Hey, What’s happening? I wish I knew. We worked on the shop yesterday. Mounting the Salt Shaker seat, replacing a battery in our 1928 Shovelhead and messing with another Kendon Lift. I have a bad habit of fuckin’ with everything. So, of course, I modified both shop Kendon lifts.
A buddy called the other day to tell me he sold his Santa Monica Condo. I loaned him a work bench six years ago that I built with my dad, when I was about 21. It’s massive and I decided that I couldn’t let him shit-can it. Natch, that meant we needed to carve out more room in the shop. This was one of my first arc welding projects. The bastard was built from galvanized angle iron. It made me sick as a dog after welding it. Let’s hit the news:
EPA AND NOISE LEGISLATION–I will pass along info as I stumble into it. I appreciate feedback and the following came from a reader regarding my noise legislation testing suggestions in the Thursday news:
Bandit,
I read the news and your blurb at the end about pipes. Here’s the deal: Sirens, etc, need to be heard to be safe and alert the public of their presence. As we’ve discussed, we do too.
BUT, we need to stress the TRANSITORY nature of BOTH of these types of noise. When we discuss the total amount of noise that permeates the air some of that is stationary – construction sites, mechanical devices (refridgerators, a/c units, computers, etc.), yard devices, that sort of thing, some is transitory and lasts only a few seconds at most – traffic, sirens, stereos, airplanes, etc. Car alarms are a bit of both, and probably contribute to noise pollution the MOST, especially during ‘quiet times’ like at night or early morning. We MUST equate our noise to these sources. Using a decibel meter to measure noise is fine, but only in context: Driving by. Period.
In that vein, and I respect Brett Smith’s opinion, but ALL of these devices MUST have a testing standard if we allow for a testing standard for bikes as a ‘nuisance’ noise. The sheer cost alone of this concept is staggering, as is the idea of another bureaucracy developed to study, develop specs, train, enforce, and defend their findings in court and otherwise.
Please understand that motorcycle noise is a NON ISSUE. We MUST resist the merest HINT of a notion that it is, mostly because of it’s transitory nature. A leaf blower sounds off for five, ten, thirty minutes outside your house at a time. My bike sounds off for twenty-thirty seconds at the MOST, and if I’m parking or warming up.
IF someone is rapping out at midnight he deserves to have his ass kicked, BUT my municipality, and I’m sure most others, already have a noise ordinance for this! It is the police department/law enforcement official’s job to assess and enforce those laws. IF we allow for testing, the testing will be random and as a pretext for other shakedowns. We must NOT allow testing at all, and especially anything approaching a national standard. Witness EPA and CAFE standardized bullshit. Oh, and the industry needs to stay out of it and NEVER admit culpability – if they do, they run the risk of being sued. Hell, I might fucking sue ’em.
Later – Ride Safe
Paul E. (Tin Man) Vasquez, M.F.A.
