Hey,
I just rolled in from Primm, Nevada, 245 miles and 3 hours 45 minutes. Primm is made up of three casinos, and an outlet mall on the Nevada border just 50 miles from Vegas. Fortunately two VPs and the corporate attorney are bikers and they want all three casinos to be classified biker friendly. As a member of the 100-point judging crew over anything biker, I ran out to investigate.
Bikers were all over the place including five riders from Holland who shipped a container load of vintage Indians and rode 5,000 miles throughout the southwest. It was my job to question each rider in Primm as to whether they were hanging out or just passing through. Most just said, “Who the fuck are you? I’m not tellin’ you shit.” As they cut a dusty trail onto the long winding interstate 15 on their way to Vegas or back to California. I wrote notes feverioushly and turned them over to the Primm President.
All the Primm properties, except the land are now owned by the Terrible Herbst family. They’re a bunch of racing mechanics and we attended CORR off-road racing out back then HBO boxing in Buffalo Bill’s Casino Arena. I spoke to the boss about World Land Speed Record Racing and biker events, before he threw me out of his massive western office by a kick in the ass with his Tony Murga stingray boots. “But boss, it was just a suggestion,” I muttered and headed toward the bar. Let’s hit the Sunday Post, then I’ll tell you more about the Bandit Run To Primm.
J&P RAFFLE WINNER–? One ticket. That?s all it took for Jim Peters of Medford, New Jersey, to win the beautiful 2007 Custom Bobber, custom built by J&P Cycles and painted by Chad Renken of Def Air Custom Paint in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Peters purchased the one raffle ticket benefiting the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, Iowa, online on Aug. 15. Ticket number 06285 turned out to be the lucky one.
Shortly after pulling his name out of the bin on Dec. 28, Museum Director Jeff Carstensen called Peters to notify him of his good fortune. Unfortunately, Carstensen could not reach Peters, so he sent him an e-mail. When Peters received the e-mail, it was 9:30 p.m. eastern time, but he called Carstensen right away. Having never won anything before, Peters was floored.
I told Carstensen, ?You have got to be kidding me. I am freaking out right now.?
Peters purchased the ticket while looking at different bike raffle sites. He said he was looking for a bike and thought maybe he could win one instead of buy one. With an extra $5 handy, he purchased one ticket.
?I thought the bike was pretty cool and the money was going to a good cause.? He especially likes the retro bobber style, so thought he would try his luck.
That was in August of 2007. The ticket came in the mail and Peters posted it on his refrigerator and forgot about it. In the meantime, he purchased a 2001 Harley-Davidson RoadKing. By the time the weather changed, he had already logged 5,000 miles.
His new bike will be the good weather bike. ?I look at this bike as more of a hot rod,? he says. He is thrilled with his good fortune. ?Everything about the bike is everything I envisioned,? he said. ?The style and actual type of bike was something that stood out.?
The cool, retro Bobber features a Xotic Knucklehead style RevTech motor and 5-speed transmission donated by Custom Chrome. Jeff Wiley and Kody Wisner built the bike. KraftTech donated the Rigid frame. The paint is themed after a 1940s Crocker motorcycle.
The 2007 raffle was a great success. ?This raffle again exceeded our expectations. The success is based on our sponsors and their support year-in and year-out,? said John Parham, president of the museum?s board of directors.
Even though the 2007 bike has arrived at its new home in New Jersey, the 2008 raffle is underway, so everyone will get another chance to win a beautiful bike. This year?s National Motorcycle Museum raffle bike is a 2008 S&S Panhead. Custom-built by J&P Cycles and painted by Scott Takes of Underground Studios, this year?s bike is a beauty!
The National Motorcycle Museum features over 225 vintage motorcycles from around the world. The museum is open seven days a week, year-round except major holidays and Sundays in January. As a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, the museum relies on memberships, contributions, admissions, fund-raisers and gift shop sales to support its goal of preserving the history of motorcycling. For more information, contact the National Motorcycle Museum by mail at 200 East Main St., PO Box 405, Anamosa, Iowa 52205, by phone at 319-462-3925 or go to their website at www.nationalmcmuseum.org.
