Hey,
Another perfect day in paradise. I rode with Kyle, the official Bikernet Electrician, to the Yacht club for dinner. What a beautiful night on the harbor. I made my way to the bar to order my meal tickets and another biker leaned against the bar. “What happened to the weather?” He said.
This guy has a short braided beard and milky eyes and pale skin of a man who pounded too many beer for too long. I said something about how beautiful it was and how lucky we are.
“But it’s supposed to be ten degrees warmer,” he responded. Then he wanted to show me a split frame, but when we made suggestions he said. “I’m a welder, I know everything there is about welding.”
But he wanted to continue to grouse about the crack in the frame under the neck. Life is all about attitude. It felt so good to be riding my Mudflap Girl FXR on a beautiful night on the LA harbor.
Just a week before we were in freezing weather in Cincinnati, and having a fantastic time hanging with brothers and sister we have known in our little custom motorcycle industry for over three decades.
FOUR STYLES in 1 drive: BDL’S REVOLUTIONARY EV-700–This is the latest addition to the world famous line of belt drives from Belt Drives Limited. The EV-700 allows you to quickly and simply change the look of your bike’s primary drive.
Available in either black or chrome our latest SFT/BAGGER 2-inch drive comes complete with everything shown including 4 interchangeable dooms!
That’s right in minutes you can change the complete look of the primary drive by simply swapping the dome cover for any of those that come with the kit. You can use the smooth lid in black or flawlessly polished or the unique through cut fluted version without pulling everything apart and purchasing a separate cover with different looks.
And you can do it without sacrificing any of the features that have made BDL drives legendary. Featuring all billet construction with a unique top guard, our kit affords long lasting service and pure functionality.
100% Made in the USA, the unique EV-700 drive incorporates BDL’s legendary ball bearing clutch for unparalleled precise, smooth shifting. Check out all the details at www.beltdrives.com
Email questions to tech@beltdrives.com and FAX orders direct at 714-693-1616.
TECHNO, New Bikernet Reader Comment!–Andrews’ Cams in Twin Cam with Late Model Cam Plate
http://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=8690
I wanted to put this in my 2002 FLSTFI, even though I have not done the 95- inch kit, yet it is still a stock TC88. I will be doing a 95 kit soon, but I need to do something about tensioners now so was going to go ahead and use this design now.
I see other stock bikes with Andrews 26N in them. Do you see any issues with putting this all in prior to doing the upgrade?
Will I need a set of adjustable push rods if not pulling the rocker boxes? I have some noise just started today, so I need to do something pronto.
Thanks, great information and ver smart set up!
–Shawn
2e2fun@gmail.com
Phoenix, AZ
Shawn,
I am the guy who installed the cam upgrade and wrote the article. It is not necessary to install a 95-inch kit when doing this tensioner upgrade.
I would suggest installing the parts listed in the article along with a cam suitable for either the 88 or 95-inch configuration.
The adjustable pushrods are needed or else you are going to have to pull the heads to remove and reinstall the stock rods. Aluminum pushrods are quieter and expand as does the Twin Cam aluminum engine.
Chrome-moly are more suitable for high stress and race engines.
S&S makes a sharp set of pushrods and pushrod covers that make the conversion a lot easier
–Anson
MEN’S NEW BRAVADO OVERPANTS FROM BIKER’S CHOICE–Premium leather provides protection as well as a great look and feel. Leg openings feature snap closures and full-length side zippers for easy on/easy off. Power stretch panel across the back provides a flexible, more comfortable fit.
The full-length, mesh lining will not cling to your pants. Zippered pockets offer additional storage space. Includes 2-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Visit us online at: www.riverroadgear.com
SANTA MONICA POLICE ENFORCE MOTORCYCLE SAFETY– The Santa Monica Police Department will step up efforts to prevent motorcycle accidents Saturday.
During SMPD’s Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation extra officers will take to the streets to look for reckless motorcyclists and drivers.
Just last week, a 30 year old motorcyclist was killed during a collision with another vehicle at the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and Barrington Avenue, about a mile outside of Santa Monica.
Saturday’s enforcement operation is aimed at curbing motorcycle deaths, Moroso said.
