Hey,
Another magnificent day in Paradise. If you’re into politics I know you’re on the edge of your seat. If you’re into football, you’re on the edge of your seat. If you’re into chopper building, you’re on the edge of your bench trying to make shit happen.
I’m sorta on the edge of my seat over several elements of this year. There are new book projects, movie and TV efforts. It’s going to be damn exciting with new builds, going to the Texas mile to test the Salt Torpedo, then to Bonneville hopefully.
I’m reading Denis Manning’s book about Streamliners and LSR attempts. It’s amazing the shit that can and will go wrong. Let’s hit the news and then I’ll bring you up to speed on shop projects.
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, BorntoRide.com and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.
ACTION FROM BILTWELL– L O U I S V I L L E K E N T U C K Y
The BroDown 2023
We’re bringing it back! The “Brodown” parties we threw at the old Cincinnati V-Twin Expos were legendary good times. Now in 2023, we’re going to the Drag Specialties NVP trade show which is for Drag dealers and vendors. Since trade shows are not open to the public and generally not super exciting times, we thought bringing back the BroDown with the band Dandelion Death might liven things up. This IS open to the public and there is NO cover charge.
Friday Night Jan 20, 2023
Doors Open At 7:00 PM
The Portal @ Fifteen Twelve
1512 Portland Ave, Louisville, KY
PRODUCT RESOURCE OF THE WEEK—Omaha Derby Covers
Irish Rich, the mad bike builder from Sturgis is a Sinner and worked with the bronze master in Omaha to make these derby covers but also air cleaner covers. This one will have a stud on the back and screw into stock air cleaner elements.
–Bandit
YEAR-END REVIEW FROM FEMA FIGHTING FOR US IN EUROPE—
Even though after the summer break most restrictions of the Covid19-measures were lifted, it soon became clear that there would be no return to the pre-pandemic normality. This did not stop us continuing our work. The number of visits to Brussels may be less than we were used to before 2020, we are still able to advocate the rights and interests of the European motorcyclists in Brussels and to a lesser extend in Geneva.
In this review we will first give a summary and then you will find the more detailed actions, ordered in the way of our strategic plan 2016-2026 by the four main topics.
To follow us, just click on your favourite social media channel.
Summary of actions
On the topic of environment and energy transition, part of the Fit for 55 package of the European Commission, we soon realized that in the European Union there is no political support at all for motorcycles, or other vehicles, on fossil fuels.
We therefore choose to lobby for internal combustion engines for longer distance motorcycles in general. In practice, this means motorcycles running on e-fuels and biofuels.
This is still an ongoing discussion, but with cars and vans, the door to these fuels is still a little open, so why not for motorcycles. Electric motorcycles can be a very good option for many users, but they need to be well facilitated with suitable charging opportunities. We lobbied to have small (L-category) vehicles included in the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR).
After the hype of automated vehicles, it now seems that manufacturers are focusing more on advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) and partially automated and connected driving. We contacted Euro NCAP about the relation between these systems and motorcyclists, because many ADAS still do not react properly to motorcycles and other powered two-wheelers.
From 2023 ADAS will be tested by Euro NCAP with motorcycles and FEMA will be involved in the development of the tests of Advanced Rider Assist Systems (ARAS). Other road safety aspects like safe infrastructure and driving licences have also taken much of our time this year as you can see later.
Our privacy and the protection of our vehicle data (and therefore also our personal data) is still a growing issue of concern. We keep following the developments and act when and where appropriate.
To be able to better look after the interests of our UK stakeholders and limit unwanted consequences of Brexit for both the UK and continental riders, we intensified our cooperation with the UK National Motorcyclists Council (NMC).
Finally, many motorcyclists own a historic motorcycle, often without realizing that. We looked after their interests too in 2022 and will keep doing that.
Environment and energy
As mentioned, the energy transition played an important role in 2022. Because in the EU plans motorcycles are still not mentioned, we could not do much in political lobbying, but we keep asking attention for the alternatives like e-fuels to be able to keep buying and riding new motorcycles with an internal combustion engine after 2035.
For motorcyclists who prefer electric motorcycles, we lobbied to include powered two-wheelers in the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR). We succeeded in that. Unfortunately there is no attention for the specific safety and security aspects of motorcycles in the AFIR, but here we kept lobbying to include these aspects in the charging infrastructure.
Sound did not play a big role in 2022, but on several occasions, we kept reminding the co-legislators that lowering the sound limit for new motorcycles is not the solution for the serious problem of noise annoyance. This solution must be found in a change in the culture of a part of the motorcycle community and enforcement.
The End-of-Life for Vehicles Directive kept us busy again too. On 24 and 25 March 2022 we attended a stakeholder meeting that was organized in order of the European Commission, and we lobbied again to keep motorcycles out of the scope of the End-of-Life for Vehicles Directive as this limits motorcycle owners to keep their motorcycles on the road in an affordable, sustainable and a responsible way. It would also limit owners of historic motorcycles to keep them running.
We took part in the UNECE Informal Working Group on Safer and Cleaner Used and New Vehicles for Developing Countries. (IWG on SCUNV), part of UNECE WP.29. The purpose of this working group is to regulate the export of used vehicles (including motorcycles) from Europe to other continents in a way that only clean and safe vehicles will be exported. We participate in this because we consider it as our duty to avoid the export of dirty and unsafe motorcycles to other continents.
Urban mobility /Future mobility
We had a meeting with the European Commission (EC) about SUMP (Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans) formats. Together with ACEM and FIM we had written the European Commission to share our concerns about the way a survey of the European Commission ignored motorcycling as an option in SUMPs.
We contributed to several surveys on this topic. We also keep alerting policymakers and the public on the beneficial aspects of using a motorcycle also in urban areas.
