And It’s Just Getting Better

Hey, This week was tough. I had some interesting interactions with folks in the industry. I won’t go into them except to throw some of my adages out there. First, other than the Covid nightmare, we are living in the best of times. The edges may be rough, but think about it. I have always supported our Presidents, I don’t care what party they came from. When a man or a woman is President of the United States, they have the toughest job on the planet. In this case he’s trying to make America Great again, while fighting the worst Pandemic in almost 100 years. Before you know it, there will be a vaccine and the world will rock again, until the next time. Think about the best of times. We couldn’t possibly be able to move as fast with efforts to curb disease without the technology we have. I just moved to Deadwood, and I had a tough time finding a town without franchise joints on every corner. I turned the lights on, and the heat worked. There was food in walking distance and medical support in Sturgis with a considerable VA hospital. Life is incredible. Motorcycle parts are delivered every day, amazing.

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What’s this “Meeting of the Minds” & who’s involved?

Over 300 motorcyclists’ rights advocates representing a wide collection or state motorcyclists’ rights organizations; a dozen motorcyclists’ rights advocates who specialize in motivation, lobbying, communication, and all the nuts & bolts needed to strengthen and hold organizations together.

These individuals are from our collective ranks.  They have “been in the trenches” of their home state legislatures and Washington, D.C.  They have well over 200 years of collective motorcyclists’ rights advocacy experience between them and “quit” is not in their vocabulary!  It’s time you met this list of freedom fights and use this link and register at Meeting of the Minds 2020.  Hotel info is on the same site.

What’s this “Meeting of the Minds” & who’s involved?

Meet Charles Umbenhaur— Kickin Ass and Taking Names – Pennsylvania’s 35-year winning quest for freedom of choice is the workshop title and it could just as well be an underscore of Charlie’s accomplishments on behalf of motorcyclists’ rights advocacy.  With over 40 years riding and almost the same amount advocating motorcyclists’ rights in Pennsylvania, a charter member of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, inductee into two motorcycling halls of fame (Easyriders Hall of Fame, Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame); recipient of two Lifetime Achievement Awards (NCOM and AMA); plus numerous other awards and recognitions for his years of advocacy on behalf of freedom and motorcyclists.  Charles Umbenhaur’s workshop, taken from the playbook of his experiences, can be applied to any legislation supported by our grassroots organizations.

What’s this “Meeting of the Minds” & who’s involved?

Meet Brian “Skinny Bob” Clifford – Riding since the 1990s, but new to motorcyclists’ rights in 2015 when he joined ABATE of Georgia because he “found a cause that blended his passions and skill sets.”  Skinny used his acquired skills from his experience with Habitat for Humanity International and fighting for housing rights for the poor to fighting for bikers’ rights. Currently, he works for a nonprofit supporting military and veteran families.   His workshop – Media Madness: How to Survive these Wild Times without exaggerating the comments from his 2019 presentation at the Meeting of the Minds “…is essential to the movement’s future.”  Attendees will leave his workshop with 2020 media techniques and how to adapt them to drive membership, message and mission and should be “mission critical” for your SMRO.

What’s this “Meeting of the Minds” & who’s involved?

Meet Rocky Fox – Do not be deterred with his “zero years riding experience.”  Instead look at his ten-plus years of experience as a registered federal lobbyist, plus his experience as a former staff member on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, and a member of every SMRO he’s visited, and know that  Rocky is the non-riding half of our D.C. lobbying team. You’ll be “Finding Opportunities for Policy Wins During a Crazy Year” as he brings you a summary of the MRF’s legislative accomplishments.

What’s this “Meeting of the Minds” & who’s involved?

Meet Cathy Brush – Six years riding, six-year member A.B.A.T.E of Illinois, newsletter and public relations coordinator, among other local and state offices.  VP Public Relations of her local chapter of Toastmaster International, Cathy will bring 30 years customer service experience to her workshop on making good public relations better with a hit list of Do’s & Don’t for great Public Relations.

What’s this “Meeting of the Minds” & who’s involved?

Meet Ryan Hubbard – Navy Veteran, 45 years riding experience, and 19 years A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois membership, holding a multitude of elected offices including State Coordinator. With ongoing and extensive Federal Election Commission training, Ryan Hubbard’s workshop – Political Action Committee? Why the Hell does a Biker Need One?  will provide attendees with enough reasons to form a PAC that you will wonder how your SMRO survived without one.

What’s this “Meeting of the Minds” & who’s involved?

Meet Dave “Chubby” Charlebois – Member of ABATE of Wisconsin since 1998, holding a host of state offices, including Executive Director since 2012.  His workshop — With Freedom comes Responsibility – takes our quests for freedom beyond the flash of daily headlines and provides attendees not only food for thought, but direction as well.

What’s this “Meeting of the Minds” & who’s involved?

Meet Mark Buckner – Active in bikers’ rights since the mid-80s including four years ABATE of Colorado State Coordinator, two years MRF Board of Directors and six years MRF President and member of three halls of fame (Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame, AMA Hall of Fame, and MRF Hall of Fame).   Mark Buckner’s extensive business background gives him more than “street cred” when it comes to working closely with the MRF helping to facilitate the organization’s strategic planning activities. His Meeting of the Minds presentation provides attendees with the same information tailored to helping your SMRO become internally accountable with a strategic plan that works!

What’s this “Meeting of the Minds” who’s involved and why?

It’s motorcyclists’ rights advocates coming together to meet old friends, make new friends, hone skills that may have gone soft during the lockdowns.  It’s brothers and sisters knowing about freedom and wanting more information on how to protect their rights, their motorcycles, and their lifestyles.  Now’s the time to use this link and register at Meeting of the Minds 2020.   Hotel info is on the same site.

That’s what this Meeting of the Minds is all about.  We endured the lockdown. We social distanced. And the MRF never forgot why we were founded – to advocate and protect the rights of all motorcyclists.  The 2020 Meeting of the Minds provides you with the tools to help protect your rights, your motorcycle and your lifestyle!!! See you in Indianapolis!!!

 

by Zac Kurylyk from https://www.rideapart.com

The RZ350 formula gets updated for the 2020s.

Two-stroke sportbikes had their day, but now they’re done and gone, right? Wrong. Over in the U.K., Langen Motorcycles—a low-volume startup with some high-revving ideas—is revisiting the old-school oil burner with a limited-production run of custom-built, two-stroke motorcycles.

Clearly inspired by sporty, mid-80s two-strokes like Yamaha’s RZ-series, Langen’s bikes are a pleasant, if smoky, surprise. The company sourced its 250cc, liquid-cooled, 90-degree V-twin from Italian company Vins. Although two-strokes are often seen as outdated, this engine has modern touches like electronic fuel injection and a counter-rotating crankshaft. It supposedly makes around 80 horsepower, a massive output for a 250cc engine. As a comparison, Kawasaki’s hot new ZX-25R four-stroke should make around 50 horsepower, and that’s with a 17,000 rpm redline.

Light And Fast:

Langen’s use of high-quality, high-tech bike components doesn’t stop at the engine, however. For suspension, there’s a set of 43mm Öhlins forks up front and dual Ktech Piggyback Razor shocks in back. Brakes are dual-discs up front and a single disc aft with billet aluminum radial calipers. In addition, the bikes have hand-built aluminum frames and carbon-fiber bodywork to cut down on weight.

That, in a nutshell, is the appeal of two-stroke motorcycles: high power, low weight. Langen says its completed machines should weigh around 250 pounds. Most of the current 300-400cc beginner bikes on the market weigh between 350 and 400 pounds.

Langen’s machines are built for a different type of customer, though. As its website says:

“Each part is constructed to exacting standards using either modern methods such as 5-axis CNC machining and additive manufacturing or hand crafted using traditional methods such as carbon fibre [sic] lay ups and gold leaf gilding.

During the design and build of the motorcycle each new owner will have an input over the final design, ergonomics, geometry to truly create a unique machine and a lasting relationship with the team that designed and built their bike.”

Custom-built using expensive methods and components, from pricey materials—don’t expect a Langen to come cheap, even if it’s “only” a 250. The bikes should be gorgeous to look at, though, and fun to ride. Langen’s website says, “motorcycles should provide raw excitement to ride and be a pleasure to stand and admire. Form and function can work in perfect harmony.” If you’ve got the dough, and you want a small, sporty bike that’s pared down to the essentials, it sounds like Langen’s got a machine for you.

by Rajesh Kumar Singh from https://www.reuters.com

CHICAGO (Reuters) – Harley-Davidson Inc (HOG.N) on Thursday said it will lay off 500 employees this year as part of new Chief Executive Jochen Zeitz’s efforts to revive the struggling motorcycle maker.

