September 23, 2004 Part 3
By Bandit | | General Posts
Continued From Page 2
BIKERNET CARIBBEAN REPORT–
Last week I did the news a bit early, lucky me. While I was at the shop, late as always, the phone rang and there was a storm heading our way and the flights were going to be cancelled. Meaning that my Wednesday flight would be out of the question. I hauled ass home, packed what I could and got on the last flight out. Destination was JFK in New York. I was scheduled to arrive in Vegas Wed. night. Because of the chaotic packing and all, I had left most of the stuff home, and left a lot of shit undone (yeap that I planned on doing that night).
So I made it to Vegas with time to spare, and luckily since the flights were cancelled for the next two days. I was ready for the Artistry in Iron gig. I tell you, Vegas is way over rated. I really don’t know if it’s that I was in a super rush all the time, or simply I wanted to be in New York with my friends, but it seemed like Vegas was flat. Not the event, which was pretty cool and I believe the Artistry in Iron was a success, (Goldammer won ! ), but the town in general. Maybe since we were in Downtown, which got old pretty quick, or like I said, after the night before rush and time difference I was still out of place.
Then again it was fun, as fun as it can be when you are hanging out with good friends. Brian Klock from Klockwerks in Mitchell South Dakota took my purple bobber all the way to Vegas (thanks guys), and we got to hang out a bit. Then Chica, Johnny Chop and Go, took the bike back to Cali, and we got to create some havoc while there. Chica was teaching me Japanese, and Go teaching all of us how to kill a Vegas buffet and get his money’s worth. Roland and Jesse Rooke were partners in crime as well, even some guys, Paul Tracy and Jimmy Vasser (indy car drivers) were there to control Rooke, or maybe just add to the mayhem.
Michele Smith was there with the American Thunder cameras, she is way cool, so are Mitch Bergeron and his wife. To tell you the truth one of the coolest things about the Artistry in Iron gig was getting to spend time with fellow builders and shooting the shit. Yeah the bikes were cool too, but these days of TV and stuff, it’s still the coolest to be able to hang out with old and new friends alike. Never mind the great Mondo who was showing the best Vegas can bring, and no I’m, not dropping names, just letting you know who was there.Steve from Hawaiian Choppers (the new mag in Hawaii) became another partner in crime as soon as we got there; there was a lot of Hawaiian guys there enjoying the event.
Michelle Dell and the hottest chicks imported from NYC were promoting the upcoming opening of a Hogs and Heifers in Sin City, and according to the newspaper, the coming of a new era for Downtown Vegas.
The set up for the Artistry in Iron was cool as well; there was a book with all the builders bios and photos with space on the bottom for autographs. The attendees were diggin it and we got to sign a shit load of books, but still the breast count was zero.
As cool as Vegas was, we needed to be in Brooklyn for Indian Larry’s memorial, and that’s were we headed. It was a massive exodus towards the airport as soon as it was eight o’ clock. The Vegas airport was a concentration of builders on the way out, Russ Mitchel, Chica, Mondo, Johnny Chop, Paul Yaffe and your truly, comes to mind, the red eye flights awaited, so off towards NY we went.
6:45 am, JFK airport.The shittiest flight in my life, and I travel a lot. I was at the Vegas airport two hours before the plane departed and almost did not make my flight, America West kind of sucks….The plane was packed to the gills, but I HAD to be in NY so nothing mattered. I went straight to the hotel for a 3 hour nap.When we got to Larry’s memorial it seemed like the whole world was there. Where the last block party was kind of mellow, this was insane. The whole block (and some others) was solid with people and bikes. I guess I can sum up who was there by saying everyone…. Then again we were there to celebrate our friends life, and being able to be there with other friends. Bill, Renay and Jay were there since the night before, it’s always good to see them. Again, it was good to see everyone there. It was a hell of a memorial with bands, booze, food and babes all over the place, but more important, sharing it with good friends.
The whole trip was beginning to catch up with me, but I held on, even though we stayed ’till really late, we still were not able to say hi to everyone, but I managed to say goodbye to Larry’s remains, by the way in a really cool urn. If I would start talking about the whole party I would need the whole news space for just that, so I will cut it short. Chaos, mayhem, zoo, and RESPECT are some of the words that fit. After seeing Chica and Mondo I really know why they call the flights red eye…Then again, me too.
Although I wanted to rock on, my body had other plans, time to head back to the hotel as we wanted to meet with friends again. But I ended up just having some dinner and just crashing. Alexis and I had flights back to Puerto Rico and I had to be back at the shop (which had no power from the storm ’till Sunday) I had many things to catch up with since I had left in such a hurry a day earlier.I want to thank Bobby, Paul, Anne, Elisa, Bambi and everyone else at Indian Larry’s for a memorial that we will never forget, I’m sure Larry was enjoying the chaos from up there, wondering how the fuck so many people loved him.
See you guys next week….I’m sure there will be some juicy news and stories.
Jose ? Caribbean Reporter
SPEAKING OF BIKER ETIQUETTE–A biker goes to a restaurant and orders a chicken dish. By the timethe food is ready and he is about to eat, the waiter comes back andsays, “Sir, I’m afraid there has been a mistake. You see, thatpolice officer who is sitting at the next table is a regularcustomer of ours and he usually orders the same dish. The problemis, this is the last chicken in the house. I’m afraid I’ll have totake this dish to him and arrange for another dish for you!”
The biker gets really upset and refuses to give up his food. Thewaiter walks over to the other table and explains the situation tothe officer. A few minutes later the officer walks over to the biker?stable and says, “Listen and listen good. That is MY chicken you areabout to eat and I’ll warn you, whatever you do to that chicken I’lldo the same to you. You pull out one of its legs, I’ll pull out oneof yours. You break one of its wings, I’ll break one of your arms!”
The biker calmly looks at the chicken, then sticks his middle fingerin the bird’s rectum, pulls it out and licks it. He then gets up,drops his pants, bends over and says, “Your turn!!”
MORE RESTAURANT RULES–This guy went into a restaurant and ordered his meal. When thewaitress came out with his soup, he noticed that she had her thumbstuck into the soup.
This upset him, but he was a gentleman and let it go. She thenbrought out his chili, and again her thumb was in the food. He letit go again. When she brought out his hot dessert, her thumb was inthe food and this was too much for him.
He said,”‘Goddammit, woman, get your damn thumb out of my food!”
She replied,”Well, I injured it a while ago and the Doctor said Ishould keep it warm.”
The guy said angrily,”Why don’t you just shove it up your ass!”
She said, “That’s what I do when I’m in the kitchen.”
Rogue
http://www.bikerrogue.com
STEEDS MUSCLE BIKE UNION ADDRESS–We’ve sold every bike made so far…this shop looks like a ghost town today.The last seven units just went to Galveston, Texas for a show thisweekend with one of our dealers. The truck arrived today, and they sold twobikes as the rear door was lowered. This is just nuts…feast orfamine…FEAST is better…after 15 years. Thanks for all your help.
John Covington
President
Steeds Muscle Bikes
Phoenix, AZ
John manufacturers the only line of bikes based on the Muscle Car theme. They are strickly performance oriented, sharp and host the new 300 Avon Tyres.–Bandit
BIKERNET FARMING ADVICE–Two little potatoes are standingon the street corner. One is aprostitute.
How can you tell which one is the prostitute?
Hold on……
It’s the one with the little stickerthat says…I – DA – HO
–from Ken Miller
HIGH-HEELS DEFENSE BEATS DUI CHARGE–TAKE NOTES– Attorney Bill Thomas may get a lot more business from female motorist thanks to a novel defense strategy: High Heals Can Beat a DUI Rap.
Thomas last week asked a judge how anyone could pass a field sobriety test ? which requires a lot of walking ? in a pair of 3-inch stiletto high heels. The argument created a minor sensation among court officials and observers. Thomas contended it would be ?fundamentally unfair? to use the results of a field sobriety tests against one of his female clients because she was wearing stiletto heels at the time, making her unsteady on her feet.
–from Rogue
PENTAGHON MAY BAR USE OF PROSTITUTES–Pentagon WASHINGTON — U.S. troops stationed overseas could face courts-martial for patronizing prostitutes under a regulation drafted by the Pentagon.
The move is part of a Defense Department effort to lessen the possibility that troops will contribute to human trafficking in areas near their overseas bases by seeking the services of women forced into prostitution.
In recent years, “women and girls are being forced into prostitution for a clientele consisting largely of military services members, government contractors and international peacekeepers” in places such as South Korea and the Balkans, Rep. Christopher Smith, R-N.J., said Tuesday at a Capitol Hill forum on Pentagon anti-trafficking efforts.Defense officials have drafted an amendment to the manual on courts-martial that would make it an offense for U.S. military personnel to use the services of prostitutes, said Charles Abell, a Pentagon undersecretary for personnel and readiness.
By the Associated Press.
–from Rogue
http://www.bikerrogue.com
DWI BULLSHIT–Law enforcement is fighting the danger posed by drunken drivers with DWI checkpoints on nights when drinkers are likely to be on the road. A favorite location for such checkpoints is near blue-collar bars where the pickings are easy.
I’d like to see them set up outside the fancy country clubs where many judges and lawyers do their drinking in private. Maybe the resulting bad press would shame the legal establishment into doing its job.
–Rogue
WILL BIKETOBERFEST BE EXTENDED–The tourism industry got a one-two punch with hurricanes Charley and Frances. Those hotels, gift shops and restaurants that didn’t sustain major structural damage were hurt by days-long power losses. Mold, mildew and spoiled food cost many businesses dearly — and some may have to close for good. Waiters, waitresses and store personnel, many of whom lived from paycheck to paycheck, lost wages that can never be made up — and yet bills still mount.
Frances hit during the lucrative Labor Day weekend, and it has been followed by days of rain. Business remains slow in many areas, and sympathy is widespread for everyone whose livelihood depends upon serving tourists.
Folks have been looking for a way to boost morale and attempt to revive the tourism business. Extending Biketoberfest from a four-day event to 10 days is one option being discussed — but that concept brings with it unplanned taxpayer costs and widespread inconvenience. Another is to hold a Columbus Day “Back to Paradise” celebration, which proposes a few shows generating goodwill and fun.
Truth is, neither plan will do much to put money in the pockets of those who were hurt most by the storms. But backers of the Columbus Day weekend event recognize that reality while supporters of extending Biketoberfest do not. Both events are likely to draw people from surrounding communities seeking respite from hurricane deluge, not throngs of tourists from elsewhere with money to burn. And even if those sought-after high-tipping tourists were able to come, they would likely be disappointed. There are not enough available, mold-free hotel rooms to accommodate them.
Although the Biketoberfest request is not on the agenda, the Daytona Beach City Commission is expected to hear pleas at its meeting tonight to change the event from Oct. 21-24 to Oct. 15-24. As a “special event,” the expansion would require use of city police, fire and cleanup crews as well as revising the length of vending permits. So backers need the commission’s blessing. Commissioners would be wise to say thanks to those concerned about the well-being of tourism workers but should firmly say “no.”
–from Rogue
MOONING JUDGE DOESN’T WORK–A New Haven man returned to the Milford courtroom where he mooned the judge and this time he left with more prison time.
Three months after dropping his pants in front of Superior Court Judge Patrick Carroll, Richard Brown was back in the courtroom Monday for a plea agreement on a robbery.
Brown’s June 23 pants dropping cost him a year in prison. He got six months for contempt of court and an extra six months that the prosecutor tacked on to the sentence offered in a plea agreement for robbery.
Brown’s outburst in June began when Carroll told him to say “yes, sir” when addressing the court
According to terms of the plea agreement, Brown will be sentenced in December to 10 1/2 years in prison for holding up the Krauszer’s market in West Haven, on Dec. 11, 2003.
Browns will begin serving that sentence when he finishes his six months for contempt for the mooning the judge.
–from Rogue
http://www.bikerrogue.com
POCKET BIKE CONTROVERSY RAGES ON–Read your article about the outlawing of Pocket Bikes in PA. A common theme these days as cities rush to get the word out that these pocket bikes are not legal for the street. We thought your readers might be intrested to know that there are street legal mini choppers available. Read on:
Bay Town Choppers introduces Street Legal alternative to Pocket Bike.
San Carlos, CA – Tuesday August 21, 2004 ? With the pocket bike craze cooling off quickly due to a heavy crackdown by police and local officials the unavailing of a street legal mini bike couldn?t have come at a better time for young riders. Today the first street legal Mini Chopper is hitting the streets.
Pockets bikes are smaller then normal bikes giving riders a rush as they race only a few inches off the ground. Add a price tag that fits most budgets and a craze is born. Welcome to the next craze. Custom Mini Choppers.
Bay Town Choppers has been producing Custom Mini Choppers for almost a year in their San Francisco Bay Area shop. They are just one among many across the country building custom mini choppers, however, they are the only one offering street legal custom mini bikes. With the crackdown on pocket bikes and the media blitz covering their demise being street legal has never been more important.
?We offer our buyers the ultimate custom bike at an affordable price and a manageable package. Some of our buyers don?t want a Custom Chopper with over a hundred horsepower and an equally high price tag.? Ken Montes is the lead fabricator at Bay Town Choppers and still gets a charge out of the reactions his creations continue to receive. ?Women love them because they are smaller then the full sized bikes, men like them because women like them. It never fails when a guy brings in his wife or girlfriend to show off his new purchase, they not only approve but want one for themselves.? Ken can only laugh ?Wife Approved!?
The mini choppers take about 6 weeks to build and the waiting list is only getting longer. A lot of the bikes are sold to people that see Ken and his business partner, and brother, Domenique, cruising their latest mini chopper around town. ?We sell a lot locally, but we have sold all over the country thanks to our website, BayTownChoppers.com. ?
The pocket bike craze may have been forced off the road but there are still options out there for people interested in mini bikes. This time it?s legal.
Ryan Rossiter
TransPac Consulting Group
858-717-3929
http://www.baytownchoppers.com
AUSTRALIAN CONNECTION REPORTS– I managed to get a ride in last week down to a little town in N.S.W about a 2,000klms round trip met up with a bunch of guys from Sydney all mostly riding old Indians and Harleys had a blast and the Sturgis went great.
I’ve been writing this for about a week now and I’m glad Bandit is back safe and hopefully had a great time. I have a fair bit off stuff to write about, so I will get off my arse and write, okay. Hope this finds you both well and Kerry sends her love.
— Glenn.
MOTOCROSS CHAMPION INSTRUCTOROFFERS FREE 4-DAY MX TRAINING COURSE!–As an incentive for riders to become acquainted with his step-by-stepapproach to motocross success, pro motocross instructor Gary Semicsallows visitors to his online web-based Motocross Training Center(www.mxtrainingcenter.com) to participate in a four-day introductorycourse at no charge.
Covered in the free online sessions are practice strategies, breakingand cornering tips, tips for attacking jumps, and the secret to negotiatingwhoops. A free tutorial on bike set-up is also available for download.
Those visitors who sign up for the Free 4-Day Mx Training Course (value$19.95) will, each day, for four days, be sent an information-packed articlevia email that includes pictures and video clips as follows…
– Day 1: Practice Strategies.
– Day 2: Braking and Cornering.
– Day 3: Attacking Jumps.
– Day 4: Secrets of Whoops.
All 4 training sessions are written and produced by Gary Semics.For more information you may visit www.mxtrainingcenter.com or callWebmaster Paul at (812)240-9813 or Gary at (330)424-9295.
Continued On Page 4
September 23, 2004 Part 2
By Bandit | | General Posts
Continued From Page 1
CHECK IT OUT–A CUSTOM INDIAN?—I thought you might dig these pictures of my friend Dave Parker’s 2001 Indian Scout. I sold it to him (and he is still my friend???), when I was working at an Indian dealership at a good price. We both knew it was fundamentally a good bike, after the bugs were worked out, and he put a lot of miles on it as a mostly stock bike.
