Hey,
Damn it’s Friday and we take half days off on Friday, but we didn’t finish the news on Thursday, since most of the day was spent on a plane, although I did grapple with a laptop.
We’ll jump right into the news, so I can figure out the rest of the mess on my desk. We’re scrambling with projects, features, books and event coverage. Hang on.
Sorry we’re late with this week’s news. It’ll never happen again-yeah right!
JIMS BIKERNET TOOL OF THE WEEK–(Cleveblock) Bushing Assembly Rear Swing Arm Assembly ToolUse to remove and replace swing arm cleveblocks.
Cleveblocks, partNo.47556-81, are silicone filled bushings that will be damaged if notinstalled properly. JIMS tool presses on the outer sleeve of the bushing,preventing damage to the cleveblock. Can be used with or without a press.
No.1743 – Use on FLT 1980-91. Use on FXR 1982-94, 1999 and all aftermarketFXR style frames.
Legend has it that Evil Road Spirits have been latching themselves on to motorcycles for as long as there have been bikes on the road. These Evil Road Spirits are responsible for mechanical problems and bad luck along the journey.Legend goes on to say that by attaching a small bell onto your scoot, the Evil Road Spirits will become trapped inside the bell where the constant ringing drives them insane, making them lose their grip until they fall to the ground. (Ever wonder where potholes come from.)Legend also has it that the Freedom Bell carries twice as much power when purchased by a friend or loved one and given as a gift.
AMERICAN IRON NUMBER ONE–Not only are we the #1 selling motorcycle magazine on newsstands, still,,,, we are now gearing up for Daytona, and just got the bike for the giveaway bike build-off. Our March “Trade Show Issue” is the next one closing.
Do you guys need a schedule?
–John Smolinski
American Iron Magazine
American Iron Retailer
RoadBike Magazine
203-425-8777 x121
203-325-2254 fax
johns@tamcommunications.com
“RoadBike, the number one “all metric” motorcycle magazine!”
“To build a foundation you use iron, nothing is as strong as American Iron.”
ARIZONA TOWN NOT SO CARE FREE ABOUT NOISE–Carefree, Arizona has been on the bikers’ radar screen for their controversial noise ordinance, but now the Town Council has voted unanimously to lower speed limits on its main thoroughfare, and elevate noise infractions for first-time offenders from a civil citation to a Class 1 misdemeanor and possible jail time.
The changes take effect in November and targets motorcycles that exceed an 85-decibel noise limit. Instead of a $175 ticket, violators can be fined as much as $2,500 and sentenced to up to 180 days in jail.
In addition to beefing up punishment to crack down on noisy bikes, the council also voted to reduce the speed limit on Cave Creek Road, the gateway between Phoenix and bars in downtown Cave Creek, from 35mph down to 25mph.
STROKERS DALLAS FOR HALLOWEEN–FREE GIFT for everyone that comes in costume!(excluding “Biker” costumes) Live Music, Hot Girls, Vendors, and Drink Specials ALL WEEKEND!!Plus, FREE candy and temporary tattoos for the kids!
Don’t miss the great deals on all New 2006 & 2007 Motorcycles, as well as 10% off all “skull” merchandise. C-Ya there, if you dare!
THE INDIAN LARRY AUSTRALIAN BUILD– Welcome home! Hope you both had a fantastic time. Here’s a sneak preview of the Pan, Shaun’s doing a fantastic job and says he’s lovin every minute of it. Gets his creative juices going. I’ve been going up to the shop every day just to get some shots, toss ideas around and hold this or that, other than that it’s is an absolute blast watching it come together.
–Glenn
PJ TO COVER EASYRIDERS SHOW FOR BIKERNET– I’ll come up with a human interest angle or some other alternative point-of-view and submit a 1,000 word article for your approval within 10 working days of the extravaganza’s end date.
Also, Did you pick up a copy of this month’s Thunder Press? I have one if you need it. Again; Congratulations on the “Assalt Weapan”! Give ’em hell next year!!!
–PJ
BIKERNET OLD SHOT OF THE WEEK–Being an old time Lineman and a Biker myself. I got a kick out of thispic I found on a Lineman’s web site. If you look real close you’ll see thatthree of the fellows have their climbing gear on. The wagon was the linetruck of the day and the H-D was probably used to run material etc. fromtheir barn to the job site. Don’t know what year.
