Hey,
I got up on the north stage last night at the Las Vegas Bikefest to accept an award, and I should have talked more about the need to get involved with bikers rights. I did, but not enough. It was good to see Lorenzo Lamas, Ray from Indian represented Evel Knievel, and Robbie Knievel was there. And Branscomb Richmond put it all together. He’s an amazing talent.
As soon as the event was over I dropped into the crowd to see several old friends, and then I hit the road, met my pal Joe Zanelli and his wife Shirley for a quick bite at Rocky’s south of town, before rolling west. Shirley warned me about LA to Vegas traffic, so I just kept going. I was back at the headquarters by 3:00 in the morning, had a Jack on the Rocks and crashed for a couple of hours.
This afternoon the Redhead of Redheads and I will cruise to Pasadena for Sugar Bear’s wedding to the wonderful Fuji. It’s good to see a couple who worked together, for the long haul. There’s so much turmoil in life.
Wives and husbands are often portrayed as at opposite ends of a treacherous spectrum. Actually, that person at your side should be respected as the most important person in your life, not the battle-axe baggage. Let’s hit the news. There’s another special couple I know, who I work with on a regular basis, Tony and Vicki Sanfelipo. Both very talented and both devoted to one another and motorcycling.
NEWS FROM CHOPPERTOWN– In case you missed the Boutonniere post last week, we’ve got a special treat for Biker Movie Sunday. We’re streaming the film LIVE on our Facebook Channel at 11:00am PST and the filmmakers will be joining us for Q&A in the comments area.
It’s a first for us and we hope to support all of our Choppertown filmmakers by giving them a chance to discuss their films with you guys in person each week. It’s a like a virtual film festival!
So join us at Facebook.com/Choppertown.
Thanks guys, your support helps us make these shows and bring them to you.
Stay independent,
–Zack and Scott
Take 50% off the Dirtbag Downloads or DVDs this week to celebrate!
NEW FROM BELT DRIVES LIMITED, SILENT RUNNING– Cruisers and touring buffs alike will appreciate the exceptionally smooth and ultra quiet operation of this all new, totally enclosed primary drive from Belt Drives Limited.
Available as a conversion or retro fit for Softail, FXR and Shovelhead models, the system now features the company’s revolutionary “Quiet Clutch”.
Manufactured with Kevlar on round dog aluminum plates, the new clutch significantly reduces clutch rattling. A unique basket carries 12 cylindrical, replaceable clutch dogs providing silk smooth transition, enhanced longevity and unimpeded performance.
Each kit includes a polished billet aluminum pressure plate secured by 9 shoulder bolts and specially designed springs. Shipped with BDL’s bullet proof Kevlar belt, this easily installed kit provides butter smooth operation and flawless performance.
Each enclosed kit is supplied with a sealed bearing for installation in the inner primary. For complete application information call 714-693-1313 or go to www.beltdrives.com
SOUTH CAROLINA HELMET RALLY–
Getting ready for our annual Helmet Law Support Rally and just wanted to say thanks to all who attended the Meeting of the Minds. It is always great to get recharged!
–Ralph Bell
SC ass rep
NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL MOTORISTS ASSOCIATION– From guest writer Clark Barrineau of the Alliance for Toll-Free Interstates
In the fall of 2015, Congress passed a five-year federal transportation bill. This law placed a “use-it-or-lose-it” provision on the Interstate System Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Pilot Program (ISRRPP)—a pilot program for tolling existing interstates.
The three tolling pilot program slots are currently held by North Carolina, Virginia and Missouri. With the clock now ticking, these states can either implement interstate tolling or lose the slot to another state, opening the door to additional applications in the future. No tolls have ever been enacted under the ISRRPP. If a new state wants an expiring slot, a state must apply with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for both a slot and a specific tolling project.
The uncertainty of the ISRRPP’s future is troubling because tolls are inefficient and ineffective. Tolling hurts local economies, drives up the costs of goods and diverts heavy traffic onto rural roads. The consequences of tolling are appalling and hurt families and businesses alike.
The National Motorists Association is a proud member of The Alliance for Toll-Free Interstates (ATFI). ATFI is a coalition of individuals, businesses and organizations that advocates for solving our growing transportation needs without tolling existing interstates. Since the ISRRPP slots are now in flux, ATFI has seen more and more state legislatures discuss tolling as a transportation option.
States to Watch
Wisconsin: According to the Chippewa Herald, Wisconsin “GOP leaders have left the door open to increasing gas taxes or transportation fees, such as vehicle registration fees, in 2017 to resolve the state’s road-funding woes. They have also floated the idea of instituting toll roads.” This was confirmed by Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette, co-chair of Wisconsin’s Joint Finance Committee, in The Capital Times saying “We don’t have a lot of polling done on transportation funding, but the only one that we do see that gets over 50 percent approval is tolling.”
Rhode Island: In early 2016, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo proposed and passed RhodeWorks, a new transportation plan that will create a burdensome new network of tolls across 14 different bridges. This controversial and unprecedented plan uses a federal exemption that is meant to repair ailing bridges to instead create a statewide tolling system. Despite being signed into law, RhodeWorks still faces constitutional, legal and implementation hurdles. In the summer of 2016, American Trucking Association President Chris Spear said “We don’t know if this program is legal, but it is bad policy and an extortion of our industry.”
