Franks Biker News July 17th archive

New Chopper on the block! - Zigwheels.com - ‎Honda unveils its first factory chopper specifically built for the American market
Custom choppers were born in the USA over a decade ago and have enjoyed a strong following since their inception. But a decade ago if you wanted a chopper, you either had to own a fully-equipped workshop or be friends with anybody who owned such a workshop. But with swift change in engineering and technology along with their accessibility to the larger masses, the chopper culture also picked up pace increasing its following to ten-folds. However, most of these choppers were built by custom bike builders in limited numbers depending upon orders. The large capacity V-Twin motors were mostly borrowed from Harley Davidson and the creators tried all sorts of radical designs with the frames and wheels.
Making a chopper is more of an art than just engineering. It's, to be more precise, a combination of both to create something that looks stunning rolling on the road and goes hand-in-hand with the rider's personality. However, due to the lack of factory expertise these choppers suffer from issues regarding reliability and perfect dynamics. But even then, American bike-makers like Harley Davidson and Victory Motorcycles that churn out factory choppers are giving the Japs a hard time in the US market. In fact, in most states, Victory has recorded more sales with its chopper line up than any of the Japs managed to garner with their cruiser model range. Hence, Yamaha was quick to introduce the Raider Factory Chopper model in order to bring an end to the climbing sales chart of the local chopper companies in USA.

With the Raider, Yamaha brought the Japanese reliability packaged in chopper form, straight from the factory. Another big benefit of a factory chopper is the insurance it demands compared to the custom choppers built by bike-building firms. The custom choppers attract very high amounts of insurance premium thanks to their exclusivity and lack of reliability. The newest kid on the block is the 'Fury' or 'VT1300CX' from world's largest bike-maker, Honda. The Honda Fury takes cues from various successful chopper designs and incorporates the same lines. It is propelled by a 1312cc 52-degree fuel-injected V-twin found in the popular VTX1300 machine but featuring re-profiled camshafts and a new exhaust system.

Most choppers run Harley motors with technology that can be traced back to the days of the disco decade. The new Honda motor boasts of a single-pin crank that gives the bike a unique growl each time you work the throttle. The Fury also comes with Honda's very own advanced PGMFi fuel injection system and the newly developed C-ABS braking system (only for US market). Honda has got the recipe spot on for the chopper. The styling of the Fury is smooth, flowing and typically chopper-like. The bike was designed by the styling team in the USA at Honda Research Americas (HRA) along with Honda engineers at HGA (Honda Headquarters, Japan).

The radiators for the liquid-cooled machine are neatly concealed to maintain the 'traditional' look. The front of the Fury has a remarkably uncluttered appeal between the front cylinder and the radiator area. The top radiator hose is hidden away beneath the front valve cover, which is a patented idea that illustrates the extreme efforts expended on maintaining the airy look of the front end. The rear mono-suspension is also adjustable for preload, which means ride quality on the bike will be much better that what is seen on the custom-built choppers.

Honda has gone all out in building a true-blue chopper motorcycle to cater to the large American base and demand for such models minus the premium demanded by custom chopper builders. Honda also offers a variety of custom options and accessories to make the Fury an even more value for money package. The price has not been disclosed yet by Honda and the bike will be known as Fury in the USA while in the UK it will be called VT1300CX.
 

 

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Sportster Performance Pipes

ILLConduct Stunt Riders Showcase D&D Sporty Pipes The upswing in the back of the exhaust pipe allows for spirited riding. The 2 into 1 design offers the greatest performance.

D&D Performance Enterprises builds 2 into 1 Fat Cat performance pipes for fuel injected Sportsters equipped with 02 bungs. Each exhaust pipe is dyno tuned to deliver the deep Harley rumble and increased performance.

Finish
D&D pipes come in show chrome and midnight black. The pipes include heat shields and standard or quiet baffles.

ILLConduct Stunt Riders
Jumpin' Jeff Schneider is pictured pushes D&D equipped motorcycle stunt riding to new limits and provide cutting-edge shows, world record breaking events as well as appearances and exposure around the world.

