I think I mentioned previously, that I signed up to be a Charter Member of the Harley-Davidson Museum.  (I’m too young to have made the charter member status of the Mikey Mouse Club.)  So.  They’ve been sending me all sorts of stuff.  More swag than I know what to do with.  Cool stuff.  Not sure what I’ll do with it stuff.  But, cool stuff.

I get back from the family vac.  Here is a envelop from the Museum.  I skip the bills.  Pass right over my copy of Wired mag and rip open that really cool envelop.  Opps.  Shoulda saved the envelop.  What was I tinkin’?

Low and behold (where’d that expression come from; better yet - what does it mean?) here is The Backroad Chronicles.  It’s a neat little book that they describe as the inside scoop on the stories that pay tribute to Harley-Davidson.  I love this piece.  Cover to cover - really cool.

So, here is one little tid-bit.  You know I often appear sexist with my beach volleyball, etc.  It’s true - I like lookin’ women a whole lot more than men.  But all that aside, I have a healthy respect for what a woman can do when she sets a mind to it.  Always have.  Here is an example - from 1915 mind you.

“It’s a misconception that women only recently took an interest in motorcycling.  Nothing could be further from the truth.’

‘With only 10 days of riding experience, Della Crewe of Waco, Texas and her dog, Trouble, racked up huge miles together during the spring of 1915.  With 125 lbs. of gear stuffed in the sidecar, Della and Trouble headed to the races in Dodge City, Kansas.  After discovering how much fun that road trip was, they continued on to New York, often on dirt roads that were rutted by buggies, cars, excessive rain, and severe erosion.  But that didn’t stop them….”

That was in 1915.  Tough lady that Della.  Hats off to you!

Join up.  Get the swag.  It’s cool.

Try using our FREE gas card to fill your car and this is what will happen to you.  One of our subs sent this video in to illustrate the point, that should go without saying, the FREE gas card is to keep your brand new Harley filled - not your gas-guzzling cage!

Fun with the new video camera aside.  Really you can use the card for whatever you like.  Heck, it’ll even work at Safeway.  It’s just bad carma to use it for anything other than fillin’ your new bike and clickin’ off the miles.

We’re winding down the 2008 clearance sale and spinnin’ up 2009 sales.  We’ve got a few great 2008s left - even a Street Glide (we nailed this one in a great dealer trade).  So, for a bit longer, we’re giving away a $1,200 gas card with the purchase of a new 2008 Harley Big Twin (we’re all out of Sporties).  That’s enough to keep your new ride goin’ for 15,000 miles.  That’s 19 times up and down the state visiting your favorite spots or 5 times across the country.  Yep, someones on the road right now rollin’ toward Milwaukee on us.  They’ll roll into the 105th celebration this weekend without having spent a dime on gas.  They’re plan is to keep heading east, and then south, and eventually back west.  Never once will they spend their own coin on petrol.  Whew!  That’s cool.

While interest rates are rising everywhere, we’ve still got a lock on the 3.99% deal.  3.99% APR through Eaglemark Savings Bank; not all applicants will qualify; specific terms & conditions apply to this offer; see salesman for the details (legal beagles made us jam this in here).

I’ve been told by a couple of customers - we’ve got more 2-0-09s than they’ve seen at any other dealer in the Bay Area.  My question back was, “whatta ya doin’ at another dealer?”  Santa Cruz Harley is the place to be for the best value for your hard-earned, the friendliest service (for life), and the best selection.

So.  This being Labor Day Weekend and Back-to-School time, I ask Chance to come up with a Back-to-School Special.  He’s done it.  And, I can assure you, it’s not a free pencil holder (when you buy a brand new 2-0-09 Harley).  Swing by this F/Sa/Su and see for yourself - you’ll save big this Labor Day Weekend if you take advantage of our Back-to-School Special.

Come on down - we’re having fun with this - and we’ll make buyin’ a new Harley fun for you.  $1,200 gas card.  3.99% APR.  Back-to-School Special.  We’re gonna figure out a way for you to save some serious coin on your new Harley.

BTW we’re demoing 2009s everyday.  So, whatta ya’ waitin’ for?

I needed to come back to work to recover from the family vacation.  Whew!  What a time had by one and all.  It was great to get away and recharge the batteries.  Although they (the batteries) seem to be showing their age a bit.  Don’t seem to hold a charge as long!  Anyhew, lots of great things to blob about.  So.  I’m ready to jump in.  I’m going to spend the next couple of weeks hitting the high points - as I see them - of the new model year.  And, I’ve got some other great stuff to throw out there - nuggets that I’ve been collecting over the past month or so.

