Hey, It’s interesting, the times and motorcycle styles are indicators of the desires of society. Think about it. The custom culture told us a year or two ago, that society was sick to the over-the-top opulence. We started getting bobberesque and down and dirty in preparation for a downed economy.
It goes to show that no matter what our funky society is up to, we know how to adjust and have just as much fun. The build budget may diminish, but we can still ride fast and chase girls around the block. Hell, we may have more time for the fun stuff, ’cause we don’t have as much material crap to deal with. Let’s hit the news:
RIDLEY VINTAGE–More Fun Than The Law Should Allow!– Is it new or restored? That’s the question everyone wants to know as you cruise the town on the brand new Ridley Vintage Motorbike. The quality is incredible. The fit and finish will amaze you. But all the attention might get to you.
WARNING : If you don’t like talking to people and answering questions for hours on end- Don’t buy one of these motorbikes!
The hit new product from Ridley Motorcycle known as the Vintage Motorbike is now available at retailers around the country and even in a few back alley shops internationally.
The Twin model has the look and feel of the vintage boardtrack racers of the twenties and thirties but at a price you can afford to have a lot of fun riding. Its’ british racing metallic green paint with black and orange racing stripes set off this Vintage Motorbike model. Ridley offers two engine options; the Model 49 (70cc- 2 stroke) or the Model 48 (48cc- 2 stroke). Powered by either pedal or motor, the motorbike is 100% efficient when in pedal mode and gets over 120 miles per gallon when you engage the motor.
You can pick one of these awesome motorbikes up for around $2,499 which is cheap at twice the price considering the support and quality of these motorbikes.
26″ Wheels : Rubber Mounted Motor : Coaster Brakes
www.RidleyMotorbikes.com
(405) 525-5400
BIKERNET PSYCIATRIC LAB FINDINGS FROM DR. WEIL–Work Your Brain, Limit TV to Preserve Memory. Here?s more evidence that keeping your mind active can help prevent or delay memory loss as you get older.
The latest news on this issue suggests that reading, playing games, spending time on the computer and engaging in crafts such as pottery and building motorcycles can cut your risks of memory loss by 30 to 50 percent compared to people who don?t do those things. The findings come from a study to be presented at the upcoming meeting of the American Academy of Neurology.
Researchers gathered information from 197 seniors with mild cognitive impairment or diagnosed memory loss and 1,124 individuals of the same age with no memory problems. The amount of time participants spent watching television also appeared to affect their risk of memory loss: those who watched for less than seven hours daily were half as likely to develop memory loss as those who watched for more than seven hours per day.
Participating in social activities and reading magazines during middle age also reduced the risk, by about 40 percent.
–from Dr.Weil.com
DESMOHARLEY-ITALIAN AMERICAN V-TWIN COMPLETED– Chris Barber sent in a few photos of the now completed DesmoHarley, his own unique Harley Davidson engine with Ducati heads, and it is a beauty. A few weeks ago when we introduced you to his project, the drawings were all we could see. Since that time Chris put it all together and it?s the kind of thing that gets a motorhead all twitchy just looking at it!
Here are the specs: Displacement: 80 cubic inches/1340cc Compression ratio: 10.3:1 Carburetors: 2X38mm flatslide Mikuni Pistons: Keith Black flat top (8.5:1 in a stock 80 inch Harley)
Chris says: The heads are the early large valve 900ss type, both the heads are rear heads with the front turned around 180 degrees and running a front head cam, this gives me two heads with horizontal fins and orients the carbs and exhausts in better positions for the 45 degree layout.
I didn?t need to do any head work to get a 10.3:1 ratio because the Ducati has a fairly low ratio with domed pistons, so by going with flat top pistons with the extra displacement, the ratio worked out perfectly.
Chris had to engineer his own gear drive system for the cams and it came out great. Specially made Axtell cylinders have their own bolts to attach to the cases plus bolt holes in the correct pattern for the Ducati heads.
