Hey,

It’s the 4th of July and I’m working on the news. Ah, but it’s Thursday. And we are celebrating the Declaration of Independence that we are all equal and deserve happiness.

I watched a four-part documentary series called “Why Are We Here.” It was presented by a physicist and his documentary producing partner. They interviewed scientists all over the globe about science, atoms, god and morals. It was fascinating.

At the end of the day, it’s up to man to set and enforce morals. We have the capabilities to do everything right. As a brother said as we snorted lines and drank whiskey, “Time will tell and shit will smell.”

In the meantime, we’ve started final assembly on the Salt Torpedo. And tomorrow I’ll pick up the body from Aircraft Windshield shop, where the windshield is being built.

George the Wild Brush is going to help us cut and hinge the canopy and ultimately install the windshield. Then we go to paint. Hang on!

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 the Smoke Out and Quick Throttle Magazine came on board.

LOWBROW’S 4th of July sale is happening right now!–So get that freedom machine of yours dialed in and hit the road. Simply copy and paste the discount code happy4th in the shopping cart and save 20% off of every single item* in the handlebars, fenders and gas tanks categories.

Shop now and get what you need before it sells out! Sale ends Sunday, July 8th at midnight.

BIKERNET BOOK OF THE WEEK CLUB–The Big Books of Bonneville

These books are the most comprehensive history of Bonneville that we have ever seen. They’re filled with 20 vintage Speed Week programs exactly as they were originally printed, plus additional history. At $59.95, you’re paying $3 a program. You can’t find that deal anywhere else!
As a hot rodder, Bonneville is the ultimate destination.

For the past seven decades, it’s been known to push man and machine to their limit. Legends are born out on the salt, and now the golden years of Bonneville racing have been compiled into an unbelievable two-book set. S.C.T.A. Bonneville National Speed Trials – 1949-1968 captures the excitement like never before, and it’s available in our Rodder’s Journal Library.

It’s no secret that early S.C.T.A. Bonneville programs are hard to find, but thanks to Ron Main and David Fetherston, they’re all reprinted in their entirety in this hardcover, two-book set. The first volume focuses on the founding of the S.C.T.A. and programs from 1949-1958, while the second zeroes in on 1959-1968. From photos with detailed captions to official race results, these books offer invaluable insight into our favorite period of land speed racing history.

Flipping through the 680+ pages, you’ll find never-before-seen photos of early racing action mixed in with snapshots of hot rodding pioneers. From roadsters and competition coupes to belly tankers and streamliners, this set showcases the diversity of racecars that gunned for the record books. It’s amazing to see how Speed Week grew from its humble beginnings in ’49 to something much larger than anyone could have imagined. At the end of the day, you’d be hard pressed to find a purer test of hot rod ingenuity.

Limited quantities of these books are available, and they cannot be sold individually. To place an order, click the box above or give us a call at (800) 750-9550 in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean or (804) 496-6906 internationally.

Happy Fourth of July!
Your Friends at The Rodder’s Journal

P.S. Our Rodder’s Journal Swap meet is in full swing. We still have a number of rare issues—like #13—up for grabs. Click here to get them while supplies last!

BIKERNET READER COMMENT–Comment on Facebook regarding Weekly News 27 June –

I started riding in ‘66. Been a road dog since ‘72. Coast to coast and border to border many times. Still out there trippin’ as much as my health allows.

Not much room on a hardtail to pack creature comforts.

–Howard Ruppel

THE HAL ROBINSON UPDATE—The master of the fine line ink pen made Seal Beach come to life.

Hal at home in Seal Beach, CA with his famous Avalon pen and ink caricature hanging on the wall in the background; late 1970s.

Many people loved Hal and would stop by his place for a visit and admire his drawings when he wasn’t busy at work on an assignment for Easyriders Magazine.

–Ann Robinson

We helped Ann create three Hal Robinson T-shirts and limited edition prints. Check them out.—Bandit

POWER PLANT AT BORN FREE THIS YEAR—Yaniv took 2nd place in the San Diego Customs FXR show this year at Born Free and rode home with his trophy—no issues. That’s success.

He was also chosen to go to the Mooneyes show in Japan this year. “Thanks to all who helped with this build,” said Yaniv Evan, the master behind Power Plant.

‘Patriot Tour’ Makes a Stop at San Diego Harley-Davidson to Support Veterans—
It was a day of patriotism Saturday at the San Diego Harley-Davidson in support of veterans across the country.

Over 60 motorcycle riders made their way into San Diego carrying the American flag as part of its cross-country journey.

Nation of Patriots, a nonprofit organization, launched its 10th annual “Patriot Tour” where they take one American flag on a 110-day journey where it travels 1,400 miles across 48 continental states carried by motorcycle riders.

The goal of this journey is to help raise funds to support disabled veterans and their families.

On Saturday, they held a passing of the flag ceremony at Harley Davidson.

Nathan Wilder, a veteran, and Director of San Diego Hog received the flag.

“It fills me with pride that so many of my brothers and sisters took to the road today to bring this flag down here,” said Wilder.

The tour started in Wisconsin on Armed Forces Day in May, and its last stop will be in Illinois in August.

“It will be a greater honor tomorrow to take it to Riverside and let it travel throughout the United States,” said Wilder.

100 percent of the funds raised on this tour goes directly to veterans and their families. Nation of Patriots also works with Department of Veterans Affairs facilities and other veteran organizations to help distribute the funds, according to Bill Sherer, founder and executive director of the Nation of Patriots.

“For all those veterans out there and disabled, we are here for you, if you need help let us know and we’ll do what we can,” said Wilder.

–By Brooke Landau
Channel 7 News

LATEST FROM THE MOTORCYCLE PROFILING PROJECT–San Antonio Police Say Wearing MC Colors In Public Is A Crime

Motorcycle profiling is an epidemic in Texas demanding judicial and legislative relief. It appears that the level of unconstitutional absurdity has reached new heights.

As captured on video, members of a motorcycle club were cited by officers in San Antonio for Disturbing the Peace for displaying their motorcycle club insignia in public, which the officers considered a public display of gang colors.

The officer’s actions are outrageous and blatantly unconstitutional under both the 1st and 4th Amendments to the US Constitution. All officers in San Antonio, and throughout Texas, should immediately cease and desist from any further illegal seizures and citations based on the fact that a person is riding a motorcycle or wearing motorcycle club-related insignia.

This incident in San Antonio is only one of the most recent incidents documented and reported across the state. According to the 2018 National Motorcycle Profiling Survey (NMPS) Executive Summary, Texas is among the worst states for reported incidents of profiling in America.

The 2018 NMPS confirms the wide-held belief among motorcyclists in Texas that incidents of profiling have dramatically proliferated since the Twin Peaks tragedy that occurred on May 17, 2015. The 2018 NMPS shows a 100% increase in the percentage of survey participants reporting incidents of profiling in Texas since 2013.

Impact on civil liberties

Being stopped and cited for wearing motorcycle club colors under the guise of disturbing the peace would be laughable if it weren’t actually happening. Wearing motorcycle club colors in public has been recognized by federal courts as expressive conduct protected by the 1st Amendment.

Moreover, wearing motorcycle club colors is not reasonable suspicion of a traffic
infraction or criminal activity, the minimal threshold for a seizure under the 4th Amendment.

Independent of this obvious misapplication of statute, profiling incidents take many forms and impact a wide array of civil liberties. Motorcycle club members with a legal License to Carry have been arrested for possession of legal firearms simply for being a member of a motorcycle
club.

Club members have been stopped and threatened with jail if they didn’t submit to having every tattoo on their bodies photographed against their consent. Unfortunately, the fact that
these attacks on civil liberties impact well established rights and fly in the face of well
established judicial precedent has not been a deterrent to law enforcement.

Video is critical to fighting back

The video captured in San Antonio could be a critical piece of evidence demonstrating the essential facts required to successfully defend against the infraction and maybe file for an injunction against the practice of stopping and/or citing a person for wearing motorcycle club colors.

The facts are all contained in a short video. The individuals in the video are being cited
for Disturbing the Peace because wearing motorcycle club colors is displaying gang colors in public. This video makes these facts irrefutable.

Independent of judicial applications, this video and incident also help establish a tangible pattern of profiling necessary for legislative relief. Seeing is believing and nothing has worked better than video in the MPP’s opinion.

The post San Antonio Police Say Wearing MC Colors In Public Is A Crime appeared first on Motorcycle Profiling Project.
National Council of Clubs of the United States
United We Stand. Protecting Patchholders Rights, through Unity.

–By David “Double D” Devereaux

ANOTHER 4TH DEAL FROM THE BROS AT HEMPWORX–
We would like to take a minute and wish you a HAPPY JULY 4th! We are celebrating July 4th with a 10% discount to thank you for being a loyal MyDailyChoice/HempWorx Customer! Get 10% off ANY purchase all day Thursday July 4th, 2019.

*Discount applicable on all HempWorx and MDC Products. Valid until Midnight PST. Previous autoships and orders do not count towards this sale, only orders placed on the day of the sale.

Thank you for being a loyal Customer and we look forward to an incredible 2019!

Thank You For Your Business,

MDC Home Office

[page break]

Anti-Gun Politicians Have a Fairy Tale to Tell the Public
BY TTAG CONTRIBUTOR

By Roger Katz

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo hates guns, all kinds of guns…with a passion. His vehement disdain for these inanimate objects rests on the ground that, as he perceives it, they serve no legitimate or useful purpose.

Guns do kill, of course. That fact can’t be denied. But, there is a huge difference between guns in the hands of criminals and lunatics, on the one hand, and guns in the hands of law-abiding, trained individuals, on the other. That’s a world of difference that anti-gun zealots don’t seem to recognize or appreciate; or, if they do, then it is something they simply refuse to acknowledge.

Criminals and lunatics use guns to threaten and destroy innocent life. Law-abiding, rational citizens use guns to thwart threats by criminals and lunatics, in order to protect their lives and those of other innocents.

The mainstream media and anti-gun zealots invariably conflate the two or otherwise skirt this critical difference. Why? Because drawing attention to a clear and obvious difference between misuse of guns by criminals and lunatics on the one hand, and the proper, lawful use of guns for self-defense by the law-abiding citizen, on the other hand, doesn’t fit the false and shameless narrative they wish to convey: that no concrete difference exists between proper lawful use and improper illegal use of firearms.

Thus, Cuomo and other radical leftists refuse even so much as to acknowledge the benefits a firearm affords the average law-abiding citizen. After all, they have a fairy tale to tell the public — that a citizen who is armed with a gun is somehow less safe when they’re confronted by an assailant.

Removing firearms from the hands of the average, honest, rational, law-abiding American citizen is their raison d’etre. So Cuomo and the leftist elements that comprise anti-gun groups continue their call for ever more restrictive gun laws, weaving a fable. A fable that’s consistent with both the tenets of collectivism and with their own warped political, social, and ethical views of society and of the role and place of the citizen in it.

The Second Amendment is an anathema to them. Thus, they seek its destruction. It is the American citizenry itself that anti-gun zealots like Cuomo seek to disarm, not the criminal element.

The plain fact of the matter is that Cuomo and other so-called progressives don’t truly consider the Bill of Rights to be a salient component of the Constitution. Yet the first ten amendments must be taken together, as the Framers intended, as one unified whole, and an integral and critical component of the Constitution.

Cuomo and those who agree with is political and social philosophy play with the Bill of Rights, pretending that they are, in their inception, nothing more than man-made constructions, not unlike any Congressional statute. But this is the tacit assumption and fiction that informs all the policy decisions and aims of Governor Cuomo and other radical leftists who hold to, and place their faith in the tenets of collectivism.

Cuomo and others who express his sentiments reject the Second Amendment out-of-hand. But the right to keep and bear arms is a critical component of the Constitution, one without which a free republic would not long exist. Yet Cuomo and others of his political persuasion couldn’t care less about the Constitution, even as they exclaim, disingenuously and hypocritically, that they do.

New Yorkers and Americans must not forget that Cuomo’s obsession with civilian gun ownership isn’t something he concocted out of the blue. It didn’t happen yesterday. Having been able to use his state as a test-bed for his radical anti-gun policies to play out, Cuomo’s assaults on on the Second Amendment date back to his first term in office.

As reported by the Observer . . .

“One of the most hotly anticipated elements of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s annual State of the State address today [to the New York Legislature, delivered on Jan 9, 2013] was his plan to enact ‘sweeping’ gun control reforms in New York. In his speech, the governor outlined a seven-point gun control plan focused on “high-capacity assault rifles” that he promised would be one of the ‘toughest’ in the nation and lead similar laws to spread beyond New York.

The governor outlined the items on his seven-point gun plan.

‘Number one: Enact the toughest assault weapon ban in the nation, period!’ he shouted, before ticking off his other new gun control proposals. ‘Number two, close the private sale loophole by requiring federal background checks. Number three, ban high-capacity magazines. Number four, enact tougher penalties for illegal gun use, guns in school grounds and violent gangs. Number five, keep guns from people who are mentally ill. Number six, ban direct internet sales of ammunition in New York. Number seven, create a state [National Instant Criminal Background Check System] check on all ammunition purchases.’

To this seven-point list, we can now add an eighth:

On Monday, February 25, 2019, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Red Flag Bill into law at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He was joined by many of his colleagues in New York State government, and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to celebrate this new legislation, the first in the nation of its kind. . . .

Mr. Cuomo predicted the rest of the country will follow New York’s lead and adopt stiffer gun laws. Cuomo never intended his anti-gun agenda to be confined to the Empire State. His agenda was always much more ambitious.

On October 30, 2015, The New York Times declared, in an article titled, “Cuomo Planning Role in National Gun Control Campaign,” that Cuomo anticipated national attention.

‘The political climate is right again for action,’ said Mr. Cuomo, who has endorsed Hillary Rodham Clinton for president. He added, ‘The appetite is there, I think, in the presidential election, especially in the Democratic primary but also in the general election.’

Well, that didn’t come to pass and Cuomo obviously never forgave Donald Trump for having had the audacity to win the 2016 U.S. Presidential election, thereby dashing his hope of implementation of a national SAFE Act.

As we’ve already seen, the incessant, vicious, virulent attacks on the Second Amendment are a significant factor in the upcoming 2020 presidential election. And Cuomo will, no doubt, be cheering the candidates on, all the way.

–Truth About Guns.com

BRASS MONKEY RALLY IN NEW ZEALAND–
Have a look at this. We went to the brass Monkey Rally here at the
beginning of this June. It was like this last year when I rode solo with
Keegan to this rally.

–Graeme.

40th Brass Monkey may be last
By Adam Burns

Organizers of the Brass Monkey Rally event have said next year’s 40th edition may be the last.

Lack of ”new blood” coming through the ranks has been identified as a factor by Brass Monkey Rally committee member John Willems.

”There’s a few of us grey-haired old buggers still there.

”We’ve got a really good team but some of us are getting a little bit tired.”

About 950 patrons attended the Central Otago rally over the weekend compared to previous year attendances of 1500-2000 people.

Mr Willems said the turnout this year was ”disappointing”.

”We’ll be lucky to break even this year.”

An option of an event manager had been considered previously for organisers but was deemed not financially viable, Mr Willems said.

The introduction of additional vendors and a fireworks display was one of the features organizers were considering for the 40th rally in 2020.

A handful of patrons on social media were also critical of police for stopping riders from travelling over the Dunstan Trail.

Mr. Willems said organizers continued to have a great relationship with police and it was the actions of a handful of people which had ruined it for the majority.

In 2017, three unwarranted and unregistered riders were involved in separate accidents on the Dunstan Trail.

”It was a privilege. And you know what happens with privileges when you go too fast, you get them taken away from you.”

The escort along the Dunstan Trail from Poolburn to Idaburn Dam had been stopped as a result.

Police had a checkpoint at the entrance to the Dunstan Trail, near Middlemarch and Moa Creek over the weekend.

Acting Road Policing Manager Snr Sgt Jared Kirk said police were happy with the compliance levels of most riders.

Nobody tested positive for alcohol and one rider was stopped and forbidden to continue due to an expired license.

The weekend ended in tragedy when Christchurch man Michael Rowe was killed in a four-vehicle accident after the Brass Monkey event on Sunday.

–Otago Daily Times

BANDIT’S CANTINA REALLY BAD JOKE LIBRARY IS WIDE OPEN–One morning the husband returns after several hours of fishing and decides to take a nap. Although not familiar with the lake, the wife decides to take the boat out. She motors out a short distance, anchors, and reads her book.
Along comes a Game Warden in his boat. He pulls up alongside the woman and says, “Good morning, Ma’am. What are you doing?”

“Reading a book,” she replies, (thinking, “Isn’t that obvious?”)

“You’re in a Restricted Fishing Area,” he informs her.

“I’m sorry, officer, but I’m not fishing. I’m reading.”

“Yes, but you have all the equipment. For all I know you could start at any moment. I’ll have to take you in and write you up.”

“If you do that, I’ll have to charge you with sexual assault,” says the woman.

“But I haven’t even touched you,” says the game warden.

“That’s true, but you have all the equipment. For all I know you could start at any moment.”

“Have a nice day ma’am,” and he left.

–from El Waggs

CHOPPER OF THE WEEK—This bike was spotted by my grandson. Amazing classic, and a couple of years ago fold said, “Choppers are dead.”

Fat chance.

TANYA TUCKER UNVEILS NEW VIDEO FOR “HARD LUCK”

NEW ALBUM
WHILE I’M LIVIN’
DUE AUGUST 23 ON FANTASY RECORDS

PRODUCED BY BRANDI CARLILE AND SHOOTER JENNINGS

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Just days after The Hollywood Walk of Fame announced Tanya Tucker will be one of their newest stars, the country legend premieres the video for “Hard Luck,” the first official single from her new album, While I’m Livin’ (out August 23, 2019 via Fantasy Records.)

A 1978 chestnut from country rockers Josefus, “Hard Luck” was chosen for the new album by Jennings and personalized lyrically by Tucker. “This tune is really fun,” says Carlile. “If you know Tanya Tucker you know this is her song.” The clip, directed by noted photographer Chris Phelps (Willie Nelson, Sam Outlaw) stars Tucker, Carlile and Jennings. Listen/buy “Hard Luck” here, watch/share the video here.

Tucker made a resounding return at the recent CMT Awards with her performance of “Delta Dawn,” where she was joined on stage by Brandi Carlile and six of country’s top female vocalists including Trisha Yearwood and Martina McBride. Rolling Stone noted, “Upon hearing Tucker’s still strong, gritty voice, the crowd cheered with excitement.” She was met with equal enthusiasm for her performance at CMA Fest.

Tucker’s first album of all new material in 17 years, While I’m Livin’ is her first release for Fantasy Records and her first new material since 2002’s Tanya. Watch/share the video for the album’s debut song “The Wheels of Laredo,” directed by Myriam Santos, here and pre-order While I’m Livin’ here.

While I’m Livin’ is largely comprised of songs written by Carlile, the twins Tim and Phil Hanseroth and Tucker. “It’s a musical biography of sorts,” explains Carlile, “about Tanya’s real life and the places she’s seen, and it’s narrated by the greatest country and western singer this side of Johnny Cash.”

“The Day My Heart Goes Still” is a reflection of Tucker’s enduring love for her late father, while “Mustang Ridge” recalls her hardscrabble childhood in central Texas. While I’m Livin’ also contains some well-chosen covers including “High Ridin’ Heroes,” a 1987 song Jennings selected that featured David Lynn Jones and his dad, Waylon Jennings, “The House That Built Me,” a track made famous by Miranda Lambert, and the aforementioned “Hard Luck” by country-rockers Josefus.

In many ways, the album’s cornerstone is “Bring My Flowers Now,” the only tune that was co-written by Tucker, Carlile and the twins. The album closer, told through Carlile’s solo piano and Tucker’s plaintive vocal, speaks to the importance of showing appreciation to those we love before it’s too late.

WHILE I’M LIVIN’ TRACKLIST
1. Mustang Ridge
(written by Brandi Carlile, Tim Hanseroth and Phil Hanseroth)

2. The Wheels Of Laredo
(written by Brandi Carlile, Tim Hanseroth and Phil Hanseroth)

3. I Don’t Owe You Anything
(written by Brandi Carlile, Tim Hanseroth and Phil Hanseroth)

4. The Day My Heart Goes Still
(written by Brandi Carlile, Tim Hanseroth and Phil Hanseroth)

5. High Ridin’ Heroes
(written by David Lynn Jones)

6. The House That Built Me
(written by Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin)

7. Hard Luck
(written by John C. “Pete” Bailey, David Lee Mitchell, Raymond L. Turner and Jerry Ontiberoz)

8. Rich
(written by Brandi Carlile, Tim Hanseroth and Phil Hanseroth)

9. Seminole Wind Calling
(written by Brandi Carlile, Tim Hanseroth and Phil Hanseroth)

10. Bring My Flowers Now
(written by Tanya Tucker, Brandi Carlile, Tim Hanseroth and Phil Hanseroth)

To keep up with Tanya, visit TanyaTucker.com

SIU Motorcycle Training program marks 50-year anniversary–
CARBONDALE, Ill. – A pioneering Southern Illinois University motorcycle training program that almost seems like it’s been around longer than the motorcycle is celebrating an anniversary.

The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan reports that SIU’s Motorcycle Rider Program that’s trained tens of thousands of motorcyclists how to safely navigate the roadways is turning 50 years old.

Program coordinator Jared Borrenpohl says that the Motorcycle Rider Program was one of the first of its kind in the country.

According to the school, the program started as a master’s degree project by a student and motorcyclist named Larry Lindauer. After earning an undergraduate degree in physical education with a minor in traffic safety education developed a cycle safety seminar for traffic safety educators that led to a program for beginning riders.

–associated press

BIKER LIVES MATTER UPDATE—This new group was recently faced with the Horrors in New Hampshire, where seven brothers were killed. I asked the BLM Founder about this incident. “It is some thing I am working on But will do it through BOLT of Florida as they are a Motorcycle Rights Organization.
Biker Lives Matter is a Safety Organization and under how we registered with the State of Florida have limited thing.
I do have it covered though,” said Rogue.

