A day is fast approaching that a Suncoast man has been avoiding for a long time. At the end of this month, 90-year-old motorcycle technician Kenny Clark will retire.

Most people retire at 65. For Kenny Clark, that was 25 years ago. And he has been working at one job all these years. When he started at Hap's Cycle Sales, Harry Truman was president, and gas cost 17 cents a gallon.

For 64 years, Clark has roared into Hap's Cycle Sales every day to work on motorcycles. "I still like what I'm doing, I enjoy working here with all the guys here….they’re great people to work with."

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We could have waited until April first to show you this video. But it's apparently not a joke…

The Harley-Davidson® Screamin’ Eagle®/Vance & Hines drag racing team successfully debuted its new Harley-Davidson® V-Rod® motorcycles at the 44th annual Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Auto-Plus Raceway. Aboard V-Rod motorcycles painted to celebrate the Harley-Davidson 110th Anniversary, riders Ed Krawiec and Andrew Hines qualified for Pro Stock Motorcycle eliminations, and each rider won in the first round on Sunday.

The Gatornationals was the first Pro Stock Motorcycle event of the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, and the first to run under new rules that forced the defending champion Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines team to design and build a new two-valve pushrod engine and alter its Screamin’ Eagle V-Rod motorcycles, a project that was completed just days before the season-opening event at Gainesville.

“We were not here to qualify number one, we were just here to race,” said Screamin’ Eagle®/Vance & Hines crew chief Matt Hines. “When we left the shop I really didn’t know if these bikes would make it down the track without melting down. We ran the new motors on the dyno and we were down on power compared to last year, and the question was would we have enough power to compete. But we ran in the sixes right away in testing at Valdosta, and both riders qualified at Gainesville and got a round under their belts. All things considered, it could not have gone more smoothly. We are not that far behind.”

Hines qualified fifth with a best Elapsed Time (ET) of 6.836 seconds. Krawiec, the defending Pro Stock Motorcycle champion, qualified his Harley-Davidson V-Rod in 10th position at 6.882 seconds. Viper Motorcycle Company Buell rider Matt Smith topped the quickest Pro Stock Motorcycle field in history with an ET of 6.804 seconds.

On Sunday, Hines defeated Adam Arana on the ProtectTheHarvest.com/MAVtv Buell in round one, and lost to Suzuki rider Steve Johnson in round two. Krawiec advanced in the first round after Vroom/MBT/LAT Racing Oil Buell rider Mike Berry left the starting line early. In round two Krawiec lost to Lucas Oil Buell rider Hector Arana Jr. Arana Jr. defeated Johnson in the final round to win the event.

“Our only goal for this weekend was to qualify and not break anything,” said Krawiec. “We achieved both those goals and got some good data, and for both our V-Rod motorcycles to qualify in the top 10 of a record-fast field is outstanding. These motorcycles show a lot of promise.”

The NHRA awarded its Gainesville “Best Engineered” honor to the Screamin’ Eagle V-Rod raced by Hines.

“It’s a tribute to all of the time and dedication [invested] during the off-season by the team,” said Hines. “I think the new engine responded better than we expected. I had the low 60-foot time in four of my six runs, which has never happened before, so I think that shows we’ve got a handle on the clutching. I think we’ll go home and dedicate these next four weeks to finding more horsepower. I see no reason why we can’t get back to the performance we had in 2012. My goal is to have these two bikes up front in qualifying by Englishtown, if not sooner.”

After one round of Pro Stock Motorcycle competition, Arana Jr. leads the class with 125 points, followed by Johnson with 96, Arana Sr. with 85, and Sovereign-Star Racing Buell rider Scott Pollacheck with 73 points. Hines is in fifth place with 55 points, followed by Viper Motorcycle Company Buell rider John Hall with 54 points and Krawiec in seventh place with 52 points.

The Pro Stock Motorcycles will next race at the 4th annual Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals fueled by Full Throttle, April 19-21 at zMAX Raceway in Concord, N.C.

Precision Billet Products , a leading provider of innovative, high-quality motorcycle billet accessories, is excited to announce their newest partnership with Western Power Sports, Inc. Created to increase visibility of Precision Billet, this partnership will expand the line of custom accessories that WPS has to offer, providing dealers with more options.

Based in Boise, Idaho, Western Power Sports (WPS) distributes over 85,000 road and street motorcycle, ATV, snowmobile, and watercraft parts and accessories to thousands of dealers nationwide. Precision Billet knows that partnering with WPS, and its regional warehouse network, is a smart decision. It will be a great opportunity for distributing Precision Billet custom Harley and cruiser accessories to a much wider audience.

WPS is sure that its dealers and customers will enjoy the unique styles and amazing craftsmanship that Precision Billet has to offer. Precision Billet has carefully chosen specific designs for WPS distribution that highlight their exceptional style. Precision Billet is starting by offering the 3D design of the Darkside series, the untamed curves of the Aces Wild products, and the mother-of-pearl inlays of the Grand Prix designs to WPS and will expand as the relationship grows. Precision Billet products will be available through WPS as of March 2013.

"It's great that our products have a new outlet. Now more enthusiasts can enjoy custom design elements for their ride," stated David Shano, Owner of Precision Billet. "We couldn't be happier with this partnership and we know WPS has the ability to reach our customers and deliver." WPS is confident that Precision Billet will fit perfectly with their goal of gaining more market share and offering more custom pieces for motorcycle dealers to enjoy. Together they look forward to serving their customers with the best possible products and hope to expand their partnership in the future.

 Baggershield is offering 50% off their 2 in 1 Harley FLHT/FLHX 7.5″ to 11.5″ QUICK CHANGE ONLY

Awesome windshield killer deal http://www.baggershield.com/baggershield-hd-flhtflhx-75-to-115-quick-change-only-p-80.html

I started on this puppy at 8:00 this morning and I'm just wrapping it up at 5:00. There goes Sunday. And you won't believe what's happening next. The interesting aspect about Bikernet, is that you will always find out within a few days. In the meantime join the Cantina, check out the post and find out more about the motorcycle world than you can find anywhere on the planet, or at least on this block.

Don't miss it: 

Corbin announced that they will have all types of entertainment ranging from live music to custom bike shows to filling your stomach on all kinds of food at Corbin's 4th Annual Rider Appreciation Day on Friday and Saturday, July 5&6th,2012. Last year, Corbin had thousands of riders show up to help celebrate our country's birthday and take part in the festivities and expects a much bigger crowd this year since the city has approved the Hollister Rally and the event covers 2 days for the first time. The "Idea Guy" over at Corbin that's in charge of all of the wizards, Mike Corbin, was instrumental in getting the Hollister Rally started again.

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Hey,

Life is nuts. I was almost caught up on content, when I attempted to write the feature for the Twisted Ultimate Builder Editor’s Choice Winner from the Long Beach show, and couldn’t find a phone number, so I kicked back.

What the hell, I was about to turn 65 and pondered taking a break. Then Mark delivered a cool, stretched FXR to the shop. He wanted to sell his longtime cruiser, so he can develop a Judo training program for kids who have learning disorders. I opened the door to the FXR to a couple of local riders. One had the bucks, but he wasn’t looking for a chopper. The other wanted it, but no bucks, and Mark wasn’t into a payment plan. Then I had a thought.

Bob Bitchin was looking for a bike, and at 6’4” and almost 300 lbs, this bike was built for him. I called, sent a photo, and the bike was sold. A gang of folks will hit the shop this morning to seal the deal, discuss paint options, and leave me be to finish the post.

That’s not all. We just finished the repairs to the 1928 Shovelhead and Kyle made a post office test run, but didn’t make it back. Someone pulled a left in front of him and down he went. It’s back in the shop for more repairs.

Then a call came in from our official antique motorcycle curator. He needs to make a run north to score a very rare motorcycle, and I might be involved. Let’s hit the news before something more happens.

INDIAN MOTORCYCLE SHOWCASES NEW ENGINE WITH CUSTOM-BUILT “SPIRIT OF MUNRO” STREAMLINER– Indian Motorcycle, the first American motorcycle company, revealed a custom-built streamliner named the “Spirit of Munro.” The one-of-a-kind vehicle was unveiled in a special surprise announcement on Saturday, March 9 at Daytona Bike Week following the reveal of Indian Motorcycle’s new Thunder Stroke 111™ engine — the incredible new power plant for the upcoming 2014 Indian Motorcycle.

Fully custom-built, the Spirit of Munro is an all-metal tribute to the racers and mechanics throughout history who have collectively built the legacy of record-breaking racing performance and strength that is Indian Motorcycle. The streamliner was named in honor of Burt Munro’s, “Munro Special,” the historic 1920 Indian Scout that broke the under-1000cc land-speed record in 1967 at the Bonneville Salt Flats as famously portrayed in the motion picture “The World’s Fastest Indian.” “The Munro family is very happy to see such a wonderful tribute to our Father,” says Burt’s Son, John Munro. “We see how Dad’s passion inspires motorcycle riders to this day, as the Spirit of Munro will surely do for years to come.”

“We are a brand that will always strive to push the envelope in everything we do, so when the idea of building a streamliner to both showcase the new engine and pay homage to the racers, mechanics and engineers of the past landed on my desk, it was an easy decision,” says Vice President of Polaris Motorcycles, Steve Menneto. “We are proud to showcase America’s passion for Indian Motorcycle in such a unique and historic way.”

The streamliner was designed from the ground up to house the new Thunder Stroke 111 engine and showcases its awe-inspiring power and performance. The Spirit of Munro is not simply a display; it was built to run. A custom exhaust and intake system is mated with a chain drive conversion to allow for the tall gearing necessary for top speed runs. The all-aluminum bodywork was hand-formed using traditional tools and techniques. Wrapped around the modern Thunder Stroke 111 engine is a custom chassis capable of handling top speeds.

“Part of the process of building a new motorcycle is building many pre-production and production test engines,” said Gary Gray, Product Director for Indian Motorcycle. “The Indian Motorcycle engineering team is fully conscious that every day we are working with history and over the course of design and development many parts and complete engines are built, tested, disassembled and measured. We thought it a fitting tribute to place one of our pre-production engines in a one-of-a-kind vehicle to pay homage to the racers who have helped build the legend of the Indian Motorcycle brand over its 112-year history.”