Indian went in the crapper and he decided to make it into the chopper he always wanted. The only thing that remains is the frame, engine, tranny, primary and controls. He put a raked Paugho springer, new tank, fenders and swingarm. He stuffed a 180 in the back and powdercoated everything black. The bike gets a lot of looks and unless you’re na Indian expert you would never know it was a Scout enjoy!
Dave asked that Colin Mcloud be recognized for assembly and Tracy Wright for the paint on the Scalped Indian.
–Ken
Rise Above Consulting LLC
(970)227-3588
MODEL FINDS BIKERNET–Hi.. I found your site through a friend.I do modeling and was wondering if you might be interested in some new photos we just did with a custom Harley…
I am adding a new photo of myself so you can see who is e-mailing you.Here are two of the photos with the Harley. if you are interested in more let me know..I can also do a shoot anyway you would like them done with this bike.. full nudes.. wet hair : ) you name it..
Thanks for your time..
My friends call meJag
What do you think?–Bandit
G SQUARED MOTORSPORTSPRO STOCK BIKE: G2/S&S/STAR RACING BUELLRIDER: CHIP ELLIS–20TH ANNUAL NHRA LUCAS OIL NATIONALSMAPLE GROVE RACEWAY ? READING, PENN.SEPTEMBER 16-19, 2004Qualifying:Session 1 Friday: 7.224 seconds at 183.34 mph (# 5)Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals postponed until Oct. 8-10Ellis in 5th after one qualifying run.
MOHNTON, Penn. (September 18, 2004) ? Two days of heavy rain showers from the remnants of Hurricane Ivan completely saturated the grounds of Maple Grove Raceway, including the racer pit areas and spectator parking lots, forcing NHRA officials to postpone the 20th annual NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals until Oct. 8-10.
Two rounds of professional qualifying for all four professional categories (Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock cars and Pro Stock Bikes) will be held on Friday (Oct. 8) at 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. and two additional qualifying sessions are set for Saturday (Oct. 9) at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Eliminations will begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday (Oct. 10).
In the only qualifying session completed for Pro Stock Bike, Chip Ellis, aboard the G2/S&S/Star Racing Buell, covered the quarter- mile drag strip at Maple Grove in 7.224 seconds. The run was good for the No. 5 spot.
That qualifying session, along with one that Pro Stock cars completed will be carried over until the rescheduled event.
Although the ever popular motorcycles will not be part of the program, the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series moves on to the Texas Motorplex near Dallas for the NHRA O?Reilly Fall Nationals next weekend (Sept. 23-26) before heading to Chicago for the NHRA CARQUEST Auto Parts Nationals (Sept. 30-Oct. 3) at Route 66 Raceway, in Joliet, Ill., about 30 miles from Chicago.
The next event for Pro Stock Bikes on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, excluded the rescheduled Lucas Oil Nationals on October 8-10, is the NHRA ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The event unfolds October 28-31.
WOMEN’S TEE SHIRTS.. WASHINGTON POST– runs a column each summer listing interesting WOMEN’S T-shirts observed at the Ocean City, Maryland beach.
1. I CHILDPROOFED MY HOUSE, BUT THEY STILL GET IN.
2. (On the front) 60 IS NOT OLD. (On the back) IF YOU’RE A TREE.
3. I’M STILL HOT… IT JUST COMES IN FLASHES.
4. AT MY AGE, “GETTING LUCKY” MEANS FINDING MY CAR IN THE PARKING LOT.
5. MY REALITY CHECK JUST BOUNCED.
6. LIFE IS SHORT. MAKE FUN OF IT.
7. I’M NOT 50. I’M $49.95 PLUS TAX.
8. ANNAPOLIS–A DRINKING TOWN WITH A SAILOR PROBLEM.
9. I NEED SOMEBODY BAD… ARE YOU BAD?
10. PHYSICALLY PFFFFFT!
11. BUCKLE UP. IT MAKES IT HARDER FOR THE ALIENS TO SNATCH YOU FROMYOUR CAR.
12. I’M NOT A SNOB. I’M JUST BETTER THAN YOU ARE.
13. IT’S MY CAT’S WORLD. I’M JUST HERE TO OPEN CANS.
14. EARTH IS THE INSANE ASYLUM OF THE UNIVERSE.
15. KEEP STARING…. I MAY DO A TRICK.
16. WE GOT RID OF THE KIDS. THE CAT WAS ALLERGIC.
17. DANGEROUSLY UNDER-MEDICATED.
18. MY MIND WORKS LIKE LIGHTNING. ONE BRILLIANT FLASH AND IT’S GONE.
19. EVERY TIME I HEAR THE DIRTY WORD “EXERCISE”, I WASH MY MOUTH OUTWITHCHOCOLATE.
20. CATS REGARD PEOPLE AS WARM-BLOODED FURNITURE.
21. LIVE YOUR LIFE SO THAT WHEN YOU DIE, THE PREACHER WILL NOT HAVE TO TELL LIES AT YOUR FUNERAL.
22. IN GOD WE TRUST. ALL OTHERS WE POLYGRAPH
NEW DALLAS CHROME CONNECTION–Rick Fairless and the gang from Stroker Dallas bought Show and Go Chrome Plating in Dallas. It’s not a production shop, but dedicated to custom applications. In otherwords they know motorcycles and how to handle custom parts.
” Fellow Hamster Joe T. Moore & I have bought a chrome plating/powdercoating/polishing shop in Dallas,” Rick Fairless told me, “The name of the shop is Show & Go. They have been in business for over 30 years. Our friend was the owner & founder of the company. Now he has moved to California (search me?) & Joe T. & I own & operate the shop.
“We have a very nice shop & our work is excellent. One of our platers is the original guy that has worked there for 30 years. Our polishers have been there for over 10 years. Please give us a shot. I promise you’ll be happy with our work.
You can ship your parts here to me at Strokers Dallas or directly to Show & Go. I have a runner that picks up here every day. Joe T. & I truly would appreciate your business.”
Rick Fairless
Cell # 972.567.4427
Strokers Dallas
9304 Harry Hines
Dallas, Tx. 75235
214.357.0707
Show & Go
11702 Plano Pkwy.
Dallas, Tx. 75243
214.343.8871
THE PEG SCRAPPERS BALL– My accountants wife is organizing “The Peg Scrappers Ball” for the City of Torrance. She works for the Torrance PD. It will be held October 10th to benefit the special olympics. Can you help promote it on your website??
Her e-mail is: kkiesling@torrnet.com
Bob Bitchin
Founder & Publisher
Latitudes & Attitudes Magazine
publisher@latsandatts.net
www.latsandatts.net
888-8-WE SAIL
(310) 798-3445
CRAZY HORSE PAINT JOB OF THE WEEK– It was odd getting back on my Sportster after riding my gooseneck chop. The poor Sporty gathered dust in the shop, while I fussed over the chopper. I hadn’t taken the sporty out since May when I rode to Myrtle Beach. Yet here we are, the Fall Myrtle Beach Rally is this weekend. I planned riding the gooseneck. Planning on how to pack without using saddlebags is a trick. I think I can go for a weekend with only two pairs of jeans, tank top, 1 long sleeved shirt, jacket, and 1 pair of boots. Hey, I’m a chick and I have packed tons of crap on that Sporty. Sturgis taught me how to travel on a trimmed down chopper with only a dayroll on the bars and small backpack on me. Then I got the news from Tony at Sata Spray Guns, my chopper, which is appearing in their airbrush magazine ads, will be on display at their booth at the big yearly automotive refinisher’s trade show, known as the NACE show. So it must be kept relatively clean until that show which happens in Las Vegas during the first week of Nov.
And I have been feeling kind of guilty about my poor Sporty. So I rolled it out into the sunshine Sunday afternoon and wiped the cobwebs off. It was a crisp, yet warm day. The kind of fall day, we in the Southeast dream about after a hot, humid summer. I figured I’d better find out how the old Sporty was feeling before I hopped on it to go to Myrtle. It’s so weird when you get used to the way a vehicle feels. Like after driving a standard for year, ya get in an automatic and your left foot is always searching for the clutch peddle and you keep trying to shift. Well that’s how it was Sunday on the Sporty.
Rode that bike 10 years, yet it took me a few miles to get used to it after riding the gooseneck. The bike just felt short. The chopper is all stretched out and I have to lean forward, not sit straight up like at Grandma’s dinner table. The Sporty shifted way too smooth. No fighting with that shifter peddle. And I actually have to steer the bike. I sit low on the chopper and basically steer it with my butt. It’s hard to describe. It handles like a little dirt bike. It actually handles better. Then there’s the fact that I only have four gears, and drag gears at that, with the Sporty. But Sunday afternoon that may have been a good thing. It’s hard to get a ticket for speeding when the bike doesn’t want to go over 65. Now if I’d been on the gooseneck……….
But then I remembered how fun the Sporty is off the line and every time I took off, it made the most of it. The Sporty did punish me. It refused to release the rear brake, until I went down the road a ways after stopping. I finally began to use only the front. But it was a sweet day for riding. I went over the state line to South Carolina. Highway 21 is one of the favorite riding roads. I saw quite a few bikes and even a few big packs of bikes out. It runs through the back country of north central SC, just south of Charlotte, NC. No subdivisions, no strip malls, no Walmarts. Just farmer’s fields, trees, trailer homes and traditional style Southern homes with wrap around porches. In the driveways, I saw no Lexus, two-seater BMWs or Hummers. No manicured lawns. Just down home real life, you could practically smell the biscuits and gravy. There’s a couple of cool little bars on the south stretch of 21. The Handlebar is just down the road from Rt. and is often a stop for poker runs. There looked to be about 25 bikes in the lot. More bikes than cars or trucks. The other bar, The Double R Bar is a few miles farther south. I may have the name of that one wrong as I wasn’t concentrating on the sign and have not stopped there yet. I gassed up when I got to Rt 9. The other customers at the station included pickup trucks, one of which was hauling a battered race car whose sponsor was The Kickstart Bar. Four people sat across the bench seat of the dusty late 70’s pickup.
On my way back up 21, a pack of bikes, that had rolled by me at the gas station, pulled into the Double R. They waved as I went by. No, I didn’t stop at any bar. I had a pile of work waiting for me at home. I just wanted to catch some wind and reacquaint myself with a bike that I too often forget.
I forget how good looking that bike is. I spend too much time in a world that is too clean and new. I drive by subdivisions that are full of houses that look like the set of a TV show, so clean, so perfect, not a blade of grass out of place. I wait at intersections surrounded by immaculate new luxury cars, my ’98 Explorer looking completely out of place. I spend time at bike shows and rally parties where the average motor in those gleaming bikes, costs way more than the $3500 I paid for my whole Sportster.
So it’s easy to get caught up in the rat race to be better, prettier, more successful-the rush to be upwardly mobil. The Sportster reminds me who I am. I am the girl who was totally thrilled 10 years ago to be the owner of that bike. The woman who waited 31 years to be the owner of a Harley. A person who will never forget how wonderful it feels to own a bike free and clear, no loan to pay back. People tend to be judged by the image they present to the world. My sporty will never win a bike show. It will never be featured in a magazine. It will never draw a crowd with folks lining up to get my autograph. But that’s not what it’s all about. It’s about being happy where you are and thankful for what you have. Enjoying a sunny day. Living a real life, not one based on what TV and magazines tells us life should be. Too bad so many out there forget that. There’s alot of incredible roads to ride and many people riding them that don’t fit into the narrow definition of what’s cool. Go out and ride a few, and if you see a bike broke down on the side of the road, stop and lend a hand. Be real.
Continued On Page 3
September 19, 2004
By Bandit | | General Posts
Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish,
National Coalition of Motorcyclists 
PENNSYLVANIA MOVES TO BAN POCKET BIKES, Philadelphia Councilman Rick Mariano recently staged a protest of a local Pep Boys to announce his intentions to introduce a measure outlawing the sale of all pocket bikes, he told KYW Newsradio following the death of a teen who was riding the wrong way down a one-way street.
Even though the “pockets bikes” are illegal on city streets, they are still being sold in Philadelphia stores.
“They’re not street legal — so where are they gonna ride them? On the sidewalk?,? he asked during the Sept 11 protest, organized to pressure the automotive chain into taking the mini-motorcycles off their shelves.
So Mariano says at Council’s first session next month, he’ll introduce a bill to ban the scooters outright. It’s not clear yet though if the city has that power, because the state regulates motor vehicles. According to KYW, similar efforts are in the works at the state level.
STUDY CLAIMS MOTORCYCLES DAMAGE HEARING, Is it any wonder why motorcyclists hate “scientific studies”? Here?s a new one that’s sure to fuel the fires for noise ordinances, as researchers from the University of Florida told the Washington Times that “the noise from a motorcycle is as intense as that from a loud rock concert and can permanently damage hearing.”
In a test of 33 motorcycles, audiologists at Florida’s College of Public Health and Health Professions determined that nearly half produced sounds above 100 decibels when throttled up. That’s equal to a chainsaw or loud music, they said.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health warns that exposure to noise at 100 decibels is safe for only 15 minutes. The federal agency cautions that permanent hearing loss can result from eight hours of exposure to any noise measuring 85 decibels or above.
“Almost all of the motorcycles we tested reached action-level noise, which in the workplace would require ear protection,” said Joy Colle, an investigator in the Florida study, which the university released before it was published in a medical or scientific journal. “Potentially, the vast majority of motorcyclists could be exposed to dangerous levels of noise.”
But here’s the kicker; in the UF study the noise levels were tested at riders’ ear levels from stationary motorcycles when idle and throttled up. How many riders sit astride a parked motorcycle and “throttle up” for lengthy periods of time?
At least the audiologists admitted that motorcycle helmets do not provide much protection against hearing loss. No evidence was found that motorcycle noise harmed the hearing of those standing on a sidewalk near the test site either, but you can bet that won’t stop lawmakers from citing this “study” as justification for noise ordinances that target motorcycles.
FEDS SEEK STIFFER SENTENCES FOR “GANG” MEMBERS, “In an attempt to make punishments stiffer for street gangs, a bill has been introduced in the U.S. Senate to define what a criminal street gang is, ” reports ABATE of Pennsylvania’s Legislative Coordinator John Mullendore, who is also a member of the board of directors of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM).
S.2358 defines a criminal street gang as “an ongoing formal or informal group, club, organization, or association of 3 or more persons through or for which they individually, jointly, or in combination, have committed or attempted to commit, for the direct or indirect benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with the group, club, organization, or association, three or more unrelated predicate gang crimes.” Also, having “membership, age or other qualifications, initiation rites, geographical or territorial sites, boundary, or location, or other unifying mark, manner, protocol, or method of expressing or indicating membership.”
“Needless to say,” concludes Mullendore, “any one of us could be defined as a gang under this broad definition if this bill passes. So let your Senator know we are against this bill.”
If you would like to read the entire bill, go to the Senate website: www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/g_three_sections_with_teasers/legislative_home.htm, and type in s2358.
B>>sers/legislative_home.htm>
CALIFORNIA AMENDS HANDLEBAR HEIGHT LAW, Following a spate of handlebar height citations, ABATE of California set out to amend their “no more than shoulder high” handlebar height limit to allow for greater flexibility. Assemblyman Jay La Suer introduced Assembly Bill 2844 to “prohibit a person from driving a 2-wheel motorcycle that is equipped with handlebars so positioned that the hands of the driver, when upon the grips, are more than 6 inches above his or her shoulder height.”
ABATE lobbied AB2844 through the Assembly and Senate, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the bill into law on August 23. AB 2844 has become Chapter 280 of the law books and will become effective January 1, 2005.
“CONGRATULATIONS to every freedom loving rider in this state who took a minute to stand up for something!” said Jean Hughes, ABATEPAC Chairman. “We can make a difference! We can change the law! Now go for a nice long ride and come back refreshed and ready to work some campaigns so we can lock in those remaining votes we need to get the helmets off our heads!”