“We are going to be involved in education, public awareness and getting people educated on how to get involved to make changes.

“Everyone is saying someone should do something about this and that and we are saying okay, But we need you.
We tell them, The politician in your area does not care what I think because I can not vote for or against him or her. BUT they do care what you have to say, so lets help educate you and when you do things we will let people know. That way others will see your involved and want to get involved as well.

“A large majority of the people who are working with us all over the country like this.

“None of us care about getting credit for what we do because we cannot do it without all the people who actually get out there and do all the hard work.

We want to let others know who is helping and setting a example for others to follow.
We want them to say hey if he or she can do it so can I and some of them will even say better.

“2020 is going to be very important and the time is perfect for everyone to get involved.

“There is a lot of networking going on and I am convinced we are going to make changes for the better.

–Rogue

[page break]

NEWS FROM THE CLIMATE DEPOT— U.N. Predicts Disaster if Global Warming Not Checked (published June 30, 1989)

UNITED NATIONS (AP) _ A senior U.N. environmental official says entire nations could be wiped off the face of the Earth by rising sea levels if the global warming trend is not reversed by the year 2000.

Coastal flooding and crop failures would create an exodus of ?eco- refugees,’ ‘ threatening political chaos, said Noel Brown, director of the New York office of the U.N. Environment Program, or UNEP.

He said governments have a 10-year window of opportunity to solve the greenhouse effect before it goes beyond human control.

As the warming melts polar icecaps, ocean levels will rise by up to three feet, enough to cover the Maldives and other flat island nations, Brown told The Associated Press in an interview on Wednesday.

Coastal regions will be inundated; one-sixth of Bangladesh could be flooded, displacing a fourth of its 90 million people. A fifth of Egypt’s arable land in the Nile Delta would be flooded, cutting off its food supply, according to a joint UNEP and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency study.

?Ecological refugees will become a major concern, and what’s worse is you may find that people can move to drier ground, but the soils and the natural resources may not support life. Africa doesn’t have to worry about land, but would you want to live in the Sahara?? he said.

…
Read more: https://www.apnews.com/bd45c372caf118ec99964ea547880cd0

–PETER JAMES SPIELMANN June 30, 1989

BRAND New Bikernet Reader Comment!–
THE REAL BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS for June 27, 2019

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/THE_REAL_BIKERNET_WEEKLY_NEWS_for_June_27_2019.aspx

For those wire harnesses that go through the Salt Torpedo firewall, why not use regular fire wall gromets like they use in the auto industry?

— Gearhead
msgearheadtg@yahoo.com
Torrance, Calif.

We will, thanks.–Bandit

KEEP THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY WIDE OPEN— Marine Sgt Major Job Interview

Years ago, a young Navy Pilot was injured while ejecting from his A-4 Skyhawk due to engine failure during a catapult shot from the carrier. Due to the heroics of rescue helicopter crew and the ship’s hospital staff, the only permanent injury was the loss of one ear.

He remained on flight status and eventually became an Admiral. However, during his career he was always sensitive about his appearance.

One day the Admiral was interviewing two Navy Master Chiefs and a Marine Sergeant Major for his personal staff. The first Master Chief was a Surface Navy type and it was a great interview. At the end of the interview the Admiral asked him, “Do you notice anything different about me?”

The Master Chief answered, “Why, yes, Admiral. I couldn’t help but notice that you are missing your starboard ear, so I don’t know whether this impacts your hearing on that side.”

The Admiral got very angry at this lack of tact and threw him out of his office.
The next candidate, an Aviation Master Chief, when asked this same question, answered, “Well yes, Sir, you seem to be short one ear.”

The Admiral threw him out as well.

The third interview was with the Marine Sergeant Major. He was articulate, extremely sharp, and seemed to know more than the two Navy Master Chiefs put together.
The Admiral wanted this guy but went ahead with the same question. “Do you notice anything different about me?”

To his surprise, the Sergeant Major said, “Yes Sir. You wear contact lenses.”
The Admiral, impressed thought to himself, what an incredibly tactful Marine. “And how would you know that?” the Admiral asked.

The Sergeant Major replied: “Well, sir, it’s pretty hard to wear glasses with only one fuckin’ ear. “

–from Andy

INDIAN MOTORCYCLE’S FTR750 FINISHES TOP SIX AT LIMA HALF-MILE

Indian Wrecking Crew Rider Jared Mees Wins Third Race of Season Aboard FTR750;
Indian Privateers Jeffrey Carver Jr. & Henry Wiles Finish Second & Third

LIMA, OH. (JUNE 29, 2019) – Indian Motorcycle Racing, presented by Progressive Motorcycle Insurance, and its championship-winning FTR750 earned its seventh win of the 2019 season at the Lima Half-Mile in Lima, Ohio. Indian Wrecking Crew Rider and defending champion, Jared Mees, secured his third win of the season, while Indian Privateers Jeffrey Carver Jr. and Henry Wiles finished in second and third, respectfully, to complete the FTR750 podium sweep.

The 2019 Lima Half-Mile will be best remembered for a red flag restart that occurred six laps into the Twins Main. Following the restart, Mees was able to maintain the lead, while Carver strategically slid past a pack of riders and battled Mees for first.

Mees was able to maintain first place and move back into second in the season standings – now only trailing fellow Wrecking Crew Rider and points leader Briar Bauman by 13 points.

“This was an impressive bounce-back race for Jared. He showcased determination, grit and reminded us all why he’s the back-to-back reigning AFT Twins champion,” said Gary Gray, Vice President – Racing, Technology & Service for Indian Motorcycle. “It was some of the best racing we’ve seen this season, and we’re extremely proud of our factory race team and privateers for battling it out and earning the top six finishes.”

Fellow Indian riders Brandon Price, Bronson Bauman and Rob Pearson, finished in fourth, fifth and sixth place, respectfully. After starting in the back of the pack, Wrecking Crew Rider Bronson Bauman showcased immense determination as he fought his way up to fifth.

Through nine races, Briar Bauman remains the series points leader with 145 points. Mees is second with 132 and Bronson Bauman is fourth with 101.

The season continues on July 13 with the New York Short Track at the Weedsport Speedway in Weedsport, NY. For more information on Indian Motorcycle Racing, visit IndianMotorcycle.com and follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For more information Indian Motorcycle Racing’s sponsors, visit their websites: Progressive Motorcycle Insurance, S&S Cycle, Indian Motorcycle Oil, Parts Unlimited, Drag Specialties, Alpinestars, Bell Helmets and J&P Cycles.

DATES HAVE BEEN CHANGED FOR STURGIS 2020–Help us get the word out. The dates have been changed to August 7-16.

— Michael F. Hupy
President

LIFESTYLE DEAL OF THE WEEK–2014 Harley-Davidson FLHTK – Electra Glide Ultra Limited

ONLY $17,995.00
$2,000.000 off! 
 
See It here: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=6692919
 
Long distance riding has never been better. Take this bike on that long trip you always dreamed. H-D Boom Audio stereo system with music, GPS and Bluetooth accessibility.

This one has been upgraded to the Twin Cam 110 and is mated to a smooth-shifting 6 speed cruise drive transmission for lower rpm at highway speeds.

The Ultra Limited has more room and touring comfort for the passenger and a redesigned iconic batwing fairing to reduce head buffeting. Reflex Linked Brakes with ABS Anti-lock Braking System. This one has LED a headlamp, All four LED blinkers, brighter tour-pak lighting, and a new steering head with stiffer front forks. Contrast cut aluminum cast wheels.?

?ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT:??This is a blacked out beauty that cannot be surpassed in rider comfort. Vivid Black paint with silver pin-striping and raised tank logos will make you ecstatic and full of pride.

Tinted windshield with chrome accent. Vivid Black inner fairing, bars, mirrors, levers, and H-D GetaGrip grips. Charcoal mesh tank strap and carbon fiber gauge panel. LED headlamp and all blinkers.

Vivid Black forks from top to bottom with polished stainless hardware and lowered 1″. 5 twin spoke enforcer cast rims and polished rotors.

No one will leave you behind in this 110 upgraded motor with Andrews 57H cams, Big Boyz head work, SE Black Ventilator air cleaner, SE clutch pack, Jackpot stainless header, CVO mufflers with FullSac baffles and black contrast cut tips. ABS braking system.

Vivid Black horn, trans, primary and 110 cam and derby covers. Quick detachable tourpak with a 12 volt connection. A 2 up Tail Boy seat and extended floorboards. One touch compartment in your dash with USB connection, rear speakers and so much more…?

?All this and only 14,086 miles!! ??This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 100 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!!!

SALT TORPEDO UPDATE-– Atomic Bob has been looking at the pictures of the salt flat racer and started drawing it.

The rough sketch may need adjustments, check it out and let me know your plan. Bob left room for the Hamster as well.

The build is impressive, Bob and I are excited to see it unveiled!!

Sara McElroy
@atomicdice

—
‘Atomic’ Bob McElroy

JOIN THE STUNTMEN’S ASSOCIATION ON A COASTAL MOTORCYCLE POKER RIDE, SEPTEMBER 20TH FOLLOWED BY
THE 57TH ANNUAL STUNTMEN’S ASSOCIATION TROY MELTON CHARITY GOLF EVENT, SEPTEMBER 21ST AND 22ND. GOLF EVENT HELDATPECHANGA CASINO’S, TEMECULA CREEK INNGOLF COURSE IN TEMECULA, CA!

The public is invited to join a host of stuntmen and women, celebrities & avid golfers.

LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 3, 2019- Stuntmen’s Association of Motion Pictures
have announced the Motorcycle Poker Ride, September 20th, followed by the 57th Annual Stuntmen’s Association Troy Melton Charity Golf Event to be held September 21&22, 2019 at Pechanga’s Temecula Creek Inn, Temecula, CA. The public is invited to join them.

On Friday, September 20th, the Stuntmen’s Association Motorcycle Poker Ride, a procession of bikes and classic cars will leave the Stuntmen’s Association offices at 5200 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA at 10:00AM. The caravan will travel coastal towards Dana Point with a few stops along the way for “poker cards”. Eventually the procession will transition down the beautiful canyon of Hwy74, through Lake Elsinore to our final destination in to Old Town Temecula. The Wine and Beer Garden will welcome us with a live band, food and fun!

The 57th Annual Stuntmen’s Association Troy Melton Golf Tournament event will be at Pechanga’s, Temecula Creek Inn Golf Course. For all golfers, Saturday Sept. 21st will be a “scramble” and Sunday the 22nd, “play your own ball”. A cocktail mixer will take place Saturday evening at Pechanga’s “Eagles View” room overlooking the city. Music will be provided by American Patriot Band. The awards banquet, raffle and silent auction will follow Sunday’s golf. There will be a raffle winner for a beautiful 2019 Grom Motorcycle announced at the awards banquet.

This charity event benefits the Taurus Foundation. The Taurus World Stunt Awards Foundation was established by an endowment from Red Bull Energy Drink CEO, Dietrich Mateschitz. The Foundation provides support for the international stunt community and financial assistance to members of the Taurus World Stunt Awards Academy, who experience a debilitating stunt-related injury. Financial grants are considered on merit in the event of a stunt related temporary, partial, or permanent disability.

The Golf Tournament’s namesake, Stuntman, actor and avid golfer, Troy Melton was a founding member of the Stuntmen’s Association of Motion Pictures. Following World War II, Melton found work as an actor before his career as a stuntman took off in the late 1940’s. Melton’s career as an actor and stuntman spanned a little over forty years.

Tournament:
Early bird special: $280/player, After August 13th: $304/player.No refunds issued after Sept.14th.

Hotel: Pechanga Resort & Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula, CA 92592
OR: Temecula Creek Inn, 44501 Rainbow Canyon Rd, Temecula, CA 92592.

Stuntmen’s Association Golf Event
Early registration for our 57th Annual Stuntmen’s Association Troy Melton Charity Golf Tournament is open! Price increases August 13! Stuntmen’s Association office: 818.766.4334,
stuntmen@sbcglobal.net
Facebook: Stuntmen’s Association Golf Tournament and Motorcycle Poker Run Fundraiser
https://www.stuntmen.com/event/57th-annual-troy-melton-memorial-golf-tournament-2/

Register online: https://www.stuntmen.com/event/57th-annual-troy-melton-memorial-golf-tournament-2/

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL THE OFFICE @ 818-766-4334 or the Tournament Coordinator @213-479-4765

HAVE A TERRIFIC 4TH—And make all your bros sign up to vote this year.

I found this bar of brass, I believe in a pile of metal I bought. I polished it and stamped it 14K. It’s about a foot long and too cool.

Micah came by today and we continued final assembly. Tomorrow I go after the body. For the rest of the weekend, I’ll be working on final assembly. Micah may be back on Saturday. We’re cooking now.

In the meantime, ride fast and free forever!

–Bandit

Hey,

It’s amazing, in a world gone nuts with regulation, one state is considering freedom. Check it out, in the news. Missouri has an adult helmet repeal in front of their Governor. Did you know about half of our states have adult freedom and in most cases free states have a better accident record than states with helmet laws.

Check it out.

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 the Smoke Out and Quick Throttle Magazine came on board.

Gettysburg Bike Week 2019-– Entertainment Is Top Notch and the Crew is Ready to Rock

With just a few days until Gettysburg Bike Week 2019, they are gearing up for the best bike week yet! Back for its 18th rally, the Allstar Events Complex will once again host the best bike event Gettysburg has ever seen.

The kick off party starts on Wednesday July 9th at Battlefield Harley-Davidson and continues through the weekend at the Allstar Event Complex.

This year’s musical acts include Thursday’s headliner Kashmir: The Live Led Zeppelin Show, with motorcycle rally favorite Jasmine Cain starting the four day party off right. Friday will feature bands ALL DAY from the Resurrection Tour including Puddle of Mudd, Saliva, Saving Abel, Tantric and Shallow Side. Saturday will be a full day of rock and roll starting at 10 am with Sound of Silence featuring 13 year old drumming sensation Avery Molek, followed by Redemption Road, Rebel Soul (kid Rock Tribute), Brickyaard Road (Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribuet band) and headliner Queensryche followed by a fireworks show like you have never seen before!

Notorious emcee Jack Schit will once again perform master of ceremonies duties throughout the week on the Budweiser Stage, Gin Gypsies will be serving up the drinks and this year’s rally will feature a cornhole tournament and Cycle Source mini-bike racing. Expect heavy competition in the Cycle Source Ride-In Bike Show, Bike Games and Rodeo and the Parade of Chrome. Josh Owens from Moonshiners will be on property all weekend long as well!

New this year are Harley-Davidson demo rides leaving from the Allstar Event Complex from Thursday –Sunday. They will have a variety of models to choose from.

Demo hours are:

Thursday, July 11, 2019, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday July 12, 2019 10 a.m – 6 p.m.
Saturday July 13, 2019 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday July 14, 2019 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

No rally is complete without great riding, and Gettysburg has some of the best riding around. Whether riders want to see historic battlegrounds or just hit the road for a great cruise, hundreds of miles of the best riding in the East surrounds Gettysburg. In addition to fantastic solo riding, GBW also features awesome group rides and the Pink Journey of Lights and Stars of Hope Charity Rides.

New and returning riders can find updates, the schedule of events, lodging information and anything they ever needed to know about Gettysburg Bike Week by visiting http://www.gettysburgbikeweek.com and checking the Facebook event page.

Red Cross LA to Dedicate New HQ on July 17--Days After Ridgecrest Earthquakes

State-of-the-Art Tech Will Improves Disaster Response Capacity

LOS ANGELES July 10, 2019 — Following Southern California’s largest earthquake in 20 years, the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region is coordinating its disaster response from its brand-new headquarters in Downtown Los Angeles. The building will be unveiled to the public during an official ribbon-cutting ceremony next Wednesday, July 17, 2019.

WHAT: Red Cross Los Angeles Regional Headquarters Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

WHEN: Wednesday July 17, 2019
12:30 – 2:00 PM

WHO: Jarrett Barrios – CEO, American Red Cross Los Angeles Region
Tony Briggs – CEO, American Red Cross Central California Region
Miguel Santiago – Assemblymember, District 53

Seated in the heart of Los Angeles, the new Red Cross headquarters is highly centralized – a major asset in such a sprawling region – and has already proven to be a capable disaster response hub in the aftermath of the magnitude 7.1 and 6.4 earthquakes that struck the Ridgecrest area last week.

Working out of the building’s cutting-edge Emergency Operations Center, Red Crossers were able to monitor the seismic events in real-time and mobilize volunteer responders to staff an emergency shelter and deliver food, water and clean-up kits to affected residents.

To date, the Red Cross emergency shelter at Kerr McGee Community Center has provided more than 455 overnight stays.

INDIAN MOTORCYCLE UNLEASHES V-TWIN-POWERED FINE ART WITH ITS FTR 1200 ARTIST SERIES TANK COVERS–

FTR 1200 Artist Series: RISK – Indian Motorcycle

https://youtu.be/iUxwMUQuc34

Five Limited-Edition Designs From Five Renowned Artists To Be Unveiled June 13 At Wheels & Waves

In a dynamic, creative display of artisanship, Indian Motorcycle, America’s first motorcycle company, today announced its FTR 1200 Artist Series, a collaboration with five renowned artists on a limited-edition line of tank covers for its all-new FTR 1200. Only 100 tank covers of each design will be produced, with the five unique designs to be unveiled on June 13 at Wheels & Waves in Biarritz, France. Sets will be available from select Indian Motorcycle dealers for $699.

Indian Motorcycle curated a lineup of artists with extremely distinct styles from street graffiti to modern abstract, in order to appeal to a wider range of consumer preferences. The artistic tank covers will allow FTR 1200 owners to instantly transform their bike into a piece of mobile fine art, while also increasing their personal connection to the FTR 1200.

The five artists include:
•Steve Caballero: A legendary skateboarding icon and original member of the famed “Bones Brigade,” Cab has forged his legacy by turning pools and half pipes into canvases for his skate artistry. Over the years, he has become well-known for his extraordinary “low-brow,” hot-rod-culture-inspired original art work. His designs are now highly sought after by brands and collectors across the skate and art industries.

•D*Face: D*Face (a.k.a. Dean Stockton) is a leading figure in Urban Contemporary Art, inaugurating his career on the streets more than 15 years ago. He originally entered the scene by hand-drawing stickers and posters, adhering them all over London and beyond for the unsuspecting public to discover. His work has since evolved, from fine art gallery shows to full-scale outdoor mural installations that transform urban landscapes and high-rise buildings into massive works of art.

•Adam Turman: A home-grown visionary from Indian Motorcycle’s very own backyard of Minneapolis, Turman is known best for large-scale, vivid and dynamic wall-mural installations throughout the Midwest. He began his art career by creating gig posters for local bands, taking inspiration from the bold, graphic style of 1980s comics and heavy metal art. Turman’s keen ability to marry his bold, vivid artistic visions with strategic-marketing objectives has made him one of the Midwest region’s most sought-after commercial artists.

•ThankYouX: ThankYouX (a.k.a. Ryan Wilson) began his artistic journey on the streets of Los Angeles in 2009 spray painting stencils in homage to Andy Warhol. While these signature stencils were his initial calling card, they were only scratching the surface of his multi-faceted artistic identity. As his level of notoriety expanded, the nature of his expression evolved to modern abstract designs that stand in contrast to the more conventional graffiti-inspired street-art paradigm. His unique brand of street art has captured attention and earned acclaim around the world.
-MORE-

•RISK: A true “O.G.” in the world of graffiti, RISK began his career as a founding member of the WCA (West Coast Artists) graffiti crew. RISK was one of the first graffiti writers in Southern California to paint freight trains and pioneered the use of billboards and freeway overpasses as artistic canvases. Over several decades his career has transitioned from the streets to museums, galleries and clothing lines. Risk is an innovative contemporary artist who now incorporates everything from advanced: “color theory” to “neon” in his body of work.

The FTR 1200 stands as Indian Motorcycle’s most-customizable platform to date, featuring four distinct accessory collections, designed to modify the bike’s overall look and feel based on the unique tastes and styles of different riders. With its fuel tank located beneath the seat, the FTR 1200 airbox sits directly over the motor where fuel tanks more commonly reside. This allows for tank covers that are easy to remove and interchange, making the process of customization and personalization even more efficient for riders.

An episodic content series, scheduled to debut shortly after Wheels & Waves, will showcase each of the five artists, their design process, and their unique airbox cover designs. To learn more about Indian Motorcycle visit IndianMotorcycle.com and follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

BRAND New Bikernet Reader Comment!–
Weekend Round-up for JuLY 9, 2019

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/Weekend_Roundup_for_JuLY_9_2019.aspx

Maybe a steering damper for the FXR?

–Pauly D.
pdispensa@plrb.org
Warrenville, IL

That might help, but would only mask the issue. We may have discovered a problem with the front wheel. It seems out of true. We are going to have the MetalSport team check it out. Then Frankie will have the tire remounted and balanced at Bartels’ H-D.

QUICK, OPEN THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY— NUDE BEACH ……. !!!

A mother and father take their 6-year old son to a family nude beach…

As the boy walks along the sand, he notices that many of the women have boobs bigger

than his mother’s, so he goes back to ask her why.

She tells her son, ‘The bigger they are, the sillier the lady is.’

The boy, pleased with the answer, goes to play in the ocean but returns to tell his mother that many of the men have larger things than his dad does.

She replies, ‘The bigger they are, the dumber the man is.’

Again satisfied with her answer, the boy goes back to the ocean to play.

Shortly thereafter, the boy returns and promptly tells his mother:

‘Daddy is talking to the
silliest lady on the beach, and the longer he talks, the dumber he gets.

–from Barry Green

LIFESTYLE DEAL OF THE WEEK— 2015 Harley-Davidson XL883N – Sportster Iron 883

Now $5,995.00

See it here: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=7119673

2015 Harley-Davidson XL883 Iron

The Iron was one of the early Dark Custom motorcycles. A pioneer of raw, blacked-out, stripped-down custom aggression.

The Iron 883 is for those who want their first taste of that ride-hard-and-put- up-wet lifestyle. It’s for those who want to tear up asphalt and backroads instead of polishing paint and chrome.

