We can’t be 100% sure, but we suspect this was the first-ever wedding ceremony held at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Members of Brian and Laura Klock’s wedding party pose for a truly unique photo. Horst Rosler photo.

The mother-daughter duo of Erika Cobb (left) and Laura Klock both came away from this year’s International Motorcycle Speed Trials by BUB as holders of National speed records. Erika set a new record on her 500cc Buell Blast while Laura’s Bagger record set a year ago was not broken this year. Photo by Marilyn Stemp/IronWorks Magazine.

he headlines at last year’s International Motorcycle Speed Trials by BUB were dominated by three “missiles with wheels attached.” Lots of motorcycles sped up and back that week at the Bonneville Salt Flats, but when it was over, about the only thing people were talking about was Chris Carr going 350 miles an hour in the BUB streamliner.
     As you’ll read in our report on this year’s event starting on page __, the salt was rough and not fully dry, which kept the speeds down, essentially shutting down the streamliners. So the focus this year was more about how the conventional motorcycles fared on the salt. There was some interesting action with just over 50 national records set by the many motorcycle riders and teams that accepted the challenge to bring their best equipment to the famed Salt Flats.
You’d have to really do something to better the effort that Klock Werks made this year, both on and off their motorcycles. After proposing marriage at Bonneville last year, Brian Klock made fiancé Laura his bride this year, and not at some local church. The two invited friends and family to join them out at the Salt Flats with the complete ceremony happening on the site of the Speed Trials that would begin the following day.
     When the action began for the Speed Trials, the Klock family was again making news. Record holder Laura Klock’s 16-year-old daughter Erika Cobb joined the Klock Werks team effort and rode a Buell Blast to a new National record. She was also the recipient of the Women’s Spirit Award.


e regret to report that James Michael Clark, 56, founder and owner of James Gaskets, Inc. passed away on September 7, 2007. He is survived by his wife, Gere, and three sons, James Jr., David, and Ryan Clark.
     James had a passion for motorcycles from a very young age, building his first bike by taking apart his dad’s lawnmower to use the engine. In 1968, he sold a Lincoln Continental and purchased a junkyard full of motorcycle parts and began his first business, Chino’s, building and repairing choppers in his family’s garage in Fremont, CA. He later sold Chino’s and began James Motorcycle Company.
     At one time he worked for a Harley-Davidson dealership and saw that the motorcycles often leaked oil and realized there was a need to develop products to seal the “beasts” from Milwaukee. Thus, Genuine James Gaskets was born. In 1980, James moved to Modesto, CA where his business continued to grow for 19 years. James Gaskets, Inc., as it is known today, is now located in Dayton, Nevada.
     Clark treated each of his employees with respect and daily walked through each department saying hello and asking how thing were going. James’ employees worked with him rather than for him. James taught his staff that there is no such thing as the “little guy”, that every customer, vendor and distributor was very important and understood that they all helped build James Gaskets into what it is today.
     At age 26, James made a life-changing decision and became a born-again Christian. He felt it was an honor to serve God and loved to help people and give. James eagerly gave to his church, Capitol Christian Center, where he served on the Board of Directors and was Vice Chairman of the school for 7 years.
     Today, although extremely saddened by the loss of James, James Gaskets remains strong and his family and staff are dedicated to the industry and fulfilling James’ vision. James touched many lives and had many, many friends. He will be sorely missed.



