Another Cutie from RFR–
A Day Late And A Dollar Short– I had major floor stripping going on yesterday, so I had to leave my office cause of the smell. Probably not too many of you checking anyway cause you?re all in Daytona with Bandit. Lucky people? Progress on the Sturgis Chop is exciting and the overall look of the bike is really taking shape. Keep an eye out for more updates. The building is coming along; so much work and so little time and money. We keep plugging along so hang in there with us, it?s got to get better soon.
Here?s the news?
Hey Guys, — Here’s a great old shot of a friend’s Father astride his pride and joy. Any idea what it is????
This other shot is a friend of mine Paul, he bought the old shovel back in 1978 and rides it every day.
Regards Glenn ? Aussie Connection
BILANSKY PUTS BUELL ON F-USA THUNDERBIKE PODIUM AT DAYTONA–Five Buells in Top Ten with Hal?s Rider Finishing Third DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 6, 2005) ? Hal?s Performance Advantage rider Dan Bilansky opened the 2005 Formula-USA Thunderbike season with a third-place finish aboard a Buell Firebolt. Bilansky was one of five Buell riders to place in the top ten of the 10-lap race at Daytona International Speedway.
The race was won by Prieto Racing rider Michael Barnes on a Suzuki. Barnes was also the top qualifier for the race. David Yaakov was second, also on a Suzuki.
Hal?s Performance Advantage riders Sam Rozynski and Joe Rozynski finished fourth and fifth on Buell Firebolts, followed by Richie Morris Racing/Daytona Harley-Davidson rider Clint Brotz, also on a Buell Firebolt. Darren Danilowicz finished seventh and Robert Fisher placed eighth, both on Suzukis. Nate Kern placed ninth on a BMW, and Jim?s Harley-Davidson/Buell of St. Petersburg, Fla. rider Tim Hall was tenth on a Buell Firebolt.
Evo-Twin Racing/Harding Harley-Davidson riders David Estok, who won the 2004 Daytona Thunderbike race, and Bryan Bemisderfer, the defending F-USA Thunderbike champion, both had a disappointing race after qualifying Buell Firebolts second and third behind Barnes. Estok was running in second position with four laps to go when his clutch failed, perhaps a result of making three race starts, as red flags for accidents stopped the race twice on the first lap. Bemisderfer was slowed by a mechanical problem early in the race and was making laps for points when he was forced to retire on lap eight. Bartels? Harley-Davidson/Newcastle Harley-Davidson rider Shawn Higbee qualified fifth on his Buell Firebolt, but crashed on the first lap of the final.
The next event on the eight-race Formula-USA Thunderbike schedule is April 23-25 at Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wis.
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 2005 Thunderbike series race for a share of the $70,500 contingency fund posted by Buell Motorcycle Company.
To learn more about Buell motorcycles, visit your local Buell dealer today and experience the pure streetfighter attitude, style and performance only found on board a Buell. For the Buell dealer nearest you, pull into http://www.buell.com.
Come Get a Knock Out?Not a Cut Out–Custom bikes are hot! You see them everywhere in Arizona, whether you are cruising in Scottsdale on the weekend or out for a day trip to Sedona. Look closely at these bikes?they have beautiful paint jobs, stretched frames, and plenty of chrome, yet they are still made from a cookie-cutter form assembly line.
That?s not the case at Rockem & Sockem Motrocycle Co, located at 3164 S. Country Club Drive in Mesa. Each bike built is individually crafted and designed to meet the needs and wants of the buyer. The owners, Ralph and Kelby Randolph, began building bikes for friends and family out of an old warehouse in Gilbert three years ago. Their passion for speed and high performance coupled with the desire to provide individualized service has turbo charged the business. They reorganized their company and focused on providing their clients with an overall ?custom? experience. The new and expanded showroom in Mesa does just that!
Service is the backbone of the experience at Rockem & Sockem. With the value of quality in mind, the company brought in a leading valley builder, Kenny Lucas, to head up the service department. Kenny has been PhD certified by Harley Davidson since 1991 and was the chief technician at Biker?s Dream for seven years. Kenny shares in the company?s belief that EVERY rider should have a custom bike. The experienced service department will assist with your regularly scheduled maintenance or help you increase your performance. The staff can work on all types of bikes from Shovelheads and Panheads to the newest models by Harley Davidson. They provide quality service that you can trust!
After you have spoken with Ralph or Kenny and decided on your frame, style, paint, and accessories, feel free to continue to stop by the shop and check on the progress of your custom bike. View your bike in every stage of production from the mock-up to the final test drive. They build the bike you want, so there is no need to worry about changing your mind half way through on which pegs you want. Just come in, make your request and they?ll install the parts that you want.
