The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by companies who also dig Freedom including:
Cycle Source Magazine, the MRF, Las Vegas Bikefest, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown and BorntoRide.com, Sturgis Museum and don’t miss the Smoke Out.
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Budget deal helps veterans, drug fight
Measure has goodies for millions of Americans
Eliza Collins and Maureen Groppe
USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Congress passed a $400 billion budget deal Friday that busted through spending caps and suspended the debt limit for a year. It included money for disaster relief, opioid treatment and veterans, as well as a six-week spending package to keep the lights on at government agencies while a year-long spending bill gets drafted.
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HM2001 motorcycle awareness; profiling; prevention bill will not be heard in committee. With only 90 signatures on the petition and only 7 signed into the RTS system, I have very limited support to go to the Speaker of the House or the Committee Chairman to persuade them to make sure the bill is heard.
I did speak to Speaker of the House Mesnard and he did assign it to committee like I asked but it is the committee chairman Eddie Farnsworth who has allowed it to die.
I spoke to the bill sponsors and other Representatives, both Democrat and Republican, who are in support of this. I have met with Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and Phoenix PD to discuss this. This is the language that law enforcement can support. It is not a “You have to do this” type of bill. It’s a suggestion that law enforcement and motorcyclists work together to fix the problem. It’s obvious that Representative Farnsworth, who says he rides a motorcycle, does not see this as an issue.
I asked for all of ABATE and other mro’s to sign the petition. I’ve asked for all to get on the RTS system and record your position on this. Both take less than 2 minutes each.
I do appreciate those who sent emails, signed the petition and on the RTS system. And especially those who made phone calls to Representative Farnsworth’s office.
But, without the support of the motorcycle community, there is nothing else I can do.
I’m sorry for those who will continue to be profiled. I will continue to fight for our rights. Even if others don’t care.
FREEDOM IS A TEAM SPORT.
Mike Infanzon
ABATE of Arizona, State Lobbyist
New Donations and Great Additions to the Museum!
The Sturgis 50th Anniversary Harley-Davidson, has been on loan to the museum for many years and through the support and dedication of the Parhams and our close relation to the National Museum, it now has a permanent home in Sturgis.
This year at Mecum Auction, Jill Parham officially donated the motorcycle by presenting the Executive Director with the title of the special motorcycle.
This limited edition motorcycle is on display in the Museum, be sure to come and learn about it and the other special exhibits.
Beautiful Work Donated by Quilter
Last summer, Jennifer & Roger Baggett visited the SMM and made an offer to sew a quilt from the museum t-shirts from the past.
True to their word and charitable hearts, they gave Myrick this beautiful, detailed quilt at the Mecum Auction in January.
This quilt will be used as a fundraiser for the Museum and you details on how you could own it will be announced soon!
Telling the Stories
The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame Facebook page is great to catch the current news for the Museum, Sturgis and motorcycling, but did you know that it is much more than that?
The Executive Director has been posting cool videos on the motorcycles on display in the museum. These stories give you insight on these bikes and a close-up view.
Be sure to follow us on Facebook and check-out our website for expanded stories and news!
Our Facebook Page
Meet Emma Garvin, the new Assistant Executive Director
Emma Garvin, has experience in office management and fundraising for non-profit organizations. She is associated with the flat-track racing community, friends with many Hall of Fame members and is well-connected with the motorcycle industry.
Emma will arrive in Sturgis, March 1st and will manage onsite events, memberships, and bookkeeping.
Please help us welcome Emma to the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum!
Museum On the Move: Update
Even through the minus temperatures, construction has progressed and is on schedule.
The demolition is complete and the new addition foundation has been set. Next flooring and framing.
Thanks to your support, the museum will have more space beginning this summer!
By Lee Klancher
Available on Amazon
Be sure to use Amazon Smile when purchasing and Amazon will donate to the Sturgis Museum!
E3 Spark Plugs Announces Two Year Sponsorship
of American Flat Track Racing – Named Official Spark Plug
Ponte Vedra, FL, (February 15, 2018)…E3 Spark Plugs announces a renewed partnership with American Flat Track Racing for 2018 and 2019. As the series’ official spark plug for a second year in a row, E3 is very proud to be a sponsor of the world’s most prestigious form of dirt track motorcycle racing.
E3 Vice President of Motorsports & Marketing, Rob Fisher, says, “American Flat Track racing is always exciting to watch whether it’s new talent competing in AFT Singles short track, TT or half mile courses, or American Flat Track Twins racing globally in the professional ranks at 90+ HP. For enthusiasts like myself, this partnership allows us to work directly with racers that can test throttle response and durability under the most intense race conditions.”
In addition to the company’s partnership of American Flat Track Racing, E3 recently renewed its sponsorship program with Richie Morris Racing (RMR) for 2018. RMR operates a two rider program with Shayna Texter, riding in Singles and fresh off a win at Rolling Wheels, and GNC1 Rookie of the Year, Jarod Vanderkooi, who recently moved to flat track from road racing and is riding twins.
E3 Spark Plugs feature advanced DiamondFIRE electrode technology recognized for its immediate throttle response and consistent spark to achieve maximum horsepower.
In 2018, American Flat Track will be broadcast on NBCSN and offers encore telecasts on FANSChoice.tv in addition to live stream coverage. All events of American Flat Track Racing are available for viewing on NBCSN in 2018 or as post coverage on FansChoice.tv. Currently, all 18 events from 2017 are available for viewing. The 20 event schedule begins with the Daytona TT on Thursday, March 15. Gates open at 1:00 p.m. and the fun begins with AFT Singles Practice at 2:00 p.m. and concludes on October 6 at Meadowlands Mile in East Rutherford, NJ.
For more information about E3 ignition products, visit e3sparkplugs.com, or follow E3 on Facebook.
About E3
E3 Spark Plugs with patented DiamondFIRE technology, developed and validated by researchers from leading engineering universities, improves combustion efficiency for maximum performance. As one of the leading spark plug companies in the United States, E3 manufactures a complete line of spark plugs for automotive, small engine,powersports and racing application. In 2016, E3 expanded the company’s product line to include distributors, spark plug wires, coils and 02 sensors under the company’s DiamondFIRE brand. The DiamondFIRE line of ignition products firmly entrenches E3’s commitment to the automotive high performance and racing industry. For more information about E3 ignition products, visit e3sparkplugs.com, or follow E3 on Facebook.
