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Why We Chop: Chapter 4






As a kid growing up in Oklahoma in the ‘60s I was crazy about hot rods and motorcycles. My father passed away when I was 14. Mom didn’t drive. It was legal for a 14-year-old to ride a motor scooter of five horsepower or less. Mom bought me a Cushman Eagle to ride to school and run errands on. I got a job at the local root beer stand and rode every day. I read hot rod magazines. Sometimes they’d feature a stripped-down custom motorcycle.

The summer of 1964 I worked at Freeburgers lawnmower shop on the corner of 23rd and Prospect in Oklahoma City. I was 17. It was my first commission mechanic job. I learned a lot about small engines there. They charged 8 dollars an hour to work on lawnmowers. I got half.

It was right in the middle of the darkest part of town. I got along great with everyone there. Freeburger was an old white guy. He worked behind the counter. The service manager was a black guy with three fingers missing from his right hand. He wore a big rubber band around that hand to help him hold things.

There was another black guy who did everything. He had six fingers on his right hand and six toes on his left foot. They all worked normally. I never noticed till one day he held up his hand and said, “When five ain’t five.” I did a double take and said, “Wow!” Then he showed me his foot.

I would like to say that summer of 64 on the north east side of OKC I never experienced any sort of racism. Our customers were about half white. There were no drug dealers or gangsters around there then. It was the best place in the city to get your lawnmower fixed. We also worked on outboard motors. The main mechanic there was a white guy that was around sixty years old.

He worked all through the ‘50s at John Zink’s race car shop in Tulsa. He had lots of great stories to tell. He had a fifty Pontiac with a straight-8 in it. You could just take your foot off the clutch and it pulled away like it was an automatic, but the clutched slipped that bad. I wonder if he ever put a new clutch in that car.



I turned 16 and got a car but I was still interested in motorcycles. I finished my junior year in high school. I took auto mechanics the whole year and rebuilt the engine in my ‘58 Ford six-cylinder. I traded a nice ‘56 Ford Victoria 2-door hardtop for my friend’s ‘58 because it was red and had a three on the floor with overdrive. It was the cheapest ‘58 Ford they made, but it was cool.



Two black guys down the street would ride by on these outrageous choppers. They were stripped Panheads with high handlebars and sissybars. Chrome was everywhere on those old bikes. It lit a fire in me. I wanted one.

The black guys with Harleys lived down on prospect St. Now and then they would blast up the street on those things and turn on 23rd street and head east out of town. That was right by the Oklahoma capitol building. They were either Pans or Knuckleheads. At least one had a chrome Springer. They were not extended though.



They had chrome pipes and a high sissybars. The pipes on one followed the sissybar to the top. I learned many years later it was BOBo Pope. He had gone into drag bikes in the ‘70s. I met him in 1980 while working at Alan Merrell Chevrolet in Yukon, Oklahoma. We worked on his Corvette. He owned BoBo’s BarBQ back then.



Those bikes really excited me. I knew I had to have one someday. As soon as I graduated from high school, I joined the Navy. It was 1965. Biker movies were starting to come out. I didn’t care about the silly plots; I just liked the bikes. Those movies actually influenced the actual lifestyle of the so-called bike gangs that were forming around that time.



There were a few clubs that went back to the late forties but they weren’t criminals. I never saw the connection between a motorcycle club and organized crime or more likely disorganized… If you watched Sons of Anarchy, you could see most of those guys could have made a great living at an honest job and not dodged bullets and stuff. But that’s show business.



The actual antics of the HAs, Mongols, Banditos and Outlaws have made the lifestyle attractive to some and repulsive to others. I just liked the bikes. Still do.



In ‘68 I was able to buy a ‘51 61-inch Panhead in Reno for 300 dollars. I rode it home and took all the dresser stuff off it. I traded a guy out of a nice chrome 18-inch front wheel and a peanut tank. That was my first chopper. I loved riding it. I rode it everywhere. It wasn’t very fast but it always got me where I was going if I kept gas in it.



I’m kind of small and was never into any kind of sports but I learned that cool cars, choppers and music would help with the girls. I played trumpet in junior high, but when I started high school, I got a guitar. I have been playing ever since then. I should be a lot better than I am but I still get to jam with people here in Nashville and I am writing songs now. Maybe I can get a hit soon and buy a house lol.

When I got out of the Navy and came riding back to Oklahoma City I hooked up with a local club and had loads of fun. Girls were attracted to our parties. We would have a party out by a lake or in a member’s house and all kinds of people would show up.



I think those little high school girls just used us to lose their virginity, because by then we mostly knew our way around a girl and we didn’t talk about it to anyone outside the club. That shit is a two-way street. I never took advantage of any female. It was always their idea. I’m still that way. I never could understand rape. It’s no fun at all if the girl isn’t into it. Anyway, girls are definitely attracted to bad boys.






That ’51 Pan was just the first in a long line of choppers I have built. In the late ‘60s you could buy old dressers for around $500. I found if you stripped them down and extended the front end a little and put a pretty paint job on one you could sell it as much as $2000. When I got out of the Navy in ‘69 that is mainly what I did for extra money.

I usually had a job too, but always wanted something I couldn’t afford so I would turn a bike. I must have owned about 50 Panheads during that period. Over the years I learned a lot and became pretty skilled at welding, building engines and transmissions and painting and bodywork. It must be an addiction because at 75 I am still doing it. Why do I do it? Because I love it.



One more little thing to say, I don’t get these big motorcycle clubs riding huge heavy baggers with 500-watt sound systems on them. I guess we are all brothers of the wheel, but those guys are in a different world than me. But wait, I run a windshield because my shoulders are trash and they hurt when the wind is pushing my chest. I run some kind of bags to haul a few tools and rain gear and such. I did that on the last few choppers I rode, so I guess…

Keep the shiny side up.

–Bill May
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Great AHDRA Weekend at Cecil County

event: AHDRA Mid-Atlantic Nitro Showdown presented by Zipper’s Performance Products
when: October 7-9, 2022
where: Cecil County Dragway, Rising Sun, Maryland, USA

In the minds or racers and spectators alike, Maryland’s Cecil County Dragway is establishing itself as THE premier stop on the AHDRA All-American motorcycle drag racing circuit. Its smooth and expertly glued and rotated track holds Top Fuel torque and power. Its rural setting on curvy rolling roads is a perfect ride for motorcyclists from the Northeast urban centers. Add in three days of beautiful weather and you have a perfect event.

Top Fuel
Last year’s Cecil County Top Fuel winner Tracy Kile faced his Bad Apple Racing teammate “Jimmy Mac” McMillan in this year’s final, Number one qualifier Kile was slow off the starting line with a .192 to McMillan’s sharp .028 but was catching up quickly before the bike threw a rod right through a piston at about 1000 feet. His 6.488 at only 176 mph shows how much momentum he lost versus McMillan’s winning 6.485 at 219.

“What an incredible weekend,” said McMillin. “Started at the bottom of the list with everything upside down to taking the win. We got to have an all-Bad Apple final, back-to-back wins, and maintained our points lead. Finally got to meet face to face with all of our Bad Apple friends and family that we spend so much time with on social. It was a perfect storm and we were lucky enough to ride it.”

Interesting that Floridian McMilllan should use the “Perfect Storm” analogy so shortly after Hurricane Ian swept through his state. “After a week of clearing fallen trees and resurrecting fencing from hurricane Ian, we were flat out exhausted and decided to skip Fridays test session—a decision that would bite us during qualifying.

“Saturday during warm-up, we see the rear tire is spinning hard—a sign that there’s too much clutch. No problem, couple of turns should fix it—or so we thought.

“Q1 has me looking over at none other than Jason Pridemore. His one of a kind roots supercharged, homemade masterpiece is as awesome to look at as it is to watch run. He also has a little longer routine during the moments before we stage—normally not a problem, but upon start-up, that clutch issue we had was still there. That means, the moment my bike fires, and I pull the brake to stop that tire, it’s getting hot, which can have a range of different unwanted results—everything from simply being pushed through the light to something serious like torching a head. So staging was going to get things hot, and the slightly longer routine just added to it. On the hit, bike was moving towards the wall, and I clicked it off. We found nothing obvious, just a spacer that was not perfectly flat. The clutch cannon was tight so we figured it was a stack issue.

“Q2 and we’re looking over at Jason again. No problem, we’ve got this clutch thing figured out, right? It was a perfect stack, flat spacer, cannon was holding proper during warm up—yeah, no. Fired up and the tire was running again. Here we go again. At the hit, on the bar, nice and straight—drops a hole about half track.

“When I killed the engine the bike stopped—like the bike stopped itself. The clutch was so hot it ground the bike to a stop. It also turned my belt into a melted mess. Yeah, the clutch cooked the primary belt to the basket. Everything had to come off and the basket had to have the melted belt cleaned out of the teeth. Every. Single. Tooth.


“We get the bike serviced and back together only to find a missing head bolt and another head bolt so stretched it could be turned with a finger. So that stopped our Q3 attempt and we were sitting in the last spot, but we’re in the show. The high we were all riding from our win in Sturgis was suddenly gone as we found ourselves on the completely opposite side of everything. It was perfect weather conditions. There was a slight tail wind all day. It was one of the best prepped track surfaces I’ve ever been on. It was a sleepless night.

“Sunday, raceday. Started over. Went over the entire clutch system nice and slow and found the cannon had a small leak and was out of brake fluid. Simple fix. We put a Hail Mary tune in it and headed to the lanes.

“E1 and we’re looking over at number 2 qualifier Billy Jackson, the guy that ran a 6.36 at 223 out of the trailer in Friday testing. Up to this point, my quickest and fastest has been 6.71 at 211, so we knew we had to lean on it if we were to have a chance. An .098 light got us up front early and stayed there long enough to get the win with a 6.46 at 217—my new personal best and enough to take us to the next round.

“E2 and Jason Pridemore and I get after it. Hit the throttle and make a move towards the wall but got it corrected, resulting in an .033 light and a 6.47 at 217. Was good enough to get the win and send us to the finals against my teammate.

“I’ve been waiting to race Tracy in a final since I made my first lap on a Top Fuel Harley. But he’s won this event the last three years in a row and he was on a roll this weekend too, running a 6.27 and several 6.30’s. I was so pumped I didn’t care who won—that is until I put my helmet on. My .028 light got about a bike and a half out on him, but I could feel his bike coming around me. Then his bike expired and I took the stripe!

“Thanks to my crew chief Michael Hopkins, Tracy Kile, Bad Apple Mary, Erin and Frank Capone, Mark, Billie, Jim Garrahan, Frankie, Chopper, Chrissy, Armon Furr, Roger, Jon Wayne, Kirby, Josh Miller, PJOD, Wade, all our support crew, fans and most of all my wife, Stacey Mac. Gotta give a big shout out to the team over at Performance Data Systems for getting us fixed in record time—thank you Todd! Special thanks to the media guys and gals that cover our sport. Thank you for what you do.”

Hawaya Racing Pro Fuel
Kile had a pretty good excuse for his bad light, and we’ll get to that. His Bad Apple Racing teammate (and girlfriend) “Bad Ass Mary” Dangrow made a fantastic nitro debut, finding herself only getting bested by veteran racer Sam White—who came within a hair’s breadth of claiming last year’s Hawaya Racing Pro Fuel championship.

