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CHROME KNUCKLES FOR YOUR LEAD SLED– Aeromach has a cool option to add a little attitude to your motorbike. Chrome Knuckle Levers fit stock replacement Harley controls. They are light weight and come dressed in show-quality chrome.
Get all the details at Aeromach USA.
–Jeff Najar
BIKERNET MEDICAL CENTER WINTER BLUES PREVENTION RESEARCH–Feeling Blue? Try This Herb If the cold weather and reduced sunlight of the winter months are getting you down, consider trying St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum). This extensively researched herb may be effective for supporting optimal day to day functioning, including:
1. Supporting a healthy outlook
2. Promoting optimal mood
3. Supporting healthy sleep
4. Sustaining optimal appetite
5. Maintaining skin health
St. John’s wort is available in tablets, capsules, tinctures, fluid extract, powdered extract and infused in oil. I recommend products standardized for hyperforin and hypericin. Take 300 milligrams three times a day. To support optimal mood, it may take six to eight weeks to work. If you suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), you may want to try St. John?s wort in conjunction with a light box or other type of bright-light therapy commonly used for SAD.
Relaxing herbs and supplements may be effective to support optimal mood. Visit Dr. Weil?s Vitamin Advisor to learn more, get your free, personalized supplement recommendation and discover other natural approaches that may help promote calm.
–DRWEIL.COM
Pittsburgh Area Chop Shop Op Shut Down–Authorities in Pennsylvania arrested five men Thursday, breaking up what Attorney General Tom Corbett?s office says is a chop shop and insurance fraud ring.
The group is charged with stealing about $80,000 worth of motorcycles in Allegheny, Washington and Westmoreland counties. Corbett says the investigation focused on Joshua Alvarez, 22, of Monogahela, Washington County, and four other men, who allegedly helped steal, strip and sell the bikes and ATVs. They also may have staged vehicle thefts and filed fraudulent insurance claims on them.
Alvarez worked at Bentley’s Cycles, 589 W Pike St., Canonsburg, in Washington County, and Corbett says he used his position to get customer addresses, then stole the bikes.
According to the criminal complaint, Alvarez’s main accomplice was Zachary Benning, 22, who allegedly helped him steal motorcycles left unattended at area homes.
Stolen motorcycles and ATVs were transported to Benning’s garage, where the pair allegedly stored them until they could be resold or stripped for parts, the complaint alleges.
Also accused is Adam Wareham, 34, who operated Road Rash, a repair shop in North Huntingdon, and allegedly sold the stolen rides and parts.
“Alvarez and Benning are charged with stealing an ATV and at least five motorcycles,” Corbett says. “However, our investigation into the theft of motorcycles in western Pennsylvania continues and more arrests are anticipated.”
The Pennsylvania State Police Western Auto Theft Task Force has been instrumental in the investigation and will continue working with the Attorney General?s office on the case. Other suspects who allegedly assisted Alvarez and Benning in storing and selling stolen vehicles were identified Michael Flament, 22, and David Grillo, 19.
According to the criminal complaint, Wareham orchestrated a staged theft of an automobile to provide a basis for a bogus $7,700 insurance claim by his step-brother. Flament also allegedly faked the theft of his pick-up truck for the purpose of filing a fraudulent insurance claim for approximately $5,000.
The case will be prosecuted in Washington County.
–By: Holly J. Wagner
–DEALERNEWS.COM
Industry Giants to Divulge Wealth of Industry Information at V-Twin Expo–Cincinnati, OH (December 15, 2009) V-Twin dealers and exhibitors will soon be making their annual trek to the 10th Annual V-Twin Expo by Easyriders held in Cincinnati, February 6-8. The V-Twin industry’s premier trade show, the V-Twin Expo is an opportunity for those in the industry to ascertain the overall state of the industry from veterans and colleagues.
Scheduled for Sunday, February 7th, 2010 at noon the seminar entitled “Two Wheeled Passion : Opportunity in the Wind” is sure to invigorate participants and re-energize their passion for the motorcycle industry. Sponsored by Hot Leathers and The Legendary Buffalo Chip this seminar will give audience members the chance to converse, listen and learn from an impressive selection of successful and established bike builders. They will be discussing how they have managed to capitalize on their passion within the current climate and how they have successfully turned difficulty into opportunity.