Since Chris had earlier put an Alfa Romeo V6 in a Harley frame for his Alfabike, I can?t wait to see where this engine ends up. Excellent work, Chris!
by PAUL CROWE – “THE KNEESLIDER”
ANTIQUE MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA AND BIKERNET.COM RAFFLE TO BUILD MEMBERSHIP AND GIVE AWAY RESTORATION OPPORTUNITY–Here’s the update from the designer of this program, Matt Olsen. Him and his dad restore Knuckleheads for a living, and he wants to share his love of vintage motorcycles and his knowledge with other young enthusiasts. Click on the banner below to enter the contest. Chance of a lifetime! “Here is a pic of the ignition switch that I just got in the mail for Larry Jeffers,” said Matt. “It was all wrapped up in cosmolean. I cut it open for the picture. It has been wrapped up since 1945, the switch is NOS and works great!!”
MATRIX EXTENDED BAGS!– Riverside, Ca: Matrix Cycle Works is the innovator and leader in quality extended bags for your Harley Davidson touring class motorcycle! Stock bags are fine ? if you want to look like everyone else! But for those of us that want to stand out from the crowd, Matrix has three different lengths of extended and extended-slant hard bags. Matrix bags are not just an extension on your old bag, they are complete, new hard bags made from Kevlar and fiberglass that can give you 25 percent more space. Custom lining is also available and can be installed to protect your valuables.
Matrix extended hard bags come in three different styles to fit your exhaust (single rear exit, dual rear exit, and no exit). Either style hard bags will match the length of Matrix’s exclusive extended rear fenders with LED lights for that ultra-low look. Both hard bag styles are available with flush mounted LEDS (with any design or logo you want), at an additional charge. All bags are sold in a primer finish, paint work is additional. Don’t be fooled by new comers, go with Matrix Cycle Works, the originators and innovators of custom bagger parts and accessories!
Matrix Cycle Works is the leading innovator of custom bagger parts and accessories, including custom LED bag & fender lights, exhaust systems, handlebars, stretched tanks, dash panels, side covers and more for Harley Davidson touring motorcycles. Call them at (951) 354-7916 or visit them on the web at www.matrixcycleworks.com.
IKEA HAS ANNOUNCED ITS INTENTION TO TAKE OVER GM, AND TO SELL CARS– WE ARE IN DEEP Trouble …………………..
–from Keith Silcox
NEW MODEL FROM SUCKER PUNCH– I wanted to let you know that Sucker Punch is continuing to grow and expand their dealer operations and will be launching three new bikes at the V-Twin expo. One, dubbed “The Workingman”, is going to be very similar to The Traditional but with a DNA Springer, Ultima transmission and solid color paint all for $18,995 and $1000 dealer incentive rebate program, so it will retail at $17995.
The second bike is Sucker Punch Sally’s Sportster styled frame that has been built out in the Sucker Punch Sally’s old school racer style. It features an S&S 100 inch Sportster motor and numerous custom Sucker Punch Sally’s parts.
Check the Triumph Thruxton that SPS customized for Fender Guitars. It features a Sara Ray paint job and a caf? racer feel.
In addition Sucker Punch Sally’s unveiled their two new bikes “Love” and “Hate”. These are two prototype production bikes that are sure to turn heads. They will be offered on a limited basis through our dealer network with the idea being that some people want a full-blown production custom. These two bikes, designed by Ami James and Christian Clayton, are sure to be a hit. Christian and Ami will be making appearances across the country at selected Sucker Punch Sally’s dealerships. The Love Hate bikes will feature custom frames, custom cast parts, custom cut billet wheels and the new 360 Brakes.
Stripper Juice Announces Newest Addition to Product Line– Dalton, GA–March 19, 2009–The Stripper Juice Brand today introduced the “Go Buff” buffing cloth as the newest addition to its growing product line. This microfiber buffing cloth is the recommended cloth to use with Stripper Juice, the world’s most provocative cleaner and polisher.
The brainchild of Eric “Otis” Ward, Stripper Juice Cleaner and Polisher can be used on everything from helmets, glass and windshields to chrome, polished aluminum and painted surfaces. Whether you’re a hardcore biker chick or bar hopping dude, you have to keep your ride clean, and when used with the “Go Buff” buffing cloth, this fast and easy detailer will leave your bike gleaming like a freshly polished stripper pole.
