Hey,
Another crazed morning in paradise. We are now carving into the week we depart for the mighty Salt Flats. One bike is not complete and the other one is broken. We are waiting on engine gaskets from Accurate Engineering, which were sent snail mail. The new rings arrived on Friday, so hopefully Monday we’ll slam the Assalt Weapan back together and pray for smooth tuning from the Pegasus gang on Tuesday. Thursday is the etched-in-stone day for departure.
You wouldn’t believe my list, or non-notes. It’s a mess, scratched and torn. Yet, already we are planning something crazed for next year.
LOVE RIDE TO CONTINUE AS HALF EVENT– In the 25 years it was functioning, the Love Ride raised $22 million for various charities. Now the annual motorcycle rally that began in 1983, drawing as many as 18,000 riders and raising as much as $1.7 million per event, may be holding a charity event for itself.
Today, Love Ride founder Oliver Shokouh announced Love Ride 26-1/2 – a no-ride replacement event for the longstanding local motorcycle to-do that went on an economy-induced hiatus last year. In 2009, the annual biker pilgrimage was scaled back from a group ride and three-day rally at the Pomona Fairplex to a more sedate and stationary event in the Harley-Davidson of Glendale parking lot.
Instead of thundering through the streets on two wheels, the 2010 Love Ride 26-1/2 is again being downsized – this time to a one-day Biker’s Carnival that will feature what Shokouh is calling “mature games” and a barbecue.
“A lot of people are questioning whether the Love Ride is going to go on, and we’re really delighted and flattered by the fact that people want it to come back. We thought if we did this and promoted it as a half-ride or as an interim Band-Aid to the real ride, it would maybe be a springboard for the return of the Love Ride,” said Shokouh, who hasn’t yet determined what a 2011 Love Ride 27 will look like.
The one-day Biker’s Carnival that will serve as Love Ride 26-1/2 is a “retro” version of the ride, which began as a two-wheeled carnie event in 1981 before evolving into the fundraiser that, for years, took ever-growing numbers of riders out to Castaic Lake and put ever larger amounts of cash into the pockets of charities such as Autism Speaks and the Muscular Dystrophy Assn. until 2007, when the event changed venues and the economy crashed.
The Biker’s Carnival is an effort “to play it real safe,” Shokouh said. “The fact that we didn’t have the Love Ride last year was a real drain on us emotionally and also financially,” said Shokouh, who canceled last year’s ride just a few weeks before it was supposed to take place, having struggled to recruit vendors, sponsors and attendees, all of which were down at least 50% from previous years.
The 2009 parking-lot version of the Love Ride didn’t raise any funds for charity. Instead, it lost money, despite many participating riders’ donations of their registration monies. About 3,000 people showed up for Love Ride 26, and just 35% of the merchandise that had been created for the event was sold. Attendees of Love Ride 26-1/2 can expect the same T-shirts they saw last year, only re-silkscreened with a “1/2” after the “26.”
Like last year, Shokouh doesn’t anticipate raising funds for charity with this year’s event. But, he said, if 26-1/2 draws the 1,500 riders he’s hoping and raises enough seed money for a true Love Ride 27, anything extra will be donated.
“Two wrongs doesn’t always make a right,” said Shokouh, “but maybe two no-rides will make a ride.”
— Susan Carpenter
CARLO AND EMMA ARE BACK— Wow amazing what happens in a year. We got the bldg & business back in 06/10/ 09, opened 5 weeks later 7/25/09 5 weeks after the Grand Opening the bldg., burnt to the ground 8/30/09.
We have now (finally) jumped through every hurtle that Placer County has asked of us, and we are moving this weekend into our new Digs!!
C & E Auburn V-Twin,Inc.
12015 Shale Ridge Ln
Auburn CA 95602
530-885-5556
We will open for business in our new location 8/24/10!!!!
What a long strange trip it’s been
We got through it
And moving onto bigger and better things
Would love for you to make the move with us.
