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TITAN MOTORCYCLE BANKRUPT–With the authorization of Dennis Johnson Dealer News Senior Editor, I reproduce some new information regarding the bankruptcy of Titan and the following sales of assets.
“An Arizona bank has filed an objection to the proposed sale of now-bankrupt
The bank also claims that Titan’s owner Don Proudfoot and Hope Smith, a principal in Arizona Motorcycle Works, have a personal relationship and that the latter company is subtenant of Titan’s and that this relationship has not been disclosed. These two allegations call into question that the proposed sale represents a good-faith, arms-length negotiation” between the two entities, the complaint claims.
FNBA states that Proudfoots’ company, TMC Acquisitions, owes the bank about $813,000 on a $1.5 million business loan that the company took out in February 2006. “The amount due and owing to FNBA is substantially above” the sale price, the bank claims. The bank says that business loan was secured with TMC’s property, which includes inventory, accounts, equipment, the Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin for Titan’s motorcycles, listed as collateral.
Arguably, the assets no longer belong to the debtor or the estate are not subject to any potential sale to AMW, or any other prospective purchase,” lawyers for FNBA claim.
Proudfoot originally filed for Chapter 11 protection in January. At the time, listed among the company’s top 20 creditors were S&S Cycle, Daytec Cente; SuperTrapp, and Mid-USA Motorcycle Parts. This marks the second time that the Titan brand has gone bankrupt, the first time in 2001 under chairman and CEO Francis Keery. In March 2007 Titan’s owner Don Proudfoot was quoted in Powersports Business magazine saying “I sincerely believe this is a year of change in 2007. When the dust settles, there will be many fewer people (OEMs and aftermarket manufacturers) out there.”
–from Rogue
HARLEY OWNERS GROUP MEMBERS READY TO RENDEZVOUS IN ADIRONDACKS–MILWAUKEE, Wis. (August 30, 2007) – Adirondack Park in New York is set to welcome hundreds of Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) members September 3-6, 2007 as they ride hard and rest easy during Adirondack Rendezvous, a mind-clearing trek through the scenic landscape of upstate New York.
The rally site, and gateway to the six-million acres of “forever wild” Adirondack Park, is Lake Placid. Although known around the world as the host for the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, it is soon to be known among H.O.G. members as the perfect place to unwind after exploring the maze of tree lined roads through the Adirondack Mountains.
Participants will ride into the northern reaches of the park on a 115-mile journey to North End Harley-Davidson in Plattsburgh. Riding through Wilmington Notch, the road squeezes between the AuSable River and a 2,000-foot cliff. The twisty mountain road continues past Whiteface Mountain, displaying a spectacular natural skyline. Heading north from Keesville, the ride winds along the shores of Lake Champlain and riders can take in the surrounding Adirondack vistas. From Plattsburgh, the mountains meet the river as the road winds through the Alder Brook Mountains along the Saranac River back to Lake Placid.
Heading west on day two, this 320-mile loop travels over four different scenic byways: the Adirondack Trail, the Central Adirondack Trail, the Black River Trail and the Olympic Trail, with landscapes as varied as the motorcycles traversing them. Historic, picturesque small towns along the route will entice riders to dismount and explore en route to Iron Block Harley-Davidson in Adams Center.
Past Lake Champlain and beneath the Adirondack Mountains, the Lakes to Locks Passage will sweep participants south to Fort Ann and McDermott’s Harley-Davidson on day three. With steep granite outcroppings flanking fjord-like rivers, this land feels more like Norway than New York. Members will trace the AuSable Chasm through Elizabethtown and Port Henry before rejoining the Adirondack Trail in Glens Falls. The Adirondack Trail heads north to Blue Mountain Lake where the Adirondack Museum offers the opportunity to learn about the history of the area. Head back to Lake Placid via Tupper Lake and the Adirondack Trail, a gentle, winding road through the mountains.
