Hey,
Another whacky day in paradise. Yesterday was summer warm and today the winter’s back. One day the world is a serious place, the next I receive more jokes than straight info. Today is an upbeat joke day.
The media may be getting the message. Last night I watched a brief segment on a town back east. They’re re-opening the Lincoln Log company and putting folks back to work. Home prices in most of the country haven’t dipped more than 10 percent. So the economy ain’t all bad.
I believe we need to send a message to the government, that there’s another side of the issue they’re missing out on–Freedom. We’re supposedly a free country. If we regulate and fine everyone and everything, we’re shot. There’s another side to the story–education, not legislation. Let’s hit the news:
NEW HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE DETAILING KIT– Essential Products to Enhance and Protect Painted and Plated Surfaces.
MILWAUKEE (March 27, 2009) ? The new Harley-Davidson Detailing Kit (P/N 94702-09, $49.95) from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories combines into an easy-to-purchase kit a collection of essential products for polishing and protecting the finish of any motorcycle. The following six products are included in the kit:
H-D Polish & Sealant spray with UV protection resists the fading and oxidizing effects of acid rain and harsh airborne pollutants, and is safe for use on most painted and chrome-plated surfaces (Not for use on matte, semi-gloss and wrinkle paint finishes). Harley Gloss is a non-abrasive spray that produces a high-gloss finish with UV protection. Both of these products are biodegradable.
Bright Metal Polish is formulated with micro-abrasives to refurbish and refinish metal motorcycle parts that have lost their luster. Bright Chrome Cleaner is non-abrasive and formulated to enhance the shine of chrome-plated surfaces. Swirl & Scratch Treatment spray removes fine scratches in one step. Spray Cleaner & Polish aerosol waterless cleaner/detailer floats dirt and dust off the surface for a quick & easy cleanup.
Softcloth disposable towels are designed to protect painted surfaces with minimal residual lint while waxing.
For additional information on Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories, see your local Harley-Davidson dealer or visit the Harley-Davidson Web site at www.harley-davidson.com. To find a dealer near you, call toll free 1-800-443-2153 in the U.S.A. or Canada.
BIKERS SHOW IN FORCE TO SUPPORT THE REPEAL OF THE NEVADA HELMET LAW– Motorcycle enthusiasts filled hearing rooms Tuesday in Northern and Southern Nevada in what has become a seemingly quixotic effort to convince lawmakers to repeal the state’s helmet law.
For more than a decade, bikers have lobbied the Legislature to join 30 other states that have flouted federal efforts to require all motorcyclists to wear protective headgear. Since 1997, Assemblyman Don Gustavson, R-Sparks, has been carrying their bill. And, every session, the bill dies.
But that hasn’t deterred motorcycle enthusiasts from trying again. They came Tuesday armed with their own statistics, economic arguments and quotes on freedom from America’s founding fathers to support Assembly Bill 300. They did battle with representatives from insurance companies, emergency room doctors, advocates for the disabled and law enforcement officers who argued against repealing the helmet law.
In his familiar creed against the federal government, Gustavson decried what he called efforts to “blackmail” individual states with the threat to withhold federal funds. He argued it’s time to “say no to Big Brother” and give Nevadans the right to choose whether to wear a helmet. And he railed against critics who said the Legislature would be wasting its time to hear the bill again.
“The day we don’t have time to debate personal freedoms in this body is a day that I hope none of us or our children will ever have to see,” he said.
Backers of AB 300 argued helmets do nothing to prevent accidents and said most bikers will likely continue to wear helmets even if the law is repealed.
“We’re not out there trying to kill ourselves,” said Dale Andrus, a Reno motorcyclist. “Our goal is to prevent or have accidents avoided, not have safer accidents.”
Bikers also argued the freedom to choose whether to wear a helmet will help promote tourism in Nevada, spurring more motorcycle enthusiasts to spend money while traveling the state’s highways.
“As far as I know, I have the only bill that will create new jobs and generate millions of dollars of revenue for the state of Nevada without raising any taxes or spending any stimulus money,” Gustavson said. Opponents of AB 300 brought out their own statistics.
