The Bike Shed Celebrates American Motorcycling with Indian Motorcycle; Two Passion-Fueled Motorcycle Brands Celebrate the Soon-to-Open Bike Shed Los Angeles Destination MINNEAPOLIS (August 13, 2020) – Indian Motorcycle, America’s First Motorcycle Company, and London’s iconic Bike Shed Motorcycle Club today announced a collaboration to launch an exclusive lineup of lifestyle apparel. Designed in celebration of motorcycles, motorcycle culture, and the soon-to- open Bike Shed Los Angeles destination, the co-branded collection includes a range of men’s and women’s shirts and hats, along with an exclusive BSMC x Indian Motorcycle sweatshirt and riding jersey. Brought together through shared values and the idea that there is no wrong way to appreciate motorcycling, Indian Motorcycle and Bike Shed Motorcycle Club believe in creating a welcoming environment for all riders. Whether riding the open road or hanging with friends, Indian Motorcycle and Bike Shed Motorcycle Club exist to fuel the passion of life on two wheels. The apparel collection was designed as a collaboration between the two brands and serves as a lifestyle expression for not only people who love motorcycles, but for the bold and confident who go their own way. “We’re proud to collaborate with Bike Shed on this apparel collection and celebrate our love for motorcycles and motorcycle culture,” said Reid Wilson, Vice President of Indian Motorcycle. “When we found out Bike Shed was opening a clubhouse in the U.S., we knew we wanted to get involved. A special- edition apparel collection was a no-brainer, and we’re extremely proud to align with Bike Shed as they plan for their opening in Los Angeles.” Since inception in 2011, the UK-based Bike Shed has been a place of common ground, where people from all walks of life – both riders and non-riders alike – come together to share their passion for two- wheels alongside the culture and lifestyle inspired by them. This year, the Bike Shed will expand its ever- growing community with the opening of its first-ever U.S. location. Home to a thriving moto and creative community, Los Angeles’ Arts District will soon welcome the highly anticipated Bike Shed Los Angeles: a 30,000-square-foot destination venue, complete with a full-service restaurant, café, bar and lounge, a barbershop, tattoo studio, events space and large retail emporium. Bike Shed Los Angeles joins the renowned Bike Shed London as the brand’s second motorcycle destination venue. “We wanted to align with an American brand that shared our same, all-inclusive, motorcycle values,” said Dutch, Founder of the Bike Shed Motorcycle Club. “Indian Motorcycle is an iconic and historic brand that has evolved to remain relevant as moto culture has evolved, balancing timeless design and authenticity with modern performance and practicality, bringing new appreciation and customers to the brand and its bikes. Our clothing collaboration partnership carries those same values, aligning two brands that are as much about community and experience as we are about quality products, made to be fit-for-purpose while carrying timeless style and heritage.” To help launch the exclusive apparel collection, Indian Motorcycle and Bike Shed Motorcycle Club tapped renowned bike builder, and founder of Brat Style, Go Takamine. Known for his work building and racing classic Indian motorcycles, Takamine exemplifies the deep passion and love for motorcycles and motorcycle culture that the Indian Motorcycle and Bike Shed collaboration represents. -MORE- The exclusive Indian Motorcycle and Bike Shed Motorcycle Club apparel collection is available at select retail locations and online at IndianMotorcycle.com and TheBikeShed.cc. Learn more about Indian Motorcycle at IndianMotorcycle.com, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE® Indian Motorcycle Company is America’s First Motorcycle Company®. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com. INDIAN and INDIAN MOTORCYCLE are registered trademarks of Indian Motorcycle International, LLC. Always wear a helmet, protective clothing and eyewear and insist your passenger does the same. Ride within the limits of the law and your own abilities. Read, understand and follow your owner’s manual. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol. ABOUT BIKE SHED MOTORCYCLE CLUB The Bike Shed Motorcycle Club (BSMC) is a globally recognised destination, brand, and community that has been celebrating motorcycle culture and the creative scene that surrounds it since 2011. Set across 12,000 square feet within four Victorian Railway Arches in Shoreditch, London, Bike Shed Motorcycle Club was initially founded via online storytelling and events, going on to run one of the largest independent motorcycle shows in the world, with 19,000 people attending last year. The full-time Bike Shed destination in London, opened in 2015, welcomes 2,500 people from all walks of life – whether on two wheels or foot – through its doors each week to enjoy the restaurant, café, bar, barbershop, events space, galleries and moto retail and apparel, backed by a rider’s club with 800 members. In 2020, Bike Shed will open a new destination venue in the Arts District of Los Angeles, California across 30,000 square feet with a scaled-up version of the London offer, adding a tattoo studio, larger events spaces, retail emporium and dedicated members’ spaces. To learn more, please visit TheBikeShed.cc

Benicia, Calif. (2020) – Red Line Synthetic Oil, a leader in the performance lubricants industry, today announced the newest product in their powersports line-up, 15W50 Powersports Oil. The new weight will be available for order beginning September 1st at Red Line Oil and Tucker Powersports.

Red Line’s 15W50 Powersports Oil is formulated for high-performance engines in a variety of applications including ATVs, motorcycles, UTVs, and additional powersports vehicles. Red Line’s motorcycle and powersports lubricants are designed to resist the chopping and shearing action of powersport transmissions, while ensuring the viscosity meets the desired specification. Additionally, Red Line’s Powersports Oils provide superior wear protection under even the most adverse conditions and extreme temperatures. It is recommended for metric motorcycles (KTM, Husqvarna, Ducati, Yamaha, BMW, etc.), any powersport vehicle calling for a 15W50 engine oil, and is suitable for JASO MA2 applications.

With the introduction of this new viscosity, Red Line now offers powersports enthusiasts seven different weights to choose from, all designed to maximize performance and protection. The 15W50 oil joins the line of popular powersports products from Red Line, which also includes the company’s recently launched Chain Lube with Shockproof.

“At Red Line, our high-performing products are an integral part of our powersports lineup,” said Kit Szwarcburg, Marketing Director of Red Line Synthetic Oil. “Thanks to the introduction of our 15W50 Powersports Oil, our customers now have even more quality options when it comes to maintaining and protecting their equipment.”

For more info on Red Line Synthetic Oil, please visit www.redlineoil.com or follow Red Line Synthetic Oil on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.

About Red Line Synthetic Oil

In 1979, Red Line Synthetic Oil began creating lubricants for the racing industry. Today, Red Line Synthetic Oil manufactures more than 100 products, including motor oils, gear oils, ATFs, assembly lubes, fuel additives and the popular WaterWetter cooling additive for the automotive, motorcycle, marine and industrial markets. Red Line Synthetic Oil uses extensive knowledge of racing to create high-performance products for track cars and street vehicles. To find a dealer or order online, log on to www.redlineoil.com.

Hey,

What’s happening at the Rally? It’s amazing. New motorcycle markets everywhere and even two new magazines.

Maybe the numbers don’t show it, but there are more Indians on the road than ever before, and more women riders.

Okay, need to clear up a couple of things. A couple of brothers approached me and said, “Is it true that the Hamsters started Sturgis?”

Nope, that’s not true. The Hamsters started in Daytona about 1978. Sturgis was started by Pappy Hoel in 1935, but it didn’t get big until Micheal Lichter covered it for Easyriders Magazine in 1978. Then the riders jumped from 12,000 to 24,000 and kept doubling. So, it’s all his fault. Yeah, so I was the boss at the time.

Then this morning at the hall of fame breakfast a brother approached and told his son that I started ABATE. I said, “Goddammit, I didn’t not start ABATE. Lou Kimzey, the publisher of Easyriders started ABATE and hired me at 23, out of college to be the first manager. Then we were drinking Knucklehead Red beer in a Deadwood bar and a longtime member of Maryland ABATE said, “You came up with the meaning of ABATE, A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments, right?” He fought members of his organization to keep the original meaning. “No, I did not design the meaning behind ABATE. Again, you need to blame that on Lou Kimzey.” I was the manager for lots of years, then the National Director, but I didn’t come up with the title.

This rally has been amazing. I’m seeing more choppers, more performance alternatives, more baggers, more Indians, and more women riding. Dr. Hamster told me he had breakfast with Pappy Hoel in the late ‘80s. He was the man who supported motorcycle racing in Sturgis, which was behind the rally.

He said the Jack Pine Gypsies, the club behind the rally founded in 1936 was about half women riders. And I got introduced to a 2018 M-8 powered Dyna. The attendance numbers reports are all over the place, but sales have been off the charts.   

The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by companies who also dig Freedom including: Cycle Source Magazine, the MRF, Las Vegas Bikefest, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown, BorntoRide.com and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. Most recently Quick Throttle Magazine came on board.

