Hey,
Hang on for this one. The news is more intense each week. Our next Bonneville effort is already coming together. Over the next few weeks I’ll bring you new techs on the new level of Fuel Injection technology from Mil Blair and Pegasus with the BDL crew. These puppies are incredible.
Let’s jump right into the news, before I’m scrambled. I’ll sort out life before the end, I hope:
MIXED SIGNALS COMING OUT OF DAYTONA BEACH– Combine the binge drinking, buxom beer maids, and bands that have made history as being the elements of the popular German Oktoberfest celebrations with the modern day motorcycle phenomenon and you get Daytona Beach’s Biketoberfest.
If you’re close enough to take a road trip over this weekend, the festivities begin Thursday, October 19th and continue through the weekend until Sunday, October 22nd. Staying with the proven formula that had made Bike Week so popular over the years, the 14th annual event will include races, festivals, celebrity visits, contests, poker runs, scenic rides and more! Join all the hard core party-goers on Main St. and Beach St. downtown Daytona or head out to Destination Daytona’s bash.
There are bars and businesses all over the city and surrounding areas that are having their own mix of skin baring contests, live bands, food and drink specials. It is sure to be a pleasing attack on your senses from the roar of the many-make cycles, the eye-popping peeks at scantily-clad, leather loaded ladies (and gents), the intoxicating concoction of exhaust and salt air, and the taste of ice coldbeer. Chug-a-lug!
While Law Enforcement is saying they are enforcing all the laws including loud exhaust, wheelies, reckless driving and of course DUI. You can have a lot of fun just not to much. Enjoy your self BUT do not get stupid!
If you are looking for skin barring and a little more lax attitude look for places in the surrounding area outside of Daytona Beach.
–Rogue
SETH DOULTON WORKS TO HELP JOHNNY CHOP’S FAMILY AND KEEP HIS NAME ALIVE–In 2005 Mitch Bergeron and Johnny Chop assembled the All American Motorcycle Madness Dream Bike in Santa Maria, California. This bike was built by them over the weekend of the show and was given away to one lucky event participant. Mitch and Johnny did a great job building the bike, and American Thunder TV got some good shots when covering the build on their show. We were all scheduled to do the same this year.
With the untimely passing of Johnny we were in contact with his family. We first met Johnny’s mom and dad at the 2005 Santa Maria show which also was the first show they went to where Johnny was a featured builder. What we decided to do was to build a tribute bike to Johnny Chop. With the help of Johnny’s friends like Mitch Bergeron, Kirk Taylor, Tom Foster, The Count and Shannon from Counts Kustoms just to name a few. These builders called on their friends at S&S for the motor, Jims for the Transmission and Sharp Eye for the kicker.
RS Performance Coatings worked their magic and Performance Machine kicked down the controls and rear brake. Custom Chrome and Drag Specialties were both down for dozens of parts that made the bike complete including the belt drive, rear fender and brake lines. Darin with Bung King.com and Gard with LA County Chop Rods donated some fine details to really set the bike off.
The bike was started at the Santa Maria All American Motorcycle Madness show May 19th – 21st and instead of just giving the bike away to someone at the show we sold tickets to win the bike there as well as Long Beach and Las Vegas Bikefest. The last place to purchase a ticket was at Grand National Bike Show San Francisco October 14th and 15th. 100% of the proceeds are going to his family to fund the charities and special interests that helped Johnny through the years.
After 6 months of selling tickets which included a free Johnny Chop tribute t-shirt the winner was picked out of the hopper by Susan, Johnny’s sister. Then Barbara Johnny’s mother called the lucky new owner Vince Defalco was ecstatic. When asked what he planed to do with the bike he replied in true Chop fashion and said ride it hard.
I’m sure we will be seeing a lot of this bike. The family thanks all of you that participated in the build and bought tickets. STAY GOLD
COOLBETH EARNS AMA CHAMPIONSHIPFirst Screamin’ Eagle Championship in Nine Years– COLUMBUS, Ohio (Oct. 14, 2006) – It was a banner day for the Screamin’ Eagle AMA Flat Track program Saturday. Not only did factory rider Kenny Coolbeth earn his first series championship, but the Screamin’ Eagle Wrecking Crew swept the podium for the third consecutive race.
“The entire team worked their butts off,” Coolbeth said. “This is a dream come true because I’ve always wanted to be a factory rider for Harley-Davidson and I’ve always wanted to win a championship. They have the knowledge and the people to make a championship happen. That showed this season.”
It was Coolbeth’s third victory of the season and second career win at the Scioto Downs race track in Columbus. He earned his first career victory here in 2002. He was in good company at the finish line this time.
