Laughlin Weekend,
Reminded me of the time I tried to ride out three times. Third time was the charm on a 1999 Excelsior-Henderson. Terrific ride. The Red Ball broke down on the freeway, the E-H acted strange in Bellflower, California, about 15 miles from home. I rode home to San Pedro and went to bed.
I got up the next morning, fixed both bikes and rode to Laughlin, I believe about 327 miles, on the E-H. What a fine ride.
This weekend, while the industry fights the traffic into the desert, I’m going to spend the entire weekend working on our two bikes for Bonneville. I now have the driveline for the first Sportbike Panhead and we’re ready to consider exhaust systems. D&D is going to build one for everyday and the ride to Sturgis and one for the Salt flats. Let’s hit the new, and then I’ll explain how John Reed showed me how to drop the drive line in the frame.
Custom Chrome Transforms Business Operations to Better Meet the Needs of their Dealers– Dealer feedback driving change Morgan Hill, CA April 27, 2006- Custom Chrome, Inc is implementing a series of strategic actions to dramatically improve product availability for its dealers by streamlining operations, reducing costs, and refocusing on its core business of distributing after-market and replacement parts for motorcycles. Custom Chrome (CC) is consolidating its current network of six Distribution Centers (DC?s) to three high-performance DC?s in order to dramatically improve fill rates and service for its dealers. The change in DC structure will reduce multi-box delivery by 75% and improve primary fill rates by 60%. The consolidation will allow CC to manage its inventory investment more efficiently while also improving our in-stock parts and service delivery.
?The DC consolidation will allow us to better stock our warehouses with the everyday parts our dealers need. By repositioning Custom Chrome for growth, we are better able to invest in the product dealers need to run their businesses profitably. Our loyal dealer base has asked us to improve our product availability and service delivery. We believe this supports our goal of being your preferred partner by delivering what you want, when you want it,? explained John J. Lott, president and CEO of Custom Chrome?s parent, Global Motorsport Group, Inc.
Additionally, CC is returning to its roots as a distributor of motorcycle parts by transforming the standardized bike kit offering and focusing on providing parts to customize motorcycles. We will continue to offer rolling chassis packages and high quality components for the dealers who wish to leverage Custom Chrome?s engineering capabilities to build custom motorcycles. ?The transformation of the bike kit offering will allow us to better meet the needs of the market by offering more choices to dealers and consumers. We have had a lot of success with bike kits, but feel we have a bigger opportunity to meet the needs of the market by not dictating the components that make up the bike.?
?Custom Chrome needs to be Custom Chrome, we are going to focus on stocking the shop, creating cool parts, and providing great service,? said Steve Veltri, Senior Vice President of Custom Chrome.
The D&D Promotion looks cool. Thanks for making it happen. Here is the promo: Decide who has the best looking DYNA at Bikernet.com. The contestant that has the best DYNA and most votes will win a free set of DYNA pipes from D&D Performance Exhaust. Click Here To Vote
Register on Bikernet for updates and prizes.
SAFETY HAZARD–If anyone has any of these damn cans in their house, punch holes in the bottom and drain them now! Seems they are prone to springing leaks for no reason!! Fucked up several Horse issues on the shelf below, one with Indian Larry!
As well as the book shelf itself, I called friend that has them as well and before I completed my sentence he stated he threw all of his away!! He had the same problem.
Leave it to the factory…
P.S. the JD is half-full!!
RFR
NORTH TEXAS RALLY NEWLETTER–Due to circumstances beyond our control The North Texas Rock Rally has relocated to Diamond W Arena Complex located in Alvarado Texas. For more details Click here.
With the change to the new venue come changes to the RV layout ? all for the better.
The new facility has a 52K sq ft Expo Hall which vendors will be placed inside.
With the location change comes changes to the Parade locations and details.
BIKERNET DURANGO READERS INSTALLS TURBO ON A BIG DOG–I picked up the turbocharged Big Dog Saturday. We could not find a dyno to help us out so Anthony drove around with an analyzer taped to his leg and a shit rigged test pipe for the O2 sensor. Chuck installed a Crane Hi 4 ignition so we could fiddle with the timing and spark advance. We are keeping the boost at a manageable level (5#).
The bike has INSTANT pop and is very linear during acceleration. I brought it home from Albuquerque and still have a couple of issues to deal with, namely detonation and HEAT!
Plan to take all spark advance out of the ignition for the detonation and then build a heat shield for the exhaust spool of the turbo. Good thing I have already had my kids ’cause I fried my left nut, right nut, my right leg and ass cheek. Have some good ideas to solve that problem too.
