Hey,
This news might kick my ass. Hang on. I’m grappling for words to kick it off. Maybe it was the B-complex I took this morning to relieve stress, or the fact that I ran out of Jack a week ago. Wait, I just shipped out my 120-inch Panhead engine for tweaking by the Accurate Engineering squad. I already miss it. Maybe I can’t believe we set a record at Bubs Bonneville.
I want to thank the following companies for coming on board as sponsors: S&S, AdvanceStar, Pro One and Rockem/Sockem just signed up. I spoke to Genevieve Schmidt this morning. She owns Women Riders Now.com. When I told her our readership numbers she said, “that’s sick.” Her site is new and picking up 70,000 impressions a month. We receive right at a million a month. Our CPM for advertising is currently .40 or 40 cents per 1000 impressions for a 2-year contract. Our rates are going up at the end of the year, so it’s a good time to jump on Bikernet. Some mags charge as much as $40 per cpm.
Okay, let’s hit the news. I need to take care of our new sponsors:
Saxon Motorcycle Launches The All New Pro-Street 300mm Tire Gauntlet Model–CASA GRANDE, ARIZ – Sept. 20, 2007 – Saxon Motorcycle Company today introduced its all-new Gauntlet model, a custom manufactured, pro-street style motorcycle with a 300 mm rear tire featuring ultra modern design elements and components.
“The Gauntlet represents another way that Saxon is keeping up with the consumers demand for designs that are modern and aggressive,” said David Schwam, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “By manufacturing a pro-street motorcycle with a 300 mm rear tire we are able to offer another radical production-custom bike to the general public at an affordable price.”
The Gauntlet has several features you would expect to see on a full custom motorcycle, and with a base price of just $25,995, it can’t be beat. The frame is a single down tube with coupled with a 6-speed right side drive transmission. The 45 degrees of overall rake and pro-street geometry make the Gauntlet a bike that will handle superbly, and the 300mm tire in back makes it look tough. “We want to offer new models to keep up with the demand for something innovative and different. Last year we came out with one of the first 300mm tire manufactured motorcycles, our Griffin chopper, and this year we wanted to use that same 300 mm tire platform and create a pro-street model. We believe the Gauntlet represents Saxon as a leader in manufacturing and modern design,” said Schwam.
With the launch of the Gauntlet, Saxon is rounding out its existing model line with a third pro-street with a unique design and appeal. “The Gauntlet is a great alternative to the Firestorm for someone who wants the massive 300mm tire out back but wants the aggressive riding position of a pro-street. It allows us to go after the customers who want the styling of a production custom, super-wide tire motorcycle while offering them the reliability, performance, and value that have become synonymous with Saxon,” said Schwam.
The Gauntlet will be available at Saxon Dealerships nationwide starting in late October, with its MSRP anticipated to start at $25,995.
Highlights of the Gauntlet include:
300 mm Metzler rear tire
Aggressive drag-style handlebars
Radical, right side drive frame with 40 degree rake in the neck as well as 5 degrees in the triple trees
Sleek single down tube
Stretched custom gas tank Sculpted custom seat
Softail suspension frame
Black S&S 96 CI engine and 6-speed transmission right side drive standard with an available S&S 111 engine upgrade
9 color choices
4 levels of graphics including an entirely custom option.
BIKERNET.COM SPONSORS THE 2007 EASYRIDERS BIKE SHOW TOUR–We are working out the final details, but we may feature show winners and perhaps the Pro Class Winners. The Pro Class are contestants to be apart of the Centerfold Tour the following year. I may even be a judge for some of the shows.
We’ll bring you all the news as the following schedule unfolds:
POMONA, CA ? January 6 &7
L.A. Fairplex???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
1101 W McKinley Ave ???????????????????????????????
Pomona, CA 91769
Venue Information: 909-623-3111
SACRAMENTO, CA ? January 13 & 14??????????????????????
Sacramento Convention Center??????
1401 K Street????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Sacramento, CA 95814
Venue Information:
916-808-5291?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
CHARLOTTE, NC ? January 27 & 28
Charlotte Convention Center
501 S College Street???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Charlotte, NC 28202
Venue Information:
704-339-6000?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
MEMPHIS, TN ? February 3?????????????????????????????????????????
Memphis Cook Convention Center
255 North Main Street
Memphis, TN 38103
Venue Information: 901-576-1200?????????????????????
