Hey,
It’s another wild weekend here at the Wilmington Bikernet Headquarters. Last weekend, during Love Ride parties I was dismayed to find that Wilmington, California was named after Wilmington, Delaware. No offence to the east coast unit, but what kind of bullshit is that? Banning named the town after the town he grew up in. He needed a creative writing course. I say we change it to Smugglers’ Cove.
Thought I would kick back this weekend, but the entire industry is merging on Las Vegas for the Big Twin Dealer show and Bradley’s World Championship. I’m flying out for a day. Let’s hit the news. I’ve got to pack, plan out the women I want to see and the Vegas night life. Business can wait:
TP’s Pro Vent (circle R) Rocker Boxes–Bethel, CT -TP Engineering is proud to introduce their new patented Pro Vent (circle R) Rocker Boxes. These are the very same rocker boxes found on every new Big Dog Motorcycle and used by top custom bike builders worldwide like Paul Yaffe, Russell Mitchell, Dave Perewitz, Donnie Smith, Jerry Covington, Coast to Coast Choppers and many others.
CNC-Machined from 6061 billet aluminum, TP’s two-piece rocker box is innovative in design and function. Tom Pirone, President and “Head Design Engineer” for all of TP’s products stated, “Functionally, we’ve reengineered the way oil separates from the air and air flows out from the engine. The end result: easier air movement separates the air from the oil more efficiently and nearly eliminates oil carryover into the air filter.” Basically, TP’s patented design eliminates oil carry-over and features an exclusive breathing system for a quieter, better performing engine.
“These rocker boxes also have a sleek appearance and will compliment any top end. They look incredible, but perform even better”, concluded Duke Wainright, Vice President of TP Engineering. TP’s Pro Vent Rocker Box stanchions are machined integrally into the rocker box for added strength, and not as a separate piece. Additional benefits include: The two-piece wedge design allows far easier access to internal parts for service and maintenance. Extra wall thickness reduces noise and adds stability, reliability.
All TP Pro Vent Rocker Boxes are chromed to a show quality mirror finish and are available on all TP Pro-Series? engines (114″, 121″ and 124″) and are also sold separately. Pro-Vent rocker boxes will fit Evolution?, Big Twin?, Sportster?, and Twin Cam engines. Each kit includes rocker shafts and all necessary hardware for easy installation.
WORLD FASTEST INDIAN REVIEWS– What a coincidence that you wantto go to Bonneville because I went to a screening of that new movie TheWorld’s Fastest Indian, last night- the true story of New Zealander BurtMunroe and his 1920 Indian. It was a very good flick. Just the story alonewas interesting and entertaining, should appeal to many people even if theyaren’t motorcycle or Bonneville fans.
I highly recommend it.http://www.worldsfastestindian.com/main.html
–Eric Ellis
Senior Editor
Hot Bike Magazine
STURGIS HOME FOR SALE-BEFORE IT HITS THE MARKET–Just thought you might know someone who would be interested in this:We are selling our wee house. It is a little over 700 square feet, two bedroom, one bath, large garage (20×30 I think). $65,000.00. It is on Park Avenue and 9th, one block north of Lazelle, two blocks west of the J&P Cycles building, in walking distance to Main Street and vendor locations west of Junction.
It isn’t fancy and wouldn’t appeal to any of your friends, however it would be perfect for an industry person who brings people to the rally and needs accommodation for them, as well a storage.
It’s been a good space. The yard is particularly pretty and a nice private space to relax during the summer months. Loads of trees and, if I might brag, a lovely garden. House/garage was painted two years ago. Roof is new, hardwood floors in the two bedrooms, laundry room, washer and dryer will stay, as will the stove and window air conditioner unit that is more than adequate for the small space. If they utilized the living room area, the space would easily sleep six people. The garage is insulated. We have Jon’s truck, the Honda Accord and three bikes in it every day plus Jon’s work space.