As part of the overhaul, Chief Financial Officer John Olin will leave the company effective immediately. Darrell Thomas, treasurer, will become interim chief financial officer, it said.

Harley-Davidson’s sales have been declining for the past five years in the United States, its largest market, as its baby-boomer customer base ages. The economic pain caused by the coronavirus pandemic has further dented retail demand.

In response to weak sales, the Milwaukee-based company has cut production, leading to 140 job cuts last month at its factories in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

The latest cuts are in addition to those layoffs, a company spokeswoman said.

Zeitz, who took over in February, is hailed for turning around the Puma brand’s near-bankrupt business.

His restructuring strategy, dubbed The Rewire, is aimed at making Harley a leaner and more nimble organization. It seeks to reset product lines, focus on the company’s core strengths and prioritize profitable markets.

“Significant changes are necessary, and we must move in new directions,” Zeitz said.

Harley said the measures announced on Thursday will lay the foundation for a five-year strategic plan to revive sales that the company expects to share in the fourth quarter.

In all, the restructuring will eliminate 700 positions globally. It will result in a $50 million restructuring charge in 2020, including $42 million in the second quarter.

While the overhaul is expected to be completed by the end of the year, Harley said it will likely cause additional restructuring charges in 2021.

The company will provide more details of the financial impact in its second-quarter earnings report later this month.

Harley’s shares were last down 1% at $25.33.

from https://motorcycles.einnews.com

Harley-Davidson Announces Rewire Progress, New Operating Model and Leaner Organization to Drive Focus and Efficiency

Milwaukee, July 09, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As part of its comprehensive efforts to rewire the company (The Rewire), announced in April, Harley-Davidson, Inc. (“Harley-Davidson”) (NYSE:HOG) today announced an overhaul of its global operating model, including a leaner, more nimble organization. Initial Rewire actions are expected to result in restructuring costs of approximately $42 million in Q2 2020. The company plans to share a summary of The Rewire, including additional costs and expected savings, when it releases its Q2 results.

“The Rewire is progressing very well and substantial work is being done to eliminate complexity and get Harley-Davidson on a path to winning. Our new operating model is simpler, more focused and enables faster decisions across the entire company,” said Jochen Zeitz, chairman, president and CEO of Harley-Davidson. “We’ve taken a hard look at our entire set up, our spending, and how work is getting done, to align our operating model, structure and processes. We are building a strong foundation to drive a high-performance organization in the future.”

Changes to the company’s operating model under The Rewire include all areas of the business globally, from commercial operations to corporate functions. Changes have also occurred in the company’s leadership, among them, Chief Financial Officer John Olin has left his role, with current VP Treasurer, Darrell Thomas assuming duties as interim CFO until a successor is appointed. “Significant changes are necessary, and we must move in new directions. I thank John for his commitment during his 17 years with the company and for his leadership during this critical phase of The Rewire,” Zeitz said.

Overall, the streamlined structure requires approximately 700 fewer positions across the company’s global operations with approximately 500 employees expected to exit the organization through 2020.

The key elements of The Rewire:

• Enhance core strengths and better balance expansion into new spaces
• Prioritize the markets that matter
• Reset product launches and product line up for simplicity and maximum impact
• Build the Parts & Accessories and General Merchandise businesses to full potential
• Adjust and align the organizational structure, cost structure and operating model to reduce complexity and drive efficiency to set Harley-Davidson up for stability and success

The company plans to share a comprehensive summary of The Rewire actions and financial impacts when it releases its Q2 results later this month. The Rewire will set the foundation for a new 2021-2025 strategic plan which is expected to be shared in Q4.

Hey,

This week was tough. I had some interesting interactions with folks in the industry. I won’t go into them except to throw some of my adages out there.

First, other than the Covid nightmare, we are living in the best of times. The edges may be rough, but think about it.

I have always supported our Presidents, I don’t care what party they came from. When a man or a woman is President of the United States, they have the toughest job on the planet. In this case he’s trying to make America Great again, while fighting the worst Pandemic in almost 100 years.

But the President must deal not only with domestic issues, but with every other country and business on the planet and now into space. I just hope they make solid decisions with freedom constantly in mind.

Two more motorcycle magazines have been impacted by economic times, Covid and the internet. Moving forward until the Pandemic is handled, we will need to support our brothers and sisters everywhere. Where some businesses will flourish and grow around the medical industry, many are hard hit like restaurants and bars. Help ‘em out whenever you can and give the to-go waitresses bigger tips.

How could anyone be prepared for this sickness, and I believe the world is doing a tremendous job of dealing with it. Before you know it, there will be a vaccine and the world will rock again, until the next time.

Think about the best of times. We couldn’t possibly be able to move as fast with efforts to curb disease without the technology we have. I just moved to Deadwood, and I had a tough time finding a town without franchise joints on every corner. I turned the lights on, and the heat worked. There was food in walking distance and medical support in Sturgis with a considerable VA hospital. Life is incredible. Motorcycle parts are delivered every day, amazing.

Let’s hit the news:

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

The Transcontinental Motorcycle Cannonball Endurance Run CANCELLED– Jason Sims, owner of the Motorcycle Cannonball, has announced that the historic transcontinental event scheduled for 17 days in September has been rescheduled due to the ongoing effects of COVID-19.

The biennial event, though held on U.S. soil, is an international line up of riders from around the globe and the 2020 race was to include as many as 120 riders on motorcycles manufactured before 1929.

Scheduled to depart Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on September 10, 2020 and arrive for the Grande Finale on September 27, 2020 in South Padre Island, Texas, racers, staff and fans from around the world were excited to watch the cross country ride unfold.

“An attitude of, “full steam ahead, gung-ho, and business and usual,” has been my credo for the last few months,” stated event organizer, Jason Sims. “We’ve been working on this run for more than a year and a half and were just completing the last few details.

I never had an ounce of concern that COVID-19 would impact the 2020 Motorcycle Cannonball like it has. Heck, we’ve weathered natural and logistical disasters in the past and managed to come out on top, but this comes down to the safety and well-being of not just the participants but of the general public, as well.

While conducting the last course run, it became obvious that the socially responsible thing to do is to reschedule. With a route that encompasses more than 4,000 miles across nine states, we’re leaving a huge footprint across our country. So, with everyone’s best interest in mind, the decision to postpone the run until September 2021 was made.”

It is anticipated that all the host cities and gracious stop hosts who were already signed on will participate next September as riders make their way along the same route. The new anticipated run date will be September 9-26, 2021. Riders are assured their same position for the 2021 Motorcycle Cannonball.

“As an organization, we will continue to focus on ways to enhance this historic, “Man and Machine vs. the Miles,” event. While maintaining the integrity of the run for generations to come, we will remain committed to arranging the most challenging antique motorcycle event in the world,” stated Jason Sims.

Meanwhile, be sure to check the website and social media sites for information, updates and rider’s build progress as they make ready for the 2021 Motorcycle Cannonball. www.motorcyclecannonball.com

STURGIS MOTORCYCLE Hall of Fame Highlight–
Class of 2020

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame is featuring Hall of Fame Highlights of this year’s outstanding new group of inductees. Here is a glimpse at what they had to say. For the full story join us at the 2020 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Congratulations and welcome to Micah McCloskey.

*Please note: Hall of Fame Highlights will be published as we receive them from the Inductees. We look forward to sharing information about all of our Inductees in the weeks and months to come.

In 1970, at the age of 20, Micah answered an ad for a full time employee with Indian Motorcycle experience, that owned his own tools and would come to work on time. Well Micah didn’t have any experience and he didn’t have any tools but after reassuring Sammy Pierce, owner of American Indian Motorcycle in Monrovia, that he wanted to work full time and would show up on time, he got the job. Micah completed short apprenticeship changing tires and chains, before he moved on to building motors. His passion was for speed and he was dedicated to making motors faster and faster.

In 1979 Micah bought Joe Scarber’s Custom Cycle from Joe, after working for him for a few years prior. In 1993 Micah moved the business, then known as McCloskey’s Custom Cycles, across the street to a larger location where it remained until he retired in 2013.

Wednesday, August 12

8:30 AM – 12:30 PM MDT

The Lodge at Deadwood

100 Pine Crest Drive

Deadwood, SD 57732

Yamaha Announces 2021 Full Lineup of Trail Motorcycles–Yamaha Celebrates the PW50’s 40th Anniversary

Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, announces its complete lineup of 2021 trail motorcycles and celebrates the 40th anniversary of the PW50. Designed for experiencing the outdoors, the TT-R lineup is made for trail riding that the entire family can enjoy.

