Hey,
This is going to be a wild Memorial Day Thursday News. All sorts of good info. A local kid, Buster Cates, bought the Amazing Shrunken FXR and it’s being delivered back home today by Keyboards shipping. If you need a bike shipped anywhere, give them a call.
Next, we found the best possible home for our Motorcycle Aftermarket Group to support motorcycle freedoms and motorcycle rights groups all over the world. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation offered to set up a committee and move the beneficial process forward. Now, guys in the motorcycle business can support the sport, the industry, and world wide community of dedicated riders who work 24/7 to keep us free. It will only costs $100 a year to join and for the first time the business side will support the industry that pays the bills, and contribute to the future of our sport. We will bring you all the info as it unfolds. Anybody can join the MRF from individual riders, to club guys, to corporate giants.
My dogbone risers arrived from Custom Cycle Engineering and my FXR swingarm axle for my mudflap girl bike. Plus I ordered a 3-inch open primary belt system from BDL and it arrived yesterday. This is going to be a photo finish build for Sturgis. I’m working with Wire Plus on the wiring systems, with speedos.
We had a meeting with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and we’re heading toward a run to the Burpa Bike Week first of next year. Another crazy adventure. Let’s hit the news before something else happens.
Something did happen as we tried to hide out and scramble on the news. Harold and Ruth showed up at our front door. Harold Harris was the president of the Berdoo Chapter of the Hells Angels in the ’60s. Later in life he lived on a sailboat here in Wilmington. Harold and Ruth are now developing algae growing clean air technology. It’s amazing. Any company, like a power company, can pour their exhaust into one end of this. It will filter through and actually feed the algae. Out the other end comes pure oxygen and a waste product that can be used as a clean fuel. They just won the clean air competition in the Port of Los Angeles, and the harbor is giving them land to set up a system to work with the DWP power plant. Good god. Ruth wanted to open an office in our Bikernet Headquarters.
MOTORCYCLE FREEDOM– People in PA and other states that try to reinstate Mandatory Helmet Laws Need To Fight this no matter if you prefer to wear a helmet or not, this is about Your Right To Make That Decision. Please Realize that the Federal Government has pushed this since the ’70s when Motorcycle freedom Fighters took them on and whipped their ass.
They have never forgotten that. They continue to try and make the American Motorcyclist do as they order them to do. If they succeed, it will prove that eventually they can win. We can’t let freedom lose.
PENNSYLVANIA:
State motorcycle helmet law may be restored.
Police say a 53-year-old Falls man recently died needlessly when he crashed his motorcycle on May 1 in Lower Makefield.
Although no one can say for sure if David Robinson died because he wasn’t wearing a helmet, Capt. Tom Roche said he believes the man could have survived had he been.
Roche said Robinson was traveling east on Quarry Road and as he approached a right-hand curve, his motorcycle crossed the center line and struck a high embankment. Robinson and his motorcycle slid about 150 feet and Roche said Robinson’s head hit the pavement, causing fatal injuries.
In 2003, motorcycle enthusiasts won a big victory by having Pennsylvania’s helmet law stricken, but now a western Pennsylvania lawmaker is trying to restore the law, making it mandatory to wear helmets – again.
State Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, will reintroduce legislation today in Harrisburg to restore the helmet law, said his spokesman Ben Turner. Frankel is the lead sponsor of House Bill 945, a bipartisan bill that would restore the helmet requirement for people 21 or older.
State law allows motorcycle riders 21 or older to go helmetless if they have been licensed to operate a motorcycle for at least two years or have completed a motorcycle safety course approved by PennDOT. Anyone operating a motorcycle on a learner’s permit must wear a helmet regardless of age, according to PennDOT.
The representative also is expected to require additional insurance for motorcycle riders who choose not to wear a helmet. He also will introduce a bill to provide for special motorcycle license plates for riders under 21.
By GEORGE MATTAR Staff Writer Calkins Media, Inc
–Rogue
Sturgis Freedom Fighters
Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Member 2005.jpg)
BIKERNET’S HISTORY–Congratulations, I read Bikernet’s 15 year history last night, and it was a damn good read! It brought back some memories, and filled in some gaps. The bad part was I had nightmares you wanted me to help you move that damn jail door table, and Panhead desk for the third time.
Over the weekend I knocked out the brick flower planter with a 10Lb. sledge to gain clearance, and then dragged my rigid bike, and the Handy lift into the living room. This is the bike I’m riding to Sturgis this year. The apes are coming off, and I think the handlebars from my bike you put on the Easyriders August ’76 cover are going on.
I’ll send some update flicks when it looks more like a proper home motorcycle shop, and the bike is looking how I want.
–Krylon John
CUSTOM CYCLE ENGINEERING FINNED ACCESSORIES–Custom Cycle Engineering well known for their finned rocker box covers has brought that famed finned design to other accessories for the Evo and T/C Touring models. All are machined from billet aluminum with a chrome finish or a anodized Black. Derby covers, Trans cover, Points cover, Inspection cover,
and Saddlebag latch covers.
Dress up your dresser with authentic Custom Cycle Engineering Since 1967
Contact Custom Cycle Engineering
1-800-472-9253
www.customcycleengineering.com
–Lonny Spiva
MAINE POLICE CONTINUE EFFORTS TO SQUELCH MOTORCYCLE NOISE– Motorcycle noise reduction was the main point discussed during a Board of Selectmen meeting May 12.
Police Chief Bob MacKenzie spoke in detail about how the Kennebunk Police Department has been working toward reducing the number of motorcycles that pass through town with loud mufflers. He spoke about how the department will again have police checkpoints during the summer to inspect and check not only motorcycles, but also cars with loud muffles, and give warnings and citations to motorists.
Mackenzie also spoke about other ways of reducing the amount of noise from motorcycles by sending out fliers and brochures to educate people about excessive vehicle noise. Police officers from his department also have been trained and educated about how to identify and handle motorcycles that have illegal mufflers.
Resident Claire Unsinn, who has long been an advocate of cracking down on the noise, spoke about her concern that some cycles are using illegal mufflers that don’t meet inspection standards.
“I think they know that they’re doing wrong,” she said. “This is what they live for. They live to make their bikes louder and they know it’s wrong.”
She said charity rides can disrupt the traffic flow through downtown. Unsinn said she wished that when local bars such as Bentley’s Saloon have events, they would request those involved have legal equipment on their bikes.
Selectmen Deb Beal and Bob Higgins agreed that although motorcycle noise is a problem, they can’t force people to do anything, especially establishments outside of Kennebunk.
“We hear you, bikes aren’t going away, no one is,” said Selectman John Kotsonis.
MacKenzie said he would continue to observe the issue and work toward changing it.
