EASTER EGG SUNDAY POST

Hey,

What could be better? I could be decorating eggs and hanging out with brightly colored adorned kids, or producing the Sunday Post, then scrambling to have enough time to put the shop back together.

I’m trying to prep the Bikernet shop for three builds. We need to clear off two more lifts and tighten up shop organization. Jeremiah delivered a “metal locker” the other day. Actually, it’s a very cool metal cabinet, so I sanded it and mixed some Rustoleum gray and white for just the right Bikernet shop gray. This puppy will house all the drill press tools and bits, and all the aerosol cans of paint for a fire proof container. I’ll take a shot of the completed project, but it will clean up the shop considerably.

We picked up the 1981 XS650 Yamaha, and I feel sorta strange with an official Jap bike in the shop, but I’m working with Mr. Lucky and a local kid, Danny, to show how cheaply a cool bobber can be built. Danny lives in Wilmington with his wife and new child. That’s how poor he is. He lives in the same little third world country between Long Beach and San Pedro as we do. He graduated from X-ray tech school, and his wife is very close to her AA degree. He can’t find a job, and works part time as a casual on the docks (when he can get work), and at Big Nick’s cleaning dishes. They struggle, but they are always bettering their education and trying. This will be Danny’s first bike, and first opportunity to build a bike. We will take you through the whole process.

And of course I’m building two Mudflap girl FXRs for the run to Sturgis, with my son. As soon as we have the Spitfire parts, Frank, the Tattoo artist, will make trips to the shop to give me a hand. You’ll see more bits and pieces about these builds in the Post, so let’s hit it:

 

PREPARING FOR MEMORIAL DAY–
It is the
VETERAN,
not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion.

It is
the VETERAN,
not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is
the VETERAN,
not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is
the VETERAN,
not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the
VETERAN who
salutes the Flag,

It is
the
VETERAN
who serves
under the Flag,

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON
THEM.

–from Irving Marsh

HELLS ANGELS CLUB HOUSE OPEN–The SFV Clubhouse is open Saturday April 30th for FIGHT NIGHT!!
Featuring: Georges St. Pierre vs. Jake Shields

Guests are welcome starting at 5pm. Fights start at 6pm.

Full Bar, No Host (pay for your own drinks) & food will be potluck style.

All SFV Merchandise will be available for sale during the party.

Friends/Supporters are invited to watch the fights! See you Saturday.
–Rusty
Illusion Cycles

NRA-ILA GRASSROOTS ALERT, Mexico Disregards U.S. Law — In another chapter in the ongoing attempt to blame the American gun community for Mexico’s internal strife, CBS News reports that the Mexican government has retained the New York City-based law firm of Reid Collins & Tsai to examine its options for suing U.S. gun manufacturers and distributors. This report describes Mexico’s actions as a “novel approach,” in reality, such lawsuits have been used for decades as a tactic by anti-gun groups and governments in their attempts to bankrupt gun manufacturers and circumvent the political process.

That’s why Congress passed the “Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act” in 2005. This act protects firearms manufacturers, distributors, dealers and importers from suits brought about as a result of “the harm solely caused by the criminal or unlawful misuse of firearm products or ammunition products by others when the product functioned as designed and intended.” The outlook for a Mexican government suit looks dim; since the PLCAA was signed into law by President George W. Bush on Oct. 26, 2005, no federal court has allowed such a suit by a government plaintiff to go forward against a U.S. firearms manufacturer.

Mourning Another Second Amendment Hero: Rep. Harold L. Volkmer, R.I.P.
The NRA, and American gun owners, lost a loyal friend on April 16, 2011, when former U.S. Rep. Harold L. Volkmer died in his hometown of Hannibal, Missouri. He had just celebrated his 80th birthday, and was pleased to read the hundreds of cards he had received from grateful gun owners.

Legislation Introduced To Protect Lead Based Ammo And Fishing Tackle:
On April 14th, U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) and U.S. Representatives Jeff Miller (R-Fla.), Mike Ross (D-Ark.), Bob Latta (R-Ohio) and Heath Shuler (D-N.C.), introduced legislation to protect traditional lead ammunition and fishing tackle from a potential ban by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

OUTRAGE Of The Week: Capital One Rejects Hunting Photo for Image Card
“Express Yourself. Personalize your card with an image of your choice.”