Wrecking Crew teammate Jared Mees and the Texter Harley-Davidson team finished second while veteran Screamin’ Eagle factory rider Rich King was third. The fourth member of the Wrecking Crew, Bryan Smith, suffered mechanical problems in the last lap and finished 11th on his Pat Moroney’s Harley-Davidson.
“We are ecstatic,” Harley-Davidson Racing Manager Anne Paluso said. “It’s been nine years since the Harley-Davidson factory team carried the No. 1 plate. We put the right team together to make it happen with two great factory riders in Kenny and Rich and two great Wrecking Crew riders in Bryan and Jared.”
If that wasn’t enough, the four riders finished in the top four of the point standings too. Coolbeth finished the final point standings with 158 points while Mees was second (145), Smith was third (127) and King was tied for fourth (126 with Chris Carr and the Ford Quality Checked Ford Harley-Davidson team).
Mees and Smith each won their heat races while Kenny finished second in his heat event. Smith started the event in the No. 1 qualifying position while Mees was third, Coolbeth was fifth and King was 14th.
With the third place finish, King moved up from fifth to fourth in the standings. It was his fourth podium finish of the season.
“I had some trouble shifting the bike but it was running fast all day,” King said. “I started on the third row but I just worked my way up and passed everyone except two, as it turns out. We raced well and it’s good to end the season on a high note.
“I didn’t win the championship, but it went to a very well-deserving guy. We stumbled at a couple of races and that put us behind. We had a great night tonight. The entire Wrecking Crew team did. That turned out to be a great concept and it’s just another way for Harley-Davidson to give back to the sport of flat track racing. My hat is off to them for what they have done this year. The Wrecking Crew was a great deal.”
Coolbeth said he knew he wasn’t going to give up the lead once he moved to the front of the pack.
“I got a good start. I think I was second off the line,” Coolbeth said. “It took me about five laps to get around everyone and take the lead and that’s when I checked out. I never gave up the lead. It was an awesome race.
“Our entire team had a good race but Rich just worked his butt off to move up to the front. I’m just so happy that we all did so well. I feel like I’m on cloud nine.”
Coolbeth has steadily worked his way up to the No. 1 position over the past few years. He finished third in the final standings in 2004 and second in 2005. Earning the title and the race win on the same day is exactly what he had in mind.
“I don’t think this has completely sunk in but it’s amazing,” Coolbeth said. “I’ve been climbing that ladder to get here and I just can’t believe it. Part of me is already thinking about how I am going to be riding with that big bull’s-eye on my back next year, but most of me still can’t believe we won the championship.
“This feels good. This is the way I wanted it to happen. I wanted to win the race and championship together. This is the best way to end the season.”
Columbus, Ohio Screamin’ Eagle Wrecking Crew Race Summary
Main Event Finish Heat Finish Qualifying
Kenny Coolbeth 1st 2nd 5th
Jared Mees 2nd 1st 3rd
Rich King 3rd 14th
Bryan Smith 11th 1st 1st
AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE CO. 1902 LLC ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTION & LICENSING AGREEMENTS FOR ASIA AND EUROPEAN UNION–American Motorcycle Co. 1902 is very pleased to announce the signing, and agreement of terms and conditions, for the distribution of its motorcycles in China, Macau, Singapore, and Japan as well as throughout the European Union with AMC Powerhouse LLC, and its partners Martin O. Schweiger, Bernd Ohly, and Peter Schemberger.
Additionally, licensing agreements have also been signed for the development and distribution of various licensed products under their marks within those same territories (Asia and EU). These licenses include, but are not limited to: motorcycle bolt on’s and accessories, apparel, jewelry, cosmetics, and related products for those markets as well. Development of prototype samples is already underway with expectation sales in these territories for the 2007 season.
AMC1902 is excited to enter into this new relationship for expanding its brands globally and throughout these markets. The tremendous background of AMC Powerhouse partners assures immediate opportunities for the brand in these markets as well as exceptional sourcing and manufacturing partners throughout the world. AMC1902 is proud to announce this new alliance, and the new markets this opens.
These agreements are affective immediately, and marketing and promotional efforts are already underway in the European Union looking forward to the 2007 season and beyond.
Robert J. Page and Branscombe Richmond welcome Martin O. Schweiger and Berndt Ohly to the “AMC 1902’s Motorcycle Mafia” and AMC1902’s family of partners.