“Education is the best way to prevent any accident out on the road,” he said.
According to authorities, the primary causes of motorcycle accidents include speeding, unsafe turning and impairment due to alcohol and other drugs.
The Santa Monica Police Department is also reminding motorists to always be alert and watch out for motorcycles, especially when turning and changing lanes.
“The message to all drivers and motorcyclists is: share in the responsibility and do your part by safely ‘sharing the road,'” Moroso said.
The Department is also reminding riders to be cautious and use common sense.
“Drive defensively,” Moroso said. “You can’t be as visible as you are in a car and you have to anticipate where each car is going.
Sensible clothing can also be a factor in motorcycle safety, Moroso said.
Riders can get training through the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. Information and training locations are available at www.CA-msp.org or 1-877 RIDE 411 or 1-877-743-3411.
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
By Daniel Larios Special to The Lookout –SurfSantaMonica.com
–from Rogue
BIKERNET BLOWS A HOLE IN THE VALENTINE HEART MYTH–We were all brought up thinking the heart that you see for Valentine’s day is similar to the Human Heart.
This could not be farther from the truth.
The human heart is actually oblong, with a bunch of nasty looking arteries and ventricles winding in, out and around.
The attached photo shows clearly the true origin of the Valentine Heart.
Now, doesn’t this make a lot more sense?
Hope you had a Happy Valentines Day……..
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE EXCITES SEATTLE MOTORCYCLE FANS WITH 2014 INDIAN CHIEFS ON FINAL STOP ON PROGRESSIVE INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE SHOW TOUR–MEDINA, Minn. — February 14, 2014 — Indian Motorcycle, America’s first motorcycle company, today announced it will wrap up its cross-country Progressive International Motorcycle Show tour this weekend in Seattle with a full schedule of events for motorcycle enthusiasts, families and military personnel. With riding season fast approaching, bikers and Indian Motorcycle fans were encouraged to explore the iconic new 2014 lineup of new Indian Chiefs — the industry’s most talked about new models in decades.
“The Seattle area is home to a strong military presence and a strong community of avid bikers, so we are pleased to wrap up this season’s tour talking with riders about the new 2014 Indian Chiefs,” said Polaris Industries Vice President of Motorcycles Steve Menneto. “The customer reviews of the 2014 Indian Chief models are in, and we couldn’t be happier with the results. Riders looking to purchase a bike this season owe it to themselves to take a test ride and experience the awesome power and legendary feel of the industry’s most admired new bikes.”
Show attendees stopped by to explore the 2014 Indian Chief models including the Indian Chief Classic, the Indian Chief Vintage and the Indian Chieftain. Indian Motorcycle exhibit will also include a collection of rare, historically significant motorcycles including a 1948 Vintage Indian Chief and a 1935 Indian Chief originally featured on HISTORY Channel’s ‘American Pickers’ series.
Military attendees were encouraged to visit the Indian Motorcycle exhibit to receive a limited-edition Indian Motorcycle gift.
In recognition of the dedication of our Armed Forces personnel, Indian Motorcycle is proud to offer members of the U.S. Military a $1,000 incentive on the purchase of any of the three exciting new 2014 Indian Chief models. Visit www.indianmotorcycle.com to learn more about the “Honoring Heroes” incentive program and Indian Motorcycle’s long-standing support of the military and our U.S. Armed Forces.
–Robert
ROAD RAVES FROM AUSTRALIAN JOURNALIST–
THIS BIKIE THING
Listen up fellow motorcycle enthusiasts, especially those of you who posted critical comments on our Facebook page regarding my editorial in the last issue. Not that criticism worry me, I’ve learned that from Boris, the most controversial motorcycle writer in Oz by a country mile. And it doesn’t seem to have affecting him adversely, he continues to get bigger and uglier. But here’s the thing; magazine columns have a miniscule – if any – influence on political thinking. After all, what I write is only the opinion of one bloke.
