NEW FRAME-MOUNTED COOLING KIT FOR HARLEY TOURING MODELS
By Bandit |
This new model will fit 2008 and newer Harley touring models. “Actually, they will fit on any bagger with a horn mount on the left side of the engine,” said Steve West, from Love Jugs. “That covers almost any bagger.”
LOVE JUGS have been on the market for some time and there have been numerous good articles on them. Their goal is to reduce the operating temperature of all Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Their durable fan bodies are manufactured from aircraft quality stainless steel.
WARNING: Failure to follow the instructions step by step provided by Love Jugs can cause unwanted contact with gas line and or wires.
We quickly installed this cooling system on my 2009 Harley FLHTC. The kit does came with very good step-by-step instructions, and I do suggest you read them carefully before you handle the install. I also suggest you have a Harley shop manual available for the specific motorcycle you will be working on—that’s the code of the West.
Check that you have all the parts that are necessary for the install.
Remove the seat, left saddlebag, side cover, main fuse and the battery ground cable.
Remove the gas line hose. This is a quick disconnect fitting much like an air hose fitting. Push the chrome collar up towards the tank and pull the elbow down. Remove gas tank.
Remove the horn and the mount off both heads. You will not be using this bracket when assembling.
Attach bracket “A” as shown in the drawings to the bottom of the frame with the rounded edge facing the rear of the motorcycle using the supplied worm clamps, installing them from the air cleaner side.
Make sure bracket is straight, tighten clamps and cut off excess material. This will insure they will not come in contact with the gas tank or other parts.
Attach bracket “B” as shown in instructions checking it for clearance to engine parts.
Remove the two ¼-inch bolts holding the horn to the original bracket. Assemble these parts to the Love Jugs following the instructions.
Cut a notch in the wire tray on top of the frame rail. Put the stock wires on the horn and position the Love Jugs into bracket “B” while routing the wiring up and into the wire tray.
The harness has a connector that will mate with the accessory switch on the dash in the area at the end of the tray. I suggest you re-install the battery ground cable and install the main fuse at this time. Turn the key to the run or accessory position and flip the switch on. The fans should start. If they do not, make sure the on–off buttons on the fans are turned on.
Align the Love Jugs so they are straight and tighten the three set screws. Make sure there is a 1-inch clearance between the wiring and the engine.
Install gas tank and other parts making sure again there is clearance with fuel line and wiring.
Prior to this install I checked my engine for running temperature and ran regularly at 360-380 degrees. After installing the Love Jugs I am running easily more than 100 degrees cooler.
Say goodbye to the heat and really enjoy your ride – You will LOVE Love Jugs. Love Jugs are available at Love Jugs Authorized Dealers and on the company website.
For more information, please contact: Hammerhead Engineering CEO Steve West at info@love-jugs.com or visit the web site: www.love-jugs.com Let them know you found out about them here on Bikernet.
Step-by-step installation of THUNDER MAX
By Bandit |
I purchased the 2004 Electra Glide in 2005, at that time it only had 2200 miles on it. The owner had handled some performance upgrades: A 103-inch big bore kit, Screaming Eagle 260 cams, Screaming Eagle CNC ported heads with compression releases, Screaming Eagle air cleaner, stock head pipes but Screaming Eagle slip-ons/with cats, Screaming Eagle 6-speed transmission, Bandit Machine clutch and lastly a Screaming Eagle race tuner.
From the get go this bike just never seemed to perform the way I thought it should with this level of performance upgrades. In my humble opinion it had way too much cam for a road bike. The first thing I did was ditch the exhaust and installed a Bubs True Duals setup.
I noticed a slight difference and decided to get it tuned with the race tuner software. After the mechanic messed around with several different maps he locked one in. Again, in my humble opinion without O2 sensors I don’t think an accurate map can be set.
Riding the bike home it just still wasn’t right. I’ve got an ‘88 Softail with an 80-inch Evo motor I’ve worked on. It would blow the Glide out of the water.
Anyway, I’ve ridden the Glide for many years and gone back and forth about installing one of the many aftermarket ECM performance interface modules (like the Cobra) in but didn’t because of the lack of O2 sensor input.
One thing I did do though was change the SE-260 cams for a pair of SE-255 cams and that did wake the bike up and while I was in there I also changed over to the Screaming Eagle cam plate and oil pump upgrade.
At the time I didn’t know about Zippers cam tensioner shoes or I also would have used them. Recently I read great things about the Thunder Max with auto tune and that it worked with O2 sensors and I thought that somebody in the industry had finally woke-up and designed something that would work at sea level or Pikes Peak.
I decided to give it a try and contacted Keith Ball at Bikernet.com who put me in touch with Dan Fitzmaurice and John Kitzmiller at Zipper’s Performance. I gave them my motor specs and ordered the preprogramed unit. I’d like to thank them both for all their help; you guys put out a hell of a product at Zipper’s.
Let’s get to the nuts and bolts of the situation:
This unit was ordered from Zipper’s “preprogrammed” for my motorcycle. Because of this there are no “MAP” instructions to this installation. Base MAPS and instructions will be loaded to your computer at the time of the software installation.
1) The magnificent Thunder Max unit from Zipper’s.
2) Thunder Max components: ECM, O2 sensors, O2 sensor harness, data link cable, generic instructions, software, dielectric grease and zip ties.
