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EASYRIDERS GIVE-AWAY BIKE FOR CHILLICOTHE RODEO– Here are some construction shots of the new Det Bros Production bike we are giving away in Chillicothe this year. The Model is called the Intercept.
–John Green
On my tombstone they will carve, “IT NEVER GOT FAST ENOUGH FOR ME.” – Hunter S. Thompson– Hunter S. Thompson was more than just a writer. He loved to ride motorcycles and considered himself a connoisseur on the subject. Throughout his life, he could always be found traveling around on his ?bike.? However, he will forever be remembered in the motorcycle world for his coverage of the Hell?s Angel?s.
From Oscar-wining director Alex Gibney and producer Graydon Carter comes a new documentary that takes a probing look into the uncanny life of national treasure and gonzo journalism inventor Dr. Hunter S. Thompson.
On behalf of Magnolia Pictures, we are pleased to present Gonzo: The Life and Times of Hunter S. Thompson, the new documentary (narrated by Johnny Depp) chronicling the unbelievable life of the legendary journalist. Witness first hand Thompson?s amazing journey as he creates his seminal works on politics, culture, and the American dream. In select theaters July 4th!
Top 50 Rally Park — Top 50 Rally Park is home to the motorcycle industry?s premier aftermarket vending, demo rides, builders and exclusive high-energy events!! Conveniently located of I-90 at exit 46, between the Black Hills Harley Davidson and historical downtown Sturgis, this 12-acre destination is open Friday August 1st through Saturday August 9th from 10:00am to 7:00pm.
The venue was designed to provide visitors with easy in and out access away from the congestion of downtown Sturgis. Complete with irrigated grass, landscaping, and clean asphalt the park like atmosphere allows visitors the opportunity to enjoy the vendors on display. Enjoy food and a cold micro brew while checking out the latest parts and accessories by Drag Specialties, Legend Air Suspension, AVON Tyres, SuperTrapp, Independent Cycle Inc.,
Dead Center Cycles, Hy Test Safety Shoe Service Safety Shoes, Legend Manufacturing, Trask Turbo Systems, Cycle Solutions, Cycle and Trikes of Fredrick, Kustom Cycles Inc., K&P Engineering, Now Hear This, Sport Chassis,
Motolight, Silver Crown Coaches and many more! Top 50 Rally Park is the EXCLUSIVE host to the Legend Top 50 Custom Bike Show, the Bike For Breast Cancer Charity Ride, stunt shows by Jason Britton, Jason Pullen, and much more making it a must see destination for any motorcycle enthusiast!!! For a continually updated list of events, vendors, featured builders and special guests log onto www.top50rallypark.com. AugusT 1sT-9Th
DEMO RIDES!!! Take a test ride from any or all of these great manufacturers… Try a V-8 bike or trike by Boss Hoss, a clutchless but powerful ride on a Ridley Motorcycle, or the newest classic Indian straight off the assembly line! Each of these incredible manufacturers will be offering demo rides daily.
Discovery Channel Biker Build-off winner Brian Klock along with his World?s Fastest Bagger will be here all week long! That?s right, the Discovery Channel Biker-Build-off winning bagger that set a new AMA land speed record in Bonneville will be on display! www.kustomcycles.com
Laura Klock, the World?s Fastest Bagger record holder, will be on property all week. This beautiful lady went 147.359 mph!
Come see Laura and the bike that made the record along with the whole Klock Werks crew. www.kustomcycles.com AugusT 1sT-7Th
J Pullen, Harley Davidson Stunt Rider will tear up the asphalt with maneuvers you didn?t think were possible on these heavy hogs. Catch his amazing performance with award winning stunts at 1:00pm and 5:00pm daily. Jason will be available after each performance for pictures and autographs. Check out YouTube for a ton of Jason Pullen?s videos.
