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SENIORS BIKERBAR–Mine Is the red, Bob and Bandit?s are blue.
–from Chris T.
UNCLE MONKEY’S FAVORITE STRETCH OF ROAD–My favourite stretch of road is several miles of highway between Melville and Yorkton Saskatchewan. As a road goes it is pretty bland; railroad to the east, a scattering of farm yard houses to the west with a few trees and sloughs thrown in to break things up. As boring that section of road is it always brings a smile to my face.
Maybe it is because I’m getting close to one of my favourite dealership. A chance to buy new goodies, to checkout the new rides, an opportunity to talk to a dealer who really understands the motorcycles we ride, their history and the heritage that has help make them an icon of this great land.
Maybe it is because it could be any stretch of road in North America. It is common, simple and tranquil. Even though every time I’ve rode it I’ve almost been hit head on by someone not paying attention, it gives me a chance to let go. I’m not compelled to prepare for the next hairpin corner. There is no looming precipice just beyond a guardrail or a wall of solid granite that is measured in miles thick next to my shoulder. It isn’t miles of concrete and steel of industry and wealth or a rolling countryside that stretches out through time and history. No it is just a simple stretch of road.
Rarely do we admit it, but we all have that special piece of road that unexpectedly tugs at our soul. Unspectacular and common it doesn’t have a name like the Dragons Tail and riders from all over the world don’t make a pilgrimage to ride it. No it is simple, honest and hardworking. It is like us. It is there steady and constant through the good times and the bad. It reminds us of home, reminds us of the times we are the happiest. We ease off the throttle and slump back into our seats and let the road carry us away. No longer man and machine together as one but simply a person in time and place.
Wayne “Uncle Monkey” Wuschke
Southern Independent Riders
www.stvictorboogie.com
We’re going to kick off a, “Favorite Road Contest,” shortly. Hang on.–Wilburn Roach.
RIDE TO WORK DAY–Next Wednesday, June 15, is national Ride to Work Day. This marks the18th national Ride to Work Day.
Ride to Work Day is a Minnesota-basednon-profit organization whose mission statement is “advocating andsupporting the use of motorcycles and scooters for transportation, andproviding information about everyday utility riding to the public.” We atthe Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) support this group and encourageeveryone to participate, at the same time wondering, shouldn’t every daybe ride to work day? Learn more at http://www.ridetowork.org/
PEDESTRIAN DETECTION TECHNOLOGY–Sensors, cameras, radar, lasers, detection technology, motion sensors . .. no this isn’t about spaceflight. This is all new technology that willbe more and more prevalent in newer autos each year. The whopper for thisyear is the new Volvo S60.
The S60 is over the top, even for the Swedes. The car will be the firstto employ what is being called “Full Autobrake and Pedestrian Detection.” Through a complex mixture of radar, cameras and software the car will”see” people in the crosswalk or to the rear of the vehicle even if thedriver does not and bring itself to an immediate stop.
According to a spokesperson at Volvo in response to some questions askedby the MRF the S60 will detect motorcycles moving or stationary. Volvosaid, “The system is being designed for vehicles including motorcycles,stationary or moving in the same direction. This means that the systemwill apply the brakes if a motorcycle is detected and it is determinedthat the driver of the car is not acting to avoid the accident.”
While that may be true in the lab, one cannot help being skeptical in areal world application. This technology may work, but what happens whenan entire generation learns to drive with this technology? We know humanscan be lazy naturally. Encouraging it could prove to be a slippery slope.
Contact: Jeff Hennie
MRF Vice President of Government Relations
Email: jeff@mrf.org
BAKERSFIELD THUNDER RUN 2009– Date:Saturday, June 13, 2009 from 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM (PT) Location:
KERN COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
1142 South P St.
Bakersfield, CA 93307
AFT Customs Metric Revolutions Auditions FROM BIKERNETMETRIC.COM–This is an old video but one most of you have never seen. It shows AFT Customs VTX 1300 with some of the new innovative parts and modifications that were industry firsts. There will be more newer videos on Bikernet Metric very soon so check back regularly.
