I?m having one heck of a weekend. I planned on relaxing while Bandit romped at the Smoke Out West, however, one thing after another has kept me more than busy since the guys left on Thursday. Mostly spring cleaning, (I know we?re heading towards Fall), but some things around the house I just can?t seem to do while Bandit is running me ragged with Bikernet.
I got a lot done Friday and Saturday and today was gonna be kick back. Not so. Late last night the shower plugged up. Not just one shower but two showers that share a common drain. Today I plunged and plunged but still blockage. I snaked in one drain and it came out the other. I got on the roof and tried to snake down the vent but all I ended up doing was losing my snake line down the vent pipe. Great. I tied a string to a paperclip to try and snag it, lost that down the vent. I finally called a plumber. He ran his snake down the vent and twisted it around mine so we were able to get that out. Now he?s downstairs trying to snake at the Y through a hole in the ceiling. Some relaxing time?. He?s probably charging me double time, too.
Anyway, Bandit had a great time at the Smoke Out and you?ll be getting a full report when he settles back in. Lucky fucking bastard?
Layla
GODFATHER OF GASKETS MAKES HIS FINAL RUN— James Michael Clark, founder and owner of James Gaskets, Inc. passed away on September 7, 2007. He was 56 years old. He is survived by his wife, Gere’, and three sons, James Jr., David, and Ryan Clark. James was a loving and devoted husband and father.
The Godfather of superior gasket technology for Harley-Davidson motorcycles, James’ unmistakable orange and black logo could be found in the earliest choppers shops and dealers right along side the likes of AEE Choppers, Paughco, Gary Bang, Jammer and other industry icons. James had a passion for motorcycles from a very young age, building his first bike by taking apart his dad’s lawnmower to use the engine.
In 1968, he sold a Lincoln Continental and purchased a junkyard full of motorcycle parts and began his first business, Chino’s, building and repairing choppers in his family’s garage in Fremont, CA. He later sold Chino’s and began James Motorcycle Company.
At one time he worked for a Harley-Davidson dealership and saw that “occasionally” the motorcycles leaked oil and realized there was a need to develop products to seal the “beasts” from Milwaukee. Thus, Genuine James Gaskets was born.
In 1980, James moved to Modesto, CA where his business continued to grow for 19 years.
James Gaskets, Inc., as it is known today, is located in Dayton, Nevada and is a world-renowned industry. In later years, James returned to his favorite part of the business, Research and Development. James currently holds 6 patents and has several pending.
James treated each of his employees with respect and daily walked through each department saying hello and asking how things were going. James’ employees worked with him rather than for him. James taught his staff that there is no such thing as the “little guy”, that every customer, vendor and distributor was very important and understood that they all helped build James Gaskets into what it is today. Personable, friendly, good humored, and intelligent, James was a pleasure to be around and a good example for all to live by.
Today, although extremely saddened by the loss of James, James Gaskets remains strong and his family and staff are dedicated to the industry and fulfilling James’ vision. James touched many lives and had many, many friends. He will be sorely missed. Rest well, dear friend, rest well.
It’s not the years in your life that count It’s the life in your years!
A LESSON FROM SARA– ever wondered how a 4 stroke works, here’s an inside look, pay attention to the spark plug between the compression and power strokes, Keep in mind this is in major SLOW speed, the plug is firing about roughly 250 times per minute at IDLE,,,,,,, about 1,000 rpm’s imagine what it looks like at 7,000 rpm’s. so maybe after seeing this you’ll see why it’s so important to have your bike running top notch, gives new meaning the phrase timing is everything, huh? http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5815350492893860613&hl=en
Sara Liberte
northhillscycle@verizon.net
www.northhillscycle.com
www.saraliberte.com
AMERICAN FREEDOM RIDERS PRESENT THE 2ND ANNUAL “BROTHERHOOD OF THE BORDER” RUN– Ride to secure our border and support Nick Corbett – another Border Patrol agent charged with murder for doing his job. Ride starts at Arena Bar, 250 Prickly Pear in Benson, Az. at 11:00 am. Ride the beautiful country thru Tombstone and Bisbee to the Palominas Trading Post near the Mexican border. Phoenix group will stage at the Love’s Truckstop on Wild Horse Pass Blvd and I-10 and leave at 7:00 am. This is a long ride but a fun ride and the AFR wants you to join them to send the message to free the border patrol. We will get back to Phoenix around dark. Speakers include T.J. Bonner, Glenn Spencer, Al Garza, and Randy Graf. Band, food, and fun. Details available at www.americanfreedomriders.com and info@americanfreedomriders.com
AMSTERDAM CLOSING RED LIGHT DISTRICT?– The 700-year-old red light district is a big tourist attraction The Dutch city of Amsterdam is to close one-third of the brothels in its famous red light district.