NEW SHOP DYNO CONNECTION– Dynostar USA DANNI ASHE SUNDAY– Hey, Bandit ! Hope you are having a good weekend. And we’ve got an entire MONTH of Erica Campbell! Live Events, Strips, Chats, Special video performances and MUCH MORE. Stop by and chat with Erica – LIVE! This is your chance to ask her whatever your heart desires. Sign up now and you won’t miss a single event! TONS of fresh Video and Photoset updates! Erica Campbell and Aria Giovanni give a special LIVE “In Bed At Danni’s”- to ALL MEMBERS of Danni.com. Come talk to Aria and Erica, LIVE AND UNCENSORED – ask them to perform JUST FOR YOU!! Our March DanniGirl will NOT disappoint you! Model of the Day: Autumn Westin – It doesn’t get much hotter than this! Check her out! Virtual Lapdance: Our girls put YOU in the action! Kick back and enjoy the show! The sexiest girls will do any and everything they can to satisfy you. With over 1,600 models, Danni.com will keep you coming back again and again! *KISSES*, BIKE WEEK CYCLE BUSINESS HOLIDAY– PALM COAST — With Bike Week under way, Rich Candido is ready for business. The owner of XXX Custom Cycles in Palm Coast says the annual event is like Christmas for him. Lately, every day is Christmas Day. Over the past few months, Candido has gotten married, seen one of his custom-built motorcycles get more and more attention and has been invited to enter another bike in the prestigious American Motorcycle Dealers show in Las Vegas. “I’ve had a hell of a year,” he said. “It’s been a really good year.” One of the highlights of his year is yet to come, when the June issue of Easy Riders magazine, one of the “bibles” of the motorcycle world, comes out with a feature on Candido and his creations. But Candido and XXX Custom Cycles is no overnight success story. He said he has built the business, which opened in 2004, by serving his customers whether they are there for some routine maintenance or for a custom-built bike. It has meant long hours for Candido, but lots of rewards, too. One of his customers is John Hart, former vice president and general manager of the Cleveland Indians. In Candido’s shop is a custom Harley-Davidson motorcycle with the Indians logo on it that belongs to Hart, who has a home in The Hammock. “He spends a couple of weeks here and there,” Candido said, and stores the bike at Candido’s shop. For Candido, having Hart as a regular customers is proof of how far he has come. “He gets to shake hands and play golf with the President of the United States and he’s my customer,” Candido said, shaking his head. “Just to have somebody like that as my customer is a true honor.” Customers, it seems, are no longer as much of a problem for Candido. He said the shop is booked solid for the next couple of weeks, especially with Bike Week visitors pouring into the area. While the pace is hectic, it means the business is thriving. “I went from worrying about how to pay the bills to where I don’t have time to pay the bills,” he said. These days, he is getting some help from his new wife, Claudia, and her children. Candido said Claudia and her daughter have taken over the paperwork end of the business, while her son has provided a big splash of inspiration. While most of his shop is filled with motorcycle parts and accessories, including lots of XXX Custom Cycles clothing, a corner of it looks like a music studio. That’s thanks to Claudia’s son, Anthony, who is a budding musician. Candido said he lets him rehearse at the shop after hours and the heavy metal music has inspired Candido’s next creation. “I got the idea for the gas tank for my next bike from his guitar,” Candido said. “It is going to be very dark and sort of Gothic looking.” While the next creation to roll out of XXX Custom Cycles may be on the dark side, the skies are sunny and blue for the business. And Candido is dreaming big dreams. After showing a bike in the 2005 V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati and then seeing it featured in ads for framemaker Dakota Thunder among others, Candido now wants to see one of his bikes on display at a Hard Rock Cafe. “That’s my big dream,” he said. In the meantime, Candido is bracing for the Bike Week rush. And loving it. And he isn’t the only one readying for the bikers. Linda Jarosz, executive director at the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce, said the bikers might be noisy, but they are good for the area’s economy. “It’s very nice for the business community,” she said. Jarosz said bikers will fill local motels and campgrounds and spend money in area restaurants, gas stations and grocery stores. — By