Ponder cagers whatever way you want, but some of them are really, really cool. We are of course not talking about your run-of-the-mill average, produced-by-the-thousands 4-wheelers. Nope, we are talking about those classics created around the same inspirational spirit that makes us build and ride custom motorcycles: Hot Rods and Custom Cars. More than 2,000 of them got together at West World in Scottsdale/AZ in the middle of March for the 1st Spring Nationals, put on by the Good Guys and the local Over The Hill Gang.

The organizers tripped out on a limb creating a new event for this category of vehicle in times of a worldwide economical crisis. Feeling the pinch one way or the other, still the decision to invest in a spring event proved to be a winning roll of the dice. Historically the city hosted the Southwest Nationals at the end of the season. While attendance by owners of pre-1972 vehicles equaled the number of the well-established Southwest Nationals, first unofficial estimates put the number of visitors at more than 50,000, exceeding the number of last year's end of season event. What a great way to kick this economic doldrums year in the ass.

We had to infuse some bike shots. What the hell, from the Bob T. collection.

So, how did the overall scene unfold? Difficult to tell from just one event, yet it seemed obvious to us that there were changes afoot. A younger generation appeared to be more frequently represented among owners of Rods and Muscle Cars, rejuvenating the scene and at the same time infused it with new trends or brought back old rarely seen styles. The events were more dynamic, less exhibition-style. As the announcer at the well attended auto cross parlous put it, “The Good Guys events are no longer only about lounge chairs anymore.” Same as motorcycles, these cars were made to move and it was damn good to see action flourish once again.

Also the attitude towards the custom cars seemed to fluctuate: While it appeared to be all about flashy paint jobs and expensive chrome, there were many more Rat Rods this year than in the past. The group of Rods with flat black paint – or simply no paint – and a well maintained, yet stock from back-in-the-day engine burgeoned. One guy told us about his past experience at the Pavilions, a local weekly hangout for Rodders, Muscle Car owners and Classic Car enthusiasts. His Rat kept attracting a huge crowd every time he displayed, and the guy next to him with his shiny flashy car was frustrated for his lack of draw.

“I used to be that guy,” he told us. “I never had more fun with a car than I am having with this one.” There might be a developing trend, on the other hand: Who cares? What makes this scene and this industry exciting is diversity and contradiction. Whether you drive a 50K 1960s Muscle Car with a blower and rear tires as wide as an average trunk, or a barely recognizable 1930s rust bucket, the spirit is, what counts. Sound familiar?

Another observation bristled in the parking lot outside the event, and proved something. You be the judge. The number of bikers attending the event simply as visitors seemed to be growing. While there was only the occasional bike inside, the line of bikes parked outside, mostly American made with the occasional foreign product sprinkled in, was clearly on the rise. The connection between custom bikes and custom cars is not at all new. Some well known builders like Paul Yaffe, John Shope and Nick Trask might be considered regulars at the Good Guys events.

Last but not least the required post-event information: Weather was great (blue skies, sunshine, 78 degrees), grub was good but a bit on the expensive side, same goes for drinks (bottle of water $4, you gotta be kidding me), and fun was had by all.

Check out the Good Guys' website at www.good-guys.com for their upcoming 2010 events nationwide and other cool stuff.

– – C.S. Berg

There had to be a girl…

Who says life in California’s Delta region isn’t fun, sophisticated, and even suave? Proof of all that and more could be found on Saturday down at Isleton Joe’s restaurant and bar, where bikers, fishermen, locals, young, old, and in-betweens piled in for the 2010 SPAM Run and cook off.

Yes, SPAM that mystery meat – the maker, Hormel, says it’s pork shoulder and ham – but that may just be a lot of baloney. Packaged in the iconic blue and yellow can, SPAM has quite a cult following. Those versed in SPAMology, will tell you it was created right her in the U. S. of A. in the late 1930s. One hundred million pounds of the unique pink stuff went to feed the troops in WWII.

By 1995 there was a SPAM-sponsored racecar and sales toted up in the billions. There is a SPAM Museum, SPAM festivals, a line of SPAM clothing and other gear, and even SPAM music. It’s become a SPAMdemic. Like it or not, SPAM is as American as Rock and Roll and Apple Pie, especially when it comes canned. We are a SPAMnation.

Spam sisters.

Early on down at Joe’s, the cook off contestants shuffled in with SPAM in covered dishes, SPAM roasting on a spit, even SPAM in a “We be Spammmin’ Salad.” In the 1940s the Hormel Girls pitched the virtues of SPAM. In Isleton this weekend it was a pair we dubbed the SPAM sisters. Their SPAM salad came with its own Bob Marleyesque soundtrack. SPAM to a reggae beat? You bet mon.

Folks lined up to pay $3 for an “all you can eat” taste test and judging of such delicacies as “spegg rolls”, “Spamalies”, and Spammy beans. The proceeds went to the local elementary school.crowd

By noon, plenty of other folks had shown up. It was the usual eclectic crowd one finds at Delta doings. They came on Harleys, in trucks with fishing decals on the windows and gun racks over the seat. One dude putted up on his motorized skateboard.

A contingent of the BSA Owners Club of Northern California rode up. There were some Nortons and even a 1957 Velocette mixed in. Nice chaps. They found a seat by Joe’s front window and settled in for the festivities. They looked hungry, but not necessarily for SPAM. They looked more like a cheeseburger bunch. Maybe someone in the group ordered up a steaming bowl of crawdads, an Isleton Joe’s specialty. Maybe.

By the by old bean, the Beezer Boyz (and Girlz) will be at the Clubman’s All Brit Show on March 27 at the Santa Clara Fairgounds in San Jose. Want to get a ’72 BSA 650 Lightning for a $1? That’s what the raffle tickets are going for right now. Go to www.bsaocnc.org for more information. Cheerio!

Right on the SPAM can it says: “Fully cooked; eat it hot or cold.” What it doesn’t say is that you can also play with your SPAM, and that’s what the SPAM toss was all about. Teams of two squared off out in front of the restaurant to launch lobes of lunchmeat skyward. First they had to open the SPAM cans.

One young person opined: “It’s cat food.” A middle-aged lady lamented that as soon as the lid was off she had SPAM jelly in her hair. And she sure did. The tossing begins and SPAM goo was soon everywhere. One by one the teams went down until two young guys started sending each other out for football-like SPAM catches. The lads won slimy hands down.

Meanwhile, back on Joe’s brick-lined patio, the SPAM “tasting” was judged. The winner? The SPAM sisters of course; matching outfits count for something. “Tie-dye is a lost art,” they declared as they proudly displayed their handmade tees.

Later, the SPAM runners headed down river to Mait’s at Vieira’s Resort. The pirate boat chugged by down at the dock. The contest in the parking lot was beer pong. The winners got a case of – no, not SPAM – beer. But then beer goes good with SPAMacotti, doesn’t it? Maybe we’ll find out at next year’s SPAM Run. Maybe.

Gimme Spam, goddamnit.

NCOM COAST TO COAST BIKER NEWS

Compiled and Edited by BILL BISH,National Coalition of Motorcyclists

NEW MEXICO BIKERS BEAT NOISE LAW

Arguably one of the most onerous laws ever passed against motorcyclists was recently modified in favor of a more reasonable approach to the issue of noise. Following a peaceful demonstration by New Mexico motorcyclists who attended an Albuquerque City Counsel meeting in May, the counsel voted unanimously to amend the city’s current noise ordinance. It now states that:

“No person shall operate a motorcycle, which exceeds 99 dB, measured in accordance with SAE stationary test method J1287 or similar Department-approved method.”

“We have lobbied extensively with the city to repeal the part of the noise ordinance that states that motorcycle pipes must be labeled as made for the year, make and model of your bike,” said Barbara Alvar, Chairman of the NEW MEXICO MOTORCYCLE RIGHTS ORGANIZATION (NMMRO). “Essentially this says that if you ever replace your exhaust with anything other than stock pipes, you are breaking the law!”

The ordinance also measured the cumulative noise level of all motorcycles in a group, not just individual loud bikes, so an entire pack could be stopped and ticketed, effectively making it illegal to ride in groups.

New Mexico motorcyclists are still working with the city of Albuquerque on other traffic codes, such as repealing their handlebar height restrictions. Under New Mexico’s unique “Home Rule” provisions that allow communities to pass laws even if they conflict with state laws, the city of Albuquerque traffic code imposes a handlebar height limit, even though state statute was recently repealed.

ARIZONA MOTORCYCLES TO GET EMISSIONS EXEMPTION

Lawmakers in Arizona have decided to give motorcycles a pass from the state’s mandatory emissions test, the only state that requires motorcyclists to pass such testing.

“On May 6th our Emissions Bill HB 2501, which puts us as a ‘priority’ for the state DEQ (Department of Environmental Quality) to consider removal of motorcycles from the emissions testing prior to any plan submission to EPA, was signed by Governor Jane Dee Hull,” wrote Roger “Priest” Hurm, Chairman of the Board for the MMA of Arizona and member of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) board of directors.

The motorcycle exemption was backed by a variety of motorcycle clubs and organizations. Bobbi Hartman, a lobbyist for ABATE of Arizona, told THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC newspaper that motorcycles are only a small fraction of the vehicle fleet. Besides, she commented, the state’s emissions test isn’t designed to properly test motorcycles.

State records show that 26 percent of the motorcycles taking the test in 2000 failed while cars flunked at the rate of 16 percent, and opponents of the testing are quick to point out that those figures come from an idle test that is not a good gauge of motorcycle performance.

“Going to New Orleans was Good Luck for us,” said Priest, referring to the bill being signed by the governor during their recent trip to the NCOM Convention in Louisiana.

