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CHROME COWGIRL GOES TO MYRTLE BEACH–Well here’s the chrome cowgirl having fun bartendingat the Broken Spoke! See ya in Myrtle Beach!

BIKERNET FAMILY COUNSELING MOMENT–A man was sitting on the edge of the bed, observing his wife turning back and forth, looking at herself in the mirror. Since her birthday was not far off he asked what she’d like to have for her Birthday.

“I’d like to be six again,” she replied, still looking in the mirror.

So, on the morning of her Birthday, he arose early, made her a nice big bowl of Lucky Charms, and then took her to Six Flags theme park.

What a day! He put her on every ride in the park; the Death Slide, the Wall of Fear, the Screaming Monster Roller Coaster, everything there was.

Five hours later they staggered out of the theme park. Her head was reeling and her stomach felt upside down.

He then took her to a McDonald’s where he ordered her a Happy Meal with SuperSize fries and a chocolate shake.

Then it was off to a movie, popcorn, a soda pop, and her favorite candy, Jujubes.

What a fabulous adventure! Finally she wobbled home with her husband and collapsed into bed, exhausted.

He leaned over his wife with a big smile and lovingly asked, ‘Well Dear, what was it like being six again?’

Her eyes slowly opened and her expression suddenly changed.

“I meant my dress size, you dumb ass!”

The moral of the story: Even when a man is listening, he is gonna get it wrong.

–from Art Friedman

WOMEN RIDER NOW TEAMS WITH S&S FOR JACKET GIVEAWAY– Winners determined by submitting an outstanding motorcycling storyWomen Riders Now, a marketing and consulting company, announces S&S Cycle, Inc., a leader in performance products for American V-twins, is sponsoring a jacket giveaway contest on WomenRidersNow.com, the online magazine published by Women Riders Now.

Beginning April 1, 2006, visitors to WomenRidersNow.com will have the chance to win one of six women?s shop style jackets being given away from April until September 2006. The contest, called “Everybody Has a Story,” is centered on the “Readers Stories” section of WomenRidersNow.com. To be eligible to win a jacket, visitors must submit a story according to guidelines set forth on the “Readers Stories” link.

One winner will be picked each month, the winning story being judged by the editor of WomenRidersNow.com and the communications staff of S&S Cycle. The winning story will be posted on WomenRidersNow.com each month.

S&S Cycle’s sponsorship involvement with WomenRidersNow.com is being celebrated with a fascinating story on S&S Cycle cofounder, Marjorie Smith, posted on the “Pioneer Profiles” link on WomenRidersNow.com. “Marjorie was one of the first women in history to be involved with a company manufacturing motorcycle engines. We think she definitely qualifies as a pioneering woman in motorcycling,” said Schmitt.

Visit WomenRidersNow.com for more information on the S&S Cycle jacket giveaway. Click on “Readers Stories” for details.

CENTRAL COAST BUILD OFF BIKE RELEASED–Just got the ok from Hugh to release some pics of our Discovery bike. Got more coming. Let me know what you think. It looks insane in the proper light.

–Skip Howland and Scott Long
Central Coast Cycles

HOT MATCH SLANTS ON SALE–“Hot Match” SLANTS on sale. Custom designed SLANTS exhaust pipes by Matt Hotch by Hard Krome are on sale now for a limited time only You SAVE $120 off of Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price. Sale ends April 21st or while supply last!

SLANTS feature a 2.5″ outer pipe with a 1.75″ inner pipe. These pipes neverdiscolor because of the True Doublewall Technology that prevents bluing on theouter pipe.

Each Matt Hotch pipe is sold with a 1-year warranty to back it up. Bafflesare included to deliver a satisfying Harley rumble.

The front of these custom SLANTS wraps under the cam cover with an extralarge radius bend. Next it angles back to the oil bag and matches up to therear cylinder pipe. Then both pipes ‘slant’ back and down to follow thenatural lines of your swingarm.

Save $120 on SLANTS and another $50 on a Dynojet Power Commander to manage the fuel delivery. Getyour Matt Hotch Designed Pipes manufactured by Hard Krome right here.

INDIANA BIKE SHOW GANG FIGHT–The show that was supposed to go from 10:00 this morning to early evening was brutally interrupted.It was suppose to be a time for family fun, instead, the Motorcycle Parts Expo and Bike Show set off what police are calling one the biggest biker brawls.”It was horrible, they were using bats, forks, hammers on each other and no regard to anyone around them including children,” said Dan Hardman who witnessed the brawl.

“You never have two groups together that don’t get along,” said Deb Frens, vendor.

“We received numerous calls, 9-1-1 calls that there was a fight taking place inside the exhibit hall between rival motorcycle gangs,” explained Sgt. Matt Blank, St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department.

“Most of the vendors were just waiting,” said Frens who continued to say that a fight was expected “with angels and outlaws there.”

“It was a blessing that South Bend Police and local sheriff came, but unbelievable,” added Hardman.It was an all hands on deck kind of situation for law enforcement. The biker gang brawl brought out police from St. Joseph County, Mishawaka, South Bend, the Rail Road Authority and Roseland.

