THURSDAY WEATHER CLEARNING NEWS DAY

Hey,

The rain front finally drifted away. Its nerve racking when you live in a building located just 2 feet above sea level and the DWP guys, widening the road, blocked all the storm drains with sand bags. Plus we’re known for flooding, even when the storm drains are working to capacity.

But the sun broke through the clouds today and construction on our rattling street kicked off again. Every time a truck blasts past this old building it rattles, like a crack-whore holding a glass peanut butter jar half-fulla rocks while riding a skateboard.

This week’s news is packed full of heady material. So let’s wade in. Keep in mind, if you don’t see it here; check the Bikernet Blog for more parts and event info. Hang on.

MAJOR BIKERNET INVESTIGATION INTO AMERICAN IRON PHOTO SHOOT–sputter,sputter…um, who left the plastic wrap on the frame?? SEE: lower frame under engine…luckily, you didn’t , so you’re not fired this time…

All the grips, lighting staff, detailers and voodoo chanters are being questioned. Bike has been inspected and reshot for American Iron. Several members of the Spitfire staff were lined up and shot at dawn.

If I agree with you, we’d both be wrong.

We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.

War does not determine who is right-only who is left.

Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.

The early bird might get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

–from BA Jerry

J8 ELEGANT ROCKER COUTURE COLLECTION — Join us November 21, SUNDAY **See incredible chopper creations by T-Rod & Rusty**10am till 4pm

Pete Alva Photography and ‘KURT The Hot Dog Guy’.
KID FRIENDLY EVENT.
RAIN or SHINE

14726 Goldenwest St. Suite F
Westminster California 92683

SORRY SUNDAY POST REVIEW–Read the Sunday post, and it was not sorry on your part, just sorry shit to write about? So West Coast Choppers is closed? I kinda got that feeling when I was there? So, I open the mail box when I got back from Va. and there was an envelope form the IRS, never a good sign, I open it and they say I owe $2350 from when I closed the shop? It never ends!

–mike

Nice weather, even thoujgh it rained for about 10 minutes on Sunday. Lots of people showed up on Sat. – most vendors happy. Speaking of vendors – about 75 BUT – not ONE motorcycle parts – accessories or builders.
Not many bikes to show. No builders brought any. Well – a couple did, but on the QT. Not allowed to advertise if not registered. So it was only spectators bikes and their ride in’s.

–Quick Throttle Art

QUICK THROTTLE MAGAZINE PAINT PLANNING GUIDE– There is an old saying that people don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan. Nowhere is this truer than when you finally decide to take your bike to the highest level of personalization and give it the full custom paint treatment. You need to have a plan, an idea, a theme and you need to be able to communicate that idea to the painter you have chosen to give your baby its glistening new coat of character.
Tip #1: Don’t assume that just because your painter of choice can do flames that he can also do murals, or ghosting or anything else. Ask to see his scrapbook of past clients and their paint jobs. If you don’t see the style you are looking for maybe you should look elsewhere.

When I decided to turn my factory purple and silver Springer into a cream and teal retro cruiser with murals of my favorite rock and rollers from the ’50s I had to go through a half dozen painters before I found one who was comfortable and conversant…

For more detailed pictures of the paint project and close up of the tins once finished, check out our GALLERY. It truly is an amazing piece of work.

–Editor
Quick Throttle Magazine

BIKERNET BLACK MARKET BOOK DEAL OF THE WEEK–
Tattoos are hot, and whether you are preparing for your first tattoo or your twenty-seventh, you need artwork and designs that are just right. Tattoo Bible, authored by Superior Tattoo, provides well over 500 pieces of unique flash art – flash never before compiled into one single book.

While most tattoo books available today concentrate on one specific genre, Tattoo Bible covers twelve different categories – and the ideas are endless. This is not just a book to add to your collection. This is your collection. You can combine different pieces of art from within the book, or just take them as is. This book is for you and your imagination to do with as you wish.

Published by ArtKulture, an imprint of Wolfgang Publications, these images are both striking and very useful to the tattoo shop, and the tattoo aficionado. 144 pages, over 500 color images. Though the standard retail price is $27.95, this week on Bikernet, Tattoo Bible Book 1 is only $17.95, with free shipping to US addresses. You’ve only got a week, get one today!

IN SEARCH OF BROTHER’S KNUCKLEHEAD– My name if Tim McKenzie and my friends call me SPUDZ. I once spoke to you from Berry Wardlaws shop late one night. That‘s the only time I’ve seen him since we were in high school. My reason for this is to see if you might be able to help me find my Brother’s bike. We built it around 1970. Our dad could make a knuckle fly and this one would. Most of the stuff was hand fab.

Hell, there was no aftermarket venders around back then. It was kinda unique in that the dog bones were made from square aluminum, the original springer was extended 6 inches and chromed, and the tank was off of a 1945 Servi-cycle.

Berry offered to build me an engine, so I could reproduce this bike, but I’d rather try to find the actual bike and build it back, in remembrance of my brother and my dad. I’m gonna do one or the other for sure.