Six mature oaks, one mature elm, several lilacs, a 20 foot cottenless cottonwood, a young maple, a fast growing Box Elder tree and a 10 foot ornamental crab apple.The portion of the yard that is right off the alley (between Lazelle and Park) has a six foot privacy fence. Property is 100 feet long by 50 feet across, long and narrow. Built the rock path myself!
If you know of anyone who might be interested have them give me a ring 605.490.3033
–Pepper
Da Vinch Motorbikes–Our Bikes-We produce one of the nicest looking MotorBikes around. We custom paint every tank and pinstripe every tank in house with your choice of color. We also add a springer front end on all bikes add headlight and brakelight included in our low price.
We can produce the Scanty (plain), the Bobber( hot rod style), The Retro (50’s look)or The Classic( all the bells and whistles). Prices starting at $700 US
About Us We are a small assemby shop located in Southern California. We take pride in the appearance and the quality of the ride that you get from a DaVinch Motorbike.Under 48 cc Motorized Bikes for transportation and fun. They are not mopeds nor motorcycles, but provide their own unique style of excitement and fun. They are also very fuel efficient and can get up to120 mpg ( actual mpg will vary with your riding style) A trip around the park, a quick hop to the store or just cruising the neighborhood can be as much fun as a long road trip on a large motorcycle.
DaVinch Motorbike
729 Basin St Unit A
San pedro, CA 90731
310 831-0433
www.davinchmotorbike@aol.com
ARLEN NESS– King of Choppers– KING OF CHOPPERS is the title of a new book about Arlen Ness. It is by Michael Lichter, the well-known motorcycle photographer, who received assistance from his subject. The foreword is by Sonny Barger.
The book is hardback and contains 192 pages, including a pictorial history of the bikes built by Arlen Ness over the years together with a biography of the builder.
The book is available from Arlen Ness and should prove a popular line – especially at Christmas.
ARLEN NESS
Dublin California, USA
Tel: 925 479 6350
Fax: 925 479 6351
E-mail:
METRIC REVOLUTION COMING– Top Custom Motorcycle Builders in the Nation Compete on First Nationally Televised Metric Biker Build-Off; www.metrictv.com
The producers of the “Metric Revolution”, an exciting new reality TV series, announces the names of 10 Cruiser, 10 Sportbike, and 4 Rookie builders chosen to showcase their unique ability to create radical custom “metric” motorcycles right before your eyes!
Boca Raton, FL (PRWEB) November 15, 2005 — Multi-Media Marketing & Production, Inc. has launched the first ever all “metric” biker build-off. Premiering in 2006, this national television series will provide American viewers the first ever exciting behind the scenes look into the world of the “custom” metric motorcycle industry. By combining Japanese, Italian, British, and German import motorcycles, this evolution will modernize the word “metric” into a household name.__The “Metric Revolution” (www.metrictv.com) will follow 20 professional builders and 4 rookies to their home towns to provide a revealing insight into each contestant’s life and personality.
The American audience will watch the trials and tribulations of each builder as they convert a stock metric motorcycle into “one-off” customs while competing for thousands of dollars in grand prizes.
National Television viewers will be able to participate in interactive voting for their favorite contestant. “We are going to bring you the “American Idol” of biker build-offs!” stated Danielle Spandau, Executive Producer of “Metric Revolution”.__Cruiser Division:_Andy Manna, “Viking Motorcycle Co.”, Antonio Renzi, “Modesto Customs”, Brad Ruel, “The Wrench”, Don Gray, “Don Gray Customs”, Doug Keim, “Creative Cycles”, Jaxon Fyffe, “Wildcard Customs”, Mike Dusold, “Dusold Designs”, Mike Stafford, “MGS Custom Bikes”, Sam Nehme, “Broward Motor Sports”, Todd Anglani, “Afterhours Cycles”__Sportbike Division:_Adam Canni, “Canni Designs”, Carlos Navarro, “Carlos Custom Sportbike”, Dean Kawczak, “LBF Customs”, Dennis Vazquez, “Pit Stop Motor Sports”, Jason Sapp, “C&S Customs”, Jim Ballard, “Parts/ Chrome Unlimited”, Mike McCoy, “McCoy Motorsports”, Nick Anglada, “Custom Sportbike Concepts”, Robert Fisher, “Roaring Toyz”, Stephen Kehler, “TOCC”__Rookies:_Carl Stephens, Dana D’Oench, Ray Neff, Thomas.
