You Will Be Missed
The motorcycle industry lost one of its icons this past July when Bruce Rossmeyer was killed in a motorcycle accident on his way to the 69th Annual Sturgis Rally. Bruce was 66 years old. Aside from his amassed Harley-Davidson Dealership empire of 15 dealerships and stores across the country, including the worlds largest dealership to-date the 109,000 square-foot Destination Daytona, Bruce was just as involved in charitable work as well. A very respected philanthropist both in and outside the motorcycle industry, Bruce was heavily involved with a wide assortment of charitable organizations, and was a founder and served on the Board of Directors of Camp Boggy Creek, served on the Board of Directors for Boys & Girls Clubs of Volusia/Flagler Counties, and was a major player in the fundraising efforts for the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital as well. He was also Co-Creator and Sponsor of the VQ Bikers Ball held during Daytona Bike Week, and was held solely responsible for creating the Bike Week party on Beach Street where his Daytona Harley-Davidson shop is located. Bruce is survived by his wife Sandy, five children and nine grandchildren. Bruce will be greatly missed by those who knew him and even those who didn't know him but were affected by his generosity.
www.brucerossmeyer.com

Girls do it, Too!
Carlisle Bike Fest was home to the Garage-Girls Ultimate Biker makeover sponsored by GEICO where the Girls got a chance to give back to a couple of "average Jills" on Saturday July 18. The winners Kristen Buckley, of Red Lion, Pennsylvania, and Victoria Kriner-Aversano, of Myerstown Pennsylvania, were chosen from four finalists. Both women received personal makeovers, head-to-toe riding gear, and a host of other prizes. For the grand prize, Victoria's bike got "hooked up" with a ton of parts such as a new seat, speakers, spoked wheels, and some pinstriping. Seeing the finished product was an emotional experience for Victoria, who became slightly tearful as the bike was unveiled and called the prize a blessing. She said the seat and speakers will prove especially handy for playing patriotic music along the long rides she takes as a Patriot Guard Rider attending soldiers' funerals, Victoria is a regional representative for America's 9/11 Foundation and a volunteer with the non-profit Soldiers' Angels.www.garage-girls.com, photo credit, Jill Hunt.

Metzeler in Cuba

Delmarva Bike Week and Daytona Biketoberfest were both huge successes for ThunderMax, Thunder Heart and the Zipper's Performance tech teams. These shows were the first opportunity for many riders and enthusiasts to see the pre-production ThunderMax for Throttle-by-Wire installed on Touring H-D models... and not just for show!

Garage Art For Your Home
Well known for his original motorsport paintings on canvas and his highly collectable limited edition prints that fetch upwards of five figured price tags, famed artist Eric Herman has refined an old process, and developed a new line of 'Garage Art' paintings, that are of a reasonable price for the average joe. These aren't computer generated, or airbrush art either, they are original paintings done with a brush and paint. Measuring 16 inches by 30 inches, sheetmetal panels are coated with black paint in a cross-hatch pattern that resembles a canvas finish. Eric then paints in a reverse fashion, using the black of the panel as a color. "It's kind of like a Velvet Elvis or Jimi Hendrix poster from the '60s and '70s," states Eric. Just email Eric a photo and in a few weeks you'll have a unique piece ranging from $400 for an original painting to $500 for a work of art with your vehicle and lettering.
www.EricHerrmannStudios.com(888) 200-6554.

You should have been there! The 7th Annual Sturgis Metzeler Custom Bike Contest has become more than an annual affair for Metzeler, it is a yearly must-do for many of America's best and wildest builders. There's no better measure of its success than the number of custom builders who have eagerly taken part in every Annual Sturgis Metzeler Custom Bike Contest, each with custom builds rolling on Metzeler tires.

Sturgis Turbo Style
If you are looking to make your ride home from Sturgis go by a little faster stop by the Trask Performance booth where in six hours the company can bolt-on one of its turbo packages to any H-D fuel injected machine complete with a Zipper's ThunderMax EFI Auto Tune system. Your best bet is to make a reservation ahead of time but "walk-ins" can be accommodated. Not going to Sturgis but still want to get a Trask Turbo installed, don't fret, as Trask will be doing installs at several major events across the country. Call (623) 879-8488 or make reservations online at
www.turboyourharley.com

SAN JOSE, Calif., August 5, 2009 - eBay Motors, the No.1 online automotive marketplace worldwide, today announced the 2009 Motors Master Contest, designed to find America's top vehicle enthusiast in four distinct categories. Winners earn the title of "Motors Master" in their category, receive a trip to Las Vegas to attend the 2009 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show and receive an eBay Motors shopping spree.

