Hey,

What’s happening at the Rally? It’s amazing. New motorcycle markets everywhere and even two new magazines.



Maybe the numbers don’t show it, but there are more Indians on the road than ever before, and more women riders.



Okay, need to clear up a couple of things. A couple of brothers approached me and said, “Is it true that the Hamsters started Sturgis?”

Nope, that’s not true. The Hamsters started in Daytona about 1978. Sturgis was started by Pappy Hoel in 1935, but it didn’t get big until Micheal Lichter covered it for Easyriders Magazine in 1978. Then the riders jumped from 12,000 to 24,000 and kept doubling. So, it’s all his fault. Yeah, so I was the boss at the time.






Then this morning at the hall of fame breakfast a brother approached and told his son that I started ABATE. I said, “Goddammit, I didn’t not start ABATE. Lou Kimzey, the publisher of Easyriders started ABATE and hired me at 23, out of college to be the first manager. Then we were drinking Knucklehead Red beer in a Deadwood bar and a longtime member of Maryland ABATE said, “You came up with the meaning of ABATE, A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments, right?” He fought members of his organization to keep the original meaning. “No, I did not design the meaning behind ABATE. Again, you need to blame that on Lou Kimzey.” I was the manager for lots of years, then the National Director, but I didn’t come up with the title.



This rally has been amazing. I’m seeing more choppers, more performance alternatives, more baggers, more Indians, and more women riding. Dr. Hamster told me he had breakfast with Pappy Hoel in the late ‘80s. He was the man who supported motorcycle racing in Sturgis, which was behind the rally.



He said the Jack Pine Gypsies, the club behind the rally founded in 1936 was about half women riders. And I got introduced to a 2018 M-8 powered Dyna. The attendance numbers reports are all over the place, but sales have been off the charts.   



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.







RIDERSHIP Social Takeover Generates
15,000 Online Interactions

MIC staff members are thanking everyone who joined in the Ridership social takeover late last month. Across Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, more than 50 organizations encouraged potential and returning riders to practice and enjoy Commuter Distancing on a motorcycle and avoid crowded buses and subways.

Together, manufacturers, dealers, media, aftermarket, MSF RiderCoaches, training sites, enthusiasts, and riding organizations participated on July 30 and 31, and generated some 15,000 interactions, including shares, comments, likes, and views.

“The Commuter Distancing social media campaign targeted urban commuters to offer them a healthy, fun commuting alternative during the pandemic,” said Andre Albert, director of sales and marketing, MIC Events.

“The ongoing campaign is a success, and in just a few weeks exposed motorcycling to nearly a quarter of a million people, driving 6,000 potential riders to our purpose-built FindYourRide.org site, which helps get potential riders quickly to dealers or a training site close by,” Albert said. “This campaign is just the beginning and we will continue with creative messaging to reach more potential riders and gather insight into what is resonating with our target audience. Working together, we can inspire new riders.”

–MIC





FLYING PISTON BUILDERS’ BREAKFAST CHARITY EVENT—This has grown to be a well-organized Charity event at the very beginning of Sturgis Rally Week. Again, this year Marilyn Stemp put it all together with Jeff Najar, but it was hit by Covid action. Still two charities were supported at the Crossroads event, one for disabled veterans and the Strider Company effort to put more kids on bikes in schools and ultimately motorcycles.



Howard Knight created a magnificent leather belt and I made a handmade skull and brass belt buckle for the silent auction. Thousands were raised for these charities and Marilyn displayed her latest round of customized Strider bikes, which will be used all year long to support the All Kids Ride program in schools around the country.



Lots of kids don’t have access to bicycles and in today’s restrictive climate, are afraid to even approach a bicycle experience. This system puts the experience into elementary schools. If they get on bikes, they are much more likely to embrace physical activities and ride motorcycles in the future.

So, breakfast Burritos were served, Strider bikes shown off, and builders mingled. “I was hoping to see Atomic Bob, Darren and JoAnn Bortels, but they couldn’t make it,” a brother told me.

I’m sure we will see the bikes featured in various publications throughout the year. Hang on for the next Flying Piston breakfast. –Bandit





HOW TO INSTALL CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE GRIPS FROM THE LOWBROW TEAM— Is it your first time changing out your motorcycle handlebar grips? Wondering why motorcycle grips have a different size hole for each side, worried that you got the wrong parts?

Well, fear not my friends, they are supposed to be that way!

The larger hole is for the right-hand side of your handlebars. It is larger as it slips over the throttle tube. The throttle tube rotates over the handlebar, and is larger diameter than the handlebar itself.

The smaller hole is for the left-hand side of your handlebars, and slips over the bare handlebar.

Neither of these two holes will measure exactly 1″, 7/8″, etc. If they did, they would simply slide right off. The grips need to be a snug fit so they stay where they belong; on your handlebars!

The larger hole goes on the throttle tube and the smaller hole goes on the bar handlebar on the left.

There are many different ways to install your grips, though some common ones would be to spray some hairspray, WD-40 or spray paint (the color doesn’t matter!) inside your grip before sliding it on. While wet, it helps slide the grip on, but once dry it helps keep your rubber grips from sliding off.

The grip will slide on with ease and then as the WD-40 dries it will become sticky and keep the grip on for miles and miles.

Another trick is to use some adhesive-backed grip tape, as found on skateboards, and applying thin strips around the end of your handlebars. It is hard to slip your grips on with the grip tape in place, but it will keep then from working their way loose.

Lastly, a mechanical way you can secure your rubber grips is by using a piece of safety wire around the outside of the end of your grip. Safety wire pliers twist the wire, tightening it tourniquet-style, compressing your grip against the handlebar. This is common practice on motocross bikes and race bikes of all sorts.



Regardless of installing your grips dry, with hair spray, or with grip tape on your bar end, using an air blow-off nozzle on your compressor’s air line and spraying some compressed air under the edge of your grip as you install helps it slide in place very easily.

This is also a pro-tip for grip removal! Compressed air sprayed under the edge helps get old grips off, though slicing through them with a razor blade and peeling them off works quite fast and easy as well.

Most motorcycle grips do not include a throttle tube. The throttle tube slides onto your handlebar and is what you twist, typically pulling or pushing a cable. Late model Harley-Davidsons operate using a small sensor switch that turns when you twist the throttle, known as ‘throttle by wire’.

Throttle tubes can be made out of aluminum, such as the Biltwell Throttle Tube, but there are also inexpensive but equally functional options available, such as the Cycle Standard Throttle Tube, which is made of a durable plastic. Aluminum throttle tubes will likely never give you any issues, while a plastic throttle tube could crack where the cable engages though this is by no means a common occurrence.

Some motorcycles, such as Harley-Davidsons, have the stock grip and throttle tube as one piece. In this case, you may want to purchase a throttle tube if you are interested in running custom Harley-Davidson grips. On many other bikes you can simply remove the stock rubber grip and install the new grips onto your existing stock throttle tube.

See the whole tamale at the Lowbrow site and watch her do her tricks.—Bandit








TEXAS REDHEAD WEATHER REPORT–
Not sure if it’s a one off or what? Getting the front end back together, I had meant to send the new lowers a coworker gave me to powder coat, painted for now. But I think the older ones will do okay coated. I probably showed you all the stuff he gave me? Took all these parts off when he bought his Dyna and had them replaced with chrome.





Man, I wish I was up there, maybe next year.



Learned last night there are different part# for the 49mm Dyna lowers. I probably would have & should have caught it, but got focused on replacing the neck bearings. Seems odd to me to have multiple parts for the same line? Mine are 5GC5, these are 5GC8, so the caliper won’t bolt up without totally locking up the wheel. I believe there may be a couple more part numbers, all 49mm. If I had the cash I’d update and upgrade the caliper, but I just pulled it back down. I’m learning about Dyna’s that’s for sure.



I liked your BLM in the news, sent you a picture of a MAGA derby cover with Trump on it. You’ll be busy having Sturgis fun.

Later
–RFR





NEWS FROM THE MASTER OF LIGHT–Artist David Uhl

The gallery in Deadwood is officially open! We’re at the Gold Dust Casino through Sunday the 16th. If you’re in the area, please stop in and say hello.

Crowds have been great thus far and we are looking forward to an amazing rally this year!

We are please to announce the release of David’s third and final Sturgis 2020 piece, titled “Is This Spot Taken?” Details below.

“Is This Spot Taken?”
David Uhl – Sturgis 2020



Several years ago, David saw these horses tethered to a parking meter here in Deadwood. He took photos and used them as reference for this new piece. Leticia Cline models on Billy Lane’s Crocker. A fun project all the way around, and the painting is simply amazing!



We are now taking orders for the canvas prints, which will come in two sizes.

Each canvas print will come hand-signed by David and numbered with Certificate of Authenticity and commemorative Sturgis 80th Anniversary nameplate. Shipping will be included within the lower 48 United States on this one.

NOTE: We have heard from several international customers who cannot attend Sturgis this year. If you want this one unframed, we can accommodate you. Please email me for details.

** Image size 30×20, $895 framed

** Image size 42×28, $1,895 framed

As always, edition numbers will be assigned as orders are taken and matching numbers are available for those who are adding to their Sturgis Series pieces.

** Additionally, David has agreed to sell the original oil. Please inquire to greg@uhlstudios.com.
–Greg Rhodes
International Sales Director
303-913-4840

Uhl Studios Website




BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY IS STILL WIDE OPEN, MASK FREE–Butch, The Rooster.

Sarah was in the fertilized egg business. She had several hundred young pullets and ten roosters to fertilize the eggs.

She kept records and any rooster not performing went into the soup pot and was replaced.

This took a lot of time, so she bought some tiny bells and attached them to her roosters.

Each bell had a different tone, so she could tell from a distance which rooster was performing.

Now, she could sit on the porch and fill out an efficiency report by just listening to the bells.

Sarah’s favorite rooster, old Butch, was a very fine specimen but, this morning she noticed old Butch’s bell hadn’t rung at all!

When she went to investigate, she saw the other roosters were busy chasing pullets, bells-a-ringing, but the pullets hearing the roosters coming, would run for cover.

To Sarah’s amazement, old Butch had his bell in his beak, so it couldn’t ring.

He’d sneak up on a pullet, do his job, and walk on to the next one.

Sarah was so proud of old Butch, she entered him in a Show and he became an overnight sensation among the judges.

The result was the judges not only awarded old Butch the “No Bell Peace Prize” they also awarded him the “Pulletsurprise” as well.

Clearly old Butch was a politician in the making.

Who else but a politician could figure out how to win two of the most coveted awards on our planet by being the best at sneaking up on the unsuspecting populace and screwing them when they weren’t paying attention?

Vote carefully in the next election. You can’t always hear the bells.

(If you don’t send this on, you’re a chicken…… no yolk)


–from El Waggs
Official Librarian
Bandit’s Cantina Bad Joke Library







HAMSTERS USA raise $161,833 for special kids
at LifeScape in Rapid City, South Dakota

Hamsters USA, the international motorcycle group with big hearts, rolled into western South Dakota to make an impact for kids with disabilities… AGAIN! These great guys came together throughout the year to raise funds for LifeScape of Rapid City culminating near $161,833, all staying local to support children with disabilities in Western SD!

Hamsters USA has raised and donated funds at their annual meeting for the last 15 years, with a deep desire to give back to the greater Black Hills community, which many Hamsters consider their second home. This year’s event brings their cumulative total for 15 years to almost $3.5 million in total dollars raised for LifeScape in Rapid City.

Their gifts help provide services to children in their Black Hills area homes and communities, delivered by LifeScape personnel who drive over 10,000 miles a month to provide services.

During a normal year, one of the children impacted by the dollars raised by the Hamsters would be in attendance at the event. Due to COVID-19, there was not a family there this year. However, T.J. Lindsay of Rapid City was highlighted in the annual program. T.J. was diagnosed with autism when he was a year old. Autism means different things for each person diagnosed. For T.J., in addition to hyper-motion in his body movements and being non-verbal, it means he is very specific about how he likes things to be.

T.J. primarily receives occupational and speech therapy. After working with LifeScape over the span of just one year, T.J.’s word count has expanded significantly, and he now uses up to 20 words! The most special word was more recent when he said “Mom” for the first time. Holly shared, “Having him say ‘Mom’ to me in context was everything to me. It was a big moment—it was really huge! LifeScape has definitely given him the support to find his voice.”

LifeScape’s mission is to empower children with disabilities to lead fulfilling lives. Holly is so grateful that LifeScape is here for T.J., and she is also so grateful for donors, like the Hamsters, that come together to make sure the high-quality services provided by LifeScape are available to families like theirs. She added, “Your donations matter. Thank you!”


LifeScape has 42+ locations in Sioux Falls, as well as locations in Rapid City and Sioux City, through which we support people in 63 counties in SD and northwest Iowa. LifeScape supports more than 4,000 children and adults annually, 900 of which are supported by the Rapid City LifeScape location.




NEWS FROM THE GEARHEAD— I know you are at Sturgis but us poor local guys and gals need an outlet, maybe this, from California Harley-Davidson is for us.

TKOB
— Gearhead





NEW BOOK NEWS–Vespa Style and PassionIn celebration of Vespa’s 75th anniversary, VESPA: STYLE AND PASSION is the official history of the legendary and iconic scooters.

From its introduction in 1946 by the Italian firm Piaggio, the Vespa enjoyed quick success. The scooters’ diminutive size and affordability were perfect for promoting postwar mobility and soon became more than a means of transport but a cultural icon.

Vespa Style & Passion tells how the scooter evolved into a marque that has sold over 19 million units on six continents. A rich selection of visuals includes dozens of studio images of the most significant models as well as period advertisements, rare archival photographs, and images of Vespas in popular culture and motorsport. Mod culture, perhaps most responsible for spreading scooter culture, is also given its due with images of customized Vespas.

The Vespa is not simply a scooter, but the scooter, known and appreciated the world over—a rare example of a motor vehicle that survived crises and fashions, always remaining faithful to the original concept. This is the definitive story of that influence.


–Steve Roth
Senior Marketing Manager
T 612-344-8156
E steve.roth@quarto.com
www.quartoknows.com





JIMS Hardware Organizers for Milwaukee-Eight—

Disassembling powertrain components like engines and transmissions can be a complicated task. In an effort to keep the technician organized and efficient, JIMS® has developed a new set of Milwaukee-Eight® specific hardware index tools to store and organize bolts while parts are disassembled.



JIMS® has added a new magnetic storage feature that will capture slip fit dowels as well. The stands are sold in a 4-piece kit (Part No.732K); Top End, Cam Chest, Transmission and Primary – or they can be ordered individually. The tools are designed to nest within each other for an efficient way to store on your bench, or in your toolbox, when not in use. As an added feature, the stands can be placed on their side to assist in the application of Loctite when re-assembling components.



With an MSRP of $370, these tools are made by JIMS® here in the United States out of 13-gauge aluminum magnesium alloy sheet, powder coated JIMS® blue and silkscreened for hardware position and frequently used torque specs. For more information please contact us at (805) 482-6913, email us at sales@jimsusa.com, or visit www.jimsusa.com.



If you have any questions, please call me directly at (805) 482-6913. Your time in reviewing these current, past, or future pressreleases is greatly appreciated. You have been Bcc’d to protect email privacy.

–Greg Thiessen
Marketing Associate
JIMS®
555 Dawson Drive,
Camarillo, CA 93012
Ph: 805-482-6913
www.jimsusa.com







HARLEY-DAVIDSON AND JASON MOMOA COLLABORATE DURING SOCIAL DISTANCING TO CELEBRATE THE POWER OF RIDING—
“United We Will Ride”

For more than 117 years, Harley-Davidson has brought people together to experience adventure and freedom for the soul. Harley-Davidson is proud to announce a new element of the company’s United We Will Ride campaign that celebrates its mission in collaboration with actor and Harley-Davidson enthusiast Jason Momoa.

Momoa has produced and directed a new video series that follows six Harley-Davidson riders as they navigate through the dark days of the pandemic using the power of riding to engage with their families, their communities, and themselves. The lead video will be followed by six additional features that showcase how different riders experience freedom for the soul through their Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

“More than building machines, Harley-Davidson stands for the timeless pursuit of adventure,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO, Harley-Davidson. “That is our mission. And with this brand campaign, Harley-Davidson and Jason Momoa are showcasing how this pursuit is strengthened through tough times. H-D riders and their experiences serve as inspiration for the power of two wheels from vintage custom motorcycles, to the electric Harley-Davidson LiveWire motorcycle.”

“Motorcycles have brought me places that have changed my life and around people that have molded who I am.” said Jason Momoa. “With my latest production for Harley-Davidson, I’m seeking to broadcast the beauty of riding and the spirit of the motorcycling community during this unprecedented time to encourage riders and aspiring riders to ride. Let’s Ride!”

Let’s Ride Challenge

Harley-Davidson is showcasing the power of riding with the Let’s Ride Challenge launched as part of the United We Will Ride campaign. Through riding-related activities, participants can earn Let’s Ride Challenge sweepstakes* entries for a chance to win prizes celebrating the community and spirit of two wheels, including a custom 2020 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S motorcycle grand prize and weekly drawings for additional prizes.

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES (D.C.) 18 YEARS OR OLDER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Sweepstakes ends 8/31/2020. For Official Rules, alternate method of entry, prize descriptions and odds disclosure, visit www.H-D.com/LetsRide. Sponsor: Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Inc., 3700 W. Juneau Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53208.


Learn more at www.harley-davidson.com.




STURGIS RALLY NEWS FROM THE FRONT-– We are on pace with last year, which is great considering. I would say probably closer to 500,000 in attendance this year, double what the City expected.

–Emma
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum





TWISTED ROAD, A NEW TWIST ON RENTING BIKES--Free Ride: How can you and all of your friends rent motorcycles for free?


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!”


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.


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?







A NOTE FROM A VETERAN–
A man went to the Great Lakes Military Cemetery. He took some pictures while reflecting on what’s going on in our country today.
Then he wrote this simple poem:

I don’t see any color here,
The headstones look the same,
No black no brown no white skin tone,
There’s no one here to blame.
These soldier’s fought and died for you,
Their color you can’t see,
Your rights are still protected,
Here’s the place to take a knee.


–from El Waggs
Certified SoCal Correspondent
Bikernet.com™




MORE STURGIS ACTION– GREAT BIKE EVENTS & FREE LIVE MUSIC
CLOSE OUT THE 80th STURGIS RALLY:
Celebrating our 10th year of completely FREE concerts at Iron Horse Saloon!
All shows are FREE and open to the public ages 21+
NO cover charge, NO tickets, NO B.S.


Friday, August 14, 2020 at Iron Horse Saloon Sturgis
Sign up starts at 2:00 pm

$200 for each game winner, and championship belt for the overall winner!
Slow Race
Keg Roll
Spoon Race
The Waitress
Weenie Bite


FREE SHOW for all RatRods

Saturday, August 15, 2020 at Iron Horse Saloon Sturgis
Registration: Noon – 2:30 pm
Awards follow at 3:00 pm

All are welcome!
RatRods
Hot Rods
Choppers
Bobbers
Rat Bikes

Iron Horse Saloon – Sturgis




MEETING OF THE MINDS 2020—
Register for MOTM

Meeting of the Minds 2020 – Who? The past & the future of motorcyclists’ rights advocacy, that’s who!

The idea for the Meeting of the Minds didn’t just come out of thin air. The idea had its roots in failed attempts to bring bikers together in the seventies. It took determination, dedication and a willingness to trust each other before it could come to fruition and evolve into the Motorcycle Rider Foundation. Use this link and register at Meeting of the Minds 2020. Call 317-767-4769 for Hotel reservations.

By the mid-1980s, a handful of motorcyclists’ rights activists, led by Michael “Balls” Farabaugh from ABATE of Indiana, decided that it was time to hold a “meeting of the minds.” Joining Balls on the original Meeting of the Minds Steering Committee were Jim Baker – Utah, Bill Durning – California, Bill Gannon – Massachusetts, Clay Johnson – Iowa, Nancy Lewis – New York, Sundance Mitchell -Texas, Rob Rasor – Ohio, Lee Richardson – Georgia, Jim Rhoades – Michigan, Howard Segermark – Maryland, and Linda Stewart – Florida.

With backgrounds deeply entrenched in the early days of bikers’ rights and freedom rallies, these men and women knew there were others with similar backgrounds, and they reached out to find us. In September 1985, a few more than a hundred of us met, many for the first time, in a cheap hotel in St. Louis, Missouri.

Today, that handful of bikers has grown to touch all corners of the U.S. From “just talking” when we met at the first Meeting of the Minds, the successors of that early group are now making strategic plans for the future of motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights advocacy.

The MRF is now known for information intensive workshops conducted by knowledgeable freedom fighters like Mark Buckner and Charlie Umbenhauer, both members of the Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame.

Meet new activists like Rocky Fox and Cathy Brush; although new to motorcyclists’ rights, they bring to us years of experience in their respective fields of government relations and communications. Meet Skinny Bob Clifford and Grizzly Dave Monroe, with ways to show you how to better use electronic tools.

Meet Haile Farmer and Christopher Beals, recipients of the MRFAE Young Activists Scholarships; they are the future of motorcyclists’ rights activism. You’ve met the past, present and future who’s who of the MRF and the Meeting of the Minds Use this link and register at Meeting of the Minds 2020. Call 317-767-4769 for Hotel reservations. See you in Indianapolis!!!







BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT VOCABULARY LESSON OF THE DAY–rodomontade
[ rod-uh-mon-teyd, -tahd, -muhn-, roh-duh- ]
noun

vainglorious boasting or bragging; pretentious, blustering talk.

WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF RODOMONTADE?
Rodomontade, “vainglorious boasting, bragging,” is also occasionally spelled rhodomontade (as if it were from Greek rhódon “rose”) and rodomontado; it comes from Middle French rodomont, from Italian rodomonte “bully,” from Rodomonte, the name of the courageous but boastful king of Algiers in Ariosto’s Orlando Furioso “Roland in Frenzy, Raging Roland,” 1516. Orlando Furioso is a continuation of an earlier Renaissance Italian epic Orlando Innamorato “Roland in Love,” by Matteo Boiardo, one of whose major characters is Rodomonte, also spelled Rodamontre, and popularly interpreted to mean “mountain roller,” from Italian rodare, from Latin rotare, from rota “wheel,” and Italian monte, from Latin mons (stem mont-) “mount, mountain.” Rodomontade entered English in the late 16th century.

I am charmed to notice that things that were once said to matter—familiarity with epigrams, knowledge of rhetorical devices and their terrifying names, the ability to display a rich vocabulary without rodomontade—seem to matter still.

EDITH PEARLMAN, “MY WORD, THEY’RE IMMORTAL!” NEW YORK TIMES, JANUARY 8, 2008

because she has amused him with some rodomontade about despising rank and wealth in matters of love and marriage, he flatters himself that she’s devotedly attached to him.

ANNE BRONTË, THE TENANT OF WILDFELL HALL, 1848

–from Dictionary.com



Brock’s Performance Motorcycle Exhaust Systems Dominate XDA Super Stock Class–Brock’s Performance dominated this past weekend at the XDA Platinum Fleet Repair Bike Fest at Maryland International Raceway in the NEW Super Stock class.

The turnout was phenomenal in the ‘New for 2020’ Super Stock rider’s class, with twenty-five riders showing up to compete. And of those twenty-five riders, sixteen were equipped with a Brock’s Performance exhaust system. The Penta-Carbon, CT Series, and Alien Head were the exhaust systems of choice this past weekend.

Patrick Butler – 2020 XDA Super Stock Motorcycle Racing

The class features stock wheelbase motorcycles with a limited amount of modifications. These 4-stroke naturally aspirated production machines MUST be motorcycles originally sold for street use. This class features strict modification rules, stock wheelbase, stock motor, MR12 spec fuel, no air shifters, no dataloggers, etc. Your exhaust system choice is the most important decision you’re going to make on a stock wheelbase motorcycle with limited modifications.

Darion Payne – 2020 XDA Super Stock Motorcycle Racing

The challenge with a stock wheelbase motorcycle in drag racing is controlling the torque off the starting line to keep that front tire on the ground for a quick and smooth transition from launch to acceleration. And this exact need is the foundation of all Brock’s Performance exhaust systems. With 30+ years of drag racing experience and exhaust development, a Brock’s Performance exhaust system IS the best exhaust choice for motorcycle drag racing.

Brandon Feagan – 2020 XDA Super Stock Motorcycle Racing

This past weekend, the class winner was David Fondon of Puerto Rico on his 2019 Kawasaki ZX-10R, equipped with our Penta-Carbon motorcycle racing exhaust. Fondon not only beat out every rider in the class for the win, but he also set two records! In round one of eliminations, he set the MPH record at 161.32mph, and in the semi-final, he set the ET record running an 8.742.

David Fondon – 2020 XDA Super Stock Motorcycle Racing

Super Stock competition will continue at Virginia Motorsports Park for the XDA’s second annual Bike Bash on August 21-23, 2020.





[page break]




ANOTHER RALLY ROCKS–97th Laconia Motorcycle Week 10 Days Away

With only 10 days to go before the start of Laconia Motorcycle Week, the event schedule has been finalized and serves as an accurate illustration as to what people can expect at the 97th year or the world’s oldest rally: Less close quarters gatherings and more riding. And with New Hampshire’s governor recently announcing a mask mandate for gatherings of more than 100 people, participants will now be required to wear a mask when they are not riding.

There will be no centerline parking on Lakeside Avenue and vendor booths will be limited to non-profit organizations (including Rally Headquarters). Entertainment will be provided by individual establishments only, such as NASWA Resort and Tower Hill Tavern. In addition to the hundreds of miles of scenic roads available to explore around the state, riders are encouraged to participate in three organized rides taking place during the week: The Peter Makris Memorial Ride around Lake Winnipesaukee on August 22nd, the USCRA Vintage Race Gypsy Tour Ride on August 23rd and the Mae West Memorial “For the Love of Pets” Ride on August 24th.

Although there will be no vendor displays, concessions or demo rides at the nearby New Hampshire Motor Speedway, there will be plenty of track action, including the U.S. Classic Racing Association’s FIM North American Vintage Championships, the 97th Annual Loudon Classic and the Granite State Legends Cars races. Note that there will be no vendor displays, concessions or demo rides

The Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad will be running daily from both their Meredith and Weirs Beach stations for shuttle or scenic rides through the Lakes Region. The M/S Mount Washington will be open daily to the public for boating excursions on Lake Winnipesaukee as will the Mount Washington Auto Road for riders interested in a trip up the northeast’s highest mountain peak.

“Our number one priority at this year’s rally is public safety,” says Executive Director, Charlie St. Clair. “When not riding all visitors will be required to wear a mask if they are within six feet of others. We also have Nano Coating Technologies, LLC (NCT NH) assisting with sanitization of public surfaces with their Germ Inhibitor System with Bio-Protect. All area establishments will continue to follow enhanced cleaning and safety guidelines established by the state. Overall, New Hampshire has been a safe place to travel, however, if you feel uncomfortable visiting us this August, we encourage you to stay home, be safe where you are and plan on joining us next year for an action-packed 98th Laconia Motorcycle Week.”

Any/all updates will be posted to LaconiaMCWeek.com, through their e-newsletter and on all LaconiaMCWeek social media channels.

For more information on visiting New Hampshire and our state’s guidelines relating to COVID-19, please visit: https://www.visitnh.gov/covid19/reopening








MEET NEW BIKERNET CERTIFIED BABE AND MOTORCYCLE ARTIST– Danial James

Danial was born on November 11, 1966, in Cedar Rapids Iowa. After graduating High School in Iowa, Danial moved to Colorado to pursue his art career. He applied for, and won, the only full-ride scholarship to the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design offered to a high school senior in the U.S. He graduated from College in 1987 with an Illustration Degree.


In 1989, Danial joined Uhl Illustrations and became a partner in the late 1990’s. Along with an amazing work ethic, Danial brought with him his advanced airbrushing skills, with the utmost attention to detail, and craftsmanship. Danial has the undeniable ability of transforming mundane images into his own compelling works of fine art.


In the early 1990s, Danial applied his advanced digital skills and took Uhl Illustrations into a new realm. He applied the traditional illustration skills to the new tools of computer-generated art, becoming one of the premiere talents in the industry. Throughout his career Danial has worked side by side with other successful artists such as Scott Jacobs, and David Uhl.


Danial’s primary focus is creating fine art oil paintings and award-winning visual solutions for a wide array of National and International clients. Danial’s true love, passion, pride in his work, and gift of being a painter of fine art can clearly be seen in his oil paintings.?

Great guy to work with, we are about to add one of his pieces to the Deadwood Bikernet Headquarters. The recent piece above is of Jody Perewitz with dad, Dave in the Doorway. Cool piece.

–Bandit





DIME BAG LEATHERS COMES TO STURGIS–
Hey bro, it’s always a great trip to Sturgis rally. Wish we could have connected when there. Deadwood is cool man, happy for you.

Made it back to the shop to start pumping out some more customer work. Started working more on the shop.

–AC






KEEP BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY WIDE OPEN AND MASK FREE–
Here’s a truly heartwarming story about the bond formed between a little 4-year-old girl and some construction workers that will make you believe that we all can make a difference when we give a child the gift of our time.

A young family moved into a house, next to a vacant lot. One day, a construction crew turned up to start building a house on the empty lot.


The young family’s 4-year-old daughter naturally took an interest in all the activity going on next door and spent much of each day observing the workers.

Eventually the construction crew, all of them “gems-in-the-rough,” more or less, adopted her as a kind of project mascot.

They chatted with her, let her sit with them while they had coffee and lunch breaks, and gave her 20 little jobs to do here and there to make her feel important.

At the end of the first week, they even presented her with a pay envelope containing ten dollars.

The little girl took this home to her mother who suggested that she take her ten dollars “pay” she’d received to the bank the next day to start a savings account.


When the girl and her mom got to the bank, the teller was equally impressed and asked the little girl how she had come by her very own pay check at such a young age.


The little girl proudly replied, “I worked last week with a real construction crew building the new house next door to us.”


“Oh my goodness gracious,” said the teller, “and will you be working on the house again this week, too..?”

The little girl replied, “I will, if those assholes at Home Depot ever deliver the fucking drywall.”

–from El Waggs
Certified Librarian
Bandit’s Cantina





Seattle Police Chief Announces Retirement As City Council Cuts Department Budget–After the Seattle City Council voted to cut $4 million from the city’s police department on Monday night, Police Chief Carmen Best announced her retirement.

A veteran of the Seattle force, Best was the first Black woman to lead the department. Among the cuts to the department’s budget of $400 million was the elimination of about 100 jobs, as well as a reduction in pay for command staff, which includes the police chief. Seattle City Council President M. Lorena González said that the reduced police budget will allow the city to “fund service providers addressing the more complex issues of housing, substance use disorder, youth violence prevention, affordable healthcare, and more.” Best and Mayor Jenny Durkan had urged the council to hold off on cuts.

Durkan said she wished Best was staying, but understood her decision. At a news conference on Tuesday, Best said she couldn’t bring herself to lay off promising new recruits who would be targeted by the job cuts and said the city council hadn’t consulted with her on their plans. Best herself had been the target of recent demonstrations, with protesters marching on her home and criticizing her authorization of the use of tear gas and rubber bullets by police.

But Best said her decision wasn’t about protests. “This is not about the money and certainly isn’t about the demonstrators,” Best said. “Be real. I have a thicker skin than that. It really is about the overwhelming lack of respect for the officers, the men and women who work so hard day in and day out.”

Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County called Best leaving the department “a loss” and said it won’t help with their push for police accountability. “We demand the Seattle City Council stop prioritizing performative action that solely suggests the appearance of change. We demand transparency and accountability for the series of actions and inactions that led to Chief Best’s resignation. And we demand a successor that serves Black Lives,” the group said in a statement. But at a news conference Tuesday, Durkan said it doesn’t make sense to move ahead with a permanent replacement while so much is in flux about the department’s future. [Seattle Times; CNN; KUOW; KIRO]

–routefifty.com




GOVERNMENT RELATIONS–Off-Highway Community
Wins Big in Washington

Celebrations are in order for more than 800 groups representing state and regional tourism, local businesses, veterans, sports enthusiasts, engineering and planning firms, conservation organizations, and the outdoor recreation industry. The Great American Outdoors Act, one of the biggest land conservation bills in a generation, became law this month after it was passed by huge bipartisan majorities.

More than 100,000 new jobs nationwide are forecast for an outdoor recreation economy that has struggled during the pandemic, just as Americans are seeking more opportunities to get outside and visit rural communities, parks, and wilderness. For off-highway vehicle enthusiasts, the GAOA goes a long way toward addressing the $20 billion deferred maintenance backlog confronting public lands and waters. It will build up infrastructure and improve many trails and areas enjoyed by motorcycle and ATV riders and side-by-side drivers. Read More

–MIC






NEVER FORGET YOUR FRIENDS--A newlywed young man was sitting on the porch on a humid day, sipping ice tea with his Father.

As he talked about adult life, marriage, responsibilities, and obligations, the Father thoughtfully stirred the ice cubes in his glass and cast a clear, sober look on his Son.

“Never forget your friends,” he advised, “they will become more important as you get older.” “Regardless of how much you love your family and the children you happen to have, you will always need friends. Remember to go out with them occasionally (if possible), but keep in contact with them somehow.”

“What strange advice!” thought the young man. “I just entered the married world. I am an adult and surely my wife and the family that we will start will be everything I need to make sense of my life.”

Yet, he obeyed his Father; kept in touch with his friends and annually increased their number.

Over the years, he became aware that his Father knew what he was talking about. Inasmuch as time and nature carry out their designs and mysteries on a person, friends are the bulwarks of our life.

After 70 years of life, here is what he, I and you will have learned:

Time passes.

Life goes on.

Children grow up.

Children cease to be children and become independent. And to the parents, it breaks their heart but the children are separated of the parents because they begin their own families.

Jobs / careers come and go.

Illusions, desires, attraction, sex….weakens.

People can’t do what they did physically when they were young.

Parents die but you move on.

Colleagues forget the favors you did.

The race to achieve slows.

But, true friends are always there, no matter how long or how many miles away they are. A friend is never more distant than the reach of a need, intervening in your favor, waiting for you with open arms or in some way blessing your life.

When we started this adventure called LIFE, we did not know of the incredible joys or sorrows that were ahead.

We did not know how much we would need from each other.

Love your parents, take care of your children, but keep a group of good friends.

Stay in touch with them but do not impose your criteria.

Send this to your friends (even those you seldom see) who help make sense of your life….I just did…

–from El Waggs





BIKERNET READER COMMENT REGARDING RECENT EASYRIDERS MAGAZINE EFFORT-– I was going to give you a call, but I don’t think everyone has my sleep disorders, just tried calling the EASYRIDERS MAGAZINE office number multiple times, dead number, disconnected. So, I am guessing I will dine on the 14815 in swag promised. Pretty sure, I am not the only one. Have a great day, enjoy the Rally.

–A.J.




LIFESTYLE DEAL OF THE WEEK–2017 Harley-Davidson FLHR Road King Classic Milwaukee 8 107ci for only $17,995.00

See it here: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=8855587

With this timeless combination of style and touring function you don’t just ride through the landscape, you’re the most majestic part of the scenery… The Road King is where stripped down, nostalgic style meets the performance and versatility of a modern Harley-Davidson touring machine.

The Hiawatha headlamp and nacelle were born in the 1960s, when chrome ruled the streets. But the power of the all-new Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine brings it all into the here and now in a hurry. The all-new double bending valve front suspension and rear emulsion shocks put you in control for a plush ride. With cast aluminum Impeller wheels and one-touch opening saddlebags, this is the timeless classic built for today.



ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT:

**Just 9,196 Miles**

Road Kings are the best of both worlds, boulevard cruiser and touring bike. This one with Billet Silver paint with gray / red pin-striping and raised tank logos is like new. Chrome console with aluminum face. Chrome bars with mounted speakers and controls, mirrors, Avon chrome / rubber grips and quick detachable windshield. Big chrome daymaker headlamp, nacelle, and passing lamps.

Chrome fork sleeves, polished lowers, chrome axle caps, on 10 spoke lack contrast cut alloy wheels. Chrome engine guard with H-D fat freeway pegs. Chrome S&S exhaust. Black motor with chrome covers including Screamin’ Eagle black accent air intake, black accent horn / timing covers and black accent trans ‘six speed’ cover. 2-up seat with floorboards and passenger mini floors. Bag guards, chrome LED rear blinkers and good tires.



This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 100 point safety and mechanical inspection could come with Lifestyles 90 day / 1,000 mile limited warranty. Whether your looking to commute to work, ride the coast or take that dream vacation, this bike is ready to go!!!

EZ FINANCING-SHIPPING AVAILABLE!!!

**Open 7 Days a Week**

Fill out an online application and ride today!!!

Only $17,995 at Lifestyle Cycles (714) 490-0155

–Dan Leadbetter
Director of Marketing
Lifestyle Cycles
(714) 490-0155







MORE FROM THE TEXAS REPORTER–
Not sure who took it since it was with my Canon F1n?

May of 83, I’m just just barely 23 & that bike would run! 1976 Shovelhead, Jammer Rigid Frame, 10” over front end, I had just rebuilt the motor a few months prior.



Damn I wouldn’t mind waking up tomorrow on that day, with a piece of paper with 3 words on it. What’s interesting to me is I never really tried to get in to photographing bikes back then, read ER every month & already had the camera. I could have been harassing you for 4 decades, instead of just two.

–RFR





THERE YOU HAVE IT—Never a dull moment. The Doctor prepped his Pandemic Pan for the ride back to Los Angeles. I may need to send the mag back to Morris Magneto for a tune-up, then again Jason Moot from Deadwood Custom Cycles said we can charge the magnets in less than a minute. I’m all over it. 





We were able to put a Cruz tool set into the Bandit’s Day Roll on the Pandemic. They make killer bike tool kits, and we are about to write another story. We got one for the Pan and one for his ’91 Bagger. They were very similar, but one had a socket for the larger Panhead spark plugs. That was the deciding factor.





I spoke to Donnie Smith about his M-8 Dyna from 2018. He says they’re not popular, but his was killer with just an additional 5 degrees of rake and an extended rear tail section. Of course, it’s stripped down and Donnie’s paint is killer. Great looking bike. I’m going to look into this model further with my grandson Frankie. I like that it’s a solid mount, mono-shock frame.



The Doctor is peeling out tomorrow.



Saw Dave Zien at the Sturgis Hall of Fame breakfast. His rolling tribute was probably in Sturgis.





There’s a story about Rick Fairless’s daughter and me, but I better not go there. The temptation is great, she’s cute with two new babies. It’s all just fun at this age.



From the bottom of my motorcycle heart I hope that all the rally goers ride home healthy and we show the world the benefits of freedom and motorcycles. Keep your fingers crossed and stay safe. Freedom always seems to work.

Ride Free Forever,

–Bandit

Hey,

You’ll see in the news, the SEMA show has been cancelled. That’s a major hit to SEMA, the aftermarket car industry and to Las Vegas. I watched a guy stand up and threaten the town of Shasta, California to open the town or get out of the way.

Life is nuts. You need to read Bill Bish’s NCOM report. According to Cycle World, motorcycle sales are up for 2020, although the economy is down, and unemployment is up. The NCOM convention is still in full swing and so is the Meeting of the Minds.

Laconia is forcing riders to wear masks. Strange times. Other than the control freaks who want to, well you know, the greatest minds in the world are trying to figure this puppy out. They will get there, but we need to hold our mud until this passes or they get a handle on it.

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.

LATEST CLASSICS FROM PAUGHCO– Paughco Shovelhead Straight Cut Drag Pipes for 70 thru 84 FL Models
Paughco 1-3/4″ 40″ Long Straight Cut Shovelhead Drag Pipes

• Works with kick or electric start
• Was designed to clear factory fiberglass saddlebags or rear highway bars
• The rear pipe is an under-the transmission style
• Smooth, even mandrel bends
• Fully polished high-quality chrome-plating
• Give that custom handbuilt look to any Big Twin
• Each set includes a chrome mounting bracket
264.95

Can’t sell these puppies in California.–Bandit

SEMA cancelled–The Diamond Bar, California based Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) announced August 5 that due to COVID-19 and concerns that event facilities and services will be unavailable, the SEMA Show will not be taking place in 2020.

“While both event organizers and industry members have been working tirelessly to deliver an outstanding SEMA Show in November, mounting uncertainty has rendered continuing with the event inadvisable. SEMA expects the decision will bring much needed clarity to an uncertain picture and will help exhibitors, attendees and partners plan accordingly.”

Recent SEMA Show survey results are said to have indicated interest in a possible virtual trade show with related live elements. SEMA will be working with industry members to determine interest levels on specific alternatives.

“The SEMA Show is committed to furthering businesses in the automotive specialty equipment market, and to providing manufacturers and buyers with the best opportunity to connect, promote new products and discover new trends,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA President and CEO.

–Posted by DealerWorld

Why not have the SEMA show outdoors like Sturgis? Too bad. –Bandit

INVESTIGATION OF THE WEEK FROM THE NMA–Members of Congress Demand Answers About California DMV $50M Personal Data Sale.

When news broke about Facebook collaborating with data mining companies during the runup to the 2016 presidential election, it may have broken the damn. Now almost four years later, more citizens are raising concerns about their data and who’s sharing it.

Several members of California’s delegation to the United States Congress, including Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-13), who is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, are demanding information from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). They say the DMV has been selling California drivers’ personal data.

According to Motherboard, a tech publication that’s part of the Vice network, the DMV generates about $50 million a year from selling drivers’ data.

“We’re troubled by press reports about the California DMV’s disclosure of vast quantities of data which could enable invasive biometric policing and be a symptom of a deeper privacy malady. The California DMV receives more than $50 million annually from selling the personal information of Californians, according to press reports. The individuals whose data are being sold are reportedly not informed of this practice or given the opportunity to opt-out.

What information is being sold, to whom it is sold, and what guardrails are associated with the sale remain unclear,” said the letter addressed to Steve Gordon, Director, California Department of Motor Vehicles. Eleven U.S. Representatives from California signed the letter. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-12) and Hon. David S. Kim, Secretary, California State Transportation Agency.

The letter also addressed concerns about data possibly being shared with federal agencies such as Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the FBI. Since California allows undocumented immigrants to gain driver’s licenses, their personal data may be used by ICE to track and deport people in the country illegally.

“What types of organizations has the DMV disclosed drivers’ data to in the past three years? In particular, has the DMV sold or otherwise disclosed data to debt collection agencies, private investigators, data brokers, or law enforcement agencies?” the letter inquired. How about spammers?

According to a statement responding to the letter, the DMV says the money generated from the data sale helps offset some of the agency’s operating costs.

The practice is not only confined to California. Both Virginia and Wisconsin DMVs also sell driver personal data. The practice is sanctioned under the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), which was passed in the 1990s.

“In this day and age, unfortunately, government entities don’t resist the lure of selling Americans’ personal information for private exploitation. This problem will only get worse as cities, trying to be ‘smart,’ collect more information about what we do and where we go,” said Lee Tien, senior staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, in an e-mail to Motherboard.

–By Manny Otiko
California Black Media

Keanu Reeves Talks Filming The Matrix 4 In Berlin With Safety Protocols In Place

Film productions came to a halt following the global pandemic but recently some films in some places have been able to get back to work, and that includes the production of the fourth Matrix movie, which was in the process of moving its production from San Francisco to Germany when everything shut down. Filming in Berlin has now begun, though with a variety of new safety procedures in place.

Keanu Reeves doesn’t go into detail regarding how production has changed compared to how things might have been handled previously, but he does tell AP that the changes aren’t having a noticeable impact on the production in any way. It sounds like things are going about as smoothly as they would if there were no new protocols at all, but that seems to be because there’s been real thought put into how safety is being handled. According to Reeves…

There’s really thoughtful, effective protocols in place, and the rhythm of filmmaking has been not really impacted or interrupted. I think everyone loves the project. If you’re ever going to get into any kind of situation that needs to be figured out or, ‘How do we do this,’ show business people are the best. We’re scrappy, we know how to get stuff done, we’re inventive, think on our feet… It goes back to like, ‘Let’s put on a show’… And that spirit is definitely alive and well in The Matrix.

Keanu Reeves says that show-business people are versatile and used to having to come up with solutions to problems, and that is an incredibly valuable skill right now. Coming up with new safety protocols so that all the people on the film set are as safe as possible is one thing, but considering how variable work can be from day to day on a film set, especially for a movie like The Matrix, which we can expect will be giving us some pretty visually intense action, those safety protocols are likely being put through their paces. How to keep everybody safe in a simple dialogue scene isn’t going to be the same for a motorcycle stunt or something that has Keanu Reeves hanging from wires.

However, while safety might sometimes be more complicated on the set, Keanu Reeves says that it’s all being handled well and the creative problem solving that might be necessary on a production with no money is being used just as well to figure out how to get the necessary work done, but in a way that doesn’t put people unnecessarily at risk.

Originally set to release in May of 2021, The Matrix 4, which one assumes will get a subtitle at some point, is now set to release in April of 2022 due to the production delay as well as the need to shuffle other movies around. Godzilla Vs. Kong will now open on the film’s previous May date.

–Dirk Libbey
Cinemablend.com

Keanu Reeves is the principal behind ARCH motorcycles, and I hope to see one of Gard’s creations tearing up the screen in the next Matrix movie. Never did understand those movies…–Bandit

MEETING OF THE MINDS UPDATE–We’ve gotten a lot of questions of late following continued shutdown of some events, while others continue to operate in some capacity or other.

Indeed, some events have only very recently been cancelled, but we continue to share updates concerning registration for Meeting of the Minds, because Meeting of the Minds is not just a gathering of motorcyclists from around the Country (and sometimes the world) – it’s the Legislative Agenda setting meeting to determine on what our organization focuses and prioritizes for the next year as well as an information sharing event that regularly sparks prevention and action in our shared movement towards that lofty goal of FREEDOM.

With the state of social issues and unrest in our country, those very freedoms are being challenged daily. While now may or may not be the time for action, it’s always the time for vigilance.

While we fully realize that all of you are individuals, with your own specific concerns related to what’s going on with the Pandemic and would never second guess a personal decision (especially one related to your own health and wellbeing), I wanted to share with you a response that Fred Harrell, the Meeting of the Minds Conference Coordinator, just shared in response to a question about the state of the event. Please forward the attached email to your SSMRO leadership and membership in the hope that it may make them feel more confident or at least informed.

–Doc

Thank you for your question regarding the Meeting of the Minds Conference.

Unless there is a shutdown of events in Indiana, the 2020 Meeting of the Minds is still scheduled to take place on September 24-27, 2020.

However, with direction from the CDC, State of Indiana, Marion County, Indiana, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, ABATE of Indiana and the Waterfront Hotel will take every precaution to ensure that face masks and hand sanitizer are readily available for Meeting of the Minds Conference attendees. Additionally, workshop areas will be sanitized between each workshop session.

We understand that these are trying and uncertain times. However, I wrote the COVID-19 compliance policy for my employer – Red Rock Harley-Davidson, I have reviewed the State of Indiana’s COVID-19 guidelines, discussed safety procedures with ABATE of Indiana and the Waterfront Hotel and feel confident that we are taking the safety and wellbeing of MOTM 2020 attendees seriously.

Beyond our efforts to be pro-active, I will not make promises that I cannot keep. I will assure you that mask/facial coverings will be available for all attendees. I cannot tell you that everyone will wear them anymore than I can tell you that everyone will use the hand sanitizer we make available to attendees. Neither can I tell you that the wearing of face masks will be mandatory. Currently, wearing of face masks is an individual choice in Indiana.

I hope I have answered your question. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you and I hope to see you at the Meeting of the Minds Conference.

–Fredric Harrell
Director, Conferences & Events
Motorcycle Riders Foundation

The Countdown is on for the Milwaukee Rally 2020!—
Another Rally is on…Here’s the agenda.

Milwaukee Harley-Davidson
DAY 1 – THURSDAY, SEPT 3RD
4:00 PM – BARS OPEN
4:00 PM – FANTASTIC EATS
7:00 PM – TAKE IT EASY (EAGLES TRIBUTE)

DAY 2 – FRIDAY, SEPT 4TH
LIVE MUSIC ALL DAY
11:00 AM – SHUT THE FRONT
DOOR
3:00 PM – SMART MOUTH
7:00 PM – THE NOW

DAY 3 – SATURDAY, SEPT 5TH
LIVE MUSIC ALL DAY
11:00 AM – SWEET DIEZEL
JENKINS
3:00 PM – BOOMER NATION
7:00 PM – JASMINE CAIN

DAY 4 – SUNDAY, SEPT 6TH
LIVE MUSIC ALL DAY
9:00 AM – DEALERSHIP OPENS
11:00 AM – MORNING DANCE
PARTY
5:00 PM – VINTAGE VEGAS
FT. BOBBY WAY

WEST BEND HARLEY-DAVIDSON
DAY 1 – THURSDAY, SEPT 3RD
5:00 PM – BARS OPEN
5:00 PM – FANTASTIC EATS
5:00 PM – TEN FEET TALL – ROCK

DAY 2 – FRIDAY, SEPT 4TH
LIVE MUSIC ALL DAY
10:00 AM – RICKY ORTA JR
1:00 PM – BOOMER NATION
5:00 PM – JASMINE CAIN

DAY 3 – SATURDAY, SEPT 5TH
LIVE MUSIC ALL DAY
11:00 AM – THE ITCH
3:00 PM – SIX PACK SAMMY
7:00 PM – GIMME SKYNYRD

DAY 4 – SUNDAY, SEPT 6TH
LIVE MUSIC ALL DAY
9:00 AM – DEALERSHIP OPENS
9:00 AM – MORNING DANCE PARTY
3:00 PM – KILROY

BE THERE, BE THERE, BE THERE
No ticket purchase necessary for live music. Come out and have some fun!
Fox River Harley-Davidson® | (630) 584-8000 | FoxRiverHD.com

INDIAN MOTORCYCLE RETURNS TO THE HILL WITH FTR750 FOR AMA PRO HILLCLIMB SERIES–

After More Than 80 Years Away From the Sport, Indian Motorcycle Returns to its Hill-Climbing Roots;
Enlists 10-Time AMA Pro Hillclimb Champion John Koester to Pilot FTR750 Hillclimb Race Bike

Indian Motorcycle, America’s First Motorcycle Company, today announced its participation in the upcoming AMA Pro Hillclimb Racing series, marking a return to a sport it once dominated more than 80 years ago.

Indian Motorcycle enters the 2020 series’ new Twins class armed with a modified Indian FTR750 hill climber, piloted by the company’s newest factory rider and 10-time AMA Pro Hillclimb Champion John “Flying” Koester. Regarded as one of the sport’s top riders, Koester was the first U.S. racer to win all three National AMA Pro Hillclimb titles in a single season.

“It’s an absolute honor to represent Indian Motorcycle as it makes its dramatic return to hillclimb racing on the same machine that literally changed the game for flat-track racing over the past four years,” said Koester. “We’re excited to unleash the FTR750 on the hill, with our minds firmly fixed on the ultimate goal of capturing a championship.”

Koester, along with his father and crew chief Gordy Koester, spearheaded the dramatic transformation of the FTR750 from a flat track race bike to a full-fledged hill shredder. Modifications include an extended swingarm, knobby tires, redesigned rear tail, and an upgraded Rekluse clutch to account for the increased clutch use demanded by hillclimb racing. The team also worked with S&S to design an exhaust system specific to Koester and his riding position.

“When we created the new Twins class, our intention was to attract leading OEMs like Indian Motorcycle to return to this uniquely challenging and exciting form of racing, and we couldn’t be more excited to now welcome Indian Motorcycle back to the hill for the first time in more than 80 years,” said Rob Redmann, Director of AMA Pro Hillclimb. “There is nothing like Hillclimb racing – fast, quick and exciting. We believe brands such as Indian Motorcycle will dramatically impact our ability to draw more fans and help grow this incredible sport.”

Since 1901, racing has been a part of the Indian Motorcycle DNA. Founders George Hendee and Oscar Hedstrom met at a bicycle race, and maintained their passion for speed and competition when developing the brand in its infancy. Today, Indian Motorcycle has honored its forefathers by continuing the brand’s racing prowess through various forms of racing, including flat track, landspeed, bagger racing at the upcoming, inaugural MotoAmerica King of the Baggers event, and now hillclimb.

“We are always looking for exciting and unique opportunities not only to compete, but to also demonstrate the prowess of our engineering and design teams and the capabilities of the incredible motorcycles we develop,” said Gary Gray, Vice President Racing, Service and Technology for Indian Motorcycle. “We’re not only fans of hillclimb racing, but with our brand’s history in the sport, it was a no-brainer that we’d make our return after all these years.”

QUICK, OPEN THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY— “Mr. Smith, I have reviewed this case very carefully,” the divorce court judge said, “and I’ve decided to give your wife $350 a week.”

“That’s very fair, your honor,” the now divorced husband said. “And every now and then I’ll try to send her a few bucks myself.”

–Sam Burns
Official Librarian
Bandit’s Cantina
Bad Joke Library

WORLD RIDER TV REPORT–
How are you feeling? I hope that things are starting to look a little more normal. Let me know. I continue to connect with people all over the world on my weekly Journeys Webcast. This Monday, August 17th, I bring Michnus & Elsebie Olivier to the Livestream. From South Africa, they’ve been traveling the world for the last ten years on a pair of Suzuki motorcycles. But for the last five months, they’ve been stuck in the colonial city of Sucre Bolivia.
???????
Our conversation will cover topics such as lessons from the road, how a six-month trip turned into a ten-year adventure, and the importance of slowing down and taking time to experience new places and people.

The webcast is free and will Livestream on Monday, August 17th, at 3 PM PST/6 PM EST. Nothing for sale. Just a great conversation and connection that gives us all a break from the insanity of news, protests, doomsday scenarios, and fear. To be sure, this journey is about hope, kindness, possibilities, and finding reasons to smile and laugh! If you haven’t watched any of my webcasts live, you’ll need to register to get a link for the room. It’s easy, just go here: register.journeyswebcast.com

I started the Journeys Webcast in April while under quarantine, sequestered, and locked down as a way to connect with people I’ve met all over the world. This week is a special episode as Steve Farber, who is a friend and fellow keynote speaker, will be streaming live with us from San Diego. We live only 20 miles apart, but in these strange times, we’ll be sharing a glass of wine and our conversation remotely instead of face to face.

REGISTER NOW, IT’S FREE: http://register.journeyswebcast.com

My idea started as a whim. Simply do a weekly live stream event where travelers, entrepreneurs, vintners, chefs, musicians, authors, speakers, and ordinary people living extraordinary lives come together for an hour of storytelling, inspiration, idea-sharing, and connection.

This is our 17th Livestream of the Journeys Webcast—they keep getting better. If you haven’t attended one yet, tune in tomorrow afternoon and see what everyone is talking about. Attendees interact with my guests via a live chat and ask questions of my guest and each other. This interaction with those watching our Livestream, adds to the fun and color of each episode. So please join us tomorrow. I would love to see you!

The first fifteen episodes of JOURNEYS brought guests from South Africa, Ecuador, Uruguay, Turkey, Mexico, Croatia, Romania, LA, Georgia, and Greece. And if you missed either of them, here are links to the YouTube replays. They’re entertaining, and you’ll enjoy watching. Be sure to like and comment if you can.

#1 Ronnie Borragerio—100 Countries. 100,000 Miles—South Africa
#2 Jeremy Kroeker & Elle West—Stuck & Quarantined In Uruguay
#3 Dr. Jeff Salz—Finding Adventure In Everything You Do—Ecuador
#4 Ryan Pyle—Future Realities for Travelers & Adventurers—Turkey
#5 Jerry D’Alessandro—From Rockstar to Holly TV & Travel Producer—Mexico
#6 Ashley Colburn—Emmy Winning TV Host & Croatian Singing Star—Croatia
#7 Oliver Bauer—They Thought He Was Crazy Moving From Germany to Romania—Romania
#8 Leon Logothetis (Kindness Diaries)—The Kindness Activist—Los Angeles
#9 Panos Kyriazis—A Greek Love Story. A Tiny Village to The Best Wine Bar—Greece
#10 Andro Barnovi—From Minister of Defense, Chief of Staff, Governor to Winemaker—Georgia
#11 Rudy Maxa—Future of Travel & Tourism Spinning Out of Control—USA
#12 Jo Rust—Beating Depression & Anxiety—The First Woman To Motorcycle Africa Solo
#13 Jack Maxwell—Booze Traveler Host On Cancer, Cannabis and Journey From Shining Shoes to World Traveling TV Host
#14 Sigtyggur Baldursson—Sugarcubes Drummer on Fishballs, Music, Iceland, and Calypso
#15 You Are My Guest — Stuck In Brazil, A Garden In Peru, Short Ribs in a Hurricane
#16 Steve Farber — Why Love Is Just Damn Good Business
In the meantime, I wish you, your family, and your close friends a safe journey through these challenging times. There is light, and there is hope, and together we can enjoy the journey. Please share this link with friends who you think would enjoy receiving updates on our weekly webcasts.