“It’s about as big as it’s gonna get, you had just about every officer in the area responding to it and I think that says it all,” said Blank.

South Bend Police took several people into custody.As for security at Saturday’s show, there were no uniformed officers on patrol, only event staff looking over things.

Police told NewsCenter 16 that there’s no law saying security has to be present at any event. Also, police say a fight broke out at another bike show in the Midwest in the last week and the same gang involved in that fight came here looking to start something.

–from Rogue

HEALTH REPORT ON INDUSTRY ICON–Several years ago, Les Fitch was diagnosed with an infection in his throat. This infection is commonly known as warts. However, when they form inside the body they become dangerous. Their name is the Human Papilloma Virus or HPV. Millions of Americans are born with this condition. It is not contagious and there is no cure to date.

Three years later (2004) he felt as if they were growing back only now not just in his throat but in his sinus cavity. A misdiagnosis from his primary doctor put him way behind the curve in terms of removal. By the time Les was able to see his specialist at Loma Linda Hospital, they had wrapped themselves around a main artery near his brain as well as deep into his sinus cavity on the right side of his face. After seeing not only his specialist but also a Neurosurgeon, the date was set for his operation. We had been told it would be dangerous and long at least 6-8 hours.

The possibility of permanent damage was almost certain. Well, in true Les Fitch form, he survived the grueling 12-hour brain, right & left facial sinus cavity, and extensive mouth surgery. He was in ICU for 7 days. We had been told he most likely would not be able to speak well, swallow normally and might not be able to work for a very long time. He would be in intense pain as well, possible for many years. Les proved the doctors wrong. Five months after the operation he was not only driving but also getting his business back on track.We all believed the worst was well behind us.

December of 2005, Les caught the flu and was rushed to the hospital in his hometown of Fallbrook, CA. He was severely dehydrated from the complications of this simple little flu. He spent over 3 weeks in the hospital being transferred back to ICU at Loma Linda Hospital. January 4th he was finally ready to come home and we believed he was going to recover.

Five days later on his follow up visit with his specialist, we discovered the mass had begun to grow again this time more fiercely than before. It had now attached itself around his brain stem and was impairing his vision on the right side of his face. He was admitted back into the hospital and placed on a feeding tube to strengthen him for surgery. This was the beginning of the end.

He had complications from the minor surgery to place the feeding tube and was given large doses of pain medication which plummeted him further down the road to nowhere. He has been in 3 (three) different hospital Emergency rooms & ICUs in the past 2 months and 3 (three) Rehabilitation Care facilities. He finally did undergo another extensive 7-hour brain surgery to remove the mass on his brain stem. This time he was not so lucky. He had to have a tracheotomy put in so he could breath. After 2 weeks, he was released to Reche Canyon Rehabilitation & Health Care facility 2 miles from Loma Linda. During the next 4 days, he was rushed back to the ER twice for complications. Finally, it was discovered that he had Septic shock, pneumonia, and then, as if things could not get any worse, he contracted an antibiotic resistant bacteria. We were told to prepare for the worse as most people in Les’ condition never recover from this kind of infection.

Les was given large doses of a very strong antibiotic, Vancomycin which as they told us was the only medicine that could work. Well, work it did. Les survived and was sent back to Reche Canyon Rehabilitation &Care Center facility where he is today. We do not know how or if he will recover at all. He still cannot breath on his own, cannot talk or swallow at this time because of the trach.

Les is a very strong-minded man who has never let anything beat him. If there is the smallest chance that anyone can fully recover from this, he is the one. His medical expenses are pilling up and at this time, he has had to abandon any hope of working again. Reche Canyon Rehabilitation & Health Care Facility is located at 1350 Reche Canyon Road, Colton, California. Due to the severity of his condition, only immediate family members are allowed visitation. No flowers, balloons or any outside articles are allowed due possible contamination. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be sent to:

Bank: WASHINGTON MUTUAL
Address: 1091 S. MISSION ROAD
FALLBROOK, CA 9202
ACCOUNT #: 3063356387
NAME ON ACCOUNT: JOHN LESLIE FITCH
BANK PH#: 800.788.7000

This will help with the astronomical medical bills Les is continuously incurring while he is hospitalized.

–DENISE FITCH

NEW DIGITAL DIPSTICK FROM HARLEY-DAVIDSON–Displays Oil Level and Oil Temperature on LCD Display.The new Oil Level and Temperature Dipstick with Lighted LCD Readout (P/N 62946-05, $134.95) from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories makes it possible to check oil level and oil temperature with the push of a button. No more grabbing a rag to pull a hot dipstick. No more oil drips on pipes or the garage floor. Simply push the button and this chrome dipstick lights up with brilliant blue backlight. Oil level is indicated with a four-segment readout, and the temperature display can be toggled between Fahrenheit and Celsius.

The waterproof LCD display operates on a long-lasting, replaceable Lithium coin-type battery, and features a low-battery indicator. Fits all 1999-2006 Harley-Davidson Touring models except those equipped with a sidecar.

