Hey,
Another bananas news day. I’m scrambling to roll through all my e-mails, duck my powder coating bill for the Factory Racer, and find time to wrap up the final edits of my first Chance Hogan book.
The Library of Congress wants the official title, and I’m grappling with the words. I tell every girl who wanders through the headquarters about this book full of romance, lust and murder. Then I challenge them to come up with a better title. So far we have: Chance Hogan, Riding a Web of Seduction. Or how about Chance Hogan, Rides Auburn Machinations? I can’t file with the Library of Congress without the official title.
This news is going to blow you away:
BIKERNET.COM CREATES WORKING GROUP FOR MOTORCYCLE RIGHTS–Keith R. Ball and the staff of Bikernet.com are working with the motorcycle aftermarket to provide a direct link between legislative efforts, motorcycle rights groups,and the custom motorcycle aftermarket industry.
“It’s been a goal of mine for 15 years to get the business side to help our freedom fighters,” said Ball. If successful, Keith hopes to encourage SEMA, the largest hot rod aftermarket organization in the United States, to work with us to deliver additional resources to the motorcycle rights community, since we face similar battles.
“The Motorcycle Aftermarket Working Group is made up of many leaders and business owners, but we want to reach out directly to state motorcycle rights groups for their input,” said Ball, adding that his newly-formed organization is already working directly with both the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF). “What can we do to help keep motorcycling free?”
They are currently working on an agenda, so contact Keith Ball directly at Bandit@Bikernet.com or (310) 830-0630.
BIKERNET MAKES AN ENGRAVER’S DAY–You kinda already made my day today…I woke up to a sink full of dishes, a messy house,and extra kids sleeping in the basement, so I was feeling like an unappreciated mother…Thanks for the reminder…I do have other skills!! LOL!!
Can you believe it snowed about a centimeter two weeks ago???These damn Canadian Winters last forever…
I volunteer as a clownI go by the name “Popsicle” and I do various charity functions…I never charge….in fact I should be paying them, because I enjoy it so much…. hangin with kids and being a goof is my thing…I had two functions this week already, and was happy to finally get out of my shop and into the sunshine too :)Now I need a pimped-out Vespa…!!!!
I did some additional work on the carbs of a Keino bike–King of Hearts….I think i sent you photos of the first few pieces…(kings & swords all over them?)here’s some shots of the latest…..
–Heather
BIKERNET SUPPORT FEMA EFFORTS IN EUROPE– We would like to thank you very much for your support to the work of FEMA. As guardrails standards have the potential to benefit (or harm, sadly) motorcyclists worldwide, we are glad to see that our efforts reach riders across the Atlantic! I also aopologize for the time it took me to reply to your message: with the European Elections last week, we have been very busy at the office.
There are many ways in which you can support the work of FEMA; on guardrails and on other issues. As a citizens? organization, FEMA does not receive support from governments and 95% of its budget comes from the riders? pockets; through member associations and clubs. Around 5% of FEMA?s budget comes from other sources; sponsors and corporate partners.
Our sponsors contribute in a variety of ways; including participation to our FEMA Partner Scheme. If you are interested in supporting FEMA on one of the Federation?s hot topics, whether it is guardrails, road safety, anti-tampering or mobility, our Partner Scheme allows you to contribute on this topic specifically. You will find attached to this message a description of our Partner Scheme, outlining the possibilities available to support our work. Of course, if you wish to support FEMA in its everyday fight for rider?s rights, you may find attached our donation form for corporate partners.
–Hugo Roebroeck
FEMA – Federation of European
Motorcyclists’ Associations
Rue des Champs 62
1040 Brussels, Belgium
Tel +32 2 7369047
Fax +32 2 7369401
Mobile +32 484 976170
Skype ID: jhb-unblue
www.fema-online.eu
CLUB H.O.G ROLLS INTO OKC WITH LeANN RIMES AND KANSAS–Events Include Demo Rides, Parade of Harleys and Bikes & Bricks Street Party.
MILWAUKEE, Wis. (June 15, 2009) Country music superstar LeAnn Rimes and rock legends Kansas head the list of entertainers slated to take the stage when the Harley Owners Group?s (H.O.G.) 26th annual CLUB H.O.G. OKC rally rolls into the Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City June 26-27.