Tapped to construct the Spirit of Munro was Jeb Scolman of Jeb’s Metal and Speed in Long Beach, California. Jeb’s extensive credentials building land speed racers, along with his hand-formed bodywork on a Stutz Blackhawk replica revealed him as the perfect builder for this tribute machine.

“When the guys from Indian Motorcycle called to ask if I would be willing to play a part in this historic endeavor, I could not say ‘yes’ fast enough,” said Jeb Scolman. “We built the Spirit of Munro in just three months of straight long work days. It was a brutal schedule, but to be a part of re-launching this brand and giving Indian Motorcycle fans a historic new piece of Americana makes it all worth the effort.”

The bodywork was sculpted to reflect seminal machines from history, as well as creating a unique package for rider and mechanicals. Using aircraft inspired and traditional custom techniques, the Spirit of Munro is a striking tribute to the past, and an irrepressible inspiration for the future of America’s first motorcycle company. Adorning the tail of the machine is the logo of another iconic American brand, Jack Daniel’s Whiskey who is helping sponsor the motorcycle through their “Bottles and Throttles Don’t Mix” responsibility campaign.

Indian Motorcycle and Jack Daniel’s are brands that are forever sewn into the fabric of American history. Both brands stand proudly to represent the best at what they do. “When the team at Indian Motorcycle shared their plans to build the Spirit of Munro we knew we had to be part of that project,” says David Stang, AVP Events/Sponsorships for Jack Daniel’s Whiskey. “We proudly promote the responsible enjoyment of our products, and a serious environment such as land speed racing shows what can be achieved when individuals strive for perfection. When the racing is done, we will toast our heroes of the past and the future.”

The Spirit of Munro will be on display at the Daytona International Speedway every day of Daytona Bike Week, and will take part in the Indian Motorcycle Spring Dash lap of the Daytona 200 on March 16, 2013.

For more information please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com

BIKERNET FAMILY COUNSELING MEMO–
I spent a couple of hours defrosting the fridge last night, or “foreplay” as she likes to call it.

HARLEQUIN BOOK TO CONSIDER CHANCE HOGAN—I was told I could submit one of my books to Harlequin, so what the hell I did. I’ll let you know what happens. Maybe Chance Hogan could see a series on Harlequin. –Bandit

Delve into the tantalizing world of Erotic Fiction with sensual books…that will leave you wanting more! To help you find the perfect title, get started with our erotic fiction flow chart below. New to erotic fiction? As the romance experts, we have the perfect primer for newcomers to the naughty stuff. So discover The Curious Reader’s Guide to Erotic Fiction. 

—The Harlequin.com Team

BIKERNET MEDICAL CENTER FINDINGS FROM DR. WEIL–Are You Getting Enough B1 B vitamins support adrenal function, calm and maintain a healthy nervous system, promote key metabolic processes, turn starch and sugar into energy (by acting as a cofactor for the metabolism of carbohydrates) and play an important role in nerve transmission.

Vitamin B1, more commonly known as thiamin, influences a variety of physiologic functions, including:

1. Nervous system and muscle functioning
2. Carbohydrate metabolism
3. Healthy digestion

BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY OPEN ON SUNDAYS–After marriage, husband and wife become two sides of a coin; they just can’t face each other, but still they stay together.

–Hemant Josh

By all means marry. If you get a good wife, you’ll be happy. If you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher.

–Socrates

Woman inspires us to great things, and prevents us from achieving them.

–Dumas

–from Jim Waggaman

Ozcma hath no hold on my heart, in the way thou fanciest — never had, beyond a passing and truant inclination.

He thought of his coming trip to Spain, and then, catching sight of her looking out towards the town and ocean, bit the truant thought back.

Truant comes to English from the Old French word of the same spelling meaning “beggar” or “rogue.” The noun form of truant entered English in the late 1200s, though it was not until the 1500s that English speakers started using this term as an adjective.

ROGUE EMBEDDED AT DAYTONA BIKE WEEK–I will be seeing him tomorrow to shoot the bike and will get info.
In the meantime I am having a friend Danny Seybold send you some photos.

Taking photos and have not had time to do articles But here is a shot of what the Bikernet winner received, but you still owe him swag.

Bikernet stickers all over town.
Have some good shots of Gary Giving away motorcycle and them holding Bikernet stickers.

–Rogue
Sturgis Freedom Fighters
Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Member 2005
www.bikerrogue.com

MRF LOBBYIST ON THE ROAD–I leave for Bikers at the Boarder tomorrow morning. It is an event put on by McGrath and Danielson law firm and described to me as a “mini Meeting of the Minds,” conference.

It’s a one day event and is the inaugural event. It’s in Dillon, SC, which coincidentally is around the corner from where my native American ancestors, the Lumbee Tribe, are located. So, it’s
a bit like going home for me.

–Jeff Hennie

DREW’S NEWS–Attention all Men & Women Motorcycle Racers…
The following poem has been one of favorites since I was a teenager.
It now really hits home after many years of being involved with a variety of areas in motorcycle racing, and understanding what it takes for one to have a competitive machine.

Plus, equally if not more important, have a competitive spirit.

Hope you enjoy, and have a great weekend.

See Ya Next Time

p.s.
GO BLACKHAWKS!!

DREW GATEWOOD
AMA/F.I.M. technical steward

GEARS – Gatewood Engineering And Race Support
P.O. Box 2568
Chesterton, IN.
tele/fax: 219-926-5647
email: gears55@frontier.com
www.gearswebsite.com

PRE BORN FREE 5 PARTY—At the new Garage Company location. If you are interested, the Garage Co in Inglewood is having a “Pre Born Free 5” party.

Same day. MArch 23, 2013.

Roated pig, beer, chicken and lots of bikes.

http://garagecompany.com/
C’mon by and have a good time.

Come check out our new location at 956 W. Hyde Park Blvd, Inglewood CA 90302.

Now Hiring: Garage Company is looking for an experienced vintage motorcycle mechanic.
Please call Yoshi at 310 330 9933 for more information.

REPORTER CHECKS IN– I know I have been quite lately. My old car business has really picked up. A ‘57 Caddy has been driving me crazy with lifter noise. I am fixing to assemble a ‘55 Corvette from the ground up.
Anyway I am still slowly accumulating parts to build my Bagger Bobber. Here are a couple of pics where it is today.

As you can see I butchered a FLT frame to have the shocks forward like a Dyna, I also had to cut the rear of the backbone to clearance the Dyna Low Rider tank I am running. I scored the Road King rear wheel with a good Avon on it, and a primary cover, and some Road King headlight housings for 400 dollars from Kenny at Boulder Choppers.

I almost have enough stuff to make this thing run. With what I got out of the old dresser stuff I am under 1,800 dollars right now. I think that by retaining the FLT steering neck I will have a light bike that handles like an even lighter bike.

Now to just find the time to work on it. More later, Maybe see you at Laughlin.

–Bill May

PS. Oh Yeah, I checked out that new Indian motor. I want one. Looks a lot like an X wedge, Did S&S develop it for them? Also checked out that video of the Dyna Wide Glide compared to the Victory Vegas. I guess to each his own but my old ‘03 Dyna Wide Glide is a lot better for me than my friend Stormy’s new Victory Hammer. I’ll take a HD any old day.

HISTORY CHANNEL REVS UP FOR MORE WHEELING AND DEALING– When Danny ‘The Count’ Koker Returns to the Driver’s Seat for an All-New Season of…

COUNTING CARS

His name is The Count, and his game is one-of-a-kind, customized classic cars and motorcycles. Danny “The Count” Koker doesn’t just love hot rods and choppers. He lives for them. Whether it’s a ’63 Corvette, a classic Thunderbird, a muscle-bound Trans Am, or a yacht-sized Caddy, he knows these high-performance beauties inside and out. What’s more, he’ll do anything it takes to get his hands on those he likes – he’s known for pulling over cars he passes on the road and offering cash for them on the spot, or for using a retailer’s PA system to lure a car owner back to the parking lot to make a deal – and then “flip” them for a profit.

Danny and the crew from Count’s Kustoms, his Vegas-based auto repair business, are behind the wheel again for a new season of COUNTING CARS, premiering Tuesday, April 9 at 9pm ET on HISTORY. The heat is on as the boys buy, trick out and re-sell classic cars, bikes and more. Danny is obsessed, so the more rides he buys, the faster they have to move to keep Count’s Kustoms in business.

This season’s projects span all eras of cars, trucks, bikes and trikes. They’ll be working = with Ziggy Marley to restore and customize Bob Marley’s last car, a 1980 Mercedes 500SL Euro; and customizing a soap box derby car for a youngster. The Count also takes on several jobs that honor our troops, and tricks out a motorized wheelchair. Every episode features stories behind vintage vehicles, striking before-and-after transformations, and Danny’s relentless compulsion to find and flip the greatest rides of all time, at any cost.

A self-taught mechanic, Danny currently owns 58 cars and another 78 motorcycles. His bottomless knowledge about anything on wheels made him the go-to restoration expert on the hit series Pawn Stars before HISTORY gave him his own spin-off series.

COUNTING CARS is produced for HISTORY by Leftfield Pictures. Zachary Behr and Julian Hobbs are Executive Producers for HISTORY. Executive Producers for Leftfield Pictures are Brent Montgomery, David George, and Shawn Witt. Joel Patterson is Co-Executive Producer for Leftfield Pictures.

BIKERNET GUN NUT FILES–My Gun Story….
Today I swung my front door wide open and placed my 30.06 right in the doorway. I gave it 5 shells to go in the clip, and noticing that it had no legs, even placed it in a wheelchair to help it get around. I then left it alone and went about my business.

While I was gone, the mailman delivered my mail, the neighbor boy across the street shoveled the snow, a girl walked her dog down the street, trash man picked up the trash, and quite a few cars went by.

After about an hour, I checked on the gun. It was still sitting there in the wheelchair, right where I left it. It hadn’t rolled itself outside. It certainly hadn’t killed anyone, even with the numerous opportunities it had been presented to do so. In fact, it hadn’t even loaded itself.

Well you can imagine my surprise, with all the media hype about how dangerous guns are and how they kill people. Either the media is wrong, and it’s the misuse of guns by PEOPLE that kills people, or I’m in possession of the laziest gun in the world.

Alright, well I’m off to check on my knives and forks. I hear they’re making people fat.

