Continued From Page 2
BIKERNET CARIBBEAN REPORT– This week is going to be short and sweet, or maybe not. Like always there?s a lot of things? going on at the same time. I guess I’m getting used to it by now, but still it’s juggling. I just want to get some of the things done, like finalizing the move (I mean the little details left) and finish a couple of the almost chops so I can get a breather and jump head first into the other projects. Speaking of projects, a couple friends who own a tattoo shop came up with the idea to do a microphone stand (they are both in bands as well). It was a pretty complex thing with several mics all over the place, but what the hell, I looked at it as practice for the next Run For Breath trophies. So the Praying mantis mic stand came to life today. It will visit the chrome shop soon.
As you might know from last year, we have a few season games here for the Major League Baseball, Expos. I really don’t care for sports (unless it’s Soccer) but we have tickets for all the games and to tell you the truth is a lot of fun. First, it’s a breather from everyday shit, second, it’s like the local hangout for a bunch of friends, so it becomes like a party. Needless to say we kinda watch the game, since most of the watching goes towards the babes that are there as well (I have a few shots on the way) for now I have this one from our seats, and yea the guy is getting hit in the back by the ball.
Nui from Hawaii sent me a few shots of the new Coors West Coast Chopper, just when they were putting it into the stand. So I will share it with you guys.There’s some good news on the way but I’m still holding back a little bit longer, it has to do with building more bikes for certain events. We are really proud of being chosen, but at the same time the new builds tense up the whole schedule, what the fuck, nothing that I’m not used to. Just in case, and I never ask for free stuff, if anyone that reads these news from the industry wants to send anything our way, it will be more than welcome. I have the frame and motor, so the rest is up in the air.
Sheriff has gone back closer to the North Pole. I hope he had a good time here and will do a report on his point of view, although he was kind of fixated on the crime rate, so let’s see what happens.
I have received a few “inside” news tidbits lately. It?s a matter of sharing with you or bordering on being a gossip column, for now I will keep them out of here and if the cat comes out of the bag I will share what I know.
Well, I’m heading to Miami tomorrow for a show, Indian Larry, Paul Cox and Roger Bourget will be there as headliners and it will be fun. Even though it’s a quick trip, I’m sure we will have a blast in South Beach….
I’m outta here, since I have to sleep sometime…
Jose – Caribbean Bikernet Reporter
FLEETTRAILER PROJECT BIKE– Here’s some pics. If ya need more details let me know. I should have taken more pictures of the build proccess but got sidetracked building the damn thing. Since it’s been done we’re thinking of some more changes. Custom exhaust for one, we’ll make our own pipes. These hide the curve of the remade swingarm.
Already making a custom caliper mount for the swingarm that will put the caliper at the bottom and clean up the looks a little. Choppers are never done. I’ll send better finnished pictures in the near future.
–fritz
fleettrailer@firstbankconnect.com
MAKE-BELIEVE COP MAKES TRAFFIC STOP– DAYTONA BEACH — Daniel Blais liked to play cop, but that didn’t stop the Sheriff’s Office from giving him a real job.Police say the 23-year-old Daytona Beach man’s passion for pretending got him a ticket to the county jail Wednesday, for the third time.
He was arrested and charged with impersonating a police officer after a motorcyclist told actual deputies Blais had pulled him over on Fentress Boulevard.
“He’s just a kid on a power trip,” said motorcyclist Matt Schaub, 23.
Blais was fired Wednesday from his position of dispatcher trainee at the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office where he had worked for two months. Although his application was initially rejected because of his past criminal record, Maj. Terry Sanders said Blais had done well in his training class.
By LYDA LONGA,Staff Writer, Daytona News Journal
–from Rogue
HELMET LAW HEADE TOWARD LOUISIANA–Louisiana State Senator Joel Chaisson II (D-Destrehan) has filed Senate Bill 29, which mandates all motorcycle riders to wear helmets with padding, a visor and a chin strap. That was the law until five years ago when former Governor Mike Foster, an avid motorcyclist, helped persuade lawmakers to allow a choice for riders older than 18. Chaisson said his bill is backed by the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.
With Foster not around to promote an optional bill or threaten a veto, Chaisson said, the chances are good the law will pass. Chaisson said he intends to present medical experts to testify on the need for a mandatory helmet law.
Under the existing law any adult who chooses not to wear a helmet must be covered by at least a $10,000 health insurance policy and furnish proof of insurance to police. (Times-Picayune)
WISCONSIN Supports FREEDOM–Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle signed into law an act that will ensure that motorcycle, snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle riders who do not wear helmets won?t face reduced awards in personal injury cases because of that fact. Helmets are not required for adult motorcycle riders in Wisconsin.
In a ruling two years ago, the state Supreme Court said a jury could consider a person’s decision not to wear a helmet to reduce the amount of damages paid to that person.
