Hey,
Summer’s in full swing, like bikini days at Folsom Prison. The Sturgis crew is scrambling with wild action at all the venues. Bikernet will be there with the Girls of Bikernet selling 2010 Calendars downtown. We are building a Best of Show trophy, with the help of custom painter Jim Murillo, for the Easyriders Broken Spoke Bike show and our Banner will fly at 2Wheelers, the best bike shop on Main Street.
It’s up to me to finish the 5-Ball Factory Racer and make the run across the open desert west towards the Badlands. Looks like four of us on Vintage looking bikes and Shovelhead bobbers will head to Vail, Colorado and meet up with the Hamsters in Thermopolis, Wyoming for the blast to Sundance and a cold cocktail, before we hit the final stretch into Spearfish. There’s nothing like the lure of the open road and a girl waiting in Sturgis, to keep us moving. Let’s hit the news:
GIRLS OF BIKERNET IN STURGIS–This week?s photos come to you as I’m out headed to Louisville, Kentucky to shoot the last girl for the Girls of Bikernet Calendar. I’m still not sure which bike we’ll be using in Louisville for the shoot so if you have any readers out that way they can reach me at sam@samdixon.com if they’d like to submit a bike my way for the last spot.
This week’s beauties are from Pennsylvania and Indiana…..
Samantha Shane is pictured here sitting on “Hammered” by Jeff Kessel of Independent Cycle East in Hanover, PA. Samantha is a Hooters Girl and Model from the Philadelphia Area. We’re expecting an early release of the Bikernet Calendars next weekend at Carlisle Bikefest in Pennsylvania so you can meet Samantha there and get an autographed calendar before the big rush at Sturgis.
Jewel Strom is from Valparaiso, Indiana and part of the family at Genuine Cycle Sales in Valparaiso. She’s a tattoo artist at a local shop when she’s not working around the bike shop. As of right now we’re expecting Jewel to be with us for a couple days in Sturgis but if you’re in the Valparaiso, IN area you can stop in and pick up a calendar from Jewel in just 2 weeks.
?Custom Chrome Celebrates 40th Anniversary with World Tour of Events? Morgan Hill, CA ?? Today Custom Chrome announced a host of international events planned in celebration of its 40th Anniversary serving the V-Twin industry. ?The past year has been a tremendous time of rebuilding and rebirth for the CCI brand ? Custom Chrome International,? said Holger Mohr, Chief Executive Officer of Custom Chrome. ?We will not let this milestone pass without a shout!?
The anniversary announcement included details for a series of events celebrating four decades as a V-Twin industry parts distributor and manufacturer that includes numerous proprietary product lines such as RevTech?, Santee?, Motor Factory? and Jammer Cycle Products?. It is largely in this enduring legacy that its brand became synonymous with ?World?s Finest Products for Harley-Davidsons.? ?We have much to be grateful for,? noted Mohr. ?Not the least of which is the partnership and support we have received from our dealers and vendors.?
It is in that spirit that a schedule of events was created to showcase CCI and its valued vendor and dealer relationships. Already on the calendar are dates for the Custom Chrome Europe Dealer Show in Mainz, Germany, (March 27 & 28, 2010), a dealer reception at the Moon Eyes Show in Japan, and a dealer reception at the Gold Coast Rally in Australia. The company will also soon be releasing dates for its international event schedule and additional celebration events.
Mohr also announced that the long awaited return of the Custom Chrome International Dealer Show had arrived. ?It seems perfectly fitting that 2010 will not only mark our 40th anniversary, but also the return of what has historically been one of the most significant annual events on the V-Twin industry calendar,? said Mohr. The setting for the show is the World Headquarters in Morgan Hill, CA on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 12?14, 2010.
By holding the show just prior to the 2010 selling season, the goal will be to energize and enthuse the dealer community regarding new products without interfering with the dealers focus during the prime selling season. ?But more than anything, the CCI Dealer Show and year-long calendar of events is a celebration of 40 years of dedication and commitment to our industry,? said Steve Veltri, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
?We?re thrilled with anticipation of the year-long 40th anniversary series of events and counting the days to the return of the Custom Chrome International Dealer Show,? said Mohr.
DEPARTURE BIKES WORKS DEALS OF THE WEEK–Richmond, Virginia: 39 EL KNUCKLEHEAD, 1939 EL KNUCKLEHEAD MOTOR” LEE MADE A GREAT FIND WITH THIS RARE ’39 EL MOTOR. We didn’t run all the detail shots, but this basket is complete, with over 95 percent of all the correct year parts to build this rare year engine.
