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Hey,
We have some good news, and some good news. We recently announced the purchase of Trike Riders Now, then established Bikernet Trikes, Bikernet Baggers, and created a family of sites including Women Riders Now, all to bring you a wider variety of motorcycle entertainment.
One of my major driving forces came from the magazine industry. It stumbled and the economy forced lay-offs. I thought we could work with many of these talented brothers and sisters as we moved forward. Plus, we needed an editor for the Trike and Bagger efforts.
As of yesterday the editor of Baggers (formerly Hot Bike Baggers), Toph Bocchiaro, resigned from the Source, and took on the role of editor of Bikernet Trikes and Bikernet Baggers. He worked with the Source team to create their Trike mag. We hope to also work with Buck Lovell, the former editor of American Bagger and American Cycle. Buck has been around the industry forever. We will also work with Josh Placa, the former editor of Cruising Rider, and Donya Carlson, both from the Rider Group, which was recently uprooted and shipped to Maple Grove, Minnesota, so most of the staff, except Mark Tuttle, editor of Rider Magazine, was let go. We are also pleased to be working with Gary Mraz, who works freelance for Bagger, Trikes, and the Quick Throttle magazine group. Crazy times.
Watch as this effort unfolds and we work with freelance talents all over the country to bring you the best, most in-depth content a web effort can deliver. If you see anything in need of quick coverage, don’t hesitate to ask. One of us will cover it quick.
Let’s hit the news:
WILL THE TRUE CAPTAIN AMERICA PLEASE STAND UP– Was the original Captain America bike actually a ’25 JD built in 1925 for the silent movie Easy Ryder that starred Al Jolson, and John Gilbert?
Here’s bogus news that will have Captain America bike fans everywhere dropping a turd down their collective pant-legs. This is a sneak preview of an article I just wrote for Jeff Holt at Street Chopper. I’d like to spill all the beans right now, but I’m slammed with magazine work this week.
Here’s what I’m going to do just for Bikernet’s Cantina subscribers: I’ll knock out some real leg-wetting facts I learned from a phone conversation with Cliff Vaughs, the designer, and builder of Captain America, and the Billy bike.
Also, for our friend Charlie a loyal Bikernet reader in Iowa, I gave Bill Allen of the Hairy Bikers a call, and asked if there will be a second season of the TV show Hairy Bikers. Bill told me they haven’t heard yet, but he’ll keep me posted.
I gotta jam,
–Krylon John
LE PERA SEAT OF THE WEEK–Le Pera’s Monterey Solo and Pillion with the removable Back Rest offers Classic touring style and comfort.
The Monterey solo with the Back Rest has a 15” wide driver area that can be ridden as a solo seat or you can add a 14.5” or 11” wide removable passenger seat.
Contact your local dealer or www.lepera.com
ST. PATTY’S Stress Reliever–
Girl: ‘When we get married, I want to share all your worries, troubles and lighten your burden.’
Boy: ‘It’s very kind of you, darling, but I don’t have any worries or troubles.’
Girl: ‘Well that’s because we aren’t married yet.’
***
Son: ‘Mum, when I was on the bus with Dad this morning, he told me to give up my seat to a lady.’
Mom: ‘Well, you have done the right thing.’
Son: ‘But mum, I was sitting on daddy’s lap.’
–from Rik Savenko
LEADER CUSTOMER TESTIMONIAL–
We haven’t “bragged” in awhile. And it will make me feel a little better that I’m missing all the fun that kicked off in Daytona Bike Week today if I focus on something positive…right?! From the increased volume of calls today, I’d say lots more people are getting in the mood to ride!
So here’s a comment we received from Kevin:
“Tracy, thanks for being aware of the order that came through after I spoke with you on the phone and realizing we were talking about the wrong mount. Also for getting the item out so quick. 6:00 am here and just tracked it and it is out for delivery. AWSOME!!! You can look forward to me spending my money with you in the future. I will also pass on to fellow riders your business. Again, thanks for being a quality AMERICAN business.”
Manufacturing in America is NOT easy. So we appreciate when we get nice comments like this one.
http://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=10405
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT VOCABULARY LESSON–esculent ES-kyuh-luhnt, noun:
1. Something edible, especially a vegetable.
adjective:
1. Suitable for use as food; edible.
The remainder of the garden presented a well-selected assortment of esculent vegetables, in a praiseworthy state of advancement.
— Nathaniel Hawthorne, The House of the Seven Gables
There are many varieties of mushrooms, some of which are very poisonous; therefore you should be careful in selecting them, that you do not mistake the poisonous for the esculent ones.
— Lettice Bryan, The Kentucky Housewife
Related to the word eat, esculent comes from the Latin word for food, esca.
BONNE BELLE PROGRESS REPORT–We are making serious headway with our Paughco frame, Spitfire tank, and Bare Knuckle fenders, and a BDL belt system to align the driveline.
Duncan will be available if needed to consult with Lee Clemens, and he recommends stock Sportster oil pump, with larger (Sportster
by 30%) gears in the scavenger pump. He also suggested a Super E without the accelerator pump. Keep it in tight.
We will bring you a full Bonne Belle build report next week, as our Bonneville effort gains momentum. We were also concerned about the height of the engine with the K-model top end. Hang on for the report.
408 307-4714
Duncan Keller
http://www.yankeeengineuity.com/
‘BAKED’ The latest Pop Art painting from Eric Herrmann–Pop Art is defined as art derived from popular culture. My latest painting depicts images and events from my life and the culture I have lived.
‘Baked’ is placed in a kitchen setting, similar to where I grew up. Our homes may not be what they were once worth, but does that really matter? We all still seem to have what’s important to us. Loaded with images from the past and present, ‘Baked’ is my slice of Americana. Mom used to say she could be cooking naked and Dad wouldn’t notice when he was working on his truck. No, that’s not Mom!
