You didn’t know that Bikernet had a university grant to research the essence of life’s pleasures, did you? It creates an interesting quandry. By revealing our findings, our stock will rocket through the tar paper roof of the headquarters. We’ll become filthy rich and loose our grasp on our findings. Snake, our resident bum, Renegade, the angriest man on earth, and Oz, our political analyst, are in a heated debate over whether to unleash the findings to the world. The question is whether to be rich and saddled with time consuming material bullshit, or to wallow in the unrestrained ecstasy of knowing and living within the gilded framework of life’s pleasuredom? While the fist fight is disrupting our stock of busted and broken parts, I have some other announcements…
Bikernet Christmas Tree
Last week I gave thanks to some of the staff for their efforts at Bikernet and their friendship throughout the process. A couple of nights later, I awoke with a start. I knew I would forget someone in my haste to launch the news, and true to poor-form, I did. My mental mistake was also politically incorrect. It was all women and one brother who whines like a woman. Two nights later, the headquarters was broken into and I was lashed to my creaking California King while, one after another, these women sat on my… Believe me, I deserved far worse punishment. First, I forgot to mention Michelle McCarthy, who is no longer with us. In fact, she may now be working with Frank Kaisler at Hot Rod Bikes. Seems she was lured away to some hot dot-com company that shriveled up and blew away. She endured my inability to write for several long and torturous years. There’s the lovely woman who has taken her place recently, Jumpin’ Janet, and the knockout Sundance who founded The Cyber Cycles Bike Show, which is now the Bikernet Cyber Cycles Bike Show. The show is now sponsored by Chrome Specialities and is free to anyone who wants recognition for their custom or roadworthy accomplishment. If you want to enter, check the catagories. We’ve expanded them to include rat bikes and heavily road ridden machines. The prizes have been expanded and when the fight is over in the garage, we will begin creating our own trophies. Believe me, they’re different.
The lovely Sundance.
We are about to launch the entire Chrome Specialties Streetware catalog just in time for Christmas shopping. Watch for it. It contains more than 700 accessories and apparel for us scooter folks.
They can’t seem to come to a decision in the garage, and if they knock over the desk we’re building for little John Butter, I’m going to fly out there swinging. We better get to the news:
A Harley-Davidson Holiday Legend–Arthur Davidson, of the Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Corp., died and went to heaven. At the gates, St. Peter told Arthur, “Since you’ve been such a good man and your motorcycles have changed the world, your reward is, you can hang out with anyone you want in Heaven.”
Arthur thought about it for a minute and then said, “I want to hang out with God.”
St. Peter took Arthur to the Throne Room and introduced him to God.
Arthur then asked God, “Hey, aren’t you the inventor of woman?”
God said, “Ah, yes.”
“Well,” said Arthur, “professional to professional, you have some major design flaws in your invention.
1. There’s too much inconsistency in the front end protrusion.
2. It chatters constantly at high speeds.
3. Most of the rear ends are too soft and wobble too much.
4. The intake is placed way too close to the exhaust.
And finally, 5. The maintenance costs are outrageous.”
“Hmmmm, you may have some good points there,” replied God. “Hold on.” God went to his Celestial super computer, typed in a few words and waited for the results. The computer printed out a slip of paper and God read it. “Well, it may be true that my invention is flawed,” God said to Arthur, “but according to these numbers, more men are riding my invention thanyours.”
–Gunracer
BRAND NEW BOOK ON BIKER MOVIES– Mike Seate, with the assistance of Whitehorse Press, has launched a complete book on every biker movie from The Wild One to On Any Sunday. It’s cool and is available through Whitehorse Press, WhitehorsePress.com.
FOR KNUCKLEHEAD FANS–As the name suggests, Flathead Power in Sweden produces performance parts for Flatheads. However, they also now have a wide range of products for Knuckleheads. In fact, they will supply complete Knucklehead engines and, if required, complete bikes. Single and dual carburetors and even top fuel components and engines are available. Check ’em out at flatheadpower.com.
ORWELL UPDATE–We’re all excited to announce that Sam “Chopper” Orwell is on press today in Menasha, Wisconsin. The books should be in our hands by Wednesday of next week. I’m going crazy.
