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Bennett’s Performance Final, Maybe





Bennett’s Performance touts being the performance test bed for all-things big twin performance and handling in Long Beach, California. The team is also very involved in Bonneville Land Speed Record efforts. Unless the California Air Resources Board decides to shut down every California custom or performance shop, they will be burning rods, turning lathes, and twisting wrenches until they die.






I say, “They,” and I’m referring to Eric Bennett, the boss, and his longtime mechanic and Dad, Bob. Other technicians come and go. Plus, next-door are the men, including Jerry Branch, and John O’Keefe, who are the masters of the flow bench and headwork at the Branch O’Keefe machine shop.



All shops big and small in California live in fear of being shut down. But let’s not go there. For a few minutes let’s pretend that freedom rings in this country and our political structure loves folks who build anything from hot rods to custom motorcycles. They even support the notion that loud pipes saves lives, because it’s true. They love it that guys don’t beat their wives or do drugs, that they learn how to work with their hands and create something one-off, which they can ride to work or to Sturgis with pride. Am I dreaming or what?





Eric recently came across this 2004 Dyna and decided to research every performance resource and build himself the best hot rod Dyna on the planet, as a test project for anything performance, for Twin-Cams. He did, and we followed the process on Bikernet.com, and this is the third and last stellar episode. But wait, their could be more, according to Eric’s assessment at this point.



“I need to change the shocks,” Eric said. “They are too low and shifting the weight to the rear. I need to tighten the handling.”



Eric was pushing is Dyna onto his shop dyno as we strolled into Bennett’s Performance, a very clean and well-organized shop, a couple of weeks ago. “I wanted to dyno it one final time without a rev limiter,” he said and discovered a dyno malady. The battery was low. At about 5500 rpms the dyno results didn’t indicate a smooth transition through the gears, but jumpy results. He was dying to try again, but we were forced to take a break.

 
 

“We’ve run across jumpy dyno results with other rubbermounted bikes, specifically Dynas,” Eric said. With the dyno fixed he removed his air cleaner and backing plate to allow the carb to float. Then he changed his 48 mm Mikuni main jet to the next larger size, for more fuel, and he retarded his timing one notch. He pulled it twice on the dyno and was proud to watch it jump from 117 hp, and to 119 hp, and 121 pounds of Torque. The power range was perfect for street use.
 
 



Eric now has 1978 miles on the bike since he rebuilt and upgraded the engine from 88 inches to 106. Shortly after the bike was completed and running, his dyno pulls indicated 112 hp and 119 pounds of torque, then 116 hp and 118 pounds of torque with a carb change, more miles and tuning. 



 
 Our discussion shifted back to handling. “At 100 it starts to wiggle,” Eric said, “There’s too much weight on the back.” He plans to install 14-inch Ohlins. Today, the lower badder look is slipping away for the jacked, terrific suspension, badass, dirt bike, café racer, SOA, go fast appearance.



We discussed the new CCE stiffer rubbermounts for Dynas, which might do the trick. “I still won’t be able to dial-in the handling as well as FXRS, like the Unknown Industry guys,” Eric said. “With my handling issues, they pulled away at just over 100 mph. The front feels fine, but I haven’t decided what to do with my number plate. Newer Dynas have additional gussets, but nothing like the FXR, period!”



He plans to black out the wheels and add Michelin tires, but he loves this engine configuration. “It’s perfect,” Eric said. “I didn’t need to machine the cases or crank up the compression. The cam isn’t radical, and I could run stock cylinders.” Jerry Branch told Eric that engines are like a combination lock. One number off and the system doesn’t work.



He’s currently looking for an ’06 or ’07 Dyna 17-inch rear wheel, and he will run a 160 tire. “It still gets 42 mpg. Reaching more than one horsepower per cubic inch with a naturally aspirated engine. It’s impressive.”



The S&S lower end contains a 4.5-inch stroke with 3 7/8-inch S&S pistons. Eric blocked the Mikuni carb out one inch to allow the air and fuel to atomize more before it reached the intake valves. “It’s a smoother delivery to the chambers,” Eric said. “We were lucky to score a set of Dave Thew heads designed for monster JIMS 116-inch motors by the Branch/O’Keefe team. This combination with 2.02 intake and 1.610 exhaust valves, and some slight porting, coupled with a Redshift .647 lift cam, and 11.5:1 compression gave Dave Thew 132 ass-kicking horsepower and 132 pounds of torque.



Dave’s bike with fat tanks and beach bars could not be beat at the drags.



I spoke to Eric’s dad who talked of his Bonneville bikes and going after a 167 mph record. Eric was the rider. “We couldn’t get over 161, but then I learned about aerodynamics. I gained 9 mph by moving the pipes inboard. We gained another 5 mph when Eric shifted his riding position and tucked one foot behind the primary.” They grabbed a record.



So, you can tell by the smell of go-fast, the posters of Burt Munro on the wall, and the Bennett record next to the counter, that this group is all about motorcycles and folks who ride hard and fast. Hang on for the next report.






Bikernet.com Extreme Bennett’s Performance Tech Chart
 
Regular Stuff
Owner: Eric BennettBike
Name: Brute
City/State: Signal Hill Ca
Builder: Eric BennettCity/state: Signal Hill, CA
Company Info: Bennett’s Performance Inc.
Address: 1940 Freeman Ave,Signal Hill Ca, 90755
Phone: 562 498 1819
Fabrication: Bennett’s
Manufacturing: Harley-Davidson
Welding: me
Machining: me
 
 
Engine
 
Year: 2004
Make: Custom
Model: Twin cam
Displacement: 106 cubic inches
Builder or Rebuilder: Eric Bennett
Cases: H-D
Case finish: Black
Barrels: H-D turned round By Branch
Bore: 3 7/8-inch
Pistons: S & S
Barrel finish: stock
Lower end: S&S
Stroke: 4 ½-inch
Rods: S&S
Heads: Branch #4 Dave Thew mods
Head finish: Stock
Valves and springs: AV&V
Pushrods: S&S
Cams: 585 S&S
Lifters: S&S
Carburetion: Mikuni 48 mm modified by Bennett’s
Air cleaner: S&S muscle
Exhaust: D & D Bob cat modified by Bennett’s
Mufflers: D&D Bob Cat
 

Transmission
 
Year: 2004
Make: H-D
Gear configuration: Stock 5-speed with wpc treatment
Primary: stock
Clutch: Rivera Primo Pro Clutch
Final drive: Stock
 
