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XDA’s Bike Bash Delivers Big Numbers this Summer

By General Posts

Rodney Williford at Virginia Motorsports Park

For the second time this race season, the XDA brought the best show in motorcycle drag racing to Virginia Motorsports Park for the 5th Annual Bike Bash. This event paid out over $80,000 to Pro, Sportsman, and Grudge racers over three days.

If you do not attend the XDA events, you do not get to witness Rodney Williford’s swagger. For the last two seasons, Williford has held the number one qualifying spot at all the XDA events.

Don’t miss the DME Racing Fall Nationals at Maryland International Raceway on September 23-25; the fall air will have Orient Express Racing Pro Street delivering more records!

READ The Complete Race Report with eXciting Photos at Bikernet.com – Click Here.

Check out the XDA Drag Racing Events near you – Tell ’em Bikernet.com Sent Ya….!!!

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Did you know the 5-Ball Racing Shop has a DVD Documentary with rare footage on “History of Motorcycle Drag Racing” ? Click and Buy it at only $24

Written by John Stein, Directed and Edited by Agusta Einarsdottir

Steve McQueen’s cherished off-road motorcycle to be sold

By General Posts

1971 Husqvarna is one of the King of Cool’s most loved bikes and could fetch £150k at auction

by Rob Hull from https://www.thisismoney.co.uk

  • The 1971 Husqvarna 400 Cross is one of around 200 bikes owned by the actor who often entered races
  • It is said to be in ‘last ridden by McQueen’ condition and ‘not started’ since his ownership
  • It is a later version of the bike the King of Cool rode in On Any Sunday – that one sold in 2018 for $230k
  • Bonhams says it is ‘the best known of all McQueen’s Huskys by virtue of a known provenance and documents’
  • Auction house will offer it to the highest bidder at its sale in California on Friday – estimate is $130k-$180k

A motorcycle belonging to the King of Cool, Steve McQueen, will go under the hammer on Friday and could sell for £150,000.

The 1971 Husqvarna 400 Cross is said to be one of the actor’s favourite bikes in an extensive collection, and it hasn’t been modified since he last rode it.

The off-road motorbike will be offered to the highest bidder on Friday at the Bonhams Quail Lodge auction held during Monterey Car Week in California.

One of the most iconic scenes from a McQueen film was the Great Escape motorcycle jump, where his character Captain Virgil Hilts leaps over a barbed wire fence in his dramatic escape from the Nazi prisoner of war camp in the legendary WW2 film.

The six-foot jump over the fencing wasn’t performed by the King of Cool himself in the 1963 hit – it was stunt man and frequent McQueen body double, Bud Ekins – as the actor later revealed his inexperienced riding skills meant he would not have been able to complete the stunt at the time of shooting.

However, McQueen’s close friendship with Bud and his brother Dave Ekins, and his passion for motorcycles, saw the silver screen star become an accomplished off-road racer.

In interviews years after The Great Escape, he stated he would have then been competent to complete the famous jump scene.

His love of two wheels also partly inspired the 1971 motorcycle racing documentary film On Any Sunday, in which the Indiana-born actor features riding a similar Husqvarna off-roader – that one sold in October 2018, also at a Bonhams auction, for $230,500.

At one point in his life, McQueen reportedly owned up to 200 motorcycles. Among them was the 1971 model up for grabs this week. It was produced by the Swedish brand that was dominating the motocross world during the generation (pictured, McQueen riding a similar bike in 1970)

It’s one of many the King of Cool had, but this is claimed to be his favourite.

And, if the seller is to be believed, it has not been ridden since it was in the hands of the silver screen icon.

McQueen riding a Husqvarna 400 Cross in 1970

The 400 Cross combined fearsome power and superb handling thanks to its lightweight frame and single-cylinder 400cc engine, but was also renowned for being difficult to ride.

It was produced in a period before plastics were used in motorcycle manufacturing, meaning it has a sculpted aluminium fuel tank with a polished section to help reduce marring where the rider meets the bike.