It also comes with a clean title! Call Lee for more details, $7,500.
1947 KNUCKLEHEAD
This is an amazing barn fresh Knucklehead. We haven’t even knocked the dust off (as you can see). This would make a great project or restoration. This comes with a clean title! Call Lee for more details, $12,000.
NEW SATIN BLACK HANDLEBAR FOR HARLEY-DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE–New Black Finish with the Original Equipment Dimensions.
MILWAUKEE (June 26, 2009) ? Complete a transition to Dark Custom styling with the new Road Glide? Handlebar – Satin Black (P/N 55862-09, $79.95) from Harley Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories. This satin-finished handlebar retains the comfortable contour of the original-equipment Road Glide bar and complements black-finished accessory hand controls and mirrors. Fits 2008-later Road Glide models with no additional cables or lines required.
New Satin Black Handlebars are also available to fit earlier 1998-2007 Road Glide models, and many Electra Glide and Road King models. See an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer for fitment details.
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.
NEW WHEEL COMPANY IN FLORIDA–After years with other industry manufacturers, the team at Coastal Moto has ventured out and is making their own statement. They spent years designing and developing parts and accessories for some of the industry?s top manufacturers and have now released their own brand of aftermarket wheels and accessories.
Since debuting their new wheel line in 2008, they have been showing up in franchise dealerships and local shops all over the U.S. Their average chrome wheel set saves you about $200-300 bucks and they keep the most popular stuff in stock.
The entire Coastal Moto line is available from your local dealer or by giving them a call. 888-899-MOTO http://www.coastalmoto.com
A BIKERNET NEWS PAUSE FROM THE ZEN MASTER– However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
Believe in miracles.
–from Shattuck
PARALLEL TRACK BETWEEN MOTORCYCLISTS RIGHTS AND SEMA– The following are a few of the issues that motorcyclists/motorcycle builders and SEMA members face together.
Common Ground includes but is not limited to the following.
Federal regulations and design specifications.
Federal regulations that prohibit modifications that have a negative effect on safety equipment features.
Special federal requirements for products manufactured abroad.
Product defect/recall requirements.
Federal and State emissions compliance requirements. In many cases, there has been confusion about the process by which requirements can be met and Executive Orders (E.O.s) from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) are issued for applicable parts and systems.
Roadblock safety inspections.
Lighting.
Brake Hoses and Brake Hose Assemblies.
Rims/Wheels for Vehicles other than Passenger Cars.
Tires.
Inclusion and Exclusion in Federal and State mandated insurance requirements.
In addition to these shared concerns, motorcyclist rights advocates have purchasing power and influence others within their pier groups that are very similar to those covered in a June 09 article entitled Trends in eCommerce: Importance of Consumer Behavior and Perceptions.
–Mike Greenwald
MEANWHILE BACK IN BOSTON TRYING TO BAN MOTORCYCLES–In an age where Motorcyclists are focusing more on controlling noise levels as a group and noise from other vehicles such as cars with ?Ash Can? mufflers are drowning us out, on June 3rd, the City of Boston passed an ordinance aimed as a step of eliminating motorcycles from City Streets. The Massachusetts Motorcycle Association (MMA – http://www.massmotorcycle.org
This first salvo was fired in a ?public hearing? which was attended by a few very outspoken critics of Motorcycles. There was no representation from any Motorcyclist or Motorcycle Organization who could represent the case being presented against motorcyclists. Video of the proceeding can be found here.
The details of the specific docket (#0658) can be found here.
This specific ordinance requires that a Motorcycle Exhaust must carry an EPA stamp which is visible to a parking or police officer who can issue a citation if they don?t see the EPA stamp ? violation is subject to a $300 fine. Citations can be issued whether the vehicle is in operation or parked on a street in the City of Boston.
The MMA has a number of concerns with this ordinance, beginning with the fact that Motorcycle Organizations including the Motorcycle Industry Council, the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association, and others, were not contacted for comment nor consulted for information concerning the proposal. Specifically with regard to the ordinance itself, the specific ?federal? reference being cited in the video is an EPA requirement for Motorcycle Manufacturers concerning compliance of a newly manufactured motorcycle, the requirements for which expire following an ?Acoustical Adjustment Period? of one year at the maximum or 3,730 miles ? whichever comes first.
