This effort has forced me to think about all the bullshit in my past, the good and the bad. It makes me think about how and why I survived. I’m sure Sonny had to face the same demons when he started to write about his life. I have a close friend who was a member of the Outlaws for 20 or so years. He spent seven years in prison in the east. I recently wrote about the fights I was in during the time I was a member. It’s posted in the Life and Times of Bandit. I needed to set the record straight after George Christie’s book. I don’t talk much about anything else I was involved with. The violent side of life subsided and I became aware of the chopper mission. Sex, chrome and creativity. We were living is strange untamed times. The moral fabric of our society became unleashed with rock and roll, hot rods and choppers. We were free like never before and girls were also free to explore and exploit their beauty like never before.

Click Here to read this Photo Feature on Bikernet.

Join The Cantina – Subscribe Today

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/custom/subscription.aspx

by Rachit Vats from https://www.reuters.com

Harley-Davidson Inc beat profit expectations on Tuesday as tighter inventories helped drive up prices and it reined in costs as part of Chief Executive Officer Jochen Zeitz’s restructuring plan, sending its shares up as much as 28%.

Overall shipments were down only 6% in the third quarter, recovering from a 59% slump in the prior quarter, indicating a rise in demand for the maker of large cruisers.

The sharp recovery from the pandemic lows comes as CEO Zeitz looks to recharge the business by shifting the focus back to big bikes and traditional markets like the United States and Europe.

Harley also tightened supplies and cut production, driving up prices for pre-owned bikes, which used to be a drag on new motorcycle sales.

“We are managing inventory in line or rather a little short of demand,” Zeitz said. “Dealers are selling new bike at or very close to MSRP (manufacturer suggested retail price) and higher dealer profitability.”

Global dealer inventory was down 30% in the quarter and Zeitz said the company was planning to exit 40 unprofitable markets.

The company exited the world’s largest two-wheeler market, India, last month and recently announced a plan to develop and sell a range of premium motorcycles under its brand name in the country along with Hero MotoCorp.

Retail sales in its biggest market, the United States, where Harley has not recorded a sales rise for the past six years, fell 10% from a year earlier, but was much less than the 27% slide in the second quarter.

Total expenses fell 26% to $196.9 million in the quarter.

Net income rose 38% to $120 million, or 78 cents per share in the third quarter ended Sept. 30. Analysts were expecting a profit of 21 cents per share, according to Refinitiv data.

Motorcycles and related product revenue fell to $964 million from $1.07 billion a year earlier.

from https://www.rushlane.com

from https://motorcycles.einnews.com

from https://www.business-standard.com

from https://www.thehindu.com

DELHI, India, Oct. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Embarking on a new journey together, Harley-Davidson, Inc. (“Harley-Davidson”), the legendary motorcycle manufacturer and Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest maker of motorcycles and scooters in terms of unit volumes, today announced that the two will ride together in India.

Per a distribution agreement, Hero MotoCorp will sell and service Harley-Davidson motorcycles and sell Parts & Accessories and General Merchandise riding gear and apparel through a network of brand-exclusive Harley-Davidson dealers and Hero MotorCorp’s existing dealership network in India.

As part of a Licensing agreement, Hero MotoCorp will develop and sell a range of premium motorcycles under the Harley-Davidson brand name.

These actions are aligned with Harley-Davidson’s business overhaul, The Rewire, and the company’s announcement in September to change its business model in India.

This arrangement is mutually beneficial for both companies and riders in India, as it brings together the iconic Harley-Davidson brand with the strong distribution network and customer service of Hero MotoCorp.

About Hero MotoCorp Ltd.
The New Delhi (India) headquartered Hero MotoCorp Ltd. is the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, in terms of unit volumes sold by a single company in a year — the coveted position it has held for the past 19 consecutive years. The Company has sold over 95 million motorcycles and scooters in cumulative sales since inception. Hero MotoCorp currently sells its products in more than 40 countries across Asia, Africa, Middle East, and South and Central America. Hero MotoCorp has eight state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, including six in India, and one each in Colombia and Bangladesh. Hero MotoCorp has two world-class, state-of-the-art R&D facilities — the Centre of Innovation and Technology (CIT) in the northern Indian state of Rajasthan, and Hero Tech Centre Germany GmBH. Hero MotoCorp is one of the largest corporate promoters of multiple disciplines of sports, including, Golf, Football, Field Hockey, Cricket and Motorsports. Fifteen-time major winner Tiger Woods is Hero’s Global Corporate Partner.