LOUD PIPES SAVES LIVES AND BIKERNET CONTENTION MAY BE CONFIRMED AGAIN–This article was triggered by Jeffry L’H. Tank’s article “Loud Pipes Save Lives” or The Madness Behind The MYTH (“Virginia Wind Newsletter” 09/2003), and also by a recent interchange of comments on the same topic in the Dr. Gridlock column in the “Washington Post”.
Jeffry and the Dr. Gridlock commenters have adopted what has become a prevalent attitude in many, if not most, discourses in present society: State a position as an absolute, based on one or a few cases and then defend it to the death, or attempt to refute it by finding one or more cases which seem to say nay and treat that as an absolute refutation. This is almost always accompanied by an argument that lack of proof means automatic refutation, or lack of negative proof means automatic acceptance.
I would like to look at this “Loud Pipes Save Lives” topic in a slightly different, and perhaps more rational or accommodating fashion – accommodating to all of the arguers on both sides. Let’s change the postulation or point of discussion to be “Loud Pipes MAY Save Lives”, adopting a “softer” approach, and see where that may take us.
Jeffrey says he “could not find a single “fact” that supports the idea that loud pipes save lives. A policeman’s widow says her motorcycle cop husband talked about how the use of lights and sirens did not stop people from “missing” him. How would he know if the sirens worked – what did he see (or not see)? Many riders with loud pipes can recall instances where drivers made “near misses”. But all this does not refute the idea that loud pipes may have averted accidents. What do you measure or see when a driver does NOT make a lane change, or NOT pull out from a driveway in traffic, or NOT open a door into a rider and his ride — because he/she heard loud pipes? We cannot measure in these cases what does NOT happen – but this does not change the reality that it did NOT happen.
I have touched on 3 cases where I think it is logically supportable that time and distance do NOT render loud pipes ineffective, and therefore that loud pipes may (I want to say DO) save lives, if you will grant me that a “fender-bender” between two vehicles often becomes a “life-ender” if one of them is a bike. All three cases (lane changes in traffic, driveway pullout into traffic, and opening a car door in traffic) fall into a category where there is close proximity of vehicles and where there is a reduced ability of the rider to react and protect him/her-self. I postulate that loud pipes, close distances, and traffic combine to create a situation where those loud pipes will be loud enough to penetrate to the drivers of “cages”, and allow the rider to be noticed and the “threatening” behavior to be averted.
We cannot measure what does NOT happen – but this does not change the reality that it did not happen. So, Loud Pipes MAY Save Lives.
Most attempted refutations of the postulation that “Loud Pipes Save Lives” seem to rest on matters of direction of “attack” by cages, direction of pipe outlets, and such. And, as you might expect, I have some thoughts in that area also.
In cases of greater distance and speed, and in the absence of studies or proof either yea or nay on the impact of loud pipes in the matter of saving riders’ lives, let us apply some logic or postulate what might be “reality”.
Some “givens” to be used in this argument:a vehicle, in this case a bike, traveling 60 mph covers 88 feet / secondthe speed of sound is 750 mph or 1100 feet / secondthere is some attenuation / dampening of sound of pipes due to:the forward speed of the bike andthe rearward or sideward (turnout) outlet of exhaust sounda car / cage is about 18 feet long
If you do the math and allow for the travel of the sound to be 75% LESS than optimum (a rather large attenuation, I think!), then a driver might hear that 60 mph loud bike 15+ car lengths before it arrives and might have more than enough time to NOT pull out or NOT turn left in front of the rider or NOT do other threatening things. And, given the constancy of the speed of sound, this “loud pipe edge” to the rider gets greater as his speed is lower.
And this might be / is happening. As I said above – we cannot measure the accident that does NOT happen – but this does not change the reality that it did not happen. So, Loud Pipes MAY Save Lives.
I agree with Jeffry 100% when he says to motorcycle riders: “its up to you and you alone to ensure your safety”, and I, for one, will use my loud pipes as a means of perhaps saving my life.
I want to give myself every edge, and the possibility that my loud pipes might make me more noticed and avert an accident, and in the absence of proof or compelling logic to the contrary, I believe that “Loud Pipes MAY Save Lives”. And the life saved might be mine!
I have convinced myself! And perhaps you, also???
–By Dave “on SilverBack” Slone
CROCKER MOTORCYCLE COMPANY TEAMS WITH ACCURATE ENGINEERING TO PRODUCE ENGINES FOR THE ALL NEW CROCKER MOTORCYCLE–Toronto, ON September 11, 2006- Crocker Motorcycle Company Inc. has signed a contract with top engine builder Berry Wardlaw of Accurate Engineering from Dothan Alabama to produce the “Original” Crocker Motorcycle engine for the continued production of the coveted classic “Big and Small Tank” Crocker Motorcycle, which was first produced in 1936.