MORE Q&A FROM SAXON—What are your thoughts about the current US market?
Only the strong will survive and those who are here with Saxon in a couple years will do just fine.
What happened to the mad jack?
The cost just came in to high and we did not feel a 27k bobber would do well in the current market. Its still on the shelf for the future.
We heard you’re doing well in Europe and Australia. Tell us about your plans?
I saw a TV commercial the other day of Saxons going down the street with the Eiffel tower in the background, man was that cool. We simply want to grow and support our dealers with that great Saxon customer service. As well we have Saxons in over 10 different countries.
BUB 2008 DEADLINE APPROACHING— Just a freindly reminder that the Pre-Entry deadline is approaching. All entries need to be submitted by June 2nd (our original deadline was June 1st- which is a sunday- we’ve extened an extra day so that we can be in the office to ensure we receive your entry). If you are still not sure of your class, leave it blank- we will allow you to complete that anytime elading up to the event.
All FIM entries- you have a couple of extra days to get you FIM paperwork to us- but your BUB entry form must be in by the deadline!
If you have any question let us know!
BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials Information
www.bubspeedtrials.com
PH: 530 272 4310
FAX: 530 477 7489
Email: salt-info@bubspeedtrials.com
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS- Drag Specialties, Parts Unlimited, BUB Enterprises, Bikernet.com, Pingel Enterprises, Potter Lumber, HDT USA, NRHS V-Twin Performance, Buell Bros Racing, Bennett’s Performance, Bakker Motorsports, Dealer-World.com
BIKERNET READER CHECKIN? IN Been a while…..since I checked in. Been a spell of nose-to-the-grindstone days and butt-shitty weather here in the Northwest. But today,finally, the stars aligned and the clouds parted and behold, the weather turned warm and sunny. One of my best buds is ridin down from the north to hang with me and do some ridin and bullshittin. Hopefully the squirley fuck will stay long enough to let me show him some of the better rides around here. So I’m fixin to have a good ‘ol time drinkin a few beers and blowin off steam and no matter what I’m havin a good time….even if my old lady is going BAT-SHIT hormonal right now. Damn! You may know what I mean.
Anyway, I’ve been enjoying Bikernet on a regular basis. It just keeps gettin better ! Keep up the good work and you can run all the pictures of that Brass Balls Chopper gal you want ! Wooha!
–Copey
FOO FIGHTERS RIDE INTO HARLEY-DAVIDSON?S 105th ANNIVERSARY—
Three Days Grace To Open for Stand-Alone Concert
MILWAUKEE (May 16, 2008) ? Today Harley-Davidson announced that the iconic rock band Foo Fighters has been added to the already stellar line-up of musical talent performing during the Motor Company?s 105th Anniversary Celebration in Milwaukee.
Foo Fighters, along with special guest Three Days Grace, will play Friday, August 29, 2008, at the outdoor venue dubbed Roadhouse at the Lakefront, which is located just north of the Milwaukee Art Museum. Stand-alone concert tickets will go on sale at 8:00 a.m. CDT on Saturday, May 31, 2008, at www.ticketmaster.com
Over the past ten years, Foo Fighters has established itself as one of the biggest rock acts in the world, and the epitome of the American rock band. Opening for Foo Fighters will be platinum-selling rock band, Three Days Grace. Three Days Grace released their sophomore album in 2006, One-X, which debuted at number five on the Top 200 chart.
Harley-Davidson?s 105th Anniversary celebration is poised to be the must-see music event of the summer. Blending a diverse mix of music, the Motor Company will showcase the classic genres that are at the core of American influence.
In addition to Foo Fighters and Three Days Grace, American icons like Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and ZZ Top, as well as rising stars like Daughtry are scheduled to perform during the 105th Anniversary. The Motor Company also plans to feature other popular acts including The Black Crowes, Dierks Bentley, Los Lonely Boys, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Buddy Guy, Cameo and more.