For more information, please visit:
www.heromotocorp.com | FB: /HeroMotoCorpIndia | Twitter: @HeroMotoCorp

Hero MotoCorp to develop, sell Harley-Davidson bikes for India market

The country’s largest two wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp and Harley-Davidson on Tuesday announced a wide ranging partnership for the Indian market.

The country’s largest two wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp and Harley-Davidson on Tuesday announced a wide ranging partnership for the Indian market, days after the US cult bike manufacturer announced its exit from the country.

As part of the deal, Hero MotoCorp will develop and sell a range of premium motorcycles under the Harley-Davidson brand name in the country. Besides, it will take care of service and parts requirements for the Harley bikes. Further, Hero MotoCorp would sell Harley accessories and general merchandise, riding gear and apparel through a network of brand-exclusive Harley-Davidson dealers and its existing sales network in the country, the companies said in a joint statement.

“These actions are aligned with Harley-Davidson’s business overhaul, The Rewire, and the company’s announcement in September to change its business model in India,” it added.

This arrangement is mutually beneficial for both companies and riders in India, as it brings together the iconic Harley-Davidson brand with the strong distribution network and customer service of Hero MotoCorp, it added.

In September, Harley-Davidson had announced discontinuation of sales and manufacturing operations in India, a decade after it started selling its premium bikes in the country.

As part of the development, the company had announced plans to close its manufacturing facility in Bawal (Haryana) and significantly reduce the size of its sales office in Gurugram.

The exit from India is part of the company’s global restructuring activities.

In the second quarter of 2020, Harley-Davidson had initiated restructuring activities like workforce reduction and the termination of certain contracts that would result in the elimination of approximately 700 positions globally, including the termination of approximately 500 employees.

The Milwaukee-based company refers to restructuring actions related to employees and other services as ‘The Rewire’.

From its entry to exit, Harley-Davidson’s journey in the country witnessed governments of India and the US using it as a bargaining chip.

In April 2007, the then Indian government had relaxed emission and testing norms, paving the way for import of Harley Davidson bikes to India, in return for allowing mango exports from the country to the US. The import relaxation was restricted to the shipments of motorcycles up to 800 cc engine capacity or above subject to compliance to Euro III emission norms.

Later in 2009, the company announced the establishment of its operations in India, followed by starting of sales of its bikes a year later. Then the company set up its completely knocked down assembly plant in Haryana and started rolling out assembled bikes from the unit in the early part of 2011.

The company’s assembly plant at Bawal in Haryana was its second facility outside of the US after Brazil, and it had planned to use the unit to export to Europe and South-East Asian markets.

In the recent past, US President Donald Trump criticised India’s high import tariff on the iconic Harley Davidson motorcycles as “unacceptable” as the two countries negotiated for an elusive trade deal.

Hero MotoCorp and Harley Davidson to partner for Indian market

Hero MotoCorp on Tuesday said that it has entered into a distribution and licensing agreement with American motorcycle maker Harley Davidson to develop and sell a range of premium motorcycles under the Harley Davidson brand name.

The announcement comes almost a month after Harley-Davidson Inc. announced that it will discontinue sales and manufacturing operations in India as part of a global strategic restructuring plan ‘The Rewire’.

“As per a distribution agreement, Hero MotoCorp will sell and service Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and sell parts & accessories and general merchandise riding gear and apparel through a network of brand-exclusive Harley-Davidson dealers and Hero’s existing dealership network in India,” Hero MotoCorp said in a statement.

It added that as part of a licensing agreement, Hero MotoCorp will develop and sell a range of premium motorcycles under the Harley-Davidson brand name.

“This arrangement is mutually beneficial for both companies and riders in India, as it brings together the iconic Harley-Davidson brand with the strong distribution network and customer service of Hero MotoCorp,” it added.

from https://www.benzinga.com

by Ronan Glon from https://autos.yahoo.com

Many auto companies are making the move to an electric future. Harley-Davidson Inc, the company best known for loud, gas-powered motorcycles, is starting the electric journey in a different category.

Harley-Davidson announced its new brand as the Serial 1 Cycle Company, which will produce electric pedal bicycles. The name is an honorable mention to the first motorcycle produced by the company, simply named “Serial Number One.”

In statements provided to Electrek, Serial 1 Cycle Company’s brand director Aaron Frank said the project began with a small group dedicated to make an electric bicycle worth of the Harley-Davidson name. The first models will be available in March 2021. The current pictures shared are more of a concept, and the final design has yet to be revealed.

Harley-Davidson has created a sub-brand named Serial 1 Cycle Company to enter the e-bike segment. It hopes offering smaller and cheaper products will allow it to increase its profits by reaching younger buyers.

