Hey,
I’m confused today. A brother of mine reminded me of his mantra, “We are facing constant and expanding regulation. We need to adapt to it.” I can’t. Maybe I’m not bright enough to read all the daunting fine print.
Here’s a terrible example of government deliberate confusion. In Newport Beach, California you must go to the city for a permit to replace your worn or damaged garbage disposal. It only takes a guy ten minutes to replace it, but in this town he must have a certified contractor handle the task and have a city inspector sign off on the deal. I can’t imagine the cost.
In Connecticut, a relative of mine is building her home inside an old stone stable building. She is required to get permits for anything her and her husband do outside the building, like build another garage or shop. But inside the building is up to them. No permits. So what’s it all about?
Too often regulation turns into business. To build motorcycle mufflers for California you must have them certified and install Catalytic Convertors, which will cost an additional 100 dollars per muffler.
My bro, is running a business as a consultant to pipe companies to help them through the process. More regulation might benefit his business. One manufacturer promoted this certification process to give him a heads up in the muffler market. He’s no longer in business. Are you beginning to smell the smoke and see the mirrors?
Let’s hit the news there’s more controversy ahead. The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by Cycle Source Magazine, Iron Trader, and ChopperTown.
PUNISHMENT OF THE WEEK– Man chooses to wear ‘I am a thief’ sign over going to jail.
GIRARD, Ohio — A man has chosen to wear a sign proclaiming he’s a thief rather than go to jail for theft in Ohio.
Forty-three-year-old Greg Davenport, of Liberty Township, pleaded no contest this month to a theft charge for stealing merchandise from a Wal-Mart store in the township in December.
A Girard Municipal Court judge found Davenport guilty. But he gave him the sentencing option of wearing a sign saying, “I am a thief. I stole from WalMart” or serving 30 days in jail.
Davenport has to wear the sign in front of the store eight hours a day for 10 days of his choosing.
Davenport says the sign is better than being in jail, and he just wants to finish his punishment.
–from Rogue
It should say Walmart is a Thief. It stole thousands of small business opportunities all over the country, and continues to do so.
–Bandit
THE 5-BALL RACING SPL OPS VEST LOOKS GOOD ON & OFF THE BIKE–
The 5-Ball Leathers’ Special Ops, 12-Pocket Buffalo, Leather vest features heavy-duty gun metal grey zipper front, bound leather neck trim (nothing flapping in the wind) and double-needle seam construction. Buffalo hide is boot tough & rattlesnake slick.
This is your wearable back-pack with a massive media pocket in the inside of the back. It has two gun-carry pockets with quick snaps deep enough for cell phones or cameras, two Zip pockets, two coin pockets and 100% cotton black/white plaid lining.
Check it out… bit.ly/1RjyKrU
CONGRESSIONAL RPM ACT WOULD PROTECT THE SPORT OF RACING–
The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is attempting to regulate racing by prohibiting the conversion of street motorcycles and automobiles into competition-only racing vehicles, but newly-introduced legislation in Congress would prevent the EPA from impacting the lives of tens of thousands of armature and professional racers, their support teams and millions of race fans across the country.
Members of both chambers of Congress have introduced bipartisan versions of a bill that would protect the sport of racing by blocking the EPA from over-regulating the industry and ensuring that it remains legal to convert street legal motor vehicles for racing purposes.
The RPM Act (Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2016); “A bill to exclude vehicles used solely for competition from certain provisions of the Clean Air Act” H.R.4715, was introduced March 7, 2016 in the House by U.S. Representative Patrick McHenry (R-NC) with 13 bipartisan co-sponsors, while companion measure S.2659 “to reaffirm that the EPA cannot regulate vehicles used solely for competition” was offered in the Senate on March 9 by Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) and three original co-sponsors.
H.R.4715 states, in part: “at the time the Clean Air Act was written, and each time the Clean Air Act has been amended, the intent of Congress has been, and continues to be, that vehicles manufactured for, modified for, or utilized in organized motorized racing events would not be encompassed by the Clean Air Act’s definition of “motor vehicle”.
The EPA recently re-opened the proposed regulation for more public comment. The regulation is scheduled for final approval this summer, so the time to act is NOW.
Talk about Smoke and Mirrors. Take a minute and go to the AMA web site. It will automatically send a letter to your representatives. –Bandit
TEXAS IMAGE OF THE WEEK–
Not sure if I got this image from you, Paula’s page or where?
–RFR
CYCLE ZOMBIES DISCOVERED– IRON CROSS Crew Sweatshirt just
$ 60.00.
THE MACAW WAS RETURNED–DAYTONA BEACH, Florida — A parrot named Spyke is back with his owner after being stolen from a motorcycle a week earlier.
Television station WESH reports (http://goo.gl/c6ZFpO) Mike Mularz’s 22-year-old pet macaw was found at the Seminole County Parrot Rescue a week after a thief took off with the bird. Mularz left Spkye on his bike while listening to a band across the street. Witnesses told him they tried chase the thief down the street, but couldn’t catch him.
