Hey,
Here’s my take on gun control. I have a basic problem with gun restrictions as a reaction to the Florida shooting. Obviously, our government officials were warned about this individual numerous times. So basically, when you restrict, you are asking the public to rely on the government…They failed, so they want to blame the gun manufacturers.
Here’s the most important thought in all of these issues: We need a strong, educated society, not a weak one hiding behind an over-weight security guard. If a fire breaks out in a school, do you want cowering or knowledgeable students able to deal with any situation?
We were once that strong society. I grew up after some of the worst violence in the planet’s history. I grew up knowing about violence and facing violence constantly. I went to Vietnam for three tours. Right now, look around at the planet. There is violence everywhere and our political structure seems to ignore this and paint our world as a modern utopia, where we no longer need to work out, or to train, or to own guns.
I wish it was so, but it’s not. Man is a violent beast. Be willing and prepared to get ready for anything. Protect yourself, your family and your neighbors.
Shit, I wanted to discuss riding free and heading to Daytona.
NEWS FROM THE NMA, GETTING REAL– With the February 25, 2018 newsletter regarding the advent of digital driver’s licenses, it is an appropriate time to provide an update on the implementation of the REAL ID Act of 2005.
Over the past 12 years, the NMA and other civil liberties organizations have lobbied against REAL ID which in effect would convert your state-issued driver’s license into a national identification card. Our efforts were aided by several states, which objected to the financial and logistical impact of overhauling their licensing systems.
Beginning on October 1, 2020 however, individuals must have compliant identification, such as a REAL ID driver’s license, a valid U.S. passport or passport card, to board a federally regulated commercial flight or enter federal facilities that require ID. Until then, existing driver’s licenses will be accepted for the boarding of domestic flights.
REAL ID compliance has 18 benchmark requirements, including a mandatory facial image capture which the state must retain, and a signed declaration by the license holder under penalty of perjury that the information presented is true and correct.
Compliant states currently offer REAL ID and non-REAL ID license options. As shown per the following sample licenses, a REAL ID driver’s license has a five-point star within a gold circle at the upper right. A non-compliant license is prominently stamped with “Not For Federal Purposes.”
To obtain a REAL ID license, the original or certified (not photocopied) documentation typically required consists of proof of name and date of birth, proof of social security number, and two proof s of permanent address. Each state’s Department of Motor Vehicles will have the specific details.
The following states do not yet (at the time of this writing) meet REAL ID requirements; they have been given extensions until October 2018 to do so. States not on this list are already in compliance with the 2005 act, including the District of Columbia:
Alaska, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, and Washington
The age we live in requires stepped-up national security. The U.S. driver’s license, originally designed simply as certification of competence to operate a motorized vehicle, has unfortunately been appropriated as part of that larger purpose.
Use this link to share this NMA E-Newsletter with others:
https://www.motorists.org/alerts/getting-real-nma-weekly-e-newsletter-478/
WOW! I had no idea this was the first one built. I own this bike now and am putting on the market..my info if interested.. GATZINSB@YAHOO.COM
— Gene
gatzinsb@yahoo.com
Santa Barbara, CA
KNIFE AND AXE THROWING TRAINING– BladeAces.org has announced that it will be holding the first ever Knife & Ax throwing Championships at the World-Famous Buffalo Chip during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally August 3 to August 12, 2018 from 9am until 3pm daily. The Buffalo Chip Blade Aces Championships held at the free-access CrossRoads will be the largest knife throwing event ever attended.
Team Blade Aces is extremely excited to be a part of the Buffalo Chip entertainment family and to hold this event at such an amazing venue. Headquartered at the Superhero Foundry in Las Vegas Nevada, BladeAces.org is operated by the World’s Highest Ranked Knife Throwing Couple, Melody & TJ Cuenca.
Melody is an eleven time world knife throwing champion. They will also be joined by International Knife Throwing Hall of Fame World Champion, Chris “The Killer” Miller and other champions as well.
There will be four major events happening at the Blade Aces booth including the Amateur rules conventional knife and ax throwing event, Quick Draw competition and an atlatl throwing demonstration.
The Quick Draw Competition is a head-to-head competition between two competitors throwing at two wooden targets wired to an electronic timer. The fastest clocked time for the week at the Quick Draw Competition will win the magnificent Buffalo Chip Quick Draw Trophy.
The Blade Aces booth will have 12 targets and four lanes of knife and ax throwing, two designated Quick Draw targets and the atlatl exhibition lane. Classes are just $20 for a 30 minute lesson, $40 to enter the Daily Knife and Ax Competitions, and $10 for three tries at the Quick Draw Competition. This event is open to the public and everyone is welcome to enter.
