Hey,
I learned a dipshit lesson this week. It was a reminder to slow down and check the facts. It also told me that the industry is reading Bikernet. Rumors were flying over the last couple of weeks. I was told that S&S was sold. I doubted it for several reasons, but mentioned it, while checking with S&S. I’m sensitive about the success of this entire industry and all within it, from the big businesses to the guy on the street. But that doesn’t mean I won’t make a mistake from time to time. S&S is not for sale and according to Brett Smith, “That’s the last thought on my mind.”
Then a brother calls and told me that Advanstar sold. They’re a massive company who produce the Indy show. I checked with a company executive and he told that the company is for sale, but it hasn’t happened and won’t happen until the first quarter of 2006. Then another bird whispered in my ear the Easyriders was in trouble again and that did it. Rumors make for good press, but this goes beyond that.
Regarding Bikernet, our numbers are in for September. We hit 209,000 unique users, 363, 000 visitors, 767,000 impressions and 6.8 million hits. Sure a wild rumor gets the industry talking, but it can also cause problems, squelch deals, lose jobs and hammer relationships. Producing Bikernet goes beyond making a buck or being crass journalists. It’s about an industry I call my family. Sure, I’m pissed, from time to time, or I feel jacked around, but that’s always a reminder not to lower myself or this site to bullshit levels. Let’s hit the news:
SPEED DEMON SHOW STURGIS CONCLUSION– Hank Young entered the August 6 – 13, 2005 Michael Lichter Presents “Speed Demons, Race Inspired Motorcycle Art” at The Journey Museum in Sturgis. He took many of the event participants by surprise with his creative craftsmanship. Most builders created retro boardtrack racers while Young built this Bonneville land speed racer inspired bike called Elam.
Young’s bike is packed with innovation, which includes: Billet aluminum – one off rimsPerimeter brake system front and backCast, finned aluminum gas tankYoung designed Springer front endRare 120 CI John Harmon Motor built in the early ’80’sRight side Roadmax trannyPrototype Belt Drive
Builders represented at the show included Steve Broyles, Chica, Jeff Decker, Cole Foster, Roger Goldammer, Pete Hill, Kendall Johnson, Duane Kastor, Arlen Ness, Indian Larry Legacy, Samantha Morgan, Jesse Rooke, Roland Sands, Kim Suter, Russ Tom, Hank Young, National Motorcycle Museum, and the Easyriders 322 MPH Streamliner.
The artist showing race inspired art included Jeff Decker (Bronze), Tom Fritz, Scott Jacobs, Eric Hermann, Motor Marc Lacourciere, Mike Learn, Michael Lichter, Peter Maier, David Mann, Richard St. Clair, San Stuckenschneider and David Uhl.
Rucker Performance Promotes Erin Rucker to Operations Officer–Rucker Performance, a leading designer and manufacturer of custom American muscle and chopper motorcycles, announces the promotion of Erin Rucker to Operations Officer. Erin directs sales, dealer and vendor relations and marketing. She ensures that the daily operations of Rucker Performance run efficiently.Erin Rucker has strong roots in the custom v-twin industry. She spent years as the prot?g? of her father, Bill Rucker, founder and former CEO of American IronHorse Motorcycle Company. She served on the American IronHorse marketing team, participating in special events, dealer relations and apparel sales. Erin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.
“Erin provides the continuation of our family-style management and shows a commitment to our customers, vendors and employees,” said Bill Rucker, President of Rucker Performance. “Erin’s background in the motorcycle business has increased her abilities to direct her staff and develop a smooth operation.”
Erin Rucker has made her mark particularly in the last year. In August of 2004, Erin took the reins of Rucker Performance after Bill Rucker’s motorcycle accident following a trip to Sturgis. Erin led the company as acting CEO managing the business and producing strong sales during its first year.
“I am excited about the quality of the riding experience and the form and function of the motorcycles that we deliver today,” said Erin Rucker. “2005 has been a defining year for us and we have laid the foundation to take Rucker Performance to the next level in business development.”
Contacts:
For dealership inquires:
Bill Rucker: (817) 838-3200,
BRETT STEVENS RACING – AUSTRALIA – ENDORSES S&S PRO STOCK ENGINE–S&S Cycle is pleased to announce that Brett Stevens Racing has chosen to endorse S&S powered engines to compete in Pro Stock Motorcycle racing in the ANDRA (Australian National Drag Racing Association).
The motorcycle for Brett Stevens Racing will be an S&S powered Buell, featuring the S&S 160″ billet Pro Stock engine. The motorcycle will be built by G2 Motorsports of Americus, Georgia, USA . It is a clone of the G2 bike that has posted E.T’s in the 7.0’s and run as quick as 193 MPH in the quarter mile. The performance of the S&S 160″ pro stock engine has been instrumental in creating the most competitive NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle season to date.
S&S powered Pro Stock Motorcycles have been competing at the highest level in the USA ‘s NHRA sanction this year. The last two NHRA events have seen five bikes qualifying and the racing community has seen repeated success this season with S&S powered bikes consistently advancing to the quarters, semis, and finals.
In addition to the Pro Stock Motorcycle, Brett Stevens Racing will also be introducing their exclusive Brett Stevens Signature Series 124″ “Hot Street” V-Twin motorcycle racing package. Through collaboration with S&S Cycle, this package will be distributed through East Coast Custom in Australia . East Coast Custom is a major distributor for S&S Proven Performance products.
