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SECRET CALIFORNIA CUSTOMS NEW MODEL– Joe Cree of California Customs introduces his latest Cree-ation. The Maverick model is going to help set the standard for budget Bobber styled bikes. Instead of going with the cheapest parts available like most builders are doing now California Customs will not go that route. We are going to use the best quality parts available and still be able to offer this model at a great price.
We have worked closely with our suppliers to be able to Cree-ate a great new model with an affordable price tag. Here is the list of technical specs for the Maverick.
Frame: Rigid frame built by Daytec for California Customs. 32 degree rake, 0 stretch.
Forks: All chrome springer- 2? under
Motor: Polished S&S 96? Evo
Transmission: Polished 6 speed
Primary drive: BDL belt
Wheels: 40 spoke chrome- 18 x 3.5 front, 18 x 5.5 rear
Tires: Avon 130/70-18 front, 200/55-18 rear
Brakes: Performance Machine calipers with mirror polished rotors
Bars: Flanders Super Bars
Gas tank: Rolled edge Sporty style tank 3.4 gallon
Rear Fender: 9? wide rigid
Lighting: 6 ?? springer headlight, California Customs sidemount brake/taillight
Controls: Chrome hand controls, Chrome billet foot controls
Oil tank: Daytec
Electrics: All solid state wiring harness
Pipes: Chrome drag pipes
Seat: Corbin solo
Cables: Barnett
Brake hoses: Goodridge stainless
Base price: $19,500.00
As with all of our bikes we offer almost limitless options to custom tailor your bike to meet your needs. For more information go to www.calcustom.com or call Joe Cree at 408-954-8972 or 888-707-CUSTOM
BIKERNET INVESTIGATES BRITISH HUMOUR–A big earthquake with the strength of 8.1 on the Richter scale has hitPakistan.Two million Pakistanis have died and over a million are injured.
The country is totally ruined and the government doesn’t know where tostart with providing help to rebuild.
The rest of the world is in shock.
The USA is sending troops to help.
Saudi Arabia is sending oil.
Latin American countries are sending supplies.
New Zealand is sending sheep, cattle and food crops.
The Asian continents are sending labor to assist in rebuildinginfrastructure.
Australia is sending medical teams and supplies.
Britain, not to be outdone, is sending two million replacement Pakistanis.
God Bless British generosity.
MORE BIKERNET INTERNATIONAL NEWS, Nigeria bikers’ vegetable helmets–Motorcyclists in Nigeria have been wearing dried pumpkin shells on their heads to dodge new laws forcing them to wear helmets, authorities have said.
Officials in the northern city of Kano said they had stopped several people with “improvised helmets”, following this month’s introduction of the law.Road safety officials said calabash-wearers would be prosecuted.
Thousands of motorbikes have been impounded around the country and drivers have staged protests.Calabashes are dried pumpkin shells more commonly used to carry liquid.Kano Federal Road Safety Commission commander Yusuf Garba told the BBC they were taking a hard line with people found using the improvised helmets.
“We are impounding their bikes and want to take them to court so they can explain why they think wearing a calabash is good enough for their safety,” he said.Fifty motorbikes had been seized so far in Kano city alone, he added.
Motorcycle taxis, called “achaba” in the north of the country and “okada” in the south, are a cheap way for Nigerians to get around congested and chaotic city streets.
Many drivers of the motorcycle taxis are furious over the new law, which came into force on New Year’s Day.In the city of Kaduna, drivers waved palm fronds and rode in convoy to protest at the price of helmets, which can cost up to $29 (?20).
They say passengers often steal the helmets once they reach their destination.Stories have also appeared in the local papers highlighting passengers’ fears that the helmets could be used by motorcyclists to cast spells on their clients, making it easy for them to be robbed.
“Some people can put juju inside the helmets and when they are worn the victim can either lose consciousness or be struck dumb,” passenger Kolawole Aremu told the Daily Trust newspaper.
Local government authorities often give motorbikes to jobless young men, saying it gives them a way to make a living.But the BBC’s Andrew Walker in Abuja says handing out the vehicles does not address the underlying cause of Nigeria’s economic problems.