Welcome to the state of the Dark Custom motorcycle art. The 2015 Harley-Davidson is easy to own and fun to ride. Improved suspension from previous years. Balanced and responsive handling help rider and machine glide through corners with smooth confidence.

ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT:

Flat black paint with graphic logos is in fantastic condition. (exception of a right front tank dent “pictured”) Black bars with console mounted. Black mirrorslevers, headlamp with polished rim and black hood.

Chrome upper fork, rubber boot and vivid black legs. 13-spoke black contrast cut rims. Black rocker covers with polished band, chrome push-rod tubes and polished tappet blocks.

Black Vance & Hines shorty exhaust providing the Harley rumble. Black circular air cleaner and primary with polished derby cover. LED headlamp, blinkers, and running lights on front frame near regulator.Mini side bags, swing arm mounted on both sides. 2-up seat and black sissy bar with pad. Side mounted license plate and passenger pegs. Chrome capped, black spring adjustable shocks.

With only 2,978 miles and great tires, this bike is ready for some miles.

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!!!

BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT VOCABULARY LESSON–
caducity

[kuh-doo-si-tee, -dyoo-]
noun
1.
frailty; transitoriness: the caducity of life.

QUOTES

What remains, the point of the passion, is a fascination with caducity and the relationship of photography to it.
— Leslie Epstein, “Stories and Something Else,” New York Times, February 14, 1982

ORIGIN

Caducity is an uncommon noun meaning “frailty, weakness of old age.” It comes from French caducité “obsolescence, cancellation,” a derivation of the adjective caduc “obsolete, deciduous,” from the Latin adjective caducus “fallen, falling, liable to fall, frail, fleeting.” Caducity entered English in the 17th century.

BIKERNET HOUSING CONSTRUCTION SEMINAR–My Building Permit

Some have asked what I’ve been doing in retirement.
Well, I applied for a building permit for a new house.

It was going to be 100 ft tall and 400 ft wide, with12 gun turrets at various heights, and windows all over the place and a loud outside entertainment sound system.

It would have parking for 200 cars, and I was going to paint it snot green with pink trim. The City Council told me;
“Forget it … IT AIN’T GONNA HAPPEN!”

So, I sent in the application again, but this time I called it a “Mosque.”

Work starts on Monday, and here is the best part, it’s going to be tax exempt!

I love this country.
It’s the government that scares me.

–Harley Mil

ROAD TRIP USA—Day 17, San Francisco

It is the trip back to the hotel that gets exciting. I get back onto the
freeway ok only to notice that the GPS seems to have lost the street map
for some reason?

However, I do notice that it appears to have got itself together by the time we get off the bridge. All goes well in the dark
untill we get to Franklin Street that is a one way street and we are going to be going the wrong way.

So Cindy uses her local knowledge and
we over come this issue untill we feel that the GPS is going the correct
way. Up a few more hill starts and cussing slow take off drivers of
Automatic cars, we are at the apex of a a steep set of traffic lights
and I have to turn right and run a orange light to do so, but I cannot
see the down hill side untill I am on it!!!

Hell it is steep!!Like
really steep and not a street that I would have picked but we both had
to have a chuckle of bravado as I applied the brakes to slow down to the
next intersection that I think was red but there were no cars around so
I went through it and on down hill still with the bravado laughter going
on.

I had to stop at the next set of lights as I had to turn left onto a one-way street, but coming along the street is a fire engine in a hurry.
So I wisely wait untill he has gone through and the lights turn in my favor and away i go again.

Then the GPS takes us to the hotel but we
have to go around the block on the down hill side and to the bottom entry of the car parking building. We have survived this exhilarating part of our ride back to the hotel in the dark.

–Graeme Lowin
New Zealand

NEWS FROM LOWBROW–We are hard at work on our next magazine
Weirdo volume 8 will be out in a few months, and we need photos of customer bikes to showcase. For your chance to have your motorcycle in the next Weirdo, email photos to submissions@lowbrowcustoms.com.

Quality photos with good composition are a plus! And of course a super rad motorcycle, too…

We are interested in any and all makes and models of motorcycles. If you think your bike is really special and could be a contender, send photos our way!

BIKERNET COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT—What’s happening with the Weekend Round-up. It’s consistently late now.

Weekend Roundup means exactly that, on the weekend not middle of the week or the following week. If there’s too much to do, do away with something or concentrate on getting it done on time!

–William Parker

I’ve been in trouble before, but never this much trouble. It’s going to be tough to be on time until after Bonneville. What can I say. I’m trying to build the worlds fastest trike with a few friends. We can’t stop!

–Bandit

Long Beach BMW Motorcycles to Host July 20 Training Event with Five Motorcycle Training Organizations

Long Beach BMW Motorcycles is all set to host their “Training with the Pros” event 10am-2pm on Saturday, July 20th. The Long Beach, CA dealership is bringing together five different motorcycle training organizations for a single educational event to help riders in their community learn more about the rider training options available to them.

Long Beach BMW Motorcycles has enjoyed long-running relationships with each of the training organizations that are participating in the event:

Advanced Rider Training
California Superbike School
MotoVentures
RawHyde Adventures
Westside Motorcycle Academy

“The beauty of this event is that no matter what kind of bike you ride, or where you are at in the development of your skillset as a rider, one or more of these schools will have a program that is perfect for you,” explained Co-Owner and Sales Manager David Lindahl. “This is also the perfect event for that friend or family member that might be thinking about getting into riding, but is hesitant or maybe does not know where to begin.”

Each participating training organization will have the opportunity to give several short presentations and Q&A sessions. This will allow attendees the ability to attend talks by multiple companies throughout the event. Lunch will be provided. Tickets for this event are free and are available here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/training-with-the-pros-tickets-61202390999

Learn more about www.longbeachbmwmotorcycles.com

[page break]

WORLD PREMIER– New 2020 FastDates.com Motorcycle PinUp Calendars
The FastDates.com PinUp Calendars featuring Iron & Lace Custom Motorcycles and Garage Girls Hard at Work produced by Gianatsis Design and photographed by Jim Gianatsis make their return for the 2020 Calendar year commemorating 30 years of publication!

And for fans of the long running Fast Dates Racebike Calendar which ended publication last year, you’ll be excited to learn the new 2020 Iron & Lace and Garage Girls Calendars now have 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.

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

FastDates.com Calendars are also available at Amazon.com, Calendars.com / 1-800-366-3645, and in Europe at Zodiac Motorcycle Parts / Zodiac.nl and WW Cycles / WWag.com

FIRSTRIDE EXPERIENCE BUILDING RIDERSHIP–Motorcycles.org Develops FirstRide Experience.

We all want to build ridership, and that starts by helping put someone behind the handlebar for their first time.

Motorcycles.org staff have been developing the Motorcycles.org FirstRide experience, a fun, three-hour session designed to give beginners their initial, brief, feet-on-the-pegs ride from point A to point B on a closed range.

“Guests can walk away from FirstRide and say, ‘I rode a motorcycle!’ It shows them that it’s something they can actually do,” said Andria Yu, director of Motorcycles.org, the industry’s media outreach program based at the MIC. “Even a brief ride is a huge accomplishment. Many people are intimidated by bikes, by the clutch, the friction zone, all the controls confronting them, while having to balance on two wheels. FirstRide is designed to ease them into motorcycling, take away their fears and give them the confidence to take the next step, whether a Basic RiderCourse or a DirtBike School class by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.”

So far, Motorcycles.org staffers and MSF RiderCoaches Andria Yu and Ty van Hooydonk have led FirstRide sessions, along with Motorcycle Safety Foundation RiderCoaches Andrea Jonaitis and William Chin. A step-by-step manual is being created so others can serve as FirstRide Guides, and can provide the same experience. FirstRide is under development using best principles and practices utilized in other, longstanding training programs.

For those uncomfortable with a clutch or not interested in learning how to use one, an automatic scooter is available to FirstRide guests.

FirstRide is not a complete riding course and does not provide guests with a license waiver or a safety course certificate. That actually takes away much of the pressure that’s part of a normal training course. Guests do not need to take a skills test, and they progress as far as they can or want to during the three hours.

Mostly, they spend the time getting comfortable with being on a motorized two-wheeler while a well-versed motorcyclist is with them the entire time, helping them along the way.

BIKERNET BAD COP DEPARTMENT— A Florida cop planted meth on random drivers, police say. One lost custody of his daughter.

By Meagan Flynn, Washington Post

The meth seemed to appear out of thin air.

Benjamin Bowling couldn’t figure it out. He had been clean ever since his release from prison on a DUI conviction, but now a Jackson County, Fla., sheriff’s deputy was accusing him of possessing a minuscule amount of methamphetamine.

It was October 2017 and Bowling was on his way to the store to pick up diapers with his friend Shelly Smith when they saw the flashing lights swirl in the rearview mirror. He had been out of prison for less than a year, doing everything he could to get his life back on track. He passed all his drug tests. He had recently been awarded custody of his daughter. But deputy Zachary Wester was escalating a traffic stop for swerving over a white line into a search for illicit drugs.

Subscribe to the Post Most newsletter: Today’s most popular stories on The Washington Post

Bowling and Smith, confident they had nothing to hide, told Wester to go ahead and search the car after he claimed to smell marijuana, assuring him he wouldn’t find any.

He emerged with meth.

Now, nearly two years after Bowling lost custody of the daughter he had just gotten back, after he was convicted of felony meth possession, he knows exactly how it got there. Wester, state investigators now say, planted it himself — and Bowling was far from the only victim.

Wester, who was fired last September, was arrested Wednesday and charged with 52 counts of racketeering, false imprisonment, official misconduct, fabricating evidence and possession of controlled substances, among other charges. He’s accused of indiscriminately targeting innocent drivers and hauling them off to jail after planting meth or marijuana in their vehicles while feigning a “search.”

“There is no question that Wester’s crimes were deliberate and that his actions put innocent people in jail,” Chris Williams, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s assistant special agent in charge, said in a news release.

Bowling, who has since been cleared, is just one of 11 known victims named in the affidavit, although the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said Wednesday that there may be more victims who have not yet been identified, and the case remains under investigation. At least 119 cases involving Wester have been dropped, the Tallahassee Democrat reported. In addition to the dropped charges, Circuit Judge Christopher Patterson ordered at least eight inmates released from correctional facilities last fall, as 263 cases remained under review.

Investigators said at a news conference Wednesday that there did not appear to be any rhyme or reason to the drivers Wester, 26, singled out for false arrests on drug possession. Some were parents with a diaper bag in the back seat. Others were young men and women, some crying as they insisted they had never touched drugs, let alone meth, in their lives.

Asked by reporters why Wester would do this, State Attorney William “Bill” Eddins of Florida’s 1st Judicial Circuit said that was a good question. Investigators were still trying to figure it out themselves, he said.

“You’re never certain of what lies in the heart of man,” he said.

Eddins said he does not plan to offer a plea bargain, and that Wester faces up to 30 years in prison. Wester’s defense attorney could not immediately be reached for comment.

Wester, who joined the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office in 2016, fell under suspicion last year after a prosecutor noticed inconsistencies in what Wester wrote in his reports and what was captured on his body camera — if he turned it on. The problem was he seemed to leave the device off most of the time, conveniently only recording after drugs were already “found” in a vehicle. In most cases, as in Bowling’s, he typically pulled someone over for a minor traffic infraction before asking if he smelled marijuana.

Yet, even after reporting on affidavits that he smelled or even thought he saw marijuana, he typically emerged finding meth. According to the affidavit, meth, marijuana and 42 pieces of drug paraphernalia were found in Wester’s trunk.

One case, that of Teresa Odom, was illuminating — appearing to capture Wester holding an unknown object in his left hand shortly before “discovering” meth in her truck, in the rare case his body camera was left on.

“Hi, how are you?” Wester asked her in a friendly voice as he rolled up to her window, according to footage released to the news media. “The reason for is, um, your brake lights: They work one minute, and then the next minute they don’t work.”

He took her license, left momentarily, and returned to ask if he could search her vehicle. She said it was no problem with a shrug, as long as she could take her phone with her. “Hang tight, Ms. Odom,” He grabbed a pair of gloves from his cruiser — then appears to be holding a tiny plastic baggie inside his left hand, according to the video and affidavit.

The affidavit describes it like a magician’s sleight of hand: “Without putting on the glove, Deputy Wester’s left hand dropped out of view, down toward the front of the driver’s seat, and after a brief pause, reappeared empty.”

Shortly thereafter, Wester pulls a tiny plastic bag out of Odom’s purse: “Oh, Ms. Odom, how about this?” Wester asked, confronting Odom with the drugs.

“That is not mine,” she said. “No, sir. No, sir. What is it?” As another deputy who arrived for backup teased her that she was about to go to jail, she responded tersely: “It damn sure ain’t mine.”

It wasn’t. The Democrat reported that Odom wept at the news conference Wednesday announcing, saying she felt “overwhelmed.”

In a few cases, some drivers were already suspected of other crimes, such as driving with a suspended license or having an outstanding warrant, or even admitting to having marijuana in the car — and yet Wester still planted meth on them, according to the affidavit.

But mostly the drivers were guilty of nothing. Erika Helms — whose brother, Lance Sellers, has sued the sheriff’s department alleging false arrest — told the Democrat that Wester “ruined lives.” Sellers, she said, had to spend a year in residential rehab after his arrest for possession of meth. The charges were later dropped. In addition to Sellers, more than a dozen people have filed notices of intent to sue, the Democrat reported.

“People are losing their lives, their freedom, their children, their marriages — all because of this one man,” Helms told the Democrat. “It’s not just innocent men. It’s innocent children. It goes a lot deeper than everyone realizes.”

It’s unclear if Bowling regained custody of his daughter since his arrest, or whether other parents faced the same fate.

At least one innocent mother feared she would, according to the affidavit.

Kimberly Hazelwood and her husband, Jeremy, were pulled over in June 2018 with their small children in the back seat, as Wester alleged that the Hazelwoods’ car insurance had lapsed. Wester zeroed in on a bottle of Excedrin he saw in her possession. He told the couple that he was calling in the K-9 unit to search the vehicle.

Soon enough, Wester claimed the Excedrin pill bottle contained methamphetamine, pulling Jeremy aside to tell him that he was going to arrest his wife for possession. “Jeremy appeared shocked and said Kimberly had never done drugs a day in her life,” the affidavit says.

Wester told the distraught father that he could tell Kimberly used meth “by the way her face was sunk and her teeth .?.?. Jeremy stated his wife has always been like that.”

On the way to jail, Kimberly cried in the back of Wester’s cruiser, asking whether she was going to lose custody of her children.

It’s unclear whether she did. According to the affidavit, months later, Wester pulled over Jeremy again, asking where Kimberly was this time. “This upset Jeremy,” the affidavit says, “and he told Deputy Wester that it was none of his business.”

Wester let him go.

–from Rogue
Senior Investigator
Bikernet Crime Bureau

MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION ALERT— You need to email the Governor TODAY by visiting https://governor.mo.gov/contact-us

Please help Missouri reclaim some of our Freedom; we need help from people inside and outside of Missouri. Please ask Governor Parson to let this bill pass, either by signature or by pocket pass and not to Veto SB 147, which would allow freedom of choice for the riders in Missouri.

If you ever wanted the freedom to choose, now is the time to call or email Governor Parson to sign or let SB 147, the bill that contains helmet modification, go into law. We heard today that the Governor is going to veto this legislation on Friday because of an amendment that is not related to the helmet modification language. We need everyone who supports the freedom of choice to call or email him NOW!

His number is 573-751-3222, or you can email directly by visiting https://governor.mo.gov/contact-us

Please be courteous in your remarks.

Thank you,

–Mark A Capps
AKA Sparky
Freedom Of Road Riders
State Chairman
Missouri

COMMENT FROM A BIKERNET READER–Hey, whatever happed to the dice bike. Man, I’d love to see it.

Thanks,
–FXRQ

Hey Q, it’s still in the headquarters looking fine. –Bandit

KEEP THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY DURING LUNCH—Guy walks out of the restroom. A beautiful girl approaches and says, “Sir, your garage door is open.

The guy responds, “Did you see my Harley?”

The girl smiles and says, “No, I saw a mini bike with two flat tires.”

–Sam Burns

QUICK, New Bikernet Reader Comment!–
4TH OF JULY BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS for the 4th

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/4TH_OF_JULY_BIKERNET_WEEKLY_NEWS_for_the_4th.aspx

I watched the Presidents celebration of our armed forces. I am still proud of my service and that I volunteered. I don’t know what happened to the country, while I was away other than the fucking hippies and draft dodgers should have been ejected from the country.

I, my brothers, my father, uncles and even my grandfather served in WW1. I would like too return to the country I grew up in for my daughter.

Mr. Trump made me proud.

–Alex Jemery
Deland, FL

NASA Persists In False Claim That 97% Of Climate Scientists Agree On Global Warming—

TN Editor’s Note: Scientific corruption at NASA is blatant, producing propaganda designed to further its own Technocrat existence. NASA has persistently refused to remove false assertions about climate studies. ? TN Editor

On Tuesday, the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) sent NASA a formal complaint, asking the agency to withdraw the false claim that 97 percent of climate scientists agree that humans are the primary cause of global warming and climate change. The 2013 study purporting to demonstrate that number was fatally flawed and proved no such thing.

“The claim that 97% of climate scientists believe humans are the primary cause of global warming is simply false,” CEI attorney Devin Watkins said in a statement. “That figure was created only by ignoring many climate scientists’ views, including those of undecided scientists. It is time that NASA correct the record and present unbiased figures to the public.”

According to the CEI complaint, NASA’s decision to repeat the false claim violated the Information Quality Act (IQA). Specifically, NASA claimed that “[n]inety-seven percent of climate scientists agree that climate-warming trends over the past century are extremely likely due to human activities.” The claim appears on the NASA website on the page “Climate Change: How Do We Know?”

The claim traces back to a study led by John Cook entitled “Quantifying the consensus on anthropogenic global warming in the scientific literature” and published in the journal Environmental Research Letters in 2013.

The study is fundamentally dishonest, as the CEI complaint explains. The study analyzed all published peer-reviewed academic research papers from 1991 to 2011 that use the terms “global warming” or “global climate change.” The study placed the papers into seven categories: explicit endorsement with quantification, saying humans are responsible for 50+ percent of climate change; explicit endorsement without quantification; implicit endorsement; no position or uncertain; implicit rejection; explicit rejection with qualification; and explicit rejection without qualification.

The study found: 64 papers had explicitly endorsed anthropogenic global warming (AGW) with quantification (attributing at least half of climate change to humans); 922 papers had explicitly endorsed AGW without quantifying how much humans contribute; 2,910 papers had implicitly endorsed AGW; 7,930 papers did not state a position and 40 papers were uncertain; 54 papers implicitly rejected AGW by affirming the possibility that natural causes explain climate change; 15 papers explicitly rejected AGW without qualification; and 9 papers explicitly rejected AGW with quantification, saying human contributions to global warming are negligible.

So, how did Cook and his team come up with the 97 percent number? They added up the first three categories (3,896 papers), compared them to the last three categories (78 papers) and the papers expressing uncertainty (40 papers), and completely ignored the nearly 8,000 papers that did not state a position.

Of the papers Cook’s team characterized as stating a position, 97 percent (3,896 of the 4,014 papers) favored the idea of man-made global warming.

See the problem? The study completely discounted the majority of the papers it analyzed (66.4 percent — 7,930 of the 11,944 papers analyzed). With those papers included, only 32.6 percent of the papers explicitly or implicitly endorsed AGW (3,896 of 11,944 papers).

–By Tyler O’Neil
Read the full story at Technocracy.News.com.
?

YO—George, “the Wild Brush” is on his way over here to finish some work on the body. We need to attach the modified parachute box then get to work on the canopy.

At least the body will be reasonably straight by the end of the day—hopefully. I want to thank everyone for their support, help, patience and advice. I’ve been scrambling and distracted, but we couldn’t get this far without everyone’s help. It’s been an amazing experience and lead me down lots of roads I never rolled down before from tube bending to fiberglass work and everything in between.

We won’t have the windshield until the 22nd of this month and we need to attach it and run. This weekend I will be working on the fender mounting. I need to go to Phillips Steel tomorrow and pick up the base strap steel, maybe in three sizes and start fabricating.

The firewall still haunts me, but I will head in that direction by next week. I also need to have fold up seats added to the race van and insulation.

I was just thinking, that if we were unhappy with the top of the body, we could remove it and run in the partially streamlined category. I don’t think so, but what the hell.

Ride Fast and Free, Forever,

–Bandit

Hey,

What an interesting week. We are scrambling with the Salt Torpedo. I trying to outfit the new Bikernet Salt Flats Van for the trip to Bonneville. I’ve been in touch with various Easyriders contributors and now ex-staff members regarding the future.

A few of us have been super-lucky to make a living in the motorcycle industry. Even tougher, I’ve been having a blast in the Chopper industry most of my life. It’s not about the money, obviously, it’s about sex.

What could be sexier than to bang around choppers, metalflake paint, sultry art and girls all your life. What could be better.

Otherwise, this week has been amazingly positive with cool resources surfacing for the Torpedo. We’ve about got the body handled. Jane came by and took shots of my ’72 Ford F250 and the Shovelhead in the back. She thinks she can move it and the Shovelhead. Not sure I can sell the 1928 Shovelhead.

Workouts have been a struggle with guest arriving and George grinding, but I had a damn good one this week and my short one today. The VA called and I have some hope with my disability claim. Gotta work on anything I can to augment my no-retirement system.

George is headed over today; Brenda will be here. The Redhead is working around the shop and the lovely Laura will arrive to check the books. What could happen today to make the week even more perfect? Hang On!

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 the Smoke Out and Quick Throttle Magazine came on board.

LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK–
2012 Harley Davidson Street Glide Touring 103 FLHX

In 2006, Harley-Davidson Motor Company capitalized on the motorcycle market’s need for a stripped-down touring bike sans the bulkiness of its Electra Glide counterpart. The Street Glide (FLHX) was born and was an immediate hit. Over the years it has become one of the best—if not the best—sellers to roll out of the York, Pennsylvania, factory.

