Hey,
I don’t know how to kick this thing off, and maybe I should shut up and let the news rip. It’s a goddamn beautiful day here in Socal. My Salt Shaker 120-Panhead engine is back in the mail headed my way. There’s Biker action every weekend and I’m staying out of the garage to help the missus finish our kitchen.
Some brothers were hurt last week and one killed in a Helicopter accident. Some report the industry’s down, and I always point out that in 1978, 1,250,000 motorcycles were sold in this country annually. In the ’80s it dipped to 400,000 and now it’s up to a million. We’re just scratchin’ this industry’s surface. We’ve got along ways to go. Let’s hit the news:
TEXAS NATIONAL BIKE SHOW UPDATE– Well it’s me again and we are getting to the home stretch. The show is about three weeks away and we are going to have one helluva time!
This week I am pleased to bring to you one of our feature builders in the Texas National Builder Showdown. This guy not only builds his own bikes but is pretty famous for his painting abilities. “Paint by Pygmy” is well known around Texas , we like to call him “The Best Little Painter in Texas” no small feat for a great big state. His work has been featured in many industry magazines, and what can I say the boy’s got skills. His bike is the “Double Nickel” and if you stop by the Texas National Bike Show on November 3rd and 4th at the Galveston Island Convention Center and you like what you see you can vote for Pygmy or your favorite builder.
Lots of last minute stuff going on. At this time registration for motorcycle shops has ended but display only space is still available and anyone else who would like to participate, vendor space is still available. Since I have done this before I know that my bike show participants will be signing up right until the last minute, there is still time for anyone wanting a chance to win great trophies and other prizes.
We are fortunate we have received lots of great door prizes and also some great stuff for our goodie bags that we will give out to the first 200 people through the door on Friday and Saturday. If your company would like name recognition during the event feel free to send some goodies for giveaways and prizes.
Well gotta run, but look for the next builder Metal Blade Choppers in next Thursday news. And as usual a GREAT BIG THANKS goes out to our favorite sponsor BIKERNET for supporting us in our endeavor to bring you all a great show.
See you at the show,
–Holly
2007 BASSANI PRO RSD–Right Side Drive is definitely the hot ticket and Bassani has just the pipe to give your bike more than its share of attitude. Based on Bassani’s record setting Pro Street pipes, the new SOFTAIL RIGHT SIDE DRIVE PRO STREET systems feature Hot Rod styling with an exhaust note to match.
Available in two styles, Straight Cut and Slash Cut, the pipes mount to the transmission using supplied hardware and are finished in show quality chrome. Also available in black Thermal Coat on request. Current applications fit most custom Softail style Right Side Drive applications including Texas Choppers and Hellbound Steel.
Retail for the chrome system is $499.00. For complete details call 866-439-4287 or visit them on the Web at www.bassanipipes.com
KENDALL JOHNSON DOWN–The master of performance is cool after his accident in Myrtle Beach. He had a front end malfunction and collapsed a lung in the fall, but our report indicates he’ll be up soon
HARLEY STORE OWNER FACES JUDGE OVER EMPLOYEE ASSAULT– Alleged Victim Says Boss Raped Her–HAMPTON TWP., Pa. — There are new details about an alleged employee assault.An employee of a Harley dealership accused the store owner, Terry Sanford, 62, of rape.The victim spoke in court Friday about how the attack happened.On the witness stand, the alleged rape victim broke down in tears describing what happened on May 12 at Sanford’s home in Allison Park.
The former employee at Sanford’s Spirit Harley Davidson store said he raped and threatened her.She testified that he reminded her that he was a member of the Hell’s Angels and if she said anything she’d be done.The victim’s mother said this has taken a toll on her young daughter.
Another female employee also testified that earlier that morning when she was at Sanford’s house to clean it, Sanford tried to force her to engage in sexual acts.Defense attorney Michael Deriso said Sanford is a good member of the community and has no prior criminal record.He said the credibility of the rape victim will play a big part in the trial.
The district judge held Sanford for trial on all of the charges.He already posted a $100,000 straight bond.
–from Rogue
PERFORMANCE MACHINE CUTS A FALL SPECIAL–$100 in FREE PM Clothing with all Brake sets – Ends Oct. 31st!You read it right! Buy a set (any two brake systems) of PM calipers for your Harley Davidson and we’ll send you up to $100 in FREE PM Gear!
Simply buy the calipers from any authorized PM dealer, download the FREE GEAR form from the PM website http://www.performancemachine.com/freegear.html and mail it with your proof of purchase directly to PM. We’ll shoot you a box of clothes as our way of saying thanks!
RETAIL PURCHASES ONLY.