Funny at stop lights when I had to get off and stand next to my bike until the light changed. It looked like I was taking my bike for a walk. This thing just looks so bad ass and the turbo whistle gets everyone’s attention. Put about 150 miles on this weekend with the bike.
Will get article and picks soon.
Tripp Schwab
EASILY GO 300MM WIDE ON A SOFTAIL WITH THE BAKER 300!–Since it full production release in last fall, the BAKER 300 Wide Tire Kit has maintained as the easiest and most-refined route to transforming a stock Harley-Davidson Softail rear-end to handle a 280mm or 300mm tire.
BAKER observed that the primary issue when customizing the entire back-half of a motorcycle to handle the ultra-wide tires was the actual ease of the project as a whole. To do it right it can be quite an undertaking. A frustrating amount of time consumption via trial-and-error, shopping for compatible components, and excessive guesswork lends itself to many projects being incomplete or completed poorly. The engineering behind many projects left room for improvement. With the major modification of such conversions being around the drivetrain, BAKER saw the opportunity to apply its expertise in engineering and remedy the issues with going wide.
The BAKER 300 offers is everything needed to complete such a project in about a day:
The exclusive BAKER RIGHT-SIDE-DRIVE DIRECT DRIVE 6-SPEED COMPLETE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY is only available with this kit and nowhere else. Not only does this solution eliminate the need to take the time to dissect the messy transmission guts to install a longer main shaft like most kits, but it is a transmission system upgrade from stock! The BAKER Right-Side-Drive solution keeps the motorcycle balanced and operates in a smoother, quieter, more-efficient fashion.
A complete Harley-Davidson-style, powder-coated swingarm assembly that includes the axle, axle spacers for 280mm or 300mm wheels, subframe, and splashguard.
A heavy 13-guage, paint-ready fender. Also available in H-D paint colors upon request (color number, photo, and deposit required).
All the necessary hardware and fasteners to easily complete the project is included.
A 28-page comprehensive instructions manual, complete with photos, is included as backup.
BAKER’s renowned toll free tech support is available as additional backup.
As you can see, the BAKER 300 Wide Tire Kit is all-inclusive and fully supported. Aggravation or failure will be difficult.
Because BAKER has no way to presume which wheels you will apply, wheels are not provided. The BAKER 300 Wide Tire Kit spacing and centering is designed for Xtreme Machine or Performance Machine wheels. If you apply wheels from other manufacturers, additional centering and spacing is necessary for fitment.
The BAKER 300 Wide Tire Kit is a quick, complete, and quality solution to the popular Softail modification for a wider tire. THE BOLT-ON KIT IS PERFECT FOR DEALERS THAT DON’T HAVE TIME FOR MAJOR HACKING AND CHOPPING TO GET TO THE GOAL. THERE IS NO MAJOR AMPUTATION NEEDED WITH THIS KIT.
Note: There are minor, subjective and cosmetic ancillary purchases needed for completion, like a license plate bracket. For additional details, go online to http://www.bakerdrivetrain.com/dialup/baker300/index.html, see page 27 of the BAKER 2006 catalog, or call 1-877-640-2004.
HERE COMES THE SUMMER!– Get your bike ready with Motorex. Lighter evenings, longer days – it’s time to prepare your bike for some serious riding. And Motorex – the bike care people from Switzerland – can help with a fantastic offer on bike care products.
The Motorex Summer Care Kit contains their Moto Clean 900 Kit, along with Protect & Shine 645 – the ideal combination to get your bike looking its best. PLUS there’s a new Motorex product to go with them – ProTex waterproofer.
Moto Clean 900 Kit: Designed specifically for bikes, the 900 is a powerful motorcycle cleaner that gives a sparkling clean finish. Simply spray on, allow to act and wash off. Moto Clean 900 has good creep properties, so it gets into all those nooks and crannies. It also inhibits corrosion, is fully biodegradable and does not attack rubber, paintwork or plastic parts. Kit comes complete with 1 litre Moto Clean, atomiser, sponge and fine-fibred cloth.Moto Clean 900 SRP ?12.50
Protect & Shine 645: Bikes need protection too. Protect & Shine does just what it says on the tin – a protective polish that does two jobs. It cleans and conditions rubber, plastics and leather, and effectively protects metal and chrome parts from corrosion. Polishes and protects helmets too!Protect & Shine SRP ?6.50
ProTex: This is an English summer we’re talking about, which is where ProTex comes in. Highly effective, long-lasting protection for textiles and leather against water, dirt and oil. Just spray on, and leave it on. Compatible with all fabrics and materials.ProTex SRP ?10.00
Contact Bickers sales: 08704 282272 http://www.bikestyle.co.uk/
BIKERNET QUOTES–When asked whether he was a god or a man, Buddha replied, simply, “I am awake.”