Road safety
As in previous years, in 2022 we had several contacts with the European Commission about the driving license regulation. In March, FEMA’s General Secretary Dolf Willigers was a speaker in a workshop about driving licenses, organized by the European Commission. We keep telling all policymakers that the current staged access system has no benefits and only heightens the threshold to obtain a full A driving license. We also asked for further harmonization of the driving license regulation on aspects as riding a small motorcycle with an A license and riding with a trailer. Together with ACEM we are also looking in ways to better include electric motorcycles as test motorcycles in the directive. Finally, we kept telling all policymakers that the focus of the tests needs to be changed from low-speed technical skills to higher level cognitive skills.
The European Commission is preparing a change of the current PTI directive 2014/45/EU to include all powered two-and three-wheelers in all member states. We provided the Commission during and after a meeting with the head and an expert of the cabinet of transport commissioner Valean with information that proves that periodic technical inspections have only a negligible effect on road safety, contrary to other measures like better education, safe infrastructure, etcetera.
During several meetings, we were active again in the road safety project SAFE-UP to make cars safer for vulnerable road users as PTW-riders.
By participating in a survey and several meetings we contributed again at efforts to develop an e-Call system that is good and safe for motorcyclists. We are convinced that well developed e-Call system has a positive effect on diminishing the effects of incidents like crashes on motorcyclists, because emergency services can be quicker and better alerted and crashed motorcyclists can be better found after the incident.
Early 2022 and again on 14 September, we had meetings about the technical and legal requirements and type approval of Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs). Important for us as this can become within our scope in future, but also to avoid confusing incident figures of this kind of vehicles with those of motorcycles.
Together with our Swedish member organization SMC and several road safety experts we are participating in an IRAP-EuroRAP working group to develop recommendations for safer infrastructure and enhance the IRAP assessment system.
We initiated a revision of the Dutch lane splitting guideline, which is used as an example is several other countries, to include the emergency lane.
We contacted Euro NCAP to share our concerns regarding the way safety assist systems are tested, which in our view can give drivers a false sense of safety that can be dangerous for motorcyclists. Euro NCAP will have better tests form 2023 and also invited us to participate in the development of tests for Advanced Rider Assist Systems (ARAS) for motorcyclists.
Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)
Again in 2023 we were alert to developments that endanger the privacy of motorcyclists. For the time being this is a problem that mainly plays a role with cars, but in our view, it is just a matter of time before motorcycles are going to be “connected” and this can become an issue for us too. In April, we contributed to a public consultation on this topic.
We also kept an eye on ARAS for motorcycles and follow the lobby to make Intelligent speed assistance (ISA) mandatory for motorcycles, as it already is for new cars.
Other issues
Historic vehicles are keeping our attention. We did so by participating in the European Parliament Historic Vehicle Group, in our work on the End-of-Life for Vehicles Directive (ELV Directive), lobbying is several ways to keep riding a motorcycle with an internal combustion engine possible, in discussing historic vehicles with the European Commission and with, through a survey, developing a new definition of historic motorcycles that better meets the needs of motorcyclists.
The mobility between the UK and the EU still provides problems for those who do not ride their motorcycle themselves, but have it transported in a van or on a trailer. Together with the UK NMC we tried to get some clarification in this topic. In the end we think that we can give that now.
Early 2022, we published a revised set of the FIM-FEMA Joint Position Papers, that we presented together with FIM Europe during the IfZ 14th International Motorcycle Conference in Cologne early October. Next time the set of joint position papers will be from FEMA, FIM Europe, and NMC.
In December, FEMA was a guest in an American podcast. This was after we published an article about transport poverty and how motorcycles can keep people mobile with raising costs of cars and public transport. It turns out that our articles are read widely all over the world.
In the end of the year, we were confronted with a situation where a Dutch motorcyclist received a ticket from Uzbekistan for an alleged violation of ULEZ rules in London. We wondered how his personal information could be known by a private company in Uzbekistan and asked for Information about this from the Netherlands Vehicle Authority which is responsible for the Dutch vehicle registration databank. This is still pending.
FEMA’s Committee Meeting in Denmark
For the first time since the pandemic, FEMA was able to organize a real meeting for the member organizations, our first physical meeting since February 2020. The meeting was hosted by our member organization MCTC at the MC Touring Camp in Kolind, Denmark.
Written by Dolf Willigers
Photo’s courtesy of Wim Taal, Roelof Veldhuis, BMW, www.classicbikehub.uk
QUOTE OF THE WEEK—
Motorcycles are the air we breathe, not something to be sold.
–Zack
KNUCKLEHEAD FEATURE OF THE WEEK—
Paul Davis, a young guy I met at Daytona built it, “Booger Watson” from Clarksville(?) TN. His father had a had a shop there. It’s a 68 cu in (EL bottom end with 74-inch bore). He said the cam was stock that they modified, FX frame, KR oil tank, seat was a Yamaha trials bike as I recall, Supertrapp dirt bike mufflers (which I started using on my bikes after that).
Bike was in a magazine (Choppers?) with claims of a bunch of performance stuff but that’s not what Booger told me.
–Paul Davis
NEW FROM THE LINDBY FAMILY—This is our latest new product. It is an adjustable footrest for the FLH models. (Patent pending)
The bracket will mount on the frame by the voltage regulator and the customer will be able to adjust the 2 footrests to a comfortable angle.
We will offer the part in 3 finishes
- Part # 280000 chrome
- Part # 281000 black
- Part # 282000 chrome/black
The product will fit from 1994 to present so it will fit a lot of motorcycle on the market.
Retail price $449.95
We will have the part ready for shipping by the end of this month.
Have a great day.
–Per Lindby
BIKERNET MEDICAL CENTER ALERT—
Look-it this ad from Moderna. they’re just laughing at us now. they’re as much as saying the shot will kill you. This is the conman actually mocking the sucker because the sucker is SO fucking stupid he won’t even notice.
