by Elena Gorgan from https://www.autoevolution.com The Anaconda is named just that because it was – or aimed to be – the world’s longest motorcycle on the road. Unveiled on February 13, 2004 at the Annual CARQUEST Auto Parts World of Wheels, it is the brainchild of one Steve McGill from Kansas City. Smokey, as he likes to go by. We’ve discussed in a previous story another strange, Harley-Davidson-based limousine hybrid, the LimoBike, which is part Harley, part limousine and a complete, steaming pile of “no.” The Anaconda is different, in that it resembles more a motorcycle and remains essentially a Harley, because it uses a Harley engine. It is still a trike, though, just to clear any possible confusion from the get-go. In a 2005 Cycle Connections interview, McGill offered a surprisingly simple explanation for creating this monster of a bike. No, he didn’t do it because he wanted to become famous, though that would happen later. He did it because he’d realized no one else had made a Harley limo. Whether that’s entirely accurate is debatable, but the bottom line is that he did it. After spotting a Harley Trike displayed at a local Wright Brothers Bikes store, he called to inquire about purchasing one. He started thinking that Harleys are the Cadillacs of the bike world, so it only made sense to turn one of them into a limousine. Using one Harley and one DFT trike kit, he created the Anaconda, which gunned for the title of the world’s longest motorcycle on the road that same year it was unveiled. In a December 2004 interview retrieved by Cyle Connections, McGill claimed he had been in contact with the Guinness Book of World Records and had obtained confirmation that the Anaconda was a right fit for the record. He also said he was yet to file all proper documentation, but strongly indicated that he would do so soon. It could very well be that he never did: there is no record of him ever holding a Guinness record. This leaves the Anaconda with the unofficial title of one of the longest bikes in the world. Measuring 19 feet in length and weighing 1,420 pounds, the Anaconda can carry up to nine passengers, with the one in the back riding most comfortably. McGill needed 6 months and about 640 hours of work to put it together, and said that he was actually surprised how well the project came along. “Some things went surprisingly well,” he said. “The shift rod is almost 12 feet long, and it had to have proper clearance as it routed through frame components and still align properly at both ends. With amazing luck, it lined up perfectly. I was lucky on a lot of stuff.” The Anaconda looks like it’s powered by two engines, but the front one is a dummy. McGill says this was done on purpose, since he couldn’t even wrap his head around the idea of not having a motor under the tank. He would get a major rise out of people looking at the Anaconda and not figuring out how it worked. “The back one is a stock Harley Evo motor and provides the power. The front one is a dummy, for looks only. I found out about a company in Leavenworth that produces over 300 different fiberglass engine replicas,” McGill explained. “They’re normally used by custom builders to align motor mounts and such. Everything is in the right place, but it’s much lighter. I got a fiberglass Harley block from them and added real heads, primary cover, and other chrome stuff. It’s fun to watch people stare at that front engine and try to figure out how it works. It sometimes takes them a while to figure out that it doesn’t,” he added. After the Anaconda was completed and made its grand debut, it continued traveling the country throughout 2004, attending various shows and winning countless awards. With an increase in the level of fame came another idea to McGill: that of using all this new-found popularity for a good cause. It was never his plan to use the Anaconda for an actual limo service. So he started attending events to raise money and awareness for various causes, in between bike shows. And, of course, shooting cheesy videos with nine pink-clad ladies riding in the back to show it off.

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

It’s known as the Screaming Eagle Destroyer. It’s a factory, non-stree-legal, purpose-built drag racing motorcycle capable of doing a quarter mile in under ten seconds as if it’s nothing. And it’s incredibly rare.

The motorcycle you see in the gallery above is the drag race-bred VRXSE Screaming Eagle Destroyer put together by Harley’s Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) back in 2006. One that, unlike most others of its kind, has been kept locked up and never used on the strip.

In all its history, there were just a little over 600 units of the Destroyer ever built, and even that was a stretch given the fact Harley initially planned for a production run that was about half that size. So, yes, they are rare, and ones that have been kept as museum pieces can be considered non-existent. But thing is there is at least one such motorcycle in perfect condition, and it’s for sale, on the luxury-oriented DuPont Registry website.

Just like all others of its kind, this dragster motorcycle is powered by the same 79ci (1,300 cc) 165 hp V-twin engine, only it features a wide range of race equipment, including a long stroke flywheel, high compression forged pistons, a pneumatic shifter, and larger throttle bodies, among others.

The bike also comes with other extra features envisioned by CVO, including a stroker crankshaft, a racing transmission with a multi-stage lock up clutch, programmable shift light, and two-stage launch control.

