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INTERVIEW WITH THE NEW SHERIFF OF AEROMACH–Interview with Paul Aiken of Aeromach Manufacturing… Is this guy crazy? He bought Aeromach Mfg in this financial climate thenmoved it across country from California to North Carolina. We talk with Paul and find out what is going on with him.
–Jeff Najar
WHY WOULD I GET MARRIED?– You have choices in life: You can stay single and be miserable, or get married and wish you were dead.
At a cocktail party, one woman said to another, ‘Aren’t you wearing your wedding ring on the wrong finger?’
‘Yes, I am. I married the wrong man.’
A lady inserted an ad in the classifieds: ‘Husband Wanted’.
Next day she received a hundred letters. They all said the same thing: ‘You can have mine.’
–from Rogue
VETS MOTORCYCLE LICENSE PLATES APPROVED FOR SOUTH CAROLINA– ABATE of South Carolina , Aiken Chapter, Dixie Thunder worked hard during the 2008-2009 legislative session to get a military veterans license plate for motorcycles. We now have to get 400 applications submitted by Feb 17, 2010 in order for the DMV to start production, otherwise they will not be produced and all the monies collected will be returned?so, lets get the word out and make this happen!
If you are a veteran and would like to get one all you have to do is get the DMV form MV-37B and a copy of your DD-214 showing your honorable discharge. There is a deposit fee of $5.00 either money order or check (this pays for the manufacturing of the plate). Normal registration fees will still apply.
You can also get this for your automobile or light truck with a gross vehicle weight of less than 11,000 pounds by submitting DMV form MV-37A (and copy of DD-214). This deposit fee is $12.00.
–ROGUE
FREEDOMS UNDER FIRE, NRA RESPONDS– The NRA is giving FREE 1-yr memberships to everyonethat wants to join. Please join and pass it around,they are trying to build up their membership to fightpending legislation that impacts our right to bear arms.
http://www.nrahq. org/nrabonus/ accept-membershi p.asp
I immediately joined–Bandit
–from Rogue
BIKERNET TECH REQUEST OF THE WEEK–Bandit, my name is Tyler King I am 25 years old. I have a wheel that belonged to my father for as long as I can remember. He passed away in 2002, tragically he was hit by a car on his Harley. I am blessed to have had Richard King aka (RED) as my father. He lived in Anaheim CA most of his life.
I am hoping you can tell me if this is a true Dick Allen 12 spoke mag or not. The marking on the wheel is San-Francisco.Calif, American Racing and Series 300 D.S. The tire is a Dunlop SP sport 185 V R15. I am planning on trying to sell it on eBay and would like to know close to what the value may be for it. Any info you may have for me would be greatly appreciated fill free to email or call me hdking4@yhaoo.com Sam and I have several of them but as you know they are magnesium and a real pain in the ass.Hope I’m not way off base about that, but I think that’s the way it went down. You can buy them today from ET. –Bob Clark
TUSCON RIDER SHARES HIS EXILE PURCHASE–2005 Exile purchased at the Long Beach swap meet several years ago. Built on Build or Bust show. How about the oldest Exile rider known to date – 95 year old Elizabeth Shuck from San Pedro.
No way I’m going to sell it. With three bikes, this is my favorite and it’s a keeper. I rode this hardtail from LA to Tucson and back once, and again to the Smoke-out West round trip from LA. It’s a real kick.
–Dan Deakins
Tucson, AZ
520 400 1197
Darryl Worley’s New Chopper…..Built By… In addition to having Tennessee Titan quarterback Kerry Collins and critically-acclaimed singer/songwriter Jamey Johnson guest-star in his latest music video, “Sounds Like Life To Me,” Darryl Worley also invited his motorcycle hero Kendall Johnson to make an appearance.
Johnson owns the award-winning Kendall Johnson Customs out of Winston-Salem, NC, and he built Darryl’s super-stretched chopper with a wicked copperhead-themed paint scheme.
After making some tweaks to Darryl’s new ride, Kendall delivered it to the video set and then hung around for some cameo shots. Darryl rode the chopper in several scenes of the clip, including riding down a closed section of highway into the sunset.
Darryl co-wrote “Sounds Like Life To Me,” which is rising up the national country airplay charts, with Wynn Varble and Phil O’Donnell. The video was directed by Birmingham-based duo The Erwin Brothers for Revolution Pictures, and it should be hitting the airwaves within two weeks. The video isn’t out yet, but you can here the song on youtube here
–US Rider News
TWO POPES FROM THE TEENS–Two Popes, I just bought a 1912 Pope overhead valve 500ccsingle engine- still in it’s original Nickel! No matter what happens, someday I am going to race all these century-old fuckers on a banked woodentrack.
