Brothers and sisters are riding in, flying in, driving in and swimming into Southern California for the Love Ride. There’s parties every night, shops to visit, women to chase, bikes to see and traffic to unsnarl. That’s the only draw back of coming to Los Angeles. You thought Daytona got crowded. The lucky 13 million population of Los Angeles swarms the freeways 24/7. Between sporting events, concerts and movie previews, not to mention Universal Studios, Disneyland, Knotts Berry farm and the beaches, there’s always a crowd heading someplace. If their ain’t anything going on, yeah right, half the population is on the road to Las Vegas.
Jose, from Caribbean Custom Cycles in Puerto Rico (and Bikernet correspondent) and I hit Diamond engineering in Colton, then Chica’s Shop. Chica and his designers are inspirational. I gotta finish the Amazing Shrunken FXR. Let’s hit the news:
DAYTONA VOTERS ENERGIZED BY CLOSE CITY RACES–Voters energized by close city races Bishop Derek Triplett gazed at about 100 residents gathered patiently on metal folding chairs for a political forum and saw the chance to forge forward in Tuesday’s city election.
“It’s an opportunity for new ideas, new leadership,” said the pastor of Hope Fellowship Church, marveling at the large turnout of people who chose to spend that recent evening in a community center listening to candidates for city office. “If we can provide a new vision for our city and strategy to accomplish it, then I think we will be on our way.”
Many residents see the city at a crossroads in one of the most contentious elections in recent years, with campaigns marked by unprecedented monetary contributions and pressure from political committees.
At stake is which direction the city takes on major issues such as shoring up city finances, getting control of the rowdy behavior and costs of special events and reviving the west-central core of the city.
“Both candidates have defined themselves in such a way that her or his election would seem to be a mandate to the city in making critical choices,” he said.
Shallow has hit a chord with residents for his proposal to recover losses on special events by billing businesses for police, fire and cleanup services before permits are issued for activities.
“I don’t believe those who are benefiting are paying their fair share,” he said.
Scarlett-Golden stopped short of saying businesses don’t pay their fair share, but said she would support higher permit fees.
Both candidates want to ratchet down the noise, traffic and bawdy behavior from special events such as Bike Week and Spring Break. But neither wants to end the events that annually bring more than 1.5 million visitors and a $1.3 billion boost to the local economy.
–By JOHN BOZZO,Staff Writer, Daytona Journal
–from Rogue
BIKERNET OLD FART DEPARTMENT– An older couple decides to retire for the evening. The husband was almost asleep as his head hit his pillow, but his wife felt a little romantic and wanted to talk.
She says, “You know, when we were courting, you liked to hold my hand”.
Wearily, he reaches across and holds her hand for a few seconds, and then tries to get back to sleep.
A few moments later she says, “After that, you used to kiss me softly”.
Mildly irritated, he turns over and gives her a peck on the cheek andagain settles down for the night.
Thirty seconds later she says, “Then after that, you used to bite me lightly on my neck”.
Angrily, he throws back the bed covers and gets out of bed.
“Where are you going?” she asks.
“To get my teeth!”
–from Rev CarlR
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MOTORHEADS MONEY-UP– SpeedFreaks, the world’s most popular motorsports show ‘crewed up’ with California Speedway, one of the world’s greatest motorsports facilities, and in just two hours raised close to seven-thousand dollars.
The Freak Nation showed up in droves at Dave and Buster’s in Ontario, California to bid on the many donated and autographed items. Highlights included: NASCAR big timer Joe Nemechek’s Cellular One firesuit; Joe Nemechek’s Kleenex pit crew shirt and pants; NASCAR favorite Ricky Craven’s Tide pit crew apparel; Four-time AMA Superbike champion Mat Mladin’s racing helmet; Supercross/Motocross champion Ricky Carmichael’s jersey; AMA Superbike rider Jamie Hacking’s bike faring and shirt; ACTION Performance diecasts; NASCAR artist Sam Bass prints; and California Speedway winners Jimmie Johnson, Jeremy Mayfield and Cristiano daMatta autographed programs.
“First and foremost, props to members of the Freak Nation who showed up with plump wallets and big hearts,” says SpeedFreaks President turned auctioneer Kenny Sargent. “They could have stayed home and I would have understood. Look, Southern California was under siege with devastating fires and choosing to leave the safety of one’s house to give to those less fortunate is beyond human kindness, it’s down right bravery.”
For an additional SpeedFreaks affiliate listing, log on to
ILLINOIS ABATE FREEDOM SEMINAR– We’re planning our 18th Annual State Seminar in January, where every chapter comes to participate in the workshops, and brings lots of money to spend during the silent and live auctions to support our ABATE (state) PAC, and Fed-PAC.
I’ll be honored to pass on our doings here in IL. We have regular updates all the time, and if you like, I’ll also send you the MRF’s bulletins about what’s going on in Washington, and when “URGENT ACTION” is needed (calling your senators, etc.). How about that? More word spread on what’s going on and what needs to be done is always good! Thank you for the opportunity!
