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H-D Financial Services Expands Tire & Wheel Protection Program– Beginning October 1, 2009, Harley-Davidson Financial Services has expanded its Tire & Wheel Protection program from the initial four pilot program states to an additional 20 states, upping the total to 24.
Available exclusively through participating Harley-Davidson dealers, the H-D Wheel & Tire Protection program covers the costs associated with the repair or replacement of tires and wheels, including labor and taxes, towing, lodging and meal reimbursement. All motorcycle tires are covered?both the original and any replacements?for the duration of coverage, with no maximum occurrences and no deductible.
Coverage periods from one to seven years are available. H-D Tire & Wheel Protection must be purchased at the time you purchase your motorcycle or at the time you purchase new tires or wheels from an authorized Harley-Davidson dealership.
Joining the current Tire & Wheel Protection pilot states of New York, Colorado, Florida and Utah are Arizona, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and West Virginia. For complete program details and availability, see your local participating H-D dealer or log onto www.hdfsi.com
RETURN OF THE INDIAN TO CANADA– Indian Motorcycle is back. Again. The latest iteration of ?America?s First Motorcycle? began in 2004 when Stephen Julius, an entrepreneur with a penchant for reviving defunct icons, purchased rights to the brand. Now, less than a year after the first of new generation Indians began to ship, the company has begun to roll second model year motorcycles off the assembly line.
With one dealership already open in Canada, and claims at least two more will appear within the year, it was time that we paid visit to the Indian production facility in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. During our stay we tested models from their 2010 line-up that included an exclusive ride on the exciting Limited Edition 2010 Chief Bomber. We also chatted with General Manager Chris Bernauer about Indian?s plans and the painstakingly slow progress of a manufacturer overcoming the skepticism towards another rebirth of the storied brand.
Watch for the first Canadian test of the new Indians in an upcoming issue of Cycle Canada.
— By Uwe Wachtendorf
http://www.passionperformance.ca
DEER-STRIKES, A NEW ORGANIZATION– My friends jinx and hardcore have started a nonprofit to raise some funds to raise awareness about deer-strikes. I would very much appreciate any press you might swing their way. Jinx and Hardcore are some of the last truly honest and giving people in this messed up world.
–Rev. Boden
http://www.myspace.com/bikersagainstdeer
hardcore
Plumber Builds World’s Longest Motorbike– Colin Furze, a plumber from Stamford, Lincs, UK has entered the new Guinness Book of Records for building the world’s longest motorbike. Measuring 14.03 metres long, it beats the previous record by 4.3 metres.
Furze says he undertook the endeavour to celebrate his 29th birthday and spent two months creating the 46 ft motorbike, using two cannibalized 50 cc Honda Sky mopeds and a frame extension that he fabricated out of aluminium.
He claims his creation tops out at 50 kph and that, “You can ride it like a normal motorbike but steering is a bit of a problem as it has just a small turning circle. It is quite heavy and difficult to handle and it would be hard to ride on the roads as you need about six widths of road to turn.”
Furze, who also holds the record for the world’s largest bonfire in 2007, drove the bike 100 metres on an airfield to make it into the record books. He put a film of his ride on YouTube and sent the video along with signed statements to Guinness.
He’s now building a new motorbike that will be almost double the length.
— By Cycle Canada
http://www.passionperformance.ca/
JOBS AVAILABLE FROM CUSTOM CHROME– Custom Chrome Looks to Expand Road Rep Force Immediately.
Custom Chrome is seeking qualified and experienced Road Rep applicants to fill critical territories immediately. Join the team committed to making a difference in today?s V-Twin Aftermarket Industry by building solid relationships with our dealers and vendors.
We are looking for qualified applicants to fill key positions in the following locations; Southern California, Florida, South Texas, The Greater Chicago-land area, (to include portions of Wisconsin and Minnesota), Missouri, Mid-Atlantic area, (Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland), Pacific Northwest region, (Washington and Oregon), New York State, North and South Carolina and the Las Vegas and Arizona territories.
If you are passionate about motorcycles, self-motivated and have the knowledge and experience in the V-Twin Industry we are looking for, then we may have a position for you. If interested, please send a copy of your resume? to:
Attention Human Resources / Custom Chrome
18225 Serene Dr., Ste. 150
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Or e-mail your resume to:
jobs@customchrome.com
Serious and qualified inquiries ONLY. No phone calls PLEASE. All applicants will be contacted through the Human Resources Department of Custom Chrome.
BIKERNET READER KICKS-OFF INVESTIGATION– Anybody know what happened to Michelle Fusco & Gypsy Leather? (www.gypsyleather.com They always had good made-in-America stuff, and it?s a loss to everyone if they are gone. I get most of my biker news from the Bikernet site; haven?t seen anything about this. I?ve attached the ?our history? tab from the website fyi just in case. Sure do like this work you and your crew do. I pass it on at every opportunity. –Joe Will
Yakima, WA 98909
jkprofserv@charter.net
JIMS MACHINE TO OFFER RE-MAN SYSTEM FOR BIG TWIN TRANSMISSIONS–We are about to launch a new program from JIMS machine to repair, like new, old transmissions. This will be a life-saver for guys who need to save a few bucks, but walk away with a new transmission.
Bikernet will release more announcements and a full-on tech in the near future.
— Wrench
BIKERNET INVESTIGATES THE LAWS OF REALITY– Law of Mechanical Repair:
After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you’ll have to pee.
Law of Gravity:
Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.
Law of Probability:
The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act.
Law of Random Numbers:
If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal and someone always answers.
Law of the Alibi:
If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire.
Variation Law:
If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will always move faster than the one you are in now (works every time).
Law of the Bath:
When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.
Law of Close Encounters:
The probability of meeting someone you know increases dramatically when you are with someone you don’t want to be seen with.