Many of the images within this work define us as Americans. I was just as happy as a child in our small home as I am today. Enjoy the luxuries and freedoms we have as Americans!
Hidden and discreet images follow:
Guns45 Revolver, AR15 with Bump Stock, 12 Ga. Pump Shotgun, pistol grip.
Guitar, Mardi Gras beads, Old Lunch Box, Swiss Army Knife, Piston Ash Tray with Cigar, Cards with Queen of Hearts, (Hearts repeated on refrigerator magnets and in lace panties) Apple, Handcuffs, Tulips (Mom’s favorite) Rudy the Rottweiler is well fed with Steak in his custom bowl and dog tags, Red Solo cup with a beer pong ball, CKT carved in table (Cool Kids Table) Various Liquors, Beer, Wine, Whiskey, Tequila, Hidden mouse, Apple Pie, Tomato soup, Bong, Crucifix, Ammo, Shopping List: Eggs, Milk, Beer, Wine, Race Fuel, Ammo, Family pictures: Dirt bike jumper, rock climber, Tattoos include American Flag, and my friend ‘Gracie’, A classic Flat Track bike in the bed of a custom 1950 Studebaker Pick Up truck, Big Block, Tunnel Ram, Dual Quads, Richman Racing on the Truck and T Shirt, Diamond Tuft pattern throughout, and the American Flag.
The original ‘Baked’ painting measures 32” x 36’, is all hand painted, Acrylic on Canvas, and is available for $23,000.00 .
Limited Edition canvas Giclee prints are offered in two sizes:
24 x 27” Gallery Wrapped$850.00
32 x 36” Custom Framed$2500.00
For additional information contact Eric at (888) 200-6554, through his web site www.EricHerrmannStudios.com or on Facebook at :
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eric-Herrmann-Studios/137597992988689
‘Baked’ was started during the Barrett-Jackson auto auction in January and will be shown during Arizona Bike Week at Eric’s display at the Tap Haus in Cave Creek AZ March 23rd through April 1st.
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SAMSON INTRODUCES POWERFLOWII, TWO-INTO-ONE EXHAUSTS FOR ’86-’11 SOFTAILS– Brea, CA- Samson Exhaust is proud to introduce their new Powerflow II series of exhausts which feature a performance enhancing 4-stepped header system with 4” mufflers.
These 2 into 1 exhausts have a slight up-sweep so riders can be aggressive while canyon blasting without worrying about dragging your pipes and ruining the looks of your exhaust. With Samson’s Powerflow II’s, you can take a stock HD and turn it into a high performance bike by simply changing out the pipes. This system comes with a 2 ¼” removable baffle and Samson offers an optional 2 ½” baffle (part #A-161) for those that require better flow due to more horsepower or big inch motors.
Samson has over 740 different styles to choose from and they have all styles available for Harley’s new 2012 model lineup. Go to their site and listen to the sound of each one of their exhaust systems!
Features and Benefits
• Four-Stepped High Performance Exhaust System
• O2 sensor ports accept O.E.M. / Aftermarket sensors
• Produces up to 20% more horsepower
• Installer Friendly
• Removable Baffles
• Partial Coverage Heat shields
• Limited 1 year warranty
• Available in luxurious chrome or “Sinister” Black ceramic (special request)
• MSRP: $899.95
*$809.95 (*If ordering directly off of the internet)
• FREE SHIPPING
• Don’t forget about Bikernet.com viewers special 15% DISCOUNT…order direct from Samson and mention Bikernet.com to qualify
Check out Samson Exhaust’s entire ‘12 product line at www.samsonusa.com or contact them directly at (888) 572-6766 or email them at info@samsonusa.com.
If I’m not mistaken Rogue just turned in a tech on the PowerFlow install. You’ll see it next week on Bikernet.–Wrench
H-D BLACK HISTORY MONTH OVERVIEW– African Americans have had a defining impact on Harley-Davidson’s iconic brand and culture, and Harley-Davidson is committed to documenting and preserving the rich history and heritage of African American riding culture for years to come.
The history of the African American biker scene is filled with visionaries, artists, leaders and revolutionaries such as William B. Johnson, the first African American Harley-Davidson dealer who broke color barriers in the 1920s with his life’s work in motorcycling; the teen-aged gypsy rider, Bessie Stringfield, was the first known woman to ride solo cross-country on a Harley in the 1930s; and Benny Hardy, a custom builder who designed the most iconic motorcycle in the world, Captain America, for the movie
Easy Rider.
African American motorcycle culture also includes present-day legends such as John Wesley McCollum, better known as Pee Wee, an influential leader of the Los Angeles biker community. Pee Wee was present at the beginning of the urban biker scene in southern California and has been riding for more than 50 years. An early member of the seminal all-black Defiant Ones MC, Pee Wee has lived the black biker experience almost since it started. African American motorcycle clubs in southern California have grown because of P. Weeís work in the biking community.
Check out the full story and the new H-D web site at: http://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=10412
And of course there’s controversy: Because poor ‘ol Cliff Vaughs got fucked again. Benny is Ben Hardy. I’ll set it all straight as soon as I can. As usual some major shit went sideways.
Ben Hardy owned a shop in Watts, and was Cliff’s mentor. Cliff designed and built the two bikes in his Hollywood Ca. backyard. When ER moved into production Cliff was too busy to fuck with the bikes, and had Ben Hardy build the Capt America, and Billy doubles that were in the final crash scene.
–Krylon John
More on this historic subject coming to the Sunday Post.
