Crazy Times,
Right in the middle of a recession, we received more new sponsors than ever before. New to Bikernet includes the Cannonball Rally, The Donnie Smith, Arlen Ness and Rick Fairless show series, Bubs Exhaust, Bubs Bonneville, American Cycle Specialties, Illusion Cycles, Performance Machine and J&P Cycles. Watch for tech?s, and features on all these new companies. If you need anything regarding them, don’t hesitate to drop me a line.
On another front I just received a print bid for my first Chance Hogan Book. I’m a couple of months late, but its happening. I canceled our SEMA meeting yesterday due to flood threats, but a couple of guys showed up, the President of the California Dealers Association and Chris Maida, the editor of American Iron Magazine. We had a good discussion and several e-mails back and forth with Nathan, a SEMA VP. In these tough regulatory times, we need all the muscle possible to survive. SEMA is a motorcycle rights group for the 4-wheel crowd. It’s a big powerful organization, but I’m running under the impression that together we can help our industry with out-of-the-box marketing and support our motorcycle rights guys. We’ll take it a step at a time–anything to keep us alive and strong. “Bikers are the last bastion of freedom in this country,” John Paliwoda said during our discussion. “Kids are taught that regulation is the norm and freedom is no longer necessary.”
On the Bikernet entertainment front, we are about to offer Rick Fairless video/radio programs on Bikernet from Strokers Dallas. Rick is a big TV star and produces a video taped radio program every week. You’ll see it here on Bikernet. Plus, we’ve decided to sponsor another racing team. Hang on. It’s a vintage WERA road racing team. I don’t know shit about this sport, but what the hell, we’re going to find out and have some fun in the process. Charles Young and his Flat Rat Team will hit the track for 16 races this season across the South. He’s racing a ’70s Honda with drum brakes. Here’s a twist to the action; Bikernet Metric is going to sponsor another WERA team and we’re going to compete for the gold. This will be a blast.
WHAT’S THE NATIONAL COALITION OF MOTORCYCLISTS ALL ABOUT?–Founded in 1986, the National Coalition of Motorcyclists serves as a nationwide umbrella organization bringing together motorcycle groups, clubs and associations for the purpose of mutual exchange of information, legislative strategy and the combined strength to fight for bikers’ rights and against all that is adverse to our freedom of the road.
The goal and purpose of NCOM is to assist all motorcycle organizations and individual riders with legal, legislative and other motorcycling issues through such free services as legislative assistance, nationwide communications network, legal counsel, public awareness & motorcycle safety projects and other important services.
Designed for all rider groups, NCOM is a united voice for over 2,000 NCOM Member Groups nationwide, including most state motorcyclists rights organizations and all Confederations of Clubs, as well as Christian Unity, Clean & Sober Roundtable, National Sport Bike Association, Independent Shop Program, touring groups liaison, minority reachout, and a women riders forum.
NCOM is by bikers, for bikers; with direct input from NCOM Member Groups through an 18-member board of directors representing nine geographic regions across America. For further information, visit our website at www.aimncom.com
JOB OPENING, SUPERMAX NEEDS A MACHINIST–The master, Phil Ross, passed recently and he will be forever missed. His brother, Norm, and his wife, Vivian and trying to keep the Supermax fires burning, and product line available, but they need a machinist. Click on the banner above and send your resume.
This is much more than just a job opportunity, but a chance to become involved in custom bike history.
Harley-Davidson Ends Deal with Lehman, Moves Trike Build In-house–Harley-Davidson has moved production of its Tri Glide and Street Glide trikes in-house, ending its manufacturing deal with Lehman Trikes, which had been supplying components, paint and conversion services to the Motor Co. The decision is effective this summer.
?Harley-Davidson has advised us they will be moving the trike assembly in-house to their York, Pennsylvania production facilities for the 2011 models,? stated Lehman president and CEO Ken Hines in a press release. ?Lehman is proud to have been a supplier to Harley-Davidson. They have been a great mentor to the company and our association has led to benefits that will far outlive the contract. We are pleased to have been associated with this program, and while disappointed, we understand their business rationale?.
Harley is making the move based purely on the restructuring of operations at the York plant, which will allow the company to streamline trike assembly and distribution, state Julie Chichlowski, Harley’s Trike Platform director.
HOT LEATHERS TRAVEL PRODUCT LINE–Hot Leathers, The Leader In Motorcycle Apparel, has everything you need to travel safely and in style! Never be stuck without your essentials while on the road. We have a huge selection of saddlebags with our unique hidden zipper with zip-off feature that makes traveling a breeze!
Magnetic tank bags hold your things in place while keeping them convenient. Our tool bags are large enough to hold those tools you may need in a jam yet small enough to not bog you down. Or get a Hot Leathers travel bag, windshield bag, sissy bar bag to haul your gear. All available in several sizes to fit your needs. Whether riding a few hours or several days, Hot Leathers can carry the load.
Hot Leathers has all the other motorcycle accessories to customize your ride. Check out our selection of clutch covers, grips and foot pegs. Create a look uniquely your own without spending a fortune. And for you practical bikers out there, we have cargo nets, tie-downs and several bolt-on accessories such as drink and travel mug holders, GPS, phone and camera mounts. The coolest accessories are available only at Hot Leathers!
CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD IN SERIOUS TROUBLE–Entire industries are destroyed by CARB regulations. Many requirements are not backed by legislation, and have become titled underground regulations, which can be tossed out.
Since the establishment in the early ’70s, its leadership has pushed its authority in ways never envisaged for an administrative agency. More often than not, CARB uses its power to intimidated and cower relatively weak industries into adopting strict regulations, and unreasonable low emission standards.
In the ’90 CARB started to levy fines against businesses and shops, but the California Motorcycle Dealers Association fought back and now CARB may be in trouble. Working in cooperation with other affected important industries, the National Marine Manufaturers Association, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, the Construction Industry Air Quality Coalition, and the Home Furnishings Alliance, the CMDA has joined in the process of reforming CARB. It must become an accountable state agency for pushing to develop clean air technology and promoting industry compliance in a fair and consistent way, away from the reputation as a rogue administrative agency that its certification and enforcement divisions has earned it. For more info on this issue contact CMDA (951) 471-1500.
MOTORCYCLE NUMBERS FROM THE BIKERNET STATISTICAL AGENCY–
1. 5,927 authorized motorcycle dealers in the U.S.
2. 8,200 aftermarket shops (used, accessory and service retailers) in the U.S.
3. 177 motorcycle manufacturers and distributors in the U.S.
4. 7,140,000 registered motorcycles in the U.S. (2007)
Approx. 1,333,000 off-highway units (2007)
5. $26.4 billion is the estimated value of the U.S. motorcycle retail marketplace
These are 2008 figures. It would not be unreasonable to estimate a minimum 25% drop in some or all of the above figures for 2009 because of the severe economic downturn that has affected the motorcycle industry as much, or more, than other important transportation industries.
?JP
BAGGER STUNTING IN BIKERNET STUDIO–The Boys in NorCal know how to party… Get on a Bagger and ride. Amazing Stuff… Watch Slow Joe do his thang.