Hey,
Here’s the plan for next year. We’re not going back to Bonneville, although we’ve been approached to build a streamliner. I can’t take the pressure. I’m breaking down. Where’s the Jack and that redhead with the giant?
We’ve decided to reduce the deadlines for next year to one. The first Chance Hogan book needs to be rewritten and published. We’re still building one prostreet FXR, touring bike for Bad Brad, and we’ll attempt to finish the 45 flathead Bonne Belle for Bonneville 2009. We’re going to wrestle the Assalt Weapan into a Wind Tunnel and make a few adjustments (check chapter 17). Plus we’re finishing up the Wolfgang Bonneville Book.
So what’s our adventure for next year? How are we going to rock our world? I hope to publish the best biker book to date and we have tentatively decided between two motorcycle runs. We could either ride to Jose’s Shop, Caribbean Cycles in Puerto Rico, or ride to Alaska.
“I vote for Alaska,” Berry Wardlaw said this morning on the phone. He lived there and is working on the route right this second. When the Colonel speaks, that’s where we go. Besides riding to Puerto Rico has a couple of inherently devastating handicaps.
So that’s the plan this second and the run will be open to a handful of adventuresome riders. We’ll keep you posted, ’cause ya never know what might happen next. Let’s hit the news:
EASYRIDERS EVENT ATTENDEE WINS KNOCKOUT MOTORCYCLE–
We collected over 20,000 names in Chillicothe only. Winner had to be present to win. The stage area was packed. The first name we picked was Steve’s. He came to the stage, and was shaking. John told him to get on the Knockout Bobber, and he was so nervous he couldn’t.
Just got a call from Matt at Knock-out and the all the paperwork is complete and that beautiful bike officially belongs to Steve Blevins. Easyriders needs to give a BIG THANK-YOU to Ralph Randolf, of Knockout Motorcycles, and Bruce owner of Skunkworx in Columbus, Ohio who facilitated the exchange.
Ralph Randolph Give Away Bike
WINNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Steve Blevins
–Sandy Williams
Easyriders Events
BONNEVILLE CHAPTER 17, THE FINAL CHAPTER ON BIKERNET.COM–I sure did enjoy it. Nice way to finish it up. Even though I wasn’t there, I felt like I was through the words. Next time you and the team will make the 200 club. That I have no doubt about. Let me know when you need support. It may not be as much as this time, but ya never know. Having a 14 and 15 yr old tend to deplete the wallet quickly.. lol lol
–Jester
Thank you brother, Here’s the deal right now. We’re planning an Alaskan adventure for 2008 and back to Bonneville in 2009. I want to publish a book in ’08. The Alaskan run will be open to Bikernet Readers. Save a few bucks for 2009.
–Bandit
HIGHLY INTELLECTUAL BIKERNET ARCHIVED QUOTES–(On September 17, 1994, Alabama’s Heather Whitestone was selected as Miss America 1995.)
Question: If you could live forever, would you and why?
Answer: “I would not live forever, because we should notlive forever, because if we were supposed to live forever,then we would live forever, but we cannot live forever,which is why I would not live forever,”
— Miss Alabama in the 1994 Miss USA contest .
BOURGET JOINS 1 in 8 MOTORSPORTS SERIES AGAINST BREAST CANCER– BOURGET’S Bike Works has announced a unique partnership with the 1 in 8 Motorsports Series Against Breast Cancer. The motorcycle manufacturer will build 25 limited edition custom Lady Low Blow bikes bearing the 1 in 8 badge and marks.
The bike, a slightly downsized model of the popular Low Blow, is being built for women who want a Bourget custom motorcycle, but scaled to be a very comfortable bike. The motorcycle will be available with a vast array of options to make each bike a one of a kind, and the first 25 produced will receive a special limited edition pearl white paint with Celtic pink ribbons and custom 1 in 8 Motorsports billet wheels.
“We had been searching for three years for a partnership like this, and the people at Bourget have really stepped up,” said Ken Vrana, CEO of 1in8. “We’ve already received over 30 inquiries from potential buyers interested in the bike. We’re really looking forward to introducing this bike, not only to the domestic market but overseas as well.”
In 2006/2007, Southside Customs, Motocycos, Extreme Custom Cycles of Sarasota, Florida, Kreative Metal Works, Busted Knuckles and Ardcore Choppers built and donated handmade bikes to the 1 in 8 series, which will be auctioned off in the near future at 1 in 8 events, which are held all over the country.
When asked about the importance of this limited edition bike, Roger Bourget, President and CEO of Bourget’s Bike Works, said: “On behalf of my wife Brigitte, and the entire Bourget’s Bike Works family, I am thrilled to be associated with this organization to help promote breast cancer awareness to the motorcycle community. These 25 bikes are designed to make a statement on the road and hopefully for the lives of women around the world.”
1 IN 8 MOTORSPORTS SERIES
mailto:kvrana@caitlinproductions.com
http://www.1in8.org>www.1in8.org
BIKERNET WEEKLY PRODUCT RELEASE FROM RIVERA PRIMO–SWEPT-FORWARD AIR FILTER KITS–It’s a known fact that high performance motors need a continuous large volumeof clean, cool, unrestricted air to make maximum horsepower. All of the hot rodaccessories used in your motor are worthless if the motor cannot breathe.