This ordinance makes no reference to existing Massachusetts General law governing Motorcycle Sound Emissions (MGL Chapter 90, Sections 7S, 7T, 7U, and 16), nor existing Boston City Ordinances governing noise.
Massachusetts General Law already specifies maximum noise levels for Motorcycles and specifically how to test them. The Boston Noise Ordinance doesn?t even require that a Motorcycle be running. A motorcycle, which is an energy and cost efficient method of commuting, and reduces the burden of parking spaces in a city such as Boston, could theoretically be parked on the street and have the owner find a $300 citation on their vehicle upon their return.
Further, motorcyclists who violate this ordinance now face a hefty $300 fine versus the current $30-$50. As this ordinance only mentions motorcycles, we believe this to be blatant discrimination against Motorcycles in the City.
The MMA first learned of this action on June 10th, via a web link which followed the committee hearing. In the days since learning of this, the MMA has been in contact with several Motorcyclists? Rights Organizations, independent Activists, and the MMA?s General Counsel. The MMA has expended significant effort and resources performing due diligence researching the specifics of the laws and regulations governing this situation. Concurrent with this review, the MMA learned that an independently funded group of activists has chosen to file suit against the City of Boston.
The MMA is committed to fighting this ordinance as has it fought similar warrants in several towns this year alone. Based on the various actions already being taken, the MMA believes that a United Front is warranted rather than several groups of Motorcyclists acting independently and in an uncoordinated fashion. As such, we?ve chosen to closely monitor the currently announced law suit rather than burden the MMA Membership with the financial cost of a likely multi-year legal engagement which could be in conflict with existing action. Should the need arise, the MMA stands ready to take whatever action is necessary to protect the rights of Massachusetts Motorcyclists, including, but not limited to reviewing and supporting the action, intervening if needed and or taking independent action at the appropriate time.
We will provide periodic updates as further information becomes available. In the interim, for more information, see http://www.massmotorcycle.org.
BIKERNET WEEKLY ART EXHIBIT OPENS–Artist Larry Grossman’s amazingly detailed new print “HANGIN’ WITH THE PHARAOHS AT JENKIN’S” has it all …a rod, a kustom, a bitchin bike, and a bunch of babes, all at a classic Texaco station! This exciting picture will definitely take you back and blow you away!
Not only that, Larry also offers the option of creating customs picture whereby he’ll put your car(s) and/or bike(s) and you (or whoever) into any of his scenes …now how cool is that!
You can see and buy all of his work on his nifty Retrovisions website. Priced at only $30 for any of his high quality 19×25″ prints, how can you lose …in fact, for another five bucks he’ll even sign and date it for you in gold ink!
–Larry
BIKE NIGHT AT MCKOYS DOWNTOWN–MIKE PULLIN COMMENTARY Every Friday night there is a small group of us who get together and go to a local bike night at Mckoys downtown. It is a cool little place that has a biker atmosphere. There are bikers, 1%ers, and newbies, a little bit of everything. It seems that every week I hear talk of the custom bike industry dying or it is already dead. The day of the aftermarket bike is long gone along with the “LONG” bike. The days of going to your local dealer and buying a new bike are over. I for one do not buy into this and I don’t believe it.
When I had to close my shop, I was thinking this. It was a tough time for me, it is tough to see your dream die. While I was still reeling from my shop closing, I found myself going through a divorce again. Between these two events, needless to say my enthusiasm was way down. I work a job today that I really don’t like, but I have a job for now. My ex and I are now good friends, the way it should be, I guess? I see things a little different now.
It is the July 4th as I write this and I was off yesterday and I took my rigid evo jockey shift bike out for a ride and while I was riding, I was thinking, as screwed up as the economy and this country is right now, there is still no better place to live. While riding I thought about hearing all the time how bikes are dead. Yeah, the industry is down right now like all industries, but I think it will make a come back. Maybe not to the extent we saw when the wave hit. I remember when I worked at the dealership and we took orders for new bikes every labor day, when I locked the door on Saturdays, people were lined up with their sleeping bags and lawn chairs around the building waiting all weekend to get a shot Monday morning at putting a deposit on a new bike and wait a year to get it. Yeah those were great times for the industry.
