Hey,
This is my last day for feeling under the weather. Usually I ignore illness and just keep moving. I use the optimists’ code: Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your piece of mind. But this time I tried another Bikernet Health Study Tech Tip. I tried to rest. What a bunch of bullshit.
If I don’t rest I often hit a relapse, so this time I rested and read more about Winston Churchill and WWII. I ended up in the VA emergency room anyway. I think I blew out an eardrum. I’ve been their before. No swimming in the ocean for three months. I decided this is my last day of rest, after we complete a killer Sunday Post.
Yesterday afternoon I snuck out to my computer and wrote the feature on Ralph Randolf’s Board Track Racer. What a fine machine. You may see it later today or tomorrow. It was featured in Easyriders, so the shots are Mike Lichter quality. The very tight triumph above was built next door in San Pedro and shot last week by Peter Linney. It’s also coming next week. Let’s get with the news, so I can rest.
CITY CONSIDERS MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN– In response to more than 70 letters he has received from concerned motorcyclists, Cactus district councilmember Phil Lieberman would like to see the city implement a motorcycle safety awareness sign campaign.
“A year ago, in a seven-week period, we lost three motorcyclists in this city,” said Lieberman who was a motorcycle dealer on Glendale Avenue for 22 years and still rides them. “I am in favor of Glendale being a leader in a motorcycle safety program, I would like to see us be the first in the state.”
During a council workshop last Tuesday afternoon, Transportation Director Jamsheed Mehta said that the fatality rate of motorcycle crashes continued to rise for the ninth year in a row.
Information presented to council stated that studies by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) attribute these alarming statistics to several factors including an all-time high number of registered motorcycles, lack of rider experience or training, lax helmet laws in several states including Arizona, more congested roadways, high blood-alcohol content among a vast majority of riders involved in crashes and inexperienced an inattentive motorists.
“The single highest cause of motorcycle related crashes is the inattentive motor vehicle driver,” Mehta said. “Nearly two-thirds of all vehicle-motorcycle crashes are caused by the vehicle driver.”
Barrel district councilmember Yvonne Knaack who is an insurance agent said most of the motorcyclists she insures who have accidents are caused by cars.
“I believe we need more education,” she said.
Vice Mayor Manny Martinez said he considered himself a safe driver but had a scary incident years ago near the capital area when he nearly hit a motorcycle.
“I think we could put safety literature in the Glendale Connection,” Martinez said adding that he felt a helmet law would also help.
Yucca district councilmember Joyce Clark had concerns about the costs of the program.
“Where would the signs be placed and how many? This needs a more complete analysis and costing,” Mayor Elaine Scruggs said. “I believe funding could come from GO (Glendale Onboard) who have an education component. A request should be given to CTOC (Citizen’s Transportation Oversight Committee) for their consideration.”
Lieberman felt it would be a positive step forward and said he would sit in on CTOC meetings to explain the safety program.
–By Elizabeth Jackman, Glendale Star
–from Garry Van Kirk
http://www.bacsuv.com/>Bikers Accident Survivor Forum
mailto:bikeraccsurvivor@bacsuv.com
http://boltusa.org B.O.L.T.
Bullhead City, Arizona
SUNDAY BIKERNET QUOTE OF THE DAY== ” You can only protect your liberties in this world by protecting the other man’s freedom.” ~Clarence Darrow~
CANTINA MEN’S SUNDAY SEMINAR– Jack decided to go skiing with his buddy, Bob. So they loaded up Jack’s minivan and headed north. After driving for a few hours, they got caught in a terrible blizzard. So they pulled into a nearby farm and asked the attractive lady who answered the door if they could spend the night.
“I realize it’s terrible weather out there and I have this huge house all to myself, but I’m recently widowed,” she explained. “I’m afraid the neighbors will talk if I let you stay in my house.”
“Don’t worry,” Jack said. “We’ll be happy to sleep in the barn. And if the weather breaks, we’ll be gone at first light.” The lady agreed, and the two men found their way to the barn and settled in for the night. Come morning, the weather had cleared, and they got on their way. They enjoyed a great weekend of skiing.