A COOL IDEA, Air conditioning for motorcycles? An Israeli inventor has designed what he claims is the world’s first air-conditioning unit for motorcycles. Physicist Glen Guttman from the company Entrosys said the device was technologically simple, but added: “Like any simple idea, you have to think it up, and then you have to implement it.”
The bike is fitted with an electronic unit powered by a standard motorcycle battery which funnels cold air into a thermal vest worn under the rider’s jacket. Speaking to Israel Army Radio, Guttman said the air conditioning unit was a small, lightweight box that fitted into the vehicle’s storage compartment and was connected to the driver’s body by a rubber tube. “The torso is the obvious target for air conditioning if you take into account the human physiology,” said Guttman.
The system cost $450,000 to develop, which Guttman raised through investors, and he now hopes the cooling motorcycle air conditioning unit will be on the market by the middle of next year. He said each unit would cost “several hundred pounds” and would first hit European and American shores. The inventor said, however, that he will not be testing the unit himself: “My investors don’t want me to ride a motorcycle myself. They want to make sure I stay safe.”
Meanwhile, “Air-conditioned” jackets have become a big hit in Japan. Jackets with built-in electric fans are providing relief in Japan during the country’s record-breaking summer heat. The prototype grey nylon coats have two fans in the back above the waist which are connected to a battery pack. The air runs along the wearer’s body and comes out at the cuffs and the neckline, drying off sweat which cools the skin as it evaporates.
HONDA HYBRID, Honda Motor Co., the world’s biggest motorcycle maker, said it is developing motorcycles that can run on gasoline-electric engines and fuel cells, extending the so-called hybrid technology for the first time to two-wheeled vehicles.
The company has built a scooter with a 50 cubic centimeter hybrid engine and a 125cc fuel cell-powered scooter, said Honda President Takeo Fukui, speaking to journalists at its research center in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo.
Honda, one of the world’s two makers of vehicles with hybrid engines, is trying to use its technology to extend its edge over smaller motorcycle makers Suzuki Motor Corp. and Yamaha Motor Co. Toyota Motor Corp., the world’s biggest producer of hybrid cars, doesn’t make motorcycles.
Automakers are trying to take the lead in developing cleaner technology as governments around the world tighten emission regulations. Vehicles that are more fuel-efficient and which run on alternative fuels are also becoming increasingly popular as the price of oil surges to record levels.
WEIRD NEWS: LICENSE TO BILL, Jim Cara just wanted a vanity license tag for his Suzuki Hayabusa sport bike that would make people laugh, but when he chose to put “NOTAG” on his plate, the joke backfired.
The new tag arrived under an avalanche of Wilmington, Delaware parking violations. “All the traffic tickets say, ‘Notice of violation. License number: no tag’,” Cara told the News Journal newspaper.
City computers, talking to state Division of Motor Vehicles computers, had finally found an address for ticketed vehicles that lacked license tags: Cara’s home in Elsmere. He has received more than 200 violation notices, ranging from $55 to $125 for violations such as meter expirations.
Cara, 43, admits he’s been a lifelong prankster, but this time he says, “the cleanup is going to be worse than the joke.”
Officials say they are clearing up the glitch, but advised Cara to get a new plate.
QUOTABLE QUOTE “It is now proved beyond doubt that riding a motorcycle is one of the leading causes of statistics.”
NCOM CONVENTION UPDATE, The 20th annual NCOM Convention will be held next Mother?s Day weekend, May 5-7, 2005, at the Sheraton Music City Hotel, located at 777 McGavock Pike in Nashville, Tennessee. Reserve your room by April 3rd for the special NCOM rate of $79 single/double by calling (615) 885-2200. Registration fees for the Convention are $75 including the Silver Spoke Awards Banquet on Saturday night, or $40 for the Convention only. To pre-register, call the National Coalition of Motorcyclists at (800) 525-5355.
A News Break–The Cathouse ParrotA woman went to a pet shop and immediately spotted a large, beautifulparrot. There was a sign on the cage that said $50.00
“Why so little,” she asked the pet store owner.The owner looked at her and said, “Look, I should tell you first thatthis bird used to live in a house of Prostitution, and sometimes it sayssome pretty vulgar stuff.”
The woman thought about this, but decided she had to have the birdanyway.She took it home and hung the bird’s cage up in her living room andwaited for it to say something.
The bird looked around the room, then at her, and said, “New house, newmadam.”
The woman was a bit shocked at the implication, but then thought “that’sreally not so bad.”When her two teenage daughters returned from school the bird saw andsaid, “New house, new madam, new girls.”
The girls and the woman were abit offended but then began to laugh about the situation considering howand where the parrot had been raised.
Moments later, the woman’s husband Keith came home from work. The birdlooked at him and said, “Hi, Keith
Sons of Liberty Riders TEA Party
Well, the annual TEA Party is here and gone.As usual, if you missed it you missed a lot.Some folks came in on Thursday but most rode in on Friday.It was a weekend packed full of brotherhood, great conversation, debate, eatingand drinking. Weather was perfect.But like years past this group isn’t your normal biker crowd. There was plentyof beer and liquor remaining because most are more involved in learning andteaching.
Sunday morning came early and for those who slept in, reveille came with thesounds of shooting at Rangers gun range.
I wish everyone a safe trip home and look forward to seeing all of you in thefuture.
To all my Brothers and Sisters
Thank you for a great weekend
–T
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MSF imposes restrictions on Arizona’s use of MSF-branded tape
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The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) recently contacted ABATE ofArizonaInc. in regards to ABATE’s Motorcycle Awareness Program (MAP).Motorcyclists in Arizona have been presenting motorcycle awareness andthemessage of how to share the road with motorcycles for over three years, andtomore than 5,000 Driver Ed Students and Adults alike. The program hasbecome extremely popular and is now touching more than 3,000students/adults each year.
The MAP is coordinated by ABATE of AZ, approved by the State MotorcycleSafety Advisory Council (SMSAC) and Sponsored by Arizona’s MotorcycleSafety Fund and Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS). During the53-minute presentation of the MAP, an 8 minute MSF – ‘Common Road’ tapeisshown. Although the MSF does not consider the MAP to be an MSF-brandedprogram, the tape is.
Because of this, the MSF stated that they expect that anyone presentingthe Common Road tape or any other MSF video to the school system, even aspart of a larger program such as MAP, will follow MSF’s basic safetyrecommendations of gear to be worn to and from the school. The Gearincludes eye protection, long pants, DOT-compliant helmet, jacket, glovesand over-the ankle boots. The MSF also alluded to the fact that not towear this recommended gear, would “undercut the message of the program.”
ABATE of Arizona states that the message of the MAP is “How motorists cansafely share the road with motorcycles”, not “What to wear or not wearwhen riding a motorcycle.” They do not discuss the pros and cons of ahelmet or any other gear, nor do they discuss their own personal choices.
Teachers often say they appreciate how the matter is handled. At the endof each presentation, the Riders Ed Course is strongly recommended to anystudent who plans to obtain an MC endorsement. The benefits of such aprogram are discussed and the teacher is provided with a list ofavailableschools in the state of Arizona.
Although ABATE of Arizona owns approximately 14 copies of the Common RoadTape, they were not aware of any restrictions/requirements to wear theMotorcycle Safety Foundation recommended safety gear when using thesetapes.
Bobbi Hartmann, ABATE’s Designated Lobbyist, State Safety Officer andcoordinator of the MAP, stated, “This is just one more example of theMSF’s recent push, in such states as Idaho, Oregon, Hawaii and Illinois,to gain uniform authority over all motorcycle rider education,curriculum,and program delivery. They’ve gone too far. The MSF has crossed theline.”
ABATE of Arizona Inc. regrets the fact that due to the MSF demands, theywill be eliminating the use of the Common Road tape from the MAPpresentations. Their message will be the same, “How to Share the Roadwith Motorcycles” – Crash Prevention – not Safer Crashes.
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Candidate for State Representative to the MRF Board
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I am asking each of you for your state’s vote at MOTM for StateRepresentative to the MRF Board. ~FastFred
Candidate for State Representative to the MRF Board: Fast Fred Ruddock
Several months ago, I officially announced my intention to run for StateRepresentative to the Board. I am still prepared to work as a liaisonbetween state representatives and the MRF Board of Directors. I feel as amember of the board I will be able to both help balance the current boardand improve communications especially those between the board and state reps.
Experience and Qualifications:I have been a member of ABATE of South Carolina since the early 1980s; Ihave held various positions from chapter coordinator to my current positionas state coordinator. I volunteered to be a MRF State Representative in late2002. I have worked hard to increase the membership levels of both the MRFand ABATE in South Carolina. I network and work with many other biker rightsactivists in my region and across our nation as an officer and member of theSons of Liberty Riders. I believe this board position would be a naturalextension of these efforts. I also maintain an ezine and biker rights websites geared towards increasing communication within our biker community.
Goals:I would like to work to increase the level of communication between theState Representatives and the Board of Directors. I would also like to workto increase the number of members in the MRF nationally. I am convinced thatincreasing the power and reach of the MRF is currently the best way to curbunwanted federal legislation. Many of the problems in my statehouse comefrom the federal government in the form of federal mandates and bribes topass legislation at the state level.
Personal Information:My current motorcycles are an ’89 FXRC and a ’03 FLHT; the FLHT has over45,000 miles on the odometer. Due to a serious crash I suffered in earlyJune the FLHT is still currently under repair; I have logged over 4,000additional miles on my FXR since the June crash though I was sidelined forsix weeks. I have owned many bikes over the years but only one cage; I soldthe cage last winter as it was deteriorating from lack of use. I averageabout 30,000 miles a year in the saddle riding all year in rain or shine. Ihave no children thus motorcycling and biker rights are my top priorities; Iwant my nieces to grow up in a free constitutional republic such as BenjaminFranklin and the 2nd Continental Congress forged and envisioned.
FastFred Ruddock
843-345-5926
mrf@fastfreds.com
Join FF’s MC Rights Ezine email list athttp://www.fastfreds.com/join.htm
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Rider “Radio” Bob Letourneau wins primary, needs help!
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Motorcycle leader and current New Hampshire State Rep. “Radio” Bob LetourneauWON in Tuesday’s Senate primary, beating the incumbent. Kudo’s to Bob and histeam. See story below.
But now Bob needs riders help for the general election November 2, 2004. Hiscampaign treasury is low. He needs an influx of donations and fresh workers (ifyou’re in the Derry, NH) area.
Riders nationwide can help by sending in or passing the helmet to collect $10 or$20 or $30 dollars for Bob’s campaign. He’s given THIRTY YEARS to motorcyclistsrights issues. Let’s get behind him, one by one, and help him continue to be inthe New Hampshire legislature, as SENATOR Bob!
Contact me directly at claimscote@aol.com or Bob at DerryRep@juno.com on whereto send your checks.
Let’s ROAR for BOB!
Thanks – Paul W. Cote
By JOHN DiSTASO and MICHAEL COUSINEAU
Union Leader Staff
Two first-term state senators were ousted by conservative challengers inyesterday’s low-turnout state primary election. With the general electioncampaign about to unfold, Republicans hope to increase their current 18-6supermajority, while Democrats hope to put a significant dent in it.
Turned aside by Republican voters were Sens. Frank Sapareto of Derry andAndrew Peterson of Peterborough.
Four-term state Rep. Bob Letourneau defeated his fellow Derry residentbecause “of the hard work of people in Derry. This was not won by me alone. Itjust comes down to a style of leadership,” Letourneau said.
The Associated Press reported Letourneau with 1,652 votes and Saparetowith 1,540.
Letourneau beat Sapareto 865 to 552 in Derry. He won by 112 votes out of3,200 cast districtwide. In Hampstead, Letourneau won 239 to 196, while Saparetowon in Windham, 749 to 591. Letourneau now faces Grace Reisdorf of Derry in thegeneral election.
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HERO AND DORK OF THE WEEK
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This weeks winnersare:
HERO Sputnik of TMRA IIFor being himself and taking home the Region 1 Warrior award
DORKThe thief that dipped into the donation bucket at the TEA Party.
If you need more info on this or any other subject just go to the Sons ofLiberty Riders Info Zone
http://solriders.com/ or http://solriders.net/index.php
September 16, 2004 Part 4
By Bandit | | General Posts
Continued From Page 3
Things You Don?t See Everyday- From Miller4Nitro
BIKERNET SMART ASS REMARKS?
Smart-ass Answer #1
A flight attendant was stationed at the departure gate to checktickets. As a man approached, she extended her hand for the ticketand he opened his trench coat and flashed her. Without missing abeat…she said, “Sir, I need to see your ticket, not your stub.”
Smart-ass Answer #2
A lady was picking through the frozen turkeys at the grocery store,but couldn’t find one big enough for her family. She asked a stockboy, “Do these turkeys get any bigger?” The stock boy replied, “Noma’am, they’re dead.”
Smart-ass Answer #3
The cop got out of his car and the kid who was stopped for speedingrolled down his window. “I’ve been waiting for you all day,” thecopsaid. The kid replied, “Yeah, well I got here as fast as I could.”When the cop finally stopped laughing, he sent the kid on his waywithout a ticket.
Smart-ass Answer #4
A truck driver was driving along on the freeway. A sign comes up thatreads “Low bridge ahead!” Before he knows it, the bridge is rightahead of him and he gets stuck under the bridge. Cars are backedupfor miles. Finally, a police car comes up. The cop gets out of hiscar and walks around to the truck driver, puts his hands on hishipsand says, “Got stuck, huh?” The truck driver says, “No, I wasdelivering this bridge and ran out of gas.”
and finally…..
Smart-ass Answer #5
THE TEACHER Smart-ass Answer OF THE YEAR:
A college teacher reminds her class of tomorrow’s final exam. “Nowclass, I won’t tolerate any excuses for you not being heretomorrow.I might consider a nuclear attack or a serious personal injury orillness, or a death in your immediate family but that’s it, nootherexcuses whatsoever!”
A smart-ass guy in the back of the room raised his hand andasks,”What would you say if tomorrow I said I was suffering fromcomplete and utter sexual exhaustion?”
The entire class does its best to stifle their laughter andsnickering.
When silence is restored, the teacher smiles sympathetically at thestudent, shakes her head, and sweetly says, Well, I guess you’dhaveto write the exam with your other hand.”
From S&C
BIKERNET NEW PRODUCT FROM ENERGY ONE–Having trouble finding neutral, having disengagement or clutch slippage problems with your Big Twin ?90 – ?97, Sportster & Buell ?91 to present? The fix is easy. Energy One Clutches offers a complete ?EXTRA PLATE? clutch kit which eliminates the OEM double riveted steel plate and the annoying rivets that work themselves loose. The Energy One kit not only eliminates the double riveted steel plate, it adds an extra friction plate and steel plate, making it a high performance extra plate kit.
The Energy One kit includes 9 high performance frictions, 8 steels and a 15% stronger diaphragm spring (Part No. BTX-11). Our parts are race proven and tested. Proud sponsor of the AHDRA Drags.
Energy One Clutches
(562) 698-7809 http://www.energyoneclutches.com
BIKER POEM–Hey Bandit, Not sure how you submit thing on this site so I thought that I would sendthis to you. Hope you like it.
