Hey,
Whatta Sunday, major play-offs, half the country is snowed in, and it’s as warm as Summer in the west. The new president is on a cross-country run to the Capitol, Easyriders is having a blast in downtown Sacramento, while Myrtle Beach is throwing bikers out forever. Whacky times.
Hopefully this will be a year of correct decisions for America, for the long term. We’ll see. Let’s hit the news, there’s wild rides ahead. The 10th Anniversary Smoke-Out is coming, plus their cross country run.
ANTIQUE MOTORCYCLE CLUB OF AMERICA SUNDAY WEATHER REPORT– I was in the middle of sending you the second set of patina tech pics, and the shop’s power went out. I guess old man winter is out to get us, I called the power company and they had calls from all over the area, I don’t really know what happenned, I will send the rest of the pics sometime this weekend.
–Matt Olsen
For more info and a full schedule go to www.easyridersevents.com or www.limpnickielot.com.
1″ VINTAGE AND VINTAGE SHORT STACK HANDLEBARS– Add period-style bobber ape-hanger handlebars to your ride. Inspired by the Roland Sands Design custom dubbed El Borracho, these handlebars are available with chrome, black powder-coat or raw finishes. The chrome and black powder-coated bars are knurled, slotted and drilled for internal wiring; the raw handlebars are knurled, but not drilled or slotted. Standard bars have 3 1/2″ on-center knurling; Springer bars have 4 3/4″ on-center knurling. All the handlebars feature removable chrome billet end caps. Made in the U.S.A.
Brookfield, CT? Spectro Oils of America launches a new high performance motor product; Golden Motor-Guard Semi-Synthetic Engine Lubricant. Golden Motor-Guard oil is high performance oil combining the best properties of petroleum and Group IV PAO synthetic base stocks to provide levels of protection unattainable by any conventional oil. With this line expansion from Spectro, car enthusiasts will now benefit from a line of mineral and semi-synthetic lubricants fortified with over 2 times as much friction-fighting additives as most oils available today.
?We decided to expand this line because our friends in the muscle car and collector markets were complaining that they had to mix product to protect their flat tappet motors, and ?why don?t you make a ZDDP-fortified oil for us?? explained Spectro President Dave Miller. Golden Motor-Guard Semi-Synthetic motor oil combines the best properties of petroleum and Group IV PAO synthetic base stocks to provide levels of protection unattainable by any conventional oil. Golden MotorGuard?s exceptional anti-wear additive uptreats (1,800 ppm of zinc and phosphorus) to protect flat tappets, reduce wear, extend component life, and provide tremendous lubrication protection in extreme heat conditions. Golden Motor-Guard provides excellent performance in high RPM racing engines and marine applications, as well.
Spectro Golden Motor-Guard semi-synthetic premium lubricant will be offered in viscosities of 5w30, 5w40, 10w30, 10w40, and 20w50. These Motor-Guard lubricants will be offered in mineral oil and semi-synthetic formulations under the Spectro brand name. All will feature 1,800 ppm of ZDDP friction-fighting additives, well in excess of available lubricants. Spectro Motor-Guard premium quality mineral oils will be offered in viscosities of 10w40, 20w50, and SAE30.
Spectro offers these products through their world class web site: www.spectro-oils.com and also at www.goldenmotorguard.com. Limited wholesale opportunities are available, select automotive shops are welcome to contact Spectro to learn more.
Spectro Motor-Guard products exceed all known manufacturers? warranty requirements, and are recommended for use in all gasoline-powered equipment fleet applications. Spectro meets A.P.I. SL Quality levels.
Spectro brands are manufactured and marketed by Intercontinental Lubricants Corp. of Brookfield, CT, ILC, one of the world?s foremost manufacturers and packagers of quality, specialty lubricants.
For more information on Spectro Oils, please visit: www.spectro-oils.com or www.goldenmotorguard.com
BIKERNET TOOL ADVICE SPONSORED BY JIMS MACHINE– BAND SAW: A large stationary power saw primarily used by most shops to cut good aluminum sheet into smaller pieces that more easily fit into the trash can after you cut on the inside of the line instead of the outside edge.