Tibbetts also announced that the Main Street work to repave and reline the road is planned to be completed by Memorial Day
By William Eaton seacoast
–from Rogue
MOTION PICTURE CREW LOOKING FOR A PARTICULAR HARLEY–
A major motion picture studio is in search of a 1987 Harley-Davidson FLHT full dresser to be used in an upcoming Tom Cruise movie being filmed in Miami.
They are also looking for extras to appear in this movie who own late 1980 Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
The time frame is late June and early July.
If you fit either of these requirements and are interested contact Ace Armstrong at 305-651-4811 or email him at ace@miamiharley.com
agreed to be the home of our Aftermarket Group. Congratulations.
I will send you more information as the process moves forward.
Ride Forever, goddamnit
–Bandit
Congrats to you – the force behind the movement. It takes clear vision to keep on keepin’ on, especially when you feel like you’re the only one who cares sometimes. And I wouldn’t blame you a bit if you’d felt that way between 2005 and now. Long road, for sure; but, you know, maybe they’re the best ones.
my best,
–Marilyn Stemp
Executive Editor
IronWorks Magazine
GREAT F—–g accomplishment. My hat is off to you brother, thanks for
helping the industry……….once again
Very Best Regards
–Nace Panzica
KRYLON JOHN PREPARES FOR STURGIS–Things got real tight and I had to get greedy, I’m doing work for seven magazines right now. As per your advice, I asked Dave Nichols for help and he really came through. In addition to my regular gig for Biker and In the Wind, I picked up Easyriders, and got a bunch of work on Road Iron. It’s the new ER bagger magazine that’s going to have its launch party in Sturgis at the new Easyriders Saloon & Steakhouse.
This brings me to the bike I’m taking to Sturgis this year. Notice I said taking and not riding. In place of the leisurely 5-6 days “Clean” Dean, Beatnik and I usually make riding up the plan, but it has changed slightly. Instead of the 2 ½ days we usually spend in Sturgis we’ve upped it to as many days as possible.
Oh yeah, I was talking about the bike– it’s the Phantom bike. Originally custom built for Dave Nichols by CMC with special Easyriders graphics in ’99. I bought it from Dave in ’01 while I was editing Tailgate. Since its Easyriders 40th birthday, I was going to throw on the handlebars from my bike that you put on Easyriders’s August ’76 cover, along with some other ER gee-gaws, but soon realized that it would turn it into one of those tacky theme bikes all of us editor types used to really dread writing about.
This just made me think about the John Deere bike, and “Clean” Dean’s cross-country trip on his ’05 Road Glide. Dig, this was earlier this week (5/24/11) when Dean rolled into Hutchinson, Kansas, stopped at a light, and then felt nothing at the shifter. Dean discovered the rod end from the shifter to the transmission had broken, so he slipped the clutch away from the light in 4th gear. Around the corner was a big John Deere dealer, Dean found an end for the rod for around 12 bucks, and was back on the road. Anyways that’s the news from the Orange Curtain, I’ll file a Sturgis get-ready update next week.
— Krylon John
BIKERNET BLACK MARKET BOOK DEAL OF THE WEEK– Everybody likes quality ink, and that ink often starts with quality flash. Tattoo Bible Book Two, brings you another unique and colorful collection. Everything from Skulls to Tribal, Americana to the avant-garde.
Like Book One, Tattoo Bible Book Two includes flash images never before compiled in a single book. The artists included in this book include the very well known, and those artists who should be well known. The best known names include Kevin LeBlanc, Aaron Coleman, Bob Sims, Nate Powers and many, many more.
Book Two covers different styles and an endless supply of ideas. Make your own design by combining different pieces of art from within the book, or use one of the images as a stand-alone tattoo. Let this book be a supplement to your imagination.
The images are represented in a range of physical sizes, some are printed two or four per page, while the more intricate designs are reproduced one per page. The designs include Hearts, Dragons, Roses, Skulls, Butterflies, Girls, Crosses, Celestial, Tribal, and Back Pieces.
Published by ArtKulture, an imprint of Wolfgang Publications, Tattoo Bible – Book Two, includes over 500 pieces of flash art. Colorful Tattoo images that are useful to both the tattoo shop, and the tattoo aficionado.
This week only, Tattoo Bible Book Two is available for $17.95 with free shipping to US addresses.
LIFESTYLE DEAL OF THE WEEK–1999 Softail, GET THIS ONE FAST! YOURS FOR ONLY $9,995.00.
Here’ a deal you can’t pass up! This 1999 Softail looks like a Heritage with all the mods! It’s got and 80 cubic inch motor, 5-speed transmission, 18″ chubby apes, braided lines, custom paint, battery tender, fat daddy wheels, kuryakyn hand grips, custom mirrors, passenger floorboards, and way too many other features to list here!
Like all of LifeStyle Cycles pre-owned Harleys, this bike has been thoroughly tested and inspected by a LifeStyle Cycles technician after undergoing a rigorous 38-point motorcycle inspection.
VIPER MOTORCYCLES TO KICK OFF DRAG RACING TEAM–
HOPKINS, MN, May 24, 2011 — Viper Powersports Inc (OTCBB: VPWI), designer and manufacturer of Viper Motorcycles, announced that Colbert Seagraves has joined the Viper management team as VP Racing Operations. Colbert’s background includes R.J. Reynolds Sports Marketing, Team Manager at Junior Johnson & Associates (Driver: Brett Bodine), Team Manager at Travis Carter Enterprises (Driver: Jimmy Spencer) and Director of Marketing & Sponsorship for AHDRA (All Harley Drag Racing Association). Colbert stated, “I look forward to assisting Viper launch its brand from its new World Class Corporate Headquarters in Auburn and to help build a winning drag racing team to achieve Viper’s brand marketing objectives.”
Viper also announced that it is developing a Mamba drag racing bike utilizing the existing 152 V-Twin designed and produced by Ilmor Engineering, and will be supporting a Drag Racing Team to challenge for the 2013 NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Championship. The Mamba street bike model will be unveiled later this year at an open house at Viper’s new Auburn Alabama World Headquarters.
Viper Powersports CEO John R. Silseth stated, “Colbert is the right person for the job of marketing our incredible Viper super-cruisers through a stated goal of winning a NHRA World Championship. Colbert will work diligently to secure sponsorships and work closely with our partner Ilmor to develop the engine and put a championship caliber drag race team on the track to compete in the 2013 NHRA season.”
–COLBERT SEAGRAVES
VP MARKETING & RACING OPERATIONS
VIPER POWERSPORTS, INC.
TEL: (336) 764-2898
WILD SHOP BIKES FROM THREE TWO CHOPPERS– The Brothers at Three Two Choppers keep on building great bikes and have continued to stay busy during these tough times.
To see more of these builds visit www.threetwochoppers.com
–TTC
Government Warning regarding purchase of UPS uniforms:
There has been a huge purchase, $32,000 worth, of United Parcel Service (UPS) uniforms on eBay over the last 30 days. This could represent a serious threat as bogus drivers (terrorists) can drop off anything to anyone with deadly consequences! If you have ANY questions when a UPS driver appears at your door they should be able to furnish VALID I.D.