But about nine months later, Jack got an unexpected letter from a n attorney. It took him a few minutes to figure it out, but he finally determined that it was from the attorney of that attractive widow he had met on the ski weekend.
He dropped in on his friend Bob and asked, “Bob, do you remember that good-looking widow from the farm we stayed at on our ski holiday up north about 9 months ago?”
“Yes, I do.” said Bob
“Did you, er, happen to get up in the middle of the night, go up to the house and pay her a visit?”
“Well, um, yes !,” Bob said, a little embarrassed about being found out, “I have to admit that I did.”
“And did you happen to give her my name instead of telling her your name?”
Bob’s face turned beet red and he said, “Yeah, look, I’m sorry, buddy. I’m afraid I did.” “Why do you ask?”
“She just died and left me everything.”
(And you thought the ending would be different, didn’t you?… )
–from Rev CarlR
W8LESS ROTORS ALWAYS IN THE NEWS, THEY EXCEED DOT STANDARS FOR COMPOSITE BRAKE ROTORS– Approval Enables Delivery of Product to Consumers and Motorcycle Manufacturers World Wide.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Dealer Expo, February 15, 2008 W8lessrotors, a manufacturer of composite rotors and brake pads for the motorcycle industry, today announced that the products have met and exceeded all Department of Transportation (DOT) FMVSS 122 testing criteria. W8lessrotors is now shipping the product to riders nationwide and continuing conversations with motorcycle manufacturers to be included as original equipment (OEM).
Though there is no requirement to have DOT approval and certification on aftermarket products, but W8lessrotors felt it was necessary to prove that its products were safe. Now dealers and consumers can rest assured that these products will be a perfect fit for their motorcycles.
All DOT standards must be passed before a new production vehicle can be certified as road worthy. Now that W8lessrotors has exceeded the DOT standards, they will be able to continue conversations with high profiled motorcycle manufactures and be considered for inclusion on production vehicle lines as original equipment.
“In conducting the DOT effectiveness test, we found that our single rotors essentially met the minimum effectiveness standards for a double rotor system!” said John Arbeeny, CEO of W8less Products LLC. “W8less rotors typically stopped in half the distance or less of DOT standards for single rotors, did not fade after numerous panic stops and had excellent wet weather performance.”
The W8lessrotor, being made of a patent-pending composite material, is upwards of 60% lighter than a cast iron or stainless rotor. The reduction of weight allows for increased acceleration, better handling at high speeds and a drastically reduced breaking distance. In addition to the added safety, the W8lessrotor will not rust, warp or squeal unlike other rotors on the market. W8less rotors must be used with the proprietary brake pads and riders will see a noticeable increase in the life of their brake pads, providing an immediate return on the riders’ investment.
All of W8lessrotors rotors and brake pads are made in the US and are available with a polished full-floating carrier or anodized for a more custom look.
About W8lessrotors
W8lessrotors is a manufacturer of high performance composite rotors and brake pads for motorcycles. Its patent-pending technology reduces the overall weight of the rotor by upwards of 60% over conventional rotors and pad. W8lessrotors have undergone rigorous testing and are DOT compliant. With such a drastic reduction in weight, W8lessrotors offer better steering at high speeds, provide better handling on rough roads and can reduce stopping distances by as much as half. Unlike other rotors on the market, W8lessrotors will not squeak, rust and are warp resistant even under harsh racing conditions. Top this all with custom anodized finishes for a custom look and you have the best of all worlds! For more information on W8lessrotors cutting edge products, contact them at www.w8lessrotors.com or call them at 831-594-7783
US TOUR ON BIKERNET AND SCANDINAVIAN TATTOO MAGAZINE– Was I surprised to see my US-tour on your website, YES Attached photo is cover on my new co-sponsor, Scandinavian Tattoo Magazine. Photo by Ama Lea of Santa Barbara, model from LA..