AARON LONDON Staff Writer –from Rogue BIKERNET REPORTER EMBEDDED IN DAYTONA– I think we did okay supplying info about what was happening, where and what to look out for which is pretty much all we can do prior to the event. I think recent news articles say we were on the money with Destination Daytona and I am sure they will support many of the Bikers doing things outside the city also. The roads are full of motorcycles heading to Daytona, A lot of out of state plates. I am seeing more of friends coming to visit friends, staying at their house and using them as a tour guide. Times are changing. For the good I think. There is so much to do and people riding have so many varied interests and finances that just hanging out in Daytona Beach gets Blah. Much like Sturgis they are spreading out. Got to go get parts for bike I am working on. Hoping to head to Daytona area today (Sunday) them back up Monday for AMA stuff Wednesday, Party etc. I will get you shots. — ROGUE BRAND NEW WESTCOAST CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE SHOW SET TO FIRE-UP MACH 25-26– Tradex Centre Will Host the Hottest Custom Machines in North America. The new Westcoast Custom Motorcycle Show is being heralded as the biggest pure custom motorcycle show in Western Canada. Not only will it feature some of the hottest bikes in North America, most of them will be produced locally, as this area is the undisputed home to some of the world’s top custom builders including professional bike builder Roger Goldammer of Kelowna, BC, who will have several bikes on display. Goldammer’s amazing work won him 1st Place at the AMD/Custom Chrome World Championship in 2004 and 2005. This show, brought to you by the people responsible for the Gastown Motorcycle Show n’ Shine in 2005 and the B.C. Custom Motorcycle Show from 1990-1998, will feature over 200 custom bikes on display, more than 30 classes including Foreign, Street, British, Vintage, Radical, “Specialty” and a new “Pro Builders” class, with a $1000.00 prize for Best Bike. Also featured are several vendor displays that range from custom motorcycle shops like North Shore Choppers and Jarz Performance to the B.C. Lottery Corporation and Easy Build Structures. The Tradex Centre, renowned for it’s other two wheeled event – The Vancouver Motorcycle Show – is just minutes off the #1 highway and conveniently located next to the Abbotsford International Airport. Proceeds of this event will go to support the B.C. Coalition of Motorcyclists (BCCOM). BCCOM is a professional lobbying organization that works on behalf of all motorcyclists rights in the province of B.C. Show organizer, Adele Tompkins, said, “We are very excited about this show! It’s long over due.” For more information, visit www.westcoastcustom.ca. WESTCOAST CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE SHOW SHOW HOURS: ADMISSION: PARKING: VENDOR INFO & BIKE ENTRY INFO: CONTACT INFORMATION: WELD RACING ANNOUNCES MANAGEMENT CHANGES– Weld Wheel Industries announced today that it is making changes to the management group of Weld Racing’s Motorcycle wheel division. “As the product line and market dynamics continue to develop and evolve, we have decided to make some strategic changes to better serve the V-Twin industry” stated Greg Weld, CEO of Weld Wheel Industries. Mark Finnie has resigned from his position as VP of the Weld Motorcycle division to pursue other opportunities. “We will miss Mark and wish him much success on his future endeavors” Greg added. Weld Racing will be consolidating the Motorcycle division’s sales and marketing staffs with Weld’s very successful PRO Motorsports division under the direct leadership of Taylor Weld, the group Vice President. Taylor has been working the last 3 years to completely reengineer both the Motorcycle and the Race Divisions and has developed many new and exciting products. “Although Weld Racing has been a private label manufacturer of wheels and accessories in the V-Twin industry for 19 years, we made a strategic decision in 2003 to pursue the V-Twin market under our own, well-established brand. Since 2003, we have been at the leading edge of technology by introducing exciting new styles and wheel sizes that weren’t available before. We have fundamentally changed the expectation level of the end consumer for chrome motorcycle wheels by offering the industry’s first 5-year chrome warranty. We have also partnered with some of the most respected custom bike builders in the industry, both domestically and internationally, to develop stunning new designs that have a timeless quality, instead of the “style of the month” designs that don’t have staying power” concluded Greg. Weld Racing’s Pro Motorsports division, the world leader of hi-performance racing wheels, has a storied history in almost every aspect of racing. Weld Racing has won more races and championships than all other racing wheels combined. All of the technology and product expertise that Weld has accumulated over the past 35 years in PRO Motorsports is being directly applied to making the best motorcycle wheels that money can buy. Now with the direct collaboration between the Motorcycle and PRO Motorsports divisions, Weld will be able to have more collective resources at their disposal to better inform customers, develop exciting marketing campaigns and increase their level of customer service and satisfaction to a new level not only for Weld, but for the entire V-Twin industry. In the sales department, Rich Albertson has been promoted to Sales Manager, Motorcycle Products. Rich will head up our very capable Motorcycle Group sales team and travel to visit our great group of current customers as well as developing new ones. Weld has also added more “firepower” to their manufacturing divisions with the return of Russ Bailey to head up all CNC machining operations. Russ has a long history in the high performance field in both machining and fabricating and has worked for Weld in many different capacities in the past. Russ brings creativity, talent and a quality mindset to Weld’s CNC Department. Weld Racing continues to be very committed to the V-Twin motorcycle industry. “We will continue to push the envelope of wheel technology and design” stated Taylor Weld, Group VP for Weld’s Race and Motorcycle Divisions. “We are excited to be involved with some of the most respected names in the V-Twin industry and look forward to continuing our relationship with both our current and potential customers” Taylor concluded. Look for Weld Racing’s “big black rig” displaying our latest styles and sizes at the Daytona Speedway for 2006 Bike Week, March 3-12 and all other major bike shows throughout the ’06 season. KAWASAKI’S CUSTOM CRUISER TOUR BROADENS SCHEDULE IN 2006– IRVINE, Calif. (March 3, 2006) – Motorcycling has transformed in recent years from a niche activity to a form of two-wheeled excitement that now pervades mainstream America. Television shows such as “American Chopper” and “Biker Build-off” have brought the subject of motorcycle customization into millions of homes provoking the interest of both motorcyclists and non-riders. Following this ever-growing trend, Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. will, for the fifth year, tour the U.S. with a collection of the most unique and unusual cruiser motorcycles on the road as part of Kawasaki’s Custom Cruiser Tour (CCT). This year Kawasaki will spotlight motorcycles which have been transformed into stunning and exotic creations by some of the best names in the custom building field, including Baron Custom Accessories, Corrupted Concepts, and Britt Custom Metrix. Some of the bikes on display include showroom stock Vulcan? cruisers and models featuring authentic Kawasaki accessories. Kawasaki’s popular Vulcan product group includes cruiser motorcycles ranging from 500cc to over 2000cc engine displacement. “The CCT is a way for Kawasaki to show its commitment to the cruiser market while focusing on the unique opportunities that exist for riders to personalize their motorcycles,” said Bruce Stjernstrom, director of marketing. The ten city tour will begin April 7 at Arizona Bike Week in Scottsdale and will conclude in October at the Steel Pony Express in New Orleans. At certain locations the tour will also feature demo rides where motorcycle-licensed consumers will have the opportunity to test ride Vulcan cruisers. The 2006 Kawasaki Custom Cruiser Tour schedule is as follows: April 7-9 April 26-29 May 18-21 June 10-18 June 22-25 July 21-23 August 7-13 September 14-17 September 27-30 October TBD For the latest information regarding dates, times and locations for the 2006 Kawasaki CCT, please visit http://www.kawasaki.com/. CALIFORNIA HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPONSORS SPIRIT AWARDS–California Harley-Davidson/Buell is proud to be a sponsor of the 2006 Independent Spirit Awards honoring outstanding artistic achievement in independent film. These awards will be presented in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica on Saturday, March 4th. Celebrity presenters including Thomas Haden Church, Ashley Judge, Macy Gray, Naomi Watts, and Sandra Oh will be signing a 2006 Harley-Davidson