Hey,
What a strange year this turned into, but I won’t go there, not yet. It’s as if the Code of the West is being tested. This news will enlighten you as to the disparity in even government programs. We’ve turned into a world of control freaks, and they are now fighting to maintain their budgets, while governments sink financially. It’s all nuts.
But here at Bikernet, we struggle, live without government subsidies, try to help contributors, and freelance folks all over the country, pay our taxes, and rumble along.
My Terry the Tramp book was reportedly a best seller in the Motorbook line-up, yet we never receive sales reports from the publisher. I learn with every creative endeavor. I’m anxious to finish my next Chance book, although I’m going to rewrite it in the process. Then I have my Chance book on Freedom hanging out there.
This week we made tremendous progress on the Bonne Belle. All paint-able components will be delivered next week. Jim Murillo already picked up the sheet metal and the fairing. The frame and piece will head to Tony’s powder coating this coming week. Ray’s 97-inch street Dyna is on the verge of running and the 5-Ball Raycer is flying together. Let’s hit the news and see what Ray has to say:
THE NEW STAINLESS LINE FROM NINO– 925Motorcyle Chain Link Ring
This stainless Motorcycle Chain Link ring is a great accessory to Nino925’s collection of Motorcycle Chain Link bracelets or as a stand-alone piece. Available in sizes 10-13.
UNSETTLING RUMORS FROM CARB (California Air Resources Board) IN CALIFORNIA–
I’m hearing some unsettling rumors coming from your neck of the woods related to the ongoing – or just completed? – CARB meeting. Have you heard anything? I’m starting to wonder if we need to mobilize the end user. As bike riders our numbers aren’t big in the scheme of things but that’s where they’re largest.
–Marilyn Stemp
Editor
IronWorks Magazine
We dug into the rumor base and discovered the following:
There has been some concerns about CARB is California. I reached out to a couple of sources and received the following info. I will try to follow up with something more comprehensive in the near future.
The bottom line for dealers is not to take Cat converters off motorcycles unless they are replacing them with approved units, like the Bub jobs.
Dealers can sell anything, but can’t install them.
They can work on any bike, legal or not, as long as they are not messing with the Cat.
There are only five CARB enforcement officers in California. They are required to cover everything from lawn mowers, to cars, to dealers, to shops, to motorcycles. Get the picture.
When they come into a shop they will point out problems and instruct the owners–no fines, unless they don’t fix the problem.
Manufacturers of performance kits need to have Eus for use in California, like big inch performance kits. The cost is $10,000.
The current demands to Exhaust companies may have been caused by a whistle-blower, but the above still applies.
I’ll have more in the near future.
–Wilburn Roach
The most harsh response:
We received a letter from Tucker/Rocky stating that they have turned over their customer list of who purchased exhaust systems from them to CARB. They state that they are assuming other (distributors) have as well. So now CARB has an accurate list of addresses and potential offenders. In their letter they refer to an article by Paliwindo? which states that the sale of any non-carb approved exhaust is illegal regardless if you install or not.
Also a discussion with BUB they said don’t remove the cat period, even if you’re going to replace with an approved system.
The tampering law thats been on the books which Paliwindo refers to sounds like bikes that don’t have cats and have installed a non approved muffler are also illegal.
The last go around a few years ago where Fremont HD and I think Arlen as well got fined for having used bikes on the floor (selling) with aftermarket exhausts. I was told by both that these exhausts were not cat related. So they were fined before being asked to take corrective action.
The fact that CARB now has a customer list is scary.
We’ve removed all bikes for sale that had aftermarket exhausts and replaced them with stock and have pulled out of the non-approved exhaust sales biz.
Just my 3 cents.
–Dan Stern
House of Thunder HD
We reached out to our contact regarding this letter:
Reading Dan’s email, its obvious there is a lot of misinformation he has been given. I called him this morning and after a great chat and recommended he reach out to Carb to set up a meeting as we did here in San Diego.
The emission system executive orders are really the primary issue. Always use approved parts, if any change from stock is done in a shop. Example: aircleaners, fuel modules,
02 sensors, throttle bodies, hop up kits etc.
NEW BIKERNET READER COMMENT– 2011 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide.
http://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=8693
I just bought one it has the ABS and it is Cool Blue (yes the color looks way better in person) . Well, I just bought this bike used on Friday the 13th, 2012 (yep my first HaRley and got it on the 13th ). I fell in love with this color, everyone has a black bike. I test rode about 5 bikes before this one, and as soon as I pulled this 2011 Ultra Classic onto the street, I knew I had to have it !!! No QUESTIONS.
