Bikernet Banner

Book Excerpt – Condemned Property?

By Bandit | May 31, 2024
 
 
On December 20, 2012 it was reported in www.thedailybeast.com that the number of veterans who die waiting for benefits claims is skyrocketing! I can personally attest to this as the Veterans Administration took two and a half years to finally approve my disability claim for type II diabetes caused by exposure to Agent Orange.  The VA denied most of my other related conditions and I continue to battle them to this day. The infamous VA process of deny, deny and delay till we die is covered in my new book, Condemned Property?.
 
 
 

Excerpt from the Book
 
So many of us have been quiet about that war for oh, so long. We who have survived are old now. We are in our mid sixties to early seventies … those of us who are still alive.
 
We were young when we were soldiers in that hellhole called South Vietnam. Being soldiers changed most of our lives forever. Most of us loved our country when we were young soldiers, and most of us still love our country. We did our job in a brave manner even though we were scared stiff, and even though we didn’t know it. We were obligated to go to Vietnam and obey our orders once we were there … regardless of the consequences.
 
 
 Many of us were just eighteen or nineteen years old, and many of us were twenty to twenty-five years old as well. We bonded together when we were ripped apart in battle, and many of us never saw each other again … we cried and we were mad—very mad. Those guys were our brothers, we lost them just like that, and we still wonder WHY. To this day, we cry when we think of them. But the dying from that war—our war—has not stopped!
 
 I have been to the funerals of too many Vietnam veterans in the last ten years; some were from my platoon. All of them died very prematurely from poisons or stresses handed to them, compliments of our war. Over there in Nam, we were never given the opportunity to say good-bye. This is why I try to make as many Vietnam vet brothers’ funerals as I can, no matter what part of the country, to say good-bye. To this day I still dread good-byes.
 
 
 Those of us who have survived by fate or chance have tried to push our memories into the farthest corners of our minds and keep them locked up. For the most part, many of us succeeded in doing that … for the most part.
 
 The years have zoomed by, all of a sudden it seems. We are no longer young, but most of us are still soldiers. Something strange is happening to many of us, something we are having a difficult time understanding and dealing with. Those memories that we thought were locked up in a remote part of our brains have been breaking loose and running rampant into our daily thoughts and our nightly dreams.
 
 Some of us want to open up, but still there are so few who will listen—just like it was when we came home from Vietnam. My memories have resurfaced, and I can’t put them back into the remote corners of my brain. It has been painful to write this book, and I did quit several times. But I had to finish it. I just had to try to tell America what we went through over there … what we are going through now, and alert people to what our brothers and sisters from the Gulf-Afghanistan-Iraq wars are going to go through.
 
 
 Many of us remain bitter. Many of our brothers lost their ability to work and became part of the homeless population and are unable to take care of themselves. There are thousands of us totally disabled—from physical and mental wounds. Hundreds of thousands of Vietnam veterans have died an early death while disability claims were pending—leaving behind their families. Therefore, another reason for this book is to try to help preserve Vietnam veterans who are still alive!
 
 Many of us have come to believe that the VA has been deliberately stalling our disability claims, hoping we will just grow weary and quit fighting—or just die. Thus, the cliché came about … DENY, DELAY … TILL YOU DIE! Maybe so. But a lot of our Vietnam vet brothers fought the VA long and hard. And because they did, things are so much better now than they were in the 1970s and 1980s.
 
 
 Comrades, again I say this … WE DID NOT QUIT OVER THERE UNDER THE WORST CONDITIONS IMAGINABLE, AND BY GOD, WE SHOULD NOT QUIT NOW!
 
 Personally, from what I have heard and witnessed on a firsthand basis, the VA has come a long, long way, and I think they will continue to get better. But—you know what? It just seems as though nothing ever gets changed or improved upon when it comes to the government unless there is some major OUTRAGE to force changes!
 
Vietnam vets were a tough lot over there. Those of us who have survived should be even tougher in our elderly state—BUT MANY ARE NOT! I’m afraid many of us have become passive, and in some instances, we just don’t give a damn anymore.
 
Sometimes I get frustrated when hearing about another Nam vet who doesn’t want to talk about it. I know the pain, but if more of us don’t open up and talk about it, more of us will die leaving untold stories. Please, talk about it on behalf of all those who are not here today. Yes, we are fading away, my fellow Vietnam veteran brothers, as old soldiers do. I personally do not want to leave this world just yet. I do not want to leave it without attempting to tell our fellow Americans one more time what happened over there … and what is happening to us now.
 
 
 
It is true that our fellow Americans, and America itself, are much better off when the sacrifices of America’s brave warriors are known by many. America needs to know. So please read the book, read it again, share it, and tell your story to someone.
 
 
 
 
 
“Dusty” Earl Trimmer has been a marketing professional for over forty years (1972 – 2013), representing billion dollar companies. He served in the 25th Infantry Tropic Lightning Division’s Bravo Company of the 3rd 22ndRegulars during the Vietnam War’s bloodiest years of 1968 – 1969 in South Vietnam’s Iron Triangle area near Cambodia. He served initially as a “grunt”, mostly as a pointman for the 1st Platoon of Bravo Company where he was a highly decorated combat infantryman. When his cuts and wounds from combat became so badly infected from the bacteria, Agent-Orange infested swamps of Vietnam, he was hospitalized with cellulitis of foot and leg. After recovering, he was re-assigned to the 25th Infantry Division’s Adjutant General’s office at Cu Chi base camp where he spent his last few months in country.
 