It is often an attempt to buy support for elections, our correspondent says.The number of motorcycle taxis in big cities has exploded in recent years, causing concern about road safety.
Often untrained and illiterate, the drivers are considered a menace by many motorists.Fatal accidents are common. Road safety authorities say almost every collision in Nigeria’s cities involves an okada.More than 4,000 people die on Nigeria’s roads every year and 20,000 are injured, according to the Federal Road Safety Commission.
PETE ALVA CONTRIBUTES TO QUICK THROTTLE MAGAZINE– Don’t miss out on what I think is my biggest publication issue ever! On the cover of January’s Quick Throttle Magazine is a photo from my exclusive cover shoot of Jay Leno, and also inside my photo layout with a feature interview by writer Linda Dahl who attended the shoot and interview with writer Lori McCammon and publisher Lisa Dalgaard.
We had a fun time at Jay Leno’s Garage, viewing all of his custom automobiles and motorcycles, which was an experience like no other. You’ll see a picture of Jay and I together in the story done by my film production assistant Will Soltes.
In this same January Issue there is my exclusive story and photo layout of The L.A. Toy Ride to Skid Row, in which that I think I have written one of my best stories ever that says it all for the biker community and the motorcycle events that I have covered for 11 years. I mention how humbling it was to experience this Christmas charity ride, in light of the negativity that seems to surround us, seeing those that are especially unfortunate receiving gifts.
Especially see Publisher Chris Dalgaard’s letter in this issue and learn his lesson not to dwell on negativity, but be grateful, be strong, and never fear anything. In other words, keep attending the biker events, help the charities, sponsors, event workers, and the vendors that work very hard be there for you so that you don’t have to stay home and be bored.
I’m proud to say that I am starting my final year of filming my documentary that I have been filming for the last two years and I very much look forward to the work ahead to be done to complete it. May you all be in it…
If you missed out on the December Issue of Quick Throttle Magazine, or just plain could not be up in the front for the great concert at The Love Ride featuring The Foo Fighters and ZZ Top, here are some photos for you that were published in the story. Remember..I’m always in the front row for you.
–Pete Alva
Director-Fourdot Films
(310) 715-2575
Photographer-Quick Throttle Magazine
PeteAlvaPhotography.com
BIKERNET TOOLS EXPLAINED–DRILL PRESS: A tall upright machine useful for suddenly snatching flat metal bar stock out of your hands so that it smacks you in the chest and flings your beer across the room, denting the freshly-painted project which you had carefully set in the corner where nothing could get to it.
WIRE WHEEL: Cleans paint off bolts and then throws them somewhere under the workbench with the speed of light. Also removes fingerprints and hard-earned calluses from fingers in about the time it takes you to say, ‘Oh sh — ‘
ELECTRIC HAND DRILL: Normally used for spinning pop rivets in their holes until you die of old age.
SKILL SAW: A portable cutting tool used to make studs too short.
PLIERS: Used to round off bolt heads. Sometimes used in the creation of blood-blisters.
–from Nick Roberts
THE DEVIL TEACHES WELDING–Check on the Welding tech on the home page. We worked with Kent Weeks of Lucky Devil Metal Works in Houston, and Weld Craft Welding Supplies to bring you a introduction to welding. Check it out. Above is in example of Kent’s quality TIG welding.
NEW THURSDAY BIKE NIGHT AT GREEN IGUANA – We have moved the location of our Thursday Bike Night to the Green Iguana on Anderson Road. SAME GREAT DESTINATION – NEW GREAT LOCATION! The Green Iguana has the best tiki bar and atmosphere for the biker community. Vendors are going to be FREE every week for a 10X10 location with inside vendor space also available for 2 or 3 vendors on 6 foot tables.
There are great beer specials for Bud and Bud Light for only $2 each. Come out for the next few weeks to sign up to win a 50cc scooter for only $1 per ticket with the scooter to be given away on February 19th. You will not need to be present to win. For more info or to set up vendor space call 813-814-1424 and talk to Amanda.
