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Indian Motorcycle introduces 2022 Lineup

  
New Ride Command Update Expands Bluetooth Connectivity & Adds Speed Limit Overlay  
 
New 2022 Accessories Include Premium Luggage Collection, Adaptive Headlight for Scout Models & More

 
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – November 2, 2021Indian Motorcycle, America’s First Motorcycle Company, today announced its 2022 model year lineup, featuring updated technology and new accessories across its cruiser, bagger and touring models. In addition, the complete 2022 Indian Motorcycle lineup returns with fresh colors across each model lineup.  
 
“Rider feedback continues to be at the forefront of what drives refinements and enhancements for our model year offerings, and that is once again the case for 2022 with a host of new ride-enhancing technology and accessories across the lineup,” said Mike Dougherty, President for Indian Motorcycle. “The introduction of the reimagined Indian Chief in 2021 rounded out a truly comprehensive lineup of cruisers, baggers, and touring models, and with the help of customer feedback, we aim to consistently enhance and improve the lineup with new technology and wider-ranging accessory options like these for 2022.”
 
 
2022 Updated Technology
 
Ride Command
To enhance the rider experience, Indian Motorcycle is introducing a new speed limit overlay feature. The new Ride Command feature allows riders to conveniently see the current legal speed limit on the Ride Command’s map screen or the Navigation split screens while routing to a destination. The new feature is standard on all 2022 Ride Command-equipped models that have connected services, and available as a software update for 2020 and 2021 models.
 
Current owners can visit RideCommand.IndianMotorcycle.com/display for software updates and tutorials.
 
Additional software updates include expanded Bluetooth device compatibility and a faster load time when booting up the display.  
 
Challenger Traction Control
After listening to valuable rider feedback, all 2022 Indian Challenger models feature a retuned traction control for a smoother feel once traction control is engaged.  
 
 
Thunderstroke and PowerPlus Models
 
Models
Indian Motorcycle Thunderstroke and PowerPlus-equipped motorcycles range from baggers to touring models – each offering heritage-inspired design or blacked-out, modern style. Air-cooled baggers and touring models, including Springfield, Chieftain and Roadmaster lineups, pack the Thunderstroke motor, while Challenger models deliver a class-leading 122 horsepower with the liquid-cooled PowerPlus engine.
 
With high-displacement motors, Indian Motorcycle bagger and touring models were engineered to dominate the road. Saddlebags and the Roadmaster tour trunk provide plenty of storage for riding gear and cargo, while wind protection, comfortable ergonomics, floorboards, amenities, and a comfortable two-up seat make these models the ultimate long-distance machines.  
 
This year’s 2022 bagger and touring lineup receives fresh new paint colors across each lineup. Colors like Quartz Gray on the Chieftain Dark Horse and the all-new Spirit Blue over Black Metallic on the Challenger Limited add to each bike’s attitude.
 
 
Accessories
To accommodate additional storage needs on longer rides, Indian Motorcycle has released its Spirit Lake Luggage Collection, which includes a Rack Bag, Day Bag and Touring Bag. Each piece features a shoulder strap for convenient carrying off the bike and attaches securely to luggage racks, sissy bars, or the rear of the passenger backrest. Each piece is sold separately but designed as a cohesive collection.
 
In addition, bagger and touring riders can add personalized style and add visibility to other motorists with all-new rear LED saddlebag lights. Designed to seamlessly integrate with the standard lighting, these Pathfinder Auxiliary LED Saddlebag Lights do not require any drilling, but rather feature a convenient peel-and-stick adhesive for easy and quick install.  
 
New for 2022, Indian Challenger riders can add wind protection with the addition of Hard Lower Fairings. Designed specifically for Challenger models, the Hard Lower Fairings are compatible with all 2020-2022 model year offerings. Riders also have the option to add PowerBand Audio or additional storage compartments within the Hard Lower Fairings.
 
 
Pricing & Paint
    • Indian Springfield: Starting at $21,999, available in Maroon Metallic over Crimson Metallic, and Black Metallic over Dirt Track Tan
    • Indian Springfield Dark Horse: Starting at $22,499, available in Black Smoke, and the all-new Quartz Gray
    • Chieftain:  Starting at $21,999, available in Black Metallic  
    • Chieftain Dark Horse: Starting at $27,999, available in Black Smoke, Ruby Smoke, and an all-new Quartz Gray
    • Chieftain Limited: Starting at $28,749, available in two new colorways, including Silver Quartz Metallic, Deepwater Metallic  
    • Indian Challenger: Starting at $23,999, available in Black Metallic, Titanium Smoke
    • Indian Challenger Dark Horse: Starting at $28,499, available in Black Smoke, Bronze Smoke, and an all-new Indy Red over Black Metallic
    • Indian Challenger Limited: Starting at $27,999, available in Black Metallic, and two new colorways, including Maroon Metallic, Spirit Blue over Black Metallic
    • Roadmaster: Starting at $29,999, available in Black Metallic, and Maroon Metallic over Crimson Metallic  
    • Roadmaster Dark Horse: Starting at $30,499, available in Black Smoke, and two new colorways, including Polished Bronze, and Silver Quartz Smoke
    • Roadmaster Limited: Starting at $30,749, available in Black Azure Crystal, Crimson Metallic  
 
 
Indian Scout Lineup
 
Models
The robust Indian Scout lineup offers both classic and contemporary designs. The Scout Sixty and Scout Bobber Sixty feature a 60 cubic-inch (999 cc) motor, with 78 horsepower, a low seat height and nimble handling.
 