John Johansen of the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety rattled off a series of numbers indicating spikes in motorcycle fatalities after states repealed helmet requirements. For example, he said deaths spiked 81 percent in Florida. For bikers younger than 21, the fatality rate jumped 188 percent.
Law enforcement officers also testified against the bill. Only Assemblyman Jerry Claborn, D-Las Vegas, sounded off during the hearing. “The issue is not whether that helmet saves your life or not,” Claborn told Battle Mountain motorcyclist Ted Suthers. “It’s if you get hurt, what’s it going to cost me and my family and everyone else in the state of Nevada to pay for you when your insurance runs out.” Suthers, who remained neutral on the bill, agreed with Claborn that it’s not the helmet. “This is definitely not going to save my life,” he said, holding up a tiny helmet that looked like skull cap. “It’s going to be my driving ability and my awareness that is going to save my life.”
–from Rogue
Lawmakers Vote to Close 2 Million Acres of Public LandFederal– lawmakers have approved a bill that closes more than 2 million acres of public land nationwide to powersports and other motorized vehicles. U.S. House members voted 285 to 140 to approve H.R. 146, known as the Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Battlefield Acquisition Grant Program. This bill was formerly known as S. 22, the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009.
Congress’ attempt to pass S. 22 was defeated two weeks ago in the House. However, following that defeat, the Senate leadership brought H.R. 146 to the floor, inserted the language from S. 22, and passed the bill March 19 by a vote of 77 to 20. It then went to the House for the March 25 vote.
The measure, which now goes to President Obama to be signed into law, consists of a collection of more than 160 pieces of legislation and more than 1,300 pages of text.
Under the bill, motorized vehicles will no longer be allowed in parts of the Monogahela National Forest in West Virginia; Jefferson National Forest in Virginia; Mount Hood, Badlands, Spring Basin and Copper Salmon areas in Oregon; Sabinoso in New Mexico; Riverside County in California; and Washington County in Utah.
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) lobbied against the bill and organized a letter-writing campaign in the days leading up to yesterday?s vote.
AMA VP for Government Relations Ed Moreland said House members never debated more than 70 of the bills included in legislative package before going ahead with the vote.
“This is a sad day not only for responsible motorized recreation but also for a democratic process that is supposed to welcome public input and the opportunity for congressional review,? Moreland said in a prepared statement.
– Submitted by Guido Ebert
WILD EUROPEAN SHELL GAS COMMERCIAL– Here’s a link to a Shell commercial shown in Europe. Ostensibly they’re selling gasoline, but the Ferrari’s used in the video steal the show. Ferrari pulled several of their race-cars from various ages out of storage, flew them around the world, and filmed them running through the streets of Rome , Rio , New York , Hong Kong and Monaco . No CGI – these are the original cars on the original streets.
The best part is the sound – from the basso-profundo notes of the early, front-engine era, each scene cuts to a later and later generation, ending with the banshee-wail of a modern F1 car. The sounds alone bring a tear to the eye. Even if you’re not a gearhead, this video will stir the soul. There’s just something about 3 litres and 14,000 RPM that’s music to my ears!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0jrPrjW3Oc
–Art Friedman
KEVLAR LACED JEANS FROM DIAMOND GUSSETT–These are the official rider jeans of Bikernet. We’ve tested them to Sturgis several times, and now they recently released Kevlar backed jeans for enhances protection.
NEWEST BUILD FROM GUILTY CUSTOMS–They just finished this sharp ride with a Paughco frame and a classic Durfee front end for special ops soldier.
–Carl (Cj) Hanlon
407.453.0844
www.guiltycustoms.com
www.guiltytruthblog.com
Bob Bitchin’s Advanced Cruising Seminar And Lee Chesneau’s Advanced Weather Seminar– Both in one big weekend – August 22-23, 2009 At The Mystic Seaport Museum
For 8 years the premier Cruising seminar has been Bob Bitchin’s advanced Cruising seminar. Above is the Class of 2008. On August 22-23, 2009, Bob’s advanced Cruising seminar will join with lee Chesneaus’s Advanced Weather Seminar. Two big events in one weekend at the Mystic seaport Museum.