While McQueen had various examples that were used as ‘parts bikes’ for spares, this wasn’t the case with frame number MI3845 being sold this week.

Bonhams says it is ‘perhaps the best known of all McQueen’s Huskys by virtue of a known provenance and documentation from the time it was acquired by the star and remaining in his possession as one of his go-to bikes for the rest of his life’.

It was sold as lot 664 at the Steve McQueen Estate Auction at Imperial Palace in November 1984, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and has since passed through three subsequent owners before being acquired by the vendor 11 years ago.

The certificate of authenticity, plus the bill of sale issued to the buyer at the 1984 Estate Auction, and the original registration document in the name Solar Productions accompany the lot. To complete the paperwork file, the original 1984 auction lot tag also accompanies the machine when it goes to the block on Friday.

The bike is described by the seller as being in ‘last ridden by McQueen’ condition, and ‘not started’, with all the dents and scratches from the King of Cool’s hard riding.

It even retains all of the McQueen-implemented modifications, which includes a leather gear shift protector and a spare spark plug he duct-taped to the frame in case it was needed while out riding.

The bike is expected to attract a winning bid in the region of $130,000 (£107,500) to $180,000 (£149,000) when the hammer drops at the end of the week, according to Bonhams’ estimation.

‘The preservation of MI3845 is a credit to the discerning owners post McQueen who have preserved MI3845 in its original McQueen owned state,’ the auction house said.

‘While other McQueen motorcycles have come to light in recent times, there can be no doubt as to the history and originality of this machine.

‘It is a ‘blue chip’ piece of McQueen memorabilia, if you like, suitable for shows, demos – after some sympathetic recommissioning – or museum display use, using the legend ‘as last ridden by the late and utterly charismatic Steve McQueen’ as a fitting epitaph.’

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Springer Transformation – Custom Building Adventure

By General Posts

Sturgis 2008. Rode this bike from Houston to Sturgis.

The Springer Transformation
My Education into Bike Customization for the Poor, Unskilled, Wanna-be Biker.
By Johnny White with photos by his lovely wife

I bought this Springer Classic in August 2005 – right after my inaugural trip to Sturgis on the 100th Anniversary – from Mancuso Harley-Davidson in Houston, Texas after seeing it on the showroom floor.

I had gotten a gift card for my recent birthday and decided to get a t-shirt. Well, the t-shirt cost me more than $25,000.

I rode the bike bone stock for an entire year. I had made the famous lying quote more than once to my better half, “I love it just the way she is, I won’t change a thing.”

For a whole year that rung true. Most of my trips were back and forth to work or the gym.

Most of my changes were like most people, limited by
1) my financial situation and
2) my ability.

I also had one other caveat, in that whatever change I made had to be completed in time for me to go to work as my bike was my main transport.

So, as I started, the bike remained stock until the ride to Sturgis in 2006.

CLICK HERE To Read this feature on Bikernet .com

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Wild Hurst Sportster

By General Posts

By Bandit, Sam Burns and Ryan

Sportster project in an old Amen sprung frame by a shop in Europe named Chopper Chrash.

Ryan Woods, the Chief of Chrash at Chopper Chrash shared info about this Hurst, Olds 442 theme project.

http://chopperchrash.bigcartel.com/

Ryan started with the old Amen, sprung frame and a random springer he found on eBay. Then he bought a ‘74 Ironhead basket case from a buddy.

CLICK HERE To Read this Photo Feature Article only on Bikernet.com

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See Cool Custom Builds in Bike Features Section

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

Jack’s Photo Gallery on Buffalo Chip Sturgis 2021

By General Posts

All the Action, Girls, Bikes, Shows, Concerts, You Name It!

Photography by Jack McIntyre

Relive the Adventure and also Discover all that you may have missed.

Click Here to See All the Buffalo Chip Photos in the Cantina Section.

Subscribe to Bikernet and keep the Party going !!!

