Late last January, during a blizzard on a Sunday night in New York City, I met Rob Camardo at the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show while he was promoting his Garage Leathers’ saddlebags. I was talking with him about becoming a sponsor of the Smoke Out Rally, the Choppafest of the East Coast, and while looking at his premium-grade, American-made saddlebags, a pound of his Road Rage Coffee rolled across the floor of his booth.




His java is packaged in an ultra-cool, retro-looking bag that smells so good when opened that even Juan Valdez would salivate. Rob and I have kept in touch since that night, and recently I called him and was surprised to find him in Nashville, TN, working on his next venture, the Garage Coffee Company Nashville coffee shop.

So who starts a business in this economic environment? I still haven’t figured it out, but it could be a gonzo caffeinated-addled serial entrepreneur. Rob decided to add a retail component to his business and found a perfect place in Nashville. The build-out started in the summer and completed with the first cup of Joe being poured in November.



Because his coffee, Road Rage, is a full-favor roast made from a blend of premium beans, it delivers a smooth and rich cup of coffee. Garage coffee is handcrafted in small batches that guarantee freshness in the cup. The espresso drinks have been the rage at the shop, selling five times more than standard cups of coffee.

Rob found a downtown location for his cafe in a history-rich, antiquated Marathon Motor Works automobile factory. The Marathon was an automobile manufactured from 1911 to 1914 in a block-long, 2 story building constructed in 1881.



The Garage Coffee Company Nashville shop was designed to look like a man cave with everything you’d want in your garage – including espresso. The walls are adorned with metal signs. A cut-down 32 Ford radiator shroud provides the coffee menu. A digital projector is situated above the counter projecting black and white movies on the far wall. Movie selections include On Any Sunday, any Steve McQueen flick, old Winston Cup races, motorcycle races, and any vintage two or four wheel shows.



Located next to the wall is a motorcycle lift doing double duty as a community table that has become a mid-morning perch for locals. Kitty corner to the wall is a 5-foot, metal Gulf Oil sign.



Lighting is handled by a row of drop-lights over the counter. When the morning sun hits the wall, it illuminates the café in a warm glow due to the rich natural wood ceilings and brick walls. Classic rock provides an audio vibe that is a contrasting note to the county music played nonstop in the city.




One reason Rob really enjoys Nashville is because the riding season extends much longer than in his New Jersey enclave. His pride and joy  is a 1997 Heritage Softail. It’s stock with only an upgrade of brown leather saddle and saddlebags as well as a set of ape hangers. It’s a sought-after model as the ‘57 Chevy powder-blue-over-cream color scheme was only available for that year.




When you see pictures of the outside of the Garage Coffee Company Nashville coffee shop you will often see a line of people out front. It’s not because the staff is slow on espresso, it’s because the antique store called Antique Archaeology (the business at the center of the television series American Pickers) is located right next door. Since Mike Wolf, the star of American Pickers, has signed on to be the spokesperson for Indian Motorcycles, Rob expects to see an influx of new American iron in the not-too distant future.



One of Rob’s proudest moments at the shoppe came when he had a conversation with a commercial pilot who flies internationally and who has gotten his morning jolt of two shots of espresso from the major cities in Europe. He looked Rob in the eye and said, “Your espresso is right up there; I like it.”




So if you are passing through Nashville, head toward downtown, just off interstate 65 at 1305 Clinton St. there’s a little slice of heaven called Garage Coffee Company, Nashville. If you are not coming to Nashville anytime soon and want a slice of heaven by the bag, then motor over to http://garagecoffeecompany.com/store, and for $12.95 you can have a bag of beans delivered to your door.

NCOM COAST TO COAST BIKER NEWS
Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish,
National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM)

CONGRESS GIVES TAX BREAK TO ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE BUYERS
Tax hikes and spending cuts dominated holiday headlines as the federal government teetered on the edge of the Fiscal Cliff, but the legislative package passed on New Year’s Day to resolve the issue, dubbed the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, included several tax credit extensions that didn’t generate as much media interest –including one for electric motorcycles.

Oregon Senator Ron Wyden (D) sponsored the amendment extending the EV tax credit, which covers 10% of the cost of a qualified electric vehicle, up to $2,500. Vehicles must be a two-or three-wheeled plug-in electric designed “primarily for use on public streets, roads, and highways” and “capable of achieving a speed of 45 miles per hour or greater.”

Electric-powered two wheelers have been without a federal purchase incentive since the end of 2011, when the original tax break expired that was part of the $800 billion stimulus package passed in 2009.

A coalition of EV motorcycle companies, through Plug-In America, lobbied Congress to extend the tax credits, which are also retroactive and apply for electric motorcycles or EV chargers purchased in 2012 as well.

Wyden argues that extending the tax credit will help generate jobs in the growing electric motorcycle industry. “The electric motorcycle industry is poised to create tens of thousands of U.S. jobs over the next five years, led by companies like Oregon’s Brammo,” said Wyden. “This amendment helps promote the development of a promising U.S. industry and support the transition to a low-carbon American economy.”

E-CYCLES PROJECTED TO OUTSELL PLUG-IN CARS
According to two new Pike Research reports, electric scooters and motorcycle sales are going to eclipse that of plug-in vehicles by the end of this decade.

In one report from Pike Research which looks at electric motorcycles and scooters, the study predicts that “annual sales of e-motorcycles and e-scooters will reach 18.6 million by 2018.”

Pike Research points primarily to industries such as delivery companies, police and security forces, and even taxi services in some locations as the prime mover for the increase in sales of electric motorcycles and scooters.