That is the claim made by Capital One for anyone who wants to have a personal photo put on a Capital One credit card. You can even design it yourself online with a photo you upload.

But you can’t use a hunting photo. Capital One considers them unacceptable.

Urge Your Representative To Cosponsor H.R. 822, The National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act Of 2011 Congressmen Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) and Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) have introduced vital legislation that will enable millions of permit holders to exercise their right to self-defense while traveling outside their home states.

 

 

NEW 4.5-INCH BILLET AIR CLEANERS FROM SPITFIRE–These are no tin pieces of shit, but fully machined billet aluminum and designed to fit S&S or CV carbs. A wild variety of styles, and beautifully chromed, but ask for black or polished versions.

 

 

DON’T FORGET MOTHERS DAY, Coming May 7th & 8th– City Limits’ Mothers Day Celebration:

Mom’s this day is all about you and the spirit of the open road. Come on out & celebrate with the whole family. We’ll have Free Beverages, Food, Live Music, Vendors, & Tons More!

NEVADA MANDATORY HELMET LAW REPEAL– There is currently a bill in the Nevada Legislature that would repeal that states Mandatory Helmet Law. It is Senate Bill 177. At this time there is a senator trying to keep it from going forwarded.
I would like to suggest those living in Nevada contact their Senators at the addresses below. And ask them to vote for passage of this bill.
I would also like to suggest that those not living in the state contact them and let them know you will not be visiting their state as long as it has a mandatory helmet law.
Here is also a link to the Tourism Commission who should also know that you will Not be visiting.
http://travelnevada.com/contact-us.aspx

Senators: –
sbreeden@sen.state.nv.us
gbrower@sen.state.nv.us
BCegavske@sen.state.nv.us
mdenis@sen.state.nv.us
dgustavson@sen.state.nv.us
ehalseth@sen.state.nv.us
bkieckhefer@sen.state.nv.us

kbowen@lcb.state.nv.us
jhardy@sen.state.nv.us

THANK YOU

–from Rogue

TRIBUTE TO KIMMY– I must be the last to know about the death of Kimmy Chapman. She let me bring some kids, from the lower income spectrum, to a couple of show she was involved and I will be eternally grateful for her kindness. I was a teacher at the time and every time I saw her (which wasn’t often) ; she would ask if she could do something for me. She will be sorely missed.

–Don Smith ,
Fan Base Promotions

BIKERNET MEDICAL CENTER FINDINGS–Three Nutrition Tips for Arthritis.

If your mornings begin with stiffness, pain and swollen joints, you may be experiencing symptoms of osteoarthritis. In addition to getting regular exercise (low-impact is the best) and maintaining a healthy weight, consider the following nutritional strategies to help prevent or lessen symptoms.

1. Eat foods rich in antioxidants. Fresh fruits and vegetables are good sources, and may help reduce tissue damage from inflammation.
2. Get enough omega-3s. The omega-3 fatty acids provided in oily fish (such as wild Alaskan salmon), walnuts and freshly ground flaxseed may help reduce the inflammation and pain of arthritis.
3. Regularly use ginger and turmeric for their natural anti-inflammatory properties.

WEEKEND MEMO FROM BIKERNET INSURANCE–Has Bureaucracy Gone Mad?

“Bureaucracy is the art of making the possible impossible”
— Javier Pascal Salcedo

Everyone, at one time or another, feels bound up by the endless swathe of red tape that has creeped up into our lives. Every citizen and worker has been frustrated by bureaucratic bullshit. So how does one navigate the maze put before us by professional bureaucrats?

Bureaucracy refers to the structure and set of regulations that control the activities of people that are part of or work for organizations. Bureaucracy is characterized by following “the rules” — aka: standardized procedures, formal hierarchy, division of processes and procedures. As many of us are experiencing today, bureaucracy run unchecked, kills initiative, entrepreneurship, productivity, businesses, economies and basically takes away the incentive to do better. Bureaucracy has now run amok in all levels of governments and in many large companies. It has gotten so ridiculous that we even expect large organizations and all levels of government to be bureaucratic, slow and unresponsive. So how the hell can we minimize “bureaucracy” in our day-to day-lives?

Let’s review a few options.