With all-new style and long distance comfort, this stripped-down bike is made to eat miles. The Street Glide is a bagger with street-wise soul, such as stripped down trim and chrome, low suspension, and cropped wind deflector. Inspired by the street, the Street Glide is ready to roar with attitude. This one comes with a 103ci.

**Just 8,624 miles**

Ember Red Sunglo paint and raised tank logos is beautiful (Pictured is scratches on right fairing, right bag and latch, and a few chips in the front fender) Chrome 20″ apes, chrome strap with black accent ‘FLHX’ Tinted windshield, smoked lense blinkers, all chrome front fork, H-D ‘skull’ axle caps, on gorgeous fat spoke 27″ front chrome rim. Chrome slash up exhaust with a great sound.

ABS braking system and chrome brake rotor. Chrome motor covers including oval 103 air cover, cam with H-D logo, and a 103 derby cover. 2-up seat with streamliner floorboards and black contrast cut passenger pegs. 4 pt. docking hardware in place. Smoked lense stop / turn / tail light with LED fender tri-line.

This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 100 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!!!

QUICK, OPEN THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY–
HOW TO CALL THE POLICE…
WHEN YOU’RE OLD, AND DON’T MOVE FAST ANYMORE.

George Phillips, an elderly man from Walled Lake, Michigan, was going up to bed,
when his wife told him that he’d left the light on in the garden shed, which she could see from the bedroom window.

George opened the back door to go turn off the light, but saw that there were people in the shed stealing things.

He phoned the police, who asked “Is someone in your house?”

He said “No,” but some people are breaking into my garden shed and stealing from me.

Then the police dispatcher said “All patrols are busy, you should lock your doors and an officer will be along when one is available”

George said, “Okay.” He hung up the phone and counted to 30. Then he phoned the police again.

“Hello, I just called you a few seconds ago because there were people stealing things from my shed. Well, you don’t have to worry about them now because I just shot and killed them both; the dogs are eating them right now,” and he hung up.

Within five minutes, six Police Cars, a SWAT Team, a Helicopter, two Fire Trucks, a Paramedic and an Ambulance showed up at the Phillips’ residence, and caught the burglars red-handed.

One of the Policemen said to George, “I thought you said that you’d shot them!”

George said, “I thought you said there was nobody available!”

(True Story)

–El Waggs

BRAND New Bikernet Reader Comment!–
CALL TO ACTION Bikernet Weekly News for July 11, 2019

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/CALL_TO_ACTION_Bikernet_Weekly_News_for_July_11_2019.aspx

Seen some cool air cleaners on a roadster in Redondo, Friday eve. It reminded me of the piston/heart drawing above. Three deuces and the air filters were pistons, polished aluminum. Pretty cool, but don’t filter for anything though.

–Gearhead
Torrance, Calif.

MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION NEEDS SUPPORT, MEMBERS AND SPONSORS–My name is Fredric Harrell. I’m a founding member of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. Like my fellow board members, I serve without compensation. I serve for one reason and one reason alone: I believe in the MRF’s mission to promote, protect and preserve motorcycling.

The Meeting of the Minds was the precursor and catalyst for the Motorcycle Riders
Foundation. Founded in 1989, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation recognized the need for full-time representation in Washington, D.C., and on a shoestring budget, established an office in Washington with a one-person staff and a full-time lobbyist.

In 30 years, the MRF has not strayed from the original commitments to motorcyclists’ rights. It has not been easy. In retrospect, the issues facing the motorcycling community today are equally as important as those of the early days.

In September 2018, the MRF outlined a list of legislative priorities, and accomplishable goals, for the upcoming session of Congress and beyond — 2019 Legislative & Regulatory Priorities – available online at www.MRF.org.

These legislative priorities touch every aspect of motorcycling from the Road to Zero
(a noble goal of zero highway fatalities that does not include motorcycles in the matrix of highway users); to autonomous vehicles with no motorcycle recognition algorithms, to the year-round sale of E15 and the adverse effect it has on motorcycle engines.

None of this would be possible without the dedication of MRF members, the contributions of motorcycle industry leaders and enthusiasts, and the training and motivation that motorcyclists’ rights advocates receive each year at the MRF’s annual Meeting of the Minds.

Do not hesitate to inquire deeper into what the MRF is doing to promote, protect and preserve motorcycling and motorcyclists rights.

With few exceptions, the attacks against motorcycling are subtle and they go a lot deeper than helmet laws, blacklists of sport bikes or banning motorcycles from HOV lanes. For 30 years, the presence of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation is witnessed daily in the committee rooms, staff offices on Capitol Hill and in front of members of Congress. That presence exists and is successful because of the dedication and determination of MRF members standing behind that commitment to promote, protect and preserve the freedoms that we all enjoy, especially as motorcyclists.

As I stated at the start of this letter, I serve on the MRF’s board of directors because I believe in the work of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation.
Thank you, and thank you in advance for your sponsorship of the Meeting of the Minds Conference.

Sincerely,
Fredric Harrell
Director of Conferences & Events
Motorcycle Riders Foundation

P.S. If you need more information or would like to discuss the MRF and the Meeting of the Minds Conference in greater detail, please let me know a convenient time to call you. Thank you very much.

P.P.S. If times are tough and sponsorship support of the Meeting of the Minds Conference is not possible, please consider
joining the MRF. Thank you.

THE EASYRIDERS REPORT FROM J.J. SOLARI–ER has apparently been sold to a Canadian clothing entity run by a pair of male twins who someone I know is referring to as “Terrance and Phillip,” the two fag twins on south park, which is funny.

I have seen no actual “news” on this. my jokester friend assumes that the rag will cease to exist, that they just “bought the name.” ?
Assuming this is all true – virtually every one left there has been fired, thus, I will be encouraged to write my own version of the impact of the rag on American society. I will very likely send my austere document to Bikernet.

Thank you. Go in peace.

____jayster.

We can’t wait… Bandit

USA ROAD TRIP— From the heat of Calico it is only a few minutes to the cool inside of Peggy Sue’s Diner for a late lunch.

After that was done it was into the town of Barstow to see if we could find the Route 66 Museum down by the railway line.

This building was once a sort of railway hotel in it ‘hey day’ but now it houses a great variety of railway artifacts inside and a good number of railway carriages outside.

By the time we got to the Route 66 museum we only got ten minutes, as it closes at four o’clock. It was nice to get back to the cool of our motel. Tomorrow we start out early to cross the Death Valley on our way to Beatty.

–Graeme Lowen
New Zealand Iron-Butt Rider

The Split-Speed Limit Effect: That “Oh Crap” Look on Drivers’ Faces

Split speed limits, where certain commercial vehicles such as large trucks are forced to travel at lower speeds than surrounding traffic, are anathema to truckers and car drivers alike. That is why the NMA and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) have often joined forces to oppose the posting of split speeds and the use of governors on trucks to limit the top speed of travel. This joint national press release from the two organizations a few years ago is an example of our unified position rooted in safety concerns.

Uniform traffic flow avoids unnecessary vehicle interactions, whereas differential speeds create more braking, accelerating, and lane changing maneuvers. Those actions bring an increased risk of collision. So too does limiting a truck driver’s ability to avoid or prevent an accident by speeding up, as circumstances sometimes dictate.

And yet, as Arkansas Member and former truck driver Tom Beckett has pointed out, another national movement is afoot to create a national regulation to install speed-limiting devices on large trucks to limit their top speed to 65 mph. Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson and Delaware Senator Christopher Coons introduced Senate Bill 2033 to the U.S. Congress on June 27th to do just that. S2033 currently sits with the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.

In a note to the NMA, Tom added observations from his experience as a truck driver to support his (and our) opposition to such legislation:

By creating a slower class of vehicles, it is necessary for the faster traffic to constantly make lane changes to pass the slower trucks. I have experienced with this from both the trucker and car driver angles. As a truck driver, I constantly had to be aware of other four-wheelers since they often made lane changes that were questionable from a safety standpoint. As a car driver, I found it daunting to have to cross through two lanes of plodding behemoths just to get into a place where I could run a reasonable speed or to get back off of the highway.

As it is, most of the big fleets govern their truck speed in the high 60s to low 70s. This is fast enough to keep them in, or reasonably close to, the flow of traffic. Some carriers govern their trucks in the mid-60s. On 70 and 75 mph roads where I do most of my driving, that’s slow enough to be a traffic hazard. The safest situation is where most traffic is going at approximately the same speed. It limits the need for lane changes resulting from traffic conflicts.

It still irks me that my former employer became part of the problem when, in June 1996, they decided to limit their trucks to 59 mph (!!) just as many states were going to 70 mph speed limits. After that, I spent more time looking in my rearview mirror than forward, and I can’t tell you how many times I saw a car coming up behind me at speed, only to see that, “Oh Crap!!” look on the driver’s face when he realized that I was going a lot slower than he was.

Is this really what we want on a nationwide basis? The forced 55 mph speed limit was an unmitigated failure. A 65 mph restriction on trucks in a 75 mph environment will only cause congestion and waste truckers’ time for no appreciable gain in safety. It may make our roadways less safe. This bill, S2033, needs to be dropped.

We are tracking Senate Bill 2033. It is not yet on the docket of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, but once it is we will notify NMA members so that you can voice your opposition to the bill. The best way to kill it is not to let it get out of committee.

–NMA

KEEP THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY WIDE OPEN— Female logic ……… (from an actual event) Bound to get some feedback from this one.

Wife: “pick up something for dinner tonight.”
Husband: “Ok, I’ll get a Pizza”
Wife: “No, I don’t want Pizza”

Husband: “OK, I’ll get some tacos”
Wife: “No I don’t want tacos”

Husband: “OK, I can stop by the Sub shop instead”
Wife: “No I don’t want a Sub”

Husband: “Well then what do you want?”
Wife: “I don’t know. You decide”

–El Waggs

BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT VOCABULARY LESSON–

ideogram

[id-ee-uh-gram, ahy-dee-]
noun
1.
a written symbol that represents an idea or object directly rather than a particular word or speech sound, as a Chinese character.

Ideograms are symbols that represent ideas or concepts rather than objects themselves—a circle with a line through it (??) to indicate prohibition, for example. Many emoji are hybrids of ideograms and pictograms.
— Ian Bogost, “Emoji Don’t Mean What They Used To,” The Atlantic, February 11, 2019

ORIGIN

An ideogram or ideograph is “a written symbol that represents an idea or object directly rather than a word or speech sound, as a Chinese character.” Ideogram and ideograph literally mean “a written idea,” from Greek idéa “idea” and the noun grámma or the Greek combining form -graphos, both meaning “something written,” which are derivatives of the verb gráphein “to write.” Because ideograms convey meaning, not words or sounds, 5 can be pronounced five, fünf, piec, pet, pénte, pémpe, or in several thousand other ways. Ideogram and ideograph both entered English in the first half of the 19th century.

SMOKEOUT COVERAGE COMING FROM THE HILLS–Hey Bandit! Hope you are well! We are trying to get a few pics for the article Mike is writing. Thought you might like these.

–Vicki Stealth
Assistant to the East Coast Feature Biker Editor in Charge
Bikernet.com™

Keep it up.—Bandit

THE BIKERNET WARRANTY REPORT–
just read the BMW riders sob story about not knowing what gear he or she was in. I may be forced to sue Harley. My Panhead does not indicate what gear I’m in. Maybe, if I got a day glow vest and a full brain bucket, could I be safe? I am pretty sure my cruise control is not working, agony and despair.

Have a great day and my sympathy that you are still in socialistland.

— Alex Jemery

FLORIDA MOTORCYCLE MUSIC EVENT--The Coral Head Concert Series is Fast Becoming the Biggest Music Festival Event in Florida.

This will be the first year for this event to take place in Pinellas Park and plans have already been set in motion to make this an annual event.

Even though this is the inaugural event in Pinellas Park, the Coral Head MusicFest is not new to production; The Coral Head
MusicFest is preparing for the 4th annual event in the Florida Keys and has been a huge success in raising over $100,000 for its supported charities since its inception and has featured artists such as Vince Neil,
Jackyl, Molly Hatchet, Great White, Slaughter, Rick Derringer,
Georgia Satellites, John Cafferty, Sweet, The Atlanta Rhythm Section,
and many more!

The Coral Head MusicFest stands out as a true charity event as over 80% of all profits from the show go directly to the charities it supports. The other 20% is used in the actual production of the event.

Charities benefiting from this event include Project: VetRelief, a registered charity of the
American Legion which assists U.S. Veterans in a variety of ways including support for our service men and women as they transition into civilian lives, emergency assistance, mentorship, employment, and this is just to name a few. Additionally, the Pinellas Park show will be donating to the Veterans Recreational Center at the Bay Pines VA Hospital.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, profits the Coral Head Concert Series assisted in the
rebuilding efforts with direct funding, supplies, and cleanup efforts. The American Legion continues to support our community with various assistance programs and with direct support.

Your support is appreciated as we strive to provide you with only the best entertainment
while assisting our American Legions in their efforts with local and US Veteran charities.

Please join us in helping our veterans and our community with your sponsorship of this great event.

SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES START AS LOW AS $500
Face book: www.facebook.com/CoralHeadM usicFest Website: www.coralheadmusicfest.com
leqionriders154@qmail.com Rich Anderson 305-942-9862 Amanda Espinosa 305-490-5058

[page break]

5-BALL Racing Discovers New Artist—My Son, Frank sent me this artistic rendering of my lovely-self from my first Bike Feature in Easyriders in 1971.

I will try to reach out to him in the near future. It’s an impressive piece.

We just received a new order of leathers and more of the new softer Jak full-sleeve shirt with a button-down collar. Micah’s race suit might be in the order. Can’t wait.

–Bandit

IRELAND MAY BAN ALL NEW GAS-POWERED VEHICLE SALES AFTER 2030–
The Irish Government has reaffirmed its plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030, as part of a new strategy aimed at protecting the environment.

In 2015, the United Nations agreed to 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and Ireland’s recently released Climate Action Plan details how that nation intends to achieve them.

The greatest potential impact on Irish motorcyclists, according to Motorcycle Consumer News (MCN) involves halting the sale of all new non-electric vehicles by the year 2030, adding “It’s worth noting that nowhere in this plan is any mention made of motorcycles or other two-wheeled vehicles as having any considerations separate from those of all other vehicles.”

There is an ambitious plan to refine and develop an EV (electric vehicle) charging infrastructure throughout the country that can sustain 800,000 EVs by the 2030 deadline included, as well as possible consideration of an ICE (internal combustion engine) car scrappage program to be implemented as soon as 2020.

This is, according to MCN, partially in response to the UK potentially moving its 2040 ICE ban forward to 2032. At this point, nine countries around the world have plans in place to begin phasing out ICE vehicles in the very near future.

Norway’s approach of incentivizing its citizens to adopt EVs over ICE vehicles resulted in an impressive 52% of cars sold in 2017 being EVs, according to Reuters.

The city of Amsterdam has also come forward to state it’ll be banning non-electric vehicles by 2030.

–Bill Bish
Editor
NCOM News Bytes

Read Bill’s entire column in Bikernet’s Rights Department.

All-out war brewing between Hells Angels, NYPD–Now there’s hell to pay.

There’s an all-out war brewing between the Hells Angels and city cops — who swarmed the notorious bikers’ clubhouse Tuesday as payback for refusing to help solve a shooting, police and witnesses said.

More than 30 cops stormed the East Village headquarters and slapped bikers with summonses for any minor infractions they could find, according to police.

“It was done just to f–k with them,” one police source said. “They’re not cooperating with the investigation. If they’re gonna give us a hard time, we’re gonna give them a hard time.”

The bikers — who have refused to answer cops’ questions about a shooting over a parking space in front of the clubhouse early Sunday — were slapped with at least three summonses, cops said.

They were ticketed for blocking the sidewalk with planters and failing to display license plates on motorcycles, which were covered with a protective sheet.

Hells Angels refusing to help cops with shooting investigation
Cops also used a saw to cut away a metal ramp in front of the clubhouse and ripped out an outdoor bench.

Police said they hassled the bikers to send them a message.

“We want them to feel our presence and to let them know we are here,” the source said. “They don’t own that block and they have no right to block parking spots for themselves. It’s a public street.”

The cop added, “They want to bring chaos and outrage into the community, [so] we are going to enforce the law and ensure they are following the rules.”

Meanwhile, the man shot in the gut, allegedly by one of the bikers, is terrified to work with police — possibly for fear of retribution from the motorcycle club, police said.

“All witnesses are afraid,” one police source said, adding they would likely still testify.

The victim, David Martinez, 25, was recovering from surgery Tuesday after a biker shot him for moving a parking cone — used to save a parking space outside the clubhouse — on East Third Street near First ­Avenue.

By Kevin Fasick, Daniel Prendergast and Jamie Schram

–NYPost
Additional reporting by Tina Moore

NEWS FROM LOWBROW--The Motorcycle Cannonball: Cross-country on a pre-1930 motorcycle.

We’re in! We are excited to announce that Lowbrow got a spot in the next Motorcycle Cannonball race, which takes place September 2020.

We are riding my 1926 Harley-Davidson JD (currently a pile of parts!). Check out our team intro video on our website.

The Cannonball is a cross-country race, this time from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to South Padre Island, Texas. The route is over 3,000 miles long, and the race is only for 1929 & earlier motorcycles.

Stay tuned for build videos and updates through the winter and springtime as we get some miles on the race bike!

–Tyler Malinky

THE BEST OF THE BEST FROM VINTAGE RIDES–It is with renewed enthusiasm that we’ve been taking our riders, for the last 12 years,
to discover the Indian subcontinent on Royal Enfield motorcycles. Pleasure of riding,
local encounters and itineraries off the beaten track are the pillars of our motorcycle tours in India. Discover some of the most beautiful pictures taken on our trips in 2019!

Photo credits: Johann Rousselot / François Combes / Ravi Nayak / Jean Eisenberg

–Vintage Rides
(By appointment only)
128 rue de la Boétie
75008 PARIS
hello@vintagerides.com
+442032898785

NEWS FROM THE BIKERNET ART GALLERY–Artist David Uhl

We have been busy preparing for two of our largest shows each year and have a beautiful new piece to share with you. We’ll be in Oshkosh, WI at the EAA fly-in Monday July 22 through Sunday July 28. Immediately following is Sturgis, where we’ll have the gallery at the Gold Dust Casino in Deadwood from Wednesday July 31 through Sunday August 11. If you’ll be at either (or both) of these events, please stop by and say hello!

David Uhl started his Nose Art/Pin Up collection 10 years ago at the Reno Air Races. While there, he painted “Miss Behaven.” Over the years, he has added “Baby Doll” and “Georgia Peach” to this series. We are excited to announce the worldwide release of his newest addition. We’re having a tough time selecting a name (either Altitude Adjustment or Strategic Manuevers).

In David’s words, “A difficult piece to compose, it features a fabulous P38 Lightning being decorated with one of the beloved ladies that kept them company on their missions. The theater is South Pacific, where a marauding comrade in a Corsair dives in for a sneak peak.

“The trike is a TA, direct drive Knucklehead , VERY rare (thank you Wheels Through Time Museum)…Of course the spooked model covers herself from the impending invasion on her ‘privacy.’ I am a hopeless romantic, so this series is always how I would have done the nose art. I’m sure it was a fantasy to have a live model, but makes for a fun piece.”

We are now taking orders for the exclusive canvas print edition available in three sizes (all hand-signed by David, numbered with Certificate of Authenticity). The prices below will remain in effect through the end of the Sturgis Rally (August 11) or until they reach “Rare” status.

*Image size 24×18, $895 framed. Edition of 80 plus 5 Artist Proofs and 5 Hors d’Commerce

*Image size 32×24, $1,450 framed. Edition of 80 plus 5 Artist Proofs and 5 Hors d’Commerce

*Image size 40×30, $2,250 framed. Edition of 40 plus 5 Artist Proofs and 5 Hors d’Commerce

Matching edition numbers are available for those collecting the entire series. If you missed out on the first three in the series, we still have a limited number of prints available. You can view them here:

Miss Behaven https://www.uhlstudios.com/artwork/collections/aviation-and-military/miss-behaven/

Baby Doll https://www.uhlstudios.com/artwork/collections/aviation-and-military/baby-doll/

Georgia Peach https://www.uhlstudios.com/artwork/collections/aviation-and-military/georgia-peach

Valerie Thompson to challenge FIA speed record and motorsports history as new driver of Target 550 Streamliner–World’s Fastest Female Motorcycle Racer seeks writing new motorsports history on four-wheels with dual-engine Treit and Davenport Streamliner.

Valerie Thompson, the world’s fastest female motorcycle racer, will assume driving duties for the Treit & Davenport Target 550 Streamliner with the goal of breaking the 417.020 mph FIA class record for a four-wheel blown fuel streamliner.

The Target 550 Streamliner features a unique wind tunnel inspired design with the singular goal of breaking the current class record of 417.020 mph with two supercharged Dodge Hemi engines generating over 5,000 horsepower.

“It’s an honor to attempt my first four-wheel record with a Bonneville legend like Marlo Treit and his accomplished team. With 5,000 horsepower, I’m guaranteed the ride of a lifetime and hopefully, writing a new page in motorsports history,” said Thompson.

Piloting the BUB 7 motorcycle streamliner in 2018, Thompson set a new record speed of 328 mph. A member of the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame, she holds eight land speed records on a variety of bikes and was recently included on Dealernews’ “Top 100 Leaders in Powersports” list.

With favorable weather and optimal track conditions, Thompson could add two new chapters racing history by becoming the first woman over 400 mph and first driver over 500 mph in a piston-powered engine vehicle. “I never assume anything, but if conditions are right, we are going for all the records and titles on the table. I want to show every sponsor and all our fans how much we appreciate their support,” said an optimistic Thompson.

Thompson and the Target 550 team plan their first record attempt during SCTA Speed Week at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats August 10 -16, weather permitting

NORTH CAROLINA LEGALIZES MOTORCYCLISTS WEARING FACE MASKS
Like many states, North Carolina law generally “prohibits a person from wearing a mask, hood, or other device, to conceal the identity of the wearer,” with limited exceptions which now includes; “a person may wear a mask for the purpose of protecting the person’s head, face, or head and face, when operating a motorcycle.”

