Hey,
We attempt to bring you the latest news from a myriad of aspects, from legislative to events, and new products. Let us know if you have suggestions regarding any Bikernet site coverage.
With Sturgis just around the corner, a couple of us are riding out to meet the Hamsters on their first Badlands leg from the Bay area to Lake Mammoth, on the edge of Yosemite. Before we peel out, I need to find my Bonne Bell sheet metal and deliver it to the hardworking painter who resides next to Settle’s Custom Cycles in Harbor City. It’s scrambling time.
I rode over to Bennett’s Performance to ask Eric to take a look at my timing and CV carb adjustment, since I haven’t had the pleasure of knowing CV carbs. He made some slight adjustments, and I scratched another item off the road trip list. I returned to the shop, made another adjustment to the speedo sensor, and expanded the travel on my girder shock.
Let’s hit the news:
DRAG SPECIALTIES SEATS MOUNT KIT FOR SPRING SOLO SEATS–
For those riders who want to avoid hours of tinkering and fiddling around and just ride, this mount kit allows you to mount Drag Specialties® Large or Small Spring Solo Seats with no modifications to the bike, and no welding is necessary. It comes with an adjustable front mount and complete instructions to ensure accurate installation.
The spring-mounting studs can be placed at 6″ or 7″ spacing center-to-center, while including 3″ springs and all mounting hardware. The bracket is .187″ steel with a black powder-coat finish. The spring mount pins and 3/8″x16 threaded rod for mounting is made of stainless steel, and the mount centering spacers are made of aluminum. Fits 58-84 FX, FL, FLH and 80-84 FXWG. All seats are sold separately and made in the U.S.A.
Impress your riding buddies using Drag Specialties mount kit for spring solo seats. It is a great custom addition that allows comfort, quality and ease.
SUG. RETAIL: $109.95
For more information, go to www.dragspecialties.com or contact your local Drag Specialties dealer.
FEW SPOTS LEFT FOR LEGENDS RIDE–The Sturgis Buffalo Chip has announced today that with less than 3 weeks until the 72nd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, only a few spots remain for the Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s Legends Ride, the annual ride that kicks off the Rally.
The Legends Ride on Monday, August 6, pairs Rally-goers with celebrities and top-bike builders on a 55-mile scenic, escorted ride from historic Deadwood to the Sturgis Buffalo Chip, and the 5th annual Ride is on the verge of its fifth consecutive sellout. see more at http://www.LegendsRide.com/
Chris McGee
RevComm
582 E. Boise Ave. Suite 144
Boise, ID 83706
208-514-1088
chris@RevComm.com
www.RevComm.com
NEW Bikernet Reader Comment!–
2012 Victory Cross Country Tour Bikernet Baggers Road Test
Finally a well thought out review from a riders prospective. Wonder why all the professional moto journalists missed the things you bring to light? I test rode a new 12 HD 103 roadglide and was quite underwhelmed.
Great job. I am seriously looking at getting one and only change is add center stand and short windshield!
–Nathan J
290 MPH FROM A STANDING START IN ONE MILE–
BROCK’S PERFORMANCE AND BST WHEELS ROLL TO 15 LAND-SPEED RECORDS AT LORING TIMING ASSOCIATION MAINE EVENT
DAYTON, Ohio. (July 20, 2012) — Brock’s Performance proudly congratulates the land-speed racers who used an array of its off-the-shelf products to score 15 records at the Loring Timing Association’s Maine Event, which took place July 14 and 15 at Loring Air Force Base, in Limestone, Maine.
The meet was highlighted by Bill Warner’s 290.295 mph pass on a highly modified Suzuki Hayabusa-based racebike. From a standing start, it charged to the highest top speed ever recorded for a sit-on motorcycle in a one-mile sprint.
Making his comeback after a violent wreck nine months ago that would have led mere mortals to retire, Warner quickly got up to speed and broke his previous one-mile record by 12 mph–this time in fifth gear, no less, after missing a shift when trying to engage sixth. The turbocharged, methanol-fueled, 586 lb., 8 ft.-long monster makes 1000 horsepower and rolls on DOT-approved BST carbon-fiber wheels with World Wide bearings that accelerate and decelerate quicker and more efficiently than heavier metal rims.