Face in the sun
Wind in the hair
Bugs in the teeth
Smell of fresh air
Watch the world passing
Without a care
Roll the throttle on
Soon we’ll be there
Hear the pipes rumble
Lost in the sound
Every note sounds perfect
Time for a round
The girls they smile
The kids they wave
The guys look jealous
Riding in their cage
Pull into the bar
Friends gather round
Lift up to toast
That sweet rumbling sound
Now is the time for stories
And for lies to pass around
Remember that time last summer
When I almost went down
See that girl dancing
My she looks so sweet
Biker girls are best
They just can’t be beat
Now she’s coming over
Think I caught her eye
I’ll love you forever
Of course I wouldn’t lie
Get a little kiss
Buy another round
Better drink soon
The sun has gone down
Barmaid hollers out
Lights get bright
Last call is spoken
The end of the night
Tell your friends later
I’ll see you again
Tomorrows another day
Time to get in the wind
Walk out to the bike
Dig in the bags
Clear glasses are somewhere
Here, under the rags
Bike comes to life
Kick up the stand
Feel the power move through you
Aint this so grand
You leaving without me?
Comes a sweet voice
Please take me home
So what’s your choice?
Pull in the clutch
Push it into gear
Roll on some power
A little smoke from the rear
Arms and legs rapped around
Streetlights fade away
Smile on my face
A hell of a day
It’s what we where made for
Here we feel alive
Good times and bikes
This is where we thrive
Give a little twist
Just to hear the sound
Out goes the stand
Then shut her down
Lying in the bed
Her head on your chest
Eyes slowly close
Today was the best
By : Rusty Hylton
2004 Version–Daddy, how was I born?…….Ah, well, son, one day you will need to find out anyway!Here Goes: Mom & Dad got together in a chat room on MSN. Dad set up a datevia e-mail with your mom & we met at a cybercafe. We sneaked into a secludedroom. Your mother downloaded from dad’s memory stick & as soon as dad wasready for an upload, it was discovered that neither one of us had used afirewall. Since it was too late to hit the delete button, nine monthslater; a blessed little virus appeared.
And that’s the story.
From S&C
EVIL BASTARD ROLLING CHASSIS–The radical new line of CUSTOM ROLLING CHASSIS KITS just introduced by PRO-ONE have, without a doubt, some of the most creative names we?ve seen. And they actually do reflect the image produces by the different styles. Shown here is the EVIL BASTARD, a rigid chopper frame. The new roller reflects the company?s reputation for superior quality and workmanship with styling that?s right on the edge. EVIL BASTARD chassis are a perfect fit for 250, 280 and 300 applications and provide a nostalgic yet contemporary hard core chopper image. The frame is 1 ?? tubing with 6? over single or dual downtubes, 5? in the backbone and 40 degrees rake. A custom fit steel strutless rear fender is included as is the steel Longshot front fender, oil bag, stretched steel teardrop style gas tank and leather solo seat. PRO-ONE provides each kit with your choice of PRO-ONE 1-piece chrome billet rims, chrome billet brakes, forward controls, side mount license plate, headlight, 1 ?? pull back bars, 5 degree trees, matching rotors and drive pulley and more. EVIL BASTARD shown here includes optional assembly, custom paint, Sinister II wheels and custom stitched seat. For complete details contact PRO-ONE at 800-884-4173 or go to http://www.pro-one.com
BIKERNET COMPARISON–PROBLEM: Two books are for sale. Which to buy? “The Titanic” or “My Life” byBill Clinton?
Titanic: $29.99
Clinton: $29.99
Titanic: Over 3 hours to read.
Clinton: Over 3 hours to read.
Titanic: The story of Jack and Rose, their forbidden love, andsubsequent catastrophe.
Clinton: The story of Bill and Monica, their forbidden love, and subsequent catastrophe.
Titanic: Jack is a starving artist.
Clinton: Bill is a bullshit artist.
Titanic: In one scene, Jack enjoys a good cigar.
Clinton: Ditto for Bill.
Titanic: During an ordeal, Rose’s dress gets ruined.
Clinton: Ditto for Monica.
Titanic! : Jack teaches Rose to spit.
Clinton: Let’s not go there.
Titanic: Rose gets to keep her jewelry.
Clinton: Monica’s forced to return her gifts.
Titanic: Rose remembers Jack for the rest of her life.
Clinton: Clinton doesn’t remember Jack.
Titanic: Rose goes down on a vessel full of seamen.
Clinton: Monica… oooh, let’s not go there, either.
Titanic: Jack surrenders to an icy death.
Clinton: Bill goes home to Hillary… basically the same thing
Jay Hodge
S&S Officially Opens New La Crosse Distribution and Manufacturing Facility– LA CROSSE, WI (August 31, 2004) While S&S began operating out of its La Crosse facility on August 11th, the official “Revving Cutting” Ceremony took place today in the shipping docks. Beautiful weather allowed the 50+ employee motorcycles to arrive right on time for the celebration. The event was sponsored by 95.7 The Rock FM providing live coverage, by Grizzly’s providing barbeque sandwiches, and the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce. On hand were S&S Chairman of the Board, George Smith; S&S President, Brett Smith; Mayor of La Crosse, John Medinger; La Crosse Area Development President, James Hill; La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce President, Dick Granchalek; and over 500 other dignitaries, friends, and employees.
“Today is certainly a cause for celebration, but the real work is ahead of us with new endeavors like powder coating, polishing, and manufacturing frames and billet components,” said Brett. “Not only did we officially open the new distribution facility, I promoted Gary Larson to Director of Logistics since we’ll need on-hand leadership here and he did such a tremendous job with the move. Now he’ll have the chance to do more with some of the initiatives I just mentioned.”
Brett closed, “I’m not only thankful for all the hard work of the employees and S&S team members, the support of the Board-particularly former Board member, Jack White, for facilitating this deal. I also want to thank our service providers like Virchow Krause, US Bank, and Foley & Lardner. Finally thanks to the City of La Crosse. However, God truly blessed all of us with this move and we will return those blessings by providing much needed manufacturing jobs in this area.”
“It is overwhelming for me to visualize the business back in 1980, when I took over as President after my Dad’s untimely death and see it now with my son leading us into a third generation of successful growth,” said George. “I am sure that Mom & Dad would be proud with what we accomplished and even more pleased to see that our second generation efforts translated into continued success with the third generation.”
S&S Cycle has been a leading manufacturer of Proven Performance V-Twin motorcycle components and engines for over 45 years. George Smith and Stanley Stankos founded the company in 1958 in Blue Island, Illinois. Shortly after the founding of S&S, George, and his wife Marjorie (whose maiden name was also Smith), bought out Stanley Stankos and Smith & Stankos became Smith & Smith (S&S). In 1969, S&S moved from Blue Island to Viola, Wisconsin and expanded to La Crosse, Wisconsin in 2004. This 3rd generation business supplies components and/or engines to several large custom OEs including: American Ironhorse, Arlen Ness, Big Bear Choppers, Big Dog, BMC, Bourget Bike Works, Hellbound Steel, Swift, Titan, Ultra, Vengeance, & Victory (please see the S&S website for a complete listing).
AEC Introduces Two Distinctive, Right-Side Drive Prowler Frames–American Engineering Company has two new frames on the prowl. The Prowler Halfmoon Chopper and Prowler Prostreet Style frames are set up for right-side drive and can fit tire sizes from 240 to 250. Each frame comes with a shot-peened surface and features accessories including a swingarm with bearings, weld-on gas tank mounts, internal fork stops, built-in neck bearing cups, splash guard, oil tank, an integrated transmission plate and a 1? axle with axle adjusters and covers. Call AEC for detailed information, and ask for it by name?Prowler! Dealer inquiries invited.
Thought the photo belonged on bikernet.com for all the vets.
Patriots,
This is a truly outstanding photo of a Marine AH-1W Cobra during the battle for Najaf. The aircraft pictured has just destroyed an enemy mortar position, the photo was shot by his wingman. The unit engaged are the “Coyotes” of HMLA-775, MCB Camp Pendleton, CA; reservists deep in the fight. Note the golden dome in the background, this is the Shiite’s most sacred mosque which was taken over and occupied by Al Sadre’s thugs.
Semper Fidelis
Agent Zebra
BIKERNET SUPPORT–I have not seen this personally but I do Know Grumpy and he is a good source.
Cityhawg posted this on HTT
How many have seen the new Toyota Tundra commercial ? If you havent it shows a biker on a 2 lane country road all by himself. He looks in his mirror and see`s 5 Tundras coming up fast. They force him to ride the center line of the road while they pass using both lanes. I called Toyota about this and gave them an ear-full. And we all know of someone who has been killed or injured by this type of driving.
This shows a complete disregard for motorcycle safety on the part of Toyota. If anyone wants to call them about this and demand that this commercial be pulled off the air call: 1-800-331-4331 option 3 and let them know we will not put up with this callous view of bikers.
They gave me a document number after registering my complaint. I did give up Phone and addy, but I think worth it.
1-800-331-4331 option 3, option 4.
Everybody should call and let them know what you think.
Grumpy : (
Rogue
Photo by Bob T.
That?s the news? Bandit returns home tomorrow – yay! I?ve really missed the big guy. It just isn?t the same around here without him cause a girl can only take so much relaxing, and then she needs a good strong man to come along and boss her around.
If I didn?t mention before where he?s been, that lucky bastards been in Alaska Salmon fishing, hiking, touching glaciers and enjoying the beautiful landscape ? without me. I can?t wait to see the pictures he taken and hear the fishing stories of the one that got away. Oh, about that email Bandit got, here you go.
Hi Bandit,
I was just doing a “Howard Kelly” search online and noticed a funny storyabout you having a scrape with Howie and the Primedia posse over some sortof misappropriation of funds thing or something. Oh well, by now you surelyknow that they offed the f** t** of l*** this past Friday and the entirebike industry has been dancing in the streets ever since. I’ve hoisted myshare of extra-dry martinis to celebrate the occasion.
Take care,
Mr. Unknown
Have a great weekend!
Layla
September 16, 2004 Part 3
By Bandit | | General Posts
Continued From Page 2
DID HE SAY ?BOBBERS??–Hey, I really dig your site. Love the Tim Conder stories. Take a look at my site if you get a moment.
Take care,
Anthony
ABATE Handlebar Bill Signed into Law–Governor Schwarzenegger Signs ABATE Handlebar Bill into Law.
Sacramento. ABATE of California, a motorcycle rights organization, is pleased to announce the signing of Assembly Bill 2844 into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on August 23, 2004. The common sense measure will modernize the outdated motorcycle handlebar height restrictions contained in California’s vehicle code section 27801, instituted in 1963.Assemblyman Jay La Suer of La Mesa is the Bill’s author. Denise Ducheny brought the bill to the Senate floor. ABATE of California consulted with the California Highway Patrol in sponsoring the measure which will allow a rider’s handgrips to be up to, but no higher than, 6 inches above shoulder height. The bill passed by a near unanimous vote on both the Assembly and Senate floors.
The current law limits handgrip height at shoulder level. AB 2844 was drafted in response to a rash of selective enforcement coupled with aCalifornia Judicial Council ruling which modified the offense from a simple fix it ticket to a non-correctible offense worth a point against amotorist’s driving record.
While the new legislation makes no change to the recent judicial ruling, ABATE Legislative Director Jean Hughes predicts the new law should put an end to 95% of the traffic stops.
The new law will go into effect on January 1, 2005.
SECTION 1. Section 27801 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
27801. A person shall not drive a two-wheel motorcycle that is equipped with either of the following:
(a) A seat so positioned that the driver, when sitting astride the seat, cannot reach the ground with his or her feet.
(b) Handlebars so positioned that the hands of the driver, when upon the grips, are more than six inches above his or her shoulder height when sitting astride the seat.
Contact:
Jean Hughes, Legislative Director, ABATE of California
(707) 446-9432
Submitted by Splatt
ROGUE REPORT –ROGUE REPORT Hurricane Frances came to Florida and kicked ass!125,000 still with out power but there are power companies in from all over the country working 18-hour shifts to restore power.
My family and myself are fine and though we are on generator power at least we have refrigerator, water (showers), TV and fans. There is minor damage to the roof and some trees down.
We just got phone service back and the cell phone only works in certain areas. I am doing this on laptop, as my cable hook up is not working so I use the phone or cell phone.
We had some hard times through this but are very lucky compared to some others nor far from us who lost roofs and buildings and are living at shelters.
I have good neighbors and a lot of friends and we are all helping each other and it is working.
Fema is setting up along with the Red Cross and helping a lot of people. The National Guard is doing road duty as traffic lights are out in many places. Most of the cops have been pretty decent and there is a curfew in effect and the Sheriff is telling places not to sell beer or alcohol. That is not going over to well.
Ivan is being watched now.
I have to get back to work around here but wanted to let all know what was going on.
Florida People – Check In When You Are Able To. If you are in need of something let us know and we will see what we can do.
BE SAFE ? Rogue
WILLIE G?S BASTARD–From Suds and Butterfly News Letter
Recently I was riding my daily work commute bike, a 2002 Buell X1W White Lightning. Now I have an old panhead, but when it comes to making it to and from work without having to stop and wrench something back in working condition, the little Buell does a fine job of keeping me from being late for work and running the gauntlet back home in rush hour traffic, fast acceleration, great brakes, great handling, nuff said. So I am sitting at a traffic light, and two yuppie bolt on chrome owners pull up and one hollers “HEY LOOK IT’S ONE OF WILLIE G’S BASTARD STEPCHILDREN” So as soon as I got the front wheel back on the ground after my powerful little Buell made it’s exit from the light, I started thinking about how those of us who ride every day, good weather or bad, sure get a lot of disrespect from these yahoos who happen to have more money than common sense and enough credit to keep their local HD dealer in business. I bet neither of them has ever made a run from Oklahoma to Santa Cruz California on a motorcycle just to keep a process server off their back. They probably stay in a nice motel or guest ranch if they go to Sturgis, just so they can have a t-shirt. And I know damn well that there isn’t a tool roll under their seat to make roadside repairs with.
So anyway, I came up with these patches, so if you know any Buell hooligans, let em know. I am selling these things for $10 each and I pay the postage. Sure liked your website, I used to work oilpatch out in the Tejas panhandle back in the day, rode a scooter to the rig every chance I had. Kinda miss huge grasshoppers bouncing off me.
Thanks, Rusty
PICTURE OF PATCH : http://sudsandbutterfly.homestead.com/files/Willie_G_patch_-_fr_Rusty_sm.jpg
Man Goes to Jail for Putting a Sign in his Yard–
“You can look through ’em all.”
Up to his ears in legal documents, Phillip Dean is fed up with the judicial system.
“That’s the kind of court system we’ve got in Jackson County, Alabama and I want everybody to know,” Dean says.
So he put a sign in his front lawn saying “Our Court System Is a Joke.”A message landing him behind bars.
“I was in a cell about four foot wide and six foot long and nothing in it but a toilet,” he explains.Arrest orders signed by Judge Haralson claim Dean to be in direct contempt of court, even though the sign is on County Road 107, not in the county courthouse.
“The signs were so derogatory to the court they could not be ignored,” Haralson responds in a local paper.
With Dean locked up, the signs were removed.
“Before they would let me go in front of Judge Haralson,” Dean says. “They put leg shackles, they put handcuffs, they put chains from my legs up to my waist. They put a chain around my waist. They put chains from my waist up here and had my hands pulled up like this.”
With an apology, Haralson released Dean after a day in jail, but the experience leaves Dean with unanswered questions.
“When it gets to where a man hadn’t got any free speech in this world, what has he got?” he asks.
Answers he hopes to find with a message already back in place.
Rogue
BIKERNET CARIBBEAN REPORT–I squeezed one more news day before heading out, so here we go.First of all , I want to thank everyone that has sent e-mails and posted on your shot about my writing. I want you guys to know that I really appreciate it, no bullshit.
I have said a thousand times, it still amazes me of the people we reach, and the people who know of me and what I do. I was thinking about how “open” my life is to a bunch of people, how simple is to find me, or e-mail, or how much of what goes on and my life is open for anyone to read. I guess not enough, since I don’t have any hot chicks stalking me yet, but then again, there’s still time.
