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Then it was jump on the Electra Glide for a short hop up the river to Tony?s in Walnut Grove to visit the Kennedy clan. With green and white toppers, they served green beer and green shots of vodka. Help yourself, they said, to some free lamb stew. We did, but vowed to return on ?the real St. Patrick?s Day? for even more fun. Then it was down river to Vieira?s Resort in hopes of, between drinks, catching a look at the sturgeon being caught. No such luck on the fish since the mopey anglers reported a shitty day of drowning worms. Then it was home to grab 40 winks and wake up in the morning having ?lost? an hour (that alone turned out to be enough to make us ?miss? the Almond Fest; bummer).
French kissing the blarney stone
Having remained home for a couple of dazed days symbolically, if not literally, licking our wounds, we were in good shape on Wednesday to do what every Irishman (actually, I put ?Celtic Druid? on my official census form) should do: we rolled the Glide out of the garage and went on pub crawl that even Hemmingway would have been proud of. Heading up the river road, blossoms dotted the trees set in the regimented orchard rows. In the distance, to the east, snow could be seen crowning the Sierra Nevada Range.
First stop up river was the Freeport Bar and Grill. Freeport has lots of local history. During the California Gold Rush, steam powered paddle wheelers brought goods up river to the Sacramento docks. But those docks levied heavy fees to offload goods. Some enterprising souls built a dock down river and brought rail tracks up to meet the ships. It was a ?free port? but only for a few years. Today, however, the Guinness flowed at the Freeport Bar and Grill. It washed down the corned beef tacos ? we can?t make this stuff up ? rather nicely (the Latino kitchen staff has a real sense of humor).
Then, as promised, we returned to Tony?s to see what the Kennedy Clan had up their very Irish sleeves or, in Cary?s case, under an authentic Irish kilt. Inside, Cary was behind the bar and his dad, Mike, was handling the kitchen duties. Mother Kennedy was holding down the last stool at the end of bar, meeting and greeting one and all. It turns out that this was ?Appreciate the local customers day? with free servings of lamb stew, Shepard?s pie, and corned beef and cabbage.
Some time later, groaning and carrying away ?to go? containers of even more wonderful food, we coasted home, victors and not victims of the multicultural clashes of our times. Just for the record, the first real day of spring is not until Friday, March 20th, when the river folk has yet another shindig on tap. This is a community wild game feed where everyone contributes a carcass for the masses to consume. We?ve been assigned an eight-pound load of elk meat to turn into chili. River Rat is, by the way, a Texas gal. We?ll let ya know how these NorCal folks take to her spicy concoctions (fire extinguisher at the ready, CrawDaddy out).
BIKERNET MEDICAL CENTER FINDINGS SPONSORED BY BARTELS’ H-D, 4 Foods for Healthy Bones–Did you know that you can help promote bone health no matter what your age? It’s not difficult – simply add the following foods to your diet:
1. Non-fat dairy products. They are a good source of calcium, an essential mineral which is important to bone health.
2. Non-dairy calcium-rich foods. Sardines, canned salmon (with bones), dark leafy greens, whole soy foods like tofu, and calcium-fortified products such as soymilk and orange juice are good calcium-rich options for those who don’t eat dairy.
3. Whole vegetables and fruit. They provide potassium, magnesium, vitamin C and beta carotene, all of which have been linked to higher total bone mass.
4. Food sources of magnesium. Spinach, tofu, almonds, broccoli, lentils, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds are good sources of this essential mineral, which is vital for healthy bones.
In addition, avoid too much protein intake – excessive dietary protein can promote calcium loss from bones – and cut back on caffeine and sodium as well, as too much of either can promote calcium excretion.
–DrWeil.com
REPORT FROM BIKERNET MILITARY ATTACHE–A U.S. Marine Colonel was about to start the morning briefing to his staff..
While waiting for the coffee machine to finish brewing, the colonel decided to pose a question to all assembled.