Oh, btw.  Seems someone was masquerading as FMT or Fake Mike’s Typo in my absence.  That problem has been solved - we’ll have no more of that.  Or, will we?

Thanks for being patient with the re-runs while I was gone.  Here comes some new stuff.

How sexy is that?  Ok, not very.  When you step back from the 2009 product launch and think about the “all new” FL touring bikes, it’s easy to get a bit blaze.  I mean who cares about a chassis change?  How excited did folks get when Ford changed their F-150 chassis?  Is it because you can’t see it?  Who knows.  But, you know what, there is an interesting story to be told about the new touring platform.  So.  Here’s my attempt at a summary of what I think is sexy about the all new FLs.

First, we gotta take a little trip down memory lane.  Engineers and execs alike got an earful at the 100th Anniversary celebration for a couple of things.  Remember Elton John?  Well they fixed that.  Saturday’s concert (this Saturday) is Springsteen.  So.  You gotta figure they heard the other chatter pretty clearly too.  Lots of long-haul riders at the 100th and they weren’t bashful about telling anyone that would listen what they wanted in a new FL.

Keep the style, but improve performance and comfort.  Since the 100th we’ve seen a list of great improvements to the FL models.  The Twin Cam 96/103/110 power plants; a super-smooth 6-speed cruise drive transmission; an isolated drive system; electronic throttle control; Brembo brakes; ABS; and a 6-gallon fuel capacity - just to hit the high points.  For 2009, the FLs get the last piece of the puzzle - a chassis that is literally new from the tires up.  Agility, responsiveness, and passenger comfort are the product of this new engineering.   I could rattle off a bunch of technical mumbo-jumbo, but that would just be wrong.  So.  Let’s keep this tactile.

So, I mentioned the exhaust.  Really this is a big thing.  Call it a 2-into-1-into-2 exhaust.  Kinda schitzo, if you ask me.  Can’t decide what it wants to be.  Benefit: reduced heat.  And, it looks cleaner!

Bigger wheels!  How about a 17″ for the front?  The rear wheel is a 16×5 now.  Benefit: handling and capacity (110 more lbs. of allowable GVWR and 10 more lbs. of crap you can pack).  Brand new tires.  They look great.  But, they’re totally redesigned as well.  Better life - 25% better.  Better handling.

There are some great cosmetic changes as well.  How about that clean, fat rear fender?  Hangin’ over that 180 rear tire.  Don’t let the engineering hype fool you - the all new chassis cleaned up a lot of  little things that have lingered since the …well, the 50s.  A little form meets function here.  Or, is it function meets form - I always get confused.

Ok.  So.  To really talk about the new frame (all new) and swingarm, I’ve gotta get a bit techy.  I’m not even going to paraphrase - I’m just gonna steal the Milwaukee geeks’ words.

• The front-end geometry was altered with 18mm more trail to make the ride feel more responsive.
• To reduce powertrain vibration at idle, the new engine-mount system incorporates twin front isolators with a single tie link, and front and rear mounts tuned to balance chassis stiffness and engine isolation.

Where do they learn to talk like this?

• Wheelbase increased to 63.54 inches for greater highway comfort.
• The front and rear suspension has been recalibrated to match the dynamics of the new chassis.

Ok, my eyes are glazing over.  If your still with me.  Here is the kicker.  I’ve seen this new baby naked.  Sure is purdy.  I’d be happy to just have a frame sitting in my garage.  Ok.  Let the jokes about my saddle time start - go ahead.  I can take it.

There’s one way to figure out whether this hype is just a bunch of smoke - ride one of these new FLs.  You’ll be all smiles when you get off.  And, we’ve got demos in the store.  Come on down and take one for a spin this weekend.

Hey, if you’re visual - like me - you’ll wanna check out the video on this page.

Who’s racks up more FL miles?  Who’s worked ’til the wee-hours of the mornin’ with the Harley engineers on Police Road Kings?  Who’s tested every FL handling gizmo to hit the market?  Answer: Bob Davis.  Mr. Custom Shop to you.  So.  I asked Bobby to give me his impression of the all-new for 2-0-09 FL.  An hour later, he was still talking….

In the interest of brevity - well, I asked Bob if he’d drop me an email and give me his Top 10 of the new FL.  Comin’ at you straight.  Here it is.

#1  The Ride!  This new chassis really rides nice (understatement).  Noticeably stiffer with excellent rider feedback especially at higher speeds.

#2  Love the new exhaust system.  Looks like a 2 into 1 (my personal favorite design) from the side view but has the look (rear view) and function of a dual system.  The real benefit to this new exhaust system is the heat is directed away from the rider by not passing under the riders left leg.  Awesome!  And, it works.

