Hey,
It’s that time. The clock has run out. It’s time to pull out for the Badlands. We’re rolling on Saturday out to the Daytec plant smack in the center of the California desert, then to the Billet Bar in Phoenix, and then up to Sedona. This is the first year I’ve planned and built a bike, but couldn’t ride it. It ain’t complete. Still waiting on paint and the engine.
That’s cool. A brother Hamster flew out from Cape code and we’re riding Road Kings to Sturgis. We’ll be testing a new 2007 96-inch Road King with a 6-speed against my slightly modified 2003 King with highbars. Get this, the 2007 King has a radio and XM satellite radio connection for constant entertainment. One King is lowered and the other has a windshield. One has been to Sturgis, last year, the other is a virgin. One has the ultimate touring pegs, the other has crashbars. We’ll bring you the complete saga on Bikernet, the ride, the bikes, the comparison, the women and Sturgis. Sinwu bought me a new pocket Casio digital camera and I have a 500 shot budget.
Let’s hit the news, we need to pack:
EUROPEAN PHOTOGRAPHERS SHOOTING FOR BIKERNET IN STURGIS– I will email you some shots that nobody in the US has ever seen. There’s this yearly event in a little town in Holland called The Black Cross (“De Zwarte Cross” in Dutch), and I was there this weekend. It’s basically 50,000 people gathering for three days for music, lots of beer, amusement park rides, lots of live rock music, and the most crazy motorcross you can imagine.
The only rule is: wear a helmet. I truly believe Holland is the only place in the world where the authorities would allow something like this.
–Patrick
CCPHOTOART.biz & CCBIKEART.biz
A FRESH START WITH PRECISION– Precision Frameworks (PF) knows in order to win “Best In Show” you’ve got to start with the best frame. To continue to provide you with the best frames, Precision Frameworks has moved to a bigger location in St. Steger, Illinois, and expanded its services. The new services include; producing rolling chassis and complete motorcycle builds, American V-twin customizing and service.
Precision Frameworks will continue to build its award-winning frames as well as modify and repair any manufactured frame to your specifications. For more information, contact: Precision Frameworks, (708) 754-0101, www.precisionframeworksinc.com.
STURGIS CALL FOR CUSTOMS FOR THE METZELER 4TH ANNUAL BIKE SHOW NOW AT THUNDER ROAD–A bigger, wilder, hotter Metzeler 4th Annual Sturgis V-Twin Custom Bike Contest is scheduled for Tuesday, August 8, 2006, in that famous cycling city edging the Black Hills of South Dakota.
New for 2006, Metzeler’s Sturgis V-Twin Custom Bike Contest is now at Thunder Road on Route 34 – the main drag through Sturgis – located 3 miles east of downtown. This new location, in the heart of the custom cruising action, will make travel easier for entrants and spectators, giving more exposure for the builders showing their bikes.
The theme for the 2006 Metzeler 4th Annual Sturgis V-Twin Custom Bike Contest is “Roll Big at Thunder Road”, celebrating Metzeler’s leading role in the muscle-tire trend, now blown to new proportions with the radical, 21-inch, low-profile rear.
The V-Twin Custom Bike Contest will have multiple classes for both amateur and semi-pro builders, plus the popular People’s Choice Award, allowing every visitor at the show the chance to cast a vote that counts.
Judging will be by a list of qualified industry insiders from V-twin magazine editors, to artists, to custom-cruiser trend setters like pro-builder Eddie Trotta of Thunder Cycle Design. Trotta has already committed to being an honored guest at Metzeler’s 4th Annual Sturgis V-Twin Custom Bike Contest. There also promises to be a wide field of media attending the event, continuing the contest’s trend of high-profile print and television exposure. Once again the contest will be hosted by the nearly famous Metzeler girls, who will treat cruiser riders with special gifts from free random Prize Drawings.