BIKERNET WRENCH-IT REPORT– THIS BOARD TRACKER IS POWERED BY A LAWNMOWER ENGINE
HARLEY-DAVIDSON ISN’T THE ONLY manufacturer with roots in Milwaukee. Briggs & Stratton—known for their lawnmower motors—were founded in the Midwestern city too, just five years after The Motor Company.
That makes them a century old. And what better way to celebrate, than with a hand-made board tracker sporting a hot-rodded Briggs & Stratton power plant?
This amazing machine is the work of Jeff Wolf, who’s been building custom bikes and hot rods as a hobby for the past forty years. Jeff operates as Wolf Creative Customs out of his home workshop in Culver City, California and his son—who has his own surfboard shaping business—is usually roped in to help with designs.
Jeff’s specialty is gas-powered bicycles and one-off parts; board trackers like this one are his favorite. “I’ve always been fond of the timeless board track racer style,” he tells us, “and wanted to do something different.”
“I told myself this will be my last small cc build before I venture in to the big cc builds. After building just about every power plant I could fit into a bicycle frame, this one would have to make a statement.”
Jeff started with a custom frame, whipped up from scratch by his friend Richard Helmutt in Arizona. Richard supplied the frame complete with a custom-made, built-in fuel tank.
The forks look retro, but they’re actually brand new and sourced from the bicycle manufacturer Felt. Jeff wasn’t totally happy with the functionality though, so he added brackets to accommodate a mountain bike shock from DNM. He now has rebound and compression adjustment, and a lockout feature.
The wheels are 26” units, also from Felt. Jeff radial-laced the front to an off-the-shelf billet hub, and the rear to a one-off hub. There’s only one brake; it’s out back, and features a cable-actuated hydraulic caliper on a hand-made bracket.
The brake’s hooked up to an inverted lever, mounted to a set of hand-made stainless steel bars. The other end’s sporting an internal throttle, with a pair of hand-wrapped leather grips (made from an old belt) rounding out the cockpit. For a seat, Jeff modded an existing chopper pan, mounting it on a small shock to take the edge off.
And then there’s the motor: a 208 cc Briggs & Stratton flathead ripped out of a Junior class dragster. “It’s a class of racing within the NHRA,” Jeff explains. “The Briggs & Stratton Flathead Raptor is the choice of motors, making anywhere between eight and 45 horsepower.”
Jeff rebuilt the motor using a billet head, flat top piston, billet connecting rod and a re-ground custom cam with heavy-duty springs.
The head’s been ported, and there’s super light billet flywheel with adjustable timing too. The reduction drive system is from Sportsman Flyer, and has been modded to run with a Bully centrifugal clutch—so there’s no need for a hand-operated clutch.
A hand-made stainless steel intake is hooked up to a 22 mm Mikuni carb, and the exhaust is a modified Hooker header with a stainless end piece. All in all, the little 208 cc motor’s good for an incredible 60 mph (100 kph) with the current gearing. And because the bike still has working pedals, separate from the motor, it’s registered as a moped in Cali.
Pore over Jeff’s handiwork a few times, and you’ll notice a number of discreet custom-made aluminum parts—all designed, built and polished in-house. Valley Customs handled the paint, shooting the tank in a classy black coat with a pair of silver Wolf logos.
Though it’s a small cycle, the detail is impressive (just take a look at that plumbing under the tank). We know Jeff’s itching to move onto bigger bikes, but we certainly hope he has a few more petite racers like this up his sleeve.
After all, he should have a lot more time on his hands soon. “I’m getting close to retirement from my day job,” he tells us, “and look forward to doing more of this work.”
Wolf Creative Customs
Up N. and down S. the river.
Typical mobile roadside motorbike tire repair
Here’s yesterday’s sugarcane being squeezed.
Dedicated tuk tuk Made by India
Pair of urbanized monkeys
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These were the only hi rise until just a few years ago. Now dozens. China is building most. Haze is visible In background
–Art Hall
Supreme International Editor
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Las Vegas, NV, February 15, 2018 – Las Vegas BikeFest, The “Premier West Coast Motorcycle Rally” announced today that the rally is moving to the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center effective this year. The move creates an opportunity to produce a bigger, better and Vegas Style experience for vendors, riders and attendees.
The Downtown Las Vegas Events Center is located next to the Fremont Street Experience at 3rd and Carson. Everyone will now be within walking distance to more than 10,000 hotel rooms in Downtown Las Vegas.
This move will allow for the rally to be much more cohesive. Rally Central will be inside the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center and surrounding streets, and Rally West will continue to be on the 3rd Street Promenade at Fremont Street and Ogden.
One main stage in the events center will be the focus of entertainment, Custom Bike Shows, activities, contests and more, making it easier for attendees to not miss out on any of the action. The move will also benefit rally vendors giving them access to the 60,000+ daily visitors at the Fremont Street Experience.
“This is a great move for the rally,” said Mindi Cherry, Event Manager. “Bringing the rally so close to the heart of the Fremont Street Experience, means we are in the middle of all the action.”
Along with the location move, Las Vegas BikeFest has changed its dates to one week later, October 11-14, to be a part of Powersports Industry Week in Las Vegas with AIMExpo at Mandalay Bay and the Monster Energy Cup at Sam Boyd Stadium.
Las Vegas BikeFest is like no other rally – taking place in the heart of Las Vegas, it provides the action of the “Vegas Vibe”, that no other rally has to offer. For more information about the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center visit www.dlvec.com.
Las Vegas BikeFest 2018 – October 11 – 14
Website: LasVegasBikeFest.com
Facebook: facebook.com/lasvegasbikefest
Twitter: @VegasBikeFest
Instagram: #LasVegasBikeFest
Michael Lichter Curates “Passion Built – Garage to Gallery”
For the 10th year, Custom bikes built from the pure passion and love of the machine will be exhibited at the Buffalo Chip free to the public this August.