–J.J. Solari
Research Chief
Bikernet Medical Center
Westwood, Los Angeles
AND THIS FEATURE JUST IN FROM JAPAN—BOLD IDEA CUSTOM CYCLES
Osaka, Ikeda-shi Airport 1-1-15-1F
TEL&FAX 06-6850-0503
MAIL info@boldideacc.com
HP: http://www.boldideacc.com
–from Sam Burns
Feature Bike Editor
Bikernet.com™
NEWS FROM THE MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION–2022 Ends With Multiple D.C. Victories for Bikers
In case you missed it, the last two weeks of 2022 saw multiple victories for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) and all motorcyclists in this country. With the clock ticking down before the 117th Congress adjourned, three major parts of the MRF legislative agenda were addressed by leaders in Washington, D.C.
December 16th – Rep. Tim Walberg of Michigan and 26 bipartisan members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding three recent fatal crashes between self-driving vehicles and motorcycles. The letter seeks answers about how self-driving cars interact with motorcycles and whether recent crashes are statistical outliers.
December 22nd – Rep. Susie Lee of Nevada inserted committee report language into the year-end omnibus government funding bill released by the U.S. Senate and passed both chambers of Congress. The report language states “The Committee is concerned that National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) may be conducting activities that encourage states to adopt legislation, regulation, or other policies that unjustly profile motorcycle riders. The Committee directs NHTSA to report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on the extent to which the agency works with states on motorcycle passenger policies within 120 days of enactment of this Act.”
December 23rd – Six years after it was first introduced the U.S. House of Representatives passed H. Res 366, the motorcyclist profiling resolution. The resolution “Promotes increased public awareness on the issue of motorcyclist profiling; encourages collaboration and communication with the motorcyclist community and law enforcement to engage in efforts to end motorcyclist profiling; and urges State law enforcement officials to include statements condemning motorcyclist profiling in written policies and training materials.”
To read the full version of H. Res 366 visit website
These three victories in the span of just a few days reflects the hard work of MRF members and our allies over the course of 2022. The work done at events like Bikers Inside the Beltway and by state motorcyclist rights organizations throughout the year paved the way for these successes.
As we look towards 2023 more challenges remain. For example, the Motorcyclists Advisory Committee (MAC) has yet to be established despite legislation passed in 2021 that directs the Department of Transportation to seat the MAC. Follow up on issues like profiling and self-driving cars will be necessary as will action on other items in the robust 2023 MRF legislative agenda.
While we are excited by the end to a successful year in our nation’s capital, we know that staying engaged is the only way to protect the freedoms we cherish. Thank you for your continued support of the MRF. Without your time, energy, and passion the voice of the street rider would disappear from the halls of power in D.C.
Let’s keep the momentum going in 2023! Not yet a member of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation? Join in the 2023 Freedom Fight.
Ride Safe and Ride Free
SAWICKI NEWS–2023 is off to a fast start
with Harley-Davidson releasing new lineup, more new products from Sawicki, our first events of the year, and the passing of legend Ken Block. So, here we go!
Big news from the motor company
this month and no I’m not talking about the pretty new colors H-D has to offer, although that’s always an important announcement for the V-Twin obsessed folks we call Fam. (check out our post about the new models on our socials) I’m talking about the major 120 years of Harley-Davidson announcement everyone’s talking about that goes down January 18. You know as much as I do so save the date and let’s see what it’s all about. I’ll meet you on social media to discuss our feelings on the matter. Deal? Tight.
ABOUT THE TEXAS MILE—
The Texas Mile has grown rapidly since our inaugural event in October 2003. Participants come from all edges of the United States, Canada and Mexico to test themselves and their motorized equipment on the fastest and most challenging 1-mile track in the world.
They achieve their top speed in 1-Mile and shut down in a 1/2-Mile. This bi-annual Motorsports Festival is created for performance enthusiast – Welcoming Motorcycles, Performance Street Cars, Race Cars and Land Speed Racers.
Spectators enjoy seeing the cars and motorcycles on the track and visiting with the participants in the paddock. There are onsite concessions to enjoy while at the event. For more details, see the rules and regulations section for participants and spectators.
Get off the highway and come out to The Texas Mile. It is like running on a straight 1 1/2-mile section of open highway without the fear of tickets and jail time. A High-Speed Shoot-out and Land Speed Racing Venue that compares to the likes of the legendary Bonneville that beckons one to “Drive in Your World, Race in Ours”!
WHY RUN?
Show what YOU have on a ONE-MILE straight (run wide open on an airport runway in Texas – 130mph, 160mph, 190mph & 200+mph)
Compete for the best of the best in your class
Set a high-speed record in Texas
Get the chance to join the 200+mph club of Texas
Test your equipment, prove something to yourself
Heck, just come out for a good time
NEW SBS BETTER BRAKES: NEXT-LEVEL BRAKE PERFORMANCE & ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
SVENDBORG, DENMARK. January 2, 2023 – SBS Friction A/S, the Danish manufacturer of brake pads for motorcycles, ATVs, SxS, and special applications, announced in 2021 a new strategy that would make the company the first brake pad production center in the industry, to fully embrace a sustainable proof-of-business both in production and in output. One year following, SBS is introducing the first Aftermarket brake pads that have both been refined and optimized for improved brake performance.
The new product series will be named SBS Better Brakes and will be available from January 1st, 2023.
The first products to be transitioned and introduced in the new SBS Better Brakes-series, are the popular SBS HF, SP, HS, and MS ranges. These ranges comprise more than 70% of the brake pads sold by SBS. Thus, the product launch will follow the company’s intention to transition products with high impact in focus. The transition of HF, SP, HS, and MS compounds is expected to be completed by Q3 2023 .
Because of significant similarities in performance characteristics of the new SP and HS-ranges and with an intention of enabling easier product selection for dealers and endusers, SP is being discontinued and merged into the HS product references. The series merger will happen gradually throughout Q3 2023.
Improved brake performance and stopping power
Riders will get a better and more stable brake performance and stopping power with the new SBS Better Brakes-series. The re-engineered compound formulas enable an improved Coefficient of Friction that provides a more efficient brake grip throughout the braking sequence. This results in a significantly reduced stopping distance, of up to 12%.
The new Better Brakes-series are designed to maintain a static fade level throughout after being heated and with improved heat resilience that enables a consistent braking experience with more sense of control and comfort throughout the ride.