Riders looking for more punch can opt for the 69 cubic-inch (1133 cc), 100 horsepower engine in the Scout, Scout Bobber and Scout Bobber Twenty.  
 
This year’s 2022 Scout lineup receives a new refresh with paint colors across the lineup – further enhancing the iconic appearance and lines of the bike. Colors like Ruby Smoke on the Scout Bobber Sixty and Spirit Blue Metallic on the Scout Bobber Twenty add to the modern design and low profile look that riders love with Scout Bobber models.
 
 
Accessories
Building upon an already robust selection of Scout accessories, Indian Motorcycle has introduced several new accessories to further enhance comfort, style and performance.
 
To enhance comfort while riding two-up, Indian Motorcycle has released its Syndicate Two-Up Seat and Syndicate Low Profile Passenger Backrest. New performance accessories include Adjustable Piggyback Rear Suspension and an Analog Tachometer, while Scout Bobber riders can add personal style with Indian Motorcycle’s new Smoked Turn Signals.  
 
In addition, Indian Motorcycle has introduced a new 5.75-inch Pathfinder Adaptive LED Headlight available for all Scout models. Like it’s seven-inch big brother, the Scout’s Pathfinder Adaptive Headlight delivers unmatched illumination by sensing the bike’s lean angle and activating individual LED beams to provide unprecedented visibility.  
 
Pricing & Paint
    • Scout Sixty: Starting at $9,999, available in Black Metallic, and an all-new Storm Blue
    • Scout Bobber Sixty: Starting at $8,999, available in Black Metallic, Black Smoke, and two new colorways, including Quartz Gray, and Ruby Smoke
    • Scout: Starting at $11,999, available in Black Metallic, White Smoke, and two new colors, including Maroon Metallic, Silver Quartz Metallic over Black Metallic
    • Scout Bobber: Starting at $10,999, available in Black Metallic, Alumina Jade Smoke, Maroon Metallic Smoke, and three new colors, including Stealth Gray, Silver Quartz Smoke, and Titanium Metallic  
    • Scout Bobber Twenty: Starting at $11,999, available in Black Metallic, Stealth Gray, and two new colors, including Silver Quartz Smoke, and Spirit Blue Metallic
 
 
Initial model year 2022 shipping will vary by model.
 
In the coming weeks, new 2022 bagger and touring models will begin shipping to dealers. New 2022 Scout models will start shipping early January 2022.
 
Riders can learn more or test ride by visiting a local Indian Motorcycle dealership.
 
For more information on Indian Motorcycle, or to find a dealer, visit IndianMotorcycle.com and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.  
 
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One Too-Many Aces in the Badlands

 

The story starts with Bandit telling me about a big card game in the Badlands of South Dakota. We were drinking one night down the street from the Cantina getting about half lit. He drank Jack on the rocks, and I was drinking Beam. The only thing left was to break open a bottle of Old Grand Dad and we would have a song.

He mentioned making a run to Deadwood for this big poker tournament. It was by invite only and he had one. I asked him about the tournament, while the music on the jukebox in the background was, “I drink alone,” by Lonesome George. He told me you need references and a wad of cash that could choke an elephant. He used that reference because an elephant is much bigger than a horse–a big fuckin’ bank roll. Two things my Uncle Geno told me was: family first and never cross a 1%er. I would back Bandit.

Later my cousin, Blackie found out that I knew about this poker game and comes looking for me. Blackie comes from Terry’s last name, Black, and his black FLH stripped dresser, plus he wears only black. He heard that I knew Bandit and came to me begging with an offer that was hard to refuse.

Blackie left his home down in Mississippi about 1970 and left behind a little Southern Belle to raise their daughter. He went out and gambled all over the Gulf and up the Mississippi all the way to St. Louis. His claim to fame was cleaning out all the gamblers in high stakes games under the Hill in Natchez, Mississippi. It was all he could do to get to his hot rod Shovel and blast out of town. He became a well-known card shark in the area. I would give Blackie a reference only because he was family and the game had such a huge stake.I worked with Bandit to get everything together that we needed. I knew a card dealer. He managed the Jet Strip Club and was also the card dealer when some old boy slipped-up showing Five Aces in a game of winner take all. Jimmy agreed to deal cards just to be a part of something historical and we would just have to buy a couple of cases of bourbon. One case of Jack Daniels and the other Jim Beam, so he could write it all off on taxes as a business trip.

Jimmy was a big muscular black guy, who would bring a couple of dance hall girls to tend the bar. We would bring in our own security and we could only trust our biker brothers with such an amount of money. This ended up being a very private game, but we called in T.J., Spider, Lonesome and Frankie for security. I would be there to back Bandit and Blackie, although I knew I stepped out of line inviting Blackie.
 
 

This was one hell of an entourage and Jimmy brought a couple of hot ladies and drove up in his completely restored 1964 Lincoln Continental with all the upgrades and suicide doors. This car glimmered midnight blue with pearl and had black gloss powder-coated centerline rims all the way around, plus air bags for the suspension.