OPEN LETTER TO KRISTEN MERTZ & HAROLD WEISS– AP Floods Media with Flawed Statistics from Pittsburgh Professors. To Professors Mertz and Weiss: As an American citizen whose tax dollars fund the grants that subsidize you, and having in addition paid $10.00 for the privilege of downloading a copy of your report entitled “Changes in Motorcycle-Related Head Injury Deaths, Hospitalizations, and Hospital Charges Following Repeal of Pennsylvania’s Mandatory Motorcycle Helmet Law”, please allow me to convey my assessment of same. I will start with your conclusion and work my way back to the data … much the same as I suspect you did…
14 June 2008 Kristen Mertz, MD, MPH Assistant Professor Department of Epidemiology Graduate School of Public Health University of Pittsburgh 130 De Soto Street Pittsburgh, PA 15261 Phone: (412) 624-57101 E-mail: mertzk@edc.pitt.edu http://www.epidemiology.pitt.edu/mertz.asp Harold B. Weiss, PhD, MPH Associate Professor Department of Neurological Surgery University of Pittsburgh UPMC Presbyterian, Suite B-400 200 Lothrop Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Phone: (412) 648-9290 Email: weisshb@upmc.edu http://www.neurosurgery.pitt.edu/faculty/weiss.html
Let me begin by assuring you it does not take a PhD to appreciate the utility of a helmet. A motorcycle was my exclusive form of transportation long before gas topped four dollars a gallon. And as a 24/7 biker and long distance rider, I use and recommend the use of helmets when riding a motorcycle. But the issue here is not the utility of helmets. The issue here is the futility of mandatory motorcycle helmet laws … laws that are arbitrary in definition, discriminatory in application, and heinous examples of “feel good” social legislation the unintended consequences of which include the loss of life and liberty by the very citizens they purportedly protect. That said, let’s take a look at your conclusion:
“These data strongly suggest that Pennsylvania’s mandatory helmet law was effective in preventing traumatic brain injury, given that its repeal led to disproportionate increases in head injuries.”
Again, one does not need a PhD to see the logical fallacy in this statement: Unless your data PROVED that “Pennsylvania’s mandatory helmet law was effective in preventing traumatic brain injury”, you cannot truthfully say that its repeal led to “increases in head injuries”, proportionate or otherwise. And “strongly suggest” does not mean “prove”, professors. For that matter, where did “strongly suggest” come from? Only a few paragraphs earlier, you stated:
“The large postrepeal increases in head injuries relative to nonhead injuries, both for statewide deaths and hospital discharges, indicate that lower helmet use was most likely responsible.”
Jumping from “indicate” to “strongly suggest” is a pretty big leap. And in this case, your leap was not substantiated within the framework of your content.
So, having proven your conclusion to be a bit of a stretch if not totally specious, the next step in our backtracking would be to see if your research does at least “indicate” that lower helmet use led to disproportionate increases in head injuries:
But we can’t do that. Why? Because your analysis did not factor in pre- and post-repeal helmet usage for the overall PA motorcycling population. And although you do mention that “helmet usage in reportable crashes in Pennsylvania declined from 82% in 2001-2203 to 58% after the repeal”, I fail to see where you segregated your crash, injury and fatality data in order to develop independent statistics for the helmeted versus unhelmeted population segments. And without that segregation, I fail to see how you can make any objective comparisons–or draw any statistically valid conclusions–about the crashes, injuries or fatalities of helmeted versus unhelmeted riders over the course of the pre- and post-repeal periods that frame your “research”.
In other words, my learned friends, although your data does in fact “indicate” an increase in head injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents in Pennsylvania for 2004-2005 over 2001-2002, you established no causative correlation between that increase and the helmet law repeal or any change in helmet usage that may have resulted therefrom. In fact, there is nothing in your published data that even proves the increase (or any portion thereof) to be attributable to accidents involving helmetless riders. Consequently, it would be plausible to suggest that helmets failed to prevent–or caused or contributed to–some of these head injuries, and even likely that a significant portion of the increase is due more to what the rider hit than what the rider wore.
Hey Bandit , HAPPY FATHERS DAY— what do you call a dog with no back legs …….SCOOTER. Man I just placed an order for me a new table lift , I’m not a rich man but I spent an extra 400.$ to get a USA made one , that’s a pretty good chunk of change for me , the point is BUY AMERICAN MADE the job you save could be your own !!!
PS keep up the great work
RON in TX.
THE LATEST ISSUE OF LATITUDES & ATTITUDES ON LINE FREE– www.seafaring.com Aaarghh! The full 180 page July issue of Latitudes & Attitudes is now available for your perusal, free, of course. This months issue includes video action and most of the ads for marine products are Hot-Linked directly to the advertisers website so you can get more info when you want it.
Also new this issue, our “Brokers Corner” with all the boat listing in one place, and all of them are linked to their sites, so when you want more info on the boat you are looking at, it will be easy to find.
And if you didn’t get the news earlier, the amazing new Latitudes & Attitudes Radio station is now live as well. Also free, of course! All the hard to find boating artists in one place, commercial free, 24/7/365. Just go to www.seafaring.com and select the Radio Icon!
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY– OPEC sells oil for $136.00 a barrel.
OPEC nations buy U.S. Grain at $7.00 a bushel.
Solution: Sell grain for $136.00 a bushel.
Can’t buy it? Tough! Eat your oil!
Ought to go well with a nice thick grilled fillet of camel ass!!!
–Rogue
Sturgis Freedom Fighters
Motorsport Artist Eric Herrmann unveils his latest Painting Titled ?Club 32?– Artist Eric Herrmann recently completed his latest painting, a five month project, titled ?Club 32?. The massive 5? by 6? original painting has already been sold and is in the collection of Billet Specialties. Limited edition prints have been released at a starting price of $125.00, measuring 20? x 27?.