–from Bob Clark

SMOKE OUT 14 LIVE FABRICATION – GRINDING / WELDING / SPARK–
Each year the core of the chopper world looks to the Smoke Out with great anticipation and in 2013 they have a new partner that is helping them get hands-on assistance on their bike builds through a collection of builders including Jon from Monstercraftsman, Jeremy Cupp from LC Fabrications and Hugh from Hugh’s Handbuilt. They will be showcasing specific fabrication techniques throughout the weekend.

The Smoke Out is an annual pilgrimage to Rockingham, NC where over 15,000 chopper and bobber riders congregate to relax, drag race, swap lies, dance to good ole rock n’ roll and learn a little something~something about their scoots. Commander Edge, The Smoke Out President, put together this all-star entertainment program that is a must-see event for every chopper fanatic.

Smoke Out 14 – Live Fabrication Proceedings

Friday – June 21 2013
• 3 p.m. – Tig Welding 101 with Jon from “Monstercraftsman”
• 6 p.m. – Grinding/Coping 101 with Jeremy Cupp from LC Fabrications
Saturday – June 22 2013
• 12 p.m. – XS650 Permanent Magnet Alternator Conversion with Hugh from “Hugh’s Handbuilt”

The Smoke Out Rally 14 is about riders. The event is a full weekend for enthusiasts to look at fine chops, listen to good music, relax, catch up with old friends or make new ones.

Registration information is located at SmokeOutRally.com.

BIKERNET ROAD KILL COMMITTEE NOTES: A friend hit a fuckin’ coyote the other day. This is for him.

By Buckshot

There’s a coyote by the highway
He hasn’t been there long
He wasn’t even stiff yet
When I started on this song
Now there’s coyote on my engine
And coyote in my spokes
And I’m gonna have to listen
To a week of coyote jokes

–Buckshot

BANDIT TURNS 65–Here’s hoping that you are out celebrating your birthday, maybe even out there in the wind. Happy Birthday!!!

I’ve been back in Texas for over a year and am settling into my retirement years here in the woods. Still doing a lot with the club and trying to get my mojo back for some writing projects.

Did a major turnover in my bike stable in 2012 – still riding a Road Glide but the current one is an ’09 CVO … my backup and short-distance bike is an ’09 Dyna Fat Bob. It’s still pretty new to me and was bought with less than a thousand miles, incredible for a four year old bike.

–Gypsy Raoul

DREW’S CRAFTSMAN CORNER–This is for those of you who truly appreciate and understand a real craftsman,
and H.O. Studley was just such a man.

For me personally, be it working with wood and or steel I can’t help but be in awe
of any great display of one’s skill.

Hope you enjoy the short video clip.

See ya next time
–Drew

DREW GATEWOOD
AMA/F.I.M. technical steward

GEARS – Gatewood Engineering And Race Support
P.O. Box 2568
Chesterton, IN.
tele/fax: 219-926-5647
email: gears55@frontier.com
www.gearswebsite.com

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ROBINSON, CONSTANTINE CLAIM FIRST TIME VICTORIES IN AMA PRO FLAT TRACK PRESENTED BY J&P–In typical Daytona short track fashion, round two of the AMA Pro Flat Track Series presented by J&P Cycles once again crowned two first time winners. Brandon Robinson from Pennsylvania was looking fast all day long, and after the season opener’s fifth place finish, he was on a mission.

Kenny Coolbeth grabbed the holeshot at the start of the expert final, but with Robinson right behind in second, that lead only lasted one lap. On lap two Robinson took over the point, but at the same time Brad Baker was on the move. Baker came in second opening night, so he too had that top step on the podium in his sights.

Baker mounted a serious charge and was able to run the same pace as Robinson, but Robinson was not to be denied his very first national win of his young career. Behind them came the duo of Bryan Smith and Jake Johnson, with Smith getting the last podium position.

In the J&P Cycles Pros Singles Class, Jake Constantine from New York was also chasing that elusive first win as a professional, and after the first couple of laps, you could see that he was not to be denied. As Constantine stretched out his lead, the battles behind him were heating up.

Ryan Wells, Mike Poe and Wyatt Maguire were really mixing it up. With all of the mixing of positions, once the dust finally settled, it was Constantine on top with Wells second and Poe third.

Our next stop is in Stockton, California on May 11. Hope to see you there!

For more information, visit jpcycles and start building your dream today!

U.S. SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE PASSES SEMI-AUTO AND PRIVATE SALES BANS, BUT THE FIGHT AIN’T OVER YET–
On March 12 and 14, the Senate Judiciary committee held two working sessions to deal with gun-related bills.

The result of those hearings was the passage of Sen. Charles Schumer’s (D-N.Y.) S. 374, the “Fix Gun Checks Act of 2013”–which would criminalize virtually all private firearm sales, even temporary transfers–and Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s (D-Calif.) S. 150, the “Assault Weapons Ban of 2013.”

Both of these bills pose a direct threat to our Second Amendment rights and both were passed on party-line votes, with committee Democrats supporting the bills and all Republicans voting no.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) offered four amendments to the gun ban bill, each of which would have created exceptions to its sweeping ban on standard magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition and on countless models of detachable-magazine semi-automatic rifles, semi-automatic shotguns, and other guns. The amendments–designed to expose ban supporters’ disregard for even the most extraordinary self-defense needs–would have given special protection to domestic violence victims, persons with orders of protection against aggressors, residents of southwestern border counties and residents of rural areas. Sen. Cornyn argued that the one group Feinstein provides an exception for in her bill–retired law enforcement officers–are no more deserving of the exception than others who face unique threats. All four amendments were voted down along party lines.

The hearing on S. 150 also featured a terse exchange between pro-Second Amendment Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Feinstein. Sen. Cruz questioned Feinstein if it would be proper for Congress to determine which books are appropriate for citizens to read, or which persons could be exempted from Fourth Amendment protections, as she wants to do regarding Second Amendment rights. Feinstein become angry, scolding Cruz for daring to ask the questions.

Later, in an attempt to support the gun ban, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) made the false claim that “assault weapons” are “commonly” used by criminals, ignoring the reality that only 2.5% of murders involve rifles of any sort, much less those defined as “assault weapons”. (Hands and feet are used more often.) Blumenthal’s assertion flies in the face of gun ban advocates’ repeated claim that a semi-auto ban is constitutional under the Heller decision, which said that commonly-owned arms are protected by the Second Amendment. With over 4 million AR-15s (alone) legally owned by law-abiding Americans, they are clearly commonly owned, yet still rarely used in crime.

Earlier in the week, the committee passed Sen. Schumer’s S. 374, which is an attack on all private gun sales. Under the guise of making improvements to the federal instant background check system, the bill also includes provisions to require all but a very few gun transfers to go through a dealer, and forcing dealers to keep records of each transfer. But the bill would go far beyond regulating actual gun sales; consider that all of the following situations (many of which were pointed out directly to Schumer by Prof. David Kopel in Senate testimony on a similar bill two years ago) would be illegal under S. 374:

• Sharing a gun for self-defense anywhere outside the home, no matter how extreme the situation. For example, imagine that two women are driving at night and break down on a deserted road. The younger woman, whose handgun was in the car, walks a few miles to the nearest gas station. She gives her handgun to the older woman, so that the older woman can protect herself. That would be a “transfer” under S. 374, so not doing a background check through a dealer would be a federal crime.
• Lending a friend your gun while the two of you go target shooting on a farm, on public land, or in any other informal setting that isn’t on a range owned by an incorporated conservation or marksmanship group.

• Teaching an NRA firearms safety class or hunter safety class in a classroom. Despite anti-gunners’ attempt to wrap themselves in the flag of gun safety, and their efforts in some states and localities to pass mandatory training requirements, the bill has no exception for training classes that don’t occur on a range.

• Lending a firearm to a friend for hunting in any location where hunting is not permitted. A person living in a suburban or urban area where no hunting is allowed would break the law if he lent a gun to a friend who was going to use it for hunting in a permissible area in the countryside.

During committee debate on this bill, Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) took strong exception to the bill and listed some of its many flaws, making the case that the bill sets up gun registration as the likely next step should S. 374 become law.

These bills now await action by the full Senate. It is not known at this time which, if either, of these bills will reach the floor, but gun owners must take action now to be heard in opposition to these bills. 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.

LET’S PAUSE FOR A BRIEF RELIGIOUS MOMENT–The Reverend John Fluff was the pastor in a small town in Ireland . One day he was walking down the high street when he noticed a young lady of his congregation sitting in a pub drinking beer. He walked through the open door of the pub and sat down next to the woman.

“Miss Fitzgerald,” he said sternly – “This is no place for a member of my congregation. Why don’t you let me take you home?”

“Sure!” she said with a slur, obviously very drunk.
When Miss Fitzgerald stood up from the bar, she began to weave back and forth. The Reverend Mr. Fluff realized that she’d had far too much to drink and grabbed her arms to steady her. When he did, they both lost their balance and tumbled to the floor.

After a few moments, the The Reverend Mr Fluff wound up on top of Miss Fitzgerald, her skirt hiked up to her waist.

The pub barkeep looked over and said, “Oy mate, we won’t have any of that carrying on in this pub.”

The Reverend Pastor looked up at the landlord and said, “But you don’t understand. I’m Pastor Fluff.”

The barkeep said, “Ah well, if you’re that far in, ye might as well finish.”

–from Johnny Gutierrez

BIKERPICS.ORG HAS BEEN HARD AT WORK FILLING OUR GALLERIES & BUILDING E-MAGAZINES OF THE 2013 DAYTONA BIKEWEEK RALLY–EACH GALLERY & MAGAZINE IS FILLED WITH FUN TO VIEW, EXCELLENT IMAGES FROM EACH DAY, SO LOCATING YOURSELF OR FRIENDS / EVENTS, IS EASY TO DO. THE E-MAGAZINES SHOW A PORTION OF WHAT THE GALLERIES ACTUALLY SHOW, SO PLEASE, FIDDLE THROUGH THE SITE, YOU’LL LOVE IT!

THIS JUST IN FROM DOWNTOWN BIKERNET COURTHOUSE–After Leroy squealed on all of the major drug dealers the Government put him into the witness protection program.

It was decided to hide him in a rural Midwestern community, where they hoped he would blend in with other farmers.