?Foo Fighters and Three Days Grace are incredible additions to our already stellar line-up for the 105th Anniversary,? said Ken Ostermann, Harley-Davidson?s general manager of Outreach Marketing. ?We?re gonna rock Milwaukee, so you definitely won?t want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime event.?
For more information on all the 105th activities, including limited edition Harley-Davidson 105th Anniversary motorcycles, visit www.harley-davidson.com/105th
Metzeler Tires Are Now Standard On All Brass Balls Bobbers & Choppers— Darwin Motorcycles Raises the Quality Bar with Metzeler Tires. Darwin Motorcycles, the creator of Brass Balls Bobbers & Choppers, builds high-caliber motorbikes that are unique, stand out in a crowd and now come standard with premium Metzeler rubber. Metzeler provides another bullet in Brass Balls Bobbers’ quality gun, which presents a distinct value advantage vis-a-vis other bobber manufacturers.
“Metzeler tires are engineered to provide superior performance and custom appeal. Our customers are going to enjoy the performance of these new tires and I am enjoying modifying our design to take advantage of their zero-growth tire capability,” says Dar Holdsworth, Darwin Motorcycles President and Master Designer.
One of the benefits of Metzeler tires is the ability of the tire not to grow when it gets hot. This allows custom production manufactures like Darwin Motorcycles to bring the finder closer to the tire, enhancing the custom look.
Every Brass Balls Bobber is rolled out of a 10,000 sq.-ft. multi-purpose manufacturing facility in Oklahoma City. Each custom-production motorcycle produced in the second quarter of 2008 is being shod with Metzeler tires. At the heart of each build is one of four engines using Harley-Davidson? EVO, S&S 96″ and 113″ EVO-style motors, as well as a unique re-engineered Indian? Crazy Horse V-Plus 100.
“We are excited about Brass Balls Bobbers delivering our premium motorcycle tire as a standard option because their customers will receive better stability, increased mileage and greater feedback from their motorcycle,” explained Kevin Allen, Metzeler Motorcycle Marketing.
Holdsworth stated that his firm is on a campaign to increase the quality of their motorbikes without increasing costs, and suggested that this is just a first of many upgrades to be announced in the month of May this year.
With a strong team at the helm and a slate of innovative, high-performance designs that blend vintage with contemporary, Darwin Motorcycles is primed and quickly becoming one of the leading motorcycle shops in the country attracting new riders and setting trends through their Above Average Bobber program.
For information on dealership sales please contact: Mason Orr at 770-423-2827 x131
For Custom Bike Information please contact: Dar Holdsworth, 405.285.0808, EVOLVE@DARWINMOTORCYCLES.COM
JOB – URINE TEST — I sure would like to know who wrote this one! They deserve a HUGE pat on the back, also, I’ll sign anything preparing the way for this idea to become a bill, then hopefully a law (as if we don’t have enough laws already)!
Like a lot of folks in this state, I have a job. I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit. In order to get that paycheck, I am required to pass a random urine test with which I have no problem. What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don’t have to pass a urine test. Shouldn’t’ one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check because I have to pass one to earn it for them? Please understand, I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. I do, on the other hand, have a problem with helping someone sitting on their ASS, doing drugs, while I work. . . . Can you imagine how much money the state would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check? Pass this along if you agree or simply delete if you don’t. I hope you all will pass it along. . . Something has to change in this country — and soon!
–from Redhorse
Terry Cook is leaving the AMA— He will be missed by myself and many others for the assistance he has give to the Motorcycle Rights Movement over the years.
–ROGUE
Good morning.
I just thought I owed it to you to say thanks for all the work you have done with and for the AMA with me over the last 22+ years.
Regrettably, this is my last day with the AMA. I will be moving to my hometown in Missouri tomorrow.
Good luck with the future and please keep up the pressure on your elected and regulatory officials.
Terry Lee Cook
Grassroots Manager
American Motorcyclist Association
13515 Yarmouth Drive
Pickerington, OH 43147
614-856-1900 ext. 1288
VALERIE THOMPSON?S NEW BIKE AND PAINT— Well, the paint is on…and I hope it added a few extra pounds!! Just wait till you see it in person. WOW!