Buffalo Chip, SD (Feb 13, 2018) The pure love of art and motorcycles will bring together a stunning collection of masterpieces for the Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s 2018 Motorcycle As Art exhibit, titled “Passion Built – Garage to Gallery.” The exhibit, curated by Michael Lichter, will feature the work of over 40 builders and artists who demonstrate incredible passion and have built motorcycles especially for this show. All support themselves by other means, yet they all are building professional-quality custom motorcycles outside of a professional workplace. Each bike will be lit with theater lights and displayed atop an elevated pedestal to better give guests an open view from every angle. The Sturgis Buffalo Chip will host the exhibit in a 7,000 sq. ft. dedicated gallery in its Event Center. The exhibit is free to the public 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 4 through Friday, Aug. 10.
“Michael has once again brought together a group of incredible artists and builders who all have a real passion for motorcycles,” said Rod Woodruff, Sturgis Buffalo Chip President. “The fact that these people are creating these bikes, mostly in the evenings or weekends, after a full work-week, is amazing. We will clearly see their love for the work on display this year. Everyone attending the 2018 Rally really should see this free exhibit.”
The Motorcycles As Art exhibit has become more than just a bike show in its 10-year residency at the Buffalo Chip. Industry professionals frequent these one-time collections to examine the new ideas and trends put on display by builders from all walks of life and geographic locations.
“We are looking for the best custom bikes these builders can produce, hopefully the best they have ever built, to show off how diverse the world of custom bike building is,” said exhibit curator Michael Lichter. “It isn’t just a small handful of professionals who are driving this world and deciding where it is headed, nor has it ever been. Now, through new means of communication, these non-pros have a bigger voice than ever before.”
As a follow up to the 2017 “Old Iron – Young Blood” exhibit, which focused on the work of builders under age 35, this exhibit broadens the diversity of the artists to include those passionate about custom building motorcycles even through retirement.
Most of those chosen for the 2018 exhibit must find the energy and passion to work on their projects after returning home from a full-time day job. Some, such as Harley-Davidson Motor Company Vice President of Styling & Design Brad Richards, work in the industry but must still find personal time to fuel their passion for building. Musicians Xavier Muriel of Buckcherry and Gilby Clarke formerly of Guns and Roses will both be displaying their new creations. >From attorney Dave Polgreen to lighting expert Randy Noldge, the list of exhibitors for the 2018 Motorcycles As Art show brings together a varied group of motorcycle builders with a deep-seated desire to create.
“The diverse list of builders and two-dimensional artists coming together to display this year are all doing this for the sheer joy of building a custom bike from scratch,” said Lichter. “It may not be about anything more than bragging rights. These people are really creating a type of folk art without thought of reward. The enormous amount of time and energy results in custom bikes on par with any made by professional builders. And, the display of energy and enthusiasm demonstrated make this show a great follow-up to last year’s exhibit by millennials.”
The growing list of custom motorcycle builders and two-dimensional artists scheduled to present their masterpieces at the 2018 “Motorcycles As Art” exhibit include:
Ben Jordan – Waxhaw, NC
Brad Gregory – Glenwood, IA
Brad Richards & Ry Seidler – Milwaukee, WI
Chris Callen – Tarentum, PA
Chris Graves – Milwaukee, WI
Clinton Wallace – Cleveland, TX
Dan Rogensvoog – Franksville, WI
Dave Polgreen – Santa Ana, CA
Eric Stein – Monroe, NC
Gilby Clarke – CA
Jack Deagazio – NY
Jeff Holt – CA
Johnny Humphrey – Terre Hill, PA
John Barwood – Payson, AZ
Justin McNeely – Jackson, MO
Mark Shell – Idaho Falls, ID
Marty Davis – Pensacola, FL
Nick Pensabene – Edgewater, FL
Randy Noldge – Saint Louis, MO
Rick Pew – Fort Lupton, CO
Skeeter Todd – Maryland, NY
Stacy McCleary – Manteca, CA
Steven Bates – Saginaw, TX
Tim Dixon – Ten Mile, TN
Wayne Burgess – Fenwick, Ontario, CANADA
Will Thomas – Los Feliz, CA
Xavier Muriel – TX
In addition to the custom bikes and work of individual artists on the walls, the show will also include a display of ten hand-painted helmets, each from a different artist, provided by Biltwell Helmets, an exhibition sponsor.
For more information about the Buffalo Chip’s free-access Motorcycles As Art Exhibition visit BuffaloChip.com/EVENTS/Motorcycles-As-Art
Michael Lichter began photographing custom bikes and the biker-lifestyle in the 1970s. Working with Easyriders Magazine since 1979, he has produced over 800 stories for them. Michael is also a regular contributor to 16 other publications around the world, has 11 coffee table books to his credit and exhibits his photographic art in galleries and museums in the USA and abroad. As a curator, Michael first started creating themed exhibitions with custom motorcycles and art in 2001 at the Journey Museum in Rapid City. In 2009, the annual exhibition was moved to the purpose-built 7,000 square foot gallery at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip where it was given the name “Motorcycles as Art” and continues to this day. Michael has operated out of the same commercial photography studio in beautiful Boulder, Colorado for more than 35-years. Visit www.facebook.com/lichterphoto, Instagram (whistlingmike) or the all new http://www.lichterphoto.com to see his images. Contact Michael at mike@lichterphoto.com.
About Motorcycles as Art
Every year the Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s indoor Motorcycles as Art exhibition presents a changing conceptual theme that brings together the most innovative collection of groundbreaking custom bikes from today’s premier builders with artwork from the most famed moto-artists. The Sturgis Buffalo Chip and curator, famed photographer Michael Lichter, present an environment that must be seen to appreciate. Free to the public and open for just seven days each year, all are invited to take their time and walk through history in the making that is the Motorcycles as Art exhibit.
