Hey,
I can tell the holidays are toast and the biker world is in full swing once more. Dealer show plans are flying. Daytona schedules are growing. We’re clearing the lifts for our Bonneville efforts and half the country is praying for good riding weather.
I’m going to jump right into the news. It’s packed and will take me beyond happy hour to complete. Then I need to adjust the valves on the Shovelhead, fire her to life and clear the lift. We’re going to Bonneville and the teams are growing. I need to mock up my CCI V-Bike chassis designed by John Reed for the 120-inch Panhead engine from Accurate Engineering and the 6-speed performance tranny from Baker. We’re rocking.
Let’s hit the news and I’ll show you what we screwed up this week and our first Bikernet Build-off bike:
TATTOO OF THE WEEK–Maybe the month. We don’t know. We haven’t even looked at the other entries. Quick send us something better. The winner gets a Bikernet T-shirt. Beat this one, sucka. Send your entry as a jpg image to Bandit@bikernet.com.
This one came from Russell Roberts.
SPIRIT BELLS FROM BIKERNET–I got the Spirit Bell. Looks very cool. Thanks, man! I hung it under the triple tree on my twinkie. I haven’t had any real problems yet with the bike, but it’s getting to the age where it’s gonna start giving me problems. Any good mojo will help!
I got laid the next night and the biker ran better than ever. That damn bell works..
Ride it like you’re on a test ride (Gotta figure out how to shorten that one up).
Peace, brother!
–Hiway
You can order a Bikernet Spirit Bell from the Bikernet Black Market below.
BIKER INTERNET RADIO–Get Ready Inner Circle Radio Show Saturday-February 11, 2006.Support Your Local BikersTAKE A LOOK AT THE SITE http://www.big7productions.com
Sponsored By ACCURATE ENGINEERING
FLORIDA DROPS HELMET PROPOSAL–TALLAHASSEE — Ride on.Florida highway-safety officials have dropped a proposal that would have made it harder for motorcyclists to thunder down the roads without wearing helmets.The proposal, which surfaced in September after a federal report showed increasing motorcycle deaths in Florida, would have required bikers to carry $50,000 in health insurance if they wanted to leave their lids at home. Current law requires only $10,000 in insurance coverage.
But after learning that the insurance policies could be hard to find and costly — and after getting a cool reception from Gov. Jeb Bush and the state Cabinet — the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles scrapped the idea.
“We checked around,” said Fred Dickinson, the department’s executive director. “There ain’t a whole lot of business (motorcycle health insurance policies) being written.”
The department’s decision became apparent Tuesday as a state House committee reviewed a proposed highway-safety bill for the upcoming legislative session.
— By JIM SAUNDERS,Tallahassee Bureau Chief
–from Rogue
Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Member 2005
ITALIAN AMERICAN HOG CHAPTER–The Aviano HOG Chapter is a unique chapter located in the Friuli Region of Northern Italy. We’re the only all American HOG Chapter in Europe and comprised almost exclusively of U.S. military personnel. Additionally, we’re the only chapter in the world to operate under a sponsoring director and not under a sponsoring dealership as authorized by H-D and HOG. We will be conducting our annual “Blessing of the Bikes” in March 2006.
Historically, we’ve had approximately 150-200 people, both Italian and American present at this local event. We start off at a beautiful church nestled in the Italian Alps where we conduct a benediction in both Italian and English followed by a procession down to the small town of Aviano. When we arrive at the Western House Restaurant, the street is blocked off for motorcycles only and the festivities begin.
The Chapter provides free pizza and entertainment to all that attend. Our main event is a raffle which is normally odds and ends donated from the chapter membership. In the end a fun safe time is had by all.
Here in Italy, the Euro dollar is becoming stronger and prices are rising. The chapter membership utilizes mail order companies and stateside vendors such as you for all of its parts and accessory purchases. This is how you have been identified. We are requesting donations of prizes for the “Blessing of the Bikes” raffle. These donations would help to support this event and make it even betterAny items that you may choose donate will be greatly appreciated. Donations may only be shipped via US Postal Service to our Chapter Address:
Aviano H.O.G. Chapter 9239
c/o Wayne R. Parks
PSC 54 Box 994
APO, AE 09601
Any questions or concerns can be addressed to me at wayne.parks@aviano.af.mil
–WAYNE R. PARKS
Sponsor/Director
PENNSYLVANIA CHANGE MOTORCYCLE PERMIT PROCEDURES–HARRISBURG, Pa. – Under a policy that starts Monday, motorcycle riders will have to pass a knowledge test before they can receive their learner’s permit.The learner’s permit previously had been issued before the knowledge test was given.
“We want to make sure that anyone learning to drive a motorcycle has the essential knowledge and understanding before riding on the open road,” said Allen D. Biehler, state transportation secretary.
Applicants must complete a motorcycle learner’s permit application and pay required fees. But now they will take the knowledge test immediately after returning the application. PennDOT will issue a motorcycle learner’s permit if the applicant passes the test.Motorcycle learner’s permits issued before Monday will not be affected by the change
–from Rogue
STURGIS MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM 2006 RAFFLE ANNOUNCED– January 2006 – – The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame is excited to announce that tickets are now available for the 2006 raffle.
Since the Museum opened in 2001 we have been extremely fortunate to have the support of many notable industry leaders, and we’d like to add each of you to that list. Our annual raffle is our major push each year to gather substantial funding for the Museum. With the purchase of a raffle ticket you will be helping us to continue our mission, “to preserve the great history of motorcycling and to honor the men and women who have made a positive and significant impact on our sport and lifestyle”.
