Hey,
Damn, the country seems more divided than ever. I don’t get it, but maybe I’m just a simpleton who was brought up to believe in freedom, education, and strength were virtues.
I actually see so many things as opportunities to be stronger, more free, and more resilient, not more regulated and more reliant on the government. Ah, but what the hell do I know?
Let’s hit the news. The weekend of the first of February is right around the corner and the kick-off of the V-Twin Show in Cincinnati, where all the new products for our industry will be released, discussed, and shared with dealers all over the country, but it also marks the start of the year industry wise.
Yeah, you got to slack for a couple of weeks. It’s time to get in gear and hang on. From Cincy then there’s Columbus, Daytona, Laughlin and the year is in full swing with major events almost every weekend.
Bikernet just opened its manufacturing arm, making gas tanks for Rick Krost (U.S. Choppers) board track models. The frames are made by Paughco. Our official certified welder Tobey is the man on the job, and we will bring you coverage in the very near future.
Let’s hit the news, before my head begins to spin and I start to discuss content coming to Bikernet.
ZIPPER’S PERFORMANCE PRODUCT SPENT WEEKS PREPARING FOR V-TWIN EXPO–We are excited to make the annual trek to Cincinnati, Ohio and meet with our customers from around the world. We anticipate a great time, and look forward to meeting new dealers, too! Check us out and see why we have been an industry leader for over 30 years.
At the V-Twin Expo, you get a unique opportunity to speak with Zipper’s Performance about our many new products and exciting performance solutions, developed to strengthen your business. This year, we are proud to introduce you to new products such as New ThunderMax EFI applications, Red Shift Performance Cams, and Red Shift Dual Piston Cam Chain Tensioners – among many others.
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGISH DEPARTMENT WISHFUL THINKING WORD OF THE DAY–jubilarian joo-buh-LAIR-ee-uhn, noun:
A person who celebrates or has celebrated a jubilee, as a nun observing 25 or more years of religious life.
— O. P. Dolores Enderle, Suzanne Noffke, The Dominicans of Racine, Wisconsin
— Patrick Ryan, Archbishop Patrick John Ryan His Life and Times
JUNIOR MEMBERS OF AUSSIE MC CLUBS TARGETED–New South Wales organized crime police say they have kicked off the year with a clear goal: to halt the continued expansion of the state’s motorcycle clubs from the bottom up.
Police intend to target the unofficial junior members of the clubs, known as nominees or prospects and their associates.
The move comes as police admit despite their best efforts to dismantle outlaw motorcycle clubs, the Comanchero and Rebels are increasing in numbers, especially in the junior ranks.
The Commander of the Gangs Squad, Detective Superintendent Arthur Katsogiannis, said their strategy will focus on the young men who are on the cusp of joining to deter them before they become too entrenched in club business.
Superintendent Katsogiannis said Strike Force Raptor, set up in 2009 as a high-impact operation focusing on outlaw motorcycle clubs and any associated criminal enterprise, would be ”harassing new recruits’.”
”To anyone considering joining up, know that the Raptor Squad are going to be delving into every facet of your life,” he said
5-BALL RACING STREAMLINED TRIKE COMPETITION–It has a triangulated wheel design, one in front two in back and can attain a land speed of 250 mph but that’s where any Trike analogies end. Its actual top speed is 17,500 mph, weights 172,000 lbs and costs 1.7 billion dollars. The Space Shuttle program began in 1981 and was decommissioned in 2011 and that’s when the Endeavour rolled into the L.A. Science center. The Trike Riders of So Cal rolled out to view this amazing space craft.
http://www.bikernettrikes.com/pages/TRIKE_RIDERS_OF_SO_CAL_AND_THE_WORLDS_FASTEST_TRIKE.aspx
IRON BROTHERHOOD BAR FIGHT– ‘Everybody was swinging at everybody,’ witness says of brawl allegedly involving off-duty police officers
Incident reports from the Prescott Police Department paint a picture of an
unruly scene inside a Whiskey Row bar where a fight allegedly occurred Dec.
22, 2012, between members of a police motorcycle club and a bar patron.
The reports were released Thursday evening by the Arizona Department of
Public Safety to The Daily Courier as part of a public records request.
The Iron Brotherhood Motorcycle Club is a men’s group made up of active and
retired law enforcement officers from Prescott and Prescott Valley police
departments, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, DPS and other law enforcement
agencies throughout the state.
Witnesses told police that after Iron Brotherhood Motorcycle Club members
entered Moctezuma’s Bar on Dec. 22, some members fought with a bar patron,
then swung at bar employees trying to break it up.
One witness told investigating officers she jumped behind the bar because men wearing black vests “were coming up to the bar” and “everybody was swinging at everybody.”
Another witness said “he did not know what to do, because he knew the group of bikers to be police officers,” according to PPD reports.
Earlier that evening, about 20 Iron Brotherhood members wearing black vests displaying their club’s name held a party with wives and girlfriends in a back room at Hooligan’s Pub.
Witnesses told officers “they were a rowdy group,” the bar “cut off about 90 percent of them from alcohol by the time the party ended,” and “the whole group was acting like some outlaw motorcycle gang,” the police reports state.
A bar employee, needing to get past a woman in the bar, said when he put his hand on her to get her attention and ask her to move, a man identified as an Iron Brotherhood member yelled at him and “got in his face,” according to the reports.
Several Iron Brotherhood members went on to Moctezuma’s, which also has a “no colors” policy, but the members showed bar security their badges and were let in with their motorcycle club vests on.
The Courier is continuing its efforts to obtain the video as well as related reports.
–from Rogue
BOATERS AND BIKERS CROSS COUNTRY TOUR PICKS UP SPEED– A first-of-its kind cross country boating and motorcycle tour slated to launch May 4, 2013 is gaining momentum and support. The “Boaterz n’ Bikerz Across America: A Hull of a Tour!” incorporates a ten-day motorcycle trip from Florida to California covering 2371 miles, with fun boating and sightseeing stops along the way.
According to event organizer Wanda Kenton Smith, the ride route has been finalized and boat stops and boating venue sponsors are confirmed. She is working toward securing a transport vehicle sponsor, and finalizing hotel accommodations.
The ride route runs from May 4 – 13 and includes three legs. Riders are invited to cruise the entire coast-to-coast trip, or select one or two legs of their choice. Leg one launches from Destin, FL in the Panhandle on May 4, and includes stops in Natchez, MS and Dallas, TX.
