Hey,
Do you know about the motorcycle desks I’ve built over the years? I’ve been sitting at one for 20 years and Jim at JIMS machine has one. I’m about to build the most unique, wild one to date.
It’s an interesting challenge. First I need to find busted parts. It’s against the Code of the West to build a desk using run-able components, especially vintage stuff. For 20 years Ron Paugh at Paughco helped me with bent forks and test frames. Then I had to search for busted or damaged engine and tranny pieces. It’s a test in patience, like a motorcycle restoration project. I started a small corner stack of parts and waited for something to surface.
I think it was slightly over two years ago that I stumbled onto a burnt, like a melted plastic doll, Panhead engine and trans at the El Camino Vintage Swap meet. At first intrigued I look over the complete engine and trans and wandered on. Then I thought they would make an extremely one-of-a-kind desk set. They belonged to Bud, from Bud’s Motorcycle Shop in Austin, Texas. He’s a purveyor of vintage motorcycle shit all over the country. Let’s hit the news then I’ll pour more of the desk saga on the page for you to ponder as the mission continues:
JOHN COVINGTON OF SURGICAL STEEDS STILL ALIVE AND BUILDING A NEW MODEL– I woke up this morning and was trolling around my MySpace and on a “friends” page I saw a profile with a motorcycle photo called “Great American Builder”….and I thought…who is this arrogant prick that calling himself “THE” great American bike builder….?
I clicked a couple of links for some TV show (Next Great American Builder) and low an behold, before I knew it I was filling in some form just for the hell of it. I got to the bottom, hit send and then poked around the site a little more and saw the Bikernet link. It’s truly a small world….until you have to pull all the weeds!
So I figured I’d drop you a note to let you know the photography studio is doing well. When you’re bored, go to www.jcstudiosllc.com
I’m probably NOT the guy for their TV show. BUT…after filling in their 20 questions on line, I realized that I do now have a much more dramatic story than ever before….and I know I can still build/design a hell of a bike!
In the mean time…..Life is really good – regardless of what it sounds like on the TV news! LOL
–John
john@jcstudiosllc.com
www.jcstudiosllc.com
cell 602 502-7833
MORE FROM THE BIKERNET CODE OF RELIEF– Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.
The 50-50-90 rule: Anytime you have a 50-50 chance of getting something right, there’s a 90 percent probability you’ll get it wrong.
If you lined up all the cars in the world end to end, someone would be stupid enough to try to pass them, five or six at a time, on a hill, in the fog.
–from Dave Clancy
Kids & Chrome 2008 Raises $105,000 for Children?s Home Society and Sturgis Motorcycle Museum– RAPID CITY, SD ? While we all know there is something about kids that opens people?s hearts, the combination of ?Kids? and ?Chrome? brought folks to not only open their hearts, but their pocketbooks as well. Kids and Chrome Foundation announced this week that its 4th Annual Kids & Chrome benefit dinner and auction event, held during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, raised $105,000 in support of two vital Black Hills non-profit organizations: Children?s Home Society, the ?Kids? in the foundation?s moniker, and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame, the ?Chrome.?
?The Dakota,? a one-off custom bagger, created for Kids & Chrome by Tom Binyon, of BaggerWorks Custom Touring Motorcycles in Wichita, Kansas, was the featured auction item at this year?s event, bringing $40,000. The 2008 ?Pit Boss,? donated by Lehman Trikes of Spearfish, South Dakota, also topped the list of auction donations, raising $22,000. Additionally, the 2008 Legends Ride?, a celebrity-charity event produced by the Legendary Buffalo Chip to support the mission of Kids & Chrome, raised $38,000 for the foundation, according to Rod Woodruff, Buffalo Chip President and CEO. (see the feature on the Bikernet.com home page)
?Kids & Chrome provides a very unique, one-of-a-kind platform that unites the eclectic world-wide community of motorcycle enthusiasts, who join us each year during the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, for a very philanthropic and genuinely worthwhile cause,? said Jim Burgess, President of the Kids & Chrome Foundation, promoter of Kids & Chrome. ?It?s just a remarkable event,? Burgess continued, ?that gives us a chance to welcome folks around the globe and publicly thank all of our friends in the industry who come together each August in support of Kids & Chrome, Children?s Home Society and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.?
Funding provided by Kids & Chrome supports the therapeutic programming of the Children?s Home Society, a home and school for children with emotional and behavioral issues, many of whom are victims of severe abuse and neglect.
