Continued From Page 3
KEYBOARD SHIPPING ON BOARD WITH BIKERNET–We like to work with quality American companies, so we’re proud to have KeyBoard Shipping as part of the Bikernet team. Here’s the deal:
The Keyboard Corporation has, from its very beginnings in 1978, been a specialized transporter of high value, relatively heavy, and easily blemished products from the manufacturer/distributor to their dealer network.
At the beginning of the new millennium, a chance meeting between the President of Keyboard and an Indian Motorcycle dealer led to the development of a unique delivery system for the Motorcycle Industry. Dennis Robey, Keyboard’s President, listened as the dealer described the difficulties he experienced in getting delivery of motorcycles from Indian’s plant in Gilroy, CA to his dealership in Kentucky. Deliveries often took weeks and when they finally did arrive, the motorcycles often required expensive and time consuming prep work before they could be seen on the showroom floor. Keyboard solved that problem with a new unique shipping container.
Call 270-737-5797
NOTES FROM BIKERNET UNIVERSITY PHILOSOPHY CLASS–
1. A day without sunshine is like night.
2. On the other hand, you have different fingers.
3. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.
4. 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
5. Remember, half the people you know are below average.
6. He who laughs last, thinks slowest.
7. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
8. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.
9. Support bacteria. They’re the only culture most people have.
10. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
–from Donna ONeal
DETROIT BROS IN THE NEWS TWICE IN ONE WEEK–It’s raw, it’s edgy and made in the Motor City by madmen Dave and James Kaye of Detroit Bros. We’ve been following these boys’ work for years and congratulate them for their upcoming reality show on the Discovery Channel.In the meantime Dave and James have kept busy producing a number of accessories for folks with a taste for unique goodies to keep their ride real. Here’s a sample of what’s available from Detroit Bros these days.
LowBoy Risers
The Low Boy Risers are milled from 6061 aluminum and measure 2″ x 2″ x 2″. They are available as shown or with optional stainless steel lift posts.
Malice Velocity Air Cleaner
Slick and shiny, the Malice Velocity Stack air cleaner will fit your ’84-and-newer stock Harley-Davidson Big Twin carburetor. It will also fit your S&S carbs (Super E & G). You can get the Malice air cleaner in a raw finish (shown) or polished. The stack is 5″ OD and 2.25″ thick.
Evil Eye Gas Cap
Milled from a solid block of aluminum and polished to a mirror finish with a glass half eye ball inset, the Evil eye cap says: “Who the fuck are you looking at?” Now available in blue or brown eye.
There’s much more to drool over at the Detroit Bros. Web site so pay them a visit by clicking the banner below and tell ’em Bikernet sent you.
Cycle Source Magazine becomes the first US based chopper culture publication to launch dual publishing format!–It’s been nearly 13 years since Cycle Source Magazine published their first issue and the world of technology has entered warp speed since then. Today, in a partnership with www.zinio.com
Additionally each issue will have embedded rich media with streaming videos, photo galleries and live links to all articles and advertisements. By the end of 2009, there will even be an i-Phone app that readers may use to have each issue delivered to their i-Phone device for portability.
So what are the advantages? Well, in short, it makes a two dimensional page into an interactive experience. We believe that through this exciting new technology our readers can get more of a “What it was like”? sense from our articles, get more information from advertisers and editorial subjects from a simple click, and have a faster delivery service than ever before possible with the printed page. In each issue rich media will make videos, photo galleries and additional resources available right on the pages making this more than just a digital page flip application.
So is this the end of the print version? Not at all! Cycle Source Magazine staffers believe that this will only enhance what we do in print as it will eventually remove waste from an antiquated distribution system that does very little to encourage growth of smaller, young titles. “We have long been a fan of the integrated multi-media platform that promotes more than just print and this is just another way to reach our audience,” said Chris Callen, owner/ Editor In Chief of Cycle Source.