–Allan Karl
Host of Journeys Webcast & WorldRider.tv

May I ask you a favor? Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel. I’m on a “Journey” to get 1,000 subscribers, so YouTube recognizes me as a partner and will highlight my channel more often.

www.journeyswebcast.com where the replays are all available.

NAMZ WIRING EXTENSIONS--We are the Industry Standard!

When it comes to wiring extensions, NAMZ is the number #1 source in the world! That’s right, NAMZ produces about 95% of all wiring extensions sold across the globe. We also private label manufacture all types of specialized handlebar wiring extensions in all sorts of customer specified configurations. How did we dot it? It’s simple, we work really hard, have a terrific bunch of employees and own the very best, high volume harness process machines produced.

“The key is the processing equipment. We only invest in the very best, Swiss, German and American made, military-spec equipment so we can be as consistent as possible”, says NAMZ President and Founder, Jeff Zielinski. “We reduce as much of the human error elements as physically possible to prevent mistakes and reduce the pressure on our employees.

We offer speedometer extensions for all models dating back to the mid-90’s to current. Making installation simple, we install the terminals on both ends of our extensions making your life easier. And soon, we will be releasing 100% plug-n-play speedometer extensions, with an OEM female connector installed and a custom made, mating male connector! That’s right, we tooled up and made the male mating connector with wire seal and custom designed crimp terminals. No matter what you chose, NAMZ has the extensions you’ll ever need!
Find our ALL of our Extensions right here!

NEWS FROM THE HAWAIIAN CHOPPER RALLY— Built from Scratch

Checkout the Jack Daniel’s Chopper Bicycle fabricated by 808 Kustom Cycles, LLC Designed by Javen. These Kustom Chopper BIKE’s are a design build. Now taking orders, if you would like a Kustom Chopper Bicycle of your own visit www.hawaiimotorcyclerally.com.

TEXAS WEATHER REPORT— Went for a pre 9:00 am “online still” church ride, turned into 188.8 miles, so I guess I rode to Austin kinda, sorta.

I went down FM 1227 were the old abandoned Navasota drag strip is, I discovered it a few years ago back when I had the Roadglide. Not much left now, I couldn’t see the tower for the trees, I met the owner the first trip, nice guy.

Bitch neighbor complained about the noise. One of the Texas prisons is also off the same road, so anytime I go down it, I try to do it at speeds that can be heard!

Thankful I’ve never been in one, and it’s not my place to judge those who are. I also got to wondering how many miles I’ve ridden in my life, since I began legally in ‘75 and decided the answer is…not enough!

Then playing on some twisty turns I pondered on the number of folks that I’ve ridden or would ride handlebar to handlebar with? That’s a select few I have that type of trust in. Especially when you’re doing them turns!

Realized also that fancy metal thing over the air cleaner is reducing the air flow, so either it’s going away or I’ll put the one from the Road Glide on it? RG was back to all OEM components before we parted ways. So I’ve got an almost new V&H black Pro Pipe (they replaced the first one, excellent customer service) and a set of smoked add on stop/run/turn bag lights and the V&H straights that we’re on the Dyna. I need another 2015 Road Glide?

We’re already in the “feels like” 111 degrees, thankfully should cool down some after today to just regular Texas heat.

–RFR

[page break]

IT AIN’T STURGIS, BUT–
I went out to take a look. Nothing else to do around here. It ain’t Sturgis or anywhere near the rally, but a freeway ride and a cruze to California Harley-Davidson works for now.

They had a party and a bike wash. I took care of some business and was out of there before the crowd arrived. Here are a couple of photos they sent me of the Belle, a couple of shop vixens and I.

You folks be safe coming back from Sturgis. Your un-official correspondent in South Bay California.

–Gearhead
Unofficial, Official Correspondent
Bikernet.com™

NEWS FROM THE CONTROL FREAK STATE--California says its climate policies are needed to prevent heat-related illness and death.

But by trying to rely on unreliable renewables, and by shutting down both natural gas and nuclear plants, California yesterday had to cut off power — and thus air conditioning — for millions of people during a heatwave, thereby risking an increase in heat-related illness and death.

Below is my latest column for Forbes — please share!

–Michael

Why California’s Climate Policies Are Causing Electricity BlackoutsFires, Gov. Newsom, and Covid patient
Millions of Californians were denied electrical power and thus air conditioning during a heatwave, raising the risk of heatstroke and death, particularly among the elderly and sick.

The blackouts come at a time when people, particularly the elderly, are forced to remain indoors due to Covid-19.

At first, the state’s electrical grid operator last night asked customers to voluntarily reduce electricity use. But after power reserves fell to dangerous levels it declared a “Stage 3 emergency” cutting off power to people across the state at 6:30 pm.

The immediate reason for the black-outs was the failure of a 500-megawatt power plant and an out-of-service 750-megawatt unit not being available. “There is nothing nefarious going on here,” said a spokeswoman for California Independent System Operator (CAISO). “We are just trying to run the grid.”

But the underlying reasons that California is experiencing rolling black-outs for the second time in less than a year stem from the state’s climate policies, which California policymakers have justified as necessary to prevent deaths from heatwaves.

In October, Pacific Gas and Electric cut off power to homes across California to avoid starting forest fires. The utility and California’s leaders had over the previous decade diverted billions meant for grid maintenance to renewables.

And yesterday, California had to impose rolling blackouts because it had failed to maintain sufficient reliable power from natural gas and nuclear plants, or pay in advance for enough guaranteed electricity imports from other states.

It may be that California’s utilities and their regulator, the California Public Utilities Commission, which is also controlled by Gov. Newsom, didn’t want to spend the extra money to guarantee the additional electricity out of fears of raising California’s electricity prices even more than they had already raised them.

California saw its electricity prices rise six times more than the rest of the United States from 2011 to 2019, due to its huge expansion of renewables. Republicans in the U.S. Congress have pointed to that massive increase to challenge justifications by Democrats to spend $2 trillion on renewables in the name of climate change.

Even though the cost of solar panels declined dramatically between 2011 and 2019, their unreliable and weather-dependent nature meant that they imposed large new costs in the form of storage and transmission to keep electricity as reliable. California’s solar panels and farms were all turning off as the blackouts began, with no help available from the states to the East already in nightfall.

Electricity from solar goes away at the very moment when the demand for electricity rises. “The peak demand was steady in late hours,” said the spokesperson for CAISO, which is controlled by Gov. Gavin Newsom, “and we had thousands of megawatts of solar reducing their output as the sunset.”

The two blackouts in less than a year are thus strong evidence that the tens of billions that Californians have spent on renewables come with high human, economic, and environmental costs.

California’s anti-nuclear policies also contributed to the blackouts. In 2013, Gov. Jerry Brown forced a nuclear power plant, San Onofre, in southern California to close. Had that plant still been operating, there almost certainly would not have been blackouts on Friday as the reserve margin would have been significantly larger. The capacity of San Onofre was double that of the lost generation capacity that triggered the blackout.

California’s current and former large nuclear plants are located on the coast, which allows for their electricity to travel shorter distances, and through less-constrained transmission lines than the state’s industrial solar farms, to get to the coastal cities where electricity is in highest demand.

There has been very little electricity from wind during the summer heatwave in California and the broader western U.S., further driving up demand. In fact, the same weather pattern, a stable high-pressure bubble, is the cause of heatwaves, since it brought very low wind for days on end along with very high temperatures.

Things won’t be any better, and may be worse, in the winter, which produces far less solar electricity than the summer. Solar plus storage, an expensive attempt to fix problems like what led to this blackout, cannot help through long winters of low output.

California’s electricity prices will continue to rise if it continues to add more renewables to its grid, and goes forward with plans to shut down its last nuclear plant, Diablo Canyon, in 2025.

To manage the increasingly unreliable grid, California will either need to keep its nuclear plant operating, build more natural gas plants, or pay ever more money annually to reserve emergency electricity supplies from its neighbors.

After the blackouts last October, Gov. Newsom attacked PG&E Corp. for “greed and mismanagement” and named a top aide, Ana Matosantos, to be his “energy czar.”

“This is not the new normal, and this does not take 10 years to solve,” Newsom said. “The entire system needs to be reimagined.”

Michael Shellenberger is a Time Magazine “Hero of the Environment,” and president of Environmental Progress, an independent research and policy organization. He is the author of Apocalypse Never: Why Environmental Alarmism Hurts Us All. Follow him on Twitter @ShellenbergerMD.

Michael Shellenberger

President, Environmental Progress
2569 Telegraph Avenue,
Berkeley, CA 94704

BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY IS WIDE OPEN– HARD WORK…
Every morning, the CEO of a large bank in Manhattan walks to the corner where a shoe-shine is always located.

He sits on the couch, examines the Wall Street Journal, and the shoe-shine gives his shoes a shiny, excellent look.

One morning the shoeshine asks the Executive Director:

– What do you think about the situation in the stock market?

The Director asks in turn arrogantly:

– Why are you so interested in that – that topic?

“I have a million dollars in your bank,” the shoeshine says, “and I’m considering investing some of the money in the capital market.”

– What’s your name? –Asks the Director.

– John Smith H.

The Director arrives at the bank and asks the Manager of the Customer Department:

– Do we have a client named John Smith H.?

– Certainly –answers the Customer Service Manager–, he is a highly esteemed customer. He has a million dollars in his account.

The Director comes out, approaches the shoeshine, and says:

– Mr. Smith, I ask you this coming Monday to be the guest of honor at our board meeting and tell us the story of your life. I am sure we will have something to learn from you.

At the board meeting, the Executive Director introduces him to the board members:

– We all know Mr. Smith, who makes our shoes shine in the corner; But Mr. Smith is also our esteemed customer with a million dollars in his account. I invited him to tell us the story of his life. I am sure we can learn from him.

Mr. Smith began his story:

– I came to this country fifty years ago as a young immigrant from Europe with an unpronounceable name. I got off the ship without a penny. The first thing I did was change my name to Smith. I was hungry and exhausted. I started wandering around looking for a job but to no avail. Suddenly I found a coin on the sidewalk. I bought an apple. I had two options: eat the apple and quench my hunger or start a business. I sold the apple for two dollars and bought two apples with the money. I also sold them and continued in business. When I started accumulating dollars, I was able to buy a set of used brushes and shoe polish and started polishing shoes. I didn’t spend a penny on entertainment or clothing, I just bought bread and some cheese to survive. I saved penny by penny and after a while, I bought a new set of shoe brushes and ointments in different shades and expanded my clientele.

I lived like a monk and saved penny by penny. After a while I was able to buy an armchair so that my clients could sit comfortably while cleaning their shoes, and that brought me more clients. I did not spend a penny on the joys of life. I kept saving every penny.

A few years ago, when the previous shoe-shine on the corner decided to retire, I had already saved enough money to buy his shoeshine location at this great place.

Finally, three months ago, my sister, who was a whore in Chicago, passed away and left me a million dollars.

–from El Waggs

BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT VOCABULARY LESSON OF THE WEEK–
vicarious
[ vahy-kair-ee-uhs, vi- ]
Adjective

WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF VICARIOUS?
The adjective vicarious comes from the Latin adjective and noun vicarius “substituting, taking the place of another; one who takes over for or from another, a replacement or successor.”

Vicarius is formed from the noun vicis (a genitive singular—the nominative singular does not occur) “a recurring occasion, a turn; an interchange or alternation,” and the adjective suffix –arius, completely naturalized in English as –ary. Vicarius regularly becomes vicaire, vicar(e) in Old French, and vicar(e), vicair(e) in Middle English, with many meanings, including “one delegated with apostolic authority, such as a priest or the pope; a priest appointed to a parish in place of the regular priest or parson.” Vicarious entered English in the 17th century.

HOW IS VICARIOUS USED?
Laying a sleeping bag on the hard metal floor of a rail car as it rumbles down the tracks is not for those accustomed to creature comforts. Yet his photographs of this life-on-the-edge experience illicit a vicarious thrill.

ALEXA KEEFE, “NOT YOUR TYPICAL TRAVELOGUE: A PHOTOGRAPHER’S TRAIN-HOPPING ADVENTURES,” NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, SEPTEMBER 28, 2015

Track and field are some of the most exciting events in the Olympic Games, but after the weeks of hype, the events themselves are so short … that it seems like they’re over before a casual fan has time to get a vicarious adrenaline rush.

ELSPETH REEVE, “GET TO KNOW THE U.S. OLYMPIC TRACK AND FIELD TEAM THROUGH GIFS,” THE ATLANTIC, JULY 24, 2012

felt or enjoyed through imagined participation in the experience of others: a vicarious thrill. 

LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK–2017 Harley-Davidson FXDLS – Low Rider S for $18,995.00
See it here: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=9230479

This bike is a great looking Dyna with low miles the Magnum Gold rims set off the Brown seat

ONLY 5851.00 Miles !!!!!

2017 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson DYNA LOW RIDER (S) Screaming Eagle Twin Cam 110

Some of the features/Add-on’s on this bike

* Screaming Eagle® Twin Cam 110
* 6-speed
* Blacked-out, Shotgun 2-1-2 collector exhaust with dual mufflers
* Front brakes: Single disc. ABS, 4-piston fixed.
Rear brakes : Single disc. ABS, 2-piston torque-free floating
* Speedo and tachometer mounted in a wrinkle black console mounted on the tank with a black trim ring,
High beam, directional light bar, neutral, low oil pressure, engine diagnostics, turn signals, security system(optional), 6-speed, low fuel warnings
* Wheels: Magnum Gold, Split 5-Spoke Cast Aluminum Front tire:100/90-B19
Rear tire: 160/70-B17

This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 101 point safety and mechanical inspection. Whether your looking to commute to work, ride the coast or take that dream vacation, this bike is ready to go!!!

*******************90 day/1000 mile in house limited warranty!****************************************

EZ FINANCING-SHIPPING AVAILABLE!!!

Fill out an online application and ride today!!!

**Open 7 days a week**

***90 day/1000 mile in house limited warranty!

Just $18,995.00 at Lifestyle Cycles (714) 490-0155

THERE ARE STILL SOME CLASS MAGAZINES AROUND-– TRJ #84: A First Look

This summer has been a whirlwind. As the global pandemic continues, we are excited to announce that Rodder’s Journal #84 is at the printer in the final stages of production. Of all the issues we’ve published, this one is without question one of our favorites.

Our feature cars span the traditional hot rod and custom spectrum, ranging from Norm Grabowski’s restored “Kookie Kar” to Barry Lobeck’s flamed ’40 Ford coupe wearing its original lacquer from the “Street is Neat” era.

There’s the Panella Trucking Willys Gasser and a hot rod F-100 pickup built by a talented high schooler. In addition to the cars, we have our first-ever custom upholstery scrapbook that showcases veteran Texas trimmer Vernon McKean, a Missouri hot rodding retrospective with Bob Rothenberg, a tour of Mercury Charlie’s shop, and a colorful profile on surf artist Eddy Y. It’s a carefully curated mix, and we’d like to think it’s a great escape from all that’s happening in the world today.

We’ll have a more detailed look down the line, but we figured we would kick off the week with a glimpse inside TRJ #84. To subscribe or renew, click here, or give us a call at (800) 750-9550 in North America or (804) 496-6906 internationally.

Cheers!
Your Friends at The Rodder’s Journal

YOUR VOICE, YOUR CHOICE: Our Nation’s Leadership is Counting on You to Register to Vote!

Campaign season has taken on a unique look this year. Not even the presidential election has been able to escape the winds of change. As the nation copes, those running for public office have been forced to connect with voters remotely by holding virtual events instead of traditional in-person appearances. What began with more than a dozen candidates has been narrowed to two: incumbent President Donald Trump, the Republican, and former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee. Not only will Americans choose the nation’s next president, but voters will also elect all 435 members of the U.S. House, 35 U.S. senators, 13 governors and thousands of state and local leaders too. With the finish line on the horizon, there is no better time to prepare for and fulfill our civic duty as Americans.

Voter Information
Election day will be here quickly. Regardless of circumstances impacting the polls on November 3, options are available to vote early or by absentee ballot. The Voter Information tool at semaSAN.com/SEMAvotes provides you with information on your state’s voting dates and deadlines. In advance, find out if your state and federal representatives are affiliated with the hobby-friendly, SAN-supported caucuses at semaSAN.com/StateCaucus and semaSAN.com/FederalCaucus. Locate your elected officials under the “Legislators” tab at semaSAN.com.

Why wait? Take action today by planning to vote! On behalf of our beloved hobby, take part in our democracy and make your voice heard in November’s election.

NEWS FROM THE TWISTED ROAD– So you’ve booked that beautiful Panigale for a week on the West Coast, your airplane ticket is paid for, and now you just need to get your gear from wherever here is, to there. This takes some simple planning, and—unless you want checked bag fees—a willingness to play pack mule.

I have both the pleasure and the pain of a nine-to-five that requires very frequent travel, usually domestically, and sometimes abroad. The pleasure part usually involves turning my free time on these business trips into motorcycle adventures.

I’ve ridden a ZX-6R down the PCH, been a hooligan through parts of Chicago I shouldn’t have on a Scrambler 803, experienced the worst rain ever in Manchester, UK on a Street Triple RS, and ridden coast to coast twice in Scotland on BMWs. For each of these trips, I’ve utilized the same method of getting my gear to and fro, and truth be told it’s not too challenging.

My first recommendation is to invest in a good duffel, preferably one designed to take a beating. I opted for the ritzy Velomacchi Speedway Duffel and haven’t regretted it, but there are a lot of options out there; peruse the luggage section of any motorcycle gear website. For shorter trips you may be able to get away with a larger backpack.

If you’re bringing a duffel, make sure you have a way to tie it down to a bike, and test it at home first. Don’t wait until you’re picking up the bike to figure it out. (Trust me, you’ll thank yourself for that!) Now, you can pack all your clothes and essentials in a roller if you want, but make sure you’ve already arranged for bike pickup and drop-off that doesn’t require strapping the thing to the bike.

What you’ll likely discover as you’re packing your gear is not all of it will fit in just your duffel or backpack, or even a duffel and backpack. Helmets take up a lot of space, as do jackets. Airlines will allow you to carry your helmet onboard as a second bag, and sometimes they’ll let it go as a third. Flight attendants and gate agents seem to understand this is not a thing you want to risk checking. Most airline policies regarding this state only two carry-ons. I do not endorse breaking this policy, do so at your own risk; I can only speak to my experiences.

Consider wearing your jacket to save space in the bags, and store it in the overhead bin. Take the armor out of your jacket and pants to consolidate space in the bags. Moto-specific pants don’t take up too much more space than normal pants, and gloves are small and easily accommodated.

Last thing to consider is the weather at your destination; I’ve worn a 3-season suit through Heathrow because I was going to be gone for 10 days and underestimated my luggage space. It wasn’t comfortable, but it is allowed. Just be prepared to answer a lot of questions and get a lot of stares.

This is clearly not exhaustive, but it should provide a good starter guide. No two people pack the same, you’ll find what works for you, and what doesn’t.

–from the Twisted Road Team

KEEP THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY OPEN AND MASK FREE-– Good-bye Grandpa
A father put his 3-year old daughter to bed, told her a story and listened to her prayers which ended by saying, “God bless Mommy, God bless Daddy, God bless Grandma and good-bye Grandpa.”

The father asked, ‘Why did you say good-bye Grandpa?’

The little girl said, “I don’t know daddy, it just seemed like the thing to do.”

The next day grandpa died. The father thought it was a strange coincidence.

A few months later the father put the girl to bed and listened to her prayers which went like this, “God bless Mommy, God Bless Daddy and good-bye Grandma.”

The next day the grandmother died.

“Holy crap” thought the father, “this kid is in contact with the other side.”

Several weeks later when the girl was going to bed the dad heard her say, “God bless Mommy and good-bye Daddy.”

He practically went into shock. He couldn’t sleep all night and got up at the crack of dawn to go to his office. He was nervous as a cat all day, had lunch and watched the clock. He figured if he could get by until midnight he would be okay. He felt safe in the office, so instead of going home at the end of the day he stayed there, drinking coffee, looking at his watch and jumping at every sound. Finally midnight arrived; he breathed a sigh of relief and went home.

When he got home his wife said, “I’ve never seen you work so late. What’s the matter?”

He said, “I don’t want to talk about it, I’ve just spent the worst day of my life.”

She said, “You think you had a bad day, you’ll never believe what happened to me. This morning my golf pro dropped dead in the middle of my lesson!”

–EL WAGGS
Senior Joke Investigator
Bandit’s Cantina
Bad Joke Library

URGENT: TELL THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR TO SPEND MONEY APPROPRIATED BY CONGRESS TO SAVE THE BONNEVILLE SALT FLATS
DON’T DELAY! Please urge the Secretary of the Interior to allocate the Restore Bonneville program funds as directed by Congress:

Overview: The U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the Utah Department of Natural Resources agreed in April 2020 to create a “Restore Bonneville” program. The U.S. Congress has appropriated money in the BLM’s Fiscal Year 2020 budget to start the program. However, the U.S. Department of the Interior has not released the funds which are subject to a Sept. 30, 2020 deadline. Please urge the Secretary of the Interior to allocate the Restore Bonneville funds as directed by Congress.

The once 13-mile racetrack at Bonneville is now less than 8 miles due to salt erosion. The Restore Bonneville program will help protect the historic venue by increasing the volume of salt being pumped onto Bonneville to over 1 million tons a year. This will be accomplished by upgrading the infrastructure currently used to pump around 300,000 tons a year. The land-speed racing community has worked with lawmakers, regulators, and the potash mine owner to create the program.

MORE PIPE OPTIONS FROM PAUGHCO– BUILD YOUR OWN PIPE SETS
$270.95

Starting at $24/mo with Affirm. Prequalify now

Build Your Own Pipe Sets

The ‘Build Your Own Pipe’ program features comprehensive kits that include everything you need to fabricate your own 1¾”-diameter custom exhaust system. Drawing on their many years of experience, the guys in the Paughco pipe bending shop came up with these combinations of tubing sections for each engine type. The Shovelhead kit includes weld-on flanges for stock HD heads, and weld-on 3-bolt flanges for S.T.D. aftermarket cylinder heads. Evolution Big Twin and Sportster engines and Twin Cams.

NEWS FROM THE MASTER OF LIGHT–Artist David Uhl

We are home from Sturgis and are happy to report that we had a very successful trip. Many thanks to those who stopped in and supported David’s program!

We will begin shipping Sturgis commemorative pieces in the next week or so.

You can see those pieces on our website here:

https://www.uhlstudios.com/fine-art/collections/sturgis-commemorative/

We had a great time in Deadwood, reconnecting with many friends and adding several others to that list. The weather was beautiful and it was great to see so many smiling, happy faces!

Thanks again and have a great week!

–Greg Rhodes
International Sales Director

Uhl Studios
15801 W. Colfax Avenue
Golden, CO 80401
303-913-4840

IT’S NUTS I TELL YA—Life is crazy and the Covid hasn’t helped. This country has been through a great deal throughout history, and it will continue to survive and flourish. We may need to kick some ass along the way.

A brother contacted me about a typewriter for his daughter. She wants to write music. WTF? But of course, I’ll help.

We have a Girl of Bikernet coming shortly from Barry Green. Kaytie works for a dealership and bartends at a local bar. She’s all about riding and the lifestyle. Hang on!

I’m working with Danial James on some art for our Chinese whorehouse in Deadwood. It took into the 1980s before the control freaks shut down the last brothel in Deadwood.

Bill Wall made me this fantastic vest, while I still worked at Easyriders. After I left, I didn’t feel it would be cool to wear it. But now, it has a place of honor and history in the Deadwood joint.

Here’s the gang who helped haul the Peashooter into the Deadwood living room. That’s Dr. Hamster, Commander Edge and George, the boss.

Around the Corner Danial James touched up Adrian’s Softail. He might sell it, since we got him a beautiful 2015 Chieftain.

Jerry’s brother-in-law makes these used tire clocks. Jerry did the tile work in Deadwood and got me one for the shop. Tread is a tad low. 

Never dull around here. We worked hard on republishing my first book, Prize Possession. I received my first batch of copies this week. Hopefully, they will be for sale shortly in the shop.

Hang on and continue to ride free, goddammit.

–Bandit

Hey,

Life is amazing. During the Sturgis Rally one, that’s 1 case of Wuhan or China Virus was discovered and only 33 surfaced in the state since the beginning or August. Now it’s the 26th and CNN is screaming outbreak from Sturgis Rally because they are claiming 70 cases showed up around the country. They admitted, 450,000 attended the rally. Hell, the folks who came down with it could have been anywhere from Texas to Oregon.

I spoke to Dr. Hamster, our expert in the field of riding, “Out of 450,000, that is statistically an insignificant number. One also has to remember that those 70 people could’ve gotten infected anywhere on the trip or if they stayed at home?”

Of course, these reports don’t include any serious illness, hospitalizations or deaths. They also don’t compare them to other illnesses, including cancer, heart attacks or even car accidents. They also failed to mention the incubation period, which is four to 11 days. The event just wrapped up 12 days ago.

I want say bikers and specifically Rally Goers proved that freedom works. Hell, we could say because folks got out on the road and traveled it saved lives, rather than to stay in any harmful city or crowded environment and risk contagion or depression.

“I understand concerns about lots of people coming together in closed spaces at this time,” said the good doctor. “But this year’s Sturgis motorcycle rally was not the dreaded event it was made out to be beforehand.
Then again, COVID-19 is not Ebola or the plague.”

Then there are the massive positive aspects of rally: travel, the fresh air, social interaction, learning experiences, the financial benefit to rally jobs, toursim and travel expenditures. You name it, riding motorcycles is all about freedom and staying safe and healthy. 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.

FROM THE BIKERNET NERVE CENTER–Why Deaths From Hurricanes And Other Natural Disasters Are Lower Than Ever

As Hurricane Laura bears down on the Gulf Coast at high speeds, scientists, journalists, and activists are blaming climate change for what they say are worsening natural disasters.

And yet hurricanes aren’t increasing in frequency, and deaths from natural disasters are at their lowest point in 120 years.

Below is my latest column for Forbes!

–Michael

As Hurricane Laura bears down on the Gulf Coast, scientists, journalists, and activists are blaming climate change for what they say are worsening natural disasters.

Michael Mann, a professor at a Penn State, claims that storms are getting more destructive as “a consequence of human-caused planetary warming.”

The New York Times reported, “Climate change is making hurricanes more dangerous in many ways, including increased rainfall and more powerful storm surge.”

And student activist Greta Thunberg tweeted out videos of flooding in India and Niger as evidence of climate change’s impact on disasters. “What more do we need to see?” she asked.

A lot more than a few viral videos, it turns out.

Given the flood of alarming news about climate change, many will be surprised to learn that hurricanes aren’t increasing in frequency, and that deaths from natural disasters are at their lowest point in 120 years.

Hurricanes aren’t increasing in frequency and deaths from disasters are at a record low. AP, NASA, GETTY

Given the flood of alarming news about climate change,
There has been 92% decline in the decadal death toll from natural disasters since its peak in the 1920s

“A total of 2,900 people lost their lives in natural disasters in the first half of the year,” announced Munich Re on July 23, “much lower than the average figures for both the last 30 years and the last 10 years.”

“One of the greatest successes of turning science into policy is reducing deaths from disasters,” said Roger Pielke, a University of Colorado professor and leading expert on climate change and disasters. “It’s up there with vaccinations. It’s huge and can’t be overstated.”

But aren’t natural disasters becoming more expensive? They are, but that’s because we are so much richer, not because hurricanes and floods are so much more severe.

In a new review of 54 studies over the last 22 years, and published in the field’s leading scientific journal, Pielke finds “little evidence to support claims that any part of the overall increase in global economic losses documented on climate time scales is attributable to human-caused changes in climate.”

In other words, hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters aren’t getting worse. They’re getting better. Much better.

There has been 92% decline in the decadal death toll from natural disasters since its peak in the 1920s, according to the International Disaster Database. In that decade, 5.4 million people died from natural disasters. In the 2010s, 400,000 did.

There has been 92% decline in the decadal death toll from natural disasters since its peak in the 1920s, according to the International Disaster Database. In that decade, 5.4 million people died from natural disasters. In the 2010s, 400,000 did.

But can those declines in disaster deaths continue as the climate changes?

Pielke believes they can. “One of the things that’s well-understood in the natural disaster community is that how we prepare is the most important factor in the disaster we experience,” said Pielke.

“If we build well, in the right places, and have good warning systems, and good disaster response policies, such as evacuations, we can continue to do well, even with much stronger events,” he added.

Over the last four decades, poor nations like Bangladesh have reduced death tolls by over 90% thanks to simple measures like cyclone warning systems and storm shelters.

“Look at Cyclone Ampham in India and Bangladesh earlier this year,” said Pielke. “It killed about 120 people. Fifty years ago, it would have killed thousands.”

A cyclone in Bangladesh killed 135,000 people in 1991 while another in 1970 killed 300,000.

And the 90% decline in deaths over the last century occurred during a period when the global population nearly quadrupled, and the global temperature rose 1.3 degrees centigrade.

Neither the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) nor any other reputable scientific body predicts a reversal in the long-term trend of declining deaths, even if temperatures rise another three degrees or more.

“If you read IPCC reports, there’s no hint that we will be overwhelmed and incapable of responding,” says Pielke. “Even under the most extreme scenarios of climate change, future disasters will look a lot like today’s.”

So, is it accurate for scientists, reporters, and activists to claim that climate change is making hurricanes more destructive? It’s not.

The US government’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts the maximum intensity of Atlantic hurricanes and tropical storms will rise 5% in the 21st Century, but their frequency will decline 25%

And that increase in intensity is unlikely to translate into more deaths or higher costs.

“Hurricanes in the future may be more intense than today’s hurricanes,” said Pielke, “but in the context of a 90% reduction in vulnerability, our disaster preparedness dwarfs the change in whatever your favorite hurricane metric is.”

Michael Shellenberger is a Time Magazine “Hero of the Environment,” and president of Environmental Progress, an independent research and policy organization. He is the author of Apocalypse Never: Why Environmental Alarmism Hurts Us All. Follow him on Twitter @ShellenbergerMD.

–Michael Shellenberger
President, Environmental Progress
2569 Telegraph Avenue,
Berkeley, CA 94704

ACCIDENT SCENE MANAGEMENT FROM LAW TIGERS–
Safety is our primary concern. If possible, gather the correct documentation to help your case.
When possible, the information you are able to gather at a motorcycle accident scene can have a positive impact on the success of any future claim you may file. Our Law Tigers motorcycle accident attorneys* have provided the following suggestions about what you can do when an accident occurs:

Secure The Scene

Obtain Information From Driver(s)
Identify Witnesses
Making Comments And Statements
Notes And Pictures
When To Leave A Motorcycle Accident Scene
Notify Insurance Company
Insurance Claims
(Go to their site to fill in the blanks regarding the above departments)

We are here
for you 24/7

Our attorneys* have successfully secured hundreds of millions of dollars for their clients
Our experienced, aggressive motorcycle attorneys have helped thousands of injured riders
If there is no recovery, you will not be charged a fee
Fees calculated as a percentage of the gross recovery
FREE assistance for motorcycle property damage (motorcycle and gear)
FREE advice on all motorcycle matters

ElectraMeccanica Launches “Drive SOLO” Marketing Campaign–

ElectraMeccanica Vehicles Corp. (NASDAQ: SOLO) (“ElectraMeccanica” or the “Company”), a designer and manufacturer of electric vehicles, today announced “Drive SOLO,” a brand-new marketing campaign aimed at educating consumers about the Company’s flagship SOLO EV, which is now in production.

ElectraMeccanica has created an innovative, three-wheeled, single-occupant all-electric vehicle that will transform urban transportation and revolutionize the world’s driving eco-system. The campaign challenges consumers to reconsider their driving habits, particularly when commuting to work, the gym, or visiting friends. When you are driving solo…“Drive SOLO.”

The campaign launched earlier this week with a takeover of one of Los Angeles’ iconic billboards followed by a digital storytelling campaign across all social and digital media platforms, including: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and the Company website. This marketing campaign accompanies the Company’s August 26 start of production of the SOLO, with deliveries targeted for late November/early December 2020.

The “Drive SOLO” campaign is characterized by bold, minimalist visuals, which were designed by Narrative Media Group, a specialty creative experience agency that has worked with some of the country’s most high-profile influencers, organizations and iconic brands. As the first in a series of future postings, this billboard is located in one of West Los Angeles’ most highly trafficked locations on Santa Monica Boulevard leading to the Company’s first retail store in Century City.

More broadly, ElectraMeccanica is pursuing a hybrid traditional/non-traditional social and digital marketing campaign to be rolled out over the next several months. The dynamic and geo-targeted campaign includes a Spotify ad buy spanning mobile and desktop platforms that communicates the accessibility, sustainability, relevance and cutting-edge technology of the SOLO.

“Our ‘Drive SOLO’ campaign will position our flagship SOLO at the center of a transportation revolution, filling a niche between last-mile micro-mobility solutions and larger, under-utilized passenger cars,” said ElectraMeccanica CEO Paul Rivera.

Distribution of the SOLO will begin in three locations where the Company has an existing retail footprint; Southern California, Scottsdale, AZ and Portland, OR. Additional deliveries will be made to key markets along the west coast as the company continues to expand.

The SOLO features front and rear crumple zones, side impact protection, roll bar, torque-limiting control, as well as power steering, power brakes, air conditioning and a Bluetooth entertainment system. It blends a modern look with safety features at an accessible price point of $18,500. The SOLO is currently available for pre-orders at https://electrameccanica.com/product/solo-reservation/.

5-BALL SALE—We came up with some changes to the Jak full-sleeve leather shirt, but we still have a handful of the original Buffalo-hide long sleeve leather shirts without collars.

I’m actually a fan of collarless leathers, but I was out-voted. We’ve put them on sale to save you some hard-earned bucks.

–Bandit

THE PERFECT RED FROM BILTWELL-– The Perfect Red
We went through dozens of paint colors to get to what we think is the perfect Metallic Candy Red for this year’s Gringo S. It has a hot rod vibe buried under a thick layer of clear, chrome trim around the bottom and eye port, plus our anti-fog/anti-scratch flip-down shield.
Shop Gringo S Helmets

Ride Motorcycles. Have Fun.

–Biltwell Team

NEW SCREAMIN’ EAGLE 131 CRATE ENGINE OFFERS BIG POWER FOR SELECT HARLEY-DAVIDSON SOFTAIL MOTORCYCLES–
The Biggest, Most Powerful Street-Compliant Engine Harley-Davidson Has Ever Created Now Available for Select Softail Models

MILWAUKEE (August 25, 2020) – Harley-Davidson offers power-hungry street riders a new performance option with the introduction of the Screamin’ Eagle® Milwaukee-Eight® 131 Crate Engine for select Softail® model motorcycles. The new 131 cubic inch (2151cc) V-Twin engine delivers the biggest, most powerful street-compliant engine Harley-Davidson has ever created.*

The Screamin’ Eagle 131 is a bolt-in replacement engine for select 2018-later model Harley-Davidson Softail motorcycles originally equipped with a Milwaukee-Eight engine, designed to run at high RPM and to provide a significant boost of torque from cruising speed. Riders will experience commanding performance from the moment the throttle is cracked open on the Screamin’ Eagle 131 engine, performance backed by the assurance of a 12-month factory limited warranty when installed by an authorized H-D dealer.

“Our adrenaline-seeking riders asked for thrilling power and torque with reliability,” said Harley-Davidson Product Manager James Crean. “The Screamin’ Eagle 131 Crate Engine delivers exactly that. Developed by the Screamin’ Eagle performance team and factory-assembled at Harley-Davidson Powertrain Operations to ensure the highest quality standards, this high-performance engine is genuine Harley-Davidson.”

This street-ready performance engine features H-D’s finest Screamin’ Eagle® components:

· The Screamin’ Eagle 131 engine combines the 4.5-inch stroke of the Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine with new 4.31-inch bore cylinders with a patent-protected design.

· Milwaukee-Eight Extreme Ported four-valve cylinder heads are CNC-ported and fitted with valves 1mm larger in diameter than the previous generation to enhance air/fuel flow and velocity and feature fully machined combustion chambers shaped to optimize combustion efficiency.

· The engine is completed with a high-lift SE8-517 camshaft and high-performance cam bearing, high-compression (10.7:1) forged pistons, a 64mm throttle body and intake manifold, and high-flow (5.5-grams per second) fuel injectors.

It’s a combination that produces 135 ft-lb of torque and 124 HP at the rear wheel when paired with Screamin’ Eagle® Street Cannon mufflers.

Each Screamin’ Eagle 131 engine is detailed with 131 Stage IV badging on the cylinder heads and timer cover. The engine is available in a choice of two finish treatments to match original motorcycle styling or a custom direction – Black and Chrome or Black and Gloss Black.

The Screamin’ Eagle 131 engine is eligible for Custom Coverage™ Extended Limited Warranty to run concurrent with the remainder of the motorcycle’s factory 24-month manufacturer’s warranty. The engine must be purchased and installed by an authorized H-D Dealer within 60 days of vehicle purchase to qualify for the Custom Coverage and is otherwise backed by a 12-month factory limited warranty when installed by an authorized H-D Dealer.

The Screamin’ Eagle Milwaukee-Eight 131 Crate Engine ($6,195 oil cooled, $6,395 Twin-Cooled) fits 2017-later model Harley-Davidson Touring motorcycles originally equipped with either a Milwaukee-Eight Oil-Cooled or Twin-Cooled engine and select 2018-later Softail motorcycles. The Screamin’ Eagle 131 engine does not fit Trike models. ’17-’19 models require separate purchase of High-Capacity Oil Pump P/N 62400248. 17-’18 models require separate purchase of Screamin’ Eagle High-Capacity Clutch Plate Kit P/N 37000258. All models require additional purchase of ECM recalibration with Screamin’ Eagle Pro Street Tuner for proper installation. See an authorized Harley-Davidson® dealer for fitment details.

Complete fitment information can also be found on H-D.com.

MYTHS ABOUT THE POST OFFICE DEBUNKED--MYTH No. 1: The Postal Service is removing sorting machines to sabotage delivery

REALITY: The volume of mail has plunged in recent decades, due to the spread of electronic communication. As a result, the amount of infrastructure needed to manage the flow of mail also has declined.

The Postal Service has been consolidating operations for years to reduce costs, a practice that predates President Donald Trump.

MYTH No. 2: The Postal Service is removing collection boxes to block mail-in ballots.

REALITY: The Postal Service has more than 141,000 blue collection boxes spread across the country. Those boxes are moved regularly from low-demand to high-demand areas to maximize efficiency.

Photos of those boxes on the backs of trucks are part of standard operating procedure, rather than proof of a nefarious, anti-election plot.

Despite that, the Postal Service has decided to pause any further moving of boxes until after the election as a result of the online panic.

MYTH No. 3: The Postal Service is locking collection boxes to prevent public access.

REALITY: Locked caps are sometimes put on collection boxes in areas where there is a rash of mail theft. Employees place the caps after the final pickup of the day and remove them in the morning, since collection box theft is overwhelmingly done at night.

This practice also predates the Trump administration.

MYTH No. 4: The Postal Service could go bankrupt before the election without a $25 billion bailout.

REALITY: Although some were concerned that the COVID-19 pandemic would push the Postal Service over the financial edge, revenues have been stable, thanks to a big increase in package deliveries.

In addition, Congress provided a $10 billion loan to the Postal Service earlier this year.

As a result, there’s virtually no scenario where the Postal Service goes bankrupt this year, meaning that a proposed $25 billion bailout has no reasonable connection to the coming election.

However, Congress shouldn’t view this fact as a reason to be complacent when it comes to passing reforms.

MYTH No. 5: The Postal Service plans to triple postage rates on mailed ballots.

REALITY: The Postal Service provided commonsense guidance to state and local governments regarding how to handle time-sensitive ballot requests. This guidance was already in the works before Postmaster General Louis DeJoy began his job.

Most mail-in ballot requests are made weeks or even months in advance, and thus can safely be sent using low-cost, second-class mail.

However, some places allow for mail-in ballot requests a mere four days before the election. In those situations, it makes sense to use full-cost, first-class mail to ensure that voters get their ballots on time.

The idea that this sensible guidance amounts to extortion by DeJoy should be laughable, except that it has been promoted by the likes of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

MYTH No. 6: Postal Service delivery changes are illegal “sabotage” by the postmaster general.

REALITY: DeJoy, who assumed the postmaster general’s post in June, was selected in large part due to his decades of experience as CEO of New Breed Logistics, a supply chain company.

The logistics industry’s focus is on maximizing cost-efficiency and on-time performance, both of which the Postal Service needs to improve. With that in mind, DeJoy has undertaken initiatives aimed at reducing costs and improving service levels.

It’s too early to tell whether these changes will be successful, and DeJoy has announced a suspension until after the election. While the media reliably reports alarming anecdotes from postal union officials who oppose cost-cutting efforts, data shows that postal performance has not yet experienced a significant change under DeJoy.

Representatives from both parties have expressed disapproval of efforts to pull the Postal Service out of chronic annual deficits.

That’s part of a long-term trend of Congress’ imposing unsustainable mandates for the sake of its own political benefit. Liberating the Postal Service from those mandates would be the best path forward.

MYTH No. 7: The Postal Service needs more money to process mailed ballots.

Leaders of both parties wrongly have suggested that the Postal Service lacks the resources to handle the millions of ballots that will be sent through the mail this year—meaning that it will require additional taxpayer funding.

REALITY: The Postal Service handled about 2.75 billion items per week in 2019, with spikes at various times of the year, such as the holiday season.

Mail-in ballots will represent at most a few percentage points of total volume this fall, even with an expected increase in requests due to COVID-19.

Further, given that regular mail volume has dropped in 2020, the Postal Service has excess processing capacity. It does not need additional resources for the election.

MYTH No. 8: The postmaster general “massacred” Postal Service management.

REALITY: When DeJoy took over in June, there was a modest amount of personnel change within the top levels of Postal Service management. Much of that involved internal promotions. Senior departing staff were replaced by experienced employees.

New leadership at the top of a large organization almost always includes some amount of change underneath, and the Postal Service is no exception.

The change is similar to what happened when previous postmaster generals took over, rather than a heavy-handed “takeover.”

MYTH No. 9: The Constitution requires a government-run Postal Service.

REALITY: Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution authorizes Congress to establish post offices and to provide for “postal roads.” That doesn’t mean that post offices and roads are mandated, or that badly needed cost savings are a constitutional crisis.

MYTH No. 10: The Postal Service loses money only because of unfair funding requirements.

REALITY: The Postal Service is weighed down by exceedingly high employee compensation costs, which averaged more than $97,000 per worker in 2019. Part of that includes a retiree health plan, which has obligations similar to a pension.

Bipartisan legislation passed in 2006 required that the Postal Service prefund the retiree health plan like a pension plan, with money deposited as an employee earns future benefits. That’s intended to ensure that there’s money to provide for the health coverage when employees retire.

Unfortunately, the Postal Service has failed to uphold its funding obligations, leaving the plan $69 billion in the hole as of last fall.

Furthermore, the Postal Service would have lost more than $4 billion in 2019 alone even if it had not paid a penny into the health plan.

Claims that the health benefit prefunding is “unfair” ignore the fact that retiree health benefits are uncommon (especially outside government) and ignore the fact that postal employees are entitled to the benefits.

One alternative to prefunding is allowing the health plan to accumulate massive liabilities, which would guarantee an even bigger financial crisis than what the Postal Service is already facing.

That would be irresponsible and unfair for both postal employees and taxpayers alike.

The other alternative to prefunding would be to turn the Postal Service into a standard government agency, which is the stated goal of many Democrats.

A federal bailout of the Postal Service would be the first step toward placing yet another massive burden on U.S. taxpayers.

Rather than allowing costs and deficits to grow unchecked, Congress should pass reforms that would enable the Postal Service to raise revenue and lower costs, stabilizing its shaky finances.

From there, we should have a robust debate about the future of the Postal Service and whether its current structure makes sense.

Meanwhile, the sooner we stop spreading unfounded rumors about the Postal Service, the more likely we will be to reach agreement on solutions.

This piece originally appeared in The Daily Signal

TESLA Announces Updates to 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Battery Day Event--Tesla, Inc. today announced updates to the time, format and location of its 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2020 Annual Meeting”). Tesla also announced information regarding its separate Battery Day event.

Although Tesla believes that the best stockholder experience is a fully in-person annual meeting open to all stockholders, continuing public health and travel-related requirements and advisories have necessitated a unique format for the 2020 Annual Meeting. The following updates supersede anything to the contrary described in Tesla’s updated definitive proxy statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on August 13, 2020.

Date and Time of Events

The 2020 Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time.

Tesla’s separate Battery Day event will follow immediately after the conclusion of the 2020 Annual Meeting.

Virtual Meeting and Live Video Webcasts

Live video webcasts of the 2020 Annual Meeting and Tesla’s Battery Day event will be accessible to the general public at www.tesla.com/2020shareholdermeeting.

To accommodate ongoing public health requirements and travel considerations, Tesla is also providing any stockholder as of July 31, 2020 the means to join the 2020 Annual Meeting virtually at www.meetingcenter.io/234436330. The virtual meeting will feature the same live video webcasts accessible to the general public, plus the option to submit votes and written comments on meeting agenda items. In order to join the virtual meeting, you will need the password, which is tsla2020, and a 15-digit secure “control number” unique to you, which you may obtain as follows:

If you are a “stockholder of record” with shares registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company (a minority of Tesla stockholders), you can find the control number on the Notice of Internet Availability or paper proxy card that was sent to you (please check that it is for the meeting as scheduled for September 22, 2020, NOT as previously scheduled for July 7, 2020).

If you are a “beneficial owner” and hold shares through a broker, bank or other organization (the vast majority of Tesla stockholders), you will have to register in advance to obtain a control number. Please ask your broker, bank or organization for a “legal proxy” for the 2020 Annual Meeting and submit a copy of it from your e-mail address with “Legal Proxy” in the subject line to legalproxy@computershare.com. If your request is received no later than 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time on September 17, 2020, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with your control number.
Limited In-Person Events

In addition, Tesla expects to accommodate a very limited number of stockholders in-person at the 2020 Annual Meeting and the Battery Day event due to mandated restrictions on the size of in-person gatherings. Both events will be held at:

Tesla, Inc.
901 Page Ave.
Fremont, CA 94538

THE LATEST IN YOUR STATE--Spotlight on Tennessee

The Tennessee Small Business Relief Program has expanded, adding $83.5 million to its initial $200 million allotment, and additional businesses qualify. The program now specifically includes “recreational vehicle, boat, and other vehicle dealers” and “automotive parts and accessories stores,” which are eligible if their sales were reduced by at least 25 percent as shown on their April sales tax returns.

Complete details of the relief expansion can be found here.

To find out the latest about resources and reopening guidelines in any state, visit the MIC’s regularly updated COVID-19 Industry Updates & Resources web page.

–MIC

BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT VOCABULARY LESSON OF THE WEEK–sinistrality
[ sin-uh-stral-i-tee ]
noun

left-handedness.

WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF SINISTRALITY?
There is nothing sinister about sinistrality: the word simply means “left-handedness” (as opposed to right-handedness) or “left-sidedness.” Sinistrality is a derivation of the adjective sinistral, whose current sense is “on the left-hand side, left” (in Middle English sinistralle meant “unlucky, adverse”). Sinistrality entered English in the mid-19th century.

HOW IS SINISTRALITY USED?
Kermit’s sinistrality leapt right off the page at me as soon as I saw the photograph of him with Bret McKenzie that accompanies Adam Sternbergh’s feature in this week’s magazine.

DAVID VECSEY, “HOW ABOUT A HAND FOR THE MUPPETS!” NEW YORK TIMES, NOVEMBER 18, 2011

There are reports of editors being 31 per cent lefty and of graduates of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in math and science showing 45 per cent sinistrality.

CONRAD CHYATTE, “SINISTRALITY UNMASKED AT LAST,” AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION JOURNAL, MAY 1975

[page break]

TATTOO OF THE DAY FROM FRANK BALL JR.—Plus a strange desert ride shot of Frankie and Em, also a master tattoo artist.

His art continues to improve.

–Bandit

THUMBS UP FROM THE AMA—To Harley-Davidson, for launching the “Learn to Ride” programs to draw new riders to the lifestyle. It offers one=on-one or small private group training in a low-stress environment under the supervision of a professional riding coach. More information is available at hdpersonalcoachfinder.com.

–AMA

QUICK, OPEN THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY–Points to ponder – for the Brits and other English language speakers:

1. If you take an Oriental person and spin him around several times, does he become disoriented?

2. If people from Poland are called Poles, why aren’t people from Holland called Holes?

3. Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery?

4. If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?

5. If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?

6. Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?

7. When cheese gets its picture taken, what does it say?

8. Why is a person who plays the piano called a pianist but a person who drives a racing car not called a racist?

9. Why are a wise man and a wise guy opposites?

10. Why do overlook and oversee mean opposite things?

11. Why isn’t the number 11 pronounced onety one?

12. “I am” is reportedly the shortest sentence in the English language. Could it be that “I do” is the longest sentence?

13. If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn’t it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged, models deposed, dog trainers debarked, and dry cleaners depressed?

14. What hair colour do they put on the driver’s licenses of bald men?

15. Why do they put pictures of criminals up in the Post Office? What are we supposed to do, write to them? Why don’t they just put their pictures on the postage stamps so the postmen can look for them while they deliver the mail?

16. You never really learn to swear until you learn to drive.

17. No one ever says, “It’s only a game” when their team is winning.

18. Ever wonder about those people who spend £2.00 a piece on those little bottles of Evian water? Try spelling Evian backwards: NAIVE

19. Isn’t making a smoking section in a restaurant like making a peeing section in a swimming pool?

20. If 4 out of 5 people SUFFER from diarrhoea, does that mean that fifth one ENJOYS it?

–Sir Wayfarer
Chief Investigator
Bikernet News Bureau
India

PETERSEN MUSEUM’S-– Cars and Coffee is back! Join us for a morning of cars, conversation, and social distancing.

About this Event

Petersen’s Cars and Coffee is back! Immersed in the heart of Los Angeles’s Miracle Mile, extraordinary cars will be gathered at the Petersen Automotive Museum for our monthly Breakfast Club Cruise-In. Join us for a morning of cars, conversation, and social distancing.

Complimentary parking and coffee are provided to those attending!

Please note that all vehicles and spectators must be pre- registered to attend. Vehicles and spectators will be turned away without confirmation of registration. All accepted vehicles and spectators will receive a confirmation email with a parking ticket. Please be prepared to show the ticket upon arrival.

All attendees are required to wear a face covering and adhere to the museum’s COVID -19 policies.

HOT FROM GRIFTER– FLASH SALE: Only $59 Touchscreen Compatible Scoundrels:
$ 59

This is our latest release. We simply added Tocuhscreen compatible tips to our most popular glove, the Scoundrels. The fit and leather is the same. While these don’t have the dexterity of a fabric glove, you are still able to open and use your phone with these on. These could take up to 2 weeks to ship.

AMA NEWS FROM OHIO—Two bills were introduced in the state legislature on the topic of distracted driving.

S.B. 279 would expand the existing law from minors to all drivers. Currently, adults texting while driving may be cited only if they are stopped for another reason.

S.B. 285, would restrict all hand-held e-device use and make use of devices a primary offense. It would add incremental penalties for repeat offences.

–AMA

MotorWeek: 40 Years of Steering You in the Right Direction

MotorWeek celebrates four decades of extraordinary automotive television by taking a look back while delivering advice viewers depend on today

MotorWeek, television’s original and longest-running automotive magazine series, marks its milestone 40th season starting in September. During the upcoming season, the series will glance in the rearview mirror to take a look at the cars and the people that have made the show such as success while still keeping a focused eye on the road ahead. Every episode of the 40th anniversary season will be punctuated with archival automotive highlights, some funny and some ironic, but all entertaining and informative.

MotorWeek’s 40th season premieres on public television stations across the country beginning Saturday, September 12 (check local PBS listings). Every week, series host and creator John Davis and the MotorWeek team continue their relentless quest to test, evaluate, and understand the insatiable but evolving American appetite for personal transportation, despite major shifts in culture and the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The new season brings the 2021 model year into focus for viewers. While the automotive industry is still ripe with near-term prospects of cleaner electric and self-driving autonomous vehicles, things are cloudier than ever due to ever-changing car company priorities and by the fact that sales having been negatively impacted by the pandemic.

“Despite these grey clouds, Americans continue to purchase pickup trucks and SUVs in near-record numbers, even as traditional sedan sales decline,” explains John Davis. “While consumers are interested in learning more about electric vehicles — and there’s no question that a lot of electrification will be used in all future cars — buyers are still concerned about their high price, range limitations, and the slow growth in the number of charging stations even along frequently traveled routes. These concerns will continue to make EVs niche vehicles at least for the next few years.”

Complete with updated anniversary open animation and music, the MotorWeek 40th season feature lineup continues with its roster of popular segments including Goss’ Garage, in which Master Technician Pat Goss offers up do-it-yourself car care advice; Lauren Morrison keeps viewers in the know with consumer news and trends in Motor News; daring Over the Edge reporter Greg Carloss turns up the fun with his unique look at the auto world in overdrive; lifestyle reporter Stephanie Hart delivers insights on driving and automotive safety, money-saving advice, and the latest in automotive technology in FYI; Brian Robinson brings his years of motorcycling experience to the Two Wheelin’ segments, reviewing the latest motorcycles on the road; and AutoWorld explores the advancing influence of alternative fuels, electrification, and autonomous driving safety.

“MotorWeek continues to report the facts that most affect consumers in their wallets,” says Davis. “As always, our reporters help navigate the marketplace and identify genuine trends and best values for drivers and their passengers.”

MotorWeek is available for every type of video screen and mobile device with up-to-the-minute automotive news, instantaneous driving impressions, and exclusive videos online at motorweek.org.

Full episodes are available at pbs.org/motorweek, and can be streamed through PBS Living on Amazon Prime. Individual roadtests and feature segments are posted daily on MotorWeek’s YouTube Channel, youtube.com/motorweek, now with more than two million views per month. Viewers can also follow MotorWeek on Facebook and Twitter as well as download complete shows on iTunes.

MotorWeek is nationally sponsored by RockAuto.com.

LATEST FROM THE BUCKLE GUY-– Buckleguy.com with new 1″ D-Rings with removable pin!

We are now stocking our 2014 style removable pin D-Ring in a 1″ size. These d-rings are great on projects where d-rings need to be removed, such as on bag straps, key fobs, small accessories, and purse handles. They are also useful for repairs where the removable pin saves you from having to unstitch thread or remove rivets to attach a new ring.

Made from solid brass, in 4 finishes:

Antique Brass
Natural Brass
Nickel Plate
Nickel Matte
Available in 2 sizes:
3/4″
1″ – NEW
Thank you everyone, and stay safe!

The Buckleguy Team

SWEDISH ROCK STAR, OLLI HERMAN HAS A CHOPPER– Life as a touring musician can be rough—but Reckless Love’s Olli Herman has Penelope, his custom chopper, as an escape.

Check his facebook page.

BRIGGS & STRATTON Enters into Chapter 11 and Sale Agreement–

Milwaukee’s Briggs & Stratton (founded in 1908), a “recognized global leader in providing power to get work done,” has entered into a definitive stock and asset purchase agreement with New York based equity investor KPS Capital Partners, LP (KPS).

Under the terms of the agreement, an affiliate of KPS formed for purposes of this transaction has agreed to acquire substantially all of the company’s assets and assume certain customer, employee and vendor liabilities, and will act as the stalking-horse bidder through a court-supervised sale process (known as a Section 363 process). Among other things, the sale agreement is subject to higher or better bids from other potential purchasers.

Todd Teske, Briggs & Stratton’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated: “Over the past several months, we have explored multiple options with our advisors to strengthen our financial position and flexibility. The challenges we have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic have made reorganization the difficult but necessary and appropriate path forward to secure our business. It also gives us support to execute on our strategic plans to bring greater value to our customers and channel partners. Throughout this process, Briggs & Stratton products will continue to be produced, distributed, sold and fully backed by our dedicated team.”
www.briggsandstratton.com

Posted by DealerWorld

I’m sure many of you guys will agree. This is a classic company. It needs to live on. I hope they can pull it together for the future.–Bandit

BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY IS OPEN 24/7 WITHOUT MASKS– Georgia
The owner of a golf course in Georgia was confused about paying an invoice, so he decided to ask his secretary for some mathematical help.