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KYMCO scoots to the fifth AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference, presented by Harley-Davidson and Buell
PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to announce that powersports distributor KYMCO USA will provide scooter demo rides at the fifth AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference, presented by Harley-Davidson and Buell. The conference will take place in Keystone, Colo., Aug. 19-22.

"KYMCO scooters are easy and fun to ride, and because they are equipped with constant velocity transmissions (CVT), they offer riders with little or no shifting experience a great opportunity to participate in the sport," said Tigra Tsujikawa, marketing and special events manager for the AMA. "We are very excited about KYMCO's presence at our conference."

The KYMCO USA scooter product line includes a wide range of models and colors, including the sporty new 500cc Xciting. Other models range in engine size from 50-250cc, and many feature sleek European and retro styling. The Spartanburg, S.C.-based company has been on the U.S. powersports scene for more than 30 years, and today it distributes motor scooters, motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles manufactured by its parent company in Taiwan.

Registration for the fifth AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference, presented by Harley-Davidson and Buell, costs $165 through Aug. 3. Registration after Aug. 3 (and any on-site registrations) will cost $185. The registration fee includes a commemorative t-shirt, and admission to all seminars as well as opening ceremonies on Aug. 19, a barn dance on Aug. 20, the International Street Party on Aug. 21 and a closing banquet on Aug. 22. Both the barn dance and closing banquet include dinner.

Participants can register now at https://home.ama-cycle.org/iwmc/registration/register.aspx  or by phone by calling (800) AMA-JOIN. While the event focuses on women riders, it is not limited to women. Men are welcome to participate with a paid registration. Sign up for conference e-mail alerts at info@womenandmotorcycling.com , and follow conference updates on Twitter at http://twitter.com/womenandmoto .

About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world's largest motorcycling organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists' interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through its Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations.

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AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days welcomes Ride Like a Pro precision riding team
PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to announce that the Ride Like a Pro precision riding team will perform at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course this July 24-26 as part of AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days.

"AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is known for one of the broadest schedules of motorcycling-related activities anywhere, from our massive swap meet to seminars to bike shows to vintage racing," said Tigra Tsujikawa, AMA special events manager. "The entertainment also extends to displays of extraordinary riding skill, such as what visitors will witness this year when the Ride Like a Pro team takes to the stunt area."

Ride Like a Pro showcases "the fusion of entertainment and rider skills enlightenment." Ride Like a Pro is led by Jerry "Motorman" Palladino, who has produced instructional motorcycle videos and appears weekly on SPEED with motorcycling safety tips. The team includes two petite female riders who handle their 850-pound motorcycles as easily as a kid plays with a toy car.

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days attracts thousands of the most enthusiastic motorcyclists on the planet every year, from racers to vintage collectors to restorers to fans," Palladino said. "The one thing they all have in common is they're serious about their riding. We're looking forward to showing this group some great riding techniques, and I can guarantee the crowd will be laughing and learning at the same time."

Palladino and his team will perform daily and will have the Ride Like a Pro book and DVDs available for sale before and after the rider skills demonstrations. More information about Ride Like a Pro can be found at RideLikeAPro.com .

For ticket and schedule information about AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, see AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com .

About AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days
AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, all proceeds of which go to support the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, includes national-championship vintage racing, North America's largest motorcycle swap meet, bike shows, demo rides of current production bikes, motorcycling seminars, stunt shows, the new product Manufacturers' Midway and club corrals featuring marque and regional clubs, and the AMA Used Bike Corral. The Marque of the Year for 2009 is BSA, whose bikes became synonymous with racing in the United States when the brand swept the top five positions at the Daytona 200 in 1954. The Classic Clubs this year will be the Sandcast Only Owner's Club (SOOC), and the International CBX Owners Association.

This year will be particularly special because it commemorates the 85th anniversary of the AMA, and will feature a parade of classic motorcycles representing the past 85 years. Volunteers are encouraged to contact the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, which is organizing the parade, for information about participating in it. Information is at MotorcycleMuseum.org .

About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world's largest motorcycling organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists' interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through its Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations.