– When developing new compounds, especially as complex as these new SBS Better Brakes compounds where we remove key friction materials, including copper, nickel, and antimony, thorough testing and engineering are required to be able to maintain and, in most cases, also improve brake performance. We have managed to make this possible and in compliance with OEM development procedures, says SBS Head of R&D, Esben Juul Sørensen.
The SBS Better Brakes-series is designed without Copper, Nickel (sintered compounds) and Antimony (ceramic compounds), which and replaced with an iron-based formula, which gives an improved Coefficient of Friction while also being a more environmentally friendly resource.
All products in the SBS Better Brakes-series are furthermore enforced with NUCAP NRS, the advanced mechanical friction material bonding technology.
[page break]
LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK–2012 Harley-Davidson XL1200X – Sportster Forty-Eight FOR $7,995.00
SEE IT HERE: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=12884751
2012 Orange Harley-Davidson SPORTSTER FORTY-EIGHT XL1200X with only 6730.00 miles!
This bike is a low mileage Forty-Eight Sportster and some of the features/Add-ons on this bike are
* 1200c.c. Motor 5-Speed trans.
* Black radius exhaust
* High-Flo air cleaner
* Tall sissy bar
* Ape hangers
* Two-up seat
* Black ball milled grips
* Wire wheels
This bike is only $7,995.00
Plus, license, $85.00 documentation fee, and local sales tax. NO HIDDEN FEES like some dealers. And we have no reconditioning or prep fees.
This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 92-point safety/mechanical/structural inspection.
Fill out an online application today. We have EZ FINANCING and EXTENDED WARRANTIES available!
Lifestyle Cycles is located at 1510 State College Blvd, Anaheim CA 92806. Open 7 days a week.
NOT LOCAL? WE HAVE SHIPPING AVAILABLE! Call today (714) 490-0155.
We carry Street Glides, Road Glides, Road Kings, Ultras, Sportsters, Softails, Dynas, and much more!
We are California’s pre-owned Harley Mega-Store with over 200 Pre-Owned Harley-Davidsons in stock! To view our current inventory,
ACTION FROM THE TWISTED ROAD— Destination: Austin
The Austin area is a blast, with a great music, food, and bar scene. For riders, there are a lot of amazing motorcycle rides, long and short. There are some epic highway routes, as well as unique areas to visit on a bike within the city limits. There are also several cool annual motorcycle events in Austin, and moto-culture as a whole is vibrant and strong.
See the details and rent a bike at Twisted Road web site.
NEW YEARS GREETINGS FROM AMERICAN PRIME–SU Rebuild Service
Now available from APM, a professional factory rebuild service to take your SU from comatose to like new!
Our mailing address is:
American Prime Manufacturing Inc.
8205 SECURA WAY
SANTA FE SPGS, CA 90670
ACTION FROM BABES RIDE OUT— We are so excited to finally bring back our annual track day at our home track, Fox Raceway in Pala, CA. This event is for the entire fam and there is no event sign up or extra cost to attend other than the track fee you pay upon arrival if riding.
Fox Raceway opens at 8AM and first ladies only moto starts at 9:00AM sharp on the vet track. At the top of the hour, ladies only (15+ up) will have 30 min motos on the vet track.
Free Husqvarna demos (can you smell the 2 stroke?!) for the ladies Free Husqvarna x Stacyc demos for kids (bring your own gear + helmet etc.)
Free USMCA coaching on site provided by Husqvarna Hospitality + snacks and coffee provided by Fox Racing crew.
Bring the entire fam, we want everyone to enjoy a day ripping!
More details on the ride schedule, track(s), facilities, track fees, and camping options, tap HERE.
NEW FROM BARNETT CABLE AND CLUTCHES–Barnett Clutch Line Adapters
One of the oldest names in the international motorcycle parts and accessory industry (founded in 1948 and still family owned and operated), these hydraulic clutch line adapters for 2002 and up Harley-Davidson Big Twins (and 2009-17 V-Rods) are the newest products in the extensive Barnett Clutches & Cables line up.
These adapters allow any brake line with #3AN fittings to be adapted for use as a clutch line. Chrome plated, they are made in-house at Barnett’s Ventura, California headquarters with steel tubing and fittings.
BARNETT CLUTCHES & CABLES
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE 78TH ANNUAL TRAILBLAZERS BANQUET & BIKE SHOW—
Any holder of a 2023 banquet ticket is welcome to bring an antique, classic or vintage motorcycle to display in the bike show on a first come-first served basis.
Space is limited and there are no pre-reservations for bikes to display. The more rare, interesting, historic, and/or related to this year’s honorees the better.
Bike Show Director Norm Bigelow or any of the other Trailblazers Directors in the Gold blazers have the final say on whether or not to accept any motorcycle in the display.
The Trailblazers Bike Show awards are for:
Best of Show: Voted by the judges as the most spectacular motorcycle entered in the show. History, condition, significance, and other details
are all considered.
Trailblazers Spirit Award: Voted by the judges as the motorcycle most typical of a first bike our Trailblazers members would have started on or raced early in their careers.
Tom White Competition Award: Voted by the judges as the best race bike. The award is named after the late-Tom White, a former professional racer and founder of the Early Years of Motocrossm Museum.
Trophy donated by Myra Thomason.
People’s Choice Award: Voted by the banquet attendees as their favorite motorcycle in the show. All attendees will receive a printed ballot at check-in that they can write down their favorite motorcycle and dropmthe ballot in ballot boxes that will be in the bike show area.
See more at the TrailBlazers website.
CBS “60 Minutes” sacrifices its credibility in selling apocalyptic pseudoscience
The way to save endangered mountain gorillas is to help people move away from wood fuel toward fossil fuels. Why are scientists like Stanford’s Paul Ehlich (center) promoting the opposite?
On CBS “60 Minutes” last night, scientists claimed that humans are causing a “sixth mass extinction” and that we would need the equivalent of five planet earths for all humans to live at current Western levels.
