Editor’s Note: Us old school guys need to know about this new shit. It’s not that new anymore, but what the hell, we need to know the does and don’ts and where we can find solutions. More and more I find myself helping guys with newer bikes, and I’m intrigued by the new M-8 configuration, since it slipped back in the direction of the EVO.

Here’s a quote from a builder recently who said, “Evos were capable of any horsepower we could get from a Twin Cam, but the price of modifying Twin Cams is high. Now you can get double the power of an Evo with a 117-inch M-8 and the cost isn’t so high.” He recently built a 117 from a 107 and got 145 Horsepower and 133 pounds of torque. Incredible. We hope to bring you more M-8 performance techs in the near future.

Thanks to the guys at NAMZ we can understand how the Throttle-by-Wire system works.–Bandit





Q. Should I cut and soldier my Throttle-By-Wire harness
when I install taller bars onto my “throttle-by-wire” bike?

A. From the desk of Marty Norris, Sales & Marketing Manager, I know what you are thinking, this guy again! (Don’t worry if all goes as planned, Steve will back by the time the next newsletter comes out.)
The subject of to cut or not to cut the throttle-by-wire harness has led to great debate, since it was introduced by Harley in 2008. To help you decide the risk here brief overview of how the Fly-By-Wire system works.


Anytime you cut a wire and solder it you change the characteristics of the energy flow or signal that travels thru it. So, if your soldering skills are not spot on this may leave you in limp mode (not the type a little blue pill will fix either.) Save yourself the hassle worry, NAMZ “Makes it easy to do it right the first time” offering you plug and play harness throttle by wire extensions form 2008 to current model year that will save you time and money. For more information check out www.namzccp.com.

If you thought about changing your handlebars on your 2008 Bagger, you’ll need one of our Throttle-by-Wire Extension Harness Kits. It’s not that easy anymore with the introduction of throttle-by-wire. There may not be throttle cables to deal with but it can become a wiring headache, but not anymore with the introduction of this kit!

Our Throttle-by-Wire Extension Harness Kits have been tested and designed by our engineers to work perfectly WITHOUT causing any harm or interference to the motorcycles computer. *NOTE, extensions MUST be used on ALL CVO & Screaming Eagle models due to the hard-wired twist grip assembly.

Our NEW Throttle-by-Wire “Plug-n-Play” wiring harness is a no brainer when adding taller handlebars. Longer than stock, one size fits ALL handlebars, simply remove OEM harness, plug ours in. Comes complete with OEM connectors. *NOTE, will NOT fit CVO or Screaming Eagle models.


They carry 4, 8, 12 and 15-inch extensions for Softail and Bagger models ’16 and up.

They carry 4, 8, 12, and 15-inch extension for ’04-’14 FL models.



Some they don’t carry versions for CVO or SE models. Check their web site for more info and kits.

Texas Swap Meet Lives

Upon my arrival the skies parted & the sun began to heat up my multiple layers, including my 5-Ball vest!

There was already a good crowd on hand, even with the opening rain parade.

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ADVENTURE ON BIKERNET

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by Bogdan Popa from https://www.autoevolution.com

Honda customers who have recently bought the 2020 Africa Twin are now publicly requesting Google to add Android Auto to their motorcycles.

The new model only works with Apple CarPlay, as Honda itself explains. In most of the cases, head units that support Apple’s platform should also be able to run Android Auto, but right now, it’s not known who is to blame for the lack of Google’s application on the 2020 Africa Twin.

Some claim it’s Google the one that should allow Honda to enable Android Auto on their motorcycles, so they’re now requesting the company to make it happen.

“Sadly was just looking at the new Africa twin and saw it only works with apple. Wouldn’t have been a problem if it didn’t include any infotainment system but because it includes one and it is only apple I’m going to have to pass,” someone says on the Google forums.

“It’s not Honda’s fault. Google just didn’t want to put Android Auto on a motorcycle,” somebody else continues.

And while both Honda and Google have remained tight-lipped on support for Android Auto on the 2020 Africa Twin, there’s a chance such an update would arrive rather sooner than later.

More recently, Honda announced that the Gold Wing will be updated with Android Auto support later this summer. The first wave of bikes would get the update in mid-June, Honda said.

The Gold Wing was another Honda model that came with Apple CarPlay exclusively, so Android Auto will some three years after support for Apple’s platform was originally released.

If this is the same approach that Honda wants to use for the 2020 Africa Twin is something that remains to be seen, but for the time being, the only thing customers can do is make themselves heard in an attempt to convince Honda and Google to work together and bring Android Auto to their motorcycles.

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

When someone asks for a custom build to be made based on either a car or a motorcycle, they usually ask for the finished product to be perfect. For someone living in Florida, perfect does not necessarily mean flawless.

The motorcycle in the gallery above was once a stock BMW R100 GS. The R100 line was born in BMW’s stables back in 1976, and was to become the last of the German motorcycles powered by air-cooled engines. In production until 1996, the range grew to include a wide number of models, from the R100 T to the R100 GS, covering an even wider range of customer needs.