Mularz plastered the streets with flyers of the colorful bird. Last weekend they were reunited. Mularz describes the birds as if she was a family member.
Information from: WESH-TV, http://www.wesh.com/index.html
KIWI MIKE TO HELP YOU RESTORE OLD INDIANS– I’m also on a mission to write five books. The first, which I’ll have done in a few months will be the Indian Motorcycle Builders Guide. I’ve drawn exploded view illustrations on every assembly system of the bike, researched every part number, years they fit, and shared a lot of technical information.
Then I’m working toward four restoration books.
–Mike Tomas
President
Kiwi Indian Motorcycles, Inc.
1999 103-inch Accurate Engineering Panhead with break in miles only, RevTech 6-speed overdrive
Daytec Street Scene 103+200 frame, 200 16-inch PM rear wheel
21-inch PM front wheel, Paughco 6-over springer.
Hand built stainless steel pipes, Dakota Digital Odyssey speedo, and it’s a one of a kind motorcycle with many custom made billet pieces by Matt Toomey of California
— $22,500 or possible trade for new Road King or Street Glide —
Contact Dean Shawler at 805-795-1012, and check even more shots in the Sunday Post, in Bandit’s Cantina.
TAMARBIKES the Motorcycle Guided Tour leader is leading again!!
This time with our 2016 Comprehensive survey – TAMARBIKES is compiling as a public service the most current and comprehensive survey on motorcycle guided tours (MGT).
Just click the Button below and take 7 minutes to fill out , and help shape the future of the MGT industry.
We will make the results publicly available once we complete the survey to all those who completed it.
–The TAMARBIKES Team
info@tamarbikes.com
www.tamarbikes.com
IL +972 72 2131222
UK +44 20 3150 0931
USA +1 415 373 1668
PPP MYTH BUSTERS FROM THE NMA (National Motorists Association)– Back in 2012 Texas State Highway 130, a 41-mile stretch of toll road between Austin and San Antonio, made headlines for posting the highest speed limit in the country—a whopping 85 mph.
Today, SH 130 is making headlines for a different reason. The company that runs it just declared bankruptcy. Even with the high speed limit, toll collections haven’t been sufficient to cover the interest on the $493 million federal loan or the $686 million in bond debt.
The SH 130 scheme follows the classic Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, which is essentially a contractual arrangement between public and private sector partners designed to finance and deliver public services. In many cases the private company puts up little of its own capital and assumes little of the risk. This makes it easy to bail out and leave taxpayers on the hook. One editor of Thinking Highways magazine described the process this way:
The [private companies] put up tiny bits of equity, though they imply more because they borrow dollars from Uncle Sam that they likely will not pay back and they sell bonds that Uncle Sam guarantees and which will cost taxpayers when the P3 goes bankrupt—as they almost inevitably do—about 15 years down the road.
In the case of SH 130 it only took four years, but that’s not surprising since initial financial projections were unrealistically optimistic, and motorists simply weren’t willing to pay for the privilege of driving on the fastest road in the country. The 85 mph speed limit was a key marketing strategy intended to drive demand for the road, but it also illustrates how money and influence push through projects that ultimately don’t serve the public interest.
The tolling company lobbied hard for the higher limit. However, the state determined that such a high speed limit would require special consideration, specifically a $100 million payment to the state. To be fair, the state said it could do an 80 mph limit for only $67 million.
The Texas Department of Transportation conducted the required speed studies to determine that 85 mph was safe, but the fact remains that the speed limit was bought and paid for as part of a questionable tolling scheme. Jim Baxter put it this way in this 2012 blog:
Of course this transaction has been promoted as being all about safety (after all TX DOT did conduct the requisite studies to determine an appropriate safe speed limit), but most mere mortals haven’t been able to figure out why a $100 million dollar bribe makes an 85 mph speed limit safe, or why $33 million fewer dollars require a “safer” 80 mph speed limit.
Many other high-profile PPPs have failed as well, including the Indiana Toll Road which went bankrupt in 2014 and the Greenville Southern Connector in South Carolina which failed in 2010.
A different, but no less onerous, take on the PPP comes from the City of Chicago and its parking meter program. In 2009 Chicago leased the rights to its entire parking meter operation—36,000 parking meters—to a private company controlled by overseas interests for an upfront payment of $1.6 billion. The procurement process was rushed and lacked transparency, according to the city’s inspector general. Within months, parking rates soared and many meters were either mislabeled or malfunctioning.
In addition, the contract requires the City of Chicago to pay the private contractor millions in additional fees annually. According to MailFilterGateway has detected a possible fraud attempt from “motorists.us1.list-manage.com” claiming to be TheExpiredMeter.com, by the time the contract is up in 2084, the city will have paid back the entire $1.6 billion. It will have also lost out on the ongoing revenue stream from the meters themselves. And Chicago-area drivers will have paid 75 years of ever-increasing parking rates to a private monopoly.