Softail Deluxe donated by California Harley-Davidson/Buell. This motorcycle will be auctioned on eBay from March llth-21st with the proceeds benefiting Project: Involve, a program that nurtures the careers of minority film makers. Look for this awards broadcast on the Independent Film Channel Saturday at 5pm. To find out more, visit FilmIndependent.org. EPA AND NOISE COMMENTS FROM A BIKERNET READER– Regarding Thursday post. If I read it correctly we could maybe go back to the 1st date of production on a moter design, Pan , Shovel, OR Evo. So all twin cams would be considered 1999. I have heard different dates on the EPA rules, so what date are we working with? We need to get TC included if at ALL possible as they are going to be around for along time and that gives us years of protection. Regarding noise, yes we as a group have to take some responsibilty. 20-in. straight pipes don`t cut it today. Your on track noise and pollution wise with the volume and quantity from other sources daily compared to bikes. It’s UNbelivable the riders I talk to that have NO CLUE the shit we are up against. I must say THANKS for your efforts in spreading the word and standing up as a spokeman for our freedom to ride. –FISH BIKERNET REPORTER RIDES TO NEW ORLEANS– Just got back into town. Rode over to New Orleans and took highway 90 (what is left of it) back. Never have I seen such complete and total destruction. No words can express the damage. Man, count your blessings. I am going over inventory right now to check our number of jobs and our mock-up engine is one of them for the Bonneville Salt Shaker. I’ll keep you posted. –Berry Wardlaw G2 MOTORSPORTS FORGES RELATIONSHIP WITH DRAG SPECIALTIES– G2 Motorsports, one of the most successful Pro Stock Motorcycle teams in NHRA history, has forged a relationship with one of the largest aftermarket distributors in the motorcycle industry, DRAG Specialties. DRAG Specialties will sponsor the G2 Motorsports S&S Cycle powered Buell ridden by Chip Ellis on the NHRA POWERade Tour for 2006. “We are extremely pleased to be working with DRAG Specialties and President/CEO, Jeff Fox,” said George Smith, President and co-founder of G2 Motorsports. “They are the leading distributor in the V-Twin motorcycle industry and we look forward to working with them to showcase their products before the NHRA crowd.” DRAG Specialties full line of products can be seen at http://www.dragspecialties.com BIKERNET EVENTS SECTION– FOUR CORNERS RALLY UPDATE– They are: Other events this year include: Last year so many bikers showed up for concerts that we sometimes had 50 bikers in line at a time waiting to buy tickets. We strongly urge you to buy early. You will avoid the lines and assure yourself entry. We will no doubt sell out on some days this year. Our online sales this year are running two times over last year, camping sites are already half sold out. PM PhatRod Wide Wheel Kit for the V-Rod– Staying true to the adage, bigger is always better, PM simply couldn’t let the beloved V-Rod get passed over as a wide wheel custom. While the rest of the market was playing around with 240 tires in the stock swingarm, it looks like PM tossed all the stock stuff and manufactured their own swingarm, all steel fender and offset pulley that allows a monster 280 tire to rest comfortably in the bike. The conversion includes all necessary spacers and bearings, is an easy bolt together affair and transforms the V-Rod into the monster it was born to be! Contact Performance Machine or your local PM dealer for more information. For more information, call or write to: FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL-OPERATION RIDE SAFE– It could be costly if you speed getting to Daytona or while you are there. The Florida Highway Patrol has announced that it is heightening efforts beginning 3/3/2006 to Operation Safe Ride. The campaign aims to curb aggressive driving, speeding and other violations. They will also me looking for those that do not slow down or move over for patrol cars that have stopped on the shoulder or median and have their lights flashing. Another trooper will be stationed further up the road from the first traffic stop. Though it will be state wide it will concentrate on I-95 (main road to Daytona). I am sure I-4 will also be heavy patrolled though it was not mentioned specific in the report I received. All available FHP personnel are participating. To catch speeders, they’ll use radar, video camera, motorcycles and unmarked patrol vehicles, FHP aircraft will also spot violators from the air. –Rogue POLICE EXPOSE BARE