Rimes kicks off the rally?s opening night with a performance Friday at 8 p.m. at the fairground?s Harley Stage, where Kansas will close the show the following afternoon at 1:30 p.m. In between, there will be a full schedule of additional musical performers, including D.B. Bryant, The Outlaws, Stage Country, Dead or Alive and Silver Bullet.
Other highlights of CLUB H.O.G. OKC include the Ride-In custom bike show featuring the Willie G. award on Friday at 3pm, motorcycle stunt and drill teams in the Stunt Zone, and the Wall of Ink tattoo contest and much more.
?We are really excited by the reception we have received from the folks in Oklahoma City, and we expect to have a great turnout for our annual rally,? said Benny Suggs, General Manager of the Harley Owners Group. ?As we used to say in the Navy, it?s going to be ?Sierra Hotel.?!?
While the concerts and many of the activities at the fairgrounds are exclusive to registered rally participants, there will be much for the general public to see and do throughout the weekend, such as Harley-Davidson factory demo rides (open to all licensed motorcyclists), the Biker Mania vendor mall and the Harley-Davidson traveling museum. On Saturday morning, the OKC Parade of Harleys will depart the State Fair Park at 9 a.m. and make its way to the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, Bricktown, and return to the fairgrounds by 10 a.m. A map of the parade route with various public viewing points is online at www.visitokc.com/hog In addition to the activities in and around the fairgrounds, the Bikes & Bricks Street Party?the largest street party ever hosted in Bricktown?will wrap up the weekend events, beginning at Noon on Saturday, June 27. Free to the public and CLUB H.O.G. OKC rally attendees, the party features 12 bands on three stages, Bikes & Bricks merchandise, beverage tents, delicious restaurants and free motorcycle parking throughout the streets of Bricktown. Other area activities include events at local Harley-Davidson dealers H-D World and Fort Thunder H-D throughout the weekend. 
California Sidecar Releases Volusia Trike Conversion Kit for Softails–Arrington, Va.–June 15, 2009–California Sidecar has announced the release of the new Volusia Trike Conversion kit for Harley-Davidson Softails. Inspired by Formula 1 Racecar technology, the Volusia is California Sidecar’s sportiest and best handling trike to date.
The Volusia offers an entirely new concept in Harley-Davidson trike conversions. Unlike other kits, which are old concepts redesigned to fit various Harley motorcycles, the Volusia was designed specifically for Softails?. With its low center of gravity, stiff chassis and proven CSC Independent Suspension, the Volusia offers a smooth ride coupled with a sleek look. The design follows the classic lines of the Softail, making the trike a vehicle suited for cruising both in comfort and in style. Engineered to fit all 2000 through 2009 Softai? models (except Springer? models), the Volusia offers the quality craftsmanship and performance consumers have come to expect from California Sidecar.
Standard on the Volusia is a performance designed independent suspension with vertically stabilized opposing Rocker Mono Shocks that allow riders the best of both worlds – the stability of a trike and the handling of a two-wheeler. Also standard on the Volusia are a twin reduction jackshaft belt drive with a 90 mm Gates performance belt kit and gas carburized sprockets, as well as disc brakes featuring Varga calipers with an 11.5-inch purpose-designed rotor. Optional upgrades include a performance brake package, fully adjustable shocks with a handlebar-mounted switch that allows for suspension adjustments “on-the-fly,” and an electric belt-driven reverse.
California Sidecar specializes in trike conversions, sidecars and motorcycle cargo trailers that have been providing consumers with the perfect blend of form and function for more than 25 years.
California Sidecar Trike conversion kits are only available through factory trained authorized dealers. For more information on the Volusia or California Sidecar’s other product lines or to see a complete list of authorized dealers, please call (800) 824-1523 or visit www.californiasidecar.com.