Got Boost? Custom Performance introduces a Turbo Kit to rocket your V-Rod to the next level–That stock V-Rod of yours is a smooth riding motorcycle. A Custom Performance V-Rod Turbo kit can make it a screaming machine, without modifying the engine. Our custom designed, patent pending, bolt on turbo kit has produced, dyno proven, at least 165 HORSEPOWER? Wow, that much power out of a kit you can install on a lazy Saturday or bring it down to the shop and we can install it for you (additional charge for installation). Included in the kit is a ceramic coated and polished Garret GT25 ball bearing turbocharger with internal wastegate, all exhaust manifolds and intake plumbing, custom intake plenum, Hi Performance clutch and even an installation CD, with a custom designed fuel and ignition map. All of this performance for a package price of $4999 + tax. Your bike will require the installation of a Screamin’ Eagle Race Tuner, not included in the package price.
Custom Performance offers a variety of turbo applications custom designed to BOOST your V-Twin. For more information contact Custom Performance at 623-879-8488 or visit us online at WWW.TURBOYOURHARLEY.COM
EAST VS. WEST BUILD-OFF THIS WEEKEND–We are in the East vs West bike build-off in Scottsdale competing in the OLD School category. We will have the Brass Knuckles bike there from Friday to Sunday on show if you have any photo guys available. We also have another new bike “Cherry Bomb” ready to show in a two weeks. Doing an article on both of these would be awesome. Hot Rod Kong is also in the shop for the next two weeks, so you have three awesome O School bikes all ready to shoot.
–O School Choppers
Sin City, Nevada
CHOPPERTOWN TO AIR AT MAJESTIC–Wanted you to know that Choppertown will be screening this Thursday eveningat 10:30pm at the Majestic Crest Theatre in Westwood, CA as part of theWestwood Film Festival. We’ve secured parking for rods and skoots in frontof the theater on Westwood Blvd, should be a fun night!
Address:
Majestic Crest Theatre
1262 Westwood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
310-470-6008
BIKERNET CANADIAN COVERAGE–Great article on Rene’s Event in Grande Prairie. She’s a hardworking gal,no question. Glad you made it out to the Show and provided some nicecoverage. We look forward to seeing more of it on BikerTV later in theseason.
Just thought I’d keep you informed on another major event happening inCanada… the CANADIAN BIKER BUILD OFF. Rene’s top winners receive Entryand Accommodations to the 2006 Edition. This first Event, July 29 – 31awarded Canada’s Top Builder the opportunity to represent our fine countryin the 2006 INTERNATIONAL BIKER BUILD OFF held during Daytona Bike Week.The custom builds entered from across Canada were amazing. The Eventitself… Pretty. Freaking. Awesome.
Another element to the CBBO was The World Famous Rat’s Hole Custom BikeShows Inc. A separate, 17 Class show on Sunday, open to all ride-inentries. This too was certainly well received by builders, owners andenthusiasts. Ted Smith, owner of The Rat’s Hole, was impressed enough toplace the CANADIAN BIKER BUILD OFF as one their seven North American tourdates!
Check it out at www.canadianbikerbuildoff.com Perhaps we will be welcomingyour attendance in 2006!
–Vern
World Championship to include ‘Licensed Manufacturer’ sub-class– AMD has confirmed sub-class arrangements for the second annual Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building, being held at the Big Twin West/Custom Chrome Dealer Show, at the Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, November 18 through 20.
All bikes will automatically be entered into the main ‘FreeStyle’ class, from which the competitors themselves will judge the World Champion builder.
However, in order to avoid the uncertainty that occurred at the first World Championship, the sub-classes have been re-defined. There will now be four.
There is a specific class for bikes based on Custom Chrome Motorcycle ‘kits’ (formerly HR3’s), and the ‘OE’ class that was confusing in 2004 is now represented by two clear, specific and separate sub-classes.
The ‘Licensed Manufacturer’ class will be an option for all builders, assemblers and manufacturers who enter a bike with the appropriate sticker. The bike can be a ‘stock’ example of the firm’s production series bikes, it can be a modified version of a production bike, or it can be a one-off custom bike with some (or fewer!) features of the firm’s production bike program, if they have one.
There will also be a specific class for ‘Modified Harley-Davidsons’. This will be an option for bikes built using either a stock Harley-Davidson frame, engine or both.
A sponsored ‘Metric’ sub-class has also been added for this year.
As of October 6th, 61 entrants have completed the (necessary) Official Entry Form, indicating that they will be entering 89 bikes in total. An additional 70 further builders have completed preliminary paperwork indicating their intention to compete.
Registration at the Mandalay Bay will open at 12.00 noon on Wednesday November 16th; the World Championship and Big Twin West Dealer Show open to trade visitors at 10.00 AM on Friday November 18th.
Judging will be by the competitors themselves, invited custom media journalists and selected exhibitor VIP’s. Judging will close at 2.00 PM on Saturday November 19th, with the 2005 World Champion being announced in an awards ceremony that will start at 6.00 pm Saturday November 19th.
Full details on rules, regulations, terms, conditions and competitor/event guidelines are available at the event website, along with on-line and downloadable versions of the Official Entry Form. Follow the links at A competitor event booklet and form are also available by mail. To request a copy, and ask any further questions about the Official World Championship, simply contact Neil ‘ShowMaster’ Blaber at the AMD office (Tel 866 849 5704 or +44 1892 511516; A full list of confirmed entrants, together with questions and answers not covered by the booklet and guidelines, is available on the World Championship forum at Continued On Page 2