“No, humanity is not sustainable to maintain our lifestyle — yours and mine,” claimed Stanford University biologist Paul Ehrlich. “Basically, for the entire planet, you’d need five more Earths. It’s not clear where they’re gonna come from.”
Both claims are wrong and have been repeatedly debunked in the peer-reviewed scientific literature.
That claim that “five more earths” are needed to sustain humanity comes from something called the Ecological Footprint calculation. I debunked it 10 years ago with a group of other analysts and scientists, including the Chief Scientist for The Nature Conservancy, in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, PLOS Biology.
We broke down the six measures that comprise the Ecological Footprint and found that five of the six, including food and forestry, were either in balance or surplus. The only thing out of balance was humankind’s carbon emissions.
But reducing carbon emissions requires neither that rich nations become poor nor that poor nations remain poor. Rather, it simply requires that we move toward energy sources that produce fewer carbon emissions, namely natural gas and nuclear.
–MICHAEL SHELLENBERGER
Environmental Progress.com
BRAND New Bikernet Reader Comment!–Bandit’s Cantina Episode 101
https://www.bikernet.com/pages/Bandits_Cantina_Episode_101.aspx
Good thing for The Bikers headed by The Bandit. They saved the day on the 405. The anti fossil fuel group are a bunch of nuts and they suck!!!!!!
— Ann Robinson
Long Beach, CA
STILL PLAYIN’ POSSUM: MUSIC & MEMORIES OF GEORGE JONES SELLS OUT THE VON BRAUN CENTER IN HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA
Travis Tritt & Wynonna Added To Stellar Already Announced Lineup
Tickets Available for VIP Dinner with Nancy Jones & Friends on Monday, April 24th at The Von Braun Center
Huntsville, Ala. – As Nancy Jones announced ‘Still Playin’ Possum: Music & Memories of George Jones,’ which will include performances by Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Jamey Johnson, Justin Moore, Lorrie Morgan, Mark Chesnutt, Michael Ray, Sam Moore, Tanya Tucker, Trace Adkins, Tracy Byrd, and Tracy Lawrence taking place at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama, on Tuesday, April 25th, nobody could imagine the excitement that would surround this event. he event has officially sold out within two weeks of its original announcement and the lineup continues to get bigger!
Travis Tritt and Wynonna have been added to the all-star lineup to perform. A special collaboration between Jamey Johnson and Wynonna will honor one of George Jones and Tammy Wynette’s hit songs.
“I cannot believe the love that everyone has shown me since making this announcement,” says Nancy Jones. “I have been reading comments on Facebook and the fans truly loved George. People are coming from Scotland, Canada, and all over the United States to hear these great artists and friends singing George’s songs as we honor him 10 years after his passing. So THANK YOU to the fans for showing up and showing Nashville and the world that George’s music will continue to live on.”
In addition, Nancy Jones will be hosting a VIP dinner the night before the concert event at the Von Braun Center Ballroom. Tickets are $200 and will include a sit-down meal as well as a photo opportunity with Nancy.
“I want to see all the fans. I want to thank them. I want to shake their hand. Without them, George’s career would never have been the same. They were loyal and I want to show the loyalty back,” added Jones. “I have some surprises for everyone that night and I am excited to be working on that night’s program.”
QUOTE OF THE WEEK—
“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.” –Mark Twain
TRIKE FILES OPENED–Will There Be a Market for Trikes in India ?
An engineer-entrepreneur looks to make trikes out of India’s two-wheelers
A Hyderabad- based small enterprise, also a participant at the upcoming Auto Expo, wants to tap the huge base of two-wheeler customers to build a new business of converting two-wheelers to trikes.
There’s no defined category of trikes in India yet, but according to an amended portion of IS 14272 which categorises different types of vehicles, ‘twinned wheels’ will be considered as one as long as both wheels are mounted on the same axle and ‘the distance between the centres of their areas of contact with the ground is equal to or less than 460 mm’.
Source: click to read at EconomicTimes
–Wayfarer
Editor
Bikernet Blog & Facebook Page
SALT TORPEDO REPORT ON TEXAS MILE—
I spoke to Joey from the Texas Mile and he informed me that the event is always the last weekend in March.
Registration is not until February. He will let me know a week before registration, so we can prepare.
Joey told me some interesting facts about the track. He set several records and is working with Aprilia. It’s a stock sit-up bike and he’s been 286 mph. You might want to give him a call about the track and wind issues. He also owns a Vanderhall, so he understands trikes configured like ours.
We learned from Denis’s book that we will be facing frontal lift issues.
–Bandit
Janitor
5-Ball Racing Team
TATTOO ART COLLECTION FROM SULLEN—
The first Artist Series Tuesday of 2023 is here and it’s a good one.
This week’s artwork was designed by tattoo legend Jack Rudy (@j_rudy_gtc). We’re throwing in a FREE sticker with the first 100 orders to start off 2023!
So don’t wait, grab yours now.
My grandson Frank Jr. tattoos at Jack’s shop every week.
–Bandit
CUSTOM TIP OF THE WEEK—
I’m now surrounded by serious builders and in touch with more Hamsters who are pro-builders including Carl Pussar. Carl recently gave me his pipe chroming tip. He coaches his chromer not to copper plate his pipes but double nickel plate them. Then he coats the inside with heat paint to help insulate the outside of the pipes from heat and thus prevent bluing.
Don’t tell anyone, promise.
–Bandit
BIKERNET SONG PICK—Another Year Comin’ Song Pick of the Year
If anyone has partied too hard, feeling regret and tired of same old in the new year –here is a song that always cheers me right up. Why? Because it’s a solution and it does work.
Get Rhythm Dammniit as Bandit would sing it in the garage! Actually, here is another tip for those getting the blues already — sing in the shower, sing on your motorcycle when riding alone. You see these idiots chatting and texting on their phone walking in the middle of the street or driving a car.
Well, it ain’t madness to sing out loud all alone in whatever voice you were endowed with. Pretend you are a star and shoot it straight through in your best pitch! Got a badly tuned guitar or harmonica? What are you waiting for, rock n roll with it. Play it as is, in your living room when feeling lonely and start living again.