For additional information on Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories, see your local Harley-Davidson dealer or visit the Harley-Davidson Web site at www.harley-davidson.com. To find a dealer near you, call toll free 1-800-443-2153 in the U.S.A. or Canada.

CHOP N GRIND BONNEVILLE EFFORT REPORT– Chop N Grind is so poor we are sleeping on the side of the road. Watch for the new Bikernet Bonneville 2006 Effort page on Bikernet in the next week. You’ll see it all come together or fall on its face.

–Bob T

STOP GODDAMNIT!–That’s enough news for one week. A Japanese gentleman, the distributor of a new English Bike Mag, DICE stopped by while I was thrashing through the news and eating a bowl of cereal at almost noon. It’s a cool mag, the size of TVGuide and the old Roth mag from the ’60s. I was just trying to think of a term to adequately describe it, like old school, bobber, whatever. It’s got a definite style in their choice of bikes, almost Frisco style. All the bikes are small, tight, rough, short front ends, old Peanut tanks, etc.

The poor bastard graciously asked me to finish by breakfast, but he had no notion of how glued to the computer I am on Thursdays. We hit the monitors as soon as coffee is brewed, often working through breakfast, while we sip our cold second cup and don’t stop for lunch until late afternoon. We’re like test rats in Hamster wheels, spinning our news as fast as our little rattling claws will take us. He patiently watched me take a bite of breakfast, chew and type.

I shouldn’t give you this sordid glimpse of behind the scenes at Bikernet. It may burst our ivory tower bubble of lavish offices, limos and slinky broads bringing me shots of whiskey and naked smooches every hour. It’s actually, not exactly that way. I’ve worked all winter in the Bikernet shop on an open platform with a small electric heater blowing warm air under my ass, while I pound away at the keys.

That’s enough Bikernet blues for one day. Here’s Gene’s 11.50 bracket Sportster he built for Oliver at Glendale Harley-Davidson. We shot a feature on Tuesday at the H-D fleet center while it poured outside. We were scheduled to road test a Softail Standard in the afternoon, but the weather got the better of us and we ditched the project. Maybe next week.

There’s more, but what the hell, it’s almost happy hour. I’m waiting on a Le Pera seat to move on with the 120-inch Panhead Sport bike. It’s going to be a lightening fast trip. The 45 is hanging fire for a couple of parts and half of the building is torn up while we work on Layla’s kitchen. Have a helluva weekend.

Ride Forever,

–Bandit

Continued From Page 2

HARDBIKES LOOKING FOR RIDERS–$2,500 A WEEK–Hardbikes Pays You $2,000 a Week to Ride a Custom Hardbikes Motorcycle.Bob Kay, Hardbikes’ VP Sales and Marketing,is looking for a good man or woman to ride a custom Hardbikes motorcycle up anddown the East Coast during the summer of 2006 for $2,000 a week. The winningrider will meet with Hardbikes dealers, customers, local press, local ridinggroups and attend several local events.

Applications are being taken at http://www.hardbikes.net/wanted.html.

“We’re looking for a Harbikes Ambassador who likes to keep the wind intheir hair and can articulate the Hardbikes’ experience to dealers and eventattendees,” said Kay. “Our ideal candidate loves riding, has a bigpersonality and can’t wait to meet a few thousand experienced bikers. It’sa temporary gig that lasts about a month and will be filled with a lifetime ofmemories.”

The selected individual will be custom fit to a Hardbikes motorcycle using theHardbikes Hardrider system. Using the system, the team at Hardbikes will pullthree measurements that include seat position, forward controls setting andhandle bar position. This ensures that the relationship of the leg extension,arm reach and posterior position fall within a comfortable riding position inthe comfort triangle. The new Hardbikes employee will ride a perfectly fittedbike that avoids back strain and increases safety and performance.

The itinerary under consideration includes the following rallies and events:
Thunder in the Valley – Johnstown, PA, June 22 – June 25, 2006;
EasyridersRodeo Tour – Wilson, NC, July 7 – July 9, 2006;
Vintage Rides – Woodstock, NewYork, July 8 – 9, 2006;
Rolling Thunder- Ride For Freedom – Scranton,Pennsylvania, July 16, 2006;
ABATE of GA Swap Meet & Bike Show – Atlanta,Georgia, July 30, 2006
The Sturgis Rally, August 7 – 13, 2006, Sturgis,South Dakota

Okay, so it’s a lot of fun and you get to ride a gorgeous bike all day. Butit’s a job, and someone’s got to do it. Hardbikes is an equal opportunityfun-loving employer.

PURRFECT ANGELZ ON COUNTRY MUSIC TELEVISION AWARDS SHOW, APRIL 10TH– The Purrfect Angelz have been asked to perform LIVE at the CMT Awards this coming Monday, April 10th, at 7pm central time so 5pm if you live in LA. Be sure to watch it from the beginning because we are the opening of the whole show with Trace Adkins himself. We will be performing “Honky Tonk Ba Donka Donk” which we are in the video and is up for “Video of the year” and Hottest Video”. You can check it out on CMT. com and even vote for it if you really want to help. Thanks for all your support and I hope you enjoy the performance.

