Hey,
I sometimes start out the news wondering what’s going to happen next. It’s rarely anything but good news, but it’s sometimes a surprise.
We’re already working on our Sturgis Ride next year and yesterday, at Chica’s shop in Huntington Beach he asked to tag along. Wait until you see some of his products in the news including this one-off muffler he built to match the prism tank he used on his S&S 50th bike.
Chica is a strong family man who works long hours, currently by himself, building bikes, rebuilding engines and making his own line of wheels. He had 40 on order when we stumbled into his shop yesterday. Watch for the tech on Bikernet next week. He works from 9 in the morning until 10-11 at night.
“I have three girls in two schools apiece,” Chica said, “Then there’s piano lessons, sports, you name it.” But he’s already looking forward to the Badlands ride next year.
Let’s hit the news:
REMEMBERING, LESSONS, AND TIME SEVEN YEARS LATER– Smoke bellowed in the empty sky where the buildings once stood, as the gaspsand screams of those watching filled the 34th floor of this midtown officebuilding. Terror filled my heart and confusion erupted like searing moltenlava in my mind. Even though I knew what had happened, the idea was not aneasy one to wrap my head around. Radio’s came out of desks and the need tohear what was going on surpassed all other emotions. For me it was just tooincomprehensible. Never in my protected and sheltered life had I experiencedsuch terror, confusion and doubt.
The Pentagon, the World Trade Centers, another plane, flights grounded, jetsover the city; and sobs, sirens, and silence filled the streets of New YorkCity. Unthinkable?
We wandered around the office for hours seeking each others’ comfort. I cried silently at my desk and called home to San Diego to let family know that I was ok. Friends and co-workers from one of the now fallen buildings filed in little by little as the marooned hours passed. They had escaped because they ignored the security order to stay put. Traumatized and confused they sought comfort here. Other co-workers perished in the fall. No comfort was to be found that day. All bridges, tunnels, trains, busses,and roads leading to and from Manhattan Island were closed. Those of us wholived outside the city were stranded. News came that the Ferries wererunning to take us off the island. Emotional zombies filed their way to theboats. We waited hours for our turn to cross the river to New Jersey. HazMat doctors screened us as we disembarked. Still dazed we walked several miles to where my Middle Eastern co-worker’s wife and kids picked us up.They took me home?
Alone at home, I called local friends. Although there was some semblance of comfort we found in each other, nothing could ease the indescribable emotional state that we shared. To those who knew people in the city, it was a frantic role call of friends and family.
I don’t remember how many days I stayed home, a couple I guess. That time is a blur of confusion and realizations. The city was silent; taxi filled streets that customarily honked at theslightest traffic infractions, were quiet. For two-weeks after, when I hearda siren, I hoped it was because they found somebody alive underneath the steal and concrete tomb that was the World Trade Centers. Even though I knew that was a futile hope.
New York parks soon sprang up with memorials, candles, healing gardens of love, support, and throngs of people; brought together to somehow make sense of it all. There was a strong call to peace as the terror soon turned to rage and revenge for many across the country.
I was lost in my own ignorance?
One night as I was making my way through Union Square Park, a healing labyrinth of remembrances, messages, grief and pleas to find missing loved ones. I came upon a scene that planted something deep in my psyche. With no judgment (as this is not a time to judge) I will share my experience.
I was ending my walk through the memorial web and ready to exit the park.There, standing a few inches higher than those of us on the ground, stood a man with a sign. The sign just read “Peace”. Inches from his face was a very angry citizen, appalled that in the face of such a devastating and disastrous attack this man could call for peace. The angry man screamed into the face of the man with the sign. I watched as the chasm between me and the scene grew smaller. I saw two Americans. One man, screaming in the face of another; directing his indignation of such a ludicrous and dangerous ideal such as peace, the other man, non-reactive, silent, motionless, and with a soft expression on his face. I watched in amazement as I went by. Then as I was looking back at the scene the man with the sign, smiled at me and winked. I was moved to tears. Here, in the wake of such confusion and pain were two America loving citizens expressing their belief. One, justifiably angry, expressing his deep felt sentiments and frustration with the loss.