He explained that his wife had been a bit frisky the night before and he failed to get his usual amount of sound sleep.
He posed the question of just how much of sex was “work” and how much of it was “pleasure?”
A Major chimed in with 75% work – 25% pleasure.
A Captain said it was 50% – 50%.
A lieutenant responded with 25% work – 75% pleasure, depending upon his state of inebriation at the time.
There being no consensus, the colonel turned to the PFC who was in charge of making the coffee and asked for HIS opinion?
Without any hesitation, the young PFC responded, “Sir, it has to be 100% pleasure.
The colonel was surprised and as you might guess, asked why?
“Well, sir, if there was any work involved, the officers would have me doing it for them.”
The room fell silent.
God Bless the enlisted man..
–SARGE
Melbourne, Fl
Rick Fairless and Joe T talk trash– about filming and life at Strokers Dallas on the Texas Hardtails Scooter Show ? Episode 40. Check out the show in Bikernet Studio. Don’t miss a minute. Hear the entire Scooter Show right here.
Riverside County authorities announce Vagos Motorcycle Club crackdown–Riverside County authorities announced the arrests of 30 members of the Vagos Motorcycle Club on Wednesday and alluded to possible ties to attacks on Hemet police.
Before dawn Wednesday, 400 law enforcement officers from the district attorney’s office and Riverside County Gang Task Force targeted 73 locations belonging to members of the club, arrested during a sweep in 20 cities in Riverside County, mostly based in Hemet.
The sweep was dubbed “Operation Everywhere” and included arrests in Norco, Temecula, Banning, the Coachella Valley and Riverside. In Lake Elsinore, authorities said a meth lab was discovered and arrests made. Most arrests in the operation were related to drug and weapons violations, with charges still pending.
Additional arrests were made by 60 law enforcement agencies throughout Northern California and Arizona, Nevada and Utah.
The Vagos group formed in the 1960s in the Temescal Valley south of Corona. It originally was called “the Psychos” and is estimated to have 600 members statewide, about 200 in Riverside County.
Riverside County District Attorney Rod Pacheco said the gang has a history of drug trafficking and trying to infiltrate law enforcement, working undercover to obstruct and dismantle police investigations . The raid came after the gang “gained the significant attention” of law enforcement in recent months, following a history of violence toward police. He said 94 of the gang members were contacted Wednesday.
Pacheco would not outline what activity drew scrutiny from authorities and declined to directly answer questions whether it was related to three attempted assassinations on the Hemet-San Jacinto Valley Gang Task force since December.
The Hemet Gang Task Force was first targeted Dec. 31 when a gas line was rerouted inside the office, intending to cause an explosion when someone entered.
The day before that attack, a Vagos funeral was being held at a church next to the office on Buena Vista Street.
Two additional attacks last month targeted the task force office and an officer’s car with booby traps. Hemet Police Chief Richard Dana, who attended a DA press conference to announce the raids, said to connect the Vagos to the attacks “would be inappropriate.”
“I’m not going to say the people we were looking for were specifically targeted, but I’m not ruling them out,” Dana said.
Also on Wednesday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced a $50,000 reward for information in the attacks. That follows a $100,000 reward approved last month by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors.
By JOHN ASBURY
The Press-Enterprise
SS TRIKE ADDS EXCITEMENT TO THE 3-WHEEL EXPERIENCE–SS Trike has eliminated the lack of excitement that most 2 wheel riders experience when switching from a 2 wheeled vehicle to a 3 wheeler. At first glance you can?t help but notice the bold ?Big Wheel? styling, and that is just where the difference begins. Due to its innovative low-slung chassis design, the SS Trike is more than capable of handling the power of its XWedge V-Twin engine.