“Yamaha’s trail-focused motorcycle lineup is perfect for those discovering the fun and freedom of the outdoors, trail riding, and enjoying time with friends and family,” said Derek Brooks, Yamaha Motorsports’ Motorcycle Product Line Manager. “With the 40th anniversary of the PW50, Yamaha is celebrating four decades of sharing our passion and introducing generations of kids to the world of off-road riding.”

2021 PW50: 40 Years, One Great Bike
With 40 years under its belt, the 2021 PW50 continues to be one of the best trail bikes for first-time riders. After making its debut, the PW50 established itself as the go-to bike for children just learning how to ride off-road. By focusing on a “toy-like” design, Yamaha engineered a bike that was both visually appealing and approachable to new, younger riders. Selling over 8,000 units in its first year, Yamaha has now shipped more than 380,000 PW50s to over 150 countries.

The 49cc, two-stroke engine coupled with the fully automatic transmission make this a perfect bike for beginners. The PW50’s seat height of only 18.7 inches and the adjustable throttle stop screw offer both rider comfort and parent peace of mind. Additionally, the PW50’s shaft final drive system is virtually maintenance-free while Yamaha’s proven Autolube oil injection system eliminates the need for fuel/oil premixing.

The 2021 PW50 will be available from dealers this month in next-generation Team Yamaha Blue for $1,649 MSRP.

2021 TT-R50E, TT-R110E, TT-R125LE and TT-R230E
The 2021 TT-R50E, TT-R110E, TT-R125LE and TT-R230E are made for ultimate trail riding fun. These electric start, air-cooled, four-stroke motorcycles offer Yamaha’s legendary durability and dependability, along with a broad, accessible powerband for ease of use and great performance in a variety of trail conditions. The low seat height of the entire TT-R line allows smaller and less experienced riders to gain confidence with easy access to the ground and great comfort.

The 2021 TT-R50E ($1,699 MSRP) will be available from dealers in August, while the TT-R110E ($2,299 MSRP), TT-R125LE ($3,349 MSRP) and TT-R230E ($4,449 MSRP) will be available from dealers this month in next-generation Team Yamaha Blue.

Learn more about the all-new trail bikes at www.yamahamotorsports.com/trail-motorcycle.

Find a range of Genuine Yamaha Accessories, apparel and more at www.shopyamaha.com/.

For more information related to all Yamaha products, visit www.yamahamotorsports.com/.

QUICK, OPEN THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY– Why did the old man fall in the well? Because he couldn’t see that well.

I ate a clock yesterday. It was very time consuming.

Whatdya call a frenchman wearing sandals? Phillipe Phillope.

A blind man walks into a bar and a table and a chair…

I know a lot of jokes about unemployed people but none of them work.

–Sam Burns
Certified Librarian
Bad Joke Library

FREE TECH TRAINING for Veterans and Spouses

Veterans and their spouses can take advantage of free virtual training and certification in technology skills from NPower.

After four months of intensive training, mentoring and a paid internship, participants will have access to job placement and more. Apply online now for classes starting on September 8.

–VA

NEW REPORT FROM THE NATIONAL MOTORISTS ASSOCIATION–Induced Demand, a Reality Check

Induced Demand: The principle that, because of pent-up demand, traffic expands to fill capacity as new roads are built or existing ones expanded.

Christopher M. DiPrima’s excellent op-ed published by the NMA a few weeks ago, Vision Zero’s War on Arterials Has Been a Failure, #596, generated a response from member Sherman Johnson of Maryland who delved further into induced demand. That created an opportunity to ask Chris, who has an advanced degree in city planning, to respond to Sherman’s concerns.

The exchange is quite enlightening. As Chris subsequently noted, “Induced demand has become incredibly important to local (and in some cases, national) transportation policy in the 21st century, and I agree that it deserves an in-depth treatment. All too often, people interpret it to mean that “new roads make their own traffic,” and the reality is that the relationship is not so simple.

Let’s let Sherman and Chris help us navigate the issue, starting with Sherman’s reaction to the aforementioned NMA newsletter:

I’m also in full agreement, with one exception—DiPrima wrote:

“Coupled with a simplistic and incomplete understanding of
induced demand (the idea that providing more capacity creates
more traffic), these advocates believe that by reducing capacity,
they can take sufficient vehicles off the road to improve safety.”

Induced demand is not an ‘idea’, sadly, it is very real. There is nothing complicated about it. It has been exhibited over and over again. There are countless examples all across America—my ‘backyard’ being one.

Parts of Frederick County Maryland are beautiful—they remind me of the unglaciated area of Wisconsin, up around Ontario—but it is being destroyed. The D.C. (and Baltimore) area continues to attract major employers, and that means more people.

Most of those people look for someplace that they can afford and still be able to commute to work. As access to FredCo (northwest of D.C.) has been made easier—relative to other D.C. suburbs and exurbs anyway—people have chosen to locate here. That means our schools are ridiculously overcrowded. Many kids are forced to attend classes in “portables” (trailers) that are much less secure than a school building. Prime farmland is paved over for eternity; our property taxes increase (because development never pays for itself), and our quality of life continues to spiral downward.

I-270 is the artery that feeds the malignant ‘residential sprawl’ tumor. Widening 270 would guarantee that it would get much worse.

That aside, even developers must admit that we cannot continue to widen our way out of traffic congestion indefinitely. More highway capacity means more housing developments and more cars on the road (induced demand). The newly widened highway quickly becomes a linear parking lot again.

Eventually we run out of right-of-way. Many of our area roads are at that point now. Then what? Governor Hogan’s latest initiative calls for condemning a lot of private property—bulldozing homes and buildings, building sound barriers in what’s left of people’s back yards— and taking parkland to further widen I-495 (the Beltway) as well as I-270—all the way up to I-70 in Frederick.

One is reminded of the definition of insanity, ‘To keep doing the same thing over and over while expecting a different result each time.’

It’s time to stop and take a deep breath.

Continuing to widen highways, to the point where eminent domain must be used to kick people out of their homes is clearly not a good solution. Some urban areas are simply impacted. They are beyond any reasonable population limit. The only solution I can think of is to encourage large employers (public and private) to locate elsewhere. Maybe some form of tax incentives could be used? It’s a big country, and much of it is economically depressed and actively looking for growth—why not spread those businesses around?

* * *

We debated including Chris’ response here. It is detailed enough—and trust us, worth the wait—that we felt it best to publish it in a second installment next week. Knowing how engaged both he and Sherman are on an issue that affects the daily driving of so many of us, we wouldn’t be surprised if the thoughtful discussion will trigger the demand for additional NMA E-Newsletters on induced demand.

Join the NMA Today!

Our mailing address is:
402 W. 2nd Street
Waunakee, WI 53597
nma@motorists.org
www.motorists.org
608/849-6000

I love it that we now take simple concepts and make them bizarre and oblique by changing the name to something strange like induced demand. If we need more lanes or roads because the population is growing, then we need to deal with it. I often point out, when the subject of infrastructure surfaces, that we need infrastructure improvements for a growing population.

Infrastructure for a growing population is at least 20 years behind schedule. It’s not about concepts, the discussion should be about getting it done. I agree, that we can’t widen roads forever. We need to think out of the box, like two tiered roads. Maybe a second story road structure made of composites for lighter traffic.

Finally, the concept of Vision Zero or cutting traffic for safety is an obvious joke. It’s a strategy for control. We don’t build roads for safety. We build roads for mobility. When you step out of your front door, you take on a level of risk. If safety is the only concern then stay home, and we know recently about that…

I appreciate all that you guys are doing. It’s so interesting how folks will do anything to exert control over others. The real issue is the growing population, but nobody wants to go there.

–Bandit
Janitor
Bikernet.com

Bandit,

Great response. Look for Chris DiPrima’s reaction to the ‘induced demand’ issue this coming Sunday in our newsletter. Point-Counterpoint.

“We don’t build roads for safety. We build roads for mobility.”

Very well said. Everyone knows that infrastructure has been underfunded and hasn’t kept up with demand for years now. One curiosity will be whether ride-sharing of the Uber/Lyft variety will become more accepted, particularly for daily commutes to work. Color me skeptical. I think you are right — we need to come up with innovative solutions to increase road capacity without chewing up mega acres of land in the process.

Thanks for writing.