Old Skool, New School, All(s)Kool. Also on show at Thunder Road is photographer Michael Lichter’s 6th annual exhibition of motorcycles in/as art. The machines on display for 2006 were built by 22 of the top custom bike builders from across America, each exploring the themes of “old skool, new school.” Don’t be a dropout, be there.
In addition to piles of cool trophies for the top placers in each class, the winner of the popular-vote Best in Show will be featured in 2007 Metzeler Tires advertising. Very cool.
For contest details, rules and registration, visit www.us.metzelermoto.com.
BLONDE COOKBOOK–
MONDAY:It’s fun to cook for Tom. Today I made angel foodcake. The recipe said beat 12 eggs separately. The neighbors were nice enough to loan me some extra bowls.
TUESDAY:Tom wanted fruit salad for supper. The recipe said serve without dressing. So I didn’t dress. What a surprise when Tom brought a friend home for supper.
WEDNESDAY:A good day for rice. The recipe said wash thoroughly before steaming the rice. It seemed kind of silly but I took a bath anyway. I can’t say it improved the rice any.
THURSDAY:Today Tom asked for salad again. I tried a new recipe. It said prepare ingredients, then toss on a bed of lettuce one hour before serving. Tom asked me why I was rolling around in the garden.
FRIDAY:I found an easy recipe for cookies. It said put the ingredients in bowl and beat it. There must have been something wrong with this Recipe. When I got back, everything was the same as when I left.
SATURDAY:Tom did the shopping today and brought home a chicken. He asked me to dress it for Sunday (oh boy) For some reason Tom keeps counting to ten.
SUNDAY:Tom’s folks came to dinner. I wanted to serve roast but all I had was hamburger Suddenly I had a flash of genius. I put the hamburger in the oven and set the controls for roast. It still came out hamburger, much to my disappointment.
GOOD NIGHT DEAR DIARY. This has been a very exciting week. I am eager for tomorrow to come so I can try out a new recipe on Tom. If I can talk Tom into buying a bigger oven, I would like to surprise him with Chocolate Moose.
–from Joe Lankau
NEW STRETCHED FUEL TANK FOR HARLEY-DAVIDSON SOFTAIL–MILWAUKEE (June 29, 2006) – The new Personal Accents Stretched Softail Fuel Tank Kit – Smokin’ (P/N 61668-06CDN, $1,1995.00) from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories has been stretched two inches and molded for a new contemporary look. This 5.0-gallon tank is styled to complement a Vivid Black or Fire Red Pearl Softail model and replace the original equipment tank. The Smokin’ paint scheme features Fire Red Pearl flames set against a Vivid Black background to match those original equipment front and rear fenders. The tank has a mirror smooth top surface that flows to a contoured pocket for the nose of the seat. The side profile maintains strong, straight top surface lines, while the bottom contour hugs the rear rocker box cover. The seat pocket features a protective wrap to guard the seat and paint from wear and abrasion.
$1,295.00) has the same sheet metal shape but is delivered factory primed for custom paint projects.
The Personal Accents Stretched Fuel Tank Kit fits 2006 FXST/I Softail Standard, FXSTB/I Softail Night Train and FXSTS/I Softail Springer models. Installation requires separate purchase of smooth Sidekick Seat (P/N 51814-06). Will not fit with Original Equipment or other accessory seats. See dealer for other 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 PROJECT BIKE FROM EYE CANDY–We just finished another bike and were wondering if you would be interested in featuringit. If so let me know and the guy we built it for would be happy to write someinformation up for you.
–Vince
Eye Candy Custom Cycles
As soon as we return from Sturgis.–Bandit
SMOKE OUT WEST SET TO HIT THE ROAD WITH A BANG– What is the one motorcycle event that hardcore chopper people have made a can’t-miss for the past seven years? Everyone knows it’s The Horse Smoke Out, held each June in Salisbury, North Carolina. The seventh version of that star-studded event recently concluded and it was bigger and better than ever. Chopper luminaries like Billy Lane, Kendall Johnson, Indian Larry Legacy, Hank Young and many more have made The Horse Smoke Out their destination for years.