Warner took his home-built machine to an incredible 311 mph last year at Loring. Still undergoing physical therapy for his injuries, this modest Florida fish farmer and marine biologist was admittedly nervous getting back in the saddle: “When I got to the starting line, the bad thoughts began to fade away. Once the clutch lever was halfway out, the racer in me took over. Then, I just enjoyed the ride. I’m happy with 290 mph, but could have gone faster if I didn’t make any mistakes.”
Racheal Johnson had near-perfect runs on her street-legal 2012 Kawasaki ZX-14R, which was outfitted exclusively with Brock’s Performance bolt-on parts. She set a class record for her blazing one-mile standing start, joining Loring’s exclusive 200 mph club after six years of land speed racing with a 206.528 mph trip across the finish line. On this same pass, Johnson held the throttle to the stops for another half mile, ringing up a terminal velocity of 212.898 mph and engraving her name in the history books once more. Recognized as the world’s fastest ZX-14R, her bike doesn’t have any major modifications, it’s simply fitted with BST wheels with World Wide ceramic bearings, a Brock’s CT Megaphone exhaust, low-friction chain, lowering kit, steering stabilizer and clutch mods.
What it’s like being a woman in what is generally considered a man’s sport? “I was a tomboy growing up,” said the gas technician from Virginia, “so I don’t give it too much thought. I love the sport and am addicted to speed. It’s way cool to have the fastest ZX-14R in the world.”
Speed freak Greg Neal and his TLN Motorsports team set 15 records on the 14,200 ft.-long, 300 ft.-wide runway. Piloting a 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R, Neal put a dozen in the books while competing on both courses using BST carbon-fiber wheel with World Wide ceramic bearings and a Brock’s Performance ShortMeg exhaust system. Prior to adding this pipe, the 40-year racing veteran’s best top speed was 205 mph. At Loring, he shattered this number by going 208.212 mph on the 1.5-mile course. As if 12 records weren’t enough, he piloted a Kawasaki ZX-6 to another three on the short and long courses.
“I am overwhelmed by it all. Every run was special,” said the retired military man from North Carolina. “We support the Wounded Warrior Project. Our record-breaking success helps us keep this charity in the public eye. The men and women in this program are our heroes. We all owe them so much.”
Dan Millholland, who works with Kawasaki’s Consumer Events team, also got in on the action. His record-breaking run was a 1.5-mile, 207.994 mph pass on his 2009 ZX-14, which uses BST Wheels with World Wide ceramic bearings and a Brock’s CT Single exhaust
Brock’s Performance President Brock Davidson, a license-holding member of land-speed racing’s 200 mph club, is ecstatic with these achievements: “From top pros to average Joes, our land-speed racers have been rewriting the record books for years. I’m proud of every one of them.
“We have a well-deserved reputation for using the exact same parts on our race bikes that we sell to the general public. These world records weren’t set with one-off exotic products, they were pulled from our shelves just like any others, even the highly stressed BST wheels. For two seasons, Bill’s 1000-horsepower turbo bike has been using the same 8.5 in. x 18 in. carbon rear rim that most custom sportbikes and V-MAX power cruisers roll on. When world-class racers have such success on the track, it builds tremendous confidence in our street products.”
For more information on BST wheels and other Brock’s Performance parts, go to BrocksPerformance.com. Additional company-related news is available in its Facebook page and Twitter postings.
COMPANY INFORMATION
Brock’s Performance
Founded: 1996
Website: www.BrocksPerformance.com
Facebook Page: Facebook.com/BrocksPerformance
Twitter Feed: Twitter.com/BrockDavidson
Sales & Customer Service Phone Number: 937-912-0054 ?Sales & Customer Service E-mail Address: Sales@BrocksPerformance.com
Mailing Address: 4064 East Patterson Rd., Dayton, OH 45430
— Eric Putter
Eric@PutterPowerMedia.com
SELF EXAMINATION FOR ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE….It takes less than 15 seconds….If you are over 40 yrs old, you SHOULD take this Alzheimer’s Test:
How fast can you guess these words and fill-in the blanks?