VOTES, VOTES, VOTES
Politicians need votes, a self-evident statement perhaps, but a fact all the same. So they listen to their constituents, the people who put them on the gravy train. But there need to be enough of them – enough constituents that is – to influence their thinking on any given matter. Which unfortunately, is where the great Australian apathy comes in. According to my thesaurus “apathy” can mean indifference, a lack of interest or a lack of concern, among other things. But the two synonyms that resonate most with me, in my experience in championing various causes, are “lethargy” and “laziness” which is why we get such piss poor results in changing things to our point of view.
MEET YOUR LOCAL POLITICIAN
This is what every Queensland biker concerned with the fascist anti-bikie legislation in Queensland – legislation that has gone way too far – needs to do. And if you’re a Queenslander, than that means you. Yes you reading this right now. You need to arrange an appointment and take along a letter expressing your views against this legislation in a simple, but forceful and coherent, manner. Upon meeting your representative, who is a public servant after all, and you are one of the people he or she, is there to serve. So put your case in a friendly, non-aggressive but concerned manner, and ask what can be done about it.
AMERICAN BIKERS
US bikers seem to be way more active than us, regularly getting legislation overturned. A few years ago in Cincinnati I heard the then president of a bikers’ rights organisation explain how they do it. And they do it by the very process I have outlined in the paragraph above. If the legislation is national, they have members visit every House of Representatives and Senate member for a face to face expression of their concerns. And they get the numbers, the numbers needed for politicians to do an about face. Sure, they haven’t won every battle yet, but they have won many.
ONE ON ONE
I can’t stress it enough, one on one is the way to go. Face to face, head to head, mano-a-mano, whatever you wish to call it, it is the only method that will work in this situation. And the reason I said take along a letter is that enough people respond as I have suggested, said politician can wave a stack of them at his or her own political master and we all know who that is. So guys and gals, get off your butts and get out there and see your local member. Soon. It is an urgent matter getting more urgent every day.
LA STORY
I’m writing this at the Los Angeles airport while waiting to catch a flight home after a couple of weeks over here to visit the V-Twin Expo and visit some builders and shops over here. A lot of American bikers are aware of what is happening in Queensland and can’t believe it. And almost every one I have spoken with sees it as a call to arms and said over and over that bikers need to have a strong rights organisation to which they belong and that politicians need to receive personal visits from individual bikers.
PUBLIC PROTESTS
These have some value, but not a lot. And the supreme irony is the fact that the very bikers against whom this Nazi-like legislation is affecting were not allowed to be there. How f*#ked is that! The right to protest should be a universal right so in this case the state of Queensland has completely trodden upon the right to free speech and to democratic protest, to their shame.
ACTIVITIST DOC
For those who are wondering, and a couple of people have asked, yes, I do have a history of activity in motorcycle political matters. I have attended various public meetings over the years, ridden in more protest rides that I can remember and yes, I have indeed visited my local members over the years. How much good have I done for our sport? Who knows, but a damn sight more than anyone who has sat on their arse and just whined about issues.
DEPARTMENT OF IRONIC THOUGHTS
“When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw.” – Nelson Mandela
–Doc Robinson
GUN NUT REPORT, THE CALIFA UPS AND DOWNS–California: Victory in Peruta v. San Diego–Ninth Circuit Confirms Right to Carry Arms in Public.
In a tremendous victory for the right to keep and bear arms, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has confirmed that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to carry firearms for self-defense in public.
The landmark decision came in the NRA-supported case of Peruta v. San Diego County, brought on behalf of the CRPA Foundation and five individuals who were denied carry licenses by the San Diego Sheriff. In its ruling, this federal court struck down a San Diego County Sheriff?s policy that prevented most law-abiding adults from getting a license to carry a firearm.
California law generally prohibits the carrying of firearms in public places, but allows sheriffs and chiefs of police to issue licenses to carry that exempt people from that prohibition. California law also sets out criteria for issuing those licenses. An applicant must: 1) be a resident of their respective city or county, 2) be of “good moral character,” and 3) have “good cause” for such a license. Applicants must also pass a firearms training course.
Although many rural California counties accept self-defense as “good cause” to get a license to carry, many urban sheriffs and scores of urban chiefs of police across California have a policy, like that of San Diego Sheriff William Gore, that does not recognize self-defense as sufficient “good cause” to get a license to carry.
