by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com How do you prefer you vintage Harley motorcycle? Do you like them restored to their former shine, or would you rather go for some modifications to make them unique, but somehow spoil them in the process? Well, if you’re a collector, there’s only one possible answer to that. At the end of April, auction house Mecum will be holding its massive, annual motorcycle auction in Las Vegas. This year, a prominent presence on the auction block is that of an impressive Harley-Davidson collection belonging to a single, Tacoma, Washington resident museum owner by the name of J.C. Burgin. The incredibly well preserved 1947 Harley-Davidson FL Knucklehead we have here is part of the collection. It entered Burgin’s possession all the way in 1983, and then underwent a careful restoration process that left the two-wheeler looking like it does now. Wrapped in blue on the body parts that support paint, the two-wheeler retains the chrome shine the bike maker envisioned it for the Knucklehead engine. Most of the FL’s original hardware was preserved, from the front fender lamp to the horn cover. There’s even a red ball tank emblem in there for effect. The motorcycle is powered by the same powertrain back when it was made, meaning a 74ci unit running a four-speed transmission. The fact that this bike comes from 1947 might boost its price a bit in the upcoming auction. That was the last year of production for the Knucklehead, as starting 1948, the era of the Panhead began. For reference, back in its day, a motorcycle such as this sold new for around $600 – that would be roughly $7,000 adjusted for inflation. Now, of course, they sell for a hell of a lot more on the collector’s market. For this particular 1947 Harley-Davidson FL Knucklehead, Mecum gives no estimate as to how much it is expected to fetch.

Well, as you know the second impeachment effort failed.
And the Faux-Trump that has been filling-in for the real
Donald Trump here on Bikernet, assuming there actually is a real Donald Trump, is in full revved-engine mode to BE Donald Trump until such time as the Social Media
Emperors allow the real Donald Trump back onto their
sacred and holy venues. So, sit back, relax, and fall asleep while Fake Donald Trump takes a victory lap, courtesy of J.J. Solari.

“Hey ‘America Was Great Again For 4 Years At Least Until the Fake Election That Put Biden Into Office,’ – how ya doin’??

How about that second impeachment failure, uh?
You know what THAT means, right?….. a whole new flu
‘pandemic.’ That’s right, the Second Impeachment-Failure=flu.

Think they would actually do that flu shit twice though?
Yeah, I think they would. They gut a pretty limited
playbook. But you can never overestimate Biden’s
commitment to destruction. He could order a nuclear strike on Akron Ohio to keep me from running for office again.

Because you KNOW I’m gonna run for office again. In
FACT, I might not even have to run for office again to be
President for a second term. In FACT, I basically AM
President for a second term. This second impeachment
failure kind of proves it. I mean they had a lock on this
tighter than the lock that’s on Britney Spears’ hard earned cash.

You think it’s easy to sing a song with a python
coiled around your neck? You should be entitled to the
money you earned from doing that.

Speakin’ o’ people who play with long bendy circular
things, how about that Kamala-toe Harris, uh? You notice
she’s kinda stayin’ in the backround, no? Yep, she’s just
sittin’ quietly, crossin’ and uncrossin her legs for the
cameras and lookin’ at her watch and countin’ the minutes. And then….President Harris.

What’s that, buddy?….you say she’s kneeling quietly, not
sitting quietly? I like how you think, where you from?

None of my fuckin’ business? HAHAHA now I REALLY like you. Giving me shit to my face. Well, you’re no White House Staffer, I can see that! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA I love this crowd.

You know pretty much that the job of President is a makebelieve, no-such-thing job if Kamala “Don’t lecture me,” Harris has it. Well, she doesn’t have it yet. But she knows Joe ‘I’LL HAVE ANOTHER, BARKEEP!!!’ Biden is starin’ more and more into the empty future and noticing that he’s not in it.

I’m typin’ this on Valentine’s Day, speaking o’ Joe Biden:
He’s likely out on the lawn with a passel o’ 8 year old girls, standing behind them one at a time and gently caressing their locks…..putting his face against the back of their skulls and closing his eyes in happy delirium.