I work for STM and Wheels the car mag while at Viva Las Vegas those events are huge in Europe. Lets see what Nevada brings.
–Chris
STURGIS RALLY DEPARTMENT LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE– STURGIS, S.D. – Just in time to plan your trip to the 68th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally the Sturgis Rally Department has announcing their website make-over is complete! Effective 15 January the new and improved Sturgis Rally site, www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com went live and will focus on ease of use and an abundance of information, sharing any and all Rally info with an ever growing riding population who can’t seem to get enough.
After listening to months of feedback it was clear people wanted a site that was more user friendly and more informative, and a little more interesting. The Rally is an exciting event and the people who attend are passionate about riding and about motorcycles. The new site needed to reflect that level of excitement and passion and Rally director Pepper Massey thinks that has been accomplished.
Massey was quick to point out that the site is a work in progress. “We’re still listening and getting input from our viewers. If something isn’t working, we’ll change it.” Content will be added on a weekly, sometimes daily basis to include news items and event information.
“We all have a story about how the Rally has changed us and how it continues to impact our lives,” said Massey. “Part of the reason people love coming to Sturgis is because it is such a profoundly personal journey, and we are each affected by something different, the people, the raw beauty of the land, the riding, the history. We want to tell those stories.”
If you are looking for a place to stay, need vendor information, need to know where you’ll run into road construction, want concert information or simply want to learn more about the Sturgis Rally, you can find what you need on the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally website www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com. Check it out!
47 KNUCKLE…NEW LIFE FOR THE OLD IRON– As most know by now I am into old iron. I have an appreciation…err no more like an addiction to old iron. I love pre 1970 bikes!
My collection includes a bone stock 1958 Duo-glide, a stroked 1957 FLH chopper, a 1958 XLCH, and a 1936 VL project currently in the works. When I teach my kids about what bikes are cool, it is definitely the trendy TV show choppers, but instead the true classic vintage iron. I feel this gives the kids a better appreciation of where the bike industry started from.
Growing up around Panheads got Pan fever in my blood, but I always had my eye out for a Knucklehead.
As most know they are extremely hard to come by nowadays and when you do find them, they are always going for top dollar..much more than a school teacher could afford. So after years of searching I came across a basket case project. It needed lots, but I figured it was my only chance at getting into a Knuckle. So last winter I was able to scrap up enough cash to purchase the ’47 project. From the minute I received the Knuck until yesterday, I was on a mad scramble to collect as many of the needed parts as I could and get the old girl ready for the Donnie Smith Invitational bike show as one of our high school chopper class builds.
How many kids even know what a Pan or Knuck is much less be able to put their hands on one and help with a build. I’m guessing nowhere else in the world public high school kids can receive such a cool experience. After many long hours late nights and even more money..the old girl finally is up and running heading to the Donnie Show in about a half hour.
I still have an intake leak to fix and rebuild the linkert carb. but otherwise the motor is tight and sounds good..special thanks to Lee’s Speed shop for his Knuckle expertise in the motor and head rebuild, check out Lee in my How to build an old skool bobber book or here at his website: http://www.leesspeedshop.com
Also special thanks to Barry W. and Sprockets paint http://www.sprocketscustompaint.com for his hand in seeing this bike finished.
Well that’s all for now gotta head to the show.
–Kevin “TEACH” Baas
BAAS METAL CRAFT
Custom made steel signs, art, furniture and fabricated parts.
www.baasmetalcraft.com
952-215-1252
“When in doubt, burn out!”
BIKE SHOW ON BANDIT’S 60TH BIRTHDAY– As a very viable member and supporter of the Motorcycle Community, I would like to extend to you a personal invitation to our 1st Annual Custom Motorcycle Show. This show will be held indoors in our newly renovated and expanded 60,000 sq. ft. show arena.
I hope you had the opportunity to see our back page ad in both Real Riderz and Thunder Roads magazines this month. If not, I have attached that ad for your review.