RIDERSHIP Social Takeover Generates
15,000 Online Interactions

MIC staff members are thanking everyone who joined in the Ridership social takeover late last month. Across Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, more than 50 organizations encouraged potential and returning riders to practice and enjoy Commuter Distancing on a motorcycle and avoid crowded buses and subways.

Together, manufacturers, dealers, media, aftermarket, MSF RiderCoaches, training sites, enthusiasts, and riding organizations participated on July 30 and 31, and generated some 15,000 interactions, including shares, comments, likes, and views.

“The Commuter Distancing social media campaign targeted urban commuters to offer them a healthy, fun commuting alternative during the pandemic,” said Andre Albert, director of sales and marketing, MIC Events.

“The ongoing campaign is a success, and in just a few weeks exposed motorcycling to nearly a quarter of a million people, driving 6,000 potential riders to our purpose-built FindYourRide.org site, which helps get potential riders quickly to dealers or a training site close by,” Albert said. “This campaign is just the beginning and we will continue with creative messaging to reach more potential riders and gather insight into what is resonating with our target audience. Working together, we can inspire new riders.”

–MIC

FLYING PISTON BUILDERS’ BREAKFAST CHARITY EVENT—This has grown to be a well-organized Charity event at the very beginning of Sturgis Rally Week. Again, this year Marilyn Stemp put it all together with Jeff Najar, but it was hit by Covid action. Still two charities were supported at the Crossroads event, one for disabled veterans and the Strider Company effort to put more kids on bikes in schools and ultimately motorcycles.

Howard Knight created a magnificent leather belt and I made a handmade skull and brass belt buckle for the silent auction. Thousands were raised for these charities and Marilyn displayed her latest round of customized Strider bikes, which will be used all year long to support the All Kids Ride program in schools around the country.

Lots of kids don’t have access to bicycles and in today’s restrictive climate, are afraid to even approach a bicycle experience. This system puts the experience into elementary schools. If they get on bikes, they are much more likely to embrace physical activities and ride motorcycles in the future.

So, breakfast Burritos were served, Strider bikes shown off, and builders mingled. “I was hoping to see Atomic Bob, Darren and JoAnn Bortels, but they couldn’t make it,” a brother told me.

I’m sure we will see the bikes featured in various publications throughout the year. Hang on for the next Flying Piston breakfast. –Bandit

HOW TO INSTALL CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE GRIPS FROM THE LOWBROW TEAM— Is it your first time changing out your motorcycle handlebar grips? Wondering why motorcycle grips have a different size hole for each side, worried that you got the wrong parts?

Well, fear not my friends, they are supposed to be that way!

The larger hole is for the right-hand side of your handlebars. It is larger as it slips over the throttle tube. The throttle tube rotates over the handlebar, and is larger diameter than the handlebar itself.

The smaller hole is for the left-hand side of your handlebars, and slips over the bare handlebar.

Neither of these two holes will measure exactly 1″, 7/8″, etc. If they did, they would simply slide right off. The grips need to be a snug fit so they stay where they belong; on your handlebars!

The larger hole goes on the throttle tube and the smaller hole goes on the bar handlebar on the left.

There are many different ways to install your grips, though some common ones would be to spray some hairspray, WD-40 or spray paint (the color doesn’t matter!) inside your grip before sliding it on. While wet, it helps slide the grip on, but once dry it helps keep your rubber grips from sliding off.

The grip will slide on with ease and then as the WD-40 dries it will become sticky and keep the grip on for miles and miles.

Another trick is to use some adhesive-backed grip tape, as found on skateboards, and applying thin strips around the end of your handlebars. It is hard to slip your grips on with the grip tape in place, but it will keep then from working their way loose.

Lastly, a mechanical way you can secure your rubber grips is by using a piece of safety wire around the outside of the end of your grip. Safety wire pliers twist the wire, tightening it tourniquet-style, compressing your grip against the handlebar. This is common practice on motocross bikes and race bikes of all sorts.

Regardless of installing your grips dry, with hair spray, or with grip tape on your bar end, using an air blow-off nozzle on your compressor’s air line and spraying some compressed air under the edge of your grip as you install helps it slide in place very easily.

This is also a pro-tip for grip removal! Compressed air sprayed under the edge helps get old grips off, though slicing through them with a razor blade and peeling them off works quite fast and easy as well.

Most motorcycle grips do not include a throttle tube. The throttle tube slides onto your handlebar and is what you twist, typically pulling or pushing a cable. Late model Harley-Davidsons operate using a small sensor switch that turns when you twist the throttle, known as ‘throttle by wire’.

Throttle tubes can be made out of aluminum, such as the Biltwell Throttle Tube, but there are also inexpensive but equally functional options available, such as the Cycle Standard Throttle Tube, which is made of a durable plastic. Aluminum throttle tubes will likely never give you any issues, while a plastic throttle tube could crack where the cable engages though this is by no means a common occurrence.

Some motorcycles, such as Harley-Davidsons, have the stock grip and throttle tube as one piece. In this case, you may want to purchase a throttle tube if you are interested in running custom Harley-Davidson grips. On many other bikes you can simply remove the stock rubber grip and install the new grips onto your existing stock throttle tube.

See the whole tamale at the Lowbrow site and watch her do her tricks.—Bandit

TEXAS REDHEAD WEATHER REPORT–
Not sure if it’s a one off or what? Getting the front end back together, I had meant to send the new lowers a coworker gave me to powder coat, painted for now. But I think the older ones will do okay coated. I probably showed you all the stuff he gave me? Took all these parts off when he bought his Dyna and had them replaced with chrome.

Man, I wish I was up there, maybe next year.

Learned last night there are different part# for the 49mm Dyna lowers. I probably would have & should have caught it, but got focused on replacing the neck bearings. Seems odd to me to have multiple parts for the same line? Mine are 5GC5, these are 5GC8, so the caliper won’t bolt up without totally locking up the wheel. I believe there may be a couple more part numbers, all 49mm. If I had the cash I’d update and upgrade the caliper, but I just pulled it back down. I’m learning about Dyna’s that’s for sure.

I liked your BLM in the news, sent you a picture of a MAGA derby cover with Trump on it. You’ll be busy having Sturgis fun.

Later
–RFR

NEWS FROM THE MASTER OF LIGHT–Artist David Uhl

The gallery in Deadwood is officially open! We’re at the Gold Dust Casino through Sunday the 16th. If you’re in the area, please stop in and say hello.

Crowds have been great thus far and we are looking forward to an amazing rally this year!

We are please to announce the release of David’s third and final Sturgis 2020 piece, titled “Is This Spot Taken?” Details below.

“Is This Spot Taken?”
David Uhl – Sturgis 2020

Several years ago, David saw these horses tethered to a parking meter here in Deadwood. He took photos and used them as reference for this new piece. Leticia Cline models on Billy Lane’s Crocker. A fun project all the way around, and the painting is simply amazing!

We are now taking orders for the canvas prints, which will come in two sizes.

Each canvas print will come hand-signed by David and numbered with Certificate of Authenticity and commemorative Sturgis 80th Anniversary nameplate. Shipping will be included within the lower 48 United States on this one.

NOTE: We have heard from several international customers who cannot attend Sturgis this year. If you want this one unframed, we can accommodate you. Please email me for details.

** Image size 30×20, $895 framed

** Image size 42×28, $1,895 framed

As always, edition numbers will be assigned as orders are taken and matching numbers are available for those who are adding to their Sturgis Series pieces.

** Additionally, David has agreed to sell the original oil. Please inquire to greg@uhlstudios.com.
–Greg Rhodes
International Sales Director
303-913-4840

Uhl Studios Website

BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY IS STILL WIDE OPEN, MASK FREE–Butch, The Rooster.

Sarah was in the fertilized egg business. She had several hundred young pullets and ten roosters to fertilize the eggs.

She kept records and any rooster not performing went into the soup pot and was replaced.

This took a lot of time, so she bought some tiny bells and attached them to her roosters.

Each bell had a different tone, so she could tell from a distance which rooster was performing.

Now, she could sit on the porch and fill out an efficiency report by just listening to the bells.

Sarah’s favorite rooster, old Butch, was a very fine specimen but, this morning she noticed old Butch’s bell hadn’t rung at all!

When she went to investigate, she saw the other roosters were busy chasing pullets, bells-a-ringing, but the pullets hearing the roosters coming, would run for cover.

To Sarah’s amazement, old Butch had his bell in his beak, so it couldn’t ring.

He’d sneak up on a pullet, do his job, and walk on to the next one.

Sarah was so proud of old Butch, she entered him in a Show and he became an overnight sensation among the judges.

The result was the judges not only awarded old Butch the “No Bell Peace Prize” they also awarded him the “Pulletsurprise” as well.

Clearly old Butch was a politician in the making.

