Hey,
Every Thursday is different. It’s amazing, confusing, daunting, inspiring, you name it. This has been a week of proposed change, yet I’m holding off some, investigating more, and taking stock of all the angles.
With that said and research in process, let’s hit the news. By the time we reach the end, there may be answers.
The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by Cycle Source Magazine, and Iron Trader News.
NEVADA HELMET LAW LAWSUIT–This was sent to me by the person who filed the Helmet Law Lawsuit in Nevada.–Rogue
The Nevada lawsuit is in the hands of those who forcibly control us. We obediently offered it to them, along with any thoughts we would have, about running our own lives.
The Lawsuit was started back when I believed in the superstition known as government. I no longer believe others somehow (pixie dust?) have the “Right” to forcibly control you or I. In the same way I no longer believe that I am morally burdened with submitting myself to the whims of those seeking to forcibly control me.
I no longer beg my government for the crumbs of liberty, as it establishes my belief in their “authority.” I have chosen not to abandon the lawsuit, as many are involved. however I see it as a detriment, as it empowers those who seek to forcibly control.
It is morally wrong to pull a motorcyclist over with threats of violence, when the motorcyclist has hurt no one. Yet when it happens, we are indoctrinated to go straight to those who employ the violent offenders who pull us over with threats of violence, and expect a show of humanity? Makes no sense on any level.
I am aware that this is a big departure from where I was 2 years ago. It has been quite the journey, This report on the lawsuit hardly scratches the surface. If someone has questions regarding my stance (disbelief in govt. authority) feel free to ask, it is something I am willing to talk about. Also, if there are specific questions regarding the lawsuit, I am willing to discuss, however as of now… there is nothing on the calendar.
–from Rogue
THE BIKERNET NOT SO BAD JOKE LIBRARY OPENS–A woman rubbed a bottle and out popped a genie. The amazed woman asked if she got three wishes. The genie said, “Nope, sorry, three-wish genies are a storybook myth. I’m a one-wish genie. So… what’ll it be?”
The woman did not hesitate. She said, “I want peace in the Middle East. See this map? I want these countries to stop fighting with each other and
I want all the Arabs to love the Jews and Americans and vice-versa. It will bring about world peace and harmony.”
The genie looked at the map and exclaimed, “Lady, be reasonable. These countries have been at war for thousands of years. I’m out of shape after
being in a bottle for five hundred years.. I’m good but not THAT good! I don’t think it can be done. Make another wish and please be reasonable.”
The woman thought for a minute and said, “Well, I’ve never been able to find the right man. You know – one that’s considerate and fun, romantic,
likes to cook and help with the house cleaning, is good in bed, and gets along with my family, doesn’t watch sports all the time, and is faithful.
That is what I wish for…a good man.”
The genie let out a sigh and said, “Let me see the f*cking map again.”
EASYRIDERS ROCKS LONG BEACH THIS WEEKEND—
SATURDAY JANUARY 10, 2015
Location: Long Beach Convention Center, Halls B & C
300 E. Ocean Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90802
Event Date: Saturday January 10, 2015
Show Hours: 10am-7pm
Tickets: Sold at door the day of the show
Admission Adults: $20.00
Admission Kids: Ages 6-12: $10.00, Ages 5 & Younger: Free
Host Hotel: Hilton Long Beach
701 West Ocean Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90831
Ph (562) 983-3400
FEATURES
Sons Of Anarchy Star Tommy Flanagan “Chibs”
– VIP Meet & Greet
– General Public Autograph/Photo Session
***VIP Meet & Greet On Sale Monday November 17, 2014 At 1pm est***
Biker Battleground Phoenix: Meet the stars of Biker Battleground Phoenix, John Shoppe & Paul Yaffe
The Industry’s Top Vendors Showing Off All The Industry’s Latest Products
Dave Mann Original Art Display
Don’t Miss Hot New Announcer Lisa Ligon
Exciting All New Bike Show Classes
Compete for one of 40 custom Bike Show trophies and major bragging rights! Get your bike featured in Easyriders, V-Twin, Wrench or Road Iron magazines!
AND NOW FOR THE BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY OPEN 24/7–Definitive proof that Men Have Better Friends than Women!!!!…
Friendship among Women:
A woman didn’t come home one night. The next morning she told her husband that she had slept over at a friend’s house. The man called his wife’s 10 best friends. None of them knew anything about it.
Friendship among Men:
A man didn’t come home one night. The next morning he told his wife that he had slept over at a friend’s house. The woman called her husband’s 10 best friends. Eight confirmed that he had slept over, and two said he was still there.
THE WHOLE NINE YARDS
American fighter planes in WW2 had machine guns that were fed by a belt of cartridges. The average plane held belts that were 27 feet (9 yards) long. If the pilot used up all his ammo he was said to have given it the whole nine yards.
–from Jerry and Rogue
Becky Brown Joins Iron Trader News—
Women in the Wind Founder contributes unique content
Winston Salem, NC — Iron Trader News, the digital successor to IronWorks Magazine, announces a new contributor to the site’s unique content. Becky Brown, founder of Women in the Wind and three-time Hall of Famer, will join the ITN staff, effective immediately
“As Women in the Wind celebrates its 35th anniversary, there’s no one better than Becky to bring additional depth and perspective to ITN,” said ITN Editor Marilyn Stemp. “Having Becky on board is appropriate, too, because she was a columnist in the early days of IronWorks. We’re delighted to have her back on the editorial team.”
Added Becky: “It’s been over 20 years since I was a contributor to IronWorks and I believe that the biggest change in our motorcycle world since then is the popularity of the woman rider. We are now mainstream and not a rarity. I hope to shine a light on women who are making a difference as well as some of the men who have been consistently promoting our lifestyle. I have now been riding for 39 years but I feel that there is so much out there still to experience. Hopefully I can share some of those experiences with Iron Trader News readers.”
Watch for Becky’s input on Iron Trader News to buffer the original content currently available, including personality stories, road and gear tests, and input for riders of all interests and abilities. You don’t ride as long as Becky has without developing a host of valuable information and experience that every motorcycle rider can benefit from.
To read Becky’s contributions and tap into genuine, grassroots information and entertainment for authentic riders, visit Iron Trader News at www.IronTraderNews.com and Facebook/IronTraderNews.
MEET VALERIE THOMPSON 7X LAND SPEED RECORD HOLDER!–Valerie Thompson plans first-time visit to Canada with the Motorcycle & ATV Show series presented by Power Sports Services.