Every mobility start-up needs a utopian slogan, and Serial 1 is no exception: it aims to “change the way the world moves.” It was founded by a group of cycling enthusiasts employed by Harley-Davidson, and every member of its executive team has previously held a top-level position at the motorcycle manufacturer. There’s no word yet on whether its products will be sold in Harley stores, or if they’ll be distributed in brand-specific spaces.

Regardless, the first Serial 1 e-bike is a retro-styled model that draws design inspiration from the 1903 Serial Number One, which is the oldest-known Harley-Davidson motorcycle. It rides on white tires, its frame is painted black, and the rider sits on a brown seat propped up on a set of vintage-looking polished springs. Powertrain specifications haven’t been published yet, but it’s interesting to note the rear wheel is driven by a belt rather than a chain. Gold decals create another visual link between the bicycle and the original Serial Number One.

Additional details about the company and its products will be released on November 16, 2020, and American deliveries are tentatively scheduled to begin in the spring of 2021. Pricing hasn’t been announced, but e-bikes are rarely cheap, and nothing suggests the members of Serial 1’s design-led range of models will be an exception.

Why e-bikes?

Harley-Davidson enjoys a 117-year-old reputation in the motorcycle world, and its name resonates all over the globe, so what’s the point of building electric bicycles? In one word: profitability. It pointed out the e-bike segment was worth about $15 billion globally in 2019, and it’s expected to grow at an annual rate of over 6% between 2020 and 2025. Meanwhile, the motorcycle sector became hostile and unpredictable environment after the Great Recession, and its recovery stalled during the 2010s. COVID-19-related lock-downs were another punch in the company’s gut; retail sales in the United States fell by 10%, while motorcycle revenues dropped by 12%.

While every motorcycle manufacturer faces these challenges, Harley’s problems are compounded by an aging target audience. It’s having a shockingly difficult time luring a new generation of buyers into showrooms. Affluent 30-somethings may not be as interested in vacationing on a hog as their parents (or their grandparents) were, but Serial 1’s big bet is that they’ll be open to the idea of riding an Instagramably retro electric bike around town.

Yamaha Introduces the New 2021 MT-09 Hyper Naked With Class-Leading Specifications Increased Torque, Decreased Weight and Radical New Looks.

MARIETTA, Ga. – October 27, 2020 – Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, today introduced the 2021 MT-09 as the new model in the company’s Hyper Naked motorcycle segment. Featuring a torque-rich engine, decreased weight and radical new looks, the all-new MT-09 fully showcases Yamaha’s signature Master of Torque design.

The Dark Side of Japan

As the first decade of the 21st century was coming to an end, a group of visionary designers and engineers were working on what would become one of the iconic motorcycles in the history of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. It was to be the beginning of a whole new chapter in the history of Yamaha.

The idea was to create a new kind of machine whose primary function was to inspire, excite and impress. A radically different motorcycle that would herald a new beginning, defy convention and be the catalyst for change, not just within Yamaha but also in the world of motorcycling. A bike that was designed to be ridden just for the thrill of the ride and would instill a real feeling of belonging and a clear sense of identity to a new generation of like-minded individuals.

It became clear that the future of motorcycling was going to be all about the emotion, the thrill, the feeling, the excitement. The rest is history. Quick, agile and aggressively styled, the naked MT-09 instantly attracted a new breed of younger riders who loved its brutal good looks, big-torque engine and adrenaline-charged ride. With its strong emphasis on the thrill of the ride, together with a focus on premium quality, minimalist design and the use of pure technology that enhances the riding experience – The Dark Side of Japan philosophy has inspired every Yamaha Hyper Naked model since day one and continues to be the force that makes every MT much more than just a motorcycle.

New MT-09

Lighter, more powerful and more technologically advanced in every area, the dynamic MT-09 is the purest expression of the Hyper Naked core values. The new MT-09 delivers an even more dynamic performance as well as more agile handling. Equipped with advanced electronic controls and an all-new chassis, the 2021 MT-09 is the ultimate package that delivers outstanding value in the 900cc Hyper Naked class.

New CP3 engine

To achieve a more torquey and agile feel, the 2021 MT-09’s 890cc engine has been completely redesigned and reduced in weight. Virtually every major component is new, including the pistons, connecting rods, camshafts and crankcases. Despite its larger capacity and higher power output, the 2021 powerplant is lighter than former models.

The torquey CP3 engine delivers ‘real world’ performance, enabling the rider to fully utilize its road-focused power delivery at everyday riding speeds. The larger-capacity engine makes the 2021 MT-09 an even more exciting and rewarding motorcycle that delivers stronger performance in every type of riding condition, whether it’s fast or slow, wet or dry.

