September 1, 2005 Part 3
By Bandit | | General Posts
Continued From Page 2
THE ROCKY SEAT REPORT–The design is the most important part of having a tooled seat done , It is what sets your seat apart from everybody else’s. Here’s a couple of sample from a seat tech that will be posted later today.
http://www.purekustom.com
Tel:480-924-6866
mailto:rocky1@purekustom.com
Mesa , Az
Why Italy sells more cars the Korea. Ray Russell
PAGAN WEDDING HAS HELLISH START– PA – It was a potential tinderbox of emotions.A Hells Angels widow showed up at a West Philadelphia church before a biker wedding on Saturday and yelled at rival Pagans for killing her husband last January, according to authorities.
The widow, Margie Wood, once a friend of the marrying couple, left the scene without further incident, authorities said.
Meantime, the groom, Dominick “Tack” DiPietro, 42, and his Philly chapter president, Steven “Gorilla” Monde-vergine, led a roaring pack of Pagans on their Harleys along the Schuylkill Expressway, where a banner hung on the South Street bridge that read:”Congratulations to Tack and Maria” and “Death to the Hells Angels.”
The Pagans then rode past the Angels’ block party on Merion Avenue near Girard, en route to the wedding at Our Lady of Angels Church, 50th and Master streets, in West Philadelphia.
Philadelphia police and FBI agents removed the banner 20 minutes after it was put up and monitored both the block party and wedding, which were two blocks apart.
A law-enforcement official said there were no incidents.Despite the biker rivalry, the widow, Margie Wood, and the bride, Maria Sinagoga-DiPietro, 41, had been “good friends, until the murder,” said the new bride. “Once [Thinker] got killed, she was bitter toward the Pagans.”
Early on Jan. 14, then-acting Angels president Thomas “Thinker” Wood, 36, was gunned down in his truck on the Schuylkill Expressway near Vare Avenue.
–from Rogue
TEXAS SHOW UPDATE–I was once again wondering if you would be so kind as to let all of the good people know that time is running out to register for The Texas National Bike Show sponsored by Bikernet.com. We have very few 10×10 spots left but there are plenty of 5×10″s to go around. We will be wrapping up registration around the 3rd week in September.
Our fabulous Texas National T-Shirts will be arriving this week and will be on the web site for sale and also bike show participants will receive a commemorative bike show shirt with registration.
At this time I am in negotiations with the Houston Rollerderby League (yes all girl) for an exhibition bout on Friday evening during the show, should be fun, and don’t forget the FAME bikini, model contest will be on Saturday around 1:00pm. Well gotta run and will send more teasers soon!!
–Mrs. L. Devil
KENDALL JOHNSON SIGNATURE SERIES FROM PRECISION– PRECISION CYCLE WORKS has teamed up with Kendall Johnson to build a limited series of high-performance Pro-Street custom bikes to be known as the Kendall Johnson Signature Series.
The platform for the bike will be Precision Cycle Works’ existing Pro-Street frame but using sheet metal with design input from Kendall Johnson Customs. The bikes will use the S&S 124ci Kendall Johnson Signature Series motors with appropriate components from Primo, Hooker Headers, Weld and Dakota Digital. The remaining components will be supplied by Precision Cycle Works and will be of comparable quality.
The bikes will be numbered 1 to 50 and painted by Scott of Airea 5150. Distribution will be through Precision Cycle Works’ existing US and Canadian dealer network.
PRECISION CYCLE WORKS
Caro, Michigan, USA
Tel: 989 673 8555
Fax: 989 673 0264
E-mail: precision@centurytel.net
http://www.precisionconceptsinc.com
KENDALL JOHNSON CUSTOMS
Winston Salem, North Carolina, USA
Tel: 336 771 4222
Fax: 336 771 4322
E-mail: info@kendalljohnsoncustoms.com
http://www.kendalljohnsoncustoms.com
SCREAMIN’ EAGLE RIDER RICH KING SURVIVES RUGGED SEDALIA RACE–Mees Takes the Win as Season Points Leaders Fail to Finish AMA Grand National.
SEDALIA, Mo. (August 27, 2005) – Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts rider Rich King survived the crash-filled Grand National main at Missouri State Fair Speedway and placed 11th in round 12 of the AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Championship. Nine days of rain prior to the race left the half-mile dirt track in challenging condition, and there were three re-starts following crashes as the track became very rough during the 25-lap main. Saddleman/Lancaster Harley-Davidson rider Jared Mees led 24 laps and emerged as the winner as 11 riders finished the race.
King won his heat race to qualify for the main, and ran as high as second place in the first half of the race but a rear shock failure forced him off the pace of the leaders. The race was stopped on lap nine when Cayuga Tool & Die/Top Gun Performance rider Shawn Clark crashed. Clark and Mid-America Harley-Davidson rider Ken Coolbeth, second in the season-points race, did not make the re-start. Mees and Latus Harley-Davidson/Jones Powersports rider Joe Kopp led on the restart, but Kopp went down on lap 12 and was unable to continue.
Mees again led after a single-file restart, followed by Quality Checked Pre-Owned Ford/Lancaster Harley-Davidson rider Chris Carr. But on lap 17 it was Carr’s turn to go down, and the season points leader was done for the night. Mees led again on the ensuing re-start and held the point until he was passed by Moronry’s Harley-Davidson rider Bryan Smith with one lap remaining in the race. Mees passed for the lead on the last lap to take the win, followed by Smith and Memphis Shades/Parts Unlimited rider Glen Schnabel. Seventeen of the 18 riders who started the Grand National main were riding Harley-Davidson XR750 motorcycles.
Carr ended up in 13th place at Sedalia but finished ahead of his main rivals in the chase for the Grand National title, as Kopp was 15th and Coolbeth 16th. Carr now has 192 points and leads Coolbeth by 15 points with three races left on the season schedule. Mees moves into third place with 162 points, as Kopp drops back to fourth with 157 points. King is now fifth with 119 points.
“Between the crashes and the track conditions at Sedalia, it was a really rough race, but we got out of there with some points and we’re looking forward to Springfield this weekend,” said Harley-Davidson Racing Manager Anne Paluso.
Also at Sedalia, Low Country Harley-Davidson rider William Seyle won the Harley-Davidson Sportster Performance National. Battlefield Harley-Davidson/Pure Attitude Active Wear rider Bryan Hazel and Doc’s Harley-Davidson rider Merle Scherb finished second and third. With one race left in the season, Lima Harley-Davidson rider Scott Stump, who was fourth at Sedalia, leads the Sportster Series points race with 126 points, followed by Harv’s Harley-Davidson rider Chris Hart with 120 points and Scherb with 114 points.
The AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Championship series next travels to Springfield, Ill. and the Illinois State Fairgrounds for a short-track race on Sept. 3 and the season’s second running of the Springfield Mile on Sept. 4.
NEW SAMSON “BIG GUNS 3” EXHAUST SERIES–Samson Exhaust? revolutionizes motorcycle exhaust with this 3rd generation of the famous Big Gun line. BG3 brings the timeless good looks and superb sound that Samson is best known for the needs of today’s owner. These pipes have seamless 2_-inch one-piece heat shields that will absolutely prevent any discoloration. Intergraded smooth flow baffles, delivers a deep rumble and assures the tuning requirements of today’s motors. The classic look of Cannons, Street Sweepers, Rip Saws and Slashers confirms that Pipes Make the Bike.
When compared to double wall pipes, intergraded shields weigh much less and sound better. Seamless one-piece heat shields are the hot look riders are looking for, and broken tab brackets are a thing of the past. These pipes include intergraded Baffles which meet the needs of today’s fuel injected motors and overcomes objections to straight pipes. These stepped pipes go from 1_” to 2_” and improve the flow of spent exhaust gases. Each set of pipes is stamped with the BG3 logo.
The BIG GUNS 3 series includes a full one Year Warranty.
Samson Motorcycle Products designs, markets and manufactures premium quality motorcycle exhausts at their state of the art facilities in Anaheim, CA. Every product has been thoroughly tested to improve performance, enhance appearance and give the sound customers are looking for. As the industry leader in aftermarket exhaust, every part is inspected for the highest quality standards. Samson Motorcycle Products markets products under the Samson?, Caliber? and Shogun? Brand Names. For more information visit our website www.samsonusa.com.Check Out All The New Styles
AN EVENING WITH BIKERNET–One evening a man was at home watching TV and eating peanuts. He’d toss them in the air, then catch them in his mouth.
In the middle of catching one, his wife asked a question, and as he turned to answer her, a peanut fell in his ear.He tried and tried to dig it out but only succeeded in pushing it in deeper. He called his wife for assistance, and after hours of trying they became worried and decided to go to the hospital.
As they were ready to go out the door, their daughter came home with her date. After being informed of the problem, their daughter’s date said he could get the peanut out.
The young man told the father to sit down, then shoved two fingers up the father’s nose and told him to blow hard. When the father blew, the peanut flew out. The mother and daughter jumped and yelled for joy.
The young man insisted that it was nothing and the daughter brought the young man out to the kitchen for something to eat.
Once he was gone the mother turned to the father and said, “That’s wonderful. Isn’t he smart? What do you think he’s going to be when he grows older?”
The father replies, “From the smell of his fingers, our son-in-law.”
STEALTH BIKEWORKS WEEKLY REPORT FROM NC–
For the past year I have wrote articles for a state wide motorcycle newspaper. This past week we decided to part company. It seems the “tone” of what I wrote was not what they wanted. It seems they were afraid that I would offend a few dealers. As usual when you write the truth and that truth steps on a few toes and hits home it hurts. I decided that I would not be a part of a “dealer” controlled publication even thought the adds in this publication by aftermarket shops out number dealer adds about 5 to 1 ! Go figure that one! Enough said.
The great thing about Bikernet is that all of us can say what ever we want and yes you are going to get some flack from time to time but that is all part of it. Bikernet does not cave in to any one special interest group. Speak what you feel and stand behind it!
It has been a busy week at STEALTH BIKE WORKS. It seems we are starting to generate some momentum and more people are finding out about us. We are starting to see interest in our fabrication work. So far we have sold a custom hand made gas tank and we have an order for a custom hand made oil tank. This is cool stuff when you see a flat piece of metal take shape and turn into something. Hopefully soon we will do our first bike build. If you have anything you need to have fabricated give us a call at 704-882-0889.
This weekend I am riding back to Virginia to visit family and old friends. I am leaving the “MEANEST” in charge of SBW. I told her not fire anyone while I was gone! I am looking forward to the ride, the weather is supposed to be great. It is really the first ride of any distance for me this year. You don’t get much time off when you are trying to run a shop. I still would not trade what I am doing for anything else. I plan on enjoying every minute of the ride. I am going to take my time and take in the sights.
The progress at SBW has been sometimes slow but it has been steady and we are headed in the right direction. There have been ups and there have been downs but like I have said before it is an adventure, everyday brings something new and I learn something new each day either with bikes or people. I feel very fortunate and lucky to be living my dream! What a long strange trip it has been to even have opened my own shop. I am a lucky man in so many ways and I am very grateful too!
With that being said I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Labor day weekend and I encourage everyone to think of the hurricane victims, take time to say a prayer for them and count your blessings.
Until next time, RIDE!
–STEALTHMAN
BIKERNET STRICT ORDERS–Hope yer doin’ well! Me? I’m O.K. I’ve been on strict orders from the bosses wife to take it easy this weekend. She’s Mama, and I hate to piss her off. I’ve been pretty much staying around my own backyard this weekend, except last night I slipped off to bike night down near Savannah. Not too much biker nightlife here in my hometown.
A storm cloud was brewin’ about supper time this evening, so I decided to take the cage to dinner. Before it got here I snapped this picture with my digital camera. I pass by it almost everyday when I’m at work, I just always forget to bring the camera with me. Been meanin’ to send it in for a while.
Send the girls there at bikernet my best, and remember you are truly a blessed man. In yer own words: ” ain’t life great? all ya hafta do is get out there and live it”
Respects,
–Brian from Georgia
FLYRITE CHOPPER EXPANDS– HEADQUARTERED in Austin, Texas, Flyrite Choppers has recently announced expansion in its operations.Floor space at the manufacturing facility has been increased by 33 per cent and more builders and fabricators have been added to the staff to keep up with increased demand.
Flyrite Chopper has also created a new retail outlet located in Austin, serving the whole of Texas. It provides a showroom for the Flyrite product range and will be responsible for warranty work on bikes sold through the business. Parts, accessories and merchandise will also be on sale. This winter, FRC intends to offer a customizing service for Flyrite models and other bikes.
‘Smokin’ Gun’ is a new rolling chassis from Flyrite. Building on the reputation established by FRC’s successful Bobber, the Smokin’ Gun frame has stock dimensions and a 30-degree neck rake. The rolling chassis is supplied with a 2in under Springer front end. It accepts Sportster motors, 1986-up. All other frame styles from FRC will soon be offered in rolling chassis form.
Pre-ordering the Smokin’ Gun chassis kit entitles the purchaser to a special introductory discount, provided the order is placed before shipping is scheduled to commence in mid-September.
FRC adds that listing in the Kelley ‘Blue Book’ has made its bikes even easier to title and insure. The issue of finance is being addressed and more information is promised soon.
FLYRITE CHOPPERS
Austin, Texas, USA
Tel: 512 918 2467
E-mail: flyritechoppers@austin.rr.com
www.flyritechoppers.com
BIKERNET SPECIAL REPORT-CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ON NEW 2006 HARLEY-DAVIDSONS– Need some advice here. I’m a 25+ year rider and just signed all the paperwork for a 2006 Heritage Classic. First-things-first, new pipes! WRONG!!! The new 2006’s, excluding the V-Rod and Dyna’s now all have a catalytic converter. So what, you say? Well, if your Harley dealer messes with the FI Mapping, they will be going against the EPA laws are may face a $25,000 fine.
I ordered the V&H Long Shots and will install them myself, but the dealer will NOT touch my bike. They’re afraid of getting nailed with a fine.
WTF! I will NOT, can NOT ride a quiet bike, just no way! This is the bike that I’ve always wanted and now the rotten EPA if forcing Harley to stay away from any bike that does not have “stock” pipes. ScreamingEagle, right! My only choice is to try to find a Heritage with a carb and not FI. Right now, I can’t find one.
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!! Next we will all be forced to ride with helmets!!!!!!!!
–Phil Spear
I spoke to a number of people in the industry. I’ve heard that all Screamin’ Eagle parts have been pulled from Europe only. I think it will be up to each dealership regarding catalytic converters. There currently is no law against changing pipes as long as you can pass the emission tests whenever they’re required. In Califa it’s about every other year for registration. Some states don’t required any testing. Need to check with your state.–BANDIT
Yeah, it’s very interesting. I took delivery of my Heritage, 2006 with Carburetor. This deal had no problems installed V&H Long Shots, but the other dealer refused to do the install and modify the bike. I think what I’ve learned is that the other dealer really does not care about doing business and just used that as an excuse to not spend too much time on a single deal. I added about $8,000 in options, but I did all the installation. The other dealer got pissed when I told them to cut out all their labor, as they would only be doing the pipes, stage-1 and remapping.
I have to give VERY high marks to Brians H-D in Langhorne, PA. These guys went above and beyond to get my business and really earned my respect!
–Phil
We also spoke to the factory about 2006 exhaust systems. Here is their response:1. We do not have a catalytic converter equipped H-D motorcycles, at least not in the normal sense of the term. Certain models are equipped with catalyst muffler(s), and have been for years. Some have none, some one, and some two; the variety changes almost annually and often by model.
2. We offer both street legal (active, catalyst and non-catalyst depending on application) and performance (race only) mufflers for our vehicles depending on intended use and market / location.
3. Dealers can work on vehicle within the parameters of the local laws and intended usage.
–Bob Dwyer, Harley-Davidson
SMOOTH 9 WHEELS FROM RMD BILLET– SMOOTH 9 wheels by RMD Billet combine a classic spoke style with a raw industrial look, according to the company.
The wheels are of three part construction using 6061 billet. The forty 12-point chrome-plated, industrial-grade bolts around the wheel’s periphery offer an unusual styling edge to set the wheel apart from one-piece forgings from other manufacturers.
All hubs are fitted with sealed bearings, for 3/4 or 1in axles and are for drive-side and sprocket/brake arrangements only.
Smooth 9 is offered in chromed, polished or powdercoated finishes, or a combination. Sizes currently available include 18in rears in various widths and 21 x 2.5 for front wheel fitment. Other sizes will be available soon. Brake rotors of 11in diameter are available in a matching wheel pattern.
RMD BILLET
Jasper, Minnesota, USA
Tel: 507 348 8877
Fax: 507 348 8877
E-mail: info@rmdbillet.com
www.rmdbillet.com
RED RIVER RACEWAY’S 1ST ANNUAL “ALL HARLEY” LABOR DAY BLOW-OUT DRAGS– will be run as scheduled this weekend at the track, 18 miles north of Shreveport. Located just south of the Arkansas border the dragstrip suffered no Hurricane damage and weather for the weekend is forecasted as sunny with highs only in the low 90’s.
With much of the South suffering with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, it only makes the success of the race that much more important. Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Louisiana and other charities have been listed on all promotional literature about the race as to where the proceeds of the race go since the very beginning, and now need they’ll need the money even more!!!
Information: www.redriverharleyblowout.com or 318-222-7506
Track Phone – 318-296-4500
Crime Scene Choppers Adds to Line of ?Builder Parts?–
New Friction Shock adds distinctive retro look to any springer or girder
Scotts Valley, CA ? August 31, 2005 ? Crime Scene Choppers now has a line of ?builder parts? to help with the fabrication of a custom bike.
The newest addition to this line is this tough looking friction shock, a perfect addition to any ?sprung? front fork, including springers, girders and leaf spring forks. The friction shock is CNC machined aluminum; the arms are about 7.5? long. The edges and lightening holes all have a distinctive raised rib. Plastic friction pads fit between the arms, and stainless wingnuts and spring washers are used to tighten the assembly. The builder can polish the body, or paint the recessed areas for contrast.
New Builder Parts
?I love this new product?, said Joe McGlynn, owner of Crime Scene Choppers, ?I grew up dreaming about hot rods and vintage race cars, and this friction shock picks up some period styling cues and can make your forks dramatically different! We?ve got some bitchin? new stuff in the pipeline, keep checking our website!?
AvailabilityThe friction shock is available through http://www.CrimeSceneChoppers.com immediately. New products are being introduced every month, so check the website for the latest news.
NEW ADVENTUROUS LOCATIONS ADDED TO HARLEY-DAVIDSON AUTHORIZED RENTALS PROGRAM– Belgium, Scotland, South Africa, Vermont and Alaska Add Rental Dealers.
MILWAUKEE (September 1, 2005) -Through Harley-Davidson’s Authorized Rentals program, riders now have the chance to rent a motorcycle in five new rental locations: Alaska (Soldotna), Vermont (Barre), Belgium (Dendermonde), Scotland (Glasgow) and South Africa (Cape Town).
“We’re thrilled to offer these new rental locations,” said Lara Lee, vice president of enthusiast services. “With more than 250 Harley-Davidson Authorized Rentals locations worldwide, riders can fulfill their motorcycling dreams from Boston to Brisbane and from Los Angeles to London.”
Riders can enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Kenai River in Soldotna, Alaska, or surround themselves with culture and heritage while traveling through historic Barre, Vt. Motorcyclists can also journey through the Middle Age Belgium town of Dendermonde, explore the Victorian city of Glasgow, Scotland or tour the beautiful coastal and exotic city of Cape Town, South Africa.
For more information, visit http://www.hdrentals.com.
CALIFORNIA MID STATE RALLY AWAITS–I’m a goddamn judge, so we’re hauling ass out of town tomorrow. We’re hanging in Pismo beach for the night then fighting the inland valley heat to attend the show in Paso Robles. If you’re in the neighborhood, stop in and say hey.
We wish all the folks devastated by the hurricane all the best for the future. The future is the key road (I meant “word”). Hang on, a brighter future waits.
In the meantime let’s ride and raise some money for the folks.
–Bandit
September 1, 2005 Part 2
By Bandit | | General Posts
Continued From Page 1
CHARLIE BRECHTEL BROTHERHOOD–There is a history, a legacy and a brotherhood that comprise the soul of the American biker. Those are also the elements that separate the music of Charlie Brechtel from any other musician or band who aim their talents at the motorcycling community.
With Charlie it’s all about reality. It’s about what actually goes on –and has gone on– within the inner circle of America’s last breed of folk heroes. Charlie doesn’t just play the kind of rockin’ blues that is the perfect soundtrack to this way of life; Charlie takes his listeners into a world that was begun in America’s post WWII years, screamed through the 50s and 60s and has evolved into one of the most powerful and envied sub-cultures that this country has ever produced.