Leg two begins in Dallas on May 6 with stops in Lubbock, TX, Santa Fe, NM and Farmington, NM. The final leg runs from Farmington beginning on May 10 and covers territory from the south rim of the Grand Canyon, with stops in Flagstaff, Arizona, through Sedona to the Hoover Dam, Las Vegas, Palm Desert, CA, ending in San Diego, CA. on May 13.
“Jim Krueger of Regal Boats did a fabulous job organizing a ride route, taking us through some of the most scenic areas of the country, with plenty to see and do along the way,” said Kenton Smith. “What makes our tour unique, of course, is that besides great riding and diverse terrain, we’re also incorporating a great boating component that everyone is sure to enjoy.”
Boating venue sponsors include Legendary Marine of Destin, FL who is hosting the kick-off captain’s party at the Legendary Yacht Club and providing boats for a dinner cruise in the Destin Harbor; Marinas International in Dallas, TX who is providing a reception and dinner cruise aboard Silver Lake Marina’s 90’ Tejas Charter Boat which will cruise around Lake Grapevine; concluding with a welcome party with afternoon sailing aboard new Beneteaus, hosted by South Coast Yachts of San Diego, to be held at Sunroad Marina.
Soundings Trade Online is also aboard as a media sponsor and will feature a daily blog post by Kenton Smith, its marketing columnist since 1998, while en route.
“Now that we have dates firmed up, we’re hopeful to enlist a group of enthusiastic riders to join us for this exciting adventure and flesh out all the final details,” said Kenton Smith.
The Boaters and Bikers Across America: A Hull of a Tour is designed for seasoned riders with group riding experience. The tour is restricted to those gainfully employed in the boating industry, and their sponsored friends; friends are welcome to join so long as an industry rider is participating.
Kenton Smith – wanda@kentonsmithmarketing.com
RIDE ROUTE
May 3
**Friday night Captain’s Party hosted by Legendary Marine at Legendary Yacht Club with Cruise to Destin Harbor
LEG 1
Day 1 – May 4; 7 am departure from Destin, Legendary Marine
Destin, FL to Natchez, MS – 353 miles; 8.5 hours with 1.5 hours for lunch and fuel stop; arrive 3:30 pm
Afternoon free for sightseeing, tour of Antebellum homes, etc.
Day 2 – May 5; 8 am departure from Natchez
Natchez, MS to Dallas, TX – 323 miles; 6 hours with stop for lunch, fuel
**Evening dinner cruise hosted by Marinas International at Silver Lake Marina aboard 90’ Tejar, cruise around Lake Grapevine
Day 3 – May 6; 8 am departure from Dallas
Dallas, TX to Lubbock, TX – 323 miles; 6.5 hours with lunch and fuel stop; arrive at 2:30
LEG 2
Day 4 – May 7; 8 am departure from Lubbock
Lubbock to Santa Fe, NM – 315 miles; 6.5 hours with lunch and fuel stop
Lots to do in Santa Fe!
Day 5 – May 8; Open Day in Santa Fe
Four Wheel Drive Tour, Sightseeing, Local Riding, etc.
Day 6 – May 9; 8 am departure from Santa Fe
Santa Fe to Farmington, NM – 209 miles, 3. 5 hours
Afternoon open to explore Farmington area
LEG 3
Day 7 – May 10; 7:30 am departure from Farmington
Farmington to Grand Canyon, South Rim – 283 miles, 5 hours;
afternoon jeep tour or ride the rim; south rim to Flagstaff 74 Mi, 1.5 hours
Day 8 – May 11 – 7 am departure from Flagstaff
Flagstaff to Las Vegas via Sedona 359 miles – 9 hours with lunch and fuel stop
**Beautiful mountain ride south through Sedona and then up to Hoover Dam and on into Vegas for night
Day 9 – May 12 – 9 am departure from Vegas
Las Vegas to Palm Desert 295 miles, 6 hours with lunch and fuel stop
Palm Desert play in the afternoon (aerial tram ride in Palm Springs)
Day 10 – May 13 – 9 am departure from Palm Desert
Palm Desert to San Diego – 160 miles – 3-4 hours with fuel stop and break.
**Afternoon party and sailing adventure hosted by South Coast Yachts at Sunroad Resort Marina; Group Farewell Dinner in Old San Diego
DIGITAL DAWG KEYLESS IGNITION SYSTEM TO BE TESTED ON BIKERNET FXR–Just imagine how awesome it would be to simply get on your bike and ride, then get off and just walk away always knowing your bike is completely secure never needing a key again. That’s the power and convenience of the DGD-KIM-HD.
DGD-KIM-HD was our original Keyless Ignition system, designed specifically with Harley in mind. All wire colors directly match the corresponding factory HD wires making install a snap. Eliminating your bike’s key switch can open up all sorts of new possibilities for custom dash designs, adding accessories or custom paint work.
Simply carry one of the systems digital RFID “Dawg Tags” with you. When you’re ready to ride, just flip your RUN switch ON, Thumb the start button and GO!
AUSSIE COP CHARGED OVER SEX AT STATION–A Tweed Coast policeman who allegedly had sex with a female detainee at the local police station has been charged with misconduct.
The officer’s gun was allegedly used in the offence and he is also facing weapons charges.
”Kingscliff officer Sergeant Mark Anthony Garner, 48, was charged with misconduct, possessing an unauthorized pistol and allowing an unauthorized person to possess a pistol.
He did not appear in Tweed Heads Local Court on Monday to answer the charges but was represented by a solicitor.
A police charge sheet alleged the offences happened at Kingscliff police station between 2am and 4am on September 16 in 2011.
Sgt Garner was charged in November after an internal investigation and has been suspended.
The misconduct charge alleges he had “sexual intercourse with a female at a police station whilst on duty and involving the misuse of a prohibited pistol” – his police issue Glock.
He also allegedly “aided and abetted” the possession of the gun by the woman.
It will be alleged there is photo evidence of the misconduct.
Sgt Garner is also charged with not taking reasonable precautions to ensure that the prohibited weapon did not come into the possession of an unauthorized person.
BIKERNET GUN NUT REPORT– In the news this week, a Southern California man was put under 72-hour psychiatric observation when it was found he owned 100 guns and had (by rough estimate) 1 million rounds of ammunition stored in his home. The house also has a secret escape tunnel.
