Hey,
I don’t know about you, but life is strange and more bizarre by the day. Is it too much population? Just this week I read about drones being used domestically, sports taking over for religion, and security cameras expanding their reach into our lives. And of course how computer access will monitor every aspect of our lives.
They talk about confiscating guns in one breath, and the North Korean weapons in the other or how about the Muslim extremist threat. So, shouldn’t we be educated and prepared. Not in Canada, you’re not allowed to protect yourself or your family.
Wait a minute. Is there a positive side to the story? The world looks to America as a bastion of Freedom. Yet our politicians look to other countries for excuses to take our freedoms away. Holy shit. And how about this: A dog in Tennessee whose owner tried to have him euthanized for being “gay” has been saved from execution.
NEW FROM BIKER’S CHOICE, Skid Lid Original Helmet–Cover you’re a** in a Skid Lid with a great graphic! Skid Lid helmets feature a contoured style with a low-profile fit. Clean, minimalist styling, with a thermoplastic alloy injected shell. Has retention straps with D-rings, and meets or exceeds D.O.T. standards.
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BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT BULLSHIT WORD OF THE DAY–hent hent, verb:
Then he hent in hand two stones and went round about the city…
So they hent him by the hand and thrust him out; and I took the lute and sang over again the songs of my own composing which the damsel had sung.
— Emile Van Vliet, The Thousand Nights and A Night
Hent, an ancient word, entered Old English before the year 1000 as a relative of the verbs hentan “to pursue” and huntian “to hunt.”
CLASSIC KODACHROME FOR SUNDAY–June 1942. Engine inspector for North American Aviation at Long Beach, California. 4×5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer.
HOLIDAY CROFT LEATHER SEAT–Through the past I have wanted to offer a real chopper seat at a working mans price. Over the last year I’ve designed and now producing my first production style seat for hardtail motorcycles that are still handmade. If you need a different color leather or hand-tooling on one of these seats, contact me to discuss.
I truly believe handmade products have a soul like no other and hope that you will use my HAND F’N MADE seats in the future.
Take advantage of low reserves on ebay for now and be ready for spring!
–Croft
GUN ADVOCATES CELEBRATE ‘SECRET’ OBAMACARE PROVISION FORBIDDING EXEC ORDER TO REGULATE GUNS AND AMMO–
As for Reid’s reasons for burying a pro-gun measure into the body of the Affordable Care Act, the Majority Leader is said to have been concerned that the NRA planned to take an active position against the passage of Obamacare and decided, no doubt with the permission of Reid’s friend, NRA boss Wayne LaPierre, to head the problem off at the pass by putting language in the bill that would mollify the gun lobby.
Further, there was concern that a conspiracy theory then in circulation among right-wing circles—a memo suggesting that the Obama Administration had cleverly planted language in the ACA that could be used as a tool to get to the guns—would further erode public support for the legislation. For these reasons, Reid determined to insert some cozy language for the gun people into the Senate version of the ACA—language certain to escape public review at a time when the conversation was far more focused on hot button subjects like death panels, taxes and mandates.
For these reasons, the following language did, indeed, become a part of the nation’s controversial health care reform law:
(c) PROTECTION OF SECOND AMENDMENT GUN RIGHTS.—
‘‘(1) WELLNESS AND PREVENTION PROGRAMS.— A wellness and health promotion activity implemented under subsection (a)(1)(D) may not require the disclosure or collection of any information relating to—
‘‘(A) the presence or storage of a lawfully- possessed firearm or ammunition in the residence or on the property of an individual; or
‘‘(B) the lawful use, possession, or storage of a firearm or ammunition by an individual.?‘‘
(2) LIMITATION ON DATA COLLECTION.—None of the authorities provided to the Secretary under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act or an amendment made by that Act shall be construed to authorize or may be used for the collection of any in- formation relating to—
‘‘(A) the lawful ownership or possession of a firearm or ammunition;
‘‘(B) the lawful use of a firearm or ammunition; or
‘‘(C) the lawful storage of a firearm or ammunition.
‘‘(3) LIMITATION ON DATABASES OR DATA BANKS.—None of the authorities provided to the Secretary under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act or an amendment made by that Act shall be construed to authorize or may be used to maintain records of individual ownership or possession of a firearm or ammunition.