His tribute tunes are becoming legendary. His music pays homage to the biker lifestyle in a way that no other musician has ever done. Charlie Brechtel weaves the personalities who pioneered this way of life into the heart of all of his songs. Men like Sonny Barger, Wino Willie Forkner, the Bravo Brothers…vintage bikes like the Indian…biker Meccas like Sturgis, Hollister and the Buffalo Chip…all supply the ever-sharp edge to the music of Charlie Brechtel.
Charlie’s roots extend back to his hometown of New Orleans…the tradition of that town…the power…the feel…it’s all there…it’s deep within the blood. He’s played with Gregg Allman and John Lee Hooker…his CDs feature some of the best musicians in blues and rock ‘n roll today…he’s played Sturgis and countless other major biker events and venues…his tunes will be heard in upcoming specials on the History Channel and in the DVD that accompanies the book, “The Original Wild Ones.”
The soul of the American biker and the music of Charlie Brechtel are truly one and the same…
Charlie has been around for over 32 years, playing his music, doing his thing. Charlie is not just a player but a Composer, Arranger, Songwriter and Producer.Charlie has worked with the likes of John Lee Hooker, Deacon Jones, Gregg Allman, B.B. King, Dr. John, Buddy Miles, Aaron Neville, Freddy Fender, Steppenwolfe and on and on…
Charlie has opened for such as Dave Mason, Fog Hat, John Lee Hooker, Steppenwolf and a host of others.Charlie is a product of New Orleans so he knows his blues.Charlie has ridden a bike or two, so he knows the life. http://www.big7productions.com/
LIFESTYLE CYCLES, ANAHIEM CALIFORNIA WEEKLY REPORT, BAD BET–So In my arrogance, I bet the guys in the custom shop that we’d move aton of T-shirts at Sturgis. They said I’d come back with more than 100.I thought this is a no-brainer. I can’t possibly lose. So we make thisbet that who ever loses has to wear a dress all day at the shop, andthen to bike night.
Needless to say I lost the bet and had to wear this lovely pink dressall afternoon (yes, I did have a couple of high level meetings … doyou know how hard it is to negotiate deals when you are wearing pinktaffeta?) and when I hosted Bike Night at Big’s Bar & Grill inFullerton.
I learned three important lessons;
1. I make a hideous woman.
2. Never make a bet unless it’s a sure thing.
3. There is no sure thing.
Enjoy the picture … I added the scarf, beads and cigar … hey,accessorizing is everything.
Feel free to use it on your web site under the”What-the-fuck-was-he-thinking column.”
Thanks!
–Dan Leadbetter
Dir. Marketing
LifeStyle Cycles
1534 N. State College Blvd.
Anaheim, CA 92806
(714) 490-0155 Office
(714) 999-6790 Fax
http://www.lifestylecycles.com
LOUISIANA HAMSTERS TRACKED DOWN–Sounds like we’ve tracked down all three of our Louisiana Hamsters. They are all okay. Unfortunately, Charlie’s house is now flooded. Read below for further update.
Thanks for tracking them down and keeping us up to date. You guys take care down there and be safe. It sounds crazier by the minute. We’re all thinking of you, your families and communities.
Patty I talk with Randy he is fine. I also talked to Mike he said that Charlie and his family moved in with him that Charlie’s house has 6′ of water in it. He will stay with Mike as long as he has to. Mike also said he didn’t even get a drop of rain and asked If I could send him some Jelly Belly? I did. Feel free to call them.
–Tom Aylott
Olhausen Billiards
Thanks for the e-mail. I am doing fine and so is Randy. Katrina did not make it this far west. Charlie and his family are staying with me for the time being. To the best of our knowledge his house and belongs are gone. Don’t know when they will be able to get back into the city. Maybe possibly a month or more. It is a horrible situation in New Orleans. We are all trying to help out to the best of our abilities. There are thousands of people who have sought shelter in and around the Lafayette area. I’m sure the situation will only get worse – people are more than likely running out of money to stay in hotels. Shelters have been opened all around the area. All we can ask is if any of the Hamsters can help out in anyway I am sure all these people would appreciate it. At this time they are asking to basic items such as (blankets, pillows, personal care product- tooth paste, tooth brushes, sleeping bags)Thank you for checking on us, will pass the word around to Charlie and Randy.
Pray for these people, they really need it.
–Mike Guidry
Hi Patty I tried to e mail you last night but it did not go thru due to system error. Our house is flooded, staying at Mike Guidrys for the time being. Thank god that we are we’re well and safe. Thanks to Mike and his caring family we are better off than most. It’s good to have a friend like Mike Guidry. Please tell all the wonderful people w/ the Hamsters thank you from “Doc” and family. see you soon. Doc (Charlie Leggio)
–Mike Guidry
ITEMS CAN BE SENT TO ME @ SOUTHLAND TRUCK CENTER, 411 POW MIA MEM. DRIVE, CHURCH POINT, LA 70525. IF SENDING MONEY PLEASE MAKE PAYABLE TO CHURCH POINT BANK HURRICANE RELIEF FUND.WE ARE LOADING MY TRAILERS TO TAKE ITEMS DONATED TO DELIVER TO NEW ORLEANS.
— MIKE
VIPER POWERSPORTS ANNOUNCES $18.9 MILLION IN EQUITY FINANCING–Minneapolis, MN, August 31th, 2005 – Viper Powersports Inc. (OTC Pinksheets: VPWS), announced $18.9 Million in Equity Financing. The funding includes $3.9 Million PIPE financing completed by Bathgate Capital Partners and $15 Million in the form of a Standby Equity Distribution Agreement (SEDA) with Cornell Capital Partners.
Viper completed a $3.9 million PIPE financing through Bathgate Capital Partners of Denver, Colorado acting as our Placement Agent, which consisted of 1,000,000 shares of restricted common stock at $3.90 per share. The company also intends to submit an application to list its common stock on the Archipelago Exchange (ArcaEx).
In addition, Viper signed a Standby Equity Distribution Agreement (SEDA) with Cornell Capital Partners of Jersey City, New Jersey, to provide up to $15 million of equity financing to be drawn down over a 24-month period at our discretion in common stock purchases in increments of up to $500,000. All common stock sold by us in this SEDA financing will be priced at a 4% discount to the then current market price. We can begin obtaining funding from this SEDA facility as soon as we have registered the related common shares with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“During 2005, Viper has made great strides in product development, expanding intellectual property assets, and now we have gained strong partners in the area of finance,” said John Lai, President of Viper Powersports, Inc. “This financing provides the opportunity to launch our motorcycle product line and proprietary engines to the marketplace.”
The Company’s website is http://www.viperpowersports.com.
REDNECK CHALLENGE– I am sick and tired of hearing about how dumb peopleare in the South.I challenge any so-called smart Yankee to take thisexam:
1. Calculate the smallest limb diameter on a persimmontree that will support a 10-pound possum.
2. Which of these cars will rust out the quickest whenplaced on blocks in your front yard?
(A) ’65 Ford Fairlane, (B) ’69 Chevrolet Chevelle, or
(C) ’64 Pontiac GTO.
3. If your uncle builds a still, which operates at acapacity of 20 gallons of liquid produced per hour,how many car radiators are required to condense theproduct?
4. A woodcutter has a chainsaw, which operates at 2700RPM. The density of the pine trees in the plot to beharvested is 470 per acre. The plot is 2.3 acres insize. The average tree diameter is 14 inches. Howmany beverages will be drank before the trees are cutdown?
5. If every old refrigerator in the state vented acharge of R-12 simultaneously, what would be thepercentage decrease in the ozone layer?
6. A front porch is constructed of 2×8 pine on 24-inchcenters with a field rock foundation. The span is 8feet and the porch length is 16 feet. The porch flooris 1-inch rough sawn pine. When the porch collapses,how many dogs will be killed?
7. A man owns a Tennessee house and 3.7 acres of landin a hollow with an average slope of 15%. The man hasfive children. Can each of his grown children placea mobile home on the man’s land and still have enoughproperty for their electric appliances to sit outfront?
8. A 2-ton truck is overloaded and proceeding 900yards down a steep slope on a secondary road at 45MPH. The brakes fail. Given average traffic conditionson secondary roads, what is the probability that itwill strike a vehicle with a muffler?
9. A coalmine operates a NFPA Class 1, Division 2Hazardous Area. The mine employs 120 miners pershift. A gas warning is issued at the beginning ofthe 3rd shift. How many cartons of unfiltered Camelswill be smoked during the shift?
10. At a reduction in the gene pool variability rateof 7.5% per generation, how long will it take a townwhich has been bypassed by the Interstate to breed acountry-western singer?
I betcha thought that there test was gonna be an easyone, didn’t ya? It’s okay if’n ya didn’t do all thatwell. Just goes to show ya… There’s a hole heap ofthings that big city book-learnin’ don’t prepare yafor in this life.
–from Buckshot
Continued On Page 3
September 1, 2005 Part 1
By Bandit | | General Posts
Hey it’s the first of September in another wild summer and all I can think of is the south and the devastation. The weather is sure fuckin’ with us. We need to reach out and help in anyway possible. Make a donation to the Red Cross today. Do something.
It was the south hit hard this week, but it could be you or me next. I think about this goddamn building a mere 10 feet above sea level and a block from the harbor. We’ll see what this winter brings.
I’d like to welcome Road Max, Bob Kay and Hard Bikes onto Bikernet as full sponsors. I’m honored to have Nick the Dick back on Bikernet from the master Jon Towle. And don’t forget to check the new model/road test department. Since there are so many new American made bikes busting onto the scene, we’ll do our best to deliver the news and our views of bikes we can straddle.
Don’t forget that all the departments are listed at the bottom of each page. They’re free and packed fulla info, so check ’em out from time to time. Let’s hit the news:
CALIFORNIA MID STATE RALLY THIS WEEKEND–Street Chopper Magazine is inviting 15 of the top bike builders to compete for $15,000 in prize money at the 5th Annual California Mid State Rally in Paso Robles, CA September 2nd, 3rd & 4th. From the best known to the unknown these magicians of metal and twisters of steel will bring their best work to the Mid State Street Chopper Invitational. It will also be an opportunity for us the chopper fans to get up close and personal with these great craftsmen.
The builder invitees are Mitch Bergeron, Johnny Chop, Tom Foster, LA County Chop Rods, Scott Long of Central Coast Cycles, Lucky 7 Choppers, Harold Pontirelli, Roland Sands of Performance Machine, Top Shelf Customs, Aaron Greene of Paramount Custom Cycles, Big Mike of BMC Choppers, Mondo of Denver’s Choppers, Kirk Taylor of Custom Design Studios, Cole Foster of Salinas Boys. Along with the cash prizes each contestant will also get an entry package that will include a pair of Sha Sha shoes and Feeling Lucky work shirt.
The Street Chopper Builders Invitational will be the main event at the Mid State Rally but will be surrounded with hundreds of vendors, live music, ride in bike show, bikini contest, tattoo show, Flat track and Motocross racing, free camping, stunt shows, and some of the best riding area California has to offer.
Click on to http://www.horsepowerpromotions.com or call (805) 686-2007 for more info on the Street Chopper build off and other Street Chopper shows.
BAD AS HELL AND YOU GOTTA HAVE THEM– Introducing the “Bad as Hell fork cap” made for (FC1) 2000-up models and(FC2) 1986-1999 models Replace that weak lower cap with true aerospace quality 7075 CNC billet SAFER = STRONGER. All hidden grade 8 hardware included makes both sides match. Looks like a custom set of fork legs. “Trick’ available in chrome, painted , black or raw for the custom bike builder. Limited lifetime warranty included. Contact Chrome Services.com 951 N. Parker Orange, Ca 92867 or 714-913-5300 or 714-420-7431. Fax orders to 714-538-4445 -retail is $119 but mention this ad and we will cut the cost and give free shipping for $99 or buy 3 get one free for a limited time.
T-SHIRTS AND APEARAL AVAILABLE ALSO..
DEPARTURE BIKE DEAL OF THE WEEK– THIS IS A 2002 AMERICAN IRONHORSE “TEJAS”. We sold the Softail. I got a new special for you.I forgot to mention that the Tejas has 113″ S&S engine it. I left out the best part.
Low Miles
Rigid frame chopper style
Sick paintjob
$18,500.00
–Justin
mailto:justin@departure.com
–Lee
mailto:lee@departure.com
Tel: 804-231-0244
SUICIDE-FREE SHIFTING NOW A POSSIBILITY– Thanks to MC Advantages’ new Suicide-Free Shift Kit by Grandeur Cycles,dangerous suicide shifting at low speeds has become a thing of the past.This advanced clutch design used in tandem with Grandeur Forward Controlswith Hydraulic Brake and Clutch and the Grandeur Jockey Shift allow therider to slow to a stop and then take off again without engaging the clutch.
This amazing kit fits Harley-Davidson, BDL and BDL Top Fuel Belt Drives.Fitment for Primo Belt drives coming soon. Grandeur Auto Clutch, ForwardControls and Jockey Shift are available as a kit or separately.
Contact MCAdvantages for complete details at 800-726-9620 or check them out online atwww.mcadvantages.com
MC Advantages is a distributor of high-performance V-Twin parts based inGrimes, Iowa, serving dealers in the U.S. and abroad. MC Advantagesdistributes many brands including: S&S Cycle, Martin Bros., Spyke, Stampede,Prowler, Bulletpr?f, D&M Custom Cycle, Progressive Suspension, K&N, TFI,Rivera Engineering/Primo, Edelbrock, Russell, Platinum Air Suspension, MetalMotorsports, Nitrous Express and many more.
MC Advantages
1-800-726-9620
http://www.MCAdvantages.com
TORNADO RIPS THROUGH S&S–VIOLA, WI (August 18, 2005) A tornado ripped through the small community of Viola, Wisconsin late afternoon on Thursday August 18, 2005, causing widespread damage in the village. The S&S Cycle facility, including manufacturing, product development, IS, marketing, and finance & accounting departments received minimal damage and no injuries to S&S staff were reported. Phone and data connectivity between Viola and the S&S facilities in La Crosse , Wisconsin was restored within hours, allowing business to continue as usual by Friday morning.
This small town of about 600 people sustained major damage, including downed trees and destroyed houses and buildings from the tornado. It was reported that 137 houses confirmed damaged, 19 of them severe. Traffic through the town was kept to a minimum for a couple of days to reduce the number of non-residents curious about the damage. Fortunately, only one minor injury was reported as a result of the tornado. Wisconsin Governor, Jim Doyle, surveyed the damage and took time to meet local volunteers during the cleanup on Friday and declared a state of emergency for the county.
“I stood on my deck and watched the storm develop, form over Viola, and move east down highway 56,” commented Mike Alexander, VP of Manufacturing for S&S Cycle. “I had no idea that I was watching Viola being ripped apart until pieces of trees, plywood, and tin started landing near my house. After viewing the destruction in Viola, I am amazed and very thankful there were no injuries.”
“S&S was definitely watched over to survive such a storm with only damage to our flag pole and some of the trees on the property,” said S&S CFO Steve Iggens. “Furthermore, I must commend our local utility company Richland Electric Cooperative, our telecommunications provider Vernon Telephone Cooperative, and our internal IS staff for getting all of our systems up and operational for first shift on Friday morning. This was a monumental effort and they all pulled together so that we could serve our customers like nothing happened,” concluded Iggens.
“I believe it is a blessing from God that not only protected our business, but more importantly protected our employees, their families, and the residents of the Viola area,” said S&S president, Brett Smith. “I am very thankful that nobody was hurt and that state and local agencies responded so quickly.”
S&S Cycle moved from Blue Island , Illinois to Viola, Wisconsin in 1969 and recently expanded its operations to La Crosse , Wisconsin in August of 2004.
NEW MOVIE RELEASED–Greetings from New Zealand. In case you and the readers on Bikernet weren’t aware, the new movie “The Worlds Fastest Indian” is being released in Nth America in October.
This is the true story of the late New Zealander Burt Munro who set a (still unbroken) land speed record on the Salt Flats in Utah on his modified 1920 Indian Scout in 1967. 190mph.
The film stars Sir Anthony Hopkins as Munro. It was filmed in Utah and in his home town of Invercargill, New Zealand this past year.
There are 2 bike wrenchers from New Zealand that make us home building guys proud here. John Britten for his infamous Daytona bike and Burt Munro with his Indian. Both a couple of self taught guys building bikes at home in their sheds.
I think a lot of your readers will get a kick out of his story in this film.
–Andy
http://www.ezrider.co.nz
BIKERNET RUMOR CONTROL–Maybe you can help answer a question for us, we heard this rumor that you can put Twin Cam wheels into Evo cases with minimal machining. Is this true, and if so does it also include the beta model as well? Please help us uncover the truth on this question as it has been the topic of several debates (more like arguments with a lot of head scratching) not to mention I’ve got five bucks riding on it…
Thanks for any answer you can provide.
–Lone Rider
I spoke to Giggie from Rivera and he told me that the wheels and rods are cool, but the Pinion shaft won’t work. And I believe that the Pinion shaft and the right flywheel is one piece.–Bandit
RUSHMORE NUMBERS BREAK RALLY RECORDS–Rapid City Journal, SD – Although attendance to Sturgis proper dipped about 4 percent during the 2005 motorcycle rally, other locales reported a rally week surge over 2004.The 2005 traffic count of motorcycles at Mount Rushmore National Memorial broke all official records kept since 1990,
Mike Pflaum, chief ranger at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, said.”It was the most motorcycles of rally period,” Pflaum said.Pflaum said the Mount Rushmore park attendants counted motorcycles at the national memorial from Aug. 5 to Aug. 15. In 2004, 79,447 motorcycles visited Mount Rushmore during rally week. This year, motorcycle traffic increased 3.8 percent, to 82,466.”We set a record,” he said.
The national memorial has tracked rally week attendance for 15 years.Deb Casey with the Hill City Area Chamber of Commerce agreed.
“We were up,” Casey said of motorcycles visiting Hill City.Hill City closed its main street to four-wheel-vehicle traffic from Aug. 6 to 13 because of the increased motorcycle traffic, and bikers took advantage of it, Casey said.”We had a lot of motorcyclists,” she said.
Not only did motorcyclists arrive in droves, but they also came earlier, she said.”We generally get heavy motorcycle traffic three days before rally, but we were packed a week ahead of rally time,” she said.
The Wyoming Highway Department officials won’t have complete traffic counts until next week, but officials said they will have to move traffic counting devices during the Hulett Ham N Jam in 2006.
On Wednesday of this year’s rally week (officially Aug. 8 through 14), motorcycles sat two abreast more than a mile outside the Hulett city limits in northwestern Wyoming, waiting to get into the event, officials said.
Earlier this month, the South Dakota Department of Transportation reported that traffic counts during the 2005 Sturgis motorcycle rally had reached 524,656 for rally week, falling 4 percent compared to 2004 rally’s 547,370 traffic count. The average daily traffic count for the week was 74,951.
–from Rogue
CALIFORNIA MID STATE RALLY LETTER–Welcome to the 5th Annual Hot Bike California Mid State Rally, Those of you that have been here before will notice some changes this year as well as the continued growth of this event.
Horse Power Promotions took over the promotions and productions this year and we have tried to create a more comfortable layout, easier shopping in the motorcycle marketplace and of course a more enjoyable rally over all.
You have probably seen one of the Horse Power staff at the other shows across the nation passing the word about the California Mid State Rally. Well it worked and as you can see we have attracted more vendors then ever before which lead to the larger vendor field.
The Street Chopper 15,000-dollar build off also attracted more builders than any other show in the western United States. Not just any builders, the best in the business. These builders have been working hard to finish their best bikes for the title and coverage in Street Chopper magazine.
A couple of other changes this year is the FREE motorcycle racing in the main grandstand, giant main stage with bands all weekend, the Fess Parker Wine Garden with one of my favorites the Blue Baron band playing all weekend and $10.00 Hot Bike tour T-shirts. Enjoy the area, grab a Coors, order a bike from Santa Maria Harley-Davidson and shop and chop ’til ya drop!
Ride hard ’til the next H.P. show
–Horse Power Promotions
WOMAN ARRAIGNED ON ASSAULT CHARGE– VANCOUVER, Wash. – A Camas woman was arraigned on an assault charge on Monday in connection with a case of ‘road rage.’Twila Lamb and her husband, John Lamb, were arrested Saturday after they got in a scuffle with several motorcyclists on State Route 14 near Interstate-205.
Police say Twila Lamb intentionally rammed one of the motorcycle riders with her car.According to witnesses, the motorcycle driver, 23-year-old Brandon T. Brooks of Gresham, was ejected over the handlebars and came to rest at the bottom of a hill.Police say following the crash, Twila Lamb got out of her car, ran down the hill and assaulted Brooks. Witnesses say her husband came down the hill as well and tackled Brooks to the ground.
Brooks and another motorcyclist involved in the incident ended up with minor injuries.Twila Lamb faces a charge of First Degree Assault and her husband, John Lamb, faces a charge of Fourth Degree Assault.