WARR’S AT THE ACE AGAIN– Two of the most famous names in UK motorcycling come together once again to stage a series of London-based events for biking enthusiasts throughout 2012. These events will culminate in a prize draw to win a fabulous trip for two to the USA’s famous annual Daytona Bike Week in 2013.
Warr’s Harley-Davidson is hosting a year long series of Harley Nights in partnership with Ace Cafe London on the last Thursday of every month, starting on Thursday 29 March, and which are designed to bring together Harley-Davidson owners and potential owners under one roof in a friendly motorcycle-inspired atmosphere.
Warr’s Harley-Davidson will also be at Ace Cafe London over the August Bank holiday weekend, with the main event on Sunday 26 August ‘Harley Day’. Once again visitors will have the chance to check out and take a demo ride on the latest range of Harley-Davidson Motorcycles including the new Sportster Seventy Two and Softail Slim.
Anyone who takes a test ride on a machine from Warr’s large demonstrator fleet over the next few months has the chance to win a trip to Daytona Bike Week 2013! – the registration process counts as a free-to-enter entry form. As if the experience of riding a Harley-Davidson and a chance to win a trip to America wasn’t enough, those riders will also be eligible for a free ‘Great British Breakfast’ at the Ace!
To find out more about Warr’s Harley-Davidson Harley-Davidson Harley Nights or any of its prestigious events contact:
Warr’s Harley-Davidson
611 Kings Road
London
SW6 2EL
–LINDA WILSMORE
Tel: ++44 (0)20 8961 1000
Fax: ++44 (0)20 8965 0161
www.ace-cafe-london.com
www.acecafeevents.com
Ace Cafe London
Ace Corner
North Circular Road
Stonebridge
London
NW10 7UD
NEW 5-BALL RACING MEMBER, FULL TIME CERTIFIED WELDER–You were asking about the welding… here’s an example or two.
–Tobey
BIKERNET QUOTE OF THE WEEK FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE GLOVES OFF— “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever”…Gandhi
“One of the principles of a motorcycle club is that each member has their own strengths to ‘bring to the table’,” wrote Lisa Petrocelli. “Although not everyone in this book is a club member, that same principle is found when comparing the characteristics of these men. I chose to focus on the dominant characteristic of each individual.”
The Gloves Off by Lisa Petrocelli
NEW GIRL OF BIKERNET COMING–Attached is a quick pic of a session I did with a model recently. I was going to write a story from the shirts perspective, but was wondering if you were interested in a GOB article with it. If I send it over, I need to ask a favor. I need it posted anonymously or under a ghost name to prevent my wife from killing me in my sleep.
–Mystery Contributor
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BIKERNET INTERNATIONAL EDITOR RETURNS FROM MALAYSIA--How about this bike in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia?
— Art
SENATE HIGHWAY BILL PASSES– The United States Senate passed its version of a federal highway bill today. The measure (S 1813) provides $109 billion over two years for highway projects. The final vote was 74-22. The bill moved quite quickly, considering the speed of the Senate these days. There was some discussion over amendments, the bulk of which were rejected.
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is pleased to report that no federal helmet mandates are attached to this bill, which in the past has been the case. Even the last version of the bill that was voted on in 2005 had a full floor vote on an amendment that would have required every state to have a full mandatory helmet law, or have millions of dollars of their highway funds withheld.
“This year the mandatory helmet law issue was only a small part of the very early discussion of the Senate bill,” said Jeff Hennie, MRF Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs. “Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) filed a few motorcycle amendments during the committee phase, but he did not bring them up for a vote,” he added.
The future is blurry for the Senate bill, as the House of Representatives has been flip-flopping on supporting it. Right now, the House is supporting its own five-year bill, but it has not been brought for a floor vote.
While the MRF supports the House bill because it contains the language that would ban federal funding of mandatory motorcycle roadside checkpoints, it’s not likely to see the return of the 2010 funds. Both the House and Senate bills send all safety money in one pot back to the states to give them flexibility.
The MRF will keep you updated on this and every other issue affecting motorcyclists in the Nation’s capital.
–Jeff Hennie
SALT FLATS OFFICIAL REPORT–I just ordered some tubing bends to make an exhaust for our Jawa landspeed bike, and found the enclosed poem of interest.
The Stahl Headers poem is printed on every box that they send out.
Hope you enjoy.
http://www.stahlheaders.com/box_poem.htm
— Drew Gatewood
GEARS – Gatewood Engineering And Race Support
P.O. BOX 2568 CHESTERTON, IN 46304
TEL/FAX: 219-926-5647
EMAIL: GEARS55@FRONTIER.COM
WEB: WWW.GEARSWEBSITE.COM
If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don’t.
If you like to win but think you can’t,
it’s almost a cinch you won’t.
If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost;
For out in the world we find
success begins with a fellow’s will:
It’s all in the state of mind.
If you think you are outclassed, you are;
You’ve got to think high to rise,
you’ve got to be sure of yourself before
you can ever win a prize.
Life’s battles don’t always go
to the stronger or faster man;
But sooner or later the man who wins
is the man who thinks he can.
– Walter D. Wintle
2WHEELERS REPORTS FROM DAYTONA–Daytona Spring Bike Break 2012 falls at the same time as Bike Week. Is that amazing or what. Don’t forget to visit 2Wheelers on Main and tell ’em Bikernet sent ya.
HAPPY ST. PATTY’S DAY TO ALL– A married Irishman went into the confessional and said to his priest, ‘I almost had an affair with another woman.’
The priest said, ‘What do you mean, almost?’
The Irishman said, ‘Well, we got undressed and rubbed together, but then I stopped.’