Who else but a politician could figure out how to win two of the most coveted awards on our planet by being the best at sneaking up on the unsuspecting populace and screwing them when they weren’t paying attention?

Vote carefully in the next election. You can’t always hear the bells.

(If you don’t send this on, you’re a chicken…… no yolk)

–from El Waggs
Official Librarian
Bandit’s Cantina Bad Joke Library

HAMSTERS USA raise $161,833 for special kids
at LifeScape in Rapid City, South Dakota

Hamsters USA, the international motorcycle group with big hearts, rolled into western South Dakota to make an impact for kids with disabilities… AGAIN! These great guys came together throughout the year to raise funds for LifeScape of Rapid City culminating near $161,833, all staying local to support children with disabilities in Western SD!

Hamsters USA has raised and donated funds at their annual meeting for the last 15 years, with a deep desire to give back to the greater Black Hills community, which many Hamsters consider their second home. This year’s event brings their cumulative total for 15 years to almost $3.5 million in total dollars raised for LifeScape in Rapid City.

Their gifts help provide services to children in their Black Hills area homes and communities, delivered by LifeScape personnel who drive over 10,000 miles a month to provide services.

During a normal year, one of the children impacted by the dollars raised by the Hamsters would be in attendance at the event. Due to COVID-19, there was not a family there this year. However, T.J. Lindsay of Rapid City was highlighted in the annual program. T.J. was diagnosed with autism when he was a year old. Autism means different things for each person diagnosed. For T.J., in addition to hyper-motion in his body movements and being non-verbal, it means he is very specific about how he likes things to be.

T.J. primarily receives occupational and speech therapy. After working with LifeScape over the span of just one year, T.J.’s word count has expanded significantly, and he now uses up to 20 words! The most special word was more recent when he said “Mom” for the first time. Holly shared, “Having him say ‘Mom’ to me in context was everything to me. It was a big moment—it was really huge! LifeScape has definitely given him the support to find his voice.”

LifeScape’s mission is to empower children with disabilities to lead fulfilling lives. Holly is so grateful that LifeScape is here for T.J., and she is also so grateful for donors, like the Hamsters, that come together to make sure the high-quality services provided by LifeScape are available to families like theirs. She added, “Your donations matter. Thank you!”

LifeScape has 42+ locations in Sioux Falls, as well as locations in Rapid City and Sioux City, through which we support people in 63 counties in SD and northwest Iowa. LifeScape supports more than 4,000 children and adults annually, 900 of which are supported by the Rapid City LifeScape location.

NEWS FROM THE GEARHEAD— I know you are at Sturgis but us poor local guys and gals need an outlet, maybe this, from California Harley-Davidson is for us.

TKOB
— Gearhead

NEW BOOK NEWS–Vespa Style and PassionIn celebration of Vespa’s 75th anniversary, VESPA: STYLE AND PASSION is the official history of the legendary and iconic scooters.

From its introduction in 1946 by the Italian firm Piaggio, the Vespa enjoyed quick success. The scooters’ diminutive size and affordability were perfect for promoting postwar mobility and soon became more than a means of transport but a cultural icon.

Vespa Style & Passion tells how the scooter evolved into a marque that has sold over 19 million units on six continents. A rich selection of visuals includes dozens of studio images of the most significant models as well as period advertisements, rare archival photographs, and images of Vespas in popular culture and motorsport. Mod culture, perhaps most responsible for spreading scooter culture, is also given its due with images of customized Vespas.

The Vespa is not simply a scooter, but the scooter, known and appreciated the world over—a rare example of a motor vehicle that survived crises and fashions, always remaining faithful to the original concept. This is the definitive story of that influence.

–Steve Roth
Senior Marketing Manager
T 612-344-8156
E steve.roth@quarto.com
www.quartoknows.com

JIMS Hardware Organizers for Milwaukee-Eight—

Disassembling powertrain components like engines and transmissions can be a complicated task. In an effort to keep the technician organized and efficient, JIMS® has developed a new set of Milwaukee-Eight® specific hardware index tools to store and organize bolts while parts are disassembled.

JIMS® has added a new magnetic storage feature that will capture slip fit dowels as well. The stands are sold in a 4-piece kit (Part No.732K); Top End, Cam Chest, Transmission and Primary – or they can be ordered individually. The tools are designed to nest within each other for an efficient way to store on your bench, or in your toolbox, when not in use. As an added feature, the stands can be placed on their side to assist in the application of Loctite when re-assembling components.

With an MSRP of $370, these tools are made by JIMS® here in the United States out of 13-gauge aluminum magnesium alloy sheet, powder coated JIMS® blue and silkscreened for hardware position and frequently used torque specs. For more information please contact us at (805) 482-6913, email us at sales@jimsusa.com, or visit www.jimsusa.com.

If you have any questions, please call me directly at (805) 482-6913. Your time in reviewing these current, past, or future pressreleases is greatly appreciated. You have been Bcc’d to protect email privacy.

–Greg Thiessen
Marketing Associate
JIMS®
555 Dawson Drive,
Camarillo, CA 93012
Ph: 805-482-6913
www.jimsusa.com

HARLEY-DAVIDSON AND JASON MOMOA COLLABORATE DURING SOCIAL DISTANCING TO CELEBRATE THE POWER OF RIDING—
“United We Will Ride”

For more than 117 years, Harley-Davidson has brought people together to experience adventure and freedom for the soul. Harley-Davidson is proud to announce a new element of the company’s United We Will Ride campaign that celebrates its mission in collaboration with actor and Harley-Davidson enthusiast Jason Momoa.

Momoa has produced and directed a new video series that follows six Harley-Davidson riders as they navigate through the dark days of the pandemic using the power of riding to engage with their families, their communities, and themselves. The lead video will be followed by six additional features that showcase how different riders experience freedom for the soul through their Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

“More than building machines, Harley-Davidson stands for the timeless pursuit of adventure,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO, Harley-Davidson. “That is our mission. And with this brand campaign, Harley-Davidson and Jason Momoa are showcasing how this pursuit is strengthened through tough times. H-D riders and their experiences serve as inspiration for the power of two wheels from vintage custom motorcycles, to the electric Harley-Davidson LiveWire motorcycle.”

“Motorcycles have brought me places that have changed my life and around people that have molded who I am.” said Jason Momoa. “With my latest production for Harley-Davidson, I’m seeking to broadcast the beauty of riding and the spirit of the motorcycling community during this unprecedented time to encourage riders and aspiring riders to ride. Let’s Ride!”

Let’s Ride Challenge

Harley-Davidson is showcasing the power of riding with the Let’s Ride Challenge launched as part of the United We Will Ride campaign. Through riding-related activities, participants can earn Let’s Ride Challenge sweepstakes* entries for a chance to win prizes celebrating the community and spirit of two wheels, including a custom 2020 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S motorcycle grand prize and weekly drawings for additional prizes.

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES (D.C.) 18 YEARS OR OLDER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Sweepstakes ends 8/31/2020. For Official Rules, alternate method of entry, prize descriptions and odds disclosure, visit www.H-D.com/LetsRide. Sponsor: Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Inc., 3700 W. Juneau Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53208.

Learn more at www.harley-davidson.com.

STURGIS RALLY NEWS FROM THE FRONT-– We are on pace with last year, which is great considering. I would say probably closer to 500,000 in attendance this year, double what the City expected.

–Emma
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum

TWISTED ROAD, A NEW TWIST ON RENTING BIKES--Free Ride: How can you and all of your friends rent motorcycles for free?

We’re all familiar with referral programs; companies hope your like-minded friends will enjoy the same things you do—and are willing to give away gifts and money for your recommendation. We’re pretty sure you have some moto-loving friends who would be happy that you’ve introduced them to the phenomenon that is Twisted Road. And we’re willing to ante up to find out.

Everyone likes a discount, right? At Twisted Road, we wanted to offer a gift that every rider would love to give—and also one that every rider would be stoked to receive.

Free rides on any motorcycle.

The Twisted Road referral program enables you to give away free days of riding to all of your friends. Got 10 friends who ride? Give away 10 free days.

You’re on a Moto Guzzi forum? Give all of the posters and lurkers a free day. You’ve got 200K followers on facebook? Thank them with a free day. You will quickly become the Oprah of the moto-world: “You get a bike and you get a bike and you get a bike!”

There are two, and only two, rules:

1. The free day can only be applied to your friend’s first rental with Twisted Road

2. Their ride must be at least two days long, and we throw in an additional day—for free. If your friend only has one day to ride, not to worry, shorter rides get 25% off.

But wait! There’s more.

For every friend who rents using your code, you earn $25 in riding credits to use when you want to ride. Get one friend to redeem your code? Save $25. Get 40K followers to redeem and you’ll have $1,000,000 in your Twisted Road account. Yeah, that’s right. One million dollars. That’s a lot of rentals.

