Merry Christmas,
Sin Wu and I agreed that this is the un-Christmas Holiday. It snuck up on us like the Ghost of Christmas Past in the night. One day we’re building the Assalt Weapan, the next Santa’s knocking on the door. Here?s a shot of Nyla’s kitchen which ate all our money and lotsa time. kitchen
The headquarters are coming together, and so is the Salt Shaker. Let’s rock into Christmas. Gimme egg nogs and rum balls:
BARS AND WOBBLES– Hey Bandit. I’ll start by saying that Bikernet is a site head and shoulders above the rest. They say, everything costs time and money, but your hard work shows…(Sounds like you had a Ball on the salt!) Anyway, I was reading through the site and saw the piece on wobble with high bars.
Not sure if I commented on this before, but I had put Chubby 12.5″ apes on my springer Softail (w/4″ risers) and loved them except at higher speeds on the highway… had a nasty high speed wobble and felt like I caught to much wind. This may sound stupid, but I believe my high speed wobble was due more to me, more than the bike. The way the wind would hit me, esp. with a leather on would seem to put the bike in a wobble. (I’m not a big guy, 5’10”, 185 if that matters)…
Seems that I would start the bike moving into the wobble seemingly caused by my movement on the bike. I ride with my right arm only for the most part, but at higher speeds I’d have to grab both ends and would get a wobble… I didn’t feel in control without both grips and would have to back off. The bike is sound, so I switched out the apes for some chubby knuckle bars and lost the wobble. Apes on a springer are just f’n classic, great look, and I love the ride, but my therapy is the highway, so they had to go…
I don’t know about a touring bike, if apes would effect the rider the same way…my thoughts are that a windshield would reduce the problem. For what it’s worth, that’s what I found for me. A Merry Christmas to you and yours, and a safe and enjoyable New Years.
–DjM
DJMarathas@msn.com>
I appreciate you comment, and you’re right. But it’s not necessarily the bars. I had a bike years ago with short pullback bars welded to the bent risers. I noticed a slight wobble, but I suspected that it was me. If I let go of one side of the bars, it quit. It’s a fact that some wobbles are caused or enhanced by the rider’s movement. If you have a touring bike that walks or wobbles, check out True-Tracks. It dialed in my King.–Bandit
AVON TIRE TECH TIP OF THE WEEK–Give ’em a brake!Incorrect brake adjustment can play havoc with tire life. Make sure your pads are replaced regularly as well.
Frame/wheel alignment:Pay close attention to alignment–shaft drive bikes have no adjustment, but if you have a chain or belt, check the position of your tires. Proper alignment ensures better handling and longer wear.
Final Check:Check to make sure the tolerances are within spec steering head swingarm bearings, Check for worn dampers.
–Sukoshi Fahey (Ms.)
Sales Manager, North America
Hoppe & Assoc. (Avon Tyres)
800 624-7470 toll free
www.avonmotorcycle.com
www.avonmoto.com/ (check this site for promotions)
DENIED: WHITEWOOD CONCERT VENUE DROPPED BY COUNCIL–After months of debate, the Whitewood City Council voted to decline an agreement plan that would transfer beer and liquor licenses to a Minnesota couple seeking to build a huge concert venue near the town.The motion carried with four council members voting yes to deny the agreement and two voting no. Jim and Deb Junker of Stillwater, Minn., had made the request earlier this year to build a large concert site east of Whitewood.Whitewood Mayor Mike Weyrich noted following the action that “it would have worked, but I think it was just too close to homes.”
The venue, according to the Junkers, would host concerts during the motorcycle rally in August and would remain open only a few weeks out of the year.
The Junkers had previously purchased the Hole in the Wall and had planned on moving it to the venue site once it was completed as well as adding an additional bar and lounge. The plan was to move the liquor licenses with the bars.
