I’m excited about a couple of things. We completed the Shrunken FXR and shot if for a magazine feature. It came out damn sharp thanks to Cyril Huze, Ladd Terry, Giggie and Harold Pontarelli to name a few.
But hang on, another project is about to slip onto the hungry lift. I’m after building the ultimate riding chopper. After years of riding rigids, I’m going to build a bike for riding, anywhere at anytime. Indian Larry used the word, “Nimble”, since he rides on the hetic, narrow, rowdy streets of New York. Last year I rode a long stretched, fat tire, chopper on the island of Oahu for the Choppers only show. The bike was as cool as they come, but it wasn’t agile. It was a freeway flier, not a winding island road machine. It got me thinking.
Most of the time a project starts with a find, a score or a basket case. I loaned a bike to a brother, Rick Kranzler and in exchange he gave me a big inch Shovelhead engine. The project was kicked off. I ordered a new Paughco Chopper frame and discussed the configuration with Ron Paugh, the owner. We came up with a 2 out, 4-inch up stretch and only a 180 tire for light handling. A JIMS 6-speed is on order and a smooth Kraft Tech fender is already under the bench. Here’s some other elements of the plan. No jockey shift or sidemount taillight. It’s going to be light, narrow and easy to handle. The front end will be the light tapered springer from Paughco, only 9-inches over. Other surprizes are on the horizon. Let’s hit the news:
NUGGETS 40TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY–It’s this weekend, May 15th and 16th, starting at 10:00 a.m. at Camp Williams, 24210 East Fork Road, Azusa 91702. The charge is 15 bucks for a single or 25 for a couple. Live Band, food, games, raffle prizes 50/50 drawings, Limited Run souvenirs, 200 sites and limited RV hook-ups. Lots of room for bikes–Be There, Be There.
No weapons or attitudes and call Braids if you have questions (562) 305-8242.
RIGHT OF WAY EFFORT BY THE AMA–The American Motorcyclist Association created ?Justice for All? to focus the public?s attention on inadequate sentencing of drivers who seriously injure or kill motorcyclists, and to push for laws with tougher penalties when motorists? traffic offenses or criminal actions result in death or serious injury.
WHY:A $70 fine for killing three motorcyclists. And more stories of injustice.
You?ve heard the story: Former U.S. Rep. Bill Janklow was convicted of second-degree manslaughter for a traffic crash that killed a motorcyclist, and then got just 100 days in jail. Think that?s unusual? Think again. It?s just one example of what happens in courtrooms all over the country. And Justice for All, through the efforts of concerned motorcyclists nationwide, aims to change it. State by state.
HOW:If you want justice, you need to get involved. Learn about the AMA?s ?Motorcyclists Matter? program, which targets one of the leading causes of motorcycle crashes: motorists violating motorcyclists? right-of-way. Work with your local AMA Community Council — or, if there isn’t one in your area, organize one. And with a Justice for All kit, you can show the world that motorcyclists mean business.
WHEN:Taking justice on the road ? to Sturgis, South Dakota.The pursuit of Justice for All won?t end, of course, until we get tougher penalties in every state. But this summer, the road to justice will pass through Sturgis, South Dakota. And we?ll take our message to motorcyclists, legislators, and citizens throughout the Midwest, and to motorcyclists attending the 2004 Sturgis Rally.
VIRAGO CUSTOM–Don’t know if you remember me and the Virago, but I finally got it allfinished off. Here are a few pics of the finished poject. I have about a 100pics of the build, if you want any others. Let me know what you think.
–Clinton Hoines
Is that the finished paint job?
FLORIDA RED LIGHT BILL DIES IN SESSION–The speaker of the house has refused to hear the bill. He said that it was creating a new tax and would not allow it to be heard.
People were trying to call this a Stiffer Penalties Bill.
Hopefully the bill will be re-submitted next year and Not Raise the Fine or Points for people running red light UNLESS They Cause a Collision and Or Injure or Kill Some One.
If that is done the bill will get all the support it deserves.
–Rogue
STEALTH MAN UNLEASHES THE CODE–I have read for the past few weeks here on Bikernet different views of what being a biker is about. I have read what the Newbies think, what the RUBs think, what the HOG clubbers think and what us “old schoolers” think.
Being a biker to me is something I am very proud of and I hold it close to my heart. Being a biker is a way of life. It is an attitude, and when I say attitude I don’t mean proving you are a bad ass all the time. It is a mind set, a lifestyle. It is about having heart! It is about going to the end of the earth to defend that lifestyle.
Having a bike doesn’t make you a biker, yeah you have to have a bike to be biker, but it is only the start. Did you buy that bike to impress your friends and neighbors as it sits in the drive way? Did you buy that bike to let them know YOU had twenty grand to spend on that bike, or did you dream about that bike at night and dream how being a biker when you were a kid in high school, or is it just a passing fade for you? You see that is what I used to do when I was a kid in high school, dream of being a biker and riding, and to some that may sound corny, but I guess that is the difference between you and me. You see it has been in my heart for a long, long time.
