel guides and more is being developed and will launch in the coming months.
“This is an exciting and epic idea! It’s going to have a lot of moving pieces,” says Clickenger. “I know that our team will deliver a unique and historical ride that will ignite women across the country. I am so excited to once again ride with mothers, daughters and sisters who share the vision and who choose to live an inspired life!”
We wouldn’t believe it if we hadn’t read it with our own eyes, but Yamaha says it’s going to put a three-wheeled leaning motorcycle called the Niken into production. The oddball beast debuted at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show, and while it’s not the first leaning three-wheeler we’ve ever seen – the Piaggio MP3 immediately comes to mind – it’s definitely the most surprising.
900cc Three Cylinder Engine
7 feet long 3 feet wide
Front two wheels are 15 inches
Driving the Classiest Three-Wheeled Autocycle – Vanderhall Venice
Vanderhall has recently been turning heads with their latest production vehicle, the Venice.
Dan Boyer on the Vanderhall Motor Works team says about the vehicle, Touting the vehicle’s near supercar-like specs and timeless design. Our man zipped through “The Snake,” one of the most classic roads in Southern California. He put the vehicle through its paces doing multiple laps while “hustling” through the canyons. At the end of the day, we were left with a smile and nothing but good things to say about the Venice.
Campagna: One Of The Craziest Things On Three Wheels Comes From This Canadian Factory
Canada’s attempts at building its own automobile have been somewhat feeble. We’ve seen it with the Seth Taylor Steam Buggy, or the Bricklin SV-1. Apart from putting together American cars, Canadians haven’t really hatched anything that has contributed to the automotive industry lately, have they? If you think so, that’s where you’re wrong, because the Campagna T-Rex may just be the true car of Canada.
Campagna was a Formula Ford driver in Québec from 1976 to 1979, and was a close friend to F1 legend Gilles Villeneuve. He was also part of his technical team during his short-lived Ferrari career. For Campagna, the idea of building his own F1-inspired street-legal vehicle had always been simmering in his mind’s eye. And it would most definitely have three wheels.
The name, T-Rex, according to Lafrance, refers to the fact that the vehicle is shaped like a T. The letter T, also refers to three points. In Latin, “Rex” stands for “King”.
A sports bike motor not only proved to be ideal for packaging reasons, but also allowed all mechanical components to remain as lightweight as possible. Bike engines also tend to produce a much higher specific output per liter than most automobile engines.
After a thorough analysis of the product, its history, and where it was heading into the future, BMW liked what they saw, and agreed to secure a partnership with the Québec-based car, err, trike-maker. The T-Rex finally had a real heart, and not just any heart. A German heart.
The engine in question would come from the BMW K1600. It’s a 1,649 cc, straight six with a hollow camshaft, and cylinders configured forward in a 55-degree angle. It’s also, according to BMW, the narrowest in-line six-cylinder engine ever produced. Campagna Motors and BMW engineers worked closely together to determine the ideal engine that would benefit the T-Rex by giving it the lowest possible center of gravity and weight distribution.
The current T-Rex 16S develops 160 horsepower, weighs in at only 1,157 pounds, and is capable of generating 1.3 Gs of lateral acceleration.
The company employs only 25 people. Their focus is on building a high-quality product on par with other competitive performance three-wheelers such as the Morgan Three-Wheeler, and most recently, the Polaris Slingshot.
Campagna’s plant is mindblowingly effective. There are no robots in there. Just humans, T-Rexes, and V13Rs sitting around everywhere. It’s calm and serene, and everyone seems happy to be part of this project. The entire manufacturing process complies with strict industry standards. Very much like at the Morgan Motor Company, each employee at Campagna Motors focuses on one specific component, yet, each employee is also capable of fully assembling a T-Rex on their own. They know the vehicle like the back of their hand.
Elio Motors’ latest prototype ready for HVAC testing in Seattle
Elio Motors’ plans to test a vehicle prototype’s air-conditioning and heating systems have us wondering how 110-degree temperatures are going to be simulated in the perpetually brisk Pacific Northwest. The three-wheeled vehicle startup is having Seattle-based RedDOT Corp. make its HVAC systems, and has shipped one of its E-Series testing and engineering vehicles to the Emerald City. The trike will be tested there for heating, air-conditioning, and ventilation.