 
Frame
 
Year: 2004
Builder: H-D
Style or Model: Dyna
Stretch:stock
Rake:stock
 

Front End
 
Make: H-D Speed Merchant
Model: 2004 Dyna sport
Year: 2004
Length: Stock
Mods: Speed Merchant Trees, risers, grips
 
 
Sheet metal
 
Tanks: H-D
Fenders: stock
Panels: stock
Oil tank: factory
 
Paint
 
Sheet metal: nicked Black
Molding: none
Graphics: Nothing yet, maybe pinstriping
Type: Factory
Pinstriping: Maybe George the Wild Brush
 
 
Wheels
 
Front
 
Make: H-D
Size: 19-inch
Brake calipers: Brembo
FrontBrake rotor(s): Lyndall
Tire: Metzler
 

Rear
 
Make: H-D
Size: 16-inchBrake calipers: Stock
Brake rotor: Lyndall
Pulley: H-D
Tire: Dunlop
 
 
Controls
 
Foot controls: Factory stock Master cylinder: H-D
Brake lines: Barnett
Handlebar controls: Factory Clutch
Cable: Barnett
Brake Lines: Barnett
Shifting: Stock
Kickstand: Factory
 

Electrical
 
Ignition: Dyna twin cam 88
Ignition switch: H-D
Coils: H-D
Regulator: Stock
Charging: Spyke
Starter: H-D
Wiring: Mostly stock
Headlight: Alloy Art
Taillight: Alloy Art
 
What’s Left
Seat: Le Pera
Mirror(s): Speed Merchant
Gas caps: Stock
Handlebars: Todd’s Cycle
Grips: Speed merchant
Pegs: Speed Merchant
Oil filter: Hi Flo
Oil cooler: Jag
Throttle cables: Barnett
Fasteners: Unbrako
 
 
Specialty items: Custom Number Plate fabricated by Brandon at Speed Merchant
 
 
Credits: S&S Cycle, Alloy Art, Speed Merchant, Mikuni Carbs, Rivera Primo, Bikernet, Lyndall Racing Brakes.
 
 
Sources 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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NCOM Coast To Coast Biker News for February 2014

 
 
THE AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE is brought to you by Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), and is sponsored by the Law Offices of Richard M. Lester. If you’ve been involved in any kind of accident, call us at 1-(800) ON-A-BIKE or visit www.ON-A-BIKE.com
 
 
NCOM COAST TO COAST BIKER NEWS
Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish,
National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) 
 
FARM BILL DETERS E15
Opponents of E15, such as motorcyclists whose vehicles are not approved to use fuel containing higher levels of ethanol, won a major victory on February 7, 2014 when President Barack Obama signed the Agricultural Act of 2014, with a provision removing subsidies for biofuel blending pumps.
 
The provision, tucked into page 735 of the 949-page farm bill, could make it more difficult for gasoline blended with higher concentrations of ethanol to find its way to rural areas, where demand for the fuel is greatest.
 
Blender pumps mix gasoline and ethanol for sale at gas stations, so restricting the grant money to purchase the pumps necessary to dispense E15 would greatly deter its distribution.  That, in turn, could make it more difficult for the United States to implement a program known as the Renewable Fuel Standard, or RFS, which mandates increasing amounts of biofuels like corn-based ethanol be blended into the nation’s fuel supply.
 
The Obama administration previously set a goal of installing 10,000 blender pumps to promote consumption of higher-ethanol gasoline, but currently only 59 stations across 12 states sell E15, compared with 125,000 U.S. gasoline stations.
 
The win for motorcycle and ATV owners, who risk damaging their machines and invalidating warranties by even inadvertently putting E15 in their tanks, follows a November move by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reduce for the first time the amount of ethanol required to be blended into U.S. gasoline supplies. Ironically, the EPA proposed the cuts in part due to concerns over the lack of infrastructure, such as blender pumps needed to sell gasoline with greater concentrations of ethanol.
 
 
 
MOTORCYCLE SALES INCREASE
The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) has reported that annual motorcycle sales grew 1.4% in 2013. The 465,783 unit total represents a 6,485 increase from 2012.
 
The dual-purpose and off-road segments enjoyed the greatest percentage annual growth, with scooter sales declining in 2013.
 
On-Highway motorcycles sales tallied 324,691 for the year, a 2% increase from 2012. The On-Highway segment is by far the largest tracked by the MIC, and it includes all street-legal bikes excepting dual-sports and scooters. It recorded a 6,485 unit year-over-year (YOY) increase.
 
The smallest volume segment, Dual, reported the largest YOY percentage increase at 7.8%. The Dual category includes small street-legal dual-sports as well as popular Adventure bikes. The yearly total for this market was 32,979 for a 2,387 unit increase in 2013.
 
Off-Highway motorcycle sales grew 5.7% for the year. The annual total of 73,371 represents a 3,976 unit boost from last year. The near 4000-unit gain comes despite a slow finish in 2013, recording a YOY decrease of 1,025 units in December.
 
Scooter sales, which are traditionally more volatile than bike sales, struggled to match 2012 totals. The annual tally of 34,742 was 6,363 units short of the 2012 total – a 15.5% decline.
 
ATV sales for 2013 posted a nearly identical tally of 228,305 – a mere 0.5% increase over 2012. The quad market benefited from a strong December to push the annual tally into the black, with a 1,799 unit increase YOY for the month. Notably, the MIC does not track sales for UTV and side-by-side units, which have reportedly eclipsed ATV sales in recent years.
 
 
STATES RANKED BY MOTORCYCLE OWNERSHIP
With 8,410,255 motorcycles registered to 311,800,000 U.S. citizens, according to the most recent DOT and Census data that means that out of every 37 Americans you meet, one of them probably owns a motorcycle.  But in some states your odds are better than others, and when you compare statewide motorcycle registrations with population figures, you might be surprised where some states stand in the rankings.
 
For example, Iowa comes in third with 18 people for every motorcycle, more than double the national average.  In 2011 the state had 173,929 motorcycles registered, and a population of just over three million.
 
The second highest ratio of bike ownership is in New Hampshire, whose 1.3 million population shares 79,266 motorcycles, equaling 17 people per motorcycle.
 
First on the list is South Dakota with 12 people for each motorcycle, over three times the national average.  In 2011 the state had 69,284 motorcycles registered, representing just 0.82% of all motorcycles in America, but its sparse population of 816,598 gives it the highest concentration of motorcycling in the country.
 