?This event is always a wonderful demonstration of the generosity and compassion so many Rally-goers have at heart,? said South Dakota Lieutenant Governor Dennis Daugaard, who personally welcomed the event?s attendees at the August 6th benefit. ?This year, the dinner and live auction were especially uplifting. From the video presentation to the testimonials, everyone?s spirits were raised. The next day, the Legends Ride?, hosted by the Legendary Buffalo Chip Campground to benefit Kids & Chrome, added another dimension to the giving.? Affiliated with Children?s Home Society for more than 18 years, Daugaard is particularly familiar with the community?s outstanding commitment to the ?Kids? of Kids and Chrome.
Kids & Chrome?s funding also supports the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame in its mission to preserve the history of motorcycling.
?The dollars raised through the Kids & Chrome Foundation allow the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame to continue to bring the history of motorcycling alive for its visitors,? said Christine Paige Diers, Executive Director of the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame. ?It is our hope to be able to expand the museum in the next few years using proceeds from the Kids & Chrome events. Without this support, plans for expansion would still be only a distant dream.?
The 2008 Kids & Chrome event was supported by the generosity of the motorcycle community as well as local and national event sponsors like Budweiser, the Kids & Chrome title sponsor. Sharing the spotlight were the event’s premiere sponsors: Black Hills Harley-Davidson, the Legendary Buffalo Chip, Performance Machine, Bikernet.com GEICO PowerSports, Black Hills Surgery Center, BaggerWorks, Lehman Trikes, Scott Peterson Motors, Childress Vineyards, State Publishing & Printing, Sturgis Bike Week, Gustafson Builders and KEVN FOX 7.
Next year?s Kids & Chrome benefit dinner and auction is slated for Wednesday, Augsut 5, 2009. For more information and event updates, visit, www.kidsandchrome.com, or contact Ronda Gusinsky, Executive Director, Kids & Chrome Foundation, at 605/716-9190.
CUSTOM CHROME No Splash, No Spill Motorcycle Fill by McCuff– MORGAN HILL, CA June 24, 2008 ? The innovative McCuff? is a new product that protects your bike while assisting you at every fill-up. What makes ?The McCuff?? so effective? NO MORE CLICKING NOZZLES! One click and you?re done, No checking your fuel level to prevent overflows. Topping off is a breeze, and Squeeze More Miles from a full tank.
? Eliminates chipping of paint around the outside diameter of the gas tank hole
? Allows you to fill up your gas tank in half the time. (You?re able to pull the handle all the way on the nozzle without worry)
? Eliminates splashing or spilling of gas on your tank or yourself
? Extends your range about 40 miles (Gas gauge will now indicate a full tank)
? No more sore back problems while bending over the gas tank to see how much fuel is in the tank
? No more having to wipe the gas off your tank and wearing off your paint
? Includes Motobag? carry system with Velcro attachment system
Suggested retail price is $19.99. The McCuff is distributed by Custom Chrome. To find a dealer nearest you please visit www.customchrome.com or call 800-729-3332.
Part# 676900
Suspect in slaying surrenders in B’ville– BARTLESVILLE ? A man who is suspected of killing the leader of the San Francisco Hell’s Angels motorcycle gang politely turned himself in to Bartlesville police this week, saying he was a fugitive.
Christopher Bryan Ablett buzzed the dispatcher for assistance Sunday afternoon at police headquarters and said he wanted to turn himself in, Police Chief Tom Holland said.
Officials were more than a little surprised to discover that Ablett, 37, of Modesto, Calif., was wanted for murder with a $5 million bond.
“He was extremely cooperative; just as polite as could be,” Holland said. “You had a hard time believing he was a guy who might have murdered someone.”
Ablett is at the center of an investigation that made international news.
Hell’s Angels San Francisco President Mark Guardado, 45, was shot and killed Sept. 2. Motorcyclists from around the world came to San Francisco to pay their respects.
Police in California had identified Ablett as a suspect in the case partly based on witness reports that tied someone with his description to the scene of the shooting. They searched his Modesto home, seizing a motorcycle and other evidence. Ablett is said to be a member of the Mongols Motor Club, a rival of the Hell’s Angels’. Recent reports in California have linked assaults, shootings and pipe bomb explosions to tension between the groups.
