In a dank dark corner of a dusty debris strewn shop behind the Strokers Saloon on Harry Hines Blvd in Dallas was a small stack of bike parts guarded by a massive starving pitbull with one eye and most of one ear chewed away. The beast was so vicious that it once chewed through a
1928 Shovelhead Project Part II Read More »
When I last left off with this build up, I was building a long bike, and was knee deep in engine work.Since that article, a lot of things have changed, and many miles have been traveled in getting this project rolling.I would love to be able to say that I built this bike all alone
The ’74 Triumph Chopper Project (Cont.) Read More »
Just when you thought a project slipped off the lift, the paint arrived. Harold Pontarelli of H-D Performance, in Vacaville, California, made this puppy sing. It’s now mighty close to pavement miles. What started as a 1984 Mexican Police bike was transformed into a 1928 Shovelhead. All the Compu-fire electrics possible were stashed on brackets
1928 Shovelhead Part VI – Coming To Life Read More »
Here’s the deal. The 1928 project was recently completed except for a stylish exhaust system. The antique notion was based on racers from the ’20s, something way off the pavement, open and short. JR, the service director of Strokers, explained the steps, “They were cut and pasted together. Bits and pieces from the
1928 Shovelhead Runs Part VII Read More »
Our trip through the beautiful state of Utah was COLD! As a matter of fact the general term was FUCKING COLD! I asked the German nationals I was riding with if this was an actual measurement in their country and they informed me that it’s a Fahrenheit term. We had an amazing ride despite the
It all starts on one of those days when you’re wandering around the garage, looking at all the odds and ends of past projects. You know, a front rim here, a back rim over there, fenders in the rafters. Then you start thinking about that old motor you have sitting in the corner. In my
The ’74 Triumph Chopper Project Read More »
In an effort to stay tuned with the rapidly growing and ever changing industry the staff of Bikernet began a project Shovelhead several years ago in conjunction with Randy Simpson of Milwaukee Iron and Arlen Ness. It’s been a strange road, but we’re now rolling closer to completion with the assistance of Rick Fairless of
1928 Shovelhead Project Part 1 Read More »
The lovely Lena Fairless, who has threatened to marry Bandit (the sixth Mrs. Ball) and make him work for her folks at the Easyriders Dallas store, has been pushing to see that this 1928 Shovelhead project is completed in time for her wedding plans. Bandit doesn’t seem to move unless there’s a motorcycle and a
1928 Shovelhead Project Part III Read More »
One of the best aspects of building bikes nowadays is the integrity of the components. If you get the right mixture of components together and take care with the wiring and assembly, you’ll have a bike as reliable as factory stock. That’s one of the reasons Bandit has moved to using Compu-Fire electrical components
1928 Shovelhead Project Part IV Read More »
The pressure is on. Lena Fairless, a 15-year-old bubbly Texas beauty, is after Bandit. This hell bent young woman plans to become his sixth wife. To lure the big bastard from the coast, Easyriders of Dallas has been working hard on his Shovelhead under Lena’s strict direction. Even this article was investigated while the
1928 Shovelhead Project Part V Read More »
As I was sitting at my desk one afternoon, while working at Easyriders, I heard a rumor that the editor of one of our magazines had a Harley- Davidson motorcycle for sale. I had always wanted a Harley since I was a kid, so I hooked up with Mike Osborne the editor of Quick Throttle
The Screamin Blue Messiah Read More »
Hey, It’s mother’s day, what the fuck are we doing trying to post a news column? A mom came up with the notion of the Sunday Post. We’re always looking for hot moms to grace the Sunday Post. What the hell? We received the XS650 frame from Mr. Lucky, and next week we will start
MOM’S DAY SUNDAY POST Read More »
This is an interesting one for Bikernet. A guy, Frank White, the boss of ATK motorcycles, mostly dirt bikes, recently called and told me about his new line of cruisers built with Korean components and assembled stateside. I didn’t know much about ATK. Throughout its history, ATK has enjoyed a tremendous winning tradition. From desert
New ATK 250 V-Twin Cruiser Read More »
Hey,This is going to be an earth shaking, do or die news. It’s also packed with “Chance of a Lifetime” items, and Laughlin images. So take it slow and give it some thought. At the end I’ll fill you in on upcoming Bikernet editorial. This was a pressurized week, but it’s beginning to come to
Bikernet Thursday Post Laughlin News Flash – Read More »
Travis shifted uneasily as the old mechanic looked him over. Candy had assured him that they would hire him but it would take the approval of Sam, the weathered old mechanic who changed the tire on the Shovelhead just the day before. “Can you run a forklift?” Travis nodded yes. Sam motioned Candy to get
Hey, Just back from windy Laughlin on the Colorado River and the whiskey is wearing off. I took a laptop and it said the e-mails were sent, but they died somewhere in the transfer. I’m going to buy a Mac laptop and use it for everything. I wandered the isles of vendors looking for new
POST RIVER RUN SUNDAY POST Read More »
We’ve had a week from hell with technical difficulties from AT&T. Numerous calls to tech support, three Technician visits and two ‘solutions’ later, we still have a problem. The internet blinks in and out, causing us to lose what we’ve been working on, and not to mention that it takes FOREVER to do the
Laughlin Weekend Thursday News Read More »
After purchasing the HRD company in 1928, Philip Vincent added the name to his own line of motorcycles. As an inventor and engineer, Mr. Vincent produced some very innovative designs during his career, and bikes carrying the Vincent HRD logo were known for their quality construction, and high prices. It was the latter that would
1952 Vincent Black Shadow from Sturgis Museum Read More »
Hey, What could be better? I could be decorating eggs and hanging out with brightly colored adorned kids, or producing the Sunday Post, then scrambling to have enough time to put the shop back together.I’m trying to prep the Bikernet shop for three builds. We need to clear off two more lifts and tighten up
EASTER EGG SUNDAY POST Read More »
Nowadays, by definition, a motorcycle trip is typically not something done simply for the utilitarian transportation reason of getting from point A to point B because you have to get there. Yes, there are plenty of folks who ride to work during the week, ride to a union meeting on a Saturday morning, and Hell
Defining Motorcycle Moments Read More »
You’re never too old to learn something new! Although it is not that easy teaching old dogs new tricks! After Arizona Bike Week, I finally moved my rusty ole chopper to my new Colorado Hacienda. When I returned to California to work this past week, it was my first time in California in 25 years
Bikernet Betsy & friends hit the Hippy Killer Hoedown Read More »
Hey, Laughlin is flying at us, and we are planning a secret run into the desert to meet with a couple of industry agents, find all the hot redheads, and then slip outta town. I know, I’m too old for hot redheads, but it’s a warm comforting thought, when I
PRE-RIVER RUN THURSDAY NEWS Read More »
Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish, National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) CONGRESS ACTS TO REINFORCE BAN ON NHTSA LOBBYING May is Motorcycle Awareness Month across the country, and Congressional lawmakers are introducing a resolution on May 2 to continue current restrictions on NHTSA that prevent the federal transportation agency from lobbying state and local governments
NCOM Coast To Coast Legislative Update for April 2011 Read More »
It’s snowing in upstate New York, a bone chilling 6 degrees Celsius as Will Barclay warms up his Royal Enfield for the morning ride. “It’s always a good day to ride,” he says with a wry smile and rumbles off into the silent white countryside. This philosophy garnered Will the win in what’s probably considered
It’s a Good Day to Ride with Will Barclay Read More »