Also during the Convention, on May 9th, SB 1026 was signed into law guaranteeing and dedicating the $1.00 taken from each motorcycle registration to be spent for safety and education. “For 21 years, about $80,000 a year was taken and used by the ADOT for whatever,” said Priest. “Our re-dedication effort has been successful and we are now finally in position to control our money to save lives.”

WASHINGTON BIKERS WIN TWO — TWO TO GO!

Buoyed by recent successes, ABATE OF WASHINGTON approached this year’s legislative session as pro’s in the political process. And they came away with yet another win.

Two years ago, Washington became one of only a handful of states to repeal their handlebar height law. This time around, bikers lobbied successfully for their right to use “Blue Dot” tail lights, so-called because a blue crystal mounted in the center of the lens cover emits a bluish hue when actuated. Many riders use them for conspicuity, but most states’ traffic codes specify that a tail light must be red in color, and therefore they are illegal.

But the Washington State Legislature apparently agreed with the motorcycling professionals, passing the bill unanimously through both the House and Senate, and it was signed by the governor on March 27.

“Handle Bars two years ago and Blue Dot this year, next is Helmet and Discrimination Bills,” said Rich Bright, Legislative Director for ABATE of Washington. “It won’t be long and it will be legal to ride with Blue Dots in Washington, removing one more reason to stop me in my free travel across the state.”

COURT SIDES WITH BIKERS: SONOMA FAIR DRESS CODE UNCONSTITUTIONAL

A state appeals court ruled in San Francisco that a dress code used to keep a Hells Angels Motorcycle Club member out of the Sonoma County Fair in 1998 violated the California Constitution.

Stephen Gatto was ejected from the fairgrounds in Santa Rosa by two city police officers on Aug. 1, 1998, because he was wearing a vest that carried the insignia of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. The officers told him the vest was not allowed under the fair’s dress code. The code barred clothing “intended to provoke, offend or intimidate” others, including “offensive slogans, insignia or gang colors.”

In a case pursued by the Confederation of Clubs of Northern California, A.I.M. Attorneys Harris B. Taback and Joseph Wiseman successfully sued Sonoma County on behalf of Mr. Gatto. On May 24, a three-judge panel of the state Court of Appeal unanimously ruled that the dress code violated the state constitutional right of free speech because it was vague and too broad.

Justice Anthony Kline wrote in the ruling that the phrase “intended to provoke, offend or intimidate others” was so broad that it would be impossible for a citizen to determine what clothing items would be considered by a law enforcement official to be covered by the phrase.

Kline wrote, “These operative criteria are so highly subjective as to provide enforcement authorities almost unfettered license to decide what the dress code permits and prohibits.”

According to Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) Founder, Richard Lester, who’s law practice and A.I.M. Attorney network has represented numerous bikers on discrimination issues, “The court decided that the 14th Amendment’s equal protection provisions precludes the government from excluding a person that is wearing club insignia from the public fair. Because the court published the decision, it can and will be cited as precedence in similar statewide cases, and other states can take judicial notice of the ruling.”

The appeals court upheld a trial court judgment awarding Gatto damages and attorney’s fees.

“The California Appellate Court has ruled that Mr. Gatto has the right to enjoy the County Fair while wearing the clothing of his choice,” said attorney Taback. “The Gatto appellate decision has been published by the Court, which means it can be relied on throughout the State of California by all of you to be secure in this right — you can wear your club’s insignia in a Public event as long as it does not present a clear and present danger of grave and imminent harm. So says the Appellate Court in Stephen Gatto v. County of Sonoma.”

In more good news, Taback and Wiseman have settled a similar claim for the Confederation of Clubs of Monterey Bay on behalf of members of Ancient Iron Motorcycle Club who got tossed from the Mushroom Festival in Morgan Hill, California. This settlement occurred after the A.I.M. Attorneys filed suit and began fighting for the club members’ rights in court.

Following the outcome of the appellate ruling, five Hells Angels who say they were kicked out of the 2001 Shasta District Fair for wearing their group’s logo filed a federal lawsuit against the fair board on Wednesday, June 12, the first day of the event’s 2002 run.

WIERD NEWS OF THE MONTH: POLICE NAME DRAWS LAUGHTER

Quebec criminals can’t stop laughing at the new name for Ontario’s police biker squad, a Canadian biker specialist says.

The initials for Ontario’s revamped biker squad, the Biker Enforcement Unit (BEU), are an insulting slang term for police in Quebec, Guy Ouellette, according to THE TORONTO STAR. “If you ask any French bad guys, they never call the police officers’police’,” said Ouellette, a retired member of the Quebec provincial police biker squad. “They call them ‘Pigs’ or ‘Beu.'”

“‘Beu’ means cop and it’s not a respectful thing.”

Ouellette said he grimaced when he heard the new initials for Ontario’s special biker unit, which had been called the Provincial Special Squad until last week. “When you pronounce that name in Quebec, everybody laughs,” Ouellette said.

Detective-Inspector Don Bell of the biker squad said he’s not concerned. “I’m not into acronyms,” Bell said. “The name change reflects our mandate.”

QUOTABLE QUOTES:

“Our target customer is unlikely to drive a motorcycle,” said Elena Ford, a fifth generation brand manager at Ford Motor Company who was jarred by the opening image of an ad depicting a Grand Marquis towing a motorcycle.

As brand manager for Ford Motor’s struggling Mercury car line, she is trying to reverse a serious sales skid in its most profitable model: the Grand Marquis, a big cruiser favored by the Geritol set. An adman counters that their research “index” finds Grand Marquis drivers “show a 100 percent propensity for buying motorcycles.”

She cuts him off. “I really don’t care where it indexes. It just doesn’t fit. They’re 70 years old, and they’re not driving motorcycles.”

–NEWSWEEK

NCOM COAST TO COAST BIKER NEWS

Compiled and Edited by Bill Bish, National Coalition of Motorcyclists

NCOM CONVENTION…A TESTAMENT TO UNITY

Tensions were running high within the motorcycle community in the waning weeks prior tothe 17th annual NCOM Convention, May 9-11, but despite the cancellations orover-patrolling of numerous biker events around the country in the wake of recentbloodshed, patch holders and motorcycle rights activists descended on the Radisson Hotelin New Orleans in near-record numbers for a weekend of learning, sharing, networking andunity.

“This shit has got to stop,” exclaimed one Confederation of Clubs chairman about theoutbreak of violence, drawing a standing ovation from the crowded Patch Holders Meeting.

J.W. Rock of the Bandidos M/C and chairman of the Confederation of Clubs of Central Texasread a prepared statement during the meeting:

“We the Confederations of Clubs, now organized for patch holders in 39 States and twoCanadian Provinces, do hereby reaffirm our support for the principles of NCOM and themotorcyclists’ rights movement. As members of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists,the many autonomous Confederations of Clubs support NCOM’s efforts to have allmotorcyclists become more involved in our government, more active in the preservation ofour Liberties, and more dedicated to the Unity of all motorcycle organizations.”

Although law enforcement was abundant, it was not oppressive, and the only violencereported was about 10,000 crawdads that got their tails shucked and their heads sucked ina local park at the Freedom Fighters’ Crawfish Boil hosted by ABATE of Louisiana onFriday night.

Many problems are solved and friendships forged during the social activities at the NCOMConvention, but the weekend is structured around Seminars such as Computer Privacy & theInternet, Women in Motorcycling, Is Your Bike Headed to the Scrap Heap?, and theever-popular Mock Legislative Session; and Meetings like the NCOM Board of DirectorsMeeting, the NCOM Legislative Task Force Meeting, the A.I.M. Attorneys Conference andother Regional and special interest meetings; where centuries of combined knowledge arefreely accessible.

This year’s Convention was dedicated to the memory of Bruce Johnson, long time lobbyistfor ABATE of Pennsylvania, who died of cancer earlier this year. In a moving tribute toBrothers & Sisters Lost, “Doc” Reichenbach, Chairman of the NCOM Board and President ofABATE of Florida, Inc., read a list of names of recently deceased Freedom Fighterssubmitted by motorcycle clubs and organizations for this special dedication. ABATE ofFlorida donated a brass bell to NCOM which was rung once for each name on the 18-pagelist, which took eight minutes to read.

But that somber note aside, the Convention seminars were thought-provoking, the meetingsstimulating and the enthusiasm electrifying!

The Silver Spoke Awards Banquet topped off the weekend’s festivities by honoring thoseamongst us who have distinguished themselves within the motorcycling community. Thisyear’s honorees were:

West Virginia State Delegate Greg Butcher – Government; Ohio A.I.M.Attorney Ralph C. Buss – Legal;

John Paliwoda, Director of the California MotorcycleDealers’ Association – Commerce;

Keith Ball, former editor of Easyriders and founder ofBikerNet.com – Media;

Special Awards were presented to “Gunny,” Oregon A.I.M. Chiefof Staff;

Curtis Clements of the Christian Motorcycle Association;

And posthumously toJohn Randolph, A.I.M. Chief of Staff with the Law Offices of Richard M. Lester.

The Ron Roloff Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Bill Bish, former NCOM ExecutiveDirector,

Fred Hill International Award was given to Lloyd “Animal” Rector,founder of the Organization of Responsible Bikers of Nova Scotia.

The local Louisiana newspaper, the Times-Picayune, wrapped up the weekend under theheadline, “Convention Puts Police on Alert – But Bikers In New Orleans to Learn TheirRights,” and had this to say about the conference; “While police and federal authoritiesstepped up patrols for a gathering of motorcyclists in New Orleans this weekend, thebikers themselves spent much of their time attending workshops such as ‘How a BillBecomes Law.’ Legal talk was in high gear at the convention, where seminars included’The New Terrorists Laws and Their Effect on Your Group’ and ‘How to Form a PoliticalAction Committee.’…By late Saturday, authorities said the weekend was runningsmoothly.”

