Bandit, after reading your article, I realize two things: I have been fortunate to take part in this ride with you. Two, more specifically towards the content of the state of the magazine article, we are in a great place…. Kinda!


I have watched the ups and downs of the motorcycle industry over nearly three decades now and understand that to make a living in this is totally possible, but to strike it rich, well, that’s a fool’s paradise.

Yeah, there are times that the motorcycle business may do better, other times way worse, but the constant that keeps us opening the door, turning the wrench, and tackling another deadline is the love affair we have with the subject matter.



In that, I remind myself that the original purveyors of motorcycle media were just that, enthusiasts. They did this just like your article points out, for the love of it. Names like Easyriders, Supercycle, Colors, American Iron and IronWorks, just to name a few, were driven by staff, if not a principal that was a diehard motorcycle nut. As long as there was some raisin pie and gas for the tank after paying the printer bills, all was good with the world, and they started working on the next issue.

As money poured into the American Custom Motorcycle segment, it became appealing for big publishers to buy up or launch a motorsports division with a title for our culture. Many of them employed people with the same passion I’m speaking of, but none were at the top.



The owners were a board of directors immune from the code, the culture, and the deeper meanings we all share. For me, telling the stories of the men and women in the motorcycle life has been my lifelong privilege. I can’t imagine doing anything else, nothing of a higher calling.

Now the corporate-owned publications, on the other hand, when things got challenging, well, they wouldn’t suffer a financial loss, so paper quality went down, they forced the good people that worked for them to shoulder the extra workload of smaller staffs and in the end, many pulled the plug in favor of a more viable business model.

So, when you asked me for a report on the status of Cycle Source, I was conflicted. On the one hand, I want to dive into our platform’s minutia and why I think incorporating live broadcasting every week with ShopTalk, a weekly video magazine, our event activations, and do-it-yourself approach towards tech and fabrication articles. Setting very strict standards for the newsstand and our performance on it, so there is less waste is critical. Or that we have included social media, the weekly show, our blog and video content as added value.



We’ve promoted opportunities to our advertisers rather than going to them with additional costs to buy into the part of what we do that works best. To that end, I want to tell you that some level of mastery has helped us navigate those waters, and while some of that is very true, it also requires I go to the other hand.

There, I have to say that it is only because we love this culture so much we sacrifice family time, personal time, and economic hardships more than you can ever explain to anyone outside of this business. Not in an attempt to get rich or to be canonized, but because this is what it takes.

I learned my way into this from people like you, Rogue, Dennis and Marilyn Stemp, Chris Maida, Howard Kelley, Balls and John Green. All of you did the work as rule number one. I can’t think of one of those people who are sitting on a yacht today reading this, thinking about what a solid financial investment they made through the motorcycle life.



Some may even have been looked over by posterity. All of them, however, have governed themselves, to one degree or another, by a tenant that I have decided to do with my life, and that’s being “In Service” to your community.

For me, that’s the motorcycle community and the people who make it what it is. I get to wake up every day and tell their stories, show their talents, defend their causes, and share their burdens. For a tenth-grade dropout with very few skills I possess today, I am the luckiest man in the world, not because I will ever be rich or famous but simply because I got to be part of the history of this life.



I got to do the thing I have loved for the past 25 years. I have met all my heroes and introduced them to other people. I’ve ridden the greatest roads in the country and some overseas. I’ve shown people where they are and what great spots are on the way to them. Someday, I’m sure, like many of my mentors, I will run out of the energy to go after all of this as feverishly as I have for the past quarter of a century, but I bought the ticket, and I’m taking the ride!

So yeah, at Cycle Source, we’ve had to learn terms like ROI and CPM. We’ve had to learn digital broadcasting and more than I ever wanted to about the greasy underbelly of the American Newsstand, but none of that is why print media will succeed or fail. It simply comes down to passion.



Those with that spark that keeps them up at night dreaming of building, riding, traveling on, rebuilding, painting, and sharing motorcycles, that’s who it has to be to keep this thing alive. Whether it’s a magazine, parts distributor, event promoter, or local motorcycle mechanic, start looking into their story, find those that are true enthusiasts and doing this all for the love of it, and support them. In doing that, you will ensure that our culture continues and will have good stewards of its storied history.