Members of Team Blade Aces will also be performing exhibitions of knife throwing, whip cracking and gun spinning at the various concert stages and locations all throughout the Buffalo Chip.
For more information go to http://superherofoundry.com/sturgis-buffalo-chip-knife-ax-lessons-reservations/ or call (702) 785-3111 to register for classes in advance.
Florida Alert: Gun Control Bill Signed – NRA Files Lawsuit– This afternoon, Governor Rick Scott signed SB-7026 (touted in the media as Florida’s “gun control” bill) into law, violating the Second Amendment rights of persons between the ages of 18-21.
The bill prohibits any person under 21 years of age from purchasing a firearm – any firearm – PERIOD. The bill took effect immediately.
As a result, this afternoon the NRA filed a lawsuit in federal court against the State of Florida for violating the constitutional rights of young adults between the ages of 18-21.
The gun control provisions in this bill do not enhance school safety. They merely punish law-abiding citizens for the actions of a mentally ill murderer as well as the failure of government officials who did not do their jobs.
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Forkner Moves Into a Tie For The Points Lead
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Austin Forkner landed back on the podium for the third straight week and the result of his hard work pushed him into a tie for the points lead. Forkner will be running the red plate next weekend in St. Louis after a strong third-place showing. Martin Davalos tied his season-best finish of fifth and climbed up to eighth in the points standings.
On the heels of back-to-back wins, Forkner started the day as the top qualifier. He would finish third in his heat race, giving him a good gate pick to tackle the tough 180 degree first turn. The Kawasaki of Forkner was at the front when the riders cleared the turn and he tried to settle in for a demanding race. Forkner was running a solid race but unable to close the small gap to the leader, settling for second.
“I tried to run with those guys at the start and push really hard but I wasn’t able to bridge the gap,” said Forkner. “I got a little tight and had to settle back in to make sure I was hitting my lines because the track was pretty tough and changing a lot. My goal has been to be consistent and I’ve been able to do that the past few races, putting me in a good position with the points.”
Davalos had a lot of great moments last weekend in Atlanta and tried to draw upon those moments as he took to the track in Daytona. He started the night off with a good showing in the heat race, finishing second. That helped him get a good start in the main event, starting the race off in seventh. Davalos worked hard to get up to the front-runners, making it as high as fourth place before eventually finishing fifth.
“It’s been a tough opening four rounds so it’s nice to be able to tie my best finish and overcome from an up and down weekend,” said Davalos. “I’m ready to put myself on the podium and representing Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki at the front of the pack.”
To find out more about Pro Circuit products, visit www.procircuit.com. Don’t forget to follow the Pro Circuit race team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @pcraceteam.
250SX Class Main Event Results – Daytona Beach, Florida
Jordon Smith (KTM)
Jeremy Martin (Honda)
Austin Forkner (Kawasaki)
Zach Osborne (Husqvarna)
Martin Davalos (Kawasaki)
Kyle Peters (Suzuki)
Sean Cantrell (KTM)
Brandon Hartranft (Yamaha)
Ramyller Alves (Yamaha)
Luke Renzland (Yamaha)
250SX Class Eastern Region Points Standings
Austin Forkner (Kawasaki), 89
Zach Osborne (Husqvarna), 89
Jordon Smith (KTM), 81
Jeremy Martin (Honda), 70
RJ Hampshire (Honda), 57
Luke Renzland (Yamaha), 55
Colt Nichols (Yamaha), 54
Martin Davalos (Kawasaki), 52
Kyle Peters (Suzuki), 51
Jimmy Decotis (Suzuki), 49
Created by former desert racer Mitch Payton, Pro Circuit proves its products and services week-in and week-out through its tagline “We Race.” Every product that dons the Pro Circuit stamp stems from the legendary Pro Circuit race team. A staple in the professional paddock, Pro Circuit Racing has earned 30 AMA championships and more than 250 race wins in more than 30 years of competition.
–Camilla Consonni
How to Do Sturgis Vol. 1 – Answers to First-Timer Questions About Navigating through the Black Hills
After years of dreaming and scheming, you’re finally doing it. You’ve decided this is the year to embark on a journey you’ve heard will be the greatest adventure of your life—you’re taking a trip to Sturgis!
But now that you’re excited and all your Facebook buddies are jealous, questions start swirling through you head.
What are the local motorcycle laws?
Do I need a helmet?
HOW DO I GET TO MOUNT RUSHMORE?!