White qualified number one and ended up winning, but Dangrow was right there. In fact, in her first final at her first nitro race, Mary outran White 7.32 at 169 to Sam’s 7.40 at 165. But that .219 light, though, as White’s .112 was his winning moment.

“I haven’t been concentrating on my reaction times yet,” said Mary. “I was happy to be out of the 0.3’s!

“Tracy said that after he saw that I was beat on a holeshot, he didn’t want me to feel bad so he did it too. Apparently he yelled across to Jimmy just before they started up ‘Man, I’m gonna have to let you beat me on a holeshot so my girl doesn’t feel bad.’ I couldn’t believe he actually said that!” That Tracy Kile is a keeper.

“So is Walter Halonski!” finished Dangrow. “He did all my tuning this weekend with no data, my bike doesn’t have a computer.”

White had all kinds of troubles, starting with his primary bike not being ready to race and a whole litany of issues with his old one that had him thinking that the thing wasn’t even going to make it down the track. Instead, the bike made White’s quickest pass ever—a 7.17 at 172 for number one qualifier—then promptly dumped it’s remaining fuel on the ground. The bike then held together beautifully for the win.

Hawaya Racing Nitro Funnybike
Hawaya Racing Nitro Funnybike champion Michael Balch came up on the losing end this time around. Armon Furr started the final round with a .102 to .125 advantage against Balch, and stayed out front for a 7.09 at 173 to 7.11 at 191 win.

“It just goes to show you, sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good,” said Furr. “Michael clearly had the better machine this weekend, we just happened to be in the right place at the right time to get the win.”

Furr claims that any lack of performance from his bike is due to his neglect. “I think she’s mad at me from sitting on stands in the race shop since early April.”

“I made some small changes to my tune-up in between last qualifier and the final round, and I went the wrong way,” said Balch. “That’s drag racing.

“The final was an extremely close race with me and Armon. I absolutely hate to lose, but Armon is such a great racer, his family has such a legacy with drag racing, and I have so much respect for him. It’s not as hard taking a loss from Armon as it is from anyone else, but I’ll get him next time.”

GMS Racing Engines Xtreme Outlaw
Milan Dragway GMS Racing Engines Xtreme Outlaw winner Chargin’ Charley Douglass struggled all weekend with his turbo bike. Nitrous badass Mike Motto showed no mercy on Douglass’ plight, laying down a blistering 7.829 at 175 in the final that bumped him up to third on the all-time gasoline V-Twin, street tire ET list.

“It turned out to be a great weekend for Team GMS Racing,” said Motto, although the broken crankshaft of GMS boss Gregg Dahl may differ.

“It’s been a long year with waiting on specialty parts and testing that didn’t always go well. We have been making a lot of changes and doing a lot of off-the grid testing this past year and it is starting to pay off.

“We have had the bike out twice and we took the ‘W’ twice, so that’s a good start. We have been working hard on the getting our 60 foot down and our mile per hour up, and It’s working! We took the win with a monster run of 7.82 at 175!! Track prep is everything for these monsters, so we hope to have a track as good as Cecil County in Rockingham so we can put the power down and improve on these numbers in a couple weeks.

“I’d like to thank all the guys at GMS Racing. We have an unstoppable team lead by Greg Dahl and his relentless quest for power and speed! Thank you for all the weekends and late nights you dedicated to stay at the shop and work with me on this machine. Thank you Damon Kuskie for always picking up the phone to answer my questions and for your in incredible tuning skills and pursuit of speed! Thank you Michael Balch and all the guys at the shop for all the support and help on and off the track. The entire team at GMS is an unstoppable group of people who all have the same need—SPEED!

“Special thanks to Energy One Clutches, Renegade Fuels, FuelTech, R&D Transmissions, Bandit Super Clutch, and NX Nitrous Express Systems. I think we are the only Harle-Davidson based no-bar bike running those numbers on their nitrous system.”

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Get inspired by World’s Fastest Panhead book for building & racing your own Bonneville Salt Flats Land Speed records – click & go !!!

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Zippers Performance Pro Modified
While Charley Douglass’ bike was under-performing in Xtreme Outlaw, it was his dad Gary’s reactions that were underperforming in Zippers Performance Pro Modified. His .182 wasn’t cutting the mustard against John Price’s .028. Price then ran 8.49 at 154 to Douglass’ 8.68 at 139 for the win.

“My glove got caught on the lever and I kinda double clutched when I let the lever go,” said Gary, claiming total responsibility for rider error.

“It has been seven years since Gary and I have run in a final together. He won then, so I owed him one,” said Price, who then echoed the sentiments of many.

“I cannot say enough good things about the Cecil County crew. I don’t think I have ever run on a track this good in air this good. I had a tough time on Saturday trying to figure out a tune-up, but it came around on Sunday when it counted.

“I would like to thank Zippers Performance for sponsoring the race and Pro Mod class. I would also like to thank Harley-Davidson of Frederick Racing and GMS for their help over the years. I dedicate this win to the memory of Steve Allstaedt—a great man, engine builder, and friend.

Pingel Modified
Gary Douglass had his complete act together in Pingel Modified, taking the tree with an .058 to Kimberly DeShields’ .275. Douglass then ran a 9.11 at 146 to her 9.16 at 144.

“It was a great weekend of racing, hats off to Cecil County Dragway for all the hard work put into the track prep,” said Gary. “The crew did a great job.

“I was number one qualifier in Pro Mod and Mod, won Mod and runner-upped in Pro Mod. The highlight of the weekend was my record pass of 8.86 at 148.87. That may have been one of the quickest and fastest passes on a normally aspirated, 88 inch, Sportster-based Harley. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to back it up to become official. The motor was built by me, tuned by me, and ridden by me—one happy guy. In the Pro Mod final, I had a launch issue and lost to my friend John Price.

“None of what I do could be done without the help of my family. My son Charley is my crew chief, my daughter Jody Simpson makes sure I have my leathers and helmet on at the line. This may seem to be automatic to racers, but us racers with a little age sometimes it’s not. My grandson Jacob Bush, a huge help, getting bikes to the line and back to the pits, also refueling, charging batteries and airing up between rounds. My sister Cindy Folks and brother Lee for all their support.

“Thanks to the AHDRA for having the race and Zippers Performance for sponsoring the race and the Pro Mod class. A special thank you goes out to Energy One Clutches, a Douglass Racing long time sponsor. Thanks to H-D of Lynchburg and Vreelands H-D. SA Racing, which will always be a part of Douglass Racing success. And thanks to Tim Hailey for giving us a platform to show the world what Harley drag racing is all about.

Vreeland’s Harley-Davidson Super Gas
John Terry posted a spectacular .001 light in the Vreeland’s Harley-Davidson Super Gas 9.90 final, but failed himself at the stripe as he ran a breakout .9.81. Winner John McMillin also broke out, but by a considerably less margin with a 9.87 after a .055 reaction time.

Super Pro 10.30
Nate Carnahan had an .070 that was far behind his Super Pro 10.30 final round opponent Cody Hayworth’s sharp .017. But Hayworth was .23 off the number while Carnahan kept it real with a winning 10.38.

“The race at Cecil was awesome, with fantastic weather conditions for fast runs,” said Carnahan. “The Super Pro bike was having some challenging issues due to a weak battery and breaking an exhaust pipe during qualifying. Thanks to Brad Reiss for welding it all back together Saturday night.

“Sunday the bike did very good even with having to keep my little jump box in my jacket to get it started, and was able to pull off a win. We will be ready for Rockingham with both Super Pro and Modified.”


Universal Fleet & Tire 10.90

It was deja vu all over again for Hayworth in Universal Fleet & Tire 10.90. His .015 took the tree slightly against J.P. Hendrzak’s .019, but J.P.’s 11.05 stayed truer to the number than Cody’s 11.12.

11.50 index
Chris Ussery left Loren Potter uncharacteristically stunned at the tree with a .052 advantage, paving the way for his 11.50 index win in a double breakout final that saw both riders obliterating the index.

“This is Bulldog Racing’s third official race with the AHDRA,” said Ussery. “We are excited and hope to finish strong the last three races of the season and make a push on the points as a rookie.

“I would like to thank the Man upstairs, Twitch’s Stitches, Fast Action Racing Team and Lumbee Racing for their part. Thanks to my very good friend Chris Phipps for his help. As always, thanks to Eatmyink for the photos and publicity.”

Pro Outlaw and MTC Pro Comp Outlaw
Pro Outlaw and MTC Pro Comp Outlaw wins both went to Julius DeManss. Julius had enough bike under him in the Pro Comp Outlaw final  to ease away from the starting line with a .300 to Dave Miller’s .105, winning with a 9.71 at 135 to Miller’s 11.11 at 104.

“I had fun,” said DeManss. “Met some awesome people and got the bike going in the right direction, running with my fastest pass yet—9.59 at 136 mph.

“But that didn’t happen without its problems. First pass attempt Saturday morning, I broke my wheel, sprocket carrier and axle. Pushed it back to the trailer. Luckily, I had a spare wheel carrier and borrowed an axle from Richard Stamey‘s bike.

“After that, my tuner John Gover was remote tuning the bike and getting it dialed in. I had to put a smaller sprocket on the back to try and control the wheelies from the added power of my new 2.5” exhaust system built by Christopher Bull.

“Sunday right before the Pro Comp outlaw final between me and Dave Miller, my fuel pump quit working. I asked Dave if he would wait, and he said he was there to race and waited for me to swap it out. In the final I came away with the win.

“I want to thank Kerry Lee, Karlee, Jason Davis, Branson May, Geronimo Pratt, and John Hendrzak for all their help throughout the weekend. Wouldn’t have been able to get through the weekend without you guys.

“Also what to thank Wess Brown for a bad ass Motor, John Gover For tuning my MaxxECU all weekend, Michael Beland for awesome parts, tuning and advice. Last but not least, Christopher Bull for making me a bad ass exhaust system and fabricating everything else on the bike.”

V-Twin Powersports Hot Rod Bagger and Super Stock
Geronimo Pratt swept both V-Twin Powersports Hot Rod Bagger and Super Stock. “It was nice to be able to get back on the track,” said Pratt. “Not being able to do any real racing, let alone testing. I really enjoyed myself with a great group of guys.

“Struggled to get down the track Saturday, but once I had my pit crew Sunday, I was able to make a few good passes. The track was great, it seemed that everyone was fighting the track as it got better every pass.”

Eliminator
Jeff Jambo loved the Cecil County starting line so much that he didn’t want to leave, starting Sunday’s Eliminator final round with a .220 light. Opponent Chris Hoppe’s .051 practically assured him a victory in the double breakout race, with Jambo breaking out by a substantial .18. Rhode Island’s Donald Herbert won Eliminator on Saturday.

9.30 index
Hoppe had a good day, also runner-upping in 9.30 index. Winner Richard Hillegrass took the tree in that final by a slim .007, but kept his cool while Hoppe broke out by .035. But then again, sawing the motor in half might also have kept Hillegrass from breaking out.