BIKE WEEK SPONSORS NEEDED – We will be setting up our three normal distribution outlets during Bike Week again handing out magazines and our Sponsors information (Boothill Saloon, Ironhorse Saloon and JP Cycles). The cost is only $1000 for all 10 days of Bike Week. We will hand out you flyers, promo items and anything else you supply us with to hand out to the hundreds of thousands who will be walking by our booths in Daytona and Ormond Beach.
The Sponsorship dollars go directly to helping up print the extra magazines we hand out at our three locations. If you need us to make your rack cards or flyers or any info we will get you a great rate to make them and get them printed. If you are interested in having Full Throttle Magazine work for you at Bike Week call 813-814-1424 and talk to Tony or e-mail me at tonyc@floridafullthrottle.com
FLORIDA MOTORCYCLE EXPO, TATTOO CONVENTION AND BIKE BUILDERS INVITATIONAL – Well, it is finally here! The Expo will be great this year as we are bringing in Ami James from Miami Ink and Playboy Model Mia Mckinley. BOOTHS HAVE BEEN DISCOUNTED TO $200 FOR BOTH DAYS! CALL NOW AS SPACES ARE GOING FAST!!! We are also giving away $100 every hour and 3 scooters, 1 for each day of the expo. Besides all the vendors we have the Bike Builders Invitational sponsored by GEICO where the best bike will win $10,000 cash with 5 runner ups winner who will get $1,000 for each class.
We also have a Miss Full Throttle Contest on Saturday night at 7pm where 1st place wins $500 and a magazine cover shoot! Miss Full Throttle will also make appearances all year long at Full Throttle events throughout the state. She is Miss Full Throttle for the entire year and will hand over the crown to the new winner in 2010. All models please e-mail me for more info and what outfits you will need to bring with you. It is free to enter and there will be prizes for all girls who enter the contest. There will also be a Tattoo Contest, give-a-ways, a ride in bike show on Sunday and much much more. For more info check out http://www.floridafullthrottle.com/expo.htm See you all on Thursday at Green Iguana!
THE BIKERNET WEEKLY SOAPBOX– You know I am a pretty laid back type and there isn’t much that bothers me. But, sometimes you just have to say something. Now this may piss off some tree huggers, but there are some points I want to make.
Really dumb idea #1.
Who came up with the idea of using corn to run vehicles? The only ones that make out on this deal are the rich farming conglomerates and their lobbyist. It takes what, five gallons of oil to produce four gallons of alcohol? Not to mention all the fresh water that is wasted.
Sure, alcohol burns clean in your vehicle but do you notice anything different? First, alcohol is very low in energy compared to gas or diesel. A converted motor will get about half the mileage. So, if you are burning a 10% percent blend, you will see a 5% reduction in mileage. That is if you have fuel injection to compensate for the lean gas mixture. If you run an old Shovel like I do, it is going to spit back, run hot, and not be a happy motorcycle.
Anyways, the point being is you are wasting oil, wasting water, and spending more to get less. Around here you don’t even get a choice. I can’t seem to find a station that sells straight gas.
Really dumb idea #2
Hybrid cars. Okay, this may be a great idea for large ships, locomotives, and very large earth movers. It sucks for economy cars. What are you gaining here people? First the mileage can be matched by modern diesel power. The euro diesel version of the Smart Car gets about 75mpg and is much easier to deal with than a hybrid. It performs better than most also.
Look what Audi has done with their GT racing cars. They are so fast on diesel that they have to be handy capped with smaller fuel tanks and they are very, very competitive.
Hybrid cars take two good ideas and make a poor vehicle. Electricity is a cool way to power a car. You have maximum torque at zero r.p.m.’s. That is a very good thing for playing in traffic. But, you have to have lots of batteries and room for them. So you take a little econobox electric, dump half of the batteries, install a gas drive-train alongside the electric and a charging system that will charge the batteries on the fly. Well you get the picture.
You loose all of the advantages of electric and you wind up with a very expensive, two drive-train vehicle. You probably won’t ever come out ahead on fuel cost because you paid so much for the car. Not to mention what to do with all those batteries several years down the road.
Really dumb idea #3
C.A.R.B.!!!!! And now these guys want to be known as A.R.B.. Hum, a California state board now wants to regulate the entire country. I think the rest of the country needs to regulate them. Zero emissions? What are these guys smoking? No such thing.