To promote the combination of this technology further, a subscription bundle has been arranged to give physical subscribers the opportunity to add the digital edition for a very reasonable $5 per year (12 issues).
Subscriptions can be bought three ways now, paper magazine= $20 per 12 issues (US), digital edition= $20 per 12 issues (Anywhere) or by adding them both together for an additional $5 to the regular subscription rate.
Zinio is a full service distribution company that just recently announced a deal where they are the exclusive digital newsstand provider to Barnes & Nobel. Our first issue is on sale right now and can be previewed at www.zinio.com/cyclesource
For more information, contact through www.cyclesource.com
DANNY ALEXANDER BLUES BAND WINS VOODOO CHALLENGE– Congratulations Danny Alexander Blues Band for winning the Voodoo Blues Challenge this past weekend. For those not in the know, this was a competition between 16 blues bands and the final challenge was this past Saturday at the Rock n Bowl.
If you missed it, never fear because your New Orleans Bikefest talent scouts had already booked the Danny Alexander Blues Band to close out the 2009 New Orleans Bikefest. They’re scheduled to perform at 4:00 Sunday October 25th.
For complete schedule, go to the event calendar at www.neworleansbikefest.com
Holy moly, only a week away!!!!!!! I’m getting so excited I can hardly sit still.
Ride!!!!!!!!!
–Barry Lee
Live Free Promotions, LLC
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 274-0226
SPY OPTIC BETTER SUNGLASSES– CARLSBAD, CA – October 15, 2009 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – The color orange is symbolic of much of life itself; bold, fiery, unique and sometimes blinding, a color that ignited a group of active friends in Southern California to re-invent eyewear. Their vision was orange and a single thought rang true: “it’s not seeing different things; it’s seeing the same things differently.” Spy Optic was created by a group of action sports and motorsports enthusiasts who immersed themselves in the culture they knew best. Key founders Mark Simo, Brian Simo and Beaver Theodosakis saw what was on the market for eyewear in 1994 and wanted to make sunglasses better. As authentic, well-connected action sports entrepreneurs, their unbridled enthusiasm for reinventing modern eyewear attracted the world’s best athletes from motorsports, surfing and snowboarding. Spy’s athletes became a huge and influential part of the Spy family and the team’s mojo combined with Jerome Mage’s innovative design sense helped fuel the brand’s rapid growth.
A world-class roster of athletes helped shape, build and lay a foundation for the Spy brand. Snowboarders Shaun Palmer, Victoria Jelouse, Marc Frank Montoya, David Carrier-Porcheron, surfers Sunny Garcia and Malloybrothers, BMX rider Jamie Bestwick, motocross sensation Jeremy McGrath, skateboarder Danny Way, NASCAR drivers Richard “The King” and son Kyle Petty, Indy Car superstars Christian Fittipaldi and Paul Tracy. Spy team riders are not only elite athletes, fun personalities, but also key influencers in the development and design of its technical products for sunglasses, motocross and snow goggles.
Spy’s ground-breaking technological advancement of the all new patent-pending dual Mosaic lens in the Apollo snow goggle uses a proprietary anti-fog and anti-scratch lens that offers brilliant and maximum peripheral vision with nominal profile. Its one-of-a-kind lens technology is the most advanced on the market today.
To continue to push the envelope for exceptional excellence and standards, in 2005, Spy acquired LEM S.r.l., a high quality sunglass and goggle manufacturer in Varese, Italy, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Orange 21 Inc., the parent company of Spy Optic. A majority of Spy’s sunglasses are hand fabricated at LEM S.r.l., which has crafted premium eyewear for Spy and other superior eyewear brands for over 15 years. Spy Optic’s products are unique and the development is original. Each sunglass and goggle’s roots can be traced from original sketch to finished product.Live through our lens…Please visit www.spyoptic.com or contact info@spyoptic.com for inquiries.
GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS
Spy Optic, Inc.