Paint: PPG, Painter: Randy Hobena @ Prestige Auto Works, and Eddie Hollon Designs – designed the bike graphics. Eddie started out with 10 samples then went to 24…But only one problem?I only have one bike…Therefore; I reached out to the public to determine the paint design. The voting was huge and the response was enormous. I ended up with over 300 votes and I will say it was a close race?The 2008 Pro Stock Motorcycle Eye On Buell fans voted on A-04.
Enjoy all the pictures!!
Valerie Thompson
ValerieThompsonRacing.com
Does anyone in Bikernet World have a spare cell phone?— I love this country and I believe that this is the greatest place on the planet but today a large dumbass company based in our fine land made a basic mistake in an attempt to service my account. They had a very sexy sounding voicemail honey ask me to press 1 to continue in English – I loved that phone.
Live Hard,
Whiplash Biker Photog
http://hogslife.com/profile/Whiplash
NINO925 LAUNCHES DEDICATED LIFESTYLE JEWELRY WEB SITE ? NINO925.COM—
Jewelry Maker Offers Custom Styles to Fit All Budgets
SEAL BEACH, Calif. ? May 16, 2008 ? Custom and lifestyle jewelry creator Nino925 has launched a refreshed Web site, www.Nino925.com, featuring a new look and products, smoother navigation and original photography reflecting the laidback Southern California lifestyle.
?Nino925.com has evolved over the years and the new Web site better appeals to our customers? way of life,? said Frank Zubieta, owner and president, Nino925. ?The Web site will constantly be updated with new jewelry designs, accessories and promotional offers to help anyone passionate about expressing their individuality achieve that goal at prices that won?t leave them broke.?
Nino925 was previously only known among the biker segment, but has gained worldwide exposure among those looking for unique jewelry that helps express their lifestyle ? whether avid or weekend bikers, surfers, rockers, like up-and-coming band Liquor Boxx, everyday rebels or weekend warriors. Nino925?s products are also being worn by celebrity bike builders like Billy Lane and Austin Weiss.
Recently, Nino925 designs caught the eye of producers at the Speed Channel and Frank Zubieta was featured in his craft studio making jewelry using the lost was process on the program, American Thunder.
For more information on Nino925 or to view the segment, visit www.Nino925.com. For information on purchasing or distributing Nino925 jewelry, please contact info@nino925.com
About Nino925.com Nino925 is a lifestyle jewelry company that specializes in handmade silver, gold and platinum jewelry as well as accessories and apparel. Nino925 has become a favorite among celebrity bike builders, rockers and the distinctive set. The Nino925 line has been featured on the Speed Channel and in various magazines like V-Twin, Easyriders Hot Girls and others. Nino925 selectively grants limited distribution rights in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Australia, the U.A.E. and South Africa. Nino925 is based in Orange County, Calif.
MIDWEST MOTORCYCLE SUPPLY IS HERE FOR YOU— The motorcycle scene is a changing. Lots of things are effecting the market right now -New government legislations, companies you’ve depended on closing, downsizing or changing owners, the growth in aggressive pricing due to the wide availability of the internet, the general economy of things. Dare I mention the rise of gas prices? All of these have hit and really shook the market out there.
What better time to remind you that Midwest Motorcycle Supply is still here for our industry and continues to grow. Midwest is focused on getting our dealers high quality parts at competitive low prices. We have updated our websites several times if you have not taken a look lately check them out.
You can now view our catalog at…
www.midwestmc.net
While some dealers are having great sales Midwest knows a lot of dealers struggled through the winter. Spring is here now and we have several great sales flyers out there for the dealers. Along with the flyers we have some great new things to come. Like the expansion of our new Ultima ThunderVolt AGM battery line or I hear the New Ultima shocks are expected any day now and there is more great news to come. Don’t want to give it all away now.
Please take the time to contact your sales representative to check in with all the ways they can help you with your business. Remember they, along with all of Midwest Motorcycle Supply, are here for you. We have been able to continue to grow with the support of our loyal dealers. Give us a call today and let us do our best to support you. Don’t know who your sales rep is? Do not worry, contact me back and I would be happy to help put you in contact with them or assist you.