Strong torque and power with increased economy

One of the key design features of the new 890cc engine is the completely new fuel delivery system. For 2021, the fuel injectors are mounted to the throttle valve side – versus attached directly to the cylinder head – for a better fuel atomization that also reduces the fuel adhesion to the intake port walls. This new system produces outstanding combustion efficiency and contributes towards the new model’s 11% increase in fuel efficiency.

New APSG ride-by-wire throttle

The MT-09’s Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T) now features a new Accelerator Position Sensor Grip (APSG). Similar to the unit featured on the YZF-R1 and R1M but equipped with model-specific friction and throttle opening settings, this lightweight ride-by-wire system replaces the previous model’s pulley set-up to give excellent feel and reliability.

New intake and exhaust systems

The all-new 890cc engine is equipped with a redesigned high-efficiency air intake system and a newly designed exhaust. These systems are designed to enhance the sense of acceleration and torque when the rider is accelerating from a stop or powering out of a low-speed corner.

As the engine speed increases, the intake sound becomes more dominant and heightens the feeling of acceleration felt by the rider. This is accomplished via a new intake system with an air cleaner box featuring an all-new three duct layout, with each duct having a different cross section and length, further enhancing the MT-09’s torque-rich riding sensation.

Optimized transmission and uprated A&S clutch

To match the 2021 model’s increased engine performance, the transmission has been optimized by slightly raising the ratios on the first and second gear. To handle the torque, Yamaha’s Assist and Slipper (A&S) clutch uses a new material for its friction plates, and the cam angle is changed to give a lighter pull at the lever for an even gentler feeling when downshifting.

Die-cast aluminum Deltabox chassis

The 2021 MT-09 features an all-new lightweight CF die-cast aluminum Deltabox chassis that has been developed in unison with the larger capacity 890cc big-torque engine. Featuring larger twin beams that run directly from the steering head assembly through to the swingarm pivot to give optimal strength, the newly designed aluminum frame, subframe and swingarm are lighter, making a significant contribution towards the increased agility of the 2021 MT-09.

For enhanced handling characteristics, the frame’s longitudinal, lateral and torsional rigidity balance have been refined, with a 50% increase in lateral rigidity for high levels of straight-line stability. To match the more compact frame and shorter front forks, the head pipe position is lowered by 30mm, giving an increased feeling of front-end grip when cornering.

High-rigidity swingarm

The new 250g lighter aluminum swingarm has a straighter right side for a more symmetrical appearance that complements the next-generation body design. To achieve better stability, the 2021 swingarm pivot is mounted between the frame structure to reduce unsprung weight and enhance the rigidity balance of the new frame.

Next-generation MT design

With its bare, beautiful and functional look, the new MT-09 represents the next major step in the ongoing evolution of the MT DNA. The design strips away everything but the essentials and presents an exterior that reveals the mechanical beauty of the bike to visually express the sound, torque, freedom and agility.

Flexible riding position

The riding position was designed to accommodate riders of varying physiques via adjustable handlebar clamps and footpeg mounting points, allowing riders to set a position that gives them a feeling of fit the moment they get on the bike. The fuel tank and seat have been refined to give the rider a feeling of being one with the machine.

6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)

The new MT-09 is the first Yamaha Hyper Naked model to be equipped with a high-tech 6-axis IMU. Developed from the system that has been used on the YZF-R1 since 2015, the MT-09’s 6-axis IMU is 50% smaller and 40% lighter.

Constantly measuring acceleration in the forward-backward, up-down and left-right directions – as well as the angular velocity in the machine’s pitch, roll and yaw directions – the 6-axis IMU sends data in real-time to the ECU which controls the electronic rider aids. The class-leading array of rider aids includes lean-sensitive Traction Control System (TCS), Slide Control System (SCS) as well as a front wheel LIFt Control System (LIF) and Brake Control system (BC).

Lean-sensitive rider aids

By monitoring the speed difference between the front and rear wheels, the lean-sensitive TCS optimizes the drive force of the rear tire during acceleration. The SCS adjusts power when a rear wheel slide is predicted, allowing the rider to focus on their riding. Similarly, the LIF enables the rider to concentrate on the road ahead by adjusting engine output to control front wheel lift and smooth out machine behavior when pulling away and accelerating. The BC system works with the ABS and independently controls and modulates the front and rear brake pressure, helping to prevent wheel lock-up during hard braking when riding upright as well as when banking.

Three TCS modes

The TCS has three switchable modes, and each mode integrates three of the rider support systems so that the intervention levels are changed all at once in Modes 1 and 2. Mode 1 delivers moderate intervention while Mode 2 gives strong intervention and Mode M enables the rider to select manual settings. These electronic aids reduce the workload of the rider for more concentration on the road ahead.

