Hey,
I don’t know where I’m going with the post today. Yesterday I met the Chop N Grind racing team at Kiwi Mike’s Indian shop, in Riverside, with Dr. Hamster and his worn out Indian bars. Mike is the master of Indian Restorations and his own Indian upgraded vintage rides.
I’ll cover the handlebars rebuilt by Kiwi technician, Travis, next week, but here’s a couple of restoration tips. If you want Mike to restore your Indian, don’t discuss Harley-Davidson’s in his shop. And don’t tear your precious Indian down and deliver it to him in boxes. I’ll cover more next week, but he’s the master when it comes to Indians.
Let’s jump into this shorty, then I’ll run down what’s scratched on the Bikernet Check List for next week.
HARLEY DOES AUSTIN– Going to South by Southwest? Like beer, rock and free motorcycles?
If you?re headed to Austin for SxSW, come to Club DeVille (900 Red River) from noon to 6pm on March 20. There?ll be live music from Priestess, Thee Oh Sees, River City Tan Lines and Bear Hands. If the music isn?t enough, Harley-Davidson is also giving away a Forty-Eight motorcycle and free swag like t-shirts, bandanas and cozys. You can also experience the Thrill of the Throttle by hopping on one of our Dark Custom bikes even if you?re new to riding or not licensed. Plus, check out some of the best work from Art of Rebellion ? with tanks and tins painted by the likes of Frank Kozik, Tara McPherson, Brian Ewing and more.
Follow all of H-D?s action from SxSW at facebook.com/darkcustom
HISTORIC INSULTS SPONSORED BY THE CHARLIE BRECHTEL BAND– “He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up.” – Paul Keating
“In order to avoid being called a flirt, she always yielded easily.” – Charles, Count Talleyrand
“He loves nature in spite of what it did to him.” – Forrest Tucker
“Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?” – Mark Twain
–from Ray Russell
OLD CHOPPER SHOW CANCELED– Old 66 Chopper Show on June 19th, 2010 in Towanda,IL has been officially cancelled due to the lack of sponsorship and unsettling issues.
The Official BAKER Drivetrain Install Team will be in Panama Beach, Florida April 29, 2010 – May 2, 2010– Don’t miss this opportunity to have the smoothest, most efficient transmission available installed in your Motorcycle. This is a short rally which means time slots will go fast. To reserve your time slot contact our sales department today at 1-877-640-2004. BAKER DD6 Builder’s Kits (Installed for $2,995.00)
– Fits 1990-2006 Big Twin Motorcycles (except 2006 Dyna).
– 6th gear is good for a 450 to 500 rpm drop at highway cruising speeds.
– Helical cut 4th, 5th and 6th gears for quiet operation while cruising.
-Straight cut 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears for strength in the high torque ranges.
– No case grinding required, (with very rare exceptions)
Install Includes
– Assembled Gearset on BAKER chrome plated aluminum bearing door
– Primary chain, tension shoe, shift forks and rod, shift drum, compensating sprocket, anti-overshift ratchet pawl
– 5 year, 50,000 mile warranty
– All gaskets
– All fluids
– Speedometer recalibration unit with full road test
– High torque bearing kit
– Labor
– Tax
BAKER DD7 Builder’s Kits (Installed for $3,395.00)
– Fits 2006-2009 Dyna, 2007-2009 Softail and Touring.
– Stock 1st gear is too tall (numerically too small). The DD7 1st gear is shorter (numerically larger) for easier launches off the line.
– The Factory 6-speed incorporates 1st through 4th gears as an integral part of the mainshaft and weighs 5.58LBS. The DD7 incorporates 1st gear only and weighs 2.98LBS. This 2.6LB weight difference at 3000 rpm translates into a huge difference in inertia, which is what makes the factory 6-speed go CLUNK every time a shift is made.
– We incorporated a roller detent shift system in our original 6-speed back in 1998. The factory 6-speed utilizes a similar system. The DD7 sets a new standard in shift quality by borrowing the linear roller ball detent technology from our TorqueBox transmission. The premium detent system is part of the top cover assembly.
– The factory 6-speed makes some noise in 1st and a lot of noise in 5th; both gear pairs are straight cut with a power honed finish. So we designed the DD7 with a 5 degree helical 1st gear pair, straight cut 2nd and 3rd for strength and 18 degree helicals in 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th for noise control; all are finished after heat treatment with a diamond coated tool.
Install Includes
– Assembled gearset on BAKER chrome plated function formed bearing door
– Chrome top cover, maindrive bearing, left side seal, shift drum, shift forks and fork rod
– 5 year, 50,000 mile warranty
– All gaskets
– All fluids
– Speedometer recalibration unit with full road test
– High torque bearing kit
– Labor
– Tax
THE BLONDE ARCHIVES SPONSORED BY DANNI ASHE–THE BLONDE ON SUN A Russian, an American, and a Blonde were talking one day.
The Russian said, ‘We were the first in space!’
The American said, ‘We were the first on the moon!’