Holland said Ablett was dropped off at the Bartlesville police station by someone driving a dark pickup, but police don’t know who that was.
Police know of no ties Ablett has to Oklahoma, Holland said.
fingerprints through their system, they found nothing tying him to any Oklahoma case. Ablett suggested that they expand their search nationally.
As the California warrant for his arrest popped onto the screen with a $5 million bond attached, Ablett told the officers, “That would be me,” Holland said.
“We said our detectives would like to talk with him, but he declined,” Holland said. “He said, ‘I’m not going to talk anymore; I’ll take the Fifth (Amendment), and that’s all I’ve got to say.’ And he meant it.”
— By LAURA SUMMERS World Correspondent
FIRST EVER KN-SERIES ENGINE PRE-ORDER OPPORTUNITY– LA CROSSE, WI (October 10, 2008) S&S Cycle announces the first ever opportunity to pre-order the all new Flathead Power by S&S Cycle KN-Series engines. During calendar year 2008 there will be only 100 of these beautiful vintage engines produced?available in generator (PN 106-2161 MSRP $8575.00) and alternator/generator (PN 106-2560 MSRP $8750.00) styles?with serial numbers that identify them as the first 100 produced. Considered one of the most desirable engines ever, this is a great opportunity to lock one in for your next build.
Currently 40 KN-Series engines are already on order just from the sneak preview in Sturgis this year, leaving 60 more to be built. Expected shipping on these engines will start during the first week of December, so if you want to guarantee one for your next project, contact an S&S Customer Support Representative now. A non-refundable deposit of just $500 will lock in your place in history.
The Flathead Power by S&S KN-Series engine features the aesthetic looks of classic iron, but benefit from significant upgrades. For starters, displacement is 93 cubic inches, because you can?t go wrong with more power. One big improvement is the use of a 1958-?65 style flywheel assembly with a splined sprocket shaft and Timken sprocket shaft bearing. This change necessitates the use of a 1954-?65 tin primary cover and primary chain sprocket?but the increased flywheel stability, strength and power capacity are worth the stock departure.
Flathead Power rocker arm cover ?tins? are another modern improvement. The lower covers are actually made of die-cast aluminum, and instead of being held in place by the valve guide, they are held down by valve spring pressure. A special gasket on the bottom of the lower ?tin? provides a positive seal, and is much easier to service if needed, since the valve guides do not have to be pressed out in order to remove the lower covers. Also instead of the steel brazed-in hard oil return lines used on stock tins, S&S has improved the design of the oil line for better reliability and easier assembly and maintenance.
?We are very excited to finally be able to launch the Flathead Power 93ci KN-series engines. There has been over 14 months of refinement that went into getting them ready for this announcement,? said Charlie Hadayia, S&S Senior Sales Manager.
S&S dealers can place an order by calling their Customer Support Representative on their direct dial phone lines. For an S&S customer that would like to order a 93ci KN-Series engine, you can call (608) 627-1497 and a Customer Support Representative can take your order and place it with an S&S dealer for you.
VAGABOND CHICKIES RIDING TO BIKETOBERFEST — For me Daytona is only a short ride and this year I AM NOT WORKING for Biketoberfest, no tents, displays, merchandise. I have decided that after all of 2008 and its adventures the Vagabond Chopper Crew needs to get out there and have a little fun.
So, it is my goal to get everyone on their rides and head up on Thursday in time for the Willy?s Tropical Tattoo Chopper Show and then attend the Seminole Hard Rock Roadhouse hosted second annual BIKER FUSION event to benefit Soldiers’ Angels, an organization committed to increasing the morale of deployed troops, helping veterans return home healthy, and bringing comfort to wounded soldiers. This event will be held 7-10 pm and will give us a chance to party while supporting a good cause.
Friday, I will be spending some time with my friends at the Limp Nicky Lot at the Skate Park on Ridgewood Ave ( US 1)- They all know how to have fun and that is what its about. I am bringing my skates cause you can always count on having fun with them you just never know what kind- its all good-
Friday Night we will ride over to the Speedway for the Monster Dash from 7 to 10- It is so cool to ride laps around the Daytona Speedway on your bike and then there is a neat little party in the Fan Zone afterwards. Then it is off to see Jay Allen at the Broken Spoke for the remainder of fun too be had…
Saturday I will let everyone sleep in, and get an early start on the day with my Motor Maid Sisters at our event luncheon, those ladies keep me grounded and remind me that it is truly about the pleasures my motorcycle gives me always, like good sex – between the two- what more is there?
