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Forget Limousines,Forget Horse & Buggy–“The Bridal Carriage” is the only grand entrance you will ever need.A unique, special and luxurious way to travel on the most magical day of your life!
–from Lou Kimzey
Bikers Converge on Fort Lauderdale Marking another Successful Seminole Hard Rock Roadhouse Bikers Bash and Toys in the Sun Run–HOLLYWOOD, FLA -December 18, 2009 – The Seminole Hard Rock Roadhouse Tour made its final stop for 2009 at the Fort Lauderdale Harley-Davidson “Bikers Bash” on Friday, December 4th, for a night of motorcycle entertainment and fun with all proceeds going to the Boys & Girls Club of Broward County.
Bike enthusiasts from across the country converged on Fort Lauderdale for the legendary and charitable motorcycle event December 3-6. Weekend festivities kicked off Friday evening at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for the Bikers Bash VIP event and culminated at the 22nd Annual Christmas Toys in the Sun Run- the world’s largest motorcycle parade, the combination of the two raised over $250,000 for two local charities.
Hosted by the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, this year’s event included dinner, live entertainment and a Charity Auction to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Broward County, where they raised over $175,000. Party-goers enjoyed the Jake and Elwood Blues Revue as well as a stunning and sexy performance by the Purrfect Angelz. The highlight of the evening featured an FXDWG Dyna Wide Glide presented one lucky winner.
An impressive line-up of great bike builders were also present at this year’s festivities and had motorcycles on display at the Seminole Hard Rock Roadhouse. The machines on display were built by Paul Yaffe, Eddie Trotta, Anthena Ransom and the late Jerry Graves.
The 22nd Annual SFPC Christmas Toys in the Sun Run was held Sunday, December 6, with all proceeds going to benefit the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation. Thousands of bikers participated in this year’s ride and raised $75,000.
This year’s Biker Bash festivities included a myriad of police-escorted rides to some of the area’s hottest spots, great food, open bars, live music and casino fun as motorcyclists celebrated their passion for riding while helping the children of Southern Florida.
For more information, call (954) 327-ROCK, 1-800-937-0010 or visit us online at www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com.
–Sarah Wozniak
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM EUROPEAN BIKERNET CONTRIBUTOR–Many thanks for this exciting year on bikernet. Have a great X-Mas and roaring change of years. All the best for you and all of your people!
–Andreas, the Viking from Germany
BIKERNET WEEKLY READER REVIEW–Hey Man, good stuff lately?.Betsy in AK was great?.and that AMA Awards story was perfect, short and sweet as written by a racer! No muss or fuss.
Also good exposure for the Hot Leathers / Fuller HotRods stuff, thanx. I was at the shop last week, making a bellypan for the racebike?shaved 800 grams! Those guys are great, I bring my own stock and they let me use what I need?and even guide me when they see me straying?.probably cuz they know they would fix what I screw up!….truely talented crew there?.Special thanx to Dean and B for this last trip.
Hey, I stumbled across this short video, my buddy TC Christensen over in the UK with his dual engine Norton?.way back for sure?.but thought you might like it. http://www.ukdrn.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=1796
On another note?.the forum?I by no means meant to stir or reinforce anything offensive, and understand Hiways stance?hopefully no harm done.
I?ve also thought about posting up on your Metric blog?..but have no clue how to join or navigate?.it does look interesting tho.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and the crew.
–Mysterious Bikernet Reader
Watch for changes to our Forum and Bikernet blog. The BikernetMetric Blog will also be updated next week.–Bandit
FLAME ON – AEROMACH”S FLAMES DELIVERS A HOT LEVER–The flame levers are CNC machined from T6 extruded billet aluminum, chrome plated and designed to mount to Harley Davidson’s 1996-2007, Hydraulic clutch and VRod applications. Will also fit American Iron Horse, 2003 and earlier Big Dog Motorcycles, Vengeance and Saxxon.
Flash some chrome and get all the details here.
