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HORSE SUBSCRIPTION SWEEPS PARTNERS WITH BIKERNET AND BRASS BALLS–As of May, I will write a story for every issue of the Horse magazine as Brass Balls Bobbers builds a Sweepstakes give-away bike. Anybody can win. For a year you’ll witness the Brass Balls crew build this bike on the pages of the Horse. Then there will be a drawing. Oh, and a girl is involved, but I’ll get into that later.
Other players in the project include Paughco for the frame and front end, Bikernet supplied the transmission, BDL the primary drive, and Spyke the electronics. Plus, we just got this word from Custom Chrome:
“CCI would love to be part of your project. We can supply an Evo styleRevTech engine for the bike build,” said Chris McGee, the CCI marketing guru. “Also, depending on the look you are going for, CCI can also supply Pan or Knuckle rocker boxes to change the style of the motor.”
Watch for regular reports in the Horse, and on Bikernet.
–Wrench
PAUGHCO FXR FRAME BUILD SOON TO BE FEATURED ON BIKERNET–“This is from one of my customers, who used one of our FXR style frames,” said Jason Rickman, Paughco frame and front end specialist. “He sent these to me yesterday, and he’s totally stoked about it. Maybe we could do a feature ??”
Yes, we will work on a feature. Paughco recently developed the FXR platform, and we’re working with them to build Bikernet a single-loop Frisco’d frame for our mudflap girl project bike. Hang on for that one.
BIKERNET MEDICAL CENTER DISCOVERS THE ELIXIR OF LIFE FOUND IN AVOCADOS–If you are looking for a tasty food that can help lower cholesterol, regulate blood pressure, and protect against heart disease and stroke, reach for an avocado.
This versatile fruit (botanically, it’s actually a large berry), can be used in everything from guacamole to ice cream to soup. It’s a good source of vitamin K, dietary fiber, potassium and folate.
While avocados are very low in sodium and cholesterol-free, don’t overdo it, as they do contain fat, albeit the heart-healthy, monounsaturated kind.
This time of year the Bacon, Fuerto and Zutano varieties are ready to eat – if you buy one that’s hard, you can speed up the ripening process by placing it in a paper bag for a few days.
–DrWeil.com
THE FXR IS ALIVE–A cult classic – Brass Balls FXR-inspired bike that is the leader of the pack, with a rubber mounted power train and killer styling. It’s going to the AMD World Championship in Sturgis later this year.
This bike will handle with the best of them yet is also a convertible. Go for a day or for a week. Go solo or with two and saddle bags. The Brawler has what it takes to get you down the road in style and comfort
Limited to just 50 hand built custom motorcycles for 2010.
THE BAKER PLUS-ONE OIL PAN (+1P) FOR 1993-2008 FL’S: FOR COOLER OIL TO YOUR MOTOR– We bought a new 2007 FL to use for 7-speed transmission development work. The first thing we noticed was how hot the damn thing ran. In traffic, we could see those little heat wave squiggle lines (maybe a flashback) coming off the motor. The 4-qt capacity, unchanged since 1993 (when the 80″ motor made 49 hp), seemed inadequate.
So we designed a new pan in Solidworks with a 5 qt capacity by going wider not deeper, hence the +1 Oil Pan. Taking a closer look at the stock pan we discovered it has the oil pickup and return in the front of the pan within 2″ of each other. So we put the pickup in the rear of our +1 Oil Pan and the return in the front for better oil circulation. It’s lucky for ’08 Harley-Davidson FL motorcycles to have an attached oil pan to the transmission, which so happens to be BAKER Drivetrain’s domain. Now BAKER’s renowned aura of dependability can find its way to the motor. The new Plus-One Oil Pan offers to the serious touring rider another way to protect the engine by upgrading the oil pan to something that holds a full quart more. BAKER Drivetrain, bent on riding with peace-of-mind through dependability, developed a larger oil pan that is designed to ensure cooler oil back to the motor.
COOLER
The 10? reduction (our conservative measurement) in engine operating temperature on an 80 degree day certainly helps, especially if you’ve done anything to your bike to make it run warmer like motor hop-ups, blocking the motor’s air circulation, pulling extra weight, or sitting idle on hot asphalt in a crowded Southern summer bike rally in grid-locked traffic.
Measurements by other parties found a 30? drop in temperature. Nonetheless, the +1P will compensate for your abuse.
The +1P keeps overall oil temperature oil cooler by designing more common sense into a simple container. First, it allows more oil to be stored in the system. The extra quart adds 20% more oil that the motor must try to warm up. Ultimately, it takes longer to get to peak temperature as well as keep the peak temperature lower. Next, the feed and return ports are on opposite ends of the pan as opposed to being next to each other. Thirdly, with the +1P the overheated oil is not only forced to dilute and cool as it travels from one end to the other, but the internal baffles on the +1P force it to also mix even further. Lastly, the cooling fins below the pan add additional surface area for the heat to disperse.