If you count yourself among those who object to any legislation or executive order that could limit or delay your ability to buy a flamethrower at the local gun show, this is certainly language that will put a smile on your face as this provision limits opportunities to collect and keep data on those who own firearms while creating some roadblocks when it comes to government’s ability to track whether or not you keep a weapon in your home, etc.
However, before you fire off a few rounds in celebration, you might want to take a good hard look at the actual draft of this section of the health care reform law because, unless you suspect that the President plans to put any newly proposed controls over firearms under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, I’m afraid you don’t really have much to celebrate.
The provision in question bars the HHS Secretary, anyone in the Secretary’s ‘chain of command’, and health professionals covered by this section of the ACA, from engaging in the collection of gun data through the ordinary course of the services they provide.
By way of example, were someone to come into the emergency room for treatment of a nasty gunpowder burn, the attending physician would likely ask how the injury took place. When the injured answers by noting that something went wrong when firing his Bushmaster at the target range, this law prevents the physician, hospital or anyone else from feeding the information to a government data base and further prevents the HHS Department from collecting such data.
The law additionally prohibits the government from making the argument that, since guns can be deleterious to the health and wellness of people, it would be within the goals and objectives of the ACA to collect data on who has weapons in the effort to protect the health and wellness of of Americans. In other words, HHS cannot create a data base to collect info on guns under the theory that guns injure people’s health so they need to know where the guns are.
So, the good news for the gun folks is that the ACA is, indeed, prevented from being used as a weapon in the ‘War on Guns’ under the guise that guns are bad for people’s health. They can also take solace in the fact that the law prevents government from collecting any gun data resulting from information obtained in the course of medical providers doing their thing—much as HIPAA prevents such information from being used for a variety of purposes.
Beyond that, if you imagine that this obscure section of the Affordable Care Act is going to block the Administration from exercising whatever legal authority it may have to regulate guns in America, I’m afraid you will be quite disappointed.
I think all would agree that should the President resolve to use his executive powers to create a data base or any other regulatory provision, it is far more likely that such regulation would fall within the ambit of the Justice Department—not Health & Human Services—and nothing in the ACA prevents such data collection, or any other regulatory efforts, which would fall outside the limited jurisdiction created in Obamacare with respect to firearms.
So, to our friends at Breitbart and the others who believe they have discovered gold in their effort to prevent the administration from acting on its desire to bring sanity to our gun laws, I’m afraid you are going to have to reload as Obamacare is just not the magic bullet you are looking for.
–Rick Unger, Forbes
–from Agent Zebra
FLORIDA DEFERS ENFORCEMENT OF NEW LICENSE RULE
By Diana Mehta, The Canadian Press
TORONTO – Canadians on both sides of the border expressed surprise and indignation Thursday upon learning new rules require them to have an International Driving Permit to motor around the Sunshine State.
But as word of the change began to circulate, officials in the state that millions of Canadians visit every year issued a release saying enforcement was being deferred because the change may run afoul of an international treaty.
Under the rules introduced Jan. 1, all visitors with foreign licenses must have an international permit issued by their country of residence in addition to a valid license from home.
The quiet implementation of the regulations — which apply to any vehicle, including rentals — resulted in many Canadians being caught off guard.
“I had no idea, we’ve been coming down here for years and never had a problem,” said David Whitford, a Norwich, Ont., resident currently in Cape San Blas, Fla., who realized he’d technically been driving around illegally for the past few weeks.
“I can’t see what the problem is … for whatever reason they’ve decided that we’re being made to feel a little unwelcome here.”
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has said the law was passed so police are not faced with foreign license documents in languages they can’t understand.
An IDP translates existing driver license information into 10 languages and is valid for one year. It is not a substitute for a valid driver’s license but rather, accompanies one.
In a statement issued Thursday afternoon, however, the department said it learned its new requirement might violate the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, an international treaty to which the U.S. is a signatory.
“The Florida Highway Patrol will defer enforcement of violations of the amended statutory section until a final determination of the alignment of the amendment with the treaty can be made,” the department said.
“Non-resident visitors to Florida who wish to drive while here will be required to have in their immediate possession a valid driver license issued in his or her name from another state or territory of the U.S. or from their country of residence. However, the FHP will not take enforcement action based solely on the lack of an International Driving Permit.”
The Canadian Automobile Association — which issues international driving permits — called on Florida to amend the law to exempt Canadians.
“No North American jurisdiction has ever asked for an IDP before from another North American jurisdiction. This is a first,” CAA spokesman Ian Jack told The Canadian Press.