–from Rogue
http://www.bikerrogue.com
FIRST LOOK AT SWIFT ’06 RANGE– AT THE LA Calendar Show in Long Beach, California, Swift Motorcycles gave a sneak preview of their 2006 range. The Swift booth featured the ‘Bobber’, a new model that will be part of the line-up coming out of the company’s Phoenix, Arizona plant later this year. Swift’s Chris Moyes said the model is only a small part of the new look for Swift Motorcycles.
He explained: “Look for some real innovations in the new ’06 model range. We have made so many major changes they are going to blow you away and set the tone for Swift going forward.”
Chris said he will show the rest of the Swift line-up in the near future.
SWIFT MOTORCYCLE CO.
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Tel: 602 248 2836
Fax: 602 248 9392
E-mail janet@swiftmotorcycle.com
http://www.swiftmotorcycle.com
100 FREE POSTERS ON BIKERNET–Don’t forget to sneak over to the Free Contest area and register on Bikernet. No cost and the first 100 riders to sign in get a free Rucker Cycles Poster. Don’t Miss it.
http://www.bikernet.com/contest/
MOTORCYCLE SEIZURE COULD BENEFIT WHITEWOOD– Black Hills Pioneer, SD – WHITEWOOD – A methamphetamine arrest during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally yielded a motorcycle that could become profitable for the city of Whitewood, Police Chief Jerry Davidson said.
Davidson said the motorcycle is worth approximately $20,000. Under state law, the owner is given the option to purchase the bike back after the seizure. In this case, he said, a man arrested for possession of 1.5 grams of methamphetamine declined to buy his 2004 Harley-Davidson Softtail back. The bike was completely paid for and was being offered back for $9,000.
But since he did not buy the bike back, Davidson said the motorcycle will now go into a statewide auction, with part of the proceeds likely to go back to the city of Whitewood to purchase a new patrol vehicle.
“I’m pretty excited because if this works out the way it should we should get some of that drug money back,” Davidson said. “I know other agencies have gotten seizure money. These two motorcycles are fully paid for, so this is a big deal for us.”
–from Rogue
http://www.bikerrogue.com>
Continued On Page 2
Sturgis 2005 Bikernet/Crazyhorse Run
By Bandit | | General Posts
Here's the original deal as published in Hot Bike and on Bikernet. It all changed, though, for the better.
We're leaving and having a helluva ride. This form will give you all the basics, so we're all on the same page.
This will also document the hotel locations and basic ride directions.
First Stop Phoenix:
From Phoenix we head north on the 17 into Flagstaff about 130 miles. We can stop for lunch and check out the Grand Canyon. I've never seen it. (That's bullshit. You can't see the Grand Canyon from Flag. It's another 80 miles north of Flag. What was I thinking?)
From Flag we take the 89 North, for 50 miles and stop in Cameron for gas.
Another 17 miles and we slide off on 160 toward the bleak town of Kayenta at 90 miles.
We cut north there on the 163 and head into Monument Valley for 24 miles.
Then we catch 262 east to the 41 then 160 into Durango another 83 miles. (Actually it's 450 miles to Durango from Phoenix.)
Day Two
From Durango we head north up the 550 to Montrose, 107 miles. We can stop in Silverton for Breakfast.
Then we turn right or east on the 50 to Monarch at 129 miles where we stop for Lunch or catch the 24 north and stop at Buena Vista for Lunch.
25 Miles up the 24 we catch the 82 into Aspen about 38 miles.
Day Three
Now we head out the 82 east for 38 miles to the 24 North and in 13 miles catch Highway 91 North to interstate 70 east 50 miles. Georgetown on the 70 maybe a lunch stop.
Or we keep going to the 40 North and catch the 34 into the Rocky Mountain National Park. We could stop in Grandby for lunch. It turns east and leads us directly in interstate 25 North about 70 miles into Loveland.
From Loveland it's 42 miles into Cheyenne.
Hey,
Day Four
From Cheyenne were almost home. We jump on the 25 North, but immediately catch the 85 North for 73 miles into Torrington.
There's a shift in Torrington, but we stay on the 85 for 47 miles into Lusk where we meet up with the Hamsters for lunch.
Another 80 Miles on the 85 and we run into Newcastle and we're 29 miles from 4 Corners.
Then it's 11 miles into Lead and Deadwood and we're home.
Here's the background. At one time I rode with the Hamsters each year and we carved out a week, which allowed us one day of rest halfway there (2000 miles generally). It's the only way to go. I was at HOT BIKE at the time this plan was laid out and they discussed the ride they organized for the past two years. It was a mad dash to Sturgis in three days. It also had the smell of being a private clique of riders and I wanted to offer it to readers and additional advertisers. I spread it out to five days for a more comfortable ride.
Then I left HOT BIKE, but was going to be the editor-at-large and still help out. That didn't last long once the egos were set free to roam the halls. I won't mention names, but they jumped back to the private clique ride. Don't get me wrong, many of the guys on their organized ride are friends of mine. But when you're in the magazine business it's tough not to invite everyone. That was up to them, but I couldn't ignore a few readers who wanted to ride, so I kept the fires burning. Upon reflection, I should have immediately switched to the proven Hamster philosophy, since the ride out is everything. Hell, the Hamsters invited me to ride along, but my plan was published-the show must go on. It's all about what this industry revolves around, the ride and the readers, right?
As the weeks crept up on me along with the Choppers Only show in Hawaii and the LA Calendar show, I wrenched on the project Shovel, worked on mags and Bikernet. I was rapidly burnin' daylight. The Shovel fired the week before the LA Calendar show, but wasn't running right. First, I needed to switch out the Compu-Fire electric starter ignition for the kicker model. It's true that electric start ignitions turn the bike over three times before the plugs fire. Can't generate that action fast enough with a kicker. When Nui, Roger, Keith and George arrived from Hawaii, with their bikes, for the Calendar show they dropped everything to wrench on the Shovelhead. We realigned the Rivera intake manifold and attempted to install the wide rubber bands, but didn't have the clamps, so we shifted back to the O-ring style and filled the gaps with silicone. The key is the heads and they needed to be aligned with the Rivera manifold before they were bolted down. Then the O-rings would have sealed. I'll fix that next week with a new set of S&S heads.
We waited overnight and tightened the stainless straps which fixed the leaky manifold. Then we fired the bike once more. It wouldn't idle and ran too lean on the low end. I dug through my carb locker for jets and found a larger pilot jet. Roger pulled the carb down and replaced it. The bike finally ran strong and I started my Eddie Trotta break-in business. I rode it for a block then checked it over. The front axle was loose. The Big Boar battery sparked violently against the frame. There was still a problem with the BDL alignment.
I rode it to the show, but was sliding off the Lucky Devil Seat. Kent recommended taller seat springs. I ran to Ed Walker's shop for main shaft shims and 5-inch seat springs. I was attempting to build a strong, long-lasting Shovel chop, but ultimately discovered the error of my mechanical ways. It's interesting, each year as we build customs and fuck with the tried-and-true ways of building bikes just to be different. It's part of the code, but it also points out why people build bikes a particular way then stick with it. For instance, I went to the World Championship of custom bike building this year and discovered that a couple of builders were using Heim joints to hold spring mounted solo seats in place. It was very cool, I thought and tried it. It's doesn't hold the seat aligned like the old straps, which created problems. Just one of those things.
I attempted to ride the bike daily and then make adjustments right up to the final day. Brothers and sisters rolled into town. Bikes were shipped from Hawaii. I serviced my Road King for an Australian moto-journalist and we jammed to launch as many articles on Bikernet as possible. We were burnin' daylight.
I'll point out the other errors of my bike building ways as we roll out. This was a different sorta Sturgis ride in so many ways. I suppose each year of our lives have a new slant, new women, new lifestyles, and new roads. Then there's the open road, a fresh new chopper and the adventures that lie ahead. I don't know that I ever just straddle a motorcycle and rode to Sturgis, like an average Joe slipping into a station wagon for a cruise across the country. I enjoy and get a kick out of the adventure side of the coin, screw the fast food and cruise control, as you will see.
I'm going to paste in a couple of paragraphs from various Bikernet News and Sunday Posts just prior to departure. You'll experience the various adjustments prior to riding out.
Hey, it's pre-Sturgis week and bikes are being delivered to the headquarters for the Run. Johnny, the young Texan writer, is meeting us in Durango. I just installed a couple of Pro One running lights on the Sturgis Chop since Japanese Jay couldn't see me in the Long Beach ghetto and almost ran over my ass while we hunted for his favorite Taco joint. Just one more mechanical project to deal with then more test rides, changing oil and tightening bolts.
You wouldn't believe the bullshit mistakes and scary elements. I finally ran it onto reserve. I didn't have any notion of the gas capacity. It took 2.76 gallons. With reserve that's maybe 3 gallons. So 2.76 times 35 mpg gives me 96 miles before I hit reserve. I can live with that-I Hope.
Wanna hear one more bullshit mistake? Crime Scene Choppers recommended that I drill a needle-sized hole in the top of the gas cap for ventilation, if the tank wasn't vented. It's easy to break a bit that small, so I drilled a 1/8 inch guide hole, but drilled too far-through the cap. Okay, so one solution would be to spot-weld the underside and re-drill, but my aluminum welder was just evicted from this property. The owner sold it.
So it tapped the hole with a 10-32 and drilled a tiny stainless set screw and in she went. Let's hit the news.
BACK TO THE LIFT–I'm about to hit the lift and fix my glitch and my BDL engine pulley. Every time I build a bike I ponder the weak links, until they're fixed. They haunt me. It might be a potential clearance problem, the manner in which I mounted something or something I left off. Here's my list for the Sturgis Chop: I mounted the taillight in too close to the frame which blocks rear visibility. Motorcycles need visibility, as much as I like side mounted tail and license plate systems. So I'm going to run a couple of Pro One bullet running lights.
Next I mounted all the electrics where the Starter usually fits. It's mighty close to the chain that's flying past on the backside. I'm going to fix that with a Teflon guard thanks to Larry Settle of Settle Motorcycle Shop in Harbor City.
My last glitch, almost, is the BDL front pulley. There seems to be a problem installing the main shaft nut over the splines. It loosens up. Can't have that. I'll try to fix it this afternoon. I believe it's the shelf in the nut that's riding on the splines and not allowing the nut to seat.
Last night I worked again until 11:00 p.m. changing fluids and then tuning the front end. I checked the trail with Sin Wu's assistance. We ran a rod down the center of the neck on the left side until it touched the floor. Then I dropped a line off the axle and measure between the two. My trail is running between five and six inches.
Then I jacked up the front of the bike and lifted the rockers. I felt a notorious clunking sound. There was way too much play in the neck bearings. Something had dangerously settled. I removed the bars, risers and top tree, snugged up the stem nut, tested it, snugged it again and put the sucker back together.
IT'S A WRAP FOR NOW–We'll hit the road at O-dark 30 Tuesday morning and head for the desert. We leave at the crack of dawn for several reasons. Los Angeles is like a no-man's metal battlefield during rush hour. The sooner we can peel out of town the better. We'll watch the sun rise and be in Phoenix in the early afternoon.
I have this thing about Los Angeles spreading across the desert floor toward the Arizona border and Vegas. It's a nasty plague against the land, and you better get up early to escape.
We'll be in and out of touch for the next couple of weeks. Home base is destined to be the Full Throttle Saloon on Lazelle. They have computer hook-ups so hopefully I can report in from time to time. No news next week.
Okay, so here's my superstition bit for the day. I had a blast building this bike until a particular point, then I ran into humbling glitches. One of the knickknacks on the bike was my hand made oil tank plug. I welded a copper washer to the brass plug and hung a brass antique Douglas Aircraft parking token from it as a novelty. At the same time I had a brass bell, but decided on the bullshit token, which meant nothing to me except that it was quirky. I continued to look for a location for the bell, but never discovered one.
So last night during the oil change I pulled the oil plug, which incessantly leaked when I first installed it. I turned and there was the lucky Bell waiting for me. I yanked the token for the brass good-natured security item. After I installed it Chris, Nyla's brother, walked in the Bikernet shop and handed me a 15-year-old bottle of Scotch and offered to stand by while I tuned the front end. For the first time I felt that the machine was road ready. The bell's working already.
Weight Comparisons
All 2006 Models, running weight
1200 Custom Sportster 575
V-Rod 629
Softail Deluxe 724
Softail Heritage 703
FLH Street Glide 776
Road King 750
Sturgis Shovel 520
We cut a dusty trail out of Wilmington, California at 5:00 a.m. and hit the Long Beach Freeway next to West Coast Choppers, which is in upheaval. Jesse fired his main man Bill Dodge after almost 10- years with him. Bill's wife Renee and Mark quit and many of the staff are threatening. Even today, a couple of days after Sturgis, I know customers who are scrambling to grab their ordered parts before WCC implodes. I don't think it will. Sometimes a shake-up is good to clear the air. We'll report more in the near future.
We jammed north on the LB Freeway to the 91 or Artesia Freeway East. The 91 turns into the 60 or Pomona Freeway then slips into the interstate 10 toward Blythe on the border of California and Arizona. It's about 380 miles from LA to Phoenix where we planned to hook up with friends and riding partners from the past. My first mistake hit me hard on the rugged city freeway miles peeling out of metropolitan Los Angeles. It's a no-man's land for much of the day. If you want out of the City, you hit the road early, like 5:00 a.m. You don't stop for breakfast until you're half way to the border, in the center of the desert near Palm Springs. The morning traffic will eat you alive.
We held tight to our rumbling handlebars for 92 miles before we stopped in Banning. All seemed to be fine with the Sturgis chop. Sure, I'll point out all the negative aspects to share the info with you, but on the positive side the bike was built to ride and be comfortable. The sitting position was glorious, relaxed and the Paughco front end handled well with 35 degrees of rake in the neck and three in the Paughco Springer trees. The bike was light and agile, handled like a dream with the 180 Avon, CCI 18-inch stainless spoked wheel in the back. But my gearing was off. I was pushing the RPMs too much and the vibration swept my feet off the Joker Machine pegs. If you read one of the last techs, it will explain the problem and why I wasn't prepared. I sat astride a 5-speed Rev Tech transmission installed in a late model 4-speed with a kicker-only. I originally planned the build with a JIMS 6-speed, but the kicker element forced a change. I should have switched my rear sprocket from a 51-tooth chain to a 48 or lower. The 48 is currently on order from Custom Chrome.
Couple the gearing with the new motor and trans on a rigid and the vibration was costly. I adjusted the Joker Machine Peg angle for a position that would cause my new work boots to float inward, instead of the other direction.
Here's my editorial comment about building bikes and in particular building this one. I'm a biker because I enjoy the lonely aspects of riding alone, building alone and controlling my destiny. But I'm never actually alone. Building a bike is pure pleasure with the industry we have at our fingertips. So it's not about being alone at all, it's about building a brotherhood of experts who will share their knowledge at the drop of a hat.
I'll mention a couple of people who helped from the very beginning including the base for my project, Ron Paugh at Paughco, James Simonelli from S&S, Martin Tesh and Giggie from Compu Fire, Ben Kudon at Rivera, Bob at BDL and the list goes on. These guys and shop owners like Kent at Lucky Devil Metal Works in Houston, Lee Clemens at Departure Bike Works in Richmond, Larry Curik from Mid West, and John Reed from Custom Chrome are all terrific friends and when I need an answer, they're willing to help.
There's more and I'll mention brothers and sisters who assisted while rumbling across the country. Okay, so we're buzzing into the Mohave desert. The Australian Connection, Glenn Priddle and his lovely wife Kerry, Chris Tronolone and the Queen Joerline. Humble Johnny was waiting in Arizona where we hooked up with Billy and his sidecar. He's handicapped and promised to write a couple of articles about setting up a sidecar rig for a paraplegic.
It's interesting to hit the road on a ground-up, kick-only, rigid Shovelhead surrounded by a bunch of stock bikes, yet Chris's '03 blacked out 95-inch Standard was the first bike to breakdown. Chris T. planned to hook up with his brother, Bob T., in Yucca Valley the day before and we were going to wave him down in Palm Springs. His starter quit the day before, and we had to swap out a new one from BDL, that I wasn't using. We also fed the standard a new battery from California Harley-Davidson and he was good to go, we thought.
At the first gas stop in Banning, California I took 2.3 gallons and we had peeled through 92 miles for a nuts-on 40 mpg. Not bad for the high revving Shovel. We were keeping our speeds down to a reasonable 70-75 mph, since at that point, almost 7:00 in the morning on LA freeways I still only had accumulated only 300 miles on the new build.
As we cut across the state and my speed increased to 90 mph we stopped at the Chircaco Summit after 76 miles and I took 2 gallons of gas for 38 mpg. Then in Blithe at the Arizona Border I poured 2 gallons of gas into the tank and we had just peeled through 64 miles, for 32 mpg-strange.
In Vicksburg I loaded the aluminum XR tank with two gallons, but only had 60 miles on Glenn's Road King clock. I adjusted the pegs and pondered 30 miles to the gallon. Little did I know my speed had nothing to do with gas consumption. It was already well over 100 degrees and we were flying. Myron Larrabbe, from the Scottsdale Billet bar was waiting in Phoenix with the drinks and entertainment and Charlie from Custom Performance had a table reserved at Banderos, the finest Rib Joint in Scottsdale.
I could sense and smell the drinks and chow and our speed increased proportionately. I was begging to detect the strengths and weaknesses of this motorcycle. My Joker billet pegs were unfinished. I needed rubber inserts and a tail lip to keep my feed firmly planted, but the light bike cruised with ease. The Paughco Springer handled speeds and wind shifts like a dream. The bike was light and I plan to have her weighed before this article is completed. My drawback was the vibration due to the new motor and trans at just over 500 miles and my poor choice of gearing. Still I was beginning to pass trucks as if they were standing still.
That's when it happened. At just 60 miles out of Phoenix, with the smell for fresh Tortillas wafting in the 110 degree air, my Shovel shut off, quit, ca-put. I was in the left lane doing 90-something and I looked down to see if the plug wires escaped. I fucked with the Spyke petcock, as if I hadn't turned it on and the float bowl fuel lasted for 30 miles. No such luck. I changed lanes to the right one and down shifted. We ran out of Long Beach on the 710 to the 91 east which turns into the 60 and slowed to a standstill through 15 miles of two lane construction, then it met the 10 and two lanes became five, then back to two as we entered the Mojave desert.
More and more that 2-laner should be four as the crowds and construction spreads toward the Arizona border. The speed limit is 70 mph with 55 for the trucks, but they're flying. I pulled off into the rugged, partially gravel emergency lane and stopped with the crew and our lowered Ford F-150 back-up truck. Nyla held the wheel and her daughter Karley was co-pilot. Immediately a half dozen rumbling, spitting and steaming hot semis, which we had just passed, screamed upon us like mad dinosaurs hoping to stomp the bugs that got away.
We were 60 miles from Phoenix as I sat there and looked down between my legs. Gas was running all over the rear cylinder. I reached down and the ignition switch was turned off. How that happened, I don't have the slightest, but it was one of those mysterious Harley moments.
I jumped off the seat and made sure none of the guys were within flame throwing distance. It could have exploded as gas spilled onto the rear cylinder, but I didn't. Yet the dark angel of death that roams the earth turned off my ignition and whispered in my ear, “Get off that motorcycle quick mother-fucker. It's gonna blow.”
We pulled the spare can of gas out of the back of the truck, yanked the line off the Mikuni carb and Glenn began to attempt to unload the tank via the traditional way as it continued to spill fuel all over the smoldering engine. It never blinked in the desert heat as hundreds of tons of metal sped past kicking gravel and chunks of discarded chains in our direction. We emptied the tank, pulled the ramp, reloaded the gear, loaded the Shovel and jumped back on the road.
Phoenix is one of those terrible indications of sprawling society to come. It's spreading across the desert like a plaque faster than they can build freeways. We figured our path to the hotel and let the crew hide from the heat, then I called Charlie, one of the partners of Custom Performance, located near the Deer ValleyAirport, next to Bourgets and Jim Nasi's shops. Custom Performance (623) 879-8488, is a supporter of Branscomb Richmond's efforts to raise funds for the Crazy Horse monument in the Badlands. He also builds turbo systems for V-Rods and twin cams. At 4200 rpm these puppies double the horsepower of any bike without the damaging effects of a nitrous system. I followed Charlie's directions to the Custom Performance headquarters where their motto is “Making Fast Bikes Faster”(FastbikesArizona.com).
We barged in on them the afternoon after 2/3s of the crew split for Sturgis. Nick, the partner, fortunately was still on hand. I had split the aluminum tank wide open around the rear left bung, I added for additional rubber-mounted support. “The rubber mounts are too stiff,” Nick said as he reviewed the damage Tuesday afternoon. “Was the bike buzzing as you crossed the desert?”
I hadn't encountered that term before, but damn I could relate. It fit perfectly as my slippery boots in the desert heat spun against the Joker billet and I sensed a deepening vibration. I needed another gear. Nick delivered the tank to a professional welder. The wild bracket I made to support the Mikuni carb snapped and one nut backed off the rear exhaust manifold. Not bad, but there was no way we'd make it to Durango the next day. That was cool.