He called her into his office and said, “Y’all graduated from the University of Georgia and I need some help. If I wuz to give yew $20,000, minus 14%, how much would you take off?”

The secretary thought a moment, and then replied, “Everthang but my earrings.”

Louisiana

A senior citizen in Louisiana was overheard saying, “When the end of the world comes, I hope to be in Louisiana.”

When asked why, he replied, “I’d rather be in Louisiana ’cause everything happens in Louisiana 20 years later than in the rest of the world.”

Mississippi

The young man from Mississippi came running into the store and said to his buddy, “Bubba, somebody just stole your pickup truck from the parking lot!”

Bubba replied, “Did y’all see who it was?”

The young man answered, “I couldn’t tell, but I got the license number.”

North Carolina

A man in North Carolina had a flat tire, pulled off on the side of the road, and proceeded to put a bouquet of flowers in front of the car and one behind it. Then he got back in the car to wait.

A passerby studied the scene as he drove by, and was so curious he turned around and went back He asked the fellow what the problem was.

The man replied, “I got a flat tahr.”

The passerby asked, “But what’s with the flowers?”

The man responded, “When you break down they tell you to put flares in the front and flares in the back. I never did understand it neither.”

Tennessee

A Tennessee State trooper pulled over a pickup on I-65.

The trooper asked, “Got any ID?”

The driver replied, “Bout whut?”

Texas

The Sheriff pulled up next to the guy unloading garbage out of his pick-up into the ditch. The Sheriff asked, “Why are you dumping garbage in the ditch? Don’t you see that sign right over your head.”

“Yep,” he replied. “That’s why I’m dumpin’ it here, ’cause it says: ‘Fine For Dumping Garbage.’ “

Y’all kin say whut y’all want ‘about the South, but y’all never heard o’ nobody retirin’ an’ movin’ North

–Joe Smith
Certified Librarian
Bandit’s Cantina
Bad Joke Library

RALLY RODE HOME REPORT–
Hi Bandit. Hope you survived Sturgis ok. My friend Wes made it but had lots of problems with flat tires and wheel bearing failures and such. There were three bikes in his party. I was surprised to hear about those new 1-inch axle wheel bearings going bad.

–Bill May

TEXAS WEATHER REPORT-– I had never seen this one before. At first, I thought it was photoshop as we’ll never be able to take a picture for granted again. I found several links about it. Pretty cool for 1910

–RFR
Weather reporter
Bikernet

FROM THE LEADER–Why YOU need the Desert Dawgs

The Desert Dawgs cut down on updrafts and helmet buffeting – something that’s especially attractive when it’s cooler out.

And, of course, they’re kick-ass at keeping the rain and splash off your legs and feet (keeping you dryer and more comfortable when those inevitable rain showers find you).

The Dawgs will keep you on the road longer. Ride along with us in the video below (or Click Here to see how easy they are to put on/off)!

Cut Down on Annoying Updrafts and Helmet Buffeting

Desert Dawgs soft lower motorcycle chaps (aka rain guards) eliminate road spray and keep you warmer without a bulky motorcycle fairing! Excellent fit; installs easily on motorcycle engine guard bar, highway bar or freeway bar.

Install in minutes
Protect your legs and feet from rain and cold
Protects your chrome from dirt, salt and bugs
Made of the highest quality materials and crafted in the USA

No temperature restriction – you won’t overheat!
Won’t rust or corrode

Ride longer – enjoy it more!

From a convenience standpoint alone, the Desert Dawgs win hands-down. Factor in a reasonable price and weigh that against the additional hours of enjoyment you’ll get while riding with the Desert Dawgs, and it’s a no-brainer!

Quality American manufacturing … check out the difference!

WHO? WHAT? & WHEN? PLUS, A SAMPLE OF THINGS TO COME

Register for MOTM
It’s taken 36 years for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation to get to a point that an event agenda can be pulled together in a few months, plus or minus a few days. If you’ve been following these E-blasts, then you may have recognized an undercurrent of the “five W’s” – WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN and WHY, and a constant reminder that the 36th Annual Meeting of the Minds Conference is getting close.

You’ve been given samples of WHO helped start the Meeting of the Minds and the MRF, along with WHAT it was all about, WHERE and WHEN it came from and WHERE it’s heading, along with WHY it’s so important to attend. Here’s the tentative (subject to change) agenda for the 36th Annual Meeting of the Minds Conference. Time’s running out to use this link and register at Meeting of the Minds 2020. Room Reservations: 317-767-4769.

For those of you getting in on Thursday, September 24, join the MRF Board of Directors in a “Meet & Greet” at 7:00 p.m. in the Main Ballroom.

With a presentation of the Colors, the General Session opens at 9:00 a.m. Friday, then it’s non-stop with…

Opening Remarks – Kirk “Hardtail” Willard
MRF Financial Report – Kirk “Hardtail” Willard
Legislative Update – Rocky Fox
Election Year & Effective Use of CQ – Rocky Fox
A series of MRF award presentations by Dave Dwyer & Ryan Hubbard, Michelle Holcomb & Duane Justus.
Then it’s on to more presentations, a few awards and recognition of the future of motorcyclists’ rights…

MRFA&E – Deb Butitta

MRFA&E Young Activist Awards – Deb Butitta

Young Activist Scholarship Winners Panel – Deb Butitta

MRF Rep/Reps of the Year Awards – Doc D’Errico

Presidents Cup – Kirk “Hardtail” Willard

A Primer: How Strategic Planning can help your SMRO – Mark Buckner

Lunch by Bill the Chef; a riding and turning demo by Lane Triplett, then an afternoon of workshops…

2020-21 Legislative Strategy – Kirk “Hardtail” Willard
3R’s MRFA&E – Ron Braaksma & Lane Triplett
Media Madness: How to Survive these Wild Times – Brian “Skinny Bob” Clifford
Executive Directors Town Hall – Kirk “Hardtail” Willard
Kickin’ Ass and Taking Names – Pennsylvania’s 35-year Winning Quest for Freedom of Choice – Charles Umbenhauer
Public Relations in a Changing World – Cathy Brush
The afternoon winds into dinner by Bill the Chef and moves into an “evening of festivities and a rodeo!” provided by the folks from ABATE of Indiana.

Saturday morning begins with a breakfast by Bill the Chef… In case you’re wondering, for the first time in recent memory, meals are included with your registration packet. Bill the Chef, renowned for his biker pleasing menus, generous proportions and never failing to make a few thousand hungry bikers happy at ABATE of Indiana’s world famous, Bean Blossom Boogie! You’ll have to specifically ask for a PBJ or a county jail bologna sandwich! They aren’t on Bill the Chef’s menu!

Saturday’s General Session opens with Jay Jackson and blasts WFO into…

State of the Safety Training Programs – Jay Jackson
Ron Sheppard Award – Jay Jackson
Strategic Planning for Your SMRO: Writing Your Own Plan – Mark Buckner
Political Action Committee? Why the Hell Does a Biker Need One? – Ryan Hubbard
MRFPAC Awards – Ryan Hubbard
State Reps Meeting – Doc D’Errico
With Freedom Comes Responsibility – Dave “Chubby” Charlebois
Bridging the gap Clubs/SSMRO – Russell Radke & Paul Landers
All of that before it’s lunch with Bill the Chef! Plus, another Lane Triplett riding demo. After lunch it’s another afternoon filled with more information than you can haul home in two saddlebags!

Sustaining Clubs Meeting – Russell Radke
Advocacy – Beyond Face to Face – Rocky Fox
Kickin’ Ass and Taking Names – Pennsylvania’s 35-year winning quest for freedom of choice – Charles Umbenhauer

CQ & Using technology to Win in Washington – Rocky Fox

Media Madness: How to Survive these Wild Times – Brian “Skinny Bob” Clifford

Public Relations in a Changing World – Cathy Brush
Yeah, there’s a few duplicates, because the presenter and the subject are in such demand there’s only one way to satiate this crowd’s demand – give them the information and tools they need to be more effective at their state legislatures!

Saturday “slows down” just enough for a quick thirst quencher before the banquet starts. It’s an evening filled with a soon-to-be-announced keynote speaker, dinner by Bill the Chef, awards, and a live auction that if history ever repeats itself, this will be one not to miss.

Sunday morning travelers get sent out on the road after a “Blessing of the Bikes” and while everyone else is heading home, the MRF Board hunkers down for a review of The Good, The Bad, The Ugly, of the entire conference and ending it with a commitment to take everything that was learned at the 36th Meeting of the Minds Conference and put it to use on behalf of motorcyclists’ rights.

COKER TIRES FROM LOWBROW–Even if you do not know the company, you know their tires…

Coker Tire is in Chattanooga, Tennessee and was founded in 1958 by Harold Coker.

From Sportster choppers, classic Triumphs and Harley Big Twins to late model motorcycles, Coker Tires can be found on bikes of all type, all over the world…
They supply that vintage style alongside modern materials. Set your ride apart from the rest with a new set of tires.

STURGIS MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM
Hall of Fame Breakfast — Nearly 500 guests attended an unforgettable Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on August 12.

The ceremony opened with a blessing by Auggie Minzlaff and the National Anthem was performed by 8 year old Lainee of Sturgis and joined by the entire crowd in. Dave Mackie joined via video call while Skeeter Todd will be a year late for his induction. There was not a dry eye when Arlin Fatland purposed to his longtime love, Donna. The ceremony concluded with Don Hotop receiving the Arlen Ness Lifetime Achievement Award.

Visitors through the Museum – This year we did not know what kind of attendance to expect. Typically the Museum sees about 5000 guests during Rally and this year we were just shy of that at about 3,975. Overall, guests this year were very respectful, kind and generous; leading to an increase in round-up and general donations.

New Displays & Exhibits – New to the Museum is a large Indian Wrecking Crew display including one original Indian Wrecking Crew motorcycles and two replica’s. Also new to the Museum is Indian Larry’s Wild Child motorcycle. We are excited to have Jessi Combs Cocky Commuter motorcycle on display as well. We have new art work and ever changing memorabilia.

Hamsters USA Make A Huge Contribution!

It is no secret that the Hamsters are a large philanthropic group of chopper riding motorcyclists. For many years Hamster built motorcycles have been displayed in the Museum and individually many of them have donated to the Museum. This year the Hamsters decided to do what they do best, collectively raise a huge amount of money for a good cause. With the help of world famous motorcycle artist, Dave Perewitz, and Museum friend, Keith Terry (pictured above), the Hamsters raised nearly $80,000 to support the Museum.

Hall of Fame Rings Available to All Inductees

This year Nino 925 partnered with the Museum to create one of a kind custom rings for the Class of 2020 Inductees. To further support the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame, Nino 925 will work individually with inductees to create a custom ring personalized with induction year and name. Rings start at $525 in 925 Sterling Silver and can be upgraded in most metals with added gemstones. For more information please contact Frank at Nino925.com or 877-Nino925.

Visit the Museum All Year Long
999 Main Street
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605)347-2001

10 AM – 4 PM seven days a week

LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK–2017 Harley-Davidson® FLHR – Road King for $17.995.00
see it here: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=8855587

2017 Harley-Davidson FLHR Road King Classic Milwaukee 8 107ci

With this timeless combination of style and touring function you don’t just ride through the landscape, you’re the most majestic part of the scenery… The Road King is where stripped down, nostalgic style meets the performance and versatility of a modern Harley-Davidson touring machine.

The Hiawatha headlamp and nacelle were born in the 1960’s, when chrome ruled the streets. But the power of the all-new Milwaukee-Eight™ 107 engine brings it all into the here and now in a hurry. The all-new double bending valve front suspension and rear emulsion shocks put you in control for a plush ride. With cast aluminum Impeller wheels and one-touch opening saddlebags, this is the timeless classic built for today.

**Just 9,196 Miles**

Road Kings are the best of both worlds, boulevard cruiser and touring bike. This one with Billet Silver paint with gray / red pin-striping and raised tank logos is like new. Chrome console with aluminum face. Chrome bars with mounted speakers and controls, mirrors, Avon chrome / rubber grips and quick detachable windshield. Big chrome daymaker headlamp, nacelle, and passing lamps.

Chrome fork sleeves, polished lowers, chrome axle caps, on 10 spoke lack contrast cut alloy wheels. Chrome engine guard with H-D fat freeway pegs. Chrome S&S exhaust. Black motor with chrome covers including Screamin’ Eagle black accent air intake, black accent horn / timing covers and black accent trans ‘six speed’ cover. 2-up seat with floorboards and passenger mini floors. Bag guards, chrome LED rear blinkers and good tires.

This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 100 point safety and mechanical inspection could come with Lifestyles 90 day / 1,000 mile limited warranty. Whether your looking to commute to work, ride the coast or take that dream vacation, this bike is ready to go!!!

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97% OF U.S. MOVIEGOERS RECOMMEND SEEING A MOVIE IN THEATERS TO THEIR FRIENDS, NEW POLL SAYS –– Some 97% of U.S. moviegoers recommend seeing a new movie in theaters to their friends, a new poll says. Additionally, 93% rate the new enhanced safety experience in movie theaters as positive. The PostTrack survey was conducted by Comscore in American movie theaters open for the first time in five months at the first weekend of Unhinged, the new psychological thriller starring Academy Award winner Russell Crowe. Some 57% of the respondents stated their top motivation for going to the movie theater was a desire to socialize and return to normal.

Unhinged opened on August 21 to a box office result of $4 million at 1,823 North American locations. The film is expected to have earned $8 million at the North American box office by Thursday and is projected to reach Solstice Studios’ target of $30 million at a minimum by the time it completes its theatrical run. The number of North American locations for Unhinged will increase by 500 to over 2300 by the second weekend on August 28, as theaters across the United States continue to open. The film has been released in 27 international territories thus far, opening #1 in 15 of them, and has earned $10 million to date. Unhinged has been #1 for four weeks in a row in both Australia and the UK, and was #1 for 3 weeks in a row in Germany.

“The astonishingly high 97% recommendation of safety and comfort in theaters from first-weekend moviegoers is beyond great news-and confirms that movie theaters are not only back but have a promising future,” said Unhinged producer Mark Gill, who is President and CEO of Solstice Studios. “It bodes well for what we’ve seen in Europe and Australia on the film, which is a long run at the box office that in some countries has defied gravity and increased from week to week, or at the very least has held steady for many weeks.”

Paul Dergarabedian, Sr. Media Analyst at ComScore added, “Solstice Studios, through their successful release of Unhinged, showed not only a commitment to consumers and their desire to see a new wide release film with a major star on the big screen, but also a devotion to movie theaters who are diligently at work creating a safe and healthy environment for their loyal customers.”

Solstice Studios is an independent movie company based in Los Angeles, founded in October 2018. The studio develops, fully finances, produces, sells internationally and distributes feature films in the U.S. on a wide-release basis. Solstice plans to produce 3-5 movies per year for a global audience-generally in the $20-80M budget range. It also plans to co-finance or acquire another 1-2 films per year for wide US distribution. The company has a partnership with Ingenious Media.

LATEST FROM THE MASTER OF LIGHT— We are currently shipping orders from Sturgis and appreciate everyone’s patience as we get them all headed out the door.

As you may know, David plans on moving forward with his new “Route 66” series in the near future. In the meantime, we are announcing a timely new series, titled “Reminiscence”.

Earlier this year, David presented his “Strange Days” series of three pieces, documenting the historical significance of these times.

“Exiting the Curve”
(Third and final piece, Strange Days series)

As David recently stated, “I have always considered myself more progressive than most, always in favor of imagining a better future. The past 20 years or so, I have not wavered much from my imagined trajectory – however, I have become a bit of a history buff. I can attribute much of this fascination to spending so much time peering into old archival photos. While there, I find myself visualizing to get a feel for how it really felt to be there. I have consistently maintained that my paintings should have a timeless quality, not only subject wise, but style wise as well.

As we all watch current events unfold, I can’t help thinking about my childhood in my small town Luna Pier, Michigan. I remember being entranced and moved by such simple things.

I am old enough now to have witnessed a remarkable change in the fundamental fabric of how our society interacts. I find myself craving some of those wonderful memories that I think many of us share. After spending a few weeks talking to thousands of people up in Sturgis, clearly the conversations always ended up with “What the hell happened?” Even a year ago seemed like the “GOOD OLE DAYS”.

Since I was born in the early sixties, I have some distinct imagery I remember that may make wonderfully beautiful subject matter for a NEW SERIES. Motorcycles are not important here – my emphasis will be on the “American Experience”.

The working title for this series is “Reminiscence”, but I am wondering if you have any thoughts on a different title. 

I think much of my work already has this overall look. I came across this piece I did 20 years ago which illustrates the feeling I want to generate. It’s called “A Simpler Time.”

I’ll keep you posted as David prepares his first piece in this new series. He was called “the Norman Rockwell of Harley artists” by CBS Sunday Morning and I’m sure we’ll see that influence. We are all looking forward to seeing what he comes up with here!

–Greg Rhodes
International Sales Director
Uhl Studios
303-913-4840

Uhl Studios Website

IT’S HOT—It’s not Global Warming or Climate Change caused by humans, it’s just hot. Next year it will be different and so on.

Okay, so here’s the plan at the Wilmington Headquarters. This weekend I will come up with a plan for mounting the Salt Torpedo front fenders, the new Paughco gas tank and the lower body. Seems there is one other thing I need to accomplish before we try a short, slow run around the block.

I need to pull the good doctor’s Pandemic Panhead out of the van and remove the magneto. Jason Moot of Deadwood Custom Cycles is going to help me recharge the magnets in the magneto. “It takes less than ten seconds,” Jason told me. You’ll see the operation on Bikernet.

James, The Tileman, replaced his Dyna rubbermounts, and he used the heavyduty CCE unit on the rear. He’s had his used about 2008 Dyna for a year and felt it needed tightening up. We will bring you the tips.

We are also investigating the new Harley Dynas build in the Softail frame format. So far we are impressed. We want to see Dynas live. We like the new mono-shock Softail format and the new M-8 engines. We are hearing very good things.

The Cycle Source Crew has gone TV with a series on the Sturgis Rally. We are reviewing it and will bring you a complete detailed report as Chris and his co-host travel from the East Coast to the 80th and bring us the history and all the action. The review might be handled by Steve Bauman above.

It’s never dull around here. So, hang on for more reports next week.

Ride fast and free Forever,

–Bandit

Hey,

I’m confused, but that’s nothing new. Some of the stats they run in the news are nuts. Like they try to blame 20 Chinese Covid cases in Colorado on the Rally. Then the CDC announces that only 6 percent of the people who died all year long, passed only by the Wuhan Covid complications. The other 94 percent died of what Chinese Covid and a heart attack?

They never say 6 percent died of Chinese covid only and 100 folks died of heart attacks, diabetes, cancers, whatever. Actually, if they did a real true analysis they would discover that this year there have been fewer accidents, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, heart attacks, etc. They would also discover that bikers proved that going outside and traveling is bitchin! Hell, they would discover that if all 465,000 rally goers stayed home, they would have had a much higher chance of catching something, getting fat, a higher depression rate and more family issues.

Here’s an AMA report: STURGIS, S.D. – COVID-19 cases in eight states have been linked by health officials to attendance at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally held in early August. The North Dakota Health Department tweeted that 17 people “who are connected to” the rally have tested positive for the virus. Other cases have been confirmed in Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming and South Dakota. The Associated Press reported more than 100 cases in total have been linked to the event, which drew a crowd estimated at more than 450,000. South Dakota does not require that masks be worn in public.

There’s more in the news, but these numbers are so insignificant they are not worth mentioning. Bottom line, this too shall pass and we’re living in the best of times. Although, some folks want it to be the worst of times. Hell, they want to take you cars away, your guns away, make healthcare mandatory, give your house to a homeless drug addict, and burn your shop, so you can’t work. Nuts. Don’t forget to Vote!

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.

FROM USA TODAY--How we’re developing a COVID-19 vaccine at ‘Warp Speed’–We are encouraged by the progress so far, and hope to celebrate the successful delivery of a safe and effective vaccine soon.

Alex M. Azar II and Moncef SlaouiOpinion contributors

President Trump launched Operation Warp Speed (OWS) to accomplish something the world has never done before: harnessing the full power of the Federal government, the private sector, the military and the scientific community to deliver substantial quantities of a safe and effective vaccine within a year after the discovery of a new virus. The strategy we devised for OWS will allow us to accomplish this goal while following all the same procedures for safety and efficacy, applied by the same apolitical FDA experts, that Americans expect with all vaccines.

So far, the OWS strategy is working. We originally established our objective — substantial quantities of a safe and effective vaccine no later than January 2021 — as an optimistic target. While one can never guarantee success in any scientific endeavor, it is now becoming increasingly likely we will deliver this historic victory for the American people and the world.

The strategy behind OWS was recently described in a perspective published in The New England Journal of Medicine. In brief, the strategy aims to accelerate the timeline and maximize the probability of delivering a safe and effective vaccine by carefully selecting scientifically sound and promising candidates, building a diverse portfolio of vaccine candidates to mitigate risk of technical failure, providing unprecedented levels of support for clinical trials, and engaging simultaneously in industrial-scale manufacturing “at risk”— i.e., manufacturing the vaccine candidates while still conducting the clinical trials.

Each of these elements of the strategy makes OWS a unique public-private partnership and an unprecedented alliance of scientific and industrial expertise. This partnership will substantially shorten the timeline needed to bring a vaccine to the American people and, through transparent sharing of all safety and efficacy data with the scientific community, ensure that FDA’s assessment meets the same standards as those applied for any other vaccine, without undue pressure or influence.

Results from all these efforts are promising: three OWS-supported candidates are in Phase 3 trials in the United States, and more are expected to enter United States Phase 3 trials by the end of September.

Alex M. Azar II (@SecAzar) is U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Moncef Slaoui is chief scientific advisor to Operation Warp Speed.

–USA Today

SALT TORPEDO UPDATE—We are putting our team together for Bonneville 2021. We currently have Micah McCloskey, who is a master mechanic. Edge, the Commander of the Smoke Out for its entire history. Eddie, Micah’s son, a master fabricator. Dr. Hamster is always on board to keep us healthy. Jeremiah Soto our Union organizer, the Redhead; Laura, the bookkeeper, who constantly tells me we’re out of money.

With Jeremiah’s input, I have a solid plan for mounting the front fenders to the axle. I had to order some pieces, but then it should be a one-day operation. I have the new tank from Paughco almost mounted, then I will take it to have it professionally painted. Sometime this week, we will mount the bottom of the body and next week test the top. Jeremiah has volunteered to handle the first low-speed handling test.

We will test to make sure it tracks properly at very slow speeds until it’s completely dialed in. Mike Stevenson and I handled alignment issues and weight issues, and feel confident. But we need to cruise and test tracking next. Of course, Micah will handle the high-speed runs at Bonneville.

We have access to a trailer, from our motorcycle history guru, Don Whalen, that the Torpedo fits in perfectly. I just wanted to put everyone together, because we will start to discuss plans for Bonneville 2021 and logistics very soon.

–Bandit

‘ANTIQUE MOTORCYCLE ENTHUSIAST DAY’–
Balderson Touts House Resolution

U.S. Rep. Troy Balderson (R-Ohio) introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives to recognize July 11 as “Antique Motorcycle Enthusiast Day.” The resolution, announced at the July 11 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Open House and Bike Night, celebrates those who restore and ride antique motorcycles, what these motorcycles represent in American history and the jobs supported by the restoration of these bikes.

“Restoring antique motorcycles is not only a passion for many Ohioans, it creates well-paying, highly skilled jobs for people in all 50 states,” Balderson said. “A beloved icon of our country’s past, antique motorcycles represent the rich history of Americana. I can think of no better way to honor those who cherish these patriotic symbols than by designating the Saturday after the 4th of July as ‘Antique Motorcycle Enthusiast Day.’”

The resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Reps. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) and Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), co-chairs of the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus.

THE MASTER OF LIGHT PAINTS 5-BALL MODEL--“The Alchemist” by David Uhl used Imogen, a jewelry designer from London’s and the Great Frog, Los Angeles jewelry store, who was also a 5-Ball Racing leather model a couple of times.

They have some of each of the 6 Steampunk pieces for sale by clients. Various sizes. Please inquire about specific pieces.

–Greg Rhodes
International Sales Director
Uhl Studios
15801 W. Colfax Avenue
Golden, CO 80401
303-913-4840

www.UhlStudios.com

This low profile, high performing windscreen creates a smooth airflow 3 to 4 inches taller. Made of the finest materials and simple to install. Available in a variety of sizes.

SizeColorPart #
4″Light Smoke65-4010
4″Dark Smoke65-4040
5″Light Smoke65-5010
5″Dark Smoke65-5040
6″Light Smoke65-6010
6″Dark Smoke65-6040
7″Light Smoke65-7010
7″Dark Smoke65-7040
8″Light Smoke65-8010
8″Dark Smoke65-8040
9″Light Smoke65-9010
9″Dark Smoke65-9040
10″Light Smoke65-1010
10″Dark Smoke65-1040

BIKERNET MEDICAL CENTER RESEARCH LAB-– Subject: Old Geezer

An old physician, Doctor Gordon Geezer, became very bored in retirement and decided to reopen a medical clinic.

He put a sign up outside that said: “Dr. Geezer’s clinic. Get your treatment for $500 – if not cured, get back $1,000.”

Doctor Digger Young, who was positive that this old geezer didn’t know beans about medicine, thought this would be a great opportunity to get $1,000. So he went to Dr. Geezer’s clinic.

Dr Young: “Dr. Geezer, I have lost all taste in my mouth. Can you please help me?”

Dr Geezer: “Nurse, please bring medicine from box 22 and put 3 drops in Dr. Young’s mouth.”

Dr Young: ‘Aaagh! — This is Gasoline!”

Dr Geezer: “Congratulations!

You’ve got your taste back. That will be $500.”

Dr Young gets annoyed and goes back after a couple of days figuring to recover his money.

Dr Young: “I have lost my memory, I cannot remember anything.”

Dr Geezer: “Nurse, please bring medicine from box 22 and put 3 drops in the patient’s mouth.”

Dr Young: “Oh, no you don’t — that is Gasoline!”

Dr Geezer: “Congratulations! You’ve got your memory back. That will be $500.”

Dr Young (after having lost $1000) leaves angrily and comes back after several more days.

Dr Young: “My eyesight has become weak — I can hardly see anything!”

Dr Geezer: “Well, I don’t have any medicine for that so, “Here’s your $1000 back” (giving him a $10 bill).

Dr Young: “But this is only $10!”

Dr Geezer: “Congratulations! You got your vision back! That will be $500.”

*Moral of story* — Just because you’re “Young” doesn’t mean that you can outsmart an “old Geezer”.

*Remember:* Don’t make old people mad. We don’t like being old in the first place, so it doesn’t take much to tick us off.

ENJOY YOUR DAY!!!
P.S. Written in large print for old Geezers.
–from Joe Smith

LE PERA ACCESSORY OF THE WEEK—Le Pera Solo Bag for Softails 1984-2020

Regular price $240.00

Ships in 2-4 weeks

Part#: L-SLSBFXST

The Le Pera Solo Softail bag was designed to attach to the swing arm “V” on the left side of the motorcycle. It mounts to the swing arm with four leather belt straps. Great storage area for water bottle, gloves, tools or other items.

Measures 11 ½” wide, 14” tall at front & 7” tall at back, and 3” deep
Includes (4)14” x ½” leather belt strap for mounting
Made of 10-11 ounce thick full grain leather to keep its shape
Vat dyed black so the color goes all the way through the leather
Tanned to be UV and water resistant so leather doesn’t fade, spot or swell
Sewn with heavy-duty nylon thread and reinforced with rivets at stress points

Made in the USA and built to last!

Note: May not work if there is a left side mounted license plate that comes from the axle forward.

KODLIN Lower Risers for 2018-2020 Breakout Models—

• Optical / Stylish ‘must’ for a Breakout (especially when doing
a handlebar conversion due to stock pullback riser)
• Works with stock upper clamp and speedometer housing
• Made from forged aluminum
• Black and Chrome finishes available
• Easy installation

WHEELS THROUGH TIME LOTTERY–HISTORY COULD BE HEADED TO YOUR GARAGE!

If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a classic American motorcycle, this is your chance! In less than 80 days, you could be riding away on this beautiful 1939 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead and join the family of winners here at Dale’s Wheels Through Time.

This machine was hand-built to factory specs right here in the Wheels Through Time restoration shop and looks just as stunning as the day it rolled off the assembly line floor. Even better, with each ticket purchased, YOU are helping to fuel “The Museum That Runs” and ensure that the history and passion continue for generations to come.

For the month of August, by getting the “Best Deal” package, you will receive the WTT Duffle Bag, new Anniversary Tee, and our newly designed Pandana! For everyone who enters our annual raffle at “The Fine’39”, you will get the new Anniversary Tee and our newly designed Pandana, and the “Better Deal” package will get you the newly designed Pandana.

www.wheelsthroughtime.com

TEXAS WEATHER REPORT–A little at a time, some have not fared well. I found these two, I thought I still had Hollyweed & the dude sliding up to the curb in front of the bar (my favorite I think, but I was never that cool) and Know Ye of course!

Still wish I had them all, the ones in the barracks with my roommate Zippy the Pinhead’s. That was garage number one, along time ago.

Apparently. I ordered something from Bikernet. So, time to pull the Shovelhead down to fix all the leaks, trans & cam seal and rocker boxes (possibly warped a little). I will paint the lifter blocks and I forgot and crankshaft seal. I didn’t install it, when the lower end was built, the others sat for 5 years.

–RFR
Certified Weatherman
Bikernet.com™

RNC shows us what Trump, GOP-led economy would look like vs. Biden, radical left’s vision–At the Republican convention on Wednesday, Americans were reminded that when November rolls around, they will be faced with a stark choice: dramatically expand the size and power of the national government and impose a mountain of jobs-killing new taxes and regulations — the path laid out by Democrats — or build on many of the pro-growth economic principles that helped President Trump and Republicans create the strongest U.S. economy in two decades.

Prior to the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic and the government-mandated lockdowns that accompanied it, Americans had enjoyed one of the most prosperous periods in the past century. That was thanks in large part to the Trump administration’s deregulatory policies and Republicans’ 2017 tax reform legislation.

The stock market — which is intricately tied to Americans’ retirement accounts — was higher than ever prior to the coronavirus outbreak.

In 2019, the national unemployment rate hit 3.5 percent — the lowest level since the Nixon administration in 1969 — and unemployment for African Americans, Asians and Hispanics was at or near historic lows.

Further, as daughter-in-law and presidential adviser Lara Trump noted in her speech on Wednesday night touting the tremendous economic improvements experienced by women during the president’s first term, “Under President Trump’s leadership, women’s unemployment hit the lowest level since World War II. 4.3 million new jobs have been created for women. In 2019 alone, women took over 70 percent of all new jobs. Female small business ownership remains at an all-time high. And 600,000 women have been lifted out of poverty — all since President Trump took office.”

All told, more than 7 million full-time jobs were created from the start of 2017 to the end of 2019, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Governors closed state economies in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus and as a result, the economy crashed in spectacular fashion.

Now, several months later, the United States is still struggling to fully recover. More than 100,000 small businesses have closed — many forever. Millions of jobs have been lost.

The only way to fix the country’s economy is to return to the pro-growth policies that catalyzed the economic growth that occurred during the first three years of Trump’s term, and that’s exactly what the president and Republicans are promising to do.

By cutting red tape and offering tax reforms, the Trump administration claims it can create 10 million new jobs in 10 months.

The Trump administration plans to achieve this goal in a variety of ways, including by continuing to speed the development of a coronavirus vaccine, which the administration says it aims to finalize by the end of the year; providing tax breaks for businesses that move their operations from China to the United States, with special expensing deductions offered to “essential industries, like pharmaceuticals and robotics”; and expanding “opportunity zones,” which provide massive tax incentives for investments made in “disadvantaged communities.”

According to Dr. Ben Carson, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Brooke Rollins, director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, “Nearly 8,800 disadvantaged communities, home to approximately 35 million low-income individuals, are already seeing billions of dollars in new investments due to their status as ‘opportunity zones.’”

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his far-left allies in Congress, on the other hand, are offering a very different vision for the nation.

Rather than spurring economic growth by helping businesses get back on their feet, Biden and congressional Democrats want to raise taxes on wealthy individuals and businesses by $3.8 trillion, much of which would be paid by job-supporting corporations, which would face a 33 percent tax increase under the former vice president’s plan.

Congressional Democrats have also said they would push Biden to issue a number of new environmental regulations, including numerous policies that would cause great harm to America’s farms.

As Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, correctly explained to voters at the Republican convention on Wednesday, “The Democratic Party of Joe Biden is pushing this so-called ‘Green New Deal.’ If given power, they would essentially ban animal agriculture and eliminate gas-powered cars. It would destroy the agriculture industry, not just here in Iowa, but throughout the country.”

Further, in an attempt to appease the far-left wing of his party, Biden has rolled out a gargantuan $2 trillion “green” infrastructure plan that he promises would create “millions of new, good-paying jobs.”

What Biden won’t tell you, however, is exactly what Vice President Mike Pence said during his convention speech Wednesday night at Fort McHenry.

In order to “create” those “green” jobs, “Biden would abolish fossil fuels, end fracking, and impose a regime of climate change regulations that would drastically increase the cost of living for working families,” destroying millions of jobs in industries related to conventional energy sources like oil and natural gas and sending hundreds of thousands of other jobs overseas, as manufacturers and other energy-intensive businesses leave the country to escape high energy prices.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly for cities looking to repair their failing economies, Democrats have made it clear repeatedly that they will not take a firm stand against the lawlessness, looting and rioting that has occurred throughout the country over the past two months in cities like Chicago, New York, Portland, and Seattle.

If cities aren’t safe, businesses will not reopen and residents who have fled urban areas seeking safer communities will not return.

That’s why Michael McHale, the president of the National Association of Police Organizations, delivered a strong endorsement of the Trump administration’s pro-police policies at Wednesday’s convention.

“Joe Biden has turned his candidacy over to the far-left, anti-law-enforcement radicals. And as a senator, Kamala Harris pushed to further restrict police, cut their training and make our American communities and streets even more dangerous than they already are,” McHale said.

“The differences between Trump-Pence and Biden-Harris are crystal clear,” McHale later added.

“Your choices are the most pro-law-enforcement president we’ve ever had, or the most radical anti-police ticket in history. We invite those who value the safety of their family and loved ones to join the hundreds of thousands of members of the National Association of Police Organizations and support the reelection of President Donald J. Trump.”

–Justin Haskins is editor-in-chief of StoppingSocialism.com and the editorial director of The Heartland Institute.

Motorcycle Club Crashes Black Lives Matter Street Protest in Florida – Starts Chanting, “USA! USA!…”

Black Lives Matter were having a perfectly fine protest against cops in Florida on Friday when several members of the local motorcycle club interrupted their march by revving their engines as they drove through the protest.

They hate cops until they need cops.

To make matters worse the bikers started chanting “USA! USA!…”

–The Gateway Pundit

MOTORISTS VOTE 2020-– Advocacy Starts at the Ballot Box.

For the first time, the NMA has developed a national guide for voting called, appropriately enough, Motorists Vote 2020. The confirming (and most important) step in any advocacy effort is signified by the casting a vote in local, state, and national elections. If you don’t have time to write letters to the editor or visit with elected leaders about the issues most important to you, voting for the candidates and initiatives consistent with your views becomes even more critical.

For this year’s election, we encourage everyone to decide soon how they will vote on November 3rd due to complications caused by the pandemic. If you decide to vote by mail, ask for your ballot early and make sure you vote according to the rules. Timing will be everything, particularly with potential postal service issues, so either mail your ballot well ahead of Election Day or consider delivering it yourself to a designated drop off locations.

For example, here in Wisconsin, we are required to have an adult independently verify each mail-in ballot for it to be valid. The witness must sign his/her name on the outside envelope, signifying the integrity of the ballot inside. Then, as in most places, the ballot needs to be at the county or city election office by the deadline. Get out the Vote volunteers who can help with questions, serve as ballot witnesses, and help with voter registrations are sometimes available at public libraries and other government buildings. Check with your city or town clerk for details.

If you have never voted before or have let your voter registration lapse, registering to vote is the first step. All states and the District of Columbia require voter registration except for North Dakota, where eligible residents can vote with suitable personal identification.

Voter registration generally takes place at the city or county level. In 17 states and DC, voters may register the day of the election. The rest of the states require registration ranging two to four weeks before election day.

Check out the Motorists Vote 2020 Guide to link to your state’s voting information.

Voter Registration History and the Driver’s License

In 1993, Congress passed the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), which allows states to provide citizens the opportunity to register when applying for or renewing a driver’s license. This often is referred to as “motor-voter.”

According to the US Election Assistance Commission, approximately 25 million motor voter registrations, originated at state departments of motor vehicles (DMVs) during the 2016 election period. In many states, the collection of voter information has been shifting from paper-based to digital registration forms. Many DMV systems are linked to state voter registration databases.

In 2016, Oregon became the first state to implement automatic voter registration or AVR. As of April 2020, 19 states and the District of Columbia DMVs participate in AVR.

We have posed some questions in the Motorists Vote 2020 Guide that you can use to build your own candidate report card on motorists’ right issues.

Voting is the most important democratic act any citizen can do.

NEW COMPANY COMES TO BIKERNET—With their “Super Prism” Throttle
$229.99 USD

Description
“Super Prism” Throttle Assembly contains the following:

Polished aluminum throttle housing
1/4 turn action with built in internal stops
1″ aluminum throttle sleeve
Includes all necessary mounting hardware
Designed to be used with all stock HD throttle cables with snap ring
Includes a barrel end to cut cable to desired length
Throttle Lock Screw sold separately
Clear Throttle Cover sold separately
For a designed fit we recommend purchasing our throttle cable with this throttle assembly.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL WORLD REPORT-–
The New York Times has published an article suggesting that plastic waste is, or should be, a high-priority for poor African nations, and that the best way to deal with it is by not having plastic at all.

In fact, poor nations in Africa need to use more, not less plastic, since doing so will improve people’s lives.

It turns out that most everything people say about plastic waste is wrong. The ocean biodegrades 99.9% of it. Bioplastics are worse than fossil-plastics. And landfill & incineration are better than recycling.

Nobody likes waste but it’s wrong to deny plastics to poor nations

Below is my latest column for Forbes!

–Michael

Plastics save species and human lives and are best disposed of in landfills or incinerators not recycled.

The New York Times has published an article suggesting that plastic waste is, or should be, a high-priority for poor African nations, and that the best way to deal with it is by not having plastic at all.

In fact, poor nations in Africa need to use more, not less plastic, since doing so will improve people’s lives, just as plastic has improved people’s lives in developed nations for over a half-century.

It’s true there are few things more demoralizing for a first-world conservationist like myself, than hiking to a place of great natural beauty only to discover plastic waste.

But for people who live in those places of great natural beauty, there are many things more demoralizing than plastic waste. Chief among them are the unmanaged impacts of human waste, which causes a half million deaths from diarrhea annually, and is thus a far higher priority waste issue than plastic waste.

Half of all people in sub-Saharan Africa, about a half billion people, still lack access to proper sanitation, resulting in millions of premature deaths a year. It would be a tragedy if first-world anxieties over plastic waste diverted human and financial resources from dealing with that problem to trying to deal with problems like plastic waste.

Plastic waste does harm some species, and we should seek to reduce it, but the best way to do that is by helping poor nations gain access to waste collection and management, not by depriving them a fundamental technology for prosperity and development.

Bioplastics are not the answer. A study of the life cycle of bioplastics made from sugar found higher negative respiratory health impacts, smog, acidification, carcinogens, and ozone depletion than from fossil plastics.

And switching from fossil plastics to bioplastics would require expanding farmland in the United States by 5 to 15 percent, which would reduce the amount of land available for conservation.

In truth, plastics made from fossil fuels already biodegrade.

Between 2007 and 2013, a team of nine scientists took twenty-four separate expeditions around the world to measure plastic waste and were shocked by what they discovered. “The global weight of plastic pollution on the sea surface,” they wrote, “from all size classes combined, is only 0.1 percent of the world annual production.”

Then, last year, a separate team of scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) announced it had discovered that sunlight breaks down Styrofoam (polystyrene) in ocean water over a period as short as decades.

Why? The answer is in part because as large plastics get broken down into smaller and smaller particles, they start biodegrading ever more rapidly.

Perhaps the findings were less surprising than they should have been. After all, the expression, “The solution to pollution is dilution,” dates back decades.

Plastics made from fossil fuels have also substituted for plastics made from endangered species.

For example, for thousands of years, humans around the world made exquisite jewelry and other luxury items from the shells of hawksbill sea turtles. Craftsmen heated the turtles over a fire, sometimes alive, so they could peel the misnamed “tortoise-shell” away from their skeletons.

Artists and artisans used heat to flatten and mold tortoiseshell into various luxury items including eyeglasses, combs, lyres, jewelry, boxes, and, at least in Japan, penis rings, penis sheaths, and condoms.

Scientists estimate that since 1844, humans killed nine million hawksbill turtles, or about sixty thousand each year. Fossil-based plastics replaced plastics made from sea turtles, allowing for their populations to rebound.

The same thing happened with the ivory tusks of elephants, which Americans prized for their beauty and plasticity in making combs, piano keys, and billiard balls, and with whales, whose baleen was used to make corsets and fishing rods, before the emergency of plastics made from fossil fuels.

The biggest factor in determining whether waste ends up in the ocean or not isn’t how much plastic we use but whether we have a strong waste collection and management system.

But shouldn’t we still try to recycle the plastic waste? We shouldn’t.

The New York Times itself notes, “In 2019, American exporters shipped more than 1 billion pounds of plastic waste to 96 countries including Kenya, ostensibly to be recycled, according to trade statistics. But much of the waste, often containing the hardest-to-recycle plastics, instead ends up in rivers and oceans.”

But the journalists failed to follow through on the logic, which is that we should be burying our plastic waste in landfills, or incinerating it, since trying to recycle it is what results in it being sent to Africa.

Ultimately, it’s just cheaper for plastic makers to simply produce new plastic resin from petroleum, and recycling equipment and collection practices come at a massive premium over refuse collection — up to fourteen times the cost per ton.

Using plastics made from fossil fuels has saved both human lives and endangered species, and is best disposed of in landfills and incinerators, not recycled in a misguided bid to be green.

The coronavirus pandemic has recently reminded many in the rich world of the importance of single-use plastics as we saw our front-line health care workers swathe themselves in plastic-based protective gear and work with plastic-based equipment.

As such, writers for rich-world newspapers like The New York Times need a broader perspective of the development priorities of poor nations, and greater self-reflection in terms of how we in the rich world live our lives. Once they have that, they’ll see it’s wrong to deny plastic to poor nations.

Michael Shellenberger is a Time Magazine “Hero of the Environment,” and president of Environmental Progress, an independent research and policy organization. He is the author of Apocalypse Never: Why Environmental Alarmism Hurts Us All. Follow him on Twitter @ShellenbergerMD.

–Michael Shellenberger
President, Environmental Progress
2569 Telegraph Avenue,
Berkeley, CA 94704

[page break]

LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK–2016 Harley-Davidson FLHXS – Street Glide Special
for $18,995.00

See it here: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=9331450

Do you want plush, top-end touring technology and infotainment or unruly stripped down bagger style? We vote yes.

Rockin’ the miles made better than ever.

You’re looking at the answer to the question, how do you fully load a touring bike with premium features and still roll with the stripped down bagger look? Check inside the sleek Project RUSHMORE batwing fairing and you’ll get an idea. Your looking at the top-of-the-line 6.5 inch touchscreen infotainment system and BOOM!™ Box 6.5 GT audio system. Then check out the details: color matched fairing skirt, 19-inch Enforcer front wheel, custom rear taillight and fascia. The list goes on. Yeah, it’s stripped down But The Street Glide® Special is loaded.

Features may include:

Control

Project RUSHMORE started out as a way to re-think the venerable Harley-Davidson Touring motorcycle from fender tip to fender tip. It’s turned into a never-ending quest. Each year the going just gets better for the rider who points one of our bikes down the highway. As you might guess, a big part of the effort has gone into finding ways to help riders pass faster, stop quicker, take curves tighter and see further at night.

Here are a few of the ways Project RUSHMORE is currently adding the control you feel in the saddle: Reflex™ Linked Brakes with ABS, Daymaker™ LED headlamps and fog lamps, brighter Tour-Pak® luggage carrier lighting, brighter turn signals, brighter brake lights, and a steering head with stiffer front forks. The bikes are better then ever. Project RUSHMORE control. An invitation to see how good you can be, written in Milwaukee steel.

Infotainment

When we go to work on the infotainment system for a Harley-Davidson Touring motorcycle we follow one simple principle. If you’re going to live in the saddle of a top-end touring bike, you deserve better sound than most people have in their living rooms. More sound. Purer sound. Big, full-color touch screens. Switches that are located where you intuitively want them to be and can reach without removing your hands from the grips. Voice activation for your music, phone and GPS.

Think of it this way. Back in the day there was nothing wrong with the sound of Johnny crackling out of a dashboard Philco. But what the latest Project RUSHMORE infotainment systems do for your ears, and eyes, is infinitely better.

Style

With a name like Project RUSHMORE, you know we were aiming high when we set out to rethink what riders experience on our Touring machines. These weren’t just motorcycles. They’re part of the American landscape. So we set about perfecting the way they work, feel and look the only way we could. By riding. Millions of miles. Countless hours.

More grueling road tests than any sane person would ever want to endure. We discovered the technology and the innovations to make the ride better. And through it all we never took our eyes of the style of the machine. Give your eyes a slow ride from fender tip to fender tip You see classic Harley-Davidson style and a sleek modern look come through at the same time. Clean. Tight. Modern. As up-to-date as the weather report blasting out the infotainment system. As timeless as the road is endless.

AMA STATE AND LOCAL UPDATES–
MAINE

ATV riders will be able to travel from Roxbury to Rumford, Woodstock, Peru, Dixfield, Byron, Andover, Carthage and Mexico Trails, thanks to a new trail that opened in July. Riders also can access additional Roxbury ATV Riders club trails farther north.

Funds for the trail came from memberships, a municipal grant and a $10,000 Polaris Trail grant.

More information is available from the club at roxburyatvridersclub@gmail.com.

MISSOURI
Gov. Mike Parson signed H.B. 1963, which gives motorcyclists 26 or older freedom of choice regarding helmet use while riding. To ride without a helmet, though, motorcyclists must provide proof of health insurance and have an “M” endorsement on their driver’s license.

The new law takes effect Aug. 28.

OHIO
Two bills were introduced in the state legislature on the topic of distracted driving.

S.B. 279, from state Sen. Tina Maharath (D-Canal Winchester), would expand the current law for minors to all drivers, prohibiting hand-held device use and making it a primary offense. Currently, adults texting while driving may be cited only if they are stopped for another reason.

S.B. 285, introduced by state Sens. Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard) and Sean O’Brien (D-Bazetta Township), would make comprehensive changes to the state’s distracted-driving laws based on recommendations from the Ohio Department of Transportation Distracted Driving Task Force.

The bill would restrict all hand-held e-device use and make use of devices a primary offense. It would add incremental penalties for repeat offenses.

The bill would add to the existing offenses of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault the new offense of “vehicular harm.” It also would make device use violations a “strict liability” offense, meaning the driver’s intentions are not relevant. This provision addresses the defense of “but s/he didn’t mean to crash.”

S.B. 285 also calls for distracted-driving instruction in driver’s education courses.

WISCONSIN

The state Department of Natural Resources issued a notice reminding ATV riders of the new restrictions that went into effect this year. The new laws for ATVs affect passenger requirements, headlamps, operational requirements, vehicle legal definitions and more.

ATV operators cannot have a passenger riding in or on any part of an ATV that is not designed or intended to be used by passengers. Previously, this law only applied to roadways. Aftermarket seating does not comply with the law.

Low-pressure tires are no longer required. Instead, the only requirement is three or more tires. ATVs are required to be commercially designed and manufactured, and their width cannot exceed 50 inches, measured between the outermost wheel rims.

ATVs and UTVs must now have a lighted headlamp and tail lamp during operation, regardless of time of day or location.

ATV operators born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, who are at least 12 years old, must complete an ATV safety certification course, unless riding is restricted to private property owned by operator’s immediate family.

Full details are available at dnr.wi.gov/topic/atv.

NICB Report: Motorcycle Thefts Fall Again–DES PLAINES, IL – August 31, 2020 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Millions of people will take to the road over the Labor Day weekend, by jet, train, car, and motorcycle. If you are one of the tens of thousands of motorcyclists taking advantage of the great riding weather, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) urges you to protect your motorcycle from theft.

Nearly 41,000 motorcycles were stolen in 2019, according to a new report by NICB, with most thefts occurring in warm-weather states and in the warm-weather months of July, August and September.

Motorcycle thefts have fallen 12 percent since 2016. Reported thefts totaled 46,467 in 2016, falling to 44,268 in 2017, 41,674 in 2018, and 40,380 in 2019. California was the top-ranked state with the most reported motorcycle thefts with 6,913, followed by Florida with 4,085 thefts, and Texas with 3,165 thefts.

The top five most stolen motorcycle brands include Honda (8,122), Yamaha (6,495), Harley Davidson (4,737), Suzuki (4,686), and Kawasaki (4,641).

On the flip side of motorcycle thefts is the high rate of theft recoveries. Of the 40,830 motorcycles stolen in 2019, 18,857 had been recovered, a recovery rate of 46 percent.

While motorcycle thefts are on the decline, owners must remain vigilant and take steps to prevent their motorbikes from being stolen. The NICB recommends that owners:

Purchase motorcycles from reputable manufacturers or dealers. When purchasing from a private party, avoid custom or “assembled vehicle.”

Take the motorcycle to a local dealership for inspection before purchasing.

Use common sense; park in well-lit areas, lock your ignition, and remove your keys.

Don’t store your title in your motorcycle’s storage compartment.

Place unique markings on your motorcycle and take photos of them. If your bike is stolen, you can use these markings to identify your property.

Most motorcycle thefts occurred in August (4,642) and the fewest in February (1,972), which continues to reflect a weather-influenced pattern that is consistent with previous years.

REPORT FRAUD: Anyone with information concerning insurance fraud or vehicle theft can report it anonymously by calling toll-free 800.TEL.NICB (800.835.6422) or submitting a form on our website.

–from Paul Cote

TWISTED ROAD NEWS–How much does it cost to rent a motorcycle for a day?

Motorcycle rental companies have been increasing in popularity over the last few years. Although Harley-Davidson has been in the game for awhile, Hertz and Indian motorcycle rental programs recently launched in the US. And Twisted Road has been gaining popularity with their platform allowing riders to rent from other riders.

Although renting a motorcycle may seem like a fairly simple process, there are many things to consider when you’re looking at the total cost.

Daily Cost – all companies start with the base cost to rent a motorcycle. Pricing starts here. For example, to rent a Harley-Davidson Sportster may cost $100/day from one company and $89/day from another. But is that price the real rental price? It all depends on three factors:

What is a “rental day?” Companies define a “rental day” differently. For Indian, a rental day begins at 10AM and ends at 5PM on the same day. For other companies, a “rental day” is 24 hours long. Make sure you understand how long your rental day is.

What are the operating hours? Make sure that if you choose a rental option with a physical location — like Indian, Hertz, and Eagle Rider — can you rent a motorcycle on exactly the days you want? For example, some aren’t open on Sundays, so if you want to rent from Saturday to Sunday, you’ll need to extend the ride to Monday and will pay for an extra day of riding.

Are there multi-day discounts? Some companies offer multi-day discounts, which is a great benefit. However, it’s important to understand their discount plan before you ride. For example, Riders Share may show a price of $59 a day to rent a Ducati Scrambler, but that rate is only valid for trips that are 5 days or longer. The rental price for this motorcycle jumps to $88/day when renting for a single day.

Model Guarantees – have you ever been given an unexpected auto at the rental car counter? For example, you reserved a black Honda Civic, but were given a bright red Ford Focus instead? Well, some motorcycle rental companies do this too — unless you’re willing to pay extra to guarantee the ride of your dreams.

For example, Eagle Rider charges an extra $88 to make sure you ride your requested motorcycle. So, if you rent a Honda Rebel from them in Los Angeles for $49 a day (a great price), you’ll need to pay an extra $88 to make sure that when you arrive, you ride off on a Rebel and not a “comparable model.” That $49 just became $137 – a little steep for a Rebel. Some people don’t mind riding a different bike, but we know of some die-hard Harley riders who declined this charge and were forced to ride Indians down the PCH. They weren’t too happy.

Insurance – this gets a little complicated as there are two elements to motorcycle insurance. First, there’s damage done to the vehicle (sometimes called collision) and second, there’s damage done to other people or property, called third-party liability. This can vary significantly by company. For example, some companies, like Twisted Road, bundle these together. Others, like Eagle Rider, separate these options out. Another, Indian Motorcycles, only charges for liability, and they include damage in that base price.

If you’d like more detail on how this all works, please read our article on Twisted Road insurance for motorcycle rentals.

Gear – Many rental companies offer gear for rent. Make sure you factor this cost into your calculations.

Roadside Assistance – What if the bike doesn’t start? Or you get a flat? Or run out of gas? What do you do? Many rental companies offer Roadside Assistance as a convenient option to make sure you stay safe and your trip isn’t ruined.

Tire Protection – Check to see if you’re protected if you get a flat tire while traveling. Some companies charge the rider; others include it in their insurance coverage. For example, Eagle Rider includes it in their premium insurance offering with up to $100 coverage. For Riders Share it’s included in their base insurance package, once a deductible of $500 to $2,000 has been paid. Twisted Road offers an optional Tire Protection plan for a few dollars a day that covers all tire mishaps and replacements.

Taxes and Fees – There are often additional costs at checkout that will be included in the cost. Traditional rental operations often have environmental fees, taxes, and other surcharges, while online marketplaces charge for maintaining their extensive web platform and for 24/7 customer service. These costs are unavoidable—just make sure you understand them.

Other charges – some companies have many hidden costs that we didn’t cover above. For example, we’ve heard of drop-off fees, surge pricing, environmental charges, and minimum rental periods during busy times. Please do your research to understand these charges before you rent. We don’t have these additional charges at Twisted Road.

Mileage – Depending on the length of your trip, this can get really expensive, really quickly. Some companies — like Twisted Road, Indian, and Eagle Rider — offer unlimited mileage for your vacation. Hertz, on the other hand, provides you with some free miles, but additional miles will cost you more. For planned shorter trips this may not matter, but any trip more than a few hundred miles a day can add up quickly. Riders Share owners set their mileage rates ranging from unlimited to $1 a mile.

Referral Programs – A few companies offer programs for first-time renters who were referred by a friend. Motorcycle rental referral programs can significantly reduce your rental costs. More traditional rental companies that follow car rental-type models, like Hertz and Indian, don’t offer referral programs.

Below is a chart that compares these costs across a number of different motorcycle rental companies:

Because these costs vary so much across companies, we compared the 24-hour rental price of a Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 in when renting a motorcycle in Los Angeles, CA. You’ll see that we chose two scenarios for each company, Minimum Coverage and Full Coverage, based on the insurance and extra options selected. This analysis illustrates that Twisted Road has the lowest cost option for renting a Sportster—ranging from $80 – $115—while Eagle Rider’s costs are the highest, and range from $175 – $303.

* For Twisted Road, Eagle Rider, and Riders Share, we used the first Harley 1200 that appeared in their search results. For Hertz and Indian, we used comparable motorcycles in their fleet.

Renting a motorcycle can be a very exciting and fun experience, but it really helps to understand all of the costs going into your ride. Regardless of which company you choose for your trip, please make sure you read our article about motorcycle safety tips that all riders should know, and—as always—take pictures!

–BY AUSTIN ROTHBARD

SUPPORT THE MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION--Auction Items are Still Needed – Meeting of the Minds 2020

Thank you for your ongoing dedication and support of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation.

In less than a month, I hope to see you at the 2020 Meeting of the Minds Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. Given your enthusiasm, I’m sure that your reservations are in order and you’re almost packed for the trip.

Before you over-pack your bags, I’d like you to think about the MRF’s “World Famous” silent and live auctions.

First, a little history… The Saturday night auctions were never planned, they just sort of evolved after MOTM #3. A few supporters brought a small number of one-off items and the auctions grew from there. Adding to the fun, Lee Richardson, then lobbyist for ABATE of Georgia, and I were “recruited” as auctioneers. Neither of us had any auction experience, however, it was believed that all auctioneers had southern accents and we fit the bill!