No matter what there will always be bikers and guys building there own bikes and customizing their own bikes. Before the bike build offs came to tv along with Russell Mitchells Build or Bust, guys were building bikes, we just did not get the publicity these shows gave us. As far as the Bike Build Offs go, I for one wish they would come back, I believe this would inspire guys again and even if they did not have the money for a new project, it would give hope. THis lifestyle we live will never die and bike building will never die. BIkers will always build and find ways to customize their bikes, it is the nature of the beast!
That ride yesterday cleared my head, like it always does. You know a guy once told me “Whether he had a dime or not, he was happy and optimistic, no matter what!” My good friend Bandit was the one who told me that and I always try to remember that and I know I slip sometimes.we as bikers have always found a way to hang on to our bikes, for me my bikes are part of me, a part of my soul, maybe not the most important thing in life but a BIG part of my life.
While I was taking that ride I looked up into the clear Carolina blue skies and I thanked God for giving me the ability to ride a motorcycle all these years. I know my life would be empty without riding and being a part of the biker lifestyle. Riding a bike is one of the GREATEST gifts God as ever given me with the exception of my sons and my family and oh yeah my pit bull, JC!
Hey, I know it is tough on all of us right now but hold on, don’t give up! Tough times don’t last, tough people do!
–Stealthman
NEW K-BOBB FROM S&S, FIRST PRODUCT VINTAGE FEATURED ON BIKERNET–They just don?t make ?em like they used to ?Or do they? S&S Cycle Inc. introduces the K-Bobb, a complete vintage reproduction motorcycle under the Flathead Power brand. This fully functional bike is modeled after a customized 1946 FL bobber. This is as authentic a reproduction as can be made with current technology. We just can?t help but make some things better!
Check the full feature on the Bikernet Home Page, with tech info and riding impressions from Cycle Source Magazine.
BIKERNET MAP DEPARTMENT REPORTS IN, Texas– The Sheriff pulled up next to the guy unloading garbage out of his pick-up into the ditch. The Sheriff asked, ‘Why are you dumping garbage in the ditch? Don’t you see that sign right over your head’.
‘Yep’, he replied. ‘That’s why I’m dumpin? it here, cause it says ‘Fine For Dumping Garbage’.
Louisiana
A senior at LSU was overheard saying… ‘When the end of the world comes, I hope to be in Louisiana .’ When asked why, he replied he’d rather be in Louisiana because everything happens in Louisiana 20 years later than in the rest of the civilized world.
HISTORIC BUILDER SHOTS DISCOVERED–Here are a couple of shots from the ’70s, poor quality but the best I could do. The shot of Tree and his Pan are from Supercycle Nov 1979. This was a couple of years after the second Easyriders shoot.
The shot of me was at the all Harley Show, I think it was at the LA Sports Arena in either ’78 or ’82.
Also’ I’m now retired so after the riding season I could bring a bunch of old pics down and we could do a “back in the day in East LA’ thing, just a thought.
–Ross
THE POLITICAL CORRECTNESS DOCTRINE–There is an annual contest at Texas A&M University calling for the most appropriate definition of a contemporary term.This year’s term was: “Political Correctness.”
The winner wrote:
“Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.”
This guy has nailed it.
–from Donna Oneal
NEVER HEARD OF CLEVELAND MOTORCYCLES–Hey big guy, read your article on the Cleveland, never heard of it.
Good job “enlightening” me!
–pete(from florida)
Check the 1921 Cleveland story in Bandit’s Cantina. We try to bring you the rarest motorcycles on the planet, just to keep you guessing. Hang on for the Geer racer from the teens. I was knocked out. Just need to win the lottery and it will be mine–Wilburn Roach
BILLET BIKER BAR IN SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA– Scottsdale’s best kept secret, the Billet Bar, has a little something for everyone. If you thought we were just a biker bar you’re WRONG! We have 2 of the best stocked bars in town, live music, pool tables, big screen tvs, and great food!
Don’t miss our “smoking friendly” Paradise Patio, our huge cool air outdoor bar! We never charge a cover, and you can even get tattooed or pierced next door at EZ TATTOO .
AVON TYRES SUMMER SCHEDULE– Avon will be attending the Tucker Rocky dealer andrep sales meeting in TX this month. We will be at Sturgis at the J&P storewhere they will have a crew mounting Avon tires. Avon is also a sponsor ofthe Baker Drivetrain Burnout Drag event at Sturgis. Avon will be releasingits new Cobra sizes for the 2009 Harley bikes this fall.
–Sukoshi Fahey (Ms.)
Avon Tyres Customer Service
www.avonmotorcycle.com-Main web site
Continued On Page 2
