Flash Sale

  Our Tuesday Flash Sale is back. Get our Chopper Seat Pan, a 16-gauge mild steel universal pan for chopper frames made right here in the shop, for only $39! The sale only lasts today, September 15 from 9 AM – Midnight EST.

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by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com

Seeing how many custom garages are out there working their magic on Harley-Davidson motorcycles, one might be tricked into believing this is something anyone can do. After all, Harley itself made it incredibly easy for custom shops to make a living off their products – if anything, the Milwaukee based bike maker is the most tuner-friendly industry giant there is.

Over the past few months we’ve talked aplenty about Harley and the aftermarket world it is so much a part of. We’ve had the King of Kings competition dedicated to international Harley dealers back in May, then the health-crisis inspired The No Show dedicated to minor custom builders in the U.S., and of course our extensive coverage of the custom Harley movement in Europe.

But there are shops living off the American two-wheelers in other parts of the world as well. India, for instance, is one of the bike maker’s major markets, and there’s even a local factory catering to the needs of the Asian Indian customers.

One of the most visible Indian garages in the country is Rajputana. We’ve only recently started talking about their Harleys, and we’ll probably not keep it up for long. These guys seem to like Royal Enfields more, as in there are only a handful of Harleys in their portfolio. All are incredible unique though to deserve a place under the spotlight – we’ve already talked a bit about the modified Street 750 and the Forty-Eight these guys are responsible for.

Now it’s time for a Fat Boy that got a taste of Indian styling. Just like in the case of the other two, we are only being told that modifications to the stock bike can take from six to eight months, but we are not being told what these modifications are.

Some of them are clearly visible though, and we’re talking about a new wheel design, repositioned exhaust, a slimmed-down seat, redesigned fenders, and the usual Rajputana touches on the fuel tank, engine block, and the significantly raised handlebars.

In Indian speak, this conversion is called Bara Bore. We are not being told how much it cost to make, but a simple inquiry on the garage’s website can answer that question for those interested.

Here’s the really strange aspect to the media. If they keep attacking freedom and honesty shortly no one will believe anything they print, and they will go out of business like so many media sources.

–Bandit

Here are a couple of paragraphs from a report about the Chinese Covid efforts in Sweden:

‘It’s Like Using A Hammer To Kill A Fly’: Architect Of Sweden’s COVID-19 Anti-Lockdown Strategy Finally Vindicated

Life has largely returned to normal in Scandinavian nation due to ‘herd immunity’ strategy

When the history books are written about 2020 and the great coronavirus pandemic, Anders Tegnell, the humble Swedish state epidemiologist and architect of the global-consensus-defying ‘Sweden strategy’, will inevitably loom large throughout the text. But whether he is portrayed as a hero or villain may – like so many things in this highly polarized era – ultimately depend on who’s writing the piece.

Today, the architect of Sweden’s lighter-touch approach says the country will have “a low level of spread” with occasional local outbreaks.

“What it will be in other countries, I think that is going to be more critical. They are likely to be more vulnerable to these kind of spikes.

Those kind of things will most likely be bigger when you don’t have a level of immunity that can sort of put the brake on it,” he adds. Herd immunity is one of the most controversial concepts of the Covid-19 crisis. Tegnell is adamant that it was not Sweden’s goal to allow the virus to run its course until enough of the population had been exposed and the infection rate slowed. But he argues immunity is at least in part responsible for the sharp recent drop in Swedish cases and questions how its neighbors will fare without it.

His dislike of national lockdowns is obvious. “It’s really using a hammer to kill a fly,” he insists. Instead, his approach has been about having a strategy that can work for years if needs be, rather than the constant chopping and changing seen in the rest of Europe. “We don’t see it as viable to have this kind of drastic closing down, opening and closing. You can’t open and close schools. That is going to be a disaster. And you probably can’t open and close restaurants and stuff like that either too many times. Once or twice, yes, but then people will get very tired and businesses will probably suffer more than if you close them down completely,” he says.