How do I refer my friends?

It’s fast and easy! Go to the Twisted Road website and in the upper right corner, click the image of your face. You’ll see an option to “Give a free day, get $25.” You’ll want to click on that.

From there, you’ll see a bunch of ways to share your code. You can enter friends’ email addresses, or announce the program on Facebook. Or you can provide friends with your link or referral code, and they can use any one of those to claim their free day of riding.

So, start sharing this now to give the gift of free riding — to your friends and to yourself. Then start planning your free rides. Motorcycle ride across Anchorage, anyone?

One last thing. Here’s a link to my referral code. If you’ve never rented with us before, click it and sign up to get your free ride (and I’ll earn $25). See how easy that was?

A NOTE FROM A VETERAN–
A man went to the Great Lakes Military Cemetery. He took some pictures while reflecting on what’s going on in our country today.
Then he wrote this simple poem:

I don’t see any color here,
The headstones look the same,
No black no brown no white skin tone,
There’s no one here to blame.
These soldier’s fought and died for you,
Their color you can’t see,
Your rights are still protected,
Here’s the place to take a knee.

–from El Waggs
Certified SoCal Correspondent
Bikernet.com™

MORE STURGIS ACTION– GREAT BIKE EVENTS & FREE LIVE MUSIC
CLOSE OUT THE 80th STURGIS RALLY:
Celebrating our 10th year of completely FREE concerts at Iron Horse Saloon!
All shows are FREE and open to the public ages 21+
NO cover charge, NO tickets, NO B.S.

Friday, August 14, 2020 at Iron Horse Saloon Sturgis
Sign up starts at 2:00 pm

$200 for each game winner, and championship belt for the overall winner!
Slow Race
Keg Roll
Spoon Race
The Waitress
Weenie Bite

FREE SHOW for all RatRods

Saturday, August 15, 2020 at Iron Horse Saloon Sturgis
Registration: Noon – 2:30 pm
Awards follow at 3:00 pm

All are welcome!
RatRods
Hot Rods
Choppers
Bobbers
Rat Bikes

Iron Horse Saloon – Sturgis

MEETING OF THE MINDS 2020—
Register for MOTM

Meeting of the Minds 2020 – Who? The past & the future of motorcyclists’ rights advocacy, that’s who!

The idea for the Meeting of the Minds didn’t just come out of thin air. The idea had its roots in failed attempts to bring bikers together in the seventies. It took determination, dedication and a willingness to trust each other before it could come to fruition and evolve into the Motorcycle Rider Foundation. Use this link and register at Meeting of the Minds 2020. Call 317-767-4769 for Hotel reservations.

By the mid-1980s, a handful of motorcyclists’ rights activists, led by Michael “Balls” Farabaugh from ABATE of Indiana, decided that it was time to hold a “meeting of the minds.” Joining Balls on the original Meeting of the Minds Steering Committee were Jim Baker – Utah, Bill Durning – California, Bill Gannon – Massachusetts, Clay Johnson – Iowa, Nancy Lewis – New York, Sundance Mitchell -Texas, Rob Rasor – Ohio, Lee Richardson – Georgia, Jim Rhoades – Michigan, Howard Segermark – Maryland, and Linda Stewart – Florida.

With backgrounds deeply entrenched in the early days of bikers’ rights and freedom rallies, these men and women knew there were others with similar backgrounds, and they reached out to find us. In September 1985, a few more than a hundred of us met, many for the first time, in a cheap hotel in St. Louis, Missouri.

Today, that handful of bikers has grown to touch all corners of the U.S. From “just talking” when we met at the first Meeting of the Minds, the successors of that early group are now making strategic plans for the future of motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights advocacy.

The MRF is now known for information intensive workshops conducted by knowledgeable freedom fighters like Mark Buckner and Charlie Umbenhauer, both members of the Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame.

Meet new activists like Rocky Fox and Cathy Brush; although new to motorcyclists’ rights, they bring to us years of experience in their respective fields of government relations and communications. Meet Skinny Bob Clifford and Grizzly Dave Monroe, with ways to show you how to better use electronic tools.

Meet Haile Farmer and Christopher Beals, recipients of the MRFAE Young Activists Scholarships; they are the future of motorcyclists’ rights activism. You’ve met the past, present and future who’s who of the MRF and the Meeting of the Minds Use this link and register at Meeting of the Minds 2020. Call 317-767-4769 for Hotel reservations. See you in Indianapolis!!!

BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT VOCABULARY LESSON OF THE DAY–rodomontade
[ rod-uh-mon-teyd, -tahd, -muhn-, roh-duh- ]
noun

vainglorious boasting or bragging; pretentious, blustering talk.

WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF RODOMONTADE?
Rodomontade, “vainglorious boasting, bragging,” is also occasionally spelled rhodomontade (as if it were from Greek rhódon “rose”) and rodomontado; it comes from Middle French rodomont, from Italian rodomonte “bully,” from Rodomonte, the name of the courageous but boastful king of Algiers in Ariosto’s Orlando Furioso “Roland in Frenzy, Raging Roland,” 1516. Orlando Furioso is a continuation of an earlier Renaissance Italian epic Orlando Innamorato “Roland in Love,” by Matteo Boiardo, one of whose major characters is Rodomonte, also spelled Rodamontre, and popularly interpreted to mean “mountain roller,” from Italian rodare, from Latin rotare, from rota “wheel,” and Italian monte, from Latin mons (stem mont-) “mount, mountain.” Rodomontade entered English in the late 16th century.

I am charmed to notice that things that were once said to matter—familiarity with epigrams, knowledge of rhetorical devices and their terrifying names, the ability to display a rich vocabulary without rodomontade—seem to matter still.

EDITH PEARLMAN, “MY WORD, THEY’RE IMMORTAL!” NEW YORK TIMES, JANUARY 8, 2008

because she has amused him with some rodomontade about despising rank and wealth in matters of love and marriage, he flatters himself that she’s devotedly attached to him.

ANNE BRONTË, THE TENANT OF WILDFELL HALL, 1848

–from Dictionary.com

Brock’s Performance Motorcycle Exhaust Systems Dominate XDA Super Stock Class–Brock’s Performance dominated this past weekend at the XDA Platinum Fleet Repair Bike Fest at Maryland International Raceway in the NEW Super Stock class.

The turnout was phenomenal in the ‘New for 2020’ Super Stock rider’s class, with twenty-five riders showing up to compete. And of those twenty-five riders, sixteen were equipped with a Brock’s Performance exhaust system. The Penta-Carbon, CT Series, and Alien Head were the exhaust systems of choice this past weekend.

Patrick Butler – 2020 XDA Super Stock Motorcycle Racing

The class features stock wheelbase motorcycles with a limited amount of modifications. These 4-stroke naturally aspirated production machines MUST be motorcycles originally sold for street use. This class features strict modification rules, stock wheelbase, stock motor, MR12 spec fuel, no air shifters, no dataloggers, etc. Your exhaust system choice is the most important decision you’re going to make on a stock wheelbase motorcycle with limited modifications.

Darion Payne – 2020 XDA Super Stock Motorcycle Racing

The challenge with a stock wheelbase motorcycle in drag racing is controlling the torque off the starting line to keep that front tire on the ground for a quick and smooth transition from launch to acceleration. And this exact need is the foundation of all Brock’s Performance exhaust systems. With 30+ years of drag racing experience and exhaust development, a Brock’s Performance exhaust system IS the best exhaust choice for motorcycle drag racing.

Brandon Feagan – 2020 XDA Super Stock Motorcycle Racing

This past weekend, the class winner was David Fondon of Puerto Rico on his 2019 Kawasaki ZX-10R, equipped with our Penta-Carbon motorcycle racing exhaust. Fondon not only beat out every rider in the class for the win, but he also set two records! In round one of eliminations, he set the MPH record at 161.32mph, and in the semi-final, he set the ET record running an 8.742.

David Fondon – 2020 XDA Super Stock Motorcycle Racing

Super Stock competition will continue at Virginia Motorsports Park for the XDA’s second annual Bike Bash on August 21-23, 2020.

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ANOTHER RALLY ROCKS–97th Laconia Motorcycle Week 10 Days Away

With only 10 days to go before the start of Laconia Motorcycle Week, the event schedule has been finalized and serves as an accurate illustration as to what people can expect at the 97th year or the world’s oldest rally: Less close quarters gatherings and more riding. And with New Hampshire’s governor recently announcing a mask mandate for gatherings of more than 100 people, participants will now be required to wear a mask when they are not riding.