3) I ordered a preprogrammed ECM for the specifications I sent Zippers for my motorcycle. I wanted to be able to install the unit and ride. Any changes to the map can be made later.
4) We loaded my baby on the lift ready for Zipper’s installation.
5) First off, disconnect the battery. Don’t forget!
6) Remove the right side cover to reveal factory ECM.
7) Remove the fuse caddy from docking pocket.
8) Ready to remove ECM fuse.
9) Put ECM fuse in spare fuse socket for safe keeping.
10) Disconnect the ECM harness
11) Remove the (2) two factory Allen head screws; save for reuse. I did have to use a cordless drill to break the factory thread sealant bond ans spin the screws out
12) Factory ECM removed.
13) Thunder Max O2 sensor harness routed from the backside to the ECM location. Notice the (2) two wire groups to the right of the oil fill cap, those are the front and rear O2 sensor plugs.
14) Apply a bead of the included dielectric grease to the O2 sensor harness plug.
15) O2 harness plugged into ECM and (2) two Philips head machine screws tightened. The Thunder Max ECM installed with the two saved Allen head screws.
16) Apply a bead of dielectric grease to ECM harness.
17) ECM harness installed into Thunder Max unit. ECM fuse put back into correct socket and the fuse/relay caddy pushed back up into holder.
18) Angled stainless steel O2 sensor bungs, NOT INCLUDED, purchased on Ebay for $14.00 with shipping. Check your motorcycle to see if you need them. My Bubs True Duals had one on the front pipe in a completely inaccessible location and none on the rear pipe.
19) O2 sensor screwed into bung to find and mark good location on exhaust pipes for installation. Kind of hard to take photo of this process. I just moved the part around until I found the spot where installation/removal of the sensor would be possible without removing the pipe.
20) Right floor board removed for removal of front exhaust pipe.
21) Preparation for rear exhaust removal.
22) Remove saddlebag support for ease of exhaust removal. Rear pipe just sort of rotates up and out
23) New bung location on front pipe.
24) Bung TIG welded to rear pipe. Remember, if you’re using stainless steel bungs you must use stainless steel wire or the weld will crack.
25) Bung welded to rear pipe and installed.
26) Special tool, $3 garage sale 22mm combination wrench. Section of box end removed for sensor installation.
27) Rear O2 sensor installed.
28) Front O2 sensor installed.
29) Rear O2 sensor wire routed and plugged into ECM rear O2 sensor harness.
30) Front O2 sensor wire routed along frame and plugged into the ECM front O2 sensor harness plug. You can’t see it in the photo but the plug harness is zip tied to the frame just about centered below the transmission trap door
31) Software CD ready to load.
32) Software loading.
33) Software loaded and desktop icon created.
34) Preparing for the software driver installation.
36) Other end plugs into a USB port on your computer.
37) Beginning the driver installation.
38) Driver installation completed. At this point you want to have an internet connection.
39) Turn on ignition and run switch “DO NOT HIT START” and click on the red “link” icon, it should turn green (if it didn’t do so automatically) if you’ve done everything right. If you can’t get a green “link” window check your software installation.
40) Click on the “configure” window and select the VIN registration and complete. The window may already have 1HD1 showing. Remember, all letters are CAPITALIZED.
41) Next the product registration, there will be a sample name and address shown. Delete and fill in your own. The Thunder Max module information may already be filled in, mine was.
42) You might get this prompt for updates. It’s your choice if you want to update now or later; I opted for now
43) Done updating.
At this point I disconnected the computer from the motorcycle.
Follow the prestart procedure: have run switch set to on and turn your ignition switch on for 30 seconds then off for 30 seconds. Do this for 3 cycles; then start your motorcycle.
My motor started hard, would not idle and was not responsive at first. After a few minutes and starting and stopping it smoothed out; started easy, idled fine and reved quick.
Warmed up, taking it off the lift and going for a test ride. Test ride was short and sweet. Very noticeable difference in power and acceleration. Looking forward to a longer ride.
TEST RIDE RESULTS
I’ve taken the bike for a 200-mile test ride, down to San Diego for breakfast and back. There is definitely a noticeable difference in bottom end and mid range acceleration and torque.
The real difference is in the high gear roll on. At 80 MPH in 6th gear my bike is taching 2800-2900 RPM. Normally I’d have to downshift into 5th to get good acceleration without a lag or flat spot. Now in 6th gear I can roll it on and the bike just starts to pull and continues to climb until I let off.
If I happen to be in 5th gear and am in slower traffic and am down around 2100 RPM, same thing, no down shift; just roll it on and the acceleration is great all the way ‘til I go into 6th; it’s a whole different motorcycle.
I filled my tank before getting on the freeway for the ride to Dago and then before getting back on the freeway for the ride home. I had gone 76 miles and it took 2.1 gallons, 38 MPG is up a bit from the 32-35 MPG I was getting before, of course that was all freeway at between 70 & 80 MPH.
The ride back was a different route back on the 15 through Temecula and a stop at the local H-D dealer. The motor starts right up now when it’s hot. All in all I made the right decision about going with the Zipper’s Thunder Max. I’m really happy with everything about it and would recommend it to anyone.
–Steve Bauman
Bikernet Tech Writing Intern
After I submitted the article I realized I didn’t comment on the degree of difficulty for the installation. I contacted Bandit at Bikernet and after he reamed me a new one he told me to get off my ass and submit an update to cover it.
