Bikernet Blog - Online Biker Magazine

BROKEN SPOKE SUNDAY POST IN THE CANTINA ON BIKERNET

By Bandit | March 25, 2013 | General Posts

It's packed full of Daytona Broken Spoke images from Rogue, One state honored freedom and changed their helmet law. DUI regs are reviewed, Sons of Anarchy, new season is coming, and we have lots of comment from Bikernet Readers. And of course, the girls of the Broken Spoke shine.

Don't miss it:

By Bandit | March 24, 2013 | General Posts

Black leather jackets rubbed elbows with red tailored blazers Saturday, March 23, as the Donnie Smith Bike Show and the Mary Kay Career Conference rumbled into town and parked themselves next to each other at the St. Paul RiverCentre.

The result: An only-in- St. Paul sight of guys in Hells Angels jackets sipping their noontime beers in the RiverCentre lobby next to dozens of cosmetics saleswomen queuing up for buffalo chicken wraps and turkey artichoke paninis.

It's not the first time custom motorcycles and makeup have shared neighboring venue spaces at the RiverCentre.

The Donnie Smith Bike Show, which is in its 26th year and drawing about 17,000 participants, is always held in late March.

By Bandit | March 24, 2013 | General Posts

Two men from Ashland, Ky. have been found guilty of participating in a motorcycle theft ring.

A jury in U.S. District Court in London, Ky. convicted Richard Meade, 65, and Mark Justice, 53, of conspiracy to engage in money laundering by illegally transferring the ownership of stolen motorcycles, possession of motorcycles with altered vehicle identification (VIN) numbers, and illegally transferring ownership titles of stolen motorcycles.

A third defendant, George Ferguson, 64, on trial for the conspiracy charge, was acquitted. Prosecutors said Meade and Justice sold approximately 30 motorcycles out of car lots in Ashland. They sold the motorcycles for between $13,000 and $15,000 apiece. Justice and Meade participated in a conspiracy in which co-defendant Robert Jason Chapman of Cincinnati coordinated trips with others to motorcycle rallies in South Carolina, South Dakota and Florida. At these events, Chapman and others stole motorcycles and brought them to Kentucky to sell.

Chapman previously admitted that he and a co-defendant removed parts of the stolen motorcycles and replaced them with aftermarket parts bearing different vehicle identification numbers (VIN). He then registered the stolen motorcycles with the new VIN numbers in Kentucky. Meade and Justice then took some of the newly registered motorcycles and sold them.

The FBI and Kentucky State Police identified nearly 200 victims in this case including the original motorcycle owners and insurance companies. Six other people previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the case. Meade and Justice are scheduled to be sentenced July 24, 2013. They face up to 20 years in prison on the illegal transfer of ownership titles charge and the conspiracy charge. Possessing motorcycles with altered VIN numbers carries a maximum 10 year penalty. The jury reached the verdict Tuesday night after approximately 3 hours of deliberations following more than three weeks of trial.

By Bandit | March 24, 2013 | General Posts

If you’re installing a custom tank on your 2000-up Softail or Road King , or just about any Chopper or Custom using the stock style switch, you’re going to want to get your hands on one of these slick IGNITION SWITCH RELOCATORS. Manufactured by Master Builder, Dave Perewitz, the flawlessly machined and chrome plated bracket allows you to position your stock ignition switch at the factory horn bracket. This means you can retain your stock wiring and eliminate the headaches that can arise when wiring an aftermarket switch. The Perewitz IGNITION SWITCH RELOCATOR is precision fabricated from steel plate, installs in minutes and retails for just $89.95. For complete details call 508-697-3595. Check all the latest Perewitz products and happenings at www.perewitz.com

By Robin Technologies | March 24, 2013

Hey,

This is one of those days, and they seem to surface more often. Maybe it’s the myriad of communication devices. Perhaps it’s the non-stop nature of life, our expanding resources, or the Bikernet non-stop mantra and creative spirit. About the time we feel confident with the completion of one project, three more land in our laps.

It may not be an aura exclusive to Bikernet. Here’s an example. There are two dealer shows raging this weekend, the CCI show in Europe, and the Drag Specialties show in Southern California. Drag organized four regional shows this year. If you add the Advanstar series of Ultimate Builder Shows, with Easyriders Events, Drag Events, major events such as Daytona, Sturgis, Laughin, Laconia, Myrtle Beach, and you have a schedule so packed, you never get to unpack.

Let’s hit the news quick. My head is beginning to spin.

WEIRDO 2013 Chopper Builder’s Guide–
Lowbrow Customs has just released Weirdo vol. 3, entitled Weirdo 2013 Chopper Builder’s Guide: Everything You Need to Build a Bad Ass Custom Motorcycle.

It’s 60 pages of full-color and digest-sized, chock full of the coolest parts and riding gear. It doesn’t come close to covering Lowbrow’s entire inventory in catalog form, but it is jammed full of a variety of stock and chopper parts as well as DIY Tech Tips, Customer Bikes, and editorial.

A mere $2.50 gets your copy (Lowbrow SKU 002841), or get your copy free with any order over $100 at Lowbrow! Available world-wide, 24/7 via www.lowbrowcustoms.com or call toll free 1-855-4LOWBROW.

BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY OPEN ON SUNDAY–
“I don’t worry about terrorism. I was married for two years.”

–Sam Kinison

“There’s a way of transferring funds that is even faster than electronic banking. It’s called marriage.”

–David Capps

“I’ve had bad luck with both my wives. The first one left me, and the second one didn’t.”

–Patrick Murray

–from Jim Waggaman

primaveral prahy-muh-VEER-uhl, adjective:

of, in, or pertaining to the early springtime: primaveral longings to sail around the world.

Yet could it ever be truly recaptured, the former primaveral joy?

— Anthony Burgess, Nothing Like the Sun, 1996

Yesterday I saw a horseman chase through a countryside exploding with primaveral verdure, and if I’d brought a lute along, on my Sunday walk that led me past an imposing chateau I’d once, so and so many years ago, “patrolled” as a recruit, I would have joyously sung out across the treetops, to the solitary, beautiful cinquecento edifice, some such words as “Behind which casement seekest thou, angel, thy repose?”

— Robert Walser, Speaking to the Rose, 1932

Primaveral hails from the Latin prima vera, literally meaning “springtime.” This word shares its root with the Italian noodle dish, pasta primavera: pasta served with fresh vegetables.

BIKERNET MOTORCYCLE ART DISCOVERY– MUCHO MOTO MANIA—The illustrative art of Doug Werner

http://youtu.be/V-JUcvOUE6o (Chop-IN block video link)

Check it out.

–Doc

BIKERNET CODE OF THE WEST CLASS NOW OPEN–Who was who in 1923 and what became of them

In 1923, Who Was:

1. President of the largest steel company?
2.. President of the largest gas company?
3. President of the New York stock Exchange?
4 Greatest wheat speculator?
5. President of the Bank of International Settlement?
6. Great Bear of Wall Street?

These men were considered some of the worlds most successful of their days.