Graves__Co-hosts John Vaughan-Chaldy and Jessica Prokup will provide a peek into the evolution of the Metric Revolution. “This industry is just bursting at the seams!” states John Vaughn-Chaldy. The first episode of this 13 week series was taped during Biketoberfest 2005 in Daytona Beach, FL, and the final custom builds will be unveiled during Bike Week 2006.
INMATES BUILDING TRUE “OUTLAW” CHOPPERS– Billings Gazette, USA – CARSON CITY, Nev. – If you’re looking for an “outlaw” motorcycle, Nevada prison officials have a deal for you – a custom, high-powered chopper that costs $40,000 or more and is built by real outlaws.
The prison system’s “Big House Choppers” venture is expanding from a small wooden shed involving a few motorcycle-savvy convicts to a larger prison shop in southern Nevada that will employ as many as 30 inmates.”We are producing the only true outlaw motorcycles being produced by outlaws in the United States,” Howard Skolnik, head of the state’s prison industries program, said Monday.Skolnik boasts that buyers also will receive a certificate that confirms pieces of scrapped prison cell bars went into their bikes – in the form of 5-inch-long fender supports.
“Little things like that make these bikes look desirable,” he said.Skolnik told a legislative oversight panel that payment of a $15,000 licensing fee to the state Department of Motor Vehicles will clear the way for sale of the custom choppers.”You know, there’s no accounting for bad taste, senator,” Skolnik said to state Sen. Bob Beers, R-Las Vegas, who asked for details on the program and its market appeal. “People want these bikes. They really do.”
The venture, with the motto “Built with Conviction,” started at the Southern Desert Correctional Center, but may soon move into a 10,000-square-foot area within a large industrial building at the High Desert State Prison. Both prisons are in southern Nevada.
Two convicts are now building the choppers and already have produced their first, a cherry-colored motorcycle with a big, 110-cubic-inch engine and a prison guard tower painted on it.
Skolnik said a young inmate who worked on the first motorcycle recently was released and, because of the skills he learned in the prison industries program, quickly got a job paying nearly $20 an hour.
Nevada’s prison industries programs go well beyond making license plates and include old car restoration, making draperies, embroidery work and concrete casting. The programs are designed to be self-supporting, so they don’t rely on taxpayer money. Inmates can earn $5.15 an hour for their work, and learn a trade that will help them once they’re released.
–from Rogue
OWNERS RIGHT TO REPAIR ACT– Congressional Hearing on the Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair Act (HR2048)The Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection met on November 10th to question the motor vehicle manufacturers and aftermarket part industries on the “Right to Repair” bill. Under current law, motor vehicle and motorcycle manufacturers must make available publicly, only information pertaining to the emissions on board diagnostic systems under an Environmental Protection Agency mandate. This results, in some cases forced owners to return to the dealership for other repairs that might have been less expensive and more convenient to fix at a local mechanic or even by getting their own hands dirty.
The rapid advancement in braking, ignition, security and safety technology has resulted in more sophisticated diagnostic tools and equipment that manufactures are reluctant to make available to the shade tree mechanic or vehicle owner. Without access to the same training and tools made readily available to those within the dealership network, many small shops are being forced to turn away work. In fact in a survey of aftermarket automotive technicians, over fifty percent of them have turned away one to six jobs a month.
Consumer safety is also compromised when local repair shops of choice aren’t provided information to conduct certain repairs causing drivers and riders to avoid some needed repairs due to costly dealership service prices.This legislation is nothing new, the coalition of groups that supports the legislation has been attempting to right this wrong for almost six years. So, why is it taking so long? During a hearing on this measure in the 107th Congress it was decided that the disputing parties would attempt to resolve the issue with a non-legislative answer. Their answer was to set up an independent council comprised of aftermarket and motor vehicle manufacturers and agree on the way to share the information in question voluntarily. However an agreement was never reached because of a lone holdout in the manufacturers’ camp, an expensive and top of the line European manufacturer.
