IT?S OFFICIAL, WE?RE ALL INSANE–Or is it just me? The last six months have been a stressful haze of day to day drudgery trying to keep up a home, a business and try to have somewhat of a life with a man who works from dawn to dusk, thirty miles away for someone else. I couldn?t take it anymore.
This morning I snapped and told Bandit it?s either Primedia or me, my way or the highway. With my hands on my hips and toes a tapping, I blocked his path to his bike and waited for an answer. I imagined his response while I waited confidently; he?d promise me anything and everything, and swear to never leave me again.
When he finished laughing, he picked me up, moved me aside and told me as he walked to the warehouse, he already submitted his resignation this past Monday and gave them two-weeks. He then told me he was packing the Big Dog and leaving for Arizona in the morning with the guys. He?ll be gone for three days.
Was I happy about this? Damn straight I was. Bandit is coming back to Bikernet for good! I knew he?d see things my way?
Now for the second to the last news I do alone— Yippeee!
AMA MEMBERS HELP DEFEAT HELMET LAW–The U.S. Senate has voted down a provision that would have forced states to impose mandatory helmet laws or risk losing federal money for their highway and trail projects.Action by American Motorcyclist Association members, many of them using AMADirectlink.com’s Rapid Response Center, helped defeat the amendment. The AMA worked alongside the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, the American Highway Users Alliance, and many state motorcycle rights organizations to defeat this amendment. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), along with Senator Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), had offered the amendment to a six-year, $294 billion transportation bill currently being debated in the Senate. The amendment was voted down 69-28 on Wednesday, May 11. The AMA first learned of the impending amendment when the Senate was out of session and quickly alerted AMA members to the impending action. Based on feedback by Congressional staff, AMA Government Relations Department staff believe that AMA members voiced their personal opinions on the issue in great numbers.
?I am pleased that AMA members and other groups and organizations worked closely together on this issue,? said Edward Moreland, AMA vice president of government relations. The amendment would have penalized any state without a mandatory motorcycle helmet law for all riders by denying the state the ability to determine how their federal transportation dollars were spent.
The AMA believes that states should be able to determine their respective helmet policies free from the threat of federal sanctions. Congress affirmed this as recently as 1995 in the National Highway System Act, when it removed federal penalties placed on states without mandatory helmet laws. While victory was achieved by this latest action, this is still not the end of the transportation reauthorization process. Check AMADirectlink.com and the Rapid Response Center to watch for future ?Action Alerts? related to this important piece of federal legislation as it moves toward final passage and signing by the president.
? 2005, American Motorcyclist Association
Rogue
NEW CUSTOM HORN COVERS FOR HARLEY-DAVIDSON V-ROD–
Two Hand-Painted Designs Available
MILWAUKEE (March 21, 2005) ? Two new Custom Painted V-Rod Horn Covers ($129.95) from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories are available for any 2002-later VRSC V-Rod model. The ?Real Fire? design (P/N 69169-05BWX) features realistic flames licking a Vivid Black base color. The ?Skull? design (P/N 69169-05BWY) features the Harley-Davidson Skull Collection design in red and white, also over a Vivid Black base color. Both covers are finished with a deep clear-coat to protect the artist?s work.
For additional information on Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories, see your local Harley-Davidson dealer or visit the Harley-Davidson Web site at http://www.harley-davidson.com. To find a dealer near you, call toll free 1-800-443-2153 in the U.S.A. or Canada.
THUNDER IN THE ROCKIES UPDATES–
The World Famous Rat?s Hole Custom Bike Show to Attend2005 ?Thunder in the Rockies? Motorcycle Rally
LOVELAND, CO (May 6, 2005) ? On Saturday, September 3rd,2005 the ?Thunder in the Rockies? Motorcycle Rally will become home to one of the most innovative and recognized bike shows in the world ? The Rat?s Hole Custom Bike Show. This year?s competition will showcase the hottest, most unique and truly one-of-a-kind bikes anywhere on earth. From Germany to America, the best of the best in chrome, paint and steel will all come together at what is said to be ?The Next National Motorcycle Rally.?
