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Harley-Davidson Extends its NHRA Sponsorship Program– Harley-Davidson Motor Company and the National Hot Rod Association have formally announced that Harley-Davidson has extended both its Official Motorcycle program with NHRA and its title sponsorship of the NHRA Harley-Davidson Sportsman Motorcycle Series through the 2012 season.
Harley-Davidson?s interactive display at NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series events is a featured attraction for fans of all ages. Harley-Davidson and the NHRA will continue to partner in giving away a Harley-Davidson motorcycle at select events on the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series tour.
Donate to NFFF to Win a Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company, launched an expanded, nationwide campaign to assist the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). The announcement marks the kick-off of the second program that Pierce and Harley-Davidson have teamed up with their NFFF ?Full Throttle Support? campaign to assist the families of fallen firefighters who die in the line of duty.
?Pierce has once again teamed up with Harley-Davidson to form a powerful partnership to give back to firefighters who make the ultimate sacrifice,? said Wilson Jones, Oshkosh Corporation Executive Vice President and President Fire & Emergency. ?Together with Harley-Davidson, we are proud to be supporting an extraordinary organization, the NFFF.?
Sweepstakes information: Through March 31, 2010 participants can visit NFFF.FullThrottleSupport.com to make a donation to the NFFF. When they do, they will automatically be entered in the NFFF Full Throttle Support Sweepstakes for the chance to win a 2010 custom, one-of-a-kind Harley-Davidson Fat Boy motorcycle. Employees, their families and anyone affiliated with Harley-Davidson Motor Company are eligible to participate in the sweepstakes.
Dardanelli Design in proud to announce the Launch of their new website– A comprehensive look into the design accomplishments covering some of the world?s most extraordinary motorcycles. For almost 35 years Dennis Dardanelli has worked with the biggest names in the industry creating the timeless styling he is so closely associated with.
Follow the award winning process with build sequence and paintwork step by step photography giving a view behind the scenes of what it really takes to create a masterpiece!
See the best kept secrets at www.dardanellidesign.com
Dardanelli Design
Campbell, Ca.
408 374 1213
info@dardanellidesign.com
Massachusetts Motorcycle Safety Fund is raided by Administration Officials yet again– (Salem, MA) The Massachusetts Motorcycle Association (MMA) is disappointed to see the Motorcycle Safety Fund (Budget Detail 8400-0016) once again raided of funds destined for Public Safety. Though the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) reported 182,215 registered motorcycles in September 2009, this safety fund, already underfunded by 48%, has just seen an additional $12,157 dollars removed from it. (source: Budget Detail 8400-0016-Motorcycle Safety Program: http://www.mass.gov/bb/gaa/fy2010/app_10/act_10/ha84000016.htm)
The MMA notes that while this motorcycle safety fund has seen $186,629 (52%) of money already collected from motorcyclists in 2009 diverted elsewhere, the RMV?s own Wages & Salaries have risen 20% over the last 2 years while the RMV?s Employee Benefits saw a 13% increase for the same period. (source: RMV Budget Summary, Historical Spending Categories: http://www.mass.gov/bb/gaa/fy2010/app_10/dpt_10/hormv.htm)
MMA?s Legislative Director Rick Gleason commented, ?Once again, the motorcyclists in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts see their Motorcycle Safety Fund decimated.? Noting that the current administration has now taken 52% of the funds destined for motorcycle safety & awareness programs, Gleason explains, ?This is not tax-payer money readily available for the taking: instead, this self-funded account is paid into solely by motorcycle riders in Massachusetts, yet the current administration once again victimizes motorcycle riders by appropriating 52% of the money collected.?
According to current M.G.L. Chapter 90, Section 34, Paragraph (i), ?$2.00 from every annual motorcycle registration fee collected from the motorcyclist by the Registry of Motor Vehicles? are supposed to be used ?solely for the purpose of promoting and advancing motorcycle safety? & awareness. This fund was created specifically by earmarking money from every Annual Motorcycle Registration and should not be reduced or eliminated!
Danny?s Bill (S.1934) seeks to increase the annual motorcycle registration fee from $2.00 to $5.00 and have these funds held into a more accountable fund. Ryan?s Bill (S.1894) seeks to require the junior motorcycle operator (16-18 year olds) successfully complete formal motorcycle rider training and includes a component whereby the safety fund reimburses the junior rider a portion of the training fees. Both bills already have broad public and legislative support and are currently sitting with the Joint Committee on Transportation where they have been since Public Hearings on October 6th, 2009.
MMA Chairman Dave Condon emphasizes, ?The MMA is very concerned that the collected funds be used for their intended purpose. This change from $2 to $5 also requires that the funds be deposited into a Registry retained revenue account solely for the purpose of promoting and advancing motorcycle safety.? Condon further states, ?No other group of motorists in this state takes safety as seriously as motorcyclists, as evidenced by their willingness to pay into their own safety fund.?