–Jeff Najar
HOUSE OF THUNDER, A bargain for X-Mas:The worlds most expensive Motorcycle!German Custom-Specialist ?House of Thunder? and their ? 16 million Custombike: This Ride will blow your mind!–Are you short of ideas for a last-minute x-mas present? This might be the solution. Given that you have the necessary pocket-money of ? 16 million (yes, that?s 16.000.000,–!) for the latest creation of Luebeck/Germany based ?House of Thunder?. Some may think ?that?s an outrageous price for a Harley-Davidson Custombike?, but you may consider: The bike has been build by one of the premier european Custombike builders, painted by one of the best european airbrushers and ? last but certainly not least ? comes along with its own (and mobile!) garage, a 45 meter transoceanic Yacht of the same name: Africa
?The age of the boys is determined by the size of their toys? is a quite common slogan and it is not only true in the Custombike-scene! Introduced at the 2009 Monaco Yacht Show (www.monacoyachtshow.com) is a stunning new concept which combines the spirit of Custombikes with the scene of custom-build high-end yachts. New Antalya/Turkey-based Yacht manufacturer Sunrise Yachts (www.sunriseyachts.com), founded by german Harley-Davidson and Custombike Enthusiast Herbert Baum is delivering their incredible 45 meter ship with a rear garage, which houses a rescue-boat, two jet skis and one Custom-build Harley-Davidson, build and painted to match the theme of the ship! The name “Afrika? for the 2 x 1070 horsepower equipped 380 tons ship gives away the interior decoration and the paintjob of the bike. Build by german top-shop “House of Thunder? at L?beck (www.house-of-thunder.de), ?Africa? has been custom build for the ship, based on a stock Harley-Davidson ?Rocker?. House of Thunder took the bike completely apart, cleaned up the frame and hand-hammered their own fenders and fuel tank. A new feature for any motorcycle is the foldable handlebar which allows the bike to be lifted in and out of ?parking position? in the small ?garage? in the rear.
?We still will build our ?normal? Custombikes for our german and international customers, but this is a completely new market and we always welcome new impulses for markets yet unexplored?, says Eric Vauth of ?House of Thunder?. His connection to Herbert Baum is decade-long and lasted through several high-end projects, including the unforgettable ?Simply the Best? which literally won every Bikeshow of the 2001/2002 season, including the Rats Hols Show at Daytona. ?We comissioned House of Thunder because of their dedication to the job, the reliability and the quality of craftmanship?, says Baum, ?as the ships will be named and themed to the owners request, so will the motorcycles.? With the only Custom-build motorcycle at the worlds premiere Yacht Show ? not to forget the location in scenic Monaco harbour ? the team-up created an real eyecatcher! And imagine the Yacht delivers your ride to the next bikeshow ? that is well worth the price tag!
?You can do Daytona Beach BikeWeek without all the airport hassle and sleep in your own bed?, smiles Eric Vauth, it?s like a dream come true!? If you fancy other ?themes?, House of Thunder in connection with Sunrise Yachts can serve that too ? just check your purse!
Text: HRF, Fotos: Motographer & Sunrise Yachts
Contact:House of ThunderTaschenmacherstr. 6, 23556 L?beckGermany
Telephon_ +49 (0)451-472717E-Mail: info@house-of-thunder.dewww.house-of-thunder.de
TOLBERT TUNES HIS RACEBIKE WITH D&D EXHAUST–Kenny Tolbert, Crew Chief for Chris Carr Racing, uses the exhaust pipe to tune the motorcycle to the race track. The XR750 makes more horsepower than most tracks can handle so tuners have to adjust the delivery of horsepower for the specific track.
At the start of the season Kenny Tolbert and D&D build new exhaust systems for the team’s Harley XR750 and Honda 450cc racebikes. The guys look at the tracks and determine how the horsepower and torque need to come on in order to get the best response and traction from the motorbike. Tolbert looks to modify the exhaust system at the track because it is a quick fix and it allows him to make changes fast during the race day.Get more of the good stuff in Bikernet Studio.
OPERATION GRATITUDE WRAP STORY– Six years ago a wonderful charity was started in the San Fernando Valley by two visionary American patriots: Mrs. Carolyn Blashek, a wife and a mother of a Marine Corps Officer and SSG Elizabeth Cowie, a mother and military career person. The charity?s mission is to raise the morale of every American Service Member deployed in a hostile region by mailing them individual care packages filled with useful goods accompanied by a personal letter of gratitude from an appreciative American citizen. The charity was simply named, ?Operation Gratitude.? Over the last 6 years ?OPGrat? has received thousands of emails and letters from American Military Personnel of every rank thanking the volunteers and sponsors for caring.
With over $50,000,000.00 in donated goods shipped to date at a cost of over $5,000,000.00 in postage (the US Postal Service does not donate mailing costs), Operation Gratitude was preparing to ship its 500,000th care packages* to two American Service Members deployed in one of the most hostile regions in the world. Saturday, December 19, 2009 was going to be an epic day.