Unlike all other bikes of its kind, it has been kept by its owner in a “museum-like” condition alongside other dragsters, meaning it’s dying to go out and have some fun on the tarmac.

The price for the bike is not listed on the said website, but given the fact one sold as new back in the day for a little over $30,000, don’t expect this one to be a lot cheaper.

Location: The Hilton Hotel near CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia. Liz enters the hotel room enraged.

“Zac, they’ve suspended my CSS status and put me on leave of absence!” Liz fumes to me.

“Leave of absence? For how long?” I reply quizzically.

“Indeterminate. Un-fucking-believable. The Agency says I need time to unwind,” she snarls.

“Liz, let it go. You do need to get away. Just let it go.”

“And just where the hell do I let it go to Zac?” she seethes.

“Kathmandu.” I smile.

“I’m sorry. I thought you said Kathmandu.”

“Yes, I have been planning a travel story to the Himalayas for years—a motorcycle ride from Katmandu to Lhasa. It’s the perfect time of year, and you’ll love the ride. What better than the Himalayas to cleanse your soul? We’ll be riding Royal Enfield motorcycles; it will be awesome. We’ll be traveling a thousand miles through the Himalayas with a small group of riders.”

“Fine,” Liz snaps.

“Imagine riding to the world’s highest monastery at the base of Mt. Everest. It’s the perfect way to experience this magical land. Liz, this is a ride of a lifetime… FINE? Do you know how long I’ve rehearsed a pitch to talk you into this?”

“I said fine, Zac. When do we leave?”

“We can leave immediately,” I reply. “I signed my life away to those NSA thugs; a couple-dozen non-disclosure documents and they returned my identity, passport, driver’s license, and birth certificate.”
I’m a moto-journalist and live out of saddlebags. Liz has been on the move for the last two years, and neither of us has homes, kids, or even cats. The terrain is rugged and the weather unpredictable. We’ll sleep at local Monasteries and be traveling through places frozen in time for thousands of years. It’s an epic adventure: man, woman, machine, and the mountains. Both of us are in good health, and while most people have to take Diamox for high altitude sickness, Viagra has a similar effect of increasing blood flow at elevation.

The plane tickets are easy to get (check), passports (check), international driver’s license (check), shots (I needed 6) and Viagra… check. I even quit smoking my Chinese Sunays.

In Kathmandu, we are met by the Himalayan Roadrunner staff and hustled through the bustling airport like refugees from another world. The first day got us acquainted with our Royal Enfield motorcycles. Used by the British in the 1950s, they remain the mainstay of Himalayan Roadrunners because of the availability of parts and ease of repair. For me, the right-side shift and clutch took take a little getting used to, but Liz takes to it immediately.

There are three kingdoms of Kathmandu valley: Kathmandu, the big city; Patan, home to the Newars; and Bhaktapur, a preserved medieval tourist destination. We spend our time in Patan, visiting temples and wandering Durbar Square. Patan is woven together with open one-way streets and filled with artisans and craftsmen—indeed a fascinating blend of history, art, religion, and foods. It’s cleaner and more dialed-down than the chaos of Kathmandu, with few tourists.

Motorcycling through Nepal to Tibet is an exhilarating experience. Between road closures, herds of Yaks, landslides and aggressive truck drivers, each day provides a new set of challenges. We cross the Chinese border into Tibet and the group spends two days in Nyalam acclimating to the altitude. It is only 12,000 feet, but preparing yourself for impending higher elevations needs to be taken seriously. AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) varies from light-headedness to downright flu-like symptoms.

Small doses of Viagra daily are helping me immensely through each day’s ride. And the evenings? Thank god we have private quarters— I’ve never seen Liz happier. It’s high altitude sexual healing; her dark cloud has lifted. This trip was the perfect prescription.

Spectacular riding takes us up over Tong La Pass with commanding mountain views of the High Himalaya Range. It’s here we get our first views of Mount Everest via the saddles of our Royal Enfields. Truly in the middle of nowhere, we pass villages that have never had electricity or running water.

The passing days challenge us with steep off-road inclines, loose gravel, stone and rough tracks. Finally the group arrives at the Rongbuk Monastery guest house at the base of Mt. Everest. It’s the Highest Monastery in the World.

Liz and I acclimate well to the 18,000-foot altitude; others aren’t so lucky. One female rider has to return to Kathmandu, and a male rider need repeated use of a HAPO (High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema) bag. It’s an inflatable pressure bag large enough to accommodate a person, through which the environmental pressure can be increased and decreased by the equivalent of thousands of feet of elevation.

