It’s television mania for motorcycles. Every night it’s bike week. Last night Arlen Ness, the godfather of custom motorcycles, Eddie Trotta from Ft. Lauderdale and Russ Mitchel from Exile in Sun Valley, California. I lived in Sun Valley once. It’s a grizzly, hot, smog strewn suburb of Los Angeles. No wonder there’s no color to his bikes.
I’ve got to hand it to these builders. They’re talented, hard-working guys and it’s about time the general public got a taste of their abilities. Ten years ago, bikers weren’t allowed on television unless indicted.
I’ll be under the lights for Monster Garage next week thanks to Jesse. Interesting, challenging and I’ll tell you more after the news:
CALIFORNIA SUPERBIKE SCHOOLDOES BRAZIL!–Keith Code’s California Superbike School ran in Brazil the week of June14. Code hopes to open up the twelfth country for his schools.
Running at the Nelson Piquet circuit just weeks before the Moto GP tobe held there in Rio De Janiero, the school hopes to get a feel for theBrazilian riders and their needs.
Code says.”We’ve always gone into countries that have read the “A Twistof the Wrist” books but we don’t have it in Portugese yet. It is oneof the 7 translations we are currently working on. In the meantime,we are checking out Brazil to have a look at the situation there and seeif we can add a new continent to our schedule.”
The California Superbike School currently runs all across America, England,Ireland, Spain, Norway, Sweden, Greece, South Africa, The Phillipines,Australia and Malaysia on franchise agreements using the school’s ridertraining technology and format.
Keith Code has instructed champions and more than 125,000 motorcyclistsof all skill levels in “the soft science” of motorcycle riding and histextbooks and videos are widely utilized resources for motorcyclistsworldwide. The school’s website is: www.superbikeschool.com
SCREAMIN? EAGLE TEAM MAKES HISTORY AT ENGLISHTOWN–Hines Rides V-Rod to New Pro Stock Bike ET Record in March through Finals.
ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (June 20, 2004) – The Screamin? Eagle/Vance & Hines drag racing team set a new national Pro Stock Bike ET record as rider Andrew Hines roared through eliminations to win the class at the 35th Annual K&N Filters Supernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway. The win was the third of the season and second in a row for Hines, who now has a 185-point lead in the Pro Stock Bike class after six events in the 2004 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.
After a day of leading the class aboard his Screamin? Eagle V-Rod, Hines had posted the three quickest times in the Pro Stock Bike record book, saving his best run for the final round, a 7.016-second blast at 192.28 mph. Hines defeated Craig Treble (7.138/186.59) to take the win.
?To run a bunch of 7.0?s all day, let alone set a national record, is just awesome,? Hines said. “That last run was perfect.?During qualifying, Hines led the way with a 7.078/189.60 pass, while his Screamin? Eagle teammate, GT Tonglet, slotted into second at 7.161/188.15.
In the first round of eliminations Tonglet (7.113/189.31) easily handled Kurt Matte (7.445/148.62). Hines faced Karen Stoffer (7.219/184.67) in his first-round race and laid down his first record, a 7.020/192.08 that eclipsed the 7.049 ET mark established by Angelle Savoie at Englishtown on May 15, 2002.
Hines (7.070/191.76) marched through the second round, defeating Fred Collis (7.120/184.72). Tonglet (7.131/187.60) had a great run but lost with a red-light start that gave the win to Shawn Gann (7.193/186.05).
In round three, Hines (7.028/191.92) posted the second-quickest Pro Stock Bike run on record and defeated Steve Johnson (7.179/184.27) for the second week in a row to advance to the final round for the fourth time this season and the fifth time in his career.
Hines faced Craig Treble in the final before a grandstand packed with enthusiastic Harley-Davidson fans. Treble got off the line first with a 0.013 reaction time to 0.028 for Hines, but the Screamin? Eagle V-Rod made up that difference in 150 feet and roared off to the win and a new national ET record. At the end of the weekend, Hines was top qualifier, set quickest ET and fastest top speed (192.28 mph) for the event, had the best reaction time (0.004 seconds), won the final round and set a new national record.
?This was quite a record-setting weekend for the Screamin? Eagle/Vance & Hines team, but our success so far this season is really the result of three years of development and hard work by Byron Hines and the crew,? said Screamin? Eagle Racing Manager Anne Paluso. ?They never gave up when we weren?t running up front.?
?It?s hard to believe how far we?ve come since the 2002 GatorNationals, when we didn?t even qualify,? said team owner Byron Hines. ?It?s taken a tremendous amount of work and I take great pride in what this team has accomplished.?
After six rounds of NHRA Pro Stock Bike competition, Hines leads the class with 604 points, 185 points ahead of Gann, in second with 419 points. Tonglet is third with 393 points.
The next Pro Stock Bike event on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series is the 8th Annual Sears Craftsman NHRA Nationals, June 25-27, at Gateway International Raceway in Madison, Ill., just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis.
Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts are inspired by and built in the spirit of the raw adrenaline and power of motorcycle racing. Screamin’ Eagle Pro parts are specifically designed for race-use applications, while Screamin’ Eagle parts offer street-use performance options for the Harley-Davidson motorcycle owner. Visit www.harley-davidson.com for more information.
ATLAS PRECISION HAS A BRAND NEW WEBSITE!–Digital’s been bangin’ on a new site for Atlas for some time. It just launched today. An all new improved site with online frame configuration and ordering like no other site on the net. Get it the way YOU want it, ONLINE. We’ve got the whole new 2004 Catalog posted. Check it out at http://www.atlasprecision.com
NEW BDL BELT DRIVE TECH COMING–We had some visitors last week, Helen Wolf and Mailman. At the same time I was installing the new EVO-3000 BDL Belt Drive system with outbound bearing support.
Mailman is an avid drag racing Sportster competitor. He worked with me on the installation. It should hit the site today, if I’m lucky.
THE BIKERNET NAVY–The Navy found they had too many personnel and decided to offer an early retirement bonus. They promised any officer who volunteered for retirement a bonusof $1,000 for every inch measured in a straight line between any two points on his body. The officer would get to choose what those two points would be.
The first officer who accepted asked that he be measured from the top of his head to the tip of his toes. He measured six feet and walked out with $72,000.
The second officer was a little smarter and asked to be measured from the tip of his outstretched hand to his toes. He walked away with $96,000.
Next came a grizzled old chief who, when asked how he would like to be measured replied, “from the tip of my penis to my testicles.” It was suggested by the pension board that he might want to reconsider, explaining about the nice big checks the previous two officers had received. But the old chief insisted and they decided to go along with him, provided that the measurement was taken by a medical officer.
The medical officer arrived and said “drop ’em” which the chief did. The medic put a tape to the end of the chief’s penis and began to work back.
“‘My God’ he exclaimed “where are your testicles’!
The old chief replied. “In Vietnam/”
–from Rogue
BEMISDERFER TAKES F-USA THUNDERBIKE POINTS LEAD AT LOUDON–Estok and Bilansky Falter as Bemisderfer Rides Buell to Second-Place Finish.
LOUDON, N.H. (June 20, 2004) – Harding Harley-Davidson rider Bryan Bemisderfer took over the season points lead in the Formula USA National Thunderbike championship, placing second aboard a Buell Firebolt while his main rivals failed to score points at the 81st running of the annual Loudon Classic at New Hampshire International Speedway.
Racing on his home track, Jeff Wood rode a Ducati 900SS to victory in the 12-lap Thunderbike event. Wood was also top qualifier. Rick Doucette placed third on a Suzuki, followed by Jerry Wood on a Ducati and Hoban Brothers Racing-Appleton Buell rider Jeff Johnson on a Buell Firebolt.
Harding Harley-Davidson rider and defending Thunderbike national champion Dave Estok had a forgettable weekend, qualifying in 9th position and then retiring with a mechanical problem to score a DNF for the race, his second consecutive race weekend without points.
Hal?s Buell rider Dan Bilansky also had a tough weekend at Loudon, placing 18th on a Buell Firebolt after a crash during qualifying left him starting in 20th position.
Bemisderfer?s steady ride left him with 60 points and a commanding 19-point lead after four of eight events in the Thunderbike National series. Estok, who led the series by a single point coming into Loudon, is now in second place with 41 points. Bilansky and Kosco Buell rider Joe Rozynski, who was 14th at Loudon, are tied for third position with 36 points. The next stop on the Formula USA National Thunderbike Series is June 25-27 at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Va.
The Formula USA National Thunderbike series is a horsepower-to-weight ratio restricted class, open to a variety of production-based motorcycles. Buell-mounted riders competing in the eight-event 2004 Thunderbike series are racing for a share of the $70,500 contingency fund posted by Buell Motorcycle Company and Buell Riders Adventure Group (BRAG).
FULL-BORE DESIGNS– is the name of a new frame-making facility based in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.It is the latest project of Weld Racing’s former Plant Manager and Vice President Russ Bailey.
Russ identified a need for innovative, quality products in the bike market and founded Full-Bore Designs with himself as CEO.He has a wealth of experience from many years of frame building, with projects ranging from Top Fuel racers to sand toys.
Russ tells us he is currently engaged on work for a number of top custom builders but the designs must remain secret for the time being.
At present, Full-Bore is quoting four weeks delivery on its orders.This is already better than many of its competitors but the company hopes to improve on that figure by Fall this year.Frames are offered in chopper, cruiser or pro-street styles in a variety of sizes and are supplied complete with matching swingarm and oil bag.