House Bill 257/Senate Bill 321 “An Act to permit the use of a face mask while operating a motorcycle,” was signed into law by Governor Ray Cooper (D) on July 11, 2019 and goes into effect December 1st.

Amidst nationwide furor over political groups like Antifa wearing masks while engaging in civil unrest, HB 257 passed the House on March 27 by a vote of 111-1 and companion bill SB 321 passed the Senate unanimously on June 27, 48-0.

Law enforcement officers in some states had begun stopping and citing motorcycle riders, particularly patch holders, for violating local anti-mask laws.

The new law will “require the person to remove the mask during traffic stops, checkpoints, roadblocks, or when approached by a law enforcement officer.”

–Bill Bish
NCOM

KEEP THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY OPEN FOR HAPPY HOUR–Two lawyers had been stranded on a deserted island for several months:…The only other thing on the island was a tall coconut tree, which provided their food…

And each day, one of the lawyers climbed to the top of the tree to see if he could see a rescue boat coming….. One day, the lawyer yelled down from the tree… “Wow! I can’t believe my eyes….. There is a girl out there floating in our direction”…

The lawyer on the ground was most skeptical and said….. “I think you’re hallucinating and you should come down right now.”

So, the lawyer reluctantly climbed down the tree and told his friend that he had just actually seen a naked brunette woman floating face up headed toward the island…..

The other lawyer started to laugh, thinking the other guy had surely lost his mind…. But within a few minutes, up to their beach floated a naked brunette woman, unconscious….

They went over to her and discovered she was alive…..One said to the other… “You know, we’ve been on this island for months now without a woman…. It’s been a long time. Do you think we should, you know, screw her?”…

The other lawyer glanced down at the totally naked woman and asked……. “Out of what?”

–Dangerous Dave

THE BIKERNET CLIMATE REPORT–Berkeley, CA Bans Natural Gas From New Buildings
When natural gas burns, it produces only C02 and water and is the cleanest of any hydrocarbon fuel. The city of Berkeley wrongly believes that C02 is a pollutant gas and therefore harms the environment. ? TN Editor
The Berkeley, CA City Council unanimously voted this week to ban natural gas infrastructure in new low-rise residential buildings, beginning Jan 1. 2020. The legislation also requires that all new buildings in Berkeley be “electric-ready,” with proper panels and wiring conduits to support electric infrastructure.

The natural gas ban does not apply to new industrial or commercial buildings, as the California Energy Commission (CEC) has not yet proven that it is cost-effective or plausible to make such buildings all-electric. “We’re doing this on a rolling basis as the CEC finds these things to be effective,” said Councilwoman Kate Harrison, who sponsored the bill. The law also does not apply to renovations.

The bill received unanimous public support during the city council meeting, particularly in comments from PG&E and Sierra Club, and members of the community. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) also praised the move in a statement, noting, “cities are leading the way to a clean energy future, providing hope and optimism in the face of increasingly dire climate disruption.”

During a city council presentation called, “Meeting the Climate Challenge in New Buildings,” Harrison outlined the impact green buildings have on local climate efforts. She noted natural gas is responsible for 27% of Berkeley’s overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and 73% of the city’s building sector GHGs. The city is also under pressure from a statewide goal to reduce GHG emissions from building stock by 40% below 1990 levels by 2030.

“Every new building that we build in Berkeley locks in greenhouse gases for 100-plus years,” she said, noting methane leaks and other obstacles can increase the problem.

Harrison assured costs of electrification will be favorable for the city in the long-term. In a 2018 report, the Rocky Mountain Institute found, “electrification of space and water heating and air conditioning reduces the homeowner’s costs over the lifetime of the appliances when compared with performing the same functions with fossil fuels.” Harrison also said PG&E will have significant increases in gas prices by 2020, which will be offset to customers.

–Technocracy News

WOW, I AM CONSTANTLY BLOWN AWAY—George, The Wild Brush, is on his way over here. We need to finish up the parachute box. Then we need to hoist the frame and pull out the bottom to patch and trim, hopefully for the final time.

George and I need to create a pattern or template for the firewall, so I can start to cut aluminum pieces. I still need to replace the Barnett Clutch Cable. I installed the wrong one. We need to find a ¼-inch piece of rubber to space the lip in the bottom of the nose to allow flexibility. I hope to fulfill all these missions before Sunday.

Micah might return this weekend to get back to final assembly. I’m hoping to make some progress before he arrives. I found two companies that make fold up van seats. One is purely American Made, Freedman Co. and Suburban seats. I’m getting close.

Frankie called and wanted to come over and remove his front MetalSport wheel and take it to the MetalSport facility to have it checked for true. I’ll be curious what they say. He was experiencing a severe shimmy in his front end. We checked everything. It had to be the wheel.

It’s going to be another exciting weekend. Just received a shipment of 5-Ball Leathers, Micah’s race suit was included, plus new leather Bandit’s Bedrolls. Too cool. And I received a call, the windshield is done and we will pick it up tomorrow, fit it, and they will trim it on Monday.

Ride Fast and Free, Forever!

–Bandit

Hey,

This has been one amazing week. I didn’t finish my Weekend Round-up because shit was moving fast. It’s still moving fast, and maybe not fast enough, but we will see.

I started on the Weekend Round-Up for July 22nd, But never finished it.

It’s nuts. My weeks don’t end. I try to make Friday fun, have a helluva workout on Saturday, and I’m back in the shop fulltime on Sunday.

With the Windshield in hand we were close to cutting the canopy, which was a scary operation. We had one shot at cutting this puppy. Tons of discussion went into kicking around the latch, the hinges, and a lip system to keep wind from lifting the canopy and keeping it aligned when in place.

Saturday, we spent the majority of the day taping off the area for the windshield and canopy. George has a program for taping off one side, and then making a template of that side for the opposite side. We got mighty close to making the first cut, when we installed the windshield over the body and noticed some issues. We decided to take a break and cut on Monday.

In the meantime, I went to work on mechanical issues. For some reason, after all the welding and paint, shit wasn’t fitting and I had to punt a few times. But the shifter is all set and so is the system for pulling the shoot. I started to grease and oil cables. Nothing seemed to be sliding comfortably. I oiled the throttle cable and it’s working better. The clutch cable is tough to pull, but it’s all set to do its job. I’ll let Micah adjust the clutch. He set up the transmission and sealed it, but discovered the detent was way off. It wasn’t shifting.

I installed the rear chain, and I have new fasteners for the rear sprocket. They
Stick out too much. I went to McMaster Carr for special rear parachute anchor fasteners. I need to call about my tires tomorrow and find out what’s happening with the safety belt system from RJS. I should call Dennis Manning and see how he’s doing.

Shit was flying, so the Weekend Round-up didn’t make it. Hell, wait until you read the wrap-up at the end of the news.

Let’s hit 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 the Smoke Out and Quick Throttle Magazine came on board.

DIME BAG PRODUCTS GROWING– Bandit,
The DIMEBAG brand growing and moving forward. Each handtooled leather wallet will be numbered and signed by Adam Croft.
Adam is also working on more Dimebag products to be available soon.

–DIMEBAG
Adam Croft Leather
Vintage American Cycles
DIMEBAG

 Your MRF Weekly Biker Bulletin from Inside the Beltway–

Your Motorcycle Riders Foundation team in Washington, D.C. is pleased to provide our members with the latest information and updates on issues that impact the freedom and safety of American street motorcyclists. Count on your MRF to keep you informed about a range of matters that are critical to the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle. Published weekly when the U.S. Congress is in session.

RPM Act to be Introduced

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation was invited to participate in a working group with the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) and a host of other organizations about the future of the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act (RPM Act). As we have reported in the past, we were unsure if this legislation would be introduced in the 116th Congress since the political appetite has changed on the hill. During the last Congress, the House version was able to gain 150 cosponsors but never made it to the floor for a vote, and the Senate version with its 39 cosponsors suffered the same fate in the waning days of 2018.

The MRF anticipates that this legislation will be introduced in the coming weeks before Congress adjourns for their August recess. Please be ready for any future calls to action that may find their way to your inbox.

NTSB Releases 2019–2020 NTSB Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements
The National Transportation Safety Board released its 2019-2020 Most Wanted List earlier this week. After reading the 28-page document, the MRF found that motorcycles only gathered the attention of the agency twice but thankfully not as a stand-alone issue like in years past. The two areas where motorcyclists are mentioned are:

End Alcohol and Other Impairment in Transportation

TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION: Examine the influence of alcohol and other drug use on motorcycle rider crash risk compared to that of passenger vehicle drivers, and develop guidelines to assist states in implementing evidence-based strategies and countermeasures to more effectively address substance-impaired motorcycle rider crashes.

Increase Implementation of Collision Avoidance Systems in All-New Highway Vehicles

TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION: Incorporate motorcycles in the development of performance standards for passenger vehicle crash warning and prevention systems.

After years of motorcycles being forgotten in other Department of Transportation guidance on autonomous vehicles, we are pleased that the NTSB is sending a directive to NHTSA to make sure motorcycles are included in autonomous vehicle standards. If you want to know what else the NTSB is working on other the next year, you can read the whole report HERE

Focus Groups

This week the Governors Highway Safety Association released a report on “Motorcyclists’ Attitudes on Using High-Visibility Gear to Improve Conspicuity.” Needless to say, the conclusions listed below by this taxpayer-funded study can be filed under the category of obvious and predictable.

Eighteen focus groups with 137 motorcycle riders in California, Maryland, Michigan, and Texas were conducted to explore motorcyclists’ attitudes toward wearing high-visibility gear to increase conspicuity. In most groups, only one or two participants said they regularly wear high visibility gear.

Based on the focus group discussions, several factors emerged as barriers to motorcyclists’ use of high-visibility gear. The most important involves the appearance of the high-visibility gear. It is judged as unappealing by some riders, and many riders are concerned that the look or style of the gear does not fit in with their riding culture. These factors work against the acceptance of high-visibility gear, even though many riders believe such gear may be effective for increasing conspicuity. Many participants thought that motorcycle-riding culture would have to change for riders to adopt high-visibility gear, due to the association of novice riders and older riders with high-visibility gear.

Another barrier to the use of high-visibility gear is riders’ skepticism that high-visibility apparel provides enough of a safety benefit to warrant its use and cost. Evidence that demonstrates the safety benefits of high-visibility gear is important to convincing motorcyclists they would personally benefit from using it.

In addition to adverse feelings about high-visibility gear itself, many participants expressed the belief that high-visibility gear would not improve safety, largely because of the perception that motorists are distracted anyway. In fact, several participants suggested that the onus should be on drivers to look for motorcyclists.

If you are interested, you can find the full 81-page report by slipping over to the MRF web site.

We are currently at 58 cosponsors from 25 states for the motorcycle profiling resolution. This is an increase of 4 new cosponsors since last week and with our first lawmaker from Massachusetts signing on. Click HERE to see if your member has signed on.

–Your Team in D.C. Tiffany & Rocky
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) provides leadership at the federal level for states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders. The MRF is chiefly concerned with issues at the national and international levels that impact the freedom and safety of American street motorcyclists. The MRF is committed to being a national advocate for the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle and works in conjunction with its partners to help educate elected officials and policymakers in Washington and beyond.

Bands and Bikes Highlight Gettysburg Bike Week 2019 Rally–Record Crowds at GBW 18th Anniversary

Gettysburg, PA (July 19, 2018) – Gettysburg Bike Week kicked off Thursday, July 11, 2019, for its 18th anniversary rally at the Allstar Events Family Fun Complex in Gettysburg, PA. With four days of the best bands, events and entertainment. Rally goers turned out in droves to great weather and enjoyed great music, Harley-Davidson demos, bike shows, mini-bike races celebrity appearance from Josh Owens and much much more.

“We had the best attendance we have ever seen” said event coordinator Kelly Shue. “We work hard throughout the year to make sure we have the best bands, entertainment and vendors for all the riders. This year we seem to have the right combination of them all.”

National touring musicians graced the stage every day including Jasmine Cain, and Kashmir to kick the weekend off on Thursday. The Resurrection tour featuring Tantric, Shallow Side, Saving Abel, Saliva and Puddle of Mudd had people showing up early to make sure they got to see as many of the bands as they could. Saturday, Queenryche closed it out with an amazing show of hard rock musicianship, which was topped off by an awe-inspiring fireworks show. All of these top-flight musicians showed their true colors and played to the crowds energy, providing entertainment for the biggest crowds to date.

Other great music acts playing throughout the weekend included Brickyard Road, Rebel Soul, acoustic wizards Redemption Road, and Sound of Silence featuring teen percussion prodigy Avery the Drummer.

And music was just the beginning when it came to this year’s entertainment.

Legendary emcee Jack Schit presided over it all, performing master of ceremonies duties from the Budweiser Stage with Jen Shade helping to fill in any gaps and help keep a local connection. Mr. Schit added his lightening wit to live events like the world-famous Tattoo Competition, Bike Games and mini-bike racing. The Parade of Chrome, and the Cycle Source Ride-in Bike Show, were all greatly enjoyed by the record breaking crowd.

New this year was the Harley-Davidson demos where riders could select one of seven Harley-Davidsons and take it for a spin and see which one they preferred with no pressure. Gettysburg Bike Week brought in Josh Owens from the hit TV show Moonshiners which, provided lots of opportunities for riders to interact with him in a lot of different settings.

Of course, no rally would be complete without great riding, and Gettysburg features some of the best. Riders enjoyed tours of historic battlegrounds and hundreds of miles of the best riding in the East. And in addition to the fantastic solo riding, GBW patrons had a great time with several charity Poker runs.

This one’s hardly in the books, but you can never start planning too early for next year’s Gettysburg Bike Week which will be July 9-12 2020: New and returning riders can find updates, event scheduling, lodging information and anything they ever needed to know about Gettysburg Bike Week by visiting http://www.gettysburgbikeweek.com.

Gettysburg Bike Week would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors Battlefield Harley-Davidson, Budweiser, Gettysburg Trading Post, Hot Leathers, Geico, Stambaugh Law, Dale E Anstine, Color Wheel Flooring America, Tevis Energy, Beckley’s Camping Center, Ride into History and Steinwehr Avenue Business Improvement District.

BAD COP REPORT FROM THE CHIP–What Sturgis Police Will Be Watching For During This Year’s Motorcycle Rally

Nothing puts a damper on fun quite like a run in with Johnny Law, and with the increased police presence in and around the city of Sturgis during the annual motorcycle rally, knowing the state and local laws is a must. To make sure you have the 411 on what law enforcement officers will be looking for, Sturgis Rider® News sat down with Chief of Police Geody VanDewater of the Sturgis Police Department. Make sure you and other riders on the road can have a safe and fun time during this year’s Sturgis motorcycle rally by checking out his list of dos and don’ts.

Drinking and Driving

This is a no-brainer. If you plan on kicking back some cold ones, please designate a sober driver to get you back to your home base safely. If that’s not an option, there are modes of public transportation you can use that will cost you significantly less than a DUI. The Sturgis Party Shuttle can get you where you need to go with stops at most of the area’s campgrounds and hotels including Sturgis and Deadwood. With the Buffalo Chip as its headquarters, the Sturgis Party Shuttle has shuttles that route every 30 minutes from 12 p.m. to 3 a.m. Aug. 4-13 at both the Chip’s east and west gate.

Illegal Drug Use

During the Sturgis motorcycle rally there are plenty of rides, concerts and activities that’ll give you a high that’s just as good as the hard stuff. According to their website, the Sturgis Police Department has a zero tolerance policy on all drug arrests no matter how small and will not relax charges on any violations. Just say no to drugs and you can avoid spending the bulk of your vacation in the clink.

Traffic Violations

Failure to Stop at Red Lights and Stop Signs
Traffic congestion is to be expected when you come into the city of Sturgis, but it’s important to remember to obey all traffic laws. When stopping at red lights and stop signs, you must come to a complete stop.

“Some people can balance their bike at a complete stop, but to be safe, we suggest you put at least one foot down and stop for 2-3 seconds.”

– Sturgis Chief of Police Geody VanDewater

You might get impatient when waiting in traffic, but don’t try to pass on the right shoulder or sidewalks. If you are caught doing this, Sturgis police will stop you and issue you a $111 ticket. You can also use Fort Meade Way to avoid the hassle of waiting through heavy rally traffic.

Bike Modifications

Recent law changes allow you to have handlebars on your bike at the height of your choosing, but there are other modifications that are still illegal. For example, there are rules about how loud your exhaust system can be. All modifications must be factory altered. Removing the baffles in your exhaust is still against the law.

There is no specific decibel level for exhaust in the state of South Dakota, but every motorcycle must at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise. Sturgis Police will be listening for unusually loud exhaust to determine if you are violating South Dakota’s vehicle noise law, 32-15-17. If you are, they’ll fine you $120.

Indecent Exposure

When the number on the thermometer starts climbing, you might be tempted to wear less. While there’s no dress code, it’s smart to remember the law requires you to keep your naughty bits covered. Failure to do so will get you charged with indecent exposure, which will land you a $111 fine.

Helmets and Eye Protection

Helmets are required for any passengers under 18 and protective eyewear is a must. Beyond that, there are no restrictions on what you can wear on your bike, but Chief VanDewater recommends you play it safe and wear the right gear when riding. Full leathers and closed-toe footwear are encouraged.

Get great gear recommendations from seasoned riders prefer by checking out “10 Essential Pieces of Gear You Shouldn’t Ride Without.”

The most common complaint the Sturgis Police Department receives during the rally involves parking violations. Parking downtown can be a real pain in the you-know-what, but that doesn’t mean you can park just anywhere.

You are allowed to park anywhere on downtown streets within the barricades, except for intersections. If you are parked in handicap spots or in zones outside of the barricades that are painted yellow or red, your vehicle will be ticketed and towed. Avoid parking in alleyways or private parking lots. Public Works cleans the streets nightly to keep Sturgis looking beautiful, so if you leave your bike parked downtown after 2 a.m., it will be towed. Chief VanDewater suggests taking advantage of public transportation to keep you and your bike safe.

Outside of the city, you won’t find parking to be nearly as regulated. Remember, there is always plenty of free parking available at the Buffalo Chip CrossRoads.

For tips on what to do if you do encounter the police check out “What To Do If You Get Pulled Over.”

Have you been stopped by Sturgis police? Share your stories in the comments below to help your fellow bikers avoid getting a violation.

–Buffalo Chip staff

NEW ADDITION TO BANDIT’S COLLECTION—John Stein, who wrote the History of Motorcycle Drag Racing, said he had something cool for me. The other day, he showed up with a couple of his books (we sell them in the 5-Ball Garage) and this cool motorcycle dragster gas tank.

“The bike was built by Joe Smith and was the first motorcycle into the Eights,” said John. “It was named “King Rat” and is all over the internet.”

Joe sold it to someone who converted it to a gasser and renamed it “The Bandit.” I should have some information on it as the Bandit and certainly have plenty on when it was King Rat, since it was very famous.

Joe Smith’s “King Rat”

One of the dominant Top Fuel motorcycle racers of the early-to-mid-Seventies, Joe Smith built and rode a number of remarkably successful Shovelhead-based Harley-Davidsons. Among them was “King Rat”, which became the first motorcycle in NHRA competition into the “eights” with an 8.97 at 166.05 mph at the 1971 Bakersfield March Meet.

The displacement of the engine was increased from 74 to 108 cubic inches with the use of stroker flywheels from S&S and big-bore cylinders from Burkhardt Engineering. Famed Oldsmobile tuner Joe Mondello did the heads, Leineweber supplied the cams, and S&S provided their 1-7/8-inch fuel carburetor.

EASYRIDERS R.I.P.–
Here is the image we were talking about, this is a biker bed and breakfast in Iowa.

https://www.facebook.com/LaidBackManor/

Here is what they posted.

Yea.. it’s true… End of an era. Thank you, you marvelous old girl, for all the wonderful things in my life that came from writing for you. Love and Respect… we will never forget you.

–The Gang at Laid Back Manor
Somewhere in Iowa

NEW ZEALANDER USA ROAD TRIP–The long horned cattle in the wooden pole corral is something that I have never been that close to before. The warning sign could be quite apt and how people can work safely with them must be quite a skill.

There are quite a number of information boards to be read in a hurry as
the park staff are waiting for us to leave so that they can lock the gates. It is already quarter past five and we still have to get out of the parking lot.

It is only a short ride of some 20 miles to Kanab where we stay for the
night at the Travel Lodge. We eat at a a Mexican Restaurant across the
road called Escobars.

We have done 230 miles for the day.

–Graeme Lowen

[page break]

FROM AMERICAN THINKER–
When critical thinkers take the effort to go far beyond superficial Google searches and media reports of the issue, they begin spotting all the glitches: skeptic climate scientists tell in mind-blowing levels of detail how the seas aren’t rising, nor is the Arctic melting at any noticeable rate; polar bear populations are on the increase; the Miami area suffers from land subsidence; past historical records show as many or more devastating weather events; a show of hands is a logical fallacy that never validates scientific conclusions; and places like the PBS NewsHour never inform their viewers about the science-based analysis from skeptic climate scientists.

Even the term “climate change” is a ruse to cover up the plateauing of the average world temperature over the last 15-plus years, while Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Svengali admits that her Green New Deal is nothing more than a plan to gain full control of the private economy. What about sinister industry disinformation efforts? It turns out the “Pulitzer-winning reporter” Al Gore claims discovered leaked memos proving this conspiracy never actually won a Pulitzer and wasn’t the first to quote those memos, and those memos neither prove any such pay-for-performance arrangement exists between skeptic climate scientists and industry executives, nor were they even part of an old public relations campaign that Gore and that “reporter” say they were.

“The Global Warming Show” was never actually about saving the planet. It’s all about dictatorial control over everything…and no doubt, it was good for the Al “Christof” Gores in the issue to watch how the fear they created caused money to pour into their wallets. But to accomplish this, they had to fabricate a fake world where no opposition exists.

How’s it going to end? Ultimately, it is the truth found in the reports from skeptic climate scientists that will set us free to know with certainty that there’s nothing to fear after all about this issue, whereupon we can hold the people behind this fake issue and the complicit news media accountable for their lies and deceit.