? Mrs. Carolyn Blashek, founder, Operation Gratitude HQ, 1130 hrs, Saturday, December 19, 2009
There is no larger, freedom-loving, patriotic group in the USA than American bikers. Three years ago South Bay Biker Productions joined the ranks of ?OPGrat?s? corporate sponsors which include: Chrysler Corporation, Checkers Industries/Rally Burger, Disney, HBO, Target, Hershey?s and American Airlines, just to name a few. During South Bay Biker Productions association with ?OPGrat? we have donated thousands of T-shirts and DVDs documenting famous motorcycle events (including our own) so American Service Members can ?have a taste? of home and see the freedom we enjoy on America?s roads and highways courtesy of their sacrifices. Both Carolyn and Liz have spoken to our patrons at the Shasta Salute to America Motorcycle Rally.
Our Staff never misses an opportunity to tell bikers about ?OPGrat?s? mission. After discovering Operation Gratitude during this year?s Shasta Salute to America Motorcycle Rally, the latest sponsors to join our ranks are American Veterans Traveling Tributes (AVTT) and Sands Resorts.
South Bay Biker Productions Staff has looked forward to being an integral part of this milestone event for a long time. The day before, OPGrat co-founder, SSG Liz Cowie, rode her pearl white Vulcan from San Jose escorted by Hollister, CA HOG Chapter member, ?Darlin Danny? Howe on his black HD Softail and his wife, ?Hollister Christy? Howe in the chase truck. Shasta Rally motorcycle photographer, Henry ?Photoshooter? Aparicio, accepted our invitation to cover Saturday?s event and also made himself available to ?OPGrat? for formal portraits, free of charge. Gary ?Boogieman? Nadler & Lorrie ?Tequila Rose? Nadler ?caged-it? all the way from New River, AZ to join us. One of my closest friends, national bestselling author, Bill Hayes (?The Original Wild Ones?), carved out time to cover for Thunder Press. Quick Throttle?s Chris and Lisa Dalgaard dispatched staff photographer, Art Hall. Several weeks earlier, Jack (who was present last Christmas to cover OPGrat?s program), let me know he couldn?t make it. He asked me to write an article and for permission to use Henry?s photos to tell the story. Finally, Keith Ball, the former Editor-in-Chief of Easyriders Magazine and head of Bikernet.com, has published every PSA and article about ?OPGrat? I have submitted. What is most important is after 3 years, bikers all over America and the world are finding out about and supporting ?OPGrat.?
When the big day arrived we mustered in Redondo Beach at 0800 hrs and 7 motorcycles rode together as a unit to OPGrat?s HQ, the National Guard Armory in Van Nuys, CA. We were filled with anticipation. The chilly morning turned warm and the Holiday weekend traffic was light. It was going to be (as Bill Hayes always says) an ?excellent? day. As we headed north on the 405 we spotted a huge yellow school bus packed with youngsters who waved as we rode by. We didn?t realize we would see them again shortly. Upon our arrival we noticed the parking lot next door to the Armory was packed with hundreds of cars! SSG Cowie directed the pack to pull into a VIP parking area where the bikes were safe from OPGrat?s crabby forklift driver. A few moments later, that same yellow school bus pulled into the parking lot, too! We watched the smiling youngsters pile out of the huge bus, eager to get to work. Once we parked, Bill took some photos of our crew. We were thrilled to see over a thousand volunteers of all ages inside the Armory packing, sealing boxes and addressing and taping mailing labels to the packages, 1 by 1. Outside were a hundred or more volunteers lined up waiting for their chance to sign-in and help. There were Boy Scouts, high school athletic teams, cheerleader teams, pretty girls in quasi-military uniforms, one lazy spoiled teenager, senior citizens and military personnel. As always the faithful nucleus of blue t-shirted well organized OPGrat Supervisors headed by ?right-hand-man,? Charlie Othold were present. Most were quietly going about the business of keeping things running smoothly. None of us, including SSG Cowie, had ever seen so many people at OPGrat?s HQ. FOX news had their van strategically parked outside the Armory and their personnel were working on their second full day of coverage. It was exciting and heartwarming to witness this beehive of activity filled with patriotic selfless individuals of all ages and from all walks of life.