Gary Biller
National Motorists Association

Two more items surfaced this morning after rereading the above. One, according to the induced demand philosophy we can’t build more schools for a larger population. Hell, that will mean more students…

And DiPrima sounds like the guy who moved into a rustic Canyon recently and built a new home. Then he attended a city meeting and demanded a moritorum on any new home building in the area. He wanted to keep the area pristine from any new dwellers. Incredible. Us bikers know the adage: I got mine, fuck you…

–Bandit

MICHAEL LICHTER PHOTO OF THE WEEK-– Still Downtown, Sturgis, SD, 1984 Limited Edition Print from an edition of 50.

Photo ©1984 Michael Lichter

Michael will be the featured photographer at many events this year, some 36 years later. See him at the Flying Piston breakfast or the Iron Horse Saloon.

NEWS FROM THE TWISTED ROAD–
We’re all familiar with referral programs; companies hope your like-minded friends will enjoy the same things you do—and are willing to give away gifts and money for your recommendation. We’re pretty sure you have some moto-loving friends who would be happy that you’ve introduced them to the phenomenon that is Twisted Road. And we’re willing to ante up to find out.

Everyone likes a discount, right? At Twisted Road, we wanted to offer a gift that every rider would love to give—and also one that every rider would be stoked to receive.

Free rides on any motorcycle.
The Twisted Road referral program enables you to give away free days of riding to all of your friends. Got 10 friends who ride? Give away 10 free days.

You’re on a Moto Guzzi forum? Give all of the posters and lurkers a free day. You’ve got 200K followers on facebook? Thank them with a free day. You will quickly become the Oprah of the moto-world: “You get a bike and you get a bike and you get a bike!”

So…what’s the catch?
There are two, and only two, rules:

1. The free day can only be applied to your friend’s first rental with Twisted Road

2. Their ride must be at least two days long, and we throw in an additional day—for free. If your friend only has one day to ride, not to worry, shorter rides get 25% off.

But wait! There’s more.
For every friend who rents using your code, you earn $25 in riding credits to use when you want to ride. Get one friend to redeem your code? Save $25. Get 40K followers to redeem and you’ll have $1,000,000 in your Twisted Road account. Yeah, that’s right. One million dollars. That’s a lot of rentals.

How do I refer my friends?
It’s fast and easy! Go to the Twisted Road website and in the upper right corner, click the image of your face. You’ll see an option to “Give a free day, get $25.” You’ll want to click on that.

harley-davidson-ysA-aJ3AR-I-unsplash.jpg
From there, you’ll see a bunch of ways to share your code. You can enter friends’ email addresses, or announce the program on Facebook. Or you can provide friends with your link or referral code, and they can use any one of those to claim their free day of riding.

So start sharing this now to give the gift of free riding — to your friends and to yourself. Then start planning your free rides. Motorcycle ride across Anchorage, anyone?

One last thing. Here’s a link to my referral code. If you’ve never rented with us before, click it and sign up to get your free ride (and I’ll earn $25). See how easy that was?

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BIKERNET READER COMMENT–
Hey Bandit, glad to hear you made it out.

I saw where Harley is throwing Abrenathy’s for what is a pc incorrect statement on face book without any verification.

I believe Harley has enough problems besides being pc correct. I have said it many times, where did the country go that I left in ’65. Sad that we care more for this shit than vets or the police that are killed or wounded.

I am disgusted, have a great 4th.

–A.J.

DIRECT FROM THE GEARHEAD DIARIES-Took the old girl out yesterday and took the big kids on a ride. I should call them the new exhaust system, 5-Ball spare parts hot rod exhaust system–thanks.

I had Supreme Chrome in Inglewood re-chrome the header pipe and the rest came from the 5-Ball garage. It just shows you that you can work with what you have sometimes (with a little help from your friends). I put a half baffle in the forward section of the tail pipe for that back pressure that you sometimes need for that horsepower curve that you want.

The baffle helps in that it doesn’t piss off the next-door neighbors too much and in case a cop pulls you over to check it with a night stick to see if there is a baffle. There is a real good horsepower kick from mid- range to top end and I don’t think there is too much back pressure. I look at old photos of how the old guys did it and the length looks about the same.

That refurbished exhaust system works better than ever. I can ride the bike like I stole it.

Bandito Fred told me year ago, you break your bike in the way you ride it. I guess, I did it right on this build. I would wind it up to the second gear, shift and if the front end wasn’t so heavy it would have cleared some air.

It kept running the same way through the rest of the gears. The old shovel runs like a screaming banshee. That made for a great father’s day and the rest is just icing on the cake. Not that I did not like the carrot cake the wife bought. How is the house restoration in Deadwood going? I hope to ride out to see the place someday.

–Gearhead

AHDRA Fires Off First Race of New Era

The long-awaited return of the beloved AHDRA American motorcycle drag racing series lit up Illinois’ Cordova International Raceway on the most American of days—July 4.

Pennsylvania Harley-Davidson dealer Rich Vreeland had the honor of taking the new AHDRA’s first Top Fuel win—despite spotting runner-up Jim Fagan .135 at the tree. After that it was all pedalfest in the heat of the day, with Fagan’s bike finally dropping a hole and Vreeland thundering across the finishline first.

“I’d like to thank the team, our sponsors, Worldwide Bearings, Advanced Sleeve, Numidia Dragway, Goodson, Christ in Action, and the AHDRA for putting on the event,” said Vreeland.

“Bill Rowe and (the AHDRA) staff put on a good show for all those who attended,” added Hawaya Racing Pro Dragster winner Preston Bartlett. “Thanks to all who participated, and ‘Thank you’ to our LSR sponsors.

“The Cordova staff did a fine job, giving the competitors a surprisingly tight race track. At one point, we saw 139-degree track temp. Weather conditions made tuning tricky, especially for the nitro bikes.”

Equally hot was sportsman racer Kevin Winters’ tree game. The Richmond, Illinois racer had a spot-on .006 in the 10.90 index final against Brad Reiss Jr. Well behind with a .121, Reiss slowed and watched Winters roll on to the win.

Kevin eased up to an .055 against his Crete’s Performance 11.50 final round opponent Charlie Walker. Charlie’s .296 was about as far off of Winters’ light as Reiss’ was, but Charlie ran the number—an 11.51. Winters and his Buell were still able to comfortably take the stripe with an 11.60 for his second win of the day.

Mississippian Walker had one more final to run—Workhorse ET against Coloradan Joe Glaze. Charlie’s light improved to a .226, but Glaze’s .131 still seized the moment and Joe was able to hold on for the win with a 9.75 on his 9.65 dial-in.

9.70 index winner Robert Alther originally built his 2000 Road King in 2011 to race with AHDRA, “But before I finished it the AHDRA went away,” said Alther. “So I spent the last eight years racing Division 7 Summit ET.

“It has a 117 cubic inch engine, stock frame, trans, primary and swingarm. Fuel injection is from S&S, it has a Daytona Twin Tec, and runs a five inch drag slick from M&H tires.”

Milwaukee-based Alther nailed the tree in the final with an .012. Runner-up John Schotts left a full .272 later and that was all she wrote.

“My only sponsor is my race team R2V2 Racing,” continued Alther. “This weekend was a happy time for me. My father has not been able to come to any of my races since I started. This was the first race he has attended with me and now it’s a winning memory to boot.

“I appreciate everything Bill (Rowe) and his staff have done to make the AHDRA dream a reality. Thanks Bill!”

Jeff Workman worked his way through the Zippers Performance Modified field, taking the final over Don Leslie. “The racers that were there, we been battling each other for years,” said Workman.

Jeff’s bike is a custom frame built by Danford Bro’s Racing with an 88″ motor. “It’s mostly all modified Harley parts except for the crank and carburetor. They are S&S. Nothing fancy—a one-piece body, fueled by Powermist, and driven by Rebel Gears.

“Got my bike running the best this weekend—no problems at all. The track was nice and sticky. A great way to start the season, finally.”

Outlaw Street featured a battle between two big-time builders—GMS Racing Engines and Mad Monkey Motorsports. It was GMS that came out on top this time, with Dan Dennis taking the win over Mad Monkey customer Ryland Mason.

“Great weekend of AHDRA racing in Cordova!” said Dennis. “Huge ‘Thank you’ to Damon for all your technical assistance and DPO. Also, ‘Thank you” to GMS Racing Engines for the awesome ride you have built for us. Looking forward to the next race!”

A-1 Cycles’ Mike Beland is also a big-time builder, but his girlfriend had other plans for him on the 4th. So Spencer Spitzmiller carried the A1 flag for Beland this weekend, and in a battle that’s been raging since the womb, Spencer beat twin bother Sam in A-1 Cycles Extreme Bagger.