LOUISVILLE, KY ? February 10
Kentucky International Convention Center??
221 Fourth Street
Louisville, KY 40202??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Venue Information: 502-595-4381
COLUMBUS, OH ? February 16 ? 18
Veterans Memorial
300 West Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215
PORTLAND, OR ? March 24??????????????????????????????????????????
Oregon Convention Center??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
777 NE Martin Luther King Blvd??????????????????????????????????????
Portland, OR 97232????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Venue Information:
503-235-7575?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
SAN DIEGO, CA ? March 31
San Diego Convention Center
111 West Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
Venue Information: 619-525-5000
DENVER, CO ? April 7
Denver Merchandise Mart
451 East 58th Avenue
Denver, CO 80216
Venue Information: 303-292-6278
HARTFORD, CT ? APRIL 14
Connecticut Convention Center
100 Columbus Blvd
Hartford CT 06103
Venue Information: 860-249-6000
DALLAS, TX ? APRIL 21
Fairpark/The Centennial Hall
3929 Grand Place
Dallas, TX 75210
Venue Information: 214-670-8400
KANSAS CITY, MO ? MAY 5
Kansas City Bartle Hall
301 West 13th Street
Kansas City MO 64105
800-821-7060
CONGRATS TO THE 5-BALL TEAM AT BONNE– Great job, Valerie.That pan sure did come together nice. I can’t wait for the World’s Fastest Panhead now. I’m getting weird on my keyboard now just thinking about going through the gears on that thing and hangin’ on…….
The riding season here in Pocono Mtns. of PA is coming to an end, well maybe after the New Year’s Day ride. I love the 5-Ball team logo and apparel. They’re great.Say hi to Nyla- she’s awesome.
–JodiGirl
faithful reader/supporter
ACCURATE ENGINEERING NEW DYNO FACILITY–Berry Wardlaw of Accurate Engineering built the 120-inch Panhead engine for the Bikernet 5-Ball Racing bike that’s currently the World’s Fastest Sportbike Panhead.”If nothing else, I dyno it just to see what RPM the engine would have pulled,” Berry said. “The gear change percentages are very close in 1 through 4th gears. We will see. I have a new program that will give me distances, gearing, and I can put in different parameters that consider parasitic losses. I’m gonna’ give it the old test-a-rooni. The dyno room is damn near finished. This fucker is NICE!
SCREAMIN’ EAGLE AMA FLAT TRACKERS PUT CHAMPIONSHIPCHASE ON HOLD FOR WEATHER–AMA Flat Track Season Finale Moved to Oct. 14– COLUMBUS (Sept. 23, 2006) – Kenny Coolbeth was already chomping at the bit to get to Scioto Downs. The track – used for horse racing most of the year – is the site of the AMA Flat Track championship season finale. The race was supposed to start Saturday evening, crowning the champion at the conclusion of the race.
That was before a storm decided to run through Ohio. AMA officials were forced to postpone the season finale until Oct. 14. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 5 p.m. followed by the first heat race at 5:30 p.m.
Coolbeth took over the points lead at the previous event held at the Springfield (Ill.) mile on Sept. 5. The Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson factory rider now leads fellow Wrecking Crew teammate Jared Mees and the Texter H-D team by nine points and Chris Carr and the Pre-Owned Ford Harley-Davidson team by 10 points.
Coolbeth is in search of his first AMA Flat Track Championship. It would also be the first for Harley-Davidson in nine years.
“I just want it over with because the waiting is so difficult,” Coolbeth, a Warren, Conn., native said. “I wish we had raced two weeks ago so now that it’s postponed even more makes it really tough to be patient. It’s nerve-wracking to wait but all I can do is go through the time off the way I would any other race. I’m just training and preparing to go in there and win a race.”
Screamin’ Eagle Wrecking crew racer Bryan Smith and the Pat Moroney’s Harley-Davidson team are in fourth place while Screamin’ Eagle factory rider Rich King is in fifth place.
Harley-Davidson Racing Manager Anne Paluso said the team will have to work even more to be prepared for the finale.
“The previous race was on Sept. 5, so there is going to be more than a month between the final two races of the season,” Paluso said. “We have great riders and crew members who have battled all season long. It’s tough on them to have to wait another two weeks especially when we have riders in the championship chase. But if anyone can use the time wisely and double-check that we’re prepared, it’s the Screamin’ Eagle team.”