About the Sturgis Buffalo Chip
The Sturgis Buffalo Chip® is the Largest Music Festival in Motorcycling®. It is the world’s first and leading entertainment destination for the motorcycle enthusiast and South Dakota Excellence in Tourism Innovation award winner. Since 1981, the venue’s high-profile, nine-day festival, known as The Best Party Anywhere®, remains one of the world’s most televised and longest running independent music festivals. Located three miles east of Sturgis, SD on 600 creek-fed acres, it offers eight stages of entertainment, a swimming hole, bars, mouth-watering food, showers, cabins, RVs, camping and more to visitors traveling from all corners of the world. The Chip’s concerts and races are free with camping. The 2018 Motorcycles as Art exhibit curated by Michael Lichter, numerous bike and stunt shows and all shopping, live music and events at the CrossRoads are free and open to the public. More details are available at www.BuffaloChip.com.
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We all have hobbies; some just cost more than others. It is a fact of life. Sooner or later you’ll strike upon something that interests you and next thing you know you are left scratching your head as to where you’re going to put it all and your significant other asking just how much money you’re spending. For my banker it is soap stone carvings. He received one as an award. A friend noticed in his office and bought him another one. Then someone bought him another one. Boss gave him some; the company head office gave him some more because it must have been his thing because he had so many in his office. He never really meant too, never really wanted too but he started learning about the different artists, the different means. He knows them inside and out now personal adding to the collection here and there. Maybe you’re the same. Someone spotted your grand fathers old pipe that you keep on the mantle and got you one. Then you spot one at a swap meet. Next thing you know your palms are sweating as you hope you win the one at the silent auction.
Our hobbies are as varied as we are. Whether you collect vintage race bikes, match books, motel keys or salt & pepper shakers you get to know each piece, get to know the manufactures, maker’s stamps. It brings happiness to your life, something out of the ordinary grind that is life, and that is the important part.
-bad Uncle Monkey
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BIKERNET VETERAN CHECK UP — Veterans Court success hinges on mentors
You hear the cliches in just about every war movie ever made about this special band of brothers or no man left behind.
You may never hear “never stop serving” on the big screen but its sentiment is just as important to the health and well-being of those who have served our country as evidenced in Brevard County’s Veterans Treatment Court.
Just ask someone like Melbourne native and former Marine Theodore Doukas, who returned from a couple of tours in Iraq with a back injury that led to a painkiller addiction. Paired up with veteran mentor Harry “Skip” Taylor, Doukas is getting the help he needs and will soon graduate from the program.
“He’s shown me the path,” Doukas said about Taylor. “He’s really stayed on me about going to the V.A. Some things in this program have really changed my life.”
Brevard County Court Judge Judy Atkin honored Taylor and all the other volunteer veteran mentors who “never stop serving” at a brief ceremony recently at the Moore Justice Center in Viera.
For Taylor, being a volunteer mentor is simply an extension of his military service.
“Combat is sheer boredom interspersed by moments of sheer panic. It’s a tough situation,” said Taylor, who spent 31 years in the Army and knows what being in combat situations can do to someone. “Being a career officer we have a saying never stop serving. I’m still taking care of the troops. We just keep right on doing what we did in the armed forces.”
Started locally by former Judge John Murphy, the court heard its first cases in Brevard County in January 2012 at a time when veterans courts were becoming a trend nationwide as a growing number of young troops were returning home from war.
It’s designed for veterans arrested on misdemeanors, certain third-degree felonies or criminal traffic offenses other than DUI and who may be eligible for evaluation, treatment or placement in a program for behavioral health issues. It’s an alternative to being processed through the regular court system. Some of the veterans must complete treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder, receive counseling, stay out of trouble and comply with other conditions imposed by the court for a certain period of time before their cases are cleared.
Taylor said they enjoy a 60 percent success rate and it looks like Doukas will be adding to that number.
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MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Reuters) – To Harley-Davidson Inc’s (HOG.N) investors, its chief executive has a simple message – be patient with his strategy to turn around the slump in demand for its iconic motorcycles.
In an interview with Reuters, Matt Levatich said the company is not exploring a merger with a rival or a private equity buyout, as some investors have speculated.
Instead, Harley is spending millions of dollars on product development and marketing efforts, including promoting its learn-to-ride academies at showrooms, where Harley-Davidson certified coaches provide riding and safety lessons.
“Mindset shifts are not something that happen overnight,” he said in the interview in his office at the company’s headquarter in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “But that’s very much core to the 10-year strategy for the company.”
However, nearly three years into Levatich’s tenure as Harley CEO, investors are getting restless. Harley’s stock has fallen over 23 percent since mid-March last year.
Since Levatich came to the helm, the shares are down 14 percent, and Harley is losing share in a declining market for motorcycles in the United States.
Harley investors and executives have worried for years about what would happen in the future when the company’s devoted Baby Boomer got too old to ride.
Now, Harley has reached that demographic cliff. The company last month projected shipments to dealers could plunge to their lowest level in eight years in 2018 after sales fell in every region last year.
GO IT ALONE
Falling sales have made Wall Street speculate whether the company, which symbolized the counterculture movement of the 1960s, would seek refuge in a buyout or turn private to rework its product lines and branding without the pressure from shareholders to shield its profit margins.
Levatich, however, sees no alternative to the current ownership structure.
“The moment, however, we feel that the ownership structure of the company…is starting to dictate our strategy, that’s the moment to consider whether that ownership model is the right model,” he said. “So, it is not the case. We are very clear in our strategy.”
In 2017, the ridership program added 32,000 new riders in the United States. Levatich sees it as a “positive” trend and wants to build on it.
More riders, however, do not necessarily mean higher sales.
Bill Koester, a general manager at a Harley dealership in Illinois, says only 35 percent to 40 percent of the riders trained at his dealership last year bought a new or pre-owned bike.
To woo the next generation of riders, last month Levatich unveiled his big bet on the small but growing market for electric bikes.
Yet, the new technology is still very expensive and not as profitable as automakers may have to sacrifice margins to succeed in selling battery vehicles.
“There are some practical problems with EV that still most auto companies are also struggling with,” said Levatich. “It is very expensive.”
HEADWINDS
Harley is still the dominant player in the heavyweight motorcycle market in the United States, but its market share has steadily fallen to 50.8 percent from 58 percent in 2013.