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For All the Old and Latest Photo Coverage of Motorcycle Events – Click Here.

Ducati Line of Jackets Promises Riders a Cool Summer in Total Freedom

By General Posts

by Cristina Mircea from https://www.autoevolution.com

‘Tis the season to take your bike out of the garage and just ride. Summer means freedom on two wheels, and Ducati’s line of jackets is here to make sure you are kept cool, ventilated, comfortable, and safe on your rides.

Also CLICK HERE to Check Out 5 Ball Racing Jackets, Vests, bedroll and riding gear at 5 Ball Online Shop.

The Italian manufacturer designed a series of garments specifically for the hot season and they are available on the Ducati online shop. The three summer jackets are all equipped with CE (Conformité Européenne, or European Conformity) certified protectors and are also specially designed to house the back protector.

The most affordable jacket in the series is the Speed Air C4, priced at approximately €190 (approximately $230). This model is designed by Aldo Drudi (who also designed the Valentino Rossi helmet), in collaboration with motorcycle apparel manufacturer Spidi.

The polyester mesh jacket is light, 100 percent ventilated and the width of the waist is adjustable. The protectors on the shoulders and elbows are removable and the most vulnerable areas have double stitching. The jacket is waterproof.

The Flow C3 fabric jacket is the next available model, also a fully CE-certified model. It is light, breathable, and has a detachable lining. The jacket is both waterproof and windproof and has a hook on the back that allows it to be combined with any pants with belt loops, thus preventing the jacket from riding up on the back while you are on the bike. The Flow C3 model is priced at €259 (around $310). It comes both in a male and female version.

The most expensive summer jacket from Ducati is the Corse Tex Summer C2. This one is designed for hot and humid climates, which is why it is highly ventilated. According to Ducati, the Corse Tex Summer C2 was born from a collaboration between Italian motorcycle clothing company Dainese and motorcycle manufacturer Borgo Panigale. The jacket is light and the inner lining is windproof and removable. The Tex Summer C2 is priced at €299 (around $360).

5-Ball Leathers’ Flat Out Vest and more

By General Posts

5-BALL LEATHERS’ FLAT OUT VEST

$225.00$228.00

CLICK HERE TO SHOP NOW https://shop.bikernet.com/

The Flat Out Vest is the Leatherman Multi-Tool of Mens Motorcycle Leather vest

Our cleanest vest has now become our finest classic vest with no collar, but it does have the classic waist band. The front fist pockets are hidden. The chest pockets are classic western cut. They have killer storage with two deep gun pockets on the inside and our exclusive media pocket in the back for your latest issue of Cycle Source or divorce papers. These puppies are too cool and made with just the right leather grade, not too heavy and not too light.

100 Percentage- Flat Out VestEXTERIOR FEATURES:

  • (2) chest pockets
  • (2) waist pockets
  • (1) Sunglasses pocket

INTERIOR FEATURES:

  • (2) carry pockets with quick snaps
  • (1) Media Pocket
  • 100% cotton black/white plaid lining

JAK SHIRT 5/8th SLEEVE

$234.00$251.40

5-Ball Leathers Jak Shirt 5/8th

JAK SHIRT 5/8th SLEEVE CLUB – 5 Ball Leathers’ (8 Pocket). Features snap front closure with extended shirt-style tail that provides length in the trunk and delivers a slender look. All around one of the best fits.

The Jak Shirt Sleeveless Club is made from strong milled Buffalo leather, a top-grain quality leather (the most common type used in high-end leather products). It’s constructed at 0.9mm, a middle weight leather.

EXTERIOR FEATURES:

  • 2 chest pockets
  • 2 waist pockets
  • 1 Sunglasses pocket

100% Jak Shirt 5/8thINTERIOR FEATURES:

  • 2 carry pockets with quick snaps
  • 100% cotton black/white plaid lining
  • 1 Media Pocket

CLICK HERE TO SHOP NOW https://shop.bikernet.com/

WE HAVE MANY BIKER BOOKS IN THE SHOP – PICK YOUR CHOICE

SAM “CHOPPER” ORWELL – BOOK

$13.44

Fast-action fiction on two wheels! What does the future hold for rough and ready bikers? Discover how society eliminates motorcycles. Hold on as Sam “Chopper” Orwell fights to find freedom for the last remaining riders!