The priest said, ‘Rubbing together is the same as putting it in. You’re not to see that woman again. For your penance, say five Hail Mary’s and put $50 in the poor box.’
The Irishman left the confessional, said his prayers, and then walked over to the poor box.
He paused for a moment and then started to leave.
The priest, who was watching, quickly ran over to him saying, ‘I saw that. You didn’t put any money in the poor box!’
The Irishman replied, ‘Yeah, but I rubbed the $50 on the box, and according to you, that’s the same as putting it in!’
***
Lemon Squeeze – There once was a religious young woman who went to Confession. Upon entering the confessional, she said, ‘Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned.’
The priest said, ‘Confess your sins and be forgiven.’
The young woman said, ‘Last night my boyfriend made mad passionate love to me seven times.’
The priest thought long and hard and then said, ‘Squeeze seven lemons into a glass and then drink the juice.’
The young woman asked, ‘Will this cleanse me of my sins?’
The priest said, ‘No, but it will wipe that smile off of your face.’
–from Jim Waggaman
BIKE WORLD– is the brand new show dedicated to the whole world of motorbikes. Brought to you by the team behind www.bikechannel.com.
Every week we’ll be testing the latest bikes and gear. Bringing you the latest news, riding out with celebrity guests and taking on some outrageous challenges.
Starts 9pm Thursday March 29th on
Motors TV, Sky 413, Virgin 545 See listings for further showings
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BIKERNET OPENS NEW APARTMENT HOUSE– A young man moved into a new apartment of his own and went to the lobby to put his name on his mailbox.
While there, an attractive young lady came out of the apartment next to the mailboxes, wearing a robe. The boy smiled at the young woman and she started a conversation with him.
As they talked, her robe slipped open, and it was obvious that she had nothing else on. The poor kid broke into a sweat trying to maintain eye contact.
After a few minutes, she placed her hand on his arm and said, “Let’s go to my apartment, I hear someone coming.”
He followed her into her apartment; she closed the door and leaned against it, allowing her robe to fall off completely.
Now undressed, she purred at him, “What would you say is my best feature?”
Flustered and embarrassed, he finally squeaked, “It’s got to be your ears.”
Astounded, and a little hurt she asked, “My ears? Look at these breasts; they are full and 100% natural. I work out every day and my butt is firm and solid. Look at my skin – no blemishes anywhere. How can you think that the best part of my body is my ears?”
Clearing his throat, he stammered…. “Outside, when you said you heard someone coming…. that was me.”
–Art Friedman
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ST. PATTY’S DAY DATE– Back in my drinking days I think I ran into her or her sister in this little bar outside of Waco one night…………..
No worries, I was out before the sun came up…….LOL
–Sarge
HERE IS THE THURSDAY DEAL FROM THE BIKERNET CLASSIFIEDS!– A 2005 Low rider, 1450cc Twin Cam Engine, Fuel injected, two tone paint, custom seat, 5100 on the ticker, it’s yours for $8900!
GO CHECK OUT THE BIKERNET CLASSIFIEDS, WHERE THE JOURNEY IS JUST WAITING TO BEGIN! YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU WILL FIND!
–MIKE the STEALTH
LAW FIRM PROMOTES AWARENESS–As it has for the past three years, Hupy and Abraham, S.C. is promoting awareness among motorists by reminding them to Watch for Motorcycles. The difference is the message is starting early this year due to the mild weather in the upper Midwest.
In 2011, the firm spent over $250,000 on that message in the hope of saving lives and preventing injuries. Hupy and Abraham, S.C. also conducted an aggressive campaign in Illinois to get this message out. Through the use of free bumper stickers, safety campaign contests, billboards, print and TV ads and information booths at bike events, hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent in an effort to save lives. That commitment to safety is renewed for 2012.
UNCLE MONKEY DISCUSSES SPOTTING BIKERS–Spotting a biker in a crowd has never really been that difficult of a task. Blue jeans, heavy boots, t-shirt and a leather jacket has been a staple of bikers for decades. Styles come and go but that image is the most prevalent. But it always hasn’t been that way.
When motorcycles first started becoming more than bicycles most bikers wore what was common for the day – suits and tweed overcoats and a fancy bowler hat. Once racing started the style began to slowly change to long sleeve woollen sweaters and leather racing helmets. In 1953 Marlon Brando helped change that look with “The Wild One”.
Contraire to popular belief Johnny Strabler was not a typical biker image of that era; it actually was Chino with his sweater that was the hip, cool cat of the times. But as I said, Brando changed that image to the look we now most associate with bikers. Sport bikes and crotch rockets of the ’90s brought the racing image back but this time in the form of brightly colored leather racing suits. Time moves on and what was old is new again as the trend now is to wear everyday work cloths. Plaids, flannel, work shirts, dressed up, dressed down.
Some of this has come as more and more blue-collar workers are riding to work. Dickie canvas work pants and flannel are as common today as the black leather jacket.
Harley has tried to stay on top of things along with many other clothiers. They offer everything from the traditional black leather jacket to race inspired jackets. The standard black t-shirt is being joined with designer plaid shirts and multicolored shirts that are more hipster then Sportster. Harley isn’t the only one as many designers offer “commoner” options like distressed trucker caps, distressed leather jackets, clothes designed for that worn in look.
So where does all this leave us now. There is no longer one look, one idea what a biker is supposed to look like. Wear what makes you comfortable. It might be worn out $2 cargo pants from the thrift store or designer pants for $200 made to look like they are $2 cargo pants from the thrift shop. Don’t try to fit into a mould of what you think you have to look like but set out to establish your own look, your own style. If you really are a biker we while spot you in the crowd.