It really is a very straight forward process. In my opinion anybody who is capable of doing regular maintenance or light repairs on their motorcycle should find this fairly easy with no special tools needed other than the 22mm wrench for the O2 sensors. Zippers did an excellent job of designing this product to be very user friendly. Without the need for removal and welding on your exhaust, the whole job shouldn’t take much more than a couple hours. Start at 8:00 AM and you ought to be riding by 11:00 AM.
The only caveat to this would be if your exhaust pipes aren’t already equipped with O2 sensor bungs; like mine. If you need the O2 sensor bungs installed and you yourself don’t weld; you would obviously need to have a friend do it or take it to a shop which can add more time to the job, especially if the shop won’t do it while you wait.
-Steve Bauman
SPEED MONKEY PANHEAD
By Bandit |
When you need a pro, you need a pro. There is no part of a motorcycle that can be overlooked if you truly want to go “custom”. A real builder knows when a job requires an outside craftsman held in high esteem.
Randy Aron from Cycle Visions needed someone he could count on to deliver pro-grade powder coating to his discerning customers. Shawn Killion was able to step up to world-class opportunity when he came out of retirement to purchase a powder coating business. That shop is now Top Quality Powder Coating in Chula Vista, California.
In just two years, he quadrupled the business by focusing on the motorcycle community and working out from there. While many powder coaters focus on commercial contracts and take in bike frames and cars for their picture galleries, Top Quality aimed almost entirely on motorcycle applications and individual projects.
“We decided to really specialize for automotive and motorcycle. We weren’t a jack-of-all-trades. We made ourselves the name to call for car or bike parts. Most powder coaters aren’t bike guys. By turning away fences and other crap, it freed up time to work directly with bikers,” Killion recounted. At the end of the day, Killion is in a good spot, and is just happy to be working with bikes.
“I love being able do the kind of work I want to do, but its also nice to have success at it. We get our business from motorcycle guys, cars enthusiasts, and [military] bases in Miramar, North Island, and Pendleton. We offer a discount for any military guys. They do shit I would never want to do.”
The Speed Monkey bike, like the business, exploded from a seed. Killion found a little metal monkey wearing goggles, and built the bike from there. He had a lot of helping hands in the build from the new community Top Quality supported.
Loose Cannon Customs handled the design and paint, and it was wired by Randy at Cycle Vision. Mike Bellows’ Customs modified a custom Paughco frame and exhaust with Moon Eyes tips. The tank was formed by Cole Foster. The Speed Monkey incorporated twelve colors in the tank alone, and all the sheet metal felt the sting of powder coat in place of primer. Another powder mix is the “orange with lime sparkle.” The bike has wild features to match its physique, like powder coated D-rings around the pan rockers, and a centrifugal clutch.
“Just roll it on like a snowmobile and away you go,” Killion grinned.
Some builders pay thousands for the exact paint matches of yester-year. It’s understandable how powder coating can still be considered a new brand of witchcraft.
“All the swatches for this bike were sent out and matched perfectly. Its amazing how perfect some of the new powder can be.”
Even though it’s a modern application, it’s not really less labor intensive than paint. The powder coating process starts with cleaning a piece of metal, running an electrical current through it. Then the part can be sprayed with a powder through a special gun. The powder melts together at high temperatures.
“The part is stripped down to the bare metal with sandblasting, and then we run it through the oven to remove any residual oils from fingers or anything else. The blasting gives it a “tooth” for the paint to grab. You can only coat metal surfaces, although some interesting new products are coming onto the market. “
“The metal gets electrically charged so the paint powder is pulled into the metal. Then the piece is baked at 400 degrees to create the surface. It creates a kind of candy shell. Basically, the only metal parts you cannot powder coat are internals, anything that holds a gasket, or threads.”
There are significant benefits in powder coating over a quality paint job.
The surface is less likely to chip because of the way that the powder is bonded to the metal… and since the powder is actually drawn into the metal there is protection in some areas that a painter may not be able to reach. It’s incredible how much some of these powders can look like regular paint now. There is even additives like zinc that can protect against riding in salty areas.
The biggest driver though, I would say, is the price. The price of paint has gone out of this world. It was [on the Speed Monkey] $1800 to buy the paint. Powder is great for three or four feet, like a frame, but for a show bike, nothing beats custom paint. Paint you can color sand and buff. Powder, what you get [out of the oven] is what you get.
Like all bikers, Killion has experience with legislative effects on the industry.
“In CA it’s because of the emissions, and the paint has been switched to be water-based. The carriers and extra components raises the price,” Killion explained. “I guess we’re saving whales or something…”
At the end of the day, he is enjoying his “retirement”.