While you are browsing around the showroom, don?t forget to look at Rockem & Sockem?s new clothing line. Lisa Barker is the friendly face behind the parts counter, who also handles the shop?s apparel. Feel free to ask her any questions about what?s available and what new styles are coming soon. You can complete your ?custom? experience by sporting one of Rockem & Sockem Motorcycle Co.?s private label leather shirts, vests, and jackets. Made exclusively for the shop, this top quality riding apparel will also knock out the competition! Don?t wait?stop by the showroom today or visit us online at http://www.rockemandsockem.com.
PROPER SPEECH–A girl from the South and a girl from Boston were seated side by side on an airplane. The girl from the South, being friendly and all, said: ?So, where y?all from??
The Boston girl said, ?From a place where they know better than to use a preposition at the end of a sentence.?
The girl from the South sat quietly for a few moments and then replied with a sweet smile and her fabulous sticky-sweet drawl:
?So, where y?all from, bitch??
RevCarl
Weather can’t toss slaw wrestling tradition —
By MARK HARPER
Staff Writer
SAMSULA — Cold and rain — and not an Amazonian opponent — caused one coleslaw wrestler to collapse Wednesday, bringing an anticlimactic close to one of the least successful chapters in the annual celebration of beer and bare flesh.
The wrestler, believed to have suffered from hypothermia, checked out OK after getting warmed up in the back of a pickup, organizers said.
The crowd was down about 70 percent from most years, said Ron Luznar, owner of Sopotnick’s Cabbage Patch Tavern, the event’s host. He estimated the subdued turnout would cost him $50,000 or more. He’ll try to recover by hosting an extra round of slaw wrestling scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, when the weather is expected to improve.
Those who braved temperatures that dropped below 50 degrees Wednesday waited as long as four hours to witness 10 women taking turns grappling in a pit of cabbage and cooking oil.
Was it really worth it?
“Absolutely!” exclaimed John Brooks of Herrin, Ill. “These are the best people in the world.”
Brooks wasn’t drinking. But the guy next to him, Angelo Padilla of DeLand, copped to three bloody marys and three beers that were helping him cope with the cold. They cheered on Jenna Zimorowicz, a 19-year-old rugby player from North Carolina State University in Raleigh. A veteran of Jell-O wrestling, Zimorowicz stripped down to a green, two-piece bikini for her matches, but ultimately lost to a fellow Spring Breaker. The man with the best view was referee “$2 Jim” Steen of Deltona. He got dirty counting ’em out and occasionally getting pushed into the mess. It left his T-shirt soaked and reeking of cabbage. Wet and freezing cold, the tint of his face was changing from red to violet when the matches were finally called after 4 p.m. Beforehand, he was more talkative.
“$2 Jim” — who got his nickname because he always leaves a $2 tip, regardless of the number of beers he drinks — always plans on pitching his outfit after the matches.
“What I wear out there, it stinks too bad you can’t wear it no more,” he said. “It’s a done deal.”
As he was shaking, Theresa McKnight, 23, of Evansville, Ind., was being called to the ring for her third match. She wore a neon green one-piece fishnet swimsuit. Her teeth chattered. Then she fell to the ground. She was one of six wrestlers who had remained in the running for a $500 first prize. When the winner couldn’t be determined, McKnight and the others each got $100. Inside Sopotnick’s, biker Ed Daley said the weather resembled that in his hometown, Pittsburgh, but he said it “got rid of the yuppies,” which in his view was a good thing.
Rogue
STEALTH REPORT–Not a lot going on this week. I have been busy cutting through red tape and the political process but it will all be worth it in the end. The “Meanest” and I are heading to the beach this weekend along with our pit bull puppy J.C.So with not a lot going on I am going to use this week?s space for my rants and comments. So here goes!
Just a few things to mention, I am sure most of you have been watching the new Speed channels new series Build or Bust with Russell MItchell. I really get into this show. Congratulations to last night?s winner Joe! Speaking of shows, how about this weeks biker build off, real different. Congratulations to Billy Lane!
Have any of you have ever noticed how people want to be patted on the back for doing what is expected or what you are supposed to do? I saw this a lot at my old job. I was supposed to pat people on the back or ass or somewhere for things like being on time, for taking only an hour for lunch and not 2 hours and I could name about 10 more but I won’t. I just don’t get it???? I guess I am just old school!
One thing I notice about bikes is that they seem to be getting more basic and going back to the roots of choppers and bobbers and that is a good thing. If you really want to see some over done ugly bikes visit any dealership. Bad paint jobs and every piece of chrome do-dads you can imagine.Most of them look as though they have terminal disease that is spreading. Thank God for magazines like “THE HORSE” and the new “STREET CHOPPER!”
Spring is close by and the bikes are starting to come out more regularly. That always makes me feel good. So with that being said, be careful because the cagers might not expect you out on the roads this early! Just a thought! There has already been one fatality here this year, last weekend a kid pulled a 100 mph wheelie and lost control on a rice rocket. My feelings go out to his family.