“I ran a 9:306 for number one qualifier on my bike ‘So Long’,” noted Hillegrass. “Saturday evening I ran the Japanese motorcycle that was testing. At that time my fastest run was a 9:26 and his was a 9:20, so I thought it would be a good race. I never saw him after I left the starting line. I left hard on him and he blew the tire away trying to get moving. I ran my personal best—9.08 at 145 mph.

“Sunday I had a bye run first pass. The other guys I ran I left with them. They were running slick and wheelie bars. When I get to the 60 foot mark and I’m running a slick and bar bike, and if I’m with them, I know I cut a good light so I push them out at the big end. They ran under 9.30, giving me the win.

“The last pass it blew the motor. I pulled the clutch when I felt it locking up at about 140 mph. I’ve been racing this motor for five years, it don’t owe me nothing!”

Junior Dragbikes
Junior Dragbikes were split into two categories—Junior and Senior—and the Hines boys won both. Nine year-old Jaden Hines cut a .157 light and ran 10.67 on his 10.40 dial-in to beat Matthew Pier in Junior.

Jaden’s 11 year-old brother Michael Hines Jr. had a close race at the tree with opponent Bradley Cronenberger Jr., with Hines having a .189 to .200 advantage. Michael ran 10.08 on his 9.99 dial for the win.

“Both started out racing at four and a half years old,” said their dad, Michael Hines Sr. “They love it, I can’t kept them off the bikes even in the off-season

“They had a great time at Cecil, with Jaden cutting a few .05 lights Saturday and an .03 on Sunday. Michael had his best-ever ET in the eighth at 10.01 on Saturday. We wanted to break into the 9s but ran a 10.07, 10.0 and a 10.08. We are looking to do better next race.

“Jaden just won Junior Youth class and Junior ET class at the Reading Motorcycle Club Raceway for the 2022 points season, and Michael just won the Senior Youth class. Now both trying are to win the AHDRA points season if they can.”

Shutdown Area
Next stop on the AHDRA tour is a special increased purse race at North Florida Motorplex in Fountain, Florida. The first eight confirmed Top Fuel riders for this event will have free class entry. Contact Bill or Chrissy Rowe at bcrowe92891@gmail.com to confirm.

The Rowes can’t wait to welcome the AHDRA family to this new addition to the tour!

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Get out there and race or enjoy the race at AHDRA, Tell ‘Em Bikernet.com Sent Ya !!!

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The AHDRA website is at http://raceahdra.com/

For more information, email AHDRA’s Bill Rowe at bcrowe92891@gmail.com

AHDRA is owned by Pulse Marketing, the motorsports promotion company run by veteran drag racer Rowe and his family.

AHDRA thanks Cox Double Eagle Harley-Davidson, Vreeland’s Harley-Davidson, Gainesville Harley-Davidson , MTC Engineering , Hawaya Racing, Pingel Enterprise, GMS Racing Engines, Zippers Performance, Horsepower Inc., Vanson Leathers , Universal Fleet & Tire, IHDRA, V-Twin Powersports, Daryl Coffin Motorsports, All-Harley World Shootout, Axtell Cylinders and Racers For Christ.

 

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Barn-Find Delights: Tom Cotter’s new book

 
After having read about Tom Cotter in the Bikernet.com Thursday News, shared by National Motorcycle Museum (few weeks ago), I started watching Tom’s video series on YouTube.
 

I could resist no more and bought Tom Cotter’s Best Barn-Find Collector Car Tales (Sep 2018) and his latest mentioned by NMM, Secrets of the Barn Find Hunter (May 2022). Both Hardcovers, sitting pretty, reminding me to get outdoors & cruise like a windsock. Any direction the wind / mood takes you — new corners, strange turns on the highways, wide open spaces…. discovering cool things & places.

Doesn’t have to be bike or a car. Maybe you will find a new favorite hangout (or next article for Bikernet.com)
 

I love motorcycles but some things need a car. As in one of Tom’s YouTube episodes, I wish to find a classic design car and put a modern ICE engine & transmission in it. Meet the safety, pollution and VIN requirements while at it.

His YouTube Series: click here to see complete Playlist

Well, who knows I may win the Super Lotto before Armageddon. Seriously though, just put that Dollar daily in a can and you could get his latest book in 30 days. Both the books are priced at $30. Which is surprising….
 

The new book Secrets of the Barn-Find Hunter has better and higher quality color photos than the older book Best Collector Tales. This may be because the ‘Tales’ are collected from a long time-frame of his hunting career. Film may not always transfer well on the modern digital medium. Plus the subject of the two books are quite different and worth reading.
 

I personally believe you can apply his principles to motorcycles if you think hard (and fast when you find a collectible).

Not to leave you hanging, the best tip in the ‘Secrets’ book is within the first few pages. Adapting it, if you are looking for a cool ancient motorcycle, then riding one to find it helps.
 
(That’s a kind of paradox for many, like getting your first salaried job. “What’s your experience for this low-paying menial job you have applied for?”)
 
 
For now, I collect wonderful books and have a considerable number of Author Signed First Edition Hardcovers. Other than that, the list of all the books I have over the years is endless, needs a library cataloging service. But when you have a new book and love it, you know you will miss the old ones if you cast them away in a ‘Barnyard Sale’.
 
 
Currently, I am indeed writing an article on how I have found cool books, real gems on such used book sales.
 

An old gem from my Author Signed First Edition Hardcover, the plot of Disclosure (1994) by Michael Crichton, concerns protagonist Tom Sanders and his struggle to prove that he was sexually harassed by his female employer. Politically Incorrect till date!

After release it sold 765,000 copies (big number at that ‘Me? No!’ era). Had a 19 weeks run on the booksellers’ charts. Wonder if it will be banned, if this article gets popular (insert suitable facepalm emoji?).

The movie version was a bigger success, starring Demi Moore and Michael Douglas.
 

In pop-culture, I got myself the first novel on Sons Of Anarchy, titled ‘Bratva’, released after the last season ended (2014). It is the first and last book on SOA (allegedly funding disappeared). The novelization of a less popular adventure, Indiana Jones & The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. A personalized message on Chuck’s legendary Fightclub novel that was made into a super-hit movie.

That’s all for now. Seek Adventure!
 

Riding on!
Ujjwal Dey

Read More

Barn-Find Delights: Tom Cotter’s new book

Books That Make You Get Out & Explore

“After having read about Tom Cotter in the Bikernet.com Thursday News, shared by National Motorcycle Museum (click here) (past few weeks ago), I started watching Tom’s video series on YouTube.

I could resist no more and bought Tom Cotter’s Best Barn-Find Collector Car Tales (Sep 2018) and his latest mentioned by National Motorcycle Museum, Secrets of the Barn Find Hunter (May 2022). Both Hardcovers, sitting pretty, reminding me to get outdoors & cruise.”

Click Here to Read the latest on Book Reviews only at Bikernet.com

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Read more Book, Movie and Music Reviews at Bikernet — click here.

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Lone Star Rally: get your parking passes

Less than 48 hours left to purchase your parking passes!

Passes are available for purchase until 11:59 pm Saturday, October 15, 2022.

We’re expecting a larger than ever turnout in Galveston this year, so it is more important than ever to secure your parking spot!

Click Here to Purchase.

You can also get VIP passes. Exclusive Balcony Access and much more.

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Tell ‘Em Bikernet.com Sent Ya !!!

Riding Free since 1996

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Brilliant Bikernet Weekly News for October 13th, 2022

When You Think You Are On Track, You Are Already Halfway There

Click and view this Week’s News — only on Bikernet.com

“We’ve faced a serious wave of content including the Indian Chief café racer feature, which is on the home page.

Barry sent me a squad of hot looking broads for the Cantina. Don’t forget to read Daytona Charlie. I want to dive into my next build and the first tech.

Hang on, Halloween is coming!”

~ Bandit

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Check out the wonderful Hal Robinson Collection at 5-Ball Racing Shop, click & wear.

Read More

BRILLIANT BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS for October 13th, 2022

Hey,

This is an interesting week. We now have two lawsuits against Climate Alarmism, and one is already in the Supreme Court. Another one is being filed against the EPA.

The courts may be the only place where the truth can be heard. Remember, if you’re against the media narrative, you’re a denier. Last week I said, “If you seek the truth, you are never a denier.” That’s all I want, the truth and scientific transparency. That’s what the world deserves.

I’m blown away by publications like TIME magazine who deny the rule of journalism to attack whoever they choose. How disappointing is that. I wrote to the editor once and said, “How are you going to explain the lies to your kids?”

Okay, I have a staffer who constantly berates me regarding my desire to share the truth about the climate. He’s afraid Bikernet might be attacked by the anti-free speech censors.

But I believe this is the largest threat to freedom and our lifestyle I have witnessed in my lifetime. If we don’t step up, we’ll be run over with regulations until choppers are gone.

A brother died yesterday, unexpectedly at 67. Mike and Vickie recently inspired my latest piece of fiction, Daytona Charlie. It’s sort of a tribute, in an odd way, to 1%ers I’ve known in the past.

Let’s hit the news:

The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by companies who also dig Freedom including: Cycle Source Magazine, the MRF, Las Vegas Bikefest, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown, BorntoRide.com and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.

NEWS FROM THE MAGNIFICENT ARCH MOTORCYCLES–ARCH Motorcycle Announces New 1s Model

LOS ANGELES, CA. October 13, 2022 – ARCH Motorcycle, the Los Angeles based bespoke production motorcycle company co-founded by Gard Hollinger and Keanu Reeves, today announce the official launch of its new ARCH 1s model. The 1s represents an evolution helping to define industry categories in the motorcycle world, mixing ARCH’s one-of-a-kind performance cruiser formula with an aggressive riding position to create a Sport Cruiser.

The ARCH 1s is the official second offering from ARCH (following the acclaimed KRGT-1 model) and the company’s first production single-sided swing-arm motorcycle. It also debuts new mid-controls for a more aggressive riding position and handling, while featuring the 124ci, high-torque ARCH/S&S V-twin downdraft fuel injected engine, complemented by an ARCH designed exhaust system, and a carbon fiber fuel cell integrating the air intake and filtration system.

View the new ARCH 1s motorcycle in action.

 

CO2 COALITION vs. EPA
 
Don’t get the idea that everybody has just given up on exposing the fake “science” behind the global warming scare. In fact, the Manhattan Contrarian is on the job — along with a hardy band of intrepid warriors with which I am associated.

On Friday of this week, my co-counsel and I, on behalf of a small group of plaintiffs, will be filing an opening appeal brief in the DC Circuit challenging the 2009 “finding” made by the EPA that emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases constitute a “danger” to human health and safety. I’ll use this post to give a brief preview, with more detail to follow after the brief becomes public.

You’ll have to wait for Friday to get the full story. But for today, I’ll start with an appetizer of some background on where we are, plus some information on the serious nature of our team and support…

I’ll save a review of the arguments made in our brief until after it becomes public. But meanwhile, I’m learning of some of the eminent scientists who are putting together an amicus brief in support of our position. The CO2 Coalition Science and Environmental Policy Project (SEPP) and also a member of the CO2 Coalition. Sheahen and the Coalition are collaborating on a brief.