“I just ordered a new variation in body filler with enough metal to carry a current in today. There always seems to be something new in powder coating. I guess I’ll play around with that today…”
Regular Stuff
Owner: Shawn Killion
Bike Name: Speed Monkey
Builder: Shawn Killion
City/state: Alpine, Colorado
Company Info: Quality Powder Coating
Address: 2605 Faivre St., Chula Vista, CA 91911
Phone: 619 423-3200
Web site: QualityPowderUSA.COM
E-mail: ShawnKillion@rocketmail.com
Fabrication: Shawn Killion
Welding: Bello’s Customs
Machining: Uncle Dave’s Machine
Engine
Year: 1939
Make: Harley
Model: Panhead
Displacement: 74 cubic inches
Builder or Rebuilder: Cycle Visions
Cases: Factory
Case finish: blasted
Barrels: Stock
Bore: Stock
Pistons: H-D
Barrel finish: Black
Lower end: Cycle Visions
Stroke: Stock
Rods: H-D
Heads: Factory
Head finish: Bare
Valves and springs: Rebuilt by Cycle Visions
Pushrods: solids
Cams: FLH
Lifters: stock
Carburetion: S&S super E
Air cleaner: With Powder and Chrome
Exhaust: Paughco
Mufflers: Moon Eyes
Transmission
Year: 1949
Make: H-D
Gear configuration: 4-speed
Primary: Chain w/Paughco tins
Clutch: EFM Auto Clutch
Final drive: Chain
Kicker: Modified
Frame
Year: 1948 style
Builder: Paughco
Style or Model:
Stretch: 2 inches
Rake: 35 degrees
Modifications: Powder coated
Front End
Make: Paughco re-pop
Model: H-D style
Year: 1948
Length: XA
Mods: Pinstriping
Sheet metal
Tanks: Cole Foster
Fenders: Nick Battaglia
Oil tank: Nick Battaglia
Paint
Sheet metal: Nick Battaglia
Base coat: House of Kolor
Graphics: Nick Battaglia
Frame: Quality Powder Coating
Base coat: N.I.C. Crescent beige
Pinstriping: Yes, by Nick
Wheels
Front
Make: Spoolie
Size: 21
Brake calipers: None
Tire: Avon
Rear
Make: H-D
Size: 19
Brake calipers: Drum brake
Brake rotor: Hydraulic drum
Pulley: Sprocket
Tire: Avon
Controls
Foot controls: Drilled for brake
Finish: Quality Powder
Master cylinder: H-D
Handlebar controls: Internal throttle
Clutch Cable: none
Kickstand: Stock
Electrical
Ignition: Distributor
Ignition switch: Under seat
Coils: Mooneyes
Regulator: In generator
Charging: Generator
Starter: Kick
Wiring: Randy Aron, Cycle Visions
Headlight: With Powder and pinstriping
Taillight: Above license
What’s Left
Seat: Nomad Leather
Gas caps: chrome
Handlebars: Hollywood
Grips: Seven Sinc Choppers
Pegs: Harley Shotgun
Oil cooler: Cycle Visions
Throttle: Internal throttle
Throttle cables: Cycle Visions
?
Road Test: 2015 Harley Fat Bob
By Bandit |
As is often the case with all street-legal motorcycles, EPA constraints reduce the bark of the 103-inch rubber-mounted Twin Cam to a whisper. Fear not, there’s a very healthy aftermarket scene out there, and you can easily find a bolt-on replacement system that will change the looks, the tone and the performance of the Fat Bob. You will find some of these manufacturers under our ‘Sponsors’ tab on the Bikernet main page. 
You can also opt for the fork upgrade. The Premium Ride Single Cartridge Fork Kit(P/N 45400058, $349.95) is tuned to work in concert with the Premium Emulsion Rear Shocks. Fork damping is controlled by a specifically calibrated piston and valve stack that delivers a linear damping force curve for consistent feel throughout the compression and extension of the suspension. With this cartridge the forks react more quickly to rough roads, inspiring rider confidence in sweeping corners.
The compression piston provides low-speed damping for a better rider feel, and the rebound spring provides a smoother feel during topping. The cartridge fork resists bottoming and dive, and the triple-rate spring and oil lock allows the forks to absorb bumps and resist wheel hop for improved control under hard braking. |
 |
UNCLE MONKEY ON FREEDOM
By Bandit |
What is the price of freedom?
He will set down roots, limit himself to one area – even it is only following the herds as they migrate. He is truly free.
We can now add a wife and kids and establish a family. Very little will change. It is only when we add an outsider, someone else, another family that we beginning adding rules. But these rules are universal – don’t steal, don’t kill, don’t mess around with another man’s wife and family, respect others and their properties, work together for common betterment. These are the core of what we call the Ten Commandments. These are our rights. Nothing more – nothing less.
All religions, Christian, Jewish, Muslin etc, all mankind believe these same truths, same rights. They are accepted and held in high regard because they do not affect the freedom of the small world our first man created around himself. They only prevent man taking what belongs to others or hurting others. These are the only beliefs we need to live in peace. The only aspect of absolute freedom that is taken away is to do harm to others.
If we superimpose this over our modern lives we will find that the majority of people in the world are free. Billy works in the machine shop to buy food from the store to provide for his family and can move and think unrestricted in his little world. A goat herder in the mountains of Afghanistan provides for his family, can move and think freely in his countryside. A farmer in North Korean works in his field to provide for his family and again is free to think and move in his world. As long as none of them do harm to another person they are truly free.
As society grows then rules are needed. Rules are the grease that keeps a society running smoothly. Rules should not stop a person but only guide them. Their sole purpose is to help society to flow smoothly.
The best examples are the rules of the road. A speed limit does not stop you from traveling. Its only intent is to provide consistence, so that everyone has a reasonable expectation as to how fast everyone is traveling. Having to use a signal light does not stop you from turning a corner but keeps traffic moving smoothly. Stop signs and red lights are to cause breaks in the stream so that traffic continues to flow so that others can enter.