Next year’s NCOM Convention will be held May 8-10, 2003, at the Four Points Sheraton inMilwaukee, Wisconsin. Call the NCOM office at (800) 525-5355 for further details.

“JAPANESE BAN BIKER GANGS” screamed the headline in the May 4th issue of The DailyTelegraph, which went on to report that the larger Japanese cities are passing laws tooutlaw motorcycle “gang” membership, even to the extent of calling for jail time formotorcyclists who wear clothes identifying “biker gang membership.” Read on for thecomplete story, by Colin Joyce in Tokyo…

Japan is cracking down on biker gangs in the latest sign of growing national impatiencewith youth crime.

Some of the country’s biggest cities have introduced laws allowing officials to ban bikergatherings or face fines but Hiroshima has now taken the extraordinary step ofintroducing jail sentences of up to six months on gang members “spreading fear” in thecity.

Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba hit the streets Saturday night to tell biker gangs whythe city has outlawed them.

Akiba visits biker gangs in parks and entertainment districts throughout the “Peace City”to talk to bikers about a Hiroshima ordinance that targets them.

“I want you to realize that you?re causing problems for everybody,” Akiba said to onebiker, explaining that it is already illegal to wear clothes identifying biker gangmembership in the city.

Hiroshima outlawed biker gangs and biker gang membership in an ordinance that came intoeffect on April 1 following violent clashes between motorcycle enthusiasts and police inrecent years. Punishments for those who violate the ordinance will not be handed outuntil May. Offenders of the draconian ordinance – simply wearing the uniform of amotorcycle gang is illegal – face a prison sentence of up to six months or maximum fineof 100,000 yen.

Bosozoku, or “violent running tribes” as the gangs are called in Japanese, are a havenfor disaffected young men. They are a common sight in Japan, ignoring red lights as theyroar through cities or blocking major roads by driving very slowly en masse.

Their powerful bikes are adapted to make the maximum amount of noise. Anyone protestingis likely to have his vehicle attacked with baseball bats or be assaulted himself.

The bosozoku, perhaps best known outside Japan from the famous animated film Akira, werebelieved to be dying out in the early 1990s. Japanese tended to view them as little morethan a noisy nuisance and gangs were allowed to run regularly along the same routesunchallenged by police.

However, tolerance has worn thin in recent years as a result of a series of violentcrimes involving the gangs.In Tokyo last year a teenager was beaten to death after being mistaken for a member of arival gang. In Nagano, central Japan, eight gang members were imprisoned last week forabducting and battering a rival to death.

BIKERS “DOWN UNDER” FACE BANS ON CLUBHOUSES

Australia is bracing to prohibit bikerclubhouses in suburbs under a State Government plan to insert a “character clause” inplanning laws, says Political Reporter Susie O’Brien in the April 23 issue of “TheAdvertiser”:

The bikie gang laws – an Australian first – would empower councils to refuse bikie clubspermission to build headquarters in suburban areas, Attorney-General Michael Atkinsonsaid yesterday.

Under the legislation, any outlaw gang involved in illegal activities would come under alegal definition of bad character.

A special clause banning building approval to those of bad character would enablecouncils to reject applications. Councils at present must accept all valid buildingapplications, irrespective of the applicants’ character.

At least four bikie gang clubrooms have been established in Adelaide. “Under planninglaws we can’t make a distinction between social clubs or outlaw bikie fortresses,” Mr.Atkinson said.

“We want to take into account the fact they are bikie gangs operating outside the law,”he said. “The laws will allow us to demolish headquarters erected unlawfully.”

The new laws will be introduced this year, but will not apply retrospectively.

Monash University criminologist Arthur Veno said a more collaborative approach wasrequired between police and gangs rather than more laws.

John Bennett, president of the Australian Civil Liberties Union, said any character-basedlaws would be discriminatory unless they applied to all people, not just bikie gangs.

DIVERSE GROUP DECRIES “SPY FILES” KEPT BY POLICE “Political activists, bikers andmasked demonstrators converged outside the state Capitol on Sunday to protest the DenverPolice Department’s collection of secret intelligence files on more than 3,400protesters,” wrote Nick Groke in a Special Report to The Denver Post on Monday, April 22,2002.

The rally, organized by the Tyranny Response Team, a pro gun-rights group, drew about 100participants, including members of the Colorado Libertarian Party, the Colorado GreenParty and several local motorcycle clubs.

“The whole idea behind the files is to intimidate,” said Robert Teesdale of the TyrannyResponse Team. “This issue affects all of us the same way.”

Denver police are allowed under law to keep intelligence files on groups and peopleinvolved in violent crime or property destruction, but they also have been maintainingdocuments on peaceful protesters.

“This isn’t a resurgence of what they did in the ’60s and ’70s – it’s a continuation,”said Latino activist Ernesto Vigil of the police files. “They never stopped.”

The American Civil Liberties Union filed suit last month against the Police Departmentover the so-called secret spy files. The ACLU is seeking access to the files for peoplewhose names are in the documents. They also want the files destroyed.

“Unfortunately, I’m not sure even a successful lawsuit will solve the problem,” saidRalph Shnelvar, who spoke at the rally.

Organizers sent invitations to more than 40 local activist groups to attend the rally. Many of the motorcycle club members left after organizers warned them that two policeofficers were writing down the license plate numbers of nearby motorcycles.

“I support the Denver Police Department, but we know we’ve been targets, and it’s juststupid,” said Bill Jones, a member of a local motorcycle club.

MISSOURI BIKERS DEMAND RETURN OF PROPERTY>– A.I.M. Attorneys around the country not onlyprovide legal assistance to injured motorcyclists, but they also contribute “pro bono”legal work for the motorcycle community, and often serve as Legal Counsel for their localMotorcycle Rights Organization and for all the Confederations of Clubs. Missouri A.I.M.attorney Jeffrey Lang recently represented two motorcycle clubs in lawsuits against lawenforcement to return property seized in a raid on their clubhouse.

The Jackson County Drug Enforcement Task Force executed two search warrants. The firstwas at the club house shared by the Galloping Goose MC and El Forastero MC. While nodrugs, drug precursors, drug making apparatus or paraphernalia was located, the TaskForce assisted by the FBI and ATF confiscated club property including, but not limitedto, club pictures, plaques, flags, anything with the club colors or 1% information on it,antique slot machines and the clubs’ minute books.

Another search warrant was executed at the residence of a Galloping Goose club member. While no drugs or drug making apparatus was found, various personal items of the memberwas confiscated including but not limited to, pictures, club jackets, motorcycle partsand other pictures or clothing containing club colors or 1% information.

The club and member fought for years trying to regain possession of their property. About a year ago, out of frustration, they asked if Missouri A.I.M. attorney Jeff Langcould do anything to help. Jeff filed two lawsuits against the Task Force. One in thename of the two clubs and the other in the name of the member.

“Both suits sounded in Tort and asserted causes of action in Replevin,” explains Jeff inlegalese. “Later, after additional discovery, both Petitions were amended to include acount for Conversion, which, in addition to actual damages prayed for punitive damages.”

Early in the litigation, the Task Force returned most of the member’s property.

“We were able to serve the Task Force detective who was in charge of executing bothsearch warrants, with a subpoena duces tecum to appear for his deposition. Just prior tothe taking of his deposition, the Task Force agreed to return the bulk of property takenfrom the club house of the Gooses and El Forasteros,” according to attorney Lang.

“We proceeded with the deposition of the detective to determine the reliability of theConfidential Informants who provided information for the search warrants and any otherfacts the detective relied upon in requesting the search warrant,” Lang said.

“As of yet, we do not have a trial date, but my clients are ecstatic to get theirproperty back. There are still issues to resolve regarding firearms, ammunition and theslot machines that are still being held.”

QUOTABLE QUOTE: “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”Helen Keller

HARLEY FORCED TO SHUT DOWN EVENT DUE TO CLUB VIOLENCE

From The GUNNY’S SACK

DONNYBROOK, IRELAND: Well, that’s actually just where the name comes from, and it’s cometo mean a “free-for-all,” and we in the biker community sure had ourselves a littleDonnybrook in Laughlin, Nevada, just before this here Sack went to press. Now it seemsthat officials from Harley-Davidson have had to cancel a motorcycle festival planned inOld Bridge, New Jersey this summer. The town’s worried about violence, basically. Damn. More than 150,000 people were expected to attend Harley’s “Open Road Tour” show, plannedfor August 16-18 at Raceway Park.

These and other good people are put off by the threat of violence in their home town. Other motorcycle events are also being cancelled or held under tighter security andheavy scrutiny by law enforcement. And it’s not like ANY community of people is free ofviolence. But when it’s this public, it’s no wonder Big Brother wants us off the roads.

We’ve made SO MUCH PROGRESS, especially with the Confederations of Clubs around theUnited States and Canada, with NCOM’s help. These Confederations afford a platform forALL bikers – clubs in particular – to have a voice, a line of communication, and MOST ofall, a VOICE for JUSTICE for ALL bikers, in the courts. This episode won’t go unnoticed,and it may set us back JUST a bit, but nobody’s gonna give up the struggle, because weall lose if we do. Peace to all, that’s all I can say.

NEWS BITS’N PIECES:

FROM THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS comes this jewel. Prayers for the road: Lakeshore’s firstBlessing of the Bikes drew hundreds of scooter people. “Blessing of the Bikes” hasbecome somewhat of a tradition all over the country. It happens in the Springtime whenmost of us getting our putts outta hybernation and shined up for the start of the ridingseason. It’s a good thing, folks, and we could all use some divine help in the trafficwe ride in nowadays.