Wait till Easter Sunday. Kids lookin’ for eggs in Joe Biden’s yard. Wait till Halloween: kids comin’ to Joe Biden’s door. Wait till Christmas: kids sittin’ on Joe Biden’s lap. Yeah, if you’re Joe Biden you gotta be lovin’ the Presidency right now.

Have you noticed you’ll look a goddamn fucking long time, before you come across a photo or even a ‘report from an expert’ about me bein’ within a thousand yards of a fucking kid. I mean, I try and stay away from my OWN kids. ‘Cept for, ya know, the one with the honkers.

Meanwhile every other political hack in American history since the invention of the camera is holding other peoples’ babies, sitting in a classroom with first graders telling them what a warrior he is for road-construction and equal housing. Me?….

I’m at a beauty contest somewhere. That I own. With hot adult females. Meanwhile everyone else in office – at least the men – are holding small stray humans in their arms……..speakin’ o which, what the FUCK is it with ‘The Royal Family.’ Those heirs to the throne are ALWAYS in some photo bending down and smiling at some rickets-boned or diseaseinfected fly-covered herd of kids they would never have over to the house without steam-cleaning them for an hour with kerosene. They’re bending down and shaking hands with or smiling enthusiastically at some bewildered cave-dwelling
shithole-doomed youngster who’s never seen
ANYTHING white, forget about white PEOPLE before.

You ever see me doing that fucking shit? Jesus soap
on a rope Christ. I don’t think so. You think Biden’s ever gonna be involved in a scandal with a porn star? At least an ADULT porn star? No. You’ll wait for Kamala Harris to have abrasion-free knees before that day arrives.

I will say though, in fairness to Old ‘then you ain’t Black’
Joe, he will go creep-on-one with adults as readily as with
kids when it comes to hair-sniffin’. What do you suppose
he’s hoping to pick-up-the-scent-of when he does that?
Soap? Is he addicted to the smell of shampoo and hair
conditioner? I mean….it’s NOT as though he tries to do
this on the sneak. No, not at all. He could be on stage at
the Superbowl singing about life at The Village and he’d
stop and leave the platform and go out into the socially
distanced stands and slowly bend and close his eyes and
touch his rosacea-ed nose against the tresses of some 40-or-younger audience member with a vagina and not care who knows it.

How long a wait do you think you will have before a
‘reporter’ asks ‘Hey, Joe, what’s with the sniffing kids hair?’

That reporter will be called a lot more than a dog faced
pony soldier. Can you imagine if I sniffed little girls’ hair?
Chuck Schumer wouldn’t just be throwing the word
‘infamy’ around. He’d be throwin’ the word deviate prepubescent sexual predator around.

Speakin’ o’ Droopy-Dog Schumer, did you hear that
fucker? His Impeachment 2 fucking TANKED….and he’s
calling it as akin to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
He used the word ‘infamy.’ You use the word infamy and
you’re in office….. you’re trying to be FDR-level pompous
and majestic and gassy. The word infamy in politics is
basically an off-limits word unless you’re a total piece of
worthless shit – like, say, Schumer – and you have no
shame or class or sense….or you’re referencing Pearl
Harbor.

But let’s leave World War Two even out of it, ok?……he’s
calling losing a vote……infamy? He lost a vote! That’s
infamy? Hey, but, hey, he calls breaking and entering
treason, insurrection, and a coup. And so does the press.
They gut their own dictionary. So, I guess it makes sense
that you would call not being able to impeach someone
who isn’t in office ‘infamy.’

He’s actually as stupid as he is ugly. And I do mean ugly. He is NOT a good-lookin’ guy. Oh. You’re saying that’s mean, me calling him ugly. Oh. Ok: I’ll call him a rakishly debonaire Burt Lancaster whopper of a good-lookin’ rockstar of a hunk. How’s that?

Speakin’ o’ vocabulary, can you imagine me ever saying
the word infamy? Under any circumstances? I mean it was stupid even when Roosevelt said it: he’s responding to a sneak attack on America with name calling. I guess he was trying to hurt the Japs’ feelings. Still, it’s more than Bush said when the Muslims attacked the mainland with our own planes!!! Even the Japs didn’t think o’ that one.