The Rat?s Hole Custom Bike Show will showcase a minimum of 17 categories, including classes such as: Three-Wheeler, Street-Racer, Antique/Classics, Most Unusual, and Best of Show. Participating bikes will then be arranged according to entrants? registered classifications. Those interested in participating in the competition can pre-register on-line at www.RatsHole.com or can register on-site the day of the Rally.
Every entrant to the show will receive a ?Goodie Bag? donated by Rat?s Hole Custom Bike Shows, Inc. and its supportive sponsors. Along with the trophies awarded in each class, the participants will be competing for over $5000 in awards. The Rat?s Hole Custom Bike Show?s Inc. International Judging Team will be working under strict guidelines to ensure the integrity of the event.
The history of the world famous Rat?s Hole Custom Bike Show is a colorful story of one man?s vision??Big Daddy Rat? a.k.a. Karl Smith. Even after his death in 2002, interest of both custom-bike builders and visitors remains high. Today, son, Ted takes the contemporary approach to the competition. The Rats Hole Custom Bike Show during the 2005 ?Thunder in the Rockies? will be a place to ?see and be seen!?
?THUNDER IN THE ROCKIES? ANNOUNCES CONCERT LINE-UP AT BUDWEISER EVENTS CENTER–
*TICKETS FOR ALL SHOWS GO ON-SALE SATURDAY, MAY 21 AT 10 AM*
LOVELAND, CO (May 5, 2005) ? The Budweiser Events Center and Dream Machines Entertainment are proud to announce the concert line-up that will take place during this year?s `Thunder in the Rockies`. The national motorcycle rally will take place September 1st ? 4th, 2005 with Rally headquarters located at The Ranch.
The three concert line-up will kick off on Thursday, September 1st at 7:30 p.m. with the ?Born to Be Wild? boys of Steppenwolf who will perform with Blue Oyster Cult-also known as the ?thinking man?s heavy metal group?. Tickets for this concert are priced at $30 and $40 (VIP).On Friday, September 2nd beginning at 7:30 p.m. Bret Michaels, front man for the hair-metal band Poison, will take the stage with .38 Special, one of Southern rock?s most favorite bands. Tickets for this show start at $25 and $35 (VIP).
Rounding out the line-up will be Alice Cooper, a pioneer of dark theatrics in heavy metal shows, who will bring his twisted rock to life on Sunday, September 4th at 7:30 p.m. Cheap Trick, the band that successfully combines pop and heavy metal will also be performing this evening. Tickets for this show are priced at $40 and $50 (VIP).
Tickets for all three shows go on-sale Saturday, May 21st beginning at 10 a.m. and may be purchased at the Budweiser Events Center Box Office, ComcastTix.com, Fort Fun in Ft. Collins, Ikon Center in Cheyenne, Woody’s Newsstand and Cafe in Greeley, City News Newsstand in Longmont, or by calling 1-877-544-TIXX (8499).
Grounds admission to ?Thunder in the Rockies? will be free to the public. Other scheduled events include a bike show, vendors, stunt shows, and charity fundraisers. Combining the classic elements of a motorcycle rally with the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, `Thunder in the Rockies` will also include daily rides and poker runs showcasing Colorado?s most scenic routes and historic locations. For more information please call (970) 292-0418 or visit the website at http://www.ThunderintheRockies.com.
NEW TOUR-PAK INTERIOR LIGHT KITS FROM HARLEY-DAVIDSON–
Bright LEDs Illuminate Tour-Pak and Saddlebags
MILWAUKEE (March 21, 2005) ? The new Tour-Pak and Saddlebag Interior Light Kit (P/N 54331-04, $109.95) from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories utilizes brilliant white LED light pods to illuminate the luggage compartments of any 1994-later Harley-Davidson touring models equipped with a King or Chopped Tour-Pak.
A single LED light pod mounts inside the Tour-Pak lid, while two additional light pods mount to the bottom of the Tour-Pak to cast light inside the saddlebags. Each light pod features a soft-touch switch and a five-minute automatic shut-off timer to prevent battery drain. The kit includes a quick-disconnect wiring harness and installation hardware.
BIKERNET STEALTH REPORT–Well it is official, STEALTH BIKE WORKS opened the doors to the public this past Tuesday! It is the end of one journey and the beginning of another. It has been a lot of hard work but also a lot of fun along the way.