The excitement of this ride is further enhanced by a smooth, race-inspired 3 speed automatic transmission. This standard package is enhanced further by a large diameter 24? front wheel wrapped in Metzler rubber, 14? American Racing rear wheels, and digital instrumentation. Get more information at SS Trikes.com
URGENT LEGISLATIVE ALERT CALIFORNIA BILL OPENS ?SPECIALLY CONSTRUCTED? CLASS TO EVERY QUALIFIED VEHICLE– In 2001, a law was enacted in California to provide for the emissions-system certification and model-year designation for specially constructed vehicles, including kit cars. Under that law, vehicle owners choose whether a smog test referee certifies the engine model year or the vehicle model year. To determine model year, inspectors compare the vehicle to those of the era that the vehicle most closely resembles. If there is no close match, it is classified as a 1960 vehicle. Only those emission controls applicable to the model year and that can be reasonably accommodated by the vehicle are required.
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) provides a new registration to the first 500 specially constructed vehicles per year that meet the criteria. This year, a bill (A.B. 1740) has been introduced in the California Assembly to eliminate the requirement that these registrations be limited to the first 500 vehicles per year. The bill has been referred to the Assembly Transportation Committee and will be considered on March 22.
We Urge You to Contact Members of the Assembly Transportation Committee (List Attached) Immediately to Request Their Support for A.B. 1740 ?
Under current California policy, specially constructed vehicles that do not receive one of the 500 sequence numbers are subject to a ?muddied? titling, registration and smog check process. ? A.B. 1740 will remove the ?black market? value of these 500 sequence numbers which are often sold on e-bay and other on-line auction sites.
? A.B. 1740 recognizes the minimal impact specially constructed vehicles have on air quality.
?A.B. 1740 recognizes the fact that specially constructed vehicles are overwhelmingly well-maintained and infrequently driven.
?A.B. 1740 will allow vehicle owners to confidently take advantage of a newly-enacted vehicle registration amnesty program for specially constructed vehicles that were previously registered or classified incorrectly. Under the new law, the DMV will grant amnesty from prosecution to vehicle owners if certain conditions are met, including the owner filing a completed application with the department.
DON?T DELAY! Please contact members of the Assembly Transportation Committee today to urge support for A.B. 1740. California Assembly Transportation Committee
Assemblymember Mike Eng ? Chair Phone: 916/319-2049 Email:
Assemblymember.Eng@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember Kevin Jeffries ? Vice Chair Phone: 916/319-2066 Email:
Assemblymember.Jeffries@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember Bill Berryhill Phone: 916/319-2026 Email:
Assemblymember.Bill.Berryhill@assembly.ca.gov Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield Phone: 916/319-2040 Email:
Assemblymember.Blumenfield@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember Joan Buchanan Phone: 916/319-2015 Email:
Assemblymember.Buchanan@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember Warren T. Furutani Phone: 916/319-2055 Email:
Assemblymember.Furutani@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember Cathleen Galgiani Phone: 916/319-2017 Email:
Assemblymember.Galgiani@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal Phone: 916/319-2054 Email:
Assemblymember.Lowenthal@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember Jeff Miller Phone: 916/319-2071 Email:
Assemblymember.Miller@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember Roger Niello Phone: 916/319-2005 Email:
Assemblymember.niello@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember Chris Norby Phone: 916/319-2072 Email:
Assemblymember.Norby@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember Jose Solorio Phone: 916/319-2069 Email:
Assemblymember.Solorio@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember Tom Torlakson Phone: 916/319-2011 Email:
Assemblymember.Torlakson@assembly.ca.gov Thank you for your prompt attention. Please e-mail a copy of your letter to Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org
Fly-By-Wire (Electronic Throttle Control) Grips–Grips now available in chrome & blackIn 2008 Harley-Davidson introduced the Fly-By-Wire electronic throttle control, standard on all Ultra Classic Electra Glide, Road King Classic? and Street Glide, and optional on other touring models.