Rivera Primo’s swept-forward filter set-up is the answer. It’ll deliver all thefiltered air your large displacement, high performance motor can use. It’ll preventdirt, dust and other airborne debris from causing excessive cylinder & ring wear.
The filter element can be cleaned and re-used. The aluminum components aremachined and chromed to the highest levels.
1007-0022 Fits Twin Cam models w/OEM Keihin Carb $
1007-0024 Fits Evo Big Twins w/OEM Keihin Carb
1007-0026 Fits Evo Big Twins w/42mm Mikuni Carb
1007-0028 Fits Evo Big Twins w/S&S Super E & G Carbs
For these & other fine products contact:
Rivera Primo
12450 Whittier Blvd. Whittier, CA 90602
Tel: 800-872-1515
Tel: 562-907-2600 Fax: 562-907-2606
www.riveraengineering.com
BONNEVILLE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM PABLO– Hey you might want a to put a Baker 6 speed tranny with the overdrive (.86 to 1) 6th gear in the assault weapon. This would allow you to slow down the RPM’s if your reaching your redline from traction loss.
Also think that oil control in the motor should be looked at. Freezing (Cryo) the whole engine would be good since you are using Laughing Gas.
There was a comment on your engine last week in the news, I think. Something like more HP, less torque, more R’s etc. Doesn’t sound like they really understand H-D power and how to get it.
Looks like to me for your setup its traction and aero. To me.
–Pablo
We never got close to redline due to salt conditions.–Bandit
The Cryo would just enhance reliability; your builder might have already done this. It’s not pricey.
You are probably right about the tranny, as I was thinking more of like the what the Buells do there. Their Redline is a lot higher than yours, 6800 to 7000 RPM. The Baker 6 speed is perfect for a safety valve for wheel spin close to redline because of the overdrive ratio.
Looking at the side view of the bike. Can you move the oil tank to over the rear fender or behind the seat?? Looking at the forks, can you shorten the tubes some?? The bike seemed to sit alittle high in front?? Maybe a cover for the bottle. Just some aero ideas.
Yeah, the salt surface sounded really bad! That’s why those records are special and hard to achieve.
–Pablo
JIMS BIKERNET TOOL OF THE WEEK, CONICAL VALVE SPRING COLLAR–Add this collar to your JIMS valve spring compressor tool No.96600-36B toremove and replace valves and conical valve springs (Bee Hive) H-DNo.18245-02 or H-D? No.18245-02.A must-have tool for safe valve work.
No.988 – Use on all 2005-present Big Twins, except S.E. models. Use on all2004-present XL?s. Use on all 2003-present Buell Twins.
–JT Lepien
www.jimsusa.com
NTSB MISSES THE MARK– The National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) joins the growing chorus of Motorcyclists Rights Organizations nationwide that take issue with recent recommendations by the National Transportation Safety Board that States enact mandatory helmet laws, and has released the following statement from James D. “Doc” Reichenbach II, Chairman of the NCOM Board of Directors:
“Motorcycle deaths in this country are certainly reaching epidemic proportions. But without conducting a thorough investigation, the NTSB’s claim seems to be it is the motorcyclists’ fault. Is it the motorcyclist’s fault that they choose not to wear helmets and that larger vehicles run over them?
In 2004 Louisiana reinstated their mandatory helmet law. In 2006 the deaths jumped almost 20%. The projection this year is it will jump more than 10% again, reaching record numbers. In Florida since the helmet law was amended the fatality rate for helmet-wearing riders has far exceeded that of non-helmet riders. In fact, in every injury category helmeted riders are suffering more injuries and deaths than helmetless riders. In 2005 more than 59% of the motorcyclist deaths in Florida were helmeted riders. Since 2000 the motorcycle registrations have increased more than 160%. To believe there is no correlation between the increase of registrations and the increase in deaths is just sticking your head in the sand. In other words the NTSB thinks motorcyclists should be forced by law to wear a helmet even though helmeted riders represent 3 out of 5 fatalities.
As far as the motorcycle riders costing the taxpayers money, NCOM certainly does not agree with the statement to CNN about our children’s health, nor do our more than 1,000 NCOM Member Groups across the country. What we are concerned with is the idea that motorcyclists are being neglected as taxpayers and citizens. We are Fathers, Mothers, Sons and Daughters. We are your next-door neighbors and the Veterans who risked their lives to protect this country in time of war. Are we to lose our rights because the NTSB has not done their job of gathering information and instead just makes blanket statements? The NTSB should encourage motorcycle training and educate the non-riding public that motorcycles are out there sharing the road.”
–Bill Bish
BATTISTINIS DESIGNER PULLEYS–Style comes full circle yet again. Designed to compliment the innovative styling of Battistinis wheels, these rear wheel pulleys are available in chrome finish, or the unique black anodizing which is applied before final machining to offer a bold, two-tone look.