By the Tenth Annual Meeting of the Minds, the auction was the highlight of the evening and states were competing to bring quality one-off items to the event. Limited edition belt buckles, limited edition bottles of wine, a hunting knife from Alaska, even a commemorative set of ashtrays! Plus, an eclectic collection of items that had heads turning as the bids bounced from one side of the room to the other and thousands were raised in fun in the name of motorcyclists’ rights.

That spirit of competition has seen a revival during the past few conferences. The quality of items donated has once again risen to exceed the swap meet and garage sale collections we once tried to auction. I hope that you and your SMRO will once again search your hearts and archives for those one-off items that make the auction fun, exciting and profitable.

In the few weeks remaining before you head to Indianapolis, think about what you’d like to see at the silent and live auction. Ask yourself, “Would this be something that I’d like to own?” That should be your bottom line. If you haven’t thought about an auction item, you still have time to find something to represent your state and our lifestyle.

Let’s keep the auction at the level it was noted for 30 years ago. The days when the MRF auctioned a pair of well-worn jeans for $900, a lady from Arkansas bid over $1000 to win the shirt off my back and insisted that MRF lobbyist, Wayne Curtin, throw in his limited-edition Harley tie, may be long gone. However, they were a fun part of our history. With your contributions, we can keep that spirit alive.

In addition to counting on generous MRF members to liven up the auction, this year we’ve spread the auctions over two days. That’s right, the silent auction with take place on Friday and end at 5:00 p.m. The “live” auction will, as always, be one of the high lights of the Saturday evening awards banquet.

While you still have time, find the item that yells “This is something I’d really like to bid on and own!” Because that’s exactly what makes the auctions successful.

Thank you for your support of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and your dedication to the rights of motorcyclists. See you in Indianapolis!

Yours in Freedom — & fun!

–FREDRIC HARRELL
Director, Conferences & Events
Motorcycle Riders Foundation

P.S. Use the forms listed below for auction donations and include them with your item.

P.P.S. Got something too neat & too big to fit in your baggage? No problem: Just send the item to the hotel.

Flying to Meeting of the Minds?

For those attendees flying into Indiana… The conference hotel does not provide a shuttle to and from the airport. ABATE of Indiana will be providing a shuttle with some re-planning. If you are flying in for the conference and need some assistance with a shuttle, please contact Paulette at the MRF Office. MRFOffice@mrf.org or (202) 546-0983

Silent and Live Auction procedures for MRF MOTM 2020:

To help MRF make the most of YOUR donation item(s) and have the auction be entertaining to the attendees the following changes have been made to the auction procedures.

Drop off item(s) with completed form to designated area at the conference hotel
Drop off deadline at the hotel by NOON on FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2020.
If you are mailing items ahead of time please send attention to: Paulette Korte/MRF. Please include the description form with your donated item(s) to the address below

Waterfront Hotel Conference Center
2930 Waterfront Pkwy W Dr
Indianapolis, Indiana 46214

SEPTEMBER 25, 2020

Once Silent Auction is closed the winner bidder will be able to pick up their item(s) between 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Live Auction SATURDAY NIGHT after dinner & awards
Should you need your items shipped home please make arrangements with an auction volunteer
There will only be time for 15 items at the live auction at the dinner banquet so your item may or may not be in the live auction

Let’s have fun and make some money for MRF!!

Please contact paulette@mrf.org with questions or issues getting your Auction item to the hotel.

Bikernet supported their efforts with a couple of vests and two signed books.–Bandit

KERKER EXHAUST FROM LOWBROW– How It’s Made, Lowbrow-Style…

If you are interested in how things are made, and interested in motorcycles, then go to the Lowbrow site and check out the video.

Watch step-by-step as American steel is turned into Lowbrow Customs by Kerker Exhausts right here in Cleveland, Ohio.

Lowbrow by Kerker 2-into-1 SuperMeg exhausts are currently available for Harley-Davidson Sportsters, Dyna, FXRs and Softails.

More How It’s Made videos are in the works, so stay tuned!

MIC Spotlight on Wyoming–Wyoming business relief includes three grant programs to distribute $325 million in federal CARES Act funding for small-business owners who have experienced hardship related to COVID-19. Applications for the first grant program (businesses with 50 or fewer employees) opened in June. Applications for the next two waves of funding opened just last month. Complete details are here.

MARKED, THE UNFORGIVEN FILMING NEWS–Marked-The Unforgiven starts filming first week of October in Spain. George Christie’s story, turned motorcycle comedy held auditions during the Chinese Covid Pandemic and pulled together a stellar young cast.

But then they were forced to wait out the Wuhan Chinese Pandemic scare before filming got started. The Sturgis Rally proved that more people can become infected sequestered at home, so more events are scheduled and filming was planned once more on the coast of Spain.

–Bandit

QUICK, OPEN THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY—NO Mask required.

Tax return submitted by a New Jersey person

The IRS returned a tax return to a man in New Jersey after he apparently answered one of the questions incorrectly. In response to question 23: “Do you have anyone dependent on you?”

The man wrote: “2.1 million illegal immigrants, 1.1 million crack-heads, 4.4 million unemployable scroungers, 80,000 criminals in over 85 prisons, plus 650 idiots in Washington, and the entire group that call themselves politicians”.

On the returned form, someone at the IRS had attached a Post-it Note beside the question with an arrow and the words: “Your response to question 23 is unacceptable.”

The man sent it back to the IRS with his response on the bottom of the Post It Note: “Who’d I leave out?”

–from Joe Smith

MEDIA REVIEW—It’s tougher and tougher to read any media news. In the Week magazine this week they called the Sturgis Rally a Disease spreader with 100 cases and maybe one death since the rally.

How stupid can reporters be today? They’ll do anything to attack their political opponents. Out of 465,000 riders 100 got sick. That’s a celebration of Freedom and the great outdoors. Imagine if 465,000 folks stayed home in cities, how many would have been infected? Did they ask that question? No. Did they ask how many folks would have died of other causes like cancer or heart attacks.

I say Freedom won! And I will quit reading The Week Magazine. For years they seemed to be the only balanced news magazine, but they’ve lost their way.

–Bandit

[page break]

KEEP THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY WIDE OPEN AND MASK FREE–
A Boeing 777 was lumbering along at just under 500 mph at
33,000 feet when a cocky F-16 fighter jet flashed by at Mach 2.
The F-16 pilot decided to show off. On his state of the art radio
that is part of his state of the art 3D & million dollar headset, the
younger told the 777 driver, “Hey, Captain, watch this.”
He promptly went into a barrel roll followed by a steep,
unimaginable vertical climb. He then finished with a sonic boom as he broke the sound barrier as the F-16 screamed down before
leveling at almost sea level.

The F-16 pilot asked the 777 pilot what he thought of that?
The 777 driver said, “That was truly impressive, but watch
this.”

The 777 chugged along for about 5 minutes at a steady
498 mph and then the 777 pilot came back on the radio and said,
“What did you think of that?”

Puzzled, the cocky F-16 kid asked, “What the heck did you
do?”

The 777 pilot chuckled and said, “I stood up, stretched my legs, walked to the back, used the toilet, then got a cup of coffee and a cinnamon roll and secured a date for the next 3 nights in a five-star hotel paid for by the company.”

LESSON:
When you’re young and foolish, speed and flash may seem like a good thing. When you’re older and smarter, comfort and dullness is not such a bad thing. It’s called SOS: Slower, Older and Smarter.

–Sam Burns
Certified Librarian
Bandit’s Cantina™

Danial James contributes to Bikernet Deadwood Chinese Whorehouse—I started to work with Danial James, who is another amazing artist. He’s part of the Scott Jacobs team at the art gallery in Deadwood, South Dakota.

He was kind enough to offer to make some Chinese Dragon modifications to one of his giclee for our joint in the Badlands. Here’s what he came up with.

Reach out to him directly or through the Scott Jacobs gallery in Deadwood.

–Bandit

DAV UPDATE–It is a unique chapter in DAV history — just as it is an unprecedented time in all our lives.

Serving as DAV National Commander has been the honor of a lifetime. And now, with our national convention canceled for only the second time in our organization’s 100-year history, I will stay in this role and serve a second term as DAV National Commander. It is my honor to serve you again.

As our great organization continues to improve, grow and adapt, we will remain dedicated to taking on the big fights for veterans like you.

In the coming year, DAV will focus our legislative efforts on securing benefits for veterans made ill as a result of exposures to toxic burn pits and Agent Orange, addressing gaps and inequities in programs and services for women veterans, improving benefits for spouses and survivors of disabled veterans, and strengthening veterans’ mental health care and suicide prevention programs.

As we carry on these important fights for our brothers- and sisters-in-arms, my pledge to you remains the same: Each and every day, I’ll continue fighting to ensure ALL veterans get the benefits and support they have earned — and deserve.

Thank you for standing with me in this fight as a member of DAV. With you by our side, we will take on this next chapter with vigor and make incredible progress for our nation’s veterans.

Stephen Whitehead

Stephen “Butch” Whitehead
DAV National Commander

HARLEY-DAVIDSON ANNOUNCES NEW COLLECTION DESIGNED BY RIZOMA–Style that Breaks Boundaries

MILWAUKEE (September 3, 2020) – For those unsatisfied with the status quo, Harley-Davidson is proud to announce a new collection of Parts and Accessories designed by Rizoma to bring a whole new look to H-D’s iconic motorcycles.

This sleek collection of billet aluminum accessories is the first co-branded collection of its kind designed exclusively for H-D motorcycle riders. These parts and accessories fit a broad range of Harley-Davidson motorcycles and feature components specially designed to personalize H-D’s first electric motorcycle, the LiveWire model.

Harley-Davidson by Rizoma

Precision craftsmanship and unmistakable style define this collaborative collection from Harley-Davidson and Rizoma. Lasered H-D and Rizoma logos on a subdued black on black finish display minimal branding that lets the machined texture and performance aesthetic take the lead. This sleek collection of billet aluminum accessories is the first co-branded collection of its kind designed exclusively for H-D® motorcycle riders.

Harley-Davidson® by Rizoma® Hand Grips
Harley-Davidson® by Rizoma® handgrips are 1.44 inches in diameter and feature a textured rubber grip to inspire confidence in handling while riding.

A bright, machined surface on Harley-Davidson® by Rizoma® footpegs offers the rider a level of confidence in boot grip while adding a striking element of contrast to a dark-finished style.

A bright, machined surface on Harley-Davidson® by Rizoma® footpegs offers the passenger a level of confidence in boot grip while adding a striking element of contrast to a dark-finished style.

These Harley-Davidson® by Rizoma® mirrors feature an aspherical outer portion which shows more of the rear and peripheral reflection providing a broader view for the rider in motion. They complete any blacked-out or moto-sport inspired look.

Add a solo custom element or complete the Harley-Davidson® by Rizoma® on your LiveWire® motorcycle with this sleek, sport-inspired charge door.

Complete fitment information can be found on H-D.com.

NOPE: Turns Out the Sturgis Biker Rally Was No COVID ‘Super-Spreader’ After All–No matter how much we would like to change the minds of all Americans who have been brainwashed into believing that COVID-19 is a planet-killer, no single news story is going to do that.

Changing – or rather easing – minds will take time and a series of reports before those folks will come around and realize that the virus isn’t the global threat the anti-Trump fear-porn pushers in the ‘mainstream’ media have led them to believe.

Left-wing Democrats and their fear pushers in the media bemoaned the fact that the town of Sturgis, S.D., decided to go ahead with its annual motorcycle rally this year in spite of the pandemic. Never mind that South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a Republican, never shut down the state, to begin with, and never mind that the state has never been a coronavirus “hot spot.”

Like a predictable broken record, they all said that the rally would become a “super-spreader event,” leading to death and suffering and pestilence on a Biblical (or a “Walking Dead”) scale.

Once again, the fear pimps in the Democrat Party were wrong, as PJ Media’s Stacy Lennox noted Wednesday:

The 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally took place from August 7-16 in South Dakota. Attendance at the rally was slightly down, at 462,000, a 7.5% decrease from 2019. No doubt COVID-19 fears played a part in the attendance reduction. Perhaps those with pre-existing health conditions declined to attend.

COVID-19 panic certainly preceded the rally. Indeed, it was predicted that it would be a mass superspreader event that would result in significant illness and death. Or not. The numbers are in for the City of Sturgis, and they are quite laughable. More people died from fatal crashes during the rally than from the virus.

“The City of Sturgis conducted mass COVID testing for its citizens after welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors for the 80th annual Motorcycle Rally. Now, the city is announcing the results,” officials said.

“A total of 650 people took advantage of the free testing, with 26 people testing positive for COVID-19. All of them were asymptomatic at the time of testing.”

Two takeaways, at least for Americans who have long accepted the reality that COVID-19, while certainly no ‘hoax,’ is also not the end of the world as we know it:

1) Once again, we see that the virus is virtually harmless in healthy, younger individuals who don’t have underlying health problems;

2) The disease is so mild in the vast majority of cases people don’t even know they’ve got it.

A regional health correspondent for Fargo, North Dakota-based Forum News Service posted even more yawning coronavirus numbers in a tweet late last week.

“In total, it appears, as of August 28, 12 days after the rally, a total of 196 positive tests were linked to rally attendance,” Lennox writes.

No need to panic. No need to clear out the hospitals in the states where Sturgis attendees traveled from. No need for a mass order of body bags. No need for a run on funeral plots.

But what this does indicate is that Americans need to calm down, relax, and stop slurping up the fear potion pushed by media whores who are still trying to exploit a virus to destroy a president.

–Trending Politics.com

AT LAST…TANYA TUCKER
ANNOUNCES 2021 RESCHEDULED TOUR DATES FOR
“CMT NEXT WOMEN OF COUNTRY: BRING MY FLOWERS NOW TOUR”
AND MORE–NASHVILLE, Tenn. – For Tanya Tucker, whose relaunch last year and into 2020 saw her rekindle her passionate fan base, win two GRAMMY® Awards and perform to SOLD-OUT crowds across North America, the thought of not returning to touring until 2021 seemed unthinkable.

Today, the original female outlaw and country music icon announces her rescheduled shows, including stops for her headlining “CMT Next Women of Country: Bring My Flowers Now Tour,” as well as some new dates, beginning in July 2021.

TANYA TUCKER 2021 TOUR DATES:
July 11 Club Regent Casino – Event Centre – Winnipeg, MB, Canada
July 13 Door Community Auditorium – Fish Creek, Wis.
July 31 Sugar Creek Casino – Hinton, Okla.
Aug. 6 Knuckleheads – Kansas City, Mo.^^
Aug. 10 Royal Oak Music Theatre – Royal Oak, Mich.^^
Aug. 12 Danforth Music Hall – Toronto, Ont.^^
Aug. 13 The Egg – Center for Performing Arts – Albany, N.Y.^^
Aug. 14 Foxwoods Casino – The Fox Theater – Mashantucket, Conn.^^
Aug. 17 The Wilbur – Boston, Mass.^^
Aug. 25 The National – Richmond, Va.^^
Aug. 26 Jefferson Center – Roanoke, Va.^^
Aug. 27 Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center – Cherokee, N.C.
Sept. 10 Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion – Bristol, Tenn.
Sept. 11 Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, Colo.**
Sept. 12 Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, Colo.**
Sept. 14 Ent. Center for the Arts at the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs, Colo.^^
Sept. 17 The Kessler Theater – Dallas, Texas^^
Sept. 18 Women Who Wander Outdoor Retreat – Concan, Texas
Sept. 19 The Heights Theater – Houston, Texas^^
Sept. 29 Deadwood Mountain Grand Event Center – Deadwood, S.D.
Oct. 1 Bluebird Theater – Denver, Colo.^^
Oct. 5 Knitting Factory – Boise, Idaho^^
Oct. 6 The Bing Crosby Theater – Spokane, Wash.^^
Oct. 8 Showbox Theatre – Seattle, Wash.^^
Oct. 9 Crystal Ballroom – Portland, Ore.^^
Oct. 10 Vogue Theatre – Vancouver, B.C., Canada^^
Oct. 12 State Theatre For The Arts – Red Bluff, Calif.^^
Oct. 17 Fox Theatre – Bakersfield, Calif.^^
Oct. 18 Fremont Theater – San Luis Obispo, Calif.^^
Oct. 20 Crest Theatre – Sacramento, Calif.^^
Oct. 21 Great American Music Hall – San Francisco, Calif.^^
Nov. 02 Royal Concert Hall – Glasgow, U.K.
Nov. 05 Royal Festival Hall – London, U.K.
Nov. 08 DR Koncerhuset (Studio 2) – Copenhagen, Denmark
Nov. 09 Sentrum Scene – Oslo, Norway
^^CMT Next Women of Country: Bring My Flowers Now Tour
**with Brandi Carlile

NOTE: As part of the “CMT Next Women of Country: Bring My Flowers Now Tour,” the Oct. 5, 2021 show at Knitting Factory in Boise, Idaho is a venue change where tickets are honored. The Oct. 21, 2021 date at Great American Music Hall, in San Francisco, Calif. is a venue change where previous ticket holders will be refunded.

For real-time updates, please visit TanyaTucker.com and CMT.com. Follow Tanya on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and use #CMTNextWomen to join the conversation.

LATEST CLASSIC TRIUMPH FROM LOWBROW--A different take on a classic bike

Our latest Lowbrow Spotlight is showing off Todd’s latest build, a Triumph with a twist…

The repop Harley hillclimber springer front end paired with 5.00-16″ Firestone Deluxe tires front and rear give this bike a stance quite different than the stock Bonneville.

Another interesting tid bit:

The engine in this bike is the one featured in Lowbrow’s popular (and free) 13-part, 9.5 hour video series: Triumph 650 Motorcycle Engine Disassembly & Rebuild.

PS – be sure to browse our selection of parts for vintage Triumphs. We have a wide array of specialty tools, stock replacement and custom parts found nowhere else, world-wide!

NEW TEXAS DISCOVERY–Apparently not on a Sunday night, need to pull her down to fix all her leaks. But man does she sound good!

Found the Bikernet ad from Hot Bike. Three of the four are my images.

–RFR

THE END—Remember that everything will be alright in the end. If it’s not currently all right, it’s not the end.

I’m working on the 90th episode of the Cantina series. It’s going to be wild and of course about freedom.

Check the little piece we did on Cruz Tools for old classics. We put a set in a Bandit’s Dayroll for the good Doctor’s Pandemic.

A buddy of mine bought a Sportster and has been flat-track racing it. It’s going to be a wild feature, coming in the very near future.

We have a tech on a Dyna Glide rubber mount swap with Custom Cycle Engineering. I should wrap it up next week. Also, Doc Robinson is going to send us a tech on bagger handling issues.

It’s never dull anywhere, but I don’t get how folks want to make everything bad, when we are living generally in the best of times. Hell, just look at the capabilities of your phones and the technology in your cars, that they want to take away…

I’m looking at a new Harley because they are flat out amazing.

Ride fast and Free forever!

–Bandit

Hey,

I had a blast in Sturgis. I was tested two days ago, and I have never been contacted by the Chinese Covid. I was much more likely to get it if I stayed in LA. But they seem to leave that side of the equation out. The odds of getting covid from a rally rider is 1 in 1,200,000. Supposedly 700 become infected every day in LA. Only 250 got infected somewhere (maybe not in Sturgis) during the Rally period, like three weeks. Daily you have a 1 in 17,462 chance of catching it every day in LA.

Freedom and Motorcycles Work, but some folks can’t stand it. Check this:

Here is some Fake News:
Results Are In: Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Was A COVID ‘Super Spreader’ Costing Billions
Anyone with a brain could tell that putting on the gigantic Sturgis Motorcycle Rally this year would be a bad idea. Now we have a scientific study to affirm this was a worst-case scenario, an event that appears to be accountable for 250,000 cases of COVID-19 at a public cost of $12 billion.

— Jalopnik

Can you imagine if they applied their logic to 700 a day in Los Angeles? The cost to the public would be in the Trillions every week. Hang On! I can’t stand it, 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.

M8 PERFORMANCE FIX–
As cams get bigger, so do valvetrain angles and we’ve found the best way to combat that is a roller rocker. Our version for the H-D M8 is now live! ~ DZ

Big lift cams can open up the high rpm potential of the M8 powerplant, but they can also add stress to the stock valvetrain geometry. Valve thrust and valvetrain wear in big lift cam applications drove the S&S engineers to design stronger, more durable components that will help you get the most out of your M8 and first on the list was Forged Roller Rocker arms.

Their new rockers are stronger, more durable, and designed to be easier on the rest of your top end. Oil routing is updated and is now sprayed directly on the valve springs, helping cool and lubricate these hard- working parts.

Compatible with stock or most CNC ported heads and featuring a 1.640 Ratio, capable of up to .650 valve Lift. An essential mod for increasing the longevity of your valvetrain components particularly with cams running .550 or greater lift. Making big reliable power has always been what S&S does best and the new Forged Roller Rockers are a solid addition to their M8 performance parts line!

For more details check out this link to their site https://www.sscycle.com/products/forged-roller-rocker-arms-for-m8-models/

–David Zemla
VP – Marketing
S&S® Cycle, Inc.

EASYRIDERS REPORT--Hey just read on facebook where the new Easyriders is out of business? Don’t know if it is true or not?

–STEALTH

I reached out to the previous owner, Joe Teresi, and he told me he would know more this week. Maybe I will hear something today.

Waiting on my next deadline for Cycle Source Magazine which has shifted to bi-monthly.

If you go to Choppers mag web site they are talking about going to print with their third issue. I never received or saw the second issue. I would like to. The cover was cool.

–Bandit

MRF ALERT–Tracking Autonomous Vehicle Testing

Whether the general public knows it or not, autonomous vehicles (AVs) are being tested on our roads every day. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation, as well as other transportation groups, have voiced our concerns about the deployment of these “test vehicles” on our nation’s roadways. In many cases, the type of vehicles being tested, their capabilities and the roads they use has not been public knowledge.

This week, in response to these concerns, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) unveiled a new website that allows individuals to see where autonomous vehicles are being tested. While only a pilot program, the website allows users to see the cities where tests are taking place, the make and model of vehicles, the number of vehicles being tested and, in some cases, the actual streets where the AVs are deployed.

Currently, a limited number of states and manufacturers are participating in the program. The participating companies are Beep, Cruise, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Local Motors, Navya, Nuro, Toyota, Uber, and Waymo, with data available in numerous states.

“Through this initiative, the Department is creating a formal platform for Federal, State, and local government to coordinate and share information in a standard way,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

We encourage you to visit the website and see if AVs are being tested in your town. Feel free to share this information with non-riders as well, since all roadway users will be impacted by the testing of AVs. Remember this data is constantly being updated so check back often.

Bikers More Than Double The Fundraising Goal For Sturgis Meals On Wheels–The Sturgis Meals on Wheels was able to more than double its goal of $8,000 thanks to the generosity of riders who showed up to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

In addition to many donations from riders, Dixxon Flannel chipped in $5,000 and Buffalo Chip Campground pledged to match up to $4,000. This has made the latest fundraising effort for the organization a major success.

“Last year [Sturgis Meals on Wheels] raised about $1,300, so we crushed it,” GiveAShift founder Robert Pandya said. He told me that this year’s successful fundraising happened in about nine days total. That means they received over $17,000 in less than two weeks.

There’s a long list of organizations that depend on Sturgis for donations so they can do the kinds of good things they do every year. These include the Rapid City Special Olympics, the Colin Derr Foundation, the Shriners Transportation Fund, Helping with Horsepower, Motorcycle Missions, and many more.

“The amount of charity that happens is unbelievable,” Pandya said. “These foundations are funded by motorcyclists.”

More reports coming up.

–webbikeworld.com

CHINESE COVID TESTING ISSUES–PCR tests look for pieces of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in the nose, throat, or other areas in the respiratory tract to determine if the person has an active infection.

It does not help determine who had an infection in the past.

• It also does not help determine if a person who was exposed to COVID-19 will develop active infection during the two weeks after exposure.

In some people, the virus can only be found by PCR for a few days at the beginning of the infection, so the test might not find the virus if the swab is taken more than a few days after the illness starts.

• In some people, the virus can be found by PCR in the nose and throat for several weeks, even longer than the time that they are actually contagious to other people.

• This test requires certain kinds of swabs that are in short supply.1 If they allow folks to handle their own test, they are very inaccurate.

Antigen tests look for pieces of proteins that make up the SARS- CoV-2 virus to determine if the person has an active infection.

• It does not accurately rule out those who are not infected.

• Antigen tests are less sensitive than PCR tests, meaning there may be false negative results.

• Negative tests should be treated as presumptive. If a healthcare provider is concerned that the person has COVID-19, even after a negative antigen test, then the test result should be confirmed with PCR testing.

Antibody Test, also called Serology test looks for antibodies, specifically IgM and IgG, against SARS-CoV-2 in the blood to determine if there was a past infection. Antibodies is what gives your body the immunity to a particular virus.

A negative antibody test means that the person may not have had COVID-19 in the past. However, they could still have a current infection, and the antibody test was collected too soon to give a positive result.

• It can identify people who had an infection in the past, even if they had no symptoms of the illness.

• In some cases, it could help determine when COVID-19 illness occurred, since we know that IgM is formed before IgG and that IgM goes away before IgG.

• It can help determine who qualifies to donate convalescent plasma (a blood product that contains antibodies against COVID-19 and can be used as a COVID- 19 treatment).

• If lots of people take the test in a community, it can help public health leaders and researchers know what
percentage of the population has already had COVID-19.

• It may be negative if it is used too close to the beginning of an infection, which is why it should not be used to detect active COVID- 19 infection.

• In areas where there have not been many cases of COVID-19, many of the positive test results will actually be false positives (see Positive Predictive Value2). Some antibody tests have low sensitivity3 and specificity4 and thus may not produce reliable results.

• Some antibody tests may cross-react with other coronaviruses that are not SARS-CoV2, the virus that causes COVID-19, leading to false test results.

• We do not know yet if having antibodies to the virus that causes COVID-19 can protect someone from getting infected again or, if they do, how long this protection might last. Until scientists get more information about whether antibodies protect against reinfection with this virus, everyone should continue to take steps to protect themselves and others, including staying at least 6 feet away from other people outside of their home (social distancing), even if they have had a positive antibody test.

If positive, the health department will interview the antibody-positive person about symptoms and if they were around someone who had COVID-19. If the person had symptoms or was around someone with COVID-19, the health department may recommend they get a PCR test. No contact tracing will be performed.

• If negative, no public health activities will be performed.

–Dr. Hamster

THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BOOK DISCUSSION--Here’s a page from Ross McCammon’s book, Works Well with Others: An Outsider’s Guide to Shaking Hands, Shutting Up, Handling Jerks, and Other Crucial Skills in Business That No One Ever Teaches You.

“Two Beers and a Puppy”: A Helpful Test for Determining How You Feel About Someone

“Two Beers and and a puppy” is a test I developed while working on the Esquire story on the American “son of a bitch.” The test is: In order to find out how you actually feel about someone, ask yourself: “Would I have two beers with this person?” And: “Would I allow this person to look after my puppy over a weekend?”

Some people are no and no. These people are to be avoided at all costs. Some people are yes and no. These people are two be cautiously trusted. Some people are no and yes. These people are no fun but they make the world a better place — for puppies, especially. And some people are yes and yes. These people are wonderful people and your life and work are better for having them in your life. Seek them out. Collaborate with them. Enjoy their company.

–Ujjwal Dey
Chief Life Investigator
Bikernet.com™ International News Bureau
India

FXDR FOR SALE–
2019 Harley-Davidson FXDRS 114
4,160 miles
Thanks for checking out this 2019 Harley-Davidson FXDR with 4100 actual miles. The FXDR is one cool motorcycle and the 114ci V-Twin makes this very fun bike to ride.

1-877-291-5508

–Cycle trader

We are sorta looking for a used 2019 Orange, black and white FXDR for the right price.–Bandit

HARLEY-DAVIDSON RE-LAUNCHES THE ENTHUSIAST MAGAZINE–A Re-Designed Publication to Inspire Riders and Celebrate Motorcycle Culture

MILWAUKEE (September 09, 2020) – Harley-Davidson is re-launching The Enthusiast magazine as a print and digital magazine designed to showcase motorcycle culture and the riding lifestyle through the lens of the Harley-Davidson brand. Originally published by Harley-Davidson from 1916 to 2008, The Enthusiast magazine will replace HOG Magazine as the official publication of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and will become more widely available through other distribution channels.

“This is the return to a great tradition,” said Jochen Zeitz, Harley-Davidson President and CEO. “We believe today The Enthusiast title is more relevant than ever. In a year when so many people have been stuck inside, we passionately believe in inspiring riders and aspiring riders to get out in the world to rediscover adventure through socially-distanced riding.”

The first new issue of The Enthusiast magazine appears in the United States this week with a cover story featuring Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman, stars of the new Apple Original series “Long Way Up,” premiering Friday, September 18 on Apple TV+. The series follows the epic motorcycle adventure McGregor and Boorman experienced on a 13,000-mile journey aboard two Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycles through South America, Central America and Mexico.

Printed four times annually, with a circulation of more than 500,00 print copies in the United States plus 150,000 copies internationally, The Enthusiast magazine is the most broadly circulated motorcycle magazine in the world. First published by Harley-Davidson in 1916, The Enthusiast magazine was among the first consumer motorcycle magazines in print, although Germany’s Motorrad (1903), Italy’s Motociclismo (1914), and Motorcyclist magazine (1909) in the United States preceded it.

From 1984 until 2008, Harley-Davidson produced two separate publications for owners and riders, The Enthusiast magazine and HOG Tales magazine. In 2009 they were merged under the HOG Magazine title into one new magazine that drew content inspiration from both publications.

With the movement of Motorcyclist to a digital format in 2018, the Enthusiast magazine, including the HOG Magazine years, remains the oldest continuously printed motorcycle magazine in the United States.

All Full and Life Harley Owner Group members will continue to receive a complimentary subscription to The Enthusiast magazine as part of their membership benefits. Free App versions of the magazine are also available for iOS and Android phones and tablets. Harley-Davidson is also exploring new ways to deliver the print magazine in the United States, including by selling single copies of the magazine on the H- eCommerce site and through limited retail establishments, including at Harley-Davidson™ dealerships and select boutique motorcycle shops. For more information and history about The Enthusiast magazine, visit h-d.com/enthusiast.

NEWS FROM BARNETT CLUTCHES & CABLES– 2019-20 FTR 1200

Barnett Clutches & Cables has added another new clutch kit to its Indian line-up – a complete Kevlar kit for the 2019-20 FTR 1200.

This complete clutch kit features Barnett’s exclusive proprietary Kevlar segmented friction plates, which provide better oil flow for cooler clutch temperatures and smoother, more consistent performance and longer life.
Completing the kit is a set of tempered steel plates and a set of heat-treated, heavy duty coil springs. This kit is a direct-fit upgrade to the stock clutch, providing a stronger, more positive, slip-free clutch action.

BARNETT CLUTCHES & CABLES
www.barnettcables.com

IT’S COMING! Climate Hustle 2 Set for Sept. 24 Worldwide release! Exposes agenda behind Green New Deal & UN Paris Pact

The film profiles Vaclav Klaus, the former President of the Czech Republic, who lived under Soviet domination of his country. “The green agenda and the environmentalist agenda and the fighting climate agenda is trying to basically stop the existence of the free market system which we were fighting for and we were dreaming about in the communist era for decades,” Klaus explains in the film. “They want to dictate it, control, regulate, mastermind from above,” he added.

It is finally arriving. Grab the popcorn, gather your family. The climate change debate is set to be rocked as CFACT’s new skeptical film, Climate Hustle 2: The Rise of the Climate Monarchy, hosted by actor Kevin Sorbo, is set for a global release online on Thursday September 24, 2020 at 8pm in your local time zone anywhere in the world.

The movie was set to be released in over 750 theatres in the U.S. and Canada on April 21, 2020, but then the COVID lockdowns arrived and the film was moved to September 24 to a global online release event.

The film is the sequel to the smash hit Climate Hustle which was released in 2016 in 400 theatres nationwide and in Canada. The film torches Hollywood hypocrisy, climate financial corruption, media bias, kids’ classroom indoctrination, political correctness, and pulls back the curtain on the massive global warming establishment.

The film features the reporting of Marc Morano, the number one ranked ‘climate contrarian’ in the media according to a 2019 Study in the Journal Nature. The 2020 Climate Hustle 2 is set to be a pivotal force as 2020 elections shape up to be a national referendum on the U.S.’s future regarding the Green New Deal and participation in the UN Paris Climate Pact.

Climate Hustle 2 pulls no punches and goes right to the heart of the Green New Deal and the UN Paris climate pact and exposes the motives behind the climate agenda. The film features prominent scientists, and policy experts who explain how the agenda to control the climate is about controlling YOU.

It is a film Al Gore, AOC, and the United Nations DO NOT want you to see.

Nationally syndicated columnist Cal Thomas: “No film debunks the faith of the climate change cult better than Climate Hustle 2. And it does it with facts!”

Movie critic Christian Toto of HollywoodinToto.com: “Climate Hustle 2 will be the most subversive movie of the year, no doubt.”

Kevin Mooney, an investigative reporter with The Daily Signal: “Climate Hustle 2 builds and expands on the first film’s detailed exploration of updated scientific research that debunks alarmist theories standing behind the Green New Deal.”

The film profiles Vaclav Klaus, the former President of the Czech Republic, who lived under Soviet domination of his country. “The green agenda and the environmentalist agenda and the fighting climate agenda is trying to basically stop the existence of the free market system which we were fighting for and we were dreaming about in the communist era for decades,” Klaus explains in the film. “They want to dictate it, control, regulate, mastermind from above,” he added.

The film lays out the climate claims and “solutions” and devastates them with such climate experts as Climatologist Dr. Tim Ball, Greenpeace co-Founder Dr. Patrick Moore, MIT Climate Scientist Dr. Richard Lindzen, Climatologist Dr. David Legates, Nobel Prize-Winning Scientist Dr. Ivar Giaever, Geologist Dr. Robert Giegengack and many more.

The film features an exposé on AOC’s Green New Deal and what is really behind the plan. The film also debunks energy and climate claims made by AOC and her supporters.

FROM THE GEARHEAD DIARIES–I need to tell a story , so here goes . Way back in the days of home built choppers there was a builder named Bret . This guy built one of the finest Panhead chops I ever seen .

He had just finished it up and he lived in the hills up by Ceasars ravine . He decided to have a fire-it-up party one Friday night . A lot of the the guys and gals that knew him from Glendale Harley took a ride out to check out this new chop . She was a beauty .

She was 10 or maybe even 12 inches over . A rake that was required for that much over with skinney 15-inch tire . He had built narrowed upper and lower trees , so to give that wide glide the narrow look . She was candy burgandy laquer on chrome highlights . The mustang tank was the right touch along with the flip tail rear fender .

The jockey shift with an 8-ball for a shift knob was a great touch . Suicide clutch and the clutch linkage rod was a welded and chromed rear drive chain to the exact length . She was a beauty .

Before we all could eat and let the whiskey flow , she had to have the oil lines primed , the carb primed and kick started by Bret . The first step completed on the oil prime and then a shot of quick-start into the S&S carb , a couple of primer kicks , then the switch on and one big kick and the new girl fires like the beast she is.

Bandido Fred lets out a Rebel yell that would wake up the dead . The rest of the night beer and whiskey flowed like the mighty Mississippi River.

The down side was that about a year later I had to attend a wake because he was cut off at the court house in Torrance by some teenagers in a low rider and left no place to go .

Here is the math. A suicide clutch , a jockey shift , a spool front wheel and long front end , the man was toast . I give you this because a lot of the old stories of our brothers and sisters have been lost over the years . You don’t get broken wings without becoming old school .

God bless those of us that survive and those of us that left in those golden days of choppers .

–Gearhead

NEWS FROM THE TWISTED ROAD—Grab your gloves, 12 Motorcycle Shows to Attend In 2021.

It’s time for riders to start dreaming about attending their next motorcycle rally. We love to take advantage of all the different moto events offered locally, as well as throughout the country. During the year there are a range of events suited to many different styles of riding, spectating or just hanging out with rad bikes.

There are hundreds of rallies and events all summer—this is just the list of events that we can’t wait to attend in 2021. We gotta keep the faith.

1. The One Moto Show

If you’re into custom motorcycles, then you know about The One Moto Show. This custom motorcycle show is hosted by Thor Drake and the crew from See See’s Motor Coffee Company out of Portland, Oregon. Just like the city, the show is an eclectic collection of custom motorcycles from some of the world’s best builders. For ten years, The One Moto Show was housed in a cold Portland warehouse.

With concrete slab floors and no heat, vendors quickly learned to wear thick socks, coats, and gloves during this frigid, “see-your-breath” event. This year, it’s all changing. Thor and the gang are moving the event to Oregon’s own Veterans Memorial Coliseum. There are three highlights to this show – custom bikes, flat track racing, and live music. We are looking forward to seeing our Portland Friends continue to up their game during this spectacular weekend.

SEE YOUR OPTIONS FOR RENTING A MOTORCYCLE IN PORTLAND

2. Mama Tried Motorcycle Show

It’s no wonder that one of our top ten shows is located in Brew city, Wisconsin, otherwise known as Milwaukee. Home to Harley-Davidson (as if you didn’t know), this town has oil in its blood, and the moto-culture permeates the city. The Mama Tried Show is a scaled-down version of The One. With custom bikes packed into a tight venue, builders flock to this show in their own “journey to Mecca.”

Throughout the weekend you can also see flat track racing and even ice racing (if the lakes don’t thaw). If you need a reason to visit Wisconsin in the winter (and trust me, many people need this), it’s an event not to miss. Milwaukee is a fairly cheap destination—often visitors rent an Airbnb for the weekend, go to the races on Friday and hang out at The Rave (Milwaukees major Rock Venue) for most of the day on Saturday. Milwaukee is special to us because living in Chicago the show tends to be a reunion of the Midwest builders community. This event always impresses everyone with a nice break from the cold, with its community, sausage, beer, and motorcycles.

RENT A MOTORCYCLE IN MILWAUKEE: CHECK OUT AVAILABLE BIKES

3. Dia De Las Motos

Jay LaRossa is a moto-genius. He’s spent his life around bikes, riding, building and riding some more. A few years ago, he and some friends started the OG Moto Show, which was fun. For a while. But it lost its purpose on many levels. So Jay left and started his own show. The show that he wanted the OG to be all along. 2020 is the first year, so make sure you’re at House of Machines in March to see Jay, and the LA motos, in all of their glory.

RENT A MOTORCYCLE IN LOS ANGELES—SEE AVAILABLE BIKES

4. The Handbuilt Motorcycle Show
Austin, Texas—April 2021

The Handbuilt Motorcycle Show is put on by the rad dudes (and dudettes) at Revival Cycles. They do an incredible job managing and assembling this show and really invite some of the best custom builders (and their bikes). In recent years, BMW and other corporate sponsors have led to a broad array of beautiful bikes. This show is always held the same weekend as MotoGP at the Circuit of the Americas, and is often Like regarded as the biggest moto weekend of the year. In addition, this is the first show on our list where the weather is good enough that you can ride a motorcycle during the weekend. Austin in April is fantastic riding weather—a perfect excuse to reserve a bike on Twisted Road while you attend the show. Who wants to show up to a custom moto show in an Uber?

Side note: Austin isn’t that far from Dallas where the incredible Haas Moto Museum lives. If you have the time, we suggest heading to Dallas before or after the Hand built Show. Buy tickets for all this stuff in advance as hotels book up quickly.

SEE BIKES YOU CAN RENT IN AUSTIN

5. Nowhere Moto Show
Joshua Tree, California, May 2021

The Nowhere Moto Show is just few years old. It’s remote. It’s a place that riders get lost just to be found. Think dirt, camping out, RVs, and live music. Triumph Bonnevilles and Harley Sportsters. You won’t find a Ninja here, but if it’s old-school cool or chopper retro, it’s at the Nowhere Show. And while you’re there, make sure you get a flash tattoo. Just to remember where you’ve been.

CHECK OUT BIKES YOU CAN RENT IN JOSHUA TREE

6. Isle of Man TT
Isle of Man, May 31–June 2021

Who knows of the Isle of Man TT? We’d venture to guess if you’ve made it this far down the list that you know what the TT is. If you don’t, you should—it’s a circuit designed around public roads on an island in the Irish Sea off the coast of England.

Really? Really. Think of motorcycles whipping around European villages and you’ve got the idea. This bucket-list event will allow all fans to see the high-powered GP style bikes run time trial laps on this 15-mile long course. The current record holder averaged 135mph around the entire course. Watch a video featuring two of the best riders to race this course—Guy Martin chasing Michael Dunlop—and try not to look up the cost of a flight to Europe.

7. ROT Rally
Austin, Texas—June 2021

Let’s start here. Do you know what the ROT rally is? Or better yet, do you even know what ROT stands for? Well if you’re from Texas, you really don’t have an excuse, but if you’re from any of the other 49 states in the nation, we’ll let you in on the secret.

ROT is the Republic of Texas, and the ROT Rally is the biggest moto show in town. With headline music acts like Steve Miller Band, and hundreds of vendors (yes, hundreds) it’s got it all. Good food. Amazing music. A moto-parade through downtown Austin, tattoos, and demo rides. And 2020 is the 25th anniversary of this show. What else could you ask for?

CHECK OUT BIKES YOU CAN RENT IN AUSTIN

8. Born Free
Silverado, California—June 2021

When we first heard about Born Free, we were told “get ready to stand around in the dirt,” which is…pretty accurate. Nestled in an old mining community in the Santa Ana mountains, Born Free invites some of the most accomplished builders to present during the show. This two-day event takes place in a field and got its roots with old-school choppers, but has expanded into other retro and classic styles. It’s a beautiful place to spend a weekend, especially when there are hundreds of bikes to admire.

SEE BIKES AVAILABLE FOR RENT NEAR SILVERADO

9. Springfield Mile Flat Track Race
Springfield, Illinois—September 2021

Really any flat track event will do, but we list the Springfield Mile as it’s huge one-mile track has been home to some of the most epic flat track racing for some time now. Flat track racing is an incredibly visceral experience. Watching the racers slide big, powerful bikes around the track at 100+mph is something that changed me. We’d recommend the experience to any moto fan. Usually entrance is cheap and you can grab a paddock pass that allows you to get up close and personal with the amazing machines and riders.

CHECK OUT RENTAL MOTORCYCLES NEAR SPRINGFIELD

10. Bikes, Blues, and BBQ
Fayetteville, Arkansas—September 2021

We can’t think of three better words to describe heaven than Bikes, Blues, and BBQ. Going into its 20th year, this rally has given more than $2.5M in charitable contributions to benefit women, children, and the underserved members of the Northwest Arkansas community. The event takes place in the heart of the Ozarks, some of the best riding in the Midwest. Their website showcases 15 different area rides from 10-80 miles in length to allow you to truly explore this beautiful region.

CHECK OUT MOTORCYCLES FOR RENT IN FAYETTEVILLE

11. Barber Vintage Festival
Birmingham, Alabama—October 2021

If there’s any reason to go to Alabama, this is it. Barber Motorsports Park hosts a custom motorcycle show, huge swap meet, vendor area, and weekend long racing at the on-site track. Barber’s facilities are among the best in the industry hosting a huge crowd in October. The grounds themselves are a thing of beauty, but the world-class museum is why this event is on the list.

Attend the show, watch some racing, and leave pretty much an entire day (or more) to walk through the world record for largest Barber Motorsports Museum. The museum holds everything from turn of the century motorcycles, to a one of ten ever 1000cc BrittenGP bike, to a Lotus Formula 1 car mounted on the wall. There’s something for every type of gear head at the museum. Bring a camera!

CHECK OUT AVAILABLE MOTORCYCLE RENTALS IN BIRMINGHAM

12. Babes Ride Out, California Central Coast
October [dates to be announced soon]

In 2013, when Anya Violet and Ashmore Ellis started Babes Ride Out, they just wanted to get away. Go camping. Connect with other riders. That small gathering wound up being 50 girls – a healthy start. Now, seven years later, it has expanded. Babes Ride Out. Babes in the Dirt. Babes Ride Out East Coast. And most recently? 1,700 tickets sold. Pretty amazing.

This “girls-only” moto campout is about bonding. And friendship. And riding. And music. And riding. And drinking. Oh – and riding. The bands? Girls. The vendors? Girls. With female riding at the highest in recorded history – a whopping 19% – this event is a must for all women riders. Period.

CHECK OUT BIKES YOU CAN RENT IN THE CALIFORNIA CENTRAL COAST: SANTA BARBARA MOTORCYCLE RENTALS AND MOTORCYCLES FOR RENT IN VENTURA

So, this may seem like a shameless plug, but we highly recommend traveling to somewhere you haven’t been and renting a motorcycle to visit the area. On a number of trips, we’ve taken recently, we take the chance to see which motorcycles are available in the area. Rent a Ducati Panigale in LA? Yes, please. Rent a BMW R Nine T in Austin? Of course.

It’s all rentable on Twisted Road. Want to go to a place on the list? Take the chance to see which bikes are available during the visit and you may be able to rent something truly unique that you wouldn’t normally ride (Harley LiveWire™ anyone?)

Hopefully you found something interesting in this list. And as always, be safe.

–BY AUSTIN ROTHBARD AND GRANT SCHWINGLE ·
Twisted Road Motorcycle Rentals

[page break]

TRIUMPH Trident Design Prototype Unveiled

A design prototype for a new Triumph Trident has been unveiled by the British marque at the London Design Museum, our first peek at a forthcoming middleweight roadster model of the same name.

Triumph fans will immediately recognize the Trident moniker as an important piece of the brand’s history. Triumph’s first three-cylinder production engine powered the 1968-1975 Triumph Trident, and a full-factory racing Trident known as “Slippery Sam” became legendary, winning five consecutive Isle of Man Production TT races. In the 1990’s, the name resurfaced with the Trident 750 and 900 naked bikes.

Triumph representatives shared limited information about the prototype in a presentation with select members of the motorcycle press, but did confirm that a 2021 Triumph Trident would be available in early 2021. Technical specifications, pricing, and other information will be revealed in the coming weeks when the production model is officially revealed.

The all-white prototype gives us a glimpse at this new middleweight roadster, which is aimed at other middleweight naked bikes such as the Honda CB650R, Kawasaki Z650, Yamaha MT-07 / XSR 700 and Suzuki SV650, in terms of pricing and audience. Price is a major consideration for buyers within the middleweight segment and Triumph hopes that the Trident’s to-be-announced competitive MSRP will foster a new generation of riders.

This project is the culmination of a four-year development cycle at Triumph’s UK Hinckley offices, while manufacturing will take place in Triumph’s Thailand plant to maintain a lower MSRP. Italian motorcycle designer Rodolfo Frascoli was tapped and is said to bring an Italian influence to the Trident prototype. Frascoli has worked with Triumph several times in the past and most recently lent a hand in the design of the Triumph Tiger 900 lineup.

The Trident prototype features many classic design cues that we’ve come to expect from the Hinckley factory, with clean lines from nose to tail reminiscent of the Street and Speed Triple motorcycles, and fuel-tank indents that appear on a variety of Triumph bikes. Of course, the clean lines of the prototype are accentuated by the lack of turn signals and large license plate holder.

Details such as the round headlight and instrumental panel give the prototype a welcoming roadster appearance. Stylistically, the Trident prototype sits between the brand’s traditional “Modern Classics” and its aggressively styled roadsters and supersports. Riser handlebars and a relatively comfortable looking seat pave the way for what could be a neutral, enjoyable riding position.

Hinckley engineers were tightlipped about performance figures and displacement of the triple-cylinder powerplant, though they did say that this prototype is a non-running model, as evidenced by the lack of wiring, cables and other plumbing. However, the engine cases and bolt patterns seen here bare a striking resemblance to the original 675 engine used in the Street Triple 675 and Daytona 675 lines, so Triumph may be resurrecting and updating this powerplant for use in the Trident.

Currently, the middleweight category is populated by parallel and V-twin powered motorcycles, making the Trident’s three-cylinder engine the first of its kind in the class.

The all-new tubular frame looks like it may be made out of steel, which would certainly lower the overall manufacturing cost of this motorcycle. However, it does boast a cleverly styled swingarm that seems to be cast or machined aluminum. Braking components are dual floating Nissin calipers in the front and a single radially mounted caliper in the rear.

Unlike many of this motorcycle’s would-be competitors, the Triumph Trident prototype features an inverted fork. In the rear, a single shock takes care of suspension duties. These appear to be non-adjustable suspension parts, which fits with the theme of affordability for the Trident and is common within the class in which it aims to compete.

On the technology front, Triumph engineers have promised “class leading technology as standard.” Whether this means throttle-by-wire, ABS and traction control is unknown.

We’ll have to sit tight and wait for updates on the Triumph Trident, which is looking to be another enticing addition to a hotly contested segment of motorcycling. For now, feast your eyes on images of the Trident design prototype and allow the wheels of speculation to turn.

–By Nic de Sena, Rider Magazine

PRESIDENT TRUMP Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize Following Israel-UAE Accord

“President Trump has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for helping broker a peace deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates,” Yaron Steinbuch reports for the New York Post.

Christian Tybring-Gjedde, a member of the Norwegian Parliament, submitted the nomination. “For his merit, I think he has done more trying to create peace between nations than most other Peace Prize nominees,” Tybring-Gjedde told Fox News.

“Indeed, Trump has broken a 39-year-old streak of American Presidents either starting a war or bringing the United States into an international armed conflict.”

BIKETOBERFEST NEWS--Daytona Beach Says No, Ormond Beach Says Yes To Biketoberfest

Daytona Beach, FL – The decision’s been made. Daytona Beach city commissioners voted six to one against permitting outdoor vendors for Biketoberfest. Businesses will operate but no live bands, food & alcohol sales outside, or merchandise sales will be allowed. Commissioners against the permitting said it’s irresponsible to promote large gatherings during a pandemic.

While that was happening, Ormond Beach city commissioners voted to permit outdoor vendors for Biketoberfest on the US 1 corridor. Open-air live music, memorabilia, food, and drink vendors will be allowed on private properties. Sites are required to take current COVID-19 precautions.

–Diane Coston
WNDB

BIKETOBERFEST October 15-18, 2020
Biketoberfest is not one event, but a collection of activities that take place at venues and businesses in cities throughout Volusia County and beyond. While some of the things that traditionally take place during Biketoberfest® will not happen this year, our local hotels and businesses are open. Our parks and beaches are open for visitors to enjoy the area’s beautiful October weather and scenic rides. Safety is paramount. We ask all our visitors who do decide to travel to please visit responsibly.

For those planning farther ahead, the 2021 Daytona Bike Week 80th Anniversary is March 5-14, and Biketoberfest 2021 is October 14-17.

Is Biketoberfest cancelled?
This event is hosted by the many businesses that welcome visitors – so it can’t be canceled like a traditional ticketed event. Bike enthusiasts can enjoy our beautiful October weather as our destination and our state are open for business.

Are local businesses open?
Yes, our hotels, restaurants, shops and other businesses are open, along with parks and beaches.

Are restaurants and bars open?
This is regulated by the State. Bars in Florida are not currently operating as usual. Bars that serve food may currently be open; others may offer package business only. Restaurants are open at 50% capacity indoors, and full capacity outdoors. Social distancing measures must be followed.

Will there be vendors?
Since each city decides whether to issue special vendor permits for activities such as outdoor live music, food and merchandise, the location and number of vendors may be different from past rallies depending on where the venue is located.

Where can I get more information?
Biketoberfest.org is the official source for information about Biketoberfest®. More information will be posted as it becomes available. We ask all our visitors to please visit responsibly.

What are the 2021 motorcycle rally dates?
Daytona Bike Week 80th Anniversary is March 5-14, 2021, and Biketoberfest® 2021 is October 14-17.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON LIVEWIRE MOTORCYCLE SETS NEW WORLD RECORDS–Angelle Sampey and LiveWire Model Establish E.T. Records for a Production Electric Motorcycle

The records were set during exhibition runs at the Denso Spark Plugs NHRA U.S. Nationals at the Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis. This is another great pass at a bold future In Harley-Davidson’s quest to lead the electrification of motorcycles.

“Let me tell you what’s amazing,” said Sampey. “That was the first time I rode the LiveWire.” said Sampey, “I could not wait to get it on the track. The LiveWire is so easy to ride. Just twist the throttle and go, and you really go!”

Sampey and her Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines teammates, Andrew Hines and Ed Krawiec, made a number of head-to-head drag race runs on stock LiveWire models, with Sampey posting the quickest times. Sampey is the winningest female in motorsports history with three-time Pro Stock Motorcycle championships (2000-2002) and 43 Pro Stock motorcycle wins.

As Sampey proved at Indy, the instant torque provided by the H-D Revelation™ powertrain delivers exhilarating acceleration from a stop; the LiveWire motorcycle can rush from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 100 kph) in 3.0 seconds and 60 to 80 mph (100 to 129 kph) in 1.9 seconds. Because maximum torque is always on tap, roll-on acceleration for passing from any speed is outstanding. An optimized center of gravity, rigid aluminum frame and premium adjustable suspension components give the LiveWire motorcycle dynamic handling. With up to 146 miles of range*, performance is optimized for the urban street-rider.

The H-D Revelation™ electric powertrain produces minimal vibration, very little heat, and minimal sound, all of which enhance rider comfort and creates a unique riding experience, even on the drag strip.

Licensed riders can take a complimentary test ride on the LiveWire motorcycle at select Authorized LiveWire Harley-Davidson® dealerships in the United States, Australia, Canada and most European countries.

*Riding range estimates provided following SAE J2982 Riding Range Test Procedure and are based on expected performance of a fully-charged battery when operated under specified conditions. Actual range will vary depending on riding habits, ambient weather and equipment conditions.

THIS JUST IN FROM THE BIKERNET MEDICAL CENTER—The reports about Sturgis are bullshit. Hell, they don’t even consider how many folks would have caught the Chinese disease if they stayed home. Their facts attack freedom and are directed at the Governor because she is a Republican.

Here are some interesting facts our redheaded nurse came up with. If you went to Sturgis your chances of catching the Wuhan Covid were 0.00057 percent,
280 cases out of 460,000 people.

What Are the Odds of Dying From..
It might seem a bit morbid, but human nature leads us to contemplate our demise. We sometimes wonder, “What are my odds of dying from..”?

Are you more likely to be killed in a car crash or shot to death by an assailant? Is it really that rare to be struck by lightning? Here at the National Safety Council, we get those questions a lot.

So, we put together the Odds of Dying chart below. (Here’s another way to look at it.) Keep in mind these odds are statistical averages over the entire U.S. population and do not necessarily reflect the chances of death for a particular person from a particular external cause. Odds of dying are affected by an individual’s activities, occupation, and where he or she lives and drives, among other things.

That being said, if the odds of dying from all possible causes are 1 in 1, here are the lifetime odds of death for selected causes, from most likely to least:

Cause of DeathOdds of Dying
Heart Disease and Cancer1 in 7
Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease1 in 28
Intentional Self-harm1 in 95
Unintentional Poisoning by and Exposure to Noxious Substances1 in 96
Motor Vehicle Crash1 in 114
Fall1 in 127
Assault by Firearm1 in 370
Car Occupant1 in 645
Pedestrian Incident1 in 647
Motorcycle Rider Incident1 in 985
Unintentional Drowning and Submersion1 in 1,188
Exposure to Fire, Flames or Smoke1 in 1,498
Choking from Inhalation and Ingestion of Food1 in 3,461
Pedal cyclist Incident1 in 4,486
Firearms Discharge1 in 6,905
Air and Space Transport Incidents1 in 9,821
Exposure to Electric Current, Radiation, Temperature and Pressure1 in 15,212
Exposure to Excessive Natural Heat1 in 16,584
Chance of catching the Wuhan Covid in LA 1 in 17,462 (not dying)
Contact with Sharp Objects1 in 38,174
Contact with Heat and Hot Substances1 in 56,992
Contact with Hornets, Wasps and Bees1 in 63,225
Cataclysmic Storm1 in 66,335
Being Bitten or Struck by a Dog1 in 112,400
Legal Execution1 in 119,012
Lightning Strike1 in 161,856
Chances of catching Covid from Rally Rider 1 in 1,200,000 (that’s just catching it, not dying).

Source: National Safety Council estimates based on data from National Center for Health Statistics–Mortality Data, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program. Deaths are classified on the basis of the World Health Organization’s The International Classification of Diseases (ICD). For additional mortality figures, and estimated one-year and lifetime odds, see Injury Facts® 2017 Edition, pages 40-43. Modified by the Bikernet™ Medical Center Research Staff.

It’s all class yet packed with function. 

–Bandit

NEW FROM NASH MOTORCYCLES–Jason Momoa’s Hands-On Collab With Nash

We tapped into Jason Momoa’s passion for the classic late 1930s era motor affectionately known to American motorcycle gearheads as the Knucklehead motor. This is the same motor that Jason’s personally hand-built bike is powered by. Inspired by Knuckleheads, Jason instigated and lead a design with Taber Nash and they worked together in releasing this very, very limited keepsake.