Coyote Customs
Coyote Customs is one of the premier metric builders but owner Jason Conely likes to stay out of the lime light. However, he is going to give Bikernet Metric an exclusive on his latest project. I will add pictures as the build progresses. Check out Bikernet Metric?s cover blurbs in the right hand column for ongoing features on his builds and many others.
Also don?t forget the Metric Blog is updated DAILY with news, events, products and more! Find it and more at www.bikernetmetric.com
THERE IS A PARALLEL BETWEEN MOTORCYCLE RIGHTS AND SEMA, THE CAR GUYS– Common Ground includes but is not limited to the following.Federal regulations and design specifications.Federal regulations that prohibit modifications that have a negative effect on safety equipment features.
Special federal requirements for products manufactured abroad.
Product defect/recall requirements.
Federal and State emissions compliance requirements. In many cases, there has been confusion about the process by which requirements can be met and Executive Orders (E.O.s) from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) are issued for applicable parts and systems.
Roadblock safety inspections.
Lighting.
Brake Hoses and Brake Hose Assemblies.
Rims/Wheels for Vehicles other than Passenger Cars.
Tires.
Inclusion and Exclusion in Federal and State mandated insurance requirements.
In addition to these shared concerns, motorcyclist rights advocates have purchasing power and influence others within their pier groups that are very similar to those covered in a June 09 article entitled Trends in eCommerce: Importance of Consumer Behavior and Perceptions.
–Mike Greenwald
EUROPEAN NEWS FROM FEMA–Motorcyclists’ Protection Guardrails: CEN members give priority to details rather than saving lives–Last week, CEN’s technical committee on road equipment (TC226) held its annual meeting in Berlin. The draft standard which would make guardrails safer for motorcyclists was not on the agenda for adoption. Too many comments received. FEMA will push again this issue at the next sub-committee meeting (TG1) in September!
The Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations (FEMA) is sad to announce that its efforts to get the draft standard for motorcycle-friendly guardrails adopted in 2009 have not been successful. The draft proposal, based on the Spanish standard, has not been submitted for the formal voting in Technical Committee 226, which met on Thursday and Friday last week in Berlin, due to more than a hundred comments received.
One may reasonably ponder the reasons behind such an amount of comments over an existing standard with proven efficiency records, also used by several other countries in their national efforts to find a solution for motorcyclists hitting crash barriers. Indeed, every stakeholder around the table is defending different interests in the development of the standard, or indeed non-development, and economic interests at stake are not negligible.
FEMA’s General Secretary, who has actively participated in the preparation of the draft, says: “I believe some CEN participants tend to forget the reality behind the objective. Some participants are trying to minimize the problem while some others only focus on detailed technical criteria in order to have the best standard at first shot. But the truth is that motorcyclists are being killed sliding on roads in the meantime. And to those who complain that this issue is a minor problem considering the number of motorcycles in comparison to other vehicles, I would like to strongly remind them of one very essential principle in road safety: whatever minority or majority of road users it is about, in no way should the safety of some endanger the life of others! FEMA wouldn’t have spent 20 years of energy and motorcyclists’ money if this was not a real issue!”
The next TC266 sub committee (TG1) meeting is expected to take place sometime in September. FEMA will propose to split comments received into 2 categories: those that can be considered for this version of the standard and those to be analyzed once the standard has been adopted, hopefully not later than 2010.
LACONIA BROKE SPOKE SALOON Open All Summer!–The Broken Spoke Saloon, Laconia location is open until November 1st!Broken Spoke Saloon & Museum ? 1072 Watson Road (Route 3) Laconia, NH www.BrokenSpokeSaloon.com
People can stay right at the Spoke at the RV Ranch – they can get more info at BrokenSpokeSaloon.com and reserve via phone or on site.
Phone is 866-754-2526.