These are real family type gatherings that everyone can enjoy, and even if it is a littlecold and rainy, the warm fuzzys you get from it are well worth it.

NEWNAN, GA: A brand new motorcycle factory is being built by Triumph Motorcycles inHinckley, U.K. on the site destroyed in a recent fire. Production is expected to resumeby the start of September 2002. The new facility is said to be the most advanced in theworld. Hoorah!

HOUSTON, TX: Well, with that news about those few (and it really is a few) club problems,here’s a little POSITIVE perspective: In Houston, Texas, a group of citizens is workingto rehabilitate run down areas in the 136 year old Fifth Ward and Denver Harborneighborhoods. For starters, eight homes belonging to some old folks like me will berenovated and put in sparkling shape. Workers include hundreds of Conoco volunteers, andmembers of Motorcycle Clubs, including United Bikers, the Street Lords, and The ChosenFew. The bikers are working side-by-side with the St. John’s Baptist Church, the City ofHouston, the Mormon church; even with the Houston Police. Now that’s the image we wannabe working on. Congratulations, all of you hard working people!

ST. JAMES PALACE, ENGLAND: When we say here in the Sack that bikers are a very diversegroup, HERE’S the topper on that poop: Prince William rides. That is, we’re talkin’ oneof the possible successors to the Throne of the British Empire. And like my boss SamHochberg might say, “that ain’t chopped liver.” The PA News story tells us that theyoung prince has had his endorident, take advantage of the services these fine peopleoffer us. Your A.I.M. attorneys are available by calling the toll free nationwidehotline at 1-800-ON-A- BIKE, or online at www.on-a-bike.com. Sam Hochberg, our OregonA.I.M. attorney is available out of Portland. He will take good care of you as will anyother A.I.M. attorney in the country.

Keep the round side on the bottom.Gunny, Oregon A.I.M. Chief of Staff

NCOM COAST TO COAST BIKER NEWS

THE AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE is brought to you by Aid to Injured Motorcyclists(A.I.M.) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), and is sponsored by the LawOffices of Richard M. Lester. For more information, call us at 1-(800) ON-A-BIKE orvisit us on our website at .

NCOM COAST TO COAST BIKER NEWS

Compiled and Edited by Bill Bish, National Coalition of Motorcyclists

NEW MEXICO REPEALS HELMET LAW Okay, we all know New Mexico doesn’t have a helmet law,right? Wrong. Or at least they had one up until the town of Sunland Park repealed theircity helmet ordinance recently under heavy pressure from the motorcycling community.

Sunland Park is a border town located at the corner of old Mexico, Texas, and New Mexico,and it’s one of the most scenic roads in the state. The city boasts a casino and horsetrack, and until recently, a helmet law, despite the fact that New Mexico doesn’t have amandatory helmet law. It’s a popular riding destination, particularly for Texasmotorcyclists before their state repealed the helmet law.

Sunland Park was the only remaining municipality in any state to enact and maintain amandatory helmet requirement for all riders and passengers, despite state law that allowsadult freedom of choice. The statewide helmet law only pertains to riders under age 18,but because of “Home Rule” provisions in New Mexico, cities can pass laws that contradictthose of the state.

“Enticed by state grant money which provided police equipment and payroll to staff onepolice officer for three years, Sunland Park, during tough times, found the offer toogood to resist,” explained Eugene Heathman, Chairman of the New Mexico Confederation ofClubs and a member of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club. “Since that time, the helmetordinance ruffled some feathers as being selectively enforced and arbitrary.”

On March 19th, 2002; through the collective efforts of the New Mexico Confederation ofClubs, New Mexico Motorcyclists Rights Organization, ABATE of New Mexico, West TexasConfederation of Clubs, and the Texas Motorcycle Rights Association (TMRA2), the SunlandPark City Council voted unanimously to repeal the current language of the ordinance.

With support from Mayor Jesus Segura and several council members, new language to theordinance was adopted mirroring current New Mexico State regulations, with the amendmentthat “all persons under the age of twenty-one, whether operating or riding as a passengeron a motorcycle, shall at all times wear a helmet.”

“We had lobbied the city council since January of this year,” says Revvv, of ABATE. “Itwas the last universal mandatory helmet law in the entire Southwest. The State of Texas,City of Edmonton (OK), and the Navajo Nation (approximately the size of West Virginia)all repealed or modified their?s in the past five years.”

A well-deserved celebration is planned to honor Sunland Park’s decision to respectrider’s freedom and in appreciation for the city’s past support of charity motorcycleevents.

MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS NEEDED, NOT HELMETS In one of the more positive, and factual,newspaper articles to come out of Daytona Bike Week, Greg Martin had this to say abouthelmets and motorcycle safety, excerpted from his article “Helmets, Drivers, Factors InBike Wrecks,” which appeared in the March 18, 2002 edition of the Charlotte Sun-Herald.

Ever since the Florida Legislature repealed a state law that required motorcyclists towear helmets, news reports of motorcycle crashes inevitably report on whether the riderwas wearing a helmet.

That’s true also in the recent motorcycle wreck that claimed the life of Timothy G.Spieldenner, 41, of Port Charlotte, who was not wearing a helmet, according to reports.

But statistics gathered since July 2000, when the helmet law was repealed, are unclearwhether helmets are safer. That may be because motorcycle crashes are dangerous with orwithout helmets.

The statistics also show that in 80 percent of motorcycle crashes, the drivers of othervehicles, such as cars and trucks, were issued the citations.

Some 86 percent of motorcycle wrecks result in rider injuries and 4 percent in death,according to state highway department statistics for 2000.

To members of the American Bikers Aiming Toward Education, a biker organization known asABATE that Spieldenner had recently joined, the statistics point to the need to educateother drivers to watch out for motorcycles.

“Doc” Reichenbach, state legislative affairs director for ABATE of Florida, said he metwith Governor Jeb Bush last week to discuss the need to improve motorist awareness. Themeeting came after Reichenbach lost two friends to motorcycle wrecks. In one wreck inFort Myers last year, the driver of a car that struck the motorcyclist was issued a $62citation, Reichenbach said. “The governor told us he would work with us on motorcyclesafety.”

The number of motorcycles in the state climbed from 185,000 in 1993 to 250,000 in 2000. Most of the increase came in the past three years.

The state’s current helmet law allows riders who are at least 21 and possess $10,000 inhealth insurance to ride without helmets. The law became effective in July 2000.

The department’s statistics for 2000 show the number of motorcycle crashes declined 8percent in the six months after the helmet law was repealed, but the number of fatalitiesrose by 4.5 percent.

Reichenbach is quick to point to other numbers. For example, fatal motorcycle wrecks atBike Week peaked in 2000 at 15 — before the helmet law was repealed. Seven were killedat the event in 2001, and nine in 2002.

But for motorcyclists, it’s not about the numbers — it’s about freedom of choice. “Istill feel it’s our God-given right under the Constitution of the United States and theDeclaration of Independence to ride without a helmet,” Reichenbach said.

NOTE: In addition to his duties as President and Lobbyist for ABATE of Florida, Inc.,”Doc” Reichenbach also serves as the Chairman of the Board for the National Coalition ofMotorcyclists (NCOM).

This lengthy article was condensed for the sake of space. For a copy of the completearticle, including numerous statistics appearing therein, please e-mail Bill Bish atNCOM, at bish@aimncom.com, or call the NCOM office at (800) 525-5355.

WASHINGTON ENJOINED FROM HARASSING BIKERS After being stopped numerous times by policefor bogus reasons, masking for intelligence gathering on local motorcycle clubs, aWashington biker turned to A.I.M. (Aid to Injured Motorcyclists) Attorney Martin Fox,legal counsel for the Confederation of Clubs of Washington, for advice and legalassistance. Following is Marty’s report on this situation;

To the Motorcycle Community:I am sending this to update you on what is happening with our lawsuit against theWashington State Patrol, the Washington Department of Licensing, and Trooper KennethDePretto. We sued the State and officer DePretto for a number of claims includinginjunctive relief, a violation of the national Civil Rights Act section 1983, a violationof the Washington State Constitution Article One Section 7, and common-law claims offalse imprisonment and false arrest. The case was scheduled to go to trial on April 15,2002. The State made a motion for dismissal of all claims by summary judgment scheduledfor hearing on March 29, 2002.

At the hearing the court made a number of rulings and struck the trial date to becontinued to a later time. The court granted our motion for injunctive relief andenjoined the State of Washington and Trooper DePretto from using “Biker 101” in stoppingmotorcyclists and in particular motorcycle club members. The court found that any fairreading of the document indicated that the procedures recommended in the outline were forintelligence purposes and harassment of bikers. The court dismissed the civil rightsclaims under section 1983 and under the Washington State Constitution. The 1983 civilrights claims were dismissed because of a case called Whren vs. United States which foundthat pretextual stops were permitted as long as the arresting officer had some trafficviolation or other reason to stop the motorists that he could fall back on.

Pretextual stops are not permitted in the State of Washington under the Ladson case as aviolation of the Washington State Constitution. However, a recent December 24, 2001 casecalled Blinka vs. W.S.B.A. found that a claim for damages is not authorized for aviolation of rights granted under the Washington State Constitution. The tort claims forfalse arrest and imprisonment were dismissed because the judge determined that a bikercould be stopped for a helmet, exhaust, or handlebar violation and that those arrestsallowed the officer to check our client’s driving record for violations. In our case,after the biker was stopped, the officer determined from a license check that thecomputer records demonstrated that his license was suspended because of violations inOregon which, according to the court, allowed him to be arrested. The court found thatthe officer does not have to go beyond the computer records to verify them.