GRAB ONE!

Wind of these hammers will hit the mainstream public, but we want to reward the loyal Nash Motorcycle audience by covering the cost of your optional matching Hammer Hanger that goes with the Knuckle Hammer. Here is a discount code below that covers the $60 cost of the Jason Mamoa branded Knuckle Hammer Hanger:

STURGIS COVID CORRECTION–Gov. Noem says Sturgis Rally report is ‘under guise of academic research’

By KEVN Staff KEVN

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) – A white paper released by four economic professors with the IZA Institue of Labor Economics that said the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was a superspreader event, leading to a national spike in COVID-19 cases that cost billions in healthcare dollars, is being disputed in South Dakota.

Gov. Kristi Noem echos what health officials said in their Tuesday morning press meeting the report should be dismissed.

“This report isn’t science; it’s fiction. Under the guise of academic research, this report is nothing short of an attack on those who exercised their personal freedom to attend Sturgis,” said Gov. Noem in a press release Tuesday.”Predictably, some in the media breathlessly report on this nonpeer-reviewed model, built on incredibly faulty assumptions that do not reflect the actual facts and data here in South Dakota.”

The report gathered its results by using cellphone data from SafeGraph, Inc. It shoed “smartphone pings from nonresidents” and “foot traffic at restaurants and bars, retail establishments and entertainment venues, hotels and campgrounds each rose substantially” through Aug. 7 through 16. It says that the Rally is linked to an estimated 267,000 COVID-19 cases nationwide and says the overall health costs from the Rally are $12.2 billion.

“At one point, academic modeling also told us that South Dakota would have 10,000 COVID patients in the hospital at our peak. Today, we have less than 70. I look forward to good journalists, credible academics, and honest citizens repudiating this nonsense,” Gov. Noem said.

— 2020 KEVN

THE SHIFTING ENVIRONMENTAL SCENARIO–
I’m delighted to report that, as renewables have faltered, pro-nuclear environmentalists have become increasingly vocal, even in Germany, the world’s most anti-nuclear nation.

Below is my latest column for Forbes. Please share!

–Michael

As Renewables Falter, Environmentalists Stand Up For Nuclear

Environmentalists have long promoted renewable energy sources as better for nature. But a new study suggests that the expansion of mining for the materials to make solar panels and wind turbines may pose a greater threat than climate change to endangered species.

“Most mining areas (82%) target materials needed for renewable energy production,” note the authors in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications. And, they add, “these new threats to biodiversity may surpass those averted by climate change mitigation.”

The study comes at a moment when the expansion of solar and wind energy is increasing local opposition, raising electricity prices, and contributing to electricity shortages.

Recent electricity outages in California forced the state’s governor to acknowledge the dangers posed by attempting to rely on unreliable sources of renewable energy.

“We cannot sacrifice reliability,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said on August 17. “We have to sober up to the reality that… we’re going to have to do more, and be much more mindful, in terms of our capacity to provide backup and insurance.”

The problem with relying on solar panels is that the sun sets during peak demand, which is between 5 pm and 10 pm, requiring a massive ramping up of natural gas power plants. And the same lack of wind behind the heatwaves has also meant a lack of electricity from industrial wind turbines.

Meanwhile, environmental resistance is blocking and slowing the expansion of industrial wind and solar energy projects. In Britain, Greenpeace has opposed a massive new solar farm, arguing that “vast continuous fields of panels on agricultural land [are not] the best way to go solar.” New York environmentalists, meanwhile, “say large-scale solar installations will spoil beautiful farmland,” reported Financial Times.

As renewables have faltered, pro-nuclear environmentalists have become increasingly vocal, even in Germany, the world’s most anti-nuclear nation.

Europeans Protest Greenpeace

Last Saturday pro-nuclear activists organized by the German pro-nuclear organization Nuklearia dropped a banner in front of Greenpeace’s Germany headquarters. It read, “Climate Crisis? Nuclear energy!”

Pro-nuclear activists similarly protested in front of Greenpeace’s Paris headquarters in late June, denouncing the NGO’s role in replacing nuclear plants with fossil fuels.

“Several dozen protesters — wearing face masks — carried banners in front of the Greenpeace headquarters in Paris, with slogans such as ‘Less nuclear means more coal,’” reported Reuters.

“In the following weeks, there will be similar rallies,” reported the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) last week, “where the five other German nuclear power plants that are still running but whose operating licenses will soon expire.”

Over the next six weeks, there will be over forty pro-nuclear demonstrations around the world organized by the Nuclear Pride Coalition. (My nonprofit organization, Environmental Progress, is a member of the coalition, but did not organize the demonstrations in Germany, France, or other nations.)

The chairman of Nuklearia is Rainer Klute, a computer scientist and “eco-modernist.” That’s someone who, according to FAZ, ”wants to save the world by relying on modern technology, not on using jute bags.” FAZ noted that Klute is finding allies “among those who oppose wind turbines out of concern for noise and the landscape.”

It wasn’t the first pro-nuclear demonstration in Germany. In December 2019, 120 people from Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic rallied near the Philippsburg nuclear power plant, forty-five minutes from the French border, which the German government had forced to close prematurely.

While Klute emphasizes the need for nuclear to combat climate change, Peters stresses the need for nuclear energy to avoid over-dependence on imported natural gas from Russia.

Concerns about over-dependence on Russian natural gas are growing in Germany. Earlier this year, the Russian parliament effectively gave President Vladimir Putin the power to govern for life. And late last month, Russia’s top opposition political leader was nearly assassinated in a nerve gas attack.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the attempted murder raises “very serious questions that only the Russian government can answer — and must answer.” But she has so far not taken any practical action to hold the Russian government to account.

A similar dynamic has played out before. Merkel publicly declared former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder’s decision to work for Russia’s natural gas company “not acceptable.” But she did, in the end, accept it.

Merkel used similarly strong language after the Russian government intervened in Ukraine. “Merkel issues rebuke to Russia,” a New York Times headline blared in 2014, “setting caution aside.” But in the six years since, Merkel has deepened Germany’s dependence on imported Russian gas.

Klute and Peters note that if Germany kept its nuclear plants open, and even expanded them, the nation could be as free both of coal and of Russian gas, as France is. That nation’s nuclear-heavy electricity supply produces one-tenth of the carbon emissions per unit of electricity as Germany’s, for little over one-half the price.

Klute acknowledges that he is a long way from winning over a majority of support from his fellow Germans, but stresses that popularity isn’t the only factor nations must consider when deciding what kind of energy to use.

And Klute notes that the times are changing. “When Angela Merkel is no longer Federal Chancellor,” he notes, “politicians will also dare to take our side.” Merkel will leave office next year.

In the end, it may take a more serious rattling of the global order, such as the withdrawal of the United States from NATO, to persuade a nation like Germany to hang on to its nuclear plants.

Generation Nuclear

As the failings of renewables have become more apparent, journalists have started covering pro-nuclear demonstrations more fairly and respectfully than they had in the recent past.

Der Spiegel, the largest newsweekly in Germany, covered last December’s pro-nuclear protest with undisguised anti-nuclear hostility.

But in June, France’s anti-nuclear Le Monde covered the pro-nuclear protest of Greenpeace in Paris far more fairly. “We are here to denounce the untruths of Greenpeace on nuclear power,” pro-nuclear leader Myrto Tripathi is quoted as saying.

Even German media are changing. In mid-July, Die Zeit, a major newspaper, published an article by Klute’s colleagues titled, “Stop the Nuclear Phase-Out!” And in mid-August, Der Spiegel published a long debate that gave space for pro-nuclear and anti-nuclear activists to make their case.

“Public opinion towards nuclear energy is changing,” said Bjorn Peters, who helped organize the December 2019 demonstration at Philippsburg nuclear plant.

But the biggest change to nuclear’s reception and perception can be seen on social media.

As recently as 2016, I had to routinely refute on Twitter obviously false claims, such as that nuclear energy isn’t low-carbon energy. Such claims have largely disappeared from view. And, in the rare instance they are still made, I find others debunking them before I have a chance to.

And there have been some recent surprises. Over the last few weeks, Isabelle Boemke, a 29-year-old Brazilian model with a large social media following, has released a series of videos about the environmental benefits of nuclear.

“One uranium pellet, about the size of a gummy bear, has as much energy as 2,000 pounds of coal,” she notes in a September 6 Tik Tok video that has been viewed a half-million times.

“This means we can create an insane amount of energy in smaller spaces, which means it requires less land, which is great news for the environment,” she explained.

Financial Times columnist Jonathan Ford made a similar point in his recent article about Greenpeace’s opposition to the proposed solar farm.

“It all goes to illustrate one of the awkward truths about renewables,” wrote Ford, “and one that is often buried beneath impressive statistics showing the declining cost of solar panels and wind turbines. Their relatively low ‘power density’ makes them more consumptive of resources.”

The low power density of renewables is behind rising conflicts in New York over efforts to spread solar and wind projects over the landscape. Solar and wind projects require, on average, 300 – 400 times more land than a nuclear or natural gas plant.

“One [New York] resident handing out flyers opposing the [wind energy] project found a dead rabbit in the mailbox,” reported The Financial Times. “This project is tearing our previously peaceful community apart,” he says.

And it’s their low power density that scientists say may make renewables a greater threat than climate change to endangered species.

Michael Shellenberger is a Time Magazine “Hero of the Environment,” Green Book Award Winner, and author of Apocalypse Never: Why Environmental Alarmism Hurts Us All (Harper Collins, June 30, 2020). He is a frequent contributor to The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Scientific American, and other publications. His TED talks have been viewed over five million times.

–Michael Shellenberger
Founder and President
Environmental Progress
2569 Telegraph Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94708

IT’S ALL SO INTERESTING—I try to step back from much of the bullshit and take a broad look. I continue to support freedom and motorcycling. It seems to work, even if the other guys hate it and want to control everything. Here are a couple of other activities that also work, like sailing, riding bicycles or hiking. Getting outside and being free is the key. I keep reminding myself, we are living in the best of times…

In the meantime, we are about to deliver a short Dyna tech on motor-mounts from Custom Cycle engineering. We are still working on a Girl of Bikernet and a brother asked for a Chopper feature.

I’m working with Morris Magneto on the Pandemic Panhead. I’ll call them tomorrow about a question about the magneto. We’re close to firing that puppy to life. The doctor was supposed to order the generator gear and seal.

More reports coming soon. In the meantime, ride fast and free forever!

–Bandit

Hey,

It’s a quirky day. I’ve got deals and wheels stuff happening all around me. A brother’s house burnt down in the northern California fires. Another brother, Bill Dodge, is in the hospital fighting motorcycle injuries (you’ll see the report in the news).

I’m scrambling to save and make more money in trying times and I would like to head back to Deadwood. On the active front, I have most of the pieces to finish the fender mounts on the Salt Torpedo. I started to write the 90th Episode of the Cantina Series and sorta like it. I’m playing with the Covid, homelessness and much of the bullshit society is struggling with right now.

Sam Burns sent me more encouraging photos of bikes and girls. Maybe it’s a hint to write more about the story line of my life. I’m still struggling with it. And I’m about to start another chapter of the third Chance Hogan books. Plus, Gary Mraz stopped by and stayed for a week. He is writing a series of books about the Midnight Rider or the Midnight Writer or Zac or Zachary, he can’t decide.

So, what does all of this tell you? I told Bob Bitchin that he’s about to start a new adventure after his beautiful Berry Creek mansion burnt down. I like to think motorcycles and freedom are at the heart of everything I do. And finally, there are so many wonderful things in life to do. Just smile and go after them. But do it with grace and style, compassion and benevolence. 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.

Restoring Outdoor Majesty: New Law to Reduce Maintenance Backlog on Federal Lands

Congress passed and President Trump signed into law the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA). This SAN-supported law will dedicate $9.5 billion over the next five years to address the maintenance backlog on federal lands by creating a national parks and public land legacy restoration fund, enabling the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and several other federal agencies to rebuild and improve trails, roads, docks, campgrounds and more.

The bill will also appropriate $900 million annually to the Land and Water Conservation Fund for projects that help to protect natural areas, water resources, cultural heritage sites and to provide recreation opportunities. The GAOA will benefit SAN’s off-roading community in addition to those who use RVs and boats to enjoy the nation’s parks and recreation areas.

–SEMA

DIRECT FROM THE TWISTED ROAD–The 7 Differences Between Driving a Car and Riding A Motorcycle

Most people incorrectly think that riding a motorcycle and driving a car are fairly similar activities. Both vehicles have a key, an engine, and a seat, and both are used to move the passenger from one destination to another. Same same. Right?

Not so fast, Speedy.

These activities couldn’t be more different.

–BY AUSTIN ROTHBARD
Twisted Road

HOT FROM DAVID UHL– What a crazy year this has been for everyone! Quite some time ago, we launched the idea of a new series for David, celebrating the female figure. We are happy to announce the release of the first in the series, titled “Female Figure on Motorcycle 1”.

The back story – – David and a small group of artist friends in Denver have been meeting weekly for years to paint classic female figures with live models.

In David’s words, “I have been asked many times over the years to do tasteful classic female figures with the motorcycle theme. I found the time recently and now plan on doing a series. I am very interested in exploring this as an artistic expression, not sensationalistic clickbait. Most any serious artists have portrayed the nude – in fact I started in art school with nude models in life drawing. Interesting that nobody has tried this combination…it’s almost impossible to find anyone who has put these two together without falling into the centerfold trap. Fine line I know, but I’m going to try.

I really look forward to exploring the limits of this, it becomes so much more about the “painting” than a story or subject. Makes you look at “how” it’s portrayed. With this approach I’m trying to play one of the oldest games ever… hide and seek. Makes the viewer use his/her imagination rather than rendering it all out so it’s like a photo. Becomes more about the way it’s painted than the subject matter.”

Oil paint historically has been the ideal medium for depicting the nude. By blending and layering paint, the surface can become more like skin. Its slow drying time and various degrees of viscosity enable the artist to achieve rich and subtle blends of color and texture.

He is pricing the original oil, measuring 24×32, at $9,500 which is a GREAT price for a David Uhl original (some have sold for as much as $90,000).

We will also be offering a VERY SMALL edition of canvas prints, hand-signed and numbered, with Certificate of Authenticity.

** Image size 18×24, edition of 12 plus 2 Artist Proofs and 2 Hors d’ Commerce, $895 framed

** Image size 24×32, edition of 12 plus 2 Artist Proofs and 2 Hors d’ Commerce, $1,295 framed

David is excited about this new series! Those collecting this first piece will have first right of refusal for their matching edition number on future additions.

You can place your order by return email, or by calling me at 303-913-4840.

–Greg Rhodes
International Sales Director

Uhl Studios
15801 W. Colfax Avenue
Golden, CO 80401
303-913-4840

www.UhlStudiosWebsite

THE BILL DODGE UPDATE–On Saturday, September 12th Bill Dodge was involved in a motorcycle accident where the driver of a car made a left turn in front of him, leaving Bill with multiple fractures to his spine, multiple bone fractures, as well as skull and facial injuries. Bill is going to require a total shoulder reconstruction of his shoulder including a shoulder replacement. Bill also has a substantial amount of road rash everywhere. with a long road to recovery ahead of him.

I thought you might be interested in supporting this GoFundMe, https://www.gofundme.com/f/bill-dodge-recovery-love-fund?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet.

Even a small donation could help Ray LLanes reach their fundraising goal. And if you can’t make a donation, it would be great if you could share the fundraiser to help spread the word.

Thanks for taking a look!

Latest Update:
I just spoke to Denise and she asked me to make a post and let everyone know what’s going on with Bill. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but..

Bill is not doing very good due to the brain trauma he sustained. They aren’t sure what exactly is going on, but the bleeding has pretty much subsided, which is good.

However, he’s being very combative and not listening to anyone including Denise. We all know Bill is the kindest human and doesn’t have a nasty bone in his body. He fell as he was trying to get out of bed, which is not allowed, with the severity of his spine fractures of the C6 and C7.

He’s completely sedated at this point to help his brain rest and keep him from moving so much. If he doesn’t rest and continues to try to get up and keep moving, he could become a quadriplegic. So, PLEASE EVERYONE, say the prayers and more! Pray for him to rest and stay still and get that brain injury and spine injury healed up quickly so he can start the road to recovery!!!

I love you so much Bill and Denise and family and friends and we’re all here for you and know that you’ll get through this, and we will all do whatever it takes to help!!!

–Steve Garn
@blingscycles

This morning he’s much more coherent and concerned about his customers.

–Rogue
Senior Editor
Bikernet.com™

ANOTHER EVENT CANCELLED--We regret to announce that this year’s Smokey Mountain Chopper Fest is canceled.

If you have ever been to SMCF, you know that the beautiful land and family that own it is a huge part of SMCF. This year has been tough across the board and it has been especially taxing on the family. (A big portion of the proceeds from SMCF benefit a scholarship in the memory of their beloved son and brother, Brandon Stiwinter.)

The family’s difficulties combined with the current limitations on the number of people allowed to gather in North Carolina led us to make this difficult decision.

Along with the hardships everyone has faced this year, there is also a history of nosy neighbors who aren’t too fond of the fun we like to have. The last thing that we’d want to happen is folks travel to the event and then have to go home due to the involvement of local authorities in this odd time. People have been making plans to come in from all over the country and world and to have everyone make the trip for nothing would be heartbreaking.

We know a lot of people will be upset about this and we are just as bummed as you are. The heart and soul of SMCF is the family and location. It just wouldn’t be the same anywhere else. Please know that this is a complex situation. Behind the scenes, we considered many other options, but unfortunately canceling is in the best interest of everyone — you, the family and staff.

ALL of the money for passes will be refunded over the next two weeks. You DO NOT need to reach out and request a refund. We are not holding your money hostage until the next event and will have it back to you as fast as humanly possible. Please be patient with us while we work out the logistics. If you are a sponsor, we can’t thank you enough for your time, energy, and contributions. Your involvement is greatly appreciated and we will be in touch very soon.

We held on to all hope of being able to party with y’all this fall for as long as possible, but it just isn’t in the cards for this year. We don’t know what the future holds, but we hope to party with y’all next year. Take care of each other.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE–Thank God for the sense to remember the ‘3’ steps, STR. Read and
Learn!

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S * Ask the individual to SMILE.
T * Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(i.e. Chicken Soup)
R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke ——–

Stick out Your Tongue!

NOTE: Another ‘sign’ of a stroke is this: Ask the person to ‘stick’ out his tongue. If the tongue is ‘crooked’, if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke.

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved

I have done my part. Will you?

–Joe Smith
Chief Medical Investigator
Bikernet.com™ Medical Center

BIKERNET GUN NUT REPORT–Engravings in metals that are precious to us can be so meaningful and expressive!

I believe this engraving is especially communicative and I thought you would appreciate it (below).

–Wanda Weber

NEW FEATURE FROM LOWBROW–What do you get when you spend 9 months working in the garage?

Well, if you do it right, hopefullly something as cool as this ’62 FL chopper.

Scope out this rad bike (built by Ken), in everyone’s favorite color, black (painted by Ken), in some tastefully taken photographs (taken by Ken).
If you enjoy anything about this bike or article (written by Ken), you have him to thank for it! Nice work, Ken!

KEN CARVAJAL’S HARLEY-DAVIDSON FL CUSTOM BUILD – STARTED FROM SCRATCH

The motor and transmission came from my friend Michael Geltz who gave me a deal I couldn’t refuse. He also happened to have other parts that I needed such as the Linkert M74B, 1 & ½-inch primary belt drive setup and a few other odds and ends. As soon as I sent him the payment, I started buying the rest of the parts for the bike. I wanted to challenge myself and do it all by myself in my garage which probably took way longer than it should have.

Nine months later, it made its way into the Stag Magazine, issue #11, MamaTried Show in Milwaukee, The Congregation Show in North Carolina, Fuel Cleveland, The Greasiest in Lombard, and the No Show digital bike show by Harley-Davidson. I’m very honored for the invitation to show the bike at all of these great motorcycle shows.

After that tour of shows, I freshened the top end and installed a PSP manifold with the Pangea Zeppelin air cleaner. The bike now usually fires up on the first or second kick. I’ve shaken it down quite a bit and have taken it on a couple long distance trips. One of those trips was this year’s Apocalypse Run #13 where I rode it from Chicago to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and back. Aside from a loose wire and a faulty ignition switch, it got me home safely.

It took nine months for Ken to finish this build, but it was totally worth it.

It was originally painted Garnet red and I thought it looked good, until I rolled it out of the garage and into the sunlight. Just something about it didn’t sit well with me. It originally had a re-pop Wassel tank and I had been looking for a Hap Jones tank for some time. As soon as I found one, I used that as an opportunity to re-paint the whole bike black, which is what I wanted to do in the first place.

I’m really happy with how it sits currently, and I find it very rewarding to ride, given that it started out as a bunch of parts. But it wouldn’t be where it is today – an awesome Harley-Davidson FL Panhead, if it wasn’t for my friends who helped along the way.

I get asked a lot about the front end which at first glance, looks like a vintage Triumph front end. I initially wanted to get a 2-under springer but at that time, I had been over my budget. So I modified a narrow glide, cleaned the trees, had my buddy Phil at Bravetown shave the lower legs to fit inside a set of MCM fork shrouds that I got from Ed Zender at Morrie’s Place in Ringwood, IL. I also had him make the spacers to fill the gap between the shrouds and the top tree.

A lot of effort has been put into the front end.

The hand shifter was a piece that I cut from an old sissy bar that came off of my Triumph and the wooden knob was from an old antique file that I found in my garage.

Who would have thought an old sissy bar could become a hand shifter, right?

Who would have thought an old sissy bar could become a hand shifter, right?

The rear fender is special to me. It’s made by my dear friend Ron Brefka at 7 Metal West who forms these by hand based on your specs, rear wheel/tire size. He’s a hardworking guy and takes great care when making these fenders. Honored to have one of his fenders on my bike.

Words and photos by – Ken Carvajal

BIKERNET READER COMMENT–Cool intro into your beginnings. It sounds like a lot of us during those times. Dads that would kick our asses and we couldn’t wait to get out of the house. We deserved those ass kickings sometimes though.

Some of us went to war, some of us went to the ship yards, and some of us went to work the Alaskan pipelines back in the day. I can’t wait to read the next story line.

Looks good and sounds good.

–Gearhead

SADDLEMEN SEAT ACCESSORY OF THE WEEK–
ROADSOFA RAIN COVER W/BR(1pc)-R919S

Brand Fitment: Saddlemen
Model Fitment: RoadSofa’s with Driver Backrest Seat Models
Year Fitment: all (Harley-Davidson)

Rain Cover is for touring seats with driver backrests.

Convenient, easy-to-use design
Folds into itself for storage
Fully waterproof
Protects expensive seats from sun or rain
Fits most seats up to 38″ L x 18″ W

$25.00

–Buster Cates
Saddlemen

SUPREME BIKERNET INTERGALATIC HEADQUARTERS FOR SALE—We are trying to move our headquarters to South Dakota. Talk about an adventure…

So, our current headquarters are a biker’s dream. It has 440, 3-phase wiring, a massive shop, a giant loft to live in. Retail space is available up front for use or rental income. It has a large one-bedroom apartment for rental income. It’s very secure and the Port of Los Angeles is across the street. Total square footage 8,515.

This is a place for a guy who wants his own shop and doesn’t want to commute. Wake up in the morning, grab a cup of joe and walk out to your office overlooking your shop.

It’s basically between two freeways on the coast between Long Beach and San Pedro and the Port just broke ground on a long-awaited waterfront effort, which is across the street. At some time in the near future it may be across the street from the Wilmington restaurant district.

Here’s a link to the listing: https://www.matthews.com/properties/industrial-200nbroadave-wilmington-ca/

BIKERTOBERFEST NEWS—Biketoberfest At Bruce Rossmeyer’s Destination Daytona
Oct 15 at 8 AM – Oct 18 at 6 PM

Bruce Rossmeyer’s Destination Daytona and Daytona Harley-Davidson are preparing to hold our Biketoberfest event while implementing recommended safety measures. The scope of the event is planned to include vendors, daily live music, bike shows and much more at our open-air venue. For all information and a schedule of events log on to BruceRossmeyer.com/–biketoberfest

–Rogue
Senior Editor
Bikernet.com™

LEGISLATIVE WATCH–Congress is moving legislation quickly, and federal agencies are enacting sweeping regulations that will impact our right to ride. Your help is needed now to support motorcycle-friendly lawmakers in Washington, D.C., and ensure they are elected—or re-elected—in this critical election year.

The most cost-effective way to make a difference is to donate to the American Motorcyclist Political Action Committee. AMPAC exists for one reason: to financially support federal lawmakers who will fight to defend your freedom to ride. Every dollar given is used precisely for that purpose.

Give to AMPAC Today

Every donation counts, and with just $25 or more, you will help support:

• Ensuring automated-vehicle technology does not put motorcyclists at risk
• Your right to modify your own bike
• Responsible off-highway vehicle access to public lands
• Restrictions on high-ethanol fuels that are unsafe for motorcycles
• The defeat of a proposed 100 percent tariff on certain European motorcycles
• A greater voice for motorcyclists in federal government
• Ending discriminatory motorcycle-only checkpoints and equipment laws

Politicians and unelected Washington bureaucrats are under constant pressure from powerful lobbies encouraging them to permit unproven highly automated vehicles on our highways, expand the availability of unsafe high-ethanol fuels and prohibit responsible access to public lands. Our support through AMPAC counters that pressure!

Without your involvement, new legislative and regulatory victories will be impossible. Politicians understand strength in numbers. Help build the roster of elected officials standing up for the rights of all motorcyclists—donate to AMPAC today!

–Michael Sayre
Director of Government Relations
American Motorcyclist Association

P.S.: Donate $25 to AMPAC to protect your access to everything motorcycling. In this election year, we need your help more than ever. Your donation is needed now!

ANOTHER MOTORCYCLE MAGAZINE DOWN–Cycle World print edition ends as Octane buys Bonnier digital assets.

Cycle World, once the largest consumer motorcycle magazine in the United States and now the last remaining motorcycle print publication in the once-large Bonnier Motorcycle Group, will print its last edition in October.

Octane, a powersports finance company, announced that it has acquired the digital assets of the former Bonnier powersports print magazines: Cycle World, Motorcyclist, Dirt Rider, Motorcycle Cruiser, UTV Driver, ATV Rider, and Cycle Volta. While the other publications had ceased appearing in print form, Cycle World was still being published quarterly. “Bonnier Corp. will help produce Cycle World’s final print issue in October 2020; existing print subscribers will receive a digital edition beginning in 2021,” said the news release.

“Our goal for this acquisition is to ensure that unbiased product reviews, rigorous and objective testing, and informed storytelling will continue to be available to powersports enthusiasts,” said Jason Guss, CEO of Octane. “When combined with Octane’s financing platform and dealership partners, consumers will soon be able to go directly from researching their dream vehicle to owning it, in a fast, seamless process.”

Octane said it would invest in content and web site development of the former Bonnier brands and it seems at least some, if not all, of the same editorial team will be in place, led by Mark Hoyer.

While print motorcycle magazines continue to thrive in countries like Spain, there is no longer a single, national, monthly consumer motorcycle magazine left in the United States.

From any perspective, Bonnier’s relatively short ownership of some of the oldest motorcycle magazines in the country has to be considered a disaster. The U.S.-based Bonnier Corp., owned by the Bonnier Group of Sweden, acquired Cycle World and several other titles in 2011. In 2017, it killed off some of its motorcycle print magazines, including Sport Rider and Dirt Rider. Motorcyclist, the oldest motorcycling magazine in the country, got a new editorial focus and switched to six issues a year in 2017 and then the print edition was eliminated in 2019.

Early this year, before the COVID-19 epidemic disrupted the U.S. economy, Bonnier had already hired a firm to try to sell its U.S. magazine titles, which included not only Cycle World, but also some formerly huge print publications such as Field & Stream and Popular Science. Later reports suggested there was little if any interest in the print motorcycle magazines, however.

The wealth of content produced over the years, both in print and online, by magazines such as Cycle World, Motorcyclist, Sport Rider, Dirt Rider and others, still has value, though. If a consumer is considering buying a used street motorcycle from 2015, for example, and searches for reviews online, it’s quite likely a Cycle World or Motorcyclist evaluation will be near the top of the search results. If that material also leads to a financing option provided by Octane, then it’s easy to see why the financing company would want to own the Cycle World or Motorcyclist brand and archives. It’s the same reason that RevZilla finds it to be a good business practice to provide free content to customers and potential customers here at Common Tread.

On the other hand, it’s also clear the old model of advertising-supported national print magazines is no longer viable. With Motorcycle Consumer News, Rider and American Iron all ending their print editions this year, there was no national, monthly, consumer motorcycle magazine left in the United States. While we have highlighted some print magazines that have succeeded by serving local, regional or specialized audiences, the general interest national motorcycle magazine is essentially extinct.

Almost the only remaining national print motorcycle magazines are those published by associations for their members, such as the AMA’s American Motorcyclist, the Antique Motorcycle Club of America’s The Antique Motorcycle and, the biggest of them all, the Harley Owners Group’s The Enthusiast. Harley-Davidson recently announced it was returning its quarterly publication to the traditional name, The Enthusiast, after a little more than a decade of being called HOG Magazine.

–Photos and text by Lance Oliver

Cycle Source is still around, I hope. If you read the above, it’s sorta obvious that membership magazines are viable. I still think a sharp magazine that uses the benefits of the internet is a winner, especially if folks are stuck at home and anxious to receive something, anything in the mail.–Bandit

THE LATEST FROM TWIN POWER–Klincher Clutches

Twin Power Klincher clutches provide increased surface area and torque capacity while maintaining an easy lever pull. They are available for 1937-2017 models with cable or hydraulic clutches (except M-8) and tuneable for any application.

Clutch Hubs

These accurate reproductions of the Big Twin clutch hub feature steel spines and aluminum hub. They are available for selected Big Twins 1984-2006.

Clutch Shell

This clutch shell is a “perfect replacement bearing” for ’90 and later 5-speed Big Twin models. These are exact reproductions of the OEM clutch shell. They feature hardened components and include the inner and outer ramps. For 2007 and up applications they come with a coupler with clip and three balls.

Clutch Hub Assembly

This 3-stud replacement clutch hub assembly for the stock early clutch hub includes assembled clutch hub, complete with friction disc and rivets, bearing retainer with bearings, spring pressure plate and stud nuts.

Aluminum Clutch Pressure Plate

“Restore-like-new clutch performance with this Twin Power aluminum pressure plate – the perfect OEM replacement” for ’90-’97 Big Twins and ’91-’15 Sportsters.

TUCKER V-TWIN
www.tucker.com/v-twin
www.twinpower-usa.com

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 glamour 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. Order now at http://www.FastDates.com.

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, Ron Simms, Roland Sands, Yasuyoshi Chikawaza / Chica Custom, Shinya Kimura / Chabbot Engineering, and Russ Tom.
This is your exclusive 16-month pit pass to some of the world’s top custom and race bike and 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 Digital 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 http://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

SEPARATING FACT FROM FICTION ABOUT WILDFIRES–When it comes to wildfires, to co-opt the immortal words of naval officer Oliver Hazard Perry, “we have met the enemy, and it is, not climate change, but us.”

Due to much of the western United States being naturally arid, high mountain scrub desert, grassland, and dry forest, wildfires are an unfortunate fact of life. They always have been and likely always will be.

And despite what you may have heard, there is no evidence climate change is making the problem worse.

California, where much of the attention on wildfires has been focused in recent years, because it has a large population and major media outlets are located there, was one of the least populated (and lowest population density) regions of the country before European colonizers spread across the continent. Research shows droughts in the region have on occasion lasted on the order of a hundred years. And there is evidence massive wildfires regularly swept through the region in the past.

Indeed, a 2007 paper in the journal Forest Ecology and Management found prior to European colonization in the 1800s, more than 4.4 million acres of California forest and shrub-land burned annually, far more than the area of California that has burned since 2000, which ranges from 90,000 acres to 1,590,000 acres per year.

Although one wouldn’t know it from the news coverage and alarming, but false, claims that climate change is making wildfires more frequent and severe, the opposite is true. A 2012 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found wildfires in the western United States attained “the lowest levels … during the 20th century and during the Little Ice Age (LIA, ca. 1400–1700 CE [Common Era]). Prominent peaks in forest fires occurred during the Medieval Climate Anomaly (ca. 950–1250 CE) and during the 1800s.”

Wildfires have declined sharply over the course of the past century in the United States and globally. As reported in Climate at a Glance: Wildfires, long-term data from U.S. National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) show wildfires have declined in number and severity since the early 1900s. Using data on U.S. wildfires from as far back as 1926, NIFC reports the numbers of acres burned is far less now than it was throughout the early 20th century, with the current acres burned running about 1/4th to 1/5th of the record values that occurred in the 1930s.

Globally, the data on wildfires are just as clear. In his book “False Alarm,” Bjorn Lomborg observes:

“There is plenty of evidence for a reduction in the level of devastation caused by fire, with satellites showing a 25 percent reduction globally in burned area just over the past 18 years … In total, the global amount of area burned has declined by more than 540,000 square miles, from 1.9 million square miles in the early part of last century to 1.4 million square miles today.”

To the extent wildfires have grown modestly in recent years, although still far below the modern peaks of the early 1900s, government policies and demographic shifts are mostly to blame.

After the end of Ronald Reagan’s presidency, forest policy on federal lands shifted, and not for the better. After Reagan, forests began to be managed for the imagined good of ecosystems, placing ecological and recreational values above timber production. The result was an abdication of management so that nature was allowed to take its course unfettered.

Under this policy, thousands of miles of forest roads were ripped out, roads built to allow the harvesting of timber, but also used by firefighters to access wildfires in the hinterlands before they spread to populated regions. And timber harvests plunged as much as 84 percent from 12 billion board feet per year to less than 2 billion board feet per year.

The result across much of the western states has been an unnatural tree density. For example, historically, ponderosa pines grew in stands of 20 to 55 trees per acre, but in some areas they now grow in densities of 300 to 900 trees per acre. The unnatural density allowed what were formerly isolated pockets of insect infestations to morph into massive infestations killing large swaths of forests. There are now more dead trees in many federal forests than live ones, drying out and becoming growing stockpile of fuel for wildfires. Indeed, the U.S. Forest Service estimates more than 190 million acres of public land, almost all of it in the arid west, are at risk of catastrophic fires. Too many trees, too much brush, and bureaucratic regulations and lawsuits filed by environmental extremists are to blame.

On the demographic side, populations have grown dramatically in the western states. What were once uninhabited areas or small towns have become major metropolitan areas with suburbs growing out to the edges of wildlands. For instance, in Colorado, where wildfires are raging at the moment, the population has grown five-fold since 1940, from a little more than one million in 1940 to nearly 5.76 million today. Former small mining towns have become cities. Colorado’s population has grown 14.5 percent since the 2010 census, the fourth largest percentage growth in the nation.

Across the west, more people, more buildings, and more infrastructure have created a growing urban-rural interface, meaning more people and property are in harm’s way when wildfires inevitably occur. Indeed, the absolute costs of wildfires have increased dramatically over the past century even as the number of acres burned has declined. When wildfires strike, more people are affected and more expensive property is destroyed. The higher costs aren’t caused by climate change but from the rise in the number of people and value of assets placed in the “bullseye” as a result of demographic shifts in where people live and the lifestyles they pursue.

When it comes to wildfires, to co-opt the immortal words of naval officer Oliver Hazard Perry, “we have met the enemy, and it is, not climate change, but us.”

[First published at The Epoch Times]

By H. Sterling Burnett

Someone pointed out that wildfires in Canada have declined. Did the Climate Change miss Canada?–Bandit

[page break]

SOCIAL SECURITY HISTORY LESSON–I’m sure many of my recipients already know this, but I would rather be redundant then you be ignorant….

If you pay into Social Security or receive Social Security this is as advertised a real eye opener.

Facts very few people know but directly impact their lives..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwPEWiNadhA

–from El Waggs
Bikernet Retirement Counselor
Bikernet.com™

LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK– 2016 Harley-Davidson FXDWG – Dyna Wide Glide for $12,995.00

See it here: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=8613395

2016 FXDWG Dyna Wide Glide

Absent from the Dyna line in 2009, the FXDWG returns for its third tour of duty with a down-’n’-dirty, old-school-chopper-inspired look. The long, low look is largely a product of new suspension that has been shortened by 1 inch at both ends. A black “wire? sissybar, which helps give the Wide Glide a 1970s street-chopper vibe. The black steel swingarm is controlled by a pair of preload-adjustable Showa shocks.

ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT INCLUDE:

Charcoal Pearl with flames and raised tank logos is like new. Vivid black console with chrome fuel caps and gauge accent ring. Vivid Black 12″ TBars, black mirrors, chrome hi-reflective blinkers, vivid black headlamp with chrome bezel, chrome fork, polished crossties, lower legs on vivid black 6 twin spoke cast wheels. ABS anti-lock braking system. DanMoto black 2:1 exhaust. Chrome open stage one air cleaner. Black powder motor and covers including timing with vivid black H-D cover, trans with ‘six speed’, chrome horn / 103 derby covers, vivid black coil cover and battery case with chrome ‘wide glide’ band.

Solo seat, pillion, forward controls, passenger pegs and very mini sissy bar. Vivid black fender supports, swing arm, chrome adjustable shocks / chain guard, and black drive sprocket with a polished rim. LED stop / turn / tail rear lights with side license plate and good tires…

This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 101 point safety and mechanical inspection. Whether your looking to commute to work, ride the coast or take that dream vacation, this bike is ready to roll!!!

EZ FINANCING-SHIPPING AVAILABLE!!!

Fill out an online application and ride today!!!

**Open 7 days a week**

Only $12,995 at Lifestyle Cycles (714) 490-0155

THE STAINLESS LOWBROW–Lowbrow makes it painless.

Here at Lowbrow we know just what you need when it comes to stainless steel motorcycle handlebars:

Only $99.95, and ships free.
PS – if you don’t like stainless, there are always black or chrome!

ANOTHER EVENT CRIPPLED–Cripple Creek City Council

Been to motorcycle events all over the country for years. There is no U.S. military tribute motorcycle event like “The Salute to American Veterans Rally,” especially since it is combined with the 33-year tradition of the POW-MIA Honor Ride.

What the Wear’s and support staff endeavor to do, and have done for nearly 30 years, is a work of love that has consistently delivered heartfelt thanks to America’s active & veteran military service members – “America’s treasures.”

The Salute to American Veterans Rally is also an opportunity for veterans, who all wrote America a blank check for their lives, to heal from the unimaginable horrors of war by gathering in historic picturesque Cripple Creek to shake hands, embrace and be recognized and honored for their service and sacrifice so we American citizens AND ELECTED OFFICIALS can continue to be free.

For families with children to attend is an opportunity for America’s youth to be taught about our sacred American heritage and also to be wowed by thousands of beautiful motorcyles, many flying American flags and military themed flags.

I have been to this event nine times over the last fourteen years, as a patron-supporter, and on assignment from largest national motorcycle monthly newspaper, Thunder Press in 2015 – the year James Downing, the oldest living survivor of Pearl Harbor, was the guest of honor and a featured speaker at the ceremonies in Cripple Creek’s City Park.

I am also currently on assignment from veteran owned Bikernet.com, one of the largest online motorcycle community websites in the world for an as yet to be published report of the events leading up to the cancelation of this year’s event, the 33rd annual POW-MIA Honor Ride and the future of all aspects of this entire weekend event schedule.

Over the years I have happily introduced several of our family’s veteran biker brothers and sisters, friends and colleagues to this event, including the founders of Operation Gratitude, SSG Elizabeth Cowie (attended ’17 & ’18) & Mrs Carolyn Blashek (2 million+ care packages -www.operationgratitude.com). My wife, Debbie, and I are also former double corporate sponsors of “OPGrat.”

Finally, and the most important facet of this event are the organizers, Mr. Jim Wear and his wife, Mrs Pam Wear. (The Wear’s would never say this because when it comes to America’s fighting forces, they are truly humble and the event they produce is about American soldiers.) Like America’s fighting forces, and when it comes to this event, the Wear family is indomitable. The passion, love and appreciation this family has consistently demonstrated for nearly three decades to our nation’s military to produce this event is something pure, rare and needed, especially in today’s world where the history and roots of America’s bought-by-blood freedom is too often taken for granted, “white washed” and worst of all, forgotten.

I doubt Colorado or any Colorado town could find a more qualified and dedicated family to produce an event of comparable quality. Not only that, and even more important, veterans and active military personnel trust the Wear’s to “do them proud.” This trust was earned and after so many years, well deserved.

I will be observing and feel it is my duty to report how the current city government of Cripple Creek handles the future of this event. Anything less than continued enthusiastic support will be an insult to American service members, the always patriotic motorcycle community and the Wear family.

Sincerely,
–Jeffrey B Kraus
Independent journalist
Bikernet.com™

Veterans Rally Citizens Alliance
Annie Durham
Petition By:
Annie Durham

We, the undersigned, are asking the Mayor and City Council Members of the City of Cripple Creek, Colorado to please continue to support and keep the annual Salute to American Veterans Rally in Cripple Creek. We are also asking that the City continue to financially sponsor this event as was agreed upon in 2009.

For nearly 30 years, on the third weekend in August, Veterans, riders and patriots have gathered in Cripple Creek to thank and show support for our American men and women who have served and who are still serving in the United States Armed Forces. This rally has great importance on many levels.

First and foremost is how important and meaningful this event is for our Veterans. Suicide among Veterans is at an all time high, patriotism is under attack, and the fact that we still have thousands of troops deployed overseas is being forgotten. It is of utmost importance to let our Veterans, as well as our active duty military members, know that their service for our country is appreciated and is not forgotten.

For many of the Rally attendees, this is an opportunity to gather with fellow Vets and talk about their nightmares or their traumas without scrutiny or criticism. For two or three days, they sleep in peace. It is also a chance for them to reconnect with friends old and new.

For the citizen attendees, this is an opportunity to truly show our love, support and gratitude for those who served our country. It is also a time for us to honor those who never made it home.

The Salute to American Veterans Rally is also important to so many local Veterans organizations that are recipients of the proceeds from the event. Those monies then go to help local Vets in need.

Lastly, this event is economically important to the City of Cripple Creek coming in the way of lodging taxes, sales tax revenue from vendors and local businesses, and gaming revenue.

We again ask respectfully that the City of Cripple Creek keep the Salute to American Veterans Rally in Cripple Creek.

This petition was created by the Veterans Rally Citizens Alliance to demonstrate the immense amount of support that exists for the Salute to American Veterans Rally. As it is evident that this Rally is extremely important to American Veterans from all over our Nation, we respectfully request that you take this into consideration regarding any decisions made by Cripple Creek City Council in regards to the future of the Rally.

Sincerely,
Annie Durham
Veterans Rally Citizens Alliance
Sincerely,
[Your Name]

QUICK, OPEN THE DOOR TO THE BIKERNET™ NEWSSTAND EDITORIAL OFFICES–Man Kills Self Before Shooting Wife and Daughter

This one I caught in the SGV Tribune the other day and called the Editorial Room and asked who wrote this. It took two or three readings before the editor realized that what he was reading was impossible!!! They put in a correction the next day.

I just couldn’t help but sending this along. Too funny.
Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says
No, really? Ya think?
—————————————————————————-
Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
Now that’s taking things a bit far!

———————————————————–
Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over
What a guy!
—————————————————————
Miners Refuse to Work after Death
No-good-for-nothing’ lazy so-and-so’s!
——————————————————
Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
See if that works any better than a fair trial!
———————————————————-
War Dims Hope for Peace
I can see where it might have that effect!
—————————————————————-
If Strike Isn’t Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile
Ya think?!
———————————————————————–
Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures
Who would have thought!
—————————————————————-
Enfield ( London ) Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide
They may be on to something!
————————————————————————
Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges
You mean there’s something stronger than duct tape? Oklahoma’s new construction program!
———————————————————-
Man Struck By Lightning: Faces Battery Charge
He probably IS the battery charge!
———————————————-
New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
Weren’t they fat enough?!
———————————————–

Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft
That’s what he gets for eating those beans!
————————————————-
Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
Do they taste like chicken?
****************************************

Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half
Chainsaw Massacre all over again!
***************************************************
Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors
Boy, are they tall!
*******************************************
And the winner is….
Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead

Did I read that right?
***************************************************
Now that you’ve smiled at least once, it’s your turn to spread the stupidity and send this to someone you want to bring a smile to (maybe even a chuckle). We all need a good laugh, at least once a day.

–EL WAGGS
Associated Editor
Bikernet.com™ Editorial Board

CARL MORROW PASSES–I read today where Carl Morrow of Carl’s Speed Shop passed away. You and I were in Daytona in 2018, and I had never met Carl. He gave us a complete tour of his shop. A real gentleman.

Sorry to hear this.

–STEALTH
East Coast Feature Editor
Bikernet.com™

INDIAN CHALLENGER STANDS AGAINST THE MOB–
As we’re just over a month until the inaugural King of the Baggers race, we wanted to provide you with an update on the S&S Indian Challenger entry. Early last week, the team’s rider, renowned road racer Tyler O’Hara, was able to throw a leg over the modified Indian Challenger race bike at the team’s first testing session.

Though rain limited the full testing that was planned, the team was able to gather valuable information around rider ergonomics, suspension and more.

Below we have provided a link to some photos from the testing day. If you have any interest in learning more, we’d be happy to connect you with Tyler or any key team members from S&S or Indian Motorcycle.

As a reminder, King of the Baggers will join the MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest at Monterey Oct. 23-25.

THE COVID ENGLAND REPORT–People in England who see their neighbours flouting the new “rule of six” are being encouraged to contact police by the government.
Social gatherings of more than six people are now illegal in England from today.

People face fines of up to £3,200 if they do not abide by the new measure, which aims to curb an increase in COVID-19 cases.

A total of 3,330 confirmed coronavirus cases were recorded in the UK on Sunday – the first time since May that cases have been above 3,000 on three consecutive days.

As the new rule came into force, policing minister Kit Malthouse said concerned neighbours should ring the non-emergency police phone number to report violations of the restriction.

–Greg Heffer, political reporter
Sky News

SKEECHERS SHOES MAKES THE STROKER’S DALLAS SPECIAL FOR WOMEN—This just in and I don’t know if Rick Fairless knows about it.

–Bandit

SFV TECH REPORT– I’ve been working on my 2015 Harley Street glide since I got it new, sorting out all the issues you should not have to do on a new bike. Suspension.. #1, new seat , bars and tires and now exhaust system. Of course, I wanted some more performance but my main issue was the heat coming off the catalytic converter that was the deciding factor for me to make a change.

Here in California we can’t order a 2-1 system that is not EPA approved and get it delivered, so I looked into who offers one that is compliant for California and found that S&S has the 2-1 Sidewinder 50-state compliant system.

These have the Catalytic converter in the muffler and moves the heat back away from your leg. More about that later.

I won’t go into the installation you can look it up online for plenty of good youtubes but wanted to talk more about tuning once you’re up and running with this system.

Let me be very clear here…… you need to tune this system with a good tuner. Not a stage one from Harley. I spent a lot of time with a Vance and Hines FP3 auto tuning and then with their techs and got it running really good.

After installing the sidewinder, I took it for a ride and the bike ran so lean it would not pull at all and was obviously in need of tuning. There are quite a few company’s making good tuners out there so it’s your choice, but it’s a must.

After all the work getting it dialed in, I really like the S&S sidewinder. It smoothed the engine quite a bit and the bottom end and midrange are outstanding.

Here is the big plus for me. The engine runs cooler and the muffler barely radiates any heat under the saddle bag and my leg. They did a good job with containing the heat in the muffler. Where it falls down a bit is the top end.

You feel the Cat in the upper RPMs, which I stay out of anyway, but it’s on par with the stock system.
I think that S&S is on to something here with performance Cat 2-1 exhaust systems if it fits your needs.

This was not the direction I wanted to go originally but I’m very happy with the results now. S&S always has great products and has done it again.

–Mike Stevenson
Tech Editor
Bikernet.com™

REACH OUT REQUEST–Tell New York to Allow Racing to Resume with Fans

UPDATE: New York’s shopping malls and casinos may now reopen. However, racetracks are still off-limits to spectators. If you have not done so already, please ask Governor Andrew Cuomo to open racetracks to fans before the season ends.

DON’T DELAY! Please contact New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and ask him to support the New York Motorsports Coalition’s plan to safely resume racing.

You may use the following points in your message:

The New York Motorsports Coalition (NYMC) has put forth a plan to safely allow racing to resume statewide with limited spectators following CDC guidelines.

NYMC’s plan allows residents to enjoy racing in their communities instead of traveling to neighboring states that have already implemented similar guidelines.

New York has a rich motorsports tradition and is home to over 60 racetracks and the businesses and enthusiasts that support them.

The safe resumption of racing with spectators would provide desperately needed economic stimulus to New York and a morale boost to its residents.

The New York Motorsports Coalition (NYMC), a group comprised of racing facilities across New York, has submitted a comprehensive plan to Governor Andrew Cuomo that would allow motorsports to safely resume with spectators statewide. As it stands, New York residents must travel to neighboring states in order to enjoy racing.

–SEMA

BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT VOCABULARY LESSON–lapidify
[ luh-pid-uh-fahy ]
verb (used with or without object)

Archaic.

to turn into stone.

The relatively rare verb lapidify, “to turn into or become stone, petrify,” comes via French lapidifier from Medieval Latin lapidificare. Lapidificare is a transparent compound of Latin lapid– (the inflectional stem of lapis “stone”) and the Latin verb-forming suffix –ficare, ultimately a derivative of facere “to make, do.” The resemblance between lapis and Greek lépas “bare rock” is “hardly accidental,” as the pros say: Both words probably come from a Mediterranean (non-Indo-European) language. Lapidify entered English in the mid-17th century.

Perhaps in a few months a slow seepage, rich in minerals, would return to these passages and gradually glue their bodies to the rocks where they sat, to seal their crypt and lapidify their bones.

DAVID BRIN, EARTH, 1990

The rule of the Abang, in an age when the techniques existed to lapidify any rule to permanency, was, because of the very rise of a party, doomed.

ANTHONY BURGESS, THE ENEMY IN THE BLANKET, 1958

OKAY—What’s next? I have other thoughts about magazines, but I don’t want to go there. Every time I go to a magazine web site and shit is popping up everywhere, I want the real thing. Fortunately, when you read something on Bikernet, you’re not barraged with ads. I hope someone notices.

Okay, so tomorrow I’m going to run some errands and start on the Salt Torpedo front fender mounts, with the help of Prism Motorcycle Supply. I’ll hit ACE hardware for some 12-point fasteners. I’ll keep my fingers crossed. I may need to hit Phillips steel for some tubing, but I think I have the stuff I need in the shop. I also need to hit Staples for some long, narrow, shipping boxes.

I’m shipping my Spitfire girder to Paughco. They are going to check it out. My son wants to buy this FXR but the last Spitfire girder I had broke, and Paul never fixed it, so I don’t want to sell this bike without having the girder checed. Plus, Paughco is going to take over building Donnie Smith styled girders. If this one doesn’t work out, I’ll shift to a new Donnie Smith unit from Paughco.

The homeless are stealing my mail, but that’s okay according my city councilman, Joe Busciano. According to my Feng Shui guide book, this month is going to be a blast, but so far it’s been short of whacky as you know.

But don’t forget, when shit looks out of hand, we’re living in the best of times. It’s just that some folks are jealous or confused and want to fuck with it, big time. Ultimately they’ll learn. In the meantime:

Ride Fast and Free, Forever,

–Bandit

Hey,

This is another fascinating week. Tonight, the second Climate Hustle Documentary will be released at 8:00 anytime time zone. Go to Climate Depot and sign up for it. I can’t wait. If you have any questions about the Climate Alarmist efforts, check it out. For instance, wildfires. California has a problem with wildfires and Canada doesn’t. How about Polar Bears? Alarmist want us to think Polar Bears are dying off, but there are more Polar Bears than even before. You begin to wonder. This film should help.

I’m reading three books at the same time. That’s not usually the case. I’m reading Deadwood, the Golden Years, by Watson Parker. It’s basically a history of the region and mining, the impact on the region and the Indians. Since I’m trying like hell to move there, I need to know.

I’m also reading the Moral Animal, Why We Are the Way We Are, the New Science of Evolutionary Psychology. It’s a heady book about us and where we come from and how we got here. That term natural selection comes up over and over. Did you know that 99 percent of all species on the planet do it the same way from a wasp to a human. It’s also about the differences between men and women.

Then the Redhead came home the other day with a book she said was about Buddhism. That was a stretch. It’s about the comparison of the recent history of the Jews and the Tibetan Buddhist. It’s called The Jew in the Lotus, about a group of Jews who go to India to meet the Dalai Lama. Did you know that the Chinese took over Tibet in 1950 and killed 87,000 Tibetans and then moved Chinese citizens into the region and forced folks to give up Buddhism. That’s why the Dalai Lama fled to India. We must have been concentrating on Korea at the time. All told 1.2 million died since the occupation. This book was written in 1994. And recently the Chinese are taking parts of India. This is going to get interesting. The book compares what happened to the Jews to what happened to the Buddhist.

Also, I went to my local welding supply to refuel my acetylene tanks and found a magazine sitting on the counter. It’s called ARC, and had a cute girl from Alaska on the cover. I took a look, and the girl is a star of some gold hunting series on Discovery. She was cool, but it didn’t have much to do with welding. The magazine was supported by Lincoln or Miller welding and it did contain some welding tips. It was well laid out and I’ll watch for the next issue.

Speaking of Magazines, another motorcycle magazine, Cycle World bit the dust last week, maybe two. The new Easyriders seems to be stumbling, although it never got off the dime over the last couple of years. A lot of talk, a couple of parties and very little action. Ah, but I just got a peek at the new Choppers magazine, issue 2 and the new issue 3. This is tough. Cary Brobeck, the owner and editor only prints maybe 2,000 copies and attempts to sell them mail order. That’s a tough one, for lots of reasons.

I asked about the price of a page of advertising and didn’t get an answer. Here’s the positive side. It’s laid out by Beatnik who worked for Biker Magazine for decades and knows photography, layout, motorcycles and music. Plus, the mag is sheetfed printed, which is higher quality than web printing and they print on thicker paper. The mag looks good. I haven’t read them yet, but they look good.

He’s already talking about starting another magazine. I’ll report more about the stories and the biz in the near future. There’s more at the end. 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.

BIKETOBERFEST MOVES AHEAD– despite COVID dangers

It’s easy to understand why so many locals are eager for Biketoberfest to take place as scheduled. Hotels, bars and restaurants are desperate for revenue. Shutdowns mandated by the response to the coronavirus have ravaged area tourism for six months, and Biketoberfest is the last big tent-pole event of 2020. Meanwhile, many are sick of the long, stifling moratorium on the festivals that put Daytona Beach on the map for many.

They also wonder why events like the Daytona Truck Meet, which took place over Labor Day weekend and spurred vociferous complaints about noise and bad behavior, are allowed while city officials reject Biketoberfest plans. And they point to sharply declining rates of coronavirus infections to bolster their argument that this area’s second-biggest street party should go forward as planned.

All valid points. But they don’t outweigh the very real risks to public health that a big, ungovernable event like Biketoberfest poses. That’s why the Daytona Beach City Commission was right to balk at permits for live music and outdoor vendors on Main Street and adjacent areas for the weekend of October 15-18, and why Ormond Beach city officials should have done the same. This event is a “recipe for disaster,” as Stetson University Associate Professor of Public Health Asal Mohamadi Johnson told The News-Journal’s Eileen Zaffiro-Kean last week.

For a good idea of what Biketoberfest 2020 would look like, look at the photos from the recent rally in Sturgis, South Dakota. You’ll see thousands of people crammed elbow-to-elbow, with few face coverings in sight. To anyone educated in the science of pandemics – and who isn’t these days? – it’s a compendium of every single “don’t” on display. It’s true that one controversial study, claiming an extravagant infection rate for the event (upwards of 250,000 based on cellphone data) has been challenged. But while the confirmed infections may be far lower, they’re still concerning: nearly 300 cases among people known to have attended the rally. With contact tracing thwarted by the crowded, fluid conditions, there’s no way to tell how many may have been infected but asymptomatic – or how many people caught the virus from those infected at Sturgis.

Daytona Beach’s action won’t shut down the party. The Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is promoting the event on its website, and city officials can’t stop private venues from hosting indoor events. That was why the Daytona Truck Meet was allowed to proceed; though disruption sprawled throughout the beachside, all the official events were held at the Daytona International Speedway. Meanwhile, it’s likely party events will spill north and south of Daytona Beach.

