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Siemens Smart Chopper on American Chopper TONIGHT–The Siemens Smart Chopper, Orange County Choppers’ first custom electric motorcycle, will be featured on this week’s episode of American Chopper on TLC, airing today Thursday, November 5th at 9pm EST.
Since first unveiled in August, the Siemens Smart Chopper has been touring the country, participating in trade shows and events with Siemens. After its star appearance, fans will be able to participate in determining its future as three charity organizations compete for the chance to win the bike.
– – C.S. Berg
Siemens Smart Chopper’s Lights Point Forward, technologically, that is–Besides the electric propulsion provided by a Series Wound 8? motor from Advanced DC Motors, the clutchless one-speed drive system and the bodywork made partially from recycled materials, also another literally bright feature of the Smart Chopper deserves an extra look: The use of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting throughout the bike for head, tail and signal lighting.
Supplied by Osram Sylvania, the lighting array includes the first OEM installation of Osram Sylvania LEDs in a motorcycle head lighting application, a newly developed state-of-the-art headlamp cluster assembly and Osram Opto Semiconductors to provide high-powered LED chips. The Smart Chopper’s 4.5-inch custom headlamp design utilizes an Osram JFL2-based JOULE system, similar to those applications integrated earlier in Ford Mustang and Corvette concepts as well as Volkswagens 1-liter car. The JFL2 is the latest addition to a family of LED lighting solutions designed to offer the standardization of current automotive systems in a compact, energy-efficient package.
“The Siemens Smart Chopper embodies the next generation of lighting design for the cars and motorcycles of tomorrow,” said David Hulick, the company’s marketing director for the automotive LED systems division . “Osram Sylvania LED technology is the choice for this project because of its durability, energy efficiency and of course, its versatility. LEDs offer endless design opportunities for car and motorcycle makers while reducing energy consumption by 85 percent over conventional lighting applications.”
Along with the JFL2 JOULE system headlight, the Siemens Smart Chopper features: two Amber LED “MonoLED” one-inch dome front turn signals, two example lamps for use of “dome and tunnel” style design for the tail lamps (red stop and amber turn signal), two boards each with six Osram Opto Semiconductors Advanced Power topled in red and yellow for front and rear turn signals, and one LINEARlight Flex Top Colormix system for Red-Green-Blue (RGB) body lighting.
– – C.S. Berg
VANCOUVER FREE MOTORCYCLE PARKING INITIATIVE–Please see below a motion for on-street free motorcycle parking in Vancouver. If you are a resident of Vancouver you have the power to bring about positive change for motorcyclists who live and work in the downtown core. Please take the time send an email to mayorandcouncil@vancouver.ca with your feelings on this matter. Motorcyclists who work in the downtown may want to forward this to friends who are residents as well. This is your chance to be heard!
We have created a facebook group titled: VANCOUVER MOTORCYCLE PARKING INITIATIVE. Feel free to join and pass it along to your friends. We are hoping to get the word out to as many people as possible.
The B.C. Coalition supports this motion 100% and asks that the Council and Staff look towards the future of where this city will be in 5-10 years regarding congestion. The motorcycle/scooter is seen, in most major cities in the world, as a positive alternative to the car for the many reasons which this motion lists. Every one of you has a copy of the ?Vancouver Parking Initiative? that was presented in 2003 by the B.C. Coalition of Motorcyclists then every year since, now is time to be pro-active regarding this transportation alternative to the single occupant vehicle.
–Adele Tompkins
Executive Director
B.C. Coalition of Motorcyclists
2010 MEMBERSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE
It’s that time of year again! 2010 memberships are now available at the office. They are also available on-line or by phone with MasterCard or Visa. You can follow this link: http://www.bccom-bc.com/bccom_store/bccom_store.html to join on-line or you can print off a form to mail in with a cheque.
BCCOM MEETING
DATE: Wednesday, November 25th
TIME: 7:00PM
LOCATION: Justice Institute of BC, 715 McBride Blvd, New Westminster – in one of the class rooms, not the theatre. tba.
Topics will include motorcycle parking in Vancouver, regs on electric bicycles, and more.
All are welcome to attend.
Please call (604) 580-0111 or 1-877-580-0111 for more information.
FEDS BREAK UP STOLEN MOTORCYCLE RING–Feds Break Up Stolen Motorcycle Ring Federal customs officers reportedly have foiled a motorcycle theft ring that stole bikes from Maryland and Virginia and smuggled them overseas.