The 1936 Crocker enjoyed the distinction of being the first production motorcycle in the US to use an “over head valve” engine, beating Harley-Davidson to the punch by 4 to 6 months before their launch of the 1936 “Knucklehead.” From its first appearance on the road in Los Angeles and for many years to come, the Crocker was the fastest production bike in the world.
Crocker Motorcycle Company first plans to produce 100 “Original” type Big and Small Tank Crocker motorcycles as a signature series to commemorate the approximate 100 bikes originally produced in Al Crocker’s factory at 1346 Venice Blvd in downtown Los Angeles. The new Crocker Big and Small Tank models will be visually identical to the original but will be updated internally.
Over the last several years Crocker Motorcycle Company Inc. has created a name for itself in the antique motorcycle world by producing quality components for this highly prized American classic. No other make has stirred the lust for two wheels since Al Crocker first created this Hemi-Head Hot Rod in 1936.
Parts production re-started in 1997 and in 2002 the commitment to produce complete Crocker’s came to life.By reverse engineering both the Big and Small Tank models, Crocker has created more than 1300 Cad-Cam drawings and almost 100 precision castings for their new “Vintage” motorcycle. Even the original foundry markings can be found on these newly produced parts.Although the Crocker will be sold in kit form at this time, each engine will come completed and bench tested by Accurate Engineering.
Crocker Motorcycle is now taking orders on their first production series and expects to begin delivery in Spring 2007.For more information contact Michael Schacht at 416 650.0100.www.CrockerMotorcycleCo.com
NEW MYRTLE BEACH SHOP–Hey guys just to let everyone know we are opening a new motorcycle shop herein Myrtle Beach. The shop is actually 1/4 mile away from the new Suck BangBlow on bypass 17.
The address is 11690 Hwy 17 Murrells Inlet SC 29576 A great new place for everyone to visit during the rally. Spring and fall.
Hope to see ya all!!Also of some interest we were just granted a patent on our dual runnerintake!
–Lee Wimmer
DIALOG FROM THE VINTAGE RACES AT THE GRAND NATIONALS FINALS–All, The timing is a bummer for most everyone, but I figured what the heck..you all look sick from here!!!
My teammates and I are racing in the WERA Grand National Final, At Road Atlanta, THURSDAY OCT 12. Schedule is attached. The guys that win all the money run on the weekend.
We are all in the mix. I’ve won a Southeastern Regional Championship, with an outside shot at the National title??I aint countin on it, but what the heck.
Pits should be open with ticket purchase. Road Atl is Exit #129, ABOUT 35 Miles North of I-285.
Ya’ll, Charlie, meant to mention that the vintage guys pit in the infield which means that you have to drive cross the bridge to join our pit area.Or you can walk across the walking bridge (by the tower) to see us from the main pits.
–Jack Houman, Team Old & Oily
Charlie’s results from yesterday, which I am sure he will be beating his chest about when he gets back to work on Monday. Now, if we can only get him get out of the sparsely attended “lightweight geezer” classes and on a bike that will break 90 MPH on the straights! 🙂
–Stan
VINTAGE 350cc GP: 1. Doug Bowie (Duc 250); 2. Steven Barber (Hon 350); 3. Charles Young (Hon 350); 4. Jack Houman (Hon 350); 5. John Regan (Hon 350); 6. David Hurst (Yam 250).
VINTAGE 500cc GP: 1. Steven Barber (Hon 350); 2. Charles Young (Hon 350); 2. John Regan (Hon 350); 4. David Hurst (Yam 250); 5. Jack Houman (Hon 350); 6. Keith Bennett (Hon 350).
This lightweight geezer is pretty happy?..and just for clarity?..how fast is that armchair your riding Stan?….careful, don’t break a nail while typing!….bbbbaaawwwwwww!!!!
This semi-retired Expert Regional Champ and top ranked National Endurance front runner is ready for a match race any time. How about this: you ride my bike and I ride yours for a few laps at Talladega. We will go off aggregate times…..
OTIS CHANDLER COLLECTION AUCTION THIS SATURDAY IN OXNARD, CALIFORNIA–Otis Chandler, the Los Angeles Times magnet, died some months ago and the family, in true rich-guy fashion, couldn’t come to any agreement on splitting the assets. Courts forced a public auction of the vast Otis car and bike museum collection.
This auction is boiling over with over 1000 bidders signed up. Each bidder must have a 1-million dollar credit line to get into the building. Let’s see what happens.
Continued On Page 2