From the bottom of our Hearts we want to Thank everyone
for without you we would not have made it this far.
–Carlo, Emma, Jimmy, Chris, Adam, Daniel, Opie & Crutch.
The Crew at C&E Auburn V-Twin,Inc.
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“Yup, I’ve been catching news articles about how the book industry is in decline,” Tony said recently. “Bummer; at least I can fall back on my Beta-Max investments [Oy !]. Hope your projects are staying lively-lots of good stuff there for sure.”
“I made the cover of HBJ with a ten page spread inside of Me & the Boys. It’s good to be a legend (in my own shower).”
–Formerly Hip Tony
STURGIS RALLY A HUGE SUCCESS– Sturgis attendance up for 2010.
Record crowds of riders attended this year’s 70th Annual Sturgis Rally. That was evident from the long lines of bikes on the highways, congestion in Sturgis and huge crowds at places like the Buffalo Chip and Broken Spoke. Nobody seemed to mind too much though, the exception being the stifling heat and humidity. The remedy for that was a jaunt down one of the canyon roads in the late afternoon. The entertainment venue was outstanding this year, not to mention diverse. Bob Dylan, ZZ Top, Bret Michaels and Pee Wee Herman, just to name a few. Pee Wee Herman?
Top builders were on hand to show off their stuff and Michael Lichter’s photo exhibit was a sensation, as always. Unfortunately, accidents and fatalities were in the news and the construction zones on I-90 played a part in at least some of these. There were also several tire blow-outs that drew the attention of many riders. From at least one observation, this year’s rally seemed to be a huge success in attendance, sales and enjoyment.
MILWAUKEE RALLY SET FOR SEPTEMBER 2-5– Presented by the four Metro-Milwaukee Dealers, this event is increasing in popularity each year. Check out the venues and schedules of the dealers for this year’s show, and don’t forget to visit the Hupy and Abraham, S.C. booths at the dealers and State Fair Park for lots of free stuff.
–Tony Sanfelipo
NEGOTIABLE DEAL OF THE WEEK– runs good, California title. Just $6500.00
–Tim
HOW FAIRY TALES REALLY END– Sad perhaps…., but funny. How fairy tales really end:
“Don’t Tread On My Gun Rights” Yard Signs Available Now: We’ve created a new yard sign that will send a strong message this election season to all who read it: “Don’t Tread on my Gun Rights.”
It has been estimated that well-placed campaign signs can account for four percentage points on Election Day. Think back to the 2000 presidential election, where 537 votes in Florida separated George W. Bush from Al Gore, and four points seems like a landslide! While you are focused on the November 2 election, some gun owners may not be aware of what’s at stake for the future of the Second Amendment on Election Day.
A SHORT SUNDAY SERMON FROM REVEREND UNCLE MONKEY– Sometimes we take life for granted. It moves along at a break neck speed, but we are use to it. Days at work, little league baseball games and dance recitals after. Days at work and driving the kids to their after school job, or to go shopping with their best friend Contessa. Before we know it, our children are grown and have lives of their own. We move from being the greatest person in the world to being an idiot who knows nothing, and finally we’re elevated to knowing a thing or two. Sometimes we catch ourselves in distant memories, as we ride the open road remembering the good times. The macaroni art work, them standing on your shoes as you dance.
Sometimes sharing a cold drink at the end of a long day of hard work, wiping away tears from a broken heart and telling her that he was the fool (even though you never really liked the guy). Still others of us are lucky enough to have our kids share our passion for motorcycles, riding the highways with us, meeting us at the rallies and boogies, even if it is just to say hello and have a beer.
But life isn’t always smooth; we take for granted how fragile it can be. Close friends of mine got that phone call the other night. A serious car accident provinces away. A blur of words, air lift, trauma, unsure… In that brief second my friends’ lives completely changed. No longer thoughts about personal health problems, no more thoughts about work, commitments, obligations, the struggles of every day life. Now they sit and wait, pray, unable to be the one. The one who held a cold wet rag on a scraped knee, no longer the one bandaging a cut that no longer bled, tussling their hair and sending them on their way with a “thanks mom/thanks dad.”