1. _ _NDOM
2. F_ _K
3. P_N_S
4. PU_S_
5. S_X
6. BOO_S
Answers:
1. RANDOM
2. FORK
3. PANTS
4. PULSE
5. SIX
6. BOOKS
You got all 6 wrong….didn’t you You do NOT have Alzheimer’s You are a Pervert
–from Paul Aiken
Aeromach
GUN OWNERS OF AMERICA OFFERING REAL SOLUTIONS TO MOVIE THEATER SHOOTING
— As another Gun Free Kill Zone claims lives
Last night’s shooting in Aurora, Colorado was extremely tragic, as more than a dozen people were killed in another Gun Free Kill Zone.
At the opening showing of The Dark Knight Rises,” James Holmes dressed up in costume and murdered several people while the movie was barely thirty minutes into the story. The gunman used a movie gunfight to cover his actions and further surprise the innocent patrons. Worse, the theater in Aurora reportedly has a “no guns” policy.
Despite gun control’s obvious failure, the calls for more restrictions have already begun:
* Piers Morgan of CNN came out of the box, calling for more gun control in the wake of the shooting.
* New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the strategy of people arming themselves for self-defense just “doesn’t work.”
* And the Brady Campaign took the opportunity to tell the nation that, “This is yet another horrific reminder that guns enable mass killings.”
Tragically, many were killed last night. But it is also tragic that there was not another gun-toting Samuel Williams at the theater — the senior who rescued several Floridians against two armed thugs at an Internet cafe last week. (You can read the story.)
And of course, while the national media is sure to focus on this Aurora, Colorado shooting for days to come, there is another shooting in that same city that you probably heard nothing about — when a worshipper at an Aurora church stopped a shooting this past April.
In that shooting, the bad guy was only able to kill one person in the parking lot, as the armed hero took him out before any other damage could be done.
Funny how the national media tends NOT to pick up stories where the good guy stops the perp!
To keep this in perspective, whenever we hear about horrid shootings like in Aurora, Colorado, we should remember that guns save as many as 80 lives for every one that is tragically taken. See the Gun Owners of America Fact Sheet.
Gun Owners of America is appearing on several media outlets today to answer questions about our gun rights and to offer concealed carry solutions as the cure to future acts of terrorism like this.
Please stand with us and help GOA continue defending our gun rights across the country.
QUICK, GO CHECK IT OUT AT THE BIKERNET CLASSIFIEDS FOR USED MOTORCYCLES, WHERE THE ADVENTURE IS JUST WAITING TO BEGIN! YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU WILL FIND!
–MIKE the STEALTH
http://bikernet.sprocketlist.com/XL-Sportster/2646718/1974-Harley-Davidson-Sportster.html
ACE CAFÉ LONDON STREETFIGHTER & STUNTS FEST 2012– Sunday 29th July 10am – 6pm Brent Cross A great day out for all the family! Tickets are now available to purchase at the cafe and via the on-line web shop Ace Cafe London, in association with StuntUK and the international StuntBike Freestyle (SBF) competition, have teamed up again to present the 3rd annual Ace Cafe London Streetfighter & Stunt Festival, to be held throughout the day from 10am on Sunday 29th July at the UK’s premiere shopping centre, Brent Cross – one mile east from the cafe along the North Circular Road near the M1 Motorway.