For more information, call or write to:Performance Machine, Inc.
6892 Marlin Circle,
La Palma, CA 90623
714-523-3000
http://www.performancemachine.com
BIKERNET BONNEVILLE UPDATE–Hey Bandit ! Just read your accounting of the Salt Shaker experience at the Flats…………….GREAT story and Congratulations !! Hey ! That picture of Val in her leathers is a Poster waiting to happen if I ever saw one! I want one!
What a great time you had….I always wondered what the attraction was out there in the middle of nowhere, but your story got me going….what a rush! I also enjoyed the photo of Nyla….she paints in the nude ? Does her place need a second coat ? That’s a fine looking woman.
–Dusty
GREAT HAWAIIAN BIKER BUILD-OFF TWO–Following this year’s annual Toys-for-Tots run, which drew over 6,000 motorcyclists in 2005, Hawaiian Chopper Magazine will put on an unforgettable motorcycle event that will become the benchmark for all motorcycle rallies in the islands to follow.
Featuring a biker build-off between celebrated Japanese motorcycle builder Norio Akai of Phoenix Customs in Kyoto, and American motorcycle manufacturer Big Mike of Bend, Oregon’s BMC Choppers.
The festivities begin immediately following the annual “Toys-for-Tots” motorcycle run with thousands of motorcyclists making their way through Waikiki to Honolulu’s Kapiolani Community College (KCC).
Once at the of the KCC, spectators & participants will be treated to a spectacle larger and more awesome than last year’s “Great Hawaiian Biker Build-Off”, or even July’s “Paradise Bikefest”, which drew over 5,000 people.
Along with some of the World’s top motorcycle builders like Chica, Denver’s Choppers Mondo Porras, and a host of other top chopper artisans, and their custom bikes made famous on Discovery Channel’s “Biker Build-off” series. Visitors to this year’s event will be actively engaged in the festivities by voting on the build-off bikes of Big Mike and Norio Akai.
In addition to the bike build-off, a “ride-in” bike show offers local builders, owners, and businesses the opportunity to showcase their bikes, and possibly take home a one of a kind trophy.
Many of Hawaii’s most beautiful women will complete in a bikini model search sponsored by Hawaiian Tropic & Sensually Yours. Competitors will go after $1,000.00 in cash prizes, and the event will be one of the highlights of the day’s events.
And what would a motorcycle rally be without music? Join some of Hawaii’s top musicians for their special blend of rock & roll and contemporary Hawaiian rhythms. December 3rd will be the talk of the town!
Of course, with Christmas just around the bend, a vendor village featuring the products and services of some 40 local and national companies will offer great products for sale. This event will be a great opportunity for people to pick up some cool presents for family and friends.
Did I mention there will be great food & drink specials offered throughout the day’s event??? Great food will be on sale from none other than the Hard Rock Caf?, Taste of New York Deli, and Kahuna Dogs. I get hungry just thinking about it!
Tickets go on sale November 1st, and can be found at retailers such as, PacifiC Rim Cycle, South Seas Harley-Davidson, Cycle City Harley-Davidson, Domenico’s, Grumpy’s Customs, Kustom Fab, Military Ticket outlets, or through Street Bikers United, and by visiting www.honoluluboxoffice.com, or call 550-TIKS (8457).
–Steven Kalnasy
President/Editor-in-Chief
HARLEY-DAVIDSON PROTOTYPE DEBUTS AT INTERMOT–Cologne, Germany (October 10, 2006) – Harley-Davidson revealed a prototype Sportster XR 1200 motorcycle aimed at the European market today at the INTERMOT International Motorcycle Show in Cologne, Germany. The XR 1200 prototype places an emphasis on performance and handling with styling inspired by the Motor Company’s legendary XR 750 dirt track racer.
Created with the demands of the European market in mind, the XR 1200 prototype’s development goals include a powerful air-cooled V-Twin engine, agile handling, and high performance suspension and brakes.
“As Harley-Davidson seeks to further grow its presence and sales in Europe, INTERMOT and subsequent major European events will be used to carefully evaluate media and public reaction to the XR 1200 prototype,” said John Russell, Vice President, Harley-Davidson Europe. “If the prototype is well received, we hope to bring the XR 1200 to Europe in 2007.”
The Sportster XR 1200 Prototype features:
XR 750-inspired styling
1200cc air-cooled V-Twin with downdraft fuel injection (85-90 HP target)
Specially tuned Showa suspension with 43mm inverted front forks
High performance four-piston caliper Nissin brakes
Unique lightweight cast wheels with dirt track-inspired design
Specially developed Dunlop Qualifier tires:
Front 120/70ZR18
Rear 180/55ZR17
SAXON MOTORCYCLE LAUNCHES NEW MODELS AND PRICING–We attended the Saxon new model launch in Mesa Grande, Arizona and rode all of their new models, with other editors, to Sedona. They’ve made incredible strides in handling, performance and reliability. Watch for the full report, but here’s their prices. Not bad for full customs with 100-inch S&S motors.