Elio is running way behind schedule (it had initially earmarked 2014 for its debut), but continues to move forward and has built about two-dozen vehicles strictly for testing purposes. For instance, some vehicles are being tested in Michigan for their anti-lock braking systems. In Seattle, the vehicle in question will undergo temperatures ranging from 0 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
The automaker, which was founded in 2009, has most recently estimated that the vehicle will start sales some time next year. The three-wheeler gets up to 84 miles per gallon and will be priced at $7,300 for holders of non-refundable reservations (the price had previously been listed at about $6,800). About 56,000 people had lined up as of last month.
This summer, Elio received some good news when it was determined that 41 out of the 50 US states won’t require customers to obtain a motorcycle license to drive the trikes. Elio itself was able to get 30 of those states to change their stance and ease requirements for driving the vehicle, which has airbags, seat belts, and a steering wheel, in addition to those heating and air-conditioning systems. The company also completed its fourth and final design stage this spring. Elio’s higher-end E1C will be unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.
So far this year, the company raised $17 million with a stock sale and started trading shares on the over-the-counter stock market. Elio has also tapped high-end auto engineer Roush to help out with the design process.
In fact, the company, which has taken more than 50,000 reservations for the trikes, said last month that it will sell 100 pre-production vehicles by the end of the year, though that means the lion’s share of deliveries have been pushed back to next year. Elio, which showed off versions of the trike both at last year’s New York and Los Angeles Auto shows
Elio Motors raised nearly $17 million in a Regulation A+ stock sale. Elio Motors stock began trading on the OTCQX market, making Elio Motors the first company to raise money through Regulation A+ and have its shares go public.
Can-Am Spyder F3 Turbo Concept is a 150 hp three-wheeler
Turbochargers equal performance these days. Can-Am’s Spyder F3 Turbo Concept shows that forced induction works just as well on three wheels as it does on four – or two for that matter. This trike packs a turbo version of the standard F3’s 1,330cc three-cylinder Rotax engine with 150 horsepower and 137 pound-feet of torque. Those are useful upgrades over the stock machine’s 115 hp and 96 lb-ft. The added boost can get the three-wheeler to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and across the quarter mile in 12.3 seconds, Can-Am claims.
–Ujjwal Dey
Most Gracious and Humble Bikernet Trikes Editor
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Motorsport Aftermarket Group MAG GROUP RESTRUCTING– Motorsport Aftermarket Group (“Company” or “MAG”), a leading independent manufacturer and distributor of branded aftermarket products and online retailer for the powersports industry, today announced it is implementing a comprehensive, consensual recapitalization to eliminate approximately $300 million in debt through a debt for equity exchange supported by in excess of 90 percent of the principal amount of the Company’s prepetition first lien secured lenders, and its asset-backed lenders.
“Through this process, which we have been working very hard on with our key lenders to accomplish over the past month, we will de-lever our balance sheet allowing us to more effectively compete in today’s evolving powersports market. MAG’s businesses will continue to operate unaffected and the Company has sufficient liquidity to fund operations.
“Customer service and sales will continue, employees will receive wages and benefits as before, and vendors and suppliers will be paid in the ordinary course of business going forward,” said CEO Andrew Graves.
To implement the recapitalization, the Company and certain of its affiliates have filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the District of Delaware. The Company expects to move through the process quickly, and emerge in the first quarter 2018 as a stronger, better capitalized and competitive company.
To support operations through this process, MAG has secured up to $135 million in debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing from certain of its current secured lenders.
“The U.S. Powersports market has been in persistent decline for the past few years. In response, MAG has been working diligently to adjust to the changing landscape and has implemented many initiatives to parallel today’s market. Unfortunately, the Company’s long-term debt continues to be an impediment to success,” added Graves.
“As such, we believe that by availing the Company to the chapter 11 process, MAG has chosen the most efficient and expeditious way to right-size our balance sheet for the long term so that we remain an industry leader for many years to come. We and our key creditors are committed to what will hopefully be a short bankruptcy case.”
Key Elements of the Recapitalization:
•Employee wages and benefits will be paid in full in the ordinary course without interruption.
•Customer orders will be fulfilled consistent with past practice without delay or disruption.
•Vendors and suppliers will be paid timely and in full going forward.
•Company will emerge with new owners and a new board of directors.
Monomoy Capital Partners, BlueMountain Capital and Contrarian Partners will lead the new owners group, and have deep experience in consumer products and lifestyle companies including distribution, retail and manufacturing. “We are encouraged to have access to the resources the new owners bring, by their passion for the powersports industry, and for their shared vision for MAG’s future. Looking forward, MAG will be able to more aggressively capitalize on market and growth opportunities given our strong balance sheet post recapitalization,” said Graves.