Our crew was all on dark bikes with a lot of chrome accents. Bandit’s was long and fast, and mine was a 1970 FLH stripped dresser as was my cousin Blackie’s. Lonesome’s rode a 1968 Pan/Shovel 96-inch stroker with a 10-over front end, T.J.’s was an 80/80 Super Glide custom with a 21-inch Speed master on a narrowed wide glide. Franky’s was all drag bars and upswept pipes. Spyder liked those hot rod choppers that Dave Mann painted and pearl black. We looked like a bunch of black stallions pulling a payroll car when we left San Pedro.

I left the house with packed saddlebags like the rest of us. I had on my 5/8s Jak Shirt by 5-Ball Racing, over my Frisco Choppers hoodie, with my custom chaps over Levis. Those jokers had 5 big solid silver conchos on each leg with Mexican braid leather tassels on them. I had my chromed primary chain belt with a big polished stainless steel belt buckle.

The knife I carried was the Arkansas toothpick Bandit always it wanted for his collection. She was a beauty. She had a white ivory handle with raw diamonds inlayed into it. The pommel was solid gold as was the hilt guard all made by T.J.’s neighbor. On the blade center was etched, “Ride to Live.”

The sheath was covered with a diamondback rattlesnake hide and on the bottom was a button of elk antler with a Mexican braided leather tassel that you could tie off on your leg made by a friend of Lonesome’s. The rattler was taken right out of Lonesome’s yard in Colorado. The elk he shot in the high mountains of Colorado with his long barreled 50 cal. Hawkins rifle.

I packed my dad’s old 44 Red Hawk with a 7.5-inch barrel in my custom shoulder holster. The rest of the guys were all dressed to the 9s. Bandit had on old Harley long johns under his Cabela thermal under lined plaid flannel and a brown 5/8s Jak shirt by 5-Ball Racing, and deer skin pants. I had my eye on that high polished Bowie knife of his. The story he told me was that he pulled it off an assailant at the Kern River Run. The handle was said to be a thigh bone from the 7th Calvary with a polished silver cap button on the end and a silver finger guard and that joker was made from Damascus steel, and nobody knew how many layers the old Chinese knife maker used. She was beauty and could keep an edge.

Jimmy looked like one of those old blues guys out of New Orleans. The ladies all love a sharp dressed man and especially when he is hauling your whiskey stash. We didn’t look like a bunch of grubby bikers but looked like a bunch of high roller seasoned bikers. All of us rode high polished machines and wore well-oiled leathers. Lonesome’s attire was cool. He wore a long leather trench coat, and you could snap the coat tails like chaps. He was always into that cool factor but functional.We all packed a myriad of pistols. Jimmy packed a Mossberg 12- gauge pump in his Continental with the slug spacer removed, so he could slip 9 cartridges inside. Jimmy preferred slugs over buckshot. His slugs were German wad cutters, and nobody got up from one of those much less several of them. We all knew what we were getting into before we left except the ladies or so we thought.

 

The ladies were a sight to behold. Renee had a build that could stop a tank, blonde and well bosomed. Those beauties stood out like the Dagmar tits off a 1957 Pontiac, with an ass to match. Skin soft as a baby’s behind and good-natured personality to boot.
Alison was built the same, but held Bandit’s weakness, a red head. She was one of the ladies who lost her job at the Five Aces after a disastrous poker game. She likes bikers because we don’t judge her for being a dance hall girl. She has an ass that makes you follow her to the back room. Also, good natured, she has a glistening warm smile and can handle any conversation.

Those ladies got into the car, and you could smell the White Diamond perfume and that stuff blows a guy’s mind. Elizabeth Taylor’s chemist sure knew how make a man not forget a lady. Jimmy brought a third unexpected lady. She broke up with her boyfriend and needed a weekend away.

Holiday’s boyfriend just could not deal with her being a dancer. I was trying to place her. I knew her back when I was a real young man, before I was riding with a club. Holiday’s long sultry legs drew my young gaze all the way to the promised land. Something about a long-legged thick wavy brunette always struck a nerve with me. Once again built like a tank when it comes to assets. I guess Jimmy needed two girls to hold the cash and the third one was to keep our attention on the game. Right!!

We all left out of Pedro one afternoon, made a couple of day stops for grub and couple overnight stops. We made Deadwood on the third afternoon. We pulled into the historic town, and nobody even thought about it. The people of Deadwood know bikers and the rumble of straight pipes.

Bandit just had one condition. He does not sit with his back to the door. “My back is always to the wall of the establishment,” he said. I think it had something to do with Wild Bill Hickock getting shot in the back in the Number 10 Saloon.

Blackie said, “I ain’t that superstitious, it doesn’t matter where I sit.” I had not seen Blackie since the ‘70s and the only thing we had in common other than the same style bike–we were blood kin. He walked into the joint and you could see he was taking a read of the place. It was almost like he was talking to a beautiful woman. This coulda been a bad thing for Bandit’s team. Who didn’t know what kind of Cajun mojo Blackie brings to the table, plus there just happened to be some old New Orleans blues on the juke box? Then BB King came on with the “Thrill is Gone.”
 
 

“Place all your weapons on the bar,” the big bartender barked.

We sorta conformed, and pulled only the obvious iron and slid it onto the historic bar lid but kept an eye on our shit. The whole bar was lined with either big guns or big knives. Everybody could see everybody’s wares. The only things missing were the brass knuckles, switchblades, and Derringers and pistols. The belt buckle that Blackie wore on his belt was a pair of brass knuckles and the primary chain belt that I wore worked just fine in a brawl. I knew how to use it and wasn’t afraid to whip that bad boy out. We weren’t exactly defenseless.