From Manhattan Contrarian
–By Francis Menton

The complete Manhattan Contrarian blog, written by CO2 Coalition Member Francis Menton, originally published October 11, 2022, can be accessed at the CO2 Coalition web site.

“We quickly ran out of Greg’s books, so we ordered more. Feel free to drop me a line and I’ll send you one free.” –Bandit

NEWS FROM THE PRISM GANG—New Gallery, The Congregation Show.

This year marks the 5th year we’ve hosted The Congregation Show at Camp North End with Dice Magazine and Harley-Davidson.

At the risk of sounding like every other company who boasts about their latest event as the biggest and best to-date regardless if there’s any truth to that statement, we can honestly say that this year’s show has surpassed prior events in terms of quality and attendance.

Check out the link below for a gallery of the event.

https://prismmotorcycles.com/blogs/news/gallery

BEAUTIES OF THE LONE STAR RALLY
 
Outlaw Dave Productions is excited to be hosting the annual search for Miss Lone Star rally coinciding with the 21st anniversary of this moto-centric event that sees over 400,000 attendees annually.

The “Search 2022” brought to you by Refinally and Ameristar Roofing, will host preliminary events throughout southeast Texas during the month of October where ladies from the gulf coast vie for this coveted title and their share of the $10,000 cash we award for the contest we thank Jackie’s for once again being our host venue.

Interested contestants should contact 1st Class Models (218) 451-6793

QUICK, OPEN THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY
 
From SNL : Ways Stupid Rich Men Loose Money

1. You Spent it – bought a cheetah
2. You Smelled it – cocaine
3. You Lost it – invested in a restaurant
4. She Took it – dated a stripper while married and resulted in your wife’s alimony

(episode with John Cena & country singer Maren Morris)

–from Wayfarer,
Editor
https://blog.bikernet.com
https://www.facebook.com/bikernetbiker

LICENSE PLATE OPPORTUNITIES IN SOUTH CAROLINA
 
I have attached some of the code of laws for South Carolina and sorry in advance for giving you maybe too much info but we worked on several parts of this for years.

Worked and passed vertical plates as some choppers and sport bikes use.

Worked and passed Veterans specialty plate that is free for veteran both motorcycles and automobiles.
 

Supported passage of Motorcycle Awareness Alliance plate.

You can check out the SCDMV website on all the plates here:

License Plates – SCDMV online

Beginning April 18, 2022, applications for military license plates will only be processed by mail at SCDMV Headquarters in Blythewood. Customers who visit branch offices on and after April 18, 2022 to obtain a military plate will receive an Application for Military License Plate (MV-37) and further instructions to complete the application by mail. …
 

scdmvonline.com

You will see all these have the design on the side with the plate numbers to the left for LPR license plate recognition). You can view the plates here:

Plate Gallery – SCDMV online

This license plate is available to South Carolina Residents who have been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross Air Force. You must present a Department of Defense Form DD-214 or other official documentation certifying you have been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross Air Force, along with the completed Application for Military License Plate (SCDMV Form MV-37).
 

scdmvonline.com

–Ralph Bell
ABATE of South Carolina, Inc
Legislative Coordinator
MRF Representative
(803) 556-2354

 

RUN UPDATE–We’re ready for Kernville, are you?

The best way to stay in the loop is to sign up for SMS messages. We’ll shoot out occasional reminders letting you know when the Kamp Bar is open when, the bands are coming on, what time the tug-o-war competition and joint rolling contests are, etc. It’s easy, just hit the button below and add your number.

EXFIL-65 Camping

LOCATION
Frandy Park Campground 11252 Kernville Rd. Kernville, CA 93238

CHECK-IN INFO
Turn right as you enter the Kamp and stop at the Registration tent to check-in. This is where you’ll get your wristband and goodie bag.
EXFIL-65 Camping
EXFIL-65 Camping

BIKE SHOW INFO:
Saturday at 4 pm, please ROLL yer bike up to the Kamp bar/common area and line it up with all the other bikes. At 5:45, judges will place a sticker on the headlight of the winning bikes. If yer bike receives said sticker, please ROLL over to the awards area to receive your award. Classes: CHOPPER, SPORTSTER, MODERN, METRIC, CLASSIC
EXFIL-65 Camping

–Biltwell
 

JUST IN FROM THE STATE OF LOWBROW–1 down, 3 up… you know the drill.

Here Frank R.I.P. is again, showing the full teardown, rebuild & installation of a Harley-Davidson 4 speed transmission…

This is the full-length, 3.5-hour (!!!) video, free for your enjoyment.

Follow along at home and get your 4 speed shifting as good as new…

Or, just watch it for personal enjoyment, and to get your significant other shaking their head in bewilderment at your choice of entertainment.
 

Brought to you by Lowbrow Customs 🙂

WATCH IT NOW

PS – If you are interested in Harley-Davidsons you may have already watched our Shovelhead Tune & Service video featuring Frank Kaisler. Have you seen it?
 
PPS – Share this full length video wherever you want by posting
 

THE NATIONAL MOTORISTS ASSOCIATION REPORTS IN
 
War on Parking Just Got Real

Back in the 1960s: Joni Mitchell once sang: “They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.” But city planners who once were blamed for creating space for cars are now reversing direction. The new strategy is to “save paradise and take away a parking lot.” How did we get here?

The only way to build affordable housing is to get rid of cars?

Cities as far-flung as Berkeley, Boston, Minneapolis, New York City, Raleigh, Sacramento, San Diego, and San Francisco have already eliminated parking minimums for new developments. So many parking spaces were mandated for each apartment. Depending on the square footage of commercial ventures, parking space allocation was mandatory. The first state, California, has recently legislated to stop these requirements in new real estate developments.

California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed AB2097 into law, which generally forbids cities from imposing parking minimums on any commercial or residential development within a half-mile of a public transit stop.

Governor Newsom said in a video address before signing the bill:

“We’re making it cheaper and easier to build new housing near daily destinations like jobs and grocery stores and school. This means more housing at lower prices closer to walkable neighborhoods and public transit.”

AB2097 sponsor Los Angeles County Assembly Member Laura Friedman said the objective was to create more opportunities for housing by lowering the cost of building parking spaces instead of housing. The Parking Reform Network has estimated that building a space in a new building can run from $10,000 to $60,000.

Some California developers stated that the cost could be up to $75,000 per parking space. Land is expensive everywhere, but the cost per foot to build in metropolitan areas can be astronomical. From a land developer’s perspective, there is little return on investment for building parking spaces. They can make more money with housing or office space.

Lawmakers, housing advocates, and environmental groups have worked over the past decade to reverse the mandates. They argue that these parking minimums hinder efforts to fight climate change and increase California’s vehicle dependency.

UCLA Urban Planning Professor and Parking Reform Proponent Donald Shoup told Time Magazine recently:

“At the local level, NIMBYs (Not in My Back Yard) are in charge. That’s why it’s important that California has done this at a state level because state governments have [more long-term] goals: more low-income housing, and less traffic congestion, air pollution, and carbon emissions.”

California’s housing deficit is estimated at more than 3.5 million units. Due to the scarcity, rent prices have soared and contributed to the state’s homeless population (accounting for as much as a quarter of all homeless people in the US).

But all traffic is local, and losing local control over parking minimums can cause more headaches for counties, municipalities, and motorists. Only twenty city councils have voted to ban parking minimums in the past five years. This doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it is the beginning that sets a critical precedent, and now that a state has taken on what formerly was a local zoning issue is enormous.

A similar measure failed last year when lawmakers around California objected to local governments losing zoning control. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti was a vocal opponent of this year’s legislation and successfully built a compromise that would give local governments some leeway if they could prove within 30 days of a developer’s application that parking minimums were needed.

After eliminating parking minimums, San Francisco and Ventura introduced demand-based pricing for on-street parking to discourage short trips in a car. Demand-based pricing is similar to congestion pricing (motorists pay tolls to use streets based on time of day) but for parking. In 2017, the Department of Energy reported that nearly 60 percent of all vehicle trips in the US were less than six miles. Three-fourths of all trips are ten miles or less. Officials believe that eliminating parking minimums and imposing parking congestion pricing would discourage these trips and encourage walking, biking, or transit.

People drive for many reasons and eliminating parking where residents live, and work could be expensive, disruptive, and inconvenient. Less parking in new developments could mean parking problems in other areas of cities where there is street parking. Driving around looking for the elusive parking spot causes personal time disruptions, increases traffic congestion, and exacerbates the city’s vehicle emissions problem. Suppose residents need a vehicle for whatever reason (handicapped, caregiver, service provider, etc.) and have to pay to park in a city lot. In that case, they might not be unable to afford to do so any longer.

Forcing residents to make different transportation choices is the aim, and maybe that is a good thing if jobs and housing are near transit. In many parts of the country, that is not the case.

Ironically, California city planners were among the first in the US to impose minimum parking requirements back in the 1920s. The initiative accelerated in the 1950s when the state’s car culture evolved after more people bought cars and drove places. At the time, city leaders feared less parking or inadequate parking for offices and apartments would increase traffic issues in surrounding residential neighborhoods.

And guess what? The same thing will happen now, but it’s much worse than in the 1950s, with many cities allocating space for bike or bus lanes at the curb, eliminating street-parking spaces entirely.

–NMA
 

?
 

Celebrate all things black and orange this month at the Harley-Davidson Museum
Check out two new retail shops and be sure to mark your calendars for Skulloween!

MILWAUKEE, USA (Oct. 7, 2022)
 
Autumn is in full swing at the crossroads of 6th & Canal. Whether it’s scooping up cozy clothes from both the Harley-Davidson® Shop and the all-new Factory shop, warming up to the specials at MOTOR® Bar & Restaurant, checking out new displays in the hallowed halls of the Harley-Davidson Museum or rolling down for Skulloween on October 27, the H-D Museum™ campus is full of fun this fall.

BRAND New Bikernet Reader Comment!
 

THE REASONING BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS for October 6th, 2022

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/THE_REASONING_BIKERNET_WEEKLY_NEWS_for_October_6th_2022.aspx

I like your comment about Ride Free or Die Trying. Love seeing Hal Robinson’s work and did you find his signature? It’s sort of written in the weeds. Have fun looking.

— Ann Robinson
Long Beach, CA

True Wisdom Quotes for Thursday News

“You do not lead by hitting people over the head – that’s assault, not leadership.”
~ Dwight D. Eisenhower

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
~ John Quincy Adams

“The great end of life is not knowledge but action.”
~ Thomas H. Huxley

–Wayfarer,
Editor
https://blog.bikernet.com
https://www.facebook.com/bikernetbiker

NEWS FROM WHEELS THROUGH TIME MUSEUM
 
There are only 43 DAYS till we give away the stunning 1937 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead. Every year we give away an iconic motorcycle and welcome a new member into the Wheels Through Time winner’s circle. This year, it could be you, but you’ve got to have a ticket to win!

