With Wild News from all over the planet…
I just turned 75, and look at all the cool stuff I can do this year. Think about kids today, all the stuff they can do on their phones daily. They don’t need to chop wood to cook breakfast or hunt for something to eat. Life is incredible, all you need to do is to get out of bed and get moving. It’s all at your fingertips.
Let’s hit the news.
–Bandit
Howdy!
Grab a chair an’ a beer, ‘cause I’ve got a warning for ya! A lot of ya will remember be from Thunder Press, and remember my wife, Reggie’s pink trike. She’s put almost 100K miles on it, and rode it all over the western states.
A while back, she noticed a clunk, an’ when I checked it out, I found that the left side axle housing had broken the welds, and the angle destroyed the bearing surfaces of the aluminum center housing. I found out that Champion Trikes, the makers of the kit I used, (before Harley made trikes) had been sold and the design changed, so no parts are available for the older kits.
With a lot of miles on the bike, we decided it wasn’t worth buying another 10K kit, so she bought a new trike and I started to put her Heritage back on 2 wheels. That’s when I discovered that the main supports were also broken, and it’s lucky she wasn’t slidin’ down the highway on her ass at 80 miles an hour!
I’m not knockin’ Champion Trikes here, since the current owners had nothing to do with the kit I bought 16 years ago. I just want to let anyone with one of the early kits know that there’s a problem, and they need to check all welds closely! I’m including some pix of the damage to let ya know where to look. The white paint is where the welds broke, and should be one piece.
Ride safe, y’all, and we’ll see ya on the road!
Buckshot, Thunder Press (Retired)
with inputs by Pratik Bhanushali from https://www.msn.com
Speculated to be
Royal Enfield may offer yet another new model called Sherpa 650. It is getting crowded at Enfield product listing with motorcycles aimed at different types of riders. This is such a big leap from just 10 to 15 years ago. The brand and the company keeps on growing and improving and challenging itself as well as its target audience.
A test mule seen in the spy shots here gives a better look at the probable production model.
The specifications may be very similar to 650cc trio from Royal Enfield — namely Interceptor 650, Continental GT 650, and Super Meteor 650)
Sherpa 650 looks similar to the Interceptor’s unit but has suspended on USD front forks and dual rear shocks. It seems it would get off-road ready tires.
Rumors suggest that Royal Enfield would likely launch the new Sherpa 650 in 2024. It’ll be positioned above the Interceptor and below the new Super Meteor in RE’s lineup.
When: MARCH 24-26, 2023
Where: Buffalo Convention Center
What: The Largest Indoor Custom Car and Motorcycle Show this side of New York
Recently added!
The Buffalo Motorama – This Weekend!
Friday March 24 / Saturday March 25 / Sunday March 26, 2023
On March 24-26, 2023 the Buffalo Convention Center in Buffalo New York will host the Buffalo Motorama, the largest indoor custom car and motorcycle show this side of New York. 2023 marks our 11th year showcasing some of the best vehicles, vendors, and something for the entire family to enjoy.
For up-to-date information on the show, features, and more, visit our website www.BuffaloMotorama.com
Like our Facebook page to be eligible for prizes and contests www.facebook.com/buffalomotorama
Contact us at show@buffalomotorama.com or 716-222-2590 for more information
Purchase your 2023 Buffalo Motorama pre-sale tickets online and get a FREE Limited Edition Buffalo Motorama event poster with each ticket purchase.
Purchase Buffalo Motorama Merch. Limited quantities of shirts available. Shirts, hoodies, hats, and more available.
from inputs by Enrico Punsalang from https://www.rideapart.com
Harley-Davidson has confirmed rumors and revealed 2023 X 350 in China. It goes without saying that the X 350 is a bike that marks a new milestone for Harley’s history. It’s their first foray into the sub-500cc segment in the modern era and the first two-wheeler to be crafted by their Chinese partner, QJ Motor.
Retro flair is prominent by the round instrument console, mirrors, and headlight shape, while the aerodynamic and brawny radiator shrouds, as well as the flat-track-inspired tail section, exude a distinctive charm. Interestingly, unlike Harley’s traditional cruisers, the X 350 is entirely devoid of chrome, further adding to its unconventional, surprisingly sporty appeal.
It has mid-controls, a low handlebar, and a tall 32-inch seat height that puts the rider in a more neutral position instead of the usual foot-forward, laid-back posture. A basic digital-analog instrument cluster reflects the fact that this bike was designed with a budget in mind.
H-D X350 is powered by a 353cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine borrowed from previous models in QJ Motor’s lineup. Producing 36 horsepower and 22.8 pound-feet of torque, the chain drive is matched with a six-speed manual gearbox.
Its recognizable fuel tank stores 13.5 liters.
Keep in mind that this motorcycle is exclusive to China and costs approximately $4,793. This is less than comparable motorcycles in the 300 to 400 cc category.
However, the X500 may be aimed at beginner market in USA and would be based on Benelli Leoncino. (Benelli being owned by QJ). It is expected that the Harley-Davidson will launch the X500 first in China and other Asian markets before bringing it home to USA and probably to Europe as well.
It’s Not All Bad
Hey,
Check this from Ray in Australia.
“Difficult times in life are like washing machines; they twist us, spin us and knock us around, but in the end, we come out cleaner, brighter, and better than before.” –Ray Russell
At Black Hills it snows for a couple of days, then bada-bing the sun breaks and it blows my mind every time. I believe I’ve made some serious progress, while stumbling from time to time. I should have a report completed next week.