The other stood practicing his conviction of peace, allowing the verbalassault without moving to stop the onslaught. Neither man yielding to thestubborn position of the other. In turn, perhaps without realizing it, eachman giving the other the opportunity to convey and practice in their ownmeaningful way his own belief and contributing somehow to each others’healing.I must quote a song by JohnMellencamp “Now ain’t that America?”
Who am I but an insignificant ripple in this placid lake of life? I cannotjudge those around me, as my own internal truth is often in question and in reality merely my own interpretation of a moment in time. The best I can do for myself and perhaps those I meet along the way, is possibly to stay true to my own convictions, my own heart’s direction, my own truth, as insignificant as these may be in a bigger picture. Maybe this is the best I can give humanity along with a tangible helping hand in a timely manner.Just don’t forget 9-11
–Michelle Hope
HEALTH AND RESPECT TO CHRIS CALLEN EDITOR OF CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE– I am sorry to report that Chris Callen editor of Cycle Source magazine recently had his mother JoAnn Sherman pass away.
Chris did stop in Milwaukee on his way to the Bonneville Salt Flats where he will set her ashes free. Have a safe ride my friend and my prayers are with your mom.
–Rogue
MOTORSPORT AFTERMARKET GROUP, INC. ANNOUNCES THEACQUISITION OF FORGE-TEC MOTORCYCLE WHEELS–9/3/08, Costa Mesa, CA ? Motorsport Aftermarket Group, Inc (?MAG?), announced today the acquisition of Forge-Tec Motorcycle Wheels and Accessories.
Forge-Tec was launched in 2006 to enhance Advanced Metal Technologies (?AMT?) position in the finished motorcycle wheel business. Forge-Tec?s complete product line includes 17 different wheel styles, with matching rotors and pulleys. Forge-Tec supplies a Private Proprietary Program of finished wheels to numerous motorcycle manufactures and is well known for their development of the ?For Harley Only? Program. Forge-Tec will continue to be marketed and sold under the Forge-Tec brand name.
Brian Etter, President and CEO of MAG said, ?We are pleased to welcome Forge-Tec to our group of industry leading brands. The Forge-Tec team has successfully developed high quality products and has a reputation for strong customer support and service. Forge-Tec together with MAG?s strength in innovation, design and manufacturing resources will enable us to accelerate our future growth.?
The MAG family of companies includes Vance & Hines, Kuryakyn, Mustang Motorcycle Products, Performance Machine, Renthal, Progressive Suspension, MAG Europe, and J&P Cycles.
For questions regarding the announcement please contact Rick Raus at (714) 280-8537.
EAST COAST DEALS OF THE WEEK FROM DEPARTURE BIKE WORKS–Used Motorcycle Sales
2005 Dyna Wide Glide
$13,250
A very nice looking 2005 FXDWGI with approximately 7,000 miles. This bike shines and draws a lot of attention. Custom paint, lots of chrome, sissy bar and forward controls
1992 Heritage Softail
$8,495
Well-maintained Heritage Softail with only 26,226 miles. New rear shocks, new front springs, new wheel bearings and rear Avon tire. Ready to ride out of the showroom today,
Custom Made Harley Davidson
$11,500
Built on a custom frame, this one is a daily rider. Engine was fresh in 2005, Bone Stock Motor and Transmission, oil in frame, 5.5 gallon fuel tank (200 mile range), suicide clutch and very dependable.
1981 Shovelhead
$8,500
Custom paint, forward controls, ape hangers, braided cables, lots of chrome and more. A great price on a nice bike
BIKERNET READERS IN BRAZIL–Congratulations for great job!Here images of me, (Joe -on left) and Lob?o ( Bigwolf -on right ); in rally at Brazil. We love you guys.
–Joe
5-BALL RACING FROM BIKERNET REPRESENTED ON THE SALT–Though Bikernet and 5-Ball racing were not at the Salt they obviously left alasting impression … And this time all they way from Switzerland.I’ll send you a report on the Bubb’s Salt Action next week.
–Scooter
HISTORIC SEARCH OF SPEED – BONNEVILLE, BABY–IN THE BIKERNET STUDIO– Speed Merchants from the past to the present… After the big one the boys came home and built Hot Rods to win records make names for themselves. PART I