–DREW GATEWOOD
AMA/F.I.M. technical steward

NEW LE PERA “OUTCAST”–
In response to a flood of requests from solo riders asking for a comfortable full length seat with a tapered fast back, “they didn’t want a sofa on the back of their bike”, LePera is introducing the OUTCAST. The OUTCAST offers just that: an incredible amount of comfort for the driver with a removable back rest providing the sought after extra support.

Rider area measures a full 15″ wide. Simply remove the back rest and you have a killer custom look to show off your bike. This seat is also available in the companies Daddy Long Legs version for the rider that needs extra leg room. Le Pera’s stylish and comfortable OUTCAST is specifically designed for direct fitment to 2008 and later touring bikes only.

Pricing starts at just $679.00. For more detailed information or to order the OUTCAST contact your local dealer or visit www.lepera.com

LEGENDS AND HEROES HONORS MOTO CHAMP TREY JORSKI– As the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series begins its tour of the Midwest, it brings with it the Legends and Heroes of Motocross Moto Museum Tour. This weekend the sterling collection of vintage men and machines from the golden age of motorcycles rolls into Indianapolis, with a feature spotlight on motocross great Trey Jorski.

A local racer out of Oklahoma City, Trey Jorski began racing in the late 60s. By 1972 he was riding the expert class and dominating the 125, 250 and open classes in the Oklahoma and Texas area. Trey obtained his pro license in 1974 and began riding the national series with the likes of Marty Smith, Steve Stackable, Marty Tripes and Gary Semics. Riding for Kawasaki, Trey earned national numbers competing at many events in both the 125 and 250 classes.

In 1975, Trey Jorski gained national recognition at the famed Louisiana 500cc National “Battle of New Orleans” where he placed eighth against riders such as Jimmy Weinert, Brad Lackey and Marty Smith. In addition, he went on to be the Mexico National MX Champion. To add to the win list, Trey was also the nine-time Oklahoma Motocross Champ in all three classes (125, 250, 500cc).

Today Trey works in the aerospace industry and continues to race at events such as the Lake Elsinore Grand Prix and various AHRMA Nationals for Team Bull out of the St Louis area.

Join Trey Jorski at the Legends and Heroes Moto Museum display in the AMA Supercross pits this Saturday, March 16, from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. for a meet and greet/autograph signing with at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

For more information on Monster Energy AMA Supercross go to www.SupercrossOnline.com. For more information on the Legends and Heroes of Motocross Tour, please visit LegendsAndHeroesTour.org.

JUDGE SAYS JURY CAN DEFINE STURGIS TRADEMARK–The Sturgis trademark case is a step closer to resolution after a federal judge recommended rejecting motions for dismissal and defined what he sees as the essential issue in the dispute.

After six months of study, United States District Magistrate Judge John Simko of Sioux Falls filed his report and recommendation last week in the dispute between Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Incorporated, or SMRi, and Rushmore Photo & Gifts, a Rapid City wholesaler.

U.S. Chief District Judge Jeffrey Viken referred the case to him after both parties filed motions for a summary judgment that could have led to a dismissal of the case. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., has joined Rushmore Photo & Gifts in challenging the validity of the Sturgis trademark after it was named as a defendant by SMRi.

Simko recommended that Viken deny all of SMRi’s motions for summary judgment to block the defendants’ challenge and a request for a delay in the case.

Viken should also deny Rushmore Photo & Gifts’ request for a finding in its favor and that a jury needs to decide the case, Simko wrote.

The Sioux Falls judge also stated his position on how to determine if the trademark can be legally enforced.

“If Sturgis means the source of products, then Sturgis is registrable because it identifies the source of products. If Sturgis means the event itself, then, Sturgis is not registrable because it does not identify the source of a product,” Simko said in the document filed March 6 in U.S. District Court.

Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Inc., initiated the federal lawsuit in 2011 after it was allowed to register Sturgis, Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Sturgis Rally & Races, Take the Ride to Sturgis and Sturgis Bike Week as patented trademarks. The organization claims that Rushmore Photo & Gifts and Wal-Mart have infringed on its trademarks by selling items that say “Sturgis” without getting the permission of SMRi.

Both sides in the case said the judge’s recommendations were positive.

SMRi contends that Simko’s recommendation does not deny or even recommend denying the right for SMRi to continue to use the legal Sturgis trademarks it has been entrusted to protect.

This follows two other rulings that were in favor of SMRi, including a judgement against an entity that billed itself as the “Little Sturgis Rally,” SMRi board member Ross Lamphere said Monday in a news release.

“Without the Sturgis motorcycle rally there could be no ‘Little Sturgis Rally.’ Without SMRi, organizers of that event would have profited from the work our local community members have done over decades, would have done so at no cost, and would have been under no obligation to make any contribution to the community of Sturgis and its people,” Lamphere said.

In another case, just before the 2011 Sturgis motorcycle rally, a motion for injunctive relief was filed by Rushmore Photo & Gifts against SMRi that attempted to derail the group’s legal right to defend its federal trademarks.

The organization was successful in having that injunction denied, which benefited the entire community of Sturgis, according to Dean Kinney, chairman of the SMRi board.

“SMRi, through our volunteer board, is charged with promoting and protecting the Sturgis motorcycle rally, while providing a charitable return for the greater Sturgis area. Part of that responsibility is to protect the intellectual property of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Inc. from unauthorized use, infringement and counterfeit goods and services,” Kinney said in a news release.

Brian Niemann of Rushmore Photo & Gifts said Simko’s recommendations make it clear that the trademark is not valid.

“The trademark is invalid. Basically the only thing that’s going to jury trial is whether or not there was fraud committed on the USPTP” Patent and Trademark Office, Niemann said. “The thing that is very nice, I guess, is that the judge basically saw what they have done.”

In a lengthy review of the case, Simko focused his recommendations on three issues:

Licensee estoppel — a legal doctrine that protects the holder, or licensor, of a trademark from legal challenges by its licensees. In this case, SMRi claims that Rushmore Photo & Gifts is a licensee because of a decades old licensing agreement with the Sturgis Chamber of Commerce. Not so according to Simko because the 21-year-old agreement expired before SMRi registered Sturgis.

Fraud on the Patent and Trademark Office that may or may not have been committed by the Chamber of Commerce when it declared in 2001 that it was the exclusive user of the Sturgis mark and that the buying public identified the Sturgis mark with the source of the Chamber’s rally products. Simko says a jury will have to decide if the Patent and Trademark Office was deliberately deceived.

Does the Sturgis mark have a distinct secondary meaning, and if so, is that identity related to SMRi’s products or the motorcycle rally held each August in the Black Hills? “How a particular word has been used and how it has been understood by the public is a question of fact,” Simko writes. “The correct categorization of a given term is also a factual issue. Contrary to the representation plaintiff Sturgis (SMRI) made to the PTO about its exclusive use of Sturgis, the term was commonly used by hundreds of others during the time plaintiff represented its exclusive use of Sturgis,” Simko writes in his report.

Viken has the option of accepting or rejecting all of Simko’s recommendations. Both parties have 14 days to craft their reactions to the judge’s comments.

“There’s a lot left on the table by this recommendation,” SMRi’s attorney, Jason Sneed of Davidson, N.C., told the Journal.

Sneed intends to file SMRi’s objections to Simko’s recommendations within the allotted time but he declined to say what those objections will be.

NEW DISCOVERY FROM LONG RIDE SHIELDS– Tanzanian Biker Gangs.
Based in London, Kit Oates is a professional photographer who works with publications like Timeout, Flamingo, The Chap, The Observer, the Japanese edition of Vogue and various others. He’s also been a guest lecturer on photography at the University of Westminster and Eton college and, when not photographing, he says he attempts to refurbish his 1971 VW Camper van.

Kit recently visited Tanzania to do some photography for an American company organizing a volunteering program in Patandi, a small village in the East African country. There, Kit also happened to meet and photograph some of the country’s biker gangs and as he got to speak to these bikers, he got some interesting insights into the biking culture there. Here’s Kit’s story, in his own words:

“I was mostly photographing at local schools and orphanages and soon realized that the opportunities the kids had after graduating were limited compared to the opportunities available to students back home in England. Industry was lacking in this part of the country, and most students were destined for a life tending the family farm or hawking souvenirs to tourists.

So it was with keen interest that I began photographing the groups of bikers. Not just a few, but lots, sitting on the edge of the highway, some hanging out, some looking for work or something to courier. In a country of huge unemployment and poverty, they seemed to be so far removed from trouble, casually hanging out as if they didn’t have a care in the world.

I soon spent my days off wandering down to the highway to chat to the bikers. To take pictures, but also to figure out how they had appeared and what they we’re up to. They would line the roadside, keen to drive me anywhere for a few thousand shillings.

The bikers that I spoke to were looking for a job to do or a person to transport. However with the number of bikers waiting and the lack of jobs, I suspected it could have been an excuse to hang out, to sit out in the sun on their bikes – an escape from the hard labour their brothers were probably doing on the farm or in the cement factory.

There was also the suggestion by locals that the bikers had unscrupulous tendencies and considered themselves above the law. Many bikers do not have driving licenses, and I was warded away on several occasions by locals concerned for my safety. I had heard tales in the village of late night crimes undertaken by bikers – usually petty theft or robbery. However in the daylight most bikers were amenable, keen to show off their bikes to me.

The motorcycle of choice in Tanzania is the ‘Toyo,’ a Chinese make of bikes that reached Tanzania’s shores in 2010. The Toyo is the epitome of the generic motorcycle. In fact it looks so generic and appropriated from other motorcycles, it begins to look oddly unique. The Toyo looks like it was built in a hurry, which is probably how it can be sold at around $1000 apiece. This affordable price has meant sales have skyrocketed in Africa, offering an affordable transport option for low income communities. They come into their strength especially in the rural areas, where dirt roads mean only a small vehicle can easily reach out of the way villages. A transport link that the government could never deliver. Some owners adorn the bikes with flags, scarves and trinkets, leaving the impression of a true pride of ownership.

The Toyo is not without its faults, of course. The low production quality means the bike is a dangerous vehicle, accidents are common and parts give way. I even heard horror stories of parts falling off mid-ride. Toyos also have a tendency to leak oil or fuel and in some cases catch fire, causing horrific injuries.