–Newswars.com

by Nithyanandh Karuppaswamy from https://www.rushlane.com

The Hero e-US is expected to be unveiled at one of the high-profile events in foreseeable future

Hero Electric and Hero MotoCorp are two different companies. Both are into manufacturing and selling of two wheelers in India. The former has only focused in electric vehicles, while the latter, which is India’s largest two wheeler brand, is yet to launch an electric vehicle.

With electric vehicles the future, Hero Motocorp’s Technology Center in Germany (HTCG) is currently collaborating with the two wheeler giant’s Jaipur R&D HQ to develop a new premium electric motorcycle concept in addition to working on mainstream, cost-effective EV solutions.

Hero e-US or Hero Ultra Sport Eectric

According to a recent report by Moneycontrol, the powerful electric motorcycle concept which is currently under development by Munich-based HTCG is called the e-US (electric Ultra Sport). No additional information is available at this point but it is likely to be a design study to gather public opinion about a potential electric high-performance flagship.

If we were to hazard a guess, the Hero e-US could be an edgy street fighter with performance levels equivalent to a conventional quarter liter motorcycle. Or it could even be offering higher levels of performance to match something like the Ultroviolette F77. The concept is expected to be showcased at a high-profile event when it is ready. The timeline is not clear as of now.

Branding challenge for electric portfolio

Speaking at the latest Annual General Meeting, Hero Motocorp’s chairman Pawan Munjal stated that the company is well on course with its plans to enter the promising electric two wheeler market in the country. He also added that the pure electric products that are being developed by Hero Motocorp are independent of its subsidiary Ather Energy’s products.

It is to be noted that a pact between the Munjal family prevents Pawan Munjal-led Hero Motocorp to use the Hero brand name for its own electric products. As per the agreement within the family, this right is reserved for Hero Electric which is run by Pawan’s cousin Naveen Munjal.

Hero Electric is already a well established brand in the country with a market share of 45% in the e-scooter space. So, Hero Motocorp will have to chose a different brand name for its EV operations and that could be posing a huge marketing challenge.

Given Hero Motocorp has a significant stake (38.57% to be preceise) in Ather Energy, one could think using this brand to expand its electric vehicle business is a no brainer. However, Ather focuses on lifestyle products above INR 1 lakh and has previously stated it has no intention to cater to lower price categories.

Using the Ather brand for its low-cost electric commuters would significantly dilute its value in premium segment. We expect Hero Motocorp to announce its new EV brand in the coming months.

 

 

Please keep my Daytona brother Bill Dodge in your prayers. He was involved in a pretty bad motorcycle accident last night and can use all the prayers, good vibes and love you can send. Don’t have full details on all his injuries just yet but will keep you posted. This one hurts my heart more than I can say.

–Kari

Bill is doing well and improving every day. All of the Bikernet staff are behind him.–Bandit

This on Facebook as well.

I regret to tell the biker world that the great Carl Morrow of Carl’s speed shop has passed away today, Carl was our neighbor and opened the doors in 1969, Carl’s Speed Shop has become known for records set, exploits on the Drag Strip and Bonneville Salt Flats, and an approach to reliable, useable horsepower that translates to high performance Harley street bikes.

Well known for his 2” (50.8mm) constant velocity Typhoon slide carburetors! Carl is and always will be a motorcycle legend! The Daytona Motorcycle community and Beach st. will miss you! Our condolences to his family. R.I.P. CARL!

–ROGUE

Senior Editor

Bikernet.com

 

 

 

 

Rogue

by Mircea Panait from https://www.autoevolution.com

Two to four cylinders, that’s how most bikes like to roll. The advent of Boss Hoss Cycles, however, changed everything thanks to Chevy small-block V8 conversions that range from the LS3 to the 383 and 454.

These babies aren’t cheap, though. The most affordable bike in the company’s inventory is a used 383, priced at $45,500 compared to the original price of $50,500. There are, however, people who prefer to put their own touch on the V8-converted Boss Hoss, and this gets us to Janne Uskali.

Editor-in-chief at Bomber Magazine in Finland, the Finnish motorcycle enthusiast and rider is responsible for a one-off creation that he calls the Bee-One Cycles Bomb Boss. Tipping the scales at 600 kilograms including Janne, the bike was completed in 2019 after four years of elbow grease.

