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BIKERNET TECH QUESTION OF THE WEEK– I am looking for an inexpensive way to get a kicker kit on my bike. I have a nice set of true dual exhaust, and I want to be able to put the exile kicker kit on but the kicker arm doesn’t clear the exhaust, so my question is does the Muller kicker arm fit another type of kicker kit so I can get some more clearance, or is it unique to the Muller kicker kit?
–Mike Scholtz
Michael.K.Scholtz@uscg.mil
There are various kicker arms, from straight up to kicked out about 3 inches. If any of these kits allow you to bolt up a stock arm, you can add a kicked out job. Hope that helps. You also know that adding a kicker to any Softail transmission, kicks out the position of the kicker.–Wrench
Australian Motorcycle Expo Gold Coast a resounding success– 22,000 enthusiasts experienced the sights and sounds of the inaugural Australian Motorcycle Expo Gold Coast last week which ran from Friday February 20 to Sunday February 22nd.
The event eclipsed the Brisbane (2007) attendance figures by an incredible margin, with the organisers, Exhibitions and Trade Fairs, reporting a 65% increase in visitors.
Exhibits, displays and action demonstrations made full use of the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre?s interior and exterior facilities, with constant crowds adding to the family-friendly atmosphere.Occasional inclement weather couldn?t dampen show goers spirits ? and neither could a growing gloomy economic climate ? exhibitors reported record interest in new motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and PWCs plus products, accessories and services.
Event Manager Mark Petersen said the Expo had the potential to become one of the Gold Coast?s premier events after an exceptionally successful staging last week.
?The Australian Motorcycle Expo Gold Coast shows that the industry is thriving despite toughening financial times, so we?re ecstatic with the response from visitors, who really embraced the event and all it had to offer.The venue?s extension allowed us to expand on exhibition space and demonstration areas, and the locality made the various test ride options a favourite with visitors.
All exhibitors should be congratulated on the quality of their displays, including manufacturers and distributors who went to amazing lengths to secure the newest and most exclusive motorcycles for public viewing.
We were privileged to host some very special guests, including Troy Bayliss, Chris Vermeulen, Jamie Whincup and Seth Enslow, who were very popular with visitors.We?re already looking forward to next year, with every indication the event will return and already a huge amount of interest in bookings.?
Dylan Robb from Warrnambool in country Victoria – aka the ?Wizard of Warnnambool? – took out top honours in the East Coast Custom Australian Custom Bike Championships, with his entry capturing the judges’ attention as National Champion.
ONLINE BIKER RADIO SHOW– Just wanted to send out an email touching base with you. My webpage is www.AmericanBikerX.com you can access my online radio show from there or here is the direct link http://www.blogtalkradio.com/American-Biker-X ( All old show are archived and you can hear them just by pressing play!) .
I have been a freelance writer on the Biker world for many years and have been published in magazines all over the world. I have been active with many MROs for years also. I feel poeple are now ready to listen to what we have to say if we present it to them in an interesting formate! Shows like Sons of Anarchy and other movies and shows now have many looking at us!
–LJ James
Cell # 516-302-5488
Radio Show Call in Number (347) 237-4874 only works about 5 Minutes before shows and during shows
BIKER LOWDOWN RADIO SHOW (LIVE WEDNESDAY’S AT 8PM)REPLAYS AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY FROM EVERY COMPUTER WORLD WIDE !!! LISTEN TO THE SHOW AT BIKERLOWDOWN.COM OR MYSPACE.COM/BIKERLOWDOWNRADIOSHOW OR CHECK OUT MY WEBPAGE AMERICANBIKERX.COM OR MYSPACE.COM/AMERICANBIKERXALSO CHECK OUT SKULLGEARAPPAREL.NET AND MYSPACE.COM/SKULLGEARAPPARELINC
GOING TO DAYTONA FOR BIKE WEEK? MAKE A STATEMENT AND A STAND IN MYRTLE BEACH!– Have you ever wanted to make a stand on the front lines of the battle for Motorcyclists’ Rights? No, I don’t mean lamenting lid laws from some VFW barstool after an ABATE meeting. And no, I don’t mean making whiney postings about new reckless riding rules on some Yahoo Groups sportbike forum. I mean, just once in your life, wouldn’t you like to truly take the point position in the fight for *your* Right to Ride? Well here’s your chance!