BIKERNET SUPERBOWL PARTY–Yep, that’s it. At the Blue Cafe in downtown Long Beach. I’ll have books and I’ll be signing ’em like a mad dog. Stop by and meet some of the staff, see us drink and fall down. Be able to blackmail members of the staff for years.
You’ve got to watch the Superbowl somewhere. Get a plane ticket and get out here. Don’t miss it. Be there, be there, be there!
CENTURY MOTORCYCLES ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY DEC. 10–Have you been to a bike shop with character recently? Century Motorcycles has been selling bike parts in San Pedro, Calif., for some 40 years. The business is a combination of museum and junk yard of Eureopean, American and Japanese machines. Cindy, the owner, is the quirkiest bike shop proprietor on the planet. I recently interviewed her for Hot Rod Bikes. When asked what the most pleasurable aspect of owning her shop was, she didn’t hesitate. “The men,” she said emphatically. I’ll probably be there signing books.While I’m at it, check the January issue of Hot Rod Bikes. It contains an interview with the new Evel K., a kid named Bubba Blackwell who has been breaking records all over the country. Check the girl on the cover, too. Oooh ta, too-tah.
BUELL REPORT–We’ve discovered a custom oil cooler designed specifically for Buells. These CNC machined aluminum oil coolers for Buells are made by Ron’s Bike Shop and offered by German custom parts supplier Speed-point. Sold in pairs, they mount on the frame tubes below the gas tank and are available in a choice of polished or black anodized finishes. Check out www.speed-point.com
Mikuni For Sportsters And Buells
Mikuni HSR42 for Sportsters and Buells: Mikuni’s new HSR42 ‘Easy’ carburetor kits for Sportsters and Buells now work with the stock throttle cables, making the HSR42 easier and quicker to install. They are designed with an eight-roller bearing flat throttle slide assembly, which allows an unobstructed venturi at full throttle to flow more air and make more peak power. It offers more precision at all throttle settings to provide additional power, torque and fuel economy gains across the entire power band. The roller bearing throttle slide offers smoother throttle control and allows the use of a lighter throttle return spring. Check out www.Mikuni.com.
Breather and Pipe Kit
Hit 105 mph coming up the four-lane onramp over the weekend.The Buell race breather kit and the Vance/Hines pipe really improved the response on my 2000 M-2.
Installed a pairof Napoleon bar end mirrors to get rid to the stock Mickey Mouse-appearing units. The mirrors install in 10 minutes andcost $30 each. Had some interference with the lever ball ends, so I cut the balls off (neutered) my brake and clutch levers.
Next project is the installation of the carbon fiberX-1 style chin fairing. The fairing and hardware are sold separately. Will provide you with a hardware list after the installation.
–Agent M-2, Anson
Carb ModsOn your carb, start by drilling the slide to .109. This is a nominal/fraction size drill bit. Use the Dyno jet spring or cut two coils off the stock spring for starters. Use the 88 Sportster needle first. A spacer may or may not be needed. I use a .010 spacer under the head of the needle, but my heads have been reworked and flow better than the stock Thunderstorm Buell heads. Also my CV carb is bored.Start with H-D #45 slow jet, which it may already have. For the main jet, start with a stock H-D #185 size. Don’t use a Dyno jet kit! They cost way too much and it ruins your gas mileage.I know you have heard me say this before, but you should call Trock about boring and setting up the carb. I would do the mods above first. Then if you have the time, Dyno the bike. Actually, Dyno it before you do anything for a baseline.Keep notes on every change you do. Then you know what is working and what made the biggest change. I know time is always a problem. But there is really only one way to see what’s going on.Oh yeah, make sure your Buell has an idle speed adjuster cable with a small black knob. It should be by the frame and air box on top. If you don’t have it, get one. Makes setting the idle much less painful than without it.Try just taking the “L” tube inside the airbox out. Put in the plastic Venturi ring from Screamin Eagle. Also a K&N air filter for the air box. I know the air box looks funky to most people, but it does grow on you after a while.What’s good about the thing is it’s really a good still air box.Ah yes, the brakes. As you may have found out, the rear brakes don’t do a whole lot. So you have to learn to front brake. The front brake is one of Buell’s best features. You don’t really need two rotors/calipers for the street. I do agree with you though, it looks trick with a dual disk setup. PM makes the calipers for a dual setup. They are spendy though. Ferodo makes really good rotors and pads, also spendy. Both these guysare in your extensive “Link” page.