XOXO
— Lisa Ligon
Purfect Angelz producer

EXILES PARTY ALERT– Saturday April 22rd 2006 – Exile Cycles10th Anniversary Open House.It’s their birthday, famed Iron & Lace Calendar builder and TV star Russell Mitchell is holding a party and we are all invited! Russell is holding an Open House at Exile Cycles on April 22nd 2006. Come and join us for some sex and drugs and rock and roll. O.K. so we lied about one, but there will be bands playing, beer flowing, and the lovely Purrfect Angelz dancing up a storm.

The event takes place noon to 6pm at their new shop in North Hollywood.

Exile Cycles,
13209 Saticoy St.,
North Hollywood, CA 91605 .
Phone: 818 255 3330 .
exilecycles.com

Weapons of Mass Seduction!Purrfect Angelz attack the 2006 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show July 15-16thwith 7 weekend performances, including 3 major 1-hour shows

Los Angeles, March 15th, 2006 – So why does Russell Mitchell, star of Speed TV’s Build or Bust and featured custom bike builder in the world famous Iron & Lace Custom Motorcycle Pinup Calendar, have such a big smile on his face? It’s because we just told him all those beautiful girls he’s posing with of the famed Purrfect Angelz show group will be performing all weekend long in expanded performances guaranteed to decimate attendees at this year’s big Los Angeles Calendar Motorcycles Show on July 15-16th, 2006, America’s premier custom and performance streetbike event!

PURRFECT ANGELZ PERFORM AT LA CALENDAR SHOW–The Purrfect Angelz have performed the last 3 years at the Calendar Show as their original 5-girl group, performing two 20 minute sets on stage each day to the screaming admiration of jammed pack crowds. But we can never have too much of a good thing, particularly where there’s beautiful singing, lap dancing, fire twirling, burlesque shaking, cart wheeling, lingerie and bikini clad girls involved.

The fame and the size of the group has been grown these few years, and this year Purrfect Angelz show director Lisa Ligon asked if she could bring the newer, bigger, better, tighter, bouncier, curves, more perfectly endowed 9-girl Purrfect Angelz Show to blitzkrieg the Calendar Show from this year on.

Who were we to tell her “No”? But only if Lisa agreed to help serve as on-stage cohost and MC throughout the weekend, which she did. Have we got clout or what?

BOOK YOUR DAY OFF NOW FOR THE MOST IMPORTANT DAY FOR MOTORCYCLING IN B.C.–The 17th Annual MLA Ride is on Thursday, May 4, 2006. The MLA Ride is amotorcycle ride to the Legislature Buildings in Victoria where riders arriveat noon to take the MLA’s and their staff for a ride on their lunch hour, sothat they can experience the thrill of motorcycling firsthand. This rideenables our members to discuss issues concerning motorcycling in B.C. withtheir MLA and is also the big kick off to help promote May as MotorcycleAwareness Month.

17th Annual MLA Ride
Date: Thursday, May 4, 2006

Assembly Points
Vancouver: Riders meet at Tsawwassen Ferry terminal to take 9am sailing
Victoria: Riders meet at Mayfair Mall, Blanshard St,
Victoria, 11am

For info please call (604) 580-0111 or check out http://www.bccom-bc.com

RIDE WITH DAN ACKROYD TO A SPECIAL OPENING OF THE TREV DEELEY MOTORCYCLECOLLECTION– All bikes and riders welcome! Donations gratefully accepted for Canuck PlaceChildren’s Hospice
DATE: April 9th
TIME: Ride leaves at 1pm
LOCATION: Trev Deeley Motorcycles (2375 Boundary Rd, Vancouver)

For info please call (604) 291-2453 or go to http://www.trevdeeley.com

Whitehorse Summer Motorcycle Rally Schedule:Visit our Booths at Americade, Laconia’s Ride to the Sky, BMW MOA, and BMW Finger Lakes

We’re looking forward to seeing many of you in person this summer at New England’s most popular rallies where we’ll be exhibiting and selling all of our popular motorcycle products.

First on our schedule is Americade at Lake George, New York, from June 6–11. Check out our large walk-through booth in the first aisle lakeside at Tour Expo (across from the lemonade stand and the fried dough!).

Then, we head right home to the Mount Washington Valley for Laconia Bike Week from June 11–18 where you can visit us all week long at our warehouse and offices on 107 East Conway Road in Center Conway, New Hampshire, about one hour north of Laconia, and also under the tent at the base of Mount Washington’s Auto Road on Thursday, June 15th for Bike Week’s popular Ride to the Sky.

Next up is the BMW MOA International Rally held this year just outside of Burlington, Vermont, on gorgeous Lake Champlain from July 20, 23. Look for our booth in the air conditioned (yes!) vendor hall at the Champlain Valley Exposition Center in Essex Junction, which will be “rally central” for events, camping, vendors, etc.