The television reporter said: “Wow! He has about a million machine gun bullets!”
And the headline referred to it as a “massive weapons cache”.
By California standards someone owning even 100,000 rounds would be called “mentally unstable.” If he lived elsewhere, such as Arizona, he’d be called “an avid gun collector.”
In Oklahoma, he’d be called “a novice gun collector.”
In Utah, he’d be called “moderately well prepared,” but they’d probably reserve judgment until they made sure that he had a corresponding quantity of stored food.
In Montana, he’d be called “the neighborhood ‘Go-To’ guy.”
In Idaho, he’d be called “a likely gubernatorial candidate.”
In Wyoming, he’d be called “an eligible bachelor.”
And… In Texas, he’d be called “a Hunting Buddy.”
–from Rogue
GRAND NATIONAL ROADSTER SHOW IN POMONA THIS WEEKEND–Making history for the 64th year in a row as the longest running indoor car show in the world, we anticipate one of the most exciting and stunning shows to date. This weekend you will see the finest hot rods, custom, and motorcycles from across the globe.
SHOW HOURS
Friday, January 25 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Saturday, January 26 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Sunday, January 27 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
In Building four you can see the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster and Motorcycle Competition.
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT FINDINGS–
Lady: Do you drink?
Man: Yes
Lady: How much a day?
Man: Three 6-packs
Lady: How much cost per 6 pack
Man: about $10.00
Lady: And how long have you been drinking?
Man: 15 years
Lady: So one 6-pack cost $10.00 and you have 3 packs a day which puts your
spending each month at $900. In one year, it would be $10,800 correct?
Man: Correct
Lady: If in 1 year you spend $10,800 not accounting for inflation, the past
15 years puts your spending at $162,000 correct?
Man: Correct
Lady: Do you know that if you hadn’t drank, that money could have been put
in a step-up interest savings account and after accounting for compound
interest for the past 15 years, you could have now bought a Ferrari?
Man: Do you drink?
Lady: No
Man: So where’s your fucking Ferrari?
–Bob Clark
ULTIMATE BUILDER COMPETITION WINNERS FROM NEW YORK SHOW–The New York round of the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show is like none other. From the starting gun on Friday at noon till closing at 5PM on Sunday, it was packed ankle to armpit with enthusiasts giving their appreciation to the 50 custom sleds on display.
In year’s past FreeStyle and Performance Custom class machines dominated the show. This year Retro MOD had the largest participation with guys and gals building to this specification: “Any modified bike, with any drive train on any chassis configuration that is 25 years or older. Great class for older Harley’s where the frame was cut to rake or stretch as well as a class for Café Racers from the Ton-Up era.”
Ultimate Builder FreeStyle Class
George Stinsman of Chaos Cycle made the debut of the Long Bike and took the win at the 2013 edition of the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show in NY. It features an ‘80s era Shovel, Sugar Bear front end and split rocker boxes.
1. George Stinsman, Chaos Cycle – The Long Bike, Custom Chopper
2. Nick Genender, NYC Choppers – Speedster, Custom Chopper
3. Jesse Bassett, The GasBox – 741 Indian, 1940 Military Scout
Ultimate Builder MOD Harley Class
Chris Callen of Cycle Source Magazine got on the horn with Jason Grimes of Northeast Chop Shop to introduce him to the Ultimate Builder. Results? First and third in MOD Harley class. Jason’s winning sled, the Damascus Bike, is built with hand-hammered Damascus steel. The bike is accented with textured copper. Dave Steeves of GDL Paint provided the paint.
1. Jason Grimes, NE Chop Shop – Damascus Bike
2. Eric Schroeder, Tribal Iron Choppers – Café Grinds, ’94 Sportster
3. Jason Grimes, NE Chop Shop – 13 ½, ’84 Sportster
Ultimate Builder Performance Custom Class
Roman Levin got bored and built the FOH Street Racer. It features a custom frame, swing arm and metal fabrication. Roman painted the bike is his garage. When not working on bikes, he is a paint and body man on 356 Porches.
1. Roman Levin, FOH Cycles – FOH Street Racer, ‘79 GS 750
2. TT Cycles – 1970 Triumph Drag Bike
3. Mike Davis, Speedworx – Saluda, 2006 Honda CBR
Ultimate Builder RETRO MOD Class
Justin Reid of Longwood Customs brought his ’66 custom Triumph Bonneville that features a bolt-on hardtail, rebuilt engine, 6 inch stretch and lowered front and rear. The paint that was applied by Reid and Eddie Piers really made this bike standout.
1. Justin Reid, Longwood Customs – 66 Bonnie, ’66 Triumph
2. Will Ramsey – Dead at 19, 1981 HD FXW
3. Fred Montano, East Coast Super Bikes – Spitshine, ’60 Panhead
Ultimate Builder MOD Street Class
Evan Favaro of Speakeasy Motors took the win in MOD Street with Butler 650. A 1978 Yamaha XS650. It features a fully rebuilt engine, custom front end, custom tail section, hand fabricated sheet metal parts, café gas tank, Suzuki front end on a Yamaha frame.
1. Evan Favaro, Speakeasy Motors – Butler 650, ’78 XS650
2. Mark Tempesta, Break Lite Motorsports – Ultimate RR, ’96 CBR 900RR
3. Damian Collins – Aztec, ’02 R1
Editor’s Choice Award
TT Cycles won the Cycle Source Magazine Editor’s Choice Award with their 1970 Triumph T120R Drag Bike. The bike features a 750cc mil with an Aerco 750cc big bore kit, Mega Cycle cams and a Nitrous Express NOS kit.
Additional Awards
Mike Davis of Speed Worx won the Show Dog Award sponsored by Rocking K Custom Leather for his promotion at the show. He hired two spokes models to promote his Donnie Smith Bike Show program.
The Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show is produced by www.bikerpros.com. At each round of the competition Biker Pros photographs each bike and makes them available in their Flickr gallery at www.flickr.com/photos/bikerpros.
We are awarding $100,000 in cash and prizes over our 13 event series. The big money winners to date are:
GIO – $6,500
Kyle Shorey – $5,000
Bruce Bolden – $3,000
BIKERNET FAMILY COUNSELING CENTER, POETIC JUSTICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After 37 years of marriage. Jake dumped his wife for his Young secretary.