As for the shock mount recall, Bartels can run the VIN and tell you.Visually, the recall has an alum. split bell shaped looking cover with two clamps at the rear of the shock. At the front of the shock there is a U-shaped bracket that goes around the shock “eye” and is held in place by a serious two-piece clamping bracket. All this is designed for is tokeep the shock from coming apart if the ends of the shock break, which is very, very rare. It’s that abuse thing again.
I forgot to mention the air/fuel mixture screw on the CV. It’s located on the bottom of the carb, behind the float bowl, under the rear spigot. I drill a small hole (.078 DIA.) in the side of the boss about .100 from the bottom of the boss. This puts me just above the alum. plug and belowthe threads of the mixture.I then take a Snap-on curved pick (hook) and stick it in the drilled hole and push out the alum. plug, which I save.
Start by turning the screw in lightly til it bottoms, not too hard or you will fuck up the screw. Back it out about 2 1/2 turns to start. If this is good, push the plug back in the boss and stake it. Then silicone up the small hole.If the mixture screw gets lost or screwed up, a Kowalski Vulcan CV carb screw can be used. Don’t have the P/N here, it’s at work.
— Paul
Stoppys
Stoppys are front braking rear tire wheelies. If you really need to do this, try doing them starting at 20 mph. Grab a lot of front brake, you’ll feel the rear come up. Be ready to let go of that front brake fast! Bereally careful!I do not recommend any wheelie on a Buell. It is really hard on the rearshock and the front fork neck bearings. I like to check my neck bearings at the 2,500 mile service interveral. I have replaced a lot of these and it’s usually due to abusive riding. Also, the rear shock front mount bolts to the engine case. Lots of stress when you beat on the bike.
Start by grabbing a little more brake than usual at a normal stop. You can feel the rear of the bike lift up. You gotta remember the front brake on a Buell is very powerful and stops you like right now. If you feel comfortable, try them at 20 mph.Also, just put Charlotte, N.C., and drop the Charlotte H-D. Don’t need thephone calls that might come from this info.
Headwork
Also explaining that reworking the heads is really part of the total package but can be done later. This will put them in the 90-plus HP range. Ninety to 100 HP on a Buell is truly a rush.Hope all this helps. Would like to see the “Buell Report” be a success.For what it’s worth, if you’re in Phoenix, look up Scott Jensen. He is the service manager at Glendale H-D. He is a road racer and has raced Buells.He is the guy to see in Phoenix if you need help, ideas, etc. on Buells.That’s it for now.Later, Paul
BANDIT’S BIKER BARS–We have some 100 biker bars listed and shortly we will have the capability to show photos of the best bars in the country. Keep ’em coming. Next year I plan to ride cross country and I’ll need plently of places to gas up.
A WOMAN WAS LEAVING– a 7-Eleven with her morning coffee when she noticeda most unusual funeral procession approaching the nearby cemetery. A long black hearse was followed by a second long black hearse about 50 feet behind. Behind the second hearse was a solitary womanwalking a pit bull dog on a leash. Behind her were 200 women walking singlefile.
The woman couldn’t stand the curiosity. She respectfully approached the woman walking the dog and said, “I am so sorry for your loss, and I know now is a bad time to disturb you, but I’ve never seen a funeral like this. Whose funeral is it?”
The woman replied, “Well, that first hearse is for my husband.”
“What happened to him?” The woman replied, “My dog attacked andkilled him.”
She inquired further, “Well, who is in the second hearse?”
The woman answered, “My mother-in-law. She was trying to help my husband when the dog turned on her.” A poignant and thoughtful moment of silence passes between the twowomen.
“Can I borrow the dog?”
“Get in line.”
BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES JOINS BIKERNET– Sheldon Coleman, the CEO of Big Dog, and Nick Messner, president, cut their salaries to afford the company the opportunity to become part of the Bikernet team of sponsors. It’s steep, but we’ll make it worth their while. You’ll see the entire line-up of Big Dog Bikes for 2001, plus we hope to assist them with unloading their surplus parts, so watch for more deals in the future.
HANDFUL OF HARDPARTS–Ed Martin of Chrome Specialties has asked me to select a handful of hard parts from their catalog to carry in our shop on Bikernet. I will be looking for unique, quirky and solid shit. What interests me is jockey shifts for Evolutions, and weird shit like that. Watch for them in the StreetWare and Dare area.