“They’ve subsequently told us that they’ve recognized that it was a mistake to include Canada and that they will be moving to exempt Canada, but on the other hand, because it’s legislation and their legislature doesn’t sit till mid-March, it’s going to take some time for that to happen.”
While it has not had reports of Canadians being censured for driving without an IDP in the state to date, the CAA was still suggesting Canuck drivers obtain an international permit until the law is clarified.
Florida’s official state tourism marketing corporation has identified Canada as its top international market. Visit Florida said 3.1 million Canadians travelled to the state in 2010.
As word of the change spread on Thursday, many expressed astonishment at the lack of publicity around the new rules. Even the CAA said it only learned of the change when an American Automobile Association worker in Florida called to discuss the new rules two days ago.
“When I first heard I thought maybe it was a joke and then obviously it’s not…it’s serious,” said Christine Ellison, a Georgetown, Ont., resident who often spends her winters in Florida.
“The driving down here is no different than driving in Canada, our licenses are in English, surely they can read them. I don’t understand why it would even be necessary.”
The IDP costs $25 and can be obtained through CAA offices. Canadians currently in Florida can apply for one through the mail.
The association has been issuing the permits, which are recognized in some 140 countries, since the 1920s.
–from Rogue
NEW FROM BIKERNET BAGGERS–Handy Industries, the foremost manufacturer of motorcycle lifts and other motorcycle related shop oriented products, announced the launch of their new Wheel Chock (Part #21400). The all-in-one kit includes attachments for trailer mount, garage floor mount or lift mount. The Handy Wheel Chock is designed and manufactured to keep your motorcycle stable during transport, storage, or performance of routine maintenance.
The easy to use chock has an adjustable rocker, giving versatility to fit multiple tire widths and diameters. “I tested out multiple competitors when we were in the design stages of the Handy Wheel Chock, and this is by far the easiest one to use on the market”, stated Handy General Manager, Joel Jansen.
The Handy Chock is made of heavy-duty rolled steel with a black wrinkle texture powder coat that looks great and masks chips and scratches. Visit www.handyindustries.com to order or locate a distributor near you.
http://www.bikernetbaggers.com/pages/HANDY_WHEEL_CHOCK.aspx
TEXAS GUN NUT REPORT–
There was a bit of confusion at the local sporting goods store this morning.
When I was ready to pay for my purchase of a box of shotgun shells the cashier said, “Strip down, facing me.”
Making a mental note to complain to the manager about the anti-gun people running amok but I did just as she had instructed.
When her hysterical shrieking finally subsided, I found out that she was referring to my credit card.
I have been asked to shop elsewhere in the future. They really need to make their instructions to us seniors a little clearer!
–Sam Burns
HARLEY CREATES A CUSTOM STREET GLIDE FOR DAYTONA MDA RAFFLE–Tickets to Win an Exclusive Motorcycle Start at $5 with all Proceeds to Benefit MDA.
A 2013 Street Glide motorcycle customized by Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories® is the featured prize of the H-D 2013 Daytona Bike Week Motorcycle Raffle to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Created especially for this event, the Street Glide is decked out with a Smokey Gold Limited Series Custom Paint Set, Anarchy 18-inch Custom Wheels, a Wind Splitter Windshield, a Boom! Audio Premium Speaker Kit, a Chrome Front End Kit, Stealth Collection grips and pegs, a Rallyrunner Seat, a Screamin’ Eagle Ventilator Air Cleaner Kit, Screamin’ Eagle Nightstick Mufflers and many more accessories. The combined retail value of accessories installed on the bike is more than $13,000, and the customized motorcycle has a fair market value of approximately $31,000 US MSRP.
Raffle tickets to win the bike will only be available at the MDA booth at the Harley-Davidson exhibit at Riverfront Park on Beach Street in Daytona Beach, Fla. Raffle tickets are $5 per ticket or five tickets for $20. Ticket sales start Saturday, March 9, and end at 4 p.m. March 16, when the drawing will take place. The winner does need not be present to win. All proceeds will benefit MDA.
Since 1980, Harley-Davidson’s family of dealers, customers, employees, suppliers and H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) chapters has raised more than $81 million for the MDA. From the donations these rides and other special events raise, they support MDA worldwide research efforts, comprehensive medical care for children and adults with neuromuscular diseases, the MDA summer camp program for youngsters and more.