Chrome, Black, Spike or Flat EndGrips in stock.Our interchangeable head system (patent pending) makes the electronic grip possible with more options. Metric Bike? No Problem
Big Dog Style in Stock
Let us know what bike you would like grips for. Cruisers & Sport bikes are available. Resellers Welcome
Sales@xoprodox.com
Widow Files Lawsuit Against Harley-Davidson–According to a recent press release by a Fort Worth/TX law firm, a Texas woman files a wrongful death lawsuit against Harley-Davidson after her husband was killed while riding an allegedly defective motorcycle. The lawsuit claims that the accident, as a result of which her husband, John DeBartolo passed away, was allegedly caused by a malfunctioning electric throttle on his 2008 FLHX on March 15, 2008. Also named in the lawsuit is Longhorn Harley-Davidson in Grand Prairie/TX, who allegedly performed repairs on the motorcycle’s electronic throttle prior to the accident.
Bikernet.com has contacted Harley-Davidson for comment on this matter and received the response that ?per Company policy, we [Harley-Davidson] cannot comment on pending legal matters.?
– – C.S. Berg
POWER UP WITH SPORTSTER PERFORMANCE–The D&D Bob Cat – 2-into-1 Pipe Pumps Up the HP & Torque By 10%. D&D has released the 2004 through 2010 Bob Cat Sportster Pipe that increases performance, torque and a soul-satisfying tone.
Get All the details at D&D Performance Enterprises.
WERA AND YRR JOIN FORCES TO PROMOTE YOUTH ROADRACING–Long Beach, Calif. (March 18, 2010) – WERA Motorcycle Roadracing, Inc. (WERA) and Youth Road Racing USA (YRR) are proud to announce a collaborative effort to promote and develop youth roadracing in America.
As the official sponsor of the WERA Mini Race series, YRR will utilize its StepUp program to provide youngsters a graduated process for developing their racing skills and acquiring a WERA competition license.
The YRR StepUp program cultivates young racers through skill-building exercises and exposing them to the racetrack in a safe and controlled environment. The program has helped the evolution of 2008 U.S. Red Bull Rookie Cup Champion, Benny Solis, Jr., 2009 USGPRU 125GP runner up Ryan Matter and many other up-and-coming competitors. With this WERA collaboration, YRR’s StepUp program is now connected to racing through select WERA events nationwide.
“The StepUp program has been a key component of Youth Road Racing USA’s progression, and has provided numerous kids a safe environment in which to prepare for professional roadracing,” says YRR Founder & President, Josiah Taulbee. “Now, with WERA’s support and our sponsorship of its Mini Series, we can enhance the StepUp program and properly prepare kids for the next level of their racing careers by offering WERA licensing through on-track instruction nationwide.”
WERA has allowed youngsters to race in its Sportsman series since its inception and recently added 50cc and 80cc minis to select racetracks five years ago. By aligning the efforts of WERA and YRR, the organizations will bridge the gap between youth and professional competition. YRR will head up the effort to promote WERA events to local youth racing programs across the country.
Catch the WERA Mini Series roadrace events supported by Youth Road Racing USA at all of the five remaining Lucas Oils WERA West rounds as well as regional races east of the Mississippi at Beaver Run, Nashville, Talladega, Jennings GP, Summit Point and Carolina Motorsports Park events. Participating YRR riders and associations will receive a 50 percent discount on WERA’s license fee.
NEW SHOP OPENING SPECIALIZING IN HANDICAP MODS–I?m starting up Madtown Customs. I?m specializing in Handicap mods to get riders with problems back in the wind.
–Buckshot
We will work with Buckshot on tech articles and suggestions for handicapped riders. Look forward to it.–Bandit
LICKS Chain Tensioner–Sweet Piece of Hardware — a must have item for the do it yourself fanatic!!
The Chain Tensioner is a 15 Tooth ?MADE IN USA? Idler sprocket (SEALED BEARING) and is manufactured for a 530 chain. It features a 5/8″ X 2 1/2″ bolt with lock washer/nut, 1/2″ SS spacer and a 1/8″ Counter bore for paint or powder coat clearance. 1 1/8″ of space is available between center of the sprocket and the center of frame rail — (for use on Left Side Drive).