Industry & Legislative Motorcycle News from USA and the world
Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish

This Month’s Edition covers:

• HARLEY-DAVIDSON GOING ALL-ELECTRIC
• WYOMING LAWMAKERS PROPOSE BAN ON ELECTRIC VEHICLES
• STURGIS CHARITABLE DONATIONS SURPASS $2 MILLION
• LEGENDARY MOTORCYCLE DAREDEVIL ROBBIE KNIEVEL — R.I.P.
• U.S. HOUSE JOINS SENATE IN OPPOSING MOTORCYCLIST PROFILING
• NHTSA CHALLENGED ON ANTI-MOTORCYCLIST PROFILING
• SAVE THE PATCH: MONGOLS M/C KEEP THEIR TRADEMARK LOGO
• UGANDA TO GIVE RIDERS A FREE ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE
• 2023 NCOM CONVENTION IN PHOENIX — MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Click Here to Read this latest edition of NCOM Newsbytes on Bikernet.com

ABOUT AIM / NCOM: The National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) is a nationwide motorcyclists rights organization serving over 2,000 NCOM Member Groups throughout the United States, with all services fully-funded through Aid to Injured Motorcyclist (AIM) Attorneys available in each state who donate a portion of their legal fees from motorcycle accidents back into the NCOM Network of Biker Services (www.ON-A-BIKE.com / 800-ON-A-BIKE).

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KNOW YOUR CHOPPER LEGACY —  Click to Join Bandit’s Cantina and grab an Online Archive from 1996 to present.

On December 23, 2022, in one of the last actions of the 117th Congress before adjourning, the U.S. House of Representatives approved H. Res.366; “Promoting awareness of motorcyclist profiling and encouraging collaboration and communication with the motorcycle community and law enforcement officials to prevent instances of profiling.”

The House now joins with the U.S. Senate in passing separate resolutions opposing the discretionary profiling of motorcyclists by law enforcement, defining it as; “motorcyclist profiling means the illegal use of the fact that a person rides a motorcycle or wears motorcycle-related apparel as a factor in deciding to stop and question, take enforcement action, arrest, or search a person or vehicle with or without legal basis under the Constitution of the United States.”

Sponsored by Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI), House Resolution 366 garnered 103 bipartisan cosponsors, and is similar to Senate Resolution 154 passed by the U.S. Senate in 2018 which likewise urges state law enforcement officials to condemn the discriminatory policy.

Accordingly, H.Res.366 states;

“Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives –

(1) promotes increased public awareness on the issue of motorcyclist profiling;

(2) encourages collaboration and communication with the motorcyclist community and law enforcement to engage in efforts to end motorcyclist profiling; and

(3) urges State law enforcement officials to include statements condemning motorcyclist profiling in written policies and training materials.”

Meanwhile, in addition to the federal efforts to prevent anti-biker profiling, the five states of Washington (2011), Maryland (2016), Louisiana (2019), Idaho (2020) and most recently New Hampshire (2022) have all enacted laws at the state level to curb profiling.

On December 20, 2022, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives agreed to a $1.7 trillion omnibus spending measure that will fund the federal government through September, avoiding a government shutdown, but attached within the funding section for the Department of Transportation is language from House Report 117-402 inserted at the request of Rep. Susie Lee (R-NV) that questions the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about their role in the promulgation of anti-motorcyclist profiling;

“The Committee is concerned that National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) may be conducting activities that encourage states to adopt legislation, regulation, or other policies that unjustly profile motorcycle riders. The Committee directs NHTSA to report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on the extent to which the agency works with states on motorcycle passenger policies within 120 days of enactment of this Act.”

SAVE THE PATCH: MONGOLS M/C KEEP THEIR TRADEMARK LOGO

The Mongol Nation Motorcycle Club can keep their trademark logo, a backpatch typically worn on jackets and vests by members, thanks to a Ninth Circuit ruling handed down on January 6, 2023. But the three-judge panel also declined to overturn the 2018 criminal conviction of the organization on federal racketeering charges, reports Courthouse News Service.

Stephen Stubbs, the Mongols general counsel, called the ruling “a victory not only for the Mongols Motorcycle Club, but for all motorcycle clubs, freedom, and America as a whole.”