And finally, we plan to make another trip to Watkins Glen, New York, for the BMW Finger Lakes Rally over Labor Day Weekend (August 31, September 4) which always draws a great group of nearly 2000 happy riders and campers wanting to test the track and the wineries while making the rounds of Lake Seneca and the gorgeous back roads of this most scenic spot. You can spot us at our pointed circus tent filled with apparel, gear, books, gadgets, and lots of other things you?ve dreamed of having.

Whitehorse Gear
107 East Conway Road
Center Conway, NH 03813-4012
phone 603.356.6556
Phone: 800.531.1133

G2 MOTORSPORTS ENCOURAGE BY GOOD SHOWING IN HOUSTON–Ellis goes to Semi-finals, Smith exits early.With one bike in the semi-finals and the other out early the G2 Motorsports team was encouraged with the weekends results. “We had a pretty good weekend,” said George Bryce, co-team owner. “We have some gremlins that we are chasing but I am very happy with our riders and the team in general. We are just one round worth of points out of third place and there are a lot of races left. We are definitely looking forward to our next race in Atlanta.”

Qualifying

After the four qualifying attempts the G2 Motorsports bikes were qualified in the number three position (Chip Ellis aboard the DRAG Specialties/G2 Motorsports/S&S Cycle Buell – 7.063) and the number ten spot (Matt Smith aboard the Torco/Skull Gear/Red Line Oil/G2 Motorsports Buell – 7.110).

Eliminations – Round One
Matt Smith

Matt Smith was paired off with the Screamin’ Eagle V-rod of Andrew Hines in round one and knew he would have to try a little harder to win the race. “I ran against Andrew in the fourth qualifying round and he pulled me hard. I told my crew that we were in for a tough round,” said Matt Smith. “I knew when I pulled into the lights that I would have to push the tree to make up for the performance advantage we were giving away. The problem was that I pushed a little too hard and lit the red light.”

Smith ran a 7.154 at 186.56 MPH to Hines’ winning 7.107 at 190.35 MPH.”We will go back and make a few changes so that I don’t have to push the tree as hard in Atlanta. I just need to go a few rounds to make us all feel better,” said a determined Matt Smith. “I want to thank Evan Knoll and all of my sponsors for giving us this opportunity. We know that once we get turned around they will all be very happy.”

Chip Ellis

Chip Ellis’ first round opponent was the defending race champion, Karen Stoffer on her Geico Suzuki. Stoffer took a slight lead right off the line but Ellis steamed by her to take the win. Chip ran a 7.118 at 187.03 MPH to Stoffer’s losing 7.239 at 185.05 MPH.

“That was a good way to start the race,” said Ellis. “I have been working hard on my riding and I think it’s really starting to pay off.”

Eliminations – Round Two
Chip Ellis

Round two saw Chip paired up with his former Kawasaki teammate from their Prostar days together, Ryan Schnitz on his newly sponsored Buell. Schnitz took a lead off the line but encountered mechanical problems and Ellis went on to take the win. Chip ran a 7.205 at 186.38 MPH to advance to the next round.

“We made some tuning changes after the first round that didn’t work real well in the high heat and humidity but we won the round,” added Ellis. “We knew we needed to change back to our earlier tune-up before the semi-finals, so that’s what we did.”

Eliminations – Semi-finals
Chip Ellis

The semi-finals would see the DRAG Specialties/S&S Cycle powered Buell taking on the Screamin’ Eagle/Vance and Hines V-rod of two-time champion, Andrew Hines. Chip cut an excellent .003 second light and seemed like he was on the way to another round win.

“The bike just didn’t have any real power,” lamented Ellis. “It wasn’t pulling in 3rd and 4th gear. I peeked over at Andrew and I was still out in front of him. When I plugged it into 5th it picked the power back up but it was a little too late as Andrew got around me for the win. I think we just missed the tune-up which is something that we can correct.”

Post Race Comments

George Bryce, Director of Racing for G2 said, “We really only had one or two good runs with the two bikes. We have some electrical issues with the tuning that we need to work out. Once we do it will be better for everyone.”

“We made some tuning changes from round one to round two on Chip’s bike and they didn’t work, luckily we won the round. We then decided to go back to the tune-up we used in the opening round of eliminations. When we went to the lanes for the semi-finals we were confident that we had a good enough bike to advance to the finals. Unfortunately the electric gremlins didn’t concur.”

George Smith, President of G2 added, “Our team struggled with consistency this weekend. We are working very hard to get the systems in place so that we can perform the way we are capable of on each and every run.”

“We have a very good motorcycle and Chip Ellis is riding the best he ever has. We couldn’t have asked for anything more from him at this race. I know that at times we looked like we were going backwards but I can assure that isn’t the case. All I can say is that once the system is ready everyone else had better watch out.”

ESPN2 Telecast Schedule Eliminations Re-Broadcast – Wednesday – April 5 – 2:30 a.m. – 4:30 a.m. (eastern)

HINES MAKES FIRST FINAL ROUND APPEARANCE OF THE SEASON–Tonglet Advances to Semi-Finals. When the two-bike Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines V-Rod team walked away from the first round of qualifying Friday at the O’Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals, predicting a final round appearance seemed nearly impossible.

