23/03/2009 by info.

Specific to our US friends…..

Those Who Purchase New Motorcycles and Scooters will Save in 2009.

Vehicles eligible for the motorcycle tax deduction added to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act are likely to include on-road and dual-sport motorcycles, as well as motorscooters and mopeds, according to the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA). The tax deduction — first reported by the AMA on Feb. 14 — was added at the eleventh hour to the landmark $787 billion stimulus package that President Barack Obama signed into law on Feb. 17.

“While we are awaiting final language from the Treasury Department, we believe that many motorcycles and scooters will qualify,” said Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations. “We have AMA members to thank, because they responded to our appeal to contact their legislators to make sure that motorcycles were part of this inclusive and equitable solution.”

Moreland added that the efforts of Harley-Davidson, together with AMA, were instrumental in obtaining the same tax deduction that was provided in the stimulus plan for automobile, light truck and RV purchasers. The law also includes a 10 percent tax credit up to $2,500 for street-legal electric motorcycles purchased by December 2011.

The sales and excise tax deduction applies to motorcycles purchased between Feb. 17 and Dec. 31, 2009, with a GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) less than an 8,500 lbs., and costing less than $49,500. Individuals can take the deduction if they make less than $125,000, or $250,000 for joint filers. The deduction is phased out for taxpayers with income between $125,000 and $135,000 ($250,000 to $260,000 for a joint return). Individuals do not have to itemize to claim the deduction.

What qualifies as a motorcycle in the economic stimulus law? According to section 571.3 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), a motorcycle is defined under federal law as “a motor vehicle with motive power having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground.” In addition, a “motor-driven cycle means a motorcycle with a motor that produces 5 brake horsepower or less.”

To illustrate the impact of the tax deduction, consider the case of a new motorcycle purchase of $10,500. For a 7.5 percent sales tax rate, the tax would be $787.50. To take advantage of the new law, purchasers would include that amount on their 2009 federal income tax return, meaning that their taxable income would be reduced by that amount before taxes are calculated. States set their own sales tax rates, so the actual amount of savings will depend on the taxpayer’s state and tax rate.

“This victory indicates that our legislators are starting to recognize how motorcycles reduce traffic congestion, provide efficient use of limited parking, lessen the impact on our roads and bridges and help reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” said Moreland.

Moreland added that the AMA would provide additional details of the tax deduction as soon as the Treasury Department issues its final rules. Among the questions to be answered are what model-year products are covered, including yet-to-be-released 2010 models; whether or not all unsold, new models are included, regardless of year; and whether or not off-road motorcycles are included.

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20/03/2009 by info.

Want the perfect custom West Coast Choppers part to give your bike that special look?  Well, you won’t find it without buying the bike attached to it.  Jesse James and the West Coast Choppers group have discontinued offering custom parts and have scaled back to customer service and custom bike builds.

“To all our customers, thanks for choosing West Coast Choppers for your bike parts. We appreciate the business. But right now we’re focusing on what made us great to begin with: bikes. So if you want an air cleaner or a set of pipes, there’s only one way you can get ‘em and that’s the old-fashioned way… on a bike. Watch for our new supa-fine expanded bike selector tool coming soon, and configure the West Coast Chopper of your dreams.”

All well and good for those with the spare change to buy a brand-spankin’ new West Coast Chopper, but for the rest, start scouring those local motorcycle swap meets and junkyards to find that must-have West Coast Chopper branded part.

Also, Jesse plans to spend more time in his shop overseeing the builds and making sure his top-notch quality standards do not slip and putting a crimp on knock-off bikes.  Another fairly new thing on the website is a blog covering what’s up with Jesse, the shop, and just about anything West Coast Choppers related.  Highly entertaining, check it out and keep an eye out for those parts that are going to be scarce and prices at a premium now that the parts store is closed.

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03/03/2009 by info.

The 6th Carole Nash Irish Motorbike & Scooter Show took place on February 27-March 1 at the RDS (Royal Dublin Society) Exhibition Hall and announced attendance figures of over 30,000, a 20% increase from the last show in 2007 despite the economic situation. Exhibitors were delighted with the level of business, and many reported more sales than in 2007.

The coveted prize of Irish Champion, and expenses to compete at the 6th annual World Championship of Custom Bike Building in Sturgis, went to privateer Don Cronin from County Cork, whose bike “Medaza 500″ featured a Moto Morini engine and numerous handcrafted and hand-cast parts. Collaborating on the build was Ger Conlon of C&C Choppers, who himself won the trip to Sturgis in 2007 for the bike he built with business partner Mick Creedon.

CAROLE NASH IRISH MOTORBIKE & SCOOTER SHOW
www.irishmotorbikeshow.com

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03/03/2009 by info.

Solid Brass ‘Spiker’ Head Bolt Covers

Our Spiker head bolt covers are crafted from solid brass, which give a touch of cool class to your Evolution or Twin Cam powered ride.

Covers eliminate the unwanted appearance of normal head bolts. Machined from solid brass and then mirror polished. Easy-to-install in minutes, they attach with sockethead set screws which can be positioned to the side and accessed between the fins..

Sold in sets of 4

Fits all Evolution® Big Twin, Twin Cam® and Sportster® motors from 1987-UP (EX. V-ROD).

Precision-crafted from excellent materials by Pro-Street Cycles in the UK.

For more information, contact Pro-Street Cycles.

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