Interestingly, Sam’s bike is a George Bryce Star Power build. Spencer’s bike was originally a GB3 piece, but he’s since had Beland doing his work. He’s currently hitting the turn signal button for a nitrous hit but has a turbo on order to Be Like Mike.

“Mike’s been a huge help, big thanks to him,” said Spencer, who pours concrete for a living and added a C&S arm just before the event. “The bike was in pieces, and Mike and Jeremy Wilson helped me out big time.”

Wilson also helped himself to a win. His 11.02 was good enough to take the Mad Monkey Motorsports Bagger final over the Mad Monkey himself, Branon White. White was OK with his bike’s performance, given that he only built the bike two days before the event.

Davnport’s Matt Hauser ceded the tree .194 to .175 to number one qualifier Thomas Krava in the 10.30 index final, but Krava’s 10.59 fell far short of the number despite crossing the finishline 5 mph faster than Hauser’s 10.35 at 120.

Motor Company employee Kevin Morris took the Horsepower Inc. Hot Street win oh his evil #666, and Richard Boone won T-Man Performance Pro Mod.

AHDRA returns to the track for the Nitro Spring Nationals at North Carolina’s legendary Rockingham Dragway on July 31-August 2, 2020. You do not want to miss AHDRA’s return to The Rock!

After that it’s on to Stugis on August 10-11 and Numedia on August 29-30. August is “get busy with AHDRA” month!

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

The AHDRA Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/ahdraracing/

The AHDRA Facebook group can be found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/AHDRA/

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

INK REPORT FROM LOS ANGELES–
This here is a tattoo I did of a snake and an hourglass made at the world famous “Goodtime Charlies Tattooland” in Anaheim.

I referenced it off of an old snake I found in a Bob Roberts sketchbook. Americana traditional. Bold lines and solid color.

Thanks for looking

–Frank Ball Jr.

FROM THE ADAM CROFT WORKSHOP–
Working on a handtooled leather FXR seat. Making this seat for the FXR Show at the Buffalo Chip this year. Thanks to Dennis for donating the Le Pera solo seat. Going be a cool seat for somebody.

Finished the shading throughout the flames.

Next, going to start the Dime Bag cellphone holster for a good friend. It will have some cool art, this will be available as a Dime Bag product. Once the rivets arrive and can began building the wallets and timing covers.

–AC
Dime Bag Leather
309-532-5081

BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT WORD OF THE DAY–vox populi
[ voks pop-yuh-lahy ]
noun

the voice of the people; popular opinion.

WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF VOX POPULI?
The phrase vox populi comes straight from Latin vox populi “voice of the people.” Vox (inflectional stem voc-) is the source of English vocal and vowel, via Old French vouel, from Latin (littera) vocalis “sounding (letter).” Populi is the genitive singular of the noun populus, the collective name for the Roman citizen body, excluding women, children, foreigners, and slaves. The phrase vox populi does not occur in Latin literature and only first appears in a letter that the great Anglo-Saxon scholar Alcuin wrote to Charlemagne in 798, not to pay heed to those who insist that vox populi vox Dei “the voice of the people is the voice of God” because the populace is too unstable–a sentiment the Romans would agree with entirely.

In later English history (after Alcuin), vox populi vox Dei is favorable, a notable example being the title of a Whig tract entitled Vox Populi, Vox Dei: being true Maxims of Government (1710). The abbreviated phrase vox pop “the views of the majority of people, popular opinion” appears in the first half of the 18th century. Nowadays vox pop means “popular opinion as shown by comments made to the media by members of the public.” Vox populi entered English in the mid-16th century.

HOW IS VOX POPULI USED?
In 1972, Democrats made their process more plebiscitary—more primaries, less influence for political professionals—to elicit and echo the vox populi.

GEORGE F. WILL, “THE LURE OF KAMIKAZE CANDIDATES,” WASHINGTON POST, FEBRUARY 7, 2020

But in this country, the process of language reform is complicated. It’s not exactly grassroots democracy; some voices count more than others, and people usually leave typographical niceties to the expert associations concerned with them. What vox populi retains is veto power.

KWAME ANTHONY APPIAH, “THE CASE FOR CAPITALIZING THE B IN BLACK,” THE ATLANTIC, JUNE 18, 2020

FOLLOWING THE CODE—In forests where others find no delight, they will know delight, because they do not look for pleasure, they already have it.–Buddha

A WILD BIKE FROM THE MASTER–I’ve decided to sell my Shovelhead, with a 4- speed transmission. It’s a classic outlaw bike. I was thinking about a price around $4,500.

–Howard Knight

THE TEXAS REDHEAD WEATHER REPORT–Still trying to get settled in, yesterday and got to thinking about the 20 years of memories in my first jacket. Not meant for anything, just a couple of memories. We all have them I know

–RFR

BIKERNET UNIVERSITY HISTORY LESSON OF THE WEEK--Old Man and a Bucket of Shrimp:

This is a wonderful story and it is true. You will be glad that you
read it, and I hope you will pass it on.

It happened every Friday evening, almost without fail, when the sun
started to dip into the ocean.

Old Ed came strolling along the beach to his favorite pier.
Clutched in his bony hand was a bucket of shrimp. Ed walks out to the
end of the pier, where it seems he almost has the world to himself.
The glow of the sun is a golden bronze.

Everybody’s gone, except for a few joggers on the beach. Standing out
on the end of the pier, Ed is alone with his thoughts…and his bucket
of shrimp.

Before long, however, he is no longer alone. Up in the sky a thousand
white dots come screeching and squawking, winging their way toward
that lanky frame standing there on the end of the pier.

Before long, dozens of seagulls have enveloped him, their wings
fluttering and flapping wildly. Ed stands there tossing shrimp to the
hungry birds. As he does, if you listen closely, you can hear him say
with a smile, ‘Thank you. Thank you.’

In a few short minutes the bucket is empty. But Ed doesn’t leave. He
stands there lost in thought, as though transported to another time
and place .

When he finally turns around and begins to walk back toward the beach,
a few of the birds hop along the pier with him until he gets to the
stairs, and then they, too, fly away. And old Ed quietly makes his way
down to the end of the beach and on home.

If you were sitting there on the pier with your fishing line in the
water, Ed might seem like ‘a funny old duck,’ as my dad used to say.
Or, to onlookers, he’s just another old codger, lost in his own weird
world, feeding the seagulls with a bucket full of shrimp.

To the onlooker, rituals can look either very strange or very empty.
They can seem altogether unimportant ….maybe even a lot of nonsense.

Old folks often do strange things, at least in the eyes of Boomers and Busters.

Most of them would probably write Old Ed off, down there in Florida
.. That’s too bad. They’d do well to know him better.

His full name: Eddie Rickenbacker. He was a famous hero in World War
I, and then he was in WWII. On one of his flying missions across the
Pacific, he and his seven-member crew went down. Miraculously, all of
the men survived, crawled out of their plane, and climbed into a life
raft.

Captain Rickenbacker and his crew floated for days on the rough waters
of the Pacific. They fought the sun. They fought sharks. Most of all,
they fought hunger and thirst. By the eighth day their rations ran
out. No food. No water. They were hundreds of miles from land and no
one knew where they were or even if they were alive.

Every day across America millions wondered and prayed that Eddie
Rickenbacker might somehow be found alive.

The men adrift needed a miracle. That afternoon they had a simple
devotional service and prayed for a miracle.

They tried to nap. Eddie leaned back and pulled his military cap over
his nose. Time dragged on. All he could hear was the slap of the waves
against the raft…suddenly Eddie felt something land on the top of
his cap. It was a seagull!

Old Ed would later describe how he sat perfectly still, planning his
next move. With a flash of his hand and a squawk from the gull, he
managed to grab it and wring its neck. He tore the feathers off, and
he and his starving crew made a meal of it – a very slight meal for
eight men. Then they used the intestines for bait. With it, they
caught fish, which gave them food and more bait….and the cycle
continued. With that simple survival technique, they were able to
endure the rigors of the sea until they were found and rescued after
24 days at sea.

Eddie Rickenbacker lived many years beyond that ordeal, but he never
forgot the sacrifice of that first life-saving seagull… And he never
stopped saying, ‘Thank you.’ That’s why almost every Friday night he
would walk to the end of the pier with a bucket full of shrimp and a
heart full of gratitude.