Every time you break a rule you are a piece of grit slowing the machine down. If you turn your signal light on to change lanes the vehicle in the next lane eases off the throttle slightly to let you slip into that lane and traffic continues uninterrupted. If you change lanes without signaling that person has to brake harder causing the person behind them to have to brake as well. The person who had been following in the first lane and who had intended to change lanes as well now has to wait for traffic to return to normal before they can change lanes. Did using your signal light slow you down or stop you from reaching your destination? No, it actually helped to speed you along.
Not every society has the same rules or the same need for rules. If you have ever traveled to another country and seen the chaotic traffic you can see this in action. In the chaos there are rules that help keep everything moving smoothly. When someone disobeys those rules you see a flurry of brake lights and horns. So even though different societies may have different rules for similar things they are what keep them moving.
The final part of the equation is regulations. Regulations are to protect from harm. For example hunting is regulated. Only so many deer are allowed to be killed each year and only during certain times. That is because if we were allow to hunt indiscriminately we would wipe out the deer population and there would not be enough to re-establish the stock. The number is regulated year to year so that we will always have deer.
Rats however are over populated and are not regulated so you can kill as many as you like. The next example is bringing meats or vegetables into the country. They are regulates because those items could be carrying harmful diseases that while harmless to humans may kill all the livestock or crops that are here. Millions of people in this country could starve because all of the cattle here were wiped out.
Another example is declaring how much money you are bringing into the country. If too much money is pulled out of a country it can bankrupt that nation. On the other hand if a country is flooded with foreign currency it devalues its own money ruining the country’s economy. That is why they regulate how much money you can bring into a country. That being said nations are worth billions and trillions of dollars so as long as you declare how much money you are bringing in and out of the country you are allowed just as long as you follow the rules you are allowed to hunt.
So now that we know what freedom is and what rights, rules and regulations are we can begin piecing together the different parts. In other words a country freedom is the equation
Freedom = Rights+Rules+Regulation
The freest country in the world is the country that would score a ten (10 commandments + 0 rules + 0 regulations). From there we add on points for each rule, one point for each regulation. The lower the total the freer the country would be. The higher the less free the people will be. So let’s start with a simple island nation. There are no cars, everything you make goes to the government, you must serve five years in the military and you have to be Buddhist. (10 + 2 + 1) = 13. The next island nation over has cars so you have to stop at the stop sign, you pay 50% in taxes, you must serve two years in the military, you must have drivers license. This island freedom would be (10+3+1) =14. So while on the surface the second island would seem a better choice the people of the first that are freer.
The problem is when a country starts imposing rules and regulations that no longer improve the lives of society or prevents harm. An example of this is legislation against loud pipes on motorcycles. Loud pipes alert other drivers to our presence. They are not hurt or harmed by them. Legislation against them is not a rule because it does not help traffic flow. It is not a regulation because there is no harm being prevented. It actual has the opposite effect of what a rule or regulation is suppose to do. It slows traffic because of traffic accidents and it puts us as riders directly in harm’s way. It needlessly erodes away at the freedoms of its citizens.
Waking up they both say a short prayer. She prays to God, he prays to the son of God, Jesus, so they both have equal freedom of religion. They begin the day by watching TV – she has one channel run and controlled by the country, he has two hundred plus channels also controlled by the state. That is because in the US you cannot just start broadcasting a TV station or radio station. You have to applied to the FCC and pass the rules and regulations in order to keep broadcasting. You have to submit what your shows are.
This is why Kelly Ripa isn’t topless in the morning. That is why prime time shows can show more violence and sex than after school shows. If you violate those rules you will be fined, or if serious enough you may even face jail time. TV stations pay to broadcast and pass that cost along to the customer.
Our biker and woman get dressed to run errands for the day. She puts on a Burka as required by the laws of her land. The biker has to put on a helmet, eye protection, leather jacket, gloves, full length pants and heavy above ankle boots. That is the law here. It is against the law for him to ride a motorcycle without that clothing, just as it is against the law in her country to be in public without a Burka.
Our woman is not allowed to have a driver’s license or own a vehicle. Our biker friend has a driver’s license as long as he is old enough, healthy enough, has passed exams. His motorcycle has to be registered, has to be insurance, has to pass DOT inspection and meet emissions. A driver’s license isn’t guaranteed, isn’t free. The biker has to pay for that freedom.
The woman cannot speak out or protest her government. Our biker can march on Washington. However there are limits to what he can and cannot do. He cannot march through the Senate or Congress. He cannot wander the halls of the White House. He is free to protest but if he over stays his limit he will be arrested like the protesters of Occupy. If he charges the house floor there is a very good chance he will be shot.
Our woman lives under a dictatorship and cannot vote. The American can vote but only on one day between certain hours, if he has proper ID. He has a choice between only two candidates. He cannot go across town to a different district to vote for that candidate, he cannot travel to different state to vote for that candidate.
At the end of the day neither one has true freedom. The difference is her world is black and white – yes or no. There is no middle ground. The American only has the allusion of freedom. The lines have been blurred to grey, a carrot of an ideal dangled before the under educated to make them believe that they have freedom, that freedom is real. He pays for the cost of freedom every time he has to obey a rule, follow a regulation. In our simple example his freedom cost him the price of cable, the price of a helmet and gloves, the cost of his driver’s license, insurance and registration. If he refuses his freedom is stripped away until it becomes black and white – yes or no.
It is a bitter pill to swallow. It’s a hard truth to accept. A society needs a certain amount of rules to grease the system. A society needs a certain amount of regulations to protect themselves from harm. But just like any machine too little grease and the machine will seize, too much grease can gum the system up so bad that it will eventually come to a stop.