America’s Queen of Speed to make special appearances at the Canada Motorcycle & ATV Show series in January and February
Valerie Thompson, 7-time motorcycle land speed record holder and racing team owner, is headed to the “Great White North” to make four special appearances at the Canada Motorcycle & ATV Show series in January and February, including:
· Calgary (Jan. 9)
· Edmonton (Jan 16)
· Vancouver – Abbotsford (Jan 23)
· Toronto (Feb 20)
The Motorcycle & ATV Show, produced by Power Sports Services, is a once a year opportunity to get a sneak peak at all the new 2015 motorcycles, ATV’s, and scooters from leading manufacturers. The multi-day events showcase everything related to riding, including gear, apparel, aftermarket accessories, touring destinations, charity rides and clubs and associations.
“We are very excited to have the talented Valerie Thompson at our shows. Thanks to BMW Motorrad Canada, show attendees in Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto and Vancouver will have the opportunity to meet Valerie and discuss her 7 land speed titles,” said Laurie Paetz, Show Manager.
To celebrate the phenomenal growth in female motorcycle ridership over the last decade, the Calgary show will offer half-price admission to all ladies on Friday, Jan. 9 after 5:00 p.m. for the “SHE RIDES NITE” event. Thompson will make a celebrity guest appearance thanks to BMW Motorrad Canada. Industry experts will be on hand to answer questions and provide professional advice on bikes, accessories and special apparel specially designed for female riders.
“The great folks at Power Sports Services are known as true professionals in the world of motorsports, so I was very excited when they contacted me about this show series. I have a lot of fans in Canada and look forward to meeting many of them. I can’t thank PSS and BMW Motorrad Canada enough for making this opportunity possible,” said Thompson.
In addition to seven motorcycle land speed records, Thompson is an official member of the BUB Speed Trials 201 MPH Club, Mojave Magnum 200 MPH Club, Texas Mile 200 MPH Club, ECTA 200 MPH Club and a lifetime member of the prestigious Bonneville 200 MPH Club.
For more information on show hours, ticket prices, features and list of exhibitors, visit www.calgarymotorcycleshow.ca
BIKERNET MEDICAL CENTER FINDINGS—Scientists at Harvard University may have discovered a way to help you lose weight—just by taking a pill. The human body has two kinds of fat cells: white cells, which store excess calories in the form of flab, and brown cells, which burn energy to produce heat.
In laboratory tests, Cowan and his team worked with human stem cells that would normally develop into white fat cells. After screening more than 1,000 chemical compounds, they found two—including a medicine that’s currently used to treat rheumatoid arthritis—that made the white cells convert into brown cells. The team will now begin testin the compounds in mice.
LETS START OFF THE NEW YEAR WITH A SUPER SPECIAL ON OUR TOURING RACKS WE HAVE THEM AT $219.95 IN CHROME OR BLACK
METALSPORT WHEELS
10112 MILLER WAY
SOUTH GATE, CA 90280
PH# 562-7769594
FAX# 562-7769635
www.metalsportwheels.com
BIKERNET QUOTE OF THE WEEK—“Every idle moment is treason.” –Thomas Carlyle, quoted in the Boston Herald, from the Week Magazine
SOTO CONTINUES TO ROLL WITH HIS DAD—Jeremiah jammed to the headquarters. He wanted to place some of his dad’s ashes in a container and run it on his Dyna, but the dinky container lost it’s loop connector.
We brazed it back together and he was good to go.
–Bandit
FROM THE OLD PICTURE FILE--My sister found this old pic emailed it to
me. This in my Panhead/Shovelhead days. The ladies are my younger sisters at the
one on the left’s wedding.
I grew up with twin sisters. Believe me they are a real study. It is true about how they know what each other is thinking.
They also have a very real way of communicating with each other. They are special for sure. Sadly my sister Linda, the one on the right in the picture lost her battle with breast cancer back in ’96. It just devastated Laura my other sister on the left. They were born on Thanksgiving November 28th 1957.
–Pablo
QUOTE OF THE DAY FROM A READER—If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.
– Henry David Thoreau
–from AD at the Midnight express Motorcycle Co.
BIKERNET TRAVEL ALERT—Avoid flying. To maximize profits, airlines are reducing both the width of the seats and the space between rows so they can jam as many seats as possible into coach according to Barbara Peterson in Conde` Nast Traveler. United’s 737s now fit 166 people in a space once designed for 152. The list goes on. But flights are 50 percent cheaper than they use to be according to Daniel Drezner in the WashingtonPost.com.
–from the Week Magazine
SOA CONNECTION TO BIKERNET—
You know, I got that quote from Charlie Hunnam while listening to him on a Nerdist.com podcast. Aside from me being a monster fan of the show (SOA), I also find him a very interesting guy who always seems to say the right things and being seemingly well grounded and funny, and very charming to boot.
Well heck, he spent seven years in Charming, so… 🙂 But anyway, I thought him to be a very insightful guy for his age (34), quoting Thoreau and all, and speaking about his own “existential crisis” as he is known to refer to it now and then (I can relate…). So, he keeps it at bay by staying busy and immersing himself in interesting projects and doing good work that he can be proud of.
In any event, I just broke down and bought a copy of Thoreau’s ‘Walden‘ on Amazon last night and will probably devour it when it arrives (hardcopy).
–Andreas
Midnight Express Motorcycle Co
San Clemente, Calif. USA
BUFFALO CHIP NEWS–Evel Knievel’s Terrifying Failed Jump to be Attempted at Sturgis Buffalo Chip
Evel’s broken bones X-rays, skycycle rocket, jump bikes and other curiosities will be part of Evel Knievel Thrill Show
Sturgis, SD (January 6, 2015) – The name Evel Knievel is synonymous with daredevil. He was the undisputed king of stunt showmanship–the man who made motorcycles fly. He enthralled audiences with his nonchalance as he faced death-defying exploits that left him with a record-breaking number of fractured or crushed bones, a permanent limp and the adoration of millions. This August, the spirit of Knievel will come to life at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip in a spectacular thrill show unlike any organized before.
The Evel Knievel Thrill Show will consist of the largest collection of Evel Knievel curiosities ever assembled, including the Skycycle, x-rays of his numerous broken bones, the now famous “Sports Illustrated” leathers and cape, and the Mack truck show-rig he named “Big Red.”