2070 Las Palmas Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92011 USA
760. 804. 8420
www.spyoptic.com
info@spyoptic.com
EUROPEAN OFFICE
Spy Optic SRL
Via Belvedere
21020 Galliate Lombardo (VA) Italy
+39 0332 949 833
info@spyoptic.com
K&L SportJack–THE SportJack from K&L Supply has been created to allow bikes to be raised without the possibility of damage to the bodywork. It fits onto a K&L MC450 center jack and raises the bike via the frame. The Sportjack is adjustable for height and width, and an optional adapter kit is available that includes 28, 32, 36, and 40mm sleeves to accommodate most common frames.
K&L SUPPLY
Santa Clara, California, USA
Tel: 408 727 6767
Fax: 408 727 4842
E-mail: robk@klsupply.com
www.klsupply.com
BUELL OFFICIALS THANK CUSTOMERS, DEALERS AND EMPLOYEES FOR UNFORGETTABLE RIDE– EAST TROY, Wis. (Oct. 15, 2009) Buell Motorcycle Company officials thanked the company’s customers, employees and dealers for an unforgettable ride, following today’s announcement by Harley-Davidson, Inc. that it will discontinue the Buell product line as part of Harley-Davidson’s go-forward business strategy. The new long-term strategy aims to drive Company growth through a focus of efforts and resources on the Harley-Davidson? brand.
“I want to personally thank all our past and present Buell employees, dealers and suppliers for their efforts. I also want to thank Buell motorcycle owners for their support and passion for the brand,” said Buell Motorcycle Company President Jon Flickinger.
Flickinger said a limited number of new Buell motorcycles remain available for sale through authorized dealerships and production will wind down by October 30. He also stressed that Harley-Davidson will provide replacement parts and service through dealerships and that warranty coverage will continue as normal for Buell motorcycles.
“I will always be proud of what we have accomplished. It is a testimony to what a small group of passionate and inspired people can do, and with brilliant innovations, we’ve produced some of the best-handling bikes of all time,”? said Buell Chairman and Chief Technical Officer Erik Buell. “I personally look forward to exploring how I can continue to work with Harley-Davidson to bring advanced product technology to riders.
“I have also had the great fortune to meet and get to know many Buell riders over the years, and they are an amazing and interesting group of free thinkers,” Buell said. “May you ride with pride into the future. And may your roads ahead be as adventuresome and rewarding as mine have been for the last 26 years.”
A wholly owned subsidiary of Harley-Davidson, Inc. since 1998, Buell Motorcycle Company was founded in 1983 by Erik Buell and produced more than 135,000 motorcycles. Over the past 26 years, Buell motorcycles won numerous design accolades and awards, and countless races and championships around the world, including the AMA Pro Daytona SportBike championship in 2009.
For more information and to view a video message from Erik Buell, go to www.buell.com
HARLEY-DAVIDSON ANNOUNCES 3RD QUARTER RESULTS, UNVEILS LONG-TERM BUSINESS STRATEGY– Retail Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Sales Decline Moderates from 2nd QuarterOperating Loss at Finance Unit Impacts Profit
Strategy Focuses on Extending Harley-Davidson Brand, Emphasizes Productivity and Strengthening Core BusinessCompany to Discontinue Buell Product Line, Divest MV Agusta
MILWAUKEE, October, 15, 2009 Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE:HOG) announced decreased revenue, net income and earnings per share for the third quarter of 2009 compared to the year-ago period, while reporting a moderation in the decline of retail new Harley-Davidson motorcycle sales compared to the second quarter.
Worldwide retail sales of new Harley-Davidson? motorcycles declined 21.3 percent in the third quarter compared to last year’s third quarter, an improvement from the 30.1 percent decline in this year’s second quarter. An 84.1 percent decline in net income and an 84.5 percent decline in diluted earnings per share from the year-ago quarter reflected lower motorcycle shipments and the effects of the economy on retail and wholesale loan performance at Harley-Davidson Financial Services.
