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ANNOUNCHING THE FIRST COOL BACKREST FOR HARLEYS– Thousand Oaks, CA February 12, 2007. Ironspirit owner, Jim Van Landingham, enjoys riding his 2005 Harley Road King around Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties enjoying the sweeping back roads and generous compliments from other Harley riders. What are the other riders complimenting Jim on? The cool Skull, Spade and Iron Cross backrest plates his company manufactures. “I’ve owned a number of bikes”, states Van Landingham, “and after purchasing my Road King, I spent the next couple of months searching the web, scouring the parts catalogs and making a ton of phone calls looking for a suitable replacement for the ugly factory triangle backrest mounting plate.
I thought that if I have to put the backrest on when my girlfriend rides with me, I didn’t want it to take away from the looks of the bike. There is nothing attractive about the factory plate. And as with most business ventures, the need, or in this case my desire for something that didn’t exist created the birth of Ironspirit.”
According to Van Landingham, “Ironspirit products are designed to customize your stock Harley Davidson touring motorcycle or “Bagger” as most riders refer to them that will set you apart from the crowd. These custom polished & chrome plated mounting plates, seen at the 2007 V-Twin Expo, are an easy direct bolt-on replacement for the stock triangle plate the factory provides with their pads for the detachable sissy bar upright. And they are totally made in the United States.
Ironspirit currently manufactures three designs, Skull, Spade and Iron Cross with more designs on the table, including several targeted toward woman. “We ride and are constantly asking for input from other riders. A few of our upcoming designs are those that have been requested over and over. More women are riding “Baggers” and we have several designs we will be releasing for that portion of the market”, stated Van Landingham. Ironspirit produces backrest mounting plates for Harley-Davidson touring motorcycle backrests, saddlebag latches as well as apparel and may be contacted at 805.433.5033 or info@ironspirit www.ironspirit.com.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON STEELS THE SHOW AT DAYTONA BIKE WEEK 2007– MILWAUKEE (March 16, 2007) – Harley-Davidson Motor Company surpassed records and marked a few firsts at Daytona Bike Week 2007, held in Daytona Beach, Fla., from March 3-10.
The Harley-Davidson Indoor Show at the Ocean Center saw a record 48,000 visitors, and Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) representatives handed out more than 14,000 pins to H.O.G. members. Harley-Davidson and Buell gave a combined 9,878 total demo rides over the eight-day period, a 25 percent increase over the total demo rides at Daytona 2006.
Also, Daytona Bike Week 2007 marked the first event for the redesigned Harley-Davidson Traveling Museum.
Harley-Davidson enthusiasts also raised more than $150,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) during Bike Week 2007. H-D sponsored activities for MDA included the “Bankers Auction,” the Willie G. Davidson pledge ride to Daytona, the Harley-Davidson Ride-In Show, MDA public auction, as well as selling pins and raffle tickets for a customized 2007 Fat Boy.
On Wednesday, March 7, custom Harleys filled the streets outside the Ocean Center for the annual Ride-In Show. Owners of Harley-Davidson motorcycles from around the world entered into this contest to prove their bike is the best in class. When the winners were asked what they would buy with their $500 cash prize, most of them said, “More chrome!”
Ride-In show winners:
Antique: Don Hart, Napanee, Ontario, Canada, 1936 EL
VRSC: Allen “Otis” Young, Danville, Va., 2004 V-Rod
Sidecar: Thomas Schoetzler, Sarasota, Fla., 2004 Road Glide
Custom Trike: Larry Werkmeister, Gowanda, N.Y., 2007 Road Glide
Full Dresser: Scott Kessler, Bradenton, Fla., 2001 Road Glide
Street Custom Sportster: Roxanne McNeil, Blainville, Quebec, Canada, 2000 Sportster
Buell: Michael Weckmann, Palm Bay, Fla., 1999 M2 Cyclone
Street Custom Big Twin: Jeffrey A. Wright, Orlando, Fla., 2005 Road King Custom
Show Custom Big Twin: Phil Blackmer, Port Orange, Fla., 2002 Softail Deuce
Sport Touring Street: Dave & Sheni Coke, Chuluota, Fla., 2006 Road King
Sport Touring Show: Margaret R. Nicastr, Bowie, Md., 2005 Electra Glide Standard
Radical Custom: Bill Dodge, Howell, N.J., 1941 Knucklehead
Best Use of Motor Accessories: Sportster: Jodi Milner, Salem, Ill., 2007 Sportster
Best Use of Motor Accessories: Big Twin: Dave & Sheni Coke, Chuluota, Fla., 2006 Road King
On Thursday, two true enthusiasts showed their love for Harley-Davidson and for each other by exchanging vows at the H-D Show in the Ocean Center. The couple, Bruno Accart and Leila Bettioui from Dunkirk, France, are both avid riders and each own a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. For the wedding, Harley-Davidson provided a cake, a translator, as well as an escort for the lovely bride. Steve Piehl, director of consumer events, walked Leila down the aisle.
Willie G. Davidson, senior vice president and chief styling officer, spoke at the American Motorcyclist Association’s Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum annual fundraising breakfast on Friday, March 9, at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort. Davidson shared his vision of Harley-Davidson’s iconic design heritage with 450 motorcycle enthusiasts in attendance.
