Hey,
We received our first copy of the World’s Fastest Panhead book yesterday. If you click on the image above, you can buy one. Now I need to finish my best fiction book effort to date. That’s the goal for the year. No bike building deadlines, at least not for me. Kent is working on Sin Wu’s bike in Houston at Lucky Devil’s and we’ll bring you another report next week. There’s no lack of bike builds on Bikernet, with two maybe three Sportster efforts.
But I gotta tell you I love building bikes, I own a dream shop in this old building and I’m chopping at the bit to start another project. Time is always the factor. There’s not enough time a day. Let’s hit the Sunday Post, I’m running outta time. Wouldn’t ya know it. The editor of American Iron, Chris Maida is rolling over for lunch.
Recent Key Executives Propel Spectro Oils Growth Strategy– Recent key executives appointments at Spectro Oils of America Power New growth Strategy.
Brookfield, CT? Dave Miller, President of Spectro Oils of America, announces that ken Coleman has been appointed Executive Vice President and that Rollin Karoll has been named Vice President of Sales for the company.
?Both of these executives were selected for their proven abilities to develop and implement successful new strategies and direction within the related industries, and we are looking to with them to forge dynamic, aggressive growth at Spectro? said Dave Miller.
Mr. Coleman has an extensive background in marketing and general management in the sports equipment industry, including serving as President of Bicycle and Auto Racing Groups of Bell Sports, Chairman of Savage Arms and Director and advisor to several other sports industry companies.
Rollin Karoll comes to Spectro from Mustang Motorcycle Products, where he was National Sales Manager. Prior to Mustang, Rollin managed technical service operations for Comcast Cable and A-Copy/IKON Office Solutions.
In addition to their various past successes, both Ken and Rollin are long-time motorcycle owners and riders.
Spectro brands are manufactured and marketed by Intercontinental Lubricants Corp. of Brookfield, CT, ILC, one of the world?s foremost manufacturers and packagers of quality lubricants.
For more information on Spectro Oils, please visit: www.spectro-oils.com .
Spectro Contact: David F. Willis, 203.775.1291 or dwillis@spectro-oils.com
BIKERNET SUNDAY TOOL RECOMMENDATIONS– E-Z OUT BOLT AND STUD EXTRACTOR: A tool ten times harder than any known drill bit that snaps neatly off in bolt holes thereby ending any possible future use.
RADIAL ARM SAW: A large stationary power saw primarily used by most shops to scare neophytes into choosing another line of work.
TWO-TON ENGINE HOIST: A tool for testing the maximum tensile strength of everything you forgot to disconnect.
–from Buckshot
S&S ANNOUNCES 50th ANNIVERSARY CONSUMER TECHNICAL TRAINING CLASS– LA CROSSE, WI (April 17, 2008) S&S? Cycle announces the availability of a special Consumer Technical Training session during the early part of the S&S 50th Anniversary Celebration week. The special three day class takes place June 23-25, 2008.
The S&S Training and Certification instructors have put together a special class that provides and in depth look at the S&S SH-, T- and V-Series engines, along with an overview of the all-new X-Wedge. This class allows students to further their v-twin knowledge by working directly with the S&S Training and Certification instructors in both the classroom and shop. CTT is almost the same class that S&S dealers take when they attend training.
?This is a great addition to what is already turning into an incredible event week,” said Ted Grabowski, S&S Technical Instructor. ?Someone who is planning on coming to the 50th celebration can now spend a few days here in our class really learn about their v-twin.?
S&S Technical Instructor Jon ?Opee? Olson said, ?Event participants began contacting us expressing an interest in attending a training course before the celebration. We decided to open a limited seat three day course for those interested. Seats are limited so enroll soon.?
Normally CTT is a four day class, but due to the Anniversary Celebration activities, it has been condensed into three busy days. The price has been reduced for this one-time class from $1400 to $1100. Seating for this special pre-anniversary class is limited, so contact the instructors at train@sscycle.com immediately if you want to sign up.
WHY CAN’T YOU HEAR ME???–
They sent me to Europe, to Korea and more,
they sent me to places, they did not call a war.
They sent many thousands who looked just like me,
they told us we were fighting to keep the world free…
But free I am not, and for a long time I’ve known
that never again, will my life be my own…
I was captured in Poland, in Korea, in ‘Nam,
or killed in Italy, on Midway, or Bataan,
But why cant you hear me, why the deaf ear?
Don’t you know I did this, even though filled with fear?
Yet forgotten I am, so it seems to me.
My country, My America, My Land tis of thee.
And its people forget that their freedom so dear,
was paid for with the lives, of those of us here.
Some may still live, in places unknown,
many still lay, where their bodies were thrown,
when whatever happened, that brought death very near,
I gave all I had, for your freedom so dear.
Please remember, when you see my Flag,
that under its banner, many a man was dragged,
Who had given his life, for your freedom so dear,
why cant you hear me, when I am so near?