THIS WORKS GREAT FOR FULL WRAP FENDER APPLICATIONS WHERE YOU CAN NOT MOVE THE WHEEL!
TECH NOTE — YOU MUST HAVE WELDING SKILLS TO INSTALL. THIS IS A WELD ON PIECE!!Link to — http://www.lickscycles.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=215
ILLUSION CYCLES BAND, ATTIKA, PLAYS AT THE VIPER ROOM–For Cheaper pre-sale tickets call John at 818-339-9431
BIKERNET TRAVELING FANATICS TECH WARNING–FYI for those of you who travel and stay in hotels/motels.
Thought this was interesting. How many of us do this. This is rather scary if only because of how simple it is. Reading this I realized I could have been caught. I’ll bet this works all too often.
You arrive at your hotel and check in at the front desk.. When checking in, you give the front desk your credit card (for all the charges for your room). You get to your room and settle in. Someone calls the front desk and asked for (example) Room 620 (which happens to be your room).
Your phone rings in your room.. You answer and the person on the other end says the following, “This is the front desk. When checking in, we came across a problem with your charge card information. Please re-read for me your credit card number and verify the last 3 digits on the reverse side.”
Not thinking anything you might give this person your information, since the call seems to come from the front desk. But actually, it is a scam of someone calling from outside the hotel/front desk.
They ask for a random room number. Then, ask you for credit card info and address information. Sounding so professional that you do think you are talking to the front desk.
If you ever encounter this problem, tell the caller that you will go to the front desk and clear up any problems. Then, go to the front desk and ask if there was a problem. If there was none, inform the manager of the hotel that someone called to scam you of your credit card information acting like a front desk employee.
This was sent by someone who has been duped … and is still clearing up the mess.
–from Jim Waggaman
BIKERNET CLASSIC OF THE WEEK–Triumph?s Tiger 110 was the forerunner of the Bonneville, developed for the American market. And sixty years ago, its 649 cc parallel twin OHV motor made it the fastest Triumph you could buy. This lovely 1957 model was owned by the late Bob ?Snuffy? Smith, a racer from Pennsylvania, and photographed by his friend Harold Ross.
?Bob purchased the bike in the mid 80s and then restored it,? says Ross. ?He fitted a single saddle, had the side covers chrome plated, and inverted the racing stripe paint scheme on the fenders to fit his liking. His son Matt remembers being on vacation in Florida when his father had the chrome-plated parts shipped there, because he was so eager to see them.?
The subtle mods were well-chosen: they?ve removed all vestiges of the stock Tiger?s slightly bloated looks. And if you?re wondering why the photo looks different to the usual motorcycle studio shots, it?s because Ross employs an unusual technique: light painting. This involves working in a completely dark studio, opening the camera shutter for a long time, and then ?painting? on the light using a modified fiber optic cable. Just the thing to show off the fine curves of a vintage Triumph twin.
1957 Triumph Tiger 110 is a post from Bike EXIF – Classic motorcycles, custom motorcycles and cafe racers.
–Robin Hartfiel
ROLLING OUT FROM OKLAHOMA–Dar Holdsworth, Brass Balls BossMan, keeps rolling out the hits from his little shop in Oklahoma City. He recently took his iron down to Texas to show off some of his latest designs.
Each motorbike is hand built, designed and created by a team that knows performance. The most popular bikes from the firm include the Model 1, 69 Chopper and the Classic Bobber.
Take a look at his latest Chopper and Bobber work.
The Dude abides?
SURVEILLANCE TAPES FROM BIKER VETERINARY CLINIC–Three dogs are sitting in the waiting room at the vet’s when they strike up a conversation.The black Lab turns to the chocolate Lab and says, “So why are you here?”
