Weekend Round-Up for May 21, 2019

I finally got my fiberglass team to show up, but it’s cool. Lupe has coached me, and I’ve kept the process going. We are within a couple of days of laying on the glass.

I researched my next vehicle for years. I settled on a Ford Transit mid-high or a Nissan High-top van. It’s been a struggle. I also looked at Sprinter Vans. This could be my last 4-wheel vehicle, and I needed it to work for me.

The considerations are vast and many. I’m not sure I want to go into it here. I could write for days on my thoughts and considerations. But on Sunday I bought the bullet and bought a used 2018 Nissan High-Top with 85 miles on the clock. It was the dealership shop van and never left the lot. They went from $32,000 to 29,400 and I got them down to 28,000. Ford is almost $10,000 more on the sticker price.

I like the Nissans for lots more reasons. It’s more comfortable. I like the engine configuration with a hood, not with the engine jammed under the dash. The warranty is better. The dealership is just up the street from the Bikernet Headquarters and the list goes on. I will line the interior with Dynamat Extreme for insulation.

I want to install a short row of seats behind the driver’s seat. Let me know, if you know of a way to buy a set of seats. I may need to go to a Van Conversion dealership. And I’m already working on my other custom modifications, including: The vinyl 5-Ball racing logos on the side doors, the back and on the black top of the van. I’ll get George, the Wild Brush to handle some pinstriping. I need to have a couple more tie-down loops added in the center of the van behind the driver’s seat.

The list goes on.

I’m going to be sanding like a fool today. I’m praying to lay the fiberglass this weekend. I’m not a body and fender guy, but I’m trying to support the effort like crazy.

Remember the Goldwing effort for Graeme, New Zealand Iron-butt rider? It’s now locked down in the Bikernet Headquarters. Tim delivered it yesterday, took his cash and signed the papers. It’s a monster sitting in the center of my shop with a windshield larger than most car windshields. I may see about having it cut down Graeme arrives in June.

QUICK, TAKE A BREAK IN THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY, MARIJUANA DIVISION:
Q: How many potheads does it take to change a lightbulb.
A: Screw it, we got lighters

Q. How long does it take before a pound of weed goes bad?
A. I don’t know! I’ve never had it longer than an hour!

Q: How do you hide pot from a hippie?
A: Put it in his work boots.

Q: What do you called a doped-up Pikachu?
A: Tokemon!

Q: What do you call a Disney cartoon where the kids chill and do nothing?
A: Phineas and Herb.

Q: What is the difference between politicians and stoners?
A: Politicians don’t inhale…they just suck.

Q. What do you call a stoner that just broke up with his girlfriend?
A. Homeless.

–from Rogue
Super Senior Editor
Bikernet.com™ Empire

Okay, remember my correspondent in India who helps out a lot around Bikernet. I sent him a vest for his Birthday, a couple of books and a couple of Bandanas, which are manufactured down the street from him in India. Customs has held up the FEDEX delivery for a couple of bullshit reasons. I guess this is common in India. The officials try to extort funds from the shipper before they will release the package.

Well, we made progress today. I have refused to send more documents or pay penalties without delivery confirmation. Keep your fingers crossed. I’ve heard horror stories. The world is nuts.

What else? I want to ride the Panhead and check out the risers and my fixed front brake. I need to go to the Marina supply store this morning. Maybe I will ride the Panhead.

I still need to sell my Ford. I don’t have a lot of space in the back for 4-wheeled vehicles. Need to make some room. Make me an offer.

Here’s my bitch for the week. The redhead is reading a book about AVs and the future. He basically says motorcycles are going away. The book is “No One at the Wheel,” Driverless Cars and the Road of the Future. Here’s his quote under Not So Easy Rider: Driverless vehicles could be a death knell for motorcycles, especially in the United States. A report from industry insiders finds that the motorcycle industry is in deep trouble, and autonomous technology will only make things worse. “There is a very real risk of motorcycling being completely cut out of the conversation for future vehicle infrastructure systems,” concludes the report. Moreover, the report points out, as autonomous technology grows, traffic and city planners, insurance companies, and AV manufacturers may see motorcycle as increasingly risky.

What bullshit, but of course Mr. Schwartz is trying to make his point in his book. The Petersen Museum put on a symposium about the future of cars and Markus Cuff took some photo. I would have liked to attend, but goddammit, I’m trying to build the world’s fastest trike using our beloved fossil fuels…