Harley-Davidson also unveiled major elements of its go-forward business strategy to drive growth through a single-minded focus of efforts and resources on the unique strengths of the Harley-Davidson brand, and to enhance productivity and profitability through continuous improvement. As approved yesterday by Harley-Davidson’s Board of Directors, the Company will discontinue its Buell product line and divest its MV Agusta unit as part of this strategy. “While the environment remains challenging for us, we are mildly encouraged by the moderation in the decline of dealer retail Harley-Davidson motorcycle sales,”said Keith Wandell, Chief Executive Officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc. “And moving forward, our strategy is designed to strengthen Harley-Davidson for long-term growth and deliver results through increased focus.”
“As our announcement regarding Buell and MV Agusta indicates, we are moving with the speed and decisiveness required to bring our business strategy to life,” said Wandell. “The fact is we must focus both our effort and our investment on the Harley-Davidson brand, as we believe this provides an optimal path to sustained, meaningful, long-term growth.”
Third Quarter and Nine-Month ResultsNet income for the third quarter was $26.5 million, compared to $166.5 million in the third quarter of 2008, on revenue of $1.12 billion, compared to $1.42 billion in the year-ago period. Diluted earnings per share were $0.11 for the third quarter of 2009 and $0.71 in the year-ago period.
Through nine months, Harley-Davidson, Inc. reported net income of $163.6 million, down 71.6 percent and diluted earnings per share of $0.70, down 71.4 percent from the year-ago period. Revenue through nine months was $3.57 billion, down 17.1 percent from the same period last year.
Delivering Results Through Focus Strategy
A key element of the Company’s go-forward strategy is to focus on extending the Harley-Davidson brand by leveraging unique Harley-Davidson strengths. The strategy focuses company resources on Harley-Davidson products and experiences, global expansion, demographic outreach and commitment to core customers. In addition, the Company will continue to expand its initiatives to enhance profitability through continuous improvement in manufacturing, product development and business operations.
“We are refocusing our business with the expectation that we can provide growth that is both profitable and sustainable over the long term,” said Wandell. “We believe we can create a bright long-term future for our stakeholders through a single-minded focus on the Harley-Davidson brand.”
Details of Buell and MV Agusta ActionsThe Company will discontinue production of Buell motorcycles. Remaining inventories of Buell motorcycles, accessories and apparel, while they last, will continue to be sold through authorized dealerships. Warranty coverage will continue as normal for Buell motorcycles and the Company will provide replacement parts and service through dealerships.
The decision will result in a reduction over time of about 80 hourly production positions and about 100 salaried positions at Buell. Employment will end for a majority of Buell employees Dec. 18, 2009.
Harley-Davidson, Inc. expects to incur approximately $125 million in one-time costs related to the discontinuation of the Buell product line. The Company expects to incur approximately $115 million of that amount this year.
Relative to MV Agusta, the Company will immediately commence efforts to sell the business, which is based in Varese, Italy.
In the third quarter, Harley-Davidson, Inc. recorded a one-time fixed-asset impairment charge of $14.2 million related to Buell and a goodwill impairment charge of $18.9 million related to MV Agusta.
“Buell and MV Agusta are great companies, with proud brands, high-quality exciting products and passionate enthusiasm for the motorcycle business. Buell has introduced many innovative advancements in motorcycle design and technology over the years and MV Agusta is known in Europe for its premium, high-performance sport motorcycles. However, our strategy to focus on the Harley-Davidson brand reflects the fact that we believe our investments in that brand are a better utilization of overall company resources,”? said Wandell.