Additionally, if someone in a UPS uniform comes to make a drop off or pick up, make absolutely sure they are driving a UPS truck. UPS doesn’t make deliveries or pickups in anything, except a company vehicle. If you have a problem, call your local law enforcement agency right away!
Bureau Customs and Border Protection
Washington, DC20229
D&D PRODUCES POWER & PERFORMANCE FOR HARLEY TOURING BIKES–Exhaust pipe manufacturer D&D saw a need to improve performance and economy in a package that is economical for the Harley rider. The results are in… 6.3 mpg and 10 HP increase over stock.
D&D’s Test Program
D&D mapped out a 106 mile test that consisted of the same route, same gas station, same pump, with the motorbike set on cruise at 70mph. The stock results were 42.24 mpg; stock air cleaner w/Super Boss Slip-ons delivered 47.24 mpg; and Super Boss Slip-ons with Screamin’ Eagle air cleaner delivered 48.5 mpg!
In another independent test we sent a set of Super Boss pipes to Tilleys H-D in North Carolina and they produced dyno results of an increase of 10 HP and 10 Torque with the Super Boss Slip-ons and Screamin’ Eagle air cleaner.
D&D is building some of the most advanced exhaust systems that increase performance, improve economy and deliver value to your billfold.
Start Building Power Today
Are you looking to improve the performance of your fuel injected bagger today? Then call on the pros at D&D to pump up the power. Dial 817-834-8961 817-834-8961 to get all the details or stop in at www.danddexhaust.com
BIKERNET STAFFER GETS HITCHED– Holy cool. There is a gigantic wedding announcement about us in the Sunday NYTIMES styles section VOWS feature and it’s nearly 3/4 page!!!! Very unusual.
It is online as well: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/22/fashion/weddings/lisa-mullins-and-patrick-lassiter-vows.html
And attached is a snapshot of the wedding announcement in the NY Times. Awesome, isn’t it! I can’t believe it…we’re stunned.
We can’t believe that they chose us for the Vows section. I just sent in a small paragraph/announcement hoping that they might print a little something, but they just loved our story so much that they wanted to make it a FEATURE. We were interviewed for a total of three hours, plus they had my book, too! Then they sent a photographer to the ceremony. Truly a dream come true to have it announced in my favorite paper in such a grand presentation by a legendary columnist.
Of course you must always know that you are my mentor that encouraged me all those years ago which kept me writing, riding and expanding my horizons and believing in my dreams which ultimately led me to Patrick because he rides, too.
— Sasha Mullins Lassiter
www.chromecowgirl.com
NEW PULLBACK HANDLEBAR FOR HARLEY-DAVIDSON BLACKLINE–
Puts Hand Controls Four Inches Closer to the Rider
MILWAUKEE (May 26, 2011) The new Pullback Handlebar for Softail Blackline (P/N 55800032, $219.95) from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories offers four more inches of pullback than the original-equipment handlebar to bring the controls closer to the rider. Not just for the short rider, this two-piece handlebar puts almost any size rider in an upright, relaxed position.
Finished in gloss black, this one-inch-diameter handlebar can be internally wired for a clean look, and is styled to match the aggressive stance of the Blackline motorcycle. Fits 2011-later Blackline models. Separate purchase of additional components is required. See an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer for fitment details.
For more information, visit Harley-Davidson’s Web site at www.harley-davidson.com.
LA CALENDAR SHOW EXCEPTS EARLY REGISTRATIONS–20th Anniversary Celebration! Join us for a New Location, a New Show Day, and Lower Admission Prices as the
2011 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show celebrates its 20th Anniversary on Saturday July 16th 2011 in the Queen Mary Seawalk Village, Long Beach
The 20th annual Los Angeles Calendar Motorcycle Show presented by Brown & Koro Motorcycle Attorneys, America’s premier custom, cruiser, performance and sportbike returns to the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA on Saturday July 16, 2011. Join the Show for a New Location, a New Show Day, and Lower Admission Prices as the legendary LA Calendar Motorcycle Show celebrates its 20th Anniversary! The Calendar Show moves from the Queen Mary Event Park in past years, now dockside next to the historic Queen Mary ocean liner on Saturday in the exciting Seawalk Village which replicates an old British seaside town for a step back in history. This is one of the world’s premier motorcycle events featuring major motorcycle and parts manufacturers, top name builders, selected exhibitors, product and apparel vendors.
New Lower $20 spectator admission includes the Calendar Motorcycle Show with its Calendar Bike Building Championship, celebrity Bike Builders, leading Manufacturers, Vendors, the Calendar Girl Music Festival and all-day admission to the famed Queen Mary Ghost Ship with the Saturday Night Builder’s Party in the Queen’s Observation Bar. Exhibitor display and Vendor prices have also been reduced to help industry partners in the current economy.
The Show features many of the world’s top Pro and Amateur custom street bike builders in attendance with their newest 2-wheeled creations of rolling art to compete in the Calendar Show Bike Building Championship with a bulging purse of cash and awards including the coveted Best of Show Trophy. This year the Calendar Bike Building Championship will follow the AMD World Championship Classes with the premier Pro Builder Freestyle Class Class sponsored by Iron Works magazine and 4 other classes for American V-Twin Customs, Vintage Bikes, and Metric Sportbikes / Cruisers.
Legendary custom bike builder Jim Nasi out of Phoenix, AZ, makes his long anticipated return to the the West Coast and the Calendar Show this year. Jim will be premiering an all-new radical Custom Bagger that is so cutting edge – like all his show bikes, it has already been scheduled for a coveted Iron & Lace Calendar shoot even before being completed.
Exciting activities during the weekend include the Calendar Motorcycle Show World Championship Horsepower Dyno Shoot Out, Calendar Bike Building Seminars, the Calendar Girl Model Search Pageant, and the world premier of the new 2012 FastDates.com Motorcycle PinUp Calendars with the beautiful Calendar Kittens. Also Included with admission is the Calendar Girl Music Festival with beautiful girl bands and singer songwriters. Returning to headline the Music Festival is the band Frentik with lead signer Emily Jaye hosting the day’s activities, together with a new addition, the sexy Greek punk rock band Barb Wire Dolls.
Spectators also get complimentary admission aboard the historic Queen Mary Ghost Ship, and entry to the Saturday Night Iron & Lace Calendar Builders Party with a live band in the ship’s Observation Bar. Spectators arriving by motorcycle receive reduced $5 parking in the Queen Mary secure motorcycle lot. Free shuttle bus rides are provided for overflow automobile parking at the downtown Long Beach Parking Garages, plus there are paid Taxi Boat rides from Shoreline Marina direct to the Show.
Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys present the Los Angeles Calendar Motorcycle Show with Associate Sponsors: Iron Works magazine, Mikuni Carburetors, Blanco Basura Beer, Bikernet.com, Meguiar’s Car Care Products, and the FastDates.com Calendars.
For additional LA Calendar Motorcycle Show & Calendar Girl Music Festival, Calendar Bike Building Championship and Edelweiss Ducati Tour information, Exhibitor Registration visit http://www.FastDates.com/BIKESHOW.HTM
ANOTHER BANDIT’S CANTINA TOAST– John Murphy hoisted his beer and said, “Here’s to spending the rest of me life between the legs of me wife!”
That won him the top prize at the pub for the best toast of the night!
He went home and told his wife, Mary, “I won the prize for the Best toast of the night.”
She said, “Aye, did ye now. And what was your toast?” John said, “Here’s to spending the rest of me life, sitting in church beside me wife.”
“Oh, that is very nice indeed, John!” Mary said.
The next day, Mary ran into one of John’s drinking buddies on the street corner.
The man chuckled leeringly and said, “John won the prize the other night at the pub with a toast about you, Mary.”
She said, “Aye, he told me, and I was a bit surprised myself. You know, he’s only been in there twice in the last four years. Once he fell asleep, and the other time I had to pull him by the ears to make him come.”
–Dave Clancy
ZODIAC RACING CONFIDENT AFTER FIRST EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND– Slippery was the only way the track could be described during the first round of the 2011 UEM European Championship, held at the old Russian airfield base near Kunmadaras in Hungary. Difficult to tune against when you have 1000+ horses to play with, and with all changes Ton and Vincent Pels made over the winter, not the ideal situation to start with. But the Zodiac Racing team did more passes then ever before during a race meeting. And their supercharged Nitro Harley is for sure a force to be reckoned with for the 2011 season.
This winter the team did a lot of work to try and get the bike more reliable. Last season the main problem was heat and how to get rid of it. Apart from bending valves and burning up guides, the heat problem was so bad that the exhaust port of the cylinder head was melting and therefore the valve seat lost all its support.
Their partners were consulted for technical knowledge and along with Kibblewhite Precision Machining new exhaust valves and guides were developed from the most exotic materials available and Supertrapp was asked for advise for a new exhaust system design. But by far, most time was invested in “skulling” the cylinder heads. Complete copper alloy combustion chambers, so called skulls, inserted in the heads were developed and with all the extra parts that had to made “a little different”, along with the engine cases that had a connecting rod kicked out at the European Finals last year, the team was again very busy during the winter months.
They would have liked some track time to dial everything in before the opening round of the European championship in Hungary, but with the Easter race at Santa Pod Raceway only one week before, it was decided to skip the testing and try to dial in the bike during qualifying.
The first qualifying run was supposed to be a half pass, but only took about 0.2 seconds. Instead of going forward, the bike simply jumped up and smoked the tire at the hit of the throttle, so Roel Koedam quickly got off the throttle and idled to the finish line.
For 2nd qualifier the bike was backed down and with the right lane being a fair bit better, the bike was able to find some traction and ran a reasonable 7.179, taking the provisional 2nd spot 0.01 seconds behind Hans Olav Olstad. Hoping the left lane would turn for the better, nothing was changed for the 3rd qualifying round Friday afternoon, but the result was identical to the 1st qualifier, the bike simply smoked the tire at the hit of the throttle. During the evening the heads and cylinders were taken off for inspection and everything came out brand new. It seemed that all the hard work Ton and Vincent did over the winter was worth it and everything was quickly assembled and the bike was ready for the next day.
For the Saturday morning session the adjustment of the fuel system was changed a bit, as the engine did not ran clean all the way when it ran the 7.17, but the tune-up of the bike was still kept conservative in every sense. At the launch the bike hit a huge tire shake until the 60ft, but after the 2nd stage of the clutch came in, it picked up the front wheel and went like a rocket. Carrying the front wheel way past the 330ft marker the bike suddenly went rich and nosed over. Back in the pits Roel said that the bike did not changed gear, and a quick look at the data logger confirmed it. A petty, as the 4.464 1/8th mile time was the quickest first half in qualifying. The last session was rained off, so the team could not improve their E.T. of 7.17, which put them in 6th spot on an extremely close qualifying ladder. After qualifying was cancelled the bike was checked out and the connecting rod bearings were changed, a normal maintenance procedure on Nitro Harleys. Because they did not have lane choice, the team again de-tuned the bike and it was ready for the eliminations.
The weather for Sunday was a lot cooler and humid then the previous two days, but with the eliminations put on a shorter schedule, all the finals could be run in between the light rain intervals. In the first round, team Zodiac matched up with Finnish Samu Kemppainen, who was qualified 3rd with a 7.120 second pass on his recently imported 60 degree V-Twin. Being 0.05 seconds quicker in qualifying, Samu obviously chose the right lane. At the green, both bike overpowered the track and it became a real pedal fest (well throttle fest in this case). Roel smoked the tire on the first and the second hit of the throttle, but after putting the bike in high gear and giving it a 3rd attempt, the bike finally hooked up and was able to pass Samu, who was also struggling to find traction, at the 1000 foot mark. You can’t always win them pretty, but it was one very exciting drag race. In the second round it was young Jan Sturla Hegre. Again the bike was de-tuned, as again the team had the inferior left lane, and they had not put a decent pass on it yet. Roel was quicker on the tree after a little stage battle, but Jan’s bike was the quicker one this race. With the soft set-up in the supercharged bike, it never really accelerated hard, slipping the clutch from start to finish, so Jan was able to drive around Roel’s 7.198 E.T. with a 7.067 and eventually took the event win.
The Zodiac team was not disappointed though. They made more passes then ever during a race meeting. The engine was performing without a hitch and all the parts help up very well. Next race is The Main Event at Santa Pod and the team hopes the track will be up to it’s normal UEM standard. They will start with putting back in some power and are confident that the changes they made, will give them the competitive edge.
See you at the racetrack!
Zodiac Racing’s 2011 provisional race calendar:
28th April – 1st May
Kunmadaras
Hungary
FIM/UEM Round
27th – 30th May
FIA/UEM Main Event
Santa Pod Raceway, UK
FIM/UEM Round
9th – 12th June
Sweden International
Tierp Motorpark, Sweden
FIM/UEM Round
30th June – 3rd July
FHRA Nitro Nationals
Alastaro, Finland
FIM/UEM Round
5th – 7th August
Sunoco Drag Challenge
Gardermoen, Norway
FIM/UEM Round
12th – 14th August
NitrOlympX
Hockenheim, Germany
FIM/UEM Round
8th – 11th September
FIA/UEM European Finals
Santa Pod Raceway, UK
FIM/UEM Round
The Zodiac SuperTwin Top Fuel drag racing team is proudly sponsored by Zodiac International B.V., Supertrapp Exhaust Systems, ACCEL Motorcycle Products, Spectro Oils of America and Kibblewhite Precision Machining.