Rounding out the Top Ten are; Wisconsin (4th with 18 people per bike); Wyoming (5th/19); North Dakota (6th/21); Vermont (7th/21); Montana (8th/21); Minnesota (9th/22) and Alaska (10th/23).
 
The Ten Lowest ranked states are; South Carolina (40th/43 people per bike); Kentucky (41st/44); Hawaii (42nd/45); California (43rd/47); Utah (44th/47); Maryland (45th/48); Georgia (46th/49); New York (47th/56); Texas (48th/58); Louisiana (49th/67, almost half the U.S. average); and lastly Mississippi (50th/106, nearly a third the norm).
 
It’s interesting to note that due to large populations, some of the states with the largest numbers of motorcycles finished low on the rider density list; California is number one in motorcycles owned with 801,803, representing 9.5% of all motorcycles in the U.S., but with a population of over 37 million it comes in a lackluster 43rd place!  Likewise, New York with 345,816 motorcycles, and Texas with 438,551, came in near the bottom of the rankings.
 
It is also worth noting that only one of the Top Ten motorcycling states has a helmet law, while 6 of the 10 least bike-friendly states requires riders to wear them.
 
 
 
MISSOURI PUSHES TO CHANGE BAN ON SUNDAY MOTORCYCLE SALES
Like many states, it is against the law in Missouri for dealers to sell cars, trucks or motorcycles on Sunday.  Due to archaic “Blue Laws” influenced by religion during the Colonial Period, sales are prohibited on the Sabbath, but there is a trend brewing and some states are removing this outdated ban.
 
The latest state to allow Sunday motorcycle sales was Indiana last July, when Hoosiers joined Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Maryland in removing their Sunday sales ban.
 
Now Missouri’s Blue Law is being challenged, and lawmakers are proposing three bills that would allow for motorcycles to be sold in Platte and Jackson Counties on Sundays.  The reason is because some Kansas City metro dealers feel it is not fair that they can’t sell on Sundays when just across the border in the neighboring state of Kansas, dealers can.
 
Other states that currently prohibit the Sunday sales of motorcycles and automobiles are Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Oklahoma, North Dakota and Wisconsin.  In Missouri, dealers are not even allowed to discuss a sale on Sunday, or face a $300 fine and possible jail time.
 
 
 
NY LAWMAKER SAYS BIKES SHOULDN’T BE ALLOWED IN HIS DISTRICT
Legislator Thomas F. Barraga (R-11th District) says people should not ride bikes at all in his district because “Suffolk County is a suburban automobile community — drivers expect to see other drivers on the road, not bicyclists and motorcyclists.”
 
The anti-motorcycle/bicycle lawmaker from West Islip, New York made those remarks in response to a high school senior who wrote to him as a part of a government class assignment.
 
On January 29, the 17-year old, Matthew Cutrone, wrote to Barraga requesting “some sort of bike lane or maybe even warning signs in certain areas of the county” after his mother was hit by the driver of a van that illegally turned left in front of her.
 
Stating that he believes that “no one who lives in our hamlet or for that matter Suffolk County should ever ride a bicycle or motorcycle,” Barraga’s callous response lit up social media and prompted a ton of angry responses, though the legislator said he’s standing by his remarks.
 
 
 
WASHINGTON STATE RIDERS LOBBY TO TURN LEFT ON RED
Motorcyclists in Washington could turn left at an intersection if the traffic light doesn’t give them the green arrow after a complete cycle under a bill that received strong support from the Senate in Olympia.
 
SB 5141 would change state traffic laws to account for a problem some motorcyclists have at intersections controlled by sensors that fail to recognize them.  They don’t register on the sensor, and the left-turn arrow never turns green, said Senator Jim Hargrove, a Hoquiam Democrat who rides a motorcycle and said he’s experienced the problem first-hand.
 
Under the proposed legislation, a motorcyclist would have to wait through a complete cycle of lights changing for all directions before making a left-turn when clear. The bill passed on a 46-2 vote. The same bill passed the Senate last session but didn’t receive a final vote in the House.
 
 
 
MICHIGAN MOTORCYCLE SAFETY BILL WOULD PREVENT REPEAT OFFENDERS
Michigan lawmakers are looking to close an “apparent loophole” that allows motorcycle operators to obtain a temporary permit each riding season without ever completing a safety course or skills test required for full endorsement.
 
Temporary Instruction Permits, intended for new or returning riders, are valid for 180 days and require operators to travel alongside an endorsed adult.  But enforcement is difficult, and TIP holders are significantly over-represented in traffic accidents each year; 52% of riders who crashed were not properly endorsed.
 
Current law allows operators to obtain a temporary permit every season. But House Bill 4781, introduced by state Rep. Bradford Jacobsen (R-Oxford) and 15 co-sponsors, would limit motorcycle operators to two TIPs over the course of a 10 year period.  “That’s certainly adequate time to ride with a friend, take an instruction course and get the experience necessary to drive a motorcycle,” Jacobsen said in testimony before the House Transportation Committee, which has not voted on the bill.
 
It’s a no brainer really,” said Vince Consiglio, president of ABATE Michigan, which led efforts to repeal the mandatory helmet law but also supports stronger endorsement requirements. “These unendorsed riders are maybe 10 or 20 percent of the population, but they’re over 40 percent of the fatalities since 1989. It’s incredible that nothing has happened.”
 
Officials have known about the endorsement issue for years, and the Secretary of State and Office of Highway Safety Planning have both pushed educational programs to raise awareness. But education alone is not working, prompting motorcycle safety advocates to push for legislative action.
 
 
 
ABATE OF INDIANA SEEKS TO ALLOW OFF-ROAD VEHICLES ON COUNTY ROADWAYS
Indiana state law bans driving off-road vehicles on public streets, but ABATE of Indiana, a motorcycle advocacy group, is asking Tippecanoe County commissioners to exercise a clause that allows county officials to allow all-terrain vehicles, gators and various other off-road machines, including snowmobiles, to use county roads in unincorporated areas. 
 
We’re just requesting that they at least evaluate this, look at what other communities have done with this — what other counties have done with this” said Jay Jackson, executive director of American Bikers Aimed Toward Education. “We’re not aware of any significant ramifications as a result, so we don’t see a downside to it.” 
 
Jackson told commissioners that 45 Indiana counties allow off-road vehicles on public roads. The vehicles still must comply with state laws governing off-road vehicles.  State law requires the rider or driver be 16 years old and licensed, and also requires that the vehicle be registered, much like a boat.
 