Both will need to be torn apart and rebuilt in order for it to run smoothly again, to grant true freedom. And like our example of traffic rules at the beginning what rules and regulations work here will not necessarily work somewhere else. Neither one is right, neither one is wrong. So as you sit down tonight to drink a government regulated beer, and eat a FDA approved steak in your residential zoned home watching government approved television stations ask yourself if you are really bringing freedom to the man who lives in the jungle who takes his boat up stream to catch fish for his family to eat.
-bad Uncle Monkey
Michael Lichter’s Naked Truth Exhibit Comes To Buffalo Chip
By Bandit |
“Unlike any other exhibition before, nothing will come between the viewer and the bikes’ most basic elements of shape, form and design,” said Michael Lichter. “Each builder’s passion and talent will be revealed through the fine details of craftsmanship evident in every aspect of their work. The builders are exposing themselves, as well as their work, in this show. Without the cloak of paint or graphics, the bikes’ most basic form right down to it’s smallest details are naked and open to examination. There is no hiding behind a slick paint job, enhancing a line or curve with a brilliant graphic; the beauty comes strictly from the hand of the man who fashioned it.” 
“Michael is the world’s premier motorcycle photographer,” said Buffalo Chip President Rod Woodruff. “He has been shooting bikes and the biker culture for more than 35 years, and his expertise and knowledge of motorcycle culture makes him the perfect person to curate the Motorcycles as Art exhibits at the Chip. We are honored to host his “Naked Truth” exhibition this year.” Crank & Stroker Hardball Vest
By Bandit |
Like California, the city of Bombay gets pretty high temperatures. I was looking for an all purpose leather jacket which I can use everyday for most of the year. With denims already providing basic protection, I was looking for a real a good deal on leather for rough highway and country riding.
The Crank & Stroker Hardball Vest was an immediate eye-catcher. It is ideal for my daily riding lifestyle in city and suburbs. It keeps me safe without suffocating me in Indian summer. The lining is top quality which is easily washed. The leather is a premium buffalo hide which offers style, toughness and confidence to the rider.
The pockets are designed by bikers for bikers. It has a deep inside pocket for concealed weapons. The stitching in impeccable. The zippers flow like wax, smooth and sturdy.
If you are into touring you probably already have an armoured riding jacket. This Leather Vest is the one you will use daily instead of just during your vacation. My XL size fits me like second skin on my back. It is a real treasure to have in my riding gear.
.JPG)
I ride an Enfield Bullet. I have my eye on the imported Harley Davidson FatBoy. They cost a premium because they are made in America and shipped here. But that is why anyone wants an H-D – because it is made in America and because of the global passion for American culture, lifestyle and the big American Dream. I am already dressed for it. Time to save and splurge on the big boy’s engines.
ONE BAD ASS DYNA
By Bandit |
It all started with a Redondo Beach school district employee and a wife who said, “Pick one.” Ron (who wouldn’t give up his last name) lived in Santa Clarita with his three kids and his soon to be gone wife. He worked on bikes in his garage and for the school district, 50 miles away, at night.
He was working too hard and had to chose whether to stick with the secure job with substantial benefits or run a fledgling custom motorcycle shop down the street from Magic Mountain, during tough economic times. It’s interesting that his wife wanted him to slow down, and then she cut a dusty trial and left him on the outskirts of LA with their three kids.
My girl did the same thing. She bitched about me working too hard, then peeled out to double my workload. Is there a message there? So, obviously, he picked doing what he really loved, after growing up in the South Bay working on low rider cars, but in ’99 he scored his first Harley, a Heritage Softail and fell in love with building scooters.
His Santa Clarita Choppers shop survived the financial crash, and Ron loves to do anything and everything custom and Harley. He’s only worked on one Jap bike, and just recently restored a 1940 Indian four, in two weeks. He has his own paint and powder coater capabilities. He’s full service.
“I like it when a customer brings me a pile of crap,” Ron said, “And I can create something truly bad ass.”
Kevin Ciara, the owner of this Dyna, rolled up to Santa Clarita Choppers with his bagger, which Ron rebuilt and made it “bad ass.” A week later Kevin returned to the shop. “I need a Dyna, something I can ride around town,” he said.
Ron recommended something new but Kevin scored this 2009 and had the Street Bob shipped from Texas. It was rough, but not that bad. Still Kevin wanted the engine replaced and the wiring harness torn out.
“This bike was purchased from Texas without ever
looking at it,” said Kevin. “It was shipped to Santa Clarita Choppers in order to have it gutted and revamped. The tear down and rebuild took about three months, but the wait was well worth it!”
It now dynos at 120 horses and is a stark contrast to the stock model, while sporting lots of Performance Machine products and Roland Sands components. Ron lowered it, made fender struts, installed a new wiring harness, rebuilt the motor, handled the paint and powder coating, and tuned it. He’s a talented builder, and took the time to discuss it with me, but wouldn’t give me his last name.
He even told me about his new girl Kelly who helps around the shop and bought him a yellow 2012 Road Glide in Sturgis, South Dakota. They flew out and rode it back to the shop. Ron is in the process of adding a patina effect to many components, and then replacing the fasteners with contrasting chrome. Maybe we can feature the Glide on Bikernet Baggers.
He’s been building for a decade now, and I believe we’ll see additional “Bad Ass” Santa Clarita Choppers for decades to come. But, what the hell? What’s his last name?
