Hey,
It’s a new year, new biz, new thoughts and new goals. I’m twisted today, there’s so much going on. We’re rocking with Bikernet’s growth and over a half dozen new sponsors. We truly appreciate the support and recognition. We’re fabricating our Bonneville Frame at U.S. Choppers right now and we’re about to feature another U.S. Chopper Board Track Knucklehead. It’s cool.
I’m going to bring up something reluctantly, but it needs to surface. Have you seen Inconvenient Truth, a documentary by Al Gore on Global Warming and our future on earth. We’re fucked if we don’t do something quick. On the other hand, we can do a couple of things and fix it quick, but it means we change our thinking for the good of mankind. Check it out. Here’s just a tidbit from the movie: In WWII the population of the earth crested 2 billion. Just 60 years later we’re at 6.4 billion and by 2050 we’ll reach over 9.5 billion! We can’t handle that level of population growth. A buddy, who is a doctor, told me, “It we sterilize every woman and man after they have one child we can half the earth’s population in one generation.” Amazing. It’s not just about the EPA, but if we can drive less, get rid of our connection to middle East oil, ride more and work on other fuel sources, we can turn this bullshit around. Let me know what you think? We’re Americans–we can fix anything!
On a lighter note, we hauled two bikes to the Easyriders show in Pomona and came away with some hot notions and new bikes to feature on Bikernet. Check out Chica’s Softail conversion on this Jap bike, but it would work on any rigid. We’ll bring you another report tomorrow from Chris Kallas. I’m trying to deliver a report on each and every show right up to the grand finale in Kansas City, in May. Next is Sacramento this weekend, be there!
HUGH THE CHOPPER KING REPORTING FROM THE BUILD-OFF ROAD– Was in Hartford for NE Motorcycle Expo over weekend. Two very good builders: Greg Westberry and Brian Fuller. Wave of the future.
–Hugh King
We will bring you a full report on the Departure Bike Works drag bikes, on it’s way to a race track in Baton Rouge to test their Panhead metal against a Hyabusa drag bike. It’s going to be tough. They’re filming the Drag Race this weekend.
On another Discovery Build-off News front, Gypsy has her Build-off Winning Bike for sale. An amazing creation that includes a Berry Wardlaw, Accurate Engineering Knucklehead engine and exhaust system help from Larry Curik of Lone Star Choppers. This is a fine machine. Contact Berry Wardlaw at Accurate Engineering for more info: accurate@accurate-engineering.com
Plus, Scott from LeRoy Thompson’s shop won the BBO at the Easyriders Pomona Show this last weekend. Duane Ballard, one of our custom leather seat masters tooled the seat for Stinger Custom Cycles.
MYSTERY RIDE IN BAGHDAD–I was in Baghdad a few months ago and came across this ol’ scoot with a side car that some of the contract security guys were using to get from the exchange to their hooch. I couldn’t figure out what in the hell is was though. Got any ideas? Keep up the great work!
Jeremy Ausmus, SSgt, USAF
MNF-I Baghdad
MOTORCYCLE LIFESTYLE VIDEO LAUNCHES ON THE INTERNET–January 9, 2007 (Livingston, MT) A new Web feature called Motorcycle Lifestyle Video is now available on WomenRidersNow.com covering the lifestyle side of motorcycling. Motorcycle Lifestyle Video encompasses the people, places and things of motorcycling as seen through the eyes of the riders.
“We are showcasing the motorcycling lifestyle and products through the experiences of the people involved,” explains Genevieve Schmitt, president of Women Riders Now, publisher of WomenRidersNow.com. “While we plan to feature all riders, there will be a heavy emphasis on women because they are the fastest growing segment of new riders and our goal is to attract more women to the sport. Plus, we feel who wouldn’t want to watch a woman riding a motorcycle? Both men and women will want to watch the stories we’re featuring.”
Two segments currently featured on Motorcycle Lifestyle Video are “Femmoto,” an all-women’s demo track day held each year in Las Vegas, and “Women’s Motocross,” exploring why so many young women are attracted to riding in the dirt. Future stories will include motorcycle evaluations by experienced female test riders, something not currently seen anywhere on the Web or on television. The video stories are structured with the broadest appeal possible much like a news magazine segment on TV focuses on the human interest element. “Our goal with Motorcycle Lifestyle Video? is to share the motorcycling experience with everyone so those who aren?t currently riding may want to get involved in the sport,” says Schmitt.
To contact Genevieve Schmitt, please call 406.333.4491, or email
CHOPPER CHICKS CREW TO BUILD CHOPPER IN FRONT OF LIVE AUDIENCE AT DAYTONA BIKE WEEK FOR NATIONAL BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION– January 9, 2007-Daytona, FLA-The Chopper Chicks Crew sponsored by Bikernet.com, a dedicated, all female team of bike builders, will build a chopper and donate it to The National Breast Cancer Foundation during Daytona Bike Week. The International Master Bike Builder Association, an organization of master builders, and Daytona International Speedway will host the Chicks Crew during Daytona Bike Week 2007 on March 8th from 10am-6pm for the build. The bike will be used for fund raising, or any other medium that raises awareness and funding to help the foundation toward its goals. “The Pink Ribbon Chopper” will be the second bike the crew has built for Breast Cancer, but the first for the foundation.