BUBS BONNEVILLE ACTION HOSTS BIKER-BUILD-OFF–
Filming is set for August and Matt’s teamed with his friend, Roger Goldhammer. “I always wanted him to be on the Build-off .We have mutual respect. I think he’s the best, and he thinks I’m the best. We decided to race at Bonneville and not each other, so it will be a lot of fun. It’s open to the public and will be at the BUB Run What You Brung event in September.”
PERFORMANCE MACHINE DEALS OF THE WEEK–Roland’s build off race is this weekend at Willow Springs againsT Jesse Rooke (who’s running a KTM!!).
We’re dabbling with 21″ x 9″ rear wheels
Our Busa has the cover of Cycle Worlds Sport Rider pub
We have the 21″ front wheel conversion for baggers totally dialed (damn cool looking).
I have a crapload of our Vader style wheels (they look killer on a bobber) in stock and am offering free shipping on any sales for the next 30 days
I have some of those Johhny Chop memorial shirts left, too. We’re donating all the $$.
David Zemla
Performance Machine, Inc.
TEXAS NATIONAL BIKE SHOW POSTER BIKE WINNER– Just dropping a line from Tejas to let everyone get a look-see at the winning poster bike. I must say that we received an overwhelming number of votes and I have had to borrow several other pairs of fingers and toes to do get the final tabulation done, but after all of the counting we are pleased to announce that a Texas bike has taken not only 1st place but 3rd as well. (you know how State proud we are here)
The winning bike is Hemi Head Customs orange Texas Chopper, and will have the dubious honor of gracing the Texas National show poster along with the lovely Miss Texas National for the main image. We will also offer a free 10×10 space for the winning bike at the 2006 Texas National Bike Show.
2nd place is the Correct Cycle Werks green bike and it gave a merry chase to the Hemi Head bike with only 8 less votes. we will offer to the 2nd place bike a small image at the bottom of the poster as well as a free 5×10 space at the 2006 Texas National for their poster bike entry.
Last but certainly not least, another Texas bike took 3rd place. Synister Cycle Designs (the best of show winner of the 2005 Texas National) also ran a close race. We are pleased to offer a small image on the poster and a free 5×10 space at the 2006 Texas National.
I must say that I was really pleased with all of the people that took the time to vote for their favorites. I also need to once again thank the powers at Bikernet for all of their hard work and support of our show. We are looking forward to a really great show again this year with more live entertainment, more hot babes, more cold cocktails, oh and let’s not forget more fabulous custom bikes.
Online registration will begin this week for anyone interested in becoming a vendor or a show participant just go to http://www.texasnationalbikeshow.com and fill out the on line registration form and you may be on you way to becoming the next Texas National poster bike for 2007.
Watch for the Poster photo shoot coverage right here on Bikernet.
Muchas Gracias!
–Senora Diablo.
A.T. WHEELS OF (STAINLESS) STEEL–Ultra clean stainless steel thunder wheels by A.T. American Cycles.Looking for something special in stainless steel? German craftsmanAykut Tartaroglu, head of A.T. American Cycles, is always somebody tostun the scene with his innovative Stainless Steel parts: His new wheelsare no exceptions from the rule ? not just from the extreme clean look,but from strength and performance!
Adding to his longtime experience with stainless steel wheels,especially his own stainless steel hubs, manufactured for years, the newultra smooth wheels add a new level in wheel design and strengthoverkill!
The unique 20-spokes wheel is entirely manufactured fromhigh-grade Stainless steel, each individual spoke could be pulled with aweight force of 9 (!) tons. All threads are pressure rolled instead ofcut to add even more stability. Add all that and what you get is ahigh-end wheel, handcrafted to order, all sizes are available up toextreme wide-tire sizes. “If it doesn’t ride, it has no value at all”,says Aykut Tartaroglu, and looking at his new wheel, you gotta take himserious! Heavy duty design on a great performance wheel for high-endcustombikes.
www.at-american-cycles.de
Bahnhofstr.28
72639 Neuffen
Germany
tel. +49 (0)7025 – 908974
fax +49 (0)7025 – 908976
email.service@at-american-cycles.de
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