Over the next several days, hundreds of thousands of motorcycle riders and enthusiasts from coast to coast will be leaving their recession depressions behind as they stuff their saddlebags, top off their touring cases, or load up their “Live to Ride” trailers and head to Florida for the 68th Annual Daytona Beach Bike Week. If you are fortunate enough to participate in that pilgrimage, I encourage you to add some slack to your schedule and reroute your GPS for a 2/28 side trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Here is why:Defying sound economic reason, overriding the sovereignty of state law, and in clear violation of our Constitutionally-guaranteed civil rights, the municipal government of the City of Myrtle Beach has passed a series of rules and ordinances aimed at terminating Myrtle Beach’s Bike Weeks, i.e. the Harley-Davidson Dealers Association Spring Rally, and the Atlantic Beach Memorial Day Bikefest:http://myrtlebeachbikerinfo.com/ordinances.html
This Google News link will help to bring you current on the controversy…http://tinyurl.com/bztbsb…and I’d like you to pay special attention to the article linked here…http://tinyurl.com/ddkhlo…which reads as follows:
MOTORCYCLE “FREEDOM” RIDE–In an email to News13, one biker states that the Myrtle Beach Helmet Freedom Ride will be held on Saturday, February 28, at the Beaver Bar, 3381 Highway 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, beginning at 11:00 AM. The ride will depart at noon.
The email states that “participants will be given instructions and route details just prior to the departure of the ride. All participants in this Helmet Freedom Ride do so as common adventurers. Local bikers may coordinate this ride but no one is considered a leader of this ride. All participants take responsibility for making their own decisions including, but not limited to, whether to participate and what equipment they choose to use or not such as safety equipment (helmets) or vehicle equipment (mufflers).”
Organizers state, “The ride is a grassroots effort to oppose discrimination. There is no single group or individual leading this grassroots effort. Bikers in every town or city of the Carolinas are the backbone of this effort. Motorcyclists of every walk of life are welcome.”
Organizers add that free legal assistance will be provided for the participants…
Organizers have also set a rain date for the event, March 7, 2009 at the same time and place.
Despite the focus of Ms. Ponton’s report, DON’T THINK FOR A MOMENT THAT THE ISSUE HERE IS LIDS. The real issue here is *your* right as an American motorcyclist to share the road equally with other motorists, and whether the City of Myrtle Beach–or any other municipality–can blatantly disregard state law and the Constitution of the United States in an open and unapologetic attempt to take away that right. Remember WHY WE FIGHT:
“The battle for bikers’ rights is not about patches, parties or poker runs. We fight to protect the freedom and promote the interests of American motorcyclists … to defend our right to choose our own modes of transportation, attire and lifestyle … to deter and defy discrimination against us … and to vanquish those who violate our rights or right-of-way.” [ http://BikersRights.LdrLongDistanceRider.com ]
And whether you’re going to Daytona for Bike Week or not, please make a stop, a statement and a stand in Myrtle Beach!
Speaking strictly for myself and no other individuals or organizations,
–Bruce Arnold
Bruce@LdrLongDistanceRider.com
WEEKLY ART DISCOVERED BY THE BIKERNET CULTURAL SOCIETY– Introducing the newest release- “The Revival”, Original Oil is 24×30, As most of you know I was fortunate to be involved with the 50th Anniversary of S&S Cycle this past year, while attending the Awards Ceremony, where thousands came together to celebrate this company’s contribution and success in the Motorcycle Industry, a Young man, The Founders Great Grandson climbed aboard the Revived Infamous Tramp Replicate and began his pass on the Salt.
With his quiet Broom, Broom sounds, I was inspired. He took me to a place I’ve not yet seen, yet I knew exactly where he was. I’ve been blessed by the Smith Family, and I hope all of you love this painting as much as I enjoyed my association with S&S Cycle.Stefanie Aziere-Sattler
Limited Edition Giclee Prints available in 2 sizes, 24×30 for $240.00 on paper or canvas, $375.00 framed 16×20 for $120.00 on paper of canvas, $245.00 framedGreeting Cards featuring “The Revival” blank inside 6 for $10.00
Place Orders by responding to this email or contact Stefanie or Donnie at the following:
Aziere Art
6104 Blue Jay Blvd.
Sedalia, Mo. 65301
660-827-6790
www.chromedimpressions.com
DAYTONA TRUTH OR DARE GAME SPURS ARREST ON LEWD CHARGE– A 43-year-old shirtless woman was found playing Truth or Dare with teenagers at a park and arrested on several charges, Edgewater police said. Upon driving into the Whistle Stop Park parking lot on Roberts Road, a police officer spotted several teenagers running from the bathroom area to the pavilion about 2:30 a.m. on July 23.