The funds raised at the breakfast supported the non-profit AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum’s mission of education and preservation.
WILD HOGS HITS NUMBER ONE– The new movie “Wild Hogs,” was the number one movie at the box office opening weekend of Daytona, and it was also Walt Disney Co’s biggest March opening ever, as well as the largest-ever debut for John Travolta, who rode a Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle Fat Boy in the movie. Travolta’s Fat Boy, along with some of his Harley-Davidson MotorClothes he wore in the movie, were on display in the Ocean Center while clips and outtakes played in the background. Visitors even got the chance to sit on the bike and get their picture taken.
Harley-Davidson MotorClothes product specialists presented four daily seminars on helmet fit and function in the Harley-Davidson demo area at Daytona International Speedway. During each 15-minute seminar, participants had the chance to win a new Harley-Davidson MotorClothes helmet by filling out a customer information card. At the conclusion of each seminar, one name was drawn to be fitted with a new helmet of their choice: Stock half helmet or a Jet II helmet.
Bikers who missed the action this year or who want to relive the party after this year’s Daytona dust settles can check out all the action at
STEALTH BIKE WORKS SUPPORTS BIKERNET’S BONNEVILLE EFFORT WITH A SPONSORSHIP– I want the shop to really take off this year. We are building a bike to take to the Smoke-Out in June. It is a rigid frame Evo, 5 speed kick + electric. I am going to use this to show what we can do. We are making the pipes, battery box and oil tank in house.
You know I really dig having my own shop. To me nothing compares. Right now I am optimistic and enthusiastic about SBW. It is tough sometimes, but I knew that going in. You know we roll up on two years May 10th and it is still amazing that people are still just finding out about us.
Hey as soon as we can we are going to make a donation to the Assalt Weapan project!
–Stealth
We support shops and builders all over the country, hopefully to better the success. We’re here, whenever you have news about your shop or projects.–Bandit
MISSOURI MOTORCYCLISTS FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM AGAIN– JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – State House members are revving up for another run at repealing Missouri’s mandatory helmet law for most adult motorcyclists. The House gave initial approval Wednesday by voice vote to legislation that would allow people age 21 and older to ride motorcycles without helmets. Another vote would send the bill to the Senate, where its prospects are much dicier.
Although some motorcyclist enthusiasts have pushed for years to repeal the helmet requirement, their efforts typically have stalled in the Senate, where one or two opponents can more easily block bills than in the House.
Missouri is one of 20 states that currently require helmets for all motorcycle riders. “It’s time Missourians make the decision whether they want to wear a helmet or not,” said sponsoring Rep. Gary Dusenberg, R-Blue Springs, a former Missouri State Highway Patrol officer who says he often enforced laws with which he personally disagreed. “The government should not make this decision for Missourians over the age of 21.”
“To me, it’s a personal freedom,” Dusenberg added. But Republican Rep. Rob Schaaf, a physician from St. Joseph, said repealing the helmet requirement would impose costs on society through the extensive medical care required of helmet-lacking riders who suffer injuries.
Representatives defeated Schaaf’s amendment that would have prohibited state money from covering for the medical care of motorcyclists injured in accidents while not wearing helmets. “When we pass this bill, as a result of it, people are going to die,” Schaaf said.
–Rogue
TBEAR’S FRAME ARRIVES–My new frame arrived yesterday afternoon. I threw blasted front end, the wheels and the gas tank on her just to get a preview of the roller. As soon as the engine is done and the custom vertical mount beehive oil tank get finished it’ll be time to rock and roll.
Here’s a preview pic of the roller.
–TB
TOMMY THOMPSON FOR PRESIDENT–As you can tell from some of my recent e-mails I am supporting Tommy Thompson for President. While he was Governor of the State of Wisconsin some of the best laws pertaining to people of this country were passed.
He also rides a Harley and that makes him an even better choice for me as he feels the same way I do pertaining to our lifestyle.
His book Power To The People sums up what he stands for and I think it shows he wants to let us decide what is right for each one of us with out big government telling us how to live our lives. What I am asking friends and concerned people to do is just check him out and listen to what he has to say and others have to say about him. Then if you agree Support Him. Also to let other know about him so they can be informed and make their decisions.
He has members of veteran’s organization on his team and he has a good record pertaining to veterans affairs. Hopefully you can spread the word and ask those who can to show up in Ames Iowa on Friday August 10,2007 to attend the party we are going to have there and to stay for the straw poll vote on Saturday August 11,2007. There will be a breakfast and transportation to the polling place to make it easier for the motorcyclist expected to attend.
Only people from Iowa with a driver’s license or other proper ID can vote in the straw poll but many of us from other states will also be present to show our support. I will also be covering the event for Easyriders BIKER magazine and other media will also be present.