-bad Uncle Monkey
Oops, I believe every original Booze Fighter will roll over in his grave. Brando starred in that movie in 1954, several years after the Booze Fighters, wearing denims and Ts, took over Hollister in 1948. We have the photos to prove it on Bikernet.
CORBIN APPRECIATION DAY–Corbin announced today some of the entertainment that will perform at Corbin’s 3rd Annual Rider Appreciation Day on Saturday, June 30, 2012 (the weekend before the Fourth of July). Last year, Corbin had thousands of riders show up to help celebrate our country’s birthday and take part in the festivities and expects a much bigger crowd this year.
The Backyard Blues Band will be returning to provide music throughout the day as well as The Charlie Brechtel Band. Best known for playing southern style rock, Charlie plays the kind of rockin’ blues that is the perfect soundtrack to the biker way of life! Charlie’s played with Greg Allman and John Lee Hooker…his CDs feature some of the best musicians in blues and rock ‘n roll today…he’s played Sturgis and countless other major biker events and venues…his tunes will be heard in upcoming specials on the History Channel and in the DVD that accompanies the book, “The Original Wild Ones.” The soul of the American biker and the music of Charlie Brechtel are truly one and the same.
Corbin is also working with Bob Warford, also known as Biker Bob to his many radio listening fans, to put on another bike show this year. Biker Bob will emcee the bike show and promises this year will be bigger and better with special goodies being handed out to the winners. Corbin and is inviting all of you to enter FREE of charge!
Last year, Corbin had over 30 bikes including the home-made “World’s Fastest Indian” that set records at the Utah salt flats and was the topic of the movie by the same name, starring Anthony Hopkins. Last year Bob convinced the “powers that be” to fire it up and it was a real crowd pleaser. Anyone can enter the bike show as long as it’s ridden in (no trailer queens). Once again, Lampico Lyle, an iconic biker from Santa Cruz, will judge the event and more “special bikes” are expected to show up!
You’ve put a lot of work into your bike and here’s your chance to garner a little attention for all of your efforts. Not just attention, but a nifty trophy or award to boot!
Six different classes will be judged:
• Street: Factory custom, non-bagger
• Custom: Chopper or exotic, 2-wheeler
• Sport: Streetfighters and more
• Touring: Baggers of all brands
• Trike: 3-Wheelers of all brands
• Best of Clubs: Patch Clubs’ favorites
WHERE THE HELL IS MURPH, CHECKS IN–I don’t know whether this is of interest to you, but Expedition Portal http://www.expeditionportal.com/ ran this feature on me when I stopped by last week.
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I have an ‘In Progress” thread going on there.
I included a few images from my visit with you last Friday, hope you like.
–Murph.
http://www.wherethehellismurph.blogspot.com/
ST PATTY’S DAY DEALS AT LIFESTYLE CYCLES–2001 Indian Spirit Deluxe. LIKE NEW RETRO BIKE! ONLY $10,995.00
Check out this super clean, ready to ride Indian Spirit Deluxe! It’s got a powerful 80 cubic inch motor, 5-speed transmission, windshield, white wall tires, nostalgia Indian paint, original Indian saddlebags, custom dash panel, padded sissy bar, and much more!
Like all of LifeStyle Cycles pre-owned Harleys, this bike has been thoroughly tested and inspected by a LifeStyle Cycles technician after undergoing a rigorous 38-point motorcycle inspection.
HOLLY HILL ATTRACTS BIKERS– The city that sits on U.S. 1 between motorcycle epicenters Daytona Beach and Destination Daytona is trying to make this Bike Week a big one.
This year’s “Hogs on the Hill” events at U.S. 1 and Third Street represent Holly Hill’s new efforts to get some of that biker money into local businesses.
“The City Commission had talked to many of the businesses here, and they said that Holly Hill needed to become more active during Bike Week, and try to capture some of this business,” City Manager Jim McCroskey said Friday, the first day of events.
Bike Week, the area’s biggest motorcycle rally of the year, draws hundreds of thousands of bikers to the area each year, mainly to Daytona Beach and north of Ormond Beach, where many of the most popular biker bars have been cashing in for years.
Holly Hill doesn’t have those big bars or the same Bike Week history, but it’s hoping to become a stop along the route.
By next weekend, Hogs on the Hill will be hosting the Southern rockers Molly Hatchet, who are scheduled to perform next Saturday night. Other bands will be performing each night between now and then.
Also, down the road and across from City Hall, the city is holding a daily historic motorcycle exhibit at Hollyland Park.
McCroskey said the hope is to capitalize on the heavy biker traffic that, in the past, has rolled straight through Holly Hill without stopping. Almost all of the vendors are local businesses, he said. The local police explorers are selling water to raise money, and the Holly Hill Chamber of Commerce is selling T-shirts.
The city fire department is selling raffle tickets for a prize motorcycle, and the proceeds will pay for food, shelter and clothing for people who lose everything in a fire.
For more information and a schedule of events, go to www.hogsonthehill.us.
By andrew gant, staff writer, Daytona News Journal
BIKERNET MEDICAL CENTER FINDINGS FROM DR. WEIL, REMEDY FOR SEDENTARY DESK JOBS–If you’re overweight and spend your day at a desk job, you’re at increased risk for diabetes – but you may be able to reverse that trend and help control blood sugar simply by taking “activity breaks.”
New research from Australia found that regular, short breaks – as little as two minutes, three times an hour – during which you move around can result in a 30 percent improvement in the body’s response to high calorie meals. The researchers recruited 19 men and women, 45 to 65 years of age, who were overweight or obese, to engage in three experiments that took place six days apart. For the first investigation, the participants sat for five hours with no break; for the second one, they sat for five hours, but took a two minute break every 20 minutes and walked on a treadmill at a light-intensity pace; for the third one, they took the same breaks but picked up their pace on the treadmill to moderate intensity.