Anyways, here is the song to add to your “Motivation” and “Self-Help” playlists….Ladies & Gentleman, this is Johnny Cash.
Song: “Get Rhythm”
Artist: Johnny Cash and The Tennessee Two
Album: Greatest!
Songwriters: Johnny Cash
Hey, get rhythm
When you get the blues
C’mon, get rhythm
When you get the blues
Get a rock and roll feeling in your bones
Put taps on your toes, and get goin’
Get rhythm
When you get the blues
A little shoe-shine boy, he never gets low-down
But he’s got the dirtiest job in town
Bending low at the peoples’ feet
On a windy corner of a dirty street
Well, I asked him while he shined my shoes
How’d he keep from getting the blues
He grinned as he raised his little head
He popped a shoe-shine rag, and then he said
Get rhythm
When you get the blues
C’mon, get rhythm
When you get the blues
A jumpy rhythm makes you feel so fine
It’ll shake all your trouble from your worried mind
Get rhythm
When you get the blues
Get rhythm
When you get the blues
C’mon, get rhythm
When you get the blues
Get a rock and roll feeling in your bones
Put taps on your toes, and get goin’
Get rhythm
When you get the blues
Well, I sat down to listen to the shoe-shine boy
And I thought I was gonna jump for joy
Slapped on the shoe polish left and right
He took a shoe-shine rag and he held it tight
He stopped once to wipe the sweat away
I said, “You’re a mighty little boy to be a-workin’ that way”
He said, “I like it” with a big wide grin
Kept on a-poppin’ and he said again
Get rhythm
When you get the blues
C’mon, get rhythm
When you get the blues
It only costs a dime, just a nickel a shoe
It does a million dollars worth of good for you
Get rhythm
When you get the blues
–Wayfarer
Editor
Bikernet Blog & Facebook Page
NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE ASSOCIATION–Auto Execs Are Becoming Less Optimistic About EV Adoption
Automotive executives are reportedly scaling back their expectations for EV adoption, according to an annual survey conducted by KPMG International. Last year, professionals working at the top of the industry reported that they believed (on average) that over half of all new vehicles sold in the United States by 2030 would be battery-electric. But their faith in electrification appears to be evaporating, with most respondents suggesting that particular goal is no longer achievable.
In its 2021 survey, KPGM stated that executives had grown more bullish on EV acceptance due to the Biden administration committing the United States toward having a 50/50 sales split for electric and gasoline-powered vehicles by 2030. It’s something the European Union had already proposed, with similar goals being adopted by countries like Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
Though it needs to be said that estimates varied widely, with KPMG only offering an industry average that was still loaded up with outliers on both sides of the spectrum when viewed more carefully. Ultimately, the group believed that a 52 percent EV take rate was achievable by 2030. However, that figure was the result of over 1,000 top-ranking automotive officials giving their opinion – with many assuming the number could be much higher or lower.
The 2022 survey is less optimistic overall. According to CNBC, the median expectation for EV sales in the United States was 35 percent of the new vehicle market by 2030. That’s down 65 percent from a year earlier and represents one of the largest declines on the entire planet. While the U.S. was always assumed to be the big holdout, due to the fact that drivers tend to cover longer distances in varying climates and generally prefer liquid-fueled vehicles, it was assumed that a change in government would drive up EV adoption as government policy shifted to be more like what was taking place in Europe.
Of the 900-plus automotive executives surveyed for 2022, 76 percent expressed concerns that inflation and high-interest rates would adversely affect auto sales generally going into 2023. But EVs (which tend to cost substantially more than their combustion-driven counterparts) are presumed to have it the worst going forward.
“There’s still a sense of optimism long term, and yet, most importantly, there’s a sense of realism in the near term. You see this realism throughout the entire survey,” Gary Silberg, KPMG global head of automotive, told CNBC.
There are some curious angles to the matter that need to be explored, however.
With Congress passing the Inflation Reduction Act (which included billions in incentives for electric vehicles) over the summer, there’s theoretically more government money on the table for EV manufacturers than ever before. But, to take full advantage, automakers do need to swiftly rejigger their supply chains to incorporate more labor and materials stemming from North America. Unfortunately for the industry, it seems as though some automakers either don’t think they can do so quickly enough to enjoy those incentives within the next couple of years and that the price of shifting production and supply lines may not be worth it in the long run. But this is a secondary issue to the general apprehension created by today’s hectic economy.
There was also the now-standard anti-Tesla rhetoric taking place within the survey, with KPGM downplaying the manufacturer’s former position as the obvious choice in EV leadership. This may have been the result of Tesla receiving so much negative press following Elon Musk’s decision to purchase Twitter or perhaps the result of some of the company’s shortcomings ( FSD, quality assurance, etc.) finally reaching the public consciousness. Whatever the reason, it seriously tweaked the study, with respondents now assuming there will be a more level playing field.
While Tesla remained the top pick as the industry leader in electrification, it lost serious ground to its rivals. Though some of them seem a little nonsensical. For example, Apple was seen as a major player in the 2022 survey. The iPhone purveyor ended up in fourth place (after Tesla, BMW, and Audi) among those taking the survey, despite never having produced a single EV for public consumption. Apple may be a contender in the years ahead, but assuming it’s going to eclipse Tesla by 2024 seems ridiculous.
Which begs the question of how seriously we should even be taking the KPMG survey – especially considering how far off its 2022 results seem to be from 2021.
Considering that KPMG is one of the largest multinational professional services networks on the planet, it might be wise to at least consider what’s being offered here. The company is one of those massive global business networks that have to use an acronym due to how many separate entities have been incorporated into the name over the years. While it probably would have been subject to antitrust scrutiny back in the day – and has certainly been the subject of controversy over the past two decades – it’s so massive that any information it offers up has serious potential to move markets.
Its far-reaching business ties also mean it is in a unique position to take the pulse of other industries to get a sense of where they’re at. For this year’s survey, KPMG contacted 915 automotive executives in October. More than 200 respondents were said to be CEOs and 209 were other C-level executives. More than 300 respondents were from North America, including 252 people from the United States.