The city has reached a 25m euro (?18m) deal to buy 18 buildings and turn them into shops or housing.
The mayor of Amsterdam, Job Cohen, said that although prostitution was legal in the Netherlands, there was too much of the sex trade in the city centre.
He also said that the trade involved exploitation and trafficking of women, and other kinds of criminal activity.
Dirty money
Prostitutes in Amsterdam’s red light district ply their trade in neon-lit street windows and the area’s seediness has always been part of its attraction for tourists.
Under the deal, 51 of these windows – a third of the total – will be sold.
The Wallen, as the area is known in Dutch, is in one of the oldest and most picturesque areas of Amsterdam.
But the city’s authorities say the windows are a magnet for crime and money laundering.
Mr Cohen said the move was not intended to get rid of prostitution entirely, since it is part of the area’s history.
“What we do want is to get rid of the underlying criminality,” he said.
However, the plan was criticised by the Dutch sex workers’ union De Rode Draad.
“We believe that less windows means more exploitation of women,” spokeswoman Metje Blaak told Agence France-Presse news agency.
“If the windows close down, women who are being exploited will be hidden somewhere else where union representatives and health workers can’t make contact with them,” she said.
Prostitutes hire the windows for around 100 euros (?70, $141) for part of the day. One window is usually used by several prostitutes a day.
Rogue
S&S ANNOUNCES NEW ENGINES AND FRAMES– LA CROSSE, WI (October 02, 2007) S&S Cycle Inc. is pleased to announce that orders fro the new X-Wedge and P-Series engines are being taken right now. The all-new S&S P-Series engine represents a trip back in time for styling with all of the modern reliability you have come to expect from an S&S Proven Performance engine. Available in 93ci, 93ci high compression and 103ci high compression versions, the P-Series is not a reproduction engine, but rather a modern version of the classic engine. Updated oiling, valve train and case design negate all of the issues of the past and allow for cross country reliability in their place. The P-Series will be available in generator and alternator/generator designs to fit your classic or custom build. Orders placed now will begin shipping within seven days of this announcement. The P-Series 93ci Alternator/Generator P/N 106-0821 will have an MSRP of $8195.00
Also new and available on November 1, 2007 is the much anticipated X-Wedge. This 56-degree, three cam air-cooled v-twin is the platform that will take the industry into the future. S&S Product Development team members started with a clean sheet to design the air-cooled, pushrod v-twin of the future and brought the X-Wedge to life. With S&S VFI (variable Fuel Injection), full skirt pistons, five-bolt cylinders and heads, a plain bearing bottom end with side-by-side rods, the X-Wedge is nothing like past 45-degree engines-yet it has the sound and feel of familiarity to it. A massive one-piece crank assembly keeps vibration low and helps deliver tremendous torque at very low rpm for smooth operation. X-Wedge engines delivered now will not be EPA compliant, but those produced after 1-1-2008 will carry EPA certification. The 117ci x-Wedge in silver or black (P/N 31-8061 or 31-8060) powdercoated finish will carry an MSRP of $9590.00 and the polished version P/N 31-8062 has an MSRP of $10,590.00
“There has been a great deal of press regarding the X-Wedge and now the official release date is finally upon us,” said S&S president, Brett Smith. “The release of the X-Wedge, X-Wedge compatible frames from S&S and Rolling Thunder, and the P-series engine should make the next few months quite exciting. It is our hope that these new products will create momentum for us and the custom-performance v-twin industry as we head into our 50th Celebration.”