Before each session, the participants received a test drink containing 75 grams of glucose and 50 grams of fat to simulate a high calorie meal. The 30 percent improvements in sugar metabolism differed little between walking at light or moderate intensity. The study was published online on February 28, 2012 by Diabetes Care.
My take? If the findings from this small study are confirmed by further research, they could be of enormous benefit to a lot of people who don’t get any regular exercise because they’re desk-bound all day. An active two-minute break every 20 minutes would add up to 48 minutes of exercise during an eight-hour working day. That could pay off even more than the 30 percent improvement seen in this study. And it might encourage inactive individuals to fit more exercise into their after-work hours.
SPEAKING OF AUSTRALIA, Western Australia protest against new laws– A large contingent of bikers thundered along Perth’s freeways this afternoon in a defiant public stance against the State Government’s proposed anti-biker/anti-association laws.
Western Australian (WA) motorcycle clubs cast aside rivalries in a show of solidarity against the legislation, which they say is an undemocratic crackdown on their right to associate with each other.
The 100km cross-city run from the Ocean View Tavern in Nowergup to Mundijong saw bikers ride en-masse along the Mitchell and Kwinana freeways as part of the United Motorcycle Council WA – a collective of clubs set up to fight the laws.
Under the Criminal Organisation Control Bill, introduced to State Parliament two weeks ago, breaches of “control orders” preventing members of declared organisations from associating with each other would be punishable by two years jail for a first offence and five years for a second offence.
A new offence of instructing an offence for the benefit of a criminal organization would attract 20 years jail.
UMC WA spokesman and member of the Coffin Cheaters motorcycle club, Peter “Fuzzy” Godfree said the protest ride was a public show of opposition to the laws and the rally should send a strong message to the Barnett Government.
“We have a perfectly good judicial system and enough laws already to deal with law and order in our community without taking away every West Australian’s basic human rights,” Mr Godfree said.
“We will not stand by and watch West Australians’ civil liberties be snatched away from them because of a bad policing problem in this state.”
Instead, he said the government should consider a Bill of Rights for WA.
Seven clubs – some soley based in Western Australia – the Coffin Cheaters, Rebels, Gypsy Joker, Club Deroes, Outlaws, God’s Garbage and the Vietnam Veterans – have banded together to form the WA council in a bid to fight the proposed laws. The Comancheros and Finks are not part of the action.
Local media are claiming that the Rebels, now believed to be WA’s biggest group with about 80 members and 40 nominees, would be the first club to be targeted if the laws come into effect.
[page break]
ST PATTY’S DAY CELEBRATION–Into a Belfast pub comes Paddy Murphy, looking like he’d just been run over by a train. His arm is in a sling, his nose is broken, his face is cut and bruised and he’s walking with a limp.
“What happened to you?” asks Sean, the bartender.
” Jamie O’Conner and me had a fight,” says Paddy.
“That little shit, O’Conner,” says Sean, “He couldn’t do that to you, he must have had something in his hand.”
“That he did,” says Paddy, “a shovel is what he had, and a terrible lickin’ he gave me with it.”
“Well,” says Sean, “you should have defended yourself, didn’t you have something in your hand?”
That I did,” said Paddy. “Mrs. O’Conner’s breast, and a thing of beauty it was, but useless in a fight.”
–from Dave Julander
ROGUE BIKE WEEK REPORT–Daytona Beach Bike Week has been fun for me. There is so much going on I am having a hard time deciding what events to attend, and I suspect that is the same with most people. No matter what kind of event you are looking for it is going on somewhere in the area.
Monday I met and rode with Vicki Sanfelipo, Gina Woods and Cat the one legged blond as they made the rounds and told people about the Accident Scene Management classes they were doing in the area.
The Broken Spoke in the evening was Big Fun and it continues throughout the week.
Did the Cancer Ride for Cathy put on my Limpnickie Lot. These are some fun people to be with and have all kinds of things going on. You can find them at the skate park in South Daytona.
Bert Baker had a surprise Birthday Party at the Boot Hill on Main Street; Charlie Brechtel played at the Filling Station and will appear at Destination Daytona on Saturday.
Today is the bike show at Tropical Tattoo and this evening Biker Fusion at the Dog House on Main Street. This is just a teaser for more articles as time allows.
–Rogue
AMAZING NEWS, THE BIKERNET BONNEVILLE PROGRAM IS UNDERWAY–Is gravity holdin your ass down?
Hang on tight. Your Bikernet Team is here to lighten your load and share the industries greatest news and information, the latest gadgets and the craziest accessories with a few hot sweethearts thrown in for good measure, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Baggers, Trikes and Women Riders Now.
Another amazing week spinnin through space on this amazing ball we call earth has vanished into thin air at near lightning speed, which is exactly what we’re looking for this summer in Bonneville. You and your friends are invited, just try not to tell too many people, the plush casino rooms will fill up fast due to the worlds fastest pilots on 2 wheels attending the BUB Speed Trials.
Your Bikernet 5-Ball Race Team will mosey to the starting line the last week of August in 2012 and give it hell one more time. Reports about the builds and their progress will hit on a more regular basis, momentarily. Stay Tuned!
124 inch Raycer
Rick Tedder, welder/fabricator & fearless pilot on one of the fastest bikes at the Woodburn Race Track is finishing a project that will free up his shop for a fast track Bonneville rolling chassis build. Our mission, a straight-as-a-string, Aerodynamic, Busa suspension, 5-speed, 124 inch Turbo-Charged Twin Cam. We’ll try to utilize the (KISS), keep it simple theory. Less is more? Only time will tell.