You hear our victory, in the battles we won,
when you pick and choose, the people who run,
for the offices that you vote for, yet you seem not to care, that
for your single vote, a life was left there.
You see our pride, in the Red, White, and Blue,
for under its beauty, we gave our lives for you,
that you might live fully and live truly free, yet you pass by
our Emblem, and sometimes don’t see,
that it waves to those, who have died for its glory..
Why cant you hear me, have you forgotten my story?
We don’t ask much, we who remained in those places,
only that America, land of all races,
remember that I, and many like me, gave all we had,
so YOU could be free…
So don?t make us ask, if you still hear our cries,
why cant you hear us?
Did you forget that we died?
–Preacher, ?2001
CONSPIRACY CYCLE WORKS PROJECT BIKE– This is Ethan with conspiracy cycle works. I have just finished my first build with the new shop. I would be really interested in doing a feature with your site. I have a ton of pictures of the bike basically start to finish on the damn thing.
Enclosed are a couple of pics of the build. The bike came to me as a stock 883 Sportster. Well not so much 883 but that’s what the paperwork from the Mo-Co says. Anyways Chris already had all the power he was looking for but lacked the style he needed in a bike. So it all started with a set of red rims and apes, then before ya know it I’ve got a sawzall goin to town on his frame.
All-in-all he ended up with:
Custom paint
custom dropseat frame
custom swingarm
hand made struts
a heavily modded rear fender
fisco’d tank with fuel gauge and our gas cap and one off mounting system
custom oil tank
handmade battery box
CCW Risers and caps
internal throttle
Modded apes
Arlen ness hand controls
handmade grips
hand made 3/4 foot controls
custom head light with integrated speedo
Narrowed covington 4* trees with shaved lowers a custom wiring harness
and a few things that i have forgot about along the way.
Oh and I’m sure you know what the numbers are on the side of the frame. We have set 43 land speed records ourselves since 2000, we are shooting for the worlds fastest non streamlined Harley with our Sportster. AKA metty’s monster.
If you give me the go ahead I will write up the article and get some professional pictures taken. I have the camera to do them I just need to troll the bars and find a hottie to grace the seat.
Ethan Creep Dean
BIKERNET/CYCLE SOURCE MOTORCYCLE SALES DOWNTURN SURVEY COMMENT– You ask for opinions, so here I go with mine. I think the economy plays a part but is not all to blame. I see small shops here in the Charlotte area struggle until they close, like my own shop. Riders today are not like “bikers.” What I mean by that is when I got into bikes guys would eat hot dogs all week to save the coin to get their bike going or to get the new paint job, it is not like that today.
The bike is the first thing to go when times get tight and along with the bike goes the aftermarket dollars. This hurts the independent shops a lot more than dealers. The independents depend on selling the customs parts and labor from installing them. The whole “bike scene” today for me is watered down and diluted. There is no “brotherhood’ like it used to be and I for one really miss that.
I guess I sound old and sometimes I feel kinda old. Closing the shop has taken a lot out of me and I guess I have lost some interest. Today there are too many, “get something for nothing people,” into bikes.
E-bay has also hurt the industry and the independent shops. These shops cannot compete with e-bay. So I guess in a way some of today’s technology has hurt the industry. I for one never ever buy anything on e-bay, not because of bad quality but because it destroys the small shop way of life. I wonder how many people stop to think of that? Probably very few? Well I guess I have had my say!
–mike
TOMMY THOMPSON’S 14TH ANNUAL REUNION RIDE IS ONLY 6 WEEKS AWAY– The hotel room block will be released in two weeks so make your plans now. Tommy’s premium Ride June 8-12th provides participants with daily rides and evening parties. We will be stationed at the Holiday Inn just outside of the Smokey Mountain National Forest in NC where we will have evening parties and day rides.
Day rides will take us to Dragon’s Tail, Clingman’s Dome, Cherhola Skyway, Blue Ridge Parkway, and Wheels Through Time in Maggie Valley. Evening parties will include a Cocktail Party, Casino Night, Pig Roast celebrating Stormin’ Norman & Christina’s wedding, Outdoor Theatre “Unto these Hills” and Tommy Thompson’s Bikers Ball hosted by Jerry & Kathy Wiener. With only 6 weeks to go it’s time to register now! Tickets must be purchased and food ordered.
For more details, flier or to sign up, go to: http://www.accidentscene.org/tommy/index.htm. Limit: 150 people
WOMEN IN MOTION’S HEART OF WISCONSIN RIDE– This is the Women In Motion Roadguard’s 8th year of hosting this Fundraising Ride in Wisconsin for Accident Scene Management! Let the WIM Roadguards take care of everything for you. July 18-20, 2008 you can enjoy a two day police escorted ride before having a day to return home. We will start in Wisconsin Dells this year at the Ho Chunk Casino.