The Thrill Show will also include a dangerous attempt at an unsuccessful Evel Knievel world-record jump on the same bike that failed Evel and ultimately lead to his defeat. On Aug. 6, 2015, daredevil Doug Danger will attempt a 22-car jump on Evel Knievel’s vintage 1972 Harley-Davidson XR-750 in the middle of the Sturgis Buffalo Chip amphitheater.
Knievel attempted a jump over a line of 22 cars on September 1, 1972 in Monroe, Washington. His crew warned that the bike would not attain the speed needed to clear the distance, but because Knievel insisted on doing the jump, they built a safety ramp over the last three cars. Knievel bounce-landed on the safety ramp and left defeated. More than 40 years later, Doug Danger is set to attempt the same jump on Knievel’s own bike and clear the 22nd car. Knievel’s bike has not been altered with the exception of moving a foot peg to accommodate Danger’s height. Another daredevil attempted this jump in 2001, and it ended in a horrific crash.
“This is an incredibly difficult and terrifying jump,” said Buffalo Chip President Rod Woodruff. “We are doing all we can to make sure Doug Danger lands safely, but that bike was not built for a jump like this. We really hope he can make it.”
“This is the one jump Evel couldn’t make; he failed. I’m determined to succeed where he fell short,” Danger said. “I know it’s dangerous, but death has had me by the throat twice in my life, and I spit in its face. When God’s ready, he’ll take me.”
The Evel Knievel Thrill Show curiosities will be located in the CrossRoads area at the Buffalo Chip July 31 – Aug. 8, entrance fee, paid in advance, is only $10. Doug Danger will attempt the record-breaking jump on Knievel’s XR-750 in the Buffalo Chip amphitheater on Thursday, Aug. 6. Campground day passes for Thursday will be available beginning Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 5pm at BuffaloChip.com or by calling the Buffalo Chip box office at 605-347-9000.
NEW TEXAS LEGISLATION FROM THE MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION-–
New law in Texas requires all motorcycles that are designed to have a passenger must have foot pegs and handholds for the passenger.
–Jeff Hennie
Vice President Government Relations and Public Affairs
Motorcycle Riders Foundation
Office-202 546 0983
Cell-202 725 5471
1325 G street NW
Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005
www.mrf.org
INSPIRATIONAL BIKERNET QUOTE—“The highest calling of leadership is to unlock the potential of others.”—Carly Fiorina, quoted in the HuffingtonPost.com
–from the Week Magazine
1974 KAWASAKI HEADS TO AUCTION—This is Kent Riche’s (AirTech) 1974 Kawasaki 4 cl racer, Rickman cowling…we lensed this yesterday in a fairly idyllic Oceanside spot.
We noticed, however, that cars came and went constantly. People dropped in on creaky motorbikes, and one guy backed his truck right on down into the woods below us. These did not appear to be Audubon Society birders or healthy hikers.
We re-named the area Tweakerville, or, Tweaktown. Judiciously, we opted not to drop down and visit the folks within, and we’re back home, safe and the bike’s gone to the big auctions in Las Vegas.
–Markus
If you are interested in this bike reach out to Kent quick. Auctions are costly endeavors.–Bandit
DEI Introduces Onyx Series Flexible Heat Shield
The next generation heat shield has arrived–
Avon Lake, OH (January 6, 2015)…DEI Powersports has launched the next generation of heat protection performance using a combination of advanced textiles and a reliable standoff bracket design. DEI’s new ONYX Series™ Flexible Heat Shield, available in a rich black finish, looks great and outperforms other conventional heat shields currently on the market.
For improved thermal performance, DEI joined two durable materials together to form a dual-layer design. The outer layer is made from heat-treated glass fiber impregnated with molten aluminum; formed into a tight weave for added durability and strength. The inside material is made of a specially treated, high temperature resistant fabric (89% silica) capable of withstanding extreme exhaust heat – up to 1350°F. The outer edge features a surge stitch for improved durability. All hardware is stainless steel.
This proprietary textile technology combined with DEI’s unique shield standoff bracket design provides maximum potential for cooling and heat dissipation. In addition to use in external applications to protect legs and boots, DEI’s flexible heat shield can also be used as a barrier between the exhaust and plastic bodywork, suspension components, or electrical harnesses. Designed to be flexible, the shield fits many different applications and pipe diameters.
Part: Flexible Heat Shield, 4”x 8” Black
Part #: 902455
MSRP: $44.95
Availability: Now
To learn more about DEI’s new heat shield (part #902466), or any of DEI’s complete line of thermal control products for powersports call 800-264-9472, visit https://www.deipowersports.com, or email sales@DesignEngineering.com. Keep up with the very latest product developments and company news for DEI on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter or subscribe to DEI’s newsletter here.
SUPER BAD BIKER CHARITY--It is supposed to be a BIKER Charity and I have reported on this before and now Florida WESH TV is investigating it.
I suggest People Do Not Support This Organization.
ORMOND BEACH, Fla. —For the past three months, WESH 2 News Investigates has been digging into an Ormond Beach charity that claims it provides assistance to those who are hurt by drunken drivers.
WESH 2 News investigative reporter Matt Grant followed the money all the way to Miami to find out how Daytona-based “Bikers Against Drunk Drivers” is spending your donations.
As a former cop, Joe Parrish is used to being quick on his feet, but these days just getting around is a struggle.
“It’s been pure hell,” Parrish said.
In April, Parrish was riding his Harley when he was run off the road by a drunken driver. After seven surgeries to repair two broken bones, his doctor says he could lose his leg.
The bills could ruin him. A friend referred Parrish to Bikers Against Drunk Drivers, or BADD.
BADD’s mission is to raise awareness and offer victims financial assistance.
Parrish, who’s on two medications to save his leg, says BADD agreed to pay for the less expensive one.
Parrish said BADD helped him tremendously.
Records show BADD gave Parrish more than $1,300 dollars for his medicine, but WESH 2 News Investigates found most of the charity’s donations are not going to help victims.
According to state records, in 2012 BADD took in about $879,000, but gave less than one percent — about $8,700 — to victims.
Instead, the organization spent about $200,000 on rent, nearly $32,000 on bank charges, about $28,000 on a prize display, nearly $7,000 on supplies, about $6,600 on postage and shipping and approximately $13,000 on advertising, state records show.
The year before, BADD reported revenue of nearly a million dollars but gave only about $9,200 to victims, while spending nearly half a million on professional fund raisers.