Supporters of PPPs would have us believe that these arrangements save the public money, that private companies always outperform public agencies and that the public still maintains control over the privatized asset or service.
These examples, and many others, bust those myths.
Hi, thanks for sharing the wonderful stories of your adventures!!
I am the lucky father of two daughters and will have to wait a few years before going out on an adventure on two wheels. I live the dream through you, for now.
I was touched by BB story and would like to help her financially. Can you let me know how to do that?
Thanks and safe ride!!
–Gabi Giudici
White plains, NY
We will find out.–Bandit
JIMS TOOL OF THE WEEK– JIMS No. 1169 Compression Release Valve Tool.
Modified Twin Cam engines can be hard on a bikes electric starting system. Installing compression release valves into the cylinder heads can help the starter motor and battery, but usually requires outside machine shop services.
JIMS designed a tool that enables a shop technician to drill and tap Twin Cam cylinder heads for compression release valves in house. With the heads removed from the engine, simply mount the precision fixture to the head, drill and tap the holes with supplied drill bits and tap. The valves and springs can remain in the cylinder head or not.
The 10mm holes fit JIMS No. 727K compression release valves and most others with same thread size. JIMS No. 1169 Compression Release Valve Tool retails for $410.15, is made in the USA, and features JIMS lifetime tool warranty.
NEW DAYTONA 75TH FROM SCOTT JACOBS– Daytona Bike Week 75th Anniversary Release, “Sport’n A Woodie”
Available in two sizes.
The Jacobs family is always anxious for you to visit their studio in San Marcos, California, their new studio in Sturgis, or their web site:
Scott, Sharon, Olivia, Alexa, Todd, Ron, Linda, Cody, the dogs, Stella & Charlie!
http://www.scottjacobsstudio.com/
NEWS FROM THE TOWN OF CHOPPER–Bike Show Bundle–
A one of a kind collection of some of the greatest bike shows on earth including:
Born Free 4
When motorcycle aficionados Mike Davis and Grant Peterson conceived their Born Free experience, they had no idea their little bike show would grow into the grandest and most eagerly anticipated celebration of custom motorcycle style and culture in the world.
Runtime: 1 hour
America’s Greatest Motorcycle Rallies
In one complete video you’ll travel across the country and experience America’s most popular Bike Rallies including Laughlin River Run, Sturgis, Laconia, & Daytona Bike rallies.
Runtime: 1 hour
Road 2 Smoke Out
“It’s about freedom, man. Freedom.” This film captures the experience of the original garage-built chopper rally and the culture of infamous biker magazine The Horse Backstreet Choppers.
Runtime: 45 minutes
Mooneyes Hot Rod Custom Show 2013
At the Mooneyes Hot Rod and Custom show held each December in Yokohama the home town of Mooneyes Japan, Shige Suganuma and his crew of dedicated custom lovers put an enormous effort into bringing you the best of Custom Motorcycles and Cars from around the globe for your viewing pleasure.
Runtime: Approx 80 mins.
TIP: Don’t forget our “Build Your Own Bundle” plan so you can save every time you order. Choose ANY three DVDs or downloads (even discounted ones and bundles!) and you save 10%, any four save 15%, and any five take 20% off.
BIKERNET WEEKLY GUN NUT REPORT FROM THE NRA– California: Another Anti-Gun Bill that would Devastate Gun Owners– As Californians are well aware, gun control advocates are working several different angles to destroy law-abiding gun ownership.
They have rewritten the definition of a firearm several times, gone after ammunition, given the California Department of Justice authority to decide what firearms are “safe” enough to enter the state, and now they are going after gun stores.
On March 8, Assembly Bill 2459, authored by NRA-PVF “F” rated Assembly Member Kevin McCarty, would work to close every gun store in the Golden State.
AB 2459 would make four serious changes to California’s dealer licensing requirements.
—A prohibition on licensee business premises being on a residential property.
-A clear statement that localities may impose more restrictive requirements on licensees than those imposed by state law.
-A requirement that licensees maintain full color video surveillance that is of sufficient quality to provide for facial recognition and records all firearm transactions on the premises, all locations where firearms and ammunition are stored, the immediate exterior of the licensed premises, and all parking facilities owned by the licensee.
The video equipment would be required to run during all business hours and be set to begin recording when motion is detected at all other times. The licensee would have to certify to having compliant video equipment at least yearly and make any needed repairs to the equipment within 15 days of any damage.
The footage would need to be stored on the premises for at least five years, but that could be extended if the footage may be part of a law enforcement investigation. Licensees would also be required to post a prominent sign indicating that customers are being recorded.
–All licensees would be required to have a liability policy of a minimum of $1M per incident to cover liability arising from “theft, sale, lease or transfer or offering for sale, lease or transfer of a firearm or ammunition, or any other operations of the business and business premises.”