Agents at the Port of Baltimore were alerted by Fairfax County, Va., police investigating an auto theft ring who said a shipping container bound for Bolivia might contain stolen motorcycles, according to a story in the Washington Examiner. The agents used a database to find a container still in the seaport that matched the description offered by the police in Virginia.
Federal agents pulled the container from the ship, opened it and found four salvage cars or sport utility vehicles. Salvage vehicles are vehicles usually purchased at auction for their parts value, says Scott McCabe, a reporter for the newspaper (www.washingtonexaminer.com ).
Inside the salvage cars were boxes containing disassembled motorcycles ? a 2009 Harley-Davidson Night Train and a 2007 Kawasaki ZX660J.
?This ring stole motorcycles, they?d take them apart. They?d leave the frame and motor part basically intact, but take off the tires and handlebars and but them in a box, wrap them in blankets and hide them in the salvage vehicles,? U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Steve Sapp told McCabe.
The federal agents went back to the database of shipping information to see whether there were similar manifests. ?The officers were really smart,? said Sapp. ?They found more stolen motorcycles.?But those containers were already out to sea and heading to Bolivia, Sapp said.
Customs officials ordered three containers to be redelivered to the Baltimore seaport. The last one arrived last Monday. Inside each container were two more motorcycles, disassembled and concealed inside the salvage vehicles.
Fairfax County police said they have arrested three members of the motorcycle ring.Baltimore is one of the nation?s busiest seaports for the import and export of new and used cars, trucks, boats, recreational vehicles and farm equipment, customs officials said.
–Dealernews
Hot Leathers Overhauls Website: Offers Customers a New and Improved Online Shopping Experience–MANCHESTER, CONN (November 2, 2009) – Renowned for their premiere selection of motorcycle merchandise for over 25 years, Hot Leathers has become the industry standard for quality, selection and value. Hot Leathers’ newly overhauled website now reflects this same standard of excellence by providing customers with an all-new online look and feel.Faster and easier to navigate, www.hotleathers.com now offers larger and more detailed product images as well as fresh and innovative features for the motorcycle enthusiast who prefers to peruse and purchase online. Check out the new freebies section and biker blog in addition to the all-new Hot Leathers Gift Guide where shoppers will be able to find a huge selection of gifts under $30.
With the holidays quickly approaching you’ll want to make sure and check out Hot Leathers’ premier line of premium leather riding jackets starting at only $99.95 or their sizzling line of Buffalo Chip merchandise.
With their improved site you can easily share your favorite Hot Leathers products with your friends and family by utilizing the site’s new “Share Feature” and access MySpace, Facebook, Twitter or any other major social networking site. And don’t forget to sign up for Hot Leathers’ newsletter in order to stay up-to-date with new products, deals and events.Once you have browsed through the thousands of products in-stock and ready to ship at www.hotleathers.com proceed to the quick, easy and secure check out created exclusively for the smart and savvy online shopper.
One of America’s top 50 volume screen printers, Hot Leathers superior wholesale and printing facilities have a long-standing tradition of creating top of the line products for bikers. Hot Leathers is a division of Good Sports, Inc. and has multiple store locations including Sturgis, S.D., Swansea, Mass., Daytona Beach, Fla., East Providence, R.I. and South Windsor, Conn. Unbeatable prices, unparalleled customer service and hot print designs make Hot Leathers your premier provider of motorcycle apparel and merchandise year-round.
Experience for yourself the quality and ease of shopping online at www.hotleathers.com.
–Sarah Wozniak
VICTORY KINGPIN / VEGAS SLIP-ONS FROM D&D–
D&D has reported that their slip-ons for the 2008-2010 Victory Kingpin / Vegas Boss are delivering outstanding performance. In less time than it takes to eat your lunch Victory owners can increase the performance of their motobike. Just bolt them on a go… no tuner required.
The D&D pipes are designed to go with the flow of the bike. They deliver a solid rumble from the big inch engine that is satisfying over the entire rpm range.
Details at www.danddexhaust.com.
Wheels Through Time Museum to Participate in Good Morning America NC Shoot– This coming Monday, November 9, 2009, the Wheels Through Time Museum will be participating in a special broadcast with Good Morning America, as the show’s co-host Bill Weir travels to the mountains of Western North Carolina to ride the famed “Tail of the Dragon” aboard the new incarnation of the Indian Motorcycle.