He didn’t call it a day of infamy. He didn’t call it anything.
Oh, wait: he called it terror. Terror attacked us. And he
declared war on it. He declared war upon an emotion. At
least FDR declared war on Japan. Not on ‘infamy.’ ‘We will attack infamy and drive it from our shores!!’

He didn’t say that. Meanwhile Goober declares war on
terror. But hey, Nixon declared a war on drugs. One of
those other blowhard Presidents declared war on poverty.

War on hunger. War on inequity. No one fights human
enemies anymore. We fight against vocabulary words.
Remember when the hippies said everything is
everything? You’re maybe-elected bureaucrat
representative was apparently listening!
HAHAHAHAHAHA

Speakin’ o’ crowds, you see that Crowd of Seven alleged
Republicans who voted for my impeachment in this Get-
Trump Circus Number 2? Mitt-rhymes-with-shit was right
in there with ’em. Boy, he’s a piece o’ work, ain’t ‘e? I bet
even Satan inches back outa the way when Romney
enters the room. And not outa fear. Outa nausea.
Whew. He could foul a nest of diseased ferrets.
Then six other bilious Nothings traipsed-along after him:
Ben Sasse rhymes-with-ass. Lookit that Nebraskan fuck.
All ‘let’s go to work, boys!’ in his fucking rolled up sleeves
like he could actually lift anything without his little tiny balls shooting out his ears like bb’s. And his fucking khakis. ‘It’s nose to the grindstone with me, America! Let’s get busy.’

So he gets busy trying to get rid of someone who actually
DOES work. And who wears a suit doing it. Then let’s
see, there’s Pat Toomey from Pennsylvania in his best
David Miscavige pose but with a lot crappier suit. Fucker’s ears are damn near parallel with his teeth. Fucker’s forehead goes all the way back to his shoulder blades.

Then Mitt Romney from Utah. Jesus. Mr ‘Am I just the
darndest most innocent thing or what!!!’ Fucking little
gutless pukepile. Ya know, Mormons have a very
undeserved bad reputation. Except in his case. Let’s see,
who else we gut, oh, yes, holy shit, Miss Butt Ugly herself, Susan Collins from Maine. See?…that’s what cold weather does to ya. It turns women into Alec Guinness.

If I had just given her the shocker just once like she likely dreams of she’da come-around. What’s the shocker? Ask your teenage daughter. She’ll tell ya. Maybe. Who else we gut, oh yeah, Aaron’s kinfolk, Richard Burr, Noath Cah-lie-nah. Lookit that fucker. He LOOKS like he’d fry-up newborns in a skillet and feed them to his dogs as a reward for barking all night and pissing off the neighborhood. Beady-eyed lipless little prick. He looks Sith-ready for the next Star Wars movie when they need a villain. Bill Cassidy, Louisiana. Jesus Kee-riste. That is one doofus-looking dull witted looking mug right there.

I guess Americans figure if you elect someone ugly and stupid-looking enough to office they won’t be smart enough to fuck with ya. Um…..America?…..you don’t need to be smart or good looking to fuck with people. Look at Michelle Obama.

Haha ok, I’m just kidding, you don’t really have to look at
‘er. And last but least, from Alaska, Lisa pisa-shit
Murkowski. Emphasis on the murk. And maybe on the
cow. If she got on the bus you’d get off, right? And by that I mean you’d exit the bus, right? Cause you KNOW she’s gonna start yelling at invisible people at some point.

This is the Magnificent Seven of the Republican Party that voted to have me declared an Enemy of the People
and a Foreign Invader leading hippies in Revenant
costuming on an overthrow of the government. What that
mob did USED to be called breaking and entering before
political-science majors became hack journalists with no
writing or even vocabulary skills. Oh: and we all did learn
one thing from that little fracas: we learned why Congress sends YOU to fight wars rather than do it themselves. Because they’re headin’ the other way, baby! Whew!