The opportunities in a rural area Like Patandi are few, and the Toyo gives bikers a chance to not only have an exciting job but also the freedom of riding a bike gives them. Regardless of their situation and their budget bikes, I like to think the Toyo riders share a common ground with all motorcycle enthusiasts around the world. Being able to escape at a moment’s notice and to be in control is surely something that draws bike enthusiasts wherever they come from. The feeling of freedom was quite clear. When I asked one rider why they do it, he said “because I get to ride everyday.”

Check out the Author & Awesome Photographer: Kit Oates

LONG RIDE WINDSHIELD–The Mako shields is the best performing windshield for a road glide, with a more aggressive flip up design that spans the width of the shields for complete coverage and buffeting reduction. The thicker material is resistant to shock and vibrations while on the road but still allows for easy mounting and installation. This road glide shield is perfect for those long trips and the quick stops around town.

It provides an amazing level of air deflection and comfortable space while riding.

Sizes are measured from the center screw, to the top of the shield, along its slope.

For a more accurate measurement, you can also measure from the top of your radio housing, to the top of the shield. These crossover measurements are as follows:

11” Mako measures 5” from the top of the radio housing

12” Mako measures 6” from the top of the radio housing

13” Mako measures 7” from the top of the radio housing

14” Mako measures 8” from the top of the radio housing

15” Mako measures 9” from the top of the radio housing

16” Mako measures 10” from the top of the radio housing

17” Mako measures 11” from the top of the radio housing

18” Mako measures 12” from the top of the radio housing

PLEASE NOTE: If you have a 2013 model, you must order the 2011-2013 CVO model.
http://longrideshields.com/xcart/Mako.html

THAT’S IT FOR ONE UNSCRUPULOUS MINUTE OF TIME—Then another week begins and we’ll be flying at new content and action.

Markus sent us more shots of the Paul Cavallo, Spitfire Sporty, which was recently featured.

I now the have number for the guy who twisted this frame. We will talk to him about his theory and process for twisting metal, and feature the bike on Bikernet.

We also made a morning run to pick up Bad Brad’s new-to-him, ’98 Road King from Fred of ‘50s Boys. The bike was displayed at Freedom Cycle in Orange County. Terrific shop run by Mike and son Devin. We may bring you some reports and techs from this crew.

We mentioned drawings on restaurant paper napkins and our thoughts regarding our streamlined trike project. Here are the sketches. Let us know your thoughts. 

Mark had some considerations on the belly tank nose. And we are still looking at the shape of the World’s Fastest Car.

I should have a frame from Campagna in the next 10 days, and I’m itching for progress.

Hang on for next week. We will have a hand full of surprises for you, and my Mudflap FXR should be up and running.

Ride Forever,

–Bandit

Hey,

Life is nuts. I was almost caught up on content, when I attempted to write the feature for the Twisted Ultimate Builder Editor’s Choice Winner from the Long Beach show, and couldn’t find a phone number, so I kicked back.

What the hell, I was about to turn 65 and pondered taking a break. Then Mark delivered a cool, stretched FXR to the shop. He wanted to sell his longtime cruiser, so he can develop a Judo training program for kids who have learning disorders. I opened the door to the FXR to a couple of local riders. One had the bucks, but he wasn’t looking for a chopper. The other wanted it, but no bucks, and Mark wasn’t into a payment plan. Then I had a thought.

Bob Bitchin was looking for a bike, and at 6’4” and almost 300 lbs, this bike was built for him. I called, sent a photo, and the bike was sold. A gang of folks will hit the shop this morning to seal the deal, discuss paint options, and leave me be to finish the post.

That’s not all. We just finished the repairs to the 1928 Shovelhead and Kyle made a post office test run, but didn’t make it back. Someone pulled a left in front of him and down he went. It’s back in the shop for more repairs.

Then a call came in from our official antique motorcycle curator. He needs to make a run north to score a very rare motorcycle, and I might be involved. Let’s hit the news before something more happens.

INDIAN MOTORCYCLE SHOWCASES NEW ENGINE WITH CUSTOM-BUILT “SPIRIT OF MUNRO” STREAMLINER– Indian Motorcycle, the first American motorcycle company, revealed a custom-built streamliner named the “Spirit of Munro.” The one-of-a-kind vehicle was unveiled in a special surprise announcement on Saturday, March 9 at Daytona Bike Week following the reveal of Indian Motorcycle’s new Thunder Stroke 111™ engine — the incredible new power plant for the upcoming 2014 Indian Motorcycle.

Fully custom-built, the Spirit of Munro is an all-metal tribute to the racers and mechanics throughout history who have collectively built the legacy of record-breaking racing performance and strength that is Indian Motorcycle. The streamliner was named in honor of Burt Munro’s, “Munro Special,” the historic 1920 Indian Scout that broke the under-1000cc land-speed record in 1967 at the Bonneville Salt Flats as famously portrayed in the motion picture “The World’s Fastest Indian.” “The Munro family is very happy to see such a wonderful tribute to our Father,” says Burt’s Son, John Munro. “We see how Dad’s passion inspires motorcycle riders to this day, as the Spirit of Munro will surely do for years to come.”

“We are a brand that will always strive to push the envelope in everything we do, so when the idea of building a streamliner to both showcase the new engine and pay homage to the racers, mechanics and engineers of the past landed on my desk, it was an easy decision,” says Vice President of Polaris Motorcycles, Steve Menneto. “We are proud to showcase America’s passion for Indian Motorcycle in such a unique and historic way.”

The streamliner was designed from the ground up to house the new Thunder Stroke 111 engine and showcases its awe-inspiring power and performance. The Spirit of Munro is not simply a display; it was built to run. A custom exhaust and intake system is mated with a chain drive conversion to allow for the tall gearing necessary for top speed runs. The all-aluminum bodywork was hand-formed using traditional tools and techniques. Wrapped around the modern Thunder Stroke 111 engine is a custom chassis capable of handling top speeds.

“Part of the process of building a new motorcycle is building many pre-production and production test engines,” said Gary Gray, Product Director for Indian Motorcycle. “The Indian Motorcycle engineering team is fully conscious that every day we are working with history and over the course of design and development many parts and complete engines are built, tested, disassembled and measured. We thought it a fitting tribute to place one of our pre-production engines in a one-of-a-kind vehicle to pay homage to the racers who have helped build the legend of the Indian Motorcycle brand over its 112-year history.”

Tapped to construct the Spirit of Munro was Jeb Scolman of Jeb’s Metal and Speed in Long Beach, California. Jeb’s extensive credentials building land speed racers, along with his hand-formed bodywork on a Stutz Blackhawk replica revealed him as the perfect builder for this tribute machine.

“When the guys from Indian Motorcycle called to ask if I would be willing to play a part in this historic endeavor, I could not say ‘yes’ fast enough,” said Jeb Scolman. “We built the Spirit of Munro in just three months of straight long work days. It was a brutal schedule, but to be a part of re-launching this brand and giving Indian Motorcycle fans a historic new piece of Americana makes it all worth the effort.”

The bodywork was sculpted to reflect seminal machines from history, as well as creating a unique package for rider and mechanicals. Using aircraft inspired and traditional custom techniques, the Spirit of Munro is a striking tribute to the past, and an irrepressible inspiration for the future of America’s first motorcycle company. Adorning the tail of the machine is the logo of another iconic American brand, Jack Daniel’s Whiskey who is helping sponsor the motorcycle through their “Bottles and Throttles Don’t Mix” responsibility campaign.

Indian Motorcycle and Jack Daniel’s are brands that are forever sewn into the fabric of American history. Both brands stand proudly to represent the best at what they do. “When the team at Indian Motorcycle shared their plans to build the Spirit of Munro we knew we had to be part of that project,” says David Stang, AVP Events/Sponsorships for Jack Daniel’s Whiskey. “We proudly promote the responsible enjoyment of our products, and a serious environment such as land speed racing shows what can be achieved when individuals strive for perfection. When the racing is done, we will toast our heroes of the past and the future.”

The Spirit of Munro will be on display at the Daytona International Speedway every day of Daytona Bike Week, and will take part in the Indian Motorcycle Spring Dash lap of the Daytona 200 on March 16, 2013.

For more information please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com

BIKERNET FAMILY COUNSELING MEMO–
I spent a couple of hours defrosting the fridge last night, or “foreplay” as she likes to call it.

HARLEQUIN BOOK TO CONSIDER CHANCE HOGAN—I was told I could submit one of my books to Harlequin, so what the hell I did. I’ll let you know what happens. Maybe Chance Hogan could see a series on Harlequin. –Bandit

Delve into the tantalizing world of Erotic Fiction with sensual books…that will leave you wanting more! To help you find the perfect title, get started with our erotic fiction flow chart below. New to erotic fiction? As the romance experts, we have the perfect primer for newcomers to the naughty stuff. So discover The Curious Reader’s Guide to Erotic Fiction. 

—The Harlequin.com Team

BIKERNET MEDICAL CENTER FINDINGS FROM DR. WEIL–Are You Getting Enough B1 B vitamins support adrenal function, calm and maintain a healthy nervous system, promote key metabolic processes, turn starch and sugar into energy (by acting as a cofactor for the metabolism of carbohydrates) and play an important role in nerve transmission.

Vitamin B1, more commonly known as thiamin, influences a variety of physiologic functions, including:

1. Nervous system and muscle functioning
2. Carbohydrate metabolism
3. Healthy digestion

BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY OPEN ON SUNDAYS–After marriage, husband and wife become two sides of a coin; they just can’t face each other, but still they stay together.

–Hemant Josh

By all means marry. If you get a good wife, you’ll be happy. If you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher.

–Socrates

Woman inspires us to great things, and prevents us from achieving them.

–Dumas

–from Jim Waggaman

Ozcma hath no hold on my heart, in the way thou fanciest — never had, beyond a passing and truant inclination.

He thought of his coming trip to Spain, and then, catching sight of her looking out towards the town and ocean, bit the truant thought back.

Truant comes to English from the Old French word of the same spelling meaning “beggar” or “rogue.” The noun form of truant entered English in the late 1200s, though it was not until the 1500s that English speakers started using this term as an adjective.

ROGUE EMBEDDED AT DAYTONA BIKE WEEK–I will be seeing him tomorrow to shoot the bike and will get info.
In the meantime I am having a friend Danny Seybold send you some photos.