 
 
WEIRD NEWS: APB FOR MR. HARLEY DAVIDSON
Police in Guapa, Brazil, investigating a string of carjackings believed they found a key piece of evidence that could blow the case wide open: a Harley-Davidson cap belonging to a suspect: “He left a grey T-shirt which he had used to cover his face, and also a baseball cap with a skull embroidered on it, along with the name Harley, and the citizen’s surname, Davidson, who is probably the miscreant we’re looking for,” a police officer told a local news station.
 
 
Advertisement
 
QUOTABLE QUOTE: “True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else.”
~ Clarence Darrow (1857-1938) American trial lawyer
 
 
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DesignWraps Brands™ Announces New “Patriot Collection”

 

 

Great Bend, KS – DesignWraps Brands™, the world leader in superior quality “Made in the U.S.A” headwear has introduced their New “Patriot Collection” Road Warrior Pack. 
 
The Patriot Road Warrior Pack contains 2 Full-Coverage TotalWraps: 
1 all weather wrap and 1 SoftSpun Perforated, also perfect for a helmet liner or to be worn as a base layer. (1 Cotton/Poly/Lycra in black & 1 SoftSpun Perf Patriot Fabric). 
 
DesignWraps offers headwraps specifically designed with you, the rider, in mind. The Road Warrior HeadGear packs, marketed under the RidersWraps brand, contain season-after-season winners. Wind, rain, extreme heat or cold, you will be ready as Mother Nature never ceases to surprise you. Wearing RidersWraps, you will be prepared for that element of surprise. The headgear styles featured in The Road Warrior Pack™ are designed specifically for today’s Road Warriors, combining comfort, unmatched standards, strength and softness with function and good looks for the rider whose lives the motorcycle lifestyle. There are 5 different Road warrior packs available to suit everyone’s riding styles. Customers will enjoy a savings with the purchase of two wraps in the pack.
 
MSRP: Starting at $45.95
 
At DesignWraps Brands, our passion and creativity produces RidersWraps, high quality headwear for the motorcycle industry… Where production and quality meet.
 
For more information on RidersWraps New Road Warrior HeadGear packs or any of the other products offered by DesignWraps Brands, you can reach them at 877-700-4687, email them at sales@designwraps.com or check them out online at www.designwraps.com.
 
 
 
 
More Information on RidersWraps:
 
DesignWraps.com was founded 23 years ago on a few simple principles: offer a great selection of high-quality head wraps and biker clothing, provide the customer with the best service possible, and make ordering easy and efficient. You will find a wide variety of functional and stylish wraps and hats for chemotherapy and other hair loss patients.
 
We also supply fashionable merchandise to Harley Davidson women’s clothing and men’s clothing retailers. All of the apparel manufactured by DesignWraps.com is made in the USA, and quality is of the utmost importance to us. Supporting charitable organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is also very important to us. That is why we created the WRAPS Faith, Hope, and Love Foundation.  
 
The Head Wrap
 
The head wraps manufactured by DesignWraps come in a variety of styles that offer the fit that you want. These head wrap terms will be helpful in choosing the type of head wrap that is right for you.
 
Head Wrap Styles
 
Tailed-
 
DesignWraps tailed head wrap is our original headwrap that we started with in 1990. This style is a full cut wrap with a tail in the back that allows for some neck coverage.
 
No Tailed-
 
DesignWraps started with the no tail head wrap in 2002 because of the request of our customers. Our male riders informed us that their passengers complained that the tail would hit them in the face. The no tail head wrap allows for full head coverage but no neck coverage.
 
The Total Wrap-
 
In the fall of 2000 Joan met Chris McCue in Madison, WI. Chris is the founder of Choose Hope  and her request was for a head wrap that would give her full neck coverage. Chris was dealing with breast cancer at the time and she told us that women especially were sensitive to their scalp showing. We designed the total wrap for Chris McCue. Our first total wraps were very feminine. Since that time the total wrap has become a favorite with our Harley Riders. The full neck coverage protects from the elements and this head wrap also allows full protection for your ears.
 
For A Correct Head Wrap Fit Follow These Simple Steps
 
DesignWraps understands how important the right fit is….and how elusive it can be! We want every head wrap that you order to fit perfectly. So use our handy guide below to find your perfect size. And just in case your head wrap doesn’t fit, we’ll be happy to exchange it!
 
To determine your size:  Just follow these simple instructions.
 
1.Measure over the fullest part of your head, from the top of your left ear over the top of your head to the top of your right ear.
2.Measure completely around your forehead at the fullest part pulling the tape measure snug.
3.Measure from your hairline back over your head to the occipital ridge (the protrusion where the skull meets the spine).
Sizes Small Medium Large
Measurement 1 Up to 11″ 11 – 12″ 12″ & Up
Measurement 2 Up to 19″ 19 – 21″ 21″ & Up
Measurement 3 Up to 11″ 11 – 12″ 12″ & Up
You’ll know your head wrap fits if:
 
The band fits snugly above your brow line and comfortably but snugly around your head.
The cap should fit down to your ears on each side.
The knot in the back of the wrap should come down to the occipital ridge (the protrusion where the skull meets the spine).  
 

Editor Note: DesignWraps Brand™ information borrowed from www.designwraps.com 

 
 
 
 
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‘Tis the Season for Toy Runs

 
 
 Remember when you were a kid, and the two best days of the year were Christmas and your birthday? Well, I feel lucky, because that IS how I remember it. But we don’t all remember it that way. Imagine hearing about this guy Santa, who brings great toys to good girls and boys? But then Christmas came and went, and you got nothing? Because your family was homeless, struggling………or worse if you didn’t even have a family? Imagine the difference your one gift can make to that one child. ‘Tis the season for Toy Runs, and I believe it is a noble cause.
 
 
 
Can bad boys do good things? Of course they can! Whenever they feel like it! The San Fernando Valley Hell’s Angels have been doing their annual Toy Run for a very long time.  And a couple of those boys have been my very good friends for a couple of decades. These boys knew me back when I rode Hondas up to Rick’s Drive Inn back in the late eighties. They have always been very supportive of me throughout my years in the world of motorcycling. So a group of my friends all joined in to support the best of the “bad boys” doing a good thing. The toys donated go to young boys and girls without parents at the holidays.  
 
 
We rolled on up to the Hells Angels clubhouse. Parked in a field a block away and walked down an alley past the line of bad ass bikes, and past the scary sculpture of the grim reaper. We went into the notorious clubhouse where a mountain of toys was already reaching the ceiling……….and a slightly scary Santa was waiting for you to sit on his lap and tell him whether you’ve been naughty or nice. I think he was secretly waiting for naughty girls, and our group seemed to fill his need!
 