— Tim McKenzie
tmckenzie@bearserco.com

AMD ON HARLEY’S THIRD QUARTER– Harley continues to pick-up share, close-in on 2010 ‘shipments’ target, and points to “young adult” sales as production and sales gap narrows.

With retail sales of 185,720 motorcycles for the first nine months of the year, Harley-Davidson is now targeting the upper end of its 2010 dealer ‘shipment’ guidance as sales and production edge closer to balance.

Barring further dramatic deterioration of consumer confidence, and despite widespread on-going concerns about the nature of the domestic US economic recovery, the company’s third quarter fiscals show sales declines over the equivalent 2009 periods reducing, with production and sales likely to be running in parallel by some stage in the first half of 2011.

Third-quarter retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 7.7 percent worldwide, 9.4 percent in the U.S. (against an industry-wide decline of 14.4 percent in the 651+cc ‘heavyweight’ sector) and 3.6 percent in international markets compared to the year-ago quarter.

“Despite the continued challenges in the economy, we are making solid, steady progress at transforming our business,” said Keith Wandell, President and Chief Executive Officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc. “With our strategic focus on future growth initiatives and continuous improvement, we are positioning Harley-Davidson to succeed at today’s volumes, as well as to grow and restore greater profitability longer term.”

Sales stand at 13.4 percent down in the US for the first nine months of the year, with international sales down just 1.9 percent for a total worldwide decline 9.8 percent for the year-to-date.

“The Harley-Davidson brand has remarkable strength globally. Few products or brands rank as highly in terms of awareness and affinity on the part of customers and non-customers alike. We have continued to gain market share in the U.S. and Europe. Since 2008, we also have been the U.S. leader in new motorcycle sales to young adults for the entire on-road motorcycle category. Going forward, we will continue to build on this brand strength and leadership position,” said Wandell.

Revenue from Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the third quarter of 2010 was $798.8 million, down 0.6 percent compared to the year-ago period. The Company shipped 53,293 Harley-Davidson motorcycles to dealers and distributors worldwide during the quarter, compared to shipments of 54,236 motorcycles in the third quarter of 2009.

Revenue from Parts and Accessories totaled $219.0 million during the quarter, down 1.2 percent, and revenue from General Merchandise, which includes MotorClothes apparel, was $64.1 million, down 9.4 percent compared to the year-ago period.

Through the first nine months of 2010, the Company shipped 166,013 Harley-Davidson motorcycles, an 11.3 percent decrease compared to last year’s 187,085 units for the period. Revenue from Harley-Davidson motorcycles through nine months was $2.44 billion, a 7.0 percent decrease compared to the year-ago period.

Nine-month P&A revenue was $599.8 million, a 3.7 percent decrease from the year-ago period. General Merchandise revenue was $197.7 million, an 8.3 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2009.

Operating income from financial services was $50.9 million in the third quarter of 2010, compared to an operating loss of $31.5 million in the year-ago quarter. The improvement in year-over-year operating income is largely the result of a lower cost of funds and improvement in credit losses.

Through nine months, operating income from financial services was $138.4 m, compared to an operating loss of $110.8 m in the first nine months of 2009.
Based on this, the Company is now narrowing its guidance for full-year 2010 shipments to 207,000 to 212,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles to dealers, a decrease of approximately five to seven percent from 2009; their prior shipments guidance for 2010 was 201,000 to 212,000 motorcycles.
The Company has lowered its cost estimates for restructuring and is also refining its guidance for capital expenditures, which are now expected to be $190 m to $210 m for the full year, compared to prior guidance of $235 m to $255 m.

In the third quarter, the Company completed the divesture of its MV Agusta subsidiary. Harley-Davidson incurred losses of $4.9 m during the third quarter, and $108.4 m for the year-to-date from its “discontinued operations”.

–from the AMD

WHAT IF THE U.S. IS FORCED TO ENACT EU LAWS?–
• Here is what you can expect
We believe the bigger obstacles are:

– Licensing laws
– Insurance Costs
– Lack of exciting entry level products
– Licensing laws:

Here in Europe a major factor affecting the supply of new riders to the market has been the introduction of various EU Driving License Directives.

‘2nd Directive’ has been in force in Europe since 1996: Under 21s must take test on 120-125cc, then 33bhp limit for 2 years Over 21s may take ‘Direct Access’ test on 500cc for unrestricted license.

‘3rd Directive’ will apply from 2013: Seeking to encourage progressive access by introducing additional 35kw (47bhp) restriction until an additional test is taken on machine over 600cc. Age of Direct Access might be raised to 24.

Gen Y’ers want to get the bike they lust after now not in 5 years time. Unless new models are developed which fit within the restrictions it is reasonable to predict that the 3rd European Driving Licence Directive will push potential new motorcyclists into abstaining for even longer.