In the last quarter alone, its market share shrunk by 2.6 percentage points, forcing it to announce the closure of one of its four U.S. factories and 800 job cuts.
Harley’s challenges are in part related to demographic shifts bigger than its strategy or products. Overall, new motorcycles retail sales in the United States have more than halved since 2006 as younger people shun big motorcycles, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council.
Harley has also stuck to a strategy of protecting profit margins and limiting discount offers, even as rivals such as Polaris Industries Inc (PII.N) are undercutting Harley prices to move bikes out of their showrooms.
Polaris enjoyed a 30 percent on year jump in North American retail sales in the last quarter, whereas Harley’s sales dived 10 percent.
Levatich attributed the divergent performance to “math.”
“Growth percentages of a small base are easy to achieve. When you have a high base like ours, a little bit of decline shows up very quickly,” he said. “We are not going to discount to increase our market share.”
Analysts at RBC Capital Markets said Harley’s weak performances in the past have dented its credibility.
“We won’t sugar-coat it. HOG has a tough road ahead of them,” RBC Capital Markets said.
–Rogue
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BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY – OPEN ALL HOURS –
Went down to Wellfare Service Office the other day to sign my Dog up so he could draw his government benefits…………………….
The woman at the desk explained to me in a very pointed voice that, “Dogs are not eligible to draw benefits”.
I explained to her that my Dog is not a Christian, he is black, unemployed, idle, can’t speak English and has no clue who his dad is.
He gets his first check on Friday. What a great country this is – thanks USA
As I lay naked on my side on the table, the gorgeous nurse began my procedure…
“Don’t worry, at this stage of the procedure it’s quite normal to get an erection,” the nurse told me..
“I don’t have an erection,” I replied.
“I do.” replied the nurse.
Never get a colonoscopy in San Francisco.
The Cardinal replied, “No. I don’t really like the woman, and there are issues of conflict with the CatholicChurch over some of Pelosi’s views.”
Pelosi’s aide then said, “Look, I’ll write a check here and now for a donation of $100,000 to you if you’ll just tell the congregation you see Pelosi as a saint.”
The Cardinal thought about it and said, “Well, the Church can use the money, so I’ll work your request into tomorrow’s sermon.” As Pelosi’s aide promised, Nancy Pelosi appeared for the Sunday worship and seated herself prominently at the forward left side of the center aisle. As promised, at the start of his sermon, the Cardinal pointed out that Ms. Pelosi was present.
The Cardinal went on to explain to the congregation, “While Ms. Pelosi’s presence is probably an honor tosome, the woman is not numbered among my personal favorite personages. Some of her most egregious views are contrary to tenets of the Church, and she tends to flip-flop on many other issues. Nancy Pelosi is a petty, self-absorbed hypocrite, a thumb sucker, and a nit-wit. Nancy Pelosi is also a serial liar, a cheat, and a thief. I must say, Nancy Pelosi is the worst example of a Catholic I have ever personally witnessed. She married for money and is using her wealth to lie to the American people. She also has a reputation for shirking her Representative obligations both in Washington and in California. The woman is simply not to be trusted.”
–Sidehack Jerry
WHAT ABOUT US? —
Why the Bikers of America Cannot Continue to be Ignored or Forgotten
I’ve held the position of Vice-President of Government Affairs for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation for roughly 18 months. And during those months I’ve sat in countless meetings, congressional hearings, public information sessions, symposiums, conferences and breakout sessions which have covered a gamut of issues that affect riders. Anything and everything from ethanol to self-driving cars to road design and infrastructure, I’ve sat, listened and taken detailed notes. However, during the last couple of months I’ve started to uncover
a deeper (and darker) underlying message in my meetings. I’m not one for conspiracy theories so I won’t suggest that my theory is the product of some sort of anti-motorcycle secret society, but what I am beginning to believe is that the future of riders – our future – is questionable.
I say this because as I’ve sat through these meetings and conference calls, my takeaway increasingly becomes that the U.S. population at large, just doesn’t give a shit about motorcycles. We’re ignored or perhaps forgotten. We’re relegated to the category of recreation. And dangerous recreation at that. We’re swept into the same column as shark cage diving, or bull running or cliff base jumping. And though I have no problem with any of those recreational activities, riding motorcycles is not the same. It’s not even CLOSE to the same! Though many of us ride for the fun and the thrill of it, our bikes also get us from place to place. Unlike swimming with the sharks or running with the bulls, riding a motorcycle is a form of transportation. Motorcycles get us to work, to the post office, to the dentist. So why, in America of all places, are we forced to say again and again and again, what about us?
There is surprisingly little research done about the benefits of riding motorcycles. And I am not talking about benefits to the rider. You ask any one of our MRF members and they’ll tell you that riding is cheaper than seeing a psychiatrist. So lets put that aside for a minute and talk about the benefits to society. In Europe several years ago, there was a study done to test mobility – that is moving from point A to point B. They looked at commuting routes from outside major cities and within major cities as well as rural areas over varying distances and compared the mobility of a motorcycle to that of a car. And out of the fourteen tests they conducted to measure mobility, the motorcycle won 85% of the time. So in other words, a motorcycle is more likely to get you to your destination faster (and not just because you’re speeding).
The impacts go on from there. Another study (also in Europe where motorcycles are better viewed and accepted as a legitimate form of transportation) showed the impact of what might happen if just 10% of cars were replaced by motorcycles. Time loss for all vehicles would decrease by 40%. That means a quicker commute for everyone whether they are on a motorcycle or not. And with less cars on the road and less sitting in traffic, that means an impact on emissions. Though I have not uncovered a comprehensive study on the specific issue of reduced emissions and motorcycle usage, a case study by Transport & Mobility Leuven (yep, Europe again) stated that, “New motorcycles emit fewer pollutants compared to average privat
e cars (less NOX, NO2, PM2.5 and EC, but more VOC). They also emit less CO2. Total external emission costs of new motorcycles are more than 20% lower than average private cars. On the section of motorway between Leuven and Brussels, total emission costs can be reduced by 6% if 10% of private cars are replaced by motorcycles.”