After that first qualifying pass at Houston Raceway Park, two-time defending NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Andrew Hines was in ninth place. Teammate GT Tonglet wasn’t even qualified.

The weekend, however, came around. The team rallied in qualifying and made the most out of the day that really counts – Sunday.

Hines earned his first final round appearance of the season and 11th of his career, falling short in the final to Suzuki rider Angelle Sampey. Tonglet moved past the first round since the Reading, Pa., event in September last season, where he also earned a semifinal appearance.

“Considering where we started out on Friday and where we ended up on Sunday, we did better than anyone expected,” team owner Byron Hines said. “We were so far off after the first round of qualifying and Matt (Hines, crew chief) decided that we needed to take the bikes in two completely opposite directions. When one bike outperformed the other, we changed the setup for the slower bike. It worked great and we were the last V-Twin standing. I was very happy to see how Matt and the entire crew focused this weekend.”

Hines qualified in the No. 7 position after posting a 7.096-second pass at 190.92 mph, while Tonglet started eliminations in the No. 13 position with a 7.134 at 190.70.

In Round One, Hines beat Buell rider Matt Smith (7.107 at 190.38 to starting line foul) while Tonglet beat Buell rider Tom Bradford (7.168 at 187.65 to foul). In Round Two, Hines beat Suzuki rider Antron Brown (7.176 at 189.47 to foul) and Tonglet beat Suzuki rider Shawn Gann (7.217 at 185.95 to foul).

“The first couple of rounds weren’t exactly pretty, but both bikes saw the win-light and that’s all that matters,” Tonglet said. “We moved up in points and that was our main goal and to do that, we needed to go rounds. It was especially nice to win first round because it’s been a long time since I’ve been past that first round and that was a big relief.”

Tonglet lost to Sampey in the semifinal matchup, turning in a 7.225 at 186.20 to her 7.163 pass at 189.50. Hines beat Buell rider Chip Ellis in his semifinal race, going 7.177 at 189.23 to Ellis’ 7.271 at 185.46.

Hines lost in the final round, but made up points in the standings and is now in second place after two races in the 15-event series. He rode his V-Rod to a 7.200 run at 188.04 to Sampey’s winning pass of 7.144 at 190.11. Sampey leads the category, holding a 63-point lead over Hines. Tonglet is in eighth place, 129 points behind Sampey.

“We struggled this weekend but in the end, the team made some good adjustments and put the riders in a position to win rounds,” said Harley-Davidson Racing Manager Anne Paluso. “Andrew going to the final round and GT making his first semifinal appearance since last season is exactly what the team needed going into a month-long break. Now we have some good data to work from and get ready for the next race in Atlanta.”

Andrew Hines said Sunday made up for the struggles throughout qualifying.

“We can’t complain too much with two semifinal appearances and my first final of the year,” Hines said. “We are starting to figure out the right tuneup, and GT and I are doing everything we can to ride our best. We have a few weeks to get back to the shop and get our V-Rods tuned up. It was a good Sunday, but we still have a lot of work to do.”

The next NHRA POWERade Drag Racing event that features the Pro Stock Motorcycle category is the May 4-7 Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway.

Continued On Page 4

Hey,

We’re about to launch a new free department on Bikernet, called the Bikernet 2006 Bonneville Effort. We’ll post all our tech features, updates, info about the Bubs event in September and our ride out to the flats. Everybody is welcome. I can feel a strong surge of interest. I believe there will be more activity at the salt flats than ever before.

Did you know that the movie, “The World’s Fastest Indian, starring Anthony Hopkins didn’t make general release. We hope to sell the DVD in our Black Market when it comes available. Watch for it on cable.

Here’s the squirrelly side of the business. A handicapped bike went up for auction yesterday. It was an original 1916 Harley twin electric, with a side car. The controls ran to the car for handicapped rideability. It was discovered in a barn with the original tires in place. The estate sale was listed on Yahoo and in a couple of obscure web sites. Don Whalen sent a guy with a briefcase full of cashier’s checks to grab the find.

As it turned out every major hitter in the antique world got the word and blasted to the site. The bid went to $87,000. Incredible.

BIKERNET RADIO BOOMING WITH NEW INTERVIEWS–Dennis Gage of My Classic Car:My Classic Car appears on Speed TV and Branscombe caught up with the star of the show, Dennis Gage. You know Dennis, the mustache and his interviews with Jay Leno. A real good guy.Listen to Mr. Mustache right here.

Russia on the March with Bike Freak Magazine:Bike Freak Magazine started reporting on our lifestyle in 2002. Dmitry Khitrov stopped in to talk with Bandit and Branscombe grabbed him for an interview.Listen to Dmitry of Bike Freak Magazine.

BLACK EXHAUST WRAP AVAILABLE FROM LONE STAR CHOPPERS– Check it out, black exhaust wrap is now in stock at http://www.lonestarchoppers.com/store , best price on the internet!