The only way to shut Biketoberfest down would be if there were unanimous agreement among Volusia County cities and the business community that it’s too risky. That isn’t going to happen; the Daytona Beach commission stands alone in its decision to put public health above short-term financial gain. All we can do is pray that people will do their best to remain safe – and don’t leave Biketoberfest with a deadly souvenir.

Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial board

NEWS FROM THE MAGNIFICENT ARCH–
Every motorcycle is built by a single dedicated technician who takes the machine from bare frame to finished motorcycle. In this way are we able to deliver the level of detail, precision, and production quality comparable to the highest level of prototype racing motorcycles.

Every ARCH Motorcycle is hand-assembled at our Los Angeles, California facility with incredible attention to detail and the integration of best in class components.

In addition to the hundreds of parts manufactured in-house ARCH Motorcycle also works in partnership with carefully selected brands to create proprietary parts purely for ARCH. These include ARCH / Ohlins suspension, ARCH / S&S V-Twin performance engines, ABS systems, wheels, exhausts and much more.

Made in California
Hand Assembled

If you want original, performance and class check out ARCH motorcycles.

REAL CLIMATE SCIENCE FROM DAVID LEGATES SEEMS TO SCARE THE MEDIA, WILL IT SCARE NOAA?–BUCKLE UP! Let’s break it down and debunk tons of lies about Legates, climate science, the scientific method, and The Heartland Institute.

It’s not often that I read a MSM report and think that every single paragraph is full of sh!t. But this NPR story about Heartland friend and esteemed climate scientist David Legates has falsehoods in every single paragraph that doesn’t simply identify him.

Well done, NPR — which reached out to Heartland for comment on a Saturday two hours before they published this story “on a tight deadline” for a story they were obviously working on for days. Your tax dollars subsidize this fake news, by the way.

Let’s break it down and debunk tons of lies about Legates, climate science, the scientific method, and The Heartland Institute. Buckle up … and this is just a quick rebuttal. A more-comprehensive one — based on the Climate Change Reconsidered series Legates helped produce, is warranted. Lead paragraph:

David Legates, a University of Delaware professor of climatology who has spent much of his career questioning basic tenets of climate science, has been hired for a top position at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Legates has, indeed, been “questioning basic tenets of climate science,” if you substitute the word “science” for “dogma.” The very definition of science, in its most-basic sense from The Enlightenment to 2020, is “questioning the basic tenets” of current assumptions.

The ignorant taxpayer-supported NPR reporter Rebecca Hersher is ignorant of this basic fact of the scientific method. Again: She’s paid, in part by you, to be a “science writer” for National Public Radio. After some factual boilerplate, here’s paragraph #4:

Legates has a long history of using his position as an academic scientist to publicly cast doubt on climate science. His appointment to NOAA comes as Americans face profound threats stoked by climate change, from the vast, deadly wildfires in the West to an unusually active hurricane season in the South and East.

David has not “used his position” for anything. He’s examined the data for many, many years and has not seen proof that humans are the chief drivers of climate change. Americans in the West threatened by wildfires have the extreme never-cut-any-tree-down “green” polices pushed by the Sierra Club and other luxuriously funded leftist groups to blame for their misery.

BTW: This year’s hurricane season is, indeed, active, but that is only getting back to normal after almost historic years of inactivity. But the legacy media ignores all those facts. Because “disaster” sells, even if you have to make it up.

Global temperatures have already risen nearly 2 degrees Fahrenheit as a result of greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels. Warming is happening the fastest at the Earth’s poles, where sea ice is melting, permafrost is thawing and ocean temperatures are heating up, with devastating effects on animals and humans alike.

Ok. “nearly 2 degrees Fahrenheit” … since when? The climate science reporter doesn’t say. Shouldn’t, on a basic level, there should be some context to that? Oh, well. I guess NPR readers/listeners don’t need that basic information. And is it the result of greenhouse gases? No proof of that in the National Public Radio story — which Americans think they can count on for comprehensive journalism.

The earth is warmer than it was before the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, when humans started burning fossil fuels and emitting carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. But temperature readings in the United States were as warm or warmer in the 1930s than today, when global emissions were a tiny fraction of today. That is the kind of fact that Legates examines as a scientist.

–from the Heartland institute

INDIAN SCOUT ISSUES–
Attached is a picture of my 2016 Scout Sixty, I love the bike but have very low mileage and have gone through three starters already. Indian has replaced the starters parts and labor, but I am concerned that this may be an ongoing problem. Any of your readers out there have a fix for this other than selling my bike?

–Dan Hoffman
Executive Director
Wilmington Chamber of Commerce

AMA NEWS–At a time when one insurance company is very publicly pulling out of the moto market, Progressive is stepping up its niche marketing and proudly announced a historic landmark multi-year partnership with AMA Pro Racing. Progressive Insurance has been named “Title Sponsor & Official Insurance Company” of American Flat Track.

“This exciting relationship between Progressive Insurance and the AFT series comes at a time when interest in the sport is growing fast,” said Michael Lock, CEO of American Flat Track. “We are very happy to be working with America’s largest motorcycle insurance carrier and bringing their expertise to our fanbase.”

“As the #1 motorcycle insurer in the U.S., Progressive is passionate about motorcycling,” said Eric Doubler, Progressive’s Recreational Vehicle Business Leader. “We’ve been a long-standing supporter of the two-wheel community, with product offerings and sponsorship of motorcycle events, rallies and racing teams spanning over decades. This agreement marks our commitment to the sport during a key period of growth.”

The sponsorship includes a $50,000 year-end points fund, awarded to the top performing riders in the AFT SuperTwins presented by Vance & Hines, AFT Production Twins and AFT Singles divisions.

Next up, the Progressive American Flat Track series takes to the track at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas for the Roof Systems Dallas Half-Mile presented by Law Tigers doubleheader on September 25-26, 2020.

KELLY LANG Lang Releases Highly Anticipated Album ‘Old Soul’--Makes appearance on Coffee, Country & Cody in advance of album release; Receives official proclamation from Nashville & Oklahoma City

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The stage is set as singer/ songwriter Kelly Lang draws the curtains and starts the show with the release of her highly anticipated album, ‘Old Soul”. Surviving the tests of time, these serendipitous spins on popular classic hits of the ‘70s and ‘80s brush the dust off a time capsule to uncover the feel-good intent of simpler times. ‘Old Soul’ dances into the scene with unrivaled grace and distinctive dynamic, transporting listeners back to music’s greatest era. ‘Old Soul’ is available to download and stream on all digital platforms.

“When I was recording my new album ‘Old Soul,’ I chose songs that brought me back to a simpler time. These songs are woven into the tapestry of our musical lives. My hope is that the listener will also be able to reminisce and be transported back to great memories while enjoying these classics with a new twist,” shares Lang.

The beauty of ‘Old Soul’ is manifested when Lang uses the power of music to turn the key that unlocks bliss within hearts across the world. The new album gives fans the opportunity to relive the magic that was first felt when listening to the original singles.’Old Soul’ features 14 covers of critically acclaimed songs and highlights Lang’s rare love and appreciation for the timeless classics. The album is sponsored by Springer Mountain Farms Chicken.

From writing and performing to producing her own music, Lang remains bold in her pursuit to deliver light to listeners and spread hope in times of need. Audiences of all ages are drawn to the sultry magnetism and positive charisma that flow from Kelly’s eclectic energy and passion for her craft. The show has just begun as Kelly Lang stars with her ‘Old Soul’ to bring a one-of-a-kind listening experience to all!

Leading up to the release of ‘Old Soul,’ during an appearance on Coffee, Country & Cody live on WSM and Circle TV, Lang was surprised with Proclamations from both the City of Nashville and her hometown of Oklahoma City, declaring September 18, 2020, officially ‘Kelly Lang Day’. Both of these honors are coinciding with the release of her new album.

I love old soul music and she does a good job with it.–Bandit

MANDATORY CALIFORNIA MEDIA ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT: No trees were harmed in the creation of this post, but several million electrons were mildly inconvenienced.

–Sam Burns

THE MAGAZINE FAN BASE REPORTS IN–Just read where another magazine is gone. Sad to say the least. I went to the local news stand last week and the shelves were empty. Could not believe it!

The only motorcycle related magazine was Cycle Source, that was all that was on the shelf.. Now I have been told they have went by monthly, not good news? I for one really miss Easyriders and The Horse. I am not sure if The Horse is gone or not but they went to shit when they screwed all of their subscribers.

I agree with you there is still a place for a good chopper/ lifestyle magazine. I love to have the magazine in my hands not looking at a screen. I hope a new Chopper magazine arrives, but I have my doubts?

–STEALTH

STELLA AWARDS . . . . . . . . . . . . “Say What???”

It’s time again for the annual “Stella Awards”!

For those unfamiliar with these awards, they are named after 81-year-old Stella Liebeck who in 1992 spilt hot coffee on herself and successfully sued the McDonald’s in New Mexico, where she purchased coffee.
You remember, she took the lid off the coffee and put it between her knees while she was driving.
She was awarded $2.8 million in damages Who would ever think one could get burned doing that, right?

That’s right; these are awards for the most outlandish lawsuits and verdicts in the U.S. You know, the kinds of cases that make you scratch your head.

So keep your head scratcher handy. Here are the Stella’s for 2020:

SEVENTH PLACE
Kathleen Robertson of Austin, Texas was awarded $80,000 by a jury of her peers after breaking her ankle tripping over a toddler who was running inside a furniture store. The store owners were understandably surprised by the verdict, considering the running toddler was her own son.
Start scratching!

SIXTH PLACE
Carl Truman, 19, of Los Angeles, California won $74,000 plus medical expenses when his neighbour ran over his hand with a Honda Accord. Truman apparently didn’t notice there was someone at the wheel of the car when he was trying to steal his neighbour’s hubcaps.
Scratch some more

FIFTH PLACE

Keep scratching. There are more

FOURTH PLACE
Jerry Williams, of Little Rock, Arkansas, garnered 4th Place in the Stella’s when he was awarded $14,500 plus medical expenses after being bitten on the butt by his next-door neighbour’s beagle – even though the beagle was on a chain in its owner’s fenced yard. Williams did not get as much as he asked for because the jury believed the beagle might have been provoked at the time of the butt bite because Williams had climbed over the fence into the yard and repeatedly shot the dog with a pellet gun.
Pick a new spot to scratch, you’re getting a bald spot.

THIRD PLACE
Amber Carson of Lancaster, Pennsylvania because a jury ordered a Philadelphia restaurant to pay her $113,500 after she slipped on a spilt soft drink and broke her tailbone. The reason the soft drink was on the floor: Ms. Carson had thrown it at her boyfriend 30 seconds earlier during an argument.
Only two more so ease up on the scratching

SECOND PLACE

Ok. Here we go!!

FIRST PLACE
This year’s runaway First Place Stella Award winner was: Mrs. Merv Grazinski, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, who purchased a new 32-foot Winnebago motor home. On her first trip home, from an OU football game, having driven onto the freeway, she set the cruise control at 70 mph and calmly left the driver’s seat to go to the back of the Winnebago to make herself a sandwich. Not surprisingly, the motor home left the freeway, crashed and overturned. Also not surprisingly, Mrs. Grazinski sued Winnebago for not putting in the owner’s manual that she couldn’t actually leave the driver’s seat while the cruise control was set. The Oklahoma jury awarded her, are you sitting down? $1,750,000 PLUS a new motor home. Winnebago actually changed their manuals as a result of this suit, just in case Mrs. Grazinski has any relatives who might also buy a motor home.

–from Rik Savenko
Stellar Research Specialists
Bikernet.com™

QUICK, OPEN THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY–Mississippi News
Two young boys walked into a pharmacy one day, picked out a box of tampons and proceeded to the checkout counter.

The pharmacist at the counter asked the older boy, ‘Son, how old are you?’

‘Eight’, the boy replied.

The man continued, ‘Do you know what these are used for?’

The boy replied, ‘Not exactly, but they aren’t for me.

They’re for him. He’s my brother. He’s four.”

“Oh, really?” the pharmacist replied with a grin.

“Yes.” the boy said. “We saw on TV that if you use these, you would be able to swim, play tennis and ride a bike. Right now, he can’t do none of those.”

–Sam Burn
Certified Librarian
Bandit’s Cantina™

Official US Climate Data Reveals No Cause For Alarm – ‘US climate has become less extreme compared to previous ages’

In short, the US climate is in most ways less extreme than it used to be. Temperatures are less extreme at both ends of the scale, storms less severe and droughts far less damaging. While it is now slightly warmer, this appears to have been largely beneficial.

Wildfires now burn only a fraction of the acreage they did prior to WW2

Sea-level rise is currently no higher than around the mid-20th century

Tornadoes are now less common than they used to be, particularly the stronger ones.

Floods are not getting worse

Hurricanes are not becoming either more frequent or powerful.

Summers were hotter in the 1930s than in any recent years.

Little or no rise in temperatures since the mid-1990s.

Global Warming Policy Foundation
A new paper published today by the Global Warming Policy Foundation shows that U.S. climate has been changing very gradually, and mostly in a benign way.

The paper, by British climate writer Paul Homewood, examines official US weather sources and finds almost nothing to justify alarm.

“The temperature has risen a little”, says Homewood, “but temperature extremes are still a long way off the levels seen in the 1930s. And there has been a reduction in cold spells and climate-related deaths, so in many ways, the US climate has become less extreme compared to previous ages.”

It is the same story for rainfall. There has been an increase overall, but the wettest year on record was nearly 50 years ago. Droughts were mostly far worse in the 1930s.

“It’s hard to find anything in the records of recent weather in the US that should give anyone any cause for alarm” says Homewood.

“It’s mostly rather reassuring. From heat to cold to storms and tornadoes, there is no trend that is out of the ordinary.”

Homewood’s paper, entitled The US Climate in 2019, can be downloaded here (pdf)

Summary

According to the recent US National Climate Assessment in 2018, ‘The last few years have seen record-breaking, climate-related weather extremes’. This is a
commonly made claim, and one that is widely hyped by the media. But what does the data say? How has the US climate changed in the last century or so, and is the climate becoming more extreme?

This study uses official data, mainly from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to analyze trends in temperature, precipitation, droughts, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, sea-level rise and wildfires. In particular, it takes account of the widely varying regional climates. It finds that:

• Average temperatures have risen by 0.15°F/decade since 1895, with the increase most marked in winter.

• There has been little or no rise in temperatures since the mid-1990s.

• Summers were hotter in the 1930s than in any recent years.

• Heatwaves were considerably more intense in decades up to 1960 than anything seen since.

• Cold spells are much less severe than they used to be.

• Central and Eastern regions have become wetter, with a consequent drastic reduction in drought. In the west, there has been little long-term change.

• While the climate has become wetter in much of the country, evidence shows that floods are not getting worse.

• Hurricanes are not becoming either more frequent or powerful.

• Tornadoes are now less common than they used to be, particularly the stronger ones.

• Sea-level rise is currently no higher than around the mid-20th century.

• Wildfires now burn only a fraction of the acreage they did prior to the Second World War.

In short, the US climate is in most ways less extreme than it used to be. Temperatures are less extreme at both ends of the scale, storms less severe and droughts far less damaging. While it is now slightly warmer, this appears to have been largely beneficial.

MIC MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
A Good Drive with the Red Cross

Blood donations are in high demand across the nation and the Bonnier Motorcycle Group, now Octane Media, stepped up in Southern California last week and partnered with the American Red Cross.

“We were inspired by the desire to do something to help during these challenging times of the pandemic,” said Andrew Leisner, senior vice president, managing director, Octane Media, and member of the MIC Board of Directors. “We saw that there was a severe shortage of blood. Thanks to Octane Media staff, members of the motorcycle industry, and the support of the Red Cross, we were able to do our part to contribute to the strained blood supply. I encourage everyone who is able to donate to contact their local Red Cross.”

California to BAN SALES of New Gas-Powered Cars Starting in 2035–
Governor says widespread adoption of zero-emission vehicles will reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and help to combat climate change

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an order Wednesday that aims to end the sale of new gasoline and diesel-powered passenger cars in the state by 2035.

It is an ambitious attempt to bolster electric vehicles in the largest car market in the U.S., as well as a bid to tackle emissions that most scientists say contribute to climate change. Transportation is responsible for more than half of carbon pollution in California, the governor said.

More to come.

By Alejandro Lazo, Russell Gold and Micah Maidenberg, Wall Street Journal

OFFICIAL CANTINA EPISODE 90 REVIEW— I actually read your Cantina episode right after you mentioned it when I stopped by to see you. You amaze me with your style.

I devour books, usually reading three books at the same time. Bizarre, I know. I read one book at my houseboat, a different one at the Warehouse, and another at the Bluff. The houseboat will be a biography, philosophy, text, etc. book. Expand my mind. The other two will be lighter. A James Lee Burke , Michael Connelly, Wilbur Smith, John Grisham, Daniel Silva, etc. etc.. Your writing fits in there. Motorcycles, loose women, the Harbor, what’s not to like?

–Zack

THIS JUST IN FROM THE GRASSHOPPER TEMPLE–

Subject: Fwd: Six Life Lessons

I’ve seen some similar things to this, but this is by far the best. Some great lessons for all of us to be better and kinder people.

Six lessons about life and the way we treat people

1 – First Important Lesson – Cleaning Lady.

During my second month of college, our professor

Gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student

And had breezed through the questions until I read

The last one:

“What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?”

Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the

Cleaning woman several times. She was tall,

Dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name?

I handed in my paper, leaving the last question

Blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if

The last question would count toward our quiz grade.

“Absolutely, ” said the professor.. “In your careers,

You will meet many people. All are significant.. They

Deserve your attention and care, even if all you do

Is smile and say “hello..”

I’ve never forgotten that lesson.. I also learned her

Name was Dorothy.

2. – Second Important Lesson – Pickup in the Rain

One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African American

Woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway

Trying to endure a lashing rain storm. Her car had

Broken down and she desperately needed a ride.

Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car.

A young white man stopped to help her, generally

Unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960’s. The man

Took her to safety, helped her get assistance and

Put her into a taxicab.

She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his

Address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a

Knock came on the man’s door. To his surprise, a

Giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A

Special note was attached.

It read:

“Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway

The other night. The rain drenched not only my

Clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along.

Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying

Husband’s’ bedside just before he passed away… God

Bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving

Others.”

Sincerely,

Mrs. Nat King Cole.

3 – Third Important Lesson – Always remember those

Who serve.

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less,

A 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and

Sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in

Front of him.

“How much is an ice cream sundae?” he asked.

“Fifty cents,” replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and

Studied the coins in it.

“Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?” he inquired.

By now more people were waiting for a table and the

Waitress was growing impatient..

“Thirty-five cents,” she brusquely replied.

The little boy again counted his coins.

“I’ll have the plain ice cream,” he said.

The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on

The table and walked away The boy finished the ice

Cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress

Came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the

Table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish,

Were two nickels and five pennies..

You see, he couldn’t have the sundae, because he had

To have enough left to leave her a tip.

4 – Fourth Important Lesson. – The obstacle in Our Path.

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a

Roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if

Anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the

King’s’ wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by

And simply walked around it.. Many loudly blamed the

King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did

Anything about getting the stone out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of

Vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the

peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the

stone to the side of the road. After much pushing

and straining, he finally succeeded. After the

peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed

a purse lying in the road where the boulder had

been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note

from the King indicating that the gold was for the

person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The

peasant learned what many of us never understand!

Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve

our condition.

5 – Fifth Important Lesson – Giving When it Counts…

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a

hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who

was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only

chance of recovery appeared to be a blood

transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had

miraculously survived the same disease and had

developed the antibodies needed to combat the

illness. The doctor explained the situation to her

little brother, and asked the little boy if he would

be willing to give his blood to his sister.

I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a

deep breath and saying, “Yes I’ll do it if it will save

her.” As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed

next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing

the color returning to her cheek. Then his face

grew pale and his smile faded.

He looked up at the doctor and asked with a

trembling voice, “Will I start to die right away”.

Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the

doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his

sister all of his blood in order to save her.

6 – Sixth Important Lesson – Debt-

“There are two ways to conquer and enslave a nation…

One is by sword…

….another is by debt.”

John Adams 1826

–Joe Smith

[page break]

NEWS FROM THE WINDY CITY--In the past 20 years, Windy City-Fox Motorsports has expanded to 15 locations in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. To develop new customers, the Chicago-based operation also runs Chicago Motorcycle School, Chicago Motorcycle Rentals and Chicago Motorcycle Tours to keep more riders actively engaged. Given this horsepower, the flagship dealership Chicago Harley-Davidson was looking for a little star power for their latest promotion.

Who better to boldly take them where no dealer has gone before than Captain James T. Kirk himself, William Shatner? The Star Trek actor’s personal 2019 LiveWire is being auctioned off. “This is my very own bike. I hope you love it as much as I do,” says Shatner.

In addition to signing the title over, the Boston Legal star will also autograph the tank and treat the winner to lunch in LA for a once in a lifetime conversation. Bid on brunch and the bike here:

https://www.chicagoharley.com/shatner

ABOUT VOTING IN NOVEMBER– ___________________________I’m not voting for Trump, Per Se

To answer all of those who would say: “I can’t believe you would vote for Trump.”

Well folks listen up! I’m not voting for him as a person.

I’m voting for the Second Amendment.

I’m voting for the next Supreme Court Justice.

I’m voting for the Electoral College, and the Republic we live in.

I’m voting for the Police, and Law and Order.

I’m voting for the Military, and the Veterans who fought for and died for their Country.

I’m voting for the Flag that is always missing from the Democrat Party background.

I’m voting for the right to speak my opinion and not be censored—the First Amendment.

I’m voting for secure borders.

I’m voting for the right to praise my God without fear.

I’m voting for Freedom and the American Dream.

I’m voting for good and against evil.

I’m not just voting for one person, Donald Trump, I’m voting for the future of my Country!

Come to think of it, because of what I believe in I have no choice, I’m voting for Trump, because he supports everything I believe in.

What are you voting for?

–El Waggs
Associate Editor
Bikernet.com™

DAVID UHL HELPS MA BIKERS–
Winners of the “MA Bikers Helping Bikers Art Raffle” have been presented the David Uhl signed limited editions earlier this month after the August 30th drawing, as live streamed on the Boston Biker Facebook Page.

Art Raffle Winner Curt with PC Memorial Colors.jpg and Mike S., past North Shore Riders member now out of Kittery, Maine won the “Acknowledged” original which was also signed by Tim Chambers, presented at the Chop Shop Pub in Seabrook, NH – with owner and co-founder of Rolling Thunder, NH Chapter Bill Niland.

Art Raffle Winner Mike S with Bill and PC opening prize Acknowledged.jpg

Both prints were a part of David Uhl’s “Rolling Thunder 2018” series, and originally were to be presented to the winners by David Uhl at the 97th Laconia Motorcycle Week Rally. However, due to June postponement and then additional restrictions imposed by NH’s official, raffle organizer Paul W. Cote of Check Twice Signs and one of the co-founders / President of the 20-year nonprofit Massachusetts Motorcyclists Survivor’s Funds and the Uhl Studios Team decided 2020 was not the best time to bring David’s collections to Laconia. All raffles are permitted by the City of Amesbury and run in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Massachusetts Lottery Commission.

Plans are underway for David Uhl’s exhibition with Check Twice Signs and Bikers Helping Bikers at 2021’s – 98th year Laconia Rally. See David’s collection of art at www.UhlStudios.com.

Next Bikers Helping Bikers Raffle now underway –
lottery ticker Raffle tickers available here poster.jpg

“It Only Takes One !” Massachusetts Lottery Scratch Tickets, – 5 winners –
Drawing November 20th – need not be present to win
$20 / chance or buy five and get ONE FREE ENTRY (6 total)

Only 2,020 chances available –

1st Prize 220 $2 tickets; 2nd Prize 220 $1 tickets; 3rd Prize twenty $20 tickets; 4th Prize 20 – $10 tickets; and 5th Prize 20 – $5 tickets. Only 2,020 chances available –

Tickets Available with our SUPER Supporters, and securely on-line at . . .
https://massmsf.org/it-only-takes-one-to-win-1m-raffle-2020/
http://www.thesurvivorsfund.com/
http://www.checktwice-savealife.com/lottery-raffle-2020/
http://citizenbikerpac.com/lottery-raffle-2020/

QUICK, OPEN THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY–
I was at the checkout of a local Walmart.
The cashier rang up $46.64 charges.
I gave her a fifty-dollar bill. She gave me back $46.64.
I gave the money back to her and told her that she
had made a mistake in MY favor.

She became indignant and informed me she was educated and knew what she was doing, and she returned the money again.

I gave her the money back — same scenario!
I departed the store with the $46.64.
They Walk Among Us! …..

I walked into a Starbucks with a
buy-one-get-one-free coupon for a Grande Latte.
I handed it to the girl and she looked over at
a little chalkboard that said ‘buy one-get one free.’
“They’re already buy-one- get-one-free,” she said,
“so I guess they’re both free.”

She handed me my free lattes, and I walked out the door.

They Walk Among Us! …..

One day I was walking down the beach with some friends, when one of them shouted, “Look at that dead bird!”
Someone looked up at the sky and asked, “Where?”

They Walk Among Us! …..

While looking at a house, my brother asked the real estate agent which direction was north; because, he explained, he didn’t want the sun waking him up every morning.

She asked, “Does the sun rise in the north?”

When my brother explained that the sun rises in the East, and has for sometime; she shook her head and said, “Oh I don’t keep up with all that stuff.”

They Walk Among Us!! …..

I used to work in technical support for a 24/7 call center.
One day I got a call from an individual who asked
what hours the call center was open.

I told him, “The number you dialed is open
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”

He responded, “Is that Eastern or Pacific time?”

Wanting to end the call quickly, I said, “Uh, Pacific.”

They Walk Among Us! …..

My sister has a lifesaving tool in her car
designed to cut through a seat belt if she gets trapped.
She keeps it in the trunk.

They Walk Among Us! …..

My friends and I went out to buy beer and noticed
that the cases were discounted 10%.
Since it was a big party, we bought two cases.
The cashier multiplied two times 10%
and gave us a 20% discount.

They Walk Among Us! …..

I couldn’t find my luggage at the airport baggage area.
So, I went to the lost luggage office and
told the woman there that my bags never showed up.
She smiled and told me not to worry because
she was a trained professional, and I was in good hands.

“Now,” she asked me, “has your plane arrived yet?”

So I replied, “No Ma’am, The Pilot told us we’re circling the airport, 3rd in line to land” …..

They Walk Among Us! …..

While working at a pizza place, I observed
a man ordering a small pizza to go.
He appeared to be alone, and the cook asked him
if he would like it cut into four pieces or six..

He thought about it for some time before responding.
“Just cut it into four pieces.

I don’t think I’m hungry enough to eat six pieces.”

Yep, they walk among us…. bless their hearts

–Sam Burns
Certified Librarian
Bandit’s Cantina™

CHECKING ON BOB DRON– I don’t know. I checked to see if he was active on Facebook but hasn’t been since 2018. He is around, what 76 or 77? What a career. The ACE site was last posted in 2019. The Dron story would be a great article.

–SB

IS THE OFFICIAL COVID-19 DEATH TOLL ACCURATE?”
SEPTEMBER 17, 2020
By James Agresti
Originally posted on Just Facts Daily
The facts show that neither side has an airtight case, but the evidence is more consistent with the theory that less people have died from C-19 than the official figures indicate

Overview

Roughly two-thirds of U.S. residents don’t believe the CDC’s official tally for the number of Covid-19 deaths. This distrust, however, flows in opposing directions. A nationally representative survey conducted by Axios/Ipsos in late July 2020 found that 37% of adults think the real number of C-19 fatalities in the U.S. is lower than reported, while 31% think the true death toll is greater than reported.

The facts show that neither side has an airtight case, but the evidence is more consistent with the theory that less people have died from C-19 than the official figures indicate. Nevertheless, the extent of the possible overcount is unknown, and even if it were as high as 50,000, it would not make a marked difference in key measures of the pandemic’s severity. Hence, debates over the accuracy of the death toll distract from other issues with much greater implications.

Excess Deaths

The main argument of those who claim that the official C-19 death tally is an undercount is based on a factor called “excess deaths.” This is defined as the total number of deaths from all causes during the pandemic minus the number of deaths that would normally occur at this time of the year.

In the words of the Government Accountability Office, “Examining higher-than-expected deaths from all causes helps to address limitations in the reporting of Covid-19 deaths because the number of total deaths is likely more accurate than the numbers of deaths from specific causes.”

U.S. death certificate data shows that the rise in deaths during the pandemic has indeed been greater than the number of reported C-19 deaths. Some jump to the conclusion that these additional fatalities must be C-19 deaths that were not recorded as such, but a broad array of data indicates that the bulk or all of them are caused by societal reactions to C-19—instead of the disease itself.

For a prime example of how people misconstrue this issue, CNN’s chief media correspondent, Brian Stelter, reported on August 16:

We are likely to see the 170,000 mark crossed today—confirmed deaths from Covid-19. But researchers have looked at the actual number of excess deaths in this country—estimated deaths above the norm—and they say it’s closer to 200,000 so far this year. So the real actual death toll from Covid-19 is around 200,000. We have to constantly remind viewers that it’s even worse than we know. It’s even worse than the data indicate.

First, Stelter is wrong that this figure is for “confirmed” deaths. It is actually for “confirmed” plus “suspected” deaths. Those exact words come from the CDC’s official guidance for certifying C-19 deaths, which was published on April 3. On the same day Stelter made this claim, the CDC’s website stated that its C-19 “case counts and death counts” have included “both confirmed and probable cases and deaths” since April 14. In other words, Stelter misrepresented the essence of the data even though this accounting change was in effect for four full months.

The impact of including probable deaths in the count is evidenced by how the CDC altered its website when it adopted this methodology. Two days after the new method of counting deaths was implemented, the CDC updated its website twice (instead of its usual once-per-day update) to incorporate this revision. The changes it made on that day (April 16) provide a rough sense of scale for how the new policy modified the death toll:

Before any updates, the CDC reported that 24,582 people had died from C-19 as of April 14.
On the first update, the CDC reported that 27,012 people had died from C-19 as of April 15, including 22,871 “confirmed” and 4,141 “probable.”
On the second update, the CDC reported that 31,071 people had died from C-19 as of April 15, including 26,930 “confirmed” and 4,141 “probable.”
Taken at face value, the second update shows that CDC’s insertion of “probable” cases raised the death count from 26,930 to 31,071, or by 15%. From a more skeptical standpoint, the difference between the 22,871 “confirmed” deaths on the first update and the 31,071 “confirmed and probable” deaths on the second update amounts to a 36% rise caused by these bookkeeping modifications.

More significantly, Stelter failed to reveal that scholars who conduct research on excess deaths have found that multitudes of them have been caused by lockdowns, panic, and other responses to the pandemic. In July 2020, the Journal of the American Medical Association published a paper regarding this matter by researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University and Yale University. An article about the study from Virginia Commonwealth University summarizes its findings and quotes the researchers as follows:

Some excess deaths “may reflect under-reporting” or “patients with Covid-19 who died from related complications,” “but a third possibility, the one we’re quite concerned about is” the “spillover effects of the pandemic, such as delayed medical care, economic hardship or emotional distress.”
In the five states that that had the most Covid-19 deaths in March and April:
stroke deaths were 35% above normal.
Alzheimer’s deaths were 64% above normal.
heart disease deaths were 89% above normal.
diabetes deaths were 96% above normal.

“New York City’s death rates alone rose a staggering 398% from heart disease and 356% from diabetes.”
“Still others may have struggled to deal with the consequences of job loss or social isolation.”

“A number of people struggling with depression, addiction and very difficult economic conditions caused by lockdowns may have become increasingly desperate, and some may have died by suicide. People addicted to opioids and other drugs may have overdosed.”

“The findings from” the “study confirm an alarming trend across the U.S., where community members experiencing a health emergency are staying home—a decision that can have long-term, and sometimes fatal, consequences.”

Numerous other facts corroborate the ones above, a small sampling of which includes the following:

A scientific survey commissioned by the American College of Emergency Physicians in April 2020 found that 29% of adults have “actively delayed or avoided seeking medical care due to concerns about contracting” C-19.
A California-based ABC News station reported in May:
“Doctors at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek say they have seen more deaths by suicide during this quarantine period than deaths from the Covid-19 virus.”
Mike deBoisblanc, head of the trauma unit at the hospital stated that he’s “seen a year’s worth of suicide attempts in the last four weeks,” and “mental health is suffering so much” that he says “it is time to end the shelter-in-place order.”

A scientific survey conducted by the CDC in July 2020 found that about 32% of U.S. adults had “symptoms of anxiety disorder” as compared to 8% around the same time last year. The perils of this are underscored by a 2015 meta-analysis in the Journal of the American Medical Association Psychiatry, which found that the overall risk of death among people with anxiety is 43% higher than the general population.

A study published by the American Medical Association in September 2020 found that 27.8% of U.S. adults had symptoms of depression during the C-19 pandemic as compared to 8.5% before the pandemic. The same 2015 meta-analysis found that depression is associated with a 71% higher risk of death.

An article published by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco estimated that “more than 20 million jobs” were “swept away” in the early months of the C-19 pandemic. A 2011 meta-analysis in the journal Social Science & Medicine about mortality, “psychosocial stress,” and job losses found that “unemployment is associated with a 63% higher risk of mortality in studies controlling for covariates.”

A study published by Just Facts in May 2020 found that anxiety related to C-19 will ultimately destroy at least seven times more years of life than can possibly be saved by lockdowns. With regard to this study, the accomplished psychiatrist Joseph P. Damore, Jr. wrote that it “thoroughly answers the question about the cure being worse than the disease.”

Thus, many or all of the excess deaths that Stelter and others attribute to C-19 are caused by the actions of governments and media outlets. These include but are not limited to stay-at-home orders, business shutdowns, and pervasive misinformation that fuels ill-informed decisions, panic, and depression.

Evidence of Over-counting

Several lines of evidence prove that some deaths included in the official C-19 tally were, in fact, not caused by C-19. However, the combined weight of this evidence is not enough to prove that the reported death toll is significantly greater than the actual one.

Four weeks after the World Health Organization declared C-19 a pandemic, Dr. Deborah Birx, the coordinator of the White House Covid-19 task force, stated that the U.S. is taking a “a very liberal approach” to counting C-19 deaths compared to “some countries.” She then explained that “if someone dies with Covid-19, we are counting that as a Covid-19 death.” Notably, that standard does not distinguish between dying from Covid-19 and dying with Covid-19.

In the wake of Birx’s statement, various government officials revealed exactly how they were implementing this “very liberal approach”:

A Michigan news article reported in April:
“In Macomb County, Chief Medical Examiner Daniel Spitz had a recent case in which an individual died by suicide. Because they had a family member in the hospital suffering from Covid-19, Spitz had a postmortem test done and found that the individual who died at home was positive for Covid-19. The virus wasn’t their cause of death, but the individual is counted as a Covid-19 death.”
In Oakland County, “every individual who has died while infected with Covid-19 has counted as a coronavirus death, according to Dr. Ljubisa J. Dragovic, the county’s chief medical examiner.”

Ngozi Ezike, director of Illinois Department of Public Health stated during a April press conference:
If “you were in hospice and had already been given a few weeks to live, and then you were also found to have Covid, that would be counted as a Covid death. It means that technically, even if you died of a clear alternate cause, but you still had Covid at the time, it’s still listed as a Covid death.”

“So everyone who’s listed as a Covid death doesn’t mean that was the cause of the death, but they had Covid at the time of death.”

A month later, Ezike said that the Department of Public Health was partly unwinding its previous policy but some of it would remain in place:

We are “trying to remove those obvious cases” from the C-19 death tally “where the Covid diagnosis was not the reason for the death. If there was a gunshot wound, if there was a motor vehicle accident, we know that that was not related to the Covid positive status.”

If “someone has another illness, like heart disease, and then had a stroke or other event, it’s not as easy to separate that and say Covid didn’t exacerbate that existing illness. That would not be removed from the count.”

“Even if somebody was very elderly and they were maybe in hospice, we still can’t say that their Covid infection didn’t hasten the death, and so it’s relevant that Covid-19 maybe had a chance to accelerate that process.”

A Colorado-based CBS news station reported in April:
The “Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has reclassified three deaths at a Centennial nursing home as Covid-19 deaths, despite the fact attending physicians ruled all three were not related to coronavirus.”

A spokesman for the state explained that it “follows the CDC’s case definition of Covid-19 cases and deaths,” and “when a person with a lab-confirmed case of Covid-19 dies, their death is automatically counted as a Covid-19 death unless there is another cause that completely rules out Covid-19, such as a fatal physical injury.”
The same CBS news station reported in May about a death in Colorado where C-19 was completely ruled out, but the state counted it anyway:

A man was found dead with blood alcohol content about twice the level that is potentially fatal, and Montezuma County Coroner George Deavers ruled that he died of alcohol poisoning.

Colorado’s Department of Public Health and Environment classified the case as a C-19 fatality because the man tested positive for C-19 after his death.

The coroner stated: “Yes, he did have Covid, but that is not what took his life.”

In Florida during July:
A local Fox news station asked Dr. Raul Pino, the health officer of Orange County, if two people in their twenties who had allegedly died of Covid-19 had any preexisting conditions. Pino replied: “The first one didn’t have any. He died in a motorcycle accident.”

Two days after the news station published this story, Pino’s office said the case “was reviewed,” and the person “was taken off the list for Covid fatalities.”

Officials of the Maricopa County, Arizona Public Health Department stated in August:

“Even if it’s not listed on their death certificate, anyone who has a Covid-19 positive test within a certain period of when they died, is also counted as a Covid-19 positive death.”

If a person dies in a car crash and tested positive for C-19 in the prior 60 days, “Yes, the death would be added” to the C-19 death tally because “it is important to understand who died WITH the disease even if the disease was not the CAUSE of death. Obviously, fatal accidents are a small subset of the total.”

Short of scrutinizing every alleged C-19 death or a truly representative sample of them, there is no way to tell how many cases like those above are part of the official tally. However, certain evidence suggests they are not a large portion of the total:

Contrary to Birx’s statement in March, the CDC issued guidance in early April that states: “Not all conditions present at the time of death have to be reported—only those conditions that actually contributed to death.”
The CDC posted that guidance on April 3 when the official C-19 death count was 5,443 people, or less than one-thirtieth of the current tally. Thus, whatever happened prior to then can’t have a major impact on the total.

Some states instruct people who fill out death certificates to exclude C-19 if it didn’t play an active role in the fatality. Mississippi, for instance, says: “If Covid-19 was unrelated to the cause of death and not a contributing factor, it should not be included” on the death certificate.
On the other hand, the CDC’s guidance and other government policies still incentivize or stack the deck in favor of including C-19 on death certificates. For example:

The state of Alaska instructs medical professionals to report C-19 deaths according to this standard: “Whether Covid-19 shortened a life by 15 years or 15 minutes; whether Covid-19 is an underlying or contributing condition, the virus was in circulation, infected an Alaskan, and hastened their death. This must be reported.” Given the impossibility of determining if C-19 shortened a life by 15 minutes, these instructions favor placing C-19 on the death certificates of people who died with or after C-19 but not necessarily from C-19.

The CDC’s guidance for certifying C-19 deaths provides three examples of how to record them on death certificates, one of which involves an 86-year-old female who was never tested for C-19, had a debilitating stroke three years prior to her death, and passed on with “a high fever and severe cough after being exposed to an ill family member who subsequently was diagnosed with Covid-19.”

The guidance states the “underlying cause of death,” or the pivotal factor that led to her death, should be listed as “Probable Covid-19.” However, many other diseases can cause a fever and cough, and a recent CDC study shows it is not uncommon for people to display symptoms of C-19 but test negative for it.

The federal CARES Act, which became law in late March, pays hospitals a 20% premium for treating Medicare patients who are diagnosed with C-19. Until recently, a positive lab test for C-19 was not needed to obtain this money, but the federal government added this requirement in September “to address potential Medicare program integrity risks….” Note that C-19 need not appear on a death certificate for hospitals to receive these payments, so it may not influence decisions to include it.

The Mississippi Department of Health states: “If the patient was a confirmed Covid-19 case, but Covid-19 contributed to but did not cause the death, such as stroke,” C-19 should be listed in Part II of the death certificate. This again favors placing C-19 on death certificates, for as the director of Illinois Department of Public Health said: If “someone has another illness, like heart disease, and then had a stroke or other event, it’s not as easy to separate that and say Covid didn’t exacerbate that existing illness.” Note that the CDC includes in its C-19 death tally all death certificates that mention C-19, regardless of whether it appears in Part I or Part II.

A breakdown of how many C-19 deaths appear in Part I versus Part II might shed considerable light on the issue of C-19’s lethality. This is because Part I of a death certificate “is for reporting the sequence of conditions that led directly to death,” while Part II is for “other significant conditions that contributed to the death, but are not a part of the sequence of conditions directly leading to the death.” Thus, Just Facts requested such data from the CDC on September 11 and is awaiting a reply.

Summary

Media outlets have persistently reported on the number of C-19 deaths while ignoring vital facts that place them in context. A simple example of this is that 2.8 million people die in the U.S. every year, including about 170,000 from accidents. Also, of great import, accidents rob an average of 30.6 years of life from each of its victims, as compared to roughly 10.8 years for C-19. Yet in contrast, media outlets don’t continually publicize the running death tally from accidents.

This focus on the raw number of C-19 fatalities—combined with the fact that the very nature of the disease makes these figures uncertain—has spurred controversy over the accuracy of the CDC’s death count. Adding fuel to the fire, the statements and actions of some public officials show clear evidence of overcounting.

But even if the real death toll is 50,000 less than the 200,000 deaths currently reported by the CDC, this 25% difference would have little effect on key measures of the pandemic’s severity.

Consider, for example, the infection fatality rate, which is the portion of people who die after catching the disease. In early March, the World Health Organization announced that “about 3.4% of reported Covid-19 cases have died” and that “by comparison, seasonal flu generally kills far fewer than 1% of those infected.” This 3.4% figure was widely reported, and many media outlets criticized President Trump for saying, “I think the 3.4% is really a false number,” and “I would say the number is way under 1%.”

As it turned out, Trump was correct, and the Center for Evidence-Based Medicine at the University of Oxford now estimates that the infection fatality rate for C-19 is “somewhere between 0.1% and 0.41%.” This is well below 1%, just as Trump stated, and within range of the flu’s infection fatality rate of 0.15%. So even if C-19 deaths are over-counted by 25%, and this exaggerates the fatality rates by the same amount, they would still be 0.1% to 0.3%—or practically unchanged.

Likewise, the CDC’s current best estimates for the infection fatality rate range from 0.003% for people aged 0–19 to 5.4% for people aged 70 and above. Again, a 25% change in these figures would leave them in the same ballpark.

Thus, debates over the death count are a distraction from more informative measures like the odds of dying from C-19 for those who catch it. In this case, the highly publicized figure of 3.4% proved to be off by about a factor of 10. That is a major factor that truly informs the big picture.

From an even broader perspective, the most comprehensive available measure of the threat posed by Covid-19 is the total years of life that it will rob from all people who were alive at the outset of 2020. This crucial measure accounts for the facts that:

There is a material difference between a malady that kills a 20 year-old in the prime of her life and one that kills a 90-year-old who would have otherwise died a month later.

Covid-19 is unlikely to have an ongoing high death toll because the virus that causes it mutates much less substantially than that of the flu and other contagious diseases. Thus, it is far less likely to keep taking lives in the face of acquired immunity and vaccines.

In the context of this broad measure, debates over the actual death toll amount to rounding errors in the relative threats posed by Covid-19 and other common scourges that take masses of lives every year:

In conclusion, the facts of this matter accord with a Government Accountability Office technology assessment published in July that found: “The extent of any net undercounting or overcounting of Covid-19 deaths is unknown.” More importantly, debates over the accuracy of this figure divert attention from other issues that have much greater implications for understanding the pandemic and how it should be addressed.

[Originally posted on Just Facts Daily]

–from the Heartland Institute

See, motorcycles and freedom work.–Bandit

[page break]

CHOPPER EXCHANGE TRYING TO SURVIVE– Just like most other businesses, ChopperExchange experienced a healthy dose of panic and uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic. As dealers started to suspend operations in mid-March due to state mandates, some also paused their accounts with ChopperExchange. Every day brought new uncertainty. No one knew what was next. Things were not looking good, even for an online motorcycle marketplace with no physical store locations.

Five months later and things are starting to look up, in a big way. ChopperExchange saw a 42% increase in buyer inquiries during the April – July period. Bikes listed on ChopperExchange started selling like hotcakes. Typically, the website has around 25,000 American motorcycles listed for sale. Currently, it’s down to 13,000, which is a 48% decrease from this time last year.

“This is huge for us and the industry as a whole,” claims Doug Perry, the company’s Dealer Account Manager. “It matches what we’re hearing from dealers across the country. People are looking for fun things to do outside. They are buying motorcycles, ATVs, RVs, etc.” And they are buying online.

To help motorcycle dealers across the U.S. and Canada reach more online shoppers during the fall/winter season, ChopperExchange is launching a special dealer account offering at a discounted price between now and January 31st, 2021. If you are interested in signing up for a dealer account, contact Doug Perry at (800) 523-7274 x285 or doug@chopperexchange.com

–Dealernews

LE PERA ACCESSORY OF THE WEEK– Le Pera Blanket Roll

The Le Pera Leather Strapped Blanket Roll is designed to be minimalistic yet easy to use. The two 1” leather belts are riveted to the universal mounting strap. Provided mounting straps make it easy to fit onto any motorcycle.

Measures 14” wide by 6” round when rolled up tight
Includes (2)14” x ½” and (1) 28” x ½” leather belt strap for universal mounting options
Made of 10-11 ounce thick full grain leather straps
Vat dyed black so the color goes all the way through the leather
Tanned to be UV and water resistant so leather doesn’t fade, spot or swell
Sewn with heavy-duty nylon thread and reinforced with rivets at stress points
Stainless steel roller buckles for reliable operation
Blanket measures approximately 72” x 54”
Made in the USA and built to last!

Regular price $120.00

Part #: L-SBR

KEEP BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY WIDE OPEN–Holy Prostitutes

A man is driving down a deserted stretch of highway when he notices a sign out of the corner of his eye….It reads:

SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS
HOUSE OF PROSTITUTION
10 MILES

He thinks this is a figment of his imagination and drives on without a second thought….

Soon he sees another sign which reads:

SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS
HOUSE OF PROSTITUTION
5 MILES

Suddenly he begins to realize that these signs are for real and drives past a third sign saying:

SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS
HOUSE OF PROSTITUTION
NEXT RIGHT

His curiosity gets the best of him and he pulls into the drive. On the far side of the parking lot is a stone building with a small sign next to the door reading:

SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS

He climbs the steps and rings the bell. The door is answered by a nun in a long black habit who asks, ‘What may we do for you my son?’

He answers, ‘I saw your signs along the highway and was interested in possibly doing business…’

‘Very well my son. Please follow me.’ He is led through many winding passages and is soon quite disoriented.

The nun stops at a closed door and tells the man, ‘Please knock on this door.’

He does so and another nun in a long habit, holding a tin cup answers the door. This nun instructs, ‘Please place $100 in the cup then go through the large wooden door at the end of the hallway.’

He puts $100 in the cup, eagerly trots down the hall and slips through the door pulling it shut behind him.

The door locks, and he finds himself back in the parking lot facing another sign:

GO IN PEACE. YOU HAVE JUST BEEN SCREWED BY THE SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS.

SERVES YOU RIGHT, YOU SINNER.

–El Waggs

POTENTIAL BIKERNET TEXAS TECH–Tach Install Maybe?

Took the mini tach I bought for the Dyna, there’s a spot between 3rd & 4th or 4th/5th I don’t recall. Seems like too low/too highly on the engine. Read about changing pulleys, but really want to convert her to a chain.

So, I put the tach on the Shovelhead with a message to those asking if I’m gonna actually hook it up this time…maybe? Don’t remember where the hand came from, usually on my toolbox for constant tool borrowers when I was a shop monkey.

Just happened upon this “washer” in my dad’s toolbox, I’m always collecting stray stuff like that, turns out it is my old 4-speed spring compressing washer. Gave it to him at the beginning of the5 year Corvette phase.

–RFR

BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT WEEKLY HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT–Amazing English

*WHEN BODY PARTS ARE USED AS VERBS*

Many parts of the body can be used as verbs in either a physical or a metaphorical sense.

You can *head* a company, but if things go wrong you’ll have to *shoulder* the blame, or *face* your investors.
A good leader will *back* his employees, but if you don’t *toe* the line the management can *skin* you.
Did you *muscle* your way into that job?
You might *eye* someone suspiciously, or wait for the police to *finger* a suspect.
But if you need to get out of town, you can *thumb* a ride or you can ride with me if you can *stomach* the thought.
Use strong *arm* tactic if you want to *elbow* out someone.
I don’t always sing along with the radio, but I sometimes do *mouth* the words.

That’s Amazing English !!

–Wayfarer
Professor Emeritus
Bikernet University

LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK--2013 Harley-Davidson FLTRX – Road Glide Custom for $16,995.00

See it here: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=9394388

This bike is a great looking Road Glide Matte Black with cool pin striping

ONLY 19125.00 Miles !!!!!

2013 Matte Black Harley-Davidson ROAD GLIDE TOURING FLTRX

Some of the features/Add-on’s on this bike

* 18 inch Ape hangers
* Rinehart Slip-on’s
* Pin striping
* 103 C.I.
* 6 Speed
* Low profile hark smoked windshield

This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 101 point safety and mechanical inspection. Whether your 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!!!

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Just $16995.00 at Lifestyle Cycles (714) 490-0155

DAV ALERT--Unemployment Relief Funds ‘put food on the table’ for pandemic affected veterans

Air Force veteran Amber Frymark watched as income from her veteran-owned business slowed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, business insurance, storage fees and administrative costs were still due. Scheduled demos of her award-winning product — a beverage enhancer that adds health, hydration and flavor to beverages — which were main sales channels for her business, were cancelled due to social-distancing.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many ill and injured veterans, like Amber, found themselves out of work or at risk of losing their disabled veteran-owned small businesses. The bottom line was that veterans and their families were losing income, and DAV had to find a way to help them put food on the table and pay their bills. Urgent needs warranted immediate actions

Within days, DAV launched an emergency campaign to raise critical funds for the DAV COVID-19 Unemployment Relief Program, and generous supporters stepped up to help. Those funds made a difference to Amber, and to many other disabled veterans.

“The DAV relief fund enabled me to pay some of my disabled veteran small business bills,” says Amber. “DAV has felt like a long, lost brotherhood since I came home from service. DAV has been there for my many steps of the way. Their faith in me has empowered me to empower other veterans.”

As of August 17th, more than 6,500 disabled veterans have been approved for $250 in emergency relief funds. And if you’ve ever wondered about the impact of $250 in a time of crises, be assured that those dollars matter in the life of a veteran in need.

Malia D., a service-connected Coast Guard veteran who takes care of her grandchildren, was at risk of having her utilities turned off and watched as overdue bills mounted.

“I had no idea that the DAV offered financial assistance,” Malia D. a service-connected Coast Guard veteran told us. “During the pandemic, I had $42 in my checking account, a utility cutoff notice and overdue bills. It was another ten days before I would get my monthly VA disability check.”

Malia rationed the food she ate so that her grandson didn’t go without.

“My grandson asked if I was eating, because I had no food in the refrigerator and, when I ate, my portion size was smaller than his,” she says. “The DAV check came just in time. I was able to pay a bill and buy food. The process to request funds was easy and quick. DAV does more than buy trucks. Thank you for making a difference!”

For many ill and injured veterans, their own medical conditions meant they were particularly vulnerable to the virus, and that risk impacted their ability to work.

Kathleen, a disabled Navy veteran in Florida and a private duty nurse with many geriatric patients, found that the pandemic meant she could no longer take patients because of her own health condition, which put her in a high-risk category. Continuing work could also put her son, who has asthma, at risk. Absent the scope of work and income that she depended on, it wasn’t long before the money to feed her three middle schoolers was exhausted.

“The COVID Relief Fund I was awarded all went to food—all of it,” says Kathleen. “I was able to buy food…I didn’t have to worry about how I was going to feed my three teenagers! I volunteer for an organization that feeds families who are struggling, and I never thought that would be me, but it was. I am very grateful for the relief fund and so were my children. God bless you all.”

When John, a disabled Army veteran in Kentucky, reached out to DAV for relief funds, he found the quick response to be “remarkable” and a “huge stress relief” to his financial circumstances.

“The fact that DAV COVID Relief Fund is open to all eligible disabled veterans regardless of DAV membership affiliation, confirms how the DAV organization unbiasedly prioritizes the need of the veteran and not our membership status.”

Richard Lilljedahl, a retired disabled veteran with more than 22 years of service in both the Navy and Army and who last deployed to Iraq in 2007, saw his family-owned business impacted by the pandemic. With two teenage children, one in college, the relief funds mattered greatly to him and his family.

“This has been such a challenging time, and words cannot begin to express the thanks I send to DAV on behalf of myself, my wife and my two children,” Richard writes in a thank-you message to DAV. “Your assistance during this extremely difficult time in our lives has helped our family so much and has taken a massive weight off mine and my wife’s shoulders.”

Air Force veteran Kristopher Miller had just lost his job and thought he had another lined up, but it fell through because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The money that DAV gave me helped me put food on the table for five weeks and was instrumental in allowing me to figure out what to do,” says Kristopher. “I now have a new job and I can say I am very, very grateful to have the help from DAV.”

By March, Army veteran Kathern Hassoune and her husband were both out of work. She filed for unemployment, food assistance and medical assistance, but all were taking a while to process.

“We were still maintaining the minimum with my VA disability payments, but it was becoming a struggle,” says Kathern. “The process for the DAV assistance was so easy and quick. It was extremely helpful for us as we were able to allocate it for groceries until the other applications had finished processing.”

The gratitude expressed by these veterans is humbling, and their words are indicative of the wide scope of need that DAV works to meet for ill and injured veterans every day. When they need it most, disabled veterans must know that they can count on DAV to be there for them.

REPORT FROM SALT TORPEDO DRIVER--Stopped in Henderson one week ago.
I was in the room with our President Donald Trump!!
I told him he was doing a great job and not to sweat the Nov. election, he was a shoe in!!

–Micah McCloskey
Bonneville Pilot
5-Ball Racing Team

HERITAGE ACTION RAISES PRO-POLICE BILLBOARDS– Heritage Action for America has put up seven pro-police billboards in three major cities where police are under attack and liberal politicians have embraced “defund the police” to slash police budgets. Heritage Action Executive Director Jessica Anderson announced the billboards in an appearance on “Fox & Friends.”

“This is a time for all citizens and leaders to come together to support the important work and sacrifices of our law enforcement officers and push back against the left’s campaign to defund the police,” she said. Learn more about the billboards, where they are located, and how Heritage Action is combatting the “defund the police” movement.

NSC Estimates: U.S. Saw a 20% Jump in Motor Vehicle Death Rates in First Six Months of 2020, Despite Quarantines–Roads were deadlier even as the country drove less, according to preliminary data

Itasca, IL – Preliminary estimates from the National Safety Council based on the first six months of data from all 50 states tell an erratic story about the nation’s driving behaviors and the impact of COVID-19 on roadway safety. The U.S. experienced an estimated 20% jump in the death rate – an indicator of how safely drivers are using the roadways – between January and June 2020 compared to the same six-month period in 2019. The rate increase comes in spite of a 17% drop in the number of miles driven between January and June. The total number of deaths is up 1% from six-month figures in 2019.

According to NSC estimates, the 20% increase in the death rate is the highest jump NSC has calculated for a six-month period since 1999.

In June – when many states ended three straight months of quarantine – the number of miles driven remained 13% lower than the previous year, but death rates and number of deaths both skyrocketed. The number of deaths was up 17% in June, while the rate of death per 100 million miles driven jumped a staggering 34.4% – again indicating that the lack of traffic did not make the roads safer. June marked the first month since the pandemic that both the number of fatalities and the death rate increased in a single month.

The riskier roads threaten to reverse traffic safety gains made over the last few years. After three straight years of rising fatality numbers between 2015 and 2017, the country had been experiencing a leveling off and small decline in overall fatalities.

“Because of COVID-19 and states’ shelter-in-place orders earlier this year, the country should have reaped a safety benefit from less traffic,” said Lorraine M. Martin, president and CEO of the National Safety Council. “Instead, our soaring rate of deaths speaks to our need to improve safety on our roads. Clearly, we must work harder as a society to reverse this trend, especially since the pandemic is not nearly over.”