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Motorcyclist dies from injuries in Sunday crash - Fort Wayne Journal Gazette - An Elkhart motorcyclist involved in a crash Sunday evening in Kosciusko County died Wednesday in Kosciusko Community Hospital, according to the Kosiusko County F.A.C.T./Fatal Team.
Donald H. Aydelotte Jr., 55, was eastbound at 6:15 p.m. on County Road 400 North on his Harley Davidson Electra Glide when a 1998 Pontiac Grand Am driven by Alysha M. Bellamy, 16, of Willamsport, Ind., pulled into his path, police said.
Bellamy and two passengers had been traveling southbound on County Road 150 West. They were not injured.
The accident remains under investigation by the Kosciusko County Coroner's Office and the F.A.C.T./Fatal Reconstruction Team.

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17th annual Benefit, Poker Run and Barbecue - July 18th - Register from 9 to 10:45 a.m. The 140-mile poker run around Mount Shasta ends with a party at Lake Shastina Community Center, 15244 Driftwood Lane in Lake Shastina.
Event features music by the Ron Lovelace, tri-tip dinner and raffle. Presented by Siskiyou Motorcycle Association.
Entry fee is $20 members, $25 nonmembers. Includes card, run pin (first 120 riders), local camp available, beer and wine available. Must be 21 to attend. Call 925-4575 or 938-4226.

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Motorcyclist seriously injured in Ventura accident - Ventura County Star - A motorcyclist was seriously injured Tuesday evening in Ventura when a car ran over him after it was rear-ended, police said.
The crash occurred about 5 p.m. near Thompson Boulevard and Santa Cruz Street. Frank Hendricks, 54, of Oxnard was stopped on eastbound Thompson, trying to turn his motorcycle left onto Santa Cruz, when a motorist failed to stop for traffic and hit a car stopped behind Hendricks, Ventura police said.
The stopped car was pushed forward into Hendricks, who fell off his motorcycle and onto the car’s hood, police said. He then fell from the hood onto the street, where the car ran over him and the motorcycle, police said.
Hendricks was trapped under the vehicle, but a group of witnesses lifted the car off him, police said.
Paramedics and Ventura city firefighters treated Hendricks and took him to Ventura County Medical Center, where he was in stable condition. No other injuries were reported.
A preliminary investigation indicated the 48-year-old Ventura man who struck the car behind Hendricks was driving too fast for the road conditions, police said. The investigation is ongoing, and the man was not cited or arrested, police said.

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Injured motorcyclist loses sight in one eye - Norman Transcript - A Lexington motorcyclist injured in a wreck last week has lost sight in his left eye, according to his mother-in-law.
Tony Craven, 38, suffered severe injuries in a motorcycle crash July 8 on State Highway 9 near 168th Avenue NE. He wasn't wearing a helmet at the time of the wreck.
He was transported from the scene by Medi-Flight helicopter to OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City. Craven remains in the hospital's trauma intensive care unit.
Craven's mother-in-law, Dorothy Davis said Craven is still in critical condition, but doctors have removed him from a ventilator. He can now breathe without assistance.
"He is coming along a little bit day by day," Davis said.
She said Craven is in a medically induced coma.
Craven suffered a number of injuries as a result of the wreck. His right wrist sustained a compound fracture, Davis said.
He broke every bone in his face as a result of the crash, Davis said. Craven suffered a fractured back, left femur and left hip. He also has bleeding on his brain.
Davis said the family has learned Craven's T-4 vertebra is broken. Doctors are not sure if Craven will have any paralysis. Craven is able to move his fingers and wiggle his toes.
"To me that's hope," Davis said.
Craven underwent surgery Monday to repair his left hip ball joint, left femur and right wrist. Davis said Craven's doctors believe the surgery was a success.
Davis said her daughter, Crystal, Craven's wife, lost her job Wednesday morning. Crystal Craven has not left OU Medical Center since her husband was hospitalized July 8.
"Now they're really in dire need of money," she said. "My daughter is just strapped."
Davis said anyone who would like to help the Craven family with expenses may send monetary donations to the Craven residence at 13151 123rd St., Lexington, OK 73051.