Funny, the other day I was looking at the News archives, then I searched for the first news report I had ever done, it was August 2000, at least the one I could find. That is 4 years ago, and what amazes me the most is how things have changed, and changed for the better. I also got to read an old interview Bandit did on me, many things have happened and others are still waiting. It?s bizarre how a life is plastered all over a computer screen, week after week, more so, not only my life, but also of others who contribute to this site. It is our own little “family” and we have millions of spectators, we might know a percent of a percent of those.
Funny that some people hate you, while others enjoy the success. It?s also an art to be able to figure out e-mails and see the truth in them; that is without knowing the person or ever seen them. Like I said jokingly the other night, If every person that read the news would send me a mere dollar, I would be able to pay a lot of rent and build a few bikes, but it’s not a matter of money, it’s never been about the money. Although I have to pay rent, utilities, car, etc,etc, like everyone else, this is kind of a labor of love. It?s a compromise from me to Bandit and Sin, plus all the other readers, those who like it and those who don’t.
Sure I would love to be able to walk out the door and buy whatever I wanted, or not worry about all those bills every month, but if it’s going to happen , it will happen. Will I change or change what I’m doing? I really don’t think so, first and foremost I build bikes, and I enjoy what we do. “Grown kids” as Glenn so eloquently put it. Sure there’s better times and there’s times that we want to call it quits, but no one gets off the boat on this trip. We lose some very dear friends, but that also gets us closer to others. Life has a very funny way to portray itself to us.
In those old news columns, I did a little introduction and then went to the news, but how everything has changed….. What Bandit called going “editorial” is what I do every single week, and it looks like a lot of people follow those “lifetorials”. What shocks me the most is that I have always been very private. I would not even like people to know if I was taking a trip or my destination. Some of my friends ended up calling me the myth. And here we are, half a World reading all this, every week, bizarre, once more. Thank God there’s no hits on me, since it would be very simple to pop a cap in my ass. Then again, sometimes there are some things better left untold.
Check the old news archives if you have the time, they used to be one short page, but like I have said, we all have grown.
Like this industry, when will it stop? No one knows, and no one wants it to, but still they ponder the question.
This upcoming Sunday I will be paying tribute to the life of a good friend that is with us no more, but the bright side of it is that other friends will be there as well, to share the moment, to augment the bond. It?s sad that a moment like that will bring many of us together, but I’m sure one will enjoy it the most, the one that it’s all about…He will be scratching his head and wondering how come so many people loved him…Simple man….because you were you.
As I used to say goodbye back then,Saludos
Jose ? Bikernet Caribbean Reporter
Dave MannTo view some of his historical art you can go to the following websites: http://home.att.net/~knucklehead-47/dmannphoto.htm
Rogue
On Loosing David Mann– They say only the good die young. If that?s true, then Dave Mann must have put one over on the Big Man upstairs to have blessed this world with his goodness for sixty four years.
None of us can do everything and be everywhere. David Mann?s vision and his ability to bring the biker?s world alive through his art enabled many of us to experience through his eyes, things that we otherwise might have missed out on or couldn?t be a part of. His was an extraordinary gift that enriched the lives of millions of bikers. In a way, through the art he created over the years, Dave Mann chronicled the history and evolution of what it means to be a biker. How the Hell do you say ?thank you? for something like that?
Like most of us, I never had the honor of meeting Dave Mann. I knew him only through his artwork. But because of that artwork, I feel I owe him a special debt. Like a lot of you, when I learned of Dave?s health problems and the financial challenges he was facing, I sent what I could to help out. I considered it an opportunity to make a small down payment on what I owed him for everything he?d given me over the years. I also sent along my only surviving magazine copy of a story of mine that was published in Easyriders back in May of 1982. The story was called ?Daytona Run?. I thought it was a good story and as I recall, it was well received at the time. But what made the story so special to me, and I have no doubt, what made a lot of folks take the time to read it, was the David Mann artwork used to illustrate it.
I felt then, as I do now, that the reason the reaction to that story was so favorable had a helluva lot more to do with Dave?s illustration than the way I put the words together. To be honest, Dave turned the tables on me. Instead of serving as an accessory to my story, his superb painting made my words seem unnecessary. All you had to do was take one look at his rendering of two bikes loaded in the back of an old pickup truck parked in a dark snowy driveway with the sunny beaches of Daytona appearing in the snow swept shimmer of the headlights, and you could have saved yourself the trouble of reading further. He had told the story far better with his brush than I did with my words.
I believed then, and I believe now, that my story (and a lot of other good stories by other writers) might well have been overlooked by a lot of readers without the power of David Mann?s illustrations to draw them in. I just wanted him to know how much it had meant to me over the years to have my simple story associated with his genius.
A couple of weeks later, I got a personal note of thanks from David Mann. It?s my understanding that, his health not withstanding, he personally thanked all those who sent help and encouragement. In his note to me, the Great David Mann turned the tables on me again. He used some of his precious time to tell me that the illustration used for ?Daytona Run? had been inspired by my story and been painted especially to go with it. I was honored and humbled all over again. Now, in those times when the stories just won?t come, and the words just won’t fit together, his kind message, like his work, will always serve to inspire me to keep trying. How the Hell do you thank someone for a gift like that?
And how do you thank someone for a life lived like that?
I?m no philosopher. I don?t claim to understand why I can look around me and see good people gone way too soon while the bad ones live forever, fat and happy. But maybe, if there is a grand design to all this, there’s a reason why people like Indian Larry and David Mann don?t get to stay with us longer. Maybe the good really do die young. And, maybe, just maybe, the Big Man Upstairs knew that true genius is still young at sixty-four.
Because that?s what David Mann was and always will be, a true genius who died way too young at sixty-four. He will be honored, respected, and missed for as long as even one true biker still draws breath.
Hutch in The Heartland
Continued On Page 4
September 16, 2004 Part 2
By Bandit | | General Posts
Continued From Page 1
HEY BANDIT–
VIRUS WARNING–During the next several weeks be VERY cautious about opening or launching any e-mails that refer to the World Trade Center or 9/11 inany way, regardless of who sent it. PLEASE FORWARD TO ALL YOURFRIENDSAND FAMILY. FOR THOSE WHO DON’T KNOW, “WTC” STANDS FOR THE WORLD TRADECENTER. REALLY DANGEROUS BECAUSE PEOPLE WILL OPEN IT RIGHT AWAY,THINKING ITS A STORY RELATING TO 9/11! BIGGGG TROUBLE !!!! DO NOTOPEN”WTC Survivor.” It is a virus that will erase your whole “C” drive..Itwill come to you in the form of an E-Mail from a familiar person. Irepeat, a friend sent it to me, but called and warned me before Iopenedit. He was not so lucky and now he can’t even start his computer!Forward this to everyone in your address book. I would rather receivethis 25 times than not at all. So, if you receive an email called “WTCSurvivor”, do not open it. Delete it right away! This virus removesalldynamic link libraries (dll files) from your computer. PLEASE FORWARDTHIS MESSAGE!
Chris T.
BIKERNET STEALTH REPORT–Man, it has been a tough month for the biker community. First we lost Indian Larry and before we had a chance to heal from that hurt, we hear of Dave Mann passing away.
When I was a lot younger and just getting into bikes Dave Mann was one of my heroes. I really should not use the word ?was,? to me he has always been a hero of mine and always will be.
I remember my friend Mike J. and me working together and at lunch time, on the day we thought the new issue of Easyriders would hit the local 7-11 store, we would head over there and scrape together enough money to buy each of us a copy. Back in those days it seems we didn?t have enough lunch money, but we always had enough to buy Easyriders. If one of us was short, the other would spot what we needed until the next issue. I would always search first for the Dave Mann centerfold. Nothing else in there mattered until I saw the centerfold and once you saw one of them you were hooked.
Dave Mann?s artwork was more than a drawing or a picture. His artwork came to life, it was real! I could feel the air in my hair, the power of the engine, the pop and crack of the pipes, you could feel the night air, most of all though you could feel the freedom that riding and being a biker was about. There was nothing better on a cold Virginia winter night than opening up that Easyrider magazine and feeling the warmth of spring through a piece of Dave Mann?s artwork.
I finally met Dave Mann in December of 1996 at an EasyriderS Show here in Charlotte. You could buy his centerfolds and he would autograph them for you. I remember he was friendly and easy to talk to. I framed the print and treasure it to this day. I have a huge collection of his centerfolds and they will always have a place in my home. They all have meaning to me. I can look at them and some take me back to certain times in my life and you can never put a price on something like that.
Another thing Dave Mann?s art did was inspire bike builders worldwide. My highbar springer is styled by what I saw in those centerfolds. My taste in bikes and the styles I like are all influences of Dave Mann. Nothing brought out the bare bones ?Outlaw? style better than a Dave Mann centerfold.
I remember last year hearing of Dave?s health failing and you could make a donation to help. I did not hesitate, I sent a small gift and I did not expect anything in return. About three weeks later Dave sent me a small copy of ?Ghostrider? and at the bottom of it was a thank you note with the famous ?David Mann? signature. It blew me away! I always knew what kind of person Dave was just through his artwork, this just reinforced what I had I always believed. Dave Mann was a stand up guy!
Thanks Dave for the enjoyment you gave me over the years, from being a kid who knew very little about bikes and the biker lifestyle to who I am today, a biker who loves the lifestyle that your artwork portrayed. For me there will never be anyone who comes close to you and your artwork. I am sure wherever you are right now, you are working on a piece of art for everyone to enjoy! Ride on!
Until next week!
STEALTHMAN
Huze Motor Mount & Coil Bracket– Your engine is polished or powder coated. Now order the motor mount & the coil bracket it deserves.
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Tel: 561-392-5557
Fax: 561-392-9923
http://www.cyrilhuze.com
ABATEPAC Voter Guide in Motorcycle Shops and Online–Another election is fast approaching and you’ve been too busy riding to know which candidates are biker friendly. Some politicians would like to ban bikes and get it over with. Others want to end lane splitting or impose new smog and noise standards. So, how does a good scooter tramp know where politicians stand on issues of importance to motorcyclists?
The new ABATEPAC Voter Guide has been distributed to motorcycle shops and biker hangouts throughout California. The 2004 edition endorses biker friendly candidates based on past voting record or favorable completion of a comprehensive questionnaire. ABATE of California’s Political Action Committee has also made the Voter Guide available online at the http://www.abate.org website. Campaign contact numbers are provided for riders willing to make a donation or volunteer time working in a campaign office.
Form a group ride to your local polling place and proudly display your “I Voted” sticker on your helmet, vest or jacket.
Remember, you must be registered before October 18th to vote in the November 2 election.
2005 presents the greatest opportunity for positive change we’ve seen in years. For those of you interested in lickin’ the lid law, this is the time to get involved, and the ABATEPAC Voter Guide makes the job as easy as punching out chads.
Splatt
CRAZY HORSE REPORT —
I’m not sure why I think about the past so much, it really wasn’t that pleasant for me. I was always broke beyond belief due to poor choices of boyfriends. They were always creating some gawd awful mess that I’d have to bail them out of. But in a way, it wasn’t so bad. I lived in unreal beautiful places, like in a 200 yr old farmhouse next to the Connecticut River or in a large artsy contemporary at the top of a 100 ft cliff. And one thing that always took my mind off the latest fiasco was always the latest issue of Easyriders. I’d come to depend on seeing that Dave Mann centerfold. It was as much a part of my world as my friends. The paintings would take me to a dream biker world, where the sunsets were always blood red and friends always rode together on super cool choppers. But it was also a very real world, where bikes didn’t always start and people screwed up, yet their friends forgave them. I never met Dave. I saw him at shows a few times, but I never said hello or got an autograph. I guess I just took it for granted he would always be there, just like his paintings would always be in the magazine centerfold.
When I heard he was dead, it stung hard. I mean losing Indian Larry was bad enough, but losing two legends in such a short amount of time? I knew Dave was ill, and like the optimist I am, I kept hoping he’d hang on and get better.
Out in a large filing cabinet in my garage are all the Easyriders I’ve collected over the years. In all the moves I’ve made, I keep dragging them along. They are not all in good shape. It’s been a tough 30 years since I started reading Easyriders and many of those issues show the wear. I had finally decided that I would go through them and sell the lot at the next big swap meet. I mean, I never look at them. There’s not many free afternoons to idle away leafing through the past. Too many bikes to paint, stuff to do, family to tend, and roads to ride. Sure there’s time to think about the past but not time to actually handle it, to touch the pages I sought comfort in so long ago. Life keeps happening and the magazines sit. But now, I may not sell them, not yet. For me they represent what used to be, but what is forever gone. Like when my friends and I would have a keg party the night before a swap meet. Then we’d load the keg in the back of my ’64 Ford pickup and bury it under bike parts. I’d set up at the meet, selling paint jobs, spare parts and $1 beers. My friends would give free beer to cute guys. It was a fun way to blow off a Sunday afternoon. I mean we had nothing better to do. None of us were married, no kids to worry about. Just sit around and wonder about men and talk about our dream bikes. Mine was a ’64 pan. We thought we were so wise and worldly, when we were actually so young and unspoiled. To be able to freeze those moments in time. And that’s what Dave Mann did. He painted life the way we wanted to see it. The way we wished it could always be.
Joann ?Crazy Horse?
BIKERNET ART CORNER–Just as we predicted David Uhl’s limited edition canvas of ROSE has sold out. In the secondary market this piece is now selling for $2600 framed. (from $1850 opening price). This is obviously good news to those who have already acquired the piece and not altogether unexpected. Rose had all the elements to be a very successful work, as does this next David Uhl painting entitled THE REAL THING. As you can see by the attached visual THE REAL THING is “Rose” only from a little different prospective. David’s concept here was to create a more “Rubyesque” portrait which is more about the girl and her allure and independence (sound familiar?) Given that the editions are much smaller now this piece will undoubtedly be the next sold-out edition. Call me when you get a chance.
Ron Copple
Artists Riding Together
866-985-9989http://www.art-inc.biz
Charlie Bretchel Band ? Live at the Love Run–Hey Bandit, Nov 14 I will be playing the Love Ride and we will be flyingRogue out to party with us and shoot some footage and a interview with Rogue for inner circle 2. We are bringing him out for a week Nov 11 till 17. Maybe we can hook up and do a interview with you to guys together? That would be very cool.
Charlie Bretchelhttp://jmedina.homestead.com/mediaschedule.htmlhttp://jmedina.homestead.com/mediaschedule.html
THE FUTURE OF TEXAS–
Please note that Texas is the only state with a legal right to secede from the Union (please refer to the Texas-American Annexation Treaty of 1848).
We Texans love y’all, but we’ll have to take action if Kerry wins president over Bush. We’ll miss you too. Texas has given all those complainers plenty of time to get used to the results. After seeing the whiners along the campaign route, the folks from Texas are considering taking matters into our their hands.
Here is our solution:
#1: Let John Kerry become President of the United States. (all 49 states.)
#2: George W. Bush becomes the President of the Republic of Texas.
So what does Texas have to do to survive as a Republic?
1. NASA is just south of Houston, Texas. (we will control the space industry.)
2. We refine over 85% of the gasoline in the United States.
3. Defense Industry. (we have over 65% of it) The term “Don’t mess with Texas,” will take on a whole new meaning.
4. Oil – we can supply all the oil that the Republic of Texas will need for the next 300 years. Yankee states? Sorry about that.
5. Natural Gas – Again we have all we need and it’s too bad about those northern states. John Kerry will figure a way to keep them warm….
6. Computer Industry – we currently lead the nation in producing computer chips and communications: Small places like Texas Instruments, Dell Computer, EDS, Raytheon, National Semiconductor, Motorola, Intel, AMD, Atmel, Applied Materials, Ball Semiconductor, Dallas Semiconductor, Delphi, Nortel, Alcatel, Etc, Etc. The list goes on and on.