Through the first six months of 2020, the following seven states experienced notable decreases in the number of roadway deaths:

Wyoming (-49%, 39 fewer deaths)
Alaska (-31%, 11 fewer deaths)
Hawaii (-27%, 16 fewer deaths)
Iowa (-24%, 35 fewer deaths)
North Dakota (-20%, 9 fewer deaths)
Oregon (-19%, 41 fewer deaths)
Idaho (-16%, 15 fewer deaths)
Seven states with notable increases were:

Vermont (+91%, 10 more deaths)
Connecticut (+44%, 45 more deaths)
District of Columbia (+42%, 5 more deaths)
South Dakota (+34%, 11 more deaths)
Rhode Island (+31%, 8 more deaths)
Arkansas (+21%, 51 more deaths)
Missouri (+18%, 68 more deaths)
During this United for Infrastructure week, NSC is committed to working with partners to #RebuildBetter to improve roadway safety. To help further ensure the safety of U.S. roads, NSC urges motorists to:

Obey speed limits, even if roads are clear and traffic is light.

Practice defensive driving. Buckle up, designate a sober driver or arrange alternative transportation, get plenty of sleep to avoid fatigue, and drive attentively, avoiding distractions.

Stay engaged with teen drivers’ habits and practice with them frequently – tips are available at DriveitHOME.org
Follow state and local directives and stay off the roads if officials have directed you do to so.

Be aware of increased pedestrian and bicycle traffic, particularly in urban areas. Conversely, pedestrians and bicyclists should be careful as streets become congested again.

Organizations and employers are encouraged to join the Road to Zero Coalition, a 1,500-member group committed to eliminating roadway deaths by 2050
The National Safety Council estimates are subject to slight increases and decreases as the data mature. NSC collects fatality data every month from all 50 states and the District of Columbia and uses data from the National Center for Health Statistics, so that deaths occurring within one year of the crash and on both public and private roadways – such as parking lots and driveways – are included in the estimates. NSC motor vehicle fatality estimates and supplemental estimate information, including estimates for each state, can be found here.

Seeing an unfortunate and measurable increase in fatalities in Wisconsin, almost all can be attributed to rider skill/behavior and impaired riding incidents, easy marks for helmet and over burden safety proponents

— Doc D’Errico
Motorcycle Riders Foundation

Disappointing to be sure, but a lack of data to perform necessary analysis despite the suggested causes.

Here in Massachusetts, I’ve been trying to do correlation analysis based on similar assertions, but the data is scarce and difficult to obtain since the people who would normally maintain this stuff are way behind schedule. I think that in and of itself suggests there’s a trend or per capita analysis based on percentages of roadway users as opposed to hard numbers.

–Hardtail

Trends that seem to be contributors – at least in the North East:

A lack of traffic enforcement. It was no secret and spread quickly that law enforcement would not pull you over for a minor infraction due to COVID. Significant infractions, certainly, but not minor ones. This emboldened aggressive drivers at a minimum, and created situations where 10-15 MPH over the speed limit was no longer the norm, rather 20-30+ MPH over became the norm.
A lack of traffic in general. This contributed in the sense that denser traffic also keeps speeds down, especially in poor weather.

While it should mean fewer accidents caused by surprise braking reactions, it seemed to embolden aggressive driving which largely shouldn’t have been necessary, but left lane driving remains an opportunity for high speed swerves, it seems.

Weather. The COVID period in the Northeast was rainy for a large portion of the first 6 months. As noted above, weather plays a role in traffic accidents both in terms of causation (drivers not able to react to sudden drag or yaw caused by deep puddles) and in terms of keeping speeds lower – the latter didn’t happen this year due to a lack of traffic.

An increase in Construction Projects. Taking advantage of the lower traffic, construction that would have been done at night began popping up during the day. Ultimately beneficial, when coupled with higher speeds around construction zones and with (some) traffic slowing for construction and some not, this creates conflict.
Fatigued Drivers. With many jobs being furloughed or terminated, roadway users – whether professional roadway users or not – were (are?) hitting the roads far more fatigued than previously. Hard to correlate, but also finding that many accident reports are indicating the use of stimulants with drivers involved in serious accidents and fatalities.

As for motorcycles and motorcyclists, the accident rate continues to be high, but the fatality rate seems lower than normal for this year – at least based on publicly available reporting. The motorcyclist accident rate seems to be based on similar factors as above – the majority are speeds too high in a curve (same as usual) and passing stopped or slower traffic creating a collision – almost always passing on the left through an intersection.

–Doc

REST AND BE KIND–
“For a small amount of perspective at this moment, imagine you were born in 1900. When you are 14, World War I starts, and ends on your 18th birthday with 22 million people killed. Later in the year, a Spanish Flu epidemic hits the planet and runs until you are 20. Fifty million people die from it in those two years. Yes, 50 million.

When you’re 29, the Great Depression begins. Unemployment hits 25%, global GDP drops 27%. That runs until you are 33. The country nearly collapses along with the world economy. When you turn 39, World War II starts. You aren’t even over the hill yet.

When you’re 41, the United States is fully pulled into WWII. Between your 39th and 45th birthday, 75 million people perish in the war and the Holocaust kills six million. At 52, the Korean War starts and five million perish.

At 64 the Vietnam War begins, and it doesn’t end for many years. Four million people die in that conflict. Approaching your 62nd birthday you have the Cuban Missile Crisis, a tipping point in the Cold War. Life on our planet, as we know it, could well have ended. Great leaders prevented that from happening.

As you turn 75, the Vietnam War finally ends. Think of everyone on the planet born in 1900. How do you survive all of that? A kid in 1985 didn’t think their 85-year-old grandparent understood how hard school was. Yet those grandparents (and now great grandparents) survived through everything listed above.

Perspective is an amazing art. Let’s try and keep things in perspective. Let’s be smart, help each other out, and we will get through all of this. In the history of the world, there has never been a storm that lasted. This too, shall pass.”

Photo by Lewis Hine

COULD IT BE?—I’m also waiting to hear about Cycle Source Magazine. They went bi-monthly, produced a 90-minute documentary on Sturgis during the rally and I haven’t heard a word since. Maybe they shifted to TV.

Hang on for this. I’m going to publish my screenplay, “Splintered Road” on Bikernet. It still needs work and is currently being reviewed in Hollywood, but who the hell knows. Read it first on Bikernet or with Books in Bandit’s Cantina.

I needed something to ride around LA and started to center on a 2019 FXDR, but from a state other than California. Hell, motorcycles could be banned next week. Besides I need to raise the dinero.

Then I looked at the FXR I built and was selling to my Son, Frank. The covid messed with his payments. I asked if I could buy it back. “I need a rider.” He was very cool with that.

I spoke to Paughco about checking the girder. I will call Paul Cavallo, Spitfire this week from Spitfire Motorcycles. He said he would fix my grandson’s, but that hasn’t happened. I wish he would come clean. I dig this bike and just want to ride it and write good things about it.

The rear wheel kept going flat, so I removed it yesterday. I’m going to take it to the local motorcycle tire shop. It’s cool and devoted only to motorcycle wheels and tires. I discovered something with my van recently. A tire leaked air. I took it to have it serviced. They couldn’t find anything wrong so replaced the valve stem. I may have a similar issue. I hope so.

As it turns out the tire was fine, they cleaned it and installed a tube. It wouldn’t start. I checked the wiring and took the Wire Plus speedo off. It never worked properly. I’ll look for an electronic speedo idiot light replacement.

The carb is clogged, and the accelerator pump isn’t working. That will be the project for this Friday. Hope to ride this weekend.

Remember, ride fast and free forever.

–Bandit

Hey,

Here we go. The 5-Ball Racing Team lost a member this week. Ray C. Wheeler fought off death numerous times in the last 20 years. He succeeded right up until this week. It’s an interesting time, because many of the brothers I hear from are at Ray’s age in his mid-70s including myself. It’s a decision point for many, whether to keep working or stop and how much activity can we still deliver accurately and effectively.

Some brothers are forced to keep going. They don’t have the financial wherewithal to kick back. I remember a brother saying, “Fuck that union gig!” Other brothers refused to pay into social security. It comes back to haunt them big time. But there’s a chrome side to the equation for us grubby bikers in the motorcycle industry. We love what we do. Every day is a play day full of creativity and adventure. We’re still having a blast.

Hell, yesterday I was trying to get my stretched FXR running again. I took off the CV carb float bowl and fixed it. I fixed the accelerator pump and it would pop but not run. I knew I had to take the carb off and clean the jets.

Of course, mad man Jeremiah reminded me five times, before I threw him out of the shop. The jets were a mess, but when I put it back together, it immediately ran like a top. I took it for a test ride yesterday around the block, in Eddie Trotta style. It was cool enough, so I rode it to the Post Office to deliver a package. When I returned to the shop, I noticed the rear brakes weren’t working well. I check the fluid and adjusted the brakes.

Another test ride on Friday. 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.

SADDLEMEN SEAT OF THE WEEK– 2018-2020 FXBB Softail Pro Series SDC Performance Gripper Seat

By now you know GELcore™ is the easiest way to improve your comfort and extend your ride time by up to 400%. Saddlemen’s exclusive technology is the upgrade you deserve – Easy to install and scientifically proven to outperform any foam seat on the market.

As the 1# Gel Seat manufacturer, we offer hundreds of styles and fitments, making more comfort available through dealerships worldwide or just a click or call away!

The Saddlemen Pro Series provides the most sought out builders and athletes a platform to create adrenalin driven designs that distinguish and complement their builds. Now available to you, this same look can provide the same inspiration to your build.

Chip and Mikey from San Diego Customs are well known for their beautifully built precision machines, and with the creation of the SDC Performance Gripper Seat, it will provide miles of comfort and a good deal of attitude! Don’t settle for second best; the SDC Performance Gripper Seat will go the distance for you.

Brand Fitment: Harley-Davidson
Model Fitment: FXBB Softail Streetbob
Year Fitment: 2018-2020
Color: Black with Black Stitching

THE CALIFORNIA THREAT–California Is Done With Cars And Emissions By 2035

I saw this reported in various places as a ban on internal-combustion-engine cars, but that isn’t quite right — the actual order by California Governor Gavin Newsom is that new cars sold in California by 2035 must emit zero emissions. That describes electric cars, of course, but also allows room for creativity.

From Newsom’s office:
The transportation sector is responsible for more than half of all of California’s carbon pollution, 80 percent of smog-forming pollution and 95 percent of toxic diesel emissions – all while communities in the Los Angeles Basin and Central Valley see some of the dirtiest and most toxic air in the country.
[…]
Following the order, the California Air Resources Board will develop regulations to mandate that 100 percent of in-state sales of new passenger cars and trucks are zero-emission by 2035 – a target which would achieve more than a 35 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and an 80 percent improvement in oxides of nitrogen emissions from cars statewide.

In addition, the Air Resources Board will develop regulations to mandate that all operations of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles shall be 100 percent zero emission by 2045 where feasible, with the mandate going into effect by 2035 for drayage trucks. To ensure needed infrastructure to support zero-emission vehicles, the order requires state agencies, in partnership with the private sector, to accelerate deployment of affordable fueling and charging options.

That last sentence is also key. No one is coming to take your shitty old E30 that you like to wrench on any time soon. Unless, of course, you would like to sell it to me.

Erik Shilling, Jalopnik

THERE’S AN INTERESTING DEBATE ABOUT TO HAPPEN IN THE NEAR FUTURE–
Congratulations on your new film, Climate Hustle II, regarding the largest scam on the American people in a century. I have a couple of questions. Actually one question and one request. The question is why would any rich celebrity want to support a socialist effort or an effort to realign wealth? They would be some of the first attacked if socialists took power.

My request: I would like a very simplistic pamphlet for kids correcting the Global Alarmist Scenario. Here are some thoughts:

1.There is nothing to fear or worry about. The Climate has been changing for 300 million years.
2.Science is never settled. It’s the search for new knowledge.
3.Climate is not heating up. It actually may become cooler soon and then warmer in the future.
4.The seas don’t rise more than about 7 inches for every 100 years. Hasn’t changes for thousands of years.
5.Extreme weather isn’t happening. It’s actually down currently.
6. Doomsday is not man made. We’re doing fine.
7.We’re actually living in the best of times. Unfortunately, some control freaks can’t handle it.

Andy Singer at the Heartland Institute coupled Climate Alarmists to Flat Earthers. I thought that was an interesting analogy. –Bandit

QUICK, OPEN THE BANDIT’S BAD JOKE LIBRARY, MASK FREE– An invisible man married an invisible woman. The kids were nothing to look at either.

I didn’t think the chiropractor would improve my posture. But I stand corrected.

I took my new girlfriend out on our first date to the ice rink, and entry was half price. She called me a cheap skate.

Studies show cows produce more milk when the farmer talks to them. It’s a case of in one ear and out the udder.

I used to date a girl with one leg who worked at a brewery. She was in charge of the hops.

My cross-eyed wife and I just got a divorce. I found out she was seeing someone on the side.

My wife claims I’m the cheapest person she’s ever met. I’m not buying it.

Did you know that a raven has 17 rigid feathers called pinions, while a crow only has 16. The difference between a raven and a crow is just a matter of a pinion.

I told my carpenter I didn’t want carpeted steps He gave me a blank stair.

–Joe Smith
Official Librarian
Bandit’s Cantina™

CHOPPERS MAGAZINE– How do you buy this magazine? Never see it on newsstands? Tried online? No luck.

–Stealth
NC

Here’s the link: www.choppersmagazine.com

REGARDING THE CALIFORNIA BAN–
Motorcycles are not included in the definition of ICE “new passenger cars and trucks” that will not be allowed to be sold after 2034.

However, once that oversight is discovered, motorcycles will almost certainly be included, or will be the subject of another Executive Order, with conceivably a shorter effective date.

This is only an Executive Order, without the force of legislation, although that can be easily rectified by passing such enabling legislation in next year’s session considering the existing progressive makeup of the Legislature.

It remains to be seen, however, if this unprecedented executive action is even legal given its probable conflict with the U.S. Commerce Clause, that grants Congress the power to regulate commerce between states, among many other applicable statutes and laws.

Lots may, or may not, change in the next 15 years!

And finally, Global Warming is a hoax, a scam.

–Anonymous Donor

UPS DRIVERS HAVE INTERESTING CUSTOMERS—

–Steve Bauman
Tech Writer
Bikernet.com™

SHOOTING AT A LARGE BIKER GATHERING-– in Waterloo, Iowa, leaves 1 dead, several wounded
The gathering of over 100 people from motorcycle clubs wasn’t authorized, and police were trying to determine who had leased the building.

An Iowa gathering of over 100 people from motorcycle clubs turned deadly early Saturday morning with a shooting that killed at least one person and left several others wounded.

Police in Waterloo, a city about 55 miles northwest of Cedar Rapids, said they responded to a “shots fired report” at about 3:17 a.m at a site where the bikers were gathered.

Upon arrival, officers found about a dozen people who had been injured or shot, said Waterloo Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald at a press conference Saturday morning. It appeared that “some kind of confrontation” at the location escalated into a shooting, he said.

Paramedics and firefighters also responded to the chaotic scene, and many of those injured were taken to nearby hospitals, police said.

Of the eight people who suffered gunshot wounds, one of them died and another is in critical condition, said Fitzgerald. Four other people were injured by debris or glass and while fleeing.

Fitzgerald said the gathering wasn’t authorized and investigators are trying to determine who leased the building. Investigators are also trying to determine whether there was more than one shooter.

No arrests have been made in connection to the shooting. However, three people were arrested after officers responded to a disorderly conduct call outside the emergency room at a local hospital where some of the victims were taken, The Associated Press reported.

By Nicole Acevedo, associated press

BANDIT’S EMAIL ADDRESS HAS CHANGED—Sorry for the confusion, but our email system started to fail. We tried to fix it, but no banana. We could have shifted to a costly system, but no one has the dinero, so we shifted back to our standards.

Mine is now Kball945@gmail.com. At least it’s simple. Sorry for any inconvenience.

–Bandit

DIRECT FROM THE BIKERNET UNIVERSITY—The difference between Infamous and Notorious.

Infamous and notorious are commonly interchanged terms used to describe someone who or something that is famous for being negative in some way. While they can sometimes mean the same thing, there are subtle differences between the two terms. There are times when either will work, yet in other cases, one word is a better fit.

What does it mean to be infamous?
First recorded in the 14th century, infamous is an adjective rooted in the Latin infamis, “of ill fame.” We use it to describe a person, place, or thing known for “having an extremely bad reputation.” It can also mean “deserving of or causing an evil reputation, detestable.” Think Cruella de Vil, Voldemort, and your 11th-grade algebra teacher.

People, places, or things can also go down in infamy, getting a super bad rep as the result of a “shameful, criminal or outrageous act.” See also: Fyre Festival.

Remember, just because infamous has the word famous embedded within it doesn’t mean the two go hand in hand. Flipping a table at a family dinner may go down in infamy, winning you the reputation as the cousin with the temper. But, unless your family has its own time slot on Bravo, it won’t make you famous.

What does it mean to be notorious?
Similar to infamous, notorious is an adjective meaning “widely and unfavorably known.” Evidenced in the late 15th century, notorious originally meant “well known,” true to its ultimate Latin root, notus, meaning “known.”

When you say notorious and its noun form notoriety, it may be clear that they both start with not-, as in note, a word indeed related to notorious. Which makes it easier to remember that identifying someone as notorious is like putting a notice out on them.

So, what about notorious vs. notable vs. noteworthy?
Well, they are all close in meaning (due to that same Latin root), but there are subtle but significant differences among them.

The subtle differences between infamy and notoriety
Beyond being used to throw shade, like saying the Kardashians are notorious for drama, notorious can also mean “publicly or generally known, as for a particular trait.”

Jack Nicholson is notorious for always wearing sunglasses, a good example of the word being used without as many negative vibes implied.

–From Dictionary.com

EVENT NEWS–Ozark Moonshine Run
?
The Ozark Moonshine Run is without a doubt the most picturesque route in the Ozarks! The route encompasses parts of Scenic Highway 7 and winds through the deepest parts of the Ozark Mountains. Along the route you can expect to see magnificent views, ancient bluff lines, and the possibility of majestic elk grazing in their natural habitat.

Parts of the route make you feel like you have stepped back in time to a slower paced lifestyle. You will see many attractions along the way, so take your time and enjoy the scenery; but be careful of the many curves along this route. Some parts can be tricky and slightly dangerous.

Route Distance: 113 miles with 662 curves
Gasoline Locations: Harrison, Jasper, Mt. Judea, Deer, Compton
Time Frame: 2 hours, 52 minutes

Directions: Depart Harrison on Scenic AR Highway 7 South heading to Jasper. Travel through Jasper on AR Highway 7 to AR Highway 374 East on your left. AR Highway 374 will join AR Highway 123 where you will turn right. Follow AR Highway 123 through Mt. Judea (pronounced Judy) until it intersects with AR Highway 7 North. AR Highway 123 splits, so be careful to follow the route leading to AR Highway 7 North.

Follow AR Highway 7 North/Highway 16 to the intersection of AR Highway 16 on your left. Highway 16 will take you through the communities of Deer, Nail and Swain. AR Highway 16 intersects with AR Highway 21, where you will travel north into Boxley Valley. Through the valley, be on the lookout for elk that graze the fields and sometimes cross the highway. Follow AR Highway 21 to the intersection of AR Highway 43 North. AR Highway 43 North winds through Ponca and back to Harrison.

Vendors – (just to name a few)
Rosie’s Road Show
Honor Bound
GL Company
American Legion
Airbrush Outfitters
Twisted Illusions
Yamaha of Harrison
FT Williams Enterprises
C&P
Jil Jewlery
Amanda Harpole
Flying Monkey Tattoo
Honeypot Scrubs
Baxter Insurance
Debria’s Design
Paparazzi Jewlery
Grumpy’s BBQ
Country Meadow Boutique
Massage by GiGi
Shelter Insurance Joan Bell Agency
Live Laser Tag
Front Porch Consulting
That Geeky Shop
Cox Cable
Deans Custom Covers
Impact Tee’s
Region 2 Prevention
Fresh Mountain Soap
Blue Collar Choppers
South Cycle Mobile
Law Tiger
Arkansas Wrestling Federation
United Way
Annie Bell Mercantile
Crafts and Creations by Julia
Mae’s Gypsy Magic
Fenton’s Electronics
Windstar
Harrison Daily Times
Brick Oven Pizza

QUICK, OPEN THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY–A King enrolled his donkey in a race & won.
Local papers read:

‘KING’s ASS WON’
The king was so upset with this kind of publicity that he gave the donkey to the queen.

The local paper then read:
“QUEEN HAS THE BEST ASS IN TOWN”
The king fainted….
Queen sold the donkey to a farmer for Rs 1000.

Next day papers read: “QUEEN SELLING HER ASS FOR Rs 1000”
The queen fainted…

The next day king ordered the queen to buy back the donkey and leave it in jungle.

The Next Headlines:
“QUEEN ANNOUNCES HER ASS IS FREE & WILD”
The king died… !!

*That’s how the Media works Today !!*

You can’t control it

–Wayfarer
Research Specialist
Bikernet News Bureau
India

AIM EXPO CANCELLED FOR 2021– “We have made the difficult decision to postpone the 2021 AIMExpo, the industry’s annual trade show, and while this wasn’t an easy choice it is certainly the right one,” says Cinnamon Kernes, VP and general manager, MIC Events. “With local directives limiting gathering size, travel restrictions, and a myriad of other obstacles created by the pandemic, there are too many unknown factors limiting our ability to create a safe environment that will also deliver the experience and ROI our exhibitors and attendees expect.”

–MIC

FIVE REASONS TO to (still) Go To Biketoberfest–

REASON 1. Hotel rates are GREAT this year. Hotels prices are about half of what they normally are.

REASON 2. Suspension Technologies will still be there. What I am really saying is there will still be a lot of vendors there and you can touch and assess the quality of their products in person. Holding a product in your hand can tell you so much more than just the website information.

I specifically said Suspension Technologies because so many people won’t stop talking about how great their suspensions are. I’m one of them. Those unfortunate few friends I have… that haven’t made the upgrade already have appointments for the free installation at the Suspension Technologies’ booth at Destination Daytona.

A Harley tech did a check ride on my bike and he came out to talk to me when I picked up the bike. He was so impressed with the suspension he wanted to ask me about it. That is high praise indeed. This is someone who gets to ride about everything. He just felt it by riding the bike. He wasn’t aware before he rode the bike that I had done anything. It’s that noticeable. ‘Nough said.

The point is a lot of great vendors are still going to be in Daytona for Biketoberfest.

REASON 3. Willies’ Tropical Tattoo is still doing the best Bike Show in Daytona (again). It’s Thursday, October 15.

REASON 4. As far as Daytona events go, 99% of the time the October event has the best weather. Don’t blame me if this year isn’t a perfect dry, crisp 67-degree morning and warm in the afternoon but it usually happens.

REASON 5. You can safely keep your distance if you are concerned. The crowd size is down and with a bit of common sense you can attend the less crowded outdoor events in the outdoor germ-killing-sunshine. There isn’t any reason to go where you are aren’t comfortable. And there isn’t any reason to miss one of my favorite events.

FROM THE GEARHEAD DIARIES– We won some money at the Casino in Vegas and after we bought this canvas print, we went over to my uncle’s house (just off the old strip). This was back in late 1978. I had my ‘69 long bed Chevy truck. Not enough room in the 2-seater cab of the truck, so in the bed of the truck is where the framed canvas went. We wrapped it up in blankets and sleeping bags and homeward we were bound.

We got to the top of the grade leaving Vegas, and snow started coming down. I got out to put on the chains, and they don’t fit because the dessert duelers were too big and wide. So, slow we go off of the ridge grade back down to the valley floor toward Torrance. It wasn’t long after that my wife and I were married and the canvas ended up in the attic for 30 years…

–Gearhead
Contributor
Bikernet.com™

We will set this pretty puppy free in the Deadwood Bikernet Headquarters after an expensive trip to the framer.–Bandit

DID YOU KNOW THAT

? Ants never sleep!
? When the moon is directly overhead, you will weigh slightly less.
? Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, never called his wife or mother; because they were both deaf.
? An ostrich’s eye is bigger than its brain.
? “I am,” is the shortest complete sentence in the English language.
? Babies are born without kneecaps – actually, they’re made of cartilageand the bone hardens, between the ages of 2-6 years.
? Happy Birthday (the song) is copyrighted.
? Butterflies taste with their feet.
? A“jiffy,” is an actual unit of time for 1/100th of a second.
? It is impossible to sneeze with your eyes open.
? Leonardo Da Vinci invented the scissors.
? Minus 40 degrees Celsius, is exactly the same as minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
? Shakespeare invented the words “assassination”and “bump”.
? Stewardesses is the longest word typed with only the left hand.
? Elephants are the only animals that cannot jump.
? The names of all the continents end with the same letter that they start with.
? The sentence, “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog” uses every letter in the English language.
? The shortest war in history was between Zanzibar and England in 1896. Zanzibar surrendered after 38 minutes.
? The strongest muscle in the body is the tongue.
? The word “lethologica” describes the state of not being able to remember the word you want.
? Camels have three eyelids to protect themselves from the blowing desert sand.
? TYPEWRITER is the longest word that can be made using the letters on only one row of the keyboard.
? Your stomach has to produce a new layer of mucus every two weeks or it will digest itself.
? The dot over the letter “i” is called a ‘Tittle’.

–Wayfarer
Chief Research Specialists
International Bikernet University Library
India

RAY WHEELER SAYS GOODBYE–
Sorry to hear about Ray Wheeler passing away. I was fortunate enough to meet Ray in 2011 while I was visiting the BIKERNET headquarters. Ray was a cool guy, I enjoyed talking to him. I am sure he will be greatly missed.

–STEALTH

Easyriders Magazine Seals $30 Million Deal to Sell Bud to Bikers
Published April 22, 2020
By Randy Robinson
Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper would be proud.

One of America’s oldest and most iconic motorcycle magazines is officially jumping into the weed game.

On Tuesday, the new owner and president of Easyriders magazine, Pepper Foster, told WWD that he finalized a deal worth “well over” $30 million. The partnerships include Easyriders and two US cannabis companies — Oregon’s Big Top Farms and Tennessee’s Hemp2Lab — to make and distribute CBD and CBG products derived from hemp.

Easyriders’ products will include items like topicals, salves, tinctures, lip balms, and lotions, and each will bear Easyriders’ logos and gothic typeface, making these weed products the first (and so far, only) marketed directly to America’s biker community. Though, to be fair, there is a California-based weed brand named after the late Dennis Hopper, one of the stars of the iconic 1969 biker film Easy Rider. The movie’s title likely inspired the magazine’s name, given that Easyriders first hit the news presses in 1970.

Why is a biker magazine countersteering into the nation’s nascent cannabis space, though? First off, bikers were a crucial part of America’s early marijuana movement, toking, wheeling, and dealing herb across the US alongside the hippies, the beatniks, the street activists, and the rock ‘n’ rollers.

Second, the magazine’s revenue stream from advertisements got screwed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Facing bankruptcy just after taking over the magazine, Foster decided to expand Easyriders from a single print publication to an entire lifestyle brand.

According to his interview at WWD, Foster plans to roll-out the new Easyriders hemp products in the near future, particularly whenever these coronavirus lockdowns start to ease up nationwide. He’s currently looking at weed dispensaries, pharmacies, and high-end clothing and luxury stores to carry the Easyriders brand. But at the top of his retail wish-list revs the granddaddy of American motorcycles: Harley-Davidson and its 1,000 stores across the US.

“At the end of the day, the world has to go on, it’s not going to spin off its axis up into Pluto,” Foster said, referring to widespread business closures amid the COVID-19 crisis. “We’re gonna survive and, yes, things will change, but this magazine has been around for 50 years, and it will be around for another 50 years.”

“We’re setting the stage for this brand,” he continued, “a beautiful gem that’s just being polished.”

–merryjane.com

This was published in April, 2020 about five months ago. According to our sources, the deal never materialized. We hope something will work out. We will keep you posted.—Bandit

REMEMBER TO VOTE–

Twas the night before elections,
And all thru’ the town,
Tempers were flaring
Emotions ran up and down.

I, in my bathrobe
With a cat in my lap,
Had shut off the TV,
tired of political crap.

When all of a sudden,
There arose such a noise,
I peered out my window,
Saw Pelosi and her boys

They had come for my wallet,
They wanted my pay
To hand out to others
Who had not worked a day!

They snatched up my money,
And quick as a wink,
Jumped back on their bandwagon
As I gagged from the stink.

She then rallied her henchmen
Who were pulling her cart.
I could tell they were out
To tear my country apart!

On Fannie, on Freddie,
On Schumer and Ayers!
On Acorn, on Waters
She screamed at the pairs!

They took off for her cause,
And as they flew out of sight,
I heard her laugh at a nation
Who wouldn’t stand up and fight!

So I leave you to think
On this one final note…
IF YOU DON’T WANT SOCIALISM
GET OUT AND VOTE !!!!

GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR ONLY HOPE…..
Courage is being scared to death… and saddling up anyway.

– John Wayne

–from Joe Smith

TEXAS WEATHER REPORT–I have enough shift knobs to build five motorcycles, four really as I’d like to use the brass one on the Shovelhead. Haven’t figured a way, yet to do it on the Classic. I did purchase a kick starter, but need to add two more Baker gears (a boy can dream) and a 5-speed starter.

Know anyone has a 93 5.8L E04D PCM, mines not feeling well.

–RFR
Certified Weatherman
Bikernet.com™

TECH WITH AN EDGE–If you look at a bike with the Suspension Technologies tie down points it’s not very noticable.

A $40 Part that Should be on Every Bagger

Suspension Technologies has these really cool, almost unnoticeable, until you need them, attachment points. These are great for putting the bike on a lift, trailering the bike or whatever. I know your bike has NEVER been on a trailer. Whatever. These are super useful.

–Edge
Tech Specialist
Bikernet.com™

NATIONAL NEWS FROM THE AMA–October 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A federal judge approved a revised settlement in September between the U.S. Justice Department and Harley-Davidson Inc. over excess emissions. The revised settlement drops a requirement that the motorcycle manufacturer spend $3 million to reduce air pollution. In August 2016, Harley agreed to pay a $12 million civil fine and stop selling illegal after-market devices that caused its vehicles to emit too much pollution. The settlement resolved allegations that Harley sold about 340,000 “super tuners” that enabled motorcycles to pollute the air at levels greater than what the company certified.

MINNEAPOLIS – Polaris Inc. and Zero Motorcycles entered into a 10-year partnership as part of Polaris’ rEV’d up initiative, which seeks to include an electric vehicle option in each of Polaris’ core product segments by 2025. The companies plan to collaborate on off-road motorcycles and on snowmobiles. The first vehicle from the Zero-Polaris partnership is expected by the end of 2021. Zero Motorcycles has been designing and manufacturing electric motorcycles since 2006. Polaris produces Indian brand motorcycles, along with a range of ATVs and snowmobiles. In 2011, Polaris acquired both Goupil, a French manufacturer of on-road, commercial light-duty electric vehicles for the European market, and GEM, the street-legal passenger and utility electric vehicles. Four years later, the company acquired Brammo Electric Motorcycles.

BUENOS AIRES – Royal Enfield plans to open an assembly plant in Argentina, the company’s first such venture outside its manufacturing facilities in Chennai, India. The Simpa Group facility will begin assembling the Royal Enfield Himalayan, the Interceptor 650 and the Continental GT 650. “This launch is a major accomplishment because it is the first time that a motorcycle manufacturer of this size has put its faith in Argentina,” said Alberto Fernández, president of Argentina.

MILWAUKEE – Harley-Davidson has announced its decision to discontinue its manufacturing operations in India, at a cost of more than $75 million. The company is revamping its worldwide operations as part of a “Rewire” plan under new CEO Jochen Zeitz. The company also hired former Tyson Foods finance executive Gina Goetter as its new chief financial officer.

International News

LONDON – The Motorcycle Action Group UK opposes changes to the Highway Code that would result in a “negative safety impact” for motorcyclists, according to a report from the Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations. In the United Kingdom, the Highway Code is a set of information, advice, guides and mandatory rules for road users. Its objective is to promote road safety. The Highway Code applies to all road users including pedestrians, horse riders, cyclists, motorcyclists and drivers.

While the proposed changes include additional protections for pedestrians, bicyclists and horse riders, there are no new provisions for improved motorcyclist safety. MAG UK said the proposed new rules and rule changes would actually increase risks, not just for motorcyclists, but for the cyclists and pedestrians that the proposals are designed to protect.

–from Rogue
Senior Editor
Bikernet.com™

[page break]

DEEPER GREEN Provides 50mg of THC in California’s 1st Barrel-aged Whiskey Sour–Buena Vista Whiskey Sour (Weed Drink) Introduced at Weedcon – California’s 1st Cannabis Whiskey

September 29, Sacramento, CA– California’s 1st barrel-aged cannabis whiskey sour, Buena Vista Whiskey Sour, is infused with 50mg of pure Deeper Green™ THC and is available through High Tide Distribution. The cannabis spirit made its introduction at Weedcon in Southern California on September 24-25, 2020. It is a new style of weed drink that has a premium taste and fast onset.

Deeper Green converts extracted cannabis into a fast-acting, tasteless, odorless, and water-soluble powder. Because it is water-soluble, it mixes evenly with ingredients, ensuring that the dosage is correct throughout the cannabis spirit.

Enthusiasts of spirits can say goodbye to morning hangovers. And because of its quick onset, consumers consistently can regulate their experience of the beverage by knowing when to sip and when not to.

The process to create Buena Vista Whiskey Sour is to start with is barrel-aged whiskey. It requires as much science as it does artisanal skills to remove alcohol and retain the taste of a 4-year-old whiskey. Then it is infused with 50mg of pure Deeper Green™ THC. Lemon, lime, and simple syrup are blended to taste for a first-class experience.

“Consumers are seeking products that provide a healthier and safer way to consume cannabis products,” explained Jeff Najar, V.P. Marketing. “Our patent-pending fast-acting Deeper Green cannabis powder is ideal way to create unique products that meet their cannabis lifestyle requirements.”

Cannabis beverages are increasing in popularity as consumers look to distance themselves from potential COVID complications. The global cannabis beverage market is expected to reach USD 2.8 billion by 2025, expanding at a CAGR of 17.8% during the forecast period, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc.

About Deeper Green
Deeper Green develops and manufactures cannabinoid-infused beverages and consumer products for our in-house brands and white label clients. The team provides the expertise to convert food and beverage into an exceptional edible product that not only tastes good but passes stringent state regulations.

The Deeper Green brand includes the Buena Vista pre-roll products, Buena Vista Whiskey Sour, and Better Days Cannabis Sugar. Based in Sacramento, California, all products are sold through ECHO Distribution.

–Jeff Najar, VP Marketing
Mobile: 919-450-5060
jeff.najar@greenerfrontiers.com

BOOBS FOREVER, FOREVER BOOBS–
It was about five years ago. I was trying to lose a few pounds so I was staying away from carbs. That’s when I met my husband, Rob. On our first date, he booked the next two. He liked me. I liked him. Things were looking really good.

He picked me up in a Cobra Mustang and his pathetic attempt to win me over with a car totally worked. I’m not shallow, but since I spent most of my twenties picking men up because I didn’t want my hair to frizz in their non-air conditioned jalopies on 3 wheels and a 15-year-old spare, I welcomed his fancy sports car with open arms.
We arrived at the restaurant and Rob was ordering food I hadn’t allowed myself to eat in years.

I didn’t want to be “that girl” so I ate, drank, and oh, was I merry. Later we shopped a bit. Rob surprised me by buying an expensive pair of shoes that he caught me eyeing. Was this love?

That’s when it happened. Gas strikes in two different ways – uncontrollable toots or sharp, shooting pains that feel a lot like dying. I thought I was dying. Not to make a scene, I told Rob I suddenly wasn’t feeling well and probably needed to head home.

On the way home in his Cobra, he tried to hold my hand and ask me lots of questions, but I wasn’t having any of it. The pain was so bad it felt like I was being stabbed with a bunch of tiny forks. Then I realized …

My God, help me. I have a horrendous fart on deck. I’m in trouble. Big trouble.

The more I held it in, the more pain would shoot through my stomach and down my legs. I was even having to raise myself off the seat, gripping on to my door and the dashboard.

“Seriously, you need to hurry – I’m in a lot of pain.” I managed to say through gritted teeth.

“Wow, it’s that bad? What’s wrong? Do I need to take you to a hospital?”

How do you tell a man you just started dating that the reason you’re writhing in pain is that you have to fart?
Well, you can either tell him or like me, let the fart speak for itself.

People, hear me. There was nothing I could do. As impressive as I am with sphincter control, this was out of my hands. Slowly, it eeked out. The more I tried to stop it, the more it forced its way through the door. However, to my pleasant surprise, there was no sound. I sat silently, sweat accumulating above my upper lip. Ok, maybe I got away with it. Maybe I’m home free. Then it hit me. Not an idea, a cloud. A horrific, fart cloud. Not in a, “Am I smelling something?” sort of way. More like a “Is someone dead and rotting in your trunk and am I in hell?” sort of way.

Suddenly, I panicked. “Roll down the windows!” I screamed (yes, I literally screamed it like I was in a horror movie).

“What? Why?” Rob asked, starting to freak out because I was freaking out.

“I can’t roll down the windows, unlock it! UNLOCK IT!”
“What’s going on?” Rob yells back to me, “Why are you …” then it hit him. I could see it in his eyes. Was it a surprise? Horror? Water started to accumulate at the base of his eyelids, “Oh my God, I CAN TASTE IT!” he screamed.

“Roll down the windows!” As I screamed, the toots started to flood out uncontrollably. I scratched and clawed at the window like I was being kidnapped. Rob, unable to see either by fart cloud or panic, kept turning on the windshield wipers instead of unlocking the window.
It was chaos. We were acting like we were under siege by gunfire. We were under siege alright, just not by gunfire.

Finally, he was able to hit the right control and he rolled down our windows. We both gulped in fresh air. I was horrified, yet happy to be alive, then remembered I just farted on the man of my dreams, then sorta wished I was dead.

We sat silently for the rest of the way home. Although the shooting pains had subsided, I now desperately needed to use the bathroom, in an urgent, explosive kind of way.
He pulled up to my apartment and before he could come to a stop I had already jumped out, “Ok, thanks for dinner, sorry about the fart, love the shoes!” and ran into my apartment like I was running from the cops.
I burst through my door and ran straight for the bathroom, where I was finally able to unleash and make noises that no one should ever, EVER, hear coming from another person.

Then I heard it. Rob’s voice. Right. Outside. My. Bathroom. Door.
“Anna? You left your shoes in my car and your front door was open. Where do you want me to put them?”

“Get away from the door!” I screamed like Reagan from The Exorcist.

“Ok, I’m sorry. Are you okay?”

*toot* *toot* *splatter* *ungodly noise*

“I’m fine, Rob – just leave the shoes there. I’ll call you later okay?”

“Okay, are you sure you’re …”

“I’m fine! Get away from the door!”

This man! I mean, I love him, but take a freakin’ hint!

Finally, I heard the front door shut, and the Cobra engine zoom away. I thought that was the last I’d hear from him. I didn’t think it was possible to ever see a man again after he screams he can taste your fart after only knowing you for 48 hours.

But, to my surprise, I did. A couple of days later, actually. Now we’re married and he’s lying on the couch while I type this … “It was your rack that saved you,” he just lovingly reminded me.

Well, thank you boobs. You saved us. You saved our destiny.

–Sam Burns

FROM THE PRESIDENT–Executive Order on An America-First Healthcare Plan

President Trump traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina, this afternoon where he just unveiled his America First Healthcare Plan.

“We will ensure the highest standard of care anywhere in the world: cutting-edge treatments, state-of-the-art medicine, groundbreaking cures, and true health security for you and your loved ones,” the President said.

The America First plan has three goals: more choice, lower costs, and better care. It includes protections for pre-existing conditions, measures to stop surprise medical bills, and rules to guarantee price transparency so patients aren’t left completely in the dark.

The result is that Americans will have more control over their own healthcare dollars rather than ceding power to Washington politicians or powerful corporations.

Unlike socialized medicine, President Trump’s plan puts working families first with:

MORE CHOICE: Patients will be in charge of their care, not bureaucrats at some faraway Federal agency. When President Trump took office, more than half of U.S. counties offered plans from only a single insurance provider on the individual market. As of next month, more than 90 percent of American counties will have multiple options to choose from.

LOWER COSTS: For years, patients have been shocked to receive unexpected bills for thousands of dollars in medical services they never even agreed to. President Trump’s plan bans this deeply unfair practice and ends surprise medical billing. “The days of ripping off American patients are over,” he said.

BETTER CARE: With new ways for Medicare to pay providers, Americans will have access to doctors they trust—whenever they are needed. President Trump is also making sure that politicians don’t get in the way of much-needed research and innovation, ensuring Americans access to the best health care in the world.

President Trump’s plan puts American patients first. Unfortunately, under pressure from the far left, Democrats have endorsed healthcare legislation that would result in rationing care, keeping patients on waitlists, and driving the best doctors away from practicing medicine.

“The Democrat Party is pushing a socialist nightmare,” President Trump said.

Americans want real choice, affordability, and quality in their medical care. They don’t want radical politicians playing games with their health and safety to get votes.

Under this President, America’s families and seniors will always be protected.

STATE BY STATE REPORTS FROM THE MEETING OF THE MINDS LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE–ABATE OF LOUISIANA

ABATE of Louisiana had planned on a busy 2020 legislative session, but pandemic brought it to a screeching halt.
2020 Legislative Agenda: (Initial agenda set in Sept. 2019)

ALL ROAD USERS ACT (LA LAW INSTITUTE)
This bill was submitted in 2018 and ordered to be studied by the Louisiana Law Institute for recommendations.
Their findings were 100% positive and recommendation was made to submit it as a proposed law in the 2020 Legislative Session.

The bill picked up by Rep Pollie Thomas and we were on our way to be the 10th state in the nation to adopt this bill into law.

DEAD RED BILL
This bill was submitted after our presentation to Rep Dodie Horton

Rep Horton ran this through Louisiana DOT and was encouraged by their recommendation
This bill was filed in the 2020 Legislative Session.

ABATE License Plate
Artwork was approved by our Representative and filed as a Bill in the 2020 Legislative Session.
Our Executive board decided to pull our bills to allow the legislature to deal with the extraordinary issues confronting our state.

All of our sponsors were very appreciative.
We will refile all the bills next session if possible.
Hands Free Cell Phone Use/Distracted Drivers (SUPPORT)

This bill submitted by another organization and failed.
We received a letter from the Northwest Louisiana Traffic Safety Coalition.

They obtained a grant to display PSA’s about traffic safety on sixteen electronic billboards.

They offered to let us use them for the month of May to advertise Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month.
We designed three different messages to be displayed 10-15 seconds up to 500 times per day on 16 billboards in the Shreveport area.

Through a generous donation within our organization, we were able to purchase the space for the months of May, June and July.

IDAHO

Contributed to the effort to successfully pass distracted driving bill that provides penalties for the use of electronic devices (cell phones) in Idaho.

Spearheaded by insurance lobby, this effort was supported by a large coalition of interested parties including extensive work by ABATE of N Idaho and Idaho Coalition for Motorcycle Safety.

Supported a bill that would have allowed the study of the feasibility of HOV lanes statewide.

ICMS and ANI will work toward passage in 2021.
ICMS and ABATE of N Idaho are collaborating on political candidate surveys to garner information prior to the upcoming 2020 Fall Election.

Continuing the work of ICMS and ANI to bring awareness of MRO’s to motorcyclists and all citizens of the State of Idaho.

Working on Lane Sharing/Filtering for 2021.

ANI is working with local motorcycle dealerships to add MRO membership (Idaho & Washington) on new/used motorcycle sales.

While not everything we had hoped for, a profiling bill passed!

Concealed Carry on Motorcycles (HB1094 – “cleanup bill”)

Members inducted in Sturgis Hall of Fame (Wayne & Sue Diletto)

Whitewood Social Hour

DIXIE ABATE OF ALABAMA

Survived
Legislature shut down as soon as they started up
Will try again next year with “Affirmative Defense” for “Safe Passage” through a Red Light
But we are picking up members and picking up speed now and expect to be much more active in the coming year

Dixie ABATE Lounge – online forum has turned into a “cult thing”
Summer Retreat – Hangout

More reports coming next week.—Bandit

LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK–2015 Harley-Davidson® FLS – Softail Slim for $12,995.00
see it here:

https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=9288870

ABOUT THIS BIKE…..

This bike is in amazing condition super clean

ONLY 10,702 Miles !!!!!

Amber whiskey/Vivid black 2015 Harley-Davidson SOFTAIL SLIM 103-INCH

Some of the features/Add-on’s on this bike

* Saddle Bags
* 103 With Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection
* 6 Speed
* Detachable front windshield
* Solo seat
* Mini Apes

This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 101 point safety and mechanical inspection. Whether your looking to commute to work, ride the coast or take that dream vacation, this bike is ready to go!!!

**90 day/1000 mile in house limited warranty!**

EZ FINANCING-SHIPPING AVAILABLE!!!

Fill out an online application and ride today!!!

**Open 7 days a week**

***90 day/1000 mile in house limited warranty!

Just $12,995.00 at Lifestyle Cycles (714) 490-0155

Hal Robinson (1928-1984) from Bellingham, Washington worked and manned scows in the Bering Sea as a young teenager. He served in the Navy during Korea. He became a sign painter and also did store windows for advertising to earn money.

He was offered a job at Buzza Cardoza Greeting Cards in the 1960’s. He won a portable fold up bicycle when he won first place in a drawing contest. In the ‘60s he did drawings for local pamphlets such as Around Town in Long Beach, etc. He did a banner for The Ike and Tina Turner Review when they appeared in Long Beach.

Hal worked for GTE as an illustrator for the Yellow Pages in the ‘60s and ‘70s. He drew the original beaver as a logo for National Lumber. Hal’s maxim was “Publish or perish!”

Hal wasn’t a nine-to-five kind of guy and worked from home on his drawings even though he was offered jobs with all the benefits. His work has been published internationally for more than half a century and he is well known for such characters as Miraculous Mother/Mutha (pre Miss Piggy), Red Rider & Little Beaver, Gus, etc.

He did wonderful caricature drawings for Easyriders Magazine and many were of outlaw bikers; and also hilarious, detailed, clever and witty panel jokes about their stereotypical life style. He was a classic and timeless political cartoonist as well.

Robinson masterfully illustrated hundreds of custom Harley-Davidson motorcycles for Easyriders (1971-1984). Robinson’s work was also published in other magazines and publications such as Iron Horse, In the Wind, Cycletoons, Cartoons, Nine Years With Mutha, Cookin’, Carvin’ & Scarfing, etc.

He was the originator of a detailed caricature of a town or city with his pen and ink drawings of Seal Beach and Avalon. Both were drawn in the early ‘70s. Each drawing took six hundred hours apiece from beginning to completion.

Robinson is remembered by many as a master at mesmerizing his viewer with his ability to draw with a flourish as he lived each swirl and turn, pen and inked line. One can recognize many of his drawings by its quasi psychedelic, euphoric, 3-D effect. Unexpected items to look for are hidden pictures, flies, trash, flying fists, names of good friends and relatives, funny words, chaos, etc. People love all the detail in his work and there are always things you haven’r seen the first time, or the second, and each time after that.

People have tried to copy Robinson’s (H., Hal, Harold) style and have even copied his signed name to look like his original signature. Hal’s original work can be viewed on halrobinsondesigns.com and bikernet.com. His work can also be found on Instagram, Facebook, and Shopify.

–Ann M. Baysinger Robinson, September 25, 2020

 

STURGIS RALLY NEWS FROM THE AMA—Voters in the city of Sturgis overturned the City Council’s decision to annex the property that belongs to the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle club.

The August vote was 737-421.

The Jackpine Gypsies started what is now known as the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in 1938, when it was the Black Hills Motor Classic. Club officers told the city that annexation would bring with it restrictions that would end the events on the property. The Jackpine Gypsies host rallies and competition events there.

Sturgis City Manager Daniel Ainslie has said the city wanted to Annex the property so the club would pay for services like water, sewer, road maintenance and public safety. He also said an annexation would require the club to start collecting sales tax.

Club members gathered more than 200 signatures on a petition to put the matter to a popular vote.

–AMA

VA Transitions Urgent Care in 13 States to Enhance Veteran Access--VA is making it even easier for thousands of eligible Veterans in the 13 western states to find an in-network urgent care provider as it transitions to the new Community Care Network (CCN) in Region 4 today, September 30, 2020.

If you experience non-life threatening minor injuries – such as skin infections, a sore throat or a cold – you can receive urgent care at the right time and place for you with the right provider. Read below for details on eligibility and how to find an in-network provider.

Use our Quick Start Guide for a step-by-step process how to access urgent care.

To be eligible for urgent care, Veterans must:

Be enrolled in VA health care, AND
Have received care through VA from either a VA medical facility or a community provider with an approved referral within the past 24 months.

THE COUNTRY WESTERN REPORT–Fellow Singer/Songwriters and Friends Remember and Mourn The Loss of Mac Davis–NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Member Mac Davis has passed away at age 78. Some of his most legendary hits as an artist include, “Baby Don’t Get Hooked On Me,” “Naughty Girl,” “Texas In My Rear View Mirror,” and “Hooked On Music.” As a songwriter, Davis penned hits for artists such as Nancy Sinatra, Elvis Presley, B.J. Thomas, Bobby Goldsboro, Vicki Carr, Perry Como, and many more. While living in California, Davis began acting, appearing in The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard In Hollywood, Murder She Wrote, Where The Red Fern Grows, Beer For My Horses, and more. Davis was not only a poetic prodigy, but a friend to many in the music and entertainment industry.

Fellow artists mourn the loss of their friend and share fond memories that have left them forever inspired by the timeless, Mac Davis.

“American music has just lost a premiere singer, songwriter, entertainer, and a genuinely great human being. In a year already fraught with sacrifice and loss this is another one that is hard to process. Goodbye Mac Davis… until the day…” – Joe, Duane, William Lee, Richard – The Oak Ridge Boys

“Mac Davis was such a great guy and an amazing writer. One of the best in the business and a wonderful friend. This is a huge loss to the music industry. His family is in my prayers.” – B.J. Thomas

“There’s no way to express the grief that we feel about Mac Davis. The entertainment industry will miss this great talent and beautiful American. We pray for his family and those that love him” – Lee Greenwood

“This is another loss for the greatest era in American contemporary music with the passing of this extremely talented soul, Mac Davis” – Sam Moore

“I cherish the tours I had with Mac Davis and was thrilled to work the Nevada casinos with him. He made a huge impact in our world of country music, and greatly respected. Love you Mac.” – Janie Fricke

“We’ve just lost one of the greatest singer/songwriters that I’ve known in my lifetime. Say Hello To Heaven Mac Davis.” – David Frizzell

“I’m so very heartbroken with the loss of Mac Davis, one of the world’s greatest writers, singers, and actors, but above all of that, he was a dear friend. He was always quick to shed light on other’s talents and help them shine. I’m grieving for his precious wife Lise and their family. I pray God will comfort her during this very sad and difficult time. I’ll always cherish the memories he pressed between the pages of my mind.” – Kelly Lang

“Mac Davis was a music trifecta: he could write, he could sing, he could entertain—and he was great at all three. In the mid-’70s, I remember inching up to the television as a boy and watching the Mac Davis Show. My favorite part of the show was when Mac ventured into the crowd and asked the audience members to shout out a person, place, or thing. He then asked them to give him a scenario, and on the spot, he would make up a song. No wonder he became a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

It was a big moment for me when I met and worked with my hero years later. The last time I saw Mac we were in the studio together and he was singing me one Beatles’ song after another as his alter ego Max Birnbaum. I laughed until I cried. Mac had a wicked sense of humor. He will be missed. We have lost one of the greats.” – Tim Atwood

NEWS FLASH FROM THE CLIMATE DEPOT– Statistician Dr. Kevin Dayaratna testifies to Congress:

Testifying before Congress, Ph.D. statistician Kevin Dayaratna reveals that under reasonable assumptions, government climate models show CO2 emissions may be a net benefit to society.

DR. DAYARATNA: “A more fundamental question completely avoided by the federal government is are there actually any benefits associated with CO2 emissions. Well a model often employed by the EPA actually includes these benefits in its calculations.

In fact, under very reasonable assumptions, there are substantial probabilities of negative SCC (Social Cost of Carbon) or in layman’s terms, actual benefits — in some cases as high as two-thirds — resulting from greater CO2 prevalence allowing increased agricultural and forestry yields. This negative SCC estimate would signify that CO2 emissions are not a cost but a benefit to society.”

Hearing: “Climate Change Part IV: Moving Towards a Sustainable Future” Subcommittee on Environment US House Oversight Committee September 24, 2020

https://www.climatehustle2.com/

CUSTOM AMA MEMBERSHIP CARDS--Pick a Card, Any Card
The AMA offers a variety of membership cards from which to choose. Themed cards speak to your passion as a motorcyclist. Are you a racer? Our competition card may be the right choice for you.

Are you proud of the brand you ride? We offer affinity cards for BMW, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Husqvarna, Indian, Kawasaki, KTM, Suzuki, Yamaha, and Zero. Select a new card when you renew your membership or call (800) AMA-JOIN to request a new card at any time. View membership cards

I just ordered another batch of Prize Possession copies. It’s my first book the second edition.

We’re going to get Jeremiah’s bobber back in the shop. Space has cleared and he told me it’s outside his brother’s house under a tarp. That’s bullshit. The bike is too cool. Hell, I helped build it, while we were building the World’s Fastest Panhead. It needs to come back to life.

Have a terrific weekend. Ride safe. And hopefully, after the election, freedom can become a priority again. If you get a chance watch Climate Hustle II. It will blow your mind.

Ride fast and free forever!

–Bandit

Hey,

This is one of those strange holidays. It’s at a time of the year when the party lamps are lite. On the other hand, it’s a time of thought and prayer for those who died in battle.

We have a tremendous amount to celebrate this weekend with the country reopening, more businesses reopening and the celebration of life. But take some time out this weekend, to ponder those who have died in any combat including our own motorcycle freedom fighters. And think about life and our good fortunes to be living in the best of times of life on earth.

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.

NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM REOPENS–Governor Reynolds announced today that we can REOPEN!

The National Motorcycle Museum
will Reopen Friday, May 22

BEFORE you visit us,
please closely read the following safety procedures that will be in place at the Museum.

Following CDC standards:

Staff will be wearing face masks
and it is suggested that all visitors do as well.

Bring your own or you may purchase one from us at the door for a $1.00 donation to the Museum.

Temperatures of staff will be taken
at the beginning of each shift.

Hand sanitizer will be available for use.

Only half capacity will be allowed inside the Museum. (Including staff!)

ONLY Credit or Debit Cards will be accepted, NO CASH.

ONLY visitors 16 years of age and older will be admitted.

We will be reminding customers to maintain a safe distance of 6 feet apart.

High traffic areas in Museum including counter surfaces, door handles, and credit card machines will be cleaned and sanitized for your safety.

Normal hours will resume.
9am – 5pm – 7days a week

RIDING BACK FROM COVID-19
All 50 states are now in various stages of reopening, and along with restrictions being lifted and the COVID-19 curve flattening, hopes for more normalcy are high; and none higher than amongst the motorcycling community.

Most industries have been hit hard by the global pandemic, and motorcycle sales and production have been among the most impacted, with factories shut down, dealerships closed, events cancelled or postponed, and even ridership restricted in many parts of the world.

Rules around travel and mixing in groups are being relaxed because new infections of the Coronavirus are declining and within the capabilities of the health system to cope, and soon groups will be able to ride together again, and gather at their local watering holes, maintaining social distancing and observing other safety protocols, of course.

Around the globe, motorcycle manufacturers and the supply chain are reopening production, shops and dealerships are doing business within certain constraints, and bikers are realizing a late-Spring bloom amid the gloom.

Harley-Davidson is reopening its U.S. factories in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania and will accelerate production in phases, launching a new five-year strategic plan to revive sales.

Looking forward, the landscape is changing, as major events are planning comebacks. Americade in Lake George, NY, after much deliberation, has decided to move their dates from June to July 21-25. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina’s spring Bike Week and Atlantic Beach Bikefest have been postponed, with Horry County leaders giving their blessing to a July motorcycle rally date.

Laconia Motorcycle Week, America’s “Oldest Running Motorcycle Rally,” has officially postponed their 97th annual event in Weirs Beach, NH, to August 22-30, following a unanimous decision by their city council. The 80th annual Sturgis Rally in South Dakota is still on track for August 7-15 as experts predict COVID-19 will have peaked and continue into decline before the end of the summer.