“I think that’s completely pathetic,” said president of Charity Navigator, Ken Berger.
Officials from two of the largest non-profit charity watch dogs in the United States reviewed BADD’s returns and said they don’t add up.
Berger says he would give BADD a zero rating.
“A miniscule amount of the money is going to meet the mission. Any time we see that happening we get very concerned,” Berger said.
In 2010, BADD reported about $912,000 in total revenue while giving only 0.2 percent — just $2,400 — to victims.
BADD has been around for 28 years and is known for its motorcycle giveaways.
At Destination Daytona, under a tattered American flag, we found what BADD lists as their “global headquarters,” but a woman running the counter did not want to talk to us.
WESH 2 News Investigates wanted to hear directly from the charity’s founder, Danny Perkins, but after more than a month of trying it didn’t happen.
Despite showing his face on a $1,600-a-month billboard, Perkins would not meet with WESH 2 News Investigates in person, citing health and legal reasons.
–from Rogue
UNCLE MONKEY ON STURGIS 2015–A new year. 2015 is finally here. It is going to be a busy year hopefully highlighted with the 75th anniversary of Sturgis in the Blackhills in August. I’ve got my tickets already.
It also means that the deadline for having the RoadKing finished is that much closer. With a focus on spending more time and less money this holiday season little progress was made. It might bite me in the ass come summer but for me it recharge my batteries.
It seems like it was a common thread this season with many of my friends. It may be the beginning of trend. Society may have become so saturated with possessions, having the latest gadget that people are finally realizing that it is family and friends and the time we spend with them is more important.
With that being said commercialism is alive and well with parts starting to slowly flow in. The feeling of Christmas stretches through the year when you are building bikes on a budget. The UPS man becomes Santa Claus, becomes a good friend bringing parts.
True satisfaction comes when you take that new part out of the box and it fits exactly like it is suppose to. When building custom bikes times like that can be few and far between. Of course that doesn’t mean it stops there. The basic part is just the jumping off point.
Hours will now be spent working it, tweaking it until it is unique. Sure it could have been made from scratch but sometimes doing that is just beating your self up, beating the clock to death. Unless you’re chasing the salt no one is scratch building a carb.
The RoadKing is beginning to look like a bike again, beginning to be a living-breathing thing again. A few more parts, a few more late nights and it will be ready for paint. Until then I keep counting my nickels and dimes hoping that there will be enough for the next part.
–bad Uncle Monkey
V-Twin EXPO 2015 DISPLAYS THE LATEST AND THE GREATEST--15th annual V-Twin Expo to see exhibitor growth?
WITH the 15th annual V-Twin Expo at Cincinnati, Ohio, fast approaching, final preparations are underway for an event that many in the industry will be hoping will be an event that will show that the wider economic recovery is starting to trickle down convincingly into significant custom parts and accessory revenue growth.
Speaking with Easyriders Events’ show organizer Jim Betlach in mid-December, it is apparent that the show continues to attract representation from pretty much all the ‘core-competency’ vendors in the market, and that there may be some signs of increased vendor confidence.
“There are very few, if any, of what you would term the principal ‘players’ in the market who will not be at V-Twin Expo again in 2015, one way or another. Many continue to manage their booth size and other expo related spends carefully, but if anything, we are going to have a few more new and returning exhibitors this time.
“That is a good sign for the show, but above all it is a good sign for the market. The show has served the specialty interests of the custom v-twin market through thick and thin,” says Betlach.
“This will be the 15th year that V-Twin Expo will have reflected the highly specialized nature of custom market businesses, and there’s no question that V-Twin Expo will remain the primary market-specific expo for years to come.
“If we are now going to start seeing stabilization in vendor and visitor numbers, then that gives the market a platform on which to build.
“I have long maintained that for so long as people want to ride Harleys and build custom bikes, there will be a need for an independent business opportunity such as that provided by V-Twin Expo.
“Where else can dealers meet so many of the vendors they could be buying from in such a concentrated way than at a show that is built for that purpose?”
“This is the only show I attend each year to find out what’s new in the industry,” said Bandit. “It’s the only place on the planet showcasing the entire V-Twin industry under one roof. I can’t miss it.”
V-Twin Expo has now successfully adjusted its timings to accommodate the two biggest issues that vendor feedback provided. The timing now avoids the distractions of Superbowl Sunday, always the first Sunday of February, and the decision to abandon the Monday has been proven to be in everyone’s best interests in the context of recessionary pressures.
The 2015 V-Twin Expo will open its doors at 9:00 am on Saturday February 7th (to 6:00 pm) at the downtown Duke Energy Convention Center, Elm Street, Cincinnati, and 9:00 am Sunday February 8th (to 5:00 pm).
BRAND New Bikernet Reader Comment!—
Doin Time? – 2010 FLTRX Transformed at Paul Yaffe’s Bagger Nation
http://www.bikernetbaggers.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=12908
Congratulations on the 10-year mark! Your bike is what a custom bagger should be: clean, subtle and rideable. The smile on your face tells the story
–Anson
Bayou Country, LA
THE BIKERNET HUPY/ABRAHAM LEGAL INVESTIGATION OF THE WEEK— A Sliver of Positive Light Shines on Fourth Amendment Challenges
Tony “Pan” Sanfelipo
We’ve read a lot about traffic stops and Fourth Amendment violations, but from Illinois there comes a glimmer of hope…at least in certain circumstances.
A traffic stop is considered a “seizure” under the Fourth Amendment, and an officer must have a reasonable, articulable suspicion of criminal conduct when stopping a motorist.
Once stopped, the courts have held that an officer could investigate other issues besides the reason for the initial stop, as long as that did not unreasonably prolong the detention of the motorist.
During this time, officers will routinely engage in seemingly friendly conversation with a driver, trying to detect the presence of alcohol or odor of marijuana, or assessing the driver for nervousness or suspicious behavior. They may also ask for consent to search the vehicle.
Although traffic stops are seizures, they are unlike formal arrests, and more like investigative detentions. The question is how long is a reasonable detention and what can the officer investigate during that detention?
In People v. Cummings, 2014 IL 115769, the Illinois Supreme Court said that the length of time an officer may detain a driver is bound by the reason for the detention; if that reason no longer exists, any delay past that point is unreasonable.
In the above cited case, Derrick Cummings was driving a van owned by a woman, Pearlene Chattic, who had a warrant out for her arrest. A Sterling, Illinois police officer came upon the van and thought the license plate had expired.