BONUS! PERFORMANCE AND SAFETY
Since we were down there, it wasn’t too difficult to include a mounting provision for the Alloy Art TXR FLT swingarm stabilizer. Due to popular demand, we now have an additional provision for True-Track swing arm stabilizer. A swing arm stabilizer prevents a wobble that many FL riders feel in the turns. We never skip out on the opportunity to offer more performance so we simply added this little provision. By providing its own mounting boss the Plus-One Pan omits the bolt on trans plate, cages and stand-offs typically required on stock applications.
STYLE
The Plus-One Oil Pan is available in a cast form with either a polished, black powder coat or silver powder coat that is designed to match your H-D quite well. Also, BAKER knows the potential baggers have to be dressed-up nicely. We know that there are those who insist on the finest of finishes. That’s why we also offer a billet chrome version that is aesthetically perfect for those sticklers of good looks. A SUMMARY OF FEATURES IN THE +1P INCLUDES:
For additional information, call BAKER Drivetrain at the number above and ask the sales department anything!
–Trish
MORE HELMET DRAWBACKS,The following is from Jan MacKay of NC– In 2001, Korey Stringer, a Vikings football player died of massive organ failure as a result of heat stroke while practicing with helmet and pads. In 2009, a federal judge in Ohio concluded that manufacturer Riddell Inc. had a duty to warn Stringer that its helmets and shoulder pads could contribute to heat stroke when used in hot conditions.
HELMETS INTERFERE WITH THE NATURAL DISSIPATION OF HEAT FROM THE HEAD.
GOVERNOR PERDUE AND THE NC GENERAL ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO TAKE HEAT STROKE SERIOUSLY RATHER THAN CASUALLY BRUSHING ASIDE OUR COMPLAINTS ABOUT MOTORCYCLE HELMET MANDATES. THERE ARE ALSO OTHER WAYS THAT HELMETS KILL OR PARALYZE.
WE HAVE A RIGHT TO REFUSE TO ENDANGER OURSELVES AND WILL EXERCISE THAT RIGHT. REPEAL THIS STATUTE!
REPEAL GS 20-140.4 NOW!STOP THIS OVERZEALOUS POLICE STATE FROM INFRINGING ON OUR RIGHTS!
–Rogue
Sturgis Freedom Fighters
GMA/BDL FORWARD CONTROLS in SPECIAL BLACK ANODIZE– BDL’s GMA billet forward controls, take customizing to a new level. With their streamlined styling and superior functionality these controls offer benefits in both performance and appearance. Precision machined from 6061 T6 billet aluminum, the unique controls are fit with oiled bushings for smooth precise rotation while eliminating any chance for rattle.
Additionally both the foot pegs and shifter/brake pegs are supplied with rubber rings for slip free operation and great looks. BDL/GMA Forward Controls are now offered finished in BDL’s own special black anodize and retail starting at $450.00.
Available styles fit 1986 through 1999 Softail models. For complete detail call 714-685-3333 or catch the complete BDL line up at www.beltdrives.com.
HARBOR TOWN SEDUCTION–Bandit’s latest tale, Harbor Town Seduction, opens the door to an ongoing series which will follow a young chopper rider, Chance Hogan, in his quest for romance and inner peace in a world full of intrigue and corruption. In this first novel, Chance rolls the romantic dice and starts life over in the lurid, bustling seaside village of San Pedro, on the Los Angeles Harbor.
Once you’ve turned the first page you’ll be hard pressed to put this one down as it has it all; Murder, Treachery and Too Many Women. Harbor Town Seduction makes for an electrifying literary ride from cover to cover. This is a must on table tops and in saddle bags throughout the biker community and in the hands of millions who wished they’d gone down the freedom road the first time they encountered a pack of bikers jamming down the freeway, their menacing hair frantically dancing like flames in the wind.
Published by 5-Ball Inc., Harbor Town Seduction retails for $19.95 and can be ordered from just about any reputable book store on the planet or in the Black Market.
10 POCKET ROAD VEST – EVERYTHING YOU NEED– With our 10 pocket Road Vest you have a place for everything and everything has a place.
The Torian Chopper Leather Road Vest is made with the same heavy duty features and supple naked cowhide as our premium leather jackets.
The front zipper keeps you snug and does not allow wind in like a snap vest often will.
Get the details here.
D&D HAS PERFORMANCE SLIPONS FOR THE VISION–NEW D&D 2008-2010 Victory Vision Boss Slip-ons for the ultimate Victory touring motorbike. The slipons increase power and torque allow you to install in less time than your lunch break. They come in midnight black or show-quality chrome. The Vision Boss Slip-ons utilize stock heatshields.
Get all the details at www.danddexhaust.com.