Feets don’t fails me now!! That was the fastest any of those assholes moved since taking office.
Anyway, good luck to Biden being the guy that loses family members but somehow wins elections.
Hey, you’ve been great, and let’s admit it, so have I.
Together we can make America great four years from now.

Maybe sooner, the way things are goin’
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
See you at Impeachment 3!!!. The Biden Impeachment, when the evidence surfaces. It’s a no-brainer.

I have had my 2019 Harley-Davidson Street Glide for a little while now and the one thing I wanted to change was the sound of the audio. Since I bought the bike, I had my eye on upgrading the fairing and saddlebag lids with Harley’s flagship Stage II Boom Audio speakers and amps.

  I upgraded the fairing to Stage II recently and just want more. You you can see that article at:

 https://www.bikernet.com/pages/GETTING_A_BOOM_WITH_HARLEY_DAVIDSON_STAGE_ll_AUDIO.aspx 

 Needed? Questionable, but definitely wanted more Boom! A decision that needs to be made is whether you want to go Stage I or Stage II, the system cannot be mixed. Also, if you are planning on doing this yourself, beware Radio EQ MUST be updated by a Harley-Davidson dealer BEFORE operating the audio system. Operating the audio system prior to radio EQ update will IMMEDIATELY damage the speakers. This can be done in advance although I waited until the job was complete. This involves some finesse with cutting tools as both saddlebags need to be modified.

 The speakers in this kit are for use ONLY on specific 2014 and later Harley-Davidson audio systems. See the P&A retail catalog or the Parts and Accessories section of www.harley-davidson.com (English only).

Note: Using these speakers on 2005 or earlier Harley-Davidson audio systems WILL cause permanent damage to those systems.

 First thing to do is remove main fuse.

 Remove seat.

Remove the ECM caddy from the top of the battery.

Disconnect both battery cables, negative battery cable first.

Remove battery.

Remove right side cover.

Remove left side cover.

 

 

Drain and remove gas tank.

 

 

 Remove the windshield by taking the three bolts at top of outer fairing.

 

 

 The remove outer fairing by taking two bolts on the inside of inner fairing on both sides.

 Remove the two bolts securing the electrical caddy under the left side cover.

 

RIGHT SADDLEBAG DRILLING AND CONNECTOR INSTALLATION

Remove all items from the right saddlebag and remove saddlebag.

 

 Remove bolt that retains the handle in the lid.

 Then remove 2 screws in the cloth stop and remove 3 bolts and nut for cable to disconnect lid from lower bag.

Remove the 4 torx bolts in the lid to separate frame from upper lid.

To minimize damage to paint during cutting and drilling. Cover both sides of the area being drilled or cut with masking tape.

Place the saddlebag on a protected surface with mounting (inboard) side facing up.       

Place the template on the saddlebag. Align the grommet and latch fastener openings. Drill the hole at locations and , beneath the remark “S’BAG SPEAKER ONLY”. 

 

 Drill four holes .177 diameter holes for the lower connector flange mounting locations.

 Drill a hole .886 diameter hole for the connector location.

 Verify pilot hole placement with the four-way flanged connector [C36A] (3) on the harness.       

Test-fit the connector. Shape the hole as seen on the template if necessary.   

Four-Way Harness Connector Installation

Remove the metal plate from the four-way bulkhead connector on the saddlebag harness. Insert the connector through the saddlebag hole from the inside.   

Slide the metal plate back onto the connector outside the saddlebag. Secure the connector with four socket head screws from inside the saddlebag. Tighten and torque to 35–40 in-lbs.

 Now for the Left Saddle Bag, remove any items and remove the saddle bag.

Remove left side lid using same procedure as with the right

 Carefully cut the cutout (4) in the template for connector [288A] on the dashed line.

  Drill two pilot holes (5) for the connector flange mounting locations.

 Remove template. Verify size of cutout (4) with the 18-way flanged connector [288A] on the saddlebag harness (see Figure 12 , Item 4) from the kit.        

Cut the cutout for connector [288A] into the saddlebag wall.  

Drill two holes at the connector flange mounting pilot hole locations.