AMA Top 10 Point standings: Flat Track(Following nine of 10 events. Number of wins in parenthesis)
1. Kenny Coolbeth, Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson (2) 135
2. Jared Mees, Texter H-D/ Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson (1) 126
3. Chris Carr, Quality Pre-Owned Ford Harley-Davidson (2) 125
4. Bryan Smith, Pat Moroney’s/Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson 119
5. Rich King, Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson 110
6. Joe Kopp, Latus Harley-Davidson (1) 97
7. Glen Schnabel, Harley-Davidson 89
8. Jake Johnson, Suzuki 77
9. Mike Hacker, Doc’s Harley-Davidson (1) 68
10. Johnny Murphree, Coziahr Harley-Davidson 65
In addition to the direct team sponsorship, Harley-Davidson will also provide support through professional flat track contingency and the Rider Support Verification Program (RSVP). Under the Screamin’ Eagle banner the support will total more than $140,000 throughout the 2006 season. This includes a contingency program for qualified Harley-Davidson XR750 riders on the AMA Flat Track series.
The Screamin’ Eagle Flat Track team is sponsored by Matco Tools.
THE ULTIMATE PROMO FOR BANDIT’S CANTINA–I just tuned in to the Sunday update and laid these old eyes on a blue eyed hardbelly with pouty red lips, a wasp waist and creamy milkers the size of New Jersey….and she even has freckles in the valley between ’em !!
I am in LOVE again and life is worth living once more !!! She is fuckin’ perfect! Just gazing upon her is worth every single penny of the $16.60 I paid to join up….Yes, I also bought yer damn book ! Thanks for showing me life as it should be….and can we see more of her ?
–Dusty
dan@lvmsystems.com
Quick, join the Cantina and check the Sunday Post. There’s a banner that will take you right to Veronica.
BURT MUNRO’S SON IS LOOKING FOR AN ANTIQUE BIKE–I’ve been in contact with John Munro – Burt’s son. He is looking for a 1952/3 Vellocette.Do you know anyone reliable who I can put him in touch with?He is coming in for the induction of his Father this October into the AMA Hall of Fame (AMA).
Linda “Jo” Giovannoni . . .
biker1jo@sbcglobal.net
BILLY LANE UPDATE ON ACCIDENT–Local motorcycle builder Billy Lane turned himself in at 1 p.m. today in connection with a fatal accident Sept. 4.Among the charges Lane faces are driving under influence, manslaughter and driving with his license suspended.
Lane, 36, arrived with his lawyers at the Florida Highway Patrol office on State Road 520.
FHP spokeswoman Kim Miller said Lane’s blood alcohol level was .192 when the accident occurred on State Road A1A south of Melbourne Beach.
She said bond would be set at $15,000.
Investigators have said Lane was trying to pass two other vehicles on a double-yellow-lined stretch of A1A when his southbound 2006 Dodge Ram pickup collided with a northbound 1983 Yamaha moped.
Melbourne Beach resident Gerald Morelock, 56, was killed. Lane and a passenger in his truck were injured.
BILLY LANE STATEMENT– Melbourne, FL- Today charges were filed against Billy Lane in the motor vehicle accident involving Mr. Lane and Gerald Morelock. We first want to say that we extend our sincere sympathy to Mr. Morelock’s family. Mr. Lane also was injured in the accident, but will cooperate fully in the pending investigation as he recovers. At this time we cannot make any further statements, but will keep the lines of communication open as more information becomes available.
Okay, Billy is taking a lot of heat on the HORSE board, so I’ll say the following: Billy was a brother and is a brother. No matter what, we’ll stand behind him through this. When we stand back we must admit that this could have happened to any number of us. Life is just a roll of the dice daily. Sometimes we’re lucky and roll sevens, and other times we roll snake-eyes.–Bandit
EASYRIDERS EVENTS ANNOUNCES 2007 CENTERFOLD TOUR MASTER BUILDERS 2007 V-TWIN BIKE SHOWING SIX MASTER BUILDERS FROM ACROSS THE UNITED STATES–(Newbury Park, CA) – September 2006 – Easyriders Events proudly announces the six new master builders for the Easyriders Centerfold Tour. Six master builders and their custom one-off motorcycles will be showcased during the 12-city tour across the United States; which kicks-off in Pomona, California on January 7 and wraps up with the Invitational Bike Show in Kansas City, Missouri on May 5. A complete schedule of tour dates and locations is available online at www.EasyridersEvents.com.