Upon a radio check of the license plate, he was informed that the registration was valid but that the owner of the van had an open warrant. The officer could not see the driver of the van so he activated his lights and approached the van after it pulled over. He knew Chattic, the owner, was a woman, and upon reaching the driver’s window he was able to see that Cummings was a man.
No moving violation or mechanical violation had taken place and the only reason the van was stopped was the open warrant on Chattic. As the officer explained the reason for the stop, he asked Cummings for his license and proof of insurance. Cummings had a suspended license and was later charged with a Class 4 felony, driving while license suspended. He filed a motion to suppress the evidence.
His motion was granted but the state appealed. Appellate court upheld the motion and the case wound up in the Illinois Supreme Court.
The initial stop was justified because the officer knew the owner of the van had a warrant out, but as soon as he approached the window and saw the driver was a man, the reason for the stop had ended. No other violation was suspected and the officer’s request for identification further prolonged the duration of the stop. That was a violation of Cummings Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure.
It might be common practice for police to request a person’s driver’s license anytime a motorist has been lawfully stopped, but that “seizure” can become unlawful if it prolongs the detention after the initial reason for the stop has evaporated.
There was no reasonable suspicion that Cummings was not properly licensed and the request to see his license became an unlawful detention because no Fourth Amendment justification for the stop remained after the officer realized that Cummings was not a woman.
It’s important to note that what the court was saying is that the mere questioning or request for identification by police does not constitute a seizure under the Fourth Amendment, but that the questioning may render the physical detention unreasonable. The request for Cummings driver’s license had to be tethered to the original reason for the stop.
This is a narrow window of Fourth Amendment protection, but it is important to know that you may have a case if you are unreasonably detained during a traffic stop. If you are pulled over for speeding, it’s reasonable to be detained long enough for an officer to write a citation.
It is unreasonable to be further detained while a canine drug unit conducts a sniff and walk-around past the time it takes for you to be handed your ticket. If the dog alerts and contraband is found, that evidence might be subject to suppression, according to People v. Cummings.
Of course, engaging in seemingly harmless conversation during the initial stage of the stop could alert the officer to other suspicions, thus further reason to heed the warning not to talk to police during a stop, and certainly never consent to a search of your vehicle. Consensual conversation and searches are not afforded the same Fourth Amendment protections.
Know your rights or you don’t have them.
You can get free information, rights cards and more at http://www.hupy.com/reports/
KLOCK WERKS POWERED BY KICKER— “Loud Bagger” Featured at Consumer Electronics Show, January 6-9, 2015!
If you didn’t get a chance to see the Klock Werks Powered by Kicker Audio “Loud” Bagger at SEMA, perhaps you can check it out during the CES (Consumer Electronics Show) show in Las Vegas at the Kicker Audio booth, January 6-9, 2015. If CES isn’t on your schedule, Klock Werks is proud to announce that the bike will also be featured in the March issue of Hot Bike Magazine, on newsstands January 6th 2015!
The 1999 FLHT standard is “loud” on many levels. Between the “loud” paint scheme laid down by Brad Smith of theFactoryMatch.com, to the seven pairs of KICKER power sports and marine style speakers, to the 12” sub stacked in the tour pack – this bagger is “loud” enough to surely get your attention. The Kicker PXiBT50.2 controller directs the Bluetooth audio.
The FLHT sports a “loud” stance with wide 180 tires on both front and rear wheels. Modified Klock Werks front and rear fenders, Klock Werks curvaceous upper fillers, flush mount axle, and KlipHanger “Splitter” handle bars were all used to kustomize this bike. Other partners on the project include Performance Machine, Progressive Suspension, Bagger Nation, Speed by Design, Fairing Factory, Barnett Performance, and Kinetik/UPG Battery.
This “Loud Bagger” was first revealed to the public at the Kicker booth during the SEMA show in November 2014, Las Vegas Nevada.
KICKER Performance Audio and Klock Werks Kustom Cycles joined forces to bring motorcycle riders the clearest and loudest audio equipment available, specifically designed and tuned for power sports applications. The Klock Werks Powered by KICKER Audio Fit Kits include speakers that fit into factory openings, small footprint amp that mounts inconspicuously using the provided custom stainless steel bracket, and the included custom wiring harness offers 100% plug-n-play installation. Also included in the FIT KIT is all necessary hardware and instructions for easy installation for Harley, Victory, Kawasaki, and Indian motorcycle fitments, and more products are on the horizon.
“This opportunity to team up with a reputable company in the bagger world gives us instant validation in a segment where we think we can make an impact and bring the legendary KICKER sound to motorcycle enthusiasts everywhere,” said Roger Demaree, KICKER Brand Evangelist. “The Klock Werks family is a team of outstanding people with a ton of talent and we’re looking for good things to come from the partnership.”
“Having a brand like KICKER to join forces with really concretes us into the marketplace,” said Brian Klock, founder and president of Klock Werks. “We hope to raise the bar for quality bagger audio into the foreseeable future.”
You can’t miss the loud bagger at Booth #1719, at CES, January 6-9, 2015, in Las Vegas, and learn more about the Klock Werks Powered by Kicker Audio FIT KITS at www.kustombaggers.com.
Be sure to pick up the March issue of Hot Bike Magazine, on newsstands January 6th 2015 to read more and see more pictures of this loud bagger!
New HISTORIC Bikernet Reader Comment!—
A Touch of Tattoo History
http://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=10282
Got my first tattoo there during my Navy days. May 1974. I still have the business card with the cleaning instructions on the back.
–Ken Johnson
Rosemount, MN
Round ‘Em Up Cowgirl!
Round Up of Articles from the Bikernet Family of websites.
Old School/New School Reunion
11th Annual Ventura Chopperfest 2014. Story and Photos by Paul Garson.
A record crowd of show bikes and spectators filled the spacious grounds of the Ventura County Fairgrounds this past Sunday, December 14th to celebrate the 11th Annual Chopperfest. They were able to shop for that particular bike part or Christmas gift with some 200 vendors and swap meet booths to enjoy.
There was a special exhibition of biker art in homage to David Mann. Not only was the ground vibrating with the sounds of hundreds of bikes rolling into the Fairground but also thanks to the rockin’ sound track for the day long party. The music was provided this year by three bands which included the Harlis Sweetwater Band, the WOW Factor, and the Gilby Clarke Band (Gilby played with Guns and Roses).