You could spend a ton of time scouring the Internet for answers to all the questions a first-timer has before heading to Sturgis. OR you could find the answers to them all in this article series presented by the largest and longest-running rally venue in the Black Hills, the Legendary Sturgis Buffalo Chip.
Ready to tackle some broad questions about the greater Sturgis and Black Hills area? Read on!
Are helmets required in South Dakota or neighboring states?
Unless you are under the age of 18, motorcycle helmets are not required in South Dakota. Wear one or don’t. You make the call.
Depending which direction you’re traveling from, state motorcycle helmet laws vary greatly. Here’s what to expect in South Dakota’s surrounding states.
Surrounding State Motorcycle Helmet Requirements
North Dakota Under age 18 only
Minnesota Under age 18 only
Iowa None
Nebraska All Riders
Wyoming Under age 18 only
Montana Under age 18 only
If you’re traveling through several states on your way and aren’t sure of their laws, this handy map shows the motorcycle helmet laws for all 50 states.
What will the cops ding me for?
If a run-in with Johnny Law ranks low on your list of experiences to check off during your time in Sturgis, using common sense can get you a long way. But when you get down to brass tacks, knowing the local laws is a must.
Violations Police Watch For:
Drinking and Driving
Illegal Drug Use
Failure to Stop at Traffic Lights and Stop Signs
Passing on the Sidewalk or Shoulder
Removing the Baffles on Your Exhaust
Indecent Exposure
Parking Violations
For more details on local laws, check out What Sturgis Police Will Be Watching For During This Year’s Motorcycle Rally.
Where are the best places to ride while I’m there?
The Black Hills are home to so many beautiful roads and iconic bucket-list destinations, it can be hard to know where to start writing, let alone riding.
Knowing you don’t have all day to read about them, we’ve selected a few of our favorites to highlight below. If you’ve got a little more time, you can learn about even more rides by diving into our Black Hills Ride Guide.
Mt. Rushmore
A visit to America’s Shrine of Democracy is on most visitors’ bucket lists. If it’s not already on yours, it should be.
You don’t have to go into Mt. Rushmore National Memorial to see the sculpture as it’s easily viewed from route 244 as you snake along the ridge. But it’s well worth the admission to experience the beautifully designed park and learn the history behind the monument.
Mt. Rushmore is also a great taking-off point for rides down Iron Mountain Road and Needles Highway.
Iron Mountain Road
Part of the Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway, US 16A, also known as Iron Mountain Road, begins between Keystone and Mt Rushmore and ends just east of the Custer State Park Wildlife Loop.
It offers spectacular views of Mt Rushmore and includes three granite rock tunnels to pass through. You’ll also travel over three pigtail bridges, which are corkscrew structures engineered to curl and pass over themselves for a challenging ride and an upper body workout.
Spearfish Canyon
Alt. Route 14 through Spearfish Canyon, which can be accessed off I-90 exits 12 or 14, is without question one of the best 22 miles you can travel on two wheels.
It’s the quintessential scenic road adorned with steep cliffs cut through the gorge, bubbling streams, waterfalls and striking vistas at every turn.
A group of seasoned riders unanimously singled out this ride when we asked them to share their favorite. See the compilation of their experiences in the Sturgis Rider News® article “One Ride You Must Take Before You Die.”
Vanocker Canyon
The 17-mile run down Vanocker Canyon Road (Forest Service Road 26) is arguably one of the most exhilarating Black Hills motorcycle rides, with pronounced twists and curves giving way to an exciting downhill plunge after about five miles.
Find out more and preview what it’s like to travel through Vanocker Canyon—as well as Boulder Canyon, Highway 385 and Nemo Road—in Four Black Hills Motorcycle Rides in One: The Boulder-Vanocker Canyon Loop.
PRO TIP
The Black Hills Motorcycle Map from the good folks at the Black Hills & Badlands Tourism Association is a great tool for planning which rides you’d like to take, as it highlights routes and denotes skill ratings.
View it online or pick one up at regional attractions, hotels and convenience stores.
While you’re at it, hit them up for a free South Dakota Vacation Guide!
GET MOTORCYCLE MAP GET SD VACATION GUIDE
Is there anywhere to go where we won’t fight a crowd?
A stop at Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Deadwood’s Historic Main Street, Cheyenne Crossing and many other Black Hills attractions should come with the expectation that lots of other bikers will be there when you arrive.
If you’re looking to have a quieter day and fight fewer crowds, the area is also full of amazing hidden gems you’ll want to discover.