–Liger
sligerj@firstenergycorp.com
LOVE RIDE AND CALIFORNIA BIKE WEEK JUST AROUND THE CORNER–20,000 motorcycle riders will join the world’s largest one-day motorcycle charity event, the Love Ride, and head out on a new route with a new destination to cap the events of the California Bike Week on November 11. The 24th annual Love Ride will leave Harley-Davidson of Glendale and end up in Fairplex in Pomona instead of the usual destination of Castaic. Jay Leno will again act as Grand Marshall and Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame singer/songwriter Gregg Allman will headline the entertainment after the ride.
California Bike Week will include various motorcycle events for enthusiasts including drag and flat track racing, trade show, stunt riding, and musical entertainment. Harley-Davidson will be offering demo rides aboard the new 2008 H-D and Buell motorcycles, so bring a valid motorcycle license and riding gear to saddle up on the new models. The Harley-Davidson Traveling Museum will be on site to allow visitors to take a peak into the Company’s legendary history and Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) will be available for H.O.G. members. Harley-Davidson’s interactive display, Acceleration Nation, will offer race fans a simulated drag racing experience aboard Harley-Davidson V-Rod motorcycles as well as a photo opportunity on NHRA racer Andrew Hines’ race bike.
The Love Ride began 24 years ago as a way to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy and local children’s charities, and has raised more than $20 million over the years. The Love Ride’s founder and owner, Harley-Davidson of Glendale, Oliver Shokouh, was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame this past August.
PAUGHCO SWINGARM FRAME FOR ROAD KINGS– As the world’s oldest and largest custom and reproduction frame manufacturer it’s no surprise when Paughco announces the release of something special. Take for example their new SWINGARM FRAME for ROAD KINGS.
That’s right, what you see here is a unique chassis that is a perfect replacement for stock 1998 and up FLT frames. The Paughco FLT chassis comes with 28? rake and accepts Twin Cam 88 and Evolution engines with matching touring model transmissions. It is also designed to accept all the stock factory sheet metal, fork assembly, rear suspension and other hardware. Pricing for the Paughco FLT frames is set at just $1995.95.
For complete details call 775-246-5738 or visit them on the Web at www.paughco.com
THE ULTIMATE QUESTION, WATER OR COKE?–Through extensive Bikernet Research at the University of Bikernet Downunder Lab, in Sidney, Australia, here are our findings, beginning with water:
#1. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. (Likely applies to half the world population.)
#2. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is mistaken for hunger.
#3. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one’s metabolism as 3%.
#4. One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Washington study.
#5. Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.
#6. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.
#7. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.
#8. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%., and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer. Are you drinking the amount of water you should drink every day?
COKE
#1. In many states the highway patrol carries two gallons of Coke in the trunk to remove blood from the highway after a car accident.
#2. You can put a T-bone steak in a bowl of Coke and it will be gone in two days.
#3. To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the toilet bowl and let the “real thing” sit for one hour, then flush clean. The citric acid in Coke removes stains from vitreous china.
#4. To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers: Rub the bumper with a rumpled-up piece of Reynolds Wrap aluminium foil dipped in Coca-Cola.
#5. To clean corrosion from car battery terminals: Pour a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion.
#6. To loosen a rusted bolt: Apply a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes.
#7. To bake a moist ham: Empty a can of Coca-Cola into the baking pan, wrap the ham in aluminum foil, and bake. Thirty minutes before ham is finished, remove the foil, allowing the drippings to mix with the Coke for a sumptuous brown gravy.
#8. To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of Coke into the load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will help loosen grease stains. It will also clean road haze from your windshield.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
#1. The active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric acid. It will dissolve a nail in about four days. Phosphoric acid also leaches calcium from bones and is a major contributor to the rising increase of osteoporosis.
#2. To carry Coca-Cola syrup! (the concentrate) the commercial trucks must use a hazardous Material place cards reserved for highly corrosive materials.
#3. The distributors of Coke have been using it to clean engines of the trucks for about 20 years!
Now the question is, would you like a glass of water? or Coke?
–from RR
CONGRESS FORMS MOTORCYCLE CAUCUS–The U.S. House of Representatives has formed a motorcycle safety caucus, and riders are urged to contact their motorcycle-friendly Reps and ask them to join. A caucus is a group within a legislative body that is assembled to represent a specific interest or influence a particular area of policy. The motorcycle caucus will focus on ways that Congress can improve and advance motorcycle safety efforts.
To become part of this first-ever motorcycle safety caucus, interested House members should contact either caucus co-chairs, Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) or Michael Burgess (R-TX).
Giffords, a freshman member of Congress and an avid motorcycle rider herself, said “We know from national studies that in almost two-thirds of fatal car/motorcycle crashes, the fault was with the driver of the car. We can do more to address this critical problem, and public education is a key to bringing about awareness and a reduction in such accidents.”
Burgess is a long time supporter of motorcycling who said he is looking forward to working with motorcyclists across the country on motorcycle safety, education and awareness issues.
MOTORCYCLES TO REMAIN LESS THAN 100 HP IN FRANCE–Bad news for French motorcycle riders. The almighty and powerful European Commission has ruled that France is in its legal rights to limit motorcycle power to 100 horsepower.
The French Association of Angry Bikers (FFMC — Federation Francaise des Motards en Colere) sued the French state and took them to the European courts.
Apparently, having uniform laws in Europe only apply to anything except motorcycles, said the FFMC about the ruling. The EC stated that each country could impose their own restrictions.
The FFMC countered that an extensive study by Dutch TNO showed no correlation between accidents and motorcycles with more power than 100 H.P.
So riding in France on a French-registered motorcycle means you can only have 100 H.P., while anyone else riding in France can ride whatever they want, on the same road, with the same traffic, and cars are not included in the restriction.
The FFMC vows that they are not going to let this go?stay tuned!
BMF WHEELS, INC. LAUNCHES INTO THE TRUCK MARKET–Orange, CA – Brock Weld and Blake Ramthun have started a new wheel company called BMF Wheels featuring an innovative fusion of forged wheel styling with cast wheel technology.
BMF Wheels has created a truly unique and performance-driven line of wheels for the off-road and lifted truck enthusiast. All BMF wheels feature aggressive and bold designs with chrome and “death metal” black finishes. Every BMF wheel is manufactured using a proprietary multi-axis CNC machining process. These ground-breaking innovations produce a true three-dimensional look that is second to none. All BMF wheels are engineered to exploit the longest and straightest rim lip possible, and are all TPMS sensor compatible to meet OE specifications.
BMF Wheel fitments are specifically designed for the new Toyota Tundra, Jeep JK in addition to Nissan Titan, half-ton Chevy, GMC and Cadillac trucks & SUV’s, half-ton Ford & Lincoln trucks & SUV’s and all three-quarter and one-ton applications, plus many other applications. BMF’s fitments are absolutely perfect for an aggressive fit on lifted and leveled trucks using all-terrain and mud-terrain tires. There are four styles to choose from in 20, 22 and 24 inch diameters.
BMF Wheels is committed to its customers. It will strive to provide customers the very best product combined with unmatched customer service. Every sale is important to the BMF team, and that is why Weld and Ramthun personally answer their customer’s phone calls every day.
Brock Weld, formerly of Weld Racing Wheels, has many years experience manufacturing and selling high-performance wheels. Weld Racing Wheels was sold to American Racing/Platinum Equity in 2006. After the sale, Weld left to build his own wheel company with his business partner Blake Ramthun. “I knew that I had no desire to work for anyone except myself,” said Weld. “I want to focus on the products and customers I know best; the lifted truck market is what BMF is all about.”
Blake Ramthun, formerly of Weld Racing Wheels and Pacific Wheel Distributors, has worked in the automotive aftermarket for over 15 years and has worked with Brock Weld for the past seven. “At a time when the wheel industry is overloaded with old designs and poor customer service we know BMF can bring products no one has ever seen before and customer service that is second to none,” said Ramthun.
BMF Wheels will be releasing more information on designs and fitments in both print and on its Web site soon. For further information, please visit www.bmfwheels.com or call (888) 313-2580.
BMF Wheels, Inc.
1401 N Batavia Street
Suite 107
Orange, CA 92867
(888) 313-2580 Sales
(714) 639-0116 Office
(714) 639-0829 Fax
mail@bmfwheels.com
www.bmfwheels.com
NEW SIGNATURE SERIES TOURING SEAT WITH RIDER BACKREST–MILWAUKEE (Sept. 28, 2007) – The new Signature Series Seat with Rider Backrest (P/N 51985-08 and P/N 51998-08, $499.95) from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories offers the perfect combination of foam density and shape for long-haul touring comfort. On the road, both rider and passenger will appreciate the wide seating area. Around town, the narrow nose keeps the rider’s legs closer together at stops.
The seat features a removable rider backrest that folds down for easier passenger mounting. The backrest has a five-position height adjustment with 1.5-inch range. The forward/back angle adjustment is made with the quick twist of the control knob. An embossed Bar & Shield logo completes the smooth seating surface. The Signature Series Seat with Rider Backrest is available in two versions to fit a number of Softail models. See dealer for fitment details.
For additional information on Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories, see your local Harley-Davidson dealer or visit the Harley-Davidson Web site at www.harley-davidson.com. To find a dealer near you, call toll free 1-800-443-2153 in the U.S.A. or Canada.
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For you, Ted.
