Hey,
Sometimes I wonder. I’m not on TV or playing bit parts in Sons of A. I’m not a cool builder, so what the hell. Should I be somebody?
I’m a nut. I’ve always run at life with an unrelenting passion for whatever it is, or whoever she is. I haven’t been massive successful, but I love it. I love the girls. I love the bikes. I love this web site, and I love to write books about riders and rides. And I’m damn fortunate. We manage to squeak enough coin together to allow me to do what I love.
Is that okay, or should I get a job on the dock, loading steel containers and keep my mouth shut? Oh, what the hell. Let’s hit the news:
BIKERNET SITES STAFF PROJECT—We tossed down the gauntlet in the alley behind the headquarters. We will rewrite the blurbs on the home landing page and tighten them to 50 words. The challenge is to write a tight diddy describing a respective site completely. Here are the first examples to surface. Still need Bikernet Trikes and Bikernet Baggers, hint, hint…
Bikernet.com
For over 17 years Bikernet covered the custom motorcycle industry here and abroad. We pride ourselves in reaching beyond tech and event news to follow the romantic side of the lifestyle, the girls, road stories, and fiction. Plus our crew lives the dream. Staff members build custom motorcycles, ride across the country, travel around the world, write books and pull over to help broke-down bikers. It’s where the ride begins and the adventure never ends.
Another Bikernet Version
Bikernet has been the definitive go-to source for motorcycle information and entertainment for over 17 years. Reaching far beyond news, tech and event coverage, Bikernet also follow the romantic side of our beloved lifestyle: the girls, the road stories, and the biker fiction. We’re at heart of it all because we live the dream everyday by building custom motorcycles, writing books riding across the land, traveling around the world. At the end of the day, we still find the time to pull over to help broke-down bikers. Bikernet: It’s where the ride begins and the adventure never ends.
Women Riders Now
Women Riders Now (WRN) is the leading online magazine that brings women to the forefront. WRN is provides motorcycling news, reviews, and product news and reviews from a female point of view. Nowhere else will you find professional reviews written by today’s leading female motorcycle journalists. You’ll also find the WRN Forum where visitors can connect with others; Reader Stories; as well as the most comprehensive Beginner’s Guide anywhere for people looking to get into motorcycling.
–Genevieve Schmitt Founder / Editor
BIKERNET BRAKE LINE CORRECTION FROM BDL– our GMA brake Caliper fittings are all 3/8”-24 except the new Bagger Softail brakes the GMA500DD {bagger} and the GMA525M {Softail} which are 10mm – 1.0”metric” thread so stock H-D banjo bleeder combo will fit also OEM part #41783-08
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT, WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU EVER USE THAT WORD CLASS–zeugma ZOOG-muh, noun:
The use of a word to modify or govern two or more words when it is appropriate to only one of them or is appropriate to each but in a different way, as in to wage war and peace or On his fishing trip, he caught three trout and a cold.
Of course, the zeugma is not an eighteenth-century invention, but it was not handled before then with such neatness and consciousness, and had not the same air of being the normal process of thought.
–William Empson, Seven Types of Ambiguity
If we take “We will be proud of course the air will be” as a strong syntactical unit, a complete sentence, the parallelism of “we will be” and “the air will be” draws both these auxiliary phrases toward the yoke (or zeugma, in rhetorical parlance) of the main verb phrase.
–Cary Nelson, Ed Folsom, W. S. Merwin: Essays on the Poetry
Zeugma stems from the Greek word of the same spelling which meant “a yoking.”
FEATURE BIKE COMING TO BIKERNET FROM #9 CHOPPERS–It was our first show down in the States but not our last.
We met a lot of cool people. Super good vibe. No attitudes. We don’t have to many shows in Canada to pick from so it was a nice change.
–Chris
TSA LUGGAGE THIEVERY RING—A convicted airport security screener who stole more than $800,000 worth of valuables over four years said he was part of a “massive” crime wave that preyed upon passengers’ luggage and personal belongings.
–from the Week Magazine
NEW TOOL FROM JIMS–JIMS Twin Cam Piston Ring End Gap Tool.
Introducing another unique JIMS tool by master tuner and multiple land speed world record holder Hiro Koiso! Designed to test ring gaps with a unique proprietary cutout feature, the flanged shape allows the piston ring to fit squarely into the cylinder bore every time.
Simply install the tool into a cylinder bore and place your piston ring onto the tool. You can view the ring end gap in the “Key Slot” and use JIMS Feeler Gauge Tool No.908 to determine your exact end gap measurement.