With annual motorcycle registrations up for renewal in another month or so, Massachusetts motorcyclists will once again be forced to pay into a safety fund that seems to be more of a bail-out fund for other interests.
The MMA has contacted the Governor?s Office to express its concern and has formally requested a meeting to discuss the “missing safety funds.” Gleason adds, ?The Motorcyclists of Massachusetts are the sole contributors to this Safety Fund: no other Taxpayer from the Commonwealth contributes in any way. To reduce these Public Safety Funds may reduce the number of available Motorcycle Safety Classes contributing to increased motorcycle fatalities over time. This is not something the MMA wishes to see.?
For additional information, please contact LegislativeDirector@MassMotorcycle.org or Chairman@MassMotorcycle.org or by writing MMA, PO Box 378, Brimfield, MA 01010.
BIKERNET READER SPEAKS UP ABOUT NEW SHOVELHEAD PERFORMANCE TECH– Please keep us updated on the monster Shovelhead that Mike at SP is building.
Great piece, Rebel
http://www.bikernet.com/garage/PageViewer.asp?PageID=2909
–Rex
Legend Air Suspension offers new HD Sportster kit for older model Sportsters!– Want a legendary ride for your early model Sportster?… now you can! Legend Air Suspension?s exclusive Gates Kevlar Air Spring technology is now available for 1986-2003 Harley Davidson sportster models. Legend greatly improves the ride quality of any Harley Davidson currently suffering with stock or other brand X aftermarket shocks.
The LX786 is available in machined, black, or chrome finishes and offers the no compromise smooth ride and inability to bottom out (regardless of load condition) that you have come to expect from Legend Air Suspensions products.
Standard in the complete kit are two Legend Air shocks that install in the stock location, so NO modification is necessary, an on board air compressor, rider friendly black handlebar mounted control for on the go adjustability, all necessary mounting hardware, solenoid valve, and a full color instruction guide to navigate the user through everything from the simple color coded plug and play wiring to the basic hand tools needed for this easy installation. The system is made in the USA and backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
If you need adjustability for impressive looks, changing road conditions, riding solo to carrying a passenger, or hauling loads of gear at the touch of a button, Legend is your suspension. To learn more about the Legend XL786 air suspension system, or any of Legend Air Suspension?s on-road or off-road products, give them a call at 605.737.4200 or visit their new website complete with video of the suspension in action at www.legendsuspensions.com
Fits 86-03 Harley-Davidson Sportster models System includes rider friendly black handlebar mounted control Adjustable from stock height down 2 1/4″ Available in black or chrome
HARLEY-DAVIDSON TO SELL MV Agusta– Harley-Davidson will announce next week which investment bank is going to be handling the sale process of Italian Motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta, according to MV’s managing director, Enrico D’Onofrio. H-D bought the Italian manufacturer just about one year ago for Euro 70 million and announced the decision to purge the traditional Italian bike brand from its portfolio during the unveiling of H-D’s long-term business strategy on October 15.
While facing an uncertain future yet again, MV Agusta have launched their new F4 at the currently ongoing EICMA in Milan, Italy, claiming the brand ?revolutionizes the legend of Italian supersport motorcycles, redefining the meaning of beauty and performance? with this new model.
The new F4 comes with an impressive list of new features and technical improvements. The already very compact 998cc inline four engine has been completely reengineered and is now capable of putting out 186hp at 12,900rpm. The chassis and swingarm are brand new. Over all, the 2010 F4 is 4cm (1.6in) narrower and 10kg (22lbs) lighter than its predecessor.
MV Agusta keeps turning out impressive machines that of course come at a price, and rumors are already flying that Claudio Castiglioni, MV’s chairman and former owner, may be hatching plans to buy the company himself, although Castiglioni himself declines to comment. Only time will tell what the future holds for MV Agusta, and whether Harley-Davidson will be able to recuperate the money they spent on the Italian brand.
– – C.S. Berg
HERE’S WHAT’S COMING NEXT WEEK-First I need to apologize, humbly. I promised DVD and book reviews weeks ago. The lovely Sin Wu and I planned a Siskle and Ebert skit on film. But every time I suggest it, she would rather have sex. What the hell am I supposed to do. We’re trying, though.
First, we will bring you more new motorcycle models from Italy, a report on the upcoming Essen, Germany show, the biggest in the world, and Bikernet Betsy’s article on the WCC No Love Ride party. Looked like fun. We offered Bikernet be a poker run stopover. We’ll see what happens next year. Remember the little big twin, Sportster conversion. We have another tech from Greg Friend, with Saddleman. I’m working with K&G on a JIMS tool tech and we have fiction from India and the Tahitian Islands. Oh, and I’m also working on the final 5-Ball Factory Racer tech, and a short piece on Earl’s product line for Triumph Bobbers.
Let’s see what we can accomplish. I’m also excite about this week. My book heads to the printing presses later this week, if the stars are aligned and the tea leaves drift to the bottom of the steamy cup just so.
Keep your fingers crossed and whiskey bottles close.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