Length/Dimension/Distance: 7.25 mm (½ in)

 

Insert the pin side 18-way bulkhead connector (3) from the saddlebag harness through the connector cutout (6) from the inside. Secure the connector from outside the saddlebag with two socket head screws (4) and washers (5). Tighten.

Torque: 4–4.5 N·m (35–40 in-lbs) M5 hex socket head screw.

 

 Snap the harness cover over the 18-way connector. Secure with a cable strap. The harness routes inside the saddlebag after the amplifier is mounted.

Amplifier Bracket Installation

Clean the inside rear and bottom surfaces of the saddlebag with a 50-50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and distilled water.

Verify that all four tape strips are contacting the saddlebag.

Remove the four pieces of protective backing from the amplifier bracket tape strips. Position the bracket as shown.  

 [photo 104247] 

 Install the amplifier pin studs in the amplifier. Tighten.

Torque: 9.4–12.2 N·m (7–9 ft-lbs)

 

 Install the grommets  

Amplifier Installation

Position the amplifier with the grommets in the holes in the bottom of the amplifier bracket. Slide the top into the bracket. Install the hex socket button head screws. Tighten and torque to 7–9 ft-lbs.

 

Plug in connector of the saddlebag harness to the top of the amplifier. Route the saddlebag side harness inside the left saddlebag. Clean the inside bottom and side surfaces of the saddlebag along the harness path with a 50-50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and distilled water. Secure with cable straps and bases as shown. 

 

 Route the vehicle-side amplifier harness in the saddlebag mounting area, beginning the vehicle. Route the harness around the rear wheel sprocket, following the saddlebag support rail.

Route the harness behind and underneath the frame, into the under seat battery area.

Use cable straps to tie the harness loosely to the saddlebag support. Use the large hole near the saddlebag rear attachment point or one of the cable strap slots along the bottom of the support.

Temporarily install the left saddlebag into the support assembly. When sufficient clearance is confirmed, tighten the cable straps. Remove the saddlebag.

Confirm that the vehicle-side harness connectors reach the saddlebag connectors.

Confirm that the amplifier harness connectors and harness routing are clear of all moving parts.

Confirm that no contact is made at full extension and compression of the shock absorber.

Continue routing the harness forward on the vehicle.

 

 Locate the black, four-way Molex connector [296A] near the back of the under-seat area. FLHX/FLTRX models: On a jumper harness coming from the fairing. FLHTCU/FLHTK models: On an adapter harness with two 16-way ([162C] and [162D]) and two four-way ([296A] and (297B]) connectors. With ONLY ONE Stage II amplifier installed in the rear: Remove the plug in the [296A] connector. Connect the amplifier harness. With TWO or more Stage II amplifiers installed in the rear: Plug the audio input harness (15) from this kit into connector halves [296A] and (297B] on the adapter harness. Plug amplifier harness connector [296A] into the audio input harness.

Locate the 2-way Delphi CAN connector [319B] (1) under the right side cover.

The cap is a terminating resistor pack secured to the electrical caddy. Remove connector [319B] from the resistor pack.

Connect [319A] (See Figure 18 item 9) from the harness to [319B] of the vehicle.

If this is the only (rear) amplifier connection in this installation, connect the [319B] side of the harness back into the terminating resistor pack from step “B” above. If multiple rear amplifiers are used, daisy chain [319B] from this harness to [319A] of the next amplifier harness. Always verify that the remaining connector [319B] is connected to the terminating resistor of the vehicle.

Locate connector 299 on the vehicle under the inner faring. This connector may already be connected to a faring amplifier.

  

 Install 69200921 “Y” to vehicle side 299, with one end to the faring amplifier harness.

Install the 69201545 jumper (If a 69201545 jumper has already been installed on vehicle skip ahead to “e”. Do not install more than one 69201545 jumper.)

Route the 69201545 jumper though the inner faring and into the wire trough following the Faring harness routing.

Locate the end of the 69201545 jumper under the RH side cover near the [319] connectors. If a 69201545 is present from a prior install use a 6920921 “Y” under the RH side cover to connect [299].

Route the battery terminal branch to the battery terminals, but DO NOT connect the battery cables now.