Reference: (Max Lucado, “In The Eye of the Storm”, pp…221, 225-226)

PS: Eddie Rickenbacker was the founder of Eastern Airlines. Before WWI
he was race car driver. In WWI he was a pilot and became America’s
first ace. In WWII he was an instructor and military adviser, and he
flew missions with the combat pilots. Eddie Rickenbacker is a true
American hero. It is a great story that many don’t know…You’ve got
to be careful with old guys, you just never know what they have done
during their lifetime.

–from Joe Teresi

LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK–
2016 Harley-Davidson FLSTC – Heritage Softail Classic for $17,995.00

See it here: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=4462737

ABOUT THIS BIKE….

Year 2016 Amber Whiskey & Vivid Black with Red & Gold Stripes
Manufacturer Harley-Davidson
Model Heritage Softail Classic – FLSTC
Engine Type High Output Twin Cam 103B
Engine Displacement 1690 cc
Bore Stroke 98.4 mm x 111.1 mm
Cooling Air-Cooled
Compression Ratio 9.6:1
Fuel System Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
Ignition Electronic
Starting System Electric with solenoid shift starter motor engagement

Transmission Six-Speed Cruise Drive
Final Drive Belt
Rake Trail 31° / 5.8 in.
Seat Height 27 in.
Wheelbase 64.4 in.
Front Suspension 41.3 mm telescopic, “beer can? Covers

Rear Suspension
Front Brake Four-piston, Solid, uniform expansion rotors
Rear Brake Two-piston, Solid, uniform expansion rotors
Front Tire MT90B16 72H
Rear Tire Mild steel, round tube sections, forged junctions; MIG welded
Fuel Capacity 5 gal.
Dry Weight 755 lbs. (Wet)
MSRP $17,349

ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT INCLUDE:

Full Harley Davidson Warranty until 2-19. Windshield & Stock Bags Included. Highly customized 2016 Heritage softail using all top quality genuine Harley-Davidson parts! No expense spared! Over $6000 in parts not counting labor!

Complete chrome front end with Arlen Ness 2″ lowering kit, 2″ adjustable rear lowering kit, Vance & Hines “Long Shot” chrome exhaust, all smoked lens’s with LED lay down license plate and tail light, custom wrap around billet license plate holder, Narrow rear turn signal bar, Harley-Davidson teardrop floating brake rotors, all bolts either chromed or topped on bike, custom rear axle cover, Boomerang chrome frame side covers, engine oil analog oil temp gauge, chrome voltage regulator cover, all chrome billet foot controls, Harley Nostalgia chrome engine guard, and high flow air cleaner element.

Harley Badlander seat, all front lights have frenched trim rings, H-D motor Co chrome front axle covers, chrome lifter block covers, chrome rear master cylinder cover, 103″ logo timing cover, chrome main line oil line cover, chrome head bolt covers, Avon hand grips, H-D chrome caliper inserts, custom mirrors and chrome rear inner fender cover

Billet clutch cable clamp, chrome kickstand cover, chrome cylinder base covers, H-D chrome spark plug fillers, H-D chrome shift linkage, chrome inner primary cover, H-D chrome fuel outlet cover, chrome upper & lower belt guards, quick release swing arm bag, H-D 1-1/4″ beach bars 34″ wide with internal wiring, LA Choppers hidden bolt handlebar risers and so much more!

This bike is FLAWLESS with only 195 miles!

Everything on this bike is PERFECT!!! You will not find a nicer bike!!!

This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 100-point safety and mechanical inspection. Whether you’re looking to commute to work, ride the coast or take that dream vacation, this bike is ready to go!!!

EZ FINANCING-SHIPPING AVAILABLE!!!

Fill out an online application and ride today!!!

Only $18,695 at Lifestyle Cycles (714) 490-0155

[page break]

FAST DATES PINUP Calendars Begin September 2020–World Premier – New 2021 FastDates.com Motorcycle PinUp Calendars

The FastDates.com PinUp Calendars featuring Iron & Lace Custom Motorcycles and Garage Girls Hard at Work photographed by renown fashion and motorsports photographer Jim Gianatsis make their return for the 2021 Calendar year commemorating 30 years of publication!

Both the new 2021 Iron & Lace and Garage Girls Calendars feature the beautiful Calendar Kittens photographed with many of the world’s top Cafe Racer Bikes, Sportbikes, Bobbers, Metric and American Customs. You will want to get both Calendars, one for the house and one for the garage. What better way to enjoy each month but with great photography of the world’s best motorcycles and beautiful girls. ??

The 2021 Calendars again feature the top custom motorcycles from our LA Calendar Motorcycle Show and the world’s top custom bike builders including this year Richard Pollock & Rex Harris / Mule Motorcycles, Ron Baldonado, Damon Gregory, Sonny Nutter, Roland Sands, Yasuyoshi Chikawaza / ChicaCustom.com, Shinya Kimura / ChabbotEngineering.com, and Russ Tom.??

This is your exclusive 16-month pit pass to some of the world’s sexiest models in revealing swimwear and lingerie. FastDates.com Calendars are highest quality full color 15 x 15″ wire spiral bound printed on heavy art stock art board.16-month Calendars being with September 2020. $22.95 each.

Also available is the FAST 2021 Calendar Yearbook in OnLine Digail FlipBook or Printed Hardcover Coffee Table Book talking you behind the scenes for an even more exciting look at the incredible Custom Motorcycles and the Kittens who tamed them! Now online at www.FastDates.com.

?FastDates.com Calendars are also available in the USA at Amazon.com, Calendars.com / 1-800-366-3645; and in Europe at Zodiac Motorcycle Parts / Zodiac.nl, and Custom Chrome Europe / CustomChrome.de

BRAND New Bikernet Reader Comment!

THE HAPPY 4TH OF JULY BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS for July 2, 2020

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/THE_HAPPY_4TH_OF_JULY_BIKERNET_WEEKLY_NEWS_for_July_2_2020.aspx

It was great visiting with you in the Deadwood and thanks for taking me to see Wild Bill and Calamity Jane’s final resting place. The new headquarters is going to be kick ass! Loved being in Biker heaven with you, but next time let’s do something on two wheels!

— Johnny
johnny3sal@aol.com
Humble, TX

BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY IS SORTA OPEN–Offensive sports teams

I think all sports fans and most everybody else will get a kick out of this letter written to

the Chicago Tribune. No matter which side you are on in the matter of renaming the
Washington Redskins, this is funny. This guy is hilarious…

This is an e-mail sent to Clarence Page of the Chicago Tribune after
an article he published concerning a name change for the Washington
Redskins

Dear Mr. Page: I agree with our Native American population. I am
highly jilted by the racially charged name of the Washington Redskins.
One might argue that to name a professional football team after Native
Americans would exalt them as fine warriors, but nay, nay. We must be
careful not to offend, and in the spirit of political correctness and
courtesy, we must move forward.

Let’s ditch the Kansas City Chiefs, the Atlanta Braves and the
Cleveland Indians. If your shorts are in a wad because of the
reference the name Redskins makes to skin color, then we need to get
rid of the Cleveland Browns.

The Carolina Panthers obviously were named to keep the memory of
militant Blacks from the ‘60s alive. Gone. It’s offensive to us white
folk.

The New York Yankees offend the Southern population. Do you see a
team named for the Confederacy? No!

There is no room for any reference
to that tragic war that cost this country so many young men’s lives. I
am also offended by the blatant references to the Catholic religion
among our sports team names. Totally inappropriate to have the New
Orleans Saints, the Los Angeles Angels or the San Diego Padres.

Then there are the team names that glorify criminals who raped and
pillaged. We are talking about the horrible Oakland Raiders, the
Minnesota Vikings, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Pittsburgh
Pirates!

Now, let us address those teams that clearly send the wrong message
to our children. The San Diego Chargers promote irresponsible fighting
or even spending habits. Wrong message to our children.

The New York Giants and the San Francisco Giants promote obesity, a
growing childhood epidemic. Wrong message to our children. The
Cincinnati Reds promote downers/barbiturates. Wrong message to our children.

The Milwaukee Brewers. Well that goes without saying. Wrong message
to our children.

So, there you go. We need to support any legislation that comes out
to rectify this travesty, because the government will likely become
involved with this issue, as they should. Just the kind of thing the
do-nothing Congress loves.

As a die-hard Oregon State fan, my wife and I, with all of this in
mind, suggest it might also make some sense to change the name of the
Oregon State women’s athletic teams to something other than “the
Beavers (especially when they play Southern California. Do we really
want the Trojans sticking it to the Beavers???

I always love your articles and I generally agree with them. As for
the Redskins name I would suggest they change the name to the
“Foreskins” to better represent their community, paying tribute to the
dick heads in Washington DC.

