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BY POPULAR DEMAND STEEL DREAMS TELEVISION AIRS THE BANDIT SEGMENT ONCE MORE–This week, legendary biker personality – Keith R. Ball – tells how his love of motorcycles launched a lifetime career of both writing about them and building them. Over 35-years ago, Ball began restoring classic Harley’s. His talents also included writing, which lead to putting these two together and spending 23-years with Easy Rider magazine. After that, he launched Bikernet.com, a quirky web site that draws about 96 million hits a year from enthusiast?s worldwide seeking news and info on everything from motorcycle products to events, activities and oddities. It’s the classic Harley’s of builder, restorer , writer and Bikernet.com guru, Bandit, as they rumble and roar down the streets of Wilmington, CA.
Next, James “Munky” Schaffer, guitarist for the band Korn, tells how garage bands, dirt bikes and a “lucky” motorcycle accident in his teen years led to a career with today’s famed rock group. Along with numerous clips from live shows, he tells how he always packs a dirt bike or two on the tour bus for fun both on and “off” the road. Back home in Laguna Beach, Munky shows off his Ducati motorcycle and growing collection of cars that includes an Aston Martin, a top-of-the-line BMW and a Phantom Rolls-Royce.
Then, Rick Krost of U.S. Choppers in Santa Ana, California, tells how he changed from a career in high-finance to full-time restoration of old classic motorcycles purchased across the border in Mexico. Today, his company both faithfully restores old motorcycles while also creating and building sleek custom choppers and bikes based on classic designs from the 1930s and 40s.
It’s not motor sports on TV – it’s “Steel Dreams” TV. Check the Steel Dreams web site for program times and channels.
STEALTH WEATHER REPORT FROM CHARLOTTE–Around the Charlotte area riding season is popping! Bikes are on the road and there are bike nights at bars and restaurants everywhere. There are club rides every weekend and the poker runs are gearing up. Here at Stealth Bike Works we are satying steady and maybe even picking up the pace a little. This past week has been “Ape Hanger” week at SBW. All the bikes in the shop are running Apes! For me there is no cooler look, so I guess I have been in “Ape” heaven this past week.
Our two Shovelhead project bikes are nearing completion. The sheet metal is out for paint. As soon as we get it back they will be done. We are gearing up to fabricate sissy bars for the “Horse Smoke-Out in June. Chopper John has some great designs.
Things have changed a lot since this time last year. Last year we were just getting everything in place to open. Now we have our regular customers and continue to attract some new faces each week. We have added equipment and some new inventory. We are still small compared to some shops but we are growing. It is kind of cool being the “small shop.” What is cool about us being the small shop is that we have some BIG capabilities and people are starting to see that. One of the best things about SBW is the atmosphere. It will takle you back to the what you remember shops being from the past, from the Dave Mann artwork to our “old school” style and inventory. We have added one modern day item. A T.V. with VCR and DVD! Ha! Ha! Most of the time we have the T.V. loaded with biker movies and build-off’s.
Not much more to talk about for now. If you are ever in the Charlotte area gives us a call at STEALTH BIKE WORKS 704-882 -0889. Stop by for a visit!
Until next week, RIDE!
–STEALTHMAN
ANOTHER BUELL CUSTOM DISCOVERED–Saw your 100 HP BUELL Chop……… Very nice!!!Ben working on one myself with an Atlas frame & a 2001 BUELL Lightningmotor.
Not running yet but close…Here’s a pic.
–Morrone
NEW RANGE OF SCREENS FROM BAGLUX– Get protection from Secdem’s Rainbow Nation! Shield yourself from Britain’s dodgy climate with a Secdem screen, from Baglux.
French-made, Secdem screens offer high quality and unrivalled choice. They’re available to fit a vast range of bikes – the current catalogue runs to over 800 screens! In production for over 30 years, Secdem screens cover most bikes and scooters built over the last 40 years.
Secdem screens are made from PMMA (better known as Perspex) and come in 3, 4, 5 or even 6mm thicknesses, making for a very substantial screen that won’t bend or flex. Screens are also available to order in Altuchoc EI 50 high impact resistance material.