Right on schedule at 11:15 AM, #500,000 came off the assembly line. Packing came to a halt and over a thousand volunteers gathered around the podium where ceremonies and speeches began amongst a sea of beta cams & photographers. Carolyn triumphantly held the milestone care package over her head as flashes went off and everyone cheered. Carolyn is always well spoken, completely sincere and usually not too emotional. Last Saturday was different. As she introduced several dignitaries, politicians, entertainment people and acknowledged all those who have given their time, money and consistent support to Operation Gratitude, she had to occasionally stop to regain her composure ? especially when her fine son, 2nd Lieutenant Jordan Blashek, home on leave after completing Basic Training at Officers Candidate School for the Marine Corps was introduced. To cap off this amazing patriotic day, SSG Cowie rode her motorcycle into the Armory and presented the keys to 2 Harley Davidson Sportsters donated by new ?OPGrat? sponsors, AVTT & Sands Resorts. The keys to the bikes were added to the contents of the milestone packages. Boy will those soldiers be tickled when they open those boxes and find those keys! Wish I could be there to see their faces! They will take delivery of their bikes once their deployment is complete and when they return stateside.
On behalf of South Bay Biker Productions and all American bikers and the biker media, it has been a privilege to support Operation Gratitude and its mission of ensuring that deployed American Service Members know Americans love and appreciate them.
Merry Christmas & may the Good Lord send His Angels to watch over all those who guard our nation at home and abroad, Love & Respect,EzJ, Wings2Fly, Boogieman, Tequila Rose, Pinky, Sluggo, Hollister Christy, Darlin Danny, Photoshooter, Jose & Martha – South Bay Biker Productions
–Jeff Kraus – EZJ
President
877-688-4229
www.shastarally.com
SUCKER PUNCH CHOP OF THE WEEK–St. Mikes bike is a great one. Jeff Cochran shot that bike in Daytona a few years back. Jeff found a great location in front of a church, turned out to be great shoot. The bike is one of my favorites it was hand painted by Sara Ray.
It says on the rear fender in latin “If I can’t move heaven, I’ll Raise Hell”.
Saint Mike is the field commander of the Army of God so sounds like he has some clout if you believe in that sort of stuff.
–Ken Conte
HOLIDAY HISTORIC QUOTES SPONSORED BY SOCAL SPEED SHOP– Sometimes when I reflect back on all the wine I drinkI feel shame. Then I look into the glass and thinkabout the workers in the vineyards and all of their hopesand dreams ..
If I didn’t drink this wine, they might be outof work and their dreams would be shattered.Then I say to myself, “It is better that I drink this wine and let their dreamscome true than be selfish and worry about my liver.”
–W.C. FIELDS
“I feel sorry for people who don’t drink. When they wake up in the morning,that’s as good as they’re going to feel all day. “
~Frank Sinatra
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may create the illusion that you are tougher, smarter, faster and better looking than most people.
“When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading.”
~ Henny Youngman
–from Jim Waggaman
QUICK, BEFORE SANTA HITS THE ROAD–Buy American this Christmas. Baker’s products are made in America by bikers. We gotta support this gang of ruthless characters, who design and build top-of-the-line products.
LATEST BIKERNET SPONSOR, ILLUSION CYCLES–We have only terrific companies on Bikernet and this is one of them. Illusion Cycles builds nothing but top-of-the-line, hard riding scooters. Check their site, and you’ll see what I mean. Over the next year you’ll experience Illusion bike features, the components they build in tech articles, and their performance engines. It’s going to be exciting, goddamnit.–Renegade
BROKEN SPOKE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL– When you book any campsite, RV spot or cabin at the Broken Spoke Campground for Sturgis 70th Rally between now and December 25th, you will receive a free one-year subscription to Cycle Source Magazine. Offer includes one subscription per reservation. Offer ends December 25, 2009 at 11:59pm EST.
Happy Holidays from Cycle Source and the Broken Spoke Saloon & Campground!
–Lisa Ballard
http://www.brokenspokecampground.com/
http://thebrokenspokesaloon.wordpress.com/
WRAP HER IN TORIAN CHOPPER LEATHER–Nothing looks better and nothing says I’m a biker better than leather.
Torian Chopper Leathers’ Race Shirt has the feel of lamb and the durability of cowhide in a light weight.This hand-selected goat skin wears like iron and features 2 chest flap pockets and 2 hand warmer pockets with a full lining.
Get all the details here. She’ll love it and appreciate your thoughtfulness. On sale right now for just $136.99.