1. Identify the roadblocks in your life or in your business that have outlived their usefulness and get rid of ’em.
What steps mixed into your daily life is making you nuts? Think paperwork (tax forms) or get in line and take a number (DMV). Let me tell you. The money I spend each year paying my accountant to care for my taxes is a life saver for me. That poor man and his team deal with multiple state filings and an endless stream of tax rule changes from each state. God Bless His Service I say! As for the “get in line, take a number” service mentality one sees in some establishments, don’t go there. Avoid them. Use their online services so that you don’t have to deal with them directly.

2. Ask yourself. What’s the real goal here?
Sometimes, the simple solution to dismantling bureaucratic roadblocks in your life or your business is to ask yourself a few questions. What’s the real objective? Why does it matter? How does the current process help or hinder the achievement of this goal? Want to really get straight answers — Ask your customers or vendors? They are often the best advisers on ways for you and your business to eliminate wasteful, inefficient processes and procedures. Just ask “What makes us difficult to do business with?”. You’ll get crisp, ready-to use answers that will surely improve the way you conduct business.

3. Bureaucrats don’t understand how a small business runs.
While we agree that some level of bureaucracy is necessary for the efficient co-existence of people and business, it should be minimal and conducted with efficiency in mind. Bureaucratic rules put up against small business in many states are a great deterrent to human activity and basically suck the life right out of commerce keeping unemployment rates higher than they need be. How many entrepreneurs do you know who’s dreams are curtailed or trashed because they have to fill out endless boring and difficult “forms”, are forced to pay unreasonable fees for unwanted interference, and then, forced to wait months for a response. Ridiculous right? Solution: Find a state and county who wants your business by proving that they have a minimal level bureaucracy to navigate. Then, move your capital and dreams there.

4. Bureaucracy would be laughable if it wasn’t such a killer of progress.
Think about it! Bureaucrats are experts at passing the buck to numerous levels of government, inaccessible committees, or using the term “its a regulation” to avoid improving our lives. One can see themselves entering into a world of confusing oblivion when dealing with the professional bureaucrat. For example, the use of cryptic language, numerous forms involving different sister departments that need to be engaged and who have different rules and terminology. Solution: Always vote for less regulation and for less government intrusion. Vote for leaders who believe in citizen-oriented service, not initiative-killing rules and regulations.

The Bottom-Line:
Identify the “bureaucrat-types” or “bureaucratic processes” in your life and run like hell. Anyone labelled or identified as a “bureaucrat” should scare the shit out of you. Use your voting power wisely to elect true leaders and not more bureaucrats. Keep your life simple.

At Bikernet Insurance, we do all we can to take bureaucracy out of the insurance buying process. While a certain amount of insurance coverage is necessary and prudent, you need to choose carefully and we help you do that quickly. We make insurance buying simple. No bureaucracy allowed.

You are not just a policy number with us. We care about you.

The Crew at Bikernet Insurance

Call anytime: 888-467-8703
For fastest response email: clientservice@bikernet-insurance.com

CA 0G67810 & 0D71028 – Serving 21 states with enthusiasm.

Acknowledgement:
This article inspired by New York Times article, “Don’t Let Bureaucracy Ruin Your Day” by Russell Bishop. Published April 2, 2011. Refer to his book, “Workarounds That Work” for additional information on this topic.

 

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU READ THE CONSTITUTION?–I’ve got a bitch about our over-powered, legislate everything government. I recently read that the city of Thornton, Colorado passed a law against spinning barbershop poles. You know the tradition of marking barbershops with red, white, and blue striped poles that date back to medieval times. Some official bastards think they distract motorists. He’s probably pissed off about his last haircut.

Anyway, I felt I needed to bone-up on the constitution before I pounded my chest about bullshit laws, so I ran to Wikipedia, the on-line encyclopedia, and I’ll bring us a chapter a week until we’ve read the whole tamale. I just feel the government needs to make freedom and the right to pursue happiness a priority once more. Here’s the first section.

Preamble: Statement of purpose

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence,[note 1] promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

 

 

 

 

TOP 100 DEALER TO STAY OPEN AFTER INDIAN PLANT CLOSES–Gaston County, N.C.’s Indian Motorcycle dealership says it will stay open despite the reported shuttering of the manufacturing plant in nearby Kings Mountain following the company’s sale to Polaris.

