Hey – Good News,
There was a lull in the news over the last couple of months, like a gypsy woman vibe. I wasn’t receiving fresh new jokes. The press releases lacked passion and verve. I knew some factions of the industry were down, but there was something more. Maybe the depressing media became a cloak of negativity. Then suddenly this week the girls smiled when they took their clothes off. The bikes sparkled more, because the sun shinned bright. I don’t know. Even the jokes are new, vibrant and damn funny. I swear the chrome is even more brilliant. Let’s hit the news.
Don’t forget to sign-up to receive free gifts and news about Bikernet. I won’t bug you very often. Go to the free contest department and become one of the gang:
JAMMER FINNED COVERS FROM ROBBAN’S SPEED SHOP–If you want retro, if you really want to set your ride apart from the rest, you’ve got to check out these beauties! Crafted in Sweden by Robert & crew at Robban’s Speed Shop, these covers are cast from 356-T6 aluminum and sold with a cast finish or polished. They can also be polished, chromed or powder coated if desired. To finish off your ride, match these covers up with a Jammer #632740 Finned Dishpan Rocker Cover set for Panheads.
The product line includes three finned outer primary covers and a derby cover to fit many models from 1936 thru 2006, a finned Linkert-style universal air cleaner with a polished outer cover, and a finned point cover with a polished finish for models from 1970 thru 1999.
Jammer #632580 Finned Outer Primary Cover with Finned Derby Cover for Big Twins from 1936 thru 1964 _ $559.95 Retail
Jammer #632582 Finned Derby Cover for Big Twins from 1936 thru 1964 _ $99.95 Retail
Jammer #632581 Finned Outer Primary Cover for Big Twins (except rubber mounted) from 1965 thru 1988 _ $789.95 Retail
Jammer #632585 Finned Outer Primary Cover for Softail and Dyna Glide models from 1989 thru 2006 _ $839.99 Retail
Jammer #632583 Finned Linkert-Style Universal Air Cleaner Assembly _ $204.95 Retail
Jammer #632584 Finned Point Cover for Models from 1970 thru 1999 _ $92.95 Retail
BIKERNET.COM INTERSTATE TRUCKING REPORT– A trucker came into a Bandit’s Cantina and placed his order. He said, “I want three flat tires, a pair of headlights and a pair of running boards.”
The brand new blonde waitress, not wanting to appear stupid, went to the kitchen and said to the cook, “This guy out there just ordered three flat Tires, a pair of headlights and a pair of running boards. What does he think this place is … an auto parts store?”
“No,” the cook said. “Three flat tires mean three pancakes, a pair of Headlights is two eggs sunny side up, and running boards are 2 slices of Crisp bacon.”
“Oh, OK!” said the blonde. She thought about it for a moment and then spooned up a bowl of beans and gave it to the customer.
The trucker asked, “What are the beans for Blondie?”
She replied, “I thought while you were waiting for the flat tires, headlights and running boards, you might as well gas up!”
FOR ONCE THE BLONDE GETS EVEN!
–from Vern
BIKERNET TESTIMONIAL– See, this is what I preach to our youth about”brotherhood.” I write Bandit with my question, hereplies (right away) like I’ve been his brother for years& steers me straight. “AND” I get an email from Ronat True-Track saying they have a True Track for my’04 bagger and to call one of the “ladies” there toorder one. Two guys “giving” of themselves so thata brother won’t mix his A$$ with a road crews midnightasphalt work.
Man, I hope and pray that when all of us old skoots die,our kids will pick up the brotherhood and carry on withthe code … so many are after the dollar and will think nothingof grinding out a friend to get it. Ok, ok, maybe all the’04 rear wobbling has got my boxers in a bunch … just tryin’to share with you how much effect your brotherhood means toothers …
Bikernet is this common glue … keep up thegreat work!
Mahalo nui loa (“Many” Thanks from the heart!)
–Kolohe
HINES EARNS FIRST CAREER VICTORY AT ROUTE 66 RACEWAY; NINTH WIN OVERALL ON SCREAMIN’ EAGLE V-ROD–JOLIET, Ill. (June 10, 2007) – Andrew Hines recorded his ninth career win on his Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson V-Rod Sunday at Route 66 Raceway.