Reading Material
Next time you're in the shop or garage and just want to kick back with a good book or plan your next build or upgrade, be sure to add these two publications to your motorcycling library; Keeping the World on Two Wheels' How J&P Cycles Changed the American Motorcycle Industry and the 2009 J&P 30th Anniversary Parts and Accessories catalog. Keeping the World on Two Wheel features the history of J&P Cycles and owners John and Jill Parham's life together as well as how they endured the ups and downs, never giving up to make their dreams of establishing a well-known and respected business come true. The 2009 catalog features hundreds of pages of the latest and greatest parts offered through J&P Cycles. http://www.jpcycles.com

After 26 years operating under the name of Milwaukee Iron, world renowned builder, Randy Simpson, is closing the doors to his Lynchburg, Virginia facility. After two years of a downward trend in motorcycling that has significantly reduced the volume of his sales with stiffer and uneven competition from the overseas' market, Randy is ready to move on to other ventures.

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to announce that motocross racing phenom Ashley Fiolek will speak at the Aug. 19 Opening Ceremony of the fifth AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference, presented by Harley Davidson and Buell, in Keystone, Colo.

Chafe No More
This past February while in Cinci for the '09 V-Twin Dealer Show, we did a little swap with the Round Mound of Rebound, Charles Barkley. We scribbled our autographs on a copy of Sir Charles' favorite motorcycle mag and he gave us free samples of his favorite pre-ride, anti-chaffing remedy, ChafeZone (no he didn't apply it for us). We are happy to report; no more itching/burning sensations during long stints in the saddle. Available through Tucker Rocky,
www.tuckerrocky.com

It has been a long time since I have been given a page to rant a bit, and it's good to be here. Most of the time this page is for us to talk about anything going on, or anything we need to vent about. One thing on my mind has to do with Wal-Mart. When Wal-Mart moves into town it forces the smaller, "mom and pop" shops to scale down, if not close their doors. Having been across this country and at as many shops as I've visited, I can't help but see and hear the same thing going on with all of them. I always ask to find out how they are doing and if there's anything new going on and it's usually the same story, "times are hard right now and the business is just not there." Some of them feel that they are not getting the needed support of their customers. More guys are doing the work at home like the oil changes, which is a good thing but not if you are ordering your parts online to save a couple of bucks. Even if they are not doing the service, selling the parts still brings money in.

Recently I was reminded of an old childhood obsession when at the in-laws' house for a barbecue. The neighbor, Ray, and I were reminiscing about skateboarding and how passionate we both were about it. I started to daydream about the past. I remember being addicted to skateboarding. No asshole coach yelling at me; no psychotic parents screaming at one another on the sidelines; just me and my Powell Peralta Steve Caballero Mechanical Dragon (that's a skateboard) that I purchased from the back of one of my Thrasher mags. Life was simple. I spent hours practicing "ollies" and "rail slides" in front of my house. Or, I'd venture to one of the neighborhood skate spots until one of the snaggle-toothed security guards kicked me out. Was there a better way to spend the day? Not for me.

It's funny how certain actions, words, sights, or sounds can trigger old memories to pop up to the forefront of our consciousness. For example, a few weeks ago I found myself jerry-rigging my bench vice with two blocks of wood, a couple small pieces of steel plate, some bailing wire and a dab of peanut butter just so I could try to press-fit a sleeve into a front fender for a Springer (Ok, I exaggerate but you get my point). Around the third try of unsuccessfully aligning the sleeve-and basically mashing it slightly out of round-I had a flashback and I heard my dad's words come flooding back to me, "Always use the right tool for the job."

Hey Guys,
In Vol. 41, No. 5 issue, you had a story on painting Real Fire. I just wanted to share my Real Fire story with you. I met with Dennis Price out of Chico, California who I had selected to paint my 2006 Road Glide. I told Dennis that I wanted a black base color with some clean and subtle graphics, and gold leaf incorporated into the scheme. Dennis suggested Real Fire, never having seen any Real Fire that I felt looked good, or that I liked, I didn't say no, but HELL NO! Dennis recommended we attend the Sacramento Autorama together, so he could get a better idea of what I liked, and so I could check out more of his work, as he had a bike and a couple of cars he had painted in the show. The first car I saw as I walked in the door was a black Prowler with Real Fire that Dennis had painted. After circling the car four times staring at the fire, I snapped a photo with my throwaway camera. My decision to have Dennis Price paint my Road Glide was strengthened as I viewed his other work, and the winning results were posted. Every one of his paint jobs won awards. Looking at the photos I took was like I was looking into a fireplace. Needless to say, I gave Dennis the go-ahead on the fire, and the whole scheme. The finished product was a work of art; the fire was and still is the first comment I get whenever I stop. Even people who ride with me regularly have repeatedly expressed their approval.
Paul Aliotti, via email