–from Buckshot
Viper Motorcycle Company Signs Eddie Trotta?s Thunder Cycle– Viper Dealer Network Expands and Is On Target to Meet Year-End Goals. Hopkins, MN September 21, 2009 —- Viper Motorcycle Company (OTCBB: VPWS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Viper Powersports Inc., is proud to announce Thunder Cycle as its newest dealer.
Terry Nesbitt, President of Viper Motorcycle Company stated, ?Signing Eddie Trotta as a Viper dealer is very special. Eddie is truly a legend in this industry. His designs have won 2 Discovery Channel Build-Off series and can be seen on the Hard Rock Custom Bike Tour. Thunder Cycle has moved to a new 30,000 square foot location and we look forward to all of the opportunities of which this new relationship brings. We?ve also discussed the possibilities of providing the Viper 152 engine in future custom projects?.
According to Eddie Trotta, ?I?ve seen a lot of products come and go but the Viper incorporates all the features/benefits needed to provide the customer with an OEM Super Cruiser that outperforms the rest with a unique style and reliability like none other?.
Nesbitt also commented, ?The Viper dealer network is growing at a rapid pace which will ensure our ability to meet and exceed 2009 goals. We have a one-of-a-kind dealer network with the best dealers in the business. We have a backlog of orders and 2010 models will begin shipping soon. As the dealer network expands, we will continue to increase production to meet market needs?.
Viper Powersports designs, manufactures and markets a line of premium American V-Twin Super Cruiser motorcycles, V-Twin aftermarket engines and other related aftermarket products through an independent dealer network. Joint venture partner Ilmor Engineering (www.ilmor.com), provides technical developmental support for the proprietary 152 cubic inch Viper V-Twin engine, utilizing their 25 years of engine design expertise, ensuring Vipers’ long term success as America’s newest domestic OEM of motorcycles. Viper Powersports and Viper Motorcycle Company’s websites are www.viperpowersports.com and www.vipermotorcycle.com.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Terry Nesbitt
President
Viper Motorcycle Company
tnesbitt@vipermotorcycle.com
LAS VEGAS BIKE FEST DOWNER– This is about the last thing you want to see during a motorcycle event. Pulling out from the side of the road near the Arlen Ness Las Vegas dealership, the young couple on this bike got rear-ended by the car in the background, with the parents of one of them right behind on an E-Glide.
The good news here is: The rider is OK except for a few scratches, and the passenger suffered only a bad ankle. While taking the pictures and finding out how the accident had happened just seconds before we arrived, we talked to a guy looking on, who had a scary encounter of a different kind himself: On the ride over to Vegas with a couple of friends, he noticed the play of his handlebars increasing. Not trusting this development, he pulled into a rest stop to check it out, giving the bars a good pull. This caused both bolts to snap right off. The bike had to be towed into Red Rock H-D, who fixed it the same day.
With all the fun and excitement going on, never let your guard down and never stop thinking for others, since they will surely not do it for you.
–Carsten
The New Indian Museum in Springfield, MA – Grand Opening October 10, 2009!–
Time: October 10, 2009 all day
Location: Museum of Springfield History in Springfield, Massachusetts
Street: 21 Edwards Street
City/Town: Springfield, Massachusetts
Website or Map: http://www.springfieldmuseu…
Phone: 800-625-7738
Event Type: museum, opening
Organized By: Museum of Springfield History Springfield Museums
Michael Barragan Recovering After Accident– At the Las Vegas ‘Artistry in Iron’ exhibition, one motorcycle stands out for all the good reasons: A mangeled mess with morbidly arranged broken handlebars, a totally scratched and disfigured S.T.D. Panhead engine, lines torn and bent parts strewn around it. Many onlookers’ first comment is along the lines of: ?Hey, you made that look like it was run over by a truck!? With that, they are closer to the truth than anybody could wish for.
Two weeks ago, builder Michael Barragan, owner of Evil Spirit Engineering in Burbank California, took his bike, which was featured in the July issue of Cycle Source, out for a ride. Only minutes after he left the shop, he was cut off by an SUV which turned left just in front of him, too close to avoid a collision. While the bike was pinned under the SUV, Michael managed to jump off and go airborne over the over the SUV. Hitting the ground, Michael suffered several severe bone fractures in his legs and other injuries. After going through complications not unusual for the nature and degree of his injuries, Michal is now on the way to recovery, according to his father Ed Barragan, but still has a lot of work ahead of him and a long way to go. He is still in the hospital.
With the invitation to ‘Artistry in Iron’ already standing and no chance to rebuild the wrecked bike, Michael and his father Ed, who lives in Texas, decided to get the remains of the the steel beauty to Las Vegas and set it up in the reserved spot as it is. While Michael wanted his father to be pressent alongside him at the show, Ed had to decline at first because his schedule did not allow for him to be in Las Vegas for the show. Now he is representing his son for the weekend, and we have to say he is doing a great job.
We wish Michael a speedy and full recovery, and look forward to seeing many more of his great custom creations in the future.
– – C.S. Berg
IT’S A PIRATE WRAP–I’ve got to dress up in Pirate garb for my granddaughters 14th B.D. party. What the hell am I going to give her, a small bag of gold, or a pot of rum? Speaking of gifts we mentioned Riding on the Edge book above. We are going to review several Motorbooks and DVDs from various sources as prospects for Christmas gifts. We may turn this into a Bikernet competition–The Best of? There’s nothing better than a book, a Motorcycle-related DVD, or even a mag subscription for a Christmas gift. You know it’s gonna fit.
Next week new bike features will fly onto Bikernet, and I promise a Cantina Soap. I’ve been working on it and hanging out at too many bars. Hang on.
Ride Forever
–Bandit