1914 Feilbach Limited
The Great Unremembered Threat to Harley-Davidson, Story and Photos by Paul Garson.
Arthur Otto Feilbach and his brother William tinkered together their first machine within their small home garage. This was coincidentally in the same vicinity and at the same time as Harley-Davidson was housed across town in a 10 x 15 foot shed. Apparently the wrenches were flying at both shops with H-D selling their first machine in 1903 although the bikes first appeared in the historical records in 1904. ?
Then for the next five years the Feilbachs went at it and managed to build a limited number of motorcycles which quickly earned a reputation for being well-engineered and reliable mounts. Customers were also somewhat limited to the Milwaukee and Wisconsin state area because there was no advertising available. It was home grown and home sold.
Australian MC Club Update
The Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment (VLAD) Act.
Introduction: On 16 October, 2014, the Liberal National Party dominated state of Queensland’s parliament passed three pieces of bikie-related legislation, including the bill that would become the Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment (VLAD) Act. Under the VLAD Act, a “vicious lawless associate” found guilty of any criminal offence listed in the legislation, from the smallest drug possession charge up, would serve a mandatory prison term of up to 25 years on top of their sentence.
The Tattoo Parlours Act bans members of criminal associations and their associates from operating, working in or owning tattoo parlours. The Criminal Law (Criminal Organisations Disruption) Amendment Act amends various pieces of legislation to label 26 motorcycle clubs as criminal organisations and ban their members from congregating in groups of more than three or meeting at their clubhouses.
The Queensland government would go on to establish a “bikies only” prison, where inmates may be dressed in fluoro pink overalls.
Interesting Facts About Prisons and Their Prisoners
Prisons employ and exploit the ideal worker.
Prisons employ and exploit the ideal worker. Prisoners do not receive benefits or pensions. They are not paid overtime. They are forbidden to organize and strike. They must show up on time.
They are not paid for sick days or granted vacations. They cannot formally complain about working conditions or safety hazards. If they are disobedient, or attempt to protest their pitiful wages, they lose their jobs and can be sent to isolation cells.
“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” -George Bernard Shaw
Mistress Chris
Women’s Editor
SMOKEOUT 16 ACTION ALERT— Edge: “I Just Like It”
A couple weeks ago we released a one-minute parody of a somewhat pompous commercial for Lincoln cars. It is probably great advertising for Lincoln because we are obviously still talking about it.
Our take on it was solely to get a good laugh but you really have to see the original first to get it. We got tons of comments and some of them were better than our meager attempt at humor. A lot of people thought we were being serious which is even funnier because… for example, I don’t think anyone is ever going to pay me to ride a motorcycle, mainly because I’m not famous and almost assuredly never will be. However, I am open to the idea of riding for cash. Have your people call my people. (click for video)
The best price that you will ever get on Smoke Out tickets this year ends January 17th. I hope your new year is off to a great start
– Edge
DR. FENG’S ONE OF 100 TASKS OF LIFE—This actually comes from the teachings of the Venerable Master Hsing Yun. But Dr. Feng, the Bikernet master of Feng Shui picked it out of the 100 tasks of life:
Be sharp in your observations, consider all angles, and be tolerant and encompassing of others. Futhermore, welcome new thinking, new ideas, new concepts, and new styles. In particular, allow sequential thinking so as to increase the depth of your thoughts.
DAV NEWS—Not only does the DAV advocate for the rights of you and your family, and provide free professional assistance in obtaining VA benefits, but as a DAV member you join 1.2 million of your fellow veterans throughout the nation.—James Torres, Sr. Vice Commander
I constantly run into old bikers who were in the service but never looked into the programs available to veterans. We, as Vietnam veterans often returned home with a bad taste in our mouths about the Vietnam conflict. But the VA has tremendous programs for all veterans, including their healthcare program.
If you’re an aging vet and you need assistance with anything from health to a home loan, reach out to the DAV, Disabled American Veterans. They will help.–Bandit
WILD CAR DEAL OF THE WEEK–$6.885 Million 1956 Corvette SR-2
The team at Corvette Mike of Southern California is proud to offer, by “PRIVATE TREATY” and for the first time ever to the general public, the iconic 1956 Corvette SR-2 Sebring Racer: the very first General Motors purpose built Corvette Racer. The car will be displayed at Scottsdale Sport & Classic Autocars from Jan. 12-14, and can be seen from 12 pm – 5 pm. Be sure to RSVP by email (reception@corvettemike.com) for the cocktail reception on Jan. 14 from 6-9 pm.
During the formative years of the Chevrolet Corvette a very special “purpose built” race car was designed and built with the intention of taking on the titans of racing, Ferrari, Jaguar, Porsche and Maserati, at long distance events such as Le Mans. The car was named the SR-2, otherwise known as the Sebring Racer or Special Racer. There were only three built, and this is number 1.
Some would say there is nothing quite like the love a man has for his son; such is the story we have here. The man was Harley Earl, father of Jerome “Jerry” C. Earl and father of the Corvette. No one was more devoted to the Corvette than Harley Earl, who envisioned and championed the creation of the first true American Sports Car in 1953. Jerry was racing a Ferrari in 1956 when his father told him to sell it, as he, with the help of General Motors, would build him a special racing Corvette. This is the backdrop for what is the first General Motors designed and sponsored Corvette Racer, the SR-2.
–Dupont Registry
WEEKLY BIKERNET BAD BANK REPORT–‘Zombie’ homes get facelift after Center report. Wells Fargo makes repairs to properties stuck in limbo in St. Petersburg
By Alison Fitzgerald, Center for Public Integrity
Wells Fargo & Co. has been improving dozens of abandoned properties in St. Petersburg, Florida, that had fallen into disrepair after the lender foreclosed on loans tied to the homes.
The San Francisco-based bank has been working with city officials to fix up the ailing properties after a Center for Public Integrity report in September showed how the derelict homes have hurt neighborhoods in some hard-hit cities.
“We have received quite a bit of attention from Wells Fargo and they have been improving the priority list of properties we sent to them,” said Mike Dove, St. Petersburg’s neighborhood affairs administrator, who has been mapping abandoned, foreclosed homes in his city by lender in an effort to get the banks’ help with upkeep.
Dove said Wells officials contacted him the day after the Center report was published on Sept. 15.