&S Cycle, Inc. has announced its 50th Anniversary plans including an interactive website: www.sscycle50th.com. Official dates for the celebration are from June 27 through June 29, 2008 with some preliminary events taking place on June 26th. The official location will be at the Oktoberfest grounds adjacent to the Mississippi River in downtown La Crosse, WI, but several other venues will be offered throughout the Seven Rivers Region in Onalaska, West Salem, and Holmen.
     Several motorcycle-related and general interest events are planned such as S&S facility tours, the 50 builder/50 bike build-off for $50,000, dyno shoot-outs and street drags at the La Crosse Speedway, historical rides, a La Crosse Area Harley-Davidson-sponsored ride to and from the J&P Open House, La Crosse City Brewery tours, riverboat tours and cruises, concerts, baseball games, fireworks, and much more.
     “The really exciting thing about our 50th is that it has rapidly turned into an industry and community-wide effort and event,” said S&S president, Brett Smith. He went on to say, “Not only have we secured some of the most prominent builders in the industry, we have several industry sponsors, and Jay Allen’s mobile Broken Spoke will be a sure hit at the Oktoberfest grounds.”
     S&S Webmaster, Kevin Sather added, “While it isn’t quite finished yet, our 50th Anniversary website—www.sscycle50th.com—will allow users to check out all the confirmed and planned events with links to the organizations sponsoring them.
Dave Clements, Executive Director, La Crosse Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, said, “La Crosse and the entire region congratulates S&S Cycle on their 50 years as the industry leader. We are our proud they call this area home and we look forward to joining in the 50th anniversary celebration.”


Contribution Raises Total Industry Support to $3 Million

he Motorcycle Industry Council Aftermarket/Allied Trades members will contribute $200,000 to the Oklahoma Transportation Center for a new Motorcycle Crash Causation Study. Combined with the $2.8 million from Motorcycle Safety Foundation member companies, the industry has now pledged $3 million to this new research study. This compares to the approximately $2 million being provided in federal funding.
     “The estimated cost of the study went up considerably, and the motorcycle industry stepped up, contributing well beyond the original matching funds needed to make this important work a reality,” said MIC Chairman Larry Little. “The more than 300 members of MIC believe that they share a responsibility to improve safety for motorcyclists. This new research will play a vital role.”



iller Brewing Company and the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) have announced the creation of “Keep Your Balance,” a new program intended to promote safe motorcycle riding practices and responsible alcohol consumption. The program, endorsed by the National Fraternal Order of Police, will launch at the Tomahawk Fall Ride on Sept. 13-16 in Wisconsin.
     Following the Tomahawk kickoff, this national program will be a part of additional motorcycle events across the country. Keep Your Balance is also endorsed by the National Fraternal Order of Police, the world's largest organization of law enforcement officers
     “Our goal with Keep Your Balance is to provide motorcycle enthusiasts and local retailers with information about how to reduce irresponsible motorcycle riding, due to over-consumption of alcohol, unsafe riding practices or insufficient training,” said Diane Wagner, alcohol responsibility manager at Miller Brewing Company.                     “Tomahawk is in Miller’s home state, and with more than 40,000 motorcycle enthusiasts in attendance, both Miller and the AMA recognize it is a key opportunity to share safe riding tips and remind riders about responsible drinking.”
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data released in August 2007, motorcycle fatalities have increased 47 percent since 2002, making this program especially relevant to riders today.
     Elements of the program include: certified server training for local retailers, a public awareness campaign, training resources for riders, educational materials on safe riding practices, retail involvement and promotion, incentive giveaways such as training kits and t-shirts for responsible riding pledges, outdoor advertising and program messaging and prepaid phone cards offering responsible riding tips provided by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Miller is also partnering with Central Beer Distributors to promote and communicate the program at the Tomahawk Fall Ride.
     “Training is one of the best things a rider can do for themselves and others on the road. Our aim is to help spread awareness and encourage riders to use good judgment,” said Rob Dingman, AMA president and chief executive officer. “Educational programs like Keep Your Balance are crucial for decreasing the number of alcohol-related motorcycle crashes occurring today.”
     Public awareness will be sustained through web communications including a web site dedicated to the Keep Your Balance program at www.MillerKeepYourBalance.com.


The September issue of Drag Specialties Magazine featured a “FatBook Exhaust Overview.” An unfortunate text error incorrectly linked Cobra together with Python in a sentence on page 70. The two companies are not connected in any way and the correct sentence should have read: “Python’s 2-into-1, for example, features big 2 1/8-inch full coverage head pipe shields…” Our apologies to Cobra and Python.


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Volume 14 #11

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