His new girlfriend demanded that they live in Jake and Edith’s multi-million dollar home and since the man’s lawyers were a little better he prevailed.
He gave Edith his now ex-wife just 3 days to move out. She spent the 1st day packing her belongings into boxes crates and suitcases.
On the 2nd day she had to movers come and collect her things.
On the 3rd day she sat down for the last time at their beautiful dining room table by candlelight put on some soft background music and feasted on a pound of shrimp a jar of caviar and a bottle of Chardonnay.
When she had finished she went into each and every room and stuffed half-eaten shrimp shells dipped in caviar into the hollow of all of the curtain rods. She then cleaned up the kitchen and left.
When the husband returned with his new girlfriend all was bliss for the first few days.
Then slowly the house began to smell. They tried everything cleaning mopping and airing the place out. Vents were checked for dead rodents and carpets were cleaned. Air fresheners were hung everywhere.
Exterminators were brought in to set off gas canisters during which they had to move out for a few days and in the end they even replaced the expensive wool carpeting. NOTHING WORKED.
People stopped coming over to visit. Repairman refused to work in the house.
The Maid quit.
Finally they could not take the stench any longer and decided to move.
A month later even through they had cut their price in half they could not find a buyer for their stinky house.
Word got out and eventually even the local realtors refused to return their calls. Finally they had to borrow a huge sum of money from the bank to purchase a new place.
The ex-wife called the man and asked how things were going. He told her the saga of the rotting house. She listened politely and said that she missed her old home terribly and would be willing to reduce her divorce settlement in exchange for getting the house back.
Knowing his ex-wife had no idea how bad the smell was he agreed on a price that was about 1/10th of what the house ha been worth, but only if she were to sign the papers that very day. She agreed and within the hour his lawyers delivered the paperwork.
A week later the man and his girlfriend stood smiling as they watched the moving company pack everything to take to their new home.
INCLUDING THE CURTAIN RODS.:)
–from Jim Waggaman
READER QUESTIONS BIKERNET TECH INSTALL–I have a question for you. Did you reuse your cam gear from the stock cam?
When I do a Evo cam R&R I reuse the gear that was on the old cam. Reason being that
I don’t want gear noise (whining) from a new
gear that can be just a bit off in size from the stock cam gear and doesn’t match the pinion
right.
It’s more work cuz you have scribe timing/ location marks on the gear before you press it off. This is so that when you press the gear back on the new cam your cam timing is correct.
I learned doing it this way a long time ago. You don’t have to measure the new gear with
gage pins & a mic (a real pain in the ass)!!
I think JIM’s sells a tool for locating the cam gear. I just use some blue dykem and make
scribe marks with s ¼-inch wide scale on the gear. I locate the 1/4-inch scale in the groove already on the cam. It’s a tip from the old days.
–PSD
This is assuming the stock set up was correct. If there is a problem with gear fit, we generally recommend changing the pinion gear. Which costs more, a new pinion gear or the labor to change cam gears? Either way works, but we’ve had more than one cam messed up in gear changing attempts gone wrong.
–Bruce Tessmer
Marketing Projects Coordinator
S&S Cycle Inc.
BRAND NEW SPORTSTER SEAT FROM SADDLEMEN—Here’s a “ top secret “ super spy like style photo outside the Saddlemen headquarters on the edge of Compton, California, not five miles from the Bikernet Headquarters.
Rumor has it this new line of Café styled seats will show up in the Saddlemen catalog in the near future.
SHARK FIN MAGNETO COVERS, FROSTED– Seven Sins Choppers NEW “SHARK FIN” Magneto covers are all handcrafted in numerous of colors in a durable rigid frosted semi-transparent material. Very minor imperfections are left in each unit to give the covers a more glass-like appearance.
The covers skin is as smooth as a sharks belly and if your leads ever get worn out; the terminals are replaceable. These will fit all Fairbanks-Morse body-style magnetos including Morris and Joe Hunt. Covers are available by themselves or in kits with neoprene gaskets, hardware, and our custom Jag-Wire Ignition Plugs.
Made in the USA by Seven Sins Choppers and exclusively licensed by GOODSON. Made In USA. www.SevenSinsChoppers.com
BIKERS FOR GUN RIGHTS RIDE–I am trying to organize a massive ride to Capitol Hill in support of gun rights and stop this current craze of gun control. Not all of you would support such a ride and I understand, but if you are in favor of it and want to support it, let me know; I can use all the help I can get.
No details yet. I contacted there NRA and they are considering helping. A mark on the wall would be May 1, but that may be kind of wintery yet.
–Hammer
The Horse Magazine
LARRY PRATT TAKES ON PIERS MORGAN IN ROUND TWO– Morgan refuses to discuss the role of Fast & Furious in arming criminals
Larry Pratt clashed with CNN’s Piers Morgan in Round Two on Wednesday night.
Morgan was slightly more subdued this time, indicating that maybe he’d been taken to the woodshed for his insulting demeanor towards Pratt during Round One in December. But Morgan was every bit as pompous and always tried to cut off Pratt to keep him from developing his points.
Nevertheless, Pratt did explain that mass murders in this country invariably occur in gun-free zones … that good guys with guns have prevented massacres from occurring … that guns are the ultimate defense against tyranny … and that President Obama should learn from the mistakes of King George III and stop acting in an unconstitutional manner.
Pratt also brought up Operation Fast & Furious and tagged Morgan for refusing to discuss the Obama Administration’s “culpability to commit mass murder” while supervising an operation that flooded our southern border with illegal firearms.
Perhaps the biggest fireworks of the evening occurred over the comparison between citizens’ safety in the United States versus the United Kingdom. So what follows are the highlights regarding the differences between the two nations (with footnote documentation).
Gun control has NOT made British citizens safer
In 1996, the United Kingdom witnessed a tragic school shooting in Dunblane, Scotland. Despite the fact that the Scots were already living under stringent gun owner registration restrictions, Great Britain responded by imposing an even more draconian handgun ban the following year.
Gun control proponents have argued that this ban has made the island safer, but the truth is quite to the contrary. As reported in the UK’s Telegraph, gun crimes doubled in the decade after the gun ban went into effect.(1) Not only that, the United Kingdom became the European leader in violent crime, with a higher rate than America’s.(2)
While gun control proponents typically only want to focus on one type of murder (by gun), The Telegraph reports that, in a single year, there were 927 total murders in the UK.(3) [You will note that in the interview with Piers Morgan, GOA Executive Director Larry Pratt slightly inverted the number — having said “970” total murders rather than “927.”