Everyone at the seminar (we usually have somewhere in the range of 400+ people) will be from ABATE of IL, or some random freedom figher or another… I know they’ll love the opportunity to get one of your books! Even better, if you can bear with a few days of Illinois cold, we’d love to have you come to speak to us some year…? If you do that kinda stuff…) I’ll probably hold out a few of the books to take to the other seminars the ol man and I go to throughout the year. We’re scheduled to get to NCOM’s and the MRF’s main conferences this coming year, in both Oklahoma and St. Louis, respectively.
This is just fantastic, Bandit, I can’t thank you enough. The seminar is not until the end of January (23rd & 24th).
BTW, I have been a subscriber to The Horse for the last couple of years, and I think some of the best parts are your personal stories that you submit, and all those old pix… I just love it! I found one of an old friend of mine I just had to attach for ya… If you care to check em out, actually there’s two of em. A friend from each coast! And lastly, one of my sister and I and our friend Mike. I’m the one on the right with the cup of beer.
For more information on this important upcoming event contact:
Ruth “Ruthless” Allan
ABATE of Illinois
State Public Relations Coord.
Lincolnland Chapter – VP
www.abate-il.org
www.abate-il.org/lincolnland
2004 H-D TOURING MODEL LINE-UP–If you need info on the new line of touring models, we got it for you with images of each model, and specs right down to the color options. Actually check special reports for information on all the new 2004 H-D models. It’s all there except for the CVO line-up. That’s coming soon.
The new Road Glide fairing has been adjusted for aero-dynamics and comfort, also check the new Road King Custom. The factory is making major custom strides.
BIKERNET STEALTH CORRESPONDENT REPORTS ON GOBBLE RIDE IN SOUTH CAROLINA– It is getting to be that time of year when bikers get together to help those less fortunate than ourselves. This past Sunday Nov. 2nd, here in Charlotte the annual Gift and Gobble ride was held. Riders began meeting at the Charlotte Coliseum at noon and at 1:00 p.m. over 800 riders headed for Harley-Davidson of Charlotte who were the host for the event.
When the riders arrived there was plenty of food and music for everyone. The weather was great, 85 and sunny! There was a wide variety of bikes on hand, everything from stockers to choppers to some sharp classic antiques. Each rider donates a toy and canned food that is distrubuted to needy families during the holidays, Thanksgining and Christmas.
At the end of the day a great time was had by all who attended and even those who worked. I have always believed that bikers have the biggest hearts when it comes to helping others and it was evident on this day. It was one of those events that made you glad to be a biker!
–Mike “The Stealth” Pullin
COMPETITION LEATHER JACKET AND PANTS–A lot of products roll across my desk to review. Sometimes even something useful.This was the case with Harley-Davidsons new line of COMPETITION LEATHER JACKET AND PANTS. I received the basic black set of rugged riding leathers during the hot summer here in NY and could hardly wait till a cool fall day to check them out on the road. I picked a day that the Weather Gods promised would be cool and dry, donned the leather second skins and headed off to the New England Coast to see if they would keep me warm and comfortable.
The Competition Jacket is reinforced full-grain leather and is definitely designed for performance.
It features impact-resistant Comfort Foam in the elbows and shoulders. A removable quilted lining that will keep you toasty on those chilly days and vents that will keep you cool while stuck in traffic. A two-way zipper on the front and zippered cuffs keep out the wind and rain. The jacket also features an action pleated back and the power-stretch leather/elastic waist with adjustable tabs to insure a perfect fit. The jacket also enables you to zip it to the leather pants at the back to make a perfect wind resistant performance suit. The Harley logo is tastefully embroidered on the back and front breast in black and white so you don’t feel like a riding billboard.
The full-grained leather pants are designed to be easily worn over the rider’s pants. The two-way leg zippers make them a lot easier to get on and off and the adjustable snap fit belt insure a comfortable fit as well. Two front pockets that let you get to your jeans and a back pocket that snaps shut are a good touch. The feature that I felt was deserving of mention here is the use of a power-stretch feature at the back of the pant and the stretch material at the back of the knee. I can’t tell you how much I appreciated this feature. No more knee binding while riding with this well thought out and constructed design.
As fate would have it, the weather gods proved once again incorrect and I rode back 200 miles in pouring rain. Harley never made the claim that their Competition suit was waterproof. That little gem I found out for myself! The comfortable mandarin collar kept the rain from running down my neck and the well sewn seams kept me warm and dry all the way home.
The HARLEY COMPETITION JACKET Part: 98110-97VM is available in sizes from small to 3XL and retails for $500, while the matching pants, Part: 98481-97VM are available in sizes from 28 to 44 waist retailing for $365. With Christmas coming HARLEY-DAVIDSON’S COMPETITION LEATHERS would be a great gift for the rider in your life.
–TBear
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