Another recently released Pike Research report predicted that annual worldwide sales of electric vehicles will reach 3.8 million by 2020. This includes plug-in electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles selling in the Asia Pacific, North America, and Western Europe.

“Sales of EVs have not lived up to automakers’ expectations and politicians’ proclamations, but the market is expanding steadily as fuel prices remain high and consumers increasingly seek alternatives to internal combustion engines,” says senior research analyst Dave Hurst. “Indeed, sales of plug-in EVs will grow at a compound annual growth rate of nearly 40% over the remainder of the decade, while the overall auto market will expand by only two percent a year.”

Taken together, the two Pike Research reports indicate that two-wheel EV sales will outperform electric four-wheelers by a margin of 5-1 by the end of the decade. Currently, China is the biggest market for the sale of these electric vehicles, accounting for 81% of the global electric motorcycle and scooter market.

EPA TO DROP FOUR GALLON MINIMUM GAS PURCHASES
Ethanol-laden gasoline is known to cause engine damage, and many manufacturers warn that using the product will invalidate warranties, so when the EPA approved E15 (fuel blend containing 15% ethanol) it raised concerns amongst motorcyclists, off-roaders, snowmobilers, boaters and others who use vehicles and equipment driven by small gas-powered motors…none of which are approved for its use.

The EPA’s response was to require a minimum four gallon purchase, the misguided rationale being that it would dilute any residual E15 remaining in a gas pump’s lines. Again, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency came under fire, with powersports and automotive groups pushing back against the federal agency’s push for the grain alcohol-blended biofuel.

Apparently realizing that a viable solution to the problem needs to be conceived, the EPA is abandoning its four-gallon minimum on blender pumps that dispense both E10 and E15 from the same pump, and instead the government body says it will likely require gas stations to label shared pumps, as well as offer a dedicated E10 pump/hose for non-approved vehicles.

In the meantime, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has denied a rehearing on the EPA decision to put E15 on the market. The federal appellate court decision is a setback for the oil-and-gas industry, which opposes the use of E15 and a federal biofuel blending mandate that requires refiners to blend 36 billion gallons of biofuels into traditional transportation fuels by 2022.

NEW YEAR, NEW LAWS
The new year puts new laws on the books across the country, with state and local governments ringing in 2013 with a mix of new laws ranging from the innovative to the odd; one in Kansas City says households can’t have more than four cats, while a town in Massachusetts is banning businesses from selling plastic bottles. In Florida, drivers can once again flash their headlights to warn others of upcoming speed traps, which was previously outlawed. Meanwhile, driverless cars in California got the green light to hit the public roads, but one of Illinois’ 150 new laws prohibits motorcycle riders from popping wheelies — Public Act 97-743 imposes a fine of $1,000 on anyone who pops a wheelie on a motorcycle while speeding.

WOMAN FIRED OVER HUSBAND BEING IN A MOTORCYCLE CLUB
Her husband’s membership in a motorcycle club has cost the job of a human resources technician with the city of Kingman in northwest Arizona, according to a Phoenix lawyer who is representing the woman in her bid for reinstatement.

The city served 11-year employee Melissa Summerson a notice of intent the day after Christmas and terminated her employment Dec. 28, attorney David Kresin told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “She was terminated for the stated reason of her husband’s membership in a family motorcycle club – the Desert Roadriders,” he said, adding that the dismissal violates her constitutional right to freedom of association. “There’s no allegation that Ms. Summerson personally did anything wrong in her job or engaged in any conduct personally that violated any of the city’s rules, and we believe there’s no cause for termination as she’s been an outstanding employee with a great record for her entire employment.”

CRIMINALS MORE PRONE TO CRASH THEIR MOTORCYCLES
Motorcyclists who have criminal records are twice as likely to get into accidents on the road than their law-abiding peers, a new Swedish study has found.

The findings come from an examination of more than 5,000 motorcycle accidents carried out by Karolinska Institute epidemiologist Michael Fored.

He went through statistics and looked at motorcycle riders who have a license and then cross-referenced the names with the criminal register.

“If you’ve been convicted of a crime before, we see at least double the risk that you’ll get into a serious accident,” Fored told the TT news agency.

Among non-offenders, there are 4.1 accidents per 1,000 license-holders annually. However, that figure jumped up to 27.7 when looking at drivers who had at least two criminal convictions.

Fored shared his findings at the Transportforum conference in Linköping, Sweden. “Maybe we should educate people who break the traffic laws,” suggests Fored.

EUROPE SET TO MANDATE ABS FOR MOTORCYCLES
A Europe-wide proposal to mandate anti-lock braking systems (ABS) for motorcycles bigger than 125cc manufactured from 2016 onwards was overwhelmingly approved by the European Parliament by a vote of 643-16. Although the measure is still working its way through the EU legislative process and must still be adopted by individual member nations of the European Union, it is expected to be adopted soon.

A European Union Commission presented the ABS requirement for new framework regulation for motorcycles, and calculates that the proposal would reduce the number of fatal motorcycle accidents by more than 5,000 over a 10-year period.

Although the first anti-lock braking system was installed on a motorcycle in 1988, only 16% of all newly manufactured motorcycles in Europe were equipped with ABS, and by comparison car manufacturers have made ABS standard equipment since 2004 which has contributed to an estimated 49% overall decline in fatal car accidents in the EU. Experts regard anti-lock braking as a huge boost to safety, pointing to a Swedish highway study that showed that 38% of all motorcycle accidents involve personal injury and 48% of all serious and fatal accidents could have been prevented with ABS.

In the U.S., the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has considered requiring ABS on new motorcycles sold in America, and will likely take up the issue in the near future.

