Shot by John Covington
There’s never a dull moment around Bikernet. Between the homeless squatters across the street and industry shake-ups, I never know what to expect. This news was a bear, and I’m going to jump right into the middle of it. I need to write a tribute to David Mann, also. He was a wild man, a friend, a creative master and always the Mann. I have many thoughts on his life. But for now, let’s hit the news:
DAVID MANN TRIBUTE–Me and some of Dave’s friends made him a cremation urn. I used the paint I had left over from when I painted his bike in ’97… David Mann red. It should be finished by Tuesday and then I’m over-nightin’ it to Jacquie.
–Crazy John
BIG DOG CHOOSES BREMBO–IN 2005 Big Dog motorcycles will be fitted with Brembo brakes supplied through QTM.QTM handles brake components supplied by Brembo and makes various alterations before offering the modified parts to the cruiser market.
The braking system to be supplied to Big Dog uses 11.5ins fully-floating rotors for maximum efficiency.The patterns are laser cut into the rotors, including the stainless steel braking surface, to match the wheel to which it will be fitted.The disc centers are billet aluminum, finished in chrome, and QTM has engineered its own mounting system with hardware that eliminates the noise usually associated with fully floating discs.The calipers use a four-piston design for greater efficiency; the pistons are aluminum and hard surfaced, as are the bores they move in.
Brembo has developed its own double-O-ring system to seal the bores and exclude the grit or brake dust that could damage the surfaces.The calipers are offered in chromed, black anodized or plain silver finishes.
QTM
Anaheim, California, USA
Tel: 714 575 5000
Fax: 714 575 5001
E-mail: sales@qtmi.com
www.qtmi.com
HARLEY-DAVIDSON CUMULATIVE MDA CONTRIBUTIONS TOP $50 MILLION —$4 Million in 2004 Fundraising Propels Efforts.
MILWAUKEE — (September 20, 2004) Harley-Davidson’s fundraising for the Muscular Dystrophy Association has topped the $50 million mark. During the Sept. 5-6 Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon, Harley-Davidson announced a 2004 fundraising total of $4 million, bringing cumulative fundraising in the 24 years of Company involvement with the MDA to $51 million.
Harley-Davidson Motor Company President and Chief Operating Officer Jim McCaslin presented the $4 million on behalf of the thousands who raised the funds. “Harley-Davidson’s family of dealers, suppliers, riders and employees were hard at work planning open houses, rides and other special events to raise money for MDA,” said McCaslin during the Telethon broadcast. “Their hard work helps make life brighter for people with neuromuscular disease and helps make headway in finding a cure.”
Joining McCaslin in the presentation were the top fundraising Harley-Davidson dealers in the United States: Brian Bentley, Brian?s Harley-Davidson, Langhorne, Pa.; Robert and Dev Johnson, Cycle Connection, Joplin, Mo.; Billy Laws, Mitchell?s Modesto (Cal.) Harley-Davidson and Jamestown (Cal.) Harley-Davidson; Dennis and Carol Schaeffer, Schaeffer?s Harley-Davidson, Orwigsburg, Pa.; and Stretch and Karen Smaltz, Smaltz’s Harley-Davidson, Eagle, Pa.
Harley-Davidson fundraising activities for the Muscular Dystrophy Association took place over the 12-month period leading up to the Telethon and included pledge rides, dealer fundraisers, motorcycle raffles and pin sales.
Harley-Davidson has been a national sponsor of the Muscular Dystrophy Association since 1980. The Funds raised support life-saving research, comprehensive medical care for children and adults with neuromuscular disease, and the MDA summer camps.
BIKERNET N.C. STEALTH REPORT–This week I thought I would tell you all about a local bike shop here in Charlotte. The shop is Ben’s V-Twins. Ben Edwards and his wife Robin are the owners and operators.
Ben opened the doors in 1989 and hasn’t looked back. Ben’s V-Twins is one of the most successful custom bike shops in the Charlotte area. Ben is a top notch wrench and oversees the service department while Robin handles the books and the public relations. There are two other wrenches in the service department, “The Colonel” and Chuck. The parts department is run by my buddy Brad.
At Ben’s V-Twins they work on everything from Flatheads to Twin Cams, so they can handle any problem you may have.
Ben has two of the slickest knuckleheads you will ever see, both are 47’s. The rigid frame old school version took “Best of Show” at the 6th Annual Run For Breath “In Memory of Justin Pullin” and the award is proudly displayed on the parts counter at Ben’s V-Twins. The other knuckle sets in a swingarm frame.
Ben’s V-Twins is an “old school” bike shop that makes you feel at home and reminds you of bike shops from the past. No clothes boutiques here! The shop is about one thing, BIKES!
Ben and Robin are real stand up people. Every year they are the starting point for the Run For Breath. They open their store on Sunday and provide free food for everyone. They have been there from day one for the Run For Breath.
If you want performance work, well Ben knows a thing or two about that too. Ben is a former A.H.D.R.A drag racer. They can handle pretty much whatever you want to do at Ben’s.