“That’s it,” The bartender said. “Take this shit off the bar. I just wanted to see it.”

We obliged, ordered drinks and told Jimmy get the ladies their rooms. We would settle-up on the whiskey bill later. We took the Jack and the Jim and put it behind the bar. The Number 10 saloon was so nostalgic and historical it gave me the shivers. The cases were sealed and not to be opened until the start of the tournament.

Bandit ran a special tab, but all other commers had to pay premium price to Melody our bar maid. We drank shots and on ice and that’s it. We agreed, you don’t ruin good bourbon. We finished business with the establishment and went to our hotel.

I think the place was an old Chinese whorehouse. Blackie and I took first watch over the bikes and crew. He with his 38 Diamond back and I had my side-by-side stagecoach shotgun I had bought from Bandido Fred.

I knew Blackie needed sleep for the tournament, so I sent him to bed at 2 a.m. I popped a dexy, drank some coffee and felt ready. I held responsibility for some of this situation. I didn’t want to treat family like some prospect doing chores. The rules were no visitors for the ladies, nobody rides after drinking and nobody packs in town. We still packed wherever we went. The money stayed in the Saloon vault and was sealed with the owner’s name attached and again we had our security close by.

The tournament started at high noon the next day. I was at Bandit’s back with that side-by-side stagecoach shotgun tucked under my coat when Bandit sat down at the high stakes table and Lonesome George was on the jukebox singing ” I drink alone.”

Bandit leaned over to me and said, ” I think you and I have been in a conversation about this very thing before.”

“We were about three sheets in the wind,” I said. “I was thinking it was just a dream.”

Bandit started with four players per table and the other tables had to meet the amount pledged to the pot. The other tables had to play up to what we had to bring, 10 grand. The larger part of the tournament was over within a couple of hours. We were down to a couple of tables. The ladies were serving our crew and taking money and tips from the other tables. They made real good window dressing and good money that night in their sexy dance outfits.

Bandit eliminated two players at the table when the house combined final four players to one table. At this point it was winner take all. There was Bandit, Blackie, the House Owner, and an Old New Orleans gambler. The house owner, a fat bastard with a broken nose, wearing an old western suit, spoke to Jimmy and asked him to take the dealer’s chair.
 
 
I was sitting in the back of the saloon, when the lady they called Holiday sat down at my table. The shotgun was up on the table with my leather over it. The background music was “Women I’ve never had,” by Hank Jr.
 
 
“Remember me,” Holiday said directly and moved closer.
 

“Why do you go by Holiday?” I asked. That seems like a conflict of interest for a dancer, don’t it?”

“Yep, but I inherited the traits of my great, great uncle.” She glared at me.

In a flash, she had a two-shot derringer in my side.

” Are you going to use that pea shooter?” I asked. “What the hell did I do?”

“Two shots at the same time would leave a real mess,” she said. “Don’t you think I ought to though?”

“Oh Shit!” I spoke. “You are the great, great niece of the Doc. Holiday? The Doc. Holiday? “

“Duh!” she said. “I always thought that you weren’t the sharpest knife in the drawer, but you were handsome back in our youth. But that didn’t make up for the way you treated me in Reno.”

I told her that I was sorry about all that. “You have to remember my head was all screwed up in those days.”

“That ain’t any excuse for your behavior,” Holiday said.

I told her that I was a young man with an old biker mentality back then and my Uncle Geno built engines for the Angels and women were considered property and to be treated as such. Sometimes their motorcycles were treated better.

“That’s bullshit!” She snapped.

I could feel the stubby barrels against my gut. I told her that I agreed. I scrambled for a way out of this situation. “I always thought you would be a model,” I stumbled, “but you do made a fine-looking dancer.” It dawned on me; she was a psycho. This was no time to dance with a devil in a blue dress.

Holiday stared at me, but I could see warmth return to her features. She withdrew the derringer and holstered that 38 Ruger back in her satin thigh holster.

I took a deep breath and she calmed some. “Do you still have your daddy’s Big Red?”

When I heard one of the crew carried a stainless steel 44 magnum, Red Hawk that belonged to his father, I knew it was you. I pulled my 5-Ball leather vest open to reveal two deep gun pockets. One held that 44 Red Hawk.

“Can I hold it?” she asked.
 

“Don’t let the bartender see you,” I said.

She moved close and I could smell her soft perfume and reached into my leather. She snatched that 44 cocked it and before I could stop her shot out the light across the street from where we sat in the back of the Number 10.

The crew snapped and reached for weapons, and all I heard was the cocking of guns.

“Hold it,” I hollered. “I made a mistake and accidentally fired Big Red.”

“Dammit,” Bandit yelled, “Don’t let that happen again or you are out of here. “

“I hear you Bandit,” I said and glared at Holiday.

Holiday looked at me with that angelic face and said “Sorry.” “We’ve come a long way from that night of making love in the surf on Manhattan Beach.”

I was amazed. “You still remember that night?” I said, or she was working me.

” I will never forget it.” She spoke.

“I never meant to break your heart,” I said wondering.

Then I heard Bandit calling the crew to get over to the table.
They eliminated the old New Orleans gambler, and everybody took a break for some breakfast. Everybody playing freshened up and was back before 10am. Bandit, Blackie and the House Owner were still in check with cases and cases of chips.