– Insurance Costs:

The high cost of insurance is also a major factor affecting sales in the 15 to 34 age range. The soaring cost of litigation, expensive vehicle repair bills and high volumes of claims by inexperienced bikers has made the cost of insuring motorcycles prohibitively expensive for many young riders. There is a significant difference in the insurance classification of available models; for example the popular learners bike, the CBF500 (group 9) and the 600cc supersports class (group 14) which rules out the supersports for the majority without a significant ‘No claims bonus’.

ACEM’s figures show that for a young rider the cost of insurance can now easily outweigh the cost to purchase a machine and unlike the initial purchase this is an annual cost.

– Lack of exciting entry level products:

Today the introduction of Euro2 and Euro3 EU emissions regulations and changes in both the European and Japanese licensing laws have meant that the lightweight supersport segment is practically un-catered for. As a result some of the milder and more forgiving 500-750cc machines have migrated into beginner’s bike list. First bikes tend to be 50bhp or less and 180kg or less. The further a bike is above those limits, the more cautious new riders appear to be about purchasing.

The Suzuki GS500 and Honda CB500’s are now considered by many the best choice as a first bike: relatively light, inexpensive, not too much power (consequently cheaper to insure), and available new and used. The current CB500’s/CG500’s offer a sensible package but they are not evocative or highly desirable, they do not inspire young people.

This void of desirable products offered at entry level adds to the licensing restrictions in pushing young riders into abstaining.

The now discontinued 250cc two stroke and 400cc four stroke class of ‘Lightweight Supersports’ represented a good balance of looks, performance and affordability to fill the void between the ‘learner’ bikes and outright supersports 600s. Other than Kawasaki’s Ninja 250 where are these products today?

The high re-sale value of 10 year old second hand Supersport 400s (RVF400’s still sell for 3k to 4k) suggests that many consumers in this market already decide against buying new and look for privately sold models instead; independently financing the purchase, forgoing dealer warranties and after sales care.

–from Rogue

CYCLE SOURCE SPONSORED TROPICAL TATTOO OLD SCHOOL CHOPPER SHOW DURING BIKETOBERFEST– Tropical Tattoo Old School Chopper Time Show 14 Classes Sponsored in part by Cycle Source Magazine Biketoberfest event with Live Bands, Beer, Food and Hot Girls.

–Rogue

BIKERNET THAI FOOD RESTAURANT REVIEW–After sailing throughout the Gulf of Thailand off the east coast we took a cab to the west coast into the City of Phuket in search of the best Thai Food Restaurant in the world. The food everywhere on this skinny peninsula and on the islands was amazing, but then we stumbled into the MK Restaurant on the outskirts of a major new mall. The gleaming eatery was called Le Siam Jungceylon Phuket.

Everything about this restaurant was outstanding from the service to the ambiance, and the food from the drinks, to the appetizers, to the delectable main dishes, was incredible. Don’t miss an MK Restaurant, if you ever run across one.

THE LOS ANGELES MOTORCYCLE FILM FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND–
Saturday, October 23
8PM – Midnight at the Cretin’s Clubhouse – 1460 Naud St. – 90012 (downtown in a rooftop parking lot overlooking the LA skyline) $6 cash at the door

The event is to raise money and awareness for “Riders for Health” www.riders.org. They donate motorcycles to African health organizations to distribute medicine in remote areas.

The event will feature: 10-20 short films about motorcycles
Music, Food & Drinks Bike show with prizes in multiple categories Displays from SoCal’s top bike builders

Submissions will be accepted until Oct 10th.

More information can be found at:
www.lamotofilmfest.com
info@lamotofilmfest.com
or by calling 424-218-MOTO (424-218-6686)
(This is not a VVMC event)

SEARCHING FOR A TRIKE CONVERSION– I found that this page was informative even though there is no one out there who can tell me the overall cost to convert a 1981 Yamaha 650 shaft drive into a basic trike.

–TUGGY

WIRE PLUS INTRODUCES BIG BEAR CHOPPER LIGHTING MODULE– Winfield, KS- Wire Plus Powersports Electronics is proud to introduce a replacement plugged lighting control module for Big Bear Chopper motorcycles. “If your turn signals are no longer working correctly, this may be the fix you need”, stated Don Bromlow, National Sales Manager for Wire Plus.
The lighting control module controls the operation of the front, rear turn signals, and provides load equalization and auto cancelling. It also operates the rear turn signals as brake lights and running lights with one wire hook-up. This replacement module works with all of the switches used on most models manufactured by BBC. (Several different plug configurations are offered…Please verify that the Deutsch connector matches your module) MSRP: $139.95.

Wire-Plus products are built to survive the rugged urban environment. Their products feature vibration resistant, solid-state breaker technology and their focus is on the reliability of everything we manufacture. Wire Plus backs every product that they manufacture with expert technical support. If you want the best in digital technology, check out the latest from Wire Plus. Reliability…Ease of Installation…and Quality All in One!

For those interested in obtaining more information on Wire Plus, you can reach them at (620) 221-2417 or check them out online at www.wire-plus.com or email them at sales@wire-plus.com.
 