Man it was smooth and powerful for being stock, and at this time I didn t even care about the radio or the extras. But after I bought it, and when I was on the Hwy and got to check the radio out, WOW it really was clear and loud enough to hear it while doing 140 kms on the 401 coming back from Robinsons in Weatley, Ontario.
The only thing I had a bit of an issue with, was the seat had a small hole coming from the seam of the seat and found out that the bike still had Harley coverage, and I had just bought it one day ago and not Harley or Robinson would take care of me. It is what it is, and I had to pay to get it fixed outta my own pocket. Other than that, I love this bike !
— kev
kevmcknight77@hotmail.com
Hamilton, ON, Canada
OPEN LETTER FROM ROLLING THUNDER BOSS–
So many things have changed in the past 25 years and we have much to be thankful for. Although there is always a solemn tone to Rolling Thunder, which was begun to raise awareness for the POW/MIA issue, we have many reasons to celebrate this special year.
As many of us ride with a tear in our eye, let us remember just how far we have come, but let us also never forget. We have soared from the 2,500 participants who responded to Ray Manzo’s call to action in 1988 to more than a million expected this year! Rolling Thunder’s achievements have been many, among them boosting the late John Holland’s decade-long effort on the Missing Service Personnel Act of 1993—a bill ensuring that the government could not arbitrarily declare missing servicemen “killed in action” without credible proof of death.
A number of extraordinary events are slated for Rolling Thunder this year. On our stage, many talented and well-known performers will join in the celebration. In commemoration of Rolling Thunder’s 25th year, we will also unveil five tribute motorcycles—one for each branch of the service—custom-built by five premier master builders.
And finally, at a special ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that will kick off the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, our government will officially issue a proclamation that “Welcomes all the Vietnam veterans home.” At last! We are home. Enjoy the run.
Thank a veteran. Never forget.
Ted Shpak, President
Walt Sides, Executive Director
Rolling Thunder Washington
SYDNEY BIKIES TARGETED IN DAWN AUSTRALIAN RAIDS–Police investigating Sydney’s bikie gun war are raiding a number of properties linked to the Hells Angels and Nomads bikie gangs.
Officers from Strike Force Kinnarra started swooping on the properties at dawn.
The ABC understands 18 addresses across Sydney are being raided, including the homes of senior Hells Angels Mahmoud Dib and Jeffrey Sahyoun.
Police say the pair’s families were targeted in drive-by attacks on their homes last week.
The Bella Vista home of former Nomads boss Sam Ibrahim is also being searched, as is the home of Mr Ibrahim’s cousin Sleiman Tajjour.
Mr Ibrahim’s three-storey house was peppered with bullets a week ago.
The shootings were among at least seven tit-for-tat attacks in a week, which police say were part of a turf war between the Hells Angels and Nomads over drugs and membership.
The attacks also targeted other senior bikies, associates and tattoo parlours.
More than 160 police are involved in the raids across the city’s west and north-west.
The acting commander of State Crime Command Mal Lanyon says one person has been arrested so far.
“The raids are ongoing – we’re obviously looking for evidence relating to the shooting incidents, but (also) to prevent further incidents of violence between those two groups,” he said.
“At this time there is one person under arrest but I expect there will be further arrests made during the morning.”
Colours ban
A ban on bikie gang members wearing their colours in late night venues in Sydney’s Kings Cross came into effect this morning.
Extra police will be on patrol tonight to enforce the new ban, which gives licensees the legal force to refuse entry to people wearing clothing, jewellery or symbols associated with bikie gangs.
The ban will apply across 58 pubs, clubs and restaurants.
Police Minister Mike Gallacher says it will reduce violence and intimidation in the Cross.
“It’s also about saying to the people who are operating these venues, we do understand that they are under pressure to allow people in,” he said.
“Quite often there can be a degree of intimidation and this most certainly supports them by now legislating to have an ability to ban these people, but more importantly for the patrons themselves.”
DREAM CHASER RACIN’ SEASON OPENERS–
Dream Chaser Racin’, Janette Thornley kicked off her first season of drag racing at a Manufacture’s Cup held in Valdosta, Georgia, April 13-15. It was exciting weekend as Thornley, owner and operator of her nitro burning, carbureted, 121 ci Pro Dragster, as she raced her way into the finals.
“This was an amazing weekend for me”, said Thornley, “I continue to learn how to ride in the nitro powered Pro Drag class. Valdosta was a milestone as we trimmed nearly .500 of a second off the ¼ mile run and I ran my quickest pass at 7.332 ET (elapsed time) and fastest at 174.55 mph.”