TWO-TON ENGINE HOIST: A tool for testing the maximum tensile strength of everything you forgot to disconnect.
PHILLIPS SCREWDRIVER: Normally used to stab the vacuum seals under lids or for opening old-style paper-and-tin oil cans and splashing oil on your shirt; but can also be used, as the name implies, to strip out Phillips screw heads.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON ANNOUNCES DEMO RIDE SWEEPSTAKES WINNER– Harley-Davidson congratulates Richard Stiles Jr. of Beulah, Wyo. He is the grand prize winner of the 2008 Demo Ride Sweepstakes.
Richard, a lifetime H.O.G. member and a member of the Black Hill’s Harley-Davidson H.O.G. chapter, has chosen a 2009 Electra Glide Ultra Classic in Flame Blue Pearl. The delivery of the motorcycle will take place at Black Hill’s Harley-Davidson in Rapid City, S.D.
Harley-Davidson demo riders were automatically entered into the sweepstakes after taking a demo ride and redeeming a $10 gift certificate at their local Harley-Davidson dealership.
FLORIDA MOTORCYCLIST TO GET SCREWED AGAIN– The Florida Legislature is in session and working on a budget that includes diverting funds, some of which clearly state that they can not be used for other purposes.
During the 2008 session of the legislature the fee for motorcycle licenses were increased saying that the money would be used for education. My self and others were against this because no one had explained how the money previously collected was being used and why an increase was needed. Now there is a bill before the legislature FL HB 5007A: Proposes Changes: Motorcycle License Taxes: Florida Motorcycle Safety Program.
Current Situation: Currently, s. 320.08(1)(c), F.S., provides that for each motorcycle registered in Florida, a $2.50 motorcycle safety education fee is collected and deposited into the Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund. These funds are used EXCLUSIVELY to fund motorcycle driver improvement programs implemented pursuant to s. 322.025, F.S., or the Florida Motorcycle Safety Education Program. This program was established in 1989 to provide motorcycle safety courses in Florida
PROPOSED CHANGES: The bill amends s. 320.08, F.S., to allow the $2.50 education fee to fund motorcycle driver improvement program and the general operations of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. This bill also amends s. 322.0255, F.S. to eliminate certain potential reimbursements from the Department to motorcycle course providers.
That means they are taking the money and Not Putting It Back! I also suspect that the motorcycle rider courses will look to raise their fee for their courses because of this and since in 2008 the Florida Legislature made it mandatory to take one of their courses motorcyclist will be screwed again.
Traffic fines will increase across the board by $10 and speeding fines will increase by $25. New reports from the Federal Government say that speed is only a small factor in crashes. One thing for sure though it is a money maker for the cities and state and is expected to raise $15 million this year and $60 million next year in Florida, a move that will spare the state courts system more cuts. The Florida Legislators gave themselves a raise, free health care and party at the expense of taxpayers.
Governor Charlie Crist charged $430,000 for a trip to Europe in 2008 taking more than two dozen state employees, a photographer, and nine bodyguards.
The list goes on and on how legislators spend taxpayer money while wanting the citizens to continue to give up benefits and services. If they want to balance the budget they should start by setting an example by stopping waste in government.
Hopefully the motorcycle riders of Florida will say: Enough Is Enough. Start by contacting your legislator and telling them – To Vote No! on FL HB 5007A.
That money is collected to promote motorcycle safety and should not be used for any other purpose.
–ROGUE
DARWIN AWARD RELEASED TO BIKERNET– 4. After stopping for drinks at an illegal bar, a Zimbabwean bus driver found that the 20 mental patients he was supposed to be transporting from Harare to Bulawayo had escaped. Not wanting to admit his incompetence, the driver went to a nearby bus stop and offered everyone waiting there a free ride. He then delivered the passengers to the mental hospital, telling the staff that the patients were very excitable and prone to bizarre fantasies. The deception wasn’t discovered for 3 days.