There will be no centerline parking on Lakeside Avenue and vendor booths will be limited to non-profit organizations (including Rally Headquarters). Entertainment will be provided by individual establishments only, such as NASWA Resort and Tower Hill Tavern. In addition to the hundreds of miles of scenic roads available to explore around the state, riders are encouraged to participate in three organized rides taking place during the week: The Peter Makris Memorial Ride around Lake Winnipesaukee on August 22nd, the USCRA Vintage Race Gypsy Tour Ride on August 23rd and the Mae West Memorial “For the Love of Pets” Ride on August 24th.

Although there will be no vendor displays, concessions or demo rides at the nearby New Hampshire Motor Speedway, there will be plenty of track action, including the U.S. Classic Racing Association’s FIM North American Vintage Championships, the 97th Annual Loudon Classic and the Granite State Legends Cars races. Note that there will be no vendor displays, concessions or demo rides

The Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad will be running daily from both their Meredith and Weirs Beach stations for shuttle or scenic rides through the Lakes Region. The M/S Mount Washington will be open daily to the public for boating excursions on Lake Winnipesaukee as will the Mount Washington Auto Road for riders interested in a trip up the northeast’s highest mountain peak.

“Our number one priority at this year’s rally is public safety,” says Executive Director, Charlie St. Clair. “When not riding all visitors will be required to wear a mask if they are within six feet of others. We also have Nano Coating Technologies, LLC (NCT NH) assisting with sanitization of public surfaces with their Germ Inhibitor System with Bio-Protect. All area establishments will continue to follow enhanced cleaning and safety guidelines established by the state. Overall, New Hampshire has been a safe place to travel, however, if you feel uncomfortable visiting us this August, we encourage you to stay home, be safe where you are and plan on joining us next year for an action-packed 98th Laconia Motorcycle Week.”

Any/all updates will be posted to LaconiaMCWeek.com, through their e-newsletter and on all LaconiaMCWeek social media channels.

For more information on visiting New Hampshire and our state’s guidelines relating to COVID-19, please visit: https://www.visitnh.gov/covid19/reopening

MEET NEW BIKERNET CERTIFIED BABE AND MOTORCYCLE ARTIST– Danial James

Danial was born on November 11, 1966, in Cedar Rapids Iowa. After graduating High School in Iowa, Danial moved to Colorado to pursue his art career. He applied for, and won, the only full-ride scholarship to the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design offered to a high school senior in the U.S. He graduated from College in 1987 with an Illustration Degree.

In 1989, Danial joined Uhl Illustrations and became a partner in the late 1990’s. Along with an amazing work ethic, Danial brought with him his advanced airbrushing skills, with the utmost attention to detail, and craftsmanship. Danial has the undeniable ability of transforming mundane images into his own compelling works of fine art.

In the early 1990s, Danial applied his advanced digital skills and took Uhl Illustrations into a new realm. He applied the traditional illustration skills to the new tools of computer-generated art, becoming one of the premiere talents in the industry. Throughout his career Danial has worked side by side with other successful artists such as Scott Jacobs, and David Uhl.

Danial’s primary focus is creating fine art oil paintings and award-winning visual solutions for a wide array of National and International clients. Danial’s true love, passion, pride in his work, and gift of being a painter of fine art can clearly be seen in his oil paintings.?

Great guy to work with, we are about to add one of his pieces to the Deadwood Bikernet Headquarters. The recent piece above is of Jody Perewitz with dad, Dave in the Doorway. Cool piece.

–Bandit

DIME BAG LEATHERS COMES TO STURGIS–
Hey bro, it’s always a great trip to Sturgis rally. Wish we could have connected when there. Deadwood is cool man, happy for you.

Made it back to the shop to start pumping out some more customer work. Started working more on the shop.

–AC

KEEP BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY WIDE OPEN AND MASK FREE–
Here’s a truly heartwarming story about the bond formed between a little 4-year-old girl and some construction workers that will make you believe that we all can make a difference when we give a child the gift of our time.

A young family moved into a house, next to a vacant lot. One day, a construction crew turned up to start building a house on the empty lot.

The young family’s 4-year-old daughter naturally took an interest in all the activity going on next door and spent much of each day observing the workers.

Eventually the construction crew, all of them “gems-in-the-rough,” more or less, adopted her as a kind of project mascot.

They chatted with her, let her sit with them while they had coffee and lunch breaks, and gave her 20 little jobs to do here and there to make her feel important.

At the end of the first week, they even presented her with a pay envelope containing ten dollars.

The little girl took this home to her mother who suggested that she take her ten dollars “pay” she’d received to the bank the next day to start a savings account.

When the girl and her mom got to the bank, the teller was equally impressed and asked the little girl how she had come by her very own pay check at such a young age.

The little girl proudly replied, “I worked last week with a real construction crew building the new house next door to us.”

“Oh my goodness gracious,” said the teller, “and will you be working on the house again this week, too..?”

The little girl replied, “I will, if those assholes at Home Depot ever deliver the fucking drywall.”

–from El Waggs
Certified Librarian
Bandit’s Cantina

Seattle Police Chief Announces Retirement As City Council Cuts Department Budget–After the Seattle City Council voted to cut $4 million from the city’s police department on Monday night, Police Chief Carmen Best announced her retirement.

A veteran of the Seattle force, Best was the first Black woman to lead the department. Among the cuts to the department’s budget of $400 million was the elimination of about 100 jobs, as well as a reduction in pay for command staff, which includes the police chief. Seattle City Council President M. Lorena González said that the reduced police budget will allow the city to “fund service providers addressing the more complex issues of housing, substance use disorder, youth violence prevention, affordable healthcare, and more.” Best and Mayor Jenny Durkan had urged the council to hold off on cuts.

Durkan said she wished Best was staying, but understood her decision. At a news conference on Tuesday, Best said she couldn’t bring herself to lay off promising new recruits who would be targeted by the job cuts and said the city council hadn’t consulted with her on their plans. Best herself had been the target of recent demonstrations, with protesters marching on her home and criticizing her authorization of the use of tear gas and rubber bullets by police.

But Best said her decision wasn’t about protests. “This is not about the money and certainly isn’t about the demonstrators,” Best said. “Be real. I have a thicker skin than that. It really is about the overwhelming lack of respect for the officers, the men and women who work so hard day in and day out.”

Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County called Best leaving the department “a loss” and said it won’t help with their push for police accountability. “We demand the Seattle City Council stop prioritizing performative action that solely suggests the appearance of change. We demand transparency and accountability for the series of actions and inactions that led to Chief Best’s resignation. And we demand a successor that serves Black Lives,” the group said in a statement. But at a news conference Tuesday, Durkan said it doesn’t make sense to move ahead with a permanent replacement while so much is in flux about the department’s future. [Seattle Times; CNN; KUOW; KIRO]

–routefifty.com

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS–Off-Highway Community
Wins Big in Washington

Celebrations are in order for more than 800 groups representing state and regional tourism, local businesses, veterans, sports enthusiasts, engineering and planning firms, conservation organizations, and the outdoor recreation industry. The Great American Outdoors Act, one of the biggest land conservation bills in a generation, became law this month after it was passed by huge bipartisan majorities.

More than 100,000 new jobs nationwide are forecast for an outdoor recreation economy that has struggled during the pandemic, just as Americans are seeking more opportunities to get outside and visit rural communities, parks, and wilderness. For off-highway vehicle enthusiasts, the GAOA goes a long way toward addressing the $20 billion deferred maintenance backlog confronting public lands and waters. It will build up infrastructure and improve many trails and areas enjoyed by motorcycle and ATV riders and side-by-side drivers. Read More

–MIC

NEVER FORGET YOUR FRIENDS--A newlywed young man was sitting on the porch on a humid day, sipping ice tea with his Father.

As he talked about adult life, marriage, responsibilities, and obligations, the Father thoughtfully stirred the ice cubes in his glass and cast a clear, sober look on his Son.

“Never forget your friends,” he advised, “they will become more important as you get older.” “Regardless of how much you love your family and the children you happen to have, you will always need friends. Remember to go out with them occasionally (if possible), but keep in contact with them somehow.”

“What strange advice!” thought the young man. “I just entered the married world. I am an adult and surely my wife and the family that we will start will be everything I need to make sense of my life.”

Yet, he obeyed his Father; kept in touch with his friends and annually increased their number.

Over the years, he became aware that his Father knew what he was talking about. Inasmuch as time and nature carry out their designs and mysteries on a person, friends are the bulwarks of our life.

After 70 years of life, here is what he, I and you will have learned:

Time passes.

Life goes on.

Children grow up.

Children cease to be children and become independent. And to the parents, it breaks their heart but the children are separated of the parents because they begin their own families.

Jobs / careers come and go.

Illusions, desires, attraction, sex….weakens.

People can’t do what they did physically when they were young.

Parents die but you move on.

Colleagues forget the favors you did.

The race to achieve slows.

But, true friends are always there, no matter how long or how many miles away they are. A friend is never more distant than the reach of a need, intervening in your favor, waiting for you with open arms or in some way blessing your life.