JIMS Twin Cam Piston Ring End Gap Tool works for 95”, 103” and 110” H-D engines with 3.875” or 4.000” bore and 120”, 131”, and 135” JIMS engines with 4.125” or 4.310” bore. Made in the U.S.A. and backed by a lifetime warranty, please visit us at www.jimsusa.com, find us on Facebook or call 805-482-6913 for more!
–Chad Frank
JIMS Marketing/Sales
www.jimsusa.com
CALL TO ACTION TO VICTORIAN BIKERS IN AUSTRALIA–
Onerous new regulations are threatened in the Australian state of Victoria.
All motorcyclists are urged to support this protest rally.
–from Doc
Bikernet Australian Editor and Emperor
AMAZING SUNDAY DIGITAL DISCOVERY–That’s George Hood’s hands holding the photo. The image of Eddie Ryan’s shop in San Pedro was taken right before the city tore the building down. A guy approached the city of San Pedro to buy the wall and keep it intact, but the city said “No”… Ultimately the wall was destroyed.
Ironically, the San Pedro city official that made the final decision to destroy the wall was killed a few days later in a tragic brick wall collapse at a Mongolian barbeque held to benefit the San Pedro Historical Society.
Sorry, I made the last part of the story up. It seemed to me there needed to be a just ending.
WIRE PLUS Introduces Big Dog “HCM” Retrofit Kit–Winfield, KS- Wire Plus Powersports Electronics is proud to introduce their new, state-of-the-art “HCM” Retrofit Kit for all EHC module equipped 2004-2008 Big Dog Motorcycles. This replacement module is the fix to get rid of the EHC for good.
This is the perfect fix for all Big Dog owners tired of not being able to start their bike due to electrical problems. This replacement module works with all of the switches used on all 2004 models through current Big Dog Motorcycles. Each kit comes complete with Wire Plus’ proven power module and switch control module configured to work with the ground input switches used on the Big Dog Motorcycles.
Wire-Plus products are built to survive the rugged urban environment. Their products feature vibration resistant, solid-state breaker technology (the breakers never have to be replaced) and a replaceable start relay that can be purchased at any auto parts store.
Their power modules are submersible waterproof and very compact in size with harnesses that are engineered to be smaller than any other on the market. The lighting control module controls the operation of the front, rear turn signals, and provides load equalization and auto cancelling. It also operates the rear turn signals as brake lights and running lights with one wire hook-up. Wire Plus’ main focus is on the reliability of everything that they manufacture.
Wire Plus has added ring terminals, butt splices and wire to the kits to make the hook-up of the ground wires easier. They have also added wire and butt splices for the wires that have more than one wire going to a pin.
For those interested in obtaining more information on Wire Plus, you can reach them at (620) 221-2417 or check them out online at www.wire-plus.com or email them at sales@wire-plus.com.
BIKERNET STAFFER SUFFERS FROM SAFETY OVERLOAD–I want to thank you all for your educational e-mails! I am totally screwed up now, and have little chance of recovery, the reasons being as follows: I can no longer open a bathroom door without using a paper towel, nor let the waitress put lemon slices in my ice water without worrying about the bacteria on the lemon peel.
I can’t sit down on a hotel bedspread because I can only imagine what has happened on it since it was last washed. I have trouble shaking hands with someone who has been driving because the number one pastime while driving alone is picking one’s nose.
Eating a little snack sends me on a guilt trip because I can only imagine how many gallons of trans fats I have consumed over the years. I can’t touch any woman’s handbag for fear she has placed it on the floor of a public toilet. I must send my special thanks for the email about rat poo in the glue on envelopes because I now have to use a wet sponge with every envelope that needs sealing.
ALSO, now I have to scrub the top of every can I open for the same reason. I can’t have a drink in a bar because I fear I’ll wake up in a bathtub full of ice with my kidneys gone. I can’t eat at KFC because their chickens are actually horrible mutant freaks with no eyes, feet or feathers. I can’t use cancer-causing deodorants even though I smell like a water buffalo on a hot day. Thanks to you I have learned that my prayers only get answered, if I forward an e-mail to seven of my friends and make a wish within five minutes.
Because of your concern , I no longer drink Coca Cola because it can remove toilet stains. I no longer buy fuel without taking someone along to watch the car, so a serial killer doesn’t crawl in my back seat when I’m filling up. I no longer use Cling Wrap in the microwave because it causes seven different types of cancer. And thanks for letting me know I can’t boil a cup of water in the microwave anymore because it will blow up in my face, disfiguring me for life.
My god! More to come in the Thursday news…
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Got in here late last night so I have not been out roaming yet. Will be in China for about a week and will meet a friend from California.
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I don’t think I can see a mile in any direction – haze. Not a postcard moment.
Looks like a neat and orderly city. Very big.