 

Route the longer harness branch (with six-way socket connector [36B]) to the right side of the vehicle. Use cable straps to tie the harness loosely to the saddlebag support. Use the large hole near the saddlebag rear attachment point or one of the cable strap slots along the bottom of the support.

 Temporarily install the right saddlebag into the support assembly. When sufficient clearance is confirmed, tighten the cable straps. Remove the saddlebag.

Confirm that the vehicle-side harness connector [36B] reaches saddlebag connector [36A], installed earlier.

Confirm that the amplifier harness connector and harness routing are clear of all moving parts.

Confirm that no contact is made at full extension and compression of the shock absorber.

 Installing speakers in the lids.

  

 Position the smaller tweeter speaker is toward the rear of the saddlebag as shown.

 Secure the speaker with the four long screws. Alternately tighten screws. Tighten and torque to 12–15 in-lbs.

Place rubber washers into the grille mount well.

Place the speaker grille into position over the speaker face.

Secure with the four short screws (3). Alternately tighten the screws. Tighten and torque to 12–15 in-lbs.

Repeat steps for the opposite-side saddlebag cover.

 Install the grommet from the original cover in the lever hole.

 

 Install the lever bolt into the latch assembly.

 Position the latch assembly and verify the hex head bolt stayed in position. Lift the latch assembly and position the speaker end under the locating tab.

 To install the latch assembly, pull the latch assembly towards the center of the cover to clear the cover locating tabs.

 Install three of the original four latch assembly screws. Tighten and torque to 19–29 in-lbs.

 Hold faceplate in place and install three screws. Tighten and torque to 45–55 in-lbs.

 

 Please note: Ambient temperature should be at least 61 °F for proper adhesion of the gasket to the saddlebag cover.

 This step is essential to prevent water intrusion.

 Clean the area with a mixture of 50-70 percent isopropyl alcohol and 30-50 percent distilled water. Remove the protective seal from foam gasket and install the foam gasket in orientation shown by applying pressure to the adhesive tape.

 Install the handle. Tighten and torque to 45–55 in-lbs.

Repeat for the other saddle bag lid.

 

Connect both two-way audio connectors from the amplifier harness to the mid-range/tweeter connection and the woofer connection on the underside of the speaker. The connectors are unique and only fit one way.

Add cable straps and wire retainers from the Amplifier Installation Kit to retain the harness inside the saddlebag as needed.

 To prevent possible damage to the sound system, verify that the ignition switch is OFF before attaching the battery cables.

 Connect the battery terminal branch to the battery terminals (red positive cable first).

 Apply a light coat of petroleum jelly or corrosion retardant material to battery terminals.  

 Install the ECM caddy per the service manual. 

 Install gas tank.

If upgrade to radio is already done install seat and fairing and windshield. In my case I did not, so off the dealer to get upgrade to radio. DO NOT POWER ON RADIO or immediate damage will occur to speakers.

 Install main fuse.     

 I loaded the bike up and took it to Space Coast Harley Davidson, my local dealer. The tech was super knowledgeable with all my questions as usual and had the bike upgraded in about 30 minutes.

I am impressed with Harley’s flagship speaker and amp system. The bike has been wet, been almost frozen, baked in the sun and played hard every time I am out which is quite a bit. The system could have a little more bass, but the audio is outstanding in clarity.

 Boom! Audio Stage II Saddlebag Speaker Kit – 76000954 | Harley-Davidson USA (harley-davidson.com)

 

Boom! Audio Stage II Amplifier – 76000277B | Harley-Davidson USA (harley-davidson.com)

 

Boom! Audio Stage II Saddlebag Speaker Installation Kit – 76000745 | Harley-Davidson USA (harley-davidson.com)

 

Color-Matched Saddlebag Speaker Lid – 90200827DH | Harley-Davidson USA (harley-davidson.com)

 

Color-Matched Saddlebag Speaker Lid – 90200826DH | Harley-Davidson USA (harley-davidson.com)

 –-Misled

The partnership between the brands METZELER and Indian Motorcycle is strengthened: several new Indian Motorcycle models equipped with tires of the blue elephant brand