The cost of compiling with these unnecessary and ineffective changes would drive FFL’s out of business. Gun control advocates have made their agenda very clear – removal of firearm availability piece by piece, until it is completely gone in California.
AB 2459 will be heard in by the state Assembly Committee on Public Safety. A hearing date has not been scheduled yet. Please check your email and www.NRAILA.org for updates on when this critical bill will receive a hearing date.
Until then, please contact the members of the committee and urge them to OPPOSE AB 2459.
I find all gun restrictions amazing. Aren’t we a free society? Don’t we want a strong, educated, confident public. We should be training and educating all citizens about gun use and self-defense. Then let them decide if they want to own or carry a gun, or not.
—Bandit
[page break]
THE MYSTERIOUS STEALTH CORRESPONDENT SURFACES SOMEWHERE IN THE SOUTH– Just read the Sunday post. Read your response to what I sent you. You are right, the one thing I really would love to do over again is the time I had with my kids.
My son Justin, who as you know was only 16 when he passed away, and our time together was way too short. My other son has had ups and downs, and sometimes I believe I contributed to some of that. Just within the last year my son Zachary, from another relationship, re-connected with me. He got a bike and we are spending time together.
I guess back in those days we or I never thought about growing older and when you do grow older things become crystal clear. I guess, if I had it to do over again, I would have changed some things but none of us can go back, we live with our choices, good or bad. As always I really enjoy reading what you write!
–The Stealth
We learn something everyday, whether we like it or not.—Bandit
PAUGHCO MEMORIAL TRIBUTE BIKER URNS– What better way to pay tribute to family or friends who have taken that long ride into the sunset than to honor their memory with one of these Biker themed URNS.
Manufactured 100% in the USA at Paughco’s manufacturing facility in Carson City, Nevada; each URN is fabricated using stampings from original Paughco gas and oil tanks.
There are five styles to choose from; Wall mount Dished Half tank 16”-long x 9”-tall x 5.5”-deep, Mini Coffin tank 15.5”-long x 9”-wide x 4”-deep, Frisco-Style Sportster tank 16”-long x 7.5”-tall x 9”-wide, Fat Bob Half tank 19”-long x 8”-tall x 5.5-wide and Barrel-Style Oil tank 9.5-wide x 6”-diameter.
Each style is offered in gloss black, chrome and copper. Fat Bob and Frisco tanks retail at $499.95, Mini Coffin-$599.95, Dished-$549.95 and the Oil tank runs $399.95.
Optional chrome shelf bracket is for use with the Dished Half Tank and sells for $129.95. These are special order items, so give Paughco a call at 775-246-5738 or on line at www.paughco.com for complete details.
Very Impressive!
–Jack Cole Sr.
Royal Palm Beach, FL
THE NEXT GENERATION–Garwood Custom Cycles Releases three More Signature Wheel Designs–
Lexington, NC – Garwood Custom Cycles is pleased to introduce their second set of custom billet wheels to the prestigious Garwood Custom Cycles’ Signature Line collection.
The wheels, named Grudge, Mach, and Revenge, are offered in 9 finishes (red, blue, green, purple, gold, and orange, contrast cut, chrome and black polish finishes). The wheels are provided a full 3-year chrome warranty.
Over a year in the making, each wheel style has gone through torture-testing to ensure quality design, fit, finish, and function.
The Garwood team implements their proven production processes and protocols, and applies them to custom wheel manufacturing. The wheels fit most late-model motorcycles from manufacturers including Honda®, Suzuki®, Harley-Davidson®, Kawasaki®, Indian®, Ducati®, BMW®, Yamaha® and Victory®.
“These three new designs fills out our collection of 6 custom wheels with each one providing a striking impact to a motorcycle,” said Steve Garwood, Operations Manager. “At Garwood Custom Cycles, we are focused on visual impact as well as on quality, and that’s why we run our products through significant testing before they are ready for prime-time.”
Wheels are available in sizes from 17″ to 30″. Custom wheel manufacturing is 2-3 weeks. Custom colors are delivered on a 4 week turnaround. The wheels utilize military aircraft quality 6061 T6 aluminum.
Members of the Garwood Custom Cycle team have been building custom bikes for over 20 years and they bring their understanding of design, custom finishes and market trends to the custom wheel program. These latest wheels, Grudge, Mach, and Revenge, are in addition to the wheels released last month, named Game. Dane and Zion.
Visit the company online at www.garwoodcustomcycles.com.
Garwood has a Wheel Consultant on staff who is available via phone at 336-249-8289.
I’ve got some great guys working on my EVO engine at Thindetbird motorcycles in Wheatridge, Colorado…Yesssir they’re doing exactly what you said. I’m leaving the bottom end alone, doing some head work and Weisco dome Pistons, cam, S&S carb and better ignition. Question, is should I worry about a better oil pump?