Now, 88 years later, the history book asks us, if we know what ultimately became of them.

The Answers:

1. The president of the largest steel company.
Charles Schwab,

Died a pauper.

2. The president of the largest gas company,
Edward Hopson,

Went insane.

3. The president of the NYSE,
Richard Whitney,

Was released from prison
To die at home.

4. The greatest wheat speculator,
Arthur Cooger,

Died abroad, penniless.

5. The president of
The Bank of International Settlement,

Shot himself.

6 The Great Bear of Wall Street,
Cosabee Livermore,

Also committed suicide

However,
In that same year, 1923,
The winner of the worlds most important road race,
The Isle of Man T.T.,
Was Stanley Woods.

What became of him?

He won 10 T.T. Races between 1923 and 1939,
He lived on the Isle of Man and rode motorcycles all his life. He lapped the island circuit at 82 mph in 1957 (The Golden Jubilee) aged 54
He was a wealthy man when he died aged 90.

The Moral:

FUCK WORK.
Ride motorbikes.

–from Jim Waggaman

AMERICAN RIDER Ned Suesse Claims Second– In Tuareg Rally?”If You See Kay” rally team rider finishes 7 days in Tunisia on the overall podium.?

It was the rally he hadn’t intended to race, but after a second invitation to compete in the Tuareg Rally, Ned Suesse, the only American to finish the 2012 Dakar Rally, decided to throw his helmet in the ring. After 7 days worth of dust settled in Tunisia, the “If You See Kay” wine-backed rider ended the rally on the podium in second overall!

“After the pressure I put myself under for Dakar, it was an awesome opportunity to just enjoy what I love about rally racing,” Ned commented. “Navigation, speed, friendship, desert landscapes, travel – all without the attendant madness of the bigger event.”

But the casual spirit of the Tuareg Rally didn’t mean the terrain was any less challenging, and Suesse’s experience particularly paid off on day 5 when he found himself nearly leading the rally aboard his KTM 505 XC-F.

“Day 5 was a really long, hard day,” Suesse described. “There were three separate timed sections. The first two sections were not very long and I knew I was with the lead pack. The third section was far and away the longest, and I managed to pass everyone physically on the course. There was a really difficult rock section. I got through that very clean; other people really struggled with it. I was like, ‘Oh, this is just like Utah!’ I passed for the lead before that and then got through that really quickly. When I got into the bivouac I was the first one there by a long time – 20 min or half an hour at least. So I thought, ‘I think I might have won that…’

“They made a mistake, though, in the timing,” Suesse continued. “They misread the check out from one of the timed sections and added about two hours to my time. It was obvious it was a mistake but it took us two days to get it cleared up. So it was never clear I had won the stage or not, or if I was in the overall lead or not. I think I was briefly in the overall lead of the rally, but I don’t think I won the stage.”

Finding out he was in contention for the overall win did not shift Suesse’s approach to the race. “I realized the worst thing I could do was let that information change my plan at all. I decided to just ride the speed I wanted to ride,” Ned recalled, before going on to reference the tragic and untimely death of fellow competitor Wesley Beane of Great Britain on day 2. “The first night, I spent a long time chatting with Wes. I came in after the second day and immediately learned of his death. It really makes you realize how dangerous it is and how important it is to not mistake your capabilities and your intentions. You better just ride exactly how you want to ride.”

In the end, Ned remained steady and was thrilled to claim second overall, especially upon finding out that the winner was a former FIM Motocross World Championship racer from Holland. “After watching him ride in the sand, I’m not actually clear how I was as close as I was!” Suesse said with a laugh. “I want to thank everyone who helped me get there. Everything worked absolutely perfectly. The bike was flawless, my gear kept me comfy and safe, and I even got a buzz after the last stage from a well-traveled bottle of ‘If You See Kay’ wine.”

Rally Info weblink: http://www.tuareg-rallye.com/
For more information: ned@neduro.com
Media contact: Resmarket, Inc. contact@resmarket.com

SPONSORS

If You See Kay Wine, Klim, Renazco Racing, Sidi, Rally Moto Kit, MX1West, Bell Helmets, Dirt Tricks, KTM of Aspen, Touratech, Scotts Performance, Cycra, FMF, Wolfman Luggage, Kates Real Food, Motion Pro, Rally Management Services, Doubletake Mirror, Resmarket.com.

BIKERNET WEEKEND GUN NUT REPORT--There was one certain impact of proposing to ban the sale of assault weapons: it was guaranteed to stir gun-rights proponents to action.

Ever since Obama was elected, they’ve been claiming that he wanted to ban guns. Gun-control advocates mocked this claim—then proposed to ban a gun. Not only that, the gun they were trying to ban happened to be the most popular rifle in America … The question now may be how much
damage the proposal has done already to the gun-reform movement.

Did the Assault-Weapons Ban Kill Gun Control?
By Adam Winkler Law professor
UCLA
The Daily Beast
March 20, 2013

Sen. Harry Reid announced Tuesday that he would not be including Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s proposal to ban the sale of assault weapons in the package of gun legislation he’ll bring to the floor of the Senate. This all but ends gun-control advocates’ hopes of reinstating the ban on
assault weapons, although Feinstein can offer it as an amendment once Reid’s package is being debated. Reid, however, says there aren’t anywhere near the 51 votes for passage, much less the 60 needed to overcome an expected filibuster.

Gun-control advocates will no doubt mourn the demise of Feinstein’s assault-weapons proposal. Yet, they may soon be asking if the proposal lived too long—just long enough to dash hopes of enacting any meaningful reform.

Banning the sale of assault weapons was a bad idea from the start. These guns may be scary looking, but they are rarely used in criminal activity. While involved in a handful of high-profile mass shootings, including in Newtown, Connecticut, and Aurora, Colorado, these weapons aren’t a significant contributor to gun violence overall.

Only a fraction of gun-related homicides every year are attributed to rifles of any kind; assault rifles make up a fraction of a fraction. And anyone looking to do maximum damage, like a deranged mass killer, can easily find other guns just as deadly. So even if the assault-weapons ban were enacted, it would not have a major impact on America’s daily death toll from guns.

Assault weapons are often misunderstood. Although many people mistakenly believe that these guns have automatic fire, that’s wrong. They aren’t machine guns, which are already heavily restricted and illegal to sell in most cases. The weapons primarily covered by Feinstein’s proposal, largely variants of the AR-15, fire only one round for each pull of the trigger. They are powerful—they are, after all rifles—but fire smaller rounds than many game-hunting rifles, which wouldn’t be affected by the assault-weapons ban.

One reason these guns are misunderstood is that there’s no set definition of “assault weapon.” The guns targeted by Feinstein’s proposal were mainly semiautomatic rifles with detachable magazines and one or more military-style characteristics, like a pistol grip or a folding butt stock.

This wasn’t the same definition used by the prior federal law enacted in the Clinton years. That ban required two or more military-style features. One thing the two laws would have had in common, though, is the ability to be easily skirted by gun manufacturers. Just as with the old ban, gun makers would just make the exact same guns, only without the military characteristics. And sell them by the millions.