If you are ever in the Charlotte area look them up or give a call at 704-358-8741. Tell them you heard about them from the “STEALTH” report on BIKERNET.COM!
Until next week!
STEALTHMAN
HAVE YOU BEEN TO THE BIKERNET GULCH?–I thought so. Well it’s now the Bikernet Black Market. Check it out for Books, Bedrolls, Bikernet Ballcaps and Bikernet T-shirts. We may take on Joker Machine apparel and a couple of other lines.
And for sure, you get Black Market prices.
ESTOK WINS RACE, BEMISDERFER CLINCHES THUNDERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP–Buell Riders Storm Formula USA Thunderbike Round at Las Vegas.
LAS VEGAS (Sept. 19, 2004) ? Evo-Twin Racing/Harding Harley-Davidson rider Bryan Bemisderfer clinched the 2004 Formula USA National Thunderbike championship with a second-place finish aboard his Buell Firebolt at the Las Vegas Classic road course at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Bemisderfer locked up the title with one race left on the 2004 Formula USA schedule.
The Las Vegas race was won by Bemisderfer?s Evo-Twin Racing/Harding teammate, David Estok, who led from the pole and crossed the finish line 3.8 seconds ahead of Bemisderfer. It was Estok?s second Thunderbike win of the season. Hal?s Performance Advantage Buell rider Dan Bilansky finished third on a Buell Firebolt.
?I think I was one of the few people who realized that we?d clinched the title,? said Bemisderfer. ?I was excited and jumping around after the race, and I?d just finished second. Then everyone started to figure it out. This is a great team that really knows how to set up the Buell for me so I can stay focused on riding. Last year we were in the fight but had a couple of DNFs and got disqualified for going over the horsepower limit once. That really tore us up. This year my goal was to stay consistent and race for the title,? Bemisderfer said.
The 2004 Thunderbike title is the third national championship won by Bemisderfer. The 36-year-old racer from Greencastle, Pa., won the 2001 Formula USA Thunderbike title and the 2002 Formula USA Buell Lightning championship. He has been roadracing since 1984.
For the Corning, N.Y.-based Evo-Twin Racing/Harding Harley-Davidson team, the Thunderbike title is its first national championship. Team owner Jeff Harding started roadracing in 1993, competing in the AMA Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 class. Last season he took on Bemisderfer as a rider, and this season added defending Thunderbike champion Estok to the team. The team is also sponsored by Evolution Industries, Wiseco Pistons, Penske Shocks, Traxxion Dynamics and Dunlop Tires.
?This is a great boost for our program,? said Harding. ?Everyone at the dealership works hard to support this team. I have crew chief Shannon Destasio and mechanic Bill Ripley at the races, but there?s a lot going on behind the scenes, too.?
With 105 points and the Thunderbike title in the bag, Bemisderfer is looking forward to the season-ending Formula USA event, Oct. 21-24, at Homestead Miami Speedway in Florida. ?I can go to Homestead with a different frame of mind,? said Bemisderfer, whose only Thunderbike win this season came on June 27 at Virginia International Raceway. ?I want to match Estok with two wins this season, and now I can just go and race to win without worrying about the title.?
The Points Race
The battle for second place in the Thunderbike championship is tight, with Estok and Suzuki rider David Yaakov tied at 66 points, Suzuki rider Darren Danilowicz following behind with 65 points and Bilansky in close contention with 62 points.
The Formula USA National Thunderbike series is a horsepower-to-weight ratio restricted class, open to a variety of production-based motorcycles. Buell-mounted riders competing in the eight-event 2004 Thunderbike series are racing for a share of the $70,500 contingency fund posted by Buell Motorcycle Company and Buell Riders Adventure Group (BRAG).
TEXAS BIKER BUILD-OFF REPORT–Covington Won the show in Texas. His motorcycle had a Accurate Engineering Engine it which certainly helped.
One of the judges told me the bike was flawless but the engine is what made the difference.
David Covington’s engine was 103 cu. in Panhead, 4.500 stroke, 3-13/16-inch bore Accurate Engineering cylinders with Accurate Engineering step-studs and 12 point hardware. STD full polished stock style 63-65 Panheads with 3-bolt exhaust flanges. Accurate Engineering stainless steel overhead oil line. Accurate Engineering braided oil return lines. Kibblewhite valves, Rowe guides, Kibblewhite springs, K-Line seals and Accurate Engineering rocker arm bearings.
Billet finned Pan covers with Accurate Engineering “Leak Proof” gaskets. Ross pistons, Hastings rings, Teflon buttons. .540 lift cam. Accurate Engineering intake manifold, linkage, etc. Dual 1937 Stromberg 97 carbs reworked by Accurate Engineering and topped off with “Bonneville” style velocity stacks.
Porcelain toilet handle for carb from the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. Pinstripping by Henry Haynes. STD polished crankcases, S&S flywheels, shafts and rods. S&S oil pump, Accurate Engineering oil filter adaptor. Jim’s lifter and Accurate Engineering pushrods. Mallory ignition system, Dyna coil, Autolite spark plugs and Taylor wires. 32 amp Cycle Electrics charging system.