“Importantly, MAG is very appreciative of its employees who have remained committed and professional during what has been a challenging few years. Moreover, we are grateful to our valued vendors and suppliers who have remained our partner, and we thank our customers who continue to trust and rely on us. We look forward to continuing to work together for many years to come,” added Graves.
MAG CEO Andrew Graves – “Through this process … we will de-lever our balance sheet allowing us to more effectively compete in today’s evolving powersports market. MAG’s businesses will continue to operate unaffected and the Company has sufficient liquidity to fund operations.”
KEEP THE BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY WIDE OPEN– Question: What’s an Australian kiss? Answer: The same thing as a French kiss, only down under.
A couple just married were happy with the whole thing. He was happy with the Hole and she was happy with the Thing.
–from Rogue and Sidehack Jerry
Revolutionary CarLock Announces Latest Addition to Its Unique Vehicle Safety Offering– The latest product to launch from the innovative CarLock brand, the CarLock Tag, makes vehicle safety far more convenient for car owners while still allowing them to remain fully in control.
Complementing existing CarLock products and the ground-breaking app, the latest addition to the brand will automatically enable and disable motoring alerts depending on the location of the owner, boosting safety and reducing the risk of cars being stolen.
Using Bluetooth technology, the small but powerful device works seamlessly with the CarLock app. Drivers connect their CarLock Tag to their smartphone, ensuring they always have access to information on the safety of their vehicle. Initially working on iPhones, the team behind CarLock Tag are already working on transferring their technology to the Android market.
Drivers that use the CarLock Tag can take advantage of automatic arm and disarm monitoring alerts with the CarLock system, making the use of the beneficial suite of tools effortless. CarLock is the product that lets motor owners check and be notified of the security of their car in real time thanks to a whole range of useful functionalities and carefully selected technology.
To find out more visit blog.carlock.co/the-carlock-tag/.
Issued by: Dakota Digital
BAD COP FILES– This reminds me of the time a Connecticut State Trooper Tried To Plant Drugs On Me, I am assuming because I has accused him of stealing motorcycles.
I got lucky because a Danbury police office had searched me prior to it happening and did testify on my behalf.
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/11/14/16649034/lapd-police-plant-evidence-ronald-shields
An LAPD officer accidentally filmed himself putting cocaine in a suspect’s wallet
It’s reportedly the first LAPD body camera video that the media and public have seen.
Police officers can’t seem to stop filming themselves potentially planting evidence.
The latest incident comes from Los Angeles, where an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) accidentally filmed himself placing cocaine in a suspect’s wallet, according to a new report by CBS Los Angeles.
The body camera video shows police picking up Ronald Shields, who was charged with felony hit-and-run, having a gun in the trunk of his car, and cocaine possession in April. The police report claimed cops had found the cocaine in Shields’s left pocket.
The footage tells a different story.
LAPD officer Gaxiola, as CBS Los Angeles identified him, picks up Shields’s wallet from the street and shows it to another officer who then points to Shields. Gaxiola then puts the wallet back down, picks up a small bag of white powder from the street (which later tested positive for cocaine), picks up the wallet, and puts the bag in the wallet.
The audio turns on, signaling that the officer had manually activated his camera to record. Then, the officer shows himself supposedly finding the wallet and the drugs inside of it, and repeatedly telling other officers about it. “Just to let you know, sir, inside his wallet, he has a little bag of narco,” Gaxiola said.
Shields’s lawyer claims that the officers outright planted the drugs to frame his client.
It’s possible, though, that the cops tried to reenact the act of finding the cocaine for the cameras. But that is still very deceptive — and when so clearly caught on video, it makes it hard to trust the police officers with just about everything else they’re doing. It makes a potentially credible case lose all credibility.
This isn’t the first time something like this has happened. Previously, Baltimore police officers were caught doing this — twice. That led the local prosecutor to drop dozens of cases involving the officers.
–from Rogue
Motorcycle Riders Foundation Announces Recipients — of ‘Legislator of the Year’ Awards- Congressman Tim Walberg (Michigan) and Senator Ron Johnson (Wisconsin) will be awarded the 2017 Motorcycle Legislator of the Year Award, it was announced this month by the Motorcycle Riders Foundation.
Since the organization’s inception in 1984, the Legislator of the Year Award annually recognizes lawmakers for their commitment to advancing policies that support motorcycle riders across the nation. The announcement came after careful consideration from the Board of Directors for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation at their annual conference.