Because production of these models ended quite some time ago, and BMW bikes are not usually held in such high regard to be preserved for decades, most of them are now basically useless machines. But there are some garages out there that make a buck by bringing these beatdown bikes back to life.

One such garage is Paris-based Blitz Motorcycles, which focuses on giving a new purpose to old German motorcycles. Like this R100 GS here.

Made at the request of what we understand is an American customer, the bike underwent a major mechanical overhaul that included an engine rebuild, the replacement of the fuel tank, the addition of new parts and, in the end, the renaming into Black Ops.

Named so because the garage “wanted this bike to look stealth and mean” it kind of does not live up to the name. After all, such a dark apparition on a road somewhere is bound not to pass unnoticed, and the distinctive dents on the Honda CB350 fuel tank, kept because “this is what we liked about this tank,” sure makes it easy to pick out from a crowd.

We are not being told how much the rebuilt of the bike is worth.

Newly Released, First Single, “Freundschaft Brotherhood” [Friends Brotherhood]

Is Hard-Driving, Rock Anthem for Troubled Times Around the Globe

 

HAMBURG, Germany —  The  platinum award-winning, chart-topping, Italian, German-speaking rock group Frei.Wild has partnered with the rabble-rousing stars of Orange County Choppers/American Chopper on a joint project for the August 7th release of the band’s 16th album, Brotherhood (available for pre-order now), released by Rookies & Kings, through Soulfood Music Distribution.

 

The album features vocals in in English by Chopper stars Paul Teutul Sr. and Mikey Teutul (Paul’s youngest son) and Alex Franco, a long-time associate at the famed garage who brings a forceful, slightly raspy baritone to the lyrics and helped with the songwriting; and in German by Frei.Wild band members Philipp Burger (vocals, guitar), Jonas Notdurfter (guitar), Jochen “Zegga” Gargitter (bass) and Christian “Föhre” Forer (drums).

 

A high-octane rock album, Brotherhood features the catchy melodies and dominate guitar riffs expected by fans of Frei.Wild—The New York Times has described their music as “a punk-inflected variant of “Deutschrock”—adding purely American influences such as country music elements and production-technical refinement.

 

Frei.Wild translates to “outlaws” in German, so it was only natural to partner with American “outlaws”—long-time personal friends of the band, who they met in 2018  at a dinner held during the Harley in the Snow event in Ridnaun, Italy—on a joint project under the name Bruder 4 Brothers [Brothers 4 Brothers].

 

While the initial single, “Freundschaft Brotherhood” [Friends Brotherhood], released May 15, was written and recorded long before the current pandemic crisis, it’s a message that is uniquely relevant during the Coronavirus epidemic—Brothers we will always be, to eternity, around the world—as an anthem for what is happening today and the need to all band together.

 

Hear the single and watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TETdvYafPh8

 

The second single, “Burn Fire Burn for Me”—featuring an animated video due to inability to film during the current quarantine—will be released July 3. Other songs on the album include:  “Pussy or a Man,” “Do You See My Devil,” “A Man and His Honor,” “Smell the Gasoline,” “You, Me and the Night,” “Steel Horse,” “The True Feeling of Freedom” and “Don’t Get Better Than This.”

 

Brotherhood is available digitally or in a CD digipak ($14.98 US); and as a 1LP vinyl in gatefold ($24.98 US).

 

Preorder the Album: www.brueder4brothers.com

 

Leaving Willis this Sunday morning after online church. It was still a bit damp from the early morning rain. While it stayed cloudy most of the way down I-45 to the 99 toll road, I couldn’t resist heading to the Destroyer Garage Swap Meet. I couldn’t resist my first Covid escape.

Upon my arrival the skies parted & the sun began to heat up my multiple layers, including my 5-Ball vest! (My only complaint with my vest is it needs some sort of pocket inventory system. I’m sure I’m still missing half a samich & a small bottle of Jack in one of the 32 pockets).

There was already a good crowd on hand, even with the opening rain parade.

I originally met Eric and family at one of Greg Hale owner of MC Creations swap meets and began following his shop on Instagram. He’s building some sharp and essential bikes over by the beltway, but today was my first opportunity to check out his shop.

There was a very clean and classic black (my favorite color) Shovelhead up on one of the tables and various other projects displayed around his area. He’s also a dealer for Chopper Hauss products a local Texas based company with some Texas pride products and some cool Dyna & FXR stuff!

I’m for sure interested in the highway peg/front motor mount combo! You might also check out the CH Selfie stick rear pegs, could be handy for pointing out the location of the side view mirrors to oblivious drivers? I even found a ride for the 14-month-old grandson!

As I left, I passed more folks making their way over to look for bargains, spend time with friends and check out some cool rides and enjoy the spring like 86-degree temps! Probably should have rod the Shovelhead!

–RFR

https://www.destroyergarage.com
https://www.chopperhauss.net

http://mccreations.org

 

 

Motorcycle Consumer News, one of North America’s last remaining motorcycle print publications, has been shut down as of the start of February.