When we started this adventure called LIFE, we did not know of the incredible joys or sorrows that were ahead.

We did not know how much we would need from each other.

Love your parents, take care of your children, but keep a group of good friends.

Stay in touch with them but do not impose your criteria.

Send this to your friends (even those you seldom see) who help make sense of your life….I just did…

–from El Waggs

BIKERNET READER COMMENT REGARDING RECENT EASYRIDERS MAGAZINE EFFORT-– I was going to give you a call, but I don’t think everyone has my sleep disorders, just tried calling the EASYRIDERS MAGAZINE office number multiple times, dead number, disconnected. So, I am guessing I will dine on the 14815 in swag promised. Pretty sure, I am not the only one. Have a great day, enjoy the Rally.

–A.J.

LIFESTYLE DEAL OF THE WEEK–2017 Harley-Davidson FLHR Road King Classic Milwaukee 8 107ci for only $17,995.00

See it here: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=8855587

With this timeless combination of style and touring function you don’t just ride through the landscape, you’re the most majestic part of the scenery… The Road King is where stripped down, nostalgic style meets the performance and versatility of a modern Harley-Davidson touring machine.

The Hiawatha headlamp and nacelle were born in the 1960s, when chrome ruled the streets. But the power of the all-new Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine brings it all into the here and now in a hurry. The all-new double bending valve front suspension and rear emulsion shocks put you in control for a plush ride. With cast aluminum Impeller wheels and one-touch opening saddlebags, this is the timeless classic built for today.

ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT:

**Just 9,196 Miles**

Road Kings are the best of both worlds, boulevard cruiser and touring bike. This one with Billet Silver paint with gray / red pin-striping and raised tank logos is like new. Chrome console with aluminum face. Chrome bars with mounted speakers and controls, mirrors, Avon chrome / rubber grips and quick detachable windshield. Big chrome daymaker headlamp, nacelle, and passing lamps.

Chrome fork sleeves, polished lowers, chrome axle caps, on 10 spoke lack contrast cut alloy wheels. Chrome engine guard with H-D fat freeway pegs. Chrome S&S exhaust. Black motor with chrome covers including Screamin’ Eagle black accent air intake, black accent horn / timing covers and black accent trans ‘six speed’ cover. 2-up seat with floorboards and passenger mini floors. Bag guards, chrome LED rear blinkers and good tires.

This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 100 point safety and mechanical inspection could come with Lifestyles 90 day / 1,000 mile limited warranty. Whether your looking to commute to work, ride the coast or take that dream vacation, this bike is ready to go!!!

EZ FINANCING-SHIPPING AVAILABLE!!!

**Open 7 Days a Week**

Fill out an online application and ride today!!!

Only $17,995 at Lifestyle Cycles (714) 490-0155

–Dan Leadbetter
Director of Marketing
Lifestyle Cycles
(714) 490-0155

MORE FROM THE TEXAS REPORTER–
Not sure who took it since it was with my Canon F1n?

May of 83, I’m just just barely 23 & that bike would run! 1976 Shovelhead, Jammer Rigid Frame, 10” over front end, I had just rebuilt the motor a few months prior.

Damn I wouldn’t mind waking up tomorrow on that day, with a piece of paper with 3 words on it. What’s interesting to me is I never really tried to get in to photographing bikes back then, read ER every month & already had the camera. I could have been harassing you for 4 decades, instead of just two.

–RFR

THERE YOU HAVE IT—Never a dull moment. The Doctor prepped his Pandemic Pan for the ride back to Los Angeles. I may need to send the mag back to Morris Magneto for a tune-up, then again Jason Moot from Deadwood Custom Cycles said we can charge the magnets in less than a minute. I’m all over it. 

We were able to put a Cruz tool set into the Bandit’s Day Roll on the Pandemic. They make killer bike tool kits, and we are about to write another story. We got one for the Pan and one for his ’91 Bagger. They were very similar, but one had a socket for the larger Panhead spark plugs. That was the deciding factor.

I spoke to Donnie Smith about his M-8 Dyna from 2018. He says they’re not popular, but his was killer with just an additional 5 degrees of rake and an extended rear tail section. Of course, it’s stripped down and Donnie’s paint is killer. Great looking bike. I’m going to look into this model further with my grandson Frankie. I like that it’s a solid mount, mono-shock frame.

The Doctor is peeling out tomorrow.

Saw Dave Zien at the Sturgis Hall of Fame breakfast. His rolling tribute was probably in Sturgis.

There’s a story about Rick Fairless’s daughter and me, but I better not go there. The temptation is great, she’s cute with two new babies. It’s all just fun at this age.

From the bottom of my motorcycle heart I hope that all the rally goers ride home healthy and we show the world the benefits of freedom and motorcycles. Keep your fingers crossed and stay safe. Freedom always seems to work.

Ride Free Forever,

–Bandit

Hot Bikes, Hot Babes and News from Sturgis

The adventure of riding and building custom bikes has never been better. That wasn’t always the case. Hell, before cars it was tough to get 30 miles at less than 4 miles an hour. Hell, if outlaws or Indians attacked, who could you call. That’s right, you couldn’t call. Then cars and motorcycles came along and they weren’t that reliable. You better know your machine or don’t leave town.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THIS PHOTO FEATURE ON BIKERNET

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

It’s been eight months now since this whole thing began, and even if most of us go about our daily routines pretty much as before, we are all aware things will probably never go back to the way they were.

And that’s troubling, since such a change is not something our generation is equipped to handle. So everybody is trying to find an anchor of some sort, something to keep us afloat as we try to envision a way out of this.

Sadly, in a sea of misinformation, disinformation and hearsay, there are not nearly as many motivational messages coming through. Not even from the celebrities who over the past years never shied away from speaking their minds about whatever the topic of the hour was.

With the help of one of its most prominent riders, Harley-Davidson is trying to become one of the anchors some of us need. Jason Momoa has been tasked with producing and directing a video series under the United We Will Ride campaign umbrella showing “six Harley-Davidson riders as they navigate through the dark days of the pandemic using the power of riding to engage with their families, their communities, and themselves.”

“Motorcycles have brought me places that have changed my life and around people that have molded who I am.” said in a statement Jason Momoa. “With my latest production for Harley-Davidson, I’m seeking to broadcast the beauty of riding and the spirit of the motorcycling community during this unprecedented time to encourage riders and aspiring riders to ride. Let’s Ride!”

There’s a first glimpse at the series in the video attached below, narrated by Momoa himself. For some, this idea will probably be just one of those publicity stunts companies usually make while taking advantage of the hottest subjects.

But for others it may just what was needed to help them go through these uncertain times.

 

by Caitlin O’Kane from https://www.cbsnews.com

South Dakota authorities on Sunday reported the first haul of crashes, arrests and citations from the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in the western part of the state. The annual rally started on Friday, drawing thousands of maskless riders to the streets and bars of Sturgis.

While organizers have said they expect fewer visitors than in other years, the Argus Leader reports the number of arrests and citations have increased from last year.

The Department of Public Safety reported that police made 84 arrests for driving under the influence or drug-related offenses during a 24-hour period spanning from Saturday into Sunday morning. That’s up from last year, when 76 people had been arrested in a similar time frame.

Police have also issued more citations, with 226 people getting tickets. The figure is 37 more than last year. But it appears police are less lenient this year and are letting fewer people off with warnings.

So far, police in the region have reported 18 crashes, which is down from last year’s mark of 20. None have been fatal.

Shrugging off the five million coronavirus cases now tallied in the U.S., thousands of motorcyclists converged this weekend in Sturgis for what is billed as the biggest cycle gathering in the world.

“I’ve been here since the beginning of July,” one person in Sturgis told CBS News. “People are tired of being at home, you know. This is what this rally started about is freedom.”

In June, city officials decided in an eight to one vote to go ahead with the rally, CBS affiliate KELO reports. In an email to CBS News, the City of Sturgis Public Information Officer Christina Steele said the “decision to hold the Rally came after hearing from thousands of attendees that they were coming to the event, even if it was canceled by the City of Sturgis.”

In past years, the 10-day rally in the town of Sturgis has drawn hundreds of thousands of bikers to socialize, drink and party together — raising fears among some locals that this year’s version could be a superspreader event.

For now, the north-central state is far from the hardest-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic — Meade County, where Sturgis is located, has registered only one virus death, according to state health officials. But in the last two weeks, South Dakota has recorded an increase in the percent of virus tests coming back positive — and former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb told “Face The Nation” that a second wave may be harder to control.

“This has become so pervasive across the country that it could start to infect more rural communities that have largely been untouched to date,” he said.

Some of the bikers pouring into the area are coming from distant states far more afflicted.