The “Go Buff” buffing cloth measures 14 inches by 14 inches and is the perfect complement to Stripper Juice cleaner. Stripper Juice is currently available through Barney’s Leather (www.barneysleather.com), Hot Leathers (www.hotleathers.com) and at various bike rallies, road races and dealer events throughout the country.
While at Daytona Bike Week 2009, Stripper Juice warmly embraced by the motorcycle public, and Ward was proud to say that bikers were converted to Stripper Juice “believers” by the hundreds. For more information on the Stripper Juice Brand or becoming a Stripper Juice dealer, visit www.stripperjuice.net.
–Ken Conte
The Legendary Buffalo Chip Announces Michael Lichter Exhibit for Sturgis Rally 2009– STURGIS-S.D.- March 19, 2009-World famous motorcycle photographer Michael Lichter will host the 9th annual Motorcycles as Art Exhibition August 1 through August 8 during the 2009 Sturgis Rally. This year’s exhibition will be held at the Legendary Buffalo Chip, located four miles east of Sturgis on Highway 34, and will explore motorcycle culture through a thematic presentation of motorcycles and graphic arts.
Lichter has chronicled the Sturgis Rally through his photography for since 1979, and has served as curator of the “Motorcycles As Art” exhibition since its inception in 2001. The talent of the featured artists, combined with Lichter’s unique vision, has established the event as an essential part of the Sturgis Rally experience. While past exhibitions have combined a variety of artistic media, ranging from custom motorcycles to paintings and tattoo art, all of the art relates to a central theme.
Past exhibitions have included 2008’s “Stay Gold,” which honored the late Johnny Chop and featured builders who approach their work with the same passion that Johnny demonstrated in each bike he built, and 2007’s “One World Choppers,” which featured 24 foreign born builder-artists and demonstrated how builders from abroad have influenced and contributed to the contemporary custom motorcycle scene in America.
“The exhibition serves as a way to showcase the work of the industry’s top talent under one roof, and we’re excited about this year’s change of venue,” said Lichter. “The space being built specially for the exhibit, combined with the Legendary Buffalo Chip’s unique atmosphere are sure to make this the best exhibit yet.”
Now celebrating its 28th consecutive year as “The Best Party Anywhere,” The Buffalo Chip is the Sturgis Rally’s best-known hot spot. The Chip has since 1982 become internationally famous for the performances on its 4 stages, hot bartenders and special events presented “by bikers, for bikers.”
The “Motorcycles As Art” exhibition’s theme and a list of participating artists, along with the Chip’s full schedule of events will be announced soon. . More information is available at www.buffalochip.com.
–Ken Conte
ST. PADDY’S DAY PAINT JOB FROM LUCKY DEVIL– Here is the latest from the Lucky Devil chopper ranch. . .a good friend Joe Car2low came by and gave us a fresh new look on the doors just in time for our little ol St. Patty’s day get together.
This is the paint job I was working on when we spoke the other day, I got some help with the artwork from the same guy who striped the Rootbeer bike, Ken Hill. It’ll be a couple weeks before I finish digging out from under the car project but we’ll start sending some info and shots of the Rootbeer build as soon as I do . . . .
–Kent
EXILE CYCLES NEW PARTS CATALOG– Exile Cycles is proud to announce the release of their new catalog featuring the new line of parts for Stock Harley Softails. Russell Mitchell has spent the past year designing everything necessary to give your Softail a total Exile makeover. The transformation can be amazing and this brochure features three of Russell?s own breath-taking rides, as well as detailed information on parts and pricing.
For your own free copy send an addressed 9×12 envelope with $1.34 postage to Exile Cycles, 13209 Saticoy St, North Hollywood, CA 91605. Foreign enquiries send $5 with your address. Alternatively, visit www.exilecycles.com
–Exile Cycles
818 255 3330
sales@exilecycles.com
SPEAKING OF CATALOGS, NO MORE FROM WCC–West Coast Chopper shut their parts department down. “If you want WCC parts you need to buy a bike,” said Jesse James. No more catalog, and I’m not sure about apparel. We’ll check on it.
Jesse is back on TV as a contestant on the Celebrity Intern show and his own cable danger series. Watch for ’em.
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