“We absolutely will stay in place,” Indian Motorcycle Charlotte owner Mark Moses told the Gaston Gazette. “That’s our long-term intent and focus.” Being near the plant was a mixed blessing: It kept the dealer close to the company, but also made the dealership a petri dish for new programs.

“We were always under a microscope,” Moses says. He won’t disclose his sales, but says he sells more Indian motorcycles than any other Indian dealership in the world. Indian Motorcycle Charlotte is a 2011 Dealernews Top 100 Dealer.

Moses thinks that under Polaris, his customers will see a wider range of products and more affordable motorcycles.

Posted by Holly Wagner
Published courtesy of Dealernews: www.dealernews.com

MR LUCKY/ DANNY LOW BUCK YAMAHA PROJECT-Attached are images of the rigid frame for XS-650, we are using for the build by Mr Lucky. During the first tech we’ll show you the engine mounting plates, neck cups, battery box, jiffy stand and some of the brass & copper finished items noted earlier. We have added mid-control mounts to the lower frame rails that aren’t shown on the frame image, but all frames sold have them welded on. (Will be updating the image online shortly. )

Also attached a few images of the Mr Lucky’s XS 650 built using stock Yamaha components for reference.

Any questions or if you need anything just give me a shout……later, Ed

Ed Martin
“Mr Luckys”
Spring, TX 77379
P: 832-559-8560
E: ed@mrluckys.biz
W: www.mrluckys.biz

The BAKER Drivetrain Whistle Stop Tour Rolls On!–  Due to the popularity of our drive train seminars more dates have been added in April, May and June with more to come. Checkout our latest schedule below to find out when we will be in a town near you!

This is your chance to meet Bert Baker from Baker Drivetrain and attend an informative seminar on the latest drivetrain products; including DD6 and DD7 transmissions, F5R and F6R reverse kits and many others. Products and literature will be on display as well as live reverse demos. Try the Baker reverse demo bike and experience it for yourself! We will answer all of your drivetrain questions and help you select the best Baker Products for your bike.

Western Reserve Harley DavidsonWestern Reserve H-D April 16th @ 12:00PM ET
8567 Tyler BLVD
Mentor, OH 44060

Kegel Harley DavidsonKegel Harley Davidson April 23th @ 12:00PM CT
7125 Harrison Ave.
Rockford, IL 61112

Hal’s Harley DavidsonHal’s Harley Davidson April 30th @ 11:00AM CT
1925 S. Moorland Road
New Berlin, WI 53151

New Roc Harley DavidsonNew Roc Harley Davidson May 5th @ 6:00PM ET
8 Industrial Lane
New Rochelle, NY 10805

Rolling Thunder CyclesRolling Thunder Cycles May 6th @ 6:00PM ET
220 Front Street
Hempstead, NY 11550

Indian MC of Northern New Jersey May 7th @ 10:00AM ETIndian MC of Northern New Jersey
2365 US Highway 22
Union, NJ 07083

Classy Chassis & CyclesClassy Chassis & Cycles May 28th @ 12:00PM ET
1399 8th Line of Smith
Lakefield, ON Canada
K0L 2H0

Hammond Harley DavidsonHammond Harley Davidson June 4th @ 12:00PM CT
1530 Southwest Railroad Ave
Hammond, LA 70403

BIKERNET FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT STUCK IN JAKARTA AFTER JUDGING BIKE SHOW– My original itinerary would have had me heading back today after only three days in Pats. I decided to extend when the Indonesia trip came up.  I am waitlisted for end of Apr but seems all flights are full.  My first confirmed date was May 6 so that may be it.
Hope my money holds out.

Last night was pretty good.

Started at Shark – 900 – friday buffet – 6o bht cola – Bargain stop Plus much TTSF !!! Very bz.

1000 – Nuis – Good TTSF – Plus some other fun. BZ – 65b draft

1045 – Bac – Jammed – looks like the new Jap Trap. (not all are radiated) Good visual but little action.

1135 – WS – watched 4 Indians bargain for services got one to do four of them for 3k – down from 4

1140 – BC – Bz – 60b draft.

1200 – Far – Good TTSF – pretty bz. – 1245 -WS – still bz.

100 – BC – Busiest in a long while!! – Too bz – all dancing.

130 – SS – Not too bz – but no action for me. Some of that is of my own choice.