–Bandit
Owner: Kevin Ciara
Bike Name: Brass Tacks
City/State: Santa Clarita, CA
Builder: Santa Clarita Choppers
City/state: Santa Clarita, CA
Company Info:
Address: 21021 Soledad Cyn. Rd. #102
Santa Clarita, CA 91351
Phone: 661-775-0677
Web site: SantaClaritaChoppers.com
E-mail: Sales@santaClaritaChoppers.com
Fabrication: Santa Clarita Choppers
Manufacturing: Santa Clarita Choppers
Welding: Santa Clarita Choppers
Machining: Santa Clarita Choppers
Year: 2009
Make: Harley-Davidson
Model: H-D 121HP
Displacement: 96-inch
Builder or Rebuilder: Mackie Engineering
Cases: Harley-Davidson
Case finish: Black
Barrels: Stock
Pistons: DM/Je Zo Degree Dished Dome Piston Kit
Head finish: Machine 110 Heads
Pushrods: HP+
Cams: TC 598 L Chain Drive
Lifters: Fueling 4050 R Series
Carburetion: Horse Power Throttle Body
Air cleaner: Performance Machine
Exhaust: Bassani
Mufflers: Bassani 2-into-1
Transmission
Year: 2009
Make: Harley-Davidson 6-Speed
Gear configuration: OEM
Primary: Harley-Davidson
Clutch: Stock
Final drive: Harley-Davidson
Frame
Year: 2009
Builder: Harley-Davidson
Style or Model: Dyna Street Bob
Stretch: 2-inch
Rake: Stock
Modifications: Cut neck
Front End
Make: Harley-Davidson
Model: 49mm
Year: 2009
Length: Stock
Risers: Stock
Sheet metal
Tanks: Harley-Davidson
Fenders: Factory
Panels: Stock
Paint
Sheet metal: Harley-Davidson
Molding: None
Base coat: Army Green
Frame: Powder Coat
Base coat: Gloss Black
Graphics or art: Gold Foil Multi-Leaf
Wheels
Front
Make: Black Bike Wheel
Size: 23 x 3.5-inch
Brake calipers: Performance Machine
Brake rotor(s): Mesh
Tire: Metzeler
Rear
Make: Black Bike Wheel
Size: 18x 5.5-inch
Brake calipers: Performance Machine
Brake rotor: Mesh
Pulley: Harley-Davidson
Tire: Metzeler
Controls
Foot controls: RSD
Finish: Brass
Master cylinder: Stock
Brake lines: Good Ridge
Handlebar controls: Performance Machine
Finish: Black
Clutch Cable: Barnett’s
Brake Lines: Good Ridge
Shifting: Drag
Kickstand: Harley-Davidson
Ignition: Harley-Davidson
Ignition switch: Custom
Coils: Harley-Davidson
Regulator: Factory
Charging: Stock alternator
Starter: Harley-Davidson
Wiring: Santa Clarita Choppers
Harness: Harle -Davidson
Headlight: Harley-Davidson
Taillight: RSD
Battery: Harley-Davidson
What’s Left
Seat: LePera
Gas caps: RSD
Handlebars: Biltwell
Grips: RSD
Pegs: RSD
Oil filter: Harley-Davidson
Oil lines: Harley-Davidson
Fuel filter: Harley-Davidson
Fuel Lines: Harley-Davidson
Throttle: PM
Throttle cables: Barnett’s
Bikernet.com’s Cycle Source Mag, Daytona Bike Week 2015 Editor’s Choice Award
By Bandit |
Even though Keith “Bandit” Ball, Publisher of Bikernet.com, wasn’t in attendance at the 74th Edition of the Daytona Beach Bike Week, Bikernet was the only on-line magazine represented at the Editor’s Choice Award sponsored by the Broken Spoke Saloon in the sandy forest of beer cans, pine needles, and Jack Daniels’ shot glasses.
As I made my way around the editors including Marilyn Stemp, Shadow, Chris Callen, Chris Maida and numerous others, I notice that there wasn’t anyone from Bikernet. So I hit speed dial and heard, “What is it, goddamit? I’m busy!”
I never know how Bandit will pick up the line and it almost always makes me laugh.”
“Hey, who is your consigliere and making your pick at the Spoke?” I ask.
“Rogue,” he sez.
“Not here.”
“Then, you are. Make it snappy!”
So I took a number of pics and texted them to Bandit for his decree. Nope, nothing went through cyberspace, so on to Plan B. Back on the phone I described the sleds and he selected Bernie “Warrior” Tatro’s long Chopper. He often goes for the underdog. There’s a glitz show everyday at Bike Week, starting with Billy Lane’s show this year and rolling through the H-D Ride In Shows, and over course the famous Rat’s hole and Boardwalk show.
Bandit has been around the block and knows what it takes to build a bike, then bring it to, or ride it out of the stark winter regions to compete in sunny seaside Daytona shows. This event started out around racing and now it’s the location of the world of motorcycling blossoming in the sun after an extremely harsh winter. He makes a point to recognize the unrecognized talents in the field of competitors.
I’m glad he did because the chop is killer cool.
So here is deal… The Warrior got started securing parts some 20 years ago. At first I thought that was crazy, do you know anyone who hangs on to crap for that length of time? Oh shit, I forgot, Bandit does. He has crap in his shop from when he was in the Navy and going to Vietnam. Then I thought about it, I still have parts from the Mustang I bought in High School.