SPITFIRE BUELL CUSTOM RECENTLY SHOT FOR THE CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE FEATURE–

2010 Spitfire Supertracker prototype
Owner Mike “Cheezboy” Brown
Chassis: Spitfire

Suspension:
Front: Inverted cartridge, multivalve
Rear: Mono shock , multivalve
Designed and built by: Race Tech R&D , and Spitfire

Engine: Buell Thunderbolt 1200 modified
Exhaust: Supertrapp XR
Sheetmetal: Sacred Steel, and Spitfire
Paint: Sweet Baby James & Wayne Wreck
Seat: Riff Raff Kustom Leather
Designed and built by Paul Cavallo, and Spitfire Motorcycles

Winner of the Grand National Roadster Show
1st place Sport class
Outstanding Engineering award

BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT WILD WORD OF THE DAY–coruscate KOR-uh-skayt, intransitive verb:

1. To give off or reflect bright beams or flashes of light; to sparkle.
2. To exhibit brilliant, sparkling technique or style.

They pulled up at the farthest end of a loop path that looked out over the great basin of the Rio Grande under brilliant, coruscating stars.
— Bill Roorbach, “Big Bend”, The Atlantic, March 2001

Beneath you lie two miles of ocean — a bottomlessness, for all practical purposes, an infinity of blue. . . . A thousand coruscating shafts of sunlight probe it, illuminating nothing.
— Kenneth Brower, “The Destruction of Dolphins”, The Atlantic, July 1989

What coruscating flights of language in his prose, what waterfalls of self-displaying energy!
— Joyce Carol Oates, review of A Theft, by Saul Bellow, New York Times, March 5, 1989

Whether we know or like it or not, those of us who turn our hands to this task are scribbling in a line of succession which, however uncertainly and intermittently, reaches back to the young Macaulay, who first made his public reputation as a coruscating writer in the 1820s.
— David Cannadine, “On Reviewing and Being Reviewed”, History Today, March 1, 1999

Coruscate comes from Latin coruscatus, past participle of coruscare, “to move quickly, to tremble, to flutter, to twinkle or flash.” The noun form is coruscation. Also from coruscare is the adjective coruscant, “glittering in flashes; flashing.”

THE 8TH ANNUAL WTT RAFFLE IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER–The 8th Annual Raffle will be held November 13, 2010. You can win this 1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead
Or $20,000.

Each Purchase helps keep us “The Museum That Runs”

AUSTRALIAN BIKERNET CORRESPONDENT STUDIES ART–The Graphic ability of a Mac is amazing – this is my don, Akiva, in pencil drawing

Once you go MAC you will never go back

–Ramon

ULTIMATE BUILDER CUSTOM BIKE SHOW SPONSORED BY BIKERNET.COM–  Enter your custom bike into the Progressive® International Motorcycle Shows® Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show and pitch it against the best builders in the country. The UBCBS is an affiliate competition to the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building. Professional and amateur custom builders of choppers, cruisers and sportbikes are invited to enter their bikes into the competition and judge each other’s work. There will be 11 individual rounds of the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show nationwide.

United States Championship (USC)
The United States Championship of custom bike building will be held at the Daytona Progressive International Motorcycle Show held during Daytona Bike Week, March 9-12, 2011. This elite competition is for the ultimate builders of custom bikes in the United States and will crown the definitive United States Champions in their respective classes. The USC is an affiliate competition to the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building.

Judged Custom Bike Classes

Free Style: The open class for any build with a motorcycle based drive train. Anything goes, but judging often favors design and engineering. If your build’s frame is completely custom, this is your class.

Modified Harley: Open to any year Harley-Davidson. Must have stock Harley frame maintaining original configuration (frame smoothing only type of modifications allowed). Must have Harley Davidson engine cases.

Performance Custom: High performance based vehicle with motorcycle based drive train. Motorcycle must use a production based frame (chroming and slight frame modifications allowed). All other modifications are open.

Get the details at http://www.motorcycleshows.com/customs

BAD COP REPORT FROM ROGUE–  Denver police officer arrested as sex assault suspect–A Denver police officer has been arrested as a sex assault suspect.

Hector Paez, 31, a patrol officer who worked in District 4, was arrested Monday and is being held at the Douglas County Jail, according to Denver District Attorney’s Office media release.

The suspect, who was in uniform and working at the time of the alleged May 16 incident, came in contact with the victim, a 36-year-old woman, and ran a background check on her finding an outstanding arrest warrant out of Jefferson County, said Lynn Kimbrough, a Denver district attorney’s spokeswoman.

Paez then allegedly took the woman to an isolated area and coerced her into “performing a sexual act to avoid being taken to jail,” the DA’s office said.

An investigation by the Denver Police Department’s Internal Affairs Bureau led to the arrest. Paez will be charged later this week with kidnapping, sexual assault and attempt to influence a public servant, all felonies, prosecutors said.