GET TICKETS

This year’s Raffle Bike is the stunning 1937 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead finished in one-year-only Delphine Blue, striped in Teak Red, and edged in Gold. This Model EL features an all-1937 61c.i. Knucklehead engine cradled in a genuine 1937 frame and fork, along with all-original pre-war fenders and gas tanks. The 1937-only dash panel sports a 120 mph speedo, NOS amp gauge, and oil pressure switch. This 30-year assemblage of genuine HD components makes it the rarest and most original WTT Raffle Bike to date!

October Special
This month when you enter our annual raffle at the “Greater Deal” package you will receive our WTT Beanie along with your Raffle Tee and DVD. At the “Better Deal” package, you’ll get the ’37 Knucklehead tin sign along with your Raffle Tee and DVD, and at the “Best Deal” you’ll get the Beanie and Tin Sign along with your Tee and DVD.

The raffle takes place in front of a live audience on Saturday, Nov 19th, 2022 at the Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley, NC. Second prize is $10k, and 3rd prize is $5k — you do not have to be present to win.

BANDIT’S CANTINA MEET KINDLE VELLA STORIES
 
How to Find (amazon) Kindle Vella Stories

They are not with the books but in a separate department called Kindle Store, then you need to select Kindle Vella from the Kindle Store. The Vella stories are not within the ebooks but a separate category.

Google search of Kindle Vella – took me to:

https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/category/21364096011

Now use the search bar at the top to enter: Bandit’s Cantina, and the stories come up. First 3 are free

Notice that the drop down menu to the left of the search bar says Kindle Vella

Or go to amazon.com and select the department Kindle Store, at the top of the page – see below, select Kindle Vella – when in Kindle Vella use the search bar top of page to enter Bandits Cantina

–The Redhead
K. Randall “Bandit” Book Editor
5-Ball Inc.

“Sounds like a pain in the ass to me.” –Bandit

The Autumn Stafford Sale – The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show
 

15 OCTOBER 2022 | STARTING AT 10:00 BST

16 OCTOBER 2022 | STARTING AT 10:00 BST | WITH LOT 401

Examples:
1974 Ducati 750SS Frame no. DM750SS*075134* Engine no. 075185. Estimate: £140,000 – £170,000

Offered from The Forshaw Speedway Collection, ex-Otto ‘Red’ Rice, c.1934 Crocker 500cc OHV Speedway Racing Motorcycle Engine no. 34-19. Estimate: £100,000 – £150,000

Offered from The Forshaw Speedway Collection, ex-Art Pechar, c.1927 Indian 350cc Dirt Track Racing Motorcycle Engine no. BLR 127. Estimate: £90,000 – £130,000

[page break]

NEWS FROM WINDVEST–Indian Scout
 

The Indian Scout is a heritage-inspired design with modern performance. The finishing touch for this bike is our sleek sport WindVest windshield.

With its unique shape, this screen allows the rider to look over the top while still getting the wind protection desired. Whether you are riding around town or going on that long journey, WindVest is the best accessory you can add!

Contact us for detail with size and color.

There goes Ezy
Ezy Rider
Ridin’ down the highway of desire
They say the free wind
Takes him higher
Tryin’ to find his heaven above
But he’s dyin’ to be loved
– Jimi Hendrix

Ezy Riders, by Cate Dingley, The Artist Edition (2022)

The cover of Ezy Riders features Larry O of Outcast MC of Brooklyn. [Cate Dingley]

Photographer Cate Dingley gained the trust of New York City’s Black biker scene, and over a 5-year period took portraits, interviewed riders, and documented their activities.
 
Working with publisher The Artist Edition, Dingley’s beautifully presented book mixes her photos with the words of ten members of various motorcycle clubs (MCs), men and women, scattered among the five boroughs of the City. As a testament of this rarely documented scene, Ezy Riders moves towards filling a gap in the literature of American motorcycling, and the narrative of American motorcycle culture, by acknowledging the existence of Black riders, their MCs and some of their motorcycling history.

The late lamented Austin ‘Brown Sugar’ Johnson with his longtime favorite, White Hot. [Cate Dingley]
 
Ezy Riders is an apt title, as Jimi Hendrix’ 1969 psycho-funk anthem ‘Ezy Rider’ was an alternative take on the film Easy Rider’s themes of freedom, chasing dreams, and self-delusion, with an undertone of death (Hendrix’s ‘If 6 was 9’ is on the film’s soundtrack).
 
Similarly, Ezy Riders presents another side of the motorcycle club (MC) phenomenon: the rarely documented Black MC scene. Of the 75 books in The Vintagent Library featuring chopper, 1%er, and motorcycle clubs (MCs), only one features a Black MC: Tobie Gene Livingstons’ Soul on Bikes (2003), his autobiography as President of the East Bay Dragons MC.
 
There’s also Eliot Gold’s 2015 photobook on the Chosen Few MC, The Chosen Few: A 40-Year Look at an Outlaw Motorcycle Club – but that club was mixed-race.

Cruising with the Southside Soldierz in Brooklyn. [Cate Dingley]
 
The history of Black MCs is poorly documented and recorded, and Ezy Riders leans heavily on reminiscences of the late Austin Johnson for context. Johnson, nicknamed ‘Brown Sugar’, shared his 60-year history as a Black biker in NYC, his founding of the South Side Shifters MC in the 1970s, his encounters with other Black MCs (including the first female members, in the Cobras MC) and the 1960s appearance – and 1970s disappearance – of Black chopper riders in chopper magazines.
 
While Dingley’s interviews of all the riders are fascinating (and at at times harrowing, as with Priest’s tale of betrayal), it’s Austin Johnson who gives the book its roots. Johnson’s is a story worth repeating: he contributed significantly to my book The Chopper: the Real Story (2014), and is featured in the film Sugar and Spade (2017), about his 50-year friendship with ‘Spade’ George Bennett.

Ezy Riders deserves a place beside Danny Lyons’ The Bikeriders, the original photobook documenting MCs (the Chicago Outlaws in Lyons’ case), not least because it is formatted similarly, with statements by its subjects providing a verbal ‘snapshot’ of their lives and relationship with motorcycles.
 
Their life stories are as obscure to mainstream audiences today as Lyons’ White underclass bikers were in 1968, although the image of the White outlaw biker had been exploited to the point of cliché for 15 years already, after The Wild One (1953).
 
Cate Dingley’s photographs are compelling, intimate, and full of compassion. And beautifully printed; publisher The Artist Edition used Danish printer Narayana Press to create a physically impeccable book.

MINDFULNESS QUOTES OF THE DAY
 

“You will never be happier than you expect. To change your happiness, change your expectation.”
– Bette Davis
(from 1440)

BIKE FEATURE OF THE WEEK—From Led Sleds Custom Cycles.
 

–Sam Burns
Feature Bike Editor
Bikernet.com™

BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT WORD OF THE WEEK
 
mezzaluna

[ met-suh-loo-nuh ] SHOW IPA
noun

a crescent-shaped, single- or double-bladed chopping knife, with a handle on each end or a connecting handle.

WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF MEZZALUNA?
Mezzaluna, “a crescent-shaped chopping knife,” literally means “half-moon, crescent” in Italian and is a compound of mezza, feminine of mezzo “middle,” and luna “moon” (compare the recent Words of the Day lunisolar and perilune).

Mezzo, which is also the source of the loanword mezzanine “the lowest balcony in a theater,” comes from Latin medius “middle,” which is a distant relative and synonym of English middle and Ancient Greek mésos. A common trend is for Latin -cae-, -di-, -te-, and similar combinations before vowels to become -zz- in Italian.

Just as medius became mezzo, Latin Nicaea “Nice” became Italian Nizza, puteus “(water) well” became pozzo, and statio “standing-place” became stazzo “fold, pen.” Mezzaluna was first recorded in English in the early 1950s.

HOW IS MEZZALUNA USED?

The mezzaluna, with its half-moon-shaped blade and knobby handles at each end, possesses the simplicity of a tool like the hammer. Its design recalls an earlier time, before the food processor, and before home cooks had knife skills worthy of a restaurant kitchen.

AMANDA HESSER, “A HALF MOON THAT BRIGHTENS KITCHEN LABORS,” THE NEW YORK TIMES, JANUARY 23, 2002

–from Dictionary.com

NEWS FROM THE TEXAS WEATHERMAN
 
Committee met, pondered, wax nostalgic and voted yes on the 3.5s, not these (for looking only). However of course a referendum was attached for passage of the original bill. You know how it goes and a wide glide was then attached. But prior to voting, it was suggested the original “Classic” sheet metal be set aside for the foreseeable future, thereby allowing a different rear fender as well.

However, no one on the committee had a viable plan for how to finance article 80-22 and it is shelved for the remainder of the afternoon.

Oh yeah, I think I hurt the Dyna, but I’m still riding it. My overpriced Snap On Compression Tester set from the Corvette and Evo days, doesn’t have the correct size for the twin cam. Was $30.00 on line at SO. The sets at the auto parts cost that much or more. And since I can’t read, along with being able to run 60w oil apparently, a TC cam chain and tensioners have to be serviced, who knew? But I want to check the compression.

Need to ball hone the front cylinder on the Shovelhead, which are no longer just hanging on a rack at the auto parts anymore and can’t find mine! Still low humidity, but I think it’s going away.

As the Texas Turns. It’s still 86 degrees during the day here.

–RFR
 

BIKERNET INTERNATIONAL NEWS BUREAU
 
A visit to one of Japan’s motorcycle Shitno shrine
 

https://blog.bikernet.com/a-visit-to-one-of-japans-motorcycle-shitno-shrine/

 
Did you know that there are 17 motorcycles shrines that have been sanctioned by the Japan Motorcycle Association?
 
Know about what Japanese call “paper-drivers” too — they get “gold-class” licenses and considered “model drivers” — whereas they never actually drive / ride anywhere. LOL.
 

–Wayfarer,
Editor
https://blog.bikernet.com

Moto Beach Classic 2022 Preview

The inaugural Moto Beach Classic started out as a wild idea from Roland Sands and crew in 2017 and has developed into a Southern California motorcycle cultural explosion. It has always delivered the unexpected in the heart of Southern California surf culture.

This year’s event takes place on October 15, 2022. Events include season finale for AMA Super Hooligan National Championship racing, over 100 riders doing battle on a dirt short track built on the sand.

Plus, custom bike show, vendors, art, food, and drinks, all moto centric and all Surfside. Architects of Inspiration will be a centerpiece of the Moto Beach Classic event. A curated collection of unique installations inspired by moto and surf culture.

View & Subscribe to Bikernet Blog !!!
 

https://blog.bikernet.com/moto-beach-classic-2022-preview/

 
–Wayfarer
 

 

 INTERMOT 2022– successful restart after four years

The first motorcycle trade fair of the year attracts motorcycle fans and the international trade + Total of around 100,000 private and trade visitors in Cologne + Exhibitors praise high-quality conversations + Young public with strong representation

The INTERMOT, International Motorcycle and Scooter Trade Fair in Cologne, which ended on Sunday, 9 October 2022, experienced a successful restart. As the first motorcycle trade fair of the year, the event presented world premieres and innovations but also new products that had already been introduced digitally over the course of the year.

