Hold on. This news may be rough around the edges. We’ve been working around the clock to finish the Shrunken FXR for the Roadster Show in Pomona this weekend. Of course we didn’t make it. The seat won’t be completed in time. We got close, so we’re taking the 1928 Shovelhead. I’ve got to get moving though. I’m burnin’ daylight. So let’s hit the news:
JANKLOW RESIGNATION IN EFFECT–Today, Bill Janklow leaves the political stage he has dominated for almost three decades. Janklow, who won four terms as governor, has resigned from the House, just a year after becoming South Dakota’s congressman. The resignation takes effect today.
On Thursday, a judge will sentence the 64-year-old Janklow on convictions of second-degree manslaughter, reckless driving, speeding and running a stop sign for an August crash that killed a motorcyclist in Moody County.
The Republican’s friends and foes say the crash and convictions have tarnished an otherwise remarkable legacy. Former Governor Harvey Wollman, a Democrat who preceded Janklow’s first term, says people need to remember that Janklow gave most of his adult life to public service. He says people have said some unfair things about Janklow.
–Rogue
How a wife should welcome you home–from Ramon
DEAL OF THE WEEK–Clean, stock sought after 1990 FXR for 11,500 obo. It’s in Harbor City, California at Larry Settle’s Shop (310) 326-3466.
WRIGHT BROTHERS RACING WELCOMES THEIR NEWEST PARTNER–Here is Cody Wright, the newest member of Wright Brothers Racing showingoff his latest creation in progress. Cody hasn’t named it yet (someobscure shop in New York already has the Cody Chopper), but Dad Rob andGrandpop Bruce Wright are sure that will be worked out by the Springcompletion date. It’s too doggone snowy in Delaware this year for muchriding.
–Scrapper
1914 8-VALVE INDIAN RACER–This bike was built Fred Lange, “What say we race..??”, Fred said over the phone. Watch for the full feature on Bikernet Next week and info on how you could own a classic creation like this.
Fred Lange
Santa Maria Ca.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON REPORTS RECORD FOURTH QUARTERAND 18th CONSECUTIVE RECORD YEAR– Company sets goal of 400,000 motorcycles for 2007.Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HDI) today announced record revenue and earnings for its fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2003. Revenue for the quarter was $1.16 billion compared with $1.03 billion in the year-ago quarter, a 12.8 percent increase. Net income for the quarter was $182.4 million compared to $150.9 million, an increase of 20.9 percent over the year ago quarter. Fourth quarter diluted earnings per share (EPS) was 60 cents, a 22.4 percent increase compared with last year?s 49 cents.
Revenue for the full year was $4.62 billion, compared with $4.09 billion in 2002, a 13.0 percent increase. Net income for the year was $760.9 million, a 31.1 percent increase versus last year?s $580.2 million, while diluted EPS for the full year was $2.50, a 31.6 percent increase compared with $1.90 in 2002.
“This is the 18th consecutive year that Harley-Davidson has achieved records for both revenue and net income,” said Jeffrey L. Bleustein, chairman and chief executive officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc. “We had a phenomenal year full of memorable once-in-a-lifetime experiences surrounding our 100th Anniversary. Introducing the Harley-Davidson brand to hundreds of thousands of potential customers has undoubtedly sparked the dream of ownership and created new excitement for our products.””As we begin our 101st year, we expect to grow the business further with our proven ability to deliver a continuous stream of exciting new motorcycles, related products and services. We have set a new goal for the Company to be able to satisfy a yearly demand of 400,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles in 2007. By offering innovative products and services, and by driving productivity gains in all facets of our business, we are confident that we can deliver an earnings growth rate in the mid-teens for the foreseeable future,” said Bleustein.
Motorcycles and Related Products Segment: Fourth Quarter Results
Revenue from Harley-Davidson( motorcycles was $945.3 million, an increase of $125.0 million or 15.2 percent over the same period last year. Shipments of Harley-Davidson motorcycles totaled 77,056 units, an increase of 11,086 units or 16.8 percent over last year?s fourth quarter. The Company?s shipment target remains 317,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles for 2004.Revenue from Parts and Accessories (P&A), which consists of Genuine Motor Parts and Genuine Motor Accessories, totaled $141.0 million, an increase of $11.1 million, or 8.5 percent over the year-ago quarter. Revenue from General Merchandise, which consists of MotorClothes( apparel and collectibles, totaled $50.7 million, a decrease of $4.1 million or 7.4 percent. Excluding revenue from 100th Anniversary products in 2002?s fourth quarter, the P&A growth rate would have been 20.3 percent over last year?s fourth quarter and the General Merchandise growth rate would have been 20.0 percent over the same period.
Gross margin was 35.9 percent of revenue, down slightly from the prior year?s 36.1 percent. Gross margin was negatively impacted by a higher proportion of Sportster( motorcycle shipments and higher manufacturing costs, but partially offset by favorable foreign currency exchange. Fourth quarter operating margin improved to 21.5 percent in 2003 from 20.7 percent in 2002.