As backdrop to the now-infamous courtroom battle with far-reaching implications for America’s biker community; after a decade-long prosecution 77 members were convicted, as was the Mongols organization itself, under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). A federal jury ordered the club be fined $500,000 and forced to forfeit a large stockpile of vests, guns and ammunition seized by federal agents in raids. The jury also decided the club should forfeit their trademarked patch over to the government.

Months after the verdict, U.S. District Judge David Carter said the Mongols could keep their trademark, ruling that such a forfeiture would violate its First Amendment rights to free speech and association, and would also constitute an excessive fine prohibited by the Eighth Amendment.

Both parties appealed. The Mongols argued the organization wasn’t an indictable “person” under the RICO statute. The federal government asked the Ninth Circuit to simply dissolve the Mongols’ trademark, effectively allowing anyone to buy and sell products with the design.

In an unanimous opinion, U.S. Circuit Judge Holly Thomas wrote that the RICO law’s forfeiture provision only allows the government to seize property, not destroy it.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON GOING ALL-ELECTRIC

American motorcycle company Harley-Davidson, known for its large-engine heavyweight cruiser motorcycles, is transitioning to become an all-electric brand, explains its CEO Jochen Zeitz.

“At some point in time, Harley Davidson will be all-electric,” he told Dezeen in an interview. “But that’s a long-term transition that needs to happen. It’s not something you do overnight.”

The Motor Company launched its first electric motorcycle in 2018, named LiveWire, and according to Zeitz electrification is the next logical step in the evolution of the brand that was established 120 years ago.

“If you look at the past 120 years, the company has always evolved, never stood still,” he said. “Now, like the founders did at the time by trying to reinvent or invent something unique, that’s obviously something that we as a company brand need to do as well.”

WYOMING LAWMAKERS PROPOSE BAN ON ELECTRIC VEHICLES

A group of GOP Wyoming state lawmakers want to end electric vehicle sales there by 2035, saying the move will help safeguard the oil and gas industries, which employ thousands of people in the state.

The measure, introduced to the state legislature on January 13, was sponsored by six state legislators, who said in it that electric vehicles will hinder Wyoming’s ability to trade with other states. According to “The Hill,” the bill states that citizens and industries would be encouraged not to purchase electric vehicles before the ban goes into effect.

“The proliferation of electric vehicles at the expense of gas-powered vehicles will have deleterious impacts on Wyoming’s communities and will be detrimental to Wyoming’s economy and the ability for the country to efficiently engage in commerce,” the bill reads. The legislation further states that adding new power charging stations would require “massive” amounts of new power to “sustain the misadventure of electric vehicles.”

 

UGANDA TO GIVE RIDERS A FREE ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE

Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is looking to go green, by handing out a free electric motorcycle to all of the region’s riders. President Museveni is planning on tackling pollution by providing riders with a completely free electric motorbike, including the region’s 100,000+ Boda-Boda riders, who are self-employed motorcycle taxis.

The system will be a trade-in, with riders swapping their current petrol bike for a new fully electric motorcycle, and the government is installing a network of charging stations across the country to support the move.

LEGENDARY MOTORCYCLE DAREDEVIL ROBBIE KNIEVEL — R.I.P.

‘Kaptain Robbie Knievel’ followed his famous daredevil father, Evel Knievel, into the high-flying, bone-shattering world of motorcycle stuntriding, going on to break all of his dad’s jump records and even successfully clearing the fountains at Caesars Palace that famously nearly killed the elder stuntsman. Decked out in star-spangled leathers, Robbie Knievel landed more than 350 jumps over a death-defying 30-year career, and he died January 13, 2023 of pancreatic cancer at his home in Reno, Nevada at age 60.

FORMER MOTORCYCLE RACER AND OTHER YOUNG ATHLETES ‘DIE SUDDENLY’

A former NFL defensive tackle and a champion motorcycle racer are the latest examples of apparently healthy people dying suddenly amid evidence the COVID-19 mRNA shots are causing serious heart damage at a rate exponentially higher than for previous vaccines.

Citing the available scientific evidence, an article on WND.com claims that “Prominent cardiologists tie alarming trend to COVID shots” and they believe the best explanation for the rampant “sudden and unexpected” deaths and cardiac events in otherwise healthy people, such as 35-year-old Keith Farmer, a four-time British motorcycle racing champion, and 45-year-old Adrian Dingle, who spent five seasons with the San Diego Chargers, is the COVID-19 vaccines.