That’s what many gun-control advocates failed to realize about the assault-weapons ban: the same gun, with the same rate of fire, the same bullets, and the same detachable magazine, would be perfectly lawful. It’s as if the problem with “assault weapons” wasn’t their lethality but their pistol grips.

Even if enacted, Feinstein’s proposal would be the most likely of all the major gun reforms being considered in Washington today to be overturned on Second Amendment grounds. The Supreme Court has held that the Second Amendment protects arms that are “in common use” for lawful purposes, like self-defense.

There seems little doubt that assault weapons are in common use, given the millions of them in circulation. Of course, the courts might still have upheld the ban; a federal appeals court recently said that outlawing this one category of firearm didn’t substantially interfere with anyone’s self-defense. Strangely, the best thing an assault-weapons ban would have going for it is its loopholes. Because you could buy the exact same gun without the pistol grip, you weren’t really denied the right to have a semiautomatic rifle to defend yourself.

The assault-weapons ban may be effectively dead. The question now may be how much damage the proposal has done already to the gun-reform movement.

Stephen P. Wenger’s DUF
Firearm safety – It’s a matter
for education, not legislation.
http://www.spw-duf.info

THE FAMOUS SORTA AGENT ZEBRA CREEPS TO THE SURFACE–Hey, not sure if this is right for Bikernet or not, but figured I’d check. I’ve got a writing blog I’ve been working on. It’s gotten solid growth thus far (it’s a young blog); been doubling in readership for a while, pretty global audience skew.

I believe the writing is the best I’ve done to date. It’s a mix of my new manuscripts, Port of Miami, and Joy of the Day, and my new feature film, The Writer, which won a festival and has recently garnered substantial critical praise from folks like actor/director Ed Harris (in the blog).

I know a lot of your readers are astute readers and might like the stories if they know they’re from Special Agent Zebra, a fellow biker. My thinking is, perhaps having some content that’s simply well written, and by a known biker, though not necessarily always rooted directly and literally into a motorcycle, might be a neat expansion of your literary offering. Tell me what you think.

http://jimhouck1.blogspot.com

–Z

We will first discuss the Zebra’s offerings at our semi-annual Bikernet Editorial Conference in the conference hall at Strokes Dallas. Someone, probably Coral will offer it up as a discussion item, and Renegade with shoot it down. We will form a bullshit ad hoc committee to research and ask Bikernet readers through a long drawn-out focus group process. Is life confusing or what? –Bandit

AMA OBJECTS to unilateral action by the Administration for National Monument designation without public debate!–

Contact your senators today

Take Action! Visit this page:
http://capwiz.com/amacycle/utr/1/OHABSWNWNM/DVTWSWNWWX/9390288426]

On Monday, March 25, President Obama will unilaterally announce the designations of five new National Monuments under the Antiquities Act of 1906 without first holding public debate. This action will limit recreational opportunities on public lands and represents an overreach by the executive branch.

The American Motorcyclist Association opposes any unilateral executive declarations that do not allow full public debate on the disposition of public lands. Indeed, each of these designations deserves to be considered individually to allow time for thoughtful deliberation and input from all affected user groups, local and state elected officials and Congress before any proclamations are made pursuant to the Antiquities Act.

The designation of a National Monument is significant for recreational opportunities and local economies. While there are cultural and historical landmarks that deserve the designation of National Monument, the AMA believes Congress and the public must be consulted before any action is taken.

The AMA urges its members to contact their federal elected officials and request that they oppose further administration attempts to unilaterally designate National Monuments. Send a letter to your senators today by following the “Take Action” option. Urge them to support S. 104, a bill introduced by U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), which would amend the Antiquities Act of 1904 to require future National Monuments to receive congressional approval before designation.

NEED TO TRANSPORT A MOTORCYCLE WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI—We ran into a hard working couple who carefully transport bikes around the west. Check out B&T Transport, 1 217-721-6205. Ask for Teri Williams.

This week’s gun nut report from deep in the heart of Texas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzEd6MNihlg

–Sam

THIS JUST IN, New Bikernet Reader Comment!–LA Choppers Twin Peaks Bagger Bars Install

http://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=10985

Excellent write up! I have not worked with the “throttle by wire” set up yet. I found this very informative.

–Anson
anson600@yahoo.com
Houma, LA

BIKERNET 5-Ball RACING WHEELER REPORT—

Adrenaline Junky Agenda:
*2nd Grand Child, It’s A Boy, Unknown Today Wheeler, arrival, early June
*Texas Mile* ……RACING ….www.texasmile.net
*Ohio Mile 2013* *April 27-28 June 8-9 July 6-7 Sept. 28-29 ….www.ecta-lsr.com
*El Mirage 2013* *May 18-19, June 9, July 14, Sept. 15, Oct. 20, Nov. 9-10.. www.scta.org
*Loring Maine* The Maine Event July 12-14 ….www.lta-lsr.com
*Bonneville, SCTA* *138 Days….August 10-16, 2013* ….www.scta-bni.org
*BUB Speed Trials* *146 Days…. *August 24-29, 2013* ….www.speedtrialsbybub.com
*Mojave Mile* October, 12-13 ….www.mojavemile.com

TEXAS….RACING…..NO SPEED LIMIT ALLOWED

The Texas Mile sold out. Their running wall to wall with a wicked top speed of 267.6 mph as of Saturday evening clocked in a bad ass Ford GT. But don’t forget Bill Warner’s historic ride on his 2- wheeled hot rod motorcycle, recording a 311.945 mph clocked in the same distance on a race track in Loring, Maine and lived to tell the tale.

This weekend Drag Specialties is holding an invitation only dealer event within walking distance of Disneyland in sunny Southern California. Spent an easy part of Saturday afternoon setting up Lyndall Racing Brakes booth, with the founder and visionary Paul Kittrell. Lyndall composite rotors are immaculate from the fit to the finish and they stop your loved-ones on a dime, every time.

Bikernet sponsors at the show are plentiful, including: BDL, Custom Cycle Engineering, Klock Werks, LaPera, Paughco, Progressive Suspension, Rivera-Primo, Samson Exhaust and Windvest. All are on board with Bikernet and all are Drag Specialties suppliers and all deliver the goods on time.

Spotted on the way out, RWD/Russ Wernimont Designs. Purveyors of mighty fine, very tight fitting, heavy gage, USA Made fenders. Bandit’s Land Racing, Bonne Belle sports a pair of RMD fenders.

Speaking of stopping on a dime, our Turbo Charged 124-inch S&S street/land racing rocket is on the table at Marc Susman’s Colorado Custom shop. Saturday morning was spent designing and fabricating rear shift linkage with Marc’s right hand man. Juan, master welder/machinist/fabricator whipped out a 1/4 plate of steel, and we laid out an inner primary gasket used as a template. Juan machined a couple of stand-offs to clear the outer primary and mount the plate while I chased hardware.

Bet you’d like to see a few more sharper photos about now, me too, seems I left my good camera with flash and close up photos on the rack next to the Raycer in my Crown Royal bag.