In addition to trade and industry stands and displays, this increasingly popular annual event combines the cafe’s legendary Streetfighter Sunday, as well as showcasing the live action final of the SBF competition, with “pro” judges to include from the USA Guru Khalsa and Joe Dryden and Britain’s Mark Nichols, and stunt riders from across Europe and beyond taking part and competing in front of the Carole Nash Grandstand and the Ace stage, in the “Maxxis Arena”, for the coveted awards, Maxxis Tyres, Draggin Jeans and a cash prize fund totalling £5K. Individual Free Style 1st – £2K 2nd – 1K 3rd – £750 Longest Stoppie – £750 Sickest Trick – £500 Highlights of this prestigious event include “Best Streetfighter” static display and competition organized by Streetfighters Magazine, plus “Show Up n’ Shine” competition with awards and prizes to include a full “Styling Kit” to the value of approx. please contact Jan at the cafe on enquiries@ace-cafe-london.com TIMETABLE OF EVENTS Open to the public at 10am – 6pm 9am – 11am – StuntBike Freestyle Competitors Practice 11 am – 11.20am – Eastcoast FMX Display 11.30am – 1pm – StuntBike Freestyle Competition 1pm – 1.15pm – The Fuel Girls (on stage) 1.15pm – 1.30pm – Trials Bike Demonstration 1.30pm – 3pm – StuntBike Freestyle Longest Stoppie 3pm – 3.30pm – Streetfighters Magazine “Best Streetfighters” Awards & “Ladies Choice” Award for best Streetfighter in the Show Up n’ Shine competition (with Maxxis Girls, The Fuel Girls, Lady Brew C, Rachael Clegg & BIKERfm DJ Awesome Noz) 3.30pm – 3.50pm – Eastcoast FMX Display & The Fuel Girls 3.50pm – 4.50pm – StuntBike Freestyle Sickest Trick
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT SUMMER SCHOOL VOCABULARY LESSON–integument in-TEG-yuh-muhnt, noun:
— William Boyd, Armadillo
— Frederick Philip Grove, Consider Her Ways
ANTIQUE MOTORCYCLE FOUNDATION AND OTHERS– to sponsor Cannonball Run departure breakfast
Explaining the AMF’s decision to get involved, Foundation President Dennis Craig said, “My mother once told me that when you’re going to ride an antique motorcycle more than 3,000 miles from one coast to the other, you gotta start with a good breakfast.” Craig added, “Seriously, we are honored to provide support to the men and women who will embark on this exciting adventure, which is a living demonstration of the wonderful sport and hobby of antique motorcycling.”
The first Motorcycle Cannonball Ride took place in 2010, and was awarded the Antique Motorcycle Foundation Award for Excellence for the large amount of positive press it created about antique motorcycles. The second event, departing New York on September 7, will cover a 3,800 mile, 16-day route, finishing in San Francisco on September 23. Approximately 50 riders on pre-1930 motorcycles will attempt the feat.
In conjunction with the Cannonball departure, the Antique Motorcycle Foundation will host a reception and a grand opening of its new Kaizen Exhibit at Motorcyclepedia on the evening of September 6, 2012. Named for the Japanese industrial practice of constant, ongoing incremental improvement in manufacturing and product development, Kaizen will be the first exhibit at a major motorcycle museum dedicated entirely to the Japanese motorcycles that revolutionized the American motorcycle industry from 1960 through the mid-1980s.
The Antique Motorcycle Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization created to tell the story of antique motorcycling so that the role and influence of the motorcycle in our transportation history and technological development can be better understood and appreciated. The Foundation seeks to advance the interests of all motorcycle collectors, regardless of their preference for periods, brands, or motorcycle nations of origin. The AMF is supported solely by gifts and monetary contributions, for which contributors may receive tax-deductions. For more information about the Antique Motorcycle Foundation, Inc. go to www.antiquemotorcyclefoundaton.org.
Bikernet.com is also a sponsor of this historic event.
For more information about the Motorcycle Cannonball Ride, go to www.motorcyclecannonball.com/. For more information about the Motorcyclepedia Museum, go to http://motorcyclepediamuseum.org/.
Our news release just distributed may have suggested that the Antique Motorcycle Foundation is the sole sponsor of the departure breakfast for the Cannonball riders on September 7. In fact, the breakfast, hosted by the Motorcyclepedia Museum, has financial support from several sponsors.
Sorry for the inconvenience,
Ed Youngblood
BIKENET/QUICK THROTTLE MAGNIFICENT PHOTOGRAPHER HITS THREE SOCAL PARTIES IN ONE DAY–
This was the biggie – Eaglerider’s 20th anniversary.
This was in Monrovia 10 am to noon.
–Art Hall
BIKERNET TRIKES STAFFER TESTS FOR POLICE ESCORT SERVICE—Learn how to break the law like a professional. From the Bikernet Blog
Enter Harry Fisher: The man to ask about motorcycle escort service. In 1975, he founded All Cities Transportation, a motorcycle escort business and has been a member of the Victor McLaglen Motor Corps for 40 years and their team captain for the last 15. If you’ve ever seen a pyramid of stacked riders on TV, you may have seen Harry, since holds the world record of 22 men on one motorcycle.
