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SMOKE OUR JUST TWO WEEKS AWAY– Hey, if you see the crack of Dawn at Laughlin, tell her I?ll be looking for her at Rockingham! J Myrtle Beach is up in flames this week, literally. I?m thinking of hitting the Smoke Out East anyhow that weekend.
87 degrees here today and more of the same this weekend. I?m loving it. Believe it?s time for me to ride.
–Bruce Snyder
BIKERNET COPY EDITOR
Saving Abel Joins Aerosmith at The Legendary Buffalo Chip– BUFFALO CHIP CAMPGROUND ? Mississippi rockers Saving Able will join Aerosmith on Wednesday, Aug. 5 at the Legendary Buffalo Chip Campground during the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
Founded in 2004, by lead guitarist Jason Null and singer Jared Weeks. Producer Skidd Mills liked Null and Weeks? acoustic demo and helped round out the band with Scott Bartlett on rhythm guitar, Eric Taylor on bass and Blake Dixon on drums.
The band cracked the big time with ?Addicted,? from their self-titled debut Virgin Records album, which quickly went Gold and spent weeks on the Billboard Top 100, peaking at #2.
The band merges hard rock with its Southern roots in a stage show that is steeped in the American tradition of blues-driven party rock that is so good it feels like a long lost hit from your memory.
“You know when you hear a song on the radio and you don’t know who it is, but you love it and feel like you’ve heard it before? That’s our band! The first time someone hears us, they go, ‘I know that band!’ Then someone explains, ‘no, it’s a brand-new song and band.’ Saving Abel has an accessible and comfortable sound—you HAVE heard us before,” said Weeks.
?We?re delighted to add an emerging rock band like Saving Abel to the extraordinary mix of artists on the 2009 Buffalo Chip talent lineup. These guys have proven that they?re the real deal and our crowd is going to love them,? said Rod Woodruff, campground owner.
Also appearing at the Buffalo Chip during the 2009 Sturgis Rally are: Toby Keith, George Thorogood & The Destroyers, Tesla, Hinder, Cheech & Chong, Lita Ford, Creedence Clearwater Revisited and Billy Squier. More information is available at BuffaloChip.com.
Sabertooth Motorcycles– a small, relatively new manufacturer of V8 cruisers, seeks dealers after losing all its dealers due to the bad economy and the bankruptcy of American IronHorse. But even during these rough times, the company has managed to expand its portfolio of bikes from two models to six.
Sabertooth first came to our attention in early 2008 when it sent us information on its WildCat cruiser with a carbureted Ford Racing 302 cu. in. motor. The company called the motorcycle ?a racecar on two wheels? and displayed it at that year?s Dealer Expo, along with a version boasting a bigger motor.
The company was again at this year?s show, and it sent us an update on what it?s been up to. The 2009 WildCat receives a multiport fuel injection system with distributorless ignition. It also has a new dual exhaust with a catalytic converter. Because of all this, the unit reportedly has more horsepower and better fuel economy than the previous model.
For greater comfort, the 2009 WildCat also gets a new footpeg mounting system and a redesigned seat. Options include a 347 cu. in. Ford Racing engine, a chrome package, air suspension, floorboards and a sissy bar.
Want even more power? New for this year is the WildCat 427 with a Ford Racing 427 cu. in. engine producing a claimed 550 hp and 540 ft.-lbs. of torque. Compare this with the claimed 350 hp and 340 ft.-lbs. of torque of the regular WildCat. The WildCat 427 comes with the same options as its smaller brother (excluding the 347 engine, of course).
Sabertooth offers three other 2009 models:
The Midnight WildCat features black paint and blacked-out wheels, pulley and disc. It also has black-anodized controls, headlight and front end.
The WildCat X has a 360mm rear tire and a chrome package that includes the headlight, forks, controls, bell housing, wheels, pulley and brake components. Sabertooth says it added touches such as stainless steel engine hoses with anodized fittings. The WildCat X is available in a ?stunning array of paint schemes.?