The action against the Washington State Department of licensing is still moving forward. The issue of whether or not our client’s license was suspended when he was arrestedstill may go to trial. I am going to attempt to get a ruling from the court which willdetermine whether or not Oregon can impose motorcycle insurance on Washington residentsas a result of a violation of Oregon law.

Obviously, this case would have been appealed sooner or later. However, it seems as ifit will be appealed sooner depending on the wishes of my clients. I think we have anexcellent record to go up on appeal, perhaps, even a superior record to a trial becausethere are no extraneous issues that could obfuscate the constitutional questions here.

This is simply a case of a motorcyclist wearing club identification who is consistentlystopped by the State patrol for bogus helmet, exhaust, and handlebar violations becausethe officer is gathering intelligence and wants to harass clubs. The court in its oralruling declared that he knew this was the case destined for the Washington State SupremeCourt up the street from his courtroom. I believe given the current climate in the stateand the fiscal issues existing in Olympia, the judge probably took the easiest way outand made a ruling that would save the state money, but he still gave us our injunctionbecause I believe he realized how terrible Ed was treated and wanted to stop thepractice. To be continued?

VIRGINIA GETS TOUGH WITH DRIVERS WHO KILL BIKERS What?s A Mother To Do? If you are aVirginia mom named Jody Patterson, you get really MAD!! Ms. Patterson got mad when herson, Adam Svihla, was killed by a motorist who turned in front of Adam?s motorcycle lastSeptember.

To make matters worse, in January at the trial of the other driver, for negligentlykilling a biker he was fined $200 plus court costs for failing to yield right of way.

Bet that really hurt his pocketbook. He will have to skip a day trip to a theme parkto pay for killing another human being. See anything wrong with this picture?

Jim Spencer of the Daily Press in Newport News, where the crash occurred, was also hackedoff. “Whenever violations of traffic laws take human lives, justice demands that thepeople responsible forfeit their driving privileges at least temporarily. If the lawdoesn’t allow for that in all fatal accidents, then the law should be changed,” wroteSpencer.

Ms. Patterson proceeded to lobby Virginia’s legislature for a law that would allow judgesto suspend a motorist’s driver’s license for up to a year for causing a fatal crash. Virginia State lawmakers have now approved such a bill.

Jody Patterson knows first hand what we’ve been saying for years, “Your ONE VOTE counts!” In this case, her vote was her voice and action. She put down the TV remote long enoughto take action, promote her agenda, and she prevailed. We should all learn from herlesson. Put down the remote! Get out and VOTE!

And we’re Not Alone in the never-ending quest for our rights. In Washington State, theWashington Road Riders Association is supporting a bill that would make it a felonyoffense, vehicular assault, if a car driver operates his/her car with disregard for thesafety of others and causes substantial bodily harm to another. Similar politicalactions are occurring in New Jersey, New York, Missouri, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Be comforted in the knowledge that we are not the only ones working toward our commongoals. Be invigorated knowing that we all are having successes in our efforts. Keep upthe Good Work!

A Message From SPUTNIK,Founder, TMRA-II and Member of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists Legislative TaskForce (NCOM-LTF)

WEIRD NEWS OF THE MONTH: WHAT?S YOUR SIGN? A new survey of Australian accident insuranceclaims suggests Geminis are the most likely to have a crash. The survey of Australianaccident insurance claims shows drivers born under the Zodiac sign of Taurus and Piscescome in second and third.

Suncorp Metway’s survey shows Capricorns are least likely to have accidents.

“Geminis, typically described as restless, easily bored and frustrated by things movingslowly, had more car accidents than any other sign,” Warren Duke, Suncorp’s nationalmanager of personal insurance, told The Courier-Mail.

Taureans are thought to be stubborn and inflexible, Pisceans are risk-takers anddare-devils, while Capricorns are generally thought of as patient, he added. The studyis based on 160,000 car accident insurance claims over the last three years. The fulllist, starting with the most accident-prone star sign, is as follows: Gemini, Taurus,Pisces, Virgo, Cancer, Aquarius, Aries, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, Scorpio, and Capricorn.

The company isn’t planning to base its premiums on people’s star sign.

QUOTABLE QUOTES: “All progress has resulted from people who took unpopular positions.”ADLAI STEVENSON (1900-1965) U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations 1961-65Democratic Presidential candidate in 1952 and 1956

BIKERS RIGHTS – BIKER NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

THE AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE is brought to you by Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), and is sponsored by the Law Offices of Richard M. Lester. For more information, call us at 1-(800) ON-A-BIKE. Visit us on our website at

From TheGUNNY’S SACK

During the month of February, ABATE of Oregon has an annual training meeting called STEAM (Seminars To Educate And Motivate). I mention it in this issue because this year it was a very special one. We were honored to host Simon Milward, the former Secretary General of the Federation of European Motorcyclists Association, FEMA.

Simon, incidently, a long time friend of mine, is on a world tour on a one-cylinder, hand-made motorcycle raising funds for two medical charities. One provides motorcycles for getting medical personnel and supplies into remote areas. The other is in support of doctors working in remote areas of the world. All proceeds he raises go directly to these missions. He is bearing ALL his own trip expenses, using his life savings for the adventure. Needless to say, he’s quite a guy.

He presented and narrated a pictorial story of the trip so far for us. He plans to travel to South America on the next leg and then on to Africa and home. He’s been on the road for two years now, and has traveled all across Europe, Asia, and up through eastern Russia as well as around the U.S. and into Canada.

We wish him well and hope he manages to limit the falls off his ride for the rest of the trip. From his talk I’d guess he will be known as “Upside Down Simon” after he gets home. Seems he has a problem staying on TOP of the bike a great deal of the time. His presentation made many of us jealous of his adventure and it was a real treat.

Away from Simon to remind all you brothers and sisters out there RIDING TIME IS UPON US now, so it?s time to get the “Johnnies come lately” among us busy getting the ride and the rider ready for the onslaught of the cages during this riding season. Get the ride tuned, tired, inspected, and ready for the road.

If you haven’t taken a riding course in a few years or more, it won’t hurt to check one out. What you learn can save your life. I’ve only been riding a little over fifty years and I find the courses handy for me. A refresher course is cheaper than chrome or a hospital bill.

NEWS BITS’N PIECES:

Bike Seizure in EUGENE, OREGON: This is a comfy, liberal college and lumber town two hours south of Portland. So you’d THINK the police were laid back. ‘Fraid not. EVERY February, the Free Souls Motorcycle Club has their anniversary party, and nearly every year, the police buzz all over the area, day and night. This year, our Oregon Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (AIM) Attorney, Sam Hochberg, went down to check it out. He saw more than Eugene cops: There were police from Springfield, Junction City, the Sheriff, the Oregon State Police, and a whole lot of unmarked cars. You’d think the Free Souls were working with Osama bin-goddamned- Laden! I’ve been to this party too, and have seen the same shameful behavior. So, this year, Sam ran into one small thing that may help turn it around.

A biker (NOT a patch holder) was leaving the party, and like almost every biker who has to run the police gauntlet, was stopped. Cops looked at his bike, said something about the ID numbers on the bike not “matching.” The biker told him OF COURSE they wouldn’t match; it?s titled as a RECONSTRUCTED bike ? and in Oregon, that means that the DMV inspected it!! Not good enough. The bike was seized.

And not just seized to look at ? this happened on Feb. 9th, and at this writing, over a MONTH later, the bike is STILL not released. Sam and his new associate, LEAH JOHNSON, put together a Motion for the Return of Seized Property. It’s filed in the Circuit Court for Lane County. Sam says, the burden is on the COPS to prove a legit reason to hang onto it. We’ll keep you posted here in the Sack, as things move along in this case.

STATE COLLEGE, PENN: The AP wire tells us this story of a biker, Kevin Dare. This fellow was a natural athlete who loved the thrill of pole vaulting — and of riding his motorcycle more than 100 mph.

This well-loved athlete was mourned recently by fellow athletes. He lost his life NOT on a motorcycle but during his track event, the POLE VAULT, at the Big Ten men’s track and field indoor championships.

He apparently missed his run and fell, landing head first on the steel “box,” an 8-inch-deep groove in the mat where vaulters plant the pole to lift themselves off the ground. He was pronounced dead, of head injuries, at the hospital a short time later. I guess y’just never know what’s gonna get ya.

BRAZIL: WHOA! We’ve heard about all the millions of bikes built every year in China, but look at what Sam Hochberg, our Oregon A.I.M. attorney dug up on the net:

In a story from South American Business Information, these guys report that from 1993 to 2001, motorcycle sales in Brazil have gone up TENFOLD! Man oh man. And would you believe 90% of the bikes sold there are Hondas?

In 2001 alone there were 692,000 units sold. According to Abraciclo, in 2002 the motorcycle market will reach 780,000 units a year. WOW! And I thought China was the growth giant in the world.

NIGERIA: Taxi drivers can be a wild bunch. Our Oregon A.I.M. Attorney, Sam Hochberg, used to push those big Checkers around NYC for some years, back before he got to lawyering. Put a few shots of Tequila in him, and he?ll tell you a story or two! But here’s another taxi story from Africa. Seems that the commercial motorcycle taxi operators we’ve told you about before here in the Sack — the “Okada” guys — went on a riot in Nigeria, over a spat with the police there. It’s all really political, but it’s of interest to ME because this is a group of BIKERS who are their OWN distinct political force in their country. I’m not endorsing riots, but these folks are people to be reckoned with. Maybe we could take a lesson?