INDONESIAN WOMEN BANNED FROM STRADDLING MOTORCYCLES
In an effort to establish Sharia law, Indonesia’s northwestern province Aceh has enacted a controversial new law banning women from sitting on motorcycles with their legs apart. Aiming “to save people’s morals & behaviors,” under the new regulation “women are allowed to sit ‘side-saddle’because passengers who sit side-saddle rarely fell off while when you see a woman straddle a motorcycle she looks like a man…”

Despite opposition from human rights activists who are calling for a reversal of the Sharia-type law; “We’re going ahead with the ban. There’s no resistance here,” said Dasni Yuzar, secretary of the city administration.

“The government is only preserving morals. Women must not straddle motorbikes because it provokes the male drivers,” declared Aceh Mayor Suaidi Yahya, who proposed the law. However, he also added that women were allowed to straddle motorbikes if they were driving, as long as they were dressed in a “Muslim way.”

Al Yasa’ Abubakar, a professor at the State Islamic Institute Ar-Raniry in Banda Aceh, explained that no such prohibition exists in Islam. While Yuzar agreed it was “not explicitly” written in the Koran that women should not straddle bikes, he said “by sitting astride, women dishonor themselves. They show their body curves almost transparently. They’re riding with men who are not related by blood or marriage. Their front body part is in contact with the men’s back. This is forbidden in Islam.”

According to Tunggal Prawestri, a women’s activist based in Jakarta, “Almost every bylaw that was based on Sharia law targets the female body as a political battle ground in Aceh. Women become the easiest target, because as soon as women rights activists protest we are deemed anti-Muslim or anti-Sharia.”

Spread across a chain of thousands of islands between Asia and Australia,Indonesia has the world’s largest Muslim population and Southeast Asia’s biggest economy, a huge market that all motorcycle manufacturers, including Harley-Davidson, dream to dominate one day.

AUSTRALIAN TOP COP VOWS TO BAN BIKIES FROM PUBS
Declaring that outlaw bikies “…are not the type of people who should be running licensed premises,” Chief Commissioner Ken Lay has vowed to ban bikers from pubs and clubs across Victoria. “The legislation is designed to ensure that doesn’t occur,” he told the Herald Sun newspaper of his plan to move “bikies” out of venue ownership, operation and security.

Earlier this year, police swooped on bikies in a series of raids and seized 120 guns after ruling them not fit people to have the weapons under the Firearms Act.

Meanwhile, police are telling licensees not to allow patched-up bikies entry, so some Melbournestrip clubs, bars and nightclubs are refusing entry based on a “dress code standard,” and some have even banned motorcycles from parking outside.

Inspector Paul Ross, of licensing enforcement, said police “advised” licensees “it’s probably better if they don’t allow outlaw motorcycle gang members inside … wearing colors.”

One operator, who is enforcing the ban, said police asked him and others to sign an agreement that the dress code standard relating to bikies was upheld.

QUOTABLE QUOTE: “When two opposite points of view are expressed with equal intensity, the truth does not necessarily lie exactly halfway between them. It is possible for one side to be simply wrong.”
~ Richard Dawkins (b. 1941), English biologist and author

The Bikernet/Cycle Source Sweeps saw its grand finale in Las Vegas and a Cycle Source subscriber won, Jordon Cambell, who will have the glorious opportunity to pick up his bike at Daytona Bike Week in March. But we won’t stop giving credit, where credit is due. One man added the final detailed touches to this Kustoms Inc. designed chop. Out from the dusty trails of the old West came an artisan, Howard Knight of Rocking K Custom Leather, who molded leather to his will and crafted heirloom-grade products for our sweeps machine. You can tell his cowboy influence by his perfected classic western floral designs and he created the world’s most expensive pair of cowboy boots ($106,000).

For 13 years, Knight refined his craft of creating innovation, one-off unique designs and high quality leather products for the motorcycle, western, and watch industries, combining exotic leathers with sterling and gold accents. During a recent custom bike show at the Harley-Davidson Museum, Prince Najar, the bastard who developed the Bikernet/Cycle Source sweepstakes team, witnessed Knight’s incredible range of work and his mastery of design and ability to integrate exotic leathers. He immediately tried to recruit Knight onto the our team.

His specialty is the classic western floral as evidenced in the Porter and Hollywood styles, along with Rocking K Custom Leather original designs. The Hollywood style harkens back from the Cowboy B movies of the ‘50s and is characterized by bold and flowing floral designs. The Porter style is an art deco style from the ‘20-‘30s and is tightly, defined and symmetrical.

Rocking K motorcycle seats are made up of three essential parts: the baseplate, the foam, and the cover. Gary Maurer of Kustom’s Inc., our primary builder, supplied the Fab Kevin epoxy powder-coated 16-gauge steel, which was pre-fit on the 15th Anniversary Chopper. The rugged baseplate was selected because it is a suspended seat and will take significant abuse over the lifetime of the build.

Knight designs seats to compress and mold to any body shape. The first ride should be as comfortable as the 100th and the seat should retain its shape and support for years. In order to ensure that a Rocking K Custom Leather seat is comfortable, Howard used top grade materials including medical foam, gel and his secret military composite material called KYDEX. KYDEX is a military-grade man-made material that is tough, noncorrosive and thermo-formable. It’s used extensively in the gun industry to mold and shape assault rifle holsters and magazine bandoliers. Howard uses it to contain his gel sections.

Gel displaces rather than compresses like foam. If you push down firmly on gel, it just changes its shape. Foam compresses to support your weight evenly over as large an area as possible. The combination provides the greatest amount of comfort. A 1-inch section of gel will do the job of 2.5 inches of foam.