Photos courtesy of Ivan Sansom and Rose Hughes.
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FIRST BIKERNET SINGLES CRUISE– Ed and Nancy met while on a singles cruise and Ed fell head over heels for her–When they discovered they lived in the same city only a few miles apart Ed was ecstatic. He immediately started asking her out when they got home.
Within a couple of weeks, Ed had taken Nancy to dance clubs, restaurants, concerts, movies, and museums. Ed became convinced that Nancy was indeed his soul mate and true love. Every date seemed better than the last.
On the one-month anniversary of their first dinner on the cruise ship, Ed took Nancy to a fine restaurant. While having cocktails and waiting for their salad, Ed said,
“I guess you can tell I’m very much in love with you. I’d like a little serious talk before our relationship continues to the next stage. So, before I get a box out of my jacket and ask you a life changing question, it’s only fair to warn you, I’m a total golf nut. I play golf, I read about golf, I watch golf on TV. In short, I eat, sleep, and breathe golf. If that’s going to be a problem for us, you’d better say so now!”
Nancy took a deep breath and responded, “Ed, that certainly won’t be a problem. I love you as you are and I love golf too; but, since we’re being totally honest with each other, you need to know that for the last five years I’ve been a hooker.”
Ed said, “I bet it’s because you’re not keeping your wrists straight when you hit the ball.”
–from Robin Hartfiel
HERE IS THE DEAL OF THE WEEK FROM THE BIKERNET CLASSIFIEDS ! A 2009 IRON 883 SPORTSTER ! Nice bike with HARDCORE styling ! Vance & Hines exhaust, well maintained. Would make a good starter bike or a GREAT bar hopper !
Great bike, just never have the time for it anymore. Comes with Vance and Hines exhaust and the stock exhaust. Smoked out front and rear blinker covers and passenger footpegs. Garage kept and never been dropped. I replaced the rear tire about 2,500 miles ago. Front tire is still good. Oil is changed every 3,000 miles with Harley Davidson full synthetic oil
CHECK OUT THE BIKERNET CLASSIFIEDS, WHERE THE ADVENTURE IS JUST WAITING TO BEGIN !
–MIKE the STEALTH
ad expires in 46 days.
This month we are celebrating the release of our newest motorcycle touring adventure, THE SOUTH TREASURES–
If you’re a rider in search of an adventure through South America, the South Treasures may be for you. In 15 days you will be riding 3.600 km’s through untouched rainforests, high mountain peaks and stunning coastal locations. You will also be delighted to know that you will be up for a great relaxing holiday through South America’s most desirable destination – BRAZIL.
Here are some of the tour highlights:
* Ride Serra da Graciosa, an old cobblestone colonial road built in 1873.
* Cross the dunes of Floripa and enjoy a dip in the Atlantic Ocean.
* Ride the majestic Serra dos Orgaos, considered one of the greatest rides in the world.
* Ride off-road to visit Brazil’s Grand Canyons.
* Visit Brazil’s German Village and it’s artesanal Beer museum.
* Walk down the 927 wire steps of Caracol Cascade, but only if you dare to return.
* Get stunned by Brazil’s rainforests. Greener? Impossible.
The South Treasures / 2012
Duration: 15 days + 1 bonus night
Begins on Saturday, 28/04/2012 (Sao Paulo)
Ends on Saturday, 12/05/2012 (Sao Paulo)
Distance covered on Motorbikes: + – 3.600 Km’s
For further information on The South Treasures please visit: tour itinerary / tour destinations / tour prices.
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT MEMORIAL DAY WORD–sojourn SOH-juhrn; so-JURN, intransitive verb:
1. To stay as a temporary resident; to dwell for a time.
noun:
1. A temporary stay.
Though he has sojourned in Southwold, wandered in Walberswick, dabbled in Dunwich, ambled through Aldeburgh and blundered through Blythburgh, Smallweed has never set foot in Orford.
— Smallweed, “The trouble with hope”, The Guardian, April 14, 2001
Yet he is now an accomplished student and speaker of English, a literary editor and television producer, someone who has sojourned in Paris and attended the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa in Iowa City.
— William H. Gass, “Family and Fable in Galilee”, New York Times, April 17, 1988
As chance would have it, Degas’s five-month sojourn in New Orleans coincided with an extraordinarily contentious period in the stormy political history of the city.
— Christopher Benfey, Degas in New Orleans
During that long sojourn in Sligo, from 1870 to 1874, he had lessons from a much loved nursemaid, Ellie Connolly; later he received coaching in spelling and dictation from Esther Merrick, a neighbour who lived in the Sexton’s house by St John’s, and who read him quantities of verse.
— R. F. Foster, W.B. Yeats: A Life, Vol. 1
Sojourn comes from Old French sojorner, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin subdiurnare, from Latin sub-, “under, a little over” + Late Latin diurnus, “lasting for a day,” from Latin dies, “day.”
LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE, BEST of the West, June 10-12, 2011– Have you registered yet? The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) hopes you will join us in Ogden, Utah for the 2011 BEST of the West conference from June 10-12. This year the conference is hosted by ABATE of Utah.
BEST of the West is one of the MRF’s regional events that allows interested motorcyclists’ rights activists to learn about issues affecting our right to ride. It offers workshops on how to be more involved, be more effective and make our presence known.
BEST of the West conference attendance is open to anyone interested in motorcyclists’ rights. The registration fee covers all the seminars for the weekend, as well as a dinner banquet and auction on Saturday night.
The MRF encourages all participants to make their hotel arrangements as soon as possible. Reservations can be made at the Comfort Suites by calling 801-621-2545. The hotel is located on 2250 South 1200 West, Ogden, Utah 84401.
To register for the BEST of the West conference, visit the MRF’s website at www.mrf.org or contact the MRF DC office at 202-546-0983. Applications can be printed from the website and mailed to the MRF office at 236 Massachusetts Ave NE, Suite 510, Washington, DC 20002. For more information about BEST of the West or any MRF conference, contact MRF Conference Director Carol Downs at downs@mrf.org or MRF Conference Assistant Teri Stobbs-Ricci at teri@mrf.org.
SPITFIRE MAKES MUDFLAP GIRL FXR GAS TANK FINAL DECISIONS–I made a mad dash to the Spitfire compound, and I dropped off the tanks, I told them I wanted Paul’s opinion before we moved forward. What do you think? Of course we need some gas capacity.
–Bandit
No problem. We’re all over it.
–Paul Cavallo
Spitfire
TEXAS CORRESPONDENT GRAPPLES WITH V-ROD BAGS–I looked at the bag tonight and played with mounting ideas, and the more I look at this, the more I think this may not work. Harley has a set of bags that will go on the bike that I really think would be the better choice functionally as well as aesthetically. The Redneck bags are VERY varrow, and the height I feel would interfere with my cornering ability, of which I am not liking. Check this pic of a DX with H-D bags….while they are not the biggest, They would serve the purpose of what I’m looking for…for now.