Doyle signed the bill, authored by ardent motorcyclist Senator Dave Zien (R-Eau Claire) and Representative Barbara Gronemus (D-Whitehall), surrounded by motorcyclists including members of ABATE of Wisconsin, Motorcycle Riders Foundation, and American Motorcyclist Association. Also in attendance were representatives from Accident Scene Management, who played key roles in drafting and getting this legislation passed.
Wisconsin does not have a law requiring adult motorcyclists to wear helmets, and the Legislature formally rejected such an idea when it overrode a gubernatorial veto in 1978. Under this new law, a person’s decision to go without a helmet, as state law allows, cannot be used against that person in a personal injury suit.
–from Rogue
Many apologies for my original misguided title. There wasn’t enough Jack in my cereal that morning.–Bandit
BIKERNET RELATIONSHIP ADVICE–A man returning home a day early from a business trip got into a taxi atthe airport. It was after midnight. While enroute to his home, he asked thecabby if he would be a witness. The man suspected his wife was having anaffair and he intended to catch her in the act.
For $100, the cabby agreed. Quietly arriving at the house, the husband andcabby tiptoed into the bedroom. The husband switched on the lights, yankedthe blanket back and there was his wife in bed with another man.
The husband put a gun to the naked man’s head. The wife shouted, “Don’t doit! This man has been very generous! I lied when I told you I inheritedmoney. He paid for the Corvette I bought for you. He paid for our new cabincruiser. He paid for our house at the lake. He paid for our country clubmembership, and he even pays the monthly dues!”
Shaking his head from side-to-side the husband slowly lowered the gun. Helooked over at the cab driver and said, “What would you do?”
The cabby said, “I’d cover him up with that blanket before he catches a cold.”
–from S&CHere’s some pictures of our bike project. Feedback & comments will be much appriciated, good or bad. If you don’t like parts or can offer any constructive critisism feel free to say so. we have thick skin. I’ll be able to take better pictures of the paint when I can get it outside in the sun. The shop doesn’t have the best lighting.
MRF CALL TO ACTION, QUICK–Having failed to convince State legislatures to adopt laws mandating helmet or apparel use by motorcyclists, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has potentially found another body to advance mandatory-use laws: the United Nations.
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) has learned that, in total defiance of legislation passed by Congress, NHTSA has moved its efforts to the United Nations, specifically the world body’s “Inland Transport Committee: Working Party on Road Traffic Safety (WP.1).” In a document dated July 15, 2003, and during meetings held by WP.1 in Geneva, Sept. 22-25, 2003, NHTSA presented the following recommendations for WP.1:
Action: “To start a discussion and exchange of information among WP.1 member nations and key non-governmental organizations on motorcycle safety programmes.” As part of NHTSA’s proposed action plan, it urges a questionnaire be circulated among member states (editor’s note: in this instance, “member states” means countries involved with the United Nations). Among the questions NHTSA requests for inclusion on the questionnaire: “Fatality and injury rates due to motorcyclists not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash;” “Laws governing helmet use;” “Amount of penalty for not wearing a helmet;” and “Are there any repercussions, other than fines, if riders do not wear a helmet.”
NHTSA’s estimated timeframe: September 2003 – form a working group; April 2004 – develop and distribute questionnaire; April 2005 – present preliminary results and recommendations to WP.1. This July 15, 2003 NHTSA document will be posted in its entirety on the MRF web site next week.
The Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations (FEMA) disclosed the NHTSA strategy at the September MRF Meeting of The Minds. FEMA is a partner with the MRF, AMA and FIM in ensuring the voice of riders is heard at “Working Party 29 (WP.29), the global vehicles harmonization talks being held in Geneva under the auspices of the U.N. The NHTSA document surfaced in Geneva.
–Rogue
HANDLE BAR HEIGHT LAWS– In Florida the law is that they Can Not Be Over 15 inches above the seat. Of course the cop is going to measure from the Lowest Point of the Seat to the Tallest Part of the Bars. I am not sure what the current fine is.
Handle Bar Tickets are a Big Item during Bike Week and Biketoberfest in Daytona and surrounding areas. They make a lot of money for the city and county and are usually not fought as the fight to do so is more than the ticket and it is the cop?s word against yours. You Lose!
People who I know in the Daytona area that have high bars say that they do not usually have a problem the rest of the year. This shows that it is a money raiser and not a real issue most of the time.
Jeff George aka ?Hammer? of Palm Bay Florida is one of the people that received a ticket for High Bars while at Bike Week and he has contacted Senator Michael Hardopolos of Melbourne, Florida in hopes of changing the law, State of Florida statue 316.2095 motorcycle handlebar height. Hammer has told me he is also going to contact ABATE of Florida and ask their assistance.
This is still in the early stages and I will keep you informed as I become aware of developments.
If you want to find out what the motorcycle laws in your state are go to the American Motorcycle Association web site at Then click on your state for the information. If you have a law in your state that you do not think is right Get Involved with Changing It. Contact Your Legislator, Join a Motorcycle Right Group, Do Some Thing to Make It Right. –Rogue Continued On Page 4