The Chocolate Lab replies, “I’m a pisser. I piss on everything…..the sofa, the curtains, the cat, the kids. But the final straw was last night when I pissed in the middle of my owner’s bed.”
The black Lab says, “So what is the vet going to do?”
“Gonna cut my nuts off,” comes the reply from the chocolate Lab. “They reckon it’ll calm me down.”
The black Lab then turns to the yellow lab and asks, “Why are you here?”
The yellow Lab says, “I’m a digger I dig under fences, dig up flowers and trees. I dig just for the hell of it. When I’m inside, I dig up the carpets. But I went over the line last night when I dug a great big hole in my owners couch.”
“So what are they going to do to you?” the black Lab inquires.
“Looks like I’m losing my nuts too, the dejected yellow Lab says.
The yellow Lab then turns to the black Lab and asks, “Why are you here?”
“I’m a humper,” the black Lab says. “I’ll hump anything. I’ll hump the cat, a pillow, the table, whatever. I want to hump everything I see. Yesterday, my owner had just got out of the shower and was bending down to dry her toes. I just couldn’t help myself. I hopped on her back and started hammering away”
The yellow and chocolate Labs exchange a sad glance and says, “So, nuts off for you too, huh?”
The black Lab says ….”No, I’m here to get my nails clipped.”
–Jim Waggaman
Spring Swap Meet at Kundratic Kustoms, April 25–Once again the guys at Kundratic Kustoms over in Baltimora/MD are giving you the chance to unload the motorcycle and hot rod parts you’ve been holding onto. Get a table at the Swap and put some extra coin in your pocket.
Setup starts bright & early at 8am. Each 10×10 space is just $10 in advance or $15 on the day of the Swap. It’s first come first serve, so reserve your space today! It’s a Drizzle or Shine event, so bring your 10×10 pop-up. Tables, chairs, tarps are your responsibility as is leaving your space as clean as you found it.
Reservations can be made on The Kundratic Kustoms website www.kundratickustoms.com and advance payments are accepted via Paypal, or give the guys a call at 410-633-3113 and pay over the phone.
– – C.S. Berg
PROJECTS, PLANNING, AND PERSISTENCE–Sometimes I listen to ’40s on 4 from Sirius Radio. It’s all music from the ’40s. Amazing stuff, like Judy Garland singing Somewhere over the Rainbow. I enjoy the mental images of the Wizard of Oz while semi-trucks scream past our building kicking up dust and locomotives blast window shaking air horns at every intersection. It’s the law. They were mandated to blast their horn four times as each intersection. It’s an image of darkness and light, sorta like the young blond broad, without a single tattoo, in a checkered dress straddling an all-black rat Shovelhead Chopper in a Wilmington alley at midnight.
I’m spacing out. This week has seen its turbulent aspects, but as it winds down, a tremendous amount was accomplished. I received the first copies of my next book.
We finished the new seat pan for the Assalt Weapan. The gang at Saddleman have it now for upholstery. We set up a meeting with SEMA to explore a motorcycle council once more. We are headed to KIWI Indian in Riverside this weekend to rebuild the Indian bars on his 1934 VL, then that bike should be ready to rock. We ordered a new battery from Bikers Choice and it arrived this week.
We’ve been working for months on a Sportster tech, since 2010 is the Bikernet Year of the Used Sportster. They give riders all over the country the opportunity to build fast, lean, inexpensive, choppers and bobbers. So, we wanted to develop a list of Sportster products and Paughco was at the head of the list with their frames. If you have a product, send us a jpg image and some info, we’ll be glad to spread the low-buck word.
Next week we hope to finish our Saddleman gel seat technology tech. We are working with American Iron Magazine to bring you a Brass Balls Bobber road test in the next couple of weeks. Plus we received pristine 1960s Rapido books, so we can tear our Bonneville pit bike down for a rebuild. Hang on for the next Bonneville report.
Ride Forever
–Bandit