Motorcycle industry may be changing, but there will still be cyclist out there. We have our heels dug in and we will be here for you when you need us.
Best regards,
Michele Kueck -ext. 124
Midwest Motorcycle Supply-Sales Representative
800-325-3914 /Int’l 636-931-3200
fax 800-328-7433/Int’l fax 636-931-3300
email: MicheleK@midwestmc.net
AMUSING EPITAPHS— Browsing Old Cemeteries Some fascinating things on old tombstones!
Harry Edsel Smith of Albany, New York :
Born 1903–Died 1942.
Looked up the elevator shaft to see if the car was on the way down. It was.
In a Thurmont, Maryland , cemetery:
Here lies an Atheist, all dressed up and no place to go.
On the grave of Ezekial Aikle in East Dalhousie Cemetery , Nova Scotia :
Here lies Ezekial Aikle, Age 102. Only The Good Die Young.
In a London , England cemetery:
Here lies Ann Mann, Who lived an old maid but died an old Mann. Dec. 8, 1767
In a Ribbesford, England , cemetery:
Anna Wallace
The children of Israel wanted bread, And the Lord sent them manna. Clark Wallace wanted a wife, And the Devil sent him Anna.
In a Ruidoso, New Mexico , cemetery:
Here lies Johnny Yeast… Pardon me for not rising.
In a Uniontown, Pennsylvania , cemetery:
Here lies the body of Jonathan Blake. Stepped on the gas instead of the brake.
In a Silver City, Nevada, cemetery:
Here lays The Kid.
We planted him raw.
He was quick on the trigger
But slow on the draw.
A lawyer’s epitaph in England :
Sir John Strange. Here lies an honest lawyer, and that is Strange.
John Penny’s epitaph in the Wimborne, England , cemetery:
Reader, if cash thou art in want of any,
Dig 6 feet deep and thou wilt find a Penny.
In a cemetery in Hartscombe , England :
On the 22nd of June, Jonathan Fiddle went out of tune.
Anna Hopewell’s grave in Enosburg Falls , Vermont :
Here lies the body of our Anna,
Done to death by a banana.
It wasn’t the fruit that laid her low,
But the skin of the thing that made her go.
On a grave from the 1880s in Nantucket , Massachusetts :
Under the sod and under the trees,
Lies the body of Jonathan Pease.
He is not here, there’s only the pod.
Pease shelled out and went to God.
PRO-ONE BLACK OUT MIRRORS– Pro-One is now offering there exclusive line of custom mirrors finished to perfection in black anodize with machined edges. CNC machined from aircraft quality billet aluminum these contemporary mirrors can be ordered from a collection of stem and head styles to meet just about any taste and requirement. What you see here is just a small sample of the many styles available. PRO-ONE BILLET MIRROR assemblies are priced starting at just $45.95 and come complete with necessary mounting hardware for Harley-Davidson and Metric Cruiser motorcycles. For complete details see your local PRO-ONE dealer or call direct at 800-884-4173. Visit PRO-ONE on the Web at www.pro-one.com
HOW’S THAT FOR A BROUHAHA AD–I feel like I’ve been working on Sturgis all year long. It’s going to be a happening year in the Black Hills. Don’t miss our gig. It’s going to be a blast for everyone.
I missed the UPS guy on Friday by a couple of hours. I’ve excitedly paced the deck waiting for this engine from Billy Lane to arrive. It’s a factory overhead valve Peashooter single. The more I’m around these engines, the more I like them. I’ll find out whether it’s a 450 or 500 cc unit.
Billy was kind enough to trade me this rare H-D engine and a 500 Triumph transmission, including a carb for my rough 1912 Pope Engine.
It also came with this Linkert carb and the head modified to fit it. Now all my stringent efforts for Bonneville 2009 are underway. Need to find out how the Departure Bike Works crew is doing with the 45 K model.
In the meantime, I’ll continue to report of Primm, Nevada’s efforts to become Biker Friendly and ready for a stellar event to make Primm home.
Have a helluva week.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