And the general sentiment was that the industry doesn’t see EV adoption happening as quickly as assumed in 2021. Though, curiously, almost everyone seems to feel that the industry will become more profitable than was assumed in 2021. A whopping 83 percent of automotive executives who took part in the survey globally said they were “confident” in higher profits over the next five years — a figure that’s up from the 52 percent reported in last year’s results.
Considering the number of automakers that claimed to be banking on making EVs their mainstay products over the past several years, this result is a little confusing. If the industry was as serious about electrification as claimed, one would assume that leadership losing confidence in adoption rates would negatively impact their bottom line. Auto sales forecasting from outlets like Cox Automotive has also been moving in the wrong direction, with 2022 volumes in the U.S. expected to be down 9 percent against the 15 million vehicles sold in 2021. Though a more relevant comparison would be against the 17.1 million vehicles sold in 2019 – before expansive lockdowns and supply chain restrictions came into play.
That scarcity has been the pillar that’s been propping up pricing for the last few years and the automotive industry has managed to spin the issue into something profitable. By stating that there’s an insufficient number of vehicles being produced due to a lack of component supply dealerships have engaged in some of the worst price gouging witnessed in modern history. But manufacturers have also been raising prices to help pad their own profitability, often using the scarcity excuse much in the same way we’ve seen energy companies doing since late 2020.
Your author is under the assumption that auto executives broadly believe that alternative revenue streams (e.g. data harvesting, micro-transactions, OTA updates, etc) are about to yield dividends and that they can ride the inflation wave a little longer without shooting themselves in the foot. But this seems to ignore any prior assertion that EVs will make up a meaningful portion of sales in the years to come. While that might have something to do with consumer-based studies likewise showing EV acceptance dwindling from past years, there may also be some influence from studies suggesting that there aren’t enough raw materials to sustain widespread EV use or increased reporting about some of the human rights abuses associated with battery manufacturing. Meanwhile, it sounds like nobody is expecting the production rates of electric or combustion vehicles to rebound next year due to alleged supply chain constraints nobody seems capable of (or perhaps even all that interested in) remedying.
Whether wholly organic or stacked for effect by corporate media, this is the narrative the industry looks to be running with now.
–by Matt Posky
–NMA
[page break]
APOLLO ASTRONAUT PASSES—
On January 3, 2023, America lost a hero and CFACT lost a friend. Colonel Walter Cunningham was 90. “Walt” is best known for flying in space as lunar module pilot on Apollo VII, the first manned space mission after a tragic fire on the ground killed the crew of Apollo I. Walt worked closely with CFACT and joined our delegations to COP 19, the UN climate conference in Warsaw, and COP 20 in Lima, Peru.
Flashback: Apollo Astronaut Cunningham Slams UN for perpetrating the ‘one of the biggest frauds in the field of science’
–Marc Morano
Climate Depot
TALENT OF THE WEEK—Paige Pederson
–Sam Burns
Talent Scout
Bikernet.com™
OPEN LETTER TO BANDIT-– Morning sir, you were like my hero, when I was a kid. I built a new bike with handmade parts. I wanted to see if I could get it in your magazine. Your stories kept me alive as a teenager.
Thanks,
–Buzz Turner
HOME APPLIANCE WARNING—Beware purchasing any appliances from Best Buy or Whirlpool. We bought a Whirlpool Refrigerator from Best Buy this summer. It has never worked properly. Best Buy will do nothing to straighten out the issue. Whirlpool is far, far away. We have had three technicians out, but they can’t fix it. Seems new appliances can’t use Freon anymore, probably a climate issue. They switched to another chemical which is tougher to deal with and the average Joe can’t correct or fix the levels.
Make sure to purchase your new stove or refrigerator from a local business. Also make sure they repair the items they have for sale.
–Bandit
TEXAS WEATHER REPORT–Happy New Year!
Rode the Shovelhead yesterday and went out this morning for my annual New Year’s Day Ride. Except Sea Fog, not as bad as 12/26/19 when I rode at 3:30 in the morning headed to work. Moisture was as bad on the inside of the helmet as the outside. No leather due to our summer time temps today, so soggy clothes fast! I waived the 50-mile minimum this year.
Last year was warm on the first, no fog. But the 2nd was “feels like 17”, why did I ride? Conditioning and lack of common sense!
Cousin shared this picture today, Can we all just stop and appreciate that hair and a gold chain too! Heineken, so mid ‘80s.
–RFR
ANOTHER New Bikernet Reader Comment!—
WHAT’S IT GOING TO BE BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS for December 29th, 2022
https://www.bikernet.com/pages/WHATS_IT_GOING_TO_BE_BIKERNET_WEEKLY_NEWS_for_December_29th_2022.aspx
Hey bud, if you’re hunting an accurate GPS speedo, check out RB Racing’s offering.
–Vin
Huntersville, NC
COMMENT FROM DR. JUDITH CURRY’S WEBSITE—
People who criticize coal are beyond redemption. Coal is poetic; trees covered Gondwana during the Carboniferous period. Those trees died and after millions of years became coal. Humans dig up coal and use it to build every amenity which has taken humanity from the tyranny of nature: energy. steel, cement; and when humanity burns coal CO2 is released to feed the plants alive today.
Only a moron would find fault with that.
–Dr. Judith Curry
UL FEATURE OF THE WEEK—
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EHINGER KRAFTRAD
Brook 5, Boden 2, Block E, Luke 5
20457 Hamburg
hello@ehingerkraftrad.com
F www.ehingerkraftrad.com
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TOTAL MINDFULLNESS AND HEALTH FROM THE VA—
Set Your Intentions for 2023!
An intention is about connecting with your mission, aspiration and purpose. Setting and revisiting your intentions can help you realize your goals. Evaluate where you are in your life, what matters most to you and set a goal for your own whole health! Take five minutes to set intentions for 2023.