[page break]
The study, conducted by Dr. Joseph Crompton, a surgeon from the University of California, focuses on face rather than fatality. The study has concluded that motorcyclists were less than half as likely to dent a jaw or break a nose when they were wearing protection.
For his research, Dr. Crompton and his colleagues examined data from the National Trauma Data Bank, which included records of more than 46,000 bikers sent to U.S. hospitals resulting from a collision. Dr. Crompton and his team found that 75 percent of bikers were wearing helmets during his or her crash. The usage of a helmet ended up being a “face-saving decision,” according to Dr. Crompton’s examination of the national data.
The Data
Overall, roughly 2,300 bikes suffered eye injuries, 1,700 sustained nose injuries, 1,400 had bruised faces, and 800 broke their jawbones. So just how much does wearing a helmet reduce the likelihood of such facial injuries? Dr. Crompton concluded that helmeted riders had a 60 percent lower chance of suffering facial injuries compared to helmet-free riders.
While most studies have sufficiently documented that wearing a helmet safeguards bikers from head trauma, Dr. Crompton’s study provides conclusive evidence that helmets can protect against facial injuries.
The Conclusion
Although the National Trauma Bank data does not specify if rider’s helmets contained a face shield, Dr. Peter Layde of the Injury Research Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin argues that even helmets without facial shields play a major role in preventing facial injuries. Not only do helmets (without shields) absorb blows to the side of the head, but they can also prevent fractures from extending to the face.
Motorcycle Helmet Laws Now
Currently, 19 states and Washington, D.C. have laws requiring all motorcyclists to wear a helmet. An additional 28 states have implemented varying laws specifying that riders under 21 or under 18 wear a helmet. Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire do not have any motorcycle helmet laws in place, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
“I don’t think anyone really argues with the logic that if you wear a helmet, you’re going to have fewer facial injuries,” said Dr. Terence O’Keeffe, a surgeon from the University of Arizona Medical Center in Tucson to Reuters Health.
Dr. O’Keeffe, who has studied motorcycle accidents and injuries, added: “When I see people in the (emergency room), I can usually tell immediately what kind of bike they were on and if they were wearing their helmet or not. There’s not a single study that suggests motorcycle helmets are a bad thing when it comes to motorcyclists.”
According to O’Keeffe, despite the overwhelming evidence in favor of mandatory helmet laws, the anti-helmet motorcycle lobbies, and their power to bring money and tourism, has impeded progress. O’Keefe concluded, “I think the bigger issues are, how do we truly persuade legislatures to decide it’s worth having a motorcycle helmet law?”
Changes In Motorcycle Helmet Laws
As of late, it seems that legislators have been increasingly leaning toward the non-helmet side of the argument. In April, Michigan repealed its mandatory helmet law. Currently, only riders under the age of 21 are required to wear a helmet in the state.
Additionally, legislators in Nevada have made strides in repealing the state’s mandatory helmet laws. According to Sen. Don Gustavson (R), it is time to give Nevada riders the “freedom of choice.” Sen. Gustavson told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that he believes mandatory helmet laws create “nanny states.”
As for the rational behind repealing mandatory helmet laws, organizations such as BikersRights.com argue that those in favor of helmet laws are neglecting to tell the public the entire story.
The Controversy
The site’s Helmet Issues section reads, “For the record, no one is saying helmets don’t provide safety benefits. They do. But, there is also evidence that there are safety risks. Unlike seat belts, there is little data on the effects of a helmeted body in motion from a bike crash.”
Biker’s Rights also claims that claiming helmets reduce fatalities is a bit of a misnomer. The site also claims that fatalities go down because mandatory helmet laws decrease the total number of riders on the road.
“Officials often state that helmet laws reduce accidents. A helmet cannot stop an accident. But… a helmet law does reduce riding. Per the DMV, California has 40% less bikes registered today then in 1992 when the state enacted its helmet law! And of those that continue to ride… they ride less often. The math: less bikers riding less often = less targets for cars to hit, which therefore = less accidents,” says Biker’s Rights.