And there are 20 colours to choose from. As well as clear and a choice of light or dark smoke, options include Cobalt Blue, Purple, Yellow and Fluro Green
Four styles of screen include:
*ST – same measurements as original
*HP – high protection with deflectors
*SU – taller than standard
*DC – double bubble
Whatever you ride, there’s likely to be a Secdem screen to suit it. As well as recent bikes, the range includes the latest 2006 models: BMW F800S, Honda Deauville 700, Kawasaki ER-6 and ZZR-1400, Triumph Daytona 675 and Yamaha MT-03. Rarities too, from Bimota, Laverda, KTM and MV.
Tourers, sports bikes, scooters, cruisers and nakeds – there’s a Secdem screen to suit.
Contact Baglux on 01745 823333
http://www.baglux.co.uk/
BIKERNET WEEKLY PHOTO ART EXHIBIT– Shot this one at Destination Daytona for all you suicide shifter freaks!
Ride Hard,
–Whiplash Biker Photog
soffordphotos@comcast.net
HELLS ANGEL SHOOTING INVESTIGATED– Well before a Hell’s Angels elder was gunned down on the Connecticut Turnpike in West Haven Sunday, state police had been hearingwarnings that heightened tensions between motorcycle gangs could lead to violence, law enforcement sources said Monday. Known as “Bear,” Roger R. Mariani, 61, a Stratford resident and former officer of the Angels inConnecticut, died Sunday of a gunshot wound to the chest, according to the state’s chief medical examiner office.
State police are considering the possibility that a quarrel between the Hell’s Angels and the rival Outlaws led to Mariani’s shooting as he and other Angels were riding south about 3:30 p.m. on the turnpike. But they are not dismissing that it could have been an incident of road rage.
According to a police source, Mariani was among more than 20 bikers driving down the highway when one of them reportedly threw a wrench at a green sport utility vehicle with Florida plates just before the shots were fired from the SUV. Mariani was able to pull over to the roadside after he was hit. Hell’s Angels member Paul Carroll, 39, of Stratford,wounded in the shooting, was treated at Yale-New Haven Hospital and released. “This is an open, active investigation,” Sgt. J. Paul Vance said Monday. “We’re looking at everything. This is a homicide. Nothing is being ruled out.”
While Vance said it was “premature” to link Mariani’s shooting to a rival gang, a law enforcement source said tensions have been brewing recently between the Hell’s Angels and Outlaws involving drug turf. Martin Warren, the northeast regional spokesman for the Outlaws, referred questions to attorney Leonard M. Crone, who has represented members of the Outlaws in the past. Crone said the Outlaws do not believe that any of their members were associated with the killing. He added that he knew of no member of the club who was contacted or interviewed by police in connection with the investigation Monday.
— By Gary Libow
–from Rogue
R-MAX USA BY ROADMAX INTRODUCES NEW 2006 PRODUCTS–Jaz Talks Trannys, Belt Drive and Springer Front Ends. R-Max USA by Roadmax is shipping three newproducts for the first half of the 2006 year including kick starter kits, abelt drive and Springer front ends.
Transmissions – The R-Max functional kick start kits for 5 or 6 speedtransmissions are available for stock or new build applications.
The transmissions assemblies utilize a 2.94:1 1st gear ratio, 2.21:1 2nd gear,1.60:1 3rd gear, 1.23:1 4th gear, 1.00:1 5th gear, and for six speedapplications a .86:1 overdrive gear ratio for 6th gear. Internals consist ofSAE8620H precision cut full width gears with increased dog area. Gears are backcut and diamond media blasted for a very smooth and quiet operation. The shiftforks are made from heat treated ALBC3 alloy because this gives the forkssuperior strength. Used in combination with the R-Max USA by Roadmaxproprietary shift drum it offers enthusiasts smooth positive shifting andlonger reliability.