Along with the Indian Challenger, METZELER CRUISETEC™ will be original equipment tires of the Indian Roadmaster, Chieftain, Springfield and Vintage models. METZELER SPORTEC™ M9 RR will now be original equipment on the brand new Indian FTR

ROME, Ga. 15th February 2021 – The technical partnership between the brands METZELER and Indian Motorcycle forges ahead since the first collaboration between the German-born tire brand and the legendary US motorcycle manufacturer happened in 2019. METZELER brand was chosen as the development partner and exclusive supplier for the powerful touring model, the 2020 Indian Challenger. It was an extremely successful project, thanks to the joint work between two brands that share the same philosophies of enhancing their company heritage and at the same time aiming for the highest level of performance, in compliance with the most challenging quality standards.

From that moment, the technical collaboration between the two historic brands has been further strengthened and to date it has been extended to other important models of the American manufacturer. In fact from 2021, in addition to the Indian Challenger, METZELER tires will exclusively equip the brand new Indian FTR, which was recently unveiled to fans all over the world, and other iconic models from America’s first motorcycle company, such as the Indian Roadmaster, Chieftain, Springfield and Vintage.

For the Indian FTR, including the FTR S and FTR R Carbon versions, METZELER SPORTEC™ M9 RR tires were selected as original equipment, in 120/70 ZR 17 front and 180/55 ZR 17 rear sizes. Pulling inspiration from its American Flat Track race bike, the FTR750, the new 2022 FTR is an exciting motorcycle that combines style and performance, ideal for both weekend trips and daily use. The FTR offers incredible power, and at the same time, thanks in part to the agility conferred by the original equipment SPORTEC™ M9 RR tires, extraordinary handling. The powerful 1203cc, 120hp, 117.9Nm torque V-Twin engine precisely manages power delivery, which is safely discharged to the ground via SPORTEC™ M9 RR tires.

SPORTEC™ M9 RR combines in the best way the versatility typical of everyday use with the brand’s experience in Road Racing competitions, exploiting the latest technological advances in the German brand’s research and development field. SPORTEC™ M9 RR was designed for motorcyclists, primarily owners of supersport and naked machines, with a sporty riding style and who use their bikes almost every day, from the urban jungle to the winding roads out of town. Motorcyclists looking for riding pleasure and sporty performance even in the wet need a sport tire that provides precise and safe feedback while enjoying their bike’s performance at full capacity.

METZELER CRUISETEC™ has been selected as the original equipment tire for several models within Indian Motorcycle’s cruising and touring portfolio, including the Challenger, Roadmaster, Chieftain, Springfield and Vintage models, also in the Limited and Dark Horse versions.

METZELER CRUISETEC™ is designed to offer motorcyclists with power cruisers, custom and touring bikes, a tire that is more performance oriented than others in the segment to date. CRUISETEC™ has been developed to take advantage of the full performance potential of these heavyweight and powerful motorcycles thanks to the high level of grip even in wet conditions, revolutionary handling, and the structural characteristics oriented towards riding pleasure thanks to stability and precision.

Hey,

Just on the off chance she wasn’t around for the big day, Sam sent me some warm reminders of the magnificent day just past.

Valentine’s Day, also called Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine,^[1] is celebrated annually on February 14.^[2] It originated as a Christian feast day honoring one or two early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine and, through later folk traditions, has become a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world.^[3]

 

Enjoy!

–Sam and Bandit

Hey,

I don’t know how I feel about this announcement. My first Harley was a new 1969 XLCH Sportster. Sportsters are the longest running model, 64 years, and basically the new Indian Chief is a knockoff of the classic Sportster design.

I made a suggestion to the Harley boss that they devote a model to the working man who wants to work on his bike. They could design the bike after early Harleys. Make them easy to work on and modify and then design a line of custom parts for that model.

The first Sportster was built in 1957, after the K Model set the chassis design stage. It’s one of the longest running production models on the planet with over 5,000 variations. It’s still a very sharp looking motorcycle and deserves to stay in the mix.