The weather granted us a truly spectacular view of the tallest mountain on earth. I was inspired to write a poem.

I say without hesitation
that motorcyclists love the mountain.
It is where we dance.
A graceful ballet of endless pirouettes
as the mountain leads first to the left,
then right, then to the left again.
We freely fall into gravity’s demanding arms
then with a twist of the throttle are
thrust into the next delicious curve.
She lifts the spirit as we ascend,
as we transcend, riding high, above the
mundane until among the stars we fly.

And the mountain is where we fight.
Wrestling against hairpin turns, battling
hard against opposing forces, often for our life.
Because if the mountain wins…we die.

Mountain is where we face our fears,
test inner resolve, or chase foolish whims.
Be it the path of least resistance or
the hard-arduous climb,
It’s here, from the top,
the breadth of our journey is revealed.

The passage past, we cannot change,
the present moment holds endless possibilities
to a future that we have the power to create.

The next day we visit the impressive gold-topped Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. The largest working monastery currently in Tibet, Tashi Lhunpo is most famous as the site of the enshrinement of the first Dalai Lama and is also the seat of the controversial Panchen Lama. It’s here that Liz and I are separated from the group by two monks who escort us to a room with hundreds of smiling golden Buddha heads. Another monk donning a large red hat chants before a massive golden Buddha. We stand in silence for what seems an eternity. The monk at the altar suddenly turns and speaks.

“We are simple people and understand truth; we know you seek truth, but your perception is not a contribution to the truth. Never confuse your opinions with truth. Everything you know or believe is, in fact, false. When your world becomes numb, and all hope fades, you must return here, right here to us. Do not forget this. Your life and the life of your world depend on this thing. We are the Curators, Planners and Guardians of truth, and we will be here waiting.”

He hands Liz prayer beads, then gives me a necklace with an extraordinarily detailed painted pendant of a provocative Tibetan female dancer, which I examine quizzically. Staring intensely into my eyes, the monk states, “Your Dakini.” Without breaking a beat, I removed my Eye of Horus necklace and hand it to him. Pausing to study it, he suddenly flashes me a huge sardonic smile. I’d swear I’d seen that same monk smiling at the Shaffer hotel in New Mexico in the Graveyard Run story.

As we are escorted back to the group, Liz blurts, “What was that all about?”

“It’s a long story.” Shaking my head, I back-peddle.

“Do you know what a Dakini is?” she asks.

“I do.” I quote Wikipedia, “Dakini, in Sanskrit means (sky dancer) is a Tantric priestess of ancient India who carried the souls of the dead to the sky. She’s a Tibetan Buddhist goddess with a generally volatile temperament, who acts as a muse for spiritual practice.” I still hadn’t told Liz about my spirit guide who visits me in my dreams.

Road Trip in Summer 2019 to Visit My Now-Adult Military Kids
by Johnny White

This trip was as much to refresh my soul as any I’ve ever taken. Scorching hot in my garage even with the door opened, I knew I’d have to leave by 4:00 am to make as many miles as possible before the hellish humidity and heat started to drain me. We’d had several weeks of 100+ degree heat combined with 90 percent humidity, so while I would enjoy a trip headed North, I also knew the heat was going to play a factor that I’d have to plan for, among other nonsense you battle on a road trip.

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by Sabrina Giacomini from https://www.rideapart.com

The fun type of social distancing.

UPDATE: Note that there could be lockdowns and “stay at home” orders in your city or your state as the situation evolves and we don’t recommend you overlook them because “riding is seemingly safe”. We’re not your mom, but we recommend you follow your local authorities’ recommendations.

Some readers also pointed out that I didn’t discuss about the possibility of crashes since the question was focused on the virus but I thought it was a good point to touch on. Going for a ride has its risks, whether it’s coming in contact with the virus or getting into a crash. The streets are quieter but it doesn’t mean there’s no risk of making a mistake or of being hit by someone.

Remember that medical facilities and staff are strained at the moment. While riding is relatively safe from a contagion perspective, there’s still the usual risk of an incident that could require you go to the hospital—and this is not a good time to go to the hospital. Keep that in mind.

As we wrote already, the better we cooperate, the smarter we go about this,the sooner we’ll get to go back out there without restrictions. Stay safe everyone!