Personal health planning supports the examination of a person’s mission, aspirations, and purpose. It can involve completing a Personal Health Inventory, setting goals, and using resources needed to take steps to work towards your personal health plan.
Personal health planning can also be connected with education, peer support, and practicing self-care to support your overall health and well-being.
There are four principles to Personal Health Planning
- Whole Health Assessment (a.k.a., Personal Health Inventory)
- Education
- Goal Setting (Shared & SMART Goals)
- Self-reflection & exploration of your personal MAP (mission, aspiration & purpose)
The Personal Health Inventory walks you through the eight self-care areas identified on the Circle of Health to help you determine how they affect your health. You will answer questions such as:
- Are you getting enough sleep at night to refresh your body and mind?
- Are you eating foods and beverages that will nourish and fuel you?
- Are you surrounding yourself with people you love and care about?
- Do you have as much energy and flexibility as you could have with more exercise?
- Are you finding opportunities to learn and grow?
After completing your inventory, consider sharing it with your health care provider, finding a Whole Health course, or starting your Personal Health Plan.
–VA
WE ORDERED A SET OF HIGHBARS FROM NASH—
Kick off the new year with some fresh handlebars!
Big handlebar sale 40% off for a limited time!
Handlebars have been the cornerstone of Nash Motorcycle for over 15 years! We’re kicking off the new year with a healthy sale on all handlebar models!
Use code: BARS40
SHOP NOW
UPDATED CHIP RELEASE— Motorcycles as Art Exhibit Changes Direction
Sturgis, S.D. (January 3, 2023): The Sturgis Buffalo Chip Motorcycles As Art Exhibition is changing format for its upcoming 15th anniversary as the exhibition’s curator, photographer Michael Lichter, moves into an advisory role.
Following an incredible run of 14 themed exhibitions at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip, Lichter will showcase his own work at the 2023 Motorcycles As Art exhibition, leading a group of known and emerging artists and builders. Of course, Michael will be seen all around the Black Hills as he continues to document the rally, as he has done for over 40 years.
Sturgis Buffalo Chip to Remodel Event Center Gallery and Enhance Reach
Shifting from the themed exhibitions of past years, the platform will expand to become more open and accessible to a wider group of artists and custom builders. The exhibit will continue to highlight custom motorcycles, and there will be an expansion in the display and sales of motorcycle-themed artwork. Motorcycles As Art will continue in the Buffalo Chip’s Event Center, which will undergo a newly conceived remodel to include an adjoining building and gardens for 2023.
Many know Michael Lichter as a world-renowned photographer who has documented the rise in popularity of custom motorcycles and the culture that developed around them for over forty years. As an exhibition curator, he has produced a total of 22 motorcycle-themed exhibitions. Of the eight that preceded the Motorcycles As Art exhibitions at the Buffalo Chip, five were staged at the Journey Museum in Rapid City.
“Michael continues to be an important part of the Buffalo Chip family,” says Chip President Rod “Woody” Woodruff. “An unbelievable amount of work goes into the Motorcycles as Art production, and Michael deserves accolades for his past work, as well as a chance to sit back and enjoy the exhibition. It’s going to be a great year to appreciate the artistry of motorcycling at the Chip.”
The enhanced version of Motorcycles As Art will look deeper into the culture, presenting opportunities for a wider array of builders and artists to unveil and display their work in the updated facility. Lichter will work closely with a dedicated team at the Buffalo Chip as curatorial adviser and his archival photography will be part of the new format. An announcement with specific criteria for artists and builders will be forthcoming.
All attendees at the Buffalo Chip are invited to explore this eclectic collection of custom motorcycles and motorcycle art, both on display and for sale, in the Motorcycles As Art Gallery, open for 9 days only during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Motorcycles As Art will continue to be the home of the Buffalo Chip’s Industry Party, slated for Saturday, August 5th, 2023.
Past and prospective artists, builders and sponsors will be contacted by Buffalo Chip representatives. Inquiries may be made directly to info@BuffaloChip.com
LATEST FROM THE LOWBROW CREW—
We designed the FiltroMax remote oil filter mount specifically for custom motorcycles.
That being said, it can be used on any type of vehicle. Oozes style, sporting cooling fins and a sexy contoured shape.
Investment-cast stainless steel, available in polished or black finish.
Two threaded mounting holes for easy universal mounting. Weld-on mounting tab included (plus several ready-to-go mounting brackets for various applications sold separately)
CHECK ‘EM OUT
THAT’S A WRAP FOR THIS WEEK—
We received our Black Bike Wheels for our VL,XA, S&S FL Winter project bike. I bought a front mechanical brake from Charlie or the Rust God, but there could be an issue with the front axle. The front Black Bike wheel is upgraded with Timken bearings and the stock axle might not work. Steve, from Paughco is working on it.
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I also bought a set of stock rockers from Charlie and I’m working with Randy Cramer from Dakota V-Twin and Colony on replacement brake parts and rocker bushings.
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Cabana Dan was kind enough to sell me this roller for the 1914 Single I’ve been hanging denims on for the last 20 years. I can now make it a little speed racer.
Make sure you check the story on the Snow Rider, a brother who rides his Crossbones to work every day in Deadwood.
Tomorrow I’m going to order a Hawg Halters Sprotor rear brake for the VL project. Depending on what I can get done this week, I may bring you the next report.
Cabana Dan is working on three V-twins builds. One is an Excelsior-Henderson a 1913 and then 1914 and 1913 Harley-Davidsons. They are all ground-up builds, and we will bring you the first intro report next week. I’m already learning a lot about early builds.
Grandson Frankie has an M-8 and is considering a major or minor upgrade. He’s either going with a cam, tuner and pipe or a major 114 to 129-inch engine. Hang on. He’s working with Danny Wilson, the Collective in Phoenix, FXR Division. Here’s a shot of what his engine could look like.
Peeps think we’re freezing to death, but I swear it ain’t bad at all. Sorta clean and fresh.
Let’s see how the world works through the following week. Think Freedom, it always works.
–Bandit