 
Read More →

Limited Edition Rocketeer Heading To Dubai

By Bandit | May 31, 2024

It’s a cold winter day in the heart of Oklahoma City, the largest city in Oklahoma, as the tight crew at Brass Balls Cycles does exactly what they love to do, build bitchin’ custom cycles, bobbers, choppers, and FXRs. In this sketchy world we live in the boss, Dar Holdsworth is not afraid to do anything supporting the chopper dream.

He builds and rebuilds vintage bikes, wrecked bikes, and old Jap bikes for returning service guys through Pros for Vets, at no charge to the vet. “We could make a living if he would stop building bikes for free,” said Mrs. Holdsworth. About a year and a half ago he stumbled across an overseas customer, from Dubai, Murtaza Moulvi, who bought one of his bikes, a Digger. When they met initially, the young customer planned to open a coffee shop in an industrial portion of the city, away from the glitz.

Dubai is a city country on the Persian Gulf, apart of the seven-member United Arab Emirates making up the country bordering Saudi Arabia.

But the more his customer rode his BBC the more he loved it, the more it drew attention, but the better it handled the city and desert roads. He decided to open a coffee/Brass Balls Cycles Dealership. He had no motorcycle business history, no shop experience, some marketing savvy, some notion of branding and not one fuckin’ idea what he was getting into, but he loved his BBC motorcycle and the new his dealership, Cafe Rider, with featuring the Brass Balls Cycles would ultimately rock the Dubai world.

In 2012 Dar and his tight team won the AMD World Championship of Bike Building Production Class with his first Rocketeer F3, with aluminum sheet metal and a tight, techy, racy configuration. He shipped it to Dubai when the Cafe Rider opened along with a few other new models, hence another Dubai resident fell in love and ordered another one. The Rocketeer F3 became the first Brass Balls limited edition run with only 15 being built. This is lucky number seven.

This is a Softail configuration Rocketeer and the Brass Balls team figured out how to narrow the Softail chassis and still run a 180-17 tire. One of the major setbacks to the Softail configuration is the lack of turning ability, especially with a lowered model. The Rocketeer F3 still contains 4 inches of suspension travel while maintaining a narrow configuration, sleek enough to handle tight corners. “The chain runs between the chassis rail,” said Dar, “and the swingarm rail.”

In addition to the swingarm travel through Suspension Tech, the Brass Balls team designed a sprung seat using strong, tough Chopper shocks for some additional in the seat suspension.

“Almost ¾ of the bikes we sell are Softail frame based,” Dar said, “over rigids.”

Although this is a production bike built at the Brass Balls Oklahoma Emerald City in twelve weeks, it contains a lot of one-off custom work. As a production model it is designed for long road reliability with turn signals, electric starter, horn, and all the creature comforts of a solid manufactured scooter.

One of the specialty items on the Rocketeer F3 is the front brake, engineered by a brake manufacturer in France, Beringer, who makes brakes for small aircraft as well as Moto GP brakes. “This is a combination of both, the aircraft hub brake and moto GP calipers,” Dar said. “We order them, and they take 8-weeks to be manufactured. Then we send the hub brake system to HD Wheel. They drill the hubs for spokes, handle the finish, then lace and true them.”

That’s not all. Dar’s team must disassemble their mid-glide front end, machine one of the lower legs for additional clearance, then machine a mounting block, caliper bracket and install it on the lower leg, and then put the front end back together with the completed front wheel. This is a tricky assembly with the inverted caliper in the hub.

“Typically the front wheel is a 19 with an 18/180 rear,” Dar said. “But this customer wanted matching wheels sizes and chose 17s.”

Shortly, the Brass Balls team will have 10 bikes in Dubai, while the owner throws parties, Dar has stepped up to understand the world economy, international shipping, customs, and foreign regulations. It’s an expensive learning curve.

Dar has been building one more international relationship with a dealership in Shanghai. It’s another wild challenge to make all the elements work. But the team faced with a world economy stepped up. “When it’s winter here, it’s summer in another part of the world,” Dar said. “When the stateside economy tanks, there’s a growing market overseas somewhere.”

 
 He currently has a bike being built for Germany, Mexico City, and one for a customer in Michigan.
 
 
 
 

 His phased BBC Bike Kit system is working out. A brother recently called and ordered the driveline package, the pricey one. “He started his build several years ago and already had a frame and front end,” Dar said, “But since we investigated and did all the testing and component research, it made this stage easy for him.”

Check the article we did on the Brass Balls Kit Bikes: http://www.bikernet.com/pages/THE_BRASS_BALLS_NEW_WORLD_ORDER.aspx

Dar’s plan is to limit production to fewer than 50 bikes for 2015. He spends a good amount of his time building bikes alongside his tight team of workers, making motorcycle dreams come true for customers all over the world, and keeping his family and team living the custom motorcycle dream.

Next, we will bring you shots and maybe a feature on the Brass Balls/Darwin Motorcycles 69 Chopper heading to Shanghai. Talk about magic, fly to Shanghai someday and catch the transformation, from street huts and shops to amazing high rise buildings swaying in the breeze. “This is the chopper for Shanghai I was telling you about,” Dar said. “We hope to finish it next week.”