FACTS– By DAYTONA BEACH — With her breasts barely confined in a turquoise bikini top, Jasmin Schmitz plans “to set them free” during Bike Week. “It’s our bodies and we should be able to show them if we want to,” said Schmitz, 22, a former stripper who is now a waitress at a Main Street bar. Now that a federal court has struck down the city’s nudity laws, some people may think they are free to shake their booties — and boobies — on Main Street during this year’s Bike Week, a 10-day motorcycle extravaganza that starts today. But, while dancers inside the city’s clubs can bare all, biker babes on the street might want to cover up. The city’s law may be dead, but Daytona Beach police say they still will enforce state laws against public nudity. “We will be stopping any disorderly conduct or lewd activity, the same as before,” said Daytona Beach police Sgt. Al Tolley. — MELISSA GRIGGS Staff Writer –from Rogue IT’S MARGARITA TIME–Take the rest of the afternoon off. I met with custom bike painter, Jim Murillo, last night about 10. He picked up the tanks and front fender for the Bonne Belle 45 flathead. He’s a bright guy who constantly challenges my thinking and asks sharp questions. We were thinking about using clip-on handlebars. He warned against them and supplied an alternative solution. The Garage company makes bars that bolt into the top tree riser holes, but dip over the ends of the trees for a couple of inches before spreading out, to give the rider the clip-on position without the danger of pivoting or slipping on the slick fork tubes. First of the week I need to have our rear PM hub machined, then laced and trued. I’m hoping to show you a roller in a couple of weeks. Finally, I swear you’ll see the Girls of Big Dog tomorrow. I interviewed Mike Lichter in Daytona while he shot a bike featured and hollered at his assistant Steve. We have a flurry of articles headed your way. I slowed my involvement in events and travel, so I could relax, work on bikes and write. Bullshit. I’m busy as hell with this EPA stuff, book projects and television show consulting. It’s cool and I’m not complaining, maybe sniveling. I love the creative side. Just not enough hours in a day. Hang on for next week. I just got a call that noise police are busting bikers on the coast. I’ll let you know how the day unfolds. Let’s put an end to this bullshit.
Mike Colburn
925 497 4927 
–Kat. 
DATE: MARCH 25-26, 2006
LOCATION: Tradex Centre, Abbotsford, BC
Saturday, March 25th from 10am-10pm
Sunday, March 26th from 10am-6pm
Adults $10.00,
Junior/Youth (6-15) $5.00
Children (Under 6) Free
Motorcycles FREE
Cars $3.00
www.westcoastcustom.ca
Westcoast Custom Motorcycle Show Inc.
Phone: (604) 580-0111 or 1-877-580-0111
Fax: (604) 580-0114
Website: www.westcoastcustom.ca
Email: office@westcoastcustom.ca 
Arizona Bike Week (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
*Demo rides available
Laughlin River Run (Laughlin, Nev.)
Myrtle Beach Bike Week (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) *Demo rides available
Laconia Motorcycle Rally (Laconia, N.H.)
Thunder in the Valley (Johnstown, Pa.)
*Demo rides available
Carlisle Summer Bike (Carlisle, Pa.)
Sturgis Rally (Sturgis, S.D.)
*Demo rides available
Delmarva Bike Week (Ocean City, Md.)
Bikes, Blues & BBQ (Fayetteville, Ark.)
Steel Pony Express (New Orleans, La.) 
RICK J FISHER
Accurate Engineering 
G2 Motorsports can be seen on the web at http://www.g2motorsports.net.
The S&S Cycle website can be viewed at http://www.sscycle.com.
MAC Tools can be viewed at http://www.mactools.com
RK Racing Chain exclusively distributed by FTM Enterprises, Inc. can be seen at http://www.ftmbiz.com
Information on H-D Speed and Custom can be seen daily on http://www.VTwinPlus.com. 
– Wednesday Night Pre-Rally Party (with free beer & food for pre-sold) Julie Stewart and the Motor Kings
– Thursday Night: Iron Horse Band with Ron Keel
– Friday Night: Great White
– Saturday: Bad Company with Brian Howell
– Sunday: Rare Earth and Warrant
– Plus we will have afternoon and night bands in the Beer Garden.
– $5000 Cruising for Cash Run
– Biker Bull Busting
– Miss Four Corners and Lingerie Contest
– Go-Go Cage Dancing Contest
– Biker Rodeo and Field Events
– Pineapple Pit Wrestling
– Parade of Iron Horses through Historic Durango, Colorado
– Arm Wrestling and Tattoo Contest
– Nightlife in Durango, Silverton, Bayfield and Vallecito
– Best riding in the US! 
Performance Machine, Inc.
6892 Marlin Circle,
La Palma, CA 90623
714-523-3000
http://www.performancemachine.com 
Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Member 2005 