As the thunderstorms turned the blistering heat into another world, we ate fine barbecue then had a drink at the Billet Bar. I'll try to get the hell out of Phoenix, but I need to mention an ACE hardware in the Deer Valley area. I ran up there with Glenn while Chris hauled his FLH Standard to Hacienda the dealership that won't work on sidecar rigs. We searched for the Ace to buy some _-inch studs to replace the tank Allens. Nick suggested Loctite sealed studs to prevent constant thread meshing in the bungs. We also needed softer, thicker rubber- mounts. Rubber grommets aren't easy to find, but this Ace had a serious selection. I bought every goddamn grommet that would remotely fit.
As Chris rolled into Phoenix on a new battery he noticed that his charging system shut down. He blasted to Hacienda while we peeled to Deer Valley. They replaced his stator and regulator, but five miles out of the shop it acted up again, and he returned just in time before the roll-up door closed. We were stuck for the night.
A notorious electrical killer are poor grounds, especially on rubber-mounts. The engine needs proper grounding and so does the frame, since they're not connected like a rigid. Chris requested that the dealership run another ground to the frame from the Battery. The next day we hooked up with Billy, a paraplegic from Hawaii who recently displaced himself to Phoenix. We hauled to Custom Performance in the morning and by noon we were ready to rock. Everywhere we hauled in Phoenix took 45 minutes. I can't thank the staff of Custom Performance enough. Every member on-hand helped in anyway they could. I rode the Turbo V-Rod and was blown away. Fast and smooth isn't the word. It's a goddamn rocket ship.
This is where the travel plan changed and I'm glad it did. As the afternoon sun set, we headed due north out of Phoenix to Flagstaff just 150 miles, but directly into the hills on the 17. Plus a daily weather pattern was set is darkening clouds. If we didn't grab an early start, we'd face the threat of thunderstorms every damn day. We rode directly into an afternoon downpour. I removed my front fender before departure. Above 40 mph, no problem, but putting around town was a nightmare. It was as if I had a hose aimed right at my ugly mug, spewing street water and granite sand. We had a blast hunting for our hotel, getting kicked out and finding another one. Dirty Bikers.
Generally the ride from Phoenix is a journey from hells kitchen to the gates of Heaven. It's a beautiful departure from the sand, cactus and heat into the Tonto National Forest. I love the road to Prescott, then my favorite highway 89A into Jerome, Cottenwood and Sedona. Phoenix isn't a bad city. The women are beautiful, there's cleanliness about the city, but it's one of the fastest growing bergs in the country.
We copped a terrific meal at some restaurant, can’t remember the name, where the Bourget crew was chowing down, then crashed for the night. I tightened the tank the next morning and rolled down the hill to the Conoco gas station to discover the Mikuni side vent was spewing fuel. I was beginning to snag and explosive aura. The trip nemesis was fuel threats. That's twice I could have burst into flames. I called Lee Chaffin, from Mikuni, on my cell and he explained that the float was snagged open, probably due to crap in the float bowl. Chris Tronolone held a small container as I released the cap on the float bowl and watched _ a cup of gas spill into my modified soda cup. Yep, it was full of fine crap, perhaps from welding on the tank. We replaced the cap, turned on the gas and it quit venting.
We hit the road toward Durango through the vast dry and desolate Hopi Indian Reservation. We called ahead and friends were waiting in Durango. We peeled up the 89 North toward Cameron, the best spot for Turquoise jewelry in Arizona at the Cameron Junction. They've scored a tremendous cache of opals but there's an ancient code. It's not good luck to buy yourself an Opal. I let the Lovely Nyla pick something out then I bought it. The girls were loosing site of the daylight as Dawson said once in Wyoming, “Dem clouds are bunchin' against the hills. We better keep moving.”
I shouted, “Wind 'em up!” The toursists ran for cover and the girls barely moved. We caught 160 east and rolled through Kayenta into Mexican Water to refuel. Just another 40 miles and we crossed the border into Colorado. We didn't stop to see the four-corners monument, but that didn't help. In Cortez we pulled up for a late lunch and a beer. The food was good, but we shoulda kept rolling. The sky was darkening as we neared the twisting highway into Durango. We pulled over and suited up for the rain, but I didn't don the rain pants. It rained on us for 40 miles right into town. The Shovel ran like a champ and even started easier the wetter we became.
I also discovered that I didn't need to climb on the kicker at 8.5:1 compression. I could push her through and she fired. We were soaked and couldn't see a damn thing as we darted around the wet tourist traffic. Scheduled for rooms at the Iron Horse, I stopped at a station and collected the other riders. We hadn't seen the hotel as we slid through town and tried to make out neon through fogged and wet glasses.
“I'll tell you exactly where it is,” the young attendant said and looked up the hotel in the phone book. Unfortunately he didn't know North from South. “It's back through town.” He was very specific, but the hotel didn't exist in the center of town and two smiling shop clerks braved the rain and chill to explain the error of our ways. We all flipped-off the Exxon station attendant as we rumbled through the pouring rain once more and moseyed out of town where the bristling wind picked up.
Thinking it was just a couple of blocks I took my smeared Panoptic glasses off to find my way with improved vision. The showering weather worsened as we left the city limits hidden in a protected canyon. Just outside of town the wind whipped through the valley and I couldn't see shit. I pulled off to the side of the road and Johnny rolled ahead, found the sign for the hotel and pulled off. When he lingered and we didn't show up he turned around, a gust of wind caught his torso leaning against highbars and blew him over just as we arrived. We left him there to rot and pulled off the highway, anything to escape the rain, the cold and the wind.
Don't ever stay at the Iron Horse. The help sucked, an unfriendly bunch, and the rooms are odd mixes of patchwork and wood paneling. It was freezing yet there were no logs for the fireplace. My buddy, Joe Lankau looked at me sideways when he picked us up for dinner, “It hasn't rain here in three weeks,” he said and drove us to a hippie steak house (is that possible?) on the other side of the highway. The food and service was incredible. Joe's pal, Trip, followed us to the restaurant on an '04 Big Dog. He loved the bike although fought electrical problems from time to time. “You've got to get the hell through the pass, passed Silverton and Ouray before it starts to rain,” he said and wiped the rain out of his face.
The next morning was ominous, but dry. Gray clouds covered the sky and it was cold. We met up with Joe, his wife Paula, and their kids as we stopped for gas. I wanted to pour fuel quick and split as I constantly glanced at the sky, but we held up for group shots. I've known Joe since about '83. We had some wild times although he wasn't a rider. He talked about bikes constantly as he motored from one yuppie phase to another. His base salary came from being a Los Angeles fireman, although he never lived in LA. No Shit. I met him in Camarillo, California. Then he moved to Phoenix and commuted and finally he retired and escaped to Durango to be a State Farm agent. Good people, he finally bought a Screamin' Eagle Deuce in Phoenix. A month later his wife, Paula, rolled up the driveway on her own Softail.
We peeled north along one of the most classic mountain roads in the country into Silverton an old mining town. I filled and it took 2.5 gallons for 90 miles through 10,600 feet of elevation (36 mpg). I remembered jamming along the same road on the Touring Chopper built by the crew at West Coast Choppers. That bike was super low and had wide steel bags. It wouldn't turn, but I handled it like a dirt bike through the mountains for a wild ride. This bike was designed narrow and had all the ground clearance in the world, but I was holding back on account of the tank and vibration. I would have loved to spend a week there carving up and down that road.
Glenn and his wife Kerry straddled the King and loved every minute of it. Chris's 95-incher, even when the Hawaiian Queen Joerline was riding in the truck, struggled in the hills. Johnny's Softail played along but the light, 93-inch Shovel lead the pack. That puppy is so light compared to a dresser, she just danced through the twisties. Twice she coughed or missed and I always held my breath. She ran a tad rich, but that's okay for the break-in spell. The Shovel set the gas stop regulations for a while. Everyone else had at least 4-gallon tanks and could carve through 200 miles between stops. Billy's sidecar rig was heavy and powered with a 107 TP engine. He began to point at his tank from time to time, indicating low fuel. He felt his capacity only allowed him 125 miles, so we watched it.
Our original plans called for a right in Montrose on the 50 to the 25 and north to the Aspen Highway, but the thunder clouds had spooked us. We were jamming for the 70 interstate and Glenwood springs. We beat the rain out of the pass and were bundled in preparation for stinking weather as we entered Montrose then Delta 21 miles down the road. We were heading north but large and small groups of bikes were flew by, in the opposite direction, and the riders, to a man and woman, wore vests without T-shirts, tank-tops and t-shirts.
In Delta we took a vote. A mad dash into Grand Junction for the interstate, or a roaming highway 65 into Grand Mesa. Some investigation told us that 65 was under construction. That answered the question. A couple of times we ran into the road construction threat. That and thundering clouds pushed us along the fastest, most direct route. We were a day behind and burnin' daylight.
Even the 141 cutoff on the outskirts of Grand Junction to Palisade held warnings of delays and construction. We peeled directly into town and the freeway east for 100 miles into Glenwood Springs a picturesque berg with the worst traffic signal in the world. What a fuckin' mess, but we found a Harley Shop so Billy could have his clutch checked and we discovered Doc Holiday's bar on the edge of town, after we cruised the bubbling hot springs on the Colorado River. I discovered that my wheel sprocket bolts were loosening so I replace them with new stainless jobs, washers and nyloc locking nuts. A gentleman at our hotel took a liking to my beast and gave me an Eagle Feather for luck. I carefully stashed it with my rain gear in my Bandit's Dayroll, which also carried a full assortment of tools. Rumor had it we had clear skies for 250 miles to Cheyenne. We'd see.
That brings me to the contention that bikes, especially Harleys have a life. They speak to you if you're listening. I heard a slight squeak in the rear and that's how I discovered the loose sprocket fasteners. Even though I replace them, the bike reminded me to replace the sprocket by tricking me into buying the wrong size fasteners. I needed 7/16, which I will install with the new, correct 48-tooth sprocket.
We hung around until Billy showed up with his factory inspected motorcycle and sidecar. He was apparently good to go, so we cut a dusty trail toward Denver and again we pulled off the freeway and took a vote. Take the 40 north into the Arapaho National Forest toward the Thunder clouds or jam right into Saturday, Mile-High City traffic. Again the clouds hung ominously against the hills and we peeled out for the city. It was a helluva ride, winding out into the White River National Forest, through Vale and across the Summit in Frisco, Colorado, until we hit the city limits, then my frame screamed as we encountered concrete lips, metal spinal cord breakers and nasty potholes. I hit one so hard my bars changed direction and a heat shield snapped off the left exhaust pipe and bounced down the road. Johnny tried to snatch it for a souvenir.
Interstate highway 25 North is a virtual straight shot over roaming hills sides into Wyoming. I've ridden this highway directly into the badlands before. Even three years ago, once out of Denver, there wasn't anything as far as the eye could see except soft rolling hills and farmlands. Suddenly, over the last three years construction has added one town after another, two massive Harley-Davidson dealerships, Budweiser event center, and a sprawling Budweiser plant. As we rolled onto the 25 a mountain climber warned us that it was pouring in Fort Collins, Colorado. “But you know the word,” He muttered under his breath? “The weather changes every 15 minutes whether you like it or not.” The Skys were clear as a bell as we rumbled through Fort Collins, checked our watches and blew into Wyoming to the Best Western Hitchin' Post in Cheyenne. First we had to check the Eagle's Nest. an old A-frame biker bar. It was packed. Once more we had a killer dinner full of laughs and wonderful road tales.
We blew out of Cheyenne early. One last day into Deadwood. I noticed that my tank was leaking again, but only slightly. I prayed it was the petcock. I watched every aspect of that motorcycle, checked and tightened it constantly. It endured one harsh break-in run and so far it survived. Even as we roamed north on the 85 through bleak barren lands over smooth and rough roads I held my breath slightly. The bike was hanging, but I didn't know for how long, just like the rain. It was threatening, but we didn't know how far we would make it before it cut loose again, so we kept riding, telling jokes and having a helluva good time. I spoke to Rogue in the morning. They were scheduled to meet us in Cheyenne, but he arrived a day early, or were we a day late.
We hit Lusk, the meeting spot for the Hamsters the day before. We missed lunch but gassed and the stations were jammed up with riders. Some 90 percent of the bikes we passed or passed us were new twin cam models. It wasn't until we were within 500 miles of the badlands that older bikes showed up, metrics and even a Pan and an early flathead Indian. Didn't hardly see a production chopper, except Trip's Big Dog in Durango. My mileage was dropping again. I poured 1.6 gallons in the tank after 53 miles for 33 mpg. Then in Newcastle, with 81 miles under my belt it, took 2 gallons for 40mpg. I was wondering what the hell was going on as we ducked the rain once more as we slid into the badlands and we found Chris's turn-off outside Lead. It was just beginning to pour.
We rolled into Deadwood and I found Hamsters, but couldn't find Eric Herrmann's digs on the outskirts of town. We picked up some directions and discovered that we were only a mile off the mark. I pulled into the yard in front of Eric's rented house and stood off the seat. With a gloved hand I reached under the tank and it came back wet. I kneeled down and watched it drip gas on the rear sparkplug.
It's difficult to define. Sturgis was a traffic jam of action, events, parties, dinners and rides. I wish I could have attended each and every function I was invited to, but it wasn't possible. From the moment we rolled into town it was non-stop. First I need to apologize to Billy Lane and Darcy Betlach for never making the dirt trail to the Buffalo Chip or Broken to the Blood Sweat and Gears display that Bikernet Sponsored and followed all year long. I also didn't make it to the Seminole Roadhouse on Main that we also sponsored and we'll bring you reports on throughout the year. There's one helluva bike raffle going on at that booth. Nyla did sneak by and deliver a stack of Bikernet stickers. We will feature all four Bikes onBikernet. One will be given away and each one is a world-class custom, not like my Shovelhead. Doug Kiem built one, then Johnny Chop, Roland Sands and Jesse Rooke. The winner gets to pick. Incredible.
So here's a quick blast through the week. We arrived a day late, Sunday afternoon and I called Rogue. I was ordered to meet him and Berry Wardlaw from Accurate Engineering for dinner above the Number 10 Saloon in Deadwood. Next year my Sturgis build will be based around a 120-inch Accurate Engineering Panhead, a Baker Transmission and a John Reed sportbike-V chassis. I'm calling it the first Panhead Sportbike.
Berry was pissed off as he ordered another bottle of Fat Bastard Wine and I ordered Jack on the Rocks. “We raced to Wyoming and you didn't show,” he said, guzzled wine and played grab ass with the waitress. “Remember when you tried to steal my girl in Bonneville, when you guys set the record?”
I took a shot of Jack and remembered my last fist-fight. Deadwood was just the place. “But I love you, brother,” Berry said and took another slug of wine.
I looked across the table. I was out numbered. He had a gang of people with him including Rogue and his son. Sometimes, “I love you,” means, “I love you, but I'm gonna kick your ass tonight.” You know how that works.
Seems to me as the night wore on I found out about another notorious Bandit act that resided forever in the back of Berry's mind. I could do nothing right. But we also heard a story that will forever be remembered and relished. Berry build a Sportster years ago and took it to Bonneville. He named it the Enola Gay after the B-59 that delivered the atom bomb. Get this, several years later he offered to give it to a girl in Tennessee. He told her that her she couldn't change the name of the bike. As it turned out her name was Samantha Enola Gay. Her father was an rigger on the project and named her after the plane. I told you Harleys have a life and a soul.
Monday I was convinced that the leak in the tank had something to do with the Spyke petcock. I stripped the spigot before I left and prayed that it would hold. I was also loosing oil out of one of the hard copper lines, so I made a made dash to J&P in Sturgis. They set-up the only major aftermarket shop in the city and it was teaming with customers. I bought everything I needed and hit a hardware store on the outside of town, Campbells, for hard line components.
On the way back to Deadwood we spotted Dave Perewitz, the Prez of the Hamsters. He asked me if I would like to come back into the fold and invited us to the annual Hamster Dinner. I worked on the Shovel all afternoon and thought I had it fixed until I filled the tank once more. Then we showered and rolled down the mountain to the Spearfish Holiday in for the dinner, watched new Hamster being inducted and the raffle that raised $38,000 for Kids and Chrome effort to support a Rapid City Children's hospital and the Sturgis Museum. I was a Hamster for 13 years and it was good to see the brothers and I was proud of their efforts for this charity.
Tuesday I was scheduled to sign books at the Sturgis Museum and I took my wounded tank, on the off chance I could have it repaired or sealed (most builders cringe when I mention sealing any tank). While setting up to sign Orwells and give half the proceeds to the Museum, Ray Wheeler, a Monterey biker I met a couple of times before over the year, roamed into the museum and I told him about the tank. He disappeared and in 15 minutes returned. He found a welder who had the facility to repair the tank. I gave him the tank and he disappeared into the main street crowd.
At noon we wrapped up the signing after selling 50 books, the box we hauled from the west coast. Unfortunately the rain pierced some of them. We were ready to roll, but the tank was nowhere to be found. Nyla's daughter looked at me as if I was nuts to give my tank to a stranger, especially in Sturgis. We roamed through the crowded streets to Two-Wheelers where I found my old friend Arlin Fatland. He said the only welding shop closed up and rolled his eyes when I told him the story. I knew, and expressed to Karley, that the brother would return with the tank. That's one of the major wonderful things about this lifestyle, the brotherhood. If a Brother says he'll fix something, he will.
We ate lunch, I found the welder, John, at Dave's Welding down the street from the Napa Auto Parts. The tank couldn't be repaired at his shop. He only housed a MIG welder and it needed a TIG. Raymond had returned my tank to our pickup. His partner was in Rapid, and he would come out, pick up the tank and fix it. So I left the tank behind and we returned to Deadwood to prepare for Mike Lichter's Journey Museum party in Rapid. Nyla kept pointing out a low tire on the truck. I dismissed it, the pressure was only five pounds lower than the other tires. I shot it with some air then discovered a massive metal screw embedded in the thread. I yanked it and plugged the hole. Shot some air in it with Fix-O-Flat and crept up to a local Conoco for a refill. She was good to go, but we were too late to make it to Rapid City, so we canceled.
Wednesday morning was a special day. The induction breakfast into the Sturgis Hall of Fame, and two brothers from Bikernet were being inducted, my Bandit self and Rogue for his years as a leader in the motorcycle Freedom Movement. We were back at the Spearfish Holiday in once more and what a breakfast it was. A room full of friends, from New York Mike as the MC, then Branscomb Richmond, Pepper Massey-Swan the executive director of the Sturgis Museum, Dave Perewitz introduced me, Dave Nichols respected me by saying that he wouldn't have his start without me. Mick Lichter did the same as he accepted his induction. The room was packed with industry folks, past inductees and Hamsters.
I returned the girls to the Bandit hideout in Deadwood and cut a dusty trail toward Rapid City to retrieve my tank once more. The shop for Reb's Welding was planted on the hillside behind the booming Black Hills Harley-Davidson dealership. The tank looked strong enough to ride forever and I beamed with confidence that I would finally ride the Sturgis Chop through downtown and out to the Crazy Horse Charity ride to support the monument on Thursday. Then Ed, or Reb, or Red, as he called himself muttered, “I don't know what happened to the petcock. Dave or John must have left it in the tank while they welded it.”
I looked at the petcock and shrugged my shoulders. Sure it looked fried, but I thought it would work until I inspected it close. No way. The inlet hole was packed with slag or boiled chrome. Nyla scolded me about the cash we were spending, while she stayed glued to the phone shuffling balances and deposits to keep our action afloat.
I still swung into the Black Hills Dealership lot and made a bee-line for the parts counter. Natch, they didn't carry any old shit, so in the rain I moseyed back toward the Badlands. We had another dinner engagement at the Kids And Chrome banquet/Auction at the Spearfish Holiday Inn once again. The dining room took on a completely different atmosphere this time around. It was lavish to say the least and the auction items including Eric Herrmann and Scott Jacob's prints lined the walls. Ted Sands was the guest host and handled the proceeding with aplomb. Dave Perewitz helped with the auction and I needed to find out the sales amount. We supported the Kids and Chrome effort from the beginning through Bikernet, but Nyla kicked me under the table if I attempted to bid on any item.
Thursday was the last day for us Bikernetters. The girls dropped my sorry ass off at the Full Throttle Saloon, the largest bar in Sturgis, for Branscomb Richmond's Celebrity Crazy Horse ride to the monument. Glenn Priddle and Kerry rolled in along with 60 other riders, including Senator Dave Zien from Wisconsin. We followed Branscomb up the hill towards Deadwood, Lead and some 70 miles through the Black Hills.What a killer ride except for the threat of rain that rumbled into the hills, clouds stacking against one another until the threat became a reality and it poured.