Paez appeared in Denver County Court this morning at a first advisement hearing. His bond has been set at $100,000.

Paez was hired by the department in 2006.

He was suspended, with pay, since May 19 when allegations were made against him. He remains suspended, now without pay, after his arrest Monday.

The charge of attempt to influence a public servant alleges that Paez lied about his contact with the victim when he was interviewed by internal affairs, the release said.

His next court date will be scheduled after charges are formally filed this week.

By Kieran Nicholson
The Denver Post

–from Rogue

BUCKSHOT REPORTS ON TAMARACK MACHINE WORKS–So you want to add a little bling to your ride, but you look at all the billet stuff out there, and think: hmmm… What’ll make my bike different from all the rest? You either go on-line, or to your local dealer, an’ pick out a few “custom” parts to bring your ride up to a personal level. “Gimme one of those billet shift rods with the Mud Flap girl on it, one of those belt drive primary covers with the flames, an’… Oh, yeah… A points cover with a skull on it!”

At the next rally, you’re walkin’ around, lookin’ at the other scoots, an’ there’s no less than 25 of ‘em with Mud Flap girls, flames, an’ skulls on ‘em. Now, you’re out five hundred smackers, an’ you still look like everybody else. You sit down with a cold brew an’ ask yourself: why is all the really custom stuff so damned expensive, an’ where can I get exactly what I want to make my ride special?

Well, boys an’ girls, I’m gonna tell ya! If you want some truly one-off custom pieces at prices even ol’ Buckshot can afford, you need ta check out Keith Bertram, at Tamarack Machine Works! He makes shift rods, belt drive primary covers, derby covers, an’ most anything else you could want, and he makes ‘em to YOUR specifications! No mass produced Mud Flap girls here, Amigo, just high quality, affordably priced custom billet accessories that you can be proud of, an’ know that there isn’t another one out there like it!

Most of you know that Reggie’s trike is called “Free Wheelin’”, and Keith made her a totally bitchin’ shift rod with Free Wheelin’ on it that’s a real eye-catcher, and it’s really set her trike apart from all the other pink an’ black, blinged out trikes out there! The craftsmanship is flawless, and the lettering matches the logos on her wheelchair rack perfectly! I guarantee that you can go to as many shows an’ runs as you want, an’ you’ll NEVER see another one like this! How ‘bout THAT for less moolah than a Mud Flap girl?

Keith can make you almost any design you want, too! Want your name on it? Your club logo? Your military affiliation? Your ol’ lady’s boobs? Well, THAT may be goin’ too far, but you never know; Keith’s a really talented an’ inventive guy! He’s made a lot of one-off parts for a lot of bikes you’ve seen in magazines, and as more professional builders see the quality of his work, his business is growing by leaps an’ bounds! He also makes limited production runs of 20 to 30 pieces for clubs, organizations, and small businesses. He’s been refining his techniques, and adding more products to the impressive line-up on the Tamarack Machine Works website since 2004. They say that “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”, and if that’s true, the Chinese have flattered Keith with some e-bay copies of his lowering kits, so make sure you contact him directly for the real deal with American quality and customer service!

He started out making his signature billet lowering kits, and he’s expanded from there to all sorts of billet items that will make your scoot one-of-a-kind! All his parts are CNC machined, then hand finished and inspected to make sure that each an’ every one is perfect! These aren’t Chinese made parts like you get from E-Bay, these are made one at a time right here in Central California, to American standards, and they’re something you can be proud to own, at prices that will leave you grinnin’ like a monkey!

Keith has also been workin’ with Matt Beal at Road Rage Performance on a few new ideas that I think you’ll like. In addition to the famous Road Rage points and primary covers, Keith makes a billet motor / tranny plate that fits 4 speed, 5 speed, or 6 speed transmissions with the same plate! You can get one of these beauties directly from Keith, or from Matt at www.roadrageperformance.com.

If you have an idea that you think will set your ride apart from all the others, just give Keith a call, an e-mail at: tmworks@comcast.net, or log onto his website at: www.tamarackmw.com. He has the CAD programs to make your idea a reality without havin’ to order 500 pieces, or breakin’ the bank for just one, an’ in these troubled times, that’s important!

Keith and his wife, Ursula, are good friends of me an’ Reggie, an’ frequent ridin’ partners, so ya better give him a call, an’ tell him I sent ya!

ACE CAFÉ LONDON at EICMA Milan 2nd – 7th November 2010-
Ace Cafe London is delighted to announce their attendance as an integral part of a new exhibition area entirely dedicated to “Specials” and “Customs” – a “show within a show” at the 68th International Motorcycle Show in Milan.

The Ace presence and display in Pavillion 2, Milano Fiera, includes the new Ace 904S Thruxton Special cafe racer motorcycle from Stonebridge Motor Company and T3 Racing, together with an array of the Ace Cafe, Rockers and StoMoCo items.