“First-rate foam usually feels firmer than stock but it shouldn’t feel hard. It should offer gentle support,” said Howard. “A good test is to stand next to a seat and press down on the foam. It should depress by about a third.”

A soft seat provides no support and is just as bad as riding on the bare baseplate. On the other hand, a really hard seat can make you feel like you’re sitting on a piece of flexible plywood. Either way, your ass will be in agony at the end of a ride.

The most important component of seat comfort is the foam which includes both the shape and the quality of the foam itself. “This is truly a case of it’s what’s inside that counts,” said Howard. On the Anniversary Chopper, Howard used 7/8-inch high-quality foam pad. Because the chopper seat is unlike seats he builds for Softails and Baggers, there was only room for the foam pad. It was built to the specs of the bike, a bar hopper with limited saddle time and a whole lotta style.

When you look closely at the outline of the seat, you will see it is in the shape of a skull. The outer portion of the seat with the scrollwork frames the design. The logos were carefully positioned on the top and bottom side of the saddle.

Rocking K Custom Leather utilizes only American tanned cowhide from Herman Oak Tannery out of St. Louis. American leather is sourced because it delivers much better quality product, which means that it has greater consistency, few imperfections, more usable square footage and no bug bites or soft spots. The leather is a terrific weight for tooling and it provides good definition and shading when tooling, as well as taking dye exceptionally well.

Howard started by creating the design in his head. He used two pieces of leather to build up the profile as it fits on the skull shape of the pan. He then free hand-scrolled with an English gun engraving. He wet molded the leather, wet the back of the leather and then folded it over the foam. He used an elk antler to form the leather over the foam. The foam is hand-sculpted in a contour to support the winner’s body and align his spine at the best angle possible to relieve back stress.

The leather was worked in the natural cowhide color. After the design was finished, Howard dyed it three times and then applied an acrylic finish/sealer to provide water and wear resistance. The seat will last a good 20 years with just an annual cleaning. As it ages, it will take on a rugged worn patina.

Howard matched the saddle scrollwork with the saddlebag and tool bag. The seat alone took 12 hours to complete.

Howard hand-makes all the wrist watch bands for Montana Watch Company, and recently Willie G. approached him for a project, including a four-leaf clover motif designed in leather for his 2012 Ultra Glide.

Howard is a master when it comes to crafting and tooling leather filigree and snake inlays leather seats, saddlebags, cowboy boots, tank bibs, tool bags, and vests. If you are looking for a unique design that is made with old-world craftsmanship,  jump to www.rockingkcustomleather.com . Tell him that Bandit of Bikernet.com sent you.

Xpress
http://mysmartcup.com/

Crazy Horse
http://www.crazyhorsemotorcycles.com/

Texas Bike Works
www.TexasBikeWorks.com

Kustoms Inc.
KustomsInc@hotmail.com

Chop Docs
www.Chopdocschoppers.com

3 Guyz
www.3Guyz.com

Accel
Accel-ignition.com


Fab Kevin
http://www.fabkevin.com/home.htm

Evil Engineering
www.evil-engineering.com

D&D Exhaust

Wire Plus

Barnett
Barnettclutches.com

Rocking K Custom Leathers
howard.knight@montana.com
3443 Baldwin Rd.
Stevensville, Montana 59870
406-777-3542  
406-777-3543 fax
www.rockingkcustomleather.com

Rivera Primo

Spectro Oils
www.Spectro-oils.com

Bell
www.moto@rcn.com


Metzeler Tires
www.metzelermoto.com

Hawg Halters

Handy Industries
www.HandyIndustries.com

Grip Ace
www.gripace.com

Biker’s Choice

Aeromach
www.aeromachmfg.com

Ride Wright Wheels
www.ridewrightwheels.com

Biker Pros

Bare Knuckle Choppers
www.bareknucklechoppers.com


K&N
www.knfilters.com

Many of you have grown up with the names Rivera Engineering & Primo Belt Drives before both names were combined under the new corporate identity Rivera Primo Inc. After all, the company has been in the motorcycle aftermarket business for close to 40 years.

What a lot of you don’t realize is that besides the many great products these folks manufacture, Rivera Primo also distribute many products from other top-notch manufacturers such as Leinweber Cams, Dave Mackie Engineering, Competition Cams, Cometic Gaskets and the list goes on & on.

In fact, here’s something different available from Rivera Primo

Smart Battery Maintainers & Chargers

The unique automatic battery charger maintains both 6- and 12-Volt batteries, keeping them at full charge, using float-mode monitoring. This system is ideal for charging small batteries and is great for maintaining small and large batteries that are kept in storage.

Features include:

• 1.5 amp charger and maintainer.

• LEDs indicate: Charging, Charged and Trouble.

• Automatically switches from Full Charge to Float-Mode Monitoring.

• Quick-Disconnect Harness – Snap either connector into place in seconds – Use the 50 amp clamps or permanently attach the ring connectors…great for hard-to-reach motorcycle batteries.

• Reverse-hookup protection.

Charger 3010-0501

The  compact charger offers efficient SpeedCharge technology and the convenience of multiple battery connectors. Charges small motorcycle, ATV, snowmobile and lawn tractor batteries. Maintains small and large, stored or antique/classic-car batteries. For 6 and 12 volt batteries.

Features include

• 2 amp trickle charge rate – for 12 volt batteries.

• 4 amp trickle charge rate – for 6 volt batteries.

• Reverse-hookup protection.

• Versatile Quick-Disconnect Harness with 3 Connectors:

• 50 amp clamps for top and side post batteries

• 12V-accessory plug for in-car charging or charging portable power jump starters – charges them faster than provided charger.

• Ring connectors for permanent connection. Great for hard-to-reach motorcycle batteries.