–Jeff Najar
Tending Bar at Major Motorcycle Rallies Is Profitable, But No Easy Task– Michael Ballard?s Full Throttle Saloon has been the subject of a reality series on truTV called, appropriately, Full Throttle Saloon. Unlike other rally documentaries this one stayed with Ballard and his Full Throttle crew the whole time, giving us an insider?s view of what it really takes to run the self-proclaimed ?World?s Largest Biker Bar? during the make-it or break-it ten day event. If you were a fan of the show, you more than likely caught a few glimpses of Kimmy Cruz.
Kimmy lives in Mabank, Texas, with her boyfriend Christian Dotson, with whom she has a hot rod shop where Christian builds hot rods, custom cars, and custom motorcycles. But she?s spent enough time tending bar at the Sturgis Rally to give us an insider?s view of what it takes to serve the thousands of bikers who attend the rally each year. ?I?ve worked in Sturgis for nine years, but I?ve worked for Michael Ballard at Full Throttle off and on since 2003,? she said. ?It?s a total trip, there?s nothing else like it.?
Kimmy took three months off to educate herself on the art and nuances of bartending, upgrading her photography skills, and building a website for herself, her photography, and her modeling career. That was nearly nine years ago, and she?s been going strong ever since.
Kimmy goes to rallies that draw 400,000 people and more. ?I picked at least six different locations where I knew I could make money. I introduced myself to every vender and took photos of them, and I try to promote everyone across the board, whether they?re a client, a vender, a bar owner, a customer, or a friend,? she said. ?I made sure I made lots of friends and I helped out wherever I could. So all these people were seeing me. That?s how I met Michael Ballard. I was a model for aftermarket retailer Dennis Kirk at the time.? Kimmy was set up at the Dennis Kirk booth on the Full Throttle property, and she says Michael asked when she planned to work for him as a bartender. ?At that time I wasn?t working full time, I was trying different things, so in 2007 I went to work at Full Throttle. It?s an awesome atmosphere. Everybody loves Full Throttle.?
Being a bartender at Full Throttle isn?t all fun and games, however. Bartenders work very hard. If you watched the show on truTV, you know that surveillance cameras catch all the action at each bar, and the security team is watching every move the staff makes. You saw employees go through the rigorous hiring process, and you probably some of them being ?let go? before the rally was over. As a bartender customers are allowed to photograph you, and you?re required to comply and you cannot charge money for photographs taken.
But Kimmy says despite the hard work, working as a rally bartender helps her to make contacts to other jobs. ?Plus, I get to meet all the top builders,? she said. ?I get to meet Ron Finch, Billy Lane, and Jesse James, all of them really. And they?ve always been super nice to me.?
So making good money, having fun and making friends, tending bar at major bike rallies is something Kimmy highly recommends. But the competition is steep. ?They don?t call you or anything,? she explained. ?To get back with Full Throttle I?ll have to go through the application process just like everybody else.?
To check out Kimmy Cruz, or ask her advice on how to get started as a rally bartender, visit her website at www.kimmycruz.com.
INTERNET XMAS CARD FROM MARKUS CUFF–I was too busy, lazy, or stoopid to get my ‘hard copy’ cards printed this year, but here’s the image as an ‘e card’ … the side of the RRL Ralph Lauren store on Melrose, where the rich and famous purchase ratty , paint splattered $700.00 jackets!
Have a trrrrrific holiday,
–MC
THERE’S STILL TIME TO GET A BIKE BEFORE CHRISTMAS!–Yep, there’s still plenty of time to get a pre-owned or bank owned bike from LifeStyle just in time for that ride after all the presents have been opened. Come in today and see what we can do for you! Call us today at (714) 490-0155.
Tell ’em Bikernet sent ya.
OPEN ROAD RADIO GOES NATIONAL–Open Road Radio, Presented by National Cycle is pleased to bring you a fine tuned gift of our year?s best education, information, and entertainment interviews from us to you and yours!
Thanks to all the wonderful folks at the Power Up Motorsports Channel and our great sponsors such as, National Cycle, Iron Works Magazine, Battery Tender, Hupy & Abraham, Cycle Source Magazine, Cycles Focus Magazine, Guests that are listed on www.powerupchannel.com, Contributors by way of Wade Ramsey, Biker Billy, Chris ?Wildman? Callen, and Amanda Richardson and last but certainly not lease our friends and listeners. Open Road Radio is riding into 2010 for the 13th year.
Tune into Open Road Radio (www.openroadradio.com) in 2010 to hear more Motorcycle Lifestyle News, Reviews, and Two Wheel Chat.
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