I find all of this bullshit interesting. Did they suggest that helmets can cause accidents? Do they suggest wearing helmets in cars to prevent facial injuries? In fact we could wear helmets anytime we leave home. But the fact remains that helmets can cause accidents, and or break your neck. A pretty face won’t do you much good with a broken neck. And my final question, and the key: Does information always lead to legislation? The key human element to returning freedom to the equation. —Wilburn Roach
THE MIRACLE CURE, MAY NOT BE A MIRACLE–
Colloidal Silver: 3 Reasons to Avoid It Widely promoted as a cure-all for everything from ear infections and shingles to AIDS, colloidal silver is a solution of silver particles suspended in liquid. Promoters claim that colloidal silver is an alternative to antibiotics and can extend life and remedy mineral deficiencies that lead to a weakened immune system. Is any of this true?
I don’t think so – the claims are unproven, and colloidal silver is not a substitute for antibiotics, or any other medications. Not only does the human body have absolutely no need for silver, it can be harmful:
• Silver can accumulate in the body and lead to a skin condition called argyria, which causes bluish-gray skin pigmentation, especially around the nose and mouth, a color change that cannot be reversed.
• Long-term use of oral silver products has led to neurological problems including seizures, as well as kidney damage, stomach distress, headaches, fatigue and skin irritation.
• It can also interfere with the absorption of some drugs including tetracycline antibiotics and thyroid hormone supplements.
While it is true that silver is an effective germicide, it has limited usefulness in medicine. In 1999, the FDA banned the sale of all over-the-counter drugs containing colloidal silver and silver salts as these compounds haven’t been recognized as safe. However the ban doesn’t apply to dietary supplements containing colloidal silver because the FDA has no jurisdiction over such products, unless there are established safety issues. I would avoid all products containing colloidal silver.
–Dr. Weil
www.drweil.com
Click on this puppy and sign up. Get your friends to sign up. It’s all good.
NAVY TESTING THE GREEN–
The United States Navy is testing several “green” technologies during the 2012 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises, including a blend of algae-based fuel. This past week Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus had a chance to experience some of the advances first hand, taking a ride in a helicopter that was powered by a 50/50 blend of aviation fuel and biofuels. “We’ve done a lot of testing in the laboratory and flight test aircraft, but this is the first time the biofuels have gotten to an operational environment where it’s not controlled,” said Rick Kamin, U.S. Navy Fuels Lead.
The new “drop-in replacement” technology means that none of the aircraft engines need to be altered for the new fuel blends, alleviating concerns from naval officers. Crew members reported they “couldn’t have told the difference whether it was petroleum or a biofuel,” said Vice Admiral Phil Cullom of the U.S. Navy. “So far, it has performed perfectly.”
—HawaiiNewsNow
–from Raymond Russell
LUCAS SHOW AND SHINE TO BE FEATURED IN EASYRIDERS–
We have been fortunate enough to land a spread about our promotion in
Easyrider Magazine. The promotion is a collaborative effort between Tin
Lizzie Casino and Lucas Oil.
Caleb J. Arceneaux
Chief Executive Officer
ISIS HOSPITALITY, LLC
www.isishospitalityllc.com
–Bill May
EPISODE 17
We head toward Sturgis South Dakota and plan the incursion. The vibe on the big rig is solemn. Since the Goldlance attack on board, we’re all painfully aware of our vulnerability. For two days, we travel across northern United States toward Sturgis and strategize the full scale attack on Goldlance headquarters. READ FULL STORY
He also jammed to Duncan Kellers, to pick up Bandit’s 1936 Peashooter engine, with the compression lowered.
And Ray recently received this Guy Caputo, Tiger Racing, chain guard. It’s all about fast.
Dark Knight Motorcycle Suit Available–
Limited edition motorcycle suit designed by UDReplicas was inspired by the protective armor that Batman wears in Christopher Nolan’s movies.
My heart aches beyond belief for everyone involved; except the rotten piece of shit who caused it all.
Last night the news reported things like “this was the scene in the movie that was playing when he opened fire” WHO GIVES A FUCK!
I am sick inside thinking about all the devastated families, and also sick about all the sensationalistic coverage the piece of shit who caused this will now receive.
He did it…the police know he did it…he was apprehended afterwards. So, how about the court systems take the same swift and firm type of action as he did.
Do so without fanfare, and honor the lives of those who were taken; along with those healing.
That is all.