Wake up! Almost all power comes from burning something. It may be coal, oil, nuclear fission or the manufacture of components for so called renew-ables. Power causes pollution. Batteries cause pollution. Nuclear-energy causes pollution. If you want less pollution, use less power. Wow, what a concept.
Maybe you could encourage people to ride motorcycles? It is hard to believe that C.A.R.B. has our best interest at heart when they slam small motorcycle shops hard. Yet they do nothing about the tankers and frighters waiting to unload in LA that are burning 3000 gallons of diesel per hour as they wait.
Enough dumb ideas for now. I’m going back to bed.
–Big Bill
Well said Bill. Do you know how much money CARB has taken from the public in fines in the last couple of years. The number would knock you out. It’s all about the money. We need to find a balance between regulation, and freedom.–Bandit
COMING SOON TO BIKERNET, 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET BOB ROADTEST– Coming soon is the road test for the Street Bob. Here is a shot of my niece Heather (the older sister of my other niece, Brandie, the doctor, that posed on a different bike I was testing).
Heather is an attorney for a powerful law firm in El Segundo and the man standing behind her is her husband, Jason Peterson, an Executive producer of music video and film in Hollywood. You see, in my family, we don’t fuck around…well, except for me..that’s all I do. I’m the black sheep.
–Jon Towle-
SEE RIDLEY IN KANSAS CITY–This weekend, January 10th and 11th at the Metro Community College Exhibit Hall in Kansas City, Missouri Ridley Motorcycles will be on display. Stop by and see several models including the 2009 Auto-Glide Limited Edition. Route 66 Ridley Motorcycles will be on hand with brochures, product, and answers to all your questions. And, if you’re ready to buy- they can even help with that!
Also on display will be the new line of Ridley Vintage Motorbikes. These motorized bicycles are creating a big buzz around the country with their vintage styling and incredible 120 MPG economy.
This is a great chance to see and sit on the innovative products from Ridley Motorcycle.
For more information contact:
Route 66 Ridley
2488 Old 66 Blvd
Carthage, MO
(417) 358-8441
Ridley Motorcycle Company
www.ridleymotorcycle.com <
MIC, AND OTHER GROUPS ASK EPA FOR MORE ETHANOL TESTS– MIC, Other Groups Ask EPA for More Ethanol Tests Posted: 06 Jan 2009 11:20 AM CST Fourteen organizations, including the Motorcycle Industry Council, recently called for ?unbiased and comprehensive testing? before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) permits the use of mid-level ethanol blends in engines. According to an article in Oil and Gas Journal, other groups that were part of the petition include the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association, Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council, American Lung Association and the Engine Manufacturers Association. Calling themselves an informal coalition, the groups expressed concern about air quality, engine compatibility and safety.
?There has not been sufficient testing of motor vehicle and non-road equipment engines to justify a determination that any mid-level ethanol blend would meet the requirements,? they said in a letter to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson.
The letter contends the existing test results suggest mid-level ethanol blends might be incompatible with current motor vehicle and non-road equipment engines, might cause emission control devices or systems to fail, might defeat engines? safety features and could lead to significantly higher emissions during the engines? lifespan.
?Collectively, our organizations strongly believe that this issue should not be a part of the rulemaking proposal for the revised Renewable Fuel Standard under the [2007 Energy Independence and Security Act],? the letter continued. ?The mid-level ethanol blend issue should be discussed at length, but the vehicle should be a separate advance notice of proposed rulemaking.?
