Hey,
My folks grew up during the depression. They would kill us for being wasteful. We had to lick the peanut butter jar completely clean. My mom scraped the margarine cube paper wrappers for every last drop. My dad had a slogan, “You’d be along time starving, if that’s all you had to eat.” He meant it. He faced times during WWI and before WWII when there wasn’t a lot to eat and few had jobs.
Those were solid rules for simple survival. We’ve lived through different abundant and wasteful times. Life is cyclical, like the weather. Maybe the cycle is coming back to bite us square in the ass. But as bikers we get it. We know what it’s like to live and try to survive in a small industry. So we keep the faith with new companies working hard, while some struggle and die. This news will rock your world:
NEW SAXON MODEL READY FOR EUROPEAN SHIPPING– You already know that the new guys in charge down at the Saxon manufacture in Casa Grande are not kidding around when it comes to moving ahead beyond the speed limit. While some were representing and showing off the goods at Bikefest in Las Vegas last weekend, others put the final touches on a Warlord bound for Europe. As if the domestic market here in the USA is not a ton of work already, they got that done, too.
As we told you in last Thursday’s news, we barely made it to Saxon the day before the Warlord was crated up and sent on its journey across the big pond, to a customer who will probably see his bike on BIKERNET. COM before even having a chance to get it out of the box. While we rushed the first shot into the news, we thought we bring you another, more detailed look of this bike with its crazy and unique paint job. The idea to the theme came from the customer in form of a rather small and blurry photograph by e-mail, the rest is history.
This Warlord is built to the specifications they call ‘stage six’ at Saxon. Well, not quite, which puts it at a ‘stage five-and-a-half’ – meaning almost, but not quite all the bells and whistles that are possible.
Now, before you start picking this bike apart and tell your friends what all you would change, do differently, or leave off: The sweet thing about a semi custom is that you start out with a base model and its all your taste and input from there. This one has been built for a customer who wanted it just like that. So, if you chose a different path for your own ride, the guys at Saxon can probably do that, too. It’ll still be a Warlord, should you chose the same base model, it will just be looking a whole lot different.
And for all you superstitious characters out there it may be pointed out that this bike does not strictly count as a green motorcycle. It is a black motorcycle with a green airbrush paint job. So forget all the talk about green motorcycle being bad luck and move on.
– – CS Berg
HARLEY-DAVIDSON SHUTS BUELL DOWN–You guys may already know this, but I just listened to a very emotional Erik Buell announce on Milwaukee radio that Harley-Davidson will no longer be manufacturing Buell motorcycles. The economy and sharp decline in sales/profits has forced Harley to make drastic cuts in the employee workforce and now the discontinuation of the Buell line.
I know this is hitting Erik hard, you could tell from his voice, and I wish him the best. Maybe he will devote more time to simple pleasures in life like his music. I hope he has the financial stability to afford to pursue those aspects of life, but I know he is driven by the demons of perpetual motion and I suspect he will be involved in continuing his work as a bike manufacturer/innovator or perhaps find a home with some other company like S&S or one of the many new companies reinventing the motorcycle.
After so much success in racing this year, I tend to believe he will be sought after by at least a couple of manufacturers but Erik is his own man and will go where he feels he will do the most good.
–Pan
FLAT TRACK RACING STILL ON– Friday, Oct 10, 2009: Daytona Beach, FL & Pomona, CA: There’s been a great deal of concern as a result of the highly unexpected and unfortunate cancellation of the Love Ride, that the halo Flat Track event would be affected, but AMA Pro Racing & Gene Romaro’s West Coast Flat Track Series are proud to reconfirm the unprecedented event on October 24, 2009. The AMA Pro Grand National Flat Track Series & The WCFTS, Co-Headline Motorcycle Race Event at the amazing 5/8s of a mile Fairplex Race Track in Pomona, California. Gates will open at 3:30 pm, opening ceremonies are at 6:00 pm, and the first race is scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm, sharp. Tickets are available at most So Cal Harley-Davidson Dealers, Ticketmaster and the Fairplex box office on the day of the event. Reserved and GA tickets are available and children under 12 are just $10.00 (GA Only)
This is the first time the AMA’s Pro Grand National Twin Flat Track Series has been in Southern California in a decade. All the top riders and teams will there. The climactic, season ending AMA Pro Grand National Flat Track event will held in conjunction with Gene Romero’s West Coast Flat Track Series, the well established West Coast Series that has run two successful and exciting Pacific Coast National events in 2007 and 2008.