Motorcycles and Related Products Segment
Third Quarter. Revenue from Harley-Davidson motorcycles during the third quarter of 2009 was $803.3 million, down 22.1 percent compared to the year-ago period. The Company shipped 54,236 Harley-Davidson motorcycles to dealers and distributors worldwide, down 27.4 percent from the third quarter of 2008 but in line with previous guidance of 52,000 to 57,000 units. Revenue from Parts and Accessories totaled $221.8 million during the quarter, down 14.4 percent and revenue from General Merchandise was $70.7 million during the quarter, down 15.9 percent compared to the year-ago period. Gross margin was 33.1 percent of revenue for the quarter compared to 34.0 percent in the year-ago quarter. Operating margin was 9.5 percent compared to 16.4 percent in the third quarter of 2008. Operating margin was affected largely by lower gross margin, restructuring charges and impairment charges.
Nine Months. Through nine months, revenue from Harley-Davidson motorcycles was $2.62 billion compared to $3.23 billion in 2008 on shipments of 187,085 Harley-Davidson motorcycles, compared to 226,898 motorcycles in 2008. Revenue from Parts and Accessories totaled $623.1 million during the first nine months, down 11.8 percent and revenue from General Merchandise was $215.5 million during the nine-month period, down 12.0 percent compared to the year-ago period. Gross margin was 34.6 percent and operating margin was 14.1 percent, compared to 35.4 percent and 18.9 percent respectively in the year-ago period.
Retail Motorcycle Sales– During the third quarter, retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 21.3 percent worldwide, 24.3 percent in the U.S. and 13.1 percent in international markets, compared to the prior-year quarter. Industry-wide U.S. retail heavyweight (651cc+) motorcycle sales declined 35.9 percent during the quarter, compared to the year-ago period.
For 2009 compared to 2008 through nine months, retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 22.9 percent worldwide, 25.5 percent in the U.S. and 16.5 percent in international markets. Industry-wide U.S. retail heavyweight motorcycle sales declined 38.7 percent year to date in 2009, compared to 2008.
Update on Restructuring Activities–On a combined basis, the Company expects previously announced restructuring activities, together with the discontinuation of Buell operations, to result in one-time charges of $215 million to $245 million over 2009 and 2010, or an increase of $55 million from the estimate provided July 16, 2009. The Company estimates annual ongoing savings from restructuring of approximately $140 million to $150 million. The Company continues to pursue its previously announced “two path”? study to determine whether additional major restructuring at York, Pa. facility can make those operations competitive and sustainable long term, or alternatively, whether the Company will relocate those operations to another U.S. location. As part of the restructuring analysis, the Company has begun contract talks with the union representing employees at York and expects to make a final decision on the status of the York operations by the end of this year.
Cash Flow–Cash and cash equivalents totaled $1.52 billion as of Sept. 27, 2009, compared to $504.4 million at the end of the year-ago period. Cash provided by operations was $511.1 million and capital expenditures were $89.4 million during the first nine months of 2009. For the full year, capital expenditures are now expected to be $125 million to $145 million, including $15 million to $25 million related to restructuring activities.
Guidance–The Company is narrowing its guidance for full-year 2009 shipments, and now expects to ship 222,000 to 227,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles to dealers, including 35,000 to 40,000 during the fourth quarter. The Company continues to expect full-year gross margins to be between 30.5 percent and 31.5 percent.
Article and Photos by Bryan Carter
BARBER VINTAGE FESTIVAL–It’s not very often that I get a chance to step away from my desk, but once a year I’m guaranteed my freedom at the Barber Vintage Festival in Leeds, AL.
The festival is held annually at the Barber Motorsports Park and Museum, just outside of Birmingham. The festival is a tribute to all things motorcycle and is a perfect way to celebrate the enthusiasm we all share for motorcycles. While there I had access to legends and champions of motorcycle history that have made the sport what it is today. There was also the parts swap that helped many a rider locate the parts they needed for their latest project. There was more than enough there to pique my interest and start me thinking about what my next project will be. I’m thinking a 1974 Triumph restoration would be fun, anyone want to lend me a hand?
