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DUBLIN MOB GIVES SUPPORT THANKS– We want to thank everyone for another year of great support, especially everyone who showed up in their KILT ready for battle THANX .. As always the bands rocked and so did our sponsors. Alot of good people and their rides came down to party and luckily thats the one thing Dublin Mob can do. We hope to surprise you next year with the band line-up, but we might not . At least you’ll be waiting all year in anticipation.
Keep a weather eye out for our upcoming FIREMANS CHARITY RIDE real soon…….. keep it real!!
–DUBLINMOBCHOPPERS.COM
LETTERS REQUESTING TO KILL MOTORCYCLE SMOG TESTING IN CALIFORNIA–Dear Mr. Lowenthal, I’m sure you’ve received a number of letters and emails regarding SB 435, the bill which will require smog checks for motorcycles. I would like to add my two cents worth as well.
To begin, I am an environmentalist. I have solar panels on my house, drive a hybrid (and a motorcycle) and I work to keep my carbon footprint as small as possible. At the same time, I think we need to be pragmatic about how we protect our environment. Though some ideas seem like good ones, the return on time and finances invested is not always viable.
Motorcycles are, for the most part, recreational vehicles. The average motorcycle is ridden just a couple of thousand miles a year. Only about 3% of registered vehicles are motorcycles, and they contribute perhaps a little over 1% of the pollutants from mobile sources. There is probably more pollution spewed into the atmosphere from lawnmowers and leaf blowers than there is from motorcycles.
Now, consider what needs to be done to check this tiny percentage of motor vehicles for smog compliance. Smog stations will need to be re-engineered so that they can capture exhaust gasses from multiple exhaust pipes found on most bikes. The smog stations dynanometers (the roller machines) will have to be re-designed so that they can accommodate motorcycles; the current configuration will easily cause a number of serious accidents. In addition, the smog check computers and record-keeping systems will all have to be upgraded to accommodate the new vehicle specifications. This will cost the state easily millions of dollars. Is it worth it?
The actual tests have been stated to be run on only year 2000 and newer bikes, which are the least polluting of the motorcycle vehicle population. This will result in tests being run on vehicles that will most likely pass.
This is a great deal of cost and effort to test bikes that are going to be mostly in compliance. From a cost perspective, it does not make a lot of sense, and I for one do not want my precious tax dollars wasted on this effort. I’d rather have CARB go after the trucking industry, which is a horrible polluter.
If SB 435 has a hidden agenda to generate more income for the State of California (there is no empirical evidence of this, but let’s just say for a moment this is the real reason for this bill) then why not just raise the registration fee for motorcycles 10% across the board? Far more revenue will be generated than that from smog checks, when considering the costs the state will have to shoulder to get ready to smog motorcycles.
As an environmentalist, I appreciate the fact that California has always led the way in cleaning up the environment. At the same time, though, with tax revenues so tight, I think our money would be much better spent on a more effective program for environmental protection.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Best Regards,
–Steve Thomas
AUSTRALIA’S ANTI-CLUB LEGISLATION, SA outlaws Finks motorcycle club– The South Australian Government has declared the Finks motorcycle club a serious criminal organization, making it illegal for its South Australian members and associates to meet.
South Australian police can now apply for control orders on individual members and charge people with the new offence of criminal association if they meet a Finks member six or more times in one year. But concerns have been raised that the move could drive alleged club activity further underground and make it harder to police – the first real test of the state’s controversial Serious and Organized Crime Control Act. Police commissioner Mal Hyde applied to Attorney-General Michael Atkinson last December to declare the Finks an outlaw organization.
“I am satisfied that the requirements of the Act have been fulfilled and that the Finks are an organization whose members associate for the purpose of organizing, planning, facilitating and supporting and engaging in serious criminal activity,” Mr Atkinson told State Parliament today.
“The Finks Motorcycle Club is a risk to public safety and order in the state of South Australia.” Mr Atkinson detailed the police evidence of criminal activity by the Finks, including 173 drug offence convictions, shootings, and violent crimes such as rape and sexual assaults, some dating back more than 40 years. He said the move was necessary to combat the Finks’ illegal activities.
Mr Atkinson said yesterday’s declaration covered 48 known members, ex-members and associates in South Australia. “The Finks are an organization that projects such fear in sections of society that they are able to make a mockery of our criminal justice system.” “There are citizens in SA who will not seek the protection of the criminal justice system because the Finks Motorcycle Club project more force in their environment than the state.”
Police can now go to the Magistrates Court to apply for a control order, restricting club members’ contact with nominated people and places, or for a public safety order, which bans individuals or group members from going to a public place or event for 72 hours. Under a new criminal association offence, a person can be charged if they associate with a Finks member more than six times a year, unless they are an immediate family member.
Mr Atkinson – who is leaving the State and going on an overseas trip for two weeks, says he expects the Finks to mount a legal challenge.