Bikernet.com Extreme Brass Balls Cycles Rocketeer Tech Chart

Regular Stuff

Owner: Sam Massaadi

Bike Name: F3 Rocketeer

Builder: Brass Balls Cycles / Darwin Motorcycles

City/state: Oklahoma City, OK USA

Company Info:
Address: 401 S. Blackwelder Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73108
Phone: 405-270-0995

Web site: http://BrassBallsCycles.com
E-mail: evolve@DarwinMotorcycles.com

Fabrication: Brass Balls Cycles

Manufacturing: Brass Balls Cycles

Welding: Brass Balls Cycles

Machining: Brass Balls Cycles

Engine

Year: 2014

Make: S&S

Model: Shovelhead

Displacement: 93 inches

Builder or Rebuilder: S&S

Cases: S&S

Case finish: S&S natural/brushed

Barrels: S&S

Bore: S&S

Pistons: S&S

Barrel finish: S&S black/natural

Lower end: S&S

Stroke: S&S

Rods: S&S

Heads: S&S

Head finish: S&S brushed

Valves and springs: S&S

Pushrods: S&S

Cams: S&S

Lifters: S&S

Carburetion: S&S

Air cleaner: S&S with something special

Exhaust: Brass Balls using Burns Stainless

Mufflers: Burns Stainless reverse meg

Transmission

Year: 2014

Make: Rivera Primo

Gear configuration: 6-speed

Primary: Baker 2.4-inch Synchronous drive

Clutch: Baker

Final drive: Chain

Kicker: nope

Frame

Year: 2015

Builder: Brass Balls

Style or Model: Bobber

Stretch: Zero

Rake: 34 degrees

Modifications: Signature logo gusset

Front End

Make: Brass Balls / Mean Street

Model: Custom Mid glide

Year: 2015

Length: Standard

Mods: Custom fitment to lower legs to work with hub brake system.

Sheet metal

Tanks: Machined from solid block billet aluminum

Fenders: Machined from solid block billet aluminum

Oil tank: Machined from solid block billet aluminum

Paint

Sheet metal: none

Base coat: none

Graphics: none

Frame: Candy Red Powder Coat

Base coat: Chrome powder coat

Type: n/a

Graphics or art:n/a

Pinstriping: Accent leather strips on tank and fender

Wheels

Front

Make: HDW custom made wheel

Size: 17 x 3-inch

Brake calipers: Beringer dual 6-piston

Brake rotor(s): Beringer Hub brake system

Tire: Continental Conti Attack

Rear

Make: HDW custom made wheel

Size: 17 x 5.5-inch

Brake calipers: 3 Guyz Sprotor

Brake rotor: 3 Guyz Sprotor

Pulley: n/a

Tire: Continental Conti Attack

Controls

Foot controls: Brass Balls Cycles

Finish: brushed billet aluminum

Master cylinder: Excell

Brake lines: Goodridge

Handlebar controls: ISR

Finish: Black Anodize

Clutch Cable: Motion Pro

Brake Lines: Goodridge

Shifting: yep, it does

Kickstand: stock/locking

Electrical

Ignition: S&S

Ignition switch: Brass Balls Cycles

Coils: Drag

Regulator: Cycle Electric

Charging: Cycle Electric

Starter: All Balls Racing

Wiring: Wire Plus

Harness: Wire Plus

Headlight: Brass Balls Performance / JW Speaker

Taillight: Joker Machine

Accessory lights: N/A

Electrical accessories: N/A

Switches: ISR

Battery: AnitGravity

What’s Left

Seat: Custom 2 level nickel-plated pan by Brass Balls Cycles with amazing leatherwork by HixDesign

Mirror(s): CRG Bar End mirrors

Gas caps: Machined billet aluminum

Handlebars: Moto Tracker Bars

Grips: Kustom Tech

Pegs: Brass Balls Cycles Machined Aluminum / knuled

Oil filter: yes

Oil cooler: N/A

Oil lines: GoodYear

Fuel filter: yes

Fuel Lines: S&S

Throttle: Joker Machine

Throttle cables: Motion Pro

Fasteners: Gardner Westcott

Specialty items:

For starters, the fuel tank & rear fender are machined from solid block 6061 billet aluminum. The sides of the oil tank are machined also.

The front brake is a hub brake system from Beringer Brakes, designed for small aircraft. Beringer has adapted it to be used with custom motorcycles. However, there is no standard bolt up fitment, so we had to figure out a way to make it all work together. Through prototyping on previous F3 Rocketeer’s we’ve developed mounting blocks that are machined to fit into the lower fork legs (which we also machine) to a perfect fitment. The result is a clean and mechanical looking brake system that work extremely well.

The seat is comprised of three seat pans. The top pan is covered in leather and bolts to the base which has a bottom pan that allows the Chopper Shox to travel through and are mounted to the top base pan.

The powertrain is my favorite combination. S&S shovel alt/gen style 93-inch H, motor. Baker primary and Primo Rivera 6-speed tranny. Given that this bike is one of our limited edition AMD world championship replicas, we machine that on the base plate of the motor with and the number in the series… in this case No. 7 of 15.–Dar

Comments:

This bike was commissioned by a special customer in Dubai, U.A E., where our dealer Cafe Rider is based.