–Bandit

 

 

by Warren Scott from https://www.heraldstaronline.com

WINTERSVILLE — John and Kim Neidengard said preparing for the Feb. 27 closing of their 115-year-old family business is a bittersweet experience.

After selling Harley-Davidson motorcycles and related gear to hundreds of area residents, they are looking forward to spending more time riding together on the road and visiting their adult children and grandchildren.

But the couple of 23 years said they will miss seeing their regular customers, working with others to organize poker runs that have raised thousands for charity and carrying on a legacy culminating in the state’s oldest family-owned Harley-Davidson dealership.

Kim admitted she became a motorcycle fan after meeting John 28 years ago, noting his love of cycling started at an early age.

“I worked here probably since I was 12,” said John, who noted it was common for children in family-run businesses to help out “as soon as you were old enough.”

“As soon as I graduated from high school, I went to full time,” he said, adding he never thought of doing anything else.

John said in that regard, he was much like his father, John F., who had worked for his father, G.H. Neidengard, a machinist who opened the family’s first motorcycle shop at 137 South Third, Steubenville.

John said G.H. was a friend of the first Steubenville man to own a motorcycle and quickly fell in love with them.

Early motorcycles were little more than bicycles with motors, noted John, but they offered low-cost transportation at a time before Henry Ford’s Model T made automobiles affordable to most people.

They also were a form of entertainment, as motorcycle enthusiasts participated in hillclimbs and races that, in the days before radio and television, drew many spectators.

John said the first shop was quite large, with second story apartments available for rent and garage bays rented to the city for its vehicles.

Before it was torn down, a former employee salvaged and restored the first wooden step leading to its parts department. It and photos of G.H. and his family, including a very young John F., are displayed in the current location in Wintersville.

After taking over the business in the late 1930s, John F. built the store on Canton Road in 1978.

John said of working for his father, “I was here practically every day and I just absorbed what I saw him doing.”

Kim said her husband, as a teen, immersed himself in motorcycles in the same way some enjoy sports. She added there’s a story of him falling asleep while assembling a bike at the store.

“I just liked what I was doing and wanted to see it done,” said John, adding “What do they say? If you love your job, you’ll never work a day in your life.”

“Like anything, it’s had its ups-and-downs,” he said.

John noted his grandfather and father struggled through the Great Depression and World War II, when many materials used in motorcycles were reserved for the military.

“My father had to find used tires to sell,” he noted.

The Neidengards said their most pleasant memories of the business will be the many bike runs they sponsored, with help from many members of the local chapter of the Harley Owners Group, to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Wounded Warrior Project.

They noted Harley-Davidson Inc. is a strong supporter of both charities.

Begun in 1996, the annual MDA runs raised more than $500,000 for the cause, while two runs for the Wounded Warrior Project netted more than $25,000.

The Neidengards noted about 1,300 bikers turned out for the 2002 MDA run, while others drew more than 1,000.

They expressed appreciation to the many participants, including some who planned vacations around them, as well as their many customers over the years.

“We realize the business couldn’t have gotten where it is if not for all of our customers over the years and their loyalty,” said Kim.

Since announcing the closing in late January, the Neidengards have been visited by many long-time patrons.

Among them was Bruce White of Weirton, who said when he was a teen, John’s father offered tips on maintaining his bike and lent him tools.

“John worked very hard for his father,” said White, who added he will miss the shop after coming there for nearly 60 years.

Bill Donahoe of Steubenville said he’s purchased bikes there he used to win regional racing competitions in 1989 and 1990.

“Everybody knows Johnny. He’s a good man,” Donahoe said, adding, “They’re great people. I hate to see them go.”

Listen to this lecture and find out. Life is amazing. About the time someone tells you that everything you do is wrong, you find out the opposite is true.

Watch Patrick Moore’s Lecture in Canada and be blown away.

https://www.thegwpf.com/video-of-patrick-moores-gwpf-lecture-should-we-celebrate-co2/

If you are a reader buy his new book: Fake Invisible Catastrophes and Threats of Doom.  Every page will blow your mind.

–Bandit

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