Under the guidance of the veteran racer and tuner, Freddie Robbins and the Ray Price Race Team, Thornley was able to land a #5 qualifying spot, running a 7.445 ET at 171.90 mph. This was a last chance pass as she was not yet qualified to race on Sunday, no pressure there, huh?
.
In the first round eliminations, Thornley stayed focused and was able to pull off a win with a 7.332 ET at 170.45 mph. Advancing to the semi-finals, Thornley kept moving up on the ladder with a 7.370 ET at 174.55 mph. The finals didn’t prove as successful , but she didn’t feel too badly about finishing runner-up to Johnny Vickers, former national champion and her instructor at the Pro Drag school.
The following weekend Dream Chaser Racin’ landed in Gainesville Florida for the All Harley Drag Racing Association season opener. The weekend offered Thornley more valuable learning opportunities as she continues to develop racing skills.
“As a rider, right now I’m focusing on the basics of drag racing, getting the bike down the track straight and safe.” says Thornley “I know I’ve come a long way in a short time but there are so many things to think about in 7 seconds and I don’t want to get ahead of myself – winning will be great but there’s plenty of time for that!”
On Saturday, Thornley qualified in the #6 spot running a 7.635 ET at 169.19 mph. Moving into eliminations, Thornley made a strong pass of 7.601 ET at 174.35 mph but not enough to take the win.
“It was a close race, a great race and neither one of us knew for sure who won”, says Thornley. “I felt great though because it was perfect pass in my mind and right now, that’s what I’m striving for!”
Dream Chaser Racin’ would like to thank Autolite Sparkplugs; Ray and Jean Price for our business arrangement for transport and maintenance of the bike and Ray’s amazing coaching to make the learning curve maybe a little easier. Special thanks to Freddie Robbins for his time, patience and dedication, keeping me grounded when necessary and being my “go to track guy”; to Bill Hendren for your time; and to the Ray Price Race Team – Tommy Grimes, Justin Heinle, Jeremy Hoy, Mark Morgan and Ray Price for all you do; and Dalton Matthews.
Sponsors always welcome!
Contact Dream Chaser Racin’ at dreamchaserracin@yahoo.com
–Marylou
TOP SECRET? JOHN REED BIKE DISCOVERED–Inside CCI headquarters. The designer was on hand to weigh his V-Biker FXR. It weighed around 550, our spy announced while sneaking around the Custom Chrome headquarters.
“Bad Ass bike.”
–Ray C. Wheeler
CHECK JASMINE CAIN–
Our music video is really generating a lot of views and we want to continue to increase our fan base by sharing our music videos with our fans in hopes that they will share with their friends, and so on and so forth. We have big plans for music videos this year and we want to keep the giant wheel turning so we can continue to stay creative and have new videos for all of you! We set a goal of 4 music videos this year and we hope you like them all.
If you haven’t done so, please log on to our youtube channel and check out our video for Highway Prophet which we just released in March. If you like it please share it with your friends and encourage them to share as well. Bands take their fans very seriously and we take great pride in telling everyone that we have the most dedicated hardcore fans out there and now we need your help to push this video! Thank you for being part of the team! We need each and every one of you to make this work!
Rock on, my friends and we’ll see you down the road!
–Jasmine Cain
Here’s the link to our music video: www.youtube.com/watch
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/missjasminecain
BIKERNET MEDICAL CENTER FINDINGS–Pancakes & Waffles: The aroma and taste of homemade pancakes or waffles is irresistible. The batter makes feathery light pancakes, or light and crispy golden waffles. You’ll definitely want to make these for a breakfast or brunch with friends or family, or on that free weekend morning.
Food as Medicine
This is an egg-rich batter, and egg yolks are a rich source of choline, which is a key component of two substances in the brain – phosphatidycholine and sphingomyelin – that account for a high percentage of the brain’s total mass. Consequently, choline is vital for optimum brain function.
BIKERNET 5-BALL RACING WHEELER REPORT–Down and dirty in the middle of the night while the rain comes down in our quiet Harbor town.
The Bonne Belle 45 was stripped of its sheet metal yesterday afternoon then loaded in the bed of a pick up truck headed for the paint booth. Both hot rods will be amazing when completed.
96-inch Twin Cam build
We’re currently in a holding pattern in San Jose waiting on the correct injectors for our top secret, no butterfly throttle body.
124-inch Bonnevile Raycer up-date
We’re not building a grand piano, we’re buildin two wheeled state of the art race bikes. Stand by for the ride of your life with the 5-Ball Racing Team on the Bonneville Salt Flats.
Check out our Bonneville Sponsor page, without their support our 2012 Bonneville Adventure would be damned tough, to say the least. Everyone of our sponsors are first class. Please tell them the Bikernet Team sent ya! ……. Thanks! See ya on the salt!