Check the tech tip in the Bikernet Garage.

–Larry

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE 1902 IS SELECTED TO BUILD THEHOOTERS CASINO HOTEL “OL SCHOOL BOBBER”- – – – -GRAND PRIZE FOR THIS YEARS LAS VEGAS BIKEFEST–American Motorcycle Co. 1902 is excited to announce that it has been selected by the new Hooters Casino Hotel in Las Vegas, NV to create a custom “Ol School Bobber” to be used in the promotion of this years 2006 Las Vegas BikeFest. Registration to win this exciting motorcycle will take place at the Casino during the month prior to the event.

The custom Hooters “Ol School Bobber” will be on tour leading up to Las Vegas BikeFest with the American Motorcycle Co. 1902 exhibit at events and rally’s around the country. “It was a real honor for us when we were selected by Hooters Casino Hotel to build a custom Bobber for them to give away at Las Vegas BikeFest, stated Robert Page and Branscombe Richmond, partners of American Motorcycle Co. 1902. Page continued, “We are dedicated to build a bike that Hooters Casino Hotel can be proud of, and that the lucky winner will be proud to own. Of course we hope they will enjoy showing it off on their frequent stops at all the local Hooters locations they frequent”.

The Las Vegas BikeFest Partnership announced that the new Hooters Casino Hotel will sponsor a Grand Prize Giveaway at Las Vegas BikeFest scheduled for September 14-17, 2006. Hooters Casino Hotel has contracted with American Motorcycle Co. 1902 to build a custom “Hooters Ol School Bobber” for this Grand Prize Giveaway. The motorcycle will be called “The Original” featuring a custom paint job honoring the very first Hooters girl “Lynn Austin”.

All Las Vegas BikeFest registrants will have the opportunity to win the Grand Prize Giveaway by dropping off their entry forms at the Hooters Casino Hotel.

Hooters Casino Hotel information is available at www.hooterscasinohotel.com or call866-584-6687.

HARLEY-ORIENTED MAGAZINES:THE LATEST & MOST CURRENT SALES– Curious how the actual sales compare for the leading Harley-oriented magazines? Here is the most complete and up to date sales averages available.

PLEASE NOTE: We have identified the magazines with ABC audited sales claims, but cannot vouch for the accuracy of the non-audited magazines’ circulation claims.

TOTAL AVERAGE PAID CIRCULATION
1 American Iron Magazine 154,954 (ABC)
2 Easyriders (excluding V-Twin) 141,596 (ABC)
3 Hot Bike 132,920 (ABC)
4 The Horse 88,596 (NOT AUDITED)
5 V-Twin 85,046 (ABC)
6 BikeWorks 78,280 (NOT AUDITED)
7 American Rider 59,692 (NOT AUDITED)
8 IronWorks 59,272 (NOT AUDITED)
9 Street Chopper 59,023 (NOT AUDITED)
Assuming all circulation claims are accurate (which might not be a smart assumption for the non-audited magazines) the 3 best selling magazines, American Iron Magazine, Easyriders and Hot Bike combined represent 33% of the total magazines AND 50% of the total paid circulation of the category.

Another point to keep in mind when comparing the relative value of each magazine’s claimed circulation, is the mix of single copy vs subscription circulation.

Some magazines sell subscriptions through deep discounting, others through aggressive techniques (such as on eBay) or a combination of the two.

If you are considering working with or advertising in any of these magazines, it is recommended that you ask your contact at the magazine for an analysis of circulation. This should include the mix of single copy vs subscription, and what is the cheapest subscription rate available.

This information is brought to you by HarleySmart and the staff of American Iron Magazine.

–from Geno at the HORSE

P.S. Check Bikernet numbers list below.

BIKERNET NUMBERS (monitored by Web Trends): Last month 270,000 readers came to Bikernet.com for 540,000 visits, with 913,000 impressions and 8.7 million hits. The average stay on Bikernet is over 8 minutes. Not bad.

THE VIPER CHALLENGE– On May 27th, in New Mexico, we will compete head-to-head in a quarter mile drag race with the Air Force F-16 Viper Fighter aircraft and the Dodge Viper automobile in what the Air Force is calling a contest to determine the fastest Viper on the planet.

We are very grateful to the U.S. Air Force for inviting us to be a part of this fun and competitive event.

I’m sure everyone is familiar with the Dodge Viper; 550 hp and 200 mph. The F-16 Viper is a multi-mission fighter capable of speeds in excess of 1500 mph and 350 mph in a half mile. It produces 27,000 pounds of thrust and can fly at an altitude of more than 50,000 ft. It carries a 20 mm multibarrel cannon with 500 rounds and 6air-to-air missiles and 6 air-to-surface missiles. Each craft cost over 19 million dollars. It is currently deployed in the Persian Gulf and flies more sorties than any other aircraft.

I am attaching photos of the F-16 Viper and will take a camera crew to film the event live.