7. Health Centers – We have the largest research centers for Cancer research, the best burn centers and the top trauma units in the world and other large health planning centers.
8. We have enough colleges to keep us going: UT Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Rice, SMU, University of Houston, Baylor, UNT, Texas Women’s University, Ivy grows better in the south anyway.
9. We have a ready supply of workers. (just open the border when we need some more)
10. We have control of the paper industry, plastics, insurance etc.
11. In case of a foreign invasion, we have the Texas National Guard and the Texas Air National Guard. We don’t have an army but since everybody down here has at least six rifles and a pile of ammo, we can raise an army in 24 hours if we need it. If the situation really gets bad, we can always call Department of Public Safety and ask them to send over a couple Texas Rangers.
12. We are totally self sufficient in beef, poultry, hogs and several types of grain, fruit and vegetables and lets not forget seafood from the gulf. And everybody down here knows how to cook them so that they taste good. Don’t need any food.
This just names a few of the items that will keep the Republic Of Texas in good shape. There isn’t a thing out there that we need and don’t have.
Now to the rest of the United States under President Kerry: Since you won’t have the refineries to get gas for your cars, only President Kerry will be able to drive around in his 9 mile per gallon SUV. The rest of the United States will have to walk or ride bikes.
You won’t have any TV as the space center in Houston will cut off your communications. You won’t have any natural gas to heat your homes but since Mr. Kerry has predicted global warming, you will not need the gas.
Signed, The People in Texas And Y’all have a nice day!
RevCarl
Continued On Page 3
September 16, 2004 Part 1
By Bandit | | General Posts
It?s been a quiet week here, well, except for the diesel trucks, fire trucks and the damn Longshoremen who descend upon us once a day while they rush up to the hall a block away and wait for job call-outs. I understand their reason for coming this way everyday, but they act like they?re an exception to the rules of the road and courtesy. They fill up our street with their cars; box ours in, double park and jay walk so that we can hardly pass. I can?t stand those guys, even though both of my sons are trying to become Longshoremen. If they do, then I?ll be a little more tolerant.
As for the Industry, all is not quiet on that front; Howard Kelly from Hot Bike got the boot and that?s got emails a flyin?. I?ll share an email Bandit got from an anonymous person in the ending, that?s pretty humorous. I gotta a call from Wall Street Journal wanting to pick Bandit’s brain on the history of bikers, and a call from a really nice guy who builds cars and bikes for the entertainment industry wanting Bandit for contribution on a book he?s commissioned to write about building choppers. We?ll definitely keep you posted on this one. Now for the news?
SATURDAY NITE SEPTEMBER 18th UPDATE!!”Texas Style Party Drags” NORTH HOUSTON DRAGSTRIP CAMPOUT ALL BIKE DRAGS & PARTY !!!! At Houstons NEWEST DRAGSTRIP HOUSTON MOTORSPORTS PARK11620 N. Lake Houston Parkway “Inside Beltway 8” in North East Houston
WEATHER UPDATE: WEDNESDAY NOON – 0% CHANCE OF RAIN SATURDAY
NO HURRICANE PROBLEMS AT ALL – WEATHER LOOKS GREAT
ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS “Close Up” BLEACHER SEATING !!
Don?t Miss the “Match Race of the Century” – Mark Derryberry?s Top Fuel Harleyvs Keith Marksberry?s Turbocharged Nitrous Suzuki Dragster -FULL STORY ON WWW.TEXASSCOOTER.COM & More Dragstrip Campout Info!!!
NITRO HARLEYS * “King of the Box” Bracket Racing?s BEST &2 Money E.T. Classes & 2 Trophy E.T. Classses – PLUSOpen Drags for Pro Catagory Dragbikes with $400 for “The Quickest Run Of the NITE”!!AND AFTER THE RACE It?s LIVE MUSIC “Till The Wee Hours With MAD MAX & THE MAX ATTACK – “Texas? BEST PARTY BAND”Back By Popular Demand after ROCKIN? the Sealy Campout in August !!
With a $100 to win WET T-SHIRT CONTEST at Midnight…….
Door Prizes # Swap Meet Vendors # Blowout Style “Bikini Alerts”
OVERNIGHT CAMPING PERMITTED & ENCOURAGED !!!!!!!!!!!
Admission: $20 a head, Under 18 admitted with Parent ONLY
Gates Open: 4:pm – Time Trials 6:pm – Eleminations 8pm
Location: Take Beltway 8 East from Hwy 59 or North from I-10. Turn WEST on
North Lake Houston Pkwy. Track is 1 mile down on the left
Information: http://www.texasscooter.com –
Track Phone 281- 458 – 1972
(BYOB – Bring Your Own Beads!! & Be There !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Also Mark Your Calenders:
Oklahoma State Championships – Sat. Nite Oct. 2 – Noble Ok.
“Texas Style Party Drags” Championship Series State Finals – Sunday Oct. 17 – Evadale Texas
Noise complaint cuts short relief from generator–
BY J.D. GALLOP
FLORIDA TODAY
MELBOURNE – A family without power for 10 days had to shut their generator soon after firing it up Monday when their neighbor, the deputy police chief, called officers to complain about the noise.
On Tuesday, Melbourne Police Chief Don Carey said John Short did nothing wrong when he called on three police officers to make his neighbor turn off the generator.
“There was no abuse of authority. I’ve had a conversation with the (neighbor) about (Short) exercising his rights under the law,” Carey said.
The neighbor, Jennifer Buksas-Gutierrez, had just gotten a generator and turned on the air-conditioning for the first time about 11 p.m. Monday when police officers came to her door.
First, they asked her to turn off the generator – which she didn’t. Then they went to Short, who told them to go back and tell her to turn it off and remind her that people can be arrested for violating the city’s noise ordinance.
“The officer just said that, ‘I have to do this because he’s my boss,’ . . . and you could hear the other generators in the neighborhood running,” said the 23-year-old mother of a 4-year-old, who had been living without electricity since Hurricane Frances.
The city ordinance allows residents affected by hurricanes to use generators from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Police on Tuesday could not say whether they handled any other complaints about generator noise.
City code officials said they’d handled about a dozen such complaints, but they didn’t make people turn them off. They worked with them to moving or shielding the generators to reduce the noise-reaching neighbors.
Short confirmed the incident involving his neighbor and said he called officers because it was 11 p.m., after the permitted hours.
“That’s too late and personally, I couldn’t sleep so they had to stop it,” he said. He said he didn’t have a generator.
During the Monday incident, Short stood on his driveway but did not speak with his neighbors. At one point, he used his city-issued police radio to talk with a supervisor for the officers who came out.
“I don’t give up my rights because I’m deputy chief. I’m entitled to my peace and quiet, too. It’s not me, it’s the ordinance,” Short said.
He also said he reminded the officers that a violation of the noise ordinance was an offense that could warrant an arrest.
Short said other residents in the neighborhood near Croton Road may have been running generators, but his primary concern was the noise next door.
When told the residents had a small child and that they said the heat inside the home was unbearable, Short said: “Do what I’m doing, sleep on the porch. Sleep where you can.”
Buksas-Gutierrez, who lost power last Saturday, turned off the generator after talking with officers for the second time. She reported the incident to the Melbourne city manager on Tuesday, and he turned it over to the police chief.
“I talked to the chief and he said he was sorry for the misunderstanding,” she said. “We’re all in the same boat. We should be trying to work with each other.”
Carey, who appointed Short to the second-in-command post, said the issue was closed. He said officers would be reminded to use discretion in situations involving generators.
Rogue
BIKERNET RELATIONSHIP DEPARTMENT–A woman asks her husband to buy her a fur coat for their 25th anniversary.
“HA!” he snorted. “The day I buy you a fur coat will be the day you can grow hair on your chest!”
On that she hikes up her skirt, drops her panties, and thrust her pubic area forward.
“There! I have hair on my chest, now buy me the damn coat!”
“That’s not your chest!” he roars back.
“Damn right it’s my chest!” she argued. “Before we got married, this was your hope chest. On our honeymoon it was your treasure chest. Afterwards, it became our family chest … and if you don’t buy me a fur coat … it will soon become the community chest!”
Rogue
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier–
1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of theUnknowns and why? 21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, whichis the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.
2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walkand why? 21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1
3. Why are his gloves wet? His gloves are moistened to prevent his losinghis grip on the rifle.
4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time and if not, whynot? He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After hismarch across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to theoutside shoulder.
5. How often are the guards changed? Guards are changed every thirtyminutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.
6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must bebetween 5′ 10″ and 6′ 2″ tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30.”
Otherrequirements of the Guard: They must commit 2 years of life to guard thetomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol onor off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for therest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tombin any way. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn ontheir lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their livesor give up the wreath pin. The shoes are specially made with very thicksoles to keep the heatand cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the topof the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt.
There areno wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front ofa full-length mirror. The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk toanyone, nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notablepeople laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorizewho they are and where they are interred. Among the notables are: PresidentTaft, Joe E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, {themostdecorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame. Every guard spends five hoursa day getting his uniforms ready forguard duty.
In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, DC, our US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the offer, “No way, Sir!” Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a serviceperson. The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.
I don’t usually suggest that many emails be forwarded, but I’d be very proud if this one reached as many as possible. We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve.
God Bless and keep them.
Kendra
Sierra Club, Sheep and Coyotes —A few years ago, the Sierra Club and the U.S. Forest Service were presentingpolitically correct alternatives to Wyoming ranchers for controlling thecoyote population. It seems that after years of the ranchers using the triedand true methods of shooting and/or trapping the predator, the tree-huggershad a “more humane” solution.
What was proposed to the Wyoming Wool and Sheep Growers Association by theSierra Club and the USFS was for the animals to be captured alive, the malescastrated and let loose again. That way the coyote population would becontrolled.
All of the ranchers thought about this amazing idea for a couple of minutes.Finally, an old boy in the back stood up, tipped his cowboy hat back andsaid, “Son, I don’t think you understand the problem. Those coyotes ain’tfuckin’ our sheep – they’re eatin’ ’em”.
A. Friedman
S&S and G Squared Racing Set New Street Pro Record-First In the 8s!–
STREET PRO BIKE: G2/S&S #46 TRIBUTE
Street Pro Qualified: # 1 (9.158 seconds @ 145.03 mph)Eliminations:
Semifinals: 8.995 seconds @ 148.99 (1st in 8’s in Street Pro)
Finals: 8.963 seconds @ 146.43 (New National Record)
BRISTOL, TN (August 15, 2004) – S&S Cycle, Inc., G Squared Motorsports, and rider Chip Ellis have captured a page in the history books in the AHDRA Street Pro class. Chip recorded the first run ever in the 8’s riding the G Squared S&S #46 Tribute Street Pro Bike Sunday, August 15th. He ran an 8.995 in the semi-finals and then backed up that national record by running even quicker in the finals with an 8.963. Not only was it Chip’s debut at the AHDRA, but also his first race for the G2 team and first event ever on a V-Twin.
“I want to thank everybody at S&S Cycle and G Squared for giving me an awesome bike to ride” said Chip. “It made my job a lot easier.” He went on to say that during the course of the weekend which began with a limited test and tune session Friday night, “I rode the Street Pro nine times and the Road King 12 times. Ken Johnson and the rest of the crew did an great job of giving me the performance I needed to take care of business.”
“I knew when we started this project a year ago-on very short notice-that G Squared was the right mix for S&S to work with,” said S&S President, Brett Smith and son of G Squared President, George Smith. “How could it not be, my father and S&S Chairman of the Board, forms the first G, and George Bryce, one of the greatest NHRA Pro Stock bike crew chiefs forms the second G. I am so happy for them and for everyone at S&S who made it possible. But I really must say that I am awed by Chip’s ability to ride. He is absolutely amazing and I can’t wait to see what he’ll do for us in the NHRA.”
“I have had more fun today between the Road King and the Street Pro than I’ve had in quite awhile? said George Smith, who with George Bryce are partners in G Squared. “S&S and the G Squared gang have worked very hard to develop this Street Pro bike and engine in a package that will help the class. This weekend it finally showed its potential and it’s especially sweet to do it at Bristol in August where it’s really tough to set records.”
“It was our anniversary for the #46 Tribute 133 Twin Cam Special Application Dyna; we qualified number one, we set the record, and won with it convincingly” added George Bryce. “This is a monumental accomplishment for us at G Squared. This is the engine package that we will sell and use in lots of applications in the future. Thanks to all that helped to make this come true – tons of folks at S&S, the engine builders at Star Racing/G2, Mike at Gail’s HD and Chip Ellis (who put on a riding seminar all three days and was a sight to see). If anyone thinks it is easy to run 8’s with a Street Pro legal, no wheelie bar, foot shifting V-Twin, they should come try it.”
In addition to winning the event and setting a national record in the Street Pro class, Chip also piloted the G Squared Motorsports 2004 HD Road King, powered by an S&S VFI 124 “crate” engine, through the 86 bike E.T. Class to the finals. Chip said that “this bike has fewer than 250 miles on it and most of those are drag strip miles. Having to spot almost everyone in the field and then run them down was cool.”
George Smith added that “the S&S Twin Cam 124 is the best street engine S&S has ever produced and probably the finest push rod 45 degree Harley style V-Twin ever. The bike performed flawlessly and other than installation of the S&S engine at G2’s Americus facility, the Road King was completely stock. All we did was add gas, ride it down the racetrack, bring it back and park it in the pit area for everybody to look at. And best of all, Chip Ellis, our new G2 rider and technician, did a great job of showing its capabilities. I couldn’t be more pleased, both as an S&S part owner and one of the George’s in G2.”
The next AHDRA event on the G Squared Motorsports calendar is the Joker Machine Indy Nationals, September 11 – 12 at the Indianapolis Raceway Park, Indianapolis.
Don’t change that page! First check out TBearwear. It’s for a good cause.
Continued On Page 2
September 9, 2004 part 4
By Bandit | | General Posts
Continued From Page 3
CHARLIE BRECHTEL BAND REPORT–http://www.garageband.com/picks/blues My new cd is doing great !!!!!!!!
Charlie
BIKERNET FIRE WARNING–“Send someone over quickly!”the woman screamed into the phone. “Two naked bikers are climbing up toward my bedroom window!””This is the Fire Department, lady,” the voice replied. “I’ll have to transfer you to the Police Department.”No, it’s YOU I want!” she yelled. “They need a longer ladder!”
–from Rev CarlR
INDIAN LARRY
I Still Can’t Quite
Believe The News
Even Though I Heard
It From So Many Bro’s
I Continued To Pray
That It Wasn’t True
He Seemed So Invincible
A True Biker From
The Original Old School
Building Choppers
Long Before It Was Cool
He Lived His Life
By His Own Rules
And When Fame
Came His Way
He Kept His Cool
By Staying True
Never To Big To
To Chat With A Fan
Never Afraid To
Lend A Helping Hand
These Are Just
A Few Of The Things
That Make Him
Truly A Legendary Man
His Beliefs Inked Out
On His Arms,
Neck And Chest
Independent
No Need For A Vest
Indian Larrys
Still Doing What He Loves
Building Bikes For The
Old School Bikers In
Heaven Above
~
I Truly Miss Him
And I Give His
Brothers, Sisters
And Family
All My Love
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Composed 9/3/04 By Panhead Josh Of Outlaws World. Do not reproducewithout Authors Concent
INDIAN LARRY TRIBUTE–I was in Vegas when I heard the news. It is very sad and tragic. He worked so hard for so long, and was finally really getting a chance to reap the benefits of that hard work and to enjoy his success. My understanding is that the memorial service will be on September 19th. It is a huge loss for the motorcycle world and a tragic loss for all those who knew him and loved him well.
Michelle
Michelle Dell
President
Hogs & Heifers, Inc.