 
As a woman who has lived my life questioning authority………….I have always held a certain respect for those who have made the choice to live a lifestyle in the one percent. Those who have chosen to live outside of the normal laws, rules, and regulations that most of us allow to govern our lives. It is not an easy path to take in our modern world that is slowly chipping away at our freedoms, little piece by little piece. They were also the first people I met who lived a lifestyle that revolved around motorcycles, and the friendships of those you share that road with. 
 
 
 
I will always maintain my respect for the part these people played in my life. Had they been mean to me and my little Honda……..there may have been a different outcome to my path. They invited me into their world where I saw something I wanted to experience. I wanted that kind of freedom to live in my heart. I respected their freedom over what other people think and do. I also highly respect their privacy, and would never point my camera in any direction at an HA gathering without asking permission first!
 
 
 
They had a great turn out, and I enjoyed seeing people I had not seen in many, many years. They had music, hamburgers, a raffle, and the most perfect sunny 80 degree December 1st day! A few of my pals and I decided it was too perfect a day not to catch a bit of it in the wind. So we hit the road to do our local loop of the Rock Store, Neptune’s Net, and the Sagebrush Cantina. It was a most perfect Day! And I thank the SFV HA’s for hosting a great event for a great cause! 
 
 
 
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Advanced Custom Motorcycle Wiring Revised

Way back at the end of the last century, facing the inevitable mid-life crisis, I found myself the new owner of a then 23-year-old 1977 H-D Sportster. It had been mildly modified with fat tanks, flat handlebars and a freshly bored-out top end. One of the mods was the removal of the stock turn signals. My first summer of riding in twenty years was made even more exciting by negotiating traffic while using hand signals in place of turn signals.
 
Winter found the Sporty on a lift in the basement with tanks removed and the wiring harness exposed. Upon inspection the fix was not going to be an easy weekend of patching in the missing parts. The connectors were broken or missing. Wiring was cracked and crumbling. The decision was made to replace all the wiring. The J & P catalog revealed several custom wiring harness and turn signal options. This book would have saved me plenty of time frustration and money.

Flash forward to the present day. New Harleys are using CAN-bus Technology, Throttle by Wire and in addition to your basic idiot lights there are different switches and gauges at play. Advanced Custom Motorcycling Wiring Revised from author Jeff Zelinski covers all these and more.
 
In addition to the above systems covered in the revised book there is a thorough section on basic D. C. electricity, batteries, starters and alternators and the latest in audio. Filled with over 350 color photos and wiring diagrams on 144 pages, this book is a must have for your do it yourself shelf.
 

Wolfgang Publications
Stillwater, Minn 55082
www.wolfpub.com

ISBN-13; 978-1-935828-76-1
 
 
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ARCH Motorcycle Official Update Report

Gard Hollinger built a custom, almost sport bike 106-inch H-D Twin Cam (engine modified by Bennett’s Performance), with a Baker transmission and all the best goods for Keanu Reeves a couple of years ago, but after riding it around the Hollywood Hills, Keanu said, “Let’s make more.”

Here are the words from the Arch web site: The original Arch prototype was born in Los Angeles out of a collaboration between veteran motorcycle builder Gard Hollinger and actor Keanu Reeves. It’s a motorcycle inspired both by the machines of old and the shapes of the future. Now nearing completion, the first production model will soon be available to a select few.

This bike will be amazing with billet gas tanks, billet aluminum frame components, ISR controls, carbon fiber wheels (light as a feather) from BST (Blackstone Tek in South Africa), the finest suspension components, and you name it.

We snuck into Gard’s shop under the ruse of eating exotic Indian food and talking Ferraris. We mentioned hummus and he started to salivate.

Gard is a quiet,  unassuming sort and he would rather not discuss the project much until he can talk Keanu into strolling up on a brightly-lit stage and telling the world they have 50 state-of-the-art motorcycles to sell. Gard will be out back tinkering on the next project and having a cup of coffee with a couple of bros.

The challenge of taking a one-off custom bike and turning it into a production model comes with a myriad of obstacles. With every step and component Gard improved on the original custom with the notions of manufacturing efficiencies, strength, rideability, longevity, and reliability in mind. This bike will be fully EPA-compliant, rubber-mounted, with the absolute best in braking and handling components.

In addition to a rubber-mounted driveline, the handlebars are rubber-mounted and the grips and pegs are designed for vibration dampening. The wheelbase is slightly shorter and the chassis more agile. The forks will be wider than the originals, with custom trees machined for dual radial discs up front.

The gas tank is the most bulletproof tank on the planet. Billet-machined, it is a structural frame member, that is fully polished, certified welded, and then polished again. It’s slightly wider than the original and has a 5-gallon fuel capacity.

The frame is made up of one piece that’s steel, and then several aluminum shapely machined chunks are bolted to it, including the seat frame and swingarm. “Ryan Boyd is our Oz of CNC machining,” Gard said. “He’s been instrumental at making these machines spit out the magic piece.” The front end is fully adjustable and the rear suspension contains a fully adjustable mono-shock system.

Gard is testing two S&S Twin Cam engines, one of which is the square 111-inch mill with 4.25 stroke and bore, which is known for smooth long miles. It’s considered the best performance package for touring models.

He has a 124-inch S&S hot rod in his current test model, which forced him to build a new, slightly modified exhaust system. Vibration is a consideration and the larger motor adds a buzz to the chassis.

The seat pan is structural and conceals the wiring system. The foam is molded to the pan and covered by some of the finest craftsmen in the business, High End Seats. He worked with Billy Mc Cahill, of Compu-Fire to design an Arch high amperage voltage regulator to match the Spyke charging system.

This is just a taste of the design moves and considerations as Gard and his team roll closer to a state-of-the-art ARCH production motorcycle. Gard and Chop also continue to run their low volume unique production parts, LA Choprods shop, making custom oil tanks, builder parts, and distributing ISR controls out of the ARCH facility.

What can I say? Like the Bikernet Team, this is a group of diehard riders who love motorcycles and love to build cool shit and have a blast during every stage of the process. We will bring you another report as soon as I can find an excuse to sneak into his shop once more. What’s for lunch?

 
 

http://archmotorcycle.com/

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The Massive 2013 Ultimate Builder Show

 
 
Life is nuts, but freedom and the creative spirit never wanes. Each year we look for another way to modify anything and everything from our girl’s boob size, to her new bikini, to our shop two-stage epoxy deck, to the next project bike. You know the artsy metal drive is lingering deep in your brain cells.
 