It turns out, he bought a derelict springer from Repro Artie for $75 bucks. His buddy Pork Chop made the top triple tree for it and another buddy, Painter Ken, refurbished the old front end and presto-chango, he had a 24-inch, over-stock AEE front end as the start of his project.
The gas tank took ten years to find. Air Force Chris installed a hidden filler cap, stretched it 9 inches, relocated the petcock to the back and installed hidden mounts. Brother Mark Tatro split and narrowed the oil tank and fabricated the battery box.
Front and rear wheels came from Black Gold Cycles in Daytona, FL. They also built a one-kick Sporty by building a mill with 10 to 1 compression, .030 over bore, ported and polished heads with compression release, Manely values, high lift P- cams and a sweet SU Carb. The tuner and the SU carb made it a one-kick wonder.
The killer paint was applied by John of McCarthy Signs in New Hampshire. It’s Ed Roth Cherry flake with House of Kolor Candy and lotsa clear
The bike is a throwback to the ‘70s with no front brake, rear drum brake, King and Queen seat and extended springer front end.
Bike Name: Born To Be WIld
Builder: Bernie “Warrior” Tatro
City/state: Edgewater, FL
Fabrication: Bernie “Warrior” Tatro and Pork Chop
Engine
Year: 1974
Make: Harley-Davidson
Model: Sportster
Displacement: 1000cc
Builder or Rebuilder: Black Gold Cycles
Pistons: .030 over
Ignition: Dyna
Heads: Ported and polished
Compression releases: Custom made by Vulcan Works
Cams: Andrews P cams
Carburetion: Rivera SU
Air cleaner: Rivera SU
Exhaust: Custom fabricated
Transmission
Year: 1974
Make: Stock
Gear configuration: Stock
Kicker: Yes
Frame
Builder: Paughco
Style or Model: Chopper
Rake: 52 degrees
Front End: Springer
Make: AEE
Model: Springer
Year: 1974
Length: 24-inch overstock
Sheet metal
Oil Tank: MID USA, narrowed 3-inch by Mark in Auburn, Maine
Fenders: Rear – 6-inch flat contoured to fit tire profile
Paint
Color: Original old Ed Roth Cherry flake House of Kolor Candy and clear
Molding: Mike
Painting: Big John
Painter: Big John at Mac Signs, Hindale, NH
Graphics or art: Big John
Wheels
Front
Make: Custom
Size: 21-inch
Brake: None
Tire: Avon Speedmaster
Rear
Make: H-D with stainless spokes
Size: 16-inch
Brake: H-D Drum
Tire: Avon Speedmaster
Accessories
Foot controls: Forward, MID USA
Bars: MID USA
Taillight: MID USA
Headlights: Bates
Battery box: Built by Mark in Auburn, Maine
Government Paternalism
By Bandit |
Paternalism is a control over others, like a father attempts to control his children (Pater; Latin for father). Some control and protection are necessary because children sometimes lack the ability to make rational choices. As we mature, we learn life lessons that will hopefully protect us as adults. In other words, we take control of our own lives.
Freedom is having control over things that affect us. Studies have shown that people in control of their lives are healthier and usually more successful than those who believe their fate is controlled by others. Those “others” are often referred to as control freaks. I suppose that’s because you have to be some sort of freak to believe you have the right to force your ideas and opinions on others. Hey, isn’t that a lot of what government does?
While we insist that we are free to make certain choices with regard to our safety, and those choices affect us alone, others will argue that if we’re injured or killed, society pays a price. The fallacy of the public burden theory, with regard to motorcycle crashes, was based on the Harborview Medical Center study. The study claimed 63.4 percent of injured bikers relied on public assistance. Legislators and the general public alike were disturbed by that number. Call out the control freaks; we need to reign in those costs. But, what wasn’t highly publicized was the fact that 67 percent of all patients at Harborview required help from public funds, meaning bikers were less likely to need help than others. Also, bikers generally paid higher insurance premiums than others, while being less likely to rely on public programs like Medicare or Medicaid.
Writing a white paper for the MRF Reports, Steve Zimmer did a great job of debunking the public burden theory (http://mrf.org/library2/index.php/mrf-white-papers/white-vol7/more-on-the-social-burden-fallacy/ ). If the public burden theory is a fallacy, then by what authority does the government act in denying us control over our own lives?
For those of us who have been in the arena for decades, it’s sort of like Deja Moo; the feeling that you’ve heard this bull before.
The words freedom and liberty are often used in debating the issue of over-regulation. The word liberty, the Supreme Court stated, means something more than freedom from physical restraint. “It means freedom to go where one may choose, and to act in such manner … as his judgment may dictate for the promotion of his happiness … [while pursuing] such callings and avocations as may be most suitable to develop his capacities, and give to them their highest enjoyment” (munn v. illinois, 94 U.S. 113, 4 Otto 113, 24 L. Ed. 77 [1876]
While we insist on our right to make personal choices regarding our own safety, as long as no other person’s rights are affected, the government continues to consider options that oppose choice while proscribing conduct through command and control regulations.
It is important that each of us remain vigilant and oppose such regulations or ideas such as Vision Zero, which ultimately could eliminate motorcycles from future transportation plans.
Tony “Pan” Sanfelipo is the senior investigator at Hupy and Abraham, S.C.
For more articles of interest to bikers;