Russell Cook is the publisher of the Gelbspan Files website, documenting the fraudulent claims that oil and coal industries pay climate skeptics to oppose the global warming doom-sayers.

–from the Climate Depot

NEW FROM THE Artist David Uhl–After Day 1 at the Oshkosh Fly-In, two newer pieces are the stars of the show! “Bootlegger Betty” and “Strategic Maneuvers” are garnering a great deal of attention here. If you’re here, please visit us in Hangar B, booth 2095 and 2096.

Please let me know if you have any questions. If you’d like to acquire one of the prints, simply respond to this email or call me at 303-913-4840.

Thanks for your time and we look forward to seeing you this summer!

–Greg Rhodes
International Sales Director

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

Uhl Studios Website

MOTORCYCLE MISSIONS AUCTION COMING TO STURGIS– Compass Auctions is donating its services to Motorcycle Missions for the auctioning of two custom-built Indian Chief Darkhorse motorcycles. The auction will be held online but the bikes will be showcased at the 2019 Sturgis Bike Week event in Sturgis, SD. “The life-changing opportunities that Motorcycle Missions provides our veterans and first responders are incredibly important and something we wholeheartedly support,” said Steven W. Holt, VP Compass Auctions.

Those interested in learning more about these bikes can visit www.SoldonCompass.com.

There they will find photos of the two bikes being built, video, links to the auction catalog and bidding, and more information about Motorcycle Missions. “Our team at Compass was amazed at the work and handcrafting that went into both of these great looking motorcycles, Krystal and both the Dallas and Austin, TX teams have put together two seriously cool custom bikes,” says Holt, “and we know whoever wins either bike will be doubly blessed by not just a great purchase but also in their support of a great organization.”

This online-only auction will end on August 6, 2019, at 7 pm MT, so be sure to check out the bikes before they are gone!

–from DealerNews

PAUL WHEELER PANHEAD COMING TO BIKERNET—I’m proud to say Markus Cuff will shoot Paul’s latest bobber for Bikernet and perhaps the latest Choppers Magazine produced by Cary Brobeck, Kelli Dube and Cooki.

Hang on for our next report.

–Bandit

NMA NEWS–A Long, Long Away to go for Driverless Car and other Auto Tech News-– Auto Industry, DRIVERLESS CARS, Electric Vehicle, LIDAR, NHTSA, Ridesharing, SAFETY, Technology, V2V

The New York Times posted an article this week entitled: Despite High Hopes, Self-Driving Cars are ‘Way in the Future.” Indeed they are…something I’ve been saying ever since I started writing about the car of the future and auto tech.

Ford’s CEO Jim Hackett said in April, “We overestimated the arrival of autonomous vehicles.” The real reason: It is really hard!

Ford and Volkswagen announced last week that they are joining forces to work on AVs and electric vehicles together. The partnership goal is to bring AV ridesharing services to a few urban areas in 2021. Let’s not hold our breath.

Their partner in this idea is ARGO AI and chief executive Bryan Salesky who said the promise of driverless cars which could go anywhere anytime was ‘way in the future.’ He added that Argo and other competitors have developed about 80 percent of the technology needed for AVs (such as cameras, radar and sensors) but still need to develop and fine tune the software that can reliably drive in all circumstances.

Salesky added that there are two difficult areas to solve before AVs go mainstream. The first is developing the AI so it can handle the ‘corner cases”—instances that include pedestrians crossing the street even if the vehicle has the green and street sweepers making U-turns even if they don’t have the right-away.

The other area of difficulty is called ‘micro maneuvers’…basically the building of experience in handling the nuances of driving. For example, a driver who edges into an intersection who might dart out and does…as a human driver, we generally can spot this before it happens. Same with a driver we as human drivers can tell is looking for a parking space. We make accommodations in our own driving to allow the driver the space to park.

The defined leader in the AV race is Waymo which currently operates a driverless fleet of 600 test vehicles, about the same number on the road as a year ago. Chief External Officer Tekedra Mawakana said this about the situation:

“The reason we don’t have a service in 50 states is that we are still validating a host of elements related to offering a service. Offering a service is very different than building a technology.”

Waymo currently operates their test vehicles in the Phoenix, Arizona area, land of plenty of sunshine and fairly good roads. European start-ups are now testing driverless vehicles in cities and streets that were built for horses—that will be the real test whether or not automated transportation can actually cut it.

Earlier this year, Tesla’s Elon Musk declared that his company would have as many as a million robo taxies by the end of 2020. Many are skeptical and rightly so. He also recently announced that his company would be providing Level 5 capabilities soon in an over-the-air update. According to an article in this week’s Washington Post, many industry executives and regulators are on edge because of Tesla’s unregulated auto pilot system that does not use LIDAR, the current standard for AV technology. Instead, Tesla will incorporate a custom-designed computer chip.

Currently, Musk claims that all new Teslas have the hardware to self-drive but the software still needs to catch up. And when it does, the company will then send that over-the-air update. The claim is that the cars will be able to drive in cities just as well as they already do on highways. Since there are no regulations, companies are guided by industry standards and Tesla is moving full steam ahead.

Please remember that we will have to drive with the auto-pilot Teslas (and any other driverless vehicle) whether they are safe or not and whether we are ready or not.

Also this week, Tesla released its quarterly report on its auto pilot safety program. With this report, the company used a comparison between cars with the autopilot and cars without.

“In the 2nd quarter, we registered one accident for every 3.27 million miles driven in which drivers had Autopilot engaged. For those driving without Autopilot but with our active safety features, we registered one accident for every 2.19 million miles driven. For those driving without Autopilot and without our active safety features, we registered one accident for every 1.41 million miles driven. By comparison, NHTSA’s most recent data shows that in the United States there is an automobile crash every 498,000 miles.*

That seems pretty safe but why I am still feeling some anxiety?

Auto Tech Recent Short Takes

Luminar announced last week that it has developed a production-ready LIDAR that could cost as little as $500. The unit called IRIS is about the size of a soda can and weighs about 2 pounds. CEO Austin Russell says it’s “automotive grade” which means it can fit on a bumper or windshield and last for years on the road. Luminar just finished its latest round of funding and raised $250 million to help build capacity at its Florida manufacturing plant. Russell also stated that his company is currently working on six highway-driving focused projects with automakers. He projects that nothing will be ready for commercial vehicles until 2022 or 2023.

Perhaps by 2025, auto headlights will become smart and include sensors and AI chips. That’s according to Japanese company Koito Manufacturing. The lamps will be able to process information and react to certain situations such as poorly lit crossings, pedestrian signaling and even color alarms to alert other road users. A company spokesman said recently that they may no longer be seen as lamps but ‘corner modules.’

Trucking company Peloton announced this past week that it has configured and is now testing a level 4 driverless truck platooning system. Utilizing vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) technology, a single driver would now be able to drive two trucks paired for connected driving. This improves aerodynamics, fuel economy and safety. CEO Josh Switkes said, “We’ve taken a different approach to commercial introduction of Class 8 vehicles. We see drivers as the world’s best sensors, and are leveraging this to enable today’s drivers to be more productive through automated following platoons.” He also stated that drivers who learn to use this technology would likely receive more pay, better routes and schedules.

By Shelia Dunn
NMA Communications Director

If you read an auto tech story of interest, please send the URL to us at nma@motorists.org.

NEWS FROM THE LATE HAL ROBINSON– The wings on the biker’s shirt in the panel joke were the main Harley-Davidson wings used by Easyriders in the ‘70s and ‘80s.

–Ann Robinson

We sell three Hal Robinson t-shirts and matching limited-edition prints in the 5-Ball Racing Garage. They are exclusive to Bikernet and Crank and Strokers. Since Joe Teresi pointed out that Ann didn’t have any rights to sell Hal Robinson art, we are forced to sell out this small batch, then quit this endeavor to help Hal’s ex-wife, a retired teacher.

–Bandit

LIFESTYLE DEAL OF THE WEEK–
2015 Harley-Davidson FLTRUSE – CVO Road Glide Ultra for $23,995.00

https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=7452462

The Road Glide Ultra motorcycle brings the Road Glide motorcycle back to the Harley touring line-up with maximum swagger, custom CVO-Style and long mile capability.

Project RUSHMORE – Control

Here are some of the innovations Project RUSHMORE led to: the Reflex Linked Brakes with ABS, the dual Daymaker Reflector LED Headlamps, brighter Tour-Pak luggage carrier lighting, brighter turn signals, brighter brake lights, and a steering head with stiffer front forks. Locked-up tires are now history even when there’s wet pavement.

We’ve made it feel even better to lean your way through a turn. Now you can see better. And we’ve made you more conspicuous to the cage-driving public. Because one thing we all agree on is this: bikes that work better make riders who ride better. Take a ride. See how good you can be.

Jukebox with USB Port for iPod/iPhone
The Jukebox opens easily and includes a USB connection which accepts your iPhone, iTouch, non-iPod imitators, and SD card and other USB compatible devices. Pop it open, plug in and your device becomes a part of your motorcycle. Ready to be operated by voice command or hand controls.

Project RUSHMORE – Comfort

We dialed in the comfort of our machines the hard way: over thousands of miles in all kinds of riding conditions on every kind of street, road and highway ever laid down in pavement. Experienced riders and passengers putting in long hours in the saddle and giving us feedback on every aspect that contributes to comfort on the road.

Airflow, heat management, passenger space, back rests, seat textures, legroom and hand controls all went under the hard microscope of the road and got tested and re-tested by real riders and worked and re-worked by us until we were satisfied we had built the most comfortable machines on the road. We all want to go farther, and when you and your passenger are more comfortable in the saddle, you can.

Project RUSHMORE – Styling

Project RUSHMORE is the journey we set out on to take our touring motorcycles to places never imagined before – to turn all the possibilities for what a motorcycle can be now into true Milwaukee steel. We did it our way, as we’ve always done. As riders. Riding with other riders.

Thousand of hours, countless road tests, millions of miles. Looking for the technology and innovations that truly make the ride better. We went over the bike fender tip to fender tip. Making it work better. Making it look sleeker. Modern. Clean. Tight. Let your eye take the journey over the machine. This is classic Harley-Davidson style and a sleek, modern look at the exact same time. At Harley-Davidson, form has always followed function. And both have always reported to emotion. Now we’re just doing it on a completely different level.

BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT WEEKLY VOCABULARY LESSON–
Svengali

[sven-gah-lee, sfen-]
noun
1.
a person who completely dominates another, usually with selfish or sinister motives.

QUOTES

Lou Pearlman, who died on Friday in federal prison in Miami, at the age of sixty-two, was arguably the great pop Svengali of our time.
— John Seabrook, “We Live in the Pop-Culture World That Lou Pearlman Created,” The New Yorker, August 22, 2016

ORIGIN

Two terms survive from George du Maurier’s novel Trilby (1894). The first is Svengali, the evil musician who hypnotizes, controls, and exploits Trilby O’Ferrall, a young Irish girl, and makes her a great singer who is unable to perform without his help. In the stage version of the novel, the actress who played Trilby wore a sort of soft felt hat with an indented crown, now called a trilby or trilby hat.

The trilby is now commonly mistaken for a different hat, the fedora. Svengali in its extended sense of “a person who completely dominates another, usually with selfish or sinister motives” is recorded by the early 1900s.

BACK IN STOCK FROM BILTWELL—At last, AlumiCore Grips are back!

We blew through the first batch of these grips, but have all versions back in stock now. Black, chrome, dual-cable or Throttle-By-Wire, we’ve got a grippy solution for your gnarly Harley.

AlumiCore
Replacement Sleeves

Wanna add a pop of color or replace worn out sleeves on your AlumiCore grips? This is about the easiest upgrade you can do!

BILTWELL INC.
Our mailing address is:
42349 Winchester Rd. Temecula, CA 92590

NEW FROM FEULING--NEW!
Milwaukee-8 Vented Dipstick

The Feuling billet dipstick vents/breathes excessive crank case pressure from the oil tank through a breather system consisting of a replaceable filter element and umbrella flapper valve. Feuling vented dipsticks screw into the factory oil fill spout as a stock replacement part.

These breathing dipsticks remove the unwanted build-up of blow-by. Blow-by is found in engines with excessive leak down through the rings/cylinders which is a common issue with large displacement big bore engines. Feuling test results show a decrease in engine oil sump levels, more freely/smoother revving engine, increased MPG and decreased blow-by.

The Feuling dipstick vents excessive pressure from the oil tank through a breather system consisting of a filter element and
umbrella flapper valve.

WE INCLUDE 2 VENTING OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM WHEN INSTALLING THE DIPSTICK

BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY–GETTING INTO HEAVEN…

God visited a woman and told her she must give up smoking, drinking
and unmarried sex if she wants to get into heaven.

The woman said she would try her best.

God visited the woman a week later to see how she was getting on.

“Not bad” said the woman, “I’ve given up smoking and drinking but then
I bent over to look inside the freezer and when my boyfriend caught
sight of my long slender legs, he pulled up my skirt, pulled my
panties to one side and made love to me right then and there.”

“They don’t like that in heaven,” said God.

The woman replied, “They’re not too happy about it in Costco either!”

–Joe Smith

[page break]

THE GREEN SOLUTION TO CLIMATE CHANGE—Scientist have calculated that the cheapest and most effective way to fight climate change may be to plant trees—a trillion of them. Because trees soak up atmospheric carbon dioxide, a major contributor to global warming, reseachers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology decided to examine what would happen if saplings were replanted on lands where forests had been cleared.

They concluded that the planet could support an extra 2.2 billion acres of tree cover, an area almost the size of the U.S.

Those new forests, the researchers say, would remove about two-thirds of the roughly 330 billion tons of carbon pumped into the atmosphere by humans since the industrial revolution.

Reforestation is “the top climate change solution in terms of carbon storage potential,” co-author Thomas Crowther tells Vox.com.

–the Week Magazine.

Rinehart Racing Brings the Rumble to
2019 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

Arden, NC – July 25, 2019 – Rinehart Racing® is bringing the rumble back to South Dakota for the 79th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally™. The Asheville, North Carolina-based manufacturer of exhaust systems for Harley-Davidson® and Indian® Motorcycles has become a destination for rally-goers looking to upgrade their bike’s performance and sound.

Riders attending this year’s rally can find Rinehart Racing in their usual spot at the corner of Lazelle St and 5th St from July 31 to August 9. Harley and Indian riders are invited to visit the Rinehart rig to see and hear the latest full systems and slip-on exhausts and accessories for their rides. The Rinehart crew will be on hand to explain the differences between each system and help riders find the right exhaust solution to fit their bike and their style.

New this year are the 4.5” DBX45 Slip-Ons for Harley-Davidson M8 Touring models. This aggressive new exhaust is designed to deliver more of that trademark Rinehart sound than ever before, and is already a hit with riders across the country. Owners of Rinehart’s 4” Slip-Ons or 4.5” MotoPro45 Slip-Ons for Harley Touring can upgrade their sound by purchasing and installing the new High Performance Baffles.

Rinehart’s latest slip-on exhaust for Harley Touring models, the 4.5″ DBX45, will be on display and available for purchase at the Sturgis Rally.

Indian riders have reason to be excited as well, as Rinehart recently released its first-ever header system for Indian motorcycles. The all-new Slimline Duals® exhaust for Indian Cruiser, Bagger and Touring models can be installed in conjunction with Rinehart’s 4” Slip-On mufflers to give riders maximum boosts in performance and sound.

Rinehart Racing’s first ever full system exhaust for Indian Cruiser, Bagger and Touring models will be making their Sturgis Rally debut.
Riders who already rock a Rinehart system can further upgrade their bike’s performance and sound with Hi-Flo baffles, Moto Series Inverted Air Cleaners, or change the look of their setup with a new set of end caps. As always, Rinehart riders are welcome to sit back and relax with complimentary refreshments in the Rinehart Racing Hospitality area.

Learn more about Rinehart Racing’s full line of exhaust solutions for Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycles at www.RinehartRacing.com, and join the Rinehart family on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

THIS JUST IN FROM BROCK’S PERFORMANCE–Limited Quantities of the All-New BST Torque TEK Carbon Fiber Wheels NOW IN STOCK!

BST Torque TEK Touring Wheel Set CC.jpg
Front Wheel Size: 3.5″ x 26″ / Rear Wheel Size: 5.5″ x 18″

In Stock For The Following Models:

Harley-Davidson®

Touring (14-19)

Fat Bob (18-19)

Fat Bob (14-17)

Street Bob (08-16)

Indian Motorcycle®

Chief (14-19)

Chieftain (14-19)

Roadmaster (16-19)

Springfield (16-19)

Tire mounting and balancing services available.

Brock’s Performance
4064 East Patterson Rd
Dayton, OH 45430
937.912.0054

Are We Slinking Ever Closer to a Universal Road User Charge? Part 1—the National Landscape– A road user charge or RUC (also referred to as the Vehicle Miles Traveled Tax or VMT Tax and Mileage Based User Fees or MBUF) currently permeates nearly every discussion of how our country will pay for infrastructure in the future. Many transportation planners and elected officials seem to agree the time has come to find a new way to fund infrastructure in this country.

The reason—the Highway Trust Fund seems to be always on the edge of insolvency due in part because federal fuel taxes have remained fixed since 1993 and now hold about 40 percent less value than 25 years ago. The other reason for the teetering Trust Fund? It keeps getting raided to support non-highway projects. That’s the subject for another newsletter.

Both federal diesel and gasoline taxes have stagnated at 24.4 cents per gallon and 18.4 cents per gallon respectively. As vehicles become more fuel efficient, fuel tax revenue will decrease even more. Some experts estimate that by 2025, 14 percent of all cars and trucks could be electric-driven.

Would an RUC program on the federal level be able to provide enough funds for all infrastructure needs? The fuel tax is pretty straightforward—you fill up at the pump and pay the fee the same time you pay for gas. With an RUC program, the government could charge individuals and fleet managers yearly or monthly payments based not only on the miles driven in that period but also when and where those travels occurred.

How would those miles be determined is one huge question—annual inspection, GPS tracking, or some other technology not yet identified? Many toll roads have recently gone entirely cashless with the use of vehicle transponders or automated license plate readers. As evidenced with the yearlong saga of the Florida SunPass Scandal, the task of paying later is not automatically assured. Would an RUC program administered by the government or by a public-private partnership (PPP) be any different?

Despite all these issues, infrastructure wonks wring their hands and talk about how RUCs will save the day. Already In 2019, three different national reports came out that extoll the virtues of charging by the mile.

The National League of Cities published a report in March called Fixing Funding by the Mile: A Primer and Analysis of Road User Charge Systems. The League advocates for 19,000 local municipalities representing more than 218 million Americans. League President and Mayor of Gary, Indiana Karen Freeman-Wilson stated this when the report came out:

“Having safe, reliable infrastructure is a priority for every single local leader. Investing in infrastructure means investing in the people in our communities. By piloting new technologies like road user charge systems, local leaders have the opportunity to find ways to sustainable and equitably fund infrastructure.”

RUC is not the only scheme in mind, though, to help transform the way the US funds infrastructure.

Not surprisingly, the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) came out in support of a report from the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) that asked Congress to authorize the use of a national RUC program and a new wrinkle—make it much easier for states to legislate toll roads. A one-two punch, so to speak, to the American driver.

The report, Transforming Surface Transportation Reauthorization: A 21st Century Approach to Address America’s Greatest Infrastructure Challenge states that funding the federal Highway Trust Fund with fuel taxes is unsustainable. The report also notes that Congress spent $140 billion bailing out the fund since 2008.

In April, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation or ITIF sent to Congress its report, A Policymaker’s Guide to Road User Charges. The ITIF stated that “A national “road user charge” system would ensure that everyone who drives on America’s roads contributes their fair share of the infrastructure costs. This would solve the issue with better fuel efficient and electrified vehicles contributing to road funding and would collect revenues based on actual costs imposed on the system.”

The ITIF asked Congress to pass legislation to establish a national RUC system based on Global Positioning System (GPS) data taken from both passenger vehicles and commercial trucks. The organization proposed a three-to-five year transition period to allow automakers to place technology in cars and for the USDOT to develop a national RUC payment system.

At an April ITIF panel discussion about the possible switch to RUC, American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials spokesperson, Susan Howard said:

“The one thing we’ve heard from state DOTs is that they’re mindful that upping the number of alternatively fueled vehicles (AFVs) on the road will impact fuel tax revenues—and an RUC or VMT program seems the best way to address that issues most effectively.”

ITIF President Robert Atkinson added:

“Another reason RUCs are ‘gaining ground’ is that it appears really for the first time since we’ve looked at this issue that there is very serious interest from Congress. That’s fantastic; that’s really new.”

Next Part 2 of Are We Slinking Ever Closer to a Universal Road User Charge?, we will focus on what Congress is up to in promoting RUCs and another aspect of mileage-based collection systems that is getting less play around the country.

WILL EASYRIDERS EVENTS CONTINUE?—According to the new owners, the answer is no. But maybe the events crew will come up with another name and keep the tradition alive. Maybe they should call them Bandit Events.

So jump on your ride and come party with us in Fowlerville! It’s sure to be a great time!

THIS JUST IN FROM LOWBROW–Giving some soul to a modern bike.

“I bought the bike brand new and traded in for my 2015 Sportster 48 back in Idaho, I was simply looking for a bigger faster bike, my Sportster was a bit too small for my height… When I took the new bike home it was apart within the first week.”

Endus did a great job chopping up a brand new Harley Street Bob. It is something a little different, and we loved seeing our WX Gas Tanks (meant for pre-1984 Harleys) modified to fit on a modern bike. A great looking bike, reliable, offering smiles for miles.

5-BALL CUSTOMER TESTIMONIAL— Hey Bandit, got the Sp-Ops coat the other day. Fits perfect. (It helps to measure first). Top quality materials.

Thanks for the Bling. Read about half the book so far. It’s kinda scary thinking society could wind up being like that. But there will always be RESISTANCE.

Thanks again for the signed copy and excellent shipping and customer service.

–Mike W

KEEP THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY WIDE OPEN–GETTING OLDER

A distraught senior citizen phoned her doctor’s office.