Well I guess that is about it, I have to go cut through some more red tape!
Until next week!
STEALTHMAM
SHOVEL INSPIRATION–Bandit, Wrote last I bought a 2005 FLHT, nice bike, you turn the key and go.Reading about all your fun with the shovelhead made me check out some bike project options of my own. I came up with a wrecked 2002 FXDX 7500 miles for $5000. The bike was ridden off the road and was laid down in the dirt. The electronics, engine, drivetrain and frame are all good. The sheet metal took a dump. Hell, it even came with a black Thunderheader exhaust (not damaged), installed! The motor runs, tranny shifts and the electronics work.
Plans are to “ebay” it back together. Won’t be a chopper, but it is a bike project.
See attached for photo of what is good. Shows you can get on the road if you are willing to spend some time in the garage.
All the best
Anson
REPORT FROM THE DEVIL–We didn’t even get this beauty in the door before we ripped here clothes off. It is good to have one of the new S&S shovels going in a bike! Can?t wait to check it out. Also, check out the new seat Joe is pounding out for the Blue Devil
Hope all is well for ya’ll. Take care, The Devil
MORE SHOVEL MANIA–Bandit,I sent you a photo of my Shovel project back in the summer and you used it in the Sunday news. I thought I would send a photo of the rebuilt motor. The legendary drag racer Pete Hill rebuilt it and now it is time for me to get busy.
Mike
Chapin, SC
BRAVE MAN– A man appeared before St. Peter at the pearly gates.
“Have you ever done anything of particular merit?” St. Peter asked.
“Well, I can think of one thing,” the man offered.
“Once, on a trip to the Black Hills out in South Dakota, I came upon agang of ruthless bikers, who were threatening a young woman. I directedthem to leave her alone, but they wouldn’t listen.So, I approached the largest and most heavily tattooed biker andsmackedhim on the head, kicked his bike over, ripped out his nose ring and threwit on the ground.” I yelled, “Now, back off biker boy or you’ll answerto me!”
St. Peter was impressed. “When did this happen?”
“Just a couple minutes ago…
Skooter
S&S OLD SCHOOL SHOVEL TOUR–DAYTONA BEACH, FL (March 10, 2005) S&S Cycle, along with American Iron Magazine, debuted the Old School Shovel Tour at the Broken Spoke Saloon in Daytona. The typically unpredictable Daytona weather did not stop the crowds from gathering as fans waited in long lines to meet the famed builders and see the unveiling of the showcased custom bikes.
Coming off a successful and popular 2004 tour, which centered around the S&S 124″ VFI engine, S&S embarked on a different path this year to highlight their new 93″ alternator/generator shovel engine. The Old School Shovel Tour is designed to bring back the old school look by involving some of most capable and creative builders in the industry. This year’s line up has produced a wide variety of bikes from the shops of Kevin Alsop, Big Bear Choppers; Big Mike, BMC Choppers; Chica, Chica Custom Cycles; Jesse Rooke, Rooke Customs; and Paul Cox and Keino of Indian Larry Legacy.
In addition to the builders mentioned, co-sponsor American Iron Magazine selected Tribal Motorworks to produce a special giveaway bike. This bike will be awarded to one very lucky winner during a drawing held on Christmas Eve at the American Iron Magazine offices in Stamford , CT. The winner will be notified by phone and/or email by officials from the magazine.
“This event is packed with too much detail to explain, you really have to be here to experience the energy and excitement from the crowds as they view these custom bikes for the first time,” said S&S Communications Manager, James Simonelli . “We have a great variety of builders who did a great job building their bike around the S&S shovel engine. We invited a unique combination of volume manufacturers and small custom builders; it is very interesting to see how each one interprets the old school theme. Regardless, each bike is way cool in its own way. The raffle bike really ties things together and we are honored to be working with these builders and American Iron Magazine to pull off this tour,” continued Simonelli.
S&S President, Brett Smith added, “Every year we create a special campaign to showcase a specific product, something that will really capture the interest and excitement of the V-Twin community. In 2003 we introduced the 145″ Tribute engine; in 2004 we created the 124″ VFI Shootout, which has developed into a new AHDRA racing class called the S&S 124″ Challenge Class. This year we wanted to give a V-Twin classic a fresh overhaul with improved technology and performance. Going with the old school theme has been overwhelmingly positive.”
The S&S Old School Shovel Tour will continue through the summer making stops at the Laughlin River Run, Myrtle Beach Bike Rally, Laconia Bike Week, the J&P Cycles open house, and finally concluding at the Broken Spoke Saloon in Sturgis. The bikes will be on display for each of these events along the tour and the builders will also be available to talk with fans and sign autographs.
Look for feature articles and photos in American Iron Magazine as they highlight the builders and their bikes. More information can be found online from S&S Cycle at www.sscycle.com and American Iron Magazine at www.americanironmagazine.com . Shovels rule!
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