?We?re happy to build new equipment for new fuels with increased ethanol but we will not sit idly by and put our customers? safety and economic interests at risk.??Kris Kiser, Outdoor Power Equipment Institute
The small engine-ethanol issue has gone national with a recent report on U.S. National Public Radio featuring an instructor at WyoTech automotive school in Laramie, Wyo., the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute?s executive VP of government affairs Kris Kiser and Ron Lamberty, a spokesman for the American Coalition of Ethanol. Under the provocative headline ?Ethanol Could Kill Your Small Engine,? the story is available as an audio podcast on the NPR web site. As he?s mentioned before repeatedly during presentations and interviews, the small engine industry isn?t anti-ethanol, but its also very pro safety and pro product performance. As Kiser says in his comment, ??Outdoor power equipment manufacturers are not anti ethanol and can design product to run on a wide range of fuels and ethanol levels. We do not object to increasing ethanol levels to meet government mandates,? Kiser says. ?Quite the opposite, equipment manufacturers will gladly produce new product for customers to meet new fuel requirements. Our main and continuing concern is simply our customers and their safety. The fact is that running existing equipment?boats, snowmobiles, ATVs and non flex-fuel automobiles?on fuels that they were not designed for presents very real safety and performance issues.?
THE NEW HARLEY-DAVIDSON OF COLUMBIA SUPERSTORE– The 1st truly NEW H-D dealership in the last 25-50 years of Harley-Davidson.
Harley-Davidson Customers nationwide will recognize this new Harley-Davidson Superstore with a Seal of Approval Award:Columbia, Tennessee October 25, 2008 The New Harley-Davidson of Columbia Superstore.
Harley-Davidson Dealers, as you know them, will never be the same. Conceived over the course of the last 10 years and designed by one of the premier retail space designers in America today, the World-Renowned Pompeii AD from New York City, this is the first truly unique Harley-Davidson dealership designed and built in the last 20-50 years of Harley-Davidson. Located at Exit 46 on I-65 in Columbia, Tennessee, this is the ultimate Harley-Davidson destination in America.
Not built as a catchy or themed Disney-esque sort of project, this store is a true Harley-Davidson location built for the true Harley- Davidson rider, intender and enthusiast. ?What we have done? says Ricky Kelley, the owner and developer of Harley-Davidson of Columbia, ?is to turn the building upside down and inside out. This building is designed to be all about the motorcycles and the people who ride them. We didn?t design or build some architectural museum piece. What we built was a space that happens to have a Harley-Davidson dealership on it?and what I believe you will find to be the coolest Harley-Davidson dealership in the country.?
*Think green. An environmentally green building development is a part of what we are all looking for in order to maintain a sustainable world environment for the future. What we have done for the Harley-Davidson of Columbia Superstore is take this space and balanced the site, so all of the dirt, stone building product, etc. came from within this site. All of the 15,000 + loads of dirt involved in the excavation of this site were redistributed and used throughout the balance of our 25 acre site. No trucking dirt 25 ? 50 miles to a remote location to make this building happen. It is self-contained.
During the excavation for this site, the dirt work, digging and blasting resulted in the ?creation? of many tons of gravel. These tons of good old Tennessee were crushed on site. Then that gravel from the crushed rock from the excavation site was used for the building pad, parking, driveways, etc. There were no transporting hundreds of loads of gravel for hundreds of miles to build this building. Gas is expensive, you know.
All of the slate stone on the building exterior was contained on this site. The slate that you see was hand selected during the excavation process and saved on a palette until building construction began. Then the stone was hand laid by a master stone mason to the building?s exterior. What you see from the building exterior actually came from this site.
Think about paint. How much does a gallon of paint weigh? What is paint made from? Think Petroleum. When you walk through the New Harley-Davidson of Columbia Superstore, you will see very few painted surfaces. Sure, we had to paint a few office and bathroom walls?but only a few. Our concrete floor is pure natural concrete. Unpainted and unstained. Our structural steel is only primered. No fancy paint, just primer.
Look at the glass, all 6000 square feet of it. This building was designed to bring the outside in, and we feel this glass and skylight utilization really does just that, let?s the outside in. The glass and skylights (huge skylights, by the way) allows for maximum UV protection. This massive windows and skylights allow us to flood the interior with natural light, a true energy saver. At the same time, it provides true color transference so you can see the real color of the clothes and motorcycles.
Speaking of lighting, most parking lots are only lit to a minimum certain safety standard. At the Harley-Davidson of Columbia Superstore, our parking lot lighting is 8 to 10 times that standard. The interesting thing is we accomplished this lighting standard with 1/3 the usual number of exterior lights, a true energy saver. This place looks like daylight when it is midnight. Remember, we?ve turned this building inside out.