Instead, San Diego requires individuals to prove that they have a special need, beyond the desire to defend themselves and their families, in order to get a license. Under this heightened standard nearly all citizens are disqualified. So Sheriff Gore’s restrictive policy was essentially a ban on carrying firearms outside the home for most law-abiding adults, including the plaintiffs.
Peruta was filed in the federal district court in October 2009. That court upheld Sheriff Gore’s policy as constitutional, so the plaintiffs immediately appealed that decision to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The case got a great deal of attention when former Solicitor General, Paul Clement joined plaintiffs legal team at Michel & Associates. Mr. Clement argued eloquently on behalf of gun owners before the Ninth Circuit on December 6, 2012.
In its opinion reversing the district court’s decision, the Court of Appeals held that San Diego’s “good cause” policy is unconstitutional, and echoed the points made in the briefs and by Mr. Clement at oral argument; that the government can ban open carry or concealed carry, but the Second Amendment prohibits the government from banning both.
Peruta was one of many cases that have been filed all over the country challenging the constitutionality of laws limiting the issuance of licenses to carry a firearm in public since the U.S. Supreme Court confirmed in 2008 and 2010 that the Second Amendment prohibits state and local governments from infringing the right to keep and bear arms.
The cases decided since then have met with mixed results. Many were unfavorable and contrary to the Heller decision’s analysis. The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals did confirm the right to carry is protected outside the home in its opinion in another NRA-supported case, Shepard v. Madigan. The Peruta court was heavily influenced by the rulings in the Shepard and Moore cases. But those decisions did not go as far as Peruta, because the issue of carry licenses was not before the court in them. So Peruta is the first appellate decision to hold that licenses to carry cannot be denied to law-abiding citizens just because they do not have a special need to carry.
The Peruta ruling is a significant victory for the Second Amendment, and for the constitutional rights of all Americans, especially those in the Ninth Circuit. We will provide more details regarding the significance of this holding after our lawyers have a chance to thoroughly examine the language in this opinion. But we wanted our members and supporters to know that so far your hard work and loyalty is paying big dividends in the vindication of the Second Amendment. The fight is not over, but for now, thank you!
The NRA has numerous additional active legal challenges to a number of current California firearm laws, and more are planned. If you would like to assist in our continued fight in this case and in fighting back against the attack on California gun owners’ rights in general, please donate to the NRA Legal Action Project here. Your donation will be used for the benefit of Californians. For a summary of the many actions the NRA legal team has taken or is currently taking on behalf of California gun owners, click here.
[page break]
DANNY GRAY AIRHAWK TOURING SEATS AT BIKER’S CHOICE–For over 40 years, Danny Gray has been the choice of top bike builders for creating their one-of-a-kind seats to finish off their custom bike creations.
AirHawk Comfort Seating System distributes your weight equally over the entire seating area, minimizing those hot spots during long rides. An integrated pump and bleeder valve lets you easily adjust the amount of pressure while seated, allowing you to adapt your seating position to changes in the road surface, temperature and overall time in the saddle.
The Danny Gray Handcrafted seat line is available for Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
BRAND New Bikernet Reader Comment! — BIG CARB MONSTER
http://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=11535
Now, this is what I am talking about. Taking something out of the ordinary and making even more unique very very very cool machine!
Lawrence of the Desert
lsr9990@yahoo.com
49 Palms, CA
QUOTES OF THE DAY–“vir quisnam sacrificum libertas pro salus mos perdo utriusque” Look it up!
“When the people fear the government there is tyranny. When the government fears the people there is liberty.” Thomas Jefferson
“No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.” General Douglas MacArthur
–Darrel E. Killion
MRF Webmaster
RESOURCE OF THE DAY, AMERICAN STRIPPING–Gentle to Metal Micro-Mineral Stripping.
American Stripping Company of Sacramento Inc., is a 26 year, family owned and operated business based in Sacramento, Calif., specializing in the art of automotive paint and rust removal, epoxy priming & metal spraying, and industrial blast cleaning & coating.