Warlord $25,195
Firestorm $24,695
Griffin $26,595
Sceptre $23,995
Villian $25,995
Crown $28,595
Hotrod Sceptre $26,995
THE BAKER 6 INTO 4: KICKIN’ IT OL’ SCHOOL–HASLETT, MI – OCTOBER 10, 2006About a few ago we came out with the 6-into-4 for Shovelheads. Sales of these transmissions have been a complete shocker and the message is loud and clear: People love their Shovelheads and they ride the piss out of them.
Our 6-into-4 transmission is a direct replacement for the 1970-E84 4-speed, available with or without the time-honored 1936-84 style kicker. In a 4-speed, 4th gear is 1:1. Our Shovelhead 6-speed overdrive has a 1:1 5th gear and a .86 6th; good for a 500 RPM reduction in cruising RPM on the highway.
DETAILS:
o Feature strong and smooth BAKER Klassic Kicker Gears
o Available in show polished, wrinkle black, or casted finishes
o Kicker includes a polished brass pedal
o Many optional gear ratios available
o Now available with 33 tooth pulley
o 1970 to Early 1984 Applications only
New features include our BAKER Klassic Kicker gear and our N1 shift drum option. The 4140 heat treated steel Klassic Kicker Gears are stronger than what is currently available and provide a smoother, quieter roll with due to a new rounded tooth design. It also has a reinforced stop-peg prevents common breakage and tumbling into the transmission.
This is great for bikes with foot clutches! An N-1 shift pattern, which is a pattern with neutral before 1st gear instead of neutral between 1st and 2nd, eliminates the hope and guessing out of finding neutral before you have to remove your foot off the clutch and step on the ground for balance when stopping. That is, “Neutral is all the way down to get your foot planted on the ground”. This is especially helpful with jockey shift linkage that loses a lot of the “feel” when looking for conventional neutral. BAKER has found this a handy and popular solution to embarrassing stalls or slamming into stopped cars ahead of you.
For additional information on BAKER’s first product, call us Toll Free at 1-877-640-2004.
RUSS TOM OF DOWNTOWN SEATTLE H-D KILLED IN FREAK HELICOPTOR ACCIDENT–Seattle native Russ Tom was known for his mean Harleys and earned a reputation as an innovative custom-motorcycle designer. His sleek, polished bikes with oversized parts went to customers nationwide.
But Rick Tom, his brother, wants Seattle-area residents to know that the 46-year-old, who died after a helicopter crash Sunday, was a “good Christian.”
He remembered others and raised money for charities, including Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle, his brother said.
A day after his Robinson R44 helicopter crashed into Lake Tapps, family and friends mourned the former owner of the Harley-Davidson shops in Tukwila and downtown Seattle.
Witnesses on Sunday said they heard a bang, and the aircraft dropped into the lake. Tom’s passenger, a 37-year-old woman, survived.
Investigators worked Monday to pull the wreckage from the lake so they could determine what caused the crash.
Yesterday, Russ Tom’s friends and former customers streamed into the Tukwila motorcycle shop to pay their respects at a small memorial there. Others phoned and sent e-mails.
“He just helped everybody,” Rick Tom said.
Terry Stallcop, now an owner and general manager of those Harley shops, called him one of the best custom-bike builders in the country. “Everyone is very shocked and sad,” he said.
Born Aug. 18, 1960, Russ Tom entered the motorcycle business at his family’s Seattle home in Rainier Valley.
A service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Puyallup Church of the Nazarene, 1026 Seventh Ave. S.W., Puyallup.The family asks that any donations be made to Seattle Christian Schools, 18301 Military Road S., SeaTac, 98188, or Boyer Children’s Clinic, 1850 Boyer Ave. E., Seattle, 98112.
BIKERNET KICKS OFF BAKER TRANSMISSIONS QUESTION OF THE WEEK–Um, got some Q&A’s back from the guys already. Lol! What do you think?
Q: Where are you guys from, California? Customer Answer: Really, you’re from Michigan?
Q: You guys get your castings from China, right? A: No, Michigan. Fuck you and Fuck China.
Q: Why don’t you guys make a 5 speed in a 4 speed case? I don’t need 6 gears. A: Because you won’t gain anything, and if you ride on the highway, ever, even with a stock motor, you will use all 6 gears.
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