• Molded plastic case.

This is an interesting one. For years, we installed True Track systems to prevent touring Harleys from the negative effects of rear-end sway. The treacherous wobbling can actually lead to devastating high-speed wobbles. Most bikers disliked riding touring H-D motorcycles at high speeds, and wobbling as they passed 18-wheelers, when they were supposed to be relaxing out on the open road.

True Tracks did the job, but they were more involved. Evidently Russ Romero had another stabilizing notion. He designed an off-center alignment cap. It fits into the stock rubber mount, inside the pillow block, and tightens the ability of the swingarm to move laterally.

Russ worked with Ben Kudon at Rivera-Primo for testing and manufacturing. “It basically holds the pivot pin in place,” said Ben Kudon.

The beneficial aspects of this unit include a much reduced cost, and ease of installation. “You can install these in about the time it takes to brush your teeth,” Ben said and smiled.

So we decided to give Stiffeys a shot on my Mudflap Girl FXR. Of course, Ben wants you to remove your battery cables, so you can’t accidentally start you scooter and make a mess of the shop.

We had some discussion about jacking up my FXR. Here’s what the Rivera-Primo.Inc instructions call for. “Securely block your motorcycle in an upright position. Different models will require the removal of exhaust, passenger footboards, etc. Remove whatever is necessary to accomplish the installation per your OE service manual.”

Basically, we wanted to just take the load off the frame in an upright manner. I actually supported the transmission with a wedge, because the entire driveline is held in place by these rubbermounts, and once the pillow blocks are removed, there could be trouble in paradise.

So with just the bike upright, and the transmission supported so weight was relieved from the rubber mounts, I felt comfortable removing the pillow blocks. Later, I asked Ben about removing and operating on one at a time. “You don’t even need to jack the bike,” Ben said, “if you handle it one at a time, since one side will support the bike.”

It’s still a good idea to center the bike and relieve stress from the transmission. “It’s best to install the Stiffey one side at a time to avoid losing alignment of the rear fork with the frame,” Ben added. I also used this opportunity to check the swingarm axle nuts. On the right side I had to remove my D&D muffler. On the left, my cool kickstand mounting system was removed.

I removed my right pillow block and discovered some stainless Allens I purchased for this application. This is where the Stiffey came into play. The Rivera crew recommended smearing the Stiffey with a light coat of grease before shoving it into place.

Since the axle is offset, turn the Stiffey to align with it, and presto, it slipped right into place in the rubber bushing—easy.

I pushed it right into place with my thumb, done deal. Ben’s directions called for two thumbs, but mine slipped right in, no pressure—presto.

Lastly, I needed to install a greased spacer in the pillow block and install the pillow block. Rivera supplies the kit with two spacer sizes, a thin one about .155-inch thick for 1980-2006 models, and a .050 wide washer for 2007 and later models. Since my bike was all custom, I didn’t have any notion as to the year. “Hey,” Ben said. “the later model pillow blocks won’t accept the early spacer, so it’s a no-brainer.”

The grease-coated .155-inch aluminum spacer slipped into place and I bolted up the pillow blocks and was good to shift to the left side. It was even easier. I shifted back to the right and re-installed my muffler. This puppy was good to go. Rivera offers a one-year warranty to replace or repair their products free of charge.

I can’t wait to go for a ride and test the handling improvements.

It’s been ten years since I penned my story to Bikernet about how to best handle a marriage that is on the decline. Like I said before, most couples just seem to fall into the same trap. Meet a hot new person, fall in love/lust, get married, have a few kids, get fat, lose your sex drive and love interest in your spouse and get into a bad routine. Sex life is infrequent and boring and this phenomenon can lead to a divorce or worse, staying in a marriage that makes you both miserable.

Speaking of getting fat; I just can’t get over how many fat people you see these days rolling around-it’s an epidemic. When I wrote “Marriage Counseling 101” it was not nearly as bad as it is now (and it was bad then). A few weeks ago, my wife, my daughter and I were in Sam’s Club buying some items and something came over me about the “clientele” of the store. EVERY dang person in the place was obese, I’m not talking about a beer belly or some unwanted extra pounds….I’m talking huge people everywhere. There was literally only one other shopper in that store (who was not a family member of mine) that was not 100 or more pounds overweight. What the hell is going on with folks these days? Why not cut back on the junk food, get off the couch and do something about your big fat ass? It’s unhealthy, it looks bad, it ruins your sex life and your self esteem and finally- it makes for a boring crappy marriage.

You may be asking, what does all the ranting about fat folks have to do with marriage counseling? Well, it has a lot to do with it because just like ten years ago- you don’t see any 300 lb. Victoria Secret models or 275 lb. Playmates of the Month. We as men spend literally billions of dollars to fantasize about porn stars, playmates, pets of the month and internet sex stars. Just like before, let’s spend that time, effort and money at home on your spouse getting things tuned up. Look, she may not get to the point where she’s going to try out for the next Playmate of the Month, but things can and will just flat get better for the both of you. While you’re at it, be a good example for her and lose some weight yourself. Eat better and get some kind of workout in 3 to 5 days a week-you’ll feel better, you’ll be healthier and you’ll live longer so that you can ride later in life. (My Uncle rode into his mid 80s until a semi threw a tire in front of his bagger, but that’s for another story-at least he died while doing what he loved.)

We are not striving for perfection here, just a healthier lifestyle. There are NO shortcuts either, don’t try sprinkling your food with something to make you thin or get some easy “takes no time at all” program that promises big improvements with little or no work, those programs are bullshit. P-90X or something similar is what most folks need. It’s hard core but you and your wife didn’t get fat in a few weeks so this is going to take some work. The results though are well worth it.