 
Hell, Ron Loynd’s and Chip Foose at MetalSport are designing the first ever 32-inch wheel and working with Vee-Rubber on the rubber band tire. The Bikernet crew is building the first streamlined belly-pan trike to test at Bonneville. It never ends, and hopefully it won’t. This year Art Hall was kind enough to shoot most of the custom bikes on display during the J&P Ultimate Builder Long Beach competition, but he’s not a writer, so we reached out to a group of industry guys for their impressions of the show. 
 
 
I’ll start with Art’s brief comment:
These are most of the custom bikes from the show. This is actually a manufacturers show for new production bikes.
 
 
The custom competition is for attendees interest, and to draw the crowds. It works like a charm.
 
–Art Hall
Bikernet International Editor Supreme
Quick Throttle Magazine Senior Contributing Events Photographer in Charge
 
 
Bikernet Trikes Editor in Chieftain
 
The international Motor cycle show has always been a favorite of mine because of its wide appeal. You will see families wandering about gawking and dad setting his 9-year-old on big Harley-Davidsons. 
 
This is where dreams are made. Dads looking at the new Indian Chieftain, moms checking out the back seat of the new Can-Ams, and this year was no different. The show was packed, vendors seemed busy and the Ultimate Builder competition is always a hit.
 
I only wish Trikes were more prevalent. Whether the market is still to small or the space rent to high I hope to see the likes of Champion, Motor Trike, Roadsmith and other at these shows in the future.
 
–The Triking Viking
 
 
The Marketing Master behind Indian Motorcycles
 
Despite one rainy day, we saw LOADS of interest in demo riding our new model Indian Motorcycles. Many people in the LA area had not experienced one of the new models live, so the chance to bring them into our all new display was amazing. Our sharp historic booth featured lots of OEM-only pieces such as the cut-away engine, the Spirit of Munro, and we debuted our Klockworks charity bike “#7” benefiting the Jack Daniels Operation Ride Home program.
 

 
Overall the Long Beach International Motorcycle Show continued to prove to be a crown jewel in the IMS tour.
 
—Robert Pandya
 External Relations Manager, Indian Motorcycle
 
 
 
Bikernet Advertising Manager Speaks
 
Most motorcycle manufacturers were on hard in Long Beach for the Progressive International Motorcycle Show, displaying their 2014 models to what I though was a very solid crowd on Saturday. There were many very exciting things to see for sport bike, motocross and cruiser fans.
 
Harley-Davidson had reserved loads of floor space and was displaying an impressive array of their Project Rushmore motorcycles, plus a battalion of fully-accessorized 2014 models, in addition to the stock Harleys. It was a biker’s dream display for bar-and-shield afficionados.
 
Competition is brutal in the cruiser market and the Japanese manufacturers were came to play hard ball, with Yamaha and Star, proudly displaying their inexpensive Sportster competitor, the Bolt.
 
The rest of the Japanese contingent wasn’t left behind either, but it’s the American Polaris brands grabbing more and more attention with the public. Cloning is not the name of the game at Victory, and this is extremely evident as Victory keeps solidifying its presence on the market with an ever-growing line of cruisers with an attitude.
 
 
Another big player now on the international market is none other than Indian Motorcycle, displaying the Chief Classic, the Chief Vintage and the Chieftain. Also on display were fully accessorized models, showing buyers how they can make their future their own, with a wide line of decorative factory bolt-ons. Indian also displayed a 2014 Chief Vintage bagger customized by KlockWerks, that will be sold at an auction with the proceeds going to charity.
 
 
If checking out new motorcycles isn’t enough for you, make sure to visit the vendors at the events; there’s so much cool stuff to see and to purchase, and often special deals to be made.
 
The IMS shows are an ideal place to shop for a new motorcycle and to keep up with the latest trends, if you want to stay relevant. We will be back!
 
–Ben
Bikernet Advertising Master
 
 
Victory Motorcycles Press Agent
 
I always enjoy the LB IMS show. This year, connecting with the enthusiastic Victory riders in So Cal gave me a chance to hear about their riding experiences, and understand better how they ride.
 
On Friday we revealed an amazing customized Victory Cross Country we built in collaboration with Nikki Sixx and his SixxSense radio partner Kerri Kasem. The bike blew everyone away! It was built on our Cross Country 8-Ball which, at only $17,999, is the perfect platform for any bagger build.
 
Everybody enjoyed getting some time with Victory rider “Gunny”; actor R. Lee Ermey who took time for autographs and pictures with hundreds of fans. Also on hand was actress Kristy Swanson who rocked her Victory pride while talking with everyone at the display.
 
 
I have to tell you that at the Chicago IMS show Feb. 7th – 9th we will be showing something brand new, so be sure your readers in the Midwest make a point to come and join the excitement.
 
–Kyle Clack, press relations, Victory Motorcycles
 
THE ULTIMATE BUILDER LONG BEACH SHOW RESULTS
 
The SOCAL edition of the 2013 Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show featured a distinct Hollywood theme with Batman and Cat Woman-styled vehicles delighting the crowd. Forty custom sleds and over $1,000,000+ of rolling art were on display. Enthusiasts were treated with some of the most outstanding designs and creativity seen on the circuit to date.
Ultimate Builder FreeStyle Class
 
Ultimate Builder is known for the diversity of styles, innovation and designs. SOCAL was a treat for enthusiasts checking out the show. From ground up builds to tractor design queues to choppers to Hot Rod-styled FXRs, it had everything.
Sam Baldi of Profile Cycles took 1st place in the FreeStyle class with Lost Angel and won the $2,500 check. Lost Angel is a custom 2013 build  softail with trans brake, centrifugal clutch and Paul Cox seat. Paint is by One Xtreme.
 
Ultimate Builder FreeStyle Winner
 
1.       Sam Baldi, Profile Cycles – Lost Angel, 2013 Custom
2.       Gary Savill, Silver Wraith Choppers – Wraith Heimdall Slammer, 2013 Wraith Heimdall Slammer
3.       Quentin Gutierrez, Seth Slagiel / Craft Kustoms – Twisted Knuck, 1940 Knucklehead
 
 
Ultimate Builder MOD Harley Class
 
It was touch and go for Chris Richardson of LA Speed Shop as he had finished his build in the early morning hours of the show. Since the clear was still wet, he rolled it in on Saturday morning; a significant disadvantage in the judged competition.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Richardson had an idea for a Bagger (LA Speed Shop style).He takes elements from his bobber style and combined it with a fairing and hard bag to deliver an exceptional low-slung and skinny Bagger. The bike features a 3 inch stretch in the rear, hand-made custom saddle bags, fairing, oil tank, gas tank, exhaust, narrowed rear fender and narrowed springer front end.
 