Good Morning America is an Emmy Award winning morning news and talk show produced live from Time Square in New York City by ABC. On the air since 1975, the Good Morning America has become among the top viewed shows in morning television, and features a variety of programming on news, weather, talk, and special-interest stories. Hosted by Diane Sawyer and Robin Roberts, the two-hour show continues to bring its viewers the newest and most up-to-date information and news from around the globe.
The shows weekend anchor, Bill Weir will be on hand in Western North Carolina to highlight the revival of the Indian Motorcycle Company, one of the first motorcycle/automotive manufacturers in the country. Weir joined ABC news in 2004, and since has travelled the planet to uncover breaking news and global trends. He was among the first reporters on the scene during Hurricane Katrina, and was the lead reporter in ABC’s coverage of the war in Iraq. He’s also anchored numerous space shuttle launches since joining the network. In the U.S., Weir’s reporting usually focuses on innovative ways to solve many of America’s biggest problems.
Weir’s segment for good morning America will showcase the reincarnation of the new Indian Motorcycle Company. As America’s automotive and motorcycle industries continue to struggle and border economic failure, it comes as no surprise that Weir has chosen to cover the resurgence of such an iconic American manufacturer in an industry with such a loyal following.
As America’s first motorcycle company, Indian began producing motorcycles in 1901, and paved the way early on for many other American motorcycle manufacturers to flourish during the earliest part of the 20th century. Once our country’s largest motorcycle producer, the Indian motorcycle company became defunct shortly after World War II. Despite several attempts to revive the company over the next 50 years, the American public would have to wait until 2009 to rejoin the loyal following of the once iconic brand.
The new Indian Motorcycle Company, located in Kings Mountain, North Carolina is the brainchild of the company’s chairman Stephen Julius. After buying the company in 2004, Julius unleashed his plans to bring a high-quality, engineered Indian motorcycle back to the market. The company has poured millions into research and development of these new machines, and promises to provide the American public with a motorcycle that fits their needs.
Julius has a reputation for bringing once famous brands back to their former glory. Managing partner for the private equity firm, Stellican Limited, Julius has also resurrected such brands as the American “Chris-Craft” boats and the Italian yacht company, “Riva”. “Great brands, if you do the right things with them, if you manage to fulfill a promise to the brand by creating a beautiful product, then the brand equity will come flooding to the surface very, very quickly,” says Julius.
Wheels Through Time will be participating in the broadcast in various capacities. Museum curator, Dale Walksler, will be on hand to provide expert commentary on American motorcycle history related to the Indian company, highlighting both the birth of the company, as well as Indian’s demise in the late 40s and early 50s. Walksler will also be aboard a genuine 1944 Indian Chief motorcycle, to ride the famed “Tail of the Dragon”, a stretch of U.S. highway 129 with 318 curves in 11 miles, with Weir. Along with the test ride of the new Indian motorcycle, Weir will also highlight the significance of the “Tail of the Dragon” to state tourism and local economies.
For more information visit the Wheels Through Time Museum website, located at www.WheelsThroughTime.com. Coverage of the segment will also be posted on Good Morning America’s website, at abcnews.go.com/GMA.
BED ROLL BAG LETS YOU DROP THE HAMMER & GO–We designed this storage roll to cover all the bases, cause I don?t like a lot on my bike.The bag itself is about 2 feet long and 6 inches in diameter.The ends have zipper pockets for incidentals.I usually put my lock, keys,matches and chapstick in one end and slip maps, tickets, receipts and acouple of bungie cords into the other one. The entire length of the bag unzips for packing ease and I found I could pack enough clothes for a long weekend. – Bandit
I got your Bed Roll Details… Right Here!
THE MEN’S COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT– Why is it when you wife becomes pregnant, all her female friends rub her tummy and say ?congratulations.?
But none of them rub your dick and say ?well done?
–from Jim Waggaman
NOTE FROM BIKERNET UNIVERSITY, FLORIDA CAMPUS, STUDENT– I just read the news, which keeps me connected, while I endure university hell week here in South Florida.
I was most impressed with my celeb of choice, Jay Leno, the star of the recent Barrett-Jackson auction. His generosity always surpasses his quick wit and comedic timing. Raising that kind of money in these economic times for THE ARTS is to be applauded long and hard.
Jay is one of the few celebs I feel has the genuine spirit of our biker brotherhood sentiment in his talented life. And while there are a few others in the ranks, think Cher and Lamas, Jay?s been ?one of us? since the days when he slept in his car.