–Joe Smith

 

AMERICAN IRON SUSPENDS PUBLICATION–American Iron Magazine, published since 1989, has suspended publication.

The world has changed significantly. The motorcycle business has changed. And the magazine industry has too. Unfortunately, not for the better – short or long term.

For the last 31 years our team has worked hard responding successfully to the trends, opportunities and changes. But when our advertising crashed with the recent spread of the virus, we ran out of options. We trimmed the page count and content in our magazines, but that was not enough to make a difference.

Rather than watch our magazines decline even further, we have suspended publication as we explore our options. It is not an easy decision for American Iron Magazine, American Iron Garage and American Iron Salute, but it is the right one.

The last issue of American Iron Magazine was Issue #390, on sale last week.
Since 1989, I have been fortunate to work with really great editors, art directors and contributors who were dedicated, creative, hard-working and smart. They had to be to achieve what we did for more than three decades. And a big thanks to all of our readers and advertisers, who supported our efforts so passionately.

Rather than dwell on the end of our magazines, I hope you’ll join us remembering your favorite articles, writers, photographers and events that we have enjoyed over the years. There have been so many.

Thank you one and all for your support, encouragement and friendship. It’s been a heckuva ride.

–Buzz Kantor
Publisher
American Iron Magazine

–from Rogue
Senior Editor
Bikernet.com™

CHRISTINI AWD LAUNCHES E-BIKE SERIES OF PRODUCTS

All-Wheel Drive Off-Road E-Bicycles to be Manufactured in USA by Christini AWD

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania—CHRISTINI AWD is launching a new generation of All-Wheel Drive bicycles utilizing the same revolutionary technology that has been providing traction and control benefits to off-road riders for years. But now these remarkable pedal-driven machines will have a high power electric-assist mid-drive motor to launch them over slippery rocks and wet roots like no other single, rear-wheel driven e-bicycle. Available in a 27.5” hardtail and several FAT tired models, these electric-assist mountain bicycles provide the ultimate in traction control allowing a rider to conquer conditions most thought to be un-ridable. The added benefits will dramatically extend ride length and climbing capabilities. Customers will be able to ride miles further and climb hills never before summited!

Inventor and entrepreneur, Steve Christini, announced this week he is looking to offer his unique machines via a select dealer network which understands the added performance a second-driven wheel provides to an e-bicycle. “E-bikes are taking over the world because they provide an off-road riding experience to a wider demographic than ever before. With AWD (all-wheel drive) added to that mix, riders will gain a go-anywhere level of confidence never available until now.”

Christini AWD Bicycles incorporate a mid-drive Bafang 1500W motor with torque sensing pedal-assist abilities all for under $5600 MSRP. These bikes are appropriately balanced – and offer a true mountain bike experience – without the burden of heavy hub motors found on some other 2WD utility bikes.

AWD Hardtail Plus Specs

· Frame 6061 T6 aluminum
· MRP Raven Air 35mm fork
· 1500W Bafang mid-drive motor with color-display and torque sensing
· 27.5” Sun Ringle rims with Wheelsmith spokes
· Quality SRAM cassette, shifter, derailleur, brakes, calipers, rotors & levers
· Weight: 49 pounds
· MSRP: $5595

Start now by inviting a new category of customer into your store. For more information on how to become a dealer, please contact sales@christinibicycles.com for more information. Ask for the Dealer Kit and get started toward your new, profitable venture into e-bikes, the new “gateway drug to more motorcycle sales.” See www.christinibicycles.com for more information.

BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY IS OPEN AROUND THE CLOCK, NO MASKS REQUIRED–What’s orange and sounds like a parrot? A carrot.

Did you hear about the Italian chef that died? He pasta way.

Why couldn’t the bicycle stand up? Because it was two tired!

Parallel lines have so much in common. It’s a shame they’ll never meet.

–Sam Burns

RECOVERY ASSISTANCE GOOD NEWS–
Congress Reopens PPP

Small Business Loans:
August 8 Deadline
There’s now more time for small business owners still interested in applying for a loan from the Paycheck Protection Program to help cover payroll costs and certain other expenses during the pandemic. The deadline to apply has been extended to August 8.

According to the Wall Street Journal this week, about $130 billion of the $670 billion made available for the PPP is still unclaimed. Those seeking a loan should click here to visit the U.S. Small Business Administration and find eligible lenders.

–MIC

REPORT FROM EL WAGGS
I got this note and photo from a friend of mine in Paso Robles, Mike Madden, regarding one of the guys in that video.
Mike is also one of the 3 First Place finishers in the first Cannon Ball 5 or 6 years ago. More about him if you’re interested

Here’s the note he sent:

Just read your email about land speed records. The old boy in the photo is Charles Nearburg. He stopped by to ride his Crocker last Thursday. His Crocker hit 141 mph at Muroc in ‘46. Google him, as he holds a record at Bonneville, fastest gasoline powered car on earth. He is also one of the four directors of the Peterson Museum. Also, the only person I know that left Urban speechless. Check out his ‘71 Ferrari Daytona. It has only 900 miles on it.

–Mike Madden

Meaningful Reform of Civil Asset Forfeiture Laws on the Horizon?–Reform, Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform, US Senate

Dear NMA Members,

As noted in the NMA e-newsletter of a month ago, Flipping the Stacked Deck, civil asset forfeiture (CAF) is an, “. . . insidious means by which enforcement agencies profit by seizing property from citizens.” Because motorists are one of the most victimized groups of CAF, we have made it a primary agenda item when talking to lawmakers in Washington.

Perhaps triggered by the renewed call for police reform after the death of George Floyd and others at the hands of law enforcement, some U.S. senators are renewing a push for revamping CAF laws. NMA lobbyist Rob Talley reports:

Senators Rand Paul (R-KY), Angus King (R-ME), Mike Lee (R-UT), and Mike Crapo (R-ID) have reintroduced the FAIR (Fifth Amendment Integrity Restoration) Act, a bill that would dramatically reform civil forfeiture. SB 4074 attacks the unjust profit incentives inherent in civil forfeiture as well as the unfair process that property owners face. The Institute for Justice’s Nick Sibila has published an op-ed in Forbes explaining why it deserves support.
Per Senator Paul, the FAIR Act may be offered as an amendment to any policing reform bill that the Senate considers. The House-side backers of the FAIR Act made a similar effort a few weeks ago with the House policing reform bill, but they were not permitted to bring it forward in committee or on the House floor. There may be new opportunities now that the House and Senate are in a partisan stalemate.

Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Pat Leahy (D-VT) could soon reintroduce the Due Process Act. That legislation does not address the profit incentives of law enforcement but does include due process protections for property owners. That bill also was introduced in the House last year by Reps. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and Bobby Scott (D-VA) as HR 2835.

We will keep you apprised of developments with the FAIR and Due Process Acts. Both could have a significant impact for motorists.

–NMA

Spectro Oils Presents the 14th Annual Cycle Source Magazine & Iron Horse Saloon

RUN TO THE LINE
Wednesday, August 12, 2020
Wednesday, August 12th, 2020
Departing Iron Horse Saloon at high noon.

Ride through Vanocker Canyon with the Cycle Source Crew. This is a bucket list motorcycle road in the U.S.A. Photography along the ride provided by Mike Lichter.

BANDIT AND HOWARD NIGHT MAKING A BUCKLE AND BELT FOR UPCOMING FLYING PISTON BREAKFAST—There’s a silent auction at the Builders Breakfast every year to promote the kids ride effort by Strider Customs and this year I made a handmade brass buckle and collaborated with Howard Knight on a magnificent hand-tooled leather belt.

In addition to an exclusive first look at the Strider Customs, Builder Breakfast ticket holders also enjoy a catered breakfast and silent auction of selected items—plus the chance to meet the Chip’s owner Rod “Woody” Woodruff, photographer Michael Lichter, emcee Patrick Jansen and the builders from the prestigious Motorcycles As Art exhibition, who are on hand to meet & greet. For 2020 this is an especially historic group including Dave Perewitz, Donnie Smith, Don Hotop, Cory Ness, Jeff Cochran, Cole Foster, Arlin Fatland, Brian Klock, Billy Lane and 30 more legacy customizers.

Media, Sponsors and Participants: Bikernet.com. The Flying Piston Builders Breakfast is produced by Marilyn Stemp of Iron Trader News and Jeff Najar of Biker Pros. Bikernet.com is a media sponsor.

SPEAKING OF COVID—I received a report from a medical official at a major insurance company. According to her, the outbreak is not as bad as it seems. Hospitals are not overrun, and treatments have improved.