Participating bike builders will include industry giants Kevin Baas, Brian Klock, Gary Mauer, Matt Olsen, Dave Perewitz, Roland Sands, Kirk Taylor and Paul Yaffe. During the session this veritable roundtable of specialists will be discussing how the industry has changed since they first started out, what they have done over the last several years to adapt to the current economic climate, what opportunities have arisen over the last several years as a result of refocusing on their business and how these opportunities have changed their business.
In addition they will challenge participants to search with themselves to explore their passion for motorcycles and look for current opportunities in the marketplace.
The seminar will be co-facilitated by legendary motorcycle photographer, Michael Lichter and public relations specialist, Ken Conte of Rise Above Consulting. At the conclusion of the seminar Michael Lichter will be announcing the theme to his heavily anticipated 2010 motorcycles as art exhibit at the Legendary Buffalo Chip during Sturgis Rally Week 2010.
A light lunch will be provided and audience members are encouraged to join the conversation, ask questions and take advantage of their time with these leading industry magnates. The purpose of the seminar is to assist retailers, media and builders in understanding that there is opportunity within the motorcycle industry and how to capitalize on it. Please RSVP to sarah@riseaboveconsulting.com
The V-Twin Expo will be held at the Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati, OH and will host over 370 exhibitors and thousands of V-Twin dealers. and is not open to the public, only registeed dealers. For more information, visit www.vtwin-expo.com.
–Ken Conte
Rise Above Consulting
970.227.3588
NEW FEATURE COMING TO BIKERNET FROM ROLAND SANDS–from the photographic talents of Peter Linney. This feature will include a number of Roland Sands new products for Softails. Watch for it on Bikernet in the next couple of months.
URGENT URGENT URGENT, TEXAS ALERT– We received several reports of Riders from out of state moving into Texas and being required to take the Rider Training Course to renew their MC classification on their Drivers License. We called John Young at the DPS Motorcycle Rider Training Division and he informed us he was getting calls on that problem also.
By checking with the Drivers License Division we were informed that was how their Legal Staff told them SB 1967 had to be interpreted. An out of state licensee was a first time license in Texas and required proof of having taken the Training Program. We contacted Senator Carona?s Office and requested a ?Letter of Intent? that stated that was not the intent of that Bill. He agreed to furnish the requested document. We were then informed that the License bureau?s Legal Staff would not accept a Letter of Intent to change their ruling.
We then contacted Representative Chavez?s office and requested the same type letter figuring to use the two letters to file a lawsuit the next time we heard of a rider moving into Texas and being told they had to take the course to renew their license. Then I recalled how well we had worked with Colonel Beckworth when he was Chief at DPS and called him. I explained the problem and he assured me he would look into the matter.
Just got off the phone with Colonel Beckworth on his return call. He informed us he had with Colonel McCraw and their Legal Staff and they would allow out of state riders to renew their license without the course. He said they will send out a Memo to all Driver License Offices tomorrow telling them of the decision. He then asked that we clarify the Bill in the next session. I assured him it would be done.
If anyone has trouble please contact John Young at the Rider Training Course 512-424-2021 or Sputnik 512-971-6777.
–from Rogue
PROGRESS RECORDED IN THE EUROPEAN STANDARD FOR MOTORCYCLISTS PROTECTIVE GUARDRAILS EN 1317-8–After more than a year of joint work between users (FEMA), test houses, manufacturers and road administrations, what we hope will be the last TG1 (Technical Group 1) meeting took place on November 27th in Brussels, at CEN headquarters. At that meeting, the draft of standard EN1317-8 was finalized. This will become the European standard for protective road restraint systems for motorcyclists.
FEMA, which has called for years for such a standard, is now hoping that WG1 (Working Group 1) will approve it during its next meeting on March 18-19, 2010 in France, which in turn will allow its adoption by TC226 (Technical Committee 226) during its annual meeting at end of June in Prague (Czech Republic).
Should this vote be postponed because of conflicting agendas or lack of political consensus, it would delay the formal approval of the standard to June 2011 at the earliest.
We do not want to end this article without thanking the various stakeholders involved for their efforts in the preparation of this standard and their increasing understanding of the problems Powered Two Wheeler users face with road infrastructure.