Sometimes we take life for granted. We think that there will always be a tomorrow, that bad things only happen to others, that our children will always be safe. But it doesn’t always happen that way. We find ourselves left alone in a sterile hospital waiting room, waiting wondering, trembling at thoughts we don’t want to think about. Those are the critical times when true friends shine, fly across the city or the country to be at our sides.
-bad Uncle Monkey
ARIEL PROGRESS REPORT FROM OFFICIAL BIKERNET ILLUSTRATOR– Cut up a full face shop mask to make a little windshield…. ….put the Bates back on. The drive side is now done.
New cork plates, clutch basket, chains, the works.
Pushed the engine over for the first time in neutral and it felt like it wants to go! ….have draped the loom over the frame to help
These guys flew over my house this morning in a tight Diamond formation. There was a fifth one but he was too new so didn’t make it
into the drawing. Good luck on the Peashooter.
–Dick Allen
RODAN RETURNS FROM SPEED WEEK– Yep, I’m back ! Good meet ! Got back a few hours ago.
The Rockerarms and valves get oiled from a squirt can. No kiddin ! I would oil both of them with Shell Rotella T, or Torco Synthetic. Both great oils made for really high loads and hot temps.
I checked the mag, it puts out a pretty good spark, but if you could get the magnets recharged it would be a hotter one. You don’t have to disassemble the mag to recharge it, just take it to a magneto shop and have it zapped.
I’ll get back to you on the plugs, I have to look up some old notes.
It’s good to be back home,
–Rodan
2ND ANNUAL BIG BORDER RALLY COMING–See Charlie Brechtel with Doctor Snake Oil.
September 10-12, 2010 marks this year’s Big Border Rally at the Shadow Hill Ranch, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. This event pays tribute to all brands of bikes and riders and is set in one of the most scenic places you’ll ever visit for a bike rally. Part of the musical line up includes Charlie Brechtel with Doctor Snake Oil, fresh from their engagement at the Harley-Davidson Museum for the Milwaukee Rally. Don’t miss this event if you’re in the area. Some of the proceeds from this event go to benefit Accident Scene Management, Inc.
Biker’s Betterment Conference The Southeast Regional BBC is slated for November 13, 2010. Hosting this regional safety conference is Smokin’ Harley-Davidson of Winston Salem, North Carolina. This dynamic one day conference, presented by Road Guardians, will deal with issues including riding apparel, demonstrations on braking, cornering and crash scene response and impaired riding. There will be workshops on group riding, insurance and legal duties and motorist awareness. All southeast bikers are encouraged to attend this educational conference. Learn more at Accident Scene Management and Road Guardians
–Tony Sanfelipo
MV Agusta sale: Harley-Davidson paid Castiglioni €20 million, forgave another €103.7 million in debt–Harley-Davidson paid Claudio Castiglioni €20 million to take MV Augusta back, and then forgave a €103.7 million loan that The Motor Co. made to MV Augusta while they were under common corporate ownership, according to documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
At the time of the sale, which closed Aug. 6, the exchange rate was roughly 0.75 euro to US$1. So the deal cost Harley-Davidson about $136 million at closing.
According to SEC documents, H-D “received nominal consideration in return for the transfer of MV and related assets,” yet put €20 million into an escrow account for MV Augusta Motor Holding, the company Castiglioni set up to buy it back. MV Augusta will draw the funds out over a year. Harley-Davidson spokesman Bob Klein confirmed the “nominal consideration” was €3, a little under US$4.
In addition, the sale and purchase agreement, signed July 31, specifies that H-D will forgive a €103,789,617.60 receivable.
“The receivable is money that Harley-Davidson had loaned to MV Augusta for operations while MV was owned by Harley,” Klein said. The sale agreement specifies that the receivable transfers to Castiglioni for €1.