The thing that got me interested in a follow-up to my decade old article was looking at my wife (we’ve now been married 27 years) still sporting a bikini and still looking great. (The attached pictures are both recent -and she is in her 50s.) Three of our four kids have graduated from college and the last one just left home for his first year at Texas Tech. We are alone for the first time in 26 years and our marriage is great!

Sure there have been a few changes in the last ten years, I ride a bagger now, we are (as I said) both well into our 50s and things look a little different- but overall, everything I said ten years ago is still true today. I’d be willing to bet that many of the Bikernet family probably wrote off the first Marriage Counseling 101. “That’s probably not even his wife on that bike and even if it is, just wait a few years; she’s 43 how much longer can that last?”

The hard truth is, it’s even tougher to keep things together now that it was ten years ago. Eventually nature does win but the challenge is to fight it the best way you can. Get off the junk food, get in the gym and use all of your resources to keep as fit and attractive to your mate as possible. Again, the objective here is for improvement of body, health AND attitude.

I’m not going to lecture you guys, I just wanted to let you know that all of the theories on Marriage Counseling 101 are still “sound and right on” in fact it’s ten years later and they are more true than ever.

So get off the couch, get your wife motivated and you do the same. It will make for a better life, a better marriage and you’ll both be happier for it.

I suspect some are going to question why I would remove a reasonably new H-D automatic primary chain adjuster on my 2009 FLHTC and install a Baker job that must be manually adjusted.

There is meaning to my madness. The automatic chain adjuster was designed to remove any primary chain slack, by noticing flex in the chain ratcheting up a notch. We know from past experience, that the chain tightens as it heats up from running. If the automatic adjuster ratchets up cold it may make the chain too tight under normal operating conditions.

A chain that’s too tight will put undo pressure on inner primary bearings, main shaft engine bearings (which were recently down-graded from Timken bearings to old-style roller bearings) and main shaft transmission bearings. We have received numerous reports of severely damaged ’06 and newer Harley-Davidson 6-speed transmissions. In each case the main bearing was worn out in less that 40,000 miles. On the other hand, manual adjusters have been used for over five decades without serious issues and require very little maintenance.

“The Attitude Chain Adjuster solves the issues associated with the stock auto tensioner,” said Trish from Baker DriveTrain.

Since the Bikernet tech department became aware of several sever transmission failures, we’ve been on the hunt for the cause and solutions. In my case, I had a compensating sprocket go bad with only 30,000 miles on it. Harley replaced it under warrantee. There had been reports of bolts coming loose and other problems, so I never considered the chain an issue. But on the road to Sturgis this year (2012) the inner primary bearing started making noise. I stopped at Klock Werks and Jennifer repaired it for me while I handled my photo shoot. The motorcycle had just 39,476 miles on the clock.

In addition, my motorcycle always had a slight whine when gearing down. The combination of all these issues caused further investigation, and the Baker Attitude Chain Adjuster became a serious option. According to some seasoned mechanics, three issues could cause transmission failures; the compensating sprocket, the tightening automatic chain adjuster, or a reduced quality 6-speed main bearing. I replaced my compensating sprocket, so the Baker chain adjuster was my only option to prevent additional wear to my transmission.

I drained the primary fluid while I removed the floorboards, seat, main fuse, and the battery ground cable (don’t forget to disconnect the battery).

After removing the outer primary cover I placed a primary drive locking tool between the sprocket teeth. I should mention: Do Not use one of the wedge type locking tools.

I then removed the engine sprocket nut, sprocket, the chain and the automatic adjuster.

While installing the Baker Adjuster I added some Blue Thread Lock to the bolts and torqued them to 220 Inch-lbs.

I then installed the compensating sprocket assembly. The factory re-commends you replace the engine sprocket bolt every time it is removed as it has a locking agent on the bolt. I opted to clean the bolt on a wire wheel and used Red Thread Lock.

I placed the locking tool in the opposite direction of when removing bolt and Torqued the bolt to 100 Foot-pounds. Loosen bolt one (1) Full Turn and Re-Torque to 140 foot-pounds.

I then adjusted the chain to 5/8-7/8-inch upward free play. I continued checking the free play at multiple points by rotating the engine and clutch. You can do this by a socket on the engine sprocket bolt and or by raising the tire, putting the motorcycle in gear and rotating the rear tire. In some cases you may want to remove the sparkplugs so engine turns easier. Having a slightly different measurement at different locations is common, from chain stretch, but the total adjustment should be in range. Tighten the 3/8 Nylock Nut to 21-29 foot-lbs. NOTE: Making this adjustment on a hot drivetrain requires an adjustment range of 3/8-5/8-inch.

“And never have to worry about the chain getting too tight,” said Trish. “The 28% finer teeth spacing, as compared to the 2001-06 ‘L-Bracket’ style, allows more accurate adjustments. We offer this chain adjuster for fitment with stock outer primary covers, as well as a package deal with the new BAKER Bully Primary Cover.”

I installed the outer primary cover and torqued the fasteners to 108-120 Inch-lbs. I re-assembled the rest of the motorcycle with the exception of the passenger floorboard, and then removed the derby cover and added 45 ounces of primary fluid. Baker and I recommend Spectro lubricants.

I have made a very handy tool for filling the primary by using a 60ml syringe and a section of clear tubing. The baby bottle was used for measuring ounces, but don’t tell her.

I installed the derby cover and torqued ¼-20 fasteners to 84-108 inch-pounds, replaced passenger foot peg and test rode the motorcycle. The gear whine was gone—amazing!

For more information on this and other fine products check out Bakers website by clicking on their banner below.