859 Washington Street
New York, NY 10014
Phone: 212-645-6471
Fax: 212-352-1232
Email: Michelle@HogsandHeifers.com
SPRINGFIELD STREAK ENDS FOR SCREAMIN’ EAGLE RIDER RICH KING–Sour Engine Foils King’s Bid for Fourth-Straight AMA National Win at Springfield Mile
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Sept. 5, 2004) – Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts rider Rich King dropped from the lead pack when his engine failed with four laps remaining in the AMA Grand National main at the Springfield Mile. The trouble ended his bid to win a fourth consecutive race at the prestigious Illinois State Fairgrounds track. The race was won by Quality Checked Pre-Owned Ford/Lancaster Harley-Davidson rider Chris Carr aboard a Harley-Davidson XR750.
King placed second in his heat race to qualify for the 25-lap main. He jumped into the lead at the start of the main, and led seven of the first 12 laps among a nine-rider lead pack. King was in second place when he dropped back in the pack as his engine started to fade on lap 21. After that, he left the track.
King won both AMA Grand National races at the Springfield Mile in 2003, and also won the first 2004 race there on Memorial Day weekend.
“The Screamin’ Eagle team has a good bike set-up and a great rider for Springfield, and we were in the hunt until racing luck caught up with us this time,” said Harley-Davidson Racing Manager Anne Paluso. “We really appreciate all of the support Harley-Davidson fans in Springfield offered us this season.”
Carr won the Springfield race with a last-lap drafting pass of KTM USA/Jones Powersports/Mid-America Harley-Davidson rider Ken Coolbeth. Coziahr Harley-Davidson/National Cycle rider Johnny Murphree followed Carr past Coolbeth to take second as Coolbeth crossed the line in third.
Carr’s win on the mile and a second-place finish in the short-track TT at Springfield on Saturday boosted his points lead as the AMA Progressive Insurance Flat Track Championship heads into its final events. With three races left on the schedule, Carr has 255 points and a 40-point lead over KTM USA/Jones Powersports/Mid-America Harley-Davidson rider Joe Kopp, now second with 215 points. Coolbeth is third with 189 points, just ahead of Murphree with 183 points.
On Saturday, King placed sixth and third in heat races and failed to qualify for the AMA Grand National short-track TT event at Springfield. That race was won by Glen Schnabel on a Yamaha.
The next stop on the AMA Progressive Insurance Flat Track Championship series is Sept. 19 at Scioto Downs in Columbus, Ohio.
Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts are inspired by and built in the spirit of the raw adrenaline and power of motorcycle racing. Screamin’ Eagle Pro parts are specifically designed for race-use applications, while Screamin’ Eagle parts offer street-use performance options for the Harley-Davidson motorcycle owner. Visit www.harley-davidson.com for more information.
The Screamin’ Eagle Flat Track team is sponsored by Matco Tools.
BIKERNET JOKE–I like this. They should keep it! Kern County California police drove this car for a week before an officer noticed what the graphics company employee did on the passenger side of the car. The employee did this on his last day working for the graphics company before he retired.
Buckshot
BIKERNET LESSON ON FLYS– A farmer in Hampton Ark. got pulled over by a Sheriff Bob Dunn forspeeding. The Sheriff started to lecture the farmer about his speeding, andin general began to throw his weight around to try to make the farmer feeluncomfortable. Finally, the Sheriff got around to writing out the ticket. Ashe was doing that, he kept swatting at some flies that were buzzing aroundhis head. The farmer said, “Having some problem with circle flies there, areya? The Sheriff stopped writing the ticket and said, “Well yeah, if that’swhat they are. I never heard of circle flies.” So the farmer says, “Well,circle flies are common on farms. See, they’re called circle flies becausethey’re almost always found circling around the back end of a horse.” TheSheriff says, “Oh,” and goes back to writing the ticket. Then after aminute, he stops and says, “Are you trying to call me a horse’s ass?” Thefarmer says, “Oh no, Sheriff. I have too much respect for law enforcementand police officers to even think about calling you a horse’s ass.” TheSheriff says, “Well that’s a good thing,” and goes back to writing theticket. After a long pause, the farmer says, “Hard to fool them fliesthough.”
–from Skooter
GOTHAM MOTORCYCLE CLASSIC–Just set the dates for 2005 GMC http://www.GothamMC.com and thought you’d want to know.
Last year was our first Gotham Motorcycle Classic on the decks and docks of the Intrepid aircraft carrier (it’s a BIG sucker!), with over 200 show bikes and 11,000 people through the gate.
This year we are doing it again on Oct 9 and 10, 2004 and it looks like it’ll be even bigger.
Saturday is American Iron Calendar day with 12 bikes chosen and photographed for the calendar. Sunday is judging for all 32 classes of domestic and import bikes. Many of the winners will be photographed and featured in various national magazines, including American Iron Magazine (for Harleys and domestic) and RoadBike (for metric and imports).
Next year’s Gotham Motorcycle Classic will be moved up to the spring, and we’ll hold it April 14 and 15, 2005.
Lots of very amazing bikes – domestic and import. Lots of classic, custom, hot rod and choppers. Even sidecars and scooters too.
Hope you can make it out one of these days.
Best wishes,
Buzz Kanter
DRAGS IN HOUSTON–SATURDAY NITE SEPTEMBER 18th !!!!!! Its The”Texas Style Party Drags” NORTH HOUSTON DRAGSTRIP CAMPOUT ALL BIKE DRAGS & PARTY !!!!At Houston?s NEWEST DRAGSTRIP –
HOUSTON MOTORSPORTS PARK
11620 N. Lake Houston Parkway “Inside Beltway 8”
ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS “Close Up” BLEACHER SEATING !!NITRO HARLEYS * MATCH RACING * “King of the Box” Bracket Racings BEST &2 Money E.T. Classes & 2 Trophy E.T. Classses – PLUSOpen Drags for Pro Catagory Dragbikes with $400 for “The Quickest Run Of the NITE”!!
AND AFTER THE RACE It?s # LIVE MUSIC “Till The Wee Hours With MAD MAX & THE MAX ATTACK – “Texas?s BEST PARTY BAND”Back By Popular Demand after ROCKIN? the Sealy Campout in August !
With a $100 to win WET T-SHIRT CONTEST at Midnight…….Door Prizes # Swap Meet Vendors # Blowout Style “Bikini Alerts”OVERNIGHT CAMPING PERMITTED & ENCOURAGED !!!!!!!!!!!
Admission: $20 a head, Under 18 admitted with Parent ONLY
Gates Open: 4:pm – Time Trials 6:pm – Eliminations 8pm
Location: Take Beltway 8 East from Hwy 59 or North from I-10.
Turn WEST onNorth Lake Houston Pkwy.
Track is 1 mile down on the left
Information: http:// www.texasscooter.com
Track Phone 281- 458 – 1972
“IT?S GONNA BE A “GROWN UP” PARTY DRAGS !! ? DON?T MISS IT!!
Also Mark Your Calenders:
Oklahoma State Championships – Sat. Nite Oct. 2 – Noble Ok.
“Texas Style Party Drags” Championship Series State Finals – Sunday Oct. 17 – Evadale Texas WITH ADDITIONAL RACE TO BE POSTED On – http:// www.texasscooter.com
THAT?S IT FOR THE NEWS–I have a few articles to post whilst Bandit?s away, just don?t hold your breath. I?m looking forward to getting a few things done around the Headquarters now that we don?t have ?Admiral Bandit? shouting orders to do content.
I?m finally going to try out my new sewing machine, clean out that closet, organize my filing?
See ya! Layla
September 9, 2004 part 3
By Bandit | | General Posts
Continued From Page 2
HELP A BROTHER OUT–Hey, it?s Dean from Pa, If you would like to pass this memo around for me it might help. And I need help. I found a set of aluminum Roberson Thunder Heads, those are very hard to find. They were made by a small manufacture back in 1980. They are a 20-horse bolt on head set, so they say. But what I?m still looking for is the set of flat top pistons for them, (cant use stock). Any help I would thank you for. My name & phone if you need is Dean Garbrick (814) 237-9476. I have a 1982 Sportster 1000cc
–“Dean Garbrick” deangarbrick@adelphia.net
CHROME-PLATED FASTENERS FROM CHROME HARDWARE SUPLLY– CHROME HARDWARE SUPPLY offers a full range of chrome-plated fasteners with the necessary strength and looks for any application – racing or show.
Fasteners have all sharp edges removed before the plating process.This prevents the start of cracks and chips that initially mar the chrome surface but eventually degenerate into flaking and peeling of the plated finish.
They report that, in independent tests, these fasteners were highly resistant to rust and corrosion.
According to Chrome Hardware Supply the tensile strength of its fasteners is between 180,000 and 200,000 psi.
This places the fasteners well above Grade 8 requirements it is claimed there is no problem with hydrogen embrittlement.
CHROME HARDWARE SUPPLY
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Tel: 888 629 2476
Fax: 602 437 9102
E-mail: info@standardbolt.comhttp:// www.chromehardwaresupply.com
JOANN ?CRAZY HORSE? REPORT–
It’s a gray cloudy day here in old Waxhaw Creek but I feel quite at peace. Ilive in a very beautiful place. The house is not too fancy or too big. It’sa very humble doublewide that needs a new roof. But it has two additions,one of which is an enormous sunroom that looks out onto the yard and thewoods beyond. The new roof was to be bought with the proceeds from sellingmy new chopper, but since I have fallen totally in love with the bike, I’llhave to work my ass off painting to get that new roof.But I’m not painting today. In fact, I haven’t done much painting since thefirst of August. It’s the longest break I’ve taken in 3 years. After so manyyears of bike painting, sometimes it’s hard to come up with fresh, newideas. Burnout is a motherf’er. The real world being one also doesn’talways allow for us worker bees to recharge.
20 years ago when I worked at a diesel equipment company called Stanadyne, they had a 2 week shutdownevery summer. Employees had no choice. The whole plant shut down. I clearlyand fondly remember those 2 week vacations. I would go to the beach with myboyfriend’s family where we would fish or snooze on the beach in the sun orlounge on the porch of the rented beach house when it rained. We would goback to work with our heads cleared of stress.A lot has changed in 20 years, especially for the blue-collar working class.I won’t even get into the astoundingly sick and unfair way the corporategreedheads treat the people who work for them, asking more and more, forless and less in return. It’s a sad cycle that shows no signs of ending.
More and people are turning to self employment, and quite a number arepainting bikes. And so this old girl has had to put in some long, hard hoursover the past few years. Sometimes, most of the time, it seemed there’dnever a real break, like those 2 weeks plant shutdowns so very long ago.Downtime that would make all those brutal hours worthwhile. I mean what goodis it to have a nice home with a killer sunroom with an awesome view, if Inever get to spend time in it? What good is that flat screen TV we bought 3years ago, if it hasn’t been watched but a few hours in all that time?And so after living here for 8 years, most of which this room was shut offfrom the rest of the house as it was too expensive to heat or keep cool,I’ve been relaxing on the antique couch I dragged up from Florida, watchingthe super clear picture on that TV or gazing out those tall windows at thosewoods I pay taxes on each year. I did do a little work in the past fewweeks.
I edited the edited copy of my book, right here in this sunroom, on mylaptop which sits on the teak coffee table I carried with me from rentedhouse to rented house since 1990. I did do some painting. I flamed a wideglide tank with the sweetest set of single flames I’ve ever done. I hadn’tplanned on doing them the way I did. I’d had a whole different color andtechnique in mind. But after Sturgis, my mind was clearer and I thought of avery simple, yet very effective way of doing the flames. The thing thatbugged me was why hadn’t I thought of it years ago? In fact, I’ve thought ofa lot of answers for painting related questions lately.
Recent events have made me treasure even more the life I lead. As screwedup as it can be at times, it’s still something of value because it is mine.Just like all these antiques I’ve collected over the years and have had solittle time to enjoy. You could say it all started at Sturgis, when I got onmy chopper. Riding that bike was so surrealistically wonderful. It made timestand still. The past month has been a treasure, precious time spent withfamily, friends, and no one at all. Tomorrow I go back to painting, buthopefully this time maybe I’ll manage my time better or fate will be kinderor whatever. But for the first time in a long time, maybe since those daysat Stanadyne – I feel recharged. Like life is worth working all those hours.Maybe I’m full of shit. I don’t care, it?s just nice to relax and not feel asthough the world is about to cave in on me if I stop working even for amoment. Oh, And that bike? It sits there waiting. Waiting for 3 weeks fromnow, when I ride it to Myrtle Beach.
I hope some of you out there were about to take time off this Labor dayweekend. My heart goes out to those who suffered in the storm down inFlorida and here in the Carolinas. My friends who live in Daytona were amongthem. But the rain iscoming this way, and a crapload of painting needs to get done so I can callthe roof guy.
Crazy Horse–
BIKERNET NEWS ALERT–Soon you’re going to turn on the TV and see a weather reporter pointingto another spinning red thing headed toward our coast and making two basicmeteorological points:
1. There is no need to panic.
2. We could all be killed.
–from Rogue
HURRICANE REPORT FROM ROGUE–Well the Bitch is here.We have been waiting for days and are now in the middle of it.144,000 in Brevard County with out power, many loosing it Saturday. 400,000 State wide
I did a perimeter check at 11:30 last night and every thing was fine except for heavy rains and winds. I paid a lot of attention to securing the house and area and hopefully it will continue to work. About 12:30 I heard the transformer go in the back yard and we lost electricity. Since most of the crew was sleeping I decide to do the same.
I got up this AM and started the generator and we have power again. I wanted coffee and that was the way to get it.
We are watching the reports on TV and keeping up on things thanks to the generator set.
It is nasty outside and will continue for many hours yet. The storm is hitting us from the North East and will soon switch to the South West. It is far from over. I am happy that I have Good Motorcycle Rain Gear for when I do go out side to make my checks or adjustments.
I just saw a neighbor’s shed go sailing down the street and I have heard a animal crying but can not find it. I hope it is up under one of the vehicles. Of course we will check before we start any thing. I just had to go service the generator as it sucked water up into the paper air cleaner and started to load up. No big deal. Remove paper air cleaner, install foam and make a deflector. YEA! Working great.
NO I AM NOT RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE!!!!
Phone calls in and out checking on each other and family members and a lot of reports of damage around the city.
I can not get on line as that went out some time ago. I am on lap top and was going to use cell phone but lost signal. Regular phone just went out so I do not know when I will actually send this.
Well it looks like I may be able to get some work done on a article or two and maybe even a bike I have in the garage. Got to look at the good side of this and take advantage of it and not sit here and get bored. I can not get drunk as I am in charge of emergency decisions and repairs. No sex either. Doris said the whole house would know what we were doing. DUH I really do not care but I guess she dosen’t want her kids to know we still have sex. Silly Girl. They complain I get more than they do. That’s the way it should be.
I have been at it for hours. The storm has left the area but the rains are still with us.
5:30 Sunday evening. Serviced and gassed the generator. I checked the area, trees and branches down, trash all over the place.
I lost a grapefruit tree and a bunch of branches off other trees but none of them hit the house. Lost some shingles but the roof is intact. Boy am I glad I added all those extra braces a few years ago.
The women have left because they are nosey, bored and what ever. They went to check Kenny’s house. Actually I think they used that as a excuse to go look for alcohol. Hell that ain’t all that bad.
Wires down, streetlights and power lines laying in the road, trees and trash across road ways, pieces of buildings laying all over. They are in one of them new Dodge’s that you see in the commercials that goes any where and I guess there are seeing if it is true. My work is done for now. Food, Jack and sex are on my schedule. Well two out of three ain’t to bad.
The crew made it back. Kenny’s house is fine and the phones there worked so every one checked in and all is fine.
They came back with more food and Beer. No liquor stores open today. Damn!
Looks like I have to push for food and sex! Oh Yea. Beer is No Substitute for Jack Daniels.
The rain continues and there is a small lake forming in the drainage ditch in front of the house. I might go swimming after I check for snakes and gators.