If someone else had purchased MV Augusta, Castiglioni had contractual rights to “earn-out” funds that would have resulted from the sale of his shares. Both sides waived those rights in the deal.
The Motor Co. bought MV Augusta for $109 million in July 2008, when the American motorcycle icon was looking for ways to attract younger riders. Former owner Claudio Castiglioni stayed on as chairman of MV Augusta.
Harley-Davidson reported it has taken $162.6 million in writedowns on the value of MV Agusta since then, $61.5 million of that in the second quarter of this year. H-D’s board voted to seek a buyer for MV Augusta last August.
Even with the sale finalized, the pain is not entirely over. Harley expects more losses on MV Augusta in the third quarter “as the accounting and tax impacts of the transaction are finalized,” according to SEC filings.
Among other provisions of the July 31 sale and purchase agreement, H-D retains control of press releases and statements about the sale for a year from the Aug. 6 closing date.
BIKERNET WHAT THE FUCK DEPARTMENT– Guy showed up at my place with a nail in his frame. Don’t ask me why . All I can say is he nailed it.
–jg
CONCERT REPORT FROM THE SHERIFF–Catullo said Rose was ready to take the stage by 11:30 p.m. “I feel bad. He was the most insanely professional gentleman that I ever met,” said Catullo, who spent about 30 minutes with Rose after the performance. “He came and did his job exactly as contracted.”
The technical breakdown came when Guns ‘N Roses opted to use its own sound equipment instead of the consoles provided by the festival, which the video crew was using for communications and to direct a video for a DVD of the festival, Catullo said.
On Friday afternoon, the crew realized this would be a problem, but they couldn’t correct it without affecting other bands, so they waited until after 11 p.m., when Alice In Chains left the stage, Catullo said.
No announcement, however, was ever made to the crowd explaining the delay.
Festival spokesman Randy Alexander apologized Sunday for not informing the crowd about the technical problems.
“It took longer than expected,” he said.
Catullo said they believed the problem would be resolved at any moment, and as a result, it never occurred to them to inform the crowd, especially since no specific time was set for Guns ‘N Roses to take the stage.
“It’s not like the place had a curfew that it closed at a certain time,” Catullo said.
SHERIFF MEDIA GROUP
S-36030 LAMMHULT
SWEDEN
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT, Word of the Day for Sunday, August 22, 2010:
gormandize GAWR-muhn-dahyz, verb:
To eat greedily or ravenously.
I have never in my life seen men gormandize to be compared with those men. And the curious thing was that as course followed course their appetite seemed to increase.
— Frank Harris, John F. Gallagher, My Life and Loves
Charley swallows a great gulp of tea in token of submission, and so disperses the Druidical ruins that Miss Smallweed charges her not to gormandize, which, “in you girls,” she observes, is disgusting.
— Charles Dickens, Bleak house
Gormandize evolves into a verb from the French verb gourmandise from the familiar gourmand.
THE BOLT CALIFORNIA WATCH DOG FINDINGS–
This is a keeper.
http://www.citmedialaw.org/legal-guide/california-recording-law
I ran across this while looking for something else.
It had been saved on my bookmarks (favorites) list on my email program.
Good stuff from a reliable source. It would be good for you to bookmark it, too.
Has the Penal Code that restricts recording “private” conversation.
Also, save the Rules of Court 1.150 link 1/2 way down the page, for future reference.
All this will be helpful for the future.
Mark Temple
BOLT of California
(916) 402-7981
SOME MORNINGS–I splashed hot coffee in my face, as I scrambled out of bed, grabbed my notes and hit the shop running. I snapped on my IMac, fed the dogs, the Macaw, the cats, the rats, and returned to the computer, with a fresh cup of smoldering joe. My e-mail system was jammed and crying about verification and database problems. What the fuck. Then I clicked on Bikernet. It was down. What the fuck?
I needed to hit the Sunday Post, then dive into the shop and mount the freshly painted Peashooter fairing. All hot-action motion ground to a standstill.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