–Hope to see you at the Smokeout.
–Billy
BIKERNET ENGLISH DEPARTMENT VOCABULARY LESSON–404: Someone who’s clueless. From the World Wide Web error Message “404 Not Found,” meaning that the requested site could not be located.
GENERICA : Features of the American landscape that are exactly the same no matter where one is, such as fast food joints, strip malls, and subdivisions.
OHNOSECOND: That minuscule fraction of time in which you realize that you’ve just made a BIG mistake. (Like after hitting send on an email by mistake).
WOOFS: Well-Off Older Folks.
CROP DUSTING: Surreptitiously passing gas while passing through a Cube Farm.
–from Keith Wahl
Triumph 2009 Bonnville SE Lives Up To Its Legend–A restyled yet still iconic Triumph Bonneville SE is hitting North American streets in 2009 with a 1970s retro flair and more nimble handling.
The Bonneville legend was born when Triumph broke the motorcycle speed record at the world-famous Bonneville Salt Flats and became the motorcycle of choice by Hollywood stars of the 1950s and ?60s. The new Bonneville SE includes all of the features of the 2009 Bonneville as well as a performance-minded tachometer, attractive chromed tank badge and stylish brushed alloy engine casings.
New handlebars bring the controls closer to the rider and a new seat reduces seat height by more than one inch to just 29.1 inches for a more relaxed riding position. Adjustable brake and clutch levers readily adapt to riders of various sizes. New, cast-alloy 17-inch wheels are reminiscent of ?70s styling and are lighter than the previous year?s model for a more maneuverable and agile ride that inspires confidence in anyone who rides the bike. The Bonneville?s signature parallel twin exhaust note exits megaphone-style mufflers that were popular in that era.
?The Triumph Bonneville has a classic design that stands the test of time, but we also recognize that you can always improve on a good thing,? said Jim Callahan, North American Marketing Manager for Triumph Motorcycles. ?The Bonneville SE does that by incorporating a ?70s retro look that is all the rage and modern technology that provides an even better riding experience.?
Triumph?s venerable 865cc air-cooled parallel twin engine remains the heart and soul of the Bonneville SE. Its 360-degree firing order gives the new Bonneville the engine characteristics of a classic twin, while twin balance shafts and state-of-the-art production techniques ensure 21st century refinement and reliability. Ninety percent of peak torque ? a very healthy 51 ft.lbs. at 5,800rpm ? is maintained from around 2,500rpm through to the redline, providing smooth and effortless acceleration through all five gears.
The original Bonneville was synonymous with the rebellion and independence of its heyday and became famous along side of Steve McQueen, Clint Eastwood and other Hollywood legends. Although the latest Bonneville shares the name and timeless looks of the original, it features a modern chassis and fuel-injected engine. The 21st century Bonneville continues to keep its star appeal and counts George Clooney, Nicolas Cage, Pink, Alanis Morrisette and Ewan McGregor among its list of celebrity owners
The Bonneville SE is available with either Jet Black or two-tone Pacific Blue/Fusion White paint while the Bonneville is available in Jet Black or Fusion White. A new, optional rear luggage rack has also been added to the long list of genuine Triumph accessories.
The 2009 Bonneville and Bonneville SE are now available at authorized Triumph dealers throughout North America.
–US Rider News
EUROPEAN TRAVEL VIDEOS COMING FROM GERMAN VIKING BIKERNET PHOTOGRAPHER– News from Germany. A travel-agency specialized in organized guided bike-travels is about to plan on travel-videos, produced by us. We will have our second meeting today and I’m excited how it will work out. You find the agency at “www.bikethebest.de”. We would have to report and tape at least three of their premium-tours, especially a coast-to-coast-tour, Daytona and Sturgis, maybe already this year, starting with Daytona! That would be a blast, paid US-traveling and bike-riding! I will keep you informed.
–Andreas
PS. New bikes coming later through the day. I will shoot from 10:00, about two hours long. Big boobed blonde.
Buell Teams with Sportbike Track Time for Track Day Programs–Events Will Include On-Track Instruction and Demo Rides.
East Troy, Wis. (April 16, 2009) Buell Motorcycle Company and Sportbike Track Time today announced an agreement to partner for a series of enhanced motorcycle track days at select race track venues during the 2009 riding season.