The Bomb Boss is centered around the ZZ4 crate engine, based on the L98 from the 1985 to 1991 Corvette. Right off the bat, the eight-cylinder mill develops 355 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. The ratings quoted by Janne are 350 horsepower and 443 pound-feet, and the additional torque may have something to do with the NASCAR-style side exhausts.

Ape’s Metalshop Oy in Helsinki is the shop responsible for the triple clamps that attach the 63-millimeter inverted forks to the frame. Another highlight comes in the guise of the Vee Rubber 360/30 by 18-inch rear tire, a massive piece of rubber compared to the 300/35 by 18-inch rears of the Boss Hoss Standard and Super Sport bikes. So why did Janne need such a huge tire?

Well, he likes riding like a man on a mission, lighting up the rear and power sliding the motorcycle in the twisties. Given the torque of the ZZ4 crate engine and the rider’s style, it comes at no surprise why the rear tire measures 360 millimeters in width and features an aspect ratio of 30.

Currently a one-off build, the Bomb Boss may be put into production according to Ultimate Motorcycling. “We are thinking that if there are people like me who like to ride and get this kind of overdose motorcycle, we could do it for them as customers,” Janne told the cited publication.

VIDEO

https://youtu.be/WXvskGu6QOY

 

by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com

At the end of last week, drag racing fans were back in business as the Denso Spark Plugs NHRA U.S. Nationals at the Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis took place. A lot of interesting things happened there, including an appearance by the 1,400 hp electric Mustang Dragster and some demonstration runs with Harley-Davidson LiveWire motorcycles.

A couple of days ago the Milwaukee bike maker released a very short video showing the highlights of the LiveWire runs with riders Andrew Hines, Eddie Krawiec, and Angelle Sampey holding the handlebars. As it was, the video showed nothing impressive, as fast, drag racing motorcycles we’ve seen before.

Socially-distanced people in the stands seemed to confirm nothing spectacular happened, as they seemed unimpressed with what was happening down on the strip. As such, few could have anticipated records being broken.

Only that they were (sort of), and Harley confirmed this with an announcement made on September 10.

As per the bike maker, one of the three riders, Angelle Sampey (who usually rides a FXDR Pro Stock) accelerated the LiveWire to the records of best elapsed time and top speed.

In short, the LiveWire covered the eighth-mile distance (201 meters) in 7.017-seconds and the full quarter-mile (402 meters) in 11.156 seconds, while reaching a top speed 110.35 mph (177.6 kph), which is a bit more than the official top speed of the motorcycle.

“Let me tell you what’s amazing,” said Sampey in a statement. “That was the first time I rode the LiveWire. I could not wait to get it on the track. The LiveWire is so easy to ride. Just twist the throttle and go, and you really go!”

So, great numbers, and that made Harley confident enough to claim it set the all-new records for an “electric-powered production motorcycle on a drag racing course.”

So, this is the baseline for future electric bikes to beat. But given how there is virtually no competition in the electric-powered production motorcycle segment on the drag strip at the moment, it’s like Harley crowned itself the ruler of an empty realm.

by Silvian Secara from https://www.autoevolution.com

It packs a perfectly balanced blend of vintage and modern styling that guarantees to leave you speechless.

Let’s be frank; when it comes to performance and reliability, the breathtaking Thruxton R tends to completely overshadow its predecessor, Triumph’s 2013 Thruxton 900. Nonetheless, the folks over at Nova Motorcycles went above and beyond to convert this undistinguished two-wheeler into something truly exceptional.

To give you a better idea as to how far this project has come, we’ll start by having a look back at what the original machine was made of. It is brought to life by a four-stroke parallel-twin powerplant, with a generous displacement of 865cc. At around 7,400 revs, the air-cooled DOHC is good for up to 68 bhp, along with 51 pound-feet (69 Nm) of torque output at 5,800 rpm. A five-speed gearbox is tasked with transmitting this force to a chain final drive.