There are other benefits too. Things like fuel efficiency; most bikes get as many miles per gallon as a car if not much more. What about infrastructure? Right now, the Trump Administration is currently figuring out how to raise $200 billion to upgrade our nation’s infrastructure which is in dire shape in some parts of the country. What
may have helped our nations’ crumbing infrastructure? A motorcycle’s lighter touch could mean less wear and tear on a bridge or a road than a heavier, wider-set vehicle.
Given all the aforementioned benefits, you’d think I’d hear some praise from non-riders. Instead, I hear a lot about noise pollution. And that’s when they even talk about motorcycles. In many cases, they aren’t. Take the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); when they put out their initial guidance on autonomous vehicles and potential policies and safety factors, motorcycles weren’t even mentioned. They revised the document a year later, and though they did mention motorcycles, it was in the context of what vehicles NHTSA has jurisdiction over. Where it was blindingly not was in the section that has to do with the ability of this technology to identify and respond to objects on the road. Interestingly, the guidance names cars, trucks, pedestrians, bicyclists and animals. But not motorcycles.
It is estimated that there are more than 300 million powered two-wheelers in the world. These are substantial numbers, so when it comes being viewed as a legitimate form of transportation, why are riders having to fight for a seat at the table? And an even bigger question is how we can change this dynamic? I don’t have the answers, but I bet if enough of us put our heads together we can start to chip away at the problem targeting not just society as a whole, but the different segments that contribute to this pervasive problem. From policymakers to media to public interest groups and everyone in between, we need to make sure that riders everywhere, regardless of what patch you hold or bike you ride, deliver the message that motorcycles have a place in the future.
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY WOLF PACK MC–
www.Bikernet.com University looked into why Bandit Keith Ball always gets the shit end of the stick. The simple reason is, he is a true leader and therefore suffers the most.
A little food for thought… A group of wolves: The three in front are old & sick, they walk in front to set the pace of the running group lest they get left behind. The next five are the strongest & best, they are tasked to protect the front side if there is an attack. The pack in the middle are always protected from any attack. The five behind them are also among the strongest & best; they are tasked to protect the back side if there is an attack. The last one is the LEADER. He ensures that no one is left behind. He keeps the pack unified and on the same path. He is always ready to run in any direction to protect & serves as the ‘bodyguard’ to the entire group. Just in case anyone wanted to know what it really means to be a leader. It’s not about being out front. It means taking care of the team.
THE FIDDLE-FOOTED SUNDAY POST for February 11, 2018
Does this report seem to indicate to you why anybody would want to share the road with a robot?
What is the criminal charge for death by robot?
Why has the industry and government enabled the “I didn’t see ‘em” defense?
Mike
GOVERNMENT BEHAVING BAADLY– CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLYWOMAN CRISTINA GARCIA, WHO IS A HIGH PROFILE “ME TOO” ADVOCATE WHO GRACED THE COVER OF TIME MAGAZINE’S COVER IN ANNOUNCING THE “SILENCE BREAKERS” AS PERSONS OF THE YEAR HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH SEXUALLY HARASSING A MALE STAFFER.
How ironic is that?
Not only is she alleged to have harassed the man but he also said that she grabbed his ass and then tried to grab his crotch. Daniel Fierro of Cerritos told POLITICO that in 2014 when he was a staffer for Assemblyman Ian Calderon that Garcia groped him.
Garcia is a powerful politician who chairs the Legislative Women’s Caucus and the Natural Resources Committee.
Fierro said that after an assembly softball game, Garcia cornered him. He said that Garcia seemed to be drunk as she started rubbing his back and squeezed his butt then tried to grab his crotch. He pulled away and retreated from her.
From Politico
Fierro said he never reported the incident, which occurred years before the current #MeToo movement and new whistleblower legislation to protect legislative staffers. But after he mentioned the issue last January to Calderon, his former boss, the matter was then referred to the Assembly Rules Committee, which launched an investigation.
Fierro is not the only one claiming improper advances by Garcia. A prominent Sacramento lobbyist says she also accosted him in May 2017, when she cornered him, made a graphic sexual proposal, and tried to grab his crotch at a political fundraiser. He spoke to POLITICO on the condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisals.
The lobbyist, who represents a major industry association, said that Garcia appeared to have been drinking heavily at a fundraiser hosted by Governor Jerry Brown for state Senator Josh Newman at the de Veres bar in Sacramento. He said he was heading out the door in part to avoid the assemblywoman — who had been increasingly “flirtatious” and had called him on a few occasions before for late night drinks which he repeatedly declined.
The lobbyist described Garcia’s actions:
“She came back and was whispering real close and I could smell the booze and see she was pretty far gone. She looked at me for a second and said, “I’ve set a goal for myself to fuck you.”
“At that point, Garcia “stepped in front of me and reaches out and is grabbing for my crotch. I was four inches from her, eyeball to eyeball — and I said, ‘That ain’t gonna happen.’”
“No one should have to wait for an investigative article to know the truth about the kind of environment they work in. I’m working with @SEIU1000 on a bill to create a centralized mechanism to track sexual harassment complaints in state government. https://t.co/6Ltyt8NcQP”
“I didn’t know I was part of the story. That I was pictured and added to a timeline of this reckoning. It’s an awkwardly humbling experience, but I am proud of this work and the company I am in. I hope you’ll pick up a copy of @TIME &read about the bravery.#MeToo #WeSaidEnough pic.twitter.com/P1bfCDPKCf”
Fierro was able to substantiate his claims because he had immediately notified several people about the experience but decided not to report it because he was afraid she would go after his fledgling business. Other staffers in the assembly said that Garcia was known to talk explicitly about sex to young staffers.
Her actions are bound to damage the “MeToo” movement she has been associated with.
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Tuesday, 13 February 2018
They were once heaving party joints, filled to the brim with cheap grog and bad manners.
But the once thriving biker clubhouses that were scattered by the dozens across the state’s suburbs and towns have become an endangered species, so writes Dan Proudman from the Sydney Morning Herald.