The only thing overrun are testing sites and the way the numbers are handled. Keep watching and stay safe.

I’ve got my fingers crossed. We might get a call about the six bikes headed this way.
I just read that V-Twin Visionary team just made a cross-country Covid Ride and are setting up to ride 1200 miles on the Sturgis Smash 2020 run.

We just had another brief thunderstorm and it moved on. We are setting up the garage and getting a new MIG welder. I brought a set of Oxy/acetelyne tanks for the meantime. Tomorrow I may try to scramble to Joe Mielke’s shop to kick around shop benches and see his fab shop. Hell, I might try to get a hot little South Dakota drivers license. Hang on!

In the meantime Ride fast and Free Forever…

–Bandit

by Napier Lopez from https://thenextweb.com/

Yamaha might be best known for its instruments and motorcycles, but it was also the first company to introduce modern e-bikes, way back in 1993. While it may not be as big in the modern e-bike world as the likes of Bosch or Bafang, the company’s motors have made their name with brands such as Giant and Haibike, and the company has recently been expanding its own first-party line-up too. Today, the company is taking a big step forward in the e-bike world by announcing its first 28mph (Class 3) e-bike to available in the US market, the Yamaha Civante.

Previous Yamaha e-bikes in the US Market were Class 1 bikes, limited to 20 mph like most e-bikes. While that’s good enough for many users, some feel safer being able to keep up with faster traffic, and riders with longer commutes want to arrive at their destinations more quickly. Of course, others just have the need for speed.

The bicycle is certainly built for speed. It has an aggressive geometry and omits fenders, racks, or a kickstand – though there are mounting points should you want to install them later, and front light is included (Yamaha‘s rear rack has an integrated rear light). It also comes with flat-resistant, e-bike rated tires, mid-depth wheels, hydraulic disc brakes and a Shimano 10-speed drivetrain with a double chainring. Importantly, it’s actually fairly light for an e-bike, coming in at 43.4 lb on the medium frame despite the high-power motor and battery.

The bike uses Yamaha‘s 500W PWSeries SE Motor, capable of of 70nm torque and supporting cadences up to 110rpm; Yamaha promises that even if you exceed the motor’s baked in speed-limit, it won’t just cut off power suddenly, instead providing a smooth transition for your own pedaling power. The bike includes four assist modes ranging from a 50 percent boost on Eco mode to a 280 percent boost on the high setting. The bike also comes with a removable 500 watt-hour battery.

Yamaha doesn’t provide a range estimate, perhaps because it can vary dramatically with your riding speed, assist level, weight, and terrain, but a 500Wh battery with a mid-drive motor should have no trouble dealing with most commutes. If I had to guess, I’d put it in the ballpark of estimate 30 to 60 miles for an average weight rider in higher assist modes, but I’ve reached out to Yamaha for more information. And as with all e-bikes, you can always ride them like a (heavy) normal bike should the battery run out.

I also appreciate that Yamaha‘s high-speed charger can fill up the battery to 80 percent in just one hour — great for longer trips. Most e-bike chargers are painfully slow — more of an overnight affair.

he bike is available in three frame sizes and one color(white with black and blue accents), and is priced at a $3,399. While certainly expensive, that’s actually on the lower end of the price spectrum for a 28mph e-bike with a high-end and high-torque mid-drive motor. Moreover, Yamaha provides a 3-year warranty on the electronics, compared to the 1 or 2 years offered by most competitors.

The bike will be available “this summer” at Yamaha dealers throughout the states.

by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com

There’s something special about older Harleys. Maybe it’s their looks, maybe the engineering, or perhaps just nostalgia, but there are fans out there, not few, who would always choose an aging Harley over a newer one. And the same goes for custom shops.

In America, there are countless garages who like to take these old Harleys and customize them beyond recognition, as shown in June’s The No Show online event set up by the Milwaukee bike maker. Elsewhere, however, things are a bit different.

Take Europe, for instance. The continent is Harley-friendly, yes, but far less so than the home market. There’s no decades-old tradition there of riding these bikes, not in the way we have it in the U.S., and that means that custom shops, few as they are, usually steer clear of older H-D bikes when it comes to customizing them.

Have a look at one of Europe’s largest custom bike shop, Thunderbike. These guys probably have hundreds of customized motorcycles made over the past 25 years, but most of them are recent Softails, because this is what customers in Europe like.

But there are exceptions, and this here Super Glide is one of them. Also built by Thunderbike, it comes as a testimony of how older Harleys can be better platforms for customization than newer ones.

The bike is an FXE from 1977, and it was given its current shape at the end of a three-month long build that took place in 2016. It sports a Shovelhead engine inside the stock frame, and custom parts all around.

An S&S Super E carburetor, custom struts, special wheels and fenders, and of course a unique fuel tank are just a few of the over 20 aftermarket pieces of hardware that went into building the bike the shop calls Glamor.

We are not being told how much it cost to put the whole thing together, nor what happened to it in the years that have passed since its completion. But it sure looks great.

 

by James Richardson from https://www.thesouthafrican.com/

Later this month Brad Binder will become the fifth South African rider in the history Grand Prix motorcycle racing’s elite class, here we look at those that went before.

Formerly classified as the 500cc class before it was transformed to MotoGP, Grand Prix motorcycle racing has not been an environment inhabited by South Africans very often.

Before 2020, just four South African riders had made it into the elite class with all three competing during the 500cc era.

SA riders in Grand Prix motorcycle racing’s elite class

Here we will only look at riders who have reached either the 500cc class or MotoGP.

1 Paddy Driver

The first South African to reach the premier class, Driver competed on the Grand Prix motorcycle racing circuit from 1959 to 1965. His best result came in his final year on the circuit when he rode a Matchless to a third-place finish in the 500cc world championship behind Mike Hailwood and Giacomo Agostini.

Having lined up in two Formula One Grand Prix Driver is part of a very small club of men who have raced in both the Grand Prix motorcycle World Championship and Formula One. That group also includes legends John Surtees, Mike Hailwood and Johnny Cecotto.

2 Alan North

North made his Grand Prix motorcycle racing in the elite class when in the 1975 season riding for Yamaha.

The Durban-born racer spent three seasons in the 500cc class scoring nine world championship points in that time. He won his only Grand Prix race in 1977 when he claimed the 350 cc 1977 Nations Grand Prix at Imola

3 Jon Ekerold

Jon Ekerold RG500 Suzuki 1982 Senior TT pic.twitter.com/dw8eaHEcc6

— Chris_R_Philpott (@christyphilpot1) September 27, 2018

Prior to Brad Binder’s 2016 Moto3 championship, Ekerold was the last South African to win a world title in Grand Prix motrocycle racing claiming the 1980 350cc championship as a privateer. Without the benefit of a motorcycle manufacturer’s support Ekerold defeated Kawasaki factory racing team rider Anton Mang to win world championship.

Ekerold appeared on the 500cc circuit in three seasons, racing in eight Grand Prix in the elite class.

His best race finish in the 500cc class came in his debut on the elite division’s grid in the 1976 Isle of Man TT where he placed sixth.

4 Kork Ballington

A contemporary of Ekerold, Hugh Neville “Kork” Ballington was born in what would become Harare in Zimbabwe but raced under the South African flag winning four Grand Prix motorcycle World Championships.

Ballington raced in the elite class in three seasons including the 1982 season when both he and Ekerold raced in the elite class. That would be the last time until 2020 that a South African rider took up a place on the grid in the elite class.

He finished on the podium twice in the 1981 season claiming third place at both the Dutch TT and the Finish Grand Prix.

In 1978 and 1979 Ballington won both the 250cc and 350cc championships, making him the most successful South African rider in terms of championships on the circuit.

5 Brad Binder

The 2016 Moto3 champion makes the step up to MotoGP as South Africa’s first representative at the pinnacle of Grand Prix motorcycle racing since the 1980s.

Binder’s younger brother Darryn is also a racer and joined Red Bull KTM’s Moto3 team in 2018.

The MotoGP season gets underway in Jerez later this month and will see Binder compete for Red Bull KTM alongside the best riders in the world. He will be the first South African rider to compete in the championship since it became the MotoGP.

Youtube Series Review
Review by Dmac

This link will get ya hooked. A totally Independent production. Love their Hollywood can kiss their ass style! A meld of the Tattoo world and Motorcycles! Real and raw – totally unscripted and takes you on an adventure in the deep south – where Big Dave and company are rollin’ out over thousands of miles to meet legendary Tattoo Artists. His mission is preserving their history for tattoo artists to come and he’s doing it on two wheels. They Their journey started June 1st, 2015.

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