Note: The image attached with this release is representative of a 2013 Street Glide with a Smokey Gold Limited Series Custom Paint Set. Additional accessories that will be on the MDA Raffle motorcycle are not shown, such as the wheels, air cleaner and exhaust shields.
THE SHERIFF REPORTS FROM ICE RACING HEAVEN—Hang on for more reports from Sweden.
–SHERIFFMEDIAGROUP SWEDEN
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
46-70 5678 666
[page break]
MINI AND MIGHTY MAGNUM HEADLIGHTS FROM RIVERA PRIMO–When we came out with the Mini & Mighty Magnum HedLED Headlights in 2008, we never thought that they would turn out to be as big a hit as they have. The integral LED turn signals are trick, cosmetically cool and unique to our product line. Since our initial launch of this product line, we have introduced several new products to enhance the coverage, with all but one utilizing the integral LED’s. So what is this all leading up to?
The turn signal unit or flasher on your V Twin is load dependent; it needs a certain amount of current to function. Many bikes are designed to flash at a faster rate if an incandescent bulb is burned out. Since LEDs draw much less current than an incandescent bulb, your flasher unit may act as if a bulb is burned out and flash at the faster rate. If you replace either the front or the rear turn signals with LEDs, you will typically need to add a load equalizer. If you are adding LEDs but leaving your stock turn signals you will not need a load equalizer.
THIS JUST IN TO THE BIKERNET RACING DEPARTMENT–Okay I want you and Ray to check this out when you guys get a chance.
The 139 Orca motor for Mike Geokan 2010 Bonneville bike uses a Timken bearing setup
on the pinion shaft side and also the standard Timken on the left-hand sprocket shaft.
This is what I was talking about before. I didn’t know they were using this till I looked on their website tonight!!
It’s like the Delkron setup. It uses a Timken bearing for the inboard bearing on the pinion and a aircraft roller bearing for the outboard bearing.
If you goto the RB racing website www.rbracing-rsr.com & scroll down to the 425 Bonneville Bullet Lower End & click on providing a chronology, this will take you to a page
on the website that shows the engine teardown.
It shows the right side engine case from the inside with the Timken race installed! It also shows them checking the Timken bearing endplay from the right side case half side.
In addition it shows how they setup their rod bearings using no roller bearings cages by using more rollers ala Top Fuel bottom end style.
–PSD
BIKERNET DEEP THINKERS MEETING NOTES–I mowed the lawn today, and after doing so I sat down and had a cold beer.The day was really quite beautiful, and the drink facilitated some deep thinking on various topics. Finally I thought about an age old question: Is giving birth more painful than getting kicked in the nuts Women always maintain that giving birth is way more painful than a guy getting kicked in the nuts.
Well, after another beer, and some heavy deductive thinking, I have come up with the answer to that question.
–Kelly Dube’
LITTLE JOHNNY STRIKES AGAIN– The teacher asked the class to use the word ‘fascinate’ in a sentence.
Molly put up her hand and said, ‘My family went to my granddad’s farm, and we all saw his pet sheep. It was fascinating.’
The teacher said, ‘That was good, but I wanted you to use the word ‘fascinate, not fascinating’.
Sally raised her hand. She said, ‘My family went to see Rock City and I was ‘fascinated.
The teacher hesitated because she had been burned by Little Johnny before. She finally decided there was no way he could damage the word ‘fascinate’ so she called on him.
Johnny said, ‘My aunt Gina has a sweater with ten buttons, but her tits are so big she can only fasten eight.’
The teacher sat down and cried.
OBAMA JUSTICE DEPARTMENT REVEALS TRUTH ABOUT STATE OF THE UNION CLAIMS–Despite long odds, on Tuesday night, Barack Obama managed to turn in a State of the Union performance that was filled with more theatrical pandering than the event is typically known for. Once again seeking to capitalize off tragedy by opting for emotional, rather than reasoned arguments, the President reiterated his support for increased background checks and bans on common semi-automatic firearms and their magazines, which he referred to as “weapons of war and massive ammunition magazines.”
As usual, Obama’s remarks were short on evidence that his gun control proposals would work. Of course, that evidence is sorely lacking–and who would know that better than the experts at his own Justice Department?