Friday’s ride will take us up the Scenic Wisconsin River to Wausau Harley Davidson for lunch and then back to the Dells for an evening party hosted by Bala’s H-D. Saturday we will Tour SE Wisconsin’s countryside that includes Wildcat Mountain on our way to S&S Mfg. who is celebrating 50 years of being in business.
Lunch will be hosted, we will have time to tour their museum and demo their 140 Cubic inch bike. From there we will continue riding the hilly terrain on our way to Capital City Harley Davidson in Madison where we will settle into our hotel right next door to the dealership. Our evening will find you enjoying an evening of food, Live Band (Country Storm) and silent auction. Of course Sunday morning we will provide a topless bike wash where the guys wash the girls bike topless!
Don’t miss out on this 2 day ride that allows you to have all day on Sunday to make your way home. 10 people are coming from Ohio and the MI and IA gals are planning their annual trip to Wisconsin to see what we are offering this year. make your plans now! Remember that your registration for this ride is a tax deductible donation to ASMI.
For more details, flier or to sign up go to: http://www.accidentscene.org/womeninmotion/index.html. Limit 300 people.
See you soon!
–Vicki Roberts-Sanfelipo, RN/EMT
Director Accident Scene Management, Inc.
President of SOS & Conspicuity Inc.
www.accidentscene.org
info@accidentscene.org
(877) 411-8551 – toll free
(262) 521-2880 – local
(262) 436-0286 – fax
BIKERNET READER TAILLIGHT SEARCH–Sorry to barge in on ya’ like this but I’m looking for a tail light that seems real hard to find, no, make that ‘damned near impossible’… so I thought I’d check in with you in capacity of head Guru on this mystery.
Just saw it again on Trevelen’s Huero Loco in the Easyriders that came in today and just must have that light for my own scoot. Am checkin’ with him as well as Chopper Dave meanwhile, just to “hedge my bets” so to speak.
Here’s a link to some pic’s of this dang thing:
I’m sure you remember this one from back in the day as I recon’ it was made in the 60’s or 70’s. If ya’ happen to have one of these “layin’ around” (yeah, fat chance of that…) I wanna’ buy it, like, yesterday!
— Andreas Dudda
Midnight Express Motorcycle Co.
1-888-734-2388
“Stay Gold” Motorcycle Art Exhibition* – Sturgis 2008– This year?s annual Custom Motorcycle Art Exhibition at Thunder Road during Sturgis Bike Week will focus on the passion that draws custom bike builders into their garages ? the same passion that the late Johnny Chop demonstrated in each bike he built throughout his short life. This passion radiated from Johnny?s being and was enthusiastically expressed on his knuckles, which were tattooed with eight letters ? S-T-A-Y-G-O-L-D. Hence, the name of this year’s exhibition, “Stay Gold”.
The garages can be dark, damp and dirty. They are typically cold in the winter and sweltering in the summer, but they become home to a form of creation, which we can call art, or more specifically folk art. Countless hours are spent using creative skills to produce something that goes far beyond the simple utilitarian function of a two-wheeled conveyance, and this without any promise of financial reward. The resulting custom bikes can provide transportation cross-town or cross-country and at the same time, they are aesthetic objects that project the heart and soul of their creators.
The criteria for the participants of the “Stay Gold” exhibit are that they are living their passion of building custom motorcycles or making art about them, but that they do not live off the endeavor. Some do service work in bike shops, others support themselves as tattoo artists, contractors or within the confines of a straight 9 to 5 job.
Most have barely sold a bike or piece of art except to fund their next project. Some may be widely known, and some hardly known. They are living in that magical time where creativity knows no bounds, because there is no customer dictating their wants and needs. Eventually, some may feel compelled to hang an “open for business” sign in the window, but others will keep their art and livelihood separate.
Regardless of where their paths may lead, we hope they will forever “Stay Gold”.
Johnny Chop loved the film “The Outsiders” where the idea to “Stay Gold” was immortalized, but the concept’s origin goes back to the poem “Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost:
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
The “Stay Gold” Custom Motorcycle Art Exhibition is being organized under the direction of Michael Lichter, and with the blessing of Johnny Chop’s family, is being held to honor Johnny Chop.
Bandit was invited by Michael Lichter to display the amazing gold and black Salt Shaker.
WEAPON FOUND FROM TROOP SHOT IN BIKERNET NEWS– Reading your lastest news on the web site. Noticed a picture of Army troop standing in front of a new armored vehicle,. Your comment about dressing in a robe shooting an AK-47 at it would not be good idea. In fact the vehicle is called an MRAPS and is pretty impervious to IEDS. So your AK fire is like pissing in the wind. I enclosed a few shots of my son checking one out over there. Josh is on his 2nd. tour there.
He WAS into crotch rockets but he has seen the light an wants a Harley..!
–Bill
Proud Army Dad
PS: Thanks for all your support of the Troops.
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