Is it safe to ride during this outbreak? Are my full-face helmet, gloves, and other apparel able to protect me? Are motorcycle riders risk-free? Just question to exercise our riding knowledge. – Ancarlos

Hi Ancarlos! Thank you for asking your question, I’m pretty sure you’re not the only one wondering about that. Please note, however, that though we like to think we know a lot of things at RideApart, we’re also not doctors. If you have any real concerns or are considered a potentially vulnerable patient, asking someone who is an actual doctor is the one way you’ll get reliable answers. This goes for anyone reading this.

I can, however, give you a few pointers. As “social distancing” is on target to become Merriam-Webster’s 2020 term of the year, riding a motorcycle checks a lot of those “distancing” boxes. See, the great thing about riding a motorcycle is that you get to do it alone and it isolates you in a certain way—provided you don’t head out in a group. After all, everyone else around you is over six feet away, right?

The riding itself doesn’t technically pose a problem but the small things we do when we get on and off the saddle might. Where riding a bike might present a risk of exposure is when you stop in crowded places like at a gas station or in coffee shops, for example. Fuel nozzles are pretty nasty, to begin with, and considering the current situation, they could be carriers for the bug.

Consider bringing a few cleaning wipes or a pair of disposable gloves, just in case you need to fuel up. Even a plastic bag to handle the nozzle is a good alternative to putting your hand directly on it. Once you’re done, be extra safe and wash your hands.

If you do end up using your riding gloves to pick up the nozzle, keep in mind that certain sources suggest that the virus can stay on soft surfaces like clothes (and gear) and its lifespan on different surfaces and materials has yet to be confirmed. If your riding gloves have been in contact with a potentially infected surface, avoid touching your face with them—including that pesky itchy nose!—and throw your gloves in the washer once you’re home. If the gloves are made of leather, you can find a few easy tips to disinfect your leather safely online.

Medical Grade Gear?

To answer your question about gear, keep in mind that motorcycle gear isn’t made from medical grade materials. It’s designed to protect us from bad falls and impacts, not from microscopic bugs. So no, I won’t say that your gear will protect you from the novel coronavirus. It creates a barrier against the elements, that’s true, but it’s permeable, so don’t think that you become invincible by wearing a motorcycle helmet and a jacket.

If you avoid crowds and enjoy the ride by staying on your bike, then you are following the social distancing recommendations. So in summary, yes, riding a motorcycle should be safe—just remember that, as with any form of outing at the moment, there’s never a 100-percent guarantee that you won’t get in contact with the bug. The smarter you go about this, the lower the risks.

You can check out the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations and updates on the situation here. If you present any symptoms or have been in contact with someone who presents them or who has recently traveled, then postpone your ride for a while (14-day self-isolation recommended) for your own benefit and everyone else’s. It’s a small price to pay to make sure a normal riding season (and life) resumes sooner rather than later.

Riding Is The Best Form Of Social Distancing Hey Riders, Practicing Social Distancing? Take a picture or video of yourself practicing social distancing on your bike…but not while riding of course 😉 and place it in the comments on our Facebook post, and be entered to win a $50 Visa Gift Card that you can use to buy a take out meal at a local restaurant to help support them in this time of need. Visit our Facebook page for more details on the Social Distancing contest. Learn More On Our Facebook Page Try view on your Browser or Unsubscribe Law Tigers, 2111 E Highland Ave, Ste 420, Phoenix, AZ 85016 Manage preferences

On behalf of everyone at Brock’s Performance, our thoughts go out to all those impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19) – this includes not only those diagnosed with the virus, but also their friends and family, those whose jobs and schools have been impacted and so many more. Our focus is, as always, on the health and safety of our employees, customers, and communities.

There is no question this is a time of great uncertainty. While we don’t know exactly what the future may hold, we feel confident that by sticking together and supporting each other, we’ll emerge from this stronger than before.

We will have a few key personnel that will be fulfilling orders as well as answering emails remotely. If you need to get a hold of us please email Sales@BrocksPerformance.com. Thank you for your patience and loyalty, we promise to process your emails and orders as “Stupid Fast” as possible.

Thank you for your support and be safe.

Best Regards,

Brock Davidson
President

LIQUI MOLY’s Managing Director Ernst Prost strengthens his team and his customers worldwide in the corona crisis

March 2020 – The world economy is on the brink of collapse due to the corona pandemic and its development is more uncertain than ever. The German oil and additive specialist LIQUI MOLY is aware of this and is taking a clear stand. “Nobody will be laid off. If need be, I’ll waive my salary,” Managing Director Ernst Prost promised the employees. 

At the beginning of the week, Ernst Prost had surprised his employees at LIQUI MOLY, with a bonus payment of 1,000 euro. “To boost motivation and as a sign of confidence, because in times of crisis this is quickly shaken.”