Credits:

We are grateful for our customer, our dealer who does a great job representing Brass Balls Cycles, and our employees & vendors who collectively bring our bikes to life.–Dar

 

 

  
 
 
 

 
 
Read More →

How to replace grips on a Harley-Davidson by J&P Cycles

By Bandit | May 31, 2024

Today, J&P Cycles shows you how to replace grips on a Harley Davidson motorcycle. From removing your old grips and adding new grips watch the entire process take place.In this video they use a 2013 Harley Davidson Softail Slim for demonstration but the process will be very similar for all motorcycles that utilize dual throttle cables.

Advertisement
Read More →

Jack Daniels To Display A Pair Klock Werks Customized Indians

By Bandit | May 31, 2024

The “Jack Daniel’s Experience”, that travels the country to all kinds of events from NASCAR to various Motorcycle Rallies, will now proudly display two promotional Indian motorcycles customized by Klock Werks.

This striking Indian Vintage ‘Barrel Bike’ sports a unique and highly detailed ‘woody’ panel paint scheme.

The starting point for the builds were the 2014 Indian Vintage and the 2014 Indian Classic. The Vintage, received factory Indian accessories, which included Indian’s black seat and saddlebags with contrast white stitching to play off the classic Jack Daniel’s black and white label. The bike features Ride Wright Fat Spoke wheels with classic white wall tires, and black paint with white pinstripes by Tex of TexEfx, which perfectly match the iconic Jack Daniel’s bottle label and logo filigree. This bike also sports other Indian accessories and a Klock Werks Flare™ Windshield.

The 2014 Indian Classic, known as the “Barrel Bike”, features custom barrel wood inspired paint, also by Tex at TexEfx, custom floorboard inserts made from real Jack Daniel’s barrel wood, Klock Werks new Prairie Bars, and Flare™ Windshield. Wrapping this build up is the Indian tanned leather seat.

   

Click on any of these photos to enjoy them full size or as a slide show.

“Indian Motorcycles and Jack Daniel’s are ideal partners. Both brands believe in authenticity and independence. We love the new Indian Motorcycles and purchased two to travel with our Jack Daniel’s Experience that travels the United States”, said Dave Stang, Director of Events for Jack Daniels.  “Several years ago our friends at Indian Motorcycles introduced us to the Klock Werks Gang and they performed some custom motorcycle work for us. We commissioned them once again to help us “specialize” these two newest additions to our two wheeled family, and they have been the talk of Lynchburg in recent weeks!”

  Brian Klock of Klock Werks said “working with two iconic American brands like Indian Motorcycles and Jack Daniel’s encourages our own company to continue our American Made product line and heritage. We are humbled and proud to be chosen to be part of this project!”

 
And as always, your good friends at Jack’s remind you to drink responsibly. 
 
Read More →

Garage-Girls Profile: Karlee Cobb

By Bandit | May 31, 2024
 
 
Most known for her land speed racing, the second generation of the Klock Werks family, Karlee Cobb, 21, just launched her first design effort at the Tony Hawk Foundation’s “Stand Up for SkateParks” event held in Beverly Hills, CA. Perry Farrell, lead signer of Jane’s Addiction and founder of Lollapalooza, along with wife Etty, won the bidding for the 2014 Triumph T100 desert runner Karlee designed.

The Kustom design is based off a 2014 Bonneville T100 donated by Triumph Motorcycles and proudly sports modified and custom made parts by Klock Werks, along with carefully chosen parts from Triumph, British Customs, Joker Machine, Metzeler Tires, Nash Motorcycle Company and Hagon Shocks. Brad Smith of TheFactoryMatch.com flawlessly applied the Custom Paint job.
 
 

“Our team at Klock Werks did a great job of executing on timeline and budget.” Karlee explained. “It was an honor to work with The Tony Hawk Foundation as they help youth around the world enjoy the benefits of skateboarding and the safety of skate parks.
It’s a great event and great cause! I was so excited that Perry Farrell bought my first custom! He loved it!”

With her recent build under her belt, we decided it would be fun to ask Karlee some questions about her life and share them here at Garage-Girls with you.
 
 
 

GG -Tell us about you, where are you from, what are you into and what do you like to do with your free time?

KC – I’m from Mitchell South Dakota, I am into a lot of things. From being thrown from school to school and state to state growing up in a few different family’s and having a very open mom, I got the pleasure of putting my toes into a lot of water. I enjoy camping, fishing and hunting. I enjoy doing hair and makeup. I enjoy people watching and shopping, to go karting, swimming and working out. I LOVE spending time with animals (it’s almost uncontrollable). I enjoy spending time with my family and just relaxing. Just taking long drives in my car and not looking back.  I love to ride motorcycles and travel the world because of motorcycles.
 
 

GG –   How did you find your passion for  Racing bikes how long have you been doing it?

KC – As long as I can remember my sister and I always wanted to race some sort of anything to be honest, from regular peddle bikes to scooters to snowmobiles to four-wheelers, and we were lucky enough to be thrown into the motorcycle world. 

Our mom, in 2006, decided to take the bagger they were building for the TV show “Biker Build Off”, to the Bonneville Salt Flats. It took one look of how fast she was going for us to jump all over the idea!!!!


My sister and I have also grown more and more into road racing and have taken a few classes; we are officially knee and elbow draggers!
 
 

GG –  What do you love most about it?

KC -I love the fact that when I’m on my bike at the starting line its mentally and physically only my bike and me. We have no distractions. It’s at that point that I just get to focus on the best time to shift, when’s the best time to get into my tuck. I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and take off. After that it’s just so gratifying to be on the track that the feeling is something that nothing else can give me. A lot of people can’t say that and I’m blessed for it.
 
