Hey,
It’s Smoke Out weekend, the whole new format. Edge, the mastermind behind the garage-built grand championship, devised an evil plan. Have the Smoke Out West, just one week from the Smoke Out East. Then he came up with a cross-country run between the two. The gumball rally of rat bikes and motorcycle maniacs.
I’m dusting off my Sturgis Chopper and riding out tonight. We will attempt to bring you reports from the cross country road, so hang on. In the meantime, read the news. There’s a pop quiz at the end.
Interview with Edge, Smoke Out Chopper Jockey Primo–Chopper & Bobber Jockeys are heading out May 8 – 9, 2008 for the annual rendezvous at Smoke Out West 10. It all begins in Cottonwood AZ and then the band of gypsies throw a leg over their steeds and ride across the country to Rockingham, NC for Smoke Out East 10.
Click here to check out Bikernet Studio.
CALIFORNIA HELMET LAW REPORT FROM BOLT–As a result of our most recent legal actions against them, Quigley v. CHP and CHP v. Superior Court, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) has negotiated an enforcement policy change with us.
Management Memorandum 08-071 represents one of three aspects of this negotiated settlement.
The CHP petitioning of the California Judicial Counsel represents the second of the three aspects of this negotiated settlement. This resulted in the change to the Bail & Penalty schedule.
The CHP’s dropping their demand for additional court costs was the third of three aspects of this negotiated settlement.
Why did we sue the CHP?an article by Don Blanscet
What does this mean for motorcyclists in California?We don’t know the future, but we can give our opinion. It is important to note that this policy change is by the CHP and only effects their officers, but it does, in fact, reflect the changes to the Bail and Penalty schedule which sets penalties statewide. Therefore, we would expect all allied enforcement agencies to align their policy with the CHP.
However, this new CHP policy ignores the ruling from Buhl v. Hannigan, that says neither an officer nor a consumer is expected to be able to determine compliance by visual inspection, a proposition that the Buhl court said was “absurd”Note the reference in 08-071 to the phrase “obviously not a motorcycle helmet,” which assumes a visual inspection enables one to determine proper fabrication. It assumes a motorcycle manufacturer cannot fabricate a helmet that visually resembles another type of headgear.
Also ignored are the intent requirements (burden of proof on the people) established in Bianco V. CHP, which requires the following:formal determination of non compliance and proof that the rider knows their helmet is non compliant, regardless of whether LEO is writing a “fix it ticket” or a straight violation. Buhl and Bianco are still in effect and no citation should be issued without the ability to meet the requirements of Buhl and Bianco.
While we have no doubt that the CHP is stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to helmet law enforcement, we also see the good faith effort they are showing in an attempt to legally enforce a vague and ambiguous law, both as written and applied.
The new policy does take steps to minimize Rights violations by LEO, but it does not fix the problem. The only fix in our opinion would be a listof compliant helmets; thus we return to the cry: No list? No Law!The presiding Judge in Quigley v CHP did not rule that the helmet law was not vague, only that we had not presented ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO MAKE THE CASE. The vagueness issue is still viable. The Judge, on page 165 line 11 of theMAY 20 transcript states that the law needs to be “cleaned up.”
The transcripts from the May 19, and May 20, 2008 trial.
Those requirements in Buhl and Bianco are reiterated by Federal Judge Napoleon Jones in the EasyRiders v. Hannigan case.
On May 25, 1995, the district court issued its decision on Easyriders’ request for a permanent injunction. Easyriders Freedom F.I.G.H.T. v. Hannigan, 887 F. Supp. 240 (S.D. Cal. 1995). The district court found that under the California helmet law as interpreted by Buhl and Bianco, a motorcyclist wearing a helmet that does not comply with Standard 218 can violate the helmet law in two situations:
(1) where the helmet did not bear a certification of compliance at the time of sale, or
(2) where the helmet did bear a certification but
FMVSS 218 test, not to conform with
federal safety standards and
(b) the person being cited has actual knowledge of a showing of non-conformity with federal standards.
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY HISTORY LESSON–The American people don’t get half the government they pay for. Thank God! -Will Rogers
–from James Schnarr
NEWS RELEASE: DELUXECAM MOTORCYCLE CAMERA MOUNT NOW WITH “ULTRA-EXTENDER”–Need a PhD to get your digital or video camera mounted on your motorcycle?Not anymore!