Many Whitewood citizen were not as enthused by the prospect of a large biker bar near their town.Throughout the months, the Junkers had tried their best to please the small town by offering to plant trees to keep the noise down as well as turning the concert venue so it faces northeast, away from homes. Their plans even went as far as putting nearly a mile of road in to divert traffic to the service road southeast of the venue site as well as offering to pay for extra emergency services that would possibly be needed. The revisions proved unconvincing to the council members though.
Jim Junker declined to comment as he left the meeting.
–Rogue
NEW IRONSIDE COLLECTION HAND GRIPS FROM HARLEY-DAVIDSON– MILWAUKEE (December 22, 2006) – New Ironside Collection Hand Grips (P/N 57202-07, $79.95) from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories match Ironside Collection pegs, footboard inserts, and brake pedal pads, each resembling riveted metal plates for a tough, industrial look. Surrounded by brilliant chrome, the rich black rubber hand grip tread is offset with scalloped accents and faux rivets. The grips are a comfortable 1.5-inch diameter, and feature a glueless design for easy installation. They fit all 1996-later Harley-Davidson models.
For additional information on Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories, see your local Harley-Davidson dealer or visit the Harley-Davidson Web site at www.harley-davidson.com. To find a dealer near you, call toll free 1-800-443-2153 in the U.S.A. or Canada.
AMA POLITICAL ACTION SEMINAR RIDE–The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is hosting a Washington, DC Ride Into Political Action seminar for motorcyclists who want to learn how to influence governmental decisions, whether in Congress or in their local communities.
The seminar, to be held February 24-27, 2007 at the Phoenix Park Hotel in Washington, DC, allows participants to meet and learn from the AMA’s Washington staff as well as other political experts. Besides learning about state and federal issues facing motorcyclists today, participants will get tips on building relationships with government agency officials and on lobbying elected officials. The instructors will also prepare participants to meet face-to-face with members of their own congressional delegations.
A registration form is available in the American Motorcyclist magazine or by contacting Sharon Smolinka at the address below. Mail the completed form to AMA, 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147. For more information, contact Sharon Smolinka at (614) 856-1900, ext. 1252 or by e-mail at ssmolinka@ama-cycle.org.
BIKERNET PHOTO ART EXHIBIT–Happy Birt-day Baby Jeezums! (that is what is sounded like growing up in New Orleans)… and from The Whiplash Biker Photog Disfunctional Famiglia to all the other freaks in Bikernet World, we hope you and yours have a safe and happy holiday season.
Ride Extra Hard,
–Whiplash(aka Bob Humbug)
soffordphotos@comcast.net P.S. Just wonderin’ why in the hell does Christmas have to start the day after Holloween?
GET THIS NEWS– The Federation of Asia Motorcycle Industries (FAMI) views the high use of fake motorcycle spare parts and components in the region as a threat to the sector and riders.
FAMI president Datuk Syed Mohamad Aidid Syed Murtaza said according to a recent report, 94 percent of these fake items were manufactured in Asian countries also attributes these parts as cause for a majority of the accidents due to part failure across Asia. Between 5 and 7 % of the parts trade were fake items and the business was worth US$449.3 billion.
EMINENT DOMAIN SUCKS– Eight states approved measures that would curtail local governments’ use of eminent domain powers to confiscate land for economic development.
Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Dakota, New Hampshire, Nevada and Oregon voters approved measures in those states that redefine the use of eminent domain powers, in most cases prohibiting the use of those powers to take land from one private party to give it to another private party. Similar measures failed in California and Idaho.
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) remains concerned about this issue because riding areas and tracks may fall victim to such schemes. If your local area is being threatened by eminent domain, or any of the dozens of other means of being closed, contact the AMA government relations department at 614-856-1900 extension 1288..
TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS ARE IN FROM 2005– Traffic Safety Facts 2005 Annual Report: Early Edition is a newly released 224 page report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, which is a compilation of motor vehicle crash data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and the General Estimates System. The document can be downloaded at www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/nrd-30/NCSA/TSFAnn/TSF2005EE.pdf.