In a white paper dated January 4 and obtained by NRA-ILA, the deputy director of the National Institute for Justice–DOJ’s research and evaluation agency–said that the proposals before Congress are unlikely to have an effect unless they are made even more draconian. For instance, the document makes clear that the effectiveness of “universal” background checks “depends on … requiring gun registration.” On the topic of magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition, NIJ writes, “In order to have an impact, large capacity magazine regulation needs to sharply curtail availability to include restrictions on importation, manufacture, sale, and possession.”
As for popular semi-automatic firearms, the NIJ notes, “Since assault weapons are not a major contributor to U.S. gun homicide and the existing stock of guns is large, an assault weapons ban is unlikely to have an impact on gun violence. If coupled with a gun buyback and no exemptions then it could be effective.”
The NRA’s response was clear and strong. The evening of the speech, NRA-ILA released the memo along with a hard-hitting ad. In the ad, NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox points out these highlights of the memo and urges viewers to call Congress in opposition to new anti-gun legislation.
To ensure lawmakers know you will hold them accountable if they support such legislation, contact your legislators by using NRA-ILA.org’s “Write Your Representatives” tool or contact Congress by phone at (202) 224-3121.
UPDATE FROM ZIPPER’S CAM TECH—A reader asked if he could see Rogue’s stock cam tensioners, so we reached out to the master, in Florida.
44098 Miles on the 2009 FLHTC that Zippers Cam Chain Tensioners were installed in.
Nylon pad starting to show wear bu not necessarily worn out.
You will see where the tensioners were wearing so I would recommend checking every 40,000 to 50,000 miles. I should also note this engine has always had fresh clean Spectro oil coursing through her veins.
Hey why not just go ahead and change them now and be safe. If you note the angle of the rear tensioner pad you can see why a double piston tensioner would work better.
This is much better that the older spring type BUT!!!!! made even better with a set of Zipper’s dual piston hydraulic cam chain tensioners.
–Rogue
THE LATEST JEWEL FROM MONTANA WATCH–This Argentium silver bracelet is designed link by link by one of our very talented artisans, then sent on to one of our jewelers to cast all of the silver components piece by piece. Once we receive it back in our studio it must be soldered and assembled prior to being sent on to Master Engraver Diane Scalese for her beautiful Western Bright Cut engraving technique. Then – coming back to the studio we attach it to the brand new lug system… designed specifically for this bracelet.
We are so happy to be able to offer this new addition to our line. For more information on how to order one of these fabulous new pieces email Dani@montanawatch.com
Here’s another new watch from Montana, but this one was built for display only.
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT FUCKING WITH US ON THE WEEKEND, WORD OF THE DAY–
obnubilate ob-NOO-buh-leyt, verb:
…their trunks were black and knobbly, whilst their branches buckled over as a roof to meet a brick plane and obnubilate a view of the stars.
It is the pity of the world, Dr Maturin, to see a man of your parts obnubilate his mind with the juice of the poppy.
Obnubilate, a late 16th century word, is a verbal derivative of the Latin nubilus meaning “cloudy,” though its closer ancestor, obnubilare means “to darken.”
KAWASAKI HEADS TO THE ISLE OF MAN–KawasakiTV has just posted a little something special on YouTube… A video of the making of Kawasaki’s The Ninja ZX-6R vs The Isle of Man video. Of course any Isle of Man video is going to be cool, but this making-of piece is particularly good. It is an honestly exciting look behind-the-scenes during the shoot, featuring TT rider James Hillier on the —then unseen— 636cc Ninja ZX™-6R.
We think you’ll love it, and we’re sure your readers will to! You can watch and/or embed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RFTojo3rKPU
-Your Friends at Kawasaki
NEW JERSEY SENATOR ABOUT TO STEP DOWN–Sen. Frank Lautenberg not seeking re-election
(AP/ABC7) – New Jersey Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg says he will not seek re-election.
The 89-year-old lawmaker is the last remaining veteran of World War II in the Senate and has been elected easily five times but was facing a likely challenge from charismatic Newark Mayor Cory Booker.
Lautenberg is a staunch advocate of gun control and public infrastructure and is a champion of the Amtrak railroad. Lautenberg first won election to the Senate in 1982.
“I am not announcing the end of anything. I am announcing the beginning of a two-year mission to pass new gun safety laws, protect children from toxic chemicals and create more opportunities for working families in New Jersey,” Lautenberg told the Newark Star-Ledger. “While I may not be seeking re-election, there is plenty of work to do before the end of this term and I’m going to keep fighting as hard as ever for the people of New Jersey in the U.S. Senate.”