The Center story showed how “zombie” homes — vacant homes that are stuck in some state of foreclosure for months or even years — can fall into disrepair because homeowners often leave after receiving foreclosure notices. But the actual foreclosure cases can take years to complete. The empty homes are often neglected by the banks until they regain title, and they pull down the value of other homes in their neighborhoods.
Florida was especially hard hit when the 2008 financial crisis and subsequent economic slowdown led to declines in home values. Millions of homes went into foreclosure.
Today, six years after the peak of the crisis, there are 35,913 “zombie” homes in the state, out of a total of 162,644 properties in some stage of foreclosure, according to RealtyTrac, a real estate industry market research firm.
The Tampa-St. Petersburg area stands out, with 7,509 abandoned homes out of 26,810 properties in foreclosure. Dove said in September that 800 properties within St. Petersburg’s city limits listed Wells Fargo as the lender or mortgage servicer. Of those, 84 were unoccupied and 54 were listed as “problem properties.”
Once the bank contacted Dove in September, things began to happen quickly. By November, the city had sent a Wells Fargo representative assigned to the issue a list of properties that were in disrepair. By last month, the company had corrected the problems on 19 homes and was working on another 11. The city had already demolished two homes and another is now occupied. A handful more are boarded up with no exterior violations, which city officials consider to be stable and secure.
As of now, Wells has addressed the problems in more than 64 percent of those homes, city officials said.
Wells Fargo spokesman Tom Goyda said the company has addressed problems at the properties in St. Petersburg where it had legal authority to do so. He said some were occupied and others were sold.
Wells actions are significant in a city like St. Petersburg, which has been struggling to prevent abandoned homes from spreading blight. When homeowners and banks walk away from a property, the city is left with the responsibility for the home. Sometimes it wants to fix it up and sell, sometimes it wants to tear it down. But St. Petersburg doesn’t have the resources to deal with all the vacant homes.
St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman in a statement said he was pleased with the bank’s actions and that the city looks forward to “a continuing relationship to eliminate the blighting impact these properties can have on neighborhoods if they are not maintained.”
5 Ball Racing Leathers – Convertible Special Ops Jacket
The Buffalo Leather Special Ops (12 Pocket) Jacket has zip-off sleeves and converts into Special Ops Vest. With two conceal and carry pockets they are boot tough and rattlesnake slick! http://www.5ballracingleathers.com
Team Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing is grateful for the support of their sponsors: Yoshimura R&D, Suzuki Motor of America, Dunlop, Motorex, Showa, Renthal, Vortex, Renegade Rentals, Shorai, Elf Racing Fuels, Seven, Hinson Clutch Components, RG3, Matrix, Works Connection, GET, Excel, NGK, D.I.D., Twin Air, Moto Tassinari, Roy’s Cyclery, Gut’s Racing Products, Mechanix Wear, Kokusan Denki, N-Style and Ogio.
To learn more about Yoshimura and view their wide variety of performance products, visit www.yoshimura-rd.com.
–Jake Klingensmith
Team Yoshimura Suzuki Racing PR
The Creative Works
5362 Bolsa Avenue, Suite A
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
714-546-2088 office
714-501-6549 mobile
jake@thecreativeworks.com
Police: Tailgating led to woman’s stabbing
Motorcyclist was stabbed in the throat after confrontation related to road rage incident
By J.D. Gallop, FLORIDA TODAY
A 41-year-old motorcyclist is out of surgery and recovering after Palm Bay police said she was stabbed in the throat during a confrontation with another woman over an earlier tailgating incident.
Now detectives are trying to determine if the stabbing — which took place about 7 p.m. Monday near the Winn-Dixie store at 190 Malabar Road — was actually an act of self-defense by the motorist caught off guard by the confrontation as she walked out of a store.
“The best we can gather from witnesses is that it started as a road rage incident. We believe someone was being tailgated and it escalated into a physical confrontation, and now we have a woman in the (hospital) with a cut to her throat,” said Detective Steve Hill of the Palm Bay Police Department. Hill is also reviewing surveillance video from the shopping plaza.
Police said the unidentified woman who ended up getting stabbed had earlier been riding a motorcycle with her boyfriend when the tailgating incident happened.
The other woman in a vehicle pulled off into the Winn-Dixie shopping plaza.
“The woman went into Winn-Dixie to shop and when she came out, she was confronted by the woman who was riding the motorcycle,” said Yvonne Martinez, spokeswoman for the Palm Bay Police Department.
“The other woman had a knife of some sort and didn’t even realize that she stabbed the other woman. She left the area but contacted dispatchers after it happened,” said Martinez. The woman then turned herself in.
Police officers moved in quickly to shut down traffic in and around the crime scene, located a few feet from the grocery store. Richard Quinn, a witness to the stabbing, told officers that he was out to pick up a pizza at Little Caesar’s for his family when he saw the two women arguing.
“There were these two women arguing and I said, ‘Hey, what you two ladies doing. … Cut that (expletive) out,” he said.
“I got there trying to break it up, but I didn’t know why they were arguing. Then the biker lady took a swing at the other one. “The biker girl was really aggressive. I didn’t see a knife. … I got three daughters, you know? I just hated to see that.”
Police said the woman was stabbed in the throat and staggered for a few feet before collapsing.
The medical helicopter landed in the parking area near Ace Hardware, across the street from the City Hall Complex and the Palm Bay Police Department headquarters. Crime scene tape roped off the area near Little Caesar’s and the Dollar Tree discount store. The woman who was stabbed was rushed to surgery late Monday at Holmes Regional Medical Center. An investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information in the case is asked to call police at 321-952-3456.
Contact Gallop at 321-242-3642, Twitter.com/jdgallop or jdgallop@floridatoday.com.
–from Rogue
BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY STILL OPEN–You don’t stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing!
Morris and his wife Esther went to the state fair every year, and every year Morris would say, ‘Esther, I’d like to ride in that helicopter.’
Esther always replied, ‘I know Morris, but that helicopter ride is fifty dollars, and fifty dollars is fifty dollars’
One year Esther and Morris went to the fair, and Morris said, ‘Esther, I’m 85 years old. If I don’t ride that helicopter, I might never get another chance.’
To this, Esther replied, ‘Morris that helicopter ride is fifty dollars, and fifty dollars is fifty dollars.’
The pilot overheard the couple and said, ‘Folks I’ll make you a deal. I’ll take the both of you for a ride. If you can stay quiet for the entire ride and not say a word, I won’t charge you! But if you say one word, it’s fifty dollars.’