The WildCat 427X is the WildCat X with the bigger engine. The company also has models in development:
The CatRod is based on the famous Rat Rod motorcycle. It comes with a 360 Brake that allows for an uninterrupted view of a 50-spoke wheel.
The StreetCat is a pro-street bike with the 350 hp engine. Sabertooth says it will offer derivative models similar to the ones of the WildCat series. So expect the StreetCat 427, the Midnight StreetCat, the StreetCat X and the StreetCat 427X.
The limited-edition 2010 TurboCat comes with twin turbochargers, a 360mm rear tire, dual-chain drive and a proprietary two-speed manual transmission with reverse. Suggested retail prices range from $34,995 for the base WildCat to $54,995 for the WildCat 427X, according to the February 2009 edition of the AMA Black Book.
Ben Daniels founded Sabertooth Motorcycles in late 2005 in Greer, S.C. The company started selling carbureted versions of the WildCat in 2007. A representative for the company tells Dealernews via e-mail that in 2008 the company sold fewer than 40 bikes in the U.S. and Europe combined.
Last September, Sabertooth moved from its 25,000 sq. ft. building to a 20,000 sq. ft. one in Piedmont. ?The original facility was a converted warehouse that was OK for design and prototyping, but presented a number of challenges for full-scale production,? the rep says. ?The new site was designed as a manufacturing facility and is more suited to our current needs and will better sustain us as we grow.?
Right now the company has 10 employees. At one point it also had at least four dealers. In fact, at the time of this story?s posting, they are still listed on the company?s outdated website at www.sabertoothmotorcycles.com. When we ask about the number of dealers now, the Sabertooth rep responds, ?Our current dealers have all been negatively affected by the downturn in the economy and the bankruptcy of American IronHorse. We are currently evaluating several potential new dealers and hope to announce our current dealer list soon. Additionally, we are actively looking to build our dealer network throughout the country and are offering incentives to qualified candidates.?
THE EPA WAS GIVEN EVEN MORE POWER– The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a finding that high levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions endanger the health and welfare of current and future generations of Americans. The decision comes nearly two years after the Supreme Court ruled that the EPA has the authority and duty to consider regulating CO2 emissions.
The court?s intervention was sought since carbon dioxide is a natural chemical rather than a traditional ?pollutant? subject to EPA oversight.
While the EPA has the option of drafting CO2 regulations under the Clean Air Act (CAA), the Obama administration would prefer that lawmakers pass a new law to define the best approach for regulating CO2 emissions. That process has already begun. House and Senate Committees are expected to begin drafting legislation this spring, with the goal of enacting a new law this year.
Topics under discussion are limiting regulatory oversight to the largest greenhouse gas contributors?power plants and oil refineries, large factories and automobiles?and potentially establishing a cap and trade system for CO2 emissions or a carbon tax.
Motor-vehicle emissions of CO2 are already effectively regulated via the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. For practical purposes, reducing fuel consumption is the equivalent of reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions since CO2 is released in direct proportion to the amount of carbon-based fuel (gas) that is burned.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently increased the CAFE requirements for MY 2011 vehicles. The question will be, are the CAFE standards high enough to address CO2 emissions and can the auto industry afford anything more stringent?
For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.
Eagle Nation Cycles is more than just another motorcycle shop– It’s a place where professional pride, quality workmanship and integrity mean something. We build customer relationships with honesty, dependability, and trust and have been making a lot of friends along the way. Come by and see us!
Eagle Nation Cycles is located in Neenah, Wisconsin where we offer:
PERFORMANCE AND CUSTOM SHOP – Providing a higher level of machine shop and repair services. MACHINE SHOP – REBUILDS – Offering some of the most comprehensive and complete Harley Davidson machine shop services in Wisconsin. SERVICE AND REPAIRS – Providing the most complete maintenance and repair services available anywhere PARTS AND ACCESSORIES – Maintaining an extensive inventory of the very finest parts and accessories. Memo
BIKERNET ARMS TESTING LABORATORY REPORT– Congratulations on the development of the US arsenal’s first nuclear hand grenade. As expected, your demonstration models functioned flawlessly. All test devices detonated as designed, hence the test must be deemed a success.