What the New Harley-Davidson of Columbia Superstore has done is to create a destination environment. ?Whether you come inside the store or simply ride to the store and hang out, we hope you will have the same pleasurable experience? says Kelley. In the parking lot at the Harley-Davidson of Columbia Superstore, you will find music, the same music you will find inside the store (but inside the building we also have TV and video). You will find dedicated bike parking. You will find nighttime lighting that makes it look like daytime. You will find grass, shade trees, outdoor picnic and relaxation areas, and places to just sit around and talk to your friends.
Speaking about the outside of the building, what about the Outdoor Music Event Center (the Venue has not officially been named yet) that joins the Harley-Davidson of Columbia Superstore site? This OMEC features a major concert size stage and unbelievable sound system that is designed by Clair Brothers/Showco, the same company that does the sound for The Rolling Stones, Tim McGraw and U2. We are more than able to rock the 2500 people accommodated in a beautiful grassy, festival style seated arena. Adjacent to the OMEC, you will find restrooms, artist dressing rooms, and the most unbelievably great concession stand you have ever been to.
Our OMEC contains a concession stand, known as ?Sweet Vicki?s Rock and Roll Eatery?. However, not just any concessions stand. This full service gourmet food stop sells the best breakfast, lunch and dinner you have ever eaten in a parking lot! Think Country Ham Omelet wraps with Cheese Grits, Fried Hot Dogs Wrapped in Bacon, Half Pound Cheeseburger stuffed with Seven Cheeses, and Banana Splits. Wash it all down with a cold beverage while you listen to Toby / Tim / Kenny / Keith/Skynyrd over our parking lot audio system and you will truly know what the Harley-Davidson experience is all about.
If you DO decide to come into the store, you will not be disappointed, but what will you notice first? Will it be our Gigantic 70 Foot Ramp with the parked bikes soaring 20 feet into the air? Will it be our Hi-Def Home Theatre Room that other at other dealerships is simply a customer lounge? Will it be the Huge, 6000 square foot Glass Wall overlooking the outdoor spaces and OMEC? Will it be our open-air entrance with Huge ?Always Open? Garage Doors that allow easy access to the bikers (and intenders) from the parking / park area? Will it be that you notice our Huge Skylights, each the size of a swimming pool that allow the sunlight to come in so that even when you are inside you may think you are outside?
When you are inside the building, check out the bikes and the merchandise. Many of our fixtures are made from reclaimed wood and bamboo. Very green, very environmentally friendly and very common sense. This is a very environmentally sound building interior. Not a bunch of merchandising B.S.
And what about those environmentally friendly interior spaces? Remember, the Harley-Davidson of Columbia Superstore is all about the people and the bikes so we have changed it all up from every other Harley-Davidson dealership you have ever been in. The products are merchandised with the customer in mind. Here?s the deal. We have put the products together?where they belong. No men?s department, no women?s department, no used bikes department, no parts department with a bunch of ?hidden? parts (yes, you read that right). No kidding. What we have done is taken what the customers have asked us for over the years and given it to them.
You may find a Sportster displayed along with all of the accessories and riding gear a new rider might require. You may find a V-Rod merchandised along with the Full Face System Helmet and more of our Premium Performance rider apparel. Speaking of helmets, wait until you see our ?Only One in America? Helmet Display. T-shirts??forgettaboutit! Did we mention the over 300 New and Used Harley-Davidson motorcycles available to sit on, admire or even buy? You are going to love shopping at the Harley-Davidson of Columbia Superstore.
One location, unlimited Inside/Outside experience. That?s what the Harley-Davidson of Columbia Superstore is all about. Bikes, Music, Food, Friends, T-shirts, Picnicking, Concerts, the best service department in the USA and the location you want to ride to. The Harley-Davidson of Columbia Superstore.
Oh yeah, be sure and ask Bill about how to get access to our VIP Park, Parking, and Entrance. You won?t believe it. Opening January 2010.
–Lisa Cook
Harley-Davidson of Cool Springs
7128 South Springs Drive
Franklin, TN 37067
615-771-7775 phone
615-250-7941 fax
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