“We’re overjoyed that the race is going forward as planned. The 2009 AMA Pro Grand National Flat Track schedule has been a long process to complete,” said Mike Kidd, AMA Pro Racing Flat Track Director. “Our flat track series hit Daytona Bike Week, Indianapolis MotoGP weekend, Sturgis Rally and Pomona, as a part of the California Bike Week which are four of the largest motorcycle events in the nation. Throw in the Springfield’s, Lima, Peoria and our other events, this is a great schedule for our fans, riders and sponsors. We’re excited and honored to be joining Gene and his series and look forward to a powerhouse night of racing. I’m really looking forward to this event and wrapping up our series on the West Coast, with only a few points separating the top three riders, the Championship will be decided in Pomona.”
Added Romaro, “Despite rumors to the contrary in the face of the recent cancellation of Love Ride 26, the Pacific Coast Nationals flat track race scheduled for October 24 at the Pomona Fairplex in Pomona, California, will proceed as planned. The co-sanctioned race will serve as the series finale for the AMA Flat Track Championship and Gene Romero’s West Coast Flat Track Series, with champions being crowned in both series. Racing is and always has been partially driven by rumors, “that’s part of what makes it exciting,” but in this case it is important to be crystal clear that Pomona is going to happen, no ifs, ands or buts, event co-promoter Gene Romero said. “All the parties responsible for putting on this history-making event have worked side by side to ensure that this event will be a home-run success, and we are continuing to move forward and preparing for what will certainly be the crown-jewel motorcycle flat track race on the West Coast. I’d like to thank the racers, fans and everyone involved for their continued support of the Pacific Coast Nationals. It’s going to be a great show.”
“There was a lot of concern over the past few days, after Oliver made his announcement about having to shut down the Love Ride for this year, but the Flat Track event is full steam ahead, we’re 100% focused on presenting not only the best major Flat Track event in the US, but one of the very best racing events, period. Our ticket sales the past few weeks have been brisk and the phones are ringing off the hook, I’m certain the fans are going to see an amazing, action packed night of bar to bar and shoulder to shoulder racing. We’re also planning to have a scaled down version of our vendor area, a few big surprises and we’ll definitely be maintaining the spirit of the Love Ride & California Bike Week,” Donnie Graves, CBW Producer.
AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. From its Daytona Beach headquarters, the organization operates and manages AMA Pro Road Racing, which includes American SuperBike, Daytona SportBike, SuperSport, SunTrust MOTO-GT and the AMA Grand National Flat Track Series.
The West Coast Flat Track Series is based in Brea, California and runs a full schedule of Professional Motorcycle Dirt Track Oval racing in many western states, between January and October.
SADDLEMEN FLAT TRACK TICKETS CONTEST–Saddlemen will be at the Pomona (California) Fairgrounds Saturday October 24 for the final AMA Pro Flat Track race of 2009. This event will determine the 2009 AMA Pro Grand National Champion. Saddlemen’s sponsored Jared Mees holds a 15 point lead going into this final event and we’ll be cheering him on.
Saddlemen will be hosting a hospitality suite in conjunction with VanLeeuwen Enterprises and K&N Filters. Here’s your chance to win two hospitality passes for you and a friend. Mingle with industry enthusiasts, racers and other good people with hospitality provided (including dinner). Send an email to saddlemen@gmail.com ASAP with the reason you would like to join us (100 words or less) and we’ll pick the winner on Wed. October 21. Entrance to Hospitality does not include tickets to the race itself. Race tickets may be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, at your local Harley Dealer or at the gate.
–Larry Langley
BIKERNET CALAMITY CORRESPONDENT REFRESHES HER WEB SITE– Sasha wanted to help me update my personal website, and she created a new home page for me with info on our upcoming work. When you have a minute, take a look, www.BetsyHuelskamp.com
–Betz
Watch for Betsy’s Backroads, road tales on Bikernet starting next week.–Bandit
INSIDE BANDIT’S CANTINA–A pirate walked into Bandit’s Cantina, and Bandit said, “Hey, I haven’t seen you in a while. What happened? You look terrible.”
“What do you mean?” said the pirate, “I feel fine.”
“What about the wooden leg? You didn’t have that before.”
“Well,” said the pirate, “We were in a battle, and I got hit with a cannon ball, but I’m fine now.”
Bandit replied, “Well, OK, but what about that hook? What happened to your hand?”
The pirate explained, “We were in another battle. I boarded a ship and got into a sword fight. My hand was cut off. I got fitted with a hook but I’m fine, really.”
“What about that eye patch?”
“Oh,” said the pirate, “One day, we were at sea, and a flock of birds flew over. I looked up and one of them crapped in my eye.”
“You’re kidding,” said Bandit. “You couldn’t lose an eye just from bird crap.”
“It was my first day with the hook.”