BIKERNET SPONSORSHIP PROGRAMS– We have a program for the companies that end up on our home page and we’re still looking for a couple more. We have a limit on how many companies we will take, so we want the best non-competitors. For instance, Daytec is one of the mix as our frame manufacturer. We won’t let any other frame manufacturers into the sponsorship program until their contract is up. We are looking for a brake manufacturer to complement the crew. If you’re in the business and need specific info on this program, drop a note to Oz@bikernet.com. For banner advertising, write Sinwu@bikernet.com. Next week we’ll come out of the closet and post our advertising rates and programs on the site.
NEW PARTS LIST–
1 – 4 Speed Harley transmission fits 1965-1984 Big Twin (rebuilt)$1000.
1 Roadstar 16-inch spoke wheel in box$250.
1 Revtech 16×3 front rally style billet wheel complete$350 each.
1 Sturgis 16×3 1/2 front Mirage style billet wheel complete$350.
1 Sturgis 16×3 1/2 rim only Daytona style billet wheel$250.
2 Sturgis front rim hubs non-brake side for single brake set-up$50 each.
1 Sturgis 16×3 1/2 rims only Rally style billet wheel$250.
1 Sturgis 16×5 1/4 Rear Roadstar style billet wheel with brake side hub(needs pulleyside hub available from Sturgis wheel) Sturgis Roadstar billet rear beltpulley $700.
1 Attitude style Sturgis billet rear belt pulley$300.
2 CCI 47-098 70 tooth rear pulley multi-spoke$275 each.
2 American Quantum billet aluminum anti-reversionary front ends – ready tobolt on. $700 each.
5 Billet aluminum inner primarys to fit FXR$500 each.
5 Billet aluminum outer primary covers to fit FXR$500 each.
4 H-D inner primarys to fit FXR$200 each.
10 Sets of 4140 Steel EVO connecting rods$50 set.
5 S&S connecting rod sets part number 34-7010$150 set.
2 Spyke starter jackshaft kits CCI 28-677 big twins 89-93$70 each.
3 5-speed Harley-Davidson taper shaft diaphgram clutch assembly with Kevlarclutch plates $400 each.
Heavy billet aluminum 5-Speed transmission doors polished and bearings$150 each.
7 Jims pinion gears 24045-78 green to 89$30 each.
3 Jims pinion gears 24043-78 red to 89$30 each.
1 set CCI 15-294 6-gallon gas tanks H-D FXST 1984-96 & custom frames$100 set.
5 CCI 13-383 Russell stainless steel disc brake rotors (oem 41813-79) Retail$ 79.95 – Dealer $55.25 – Rogue $50 each.
5 CCI 13-381 Russell stainless steel disc brake rotors (oem 41791-79A) Retail$79.95 – Dealer $55.25 – Rogue $50 each.
1 CCI 09-880 adjustable rear mini shaker floorboard set Retail $ 179.95 -Dealer $116.95 – Rogue $100.
1 Feuling-Quantum 4-valve head front new Retail $295.68 – Dealer $197.12$195.
1 Feuling-Quantum 4-valve head front new Retail $295.68 – Dealer $197.12$195.
10 Feuling-Quantum 4-Valve heads front, minor repair needed on some(guide,seat,threads) Retail Price $295.68, – Dealer $197.12 But has guides& seats alreadyinstalled.$150 each.
10 Feuling-Quantum 4-valve heads rear, minor repair needed on some(guide,seat,threads) Retail Price $295.68, – Dealer $197.12 But has guides & seats alreadyinstalled.$150 each.
1 Feuling-Quantum 4-valve front rocker boxes complete, need to be reshimed$395 each.
1 Feuling-Quantum 4-valve rear rocker boxes complete, need to be reshimed$395 each.
10 Feuling-Quantum 4-valve front rocker boxes Retail $184.20- Dealer$122.80 $75 each.
10 Feuling-Quantum 4-valve rear rocker boxes Retail $184.20- Dealer $122.80$75 each.
10 Feuling-Quantum 4-valve front exhaust rocker arms Retail $159.38- Dealer$106.25 $75 each.
10 Feuling-Quantum 4-valve front intake rocker arms Retail $159.38- Dealer$106.25 $75 each.
10 Feuling-Quantum 4-valve rear intake rocker arms Retail $159.38- Dealer$106.25 $75 each.
10 Feuling-Quantum 4-valve rear exhaust rocker arms Retail $159.38- Dealer$106.25 $75 each.
10 Feuling-Quantum 4-valve rocker box covers Retail $86.52- Dealer $57.68$25 each.
10 dual carb plenums for Feuling-Quantum 4-valve heads Retail $95.07-Dealer$75. $50 each.