Hardtailz 96-inch install
Parts and pieces are headed to the pros to finish the install and tune in San Jose. My therapist is calling.
AN INDUSTRY FIRST? who’s countin?
A top secret throttle is in the mix? No butterfly! No shit! The Manufacture Claims, More horsepower, More torque, Better mileage and the unit is a direct replacement for your stock unit. Coming soon and you will see it first on Bikernet with first hand seat-of-the-pants testing, with on the road and on the Dyno reporting.
Yes, we have seen the throttle body in action on a street bike. The throttle response just off idle, while on the kickstand, is amazingly crisp at the slightest touch, no obstruction, remember? No Butterfly, more Horsepower. Simple? Well see first hand and spread the gospel.
While your contemplating our freedom and future? Thank a Vet, please.
Haul Ass!
Ride for your Life!
–Ray C. Wheeler
Performance Editor
wheeler@bikernet.com
SPECIAL WTT MUSEUM OPENING– March 15-19, 2012. Demos of the “Belly Tanker” from American Pickers Latest Episode & Book Signing with Author Cris Simmons.
It’s going to be a big weekend here at Wheels Through Time! From March 15-19, the Museum will be holding its last special weekend opening before officially kicking off the season on March 29th.
Many new pieces of transporation Americana are on dislay for the 2012 season, including “The Belly Tanker”, which was recently found by none other than the American Pickers.
This amazing little car was built in the late 1940s, and features a 1940 Indian 4-cylinder engine built into a belly tank from a WWII-era aircraft. Dale helped Mike and Frank get the old girl running, then managed to persuade the two into a deal they couldn’t refuse. It will be in display at WTT all season, and demo’s will be held regularly. For more information on the Belly Tanker, click here: www.wheelsthourghtime.com
This coming Monday, March 19th, world-renowned motorcycle author Cristine Sommer-Simmons will be at the museum for a special visit and book signing. Most known for her best-selling book titled “The American Motorcycle Girls: 1900-1950”, which documents the history of early 20th century women motorcyclists, Simmons will be on hand promoting her newest work “The American Motorcycle Girl’s Cannonball Diary”. This new book chronicles her epic journey across the United States aboard a 1915 Harley-Davidson during the famous “Motorcycle Cannonball Run” in 2010. Don’t miss this great opportunity to meet Cristine and here her amazing story.
ESCAPE THE RUNNING DEAD AND GET SOME EXERCISE–Protect your brain and run for your life. This is one race where your legs giving out are the least of your problems. Run For Your Lives is a first-of-its-kind event, one part 5K, one part obstacle course, one part escaping the clutches of zombies — and all parts awesome.
Runners will navigate a series of challenging obstacles throughout a 5K course in an attempt to reach the finish line — all while avoiding zombies. At the end of this adventure race, you get to celebrate survival (or zombie transformation) with live entertainment and music, local celebrities, vendors, food, and of course, beer!
http://runforyourlives.com/
NEW MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM COMING TO DAYTONA– “The Original” Bruce Rossmeyer Harley-Davidson store here no longer sells motorcycles year-round, but it is the site of a new attraction that offers visitors an oasis from the hustle and bustle of other Bike Week activities. The building at 290 N. Beach St. now features a re-creation of the office of the late Bruce Rossmeyer, the well-known motorcycle dealer who died in 2009.
The exhibit is a preview of the motorcycle history museum set to open at the building this summer.
After Rossmeyer’s death, his family decided to pursue his dream of opening a motorcycle history museum.
With that in mind, the Rossmeyers closed “The Original” dealership in April. The building reopened several months later as a Harley-Davidson merchandise store. The planned museum, which the former dealership building also will house, is under construction.
During Bike Week and Biketoberfest, the store will have some motorcycles for sale, but it won’t be a full-fledged dealership like it was before.
Sandy Rossmeyer said her favorite things in the room are the family photos. It’s not easy to try and recreate her late husband’s workspace, but she said she remembers the pleasure he took in his Cessna airplane with its Harley theme or in his charity work helping kids at Camp Boggy Creek.
The eclectic feel of the office lines up completely with Bruce Rossmeyer’s personality, said Janet Kersey, the museum’s director. “You would always come and sit, and of course Bruce would be doing 10 things at once,” Kersey said.
Mandy Rossmeyer Campbell, the spokeswoman for the family business, said it’s hard to see her dad’s office up again without him in it, but that the motorcycle history museum was his dream.
“It’s kind of bittersweet. I sure miss him, it’s hard,” she said. “But we’ve got to keep doing what he would want us to do.”
Although the museum won’t fully open until this summer, the building blocks for it are in place.
Local artist Perego is painting a mural on the wall by the office, completing a piece of the mural each day of Bike Week.
By HILARY LEHMAN, Business writerDAYTONA BEACH
–from Rogue
NOW CASTING: The REAL Modern Family– Doron Ofir Casting & A Major Television Network is searching for the nation’s most entertaining, MULTI-GENERATIONAL and/or EXTENDED MULTI-CULTURAL families. We’re not just looking for parents and children, we want grandma, grandpa, aunts, and uncles too! If your family is a cast of characters that live near one another and regularly get together for Sunday dinners, BBQs, and birthdays, we want to hear all about you!
My Modern Family
Over the years, TV has brought us different examples of family. Leave it to Beaver, The Brady Bunch, All in the Family, The Cosby Show and now Modern Family, they redefined stories of American families. Isn’t it time TV represented yours?
We are seeking diverse families with an array of dynamic personalities, real drama, and a penchant for hilarious comic relief.
Despite the dynamics, differences and dramas love and acceptance conquer all in a true definition of today’s real modern family.