The DeluxeCAM motorcycle camera mount pairs the eCaddy Deluxe’s extraordinary made-in-the-USA durability and grace with a PanaVise adjustable, flexible swivel camera mount. The result:
?You can mount your camera almost anywhere (e.g., round bar, flat surface, Harley controls or Gold Wing controls)
You can control every angle
The UltraSecure feature ensures your camera will never fall off
It?s easy to install and remove (no special tools necessary!)
The chrome mounting hardware looks like it belongs on your motorcycle
And now you can get even MORE shots with the ?Ultra-Extender.? This little jobbie adds 1-1/8 inch to the height of the DeluxeCAM motorcycle camera mount!
UPDATE: “Follow the Leader” Video Contest Deadline ExtendedIn order to give riders (especially those of us in the northern climates!) a little extra riding time, the contest deadline has been extended to JUNE 20, 2009.
So show us your most gnarly … most lonesome … most bizarre … most twisty … or most special riding places!
No purchase is necessary, and any camera brand/model and mounting system may be used. For complete guidelines and submission process, visit www.LeaderMotorcycle.com/contest
Contact Info
–Tracey Cramer, Top Dawg
ride@leadermotorcycle.com
phone: 763.535.1440
KRAWIEC RIDES V-ROD TO WIN AND POINTS LEAD AT GATEWAY–Hines Sets New National ET Record with 6.860 Blast in Qualifying.
MADISON, Ill. (May 3, 2009) ? Screamin? Eagle?/Vance & Hines rider Eddie Krawiec rode a Harley-Davidson V-Rod? to a final-round victory over Craig Treble to win the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle eliminations at the O’Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway International Raceway. It was the second-consecutive NHRA event win for Krawiec, and moves the defending Pro Stock Motorcycle champion into the season points lead.
?I?m riding with a lot of confidence right now,? said Krawiec. ?I?ve got a good motorcycle, the team is making great tuning calls and I know I can win. Craig Treble is a respected veteran of this class, and to beat him you?ve got to really be on your game, so that makes this win extra-special.?
On Saturday, Screamin? Eagle/Vance and Hines rider Andrew Hines set a new national Pro Stock Motorcycle elapsed-time record with a run of 6.860 seconds at 192.14 mph and claimed the number one spot in qualifying for the O’Reilly Midwest Nationals. It was the third straight number one qualifier for Hines and the 25th of his career.
?My brother (crew chief Matt Hines) put a great tune-up in the V-Rod, and we made a nice run,? said Hines, who has now held the national ET record four different times. ?It did not feel like a record run, and I didn?t know it was that quick until they told me at the other end that I was the number-one qualifier. I don?t think we?ve held the record since 2005, so it?s good to get that back for the Screamin? Eagle/Vance & Hines Team.?
Krawiec qualified second with a pass of 6.907 on Friday afternoon.
Krawiec opened Sunday eliminations with back-to-back wins over RumBum.com Buell riders Bailey Whitaker and Shawn Gann, and then defeated NitroFish Buell rider Angie McBride with a 6.900-second pass that was the quickest ET of the day. Hines won his first-round match when David Hope?s VRoom Racing Buell broke at the starting line. A 0.007 red-light foul in the second round against Doug Horne ended the day for Hines.
Krawiec had a perfect reaction time in the semi-final round, and came close again in the final with a 0.009 start to beat Treble (0.020) off the line. Krawiec led the entire run, posting a 6.947 ET to a 6.953 for the Team Scream Suzuki of Treble.
?I had a lot of people tell me that once you get first win, they will come easy,? said Krawiec, who has won two events in 2009 after winning the 2008 championship without an event victory. ?I think it?s some vindication for the team to get these wins and take over the points lead.?
After four events on the 17-race 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Pro Stock Motorcycle schedule, Krawiec takes over first place in the standings with 341 points. Matt Smith, who lost to Treble in the second round at Madison, drops back to second place with 325 points. Hines is third with 308 points, followed by Horne with 291.
The next event on the 2009 NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle schedule is the United Association Route 66 NHRA Nationals, June 4-7 at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill.
The Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines Pro Stock Motorcycle team is sponsored by Matco Tools, Dunlop and S100.
ENGINE WORK NEEDED BY THE LIZARD–I am hoping everything is groovy down at the ultra plush headquartersof Bikernet & that You are making headway on the vintage Racer.
Just have a small favor……. My Berry Wardlaw built Pan engine is apart, & I need to havethe Cylinders bored & Honed. Accurate engr. is swamped as usualso I just want to find a local business (so cal) that can do the job.
I am going to run Total Seal rings which require use of Torque plateswhen Honing (critical with these rings), So I need a real expert.
I figured I would contact You since You know Everyone in the Biz.
–Lizard Larry
Lawndale, Ca.