10 intake plenum runners for Feuling-Quantum 4-valve heads Retail $87.42-Dealer $58.28 $25 each.
50 Feuling-Quantum intake valves Retail $12.15- Dealer $8.10$8.10 each.
50 Feuling-Quantum exhaust valves Retail $11.03- Dealer $7.35$7.35 each.
50 Feuling-Quantum rocker shafts Retail $17.03- Dealer $11.35$11.35 each
50 Feuling-Quantum Oversize Intake Valve Guides Retail $5.45- Dealer $3.63$3.63 each
50 Feuling-Quantum Oversize Exhaust Valve Guides Retail $5.45- Dealer$3.63 $3.63 each
50 Feuling-Quantum Oversize Intake Seats Retail $7.50- Dealer $5$5 each
50 Feuling-Quantum Oversize Exhaust Seats Retail $7.50- Dealer $5$5
20 Feuling-Quantum Commetic Head Gaskets for Non-O-Ring Heads$15 each.
20 Feuling-Quantum Rocker Box Cover Gaskets w/Sealer built in$10 each
10 Feuling-Quantum Inner Valve Springs $ 4 each
4 Feuling-Quantum Outer Valve Springs $ 5 each
*** 8 Feuling 4-Valve Front Rocker Boxes for Sportster or 4Cam V-Twin$200 each.
*** 8 Feuling 4-Valve Rear Rocker Boxes for Sportster or 4 Cam V-Twin$200 each.
*** 8 Feuling 4-Valve Front exhaust rocker arms for Sportster or 4 CamV-Twin $150 each.
*** 8 Feuling 4 Valve Front intake rocker arms for Sportster or 4 CamV-Twin $150 each.
*** 8 Feuling 4 Valve Rear intake rocker arms for Sportster or 4 Cam V-twin$150 each.
*** 8 Feuling 4 Valve Rear exhaust rocker arms for Sportster or 4 CamV-Twin $150 each.
*** 8 Feuling 4 Valve Plenun chambers for Sportster or 4 Cam V-Twin$100 each.
5 Sets of Billet fender struts to fit Boyce frames$100 set
10 Front Ofset motor mount black powdercoat Boyce frames$25 each
10 Front Ofset motor mount Chrome KB 01-301 Boyce frames$30 each
5 Petcocks CCI 25-253 & Chrome Spec. 260366$10 each
3 Petcocks CCI 27050 Accel$30 each
20 Steel motormount stablizer (turnbuckle complete) rubber mount 5 speeds$40 each
5 FXR Chrome Kickstands$50 each
1 Sumax #8635 Front Fender $100.$50.
1 Sumax #8650 Front Fender $100.$50.
1 Sumax #8651 Front Fender $100.$50.
1 Sumax #8654 Front Fender $156.$75.
1 Sumax #8604 W Rear Fender $158.$75.
1 Sumax #8609 W Rear Fender $127.$60.
1 Sumax #8617 W Rear Fender $114.$55.
1 Sumax #8619 W Rear Fender $119.$60.
1 Sumax #8656 W Rear Fender $192.$95.
3 CCI 13-389 Russel Stainless Oil Lines for FXR 1987 – 1990 Retail$143.95 – Dealer $99.35 – Rogue $80.
3 CCI 13-387 Russel Stainless Oil Lines for Softail 1990 – 1992 Retail$156.95 -Dealer $109.15 – Rogue $90.
1 Dunlop 491 MT90B16-71H Front Tire $70.
1 Metzler Perfect ME-99A (150/80X16) Rear Tire $70.
TO VERIFY SUMAX Fenders Prices and other info e-mail info@sumax.com andask. Other stuff like seats, stainless lines and cables to be listed later as Iam still sorting parts. Prices subject to change and some parts are limited. 4-valve parts are available fully assembled and ready to bolt on. Mail forprices and details
–rogue@bikerrogue.com
HOW TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY LEVEL OF INSANITY– At lunch time, sit in your parked car with sunglasses on and point a hair dryer at passing cars. See if they slow down.