HALLELIEUJAH (sp) and pass the ammunition!!!
NEW LINE OF 5-BALL RACING APPAREL TEST–Can we get your readers to vote on which one they like best?
Please note, the girl is not in the running.
–Andy
–Andrew M. Calogero
VP Bikernet Merchandising
Andrew@brandedbull.com
BIKERNET ADULT TRUTHS, AT LAST
1. Sometimes I’ll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not
know what time it is.
2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you
realize you’re wrong.
3. I totally take back all those times I didn’t want to nap when I was younger.
4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.
5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
–from Sam Burns
BIKERNET 5-Ball RACING WHEELER REPORT
Adrenaline Junky File
*2nd Grand Child, It’s A Boy, Wyatt Gerald Wheeler, early June
*Ice Racing in Sweden* Feb, 15-16 ..Racing…http://landracing.se
*Dry Lakes Racers Australia* D R L A Speed Week Feb.18-22 ….www.dlra.org.au
*Texas Mile* March 22-24 ….www.texasmile.net
*Ohio Mile 2013* April 27-28 June 8-9 July 6-7 Sept. 28-29 ….www.ecta-lsr.com
*Loring Maine* The Maine Event July 12-14 ….www.lta-lsr.com
*Bonneville, El Mirage, SCTA* ….176 Days….August 10-16, 2013* ….www.scta-bni.org
*BUB Speed Trials* …184 Days….August 24-29, 2013* ….www.speedtrialsbybub.com/
*Mojave Mile* October, 12-13 ….www.mojavemile.com
The future is getting brighter by the day here in the heart of Bikernet where the sun shines everyday. This weekend is the first NHRA Race of the season right in our backyard, Pomona, and it’s less than an hour away. Just might see ya at the track this weekend. Nitro for breakfast with a few hot rods thrown in, for good measure.
George the Wild Brush is headed to headquarters for another pinstripe session, stand by.
The 15th and 16th in Sweden Ice Racing happens. Riders on the ice are billed as “Rebells of Motorsport.” Studded tires and ice-cold balls. Hang the fuk on and rock. Looks like a bucket list item.
With 176 days until Speed Week and 184 days until opening day of the BUB Speed Trials, the days are flyin’ by at an amazing pace, the closer we get to the starting line and a green flag the faster time seems to slip away. Our 5-Ball Racing Teams goals and to-do list is shorter today than last week with the plan including a well balanced, functioning, street-able, land-speed-contender. We loaded it onto our Kendon Combo trailer and I hauled it to Colorado Custom Wheels for new wheels, rotors and a handful of other mods. Should be riding it in the next couple of weeks.
Trying to learn how to relax in my old age, good luck, although a nice quiet cross country ride might just do the trick in my spare time. I’ll be testing new parts and looking for an adventure or two?
Never give up. More Boost.
With a little help from my friends….Thanks, Thanks, Thanks.
3 Ex-Wives, My 3 Sons and their Families, Aerocharger, All Balls Racing, Kent Rich, Dutch and the Crew@Air Tech Streamlining, Arai Helmets, Keith Ball and the Crew@Bikernet, Bikers Choice, Bred Beach@Beach Racing ,Cometic Gaskets, Dan Thayer@vtwinfuelinjection, Allen Alvarez@Daytona Twin Tech, ERC Race Gas, George The Wild Brush, ET Krankvents (Thanks Ted Shrode, Ph.D—- R. I. P.), Fisher Harmonic Damper, Dan Stern@House of Thunder H-D, Horsepower Inc., Ron Williams, Jeff, Kevin@Hardtailz, Randy, Michelle and the Crew@Hyperformance, Jim’s Machine USA, K&N Air Cleaner, Paul Kittrell@Lyndall Racing Brakes, Marc Susman@Colorado Custom Cycle Wheels, Ray Whitehead@Pegasus, Pingel, Jim @Sharp Eye Transmission, Reggie and Crew@R&R Cycle, Ben Kudon@Rivera Primo, Matthew Wiley@Race Tech Suspension, Rick Tedder@ R/T Performance, Schnitz Racing, Mr. McCahill@Spyke, S&S Cycle, Matthew Negherbon@Thunder Motorcycles in San Jose, Guy Caputo@Tiger Racing, Steve The Turbo Doc, Tsubaki Chains, Vanderbeck Race Cars, Vanson Leathers, Dr. Willie, World Wide Bearings, Duncan Keller, Yankee Engineuity in San Jose, Ca..