It was the first for Hines at the track in two final round appearances just outside of Chicago. Route 66 Raceway plays host to the national event nearest the Harley-Davidson headquarters in Milwaukee.
“The bike ran so well this weekend and to be able to do that in front of all the Harley-Davidson employees who came out to the race and H-D President Jim McCaslin just makes the win even better,” Hines said. “My team gave me a motorcycle that can win rounds and we went out and had a great day.”
Hines beat Matt Smith and the Torco Racing Buell in the final round of the Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals. Hines turned in a 6.959-second pass at 192.11 mph on the V-Rod to earn the win over Smith’s 7.014 at 187.18.
Hines lost on a holeshot in the final round of this event in 2004 – something he hasn’t forgotten.
“This is my favorite track by far and it was awful losing it the way I did a few years ago,” Hines said. “My team made it possible because they gave me such a great bike and I was calm and confident about riding it.” The team had struggled slightly prior to this weekend, leaving Hines in ninth place of the standings. Hines’ best performance of the season had previously been a second round appearance at Atlanta and St. Louis. The Screamin’ Eagle squad practically camped at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis and made more than 40 test passes in hopes of making improvements.
“The team really railed,” Hines said. “We’ve all been really disappointed about our performances all year so it was nice to see the hard work and testing pay off, especially here. Moving up to fourth place in the standings is a tribute to how hard we’ve all worked.”
Hines, 24, qualified in the No. 1 position with a track record E.T. of 6.921 at 193.65. It was the first top qualifying award of the season and 20th of his career. It’s the third No. 1 qualifier for Hines at Route 66 Raceway (2004-’05).
“The team made some great calls at all the right times this weekend and they definitely deserved the win,” Harley-Davidson Racing Manager Anne Paluso said. “This is the closest thing we have to a home track for our Harley headquarters and it couldn’t have been a better time to break out and grab our first win of the season in front of all the employees who support the racing program.”
Teammate Eddie Krawiec qualified in the No. 13 position with a 7.037 at 190.46. Krawiec lost in the first round after he fouled at the starting line against Angelle Sampey and the U.S. Army Suzuki team.
“It was still a good weekend because the team made some great changes to the V-Rod and it’s becoming more consistent,” Krawiec said. “It’s going to be more predictable and I just have to get into a better rhythm and do my job at being more consistent on the starting line.”
This weekend was Krawiec’s first appearance at drag racing’s only stadium-style venue.
“This is a great event because there are so many motorcycle enthusiasts in the stands,” Krawiec said. “We’re so close to the Milwaukee Harley-Davidson headquarters and there are a lot of Screamin’ Eagle fans all over the place. It’s a great facility and it lived up to all of my expectations.”
Hines beat Michael Phillips in the first round of Sunday’s eliminations. Hines ran a 6.953 pass at 192.38 to top Phillips’ 7.082 at 191.02 on his Sharp Contracting Suzuki. Hines beat Geno Scali in the second round. Hines went 6.978 at 191.10 to take the win light over Scali’s 7.088 at 189.20 on his Performance Machine Suzuki.
Hines beat Sampey in the semifinal round for just the second time in 14 career meetings between the two riders. Hines clocked a .027-second reaction time and a 7.005 run at 190.67. Sampey had a .088 reaction time and a 6.983 at 190.94.
“The testing was crucial because we were struggling getting off the line quickly before now,” Hines said. “We’ve made some good improvements on that and we’re going to keep working on these V-Rods and make sure we’re just as competitive at the next race.”
Once the NHRA race is over, the Screamin’ Eagle team will travel to Milwaukee to visit Harley-Davidson headquarters. Hines and Krawiec will first be joined by their Screamin’ Eagle AMA Flat Track teammates, Kenny Coolbeth, Jared Mees, Bryan Smith and Joe Kopp to help launch a summer meals program for kids. Fueling Young Minds provides meals for kids during the summer months when school is not in session. The Screamin’ Eagle racers will be at one local school – Bethune Academy – to help kick off the program.
Shortly after that the racers will be at Milwaukee Children’s hospital to pass out gift bags for the admitted child patients.
“It’s all about the kids and I can’t wait to be able to bring the race trophy to the kids, hang out and just have some fun,” Hines said. “I think it’s great that we can work so hard and leave here with such good positive momentum and bring that to the kids.”