Also, we are mounting an extensive advertising campaign to drive customers to your booth, we have already committed in excess of $25,000.00 to radio and print advertising. With the support of quality vendors such as you and already committed vendors such as Detroit Bros, Dozer, Great American Choppers, etc. we will be able to make this a tremendous success for everyone.
We have scheduled Thursday March 13th and Friday March 14th as set-up days. We are asking those that require to bring trailers into the arena to complete their drop by 12 Noon on the 14th. If you have any questions, PLEASE feel free to call me or any of the staff here at Gibraltar Trade Center Mount Clemens.
So please, mark your calendar now for March 15th and 16th for what looks to be one of the best Bike Shows SE Michigan has ever seen.
Craig Miller, General Manager
Gibraltar Trade Center North, Inc.
“Your Biker Managed, Biker Friendly Market!”
237 N. River Road
Mount Clemens, MI 48043
www.GibraltarTrade.com
586-465-6440
800-543-9482
BIKER BUNNY ROAST TO BENEFIT THE ANIMAL ALLIANCE OF GALVESTON COUNTY– (no bunnies will be injured). The Bunny Roast is back this Easter weekend as it started out-a jammin good time. Held at west Galveston Island’s Crazy Oaks on Stewart Road (12410 Stewart Road), this year’s event will be held March 21-23, 2008. This year the featured well known bands will be 98 in the Shade, Janet Z, Rocky Hill, Beat Daddys, Benny Brasket, Shark Attack and many more. There will be a barbeque cook off, awesome live rocking and blues music, dunkin booth, silent and live auctions offering every thing from motorcycle accessories to airline tickets, and even an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids on Sunday.
The Bunny Roast has been staged for over 16 years by its originator, Mary and Bucky Pregler of Gulf Coast Music.
Auction Items
We are also accepting contribution of items for an auction. Please consider donating gifts, prizes, or items that can be auctioned. The AAGC is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, so all contributions are tax deductible.
Please contact TL Landry at
BIKERNET S&S CAM GEAR DRIVE TECH REVIEW–By the way thanks for great tech report on the gear drive cams, just did the conversion to my King. I have got a lot more piece of mind now that I have gotten rid of those chickenshit chain tensioners
Thanks again
–Ron from TX
PS The front one looked great, but the rear one (the one you really can’t see ) was about to go !!!
SOUTH SIDE KUSTOMS UPCOMING EVENTS– RED CROSS BIKE IS COMPLETE! check out
SOUTH SIDE KUSTOMS 3rd ANNUAL CHARITY BIKE RAFFLE is American Red Cross Themed Bike, Benefits American Red Cross Greater Buffalo Chapter (100% of Proceeds) – $10.00 each or 3-$25.00 , Tickets will be available thru www.buffaloredcross.org or any events South Side Kustoms and American Red Cross attend/host. TICKETS GO ON SALE MARCH 1st , they will be available thru South Side Kustoms, American Red Cross or any of our events we will be at with the bike!
SOUTH SIDE KUSTOMS NEW SHAMROCK APPAREL IS INSTOCK! GET YOURS FOR ST.PAT’s and show your Irish Pride!
South Side Kustoms SUPPORTS OUR TROOPS! As Well as Law Enforcement/Firemen/EMTs – WE Give mentioned service personel (active/reserve/gaurd/retired) a 10% off discount on parts (excludes sales/discounts/apparel/helmets) OR $1,000 off a custom built motorcycle! It’s the least we can do to say THANK YOU for doing what you do!
–Jason McCudden (Owner)
South Side Kustoms
146 Barnard St.
Buffalo, Ny 14206
716-823-6279
1-800-675-3191
email- southsidekustoms@verizon.net
website – http://www.south-side-kustoms.com
BIKERNET DOCTORS STUDY SLEEP SICKNESS–Sometimes I wake up grouchy. Sometimes I just let her sleep .