She Built It, She Won It
Harley-Davidson has announced the winner of its "Build It and Win It" sweepstakes presented by Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories. Libby Hitchcock from Dallas, Georgia, was the lucky winner of her self-designed 2009 Softail Cross Bones installed with over $4,500 of custom options including H-D exclusive paint, and numerous decorative and functional accessories. The local dealer, Cartersville Harley-Davidson, provided the delivery of the bike and installed all the custom components. The "Build It and Win It" sweepstakes utilized the 'Customizer', an interactive web tool on Harley-Davidson's website that allows customers the ability to build their virtual dream Harley-Davidson motorcycle.http://www.harley-davidson.com/customizer

Where To Go?
March 28-29, 2009, the Donnie Smith 22nd Annual Bike Show and Parts Extravaganza in St. Paul, Minnesota. Open from 9a.m. to 7p.m. Saturday and 10a.m. to 5p.m. Sunday. See a ton of great looking bikes, and score some great deals on new or used parts for your next project. We've covered this show a couple times in the mag and while it may still be freeezing outside, inside the Saint Paul RiverCentre the scene is red hot.
http://www.donniesmithbikeshow.com

You Will Be Missed
The American motorcycle industry recently lost one of its icon's with the passing of Bob Le Pera. Bob had a passion for making the finest handcrafted Harley seats his way-no excuses-and never strayed from the ideals that proved so rewarding to him. He always strived to do what was best for the industry and held the customers best interest as the foundation for his work. From the beginning Bob instilled his exemplary work ethics and attention to every last detail to his kids, Bob Jr. and Christine. Bob Jr. for the past 24 years and Christine for the past 20 years have worked side by side with Bob. As a family they have built what has become one of the most respected names in the industry.

Do you have a comment, question, complaint, or something you need to get off your chest? Then write us at: Speak Up, Hot Bike, 2570 E. Cerritos Ave., Anaheim, CA 92806, or drop us a line at hot.bike@sourceinterlink.com.

Dog House Rock And Roll
In case you missed it, the Seminole Hard Rock Roadhouse stopped by the Dog House Bar and Grille on Main Street in Daytona during Biketoberfest. It was a multi-day/night party with rockin' music, hot women, amazing bikes, and a great vibe. Thursday night was the Biker Fusion event hosted by Billy Lane, Christian Clayton, and Shelly Rossmeyer. The event gave the public the opportunity to mingle with the industry's A-list while raising money for Soldier's Angels, an organization committed to increasing the morale of deployed troops, helping veterans return home healthy, and bringing comfort to wounded soldiers. The Biker Fusion event raised more than $10,000 in proceeds for the Soldier's Angels organization.

Build Your Own
Last June the announcement came that Harley-Davidson had reached an agreement with Steve Storz of Storz Performance in Ventura, California, to acquire Storz' trademark rights for the mark "XR 1200" (U.S. Trademark application No.77/048680). And as we all know, H-D now offers a production model XR 1200, however, (at time of print) the XR 1200 is only available in the European market. Sure, that's bad news that U.S. enthusiasts can't walk into our local dealers and pick one up, but what we can do is build our own dirt-track inspired street racer. While the trademark sale was for the XR 1200 name only, that has left the door open for Storz to continue to offer its flat-track style conversion kit for '86-09 Sportsters. In fact, next month we'll be bringing you face to face with a Storz Sportster Flat Track makeover. Don't sleep. http://www.storzperf.com

Klock Werks Beat The Clock
Four ladies were riding for Team Klock Werks at the Motorcycle Speed Trials by Bub on the Bonneville Salt Flats this year. Team Klock Werks came back with five new national land speed records! Laura Klock defended the "World's Fastest Bagger" record, and her daughters Erika 17, and Karlee 14, joined her as record holders on their own bikes, making the trio the first mother-daughter-daughter in history to set land speed records in the same year at the same event. Laura set a new record aboard the WFB with a speed of 153.592 mph. Erika rode a 1995 Buell S2 and set a new land speed record on the Buell #455 in the P-PP 1350 class at 130.392 mph. As the youngest female participant, Karlee rode the Buell Blast that Erika piloted in 2007, which means that she went after her older sister's record. Karlee not only broke the old record on the Buell Blast #3333 (110.724 mph in class MPS-PG500), she also set an additional record by running the bike in another class by removing the fairing (107.391 in class M-PG 500). Also new to the Klock Werks team was Michelle Mielke, who is the wife of Klock Werks service manager, Joe Mielke. Michelle was riding her 2000 Yamaha V-Star 650 bike #415 in M-P 650 and set a land speed record of 102.1 mph. http://www.kustombaggers.com

Big Changes For Custom Chrome
As this goes to press, Global Motorsport Group (GMG) is liquidating all current inventory for its Motorcycle Stuff division and plans to cease operations in that division by the end of August. You may not have heard of GMG but you probably know its P&A; the group is parent to Custom Chrome, Santee, and Jammer. GMG/CCI plans to continue serving the wholesale needs of both franchised and non-franchised motorcycle parts dealers. For more information, visit http://www.customchrome.com

Sturgis Updates
Don't forget Sturgis is right around the corner, and there's always plenty to do.