?Club 32? takes a classic hot rod, the 32 Ford Deuce and places it in questionable surroundings. Most of the hot rod art I?ve seen uses the setting of an old gas station or 50?s drive inn, states Eric. This street rod, sporting 600 Horsepower was so Bad Ass I wanted to put it in a setting that would do it justice. A seedy street scene, where you could pull up on your bike or this 32?, but if you showed up in an Escalade, it would get jacked, states Herrmann.
As with most of Eric?s art, it?s the hidden details that tell the story. A woman at the door entry with a double barrel shotgun from the speak easy window, One Hundred dollar bills at her feet, hidden mice, and a 1959 Panhead, among other subtle details make for an interesting evening at ?Club 32?.
For information on the available ?Club 32? prints ranging from classic Lithographs to high end Giclee?s, contact Eric Herrmann Studios at (888) 200-6554 or through his web site at www.EricHerrmannStudios.com.
BIKERNET ARTIST RESEARCH– While looking for vintage chopper photos on the web, I came across this wind wheel that was built long ago by a guy’s grandfather. Since you like to make stuff from found objects, I thought it might inspire you to someday build one for your patio. It would be cool to make one using bikes instead of horses.
I did find a bunch of cool shots through blogs linked to Chopper Dave. Below you’ll find 3 samples of the kind of stuff I was looking for.
I dig the old stuff the most. Vintage chops and bobs rule!
–Chris Kallas
CANTINA FAMILY COUNSELING SEMINAR– When I got home last night, Annie demanded that I take her out to some place expensive…
So, I took her to a PETROL STATION !!!
–Ray R.
TOO GRAND–BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES’ SUMMER SALES BLOCKBUSTER– Offers $2,000 In Cash Allowances On Select 2008 Models
Under new financing program, customers can enjoy $2,000 cash allowance on the 2008 Pitbull? and Mutt?or introductory rates as low as 4.99%
WICHITA, Kansas (June 13, 2008) ? Big Dog Motorcycles?, the leading manufacturer of high performance, high style motorcycles, is luring customers to dealer showrooms this summer with all-new retail financing incentives that include substantial cash allowances or introductory rates as low as 4.99% on select 2008 and 2007 models.
Highlights of the new ?Summer Sales Blockbuster? Incentive Program, effective now, include: 2008 Pitbull: $2,000 manufacturer?s cash allowance 2008 Mutt: $2,000 manufacturer?s cash allowance or introductory rates as low as 4.99% for 36 months for well-qualified buyers through GE Money Bank. 2007 Bulldog, Chopper, Pitbull: $1,000 manufacturer?s cash allowance.
?With the summer riding season in full swing, there is no better time to launch an incentive to our future owners ? those ready to experience the pure exhilaration, satisfaction, and performance of our bikes,? commented Paul Hansen, Marketing Director, Big Dog Motorcycles. ?No matter what our buyer is looking for, from chopper to pro-street, rigid bikes or those with suspension, these new incentives have made ownership even more accessible.?
For complete information and program restrictions, visit an authorized Big Dog Motorcycles dealer or www.bigdogmotorcycles.com.
CALIFA HELMET PROTEST, BE THERE– Please plan on attending a helmet law protest rally on the 4th of July in San Diego. All riders welcome! Meet on Fiesta Island at 10am. Directions are I-5 South to Sea World Drive, make a right on Sea World Drive. Make your first right on East Mission Bay Drive, then your first left on to Fiesta Island.
Civil disobedience works! If you don’t like wearing a helmet, then don’t wear it!
Be there or be somewhere else! Bring all your friends!
–Red Barron
S&S ANNOUNCES CHRIS RIVAS WINS JOLIET– La Crosse, WI (June 12, 2008) S&S Cycle Inc. is pleased to announce that Chris Rivas, riding the DRAG Specialties/S&S/G2 bike, won the Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals held at Chicago (Joliet), Illinois. The win moved Rivas and the G Squared Motorsports team up to fifth in national point standings of the National Hot Rod Association POWERade Professional Series of the Pro Stock Motorcycle Class.
Rivas has had a number of frustrations in the early part of the season as he and his team struggled to find the right combination. All of that was dismissed this past weekend as crew chief George Smith, chief mechanic Ken Johnson and assistant crew chief Derrell Mullis gave Rivas the right combination that put them in the top qualifying position going into eliminations on Sunday.
The weekend, while extremely hot and humid and difficult from ongoing storms and continuous high winds, showed a solid performance for S&S powered bikes. By the end of Friday and Saturday qualifying sessions, six bikes powered by the S&S 160ci Pro Stock engine made the event.