Having said this, there are several difficulties in making such sweeping comparisons between the US and the UK. For starters, it’s somewhat disingenuous to simply compare total murders throughout each nation, given that America has a much bigger population. In fact, the U.S. has nearly three times as many large population centers (of 250,000 or more people) than the United Kingdom does. That’s why it’s helpful to examine murder rates.
Even just comparing the murder rate for England/Wales (1.2 in 2009), one sees that some U.S. states have lower murder rates — like New Hampshire (.8) and Vermont (1.1). Interestingly, while both of these states allow for concealed carry, Vermont allows its citizens to carry firearms without even getting permission from the state — thus, underscoring the fact that free access to guns does not equate to a Wild West mentality…
Written by Gun Owners of America
–from Agent Zebra
[page break]
DAVID UHL NEVER STOPS PAINTING–Another oil painting called “Steampunk Seduction” launched this last weekend in New York at the Javitz. “We had the
model Jennie Villano posed on Copper Mike’s ‘Steampunk’ Shovelhead,” said David. “and I think all 200k people were in my booth at one time.”
–David Uhl
david@uhlstudios.com
LIFESTYLE DEAL OF THE WEEK, 2007 STREET GLIDE—with a 110-inch Screamin’ Eagle motor, Only $16,995. This 2007 Street Glide has a custom flamed paint job, Rampage wheels, RaceTech front suspension, Custom stereo system, speakers in the saddlebags, Bassani exhaust, Mustang seat, oil temp gauge, progressive rear shocks, and much, much more!
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.
Credit Problems??? Call Lifestyle! We make dreams come true!
NEW ON BIKERNET BAGGERS, BASIC BLACK— While living in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Drew Bohling purchased his first motorcycle, a 2002 Harley-Davidson Fatboy. After riding the back roads of South Dakota for a few years Drew relocated to Boise Idaho to be closer to his family.
Since then both his father and his brother bought Harley-Davidson Road King motorcycles. Drew was spending more time in the saddle and decided it was time to purchase a Bagger. Check the whole story on Bikernet Baggers.
http://www.bikernetbaggers.com/pages/OLD_SKL.aspx
PIPE WRAP KITS AVAILABLE FROM DESIGN ENGINEERING–Promotes Improved Exhaust Flow for Added Horsepower – Provides Maximum Protection against Painful Burns
Avon Lake, Ohio…Design Engineering (DEI), the leader in heat control products for motorcycles, has now introduced a new Pipe Wrap & Locking Tie Kit that combines their popular pipe wrap with stainless steel zip ties to ensure a more secure, long-lasting fit.
DEI’s motorcycle pipe wrap helps to keep radiant heat in pipes for improved performance and also can help prevent serious leg burns. This heat resistant wrap withstands direct continuous heat up to 1200° Fahrenheit and provides added protection against abrasions, hot oil spills and road grime.
The new kit includes one roll of 2” x 25 ft. pipe wrap and four 8” stainless steel zip ties; all in one convenient cost saving package. While developed for pipes 2” in diameter, to accommodate larger pipes two of the zip ties can be joined together to achieve the same snug fit.
DEI’s Pipe Wrap & Locking Ties Kit is available in either black wrap (#010119), tan (#010122), or for a higher temp resistant wrap, Titanium (#010123) that offers a cool carbon fiber look.
DEI manufactures and supplies a full range of products for the powersports market including heat reflective materials, LED lighting, insulating materials, line sleeving, and ignition wire protection among many others.
For more information on DEI’s Motorcycle Pipe Wrap & Locking Ties Kit and other DEI heat control products designed for motorcycles, go to www.designengineering.com, call 800-264-9472, or e-mail: sales@DesignEngineering.com.
NEW BIG BEAR TRACTOR TRAILER–The Tractor trailer should be wrapped in the next 2 weeks, I will make sure I send you pictures.
Kevin is in the final stage of his Tractor Licensing, he should be Smokey and the Bandit status by nightfall.
–Mona
NEW PRODUCTS COMING FROM RUSTY AT ILLUSIONS—There is always something hot going on at Illusions, when we stop by. Rusty is about to sign his own TV show deal.
He’s working with Ride Wright on his own line of custom billet wheels, and designed a couple of new hot rod fairings. Hang on for the parade trike he built.
S&S 4-INCH RACE TOUR MUFFLERS NOW AVAILABLE– S&S Cycle’s new Race Tour mufflers have been created for use on ’95 – ’12 Touring models.
Said to produce an increase in mid- to top-end torque and horsepower, the Race Tour mufflers are louder than S&S’s other offerings for Baggers. Finished in a choice of chrome or black ceramic, the mufflers are supplied with a slash-cut end or with alloy end caps.
End caps are available in chrome or black Xylan finish.
The mufflers fit ’95 – ’12 H-D Touring models with non-catalyst mufflers (except 2010 Road Glide and Street Glide) and ’09 – ’12 Tri Glide models with non-catalyst mufflers.
S&S CYCLE
–from AMD
TOOL OF THE DAY http://www.wimp.com/hydraulicchair/
Don’t miss this one.
–Wrench
VA MOTORCYCLE HELMET LAW WITHSTANDS REPEAL EFFORTS–
By Bill Sizemore The Virginian-Pilot January 24, 2013 RICHMOND
An attempt to repeal Virginia’s mandatory motorcycle helmet law was sidelined by a close vote in a House of Delegates subcommittee Wednesday.
The bill (HB2010) from Del. Ben Cline, R-Rockbridge County, would have made helmets optional for riders 21 and older. The measure was tabled 4-2 and is unlikely to be revived in this legislative session.
Cline told the panel it’s an issue of individual liberty. “I hope the subcommittee would have faith in the citizens of the commonwealth to make this decision for themselves,” he said.
Matt Danielson, counsel for the Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists, said 31 states now make helmets optional and there is no evidence of a detrimental impact on traffic safety.
But Chris LaGow, an insurance lobbyist, said motorcycle fatality rates have risen 20 to 30 percent in the states that have repealed mandatory helmet laws.
The measure also drew opposition from the Virginia State Police, local chiefs of police, fire chiefs, volunteer rescue squads, the Division of Motor Vehicles and the American Automobile Association.