2006 Raffle Prizes are:
2006 Harley-Davidson FLHX Street GlideDonated by Sturgis Harley-Davidson & Black Hills Harley-Davidson
Henry 44-40 Rifle2006 Edition, One of a Kind Commemorative
Scott Jacobs “Pushing the Limit” framed Limited Edition printDonated by Scott Jacobs-Signed, Numbered and DedicatedSigned by Andrew Hines (racer depicted in the painting)
There are three chances to win on one ticket. The Museum begins by drawing for the incredible Scott Jacobs print, signed by both the artist and Andrew Hines, the racer depicted in the painting. The winning ticket stub will be thrown back in with the remaining stubs and we draw for the Henry rifle, a beautifully engraved replica and a favorite each year. The winning stub is once again put back in with the remaining stubs for the final spin and drawing of Harley’s exciting new FLHX Street Glide. One ticket, three chances to win! Plus you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you’ve invested in motorcyclings past, and its future.
Each raffle ticket costs $10.00 and you do not need to be present to win. The drawing will be held on the final day of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Saturday 12 August 2006, at the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum on the corner of legendary Main Street and Junction Avenue in downtown Sturgis.
Tickets can be purchased on line by visiting our web site http://www.sturgismuseum.com mailing a check or money order to the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame, 999 Main Street, Sturgis SD 57785; or by telephone with a credit card 605.347.2001.
SPECIAL OPERATIONS WARRIOR FOUNDATION DISCOVERED– http://www.specialops.orgHelp the warriors help the children of fallen warriors. It’s simple. A place to go to help fallen soldiers.
THE WRENCH’S OPTIMIST CODE–
Law of Mechanical Repair: After your hands become coated with grease your nose will begin to itch or you’ll have to pee.
Law of the Workshop: Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.
Law of probability: The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act.
Law of the Telephone: When you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal.
Law of the Alibi: If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire.
Variation Law: If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will start to move faster than the one you are in now. (works every time)
Bath Theorem: When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.
Law of Close Encounters: The probability of meeting someone you know increases when you are with someone you don’t want to be seen with.
Law of the Result: When you try to prove to someone that a machine won’t work, it will.
Law of Biomechanics: The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.
Theatre Rule: At any event, the people whose seats are furthest fromthe aisle arrive last.
Law of Coffee: As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.
Murphy’s Law of Lockers: If there are only two people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers.
Law of Dirty Rugs/Carpets: The chances of an open-faced jelly sandwich of landing face down on a floor covering are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet/rug.
Law of Location: No matter where you go, there you are.
Law of Logical Argument: Anything is possible if you don’t know what you are talking about.
Brown’s Law: If the shoe fits, it’s really ugly.
Oliver’s Law: A closed mouth gathers no feet.
Wilson’s Law:As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it.
–from Buckshot
FIREBALL ALERT ON BIKERNET?–On Sunday morning, Jan. 15th, between approximately 1:56 and 1:59 a.m. PST (0956 – 0959 UT), a brilliant fireball will streak over northern California and Nevada. It’s NASA’s Stardust capsule, returning to Earth with samples of dust from Comet Wild 2. Observers along the flight path should have a marvelous view of this rare man-made meteor. Radio signals reflected from the capsule’s ionized tail may be heard from a much wider area–hundreds to thousands of miles away. Visit http://spaceweather.com for maps and observing tips.
INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION: The International Space Station is flying over the United States in mid-January during evening hours when it is easy to see. Would you like a phone call to alert you when the station is about to appear over your home town? Sign up for SpaceWeather PHONE: http://spaceweatherphone.com
The true civilization is where every man gives to every other every right that he claims for himself.
–from Robert Ingersoll
BIKERNET RELIGIOUS MOMENT–A biker is riding down the road and breaks down near a monastery.He goes to the monastery, knocks on the door, and says, “My scooterbroke down. Do you think I could stay the night?” The monksgraciously accept him, feed him dinner, and even fix his bike.As the man tries to fall asleep, he hears a strange sound.
The next morning, he asks the monks what the sound was, but theysay, “We can’t tell you. You’re not a monk.”
The man is disappointed but thanks them anyway and goes abouthis merry way. Some years later, the same man breaks down infront of the same monastery. The monks again accept him, feedhim, and even fix his bike. That night, he hears the samestrange noise that he had heard years earlier.
The nextmorning, he asks what it is, but the monks reply, “We can’t tellyou. You’re not a monk.”
The man says, “All right, all right. I’m dying to know. If theonly way I can find out what that sound was is to become a monk,how do I become a monk?” The monks reply, “You must travel theearth and tell us how many blades of grass there are and theexact number of sand pebbles. When you find these numbers, youwill become a monk.”
The man sets about his task. Some forty-five years later, hereturns and knocks on the door of the monastery. He says, “Ihave traveled the earth and have found what you have asked for.There are 145,236,284,232 blades of grass and231,281,219,999,129,382 sand pebbles on the earth. “
The monksreply, “Congratulations. You are now a monk. We shall now showyou the way to the sound.”
The monks lead the man to a wooden door, where the head monksays, “The sound is right behind that door.” The man reachesfor the knob, but the door is locked. He says, “Real funny.May I have the key?”
The monks give him the key, and he opensthe door. Behind the wooden door is another door made of stone.
The man demands the key to the stone door. The monks give himthe key, and he opens it, only to find a door made of ruby.He demands another key from the monks, who provide it. Behindthat door is another door, this one made of sapphire. So itwent until the man had gone through doors of emerald, silver,topaz and amethyst.
Finally, the monks say, “This is the last key to the last door.”
The man is relieved to no end. He unlocks the door, turns theknob, and behind that door he is amazed to find the source ofthat strange sound.
But I can’t tell you what it is.
You’re not a monk.
–from CarlR
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