Bikernet Launches Daily Metric Motorcycle Blog. Blog will Feature Bikes, News, Accessories and Other Metric Related Information–Wilmington, Calif.?June 11, 2009:Bikernet, the largest and most read online motorcycle publication, announced the launching of its daily Metric motorcycle blog. The new blog site (bikernetmetric.com) will provide information on bikes, products and accessories, industry news, legislative updates and event information daily. Readers and subscribers to the blog will receive breaking news at no charge.
In addition, readers will be able to comment on blogs and create dialog with other readers and riders. A hot shot blog manager, Mark Steward, will be available constantly, so readers can submit their own news and information, creating an online community.
?With the Metric industry booming there is just too much information to include under one site,? exclaimed Keith Ball, publisher of Bikernet. ?Bikernet Metric?s blog will help readers find news that is relevant and of interest quickly and easily.?
BikernetMetric takes the blog experience to another level. In addition to the daily blog, a staff of writers and photographers is in place to deliver full features on custom bikes, tech articles, road tests and event coverage from all over the world. Each article will be archived for instant access 24/7.
–Mark Stewart
Outlaw Communications
mark@outlawcommunications.com
RAY WHEELER AND JEREMIAH ASSIGNED TO COVER THE REDWOOD RUN 2009–“Bad ass hot rod at the Rat Fink reunion,” said Ray, as he polished his new paint on his hot rod dyna glide and headed north for the Redwood run. Jeremiah, on his rigid Shovel will meet Ray in the campgrounds.
We’ll see if either one returns with a photo and or a sober report. Roll the dice, the odds are slipping fast.
–Snake
CENTRAL COAST CYCLES RELEASES PETE ALVA PHOTO TAKEN IN LAUGHLIN–My dad’s good friend stopped by during a photo shoot with Pete Alva in Laughlin! Couldn’t resist getting him into the shoot. Think he will put this one on his garage wall?
P.S. got our Sizzle Reel up for METAL MASTERS with legendary car customizer Gene Winfield ! check it out at :www.longboardpictures.com.
–Scott Long
Owner/Builder
Central Coast Cycles
Santa Cruz, CA
831.476.3901
WELD-ON HARDTAIL FROM BLACK SUNSHINE CUSTOMS–Black Sunshine Custom would like to introduce their Weld On Hardtail Section for your stock shovelhead frame.
This part is All American Made. It is fabricated out of DOM 1 1/8” tubing with seat section out of 1” DOM tubing. The whole section is completely 100% tig welded. It possesses a unique Heim joint axle block and comes with 3/4” axle and chain tensioner.
Cutting and welding required to your frame to mount this section. Please add $35.00 for shipping.
For more information, please call Brian @ 217-433-8745 or visit www.blacksunshinecustom.com
LACONIA BIKER BUILD-OFF TEASER SHOTS FROM CHICA–Here is low budget 6 days special. The gas tank incorporates dished areas using bent exhaust tubing.
–chica
5-BALL FACTORY RACER PAINT SCHEME DISCUSSION ON CHRIS KALLAS BLOG– I made a few comments on your plans and my take on it.
–CGK.
http://motorcycleart.blogspot.com/2009/05/1915-5-ball-fr-update.html
BIKERNET.COM CREATES WORKING GROUP FOR MOTORCYCLE RIGHTS–Keith R. Ball and the staff of Bikernet.com are working with the motorcycle aftermarket to provide a direct link between legislative efforts, motorcycle rights groups, and the custom motorcycle aftermarket industry.
“It’s been a goal of mine for 15 years to get the business side to help our freedom fighters,” said Ball. If successful, Keith hopes to encourage SEMA, the largest hot rod aftermarket organization in the United States, to work with us to deliver additional resources to the motorcycle rights community, since we face similar battles.
“The Motorcycle Aftermarket Working Group is made up of many leaders and business owners, but we want to reach out directly to state motorcycle rights groups for their input,” said Ball. “What can we do to help keep motorcycling free?” They are currently working on an agenda, so
E-Mail Bandit or (310) 830-0630.