Under the partnership, Buell will provide instructional sessions for intermediate and advanced group riders on eight dates at four track locations during 2009. The instructional sessions will be conducted by experienced professional riding coaches Nick Ienatsch and Ken Hill and will be open to all intermediate and advanced riders in attendance. Limited on-track demonstration rides will also be available.
The dates and locations of the combined Buell/Sportbike Track Time events are as follows:
?Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC, April 25-26
?Barber Motorsports Park, Leeds, AL, May 8-9
?Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI June 8-9 (immediately following AMA race)
?Mid Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, OH, July 20-21 (immediately following AMA race)
?Buell could not have partnered with a better organization than Sportbike Track Time to bring to life the incredible experience of track riding. And with the addition of our intermediate and advanced riding instructors Nick Ienatsch and Ken Hill, riders taking advantage of their free service will undoubtedly come away with a greater appreciation of sport riding and how Buell motorcycles enhance that experience,? said Gene Ostrom, Director of Strategic Sales and Marketing for Buell Motorcycle Company.
?The presence of Buell and the additional training program offered by Nick and Ken represent an outstanding opportunity and value for Sportbike Track Time riders. We are confident this program will be well received and appreciate Buell?s commitment to improving the track day experience of our participants,? said Monte Lutz and Bonnie Strawser, co-owners of Sportbike Track Time.
For more information on registering for the events, contact Sport Bike Track Time at 888/390-4020, www.sportbiketracktime.com
D&D BUILDS A CUSTOM EXHAUST FOR THE MODEL 1– The crew at D&D built a custom exhaust for the Brass Balls Bobbers? Model 1 motorbike. They designed it as a 2 into 1 Fat Cat performance style pipe that is finished with a slash cut tip.
The pipe design has completed rigorous dyno testing to dial in the torque and horsepower performance that Brass Balls was looking for. Enthusiasts experience the bulk of the performance gain at the lower rpm figures? right where they need it and use it most.
The pipe was fitted to the frame and engine to ensure the correct fit and function. Then the pipes are sent raw to Brass Balls Bobbers? World HQ where they are powder coated flat black to match the Model 1 paint scheme.
–Jeff Najar
ANNUAL SMOKE OUT 10 WEST RALLY UPDATE–The 9 Day Party is Lead by Chopperman Edge, The Horse Backstreet Chopper front man.
Chopper & Bobber Jockeys are heading out May 8 – 9, 2008 for the annual rendezvous at Smoke Out West 10. It all begins in Cottonwood AZ and then the band of gypsies throw a leg over their steeds and ride across the country to Rockingham, NC for Smoke Out East 10.
Checkout Studio for more entertainment.
–Jeff Najar
HARLEY-DAVIDSON REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2009 RESULTS, RE-AFFIRMS FULL-YEAR SHIPMENT PLANS, AND PROVIDES STRATEGY AND RESTRUCTURING UPDATE–Company Generates Net Income of $117.3 Million, Inclusive of Restructuring and One-Time Tax Charges.First Quarter Revenue, Net Income and EPS Decrease.
MILWAUKEE, April 16, 2009 — Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE:HOG) reported decreased revenue, net income and diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2009 compared to the year-ago period. Worldwide retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the first quarter declined 12.0 percent and U.S. retail sales declined 9.7 percent from last year’s first quarter.
“While we are mildly encouraged by the fact that the U.S. retail sales rate declined less in the first quarter than in the prior two quarters, we remain cautious and continue to expect 2009 to be an extremely challenging business environment,” said Jim Ziemer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc. “We continue to make good progress in executing our strategy for the economic downturn, and we will continue to manage our business with strong discipline.”
In January, the Company announced initial estimates that its planned unit volume reduction and operations restructuring would result in the elimination of about 800 hourly production jobs during 2009 and 2010. After further development and refinement of production and restructuring plans, the Company now expects that approximately 300 to 400 additional production jobs will be eliminated over the two years.
The Company today reaffirmed its plans to ship between 264,000 and 273,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles to dealers worldwide in 2009, a 10 percent to 13 percent reduction from 2008.