–Art Hall
Bikernet International Supreme Editor in Control
BIKERNET BETSY READER COMMENT–Every Picture Tells a Story:
http://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=10725
Love your articles. Tell Bandit we need more of them. For sure concerning your India trip.
Your passion for the sport is impressive. My wife is almost as passion as you concerning her ride. It’s been hard keeping up with her the last few years. (and I’m a long time Harley rider!)
Keep it up. Really enjoy the reading and the pictures.
Maybe we can meet up next time in Sturgis. Although, sounds like you are real busy out there.
— Jim Johnson
Northfield, MN
NEW CALIFORNIA GUN LAW Ban on Open Carry of Rifles and Shotguns–
(Portantino, D – La Canada Flintridge)
Purpose of Legislation: This bill would, subject to exceptions, make it a misdemeanor for a person to carry an unloaded firearm that is not a handgun on his or her person outside a motor vehicle in an incorporated city or city and county and would make it a misdemeanor with specified penalties if a person carries an unloaded firearm that is not a handgun outside a motor vehicle in an incorporated city or city and county and the person at the same time possesses ammunition capable of being discharged from the unloaded firearm that is not a handgun, and the person is not in lawful possession of the unloaded firearm that is not a handgun, as specified.
The bill would also authorize a county board of supervisors to enact an ordinance that regulates the carrying of unloaded firearms that are not handguns in unincorporated areas of the county where the county has prohibited the discharge of firearms, as specified.
CRPA’s position: Oppose
Current Status: SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
Contact: Click the link below. Fill out the required fields to submit your message.
Assemblyman Anthony Portantino
Write to Your Representatives and Commissioners
· State your name and address (phone number optional)
· State that you are a member of CRPA
· Be professional and courteous
· Be concise
· State what the issue is
· State your concerns or your thanks
Mailing Address:
California Fish and Game Commission
1416 Ninth Street
P.O. Box 944209
Sacramento, CA 94244-2090
E-mail: fgc@dfg.ca.gov
(Include the subject of the regulations in the e-mail subject line)
NEW FROM MR. LUCKY–ML445002 & ML445003, Fender Mounting Brackets, Ant. Brass & Copper Finished.
Offered in our antique Brass & Copper finishes, these Clamps bolt the rear fender to the cross piece on rigid frames. Look sweet on stripped down rides where the Clamps are exposed.
Sold as a pair, with chromed carriage bolts and locknuts included. Fit 1″ O.D. tubing.
ML445003 Rear Fender Mounting Brackets antique Copper finish Ret. 15.99
–Mr Luckys, 6411 Saffron Hills Dr. Spring, TX 77379 USA Ph: 832-559-8560, info@mrluckys.biz
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT SHOULD BE CLOSED ON SUNDAYS, USELESS VOCABULARY LESSON–crasis KREY-sis, noun:
Composition; constitution; makeup.
Here they are bathed in the waters of oblivion until they retain no memory of the scenes through which they have passed; but they still preserve their original crasis and capacity.
–Tobias George Smollett, Adventures of an Atom
This is all that ever staggered my faith in regard to Yorick’s extraction, who, by what I can remember of him, and by all the accounts I could ever get of him, seemed not to have had one single drop of Danish blood in his whole crasis…
–Laurence Sterne, Tristram Shandy
Crasis is derived from the Greek word krâsis which meant “mixture, blend.”
5-BALL RACING CONSIDERING A CANNONBALL RUN ENDEAVOR—The next Motorcycle Cannonball will probably be in 2014, and they may raise the year to ’39. Two Hamsters completed the Cannonball this year, Scott Jacobs, and Randy Aron of Cycle Visions. Last time Urban Hirsch competed. Also Buzz Kantor made the run this year. So, here are the rules. We were thinking about riding an Indian. Brad Wilmarth’s 1913 Excelsior-Henderson won again this year, the same guy who won the first year. Somebody needs to beat him. We will feature Brad’s story and bike on Bikernet by November. Here are the rules:
These machines are old and most are very rare. A lot of these early bikes would not be on the road today were it not for new parts. In a lot of cases only the motor survived to be resurrected into its former self. As long as the engine in your machine is original then its eligible to run for the prize. Any reproduction chassis or parts should be as they were originally.
BRAKES……..We are all aware that 100 years ago brakes were not that good. If in any way you can improve your braking ability, to the point of even adding a front brake, then it is highly recommended.
CARBS AND MAGS……The original carbs, whether modified or updated some, need to be used, spares allowed. If your magneto isn’t rebuilt you should consider it. We want each bike to use it’s intended ignition source, spares allowed.