In the past, long before the COVID vaccines, athletes who died suddenly typically were diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, an abnormal thickening of the heart, or premature heart blockage. Nowadays, athletes are thoroughly screened to rule out those conditions.

 

STURGIS CHARITABLE DONATIONS SURPASS $2 MILLION

Motorcyclists who took part in the Sturgis Buffalo Chip charity events for 2022 raised a generous $400,000 for Veterans, charities for children and the community. The figure pushes the grand total that Sturgis Buffalo Chip has raised for charity during the Sturgis Rally to over $2.1 million.

END OF THE ROAD FOR MAYANS M.C.

The titular Santo Padre biker club is calling it quits, as it’s been announced that the TV series “Mayans M.C.” is set to ride off into the sunset at the end of its upcoming fifth season. The news comes from FX network boss John Landgraf during an executive session at the Television Critics’ Association winter press tour.

 

2023 NCOM CONVENTION IN PHOENIX — MARK YOUR CALENDAR

The 38th annual Convention is scheduled for Father’s Day weekend, June 16-18, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona, so plan ahead to join with hundreds of fellow concerned riders from the ranks of Motorcycle Rights Organizations (MROs), clubs (Confederations of Clubs) and independent riders, with agenda items dealing with legal and legislative issues affecting all motorcyclists, so check back at www.ON-A-BIKE.com for further details from the National Coalition of Motorcyclists as they become available.

QUOTABLE QUOTE:

“Daredevils don’t live easy lives.”

~ Kelly Knievel, brother of ‘Kaptain Robbie Knievel’ (05/07/62 – 01/13/23)

 

 

THE AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE is brought to you by Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), and is sponsored by the Law Offices of Richard M. Lester. If you’ve been involved in any kind of accident, call us at 1-(800) ON-A-BIKE or visit www.ON-A-BIKE.com.

 

from https://www.moneycontrol.com

Buzz Aldrin, second man to walk on moon, gets married on 93rd birthday. Former American astronaut Buzz Aldrin got married to his longtime partner on his 93rd birthday.

Former American astronaut Buzz Aldrin got married to his longtime partner on his 93rd birthday. Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, is the only surviving member of the Apollo 11’s three-member crew that made up the historic moon landing mission of 1969.

Aldrin, who turned 93 on January 20, announced his marriage in a post on social media. He said that he and his “longtime love” Dr Anca Faur had tied the knot in a small ceremony in Los Angeles.

“On my 93rd birthday & the day I will also be honored by Living Legends of Aviation I am pleased to announce that my longtime love Dr. Anca Faur & I have tied the knot,” he said. “We were joined in holy matrimony in a small private ceremony in Los Angeles & are as excited as eloping teenagers.”

This is Aldrin’s fourth marriage. His wife, Dr Anca Faur, 63, serves as the Executive Vice President of Buzz Aldrin Ventures, according to the Daily Mail.

Buzz Aldrin was part of the historic moon landing of 1969 aboard Apollo 11. The jacket he wore while walking on the moon with fellow astronaut Neil Armstrong was auctioned for $2.7 million last year.

by Wayfarer

Click Here to Read this Photo Feature Article only on Bikernet.com

The Milwaukee Motor Company, with fans around the globe, turns 120 years old. There has been quite a few announcements regarding the homecoming as well as a public park on land they own. Most awaited however, was their announcement for model year 2023.

Fans and dealerships waiting patiently for the model release would surely be impressed if not dancing in the streets. Some limited edition collectibles are of course for ‘collectors’, but there is plenty for us common two-wheel monkeys to run with.

Breakout makes a comeback and Road Glide is now available as a Trike too. There is a Nightster Special and a re-imagined Freewheeler.

Of course, these can’t be all that’s offered. What’s happening with the ADV Pan America and the Electric LiveWire? So much more awaited by one and all, especially after the boss announced that H-D will be all-electric in the near future. One can also expect lot of activities at the H-D Museum and there will surely be ‘limited-edition’ apparel, tee-shirt tie-ins and new jackets and boots….