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Man critically injured in Oakland crash - Pittsburgh Post Gazette - A Pleasant Hills man was critically injured yesterday morning when his motorcycle crashed into the rear of a tour bus on Fifth Avenue in Oakland, police said.
Daniel Ridenour, 25, was riding his bike west at about 7 a.m. in the 3400 block of Fifth Avenue when he attempted to change lanes to pass another vehicle.
He swerved into the right-hand curb lane and accelerated, but a Lenzner tour bus was in his path in that lane.
The motorcycle slammed into the rear of the bus.
Investigators said the bike left a 30-foot long skid mark before the collision.
Mr. Ridenour was taken to UPMC Presbyterian.

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Bikers muffled in Indian Rocks Beach - Tampa Bay Newspapers - INDIAN ROCKS BEACH – In the two weeks that Pinellas County sheriff’s deputies have been on the lookout for bikers running with illegal mufflers they have written 14 citations in the city, and it is making a difference.
At Tuesday night’s City Commission meeting, City Manager Chuck Coward gave a preview of the report he had from the sheriff’s office. The report confirmed that the commission’s directive to the sheriff regarding enforcement of the state law regulating illegal modification of motorcycle exhaust systems commonly referred to as “straight piping” had begun.
In June business owner Jim Labadie presented the commission with a petition signed by 50 residents asking that the city instruct law enforcement officials to begin citing violators of a state statute prohibiting the alteration of factory muffler systems. Exhausts so modified can result in increased sound levels which Labadie and the other petitioners consider intrusive.
In response, bikers claim that the increased noise level is a safety precaution that alerts distracted motorists that a motorcycle and rider are in the vicinity. They claim drivers impaired by the use of cell phones often fail to notice motorcyclists before it is too late to avoid a collision.
Labadie owns an inn on the beach fronted by Gulf Boulevard and guests, including his friend, State Senator Steve Oelrich of Alachua County, who have witnessed the elevated sound levels of bikes accelerating away from a nearby stop light. They claim the noise disrupts the neighborhood and their right to peace and quiet. Oelrich, who is a former county sheriff, joined Labadie in promoting the petition to the city.
Based on the petition and a recurring history of resident complaints, commissioners agreed to instruct the sheriff’s office to begin citing those found in violation of the ordinance.
According to a spokesperson for the Pinellas County Clerk’s office, a citation for altering the muffler system in this manner could result in a fine of $101 if it was issued before July 1. That figure increased to $116 after July 1.
It remains to be seen if the enforcement effort will result in a more peaceful Indian Rocks Beach. 

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Volunteer Firefighter Dies in Motorcycle Accident - WREX-TV -WINNEBAGO COUNTY (WREX) - Firefighters respond to a deadly motorcycle crash involving one of their own.
Around 3:45 Wednesday afternoon, 19-year-old Ryan Thomas was riding a motorcycle near Kelley and Alworth Roads, just south of the Village of Winnebago. He hit a box truck.
Thomas was pronounced dead at the scene. Two people in the truck weren't hurt. He was a volunteer with the Win-Bur-Sew Fire Department. 
Investigators say they're not finished reconstructing what happened, but it looks like the box truck is not at fault.