We missed any precipitation on the ride out and the vast parking lot under the monument to the American Indian was packed with riders. Branscomb set up a stage while we watched an historic documentary on the evolution. I didn't know that sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski, who was born in Boston of polish descent was approached by Indian chieftain Standing Bear, while he worked on Mount Rushmore, to create an Indian monument in the name of warrior Crazy Horse. The first blast rocking the mountain occured a few months after I was born on June 3, 1948. I was fortunate enough to meet his wife Ruth during the ceremony, when we offered up the $6,000 we raised including $250 from Bikernet Sponsor Michael Hupy. I also didn't know that Branscomb supported this effort with celebrity rides for the last six years. He's all right.
I didn't ride the Shovel but a late model Indian painted red and white with American Flag graphics that belonged to Mike, a friend of Branscomb's. It was a terrific ride and I can't express how much I appreciate any man who loans out his motorcycle. Plus it was a treat to meet the wife of Mr. Korczak, who passed on several years ago. Ruth was a delightful woman who continued the tradition to build the monument, the Indian Scholarship fund, a medical center and school on the property. She handles it with six of her eight kids who have stayed on board to see the historic mission through. They've come along way since I visited four years ago. I will always support their efforts.
In a sense they're rebels like many of us bikers. They've fought to complete the devoted Indian center without government grants or funding. Since the Scholarship fund was developed they've given over a million dollars to American Indians for schooling. Ultimately the Future of Crazy Horse will include the Indian Museum of North America, the Indian University of North America and Medical Training Center and the visitors complex. Crazy Horse was born on Rapid Creek in the Black Hills of South Dakota in about 1842. While at Fort Robinson, Nebraska, under a flag of truce, he was stabbed in the back by an American soldier and died September 6, 1877. “They made us promises, more than I can remember-They never kept but one: They promised to take our land, and they took it.” Red Cloud, Lakota, 1891.Glenn, Kerry and I looked at the clouds bunching against the hills and said, “We've got to cut a dusty trail.” We took off down the mountain dodging rain until we reached Trout Haven. We snatched lunch while watching bikers fish for their grub out back. While we ate trout it rained and we watched drops splashing on the pond out back. By the time we finished our beers and chow the rain let up and we peeled north along the meandering highway toward Deadwood on the 385. We dodged curtains of rain over every mountain and across every valley. Our lucky dice were running strong as we gassed up in Deadwood and wound down the mountain into Sturgis.
Glenn and Kerry jumped off the snarled main drag of Lazelle to reach their Sturgis digs. I kept going thinking that it would break once I passed the Junction intersection. No Fuckin' way. Worse that any Los Angeles traffic jam, that I would have split lanes through, It was humid with cloud covering but still blistering hot. I felt for the lumbering Indian and pulled off on a side street to give it a break. I had refueled the loaner, and I wasn't going deliver a smoldering air-cooled twin home. I rested on the corner of the street adjacent to the Broken Spoke until she cooled then rumbled out of town to the next traffic jam at the Full Throttle and Strokers Sturgis, set up by Rick Fairless. What a fuckin' madhouse.
Relieved to return to the American Motorcycle 1902 booth in the Full Throttle Chop Lot of vendors, I stepped off the bike, returned the keys to the shapely girl in the booth and for the first time made my way into the largest Saloon in Sturgis, the Full Throttle. It contained Stages, girls, comfortable lounge chairs, burn-out pits, sellers of T-shirts, knives, massages, girls, several bars, chow hall, carny sports, circus acts, and Charlie's Custom Performance Horse Power competition. The damn joint was jammed with people, and there was one girl in particular who assisted with the bike show the day before. She was a bubbly as a soda fountain, intelligent, and her body was a mixture of eye candy and hardened muscle. I'll pray for a shot of her from Bob Page, Branscomb's partner.
As the sun set and a constant flow of bikes entered the lot I ran into Dexter, from Ft. Worth (he works in a shop, but I can't find his card), who rode a rigid '51 Pan to Cheyenne in a day and endured 150 miles of rain. He covered 950 miles, with 16 gas stops, and he's 51 years old. Not bad.
Branscomb Richmond, Bob Page, of American Motorcycle 1902, Larry Crowe, of Competitive Edge Gun Works, Berry Wardlaw, of Accurate Engineering had something up their sleeves as we jumped on the stage between acts and announced Barry's new line-up of Outlaw Panheads engines (120-inches of raw power). Larry Crow pulled a 45 Caliber revolver out of his pants and awarded it to Berry to commemorate his achievement then grabbed the mic and announced, “For your hard work in the industry I'd like to award you with this highly modified Rugar, .45 Caliber revolver.” He had another one in his pants and yanked it free. These guns are wild cannons of precision and classic design. I'll show you more as we work with Custom Chrome to build a John Reed designed V, or the first production, big twin Sportbike powered by an Accurate Engineering, 120 inch Panhead. That night was the icing on the cake for me, and this run to Sturgis.
The next morning I threw the Shovel in the back of my truck, along with all our gear and we split to the west. In less than two days we covered 1,400 miles past the Devil's Tower, through Devil's Gate, over the Devil's Playground, into Death Valley and through the Calico Ghost Town. It was bitchin to kick back and flip-off any thunderclouds we encountered.
So ended the clamoring Sturgis 2005 Run. I already have a 48-tooth sprocket for the rear, to fix the Shovelhead gearing. Every time I attempt to check the plugs the thread inserts want out, so I'm going to replace the heads with a new set of S&S Performance Shovelheads. I may have the pipes jet hot coated black and I'm going to lower the seat and change the hinge in the front. That was a bad move. I'm also going to change all the copper hard lines and replace the fittings with vibration dampening ferrules. Ah, one more critical item, the pegs. I need a tail lip or rubber inserts to prevent my boot from being carved on by the engine pulley. That should do it and she'll be ready to rock for good.
Hope you had a helluva ride, if not hope you enjoy our Bikernet adventure.
–Ride Forever,
–Bandit
Go on to the next page for pictures of Sturgis and alone the way.
August 25, 2005 Part 4
By Bandit | | General Posts
Continued From Page 3
EUROPEAN BIKE WEEK / Penz Charity Ride– EUROPEAN BIKE WEEK is scheduled for September 7th-11th 2005 at its usual venue, the picturesque Lake Faak in Austria.
After the success of the inaugural Penz Charity Ride in 2004, another will be held at this year’s Bike Week. The ride will start at 14.00 hours from the Peter Penz Custombike booth at the American Bar at the Arneitz Platz in Velden. A tombola competition will offer prizes such as motorcycle parts from W&W, Custom Chrome Europe, Penz and Rick’s. There are also trips from DFDS Seaways and a shuttle voucher from SKS. The proceeds will go to charity and the chosen cause this year is ‘Licht ins Dunkel’ (‘Light into Darkness’) for children and others in distress.
Custom Chrome Europe will be supporting the event as part of the 2005 itinerary for its Show Truck. Other vendors will include BSL, Pistor, LightCon, Avon, Paradise Custom Bikes, UHS, DHL and ‘Fat Attack’ from Switzerland, among others. The Carinthia Chapter will have a Custom Chrome ‘Dragon’ kit bike built by Thomas Sonnet. The Chapter is holding a draw for the bike and hopes to sell 4,000 specially produced pin badges. The winner will be declared on Saturday night at the Carinthia Chapter tent.
PETER PENZ ORIGINAL CUSTOMBIKES
Altheim, AUSTRIA
Tel: +43 7723 44690
Fax: +43 7723 44691
E-mail:
http://www.penzcustombikes.com
DRUNKEN COP KILLS MAN, CRIPPLES DAUGHTER– read it all at www.realdealnews.com.
It Takes four years to come to court, he’s convicted, and now appeals as cop skates toward his pension on paid vacation.
Never heard this story? We’re not surprised. The police, courts and media conspire to downplay police wrong doing with Friday court dates, Saturday publication, and a rash of delayed cases that get charges tossed and spare crown attorney’s those uncomfortable moments at police cocktail parties. For bikers the formula is reversed and bows are taken.
Equal justice under the law is the biggest Canadian joke there is… Are you laughing?
–Webmaster
Hells Angels Downtown Toronto
TRAFFIC COUNTERS INDICATED FEWER VEHICLES IN STURGIS– STURGIS, S.D. – Automatic traffic counters showed fewer vehicles at the Sturgis motorcycle rally this year.The counters, operated by the state Transportation Department, don’t tell how many people attend the event, but only how many motorcycles, cars and trucks go in and out of Sturgis each day.
This year’s count averaged 74,951 vehicles per day, or 524,657 for the week-long event.
The state said that is down 4 percent from last year but still above the 10-year average of 69,980 vehicles a day.-Associated Press.
–Rogue
http://www.bikerrogue.com
STURGIS RALLY SMOOTH ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES– Sioux Falls Argus Leader, SD – Law enforcement officers working the 65th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally say it went smoothly.”The arrests were normal for the rally: DWIs, open container and simple assaults. No homicides,” said Meade County Sheriff Chief Deputy Tom Wilts. “We’re very pleased with the outcome of the rally this year.”
Wilts said it was hard to estimate the number of visitors but noted the rally spread well beyond Sturgis city limits.”The majority of the (law enforcement) effort was concentrated in Sturgis, but coverage was all over,” said State Highway Patrol Lt. Randy Hartley.
At the Sturgis rally, troopers arrested 157 people for DWIs, 145 for misdemeanor drugs offenses and 34 for felony drug offenses.
Overall, troopers arrested 262 people for driving while intoxicated, made 247 drug arrests, and issued 1,727 citations and 2,964 warnings.
According to the Meade County Sheriff’s Office, 448 people were placed in their jail from Aug. 6-14.Six fatalities were recorded this year; only two in the Sturgis area. Other motorcycle-related deaths occurred in Custer and Kadoka.
Wilts said changes in the way visitors entered the Buffalo Chip campground helped alleviate traffic problems. Cyclists and campers used different entrances this year.”It was a huge benefit for us,” Wilts said. “It helped the flow of traffic.”
Wilts said campground owners are working to make changes to benefit the rally because law enforcement officers have been having “a big night, every night” at campgrounds when big name entertainers perform.Hartley said education and experience play a role in keeping people safe at the rally.
He said he’s seen a lot of new bikes as well as people who just got a motorcycle license during the rally.Hartley said experience is needed for safe riding.
“Problems come with the unexpected,” he said. “The Black Hills are a difficult place to ride a motorcycle … a beautiful place to ride a motorcycle. But there are a lot of curves and the scenery can be distracting.”
–from Rogue
FIVE S&S POWERED PROSTOCK BIKES QUALIFY AT THE LUCAS OIL NATIONALS–BRAINERD, MN (August 14, 2005) – For the first time this season, five S&S powered Prostock motorcycles qualified at the Lucas Oil Nationals in Brainerd, Minnesota, with G-Squared’s Chip Ellis advancing to the quarter finals. Tom Bradford, of Hal’s Harley-Davidson, joined the other teams using the S&S V-Twin Prostock engine as the most recent qualifier.
S&S Cycle’s NHRA Prostock Motorcycle contingency sponsorship has been paying out consistently this year with the success of the 160″ Prostock powerplant. These S&S powered bikes continue to perform very well in this highly competitive season with speeds now exceeding 190 mph and ET’s nearing the 6’s.
The following racers and teams qualified:
3. Chip Ellis, G-class, Squared/S&S Buell 7.049, 193.35 mph
9. Ryan Schnitz, Team Muzzy Buell, 7.103, 182.30 mph.
11. Matt Guidera Rocklin Motorsports Buell, 7.126, 186.98 mph
13. Chris Rivas, Mohegan Sun Racing Buell, 7.144, 183.37 mph
15. Tom Bradford, Hal’s HD V-Twin Buell, 7.172, 189.68 mph
“G Squared Motorsports, in addition to competing at the highest level on the track with Chip Ellis, is doing a great job outfitting other teams with our 160-inch Prostock engine,” said Charlie Hadayia, Race Relations Manager for S&S Cycle. “We’re glad to see Tom Bradford from Hal’s Harley Davidson qualify this weekend on his S&S powered bike and congratulations to Ryan Schnitz, Matt Guidera, and Chris Rivas too. Chip Ellis did a fantastic job, despite some frustrating setbacks in the last couple of weeks, to qualify number three,” concluded Hadayia.
Crime Scene Choppers Launches Line of ?Builder Parts?
New Handlebar Riser Stude for Sanitary Wiring
Scotts Valley, CA ? July 12, 2005 ? Crime Scene Choppers now has a line of ?builder parts? to help with the fabrication of a custom bike.
The first product is a handlebar riser stud for fabricating handlebars with integral risers and hidden wiring. These hollow studs allow you to pass wires and cables through the handlebars, risers and triple trees for a clean set of bars. The mild steel studs have a ?? through hole and a generous shoulder to fit 1? x .120? wall tubing. The threaded portion is made long so that they may be trimmed to the correct length for your installation. The studs include a stainless nut, and may be used with standard handlebar bushings by drilling the bushings to match.
New Builder Parts?As a builder?, said Joe McGlynn, owner of Crime Scene Choppers, ?I always appreciate products that are priced right and make my life easier. In addition to the springer blueprints and kits, I?ve got several new products that will make the job of building a slick bike easier. We?ll be announcing those over the next few weeks, so stay tuned!?
AvailabilityThe handlebar riser studs are available through http://www.CrimeSceneChoppers.com immediately. New products are being introduced every month, so check the website for the latest news.
BIKERNET ARTIST OF THE WEEK–From award winning chopper artwork to your simplest helmets we do it all!!
Visit our website at http://www.jaysgrafx.com/ or feel free to e-mail us at
ROAD KING REPLACEMENT CHASSIS–Paughco has just released their latest in a long line of frames that are precision engineered to be exact replacements for stock Harley-Davidson units. This new addition offers anyone looking for a ROAD KING chassis with a perfect, hassle free swap. Each frame is constructed with the same dimensions as stock as well as all relevant brackets and fixtures.
Manufactured to Paughco’s superior standards for quality, function and reliability, the ROAD KING reproduction is as sophisticated as it is detailed. Designed for 1998 through present ROAD KING models the new frame retails at $1995.00.
For complete details on this or any of over 1000 other stock replacement and custom frames manufactured by Paughco call 775-246-5738 or visit them on the Web at http://www.paughco.com
BIKERNET CARIBBEAN REPORT–Been reading the reports from Sturgis, as you all might know, we are all back at the daily grind once more. Sometimes I wish I did not have the shop, or had the old shop, no customers walking in, no annoying people waiting for stuff and questioning me why I travel so much, in short, me my bike builds and a free ticket to come and go as I please. I would stay a few days more, enjoy riding the black Hills with no crowds, although with a big target on my back for cops, and just take a leisure drive (or even ride) back to Florida and the docks of Jacksonville.
I guess the freedom of what we do is going away. It?s not he same when you have the compromise of being at one place, opening the doors and getting your tired ass to do stuff. In a nutshell the answer to why people don’t ride up to Sturgis more is time, time we wish we had.
I guess the introduction always leads further and in this case you won’t be disappointed at all, yes, there is more.I have heard the tales from people that rode up to Sturgis (Sturgis as the generalization of Black Hills) from different points in the US map, all cool, and in some way I envy them. Although passing by some riders while it was very cold and raining made me really glad I had a trailer and truck (for those of you purists who bitch at trailers, please find a way I can take 11 bikes with 2 people and I will gladly do it) The stories come and go, yes I have done similar stories many times, but this time, instead of saying what we did or did not have time to do, who came around and who we did not get to see, I am going to share the story of two people, one that I already knew and another of a very interesting person I met.
To me these two stories, besides the usual meeting of friends and ever cranking BBQ at my house are what made my trip, and kind of what made me want to gain that freedom back.While I was at the journey museum I noticed this Japanese girl who arrived with some of the Chica crew, not giving her much importance besides checking her out, I kept doing whatever I was doing at the time, I said hi, but she spoke very little English, so I left it at that. Interesting how you meet someone briefly and just keep on going with your life, little did she nor I know she’s the reason I am writing this now.
The following day I was at Indian Larry’s Legacy trailer, Chica was there, Keino was there and the Japanese girl (which I can’t remember her name) We said hi again and I practiced my little Japanese, which is filthy at the most with the tutelage from Chica (my japanese speaking Sensei) Language barriers being as large as they sometimes are I did not pay too much attention to the whole thing, but I did notice that she was smiling big ass grin, ear to ear. I assumed (and you know what assuming is) that she was someone?s girl and left it at that. We met a few times more, but the conversation was based in hi and goodbye. Funny as things happen, I met Chica once more later on and asked about the mysterious Japanese girl, so here we are, finally to the story. This girl who could not have been more than 5 feet, very limited english, had called Chicas shop, asked them to buy a Sportster for her in So Cal and then flew to Huntington, hopped on the bike and proceeded to take a trip, yeap she was in Sturgis with an 883 sportster, but she went the long way. She did take off by herself to Miami, yes, Miami as in Florida, planning on heading down to key West but being denied by a hurricane, which I believe was Emily, she turned around in Miami and headed to visit the Indian Larry crew in New York. Gossip said she got a new rear tire took a few days off and headed for Sturgis. Let me remind you guys again….Sportster 883, limited English. So this brings us back to present time, amazingly she was out there having the time of her life, and more so, she was getting ready to finish her trip, riding back to SoCal, and finally taking off to Japan. If that shit ain’t ballsy…..What is ?
At the same time, I saw my good friend John (the tattoo artist from Ft Collins Colorado) when he passed by the house, he was on his way into Sturgis, showing me his new bike, Ol’ Rusty, a very cool , simple chopper, stock HD Evo motor, he had ridden all the way to Daytona and back with like a gallon and a half tank, packed to the gills. I know John can do long ass trips, he rode to Charleston South Carolina to meet us at the first Discovery build Off ride (on a chopper that did 60 miles per tank at most) yeap all the way from Colorado.While in Sturgis he met with Billy and just partied. I really liked the story that Billy was hitchhiking under the pouring cold rain and someone snatched his knuck and had it in his yard.
When he went back to the house (John) his Sturgis story was being told by his little digital camera. He was once more packed to the gills, bundled up and heading the 7 hours or whatever back to Fort Collins. He is a good friend of mine, and needless to say, a crazy motherfucker. We just sat outside looking at the photos and relieving his Sturgis adventure.
In general the feeling you get is just to grab a bike and get lost for a few months, just cruise the grand ol’ roads and visit friends along the way, stop to smell the coffee and snap some shots, Life can’t be taken too seriously, we will end up dead anyway……..
I guess I will see you guys… When I see you.
Jose De Miguel
DIRTY SOAPS SELLS IN STURGIS–ByJack Siebold.All in all, the Sturgis Rally is pretty tame these days; as any veteran biker will tell you.But travel to some of the out-of-town venues like the legendary Buffalo Chip, and you can still get a feel for the old days.
You get to rub elbows with celebrity models, shred your tires in a burnout pit and then crash for the night.But about the oddest thing to see is a sweet little old lady of 83, knitting away at a vendor’s booth. “I have to keep my hands busy. I’m one of those people that can never sit still,” Hulda Watson explained.
When she isn’t knitting towels Hulda is selling dirty soap for dirty bikers.Some soap shapes are relatively clean like the trucker or bike soap; and then you have some erotic shapes. Basically, certain parts of the male and female anatomy.
Bikers are surprised at seeing Hulda selling the erotic soap. “I think they wonder what the hell were you thinking at that time. But I said if you act like a lady, they treat you like one,” Hulda said.Now Hulda doesn’t design the soaps, but she does knit dish towels also sold at the Naughty But Nice booth.
–from Rogue
VICTORY NEWS–As for other news today… the new 2006 Victory Parts and Accessories catalog is going to be mailed out to all Victory owners shortly and will also be viewable (with items available for purchase) online at http://www.victorymotorcycles.com .
There are now just over 600 accessories now for Victory’s – not including the growing aftermarket selection of doo-dads. In addition, the apparel division is bringing out an completely expanded line of Pure Victory Apparel for 2006 – with lots of gear for women too.
LAST CALL– That’s it for the news, for this second. I immediately start collecting news again for the Sunday Post each weekend in the Cantina. Of course there’s more sex, girls and wildness on Sundays along with the Margaritas.
What else can I tell you? I’m supposed to ride up to Sepulveda for bike night in Torrance tonight. Tomorrow night the guy who designed the Bad as Hell Fork Cap for new bikes is coming over. Saturday we’ll install Porsche seats in our La Carrera Race ’53 Lincoln and Sunday it’s time for the post.
Regarding site content, I’m working on a Badlands feature, a Cantina Drama and the history of the 4-cylinder motorcycle for the Cantina. For Bikernet Free Section we have a couple of segments from Rebel on his Sporty/Buell custom, a Lucky Devil old school chopper feature is being written by Johnny White. We have an oil cooler tech from Rogue, Darren Ho’s Kustom Fab Tiki bike build and feature, and Mike O’Conners Sturgis adventure. Almorz sent in an antique feature called the Concourse, and we have a fiction submission from Chuna Lathe. There’s more. In the Cantina we’re about to wrap up the first Chance Book. Members get to see it first. I will begin the editing process and plan to publish it next year. Then I’ll start to post the second Chance book based on a trip I took on a Tramp Freighter around the world. It’s going to be a killer adventure, full of sex, lesbians and adventure for Chance. The lucky bastard. I also plan to post another Bandit, Life and Times.