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This article is part informative and part editorial. Kind of like a motorcycle with aftermarket parts and a bitchy pillion onboard. Don’t get me wrong, I love the brand; but seriously, who wants to be a backseat driver of this company? It seems everyone except the company executives seem to know how to ‘run’ this motor company.

There are seven limited edition models that future auction action happy bikers can invest upon; namely:
    • Ultra Limited Anniversary
    • Tri Glide Ultra Anniversary
    • Street Glide Special Anniversary (Black Trim)
    • Road Glide Special Anniversary (Black Trim)
    • Fat Boy 114 Anniversary
    • Heritage Classic 114 Anniversary (Chrome Trim)
    • CVO Road Glide Limited

These commemorative bikes will be made worthwhile with special paint and styling. Only 1500 of the most exclusive (read ‘expensive’) CVO will be made for the whole world.

So then, Harley-Davidson started celebrating ‘Anniversaries’ every five years. Yup, just like they make you buy a greeting card every month at the local grocery store, the big original V-Twin started making expensive (not really ‘exclusive’ now are they?) collectible anniversary limited edition models.

The much mentioned Harley-Davidson CEO Jochen Zeitz treated Harley-Davidson like a ‘fashion brand’, like Puma, like ‘Deus Ex Machina’ (read that story on Bikernet by clicking here). He banished small markets and small engines. Despite the success of H-D 750cc engine in Asia and South America, he wanted to consolidate on core business, the big spenders. Unfortunately, the every American’s motorcycle was being peddled to owners of German and Italian luxury cars.

On plus side, Americans get to buy the Breakout model after 2018, which was always available to Europeans for all these years. It gets a five gallon tank, so customers get to enjoy the Milwaukee-Eight 117 ci V-Twin a lot more than the previous smaller tank would allow.

For the first time, Road Glide is available as a ‘Trike’, though only in select markets; namely US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Even Europe doesn’t get this reliable comfy puppy. It’s weird because there are already plenty of Road Glide trikes seen on the road – albeit built by some custom builder or the customer himself. Harley-Davidson saw the light shining like freshly mint money and realized the potential of this model as a factory-made trike.

The Freewheeler Trike front end, headlamp nacelle, tank console, hand and foot controls, engine and exhaust all get blacked out. The very opposite direction from the chrome finish this trike had last year. It also gets 18-inch rear-wheels. There are pinstripes with the stylized logo. The effort propels it toward the ‘Tourer’ range of models.

Softails will be available in the maximum among the limited edition anniversary models. Total of 3,000 Fat Boy units and 1,700 Heritage Classic units. There will be 1,600 units each of the Street Glide Special and Road Glide Special. The Ultra will have 1,300 units out and Tri Glide Ultra trikes will be limited to 1,100 units. CVO Road Glide will be limited to 1,500 units only.

Of course, these can’t be all that’s offered. What’s happening with the ADV Pan America and the Electric LiveWire? So much more awaited by one and all, especially after the boss announced that H-D will be all-electric in the near future. One can also expect lot of activities at the H-D Museum and for those mortals who can’t buy one or more motorcycles, there will surely be ‘limited-edition’ apparel, tee-shirt tie-ins and new jackets and boots….

 

by Bill May

Click Here to read this letter to Bandit on Bikernet.com

I love your new shop. Wish I was there to help you with all those projects but I seem to have stumbled into a good life here in Tennessee. I’ll sure try to make Sturgis next year if my health holds out. So far so good. I am doing stuff people half my age can’t do. You are too. We are amazing lol.

Here is what I have so far on the Backyard bike build.

My young friend Marshall crashed his Shovelhead in a Tennessee ditch. He bounced off a tree and nearly died. He got a helicopter ride out of it. He was damaged worse than the bike.

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Monster Energy and Yamaha Racing celebrate partnership with a new global race team livery for the 2023 MotoGP, AMA Supercross and Motocross, and MXGP seasons

MARIETTA, Ga. – January 20, 2023 – Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (YMUS) is pleased to announce a renewal with Monster Energy, and a strengthened global partnership celebrated with a new Monster Energy Yamaha race team livery for 2023. Breaking cover today at a global race team celebration in San Diego, California, the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing and Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP and MX2 team’s YZ race machines will sport the same exciting new look as the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team’s YZR-M1’s.