Monday just after the crack we’re back on the Raycer at Susman’s with a plan, including fresh carriers mounted to the latest state of the art 320 mm composite rotors and ya never know, a set of one off wheels just might be in the works. Stay tuned, the Thursdays News will be full of surprises as we mosey closer to the starting line drawn in the salt.

Thanks….With one helleva lot of help from my family and Industry friends….Thanks, Thanks, Thanks.

We’re on track for a stellar year on the street and on the Bonneville Salt Flats.

3 Ex-Wives, My 3 Sons, Aerocharger, All Balls Racing, Kent Rich, Dutch and the Crew@Air Tech Streamlining, Arai Helmets, Keith Ball and the Crew@Bikernet, Bikers Choice, Brad Beach@Beach Racing ,Cometic Gaskets, Dan Thayer@vtwinfuelinjection, Allen Alvarez@Daytona Twin Tech, ERC Race Gas, George The Wild Brush, ET Krankvents (Thanks Ted Shrode, Ph.D—- R. I. P.), Fisher Harmonic Damper, Dan Stern@House of Thunder H-D, Horsepower Inc., Ron Williams, Jeff, Kevin@Hardtailz, Randy Torgeson, Michelle and the Crew@Hyperformance, Jim’s Machine USA, K&N Air Cleaner, Paul Kittrell@Lyndall Racing Brakes, Marc Susman@Colorado Custom Cycle Wheels, Ray Whitehead@Pegasus, Pingel, Jim @Sharp Eye Transmission, Reggie and Crew@R&R Cycle, Ben Kudon@Rivera Primo, Matthew Wiley@Race Tech Suspension, Rick Tedder@ R/T Performance, Schnitz Racing, Mr. McCahill@Spyke, S&S Cycle, Matthew Negherbon@Thunder Motorcycles in San Jose, Guy Caputo@Tiger Racing, Steve The Turbo Doc, Tsubaki Chains, Vanderbeck Race Cars, Vanson Leathers, Dr. Willie, World Wide Bearings, Duncan Keller, Yankee Engineuity in San Jose, Ca..

Haul Ass!
Ride for your Life!
Ray C Wheeler
Performance Editor
wheeler@bikernet.com

SPEAKING OF BALLS–Incredible! The U.S. hasn’t the ‘balls’ to run something like this…

A British commercial you will not see in the USA

http://adsoftheworld.com/media/tv/mcac_rhian_touches_herself

–from Harvey Tow

KENTUCKY NEWS, TWO convicted in motorcycle theft ring trial–

By KENNETH HART

LONDON — A federal court jury in London on Tuesday convicted two of three defendants in a trial involving an interstate motorcycle theft and money-laundering conspiracy.

Jurors deliberated about 3 1/2 hours before returning guilty verdicts against Mark Justice and Richard “Dickie” Meade, both of Ashland.
A third defendant, George Ferguson, 53, also of Ashland, was found not guilty.

Meade, 64, was found guilty of two counts of money-laundering and one count each of conspiracy and possessing a motor vehicle with an obscured identification number with intent to sell. He was acquitted of a third money-laundering count.

Justice, 52, was convicted of money-laundering, conspiracy and possessing a vehicle with an obscured ID number with intent to sell.
Meade and Ferguson could be sentenced up to 20 years in prison, but application of federal sentencing guidelines is likely to result in them receiving far shorter terms. U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove allowed the defendants to remain free on bond pending sentencing, which he scheduled for July 24 in London.

The convictions of Justice and Meade brought to eight the number of individuals who are facing prison time in connection with the theft ring, which authorities said trafficked in motorcycles that were stolen from biker events in places such as Myrtle Beach, S.C., Sturgis, S.D. and Daytona Beach, Fla., disassembled, rebuilt and retitled as “kit” bikes. Of the 10 defendants who were indicted, six have pleaded guilty. Charges against one defendant were dismissed.

The case against Justice, Meade and Ferguson went to trial on Feb. 25. Meade’s attorney, Michael Curtis, said Wednesday his client’s conviction would be appealed to the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati.

“We believe we’ve got some very appealable issues and a very good shot at getting the conviction overturned,” he said.

Curtis said the government never introduced any evidence indicating his client knew the 15 stolen bikes he sold through his business, Hertz Car Sales, were stolen and that prosecutors introduced a piece of evidence during the rebuttal phase of the trial that he said should have been brought out earlier “to convict an innocent man.”

Ferguson was charged with money-laundering and conspiracy, but the former charge was dismissed before the case went to the jury, said his attorney, Jeremy Clark of Catlettsburg. That meant the jury deliberated only the conspiracy charge, of which it found Ferguson not guilty.

Clark said he and his client were both “extremely happy” with the acquittal, but that he was also saddened by Meade’s conviction. He said he agreed with Curtis’ contention that Meade was an innocent man.

Justice’s attorney, Garis Pruitt of Catlettsburg, could not be reached for comment.
Defendants who have pleaded guilty in the case are John C. Slusher, 68, of Pineville; Robert W. “Trader Bob”?Harris, 61, of Newport; his son, Matthew Harris, 38, also of Newport; Robert Jason Chapman, 31, and Christina Bannigan, 31, both of Cleves, Ohio; and Shon Fields, 22, of Cincinnati.
Margaret “Peggy” Harris, 60, wife of Robert Harris and mother of Matthew Harris, also was indicted in the conspiracy, but the case against her was dismissed.

According to court records, several of the defendants agreed to transfer the titles of motorcycles stolen from biker events in various states. Fields acted as a mechanic for the group, as well as an agent for TCB?Customs, Chapman’s company, and also signed vehicle transaction documents from TCB?Customs to “innocent purchasers.”

Chapman, Fields and others would remove parts displaying vehicle identification numbers, including frames, forks, engines and transmission cases, and replace them with aftermarket parts with new numbers, records state. The bikes would then be registered in other states, including Kentucky and West Virginia, as “kit bikes” or “assembled bikes” to conceal the fact they were stolen.

In September 2006, Chapman, Fields and Bannigan titled and sold for $10,000 a 2004 Harley-Davidson stolen from Daytona Beach, Fla., in Boyd County, according to records. The on Oct. 1 of that year, Fields, Meade and another man, Greg Chapman, allegedly obtained a new Kentucky title for a Thunder Mountain custom motorcycle stolen from Myrtle Beach, S.C., and sold it through Meade’s business, Hertz Car Sales, for $15,000.

Greg Chapman was killed March 7 2007, in a shooting at a home that was originally thought to have occurred during a home invasion, but turned out to be drug-related.