The Horse Back Street Choppers Magazine has been hearing from their readers for a long time that there needed to be a Smoke Out type of event out west. That is set to happen this fall.
Cottonwood, Arizona, will be home to The Horse Smoke Out West, Sponsored by Bikernet.com, this October 6 & 7. Smoke Out West promises to be as much fun and just as intense as the original Horse Smoke Out. To assure that happens, the Supersuckers and Devil Doll have been signed as headline musical entertainment.
The Horse Smoke Out West hits the ground running with a top-talent Chopper Build Off, too. Four top builders are building their bikes right now. Those include Cole Foster of Salinas Boys Customs, Scott Webster of Leroy Thompson Choppers, Keino and Paul Cox of Indian Larry Legacy, and Scott Craig of Chopperville Custom Cycles. These guys all have killer bikes in the works and the winner will be chosen by spectator ballot.
In addition to the Chop-Off and the great rock & roll, there will also be a participants’ Old School Chopper Show. The one in Salisbury had over 200 entrants. Look for the same participation in Cottonwood. Major vendors and bike shops have already signed up to exhibit and sell their wares.
Plan your fall vacation now around The Horse Smoke Out West. Hotel rooms and camping are available. Get all the details on Smoke Out West at www.horsebackstreetchoppers.com. See ya there!
ACCURATE ENGINEERING SPECIAL SALE!!!–Accurate Engineering is now offering select dealers an additional,$200 off their 93-INCH Signature Series Panhead!These Engines come complete, pre-run and ready to go!Engine includes Carb, Ignition System, Spark Plugs, Wires,Coil, Charging System and Regulator/Rectifier!
Get your engine, along with all the other extras that make us famous Today!
Call Terri today @ 334-702-1993 to place your order,and be sure to mention this email to receive your discount!
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE COMPANY ANNOUNCES A NEW HOME– Kings Mountain, NC (July 20, 2006) – Indian Motorcycle Company is pleased to announce that it will be revving up its engine in a new home. After carefully reviewing location options throughout the United States, Indian has selected a factory in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, where it will place its world headquarters. The site, located in Cleveland County, 37 miles west of downtown Charlotte, includes 11 acres of property and a 40,000 square foot manufacturing facility which is expandable to 125,000 square feet.
“We believe Cleveland County and the greater Charlotte area are a perfect fit for Indian Motorcycle Company and we’re proud to call this area home,” said Indian Chairman, Stephen Julius. “We are in the heart of our nation’s powersports industry, with access to design, engineering and mechanical talent, world-class suppliers, motorsport education centers and year-round motorcycle riding weather. In addition, this area provides us with economic advantages, including a low overall cost of doing business, which was aided by a strong incentive package provided by Cleveland County and by the State of North Carolina.”
The announcement of the factory site marks the official re-launch of Indian Motorcycle Company, America’s oldest and most iconic motorcycle brand, founded in 1901. In preparation for Indian’s re-launch, management has spent considerable time over the last two years researching the American motorcycle market and learning from the successes and failures of other market entrants. In particular, Indian has studied the tremendous growth of Harley-Davidson from near-bankruptcy in the early 1980’s to a multi-billion dollar success story today. However, Indian is intent on slowly carving out its own niche in the large and growing heavyweight cruiser motorcycle market.
There is a considerable consumer base for a premium line of motorcycles under the Indian Motorcycle brand, which has an almost cult-like status amongst many consumers. The company will focus on supplying genuine, American made, motorcycles which are beautifully designed, made of the highest quality materials, reliable and supported by a qualified dealer network.