–Ken Conte
BIKERNET QUOTE FROM UNIVERSITY ART CLASS–What this country needs are more unemployed politicians. -Edward Langley, Artist (1928 – 1995)
–from James Schnarr
BIKERNET MEDICAL FINDINGS FROM OUR ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE LAB, When Should You Take Your Supplements?– If you take daily supplements, vitamins or herbs, the following guidelines can help to lessen or prevent any side effects – and help to promote the full benefits supplements can provide:
Take your supplements during or right after a meal, unless directed otherwise, and drink plenty of fluids as well.
Take consistently to achieve maximum health benefits. It usually takes two to three months before you feel the full positive effects of adding nutritional supplements.
Take as indicated. Your supplements may be recommended or packaged for morning, noon or evening dosages, based on your individual health needs. For maximum benefit, take your supplements at the time of day indicated on the package.
In addition, keep your physician informed about your supplement usage.
BIKERNET TOOL TECH OF THE DAY,Law of Gravity– Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.
Law of Random Numbers– If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal and someone always answers.
Law of the Alibi– If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire.
–Bill Stratton
BIKERNET STATISTICAL FINDINGS, YEARS RIDING OF OUR READERS
Five years, 24.68 percent
Seven years, 14.18 percent
Thirteen years, 9.66 percent
Seventeen years, 10.4 percent
Twenty-three years, 11.24 percent
Thirty years, 17.33 percent
So, over 50 percent of our readers have been riding over lucky 13 years.
–Dismal Dan
STURGIS Custom Builders Roundtable– The Custom Builders Roundtable will feature five nationally known and respected custom motorcycle builders and two moderators. The event is presented with an open exchange of dialog between the builders as directed by the moderators and closes with a brief Q & A session with the public.
The venue is the Sturgis Community Center on Lazelle Street and we have tentatively selected Wednesday early afternoon to present the event.
Questions to be presented by the moderators are developed in advance by Motoring USA. They will ask the builders about their personal experiences, past influences, notions about trends, state of the industry, etc. This is a chance for anyone to bounce questions or ideas around with builders. Don’t miss it.
Moderators may include Chris McGee from American Dealer Magazine.
GUN LAW NEWS, 23 State Attorneys General To Attorney General Holder: “No Semi-Auto Ban”– On June 11, the top law enforcement officials of nearly half the states signed a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, expressing their opposition to reinstatement of the federal ban on semi-automatic firearms.
Pending Federal Legislation Needs Your Support: There are a number of pro-gun bills pending in Congress that require your attention and action. Please review these legislative initiatives and be sure to contact your U.S. Representative at (202) 225-3121, and your U.S. Senators at (202) 224-3121, and urge them to cosponsor and support these measures. Additional contact information can be found using the “Write Your Representatives”
BIKERNET BLISSFUL BBQ RULES SPONSORED BY SADDLEMAN SEATS– We are about to enter the BBQ season. Therefore it is important to refresh your memory on the etiquette of this sublime outdoor cooking activity. When a man volunteers to do the BBQ the following chain of events are put into motion:
(1) The woman buys the food.
(2) The woman makes the salad, prepares the vegetables and makes dessert.
(3) The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it on a tray along with the necessary cooking utensils and sauces, and takes it to the man who is lounging beside the grill – beer in hand.
(4) The woman remains outside the compulsory three metre exclusion zone where the exuberance of testosterone and other manly bonding activities can take place without the interference of the woman.
Here comes the important part:
(5) THE MAN PLACES THE MEAT ON THE GRILL.
(6) The woman goes inside to organize the plates and cutlery.
(7) The woman comes out to tell the man that the meat is looking great. He thanks her and asks if she will bring another beer while he flips the meat.
Important again:
(8) THE MAN TAKES THE MEAT OFF THE GRILL AND HANDS IT TO THE WOMAN.
(9) The woman prepares the plates, salad, bread, utensils, napkins, sauce and brings them to the table.
(10) After eating, the woman clears the table and does the dishes.
And most important of all:
(11) Everyone PRAISES the MAN and THANKS HIM for his cooking efforts.
(12) The man asks the woman how she enjoyed her ‘night off ‘, and, upon seeing her annoyed reaction, concludes that there’s just no pleasing some women.
–from Nicole B.
