It’s About Heart–
I don’t get it, then maybe I do. There’s been an out-pouring of lettersto me regarding HOT BIKE. I’m taking shots across the bow regarding thelanguage, the girls the humor, and awful language. In reality, we launchedone joke page to replace one boring editorial (that no one wanted to write)and added Agent Zebra to the mix. That’s it, Agent Zebra poisoned the water.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s been tremendous support for changes,laughter, slang and lifestyle, but I’m curious about the sad bastards whoonly buy a magazine for the chrome and because it won’t upset the old lady.What happened to men? Don’t they chase women anymore, enjoy good whiskey, agood joke and some fun. Or is there a deeper evil involved. Maybe they toldthe wife that motorcycles were like metalflaked sewing machines. “They’renothing more, dear, I swear,” he said to his woman while trying to snag thefamily checkbook from her chain-mail purse to buy a motorcycle.
Maybe there’s an element of bikerdom who have convinced theirwomen, kids and folks that because this book didn’t contain women, whiskeyor jokes that the industry was devoid of such sins. Whatta ya think? Let’shit the news and I’ll ponder her shapely curves at the end.
MORE OF LIVIA–I will be at the Pitbull Motorcycle Co. booth at Daytona Speedway during bike week signing posters. I hope Bandit and all the Bikernet readers stop by out at the speedway and say hi. Would also like them to buy one of my new posters. 🙂
I’m not sure where exactly the Pitbull setup will be but it is in the general area where all the other bike builders are set up.
After bike week they will be available to purchase online but if they get them at the speedway they can get a Polaroid with me too.
Hope to see you there Layla….. and Bandit too!
Thanks
Livia
STEEDS ONE-OFF BRONCO–I knew you’d like to have these shots I took tonight right away. It’s Breeagain, on a special 300-SM Steed Bronco we built for PETRO Stopping Centers.They are going to give this very machine away on Memorial day to benefit theBoys and Girls club, and to celebrate Petro’s 30th anniversary. We built 3different bikes for them to display at their centers, this one featurestheir “Truckers Move America” logo on the top of the tank. I’m going todeliver this one to their headquarters in El Paso, Texas this weekend.
The cool thing is that some lucky somebody is going to get this one offSteed bike for a BUCK! All you have to do is buy a ticket at your localPETRO truck stop and all the money goes to benefit a great cause, KIDS.
I’ll have more details later, and more shots with our Steed girl of theyear, Bree Andre.
Thanks for spreading the word.
John Covington
www.musclebikes.com
RIVERA-PRIMO HAS RELOCATED–Rivera Engineering and Primo Belt Drives have relocated to a larger facility to better serve our customers. Please revise your records to reflect this new information. The phone numbers and fax numbers have not changed. We now have dedicated facilities for research and development programs to continue our contribution to all the performance riders and customers who have helped make Rivera Engineering and Primo Belt Drives successful over the years. We also have complete, in-house machine shop facilities to bolster R&D efforts.
THE NEW ADDRESS IS:
RIVERA-PRIMO
12450 WHITTIER BLVD
WHITTIER, CA 90602
(562) 907-2600 fax (562) 907-2606
www.riveraengineering.com email info1@riveraengineering.com
FISH STORY ? THE ONE THAT DIDN?T GET AWAY–For those of you who aren’t Texans or, God forbid, Oklahomans, (let’snot get our noses out of joint here — that’s the way I receivedit…DRB)
Lake Texoma, as the name implies, lies along the border of the twostates.This is a picture of a catfish that a guy recently caught atLakeTexoma.According to the news, he was fishing from the shore with a 20pound test line. When he realized what a huge fish he had caught, he stayed in the water withit and kept it close to shore with his hands. He used his cell phone to call a friend and tell him to bring a scale. The friend got there and the scale topped out at 100 pounds. They took it to the nearby Bait shop and weighed it there. It weighed 121 pounds!
Luckily a Game Warden was there and called the Athens Freshwater Fisheries Center and asked them if they wanted the fish. They sent a ‘live truck’ to the site and brought the fish safely to Athens. They are getting it ready for the public to view. The paper said that it would be two to three weeks before they’d release into the public tank. They estimated that the 121 pound catfish was about 27 yearsold!
Want to go swimming in Lake Texoma?
CHARLIE BRETCHEL?S NEW CD–Dedicated to Dave Mann, Indian Larry, Rogue, Billy Lane and Keith Ball. More on this coming soon!