–ROGUE

-Chain shoe machined from Nylon 66
-Backing Plate and Active Plate investment cast from 4130 steel
-28% finer teeth spacing (compared to 2001-06 chain adjusters) for more accurate adjustments -Chain adjustment method same as 2001-06 style stock ‘L’Bracket’ adjusters.
Fits 2006-Later Dyna Models
Fits 2007-Later Softail/ Touring Models
For more information and ordering – click on the Baker Banner or call 1-877-640-2004

The wind whistled over the hills surrounding the small berg of Big Bend, Wisconsin in the fall of 1986 when Jamie Strasser, the son of a pair of self-employed gas station owners, opened his first body shop in a storage shed. He was barely 18 years of age. When he was 14, his father gave him a ’73 Camaro, which he restored. He was already well-versed in the art of body repair and mechanics, enough so he contained the confidence to open his own dinky shop in an industrial park, on Industrial Avenue.

His storage shed had only electricity, a phone and a heater; no water, or toilet, just a square corner office, block walls, concrete deck shop and a roll-up door. “I brought my own water every day in jugs,” Jamie said, “for drinking and to clean the shop for painting.” A 1969 Camaro was the first car he painted in his new shop. Self-taught, Jamie learned how to operate dolly hammers, TIG weld, form steel, weld quarter panels, cut roof pans, straighten door panels, perform structural collision repairs and fix rust-damaged floor boards. He worked in the storage shed until 2002 to build his entrepreneurial acumen and save the funds to buy land and build his own 7,000 square foot shop in the town of 1,275, just 17 miles from Milwaukee.

“My phone bill now is more than my shop rent was then,” Jamie said.

But a crucial change wafted over Jamie in 1995, like fairy dust over Snow White, or metal flakes over Arlen Ness, or pearl powder dust over John Kosmoski, the creator of House of Kolors. There comes a delicate crossroads in a man’s life, altering his mental direction forever, and his life becomes immersed in two wheels. For some, they start to ride and never stop; for others, it’s speed and performance. And for the creative spirit, it’s the chopper mantra, the chromed Holy Grail.

Jamie bought his first Harley in 1995, a Bad Boy Springer, customized it slightly and painted it. Then a friend rolled into his shop with a stretched tank, 180-rear-tire chopper, and his creative focus found its target. His brain cells already danced along perfectly shaped lines like that of a woman’s body. The flow of something as simple as the lines of a contoured tank and a severely raked frame spoke to him, like a master chef speaks of new sprouts in an herb garden. By 1997, Jamie kicked off his first sleek ground-up, stretched-out chopper.

His painting skills elevated when he met and started to work with Rage Ray, a pinstriper, who is now a Harley-Davidson factory designer. “He was a master with an airbrush,” Jamie said. Then he met and collaborated with Vince Balistreri out of Orlando, Florida, who taught Jamie graphic arts techniques. Vince was also a noted pinstripe artist.

Jamie’s shop in a suburb of Milwaukee was suddenly devoted to custom motorcycles and the ongoing search for long swoopy chopper perfection. His first ground-up chopper set him up as the leading edge builder in his area, and he began to compete in regional custom bike shows. By 2003, he became an American Iron Horse Dealer. In 2005, he took on the Big Dog Franchise and expanded his shop to 10,000 square feet, and then expanded again to 15,000 square feet in 2009 to allow for more inventory. In 2006, he was awarded the Big Bear dealership, and also sold Big Mike choppers. From 2003 to 2007, Jamie’s Customs & Power Sports rested on the top of the chopper world in his region. He was flying and annually building anything his mind could dream up.

Then in the fall of 2007, Jamie noticed a financial shift and profits slipped. By 2008, recession reality set in. The custom motorcycle industry was truly collapsing, and Jamie shut the dealer aspects down and began to search for affordable merchandise, such as used Harleys, and even used metric bikes. He brought the snow mobile business back in the winter, and relied heavily on service.

“I had to cut staff, work longer hours, and look for help who understood multi-tasking,” Jamie said. He went to war with the economy in an effort to survive. He checked his ability to capitalize his company, and bought out his sales partner, Frank. He paid down his debt, and hung on, praying new regulations wouldn’t sink him completely.

“I feel like the government is against the entrepreneur,” Jamie said, “and I’m perceived as a criminal being a small business owner.”

He survived, but walks a tenuous path today, uncertain of the future. But let’s back up to better times in 2006, when he built the Cinnamon Stick as a shop promo bike and show competitor.

“I built it in a different time,” Jamie said. “It was a time of dynamic custom motorcycle competition against pre-manufactured custom bikes such as Big Dogs. I had to prove I wasn’t an assembler, but a true chopper craftsman.”

He built every item on the sleek predator with the Cinnamon name – the tanks, the headlight, the handlebars, fenders, and panels. “I wanted the driveline exposed,” said Jamie. “Less was more.” He wanted a rigid frame line but with rear suspension, so the fender was mounted to the swingarm, but removable.

During the chopper heyday, the American Iron Horse crew flew him to Fort Worth, Texas for a dealer meeting. They had some downtime so he cruised a local mall, but all the stores were closed except one, the cigar and knife shop. He discovered the blade mounted to the down tubes and knew it had to become an integral piece of the Stick.

Back to current times. I had the pleasure to see this bike for the first time at the 2012 AMD show at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee. Produced by Bob Kay and Jeff Najar of Biker Pros, I flew in from Bonneville to check the action and help judge the bikes. After all these years, the Cinnamon Stick is still a rolling example of fine custom motorcycle art, and a stellar representative of a time past. I awarded him with the Bikernet Editor’s Choice Trophy. The bike is still as pristine as it was in 2007.