Page yourself over the intercom. Don’t disguise your voice.
Insist that your e-mail address is: Xena-Warrior-Princess@companyname.com or Elvis-the-King@companyname.com
Every time someone asks you to do something, ask if they want fries with that.
Put your garbage can on your desk and label it “IN.”
Develop an unnatural fear of staplers.
Put decaf in the coffee maker for three weeks. Once everyone has gotten over their caffeine addictions, switch to espresso.
As often as possible, skip rather than walk.
Specify that your drive-through order is “to go.”
Sing along at the opera.
A November entry in the Vintage Chopper Class sent in by Frank Pedersen of Olathe, Kansas.
CALL FOR ENTRIES–“November will soon be only a distant memory. Hurry now to enter your ride in the Cyber Space Bike Show! Sundance is accepting entries for this month until midnight Nov. 30. The Digital Gangster has made online entry so easy, your 3-year-old could do it! Not to mention, it’s the only place on the Web where you can enter for FREE and still win great prizes!
If you don’t manage to enter by the end of November, no sweat! Sundance runs the bike show every month and she’ll be happy to receive your entry next month. Slide by the bike show if you’d like to check out the current competitors. There are some sharp-looking bikes and some interesting comments. Then watch for the winners to be posted the first week of December. Check it out to see if our talented, unbiased judges picked the bike you liked best!”
BIKERNET BABE FROM THE BIG APPLE REPORT–Oh, I’m writing stuff for Bikers-Dream, not Ultra, though, I should maybehelp out there too.
This Sunday is the annual Toys for Tots run in Queens, N.Y. We get about 20,000attendees. Pretty good. Lots of clubs, city folks, etc. Nice bikes too.If I can make it back into town by then, I’m going. I’ll write some stufffor you and snap photos.
For what it’s worth to ya, I’m going to the opening reception on Dec. 8 forthis too:
The Great New York Motorcycle Show
Dec. 9 through April 10
Exhibition Hall
On Dec. 9, the New York State Museum will open a first-of-its-kindexhibition of motorcycles invented and manufactured in New York state. NewYork pioneered the invention and early manufacture of motorized two-wheelersand continues to produce a rich variety of motorcycles for utilitarian use,pleasure riding and competition. The Great New York Motorcycle Show willinclude them all, from the first motorized bicycles of the 1890s through the77 cubic-inch Emblem touring machines of the 1910s and the dual-purpose(on-off road) Yankees of the 1970s to the exotic custom cruisers of today.The exhibition will also include engines, catalogs, posters and photos. Inconjunction with the exhibition, the museum is publishing a book, “TheMotorcycle Industry in New York State: A Concise Encyclopedia of Inventors,Builders and Manufacturers,” which will be available in its gift shop.
This exhibition is sure to be a major Albany event…one perfect forthose of you who were born to be wild. Museum members are invited to attenda reception to preview this exciting exhibition on Dec. 8 at 6p.m.
Sex Prevents Heart Attacks–Men: How would you like to cut your risk of a major heart attack or strokein half–and have fun in the process? Britain’s University of Bristolreports that men can do just that by having sex three or four times a week.Basically, the good cardiologists have determined that sex is as legitimatea form of exercise as a game of squash or a long run. In the groundbreakingstudy, researchers questioned 2,400 men in Caerphilly, Wales who had nohistory of major diseases. They asked the men a wide range of questions,including whether they had sex once, twice, or three or more times a week.
“What was found when the men were followed up over the next 10 years wasthat those who’d had three or more orgasms a week were half as likely tohave had a heart attack or a stroke,” said Shah Ebrahim, a professor at theUniversity of Bristol. “We’re now moving to a situation where we would saythat even mild to moderate levels of physical activity are likely to havesome cardiovascular protective effect,” he added. –Cathryn Conroy
–From John Siebenthaler
BLUE FLAME FIRED UP AGAIN–The Blue Flame was burning down the highways during the Love Ride, sportin’ a new steel stretched Independent Gas Tank Co. tank. Paul Yaffe of Phoenix solved the very explosive mistake I made in mounting the Sportster tank by welding mounting tabs on the frame that support the new tank with rubber mounts. The tech is in the garage and this is living proof that the Flame is alive and on the road with new paint from Harold Pontarelli of H-D Performance in Sacramento. Check the tech and watch for a bike feature on my favorite rigid in the March issue of HOT Bike.Check the new air cleaner from Paul Yaffe Originals in Phoenix. Gives it that bad ass chopper look.