We’re just about to launch, if the Digital Gangsters hasn’t handled it already, a new Bikernet department devoted to new models. It will give us a section for highlighting new models, road testing them and writing stories about new rides. Watch for it.
It’s busy out there, but hang on and we’ll do our best to post articles on a regular basis, almost everyday, but the women jump me about that goal. Let’s ride.
–Bandit
August 25, 2005 Part 3
By Bandit | | General Posts
Continued From Page 2
NEW VANDAL ATTACKS STURGIS–The Vandal is Rucker performance’s 2006 model that is a rigid pros-street style American Muscle bike. It runs 330 rubber out back. It is the introductory model in the Rucker Performance motorcycle line. If you are into building your own bikes it can be had as a kit with the standard 124 CI motor or the optional 145 CI mil.
Standard features on the Vandal include a powerful 124 cu in V-Twin S&S engine, 6-speed right side transmission, 45 degree rake and a race-inspired inverted front fork.
–Jeff Najar
SCREAMIN’ EAGLE RIDER RICH KING FLIES HARLEY FLAG AT PEORIA TT–Chris Carr Gains in Race for AMA Grand National Championshi.p
PEORIA, Ill. (August 21, 2005) – Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts rider Rich King finished 13th at the Grand National main at the 57th running of the Peoria TT at Peoria Race Park, round 11 of the AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Championship.
Mack Daddy Racing rider Henry Wiles was fastest qualifier on his Honda and led every lap to win the Peoria event for the second consecutive year. Quality Checked Pre-Owned Ford/Lancaster Harley-Davidson rider Chris Carr finished fourth but ahead of his main rivals for the AMA Grand National season championship with five events remaining on the schedule.
After finishing fourth in his qualifying heat, King won a semi-final heat race to qualify for the main. Wiles pulled out to a quick lead at the start and was unchallenged on two subsequent re-starts when the race was red-flagged for accidents. Carr was running in second place after the final re-start with nine laps remaining, but could not hold off the charge of Coziahr Harley-Davidson rider Johnny Murphree, who finished second, and Parts Unlimited Suzuki rider Jake Johnson, who finished third.
Mid-America Harley-Davidson rider Ken Coolbeth, who arrived at Peoria in second place just five points behind Carr in the season points race, finished 11th. Latus Harley-Davidson/Jones Powersports rider Joe Kopp, who is third in the points race, finished 10th. Carr, the reigning Grand National champ, now has 186 points and a 12-point lead over Coolbeth. Kopp remains in third with 153 points. Saddleman/Lancaster Harley-Davidson rider Jared Mees is fourth with 139 points, followed by Johnson with 115 points and King in sixth place with 111 points.
“Rich and the Screamin’ Eagle team worked hard, and Rich put in a great effort on the only Rotax-powered motorcycle in the race,” said Harley-Davidson Racing Manager Anne Paluso. “The short, tight TT track is challenging. We’re looking forward to the upcoming races on tracks like Springfield and Du Quoin, where the team has had success in the past.”
Round 12 of the AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Championship series is scheduled for August 27 at State Fair Speedway in Sedalia, Mo.
Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts are inspired by and built in the spirit of the raw adrenaline and power of motorcycle racing. Screamin’ Eagle Pro parts are specifically designed for race-use applications, while Screamin’ Eagle parts offer street-use performance options for the Harley-Davidson motorcycle owner. Visit www.harley-davidson.com for more information.
DEPARTURE DEAL OF THE WEEK–2001 H-D FXST (Softail),240 Wide Tire Kit,Loaded with chrome and aftermarket parts,Ready to Move at $9700.
Slight rear- end damage. The bike was struck from behind by a high riding vehicle causing damage to the fender only and not the drive- train of the bike. Sold as salvage.These photos were sent from Adobe(R) Photoshop(R) Elements 3.0. Find out more: http://www.adobe.com/photoshopelementswin
–Justin
BRITISH DRAG BIKE–Thought you might like to see this drag bike.
–Ferryman
19TH ANNUAL CUSTOM CHROME DEALER SHOW TO BE HELD AT ADVANSTAR’S BIG TWIN WEST–Morgan Hill, CA. – August 22, 2005. Custom Chrome announced today that it will co-locate its 2005 dealer show, the 19th annual Custom Chrome dealer show, with Big Twin West in Las Vegas on November 18th and 19th. 2005.
The Custom Chrome show, which has been the fall staple of the V-Twin show circuit for many years, is moving from its Morgan Hill base so that it can continue to serve our vendors and dealers in this rapidly changing market. Big Twin West, Advanstar’s leading event for the V-Twin market, will accommodate the influx of vendors and dealers while adding features that will enhance the overall value of both shows to their respective stakeholders.
“Custom Chrome has always been an innovator throughout it’s more than thirty five year history and this new approach to how we conduct our dealer show is born out of that same innovation. We are very confident that dealers and vendors alike will be impressed with how easy it is to do business in this new format and how much of our famous spirit of celebration we can retain in Las Vegas”, said John Lott, CEO of Global Motorsport Group, Inc., the parent company of Custom Chrome.
“The show to watch, Big Twin West is rapidly becoming a must-attend event for leading suppliers, retailers and custom bike builders. Held at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, a city with the same vibrant spirit and energy as the Big Twin community, Advanstar welcomed the opportunity to co-locate the19th Annual Custom Chrome dealer show with Big Twin West. We are delighted Custom Chrome recognized Big Twin West as the perfect platform to bring together their dealers and vendors. Together we can deliver far greater value, do a lot of business and have fun while we’re doing it,” said Tracy Harris, Vice President & General Manager, Advanstar Communications Inc.
The format of the show will include an exclusive show “preview” on Thursday evening, November 17th, open only to Custom Chrome vendors and dealers as well as a private sales floor area where Custom Chrome sales representatives and dealers can easily and discreetly conduct business. The weekend’s agenda will also include a host of entertainment features including an industry awards gala on Friday night and the AMD ProShow, the official world championship of custom bike building, presented by Custom Chrome on Saturday night. Custom Chrome dealers will also enjoy a private function on Saturday night following the AMD ProShow as well as various additional exclusive entertainment and hospitality features.
David Scott, Director of Communications for Custom Chrome stated “We are fully cognizant that we are trading some exclusive face to face time with our dealers for a better business and entertainmentenvironment in co-locating our show with Big Twin West. However, we have the industry’s largest and most complete line up of proprietary products which enhance the value we provide our dealers and consequently, our vendors. We have the most loyal dealer base in the industry and frankly we are proud to stand with our competitors and be measured on our engineering, innovation and intuitive understanding of the V-Twin market. This format gives us an opportunity to reward our loyal dealers and meet new customers in an exciting environment that will showcase our leadership of the industry”.
For more information please log onto http://www.bigtwinwest.com.
MORE ON BIKERNET LA CARRERA RACE EFFORT–We have few opportunities to relive a legend. The Pan Am Race, La Carrera Panamericana, is one of those rare opportunities. There is nothing like it in the world!
Each year, one hundred vintage cars line up in Southern Mexico to race nearly 2000 miles north to the border with Texas. The Pan Am passes though the heart of the Country, a glorious string of mountains and quaint colonial cities. The road is cleared by 20 Mexican Highway Patrol, who travel with the race. Along the way you are cheered to go faster by thousands of spectators.
Each night you will rest your weary bones in a luxury hotel or party in some of the most famous and picturesque cities in the Country – Tuxtla Gutierrez, Oaxaca, Puebla, Morelia, Aguascalientes, Mexico City, and Zacatecas. You are at high altitude, so the weather is typically cool and clear.
This adventure is a serious test of drivers and their vintage cars. Some are serious competitors; most are there for fun. For all, just finishing the race in Monterrey seven days later is a major accomplishment. It’s a lifetime of memories. Join us this year! You may never have the opportunity again.
STRUGIS FINANCIAL REPORT– Sturgis rally revenue stalls this year.KOTA, SD – Lackluster vendor sales is another indication that this year’s Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was a little on the tame side.The State Department of Revenue took in $1,013,081 in taxes from temporary vendors in Meade and Lawrence counties. That’s down $178,998 from last year.
With more vendors this year, 1,200 compared to 1,131 the year before, the smaller rally pie means smaller profits.Overall sales totaled $14,906,000.Vendor sales in the Southern Hills, including Rapid City, totaled just under $2 million, also down from the 2004 rally. And, like in the Sturgis area, there were more vendors 193 compared to 178 in the 2004 rally.The final revenue figures could improve however. Many Southern Hills vendors have yet to report sales; and while the last official day was August 15 for tax collections,
–from Rogue
HELMET LAWS DON’T ENSURE SAFETY–By John Paliwoda, Guest Columnist. The answer to motorcyclist safety is training and education, not an ineffective helmet law.California motorcyclist deaths and injuries dropped in 2004, not because of helmets but because the number of accidents decreased. No helmet law supporter has ever been silly enough to claim that mandated helmet use caused motorcycle accidents to drop.
The 4 percent reduction in accidents comes despite a 12 percent increase in the number of Californians registering motorcycles between 2003 and 2004, and it can only be due to the success of the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. The CMSP has graduated more than 350,000 motorcycle riders since it began in 1985, training them to avoid colliding with drivers.Why isn’t the helmet law responsible for the death and injury decreases? That’s because the 3.71 fatality rate per 100 motorcycle accidents in 2004 has exceeded the pre-helmet law rate of 3.22 for the eighth year in a row, despite a very strictly enforced helmet law.
If riders have been dying at a higher rate per accident for almost a decade, it would show that the helmets they are forced to wear aren’t saving any more lives than before helmet use was mandated.Pennsylvania repealed its helmet law two years ago, and preliminary state statistics demonstrate that their motorcycle deaths have dropped 9 percent despite a similar percentage rise in registrations. They also have a very effective motorcyclist safety program.
What’s missing here is a serious motorist awareness of motorcyclists program. A majority of motorcycle accidents continue to be caused by inattentive drivers who claim that they didn’t see the rider they collided with.
An expansion of the CMSP, coupled with an effective, proactive motorist awareness program, will do much more to further reduce motorcycle rider deaths and injuries, by promoting accident avoidance, than the continuation of California’s ineffective and unpopular helmet law.John Paliwoda is executive director of the California Motorcycle Dealers Association and lives in Reseda.
–from Rogue
http://www.bikerrogue.com
IRON CROSS BILLET LED TAILIGHTS–These latest billet taillight assemblies just introduced by PRO-ONE are without a doubt going to set your ride apart from the pack. Step machined in perfectly tapered layers from a solid block of billet aluminum, each unit is chrome plated to perfection and fit with the latest in sophisticated LED lighting technology.
Available with red or clear lens the lights measure 4″ x 4″. Red lens models are wired for running and brake lights while the clear lens model features a flashing brake light that can be wired as a directional and can also be used with the Blue Dot center. Flat back design allows for universal mounting.
Red lens lights retail for $94.00 and the Clear light sells for $114.00. For details call PRO-ONE at 800-444-4570 or visit them on the Web at http://www.pro-one.com/
K&N FILTERS PRESENTING SPONSOR FOR ADVANSTAR’S BOOKOO ARENACROSS CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES– Leading Air Filter Joins AX Team to Deliver Bigger Air?Better Tracks?More Speed?
Santa Ana, CA – August 19, 2005 – Advanstar Communications, Inc. – a leading provider of print, event and online media for the powersports, off-road and automotive aftermarket industries – today announced that K&N Filters would be the Presenting Sponsor of the BooKoo Arenacross Championship Series and each of its racing events across the country.
“When you think of K&N Filters, you think of performance and passion. With K&N Filters as our presenting sponsor to kick off the BooKoo Arenacross Championship Series, we are continuing to align ourselves with the brands that reflect the vision of our inaugural series.” said Mike Kidd, Arenacross Director.
K&N is the leading manufacturer of high-flow air filters for the powersports industry, and is the filter of choice for many top arenacross racers. K&N’s filter technology is used throughout the motorsports industry from Formula 1 to the Baja 1000. Known for increasing power, K&N’s filters also offer superior filtration, especially under dusty conditions during off-road and arenacross racing.
The BooKoo Arenacross Championship Series is one of a series of new brands aimed at expanding Advanstar’s consumer media and events portfolio on a national scale. “We’re committed to offering enthusiasts and race fans real value and entertainment with our Arenacross series, and our sponsors are benefitting from doing business with a customer service-focused company that can get their message and brand in front of consumers as well as distributors and retailers,” said Danny Phillips, Executive Vice President of Advanstar. “With flagship brands like K&N and out-of-industry sponsors like BooKoo supporting our racing, magazines and shows, combined with the strongest management team in motorcycle events, Advanstar’s Arenacross Championship Series will take this kind of racing to a whole new level,” continued Phillips.
The 12-event race series kicks off in Fort Worth, Texas from November 4-6, 2005 and wraps up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, February 10-12, 2006. For more information please visit www.racearenacross.com (1-817-595-5844) o
BIKERNET DEER INVESTIGATION CONTINUES–
My brother-in-law, brother in some ways (not that way damit!!!) works at white sands missle range in new mexico, rides almost every day.
From what he says, there were some African range animals imported to the area by the govt. called an “Oryx”, big antelope with 3′ long spears for horns!!
Anyhow, I guess these things get pretty big, 500 lbs or so….but check out the horns!!….holy shit!!
Cruisin home after a second shift, several of em crossin the road, he swerved and almost made it, he says the last one wagged his ass and knocked him clean off his Dyna…talk about an ass-kickin!!
Continued On Page 4
August 25, 2005 Part 2
By Bandit | | General Posts
Continued From Page 1
PHOENIX SEAT MAKER DISCOVERED AGAIN–Pure Kustom has been dedicated primarily to One of a kind kustom Harley paint jobs. And now we have expanded in offering one of a kind kustom hand tooled leather seats.
With over 25 years experience in design and custom painting. Rocky’s Pure Kustom assures the highest quality, from cool street Kustoms to full blown show bikes. At Pure Kustom we do it all. One of the few things that make your bike yours, is the paint and the seat. And now we do both.Our seats are some of the best in the industry. The tooling techniques that I use, will blow you away. And my coloring process and colors that I use are unheard of in the industry. And to ensure the highest quality of your job, we use only the best custom finishes from House of Kolor, DuPont ,and 3M. And on our seats, we use only the highest grade of leather available. And the acrylics that I use and our sealing process are on the cutting edge.
At Rocky’s Pure Kustom, we believe in high quality, not high quantity.
SONS OF LIBERTY RIDERS E-NEWS– Oregon ROW that will make you go mmmm.
Just received this from a friend in Oregon…. she was leading a group of 14 women to the coast, the local Women in the Wind chapter out of Medford area. Hwy 42 is a two-lane scenic by-way, w/ occasional turnouts and passing lanes. It seems the group came upon a pickup hauling a trailer of hay… doing 45 in a 55 zone. First sign of a passing lane, the first group of the 14 moved to pass… the pickup, w/ 3 ‘cowboys’ inside, speeds up till the riders have to notch it up to 70-75 just to pass before the lane runs out. This was done repeatedly until the last group of three women were trying to pass (mind you, the truck continued to slow to 45, then speed up at the passing lane).. now they’re doing 80 just to pass, as they’re committed (and w/ the trailer, there’s no way to get back behind the truck in time) as the lane is running out and an oncoming car approaches from around the bend.
The two women managed to slip in front of the pickup in time, but the third couldn’t, had to make a sharp jump back into the lane to avoid a head-on, lost control (most likely on road gravel after some investigation) and lost it on the shoulder/embankment. Landed face down w/ her brand new bike on top of her (after the bike did an end-over). Miraculously, no broken bones or road rash (had helmet, leathers).
The pick-up finally managed to pull over quite a ways up the road, but told the cops that the women were passing illegally.
And now this, from Teri:Now I’m angry . I just found the Oregon State Police accident notice from the Roseburg newspaper . it reads
4:04 pm – Rollover accident on Highway 42 at Milepost 63 in Tenmile. Driver was cited for unsafe passing and was treated and released for minor injuries at Mercy Medical Center in Roseburg. The driver hit an embankment after trying to make a pass in a 2005 Harley-Davidson and flipped the vehicle.
NHTSA STUDY DISCLAIMER– “This publication is distributed by the U.S. Department of Transportation,National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in the interest of information exchange. ***The opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Department of Transportation or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.*** The United States Government assumes no liability for its contents or use thereof. If trade or manufacturers’ names or products are mentioned, it is only because they are considered essential to the object of the publication and should not be construed as an endorsement. The United States Government does not endorse products or manufacturers.”
WOMAN WEILDS PITCHFORK AT BIKERS-DORK OF THE MONTH–WWMT, MI – A woman carrying a pitchfork toward passing motorcycles wasinjured Sunday when one of the vehicles hit her.The accident happened west of Hastings on Gun Lake Road near the intersectionof Glass Creek Drive in Barry County’s Rutland Township.Michigan State Police in Hastings say a Kawasaki Ninja driven by 24-year-oldTrammell Toombs of Muskegon Heights hit 43-year-old Corlissa Larsen ofHastings.
Police say Larsen was trying to slow down the group of motorcycles that waspassing by her home. She went into the road carrying a pitchfork before beinghit.The driver of the motorcycle and the woman were taken to Spectrum-ButterworthHospital. The pedestrian is in critical condition; the motorcycle driver isin stable condition.The incident is still under investigation.
Hawk
ICQ 34668186
AOL SoLRHawk
WHAT IS MILITEC-1?–The UltimateLubricant.It Increases Power,Decrease Full Consumption, and willProlong Equipment Life
MILITEC-1 is a clear golden synthetic liquid resembling an SAE 10-weight oil. When MILITEC-1 is added to the primary lubricant of any machine, it will increase operating efficiency, extend equipment life, reduce downtime and cut unscheduled maintenance.
Even though MILITEC-1 is added to the oil, it is not an oil additive. MILITEC-1 contains no viscosity enhancers or other oil augmentation compounds. It does not modify the primary lubricant in any way.
Instead, MILITEC-1 is a metal conditioner. MILITEC-1 simply uses the circulating oil as a means to reach the critical hot spots and metallic friction surfaces within the machinery. When the oil carries MILITEC-1 to these areas, MILITEC-1 exits the oil, leaving the oil completely unaffected and unchanged.http://www.fastbikesaz.com/
DREAMS BECAME REALITY AT THE 1ST ANNUAL CUSTOM CHROME ‘MADE IN STURGIS’ EVENT–Morgan Hill, CA. – August 24, 2005. Custom Chrome’s first annual ‘Made in Sturgis’ Sweepstakes was a huge success. Three lucky winners built the motorcycle of their dreams at Custom Chrome’s truck parked in the J&P lot during the Sturgis Rally and then road off into the sunset.
The winners were chosen, the ‘garage’ was set-up, and the motorcycle parts laid out. Now, the builds were ready to begin.
Brian George of Pottstown, PA was selected to build a Venom ProStreet. Kirk Taylor of Custom Design Studios and none other than Johnny Chop joined Brian to offer their expert advice and guidance.
Hyrum Zerkle of Cedar City, UT won the opportunity to build the Hardcore II and was assisted by Wayne Kemp of Wayne Kemp Kustoms. Greg Hansen from Hillsboro, OR took on the Pimp Daddy with the help and guidance of Butch, Dawn and Andy of Stinger Custom Cycles.
Anticipation was running high as Brian, Hyrum and Greg arrived at the Custom Chrome truck anxious to begin building the motorcycle of their dreams. The guys were eager to get it done and get on the open road. Two days into the build they were hauling. As they approached the sixth day of building, it was only a matter of time before we heard the roar of the engines. Working feverishly to be the first to fire it up, Hyrum won the race followed by Greg and then shortly after by Brian. Each took their new bike for a spin as the crowd cheered on.
BIKERNET BLOND MOMENT– A guy took his blonde girlfriend to her first football game. They had great seats right behind their team’s bench. After the game, he asked her how she liked the experience.
“Oh, I really liked it,” she replied, “especially the tight pants andall the big muscles, but I just couldn’t understand why they were fighting over 25 cents.”
Dumbfounded, her date asked, “What do you mean?”
“Well, they flipped a coin, one team got it and then for the rest of the game, all they kept screaming was: ‘Get the quarterback! Get the quarterback!’ I’m like…Helloooooo? It’s only 25 cents!!!!
–from Rev CarlR
VON DUTCH 113 CUBIC INCH ENGINE GAINS CARB/EPA CERTIFICATION– CALIFORNIA custom builder Von Dutch Kustom Cycles has gained CARB/EPA certification to 2008 for its Nigel Patrick designed 113ci engine.
Von Dutch’s chief operating officer and designer Alex Mardikian emphasized how rapidly certification was awarded, mainly due to the design of the Patrick Racing engine, which comes as standard on all Von Dutch models. “In comparison with other manufacturers’ engines it’s a lot cleaner, which is why we passed so quickly,” he says.