For more information people can check out our web site There will also be reports on –Rogue 49-STATE S&S EPA CERTIFIED ENGINES– The custom bike community was in a state of shock and disbelief when the EPA one bike in a lifetime law passed close to two years ago. The law stated that home or custom bike builder would be limited to one non-emissions compliant bike or kit bike in their lifetime. It sparked all kinds of confusion and speculation on what a custom builder would have to do to stay in business and the home builders were furious. What would they do when they finished up the bike they were currently building? Would that be the end of their passion? Custom builders did have an option, albeit an expensive one. They had the opportunity to go through a very costly and time consuming exercise and get a specific engine in a specific model of bike emissions certified. It was not anything most shop owners were looking at or forward to. In July of 2006, the EPA issued a letter of guidance to clarify the steps required for engine manufacturers to create and sell EPA certified engines to those that wanted to build custom motorcycles. With the rules held firmly in hand, S&S product Development team members went to work creating three separate EPA compliant engines for testing. They sent the existing V-Series 96ci, V-Series 113ci and the V-Series 124ci engines to the lab for more exhaust testing, submitted the applications and came back with three approvals! What it means to you, the home builder or shop owner, is simple. You buy an S&S EPA Certified engine, follow the instruction on using specific gear ratios and exhausts with a back pressure ratings that match the specifications declared and you have everything in place to register your custom bike with no emissions hassles. It also means that you can build up to 2,999 bikes this way without having to seek an EPA Certification of your own. Oh yeah, the absolute best part of this new engine program is that these EPA Certified engines will only cost about $250 more than their non-compliant S&S counterparts. Check in with your local S&S dealer to order a compliant engine for your next build, they are in stock and ready to ship. Howard Kelly BANDIT GOING TO IRAQ ON USO TOUR– I’m not young anymore and I’m no celebrity either and I plan to be there. I’d like to have you along for both a media person to cover the event as well as your work in the industry with the numerous magazines and the racing experience you bring. You bring a wealth of biker knowledge and history that I think would be a great addition. You’re on my list I submitted to the USO, so you’re along for the ride. Just let me know the dates after Bonneville you’re available so I can start trying to find dates to submit with the proposal. Now that I think aboutit, I don’t think any of the invitees are all that young. I have Brian Klock, Harold Pontarelli, Randy Simpson, you and me. I was going for more but the USO said SIX would be max to bring along anyway. I was trying to get either Russell Mitchell or Cole Foster to come along but never got responses from either of them. –Joe Cree EMERGENCY NOTICE FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA COALITION OF MOTORCYCLISTS– Don?t be fooled into thinking “This doesn?t apply to me!” MLA Lorne Mayencourt has put forth a private members bill to lower the decibel level from 91 to 85. The bill can be found here: http://www.leg.bc.ca/38th3rd/1st_read/m203-1.htm Before you think it only applies to the “Loud Pipes Save Lives” advocates please be aware that many bikes including Hondas and Yamahas that are stock are failing the hand held decibel meter test in the City of Vancouver. At present in Canada motorcyclists are left to be subjected to a test that has no standard. The Motorcycle Moped Industry Council is presently working on this. While BCCOM does not support illegal pipes, it also must protect the rights of motorcyclists from a bill that will only further escalate the problem with a flawed testing system. The issue here is enforcement of legislation that is already in place, use it! The Coalition asks that you take the time to email your MLA to say you do not agree with this bill and to use the legislation already in place. Please follow this link to find out who your MLA is: http://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/3-1-1.htm –Adele Tompkins, STAR CONTROL– Sleek and functional, these “100% Made In The USA” billet forward controls just introduced by Starwest are precision machined from aircraft quality billet aluminum. Featuring unique cutaway styling, and fully polished or chrome plated finish, STAR CONTROLS are fit with needle bearings at pivot points, folding pegs and a full _” master cylinder. Designed for comfortable riding placement as well as head turning looks, the STAR CONTROLS make a perfect finishing touch to any show or go scooter. Finished in show quality chrome, STAR CONTROLS retail for $595.95 and $449.95 for the fully polished version. For complete details on the complete line of custom accessories from Starwest/Win Products call –805-531-1000 SUNDAY EXIT STRATEGY–It’s sorta gloomy here, so I’m not pushing for a Margarita. I know there was extra news I wanted to ramble about, but I’m at a loss. I’m dying to jump down into the shop and get some work done. I’m working on a Bonneville 5-Ball Racing article and it should be posted later today or tomorrow. You’re gonna get a kick outta this one. After feeling dead in the water, we’re moving again on two fronts; The Assalt Weapan and the Bonne Belle. Departure dug up the rare 45 performance tabloids, like a secret map to buried treasure. He’s following them, step by step, building the Worlds Fastest Flathead with a K-model top end. I’ll explain in the report. We will have the Paughco modified frame for the Assalt Weapan shortly and be flying on the sheet medal, controls and pipes. Hang on, while Chris Kallas continues to make our Assalt Weapan girl rock the world. Here’s the frame team at Paughco’s plant. Hang on as we report more in the near future. Now I’ll go for a Jack on the Rocks. Ride Forever, –Bandit 
Media Specialist
S&S Cycle Inc.
(608) 627-0284 
California Customs 
Executive Director
B.C. Coalition of Motorcyclists
adele@bccom-bc.com
1-877-580-0111
“Working for your Freedom to Ride” 