Several hours later, another report arrives:
Hey, I know I’m being a pain in the ass on this one, but maybe we could use the Cyclevisions Saddlebag Mounting kit, and then I could adjust the bags to work with those mounts. Here’s a link to it:
Anyways, help me out with ideas.
–Johnny
Ok, I got the 1st saddlebag yesterday. It’s gonna look really nice on the V-Rod, just have to find someone who can help me with the fab work. I believe the cycle sounds system is on the way as well, so at least I will be rocking the tunes and fairing at the ROT rally on June 10 and 11.
–Johnny
THE NEVADA HELMET REPEAL UPDATE– The following came in from Tigerlily this morning. She is right on the money with what she is saying. It is past time for motorcycle riders everywhere to contact members of the Nevada Legislature. If they live in Nevada remind the legislators you are a voter and will exercise that at the next vote.
If you live in another state tell them you will not be visiting and spending your money there.
THIS BILL CAN AND WILL GIVE MOTORCYCLIST FREEDOM OF CHOICE IF PASSED.
Please HELP Spread the word and also use your influence.
–Rogue
Sturgis Freedom Fighters
Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Member 2005
www.bikerrogue.com
SB177 – Senator Horsford – ENEMY NUMBER ONE TO MC LIBERTY IN NEVADA!
I’m so pissed I had to cool off 24 hours before writing this update.
I got home from Carson City last night where the air was thicker with party politics than last time. There are only 10 days left in our legislative session and with each day our chances of getting SB177 passed becomes grimmer. We do have a kick-ass plan B, but it’s one that’s gonna cost Nevada a LOT OF $, so I hope we don’t have to resort to that – but it’s certainly in the works!
You should know that the champion for motorcycle rights has been and is Sen. Don Gustavson. He believes we have sufficient votes for SB177 to pass – and our Governor has agreed to sign the bill if it reaches his desk. But our Bill is collecting dust in our Senate Majority Leader’s finance committee – and as I rode 550 miles home by myself yesterday I got madder and madder!
This senator is a SORRY EXCUSE FOR A PUBLIC SERVANT! Our bill was the top most popular bill in Nevada. It’s the only bill THAT WILL WILL WILL stimulate our depressed economy, without raising taxes! It’s a bill in which Nevadan’s aren’t asking for jack squat! We’re not asking for special privileges. We’re not asking for food stamps, welfare, jobs, or for any resources from the State of Nevada. We’re demanding freedom to wear whatever the hell we want on our heads while we ride in Nevada – and in South Nevada it gets REALLY HOT!
I’ve exposed the disgusting lies spread by Nevadan public servant, John Johansen DPS,OTS, and the lies spread by paid police officer lobbyists on OUR DIME to try to kill SB177. I love it when one of the paid lobbyists whined about how they get to see “the carnage.” Well maybe those anti-carnage folks need to find themselves another job – because as long as they’re dealing with accidents, there’s gonna be carnage – and far more of it in cars or by pedestrians than by motorcycles. “Carnage” is not the reason these paid lobbyists want to kill SB177. The reason these cops want to keep us in helmet bondage is because they view motorcyclists as slaves that need to be dominated. Will SB177 will take one of the several whips they already have to keep us into submission – the way they attempted to dominate over motorcyclists who attended a party at Henderson Harley Davidson. For heaven’s sake – don’t they have “real” criminals to catch?
Perhaps our truth-finding and lies-exposing is why SB177 passed the Senate Transportation Committee – unlike ever in the previous 40 years of Nevada’s helmet bondage history! There is absolutely NO EXCUSE for Sen. Horsford to ignore us.
It is my opinion based on the monumental efforts taken to educate Horsford about SB177 and his continued ignorance of our issue that this Senator is disgrace to Nevada. How he got to be our Senate Majority leader is beyond me! I can assure you this: he got there before I ever got involved in our legislative process. But now that I know what a vile, evil, self-serving, pompous, elitist jerk he is, I feel a need to make this public vow: At every opportunity, I will attend every town-hall meeting he holds to make sure he does not get re-elected. I will go door-to-door in his voting precinct to expose him. I will use my skills as fluent Spanish speaker to get “my Spanish-speaking kin” – who are primarily Democrats to vote against him!
STICKY FINGER TWILIGHT MOTORCYCLE RUN–A Diverse, Family, “Music Lovers” American Roots-Music Festival!–The Great South Bay Music Festival is the largest three day, “American Themed” music, art & cultural family event on Long Island. Featuring over 45 musical artists on 3 stages, and presenting top name, as well as local up & coming artists in contemporary & classic rock, jazz, jam-band, country, folk, zydeco, funk and all types of American music. The Great South Bay Music Festival will be held on July 15, 16, & 17, 2011. Located at Shorefront Park, Patchogue, Long Island.
The Great South Bay Music Festival is committed to excellence in “Fun Education”! Parents (and of course kids) will love our KIDZONE … that features top quality “educational & fun” children’s entertainment, all day Saturday & Sunday.
For “Arts & Crafts” Lovers, and shoppers, Great South Bays “Artisan Market”, features a diverse collection of interesting hand made and imported creations.
Don’t miss the 2011 Sticky Finger Twilight Motorcycle Run to the Festival t benefit Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
BIKERNET INSURANCE MEMO OF THE WEEK–The Power of Discounts – Can they really save you money on your motorcycle insurance?
You can’t go anywhere in the wild world of insurance without some company somewhere bragging about all the “discounts” they offer. But what amount of discount are you really getting from your insurance company? Here at Bikernet Insurance, we tell it like it is. We do more than just “quote” motorcycle insurance, we “specialize” in it so that you get the real scoop always.
Let’s look at the most common discounts and their value.
1. Rider Group Discounts
You must belong to a “qualifying” rider’s group and provide proof of being an active member to get this discount. Discounts typically vary from 5% from insurance companies who don’t understand bikers to 10% from the vast majority of companies. The only rider group discount above 10% that we are aware of is provided by Dairyland Cycle Insurance and that is a 15% discount for members of the Harley Owners Group. This whopper 15% discount for HOG members is available right here at Bikernet by the way.
2. Specific “Other Group” Discounts
Companies that specialize in providing motorcycle insurance will sometimes provide a 5 to 10 percent discount to members of a specific group or organization. For example, several large motorsports dealerships around the country offer 5% insurance discounts to their customers, a few online motorcycle parts retailers offer a small discount for being a regular buyer of parts. If you belong to Bandit’s Cantina, you get a 10% discount when you buy your motorcycle insurance from the Bikernet Insurance-Dairyland Cycle partnership. Yup, Cantina members get a 10% discount and, if you are also a HOG member, we add the two together and give you a whopping 25% discount. This is before any other discounts are applied.