 

GG –    Do you have a sweet car or a motorcycle other than your race bike?
 

KC -My car, to me as a girl, is pretty sweet. I have a Subaru WRX STI and it does have the bug eyes; it also came with the momo steering wheel.

I also have a few Buells that I adore, Buells were always my first love for racing and just riding!

 
GG –     What are you most passionate about in life?


KC -I am very passionate about family because they have always surrounded me and pushed me to go forward.


I am passionate about racing because it’s always something my sister and I have chased for so long and it’s something my whole family does together as a team. I am constantly learning something new, not just about the sport and technique, but about myself and goals and so much more.
 

GG – Where would you most like to visit?


KC -I would LOVE to go to Australia. Not only am I an animal freak, and Australia has some of the goofiest animals; but it is very, very beautiful there.


Most of all, Australia has a dried up lake with “salt”, that they race on. I always think, Bonneville in a whole different country, you’re kidding right!?! It’s a dream come true.
 
 


GG –  What type of music do you normally listen to?


KC – Depends on the people I am around and the situation/place I am at. I can listen to just about everything, but sappy country.

GG – Do you collect anything?

KC – Weirdly enough I do collect heart shaped rocks, helmets and random furniture/pictures.
 
 
 
 
For more beautiful photographs from Sara Liberte, Please Click here. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Read More →

Right-of-Way Violations without Education Misses the Mark

By Bandit | May 31, 2024
 
 
Increasing Penalties for Right-of-Way Violations without Education Misses the Mark–Right-of-way (ROW) violations against motorcyclists have become an increasing problem over the years. So much so, that some states have enacted or are considering legislation to increase the penalties for motorists infringing on a motorcyclist’s right of way and causing serious injury or death.

Many states have inadequate penalties for violating another’s right of way. Most times, it’s a minimal fine. In my home state of Wisconsin, it used to be a $20 fine for the first offense, despite the seriousness of any injuries.  I say “used to be” because ABATE of Wisconsin, with the help of then state senator Dave Zien, persuaded the Wisconsin legislature to pass Act 466 into law, effective in October 2006. Among other things, the Act included enhanced penalties for injuring another highway user, including motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians.  Fines range from $200 to $1,000 and a license suspension is included.

 

An important element of the Act is the educational requisite, which includes mandatory classroom instruction specific to motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian awareness and rights.  Hupy and Abraham, S.C. has a long history of working with ABATE of Wisconsin and besides helping with the language of the bill, we testified at a public hearing before the Wisconsin Senate along with ABATE and MRF members.

 
 
 

As recent as October 14, 2014, another state, Michigan, has included a motorcycle and bicycle education element to driver education classes.  Known as Nathan’s Law or the Nathan Bower Act, HB 5438 was passed in honor of Nathan Bower who was killed in 2009 in a crash involving a novice driver of an automobile.

 
 

 

Although most agree that something has to be done about inattentive drivers and right-of-way violations against motorcyclists, not everyone is happy with the direction some states have gone.
 
We agree on the need for action, but some states have enacted legislation, which talks about “vulnerable” highway users and that language has upset some rights activists. They believe that labeling motorcyclists as vulnerable could set the stage for new legislation including a renewed call for helmet mandates, reflective apparel and more.
 
 

Another troubling aspect associated with enhanced penalties for ROW violations is the fact that increased fines go to the state. Some rights leaders think that money, or at least a portion of it, should go to the victims of ROW violations to help offset medical and out-of pocket-expenses. 

If your state has not considered increasing penalties for ROW violations, contact your local motorcycle rights organization, the American Motorcyclists Association (AMA) or the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) for information on what you can do.

 

Realizing the importance of awareness education, Hupy and Abraham, S.C. assisted ABATE of Wisconsin by fully funding the production of a 14 minute DVD entitled “Share the Road with Motorcycles.” 

ABATE has an outstanding Share the Road program which is taught at driver’s education classes and other locations around the state. But those classes only reach a small portion of the driving public. 

In order to help spread the awareness message, ABATE decided to explore the idea of making a video for distribution to area schools and other interested organizations.  The video is professionally done using a video company suggested by Hupy and Abraham, S.C., and the law firm paid for filming, production and packaging of the product, because the message is so important.
 

All riders involved in the video are ABATE of Wisconsin members.

 

–Tony Sanfelipo
 
 
 
 
Read More →

Tire Trouble Blues

By Bandit | May 31, 2024
 
 
Late July of 2013

The Great Plains offer a wide open world of flat land paved with grass, farmland and very few trees to obstruct the view. Out here the sky is the dominant force, for it stretches from one endless horizon to the other leaving those on the ground to feel almost as though they’ve become engulfed in its humbling expanse. Billowy clouds often lumber lazily across this, for them, natural domain. At times a person can watch from beneath a clear sky as one, and sometimes more, small self contained storms move slowly in the distance while raining heavily upon the green grasslands below. Many are the times I’ve stopped to let one of these cross the road ahead before resuming the ride once the storm’s passed. But today there was no such weather and not much traffic either. Neither was the air hot nor cold as the old Electra Glide made its faithful way along the mostly arrow straight roads.