At INTERMOT, the motorcycle community, motorcycle fans and the trade, could finally see the motorcycle experience world and all exhibited models live and in colour again. “After a four-year interruption due to the pandemic, the motorised two-wheel world is back in Cologne, and the visitor response underlines how important an industry platform is, especially under difficult circumstances. Consumers and the trade are looking forward to being able to go to trade fairs again, to experience and touch the products up close, especially such emotionally charged lifestyle products like motorcycles or scooters.

The mood among trade fair participants was very good. One could sense that the industry had missed exchanging ideas in such a framework again. That had simply been missing in recent years. Even if the industry was not yet completely represented in Cologne after the pandemic, INTERMOT 2022 has demonstrated its strengths as a trade and consumer fair and positioned itself on the market again”, is the shared summary of Oliver Frese, Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse, and Reiner Brendicke, General Manager of the German Motorcycle Industry Association e.V. (IVM).

INTERMOT 2022 registered a total of around 100,000 visitors from 75 countries. The international specialised trade for the brands participating in Cologne thereby represented around 20 percent of total visitors, around 30 percent of which came from abroad. They informed themselves about the offering of around 500 exhibiting companies and brands from more than 30 countries.

More than 80 percent of the visitors were satisfied with their visit to INTERMOT 2022 and would recommend the trade fair. Nearly 40 percent of private INTERMOT visitors were under 30 year of age. “INTERMOT thus also makes an important contribution to addressing new target groups. This is also underlined by the feedback of our exhibitors, who praised the high quality and the detailed specialised knowledge of INTERMOT visitors and reported intensive discussions”, Oliver Frese and Reiner Brendicke continue.

The WORLD OF SHOP@INTERMOT was also well-received by the public. Consumers had the chance at INTERMOT to buy products for the first time at the trade fair, primarily from the clothing and helmets sections. Long lines formed at many exhibitors with visitors looking to secure something new at the end of the season for the first ride in the coming spring. “The conceptual adjustment, including sales at the trade fair, was a complete success for us. Our stand was practically under siege on the visitor days. Vistors also expect to be able to buy at a motorcycle trade fair”, according to Matthias Kroner, Country Manager Rukka Motorsport Germany/Austria.

In addition to the test drive track, the stunt shows, the European Street Freestyle Championships and the special shows, such as the UNIQUE MOTORCYCLES, were well-attended highlights in the event programme of INTERMOT 2022.

The next INTERMOT takes place from 1 to 6 October 2024.

A QUICK REPORT FROM THE BIKENET UNIVERSITY HISTORY DEPARTMENT
 
The most famous artist for this type of saucy postcards was Donald McGill.

He was nearly 80 years old when he was put on trial (1954) under the Obscene Publications Act, found guilty and fined. Today the postcards are worth a fortune.

–Joe

BATTLE OF THE BUILDERS REPORT
  • Malco Products, Inc. to Sponsor Three SEMA Battle of the Builders Entries
  • Booth to Showcase Award Winning Custom Built 1936 Willys Truck

Barberton, OH—Today, Malco Products, Inc. announced they would sponsor three SEMA Battle of the Builders entries as part of SEMA Show 2022 at the Las Vegas Convention Center on November 1-4. Visitors to West Hall booth 54149 will have the opportunity to see the 2020 Al Slonaker Memorial Award-winning 1936 Willys Pickup and speak to builder Brian Limburg of The Tin Man’s Garage.

As the centerpiece for the Malco booth, the 1936 Willys features a show-stopping PPG Ferrari Red paint job, custom Chromoly tube chassis, and 498 cubic inch Arias V6 800 horsepower Hemi engine. The truck is finished with Malco Automotive’s EPIC® line of compounds and polishes to enhance the truck’s shine.

“Malco Products, Inc. exhibits at SEMA to support our flagship Malco Automotive line of professional-grade detailing products and our Presta Automotive line of automotive refinish products,” said Jennifer Bowman, Director of Marketing. “This year, our booth centers around the Malco and Presta brands’ core purpose: paint correction and protection. There is no better way to show what our brands represent than to show a vehicle in our signature red color that shines and has great reflection. We are honored to have this Grand National Roadster Show award-winning build in our booth and wish Brian luck in the Battle of the Builders competition.”

In addition to the 1936 Willys Truck, Malco is also sponsoring John Wargo and The Custom Shop Crew’s Battle of the Builders entries. A 1966 Mustang named Double Down is a convertible with a motorized removable hardtop riding on a Roadster Shop chassis with a Coyote swap running through Ultimate Headers & Pypes exhaust and finished with ProSpray paint with graphics and buffed out with Presta Automotive compounds and polishes.
 
As well as a 1953 Chevy truck named “GrandPa Dave” that is the owner’s grandfather’s original truck and rebuilt to a killer street custom. “GrandPa Dave” features a Roadster Shop chassis, LS3 with Comp Cam and Holley EFI running out of a Pypes exhaust and is finished with ProSpray Paint buffed out with Presta Automotive compounds and polishes. You can visit Double Down and “Grandpa Dave” in SONY Booth 11123 in the North Hall.

To learn more about the Malco Automotive brand, visit our new website at www.malcoautomotive.com, and to learn more about Presta Automotive products, visit www.prestaproducts.com.

SONG PICK OF THE PICK

Song : “Bad Things”
Artist : Jace Everett
Album : Jace Everett (2005)
Lyrics : Jace Everett

When you came in, the air went out
And every shadow filled up with doubt
I don’t know who you think you are
But before the night is through
I wanna do bad things with you

I’m the kind to sit up in his room
Heart sick and eyes filled up with blue
I don’t know what you’ve done to me
But I know this much is true
I wanna do bad things with you, okay

When you came in the air went out
And all those shadows there filled up with doubt
I don’t know who you think you are
But before the night is through
I wanna do bad things with you
I wanna do real bad things with you

I don’t know what you’ve done to me
But I know this much is true
I wanna do bad things with you
I wanna do real bad things with you

–Wayfarer

Wreaths Across America Expands FREE TEACH Program Curriculum for Educators
 
FREE Access to an expanded patriotic, educational curriculum and resources for service-based learning

COLUMBIA FALLS, Maine — October 12, 2022 — This year’s theme for Wreaths Across America (WAA) is “Find a Way to Serve.” In keeping with this, the organization launched a new TEACH program earlier this year.

The program, which was put together by retired educator and Gold Star Mother Cindy Tatum, shares an established curriculum designed to teach the next generation about the value of their freedom. In the past few months, with consistent updates based on American holidays and other important events, this program has become wildly popular with professional educators and homeschoolers. Last month alone, this program received over 2,000 individual downloads.

The program, which consists of stories of courage and character, regularly introduces new educational materials – most recently you can find lesson plans specifically related to Veterans’ Day – further focusing on character development and service projects for young people of all ages.

This program is FREE to download from www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/teach and is also available to all educators and homeschoolers on Teachers Pay Teachers.
 
The program curriculum encompasses all grades starting at kindergarten through the senior year of high school.

This service-based curriculum is designed to share educational materials from philanthropic and patriotic organizations like The Unites States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, the American Rosie MovementTM, Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, The Congressional Media of Honor Society, and IKEducation at the Eisenhower Foundation. Additionally, WAA has developed a Veterans’ Oral History Project for youth from 4th -12th grades that encourages young people to interview a veteran, service member, or Gold Star Family member to learn about the sacrifices our military make on behalf of our country and teach the next generation the value of their freedom.

To learn more, or to download WAA’s TEACH materials, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/teach.

Learn more at: https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/19520/News/832/?relatedId=0

BIKERNET QUOTE OF THE WEEK–
 
“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.”

–Marcus Aurelius

NEWS FOR BIKERS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
 
MPs Call on Government to Scrap the 2030 Fossil Fuelled New Car Sales Ban, Following Ground-Breaking Economic Report

KENT, UNITED KINGDOM , October 12, 2022

Key Findings in a Pioneering Cebr Economic Report Sanctioned by the Fair Fuel APPG for Motorists and Hauliers, & Funded by FairFuelUK, ABD and MAG:

1. The environmental benefits from the proposed 2030 bans are dwarfed by the considerably additional costs.

2. Environmental benefits from the 2030 ban add-up to £76 billion. In contrast, the assessed costs add up to £400 billion.

3. These costs are FIVE times the benefits; even after using the government’s own valuations of the alleged unproven environmental benefits.

4. The study shows that the major costs from the proposed ban are likely to be:
New vehicle purchases of £188 billion (in extra costs).
Increased time lost due to waiting whilst recharging EVs, valued at £47 billion.
Infrastructure for electricity generation and additional charging points of £99 billion.

5. There is likely to be a loss of tax revenue of £5.8 billion per annum (£2.7 billion when discounted to 2022 base year terms), on average, in the scenario of a ban in comparison to a no-ban scenario, as fuel duty and VAT dwindle away.

6. From the perspective of the average household, these additional costs over the period 2022 to 2050 amount to £27,400 or just under £1,000 per household per year from 2022 until 2050.

7. Even the overall environmental benefits from the 2030 ban are rather lower than might be assumed since approximately 50% of any reductions in emissions from usage are likely to be offset by increased emissions in EV production.

8. Furthermore, this analysis does not take account of the likely increased emissions and other social costs from the massive increase in mining likely to be required by EVs. These extra emissions will be transnational in nature, relating to the processing of raw materials and associated shipments across the globe.

The Cebr report in full is at https://fairfueluk.com/CEBR-2030-BAN

Comments from MPs, Cebr, Report Sponsors and Reform UK

Tory Craig McKinlay MP, Chair of the FairFuel APPG and Net Zero Scrutiny Group says: “This in-depth study from the CEBR shows unequivocally that the costs of the proposed ban on petrol and diesel vehicles would be many times the benefits. Strikingly, even when using the Government’s own methodology on carbon pricing, the study finds that the costs are a staggering five times the estimated benefits.

Other reports show the CO2 savings of electric vehicles are limited, not to mention the reality of the limited supply of the elements required for batteries largely under Chinese control and the human misery associated with the mining process. No policy can be justified which has such an unbalanced ratio of costs to benefits, under a range of different assumptions. I really hope the Government will study these results carefully and abandon a policy that can only leave people worse off.

It’s time for a more nuanced approach to decarbonising transport that allows for innovation across the automotive sector. Continuing with this rigid and authoritarian ban risks disaster.

Tory MP, Karl McCartney, Member of the Transport Select Committee, says: “Some of our overzealous colleagues in Parliament have devoutly followed the 2030/2050 ‘Net Zero’ mantra like lemmings. They should watch ‘The Big Reset’, it will blow their minds. This report very firmly puts them and the civil servants and ‘green’ lobby on notice that there is a vast and terrible economic cost, for both our Country and every individual who lives here, to achieve their unrealistic aims.

The Cebr report in full is at https://fairfueluk.com/CEBR-2030-BAN

SOURCE :
https://motorcycles.einnews.com/pr_news/595220975/mps-call-on-government-to-scrap-the-2030-fossil-fuelled-new-car-sales-ban-following-ground-breaking-economic-report

Cartoon Source:
https://www.economist.com/the-world-this-week/2022/03/12/kals-cartoon

 

[page break]

GET YOUR KICKS ON ROUTE 66
 
Amerivespa — the largest motor-scooter gathering in America — attracts 600-800 Vespa aficionados annually, but scooterists of all stripes from all around the globe are welcome for a four-day event in celebration of all things scooter!
 