Like the Keatons, the Seavers, the Ricardo’s, The Tanners, the Huxtables, or even the Addams before you ..
Is your family’s last name the next great television sensation?
Show us that home is more than where the heart is.
Apply now!!!! www.MyModernFamilyCasting.com
ANOTHER CREATIVE SOUL BIRTHDAY–Bert Baker’s Surprise B-Day Roast at the Boot Hill Saloon hosted by Jay Allen. Night before last, at around 8:00 pm. Bert doesn’t know about it at all! Sssshhh It’s a surprise Birthday ROAST! So be prepared to tell some fun stories! Please quietly spread the word. We can’t let Bert know!!!!
Have fun! Let me know if you can make it.
-Sash
HARLEY DEALERS SEE SALES UPTICK– Harley-Davidson Inc. sales continue to gain traction from 2011, with dealerships saying consumer confidence has returned and the recession is mostly behind them.
The rebound has been noticed by Wall Street, too, triggered in part by analyst reports that motorcycle dealerships are having one of their strongest early selling seasons in years. Wednesday, the shares closed at $49.76, up 40 cents and a 52-week high.
On Jan. 24, Harley reported fourth-quarter earnings of 24 cents per share, beating analyst estimates by a penny, compared with an 18-cent per share loss in the same quarter a year earlier.
Harley-Davidson declined to comment on its current sales trend, but dealership surveys show a marked improvement that largely began in 2011.
Dealers contacted by Robert W. Baird Co. reported about a 30% increase in sales through mid-February, including a 46% surge in the Midwest where the winter has been mild.
Nationwide, 84% of the Harley dealers Baird surveyed said motorcycle inventory was “too low” or “about right.” U.S. inventory was near its lowest level in a decade, according to Baird analyst Craig Kennison.
However, too many dealers were still selling bikes below the suggested retail price – a stubborn metric that’s yet to improve despite low inventories, Kennison said.
Analyst Gregory Badishkanian of Citigroup believes March sales will be key to determining Harley’s overall performance in the current quarter, but that investors should be encouraged by what happened in January and February.
Warm weather has helped, Badishkanian wrote in a note to clients. Even excluding that, however, it appeared the momentum was strong.
He rated the company’s stock as “Neutral,” saying there was still risk that sales could slow if higher interest rates make it harder for people to get loans or if retail demand slows.
Harley shares have recently traded above the levels reached before the financial crisis hit in 2008, when the stock could be had for about $42 a share. In 2007, it was worth almost $65 a share.
In the Milwaukee area, Harley dealerships say they’ve noticed the improved motorcycle sales.
“We are seeing a lot more interest from people who are not traditional riders much earlier in the year,” said Kirk Topel, owner of Hal’s Harley-Davidson.
Some of the consumer focus has shifted from used to new motorcycles, according to Topel, as buyers have become more comfortable with spending.
There’s more interest in motorcycle parts and accessories, said Bruce Tessmer, marketing director for S&S Cycles in Viola.
“Custom bike building is not what it was, but you can upgrade a motorcycle piece by piece without spending all of the money at once,” Tessmer said.
Harley-Davidson’s emphasis on attracting younger motorcyclists has paid off, said Genevieve Schmitt, editor of the website Women Riders Now.
New bikes such as the Sportster Seventy-Two are aimed at young men at a price they can afford, according to Schmitt.
“When consumer spending was red hot, there were a lot of people who came to motorcycling who had no business there. They were guys who had a lot of money to spend and were buying just another toy to put in their garage,” she said. “When the recession hit, they were laden with debt, over-mortgaged on their home and had to sell those toys.”
Now, some bikes are sold at below the suggested retail price, so a dealership gains a customer and can make up the difference later in sales of parts, accessories, clothing and service, Schmitt added.
Some of the bestselling motorcycles are from European manufacturers Ducati, BMW and Triumph.
“It seems like the Japanese manufacturers are still kind of in a holding pattern, with a lot of carry-over models. But the Europeans have invested heavily in product development in the last few years,” said Aaron Frank, a Motorcyclist Magazine editor-at-large from Milwaukee.
By Rick Barrett of the Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
AEROMACH EXPANDING– Feb 1 we finalized the deal to be US distributor of the Highway Hawk product line in the USA. I’m waiting on two pallets of inventory to arrive by slow boat from Europe. It should be here week of March 19.
I’m hopped up about the line. They have some unique products that will fill a gap in our product line. There have dealers across the country (and world) selling Highway Hawk and we will also have the parts on our website for ordering.
Until we get our inventory up here in Charlotte, dealers can get free shipping on orders of $500 or more when they order through the Highway Hawk webshop.
I’ve attached an image of the new copper line for 2012. Cool shit. I will keep you posted on the inventory and product details as time goes on.
Keep on ridin’ the recovery brother!
Ride safe,
Paul Aiken
http://www.linkedin/in/paulaiken
Owner
Share your ride with us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/Aeromach
Aeromach USA, LLC
Distributors of HIGHWAY HAWK http://www.highwayhawk.com/ products in the USA
10015 Metromont Industrial Blvd
Suite F
Charlotte, NC 28269
704-599-1333 phone
800-990-9392 sales line
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IT’S A WRAP–I’m excited, like a kid with a new chopper, but I’m also frazzled. Hopefully some items will ramp up and some will calm down. Next week we will start throwing Bonneville tech articles into the 5-Ball Racing section, and we’ll bring you up to speed on all of our efforts.
Tomorrow it’s back to Saddlemens for the foam pouring, gel, inserts, and patent design process. Then it’s my BD, so I’m drinking whiskey, playing pool, relaxing with pals, and talking motorcycles. Not bad.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