A lawyer for some Finks members, Craig Caldicott, says it is not in the public interest to outlaw the motorcycle club. “South Australian police have more power than any other police force,” he said. “They have general search warrants, rights under the Firearms Act, and they can attend in any house at any time if they have due course to do so. “They don’t need this particular law. “I thought they should go after persons who commit murder, rape and robbery rather than go after persons wishing to have a drink with their mate down at the hotel.”
–from Doc Robinson, Heavy Duty Magazine, Australia
SEMA MOTORCYCLE WORK GROUP MEMBER ATTENDS SEMA MEETING– I had a very nice time at the meeting last night. It was actually very well put on with catered food and drinks. I won a SEMA t-shirt. That is usually as far a winning anything goes for me so I was happy. Meet a number of local import car business people that should help my business with some work.
Finally!!! I spoke to the SEMA officers there about the MC working group. I was introduced to Chuck Schwartz of “ConvExx” he puts on the SEMA show. He knows you and is interested in the MC group and powersports exhibition at this years SEMA show. They have gotten hotel and show spots prices dropped for the event. They want to fill the spaces so that will be important for the bikes and other powersports vendors to do. Chuck said that they are $2100.00 or so this year and they can be “financed”!
Las Vegas is hurting so they seem to be helping as well. Also meet Chris Duke from “Motorz TV” a local tv producer of engine related programs. I have never seen it so I don’t know exactly what it is but I will find out.
–Don
BIKERNET CONTEST WINNERS PICKED WEEKLY–This week Michael Nitzschke, from Peking, Illinois, graciously won a Bassani Poster, Bikernet T-shirt, Bonneville Book, Avon Tyre flag and Bikernet Stickers. It’s free and only takes a second to enter and give the staff a chunk of your mind.–Snake
FOR SALE HARLEY DAVIDSON HELMET SIGNED BY GREEN BAY PACKER FAVORITES– This Harley Davidson helmet is something to be proud of as it features the signatures of several Green Bay Packer favorites including Kabeer Gbaja Biamila, Gilbert Brown, Santana Dotson, Ahman Green, William Henderson, Chris Jackie, Dorsey Levens and Bill Schroeder.
I won the helmet at the 7th Annual MDA Toast to Hope Party at Hal?s Harley Davidson in New Berlin Wisconsin April 4th 2009
MDA has Value listed as: Priceless The helmet is a black Hybrid Classic Cruiser model ? P/N 98336-09VM/000L Large.
I am neither a football fan nor a helmet fan and I need a new Nikon SB-R1C1 flash for my camera so you or a friend can end up with a great deal on this helmet.
Make me an offer I can?t refuse. Flash kit is between $650.00 and $730.00
–Rogue
E-Mail rogue@bikerrogue.com
DEALER CRITICIZES FINANCING COMMENT; MIC RESPONDS– We posted a story online about an MIC press release in which the council?s president, Tim Buche, said that one problem among many is that dealers need more wholesale financing for units. Below is a comment on that article, edited for brevity. The statement that dealers need more wholesale financing is so far off base I can?t believe Tim said that. I am president of the California Motorcycle Dealers Association and have talked to dealers up and down this state. Also, being a 20 group member for 25 years, I have talked to dealers across this country, and seen their financial statements. The two biggest challenges faced by dealers are too much inventory and lack of retail financing. The third challenge is the availability of bank financing to dealers for cash flow. The fact that the MIC would even consider the problem to be wholesale financing really shows that the manufactures totally control the MIC.
The sales figures for 2008 are skewed by the first six months when gas prices soared. The MIC should talk about the sales figures for the last six months of 2008 to get to reality. If it had not been for the gas prices during that first six months, about half the dealers would not have made the winter. Here we are in spring, and most dealers are low on cash and stuffed with inventory. Traffic counts are way down. The customers who do come in are hesitant to buy, and the ones that do cannot get financed.
The MIC should focus on consumer advertising featuring the benefits of owning and riding our products. The MIC should also use its horsepower to find a good source of retail financing for customers. ? Ray Nowakowski, president, Golden Gate Cycles, San Francisco, Calif.
We contacted Tim Buche for a response. ?I?ve known Ray many years,? he replied, ?and while we occasionally find ourselves on opposite sides of the fence, ultimately I believe we both want the same thing for dealers: that they have every opportunity to be successful and grow their businesses. Hey, if the need for incremental inventory financing isn?t an issue for some dealers, that?s good. But having the option available to those who do need it, how can that not be a good thing? And according to feedback from among the 300-plus MIC members, there are dealers who are having trouble maintaining even their current inventory financing.?