Back to the hearing, Chairman Sterns (R-FL) the subcommittee chair set the tone for the hearing in his opening statement when he said “All parties agree that access to repair and service information is a consumer right”.
Other members at the hearing echoed the Chairman’s sentiments. Even the full Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX) was in attendance. His strong statement of support of the bill was almost the nail in the coffin for the motor vehicle manufactures. Barton went on saying, “Federal legislation is not the answer to everything but in this case, after four years of discussion with no results, it’s the only answer”. Barton also happens to be the original sponsor of HR 2048, and is the one man who can see this legislation to the House floor for a vote and has vowed to do so. A full Energy and Commerce committee mark up is tentatively scheduled for sometime the first two weeks of December.
Jeff Hennie, Vice President of Government Relations for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation said, “This issue is about access and information but ultimately about consumer choice. Purchasing a motorcycle from your favorite manufacturer shouldn’t tie you to them as long as you own the motorcycle. We as the owners should be able to make the decision who performs maintenance or upgrades our motorcycles.”We have the right to remain silent, the right to an attorney and now the US House of Representatives wants you to have the right to repair your motorcycle. Call your Member of Congress at 202 224 3121 and ask them to please support HR 2048, the Motor Vehicle Owner Right to Repair act of 2005. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation will continue to provide updates on this important legislation.
— Jeff Hennie, MRF Vice President – Government Relations
–from Rogue
BIKERNET RELATIONSHIP ADVICE–The wife comes home early &finds her husband in their master bedroom making love to a beautiful, sexy young lady!
“You unfaithful, disrespectful pig! What are you doing? How dare you do this to me the faithful wife, the mother of your children! I’m leaving this house, I want a divorce!”
The husband, replies “Wait, wait a minute! Before you leave, at least listen to what happened.”
“Hummmmm, I don’t know, well it’ll be the last thing I will hear from you. But make it fast, you unfaithful pig you”
The husband begins to tell his story . . . “While driving home this young lady asks for a ride. I saw her so defenseless that went ahead and allowed her in my car. I noticed that she was very thin, not well dressed and very dirty. She mentioned that she had not eaten for 3 days. With great compassion and hurt, I brought her home and warmed up the enchiladas that I made for you last night that you wouldn’t eat because you’re afraid you’ll gain weight; the poor thing, practically devoured them. Since she was very dirty I asked her to take a shower.
While she was showering, I noticed her clothes were dirty and full of holes so I threw her clothes away. Since she needed clothes, I gave her the pair of jeans that you have had for a few years, that you can no longer wear because they are too tight on you.
I also gave her the blouse that I gave you on our anniversary and you don’t wear because I don’t have good taste. I gave her the pullover that my sister gave you for Christmas that you will not wear just to bother my sister and I also gave her the boots that you bought at the expensive boutique that you never wore again after you saw your co-worker wearing the same pair.”
The husband continues his story . . . .
“The young woman was very grateful to me and I walked her to the door.
When we got to the door she turned around and with tears coming out of her eyes, she asked me: “Sir, do you have anything else that your wife does not use”
–from Buckshot
SPECIAL AGENG ZEBRA MAKES FIRST FEATURE FILM– THE WRITER, a feature-length drama that takes place in Los Angeles and Paris, is the first feature film by Special Agent Zebra. It’s a gutsy, avant garde look at the struggles artists of today face, in a world focused on business and the hysterical exchange of money.
Walt, played by Mike Ming, is a young American author who is writing the next great American novel. But poverty and ruination threaten to overcome him and his relationship with his muse, Chloe, his French love who has followed him from Paris to Los Angeles, before he can finish. When the relationship comes to pieces, the book and Walt suddenly face the end. The story has a unique twist ending that allows the average person to better understand the real-world struggles all great artists face, before they are considered great.
Directed by Marko Sanginetto. Written, Produced and Executive Produced by Jim Houck.
Continued On Page 2