They played a dozen more hands, and it seem to be a Mexican standoff. Jimmy suggested a winner take all or they could play all day. The question was put to the table. The table agreed. The players matched box per box of chips.

When Blackie sat down, he wore a gamblers short stovepipe hat with a gold band and jewels. ” I got my lucky hat, and I am ready to go.”

We all looked at the flashy hat. Of course, it had a story. He won it off an old Voodoo priest in the French Quarter years ago. I suspected there was more to the story including the scar on the left side of his face. Meanwhile they were all anting up. Bandit yelled at me again, and I left the conversation with Holiday. Bandit picked up on the vibe, “Is this bastard cool?” He asked in no particular direction, and then stared directly at Blackie.

Blackie jumped up and started to draw down on the table, reaching inside his flashy black coat.

“Blackie!!!” I yelled. “I will have a pair of holes of 00 buck shot blown into you before you can skin the hog leg.”

“Can I have a minute?” I asked Bandit. I need to deal with some family business.

“Make it snappy before he gets shot, we’re burning daylight,” Bandit said.

Blackie and I went to the back of the room, and I threw back my 5/8s jack shirt and showed him my 44 Red Hawk and Blackie said, “You still got your daddy’s Red Hawk?”

“You really pissed off the family with that stunt you pulled,” I said.

“I didn’t have any choice and I had my reasons.” Blackie said, but didn’t look serious. He wanted to get back to the game.

“Leaving that little Southern Belle with a daughter to raise is unforgivable,” I said.

He said, “I got a daughter?”

“Yep,” I said and was beginning to wonder why I invited him. He was always a piece of shit. “I should settle this now, but since you are blood kin… Just don’t fuck up here.

“When all this is over, there is going to be a reckoning to be had,” I said, my hand still on Big Red. I felt a firm, but soft hand grab my arm and I looked over and there was Heavenly.

“Don’t do something you are going to regret Doll,” she said.

Bandit yelled again, “Let’s play goddammit!”

“Go over there and sit down and put that 38 Diamondback on the table, “ I told Blackie but there was another issue.
 

“What is he short by?” I asked the table.

“He’s short three grand,” Jimmy, the dealer said.

“Okay I will speak for Blackie,” I said, “him being family and all.”
 
Then I turned to Blackie, “Put your 38 on the table along with that top hat, the keys and pink to your bike, and I will add my custom Arkansas Toothpick with your stake.”

The handle had two raw diamonds inlayed into the engraved ivory. “What does that come to?” I asked. everybody agreed to 10 thousand dollars. Blackie nodded like he had little choice if he wanted to stay in the game.
 
“That gives me 7 thousand dollars for the raise, right? He asked hesitating.

“Yep,” Bandit said. “You really want to do this?”

“Yep,” I piped up before Blackie. “He is blood family and I just want to give him a chance for this 100-grand pot. We are all brothers baptized in blood, sweat and 60-weight motor oil and this is the life of a 1%er.”

“Chance of a lifetime,” Bandit said and looked at me with a grin. “How long did you practice that before you said it?”

“Are we ready?” Jimmy asked impatient like, and all the three players agreed. Bandit had enough money in the till along with the whiskey sales. The house owner was cool and as shady as the Gem owner was in the 1800s. Blackie had on his lucky hat and then the Redhead came blazing through the door and sat down next to Bandit. Bandit said,” I got my lucky charm and let’s play.”

The chip cases were emptied onto the stained felt… The crew were all gathered around the mountain of chips, and we all had something to say about it.

T.J. said, “Holy shit!”

I told him, “You got that right.”

Lonesome said, “I wouldn’t know what to do with that kind of loot.”

Spyder said, “I would get me a boat in the Bahamas and just fish with a bunch of pretty girls.”

Frankie said, “I would open up a speed shop and tattoo parlor.”

Bandit said, “What would you do Gearhead?

“I would build that custom hot rod Knuckle with that wishbone bobber frame, candy apple red with morono paint and gold and chrome accessories with a 96-inch stroker motor and a NO2 system for kicks.”

Bandit said, “Yep that sounds like you.”

Jimmie asked the question again, “Are you gentlemen now ready?”

The table agreed to play. Jimmy then said, ” Gentlemen raise your glasses.”

Everybody had a double shot of whiskey in their hands passed to then by the bar maids.

“May the best man win,” Jimmy said and toasted.

We all tossed back the shots and slammed the glasses down on the table. “The table rules are what is in the pot it is. No raises and the game is 7-card draw.”

Bandit said, “Forget it. I feel lucky with the Redhead by my side today, so let’s play 5-card stud and be done with it.”

The other two players agreed. Jimmy dealt 3 sets of 5 cards all face down. The house owner opened with an Ace,2,3,4,5 all in spades.
 

“What the fuck,” Blackie muttered. He’d been looking for and opportunity to pull something for two days, but Bandit kept an hard eye on him through each hand.

Jimmy said, “What you got Blackie?”

Blackie lifts his left hand and splays the cards, an Ace of clubs, Ace of hearts, eight of hearts, eight of clubs and eight of spades. He drops his right hand under the table and hopes on of the hotties will distract the players.

Bandit winks at the Redhead as she returns with drinks. She knows the drill and drops a drink in Blackie’s lap, pulls his cuff into the open and yanks out another Ace.

Bandit glares at Blackie. “Guess you’re going to play the cards you were dealt, or die trying.”