According to the Vespa Club of America, everyone will get their kicks on Route 66 June 1-4, 2023 in Flagstaff, Arizona.

–Dealernews

CHOPPERS MAGAZINE NUMBER 10 IS NOW AVAILABLE
 
What’s in Issue 10?

– The notorious Rattlesnake Run
– The Magnificent Micah McCloskey
– The Talented Jim Madison
– The International Fücker Chopperfest
…and so much more! Order your copy today!~!

JUST TWO TRIKES OF THE WEEK

–Sam Burns
Trike Editor
Bikernet.com™

ONE OF THE 13 MOST HAUNTED HOTELS
 
Rising over downtown Rapid City like a sky-scraping beacon, the historic Hotel Alex Johnson has hosted luminaries and dignitaries from the world over, who come to marvel at the awe-inspiring wonders of the nearby Black Hills. The hotel has also hosted its fair share of ghosts.

It all dates back to its origins, when Alex Carlton Johnson dreamt up a luxe homage to the Black Hills and the Lakota Sioux Tribes, in the form of an ornate hotel filled with wood, brick and Native American tapestries. The hotel began construction in 1927, just one day before work started on Mount Rushmore, and it opened the following year.

Over the subsequent century, there have been reported sightings of Alex Johnson himself, a young girl and a “Lady in White” who may or may not have committed suicide by jumping from the window in room 812.

Nowadays, she’s said to roam the eighth floor in search of the person who may or may not have pushed her. When you check in, employees might regale you with tales of housekeeping staff who quit abruptly over unexplained noises and sights or warn you that you could hear the sounds of people sprinting down hotel hallways late at night.

–from InsideHook.

LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK
 
2015 Harley-Davidson XL883N – Sportster Iron 883 for $8,995.00

SEE IT HERE: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=12723101

Stock # 13511 is a 2015 Denim Black Harley-Davidson SPORTSTER IRON XL883N with only 12211.00 miles!

This bike is a super nice Iron 883 some of the features/Add-ons on this bike are

* 883c.c. Motor with a 5-Speed trans
* Vance & Hince Chrome exhaust
* Cafe style fairing
* Solo seat
* Black sissy bar
* Mag spoke wheels
* Black drag bars
* Ball milled gas cap
* MX grips

This bike is only $8,995.00

Plus license, $85.00 documentation fee, and local sales tax. NO HIDDEN FEES like some dealers. And we have no reconditioning or prep fees. This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 92-point safety/mechanical/structural inspection.

Fill out an online application today. We have EZ FINANCING and EXTENDED WARRANTIES available!

Lifestyle Cycles is located at 1510 State College Blvd,Anaheim,CA,92806. Open 7 days a week.

NOT LOCAL? WE HAVE SHIPPING AVAILABLE! Call today (714) 490-0155.

We carry Street Glides, Road Glides, Road Kings, Ultras, Sportsters, Softails, Dynas, and much more!
 

We are California’s pre-owned Harley Mega-Store with over 200 Pre-Owned Harley-Davidsons in stock! To view our current inventory,

Please visit www.LifestyleCycles.com or

 

DEEP IN THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY
 
Four great confusions still unresolved.

1. At a movie theater, which arm rest is yours?

2. If people evolve from monkeys, why are monkeys still around?

3. Why is there a ‘D’ in fridge, but not in refrigerator?

4. Who knew what time it was when the first clock was made?

Vagaries of English Language!

1. Ever wonder why the word funeral starts with FUN?

2. Why isn’t a Fireman called a Water-man?

3. How come Lipstick doesn’t do what it says?

4. If money doesn’t grow on trees, how come Banks have Branches?

5. If a Vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a Humanitarian eat?

6. How do you get off a non-stop Flight?

7. Why are goods sent by ship called CARGO and those sent by truck SHIPMENT?

8. Why do we put cups in the dishwasher and the dishes in the Cupboard?

9. Why do doctors ‘practice’ medicine? Are they having practice at the cost of the patients?

10. Why is it called ‘Rush Hour’ when traffic moves at its slowest then?

11. How come Noses run and Feet smell?

12. Why do they call it a TV ‘set’ when there is only one?

13. What are you vacating when you go on a vacation?

14. Did you know that if you replace “W” with “T” in “What, Where and When”, you get the answer to each of them.

–El Waggs
Bikernet Pornographic Editor
Bikernet.com™

Tucker Powersports Named Exclusive Distributor of Australia’s High-Tech Forcite Helmet

Fort Worth TX – October 10, 2022 – Tucker Powersports today announced an exclusive distribution agreement with Forcite, the Australian maker of the Forcite MK1S, a high-tech motorcycle helmet with an integrated action camera, premium audio and a patented, LED display for road alerts and navigation. Tucker will distribute the helmet to its dealer network in the United States as part of this multi-year agreement.

Developed over six years at a cost of $5.8 million, the Forcite MK1S helmet does away with the need for bulky clip-on cameras or headsets and can alert riders of upcoming dangers before they arrive. Forcite launched its technology-heavy motorcycle helmet in Australia in 2020 and is expanding to the UK and EU in Q4 of 2022. There are currently over 2000 Forcite helmets in use in Australia.

The helmet was designed by a team of motorcyclists led by Co-Founders Alfred Boyadgis and Julian Chow who collaborated on R&D with riders, capturing thousands of points of on-road feedback, The helmet uses a patented, rider alert system and LED display to deliver information that improves the motorcycle riding experience with high-quality audio, instructions to ease navigation, and alerts to upcoming road hazards.

“We are constantly seeking partners and products that enhance the adventure of riding a motorcycle,” said Tucker President and CEO Marc McAllister. “Forcite is clearly focused on that riding experience and on the future of our favorite pastime.”

“We’ve created a motorcycle helmet that looks slick, and also packs a punch with cool features that lift the riding experience,” said Alfred Boyadgis, co-founder of Forcite. “This new partnership with Tucker Powersports promises to deliver as both companies look to the future of what’s possible in the motorcycle category.”

The features of the Forcite MK1S are unmatched in the motorcycle helmet market and operate as a system (helmet, built-in electronics and a related Forcite app) to provide an engaged and connected riding experience.

The stylish helmet shell is hand-laid carbon fiber which has tremendous strength and makes the Forcite MK1S the lightest smart helmet on the market. It includes an eight-vent system for optimized airflow and meets ECE and DOT testing standards.

The Forcite helmets deliver road alerts and navigation through a unique, in-helmet LED display and audio cues which communicate navigation maneuvers, live traffic alerts, speed traps, road hazards and traffic enforcement. Positioned at the bottom of the visor, the in-helmet display is designed to be non-distracting, allowing riders to keep their eyes up and focused on the road ahead.

The Forcite MK1S also features high-end, in-helmet audio powered by removable, 40mm Harman Kardon speakers, which are integrated into the helmet’s interior design, not a customer add-on. The speaker system is paired with two omni-directional microphones which are tuned for vocal clarity and wind reduction, allowing riders to take calls and create “voice over” video.

A built-in action camera offers HD 1080P resolution and automatically adjusts for low-light and night-time filming.

The helmet’s face shield is a Pinlock 120 anti-fog shield and includes a quick release as well as a locking switch for track and high-speed use. The padding is 3D-formed foam with a contoured fit and cheek pads. A special neck roll design with a chin curtain reduces wind noise and results in even better audio quality.

The Forcite MK1S will be available in early 2023. Suggested retail price for the black, full-face helmet is $1099.

NEWS FROM THE DIME BAG EMPIRE
 
Weather here has been better. Got some new medicine and it’s fkn legal in all 50 states bro, wwwaurochsfarms.com

It’s great working weed, I smoke a bowl, and have 4 gummies and my body feels like it’s healing inside strange enough. Been working on my deep breathing and gonna head up north to get in the Mackinaw river.

Me and all the ascended master will be floating in that river. It’s a great river to camp and swim at. In October the river beds are dry and I thought a flat bottom river race weekend would be badass, drag race style. Lots of great motorcycle history is in Illinois.

Checkout this seat. Fkn badass, checkout those 45° Stitchingand those slick lines. My customer Peter is pumped. Working on it tonight to ship out tomorrow. I’ll get photos and send them to you.

–Adam Croft
President and Founder
Dime Bag Enterprises

NEW FROM THE MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION
 
Individuals Can Make a Difference!

Don’t fall into the trap of believing only high-powered lobbyists or big money donors can make a difference in D.C. The average biker can and has impacted policy in our nation’s capital.

A perfect example is the work of two motorcyclists in Nevada, Fred Harrell and Russell Radke. Both are long time biker rights advocates and understand the best way to get things done is to educate and develop relationships with their elected officials. Over the course of several years, they met with and befriended their local lawmaker, Congresswoman Susie Lee of Nevada. Sharing their experiences as motorcyclists and their concern regarding the profiling of bikers they sought solutions to help address the issue.

In response to the concerns of her constituents, and as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Congresswoman Lee advanced committee report language to a government funding bill that seeks answers from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on the issue of profiling. The language states:

“The Committee is concerned that NHTSA may be conducting activities that encourage states to adopt legislation, regulation, or other policies that unjustly profile motorcycle riders. The Committee directs NHTSA to report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on the extent to which the agency works with states on motorcycle passenger policies within 120 days of enactment of this Act.”

On behalf of the 70,000 riders in the Silver State and the 10 million bikers across this country, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, thanks Congresswoman Lee and her staff for meeting with, listening to and advocating for her constituents and the entire motorcycle community. Additional thanks to Russell and Fred for their tireless work to build and maintain these important relationships on Capitol Hill.

Daytona Biketoberfest

Join us for Daytona Biketoberfest in Ormond Beach, Florida. Come find the Legend Suspensions tent at Bruce Rossmeyers Harley-Davidson October 12th – 16th during Biketoberfest. We are excited to see you, talk suspension, and celebrate all things Harley-Davidson.

October 12th – 16th
Bruce Rossmeyers Harley Davidson
1637 US-1

Ormond Beach, Florida 32174
 

QUICK, New Bikernet Reader Comment!–BIKERS AND THE VA

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/BIKERS_AND_THE_VA.aspx

So sad, veterans have to go through so much to get what they need. Great article Rogue!

— Cat Hammes
Racine, WI

 

 

Supreme Court Hears Challenge to Allegedly Unconstitutional California Pork Industry Restrictions

A voter-ratified law in California banning the sale of pork from hogs raised in spaces smaller than industry norms is unconstitutional, an industry group told the Supreme Court on Oct. 11.

The case is important because whatever ruling the court issues could have implications reaching well beyond agricultural law. State-level energy and climate regulations have also been challenged under the so-called dormant commerce clause, or negative commerce clause, in the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits states from enacting legislation that discriminates against or excessively burdens interstate commerce.

In 2008, California voters easily approved Proposition 2, the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act, which outlawed “gestation crates” for pregnant pigs, cages for egg-laying hens, and veal crates for calves. However, the measure didn’t forbid the sale of food that comes from animals confined in prohibited ways, Ballotpedia reports.