The police there arrested 168 Okada drivers over their violent demonstrations. They also confiscated 194 motorcycles! It?s said the riot was caused by the killing of an Okada driver by police. (That’s not a good reason to be pissed?)

The lesson I see is DON’T RIOT if ya wanta keep yur scoot and don’t piss off Nigerian cops if ya like breathin.

HANOI, VIETNAM: Reuters tells us about Honda being accused of using too many Chinese parts in a new inexpensive model called The Wave Alpha. It’s sold in Vietnam to compete with the cheaper Chinese imitation ride. Honda has denied the allegations. The Wave has only about 4% Chinese parts, says Honda. This thing sells for less than $800.00 American money.

There are more than 8 million motorcycles on the roads of Vietnam and 1.8 million were sold last year alone. Man, that’s nearly 3,000 bikes a day.

SAMSULA, FLA: Mike Schneider of the Associated Press comes up with this jewel. It seems there is a couple in this area who love bikers and are nudists as well. They also own several acres of land so they thought a nudist camp-out for bikers on their property would be a good idea.

So, about fifty guests responded to a sign on their fence that said “Private Party, Nudity,” and to an ad in the Florida Bikers Digest that said “Camping Party and Adult Biker Games.” Do you think bikers responded? You Betcha!

Too bad authorities and neighbors didn’t approve. They were told to cease and desist or face a one thousand dollar fine. Cops said it wasn’t the nudity but a land use issue. HAH!

The property owner said all he wants to do is be able to host his parties during Bike Week and Biketoberfest ? Daytona’s sister motorcycle event in October ? and he doesn’t want to give bikers a bad name. He also didn’t want the Southern Baptists there to be able to seize on something to get him in trouble, but he said “In their eyes, we’re already heathens.”

I’d probably go to that party but I think I’d wear clothes to keep from scaring people away.

GUNNY AGAIN: Did you procrastinate about the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) Convention? Hurry, you might get lucky and still be able to get a reservation. I’ll look for you there. Call 1-800-ON-A-BIKE (or 800-531-2424) for more information and pre-registration.

The NCOM Convention and other services are paid for by A.I.M. Attorneys across the country when they send a hefty chunk of their fees to Richard M. Lester, the lawyer who founded A.I.M. (the free Aid to Injured Motorcyclists program), and NCOM, the National Coalition of Motorcyclists, free to motorcycle groups and clubs. If you happen to have an accident, you can reach your local A.I.M. Attorney by calling (800) ON-A-BIKE, 24/7. Your initial consultation is free, and nobody makes a penny on your case unless you do.

Keep the round side on the bottom.
Gunny, Oregon A.I.M. Chief of Staff

WEB BROWSER ESPOUSES FREEDOM OF CHOICE In a venue that measures Hits instead of Nielson Ratings, Netscape’s Home Page (www.netscape.com) ranks among the most popular sites for web surfers, with lots of news, links, shopping and cool stuff like their Autos Page where Internet users can buy and sell new or used vehicles, and even secure financing and insurance.

A recent “Feature Article” on Netscape’s Autos Page gave visitors a refreshing look at personal freedoms in America, with particular attention to seatbelt laws and helmet laws.

Written by Eric Peters, “Seatbelt & Helmet Laws: It?s Your Life” reached out to millions of people with the very same message that bikers rights groups have been trying to purvey to the public, but with the lightning speed of the Internet.

The article begins; “Whether it’s prudent to wear a seatbelt or put on a helmet (if you ride motorcycles) is entirely beside the point–at least as regards laws that make the use of these things compulsory. Of course wearing a seatbelt or a helmet is ‘safer.’ But so is maintaining ideal body weight or exercising regularly. Yet there are no laws (as yet) requiring you to eat your broccoli or do sit-ups every other day. The police do not carry pincers to measure your body fat ratio and have no authority (yet) to give you tickets for exceeding the ‘healthful’ poundage. Why is that? After all, if the justification for seatbelt and helmet laws is that they’re for your own good, the same argument can be made about such things as dietary habits and exercise. Ditto other personal choices, such as the type of recreational sports or other activities you may be involved in. Where do we draw the line–and on what basis?”

Peters continues, “things like seatbelt laws and helmet laws are, in the first place, entirely arbitrary interferences with personal choices, as distinct from behaviors, actions, or conduct that might affect others, which is another matter. Ergo, the state has no justification to intervene. If we’re going to accept as the basis for public policy the idea that it is the duty of government to involve itself in our private choices on the basis of compelling us all to do what’s ‘good’ for us (however that’s defined), then it’s pretty hard to see how to draw any line at all beyond which the self-appointed busybodies and do-gooders who use the force of government as their cudgel may not transgress.”

“I oppose seatbelt laws and helmet laws not because I won’t admit it’s safer to wear a seat belt or a helmet when riding a bike,” says the author, “Rather, I oppose such laws because a very important principle is at stake: That entirely personal choice is none of the government’s business — just as my diet, exercise habits, and other personal choices that may somewhat increase (or decrease) my exposure to risk/danger are likewise none of the government’s business, either. Or yours, for that matter.”

He concludes, “This is why the founders of the American state set forth strict limits on government — precisely enumerating what it could and could not do, and why. What made the United States so unique in world history was that it enshrined in its governing principles the idea that individuals should be left free to live their own lives as they saw fit, free of interference from those who thought they ‘knew better.’ Taking risks (or not) was part of that philosophy. We were a live and let live people — for a while. Only when an individual’s conduct or actions clearly threatened the safety or well-being of others — and thus became a public matter — did the state have cause to interfere. That distinction is what we’re losing — and it may cost us dearly. Do we want government officials inspecting our cupboards and refrigerators for ‘dangerous’ foods? Or checking our cholesterol and waistlines? No? Then seat belt laws, mandatory helmet regulations, and the like must be rescinded — no matter how much we may instinctively wish to promote our neighbor’s well-being. That’s his business — not yours. Not the government’s. Leave him alone. And hopefully, he’ll return the favor?

…Wouldn’t that be nice?”

DAYTONA BIKE WEEK IN REVIEW– Although national headlines from this year’s Bike Week highlighted the fact that nine people died during the 10-day motorcycle festival, insinuating that the repeal of Florida’s helmet law may have played a part in those deaths, they failed to mention that a record 15 people died during Bike Week 2000, which was the last year under a mandatory helmet law.

Last year, only six people lost their lives in the first Daytona Bike Week without a helmet requirement.

Now in its 61st year, Bike Week draws an estimated 500,000 bikers to Florida for an annual celebration of motorcycles, and along with Biketoberfest, it provides a $744 million boost to the local economy — almost half the $1.6 billion impact to the area from all special events.

In other Daytona Beach news, Karl “Big Daddy Rat” Smith died of a heart attack on Monday of Bike Week while making final preparations for that weekend?s Rat’s Hole Custom Chopper Show, in which he was to receive an award for his contributions to the motorcycle world.

At 74 and despite recent ill health, Smith still was involved in producing the custom-bike shows that brought him international attention. Big Daddy Rat first visited Bike Week in 1963, and started in business on Main Street in a 12-by-16-foot shop aptly named The Rat’s Hole. His business grew to include seven shops in Daytona Beach and a gift shop in Las Vegas.

NORTH FLORIDA COC PROTESTS DAYTONA?S “COLORLESS” BARS– Although most of the bars and saloons in Daytona Beach bar bikers from wearing club patches, hundreds of bikers from various motorcycle clubs wore their “colors” for a Saturday afternoon get together during Bike Week at Daytona Nites in Ormond-By-The-Sea to share some conversation, laughter and a few beers.

“It looked like a high school reunion in black leather,” noted the local newspaper, The Daytona Beach News-Journal.

For years, even the most biker-friendly bars in town, such as the Boot Hill Saloon on Main Street, have not allowed riders to wear anything that represents their membership in a motorcycle club. Even the owners of the Iron Horse Saloon and the Broken Spoke Saloon, two of the most popular biker bars along U.S. 1, choose to remain colorless.

But this does not suit the North Florida Confederation of Clubs, the organization that sponsored the motorcycle club meeting in Ormond-by-the-Sea.

The group originated in 1999 to serve as a “national voice to protect bikers’ lifestyles and their right to ride.”

In protest against the bars and restaurants that prohibit club colors and insignia, Robert “Smitty” Smith, a longtime member of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, president of the club’s Daytona Beach chapter and the liaison for the North Florida Confederation of Clubs, began circulating a petition that decries what the organization calls “blatant discrimination” against bikers who choose to display their club memberships.

“The rights of cyclists have been violated for years,” said Smith. “We just want a little freedom.”

BANNED BIKES MAY BE BANISHED ABROAD– “Talk about getting rid of a problem. The Baltimore City Council wants to send one of its scourges to another hemisphere,” reported The Baltimore Sun newspaper regarding the city council’s impending vote on a plan to donate seized dirt bikes to needy groups in Africa or elsewhere out of the country.

“Get them out of Baltimore and send the message that we are not going to tolerate them anymore,” said Councilman Melvin L. Stukes, who supports the proposal to ship the bikes abroad, so long as there is no cost to taxpayers. “We want them out of the city, period.”

Baltimore outlawed the use of dirt bikes two years ago after two young men died when their bikes slammed into the back of a 10,000-pound delivery truck. Police have estimated that 1,000 such bikes are in the city and have resulted in several deaths. In the past two years, they have seized 119 dirt bikes and 18 unregistered motorcycles.

Two groups based in Africa are interested in taking the dirt bikes off Baltimore’s hands. The bikes would help people in African countries where roads are not in good condition.