–from Rogue

BIKERNET UNIVERSITY LITERARY DEPARTMENT POEM OF THE DAY–Pretty Good
by Charles Osgood (1933-)
from the Osgood File, 1986

There once was a pretty good student
Who sat in a pretty good class
And was taught by a pretty good teacher
Who always let pretty good pass.
He wasn’t terrific at reading,
He wasn’t a whiz-bang at math,
But for him, education was leading
Straight down a pretty good path.
He didn’t find school too exciting,
But he wanted to do pretty well,
And he did have some trouble with writing
Since nobody taught him to spell.
When doing arithmetic problems,
Pretty good was regarded as fine.
5+5 needn’t always add up to be 10;
A pretty good answer was 9.
The pretty good class that he sat in
Was part of a pretty good school,
And the student was not an exception:
On the contrary, he was the rule.
The pretty good school that he went to
Was there in a pretty good town,
And nobody there seemed to notice
He could not tell a verb from a noun.
The pretty good student in fact was
Part of a pretty good mob.
And the first time he knew what he lacked was
When he looked for a pretty good job.
It was then, when he sought a position,
He discovered that life could be tough,
And he soon had a sneaking suspicion
Pretty good might not be good enough.
The pretty good town in our story
Was part of a pretty good state
Which had pretty good aspirations
And prayed for a pretty good fate.
There once was a pretty good nation
Pretty proud of the greatness it had,
Which learned much too late,
If you want to be great,

Pretty good is, in fact, pretty bad.

–from Gerry Celia

BIKERNET SUNDAY SCHOOL WORD OF THE DAY–daven DAH-vuhn, verb:
to pray.

There, day or night, everyone — the men, the women, even the children — could daven nonstop.

— Erica Lann-Clark, “The Goats Know the Way,” The Healing Heart, 2003

Every morning he wakes early to daven outside, facing Jerusalem. When I watch him from the window, I regret having taught him to sound out the Hebrew letters when he was only five.

— Nicole Krauss, The History of Love
Daven entered English in the mid-nineteenth century from Yiddish.

NEWS FLASH Bikernet Reader Comment!
2nd Place European Champion 2006

http://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=352

Might be the baddest designed bike I’ve ever seen!! Great craftsmanship!

–Mike Coolidge
mcoolidge1@yahoo.con
Leoninster, MA

[page break]

MOTORCYCLE GRAVEYARD GIVES OLD BIKER PARTS NEW LIFE–
By Tony Wittkowski on CM LIFE.COM

Steven Thompkins, owner of Snowmobile and Motorcycle Salvage, stands in the motorcycle graveyard Monday afternoon at Snowmobile and Motorcycle Salvage, 4101 East River Road in Mount Pleasant.

The Salvage owns nearly 90 acres of land for their scrap and nearly 30 acres of that is filled, which makes it one of the largest salvage yards in Michigan. “People are welcome to come out and pick out what they want,” Thompkins said. “It’s like a candy store.”

Tucked away from sight in a northern part of Mount Pleasant is a graveyard of twisted metal, handlebars and headlights where motorcycles come to be reborn.

The Snowmobile and Motorcycle Salvage, 4101 E. River Road, has been said to take many shapes over the past few years under the running of Steven Tompkins, president of the graveyard.
“It’s probably one of the biggest in the state,” Tompkins said of the space his salvage company takes up. “There are about 7,000 to 8,000 sleds out back now.”

In the early 1970s, Tompkins’ father came up with the idea of starting the graveyard with a total of 90 acres before retiring.

After 32 years of working at the graveyard, Dave Ryckman, who now works in sales as a manager, remembers how big it was the first time he looked over the rows of broken machines.

Sales Manager of Snowmobile and Motorcycle Salvage David Ryckman stands behind the counter Monday afternoon at Snowmobile and Motorcycle Salvage, 4101 East River Road in Mount Pleasant. Ryckman has been working at the scrapyard for nearly 30 years. “It just keeps getting bigger as it goes,” Ryckman said. “When I first started here in 1981, there might have been 10 acres that had stuff on it. Now, there is 20 to 30 acres of parts.”

The place is ever-changing, with older models coming in, which have been used beyond all relief, he said.

“You can walk out there any given day and stumble across something you never knew was there,” Ryckman said. “Because I don’t think I have ever walked the same area twice out there.”
When a customer visits the graveyard, he said, they are pointed in the right direction and look around until they find what they were looking for. From then on, a grown man could be seen as a kid in a candy shop.

Normally, the graveyard has a motorcycle part eluding the customer at any other parts store; it’s just a matter of finding it.

These parts that weave in and out of one another like the chain-link fence surrounding the property come from motorcycles, snowmobiles, lawn mowers and boat motors.

With four or five employees on hand, winter is the busiest time of the year, along with the first part of spring, when the motorcycles come out of hibernation only to break down from not being ridden. Once in a while, even the dealers venture out to the graveyard.

“We originally started with just snowmobiles, but (we) had to have something during the summer when it became slow,” Tompkins said. “We included motorcycles so no one had to get another job when June came around.”

However, when winter wants to stick around like this year, he said, the weather detracts from the business side because the graveyard isn’t covered by a roof.

“It affects us. If we get too much snow it’s hard to find anything,” Rychman said. “Plus, if it’s really bad out, the customers don’t come out.”
Cedar Lake resident Ron Conner is a customer who has been coming to the graveyard for 20 years and has found it useful to peruse the collection of rustic metal for a transplant on a lawnmower.

Conner said he knows his way around the graveyard because of his time spent with lawnmowers when he had his own landscaping company before retiring.

“They’ve got everything you want, and that’s what I like,” Conner said. “I first heard about it from my brother-in-law.”

Ryckman enjoys when he can help someone who is starting a project from scratch. Some people who come back bring in pictures of the things they built from using the parts.

“I had one guy come in here who only had a muffler of a motorcycle, and he said he wanted to build one from it,” Ryckman said. “I told him, ‘You’re starting from the wrong end, buddy.’”
Like the stray parts that give life to snowmobiles and motorcycles, Tompkins said the business has adapted to a slow economy and has made the appropriate changes.

“We’re not going anywhere for a long time,” he said.

–from Rogue

DRAG STRIP REUNION–Leslie Long and Gene Mitchell are planning another Santa Ana Drag Strip and Main Street Malt Shop Reunion on Saturday, April 13, 2013 from 10 AM to 2 PM, or until you decide to go home.

Gene Mitchell will cater the reunion for free and bring sandwiches, drinks, snacks, salad trays and desserts, all free of cost. Leslie will bring his extensive photo albums and research on the Santa Ana Drag Strip and also on dry lakes land speed time trial photographs from El Mirage.

The event will be at Santiago Park, right next to the creek bed, in a lovely tree shaded park setting with benches, tables, chairs and easy-up tents.

Directions to the reunion; Santiago Park is on East Memory Lane, just a quarter-mile east of Main Street on the border of the cities of Santa Ana and Orange. Turn off Main Street and go about a 1/4 mile to a signal called Lawson Way, turn right (towards the south) and drive down the embankment into the paved over creek bed. You will see the park right on the other side of the creek, up a few stairs.

There is no cost to attend, for food or to park; and there is no registration or check in time. You simply come, bring your memories and photo albums and meet your old friends that you raced against. We welcome those who are younger and never came to the old Santa Ana Drag Strip.