3.5-inch full color TFT display

The new 3.5-inch full-color TFT display shows clear and precise data. Its lightweight construction and mid-sized layout blends seamlessly with the new LED headlight assembly and maintains the compact and agile feeling from the rider’s viewpoint. The bar-type tachometer changes color as rpm rise and fall, and the display includes a clock, gearshift indicator, water and air temperature and more. The new display is linked with the 6-axis IMU, and riders can switch between displays and also select their preferred mode for the electronic aids via a handlebar-mounted switch.

LED projector lighting

Compact, powerful and modern, the MT-09’s new full LED headlight assembly features a single central bifunctional projector headlight with multiple LEDs that provide a broad, even and powerful beam with soft edges for both low and high beam settings. Twin LED position lights present a bold new face for the MT-09, and they project a signature Y-shape icon to give the bike a predatory stare that represents the future direction of MT design. The theme is continued at the rear where the lightweight LED taillight projects a Y-shape illumination that confirms the bike’s next-generation MT DNA.

Quick Shift System

For the ultimate acceleration, the MT-09 gets a Quick Shift System (QSS) that ensures seamless and clutchless full-throttle upshifts and smooth downshifts. Together with the A&S clutch, this electronic aid transforms the riding experience and enables the rider to optimize the torque levels for more thrilling acceleration as well as higher levels of chassis stability and control when downshifting.

10-spoke Spin Forged wheels

The new, Yamaha-exclusive Spin Forged front and rear wheels are lighter with a significant 11% decrease at the rear wheel, making a big contribution to the bike’s agile handling character.

Fully adjustable KYB^® front suspension

Featuring 41mm tubes that give smooth suspension action and maintain high levels of flex resistance, the new lightweight high specification KYB front forks are fully adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping to match the character of the compact new higher rigidity frame while reducing the tendency to pitch. The new adjustable KYB rear shock is set up to suit the all-new chassis.

Front brake with radial master cylinder

To match the higher engine performance and more dynamic chassis character, the high-tech MT-09 is only the second Yamaha model to be equipped with the YZF-R1-type front braking system. Featuring a Nissin radial master cylinder in which the piston moves in a direction that’s parallel to the brake lever travel, this Supersport-class technology gives a more linear supply of hydraulic pressure to the dual front disc brakes for excellent controllability.

2021 MT-09 Key Features

• New 890cc inline 3-cylinder 4-valve per cylinder DOHC liquid-cooled engine
• 8-pounds lighter
• New lightweight aluminum frame, subframe and swingarm
• New generation MT styling
• Full LED lighting with Y-shape brand signature icon front and rear
• New Quick Shift system with up and downshift functions
• Refined A&S clutch
• Light and compact new 6-axis Interntial Measurement Unit (IMU)
• Lean-sensitive rider aids: TCS, SCS and LIFt with three intervention modes
• ABS and Brake Control system (BC)
• D-MODE switchable engine running modes
• New ultra-light Spin Forged 17-inch 10-spoke wheels
• New fully adjustable KYB 41mm USD forks
• New adjustable KYB rear shock
• New full color 3.5-inch TFT instruments
• Radial front master cylinder, 298mm dual front discs

The 2021 Yamaha MT-09 will arrive at authorized Yamaha dealers beginning in January, and will be available in Storm Fluo, Team Yamaha Blue and Matte Raven Black color schemes for $9,399 MSRP. To learn more about the 2021 Yamaha MT-09 visit https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/hyper-naked/models/mt-09.

Find a range of Genuine Yamaha Accessories, apparel and more at https://www.shopyamaha.com.

For more information related to all Yamaha products, visit https://www.yamahamotorsports.com.

Follow Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, through your favorite social media sites at www.facebook.com/yamahamotorusa, www.instagram.com/yamahamotorusa, www.twitter.com/yamahamotorusa. #Yamaha #YamahaMotor #YamahaMotorUSA

Sam picks for the Week October 27, 2020

This effort has forced me to think about all the bullshit in my past, the good and the bad. It makes me think about how and why I survived. I’m sure Sonny had to face the same demons when he started to write about his life. I have a close friend who was a member of the Outlaws for 20 or so years. He spent seven years in prison in the east.

He constantly tells me about shit he did or was involved in. Some are terrific stories, which I might share with you. I was only around the Hells Angels for 2.5 years. I recently wrote about the fights I was in during the time I was a member. It’s posted in the Life and Times of Bandit. I needed to set the record straight after George Christie’s book. I don’t talk much about anything else I was involved with.