The whole thing rests on KYB 41 mm (1.6 inches) forks with adjustable preload at the front, accompanied by chrome spring twin shocks and a double-sided swingarm at the rear. Thruxton 900 rolls on a pair of multi-spoked aluminum wheels, with a diameter of 18 inches up front and 17 inches at the back. Stopping power is handled by a single 320 mm (12.6 inches) floating disc and Nissin two-piston floating caliper at the front, joined by a 255 mm (10 inches) rotor and a two-piston caliper on the opposite end.

Now, when it comes to impressive custom builds, the Nova Motorcycles crew isn’t messing around! As of 2013, the firm was co-founded by Sayer Anthony and Pete Chilton in Turners Falls, Massachusetts. In our day and age, the team prides itself with a plethora of magnificent projects. As you browse their stunning portfolio, you will come across an astonishing 2013 Thruxton 900-based work of art that might just have you drooling.

After the stock model’s arrival on their doorstep, Nova kicked things off by collaborating with local aftermarket manufacturers to craft several one-off components, including a Kevlar-reinforced fuel tank and carbon fiber front fender from Tannermatic, as well as a new triple clamp and headlight brackets from Cofab Design, to name a few. Besides countless Motogadget items, you will also find a Motodemic Adaptive LED unit and one gorgeous leather saddle, upholstered by Counterbalance Cycles.

Additionally, a unique subframe was fabricated in-house to support Thruxton’s slim tail section. It goes without saying that the latter incorporates more LED goodness. Nova installed Driven Racing clip-ons that wear Brembo and LSL levers, joined by a Motion Pro REV2 throttle module.

Next, the parallel-twin mill was blessed with a set of Web Cam Racing camshafts and K&N pod filters. It exhales through a custom two-into-one exhaust from British Customs. The bike’s suspension was treated to an Andreani Misano cartridge kit for the front forks, coupled with dual K-Tech Bullit 360 mm (14.2 inches) shocks on the other end.

Last but not least, braking power is taken care of by a Brembo setup, while the wheels are hugged tightly by Michelin Pilot 4 rubber.

And there we have it, ladies and gents. For an even better idea as to what Nova Motorcycles are all about, you may delight your eyesight with the rest of their masterpieces by visiting their Instagram or Facebook pages. I’ll have to warn you though, their tasty inventory might have you scrolling for quite some time!

from https://www.expressandstar.com

Special model is limited to just 100 units in the UK.

Suzuki is marking its 100th anniversary with the introduction of a new limited-edition GSX-R1000R.

Limited to just 100 units in the UK, the special-edition models boasts a retro-inspired paint job, which harks back to the firm’s race bikes from the 1960s. It’s the same as the one worn by the GSX-RR MotoGP motorcycle, too.

It’s priced at £16,999 – £400 more than the regular model – and is set to go on sale in October.

The GSX-R1000R takes many design and technology elements from the GP racer

Jonathan Martin, Suzuki GB’s head of motorcycles, said: “With just 100 of these bikes available in the UK this is a unique opportunity to own and be a part of Suzuki history. The GSX-R range, and the 1000 in particular, has long been the flagship range of sportsbikes with an illustrious history both on road and on the race tra ck.

“To mark 100 years of our Suzuki company it was only fitting to adopt the retro-inspired livery of bikes that have achieved and contributed so much to our history.”

The bike produces 199bhp

It uses the same 999cc, 199bhp engine as you’ll find in the standard production model, but also benefits from 10 traction control modes which give riders a variety of different settings to choose between. It’s joined by a quickshifter, launch control and autoblipper in a long list of standard equipment.

It also shares the same variable valve timing system as the GP racer, which helps to boost both power and torque. A lean angle-sensitive ABS system is fitted as standard to further improve cornering performance.

We made some major improvements to our Flat Out Vest, plus they are made with a softer leather. This is our traditional styled vest but with 5-Ball touches, like no collar, deep gun or phone pockets, our exclusive media pocket and hidden hand pockets.

You will always receive bling, including a 5-Ball Bikernet Bandana, a 5-Ball embroidered patch and a signed book about the fight for motorcycling freedom.

Each vest has a secret documents pocket and a pocket specifically designed to hold your shades.

It’s all class yet packed with function.

SHOP NOW – CLICK HERE – https://shop.bikernet.com/