Since the X-Wedge is an all-new design, it will require a frame specific to the more robust case design it features. Two new frames are available, one from S&S and another from Rolling Thunder. The S&S ST frame (P/N 106-0281 MSRP $3095.00) includes the oil tank, weld-on gas tank mounts and features 30 degrees of rake, 2-inches of stretch and room for a 200mm rear tire. The Rolling Thunder frame (P/N 106-0811 MSRP $3390.00) includes the oil tank and weld-on brake caliper tabs. This chassis has 34-degrees of rake and two-inch stretch and accommodates a 20mm rear tire. The Rolling Thunder frame is in stock right now and the S&S frame will be available at the beginning of 2008.
“This will truly be a landmark year for S&S; with the full deployment of the X-Wedge, success at the NHRA, the P-Series engine and a chassis offering for the new XW engine-not to mention celebrating the S&S 50th anniversary!” said Michael Scaletta Director of Business Development. Scaletta continued, “I am also very pleased with the progress of several OEM’s that will debut the new X-Wedge engine this fall.”
Information about the new P-Series and X-Wedge engines, along with the frames will be available at your local S&S dealer or on the S&S website at www.sscycle.com .
FLYING EAGLE SCULPTURES– Image Motorcycle has just released a very limited edition ( only 200) high polished stainless steal “Flying Eagle” sculptures. This sculpture is a show stopper and will make a magnificent addition to your home or office. Orders must be placed now for Christmas delivery. Since this is a special order, we must have a 50% deposit to start casting and 50% upon delivery.
Please pass this on to your friends.. if they are looking for that extra special gift for some really special. Each piece is signed by the artist, editioned and comes with a certificate of authenticity.
Thank You:
Celia Reich
Image Motorcycle Products
“The designers of the Eagle Talon Kickstand”
www. imagemotorcycle.com
1161 Calle Suerte Suite F
Camarillo, CA 93010
phone 805-484-1979
Dimensions: 28 ” tall Base is 12 ” diameter black marble
FLAMED BILLET SCIMITAR MIRRORS– Just released by Pro-One these unique, eye catching mirrors are sure to make a statement on any machine. Machined from solid billet aluminum each assembly features one of the companies striking Scimitar mirrors mounted to an awesome flamed stock. Available in show chrome or black anodize with machined edges the mirrors are as functional as they are cool in appearance. The exceptional quality and precision craftsmanship sets these pieces apart from the rest and makes them a perfect addition to a wide variety of custom and factory machines. FLAMED BILLET SCIMITAR MIRRORS retail for $134.95 per assembly and can be purchased from Pro-One dealers world wide or by calling 800-884-4173. Be sure to catch the complete Pro-One line of accessories and turn key bikes at www.pro-one.com.
GRAND NATIONAL BIKE SHOW AT THE COW PALACE– U.S builders face off against Japan?s best builder Masa at the Grand National Bike Show. Dozens of builders from all over the U.S like Cole Foster, Kirk Taylor, Scott Long, Big Mike and Todd Silicato will go up against the unique garage style of Japans low brow artist Masa.
Masa?s hand built, pop art tributes to original 2 wheel design will be a breathe of fresh air to the flames and chrome that in the past have pulled in the big trophies. Cole Foster of Salinas one of Masa?s biggest fans,? This guy takes the original form and function of the motorcycle and improves on it ever so slightly as not to affect the original design.?
The Grand National Bike Show at the Cow Palace in San Francisco CA will be held on October 13th and 14th 10-6 each day. The season finale is filled with motorcycle vendors, hundreds of custom bikes in the Ego Tripp bike show, live music and Grand National Flat Track racing. Tickets will be available at the door. For more information please visit www.horsepowerpromotions.com
THAT?S IT, I?M DONE? The plumber just left. His price was reasonable and he kept his hands off me. Now I can shower ,head down to the Bikernet barge project and work some more?
Layla