For more information about the show: www.eicma.it

–LINDA WILSMORE

Tel: ++44 (0)20 8961 1000
Fax: ++44 (0)20 8965 0161

www.ace-cafe-london.com
www.acecafeevents.com

Ace Cafe London
Ace Corner
North Circular Road
Stonebridge
London
NW10 7UD

METAL SPORT CLEAR WHEELS, AMAZING–Metalsport Wheels has put together a Clear Wheel Program and then put it on SALE!

$3920 per set
$5247 Standard MSRP

Includes:
21 x 4 Front Clear wheel
18 x 5.5 Rear Solid Aluminum Chrome Wheel

Fits 2009 to present H-D Touring Models with cush drive

Only Five sets Available
Call and reserve yours today!

– Lonny Spiva
Metalsport Inc.
Southgate Ca. 90280
Ph. 562-776-9594
Fax 562-776-9635

BIKER’S CHOICE HOSES AND FITTINGS CUSTOM BUILDER’S MICRO LINE SERIES– Biker’s Choice® CUSTOM BUILDER’S MICRO LINE SERIES is perfect for the custom bike builder or the do-it-yourselfer who wants the latest, coolest brake lines on the market. The Micro Line Series is the world’s smallest bore brake hose featuring black PVC coated stainless braided -2 thin wall hose with aramid liner and easy to install black, zinc-plated fittings. The stainless steel construction eliminates moisture absorption preventing the need for frequent flushing of the brake systems.

Pressure rated at over 10,000 psi, these lines are designed for hard riding and the temperature rating exceeds 300°. The combination of flexibility and size of the Micro Line Series makes this a perfect product to route through frames and handlebars. Assembling your own custom performance lines has never been easier.

For more information check out your nearest Biker’s Choice Dealer or visit www.bikerschoice.com .

Happy Riding!
–Carmen

DON’T FORGET: Special 90 minute Episode: Tuesday, October 26
— ATTIKA7 will be heard during Episode 8, the SONS FINALLY go to Belfast !! Look for the scene with Sons of Anarchy members driving in a car, listening & rockin’ out to ATTIKA7 in the car.

MORE CLASSIC ROD ART FROM MIKE CORBIN–I have one more that you might be able to use.
–Mike corbin

VICTORY LIVES UP TO ITS NAME FOR POLARIS Q3– Record sales gains drove profits at Polaris Industries for the third quarter as the company reported net income of $47.2 million, or $1.37 per share, for the quarter ended Sept. 30, compared to $31.2 million, or 94 cents per share for the same period last year.

Sales of ATVs and SSVs increased 49 percent during the third quarter over the same period last year. Polaris credits the MVP program, which was expanded and made available to all North American ORV dealers beginning in the 2010 third quarter.

Polaris’ North American ORV unit sales to consumers were up about 20 percent from the third quarter last year, with SSV sales increasing significantly and ATV retail sales up in the mid-single digit percent range. North American dealer inventories of ORVs declined 30 percent during the third quarter compared to last year.

The company says shipments to dealers track with sales to consumers, so inventory management seems to be working.

Sales of the On-Road division, mainly Victory motorcycles, increased 116 percent over the year-ago quarter. Victory unit retail sales increased more than 50 percent in North America from the third quarter of 2009. The company says demand increased across the Victory product lineup, particularly the new Cross Country and Cross Roads touring models. North American dealer inventory of Victory motorcycles declined 32 percent in the 2010 third quarter.

Sales of Victory motorcycles in markets outside of North America also continues to increase, with sales up over 100 percent for the 2010 third quarter compared to the same period last year.

PG&A sales increased 12 percent during the quarter owing primarily to increased Ranger- and Victory-related PG&A sales.

Snowmobile sales decreased 6 percent during the quarter, but shipments are likely to increase as the weather turns colder.

Sales for the third quarter 2010 totaled $580.1 million, an increase of 33 percent when compared to $436.2 million recorded in the year-earlier period.

“While the economy and overall consumer demand remains weak, our growth continues to be fueled by innovative new products and our strong dealer network,” said CEO Scott Wine. “It is rewarding to see our hard work pay off and be able to report 33 percent sales growth and record earnings per share for the quarter. The momentum we experienced during the first half of 2010 accelerated during the third quarter, as we saw continued market share gains, retail sales growth and margin expansion.”

Polaris shares shot up nearly 5 percent in midday trading on the company’s revised projection of full year 2010 earnings per share in the range of $4.17 to $4.20, an increase of 37 to 38 percent compared to earnings of $3.05 per share for the full year 2009.

Sales for the full year 2010 are now expected to grow in the range of 24 to 25 percent over full year 2009 sales of $1.57 billion. During the fourth quarter of 2010, the company expects total sales to increase in the range of 22 to 24 percent over the fourth quarter 2009.

UNCLE MONKEY EVALUATES THE RISE AND FALL OF WCC–News reports are trickling in that West Coast Choppers have closed their doors. West Coast Choppers had become synonymous with the new motorcycle/chopper movement. While this new widespread popularity of motorcycles can be contributed to many things we have to give a nod to Jesse James as the charismatic leader of this new revolution. Jesse thrust chopper motorcycles and the lifestyle into the limelight in a way that hadn’t been seen since the 1969 movie “Easy Rider”.

