Golf Outing Pictures

I’d like to thank everyone, especially our generous sponsors, who participated in the Illinois Harley-Davidson Golf Outing. We had a great time and hope you did too. At least no one was seriously injured. I’ve already gotten calls for the next one and I’ll be sure to keep you in the loop. If you’d like to be added to my golf mailing list, please send me an email at vern@ilharley.com.

Thanks again everyone.

Sincerely,
Vern Ecker

Images courtesy of Vern Ecker and Marria Rittuci.

Nation of Patriots Riders Arrive

The riders from the Rock River H.O.G Chapter and Wisconsin Harley-Davidson (Oconomowoc Wisconsin) arrived today with the American flag. This was the first stop for the flag on the Nation of Patriots tour. From here, David Hume and our very own Oak Park H.O.G. Chapter will carry the flag to its next stop, Elkhart Indiana.

You can follow the flag’s progress on the Nation of Patriots website.

The Nation of Patriots Tour Arrives from Oconomowoc Wisconsin

Bill Sherer passes the American Flag to David Hume at Illinois Harley

Raising the Nation of Patriots Flag at Illinois Harley

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!

Daytona Bike Week 2010

My buddy Dallas and his wife Melissa went to Daytona Bike Week and were able to test ride some of the 2010 Harley-Davidson motorcycles. He also sent along some pictures from him and his buddies. Enjoy!

Great day! Melissa and I demoed the new bikes today.

The morning started out with the 2010 Road King® which has always been my bike of choice. Naturally, the ride was fantastic and as soon as Melissa got on the back she was in love with the bike. I warned her not to be too hasty though… and I was right.

Then we went to the 2010 CVO™ Street Glide®. This time I was in heaven even though I knew what was coming next. The bike was just incredible in every way. Melissa was equally impressed with both the performance and the comfort. In 3rd gear doing around 35-40 I cracked the throttle open and Melissa screamed Wooo Hooo!!! Keep in mind that Melissa is used to riding on mine with the work I have done and the new cam, the Mikuni carb and the fact that it’s stripped down to probably 500 pounds. It moves out, but NOTHING like the new SE 110. It really was impressive and this will, in fact, be the bike that I purchase when things are back to normal.

Finally, we rode the 2010 CVO™ Ultra Classic®. For comfort on a road trip you can’t beat it: power when you need it and plenty of cush. But unfortunately for me as an everyday bike I don’t think so. If I were rich I might buy one just to have for a trip to the Keys now and then, but otherwise I think the Street Glide® has everything this bike has and is much more friendly “around town”.

All the bikes were of course fun to ride and very cool in their own way, but for me 2010 CVO™ SE Street Glide® in that root beer red color please Santa!

As for Melissa she wants the V-Rod Muscle®, and, to be honest she looks great on it.

Ice Racing

Scroll down for the pictures

I was going to try and sum up what’s fun about ice racing (or more commonly, ice riding), but that’s already been done wonderfully by Tammy (aka BlndeBmbr) at the dieseljo.com website:

The first requirement for ice riding is the desire to have fun. Egos are not necessary nor are they tolerated. The objective is to get everyone home in one piece after a great day of fun. Ice riding is an event to be enjoyed by all people of all ages. A simple reminder that everyone is astride two chainsaws brings most people into line. Any ego-maniac wishing to attend should think twice as he/she may be asked to leave.

Read the rest of the story here.

The 2010 Ice Racing schedule (always check the CWIRA website for the very latest schedule):

• Jan 2 Fremont (NP)
• Jan 3 Fremont
• Jan 10 Neillsville
• Jan 17 Humbird
• Jan 24 Three Hour Endurance Race, Fox Lake WI
• Jan 24 Bloomer
• Jan 31 West Salem
• Feb 7 Hatfield
• Feb 13 & 14 Weyauwega
• Feb 21 Dexterville
• Feb 28 TBA

Additional resources:

• http://www.cwira.com/
  CWIRA, the Central Wisconsin Ice Racing Association
• http://dieseljo.com/
  Diesel Jo’s motorcycle ice racing website
• http://www.shopfrpoffroad.com/index.htm
  Fredette Racing Products, our source for ice racing tires

Some pictures of Tim and friends riding on the ice:

Booapalooza at Demito Time Wrap-Up

A big THANK YOU to everyone who came out and supported our buddy, Boo Robins, at our Booapalooza charity ride. We had over 100 Harley riders leave from the shop, with about 400 people total joining us between noon and midnight at Demito Time in Villa Park.

At Demito Time, we held a silent auction, 50/50 raffle, dating auction (thank you Dana, Stella and Sarah!) and took enough donations to ensure Jim Egizio would get his back waxed! De Mito Time donated some food, and donated all the proceeds from the Old Style draft poured that day (and there was a lot of Old Style flowing.) There was only one fight the whole night, and we closed the place down. Enjoy the pictures below, or, if you’re on Facebook, check out Sarah’s pictures here and here.

In all, we were able to raise about $8,000 for Boo and his family to help defray some of his out-of-pocket medical costs. Thanks again to the generous sponsors who donated to the cause, and to everyone who joined us.

Jim Egizio Gets His Back Waxed

Our performance specialist, Jim Egizio, promised to get his back waxed, at Booapalooza, if people pledged a total of $500 for Boo Robins. Jim’s donations rolled in (over $700 at last tally), and Jim followed through on his promise to get his back waxed.

However, the waxing was not without complications. First, the girl who was going to wax Jim’s back never showed up (some say she chickened out). So, we tried duct tape. That turned out to be ineffective, so Jim sent a friend to the drug store to get a waxing kit, and the fun began.

Buell Customer Appreciation Party October 26, 2009

Buell Logo

On a sad note, Buell was shut down by H-D® corporate. Poor sales and low profits put the final nail in the coffin. After 26 years of committed customers and employees that lived for high perfomance and technology out of an American product, they will be shut down by the end of November or early December. On October 26th Buell threw a customer appreciation party. For a very wet and gloomy day there was a very good turn out. Many people rode in, with a turnout of at least 150 riders.

We were treated to lunch, a tour of the plant and met the people that put in many years of devotion to build these bikes. Hopefully they will be able to move on to new opportunities soon. Best wishes to every one in the Buell family.

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