The Blonde said, ‘So what? We’re going to be the first on the sun!’ The Russian and the American looked at each other and shook their heads.
‘You can’t land on the sun, you idiot! You’ll burn up!’ said the Russian.
To which the Blonde replied, ‘We’re not stupid, you know. We’re going at night!’
–from Jim Waggaman
PATRIOTIC LYRICS BY Charlie Daniels:
Well the eagle’s been flying slow and the flag’s been flying low
And a lot of people are saying that America’s fixing to fall
But speaking just for me and some people from Tennessee
We got a thing or two to tell you all
This lady may have stumbled but she ain’t never fell
And if the Russians don’t believe that they can all go straight to hell
We’re gonna put her feet back on the path of righteousness
And then God bless America again
And you never did think that it ever would happen again
In America, did you?
You never did think that we’d ever get together again
Well we damn sure fooled you
We’re walking real proud and we’re talking real loud again in America
You never did think that it ever would happen again
From the sound up in Long Island out to San Francisco Bay
And ev’ry thing that’s in between them is our home
And we may have done a little bit of fighting amongst ourselves
But you outside people best leave us alone
Cause we’ll all stick together and you can take that to the bank
That’s the cowboys and the hippies and the rebels and the yanks
You just go and lay your head on a Pittsburgh Steeler fan
And I think you’re gonna finally understand
And you never did think that it ever would happen again
In America, did you?
You never did think that we’d ever get together again
Well we damn sure fooled you We’re walking real proud and we’re talking real
loud again in America
You never did think that it ever would happen again
NEW TATTOO FROM HARDBALL INK–My son just moved his shop and crew to the beach, in Newport Beach, California, right on the Balboa Peninsula. His number is still the same (949) 310-2428. So now you can get a tattoo and a tan on the beach at the same location.
–Bandit
ATF Tries to Revoke “Montana Made” State Sovereignty Laws– We all predicted this would happen.
In a move typical for that fear-mongering organization with an ever-swelling acronym, the BATFE has written gun dealers in the states of Montana and Tennessee to let them know the BATFE will be disregarding the states’ sovereign gun laws.
The “Montana Made” law, just like Tennessee’s Firearms Freedom Act, is very simple. Much of the claimed federal authority to regulate firearm sales and transfers stems from a liberal interpretation of every American tyrant’s favorite subterfuge, the “interstate commerce” clause. In essence, this is what gives the BATFE its nasty teeth.
With this in mind, Montana correctly understood that any weapon made in Montana by Montana residents and sold in Montana to Montana residents is Montana’s business and Montana’s business alone.
Montana thus sought to take charge of its firearms industry with the application of a simple truism: Any gun made in Montana by Montana residents and sold in Montana to Montana residents is intrastate commerce, not “interstate commerce,” and thus does not full under the purview of the federal government.
Potentially, the state would be able to say goodbye to NICS checks; Brady background checks; NFA taxes, bans and NFA databases — and most importantly, federal “assault weapons” bans, which Montana and Tennessee rightly anticipated.
In effect, the “Montana Made” law would have permitted Montana gun companies to manufacture any kind of weapon banned by federal law — including so-called “assault weapons” — and sell them to fellow Montana residents.
Moreover, in this scenario, no one — neither the manufacturer nor the dealer nor the buyer — would have to kowtow to the BATFE by paying them a $200 tax and surrendering one’s privacy to their notoriously inaccurate and oft-abused National Firearms Registry.
It was a new day for freedom — and other states besides Tennessee were thinking of following suit: Alaska, Colorado, Oklahoma and Texas.
Well, the BATFE — never one to have its power downplayed (or acronym belittled)– has written letters to both Montana and Tennessee gun dealers letting them know that they proceed at their own risk.
We can only guess what new horrors those words portend — probably more dead housewives and children as disgruntled ATF thugs shoot-to-kill anyone suspected of perhaps owning a firearm not properly taxed and regulated by Washington, D.C., power brokers.
–Dudley Brown
Executive Director
National Association for Gun Rights
VETERAN BIKERNET READER CHECKS IN– It’s been a long time since I’ve written. Many things have gone on in my life over the past 6 years. As I come to the last three months of my military time, I guess I am looking back over life. I joined the Navy in 1984, left active duty in 1998, and then went into the Navy Reserve. After serving on four ships, three tours in the sandbox (one in Desert Storm), and some deployments and detachments thrown in, I have to say that I have some memories. Some good, some bad, but memories anyway. On top of all that, my kids are all grown, my youngest boy has joined the Marines, and I am trying to get the scooter back to road duty. At least I have the brotherhood of the road. I told my boy if he saves his money, I’ll help him build a bobber (if I can remember how) when he returns.
I think I told you about my medically retired youngest brother. He was wounded by a mortar in Falugia, Iraq while saving five of his guys. He had to have radical brain surgery and is missing most of the left side of his brain. He has a kevlar plat where the 10 inch piece of skull was removed and will carry shrapnel in his brain and body for life. He is a stubborn SOB, and I’m glad. Unfortunately he had to give up the 2 wheels because his balance isn’t good enough. I think he could do three wheels, but he isn’t financially up to it, and isn’t sure. If you hear of any good deals let me know.
