Harley-riding anthropologist Barbara Joans will sign copies of her memoir, "Bike Lust: Harleys, Women and American Society" 2001, at Scotts Valley Motorcycle Center 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. The signing is part of an open house at the center, featuring female motorcyclists and safety demonstrations from law enforcement.
"I think there's a misconception that women don't drive motorcycles," said David McBrayer, owner of Scotts Valley Motorcycle Center. McBrayer organized the event to provide "insight into what many people don't realize is a shared sport."
Joans' book gives a take on two-wheeling from her vantage point as a female motorcyclist and academic. When she's not on her Harley-Davidson Low Rider, Jones serves as director of the Merritt Museum of Anthropology and chair of the Department of Anthropology at Merritt College in Oakland.
Bay Area photographer and motorcyclist Christina Shook will sign books alongside Joans. Shooks' coffee table book, "Chicks on Bikes" 2009, chronicles the culture and lifestyle of female motorcyclists. Through photos and stories, "Chicks on Bikes" covers young female racers, wind-roughened seniors, grease-covered mechanics and motorcycle fashion designers.
Female ownership of motorcycles is now the fastest-growing segment of new motorcycle owners, according to a 2008 Motorcycle Industry Council Owner Survey, and the demographic recently crossed the 10-percent mark, increasing from 9.6 percent in 2003 up to 12.3 percent in 2008.
Lt. John Hohmann from the Scotts Valley Police Department will give riding demonstrations 1-3 p.m. during the safety portion of the event, which will continue until 4 p.m. A Scotts Valley Fire Department member will hold CPR training and discuss first-aid techniques specific to motorcycle accidents.
"With motorcycle accidents, you often have internal injuries that are hard to recognize," said McBrayer, who explained that first responders to motorcycle accidents often don't realize first aid is a bit different when the accident victim is wearing a helmet. "There's a need for an understanding of how important it is to have basic first-aid skills."
Jenny Lefferts, CEO of Mad Maps Inc., is also expected to make a special appearance at Saturday's open house. Mad Maps publishes backroad touring maps and travel guides featuring scenic byways and drives for motorcycles and ATVs.
The number of American households that own motorcycles jumped 26 percent between 2003 and 2008, while the overall number of U.S. households increased roughly 5 percent, according to the Motorcycle Industry survey. Transportation climbed to second place as a reason owners gave for purchasing a motorcycle.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
The Changing Hands Of Royal Enfield Indian Motorcycles
Production of Royal Enfield motorcycle is still prevalent even though it is the most-backdated model of motorcycles ever. The company began in Redditch , Worcestershire and dissolved in’71 however, India is the only place where production is still carrying on. Thus, the’63 model was named The Royal Enfield Indian Motorcycle and was then sold to America.
While Royal Enfield was most popular for its production of motorcycles, it made numerous other things, like rifle parts, lawnmowers, and bicycles. Their logo was a picture of a cannon with the motto “Made like a gun, goes like a bullet.
By’55, the Indian Enfield started producing Bullet motorcycles with license from a UK based Brand, and by’62, they were constructing complete bikes. Even when the Royal Enfield suspended in’71, the Indian company in Chennai continued the productions and bought the rights to the name “Royal Enfield” in’95 and it is 2009 and they are still in business.
The Indian Motorcycle Company in America experienced the most trying times, in the year’50. A company called Brockhouse Corporation had been financing the unsteady Indian company and purchased it in the same year. Some unlucky management choices led to splitting of the Indian unit into two: one for the sales, and one for manufacturing.
The producing sector could not meet the retooling costs for an overhead valve engine, and it closed in’53. Some Indian purists consider that to be the end of the “real” Indian motorcycles. But the sales arm of the company did not fold.
The Brockhouse Corporation had the rights to the name and after the Indian manufacturing failed, they began importing Enfields and marketed them as Indian from’55 to’70. This was an example of “badge engineering” but it was not successful. Even though the dealers still went on with the matchless Indian name after’59, the Indian name was removed from the motorcycles.
Quarrels as to who will earn the brand name became a big issue during that time of Indian Motorcycle history. The Enfield Chief was still produced in’60 – a rebadged Enfield 700 cc twin fitted with the fender guards, saddlebags and other Indian paraphernalia.
In’60, the Indian name was taken by Associated Motorcycles of Britain. But in’63 the US distributorship of Associated Motorcycles was absolutely taken by the Berliner Motor Corporation and all the hints of Indian name were silently removed for good. Until’99, the particulars of the agreement were lively through trademarks and branding disputes.
In the mid 60s, Floyd Clymer took the sales arm of the Indian company. He was a racer, author, motorcycle dealer, and a magazine publisher. Clymer tried to repair the Indian brand for the last five years or so, by fitting Indian nameplates to Italian Velocette-based bikes and also had prototype built based on the original Indian V-twin design. However, unfortunately, the prototype was the only one ever made.
The Indian scout motorcycle is a common favorite with bike enthusiasts all over the world. To learn more about accessories including Indian motorbike buckles click on the links.
While Royal Enfield was most popular for its production of motorcycles, it made numerous other things, like rifle parts, lawnmowers, and bicycles. Their logo was a picture of a cannon with the motto “Made like a gun, goes like a bullet.
By’55, the Indian Enfield started producing Bullet motorcycles with license from a UK based Brand, and by’62, they were constructing complete bikes. Even when the Royal Enfield suspended in’71, the Indian company in Chennai continued the productions and bought the rights to the name “Royal Enfield” in’95 and it is 2009 and they are still in business.
The Indian Motorcycle Company in America experienced the most trying times, in the year’50. A company called Brockhouse Corporation had been financing the unsteady Indian company and purchased it in the same year. Some unlucky management choices led to splitting of the Indian unit into two: one for the sales, and one for manufacturing.
The producing sector could not meet the retooling costs for an overhead valve engine, and it closed in’53. Some Indian purists consider that to be the end of the “real” Indian motorcycles. But the sales arm of the company did not fold.
The Brockhouse Corporation had the rights to the name and after the Indian manufacturing failed, they began importing Enfields and marketed them as Indian from’55 to’70. This was an example of “badge engineering” but it was not successful. Even though the dealers still went on with the matchless Indian name after’59, the Indian name was removed from the motorcycles.
Quarrels as to who will earn the brand name became a big issue during that time of Indian Motorcycle history. The Enfield Chief was still produced in’60 – a rebadged Enfield 700 cc twin fitted with the fender guards, saddlebags and other Indian paraphernalia.
In’60, the Indian name was taken by Associated Motorcycles of Britain. But in’63 the US distributorship of Associated Motorcycles was absolutely taken by the Berliner Motor Corporation and all the hints of Indian name were silently removed for good. Until’99, the particulars of the agreement were lively through trademarks and branding disputes.
In the mid 60s, Floyd Clymer took the sales arm of the Indian company. He was a racer, author, motorcycle dealer, and a magazine publisher. Clymer tried to repair the Indian brand for the last five years or so, by fitting Indian nameplates to Italian Velocette-based bikes and also had prototype built based on the original Indian V-twin design. However, unfortunately, the prototype was the only one ever made.
The Indian scout motorcycle is a common favorite with bike enthusiasts all over the world. To learn more about accessories including Indian motorbike buckles click on the links.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
new old bike
I wasn't too sure where this would fit in on this site, but here it is anyway. I built this bike last year. Built the frame, tanks, bars etc... I sold it a few months ago, but I have a ton of pictures and all on the build. Thought some on here might enjoy it!
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