When the boys wake up and have coffee I will meet them back at the Limp Nicky Lot and we will find enough trouble to keep us busy until???? Oh yeah it is off to see Dave (Allen Coe) play at the Iron Horse in Ormond. Then there is the Sucker Punch Sally Party at Saints and Sinners- on Saturday Night -Christian, Jeff and Donnie sure know how to have fun so we will be there directly after the Coe Show…
I am so looking forward to this Biketoberfest, just the choppers, sleeping bags and small amount of $$$$- No fancy hotel rooms, no five star food, just the good times that come from being a Vagabond- SMILE!!!!!
— Athena ?Chickie? Ransom
Vagabond Chopper Company
THE FLAG BILL FOR VETERANS– I know you probably get a lot of this kind of stuff but this is on the level. They are trying to get a bill through Congress that will make this flag an official United States Flag in rememberance of those who have given their all for their country.
What they need is for every Vet or anybody for that matter who knows someone who was killed in the line of duty either in Iraq or Afganistan.
On Nov 11th 2008 This organization is going to present to the families of every fallen hero a flag with their Son or Daughters name on the bottom of the flag to Honor and Remember their service to the country and to thank them for giving everything they had.
I believe that bikers as a group suport this kind of cause. And by just going to the website and signing the patition they can give their suport.
Thanks for everything that you do to inform the biker comunity.
— Michael Evans
Mike Evans
Tidewater HOG
Virginia Beach, Va. 23455
JESSE JAMES RAFFLE BIKE– Been a while since I talked to you. If you don’t remember me, I am one of the guys who did the triumph rebuild video and I met you through Hardcore Chopper Jay after Bonneville about two years ago. I wanted to reach out to you and see if you could put a post up on Bikernet for me. A friend of my brother, Sam Childers, is a former biker turned preacher who works with orphaned kids in Sudan. He is raffling off a bike that Jesse James gave to him to raise money for his cause. If you could help put out the word it would be amazing. I am not one to ask for favors but this is a very worthwhile cause. Check out the website and let me know if you want his contact info.
–Taegh
http://www.angelsofeastafrica.org/aboutus.html
SUCKER PUNCH SALLY PARTY AT BIKETOBERFEST, DON’T MISS IT– I wanted to let you know about the party Sucker Punch is throwing down in Daytona during Biketoberfest. It will be Saturday October 18th at Saints and Sinners out at Destination Daytona, with live music from the rythmatics and a SPS calendar girl search contest, it all starts at 10 p.m.
For those of you who didn’t get to try the SPS Original Octane energy drink we will handing out all night as well as at our locations at the Limp Nickie Lot and Bruce Rossmeyer’s Destination Daytona.
Please feel free to share this info with everyone, we are going to try and have the place at capacity, no invite or RSVP necessary! I have attached the way cool poster that Kevin did for us.
–Ken
360 BRAKE LIVES!– 360 Brake Introduces Its Newest Addition The 6? BIG Brake.
Indianapolis, IN (October 8, 2008) ? Just about a year ago, 360 Brake took on the task of redesigning and reestablishing this company in the Motorcycle Industry. Today, 360 Brake is extremely excited to announce the release of the next generation 360 Brake ? The 6? BIG Brake. Similar to the design of the 5? hub, this new brake is completely contained in a 6? hub mounted around the axle; it looks like there?s no brake at all!
This new six-inch brake is designed to provide increased stopping and thermal capacity compared to the standard 5? model. The 6? BIG Brake will offer you a safe stopping capability for bigger bikes with an added value of replacing OEM dual-front disks by using one 6? BIG Brake instead of two Standard 5? models.
360 Brake systems utilize circular piston and pads activated by hydraulic pressure delivering 360 of braking pressure to the rotor in a compact 5? or 6? hub. The rotor, which is grooved and vented, together with the brake hat?s specially designed venting system, effectively eliminates dust and heat build up providing superior airflow to the brake.
The BIG 360 Brake will fit most custom and V-Twin configurations and is offered in a polished finish with chrome and color anodized finishes as upgrades. Currently the 6? BIG Brake can be adapted to most billet wheels. For more information check it out at www.360brake.com or give them a call at 317.875.0360.