Smith heads a great crew and Rivas knows how to race. It was just a matter of time until they connected and showed the Pro Stock Motorcycle class what they could do. Rivas put his S&S powered bike in the winner?s circle with a 7.051 at 185.43 mph over the Suzuki of Craig treble who ran a 7.134 at 185.38 mph. This is the first “Wally” (national event trophy) for the Smith/Rivas team and the first ever for Chris Rivas.
George Smith said “This DRAG/S&S/G2 team was demoralized because we had been struggling this season – we couldn’t get the bike to perform like last year and we were beginning to feel inept. But Steve Rominski and the guys at S&S worked with the G2 crew in Americus, especially Derek Churchwell, Derrell Mullis, Ken Johnson and Ron Rees and kept after our crankshaft and chassis problems and we were able to put it together at Joliet. This was a very gratifying performance and the shot in the arm the team needed.
Chris Rivas rode rock solid all weekend and Ken Johnson’s bike preparation was flawless. Derrell and I worked together on the tune-up and put together a combination we developed during testing in May after flopping around in St. Louis. The S&S engine required only routine servicing, gas and oil and couldn’t have been more trouble free. We’re going to learn from this combination and get ready for the back to back swing at Englishtown (NJ) and Norwalk (OH) the last two weekends of June. Now we’re back in the hunt and chompin’ at the bit.”
?I am confident this is a sign of things to come for the G2 team,? commented S&S president, Brett Smith and son of G2 crew chief, George Smith. ?S&S has several awesome teams competing in this class and much of G2?s time has been spent assisting these other teams getting up to speed. Now that everyone is comfortable with the S&S-powered pro stock motorcycles, my dad, Ken, Derrell, Chris, and the whole crew have laser-like focus?the result of which is this most recent win!? Smith went on to say, ?Anytime an S&S-powered team wins, S&S wins, but when my dad wins, there is a special bit of pride in my heart for him because I know how hard he works for not only his G2 team, but all the other teams out there. Good job guys!?
There are plenty of opportunities to see the action live?and it is worth going. Visit www.nhra.com to see a full schedule of events and find a race near you. When you get there, take your time to walk through the pits and meet the riders of the S&S powered bikes and let them tell what it is like to ride a 330 hp v-twin at 190mph. The excitement is addicting.
The TEJON STREET BIKE FEST — is just 1 week away!– Don’t miss Colorado Springs LARGEST Downtown event!
Click here for more info: http://pro-promotions.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=1
SUCKER PUNCH SALLY SHOP SPY PHOTOS– Here is a top secret spy shot of a new Accurate Engineering Knucklehead put out by SPS…tain’t your typical SPS but sure did turn out nice
–Ken
Scooters,sleds choppers and putts
Shiney and chrome with acorn nuts
Dressers,dragbikes,customs and rats
The two wheeling lifestyle is where it’s at
We’re all the spokes to one giant hub
Bike Trash, hippies, even the Rubs
Setting the standard for all to see
American Bikers in the Land of the FREE!
— FATBOB 3-23-08
SMOKE OUT 9 GUARANTEED TO PEEL THE ASPHALT OFF FARMINGTON DRAG STRIP– IT?s NEXT WEEKEND. The 9th Annual Smoke Out East is taking the Farmington dragstrip by force and it will be the craziest Smoke Out ever. ? Friday June 20 to Sunday June 22nd, 2008. Hours for the event are 5pm to 11pm Friday, 11:30 am to 11pm Saturday and Sunday 10am to 4pm.
The big news is this year?s Smoke Out is BYOB. Tired of the high price of beer at some other events? Bring your own (but the law limits you to no more than 7 cases per vehicle).
Sponsors are: BIKERNET.COM, Sucker Punch Sallys, Torian Chopper Leathers, and Baker Drivetrain.
Meager cost is $35 per person, which is good for all three days or we have a Saturday only pass for $ 30. No one under 18 is allowed on the grounds for any reason. We encourage anyone interested in choppers to attend. It does not matter if you arrive on a stock Honda or in a minivan, absolutely, join us.
Take exit # 180 off Interstate 40 and go north on 801 for six miles? you will run right into it? or follow your fellow chopper freaks to the Farmington dragstrip.
Go to the website and see for yourself the best three days the East Coast offers. http://www.smokeoutrally.com/
See you there!
Peace out!
LET’S PARTY–It’s Father’s Day, goddamnit. We’ll get back to business tomorrow with a meeting with the esteemed Chopper King. We’re looking at a feature on this bike from Roland Sands.
He’s building a line of cool parts for stock bikes and this scooter was built for the esteemed Cartoon. I know there’s more to report, but I’d rather have a margarita and relax.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