World-class creations from Paul Yaffe of Paul Yaffe Originals, Kendall Johnson of Kendall Johnson Customs, The Detroit Bros., Ralph Randolph of Rockem and Sockem Motorcycle Co., Bill Rucker of Rucker Performance and Austin Weiss of Streamline Designs will be displayed for up-close viewing at each of the Easyriders V-Twin Bike Shows.
“Each of this year’s builders has been selected and personally invited to join the ranks of ‘Centerfold Tour’ predecessors like Billy Lane, Rick Fairless and Ron Finch. The excitement is in the diversity of these phenomenal Motorcycle Builders,” explained Easyriders Events president, John Green.
Master Centerfold Tour builder Paul Yaffe responded to his invitation to the 2007 event circuit enthusiastically, stating “It has been an honor [for me] to be selected. Attending the Easyriders Shows across the country is the perfect way to meet fans and customers. My phones ring off the hook following every show I attend. Since Supertrapp decided to have a booth coupled with mine, our dealer and retail exhaust sales have doubled.”
Excitement surrounding the 2007 Easyriders V-Twin Bike Show Tour is building with newly released information regarding attractions scheduled in 2007. Dorian Swanner of Carolina Customs Products, Inc. has been confirmed as the builder of a custom one-off motorcycle to be given away to one lucky V-Twin Bike Show attendee at the end of the tour. Swanner has also designed and created custom trophies for the 2007 tour, which are sure to beautify any winner’s trophy case. Additionally, Ralph Randolph of Rockem and Sockem Motorcycle Co. is feverishly building a one-of-a-kind motorcycle to be given away at the 2008 Easyriders Rodeo Tour Grand Nationals in Chillicothe, Ohio. Both giveaway bikes will be on display for the public at all 2007 Easyriders V-Twin Bike Show Tour locations.
For additional information regarding the 2007 V-Twin Bike Show Centerfold Tour, Carolina Customs Motorcycle Giveaway, Rockem and Sockem Motorcycle Giveaway, Exhibitor Information or Bike Show Competition Entry, please call our offices toll-free at 1-800-962-9857 or visit us online at www.EasyridersEvents.com.
ROCKEM SOCKEM MOTORCYCLE COMPANY COMES TO BIKERNET–Ralph Randolph grew up on dirt-bikes and the mean streets of New Mexico. It was clear early on that Ralph “Rockem” Randolph and his brother, “Sockem”, meant business. Ralph had a dream of success and nothing was going to stand in his way.
Ralph wasn’t afraid of hard work and by the time he was 13 years old, he was pouring concrete and running his own roofing company. During college, Ralph used prize money he won cage fighting on weekends to pay for an addiction to aviation and a career as a Strong Safety for University of New Mexico’s football team. It was also during college that Ralph stepped up from riding dirt-bikes to building the old-school bobbers and choppers he’s famous for today.
With a degree in hand from the School Of Architecture in Albuquerque, Ralph was driven to serve his country. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and graduated #1 Company Honor Man from his boot camp class of over 600. It was on tour during Operation Desert Storm that the Corps further instilled in Ralph the value of teamwork and the concept of gut check: When you think you can’t go any further you can. Back stateside, Ralph refocused his attention on flying airplanes and building custom motorcycles.
Ralph Randolph is now a captain with US Airways, a father, a husband and the hands-on Big Dog behind Rockem & Soxckem Motorcycle Co. Since its unveiling of the Snap-On Tools 85th Anniversary Bobber, Rockem & Sockem Motorcycle Co. has become one of the fastest growing brands in motorcycles. In an industry recently plagued with accidents and bad press, Ralph Randolph and company continue to attract big-name sponsors at the highest level with products including miniature die-cast models, a national Rockem & Sockem Boxing Club, a Rockem & Sockem Roadhouse Restaurant empire and a hot new line of custom bobbers, available November 2006.
What might seem like overnight success has actually been years in the making. For the kid from New Mexico, his journey’s been proof that the American dream can and does come true. According to Ralph, it all comes down to one simple philosophy: Teamwork and hard work will always pay off.
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