Von Dutch produces 200 limited edition motorcycles a year in batches of between 10 and 50, and the CARB/EPA certification is part of a rolling program designed to keep the company ahead of the game. Mardikian considers the fact that his company only uses Patrick Racing motors is important. “We physically go there for every single motor that we install and it’s only 45 minutes away from us. If there is any question, if I need any training, if I need anything, it’s right there at our call.
“Most other manufacturers don’t get that kind of luxury. Nigel (Patrick)’s support to the manufacturers, the dealers, the bike builders in general is great. He’ll get on the phone and talk us through individual things. There is someone behind the motors. If you look at any one of our suppliers like Primo, Rivera, Diamond Chassis, they’re right at the back.
“You know it’s all in the relationship. If they’re not going to support it, we’re not going to deal with them.”
Mardikian is keen to draw attention to the drag racing roots of the engine, and the effectiveness of the Mikuni HSR carburetor. “It’s a drag motor and that’s why it gives you such a great feeling. It comes balanced, finished.”
He is convinced his company’s relationship with Patrick Racing will be a factor in Von Dutch Kustom Cycles’ future success. “Our focus is to build great bikes, Nigel’s is to build great motors. What more can you ask for?”
VON DUTCH KUSTOM CYCLES
Rancho Cucamonga,
California, USA
Tel: 909 4810600
Fax: 909 481 0646
http://www.vondutchkustomcycles.com
LATEST HARLEY MODEL–But wait on the 8th day GOD created HARLEY….
–From Ray Russell
CARIBBEAN BIKE WEEK UPDATE–Working on this years event, the website is being worked on, right now it’s a mess, but it will take shape by the end of the week, nothing fancy, just a workhorse with information…if interested in coming over let me know, we got to start sorting out the shipping, we are still working with hotels and such in San Juan, Rincon beach resort is on board already, This year will be much better since I have nothing to do with Alexis and more or less can do what I want. The town of Rincon is heavily involved with the event, we will have the whole space, local cops will take care of traffic and we have secured a parking for cars, and a one way flow in and out.If you are planning in coming over we also have houses available and small inns and hotels that can be booked totally by a group……
The shipping date has been established for November 18th, Jacksonville being the preferred port.
Planning on having a cool party at the shop and the hotel in San Juan we are working with, if anyone comes in early we can go ride.The official event dates are December 2,3 4. But the activities will start since Monday.
We have press conference and TV stuff squared up……Rincon bars will be throwing parties for us every night, waves are usually kick ass, and the sun is always shinning.
Also, even if can’t attend, we will be giving away tons of stuff, if you would like to donate apparel, let me know, it will be welcomed and you will be added to the sponsor links.We are putting a bike together that is going to be raffled away on the event, the participation of attending builders on the bike would be a cool addition, I am going to mock it up and send it to paint, but it would be cool to have parts or stuff of what each of you do best.
Let me know, it’s only a few months away…….. I don’t want to be caught at the last minute like years before.
–Jose
mailto:chopperfreak@earthlink.net
Visit our Web Site http://www.chopperfreak.com
LUCKY DEVIL TRIUMPH–Hey check this out, Lucky Devil may go World, if we will be able to sell bikes somewhere? Scary shit going on in all these EPA reports. I have some serious questions about most of this, I am sure you do also. Let me know when we can compare notes.
Take care, Kent
BIKERNET EXTENSIVE EDITORIAL ON GAS PRICES–After filling up my truck today……..here is my piggy bank.
–DKK
GUN REPORT RETURNS TO BIKERNET–Maybe Mr. Bandit will display this my second Gun Nut Report; maybe not. Myopinion was a little harsh about his choice of a Walther PPK as a carryweapon in my last report, but I’m thinking he really don’t give a fuckabout my opinion anyhow. Not that I give a shit.
While on the subject(Walther PPK, not fertilizer), I would like to make a couple ofobservations:
The first rule of a gun fight is – have a gun.
One 22 short will kill you just as dead as a magnum 12 gauge slug.
Also, the PPK has a more rounded edges than even the smallest Glock, and”imprint” may be a factor depending on your carry location. “Imprint” is afancy way of saying, “outline” when carried in clothing made of lighterweight material. I have spotted carry guns on individuals at tables 30 feetaway from me when their intent was obviously one of concealment. I’ve kindamade this a game now that CCW laws have been enacted in many states.
Anyof you old time bikers probably know this shit, but maybe not everyonewho’s reading this, eh? Also I’ve never had much use for ankle holstersmyself; running while using them can be interesting and the firearm canrarely be retrieved quickly if needed.
Be discreet if you carry. Don’t talk about it to anyone unless you knowthat they are cool (discreet themselves). Don’t be making any scenes inpublic places – and try to avoid instigating any confrontations. PersonallyI think that the use of a gun in anything but a life-threatening situationis sort of “show-offy” and chicken shit – target shooting excepted ofcourse. I recommend first using conflict resolution skills (verbalpersuasion), then maybe fisticuffs and then on to knives. Never had to pulla gun out so far. Yet. Actually my main reason for carrying is when I’m waythe fuck out in the middle of nowhere with very few (or no) other people. Ifeel better carrying when I’m riding in the swamps of southern Louisiana,for example.
The best weapon at yer disposal against human beans is the brain betweenyour ears.
Okay enough serious shit for now. Have any of ya’ll ever done any targetshooting using a sawed off, pistol grip 12-guage one-handed while trying tohit a gallon milk jug full of water at 30 yards? It’s even better with 3″magnum loads, almost funnier than shooting at a stuffed purple Barney toywhile he’s singing, “I love you, you love me”. Oh the tears of laughterthat I have shed. Have some pain killers handy the next day, because thewebbing between your thumb and forefinger is gonna really be hurtin’.
Berry Wardlaw’s Larry Crow/Ruger is the shit – by the way Mr. Crow residesright here in the great state of Missouri. I have had great experience withall of the Ruger pistols that I have ever used – automatic as well aswheel gun. Never used one of their long guns yet. Some of their autopistolsare not the prettiest but they shoot straight and last forever. By the wayR.I.P. Mr. William Ruger. He died recently and was a great man in manyways. Much respect to you, Mr. Ruger. And Mr. Wardlaw you are one luckybuckaroo to walk away from that encounter with the tire falling off of thetrailer. Your number obviously ain’t up – great picture of the upside-downbike.
That’s it for now – and remember, “better to have a gun and not need it,than to need a gun and not have it”.
–Spud out in the Missouri Countryside
Continued On Page 3
August 25, 2005 Part 1
By Bandit | | General Posts
Hey, The news about Sturgis is popping to the surface. All the vendors I spoke to this week had killer rallies. Not a bad word except they plan to build larger booths for next year.
I have one request. Even if you don’t join the Cantina, because you’re a cheap sonuvabitch, register in our contest area. Oh, I need to remind everyone who comes to the site, over 80 percent of the site is free. Check the categories at the bottom of every page. Each department is free.
The Cantina is devoted to special, rare bikes, reports and books. But I always tell everyone that you’re supporting all of Bikernet to join. It helps me keep the majority of the site free and pay for writers and contributors. For the price of one magazine, that’s half ads, you can have the Cantina and an improved Bikernet for a year. Whatta deal.
I know, this section is generally devoted to our reports, bike building updates and chasing women. Let’s get to the news then I’m make something up.
BIKERNET CONTEST WINNERS–
TIMOTHY RAYMOND DENHAM{ZIG-ZAG} – KENTUCKY 41005 – USA
Suggestion: MAN…I MIGHT BE THE STUPIDEST HILLBILLY IN KENTUCKY…OK…WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT COMBINE YOUR PAPER TRASH WITH APROX. 139 NEWBORN BABY DIRTY DIAPERS IN A 50 GALLON DRUM WITH HALF A COFFEE CAN FULL OF GASOLINE AND THEN THROW THE MATCH…NO SHIT…
Wanted: I NEED A RUSTY OLD RIGID FRAME FOR MY OLD RUSTY SHOVELHEAD,{OLDECROWE}SHE’S CURRENTLY SITTIN’ IN HER SWINGARM 4 INCHES LONGER AND SCRAPIN’ LOW BUT SHE WANTS IT HARDER AND LOWER.CRAPPY RUSTED AND BEAT UP WOULD BE FINE,SHE’S A DIRTY GIRL…
Tim gets a t-shirt and beanie? unless he contacts us and we have some old parts lying around.
From the Cantina–
SSG James Santore – 457th TC BN, 1173rd TC Co APO , AE 09391 – IRAQ
Wanted: Well since I am stuck in Iraq I really don?t have a list but a t-shirt would be cool.
James gets a package of magazines, t-shirts, candy and whatever else I can stuff in a box to try and show my appreciation.
Sin
WEST COAST CHOPPERS SOLD–That’s the rumor this week. An employee called yesterday and told me that he was laid off alone with 24 other employees and that the shop would be sold this weekend. We’ll keep you posted.
FREE RUCKER PERFORMANCE POSTER–If you didn’t already register in the contest area, here’s another reason. For a limited time Rucker will send all who register a signed limited edition poster of the man himself and their latest model. “We just returned from Sturgis and have 100 extra Rucker Performance / Metzeler Posters that we are making available to our friends at BikerNet.com. It’s a little Sturgis memento that you can only get from Bikernet. Every poster comes with a complementary Rucker Performance newsletter.”
TUCKER ROCKY TAKES ON HOOKER– TROUBLEMAKER and Rebel series exhaust systems have now become stock items at Tucker Rocky (Biker’s Choice).
Both systems use Hooker’s stepped internal pipe design, which is claimed to offer improved horsepower, but not at the expense of bottom-end torque. The 2-1/2 in diameter pipes have an internal ceramic coating to provide an insulating layer. This helps retain heat in the exhaust, maintaining gas velocity but keeping the outside of the pipe cooler to prevent bluing. The pipes are supplied with standard muffler cartridges, but alternative ‘quiet’ and ‘competition’ cartridges will also be available.
For Softails and 2005 model Sportsters the Troublemaker exhausts are offered with straight-cut, slash-cut and scallop-cut ends. The Rebel pipes for Softails are in Long Even configuration with straight- or side-slash ends and Long Staggered with straight-cut ends. Rebel systems for Dresser models can be Long Even or Long Staggered, both with straight-cut ends.
TUCKER ROCKY
Fort Worth, Texas, USA
Tel: 817 258 9000
Fax: 817 258 9055
E-mail: mailto:tuckerrocky@tuckerrocky.com
http://www.tuckerrocky.com
CARRERA NEWS- THE 2005 RACE WILL END IN MONTERREY– Because of the unsettled conditions in Nuevo Laredo, La Carrera Panamericana will end in Monterrey, Mexico — not Nuevo Laredo — on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2005. There is no change in the date of the race–start or finish.
As reported earlier in the CARRERA NEWS, two drug cartels turned Nuevo Laredo into a battleground. As a consequence, the U.S. State Department has recommended that U.S. citizens not visit the city.
The Mexican Government assumed control of Nuevo Laredo and wanted the Pan Am to end there as usual. However, Eduardo Leon insisted that the race end in Monterrey, out of concern for safety of participants from the U.S. and Europe.
Mr. Leon and Mr. Luis Reguer want everyone to know that the safety and security of the participants are their primary concern.
After the race has ended, a convoy will be escorted for the 136 mile drive to the U.S. border on Friday, Oct. 28. It is also possible to cross the border from Matamoros (Brownsville, Texas), or Cuidad Acuna (Del Rio, Texas), if you want to avoid Nuevo Laredo completely.
Monterrey is a very large, industrial, and Americanized city with first class accommodations. It is also the scene of many major motorsports events. The modern Carrera normally stopped in Monterrey in the early years; so in a sense, we are returning to a city along the original route.
BIKERNET.COM is sponsoring a ’53 Lincoln and Bandit is the co-pilot. We’re looking for quality sponsors to support this once-in-a-lifetime effort. Call (310) 830-0630 for more info.
**DOING “THE QUAIL” ON AUGUST 19?
If you are headed to the Monterrey Historic Races this coming weekend, please remember that “La Carrera Panamericana” will be honored at “The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering,” Friday, Aug. 19, 10:00-4:00 in Carmel, California.
The Quail’s organizers were attempting to gather at least twenty cars that participated in the Pan Am back in 1950-1954. It has been fun helping to track down these old cars. In addition to the original cars, we will have a couple of very nice OPA replicas there, including Roger Clement’s Lincoln and Martin Swig’s Chrysler. John Fitch and Phil Hill may make an appearance.
FOR SALE — Donnie Fain is selling his 1963 1/2 Ford Fairlane. It’s ready to roll. Call 260-424-0405.
LOW DOWN SWINGARM FROM EMPIRE– THE NEW ‘Low Down’ swingarms offered by Empire Manufacturing are intended for Softail Evolution models, 1991-9; or for the later Twin Cam B Softails (2000-up). They have the capacity to take a 240- or 250-series tire with left-side drive, or a 280- or 300-series if used with right-side drive. The company claims to have achieved high-end looks and quality at a low-end price.
The swingarms are Tig-welded from 1-1/2in DOM tubing and CNC-machined components. They are supplied complete with a 1in rear axle and adjusting set-screws as well as billet axle covers. Empire also supplies press-in paint savers.
EMPIRE MANUFACTURING
Chateauguay, CANADA
Tel: 450 692 2455
Fax: 450 692 4509
E-mail: doublebarrel@bellnet.ca
http://www.empiremfginc.com
GOT BOOST? CUSTOM PERFORMANCE INTRODUCES A TURBO KIT TO ROCKET YOUR V-ROD TO THE NEXT PERFORMANCE LEVEL–That stock V-Rod of yours is a smooth riding motorcycle. A Custom Performance V-Rod Turbo kit can make it a screaming machine, without modifying the engine. Our custom designed, patent pending, bolt on turbo kit that produces at least, a dyno proven, 155 HORSEPOWER? (we’ve seen 190 H.P!). Wow, that much power out of a kit you can install on a Saturday or bring it down to the shop and we can install it for you (additional charge for installation).
Included in the kit is a ceramic coated and polished Custom Performance modified Garret ball bearing turbocharger with internal wastegate, all exhaust manifolds, intake plumbing, custom intake plenum, Hi Performance clutch and even an installation CD, with a custom designed fuel and ignition map. All of this performance for a package price of $4999 + tax. Your bike will require the installation of a Screamin’ Eagle Race Tuner, not included in the package price.
Custom Performance offers a variety of turbo applications custom designed to BOOST your V-Twin. We welcome dealer inquiries. For more information contact Custom Performance at 623-879-8488 or visit us online at http://WWW.TURBOYOURHARLEY.COM
CRAZYHORSE WEEKLY PAINT REPORT– Where to start? It’s good to be back at Bikernet. It’s been a long, weird trip since I was here last. Anyhow it’s good to be among the living and riding again. Not that I wasn’t riding. In fact, riding is what woke me up from the stresses that had overtaken me this spring. The Amazons MC had their yearly gathering in Helen, GA, a little bavarian town in the Georgia Mts. As a long time member, I had to be there. The chopper had nasty clutch problems, so I took out the poor, ignored old sportster and brushed the shop dust off of it. Riding on the back roads across inland South Carolina is like riding through the Twilight Zone. Those little towns are stuck in time. It was a total break from the harsh reality I’d been dealing with for months. I stopped in Atlanta and picked up my best friend since 9th grade, MaryAnn. She’d never been on a bike. We rode up to Helen with her 3 daughters following behind in her car. The next 4 days were a much needed slice of heaven. Spending time with old friends, making new ones.
Tearing up every twisty road between Helen, GA and Deals Gap, TN with my friend and club sister Barb. Blowing the doors off Mike and his Intercepter. At one point Barb and I were blasting down the side of a mountain in the dark, just eating up those curves and we had to pull over and wait for Mike. My hand was completely stiff on the throttle and I couldn’t open my hand in time to pull the brake. Barb was pulling over in front of me and I had to yell, “Go, go!” As I nearly ran into her. Her Dyna jumped out of the way. We laughed and went back to blasting. And then the wild ride back to Waxhaw, NC from Atlanta, 70-75 the whole way trying to stay ahead of a vicious storm front. I felt like I had just climbed Everest only better. Better because I had found something I had lost. I had gotten so caught up dealing with my life and business I had forgotten what was real to me. I found it on those those long, lonely rain soaked roads.
Two weeks later Barb rode down from New Jersey and we did it again. Took a “little” ride up to Lake Lure. We only got lost twice. Got stranded at a gas station during a brutal thunderstorm, ate lunch, walked in the river, ended up going 60 miles out of our way. It was 9pm, dark, foggy, raining, cold, we’re doing 90 and we are over 2 hours from my house. On this dark stretch of road Bark tells me I have no taillight. So she rides behind me and out of the gloom there’s some large creature dead in the road in my lane, no time to do anything other than just pull up on the front end and ride over it. We finally get to a gas station to thaw for a few. I tell Barb, “We’re only an hour and 15 minutes from my house.” “Oh, only an hour and 15 minutes?” We laugh as there’s nothing else we can do. But those rides brought me back to life. Too bad a month later I kinda hurt the sporty. More about another time. Sturgis 2005 was more of that. Great friends, unreal brutal rides, and just priceless time away from work. So I’m back and happy to be here. Knowing what’s important, at least to me. I hope my Sturgis tale for Bikernet, which I am still working on, will bring that across. Seeing Bandit, Goth Girl, Jose, and so many other people who I am very priviledged to know.
In other news, stunt pianist, Goth Girl will soon be releasing the 2006 Femme Fatal Calendar. She and Sara Libertie are hard at work getting that baby ready for the printer. In it you will see real women riders, not some non riding posers. One of the featured models is stunt rider Samatha Morgan who rides the Wall of Death. To advertise in the hottest calendar on the market, email me at joann@crazyhorsepainting.com and I’ll pass your email onto Goth Girl. The ad rates are very reasonable. I’m even buying an ad.My first book, How to Custom Paint Your Motorcycle has sold out it’s first printing and the second printing is selling fast too. My second book, How to Paint Your Motorcycle just went to the printer. It focuses on molding frames, bodywork, and covers nearly everything from the bare sheetmetal to the clearcoat. Go to http://www.crazyhorsepainting.com for more info and to order books.
This evil chop belongs to Shannon King and is featured in this month’s Reader’s Rides. In fact we got a bunch of cool rides just waiting to be seen. So check ’em out and maybe send yours in. I’ve got to get back to painting. I’m involved in a painting contest. It’s an east vs. west coast thing, and I have to make a good showing. But to tell the truth, I’d rather be out there riding. Humm, I think I hear the Sportster calling me.
CRAZYHORSE CHARITY RAFFLE WINNERS–Winners are as follows:
Bruce Beckwith: Custom Performance Turbo
Bruce Beckwith: Boots
Dave Florence: Tires
Joe Milanese: Bandit Belt Buckle and Murga Belt
Bruce lives in Phoenix, so there is no need for shipping from Motorcycle shipping, maybe they would like to donate the cost to the monument…
Also I wanted to give special thanks to our sponsors, that sponsored the unknown, and could see the potential … Profile Health, Militec, and Hacienda Customs and Bikernet.com.
Attached is the top 3 in each class for the horsepower competition, we had 114 entries, and a lot of exposure. We had 50-150 people at our trailer at any given time.
TWO BROTHERS PASSING IN THE STURGIS HEAT–Bandit… in this photo on the left is the ass end of a black standard… ITS MINE. I was there when the photo was taken Skooter
Bandit had his tank repaired at this shop one block off Lazelle.
INTERNATIONAL BIKERNET STUDY– Two Arab terrorists are in a locker room taking a showerafter their bomb making class, when one notices the otherhas a huge cork stuck in his butt.
If you do not mind me saying,” said the second, “that cork looks veryuncomfortable. Why do you not take it out?”
I regret I cannot”, lamented the first Arab. “It ispermanently stuckin my butt”
“I do not understand,” said the other.
The first Arab says, “I was walking along the beach and I tripped overan oil lamp. There was a puff of smoke, and then a hugeoldman in anAmerican flag attire with a white beard and top hat cameboiling out.
He said, “I am Uncle Sam, the Genie. I can grant you one wish.”
I said, “No shit?”
God Bless America
STEALTH BIKEWORKS REPORT–Here at STEALTH BIKE WORKS we keep hammering along. As I said last week we sold our first one-off handmade part, a 10 sided diamond style gas tank. The guy liked it so much he is having us make him an oil tank to match! We are excited about this and hopefully this is just the beginning for our in house parts.
Here at Stealth Bike Works we try to have some fun doing what we do. It is not all fun and games like some people think. There are the high times, the busy times and the low and slow times but we are doing what we love to do and I would not trade it for anything else.
Speaking of the funny times, I have a funny story for you. Last night Chopper John and I decided we would hit the local bike nights and do some free advertising passing out STEALTH BIKE WORKS flyers.