Discover These Hidden Gems
Termesphere Gallery & Museum – Spearfish, SD
The Journey Museum & Learning Center – Rapid City, SD
Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center – Lead, SD
Rush Mountain Adventure Park – Keystone, SD
Find more attractions a little off the beaten path by checking out 10 Hidden Gems of the Black Hills and Digging Deeper – 7 More Hidden Gems of the Black Hills.
To find EVEN MORE hidden gems in the Black Hills and throughout the country, be sure to download the Sturgis Rider Friendly Establishments mobile app.
— By Mary Panerio
[page break]
QUICK, OPEN THE BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY–“With my wife, I don’t get no respect. The other night there was a knock on the front door. My wife told me to hide in the closet.”
–from Sidehack Jerry
NEW FROM LOWBROW–Our Panhead build article is from 2011 and originally appeared as a 4-article build series in Hot Bike magazine.
I thought people might enjoy it, so I dug it out from the dusty corners of my hard drive. Enjoy that photo above as well (photo credit: Jon Glover, SLC). Click on our banner below.
I’m not sure it was really a counter point. People will still suck it up and buy a new vehicle. Motorcycles however are still seen as a luxury item. The modest increase in price in the US means many current riders will hold onto their bikes instead of buying a new one.
It will be a few years before the US steel and aluminum can catch up to demand so most riders will hold tight for the next five years until the prices can come back down – though most US companies will price their steel and aluminum at higher prices because they can – that is what free market is.
That Yamaha Star that cost $10,000 last month is still $10,000 and will still be next year. That Harley that cost $15,000 will now cost $16-17,000 making the Yamaha that much more appealing to new riders. The big tariffs are imposed in Europe where Harleys can see a 25% jump in price while Japanese and European bike prices will remain the same.
The question I proposed is not whether the tariffs are good for US steel but whether Harley-Davidson can survive decreased sales here and abroad.
–Uncle Monkey
Moose Jaw, SK, Canada
Easy one to answer: Harley-Davidson survived two World Wars, the Vietnam War, numerous financial meltdowns, the AMF years and severe additional regulatory shifts.
This is lightweight stuff.
–Bandit
TRAILBLAZERS NEWSLETTER
74th ANNUAL TRAILBLAZERS BANQUET APRIL 7, 2018
Time is flying by and it is only a month until the banquet. Here are a few reminders:
OUR INDUCTEES
SCOTT AUTREY Flat track and Speedway racer
KEL CARRUTHERS Grand prix road race World Champion, Team Engineer & Manager
DEBBIE EVANS Trials Rider, SSDT competitor, Stunt woman
BRUCE FLANCERS Racer, Announcer
DENNIS KANEGAE Flat Track Racer, Testing, R&D, Advertising and Promotions
CHUCK MILLER Desert Racer, Race Manager, Industry leader
SPECIAL AWARDS TO TWO GUYS WE MISS SO MUCH
SKIP VAN LEEUWEN WINE TOAST
TOM WHITE Trailblazers highest honor, the DICK HAMMER AWARD
The brief descriptions do not do justice to these worthy recipients. Watch for bios on the Trailblazers website (www.trailblazersmc.com) and our Facebook page.
Where: Carson Center 1 Civic Plaza Drive, Carson CA 90745 #15 Frwy/Carson Blvd
When: April 7, 2018 Reception & Tom Cates Memorial Bike show at 3:00pm
What else: Banquet Doors open at 5pm
HOTEL DoubleTree shares the parking lot with Carson Center (310) 830 9200
BIKE SHOW PARTICIPANT: Sign-in is between Noon and 2pm.
Pick up tickets at the door.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? (909) 226 6038 C (951)780 1978 H mctrailblazers01@gmail.com
BIKER SEXUAL ABUSE?– You’re a guy who is sexually harassed — what is the recourse?
QUESTION: Women aren’t the only ones who get sexually harassed at work. My job keeps my out of the office most of the day. But I have to go in to do paper work, attend meetings, etc. When I’m there the boss can’t seem to keep her hands off me. The other guys think it is funny. I don’t.
Gillespie: Sexual harassment in the workplace isn’t new. While it is much more likely to happen to women, men can be victims, too. And this abhorrent behavior sure isn’t “funny.” In fact, your boss could be breaking the law.
To quote the EEOC (U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission) on the subject: “It is unlawful to harass a person (an applicant or employee) because of that person’s sex. Harassment can include “sexual harassment” or unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature.