5. An American teenager was in the hospital recovering from serious head wounds received from an oncoming train. When asked how he received the injuries, the lad told police that he was simply trying to see how close he could get his head to a moving train before he was hit.
6. A man walked into a Louisiana Circle-K, put a $20 bill on the counter, and asked for change. When the clerk opened the cash drawer, the man pulled a gun and asked for all the cash in the register, which the clerk promptly provided. The man took the cash from the clerk and fled, leaving the $20 bill on the counter. The total amount of cash he got from the drawer… $15. [If someone points a gun at you and gives you money, is a crime committed?]
Next round of Darwin awards coming this Thursday in the Bikernet News.
–Vern
158 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK– Do you know what happened this week back in 1850, 158 years ago?
California became a state. The State had no electricity. The State had no money. Almost everyone spoke Spanish. There were gunfights in the streets.
So basically, it was just like it is today, except the women had real breasts and the men didn’t hold hands.
MADD MOMS HARMFUL TO A FREE SOCIETY– I see I’m not only one wondering about Billy, maybe it will all work out. I can remember before all the mad moms, life was better then, everybody looked out for themselves & running buddies. To many people worrying about other people now.
Keep up your work for our rights, I try around here but all we have are a bunch of feet draggers here, claim it’s to cold to ride at 50.
My girl Rhiannon wants to know if you got that about red shirt Friday. Take care ride hard & safe(kinda hard to do)LOL.
–Charlie
Yep, MADD moms took prostitution, caused prohibition and extreme drunk driving laws and may attack motorcycles next. Watch out. –Wilburn Roach
SEMA COMMITTEE OPPORTUNITY– I’m very interested in the SEMA committee you’re putting together. I don’t think the MIC will ever become what it needs to be to represent the custom/vintage industry properly. I had hoped to talk to you about this at Cincy, but the combination of a tight budget (I’m a one-man show) and teaching duties causes me to miss it this year. I am a SEMA member now, but would like to join the motorcycle committee if possible.
Could you keep me in the loop with information as you have it?
Thanks much and best of success in this endeavor, it’s a good thing for a great cause,
–David G. Koshollek
DAKO Management Company, LLC
Prescott, AZ 86305
Off: 928-445-8286 – Cell: 928-925-8831
Fax: 888-785-5524
David brought up one of the issues we can discuss at the V-Twin show in Cincy, February 8, at 9:00 a.m. in room 251. We will talk about this opportunity with SEMA, the MIC (Motorcycle Industry Council) and how the motorcycle aftermarket can support the 250,000 members of the MRF (Motorcycle Riders Foundation) and our sport. The meeting is open to the public.
BIKERNET PHOTOGRAPHER ATTACKED IN MALIBU HILLS– Here are all the Park Service guys who showed up, when they discovered I was shooting without a permit a few weekends ago! I escaped to an alternative location, so I got the shoot done..
–Peter Linney
BIKERNET ECONOMIC SUMMIT MEETING, KEY QUESTION– So the question is, “What product do you carry in your Dealership that will bring your customers back in your store ???Once a week? If they are not in the building…They are not spending money…
Dealer survey shows Harley?s 4Q U.S. sales fall 20-25 percent
Powersports Business
Friday January 16, 2009
A Harley-Davidson dealer survey shows its U.S. retail sales have decreased 20-25 percent in the fourth quarter compared to a year ago.
The survey, done by Wachovia Capital Markets, showed all regions down by a similar percentage. However, dealers largely said retail sales appeared to stabilize in the latter half of December.
As a result of the slow sales, dealer inventories are largely heavier than a year ago. Thirty five percent of Harley dealers characterized their inventory as ?heavy.?
Dealers also are reporting a decrease in the price of used Harleys, noting an increased amount of preowned bikes currently on the market.
The survey, which was skewed toward larger dealerships, contacted 40 dealerships in 27 states.
–Michael Colburn
VP sales
PetroNovel Energy Group
Commerce, Ca 90023
925 497 4927
http://www.oxytane.com
PANTHER MOTORCYCLE ABOUT TO JUMP ONTO THE SCENE–The Panther Motorcycle Company is a Canadian company. We are officially based in Victoria, British Columbia just above Seattle, Washington on the southern tip of beautiful Vancouver Island. The Panther Motorcycle Company is a Canadian company.
http://www.PantherMotorcycle.com
We are on the tail end of heat and stress FEA on the Cyclops Rotary Engine. We shall begin the unveiling by releasing a see-thru 3D fly-thru video with enough detail so that anyone looking at the presentation will be completely able to understand the construction and process. It will show all the parts and mechanical movements in action It will also show the fuel-air mixture flowing, combusting and expelling
There are 8 combustions per revolution, thus it is fluid cooled via a radiator jacket around the engine. It is by far the smoothest and simplest engine ever designed. The engine has only 8 very easy to make geometric parts made up of only of circles, ovals and arcs, so anyone with basic machining skills can make one.
It promises to be extremely inexpensive to make and has the best power-to-weight ratio of any piston or rotary alternative. The engine is also destined as an option in the motorcycle we just released.
http://www.erikbrinkman.com/rbike
Ready 2 Ride, Inc. Announces Affiliation with 50 Below– GEORGETOWN, IN – January 16, 2009 – Ready 2 Ride, Inc has affiliated itself with 50 Below to create what is being called, “The Best Web site Tool… Period.” 50 Below has released just in time for Dealer Expo 2009 in Indianapolis their new “EZ Shop” product. “50 Below does the Web sites. We do the data. It makes sense to work together,” says Ready 2 Ride President Jamie Longacre. Powersports dealers can now experience 50 Below Web sites that feature10 different and improved ways for online customers to shop for aftermarket and OEM parts and accessories. These Web sites feature Ready 2 Ride’s X-ActFit Aftermarket Parts Search Tool. This data allows consumers the ability to “Shop by Fitment”. This shopping method is used by many of the top 100 discounters’ Web sites. For more information on the EZ Shop by 50 Below Web site tool, or X-ActFit Software, call Ready 2 Ride at 1-866-951-6686 or visit us at the Dealer Expo in Indianapolis February 14-16 at booths 3361, 3551 and 5618.
SPEAKING OF SHOWS, WOODY EXTRAVAGANZA– Mark your calendar for Sat. Feb. 7th for a great car/rod show – which includes the best collection of original woodies on earth (see below pic I shot last year), swap meet and good all-you-can-eat Bar-B-Q for $20 (it goes to charity). I got there late which is why the place looks empty, plus all the rods etc. are outside the building.
It goes from 8am til about 1pm (which is about when I got there). If you’re bringing a car to show get there between 7-8
Trust me, you wanna be there!
–Nick Alexander BMW
6333 S. Alameda St.
L.A. 90001
LOTS OF NEW ADDITIONS AT RENEGADE MOTORCYCLES– New bikes, new people, new services and even Ed Hardy apparel, all at Renegade Motorcycles in Grand Prairie!
New bikes rolling in weekly, new Ed Hardy Tattoo shirts-shoes-belts-jackets now at Renegade!
All new Dyno-Tune services available for the fullest performance from your machine! Introductory Dyno-Tune Special only $199 Monday – Friday!
Come See All The Great New Stuff at Renegade! We offer certified service on all American Made Motorcycles. Everything from a basic service to Dyno Performance Tuning and full customization services.
Lower rates and better service than the big guys! Saturdays are first come first service – Same day or while you wait service!
Whether you are looking for some new pipes, mirrors, wheels, tires, a custom seat, a new custom paint job or just some new gloves, Stop by and check out Renegade soon!
2618 I-20 West, Grand Prairie, Texas 75052
At the SW Corner of the I-20 and Great Southwest intersection in Grand Prairie
Local 469-348-2222, Toll free 877-976-BIKE
Or visit us online at www.renegadecycles.com
SUNDAY PHOTO ART EXHIBIT– Daytona Bikeweek Feb 27th thru Mar 8th – get ya asses down to Florida for the party!
–Whiplash Biker Photog
http://whiplashbikerphotog.blogspot.com/
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