Haul Ass!
Ride for your Life!
–Ray C Wheeler
Performance Editor
wheeler@bikernet.com
THIS JUST IN–The Obama administration has set a goal of having 1 million plug-in electric vehicles on the road by 2015, and the government offers a $7,500 tax credit to buyers. But, by and large, Americans still are rejecting electric cars.
1. Americans Still Spurn Electric Vehicles
Only 9,819 Nissan Leafs were sold in 2012, and sales of Chevrolet’s Volt, which has a gas engine that kicks in when the electric charge runs out, barely topped 23,000. Electric vehicle (EV) sales accounted for just 0.1 percent of the market, up only slightly from 0.09 percent in 2011, according to The Fiscal Times.
Nissan is seeking to bolster sales by dropping the Leaf’s price by $6,000, and Chevrolet last year cut the Volt’s lease rate by $20 per month. Yet the market research firm LMC Automotive predicts that in 10 years, EVs will account for only 1.5 to 2 percent of the market.
A survey by the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs in 21 large cities found that the perceived drawbacks of EVs outweigh their advantages for most respondents. Chief among those drawbacks are the price of the vehicle and the limited range that requires frequent battery recharging.
One Nissan Leaf driver who spoke with The Fiscal Times reported that the car lasted as little as 43 miles on a charge in the winter rather than the promised 73 miles, and recharging the car with a 120-volt charger could take 20 hours.
Another hindrance to sales in cities is that apartment dwellers generally don’t have access to a private garage where they can use a home charging station to recharge their EV.
“Federal billions cannot overcome the fact that electric vehicles and plug-in electric hybrids meet few, if any, real consumer needs,” The Washington Post observed in an editorial.
“Compared with gas-powered cars, they deliver inferior performance at much higher costs.”
Nevertheless, some car manufacturers remain hopeful. Six new EVs were unveiled last year, and this year will see the rollout of Tesla’s Model S, a large EV that can travel more than 200 miles on a charge.
The car’s price tag after the $7,500 tax credit: $52,400. Federal loan guarantee for Tesla: $465 million.
–from Joe Teresi
BIKERNET SUNDAY POST PAUSE FOR A RELIGIOUS MOMENT–A Pastor was presenting a children’s sermon. During the sermon, he asked the children if they knew what the resurrection was.
Now, asking questions during children’s sermons is crucial, but at the same time, asking children questions in front of a congregation can also be very dangerous.
Having asked the children if they knew the meaning of the resurrection, a little boy raised his hand. The pastor called on him and the little boy said, “I know that if you have a resurrection that lasts more than four hours you are supposed to call the doctor.”
It took over ten minutes for the congregation to settle down enough from their laughter for the worship service to be continued.
–from Dr. Willie
NEVER A DULL MOMENT AT THE BIKERNET HEADQUARTERS—I’m waiting to hear from the Triking Viking at another trade show. We are in the process of testing Australian Water Separator technology with a water official in San Bernardino. Did you know that junk water is pulled out of wells and processed for human consumption, then brown water is processed again, but because of the lack of knowledge by citizen, they can’t use it again. We will bring you reports on this effort. It is currently helping hospitals all over Australia.
I’m putting my Mudflap Girl FXR back together. I’m looking forward to a ride, and just received a notice from Patti regarding the Sturgis run from the West Coast to Lake Tahoe to Sturigis.
I will head over to Worco Powder Coating tomorrow to have one final piece coated, pay my bill, then head to Bennett’s Performance to cover Eric’s S&S 106-inch upgrade rebuild. With any luck my Chris Morrison will complete my tank next week, George will pinstrip it, and I can complete my build.
This afternoon I will focus on our 1928 Shovelhead repairs, and maybe, just maybe fire her up. I’m working on my contribution to the Midnight Rider Series. I know Gary sorta got carried away, but we are looking for midnight rider stories far and wide. We all have stories about riding at night.
I’m about to launch a couple of bike features, and I’m always looking for Digital Discovery features for the Cantina. I spoke to Buck Lovell an hour ago. He was talking about trying to go for a ride in 45 degree weather, since the road leading out of his garage wasn’t covered in snow, but everything else is. Hang on. Next week will be a blast.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