QUOTE FROM THE RICH AND FAMOUS– * (On going to war over religion) — “You’re basically killing each other to see who’s got the better imaginary friend.” -Yasir Arrafat (PLO leader)
* “Women might be able to fake orgasms. But men can fake whole relationships.”-Sharon Stone
* “My cousin just died. He was only 19. He got stung by a bee – the natural enemy of a tightrope walker.” -Dan Rather (News anchorman)
* “I saw a woman wearing a sweatshirt with ‘Guess’ on it. I said, “Thyroid problem?'”-Arnold Schwarzenegger
THE NAME GAME– We are continuing to give medium or 2X T-shirts to riders who submit prospective titles for our “In the Wind” section. Give it your best shot or send us a flick that will melt thousands of monitors in a single nano-second. Don’t forget to send along your shirt size and address. T-shirts are flying outta here. Here’s another submission:
Oh mighty Wordsmith, how about Vagabond Voyeurfor your Wind page?
It comes from my road anthem. If you don’t like it,maybe the lyrics will inspire you to come up with aname.
–FTW,Stroker
WHEREVER I MAY ROAM
…and the road becomes my bride
I have stripped of all but pride
so in her I do confide
and she keeps me satisfied
gives me all I need .
..and with dust in throat I crave
only knowledge will I save
to the game you stay a slave
rover, wanderer
nomad, vagabond
call me what you will
but I’ll take my time anywhere
free to speak my mind anywhere
and I’ll redefine anywhere
anywhere I may roam
where I lay my head is home
…and the earth becomes my throne
I adapt to the unknown
under wandering stars I’ve grown
by myself but not alone
I ask no one
…and my ties are severed clean
the less I have the more I gain
off the beaten path I reign
rover wanderer
nomad vagabond
call me what you will
but I’ll take my time anywhere
I’m free to speak my mind anywhere
and I’ll never mind anywhere
anywhere I may roam
where I lay my head is home
but I’ll take my time anywhere
free to speak my mind
and I’ll take my find anywhere
anywhere I may roam
where I lay my head is home
carved upon my stone
my body lie, but still I roam
wherever I may roam
Finally get a compliment from your ass and it’s not my work!Wouldn’t ya know it. My road anthem is a Metallica song.
Just thought you should know, as it is copyrighted. Don’tknow if that affects you posting it or not. Just don’t giveme credit for writing it.
I’ll keep trying, maybe someday my own writing will earn acompliment. Still want to try fiction someday. Been busyas shit lately and haven’t written a damn thing.
Congratulations on your first year! Keep up the good work.
–FTW,Stroker
HEY!– You evil rat bastard! What am I, chopped liver? I founded Bikernet.com East and you forget to thank me and my entire staff, Big Lucy, Apache, myself. If it weren’t for me, you would have never gotten into motorcycling in the first place. You’d have stayed in sewing school and been a queer fashion designer. You swine. You’ll pay for this, Ball.
–Don Zebra
The sound of E.T. walking was made by someone squishing her hands injelly.
JENNY– from Biker’s Choice let me know that their top salesman died of a massive heart attack the other day, and that I needed to live life to the fullest because you never know. It’s actually unlikely that a heart problem would stop me in my tracks, maybe splitting lanes at 90 in downtown traffic on a Friday night, but not some goddamn illness. The point is that there is heaven all about us. We just need to slow down to touch it, let it fill our lungs and glide away on a cloud of it. 
The key is to stop and take stock of what makes you happy, really happy, like orgasm happy. Then focus on those elements of life and fuck the rest. I’m not prescribing that you take a powder on the boss, or maybe I am. Take, for instance, my humble existence. What truly rocks my boat: Sex, building bikes, sex, writing, women and riding. So I took stock of my life, saved a few coins and eliminated everything else. If I had a lot of money, I’d have more crap that would take up my time. So stop what you’re doing, grab someone soft and let her take you away (I do this each and every night) where you can focus on what makes your life a pleasure. Then figure out how to stay there. In other words–Let’s ride.
–Bandit