Whether you are an “Old Schooler, Newbie, Rub or Hog clubber,” it really doesn’t matter to me because these are just labels, nothing more. What matters to me is what I see when I look past those labels. if you are into being a biker because you love the lifstyle and feel it in your heart, it will show and I will extend a hand to you as my friend. If on the other hand you just dig the Hollywood image of what being a biker is about, and you want to tell me how much your bike cost and how much your brand new leathers cost and how much that brand new “Live to Ride-Ride to Live” tattoo cost, then you are a poser and I have nothing in common with you. You don’t have to tell me everything is new, I can see! You don’t have to tell me how much everything cost, I work with it everyday! In other words you and I have nothing in common and we ride for different reasons.
Another part of being a biker is being honest and loyal. If I am your brother I am there for you, I have your back, no matter what stand you take. I am loyal to you when the shit hits the fan. I am not just there when the sun is shining on your ass. I am there for the cold rainy times too! Anyone can be there for good times and the easy days. A brother is there for all of these times. You have to be honest. You have to look youself in the mirror and be honest with yourself before you can be honest with anyone else.
Being a biker alson means taking a stand for what you believe is right. If it means going against the majority and most of the time it will, you still stand for what you believe. My dad never rode a bike in his life but he taught me this. He taught me to be my own man and to always stand tall for what I believe and to speak what is on my mind.
A biker doesn’t kiss ass, and he or she isn’t a YES man! When you see something that is wrong you say it is wrong! In todays politically correct world this goes against the grain. Being a biker is about being yourself, not wearing one face at work and another after work to please people. If you are a biker, you are a biker in your heart 24/7, not just after work or when you are around certain people.
In my opinion, that’s what makes Bikernet great. It’s the contributors to this site who are not afraid to speak their mind. If toes get stepped on, then so be it. Two people I respect the most, Mr. Bandit and Jose write about what they feel, and yes they and I catch our share of shit for doing it, but that’s all part of the wild picture. You can’t please everyone all the time, but you can be true to yourtself all the time!
Well it’s time to bounce to a Run For Breath meeting. We are thinking about adding two metric classes to the bike show. If we decide to do this the number of awards will grow to a total of 41! If anyone out there would like to volunteer to make a couple of these awards, it would be greatly appreciated. The 6th Annual Run For Breath “IN MEMORY Of JUSTIN PULLIN” will be held here in Charlotte, July 25th. If anyone is interested in making any awards, please contact me at:704-847-4647 Ext. 102 or 704-516-4630.
Later!
Mike (THE STEALTH)
BIKER PHOTOGRAPHER MICHAEL LICHTER LAUNCHES EXHIBITION IN FLORIDA, NORTH CAROLINA AND PENNSYLVANIA–BOULDER, COLO.- Longtime scooter photographerMichael Lichter launched a traveling MotorcycleArt exhibition. Recently exhibited in theMuseum of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach, FL, it’s opening in May at the Spartanburg Museum of Art inSouth Carolina. Coinciding with the popularity ofmotorcycle related television shows; Michael has seena big increase in requests by public institutions todisplay his photography.
Summer is always a busy season for Michael and hisstaff. In addition to several upcoming assignments onboth coasts, Michael will be making an appearance at anew Harley-Davidson shop in California, speaking at aPennsylvania event, co-producing the “Art on TwoWheels” exhibit at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival andis the curator of an exhibition at The Journey Museumin Rapid City, SD.
A feature article on Michael and his work canbe seen in the May / June issue of Digital Photo Promagazine and in the May issue of 5280.
For more information, call 303 449-3906. You can seesamples of work at www.lichterphoto.com &www.lichtercommercial.com.
NEWS FROM WHITEHORSE PRESS–A couple of new products in our current catalog are “flying out of here.”
The BACK-A-LINE BELT — a back-support belt with a unique, patented design that reduces back pain, prevents injury and promotes good posture. Because it is firm instead of elastic, it provides consistent support, while typical elastic back supports give out when you need them most. Available in six sizes to fit waists from 23 to 48 inches. $39.95
http://www.whitehorsepress.com/
Stop & Go’s POCKET TIRE PLUGGER — plugs tubeless tires while they are still on the wheel. You won’t want to leave home without one. Easy to use and carry, weighs just 12 ounces, and comes in a 3-1/2 x 7-1/2 inch zippered pouch that fits in a corner of your tank bag. $34.95
http://www.whitehorsepress.com/
One other reminder: Reg Pridmore’s new riding skills book, SMOOTH RIDING THE PRIDMORE WAY, is shipping this coming week. If you haven’t already ordered, do it now to get a lifetime of techniques from one of the great teachers in motorcycling. $24.95
http://www.whitehorsepress.com/
Whitehorse Press
107 East Conway Road
Center Conway, NH 03813-4012
603-356-6556
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