Progress in the shop located in the heart of Bikernet Headquarters is notable, with parts and pieces rollin in at a staggering pace for both race bikes. H-D Fuel Injection fuel tank, fuel pump, a clutch kit and a Twin Tec Gen.4 computer are here or on the way.
Dan Thayer, located in Corfu, NY,
www.vtwinfuelinjection.com programmed and shipped the latest Gen. 4 Daytona Twin Tec, 3-bar closed loop computer for our 124 inch Turbo charged race bike. Dan is the tuner taking care of Jody Perewitz’s record setting hot rod. Look for Jody and Team J’Witz in Ohio at the Mile event this weekend. Pray for No Rain!
Haul Ass!
Ride for your Life!
–Ray c wheeler
Performance Editor
VP Cantina Business Development
wheeler@bikernet.com
NEW MIDNIGHT RIDER TALE COMING TO BIKERNET BAGGERS– Here’s a clip:
I am riding that long endless road that is Texas and am making amazing time. There is no scenery at night, unless it’s illuminated. The sight and smell of Texas oil refineries become welcome apparitions. These strange Mad Max structures look like apocalyptic citadels. Thick plumes of vapor billow as towering smoke stacks spew odorous pockets of pungent gasses…
D&D TESTIMONIAL– Top end finished yesterday with break-in dyno run and pipe installed. Everyone digs the way this D&D is built, looks and sounds.
Did a 500 mile plus loop thru Arizona and back today for break in, fresh oil and final dyno tomorrow.
The Fat Cat is really a serious addition to my Road King!
–Mark Shubin
BIKERNET READER COMMENT–THE REAL LAUGHLIN WEEKEND THURSDAY NEWS FOR APRIL 26, 2012
http://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=10491
RE: BIKERNET SECURITY ALERT, YOUR VIN NUMBER
Using the VIN number to cut a key won’t work with most late-model vehicles, because each key has a chip embedded in it that must be electronically paired to the vehicle’s system for it to operate. And vehicles with keyless ignition systems use a fob with a proximity sensor that must also be paired to the vehicle’s brain before it is operational. Late model Harleys use a key/fob combination that works in a similar fashion.
— Bruce Snyder
myredrk@gmail.com
Manassas, VA
MAN SUES BMW FOR CAUSING A PERSISTENT ERECTION–
A man is suing BMW and seat-manufacturer Corbin-Pacific because a four-hour motorcycle ride gave him an erection that would not go away.
The civil suit, filed in the Superior Court of California in San Francisco, alleges the plaintiff, Henry Wolf, developed a severe case of priapism after a long ride on a 1993 BMW motorcycle. Priapism is a medical condition where a penis becomes erect and does not return to a flaccid state.
Wolf claims he rode the motorcycle on a four-hour trip – two hours each way – on May 1, 2010. Soon after, the man claims, he developed a case of priapism. He blames the condition on the motorcycle seat which is describes as “ridge-like”.
The man claims the condition caused emotional distress. Court documents state:
Plaintiff now suffers from priapism (a long lasting erection), and has been experiencing continuing problems since his motorcycle ride. He is now unable to engage in sexual activity, which is causing him substantial emotional and mental anguish. Plaintiff is distraught and distressed because of this. Defendants, and each of them, are liable to Plaintiff due [to] their negligent design, manufacture and/or installation of the seat on Plaintiff’s motorcycle
[Source: County of San Francisco Superior Court of California case #CGC-12-520316 via www.CourthouseNews.com]
–from Motorcycle.com and Paul Aiken
THE BIKERNET DOC SPEAK OUT ON GREEN TEA–I decided to include more green tea in my daily routine.
So I searched the web for info.
The following site lists a lot of good info on what to do and what not to do.
Check it out.
http://www.wikihow.com/Minimize-Green-Tea-Caffeine
–Doc Robinson
HERE IS THE SUNDAY DEAL FROM THE BIKERNET CLASSIFIEDS!– A 2001 Dyna Low Rider! Forward controls, Screamin’ Eagle slip on mufflers, Sissy bar with pad, 18 k on the clock. A great all around bike for $7000! GO CHECK OUT THE BIKERNET CLASSIFIEDS, WHERE THE ADVENTURE IS JUST WAITING TO BEGIN! YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU WILL FIND!
MIKE the STEALTH
http://bikernet.sprocketlist.com/Dyna-Glide/2563871/2001-LOWRIDER.html
BAD COP BRIEF– Ex-agent gets seven years for child porn
TAMPA — A former federal agent has been sentenced to seven years in prison in Tampa for transporting child pornography. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Thursday that 45-year-old James Cafferty also will have to serve a lifetime of probation after he gets out of prison.