The reunion also honors the Main Street Malt Shop, where the local Santa Ana kids used to hang out before and after the drag races. This was their local place to be seen. Bring pencil, paper, camcorders, photo albums and your children and grandchildren. There are places to hike and a playground for the kids.

If you have any questions, contact me at Rnparks1@juno.com, or go to www.landspeedracing.com.

–Richard

INDIAN ENGINE REVIEW–OK, can’t say I’m tooootally in love with this look although historically on target and one hell of an effort. But good on Polaris for gettin’ away from the ridiculous notion of a Harley clone motor stuck in an “Indian” and instead, engineering their truly own power-plant from the ground up – in record time at that.

Hope they hold up and are able to make a dent, market share wise. Judging by the videos it sounds like a Honda, or maybe an old beetle at idle? Then again, all the new injected EPA compliant bikes, including Harleys, that haven’t gotten an aftermarket re-map treatment via Autotune, etc., coupled with the right aftermarket pipes, are ever gonna sound like an old school type carbureted Hog or Road Star. But maybe that support will crop up after/if they achieve decent market penetration. I do wish they have the power pulse feel to ‘em, though, being 111 inch strokers. Also, sorta’ interesting how they didn’t use a Harley knife and fork crank but a Road Star type side by side rod set-up with 49 degrees (as opposed to Road Star’s 48 / H-D’s 45) on that single pin.

How do the new Polaris era bikes look? Answers comin’ later…but this has to be applauded overall – some very, very serious shit happening here, gentlemen. Big buck commitment.

One gripe: drop the American Pickers guy as a spokesperson. Come on, man, there are legitimate motorcycle culture personalities out there. Or, maybe just let the bikes speak for themselves and don’t get reality show tacky on us…

Ride Easy,

–Andreas

Cool video productions & info:

http://www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-us/pages/home.aspx

http://www.cycleworld.com/2013/03/09/exclusive-inside-the-all-new-indian-thunder-stroke-111-v-twin-engine/

http://blog.motorcycle.com/2013/03/11/motorcycle-news/polaris-reveals-all-new-indian-thunder-stroke-111-engine/

http://canadamotoguide.com/2013/03/11/indian-shows-new-thunder-stroke-motor/

MORE FROM THE GUN NUT STADIUM–Feinstein, Obama to Continue Push for Gun, Magazine Ban; Magpul Stands Firm with Gun Owners.

On Monday, the Senate announced that Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s (D-Calif.) gun and magazine ban legislation (S. 150) will not be a part of the Senate’s base gun control bill, but that Feinstein will be allowed to offer it as an amendment to the gun control bill, the primary element of which is a proposal by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) that would criminalize the private transfer of firearms between law-abiding Americans. The legislation is expected to be considered the week of April 8.

Feinstein’s legislation, which proposes to ban nearly every semi-automatic shotgun and detachable-magazine semi-automatic rifle, several other categories of firearms, and any ammunition magazine holding 11 or more rounds, will not be included in the Senate’s gun control bill at the outset, out of concern that it would decrease the chance of Schumer’s legislation being approved.

Also aimed at boosting Schumer’s effort, New York City Nanny-in-Chief Michael Bloomberg’s anti-gun group, MAIG, is running an ad showing a few law enforcement agency employees, who are supposed to impartially enforce laws adopted by legislatures, instead saying they “demand” that Congress pass the law that Schumer is proposing. As Bloomberg said today–not while ranting about guns, large soda pops, greasy hamburgers, or the retail display of cigarette packs, but commenting on the inevitability of drones in America’s skies–“everybody everybody demagogues on all these things.”

Feinstein said that she was “disappointed” that she will have to offer her gun and magazine ban as an amendment to the Senate bill, but that she won’t “lay down and play dead.” On Wednesday, Vice-President Joe Biden told NPR News “I think the president and I are going to continue to push, and we haven’t given up on it.” White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough confirmed Biden’s point, telling CNN “We’re going to find the votes.”

There is also strong indication that gun control supporters in the Senate may now try to push the magazine portion of Feinstein’s bill. CBS News reported on Wednesday that “some advocates for gun control want the ban on high-capacity clips to be put up as a separate amendment–essentially acknowledging it has a better chance of passing if it’s not tied to the assault weapons ban.” CBS quoted Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) as saying “I believe we need to have a separate floor vote on a high capacity magazine restriction, and I look forward to working with other senators in the coming weeks to develop a reasonable restriction on large volume magazines.”

Also on Wednesday, Colorado’s governor, Democrat John Hickenlooper, signed into law a ban on magazines that hold over 15 rounds, an awkwardly worded ban on tubular shotgun magazines that hold 28 inches of shells, and an ever more awkwardly worded ban on a combination of detachable and fixed shotgun magazines holding more than eight rounds. The state has yet to issue an interpretation of the two linguistically challenged components of the ban.

In response, Magpul Industries, manufacturer of some of the most highly-regarded AR-15 magazines made today, has established its Boulder Airlift program, “to ensure that responsible Colorado residents who want to own standard capacity magazines have the opportunity to do so” from the company’s website before the ban takes effect on July 1st. Magpul has already promised to leave Colorado because of the ban, saying “We will start our transition out of the state almost immediately, and we will prioritize moving magazine manufacturing operations first. It is disappointing to us that money and a social agenda from outside the state have apparently penetrated the American West to control our legislature and Governor, but we feel confident that Colorado residents can still take the state back through recalls, ballot initiatives and the 2014 election to undo these wrongs against responsible Citizens.”

Please contact your elected officials today, and respectfully urge them to protect our Second Amendment rights. To identify and contact your legislators in Washington, D.C., you can use the “Write Your Reps” feature at www.NRAILA.org, or you can reach your member of Congress by phone at 202-224-3121.

SUZUKI POST-BANKRUPTCY– A smaller U.S. dealer network forthcoming.
Nearly 100 dealers across the country received notices this week that their franchises were being cancelled effective March 31.
Suzuki tells dealers it will buy back new, unaltered inventory.

No appeal process: ‘After March 31, we’ll be moving forward,’ says OEM

Published courtesy of Dealernews
www.dealernews.com

MORE AUSTRALIAN STATES TIP TOWARD ADOPTING ANTI-BIKER LAWS–
The lawyer for the Finks motorcycle club’s Gold Coast chapter says New South Wales will not be the only state to copy Queensland’s anti-biker/anti-association laws.

The Gold Coast Finks this month challenged the legislation in the High Court but it ruled the laws were valid.

The NSW Premier wants laws, based on Queensland legislation, in place by Easter. Finks’ lawyer Bill Potts says other jurisdictions are likely to adopt legislation based on the Queensland model. Mr Potts says motorcycle clubs do not have the funds to fight anti-biker laws in every state and territory. “The effect of this copycat legislation will be that the motorcycle groups which are effectively national in reach will have to fight many battles on many fronts this will financially exhaust them,” he said.

“Each of the states and territories were represented in the High Court and each of them in turn argued for the validity of the Queensland legislation.

“It is a sure and certain signal that each of the jurisdictions in turn will pass similar legislation.”