Motorcycle Retail Sales Data
Retail sales of Harley-Davidson( motorcycles for the year 2003 grew 8.8 percent in the U.S., 6.7 percent in Europe, and 9.0 percent in Japan compared to 2002. Based on the information currently available, Harley-Davidson?s full year market share for the 651cc and up segment is expected to grow in all of the Company?s major markets. ?Given the economic climate during the past year, we are pleased with our retail growth,” said Bleustein.
“Although our U.S. dealer network experienced a modest decline in motorcycle sales in the fourth quarter as compared to last year?s fourth quarter, we believe it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from this comparison. The urgency to buy a 100th Anniversary motorcycle prior to the celebrations, along with an unusually late shipment plan for ’04 motorcycles, created two very different selling environments. We are confident that 2004 will be another strong year for Harley-Davidson due to current dealer confidence, momentum from the 100th Anniversary and improving economic indicators,” Bleustein added.
FAMOUS LAND SHARK FOR SALE–Hey Homez appreciate you helping me out.Hope all is going well with your FXR assy.Here is the lowdown on da Shark……
Landshark for sale.Tom Foster is selling his beloved Landshark to complete other projects.The shark has been featured on “American Thunder” and Road and Tracks “The Ride of your life” Television shows. It was also Featured and coverbike with Hot Rod Bikes magazine,with upcoming features in 2 international magazines. Multi show winninghandcrafted masterpiece. Full “PIMP” status guaranteed upon purchase. Offered at $50,000.
Call 323-428-5830
Tom Foster
BRAKE WARNING–Below is the email from Chuck regarding the brakes. Apparently it is on 2000 and newer models. Please forward this on to all riders you know. We are trying to gather as much information as possible to find out what the real deal is. I’m sure that there are many people out there that have had the same experience as we did, but didn’t realise what was truly happening.
Thanks for your interest and helping to keep us all safe.
–Julie
Recently while on a ride through Colorado, the brakes failed on my FLTR. It’s a ’00, with the four piston calipers. We got the bike to the Green River dealership in Wyoming, where the mechanic bled the brakes said that was all he could do, and that it is a real common problem with Harleys when they are ridden in the mountains. The mechanic stated that he must have worked on fifty bikes so far that month with the same problem. (This was the week following Sturgis when everyone would be riding home) The brakes still weren’t 100%, so I called the dealer in Ft. Collins, and the service writer there told me the exact same thing, that it is a real common problem, and they fix bikes all the time for that reason. We discovered our problem (riding two up on vacation) when we were attempting to slow down for a corner, ended up blowing through oncoming traffic lanes, and in the gravel at the top of a steep embankment. Disconcerting to say the least.
What I am requesting is that if ANYONE has had brake problems with the four piston calipers, that they shoot me an e-mail to BLKGLIDE@aol.com, and give me a little background on what happened, and what was done to fix it, if anything. H-D says they know nothing of the problem, what two dealers told says otherwise.Thanks for any help anyone can give me on this.
–Chuck
Official response: They told me that if the brakes were getting soft and spongy, I needed to take the time to pump the brake pedal a few times, and everything would be OK.
TOOL SHOP LORE– HAMMER: Originally employed as a weapon of war, the hammer nowadays is used as a kind of divining rod to locate expensive parts not far from the object we are trying to hit.
MECHANIC’S KNIFE: Used to open and slice through the contents of cardboard cartons delivered to your front door; works particularly well on boxes containing seats and motorcycle jackets.
ELECTRIC HAND DRILL: Normally used for spinning steel Pop rivets in their holes until you die of old age, but it also works great for drilling mounting holes in fenders just above the brake line that goes to the rear wheel.
PLIERS: Used to round off bolt heads.
HACKSAW: One of a family of cutting tools built on the Ouija board principle. It transforms human energy into a crooked, unpredictable motion, and the more you attempt to influence its course, the more dismal your future becomes.
VISE-GRIPS: Used to round off bolt heads. If nothing else is available, they can also be used to transfer intense welding heat to the palm of your hand.
OXYACETELENE TORCH: Used almost entirely for lighting various flammable objects in your garage on fire. Also handy for igniting the grease inside a brake drum you’re trying to get the bearing race out of.
WHITWORTH SOCKETS: Once used for working on older British cars and motorcycles, they are now used mainly for impersonating that 9/16 or 1/2 socket you’ve been searching for the last 15 minutes
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, splattering it against that freshly painted part you were drying.
WIRE WHEEL: Cleans rust off old bolts and then throws them somewhere under the workbench with the speed of light. Also removes fingerprint whorls and hard earned guitar calluses in about the time it takes you to say, Ouc….
HYDRAULIC FLOOR JACK: Used for lowering a motorcycle to the ground after you have installed your new front disk brake setup, trapping the jack handle firmly under the front fender.
–from Gene Koch
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