Jennifer L. Russell, wearing only a bra and jeans, was also running to the pavilion while attempting to put her shirt back on. According to a police report, when the four teens, ages 15 and 16, were asked why they ran, one of them said they dared Russell to expose her breasts, but she had only removed her shirt when the officer arrived on scene.
Asked why she was shirtless, Russell, a New Smyrna Beach resident, told police she “was getting hot.”
–Daytona news journal
–from Rogue
BUELL RACERS GEARING UP FOR 2009 DAYTONA SEASON OPENER–Six 1125Rs to Contest First-Ever Daytona 200 Night Race.
East Troy, Wis. (Feb. 24, 2009) Buell racers from around the country are gearing up for the 2009 race season, which kicks off at Daytona International Speedway during Daytona Bike Week February 28 through March 6.
In AMA Pro Racing action, the 2009 season opens with a paradigm shift as new series management and class structures debut at Daytona on Wednesday, March 4. The historic Daytona 200 moves to a thrilling new nighttime run under the lights on the evening of Friday, March 6. Six Buell 1125Rs are entered in the Daytona SportBike class for the Daytona 200, which will be broadcast live on SPEED TV at 8 P.M. (Eastern). Daytona 200 Buell riders include Michael Barnes (Geico Powersports/RMR), Danny Eslick (Bruce Rossmeyer?s Daytona Racing/RMR), Alan Schmidt and Josh Bryan (Latus Motors H-D/Buell), Bryan Bemisderfer (H-D/Buell of Frederick) and Shawn Higbee (Bartels? H-D/Buell).
?We?ve learned a lot from racing in the MOTO-ST series for the past two seasons,? said RMR?s Richie Morris. ?It was intense and the competition was good, but it was nothing like we?ll face this year. We?ve got a second year bike, two new teams, and two new riders, and we?re starting the season at the biggest, most important race,? Morris said. ?We?ve had good results in testing and I think before the end of the year, we?ll be up front. We?ve got a veteran [rider] and a young gun, so I think we?ve covered all our bases.?
Joining veteran racer Michael Barnes is 22-year-old Danny Eslick, who cut his teeth racing dirt track before turning to road racing in 2005. He?s no stranger to the Daytona 200, having finished fourth in the 2005 race.
?I?m super excited to be working with Richie, Bruce Rossmeyer?s Daytona Racing, Buell, and my teammate Michael Barnes,? said Eslick of Broken Arrow, Okla. ?I was planning on getting my dirt track gear together when I got the call that [RMR] was looking for a second rider.? Eslick?s first introduction to his Buell 1125R and the new Dunlop spec tires came during a test at Jennings Grand Prix in Florida in early February. ?These new tires are right up my alley. I think they?re really going to work well with the Buell?s torque to get off the corners,? said Eslick. ?I?d be more than happy with a top five finish, but my goal for Daytona is to leave with a good solid finish and come out healthy and ready for the rest of the season.?
Recovering from a pre-season testing hand injury, Eslick?s teammate Michael Barnes will use the opening days of Bike Week to test his readiness for the 200-mile race.
?After our successful test under the lights at Daytona in January, we were testing at Jennings GP in early February and unfortunately I had a high-speed low side crash that resulted in a third metacarpal fracture. It was immediately plated, and the prognosis is very good,? Barnes said. ?We?re managing the soft tissue recovery now, and we plan to use the CCS weekend to assess my performance for the 200. If I don?t think I?m capable of representing the team and our sponsors, we?ve got a substitute rider lined up. But I?m optimistic, because I really don?t want to miss the start of my 21st season racing at Daytona!?
Rounding out the AMA Pro Racing Buell highlights at Bike Week is the debut of the SunTrust Moto-GT series? new class structure, which includes the horsepower and weight restricted GT1 and GT2 classes. The two-hour season opener will begin at 4 P.M. on Friday, March 6, immediately prior to the opening ceremonies for the Daytona 200.