Since the pink ribbon is an international symbol signifying Breast Cancer awareness, the Chopper Chicks Crew decided to use it as the theme for their build. “The Pink Ribbon Chopper,” a long, lean hard tail in white with a pink ribbon painted on the gas tank and a pink rear fender in the shape of a ribbon, will be built in front of a live audience. This exciting event will take place on “Builder’s Row” at Daytona International Speedway, during Daytona Bike Week. The chopper will also have wheels with huge pink ribbons as spokes. The bike will be built using donated parts and labor from a number of major sponsors.
The Chicks Crew consists of Athena Ransom of Vagabond Chopper Co., who has been around motorcycles her entire life and riding since she was seven; Joann Bortles of Crazy Horse Painting, an award winning painter whose work has been featured in magazines such as Easyriders, Ironworks, and American Iron; Jayme Gray from Pussycat Choppers, an avid motorcyclist with a degree from MMI and extensive V-Twin experience; Katie Putnam from Mitch Bergeron’s, another MMI degree holder with tons of mechanical experience; and Sarah Lyon from Magnum Cycles in Kentucky, a creative, self taught mechanic. All five of whom are dedicated to building “The Pink Ribbon Chopper.”
“We decided that it was time for women to make their mark in the motorcycle industry and what better way than to build a bike for a cause that touches almost every woman in some way. We hope to raise awareness of breast cancer as a disease and empower women to realize their dreams.” Said Athena Ransom of Vagabond Choppers.
The NBCF mission is to save lives by increasing awareness of breast cancer through education, and by providing mammograms for those in need. The NBCF works with health care organizations in places like Los Angeles, New York City, and Puerto Rico to provide underserved women with access to information about breast cancer and free mammograms. The founder and president of The NBCF is Janelle Hail, a breast cancer survivor of twenty-five years, who relates to women with compassion, understanding, and inspiration as she conducts public educational programs across the nation. To learn more about the NBCF, visit them online at . www.nationalbreastcancer.org
Every twelve minutes a woman in America dies of breast cancer. This year more than 211,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 43,000 will die. One in six women either have breast cancer or will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. 1600 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 400 will die this year. If detected early, the five-year survival rate is 95%. Mammograms are the best early detection methods, yet 13 million women 40 years of age and older have never had a mammogram. Support The National Breast Cancer Foundation today and give the gift of hope to those in need.
THE INSIDE REPORT FROM WEST COAST CHOPPERS–WCC offers to our customers a “DEALER” incentive program. The purpose of doing this to promote sales of our products to shops. The terms are simple and the customers don’t need to sign up or apply. At the time of ordering any line item or individual product that is ordered in a quantity of 3 or more will receive a 15% discount on that item. This is not retroactive to orders placed prior to Jan 1 2007. Customers wishing to add to a order that was placed after that date to qualify for this discount will be reviewed by WCC for approval. This discount does not apply to sale items or advertised special offers.
Please visit
BIKERNET FORUM BOARD SUGGESTION BOX–The forum board isn’t archived currently and we’re losing valuable tech material. I started a tech just to archive that heady level of info. So if you run across gems of lifesaving data, pick ’em up and send ’em to Bandit@bikernet.com and I’ll dust ’em off and store them in our tech area. http://www.bikernet.com/garage/PageViewer.asp?PageID=518
TOYOTA INSTALLS DUI SENSORS–TOKYO – Toyota Motor Corp. is developing a fail-safe system for cars that detects drunken drivers and automatically shuts the vehicle down if sensors pick up signs of excessive alcohol consumption, a news report said Wednesday.
Cars fitted with the detection system will not start if sweat sensors in the driving wheel detect high levels of alcohol in the driver’s bloodstream, according to a report carried by the mass-circulation daily, Asahi Shimbun.
The system could also kick in if the sensors detect abnormal steering, or if a special camera shows that the driver’s pupils are not in focus. The car is then slowed to a halt, the report said.
The world’s No. 2 automaker hopes to fit cars with the system by the end of 2009, according to the report. Calls to Toyota’s headquarters in Nagoya rang unanswered on Wednesday, a public holiday.
Nissan Motor Co., another Japanese car manufacturer, has already been experimenting with breathalyzer-like devices that could detect if a driver was drunken. Similar technologies, such as alcohol ignition interlocks, are in use in the U.S. and elsewhere.
Concerns over drunken driving have surged in Japan following a series of alcohol-related accidents last year. In August, a drunken driver collided with another vehicle carrying a family of five, plunging them off a bridge and killing three children.
The incident prompted stepped-up roadside spot checks by police, who also plan to stiffen penalties for drunken driving.
BIKERNET AND 5-BALL RACING FOUND ANOTHER BONNEVILLE RACING CONNECTION–My name is Drew Gatewood, and I was the F.I.M. Technical Steward at Bonneville this year.I am the guy in the bib overalls who measured your pan engine.In any case, I found your site on the internet and was looking at all the pictures, and Valerie riding the course.Your group was certainly having a good time, and I kinda wished I was racing instead of working.