EG = Expert Group. Group of 7 experts who prepared the original draft. FEMA collaborated with this group.
TG1 = Technical Group 1. Expert Committee composed by over 20 entities, in charge of preparing the final draft for WG1. FEMA collaborated with this group.
WG1 = Working Group 1. Group including representatives of over 40 entities, with member countries taking part in the vote. This Group is in charge of proposing documents for approval to TC226. FEMA participates to discussions but has no vote.
TC226 = Technical Committee 226. Formal
CEN Committee where the various national bodies in charge of standardization (AENOR/Spain – AFNOR/France – etc.) are represented. This Committe is the one which will adopt the future EN1317-8. FEMA participates to meetings but has no vote.
–Hugo Roebroeck
Campaigns Officer FEMA – Federation of
European Motorcyclists’ Associations
Tel +32 2 7369047
Fax +32 2 7369401
Mobile +32 484 976170
www.fema-online.eu
BIKERNET RESEARCH LAB CHRISTMAS STUDY RESULTS–The Christmas season is always a time of endings and beginnings. The sense of time condensing and then unfolding again is palpable. The season begins, blossoms, and passes by, Christmas comes, with its joy, thick with memories, and then the sudden realization, and we go on, leaving the Christmas season behind and entering into the new year. And often this entire season is a whirlwind, filled with preparations of all types.
This season, which often means a gathering together with family. And as much as we may want this, it can also be the cause for friction and difficulty. As the saying goes, we can choose our friends, but not our relatives!
We should try and find a moment, to stop and reflect, maybe with a drink or three, and ponder the true meaning of Christmas. It is not to purchase presents. (I am not saying that no presents should be purchased. That would disappoint a lot of children and myself! But I am saying that this is not the center of Christmas.)
What is the center of Christmas? The answer is not so hard. Regardless if you practice a religion or not, believe in God or not, Christmas is about love.
Most faiths, new age or old age, teaches that human beatitude, human blessedness, true human happiness, consists in loving union with ourselves, each other, the planet and animals. We are united by faith whereby the common components of faith dwells in us. And the human spirit is the love, which is spread abroad in our hearts.
Each personal or moral effort we make, each act of love in our lives, to our parents, to our spouses, to our brothers and sisters, to our children, to our friends, or absolute strangers, is connected in an intimate way.
And so our search for the true meaning of Christmas, we come back to our own homes. It is there that we have opportunity to “strive in household duties to relieve others of work”- in short, to do the dishes, to wash and fold clothes, to sweep the floor, to set and clear the table, to take out the trash. These are good day-to-day proofs of love.
So, if you want to be close to the meaning of the season, then don’t think of the long journeys but rather look about you, just where you are. The gift you can give at Christmas is not something you buy, but your very self, your time, your energy, your love.
–William Perry
Victoria, BC
BANDIT’S CANTINA CONTENT REVITALIZATION–We are constantly scrambling to launch articles on Bikernet, and we don’t forget the Cantina. It’s a special place, with complete books, historic discoveries and girls.
If you’re a member (it’s cheap), you receive a special blast of news each Sunday afternoon, with generally some hot babes. This week we posted an H-D Topper review from Popular Science in 1959. A Life and Times from Bandit is being edited and a very cute girl, who posed in Gard Hollinger’s, LA Chop Rods shop, will be the next Girl of Bikernet in the Cantina.
Bandit also promised the next Cantina Episode, real soon. We’ll hold him to it. If you join the Cantina you help us generate more content for all of Bikernet.–Wilburn Roach
BAND OF BROTHERS CRUSADE IN AUSTRALIA– Each month 120-odd hard-core biker from outlaw motorcycle clubs meet in four states to plan and organize. It’s a headline writer’s dream, but it’s not what it seems.A numbers of the bikers have criminal records but they do not meet to plan any crime, they say. Quite the opposite, they claim.
These meetings of the nation’s United Motorcycle Councils are about maintaining order – it’s the self-regulation the public never gets to see.The meetings are carefully planned to avoid offence. Each club has a maximum of three members seated in a circle to prevent any sense of a hierarchy.
The meetings are never held in clubhouses and a different club hosts the meetings each time, providing the catering. There’s a treasurer with a cashbook, a secretary and a meeting chairman.Their public image may be anarchic but behind the scenes biker clubs operate under formal guidelines. So the transition to the orderly UMC format was not hard.