Their unrelenting predator is a group of no-frills cops using a 75-year-old piece of legislation brought in during World War II to stop spies from learning the nation’s secrets via Sydney’s brothels and sly grog shops.
Then justice minister Robert “Reg” Downing, the man whose name now adorns the city’s Downing Centre court precinct, told NSW Parliament in 1943 that authorities needed extra powers to shut down the dens of debauchery in the interests of national security.
“The defence authorities were confirmed in their opinion that these types of places were the most likely hunting grounds for enemy agents desiring information, they are a danger to the mental and physical health of the forces, and that their closing was more than justified on moral grounds,” he told Parliament.
“That was demanded in the interests of national security, if tremendous and irreparable injury to the war effort and military operations was to be avoided.”
But he would never have envisaged the Restricted Premises Act (1943) would be used to cull the party culture of outlaw bikie gangs more than 70 years later.
With some helpful refining by lawmakers, and the cunning eye of one resourceful officer who rediscovered the legislation, it has allowed police to storm the bikies’ headquarters en masse and destroy their culture.
Just last Tuesday, the anti-bikie squad Strike Force Raptor made history again, gaining the first NSW Supreme Court order to shut down the Nomads clubhouse in inner Newcastle, a fickle building that had stood for decades on a suburban street as a sign of anti-authority for the one percenters.
It had been a place where former bikie enforcer Sam Ibrahim was once accused of being involved in the kneecapping of two wayward members – he was later cleared of any wrongdoing.
And, in 2001, it was the scene of one of the then biggest drug investigations in the nation’s history, with Strike Force Sibret smashing an amphetamine racket worth hundreds of millions of dollars and sending several bikers to jail for more than 30 years.
But no more.
With a drill bit and a piece of plastic-covered paper, police adorned the outside of the fortified building with the court order.
In simple terms, it now means that Nomads face charges and jail time by hanging out together. Police can now turn up without a search warrant, giving new meaning to the term fun police.
It is understood the bikers are consulting lawyers.
And, although this time it was the strike of a pen that shut down the clubhouse, police have used the legislation with brute force since discovering their new tool nearly a decade ago.
More than 50 clubhouses have been ripped apart by law enforcement since, with some estimates suggesting less than five biker chapter headquarters remain across NSW.
And sometimes, the police have been brutal.
The legislation suggests authorities can confiscate anything to do with illegal liquor sales. But it didn’t stop at the alcohol. Glasses, fridges, bars and even beer mats have been taken during the raids.
Even stages and stripper poles have been dismantled. Sledgehammers have been taken to bars.
As Criminal Groups Squad commander Detective Superintendent Deb Wallace said: “When we looked closely at how we were going to tackle the outlaw motorcycle gangs, we quickly identified [that] we needed to disrupt their ethos.
“Using this legislation has allowed us to take the attractiveness out of being in an outlaw motorcycle gang.
“Some of these clubs were better than RSL clubs.
“It has been successful because it is no longer fun for them. They have attempted to survive and thrive because of a misguided reputation of being against authority.
“We have taken the power off them.”
But the demise of the big clubhouses has also seen the emergence of new meeting places – almost men’s shed for bikers.
Garages and backyard sheds have been turned into biker caves to allow the leather-clad lads to continue to meet and greet.
“They are more like cubby houses than the traditional large clubhouses. That can’t be good for anyone’s reputation,” Superintendent Wallace said.
The aura has changed.
DON’T MISS THE END OF AN EPIC TRADITION
August 6, 2018
At the Sturgis Buffalo Chip
New 3-day packages give you more options to see Skynyrd and the rest of the lineup than ever before!
Foreigner, The Marshall Tucker Band, American Flat Track, & More TBA
Eric Church, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Aaron Lewis, & More TBA
Kid Rock, John Kay & Steppenwolf, & More TBA
Prices will never again be as low as they are right now.
Don’t wait!
All Eyes on Forkner and Davalos as Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki Heads East–
Corona, Calif. (February 14, 2018) – Joey Savatgy and Adam Cianciarulo will both be getting a few weeks off as the Monster Energy Supercross series makes its way east to Arlington, Texas, for Round 1 of the Eastern Regional 250SX championship. The wait is over for Austin Forkner and Martin Davalos to showcase their speed, getting the first of nine rounds underway inside AT&T Stadium this Saturday.
The road to Round 1 was longer than expected for Forkner, who has bounced back from an arm injury he sustained while preparing for the season. In true Forkner style, he’s put in the work and is back better than ever. In his sophomore supercross season, Forkner is eager to prove he’s championship material.
“I feel like I’ve been waiting for Round 1 to happen for some time now,” said Forkner. “When you have to wait to heal up and then wait even longer for the east coast, it’s a great feeling when it finally arrives. Training has been going well so I’m looking forward to extending the team’s podium streak in Texas.”
Davalos is looking to enjoy the same success he had during his 2017 supercross campaign where he consistently finished inside the top five. Known as a fast starter, Davalos collected two holeshots last season. If anything, Davalos is out to prove he belongs on the team he has enjoyed so much success with in the past.
“It’s time to put my head down and deliver results for the team,” said Davalos. “I had a good 2017 and want to prove that I can run up front and contend for the championship. It will be nice to head back to the east coast. I had two wins last time I raced this side of the country. I’m really looking forward to a good season.”
Prior to Saturday’s race, the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki riders will be signing autographs on Friday, February 16 from 6 – 7 p.m. at Freedom PowerSports in Fort Worth.
Saturday’s race from AT&T Stadium will be broadcast live on FS1 or the FOX Sports GO app starting at 8 p.m. ET.
To find out more about Pro Circuit products, visit www.procircuit.com. Don’t forget to follow the Pro Circuit race team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @pcraceteam and subscribe to the Pro Circuit “Inside the Shop” email newsletter here.
About Pro Circuit
Based in Corona, Calif., Pro Circuit Products, Inc. is a leader in off-road motorcycle and ATV exhausts and aftermarket performance parts. Started in 1978, Pro Circuit is the go to shop for recreational riders and professionals for everything from suspension work to complete engine packages and everything in between.