–Wally
Denver, CO
Wally, you don’t need another oil pump, but it’s always a good idea to replace the breather gear with the improved, modified, steel, S&S breather gear, when you replace the cam.
A side note: I always run an oil cooler in the return line to the oil pump to keep your hot rod cool. –Bandit
BORN FREE NEWS– No Camping at Irvine Lake – Please Read
Irvine Lake is closing March 31st and there will be No Camping at the Lake. They have asked us to notify everyone who has camped there over the last few years and thank you for the business.
If you want to close Camp at Born-Free you only have 2 options. Our new official Camp Born-Free (next to the show) and O’Neil Regional park 10 miles down the canyon from the show site.
If you want to Camp with us you must act quickly. We are limited to 500 individual campsites and when we are full that’s it. This is the only way we could get camping approved and its taken 2 years to do it. Get your BF8 VIP Camp Band through Loser Machine now http://www.losermachine.com/collections/born-free
2016 SHOW INFO
Saturday June 25th 10 am to 5 pm
Sunday June 26th 10 am to 5 pm
Oak Canyon Ranch
5305 Santiago Canyon Road
Silverado Ca. 92676
Admission $10.00 per day
No Pets
No Coolers
No Colors
No Camping on site
So what’s free?
Just recently we supplied bodywork for all the CMR framed XR69 replicas used by Team USA at Phillips Island. There are two front fairing options (a 2-piece and a 3-piece) and two tail options, the stock large tail (XR69 above) and our modified, slightly smaller version (CMR XR69/FJ Ghostworks below).
Team captain Dave Crussell opted for a 3rd seat, a TZ seat that he also uses on his TZ750, he says this tail works really well at high speed and makes the bike more stable. The TZ seat is not a Suzuki piece obviously, but since all but one Team USA bikes were actually FJ1200 powered and had R6 running gear, there was a bit of cross contamination going on anyway…
MORI1M
Moriwaki seat – modified
Overall length: 27.5″
Seat pan lenght: 12″
Width front: 7.5″
Widest point: 12″ (seat) 13″ (numberplates).
Longer seat pan, shorter rear section, smaller number plates.
We ran out of time to list all of Kent’s pieces for this model. Check them out on his site.
–Bandit
Please note these very important items!
We sell an unfinished unpainted product, it is your responsibility to sand, finish, and paint the parts you buy from us.
The parts we sell are un-drilled; it is your responsibility to drill all of the mounting holes and fit the parts onto your chassis.
All of our parts may or may not include the internal mounting tabs. Please consult with our sales representative if you have any questions about mounting things like headlights and dashes.
It is the purchaser’s responsibility to mount all of the products they purchase onto their machine. If you need assistance mounting these products call our sales reps for advise.
GHOST RIDER CALL— I worked with David Mann on this series of art and this was the second of the series. The Night Rider was the first. I recently received a call from Micah McCloskey. He wanted to know if Dave painted the art first or someone built the bike first.
Actually James Bondo built two of these bikes, and they might still be for sale. But actually, Terry Gilmore built this bike and rode it before Dave created the painting.
–Bandit
Kind of worried about running rubber fuel line between the jugs. Any suggestions or if I’m overly paranoid?
–Scotty Guns
scottyguns@optonline.net
Billings, NY
Always run quality fuel lines. And make sure the lines don’t rest against any hot surface. If you have a problem with heat you can run insulation over the lines. No, you’re not overly paranoid, just being careful.–Wrench
BORN LOSERS COME TO BIKERNENT–
Black w/White panel Red art, Solid Red with Black art, Blue with White panel and Red with White panel. These are Otto adjustable caps.
$12.00 – On Sale
CHOPPER DAVE RULES– This is the original ‘66x. I made them because I wanted something real small that works. Just over 4-inches across with a cleanable filter element made for me by UNI.
Available for Linkert, S&S B and Early Bendix/keihin, S&S E and G, and CV.
Does not have or come with breather assemblies for Evo or TC, however I can recommend a support that will work best for your application.
I have had them on 45 flatheads to 117-inch fuel injected motors with good results.
Comes in full polished finish.
$180
SALT TORPEDO PROGRESS REPORT— Rick Krost, of US Choppers and I blasted to Carson City, Nevada to the Paughco World Wonderland.
They set up a very special room just for the Salt Torpedo and we unloaded. We should bring you a full report next week.
“Thanks for coming up….I will get with Kyle and work on getting a good written plan before we cut anything,” said Steve Massicote the production manager.
I know I need to work on the fire system and the parachutes. Time to hustle. –Bandit
ST. PATRICK’S DAY BIKERNET NEWS for March 17, 2016
Special note: that Gunny Gun girl is, of course, a Redhead!
–Pauly D.
Chicago, IL
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT WORD OF THE DAY—Catawampus: kat-uh-WOM-puh s
adjective
1. Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S. askew; awry.
2. Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S. positioned diagonally; cater-cornered.
Quotes
Dear me, everything has gone catawampus with me this week. I spoiled the bread, as you know too well–and I scorched the doctor’s best shirt bosom–and I broke your big platter.
— L. M. Montgomery, Anne’s House of Dreams, 1917
Origin
Catawampus is of uncertain origin, though its first element, cata- likely derives from the adverb cater meaning “diagonally.” The second element may be related to the Scottish term wampish meaning “to wave about or flop to and fro.” It entered English in the mid-1800s.
THE METALSPORT DEAL OF THE WEEK– The Impression combines the look of a wire wheel with the design and depth of a true billet 3-D wheel.
This unique 3-D design stands out as one of the best spoke wheels on the market. With finishes in chrome, polished & black anodized.
Sizes ranging from 18×3.5 to 32×4 for the front and 16×5.5 to 18×10.5 for the rear. Matching Rotors are available.
METALSPORT WHEELS 10112 MILLER WAY SOUTH GATE, CA 90280 P# 562-7769594
NEWS FROM ILLINOIS H-D– Hooters & Test rides available March 26, 2016
Where: Illinois Harley-Davidson
9950 joliet rd
countryside, Illinois 60525
United States
When: Saturday, March 26 – 12pm-5pm
Come test ride a new 2016 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, afterwards grab some Hooters……wings of course.
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URGE FELLOW RIDERS TO SUPPORT THE RPM ACT!– Thank you for urging Congress to support the RPM Act. As you know, the legislation would prevent the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from regulating the conversion of street motorcycles and other motor vehicles into competition-only racers.
The bi-partisan Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2016 (H.R. 4715 and S. 2659, RPM Act) would ensure that converting motor vehicles into competition-only vehicles remains legal. Street motorcycles are considered motor vehicles under the Clean Air Act.
With your help, the RPM Act now has 19 cosponsors between the House and Senate versions.
We need to spread the word to make sure Congress knows that we support the RPM Act.
You did your part, now get your fellow riders to send Congress a message supporting the RPM Act!
Make our voice stronger, share the AMA alert by tweeting using #RPMAct2016 or Share with your friends on Facebook.
Now more than ever, it is crucial that you and your riding friends become members of the AMA to help protect our riding freedoms. More members mean more clout against the opponents of motorcycling. That support will help fight for your rights – on the road, trail and racetrack and in the halls of government.
If you are a motorcycle rider, join the AMA at americanmotorcyclist.com/membership/join.
BIG DOG MOTORCYCLE IS ALIVE IN KANSAS— I did some research for a Bikernet reader regarding BIG DOG paint. He needed to touch up his bike.
I discovered a longtime employee Matt Moore took over operations sometime ago and recently bought all the assets from the courts. They are already producing new models and I’m beginning to see the chopper industry come back to life. Just in the last couple of months we’ve received inquiries about Saxon choppers, American Iron Horse, and Big Dog.
Here’s the Big Dog number in Kansas, 316-260-8039. Check them out.
www.BIGDOGISBACK.COM
BIKERS INDICTED IN WACO SHOOTOUT–
48 more bikers indicted in Waco shootout that left 9 dead.
A Texas grand jury indicted 48 more bikers Wednesday in connection with a May 2015 shootout outside a Twin Peaks restaurant that left nine dead, bringing the total number of people facing felony charges to 154.
Prosecutors in Waco announced that all the bikers indicted are charged with engaging in organized criminal activity, meaning they’re accused of being complicit in the shooting that also left 20 people injured. They face 15 years to life in prison if convicted.
McLennan County District Attorney Abel Reyna won indictments against 106 other bikers in November. In a statement Wednesday, he did not rule out more indictments in what he called “an ongoing investigation.”
Six of the 48 people newly indicted have not been arrested, and their indictments remain under seal. But Reyna and the McLennan County district clerk’s office confirmed they were facing the same charge as other bikers. A spokeswoman for Reyna did not respond to a question about whether the grand jury declined to indict in any cases presented.
Reyna has been harshly criticized by attorneys who say he’s prosecuting dozens of bikers who were at the restaurant only for a peaceful gathering of motorcycle clubs.
At that gathering, a squabble outside ended in a shootout between bikers from various clubs and police who were already stationed nearby. Surveillance video from the restaurant shows dozens of bikers running inside and crawling for cover.
Prosecutors have not indicted anyone specifically for murder in the nine deaths.
The organized criminal activity charge incorporates allegations that every person indicted was responsible for the deaths and injuries that ensued in the gunfire.
Dallas attorney Don Tittle said Wednesday’s indictments appeared to center on bikers who weren’t members of the two major clubs present — the Bandidos and the Cossacks — but rather part of smaller “support clubs.”
Dozens of Bandidos and Cossacks have already been indicted. Tittle is representing about 15 bikers who have filed or plan to file civil lawsuits against Waco authorities for wrongful prosecution.