Buche said everyone wants to see more qualified customers, and that?s why the MIC called for consumer credit relief and the recent tax deduction. He also noted that on May 5 the Small Business Administration temporarily amended the SBA 7(a) Business Loan Program to make it easier for businesses to qualify. ?SBA 7(a) loans may not be used for floorplan financing, but may be used for operations, acquisition or expansion of an existing business, in other words, may provide much-needed cash flow relief to qualified dealers. Normally the MIC?s Technical Notices are available exclusively to members, but we?re offering Dealernews readers a one-time opportunity to access the MIC Technical Notice that addresses the SBA 7(a) loan program changes by using this URL: http://tinyurl.com/ofgcjq.? Buche ended his reply by noting that in addition to individual companies? advertising, MIC members Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki continue to sponsor the industry?s 20-year-old public media outreach program, Discover Today?s Motorcycling.
–Dealernews
SEATTLE CHILDREN’S RIDE WEEKEND, JUNE 25-28, DON’T MISS IT!– I have information to share with you regarding Children?s Ride Weekend scheduled for June 25-28 in Seattle, Washington. This is a four day event that benefits Seattle Children?s Hospital. Participating in this year?s event is Arlen Ness, Brian & Laura Klock and Paul Yaffe. Children?s Ride is one of the largest and most successful fundraisers for Seattle Children?s raising $700,000 last year.
Members of the Children?s Ride Posse receive VIP credentials for admittance to all Children?s Ride Weekend activities plus three exclusive rides with our event celebrities and catered meals. All rides that Posse members participate in are escorted by the Washington State Patrol. A big part of the event is the Children?s Ride Gala and Auction sponsored by V-Twin Magazine. This year, Paul Yaffe and Brian Klock will go toe-to-toe in the ?Battle of the Baggers? with customized Harley-Davidsons that will be up for bid. It should be an exciting night!
Posse Calendar of Events for Children?s Ride Weekend:
June 25 ? Children?s Ride Kick-off party at Destination Harley-Davidson in Tacoma.
June 26 ? Private ride to Children’s Hospital to visit patients. Continental breakfast provided and luncheon at Seattle Children?s.
June 26 ? VIP reception (for Posse members and event sponsors) at The Fremont Studios.
June 26 ? Children?s Ride Gala and Auction at The Fremont Studios.
June 27 ? Private WSP escorted ride through scenic Northwest back roads. After the ride enjoy a first rate dining experience at a private catered luncheon.
June 28 ? Children?s Ride 14. Posse members receive VIP placement for the escorted ride from the Safeco Field Parking Garage in Seattle to Emerald Downs in Auburn for a day of camaraderie, good food and an afternoon to enjoy the horse races.
To book a reservation call 1-866-826-9422. You will need to identify yourself as a Hamster to receive this special rate.
The Marriott Courtyard on Lake Union in Seattle is offering a reduced rate for Children?s Ride Posse members of $151 per night for a City View room or $171 per night for a lake view room. Reservations must be received by Friday, May 29, 2009 to receive these special rates. Please reference Children?s Ride 14 when making reservations to receive this rate. The hotel can be reached toll free at 1-800-359-7916.
Feel free to contact Wendy Funicello at Seattle Children’s Hospital if you have questions at 206-987-4876 or wendy.funicello@seattlechildrens.org. Visit the Children?s Ride website at www.childrens-ride.com for registration information.
RideMaxx? Plus Wireless EFI Tuner by American Micro-Fuel Device Corp. (AMFD) Distributed by Custom Chrome– Morgan Hill, CA ? The RideMaxx? Plus Wireless EFI Tuner by AMFD lets you feel the power of what your bike can do with more upgraded features like; fuel accelerator pump to deliver extra fuel to match the engine?s needs and snappier throttle response during quick throttle movements. Includes software for most portable Bluetooth enabled devices and is wireless and cable free for 5-minute installation. Eliminates backfiring, pinging, popping on deceleration and adds up to 15% increase in Horsepower.
? 640210 Fits Twin Cam? Touring models from 2002 thru 2006 open loop system with no O2 sensors and 36 pin ECU plug. Suggested retail $329.99
? 640211 Fits Twin Cam? Softail? models from 2001 thru 2006 open loop systems. with no O2 sensors and 36 pin ECU plug. Suggested retail $329.99
? 640212 Fits Twin Cam? Touring models 2007 only, close loop system with O2 sensors and 36 pin ECU plug. Suggested retail $359.99
? 640213 Fits Twin Cam? Softail? models from 2007 to present close loop system with O2 sensors and 36 pin ECU plug. Suggested retail $359.99
? 640214 Fits Twin Cam? Touring models from 2008 to present close loop system with O2 sensors and 73 pin ECU plug. Suggested retail $359.99
Note: Not legal for sale or use in California on any pollution controlled motor vehicles. For more information on this product or any distributed by Custom Chrome, go to www.customchrome.com. To find a dealer nearest you, click on the eStore or Dealer Locator.