All welding, machining, assembly and testing performed in-house by Accurate Engineering. Plating by Chromemasters. Polishing by Steve’s Polishing and Accurate Engineering. Paint work by Accurate Engineering.
David is entering this in the Lone Star Biker Bash at the Texas Motor Speedway, Sept. 17-19.
Rogue
http://www.bikerrogue.com
Damn, that description drives me to want an Accurate engine.–Bandit
STEEL PONY EXPRESS ROARS THROUGH NEW ORLEANS HALLOWEEN WEEKEND–It’s 4 days of Bikes, Bands and Bourbon Street. 4-day motorcycle rally and music festival is for riders and festivalgoers.
NEW ORLEANS (September 10, 2004) – The 7th annual New Orleans Steel Pony Express Motorcycle Rally and Music Festival takes place October 28-31, 2004 at UNO Arena Grounds for four days of local and national music, celebrity bike builders, several bike activities and motorcycle exhibits and great Louisiana cuisine.
The four-day event consists of events for the entire family. The fun begins on Thursday, October 28 with an open house at Harley Davidson of New Orleans, followed by the Official Kick-Off Party at The Dock, located along Lake Pontchartrain.
Friday, October 29 through Sunday, October 31 the Steel Pony Express VII Rally grounds will open to the public for a weekend of live music, great food, celebrity bike builders, stunt teams, over 150 major manufacturers and premier vendors selling all of the latest in motorcycle gear and accessories.
Headlining bands include LYNRYD SKYNRYD, Blood, Sweat & Tears and Big N’ Rich, country music’s hottest new duo. Also, the Festival will feature Louisiana’s best in Jazz, Blues, Zydeco and Gospel.
All festival-goers will have the opportunity to meet the world’s top custom bike builders: Jesse James with West Coast Choppers and DISCOVERY CHANNEL’S “MONSTER GARAGE”, Billy Lane, Jim Nasi, Eddie Trotta, Kendall Jackson, Roger Bourget, Paul Yaffe, Chica, Wild Bill, Jeff Nicklus of Desperado Motorcycles, Dave Perowitz and local boys Ivy Trosclair, Sr. and Jr. of Metry Custom Cycles and many, many more!
Additional attractions include Team Extreme Sport Bike Stunt Team, Team X-Treme Freestyle FMX Show, Ives Globe of Death and the Purrfect Angelz. Also, all festival-goers can participate in the Boardwalk Ride and Bike Show, Bike Games, Guided Destination Rides and much more!
Rally packages start at $60 and day passes are $25. Call 1-877-991-7433 or visit http://www.steelponyexpress.com for more information.
SCREAMIN? EAGLE RIDER RICH KING PLACES EIGHTH AT COLUMBUS–King Runs Strong with the Lead Pack at Grand National Half-Mile.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Sept. 19, 2004) ? Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts rider Rich King finished eighth in the AMA Grand National main at the Scioto Downs half-mile?the 15th event on the AMA Progressive Insurance Flat Track Championship. The race was won by Quality Checked Pre-Owned Ford/Lancaster Harley-Davidson rider Chris Carr aboard a Harley-Davidson XR750. It was Carr?s sixth win of the season.
King qualified for the main with a second-place finish behind Carr in the first heat race. King started the 25-lap main in fourth position. For the first half of the race, King ran in tight formation with a lead pack that included Carr, KTM USA/Jones Powersports/Mid-America Harley-Davidson teammates Ken Coolbeth and Joe Kopp and Cozihar Harley-Davidson/National Cycle rider Johnny Murphree, all aboard Harley-Davidson XR750 motorcycles. King fell back and lost the lead pack at the half-way point, engaging in a fierce battle for fifth with Bartels? Harley-Davidson/Corbin rider Jay Springsteen. Doc?s Harley-Davidson/KK Motorcycle Supply rider Bryan Smith eventually slipped past King and Springsteen for fifth. Springsteen was sixth at the finish, as Moroney?s Cycles rider Jake Johnson nipped King to take seventh place. Carr prevailed after a race-long battle, passing Murphree for the lead on lap 24. He then fought off a last-lap challenge from Kopp, who finished second, followed by Coolbeth in third and Murphree in fourth.
?Rich King started out strong today, but he lost ground as his tires went away,? said Harley-Davidson Racing Manager Anne Paluso. ?We saw some exciting racing in Columbus that I?m sure gave all these great Ohio flat-track fans a thrill.?
Carr?s win gives him 278 points for the season and a 44-point lead over Kopp for the Grand National championship. Coolbeth is third with 205 points.
There are just two events left on the AMA Progressive Insurance Flat Track Championship schedule. The season will wrap up with a double-header weekend at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds at Du Quoin, Ill., starting with an indoor short-track event at the brand-new Southern Illinois Center on Friday night, September 24. The season will end on the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds Mile September 25.
The Screamin’ Eagle Flat Track team is sponsored by Matco Tools.
Continued On Page 2