“There were people that were tragically killed, and there is no doubt there’s some individuals that should be charged with criminal offenses,” Tittle said. “But the overwhelming majority of the people there that day were nothing more than present at the time that the incident occurred.”
At trial, prosecutors will likely have to prove that at least one person from each motorcycle club committed a criminal act in order to prove others from that same club were part of a conspiracy, said Sandra Guerra Thompson, a law professor at the University of Houston.
“It’s less direct culpability that you have to prove,” Thompson said. “For the person who didn’t use a weapon and who didn’t commit a killing, all they have to prove is that they’re a member of a street gang. This is pretty standard law in the states and the federal government.”
Investigators have offered few details publicly about what sparked the fight or how the gunfire played out. Police have cited a gag order in the criminal case of one of the bikers. Media groups including The Associated Press have fought the order, contending it is overly broad and unconstitutional.
Much of the narrative about the shooting has come from evidence obtained by the AP. Ballistics reports show four of the nine people killed were struck by the same caliber of rifle fired by Waco police. Officers only used .223-caliber rifles that day, though it’s not clear if any bikers also did. Police and the district attorney’s office have defended the officers’ use of force, claiming that bikers had also opened fire on authorities.
Even if police officers fired the ultimately fatal shots, prosecutors could still convict bikers in the deaths if they can prove the bikers were part of the criminal conspiracy and police were only responding to an already violent scene, Thompson said.
Talk about Smoke and Mirrors.
–Rogue
ROYAL ENFIELD TOURING LUGGAGE SYSTEM– This new C5 Touring Luggage System is exactly what Royal Enfield Bullet Classic 500 owners have been waiting for.
The precision crafted rack and saddlebag frames have been specifically manufactured to easily mount to your Royal Enfield Bullet Classic 500. With this mounting system you will be able to quickly and easily install your saddlebags and attach them securely. The top rack will provide you additional sturdy storage platform to strap down your gear.
See how easy it is to install, view the tutorial!
Upgrade your C5 with the Touring Luggage System at www.classicmotorworks.com
AMAZING CHEROKEE PATE VIDEO–
This is the link to Vimeo to view the Cherokee Pate Video.
Hang on for the Concours Bike Show Registration Form, and Event Handouts.
Keith Ball, BikerNet has offered to post our half page event ad for us. Thank You Keith!
Mark Mederski, Marketing Director; The National Motorcycle Museum has used these materials last year in their electronic Museum Newsletter that reaches approximately 65,000 followers.
Cycle Source did an extremely high quality feature on our event last year as well as another feature on the Bike they chose to award in our Concours d’Pate Show, Thank you Chris and Heather.
www.PateSwapMeet.com
www.CherokeeAMCA.org
In closing I sincerely and in deep admiration to all of you for your belief in our once little Vintage and Classic AMCA Motorcycle Club that our vision of building what we hope becomes the “Biggest and Best Quality Vintage and Classic Motorcycle Event in the South.” The people and companies copied here believed and supported us from the very start. I will never be adequately able to show my gratitude to each of you but please accept my humble and tired thanks this evening. God Bless All Y’all until I can thank you each in person. You are all terrific people!
For the Love of the Sport;
Steve
Steve Klein, President / Editor
Cherokee Chapter of the AMCA
TX/OK/AR
The Klein Collection
Steve@SteveKlein.com
361.652.8300 cell
ON THE NEWSSTAND THE NEW ISSUE OF AMERICAN IRON– Got another main cover at American Iron. It’s Gard’s LA Chop Rods Indian powered custom. I couldn’t have done it without Bikernet.com.
–Markus Cuff
Officially Certified Bikernet Feature Photographer also for:
Cycle Source
American Iron
The HORSE
Easyriders
Tattoo Magazine
UNCLE MONKEY ON LIFE– Life puts us through its own twists and turns. We are in a constant race with death. It started the moment we were born. The sands of our hour glass falling one-by-one to their ultimate completion.
As we grow older we look back at our younger selves and shake our heads in disbelief at what we had done, ignoring what we are doing now in hopes that further down the line we won’t look back at this time with jaded eyes.
The loves of our lives become despised ex’s. Enemies slowly earn respect and maybe even guarded friendship. The books we burnt in fires slowly find their way back into our hands, back onto a shelf within arm’s reach. We clear away the debris of smoldering ashes of burnt bridges so that we may cross again, dirty, broken, humble but with our heads still held high.
Motorcycles have that way with us too. Old iron that left you stranded on the side of the road more times than not are held tight within our hearts. Bikes we mocked and scoffed find homes in our garages. They take us down paths to dark places where we wish we weren’t. Haul our sorry asses back into the light.
Our motorcycles remain within reach, remain within or souls. They have seen us get beat down, seen us carry away the cheerleader. Thick and thin, left or right they hang in there with us, rooting us to this world, this plain. Nature, man, and machine warring with each other, supporting each other when needed most.