First Quarter Results Summary
Net income and diluted earnings per share during the quarter were significantly affected by costs associated with previously announced volume reduction and operations restructuring activities and by an unrelated change in Wisconsin tax law. The Company recorded pre-tax restructuring costs of $34.9 million during the first quarter. The Company also incurred a one-time $22.5 million tax charge related to a change in Wisconsin tax law enacted mid-quarter without public hearings and which applied retroactively to Jan. 1, 2009. In light of these one-time costs, net income for the quarter was $117.3 million compared to $187.6 million in the first quarter of 2008, on revenue of $1.29 billion compared to $1.31 billion in the year-ago period. The Company reported diluted earnings per share of $0.50 in the quarter, versus $0.79 a year ago.
The Company shipped 74,670 Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the first quarter of 2009 compared to 71,868 motorcycles shipped in the year-ago period and within the Company’s guidance for the quarter.
Second-Quarter Shipments and Full-Year Gross Margins
The Company plans to ship 55,000 to 59,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles during the second quarter of 2009. The Company also reaffirmed its expectation for full-year gross margins to be between 30.5 percent and 31.5 percent, which compares to 34.5 percent for the full year 2008. The decrease is primarily due to an expected unfavorable shipment mix versus 2008, the allocation of fixed costs over fewer units, and expected unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates versus 2008.
Strategy for the Current Economic Environment
On Jan. 23, 2009, Harley-Davidson announced a three-part strategy for managing through the global economic downturn and strengthening its operations and financial results going forward. That strategy consists of: 1) continuing to invest in the Harley-Davidson brand; 2) creating the appropriate cost structure; and 3) obtaining funding to support the lending activities of Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS).
“We have a clear strategy and we expect that it will enable us to emerge from the economic downturn in a position of strength,” said Ziemer. “And our team continues to execute our strategy with confidence and conviction.”
Brand Investment
In the first quarter, the Company’s “Ride Free” Sportster motorcycle trade-up program successfully created consumer interest and reinforced the brand value of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Starting in April, the Company rolled out a national “Super Ride” program. This program provides an expanded opportunity for U.S. consumers to test ride a wide range of Harley-Davidson motorcycles at participating dealerships.
“Demo rides have proven to be one of the most effective ways to turn dreamers into customers and to get current customers excited about a new motorcycle. Through all of our marketing, we are reaching consumers in ways that support the brand and the value proposition of our motorcycles,” said Ziemer.
Cost StructureThe Company is proceeding on schedule with its previously announced volume reduction and plans for consolidating production operations. Planning also continues on schedule for the consolidation of Parts and Accessories and General Merchandise distribution through a third-party provider. In early April, the Company completed the transition of its U.S. transportation fleet operations to a third-party provider.
In January, the Company initially had estimated that the planned volume reduction and restructuring actions would result in the elimination of about 1,100 jobs over the course of 2009 and 2010, consisting of about 300 non-production, primarily salaried positions and about 800 hourly production positions. The Company now estimates that an additional 300 to 400 hourly production jobs will be eliminated.
“We don’t make any job reduction decisions lightly,” said Ziemer. “But based on further planning since January and a deeper analysis of our production requirements, we have now determined that fewer production employees will be required. We will continue to work with the union leadership as we move forward, and as always, we will appropriately manage Harley-Davidson based on business conditions and the needs of the marketplace.”
On a combined basis, Harley-Davidson expects the volume reduction and restructuring activities to result in one-time charges of approximately $120 million to $150 million over the course of 2009 and 2010, including $34.9 million incurred during the first quarter of 2009. The Company now estimates ongoing annual savings of approximately $70 million to $80 million upon completion of the restructuring actions, with 2009 savings estimated to be $20 million to $25 million and 2010 savings estimated to be $40 million to $55 million.
HDFS Funding
The Company continues to act on a number of fronts to obtain the necessary funding to support the lending activities of HDFS. In February, the Company raised $600 million for HDFS through the issuance of senior unsecured notes. Harley-Davidson, Inc. also preserved about $54 million in cash during the first quarter through a reduction in the dividend paid in March. On March 18, 2009, the Company extended its $500 million asset-backed commercial paper conduit facility to March 2010, and in coming weeks anticipates increasing the size of that facility to provide additional funding. At that same time, the Company also anticipates renewing a substantial portion of a $950 million, 364-day senior unsecured bank credit facility which is due to expire in July 2009. In addition, the Company intends to access the term asset-backed securitization market in the second quarter of 2009, which transaction the Company expects to be eligible for the Federal Reserve Bank’s Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (TALF) program.
“We continue to make good progress on funding the needs of HDFS through the paths we have identified previously and anticipate that we will be able to obtain the needed liquidity,” said Tom Bergmann, Chief Financial Officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc. and interim President of HDFS.
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