Over the next 12 months, Indian will focus on design, engineering and testing activities, with the objective of introducing the famed Indian? Chief motorcycle in the second half of 2007. To head up its product development team, Indian has hired Geoffrey Burgess, a world-renowned motorcycle engineer and product development expert. Geoff was most recently the Chief Technology Officer at Global Motorsports Group (“GMG”), owner of Custom Chrome, a provider of parts and accessories to the American V-twin motorcycle market. Prior to GMG, Geoff was head of product development at S&S Cycle, Inc., a leading V-twin engine manufacturing company, where he drove product innovation and process improvement to new levels.
Prior to joining S&S, Geoff was the first employee and Chief Engineer at the Victory Motorcycle division of Polaris Industries, Inc., in Roseau, Minnesota. Geoff has also served in various senior engineering capacities at General Motors, Bombardier Recreational Products (Valcourt, Quebec), BSA-Triumph Motorcycles and Norton-Villiers Motorcycle Group. “Having Geoff on our team is a big win for Indian®,” commented Indian President, David Wright. “His breadth and depth of knowledge of the American motorcycle market is impressive and his technical capabilities unsurpassed. He has outstanding powertrain and chassis design and development experience which we will put to good use. He is the perfect person for this role.”
Indian is presently seeking to expand its team of engine and chassis engineers, technicians and CAD designers. “Our team will focus on design, quality, craftsmanship and service,” commented Mr. Wright. “Indian remains among the most powerful brands in the U.S. motorcycle market, and our team is committed to re-building the extraordinary legend of Indian?.” In the first half of 2007, Indian? will begin the process of developing a small but highly qualified network of motorcycle dealers who understand and appreciate the heritage of Indian? and recognize the growth potential of this opportunity.
The controlling shareholder of Indian Motorcycle Company is London based Stellican Limited which has an impressive track record of resurrecting classic brands, including, most recently, the successful re-launch of Chris-Craft? boats, which was founded in 1874 and is among the oldest boat brands in the United States. “We will apply the same practical and long-term approach to Indian as we have employed successfully at Chris-Craft”, commented Stephen Julius, Chairman of both Indian Motorcycle and Chris-Craft. “We are confident we will repeat our success with Indian? by remaining true to the rich heritage of this incredible brand and doing things slowly and thoroughly. We are certain that there is an important role for Indian? in the future of the American motorcycle market” added Mr. Julius.
TWISTED CHOPPER ENERGY DRINKS AND QUICK THROTTLE MAGAZINE PRESENT TWISTED THROTTLE THURSDAYS– Centralia, WA -July 20, 2006– Twisted Chopper Energy Drinks and Quick Throttle Magazine in conjunction with The Junction Sports Bar & Grill announced the latest edition of “TWISTED THROTTLE THURSDAYS” the wildly successful Thursday afternoon motorcycle ride in,BBQ,& bike night to take place at The Junction Bar & Grill in Grand Mound on Thursday July 27.
“These Thursdays act in tandem with the already established bike nights and also on the eve of major motorcycle rallies”, such as the Sun and Surf Run at Ocean Shores that same weekend as well as give locals a little something extra during the height of the motorcyclist season, “We have scheduled them around the northwest on a regional basis and will be doing a total of 6-8 shows, they simply have just roared” stated Quick Throttle Magazine’s Publisher Mike Dalgaard .
The Twisted Throttle Thursday’s feature a wide array of perks for the motorcycle enthusiast including BBQ’s, Bands and of course Bikes? lots of bikes. Rain or Shine? The Junction’s edition will feature numerous Vendors and product samples like that of WIRED Energy Drinks The multi flavored parent Brand of Twisted Chopper Energy Drinks along with The Official Twisted Chopper Girls, a rare appearance from Full Throttle Dyno’s “dyno trailer”, the ABATE organization will be there answering and discussing motorcycle issues, events and all things motorcycle.
Thursday July 27, 2006 5:00pm
The Junction Sports Bar & Grill
21000 Hwy 99 – Grand Mound WA
Half Mile South Off Exit 88
360-273-7586
Continued On Page 2