Stepping up from the former MOTO-ST GrandSport Twins class to contest Moto-GT1, the James Gang/Hoban Brothers Racing team sponsored by H-D/Buell of Appleton will debut its new 1125R with riders Paul James and Jeff Johnson. Also entered aboard an 1125R in Moto-GT1 is the Liberty Waves Racing/Antelope Valley H-D/Buell 1125R ridden by Eric Pinson and Eric Haugo.
?We earned 11 podium finishes in two seasons of MOTO-ST competition aboard a Buell Firebolt, but this is a whole new ball game,? said James. ?We?re ready for the challenge.?
Bike Week?s racing action kicks off with the Championship Cup Series (CCS) and American Sportbike Racing Association Pro (ASRA Pro) at DIS the weekend of Feb. 28-March 2, and topping the list of Buell entries in the ASRA Pro Thunderbike class will be the return of a trio of former class champs, including 2007 class champ and 2008 runner-up Dave Estok (Deeley H-D/Buell). Also entered in Thunderbike are 2006 champion Dan Bilansky (Hal?s H-D/Buell), and 2004 champion Bryan Bemisderfer (H-D/Buell of Frederick). All are riding Buell Firebolt XB12Rs.
?I?ve got this weird on again, off again thing going with the [Thunderbike] championship. I won it in ?03, ?05, and ?07, so I feel like this is my year,? said Estok, who will also contest the Parts Canada Superbike Championship this season.
CRANE CAMS CLOSES DAYTONA OPERATIONS–It has been reported that that Crane Cams’ Daytona Beach factory has been closed down and the employees of the company laid off. Unconfirmed reports claim that workers at the plant had been told to expect some lay-offs, but that there had been no mention of the complete closure of the facility.
Founded in 1953, Crane became employee-owned in 1979 and was acquired in 2005 by Mikronite Technologies Group, a New Jersey based industrial technology firm that had previously worked with the cam manufacturer.
It is reported that, two years into their ownership cycle, Mikronite sold the primary property on which the Crane facility was located in Daytona to STAG Capital Partners.
It is believed that a 10-year lease was then taken to keep Crane’s manufacturing facility on the site, and that in making that deal it is thought that Mikronite were able to recoup a substantial proportion of the initial outlay they made to acquire Crane.
Always primarily an automotive performance product manufacturer, from the 1980’s Crane enjoyed nearly two decades in which it was also one of the market leaders for cam and related performance upgrades for the Harley-Davidson aftermarket.It is believed that some efforts are being made to rescue the brand and parts of the product range, but if they fail this could mark the end of the road for an icon of American performance and a business which, as recently as two years ago, employed some 200 or so people.
–An AMD report
DAKOTA DIGITAL WILL BE IN DAYTONA– While I don?t have my own official booth, I will be there with FBI at Destination Daytona. FBI carries my bagger gauges, so I like to fly in to help them sell. It works out cool, and they also install them for the customers at the show.
— Mike Merritt
merritt@dakotadigital.com
Dakota Digital
4510 W. 61st Street North
Sioux Falls, SD 57107
Direct. 1-877-867-4005
Phone. 1-800-852-3228
Fax. 1-605-339-4106
QUEENSLANDERS RIDE FOR BUSH FIRE APPEAL– Beerwah, Queensland to Healesville Victoria ride. Motorcyclists from Queensland will ride south on March 10 to help bush fire victims. They will sell commemorative patches en route and by mail order. Scroll down for a link to see the design of the patches. Riders are invited to join them on their ride.
The ride ends in Healesville at noon on Sunday, March 15. All proceeds will be given to a Red Cross representative.
“We are really sorry that these ‘Bloody’ Fires keep on burning.
Just so we have our objective clear, We Ron and Marion just want someone to shake our hand, from the Red Cross to take the cheque and cash from us in Healesville or thereabouts. We understand that the Red Cross and all of the other organisations are frantic at this time and we do not want to add to that. You may be interested in the fact that Marion came up with this idea 8 days ago and we already have over $1000.00 to hand, all from the Biker World.
We are hopeful that we will have all of the ordered patches posted out this week.
The Timing and Route: 07:30am. 10/03/2009: Depart Beerwah Hotel for Coffs Harbour.