Hit the gun show in Deadwood. Packed with vendors, it was a kick looking for a hunting rifle.
A big 45 flathead fan asked about the Bonne Bell and I found the feature from Cycle Source. I’m waiting for a report on the new engine from Departure Bike Works
Okay, so let’s relax and watch carefully as the world changes.
Fight for freedom and join your local or national motorcycle rights group.
–Bandit
If you keep an eye on yourself you can see your moods change and why.
I’m going to cruise over to Cabana Dans next week. I need to cover his final pieces for his restored 1914 H-D Twin before they head to Tim the Flat Earth pinstripper in Spearfish, SD. I’ll sneak into Tim’s shop and shoot the action.
I’ve made serious progress on the VL, XA, FL-5. We made a set of pipes. Next week I will make controls and bring you a complete report.
I received a bicycle GPS speedo for the Salt Torpedo. Snowed the other day and might snow tomorrow. The Redhead is out finding a chunk of metal I can machine for the Knucklehead, so if I’m stuck inside I can still make progress.
I’m working with the Deadwood Historic Society on fixing up the basement under the Bullock Hotel. They want to go with a Vice theme, so I suggested this print of Kat Von D with my touring chopper built with Jesse James.
Join the MRF and stay up on the action, or keep coming back to Bikernet for weekly reports. We will fight for the truth forever.
— Bandit
The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by companies who also dig Freedom including: Cycle Source Magazine, the MRF, Las Vegas Bikefest, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown, BorntoRide.com and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.
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Hey,
Life is full of options. Hell, try to buy a couch, a computer or a refrigerator. The options will kick your ass.
Options can be daunting — Especially if you have a list of dire projects looming over you like a gray sky.
Ah, but the other option is to reframe your list into something very positive, full of love and accomplishments.
Keep up the fight for Scientific Integrity and the freedom to ride and build what you want, goddammit.
The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by companies who also dig Freedom including: Cycle Source Magazine, the MRF, Las Vegas Bikefest, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown, BorntoRide.com and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.
I receive numerous inspirational quotes from brothers here, in India and from Ray in Australia. I enjoy them, find solace, comfort and inspiration in seemingly troubled times.
Here’s the odd aspect and I say this a lot. These are the best of times. We have access to more technology, health benefits, knowledge, travel, bike parts, beauty, wealth, love, peace, you name it, than ever before.
So, what do we do? Except for Bikers, folks are depressed, killing each other, fighting, slappig their ol’ ladies around, screaming that we are doomed…
Bikers represent all that’s good in this world by building more loud-pipe, cool choppers and riding free forever. Every time a chopper or loud-pipe performance bagger blazes down the street, put your thumbs up. That annoying bastard knows what life is truly all about.
Ride free forever!
–Bandit
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MILWAUKEE (January 18, 2023) – H-D1™ Marketplace, the largest online marketplace for pre-owned Harley-Davidson listings, is taking the exciting step to connect a wider range of riders to their next bikes by accepting private-party listings of pre-owned Harley-Davidson motorcycles. This will be the first time that individual customers will be able to list their motorcycle for sale on H-D1™ Marketplace. All motorcycles listed for sale may be viewed by the thousands of customers visiting the H-D1™ Marketplace website. Customers who are interested in purchasing a bike from the H-D1™ Marketplace can either contact the private party seller or the dealer directly through the site. Rider-to-Rider financing options are available to customers purchasing from a private party, in addition to in-dealership financing.
“H-D1 Marketplace has redefined online marketplace for pre-owned Harley-Davidson motorcycles,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, CEO and President, Harley-Davidson. “This new private-party feature will bring together even more buyers and sellers of Harley bikes. This is our next step in building the ultimate online home for the sale and purchase of pre-owned Harley-Davidson motorcycles.”
Private-party listings on H-D1™ Marketplace will be limited to Harley-Davidson models located in the United States. Each listing will include photos and details about the motorcycle. All bikes will also be validated by VIN and go through a review-and-approval process before the listing is launched.
About H-D1™ Marketplace
H-D1™ Marketplace was created in July 2021 to provide consumers with the most-comprehensive opportunity to search, experience, sell, customize and purchase used H-D® motorcycles from the inventories of participating authorized Harley-Davidson dealers. Today H-D1™ Marketplace offers the largest selection of dealer pre-owned H-D® motorcycles in the United States, with more than 34,000 listings by 540 participating U.S. Harley-Davidson® Dealers.
Currently focused on the USA, H-D1™ Marketplace showcases the entire selection of pre-owned Harley-Davidson motorcycles from participating dealers, and now also those offered by private parties. H-D1™ Marketplace is the only place to easily search for H-D Certified™ motorcycles, the ultimate in pre-owned Harley-Davidson® motorcycles. Through the “Sell My Bike” feature, customers are able to sell their motorcycles directly into the Harley-Davidson® dealer network. Supported by Harley-Davidson Financial Services, H-D1™ Marketplace customers have access to innovative, industry-leading financing solutions, to make purchasing even easier. For complete details on making a private-party listing, go to H-D1™ Marketplace.
Go to H-D.com to learn more about the complete line of 2023 Harley-Davidson Grand American Touring, Sport, Adventure Touring, Cruiser and Trike motorcycles, Harley-Davidson Certified™ pre-owned motorcycles, Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories, Harley-Davidson MotorClothes and gear, and Harley-Davidson Financial Services.
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