Speaking of ‘track’, the MotoGP World Championship racing calendar is expected to drop the checkered flag in July, adapting to a new format of hosting motorsports events with minimal staff and without spectators, while employing social distancing where possible.

–Bill Bish
Editor
NCOM Biker Newsbytes

See Bill’s entire legislative report in the next couple of days on Bikernet.—Bandit

BIKERNET TO SPONSOR--The 3rd Annual Ride for the Children, benefitting Olive Crest’s programs for abused children is to begin at Bartels’ and end at Sycamore Cove State Beach, Malibu, California.

The Ride for the Children has been a huge success over the last 2 years and this year, we expect ~500 motorcycle riders and another ~250 beach party attendees.
We are hoping Bikernet.com will join us as a media sponsor for the 3rd Annual Ride for the Children to be held October 4, 2020 beginning at Bartels’ Harley-Davidson in Marina Del Rey and ending at Sycamore Cove State Beach in Malibu. This year in addition to the motorcycle ride, we are inviting non-riders to join us for the Beach Party!

We can offer incredible benefits and would love to have Bikernet.com as a sponsor for the event. We are planning an expansive traditional media campaign with our grand marshals, Lorenzo Lamas, Perry King, Sean McNabb, Dave Ekins and Jamie Elvidg. Our media sponsor will have our celebrity Grand Marshals plug your sponsorship on radio and television appearances and our publicity campaign will include extensive social media for the event.

We have an incredible lineup of Grand Marshals; Lorenzo Lamas, Perry King, Sean McNabb, Jamie Elvidge and Dave Ekins. Also, joining us again will be the classic rock band, Aces & Eights and catering by JWolf Catering.

–Cherry

WISE WORDS FROM THE BIKERNET MONASTERY- By rousing themselves, by vigilance, by temperance and self-control, wise people make for themselves an island that no flood can overwhelm.

–Monk Bandit
Bikernet Monastery
Deadwood, SD

BRAND New Bikernet Reader Comment!
THE MYSTERIOUS BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS for May 14, 2020

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/THE_MYSTERIOUS_BIKERNET_WEEKLY_NEWS_for_May_14_2020.aspx

Just read the ending to the Thursday news. Reminded me of me. I did a lot of shit when I was young that I am not proud of, it all came with a hidden cost.

Never had a problem with alcohol or drugs but I had BIG problems with women. They were my addiction. The one constant in my life, Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

The women who have come and gone never understood this. Finally, I found my wife Vicki and she has never questioned my love for bikes

When I had my shop I learned about helping people, don’t expect anything in return. I have my memories, a lot of memories. If you asked if I could go back would I do it all over again– Yeah I would!

–Stealth
Charlotte, NC

Check out the Brand New NAMZ Website!

“We make it easy for you to do it Right!”

Keeping up with technology shouldn’t be an issue for a company in the technology business, right? Wrong! Time is always the biggest factor in trying to keep up with anything and our website is nothing different. The website was in need of a change and we feel that is what we did! Not only will you see the products robustly with our new white background but you will find the search for products easier, two fold.

As you will see, the website is now broken down into three main categories, NAMZ wiring products, Badlands lighting modules and Letric Lighting Co. LED’s. When you enter into these main categories, you are taken into these specific areas where you will only find these product offerings. Much easier to navigate for sure. You will also find a “year-make-model” type of parameter in the Badlands category, but not the typical, year-make-model you’re used to.

We like to do things differently and we really want to make sure customers get EXACTLY what they’re after! There was a lot of time and effort put into this new parameter and it takes ALL of the guesswork out of trying to determine what module you need. Once you enter into the Badlands category, you will see all of the sub-categories as normal, but when you chose the sub-category, you will find (4) drop-down menus, Manufacturer, Year, Make and Model.

So, let’s say you choose Harley Davidson as your manufacturer, this will eliminate of all the products that doesn’t pertain to your Harley. Second, simply choose the year which now eliminates any of the models that were not available based on the year. Third, the make section will show you the main makes of Harley Davidson, for example Softail. Now, the last drop down is Model, when the first three are chosen, this section will only show the Harley Davidson, Softails for that specific year that were available, for example, FXSTB. Now you don’t have to look through the entire listing of every model every made!

We hope you enjoy this added feature, like many things we do, I am sure it will catch on and others will begin to offer the same.

Check our our entire lighting lineup at www.letriclighting.com!
Check out our newest products!

–The NAMZ Team
namzcustomcycleproducts.com

MICHAEL LICHTER PHOTO OF THE WEEK-– Description: Belgian custom bike builder Brice Hennebert’s 2018 Indian Scout Bobber LSR racer repurposed for ice racing at the Baikal Mile Ice Speed Festival. Maksimiha, Siberia, Russia. Wednesday, February 26, 2020.

Photography ©2020 Michael Lichter.

Mike is one of the best, most active photographers in out industry. If you’re ever looking for a high quality photo of a particular bike, event, or builder, don’t hesitate to reach out to him.—Bandit

LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK–
2019 Harley-Davidson® FLHTCU – Electra Glide® Ultra Classic for $18.995.00
see it here: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=8855593

California’s pre-owned Harley Mega-Store with over 200 Pre-Owned Harley-Davidsons in stock!!! We carry Street Glides, Road Glides, Road Kings, Ultras, Sportsters, Softails, Dynas, and much more!!! Choose from over 200 bikes in our inventory. To view our current inventory, please visit www.LifestyleCycles.com or call us at (714)-490-0155. EZ FINANCING and EXTENDED WARRANTIES available!!! **Open 7 days a week**

ABOUT THIS BIKE…..

2019 Harley-Davidson FLHTCU Ultra Classic Touring Milwaukee 8 107 ci

The Electra Glide Ultra Classic serves as Harley Davidson’s entry-level model for its full-dresser lineup. Updated for 2017, it sports improved suspension while reducing the heat felt by rider and passenger for greater all-around comfort.

Not only that, but the all-new Milwaukee-Eight engine makes its way onto this ride for greater performance than ever before with 111.4 pound-feet of torque and six-speed transmission that comes geared for highway riding at a reasonable rpm. H-D’s GPS and Infotainment system makes an appearance as well, so the phrase “entry level? is obviously a relative statement.

ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT INCLUDED:

Twisted Cherry paint and raised tank logos is awesome and like new. Chrome strap with black accent. Chrome bars, mirrors, clear windshield and mid fairing wind deflectors. Chrome LED headlamp / passing lamps, chrome blinkers, fork shroud, polished lowers on Impeller Cast Aluminum wheels. Chrome engine guards and bag guards.

Twin Cam 107″ motor with chrome stock exhaust and ABS anti-lock braking system. Chrome black accent 107 air cleaner cover. Chrome six speed with black accent / cam / horn covers. 2-up seat just 26.1″ laden from the ground, heat shields, floorboards, passenger floors and battery pigtail. Beautiful tourpak with luggage rack and foot guards. All bag / tourpack luggage inserts still new and inside. LED rear tourpak lighting, great tires and more… What a way to go, more power, less vibration and better heat disbursement.

This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 101 point safety and mechanical inspection. Whether your 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!!!

**Open 7 days a week**

Just $18,995 at Lifestyle Cycles (714) 490-0155

BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY WIDE OPEN– One day while at the Veterinarians, two dogs, a Poodle and a Shepherd, started talking to each other.

The Shepherd asked the Poodle why she was there.

The poodle said, I’m here to be put down because I can no longer control myself and I piss and shit all over the house. And my owner can’t take it anymore.
She then asks the shepherd, ‘So why are you here?’

Well I have a problem humping people’s legs, and I can’t control myself either. As a matter of fact, just the other day I saw my female master in the shower.
She was bending over and I just couldn’t help myself.

The Poodle asks, ‘so then your here to be put down also’.

No replied the shepherd. I’m just here to get my nails done.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK—Things are getting a bit easier, but really you don’t need social distancing on an ‘87 Softail chopper.

Live free or die!

–Tom
Australia

QUESTION FROM A BIKERNET READER-– Bandit what in hell is going on in this country? Some of these mayors, governors and petty politicians have turned in to the Nazi party and the population doesn’t have the balls to stand up to them?

My family from my grandfather on all served in WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam. I am disgusted that Americans are willing to give up their right so easily.

I feel as I did in 1967, where did my country go while I was gone, now I know, the hippies and draft dodgers became politicians and so-called public servants. it saddens me that my daughter won’t get the country where I grew up.

–A.J.

[page break]

ANOTHER MOTORCYCLE MAGAZINE DOWN–Print media, apparently even electronic versions, are dying off. Since MCN had no advertisers to gain revenue from, subscribers were all they had. With the abundance of “stuff” available for free on the “interwebs”, I expect that subscriptions dropped off.

I suspect that finances were a major factor, but there had also been some back and forth (cease and desist, etc…) with the MSF about an article related to fatalities in the BRC.

–Jay Jackson
MRF

WHAT IS TWISTED ROAD?—Motorcycle Business concept of the week.

We match motorcycle riders with motorcycles. It’s that simple. In under 5 minutes, you can create a profile and list your bike or reserve a bike to rent.

Our motorcycle-sharing community gives you the chance to try new bikes, explore the open road when traveling, or earn money when not using your bike.

ANTI-CHINESE GOVERNMENT T-SHIRT OF THE WEEK–A classic black t-shirt with YOU COULD BUY A CHEAP CHINESE KNOCK OFF BUT YOU WOULD SUCK AND SO WOULD YOUR TOMAHAWK front and center. Yes of course, the shirt is made in the USA!

https://www.americantomahawk.com/the-store/YOU-COULD-BUY-A-CHEAP-CHINESE-KNOCKOFF-T-Shirt-p200129212

Florida Judge Calls for Review of Law Allowing ‘Absurd’ Traffic Stops Over License Plates–
“I believe it is time for the legislature to once again review this statute so that it properly serves the purpose for which it was intended,” Fourth District Court of Appeal Judge Melanie May wrote.

By Raychel Lean

A Florida traffic law that governs the visibility of license plates might be a bit too extreme, according to Fourth District Court of Appeal Judge Melanie May, who, in a special concurrence, urged legislators to review it.

–Law.com

ARE SMALL TOWNS ADDICTED TO TRAFFIC FINES–
Editor’s Note: This article was initially written for the Spring edition of Driving Freedoms magazine. The information here pertained primarily to life before the COVID-19 crisis. Still, we believe traffic fines and fees will be even more of an issue for small towns (and big cities) everywhere due to shortfalls in the budgets that have been decimated by the Coronavirus lockdown.

Significant dollars from different traffic fines and fees sometimes account for more than half of the revenue collected by small towns. Income from speed traps, poor/inadequate signage traps, automated traffic enforcement, and parking patrols all help prop up budgets, which often include the very department that is responsible for catching drivers—the police.

Last September, Governing.com released a national analysis on the extent small towns fund their budgets through traffic penalties. Researchers compiled data from thousands of annual audits and reports filed to state agencies.

Fines are the punishment for committing the offense, and fees are levied to support operational expenses. While both have increased in recent years, fees have risen the most. Very often, fee revenue has been tacked on to fund areas of government that have little to do with the justice system itself. Now with the COVID-19 crisis, the pressure for small towns to increase fees will only increase due to the pressure to raise funds for the town budget.

Here are some of the results before COVID-19 detailing how important this revenue source is to a small town’s bottom line:

Fines and fees account for more than 10 percent of general fund revenues in nearly 600 jurisdictions.

In 284 of those small governments, the percentage is at least 20 percent.
More than 720 towns reported that annual revenues exceed $100 for every adult resident. (The numbers would be even higher if the analysis didn’t exclude communities reporting less than $100,000 in fines.)

Rural areas with high poverty have the highest traffic-revenue rates as do communities with minimal tax bases and independent municipal courts.

Out-of-state drivers are often targeted.
Most of the states that stood out in the research were from the South: Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas, with one exception—New York. Fifty-two Georgia localities collected penalties from drivers accounting for more than one-fifth of general annual revenue, while Louisiana had 49 local governments that met that dubious standard.

By contrast, states in the Northeast with high property taxes had no localities exceeding the 10 percent threshold.

President of Louisiana’s Public Affairs Research Council Robert Scott said recently that smaller tax bases contribute to the problem, but ingrained habits are the real culprit, “If I had to point to one reason why this happens, it’s because culturally you have (local) agencies who’ve grown dependent on these type of revenue sources. They don’t want to let it go.” Lisa Foster, co-director of the Fines and Fees Justice Center, concurred, “There’s a culture that’s built up over time of tolerance and normalization of this idea that courts are there for revenue generation.”

New York is home to nearly 1,300 town and village courts, which keep most of their revenue from fines and fees. Judges have an incentive to earn back the money spent on courts since the town or village financially supports them. Fund for Modern Courts chair Amelia Starr recently said in an interview, “Almost any state that has courts that generate money for their locality in small towns is vulnerable to exactly these kinds of pressures.”

Actions taken by state lawmakers can also help compound the issue. In states with the most fine-reliant jurisdictions, local governments incurred deeper state funding cuts over the past decade. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, states that implemented caps on local property taxes starting in the late 1970s have many small towns with sharply increased fines and fees.

Of course, one of the biggest concerns with this devotion to fines is the tacit implementation of traffic ticket quotas. Many times, officers feel pressure either by the department or city managers to write more tickets to increase revenue.

Policing for profit should never be tolerated; it is not conducive to forming a bond of trust between law enforcement and the community. As one of our national issues, the NMA will continue to advocate against traffic ticket quotas and unfair traffic fines and fees.

–National Motorist Association

SADDLEMEN SEAT OF THE WEEK—2018-2020 Scout Bobber Brown Renegade Solo LS Seat

Brand Fitment: Indian
Model Fitment: Scout Bobber
Year Fitment: 2018-2020

Selecting the proper Saddlemen seat should begin with the question, “How long in the saddle and riding style or preference?” Knowing the comfort a rider will need will aim them at the best type of seats for their intended use, and then they can further hone their choice by looking at seats that would that complement their motorcycle and styling preference.

Saddlemen seats are a result of Integrated Design Philosophy (IDP™), which focuses on putting as much comfort into the seat as possible. IDP™ then takes styling cues from each motorcycle and incorporates them into the contours and patterns of each new seat. The result is a seat that is as comfortable as possible but also looks and fits perfectly on the motorcycle. Saddlemen’s craftsmanship and quality assure you of an enjoyable ride – regardless of the distance.

By combining the attributes of our proprietary SaddleGel and advanced Progressive Density Foam, we create exceptional foundations that provide superior comfort and vehicle control. While thick seat foams are usually more comfortable, Saddlemen’s Gel-Core technology is used in every seat to produce excellent comfort regardless of its thickness. That’s why a slammed-down Saddlemen seat, such as the Profiler, rides so much more comfortably than other seats of a similar thickness. So if a thin Saddlemen seat is comfortable, imagine how plush a thick seat like a Road Sofa or an Explorer will be.

When creating a new seat, additional attention is always devoted to overcoming deficiencies that exist in the stock seat or other aftermarket seats. Our designers use advanced engineering plus practical riding experience to forge seats that ride comfortably, look great, and fit perfectly. For example, rigid plastic or resin-based seat pans with plated brackets provide superior fitment for easy, hassle-free installation. Riders will need to carefully study the attributes of each Saddlemen seat so they can learn how it can improve their riding experience. These seat types are:

Seats for Long Distance or “Touring”

These seats are aimed at users who will lay down 500+ miles open road in a day. Large, plush double bucket seats designed to keep rider and passenger in supreme comfort during long-distance riding.

Day Cruising Two-up Seats

These seats are great for cruising and day trips (200-mile tours). Still a significant improvement in the comfort of the original saddle, these seats aim for a balance between style and comfort, making for an enjoyable journey.

Low Profile Two-up Seats

Low slung trim, stylish seats that include seating for a passenger. The lean and minimalistic approach significantly complements the motorcycle’s lines. Not as well suited for long-distance use as an Explorer seat, but they are the most comfortable slammed-down seats you can get. Great for (urban) boulevard cruising.

Renegade Solo & Pillions

These Rider-only seats are also great for cruising and day trips as they provide a superb level of comfort while looking great as only a solo saddle can. Matching pillion seats are available.

Slammed Solo’s (S3) Seats

Low slung trim, stylish seats for lone riders. The lean and minimalistic style complements the motorcycle’s lines. Not as well suited for long-distance use as an Explorer seat, but they are the most comfortable slammed-down seats you can get. Great for casual riding (no backrest options – see Universal Detachable Pillions Pad for passenger seating).

Pro Series Seats

Saddlemen’s seat artisans occasionally partner with leading bike builders to create special edition seats. Not as well suited for long-distance use as an Explorer seat, but very comfortable for urban cruising with a unique appearance.

Café Seats

Specialty rider-only seats that feature the ubiquitous hump at the back of the seat. While aimed at style, the seat is very comfortable for urban cruising.

MEMORIAL DAY 2020– I wanted to take a moment to express my appreciation for our veterans and their families, and all those still serving.

Memorial Day won’t be the same this year, but they are still in our hearts and minds!

–Rogue, Sam Burns, Joe Smith, Stealth, Barry Green,

DUAL OPTICS FROM CYRON–
Projector and Reflector in one device

Well suited for bikes with passing lamps….
A strong tight low beam augments the side-to-side coverage of passing lamps.
When switching to high beams, which turns off the passing lamps on most bikes, a super wide high beam fills the void.

Also works well with bikes without passing lamps and riders who want to make sure they see far down the road.

Three choices of colors:
CHROME for the “near stock” classic look
BLACK with DRL light to match your style
PITCH BLACK without DRL, All blackout look for the all blacked out bikes

For further information on this great new product, click here.

CYRON, Inc.
818-772-1900 (Phone)
818-772-1317 (Fax)
sales@cyron.com
www.cyronmotor.com

DIRECT FROM THE WHITEHOUSE–The Covid-19 Deregulation

“The Trump Administration’s long parade of deregulation—on everything from Title IX, to net neutrality, to environmental-impact statements, to joint employers—is among its biggest achievements. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, this work has thankfully continued,” The Wall Street Journal editorial board writes.

Yesterday, President Trump took another big step with “an executive order telling government agencies to ‘combat the economic consequences of COVID-19 with the same vigor and resourcefulness with which the fight against COVID-19 itself has been waged.’”

In the coming recovery, “deregulation will help the country get back on its feet.”

Operational Changes at Tucker--In a letter to dealers and vendors, Marc McAllister, the recently appointed President at Tucker Powersports, has announced a next stage in his plans to streamline the business.

“We are making changes at Tucker Powersports designed to strengthen our company and make us a better partner for you and your business,” he told dealers and vendors.

“Two weeks ago, we announced that we were closing our offices in California and Arizona and moving the product development and purchasing for our Apparel Group and Dragonfire Racing into our Texas office.”

On May 15, McAllister went further, announcing “an organizational change which realigns our product management staff and also eliminates two senior level positions – the COO position, which had been held by Danny Anderson, and the CCO [Chief Commercial Officer] position, held by Greg Blackwell.

“We wish Danny, Greg and the small number of other Tucker employees who will not be returning from furlough the best and we thank them for their contributions to our company.

“I’ve asked all of our team members to focus on being the company that adds value to our customers. We want to make our dealers better because they have chosen to purchase from Tucker. This is a complicated task, but my simplified recipe for doing it is to assemble and deliver the best collection of high-demand products in the industry and be operationally great in all aspects of our business.

“Our plan is to have employees return to work by mid-June, but obviously this is dependent on the country’s success in battling the virus and relaxing stay-at-home orders. We’ve already seen some positive signs reflected in recent order volume and optimism from our dealers.

“I hope you will see us getting better and stronger with the changes we have made. We will continue to provide great sales programs, great marketing for our products and consistent and efficient purchasing and payment to our suppliers.”
www.tucker.com

–from DealerWorld

NEW FROM BILTWELL–
Murdock O/S Pullback Risers
These bullet-proof risers are built to accept oversized 1 1/8” bars. Investment-cast top clamp, TIG-welded chromoly uprights and CNC lathe-turned mounting bases create a handlebar riser with unrivaled stiffness and strength for aggressive, technical and high-speed riding. The mandrel-bent uprights provide two inches of rearward bar offset.

SHOP MURDOCK O/S RISERS at https://www.biltwellinc.com/collections/murdock

BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY IS OPEN WITH UNLIMITED RESTRICTIONS—Fuck the masks and get as close to the screen as you like.

With which of the following names are you familiar?

1. Monica Lewinsky

2. Spiro Agnew

3. Benito Mussolini

4. Adolf Hitler

5. Jorge Bergoglio

6. Alfonse Capone

7. Vladimir Putin

8. Linda Lovelace

9. Saddam Hussein

10. Tiger Woods

You had trouble with #5, didn’t you?

You know all the liars, criminals, adulterers, murderers,
thieves, sluts and cheaters, but you don’t know the Pope?

Lovely, just lovely.

Sometimes I worry about you!

–Joe Smith
Guest Lecturer
Bikernet University
History Department

[page break]

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY–
I want to thank all the brothers and sisters, who are front line emergency support people. This is going to be a Memorial weekend that will be different than any other we have participated in before.

Enjoy the music marathons and television shows that acknowledge the loss this country has gone through. Put in a prayer all those who are front line responders, still working or home sick. We thank you!

I am also want to thank our fathers and forefathers for what they have done for us and our freedoms. I want to also thank guys like Bandit, Texas Fred, Pegger, Nacho and etc. , etc. Just you fill in the blank and be thankful for all those Freedom Fighters who sat in that jungle or sat on that wall, while we slept in our warm beds.

God bless America.

–Gearhead

Federal Court Says Every Drug Dog In Utah Is Unreliable–
(Mis)Uses of Technology from the so-much-for-‘probable-cause-on-four-legs’ dept

For as long as people have been driving, cops have been imagining reasons to pull them over and coerce them into “voluntary” searches. The Supreme Court’s Rodriguez decision (sort of) put an end to extended stops — the ones that start with a perceived violation that’s dragged out until a drug dog arrives. Unfortunately, that decision only removed part of the equation. The Supreme Court’s Heien decision made it possible for cops to rely entirely on pretext to engage in fishing expeditions by saying cops only had to think they witnessed a traffic violation, rather than actually be accurate about the laws they’re tasked with enforcing.

Cops are still trying to bring drug dogs to routine traffic stops. The Rodriguez decision is generally taken to mean cops just need to be quicker about rustling up a K-9 unit. Cops love drug dogs because they allow cops to perform the warrantless searches they want to perform. The drug dog’s handler can call literally any movement by the dog an “alert,” turning normal dog behavior into “probable cause” for a search. It doesn’t help that the dogs are rewarded for every alert and given no positive reinforcement for failing to find anything interesting.

Courts have historically been willing to cut drug dogs as much slack as they cut their law enforcement officer handlers. Subjective interpretations of anything an animal does to please its master is considered close enough to Fourth Amendment compliance to justify warrantless searches. Every so often, a court will question the reliability of the dog or the intent of its handler, but those are anomalies.

This case, via FourthAmendment.com, is an amazing anomaly. Not only did the court choose to hear from experts on drug dog training and handling, it actually went so far as to call into question the reliability of every drug dog in the state.

The suppression order contains a subheading rarely seen in federal court decisions:

A. The court has serious concerns about Tank’s training and reliability.

Tank is Officer Moore’s drug dog. Officer Moore handled the training in accordance with Utah’s Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) guidelines. Unfortunately, those guidelines do nothing to prevent officers from turning drug dogs into subservient partners with a desire to please and a willingness to respond to handler cues.

Officer Moore claimed he worked with Tank regularly to improve both obedience and “drug locating.” The court says this simply isn’t true — not from what’s on the record.

Notwithstanding Officer Moore’s testimony, evidence at the Hearing raised serious questions about the sufficiency and veracity of Tank’s training. First, the police training records supported that between July 2018, when Tank was certified, and November 2018, Officer Moore only conducted four narcotics trainings with him. Moreover, from October 20, 2018 through March 1, 2019, a period that enveloped the search of Mr. Jordan’s vehicle, Officer Moore only performed one narcotic training exercises that involved searching an area that did not contain narcotics, compared to 27 “normal” exercises where there were narcotics present to be found.

The defense brought in an expert witness, Dr. Mary Cablik, who has two decades of drug dog training experience working with POST units in Nevada and California. Cablik said the absence of “blind” training is a real problem. If the dog is only tested in areas where the handler knows drugs will be found, the dog carries this knowledge on to the real world and will continue to search for nonexistent drugs until it gives its handler what they want: an “alert.”

Here’s how a drug dog should be trained, according to the defense expert:

Dr. Cablk opined that in order to properly train a K9, a program must take steps to prevent handler bias and cuing, namely through blind training. Singleblind training occurs when the handler does not know how many, if any, quantities of narcotics are hidden in a scenario, but someone else present does. The third person may be present to judge whether the dog passed the test.

Such a procedure is important because when a handler knows how many hides are present in a scenario, he will continue to search with his dog until the dog finds them all, which does not create a “realistic scenario that mimics what happens on the street.”

Single-blind testing is important to train a dog to work independently and in turn gives a handler confidence in his dog. Nevertheless, single-blind training is insufficient to prevent bias and cuing. Even if the handler does not know how many hides are present in a scenario, research shows that anyone who is present for the training and knows the quantity and/or location of the hidden narcotics, even the judge, can inadvertently cue the K9.

Thus, in Dr. Cablk’s opinion, the “only means that you can use to demonstrate the reliability of a K9” is to have no one who is present during the training know how many, if any, hides are present. This is considered double-blind training.

Utah’s training can barely be called “training.”

Utah POST does not use double-blind training or testing, and its certification testing is not even done single-blind, as the handler knows exactly how many hides will be present.

Tank’s performance at this traffic stop left a lot to be desired.

Tank did not perform a trained final response while conducting a sniff of Mr. Jordan’s vehicle. He never demonstrated any clearly objective behavior communicating that he had detected a target odor. Rather, Tank demonstrated the innate natural behaviors of a dog going through the paces of sniffing the vehicle.

Officer Moore relied on Tank’s natural behaviors, which he perceived as “alerts,” to conclude that Tank had detected the odor of narcotics emitting from Mr. Jordan’s vehicle. […] There is nothing on the video of the sniff from which a third person can objectively conclude that Tank had performed to respond as he had been trained to do when he detected a target odor.

Fortunately, there was some video. But none of it came from Officer Moore. The court points out Moore was required to wear a body cam but was not wearing one during this traffic stop. The recording was captured by another officer on the scene and much of that recording of the stop was obstructed by the officer’s vehicle.

Allowing a dog to give a cop permission to perform a warrantless search raises serious Fourth Amendment questions. The court here says the training processes and dog behavior observed here aren’t nearly enough to elevate Tank above his unofficial position as Officer Moore’s personal Clever Hans.

Then the court goes further, suggesting the state’s lax standards for drug dog training make every drug dog in the state unreliable…

The state POST training has produced little more than handy Fourth Amendment circumvention tools for officers to use at will. This court is having none of this and refuses to condone the deployment of dogs that are basically trained to please their handlers, rather than actually detect narcotics.

–byTim Cushing
Tech Dirt.com

BARNETT TO SPONSOR CHRIS–I am excited to announce that Barnett has stepped up to sponsor my 1937 EL Knucklehead, dubbed “Redemption” that I am building to raise awareness of narcissistic abuse.

Barnett is a family owned and run business making the world’s finest American-made motorcycle & ATV clutches and cables since 1948. I have never owned a Barnett clutch before so I can’t wait to get this installed in my Knucklehead.

My husband runs a Barnett clutch in his 1946 UL Flathead and he raves about it. As my build progresses, Barnett will be supplying me with custom cables as well.

–Chris Gibbany
Moto-journalist/Event host/Bike builder
Old Iron Never Dies!

MORE FROM THE WHITEHOUSE– President Trump works across party lines to reopen America

Americans have done an incredible job listening to local health authorities, heeding social distancing guidelines, and helping to slow the spread of COVID-19. Our citizens stepped up and made incredible sacrifices. Now, it’s time to get them safely back to work.

“We’re going to safely reopen our country and our economy, and it’s happening very rapidly,” President Trump said at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting.

 President Trump: America is transitioning to greatness!

A safe, strong reopening requires close partnership between federal and state leaders. That work continued today, as President Trump hosted Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) and Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) at the White House. Vice President Mike Pence, meanwhile, traveled to Florida to meet with Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).

FEMA and others are helping ensure each state is stocked up with critical resources. “In our drive to crush the virus, the U.S. has completed nearly 12 million tests,” President Trump said yesterday. “What has been done with testing, what’s been done with ventilators, what’s been done with the distribution of product has been incredible.”

Arkansas, Kansas, and Florida are no exceptions—each state has received the full support of President Trump’s Administration. In terms of testing and masks, for example:
Arkansas is receiving over $78 million in testing assistance funding, along with more than 660,000 N95 masks.

Kansas is receiving over $80 million in testing funds, along with 860,000 N-95 masks.

Florida—one of our most populated states—is receiving over $420 million in testing funds, along with over 5 million masks N95 masks delivered.

YOU DID IT!–There has been an incredible response to the Handlebar Hustle 7k Virtual Event and we reached our initial goal to get one school off the waitlist.

Because of all those who have hustled and the success of the event so far, we have an anonymous donor who would like to match all additional registrations and donations through the end of the month dollar-for-dollar! That’s right: your gift will be doubled in hopes to move TWO schools off the waitlist.

Let’s get active for ALL kids’ health.
Whether you walk, run, or bike, you can participate in this virtual event AND support bringing two wheels to schools across America when that school bell rings once again!

Between May 1 and May 31, choose a sunny day and complete a 7k! By going the EXTRA distance, you will get some good, old fashioned exercise, and directly support bringing the complete Kindergarten PE Learn-To-Ride Program to schools on the All Kids Bike waitlist. Every $4,000 raised together as an active community moves a school off the waitlist, and teaches kids to ride a bike in kindergarten PE class.

We suggest running/ walking/ biking/ hiking a 7k. WHY?

On average, kids under the age of 18 spend over 7 hours a day on an electronic device. We are on a mission to encourage children to spend more time with friends and family outside and being active! By embracing the 7k distance, you are going the extra mile for kids’ health.

Not interested in a 7k? No worries! Choose the distance and activity of your choice — it’s all about getting active and having fun!

All participants will receive a swag bag complete with the All Kids Bike Spring 2020 Handlebar Hustle shirt, virtual race bib, and virtual finisher certificate.

Be sure to tag @AllKidsBike and #HandlebarHustle to show your support of getting bikes in schools!

All Kids Bike® is a national movement led by the Strider® Education Foundation to place Kindergarten PE Learn-To-Ride Programs into public schools for free, using donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations. All Kids Bike is on a mission to teach every child in America how to ride a bike in kindergarten PE class.

LATEST NEWS FROM TWISTED ROAD--Free Ride: How can you and all of your friends rent motorcycles for free?

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 to find out. 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.

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!”

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.

It’s fast and easy! Go to our 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. 

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. 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?

–Austin Rothbard

 STUFF FROM THE PAST–
Keith Ball, Hot Bike, Freelance Photographers Agreement – Primedia Check Stubs (apparently I moved) & Goth’s information from when I met her at the Smoke Out. Nice, talented young lady, sorry we lost her.

WHAT’S COMING UP ON BIKERNET—We are working on a couple of Lindby Multibar techs. I’ve seen these puppies save paint jobs and legs.

Chris Gibbany reviewed a pair of Kevlar jeans and I’m working on another Pandemic Panhead project report. This weekend we hope to balance and align the Salt Torpedo. Then I’ll write another Torpedo report.

 This morning Edge sent me another World’s shortest tech and it involved Suspension Technologies and Crown Royal, crazy.

Hey,

What an interesting week. Someone said 100,000 folks have died of Corona, more than the Vietnam War, but that’s not a fair analogy. That’s actually one fifth of the number who die every year of cancer and about 1/5 of the people who die EVERY YEAR of heart issues.

There is no place for doom and gloom. I believe we’ve done a helluva job at containing something that could have been devastating. And you know Americans. We can do anything, and we will figure this bastard out and move on to party once more.

IMPROVISE, ADAPT, OVERCOME—See the MIC story later in the news.

The controversy continues regarding Sturgis. You’ll see an interview with Woody, the boss of the Buffalo Chip, right here in 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.

FRED KODLIN LAUNCHES A US DIVISION—Starting with the Kodlin Lowering-Kit (K66024) for Harley-Davidson Milwaukee Eight Softail Models.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS:
•
Lowers the bike up to 40 mm
•
“Plug and Play”! Kit does not require to shorten the threated rod or to send back the suspension for
final assembly
•
Includes pre-installed new bearings
•
Includes instructions and TUV documents

Fitments for:

FLHC/FLHCS HERITAGE CLASSIC
•
FXBR/FXBRS BREAKOUT
•
FLFB/FLFBS FAT BOY
•
FLSB SPORT GLIDE
•
FXBS/FXFB FAT BOB
•
FLDE DELUXE
•
FXDR 114

In 1984, sparked by Fred Kodlin’s vision of creating custom bikes represented in a way the world hadn’t seen before, Kodlin Motorcycles was established.

Pushing the boundaries of what a motorcycle can be, the Kodlin name has built a reputation for original bike building, cutting-edge product design and high-quality manufacturing.

Now available worldwide, Fred and son Len have created a hybrid of accessories and design – inspired by both American and European influences, Kodlin accessories have distinct fit, form and functional characteristics not found on the market today.

info@KodlinUSA.com www.KodlinUSA.com (North America, South America, APAC)
info@Kodlin.com www.kodlin.com (Europe)

NEWS FROM THE TWISTED ROAD– NICK’S PICKS: MAY 2020

People are emerging from their homes and the country is slowly starting to open again. It is the perfect time to check out Nick’s Picks on the Twisted Road web site.

Nick is Twisted Road’s resident “all things motorcycle”. If you are part of the Twisted Road community, odds are you have “met” Nick and he’s taken good care of you. And now he’s sharing his love of bikes with us all—10 at a time.

Click each bike to learn more, or visit Twisted Road to explore even more bikes.

www.twistedroad.com

EXCLUSIVE, BOB CLARK NEWS--Know what you mean but I’m trying to get past worrying about projects. If they don’t get done before I croak so be it. Need to mount Lexus seats in my ‘57 Belair today but think I’ll binge watch NCIS or Law and Order.

Seats will still be there in the morning. Who am I kidding. Going home right now, design some brackets and get them mounted ASAP.

Never have been much of a couch potato when there are so many cool things to do.

Stay safe
–Bob Clark
Mastermind Motorcyclist

PS. Ah, but there’s always porn!

Generating Mainstream Media Coverage
in the Time of COVID-19– While media and influencer training and events have largely been stalled because of the coronavirus pandemic, Motorcycles.org has been able to get some help from high-profile friends to keep motorcycles in the public conversation. The industry’s mainstream media outreach program, based at the MIC, has shifted to efforts aimed at putting bikes on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Actor Ian Ziering, who has more than 520,000 followers on Instagram, posted a Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month-themed image after speaking with Motorcycles.org staff. His post garnered nearly 9,000 likes.

RIDE IN STYLE FROM AN EARLY AGE WITH THE LIMITED EDITION
HARLEY-DAVIDSON IRONe12 and IRONe16
Limited to 550 Units Nationwide and Available Now

MILWAUKEE (May 28, 2020) – Available now, the Limited Edition IRONe12 and IRONe16 electric balance bikes provide a custom ride for riders as early 3 years of age. Limited to 550 units nationwide, the Limited Edition IRONe12 and IRONe16 feature a custom graphic treatment and are painted in the same Yellow Fuse color that is also available on the Harley-Davidson LiveWire motorcycle.

IRONe12 and IRONe16 electric balance bikes are electric-powered two-wheelers specifically designed for kids aged 3-7 years old and under 75 lbs., that can help catalyze the experience of riding for the first time. Balance bikes offer an early learning tool for hand-eye coordination and help children develop skills while having fun.

Help your child learn to push, balance, coast and brake in the non-powered mode before graduating to the powered mode – and the throttle. The Limited Edition IRONe12 and IRONe16 electric balance bikes are geared toward instilling a lifetime love for riding on two wheels from an early age.

“The Limited Edition IRONe12 and IRONe16 are impressively custom and extremely limited,” said Jon Bekefy, general manager of brand marketing at Harley-Davidson Motor Company. “No other Harley-Davidson shares the Yellow Fuse color exclusive to LiveWire, which is the halo of the H-D EV portfolio.”

The Limited Edition IRONe12 (from $699 MSRP) and IRONe16 (from $749 MSRP) and standard Harley-Davidson IRONe12 (from $649 MSRP) and IRONe16 (from $699 MSRP) are available in select Harley-Davidson dealers now.

Vietnam vets participating in ‘Rolling to Remember’ had their motorcycles vandalized

A group of AMVETS motorcycle riders from Ohio who were in the nation’s capital to mark the Memorial Day weekend by participating in the Rolling to Remember ride had an unwelcome sendoff from Washington, D.C.

And now AMVETS National Riders President Tom McNamara is speaking out about the incident which left the bikes with thousands of dollars in damage.

“One heinous act diminished a weekend of remembering and reflecting,” he said.

NBC4 reported that the group of Vietnam War veterans had their motorcycles beaten with a hammer outside an Alexandria, Virginia hotel on May 24 as they were preparing to return home to Ohio.

“As I’ve come to learn, the vandal beat their bikes with a hammer while the veterans were, shortly after visiting the Vietnam War Memorial, resting and preparing for their trip home,” said McNamara.

When veterans returned home from Vietnam decades ago, they were confronted with hostility and disdain by a nation that had sent them to war, he continued.

“Never before had American heroes been treated in such a way, and we vowed to never so again,” said McNamara. “However, nearly 60 years later, Vietnam-era veterans are been failed by numerous Americans they took an oath to defend, on a national holiday in commemoration to their fallen brothers and sisters no less.”

Sponsored by AMVETS, Rolling to Remember replaced the canceled Rolling Thunder. The motorcycle demonstration was.s sidelined by the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, AMVETS urged bikers to ride 22 miles in their local communities, one mile for each of the 22 veterans who dies by suicide each day in this country.

President Donald Trump welcomed a small group of AMVETS riders to the White House on May 22.

McNamara said he recognized those responsible do not represent American society as a whole.

“I ask that Americans remain respectful of the less than one percent who sacrifice for this country, especially those who gave their lives for it, and remain ever-vigilant of those who choose not to,’ he said.

Alexandria police have identified a suspect in the case and are continuing to investigate the incident, according to NBC4.

By Julia Ledoux, Radio.com

Motorcycle Cannonball Chronicles Launches Tonight–Motorcycles From The Past Race Into The Future!

The Motorcycle Cannonball has been well documented with racers riding age old machines, dressed in full regalia from a time gone by. This year, however, this living breathing monument to motorcycling past moves years into the future with a new live broadcast: The Cannonball Chronicles.

Stemming from an interview series started by Open Road Radio’s Gina Woods, this new weekly program will primarily feature the trials, tribulations and stories of the race teams as they prepare for the upcoming Motorcycle Cannonball Race.

Join host, Jason Sims, promoter of MCR, along with his co-host Rob Nussbaum, of Retrocycle as they deliver Cannonball news, talk about its history, and introduce us to the competitors. Going under the same name Gina Woods had for her interview series was just too good of a fit and you can expect that Open Road Radio will be working in concert as this show develops.

Additionally, each episode will feature the incredible work of renowned motorcycle photographer, Michael Lichter. Michael will feature one image per show that he captured during previous historic races and provide an in-depth description of who, what, when, where, and why before opening it to group discussion.

You can participate in these discussions through the comment section of your favorite social media platform; Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Twitch and Periscope. Motorcycle Cannonball, Retrocycle and Choppertown will also be carrying the feed so be sure to tune in on Wednesday nights at 9pm EST for the Cannonball Chronicles.

LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK--2019 Harley-Davidson FLHC Softail Heritage Classic for $18,995.00

See it here: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=8797811

TRADITION IS GOOD, BUT IT DOESN’T MEAN SITTING STILL
A DARK CLASSIC WITH MODERN EDGE
Dripping with gangster-era style and vintage details. If Bonnie and Clyde rode a Harley®motorcycle, this would be the one.

SOFTAIL®FRAME
The reinvented frame retains the classic Softail®lines, but its lightweight design and stiffness translate to a responsive ride unlike anything you’ve felt before.

MILWAUKEE-EIGHT® BIG TWIN ENGINE
A powerful, smooth-running engine with crisp throttle response and a pure, soul-satisfying rumble. Available in 107 and 114 engine displacements.

SIGNATURE LED FORWARD LIGHTING
Darkness-defying lighting that gives you great visibility at night.

LOCKABLE AND SEALED SADDLEBAGS
A sleek look on the outside and roomy on the inside with enough space to stash your riding essentials. The lids open with one touch.

DETACHABLE WINDSCREEN
Go from touring to cruising in a heartbeat. Leave the screen on for a clean envelope of air over the long haul. Or remove it in seconds for a completely new look and ride.

HIGH PERFORMANCE FRONT SUSPENSION
Sophisticated suspension technology provides the performance of a racing-style cartridge fork for reduced weight with linear damping characteristics.

HIGH PERFORMANCE REAR MONO SHOCK
Easily adjustable mono-shock rear suspension allows for dynamic cornering capability while preserving the hardtail look.

MICHAEL LICHTER PHOTO OF THE WEEK– Description: Terry Richardson with his 1946 Harley-Davidson FL Knucklehead and other fellow Kansans during the Cross Country Chase motorcycle endurance run from Sault Sainte Marie, MI to Key West, FL (for vintage bikes from 1930-1948).

Photographed at the end of Stage 3 from Milwaukee, WI to Urbana, IL. USA.

Sunday, September 8, 2019. Photography ©2019 Michael Lichter.

Go to Mike’s web site and order prints of your favorite builder, event or bike.–Bandit

T’s Ride, 2020, moved to September 13th and now to be at the Marlboro Moose . . . click on https://www.facebook.com/events/178715303369720/ for all the 4 1 1 and to like, share, invite your buddies . . . thanks !

–Rogue
Senior Editor
Bikernet.com™

BEAUTIFUL BIKERS RIDER PREP WORKSHOP IS ONLINE TODAY, 6PM PST!–We are excited to announce our second Beautiful Bikers Spring/Summer Online Rider Prep Workshop!

Join our featured speaker Robyn “RoKo” Kocienski, along with Porsche Taylor of the Beautiful Bikers Conference& Black Girls Ride Magazine for a workshop to gear you up for your upcoming Spring/Summer Long Distance Rides. Robyn will cover Riding to Alaska. Learn long distance tips and tricks to plan and save for your ride! Raffle Giveaways are provided courtesy of Indian Motorcycle! All are welcome! Registration is FREE!

IFRD 2020: Ride to Calico Ghost Town
This year’s International Female Ride Day takes us from Long Beach, CA to Calico Ghost Town, in honor of our sisters: Runway, Stilletto, Granny, Buttercup, SJ Harris, and all of our Fallen Female Riders. We’ll start the day with a beautiful ride, and end with a poolside celebration! Save the Date, August 22, 2020, 9:30am. More info coming soon! If you have a rider you would like us to honor, email blackgirlsridemag@gmail.com.

BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY WIDE OPEN— Rudeness vs Kindness

I was in the McDonald’s drive-through this morning and the young lady behind me honked at me; very upset because I was taking too long to pay.

Wow. “Take the high road,” I thought to myself. So I paid for her food.

As I moved up, she leaned out the window looking all crazy at me, because the cashier told her I paid for her food. She felt embarrassed.

When I got to the second window to get my food, I showed them both receipts and took her food too. I paid for it — it was mine!

Now she has to wait even longer.

She’s gonna learn today you just don’t mess with us old people.

–Joe Smith
Certified Librarian
Bandit’s Cantina™

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HAL ROBINSON BANDANA IN THE MAKING—The girls are negotiating on the final design of what might become the next Bandana effort to hit the Covid world.

The example above is cool, but way too defined for a bandana effort. Marie is trying to simplify the skull and Ann is looking for alternative Hal art, like the example above.

We currently sell some Tees and Hal prints in the 5-Ball Racing or the Bikernet Shop. Check ‘em out.

–Bandit

VA NEWS–Open Registration for the 2020 Endeavor Games

Strap on your gear and register now for the 2020 Endeavor Games on June 4-7! The Endeavor Games for Athletes with Physical Disabilities is a fun and safe adaptive sports competition as well as sports clinics. Registration is now LIVE, and it’s FREE! 9 sport challenges, team challenges, e-sports, virtual welcome party, 12 live virtual sport clinics – don’t miss this resource. Veterans are encouraged to join!

COMPETE

3 Live Events on May 28 (Thursday)
May 28, 1 p.m. ET – Lunch N Learn: Memorial Affairs Overview and Spiritual Resilience (VA Chaplain Service Resources) JOIN
May 28, 2 p.m. ET – Promoting Veteran Mental Health with VA, Boulder Crest Institute, and Cohen Veterans Network JOIN Audio: 1-800-767-1750, access code 52655#
May 28, 4 p.m. ET – Money 101: Financial Wellness for Military Families with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and Wounded Warrior Project REGISTER

THE MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF BUFFALO CHIP INTERVIEWED–Every day folks like you who are planning a trip to Sturgis ask all sorts of questions about the Buffalo Chip and plans for the upcoming rally. With an event like the Best Party Anywhere® there’s a whole lot to learn, so we’re taking you right to the top and getting you the low down straight from the source.

Read on to get answers to some of the common (and not so common) questions you’ve been asking recently from Sturgis Buffalo Chip® President and Founder Rod “Woody” Woodruff.

1.Is the Buffalo Chip festival postponed because of COVID-19?

The rally has NOT been Postponed. The president has announced a plan to safely reopen the country and its businesses. The Governor of South Dakota has said that we can continue to plan for rally. Experts predict the virus will die down during summer. The rally is in late summer, so we’re staying on the gas. See our full statement on COVID-19 here.

2. What will happen if the Sturgis Rally is postponed?

Things continue to change daily, if not hourly, as the world comes to grips with the COVID-19 virus. We know that you are anxious to know all the details of what will happen, just like the rest of us. At the time of this writing, our first show is 114 days out, and we are optimistic there’ll be substantial improvements that will allow you to be able to attend as planned. We don’t want to get the cart before the horse or be premature. We’re all figuring this out together. Thank you for your patience as we monitor the situation and work out the details.

3. What do I do if I made a reservation, but now I can’t come? Do you offer refunds?

If you’re unable to attend, you can transfer to someone else prior to July 1. Once you have found a person to transfer your passes to call (605) 347-9000 and we will help you make the transfer. Box office hours are Monday-Friday, 8-5 Mountain Time.

4. I’ve been working really hard on my beer gut lately. How can I get entered into the Beer Belly Contest?

It can be way more fun to drink a six-pack than to have six-pack abs. If you wanna participate and show off what you got, all you have to do to is show up to our Fan Fest Event at the Big Engine Bar on Wednesday of rally week. The bar sits in the center of our free-access CrossRoads area, so you won’t need to have a wristband to participate or watch.

5 .I heard the Buffalo Chip is sold out. Are you?

Absolutely not. If you want to come party with us, we’ve got room for you. However, RV sites are limited and selling fast, so if your style of camping includes an RV, motor home, camper or trailer, the time to reserve your passes is now!

6. When will you start announcing more bands?

We are confirming more bands as we speak. When they sign on the dotted line, you’ll know.

7. Can we get concert passes if we’re not camping at The Chip?

Concerts are free with camping, but it’s up to you whether you camp or not. Camping at The Chip is an experience you and your friends will never forget, but if you don’t want to camp, you’ll still need to reserve a pass online, over the phone at (605) 347-9000 or at the box office upon arrival.

8. I lost ________ during the Rally. Was it turned in?

If you lost something and it was turned in, we can help you reconnect with it. Check out this list of the items left behind after the 2019 Sturgis Rally, and if you see something that’s yours call (605) 347-9000 to claim it.

9. Can I bring my pet raccoon? It’ll use the toilet in my RV and stay inside the whole time.

For the safety of the pets and in consideration of other campers you’ll need to make arrangements for your pets to stay home or board them locally while you’re at the Chip. Even if your pet knows how to fetch you a beer, the answer is we’d be happy to recommend some good places you can board your pets while camping in at the Chip.

10. Where is the nearest place to buy _________?

You name it, and we probably carry it at the Buffalo Chip General Store. When you’re camping at the Chip, there’s no need to leave to buy the necessities. The General Store is open 24/7 and is located inside the amphitheater.

11. Can you hook me up with a woman while I’m there?

There are plenty of beautiful women at the Chip, and many relationships DO get their start here. Sorry, but all we can do is point you towards a good book called “How to Pick Up Women in Sturgis.” 😉

RIDER TRAINING UPDATE--Illinois is supposed to start June 1. Will see with the governor shutting us down for another 30 days.

–Paulette Korte
MRF.org

Subject: Rider Training in Pennsylvania

On a conference call (Colorado rider training) and was just informed all training in Pennsylvania has been suspended for the rest of this year.

I am told PA is a Total Control state — Lee and the State have come to an agreement to end this year’s contract.

–Deb Craig
MRF Corporate Secretary

Le Pera Seat of the Week–LePera Bare Bones Seat

Overview

Our thinnest production seat

Slammed to the ground and simply, Bare Bones

Perfect for any style bike: stock or custom
Fitment

All FXST
82-up XL
ALL DYNA
97-UP TOURING
82-94 FXR
RIGID
64-84 FX/FLH

BIKERNET INSIDER SHARES HIS VIEWS--Remember the bike-build off series. It would be cool to show where some of the featured builders are today?

I know some are no longer with us but for the ones that are it would be interesting to see where they are, are they still building bikes etc? Just a thought!

–STEALTH
East Coast Correspondent
Bikernet.com™

ACLU of Maryland launches ad campaign against the Baltimore Police surveillance plane program–

The American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland has launched an ad campaign against the controversial Baltimore Police surveillance plane that began flying last month.

The campaign includes radio ads, print and digital ads in the Baltimore Afro-American newspaper, and digital billboards against the planes that began flying over city skies collecting video of wide swaths of the city, which proponents believe will help police solve violent crimes.

But the ACLU and other critics have fought against the project, which has been untested anywhere else. They argue the planes are an invasion of privacy, unfairly target minority neighborhoods that are already over-policed, and should not be operated by a police department that continues to reel from fallout of one of its largest corruption scandals in history and under a consent decree with the U.S. Justice Department.

“In a majority Black city, the Baltimore City Police Department has once again found a way to target its residents and violate their rights,” said Dana Vickers Shelley, Executive Director of the ACLU of Maryland said in a statement. “This invasive search into people’s constitutionally protected movements is an unprecedented attack on civil rights. This program never should have gotten off the ground, and we’re dedicated to ending it on behalf of the people of Baltimore.”

The ACLU is currently representing three plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit filed in April against the city, claiming the planes violate residents’ constitutional rights. The ACLU sought unsuccessfully to have the planes grounded by filing an emergency injunction, but a federal judge ruled that the program does not violate privacy rights of city residents and allowed the plane’s sixth-month trial run to proceed.

Police have said the plane will fly around 9,000 feet above the ground. But in recent days, data from Flightradar24.com, a site that displays flight tracking information including altitude, showed that the plane was hovering at 4,300 to 5,300 feet when the sky appeared generally clear. A police spokeswoman said the plane has lowered altitude on cloudy days.

Some residents have complained about noise caused by the plane.

Critics have said the six-month-long program, which is paid for through private donations, is the wrong approach to reducing the city’s violence.

“With numerous killings and countless stories of police brutality and excessive use of force against Black people by officers with the BPD, it is bewildering that this department even entertains the notion that spy planes are an answer to end violence in Baltimore,” ACLU senior staff attorney David Rocah said in a statement.

“Instead of investing in Black communities and effective, grassroots-based solutions to attack the root causes of violence, the city is jeopardizing the trust of residents with a military based tool that will be used to target Black people, who are already over policed.”

By Jessica Anderson, Baltimore Sun

DIME BAG NEWS–Clipper Lighter with DimeBag art included with a 3-piece DimeBag Leather Wallet and Timecover would be cool.

–Adam Croft

T-SHIRT OF THE WEEK--As a vet who fought the commies last time, you (and the Bikernet readers) might appreciate some of these new T-shirts from American Tomahawk. They’re creating quite a stir. In a good way.

–Z
https://www.americantomahawk.com/

DIRECT FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES–Dr. Ben Carson: How America will beat this virus

During his career as a pediatric neurosurgeon, HUD Secretary Ben Carson saw firsthand how resilient Americans are in times of crisis and personal difficulty.

Time and again, his patients—along with their families—showed grace and resolve despite the obstacles being thrown in their way. “I am seeing exactly the same thing in our country with the COVID-19 crisis,” he said.

“People coming together—this is the way that we will win.”

Fortunately, that light at the end of the tunnel is coming into view. After months of sacrifice by Americans of all backgrounds to slow the spread of Coronavirus, all 50 states are in a position to begin reopening now or very soon. Many states already have.

Before Coronavirus, America was in the midst of an economic rejuvenation. Historically marginalized communities, including African-American and Hispanic Americans, were witnessing near-record-low unemployment and poverty rates just a few months ago. The same was true for women and Americans without a college degree.

Now, the Trump Administration is working hard “to bring that renewal back again and make it even stronger and better than it ever was before,” Secretary Carson says.

DID YOU KNOW THESE THINGS HAD NAMES?
1. The space between your eyebrows is called a glabella.
2. The way it smells after the rain is called petrichor.
3. The plastic or metallic coating at the end of your shoelaces is called an aglet.
4. The rumbling of stomach is actually called a wamble.
5. The cry of a new-born baby is called a vagitus.
6. The prongs on a fork are called tines.
7. The sheen or light that you see when you close your eyes and press your hands on them is called phosphenes.
8. The tiny plastic table placed in the middle of a pizza box is called a box tent.
9. The day after tomorrow is called
overmorrow.
10. Your tiny toe or finger is called minimus.
11. The wired cage that holds the cork in a bottle of champagne is called an agraffe.
12. The ‘na na na’ and ‘la la la’, which don’t really have any meaning in the lyrics of any song, are called vocables.
13. When you combine an exclamation mark with a question mark (like this ?!), it is referred to as an interrobang.
14. The space between your nostrils is called columella nasi.
15. The armhole in clothes, where the sleeves are sewn, is called armscye.
16. The condition of finding it difficult to get out of the bed in the morning is called dysania.
17. Illegible hand-writing is called griffonage.
18. The dot over an “i” or a “j” is called tittle.
19. That utterly sick feeling you get after eating or drinking too much is called crapulence.
20. The metallic device used to measure your feet at the shoe store is called Bannock device.
HOW MANY OF THE ABOVE DID YOU ALREADY KNOW?

–from the Wayfarer
Special Investigator

QUOTE OF THE WEEK—Like beautiful flowers full of scent are the fair and fruitful words of those who speak of the Code of the West and act accordingly.

Ming Ball
Minion Monk
Bikernet Monastery
Deadwood, SD

MIC SYMPOSIUM SERIES– Episode 1

The Motorcycle Industry Council will be hosting a series of monthly webinars to address the immediate needs and challenges facing the powersports industry today.

The first episode, “Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.” Took place today, May 28.

–MIC

THE LOWBROW SISSYBAR– It’s definitely not your sister’s favorite watering hole.

Our latest article is all about sissy bars.
The history, uses and different styles of sissy bars along with lots of photos of killer bikes with them in action.

And…
We want your opinion! Be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the article. Let us know:

Do you have a sissy bar on your bike? If so, how do you find it most useful? Or, if you don’t like sissy bars, tell us why!

MELLOW OUT—A couple of brothers got sorta edgy over the last couple of weeks. Staying locked down got to them in a bad way.

Now, as we get back to it. We need to take a breath, meditate, and know that your wildest thought is just that, a thought.

I don’t know if Dr. Hamster’s paint will arrive from the master, Deny 925 or not. I still need to work out the throttle cable. I’m wrapping up a Sportster project for a friend. We are adding a Mini S&S air cleaner to this 1200 SE kit. I fixed his Thunderheader bracket yesterday and rewired his bars.

I’m making a metal frame for the Deadwood fireplace just below the cool mantle Adrian made and installed. Carpeting is going in this week.

I want to put the belly on the Torpedo and we need to roll it down the block and check the handling once more. Mike suggested a steering damper. I have one.

I need to check with Lee Clemens, at Departure Bike works about our new rebuilt 45 flathead for the Bonne Belle. Where is that puppy?

It’s never dull around here. I don’t know what gets into me, but Buster, from Saddlemen, wants to help, and I would like him to focus on K. Randall Ball books, but I need to reprint the first two again. They sold out. I’m working with David Barnett on getting them reprinted. Hang on for the story about the first one, “Prize Possession.”

Have a terrific weekend and ride fast and free forever, goddammit.

–Bandit