ALL NEW S&S BILLET PRIMARY COVER–With all of the emphasis on big-inch engine performance that the industry has seen in the last 10 years, upgrading to a performance clutch has become a necessity. Most high-performance clutches-like the S&S High Performance Clutch-are bigger than the stock unit they replace, requiring some stock primary modification.
S&S Cycle is more than aware of the challenges these larger clutches can present, especially as you start getting into really radical engine sizes. In order to minimize the frustrations associated with clutch service, S&S designed a beautiful billet primary that has a removable derby cover that allows 100% access to the clutch.
Additionally the S&S Billet Primary has two derby cover size options, one for high-performance street clutches (the S&S High Performance Clutch fits it perfectly), and the second is a deeper cover that will accommodate even the biggest racing clutches. Naturally the deeper racing cover can limit ground clearance in left turns, but turning shouldn’t be much of an issue in drag racing.
With a show-quality polished finish, the S&S Billet Primary Cover is the hot ticket for adding a dose of good looks and serious performance upgrade to your driveline system. The S&S Billet Primary is available for most custom bike applications as well as for 1989-’06 Harley-Davidson? Softail® and 1991-’05 Dyna models.
S&S CYCLE INC.
www.sscycle.com or see your local S&S dealer.(608) 627-1497
WILD FIRE HARLEY-DAVIDSON CHRISTMAS OFFERS–On the First Day of Christmas Wild Fire Gave to Me…$50 Off A Leather & A T-Shirt For Free
Purchase any genuine leather at $50 off & we’ll give you a t-shirt for free.
On the Second Day of Christmas Wild Fire Gave to Me…2 Sweatshirts or Sweatpants at 22% OffPurchase any 2 sweatshirts or sweatpants at 22% off regular retail price.
On the Third Day of Christmas Wild Fire Gave to Me…3 Screamin’ EaglesPurchase any Screamin’ Eagle MotorParts or MotorClothes for 23% off.
On the Fourth Day of Christmas Wild Fire Gave to Me…4 Your HeadPurchase Sunglasses, Goggles, Helmets, Hats…basically anything for your head at 24% off.
On the Fifth Day of Christmas Wild Fire Gave to Me…5 Chrome ThingsPurchase 4 Chrome Parts & get the fifth at 25% off
On the Sixth Day of Christmas Wild Fire Gave to Me…6 Different Devices26% off select GPS, Stereos, & MP3 Players when you purchase a leather
On the Seventh Day of Christmas Wild Fire Gave to Me…7 Clocks-A-Ticking$7 off Timepieces valued at 35$ or more
On the Eighth Day of Christmas Wild Fire Gave to Me…8 Drinks-A-PouringFree shotglass with the purchase of $35 or more in glassware
On the Ninth Day of Christmas Wild Fire Gave to Me…9 Boots-A-KickingBuy one pair & get 29% off the 2nd or more
EVEN THE DEVIL WORKS ON CHRISTMAS–check out the latest brand of madness coming out of the paint shop thanks to Mike and James, now lets see if we can deliver the X-Mass present on time! Hope all is well with you and yours, Merry Christmas !
I am going to deliver the bike that sheetmetal goes on Christmas eve, I have my horns all polished up to play wicked Santa hahahah!
–Mr.&Mrs. Devil
AVON TYRES ANNUAL REPORT–Sukoshi did a tremendous job of informing us on tire issues throughout 2006. She’s opening the forum for 2007. If you have any question regarding tire use, fitment or maintenance, drop me a note and I’ll pass it on.
She will investigate and report back in our weekly Avon Tire Research Center. Just send your question to Bandit@bikernet.com
I have a few right off the top of my dented head: What about fix-O-Flat sprays. Is it cool? Will it throw a tire out of balance. What about that green mung tire fix? What about tubes in tubeless applications? I know riders who run tubes in all tires, tubeless or not, for safety reasons. If a rim is bent a tubeless tire will fail. And what about those car tire flat fixers? The ones that stab the tire with the rubber impregnated rope strand. Are they cool?
There, that should kick off the new year. Get to work. -Bandit
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