Our expertise is with automobiles, whether vintage, show, muscle, collector, historical, rare, sentimental, or your daily driver. We also enjoy working with restoration and body shops, antique lovers, artists, those who remodel things, not to mention our commercial and industrial customer who appreciates quality work at a fair price.
Our Services
• Paint and Rust Removal
• Specialty Abrasive Blasting
• Rust Repair
• Metal Spray
• Corrosion Protection
• Epoxy Priming
• Industrial Blast Cleaning
Our Facilities
• 10,000 sq. ft. indoors – 25,000 sq. ft. outdoors
• 2 – Inside micro – mineral blasting booths – 27’x17’x12′ and 23’x17’x20′
• 1 – Inside plastic media blasting booth – 24’x14’x10′
• 1 – Outside Blasting Area – 100’x 100′
• 1 – Priming / Painting Area – 30’x20’x20′
• 2 – Fork Lifts – 4,000 lb. Lift capacity each
Subject: IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Letter from Richard Lester’s Office —
Please copy and paste this letter and distribute to ALL Bars and Establishments regarding M/Cs and Motorcyclists and LE’s breaking of the Law they are suppose to be upholding. Please do this. It is important and something we all can do as a Community. ML&R Kat
Ride Safe. Ride Free. Ride Smart. Ride Today.
–Eric Hampton
MRF Reports Editor
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY MIXES CLASSES For HOLIDAY WEEKEND–pluvial PLOO-vee-uhl, adjective:
Swimming in the pluvial waters, or inert and caked over by the torrid mud, he would have discovered what he would certainly have regarded as lowly, specially-modified, and degenerate relations of the active denizens of the ocean—the Dipnoi, or mud-fish.
Nothing enters her tomb save a little moisture, pluvial in origin, and, it may be, certain mysterious effluvia of which we do not yet know the nature.
Pluvial is from the Latin pluvia meaning “rain, water.” It shares the Proto-Indo-European root pleu meaning “to flow, to swim” with Pluto, the name of God of the underworld in classical mythology.
QUICK, New Bikernet Reader Comment!–Killing Machine Choppers – The Good ‘ol Days Chapter 5
http://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=11451
Excellent reading!!!!
I may have stopped by your shop in Port Costa back in 2005….cant be for sure… I know we went thru Crocket on that ride.
And now, I got it on the calendar to ride my ’72 kick only Shovel up to see the 4th of July fun.
Since my road name (for ovewr 30 years) is Psycho, it will be cool to maybe meet your buddy Mike “Psycho” .
See ya all there.
— Scott Thompson
unclepsycho1@hotmail.com
Geyserville, CA
BIKERNET
5-Ball RACING WHEELER REPORT FOR SUNDAY—
Adrenaline Junkie Agenda:
****Mojave Mile****To be announced****12,000 foot runway, one mile shutdown….
****Texas Mile****March 2014****
****Mojave Mile****7th Year****March 12-13****
****El Mirage****5-17/18, 6-22, 7-13, 9-14, 10-19, 11/8-9****
****S C T A Speed Week****August 9-15, 2014****
****BUB Speed Trials****August 23-28****
****World Finals****Sept. 30—-October 3, 2014****
****E C T A Ohio Mile****5/3-4****6/7-8****7/12-13****9/27-28****
Yet another great week in the Harbor, where we border the Port of Los Angeles. The loaded big rigs rumble past, bumper to bumper, on a good day hardly noticeable. On top of that my abode has an incredible, skyline Industrial view showcasing a small fleet of Cargo Container Cranes, just out of the Northward facing window, to my left. I dwelled in the deep forests of the rainy Northwest for years prior to landing in Wilmington, CA. in a room with a view! Might have spent more time on the job in power houses and heavy construction than in a home over the years.
The newest addition to the Wheeler clan is headed to the BUB Speed Trials in August. Must be in his blood-line somewhere? Doing my best to catch up on my home and family life these days–an ongoing labor of love, that and Hot Rods, 2 Wheels, 3-Wheels or more. The more wheels the merrier, Grandpa Wheeler Loves Ya…not me, my Grandfather, Wheelwright turned Wheeler. The Maker of Wheels. Sounds good? Why not?