The Supreme Court has set aside seven weeks from mid-October to decide whether the Finks should be declared a criminal organization.
Meanwhile the NSW government says it hopes certain motorcycle clubs could be declared criminal organizations within months, with its modified anti-biker/anti-association legislation in place by Easter. NSW Attorney-General Greg Smith said the laws recognized the “growing threat of criminal organizations”.

The amended legislation adopts crucial elements of the Queensland legislation. “The amendments should also give the community extra confidence that due process is being followed in these applications,” Mr Smith told parliament after introducing the bill on Thursday. He said the “hybrid” laws also included parts of the state government’s previous legislation, which was defeated by NSW bikers, in a 2011 court case.

NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell said the laws gave police the power to protect the public from criminal gangs. “We’re determined to get these tough new laws in place by Easter,” he said. “We did the prudent thing, waited for the High Court ruling on the Queensland laws. After careful examination, we’ve modified our bill. “The NSW government is determined to have outlaw motorcycle gangs declared criminal organizations.”

The amended legislation adopts the Queensland model in allowing for the Supreme Court, rather than an eligible judge, to make decisions on applications to declare an organisation a criminal organisation. The Supreme Court would also decide what is criminal intelligence.

“A court will now need to be satisfied that members of an organization in NSW associate for the purposes of serious criminal activity, and the continued existence of the organization poses an unacceptable risk … to the community,” Mr Smith told parliament.

Shadow attorney-general Paul Lynch said the opposition would not oppose the bill “if it does what the government says it will do”.

“We have not had time to read it yet,” he told parliament. We are entirely committed to this legislation working.” Earlier this month, Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced plans to implement national anti-gang and asset seizure laws. She said she would ask the premiers and chief ministers at April’s Council of Australian Governments meeting to refer some of their powers to the commonwealth. Anti-biker legislation in South Australia was successfully challenged in the High Court.

–from the Down Under Cover Bikernet Agent

NEW BIKERNET READER COMMENT–
2012 Super X Motorcycle Rally

Hi, Jumper. Nice article, you are a valued member of the club. Thanks for keeping the dream alive.

http://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=10685

–PAUL MICHELS
St. Peter, MN

MGS CUSTOM BIKES ANNOUNCES NEW STATE 1 PERFORMANCE PACKAGE– at an Incredible Introductory Dealer Price! MGS Custom Bikes is proud to announce that for a limited time, you can buy their new Stage 1 Performance Package at a special dealer intro price of $871.00 for ALL 3 PRODUCTS…MSRP is $1,467.95.

Most exhaust systems cost that much, but at MGS Custom Bikes, you’ll get a set of their True Dual high performance exhausts, as well as a Dyno Jet programmable tuner and Arlen Ness Big Sucker high velocity air intake…That’s like getting a tuner and air intake for FREE!

Made of 16-gauge steel, stepped head pipes, full-coverage heat shields and massive 4-inch mufflers with a billet tip that produces a deep, rich rumble, this exhaust has been Dyno-developed by MGS to produce more horsepower and torque than the competition.

In most cases a 15% gain at the rear wheel and an average increase of 12+ foot pounds of torque were enjoyed on a stock FL model Harley-Davidson. Better results have been achieved, but are not ordinary. These new True Duals are available in black ceramic or chrome with your choice of three different style tips.

This Stage I Performance Package also includes a Dyno Jet Fuel Tuner to help ensure optimum engine efficiency. This Tuner features a powerful range of fuel adjustments, it allows for individual cylinder tuning, the ability to download Power Commander V maps, and it will store ten maps which can be switched right on the Tuner unit.

Other Benefits of the MGS Micro Tuner include:

* Comes preloaded with maps for 88″, 96″, 103″ and 110″ Harley engines making it a true “plug and run” package
* Very small and easy to mount (1/2 the size of a Dyno Jet PC-V)
* The software allows you to easily pinpoint the specific area you want to adjust.
* Features easy to use software and Dynojet Power Commander V maps
*Includes USB Cable, CD ROM Software, O2 sensor optimizers, and detailed instructions
* This product is for off road use only and is not emissions compliant

The Stage I Performance Package includes The Big Sucker, a high velocity air intake manufactured by Arlen Ness. For more than a decade Arlen Ness has led the air cleaner market with their patented Big Sucker™. Put all three products on your customer’s bike and you have one fire breathing horsepower building engine due to your new bolt on modifications…and make a nice profit too selling this kit and charging for installation.

For those interested in obtaining more information on MGS Custom Bikes, you can reach them at 661-951-9878, call Chris Stafford directly at 661-750-2424, email them at sales@MGSCustomBikes.com or check them out online at www.MGSCustomBikes.com.

Don’t Miss Out on this Special Dealer Discount for Stage 1 Performance Packages!

INTERNATIONAL EDITOR ALSO TOUR GUIDE–Big day of new adventure for me and Eddie (from Malaysia).

Visited Chica Customs motorcycle builder in Huntington Beach, photo op

Then stopped at Westminster Harley-Davidson – met the owner Craig.

On to Matt Hotch custom bike builder in Fullerton – photo op.

Next was Doug McGoon custom wheel designer – 30 incher’s for motorcycles

Then the newest experience for me and Eddie both
The lot we parked in closed and locked the gate.
Short story – 1.5 hours later after the police & security the owner shows up with key.
I was looking for a cordless grinder to cut the lock.

Back to LB for dinner at the Tilted Kilt (see photo).

Stopped at Forbidden City Chinese restaurant to listen to Bond play for a bit.

–Art Hall
Bikernet International Editor and Emperor

I ran into Eddie and Art and the Born Free Party at the Garage Company in Inglewood on Saturday.

THE BIKERNET SEARCH FOR 5-BALLS–I was reading your news and saw you were trying to find 5-Balls.

I did a little research and found the below link.
I called them up and they said they have at least 20.
Also I contacted a manufacturer and they will quote larger quantities hopefully next week.

http://www.pooldawg.com/product/action-single-pool-and-billiard-balls

–Andy
VP 5-Ball Racing and Bikernet Merchandising

THE MRF CODE OF THE WEST–
I thought it a prudent time to send out a note regarding our work as the
MRF. Being challenged to do so, I submit I do in fact ask myself these
important questions frequently amidst the many distractions and energy sinks
in the motorcycle rights community that one can gravitate towards if we
allow ourselves to.

And that is:

Are we delivering on the Legislative Agenda that our SSMRO partners directly
developed with us?

Are we delivering a value proposition to our members with the resources we
have available?

Are we following our By-Laws?

Are we responsible with the monies entrusted us?

Do we have a staffed office in DC, do we have a full time lobbyist, is our
lobbyist doing his or her job as expected?

Are we championing and delivering legislation for our SSMRO’s to engage on?

Do we continue to make certain we are not negatively or impactfully
surprised in DC by a politican or a bereaucratic agency with regards to
motorcycling and its associated lifestyle?

Do we effectively host people in Washington D.C and make their visits
meaningful?

And in effect are we meeting our mission statement below through the
aforementioned conditions.