South Dakota, site of the famed massive sculpture of four former presidents on Mount Rushmore — where President Donald Trump held a rally last month — is one of the few to have never ordered a lockdown or insisted on mask-wearing.

Attendees in Sturgis are being encouraged, but not required, to wear masks. Few appeared to be doing so.

So far, as the town’s Main Street fills with bikes and bars fill with bikers, there is scant evidence of social distancing. Visitors to this 80th edition of the cycle rally already greatly outnumber the 6,000 residents of Sturgis, wedged into the South Dakota hills.

The rally has long been a huge economic boon to Sturgis, and vendors were taking full advantage of it on Sunday.

They peddled T-shirts marked “I survived corona” or “God, guns and Trump” or bearing a photomontage of the president wearing a leather jacket and making an obscene gesture.

While some locals worried about the two-wheeled invaders, the state’s governor warmly embraced them.

“We’re excited for visitors to see what our great state has to offer!” tweeted Kristi Noem, a Republican and strong Trump supporter.

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

Had 2020 be any different, we would have gotten the chance of seeing tons of small shop-made custom motorcycles at the various shows across the States. But things being as they are, we’re only left with admiring them online.

To fill the gap left by the canceled shows, Harley-Davidson had the brilliant idea of coming up with The No Show, an event dedicated to custom bike builders who had no place to show their creations this year. Back in July, the company’s YouTube channel was flooded with independent builds, revealing all we could have seen in the flesh.

The 1969 Harley-Davidson FLH we have in the gallery above is one of them. It is a custom-made Shovelhead assembled at the Juniors Hand Made shop in Costa Mesa, California, by a guy named Scotty Dettwiler.

The man hints in the short video below that this is as close to the real thing as the bike can get, while at the same time retaining a custom look. That was possible by mixing stock Harley parts – such as the engine and transmission, which are model-year correct – with tons of other custom parts, made by the builder himself.

The fun part about it that, like many others of its kind do, this bike was not created to be sold. No, it’s actually Dettwiler’s daily rider, and he’s not only taking it down the road, but also camping.

The feeling of having something you built yourself take you places must be extraordinary, and you can see that’s exactly the case here from the way the man gets off his bike, takes a brightly-colored folding chair from the rear of the two-wheeler, and sits down next to the machine in the middle of nowhere.

We are not being told how much the bike cost to build, but seeing the satisfaction on Dettwiler’s we reckon that’s not at all important.

 

The adventure of riding and building custom bikes has never been better. That wasn’t always the case. Hell, before cars it was tough to get 30 miles at less than 4 miles an hour. Hell, if outlaws or Indians attacked, who could you call. That’s right, you couldn’t call. Then cars and motorcycles came along and they weren’t that reliable. You better know your machine or don’t leave town.

And now we’re rocking into an era of super technology and the choice to do almost anything you dream of perfectly. Just this week during the Sturgis Rally, my grandson wanted to come to the badlands bad. He fought with his girlfriend over the notion and grappled with not seeing his dying grandma who chose to smoke throughout all of her adult life when both of her folks died young of lung cancer and smoked.

When Frankie returned, he wanted to replace his new re-manned Evo engine with an S&S 111 and a Baker 6-speed transmission. “I want to go fast,” he said.

In Deadwood I ran across brothers with Stupid Fast Baggers. Hell, a serious rider put $90,000 into a 157-inch Road Glide with carbon fiber wheels, sheet metal and an S&S engine. I also ran into Rigger a serious Maryland ABATE member and freedom fighter who made the run out from Maryland on Road Glides, but his sharp 30-year-old son rode a new 750 Harley liquid cooled café styled bike.

In Deadwood, last night guys with custom baggers were blasting super high-dollar sound systems on main street. Baggers seemed the bikes of the day, but still a handful of choppers shined, foreign bikes rolled quietly, and Sportsters kept up with the packs.

Covid be dammed, brothers packed the streets of Deadwood, Sturgis and the Buffalo chip. Thousands are jamming along the snaking Spearfish Canyon past tornado blown over Jack pines as if a giant ran through the woods crushing 75 feet tall 100-year old trees like they were dried weeds in a field.

The mountains surrounding the canyon are sharp, jagged and majestic. Limestone palisades tower over bustling creaks of crisp clear water. The 1000-foot walls and the speed limits restricting riders to safe speeds ruined some blasters’ days. More and more and especially now motorcycles represent freedom in a world that doesn’t want to be free. In a land that doesn’t want to allow risk but in a world of human beings who just want to be free to find adventure.

It’s wild, it’s the weak who want to be protected from anything and control everything in order to be protected and prevent anyone from being able to be anything but protected. And then there are the brothers of the wind who want only the tools to find their freedom to build anything and everything.

There are companies like Harley-Davidson and Indian, or should I say Polaris who want, even encourage the freedom seeker to find his path. I love it.

In closing I want to thank Sam for his cool picks, and I will touch on the rally in the Badlands. I’m rolling the dice that folks will head home healthy. The numbers are sorta amazing. Nick Trask of Trask Turbo broke all his sales records by Monday. He was blown away. Deadwood Custom Cycles was jammed with work and we could hardly talk to Jason, the boss, about our magneto problem with Dr. Hamster’s Pandemic Panhead. Other business owners reported killer numbers and nothing but good times. The week is barely rolling, and brothers have been all over the area since June.

Some business owners were worried about not coming and a reaction from customers. I never heard a discouraging word. Most folks are just elated to get out and ride, see friends and check out new shit. Keep your fingers crossed. We’re riding to the Hall of Fame breakfast tomorrow, then Nemo. Thursday is the Hamster barbecue and ride and I will attempt to finish the news before we ride out.

Again, for riders all over the Badlands, I want them to be safe and arrive home healthy and show the country what freedom is all about. –Bandit

by Peter Mallett from http://www.lookoutnewspaper.com

A former motorcycle cop is encouraging aspiring motorcyclists from the base to get the skills they need before embarking on their journey down the highway.

Bill Laughlin has been an instructor with the Vancouver Island Safety Council (VISC) since his retirement from the Victoria Police Department in 2003, concluding 27 years of service as a police sergeant.

“I have always been a motorcyclist and have been riding since I was 16, so when I was asked by a friend if I would be interested in teaching I knew I would really enjoy it,” says Laughlin.

Each year, he and approximately 20 other ICBC-licensed instructors teach over 400 students how to be safer motorcyclists. Their efforts are focused solely on rider training and education.

“All of our instructors have a passion for motorcycling. We are teaching because we want people to learn, be safe, but also have fun.”

Shortly after joining VISC, Laughlin became its executive director. Today the 66 year old spends most of his days working as an administrator with the end goal to equip novice riders with the necessary skills and knowledge to operate a motorcycle safely.

VISC offers weekday classes at its Western Speedway training centre in Langford; on the weekend training moves to the grounds of Interurban’s Camosun College.

Students train on one of VISC’s 11 well-maintained training bikes, and later in their instruction, 16 street-ready motorcycles as they move towards certification. Helmets are also provided, but other gear such as proper protective clothing is not.

Laughlin says VISC has trained several members of Victoria’s military community in past years and is convinced many of them buy into the philosophy of doing things right, getting the proper training, and learning the fundamentals before taking on any potentially dangerous activity.

You need to get your skills right before the fun part of riding a motorcycle can begin, says Laughlin. “Having fun while on a motorcycle is all about learning how to drive safely and not put yourself in dangerous positions. If you are professionally trained you will have the knowledge and confidence to truly get the most out of riding a motorcycle.”

Their courses are not just for beginners. There are many people who have drifted away from motorcycling over the years but suddenly decide they want two-wheeled transit back in their lives.

“It’s simply not a case of the old cliché: it’s just like riding a bike,” says Laughlin. “Over time the skills of people who haven’t been riding begin to deteriorate, so we highly recommend refresher courses for those looking to get back into riding a motorcycle.”

VISC is a non-profit organization that began its motorcycle training program in 1971. It then saw official sanctioning from the Canada Safety Council in 1974. Today, its novice level training program exceeds Insurance Corporation of British Columbia training course minimums, with its traffic course the most thorough and lengthy of all riding schools in B.C., says Laughlin.

Following a six-week shutdown due to COVID-19 social distancing measures, the VISC motorcycle training program resumed operations on June 1. Due to a backlog of students waiting for instruction during the shutdown, available spaces for August training sessions are almost completely full and its September dates are filling up fast.

Laughlin says VISC is always looking to recruit new instructors, and currently have a recruitment drive underway for paid positions and would greatly value the input of experienced motorcyclists from CFB Esquimalt to assist.

For more information about the VISC, visit their website: http://visafetycouncil.com

by Sue Callaway from https://www.latimes.com

It’s easy to see that the new KRGT-1 from Arch Motorcycle is a special machine. Each seat is custom-fit to the buyer. Each key, machined out of billet aluminum, comes in a dramatic case, along with a book chronicling the bike’s build story. The fuel tank, split in half to house Arch’s proprietary downdraft system, is also carved from billet. Fenders are state-of-the-art carbon fiber.