Ultimate Builder MOD Harley Winners
 
1.       Chris Richardson, LA Speed  – 1959 Harley-Davidson FL
2.       K&N, RSD – K&N Softail, 2006 Harley-Davidson Softail
3.       Shannon Venturo, Devas Bling – Dazln, 2011 Softail Deluxe
 
Ultimate Builder Retro MOD Class
 
Rett Comer wheeled in his 1965 BSA Lightning named Teal Terror. The BSA Lightning was designed as the all-round sportbike of the 1960s with an engine aimed to improve mid-range and ride ability.
 
Rett’s custom sled features custom tanks, forks, front wheels, pipes and custom paint from Casey Johnson of Headcase Kustom Art.
 
Ultimate Builder Retro MOD Winners
 
1.       Rett Comer, C&C – Teal Terror, 1965 BSA Lightning
2.       Hudson Motorycles, Kios Garage – Cherry Blossom, 1970 Kios Garage
3.       Jay LaRossa, Lossa Engineering – 1970 Honda CL450
 
 
Ultimate Builder Performance Custom Class
 
Tony Sesto of Sesto Custom Cycles rolled in 4 bikes into the Ultimate Builder show and took home a 1st in Performance Custom and a 3rd in MOD Street. Tony’s outrageous Double Take started out as a 2013 Yamaha R1 and features a single sided swing arm front and back. Two Brothers took charge of the exhaust, fuel management and air cleaner. Top mounted velocity stacks funnel air into the throttle bodies. Additional features include tooled leather grips, seat, frame inserts, mirror block-off plates, PSR kick stand, levers and oil plug.
 
Ultimate Builder Performance Custom Winners
 
1.       Tony Sesto, Sesto Custom Cycles – Double Take, 2013 Yamaha R1
2.       Charlie Thomas, Executives Garage – King Ghost Rider, 2007 Suzuki GSX-R
3.       George Roybal, G&A Kustoms – Hayabusa, 2008 Hayabusa
 
 
Ultimate Builder MOD Street Class
 
Two BSA motorcycles entered into the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show and both won their class. The Bonnie Killer, a rigid 1967 BSA, was built by Headcase Kustom Art and features oil in frame, rust, Japanese parts and hand made everything.
 
Ultimate Builder MOD Street Winners
 
1.       DJ Tambe, Headcase Kustom Art – Bonnie Killer 1967 BSA
2.       Hudson Motorcycles – BMW M Series Tribute, 2012 S1000RR
3.       Tony Sesto, Sesto Custom Cycles – Rossi Replica, 2007 R1
 
 
 
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Book Of The Week Club, 1000 Biker Tattoos

 

I just finished reading this book. Do not be confused by the title, it is a lot more than just 1000 photos. It is 320 pages of interesting reading about the history of tattoos with photos of them and the people who wear them.
 
For those of you not familiar with who Sara is: she is a Top Notch Photo Journalist and very well respected by others in the business. She has worked hard to get where she is and the quality of her work speaks for itself.
 
 
 
Her introduction got my attention right away and I knew I would have to read all of it as well as check the photos.
 
As I got into the separate chapters named Motorcycle Tattoos she explains and shows photos of some of the tattoos bikers and other motorcyclist like and yes there is a lot of brand loyalty.
 
 
 
She goes on to explain what some of the phrases mean and related images. There is a chapter about personal stories of well known bikers. A whole chapter on Back Pieces and Bodies followed by some well known tattoo artists.
 
 
 
And last but not least a little something on her and her significant other Chad Lemme.
I strongly suggest if you are have tattoos or are interested in getting one you read this book.
 
It is published by Motorbooks ISBN 978-0-7603-4435-4 (softcover) and you can find out more at www.motorbooks.com
 
–Rogue 
 
 
 
Amazon.com also sells the book and the following is from their site:
Anyone who rides a motorcycle lives, to some degree, in the margins of society. Where members of the herd drive Toyota Camrys and hipster hatchbacks, bikers opt for Harley-Davidsons, Triumphs, and Ducatis, putting themselves out there like raised middle fingers thrust at the ordinary citizens of the world. And just as a motorcyclist’s ride is an affront to the sensibilities of the meek and the conventional, so too is the ink on his or her skin. Tattoos have long been an integral part of this culture, the result of the overwhelming number of ex-military men who formed the nucleus of the postwar outlaw motorcycle club scene. These soldiers, sailors, and marines returned from war with statements etched in ink upon their bodies, and they continued that tradition when they formed the clubs that came to define motorcycle culture. In 1000 Biker Tattoos, motorcycle photographer Sara Liberte celebrates this most personal of art forms by capturing the wild abandon of the motorcycle lifestyle as expressed through tattoo work. Featuring 1,000 photos of tattoos and the artwork used to create them, along with profiles of the most renowned tattoo artists in the biker community, this book provides an unprecedented window into the most intimate aspect of motorcycle culture.
 
Paperback $22.22 Amazon.com
Product Details
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Motorbooks (October 30, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0760344353
ISBN-13: 978-0760344354
 
 
 
 
About the Author 
Since graduating from Montserrat College of Art in 1997, Sara Liberte has been a professional photographer specializing in motorcycle/automotive and portrait photography. With a background in fine art, Sara has concentrated primarily on “image fusion,” a signature technique she uses to combine images. Her works have been exhibited at several prestigious galleries, including Mingo Art Gallery in Beverly, MA; Blue Ruin Gallery in Pittsburgh, PA; and Just Jennifer Gallery in Gettysburg, PA. Her photos have appeared in numerous ads, marketing materials, and annual reports as well as in leading publications like EasyRiders Magazine, In the Wind, Hot Bike, Street Chopper, IronWorks, and Cycle Source.
 
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Indian Motorcycle Big Chief Custom

Indian Motorcycle just revealed a fully customized, Indian Chief Classic during a Press Presentation at the Indian Motorcycle exhibit of the International Motorcycle Show in New York City. Conceptualized and designed by Indian Motorcycle’s Industrial Design team, the “Big Chief Custom” is the first custom Indian Chief created around the 2014 models introduced with great fanfare at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally this past August.