360 Brake, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, was formed in October of 2007 after purchasing the assets and intellectual property from Baldwin Wilson Development Corporation. 360 Brake immediately began an engineering and R&D campaign, to create a more functional, better performing brake. 360 Brake specially selected the engineering team, with specific braking skills, forming a cohesive team with one goal – to redesign the original 360 Brake to be a competitive product for the custom motorcycle market. In addition to the initial product release, in less than a year, they?ve added the 6? BIG brake to the line up, offering additional stopping power for larger, heavier bikes and those wanting a single front brake.
Future plans for 360 Brake includes engineering fitments for additional fork/axle configurations and designing spoked wheel configurations utilizing the 360 Brake.
BIKERNET INTERNET INVESTIGATION, LITTLE KNOWN FACTS– Things I find on the net when I wake up at 5 a.m. on a Saturday and can’t go back to sleep:
1. A day without sunshine is like night.
2. On the other hand, you have different fingers.
3. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.
4. 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
5. Remember, half the people you know are below average.
–from Buckshot
AVON TYRE 2008 ACHIEVEMENTS– -Nich Brocha and Ernie Vigil are currently ranked 1st and 5th in XDL and 2nd and 3rd ISMRA stunt series, respectively. And get this: they run Viper Xtremes on the front and Storms on the back! Brings new definition to the term sport touring…
-Roger Goldammer was awarded first place in the AMD World Championship of Custom bike building in Sturgis with ?Goldmember?, a bike that not only sets land speed records (165mph at Bonneville, 2007), but apparently wins the beauty contests as well!
-Speaking of land speed records, four beautiful ladies riding for Klock Werks Kustoms set five different land speed records at the Salt Flats of Bonneville this year!
-On the metric end of things, Jim Giuffra of AFT customs took best in show in the L.A. Calendar Show with his build ?Er Hed?, the first time a metric bike has ever won this award. Jim followed up with best metric build at the AMD World Championship and best metric cruiser at the Top 50 rally park show in Sturgis.
Avon congratulates all of our supporters on their incredible achievements!
NEWS FROM THE BIKERNET BLONDE ARCHIVES– One hot summer day, a blonde came to town with her dog, tied it under the shade of a tree, and headed into a restaurant for something cold to drink.
Twenty minutes later, a policeman entered the restaurant and asked, ‘Who owns the dog tied under that tree outside? The blonde said it was hers.
Your dog seems to be in heat’ the officer said.
The blonde replied, ‘No way. She’s cool ’cause she’s tied up under that shade tree.
The policeman said, ‘No! You don’t understand. Your dog needs to be bred.’
‘No way,’ said the blonde. ‘My dog doesn’t need bread. She isn’t hungry ’cause I fed her this mornin’.
The exasperated policeman said, ‘NO! You don’t understand. Your dog wants to have sex!’
The blonde looked at the cop and said, ‘Well, go ahead. I always wanted a police dog.
–Bob Clark
CANTINA SOAP OPERA COMPLAINT– Just a question about the “Cantina the series” It’s stuck at episode 50 nothing written for a whole year now. Wazup with that?
–Saint John Harley Owners Group I couldn’t believe it, but he’s right and I’ll jump on the task. I need a nasty barroom story. Maybe this weekend the Cantina action will sizzle. It better.– THERE YOU HAVE IT–Okay, so I purchased the fried engine from Bud’s and had a Paughco Frame. But Bud’s crew couldn’t find the melting 4-speed transmission. For two years I called the Austin headquarters every couple of months. From time to time I thought we were getting close, but nope, they couldn’t find it. Finally I called and a crew member announced that they were shipping me a burnt Softail trans. They still couldn’t find the vintage job. I kept my fingers crossed until it arrived. Here’s what arrived. What the hell? The four-speed had most of the case and a tranny plate under it. This one doesn’t have shit? Anyway, as you read this I’ll be strapped comfortably in Rick Krost’s pickup (U.S. Choppers) heading towards Carson City, Nevada, and the Paughco Factory, to pick up my Factory Racing Chassis and front end. Can’t wait to get started on this 2009 Sturgis build. Back to the desk. They’re fun to build for obvious reasons. I can do anything I want and this one will be crazy. It’s also for sale upon completion. I can only sit at one desk. Then again, it could step in as our patio table. Never know. Who wants a burnt Panhead desk? Hang on for more reports, drama, tech, features and bike builds updates next week. Ride Forever, –Bandit 