The clubs have united to tackle a common enemy. In South Australia, NSW, Western Australia and Queensland, state governments are planning, or have passed legislation to effectively make membership of these motorcycle clubs a criminal offence.If the laws pass the inevitable High Court challenges, such meetings may become impossible, if not illegal. And an extraordinary moment in the Australian biker story will pass into history.
When the reps of the 17 biker clubs that make up the UMC of Queensland (UMCQ) met at a suburban hotel in Brisbane recently, there was a familiarity that belied their history.At Australia’s first UMC meeting in Brisbane last year, old hatreds could have flared. But “Hothead”, the national president of The Outcasts, set the tone.
“As of this moment, The Outcasts wipe the slate clean,” Hothead declared. “Whatever arguments and hostilities exist from the past are forgotten as of now,” he said.There was a shocked silence in the room. It was meant to be simply “a meet and greet” but Hothead had raised the bar. “Everyone there that night went away considering their own positions – whether their clubs could forgive and forget the past for the sake of the UMC,” says “Camel”, a UMCQ spokesman.
–Doc Robinson
DAVID MANN CHOPPERFEST– Don won for Best Antique for his Ace at the David Mann. I’ll be sending you over more stuff from the show once I get them all sorted out. Watch for a full report next week.
–River Rat
CAPITAL ONE CREDIT CARD WARNING–In an effort to extinguish debt and reduce monthly Bikernet expenditures, we paid off two credit card balances and shut the cards down. We called Chase and spoke to a domestic rep, who handled the process without a problem. Done deal. He gave us a final amount, we wrote the check.
We called Capital One and their service reps were outsourced overseas. We could not receive a final billing amount from this individual. She told us that if the check took a day or two to arrive, we would be charged additional fees and interest. Then when we paid that amount we will receive another bill, again for fees and interest, until we chase this amount down to zero, if that’s possible.
Needless to say we will never do business with Capital One again.
ROADRUNNER MAGAZINE RELEASES NEW TRAVEL BOOK RIDING AMERICA?S BACKROADS: 20 TOP MOTORCYCLE TOURS– Over the last ten years, the team at RoadRUNNER has taken readers on countless motorcycle adventures through the pages of their magazine. Riding America?s Backroads features more of the same evocative story lines and first class photography that RoadRUNNER is known for, but with updated maps, travel information, and attractions included. In addition to 20 full length touring articles, this book features six motorcycle service pieces covering topics like ?packing a bike? and ?riding in the dark?. Readers can also download RoadRUNNER?s signature tankbag maps and GPS files, for each tour, from their website.
Although Riding America?s Backroads is especially geared to motorcyclists, it?s entertaining and informative for any traveler, whether on two wheels or four.
Riding America?s Backroads: 20 Top Motorcycle Tours
192 pages, 8-3/8″ x 10-7/8″, 4-color
Soft-cover price: $27.95
Hard-cover Limited Edition Price: $75.00
(Numbered and signed by RoadRUNNER Publisher Christa Neuhauser)
Available at www.roadrunner.travel/shop or by phone 866.343.7623
NASH PUDGY GRIT APE HANGERS–The grit hangers are now fat by popular demand. You all asked for it and we delivered. The Pudgy Grit Hanger is similar to the regular grit hanger, you still get that sexy curve but now they are 1 1/4″. Similar to the pudgy gimps with on key difference, these bars have the sweeping forward curve.
These work great with squaring up your front end and offer a comfortable ride. Available in sizes 14″, 16?, 18?, or 20?. 9.5″ or 11.5″ base, 35″ grip to grip, and 5″ pullback.
These bars have been lathed down on both sides to be able to support hydraulic clutch systems. The bars come predrilled/dimpled in black, chrome, or copper plating. If you’re ordering one of our sticky throttles, we can cut and prep your bars so they’re ready and the throttle is in when you get them as an additional option.
American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT) Matches Gift By Sands ResortsOperation Gratitude to Send TWO Milestone 500,000th Packages– Van Nuys, CA – December 15, 2009 – Operation Gratitude founder, Carolyn Blashek, announced today an exciting development in connection with the Saturday, December 19, 2009 shipment of the organization’s milestone 500,000th CARE PACKAGE: The donation by American Veterans Traveling Tribute (“AVTT”) of a second special gift to commemorate this historic event.