I put Larry in touch with Bennett’s Performance in Long Beach.–Bandit
BIKER?S CHOICE FORWARD CONTROLS– Biker?s Choice offers a large line of forward controls for most every year and make of H-D motorcycle. Pictured here is for the 84-99 Softail models and are proudly made in the USA. They are made of 6061 T6 aircraft aluminum and are chromed and the master cylinder is included and measures 3/4?. This particular part comes with the pegs.
For more information on these controls or our many others, please visit www.bikerchoice.com Happy Riding!!
–Carmen
MILEAGE-DRIVEN TAX GAINS NEW SUPPORT– Due to declining revenues in the Highway Trust Fund, House Transportation Secretary James Oberstar (D-MN) urged members of Congress to move quickly on legislation to tax drivers on the amount of miles driven, commonly referred to as a vehicle-miles-traveled tax or VMT. The proposal has become a major topic of discussion this year. Last month, the House Budget Committee heard testimony regarding a VMT plan and several lawmakers support the idea.
The National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission supports the VMT system to become the dominant funding measure for the Highway Trust Fund by 2020. Drivers would be charged an average of two cents per mile under the plan forcing them to confront the true cost of using our nation’s highways.
If a VMT is implemented, some experts say that Americans would drive less which would ease congested areas and benefit the environment. However, several lawmakers are concerned that privacy issues could result from the onboard device that would tally the VMT. The onboard device would ultimately allow the government to know the driver’s location. Furthermore, a flat VMT would affect rural Americans who typically drive longer distances to work.
Oberstar has indicated that the VMT system could possibly be included in the upcoming highway and transit reauthorization bill that he hopes to have on the House floor by June. He also said raising gasoline taxes may be a necessary short-term fix to fund the Highway Trust Fund. This is at odds with the Obama Administration which has reiterated its opposition to a VMT nation-wide system and raising fuel taxes during a recession.
–from Mike Colburn
?Garage Art? original paintings of your vehicles, affordable for the times–Artist Eric Herrmann is well known for his original motorsport paintings on canvas and his highly collectable limited edition prints. For twenty years now he has elevated motorsport art to the museum and gallery level with massive canvases fetching mid five figure price tags. Well, temporarily at least, times have changed.
Always the creative one, Eric was searching for a process to create original paintings of your vehicles, with an affordable price tag. Not computer generated, or airbrush art, but an original painting done with a brush and paint. While painting some graphics on the bathroom door in my studio, I refined an old process, and developed my new line of ?Garage Art? paintings.
Measuring 16? x 30?, sheet metal panels are coated with black paint in a cross hatch pattern that resembles a canvas finish. I then paint in a reverse fashion, using the black of the panel as a color. Kind of like a Velvet Elvis or Jimi Hendricks poster from the 60?s & 70?s states Eric. Once complete, the panels are clear coated and framed. Bikes, Street Rods, Race Vehicles, Boats, the list is endless. From $400.00 for an original painting to $500.00 for a work of art with your vehicle & lettering, Eric has once again created a new market for the times.
In an effort to keep the price reasonable, Eric has standardized the size and will limit the original paintings only to vehicles. Don?t ask me to paint you on your bike, or your family or pets in the background, says Eric. These are only temporary, and I may not do them forever, but I?m sure having fun with them for now, says Eric. They don?t have the detail or size of my $40,000.00 canvas works, but they are original paintings for under five hundred bucks. Send me an e mail photo of your vehicle, and within a week or two, you have an original painting from Eric.
For additional information contact Eric at (888) 200-6554 or at www.EricHerrmannStudios.com
The May 09? Issues of Cycle Source is on sale now–What a great issue this month. Our feature story is with Kutty Noteboom of Hippy Killer Garage and his Bottom Dollar build. This work of art is a 70?s throwback he created for his Dad, Bones, who many of you may recognize from the custom car scene. We got the low down on the Mooneyes Japan bike show from our pal, Rico Fondry and found out this may be the greatest show on earth. These cats are really livin? the culture. Rob Keller got to test dive the new S&S Cycle’s production model Knucklehead. With only 24 of these available you better get your name in the hat if you want one..
Not familiar with Cycle Source? Flip through the free digital copies of the magazine on our site. While you are there, look at the newly added photos and videos.
Daddy’s car in the woods?– One day Little Johnny watched his daddy’s car pass by the school playground and go into the woods.