Taking photos and have not had time to do articles But here is a shot of what the Bikernet winner received, but you still owe him swag.

Bikernet stickers all over town.
Have some good shots of Gary Giving away motorcycle and them holding Bikernet stickers.

–Rogue
Sturgis Freedom Fighters
Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Member 2005
www.bikerrogue.com

MRF LOBBYIST ON THE ROAD–I leave for Bikers at the Boarder tomorrow morning. It is an event put on by McGrath and Danielson law firm and described to me as a “mini Meeting of the Minds,” conference.

It’s a one day event and is the inaugural event. It’s in Dillon, SC, which coincidentally is around the corner from where my native American ancestors, the Lumbee Tribe, are located. So, it’s
a bit like going home for me.

–Jeff Hennie

DREW’S NEWS–Attention all Men & Women Motorcycle Racers…
The following poem has been one of favorites since I was a teenager.
It now really hits home after many years of being involved with a variety of areas in motorcycle racing, and understanding what it takes for one to have a competitive machine.

Plus, equally if not more important, have a competitive spirit.

Hope you enjoy, and have a great weekend.

See Ya Next Time

p.s.
GO BLACKHAWKS!!

DREW GATEWOOD
AMA/F.I.M. technical steward

GEARS – Gatewood Engineering And Race Support
P.O. Box 2568
Chesterton, IN.
tele/fax: 219-926-5647
email: gears55@frontier.com
www.gearswebsite.com

PRE BORN FREE 5 PARTY—At the new Garage Company location. If you are interested, the Garage Co in Inglewood is having a “Pre Born Free 5” party.

Same day. MArch 23, 2013.

Roated pig, beer, chicken and lots of bikes.

http://garagecompany.com/
C’mon by and have a good time.

Come check out our new location at 956 W. Hyde Park Blvd, Inglewood CA 90302.

Now Hiring: Garage Company is looking for an experienced vintage motorcycle mechanic.
Please call Yoshi at 310 330 9933 for more information.

REPORTER CHECKS IN– I know I have been quite lately. My old car business has really picked up. A ‘57 Caddy has been driving me crazy with lifter noise. I am fixing to assemble a ‘55 Corvette from the ground up.
Anyway I am still slowly accumulating parts to build my Bagger Bobber. Here are a couple of pics where it is today.

As you can see I butchered a FLT frame to have the shocks forward like a Dyna, I also had to cut the rear of the backbone to clearance the Dyna Low Rider tank I am running. I scored the Road King rear wheel with a good Avon on it, and a primary cover, and some Road King headlight housings for 400 dollars from Kenny at Boulder Choppers.

I almost have enough stuff to make this thing run. With what I got out of the old dresser stuff I am under 1,800 dollars right now. I think that by retaining the FLT steering neck I will have a light bike that handles like an even lighter bike.

Now to just find the time to work on it. More later, Maybe see you at Laughlin.

–Bill May

PS. Oh Yeah, I checked out that new Indian motor. I want one. Looks a lot like an X wedge, Did S&S develop it for them? Also checked out that video of the Dyna Wide Glide compared to the Victory Vegas. I guess to each his own but my old ‘03 Dyna Wide Glide is a lot better for me than my friend Stormy’s new Victory Hammer. I’ll take a HD any old day.

HISTORY CHANNEL REVS UP FOR MORE WHEELING AND DEALING– When Danny ‘The Count’ Koker Returns to the Driver’s Seat for an All-New Season of…

COUNTING CARS

His name is The Count, and his game is one-of-a-kind, customized classic cars and motorcycles. Danny “The Count” Koker doesn’t just love hot rods and choppers. He lives for them. Whether it’s a ’63 Corvette, a classic Thunderbird, a muscle-bound Trans Am, or a yacht-sized Caddy, he knows these high-performance beauties inside and out. What’s more, he’ll do anything it takes to get his hands on those he likes – he’s known for pulling over cars he passes on the road and offering cash for them on the spot, or for using a retailer’s PA system to lure a car owner back to the parking lot to make a deal – and then “flip” them for a profit.

Danny and the crew from Count’s Kustoms, his Vegas-based auto repair business, are behind the wheel again for a new season of COUNTING CARS, premiering Tuesday, April 9 at 9pm ET on HISTORY. The heat is on as the boys buy, trick out and re-sell classic cars, bikes and more. Danny is obsessed, so the more rides he buys, the faster they have to move to keep Count’s Kustoms in business.

This season’s projects span all eras of cars, trucks, bikes and trikes. They’ll be working = with Ziggy Marley to restore and customize Bob Marley’s last car, a 1980 Mercedes 500SL Euro; and customizing a soap box derby car for a youngster. The Count also takes on several jobs that honor our troops, and tricks out a motorized wheelchair. Every episode features stories behind vintage vehicles, striking before-and-after transformations, and Danny’s relentless compulsion to find and flip the greatest rides of all time, at any cost.

A self-taught mechanic, Danny currently owns 58 cars and another 78 motorcycles. His bottomless knowledge about anything on wheels made him the go-to restoration expert on the hit series Pawn Stars before HISTORY gave him his own spin-off series.

COUNTING CARS is produced for HISTORY by Leftfield Pictures. Zachary Behr and Julian Hobbs are Executive Producers for HISTORY. Executive Producers for Leftfield Pictures are Brent Montgomery, David George, and Shawn Witt. Joel Patterson is Co-Executive Producer for Leftfield Pictures.

BIKERNET GUN NUT FILES–My Gun Story….
Today I swung my front door wide open and placed my 30.06 right in the doorway. I gave it 5 shells to go in the clip, and noticing that it had no legs, even placed it in a wheelchair to help it get around. I then left it alone and went about my business.

While I was gone, the mailman delivered my mail, the neighbor boy across the street shoveled the snow, a girl walked her dog down the street, trash man picked up the trash, and quite a few cars went by.

After about an hour, I checked on the gun. It was still sitting there in the wheelchair, right where I left it. It hadn’t rolled itself outside. It certainly hadn’t killed anyone, even with the numerous opportunities it had been presented to do so. In fact, it hadn’t even loaded itself.

Well you can imagine my surprise, with all the media hype about how dangerous guns are and how they kill people. Either the media is wrong, and it’s the misuse of guns by PEOPLE that kills people, or I’m in possession of the laziest gun in the world.

Alright, well I’m off to check on my knives and forks. I hear they’re making people fat.

–from Bob Clark

SMOKE OUT 14 LIVE FABRICATION – GRINDING / WELDING / SPARK–
Each year the core of the chopper world looks to the Smoke Out with great anticipation and in 2013 they have a new partner that is helping them get hands-on assistance on their bike builds through a collection of builders including Jon from Monstercraftsman, Jeremy Cupp from LC Fabrications and Hugh from Hugh’s Handbuilt. They will be showcasing specific fabrication techniques throughout the weekend.

The Smoke Out is an annual pilgrimage to Rockingham, NC where over 15,000 chopper and bobber riders congregate to relax, drag race, swap lies, dance to good ole rock n’ roll and learn a little something~something about their scoots. Commander Edge, The Smoke Out President, put together this all-star entertainment program that is a must-see event for every chopper fanatic.

Smoke Out 14 – Live Fabrication Proceedings

Friday – June 21 2013
• 3 p.m. – Tig Welding 101 with Jon from “Monstercraftsman”
• 6 p.m. – Grinding/Coping 101 with Jeremy Cupp from LC Fabrications
Saturday – June 22 2013
• 12 p.m. – XS650 Permanent Magnet Alternator Conversion with Hugh from “Hugh’s Handbuilt”

The Smoke Out Rally 14 is about riders. The event is a full weekend for enthusiasts to look at fine chops, listen to good music, relax, catch up with old friends or make new ones.

Registration information is located at SmokeOutRally.com.

BIKERNET ROAD KILL COMMITTEE NOTES: A friend hit a fuckin’ coyote the other day. This is for him.

By Buckshot

There’s a coyote by the highway
He hasn’t been there long
He wasn’t even stiff yet
When I started on this song
Now there’s coyote on my engine
And coyote in my spokes
And I’m gonna have to listen
To a week of coyote jokes

–Buckshot

BANDIT TURNS 65–Here’s hoping that you are out celebrating your birthday, maybe even out there in the wind. Happy Birthday!!!

I’ve been back in Texas for over a year and am settling into my retirement years here in the woods. Still doing a lot with the club and trying to get my mojo back for some writing projects.

Did a major turnover in my bike stable in 2012 – still riding a Road Glide but the current one is an ’09 CVO … my backup and short-distance bike is an ’09 Dyna Fat Bob. It’s still pretty new to me and was bought with less than a thousand miles, incredible for a four year old bike.

–Gypsy Raoul

DREW’S CRAFTSMAN CORNER–This is for those of you who truly appreciate and understand a real craftsman,
and H.O. Studley was just such a man.

For me personally, be it working with wood and or steel I can’t help but be in awe
of any great display of one’s skill.

Hope you enjoy the short video clip.

See ya next time
–Drew

DREW GATEWOOD
AMA/F.I.M. technical steward

GEARS – Gatewood Engineering And Race Support
P.O. Box 2568
Chesterton, IN.
tele/fax: 219-926-5647
email: gears55@frontier.com
www.gearswebsite.com

[page break]

ROBINSON, CONSTANTINE CLAIM FIRST TIME VICTORIES IN AMA PRO FLAT TRACK PRESENTED BY J&P–In typical Daytona short track fashion, round two of the AMA Pro Flat Track Series presented by J&P Cycles once again crowned two first time winners. Brandon Robinson from Pennsylvania was looking fast all day long, and after the season opener’s fifth place finish, he was on a mission.

Kenny Coolbeth grabbed the holeshot at the start of the expert final, but with Robinson right behind in second, that lead only lasted one lap. On lap two Robinson took over the point, but at the same time Brad Baker was on the move. Baker came in second opening night, so he too had that top step on the podium in his sights.

Baker mounted a serious charge and was able to run the same pace as Robinson, but Robinson was not to be denied his very first national win of his young career. Behind them came the duo of Bryan Smith and Jake Johnson, with Smith getting the last podium position.

In the J&P Cycles Pros Singles Class, Jake Constantine from New York was also chasing that elusive first win as a professional, and after the first couple of laps, you could see that he was not to be denied. As Constantine stretched out his lead, the battles behind him were heating up.