THE TIRES……..Well, the tires are very important. The argument for or against the safety of clincher tires has long been a debate. If you don’t want to run clincher rims and tires, then you don’t have to. Spares allowed.
THE LIGHTS ………Each motorcycle must have a headlight, taillight, and brake light.
LICENSE AND REGISTRATION.…….. Each machine, like any other motorcycle on the road, will need to be registered and licensed. The rider also needs to have auto liability insurance as well as a drivers license.
Eligible Machines.……..This will be a difficult ride, only the best machines should be considered for it. Much will have to be done to your machine if you decide to run the cannonball. No motorcycle built after 1929 can run for the prize. The machine must be powered by an original engine. Many things could be changed on a machine, and updates made for safety sake, but the core of the machine must be 1929 or earlier.
BIKERNET MEDICAL CENTER FINDINGS–Five Reasons to Nap–Studies on sleep and the opinions of sleep experts are convincing: napping has value. People who nap generally enjoy better mental health and mental efficiency than people who do not. Unfortunately, finding opportunities to rest during daylight hours in our society is not so easy – the North American culture is actively opposed to the whole concept, bombarding us with stimulation in more and more places and times.
If you want to embrace the habit of napping – as many cultures worldwide do – consider the following:
1. Accept napping as a positive thing. Remind yourself frequently that napping can make a day more productive – it is actually the opposite of being lazy.
2. Do not fight the body’s desire to nap. This will result in unpleasant or unproductive naps.
3. Take naps when you can. If your schedule does not permit a nap every day, consider taking productive naps as a passenger in cars, trains and airplanes.
4. Consider time and duration. Napping for too long, too often or at the wrong time of day can be counterproductive. See what length and schedule works best for you.
5. Napping can mean just taking a break. Lying on a hammock or just staring into space is the essence of rest – it is not doing that refreshes you in body and mind.
–Dr. Weil
www.drweil.com
AUSTRALIAN CLUB RIDES INTO CAPITAL ON NATIONAL RUN–A motorcyclist fractured his arm as more than 500 damp bikers from the Rebels MC rolled into the nation’s capital last week.
The 60-year-old man was taken to the Canberra Hospital after coming off his motorcycle near the AFP Complex on Majura Road, while a second man was also treated for injuries.
In Canberra, an Australian Capital Territory policing spokesman, said the Rebels 2012 run went smoothly except for the one accident.
”We facilitated the riders from the border to Fyshwick,” the policing spokesman said.
Fyshwick is where the Rebels’ ACT headquarters is located.
”It’s a private event and we’ll continue to monitor it … we’ve got resources in place tonight.”
Drivers were warned to expect traffic delays around the area and police closed the eastbound lanes on Majura Road to other traffic at about 3pm as the convoy arrived.
It’s been more than three years since the capital last hosted a large number of Rebels members.
Up to 800 bikers, including members of the Rebels, came to Canberra to attend the funeral of Richard ”Rebel Rick” Roberts in March 2009.
Special Response and Security team officers from ACT policing were on standby for the weekend, which also included a Bike ‘N’ Tattoo show.
BIKERNET BLOG COMMENT—MEET THE BLADE–That blade bike is cool BUT why the hell didn’t they record the sound of the bike running. Lame…. Bandit’s Blog
–R
BIKERNET 5-BALL RACING WHEELER REPORT—New Dyna Glide electrics and she’s running like a top. So good to have a rider while the racer is coming together.
Picked-up amazing sheet metal fiberglass from Corbin. The Hyabusa Harley is sorta rapidly coming together. Will bring you a total feature as soon as I can put some miles on her.
–Ray C. Wheeler
Bikernet Performance Editor in Chieftain
DON’T FORGET TO VOTE—This is a damn important election. I actually think it goes beyond the parties to a deeper problem. Is our system working and what happened to Freedom?
Just take a look at that California Bill AB1527. Nothing is simple anymore, and that’s a problem. Have we overworked the system until it’s out of control. The Week also reported on October 12, the following: With disaster looming, lawmakers from both parties this week revealed plans to try to pull the nation back from the “fiscal cliff,” a convergence of mandatory tax increases and deep budget cuts due to take effect on Jan. 1. Meanwhile the Gang of Six, another bipartisan group scheduled a “secret” retreat hosted by Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va). Maybe they can get past the bullshit and get something done. Is it possible?
Whatever happens, it needs some serious out-of-the-box thinking and action for the country, not for any party, or election. Just get it done, goddamnit and remember Freedom. I believe there is a way to put Freedom back in the mix and lower the legislative overload with education and training, but it will take brave souls to make it happen.
Let’s go for a ride. The TV shoot was canceled. The Producer came down with the mung.
Ride forever,
–Bandit