Now a job guarantee has followed: “Fear and worry are hard to live with, let alone accomplish great things. That’s why I promised them that they would not have to suffer financial losses. No one is to be dismissed!” This applies to all employees – in Germany and in the subsidiaries in Spain and Portugal, Italy, France, South Africa and the USA. In addition, there are employees in Denmark, Great Britain, Belgium and the Netherlands, Thailand, China, Japan and India. “Not only is business global, so is responsibility. All around the globe, our colleagues must be able to feed their families.”

The top priority for the Managing Director is to protect the health of his employees and their families. “On the other hand, we are trying to keep operations going for as long as possible. An exhausting but necessary balancing act,” says Ernst Prost. This presupposes the proper functioning of the supply chains in procurement as well as in sales. “As long as this is guaranteed, we will keep production going.”

In addition, it is important for the Managing Director to be able to continue to pay wages and salaries in full and on time. Especially now, despite the fact that, due to the protective measures against the coronavirus, the decline in orders is drastic and revenues are correspondingly low. Looking at the current year, LIQUI MOLY must generate a payroll including social security contributions of around 57 million euro. “These are the tasks we have been facing around the clock for days now,” says Ernst Prost. For the worst-case scenario, he goes one step further: “If the situation demands it, I will forgo my salary. Everyone must make sacrifices; the captain has to set an example, so that the crew can trust him.”

The Managing Director sees himself as responsible not only to his co-entrepreneurs, but also to his customers all over the world. “Wherever we can assist, we will. The first calls for help have already reached me personally, for example from Mexico. Not only is the new virus rampant in this country, but inflation and violence are also affecting people’s lives daily.” We are doing everything humanly possible to bring goods, as the basis for the customers’ activities, to the partners. Ernst Prost sees the situation abroad as more threatening than in Germany, because in most countries the economic strength and state aid programs are not comparable with those in Germany. A glance at Italy reveals apocalyptic conditions. “Many an already weakened country has now been devastated. We must stand firm as long as we can.”

 

Event cancelled? Can’t socialize? Not going out? Stay indoors and read a book …

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We know that, at the best of times, isolation is hard. With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing many to self-isolate, governments advising people to practice social distancing, and people being asked to avoid unnecessary trips, finding something positive and engaging to occupy ourselves with can be a little difficult. If you are stuck inside, for whatever reason, we’d like to offer you 35% discount* to alleviate a little of the frustration.

Quote the code STAY-INDOORS-AND-READ when you order online, get 35% off the RRP of your books! We will be offering STAY-INDOORS-AND-READ discount throughout the pandemic, and until further notice. T&Cs apply.

Postal disruption is likely, so don’t delay … Whether you’re revved-up by races, roused by restorations, or riveted by rare rides, we have a book for you. Browse our store, pick a book or two, and use the code above to receive a discount. Get stuck into your favorite Motorcycle passion!

We are still open and taking orders!

Our site is still open for business 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week.   Online www.veloce.co.uk Shop open 24 hours   By phone +44(0) 1305 260068 09:00 – 17:00 Monday to Thursday, 09:00 – 12:45 Friday (UTC

Bretschneider to Leave Company

 

March 24, 2020 – Ft. Worth TX – Tucker Powersports today announced the appointment of former Harley-Davidson executive Marc McAllister to the position of President and CEO. McAllister replaces Sebastian Bretschneider who has left the company.

McAllister held a variety of roles at Harley-Davidson during his 24-year tenure with the company. After starting in product design and supply chain, he moved to senior roles leading the company’s sales and growth in Europe and Asia. As Vice President and Managing Director of Global Markets and previously the Asia-Pacific region, McAllister led sales, marketing and operations of the Motor Company while working closely with powersports dealers in each region. He also represented the company with board positions at the American Motorcyclist Association and the European Motorcycle Manufacturers Association.

 

“Marc has tremendous experience in powersports and in driving business growth. That’s what we need at Tucker right now,” said Greg Ethridge, chairman of the company’s ownership group.

 

“I’m excited to dive in and work with the Tucker Team,” said McAllister. “My experience building a strategy and structure that delivers growth is important for Tucker right now. And it needs to be done while supporting our customers and partners in this difficult time. This is a tremendous opportunity for me to help strengthen the Tucker brand and the motorcycle industry.”

 

McAllister moved into the Tucker role today. Due to the company’s work-from-home employee health rules, he will be working from his home office in Wisconsin for the near term.