It’s interesting to talk to my Outlaw buddy and members of other clubs. Some were actually clubs. Some were brotherhoods and families. Others were just drug driven gangsters. Most ended up in jail or dead. It was one trick bag after another, very little brotherhood at all. But different charters had different personalities.

Okay, so I escaped club life and returned to my fulltime gig with Easyriders magazine. We were having our own drug-related issues. It was mostly a constant party.

Lou Kimzey, who was my boss bought a tennis ranch in the Malibu Hills and my office was a motel room over-looking pine trees. We used the motel rooms as offices and some of them surrounded the pool. It was sort of a worn old tennis resort, but it was cool as could be for our purposes.

We started In The Wind magazine and then Iron Horse magazine, which contained metric bikes. There was a large building facing the parking lot and it became the art department. We were at the corner of Malibu Canyon and Kanan Road right next to Calamigos Ranch where the Love Ride ended for several years.

I remember four Hells Angels coming into my office one day, pissed off about something in the magazine. I don’t remember what the issue was, but I dealt with it. David Ortega was one of the Ventura members. He spread a rumor that I owed him money. He made me an iron bed frame earlier. It was an opportunity to ask him if I owed him any money, which he admitted that I didn’t. Nothing more was said and they left.

I didn’t hang out with anyone in particular. I was constantly riding with bike builders and members of the staff or helping them with bikes. This is one of those lessons I try to share with younger riders. If you hang out at the same bar constantly, you’ll end up in trouble. That trouble will escalate if you keep going back. Some folks don’t learn and pay the price.

The same applies to the story above. I didn’t go to Ventura to look for David, I waited until he was on my turf to confront him. The same applies to cops. Stay away from them and they’ll stay away from you.

I remember riding to the Kern River run one summer. I’ll never forget riding through some fields South of Bakersfield. I was riding my first cone-motor Shovelhead. We slipped off Highway 99 at Wheeler Ridge. The fields were flat, spinach green and vast. I ran an open primary and when we came to an intersection, my bike didn’t shift well. It wouldn’t come out of gear.

When I looked down, some of the clutch splines were creeping into the open. I had to keep rolling. Hot as hell, we didn’t stop until we reached a town just before we were scheduled to slip into the hills. It could have been Weedpatch or Edison. I found a gas station owner who had a repair shop out back and a set of torches.

Even though it was a sizzling hell, I tore the bike down and discovered clutch splines pulling through the hub. I had a terrible time getting enough heat to the hub to allow me to gas weld the splines back to the thick steel hub. I couldn’t mess with the bearing surface of the hub. The splines were smashed on the backside like rivets. Ultimately I shifted to building the weld up on the splines.

Miraculously, I was able to tack the splines enough to allow me to ride to the camp site up the winding two-lane highway 178 passed Bodfish and Miracle Hot Springs alongside Lake Isabella.

The deeper we rolled into the canyon the more motorcycles we heard. We rolled along the winding road past Kernville into the camping area along the stream. That’s when the party started. It was beautiful, and the heat was at bay with the strong cooling stream whipping down the hillside around massive granite boulders and pine trees shading the camping area.

It was in the afternoon while we were drinking tequila and chewing the fat, when a member of the crew approached in a panic. “A guy pulled a knife on one of our riders,” he said and pointed to a rock formation separating our campsite from another.

I approached a surfer looking guy wearing a Hawaiian shirt and shorts, wielding a long ivory-handled Bowie knife. He had long hair as I approached him and told him to put the knife away.

“No knives,” I said. “If you want to fight go for it, but no weapons.”

As soon as I turned my back to leave this jackass pulled that long blade again and slashed out to strike one of our riders, a young kid who was just having fun.

I spun and hit this bastard with my half-full bottle of Cuervo Gold, which immediately knocked him off his feet and he fell to the rocky surface below. I jumped on him, took the knife and said, “Go for what you know mother-fucker.”

Later that night my buddy Toby approached me a couple of times. The guy from the other camp wanted his knife back. “You know the code,” I told him. “Use it or lose it.” By the way, I didn’t break the fifth of tequila. It lasted until I finished it. Then shit got strange.

The next morning, I rolled out of the hills along winding paths and my clutch held. The Shovelhead motored easily to the 5 Interstate and onto a two-lanner leading into the west side of Ventura county. I held onto that knife for a couple of decades before it disappeared.

The violent side of life subsided and I became aware of the chopper mission. Sex, chrome and creativity. We were living is strange untamed times. The moral fabric of our society became unleashed with rock and roll, hot rods and choppers. We were free like never before and girls were also free to explore and exploit their beauty like never before.