2009 RENEGADE VAIL WHEEL OF THE GODS–The latest addition to the Renegade product line, the ?VAIL?, a non-directional, split, 5-spoke design was carefully developed to maximize light effect created by ever-changing angles on the individual spokes. Vail?s sophisticated simplicity provides a sleek universal style for Baggers and Choppers alike.
?VAIL? is available as a rugged and durable one piece wheel and can be ordered in diameters 16? to 23? and widths from 2.15? up to a massive 14? for the new 360 tires. All are available in Renegade?s flawless finishes including Chrome, Black Ebony and Black Powder Coat.
And get this, prices have actually dropped substantially and now start at just $1150.00 for specific one-piece chrome styles. For complete details call Renegade direct at 714-998-7241 and be sure to visit their awesome site at www.renegadewheels.com
Controversy surrounds anti-President Obama sign in Jefferson County–JEFFERSON COUNTY, N.Y. — “Does Erik know he’s in the U.S.A.”
“The Obama’s are great people. They’re not cowards like you.”
Some thoughts from callers about a controversial sign off Route 81 near Adams Center as its owner made an appearance on a local Watertown radio show, “the Hotline” hosted by Watertown Mayor Jeff Graham.
“Oh, it’s great radio,” Graham said of Dunk’s appearance. “It makes people think and there’s a lack of that in the country these days. There’s a lack of discerning thought out there. People have been beaten down in terms of opinions.”
Erik Dunk is the man who owns the sign, and the business it sits on, Iron Block Harley Davidson. He says he has every right to not only have the sign, but put facts, comments and questions on it.
A controversy is brewing over a road sign in Jefferson County that displays an anti-President Obama message. And people, either for it or against it, are vocal. Our Brian Dwyer has more on the uproar and the man who’s behind it.
“It’s time for small business and us as men and women of the United States of America, that when we know something is not right, to use whatever means we can to get our message across,” Dunk said.
This particular message is about President Obama’s comments last week prior to a trip to the Middle East where he said, “If you actually took the number of Muslim Americans, we’d be one of the largest Muslim countries in the world.” Dunk says that’s a flat out misleading statement and wanted to point it out.
“We don’t try to be derogatory,” Dunk said. “We try not to be negative. We try to be positive, but when facts are presented to me where this president made certain statements back in October or November, when he was running for office, he’s changed that stance 180 degrees. I think it’s important that message be out there.”
It’s not the first comment on the sign. He’s been doing it for years. He’s asked the President to show his birth certificate and demanded government stay out of private business.
And while there’s been some outrage over his most recent posting, he says he’s not concerned about it hurting his own business.
“My bottom line is my business is not as important as my patriotism. Like Patrick Henry, give me liberty or give me death,” said Dunk.
Dunk says Harley Davidson did ask him to remove the message, but he told them unless they can find something that’s derogatory or inappropriate, he has no intention to do so. Dunk says he changes the message every three or four weeks and has an idea what his next will be, but isn’t ready to share that information.
ANOTHER LOWER ALABAMA BIKERNET PROMOTION– My husband and I rode Friday, Saturday and today. Friday was hot and dry (except humid) and we did around 175 miles round trip. Now I guess we are getting ready for the trip to Sturgis. Yesterday and today we ran through thunderstorms. One storm with lightening, hail, wind and rain, rain and more rain.
Yesterdays ride was just over 200 miles round trip just riding around Alabama and Georgia. We have a few favorite roads and parks we like to visit when we can. Today we rode to my Mom’s to church and lunch with her, a little over 100 miles round trip. Beautiful weather and ride to her house, then on the way home we hit three thunderstorms. Lots of wind, hard rain but thankfully not as much lightening as yesterday.
We rode through it because there weren’t many other options. Getting under a tree in a lightening storm is NOT the way to go. Drenched like a drowned rats when we got home but we made it home safe and mostly sound. Alabama, Florida and Georgia are having their fair share of harsh weather this year.
Guess we all got spoiled the past three or four years, we had drought conditions going on then. Got to ride almost as much as we wanted. But this year is making up for all that. Oh well, looking on the bright side, at least the farmers are happy.
That’s the news from LA. Hope all is well in your world.
Ride safe!
–Camy
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