The shop is set up to remind you of shops from the past. Simple and to the point. No boutiques here! We have dedicated one wall as the “Dave Mann” wall. I have always loved his work. All of the prints have been framed. It is funny how when I look at them, each one takes me back to a certain time in my life. To me that is what is cool about the prints.
We have already planned two events at the shop. The first will be June 25th, we will have a ride that leaves the shop at 12 noon and head to THE HORSE SMOKE-OUT. The second will be July 9th, we will have STEALTH BIKE WORKS grand opening. If any of you are in the area for either event, give us a call at 704-882-0889. We would be glad to see you!
The vision I have for our shop is to be the shop for the working guy. The guy who comes to see you every week. I also want to be the place for some young kids to stop by and learn about what it use to be about. As far as our inventory goes, I want to be a shop that carries things you don’t see everywhere else, like Z-bars, sprung solo seats, the accordion fork boots. I hope I spelled that right? In other words “bobber” style parts. The bobber has always been my favorite style bike and I am glad to see it making a comeback, although for some of us it never left.
As far as vendors go, we are set up with CCI, Tedd’s V-Twin and Kuryakn and we carry the Jammer line from CCI. It is good to see the Jammer name back out there.
We have even come up with a couple of things on our own already. One being dice that we can thread to fit on most bolts. i will have more info on these soon. My buddy “Chopper John” is working on some one-off gas tanks and he has some other good stuff going on. This guy is a real talent with metal. Hopefully if things take off maybe we can persuade him to come on full time?
So with the opening of “STEALTH BIKE WORKS” we embark on a great adventure. No promises, no guarantees, but I have a feeling of confidence. I know a lot of hard work has been done and a lot awaits us and in some ways it is kind of scary, but most things in life involve risk, just like riding. Asked me if I would do it again, go ahead and ask me! HELL YEAH I WOULD!
Get out and RIDE!
STEALTHMAN!
PRO-PIRANHA MEGA-TUBE CHASSIS– PRO-ONE recently released a pair of frame styles that immediately set new trends in the chopper community. Both the MEGA TUBE and PIRANHA frames, shown here, are available in a mind boggling variety of configurations that provide the building blocks for assembling everything from your basic bar blasters to all out show machines. MEGA-TUBE Softail? frames can be ordered for use with 180/200/230/240 and 250 rubber and with front legs in “curved single” or “straight double” down tube styles. Down tubes are offered with an additional 2″, 4″ or 8″ of stretch. Backbones come with 0″, 1″ and 4″stretch for the double down tube models and 5″, 6 ?” and 8 ?” on the single down tube. Frames feature an integral, one-piece transmission plate with built in offset. MEGA TUBE frames come with fender struts, swingarm pivot and bearings, ” rear axle and all necessary brackets.
The PIRANHA Softail? chassis is offered in dual 1 ?”down tube styles for TC88 power plants and with a single 2″ down tube for EVOs. Backbone stretches offered include 2″ or 8″ over with 5″ or 8 ?” in the legs. There’s a PRO STREET option with 2″ backbone and 38 degrees of rake. Rake on the Softail? is 38, 40 or 43. PIRANHA frames are also available in RIGID styles and feature pointed axle housings with flush mount 1″ axles, offset built into integrated one piece, transmission plate, CNC machined brackets throughout. PIRANHA frames are designed specifically for RIGHT DRIVE applications.
PRO-ONE offers their new frames in a number of configurations not listed and will consider special requests to meet your specific needs. For pricing and complete details on PRO-ONE MEGA TUBE and PIRANHA frames call 800-884-4173 or visit them on the web at http://www.pro-one.com
STURGIS MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM ANNOUNCEMENT HALL OF FAMERS–
Motor Maids Inc., J.C. “Pappy” Hoel Lifetime Achievement Award
Founded in 1940, chartered by the AMA in 1941, the Motor Maids are credited with being the first women’s motorcycle organization in the United States, possibly the world. The founding premise of the Motor Maids was to unite women motorcyclist in promoting motorcycle interest, a principle they still live by today.
Since the beginning and throughout their existence, the Motor Maids have been held in high esteem. Impeccably dressed in their traditional royal blue and grey uniforms, parading at a race or riding to an event, their standards are never compromised. Their members include recognized names and some not so recognizable, yet their respect for one another has created a sisterhood that has lasted over six decades.