Easyriders represented freedom, the freedom to build, create and sexual freedom. In a sense it was pure, but there’s an on-going struggle in life when it comes to sex. It’s fun, pleasurable, alluring but it was designed for just one purpose to have children and further the race.

The brother who truly understood the code was a family guy, who had a wife and a couple of kids but he also enjoyed the creative aspect of building bikes. He understood the connection between the shape of a woman’s body, her glistening eyes and carefully applied make-up and the shape of his chopper, the flowing lines, the chrome and the pinstriped make-up.

When the rest of us hungry dogs finished working on our bikes, we smoked a joint and went looking for love, and the family guy returned home to his crew. The lure was hot and heavy every day, and some family guys broke down and were sucked into the scene by some slippery broad with erect nipples and perhaps the desire to use her sexual prowess to destroy a man or his family.

Don’t look at me. I’m guilty of every sin. Even today, I’m reading about the moral man and how women’s desires are different. They aren’t as deceived by shape and beauty, but they can be manipulated by the power and strength of a man. It seems they are wired from the beginning of time to find a man who will give them stout offspring and financial security.

I’ve thought recently about the Chopper code, and the outlaw life. I’ve thought about kids today and how the new Easyriders Magazine could be successful. Many young folks grew up today around parents struggling with new freedoms, running from relationship to relationship, broken homes and disappearing folks.

They are more settled and have no desire to follow the same path. I see it in my grandson’s eyes. He’s a tattoo artist who wants to build bikes, drive a cool sleek ’62 Impala, but when it comes to women he is constantly tested, but he seeks only stability and integrity when it comes to the opposite sex.

I think about my evil ways. I ponder the violence, the sex, the girls in every town and state, the passion, and the desire for custom everything. Maybe it’s something embedded in my eyes that seeks only sleek lines and rounded curves. Choppers give us all those things purely, without strings and attachments. They almost contain the touch with chrome and pure pearlescent lines, but not the warmth of a woman’s smile or the softness of her touch.

The book the Moral Animal, by Robert Wright proports to tell us: Why we are the way we are, through the new science of evolutionary psychology.

I’m still digging through it and questioning how three kids from the same family and upbringing can follow three distinctly different paths. What makes one brother stick with one profession and one wife throughout his entire adult life and the other sticks with only choppers and sex, gets married five times, lives with a half-dozen other women, leaves jobs, starts businesses, write books, set records, travel around the world and is constantly searching for something new with choppers always at his back?

The conundrum of life never ends for the adventurer and the blue-collar outlaw. Hang on for my next report. I discovered an old dusty plastic bag stuffed with a multitude of small envelopes from the ‘60s. My mother save every letter I wrote home from three tours off the coast of Vietnam. Hang on!

At the MotoAmerica King of the Baggers Race at Laguna Seca 2020

A nearly two-second lead over the competition is pretty impressive.

The first-ever Drag Specialties King of the Baggers race is officially in the books, and Indian Motorcycle’s only two entries in the entire field took first and third. Any rider or team would have to be pretty pleased with that kind of performance, exhibition event or not.

Tyler O’Hara raced the S&S Cycles Indian Challenger and quickly got out in front of the pack at Laguna Seca, but ran wide at Turn Two. He was able to get back on track and win, but not before dropping back down to third for a short time.

The most exciting moments of racing typically happen when racers have to pass each other—not go around in a big, fast parade around a track. O’Hara managed to claw his way back up to the front, eventually finishing the race with a healthy 1.9-second lead over Hayden Gillim, who piloted his Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson to second place. O’Hara’s best lap time was a 1:36.211, while Gillim’s was a 1:38.815.

Frankie Garcia followed in third on his Roland Sands Design Indian—definitely a good end to what could have been a rough weekend for the guy. While doing a practice start prior to race time, Garcia had a big get-off that involved his ginormous race steed going over completely backward and landing on him at the start line, as you can see in this video. Thankfully, he was completely fine afterward—but that’s a pre-race trick that no one wants to do.

Three racers who took the start line did not finish the inaugural King of the Baggers event. Ben Bostrom was the first racer out, followed by Michael Woolaway and Josh Herrin. Racer Michael Barnes was unfortunately unable to start the race at all. The eight-lap race completed its run in just over 15 minutes from when racers first rolled off to when the final racer crossed the finish line.