We hit Hooters first and did not stay long. They sit next to the local dealer and they were having some kind of swimsuit event. We hung around for a few minutes and decided to hit the road. We headed to Tumbleweeds, the original, and first place to have a bike night in the Charlotte area. We got there and handed out more flyers. Chopper John was riding his “FRANKEN CHOPPER” and I was on my ’03 bagger.
Chopper John”s bike is a work in progress. When we were getting ready to leave Tumbleweeds, Chopper John noticed his rear exhaust bracket had broken. We did not have anything but electrical tape with us so Chopper John taped the very end of the pipe. Well you know how long that lasted. Not long! The tape let go by the second red light. We only had about 8 miles to go to get back to the shop. At the next light Chopper John asked if we could take the “FRANKEN CHOPPER” back to SBW.
We stopped at the shop, by the time we got there the pipe had cut an oil line or something and we had an oil slick trailing us into the back lot. We pulled old Frank in and John asked could I give him a ride home. We both looked at each other kinda funny and I said yes. Chopper John got on and we almost dropped my bike in the lot, we laughed and proceeded to Chopper John’s house.
On the way we both laughed and Chopper John said “Boy this makes me feel gay,” and I told him it didn’t make me feel much better. Chopper John said it was his first time riding bitch and hopefully his last. I was just glad it was at night and no pictures were taken, so at least both of us can deny this if we have to. “THE MEANEST” had a real good laugh at our expense. Hey, sometimes you have to do what you have to do! Enough already!
This weekend ‘THE LIQUID STEEL BIKE SHOW comes to the Charlotte area. On a down note this is where Indian Larry left us last year. Saturday night they have a tribute to Larry’s life. I am looking forward to that. The SBW shop ride leaves at 4pm Saturday for the show. If you are in town and interested in riding with us give us a call at STEALTH BIKE WORKS, 704-882-0889, http://www.stealthbikeworks.com.
Until next week, RIDE!
–STEALTHMAN
Continued On Page 2
August 22, 2005
By Bandit | | General Posts
THE AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE is brought to you by Aid to InjuredMotorcyclists (A.I.M.) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), andis sponsored by the Law Offices of Richard M. Lester. For more information, callus at 1-(800) ON-A-BIKE or visit us on our website at <
NCOM NEWS BYTES 0805
Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish,
National Coalition of Motorcyclists
HIGHWAY BILL FINALLY ENACTED: MOTORCYCLISTS’ CONCERNS ADDRESSED Following tendeadline extensions dating back to September 2003, the 109th Congress voted onJuly 29th to enact HR 3, the sweeping $286.4 billion highway bill thatreauthorizes federal transportation spending through September 2009, andPresident Bush signed the measure into public law on August 10th.
The final version of the massive 1,681-page document contains numerousmotorcycle provisions lobbied for over the past several years by national, stateand local motorcycle rights organizations and concerned individual riders.
In addition to providing much-needed federal funding to rejuvenate our nation’scrumbling infrastructure, the bill also makes available $25 million in grantmoney for motorcycle safety training and awareness programs to individualstates. The bill also provides for the formation of a motorcyclists advisorycouncil to advise the Federal Highway Administrator regarding how motorcyclesmust be included when designing future Intelligent Transportation systems.
HR 3 also includes nearly $3 million for a new scientific study of motorcyclecrashes to be conducted by the Oklahoma Transportation Center, located atOklahoma State University. This marks the first comprehensive research intomotorcycle crashes since the Hurt Report was completed in the late 1970s.The reauthorization measure also stipulates that motorcycles will continue to beallowed to use High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, and continues to prohibitlocal governments from excluding motorcycles on roads maintained with federalfunding.Lastly, for off-road riders, the legislation earmarks $370 million from gasolinetaxes to fund the Recreational Trails Program.
MOTORCYCLE FATALITIES CONTINUE TO CLIMB Motorcycle fatalities nationwide havesurged to their highest levels since 1987, even as overall highway deathscontinue to decline.
In 2004, 4,008 motorcycle riders were killed in highway accidents, up 7.9% from2003 and 89% higher than in 1997, according to a new National Highway TrafficSafety Administration report. Meanwhile, passenger car deaths dropped 3.2% to19,091 last year.
NHTSA cites as possible causes: a sharp rise in motorcycle ownership, anincrease in inexperienced bikers riding powerful machines, and rollback ofmandatory helmet laws in several states.
Americans bought an estimated 734,000 new on-highway motorcycles last year, upfrom 230,000 in 1995, according to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.
Motorcycle groups opposed to helmet laws point to the changing face of bikers,reports USA Today. Jeff Rabe, lobbyist for the Modified Motorcycle Association(MMA) of California and member of the board of directors for the NationalCoalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), said more “middle-aged executives” are ridingpowerful machines without training. “There’s a huge group of people ages 35 to50 who have purchased motorcycles,” Rabe said. “But they’re still beginning riders.”
INVENTOR PROMOTES CAR HELMETS FOR KIDS Michael Fleming, an amateur inventor andfull-time Houston attorney, has filed a patent application for a new safetydevice for kids. It’s called the Automobile Helmet. “The time has come for ahelmet that protects children in autos,” Fleming told the Chicago Tribune.
Fleming cited government statistics that 2,500 children are killed and 294,000injured annually in vehicle accidents.
But how do parents convince their kids to not only belt up, but helmet up as well?
Fleming thinks he has the answer: loading the helmet with electronics. “Bybuilding a helmet that allows a child to listen to music, watch a DVD movie orplay a handheld game, I’m hoping they?ll want to wear a helmet without complaint.”
NEW YORK AMENDS HANDLEBAR HEIGHT LAW Governor George E. Pataki has signed intolaw a handlebar height bill that will allow motorcyclists to adjust the heightof their handlebars up to shoulder level, eliminating the 15″ above the seatstandard that has been the law since the late sixties.
ONCE RIVALS, BIKE CLUBS NOW WORKING TOGETHER Once-notorious outlaw-bikerrivals, the Pagans and Warlocks are working together to raise funds to fightdiscrimination, fresh from helping to repeal laws regarding motorcycle helmetsand high handlebars, reports the Philadelphia Daily News.
What’s more, these clubs have joined with non-outlaw bikers to fight againstdiscrimination and police harassment in a political and legal forum, and threwtheir first annual Summer Sizzler, a biker family picnic, on August 21st, at theNevlin Grist Mill Park, in Glen Mills, Delaware County.This was the first major fund-raiser for the Confederation of Clubs of EasternPennsylvania, founded in April 1999. The confederation represents more than1,000 members, with an average age of 42, from 23 clubs. Members include 1percenters, Bikers Against Child Abuse, Christian bikers, and Clean and Soberbikers.It’s one of 55 confederations in North America, the fastest-growing part of thenational bikers- rights movement, with annual national conventions and a Website: www.aimncom.com/coc/.
The confederations’ aim is to stop police harassment of bikers and civil-rightsdiscrimination in housing, bars and other areas, and to solve mutual problems,not settle scores among clubs, according to its local president, a Warlock.
“We’re all bikers,” said Kenny Plank, of Longriders, in Chester County. “There’sno reason to be fighting each other.”
Not all bikers in the local confederation are outlaws and not all outlaw bikersare gangsters. They are nurses, firemen, company owners, salesmen, judges andlawyers.
As confederation treasurer, “Patches” said his job was to “make sure all thecommittees are doing the right thing.” That is, keeping within a $5,000 partybudget. After paying for expenses, said Patches, a member of the MessengersMotorcycle Club, known as a “clean and sober” club, “We’ll have the legal meansto protect ourselves.”
“We’re serious about bikers rights,” he said. The confederation is “neutral ground.”
At regular meetings at which two representatives per club have one vote,Norristown attorney Boyd Spencer regularly updates them about state and federallegislation, including the Patriot Act. Spencer said the law “targets three ormore people with a common handshake, common purpose and common attire.”
Spencer is a member of the national network of biker-rights lawyers in Aid toInjured Motorcyclists, or AIM, founded in 1982 by California attorney Richard M.Lester, who started the national confederation and similar groups.
On legislative issues, the local confederation supports the Alliance of BikersAimed Toward Education (ABATE) of Pennsylvania, the main biker lobby; andPennsylvania Coalition of Motorcyclists (PCOM), which monitors legislation.
The confederation supported member Warlocks and the Bikers Against Child Abuse(BACA), both of whom sued police for allegedly harassing bikers in separate Toysfor Tots Runs in Philadelphia and Delaware County in 2002. The Warlocks obtaineda consent decree from the Philly cops and BACA, an out-of-court settlement fromDarby Borough.
“Everybody is getting along together as a group and becoming more political,”said “Rabbit,” of Men of Honor. “It’s good to see as many [clubs] agree on onething.”
At their latest confederation meeting, held in the middle of the summer whenmost organizations don’t meet, the confederation drew more than 40 members.
Amid the banter, the president introduced “Q” as a nurse and a minister: “He canbury ya and marry ya.”
For $200, which would go to the confederation, he added, bikers could getmarried or renew their vows at the Summer Sizzler.
“Boyd will do the divorce,” joked the president, referring to AIM lawyer BoydSpencer.
Later, Q identified himself as Steve Stoyke, 54, a member of Association ofRecovering Motorcyclists, or ARM, who rode five hours on his Harley fromFrederick, Md., to support the confederation. “To do a wedding, we line bikes upon either side,” said Stoyke. “You can do a traditional wedding, or we can readfrom the Harley Repair Manual.”
The minister asks the groom: “Do you promise to keep her cables greased andtires balanced?”
And he asks the bride: “Do you promise to keep his gas filter cleared, changehis oil and bring him in for maintenance?”
“This is America’s last subculture,” added Stoyke. “That’s what keeps ourcountry great.”
WEIRD NEWS: HARLEY HELPS BLIND TO SEE A student at Penn State Behrend Collegein Erie, PA has developed a process that may help the blind to “see” digitalphotographs. Using a process developed by Harley-Davidson called “rapidprototyping,” 27-year old Jason Donnell hopes to produce 3-D images that a blindperson could run their fingers across and “feel” the image, in much the samemanner as Braille is used to read.
“With a Word document, you output to a printer,” explains Donnell. “With rapidprototyping, the output is to a machine that uses a special type of paper, waxor plastic. So, for example, if Harley-Davidson has something they want toinclude on a bike, but is not too sure about, they can input the information andit will produce an exact size copy of the item.”
After a lot of hours writing and re-writing, Donnell has his program, but theresults so far have been mixed. Because of the short time frame of the collegeproject, he was only able to produce and test three examples.
“The test on a simple picture of a playing card were pretty good,” Donnell toldthe Valley News Dispatch, “but the pictures of a tree and a ghost town were verytough and showed the need for more work.”
QUOTABLE QUOTES: “Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it whetherit exists or not, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedy.”Sir Ernest Benn (1875-1954), publisher and public speaker
AND THAT’S ALL THE NEWS THAT FITS!
August 18, 2005 Part 4
By Bandit | | General Posts
Continued From Page 3
TONGLET EARNS SECOND VICTORY OF THE SEASON IN A BATTLE BETWEEN TWO SCREAMIN’ EAGLE V-RODS–Tonglet Takes Top Qualifying Honors for the First Time This Season.
BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 14, 2005) -When GT Tonglet earned the victory at the third NHRA POWERade Drag Racing event in May at Commerce, Ga., he nearly jumped off his Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson before it was stopped.
When Tonglet posted his second victory of the season and third of his career on Sunday, beating teammate Andrew Hines in the final at the 24th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway, the usually reserved 22-year-old had a different reaction.
“That was such an awesome win and I screamed as soon as I saw the win light in my lane,” Tonglet said. “And I have never screamed like that before. I was just so excited. It’s always great when Andrew and I race each other because it’s a win for the Screamin’ Eagle team, but he has beat me the last few times. This win will just give me more confidence for the rest of the season, and it is great to be at the top of the points race.”
With the victory, Tonglet took over as the Pro Stock Motorcycle points leader. He was third going into the race and now has a six-point lead over teammate Andrew Hines. Tonglet posted a 7.179-second pass at 187.68 mph over Hines’ 7.268 at 180.62.
“Overall, both of our V-Rods were just awesome all weekend,” Tonglet said. “Anytime we can both advance in the rounds just proves how hard this team works. For me it is even more important to get past the second round because mentally I just get more and more confident with every round.”
Hines – the 2004 NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle champion – said the final round matchup was the best possible scenario.
“It’s a win-win situation because we are both in the hunt for the next championship and all that matters is that we go as far as we possibly can each weekend,” Hines said. “With just five races left this season, we’re up front in points and looking really good. It really can’t get any better than having both Screamin’ Eagle V-Rods in the final.”
Tonglet also earned top qualifying honors for the first time this season and second in his career, posting a 7.011 at 192.96. Once again, Hines was right there too, finishing second in qualifying with a 7.024 at 196.82.
“We came out here thinking it would be a little hot but the conditions were just awesome,” Hines said after earning his sixth consecutive Full Throttle Award (given to the most consistent team in qualifying). “We took advantage of the good weather and the very idea we ran so many passes in the 7.0-range just shows how consistent the crew is.”
Tonglet beat Michael Phillips (Suzuki) in the first round with a 7.067 pass at 190.32 over Phillips’ 7.205 at 187.00. In Round Two action, he beat Angelle Sampey (Suzuki) for the fourth time this season. Tonglet went 7.091 at 194.38 over Sampey’s red-light foul. In the semifinals against Geno Scali (Suzuki), Tonglet posted a 7.105 at 187.70 over Scali’s 7.232 at 181.25.
Hines topped Tom Bradford (Buell) in the first round with a 7.063 run at 185.49 over Bradford’s 7.238 at 182.11. Then Hines rode his Harley to a 7.136 at 188.67 to beat Suzuki rider Matt Smith’s 7.228 at 182.38 before Hines beat Antron Brown (Suzuki) in the semifinals with a 7.126 at 186.61 over a red-light start by Brown.
“To see the guys work so hard throughout the weekend to earn a spot in the finals was just amazing,” crew chief Byron Hines said. “I am so proud of the team and the boys for the way they responded to all the challenges of this race, and they proved how dedicated they are. The bikes ran well, the boys did really well. It was a great weekend.”
“We’re so impressed with GT, Andrew and the entire Screamin’ Eagle team for their remarkable performances this weekend and all season,” said Harley-Davidson Racing Manager Anne Paluso. “The team is very dedicated and has put in many hours of development and testing to keep the bikes as competitive as possible. The Harley-Davidson V-Rods continue to improve each week, and GT and Andrew keep honing their skills as well. Being one and two in the points race shows how all of their hard work is really paying off.”
In reaction to the recent NHRA rule change announcement (giving Suzuki models a 10-pound weight reduction) that goes into effect with the next race, Paluso said the team is surprised.
“This season has seen some great and close racing in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class, with several different winners, a good mix of brands in the finals and a tight championship points chase,” said Paluso. “We were very surprised and disappointed by the rule change given the level of competition and parity that already existed.”
The next NHRA POWERade event that features the Pro Stock Motorcycle category is the O’Reilly Mid-South NHRA National at Memphis Motorsports Park in Memphis, Tenn., Aug. 19-21.
STURGIS SHOVEL GAS CAP–I had a couple of tough times with that ol’ Shovel on the road, but no problem with that cool Speedster Gas Cap from Crime Scene Choppers, or the Brembo Brakes, or the list goes on. I received a number of comments on the Speedster cap.
–Bandit
RULES OF THE ROAD FROM BIKERNET–Some people are like Slinkies …Not really good for anything,But they still bring a smile to your face whenyou push them down a flight of stairs.
–from Drew Jack
BIKER CRUISE SHIP–I wanted to send this info along for a Bikers Break taking place on a cruise ship called Mariner of the Seas doing a 7 night Western Caribbean cruise on December 3, 2006. I have put this together since my husband and I both ride and I thought it would be something a little different to get bikers involved in
The Full BikerParties August 2005 Newsletter can be found at: http://www.bikerparties.com/august_2005.htm
–Trishsharleyd@aol.com
BIKERNET PARTY PLANNER–September Events: http://www.bikerparties.com/EventsCalendar.htm
Thursday, September 1, 2005 Four Corners Rally in the Rockies Ignacio/Durango CO
Friday, September 2, 2005 Tea Party, motorcycle rally, Montour Falls, NY.
Friday, September 2, 2005 3rd Annual Law Enforcement Memorial Bike Ride
Tuesday, September 6, 2005 Brothers Of The Creed Mc Labor Day Bash CA.
Friday, September 9, 2005 HAWG HOLLER FALL BIKERS BASH ATWOOD, TN.
Sunday, September 11, 2005 Lost Wheels MC 30th Anniversary PR
Thursday, September 15, 2005 Las Vegas Bike Fest
Saturday, September 17, 2005 Scooters 4 Hooters Run Syracuse, NY
AUSTRALIAN BIKERNET READER SHOW PRIDE–Pic is of my brother Chris (left) after receiving his “Gong” for 40 yearsservice in the Queensland Police Force.
I am very proud of his achievement!
–RayR
THE INTERNATIONAL BET–Two Muslim families moved from Saudi Arabia to America.When they arrived, the two fathers made a bet:in a year’s time whichever family had become more Americanized, would win.
One year later they met again.
The first man said, “My son is playing baseball, I had McDonalds for breakfast and I’m on my way to pick up a case of Bud, how about you?”
The second man replied, “Fuck you towel head
–from WeaselDave
NEW STEALTH STARTER AND K-9 DRIVE DEFINES CLEAN DESIGN AND STRENGTH IN STARTERS– Spyke Stealth Starters are now ready to strut with a shell for style! Custombuilders and bikers looking for a starter that doesn’t stick out like a sorethumb have to look no further. Concealed bolts and minimal lines give way toa smooth, sleek design like none other.
In addition, the Spyke StealthStarter utilizes brand-new, cutting-edge components with dependable gearsand gear ratios. Spyke Stealth Starters are available in polished or chrome1.4kw configurations for ’89 and later models with an optional super-strongSpyke Krypto-9 Starter Drive pre-installed.
The revolutionary Krypto-9 Starter Drive features an unprecedented lifetimewarranty. The drive is made from space-age composites that are much strongerand more durable than conventional starter drives.
Spyke, Inc.
11258 Regentview Ave.
Downey, CA 90241
Phone: 562.869.9333
Fax: 562.869.9323
http://www.spykeinc.com
THE DOUG KEIM PERFECT COMBINATION–Due to the overwhelming popularity of the bike built for the Hard Rock Roadhouse tour, Doug Keim Creative Cycles (D.K.C.C) has decided to once again make available to the public one of the parts designed and created during the custom build. Although the D.K.C.C. 3-inch Open Belt Primary was created to steal the show, like any Doug Keim Creative Cycles’ product it will withstand any abuse the road tries to give out.
The 3-inch belt has a completely CNC-machined motor plate with a swept top and bottom along with fully radiused sides for looks. For strength, the unit features forged and milled front-and-rear pulleys and a Primo Brute clutch assembly. Available in both polish and chrome finishes, keep an eye out for the outboard supported version, coming soon.
For more information. contact: Doug Keim Creative Cycles
(732) 751-1403
http://www.creativecycles.com/.
BIKERNET AMBER ALERT-RIG STOLEN–8.03.2005 Chip Ellis parked the Star/G2 rig last night in Omaha Neb. about 10:30 pm, when he came out this morning it was GONE!
Please help us find it! Any suggestions would be appreciated. 229-924-0031 or 800-841-7827
It is the whole rig: truck, trailer, race bike, engines, pit bikes, 2 street bikes, tools, EVERYTHING!!
1997 T2000 Kenworth Truck with Competition Trailer it’s White and Blue with Orange Star and Yellow Flames. Please call everybody you know that may be able to help!
Thanks, Jackie and George Bryce, George Smith
Please use whatever resources you may have to help the G2 Motorsports Team. As many VTwinPlus.com fans already know this is the bike that we have our name on. The team is currently in a tight point battle and have had their share of adversity this season. Let’s all group together and lend a hand in righting this terrible wrong! Speed is essential here
-Greg Guarinello
MORE TO COME–I could have doubled the news today, but I need a break and time to work on Sturgis Reports. I’m still finding notes in vests and boots from the Full Throttle Saloon. I’ll hit it hard again on Sunday. We have Sturgis reports, fiction (the Unforgiven), Bike Features from Hawaii and Texas, Lucky Devil to post. Next week I’ll work on my freelance assignments and drive features onto Bikernet. We may never catch up.
Sometime this weekend I’m being banned from the headquarters as 23 women converge on the teetering premises to touch one another and drink Pink Panty drinks. I may putt to the House of Hayden bar in downtown Long Beach and drink myself under the table. Then again, how about the House of Blues, if they have a good band. Then like a wharf rat I’ll try to sneak back to the headquarters and check the action. There’s so many rodents around, they won’t notice another one clinging to a window frame and smirking, two stories up.
Now it’s back to the Sturgis reports. Have a helluva weekend.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit