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I RIDE– the movie by documentary filmmaker Daron Ker from Water Buffalo Films, is set for premier in Sacramento on July 18, 2009– The 82 minute biker flick starring the famous Fryed Brothers Band has been three years in the making as Ker travelled with the band and got a taste of life on the road and of what it means to live a biker life. Come share an evening with the Fryeds as they sign autographs and watch the movie with their family, friends, and fans.
Doors open at the Crest Theatre, 1013 K Street in Sacramento, CA at 6 p.m. movie starts at 7. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased by going to http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?agency=TDC&pid=6558444
–F. Morgan
DON’T CALL IT A CLUNKER!– The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) recently notified you about the new federal law that hands out vouchers for older vehicles when purchasing new vehicles. It started out as “Cash for Clunkers,” and has evolved into the CARS or Car Allowance Rebate System. Basically, when you trade in an older car or truck to participating dealerships, you can get up to $4500 from the federal government to put toward a new vehicle purchase or lease. Currently the program does not make any allowance for motorcycles.
Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) wants to change that. Senate Bill 1248 would allow for the inclusion of motorcycles in this program. SB1248 would allow up to $2500 for a motorcycle trade. Under SB1248 you could trade in a car or a motorcycle for a new motorcycle, or an older motorcycle for new bike or car at a participating dealership.
Senator Casey isn’t trying to rid the country of older motorcycles; he’s trying to help some 2600 constituents from losing their jobs. It’s not a secret that the York, PA Harley Davidson plant has fallen on rough times. Harley laid off 400 employees in January, and things haven’t gotten better. According to a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Article, a Harley Davidson spokesperson admitted that the idea of moving the York plant was on the table, and mentioned an internal study being done to assess the viability of the plant. Additional concerns include a major union contract that is up in 2010.
Harley has to take care of Harley, and Senator Casey has to take care of his constituents, and they both happen to benefit from this legislation. The MRF has been assured that Senator Casey absolutely did not introduce this legislation at the request of Harley Davidson, but to help his constituents keep their jobs. If Harley sells more motorcycles, it bodes well for the citizens of York, PA.
Senator Casey’s bill would allow motorcycles into the CARS program, but many of the details are vague. For instance, S1248 would allow for motorcycles to be eligible for the voucher from January 1, 2009 until 3 years after enactment. However, the CARS program expires on November 1, 2009 or when the funds run out, whichever comes first.
Certainly it’s important to watch for accelerated end of useful life programs such as these. Temporary can become permanent with the simple stroke of a pen. The MRF believes that even the suggestion of a permanent program would warrant an all out opposition. However, the short-term nature of this particular program should be treated more as a warning sign of what we need to be ready to confront in the future. We do want motorcycles to receive the same respect and treatment as automobiles, but not at the detriment of risking losing certain communities or freedoms within the world of motorcycling.
For more information on the existing CARS program for autos, visit www.cars.gov.
BIKERNET EDITORIAL LINE-UP LAST WEEK– You don’t want to miss the action on Bikernet this week: The news covers everything from bad jokes to all the action headed toward Sturgis: http://www.bikernet.com/news/
You can watch my 5-Ball Factory Racer come together monthly on Bikernet. It’s cool and about to go to paint: http://www.bikernet.com/garage/PageViewer.asp?PageID=2722
Another bike build on Bikernet is damn interesting. It started as a stock Sportster, before Greg Friend, at Saddlemen, shredded it. http://www.bikernet.com/sportsters/PageViewer.asp?PageID=2730
A Bikernet reader sent me a road test from Cycle Canada. They pit a Boss Hoss against a Triumph inline 3. It’s a well-written description of two locomotive motorcycles. http://www.bikernet.com/roadtests/PageViewer.asp?PageID=2732
Finally, here’s a chance to win a Big Dog K-9 in a SkilSaw competition. In fact there’s great odds for winning motorcycles this year. Check the Buffalo Chip/Sucker Punch contest in the News. Plus Iron Works magazine is working with Bikernet and Brass Balls on another raffle effort. Don’t miss your chance.
Bandit
SEMA SHOW TO FOCUS ON TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT– The Tools & Equipment section of the SEMA Show is located at the west end of the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, adjacent to the Paint, Body & Equipment section. The Tools & Equipment section showcases shop and testing equipment, lathes, grinders, hand tools, air conditioning, lifts, jacks, power tools and containers.
When buyers pre-registered for the 2008 SEMA Show, 31,917 domestic and 10,786 international buyers expressed interest in tool and equipment products. Approximately 152 exhibitors at the 2008 SEMA Show indicated that they manufacture tool and equipment products; more than 7,603 attendees expressed interest in those products; and more than 18,806 attendees swiped badges at those specific exhibitor booths.
There were a total of 101,930 scan swipes made at North Hall exhibitor booths last year. On the marketing front, SEMA is employing highly targeted methods to attract tool and equipment product buyers to this year?s SEMA Show. The extensive, multi-channel marketing is targeting not only past attendees, but also fresh new prospects that have never attended the SEMA Show. ?Number one on any buyer?s list of goals for the SEMA Show is to see new products,” says Dan Hobgood, SEMA Senior Director of Marketing. ?Our targeted, e-mail and direct mail to buyers emphasizes all the new products they?ll see at the Show, many of which are conveniently located in the New Products Showcase. As the ad says, the SEMA Show truly is ?Like a Pit Stop for Your Business.?
STOP EVERYTHING, BIKERNET BREAK IN THE ACTION– 1. How Do You Catch a Unique Rabbit?
Unique Up On It.
2. How Do You Catch a Tame Rabbit?
Tame Way.
3. How Do Crazy People Go Through The Forest ?
They Take The Psychopath
4. How Do You Get Holy Water?
You Boil The Hell Out Of It
–from Keith S.
RUSTY IRON BUTT CHALLENGE?– Matt Olsen, the Antique Motorcycle Club of America’s Youth Coordinator, is planning on riding his 1936 Harley Davidson EL from South Dakota to the AMA Vintage Days to participate in the AMA’s 85th anniversary parade.
The event in Lexington Ohio, takes place from July 24th through July 26th. The weekend’s festivities include vintage racing, North America’s largest swapmeet, bike shows, demo rides and more.
What makes Matt’s trip so unusual is that he and his passenger, Mara Butler, plan on riding the 1,100 miles in 24 hours with no chase vehicle or support team. “We would love to qualify for the Iron Butt Association Saddle Sore 1,000 award,” Matt stated. “In order to qualify for an IBA Saddle Sore 1,000 award, you have to ride at least 1,000 miles in 24 hours. And we want to do it on a 71 year old Harley.”
“We want to shatter the general motorcycling public’s perception that the old and collectible motorcycles belong in museums, or that they can’t be ridden.” Matt explained. “I figure this is a good opportunity to attempt my first Iron Butt Run and participate in the AMA Vintage Days event while demonstrating the durability and reliability of my 73 year old motorcycle.” If Matt and Mara succeed, Matt’s 36 EL will be the oldest Harley to qualify for an IBA award.
If you can’t make it to the AMA Vintage Days event on July 25th and 26th to meet Matt and Mara, you can check in on their progress at http://www.oldbikesinsd.blogspot.com/ . Mara will be doing updates along the 1100 mile trip at every gas stop.
THE BIKERNET MONASTERY AND A Wee Bit O’Catholic Humor– 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!’
–from Buckshot
NEW CYCLE SOURCE MAG REVIEW, BIKERNET FEATURED– Just received my CS mag and note the excellent article on Jeremiah’s Bobber. Very cool bike.
Give my congrats to the man. Good job Mr. Soto.
–Marc@Bikernet.com
Hey, Bikernet is where the adventure begins and the ride never ends.
Obama Financial Plan Threatens Lenders– A proposal within the Obama administration?s financial-overhaul plan could force BMW, General Electric and Harley-Davidson to sell off their lending businesses or face heavier regulation, The Wall Street Journal reported recently.
These firms own state-chartered industrial loan companies (ILCs) that lend money and benefit from federally insured deposits, but are not regulated as heavily as normal banks. The Obama administration?s plan would force companies with ILC charters to register as bank-holding companies with the Federal Reserve.
According to the article, industry experts predict that if this happens, ?most companies with ILC charters likely would close them down? after not meeting the Fed?s requirements or balking at the heavy regulation.
The article said that lawmakers and banking groups are lobbying to have the proposal removed from the plan. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has said he?s open to negotiations. The House Committee of Financial Services is debating the overhaul plan through July. Months of further debate will likely follow.
The day after breaking the story, The Wall Street Journal reported more opposition to the proposal. The Economist also has analyzed the issue, noting a second plan proposal that could force General Electric to sell GE Capital.
The Economist, however, concluded that most ILC owners with something to sell, like Harley-Davidson and BMW, would not sell off their lending arms. Instead, they would “presumably accept the stricter oversight that comes with owning a bank.?
Click here for a list of the 45 ILCs in the United States, according to iBanknet. Other powersports lenders on the list include Merrick Bank Corp. and Medallion Bank.
— By: Arlo Redwine
–DealerNews
WEST COAST CHOPPERS ALIVE AND KICKING–Stopped by Jesse’s shop last week and he’s back from a year of shooting his latest Spike TV show, which according to Mr. James, is number one on cable.
I watched as one of the WCC guys tested a bumble bee painted chopper. A tight ride, that sounded sharp as it rounded the block and back for tuning.
Jesse plans to offer parts again in the near future, dealer direct or maybe just retail. We will keep you posted.
TO LESSEN OUR DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN OIL– The ‘Department of Energy’ was instituted on 8- 04-1977
Hey, pretty efficient, huh????? AND NOW IT’S 2009, 32 YEARS LATER …. AND THE BUDGET FOR THIS NECESSARY DEPARTMENT IS AT $24.2 BILLION A YEAR
IT HAS
16,000 FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND APPROXIMATELY
100,000 CONTRACT EMPLOYEES
AND LOOK AT THE JOB IT HAS DONE!
THIS IS WHERE YOU SLAP YOUR FOREHEAD AND SAY ‘WHAT Were we THINKING?’
Ah, yes, good ole bureaucracy..
And NOW we are going to turn the Banking System, Health Care & the Auto Industry over to that same Government?
God Help Us !!!
–from Rogue
Bandit & Bert Baker Talking Tranny Fandango– Bert & Bandit conclude their discussion on what is currently moving our two-wheeled iron. Bandit caught up with Bert as he was under double secret lock down and designing the next must-have transmission for the Michigan firm.
Bandit shifts gears and spends some time on his latest build up at Bikernet. Hear more in the Bikernet Studio.
Brass Balls Model 1 Is a Top 10 Production Bike– Darwin Motorcycles, the builder of the Brass Balls Choppers & Bobbers motorcycles, is pleased to announce that its Custom Model 1 Digger Bobber received the 2009 Top Product Bike title in the August 2009 issue of V-Twin Magazine. Brass Balls was in good company as Big Bear Choppers, Harley-Davidson, Victory Motorcycles and Big Dog were all designated as having the ?Coolest Rides Around.?
Brass Balls builds custom bikes that look good, run like thoroughbreds and consistently receives awards for design and quality. The Model 1 embodies our current state of affairs with a traditional old-school design wrapped in a flat black tuxedo that is available at just $15,995.
Call 405-270-0995 or log on to Brass Balls Bobbers.com.
I TOLD YOU LIFE WAS BANANAS– By Thursday next week we will bring you our exciting news. The Chance Hogan book is waiting on cover art and a Library of Congress number. We’re getting close. Then it looks as if we’re going to reprint my first two books, Prize Possession and Outlaw Justice.
This coming week we will deliver on another hot chopper feature, I hope; then coverage of the successful, July 4, Shasta Salute to America 2nd annual event, and Kiwi Mike’s sizzling desert road story on one of his classic Indians. George “The Wild Brush” will arrive on Monday with his pinstriping pick-up and start to work on several components of the 5-Ball factory racer. Then it’s up to me and the lovely Sin Wu to deliver a couple of tech articles. One will involve the new Baker Kicker system and some Spyke components, then we’re working on a JIMS tool tech with Bikers Choice–replacing seals.
I know, it’s time for another Cantina Soap Opera episode. I need a fresh bottle of Jack Daniels and a redhead. I’ll get a hot dose of drama and hammer the keyboard. Hang on.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