230 – BBD – Closeing early – ran out of inventory. Fridays are busy in this town.

300 – WU – Good fun- TB toss etc. – Ricky stopped in .

430 – Ins – Too damn dark and smokey. Even the girls tell me it is too much smoke.
But it is the dark that is the real problem – just cannot see all that is needed – get eyestrain.

That’s about it. A false start ended the evening aout 6am.

Up near noon – lunch at sports bar on 2nd rd – 275bht – pork fried rice/red curry/cola

A lightning bolt struck and it must have been close as the thunder was at the same time.
Nearly knocked me out of my chair – I thought the building had been hit. To e-mail.
Rain turned my i-net street into a river – had to take off shoes to wade in.

430 Now – Have to get ready to go to Thor’s house for dinner at 6. He is doing Norwegian meatblls.

THE BIKERNET FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT SPEAKS IN CODE–Here his official code breaker, definitions.
Acronyms and Abbreviations

AW = Angel Witch GG – Bkk

Bkk = Bangkok

BBD = Babydolls’s

BC = Beach Club

BV’s = Beavers

Cas. = Cassonoy

DBH = Daimond Beach Hotel

ER 1&2 = Erotica GG 1 & 2

Funrun = distributing staging supplies to GG’s.

GC = Gentlemans Club

GG = GoGo Bar

HA = Heaven Above

HRC = Hard Rock Hotel

Ins = Insomnia Disco

LD = Lady Drink

Luc = Lucifer’s Disco

NP = Nana Plaza GG’s – Bkk

ND = Nana Disco – now Nana Liquid

NPL = Nana Parking Lot – Bkk

NPM = Nana Plaza Mall – Bkk

Pats = Pattaya

Paris = Paris GG

R4 = Rainbow 4 GG – Bkk R3, R1, & R2 also

RGPM = Royal Garden Plaza Mall

SC = Shark Club GG

Sp = Spankys GG – Bkk

SS – Silver Star GG

Staging = getting TT’s – TB’s, Candy, stickers, etc. together.

TB = Teddy Bear; TT’s = Temporary Tattoos – Every night almost

TTSF = Tatoo and Sticker Fun

Tony = Tony’s Disco

TR’s = Trip Reports

WS = Walking Street

WOS = Walk Of Shame

WU = What’s Up GG

–Art

KANSAS GOVERNOR SIGNS “DEAD RED” BILL– Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback’s signature on House Bill 2192 this week will let motorcycle and bicycle riders proceed through an intersection where the light is red after waiting a reasonable amount of time for the light to turn green.

The measure was packaged with a series of road-related measures, including provisions raising the state’s maximum highway speed to 75 mph and increasing the cost of Kansas Highway Patrol auto inspections from $10 to $15, according to the Wichita Eagle.

Motorcycles and bicycles often are not heavy enough to trigger sensors that cue traffic lights to change.

Ross Reed, owner of Mid America Powersports, thinks the law leaves too much discretion with police about what is a “reasonable time.” “I tell guys if it’s an officer’s call, are you going to be willing to get that ticket?” he says.

The dead red bill was sponsored by ABATE.

“We have had the dead red bill up there for several legislative sessions,” says Tony Railsback of Sterling, the regional ABATE representative. “I think it feels kind of good for a change to take some legislation up there and get it passed.”

Posted by Holly Wagner
Published courtesy of Dealernews: www.dealernews.com

Congratulations ABATE–good work!–Wilburn Roach

HAPPY EASTER GODDAMNIT–I never did get the gist of Easter, but the chocolate was cool as a kid. This week will be a scramble with a Laughlin run fired up. I’ll bring you a sizzling report from the edge of the Colorado River next Sunday. Our plan, with Ray C. Wheeler, is to hit 13 Palms for breakfast with the notorious Chop N Grind gang at the crack of dawn on Wednesday, then make a bee-line for Laughlin.

We will hit the ground running and then fly back through Vegas for another food outing at Rocky’s before scrambling back to Los Angeles.

I will launch Betsy’s Hippy Killer Report tomorrow, then another chapter of Travis, before we hit the road. There are a couple of features brewing from Joel and an FXR from Thad which should come together the following week, along with another chapter of Mudflap girl action, plus whatever I bring back from the desert.
Hang on.

Ride Forever,

–Bandit