I’d just crossed the eastern border of South Dakota. At the other end of this state the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally would begin soon. For many years I’d worked sporadically for the vendors that permeate these huge motorcycle rallies and in just over a week’s time I was scheduled to eight days of hard labor at a large tire-changing operation located in downtown Sturgis. Just now however, the afternoon was pushing toward evening so I decided to stop for the night.
 
 

Some years ago I’d been hanging around the Sioux Falls H-D dealership when a man befriended me. Bob lived on a large vegetable and dairy farm nearby and had offered use of his property to make camp if I wanted. To pass on this uncommon adventure would have been sacrilege so I’d accepted his offer. Bob stated that his place was always open to any rider who needed a free camp while passing through. He even kept tents permanently erected for visitors. The place also offered a shower and beat up washing machine.  I intended to crash his party again.

As the old Electra Glide traversed Bob’s long driveway I was reminded of the time it had been necessary to open an electric fence by hand then navigate the big motorcycle through a herd of cows placed there to act as organic lawn mowers for the grass that lined either roadside. Today there were no cows and ahead the tattered old place sat just as I remembered it. But it was not Bob who met me in the yard. When I asked the new man what had happened to my friend, he said that Bob no longer lived here. So I told him of other stays in this place. The man smiled, stuck out his hand, and said, “I’m Leo, and you’re welcome to make camp here again if you like. My oldest boy sometimes stays out there with his girlfriend and I’m pretty sure the tent’s still up. Use it if you want. You hungry? We’re having pheasant.” I followed him inside.
 
Leo introduced his other son, who was a bit autistic and obviously difficult at times. I sat at the kitchen table while my host set out plates. His boy ate at the TV in the other room. Over dinner Leo and I talked and I learned that Bob had left town. I asked about the pheasant and learned that this guy is a fanatic pheasant hunter.
 
 
When the hour had grown late I decided to walk into the nearby woods and check my usual campground. Leo’d assured me it was still there. So it was…with one little difference.  I don’t know what his kid had been smoking out there, or what he’d done with the seeds, but the tent now sat in a little grove of…well…weeds. I had to laugh, obviously Leo didn’t know. If he had would he have sent me out here? Pretty comical really. So I backed Betsy into the little grove then threw my bed inside the kid’s ready-made tent. It appeared he hadn’t been there for a while.
 
 

The morning air was clean and crisp as I unzipped the door to gaze upon the thick trees that surrounded me on all sides and above. It seemed a perfect day.  Little did I suspect…
 
With the motorcycle repacked, I visited the house to find Leo and his boy already gone.  Again the long driveway offered no cows and at its end I swung the old Harley back onto the highway. A visit to the nearby H-D dealership for free coffee seemed a good idea. The parking lot already bustled with a small crowd as I set the kickstand and ambled inside. Drinking coffee and talking shit can take time but eventually I came back outside only to be confronted with a flat rear tire.

As I stood to contemplate this dilemma, a man stepped from his 1987 Evo Softail and approached. Obviously an old school rider, he offered to scoot over to the truck stop and grab me a can of fix-a-flat. I held out a ten and thanked him, he refused the money.  Once he’d gone I visited the mechanic’s bay where a young guy offered to bring a canister of compressed air to my bike. When the thing was aired up I heard hissing and quickly located a small puncture that sat beside a large bubble. Tread was separating from the carcass.  The tire was coming apart.

I’d seen this before, it wouldn’t last another 50 miles, the tire was done. So here I was with a bum tire 350 miles from a place I was going to mount MOTORCYCLE TIRES, I’d get one for free there. Betsy was stuck in the parking lot of a dealership and God only knows what the dealership would charge for a tire. I’d never bought one from them before and wasn’t about to start now.
 
 

Options, options, what to do?  Sixteen inch front tires are a dime a dozen. You can’t give them away. In the 19 years I’d owned this motorcycle I’d not paid for a single front tire. Rears however, are another story. I walked to the dealership’s take-off tire pile and quickly located three good fronts. Grabbing the best, almost new tire, I returned to the bike and tied it atop the luggage rack knowing a dealership wouldn’t mount used rubber.  I grabbed the cell phone and called a local independent shop, after explaining my situation, the man said to bring it over. About this time the Evo rider returned with not one, but two cans of fix-a-flat. After inflating the tire I thanked him profusely, mounted quickly, and left the lot. Barely Legal Bikes was not far. 
 
 

It took an in-depth explanation of the situation to convince Clay (owner of this establishment) that a front tire would be okay on the back. After all, this wasn’t standard procedure, but he ultimately gave the go ahead. After explaining I’d pull the wheel in his front yard, Clay insisted I do this work on his spare lift.  I did.
 

Once the wheel was removed Clay stuck it on the machine and then asked if I wanted it mounted backwards because rear tread patterns are almost always opposite the front. I’d been thinking the same thing. Once mounted, Clay also asked if I’d like it balanced, to which I replied, “Hell no. It won’t be there that long”.  Besides, after working in motorcycle tires for so long, I knew balancing was overrated anyway.  Eventually the job was finished and Clay asked for $20.
 
 

It would have been a near impossible time without the help of these men. In this way we have always kept each other rolling, and I’ve done the same for many others. Being a biker is far more than just buying a motorcycle, it requires a kind of compassion that most just seem born with. A willingness to give, interest in adventure, the ability to throw caution to the wind, and of course a true love of motorcycles. These are some of the seemingly natural attributes that attracted me to these riders as a boy and it’s good to know they still exist.  I handed Clay the money.
 