Morris and Esther agreed and up they went. The pilot did all kinds of fancy maneuvers, but not a word was heard. He did his daredevil tricks over and over again, but still not a word.
When they landed, the pilot turned to Morris and said, ‘By golly, I did everything I could to get you to yell out, but you didn’t. I’m impressed!’
Morris replied, ‘Well, to tell you the truth, I almost said something when Esther fell out, but you know, fifty dollars is fifty dollars!
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT WORD OF THE DAY—Cogitation:
noun
1. concerted thought or reflection; meditation; contemplation: After hours of cogitation he came up with a new proposal.
Quotes
How could I suggest anything, do you think I know what I have in mind, the captain responded whimsically after long cogitation, shaking his head for emphasis.
Origin
Cogitation is derived from the Middle English word cogitaciun. The suffix -ion denotes action or conditions, as in opinion.
BIKERNET BAD POLITICIAN FILES—
It is about time Corrupt Politicians Go To Jail.
We need to see more of this.
Ex-Va. governor sentenced to 2 years for corruption
‘It breaks my heart,’ judge says of duty
–by Nick Ochsner, WVEC-TV, Hampton-Norfolk, Va.
Former Virginia governor Bob McDonnell, who asked a judge Tuesday for mercy for his wife and himself, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for public corruption.
McDonnell was convicted Sept. 4 of trading access to the power of the governor’s office for more than $165,000 in loans and high-end gifts. Prosecutors had wanted him to spend more than 10 years in prison, but early in the hearing Judge James Spencer said federal officials misinterpreted guidelines, saying the range was more like 6 1 / 2 to eight years.
Then Spencer discarded the recommendations but rejected 6,000 hours of community service that McDonnell’s lawyers wanted. “It breaks my heart, but I have a duty I can’t avoid,” Spencer said in handing down the punishment. He ordered McDonnell to report to prison by Feb. 9.
“I want to thank the court and Judge Spencer for the mercy he dispensed to me today,” McDonnell said. “But I have never, ever betrayed my sacred oath of office in any way while I served this great commonwealth.”
He said he would appeal. The day before, his lawyers filed a motion asking Spencer to allow the former governor to remain out of prison on bond, pending the outcome of his appeal. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals could decide to delay the incarceration.
“Any time an elected official is sent to prison, it sends a message,” said the FBI’s lead agent in the investigation, Adam Lee. “There’s no celebration.”
McDonnell is the first Virginia governor and the 12th nationally to be convicted of corruption.
The judge received almost 450 letters attesting to McDonnell’s integrity. McDonnell supporters packed the courtroom.
McDonnell’s wife, tried at the same time, will be sentenced Feb. 20.
Contributing: Peggy Fox and Joanie Vasiliadis, WUSA-TV, Washington; The Associated Press
New POLITICAL Bikernet Reader Comment!—
Interesting Facts About Prisons and Their Prisoners
http://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=12054
As I’ve come across products that I know are produced by prisoners I’ve had mixed feelings about purchasing them. I do not want to further the prison slavery system but also know the little chump change prisoners are paid can help them some.
I was in court a few years ago on bullshit charges when the judge fined me cash and community service. I told him he didn’t work for free and neither did I. He threatened arrest for contempt, I told him to house and feed me for a few days, I got nowhere to be. Paid the fine and walked out when he realized I was serious.
Ban all fabricated crimes, free the politically incarcerated.
–John
BAD JOKES KEEP COMING–We had a power outage at our house this morning and the PC, laptop, TV, DVD, iPad, & my new surround sound music system were all shut down. Then I discovered that my iPhone battery was flat and to top it off it was raining outside, so I couldn’t play golf, go fishing or hunting, nothing.
I went into the kitchen to make coffee and then I remembered that this also needs power, so I sat and talked with my wife for a few hours. She seems like a really nice person.
–from Jerry and Rogue
The Easyriders 2015 Bike Show Tour’s kick-off at the Long Beach Convention Center at 300 E. Ocean Blvd. in Long Beach, CA on January 10, 2015. The new venue offers $5 motorcycle parking and easy access from all major Southern California freeways.
Ben Lamboeuf
For your Digital Marketing needs on Bikernet.com
818-268-3789
JUST INCREDIBLE—One of the Buddhist doctrines calls for constant change, and getting use to it, damnit. Accept change and all elements with it, with grace. So, if your girl runs off with the neighbor, don’t blow it, or do something remarkably stupid, like run over her as she crosses the street.
Relax, enjoy the peace and know that there are 150 million more women out there and the next one will way outshine the last one. Okay, so as this week started, I had a solid list of goals and plans. I was going to meet with the Arch Motorcycle Team, then the MetalSport team and a couple of other industry giants. I was going to run out to Progressive and pick up a new set of Shocks for my FXR. The list went on, but it also slipped into the crapper. Nothing on the immediate list came to pass. So, did I panic and drink massive tumblers of whiskey? Hell no.
The week worked out perfectly. I got a ride in a new amazing Polaris Slingshot. Jessica started on our Bikernet Gym door art. We had 5-Ball Racing leather meeting. I spoke to contributors about Bikernet Baggers. And the amazingly talented Bikernet Trikes Editorial Mastermind, the Triking Viking, received a jolt of inspiration and not just behind riding that Slingshot, which is an incredible vehicle for less than $20,000. His report will rock BikernetTrikes tomorrow.
All sorts of other stuff flew at us last week, and we made the best of every move, alteration, and opportunity. Next week, I will work with Arch on the second Chapter.
This weekend we have the ER Long Beach Show, and I’m going to start on mods to the Bonne Belle. Lee at Departure received the new engine pieces.
I started to write Amber’s GOB feature a couple of times. I stumbled and tore up the paper and started over. Too many memories whipping around in this old skull.
I’m just about to wrap up another Chance book. This one has taken years, and I still struggle with it.
I’m in the process of Trademarking the 5-Ball name. Here’s a new patch we came up with, to send to the Trademark folks.
Peter Linney is going to shoot some of these bikes for various magazines and Bikernet features. They were displayed in the David Mann Chopperfest competition. Some very classic scoots.
Some more CV parts arrived this week, so we can now dive into our basket CV carb and put together a stellar tech with CV and Biker’s Choice components.
We’ve just been assigned to deliver a feature on the new ARCH motorcycle to American Iron. Then we will publish a feature on Bikernet and go for a ride on this lane slasher.
Have a helluva weekend!
Ride Free, Forever
–Bandit