–from Rogue
TTS WHEELS TO EXHIBIT AT BIG BIKE EUROPE IN MAY 2013–
AMD Magazine is delighted to announce that respected German spoke wheel and styling parts manufacturer, TTS motorcycles, is to exhibit at the all new Big Bike Europe expo at Essen in Germany in May 2013.
Regarded as the leading custom and Harley-Davidson aftermarket spoke wheel manufacturer in Europe, owner Torsten Kroener was one of the first European parts manufacturers to sign up for Big Bike Europe.
Commenting on the show, Torsten says that: “I like the focus that this new project has, and its recognition that the riders that our dealers sell to have a very high standard in terms of the knowledge and information that motivates their buying decisions.”
Recent additions to the TTS line of rims and complete wheels include new 4.50 x 16″ wheels for Sportster 180 tire applications. Available in a wide selection of rim dimensions, spoke numbers and colors/styles, the company also introduced a selection of styling parts for the Cross Bones Bobber in 2012.
BIG BIKE EUROPE is the all-new expo concept for the motorcycle industry in Europe, focused on parts, accessories, touring, custom, performance, service, workshop and tuning.
A ‘non-selling’ Pro-Grade expo, BIG BIKE EUROPE is the new, permanent host event for the acclaimed AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building – 2013 will see the World Championship mark its 10th anniversary and first ever appearance in Europe.
BIG BIKE EUROPE will be a three day expo offering exhibitors an all-new Trade and VIP Guest Rider Invitational and ticketed consumer attendance strategy.
The first day (Friday May 10th, 2013) is “Invitation Only” day, set aside for motorcycle dealers, importers and distributors, custom shops, custom motorcycle builders and customizers, and, in an industry first, allow industry professionals to offer ‘VIP Guest Rider’ no-cost access-all-areas tickets to their best consumer customers.
The weekend (Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th May) is open to all-riders, enthusiasts and the general public, with advance purchase tickets available from as little as €15,00 (approx $20.00) a day.
Designed as an expo for high-mileage riders of large displacement motorcycles, those who take performance, handling, touring and the looks of their motorcycles seriously, BIG BIKE EUROPE is the first expo to recognize that some two thirds of the value of the European motorcycle market resides with the owners of Europe’s ‘Big Bikes’ – the one-third of all road-registered motorcycles in Europe that are of over 250cc (source: ACEM).
In addition to a local population of some 18 million “high percentage motorcycle ownership” consumers within a 100km radius of Essen, Germany, research suggests that some 60 plus percent of Europe’s franchised motorcycle dealers and custom shops are within a four or five hour ride of Essen.
In fact it is estimated that some 65 percent or more of continental Europe’s large displacement road-registered motorcycles of all kinds, including Harleys, are within a 500 to 600 km radius of the venue, making BIG BIKE EUROPE a central venue for the motorcycle parts, custom, workshop and performance industry in Europe (sources: International Motorcycle Industry Index, Moto Big Book, International Dealer News).
www.BigBikeEurope.com
www.wheelspoint.de
25th ANNUAL MICHIGAN MOTORCYCLE SHOW A SUCCESS–Michigan’s longest running custom motorcycle show had its Silver Anniversary edition of the weekend long biker bash, taking place at the Birch Run Expo Center on Saturday and Sunday, January 19th and 20th. The 25th installment of the annual Michigan Motorcycle Show featured new attractions, bike builds, airbrush competition, accredited judging system, sponsors, and grand prizes.
Since 1988, the Michigan Motorcycle Show has attracted thousands of motorcycle lovers to the Birch Run Expo Center each January to view some the best custom bikes Michigan builders have to offer, browse motorcycles, accessories, services and apparel offered by vendors from throughout the Midwest, and enjoy music, food and entertainment tailored to scratch the biker itch that tends to flare up in the dead of a typical Michigan winter.
Along with an impressive slate of over 110 custom bikes, the 2013 Michigan Motorcycle Show featured interactive seminars, custom bike build, airbrush lessons, and tattooing from instructors and students from the Power Sport Institute, a branch campus of Ohio Technical College. The interactive PSI exhibit featured numerous displays and activities entertaining and informing attendees of all ages including: live bike build, mechanical instructional seminars & tutorials, air brushing / pin striping clinics, free air brush tattoos, and prize giveaways including helmets, complete air brushing kits, and industry swag using “The Plinko Board” . Bob barker himself couldn’t have done a better job than the PSI Staff.
The PSI Show Staff included:
Bernie Thompson – PSI Campus Director
Rod Radeke – American V-Twin Education manager
Pat Downey – Custom Paint Instructor
Bill Zeppe – American V-Twin Instructor
Kira Daczko – Career Services Director
Denise Thompson -Student Services Director
Students
Kris Billington
Tim Lathrop
Brian Rezendes
Andrew Simon
There are only two motorcyclists I, as a fellow, but relatively novice biker, have ever felt safe riding pillion with: Andrew English, this paper’s motoring correspondent, and Kevin Ash, our motorcycling correspondent, who died on the launch of the BMW R1200 GS on Tuesday.
My first experience on a powered two-wheeler was a pillion ride with Kevin on his Suzuki GSX-R1000 test bike, in 2005. I had just started on the Telegraph Motoring desk, and was immediately offered two “jobs” which, in retrospect, were clearly rites of passage designed to test whether I’d say “yes” to every stupid commission thrown at me. The first was a passenger ride in a Top-Fuel dragster at Santa Pod, the second, a pillion trip on the world’s then fastest production superbike with Kevin.
In those kid-free, mortgage-free salad days of my Twenties, I said hell, yes. Kevin, eyes twinkling, rocked up at my Putney flat with a load of intimidating bike gear – heavy Arai helmet, bulky Alpinestars leather armoured jacket, trousers and boots. Safety first, as ever, from the dad of three daughters.
We weaved our way from south-west London to the Telegraph offices in Canary Wharf; a true gentleman, and knowing parent, he even stopped outside my mum’s office in Wapping so I could wave proudly through the window. Goodness knows what she thought.
I’ve never felt so safe and excited, or so sure that I’d like to get my bike licence.
Kevin duly helped me arrange an intensive course with Harley-Davidson at its centre in Wales; I crashed and stumbled my way through it, with endless emails and texts from Kevin encouraging me on, and to my own amazement passed.