Drew Gatewood
AMA/F.I.M. technical steward
Motorcycle Landspeed Racing
WARNING – The man in the photograph above may appear happy, but in reality is goofier than a bed bug.
Has been seen giggling at mechanical contraptions at all different times of day;
while quietly mumbling things like “Bore X Bore X .7854 X Stroke X # of cylinders”, and doing so out in the middle of nowhere in Utah.
Appears to love loud noises, and objects that zip by quickly.
Has been diagnosed with chronic Salt Flats Fever; which BTW is extremely contagious.
Approach with caution.
Please note, if confronted, he has been known to be easily calmed with Guinness and or chocolate chip cookies.
You have been warned.
GEARS – Gatewood Engineering And Race Support
Chesterton, IN.
tele/fax: 219-926-5647
email: gears55@frontier.com
http://www.gearswebsite.com
Brea, CA – Samson Exhaust is proud to re-introduce their Extreme Bone Shakers for 1986-2012 Harley-Davidson Softails, Dynas, Dressers and Sportsters. Samson designed and developed these amazing systems to provide the best in performance, sound, and eye appeal.
They’re perfect for all Harley models except those with mid controls. Extreme systems are made for a custom pipe look at a fraction of the cost. The Extreme systems are finished with Samson’s’ exclusive Quad Chrome process that provides ultimate adhesion and corrosion protection and comes with chrome mounting hardware.
Samson has over 745 different styles to choose from and they have all styles available for Harley’s new 2012 model lineup. And now there’s no more guessing what a particular style will sound like…listen to each of Samson’s exhausts right from their internet site.
Features and Benefits
•O2 sensor ports accept O.E.M. / Aftermarket sensors
•Installer Friendly
•All mounting hardware included
•Limited 1 year warranty
•Available in Samson’s exclusive Quad Chrome or Sinister Black Ceramic finish (special request)
•MSRP-$349.95
*$314.95 (*if ordering direct off of the internet)
•FREE SHIPPING
Check out Samson’s entire ‘12 product line at www.samsonusa.com. Contact them directly at (888) 572-6766; Samson USA, 655 Tamarack Ave., Brea, CA 92821…email them at info@samsonusa.com.
STUDY SHOWS LANE-SPLITTING A LIFESAVER–
By Rainman
The same thing that could get you a reckless driving ticket in Virginia appears to be saving lives, limbs and property damage in California and across Europe.
Lane sharing — also known as lane splitting or traffic filtering — is not a hazardous activity indulged in by a few reckless riders but a safe method of protecting riders against rear end collisions and a way to increase efficiency of traffic flow. That’s the word from two West Coast studies, including one by the Oregon Department of Transportation.
The studies are being circulated by Andy Goldfine of Rider Wearhouse and Ride to Work fame and seem to indicate that lives could be saved if riders were allowed to drive between cars and arrive at the stoplights.
“The significant safety benefits of lane sharing and filtering have long been intuitively known by experienced riders. But getting non-riding political leaders — and the American public — to accept this has been impossible (except in California),” wrote Mr. Goldfine, a proponent of commuting on motorcycles and using them as a regular mode of transportation.
“In comparison with other countries around the globe, the U.S. is the only industrialized nation that does not commonly allow traffic-filtering or lane-sharing for motorcycle riders,” wrote Steve Guderian, in his study titled “Lane Sharing: A Global Solution for Motorcycle Safety.”
“In some states lane-sharing is expressly prohibited,” he wrote. “The exception to the traffic-filtering prohibition is California where lane-sharing is routinely practiced by a high percentage of riders in congested traffic conditions. Yet, despite significant traffic congestion and a higher number of motorcycles on the roadway, with the high number of motorcycles lane-sharing, the statistics show California has one of the lowest rates of rear end motorcycle collisions.”
Mr. Guderian’s study shows California has fewer motorcycle deaths involving a motorcycle rear ending another vehicle and “significantly fewer deaths from a motorcycle being rear-ended byanother vehicle. “
The Oregon study echoes the findings.
“Allowing motorcycles to move more freely through traffic could help reduce overall congestion, and potentially reduce some types of motorcycle crashes,” the study says. “In some cases, it may also reduce motorcycle riders’ travel times and create an incentive for people to switch travel modes. This switch could be environmentally beneficial as motorcycles have much greater fuel efficiency than automobiles, emit less greenhouse gasses, and also contribute less wear to the roads and infrastructure.”