Cafferty, a former agent with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security, pleaded guilty to the charge in January.
–from Rogue
DEAL OF THE WEEK–
Is there any other Harley dealer giving away a Big Twin? No strings attached. One in 100 chances to win. Doesn’t cost you a damn thing other than tax and license if you win.
I should have my head examined!
This is cool
http://cc.ebay.com/mod-jobs/season-2/?episode=3
FIRST REPORT FROM LAUGHLIN– I rode to Laughlin Thursday with my old friend Patty Anderson on he gold drifter, and I was packing a very nice redhead named Kat who I met on www.planetbiker.com. It was cold and very windy but we managed to dodge the rain. As we rolled into town there was a billboard that said No Colors. There were cops everywhere. It was the second day of the event and very slow. I remembered many more people and bikes by Thursday in the old days. I made my first River Run in 1988 and the last one I attended was 2004.
We just made all the shops and bought a few T- shirts and rode back to Vegas before dark. It was cold on Thursday. By Saturday the temp was much better. I called Patty Friday night and asked her if she would like to drive down and see David Allen Coe. She has a nearly new Chrysler 300C with the Hemi and she lets me drive it. We had already proved what hardcore bikers we were.
I have been a David Allen Coe fan since about 1971, and I had only seen him once in Oklahoma City about 4 years ago. Patty wasn’t even sure who he was. I am turning her on to Outlaw Country now. The old man put on a great show, with a lot of personal stories and some damn funny jokes. His wife Kimberly came out for the last 30 minutes. He put on a Hell of a show for a 72 year old. His band consists of his two sons playing guitar. Both are awesome pickers and the youngest plays steel also. He doesn’t use a base player at all but it sounds great anyway. The great drummer helped a lot with a continuous base drum beat.
Everyone rolled in on Saturday this year. It was almost as crowded as the old days by Saturday night. I just didn’t see anything that jumped out and said take my picture. I know there was some pretty naked women somewhere around there, but I missed them. The half empty lot is from Thursday and the full one is Saturday evening. There is Patty and Kat with the drifter and a pretty good shot of David Allen Coe and his wife Kim.
–Rock on, BM
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY TARDY STUDENT WEEKEND VOCABULARY LESSON–ensconce en-SKONS, verb:
1. To settle securely or snugly.
2. To cover or shelter; hide securely.
Here, Ryan would ensconce himself in a hammock.
— Zadie Smith, White Teeth
This did not trouble him, and he was quite content to ensconce himself in a cosy corner…
— Georgette Heyer, Regency Buck
They ensconce themselves in their child, in adding and replacing furniture, in discussing insurance and finally buying some.
— Norman Mailer, The Naked and the Dead
Ensconce is related to the word for a type of fort that defended a bridge or pass. It came to mean “to settle securely” in the late 1500s.
PAINT PROJECT OF THE WEEK FROM AUSTRALIA–Lots of layering of candy colors involved here…just keep adding until I get the look I want.
Again, working from the background to the foreground.
I have finished the top for now and am going to get some clear on it to seal it.
Once that is done, I will sand down and do the sides where the gates are. I’m also checking the top piece and making sure everything is ok.
–Perry Mallet
pmallet@y7mail.com
TJ Carlini has a new e-mail address–
Old E-mail Address: tjcarlini@aol.com
New E-mail Address:t.j.carlini@aol.com
I have switched my e-mail address from tjcarlini@aol.com to
t.j.carlini@aol.com. Please be sure to update your Address Book and use
my new e-mail address from now on.
–t.j.carlini
NEXT WEEK–It will be a scramble of activity and projects. We have projects looming on the building, bike projects, book projects, editorial projects, my notes are a mess, and I need a laptop Mac.
I want to be able to disappear and work on the next Chance book. I need to ride the Mudflap girl FXR to 17 Palms and hang with Bob T. my desert mentor and pick his brain.
Tomorrow I will call Scott at BDL about some tech projects, and Joe at Motion pro about ordering cables. It’s always scary guess work, and we hope to make it easier on you, in the future. David Zelma from Progressive Suspension is headed over here Tuesday. We are going to install heavier grade springs in my mudflap girl shocks. It rides like a dream generally. We just need to tune the suspension slightly. I’m curious about the shocks in the Spitfire girder, but we will study them later.
I need to call Chris Hill, who has a tremendous Salt racing legacy on four wheels, and pick his brain. We have books to review, parts to chase, fasteners to order, and I need to get in the mood to write a Cantina episode. Never a dull moment around the Bikernet interplanetary headquarters.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