However, in light of the fact that the device can only be thrown 25 yards, we STRONGLY SUGGEST you reduce the 100 yard killing radius.
P.S. We suggest offering the current stock to Iran and Iraq as part of a buy-one get-one FREE sale.
–from Buckshot
LAST RIDE CUSTOMS IMPROVED WEB SITE– I just wanted to put the word out that I updated my website with all new seats, toolbags, media/events, and added some new sites to the links page. Please take a look at it and let me know what you think about the new updates. Rob Day designed this page, and did a kick ass job. If you ever need any website work done please contact him at email him at robday1960@verizon.net . I give him a little info and he does his magic!
www.lastridecustoms.com
Genuine Motorworks Holds Its New Store Grand Opening With Roaring Success– BROOKLYN, NY–April 23, 2009–Genuine Motorworks opened its new store in Brooklyn this past weekend with great response from customers, motorcycle industry notables and both local and national motorcycle media. An invite-only soft grand opening was held on Thursday, April 16th and the public grand opening was held on Saturday, April 18th.
Elisa Seeger’s Genuine Motorworks is a ground-breaking, artistic lifestyle shop that caters to male motorcycle and hotrod enthusiasts that want to pay tribute to American heritage through their apparel choices. It features hip, rider-focused apparel, motorcycle art, helmets, accessories and more. They feature many admired brands including Indian Larry, Levis, Frye Boots, Salinas Boys, Johnson Motor Company, and Filson, to name a few.
She successfully achieved a perfect mixture of the true spirit of motorcycling and an alternative to the standard bike shop. It is an experience, rather than simply a place to shop. “We wanted to invite all our supporters and friends in the media to celebrate our grand opening. We are grateful and excited to say it was a rousing success” says Elisa.
The new space combines a contemporary feel with classic motorcycle style to create a fun and comfortable environment. The response from the press and attendees was overwhelmingly positive. Drinks and hot dogs were served and the crowd stayed well into the evening, despite the cold weather. The artist’s gallery was thoughtfully planned out and featured the photography of Bobby Seeger Jr. Displayed were shots he has taken of Indian Larry over the years and the Indian Larry “Wild Child” motorcycle. The “Grease Monkey” bike was also on display in the front window and shows passersby that Indian Larry’s inspiration is still alive and well. Genuine Motorworks will continue to feature inspired custom bikes and artwork from artists on a monthly basis.
The Genuine Motorworks store is located at 195 N. 14th Street in Williamsburg area of Brooklyn, N.Y., and is open every day 11 a.m.-7 p.m. For more information about Genuine Motorworks, please visit www.genuinemotorworks.com or call 718-486-6971.
–Ken Conte
BIKERNET OUTLOOK REPORT FOR THE UPCOMING WEEK– Here’s the breakdown for the this week. Just in, another tech on the Little Big Twin from Greg Friend of Saddlemen. I’m going to work on the 5-Ball factory racer this afternoon, mounting the Chica fender, so if the week doesn’t peel away from me, we will bring you an update. We have at least two bike features to wrap up this week. One is a very cool Softail, with minimum mods, for a classic look, from Ryan Reed of Socal Customs.
I have more JIMS 131-inch Twin Cam engine shots. What an engine! See the tech on the home page. Fatbob just called about the Oley, PA antique, AMCA swapmeet. We’ll bring you more. We’re trying to work with Trask on a turbo install. Plus we’ll deliver more on the RevTech assembled-in-America, 125-inch Evo line. It’s going to be a wild week.
One more thing. Ray Wheeler rode with me to Laughlin. On the way the Chop N Grind racing team replaced his worn-out rear tire in the desert. Ray is on his way to Strokers Dallas to pick up a Brass Balls Bobber, and ride it to the Smoke Out West, then East across the country. Ray is now the official Brass Balls Long Distance Road Test Rider. We’ll bring you reports on his Brass Cross-Country Run.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