City Council President Sheila Dixon said the council did not want them auctioned off by the Police Department because the bikes could return to city streets.

But Stukes and Dixon were concerned about ensuring the bikes didn’t end up in the wrong hands.

“The last headline we want to see is that all … 75 bikes shipped from Baltimore have ended up in drug lords’ hands,” Stukes said.

SPEED KILLS: POLICE RELEASE DEAD MOTORCYCLIST?S SPEEDING VIDEO– A self-made video of a British motorcyclist “treating roads as a race track” two weeks before his death has been released by police in England in a bid to cut accidents.

After the 28-year-old motorcyclist died in a collision, police released his video showing him speeding and performing stunts. He would strap a video camera to the front of his machine and tape himself traveling in excess of 100mph, pulling wheelies and overtaking other vehicles on blind bends.

Cornwall Police said: “The whole manner of his riding is dangerous. It is treating roads as a race circuit but unfortunately on the roads you have vehicles coming in the opposite direction. The whole reason for releasing the video is to get the message across that this kind of driving is not clever. It is dangerous and fatal consequences can result.”

The dead rider’s girlfriend handed the tape over to the police, and made an appeal urging others to slow down in a bid to reduce the number of fatalities involving motorcycles. “I know that superbikes aren’t made to go slowly but when they see what happened here I hope that they will think about their speed and slow down. It may save a life.”

JAIL FOR BIKE RIDER CAUGHT SPEEDING BY HIS OWN VIDEO– A motorcyclist who made a video recording of himself traveling at more than 160mph has been jailed for 12 months, prosecuted on the strength of his own video after he attached the camera to his 900cc Kawasaki in order to record his exploits.

The 32-year-old U.K. rider was pulled over by officers from the Dyfed Powys Police force, who spotted the video camera and confiscated it.

A Dyfed Powys Police spokeswoman said: “He drove from Church Village near Pontypridd, on to the A470 and down towards Llandovey in mid Wales on the A40. He was stopped by officers, who took the camera away. The video showed the camera pointing out over the handlebars and you can see the speedometer. His speeds regularly topped 150mph.” The spokeswoman said the motorcyclist had attached a hydraulic device to his number plate to flick the plate away to stop police recording his registration.

In addition to a year in jail, the speeding film star is banned from driving for three years and was ordered to take an extended driving test.

WEIRD NEWS OF THE MONTH: BIKER ATTACKED FOR “RIDING TOO SLOWLY” — On the other end of the speed spectrum comes this news story of a Malaysian man who was reportedly beaten up because he was riding his motorbike too slowly.

The 52-year-old was assaulted in Penang by 20 men. He was on his way home to take his family out when he was attacked. According to The Straits Times, the Sun newspaper said he was riding his motorcycle when a car blocked his path. Three men got out of the car and told him off. They then grabbed the keys to his bike. One of them called his friends using a mobile phone and 15 men armed with sticks and knives turned up and attacked the motorcyclist. They fled when other motorists intervened.

QUOTABLE QUOTE: “The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it. Ignorance may deride it. But in the end; there it is.”
WINSTON CHURCHILL (1874 – 1965)
British Prime Minister

NEWS BITS ‘N PIECES FROM AROUND THE WORLDTHE AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE is brought to you by Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), and is sponsored by the Law Offices of Richard M. Lester. For more information, call us at 1-(800) ON-A-BIKE.Visit us on our website at

Wow! Here it is gettin’ near Valentine’s Day already, and the year just now seems to have started. Haven’t even gotten over the year-end holidays yet, and away we go again.

Guess I’d better get with it and get ready for our upcoming National Coalition of Motorcyclists Annual Convention in NEW ORLEANS, over Mother’s Day weekend in May.

We all know how important this gathering is to the motorcyclists’ struggle for Freedom of the Road, among other things. The seminars you will attend all are geared to help each of us to return home with tools that help us in this all-important task.

It’s not just the helmet thing anymore, folks. It’s also what’s coming at us, like “End of Life” requirements to recycle older cars and bikes, unrealistic emissions controls, anti-tampering laws to prevent performance modifications, and a myriad of other restrictions that our lawmakers, and their compadres from across the oceans, are foisting upon us with the notion that these laws are for the good of everybody, and bikers aren’t very smart anyway so we shouldn’t mind if we can’t ride anymore.

A dear friend of mine once said, “If this keeps up we will go to museums to look at the machines we once rode with pride on our nation’s highways.”

If that thought makes you ill at ease, don’t miss this year’s NCOM Convention in New Orleans, May 9-11. It promises to be a real doozy. Check with NCOM to get you the information. Call 1-800-ON-A-BIKE, or 1-800-531-2424, or e-mail NCOM’s Bill Bish: ncombish@aol.com, and somebody will happily send you the info. Check the website, too: www.ON-A-BIKE.com. DON’T MISS IT THIS YEAR! Hey, and they’ve got a great Radisson Hotel booked for the conference at $79 a night, near the French Quarter. THOSE rooms are gonna go fast, so call NCOM, or the Radisson Hotel right away. Don’t forget to mention NCOM for the special Convention rate.

NEWS BITS ‘N PIECES:

CHINA: Can ya believe it? ANOTHER banner year of motorcycle production in China. We’ll NEVER catch up in this race, that’s for sure. In a story from AsiaPort and Alestron, we hear that the Chinese manufacturing output of putts went UP by almost 9%. That brings them to a whopping 11 MILLION bikes built in China — just last year. WOW!

We could use some of that Chinese entrepreneurial spirit over here. If we could build even ten percent of that, man oh man… I guess then you’re faced with getting them out of the showrooms and onto the street. Hey, maybe it would give our economy a shot in the arm.

TORONTO: Police in Canada’s largest city said they’ve asked businesses to enforce a strict dress code barring members of the Hells Angels from wearing any of the motorcycle club’s colors when they roll into town.

Boys and girls, I was in the motel business about ten years ago when the Angels came to town and some stayed at my establishment. They were the best customers I had, and they left their rooms the neatest. And they didn’t use motel towels to wipe their scooters off, either. They have their own dress code, and their own code of behavior, and don’t need to be told how to dress or act in public. At least not here in the good old US of A.

LOS ANGELES: Suzuki has done something interesting that we’re seeing more lately: They’ve married the motorcycle and car into these “speed merchant” cars they’ve shown at the auto shows. No info on production for sale of the sports car or their open wheel racer. Check the web site at www.media.suzuki.com.

AUSTRALIA: We’ve all heard or read about the terrible fires in Australia this summer. Reuters news service reported that there have been at least 21 people arrested who were on motorcycles, intentionally setting fires. Millions of acres and countless homes have been lost. Police are also on two wheels, chasing these clowns on dirt bikes. What makes some people tick, I wonder.

FRANCE: According to Berry van Gestel the managing director of Harley-Davidson France, most of the people that buy Harleys there are well-to-do businessmen and not celebrities. Hells bells, even I knew that one! I wonder if they have to wait as long as we do to get a scoot. They say they sold 3,000 rides in 2001. Not bad for the French.

MORE CHINA NEWS: You’d kinda expect SOME motorcycle news here ‘n there from China, lookin’ at our last story of 11 million built in 2001! Seems the Chinese government’s plans to limit bike use in the centers of their BIG cities has helped create a different result — more Chinese are buying bikes who live OUTSIDE those big cities. Hell, if I lived there, you wouldn’t catch ME in a bike-banned city! I guess just because they’re having more ECONOMIC freedom over there doesn’t mean they have ALL their freedoms. Maybe they need some of our biker Freedom-Fighters to go over there and teach those Chinese bikers a thing or three.

THAILAND: Betcha didn’t hear that there were Muslim separatist attacks goin’ on here now, too. It just doesn’t stop, does it? Well, THIS one, right after Christmas, was carried out by a band of five of ’em on BIKES. Why is it that bikes keep popping up in wartime? I guess it’s just ’cause they do the job, for friend or foe. And these guys are killin’ COPS! In this country that would be a BIG no-no.

WASHINGTON: Well, here’s one from right here in the Northwest that caught the eye of our AIM Attorney for Oregon, Sam Hochberg. He caught a wire story about some poor 19 year-old kid up in Renton, Washington, who was racing at 70mph on a city street, and he decided to pull a WHEELIE at 70! The expected happened — somebody pulled out, and the boy died.

Sam says his own first serious bike accident was when HE was 21 — and that’s quite a number of moons back, folks — when HE was popping wheelies on his little 2-stroke — inside a big GARAGE! Smeared him and that little Yamaha right into a Cadillac bumper. Good thing he survived, so he can be on the job for us. Hey, maybe THAT’S why he likes to represent us injured bikers? All the same, if this kid had taken some training, maybe he would still be with us. Wheelies are for the dirt where there is some room to fall down, not on city streets and certainly NOT at 70 mph.

LOS ANGELES and YOUR town: Comin’ around the corner, I hear there’s gonna be a new and improved Independent Shop Program (ISP) for bikers in the USA. It’s sponsored by AIM — Aid to Injured Motorcyclists — those are the lawyers who actually DO RIDE, sponsored by Richard M. Lester. Just show your AIM card to any participating ISP shop, and you’ll get a discount or a deal. Lots of states have shops already signed up now — but watch for more and better to come at your local independent shop!

If y’wanna know more, look in your local ABATE or MRO newsletter, and chances are, you’ll see an AIM Independent Shop Program ad, showing who’s a member in YOUR area. If ya don’t see it, call AIM’s national headquarters in California, toll-free, at 1-800-ON-A-BIKE, or e-mail ’em at aimncom@aimncom.com,and ask about it!