Their spirit of adventure and belief in themselves, and their abilities, paved the road that so many others now ride. Each mile they rode made it easier for another woman to throw a leg over, each turn they took broke down a wall, each journey they set out on opened a door.
Formed by a visionary, guided by strength and compassion, and held together by friendship, camaraderie and their love of two wheels, this group of pioneers has built a legacy that all riders can admire.
Keith “Bandit” Ball
Biker, freedom fighter, author, publisher, editor, promoter, builder, patriot – Keith Ball has done it all, done it well and, when presented with a new challenge, will astound everyone with the ease in which he tackles it.
In 1971 he was hired to run the first national motorcyclists rights organization, ABATE. Within a few years ABATE grew into the largest grassroots motorcycle organization in the world with 28 chapters and some 50,000 members, and it still remains a viable force in bikers rights today.
Around the same time Keith became associate editor and the first full-time employee of a new motorcycle magazine called Easyriders. He went on to become editor and ultimately editorial director of 14 titles, including familiar titles In The Wind, Biker and VQ. With Keith at the helm, Easyriders became known as the “bikers bible” and boasted a monthly circulation of 550,000.
Next, Keith pursued a long time dream to write, completing three motorcycle adventure novels over the last eight years.
He also owns and operates a biker-oriented website; BikerNet.com, that offers tech material, classifieds, riding tales, event coverage, and legislative info. And in his spare time he builds a couple of bikes a year, always on the cutting edge, always innovative.
Currently Keith oversees three motorcycle magazines, Hot Bike, Hot Rod Bikes and Street Choppers.
Soichiro Honda
Sochiro Honda created a motor vehicle industry when it should have been impossible. The territory was taken, transportation was a mature industry and one man could no longer create such a manufacturing empire. Yet Honda did. He knew his own country men well enough to lead them and he sought in others talents he himself did not have. Work and study brought success, so that when he produced his first post war motor-bicycles, he knew the value of continuous reinvestment in technology. Honda understood that if you made a product no better and no worse than your competitors, the customer had no reason to prefer yours. But reinvestment in technology offered something different – a way to grow ideas into useful new things that people would want.
Honda also changed marketing and manufacturing methods. A product that can be made in easy steps can be made well, and a product that does that, does its job reliably, pleases its users.
The step-through Honda Cub was the first international success for the Honda Motor Company, and it was the model for all the successes that were to follow. Recognize a need, create a unique way to satisfy it, incorporate unusual performance, quality and reliability, then build from an expanding reputation into other areas. This was the pattern that defined Honda.
Marketing targeted the general public with good, clean two-wheeled fun and introduced millions to motorcycling. When the market was saturated, Honda had the vision to see that a similarly trouble-free kind of sports motorcycle could become equally popular. Honda expanded its line, always offering its customers a step up to more sophisticated models.
From Honda’s continuing research and development, a long succession of technological triumphs has resulted – low emissions engines, variable valve timing, the latest lean-burn combustion system and minimalist alloy chassis are only a few.
Michael Lichter
People who know Michael describe both the person and the artist with one word, passion. For over 20 years Michael Lichter has captured his passion for living, riding and being a biker in his photographs. Michael began taking pictures in 1968 and began his love affair with motorcycles in 1976 when he took a ride on a friend’s Knucklehead chopper. He bought his 1971 Shovelhead used in 1977 and is still riding it. In the late 70’s he managed to combine these two loves when he began taking pictures of bikers, submitting his first photos to Easyriders magazine in 1979. He’s often seen shooting photos while riding his trusty Shovelhead, one hand on the handlebars, the other on his camera. To date Michael has published over 800 magazine articles on motorcycles and has shot some 60 magazine covers.
Michael has been photographing Sturgis, his favorite rally, since 1979. His photos have chronicled the history of this great motorcycle Mecca over the past two decades. Many of us have witnessed the changes in the biker lifestyle over the years through Michael’s talented photography.
Michael says it best, “After more than 20 years of participating and photographing the rally, I have seen it change just as I have seen myself change. I was younger and wilder, just as the rally was. We were both na?ve and a little less worldly. The town outgrew its geographical boundaries years ago, so that it in no longer a town; it is a phenomenon. It is a feeling inside. It is still a destination, but it has come to represent the journey. It stands for all that motorcycling is, for all that motorcycling can be.”