Indiana: During its 2016 state legislative session, Indiana legislators proposed Indiana House Bill No. 1001, which would require Indiana to seek a waiver from the Federal Highway Administration to toll lanes on Interstate 65, Interstate 69, and Interstate 80/94. The bill also required the department to conduct a feasibility study of tolling on those interstates. Thankfully, both of these tolling provisions were stripped out of the final version that was eventually signed into law. However, HB1001’s original language underscores the point that some forces want tolls to come to Indiana.
More recently in Indiana, The Journal Gazette reported that a task force called “Funding Indiana’s Roads for a Stronger, Safer Tomorrow” plans to host a private meeting to draft a long-term road-funding proposal that the legislature will consider in 2017. According to the Gazette, the proposal may include tolling both new and existing interstates as a viable financing option.
Be Heard this Election Season
This election season will have a massive effect on the future of tolling in America, and we need all those committed to finding better answers to our transportation challenges to work together and be heard.
–from Rogue
Quotes
Maybe it was better to evade the issue, to delay, to be ambiguous and equivocal, indulge in vagueness, anacoluthon, and amphiboly?
— Mallock, The Cemetery of Swallows, translated by Steven Rendall, 2013
Origin of amphiboly
Amphiboly comes from the Latin noun amphibolia meaning “ambiguity,” which, in turn, stems from the Greek verb bállein meaning “to throw.” It entered English in the late 1500s.
QUICK, OPEN THE BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY– Bible Study
In this crazy election season I decided a little religion might be appropriate so here is a short Bible study.
Remember what Jesus said: ‘Goats on the left, sheep on the right’ (Matthew 25:33).
Jesus also told Peter that if he wanted to catch fish do it from the right side of the boat. They did and filled the boat with fish.
John 21:6 (NIV) … He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.”
Origin of Left & Right…I have often wondered why it is that Conservatives are called the right” and Liberals are called the “left”.
By chance I stumbled upon this verse in the Bible: Ecclesiastes 10:2 (NIV) – “The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.”
Thus sayeth the Lord. Amen.
It surely can’t get any simpler than that.
Please share this Bible Lesson with all your friends and email buddies to help achieve that goal. Never grow a wishbone where a backbone ought to be.
–Sam Burns
BE THE FIRST TO SEE INDIAN MOTORCYCLE’S RETURN TO THE TRACK– Stop in at your local dealer on Saturday, 10/15 for an exclusive viewing of Cycle World’s film showcasing Indian Motorcycle’s historic return to flat track racing after over 60 years of being away.
Return of A Legend
See everything from the initial development of the bike to the first race and grab a free limited-edition Indian Motorcycle racing flag while supplies last.
–Ron
Born to Ride
A MIDNIGHT NUMBERS QUESTION– How is it that H-D seems to be desperate enough in pushing the envelope on official displacement figures in cu. in. to the point that they call the 113 CVOs 114-inchers? A 4-inch bore by 4.5-inch stroke is 113.0770 cubic inches.
They’ve made supposed improvements to their scoots now with the Milwaukee Eight bikes, but you’d think they would not feel the necessity to do that. Not nitpicking, just an observation I sort of found some humor in.
The regular 107s are 106.5475 so that’s totally fine since we all know that it is acceptable to round up. They called the Honda CB 750, so although it was 736ccs if I recall correctly. My 1973 Kawasaki 900 was actually 902cc. The Indian 111 Thunder Stroke is 110.5140 (need I tell you…) and maybe that is the reason Harley is pushing so hard.
Don’t seem to me like they need to Trumpize their operation with false or way misleading displacement figures.
What say you, O Swami?
Ride Easy,
–Andreas
–Midnight Express Motorcycle Co.
We live in interesting times. The numbers don’t mean much to me, but handling and performance does. I was told by a dealer that the handling package hasn’t changed. And we need to take a wait-and-see regarding the new engine. I’m excited about the single cam but not the chain drive.
I’m also curious about the lower ends, bearings, and transmissions. The newer six-speeds don’t last. Did they fix them?
–Bandit
KENNY SAMSON “The Godfather of Pipes” Collection Auction–
Kenny Price, the CEO of Samson Exhaust is retiring and looking to reduce the amount of items to store, by auctioning off his collection of motorcycles, hotrods, excess factory equipment, tools and more. Millions of dollars of items collected over the years, and everything must go! Limited reserves, low starting bids, and negotiated shipping will ensure that you get a share of Kenny’s collection for cheap.
Samson Exhaust
Pipe Dreams Magazine
1151 Industry Road
Sturgis, SD 57785
Phone: (605) 720-7676
Fax: (605) 720-7643
BAD JOKES STILL OPEN– A recent CNN poll asked 1,000 female DNC delegates if they would sleep with Bill Clinton.
38% said “Yes”, while 62% said “Never Again.”
–Rogue
COMING TO AN EASYRIDERS MAGAZINE NEAR YOU– Look for an article on Chris Cox being interviewed by Easyriders about BIKERS FOR TRUMP in the new issue.
Accept no substitutes! Get the original Bikers For Trump T-shirt
from founder Chris Cox for just $26 plus $3 shipping and handling.
Printed in America. Available sizes: M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL.
Order yours NOW at: easyriders.com/trump…
and you’ll also receive a FREE Bikers for Trump 4-inch Sticker!
I NEED TO SUIT UP FOR THE WEDDING— Next week will kick off with a flurry of activities, new articles, features, reports from Vegas, Galleries from Jack, techs from Rogue, and biz.
It’s never dull around here. I need to reach out to Lorenzo. He’s flying helicopters. For a minute I thought about becoming a helicopter pilot, when I was a kid. Lorenzo is also working for Veterans.
Hang on. It’s never dull around here.
Ride Free Forever,
–Bandit