“A full house, not bad,” Jimmy said. “Bandit, what do you have over there?”

Bandit sat there like he was frozen in time. He slowly picked up his hand and looked at each card carefully. Jimmy makes the call down to Bandit again, and the Redhead nudges the big man and said something in his ear. In the meanwhile, you can hear an old barn owl hooting out on the front porch.

Bandit lays out his hand. He drew a royal flush all diamonds and an Ace high. Those of you that don’t know that hand it is a 10, Jack, Queen, King and an Ace all in diamonds. Bandit’s crew starts yelling and screaming. We all drank and partied the rest of the evening and the background music of the jukebox was I gotta get paid by ZZ Top.

Bandit gave Jimmy a good tip for dealing cards. Jimmy tipped the ladies and they let everybody sitting in the bar drink free the rest of the evening and closed the doors for the players, the crew and security

I asked Bandit” would you grant me a favor?”

He said, “It depends.”

I said, ” Are you really going to take Blackie’s motorcycle?”
 
He said, ” Hell yes.” I said,” Please let him have it back?”
 
 

Bandit said” Why, he tried to cheak?”

“Blackie and I have family business to finish, and it might take that bike to make him answer to the family.”

Bandit said,” It looked like you were going to put a slug in him back there. You take the bike to the kid in Florida.”

I told Bandit “That idea still might not be off the table yet. And thanks.”

Bandit said, “Do what you have to do. I’m splitting the pot with the crew.”

We both laughed. “I will only do this for brothers and sisters.”

“He also said” We have built bikes, been to Bonneville, been to Sturgis and on an occasion or two been through Hell and back and I will grant you this.”

Blackie came over to the table to put his hat on the table, keys and pink slip. Bandit took the gold hat band with jewels and gave him back his top hat and then he slid his keys and pink back over to me. “For his kid,” Bandit said.

“And fuck you, if you don’t like it.” Bandit said to Blackie.

“I don’t understand!” Blackie said.

“You will,” Bandit said and started to push his chair away from the table.

The moral of the story is to take care of the family, but they can be toxic. Never make a move against a 1%er and sometimes you have to let a Heavenly angel or two fly. My name is Gearhead and that is how I remember how it all went down. Some names have been changed to protect whomever. That’s my story, and I am sticking to it.
 
 
 

 
 
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Myth, Mystery & Weirdness of the legend of Ganja

The mysterious weirdness about the legend of the ganja
by Amy Irene White with images from the Bob T. collection
10/29/2021

One of the most exasperatingly ridiculous brick walls in Washington DC is, the age-old conundrum of legalizing marijuana.

Throughout the years, marijuana has gone through many transformations in the public eye.

House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC) were scheduled to conduct a legislative hearing on Wednesday, October 13th, which included consideration of the bipartisan VA Cannabis Research Act of 2021, HR 2916. So far, there have been no updates, when I wrote this.

The legislation “would direct the VA to conduct clinical research with varying forms of medicinal cannabis to evaluate the safety and effects of cannabis on health outcomes of veterans with PTSD and veterans with chronic pain.”

CLICK HERE for a Feature Report on the State of the Myth, Mystery & Legend of Ganja

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Battery Maintenance 101

This is a 6-Volt Battery Tender for Vintage batteries.

And How to Use Tenders
By Bandit, Jason Mook, Battery Tender Crew, and Jeff Holt

How to use battery tenders? We are on the hunt.

A friend kept his bike on a tender 24/7. But when he rode to his girl’s house and spent the night, the bike was dead in the morning.

Jason Mook, the owner of Deadwood Custom Cycles recommends putting your bike on a charger or tender once a week, charge it and then unplug it.

CLICK HERE To Read this Tech Article only on Bikernet.com

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Lou Kimzey: the Original Editor/Publisher of Easyriders Magazine

Lou Kimzey on the bike Bandit built for him

By J.J. Solari with photos by Kim Peterson and Pete Chiodo

Bandit worked with the guy every day. In fact, he was hired by the guy. Basically sight unseen, just from an inquiry Bandit made on the phone about a motorcycle he built that the new rag might want to take pictures of. Kimzey said “You want a job here?”

As Bandit very interestingly put it – his apparently “mystical” abilities to successfully defy the publishing industry AND to be immune to published criticism by them.

But they all knew he was there.

In fact, I am prepared to say that Lou Kimzey is in a club with only two people in it: “The Club of Editors Who Advanced America.” The other is John W. Campbell.

CLICK HERE To Read the Important History and Legacy of Lou, Motorcycling & Easyriders.

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Tropical Tattoo Chopper Time at Biketoberfest

TROPICAL TATTOO CHOPPER TIME 2021
OLD SCHOOL CHOPPER SHOW During Biketoberfest 2021

By Rogue

During every Biketoberfest I make sure to attend Willie’s Tropical Tattoo Old School Chopper Show, or die trying…

The show has 20 classes and is sponsored by Bikernet.com, Hot Leathers, Twisted Tea, Blings Cycle, S&S, Church Of Chop, Renegade Magazine and Rue & Ziffra.

All the proceeds made from this event goes to support our veterans.  www.veteranssupportfund.org

CLICK HERE To See the Event Report and Photos only on Bikernet.com

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Wishing You All New Adventures this Halloween

Of course Frankenstein rides a chopper…

from Lowbrow Customs

When it comes to motorcycles, there is a lot of tacky stuff out there.

