Continued From Page 3
BROTHER DOWN– Some sad news, Taylor Bell was admitted in the hospital last night. He has a large tumor on the right side of his brain which is being operated on now. All of our prayers are needed at this time. Please send to all Hamsters and friends.
Latest update: Taylor met with his doctor this am and was told that the tumor was removed with success. He is going home this week and will return to the hospital for treatment in a couple of weeks. Thanks for your prayers and we will keep you informed of his progress.
–Larry Borneman
BIKER CODE OF ETHICS–It used to be that all bikers shared a common bond, an unspoken code of ethics and behavior, that transcended words and was built on actions. There was never a bible written on this Biker’s Code and there was no need. But the times are a-changin’ and there seems to be a lot of new riders out there. These days the riders you see blastin’ down the tarmac are just as likely to be clad in shorts and sneakers as jeans and engineer boots. And the roughest, toughest-looking biker you pull up next to could be your doctor or lawyer and may be wearin’ a Rolex watch under his leathers. There’s nothing wrong with that, so long as these new riders learn the Code of the West just as we old-timers did.
Being a biker used to be about using your creativity to take a basket case old hawg and using only grit and ingenuity, turning it into a one of a kind eye dazzler, then risking your life on the asphalt on a bike you made yourself out of pride. Bikers wore leather and grease because they knew cagers would just as soon run them down as look at them, so they had to be intimidating. We were a breed unto ourselves with no union, no support group, and in many cases, no family (they threw us out). We had to make it in the world of our own, against all rules, against mainstream society, and against all odds. You know, we survived and prospered because of the Biker Code of the West and we never took shit from anybody.
As an old scooter tramp named Jug once said, “It’s every tramp’s job to school the young. How else are they gonna know a Panhead from a bed pan?” With that in mind, we bring you a primer on the basic two-wheeled Code of the West. Take heed, brothers and sisters, for our Code is a hallowed one.
The Biker Commandants
Don’t take any shit, Be kind to woman, children and animals, but don’t take any bullshit. This is an essential part of being a biker. It has to do with respect and honor. Anyone can be a brash, quick-tempered lout. Be cool, stand tall and backup what you say with action.
Never lie, cheat or steal, Another way of saying this is to always tell the truth. Bikers are always the greasy bad guys in the movies, but every real biker knows that his word is his bond. Your word is all you have in life that is truly yours. Guard it carefully and be about something noble, for you are a true knight of the road.
Don’t snitch, If you see a wrong, fight it yourself, If you are about anything. You’ll take care if problems yourself and never feel the need to snitch someone off. Snitches are the lowest life forms on earth, right up there with biker thieves. This rule goes hand in hand with the next one.
Don’t Snivel, Absolutely no one likes or respects a sniveler. Another way to say this is hold your mud. Still another way to think of it is, “Don’t sweat the small stuff” Most of life’s little inconveniences work themselves out whether you snivel or not. Keep your chin up, dammit! You’re a biker, not some lowly mollusk.
Never say die and never give up, Whether it’s in a fight, a debate, or a business deal, no matter how bad it gets, a biker never gives up. That’s why you see a lot of wealthy bikers these days, ’cause they don’t know how to quit in an element of their lives. In the biker world of rugged individualists, only the strong survive.
Help others, When a brother or sister is broken down by the side of the road, stop and help them. Even moral support, it that is all you can give, is better than riding on by. Remember life is about the journey, the ride, not getting there. You already are there. And don’t just help bikers, show the world that we are better than our image portrays us. Courtesy costs you nothing and gives you everything.
Stick to your guns, Do what you say you’ll do, be there when yo say you will. This is called integrity. This also goes back to standing for something. Like the song says, “You’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything.”
Life is not a drill, Yeah, this ain’t no dress rehearsal. This is life-go out and take big bites of it. You’ve got no time to lose and bikers don’t stand around waiting for the party to come to them. You only go around once. Tomorrow you could be road kill, thanks to a chain smoker asleep at the wheel of his Caddy. Live life now, make the most of each moment. This is not a drill. All right, now let’s review. You are a biker, a modern-day knight of the road. Protect the weak, walk tall and stand proud. Your word is your bond. Stick to your guns. Don’t take any shit. Life is not a drill. Now go forth and ride When in doubt, ride. That’s what we do…ride. If you want to ride around in a Day-Glo Hawaiian shirt and sandals, go for it, but if you intend to look like a goof, at least don’t act like a goof. These commandments are just a few of the broad strokes, there is a lot more to being a biker than buying a bike. If you just buy a bike, you are a motorcyclist. Being a biker is a way of life, a proud way
Now ride, dammit.
–by Bruce “Bulldog” Dowling
VL FRAME TECH COMIN’– I’ll get the pictures and text off to you on setting up the VL frames for big twin power. Look them over, and if you can use them, great. I’ll try to ship them via mail next week. Also, if I run into anything interesting for “Digital Discovery”, I’ll send those off from time to time as well.
Also would like to thank you for the inclusion in the Cantina this week. Kevin E-mailed me the pic, and the text from that.
–“Richard Ryan (Irish Rich)” BUELL “AMERICAN MUSCLE” PROMOTION OFFERS FREE T-SHIRTNo Money Down Financing Until End of December. Pick up a free Buell Motorcycle Company “American Muscle” T-shirt by downloading a coupon from www.buell.com and taking it to a participating U.S. Buell dealership before December 31, 2003. The dealer will apply its business stamp, and then you mail in the coupon to redeem the free T-shirt. No purchase is necessary, but supplies are limited. Buell’s “American Muscle” promotion also offers no money down on any new 2004 Buell Lightning or Firebolt motorcycle delivered between November 1st to December 31st, 2003. Qualified, existing Buell owners receive an additional bonus; a non-transferable cash incentive coupon. This coupon is redeemable for $500 cash with the purchase and delivery of a new 2004 Buell Lightning or Firebolt model during the same timeframe. Call or visit your participating dealer for full details on the “American Muscle” promotion. BAGGER ROAD RAGE–They’re here at last! BASSANI has just finished production of the long awaited BAGGER version of their record setting ROAD RAGE system for Twin Cams. Sleek flowing lines are formed by ceramic coated stepped head pipes merging into a show chrome plated True Reverse Cone Megaphone fit with a fluted billet aluminum end cap. Precision fabricated from high grade 16 gauge steel, the system was developed specifically to produce increases in horsepower and an extremely flat torque curve. Tailor fit chrome plated head pipe heat shields are optional. Available exclusively from NORTH COUNTY CUSTOMS the BAGGER ROAD RAGE offers enthusiasts the ultimate in performance and style. For complete details call 866-439-4287 or go to www.northcountycustoms.com. Dealer inquiries invited. IT’S A GODDAMN WRAP–Life is nuts and some of us run at it like chickens on speed. I suppose I don’t know any better now, but to hit it hard and never give up. We’re working on a deadline date to publish my next book, next year. In the meantime the site grew 80 percent this year and we’re proud of it, thanks to you the readers. Without you, we’d be toast. Let us know if there is anything we can do for you or to the site, to make this puppy sing. Watch for a new contest the girls are working on, and don’t forget you can post your own bike feature. CrazyHorse will help you out. Chris T’s black pinstriped monster (above) is next. In the meantime ride and chase women. Oh, and have a shot of whiskey from time to time. If you run across Tullamore Dew, let me know. Ride Forever. –Bandit