Ahead of tomorrow’s San Diego Supercross, the worlds of Supercross, MotoGP, and MXGP were brought together for the unveiling of the YZs. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac and Dylan Ferrandis were on hand to reveal the new look of their YZ450Fs for the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross and AMA Pro Motocross seasons, which are part of the inaugural SuperMotocross World Championship series. MXGP rider Jeremy Seewer was there for the presentation of his Monster Energy Yamaha Factory YZ450FM, which he will race for top honors in the 2023 FIM Motocross World Championship. 2021 MotoGP World Champion Fabio Quartararo also attended to share his YZR-M1, which was revealed earlier this week at the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team’s livery launch in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Ready for battle, the new look features camouflage and blends Yamaha and Monster Energy’s colors with the addition of gray for a refreshed, younger look. Designed by renowned Italian designer Aldo Drudi, the new global livery symbolizes Monster Energy and Yamaha’s combined passion for motorsports and a strong relationship between the brands. Together, Monster Energy and Yamaha Racing have enjoyed multiple championships and race wins at the highest levels of the sport.

Monster Energy and YMUS have a history of success in the AMA Supercross and Motocross Championships, with 39 premier class victories, including three 450 class titles in the past two years and topping the manufacturers’ points standings in the 450MX Pro Motocross Championship for two years running. In the 250 class, the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team has amassed an impressive eight titles, four 250MX Pro Motocross Manufacturer Championships, and 79 victories. More recently, defending 450SX Champion Tomac got off to a flying start, taking a thrilling victory aboard the all-new YZ450F at the opening round in Anaheim, California.

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Dave Gowland – VP Motorsports Marketing, Monster Energy

“Monster Energy is all about winning, and we’re enthused to enter the 2023 global racing season with Yamaha Racing. Monster Energy competes and excels in motor racing disciplines and championships the world over, and when we go racing, we go to win. We couldn’t be happier than to enter the 2023 Monster Energy Supercross Championship with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing, the MXGP World Championship with the Monster Energy Factory MXGP and MX2 teams, and the MotoGP World Championship with the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team. Powering into 2023 with Yamaha and our collective new global livery for 2023 puts us in a position to fight for race wins and championships, and that’s exactly what we’re about. Bring on 2023. We’re here to win.”

Steve Nessl – Motorsports Marketing Manager, Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA

“Monster Energy and Yamaha have a history of success here in the U.S. and overseas. Together we have enjoyed multiple championships and race wins in Monster Energy AMA Supercross and AMA Pro Motocross, including three premier class titles over the past two years and eight 250-class titles. It’s truly a global collaboration between the two brands, and we’re thrilled to celebrate our strengthened partnership with this exciting new livery that will be shared in MotoGP, MXGP, and AMA Supercross and Motocross Championships. We look to keep building on our success and have already got the 2023 season off to a great start with Eli Tomac’s thrilling victory aboard the all-new YZ450F at Anaheim 1. I’d like to thank Monster Energy for their continued support and look forward to more race wins and championships in the future!”

Paolo Pavesio – Marketing & Motorsport Director, Yamaha Motor Europe N.V.

“Monster Energy and Yamaha have enjoyed a long and successful partnership in MXGP, with the two brands enjoying a huge amount of success together. Over the past seven years, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP and MX2 riders have secured 81 race wins, the 2021 MX2 World Championship title with Maxime Renaux, and four manufacturer titles across both classes. During this time, the collaboration between Monster Energy and Yamaha has evolved into a truly global partnership, with the two brands mutually supporting each other worldwide. This is illustrated very clearly by the consistency of the Monster Energy livery in MotoGP, MXGP, and AMA for 2023, which features an exciting new design that will better appeal to a younger audience. I am very proud of what we have achieved together. I would like to thank Monster Energy for their continued trust in Yamaha, and I look forward to making our partnership even more successful in the future.”

Vance & Hines Launches New Limited Production Handmade 90-Degree Stainless Steel Air Intake, Inspired by Popularity of Custom, Performance Baggers

Santa Fe Springs CA – January 19, 2023 – Vance & Hines today announced the VO2 Falcon Stainless, a limited production, hand-welded, 90-degree stainless steel air intake, inspired by the handmade exhaust systems that are common on the top professional and street race bikes. The intake fits all Milwaukee 8-powered Harley-Davidson motorcycles from 117ci motors down to 107ci, except those with fairing lowers.