Ryan Wells, Mike Poe and Wyatt Maguire were really mixing it up. With all of the mixing of positions, once the dust finally settled, it was Constantine on top with Wells second and Poe third.

Our next stop is in Stockton, California on May 11. Hope to see you there!

For more information, visit jpcycles and start building your dream today!

U.S. SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE PASSES SEMI-AUTO AND PRIVATE SALES BANS, BUT THE FIGHT AIN’T OVER YET–
On March 12 and 14, the Senate Judiciary committee held two working sessions to deal with gun-related bills.

The result of those hearings was the passage of Sen. Charles Schumer’s (D-N.Y.) S. 374, the “Fix Gun Checks Act of 2013”–which would criminalize virtually all private firearm sales, even temporary transfers–and Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s (D-Calif.) S. 150, the “Assault Weapons Ban of 2013.”

Both of these bills pose a direct threat to our Second Amendment rights and both were passed on party-line votes, with committee Democrats supporting the bills and all Republicans voting no.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) offered four amendments to the gun ban bill, each of which would have created exceptions to its sweeping ban on standard magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition and on countless models of detachable-magazine semi-automatic rifles, semi-automatic shotguns, and other guns. The amendments–designed to expose ban supporters’ disregard for even the most extraordinary self-defense needs–would have given special protection to domestic violence victims, persons with orders of protection against aggressors, residents of southwestern border counties and residents of rural areas. Sen. Cornyn argued that the one group Feinstein provides an exception for in her bill–retired law enforcement officers–are no more deserving of the exception than others who face unique threats. All four amendments were voted down along party lines.

The hearing on S. 150 also featured a terse exchange between pro-Second Amendment Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Feinstein. Sen. Cruz questioned Feinstein if it would be proper for Congress to determine which books are appropriate for citizens to read, or which persons could be exempted from Fourth Amendment protections, as she wants to do regarding Second Amendment rights. Feinstein become angry, scolding Cruz for daring to ask the questions.

Later, in an attempt to support the gun ban, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) made the false claim that “assault weapons” are “commonly” used by criminals, ignoring the reality that only 2.5% of murders involve rifles of any sort, much less those defined as “assault weapons”. (Hands and feet are used more often.) Blumenthal’s assertion flies in the face of gun ban advocates’ repeated claim that a semi-auto ban is constitutional under the Heller decision, which said that commonly-owned arms are protected by the Second Amendment. With over 4 million AR-15s (alone) legally owned by law-abiding Americans, they are clearly commonly owned, yet still rarely used in crime.

Earlier in the week, the committee passed Sen. Schumer’s S. 374, which is an attack on all private gun sales. Under the guise of making improvements to the federal instant background check system, the bill also includes provisions to require all but a very few gun transfers to go through a dealer, and forcing dealers to keep records of each transfer. But the bill would go far beyond regulating actual gun sales; consider that all of the following situations (many of which were pointed out directly to Schumer by Prof. David Kopel in Senate testimony on a similar bill two years ago) would be illegal under S. 374:

• Sharing a gun for self-defense anywhere outside the home, no matter how extreme the situation. For example, imagine that two women are driving at night and break down on a deserted road. The younger woman, whose handgun was in the car, walks a few miles to the nearest gas station. She gives her handgun to the older woman, so that the older woman can protect herself. That would be a “transfer” under S. 374, so not doing a background check through a dealer would be a federal crime.
• Lending a friend your gun while the two of you go target shooting on a farm, on public land, or in any other informal setting that isn’t on a range owned by an incorporated conservation or marksmanship group.

• Teaching an NRA firearms safety class or hunter safety class in a classroom. Despite anti-gunners’ attempt to wrap themselves in the flag of gun safety, and their efforts in some states and localities to pass mandatory training requirements, the bill has no exception for training classes that don’t occur on a range.

• Lending a firearm to a friend for hunting in any location where hunting is not permitted. A person living in a suburban or urban area where no hunting is allowed would break the law if he lent a gun to a friend who was going to use it for hunting in a permissible area in the countryside.

During committee debate on this bill, Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) took strong exception to the bill and listed some of its many flaws, making the case that the bill sets up gun registration as the likely next step should S. 374 become law.

These bills now await action by the full Senate. It is not known at this time which, if either, of these bills will reach the floor, but gun owners must take action now to be heard in opposition to these bills. 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.

LET’S PAUSE FOR A BRIEF RELIGIOUS MOMENT–The Reverend John Fluff was the pastor in a small town in Ireland . One day he was walking down the high street when he noticed a young lady of his congregation sitting in a pub drinking beer. He walked through the open door of the pub and sat down next to the woman.

“Miss Fitzgerald,” he said sternly – “This is no place for a member of my congregation. Why don’t you let me take you home?”

“Sure!” she said with a slur, obviously very drunk.
When Miss Fitzgerald stood up from the bar, she began to weave back and forth. The Reverend Mr. Fluff realized that she’d had far too much to drink and grabbed her arms to steady her. When he did, they both lost their balance and tumbled to the floor.

After a few moments, the The Reverend Mr Fluff wound up on top of Miss Fitzgerald, her skirt hiked up to her waist.

The pub barkeep looked over and said, “Oy mate, we won’t have any of that carrying on in this pub.”

The Reverend Pastor looked up at the landlord and said, “But you don’t understand. I’m Pastor Fluff.”

The barkeep said, “Ah well, if you’re that far in, ye might as well finish.”

–from Johnny Gutierrez

BIKERPICS.ORG HAS BEEN HARD AT WORK FILLING OUR GALLERIES & BUILDING E-MAGAZINES OF THE 2013 DAYTONA BIKEWEEK RALLY–EACH GALLERY & MAGAZINE IS FILLED WITH FUN TO VIEW, EXCELLENT IMAGES FROM EACH DAY, SO LOCATING YOURSELF OR FRIENDS / EVENTS, IS EASY TO DO. THE E-MAGAZINES SHOW A PORTION OF WHAT THE GALLERIES ACTUALLY SHOW, SO PLEASE, FIDDLE THROUGH THE SITE, YOU’LL LOVE IT!

THIS JUST IN FROM DOWNTOWN BIKERNET COURTHOUSE–After Leroy squealed on all of the major drug dealers the Government put him into the witness protection program.

It was decided to hide him in a rural Midwestern community, where they hoped he would blend in with other farmers.

–DREW GATEWOOD
AMA/F.I.M. technical steward

NEW LE PERA “OUTCAST”–
In response to a flood of requests from solo riders asking for a comfortable full length seat with a tapered fast back, “they didn’t want a sofa on the back of their bike”, LePera is introducing the OUTCAST. The OUTCAST offers just that: an incredible amount of comfort for the driver with a removable back rest providing the sought after extra support.

Rider area measures a full 15″ wide. Simply remove the back rest and you have a killer custom look to show off your bike. This seat is also available in the companies Daddy Long Legs version for the rider that needs extra leg room. Le Pera’s stylish and comfortable OUTCAST is specifically designed for direct fitment to 2008 and later touring bikes only.

Pricing starts at just $679.00. For more detailed information or to order the OUTCAST contact your local dealer or visit www.lepera.com

LEGENDS AND HEROES HONORS MOTO CHAMP TREY JORSKI– As the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series begins its tour of the Midwest, it brings with it the Legends and Heroes of Motocross Moto Museum Tour. This weekend the sterling collection of vintage men and machines from the golden age of motorcycles rolls into Indianapolis, with a feature spotlight on motocross great Trey Jorski.

A local racer out of Oklahoma City, Trey Jorski began racing in the late 60s. By 1972 he was riding the expert class and dominating the 125, 250 and open classes in the Oklahoma and Texas area. Trey obtained his pro license in 1974 and began riding the national series with the likes of Marty Smith, Steve Stackable, Marty Tripes and Gary Semics. Riding for Kawasaki, Trey earned national numbers competing at many events in both the 125 and 250 classes.

In 1975, Trey Jorski gained national recognition at the famed Louisiana 500cc National “Battle of New Orleans” where he placed eighth against riders such as Jimmy Weinert, Brad Lackey and Marty Smith. In addition, he went on to be the Mexico National MX Champion. To add to the win list, Trey was also the nine-time Oklahoma Motocross Champ in all three classes (125, 250, 500cc).

Today Trey works in the aerospace industry and continues to race at events such as the Lake Elsinore Grand Prix and various AHRMA Nationals for Team Bull out of the St Louis area.

Join Trey Jorski at the Legends and Heroes Moto Museum display in the AMA Supercross pits this Saturday, March 16, from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. for a meet and greet/autograph signing with at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

For more information on Monster Energy AMA Supercross go to www.SupercrossOnline.com. For more information on the Legends and Heroes of Motocross Tour, please visit LegendsAndHeroesTour.org.

JUDGE SAYS JURY CAN DEFINE STURGIS TRADEMARK–The Sturgis trademark case is a step closer to resolution after a federal judge recommended rejecting motions for dismissal and defined what he sees as the essential issue in the dispute.

After six months of study, United States District Magistrate Judge John Simko of Sioux Falls filed his report and recommendation last week in the dispute between Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Incorporated, or SMRi, and Rushmore Photo & Gifts, a Rapid City wholesaler.

U.S. Chief District Judge Jeffrey Viken referred the case to him after both parties filed motions for a summary judgment that could have led to a dismissal of the case. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., has joined Rushmore Photo & Gifts in challenging the validity of the Sturgis trademark after it was named as a defendant by SMRi.

Simko recommended that Viken deny all of SMRi’s motions for summary judgment to block the defendants’ challenge and a request for a delay in the case.

Viken should also deny Rushmore Photo & Gifts’ request for a finding in its favor and that a jury needs to decide the case, Simko wrote.

The Sioux Falls judge also stated his position on how to determine if the trademark can be legally enforced.

“If Sturgis means the source of products, then Sturgis is registrable because it identifies the source of products. If Sturgis means the event itself, then, Sturgis is not registrable because it does not identify the source of a product,” Simko said in the document filed March 6 in U.S. District Court.

Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Inc., initiated the federal lawsuit in 2011 after it was allowed to register Sturgis, Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Sturgis Rally & Races, Take the Ride to Sturgis and Sturgis Bike Week as patented trademarks. The organization claims that Rushmore Photo & Gifts and Wal-Mart have infringed on its trademarks by selling items that say “Sturgis” without getting the permission of SMRi.