Choppers forever, forever Choppers

–Bandit

Regular Stuff

Owner: JAMIE STRASSER

Bike Name: CINNAMON STICK

City/State: BIG BEND, WI

Builder: JAMIE STRASSER

City/state: BIG BEND, WI

Company Info: JAMIE’S CUSTOMS
Address: W228 S6925 ENTERPRISE DRIVE, BIG BEND, WI 53103
Phone: 262-662-4511

Web site: WWW.JAMIESCUSTOMS.COM
E-mail: JAMIE@JAMIESCUSTOMS.COM

Fabrication: JAMIE’S CUSTOMS

Manufacturing: Jamie

Welding: JAMIE’S CUSTOMS

Machining: JAMIE’S CUSTOMS

Engine

Year: 2007

Make: S&S

Model: SIDEWINDER

Displacement: 124 CUBIC INCHES

Builder or Rebuilder: ROB SCHOPF – 2 BOSS PERFORMANCE

Cases: S&S

Case finish: POLISHED

Barrels: S&S

Bore: 4.25

Pistons: S&S

Barrel finish: CAST IRON

Lower end: S&S

Stroke: S&S

Rods: S&S

Heads: S&S

Head finish: POLISH

Valves and springs: S&S

Pushrods: S&S

Cams: S&S

Lifters: S&S

Carburetion: S&S SUPER G

Air cleaner: D&M / JAMIE’S CUSTOMS

Exhaust: HOTCH / JAMIE’S CUSTOMS

Mufflers: N/A

Other: CUSTOM BUILT HEAT SHIELDS & ACCENTS

Transmission

Year: 2007

Make: BAKER

Gear configuration: 2.94 1ST / .86 6TH

Primary: B.D.L / INDEPENDANT

Clutch: B.D.L.

Final drive: CHAIN

Kicker: N/A

Frame

Year: 2007

Builder: INDEPENDENT CYCLE

Style or Model: LOW LIFE

Stretch: 7 INCHES

Rake: 40 DEGREE NECK RAKE / 6 TREES

Front End

Make: MEAN STREET

Model: SMOOTH 47

Year: 2006

Length: STOCK

Mods: MACHINED TRIPLE TREES

Sheet metal

Tanks: JAMIE’S CUSTOMS

Fenders: JAMIE’S CUSTOMS

Panels: JAMIE’S CUSTOMS

Oil tank: INDEPENDENT CYCLE

Other: HEADLIGHT – HANDLEBARS

Paint

Sheet metal: JAMIE’S CUSTOMS

Molding: JAMIE’S CUSTOMS

Base coat: CINNAMON STICK (PPG)

Graphics: CANDY RED / TANGERINE – BLACK

Type: DUPONT / HOUSE OF KOLOR / PPG

Frame: CINNAMON STICK WITH GRAPHICS

Molding: JAMIE’S CUSTOMS

Base coat: PPG VIBRANT COLOR

Graphics or art: FLOWING GRAPHICS THAT COVER EVERY PIECE

Special effects: BRUSHED WOOD AND METAL LOOK

Pinstriping: BLACK AND AIR BRUSH

Wheels

Front

Make: PERFORMANCE MACHINE 3-D WIDOWMAKER CHROME

Size: 21X2.15

Brake calipers: PERFORMANCE MACHINE 6 PISTON CONTOUR

Brake rotor(s): PERFORMANCE MACHINE

Tire: METZLER ME880 21

Rear

Make: PERFORMANCE MACHINE 3-D WIDOWMAKER CHROME

Size: 18

Brake calipers: PERFORMANCE MACHINE 4 PISTON

Brake rotor: PERFORMANCE MACHINE

Pulley: PERFORMANCE MACHINE CHAIN

Tire: METZLER ME-880 300

Controls

Foot controls: MID-SHIFT INDEPENDENT CYCLE

Finish: CHROME

Master cylinder: PERFORMANCE MACHINE

Brake lines: RUSSELL PRO SYSTEM

Handlebar controls: PERFORMANCE MACHINE

Finish: CHROME

Clutch Cable: RUSSELL PRO SYSTEM HYDRAULIC

Brake Lines RUSSELL PRO SYSTEM

Shifting: MID-SHIFT

Kickstand: MATT HOTCH

Electrical

Ignition: COMPUFIRE

Ignition switch: CYCLE VISIONS

Coils: DYNA

Regulator: COMPUFIRE

Charging: 32 AMP

Starter: PYTHON

Wiring: JAMIE’S CUSTOMS

Harness: CYCLE SMITH

Headlight: JAMIE’S CUSTOMS

Taillight: NASI L.E.D

Accessory lights: HALOGEN & L.E.D.

Electrical accessories: CUSTOM

Switches: CUSTOM

Battery: ODDYSEE

What’s Left

Seat: JAMIE’S CUSTOMS

Mirror(s): N/A

Gas caps: FLUSH

Handlebars: JAMIE’S CUSTOMS

Grips: EDDIC TROTTA

Pegs: IND

Oil filter: S&S

Oil cooler: N/A

Oil lines: CUSTOM

Fuel filter: K&L

Fuel Lines: S&S

Throttle: BARNETT

Throttle cables: BARNETT

Fasteners: LOTS

Specialty items: HAND FABRICATED METAL WORK TO FRAME – KNIFE MOUNTED TO DOWN TUBE OF FRAME – LEGENDS AIR RIDE

Comments: BIKE DESIGN TO LONG, LOW, SLEEK WITH PREDATOR LIKE DESIGN

Credits: THANKS TO WIFE DENISE AND DAUGHTER ALEXIE AND THE STAFF AT JAMIE’S CUSTOMS