The VO2 Falcon Stainless is manufactured by Vance & Hines welders in Santa Fe Springs using high grade, 304 stainless steel tube and is hand TIG welded from pie-cut segments. The process yields a striking array of color and pairs perfectly with a stainless steel 2-1 exhaust system, like the Vance & Hines Hi-Output RR. The system includes a precision CNC-machined, billet aluminum winged mounting plate and an integrated breather assembly. It features the same slant-nosed, high volume oil-media air filter that is used across the VO2 Falcon Lineup.

“High performance baggers, inspired by King of the Baggers and BRL, are the hottest Harley customizing trend around the world,” said Mike Kennedy, president of Vance & Hines. ” This new limited-production product not only delivers great air flow, but is the finishing touch to a great looking, go-fast bagger.”

Refer: www.vanceandhines.com

The VO2 Falcon Stainless retails for $749.99 and will be available in February 2023.

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I love your new shop. Wish I was there to help you with all those projects but I seem to have stumbled into a good life here in Tennessee. I’ll sure try to make Sturgis next year if my health holds out. So far so good. I am doing stuff people half my age can’t do. You are too. We are amazing lol.

Here is what I have so far on the Backyard bike build.

My young friend Marshall crashed his Shovelhead in a Tennessee ditch. He bounced off a tree and nearly died. He got a helicopter ride out of it. He was damaged worse than the bike.

These Tennessee backroads are beautiful and fun to ride but they are full of curves and hills and usually a little wet. He learned that trying to ride fast on them after a few drinks is not recommended.

The bike is basically a 1981 FXWG. It has an S&S 93-inch motor. Marshall wants so bad to be an old school biker. He worked and saved for four years to buy this thing. He never owned a car. We met because he brought the bike to the shop, where I was working part time. It was a mess and he couldn’t keep it running. After spending too much money at the shop, I took pity on him and started working on it at my house.

His wreck was recent, but I have been keeping it running for the past year. He bought my ‘76 Grand Prix, when we first met. He has since blown up the motor and transmission and had a minor accident with the car. It is back on the road again with a new 455 motor and a front clip off a 74 Grand Prix. The boy doesn’t have any natural mechanical ability. He tries real hard though. Maybe with time he will get better.

As you can see from the photos, I really am doing all this outside.

He got a settlement from his insurance because he was smart enough to put a mediator policy on with his liability insurance. He wanted a Springer front end as well as many other changes to his bike. I have been working on it a little at a time for the last three months. I bought a 2-inch over Springer from V-Twin. It looks much like the original style Springers.

I am also rebuilding the ‘51 Cadillac engine that was in a hearse I recently sold. I realized it was time I got out of the weather. I have a car port over my ‘34 Ford, so I thought I would get another one and box it in and have a little garage. I went shopping and ended up with a 28×12 portable garage. Now I am in debt, but it sure is nice.

When I get done with his bike, I can build my Caddy motor on my bike trailer inside the garage. Right now, it is in the machine shop getting bored.

So now, I’ve got the Shovelhead inside high and dry. Sure beats covering it with a tarp.

This S&S motor is the high compression model. It tore up two starters. Marshall weighs over 200 and he can’t kick it. So, I pulled the heads and installed compression releases between the pushrods.

I took a 1/16 bit and drilled edge wise through the fins where I wanted to break them out of the way. I know professionals do this with a jig and a milling tool, but I used what I had. I got compression releases from total performance on eBay. They use 10mm threads. I bought a tap and drilled a 5/16 hole right into the combustion chamber. I then tapped it and installed them with red lock tight. They work great and it cranks like crazy now.

I have it all back together now and have most everything he wanted done, done. I cleaned up the wiring and am installing a cat’s eye dash kit. I still have to do the paint on his tanks. I’m learning to shoot metaflake and do some airbrush stuff now. All I need is a few warm sunny days.

I fired it today. The compression releases work great

The red Harley is a ‘98 Dyna that I bought in pieces for 800 dollars. It is my main bike. I ride it everywhere.

–Bill May