–Terry Nesbitt
President
Viper Motorcycle Company

TEXAS NATIONAL BIKE SHOW POSTER CONTEST VOTING– O.K. here is the skinny on voting for the Texas National Bike Show poster bike. Thanks to Bikernet for all of their highly skilled technical support, we now have about 13 or 14 very choice custom bikes posted for all of your viewing and voting pleasure.Here’s the lowdown

We will start the voting today, Thursday April 6th and give everyone a 2 week period to vote in. So all you have to do is take a long hard look at all of the bikes and decide which one you would like to see grace our bike show poster, along with the lovely Miss Texas National Bike Show.

Once you have made your incredibly hard decision please send your vote to my personal e-mail Hollyand we will make sure it gets to the right place. Voting will end on Thursday April 20th and hopefully all of you will have sent me a flood of e-mails,and it will take me a week to sort through all of them! Since Bikernet has been so helpful to us we will ask them to do us one more favor and that is to post the winner of the contest on Thursday April 27th in the Thursday news.

Now if we are really good and say all of our prayers perhaps we can persuade the Golden God of Motorcycles (Bandit) to do some follow ups on the news from the photo shoot so you can all see your voting in action!! Don’t forget VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! Holly.

Thanks,
Mrs.L Devil

Flyrite Choppers Introduces the NeveRust Transmission Mounting Plate–Flyrite Choppers has developed the finest transmission mounting plate available for adapting a Softail? style transmission case to a rigid frame. Designed specifically to mount later style transmissions to Flyrite Choppers frames, but should work on any zero offset rigid frame. If additional drilling or cutting is required, not to worry the NeveRust transmission mounting plate is made of polished 420 stainless steel. No more flaking chrome.

All NeveRust parts are made of polished stainless with the home builder in mind. Cut, drill, tig and repolish, paint, or powdercoat and never fear rust popping back through again. Look for more new products coming soon from Flyrite Choppers at www.flyritechoppers.com.

FLASHBACK TO THE ’70s–My levis are so greasy they look like chaps,

–Bob T.

BIKERNET DRINKIN STUDY–An Italian is drinking in a New York bar when he gets a call on hiscell phone. He hangs up, grinning from ear to ear, and orders a round ofdrinks for everybody in the bar announcing his wife had produced atypical Italian baby boy weighing 25 pounds.

Nobody can believe that any new baby can weigh in at 25 pounds, but theItalian guy just shrugs, “That’s about average back home,folks……like I said, my boy’s a typical Italian bambino”

Congratulations showered him from all around, and many exclamations of”WOW”….one woman actually fainted due to sympathy pains.

Two weeks later he returns to the bar. The bartender says, “Say you’rethe father of that typical Italian baby that weighed 25 pounds atbirth. Everybody’s been making bets about how big he’d be in two weeks. Sohow much does he weigh now?

The proud father answers, “Seventeen pounds.”

The bartender is puzzled, concerned, and a little suspicious.”What happened? He already weighed 25 pounds the day he was born!”

The Italian father takes a long swig of Sambuca, wipes his lips on hisshirt sleeve, leans into the bartender and proudly says…..

“We had him circumcised”………

–from Geno

BIG BONED SPRINGERS RELEASED–Parks Custom Springers is eager tointroduce the Big Boned Springer, the newest addition to our increasinglypopular springer line. The Big Boned front and rear legs are constructed of1.5-INCH tubing to achieve a stout look that compliments Bobbers as well as wide-tire bikes. This model will be debut on bike builds by Cole Foster of SalinasBoys Custom and Johnny Goodson (formally of Exile Cycles) later this year.

The entire Parks Custom Springer line includes standard, narrow, wishbonenarrow, big boned and all-tubing models.

Contact Information:
Brian Parks
Parks Custom Springers
brian@parkscustomspringers.com
520-568-5224
www.parkscustomspringers.com

KIDS AND CHROME FANTASTIC UPDATE–1- Billy Lane is going to do a fund raiser for Kids and Chrome during Sturgis week.

2- Scott Jacobs renowned artist has been commissioned by Harley Davidson Motor Company to paint a picture of one of the greatest racers of all time, Jay Springsteen. Scott will unveil this picture at the Kids & Chrome banquet at which time Jay will sign the original and the first and only (same size) print which will also be signed on stage and given to Kids & Chrome for the auction.

3- Redneck Engineering signed on this week with one of their fantastic rolling chassis, value $10,000. Custom Chrome (Europe) signed on with a 110″ Revtec Motor, matching Transmission and Starter value $10,000. Fred Kodlin (Germany) signed on with one of his to die for Front End Assemblies, Exhaust Systems and a host of other Billet parts, value $10,000, Tim Remus is in with 80 of his fantastic hardcover books featuring the most comprehensive pictorial of the beloved Triumph Motorcycle Marque ever, value $2500, Jeff Nicklus of Desperado Motorcycles stepped up with one of his “Good Time Bobbers” which will be signed by the best in the world Custom Bike Builders. value $20,000, And S&S Cycle rolled in with one of their newest motors, a 93-inch shovelhead, value $10,000

Needless to say…WOW, I’ll keep you informed.

–Bob

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