It seems that the new generation of riders has discovered something that we old timers have known for a long time (the November 3rd IWBlogger post “Tuning The Bike“), that motorcycles and music go together like peanut butter and jelly. On December 5th a new web site will be launched combining today’s music and motorcycles. Rockmoto wants to introduce more young people into the joys of motorcycling the right way. The site will feature riding rock stars, information for new riders and the introduction of Rockmoto Radio through Pandora.

No, it’s not a new catalog from one of the worlds leading aftermarket parts dealers, but a history of J&P Cycles’ 30 year history in the business. The book titled “Keeping The World On 2 Wheels, How J&P Cycles Changed The American Motorcycle Industry” was written by Motorcycle Hall Of Fame member Ed Youngblood and is forwarded by Arlen Ness. The book documents the history of J&P Cycles from it’s humble beginnings to the dynamic business it is today. This limited edition book has hundreds of photographs and also includes a DVD with a virtual tour of the National Motorcycle Museum. This book sounds like it would make a good stocking stuffer as would their 2009 Vintage Wind Calender. to order go to http://www.jpcycles.com

No that doesn’t mean that an S&S carburetor has received another certification but that The California Air Resources Board has included S&S’s Emission Certification Lab as one of the few facilities nationwide capable of performing exhaust and evaporative emission testing on aftermarket motorcycle performance products.

We’re not talking about a bike that has a fancy alarm system that says “Move away from the vehicle”. Or one who’s low-budget GPS says “Recalculating, recalculating”. We’re talking about a motorcycle that tells other motorists to be careful there is a motorcycle out there—somewhere in the gloom, or fog or rain.

Okay, let’s hear that collective HUH? Thanks to a book by Mr. Ken Anderson of Olean, New York about his grandfather we can get at inside look at one of the most innovative pioneers of early American motorcycling, Norbert Schickel. I know you’ve never heard of him or his motorcycles, but there are probably parts on your brand new bike that can be traced back to Mr. Schickel.

At the Chicago Motorcycle Show in February of 1911 the Schickel Motorcycle company of Stamford, Connecticut debuted a revolutionary bike. It had the first American built 2-cycle engine with the first single forged driveshaft-flywheel-crankshaft. Other innovations were a rotating magneto spark advance and a compression release system. Some patented features of the bike were a 1 piece cast aluminum frame and gas tank (which had a tool compartment), a spring suspension front end and a hinged rear mud guard.

Let’s say you just took proud possession of a brand spanking new 2009 bagger, but you think it sounds a little flat. Now you are in the market for a system that will give your bike’s exhaust that extra little snarl you crave. Of course you also want it to look good on your bike. (You can’t have the boys laughing at your new ride)

Well the guys over at BUB Enterprises now make their BUB Seven dual exhaust systems for the 2009 FLHs. This is a true dual exhaust system without a crossover but with dual sensors. This gives you a great looking exhaust with added performance and the sound you enjoy. The flat black ones with chrome tips look pretty cool. For more info www.bub.com

If you own an ‘01-’03 Softail or an ‘02-’03 Touring bike from Harley that is equipped with fuel injection, S&S Cycle has a special for upgrading your bike. These bikes should be getting up there in mileage and might not be running as efficiently as they used to. By installing the S&S VFI Module and the Closed Loop Sensor Kit you can bring life back to your bike thus getting better performance and mileage.