3 WHEEL EXCITEMENT @ RFBS—The Rick Fairless Bike Show was an outstanding event of the boys at SS Trike. They met with a number of dealers and enthusiasts and of this writing a major dealer in the area has decided to take it on and make it available in the Dallas / Ft. Worth area. Details to follow soon.
If you are looking for a 3- wheel hot rod then check out the latest at www.sstrikes.com.
TEXAS HARDTAILS #45
Get more of the good stuff in the Bikernet Studio.
SAY HELLO TO THE NEWEST BIKERNET SPONSOR, MR. LUCKY–Bikernet is proud to welcome Mr Luckys as a new sponsor. Dedicated to all things old school, and founded on the belief that it’s the creative expression, not the dollars invested that gives a bike its soul, Ed “Mr Lucky” Martin and the crew at Mr Luckys proudly present their take on retro cool!
Teaming up with industry cronies and longtime associates around the world, Ed and his team have put together a righteous collection of old school essentials, coupled with brand new Mr Luckys originals you won’t find anywhere else!
Headquartered in Houston, TX with sales and distribution centers in CA and Japan established, and Europe and Australia underway, Mr Luckys is well equipped to offer worldwide distribution and access to one of the coolest collections of old school goodies anywhere!
Mr Lucky Sez???old school cool comes in all shapes and sizes, and nothing says retro cool better than the XS-650 Yamaha creations being ridden to the Smoke Out each year! Introducing our vintage inspired XS 650 rigid frame at this years? events, we felt it only fitting to give some shout outs to the folks that provided the inspiration, So, we?ve stepped up and will be sponsoring the first Annual ?Smoke-Out XS-650 Bike Shows?!
There?s some bad-ass XS-650?s out there, and the coolest seem to make their way to the Smoke Out. We will be selecting 3 bikes at each Smoke Out event that have that special retro touch, and will be awarding trophies and gift certificates to use in getting your hands on the latest Mr Luckys old school goodies.
This is a ride in show, so not expecting pristine condition but rather expressions of your own imagination…..to sense the bikes soul. Registration for the XS-650 Bike Show will be during the Smoke Out at the Smoke House. The location and times for registration will be shown on the event schedules that are handed out at the event. There is no entrance fee for registration, but some contact information and pictures of your bike may be taken as part of the registration process.
For more details go to www.smokeoutrally.com
Looking forward to seeing your creation at one of the Smoke Out Rallies! ?Mr Lucky?
A longtime friend of Bikernet, Mr Lucky’s offers a boatload of amazingly cool goodies for Old School builders on the American and the Metric side as well. Check them out by clicking on the banner below. As Mr Lucky always sez… it’s nuthin’ but the cool stuff…
Motorcycle Fatalities Decrease!–The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) released a report today on motorcycle fatalities. The report claims that motorcycle fatalities are down 16 percent for the first 3 quarters of 2009 and about 10 percent for the year. This is the first significant decrease in over a decade.
The decrease in fatalities is not a function of people riding less. Vehicle miles traveled for motorcycles is down oneto two percent (the number varies regionally). Miles traveled have also increased in some areas where people areswapping gas guzzler cars for small, efficient motorcycles in order to stretch their pennies as far as possible. After all, motorcycles are the single most affordable form of private transportation available to Americans.
In fact, the only addition to motorcycle safety on a national level is the motorcycle safety grant program signed into law in 2005. The program, the brain child of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), sends federal highway dollars back to the States earmarked for rider education programs and motorcycle awareness campaigns. It is of course the good work done on a state by state basis, largely by motorcyclists, that ultimately deserves credit for this reduction in loss of life.
With the increasing numbers of new and returning riders, and concern over single vehicle motorcycle crashes, rider education and training is the only proactive measure that can truly assist motorcyclists in preventing crashes. Studies have indicated that more than 90% of accident involved riders were without formal training.
The next question is – how do you maintain the reduction? Helmet law proponents will use this as a stepping stone to put a mandatory helmet law in place. They will point to the law as the logical next step, which it is not. We were able to achieve this reduction without a national helmet law and we can continue the trend without it. Keeping the numbers down will only be possible through quality rider education and motorist/motorcycle awareness campaigns. And of course continue the MRF?s position; focus on crash avoidance and not simply safer crashing and we will save lives.
Read the full report here: http://www.ghsa.org/html/publications/spotlight/index.html
THERE YOU HAVE IT, IN A NUTSHELL–I told Sin Wu this morning. “We need word from the factory. We need word from Motorbooks, or we need to win the lottery.” Sure, I was dreamin’. But we did receive some word from the factory and Motorbooks is moving ahead, but fuck, we didn’t win the lottery. Can’t have it all, right?
It’s River Run Weekend, Rusty, and his Attika Band played at the Viper room last weekend. And I have a report on Arizona Bike Week from Carsten. Hang on. It’s going to be a busy weekend. I’ll wrap up the Metalsport luggage rack install. I’ll report in on Sunday.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