Congressman Walberg, who represents Michigan’s 7th District, was one of the leading sponsors of a proposed resolution addressing the profiling of motorcyclists (H.Res.318) introduced in May. If passed, the legislation would increase public awareness on the issue, as well as encourage state law enforcement officials to include statements condemning motorcycle profiling in written policies and training materials.
Congressman Walberg was also supportive in other motorcycle-related legislation, supporting the RPM Act and leading the charge in addressing concerns over the lack of motorcycle representation on the reestablished Motorcycle Advisory Council. Walberg himself is an avid motorcyclist and co-chair of the House Motorcycle Caucus.
“Tim has always been a great friend to the motorcycle community, said Vince Consiglio, Executive Director of ABATE of Michigan and member of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, “We know we can count on him to make sure our voice is heard in the halls of Congress.”
Also honored as Legislator of the Year in the Senate, is Wisconsin’s Ron Johnson. Senator Johnson was the lead Republican in sponsoring the Senate companion to the profiling resolution, working across the aisle with Senator Jeanne Shaheen from New Hampshire. He continues to support the riders in his state through working to ensure motorcyclists’ perspective on automated vehicles policies and EPA emissions issues related to racing.
“We continue to be impressed with Senator Johnson’s commitment to riders in his state and across America,” said Kirk ‘Hardtail’ Willard, Chairman of the Board for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation as well as an active leader for ABATE of Wisconsin. “We can think of no better recipient of this award than Senator Johnson,” he concluded. His efforts related to the anti-profiling measure help reinforce the First and Fourth Amendments as cornerstones of the Bill of Rights.”
With a network of more than 250,000 motorcycle riders and supporters nationwide, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation is the nation’s premier motorcycle rights organization. They provide leadership at the federal level for states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders and are dedicated to serving as a national advocate for the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle.
Both Senator Johnson and Representative Walberg will be presented with a personalized leather riding vest with their names inscribed at an upcoming event in May.
BACK TO THE TEMPLE IN CHON BURI– Thursday and less than a week till I return on Thanksgiving Day 23 from Thailand.
Sun came out today, so it was a bit warmer out and about. One of the Harley shops has consolidated and moved as a lot of the regular H-D guys are gone.
The army now runs the government and is making the big show in February more difficult for the promoter. Things change as time moves on.
–Art Hall
International Editor and Emperor
Bikernet.com
–from Sam Burns
KURYAKYN INTRODUCES ALL-NEW MESH COLLECTION— New Kuryakyn Sculpted Dash Inserts and Ignition Switch Covers combine unique polished and textured sand-casted finishes for a distinct juxtaposed effect. All components are offered in chrome or contrasting chrome and black finishes for select Harley-Davidson® Touring and Trike models.
Sculpted Dash Inserts are a simple and effective way to create a custom tank console appearance at a fraction of the cost for a complete replacement. Applications for ’08-’18 Street Glide and Road Glide models without CB communications systems are constructed from durable, lightweight injection-molded ABS and replace the stock emblem. Sculpted Dash Inserts for ’08-’18 Limited, Ultra and Tri Glide models are cast from A380 aluminum with a removable ABS cover that conceals the integrated CB headset port when not in use.
•MSRP: $49.99 – $99.99
Sculpted Ignition Switch Covers are cast from A380 aluminum and install over the existing unit for a hassle-free install with no disassembly required. Styling perfectly complements the dash inserts, with a smooth polished raised center and sand-casted sloping edges for a distinctive sculpted look. Multiple fitments are available for most ’07-’18 Electra Glides, Street Glides and Trikes.
•MSRP: $49.99
THE SHERIFF HEADS TO JAPAN–
Two weeks to Mooneyes. I’ll cover all the action for Bikernet.
–CJ
SHERIFF MEDIA GROUP
S-36030 LAMMHULT
SWEDEN
RUN FOR YOUR LIVE— Life is nuts, and I’m studying meditation. You can change how you think about anything. It’s a challenge, but we can find pure peace in any situation.
Meditation is like working out for the brain and your heart. The more calm you become, the better your outlook and the easier you are on your body. But again bikers know the drill without picking up a book. Just ride the dragon tail or a curvy mountain road. That’s pure meditation.
So, turn off the TV and relax with a redhead. Take her out or go for a ride. Don’t let anyone bring you down.
You might read my book about Sam Chopper Orwell. We will ride free until we die and enjoy every minute of it. The bastards will never stop us.
Ride Free Forever,
–Bandit 