A variety of sizes, widths and applications are available in 65, 66, 70 and 72-tooth sizes. Complete the Battistinis look for your bike with matching brake rotors to fully complement the look of the pulley and wheels and your ride will stand out from all the rest. When someone asks where you got that cool pulley, just tell them, Battistinis, of course.
For more information please contact
Rikki Battistini
Battistinis Custom Cycles LLC
San Ramon CA 94582
925.270.4211
Rikki@battistinisUSA.com
WWW.battistinisUSA.com
BIKERNET BANNER KIDNAPPED BY GANG OF HAMSTERS IN DENVER–Bikernet.com Banner shows up at 2Wheelers Nut Run along with the Hamsters. This banner goes everywhere. Great day with good friends.
–Donna
HARLEY TO CLOSE FIVE PLANTS FOR ONE WEEK IN NOVEMBER– Harley-Davidson Inc. will close five of its plants for one week in November as a result of its plans to scale back production.The Milwaukee-based motorcycle manufacturer confirmed late Friday afternoon that it will close its final assembly plants in York, Pa., and Kansas City, as well as the company’s powertrain operations in Wauwatosa and Menomonee Falls, and its Tomahawk Operations in Tomahawk for the week of Nov. 26.
United Steelworkers Local 2-209 president Jim Wheiland said the plant closures would impact about 1,500 employees in the Milwaukee area.
Wheiland said the employees will not be paid while they are not working. In a statement, Harley said the workers will continue to receive health care coverage.
“The company regrets the temporary impact the shipment reduction will have on so many of its employees as well as its dealers, suppliers and customers,” Harley said in a statement. “The company believes this solution is the best option for balancing the needs of our stakeholders while doing what’s right for the long-term prosperity of the company.”
Harley said “some sites will take additional steps to achieve their production reductions,” but the company did not state what the actions would be.
Harley announced Sept. 7 that it had lowered its sales projections for the third quarter and for the second half of 2007 and now says unit sales will be lower than last year.Harley-Davidson now projects third-quarter shipments of 86,000 to 88,000 motorcycles, down from a previous forecast of 91,000 to 95,000 units. Chief executive officer Jim Ziemer also said it no longer expects worldwide dealer sales to increase during the second half of 2007. Coupled with a decline in unit sales in the first half of 2007, unit shipments for the year are now expected to be lower than in 2006.
As a result, the firm now expects a modest decline in revenue for 2007, and earnings per share are expected to be down 4 to 6 percent, in the range of $3.69 to $3.77 a share.
–By Wendy Strong, Milwaukee Business Journal
–from Rogue
LABOR UNION AND H-D CLOSURE–Sep 16, 2007 – Several employees of Harley-Davidson’s Springettsbury Township plant said Saturday that if a planned weeklong closure in November is necessary, they have no problem with it.
“They’ve got to do what they’ve got to do to keep the plant running,” said Tim Wagaman, a 12-year Harley-Davidson employee.
Harley-Davidson officials said Friday that the assembly plant, along with one in Kansas City, Mo., would close for the week of Nov. 26 to cut production. The production employees affected would still receive health benefits. The motorcycle company has recently faced low dealer sales.”It’s a good business strategy move,” said Mark Rhodes, an auto polish operator at the plant. He’s worked there for 17 years. “I kind of like the move as opposed to having a massive layoff.”
Besides, that week is already a short week when many employees take time off for deer hunting, he said.Nov. 26 was already scheduled as a nonproduction day for the first day of deer season, said Bob Klein, spokesman for Harley-Davidson.
Several workers said they were told they could choose whether to go unpaid for those four days or use vacation days, personal days or sick time. Klein could not confirm whether employees had those options.
Rhodes, who also runs diversity training workshops and a youth basketball program, said he’ll have no problem filling the time and finding a way to make up any lost dollars.”I feel more sorry for the new people than anybody,” he said.He and Wagaman both said new employees who may have been laid off from other jobs may be hurt by the closure more than veterans. Newer employees might not have any vacation time to use, Wagaman said.
New employees without vacation or personal time could lose about $206 per eight-hour shift. The starting pay for new hires is $16.02 to $25.78 per hour, according to the contract agreement made in February.
“I’m fortunate that I have other things I can do,” Wagaman said. “I’m going to be fine.”
As veteran employees Larry Blouse and Juanita Gobat sipped beers at Kelly’s Inn Bar & Restaurant in Springettsbury Township on Saturday, they didn’t seem worried about the closure.
Blouse said he just wants the company to do well.”The bottom line is … we have to back up and regroup a little bit,” he said, “and make sure the motorcycles we put out to the public are being sold.”
As for the week without work, “I’m going to ride my four-wheeler and have a good time,” he said.Several Harley-Davidson employees contacted said they were told not to comment about the closure.Harley-Davidson will also shut down its powertrain operations in Wauwatosa, Wis., and Menomonee Falls, Wis., and Tomahawk operations in Tomahawk, Wis., the week of Nov. 26.
— By ANGIE MASONDaily Record/Sunday News
Continued On Page 2