Suddenly choppers were cool, being a biker was cool. Many will argue that being a biker was never out of style but we were out of favor with the populace. Viewed as long hair outlaws hell bent on violence, mayhem, and rape, the biker was a pox mark on society. WCC did not change bikers. What they did change was the face of bikers and the way that people viewed us. WCC showed the world what we already knew. That all demographics make up bikers. Doctors, lawyers, famous actors, white collar or blue collar everyone was riding a chopper. For the first time society would see what we had been telling them; that the unruly biker of their nightmares was only 1% of the riding public. Being a biker was now respectable, a badge of honor worn by their neighbors, co-workers, by housewives. Parents were happy to shell out good money for a t-shirt supporting WCC, motorcycles, bikers for their children. WCC helped moved bikers from the bar room to the boardroom.

The popularity of the so-called West Coast style motorcycle would eventually find its way back East to Milwaukee and the Motor Factory. For the first time Harley Davidson would offer a true “chopper” inspired motorcycle in the Rocker. Fat tired and long, low, stretched out; the bike is middle of the road as a far as choppers are concerned but it did offer the public an affordable, factory warranty bike that combined the history and heritage of Harley Davidson and the chopper motorcycle. One can’t help but think the Rocker’s WC (with chrome) designation is a nod to West Coast.

West Coast Choppers would usher in the era of high-end choppers with many of their bikes being upwards of six figures. Owning a WCC bike was a true status symbol as the rich and elite would line up to own the elusive, rare and high priced chopper. Owning any bike was a statement of arriving.

So where did it all go wrong. The sad reality is that WCC was doomed to failure from the start. It is something that Jesse knew and he capitalized when he could. High dollar chopper were nothing new and the “West Coast” inspired chopper were around before Jesse was conceived. Builders like Arlen Ness, Dave Perewitz, Donnie Smith have long been able to demand good money for their bikes but they were never mass producers; often building only one or two bikes a year, some times even less. Jesse James has always admitted that he never made money from building bikes. Precision is expensive and there is no room for error. While a backyard builder would overlook a nick in chrome, a scuff, a scratch, such flaws are not acceptable on a hundred thousand dollar motorcycle. It means parts would have to be re-chromed, frames repainted, parts milled and milled again until right, thousands of dollars in consumables like masking tape and clean, lint free shop rags. Each flaw witling away at the bottom dollar.

In the world of status symbols it is what’s hot NOW. WCC would simply not be able to keeps up with the two plus year waiting lists. Fickle big spenders are always looking for what is next. WCC quickly became “last years” fashion, replaced by Billy Lane, Exile Cycle, Indian Larry, OCC, and many other small batch manufactures. WCC would fall victim to its own success as WCC clones would begin appearing in sale ads across the nation. Imitation maybe flattery, for business it can be deadly.

Jesse James is a street hustler. He knows how to exploit a situation to benefit himself and why not. Jesse has been able to move and adapt, to keep his name in the forefront, to keep the money rolling in. It has meant he has stepped on toes, burnt bridges and walked all over people. To be successful you have to be ruthless, selfish, and ungiving. It means putting yourself ahead of everyone and everything else. The truly successful – successful in business and life- have always found away to balance business with life, family and friends. While WCC lasted nearly two decades the business plan has always been get in – get paid – get out. Jesse will always find a way to hustle a buck.

As we write the history books what should we say of West Coast Choppers and Jesse James. Will they be a footnote in our industry or something more substantial? Given the influence WCC has had on present day motorcycle, the industry, the lifestyle it is hard to believe that this will be the last we hear of the notorious bike builder Jesse James and West Coast Choppers. Jesse will find a way. Deals have already been struck for manufactures to carry on the WCC legacy, to keep it alive though probably not to the same degree as before. Jesse James will find another way to capitalize on his name and celebrity fame. The only thing for sure as the sun arcs across Long Beach California this Jesse James won’t be riding into the sunset.

–Wayne Wuschke

LOUISVILLE WAREHOUSE SEARCH TURNS UP BIKES STOLEN FROM CLOVER CYCLEWORKS– Authorities in Louisville, Ky., have found a warehouse full of stolen goods valued at about $500,000, and the discovery is making one dealer happy.

“We’re still looking. I’m sure there’s stuff we’ve overlooked,” said Dale Clover, owner of Clover Cycleworks. He lost $250,000 worth of merchandise and property including his bike, customers’ bikes, tools and equipment in a July 4 burglary at the store.

“The black one that I put in was my personal bike. The white I had built and delivered. It cost $70,000,” Clover told WHAS TV.

Clover thinks he knows who’s responsible.

“It’s some people who’ve been in the shop before,” he told the TV station. “They took the meter out of the back of the building. They cut the wires to the alarm system. It was pretty professional. They twisted the commercial lock on the door. The computer was bashed out.”

Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies began watching the warehouse for some time and found the merchandise after executing a search warrant there. They also questioned people seen coming and going.

Meanwhile, Clover is elated the bikes are intact.

“I thought they were probably completely dismantled them and they were out of country,” he says.

Posted by Holly Wagner
Published courtesy of DealerNews: www.dealernews.com

KEINO BRINGS US THE BROOKLYN INVITATIONAL REPORT–On behalf of all who where involved in the 2nd annual Brooklyn invitational the WKITHOK and our sponsors would like to thank you. We would like to thank you for the belief and support of our custom motorcycle show and exhibition.

The annual event took place on Sept 18th, 2010. At Root Studio in Brooklyn, New York. Riders and Enthusiasts came from near and far to make their way to Brooklyn, for a beautiful weekend in one of the East Coast’s premier cities.

Two of invited builders: Max Schaff along with Chris Lindig , and invited photographer Ken Nagahara, rode their bikes 3000 miles from Oakland California and back again just for the show. Attendance was populated with people from all over states, and on top of that, all over the world, places like Brazil, France, Australia, Japan, Sweden, Italy, and Spain to enjoy this exhibition.

Based on number of ID bands distributed for premium beer donated by our proud sponsor Asahi beer USA, an estimated 4,000 people filled 10,000 sq photo studio and became captivated by 18 custom bikes built by well-known, creative, and at the top of their game individuals, accompanied by the works of photographers that capture this interesting and nostalgic culture.

The masses lined up for a grand raffle give-away sponsored by our generous sponsors: Baker Drivetrain,Mooneyes USA ,Born losers, biltwell ,Lick cycles, spectro oil, dice magazine,Chopper dave, paul cox, Keino cycles, Church of choppers, Kick start cycles,Godspeed45/06 to name a few.

To prime the Invitational there was the Friday night, Dice magazine new issue release party was held at matchless bar a few blocks away from root studio. Good crowd, good tunes, good times…

In closing, The Brooklyn Invitational is curated, and organized by group of individuals in and around Brooklyn who believe custom motorcycles are an art form, and are proud to be in custom motorcycle culture.

We will keep moving forward with the show, focusing on the motorcycle, and related art, to create an exhibition second to none, and to spread our passion for custom motorcycles.

The 3rd Annual Brooklyn Invitational will be held on Sept 17th 2011. And 5th Annual Gypsy run will be a weekend before ,Our friends at Dice magazine will have release party the night before to start motorcycle weekend in Brooklyn. Have an outstanding year; see you back in Brooklyn for number 3.

here is video and images that captures the essence of the 2nd brooklyn invitational.
http://vimeo.com/15365826
video courtesy by Stephan marino
photo courtesy by Josh kurpius

copyrights for all images and video attached to this email reserved by Stephan marino and Josh kirpius

–Keino Sasaki
Keino Cycles LLC
97 Union St Brooklyn NY
11231
Phone 718-858-5767
Fax 718-858-5742

ONE MORE STRANGE BIKERNET REPORT FROM THE WEEK MAGAZINE–A New York man survived a point-blank gunshot after the bullet was deflected by his cell phone, said the New York Daily News. Apartment-building repairman, Juan Camarena, 53, got in an argument with a former supervisior, who was furious that he’d been fired. The man suoved his gun in Juan’s stomach and pulled the trigger. “Both my cell phone and belt buckle were in pieces, but the bullet did not go in,” said Camarena.
Amazing!

WHATTA NEWS–Never a dull moment at the Supreme Bikernet Headquarters. So here’s the deal for this coming week. We are test shooting a series of Bikernet Back to the Basics Interviews with Hugh King, “the Chopper King,” Craig Constantine a producer from the Biker Build-offs, Jeremiah Soto, and Gard Hollinger form LA Chop Rods. We are going to work on the format tomorrow.

The plan is to air one Back to the Basics, 10-minute show a week on the Bikernet Home Page, on Youtube, and who knows where else, for about eight weeks, as a test. I’ve got to scramble on my 1%er book for Motorbooks, and maybe I’ll run a clip in the Sunday Post. I would like to be cresting the halfway point by the end of this month. Good god. Last week I spoke to a public defender who handled a club case in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The day I called he retired. We had a terrific conversation.

Next week I will wrap up Gary and Rick’s Excellent Run to the Badlands, and I should finish the latest touring model performance upgrade tech article, including the Zipper’s plug-in ECM, Bub 2-into-1 pipes, and a clean Performance Machine Wrath air cleaner.

I’m also working with Trish, at Baker, on a reverse gear tech, and with Wire Plus on a tech to take an EFI bike back to a carb for that custom approach. I have another Girl of Bikernet feature lingering in the files, but I don’t have time to hang out at a bar and listen for a wild romantic adventure, and if I kick one off myself I could get shot, or laid. It’s all a roll of the dice.

Ride Forever,

–Bandit