As co-founder Keanu Reeves says, every Arch is a showcase of “all the classical moments you look for in a bike.”

Much of it is made in-house. Reeves, his co-founder, Gard Hollinger — a longtime custom bike builder — and their team design and fabricate more than 200 components for each bike in Arch’s Hawthorne facility.

But there’s also some nifty out-of-house engineering on the KRGT-1 — including one component that could prove vital not just to Arch’s business but for manufacturers of internal-combustion-powered products of all sorts, from lawnmowers and automobiles to barges, trucks and power plants.

Acat Global, a Michigan-based company, is the supplier of Arch’s catalytic converters, or “cats,” as they’re called. A two-year collaboration between Arch and Acat resulted in cats that are custom-designed to fit into the KRGT-1’s unique architecture while reducing the amount of noxious exhaust gases emitted from conventional cat designs. They have helped Arch meet not only California Air Resources Board and Environmental Protection Agency standards but also stringent Euro 4 emissions requirements.

“When we began the Euro 4 process in early 2017, we put together a binder of all the regulatory stuff, and it was 4 inches thick,” Hollinger said.

With Euro 4 approval, Arch can now go global.

The story of these two companies shows that the path some innovative products take to get to market — motorcycles and components alike — isn’t always straightforward.

Arch was born in 2011, after Reeves commissioned a one-off bike from Hollinger and tried to talk him into turning it into a business.

“I had no idea when I brought up the idea of starting a motorcycle company what that really meant,” Reeves said on a Zoom call from Berlin. “But the custom bike Gard had built for me, which eventually became our prototype, was such an amazing motorcycle to ride that I knew it was something we needed to share with the world.”

“One of the things that convinced me to go on this journey with Keanu was that his heart is pure in the endeavor,” Hollinger said. “It’s not a celebrity vanity project in the least — he’s truly passionate about motorcycles, and he saw the opportunity to leave something behind that is meaningful.”

By late 2014, the duo had launched their first production model, the KRGT-1, which Hollinger says helped birth a new genre of bike now known as the “performance cruiser.” This year, they’re broadening Arch’s range with two new models, as well as starting production on a heavily updated KRGT-1 (prices start at $85,000). Those improvements include 20 major changes involving more than 150 newly designed and manufactured components.

Next up for production will be the all-new 1s, a shorter-wheelbase sport bike (from $120,000). By mid-2021, they plan to turn their concept bike, the Method 143, into a real ride — for 23 lucky owners (from $250,000).

“A lot of companies unveil concepts but never build them,” Reeves said. “So we committed to actually producing such a bike to showcase our ambitions in terms of design, approach and sophistication.”

Much of the appeal comes from the bespoke componentry and the levels of customization Arch encourages each buyer to consider during the bike’s 90-day build. Not to mention rarity and a well-balanced and high-performance ride.

“One of the really pleasurable things for me is always the reaction from people after riding our motorcycle,” Hollinger said. “No matter how much you explain what they might expect, they’re never prepared for it — it’s indescribable.”

Such high-art machinery takes a village. Hollinger and Reeves have won over some clever supplier partners to help them pull together the components they don’t make in-house, including Bosch, Michelin, TE Connectivity and K&N. And then there’s the torque-rich V-Twin engine custom-tuned for Arch by gold-standard S&S, whose work helped Arch achieve California Air Resources Board, EPA and Euro 4 certification.

“In every case there’s a wheel, a suspension part, a tire decision to be made,” Hollinger said, “we always go for the best product that makes the motorcycle work better.”

From the exhaust side, Arch needed three catalytic converters for each bike, a part not typically made in small volumes, let alone engineered into the custom shapes Arch required.

“We didn’t seek Acat out — they came to us,” Hollinger said. “But when we started explaining to them what we needed, they said yes to everything. We’d ask for something ridiculous, and they’d do it. We started to understand that Acat had a better way to handle hydrocarbons. Without them, we would not have achieved Euro 4.”

According to the Society of Automotive Engineers, the catalytic converter — the device that filters out most pollutants from the exhaust of an internal combustion engine and increases fuel efficiency — is one of the 10 most important innovations in the history of the automobile. The EPA estimates that, thanks to cats, overall emission levels from new vehicles since the early 1970s have been reduced by 99%.

What makes Acat’s cats so much better than standard catalytic converters in wide use today?

According to Chief Executive Joe Moch, the company uses a patented “herringbone” interior structure — think lasagna noodles — that allows exhaust to flow through faster and uses fewer precious metals to “comb out” particulate matter. Acat says its patented technology increases emissions filtration by up to 20%; increases fuel efficiency by 1.5 to 3.5 miles per gallon, depending on vehicle type; runs cooler; is quieter and smaller; and, in certain applications, adds horsepower compared with its competition. “To our knowledge, no one else has figured out how to weld stainless steel this thin,” Moch said.

Unlike Arch, which has spooled up relatively quickly in less than a decade, Acat’s story is much longer. In the late 1980s, General Motors — which has had a long-standing, multibillion-dollar commitment to R&D over the decades — began pursuing a new type of catalytic converter that used a novel welding technique to create wavy layers of stainless steel that expose exhaust to more of the cat’s internal filtering surfaces.

But ever-changing environmental regulations, global politics, corner-office shuffles and consumer preferences caused GM’s cat project to ebb and flow for years, until the downturn of the late 2000s, when GM filed for bankruptcy. That process forced the company to shutter, pause or sell off certain business units, including the catalytic converter project. In 2010, Acat, shorthand for Advanced Catalytic, acquired the business in its entirety from GM for an undisclosed sum.

“It took at least nine semi trailers to load it all — IP documentation, test results, machinery, experimental test equipment — everything,” Moch said.

Acat hired a former GM employee who had worked on the project, Mike Lunkas, to oversee development. In the years since, Acat has invested to progress GM’s original solution and has patented its next-gen processes.

“GM left off at the point of development where the biggest opportunities were yet to be realized,” said Lunkas, who is now retired. “We took GM’s version and put it on steroids from where it was.”

It has taken Acat years to attain compliance from the likes of the EPA and California Air Resources Board, along with other third-party testing and validation sources. Even with that kind of hard-won credibility, though, Acat has only begun to gain adoption with big-league manufacturers.

“Some [original equipment manufacturers] want increased flow or greater horsepower, and we can do that,” said Acat Chief Operating Officer Darrell Blackburn, a 38-year supply-chain veteran of GM and Delphi. “Others want support with stringent emissions targets, so we can help them achieve CARB, EPA and Euro standards. Given our product technology performance and test data, I’m hopeful we will expand our [original equipment manufacturer] relationships sometime soon.”

As an important toe in the water, Acat is finding success among boutique brands at the upper end of the market, like Arch. Among them is Shelby American, which was founded in 1962 by racing legend Carroll Shelby and today offers after-title upgrades to Ford Mustangs and F-150s, among other vehicles, as well as performance parts.

“Our program with Acat brings cutting-edge emission systems that increase horsepower, reduce emissions and improve reliability,” said Gary Patterson, president of Shelby American. “We were encouraged to learn that Arch Motorcycle is working with Acat. Like Arch, we were attracted to their durability, performance and quality.”

So why aren’t the big carmakers more bullishly adopting a technology that would meaningfully benefit the planet, improve their carbon footprints and help their balance sheets? Corporate average fuel economy levels, set by government mandates, are expensive to meet and are one reason many car companies invest in hybrids, electric vehicles and fuel-cell systems as offsets. But no car company contacted would comment on Acat’s solution — because they hadn’t conducted their own validation tests.

It’s tough for breakthrough technologies to get a foot in the door of the automotive industry’s complex supply chain, with its relationships and long-term contracts. Then there’s simply bandwidth: To adopt a new component, no matter how superior it may be, often takes years.

Arch’s embrace of Acat illustrates how smaller companies can drive innovation — often for focused reasons that don’t align with bigger benefits that related industries, like automotive, could reap. It’s a reminder that even as major carmakers invest heavily in Silicon Valley research labs, from which they hope to engineer the future of driving, practical fixes might come from smaller players — or ideas that have been kicking around in the industry for decades.

As Acat works its way into conversations with massive manufacturers, Arch sees more innovation on the horizon.

“We talk in-house about making our own engine,” said Reeves, who started riding at 22 and remains, according to Hollinger, Arch’s “No. 1 test driver.” “Other ambitions include developing new models and maybe getting into the electric game. It would also be great to see Arch do aftermarket pieces — mixing creative with manufacturing, we could come up with a lot of cool, for lack of a better term, ‘Arch tech.’”