Founded in 1983, the Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) is the official riding club of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. H.O.G. currently has more than 1 million members and more than 1,400 chapters worldwide, making it the largest factory-sponsored motorcycle organization in the world. H.O.G. rallies are held around the globe to celebrate Harley-Davidson motorcycle riding.
Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the only major U.S.-based motorcycle manufacturer, produces heavyweight motorcycles and a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson’s Web site at
J&P SUPERSTORE GRAND OPENING IN ORMOND BEACH, FLORIDA–Enjoy a personal tour with John & Jill Parham of the new 15,000 square foot building, cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres and great company.
WHEN: Wednesday, October 17th 6:00 – 7:30PM Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres7:30 PM Tour facility with John & Jill Parham8PM Q&A in J&P Conference Room
WHERE: 253 Destination Daytona LaneOrmond Beach, FL 32174
Everyone at J&P looks forward to seeing you at the event; please provideus your shirt size along with your timely RSVP.
Kindly RSVP on or before Monday October 1st to:
NEW HEATED HAND GRIP KIT FOR BUELL XB AND 1125R MODELS —MILWAUKEE (August 31, 2007) – The new Heated Hand Grip Kit (P/N N1050.1AK, $187.00) from Buell Accessories adds comfort and convenience on cool riding days, stretching the season in the spring and fall. The kit includes the same original equipment heated grip components used on all 2008 XB12X Ulysses. The grips have two temperature settings, rated at 18 watts per side on High and 11 watts per side on Low. The Heated Hand Grip kit fits 2006-2007 XB12X Ulysses models, and all 2008 XB and 1125R models. Includes all necessary installation hardware, including a metal fixture and drill bit for securing the left heated grip to the handlebar.
For additional information on Buell Accessories, see your local Buell dealer or visit the Buell website at www.buell.com. To find a dealer near you, call toll free 1-800-443-2153 in the U.S.A. or Canada.
BIKERNET WEEKLY TECH QUESTION, LOOKING FOR ANSWER–Bandit – got caught in that situation that no one likes. I was out riding on the back roads of Texas when my brand new tire (less then 20 miles) went flat. Man talk about feeling bummed out. As luck had it the shop that replaced my tire and tube the day prior is ran by good people and they dispatched a truck to haul my bike back to the shop.
Now here is the reason I need your help – many years ago Easyrider’s magazine publish an article on a do it yourself bike jack that consisted of several sections of pipe. It seems that this would be the answer to any future flats and lost riding time. If possible could you either point me to the original article – rerun the article or is there a company that makes a version of this jack.
The basic contraption was a rectangular frame with a handle by pushing down on the handle the bike was lifted into the air.
–Chuck Butler
clbutler2304@sbcglobal.net>
BANDIT BY REVTECH SPORTSMAN CLUTCH KITS–An easy-to-install, high-performance clutch-upgrade with all of the quality, innovation, and performance you?ve come to expect from Bandit Machine Works. ?Sportsman? clutch kits bolt into stock housings and feature 230% more friction disk area than OEM to easily handle the power output of the biggest motors without slipping.
They use six coil springs for light lever-pull, greatly improved ?feel?, and ease of operation. Each kit comes with two sets of springs; standard and heavy duty. The ?Sportsman? clutch features more friction area than any other heavy-duty clutch for Harley-Davidson? models!Distributed by Custom Chrome; view our online catalog at www.customchrome.com
NOW THAT?S A THURSDAY NEWS–The shop is still a mess, the Assalt Weapan needs work, but I?m almost finished with the final chapters of Bonneville 2007 for Bikernet and Wolfgang publications. My deadline is looming at the end of this month, but I?ll have the final chapter posted by Monday. Shortly Scooter will submit his stellar shots of the salt and we’ll pump it up.
I believe he will produce another Bonneville picture book and perhaps a Calendar. We?re about to order more apparel for Sponsorship packages and to sell in the Bikernet Gulch. The packages should be in the Wind within a couple of weeks.
I swear the shop will be cleaned and prepped for another project by the end of the weekend. Then we’ll ride to the Smoke Out.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