Morning had faded to afternoon and 350 miles still stood between this place and my destination. Ahead the plains opened up again as Sioux Falls fell quickly from the mirrors.  It was near dark when a wall-cloud appeared at my right. I’d seen them before, for it’s across the Great Plains that the most powerful storms in the country often travel. I had seen nothing like them anywhere else. Wall-clouds are most often raging storms that cross the plains like a dark wall covering the whole of one horizon to the other. They are generally, as was this one, filled with almost continual internal bursts of lightning which makes them appear as though a fantastic battle is taking place within their guts. Although this storm offered only sheet lightning, I’ve seen them with bolts falling from their height to bounce repeatedly off the ground ahead as the road I’m traveling disappears directly into the immense expanse of their vast darkness. The plains offer little cover from such things and many is the time I’ve taken refuge in a vacant barn or its equivalent in effort to avoid the wrath of such wind beaten violence. At times it can be a freaky experience.
 
 

But this cloud loomed to the north as I traveled alongside it on westbound Interstate 90 and I hoped that the prehistoric monster would hold a steady eastbound pace and simply pass me by. But as the old Electra Glide continued to pound its faithful rhythm against the pavement, I noted that the unholy specter to my right was growing. It was coming my way!  Fortunately however, when an hour of 75 mph travel had fallen behind, I passed the storm’s end only to watch its intense fireworks display from the safety of my rearview mirrors.

The following day a friend in central Kansas, some five hundred miles south, talked of how that same storm had later moved into his area. He spoke of its violence and the way everyone had been driven into the nearest building when it hit, then were confined there until the storm passed. For a while nothing human had moved. When beheld by the mortal eye, the unyielding and unstoppable power of Mother Nature can sometimes be a humbling and fantastically fascinating thing.

But this time it had been avoided and by morning I awoke to a sunny day in my usual camp just outside the town of Sturgis South Dakota.

 
 
Barely Legal Bikes:  Phone number: 605-366-2448
 
 
 
 
Read More →

D&D Dyna Bobcat Installation

By Bandit | May 31, 2024

Jeremiah bugged me for months. He wanted a new bike, a dresser, no an FXR, maybe a Dyna. He ended up with an insurance settlement from his FLH accident (guy pulled a left directly in front of him) and decided dressers weren’t for his youthful city dweller, hot rod, self. He bought a very low mileage 96-inch, 2009 Dyna Super-Glide.

The bike was clean as a whistle and silver/black and gray, very little chrome. It had a set of Vance and Hines straights, with slight baffles. It has a custom air cleaner, no aftermarket cams, and nothing electronic has been done to this bike.

He chose for his first mod to install a D&D two-into-one Bobcat exhaust system. Eric Bennett likes how D&D systems are delivered with the heat shields and exhaust flanges in place. “They are a breeze to install.”

Jeremiah went for the all-black ceramic-coated system and a carbon fiber wrap on the shorty, kicked muffler for the proper ground clearance. He ordered a Le Pera Daytona, two-up, basket-weave seat to match. For a while he avoided the SOA fairing fade, but he’s beginning to buckle. “It will block the wind,” he said.

Jeremiah stopped at a dealership and bought a set of Screamin’ Eagle exhaust mesh gaskets (recommended by D&D), and a set of stock tapered units. When the D&D system arrived, carefully wrapped and secure, we discovered some fasteners and a set of slightly larger exhaust mesh gaskets. We decided to roll with the D&D supplied units. JIMS makes the perfect tool for installing these Brillo pad bastards. We used a medical hook to pull the old ones out.

I like this system because it stays tight to the rubber-mounted engine, which is critical to the longevity of the unit. This Dyna Bobcat system is good for any Dyna from ’06 to ’11.

 

It comes with the following hardware and gaskets:

1- 3/8-16 Flange Nut

1- Alum Spacer

2- Boss Exhaust Gaskets?

Exhaust system Bracket

Installation (the following is a mixture of D&D instructions and our comments)

1.Remove side cover.
 
2.Remove main power fuse.
 

3.Remove factory exhaust system (Retain stock O2 sensors). We found access to the O2 sensors difficult, so we removed the pipe. While one person held the pipes, James loosened and removed the sensors. It’s also a good idea to unplug the sensor connection first. Then you can actually set the pipes on the bench before removing the sensors. Keep in mind that the sensors are delicate electronic devices. You don’t want to touch them or tarnish them with any lubricants or even anti-seize.

4.Remove factory exhaust hanger. In some cases there is a mounting bracket under the cone of the engine. That can be removed and discarded.

5.Open package and visually inspect. (No warranty for cosmetics after system has been installed). At this point we removed the O2 plugs protecting the 18mm threads in the bungs. We discovered a slightly damaged thread and ran an 18 mm tap into the threads for a perfect clean fit.

6.Install new exhaust bracket. Two bottom holes utilize stock hardware. Top left hole uses stock bolt and supplied aluminum spacer. Torque all fasteners to factory specifications.

7.Install supplied exhaust gaskets. This is where the JIMS tool comes in very handy. You don’t want to mess with these bastards. We called Eric Bennett for any tips. He just recommended cleaning the head surface and being very careful.

8.Install O2 sensors into the new headpipe in the location they were removed. We installed the O2 sensors with some carefully applied anti-seize to the threads only, and snugged them down.
 