“AVTT’s mission is to honor, respect and remember those who served and thus those who are serving,” said Don Allen, founder of AVTT. “The occasion of Operation Gratitude’s 500,000th Package shipment is a perfect opportunity to express on a large scale the deep appreciation of our nation for the service and sacrifice of our warriors in combat today. AVTT is honored to join with Sands Resorts to donate another surprise gift to the cause and ensure that our message of support and gratitude is seen and heard by our Military around the world.”
“Sands Resorts supports the missions of AVTT and Operation Gratitude as a National Sponsor of both organizations,” said Lee Rawcliffe, President and CEO of Sands Resorts. “We are delighted to be part of this exciting 500,000th package event, as it represents a celebration of all the brave Americans who wear the uniform of our great nation. With today’s announcement about AVTT’s donation, we can now put 2 very special packages in the hands of two different service members who represent our courageous heroes– past, present and future–from all branches of the Military.”
The 500,000th Care Package celebration will start at 9am when the Operation Gratitude care package production normally opens. Director of Operations, Charlie Othold, expects the 500,000th package to hit the Assembly Line at ~11:15 am on Saturday, December 19th. The two special gifts will be revealed in dramatic fashion at that time in the Van Nuys National Guard Armory.
In addition to the Surprise Special Gifts, the 500,000th packages will include a year’s supply of 5 Hour Energy, the usual Wish List items and personal letters provided by more than 250 Corporate Sponsors and Friends, and by tens of thousands of individual donors across the country. Special deliveries of the matching Half Millionth Packages are being arranged.
Three previous Operation Gratitude milestone packages contained the keys to new vehicles. The 300,000th package was delivered personally in Iraq by Othold and Blashek.
The winners of the online “Guess the Candy Weight and Letter Writing Contest,” will also be announced and copies of the Winning Letter will be read and placed into the 500,000th packages.
A special Guest Star will be on hand to sing the National Anthem.
Military and Political dignitaries, along with representatives from many of the organization’s Corporate Sponsors will join celebrities and crew members from popular TV shows to assist the Operation Gratitude volunteers assemble thousands of troop gifts in addition to the 500,000th Care Package. Delicious product samples and a hearty lunch will be provided by Corporate donors.
WHAT:Operation Gratitude Volunteers assemble the 500,000th Care Package
WHEN:
Saturday December 19, 2009
Production starts at 9 a.m.
The 500,000th Package Celebration will occur between 11:00 a.m. – 12 Noon
WHERE:
California National Guard Armory
17330 Victory Boulevard
Van Nuys, Ca. 91406
Corner of Victory and Louise
Volunteers (ages 12 years and older) are welcome to assist in the on-site care package activities. For additional volunteer information, click here: http://www.opgratitude.com/volunteer_hours.php or email OpGratVolunteer@yahoo.com
Wire Plus Introduces their New Z1 Standard Mid Frame System–Winfield, KS- Wire Plus Powersports Electronics is proud to introduce their new, state-of-the-art Z1 Standard Mid Frame System. These new systems have the smallest power modules ever! These were specifically designed for Bobber and Chopper style bikes with round oil tanks or springs under the seat with no place to hide anything. Wire-Plus products are built to survive the rugged urban environment?Their products feature vibration resistant, solid-state breaker technology (the breakers never have to be replaced) and a replaceable start relay that can be purchased at any auto parts store.
Their power modules are submersible waterproof and very compact in size with harnesses that are engineered to be smaller than any other on the market. The lighting control module controls the operation of the front and 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.
The new Z1 Standard Mid Frame System offers the same features as their Z1 Mini Mid Frame System, but comes with a longer billet cover for mounting both the Z1 power module and the lighting control/auto-cancel module in one compact location. Measures 3.67 ? W x 2.21? H x 1.10? Deep! Wire Plus? main focus is on the reliability of everything that they manufacture.
WP181: Mid Frame system with harness for stock style handlebar controls. Includes a separate breaker and wiring for correct connection of compression releases needed for big inch motors. (Lighting control module included)
For those interested in obtaining more information on Wire Plus, you can reach them at (620) 221-2417 or check them out online athttp://www.wire-plus.com or email them at
sales@wire-plus.com.
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