These AIM lawyers are the same folks, as regular Sack readers know, who handle our big and little mishaps on the road. If you get in a wreck, don’t forget to go STRAIGHT to a lawyer, whether it’s AIM or not. Sam Hochberg here in Oregon reminds us NEVER to call those insurance adjusters until you’ve talked to a competent attorney! AIM is there too, “24-7,” at 1-800-ON-A-BIKE. Sam hangs around at 800-347-1106, or in Portland, Oregon at 224-1106, or email SamBikeLaw@aol.com. The Gunny gets his fan mail at AIMGunny@aol.com.

Keep the round side on the bottom.
GUNNY, AIM Chief of Staff for Oregon

IMPORTANT NOTE: Several people sent in subscription requests recently for the AIM/NCOM Motorcycle E-News Service, but unfortunately the computer got hungry and ate them! So, if you or someone you know sent a SUBSCRIBE message to aimncom@aimncom.com, and you aren’t receiving this directly, please re-submit your request and we’ll process it right away. It’s FREE, so what’re you waitin’ for?

FEDS TO TIGHTEN MOTORCYCLE EMISSIONS

THE AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE is brought to you by Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), and is sponsored by the Law Offices of Richard M. Lester. For more information, call us at 1-(800) ON-A-BIKE. Visit us on our website at

NCOM COAST TO COAST BIKER NEWS
Compiled and Edited by BILL BISH,
NATIONAL COALITION OF MOTORCYCLISTS

FEDS TO TIGHTEN MOTORCYCLE EMISSIONS Even as the federal Environmental Protection Agency finalizes their first ever emissions standards for off-road motorcycles and ATV’s, a draft proposal indicates that the EPA’s next step will be to adopt California’s tough new emissions standards for all new street motorcycles sold nationwide beginning in 2006.

Under recently enacted emissions regulations in California, beginning in 2004 new motorcycles must emit no more than 1.4 grams per kilometer of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, and 12 grams per kilometer of carbon monoxide. The proposed federal standard would be the same, but would go into effect in 2006.

California’s two-tiered standard gets tougher in 2008, with a limit of 0.8 grams per kilometer of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides and 12 grams per kilometer of carbon monoxide. Again, the proposed federal standard would be the same, but would not go into effect until 2010.

The current federal emissions standard for on-road motorcycles is 5.0 grams per kilometer of hydrocarbons and 12 grams per kilometer of carbon monoxide.

Motorcycle manufacturers are expected to utilize fuel injection and catalytic converters in order to meet the strict new regulations.

A Public Comment period must take place before the new EPA regulations can be adopted, and the AMA, MRF and NCOM encourages all concerned motorcyclists to make their voices heard!

“OZ” ACTOR ARRESTED FOR WEARING COLORS— Chuck Zito, actor and bodyguard to the stars, was arrested and ejected from a Connecticut casino after refusing to remove his Hells Angels colors, reported the Boston Globe.

Zito, who plays prison inmate Chucky Pancamo on the critically acclaimed HBO series “Oz”, was charged with first-degree criminal trespass by state police after he refused to take off his Hells Angels jacket or to leave the Foxwoods Resort Casino.

A former bodyguard whose clients included Sylvester Stallone, Sean Penn and Charlie Sheen, Zito was at the casino at the invitation of HBO to attend the Evander Holyfield-John Ruiz WBA heavyweight fight on December 15, 2001.

Security guards immediately told Zito that no colors or gang jackets were allowed in the hall.

Casino officials asked Zito to remove his jacket, but he refused, police said. When told he would have to either remove the jacket or leave, Zito refused to do either, prompting troopers to arrest him.

Casino spokesman Bruce McDonald said Foxwoods has a rule barring patrons from wearing gang colors in the casino for fear it will incite violence. Zito was given every opportunity to remove the jacket, but refused, McDonald said

“He was very cooperative and the arrest was made without incident,” said state police Sgt. Ken Kelly. Zito posted a $500 cash bond and will return for a court appearance on the charges.

The 48-year-old actor and stunt man, whose movie credits include “Amistad”, and “Die Hard 3”, said the casino’s rule is not posted and that he believes it is discriminatory.

“We’re going to sue Foxwoods, the state police and anyone else who arrested me,” Zito told the Day of New London. “It was discrimination. They violated my civil rights and they humiliated me.”

“This is an absolute violation of my civil liberties,” said an unrelenting Zito. “I’m calling my lawyer and we’re going to get this straightened out right away. That is discrimination to say motorcycle people can’t go into a fight.”

A member of the Hells Angels for more than 22 years, Zito said he refused to take off his jacket because he was defending his beliefs.

“If a guy walks in here with a Yankees jacket, are you going to make him take it off?” he asked. “This is America, this isn’t Russia.”

FREE AT LAST!— In what hopefully will be the last chapter in the sentencing saga of Richard Aikman, the Kansas biker who received a prison sentence for wearing a belt buckle, Aikman appeared on July 18, 2001 at the Osborne County, Kansas Courthouse for his third sentencing in a possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia case which originated in 1998.

As readers may recall, Aikman was twice sentenced to jail and prison time for wearing a belt buckle displaying the words, “Sons of Silence.” The first two sentences were successfully appealed by Kansas Confederation of Clubs and A.I.M. Attorney, Keith Renner.

Both appeals centered around the sentencing court’s illegal use of Aikman’s apparel to justify enhancing Aikman’s sentence. The sentencing court maintained that Aikman’s belt buckle was indicative of gang affiliation. Even though there were no issues relating to gang affiliation, the sentencing court also found that the crimes were gang related. In the first sentencing, Aikman received one year in county jail on his misdemeanor conviction and probation on his felony conviction. After Renner appealed and succeeded in having the case remanded for resentencing, the sentencing court gave Aikman not only the year in county jail on the misdemeanor, but also gave him one year in prison on the felony, still for wearing the belt buckle.The Kansas Court of Appeals indicated in no uncertain terms in their second decision that Aikman’s rights had been violated by the sentencing court.

The second remand made it clear that Aikman should be sentenced according to the Kansas Sentencing Guidelines, which mandate probation.

In a very short hearing in the stifling heat of a rural Kansas courtroom, Chief Judge William B. Elliott placed Richard Aikman on twelve months of probation on both counts. Upon motion by attorney Renner, Judge Elliott then released Aikman from probation based upon his supervision by court services personnel for over two and one half years while he was on bond awaiting the outcome of his appeals.

Judge Elliott indicated that Aikman had more than served his sentence. Aikman was visibly relieved after living an almost three year nightmare under the threat of prison time for such minor offenses. Renner said, “I am very glad to finally see this matter put to rest. Rick Aikman has sacrificed a great deal in his fight for justice. It takes a lot of guts to stand up for what is right when your foe is the state, but Rick stood up and won this victory for all freedom loving people.”

NEWS OF THE WEIRD: BIKER FINED $103,000 FOR SPEEDING— The bursting of the tech bubble has been felt in many corners of the globe, but has it ever been an issue in traffic court? Today it was — in Helsinki, Finland — where Mr. Ansii Vanjoki appealed a fine that he received for speeding last October when he was caught on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle doing 47 miles per hour in a 31-mph zone.

What does the tech bubble have to do with this?

In Finland, speeding fines are calculated according to income. And Vanjoki, who is an executive vice president of the telecom giant, Nokia, is near the top of the income pyramid. But he argued in court that incomes at Nokia aren’t necessarily what they used to be. He claims that his fine was based on his income in 1999 when the bubble was at its height, and he cashed in on stock options for Nokia shares that were selling at about $50 a share. Today the stock closed at $21.46 a share, down 5%.

Why all the fuss? If Vanjoki doesn’t get his fine reduced, he’ll have to pay $103,000.

That’s not a typo.

That’s his fine: $103,000.

Be forewarned: If you speed on a Harley in Helsinki, you’re doing the town “high on the Hog.”
PETER NULTY, Editor
StrongSignals.com

QUOTABLE QUOTE:
“The evils of tyranny are rarely seen but by him who resists it.”
JOHN HAY, Lincoln’s Journalist

NOTE: If you would like to subscribe to the AIM/NCOM Motorcycle E-News Service, simply send a SUBSCRIBE message to aimncom@aimncom.com.

Digital Sounds Off About Licensing Fees In Washington State

With the passing of another year came my birthday at the end of December. Every four years, that also marks the expiration of my Washington State Driver’s license. So, 2 days before hand, I made my way down to the local Department of Licensing office to pay the fee and get on my merry way. Well, maybe not so merry…..

I’ll get to the point. Here’s the breakdown of fees. $25 for a licence to drive any big ass non-commercial gas guzzling road hog you want. Add a commercial drivers license (CDL) – add $15 bucks. A measly $15 to drive a big semi, capable of ripping up the road and killing dozens with a single fuck-up at the wheel. Want a Motocycle endorsement?………. Add $25!

Now, why I ask, am I charged DOUBLE the licencing fee to ride a motorcycle rather than drive a passenger vehichle or pickup truck? Not only do I ride for pleasure and running errands, but I also ride 50 miles a day (when it isn’t snowing) bike back and forth to work to save fuel, traffic, and emmissions. Hell, I even take my wife with me to keep her out of the car! So why the tax? Shouldn’t people get a break on their licence for being so noble as to save the wear and tear on the roads, our natural resources, and our air quality? It seems contradictory. I can ride a bike in the carpool lane down a Washington State Highway, even when riding solo. So, why does the Department of Licensing feel the need to punish a rider when the Department of Transportation is doing what IT can to condone the use of Low Emission Vehichles?

Somebody tell me – PLEASE! Send your responses to ‘Your Shot’. We may just put togther a list of politicians we can flood with e-mails over this issue.

Thanks – Digital