Belt Drive – Focusing on the needs of Harley enthusiasts running big-inch,high-horsepower engines, Roadmax’s HIGH TECH 3 open belt drive isunique in its superior strength, precision fit and reliability. All HIGH TECH 3drives are pre-drilled and tapped for the supplied pulley covers, use a frontpulley locking ring and an outside splined clutch for quiet operation. R-MaxUSA now offers the ?X-Factor? functional outboard-bearing support with 9000rpm bearings (not those little 3200 rpm) for more bearing surface area and asteel sleeve insert to provide added integrity and support. Take it to theX-Treme with the X-Factor.
Springer Front Ends – The new Springers introduced by Roadmax are designed foruse on all H-D Big Twin Models from 1990 to present. Each Springer is chromedand comes completely assembled and is available in 2″ under stock, stock, and2″, 4″, 6″, 8″ and 10″ over stock lengths. Compete with axle andapplicable wheel spacers. Optional fender mounts are also available.
For more information on dealer sales contact:John “JAZ” Zbiegien Jr. at 866-R-MAXUSA
BIKERNET TAX WOES–At the end of the tax year the Tax Office sent an inspector to audit the books of a synagogue.
While he was checking the books he turned to the Rabbi and said, “I notice you buy a lot of candles. What do you do with the candle drippings?”
“Good question,” noted the Rabbi. “We save them up and send them back to the candle makers, and every now and then they send us a free box of candles.”
“Oh,” replied the auditor, somewhat disappointed that his unusual question had a practical answer. But on he went, in his obnoxious way.
“What about all these matzo purchases? What do you do with the crumbs?”
“Ah, yes,” replied the Rabbi, realizing that the inspector was trying to trap him with an unanswerable question.
“We collect them and send them back to the manufacturers, and every now and then they send a free box of matzo balls.
“I see,” replied the auditor, thinking hard about how he could fluster the know-it-all Rabbi.
“Well, Rabbi,” he went on, “what do you do with all the leftover foreskins from the circumcisions you perform?”
“Here, too, we do not waste,” answered the Rabbi. “What we do is save up all the foreskins and send them to the Tax Office, and about once a year they send us a complete dick like you.”
SAXON MOTORCYCLE COMPANY ANNOUNCES NEW CUSTOM FIT PROGRAM– Representatives ofSaxon Motorcycle Company today proudly announced thelaunch of their new Custom Fit program, a programallowing all Saxon Motorcycles to be custom fit toriders prior to delivery.
The 2006 models offer more to their customers with theCustom Fit program. For smaller riders the push seatand forward control retractors fit riders from 5’2″while the forward control extension kit will allowriders up to 6’5″ to sit comfortably on all Saxonmotorcycles.
In addition to the custom fit program,the 2006 model line up incorporates numerous ergonomicchanges that enable all riders to have a morecomfortable seating position. “We listen to what theconsumers as well as our dealers tell us and try torespond as quickly as possible. One thing we have beenhearing recently is that we need to offer options thatallow both shorter and taller than average riders tosit comfortably on our bikes We’ve developed theCustom Fit program in direct response to theserequests.. The options are available at all of ourdealers and take a minimal amount of labor toinstall.” said David Schwam, Saxon’s Vice President ofSales and Marketing.
Women make up more then 10% of the motorcyclingpublic, and an even higher percentage are buying newbikes. Saxon decided to offer forward controlretractors allowing more riders easier access to thecontrols, a move that helps riders feel morecomfortable and enables a wider range of consumers andmore women access to Saxon motorcycles. Saxon has alsogiven their 2006 models a median seat height of 25-inchesallowing most people to sit flat-footed, and makingthe bikes more stable to all riders.
All of thecurrent 2006 models are available for a Custom Fitupgrade at a nominal fee at local Saxon Dealerships,and can provide the custom fit comfort that manyriders have been looking for in the custom V-twinindustry.
Saxon offers five different models ranging from$22,595 and to $26,995 MSRP. The monstrous 300mm reartire Griffin, the long and low Firestorm, flagshipchopper Warlord, and pro-street Sceptre all comestandard with a right side drive transmission, a twoyear unlimited mileage warranty, 96-inch S&S engine,swingarm suspension, and are EPA and CARB certified.
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