Curious, he followed the car and saw Daddy and Aunt Jane in a passionate embrace. Little Johnny found this so exciting that he could hardly contain himself as he ran home and started to tell his mother.’ Mummy, I was at the playground and I saw Daddy’s car go into the woods with Aunt Jane.I went back to look and he was giving Aunt Jane a big kiss, and then he helped her take off her shirt. Then Aunt Jane helped Daddy take his pants off, then Aunt Jane…’
At thiS point Mummy cut him off and said, ‘Johnny, this is such an interesting story, lets save the rest of it for supper time. I want to see the look on Daddy’s face when you tell it tonight.’
At the dinner table that evening, Mummy asked little Johnny to tell his story Johnny started his story,
‘I was at the playground and I saw Daddy’s car go into the woods with Aunt Jane. I went back to look and he was giving Aunt Jane a big kiss, then he helped her take off her shirt.Then Aunt Jane helped Daddy take his pants off, then Aunt Jane and Daddy started doing the same thing that Mummy and Uncle Bill used to do when Daddy was away on business trips.’
At that point Mummy fainted!
Moral: Sometimes you need to just shut the f##k up and listen to the whole story before you interrupt !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
–Jim Waggaman
Montana Governor Signs New Gun LawExecutive Summary ? The USA state of Montana has signed into power a revolutionary gun law. I mean REVOLUTIONARY. The State of Montana has defied the federal government and their gun laws. This will prompt a showdown between the federal government and the State of Montana. The federal government fears citizens owning guns. They try to curtail what types of guns they can own. The gun control laws all have one common goal ? confiscation of privately owned firearms.
Montana has gone beyond drawing a line in the sand. They have challenged the Federal Government. The fed now either takes them on and risks them saying the federal agents have no right to violate their state gun laws and arrest the federal agents that try to enforce the federal firearms acts. This will be a world-class event to watch. Montana could go to voting for secession from the union, which is really throwing the gauntlet in Obama’s face. If the federal government does nothing they lose face. Gotta love it.
Important Points ? If guns and ammunition are manufactured inside the State of Montana for sale and use inside that state then the federal firearms laws have no applicability since the federal government only has the power to control commerce across state lines. Montana has the law on their side.
Silencers made in Montana and sold in Montana would be fully legal and not registered.
There would be no firearm registration, serial numbers, criminal records check, waiting periods or paperwork required. So in a short period of time there would be millions and millions of unregistered untraceable guns in Montana . Way to go Montana !
–from Rodan
H-D To Support Retail And Wholesale Lending–Harley-Davidson, Inc. and its Harley-Davidson Financial Services subsidiary have finalized agreements that, in combination with other previously completed transactions, provide the approximately $1 billion in funding capacity that the Company anticipates is needed for HDFS lending in 2009.
HDFS increased the size of an existing $500 million asset-backed commercial paper conduit facility to up to $1.2 billion, based on the level of outstanding receivables. The facility expires April 29, 2010.
Additionally, Harley-Davidson and HDFS have replaced a 364-day, $950 million bank credit facility expiring July 31 with a new 364-day, $625 million credit facility expiring April 29, 2010. Together, the two agreements provide additional available credit of up to approximately $375 million over the term of the agreements, for the lending activities of HDFS.
Early this year, the Company identified obtaining funding for HDFS lending activities as one of its strategic priorities in the current economy, and estimated HDFS’ 2009 funding needs at about $1 billion. In February, the Company completed an offering of $600 million in senior unsecured notes. First-and second-quarter 2009 dividend reductions combined are preserving about another $100 million in cash.
–from MPN mag
D&D’s NEW 2-1 Bobcat for the 2009 XR1200 ? Improve tone and pump out the power by as much as 12% increase in horsepower and torque.
D&D?s New Concentric Flow Baffle SystemThe Bob Cat is the first D&D pipe to utilize our new Concentric Flow Baffle System technology. It delivers reduced noise, performance improvement and the enhanced tone of the Harley-rumble. The Bob Cat is the perfect aftermarket exhaust trifecta.
Part # 551-31 A ? Black pipe and end cap with aluminum sleeve.
Part # 551-31 B ? Black pipe and end cap with black sleeve.
Part # 551-31 C ? Black pipe and end cap with carbon sleeve.
DYNO RUN
This is the footage from one of the many dyno runs conducted on the Bob Cat pipe while the system was fine tuned during design.
D&D?s Concentric Flow Baffle System will first appear on the XR1200 full system exhaust in March 2009 and will be available in all Harley models by the 3rd quarter 2009.Tested with Zippers Thunder-Max. Results with other tuners may vary.Get More Details at D&D Performance Enterprises.
–Jeff Najar
Click on the flyer above for hugs savings!
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