’06 was my first time ever to the Bonneville Salt Flats, and I don’t think I’ve ever had more fun.My position as Tech. Steward has already been confirmed for this year (and hopefully many more),and I’m already chomping at the bit to get back.
Though I make my living building Harley-Davidsons, I am slowly but surely building a bike to run, hopefully in ’08 which is non H-D.625cc, 1cylinder, 6 speed, liquid cooled, & probably turbocharged Jawa Engine, in a chromemoly reproduction Norton style featherbed frame with full fairing. Should put out around 130+ HP on race gas.Don’t get me wrong, my life revolves around Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and has for over 30 years, but I also sell Jawa speedway bikes & promote speedway racing here in Indiana. So, a Jawa engine I can get for a good price.
I can’t wait to see all the great equipment on the salt this year, and hopefully I’ll be measuring your bike again, which would indicate another record being broken.
Denis Manning told me when I first met him that all I had to do was go to Boneville once, and I would probably get bit by the speed bug bad. Boy, did he ever call that one on the money.
Good luck on whatever you’re building, and see ya in September.
–Drew Gatewood
BIKERNET QUOTE OF THE WEEK–Excellence is the unlimited ability to improve the quality of what you have to offer.
–Rick Pitino
PORTLAND OREGON EASYRIDERS BIKE SHOW INVITATION FOR LUNCH–Everyone here at American Cowgirls would like to invite you and your guests to try us for lunch while attending the Easyriders Bike Show Tour 2007 in Portland Oregon. We have a great Lunch & Dinner Menu featuring Sandwiches, Wraps, Burgers and Steaks just to name a few.
Our nightlife is one not to miss. Every night of the week there is something going on. Texas hold em Poker, Billiards, Karaoke, Live DJ and of course girls dancing on the bar. No we are not a Gentleman’s Club but, we are the place to be for the Down Home Country Nightclub everyone is talking about. The party starts at 9pm when the DJ is playing your song.
Join us for the after party March 24th 2007.
We are located in the heart of Portland at 500 NE MLK Blvd. across the street from the Oregon Convention Center.At American Cowgirls, we strive to bring you the best service in the industry. American Cowgirls has a warm, open atmosphere and we pride ourselves in being a non-smoking establishment for the comfort of our guests. A smoking area is provided outside our front entrance.
So please take the time while attending your event to cut loose with your new friends here at American Cowgirls. Remember we are just a few steps across the street.
–Matt Oakland
Christine Oakland
Owners-American Cowgirls Bar & Grill
500 NE MLK Blvd.
Portland, OR 97232
Phone: 503-233-2211
Fax: 503-233-2216
www.americancowgirlsbarandgrill.net
www.myspace.com/americancowgirls
A 360-HUB BRAKE TESTIMONIAL FROM SHOW WINNER–Thank you all for making such great products and letting Dynamic Choppers showcase them on this motorcyle ‘Ditch Digger’ (long story behind that name).
We debuted this motorcycle at the 2006 Artistry in Iron at Vegas Bike Fest, sadly not the winner.
It appeared again at the Big Twin West show where it was awarded an ‘excellence in design award’.
This past weekend it was in Pomona at the first ever Pro Class Easyriders show where it won, it will move forward to Kansas in May, and if it achieves a top 6 placement Dynamic Choppers will tour with Easyriders in 2008.
This was not possible without any of your help, once again thank you.
Also note that HOT BIKE did a photo shoot on this bike for their next hot girls/ hot bikes issue which will be on the news stands for three months.
Also another photo shoot was done where it will be a feature bike in the very near future again with HOTBIKE, (first available issue).
–Paul Stewart
Dynamic Choppers, Las Vegas
3111, S. Valley View, # U – 101 – 103
Las Vegas,NV 89102
702-367-6543 shop
702-367-6848 fax
www.dynamicchoppers.com
–from Chet Burozski
Sales and Marketing Director/360-degree brake system
Baldwin Wilson Development Corp.
1531 E. Northfield Dr.
Brownsburg, IN 46112
W. (317)852-7867
C. (317)370-0920
F. (317)858-9287
www.360Brake.com
ARKANSAS HELMET LEGISLATION INTRODUCED–We have been hearing rumors that there would be another Helmet Law Bill introduced in the Arkansas legislation, and sure enough, there is. We can’t just sit idly by and let this get pushed down our throats.
It is time start educating yourself, get to know your state representative and senators, and ask them not to support this bill. Get the local restaurants, gas stations, hotels, and any other place bikers frequent involved. Let them know that motorcyclist are reputable and should have the privilege to have the right to choose whether or not they want to wear a helmet.
Let them know that many tourist dollars are brought into the state of Arkansas for the simple reason, of Freedom to Choose.
When you go to the link to look at the bill, you will find it is short and not so sweet. It is taking away the privileges that many have fought so long and hard to keep.
I am asking for you to start preparing, and when the right time hits, we need to be ready to voice our opinion.
Please send this out to all the members of your District, and let’s use this opportunity to help us win this battle.
–Don Wesson
ABATE of Arkansas
Co-Chairman
Continued On Page 2