Spearheaded by the head of Polaris Industries’ Industrial Design team, Greg Brew, a small and dedicated team undertook the task of customizing a stock 2014 Indian Chief Classic. It features an array of Genuine Indian Motorcycle aftermarket accessories along with a custom paint scheme and billet girder front fork. This Big Chief Custom was designed to showcase the possibilities to customize, enhance and personalize the 2014 Indian Chiefs.

One special highlight of the custom build is the billet aluminum girder front end that recalls the early Indian models. Designed, machined and built in-house, the girder fork features machined uprights and cross members with a custom 23-inch front wheel. The custom front valance fender maintains the classic look of the Indian Chief. A custom shock and headlight complete the package. Custom paint was applied in-house by team member Steve Leszinski with a multicolored theme from prior generations of Indian Motorcycles.

Another nod to the long history of Indian Motorcycle is the springer style seat. Combined with the modern day single rear shock, the Big Chief Custom promises to be a smooth ride.

   

 

The “Pinnacle Series” of Indian Motorcycle accessories on the Big Chief includes the Cam Cover, Primary Cover, Chrome Grips and Beach Bars. The Stage 1 exhaust sports Fish Tail Tips. Other custom accessories include War Bonnet Floorboard Pads, a Heel Shifter and chrome Rear Fender Bumper.

The “Big Chief Custom” will be on display in the Indian Motorcycle exhibit as part of the 2014 International Motorcycle Shows tour. Remaining tour stops include Novi, Michigan; Washington, DC; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Cleveland, Ohio; Chicago, Illinois; and Seattle, Washington. The Display features the 2014 line of Indian Chief motorcycles including the Chief Classic, Chief Vintage and the Chieftain — Indians’ first-ever bagger. The display also includes the Spirit of Munro, a custom tribute to the legendary Burt Munro, and a display of vintage Indian motorcycles dubbed “Springfield Row” that will change from show to show. Additional features include an accessory and apparel display, a cut-away Thunder Stroke 111 engine and a rolling chassis that showcases the advanced technology underpinning all Indian Motorcycle models.  
 
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Killing Machine Choppers – The Good ‘ol Days Chapter 5

 
In October 2008, I had quadruple heart bypass surgery to bypass 6 blockages. If it weren’t for the Hardtail Harlot’s relentless nagging, I wouldn’t be here to share my adventures. After the surgery, we started looking for new digs. Our shop was a split level and pushing bikes up steep inclines was out for me.  I also wanted to slow my roll a bit. Hun was in school and my old road dog Snoop and I were alone to deal with everything. We dug in for the winter with the plan to start looking for a new shop in the spring.
 
It was a tough winter. There were vast amounts of snow and I was on strict orders from the doctor to limit my physical activity. To make matters worse, we lost Snoop to cancer which was especially difficult for Hun who had rescued him when he was two weeks old. There was a light at the end of the tunnel though. We rescued an American Bulldog mix named Toby to cheer Hun up and he has been my constant companion since.
 
 
That spring we found a neat old body shop in Ione, Washington. It had an apartment above it, a fishing hole on the Pend Oreille River that I could walk to, and plenty of room for Hun to open a salon. I put down a deposit and signed the lease. We gave our landlady notice and packed out entire home and shop and made arrangements to borrow a trailer.
 
One week before we were to move, our new landlady called and she changed her mind about leasing the property. The old battle-axe said, “I do not want to lease it, but I will sell it to you.” Seriously?  I told her that I would not buy that place without knowing if I could actually make a business work there. I asked about a lease option but she flatly refused. I told her that I wanted a full refund of my deposit and hung up on her. There was nothing left to do but eat crow and ask my current landlady for an extension. The irony here is that the place in Ione is still empty (almost 5 years later) and still for sale. Some would call that a sign of the times, but I call it KARMA!
 
 
Now, in a panic with a month (thanks to the extension) to find new digs, we found an old gas station in Oldtown, Idaho. We signed a lease, enlisted everyone we know to help us load the trucks and trailer, and we moved. We had so much help from our friends that when Hun got home from school (she was taking BOTH day and night classes) we had emptied the old shop. Lots of folks lent a hand and the whole Pirate Party Crew helped us huck stuff around the shop for days. We moved in September 2009 and decided to have a Grand opening party the following summer. 
 
This was the beginning of what would become a yearly street drag race event. Again everyone pitched in and we went to work getting the word out beginning in January. We decided to make our Grand Opening a Veterans Benefit. I checked out some Veterans programs. I found one that had and did a lot of stuff I dug. So I called them and asked if I could help them out.
 
 
Their local chapter was good with it, but when the Big Bosses over on the coast got wind of it they called me and asked me for an exact dollar amount of our donation. Huh? I informed them it was a benefit and I had no idea how many people would come, or any way to predict exactly how much I would raise. Well, the Big Bosses shut me down. They would not put it on their website as an event and we could not even use their name unless I gave them an exact dollar amount ahead of time.
 
I put in a call to my real good friend of mine, Psycho (Mike Lovas). He was a retired Marine and knew all that “military talk”. I figured he could speak to them because I was getting nowhere. Well, he spoke to them at length and reported back that those people are, well, I won’t use the Marine jargon he laid on me about their bosses. 
 
 
Needless to say, we dropped them as a beneficiary. Psycho took over the donation part of things and chose an organization that was thrilled to have our help. He was sure an asset. He also ran the music for the benefit. He got the bands, sound equipment, stage, everything. We changed the posters and got ready to party. 
 
There were vendors, music, beer gardens, a wet t-shirt contest, good food and great times. The Pirate Wenches put on a bikini bike wash across the street at the Club Rio. Loads of people donated prizes. The Pirate Party Crew gave a Mini-chopper as a prize and we sold tickets for that. If I had to guess I would say close to a thousand people showed up, hung out, partied, and gave their support to our brave veterans that day. All totaled we raised 1500 bucks for the American Legion Riders. Everyone had a ball. Even with all these people in town there was not one problem. This impressed the Bonner County Sherriff’s office.
 
 
At 5 am the following morning, Hun and I set out with a garbage bags to pick up any left-over garbage. Everyone must have picked up after themselves because all we found were two crushed cans and a McDonald’s bag. This amazed us because the crowd was huge.
 
Oldtown will never be the same. Killing Machine has dug in and found a home for the biggest party this area has ever seen! Mark your calendars…next year’s party is already in the planning stages! July 4th, 5th, and 6th, 2014…I can already hear those engines rev!
 
 
 
 
 
 
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