RARE DOVE GREY KNUCKLEHEAD FEATURE COMING TO BIKERNET– My name is Marc Frantz. I’m the guy that sent you those pictures of the copper chopper that you featured on your website a while back. http://www.bikernet.com/bikebarn/PageViewer.asp?PageID=1374
I wanted to show you my latest bike, and see if you would be interested in having it on Bikernet.
It’s a 1946 Harley Davidson Knucklehead.
It is a 74 cu. in. low compression model “F”. Approximately 418 “F” models were produced that year. This mid to late production 1946 model has been restored from the ground up by Mr. Eldon Brown of Milestone Motorcycle Restorations in British Columbia. It’s finished in Dove grey, and is simply immaculate!!
This gentleman restores Harleys for the Otis Chandler Museum, Guggenheim Museum and the Barber Motorsports Museum. I can’t believe I found this guy!! http://www.milestonemotorcyclerestoration.com
It has all the original sheet metal, correct plastic kick pedal, plastic hand grips, etc. A very authentic and period correct restoration.
Hope you like it! Bikernet is awesome, and I can’t start my morning without it!!
–Marc Frantz
PowerHouse Manager
PARKWAY HONDA POWERHOUSE
25 Mobile Drive
Toronto, ON
M4A 1H5
Ph: 416.752.7800
Fx: 416.752.7808
E: mfrantz@parkwaypowerhouse.com
www.parkwaypowerhouse.com
SEMA SHOW INITIATE RADICAL PAYMENT PLAN FOR BOOTHS– SEMA Show organizers are offering qualified exhibitors a unique and radical payment plan option to ease cash-flow concerns. For the first time in the SEMA Show?s 43-year history, exhibitors with five or more years of seniority points may choose to extend their payments for as much as 12 months.
The promotion is one of several new programs designed to make it more affordable for companies to participate in the SEMA Show, Tuesday?Friday, November 3?6, 2009, in Las Vegas.
?The SEMA Show is the largest gathering of automotive aftermarket companies in the United States,? said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. ?Based on early registration numbers, we?re confident that the 2009 event will continue to be the best place for the industry to do business and stay connected with this market.?
The financing option was developed to assist long-standing SEMA Show exhibitors participating at the 2009 event. In previous years, SEMA Show exhibitors were required to pay in full months before the Show. The financing option includes a low processing fee and has exhibitors submitting final payment as late as mid-May, 2010.
?These exhibitors are the reason why the SEMA Show has been such a success,? said MacGillivray. ?They are the innovators who define our market. We?re here to help them in any way possible.?
Companies that reserve their booth space by Friday, May 22, will be able to secure the best booth location by taking part in the Priority Booth Selection Process, which begins Tuesday, June 16. Space will continue to be assigned after the drawing on a first-come, first-served basis. For complete details about the financing option and to learn more about the exhibiting at the 2009 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com or contact ConvExx Show Management at sema-exhibit@convexx.com or 702/450-7662, ext. 120.
ANOTHER NON-STOP WEEK BEGINS TOMORROW–So, can I guzzle whiskey and fall over in the corner of the shop? Oh, fuck no. Too much good shit going on. I’ve got to wrap up chapter 31 of the first Chance Hogan book. The love story novel without a title. Maybe it should be named “Falling Out of Love.” We’ll see.
John Paliwoda, from the California Dealers Association sent me their anti-smog testing manifesto. I will bring you their studied findings, so we can pass them on to legislators. I’m working on a freedom mantra, but I need to create a clear as Arrowhead water, manner for describing it. Then I will share it with our SEMA working group next week, for their input and investigative advice. Hang on for that one. Also, next week we’ll work on creating the Working Group Committee.
Also, we will deliver more content on Ralph Randolph’s motorcycle company effort with Lorenzo Lamas. I’ll interview Lorenzo. Plus, we’ll look into the possibility that Jesse James is selling WCC. Since his new TV show was filmed and he became apart of Donald Trump’s Celebrity show, I haven’t heard from him, and neither has his PR connection Bob Clark. News flash: I sped by the WCC iron enclave today to see if rumors were true. It was a strange hub of activity. There were business sorts running around, but also seven project bikes were being built in the battleship gray shop, while just a couple of finished bikes were displayed on the showroom floor. We’ll let you know what we hear next.
You’re gonna love the film reviews we post next week. We watched the other movie produced by a wild-haired rider in India. His colorful crew rode to far outlaw regions of northern India, on single cylinder Royal Enfields, along the dangerous Chinese borders. Plus, we drank Malbec wine and watched a domestic film called “Free to Wander” by 4130 Studios. I don’t know if it was the wine or the film direction, but I’m still not sure of the film’s trajectory. I’ll ask Keino. He was in it.
I know there’s more, but my computer time is up. Bikernet women made me promise to walk away from the computer. Besides, the 5-Ball factory racer is waiting in the shop.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