Harley-Davidson Surpasses $5 Billion In Revenue–H arley-Davidson has reported record revenue and earnings for its 2004 fourth quarter and for the fiscal year that ended December 31. Revenue for the quarter was $1.22 billion, compared with $1.16 billion during the same quarter in 2003 – a 5.4% increase. Net income for the quarter was $209 million, compared to $182.4 million, an increase of 14.5% over 2003. Fourth quarter diluted earnings per share (EPS) was 71 cents, an 18.3% increase compared with last 2003’s 60 cents.
Revenue for the year was $5.02 billion, compared with $4.62 billion in 2003 – an 8.5% increase. Net income for the year was $889.8 million – a 16.9% increase versus 2003’s $760.9 million, while diluted EPS for the full year was $3, a 20% increase compared with $2.50 in 2003.
“That makes 2004 the 19th consecutive record year for the company,” says outgoing CEO Jeffrey L. Bleustein. “We focused on exceeding the impressive results of our 100th-anniversary year by increasing motorcycle availability to improve customer satisfaction and by stimulating interest among prospective customers. U.S. retail sales for Harley-Davidson motorcycles increased more than 7% over last year, demonstrating that the dream of owning a Harley-Davidson motorcycle remains extremely powerful.”
Fourth-quarter retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles were up 6.7% in the U.S. over the same period in 2003 and up 14% in international markets.
“We expect to continue to grow in 2005 and ship 339,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles during the year to support that growth,” says Bleustein. “This is consistent with our established goals of satisfying demand for 400,000 motorcycles in 2007 and generating an annual earnings growth rate in the mid-teens.”
Rogue
www.bikerrogue.com
AIS Defines Ignition Technology For The Future–It?s the definite future in ignition technology! Spyke?s Fully Programmable (FP) Acculight Ignition System (AIS) uses optical sensors for extreme spark stability and produces up to three sparks per compression stroke that are precisely and individually timed per custom programming. Coil saturation can be set to different values at different RPM?s. Spyke has built in an adjustable rev limit that can be different for all curves. It also features two separate RPM activated switches with variable on/off RPM settings that can have different values for all sensor states?for use with nitrous, auto-shifting or any number of custom applications.
By utilizing these new technologies, the FP module allows each engine to be precisely tuned for maximum horsepower, torque, combustion and fuel efficiency. AIS is easily programmed by an authorized dealer utilizing a PC, Free AIS Software and a Program Link Package. It is preset with four fully changeable advance curves. The AIS also has a tachometer output for almost any tach including automotive tachs. It features automatic coil shutoff and a precision stainless steel rotor for strength and reliability.
The AIS Stand Alone (SA) model has many of the same features as the FP, with four preset curves and no brainbox for simplified installation.
Contact Spyke, Inc. at 562-869-9333 or at www.SpykeInc.com. Available through your local dealer.
Contact:
Spyke, Inc.
11258 Regentview Ave.
Downey, CA 90241
Phone: 562.869.9333
Fax: 562.869.9323
www.spykeinc.com
HEY BANDIT– Attached are pictures of some of the more distinctive bikes I saw at the Great American Motorcycle Show in Atlanta last weekend.
Thanks,
Steve
S&S Cycle Announces NHRA Contingency Sponsorship Program–VIOLA, WI (February 15, 2005) – S&S Cycle, Inc., today announced that it was implementing an exciting new contingency sponsorship program for all S&S-powered entries competing in the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle class during the 2005 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing season.
S&S will be posting awards totaling $112,500.00 covering 15 NHRA national events. For each of the fifteen events, cash awards will be distributed to teams using an S&S engine in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class as follows:
Winner $3,500
Runner-up $2,000
Semi-finalist $1,000 each (2 for each race)
S&S entered the NHRA scene during the 2004 season, introducing its 160″ Pro Stock racing engine through its involvement with George Smith and George Bryce of G Squared Motorsports. This engine powered NHRA rookie rider Chip Ellis and the G Squared Motorsports team to a successful season, highlighted by capturing the ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals at the The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in October. The G Squared Motorsports Buell was the only V-Twin powered Pro Stock Motorcycle to win a race following the increased weight minimum change established mid-season.
Ellis had an impressive debut with the G Squared team in NHRA competition, scoring the No. 1 qualifying position at the prestigious 50th Anniversary U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis , IN. Two weeks later in Reading , PA , Ellis backed up his Indianapolis effort with a No. 4 starting position before qualifying No. 2 in Las Vegas en route to winning the event.