So, yes, I want my picture taken with Jay someday. When one helps a NYC community arts program or any ART PROGRAM by stepping up and into the charity arena, the kids win. Today, when the arts and music are taking huge hits, we need more of this awareness and action. As a soon-to-be art teacher in the United States public school system, I am pleased to know that art and music classes will endure, in my lifetime anyway. Art and music are the classes most kids WANT to take. If we can motivate them to LEARN, by showing we care and we are passionate about it, then we, as teachers are doing our jobs. And hopefully we, as a society, are in a better place down the road.
By benefiting Bailey’s Caf?, a community arts program that operates in Brooklyn, New York and was founded by Stefanie Siegel, a close friend of Jay?s, during their college days, makes us all winners in Vegas.
Ah ha, college days!
–Mrs. Palmer, BFA, Edu.
The Art Teacher
Catherine “Katmandu” Palmer
VETERAN TRIKE SPOTTED IN AUSTRALIA–This “Trike” owned by a Vet, on display at a car show, check the power planthe used, it should haul .
–Ray Russell
Australia
The CRUZTOOLS pro-quality tools you deserve at a friendly price–CruzTOOLS just introduced three Socket Bit Sets for home, shop, and pit use. Motorcycles make widespread use of set and cap screws that require hex (?Allen?) or Torx? wrenches. Sizes can range from 2.5mm to 3/8? for hex style, and T10 to T55 for Torx. Use of tools with loose tolerances or inferior materials can quickly result in damaged fasteners, so get the right tools.
The 10-piece Inch Hex Bit Set retails for $24.95; the 8-piece Metric Hex Bit Set is $22.95; and the 10-Piece Torx Bit Set is $29.95).
Quality is comparable to top professional tools, with polished chrome bodies and heat-treated chrome vanadium bits that exceed ANSI specifications. All sockets are 3/8? drive for compatibility with the most common ratchet and T-Driver sizes, and contain an easy-to-read reverse laser imprint of size for quick identification.
Like other CruzTOOLS products, hand tools are lifetime guaranteed, but more importantly, absolutely dependable when needed. ?Top professional sets are really nice, but prohibitively expensive.? stated Dan Parks, President of CruzTOOLS. ?Many consumer tool manufacturers combine both 1/4? and 3/8? within a single set, requiring the inconvenience of two different ratchets. Finally, the vast majority of low-cost socket sets don?t meet the quality standards riders expect and deserve. Our new sets provide high quality at an affordable price, and help keep your socket drawer organized.?
Call CruzTOOLS for info at 209-536-0491, go to www.cruztools.com or click on the banner.
THAT’S A WRAP FOR THIS THURSDAY–While at the SEMA show in Vegas, Bikernet had meetings with Motorbooks, on a top secret book project, then a meeting with the boss of the Grand National Roadster Show regarding top secret negotiations, then we stumbled into a meeting with Senator Brueggaman of Montana, who recently broke his foot on the Ducati, Bikernet helped him repair.
He promised to help with our proposed SEMA motorcycle council. Plus, I wouldn’t be surprised if he showed up at the Bikernet Headquarters with that busted Duck again. We met with the SEMA VP of councils and scheduled another meeting, after the show, at their headquarters in Irvine, California.
Just before I caught a flight out of Vegas, we had a meeting with a Senior VP from the Source (the guys who publish Hot Bike, Street Choppers and Toph’s Bagger mag) and the President of their internet efforts. They asked us lots of questions, which we refused to answer. We ate lunch, smiled and raced to the airport. I was so fuckin’ early they offered me earlier Jet Blue flight to Long Beach, but the plane was broke down. The electric starter failed, according to the pilot, but he promised to kick-start it and we were in the air in 20 minutes for the 45-minute flight to the coast.
I hate airports. I avoid flying like the plaque. Tomorrow, I swear on a stack of old Easyriders Magazines, I’m going to input all the corrections to the Chance book and that aspect will be completed and ready for the printer. Jon Towle is repairing the cover artwork, then George Fleming will add it to his cool layout and this bastard can be printed. Amazing.
I also met with Ken Conte, at the show and saw his Work Truck finished (see the recent tech on the home page). We will bring you a tech on Kirk Taylor’s bitchin’ paint work, with Dupont paints. I ran into Jon Kosmoski, from House of Kolors, and they have a new solvent based clear that’s better on the environment than the water-based shit. Ken promised the Sucker Punch Progressive bike shots for a Bikernet feature. I’ll bring you more Bikernet content reports in the Sunday Post. Gotta see that book off to the printer.
Ride Forever
–Bandit