“Is it true,” she wanted to know, that the medication you prescribed has to be taken for the rest of my life?”

“‘Yes, I’m afraid so,”‘ the doctor told her.

There was a moment of silence before the senior lady replied,
“I’m wondering, then, just how serious is my condition because this prescription is marked ‘NO REFILLS’..”

–from El Waggs

WHAT THE HELL?—I’ve been approached by two companies to either write or produce a documentary on the history of Easyriders. The new Choppers Magazine wants a written story and a documentary producer approached me about producing a documentary.

I remember my boss telling me, we’re just employees with no say about the product. So, what the hell would I know? I left so I could have a say about what I do and what I produce. It got me to thinking. What was an Easyrider? What did he stand for and who understood the code and who didn’t? That may be the context of the article. Regarding the documentary, I’ll pass.

We are still scrambling daily to make the Motorcycle International Speed Trials in Bonneville, 25-29 August. I’ll try to bring you a Weekend Round-up next week or maybe the next Salt Torpedo chapter. We hope to install the windshield in the canopy tomorrow and Micah will be back on Saturday. We will try to get to the point where I can start to wire the beast.

Hang on and keep the dream alive. Ride fast and free, forever!

–Bandit

Hey,

This is one of those mornings. I’m not sure which way to turn. It doesn’t really matter, any direction I go is damn exciting.

I’m in the process of wiring the Salt Torpedo. I need to add three Daca vents to the liner, but the body is almost done for now. I will also need to drill safety wiring holes, mount the new tach, you name it. We are very close and very close to not making it to Bonneville this year.

Sturgis is starting tomorrow and news is coming in from the road out. The cute little Easyriders French editor is coming to see me next week. Frankie went to MetalSport about his FXR front wheel yesterday and is coming to see me around his Dyna front wheel today.

See, I told you shit was happening fast.

Hell, James and Jeremiah rolled James’ Dyna in the shop yesterday while George “The Wild Brush and I worked on the canopy latch. They replaced his stock clutch with an extra plate Barnett clutch. We will bring you a report next week. Works like a champ, if you have upgraded your performance package.

I’m also working on three bike features for Bikernet Readers. 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 the Smoke Out and Quick Throttle Magazine came on board.

 TRAILBLAZERS REPORT–
Congratulations to all of the new Trailblazers honorees who will be honored at the 76th annual banquet in April 4, 2020.

The Board of Directors has approved the final list of motorcycling luminaries to be honored as part of the Class of 2020.

Dealernews’ own Advocacy+ columnist Scot Harden was joined by Baja legend Johnny Campbell, Kawasaki tuner of champions Steve Johnson, Speedway champ Bruce Penhall, America’s first MXGP champ Brad Lackey and flat track favorite Bubba Shobert. The Dick Hammer Award, Trailblazers highest honor goes to Eddie Mulder and in the category of “Unsung Heroes” our pal Larry Langley will receive the Earl & Lucile Flanders Lifetime Achievement Award.

The event is always a sell-out, so start watching for details at:

www.trailblazersmc.com

AUSTRALIAN CLUB NEWS–Well know Brisbane tattoo shop to close after firebombing.

A well-known and long standing Brisbane tattoo parlor that was firebombed earlier this year — sparking fears in the local media of an all-out biker war — has announced it will not reopen.

Koolsville Studios at Brendale, owned by high profile senior Rebels motorcycle club member ‘Little Mick’ Kosenko was smashed and set ablaze in early March amid (according to media) rising tensions between the Rebels and the Bandidos motorcycle club.

The firebombing followed the shooting and assault of Rebels member and former MMA fighter Gokhan ‘Pitbull’ Turkyilmaz at his Upper Coomera home.

That incident was seen by media as a revenge attack for the assault and shooting of a Bandidos associate at the Logan Hyperdome in February, allegedly at the hands of Rebels members, eight of whom were later arrested.

The tattoo studio was badly damaged in the firebombing. A fundraiser concert that was to be held in April was eventually vetoed by police.

Now, the studio has announced it will be closing permanently.

“It is with broken hearts that we write this post today,” Mr Kosenko’s partner Tracey posted last week on Facebook.

“After every possible attempt to save Koolsville Studios we have exhausted all options and today we have been forced to make the decision to close down. We have been given the timelines now and it is just unrealistic to try to rebuild.

“We are currently discussing our future options of opening a new store etc. Mick wants to continue tattooing, we just have to work on the how.”

Mr Kosenko, who had been continuing to tattoo beneath the damaged studio, will do his last ink work at the site on August 10.

The Kosenkos have also announced a fire sale of the entire contents of the studio and shop, including antique cash registers and even the stairs.

“It could be quite a few months before we know what the future holds,” Mrs Kosenko posted.

“Once again, we would like to thank all our dear friends that we have made over the years and thank you for the incredible ongoing support over the last few trying years.”

Rockford Fosgate Announces Partnership with Polaris— to Deliver Factory Installed Audio in 2020 Polaris General 1000 Deluxe

First factory-integrated premium sound system offered in the side-by-side (SxS) industry

Side-by-side (SxS) enthusiasts can now drive their new Polaris General off the show room floor while jamming to their favorite soundtrack playing through the Rockford Fosgate audio system purpose built for the off road.

Rockford Fosgate (www.rockfordfosgate.com), the industry leader in high-performance audio systems, is proud to announce that it has partnered with Polaris to deliver the first factory installed sound system specifically designed and tuned for off-road performance. It is the first of its kind offered by any manufacturer in the industry.

The Rockford Fosgate equipped 2020 General Deluxe models were unveiled to Polaris Dealers at their event on July 28th and will begin shipping to dealerships this August.

“Our team of designers here at Rockford are proud to be leading the way for the next generation of audio in off-road vehicles,” explained Jake Braaten, Rockford Vice President of New Product Development and Engineering. “It was a challenge to figure out the best solution to integrate premium sound into these models, but after optimizing the speakers and their locations, we knew that we could deliver an amazing sound experience in the General.”

The 2020 General will feature high efficiency Rockford Fosgate speakers designed for volume and clarity in the open-air environment. With Bluetooth streaming, Pandora control, and AM/FM, capabilities, drivers may choose any soundtrack for their adventure.

Additionally, Element Ready™ speakers housed in rugged, yet lightweight, enclosures acoustically enhance the passengers listening experience regardless of their seating position.

“In working with the team at Polaris we see that they are as passionate about off-road as we are about our music,” said Bill Jackson, Rockford CEO and President. “We both strive to deliver class leading products to enthusiasts of our brands, and I believe that the fact that Polaris recognized this opportunity to give their owners features they demand in vehicles fully equipped from the factory reinforces their position as a market leader.”

For more information, please visit rockfordfosgate.com

WILD FEATURE BIKE COMING FROM TERRY LOVERING–I finally finish up.
If I wasn’t such a perfectionist, I could get things done a lot sooner.

I mailed you a USB with 2 formats not knowing which one will keep the pictures a their best, one in a word program and the other in a PDF.

You said it didn’t matter how long or how many pictures. So, I did the creation of the bike from ground up.

I explained the themed bike & game “Dead Mobsters From The Fifties.”

Then I did an interview as if a third person was telling my story.

From the first Harley at 16 in 1968 and 16 bikes later the Consigliere.

I found pictures of 13 of those bikes I owned and tore apart and created something personal. I talked about hitting the streets at 15 after my single Mother died.

I talk about Biker Squad, “Bikers For Motion Pictures.” I talked about the three loves I have:
Harleys
Martial Arts
Working Out

And of course I talk about coming to L.A. and getting to spend time with you and Dave Mann.

There is a lot there. It really goes with the Gravestone Picture you published.
That was cool.

Well, you will get it in the next few days and you could do what you want it, run it chop it or just read it.

whatever you do, I thank you very much, you have always been good to me.

I don’t think I am the only person you treat this good, I think you treat everybody like this. You are just a Class Act and you made Easyriders what it was because of who you are.

Nordschleife barbecue seasoning–Even more zest at the world’s most demanding racetrack

 The proper zest is added not only by the action on the track, but by the delicious Nordschleife barbecue seasoning, which goes well with all types of meat and is available exclusively online at www.nordschleife.us.

The Nordschleife barbecue seasoning comes in a resealable airtight bag. It holds 300 grams of seasoning to ensure that an exciting day at the track can be garnished with many yummy pieces of meat.

One pack of Nordschleife barbecue seasoning costs just 14.90 euros. The seasoning can be ordered from the Nordschleife online shop at www.nordschleife.us, where you’ll also find the perfect apparel for the excursion to the Eifel Mountains.

MAVARTS NEWSLETTER–Well the 50th Anniversary of the San Diego Comic-Con has passed and this was my 27th appearance!

It was wonderful to, once again, exhibit my art alongside so many other innovative creatives in the industry where I have worked most of my career.

I’ve seen many changes in the last few decades and Comic-Con has gone from a ’nerds only’ event that was almost exclusively for the comic book collector to the largest pop-culture event in the U.S., made even more mainstream by Hollywood’s influence.

Superheroes, cosplay (dressing as your favorite character), blockbuster movies and all the products that go with it are now in every major store and cinema in the world and I for one am happy about it!

I grew up a ’Star Wars’ kid and I played Dungeons and Dragons (which made me a nerd) but now it is no longer Nerd Culture…it’s kind of what the Cool Kids are into… which is pretty awesome!

Of course the convention scene is now bustling with shows and filled with commercialism and lots of vendors just trying to get a piece of the pie for themselves, which I’m not so keen on, but that is just part of the world we live in and that makes for lots of well attended shows where I get the opportunity to show my art.

The level of art being created is high and the amount of fans coming to shows is even higher, so I guess I’ll keep doing my thing and head off to Gen Con this week which is America’s largest tabletop gaming show and hopefully meet more great fans and make Moore great memories! BAM!

PS – Thank you to all the new recipients of the newsletter many of which are friends, fans, fellow artists, publishers, industry shot callers and those that help freelancers like myself keep on keeping on!

— Monte – #ExpectMoore

PLEASE OPEN THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY–
A psychiatrist was conducting a group therapy session with four young Mothers and their small children.

“You all have obsessions,” he observed.

To the first mother, Mary, he said, “You are obsessed with eating.
You’ve even named your daughter Candy.”

He turned to the second Mom, Ann: “Your obsession is with money.
Again, it manifests itself in your child’s name, Penny.”

He turned to the third Mom, Joyce: “Your obsession is alcohol. This too shows itself in your child’s name, Brandy.”

At this point, the fourth mother, Kathy, quietly got up, took her little boy by the hand and whispered, “Come on, Dick, this guy has no idea what he’s talking about. Let’s go pick up Peter and Willy from school and go get dinner.”

–EL WAGGS

BRAND NEW COMMENT FROM A BIKERNET READER–The FAST BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS for July 25, 2019

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/The_FAST_BIKERNET_WEEKLY_NEWS_for_July_25_2019.aspx

Just a thought regarding high visibility clothing. I drove 18-wheelers for many years. I was rear ended twice by women who did not see my trailer with 6 taillights and 12 marker lights and the turn signals blinking. I am pretty sure they would not see a motorcycle.

–Alex Jemery
aj846@lycos.com
Deland, FL

DRAG RACING HISTORY AT YOUR FINGERTIPS—This is John Stein’s too cool photo-history book of motorcycle drag racing.

We have a few copies in the 5-Ball Garage.

FUEL CLEVELAND REPORT– Bandit,

Fuel Cleveland a good time. Lot of choppers & old bikes. Many folks rode their pans, knuckles, & flatheads. Couldn’t decide whether to ride my ’51 FL or my sportster chopper. Opted for the FL. Can’t go wrong with a Panhead. Anyhow, keep letting us know what’s going on. Your work is appreciated.

–Andy

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MINDS– MOTM 2019 SPONSORSHIP SOLICITATION & MOTM PANEL DISCUSSION

35th Annual Meeting of the Minds, Crowne Plaza Aire Hotel, Bloomington, Minn. (Minneapolis/St. Paul). We would like to create and industry panel discussion. If you would like to step up and discuss industry concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. It’s in September.

FRED HARRELL
Director, Purchasing & Facilities
RED ROCK HARLEY-DAVIDSON
2260 South Rainbow Blvd.
Las Vegas, Nevada 89146
PHONE: 702-876-2884 X2149

TATTOO OF THE WEEK FROM THE BALL DYNASTY—Frankie is due to roll over here to the vast Bikernet Headquarters to monkey with his 2005 Dyna front wheel. He experienced a flat recently and was saved by Fix-A-Flat.

Immediately, he was concerned and couldn’t give it up. The tire is still leaking slightly, so he will come over, jack up the bike and remove the front wheel, so it can be torn down and inspected.

–Bandit

LIFESTYLE DEAL OF THE WEEK– 2010 Harley-Davidson FLSTN Softail Deluxe
$12,995

https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=5692603

The Softail Deluxe combines nostalgic styling cues like a tombstone tail light, deep-skirted seat and wide white wall tires, with ergonomics that make this an old-school cruiser that’s easy to handle. The Softail rear suspension mimics the clean lines of a vintage hardtail frame but offers the comfort of a modern suspension that is hidden under the chassis. The rigid powertrain allows tight packaging of the engine and frame and creates a solid connection between the rider and the power that moves the motorcycle.

ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT INCLUDED:

Scarlet Red and Vivid Black paint is in very good condition, with only minor scuffs and chip. Gold pinstripes. H-D wings tank emblems. Chrome forks and shrouds. Chrome wheels with 40 chrome spokes. Wide whitewall tires. Chrome front rotor and caliper. Chrome headlight and auxiliary lights. Front and rear turn signals are bullet style, with amber lenses up front and red lenses out back.

Stainless steel braided lines and cables. Chrome square mirrors have ‘live to ride, ride to live’ emblems on the back. 5 inch risers with chrome beach bars. Chrome front brake master cylinder. Chrome slotted hand levers. Chrome engine guard with rubber toppers.

Long floorboards with chrome slotted heel/toe shifter and chrome brake pedal. Chrome ‘live to ride, ride to live’ air cleaner. Chrome cam cover with R2L,L2R emblem. Vance&Hines 2-into-2 short shots exhaust system. ?
Black wrinkle finish engine with polished fins, chrome rocker covers and push-rod tubes. Chrome frame and swing-arm accents. Hard leather saddlebags. Tombstone taillight. Chrome top and bottom belt guards. Chrome horn, coil and primary covers. Derby cover has the ‘ride to live, live to ride’ emblem.

Chrome shifter linkage. Chrome and rubber H-D hand grips. Luggage rack. Solo seat with chrome grab rail. Pillion pad with passenger pegs. Black dash console. Quick release tinted and vented windshield. Quick release sissy bar with pad.

This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 100 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!!!

NEW FROM 5-BALL RACING LEATHER—I’m about to relaunch the famous Bandit’s Bedroll and Day Roll. This time, we are offering them in wonderful leather and we may offer the original cordura version at a reduced price.

All of these will come in at less than previous prices by as much as 25 percent. My leather connection is doing a helluva job on these and we discovered that our last supplier was ripping us off. Live and learn.

–Bandit

Check out all of our leathers and books by clicking on the banner below.

[page break]

PEOPLE’S CHAMP FROM BILTWELL–People’s Champ, First Time’s a Charm

Mike at Old-Stf in Yuba City, CA is well-known in the custom bike building world as a humble, talented and hard-working guy that puts out clever bikes and parts from his home shop on a regular basis.

Like a lot of men, beside him is an intelligent, ass-kicking woman who isn’t afraid to do things on her own. When his wife Suzy decided to throw her hat in the ring and enter the People’s Champ competition, her and Mike both knew what she was in for. She’s obviously been around bikes and the shop of course, but before starting this project had never TIG-welded, used a mill or built a complete bike.

SALT TORPEDO WIRING–
We are scrambling to make it run, then we’ll see about Bonneville. I’m
starting the wiring. I have an 41804 coil and needed to get a factory connector.

Hey Bandit,
Best to use a 3-terminal coil, i.e. 31655-99

In your package was a ground strap and 8 metal sleeves. Are they designed to
go over the wires before they are crimped into your connector?

Bandit,

–Charles
ALTMANN MICRO MACHINES
http://www.amm.haan.de
Dipl.-Ing. Charles Altmann
Erlenstrasse 15
42697 Solingen
Germany

phone: +49-212-233-7039

KEEP THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY WIDE OPEN–
An older gentleman was on the operating table awaiting surgery and he insisted that his son, a renowned surgeon, perform the operation.

As he was about to get the anesthesia, he asked to speak to his son.

“Yes, Dad, what is it?”

“Don’t be nervous, son; do your best, and just remember, if it doesn’t go well, if something happens to me,
your mother is going to come and live with you and your wife….”

AL GORE WAS PAID A BUNDLE TO SPEAK ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE IN AUSTRALIA–I didn’t even know he was here! However, a quick look on line showed he didn’t go over well.
It was expected a labour (Socialist) govt would be in power by the time he came but they lost. Badly.

Here’s one article on him.

Poor timing for Al Gore’s climate panic poppycock

In politics, timing is crucial. And thus, it was with the unfortunately timed participation of former US vice-president Al Gore in the Queensland government-sponsored Climate Week earlier this month.

According to the blurb, “Climate Week QLD 2019 will showcase how the state is transitioning to a low-carbon, clean-growth economy and building a community of action to address climate change.”

Occurring as it did after the unexpected victory of the Morrison government, Gore’s pronouncements during the week about the perils of climate change — let’s face it, he easily wins the gold medal in the boy-who-cried-wolf category when it comes to climate-induced apocalypses — were particularly jarring.

As for that photographed pose of Gore and Deputy Premier Jackie Trad cuddling up to each other, it’s probably best not to comment.

It would have been fun to be a fly on the wall when the planning for this gala week occurred. The expectation would have been that Labor would win the federal election, with the clear message that the public was demanding “real action on climate change” — so the motto goes. Reference would have been made to Bill Shorten’s plans to reduce emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 and for 50 per cent of electricity to be generated by renewable energy sources.

The Queensland government would endorse these targets while arguing for more ambitious ones. Reference would be made to the Palaszczuk government’s pledge for the state to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Without doubt, Big Al would be supportive.

Of course, the Great Barrier Reef would need to be a central part of the story. And the potential for the final rejection of the Adani coa; mine project would complete a very satisfactory week of positive, vote-winning news items for the Queensland government.

For the life of me, I can’t understand why anyone would give Gore the time of day. After all, he is not a trained scientist; he appears to make a living from concocting scary climate stories.

While he was in Queensland, he was offering up some more whoppers. Maybe he thought the appearance fee he received — estimated to be $320,000, paid for by Queensland taxpayers — necessitated the delivery of some sensational unsubstantiated claims.

To tell an audience that the choice is between Adani and the Great Barrier Reef is puerile and misinformed. To suggest that India is now sourcing 60 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources is just plain wrong — out by a factor of four to five. And these statements come on top of the many falsehoods Gore has peddled in the past. These include:

• In 2006, he claimed that the planet would reach a “point of no return” in 10 years.

• In 2011, he claimed that polar bears would soon become close to extinction (their number has been ­rising).

Presumably, these faulty predictions were known to the organizing committee as well as to the key politicians — Annastacia Palaszczuk, Trad and Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch — who supported the shindig. But Gore is a name and his discredited propaganda doesn’t prevent him from being a regular invitee to the annual conferences of the parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Recall that the last one was held in Poland during a particularly cold weather snap.

So now that Gore has left town on his private jet — no doubt some sort of carbon offsets were arranged — state governments and the renewable energy industry, in particular, are in the process of reconsidering their approach to climate change and their inter­action with the federal Coalition government.

There is no doubt that most of the renewable energy players were devastated by the May 18 election result. Their hopes, in descending order, were: Labor victory; defeat of Energy Minister Angus Taylor in his seat of Hume in NSW; and the appointment of anyone but Taylor as the next energy minister.

These hopes have been completely dashed.

–from Doc Robinson
On his way to Sturgis

The Lowbrow Getdown was as wild as ever–11 years in and it is NOT calming down, lol. The Getdown was almost a month ago, and we finally recovered enough to put together the Lowbrow Getdown 2019 Photo Extravaganza.

Check it out and see why over 1,000 motorcycle enthusiasts make their way to Nelson’s Ledges Quarry Park every year to party with us. No vendor booths, no awards, just an old fashioned party in the woods. Till next year!

Tucker Releases HardTales Volume 004 / Fall 2019–Tucker Powersports has released Volume 004 of its HardTales V-twin Magazine.

As usual, the latest issue includes an abundance of new and informative product information from Tucker brands; as well as event coverage from this year’s Laconia Motorcycle Week in New Hampshire and the Born Free Show in Southern California.

The featured cover bike in this issue, “Durty Knuckle,” comes to Tucker courtesy of Motion Pro American V-Twin Brand Manager, Joe Fratis. You can read Joe’s build story on page 28.

See you out on the open road!

Direct Link to Digital Flipbook Version: http://online.fliphtml5.com/lxnd/adkg/

Thank you!

–Tucker Powersports

THIS JUST IN FROM CLIMATE DEPOT—Green New Doomsday Deal Would Cost At Least $250K Per Household In First Five Years– The Green New Deal is economic insanity except that it would fulfill the United Nation’s long-held goal of completely destroying Capitalism and Free Enterprise. Out of the ashes, Technocracy will rise triumphant. — TN Editor

According to a new study, the Green New Deal’s implementation would cost the average American family a quarter of a million dollars during the first five years. The costs are even higher for Americans living in Alaska.

The study did not even take into account significant parts of the Green New Deal, since they are impossible to calculate. After all, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) hasn’t even introduced an actual bill, but only a resolution calling for future bills. It’s less a concrete plan and more a worldview statement justifying hundreds of future laws.

The study, jointly co-authored by the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) and Power the Future (PTF), analyzed the additional electricity demanded for various projects like decarbonizing the economy; the costs associated with shipping and logistics; the costs of new carbon-free vehicles; and the costs to retrofit every building in America. Just these four types of costs would add up to more than $250,000 per household in the first five years, a conservative estimate.