–FULL-BORE DESIGNS
Lee’s Summit, Missouri, USA
Technical information – Tel: 816 537 7448
Sales and Marketing – Tel: 816 721 6058
E-mail: mailto:rraus@weldracing.com
–from AMD
POLARIS BREAKS GROUND ON NEW R&D FACILITY–New Wyoming, Minn. location to serve as hub for company’s engineering, research.
MINNEAPOLIS, June 17, 2004 – Polaris CEO and president Tom Tiller broke ground today at the site of the company’s future research and development center near Wyoming, Minn. Construction on the 100,000-square-foot facility, which is slated to begin later this month, is expected to be complete in Fall 2005.
Upon completion of the Wyoming facility, Polaris will operate in six major locations in the Midwest, including:
Medina, Minn. – Corporate headquarters
Wyoming, Minn. – Research, development and engineering facility housing laboratories and indoor and outdoor areas for ATV, personal watercraft and Victory motorcycle testing
Roseau, Minn. – Production and engineering facility developing snowmobiles, ATVs and RANGER utility vehicles
Spirit Lake, Iowa – Production facility developing personal watercraft, ATVs and assembly of Victory motorcycles
Osceola, Wis. – Production facility developing engines and components for ATVs, RANGER utility vehicles, snowmobiles, personal watercraft and Victory motorcycles
Vermillion, S.D. – Distribution facility for parts, garments and accessories
“This is a very important day for Polaris,” said Tiller. “This new facility represents Polaris’ strong commitment to continuous improvement in the products we manufacture. Our research and engineering capabilities will be second-to-none as we continue to build our reputation as a manufacturer of innovative, high-quality recreational and utility vehicles. This facility also creates an opportunity for Polaris to bring good jobs and economic growth to the state of Minnesota.”
LOS ANGELES CALENDAR MOTORCYCLE SHOW–Saturday July 17th 2004 12 noon – 11pmThe Queen Mary Event Park, Long Beach, CA.
Huge Saturday Blues Festival featured at theLos Angeles Calendar Motorcycle Show.This year’s Los Angeles Calendar Motorcycle Show 2-day weekend event July-17-18th is a day long Mini Blues Festival on Saturday the 17th, 12 noon to 8pm in the Queen Mary Event Park. Featured acts include the Southland’s popular 2000lbs of Blues with special guests Lynwood Slim on hermonica and beautiful vocalist Taryn Donath. Other acts scheduled to appear throughout the afternoon and into the evening to fit the beautiful pinup calendar girl theme of the Show are Francesa & the Flames, Jill Sharpe, Mama’s Boys with Lisa Cee, and Jessie Payo from Jessie and the Raindogs.
BIKERNET CONTEST WINNERS–As Gar so politely pointed out, I am behind on picking new winners. My apologies, I could say it won?t happen again but that would be a lie. We get some really great comments and some weeks, being the fickle female that I am, I can?t decide so I don?t pick any. Then comes along a great suggestion or comment that moves me and I have no trouble picking a winner. Here are your winners for the week that peaked my interest.
PATRICK JORDAN FROM PITTSTON, PA
Suggestion:QUOTE OF THE DAY : FRIENDSHIP IS LIKE PISSING YOUR PANTS, EVERYONE CAN SEE IT BUT ONLY YOU CAN FEEL ITS TRUE WARMTH, THANK YOU FOR BEING THE PISS IN MY PANTS. PS KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK & KEEP THE FAITH.
Wanted: I WISH I CAN COME INTO SOME CASH AND HAVE INDIAN LARRY BUILD ME AN OLD SCHOOL TRIUMPH CHOPPER.
The best I can do here is send Patrick an Indian Larry T-Shirt and possibly a signed pic of one Larry?s bikes. Patrick, shoot me an email back confirming your shirt size and address. sinwu@bikernet.com
GAR FREYMANN FROM MANCHESTER, WA.
Suggestion: IF YA SAY “WEEKLY” PRIZES …. GET THE PICTURE ? ROGER HAS BEEN HERE FOR 2 WEEKS NOW AND I KNOW HE?S PROUD OF THAT BELT DRIVE BUT LET SOMEONE ELSE HAVE A CHANCE!
Wanted: BECAUSE I LOST MY RIGHT FOOT TO DIABETESE LAST YEAR FROM “AGENT ORANGE” IN NAM I HAD TO GET A HACK! I COULD USE A BANDIT BAG TO STORE ALL THE SHIT I HAVE SLOPPIN AROUND IN THE THING. JUST FINISHED ORWELL GREAT BOOK! KEEP IT IN THE WIND!
Fair enough, Gar. You caught me so you tell me if you?d prefer a Day Roll, or a Bed Roll. Thanks for keeping me in line.
And For The Cantina Winner–
Nick Pinell From Woodland Park, Colorado USA
Wanted: A set of cool ape hangers for my way too stock 01 softtail
14 inch Custom Chrome Ape Hangers it is. Confirm back with your address. sinwu@bikernet.com
Sin
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