There were several bike shows, an auction or two, AHRMA road and motocross racing, guest speakers, seminars, the wall of death, Aeroshell air show, great food and much more. If you’ve never been to Barbers, the vintage festival is the best time to go.
And don’t forget the museum!
The Museum collection now has over 1000 vintage and modern motorcycles and as well as a substantial collection of Lotus and other racecars. It is considered the largest in North American and possibly the world. There are approximately five hundred motorcycles on display at any given time. These bikes range from 1904 to current-year production. There are bikes from 16 countries that represent over 140 different manufacturers and the museum is in a constant state of improvement, adding new exhibits so that every time you visit Barber’s they’ll be something new to experience.
You can find more information about the Barber Motorsports Park at www.barbermotorsports.com. There is also a separate website for the vintage festival www.barbervintagefestival.org.
Freedom Fighters Tossed Out of Cop Event– The Desert Thunder event was just another in a string of opportunities for us to preach Rights to other riders. I had never heard of it before but there are so many runs these days, most are unfamiliar to me.
We got to Las Vegas Friday morning. Karen drove my wife and me from the airport to the 13th Annual Motorcycle Rally and Car Show and to the back gate where vendors were allowed in before the start of the show. The event gatekeeper told us the rules were not many, but we heard Club patches were not allowed. When I joked about my “patch” (which is the Bikers Of Lesser Tolerance [BOLT] logo on the back of my shirt) being allowed in, the old guy said it was not a problem. The bad clubs? are not allowed, but the good clubs are OK to enter. Yup, those are his exact words.
Our first clue that something didn’t smell right The guy was definitely was out of line with the club comment, and that bothered me more than his clueless idea that BOLT is a club. I run into people that don’t understand BOLT. Nothing new.
The Desert Thunder had not yet begun when David Stilwell, both a BOLT member and ABATE of Southern Nevada member, described to me a growing list of clues that culminated with the realization that we were not going to have an easy time signing up people to ABATE membership, or erasing the decades old myths about what makes a helmet “legal.” It’s clear we were talking motorcycle Rights at a Police Officer event.
Why could it be a problem? Over the years, the relationship between police officers and motorcycle riders has become strained with the erosion of Rights, both in the courts and through the legislature – state and federal. Who knows this better than a patch holder (Bones, who is the President of ABATE of Southern Nevada and was told to lose the vest with the M/C patch) and an active BOLT member who has kept police from violating our Rights and violating the law. In California, helmet tickets written to someone wearing a helmet are a violation of the rider’s 4th Amendment and 14th Amendment Rights. In 1996 it became a violation of a federal injunction against writing those tickets, and considered a False Arrest, (an arrest without Probable Cause).
Most police who write those helmet tickets are not trained well. If shown the case law they wouldn’t bother riders who have a helmet on. Why risk being fired and sued for a little traffic fine? This is why most cops don’t write helmet tickets. Some understand. Others suspect something is up even if they never heard the specifics.
We went into it knowing there would be a great educational opportunity that we don’t get very often, since the number of contacts? with officers has dropped drastically with the huge results we have seen in our court cases over helmets tickets.
Cops Offended By Rights Info–Hours later, on day 1 of the 3 day run, a phone call from the Promoter, also a cop, notified us that he was angry and wanted us to take our information and go home. I have to admit I was not surprised. I can get along with almost anybody. I can usually shake hands with a police officer after a talk about law or Rights. If fact I had done that several times already that day. BOLT has a history of peacefully bringing officers and Judges around to seeing our point, just by talking. But not every cop will hear it.