SCORPION JACKET ROAD TEST–You can read all the dirt on the home page, but there was one missing element. Here’s the colored leather version. Of course, we tested the all-black version.
BIKERNET REPAIR DIVISION ON STRIKE– Tried to click on the free contest area and get my name in the hat for the Scorpion jacket. (I know what a cheap bastard 😉
Crappy economy effects all of us. I?m still wearing my coat from 20+ years ago and the zipper just sh!t the bed. I really liked the article on the Scorpion jacket and all the features that you pointed out. Besides your no bullshit writing always gets to the point.
Anyway when I click on the link or when I go to main menu to get to the area I get the following? error ‘80020009’ Exception occurred. /contest/index.asp, line 62
Keep up the good work, love the website and everything you have on it.
–weezdog”
If you read the leather jacket road test and want to win one, click the free contest banner above and enter. Tell us why you need this jacket. Keep in mind the size because we only have the one and it’s a 2X long.–Bandit
Motorsport Artist Eric Herrmann to exhibit at Cheyenne Crossing during ?Sturgis 2009?–For twenty years now, Eric Herrmann has been exhibiting his artwork throughout the black hills during the annual Sturgis Rally. We?ve made a move this year that I have wanted to try for some time now, states Eric. It?s one of my favorite stops during Sturgis, and I?m honored to have my trailer and art display located there this year.
Cheyenne Crossing, located at the junction of US Hwys. 14A & 385, is at the Lead / Deadwood side of the entrance to Spearfish Canyon. Offering an excellent Breakfast & Lunch, Beer Garden, and Fuel, it?s the perfect location to display my art, in the Heart of the Black Hills.
Eric also has several art displays throughout the area during the Sturgis rally which include Roma?s Restaurante? in Spearfish, One Eyed Jacks on Main St., and Samson?s Corner in Sturgis. To see all my latest work though, you have to stop by Cheyenne Crossing and check out our 40? trailer art display. Eric will be there daily from 7:30 to 4:00 unless he?s blasting through the canyon or attempting the Hill Climb again.
For additional information check out www.EricHerrmannStudios.com, www.CheyenneCrossing.org or call Eric Herrmann Studios at (480) 575-7559.
WHAT TO GET DAD? LEATHER HIM UP– Father’s Day Sale – ONLY All Leather Dickies? Style Work Jacket – ONLY $167 for a $328 jacket! Looks great on and off the bike… It is an old school design that is cool and never goes out of style.
It’s designed after the popular Dickies? work jacket with special features for added comfort & utility when riding.
Features:
– 2 hand warmer pockets
– 3 inside pockets
– Snap down collar
– Adjustable waist
All of our leather jackets are made from the finest naked cowhide for a supple feel and quality that will provide years of protection while maintaining it’s good looks. More details here.
EXCLUSIVE: FRONTLINE police will be forced to become “carbon cops” under the Government’s blueprint to cut greenhouse emissions–The Herald Sun can reveal Australian Federal Police agents will have to prosecute a new range of climate offences.But they are yet to be offered extra resources, stretching the thin blue line to breaking point.
“The Government is effectively saying to us, ‘Ignore other crime types’,” Australian Federal Police Association chief Jim Torr said.
The group had been trying for months, without success, to discuss the issue with Climate Change Minister Penny Wong, he said.
Interpol has warned the carbon market will be irresistible to criminal gangs because of the vast amounts of cash to be made. Possible rorts include under-reporting of carbon emissions by firms and bogus carbon offset schemes.
“If someone is rorting it by even 1 per cent a year, we’re talking about many, many millions of dollars,” Mr Torr said.
The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme is facing Senate defeat unless it can secure the support of key cross-benchers or the Opposition.
Opposition climate change spokesman Andrew Robb said the scheme was problematic.
–from Michael Colburn
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