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2 dead in head-on motorcycle crash - Minneapolis Star Tribune - The sun rising behind their backs, the five riders headed out on their Harleys along County Road 6 west of the Twin Cities Wednesday morning; it was the much-anticipated kickoff of their annual cross-country motorcycle trip.
Leading the way was Mike Brown, a 66-year-old retired fire chief from Long Lake, who considered the fire department he had served for 45 years and his bike buddies to be his family. This year's trip was to take them all the way to New Mexico and back.
They had gone only a few miles when, just south of Maple Plain, a lone motorcycle traveling the other direction suddenly pulled out to pass a pickup.
"That bike was coming toward us so fast," said Sue Reed, one of the riders. "We had just come out of a no-passing zone and as soon as it quit, he came out. I saw his headlight and the immediate impact. Mike didn't have a chance."
Ten minutes into the trip, shortly after 6:30 a.m., Brown and the oncoming cyclist, Gary Arens, 51, were dead.
Authorities say that Arens, of Watertown -- who according to relatives was probably hurrying to get to work in the Twin Cities -- was "aggressively" passing on the two-lane road used by many exurban commuters. Arens' driving record includes three citations for drunken driving since 1999.
Arens "wanted to pass the truck, moved into the oncoming lane," and collided with the lead bike, said Hennepin County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Lisa Kiava.
Seconds later, a car struck Brown on the eastbound shoulder, even though its driver took "extensive evasive action," said West Hennepin Police Chief Ray McCoy.
Brown's death leaves a hole in Long Lake, where in his 45 years with the fire department he served at various times as chief, assistant chief, captain and lieutenant. Brown, who was first widowed and later divorced and did not have children, poured his time into serving his community. He retired not long ago but traveled to Luverne just a week ago to help purchase a new fire tanker truck for the city. That trip was part of the last conversation he had with Long Lake Mayor Randy Gilbert.
"It's kind of surreal," Gilbert said. "Our conversation was about life in general and the thin line we walk as we get older. Mike had made the comment that he had everything going for him, and he was going to live his life. How many 66-year-old guys are gonna jump on a bike and drive to Arizona?"
Brown and his companions, members of a club called the Whoop Ass Riders, were wearing helmets, but authorities said they weren't sure whether Arens had one on. McCoy said that Arens was seen "pulling out and passing several eastbound vehicles" in the moments leading up to the collision.
'Had some demons'
Arens' sister, Janice Storm of Milbank, S.D., last saw her brother in March at their mother's funeral. She said he would likely have been on his way to work at a cleaning company. A Minnesota native, Storm went online Wednesday morning and read news of a fatal motorcycle accident in Minnesota.
"I thought to myself, 'I don't know anyone who owns a motorcycle. It's not anyone I know.'" she said.
A short time later her nephew called with the news.
Arens' brother, Roger, said he believed his brother had been sober at least a few years.
"I don't know what time he was supposed to be at work or if he did get in a hurry or was impatient," Roger Arens said. "I can't attest to anyone's state of mind ... I know my brother had some demons, and he was working through it."
Arens was divorced and had a 25-year-old son. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and being outdoors, Storm said.
"He was a good guy, he was a human being, and it's sad that it happened," she said. "He was turning his life around."
Brown's motorcycle caught on fire in the collision. For about three hours, County Road 6 was closed for about a mile between County Road 83 and County Road 90.

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Elkhart man dies after Kosciusko County motorcycle crash - South Bend Tribune - Elkhart resident Donald Aydelotte Jr., 55, died Wednesday at Kosciusko Community Hospital of injuries he received Sunday in a motorcycle crash.
The Kosciusko County Fatal Alcohol Crash Team continues their investigation into the accident, a standard procedure in serious and fatal accidents.
Police said Alysha Bellamy, 16, of Williamsport, Ind., was driving south and stopped at a stop sign at County Road 150 West at 6:15 p.m. Sunday. She then pulled into Aydelotte's path, who was driving east on County Road 400 North.
Neither Bellamy nor her two passengers were injured, police said. 

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Motorcycle wreck blamed on defective trike - Southeast Texas Record - While most couples warn their children to be careful while playing on their tricycles, one Louisiana couple is suing for a collision that occurred while they were out playing on their grown up "trikes."
Raymond and Sharon Hamiter filed suit against Champion Sidecars and Champion Trike Manufacturing in federal court July 11 in the Marshall Division of the Eastern District of Texas, alleging the defendants sold them a defective "Trike."
A trike is a two wheel conversion kit that turns a motorcycle into a three-wheeleer for increased passenger room or storage.
Court documents show that on March 1, 2008, Sharon Hamiter was riding a Honda Goldwing motorcycle that had been fitted with a "trike conversion kit" designed, manufactured and marketed by the defendants.
"Mrs. Hamiter was travelling on Texas State Highway 21 on her trike with Mr. Hamiter following her on his motorcycle when suddenly … the axle of the trike Mrs. Hamiter was riding broke, causing her to lose control and speed, resulting in a collision between the trike she was riding and the motorcycle Mr. Hamiter was riding," the suit states.
The couple alleges Champion owed a duty to the purchasers and users to properly test their products before marketing.
"Defendants breached that duty and as a result proximately caused the injury and harm from which Plaintiffs now suffer," the suit states.
On top of exemplary damages, the couple is suing for past and future mental anguish, medical expenses and lost wages.
They are represented by attorney Michael T. Runyan of the Runyan Firm.
The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge T. John Ward and referred to Magistrate Judge Charles Everingham for pretrial proceedings.