While the Bonnier-owned publications have been hammered hard the past few years with titles either shut down, moved to online-only publication, or seeing their publication dates reduced, it also hasn’t been easy for anyone else. However, if there were rumblings about Motorcycle Consumer News shutting down, they weren’t very loud. Reports are that the magazine was for sale, had been shopped around, but no buyers were found, so Delaware-based Lumina Media shut it down.

It’s a sad end for a magazine with 50 years of history. Motorcycle Consumer News was originally founded under the name Road Rider in 1969, changing its name to its current title in 1991. At that point, it followed the advertisement-free model of Consumer News, relying solely on reader subscriptions to pay the bills, to avoid being beholden to the industry. While it might not have held the flashy “publication of record” reputation that other titles (particularly Motorcyclist and Cycle World) battled for over the years, it employed highly-respected writers, who were known for their expertise on subjects like road safety, first aid, mechanical maintenance, and just about any other topic that a serious motorcyclist needed to know about. Ken Condon, Flash Gordon, M.D., Dr. Gregory Frazier, Lee Parks, Mike Kneebone and many other respected riders were regular contributors at various points in time.

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

Greece is one of those few places where all of the world’s mythology comes from. The place where the world of Olympus was born and all the Gods of the ancient world died, but also the place from where democracy originated, the region had a major role in shaping today’s civilization.

What Greece lacks is a visible motorcycle movement in the way that there are not that many new motorcycles, custom builds, or motorcycle racers that can trace their roots back to the European country. Yet the bike in the gallery above, although based on an existing model, comes from there.

It is called Gryps, a word that in the ancient Greco-Latin records means griffin; that’s a creature with most of the body of a lion, and with the head and wings of an eagle. For most people of the time, it was a symbol of power.

The lion part in this here motorcycle is the Harley-Davidson Sportster that served as a base. It was transformed into this by the Harley-Davidson Athena dealership, and entered in the King of Kings custom build competition ran by the American company until April this year.

Lower than it used to be, and with the fuel tank sitting at a different angle on the frame, it shows a more aggressive stance, accentuated by the reworked, cold silver body envisioned for it by the Greeks. The entire build was made to resemble the mythical creature: the tank is supposed to be the body, the front fairing the head, while the side fairings are meant to represent both the wings and the legs of the monster.

Competing alongside 14 other builds coming from Harley dealers across the world, the Gryps only managed to place second during the public voting period, barely losing the King of King title to the Mexican Apex Predator.

King of Kings was a built-off competition held by Harley as an extension of the years-old Battle of the Kings. It saw 15 previous winners of the Battle of the Kings competing against one another to be voted the best custom build.

The competition’s rules stated the base motorcycle had to be a Harley, and the custom work no more expensive than €6,000 ($6,500). Of course, the finished product had to be road legal.

from http://tradearabia.com

Dr Norbert Reithofer has been re-elected as the Chairman fo the Supervisory Board of BMW AG at a meeting of the board today.

He was earlier re-elected to the Supervisory Board for a mandate period of five years at today’s Annual General Meeting.

Reithofer has been associated with BMW AG for more than three decades. He joined the company in 1987 and was Chairman of the Board of Management between 2006 and 2015. He has been Chairman of the Supervisory Board since 2015.

The Annual General Meeting also newly elected Anke Schäferkordt to the Supervisory Board for a mandate period of five years. The media manager takes over the seat of Prof Renate Köcher, who stepped down early at the end of this year’s Annual General Meeting in agreement with the Supervisory Board.

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is a leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 31 production and assembly facilities in 15 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2019, the BMW Group sold over 2.5 million passenger vehicles and more than 175,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2019 was €7.118 billion on revenues amounting to €104.210 billion. As of 31 December 2019, the BMW Group had a workforce of 126,016 employees.

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

A body that looks old, but at the same time fit, a big tank on top with Honda all over it, and a combination of British Racing Green and black that makes it look apart. The bike in the gallery above is not a Honda, as the letters on its tank say, but in fact a decades old BMW R100 of the RT variation.

BMW started making the R100 line in 1976, and it would become the last line of the air-cooled airheads made by the Germans, with production ending in 1996. The family included a variety of models, starting with the R100 T and ending with the R100 GS. Somewhere in between it’s the RT that entered production in 1978.

Despite the misleading looks, the bike in the gallery above is exactly such a motorcycle, born in the first year of production. Its current shape is owed to a long restoration process conducted by a Paris-based garage going by the name of Blitz Motorcycles.

The group has made a habit to bring back to life bikes that should have been long ago scrapped, at the request of customers. In this case, the work was perhaps more engaging because it “came to us in a very worn out condition: over 120 000 kms mileage and an aesthetic that was proving it had had a very very long life.”

As with most other Blitz restoration projects, this time a full engine rebuild was needed also, to give the motorcycle a new life, as was the fitting of new wiring.

Accompanying the mechanical upgrades is a new look for the motorcycle. The main change is, of course, the addition of a Honda tank, but there are also some other fine touches, like the addition of LED blinkers around the fork tubes, or the vintage Triumph handlebar.

The tank itself has a special paint design on it, mixing British Racing Green on most of its body with a black section at the front. This scheme gave the motorcycle its name, Black Nose, translated into Naso Nero because it is Italy where the motorcycle now roams.