We wanted to create some motorcycle-related Halloween photos that weren’t hokey and share them with you all.

Several of us donned some classic movie monster costumes and enjoyed some time in a local graveyard…

Frankenstein (Tyler), Bride of Frankenstein (Amanda) with a 1975 Harley Shovelhead chopper and and a Werewolf (Todd) on his Triumph bobber.

We hope you enjoy them!

PS – We’ve been putting small posters of one of these photos (as well as some candy) in Lowbrow Customs orders all month, and will keep doing so until we run out!

Lowbrow Customs Website: https://www.lowbrowcustoms.com/

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Biketoberfest 2021 Coming to Bikernet

There’s nothing like the warm Florida sun. Daytona Biketoberfest is a classic example of great riding, weather, and a nonstop 4-day long party. From the super-beautiful beer tub gals to the assortment of motorcycles, events, contests, and bands, it’s simply a stunning Bikefest to attend. This gallery is only from the first Thursday, 10/14/21. Much more to come as out photographers creep around and shoot everything & everyone, especially the sun-tanned skin of the gals on Main Street.
 

 
 

“When I think of Daytona I have always thought of Willie’s Tropical Tattoo show as THE event for our home bike-builder culture,” said Edge, the founder of the Smoke Out. “This was a special year in a way. Everyone knows Willie had a bad bike accident and at this event I think a lot of people were grateful that the show continued and we are just grateful for Willie.”

The 29th Annual Biketoberfest–
October 14-17, 2021

Biketoberfest celebrated a full-throttle lifestyle born on two wheels. Motorcycle enthusiasts come together during the four-day rally each year to enjoy beautiful Florida weather, live music, motorcycle racing at Daytona International Speedway, and miles of scenic rides along famous A1A, historic Main Street or the scenic Loop.

They experienced the Southeast’s best motorcycle rally featuring motorcycle shows, custom bike builds and hundreds of the industry’s top vendors throughout Daytona Beach. All roads lead to this rally.

 
 

Biketoberfest this year was a collection of activities that take place at venues and businesses in cities throughout Volusia County and beyond. Local hotels, businesses, parks and beaches were open for visitors to enjoy the area’s beautiful October weather and scenic rides. We ask all our visitors who do decide to travel to please visit responsibly.

And our Bandit’s Cantina crew won’t miss mister Willie’s Show and the Smoke Out Party.

2022 Rally Dates

The 81st Annual Daytona Bike Week is March 4-13, 2022. For information go to OfficialBikeWeek.com.

The 30th Anniversary of Biketoberfest® is October 13-16, 2022.

“I had a chance to really watch Chris and Heather Callen (Cycle Source Magazine) in action and it hit me that these are people that can not only continue the Smoke Out but they will take it to that next level,” said Edge. “They have great organizational skills. They can implement new ideas in a way that shows respect for the past and a deep understanding of our culture. I mean… of course, they have always been part of the culture… and they will move the Smoke Out forward in a way no outside promoter ever could. I’m excited about the new Smoke Out, coming soon.”

 
 
Don’t miss all the action in Bandit’s Cantina 
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Mama Tried Show is back! Get your Tickets now!

Win a 1951 Harley-Davidson WR – raffle ticket for $20.

On Sale Now: Tickets for Mama Tried & Flat Out Friday!

Advance tickets are now on sale for Mama Tried and Flat Out Friday, so get on over to our site and buy your tickets now to ensure entrance to the shows!

CLICK HERE To Buy your tickets!

Mama Tried Motorcycle Show.
-Tickets from 2020 are valid for 2021

Have a look at some bikes from over the years.

Visit the Website at: https://mamatriedshow.com/

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The Other Green Deal

One of the most exasperatingly ridiculous brick walls in Washington DC is, the age-old conundrum of legalizing marijuana. Cannabis is forever wedged between stuffy Republicans afraid to piss off the Christians, and Democrats who vote for whatever the DNC throws at them because they naively believe the pipe dreams of the campaign trail.

Since the earliest days of our country, some form of cannabis has existed and been used for industrial, recreational, and medical reasons. And there has been a mysterious weirdness about the legend of the ganja since our founding fathers grew industrial hemp. It has been the dirty little secret tied up in the back corner of politics, racism, wars, our border, science and medicine, music and arts, religious arguments, pretty much every aspect of life… and it got its bad boy persona while Roosevelt was President. Marijuana was made illegal in 1937… the same year as Amelia Earhart climbed in her last cockpit.. two years before the release of Gone with the Wind and the wizard of Oz.

Throughout the years, marijuana has gone through many transformations in the public eye. The musicians had reefer madness and the comedians just went up in smoke… The hippies were one toke over the line, and sweet Jesus, Bill Clinton didn’t inhale. Yet somehow, cannabis never recovered from her prohibition the way alcohol did. There were bars and liquor stores on every corner of America almost a century before a few little pot stores are finally easing their way into the mainstream. And what stores they are… no longer do you take the risk of buying a dime bag of parsley in a dark alley. Now marijuana has been institutionalized and sanitized to a Starbucks type sell that rivals any Walgreens.

So why does it still wear such a stigma? Why do money hungry politicians not seize on the vast amount money there is to be made? Why do breaking edge pharmaceutical companies refuse to acknowledge what patients are screaming from the rooftops? Why do green new climate changers and farmers not preach the benefits of farming cannabis and hemp? What will it take, to make a bipartisan change that would benefit so many people?