The MISSION OF THE MRF

To continue developing an aggressive independent national advocate for the
advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle which is
financially stable and exceeds the needs of motorcycling enthusiasts._

–Kirk “Hardtail” Willard
MRF President

I’m the liaison to the board regarding the Motorcycle Riders Foundation Industry Council. It’s been a slow process, but I still see it as a critical win-win for riders and the industry moving forward. After a year I was finally allowed to move forward on a couple of fronts:

1. I am going to work with Chris Callen and Chris Maida on a committee of industry representatives to help us get this puppy off the dime.
2. I’m assigned to help create a MRF Industry Council brochure.
3. I suggested several new efforts to raise MRF awareness at major events, such as Sturgis concerts, and through Bike Show Judging Certification program with Biker Pros. Of course the job is mine.
4. Finally, I’m working with a close friend on a grant program to study Freedom in this country, and the need for more of it. We hope to help support the MRF and all motorcycle rights with this effort.

Let me know if you would like to help with any of the above.—K. Ball

DELAWARE LAW ENCOURAGES, BUT DOESN’T FORCE MOTORCYCLE HELMET USE–
By LeAnne Matlach

DOVER, Del.- Motorcycle riders over the age of 19 in Delaware only have to have a helmet with them to ride legally. The law states the decision to wear the helmet is optional. And with spring weather on its way, motorcyclists will have to make that choice when they’re out on the roads.

For Robert Gordy, a helmet is not optional. He said, “A motorcycle when you’re going different speeds, anything could happen,” he said.
Even though he wears a helmet, he doesn’t think others should be forced to wear them.
“I think it depends on the individual, I think it’s a personal choice,” Gordy said. “I think that people are well aware of the risks that they take when they got on the motorcycle.”

The spring season has Delaware State Police on alert.

“With the warm weather, we are going to see more motorcycles out. Today is a nice day, I have seen a few motorcycles that are out there, with that comes the likelihood that crashes are going to be occurring,” said State Police spokesman Cpl. Gary Fournier said.

Fournier said helmets can help protect riders.
“Helmets do prevent some head trauma,” he said. “In some instances the helmet can cause protection to the head.”

The fine for not having a helmet while operating a motorcycle is $25 in Delaware.

–from Rogue

2nd ANNUAL VEGAS POKER RUN TO WRAP UP AT STONEY’S ROCKIN’ COUNTRY

Las Vegas, Nevada, March 10, 2013: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country will host the End of the Ride Party at the 2nd Annual Vegas Poker Run on Thursday, April 25. Stoney’s – Las Vegas’ largest Country Bar is located right down the street from the Luxor Hotel and Casino, Vegas Poker Run’s Headquarter Hotel.

The run will begin simultaneously in Victorville, CA at the Harley-Davidson of Victorville and in Wickenburg, AZ at the Historic Gold Nugget Restaurant, and finish on the famous Las Vegas Strip. Participants can spend an evening in Las Vegas before heading down to the event in Laughlin over the weekend. Local Vegas riders can also participate this year by starting the run at the Pioneer Saloon in Jean, NV. A $2,000 best hand prize will highlight the Run, along with other prizes, including 2013 Las Vegas BikeFest Ultimate passes.

“A private party for our Poker Run participants will kick off the night,” promised Mindi Cherry, Event Manager. “We’ll announce the winner (and the worst hand), draw for raffle prizes and party the night away!”

Registration packages start as low as $72 per person and besides the Rockin’ party include a poker hand, hotel room for the evening of Thursday, April 25 at the Luxor Hotel, a ride shirt and lots of extras. Stops along the way from California include the Pioneer Saloon in Goodsprings, where Clark Gable waited for news of Carole Lombard, a Hollywood legend; and the Mad Greek in Baker, California, home of the world’s largest thermometer. Arizona travelers will visit Luchia’s in Wikieup and the Mother Road Harley-Davidson in Kingman. Both groups will end up at the famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign, for a complimentary photo.

The Vegas Poker Run is powered by the producers of Las Vegas BikeFest®, the fall rally being held at Cashman Center, October 3-6, 2013. Event details and registration for the Vegas Poker Run are available on the event’s website, www.VegasPokerRun.com. For more information, contact 1-866-BIKEFEST (1-866-245-3337, ext. 237).

POST-DAYTONA THURSDAY NEWS FOR MARCH 22, 2013

http://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=10984

Another kick-ass Thursday news post! You continue to set the bar high for others to try for. Happy Birthday you old bastard!

–Mike
slamon@sbcglobal.net
Windsor, CT

SONS OF ANARCHY IN THE NEWS–The 81 & SOA… kool article.
What’s NOT TO LOVE!! My sweet friend Sonny Barger and my husband Rusty.
Season 6 coming soon…. Kurt Sutter is THE BEST.

http://sonsofanarchyhub.com/hells-angels-and-sons-of-anarchy/

–K.O.

BROKEN SPOKE DAYTONA BEACH BIKE WEEK–There was so much going on at the Broken Spoke during Bike Week in Daytona Beach that I did not get to many of the other venues. Oh, I reached a few but always seemed to end up back at the Spoke.

They had a full schedule of events and performers, a good staff and a Party Atmosphere. I always have a great time when I am there, so like everyone else I tend to go where I have the most fun.

Try to make the next party. There are Broken Spoke Saloons in Daytona, Sturgis and Laconia. To find out more check out their website at http://brokenspoke.com/

–Rogue

ANONYMOUS CONTRIBUTOR BUSTED FOR DUI–Forgot to mention that since the DUI arrest I bought a pocket breathalyzer

I am still drinking, but I am not driving

My son and daughter and I used the breathalyzer to determine what are limits are.

I spent so much time teaching the kids to drink and drive, figure it’s time I changed the message.

Daughter at 130 lbs, two beers, but she is not 21 yet, so she can’t have any alcohol in her system when driving, regardless.

Myself at 180lbs, it’s three beers in less than two hours and I am done.

My son is 200 lbs, four beers in two hours.

I recommend the breathalyzer to anyone who drinks. It’s only $100.
–Sona

There’s even a problem with the breathalyzer routine, and of course it’s also bullshit. Have you heard of wet laws. If you get in an accident, and you’re below the legal limit, you might be still liable for all the damages, if you have been drinking period. So, you won’t get a DUI, but because you have been drinking you are at fault. –Bandit

OKAY—It’s all nuts, but there must be a way. In the meantime, tomorrow my Mudflap Girl FXR should be running. George the Wild Brush will hopefully show up with my pinstriping.

This coming week will be crazy with bike projects coming and going. We should also receive the final word from Bennett’s Performance on the S&S 106 Twin Cam build. I need to jump down into the shop and work on Bob’s new stretched FXR. We are going to dial in a few components and have them powder coated.

Tobey, the official Bikernet Certified Welder is on his way over to complete some welding and fab work. We want to trim Bob’s massive front fender back some. Then our Bikernet Artist, George Fleming is due to arrive later in the afternoon and discuss the trike streamliner concept drawings. The frame could arrive in a couple of days.

Hang on!

Ride Forever,

–Bandit