OLD SCHOOL DEAL OF THE WEEK– Cal title as 1968, less than 1000 miles. $15,000.00 or best offer. King queen seat that goes up sissy bar included. Six-bends also available
–Tim
Negotiableparts@aol.com
LACONIA BIKE WEEK OFFICIAL RALLY WEBSITE–http://www.laconiamcweek.comIt’s Bike Week in N.H.- use extra caution on roads. June 08, 2007 6:00 AM Laconia Bike Week begins today and runs through next Sunday. The expected good weather and warm temperatures are sure to bring motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the country to Weirs Beach here in New Hampshire to celebrate their sport and the mystique that surrounds it.
WCAX, VT – MEREDITH, N.H. (AP) – Bikers from across the country already are gathering at Weirs Beach for the 84th Bike Week in Laconia (New Hampshire).Charlie St. Claire, the executive director of Bike Week, says with gas prices so high, there’s no way to set an attendance record this year. St. Claire says attendance has dropped by about one-third from 425,000 in 2004.
St. Claire says Bike Week brings in about $140 million a year. He notes bike week is changing — bikers are staying farther from the event epicenter in Laconia and moving into neighboring towns and even to the North Country.Bike Week vendors say they notice many Bike Week participants are baby boomers whose habits and tastes are changing. They say organizers have to figure out how to attract younger participants if they want the event to sustain itself.
–from Rogue
BIKERNET WEEKLY RELEASE from RIVERA PRIMO–48mm & 45mm “TOP GUN” MIKUNI CARBURETOR KITS Fits Evo & Twin Cam models 1984 to PresentThe Ideal Package for Big Inch Motors !Big-time fuel delivery that’s tuneable . . . our “Top Gun” kits feature a new, proprietary super-flowintake manifold designed and matched to the large venturi Mikuni carburetor. Now your big incherwill get a chance to show its stuff. Neck-snapping acceleration puts you out in front & pulls yousmoothly all the way up through the power band.
Available for 1984 to present Evo & Twin Cam Big Twins, each kit includes a 48mm or 45mmcarb featuring a throttle slide rolling on stainless steel roller bearings, accelerator pump, high flowmanifold, free-flowing air cleaner with chromed Rivera cover, head breather kit as well as acomprehensive installation booklet. Note that these kits accept 1990 & up stock-stylethrottle cables.
PART NO.
1041-0025 45mm “Top Gun” Mikuni Carb Kit / Polished Carb & Manifold 893.16
1041-0020 48mm “Top Gun” Mikuni Carb Kit / Polished Carb & Manifold 939.98
1041-0021 48mm “Top Gun” Mikuni Carb Kit / Unpolished Carb & Manifold 839.63
1041-0022 48mm “Top Gun” Mikuni Carb Kit w/o Manifold / Polished Carb 876.51
1043-0002 48mm Mikuni Carb Only / Cast Finish 731.81
1043-0011 45mm Mikuni Carb Only / Cast Finish 565.32
For further info on these & other fine products contact:
Rivera Primo Inc.
12450 Whittier Blvd.
Whittier, CA 90602
Tel: 800-872-1515
o 562-907-2600
o Fax: 562-907-2606
Web: www.riveraengineering.com
A LETTER TO TIME MAGAZINE–AS THE WIFE OF A FORMER MILITARY OFFICER, IT SADDENS ME THAT PEOPLE FORGET WE DO NOT FORCE ANYONE IN THIS COUNTRY TO JOIN THE MILITARY. THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE MILITARY DON’T NEED THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO PROTECT THEM. THEY NEED AMERICA TO SUPPORT THEM. THAT MEANS SUPPORTING THEM BOTH IN TIME OF WAR AND IN THEIR DECISION TO ENLIST.
–MICHELE POSEHN, WATCHUNG, N.J.
3.25 QUART BEEHIVE OIL TANK–7Metalwest has just come out with a 3.25 quart horizontal mounted beehive oil tank designed for Big twins. The tank measures 11 1/2-inches long and 5-inches in diameter. The true old style ribbing makes this tank a real stand out. This is the same tank that one of our staff runs on his bike in a vertical mount. He swears that it holds up well and looks great.