The 34 year-old Florida native ended the season in Pomona with his second No. 1 position and powered to the semi-finals at the Auto Club of Southern California Finals, topping off a remarkable campaign with the 4th quickest run in Pro Stock history at 7.024 seconds aboard the G Squared S&S powered Buell, with its powerful S&S 160″ engine.
In addition to Chip Ellis and the G Squared Motorsports entry, the following teams and riders have already chosen S&S power for the 2005 NHRA racing season: Mohegan Sun/Chris Rivas, Muzzy Racing/Ryan Schnitz, Two Wheel Travel/Dave Feazell and Harley Davidson of Rocklin/Matt Guidera.
From the salt flats of Bonneville, to the success in the NHRA, S&S has a proven performance record of producing high-performance V-Twin engines, components, and assemblies. For more information about G Squared Motorsports visit www.g2motorsports.net . Visit S&S Cycle at www.sscycle.com .
‘CHILI’
Cruisin? down a stretch of asphalt
On a rigid frame scoot
Ever since I ate that chili
All I?ve done is poot
Or fart, as some seem to say
But I don?t want to be rude
Until I feel a killer comin?
Just let it fill the room
With an odor and an ugly stench
That would peel new paint
They tell sometimes that I is
And sometimes that I ain?t
The most decent person in the land
Or, for that matter, the universe
But when I eat that fine, ol? chili
There are paybacks for every curse
Capn Bill
EXTRA LENGTH CHOPPER LIFT STANDS UP FOR STORAGE–If you?re a chopper builder and rider, you need a stand up ?Chopper Lift? from Kendon. This lightweight, extra length bike lift out performs most of the heavy, cumbersome bike lifts currently available, and while requiring very little storage space. The Chopper lift can handle motorcycles up to TEN FEET in length. Kendon?s NEWCHOPPER LIFT has the same stable, wide foot print the big heavy lifts have, yet is portable, and easy to transport. It also ?stands up? and stows in the corner of your garage for space saving efficiency. Features include: Manual raise and lower operation, 1,000 pound weight capacity, easy roll casters, integrated wheel chock locks onto front wheel when bike is loaded. Optional wheel jack to lift front or rear wheel for wheel/tire access, and a full 32 inches of working lift height. Optional frame clamp and other accessories, and other features make this a bargain at any price. This FULL FEATURE lift is extremely compact when folded and stores in vertical (?stand up?) position (76? standing height with a 24? X 24? foot print) for convenience. All full range of professional accessories is available.
www.kendontrailers.com
KENDON INC
3711 East La Palma
Anaheim, CA 92806
714 630 7144 fax 714 630 7132
PRUNO SERVES IT UP–Pruno Mfg. is a new motorcycle parts and apparel company. We are based out of Terminal Island, California. Featured is our innovative cut out grips and folding pegs machined from 6061-T6 billet aluminum and engineered with added length for comfort. We offer these in 6 different styles (cross, diamond, star, spade, fireman, plain) and in 3 different finishes (polished, chrome, black anodized). The grips will fit single or dual cable throttles and internal throttle models are available upon request. Most custom design requests can be accommodated.
We are also in the process of releasing our new custom billet wheels. There will be two designs, ?The Shank? (3 spoke configuration) and ?The Nickel Crew?(5 spoke configuration). They come in both a solid one piece design as well as a three piece design with various finish combinations. In addition to the wheels, we will be releasing custom one-off air cleaner covers.
Not only do we have unique motorcycle parts but we offer a sick clothing line as well. Our ?killer? looking logo combined with the concept of the company name is sure to turn some heads. ?Pruno? for those who don?t know is jailhouse wine generally made from a fruit, ketchup and sugar base. This vile and putrid beast is so potent that two gallons is said to be ?a virtual liquor store? enough to get about a dozen people mind-blowingly wasted.
For further information on current Pruno Mfg. products and future products, check out the website at www.prunomfg.com or call 805-577-8787.
OIL TANK AWARNESS–Check out these 2 pictures. I think it’s the same as your tank. You needthe cut-out at the bottom to clear a primary cover. It’s the one on thebattery box on the left side I don’t like. See how it’s not rounded off ? Cutback concave, for lack of a better description. Just the opposite of the Rside.
I had to take my trans back out this week. Clutch hub shaft froze upinside the main output shaft. I’m not sure what happened. Any way, I’mmaking a plate to weld on it today, after I’m done working. Gonna leavethe chrome on the tank part and paint the little wings black, to match thebike.
Fritz
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