Both sides in the case said the judge’s recommendations were positive.

SMRi contends that Simko’s recommendation does not deny or even recommend denying the right for SMRi to continue to use the legal Sturgis trademarks it has been entrusted to protect.

This follows two other rulings that were in favor of SMRi, including a judgement against an entity that billed itself as the “Little Sturgis Rally,” SMRi board member Ross Lamphere said Monday in a news release.

“Without the Sturgis motorcycle rally there could be no ‘Little Sturgis Rally.’ Without SMRi, organizers of that event would have profited from the work our local community members have done over decades, would have done so at no cost, and would have been under no obligation to make any contribution to the community of Sturgis and its people,” Lamphere said.

In another case, just before the 2011 Sturgis motorcycle rally, a motion for injunctive relief was filed by Rushmore Photo & Gifts against SMRi that attempted to derail the group’s legal right to defend its federal trademarks.

The organization was successful in having that injunction denied, which benefited the entire community of Sturgis, according to Dean Kinney, chairman of the SMRi board.

“SMRi, through our volunteer board, is charged with promoting and protecting the Sturgis motorcycle rally, while providing a charitable return for the greater Sturgis area. Part of that responsibility is to protect the intellectual property of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Inc. from unauthorized use, infringement and counterfeit goods and services,” Kinney said in a news release.

Brian Niemann of Rushmore Photo & Gifts said Simko’s recommendations make it clear that the trademark is not valid.

“The trademark is invalid. Basically the only thing that’s going to jury trial is whether or not there was fraud committed on the USPTP” Patent and Trademark Office, Niemann said. “The thing that is very nice, I guess, is that the judge basically saw what they have done.”

In a lengthy review of the case, Simko focused his recommendations on three issues:

Licensee estoppel — a legal doctrine that protects the holder, or licensor, of a trademark from legal challenges by its licensees. In this case, SMRi claims that Rushmore Photo & Gifts is a licensee because of a decades old licensing agreement with the Sturgis Chamber of Commerce. Not so according to Simko because the 21-year-old agreement expired before SMRi registered Sturgis.

Fraud on the Patent and Trademark Office that may or may not have been committed by the Chamber of Commerce when it declared in 2001 that it was the exclusive user of the Sturgis mark and that the buying public identified the Sturgis mark with the source of the Chamber’s rally products. Simko says a jury will have to decide if the Patent and Trademark Office was deliberately deceived.

Does the Sturgis mark have a distinct secondary meaning, and if so, is that identity related to SMRi’s products or the motorcycle rally held each August in the Black Hills? “How a particular word has been used and how it has been understood by the public is a question of fact,” Simko writes. “The correct categorization of a given term is also a factual issue. Contrary to the representation plaintiff Sturgis (SMRI) made to the PTO about its exclusive use of Sturgis, the term was commonly used by hundreds of others during the time plaintiff represented its exclusive use of Sturgis,” Simko writes in his report.

Viken has the option of accepting or rejecting all of Simko’s recommendations. Both parties have 14 days to craft their reactions to the judge’s comments.

“There’s a lot left on the table by this recommendation,” SMRi’s attorney, Jason Sneed of Davidson, N.C., told the Journal.

Sneed intends to file SMRi’s objections to Simko’s recommendations within the allotted time but he declined to say what those objections will be.

NEW DISCOVERY FROM LONG RIDE SHIELDS– Tanzanian Biker Gangs.
Based in London, Kit Oates is a professional photographer who works with publications like Timeout, Flamingo, The Chap, The Observer, the Japanese edition of Vogue and various others. He’s also been a guest lecturer on photography at the University of Westminster and Eton college and, when not photographing, he says he attempts to refurbish his 1971 VW Camper van.

Kit recently visited Tanzania to do some photography for an American company organizing a volunteering program in Patandi, a small village in the East African country. There, Kit also happened to meet and photograph some of the country’s biker gangs and as he got to speak to these bikers, he got some interesting insights into the biking culture there. Here’s Kit’s story, in his own words:

“I was mostly photographing at local schools and orphanages and soon realized that the opportunities the kids had after graduating were limited compared to the opportunities available to students back home in England. Industry was lacking in this part of the country, and most students were destined for a life tending the family farm or hawking souvenirs to tourists.

So it was with keen interest that I began photographing the groups of bikers. Not just a few, but lots, sitting on the edge of the highway, some hanging out, some looking for work or something to courier. In a country of huge unemployment and poverty, they seemed to be so far removed from trouble, casually hanging out as if they didn’t have a care in the world.

I soon spent my days off wandering down to the highway to chat to the bikers. To take pictures, but also to figure out how they had appeared and what they we’re up to. They would line the roadside, keen to drive me anywhere for a few thousand shillings.

The bikers that I spoke to were looking for a job to do or a person to transport. However with the number of bikers waiting and the lack of jobs, I suspected it could have been an excuse to hang out, to sit out in the sun on their bikes – an escape from the hard labour their brothers were probably doing on the farm or in the cement factory.

There was also the suggestion by locals that the bikers had unscrupulous tendencies and considered themselves above the law. Many bikers do not have driving licenses, and I was warded away on several occasions by locals concerned for my safety. I had heard tales in the village of late night crimes undertaken by bikers – usually petty theft or robbery. However in the daylight most bikers were amenable, keen to show off their bikes to me.

The motorcycle of choice in Tanzania is the ‘Toyo,’ a Chinese make of bikes that reached Tanzania’s shores in 2010. The Toyo is the epitome of the generic motorcycle. In fact it looks so generic and appropriated from other motorcycles, it begins to look oddly unique. The Toyo looks like it was built in a hurry, which is probably how it can be sold at around $1000 apiece. This affordable price has meant sales have skyrocketed in Africa, offering an affordable transport option for low income communities. They come into their strength especially in the rural areas, where dirt roads mean only a small vehicle can easily reach out of the way villages. A transport link that the government could never deliver. Some owners adorn the bikes with flags, scarves and trinkets, leaving the impression of a true pride of ownership.

The Toyo is not without its faults, of course. The low production quality means the bike is a dangerous vehicle, accidents are common and parts give way. I even heard horror stories of parts falling off mid-ride. Toyos also have a tendency to leak oil or fuel and in some cases catch fire, causing horrific injuries.

The opportunities in a rural area Like Patandi are few, and the Toyo gives bikers a chance to not only have an exciting job but also the freedom of riding a bike gives them. Regardless of their situation and their budget bikes, I like to think the Toyo riders share a common ground with all motorcycle enthusiasts around the world. Being able to escape at a moment’s notice and to be in control is surely something that draws bike enthusiasts wherever they come from. The feeling of freedom was quite clear. When I asked one rider why they do it, he said “because I get to ride everyday.”

Check out the Author & Awesome Photographer: Kit Oates

LONG RIDE WINDSHIELD–The Mako shields is the best performing windshield for a road glide, with a more aggressive flip up design that spans the width of the shields for complete coverage and buffeting reduction. The thicker material is resistant to shock and vibrations while on the road but still allows for easy mounting and installation. This road glide shield is perfect for those long trips and the quick stops around town.

It provides an amazing level of air deflection and comfortable space while riding.

Sizes are measured from the center screw, to the top of the shield, along its slope.

For a more accurate measurement, you can also measure from the top of your radio housing, to the top of the shield. These crossover measurements are as follows:

11” Mako measures 5” from the top of the radio housing

12” Mako measures 6” from the top of the radio housing

13” Mako measures 7” from the top of the radio housing

14” Mako measures 8” from the top of the radio housing

15” Mako measures 9” from the top of the radio housing

16” Mako measures 10” from the top of the radio housing

17” Mako measures 11” from the top of the radio housing

18” Mako measures 12” from the top of the radio housing

PLEASE NOTE: If you have a 2013 model, you must order the 2011-2013 CVO model.
http://longrideshields.com/xcart/Mako.html

THAT’S IT FOR ONE UNSCRUPULOUS MINUTE OF TIME—Then another week begins and we’ll be flying at new content and action.

Markus sent us more shots of the Paul Cavallo, Spitfire Sporty, which was recently featured.

I now the have number for the guy who twisted this frame. We will talk to him about his theory and process for twisting metal, and feature the bike on Bikernet.

We also made a morning run to pick up Bad Brad’s new-to-him, ’98 Road King from Fred of ‘50s Boys. The bike was displayed at Freedom Cycle in Orange County. Terrific shop run by Mike and son Devin. We may bring you some reports and techs from this crew.

We mentioned drawings on restaurant paper napkins and our thoughts regarding our streamlined trike project. Here are the sketches. Let us know your thoughts. 

Mark had some considerations on the belly tank nose. And we are still looking at the shape of the World’s Fastest Car.

I should have a frame from Campagna in the next 10 days, and I’m itching for progress.

Hang on for next week. We will have a hand full of surprises for you, and my Mudflap FXR should be up and running.

Ride Forever,

–Bandit

History has shown that the kickoff to the AMA Pro Flat Track Championship presented by J&P Cycles in Daytona Beach, FL is always full of surprises. This year was no exception. During last night’s season opener, Mikey Rush of California won the second national of his career. His first win came at the old Municipal Stadium short track in Daytona in 2007.

 Last year, during the 2012 season opener, two first time winners, Johnny Lewis #10 and Matt Weidman #20, both won their very first AMA Grand National Flat Track events.

 Defending 2012 AMA Pro Grand National Champion Jared Mees jumped out with the holeshot at the start of the final only to surrender the lead to Brad Baker on lap two. Then the red flags came out with a single file restart. Baker continued out front, but Rush was working his way up from a back row start. On lap 18 he made a great pass for the lead and held it to the finish with Baker and Mees finishing second and third, respectively. 

 In the AMA Pro J&P Cycles Pro Singles Class, Kyle Johnson took home the victory in his very first professional race. Johnson started the race with the holeshot only to have a complete restart because of a crash by last year’s series champion Stephen Vanderkuur. Johnson again nailed the holeshot with Michael Poe right behind him. Poe passed for the lead on lap three but surrendered it back to Johnson on lap 11. After that, Johnson rode like a series veteran and came home with the win. Jason Isennock worked his way into second with Poe coming home third.

Next up? Night two tonight of the AMA Pro Flat Track double header at Daytona Beach, Florida. Stay tuned!

 

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