Speaking of Hot Rods, John Force kicked ass, track E. T. and MPH record? Think so…all this in the first meet of the year.. last week …. in Pomona at the NHRA Spring Opener. Go John Force! Go!
This coming week our Resident Welder…. Dr. Feng, the man with a very gifted Confucius state of mind. Honored to know Toby…anyway, Toby will weld our first in-a-line of rolling platforms/workstations/showcases… designed for the man with limited space, or for the shop/showroom with lots of room to Roll and places to Roll too, with all of your parts and pieces in one place…To easy? The Wheeler Work Station is coming to a shop near you.
Last week in Cincy at the Easyriders V-Twin Show we ran into two previous owners of the Wheeler Workstations from the early ‘90s. Here we go, one more time with Gusto!
The 5-Ball Raycer is back on the lift, our RaceTeams eye balls are honed in and locked on target like a laser beam…..BUB Speed Trials 2014!
A fresh section dedicated to our 5-Ball Racing Teams 2014 Trials and Tribulations is in the planning stages. You’ll feel the salt crunching under your boots, read-all-about-it-reports from the shop, as the year unfolds. Amazing first or second hand reports, and rumors laced with positive, heart warming, heart stopping, updates, tech, and news of dreams coming true.
Stay Tuned.
Eye Balls!
The latest news out of the www.lyndallracingbrales.com empire is headed our direction. Think Baja 500 composite rotors via… Race Prep Inc. in SoCal. They will attach to Baja hubs/just add brake pads and off ya go…
Lightweight/Bulletproof/Stellar performance!
Tell Paul Kittrell the Bikernet Team sent you!
Thanks from the Bikernet Team….
Haul Ass!
Ride for Your Life!
–Ray C Wheeler
Performance Editor
wheeler@bikernet.com
Sponsor List…
FINAL, New Bikernet Reader Comment! — DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION THURSDAY NEWS for February 6, 2014
http://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=11531
Wow!! Thanks for the great issue and for telling us about The Middle East Memorial Wall in Illinois. I live in Illinois and knew nothing about this but Bikernet was here to inform us.
–Doug Watson
dwatson144@comcast.net
Rolling Meadows, IL
BIKERNET GOVERNMENTAL MEMO FROM The Land Surveyors–Government surveyors came to Ole’s farm in the fall and asked if they could do some surveying. Ole agreed and Lena even served them a nice meal at noontime.
After their surveying was completed, they came back to Ole and said, “You were so kind to us, we wanted to give you this bad news in person instead of by letter.”
Ole replied, “What’s the bad news?
The surveyors stated, “Well, after our work we discovered your farm is not in Minnesota, but is actually in North Dakota!”
Ole said, “That’s the best news I’ve had in a long time! I was just telling Lena this morning, I don’t think I can take another winter in Minnesota.”
–from Vern
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY VALENTINES DAY EXTRA CREDIT–schatzi SHAHT-see, noun: Slang. sweetheart, darling.
He and his schatzi returned to Vienna ten days later with the complete wave equations, though the name of his muse is lost in the mists of the mountains.
Oh, Schatzie, I stopped wanting many years ago. Now I just accept.
Schatzi is derived from the German word for “treasure,” schatz, which entered English as a term of endearment for a woman in the early 1900s.
READ THE FINE PRINT as it shows–Biker brotherhood transcends political ideology
One of my new friends from Kazakhstan at Burapa bike week chon buri Thailand.
—— art
Bikernet Esteemed International Editor
THERE YOU HAVE IT—Now go for a ride, spend some time with your girl, or your brother. We are distracted by way too much bullshit.
Next week we will post features from Eric Bennett’s Dyna, and Chica’s chopper. We need to reach out to Todd in Hawaii.
There are several techs coming from the Bikernet Baggers editors including Johnny Mac’s extended fiberglass bags, Samson true duals, Rivera’s new knockout headlights, you name it.
We will bring you a report on the Seattle IMS show. And I believe we have a Tail Gunner article around here about his latest restoration. That’s probably just scratching the surface. Hang on, it’s never a dull moment around here.
Ride Free Forever,
–Bandit