#3  Frame design.  The frame is really stout.  Lots of cast members; a bolt on removable rear subframe section; wire harness neatly tucked away in several locations (easier service and cleaning); well thought through and laid out.  No wonder this thing rides as well as it does.

#4  Swingarm (rear fork in Harley terms).  The rear Fork has been re-designed to be considerably stiffer to handle the stress and load of the new frame and wider rear tire.

#5  Rear fender and saddlebag mounts.  The rear fender and saddlebag mounting brackets have been completely re-designed, the fender is obviously wider to accomodate the new wider rear tire and the saddlebag framework is much beefier than previous models which allows more load carrying capacity.

#6  Wheels.  New wheels and tires!  17″ front (most models) and a wider 16″ rear with brand new designed Dunlops.  More load carrying capacity and a better ride.  Promised longer life too.

#7  Engine and Transmission.  Although this has been out since 2007, the “new” 96ci engine combined with the 6 speed “cruise drive” transmission is well worth mentioning for those of you still riding ‘06 and older machines.  This engine has plenty of usable power, stock, and for those who just gotta have it all - my personal favorite upgrade is the “103ci” kit.  Street legal of course.

#8  Brakes.  The new Brembo brakes are great.  They offer excellent feedback and with the ABS option, superior stopping in all weather conditions.

#9  Fuel capacity.  This feature was new last year, but definately has to be mentioned.  A 6 gallon fuel tank which is a “must have” for all of you long distance travelers.

#10 Accessories.  As usual, Harley-Davidson has more and more “new” accessories available for there different models and for 2009 they have made some really nice features available for the Touring model family.  How about an integrated GPS/XM Radio combo from Garmin.  Zumo.  Check it out.

You gotta ride one of these new bikes!

Truth be told, I missed the Olympics.  In the woods, in a cabin, with no TV.  Oh, I heard all about it.  Got the daily report from my sources.  The best part of missing it - well I missed the hours of horrible commercials.  An hour of competition and two hours of commercials - right?  So.  There had to be some gems in there.  I think there were.  You probably have your favorites.  Here are three that I think deserve “gold.”  Enjoyable to watch.  Broke the mold a bit.  Enjoy.

1. Coca-Cola - The bird’s nest
2. United Airlines - Entertaining and enjoyable with just a soft sell
3. GE - How can you not lol when you see this klutz in love

2-0-09 Springer CVO.  It’s on the floor.  Paint is outrageous.  The whole bike - a home run.  THIS IS A HEAD TURNER.  Think Tina Turner hair.  Ok.  Forget that.  You gotta see this bike.  My favorite.  The ‘rod louvers.  Kick ass.  Come see it.

BTW.  It’s blue, not purple.  These blobs mess up the colors every time.

Want another view?  Here you go.

Where do concept cars go - when their luster is gone?  I’ve always wondered that.  Thanks to the good folks at Wired, I’ve got an answer.  Somehow they make their way into private collections and then someone gets the grand idea to build an auction around them.  And, hold it during the Pebble Beach Concours.  The Wired article offers a rare glimpse into some pretty cool rides.  I could see myself going down the road in one of these.  Check that thought - $500,000 is a bit out of my price range.  Enjoy the photos.  As always, the fantasy is FREE!

If Lost can do it, why can’t I.  I’m talking about getting you all lathered up with a series of good shows and then - BAM! - everyone goes on Summer holiday.  What’s with that?

So.  I thought I’d try it.  We’re off to the woods in Canada.  No Internet, no blobs, no newspapers, no cell phones - really no nothin’.  Just nature and us.  It’s a ritual for our family this time of year.  But, it makes it hard to keep the Typo thing goin’.  But, alas, how about we run our own variation of the rerun?  For the next several weeks, you’ll have to re-enjoy some of the posts you saw a while back.  Or, better yet, maybe you didn’t see them.  What a treat that would be to stumble across an outrageous post that you missed!

Here’s what we’re gonna do.  We’re launching a new category called the “Best Of.”  Like the Typo name, it’s pretty descriptive.  But, the idea is, we’ll throw the posts in there that you, our valued readers, have spent the most time reading.  No, not the ones that are the longest.  The ones that more of you read.  Or, you read more of.  Well, you get the point.

Hope you enjoy the “Best Of” until I can get back to civilization.   Better yet, get out and ride.  Enjoy the road!

It’s bike show time. Wow, last year was nuts but this one will be off the charts! Hot bikes, hot women, hot food, hot inventory, hot hot hot hot! Enjoy a BBQ, great music, in-store specials, and more! Get your bike foto’d with our Biker Babes - FREE. Show off your bike - take home a cool trophy. No entry fee. Sunday, August 17, 2008. Registration 10a - 11a.  Whatta ya got to lose?