Route: Bruce Highway, Pacific Highway to Ballina Harley-Davidson Dealer. Pacific Highway from Ballina to Coffs Harbour Harley-Davidson Dealer.
07:30am 11/03/2009: Depart Shell Service Station (centre of Town) Coffs Harbour to Hexham, via the Pacific Highway, then New England Highway to Cessnock.
07:30am 12/03/2009: Depart Shell Service Station (centre of Town) via Putty Road to Blacktown Harley-Davidson Dealership. (afternoon off)
09:00am 13/03/2009: Depart Shell Campbelltown via Freeway to Goulburn, then Federal Highway towards Canberra, turn left near Sutton and head towards Queanbeyan, then out along the Monaro Highway for Cooma.
07:30am 14/03/2009: Depart Shell Cooma for Cann River and down to the Princes Highway, right turn and head into Lakes Entrance.
07:30am 15/03: Depart Lakes Entrance for Healesville along the Princes Highway, then onto the freeway to the right turn towards Cockatoo, Woori Yallock and Healesville the plan is to arrive around noon.
Please check back from time to time as we ‘flesh out details’.
FTW,
–Stroker
Want to help? Buy a Patch.Below is information on the Australian run to benefit the fire victims. Anyone that would like to contribute can purchase the run patch even if you do not go. 9 patches purchased by the USA and 1 from UK so far. It’d be inspiring to see those number go up. Nice lookin’ patch to boot.
BIKERNET FORUM DOWN FOR REMODELING–What’s with the forum being down–another attack? Hope you kicked their asses.Well, I’m a-jonesin’ for “Your Shot”- lemme know if there’s another way in, or if I just have to be patient.
–Concrete Pete
Bikernet has a very active, intelligent, and resourceful forum board. We are currently updating the software, but when it’s finished feel free to use the free Bikernet service to find tech answers or to vent on motorcycle issues.–Wilburn Roach
NEW GIRL OF BIKERNET, TORY LANE–That’s right. A new pierced Hollywood porno queen just slipped into the Cantina on Scotty’s bike. Of course we snatched her for a Peter Linney photo shoot on the sands of Long Beach. Check here out, and hang on for Scotty’s bike feature in the free section tomorrow.–WrenchQuick, Join The Cantina!
FAT BIKE WHEELS FROM BLACK BIKE–Black Bike has all the necessary information on all Harley Davidson?s from 1984 to 2008, to allow the widest possible wheel/tire combination for your personal ride. Many people want to know just how far they can go with a wider tire on their bike without spending a fortune on modifications that are costly and sometimes adversely affect the bike?s ride and handling.
Give Black Bike a call with your year and model. We can set you up with the correct upgrade that is a direct bolt-on, looks excellent, and improves the ride of your Harley-Davidson.Starting at about $1000/ set
–Blackbikewheels.com
(818)341-2550
MARJORIE FROM THUNDER PRESS COMMENTS ON MOTORCYCLE COUNCIL WITHIN SEMA EFFORT BY BIKERNET–We’ve reached out far and wide within the motorcycle industry for opinions and suggestions regarding starting a SEMA council to support motorcycling. Recently Marjorie Klienman sent her distinct and thought provoking suggestion regarding our proposal to SEMA. Check ’em out:Am I too late? I didn’t notice your deadline because I was dealing with deadlines of my own ;-)Anyway, here are my comments, for what it’s worth:- Spell out ABATE and describe what the organization is
– Make sure your mention of John Brueggerman has the Senator heading and the state of Montana
– When you wrote about banning vintage bikes, etc., talk about their committee for vintage cars that has killed bad legislation and proposed good legislation (I think it may be the Hot Rod Industry Alliance), because we’d like to do something similar in this area. Of course that’s only one piece of what we motorcyclists need
– Do you want this to be a council or a committee? Learn the difference and make the choice if you haven’t already
– What’s in it for them? What can WE bring to the SEMA table? This might be the most important of all, and it’s a question I have to ask myself every time I make a business proposal.
Nice job, though, and I really appreciate your pulling this all together.
–Marjorie Kleiman aka Shadow
Editor, Thunder Press North
179-9 Route 46, #125
Rockaway, NJ 07866
(973) 586-1088 (phone)
(973) 586-1089 (fax)
www.thunderpress.net
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