I then consulted Kevin on a series of rooky-friendly bikes, and, on his advice, started with the bike I’d learned on – a Harley Sportster 883R, followed by a BMW F800 ST and a Kawasaki ER-6f.
I remember my first crash – I’d just picked up the Harley, gleaming in the winter sun and full of petrol, from Warr’s dealership on the King’s Road, and set off home for Christmas via the Blackwall Tunnel sliproad where, one minute I was barrelling along, the next I was skidding on my side, away from the bike, at about 30mph. I picked myself up and examined the road behind me, where a diesel patch lay glistening, an evil rainbow puddle on the road. I sat sorrowfully on the railings, and called Kevin, my two-wheeling guru. Full of concern for me, and not the bike, he generously said it could have happened to anyone.
Not, one suspects, to Kevin, who had that great biker’s ability to read the road ahead as if he’d already travelled it. He could be on the most technically demanding bike, but still note that, five cars ahead, the driver of a white van was glancing in his rear-view mirror and therefore probably about to make a U-turn.
He always said to me, “Erin, if you make a mistake as a biker, it’s your fault”. He’d never dream of passing on the blame to other motorists, the weather or diesel spills – an experienced biker should be prepared and alert for everything.
There was no finer biker, and he has left an industry in mourning: the rest of the world launch of the R1200GS has been postponed, despite it being a year in the planning and the model being the world’s best-selling bike. Then again, Kevin was among the world’s very best bike journalists.
Tributes to Kevin Ash can be emailed to kevinashtribute@telegraph.co.uk
–Telegraph.co.uk
ANOTHER HANDY-DANDY WORD FROM THE BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT--kibitzer KIB-it-ser, noun:
1. A giver of uninvited or unwanted advice. 2. A spectator at a card game who looks at the players’ cards over their shoulders, especially one who gives unsolicited advice. 3. A person who jokes, chitchats, or makes wisecracks, especially while others are trying to work or to discuss something seriously.
— Peter Orner, Love and Shame and Love
— Richard Russo, Underworld
BIKERNET 5-Ball RACING WHEELER REPORT–
Adrenaline Junky File
2nd Grandchild, June …….IT’S A BOY! and I’m a happy man.
*Dry Lakes Racers Australia* D R L A Speed Week Feb. 18-22
*Texas Mile* March 22-24
*Ohio Mile 2013* April 27-28 June 8-9 July 6-7 Sept. 28-29
*Loring Maine* The Maine Event July 12-14
*Bonneville, SCTA* ….198 Days….August 10-16, 2013*
*BUB Speed Trials* August 24-29, 2013*
*Mojave Mile* T B A
Just after midnight early Thursday morning while a gentle rain is rolling down the window glass over looking the Bikernet courtyard I received a call. My son and his sweetheart in Seattle are having a son early June, my birthday is May 31. The Doctor spilled the beans this afternoon after an Ultra Sound.
Now the news, once again the short, down and dirty version while we wait for the racing season to pop wide open. Airline tickets are in hand for the V-Twin show in Cincy next weekend, departing Friday the 1st, returning on Monday.
In the event your attending the show you might find me walking the show looking for hot rod shit or working in the Lyndall Racing Brakes booth with The Composite Guru, Paul Kittrell. Also working on an article explaining the ins and outs of composite rotors and the history of friction material we use on motorcycles today.
We also have a feature coming up about Jim Bartletts hand built motorcycle. Looks like a Panhead, but it’s an Evo.
Plans after the show include finishing our 5-Ball Racing Teams Turbo Raycer with a late Feb. start up and ride it date. We’ll keep you posted as we make progress.
Haul Ass!
Ride for your Life!
–Ray C Wheeler
Performance Editor
wheeler@bikernet.com
With a little help from my friends….Thanks, Thanks, Thanks.
3 Ex-Wives, My 3 Sons and their Families, Aerocharger, All Balls Racing, Kent Rich, Dutch and the Crew@Air Tech Streamlining, Arai Helmets, Keith Ball and the Crew@Bikernet, Bikers Choice, Bred Beach@Beach Racing ,Cometic Gaskets, Dan Thayer@vtwinfuelinjection, Allen Alvarez@Daytona Twin Tech, ERC Race Gas, George The Wild Brush, ET Krankvents (Thanks Ted Shrode, Ph.D—- R. I. P.), Fisher Harmonic Damper, Dan Stern@House of Thunder H-D, Horsepower Inc., Ron Williams, Jeff, Kevin@Hardtailz, Randy, Michelle and the Crew@Hyperformance, Jim’s Machine USA, K&N Air Cleaner, Paul Kittrell@Lyndall Racing Brakes, Marc Susman@Colorado Custom Cycle Wheels, Ray Whitehead@Pegasus, Pingel, Jim @Sharp Eye Transmission, Reggie and Crew@R&R Cycle, Ben Kudon@Rivera Primo, Matthew Wiley@Race Tech Suspension, Rick Tedder@ R/T Performance, Schnitz Racing, Mr. McCahill@Spyke, S&S Cycle, Matthew Negherbon@Thunder Motorcycles in San Jose, Guy Caputo@Tiger Racing, Steve The Turbo Doc, Tsubaki Chains, Vanderbeck Race Cars, Vanson Leathers, Dr. Willie, World Wide Bearings, Duncan Keller, Yankee Engineuity in San Jose, Ca..
CIGAR OF THE WEEK FROM BIKERNET BAGGERS, BIG BAD JOHN, AN ORTEGA CIGAR– Eddie Ortega’s cigars have impressed the staff as well as the customers at world famous Deadwood Tobacco. The Series D was the first brand released under the Ortega trademark and now the Big Bad John has found a place on the shelves of the Deadwood Tobacco walk-in humidor.??
Wild Bunch Series – Big Bad John?Size: 60 X 6 7/8?Binder / Filler: Nicaragua Wrapper: Esteli Nicaraguan Habano
Limited to a single production run of only 500 boxes, the Big Bad John stogie is the first release of this famous Wild Bunch Series. Big Bad John was created to celebrate the colorful characters that Mr. Ortega has met during his many years in the cigar business. A new cigar will be released every month throughout the year 2013, also featuring the original art work of Mr. Neal Wollenberg.
Each Wild Bunch Series cigar will be created in only one size, and when those are gone – they are gone for good, there will be no more manufactured. Be sure and watch for each release to be available at Deadwood Tobacco.