The Oregon study quotes a European study that showed of 921 crashes investigated involving motorcycles and other cars, four, or about 0.4 percent, were cycles “traffic filtering” to get to a light. In comparison, 26 — 2.8 percent — of the accidents occurred while the motorcycle was stopped in traffic with a speed of zero, and 452 — 49.1 percent — occurred with the bike moving in a straight line with constant speed.
“These findings suggest that, despite the legality of lane-sharing in the study areas, crashes with lane-sharing related behaviors make up a relatively small percentage of total crashes,” the Oregon study concludes. “The majority of motorcyclists in the study were traveling straight with 90% of the vehicles they crash with being in front of them.”
In a British study, about five percent of riders involved in accidents were lane splitting and other drivers twice as likely to be at fault, the Oregon report states.
Issues with lane sharing include vulnerabilities of the motorcycle to other traffic.
“A motorcycle traveling between rows of moving vehicles in the same lane is vulnerable to different threats, such as vehicles suddenly changing lanes or opening doors,” the study states. “Lane-sharing motorcycles also travel over road surface that is not designed for prolonged traffic, including painted lines, road seams, and reflective markers.
Additionally, lane-sharing riders have encountered vehicles that intentionally maneuver to block them from advancing in an effort to have them “wait their turn.” Vehicle passenger safety is also of concern as lane-sharing may reduce an operator’s ability to predict, and therefore, react to traffic.”
Mr. Guderian’s study concludes that a lane-splitting bikes faces different risks than one stopped at an intersection behind other vehicles.
“Comparing the collision dynamics of a rear-end impact to a motorcycle involved in a lane-sharing accident reveals that lane-sharing represents a safer overall situation for motorcyclists,” Mr. Guderian wrote. “A motorcycle that is lane-sharing is no longer exposed to the full-force of a rear-end impact. Rather, the dynamic is more similar to a sideswipe lane-changing impacts, which is an incomplete force contact.”
With changes in the economy, concerns about the environment and gas consumption, Mr. Goldfine says riders have more power to change laws than before. Virginia’s recent decision to allow bikes to turn left after they wait several cycles at traffic lights, is one example.
“Shifting economic, social and cultural factors are providing new opportunities for riders to advocate change. For example, to reduce urban congestion, save energy and lower accident rates any municipal government could legalize lane sharing and filtering on all of the local roads and streets within it’s boundaries,” Mr. Goldfine noted. “Wouldn’t that be nice in your city?”
–from Jeffersonian SOBs
–from Tom Evans
Bay Area Drivers Could Be Tracked By GPS, Taxed Per Mile Driven–
OAKLAND (KCBS) – Bay Area drivers could one day be tracked using a GPS-like device in their cars and taxed per miles driven – a scenario which is part of a proposed long-range study aimed at finding ways to reduce traffic and pollution, while also raising revenues.
Members of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Association of Bay Area Governments are scheduled to vote on Thursday on whether or not to authorize a study of the proposal. Under the plan, drivers would have to install trackers in their vehicle and officials would tax drivers for every mile they travel.
–CBS San Francisco
— Eric Hampton
ABATE of AZ Board Chairman
MRF Director of Communications
MRF Reports Editor
http://www.mrf.org
“In God We Trust”
INCREDIBLE—I don’t believe it. And I probably don’t get it. For some reason I think it’s easy, but no one steps over this theoretical line. So, what the hell am I getting at: Freedom and the American Way. At one point we relished Freedom. We represented Freedom to the world. Now we represent this massive regulatory body.
But I believe there is a solution. It’s the righteous human element. We have got to quit trying to find biological truths, statistical analysis, and causation studies, to force more legislative agendas down our throats.
Half the time, after they pass a law, or create a new bureaucracy to cure an ill or green house gasses, they ultimately fail, fall down, cause industries to go out of business, etc. So why can’t we add the word Freedom to the mix again, surrounded by the human element. It’s almost a check and balance routine. It could save billions, industries, freedoms, open doors, and eliminate mountains of unnecessary restriction.
Beware: It would drive control freaks nuts. But what the hell do I know? I need to go for a ride.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