Will this become a regular annual event—or perhaps even a short series? All that remains to be seen, but no matter how you cut it, it does seem like this event was pretty well-received by all concerned.

by Janaki Jitchotvisut from https://www.rideapart.com

 

 

VINTAGE INTRODUCES ALL-NEW 2020 TRACKER CLASSIC E-BIKE WITH INNOVATIVE DESIGN ELEMENTS TO IMPROVE RIDER COMFORT

New 2020 Tracker Classic Blends Performance and Comfort While Maintaining Classic Cruiser Aesthetics and Best-in-Class EV Technology

Vintage is well known for blending bygone era aesthetics with modern technology to provide riders an EV experience that is both thrilling and comfortable. In pursuit of continuing innovative designs and perfecting comfortability, Vintage is proud to announce the release of their ultimate boulevard cruiser, the 2020 Tracker Classic. With inspiration coming from the early 1920’s Indian and Harley-Davidson motorcycles, Vintage designed the Tracker Classic to feature retro-styled cruiser handlebars to allow riders a more comfortable, upright experience at high speeds. Vintage also exchanged the original rear Tracker fenders for full-length fenders that complete the Tracker Classic’s timeless design.

“With the pandemic keeping more people inside with limited options for safe, socially distanced activities, our goal was to create a bike that is more comfortable than ever before to keep our customers out on their open road adventures longer,” comments Vintage Founder Andrew Davidge. “The 2020 Tracker Classic is the perfect Winter bike for customers to get out and about during a time of the year that is not always desirable for adventuring. Our upgraded full-length fender helps protect riders against the elements, while the new handlebar design improves the rider’s posture and allows for a more comfortable long-distance ride.”

The 2020 Tracker Classic’s crown jewel is the elegant retro-styled cruiser handlebars inspired by timeless cruisers of years past. In comparison to the original Tracker model, the 2020 handlebars optimize all-around ease and riding comfort while keeping distinct original details such as the leather ring grip which subtly highlights Vintage’s timeless design. Incorporating these retro-styled cruiser handlebars allows riders to sit upright with ergonomic controls at the tip of their fingers. The Tracker Classic’s unique handlebars give riders the ability to choose between a more relaxed cruising speed or hit full throttle for a powerful experience unlike any other.

Another innovative addition to the 2020 Tracker Classic includes the full-length rear fender that allows for an ideal riding experience at any time of year. During the cold weather seasons, this full-length fender is an essential upgrade for riders to enjoy their commute while protecting themselves from any rain, mud, or slush. These elegant fenders further reduce the amount of grit that sprays onto the chains, bearings, rims, brake calipers and cables that could otherwise prematurely wear the bike out. The 2020 Tracker Classic enhances the protection for riders against outdoor elements while embodying the 1920’s motorcycle spirit to preserve the classic design aesthetic that all Vintage electric bikes exhibit.

The 2020 Tracker Classic maintains several elements from the original Tracker model, starting with the swooping hydroformed aluminum frame that maximizes performance and comfort. In addition, Vintage keeps all of the fan-favorite specifications such as the 36mph race mode option, pedal-assist capabilities, and a 720-watt hour battery with a powerful range of up to 50 miles on a full charge. With the Classic’s fresh design and exhilarating performance making it a truly one-of-a-kind machine, Vintage’s 2020 Tracker Classic has executed a timeless feel with optimal comfort included.

Vintage’s new 2020 Tracker Classic is available dressed in the iconic Indy Red or timeless Graphite Blue paint scheme at a starting price of $5,245.00. Upgrades are available depending on customer preference.

For more information on the brand-new Tracker Classic bike or other Vintage models, please visit www.vintageelectricbikes.com or call (408) 969-0836.

The city of Daytona restricted vendor permits during Biketoberfest this year. Bummer. They attempted to shut the event down, but the riders kept coming.

A result of severe lock-down meant no vendors at the speedway, boardwalk, main street etc. Events did not happen or were moved.

But wait! Destination Daytona was open and had a good turn out Friday, the day I rode over.

Click Here to read this article at Bikernet.

Join the Cantina – Subscribe Today

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/custom/subscription.aspx

Even with the Chinese Covid thing the Show Must Go On and Willie and his crew at Tropical Tattoo did it again. Thanks!

Yes, the crowd was a tad smaller than last year, but I did not hear anyone complaining. It just made it easier to get around and in some cases get better shots of the bikes and people.

Myself and many others do not miss attending this event if at all possible. I even got to bring some new people to this one.

While I do have a good time at these events, I still work grabbing photos for articles and talking to people. Luckily my son Dale was with me and helped out on the photos.

 

 

Ok, this is a Big Bike Show with over 20 classes. We brought you all the winners. Too bad about the tent…

I am sure that everyone is aware this is 2020, and it has been a very strange year. Well, weird also made it to the Old School Chopper Show. Yep someone picked this Evo as the Best Panhead.

Besides having a good time this event also raises money for the veterans and the proceeds go to www.veteranssupportfund.com

 

To find out more about Tropical Tattoo go to http://www.tropicaltattoo.com/