The wrapper has a Colorado Rosado color and a slightly toothy leaf. The organic pre-light aroma and taste is deep and complex, predominately showing barnyard & saddle leather up front with a pleasing mineral note. The soft leather feel coats the palate which adds to the leather, toast, oak wood and black pepper aromas. The large ring gage of this cigar complements the deep, complex, medium-full bodied flavors that continue to develop throughout the length of the smoke.
Smooth and creamy nuances of caramel, dry cocoa and almond shell develop under the spicy flavors of earth and leather. Enjoyable from start to finish the smoke remains smooth and the leather taste on the palate does not diminish.
Deadwood Tobacco Co ?628 Main Street Deadwood, SD 57732 ?605-722-1510 www.deadwoodtobacco.com
ANTIQUE MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION ELECTIONS–Smith elected Chairman of motorcycle Leadership Forum planning group
Roger Smith, Vice President of the Antique Motorcycle Foundation and long-time Director of the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club, has been elected Chairman of the Foundation’s Leadership Forum Planning Committee. The Leadership Forum, now in its fourth year, is designed to improve communication and find solutions among organizations dedicated to the use and preservation of vintage and antique motorcycles.
Smith plans for the committee to announce by March the date and venue of the 2013 Forum.
Other members of the Planning Committee include Paul Danik, Penton Owners Group; Paul Stannard, Hodaka Owners Club; Fred Guidi, American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association; and Tracey Powell, Jon Radermacher, and Ed Youngblood, all Directors of the Antique Motorcycle Foundation.
For more information about the Antique Motorcycle Foundation, refer to www.antiquemotorcyclefoundation.org.
HOLSTER OF THE WEEK TESTED—Yep it’s the Bra holster tested by a novice with five minutes of training.
–from Bob Clark
MAINE BILL WOULD REQUIRE HELMETS–AUGUSTA — A new bill to require all motorcyclists to wear helmets in Maine has been referred to committee.
Current law requires only motorcyclists under 18 years old to wear a helmet when driving or riding as a passenger.
–John Ewing / Staff Photographer
MAINE Lawmakers on Tuesday sent Rep. Paulette Beaudoin’s bill to the Transportation Committee. The Biddeford Democrat introduced a similar bill in 2009, but it was rejected.
Current Maine law requires motorcyclists under 18 years old to wear a helmet when driving or riding as a passenger. The law also applies to motorcyclists operating under a learner’s permit or within one year of completing a driving test.
Beaudoin’s bill requires all operators and passengers of motorcycles to wear protective helmets, restoring a law that was repealed in the late 1970s.
Lawmakers also referred to committee Beaudoin’s bill to prohibit the use of a handheld mobile telephone while operating a motor vehicle.
KICK ME FROM RIVERA-PRIMO– These kicker assemblies satisfy the need in us ol’ skool riders for a kicker on our late model rides like back in the day. These bad boys will bolt up to either a stock 5-speed transmission or an after-market 6-speed like our PowerDrive transmissions.
The kicker assembly only is part # 3215-0021 for 5- speeds and part # 3215-0022 for 6-speeds. These kicker kits are also available with a high quality chrome steel arm (part # 1215-0150) for 5 speeds & (part # 1215-0151) for 6 speeds or with a chrome steel arm and solid brass bicycle style kicker pedal (1215-0152 5-speeds & 1215-0153 6- speeds).
The cover itself is milled from a solid block of 6061 aluminum and the kicker shaft is made from a high strength stainless steel alloy. And for you bikers that are always complaining about stuff not made in America, these Sharpeye kicker covers are made right here at our plant in Southern California, USA.
IS A DUCATI POWERED AUDI NEXT?– BMW i3 to get two-cylinder range extender.
BMW has confirmed that the all-electric i3 will be offered with an optional range extender when it arrives in showrooms later this year.
Herbert Diess, the head of BMW’s research and development department, said that the generator will take the form of a two-cylinder gasoline-burning engine sourced from the company’s motorcycle-building division. BMW bikes are famous for their air-cooled flat-twin engines but the i3 will likely be equipped with a water-cooled straight-two that will be similar in design to the 87-horsepower unit that powers the F 800 R. –Left Lane
–from Paul Aiken
Aeromach Manufacturing
INSTALLING CAM BEARINGS IN A TWIN CAM USING JIMS TOOLS–If you are thinking about upgrading the cams in your Twin Cam Harley or even if you are just taking it apart to service and or replace the chain tensioners it is highly recommended that you change the factory bearing with a set of Timken bearings. The reason is the Timken bearing has double the rollers of the factory one and the more rollers the smoother operation and longevity of the bearing.
To prevent damage to the crankcase it is important to use the correct tools when doing this. I start off using JIMS Inner Cam Bearing Puller #993. The puller is designed to go through the bearing and catch the outer part of the bearing while not touching the crankcase.
You’ll see the complete tech early next week on Bikernet.
–Rogue
MONTANA WATCH HEADED TO RENO– We are very excited to share our new convention location with all of you attending the Safari Club International Convention in Reno next week. We have a great new booth design and five beautiful pieces available for auction if you would like us to proxy bid for you. Please call or email for more information.
Booths 2329, 2421, 2423 and 2428
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INCREDIBLE—We scrambled from project to project this week. I start a list each week and by Friday, it’s jammed, scribbled on, and hopefully 90 percent of the items are crossed off. I tore into my mudflap girl and hauled a box full of parts over to Tony at Worco Powdercoating for some flat black treatment.
While I’m at it, we will be able to install the Digital Dawg keyless ignition, and test the Centramatic wheel balancers. The wheel balancing article will also run in Iron Works magazine.
There just doesn’t seem to be enough time in a day. I’m working on a grant effort tomorrow, then with the MRF on the Industry Council to help motorcycling. We need all the help we can get. I will also work with JIMS machine on a Rogue Twin Cam bearing replacement article tomorrow.
The Sheriff is covering ice racing in Sweden, Rogue will cover the V-Twin Expo, I’m going to fly to Mazatlan to cover a major 30,000 strong event on the streets. We are working with Edge and Iron Works on a major rally on the streets of some town in New Mexico, and me and a couple of guys are going to make a run to Arizona in search of old motorcycle parts, and maybe a place to throw our first too-broke for Sturgis Run. What the fuck.
I need to drink more whiskey and start writing my next Chance paperback. It will be a good one, goddammit.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