Created by former desert racer Mitch Payton, Pro Circuit proves its products and services week-in and week-out through its tagline “We Race.” Every product that dons the Pro Circuit stamp stems from the legendary Pro Circuit race team. A staple in the professional paddock, Pro Circuit Racing has earned 30 AMA championships and more than 250 race wins in more than 30 years of competition.
Greetings from Cambodia–
Sugar cane processing
Same wiring company as Thai ????
Market busy.
Unique cooling system for moto. Water drips onto engine. A water cooled air cooled motor. 😉
Clever way to carry many boxes
Elder citizen departs tuk tuk
More fruit section of market
Busy corner typical traffic
More sugar cane. Squeezed for drinking juice.
–Art Hall
SOMERSET, WIS, FEB 13 — The new Finned collection from Kuryakyn® echoes the classic era of custom culture where simplicity and minimalism held sway on the streets. The complete line of covers and accents delivers a clean, old school aesthetic to areas of the engine, outer primary, and transmission, among others.
Available for a wide variety of Harley-Davidson® Twin Cam® and Milwaukee-Eight® models, the Finned collection is designed to easily alter stock styling in a matter of minutes. The lineup includes groups of
components that give end users the freedom of targeting one or more specific areas to customize.
Focus areas include the outer primary where Finned Derby Covers can be combined with assorted model-specific primary accents to completely transform the stock appearance. Other components include Finned Timing Covers, Spark Plug Covers, Transmission and Starter Accents, as well as Passenger Floorboard Covers.
All Finned components are cast from quality A380 aluminum with raised horizontal lines that mimic the traditional cylinder fins for a uniform look throughout. Finish options include polished chrome, or satin black with machined fins for a contrasting raw metal appearance.
For more information and to view the complete collection, visit www.kuryakyn.com/classification/505/finned.
Aesopian [ee-soh-pee-uh n, ee-sop-ee-]
adjective
1. conveying meaning by hint, euphemism, innuendo, or the like: In the candidate’s Aesopian language, “soft on Communism” was to be interpreted as “Communist sympathizer.”
2. of, relating to, or characteristic of Aesop or his fables: a story that points an Aesopian moral.
QUOTES
Gauss taught that past political thinkers wrote in a kind of code–an Aesopian language of double or multiple meanings–in order to avoid persecution in their own day and to communicate with contemporaries and successors who knew how to read between the lines, as it were.
— Terence Ball, Rousseau’s Ghost, 1998
ORIGIN
The English adjective Aesopian has multiple origins. The Latin adjective has the forms Aesopius and Aesopeus, from Greek Ais?peios, derivative adjective of the proper name Aísopos (Aesop). Aesop was a Greek slave who supposedly lived c620 b.c.–c560b.c. on the island of Samos and told animal fables that teach a lesson, e.g., “The Tortoise and the Hare.” Aesopian entered English in the late 17th century.
American Law Enforcement Agencies Provided Access to New Performance Benchmark
Cypress, CA – February 14, 2018 – Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., today announced the FJR1300P, a new police version of its iconic FJR1300 Sport Touring motorcycle, will be available for use by law enforcement and municipal organizations in the USA.
The FJR1300P blends the performance, handling, and incredible reliability of the standard FJR1300A with the capability of adding an arsenal of equipment designed exclusively for police use. Thanks to development feedback obtained directly from police departments and municipal organizations in various European countries, the FJR1300P sets a new benchmark for performance and reliability, critical for the demands of police departments across the United States.
The FJR1300P makes a great candidate for serving law enforcement agencies thanks to a host of standard base-model FJR1300A performance features, including:
– A compact and lightweight, 1298cc, DOHC, 16 valve, liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder engine
– A versatile six-speed transmission
– Yamaha’s exclusive Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T) ride-by-wire system
– Traction control
– Cruise control
– D-Mode adjustable engine mapping
– All-LED headlight and position lights
– LED tail light
– Adjustable rider seat height and handlebar positions
– Push-button control for an electronically adjustable windscreen
– Detachable side cases
– Shaft drive
– 6.6 gallon fuel tank
In order to assist with the rigorous demands of police operations, the FJR1300P also comes prepared to support equipment that is exclusive to law enforcement use. Special features include:
– Pre-wired electrical connectors for easy installation of front and rear flashing lights
– Pre-wired electrical connectors for easy installation of a siren and speaker
– A pre-wired handlebar control switch
– A compartment with pre-wired electrical connectors for an auxiliary battery
– A windscreen that is taller than the standard model
– Knuckle visors (integrated into the rearview mirrors)
– Wind deflectors for the rider’s feet
– Engine guards
– A rear-mounted radio box
When put to the test by European law enforcement agencies, the FJR1300P received praise for its ride comfort and ease of handling. US agencies will now have access to the same level of performance thanks to special ordering opportunities through authorized Yamaha dealers.
To find out more about the FJR1300P, visit https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/fjr1300p-police-bike.
More information related to all Yamaha products can be found at https://www.yamahamotorsports.com.
Follow Yamaha Motor Corp., USA at www.facebook.com/yamahamotorusa, www.twitter.com/yamahamotorusa and www.instagram.com/yamahamotorusa
#Yamaha #YamahaMotor #YamahaMotorUSA
About Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (YMUS)
Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the powersports industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATVs and Side-By-Side Vehicles, Snowmobiles, Outboard Motors, Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outdoor Power Equipment, Golf Cars, Race Kart Engines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of dealers in the United States.
Headquartered in California since 1960, YMUS also has facilities in Wisconsin and Georgia, as well as factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. For more information about Yamaha, visit www.YamahaMotorsports.com.
God visited a woman and told her she must give up smoking, drinking and sex if she wants to get into heaven.
The woman said she would try her best.
God visited the woman a week later to see how she was getting on.
“Not bad” said the woman, “I’ve given up smoking and drinking but then I bent over to get some stuff out of the freezer and my boyfriend caught sight of my long slender legs, he pulled up my skirt, pulled my knickers to one side and made love to me right then and there.”
“They don’t like that in heaven” said God.
The woman replied “They’re not too happy about it at Costco either!”