But Wait! There’s More!
Besides the great seminars and Mystic Seaport Passes, AND the Eric stone concert, your admission also includes books, study materials, buffet lunches both days, and a buffet outdoor dinner at the concert. Still not ready? Well, you will also get a great skipper’s bag filled with goodies from The Sailing Industry to help you get started on your quest for the great adventure.
NEW JACKDAHAT LUNA WEB SITE– CHECK OUT MY NEW OPENING WEB SITE PAGE.
–LUNA
http://www.jackdahat.com/index.html
Red Neck Bank Loan– A Redneck from Alabama walked into a bank in New York City and asked for the loan officer. He told the loan officer that he was going to Bakersfield on business for four weeks and needed to borrow $5,000 and that he was not a depositor of the bank. The bank officer told him that the bank would need some form of security for the loan, so the Redneck handed over the keys to a new Ferrari.
The car was parked on the street in front of the bank. The Redneck produced the title and everything checked out. The loan officer agreed to hold the car as collateral for the loan and apologized for having to charge 12% interest. Later, the bank’s president and its officers all enjoyed a good laugh at the Redneck from the south for using a $250,000 Ferrari as collateral for a $5,000 loan. An employee of the bank then drove the Ferrari into the bank’s underground garage and parked it.
Four weeks later, the Redneck returned, repaid the $5,000 and the interest of $23.07. The loan officer said, ‘Sir, we are very happy to have had your business, and this transaction has worked out very nicely, but we are a little puzzled. While you were away, we checked you out and found that you are a multimillionaire. What puzzles us is, why would you bother to borrow $5,000?’
The Alabama Redneck replied, ‘Where else in New York City, can I park my car for four weeks for only $23.07 and expect it to be there when I return?’
His name was… BUBBA…
–Doyle
HOME DEPOT TOOL OF THE WEEK TESTED BY BIKERNET–Okay, so it looks cool, but our technicians discovered that a cunt hair is actually about .003 thick. That would make 333.33 cunt hairs per inch. Back to the drawing board.
–Mothergoose
BLACK VEHICLES UNDER FIRE FROM CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD– Fox news reported; California ARB is considering banning black cars. I Googled california arb=2 0black cars and this is what came up. Go to http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/cool-paints/final_cool_cars_workshop_presentation31209.pdf to see CARB’s actual report and schedule, it’s easy reading but you won’t believe your eyes!!! It is worse than just black cars. Has everyone in the state government gone mad?????
–DON B.
from; autobloggreen.com
In a move that will likely get California’s consumers in a huff, impending legislation may soon restrict the paint color options for Golden State residents looking for their next new vehicle. The specific colors that are currently on the chopping block are all dark hues, with the worst offender seemingly the most innocuous color you could think of: Black.
What could California possibly have against these colors, you ask? Apparently, the California Air Resources Board figures that the climate control systems of dark colored cars need to work harder than their lighter siblings ? especially after sitting in the sun for a few hours. Anyone living in a hot, sunny climate will tell you that this assumption is accurate, of course. In fact, legislation already exists for buildings that has proven successful at reducing the energy consumption of skyscrapers.
So, what’s the crux of the problem… can’t paint suppliers just come up with new, less heat-absorbent dark paints? According to Ward’s, suppliers have reportedly been testing their pigments and processes to see if it’s possible to meet CARB’s proposed mandate of 20% solar reflectivity by 2016 with a phase-in period starting in 2012, and things aren’t looking good. Apparently, when the proper pigments and chemicals are added to black paint, the resulting color is currently being referred to as “mud-puddle brown.” That doesn’t sound very attractive, now does it? Windshields, backlights and sunroofs are also slated to get reflective coatings starting in 2012.
When we first heard of this issue, an internal debate immediately began as to whether this might be an elaborate early April Fool’s joke, but it isn’t. Read through CARB’s complete Cool Cars Standards and Test Procedures here (PDF link) for more. Thanks for the tip, Joaquin!
FINALLY GOOD ECONOMIC NEWS FROM BIKERNETMETRIC–This just in from the BikernetMetric Economic Research Laboratory.
–Wacko
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