Discover How Society Eliminates Motorcycles. Hold on, as Sam “Chopper” Orwell fights to find freedom for the last remaining riders.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP NOW https://shop.bikernet.com/

Women on Trikes: “Wild and Crazy” True Stories

By General Posts

With International Women’s Day on 8th March, we would like to showcase two stories from Women on Trikes series. Read how Susan and Nerolie got into triking and why they are living the dream with Trikes.

https://www.touroztrikes.com.au

https://www.rewaco.com

Susan – “Wild and crazy and it felt a little bit rebellious”

A surprise and spontaneous ride to high school on the back of a friends new Trike while living in a small country town in New Zealand, was the very moment I knew I wanted one. It was love at first ride, I was hooked.

At the time I was not old enough to have a car licence, but I will never forget how it felt to be on the back of the Trike. It was cool and it was different, lots of people had two-wheeler bikes, but this chopped up, backyard, custom made Trike was the real deal, it was wild and crazy and felt a little bit rebellious.

I moved back to Australia a few years later, and I never really saw many trikes. Every so often I would look around to buy one, but they were hard to find and never quite what I was looking for.

Most trikes were motorbike conversions but I wanted a long-raked style trike with a low centre of gravity but also one that would not spend more time in the garage being pulled apart and repaired. I’m not a mechanic, I just wanted to ride.

Life got in the way of my dream – kids, family, work all took priority for many years, and a trike was not something I could afford and it was not practical. How would I fit a baby seat to a trike?

In my early forties, the internet had made looking for a trike a lot easier, but they were still hard to find. I was prepared to travel to America to find a trike and bring it back to Australia, as there seemed to be a much bigger selection of trikes overseas than there were in Australia.

I finally came across the custom-made German Rewaco Trikes and could not believe my luck when I discovered they had a dealer in Australia.

I collected my trike around Valentine’s Day and it is still the love of my life. Since owning my trike and racking up nearly 50,000Ks I have met people from all walks of life, been involved in charity and fundraising events which give me a great amount of satisfaction but most of all I just love the wild, crazy rebellious feeling of cruising around Australia.

People young and old still stop and stare, and most fuel stops involve a conversation with a stranger asking what sort of motor it has. I still giggle at the reactions I get and the shocked whisper of “oh and it’s a girl riding it”.

Kids stare out the back window of their parent’s car waving at me, and I always wonder if one of them will grow up remembering the first time they saw my trike cruising down the highway and want one when they are older.

Nerolie fell in love with a Trike too

“Geez, that’s bright green, not sure about the colour. Then the green seemed to grow on us and now I absolutely love Kermmi!”

Growing up on a farm allowed me to ride motorbikes all the time…this sadly all changed once I moved into a town. Years went by and at the age of 38, I decided life is too short and went and got a motorbike licence. Read more…

I started with a Yamaha 650 Vstar. Due to an injury, I struggled to ride it or even get it out of the garage.

My partner Brendon and I had heard about trikes. We decided to look into buying one as this would enable me to still enjoy riding and it was something we could both still do together.

April 2016, we headed off to Bendigo to have a look at TOUROZ Trikes and maybe have a test ride to see if we liked them.

Col had a green and black demo RF1 LT sitting there.

First thoughts were: Geez, that is a bright green, unsure if I like that colour.

After some chatting with Col the green seemed to grow on us. Well the test ride did not happen, we said stuff it, you only live once!

We came home with that beautiful green machine nearly 3 years ago, and I haven’t looked back…

I absolutely love Kermmi. I feel so great riding, and the freedom you feel with no pain! I would not change it for the world.