3. Multi-Cycle Discount
This is one of the biggest discount options available. We’ve seen some companies offer 40% discounts when 2 or more motorcycles are written on the same policy. So for you lucky bikers out there that own two or more bikes, your total insurance costs can be very reasonable.
4. Anti-Theft System Discount
Having an audible anti-theft alarm installed can get you 5%. A non-audible security system like LoJack can get you 10%.
5. Policy Renewal Discount
Some companies really know how to reward their loyal customers. Many will offer 5 to 10% if you renew with them for 5 consecutive years. Our company of choice for the Bikernet community , Dairyland Cycle, will give you a 15% discount if you renew your motorcycle policy for 5 consecutive years.
6. Rider Course Discount
If you have completed a motorcycle rider safety course in the past 3 years, many companies will give you a 5% discount. Dairyland Cycle’s time period is the longest at 5 years. Yes, if you have taken an operator course specifically designed for motorcycles within the last 5 years, we’ll get you a 5% discount.
7. Winter Discount
Some savvy motorcycle insurance companies (P.S. Not all are savvy!), will actually provide a discount when you cannot ride your motorcycle. This recognition of limited usage means you basically pay for insurance for 10 months of the year, not 12. Its a good way to recognize that bikers are not riding much in the off-season.
8. Good Driver Program
This is also one of the biggest discounts available. It can reach 20%. This discount is applies to all bikes qualifying for the “good driver” status. To qualify, you must be licensed to ride a motorcycle for at least 3 years, have the motorcycle license endorsement, and have no more than one DMV violation point during the prior 3 years. DUI in past 10 years? Forget about this discount.
9. Mature Driver Discount (aka: Discount for us old farts.)
A discount may apply when a driver is at least 55 years old and has completed a state-approved Mature Driver Improvement Course. Discount is typically good for 3 years from the date of course completion.
So there you have it friends. You can save up to 70% on your motorcycle insurance with the right combination of discounts applied to your ride. The Crew at Bikernet Insurance always goes all out to get you all the discounts you deserve.
Ride Safe Out There,
The Crew at Bikernet Insurance
Toll Free: 888-467-8703
Email for fastest response: clientservice@bikernet-insurance.com
Resident State: CA Agency 0G67810. Principal Agent 0D71028
The World’s Best of the Best in custom bike building are attending the 2011 edition of the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building–Each year they come together in Sturgis to see who has engineered the best motorcycle.
Builders will be entering their bikes in Freestyle, Modified Harley-Davidson, Production Manufacturer or Performance Custom.
Listen to Robin Bradley talk about 2011
–Prince Najar
INSIDERS MEMO FROM THE BIKERNET FARM– An elderly man in Florida had owned a large farm that had a large pond in the back.
It was properly shaped for swimming, so he fixed it up nice with picnic tables, horseshoe courts, and some orange, and lime trees.
One evening the old farmer decided to go down to the pond, as he hadn’t been there for a while, and look it over.
He grabbed a five-gallon bucket to bring back some fruit. As he neared the pond, he heard voices shouting and laughing with glee.
As he came closer, he saw it was a bunch of young college girls skinny-dipping in his pond.
He made the girls aware of his presence and they all went to the deep end.
One of the girls shouted to him, ‘We’re not coming out until you leave!’
The old man frowned, ‘I didn’t come down here to watch you ladies swim naked or make you get out of the pond naked.’
Holding the bucket up he said, ‘I’m here to feed the alligator.’
Some old men can still think fast.
–Geno
RUN FOR THE WALL UPDATE–“Run For the Wall” riders from as far away as California and Texas will again join fellow riders on Sunday, May 29th for the Rolling Thunder XXIV Ride Through Washington.. an event that draws more than 300,000 to the streets of DC.
Rolling Thunder — the largest annual event in Washington D.C. — is a First Amendment demonstration run that takes place during Memorial Day weekend for POW/MIA awareness. Here are some of the activities planned for the weekend.
Friday, May 27th – 9pm Candlelight Vigil at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Saturday, May 28th – 9am Thunder Alley opens at 22nd St & Constitution Ave
11 am – US Navy Memorial Wreath Laying, Navy Plaza, 701 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
11 am – 3 pm – Saluting our Troops…speakers/musical tributes located on state between Reflecting Pool and Lincoln Memorial.
Sunday, May 29th – 7 am – Reveille – bikers rally in North Pentagon Parking lot.
12 noon – Rolling Thunder XXIV starts…bikers depart the North Pentagon parking lot.
1:30 pm – Rolling Thunder Speaker Program – speakers on stage between Reflecting Pool and Lincoln Memorial.
Memorial Day, May 30 – 3 pm drawing for Rolling Thunder XXIV Raffle Bike 2011
at Thunder Alley, 22nd & Constitution Ave. NW. (Tickets 3@ $10 available at event)
This year, there is also a free 4-day event, “Stars, Stripes & Spokes” at RFK stadium, two miles east of the Capitol.
“We ride for those who can’t” is the motto of the organization, Run For The Wall.
Learn more about the RFTW mission to bring veterans on a cross-country journey to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall & Rolling Thunder Ride.
RUN FOR THE WALL
By: Jennifer Jensen Walker
Thunder in the streets,
Tears in the eye,
As our love and honor
…Go to the ones that die.
We remember them,
We always hold them dear,
As they serve their country
Through their blood and fear.
Some families still wonder
Where their brothers may be hid,
But all we can do is honor them
For the service that they did.
So raise the flag up high!
Keep it ever from the dirt!
Help the soldiers in your life to see
We never want them hurt!
POW … MIA …
We pray that hearts will mend!
We cry for you, we ride for you,
Our vigil will not end!
Run for the wall!
OL’ SKOOL RODS #47 ON SALE JUNE 7–Don’t miss it!
Besides the smokin’ hot cover model Monica Renee (more photos inside) with a fine Model A coupe, this is the annual “T&A Issue” with all featured hot rods being Model A or Model T based. There’s even a supercharged 6-cylinder A-Bone rod.
Events include Indiana’s James Dean Run and Ducktail Run plus California Hot Rod Reunion and George Barris’ annual show.
The featured bike this month is a clean little traditional Panhead owned by Prez of Pop’s Hot Rod Garage in San Diego.
Line up at your favorite newsstand on June 7 and pick it up.
Subscribe by calling 877-655-6423 or go to www.olskoolrodz.com
KENTUCKY LEGISLATIVE WAR– We work with the Campaign for Liberty from time to time on various issues. Please ACT NOW to help defeat this awful piece of legislation that has been rammed down the throats of the American people in the name of security. Besides the phone number listed below you can also contact one of the local offices for the Senator or via the web at
http://mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Contact
ACT NOW!!!!
Senator Rand Paul is continuing his efforts to hold Harry Reid accountable to his February promise to allow a full week of debate and open amendments on extending the Patriot Act.