Motorcycle and commercial assignments have taken Michael across America and abroad to Canada, Europe, Japan, Mexico and New Zealand. He has contributed work to many books on motorcycling including images that were requested by Willie G. Davidson for his 100th anniversary book on Harley-Davidsons.
Jim and Phyllis McClure
The Harley-Davidson legacy of McClure made global waves, making magic with billet aluminum and nitro methane. And that magic made friends and fans of thousands.
Jim’s first career was as a lineman, but not just a lineman, he chose high lines, high power. He had an enthusiasm for motorcycles but that all changed when he took his street Sportster to the dirt drags, and he underwent a life changing experience when he saw asphalt Harley drag racing, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Jim began his professional career in the mid 70’s, during the old iron head era. His championship career began shortly there after when he took nitro Harley drag racing by storm. He won so many championships he stopped keeping track of them. He holds the unbroken record of 19 National and World Top-Fuel Harley-Davidson Championships, with speeds exceeding 216 mph in a quarter mile, winning over 21 events in a row. But no matter how many championships he garnered, or how many record certificates he earned, McClure was always looking for a new challenge. His diligence on and off the tack resulted in innovations that are still in use today. The primary example, his Overkill design, the first truly reliable nitro V-Twin engine.
You have to give Jim a great deal of credit for choosing the right partner in life, his wife Phyllis. They weren’t just husband and wife, they were best friends and teammates who lived together, raced together and loved each other. He loved to race down the track and she loved to wave at the crowd as she ran down to tow him back. On the return trip they both were all smiles. Jim and Phyllis traveled the world promoting the sport that they loved, and all of their friends would agree that separately they were good, but together they were brilliant and unstoppable.
When Jim passed away in 2004 almost every motorcycle publication remembered his remarkable career, but more importantly, they remembered the man, the friend, the husband, the generosity, the smile.
Scott Parker
Called one of the greatest racers of our time, Scott Parker literally decimated all the records during his extraordinary career.
At age 17 Parker became the youngest rider at the time to earn his expert pro license when he turned professional. In 1981 a dream was realized when Harley-Davidson asked Scott to join the factory team and in 1985 he finished third in the AMA Grand Nationals. He really began making a name for himself in 1988 when he won his first AMA Grand National Championship, which he did again in 1989, 1990 and 1991. At the 1991 Indy Mile, Parker surpassed Jay Springsteen as the all-time win leader in the AMA Grand National history with his 41st career victory.
But that would only be the beginning for this racing genius. In 1994 through 1998, Scott Parker became the first rider in history to win five straight AMA Grand National Championships. In those five championship seasons he won an incredible 39 nationals.
Before retiring, Scott would go on to win three more Nationals to bring his career total to 94.
The Walker Family
Harold Walker came to Sturgis in 1924 after purchasing the Meade County Bank, and ran the bank until 1962. J.C. “Pappy” Hoel became a customer of the bank and thus began the relationship that lasted through several generations of the Walker family. The tradition of a free feed for rally participants in City Park began in the late 40’s. Then there was the cost of trophies and awards, and as the races were free, the cost of sponsoring and holding the races. These costs were always underwritten by Harold Walker.
Harold’s son Bruce took up the rally banner next. In addition to taking over banking responsibilities, Bruce served as treasurer on the Black Hills Motor Classic Board of Directors for 30 years, always making certain that the Motor Classic was solvent and had sufficient funds to operate effectively. He also worked the races, supervising admissions, overseeing attendance and finances.
Brother Herman, still an avid motorcyclist, also served for many years on the Board of the Black Hills Motor Classic and worked the races during each rally. He and his wife went on to open Hog Heaven Campground, developing it into one of the most beloved gathering spots for visitors to the Rally.
Event and Ticket Information
The induction ceremony will be conducted at the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Breakfast scheduled for Wednesday, August 10 at 9:00 a.m. at the Holiday Inn in Spearfish, South Dakota.Breakfast tickets are available for a $20.00 donation, eight for $160.00. Traditionally the Breakfast sells out so we recommend that you purchase your tickets well in advance of the event. Tickets can be purchased by phoning the Museum 605.347.2001 or on the Museum’s web pagehttp://www.sturgismuseum.com.
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