Check it out at :www.7metalwest.com or email Dan at: djk@7metalwest.com for more info.
–TB
STEEL DREAMS TELEVISION SOLD–One reason I’ve been busy is that it appears “SteelDreams” has been bought by a production company out inSherman Oaks, so I’ve been trying to contact variouspeople to try and find out what direction they’reheaded. I’d love to find a way for all of us tobenefit from a positive new direction for that show.I’ll keep you apprised.
–Michael
former Steel Dreams Producer
EXPERTS QUESTION PRIMEDIA DEAL– There has been much discussion surrounding the recent sales of all Primedia consumer magazines (including Hot Bike, Hot Rod’s BikeWorks, Street Chopper, Motorcyclist, Motorcycle Cruiser and others) to Source Interlink Companies for $1.2 billion.
We have heard from good sources that the $1.2 billion cash payment was all borrowed funds. This will cost Source Interlink in excess of $100 million a year just in interest payments, adding significantly to the financial strain these magazines already operate under.
The following is taken from FOLIO: June 2007 issues’ M&A Scorecard, which lists and explains some of the recent magazine M&A deals:
May 14
Buyer: Source Interlink Companies
Seller: Primedia
Sale Price: $1.2 billion
Revenue Multiple: 12x
The deal behind the deal: Source Interlink Companies, a magazine distributor, acquired Primedia Enthusiast Media for $1.2 billion in cash – beating out remaining top bidders Wasserstein and Elevation Partners. Sources indicate the 12-times EBITDA multiple is higher than anticipated, but the price effectively wipes out former Primedia owner KKR’s debt and closes out a two-year-long divestment process.
A public company based in Bonita Springs, Florida, Source Interlink also distributes DVDs, music CDs, and books. Source Interlink in controlled by Yucaipa Cos., a supermarket-holding company owned by Ron Burkle.
Our panel says: “{Ron Burkle} obviously paid too much for it. I see no synergy possible between his company and Primedia. Most of these vertical integrations have not been that successful. If somebody paid $750 million I think they would have gotten a fair deal. Not a good deal, but a fair deal.”
MOTORCYCLIST MAGAZINE COVERS OCC–Quite a few people were interested in the article in Motorcyclist magazine about the Teutul’s but did not want to spend the money for a whole magazine.I can understand that, so I scanned the word portion:
Motorcyclist Magazine July 2007 – page 138
Tipping Teutul’s WORDS: Jeff Karr
Other than that cool time in the 1970s when the guys with the ice chest ran across the track at the Carlsbad motocross Grand Prix and got T-boned by a hapless racer, the popular media hasn’t much cared about motorcycling. In hindsight, maybe that was a good thing.
Today, anybody with a blowtorch and some attitude can have themselves a cable TV series. Maybe America is catching up on lost time, gorging on motorcycle junk food to compensate for the bike diet we’ve endured for so many generations. This would explain the emergence of “American Chopper”-two generations of Teutuls bitching, posturing and occasionally building custom motorcycles on our 16:9 wide-screens for six long hours per week. We keep naively wanting it to be a show about bikes, when in fact it’s just angry intra-family rants, Alpha-male stare-downs and rampant window breaking with bikes as backdrops.
So it was with some bemusement that we came across this characteristically graceless image of a red- faced Paul Senior getting seriously out of shape while nearly motionless on yet another glistening jewel fresh from the Over-the-Counter Choppers iron works. If we’re reading our Teutul Spotting Guide correctly, that looks like Paul JL lunging in to assist Pop.
Rideability is not a high priority at 0CC, and with the sum total of testing typically occurring during a quick celebratory blast for the cameras, mayhem is sure to ensue.
These days, Paul Senior could fart in an OCC-logoed bag and it would be eagerly foisted on the public by the remorseless, atomic-powered marketing machine that drives pop culture. The Discovery Channel-sorry, The Learning Channel; we forgot they got demoted-would certainly tape the bag-filling process, and you just know the episode would be a ratings bonanza. We always wished for more motorcycles on TV. But somehow, this wasn’t quite what we imagined.
–from Rogue
In another report we find OCC launching a new line of production choppers. We’ll bring you more reports soon.–Bandit
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