I personally believe you should be able to buy cannabis seeds at Walmart like heirloom tomatoes. I mean, I can buy and legally grow, poppies… belladonna.. castor beans that produce ricin.. why can’t I grow a plant that has never killed a soul? But at the very least, I would like for someone to explain to me how there exists a medicine that is legal in some states, but not others. What do we have to do, to get all of our politicians on both sides of the aisle to stand up and fight for our right to try?

I reckon if you made it this far, you are truly interested in what happens with the cannabis brouhaha. So, this is the information I have been able to gather pertaining to the current sojourn of Proud Mary through the halls of our nation’s Capital.

The House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC) were scheduled to conduct a legislative hearing on Wednesday, October 13th, which included consideration of the bipartisan VA Cannabis Research Act of 2021, HR 2916. So far, there have been no updates, when I wrote this.

The legislation “would direct the VA to conduct clinical research with varying forms of medicinal cannabis to evaluate the safety and effects of cannabis on health outcomes of veterans with PTSD and veterans with chronic pain.”

Now, we all know, this particular plant has been researched more than Donald Trump. Regardless, the VA acknowledging that it is a medicine at all, is most assuredly a step in the right direction.

Another good thing about it is the bipartisan sponsorship. The House bill sponsor is Representative Lou Correa, a Democrat from California, who is a member of HVAC.. and the bill is co-led with Representative Peter Meijer, a Republican from Michigan. The bill has a Senate companion S.1467, carried by Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Democrat Chairman Jon Tester from Montana, and co-led with another Republican, Alaska’s Dan Sullivan.

According to a nationwide survey conducted by The American Legion in 2017, 39 percent of veteran respondents affirmed that they “know a veteran” who is using the plant medicinally. We know, it is probably a lot more than that. And speaking of which…. Twenty two percent of respondents said they themselves “use cannabis to treat a mental or physical condition.”

There is also the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, known as the ‘MORE Act’, H.R. 3617. It has been around awhile but has recently been revamped and come back to life, and is attempting to pass the House once again. It was recently approved by the House Judiciary Committee on a vote of 26 to 15.

An earlier version of the MORE Act passed the House of Representatives in December 2020 by a bipartisan vote of 228 to 164… and then it ran into Mitch McConnell, who reacted in true stodgy old RHINO style by blocking all action on the bill. Senate Leader Chuck Schumer has peered over his spectacles and vowed to end federal cannabis prohibition… but so far, no clear results or actions have occurred from him either. It would be nice if we had bipartisan reaching across the aisle as often as we have grandstanding bipartisan bullshit.

None of our so-called leaders want to wade off in the political quagmire of unraveling the red tape that binds our dear Mary Jane. Cannabis in some form is legal for medical use in 37 states, the District of Columbia and several U.S. territories. However, it remains illegal under federal law, which really isn’t legally accurate anyway. The federal government still has marijuana listed as a Schedule 1 drug. A Schedule 1 classification means it is a substance with no medical use.

According to Americans for Safe Access, at least 4.3 million Americans use cannabis medicinally through regulated state and local programs, and even the World Health Organization has deemed cannabis to have medical value.

The MORE Act would go a long way toward fixing the problem, by removing cannabis from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act and decriminalizing its possession and use. It also would expunge certain cannabis offenses and remove quite a few nonviolent offenders from prison.

NORML and ASA, Americans for Safe Access, stand solidly behind the More Act. “If this legislation is signed into law, it will represent one of the greatest reforms of cannabis policy to date,” said ASA Executive Director Debbie Churgai. “Patients will no longer fear losing civil rights and protections, barriers to cannabis research would fall, and insurance companies would be able to cover patient costs.”

The bill’s provisions are currently under consideration by the House Committees on Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, Education and Labor, Ways and Means, Small Business, Natural Resources, Oversight and Reform, and Transportation and Infrastructure.

Supporters of the MORE Act state it will benefit the cannabis industry of America in the following ways.

Ending the conflict of laws between the federal and state governments on cannabis.

Enabling patients to travel across state lines with their medication without fear of punitive law enforcement intervention, fines or jail time.

Improving facilitation of federal, academic and private research on medical cannabis in the U.S.
Introducing much-needed federal leadership and oversight over key components of medical cannabis policy that states have struggled with, such as laboratory testing and labeling standards, patient access, and medical cannabis businesses practices.

Establishing grant programs for cannabis job training programs, cannabis-related criminal records expungement programs and a national equity licensing program.

Allowing federal permits to applicants with felony cannabis convictions.

Creating an Office of Cannabis Justice to oversee social equity provisions in the bill.

Directing taxes from retail sales to pay for job training, legal fees and health education programs in impacted communities.

Helping disadvantaged business owners to create equitable cannabis licensing programs for individuals impacted by the drug war.

This information can be found at the following website:

www.safeaccessnow.org/more21

I truly hope the Republicans in Congress start paying attention to the skunky air about them… and realize that this is a new day for cannabis and supporting the legalization would bring in more votes than a Dominion voting machine at 3 am.

No longer is this a Democrat issue… it is now a human rights issue.. a scientific issue.. a green new deal. If they are so hell bent on bringing on the Armageddon in Bible in every other way possible, perhaps they need to read the part in Revelation about the plant whose leaves will heal the nations. So put all that in your bong and smoke it, I guess.

– Amy Irene White

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