The site looks great and it looks like you are plenty busy. I love reading your books and am pissed because my signed copy of Orwell has come up missing. I think it was “borrowed” when I took it on detachment and never returned. I am glad to see that you have continued the Chance Hogan series, as well. Keep the faith Bandit, and remember, Ride Free or Die.
–Curt Kimball
HISTORIC DISCOVERY– Digging through my old mag stash and found this one for you, from the June 1952 Science and Mechanics magazine.
–Charles Plueddeman
NEW ROAD KING FAIRING FROM BIKERNET COPY EDITOR– Hey, here’s the best of several shots I took today of the caf? fairing I installed on my ’07 Road King. Works well with the lines of the bike, don’t you think? Jake Ore of Glide-Pro, down near San Diego, makes them.
I got a few miles in today and decided to wander over to Garden of the Gods Park, which is where I took this photo.
–Bruce
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT WORD OF THE DAY– garrulous GAIR-uh-lus; GAIR-yuh-, adjective:
1. Talking much, especially about commonplace or trivial things; talkative.
2. Wordy.
Without saying a single word she managed to radiate disapproval . . . the air seemed to grow heavy with it and the most garrulous talker would wilt and fall silent.
— Mark Amory, Lord Berners: The Last Eccentric
He was as garrulous as a magpie.
— Ferdinand Mount, Jem (and Sam)
The garrulous ancient was for once holding his tongue.
— William Black, Madcap Violet
Crammed with gossip, anecdotes, and confessions . . ., his garrulous, untidy narratives read like a good novel.
— James Atlas, “A Modern Whitman”, The Atlantic, December 1984
He took a great liking to this Rev. Mr. Peters, and talked with him a great deal: told him yarns, gave him toothsome scraps of personal history, and wove a glittering streak of profanity through his garrulous fabric that was refreshing to a spirit weary of the dull neutralities of undecorated speech.
— Mark Twain, “Some Rambling Notes of an Idle Excursion II”, The Atlantic, November 1877
Garrulous is from Latin garrulus, from garrire, “to chatter, to babble.”
THAI BIKERS PROTEST IN THE STREETS OF BANGKOK– More than 100,000 angry Thai citizens went down the streets of Bangkok last Sunday to protest at the unpopular actions of the current Government. They simply called for elections to have a new Government.
Protestors didn?t go down the streets on foot, but rather on motorcycles. Why walk for miles or kilometres across the Thai capital when you can just sit down and get around on a motorbike? More than 100,000 motorcycles brought Bangkok to a complete standstill, blocking the main roads and causing chaos everywhere.
Motorbikes are extremely popular in Thailand and are actively encouraged by the authorities as a non-congestant, less pollutant and cheaper mode of transport. Bangkok is an extremely congested city and the impact of traffic jams is considerably reduced with the use of motorcycles. Protestors decided to demonstrate on their bikes, being a symbolic mode of transport in Thailand.
Protestors were all wearing red shirts, representing the colour of human blood. They were asked to each donate some blood during the demonstration, which nurses collected in quantities large enough to fill up 1,000 standard soft drink bottles to be left in front of the Prime Minister?s office. We saw some images which showed protestors opening the bottles and pouring out the blood, which ran under the gates and fences.
Protest leader Nattawut Saikur said: ?The blood of the common people is mixing together to fight for democracy. When Abhisit works in his office, he will be reminded that he is sitting on the people?s blood.?
Mixing the blood of hundreds of thousands of Thai citizens was a sign of the strong sense of unity that exists in Thailand. The mixed blood was the symbol of a united group of citizens, all joining forces to demand elections for a new Government from one single voice. We have heard that not all the blood has been spilled and more would be poured outside the Prime Minister?s house if the demands of protestors were not met.
We can say that Thailand is a country where people have the power, not the Government. The Government?s job is to serve the people who elected them, not the other way round. The authorities of many countries in the world should make a note of this and follow the Thai example. by UK France Bikers
New Bikini Discovered in Hawaii–
From Chris T.
IS LIFE NUTS OR WHAT–They may have passed the health care bill today. The mother-fucker better work, and not cover illegals, or we’ll be over-run with them, and you and I will be forced to pay for them.
This coming week I’m looking at another World Run Chapter, the Gel seat tech from Saddleman, the KIWI Indian Handlebars tech, a feature on a killer Road King from Todd’s, maybe a Girl of Bikernet from Sucker Punch, and the Coast to Coast Legislative report from Bill Bish and the guys at NCOM. Watch this, we are going to feature the hot rods from the Spring Nationals from Carsten our desert editor. Oh, we have some wild outlaw fiction from Scuz, if I can get Sin Wu to kick loose with one of them. They you’ll experience a taste.
So, let’s see what we can cut loose next week. You can’t say this post was garrulous. Let’s go for a ride.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