–from Bruce Snyder, official Bikernet Copy Editor
A LETTER FROM A BIKERNET SPONSOR–I just got off the phone with the regional Tucker Rocky rep. He has scheduled a meeting with Kyle and me, here in Lawrence, to establish and finalize our dealer relationship with TR/BC. I explained to him that we applied to TR over a year ago and were turned down. He revealed to me that the order to move forward with a dealership for K and G Cycles came from the highest levels of the company. After some conversation, he told me that you had written a recommendation on our behalf and that started the ball rolling. Apparently, through your efforts, K and G Cycles is now on yet another radar screen in the motorcycle industry.The purpose of this message is to offer our personal thanks for all you have done for us. We value your friendship and partnership and we are growing, in no small part, as a result of your efforts and support.
— George and Kyle
www.kandgcycles.com
Thanks much. The staff of Bikernet has a serious mantra, and it applies even more severely during these tough economic times. All members of this small niche market are members of our family. We do whatever we can, from the smallest outreach request, to major sponsorship goals, and lots of hard work for anyone in this industry. The Bikernet Code of the West applies to anyone with the nutty mentality to love custom or vintage motorcycles. We try to help any rider or builder, right up to the top echelons of major motorcycle corporations. It’s all about survival, success, and fun, goddamnit.
–Bandit
THE WOLFGANG PUBLISHING BOOK OF THE MONTH–Whether you’re building a bike from scratch or adding a 300 tire to the back of a factory Softail, the instructions and photos contained in this new Chassis book will help you with the project.
The Frame chapter includes a discussion of rake and trail angles, as well as a listing of various frame types currently on the market. Current bike owners looking to upgrade wheels or brakes will discover a full chapter devoted to each topic. Is a six-piston caliper really that much better than a four? More important, is it worth the extra money? And how are the best billet wheels manufactured? This new book by Doug Mitchel contains answers to these questions and a hundred more.
Written by Doug Mitchel, this new Chassis book includes over 400 color images spread across 144 pages.
Available from Wolfgang Publications, order by mail at PO Box 223, Stillwater, MN. By phone at 651-275-0194, or on the web at www.wolfpub.com, priced at $27.95 + $5.50 S&H.
Advanced Custom Motorcycle Chassis
#4-3055
Author: Doug Mitchel
ISBN #: 1-929133-37-5
ISBN -13: 978-1-929133-37-6
$27.95
IMPROVE BAGGER HANDLING WITH WHEELS FROM BLACK BIKE–Black Bike has what it takes to meet your baggers performance needs. Our lightweight 18″ wheels allow you to run low profile tires that eliminate sidewall flex. Get rid of that sloppy feel when you ride and be prepared to be amazed by your Bagger’s handling potential.Starting at about $600
Blackbikewheels.com
(818) 341-2550
BASSINI POSTER SHIPPED AND RECEIVED–Thanks for the Bassini poster. My bud Rocky likes heavy duty blondes. He’sa perverted Pilipino, and rides a Road King.
Enclosed some photos of our launch here at Vandenberg AFB, Ca. Payloadwas a satellite for Worldview (Digital Globe). All the satellite picturesyou see on Google maps and such are from these birds. Enjoy.
–Softail Billy
FREE CONTEST HERE ON BIKERNET– Today’s winner is:
RICHARD TYLER from SOUTH RANGE, WI
Suggestion: I DON’T NEED THE HELMET, BUT MY WIFE DOES. SHE RIDES HER OWN BLACKED OUT 08 HD-CROSSBONES. SHE WOULD LOOK GOOD IN THE SCORPION HELMET. THE SCORPIONS ON THE HELMET WOULD COMPLIMENT HER OWN STINGER.
Wanted:
THE HELMET.
Congratulations, Richard’s wife. We also have the S&S book, and the Bushwakka swag, from Australia to give away in a couple of weeks. Make sure to give a suggestion if you enter the contest; we appreciate the feedback.
Layla
Click on the image for more information on Scorpion helmets, and other products.
JOBS AND 40TH ANNIVERSARY DEALER SHOW FROM CUSTOM CHROME–We are now interviewing potential candidates for key territories including; Southern California, Florida, South Texas, North/South Carolina, the Greater Chicago Metro region with portions of Wisconsin and Minnesota, the Mid-Atlantic region including Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland, the Pacific Northwest region, New York State and the Las Vegas/Arizona territory.
I believe there is no better way to get to know someone and their business than to visit them in their own shop. Our road reps will be doing just that, calling on you, the dealer, helping you grow your business with the best parts, products and service in the industry.
As we visit you in your place of business, I want to extend a personal invitation for you to do the same with us. As part of our 40th Anniversary celebration, I am proud to announce the Custom Chrome Dealer Show, an industry event here at our worldwide headquarters in beautiful Morgan Hill, California kicking off March 12 through March 14, 2010.
Come be a part of history and help us celebrate our 40th Anniversary in style. We will be contacting you in the near future with the details of this event which is sure to be a classic.
–Holger Mohr
Boss
Custom Chrome
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