In defiance of Senate orders, Sen. Paul courageously brought up three amendments and asked for unanimous consent to allow a discussion and a vote on them.
Harry Reid then personally objected to protecting gun owners’ rights and shut the attempt down.
Rand is ensuring that this Patriot Act fight is far from over.
Now is the time to call Mitch McConnell and demand that he not sacrifice our 2nd Amendment rights in the name of fighting terror!
Do our elected officials not remember that everythwarted hijacking since 9/11 has been accomplished by American civilians?
United Flight 93: Forced down by civilians
Shoe Bomber: Stopped by the passengers
The so-called “underwear bomber”: stopped by an American citizen
Why would anyone except a despot and a tyrant want to disarm the law abiding citizens of this country?
Please call Mitch McConnell at (202) 224-2541.
Then, please call Harry Reid at (202) 224-3542. Demand that Senator Reid stop using dirty tricks to pass unconstitutional bills. Remind him that parliamentary rules were not made to be broken, and the Constitution is not just a piece of paper.
Yours in Freedom,
Sheri Quinn
Interim Kentucky State Coordinator
Campaign for Liberty
P.S. Sen. Reid is personally objecting to Sen. Paul’s amendments to make sure the Patriot Act does not tread on our 2nd Amendment rights. Our Senators should be supporting our constitutional rights and not bowing to t
RM AUCTIONS ACHIEVES OVER €23 MILLION IN TWO HOURS
AT DEBUT SALE AT THE CONCORSO D’ELEGANZA VILLA D’ESTE —
RM Auctions posts over €23 million in sales during two hours of furious bidding at its inaugural sale at the world-renowned Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
· Six automobiles fetch over €1 million, with two lots surpassing €3 million
· Top-sellers: 1955 Ferrari 375 MM Berlinetta achieves €3.36 million and an exquisite 1938 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Teardrop Coupé brings over €3.1 million
· Bertone S.p.A Collection exceeds all expectations, resulting in €3.6 million in total sales
CERNOBBIO, Italy (24 May, 2011) – RM Auctions, the world’s largest collector car auction house for investment-quality automobiles, kicked off its 2011 European calendar in style on the weekend, posting over €23 million** ($33,436,750 USD) at its debut sale at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Cernobbio, Italy.
Held in conjunction with the celebrated Italian concorso d’eleganza, the two-hour sale treated a discerning international audience to one of the most significant offerings of collector cars presented in recent auction history, including the highly-anticipated sale of six unique Bertone concept cars. Featuring a handpicked selection of 32 motor cars, six automobiles achieved individual million-euro-plus results, with two lots surpassing €3 million. Top sale honours went to a stunning1955 Ferrari 375 MM Berlinetta for €3,360,000, along with a breathtaking, concours-quality 1938 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Teardrop Coupé which sold for €3,136,000
Offered for the first time, the visually-striking selection of concepts from the official collection of Bertone S.p.A was one of sale’s many highlights, garnering significant attention and spirited bidding. Headlined by the wild 1967 Lamborghini Marzal, a predecessor to the Espada, for €1,512,000, total sales for the collection surpassed €3.6 million, with numerous lots far-exceeding expectations. Additional notable sales included the 1974 Lamborghini Bravo, which achieved €588,000, almost four times its pre-sale estimate, while the 1980 Lamborghini Athon also attracted strong interest, doubling its estimate to sell for €347,200.
The sale also strengthened RM’s position as the global leader in the presentation of important and historic Ferraris at auction with the successful sale of six important examples from the world-famous Italian marque. A one-off Pinin Farina-designed 1955 Ferrari 375 MM Berlinetta, the last 375 MM built, spurred a lively bidding war in the room and on the phones, resulting in an impressive final sales price of €3,360,000. A stunning 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder surpassed its high-estimate, bringing €2,520,000 to reinforce the California’s position as one of the world’s most desirable open-top Ferraris, while a 1957 Ferrari 500 TRC Spider, arguably one of the most beautiful Ferrari sports racing cars ever built, concluded the sale on a high note, realizing €2,800,000.
Representing the ultimate in pre-war French design, the Pebble-Beach winning 1938 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Teardrop Coupé was another featured lot attracting strong international interest, selling for a phenomenal €3,136,000
“Never has a car been more at home in its surroundings than the Talbot Lago T150-C SS was at our Villa d’Este sale,” adds Girardo. “It was a perfect fit for an event themed on showcasing the ultimate in elegance and sophistication in styling.”
Other notable auction sales included 1964 Alfa Romeo TZ Coupé, which, with significant period racing history, achieved a world-record breaking price of €627,200; and, an extremely-original, well-documented 1957 BMW 507, considered by many as one of the most stylish roadsters of the 1950s, which also entered the history books with its record-setting €728,000 auction price.
Full event details for Salon Privé along with official results from the company’s sale at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on the weekend are available online at www.rmauctions.com
For further information and interview opportunities please contact:
Amy Christie amy@rmauctions.com
Peter Haynes peter@torquepr.co.uk
WTT Memorial Day Weekend
Veterans’ Tribute — May 26-30!
Free Admission This Weekend for All Veterans,
Active-Duty, and Retired Military!
Memorial Day has always been a day of remembrance. Dating back to the end of the civil war, Memorial Day was created to pay tribute to the men and women who gave their lives for our country in war.
Over the past 200 years, it has developed into a national day of patriotism, as millions of American’s across the country remember those who fought for our freedom, flying American flags to share their respect and appreciation for our country”mailto:amy@rmauctions.com>
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY– Spend some time and give thanks. I’m wrapping up Mudflap girl FXR chapter 3, then I’ll hit Joel’s bike feature, and I’ll move onto the next project.
As I get older I sense that it’s ridiculous to write about chasing young broads. It just doesn’t fit. Besides look at the bullshit is causes, like Swarzenegger’s recent explosion. He blew up his family, and may end up in prison if they prove he used state funds to pay for his mistress. In a sense the sooner you can get over the addiction to pussy, the better.
Then there’s a side of me that avoids politics. I don’t want to come off as some sort of radical, but on the other hand, this is our country. If you don’t give a shit, and it all goes to hell, then ya got what you paid for. Here’s a couple of crazy notions that happened recently and were covered in The Week magazine. A Massachusetts teacher refused to display a student’s American flag drawing because it might offend a classmate who was a Jehovah’s Witness. The kid drew the flag to honor his military brother. The religious kid considered the flag a form of idolatry. Good god. What happened to the separation of church and state.
Get this one. California officials took custody of a 8-year-old girl after her mother admitted on TV to giving the kid Botox injections before beauty pagaents. So do we need to pass another law? It’s all nuts, and I’m a proponent of education over legislation. We need to inject freedom back into our lives, even if we need to take the responsibility to learn how to make decisions for ourselves.
Make it a memorable Memorial Day.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