Twist the throttle in the wind and ride it out.
-bad Uncle Monkey
“That was THE race of the week-end!!! #goodwood #74MM #edwardians”
Posted by Rémi Dargegen Photography on Sunday, March 20, 2016
I am considering buying one of these. This an excellent article that covers everything that I needed to know about touring on one and how the controls work.
— Steve Wills
Invercargill, Southland, New Zealand
THE CAR SHREDDER OF THE WEEK— Too bad there aren’t more of these. Maybe one on every street corner.
This thing is relentless! It even eats the motor and transmission.
–Jim Waggaman
The 2016 Buffalo Motorama starts today!–
Starting today, March 24-26, 2016 the BIGGEST and BEST indoor custom car and bike show this side of New York will be at the Buffalo Convention Center.
Buffalo Motorama dates and hours:
Thursday March 24 2pm – 9pm
Friday March 25 10am – 10pm
Saturday March 26 10am -8pm
Buffalo Convention Center
153 Franklin St – Buffalo, NY
Ticket information
http://www.buffalomotorama.com/show-schedule–tickets1.html
2016 marks our 6th year showcasing some of the best vehicles from across the country, vendors, and something for the entire family to enjoy.
For up-to-date information on the show, visit our website:
www.BuffaloMotorama.com
www.facebook.com/buffalomotorama
ART NEWS FROM ALLEN GORMAN– Perhaps you’d like to join me at an opening reception in NYC next Friday, April 1 from 5-8 pm?
“Red & Black Eagle” (2015) has been selected to appear in
The Hudson Valley Art Association’s
83rd Annual National Exhibition at The Salmagundi Club
47 5th Avenue, NY, NY
On view March 20 – April 2, 2016
Join me for the reception on Friday, April 1 from 5-8 pm
BREAKFAST OF THE WEEK– Jocko’s in Nopomo, CA. That’s the bacon & eggs with fries. And that’s a small slab of bacon on top. The place is insanely good. It’s a steak house. Been there forever and the koolest funky joint, WITH a full bar.
–El Waggs
DAV REPORT FROM THE COMMANDER– I just returned from D.C. and a lot of new bills are being passed that will affect all VETS. No more Bullshit from the VA. I will contact Bryan Fazio on your behalf. No more playing games. I will use my position as State Commander to make sure that it happens. Bryan is a Pro Bono Attorney. He is in College studying Veteran Benefits.
–Jim Torres
State Commander
Department of California DAV
Fellow
N.O.T.R. Dugout # 95
(National Order Of Trench Rats)
DRAG RACING SHOT OF THE WEEK— Fast Andie Gaskins. She did write a few things awhile back for Bikernet.
I will see if I can get her to send some updates.
–Rogue
Bikernet Supreme Bagger Leader of the Pack
MORE SMOKE AND MIRRORS— The top two executives of the country’s largest veterans charity were fired last week, amid reports of wasteful spending and mismanagement. Wounded Warriors Project CEO Steven Nardizzi and chief operating officer Al Giordano were dismissed by the non-profit’s board. Some 40 percent of the organization’s donations in 2014, roughly $124 million wasn’t spent on veterans but on travel, dinners, and parties. (from The Week Magazine.)
We need to watch our backs. The VA says one thing then doesn’t do anything. I’ve waited three years for an appeal to my benefits. Some 800,000 guys are waiting and while they wait, 310,000 died. I was told to join the DAV, but have they done anything for anyone I know, I don’t think so.
When you turn 50 you will immediately start to receive notices from the AARP. They talk about all the wonderful things they will do for you, but they don’t. It’s just a sales ploy. If you join you will pay dues and just receive more ads. It’s all smoke and mirrors and you’re on your own.
–Bandit
5-BALL BRINGS YOU HELL ON WHEELS BY BILL HAYES– An Illustrated History of Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs
Hell On Wheels is the definitive book of the American biker. RICO, the Patriot Act, the exploitative and sensationalist media is woven into what the clubs have suffered in the way of governmental and media oppression. It’s gripping, you will feel the rumble of injustice.
Check it out… bit.ly/1RBloJz
WHAT’S ON THE RACK— My first priority is the Salt Torpedo update article, which should fly together next week.
We have several special articles headed toward Bandit’s Cantina. We have WR notes coming from Steve Klein, with Eddie Boonehower, and something fun from the ‘50s. Paul Garson, a writer for many magazines for 30 years is going to write a story about his top 10 favorite antique motorcycles and why.
The Tropical Tattoo Bike Show is coming from Rogue to Bikernet this coming week, along with another Scotty Report regarding Big Fish. Don’t ask me.
Cat is involved in this event and will ship us a report. As you can see it’s never dull around the Bikernet Interplanetary Nerve Center. Can I take a break, oh fuck no.
Let’s hit it. Have a helluva weekend.
–Bandit
