Sponsors for our Golf Outing

Here’s an updated list of sponsors for our June 13, 2010 Golf Outing. If you haven’t already registered, please register today. Early bird registration ends May 28.

	Independent Party of Countryside – Mayor Robert Conrad Donation: cigars, beer cart
	Casa De Montecristo Donation: humidor
	7eye Sunglasses Donation: two (2) pairs of motorcycle sunglasses
	Woodford Reserve Donation: one bottle hand-crafted Woodford Reserve Bourbon, a dress shirt, t-shirt, golf cap, bar shaker and shot glass
	EagleRider Motorcycle Rental Donation: 3-day weekend motorcycle rental
	Drag Specialties Donation: a leather jacket, t-shirt, hooded sweatshirt, cap and two rider tool kits
	Illinois Harley-Davidson Donation: Harley-Davidson golf bag, two (2) cigar cases w/cutters, set of four (4) harley davidson martini glasses, set of three (3) – 22oz pilsner glasses, Harley-Davidson umbrella, Harley-Davidson cooler pack

In addition to the opportunity to win these fine prizes, all participants will receive at registration:

• A sleeve of Harley-Davidson golf balls
• Cigar
• Drink tickets for the beer cart

Register Today

2009 Road King® Limited

Ralph’s Custom 2009 Road King® Limited

Harley-Davidson does not offer a Road King® Limited, so we took a 2009 Road King® and turned it into a Limited for our sales manager Ralph.

See if you can spot the following modifications and accessories in the pictures:

• Chrome front end (lower fork legs)
• Chrome axle covers
• Chrome Contrast 28-spoke Harley-Davidson wheels
• Custom floating rotors
• Bullet style turn signals
• Heritage-style handlebars with throttle-by-wire
• Chrome hand levers
• Chrome switch boxes
• Nostalgic grips
• Fatboy® style front fender with custom paint to match
• Sidecovers custom painted to match
• Harley-Davidson front fender adapter kit
• Harley-Davidson billet engine guard highway pegs
• Swept Wing passenger floorboards
• Locking detachable luggage rack with LED running and brake light
• Run/Brake/Turn conversion for rear signals
• Sundowner seat
• Rider backrest with integrated heated vest connections
• Detachable passenger backrest
• Custom speedometer/tachometer
• Custom dash insert
• Mid heat shields
• Limited  tank emblems
• Rinehart Exhaust
• Chrome muffler mount covers
• Eliminated the rear fender bumper

In addition to those cosmetic and functional items, we added a 103″ motor setup, installed and tuned by our performance specialist Jim Egizio. Enjoy your new bike, Ralph!

First Buell Race of 2010: Topeka

Heartland Park Grand Prix Track Map, Topeka Kansas

I started out the 2010 CCS road racing season in exotic Topeka, Kansas on April 24th and 25th. Heartland Park Raceway boasts not only a road racing track, but also a drag strip and dirt track. It was my first time on the highly technical 2.5 mile track, and forecasters called for Toto to fly by at any time.

I shared a pit and paddock area right by the finish line with five other racers: Glen Carnell (360, Buell), Ray Hofman (7, Suzuki, Honda), Jimmy Merrick (278, Honda), Jay Smith (277, Buell), and Joel Spalding (36, Ducati, KTM). We also had Jay’s mom, Joel’s parents and his wife, Cindy, Glen’s wife, Missy, and my girlfriend, Sharon, there to help us out in the pits.

Topeka racers under threatening skies. I’m on the left.

This was a Twin Sprints event, so I had twice as many races as usual, in addition to an ASRA Michelin Pro Series 10-lap qualifier and race.

I felt pretty good Saturday on my new Michelin tires. The skies threatened all day, but somehow the rain held off. The CCS races were seven laps, and I started out with lap times hovering around the 2:10 mark. I racked up a 5th in Lightweight Superbike, 3rd in SuperTwins, and a hard-fought 8th in Lightweight Grand Prix. I was feeling faster on the track, with a consistent 2:04 lap time, and had pole position for the final race that day.

At third and final call for Expert Thunderbike, I noticed two of the fasteners broke off my belly pan. I decided to go for it as is, but I was late on the track, so I had to start at the back of the grid. That actually turned out to be a good thing, because my engine seized up on the fifth lap. As disappointing as that is, at least it happened on a straightaway without traffic.

The road crew hauled my 2003 Buell XB back to the pits, and I hauled my backup bike out of my trailer. I hadn’t raced my 1998 Buell S1 in a couple of years, and a couple of laps on it told me why; old tires, old technology, suspension setup and gearing completely wrong for the track.

On Sunday, I still managed a 7th place in the ASRA Michelin Pro Series Thunderbike, an 8th in Superbike, 10th in Lightweight Grand Prix, 5th in Thunderbike and another 3rd in SuperTwins on the S1, but it wasn’t handling well. My front tire kept tucking in the corners.

Back in Chicago, I tore down the XB motor. The oil pump seized and one of the adjustable pushrods collapsed. Then one of the valves and valve guides broke in the rear head and the shrapnel impacted on the front piston. Luckily, the connecting rods are still straight and my cylinders look OK. I’m waiting on parts now to get it all ready for my next race at Blackhawk Farms on May 22 and 23. I’m ready to add to my two plaques from Heartland Park!

Nation of Patriots Ride

Nation of Patriots Tour

Illinois Harley-Davidson and members of the Oak Park H.O.G. Chapter will carry the American flag in the second leg of the Nation of Patriots tour of the United States.

The ride will originate in Oconomowoc Wisconsin on Friday, May 28th. Later that day, Illinois Harley will welcome a police-escorted group of about 100 riders from the Rock River H.O.G Chapter. The Rock River H.O.G will then pass the American flag to Oak Park H.O.G. Chapter member and U.S. Marine David Hume. Dave and his wife Gayleen will lead a group of H.O.G. Chapter members from the dealership on Saturday, May 29th.

Their ride will be approximately 140 miles to Elkhart Indiana where the group will pass the American flag to the Elkhart H.O.G. Chapter, who will carry the flag to the next stop on its journey. The cross-country Nation of Patriots run is expected to take about 100 days will stop at over 120 Harley-Dealerships. Follow the progress at www.nationofpatriots.org. The final stop of the run is Oconomowoc, WI on the Saturday September 4, 2010. The flag which was carried on the journey will then be displayed at the Harley-Davidson Museum.

View the official flier here

View this map and all the dealership locations along the Nation of Patriots Ride route at Google Maps.