The ONLY contact telephone, email on the ground or anywhere in the 3 state area was Stilwell. He made all contacts with the run official, and did all official communication with the police officer coordinating the run. Stilwell is a very respectable and respectful man. A gentleman even when he was being told we were being removed from the run. Five days later, we hear reports that the police are inventing details, you know, like they do sometimes in court. Inventing details like we were invited back in to stay, then kicked out again for aggressive behavior and being mouthy. This just proves to me that the police officer and run coordinator now realizes he was wrong ? that he over-reacted. He needed to use his imagination to re-create our actions to make his re-actions justified. Anyone who knows me or Stilwell will easily see through the phony story of aggressiveness. We did not sit closed mouthed behind the booth table, or not one person would have talked to us. 95% of the run participants were cops from California, and they just aren’t as interested in ABATE as they are in a cigar or another patch for their Blue Knights vest. The other vendors could sit back and collect their money. We were informing and teaching. It all boils down to the disgust that a few cops had for the fact that we were spreading information that keeps riders from having their Civil Rights violated by police officers.
A bastardization of the First Amendment — It is shameful for any cop, but somehow I am a little surprised. Bad Cops don’t usually make it so obvious they don’t respect your Rights.
Mark Temple
BOLT of California
www.boltofca.com
–from Rogue
Now until October 16, 2009 take 15% offall BAKER transmission rebuild kits– BAKER has worked hard to put together an all-inclusive kit designed to aid in the rebuild of your transmission. Included are all the seals, gaskets, bearings and necessary hardware to give you the peace of mind if you are tearing into your transmission for any reason.
LAST MONTH BAKER launched our Official Online Store. This is a place where you can browse, shop, ask questions and purchase every product BAKER makes 24/7. The BAKER Online store is a great tool for our retail and dealer customers alike.
TO LOGIN, FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS:VISIT:
WWW.BAKERDRIVETRAIN.COM CLICK THE
OPEN SIGN IN THE CENTER OF THE PAGE TO ENTER OUR ONLINE STORE
BIKERNET COLLEGE Word of the ECONOMY for Thursday, October 15, 2009–
fetor FEE-tuhr; FEE-tor, noun:
A strong, offensive smell; stench.
Inside it’s pitch black & the air is hot & wet with the sweet fetor of rotting grass.
— Peter Blegvad, “The Free Lunch”, Chicago Review, June 22, 1999
This economy encapsulates the fetor of dung–Wilburn Roach, Bikernet Senior Editor
When I close my eyes and summon the fond smells of childhood . . . the aroma that fills, as it were, the nostrils of my memory is the sulfurous, protein-dissolving fetor of Nair.
— Jeffrey Eugenides, Middlesex
I heard the secrets passed by flapping ravens and smelled, when the wind blew right, the fetor of damp bear fur floating down the trails.– Doug Peacock, Grizzly Years: In Search of the American Wilderness
Fetor comes from Latin foetor, from foetere, “to stink.”
Hot Leathers? is Revved Up for Daytona Beach Biketoberfest!
BROTHERS OF THE WIND UNITE–Crazy times, but if we hang on this too shall pass, and we will ride on the top of the mountain once more–or die trying, right. We can’t ever give up. When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
Or, what the fuck, we can all get jobs working for the new government healthcare bureaucracy. They’ll give a third of the population jobs to make sure that folks who don’t want to work have free health insurance. How does that work?
Okay, I’m being facetious on a day riddled with bummer news. I’ll hold my mud, hold my girl, watch my wallet, and pray for surf. We may need to punt, but the key is finding jobs for folks, and then giving them the confidence to spend money. Oh, and kick the banks who don’t lend funds. Bank of America is in even more trouble this week. Somebody grabbed e-mails that said screw the customer, keep the money.
Next week, we will deliver on some DVD and book reviews. I read the MotorBooks Vincent found in a Barn Book,. It’s packed with interesting stories about wild motorcycle finds and deals. We have Cycle Source Magazine Throttle Junkie Tech in the works. We are working on several features, including a Power Plant bobber and the Progressive/Sucker Punch project bike. Dave Zien promised the story behind his Deer kill.
We raised almost $600, for the Intrepid Veterans Brass Balls Charity Raffle, when 85 brothers and sisters joined the Cantina. The raffle is due to take place next week at Biketoberfest. Hang on for the results.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