9.Install muffler onto the header and loosely attach to bracket with supplied flange nut. This is critical. If you install the head pipes first without the muffler, the muffler won’t roll into place. So install the muffler first, and then the system into the heads and start the 5/16 fine flange nuts.

“Roll the system over the mid controls,” said Jeremiah. “It’s tight but fits perfectly. And make sure to square the exhaust flanges with the heads. I use the stud threads as a measurement, trying to keep the number of threads equal on each stud for a square flange fit to the gasket.”

There is always a temptation to replace the old rusting flange nuts with something new, and that’s cool, but the flange nuts act as a tool in socket to align and start the threading process. I would like to find some stainless/locking flange nuts, maybe through McMaster Carr for future installations.

10.Check alignment of system, and don’t forget to snug the 3/8s locking flange nut to the pipe bracket with some blue Loctite. “With the heat shields in place we weren’t forced to fight them and the whole system just slipped into place,” he said. “Very minimal adjustments.”
 
11.Tighten all mounting points starting at the heads and moving rearward, checking alignment as you go.
 

12.Tighten muffler clamp to 120 in. lbs.
 
13.Clean system with glass cleaner to remove any oil and fingerprints.
 
14.Install main fuse and side cover.
  

15.Start motorcycle and check for leaks.

Care of your D&D Exhaust System

Black systems can be repainted using Krylon brand 1200-degree high temp flat black spray paint.

Show & Go Chrome systems can be polished using any quality chrome polish such as Mother’s Mag Polish. Rust, rock dings, and pits can be polished out.

Ceramic Coated systems can be polished using Mother’s Mag Polish or similar products to remove rust, rock dings, and pits. Ceramic coating is not warrantied against rust (surface oxidation) if the part is not kept clean. Most oxidation is only on the surface of the coating and will polish off, while leaving the coating intact. If the salt or road film is left on the pipe long enough it will violate the coating and ruin it.

Aluminum mufflers can be polished on a cloth buffing wheel using jeweler’s rouge.

Carbon Fiber may discolor with age from UV light. The outer dye layer may be renewed with the application of a high quality silicone.

A fuel system management system is required for use with this 2-1 system. We are looking into the various product from Power Commanders to Zipper’s and Daytona Twin Tech.

D&D Performance Enterprises
2923 Edith lane
Ft. Worth, Texas 76117
Phone 817-834-8961
Fax 817-831-4260

2006-2011 Dyna Bobcat 2-1
591-31/32 – A,B,C

Read More →

Lane-splitting is no more dangerous for motorcyclists than motorcycling in general, says a UC Berkeley study

By Bandit | May 31, 2024
 
For years, there has been debate about whether the practice of motorcyclists beating slower traffic by driving between lanes is dangerous. A UC Berkeley study released this week provides some possible answers.
 

What is lane-splitting?

Lane-splitting is the practice of motorcyclists riding between marked lanes, typically to pass slow-moving or stalled traffic.
 

Is it legal?
California is the only state that allows lane-splitting by motorcyclists, though technically state law neither prohibits nor permits “motorcycles from passing other vehicles proceeding in the same direction within the same lane,” according to the California Highway Patrol.
 

Why do some drivers think its dangerous?

Many motorists say its difficult to spot lane-splitters who speed between cars, increasing the risk of accidents.
 
 
Sources: UC Berkeley, California Highway Patrol, California Office of Traffic Safety.
 
Read More →

Tropical Tattoo Ride In Bike Show Biketoberfest 2014

By Bandit | May 31, 2024
 
 
The show was held on Thursday the first day of Biketoberfest at Tropical Tattoo in Ormond Beach Florida.
 
 

I believe it is the largest bike show during Biketoberfest and Bike Week. I say that because it is always packed and rightfully so. The bikes on display represent 20 different classes.
 
 

But the event is more than the bike show it is a gathering of riders and friends of all ages and backgrounds. There are bands and a few vendors but not so many as to take over. It is just a fun place to be and I always enjoy my time there.
 
 

Part of the entertainment is the MC – Roadside Marty and he keeps the crowd going especially when he is giving out trophies. You will just have to show up to find out for yourself.
 
 

If you missed this event you missed a good one. Bike Week 2015 is not that far away so make plans to attend now.
 

The photos will give you some idea of what you missed:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


When discussing tattoos, Tropical Tattoo has become more than another tattoo shop, it’s become a tradition. After more than two decades in the same location, Tropical has become one of the most established businesses in the greater Daytona Beach area.

Seven days a week, the artists at Tropical Tattoo have been giving Daytona residents, tourists, and celebrities alike the same level of expertise and professionalism that has formed the backbone of the world famous Tropical Tattoo. Always with an eye for how to best represent your ideas, the artists are experts in all styles, custom drawings, paintings, cover ups, and even portraits.

Member of both the Florida Professional Tattoo Artist Guild, and the Alliance of Professional Tattoo Artists, and member of the Ormond Beach and Holly Hill Chamber of Commerce, Willie’s staff upholds health and safety codes far beyond state law requirements. Tropical Tattoo is also licensed by the state of Florida and Volusia County.

Before putting yourself in the hands of beginners, scratchers, kitchen artists, or cheap amateur tattooists, stop by Tropical Tattoo and take a look around the shop and talk to any of the artists. Pete, Clay, Joe, Nate, Ron, Zak, and Mark all have portfolios available to browse through, and are always happy to help develop your ideas on a one on one basis.  
 

                                               
Read More →

Start typing and press enter to search

Scroll to Top