A decade later, California Proposition 12, the Farm Animal Confinement Initiative, was also easily approved by state voters in 2018, according to Ballotpedia.

The initiative establishes “minimum space requirements based on square feet for calves raised for veal, breeding pigs, and egg-laying hens and bans the sale of (a) veal from calves, (b) pork from breeding pigs, and (c) eggs from hens when the animals are confined to areas below minimum square-feet requirements.”

Separately, the Humane Society of the United States, a respondent in the case, said in a statement released while the hearing was underway that “states have the right to keep immoral and unsafe products out of their markets, including pork from cruelly confined pigs.”

“As we await the Court’s decision, we applaud the many retailers and major pork producers who are already meeting consumers’ increasing demand for safer, more humane pork,” Humane Society CEO Kitty Block said.

–By Matthew Vadum

from Epoch Times
 

AND ANOTHER New Bikernet Reader Comment!–BIKERS AND THE VA

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/BIKERS_AND_THE_VA.aspx

This article speaks volumes. The VA has been working hard for our veterans but we need more help. Our veterans need more assistance with claims and people to care about their needs.

I personally know of a Veteran who has fought for his rights with our government to get his disability to 100%. It’s taken him years and this year he finally won the battle.

Others need to know that it’s not impossible and that persistence is a must. We as Americans need to help our Veterans who fought for us. So, let’s fight for them!

–Christy Severino
Hundees96@comcast.net
Palm Beach Gardens , FL

BABES IN THE DIRT x MOTOVENTURES OCTOBER TRAINING CAMP
 
We are thrilled to partner with MotoVentures Oct 22-23rd for a ladies only weekend of dirt bike training.

The experience is about dialing in technique, body positioning, and running controlled drills that will enhance your riding skills considerably. With expert coaching in an awesome environment with a like-minded crew, we promise you will walk away better, faster, and a more capable rider. Sound like something you want to do, read on and let’s get your registered!

Babesrideout.ticketspice.com

THOUGHTS FROM THE BIKERNET THOUGHT TEMPLE DOWN UNDER
 

My unconditional encompass embracing those I love everyday & showing up

Always having my words match my actions & my actions match my words

Knowing I am entering in the rewarding phase of my life through living committed to my values

Loving, nurturing who I am with clarity, contentment, honesty & who I hold close to me through choice

–The writing of Ray Russell
Australian Guru

HANG ON
A brother passed and Irish Rich and I are looking into a motorcycle urn. It dawned on me that I have an Evo cylinder and head with a skull carved into the fins. It’s been following me for a decade.

We’ve faced a serious wave of content including the Indian Chief café racer feature, which is on the home page. Barry sent me a squad of hot looking Asian broads for the Cantina.

I’m working on a heartfelt story of love and lust and a tribute to our Sinwu. Don’t forget to read Daytona Charlie. I want to dive into my next build and the first tech, but I’m also trying to get a handle on finishing the upper garage while the sun is shining. We experienced a taste of snow the other day.

Jerry insulated, dry-walled and painted three walls. It’s up to me finish the fourth wall and work on the ceiling with blue board. I’ve never worked with this stuff, but I’ll give it hell. I’m considering a home generator. And the Redhead sleeps through most of the day, then gets up and asks for more improvements. The list is long and daunting.

I’m having a 30-foot flag pole constructed and I’m working on the top brass ball and handmade wings. Will seek inspiration tomorrow in a Whitewood Picker’s junk yard.

Hang on, Halloween is coming!

Just about whiskey time…
 
Ride free forever.
 
–Bandit 

Read More

Moto Beach Classic 2022 Preview

from https://hotbike.com

The inaugural Moto Beach Classic started out as a wild idea from Roland Sands and crew in 2017 and has developed into a Southern California motorcycle cultural explosion. From massive concerts to short track racing on the sand in Huntington Beach, the Moto Beach Classic has always delivered the unexpected in the heart of Southern California surf culture.​

This year’s event takes place on October 15, 2022 and brings a massive new partnership with Red Bull and their iconic Red Bull Straight Rhythm Race, for a one-day, jam-packed, moto-centric event with a projected attendance of 20,000 moto fans, at Huntington State Beach.​

The Moto Beach Classic will anchor the cultural side of the day with Super Hooligan National Championship racing and over 100 riders doing battle on a dirt short track built on the sand. Key attractions also include a custom bike show, vendors, art, food, and drinks, all moto centric and all Surfside.

This one-day event will include the best motocross riders on the planet, battling side by side for Straight Rhythm glory on a specially-built dirt motocross track featuring full-size supercross jumps and no turns, parallel to Pacific Coast Highway, alongside the hospitality and perks expected of Red Bull signature events.​

Roland Sands Design is still currently taking submissions to the Moto Classic Bike Show. Please email motorcycle description, images and builder info to info@rolandsands.com.

The vendor village at Moto Beach is a great way to see and experience products from some your favorite brands. Whether you’re into motorcycles, e-Bikes, hand crafted art, riding gear, sunglasses, leather goods or jewelry, there is something for everyone. Past vendors included Roland Sands Design, Deus ex Machina, Vans, Indian Motorcycle, Moto Doffo Winery, Stellar Moto, BMW Motorcycles, Dunlop Tires, GEICO, Saddleman Seats, Royal Enfield, KROQ, ASV, MoonEyes, Black Fly’s, Super73, STACYC, HD LiveWire, Russ Brown Attorneys, Vance & Hines, Hurley, Inked Iron, We Big, K&N Filters, Yamaha.

Architects of Inspiration Art Show
The Architects of Inspiration will be a centerpiece of the Moto Beach Classic event. A curated collection of unique installations inspired by moto and surf culture. Initially structured​ to solely be an art collective, the Architects of Inspiration has grown to be a larger platform that included more creatives, such as live muralist painters and local music gurus. This year, the Architects of Inspiration Art Show will take place on the sand between the Super Hooligan Dirt Track and the Moto Classic Custom Bike Show. ​

Super Hooligan Flat Track Racing
As with any RSD event, the main focus is on motorcycle racing. The Moto Beach Classic serves as the season finale for AMA Super Hooligan National Championship and also offers anyone a chance to race on the short track built on the sand. Past classes include Run What Ya Brung, Desert MX Open, Vintage Air Cooled, Mad Dog Mini and more, offering a ton of fun, regardless of which side of the handlebars you are on.​

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

STAY UPDATED With All Motorcycling Events, News, Updates, Products, Reviews and More. Grab the Bikernet Blog FREE Weekly Newsletter. CLICK HERE To Sign-up. Free, No Spam Ever, Never any non-motorcycling stuff. Unsubscribe Anytime.

Read More

Something to learn from 4 failed land speed attempts

This Custom Land-Speed Bike Build Failed 4 Times: Here’s What We Can Learn

You’re going to fail a lot when you try something new, but keep going.
by Janaki Jitchotvisut from https://www.rideapart.com

Have you ever had a project not go exactly like you planned? If you noticed that I didn’t say “project bike” there, that word choice was intentional—because maybe you’re just at the beginning of thinking about your first project bike. However, as a person who has worked on many a passion project prior to ever even thinking about a project bike, I’m here to tell you that some of that precious knowledge you’ve already gained completely carries over into project bike territory.

In this video, YouTuber SuperFastMatt takes us on a detailed breakdown of how he tried to build a custom land speed record attempt motorcycle four separate times—and how (and why) he failed. His analysis is unsparing, hilarious, and incredibly relatable—even if you’ve never personally tried to build a custom land speed record attempt motorcycle of your own.

Why? Probably because, at their heart, most projects—be they bikes or other things—share a number of traits in common. As he spells out toward the beginning of the vehicle, all projects require some mixture of time, money, space, and motivation to complete things—from your individual sub-tasks, all the way up to full project completion.

Most people don’t have unlimited supplies of any (or all) of these things—but if you have motivation, you can usually find creative ways to bend the other three parts to your will. The problems usually happen when motivation runs out. A setback may only seem tiny to an outsider, but if it feels utterly soul-crushing to you, then you may set something aside for weeks, months—or even years until you’re ready to deal with it again.

This video is particularly great because it works on multiple levels. On the one hand, you’re getting a blow-by-blow synopsis of what was clearly years of Matt’s attempts at getting this particular build off the ground—or, at least, more quickly across the ground than was probably advisable for this vehicle. On the other, you’re getting a close-up look at the inner workings of one curious, mechanically-minded person’s thought process in working through failure—which could, ultimately, help you work through your own failures.

The fact is, most of us have to keep trying, falling down, getting back up again, and learning from our mistakes when we attempt new things. Very few people are automatically good at just about anything. Most of us just have to keep trying, keep learning, and keep improving. That stubbornness may not seem like a good thing, but it is. Then again, so is learning to recognize when it’s time to light something on fire and shove it into the sea. Cheers.

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Build Your Own Fastest Motorcycle, get yourself a copy of full-color, high-quality book on 5 Ball Racing Shop, click here.

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A Custom Indian Chief like no other


click on the images to zoom-in
 
This past weekend, at the Barber Vintage Motorcycle Festival, Indian Motorcycle debuted a custom Indian Chief like never before.
 
 
From cruiser to racer, the RT-3/4 custom Indian Chief was designed by Noise Cycles and brought to life by Zach Hindes.
 
 
Have a glimpse of the photos of the completed build, along with a series of videos filmed and directed by Scott Toepfer.
 
 
As you can see, the build and specs is unique as its concept & execution.
 

Next step: Paint.
 

EPISODE 3: BUILD VIDEO: https://youtu.be/8X00ZjElisE

In this second stage of the custom RT-4/13 Indian Chief Zach Hindes brings things from design to reality. Lots of modifying existing pieces and hand-fabricated parts will make this road and race machine work as it should, and look incredible.
 

Filmed & directed by Scott G Toepfer (@sgtoepfer)
 

Episode 2: Design (Noise Cycles): HERE
https://youtu.be/1Ct-659VuJI

Episode 1: Planning (Noise Cycles): HERE
https://youtu.be/9fhyoQji5dk

Full video playlist including planning and design found HERE
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDcKnjZUAr9Rk5yLtAEcijgeoY-3FNXBK

 
 

BUILD LIST AND SPECS:

  • Build & Fabrication – Zach Hindes
  • Engine – Stock 111ci
  • Transmission – Stock 6 speed
  • Exhaust – Custom Stainless Steel by Zach Hindes
  • Muffler – Racefit
  • Frame – Modified rear section from twin shocks to mono shock & modified swing arm by Zach Hindes
  • Front Forks – Modified from single disc to to dual disc by Zach Hindes
  • Wheels – Custom by Roland Sands Design – 17 inch rear / 19 inch front
  • Tires – Dunlop
  • Brakes – Beringer
  • Gas Tank – Custom by Zach Hindes
  • Footpeg mounts – Custom by Roland Sands Design
  • Racing Fairing – Vintage 1970’s modified by Zach Hindes
  • Seat Pan – Vintage 1970’s modified by Zach Hindes
 
 
 
Photo Credit Scott G Toepfer (@sgtoepfer)
 

 
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