Harassment does not have to be of a sexual nature, however, and can include offensive remarks about a person’s sex. For example, it is illegal to harass a woman by making offensive comments about women in general. Both victim and the harasser can be either a woman or a man, and the victim and harasser can be the same sex.
Although the law doesn’t prohibit simple teasing, offhand comments, or isolated incidents that are not very serious, harassment is illegal when it is so frequent or severe that it creates a hostile or offensive work environment or when it results in
an adverse employment decision (such as the victim being fired or demoted).
The harasser can be the victim’s supervisor, a supervisor in another area, a co-worker, or someone who is not an employee of the employer, such as a client or customer.”
So, if I were you, instead of suffering in silence and letting this behavior continue, the next time your boss starts touching you where she shouldn’t, instead of pretending you don’t notice, put your hands up and say, whoa, stop. You make me feel very uncomfortable when you touch me like that.
Of course, you will be embarrassed, but do think positive. Chances are she will apologize and keep her hands to herself from now on. If she doesn’t stop touching you inappropriately, you will have plenty of witnesses when you (hint) contact an attorney.
You may submit job and career questions for Judy to judy@careeravenuesbyjudy
–from Rogue
LE PERA SEAT OF THE WEEK— Bare Bones, Back Rest, Camo.
Overview
Lowest profile seat we make, with a backrest covered in our custom camo vinyl.
Rider area 11″ wide.
Price includes backrest.
Backrests feature:
Quick & easy removal – no tools or assembly required. All necessary hardware is built into the seat.
Full Adjustability – up & down and forward & back.
Do not use the stock backrest assembly.
Specs
Driver Seating:
11″ Wide
Passenger Seating:
N/A
MSRP:
$499.00
Options:
Biker Gel: MSRP + $ 87.00
Part Number:
LK-005BRCAM [’08-’18]
CHANGING TIMES BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS for March 8, 2018
Hey Uncle Monkey Fuck: Have you ever had to come home and inform your wife and kids that “Christmas is going to be a little light this year, after 20 years as a Union Steelworker, you’ve been laid off?
On your journey home to share this wonderful news, you pass the “Port of Indiana” and witness a foreign ship at the dock unloading cheap foreign steel as far as the eye can see. It rates right up there with being called a baby killer the minute you got home from fighting a war on foreign soil!
No matter which political party the Union voted for, since 1980, horseshit politicians sacrifice American jobs for an under the table payoff.
Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum have been overdue 40 years, and yes the subject makes a few people squirm, now that we have a president that doesn’t need the money. Ask yourself “what’s the REAL hidden agenda?”
Better yet – next time you order an S&S air cleaner cover from J&P Cycle, flip it over and check out the sticker that says “Made In Malaysia.”
With all due respect, the shoes I stand in, it’s tough to feel sorry for an American company that sources cheap products from overseas, and goes bankrupt.
USW Local 1010 – USW Local 9231 – Mill Mechanic Journeyman #1307…..Retired.
Like it or not, Bandit’s right on this one……stay tuned.
— Doug White
Douglaswhite2478@comcast.net
Buchanan, MI
noun
1. the act of departing from the right, normal, or usual course.
2. the act of deviating from the ordinary, usual, or normal type.
QUOTES
They don’t want to believe that the United States is opposed to action on global warming. They’d rather see the Trump administration as an aberration.
— Lisa Friedman and Brad Plumer, “Introducing Our Newsletter, Climate Fwd:” New York Times, November 15, 2017
ORIGIN
The English noun aberration has wandered far from its Latin original. Cicero (106-43 b.c.) is the first (and only) Latin author to use the noun aberratio “distraction, diversion, relief (from pain or sorrow).” Aberratio is a derivative of the verb aberrare “to divert, forget for a time; to wander off, go astray, deviate.” Aberration entered English in the 16th century.
NEXT— This may just be one of the most exciting years of my life. Hell, I’m heading to Daytona next week for Bike Week. It’s going to be a blast. I need to cruise past Carl’s Speed Shop and 2Wheelers on Main.
Then it’s Carson City to pick up the Salt Torpedo. Steve Massicotte met with a land speed record expert on our steering system. Paughco needs to switch out the mock-up tubes for ¼-inch wall and construct the frame, attach the front end (from a dragster), hook up the steering and I’ll take over from there.
We are trying to run handlebars on this puppy. Shit is happening fast on the movie front, screenplays and books. Hell, my new Panhead might be registered in the near future and I can go for a ride.
In the meantime I’m riding my Indian any chance I get. I’ll report form Billy Lane’s race and Willie’s Tropical Tattoo Show.
Ride Free Forever,
–Bandit