Ron in TX
RIDLEY NEWSLETTER– The last month has been great for Ridley Motorcycle Company. Reported economic trends seem to have caused little effect for the demand of our products. New owner registrations in January were higher than any other previous January. We attribute the continued rise in registrations to our expanded dealer network and increased awareness in Ridley. Indications from the level of interest has us preparing for a record setting year.
The new Video’s Section of our website is generating a lot of interest. Featuring interviews with current owners, demo riders, and the Ridley’s- these videos have proven extremely powerful in helping to explain what Ridley is all about.
Spring Is Around the Corner
Believe it or not, the phenomenon known as “Spring” is reported to occur once again this year and it’s closer than you think. Are you ready? For Ridley Owners we recommend the following in preparation of the riding season:
Oil: Replace engine oil & oil filter.
Air: Clean air filter. (Filter is a K&N lifetime filter that requires cleaning, not replacement.)
Fuel: Replace fuel filter. Drain fuel from tank & replace with high octane fuel.
Fire: Replace spark plugs.
Tires: Adjust air pressure to correct level.
Battery: Charge main motorcycle battery with Yuasa Maintenance Charger (use the pre-wired pig tail).
Transmission: Perform full transmission maintenance. Replace transmission belt.
Brakes: Inspect pads. Check fluid level.
Inspect: As always, thoroughly inspect your motorcycle from top to bottom including lighting, bolts, and equipment. Look for loose or missing items. Tighten mirrors, handlebars, and other items that might be loose. If you find a bolt missing, go to the Ridley Service Site and search the diagrams for the missing bolt’s part number and order from your Ridley Dealer or Service Center.
Cover: Ridley recommends keeping your motorcycle covered when storing for any length of time.
For your ease, we have created a Spring Necessities Kit, which is available through any Ridley Dealer and on our online store. The kit has the items needed for the preparation list and costs only $164.99.
TURBAN-WEARING MOTORCYCLIST FIGHTS HELMET LAW– It’s an intriguing dilemma in a multicultural society: where do the rights of an individual begin and the laws of society end? The latest dilemma revolves around a Sikh man named Baljinder Badesha. He was charged in 2005 for not wearing a motorcycle helmet as he tooled around his Brampton home.
But he wasn’t being lazy, defiant or forgetful. Instead, Badesha claimed his faith mandates that he wear only a turban and the helmet wouldn’t allow him to do that. So he’s taken his case to court to fight the fine.
The Ontario Human Rights Commission is supporting the 39-year-old biker, agreeing that the father of four is being discriminated against. But at a Friday hearing into the controversial case, the Crown is insisting the fine remain in place.
There have been similar instances in B.C. and Manitoba, where exceptions to the rule have already been made. And the commission claims losing the case wouldn’t be a disaster for prosecutors, because future exceptions would still have to be decided on a case-by-case basis.
The dispute has raised new concerns about the need for safety vs. the freedom of religion. Many believe the latter should come first and that it’s in the public interest that the law mandate people protect themselves while indulging in activities that could leave them facing severe injury.
But others contend that the man in question is an adult and he should be able to make his own decision in the name of his faith. Human Rights Commissioner Barbara Hall agrees.
“Rights like freedom of religion are not absolute, but there is a requirement if people request accommodation to explore whether or not it makes sense,” she explains. “And it means going through … scientific tests … [to determine] what happens to a turban at high speed, to determine where is the risk, and is it an acceptable level of risk? … There are a number of situations where people in Ontario currently have exemptions from the Highway Traffic Act.”
But callers to Citytv’s CityOnline disagree, calling it a foolish precedent. “I think this is a totally ridiculous thing,” criticizes a woman named Andrea. “It’s safety first. It’s nothing to do with religious aspects. If you have to wear a helmet, this is Canada. It’s in Ontario. It’s in the Highway Act. What happens if he gets hit by a car? Is his turban going to protect his head more than a helmet would?”
–from Garry Van Kirk
http://www.bacsuv.com/>Bikers Accident Survivor Forum
mailto:bikeraccsurvivor@bacsuv.com
http://boltusa.org/>B.O.L.T.
Bullhead City, Arizona
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