There is a dusk to dawn curfew in most places and no one is being allowed back on the beach side up and down the coast. Reports are coming in that the power companies are planning to start checking for downed wires at day light and some time Monday maybe letting people over the causeways to the beach side. I woke up during the night a couple of times to just check on things. It is still raining heavy but winds are stating to slow down as the storm moves inland.
Monday morning. The rain has stopped and the sun is out. A lot of tree and other damage but all is fine here and with the neighbors. Looks like we got lucky. Good thing we have the generator at least we have lights, TV, refrigerator, water etc. If we want air conditioning we have to shut every thing else off. DUH No Air. Open doors etc. They are starting to let people back over the causeways to the beach side but you have to have ID to prove you live there. It is a mess. A lot of damage. Our friend’s house is not bad. Minimal damage but no electricity. They have gone there anyway as the looters have started to come out. Pat feels the same way as I do. You try to loot here I will shoot you.
We are helping those we can and know. BJs had gasoline so we refilled the pickup and the gas cans for the generator. Luckily we got there early because the lines formed quickly. We are waiting now for phone service and the electric company to restore power. Because of the generator we and the neighbors are a lot better off than a lot of other people and are thankful for that.
Well the Fun Filled (?) Labor Day Weekend is over and things are starting to get back to normal. I am not really sure what that is though. Doris is off to work; I am on clean up detail around the yard and house repair. Some neighbors have power. Shopping centers are opening and of course long lines for every thing. Toilets, showers, food, water, and numerous other things being set up by FEMA
The motorcycle is the way to get around as the weather is nice. Have to be careful though as a lot of stuff in the road as well as down power lines. Of course a lot of the assholes in cars are not paying attention to the lights being down makes that intersection a 4-way stop. Cars getting dented, cops frustrated and tickets.
The newest thing on the TV is reminding everyone that we still have a 9:00 to dawn curfew. Bars are opening until 12:00 or in some cases 2:00. So if you are out and driving you will get stopped. If you do not have a valid reason you will be arrested and taken to jail. If you have been drinking you can add a DUI to that.
Latest is that they are suspending sale of beer and alcohol in stores. Shit if they do that people will not be able to drink at home and have to go to the bars. The state of Florida lost a lot of money on their big DUI Crackdown this past Labor day Weekend and it looks like they are going to try and make up for some of it.
There are DUI ads on TV all through the day again and some one has to pay for them. Do Not Be One of The People Donating. Latest info I have is that the average DUI costs $16,000.00 and that does not count the grief and other bullshit you have to put up with. They are not really looking for the real Drunks but for People that have had a few drinks. People with good jobs and families that have to drive to support them and of course have the ability to pay.
DUI is a Big Business and They Are Looking For You To Help Support It. There are a lot of high paying jobs involved.
Had to give up the generator. Plugged into neighbor. Phone back on.
Every one is okay. Will mail more later.
Rogue
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September 9, 2004 part 2
By Bandit | | General Posts
Continued From Page 1
BIKERNET CARIBBEAN REPORT–I turned in my news a little early this week cause there’s lots of stuff to be done. I’m flying to Las Vegas for the Artistry in Iron show, and then taking a red eye to New York and Indian Larry’s memorial.
Frances is history, I hope that our readers from Florida, even Bahamas and the near islands are in good shape. If you have endured a hurricane, you only know what it is, there’s no comparison. In reality Florida was lucky, Eleuthera, Turks and Caicos, Providenciales and the Bahama islands took the bitch full force. The worst part in Florida was the length of time, but then again that is the price we pay for living in the tropics.By the time this is published we will be watching our asses, Ivan is on the way, as it looks now like I will be getting some primo surf, but someone is going to get the rage.
I had a thought last week about what my report was going to be about, as we all know, destiny changed my plans, but when I really thought about it, it did had a lot to do with the event that unfolded last week.
So here I go again.
This happens to be a close knit community, the bike industry. I mean, people from all walks of life, different places, different continents, most people that are outcasts, the freaks, but there’s a strong bond that has united many of us. We do the same thing, we can relate to each other?s hardship, we respect each other and admire each other?s work. So what do I have in common with some guys from Long Beach, or Brooklyn, fuck even Tokyo, Stockholm, or Helsinki? Lot?s, fucking lots. First of all, I believe we are all dreamers, we all are hands on people, we have a common bond, which starts with a simple but miraculous invention called the motorcycle, and not being able to leave it alone.
I can’t say since I’m not a painter, nor a sculptor, I don’t build cars and I’m certainly not a musician, but what I know is building bikes, and there is a very strong friendship bond amongst those of us who do it. Sure there are separate cliques, but the one I belong to is very strong and it’s the only one I can talk about. We are the outcasts in an outcast society, the punks, the kids, (even though we all are in our late 30’s and more) the rebels, the ones to shake the establishment, have no bosses and no one tells us what to do.We are lucky and stubborn enough to hold on, wait ’till some become the toast of the town, wait till the masses take what we do as cool. We do what we please, we live like there’s no tomorrow (and sadly, sometimes there is not) and we laugh our asses at life while giving it the finger. Sure some are rolling in dough and some are still busting their knuckles, but at the end, it makes no difference. We can all sit down and shoot the shit, no matter if you have a million, or a mere buck to your name. Money is not relevant. We get to travel, have so many good friends every place we go and some are treated like true rock stars, then again, when the spotlight is gone, everyone goes back to what we really are, friends.
Of the things I have done in my life I have never seen such as strong bond as the one I’m talking about, and many of you know of whom, I’m talking about. Not all is a rose garden, there’s assholes lurking around, and ego is a strong flaw. But those are weeded, sooner or later, and become extinct. It’s amazing how a whole world can get together and share stories, steaks or suds, anyplace, anytime.For those of you who think we go to bike events for the chicks, bikes and mayhem, yep you might be right, but we go to see friends and spend time with them. In a morbid way, we live on a very narrow ledge, and some of us, don’t come back.
Many of us will go out of their ways to lend a helping hand to others, no matter for what, and that is the way it should be. People from all walks of life, cultures, vocations, religions and whatever else you might want to add, have formed a common bond, nothing expected as reward, not done to gain. Just done because we are the same. Some will never belong, no matter how hard they try.
None of this is done for fame, nor glory. Most of us met way before it was cool to build bikes and TV showed up. I believe this is done because it can be done; it’s a big fuck you to society and ill wishers. Some of us feed out of those, it just makes us prosper and do better, be better.We are no saints, not even close, then again when your soul is uncluttered you don’t need to prove it. And when you know things, you don’t have to prove not one nothing.
Again, there’s no news, just my normal rants. It?s cool to be able to say what you please without receiving menaces of being banned, or edited. Those who know me know who I am, those who don’t can come up with their own conclusions. Those who hate me and are trying to censor me are wasting their time.
See you next week, from Las Vegas….Sin City baby…How appropriate.
Jose, Bikernet reporter
BUELL DEALER TEAMS COME UP SHORT AT ROAD ATLANTA–Early Incident Foils Promising Formula Xtreme Weekend for Hal’s and Kosco EffortsBRASELTON, Ga. (Sept. 4, 2004) – Kosco Buell/Innovative Motorcycle Research rider Michael Barnes and Hal’s Performance Advantage rider Mike Ciccotto each put in top-ten qualifying efforts aboard Buell Firebolt motorcycles at the Road Atlanta round of the AMA Lockhart Phillips Formula Xtreme series. They were running a strong third and fourth during the first laps of the race, but both saw their race end early on the second lap of the event.
Ciccotto, who qualified seventh, highsided his bike while running fourth and crashed on the second lap, which brought out the red flag to halt the race. Ciccotto did not restart the race due to some swelling in his left hand. Barnes, who had jumped from eighth on the grid to third on the start, experienced an electrical charging system failure during the red flag period and could not restart the race. The race was won by American Honda rider Miguel Duhamel, who clinched the Formula Xtreme season championship with the victory.
“It was a tough weekend for both of these dealer teams,” said Erik Buell, chairman and chief technical officer at Buell Motorcycle Company. “But it was great to see the Buell Firebolts running up front as Hal’s and Kosco learn more and continue developing the bikes.”
AMA Formula Xtreme is a class open to highly modified motorcycles with 600cc four-cylinder engines or larger-displacement V-Twin engines. The final stop on the 2004 AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship schedule is Sept. 17-19 at Virginia International Raceway near Alton, Va.
To learn more about Buell Motorcycles, visit your local Buell dealer today and experience the pure streetfighter attitude, style, and performance only found on board a Buell. For the Buell dealer nearest you, pull into www.buell.com.
WIDE FUCKING OPEN FOR CARL & ROBIN–It is with a profound sense of loss that I write to you today and tell you what a wonderful tribute we had for our fallen friends Carl Pethybridge and Robin Raulerson. After a good breakfast with friends, I rode to meet the four eastern county biker families at the designated spot and found that the park was full of soccer moms in SUV?s who couldn?t or wouldn?t grant us space to park. So we took over the side of the road and the pack grew larger as the time to leave got closer. Over one hundred bikes comprised the pack pf plenty that travailed west on SR 76 to the Port Mayaca cemetery where they now rest in peace; locked in our road laden minds, our beloved fallen friends.
Looking in my mirror, I saw a breath taking double strand of headlights, like a yellow diamond necklace reaching for the throat of heaven. The Treasure Coast Chapter of the US Military Vets MC road captained us safely, proudly and we ensnarled the small ceremonial grounds with the thunder of rolling iron and wondrous steel.The Tuckahoes MC captained an additional one hundred bikes in from the West. As a sad, but loyal band of brothers and sisters, we listened, the winds were weak, the August Florida sun too strong. Alan Schroder, who spoke last year at the funeral, took up the mantle again this year and address the mass huddled under the shade of a scrubby oak tree. Both Bill Houston, shop owner and USMV President Bronco saluted the veteran down and his lady down, as the bronze plaques screamed closure and words of being in the wind. Great spirits circled and comforted us.
Together we rode, hundreds strong, through Indiantown Florida, through the slum to blind the crack heads and down trodden, showing them how good life can be. We arrived to the waiting arms of the local VFW Hall and the fabulous food finds of Suzie Raymond, Canteen manager. She produced for us, pork steaks and baked beans, fresh salads and corn bread, all proceeds going to benefit the small welcoming facility. The acoustical fun filled sounds and strings from Ben and Dave lead friends to dance as the free keg beer outside went down way too fast. A local man suggested a pickup truck ride to see an alligator. An old alligator! Now that?s southern fried fun and off they went to see a gator the size of a small car in his small captivity of a tiny swamp pit!
As the sun remained merciless, everyone sweaty, I said my good byes and rode home alone. It gave me all the time in the world to think, to remember, and to send them my love. You see Carl and Robin were very dear friends to so many of us here on the Treasure Coast. They lived and loved Harleys. Carl was big, a father of many, and at 60, a grandfather to all of us. Robin, tall, sharp wit and tongue, she was biker woman personified at 49. She rode behind Carl for over twelve years. They had gone to dinner on that fateful night last year, on a Friday, after work for both of them. Riding his rigid frame ?79 Shovel, Carl felt the need to remain sober while Robin had a few cocktails to enrich her ride home. At the same time, a younger man, only 31, was drinking heavily with friends around a campground out by Lake Okeechobee. His day had not gone very well. He was known to be an angry man, he got into his Ford 250 pickup and headed out onto the road. He needed to be somewhere and be there fast.
Carl and Robin said good by to their friends at the restaurant and headed out on the two lane highway, leaning for home to enjoy each other?s company and get ready for the weekend, a ride they had done a thousand times before. The Shovel was loping in front of a cage, the riding was easy. The bike knew the way home.The pick up truck was reported to have been going over eighty miles an hour when he passed that car and didn?t see the motorcycle as he pulled back into the eastbound lane. The impact killed Robin immediately but the Shovel got wrenched up under the front fender and Carl was dragged several hundred feet before the heap of twisted metal came to a halt. He was cut in half and quickly bled to death as the viscous driver put it in reverse and left my brother to die. He pulled over approximately two miles down the road, his truck over heating, his cell phone in hand, he was over heard to say at ?something bad? had just happened.
Almost one year to the day, Shannon Vinson was convicted of two counts of DUI manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident. Horrific and gristly the authorities reported. Weeks later his sentencing came the Monday before our Memorial Run.Vinson, while showing little emotion or remorse, was given thirty years on the first count and fifteen for the second. There is no gain time here in the Sunshine State, he will have to serve 38 years for killing two bikers.
I rode for home but found myself at the crossroads. I took the turn towards the banyan trees that line SR 714 and their cool canopy eased the heat of the setting sun. A few extra miles in their honor would be worth it. So what I was running on empty. This tragic tale was coming to an end; there would be closure for me and many others who couldn?t attend the funeral last year. Carl and Robin would have been the first one in line for a funeral, or a party for a friend, as long as he didn?t have to work. I?d had to attend a run in Tampa. Brenda was out of town. For others, it was their own family commitments.This run and the Memorial WFO party for us was one of the best participated and well organized that the four counties had seen in a while. The only thing missing was Carl and Robin.
Our friends were important people in our biker family. Death ends a life, not a relationship. As I eased off the interstate, this magnificent late summer riding day gone, I will always believe that Carl & Robin are now frozen solidly, cool within time and forever in our hearts.
Wide Fucking Open!
Katmandu
JOE EDWARDS–, of Custom Cycle Control Systems of Las Vegas, was killed in a motorcycle accident on August 14th, 2004.Adding to the sadness of the occasion was the fact that it was Joe’sbirthday. He was 59.
This sad news was relayed to us by Aaron King, who, with Joe, ran Custom Cycle Control. The business has been established less than a year and was formerly known as Climax Control Systems.
Climax had established a reputation for stylish and innovative engineering solutions in the field of custom motorcycles.
All at AMD send condolences to Joe’s wife, Jana, and to his family and friends.
CUSTOM CYCLE CONTROL SYSTEMS
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Tel: 702 438 2129
Fax: 702 438 4276
E-mail: aaron@customcyclecontrols.com
www.customcyclecontrols.com
MORE FROM THE BROS CLUB–Improved Benefits for BROS Club Members Start in September 2004.
On September 1, 2004, BROS Club announced it had severed ties with its former dispatch service provider, and teamed up with the JD Power & Associates #1 rated motorcycle emergency road service provider.
BROS Club and CycleServices North America members will be pleased with the improvements. In a statement released on September 1, 2004 BROS Club?s National Director, DJ Coates assured members that the organizations future looks very bright. Not only do new members benefit from the changes but also all current members.
The most significant new feature is the program?s new emergency transport mileage guarantee.?Our program now provides up to five disablement calls per year (rather than 4) and a mileage guarantee of 35 (thirty-five) miles per incident, rather than no mileage guarantee.?Coates noted, ?We?d heard reports about tow companies who?d jack up their per mile charge when bikers were stuck in remote locations or when a large rally was in town, making the cost of emergency services prohibitive. A set mileage guarantee ensures that our members will receive the same dependable benefit every time they need to use the service.?Other improved benefits,? Coates continued, ?include better dispatch center standards. Our new policy strives to never hang up until we?ve got a transport service identified and an Estimated Time of Arrival has been provided to our member. This in itself is a huge improvement over the former system.??Although our program is exclusively for BIKERS, most members also have cars or small trucks and though not covered for towing in our program, all members are entitled to discounts at Hertz Car Rental Centers, Jiffy Lube, MAACO, AAMCO and can receive as much as a 30% discount at Clarion Hotels.? The BROS Club and CycleServices coverage territory includes the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.Coates considers this, ?a total revitalization of the organization! New and current members are getting the best possible emergency motorcycle road service available.?
For V-Twin riders you?ll want to check out BROS Club at: If you ride a metric bike, check out CycleServices at: http://www.cycleservices.org
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