“The Green New Deal is a radical blueprint to de-carbonize the American economy by refashioning how we grow food, move people and goods, source and distribute electricity, and build the structures where we live, work, and play. Our analysis shows that, if implemented, the Green New Deal would cost for American households at least tens of thousands of dollars annually on a permanent basis,” CEI President and CEO Kent Lassman said in a statement.

“Perhaps that’s why exactly zero Senate Democrats, including the resolution’s 12 co-sponsors, voted for the Green New Deal when they had the chance,” he quipped.

“Economists and experts have been warning us for months about the devastating effects of the Green New Deal, and now we have the numbers to prove it,” PTF Executive Director Daniel Turner said in a statement. “This study only calculates a fraction of the cost of Alexandria-Ocasio Cortez’s radical plan, which amounts to a socialist free-for-all with no regard for the American taxpayer.”

“No family should be forced to pay tens of thousands of dollars in the first year alone to fund AOC’s ideological wishlist. Thankfully, Americans see through the Green New Deal and are beginning to fight back,” he added.

CEI and PTF analyzed the estimated costs for households in five states — Alaska, Florida, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania. In every state except Alaska, the Green New Deal would cost a typical household more than $70,000 in the first year of implementation, approximately $45,000 for each of the next four years (adding up to $250,000 for the first five years), and more than $37,000 each year after that. In Alaska, the average family would pay more than $100,000 in the first year, $73,000 for the next four years, and more than $67,000 each year afterward.

“Most provisions of the GND are so broad and open-ended that the list of potential programs necessary to implement the program is limited by the capacity of legislators to imagine a new government program,” the study notes. “Therefore, it is impossible to calculate the whole or maximum cost of the GND. However, other parts of the GND are more precise, sufficiently so that an approximate minimum cost estimate is available.”

–Technocracy News

MOTORCYCLE Attorney Michael Hupy Receives Award at Wisconsin Law Journal’s 2019 Diversity in Business Ceremony— The personal injury law firm of Hupy and Abraham, S.C. is proud to announce that firm president, Attorney Michael Hupy, was honored at the 2019 Wisconsin Law Journal’s “Diversity in Business” Awards, which took place on July 25, 2019, at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There were twelve other honorees at this year’s event.

For the past three years, the Wisconsin Law Journal has honored local business owners and companies for their dedication to diversity and inclusion across the state. For decades, Attorney Hupy has been a consistent promoter and participant of equal opportunities for his employees and the community.

Through several avenues, Attorney Hupy has demonstrated his commitment to diversity, both professionally and personally. For his law firm, he strives to ensure that it is a safe space for employees to feel comfortable and respected in the workplace, regardless of color, creed, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other minority group. He also emphasizes the importance of the roots of the law firm, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019. Hupy and Abraham traces its roots to the 1960s with Attorney Lloyd Barbee, who was an influential lawyer and activist known for starting the Milwaukee Public Schools Integration Lawsuit.

The 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner was Justice Louis Butler, the first black man to serve on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Justice Butler’s remarks focused on passion and reminding how vital inclusion and representation are for future generations. As one of the evening’s honorees, Attorney Hupy was lauded for using his business successes and passion for others to help however he can.

Hupy and Abraham has provided over $100,000 in scholarship funds to the NAACP of Milwaukee. The NAACP has awarded the firm with Milwaukee’s “Martin Luther King Jr. Award” for its commitment to civil rights. Attorney Hupy has received several community awards acknowledging his service, from the Milwaukee Community Journal and the Salvation Army Chaplaincy Program. In 2015, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the Milwaukee Bar Association.

As a modern activist, Attorney Hupy has fought for all citizens, through safety campaigns and programs to keep Milwaukee streets safe, such as the “Gun Buy Back Program.” Attorney Hupy is a principal benefactor for the Milwaukee Justice Center, which helps the disadvantaged with legal services they otherwise could not afford. Since its beginning, he has been an integral part of the organization’s development and operations. Other legal nonprofits he supports include the Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund, Legal Aid Society and Centro Legal.

Attorney Hupy has always been a champion for the marginalized. He has consistently shown how he has and continues to make a difference in the community. Hupy and Abraham would like to congratulate Attorney Hupy on this new accolade.

Former Award-Winning NOAA scientist Dr. Rex Fleming declares his climate dissent – Converted from warmist to skeptic – Reveals suppression: ‘I had to go to Europe to publish a paper’

Former NOAA Award-Winning Atmospheric Scientist Dr. Rex Fleming joins many former UN IPCC and U.S. government scientists publicly dissenting on man-made climate change. Fleming declares that “CO2 has no impact on climate change.”

“Past climates have been warm and cold and warm and cold with no changes in carbon dioxide. How can that be a cause when there’s no correlation.”

Fleming 8:10 on AMS, AGU, AAAS: “all 3 of those organizations will not support a “denier”..I could not get published in any of those organizations..as a denier..I had to go to Europe to publish a paper..it was peer-reviewed in Europe, it got thru, & it has been very successful”

Fleming’s work here: The Rise and Fall of the Carbon Dioxide Theory of Climate Change (2019)

COLLECTION OF COLORS MAGAZINE FOR SALE— Honestly think that it’s worth $1000 + $20 for shipping and insurance is not out of line.

loves ya!

–Apache Jil
Apachejil@aol.com

WHAT THE HELL—Where to turn next. Hell, the fold-up buddy seat arrived for the new Bikernet van. I need to install it and a rack for 5-Ball leathers.

I also received my required mudguards for the Salt Torpedo front wheels. Tomorrow I need to make a run to Phillips Steels for bracket metal. I also need to blast over to Performance Tire to pick up my new speed-rated Mickey Thompson front tires. I’m wondering if they can mount them?

I’m trying to get to the wiring and my grandson is bringing over the battery strap and the new coil and connector.

Markus Cuff is going to shoot this Paul Wheeler built Panhead bobber. I ran into Paul who was on the cover of the 3rd issue of Easyriders and now he might be featured in the 3rd issue of the new Choppers Magazine.

Hey,

Everything is happening fast. The brothers at Bennett’s Performance headed to Bonneville at the crack of dawn. Sturgis is winding down and we’re waiting to hear reports from the front.

Rogue made it to several events. He said the number of folks was strong, and although it rained cats-and-dogs on the way to the rally, the weather has been moderate in Sturgis.

Brothers are after me to make it to the Meeting of the Minds and the Fall Foliage Hamster run about the same time in September.  I’m focused on the Salt Torpedo.

We are still hammering away on the first Streamlined trike and I’m concerned about the firewall construction. I’m scrambling on the wiring and Micah is headed over on Saturday to install the new 10.5-inch Suspension Technology shocks and work on the firewall.

We might be able to start it this weekend. Hang on. 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 the Smoke Out and Quick Throttle Magazine came on board.

Easyriders Rodeo roars in to Fowlerville, MI August 16-18 and Chillicothe, OH August 29-September 2. Got to www.easyridersevents for more info.

Inspired by the wild and woolly motorcycle board track racing of the early 20th century, the first known Wall of Death style of attraction came to life in 1911. It was called the “Race for Life” at the Coney Island amusement park in Brooklyn, New York.

In keeping with tradition, Rhett Rotten rides a 1927 Indian Scout, the make and model commonly used to ride a barrel shaped wooden cylinder 100 years ago. His Wall of Death was built in 1941. An antique in its own right and the last of its kind.

Rhett will be performing at both the Easyriders Rodeos in August. If you can’t catch him there, he travels all over the country with his vintage bikes and “Wall” wowing spectators with his unique riding skills.

RECENT TAX HIKES—I don’t get it, and then maybe I do. But let’s cut to the chase and get to the facts. Our income hasn’t increased since 1999, and in most cases dropped, but other than what Trump did taxes and costly requirements continue to rise.

Just recently in California, it’s mandatory to give your employees sexual harassment training to the tune of $200 a month or $36 per employee to have them certified.

In Los Angeles the major mandated trash handling and our fees doubled. And now it’s administered by the city, so you can’t reach anyone if you have an issue.

And California passed two Homeless taxes to the tune of $88,000 per homeless person. I wish I made that much. And of course the homeless population increased this year.

Gas taxes continue to increase to punish you for driving fossil fuel vehicles. And now that marijuana is legal, the taxes are going through the roof for its use.

Gas Taxes Rise in a Dozen States, Including an Historic Increase in Illinois

On January 1, 1990, the Berlin Wall was standing, Nelson Mandela was still in prison, and Illinois was raising its excise tax on gasoline to 19 cents per gallon. A lot has changed since 1990, but Illinois’s gas tax rate hasn’t budged.

Fast forward almost 30 years, however, and the Land of Lincoln is finally at it again. On Monday, Illinois’s gas tax rate will rise by 19 cents and its diesel tax rate by 24 cents per gallon to raise money for infrastructure improvements. Both increases are calibrated to almost exactly catch up with inflation over the last three decades.

But Illinois isn’t the only state where gas taxes will increase. On July 1, 12 states will boost their gasoline taxes and 11 will boost their diesel taxes. The reasons for these increases vary, but they’re generally intended to fund maintenance and improvement of our nation’s transportation infrastructure–a job at which Congress has not excelled in recent years. Details of these upcoming gas tax changes are as follows:

California: The gas tax will rise by 5.6 cents per gallon under the last stage of an increase approved by lawmakers in 2017. As in Illinois, California’s gas tax rate will now also be adjusted each year to keep pace with inflation. Voters were asked to repeal the 2017 law last year at the ballot box, but they decided to keep the reform intact by a margin of 57 to 43 percent.

Connecticut: The diesel tax rate will increase by 2.6 cents per gallon because the tax rate is designed to vary alongside changes in average fuel prices. Even with the increase, however, Connecticut’s diesel tax rate (46.5 cents) remains significantly below its 2013 peak (54.9 cents). Gasoline taxes in Connecticut are also partly based on the price of fuel, but that formula applies to the actual sale price and therefore the tax rate can vary continuously rather than undergoing periodic adjustments.

Illinois: The gas tax will rise by 19 cents and the diesel tax by 24 cents under legislation enacted earlier this year. But lawmakers didn’t just write a new, flat cent per gallon tax rate into the law. They also planned ahead by choosing to index the gas tax rate to inflation so that it can retain its purchasing power with small, periodic increases in the years to come.

Indiana: The gas tax will rise by 0.5 cents while the diesel tax will rise by 1 cent. Under a 2015 reform both taxes are updated annually to keep pace with inflation and the rate of personal income growth in Indiana. The gasoline tax is also partly linked to gas prices, which explains why the gas tax rate is rising by less than the tax on diesel (falling gas prices in Indiana are partly offsetting the impact of inflation indexing).

Maryland: Gas and diesel taxes will each rise by 1.4 cents per gallon because of a formula implemented in 2013 that ties the tax rate to increases in the rate of inflation and in the price of motor fuel.

Michigan: Gas and diesel tax rates vary each month in Michigan alongside changes in the price of fuel. On July 1, the gas tax will increase by 0.1 cents and the diesel tax by 0.2 cents. Looking ahead, Michigan is poised to join the growing number of states that index their fuel taxes to inflation starting in 2022.

Montana: Gas taxes are rising by 0.5 cents and diesel taxes by 0.2 cents because of a phased-in tax increase enacted in 2017. The full increase, which will amount to 6-cents for gas and 2-cents for diesel, will be completed in July 2022.

Nebraska: Gas and diesel tax rates will increase by 0.1 cents under a formula that considers both fuel prices and the legislature’s infrastructure spending decisions.

Ohio: Gas taxes will rise by 10.5 cents and diesel taxes by 19 cents per gallon under an increase enacted earlier this year. Gov. Mike DeWine also proposed indexing the state’s gas tax rate to inflation, but this reform was ultimately left out of the law. Lawmakers did agree, however, to offset some of the gas tax increase falling on lower-income drivers by boosting the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

Rhode Island: Gas and diesel tax rates will each rise by 1 cent per gallon under an indexing formula enacted in 2014. This marks the state’s first adjustment since July 2015. The formula allows for adjustments every two years, but no adjustment was made in 2017 because inflation was relatively low.

South Carolina: Gas and diesel tax rates will each rise by 2 cents per gallon under the third stage of a 6-part increase. These tax rates will eventually rise by a total of 12 cents per gallon because of legislation enacted in 2017.

Tennessee: The gas tax will rise by 1 cent while the diesel tax will increase by 3 cents. This is the final stage of an increase enacted in 2017 that raised gas taxes by 6 cents and diesel taxes by 10 cents overall.

Vermont: The gas tax will rise by 0.55 cents while the diesel tax rate will remain unchanged. Vermont’s gas tax is linked to the price of gas and an increase in gas prices led to this tax change.

REPORT FROM THE BIKERNET SEO CHAMBER--The article bitching about Harley Davidson problems is very popular on Facebook.

In 23 hours we reached 1956 people with 17 Shares, 9 Comments and 269 clicks to the BLOG Link. 467 Engagements in just 23 hours.

https://blog.bikernet.com/20-glaring-problems-harley-davidson-wont-admit-about-their-motorcycles/

Below are some of the Comments:

Bruce Donaldson – One problem would be all the pussies buying them that can’t do maintenance, and can barely ride.

Mike Johnson – Harleys would be much better with liquid cooled engines even with the traditional under square engine. Air cooled engines cannot simply be made ever bigger without critical overheating problems.
Harley has to build what sells but what the customers prefer is a gaggle of bad ideas and a personality crutch and it is best if you can fix it yourself or can locate a specialist who is capable.

Example: Have your crank assembly checked, serviced and welded at Dark horse Crank works.

Dan Krumwiede – The Road Glide “wobble”? More like “tank slappers”. Almost killed me twice. The dealership knew about the problem when they sold me the bike. Told me to tighten shit down to twice the specs.

Moopa Guastapaglia – I’ve always done my own wrenching. Had many a few, the older bikes were easier to work with. I currently have two: ’99 FatBoy “Lizzie”& ’03 Road King EFI “Beula”. Love both them girls. Beula is new to me, picked her up this past April. Lizzie don’t seem to care one bit, she’s still roarin’ & rippin’ up roads the way she always has.

Yeah, H-D has lots of future problems, heck I think there are almost as many bikes on the dealer’s floor as they have tee shirts …

Don’t got mechanics, just “techs” glorified parts changers that have no answers. Any of ya remember them days of waiting a year for your new bike to come … points, condensers, magnetos, & kickers? Those were the machines that made the legend of H-D. Just Keep Riding, Love & Respect!

Anthony Burns – Mine is always getting drunk and and falling over.

Dave Tootell – Tell you what, this “Fly by Wire” throttle glitch sucks too!

Mario Paolo – Well, the author’s not wrong. specially with the Twin Cam tensioner shoe issue H-D refused to admit. Blew up my ’05 Dyna

Michael Hatcher –  I agree with Bruce Donaldson.

David Peel – What’s this bagging crap?

Wayfarer,
Senior SEO Analysist
Bikernet™ Vast Web-based Empire

QUICK, OPEN THE BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY--A different twist on politics.

–EL WAGGS

ROGUE HITS RAIN ON HIS STURGIS RUN FROM FLORIDA–H-D Rain Gear
On May 7, 2019 I posted an article on Harley Davidsons new FXRG rain gear. You can see the article at https://www.bikernet.com/pages/NEW_RAIN_GEAR_FROM_HARLEY_DAVIDSON.aspx

Well my trip to Sturgis SD this year was very wet, the kind that has vehicles pulling over because the operators cannot see far enough in front of them to drive.

Yes, I did have to pull off the highway a couple of times because I could not see. But when I did I was still dry unlike other riders with different brands of rain gear.

Just a follow up as we continue to product test items in real situations.

Ride Dry
–Rogue
Senior Editor in Chief
Bikernet.com™

‘Poop burgers’? Eat insects? ‘Meat patch’ to stop cravings? New UN report takes aim at meat-eating – UN seeks expansion of climate agenda to regulate what you eat.

Climate Depot’s Marc Morano Note: Get ready! UN coming after your burgers & steaks to save the planet. This is yet another report from UN IPCC intended to empower UN bureaucrats to centrally plan our lives for no impact on the climate.

From 2011:
Japan scientist synthesizes meat from human feces
ByJeff Hughes— Posted onJune 15, 2011

Somehow this feels like a Vonnegut plotline: population boom equals food shortage. Solution? Synthesize food from human waste matter. Absurd yes, but Japanese scientists have actually discovered a way to create edible steaks from human feces.

Mitsuyuki Ikeda, a researcher from the Okayama Laboratory, has developed steaks based on proteins from human excrement. Tokyo Sewage approached the scientist because of an overabundance of sewage mud. They asked him to explore the possible uses of the sewage and Ikeda found that the mud contained a great deal of protein because of all the bacteria.

–Digital Trends

Climate Depot Special Report

Here we go again. Yet another UN report claiming we must follow its dictates or face certain climate change doom.

See: Eat less meat: UN climate change report calls for change to human diet – The report on global land use and agriculture from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Nature reports: “Efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and the impacts of global warming will fall significantly short without drastic changes in global land use, agriculture and human diets, leading researchers warn in a high-level report commissioned by the United Nations.”

Climate Depot note: They now claim that the UN’s efforts “will fall significantly short”. It is odd and predictable that the UN Paris pact — which was hailed as saving the planet in 2015 — is now considered woefully inadequate by the UN.

See: UN admits ‘historic’ Paris climate pact did not save Earth after-all! Now says: Cutting CO2 ‘not enough’ – ‘We must change food production to save the world’

The report continued: Hans-Otto Pörtner, an ecologist who co-chairs the IPCC’s working group on impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. “But it would indeed be beneficial, for both climate and human health, if people in many rich countries consumed less meat, and if politics would create appropriate incentives to that effect.”

–Marc Morano
Climate Depot

LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK— 2016 Harley-Davidson FLHTK – Ultra Limited

$16,995.00

https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=7266377

2016 Electra Glide Touring Ultra Limited FLHTK

Take this bike on that long trip you always dreamed. H-D Boom Audio stereo system with music, GPS and Bluetooth accessibility. The Twin Cam 103 is mated to a smooth-shifting 6 speed cruise drive transmission for lower rpm at highway speeds.

The Ultra Limited has more room and touring comfort for the passenger and a redesigned iconic batwing fairing to reduce head buffeting. Reflex Linked Brakes with ABS Anti-lock Braking System. H-D HALO Lighting, brighter turn signals, brighter brake lights, and a new steering head with stiffer front forks. CVO exhaust system. Contrast cut aluminum cast wheels and a 6 gallon fuel tank for fewer necessary stops.

ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT:

Vivid Black with silver pin-striping and raised tank logos is in eye pleasing condition. Chrome strap with one touch gas cover and a painted inner fairing.

Boom! Box 6.5 GT Audio System with GPS and touchscreen, Bluetooth capability, with 25- watt per channel amplifier. Black 12″ Lindby style bars, chrome/rubber heated grips, chrome levers, mirrors, and brake reservoir caps.

Tinted windshield and daymaker headlamp and LED passing lamps. Fender trim. Chrome blinkers chrome fork down to the axle caps all on Contrast Chrome Impeller Cast Aluminum wheels. Chrome engine guard with freeway pegs that match the grips. Great sounding exhaust with black tips pairing with 103ci of raw power. It has ABS anti-lock braking system.

Chrome engine covers including Screamin’ Eagle air filter and cam with raised chrome ‘Live to Ride’ cover. 2-up seat with passenger floorboards and Air-adjustable rear shocks. 4 pt. docking hardware as there is no tourpak. Bag lights have the LED blinkers, LED taillight, and fender light. A pigtail and more…

This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 100 point safety and mechanical inspect

NEW ZEALANDER’ USA ROAD TRIP, DAY 39— The ride through the next shower of rain is not too long nor as heavy
as the last one. The stop in Basset saw a number of riders all taking
wet weather gear off and we are doing the same.

There were a couple of rider there, who we made contact with in the rainstorm at Sargent. They have a mate towing a trailer with his bike on and the truck contains all
their camping gear. They are heading west but we are going north to Murdo. The east road will take the more direct route to Sturgis.

In the town of Winner, we see a number of bikers in a local motel and the
thought did pass through my mind about stopping, but we have a museum to
look at in the morning and the evening is still nice and cool for riding.

–Graeme Lowen

THE TWIST OFF IS BACK!
The Twist Off is coming back again this year and now is your chance to get in the gates at pre-sale pricing! Not sure what The Twist-Off is? Check with Revival Cycles.

Choose “Sprinter” tickets if you plan on racing for the weekend, and if you just want to watch the action, pick out a “Spectator” ticket. We HIGHLY encourage ALL to participate by being a Sprinter, so take a leap and join us in the dirt and/or the track for some some good old fashioned grudge racing!

–Revival Cycles

Here’s another classic from Hal Robinson.

–Bandit

[page break]

CHOW HALL OF THE WEEK IS BACK-– Hey Bandit

It has been a while! Attached is my latest vid, link, write up and stills. Thanks so much

https://youtu.be/kDlDxeBSvKQ

Terry’s Hangover Ramen is the best Ramen I have had so far in my life! It is awesome! The broth, the noodles, the egg and the kimchi, all work together to create the perfect cure for those heavy-duty nights!

Ha-ha! I could not stop eating it. I am listing a specific brand of noodles and sesame oil that are Terry’s favorite.

Here is your ingredient list below: Shin Ramyun noodles Kadoya Pure Sesame Oil I Scallion ( large dice) 1/2 TB of Honey Powder or sugar 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper One egg 1 teaspoon of toasted sesame seeds splash of vinegar Follow the cooking instruction in the video! Enjoy and Get some!!

To see more food videos and bikes click here, youtube.com/c/ABikerDude and subscribe!

CHOPPERS ARE SERIOUSLY ALIVE–Biltwell People’s Champ 2019
James Juarez, Los Angeles, CA

Jimmy built this buttery long bike for the 2019 Biltwell People’s Champ Show. Dig into some detail photos and video bike feature here. (We are hoping the Biltwell team will send us an image of this classic.)

Think you’ve got what it takes to build a bike and compete in the 2020 event? We just finished a website that outlines all of the details, deadlines and requirements, just hit that red button below and let’s see what ya got!

SALT TORPEDO UPDATE–
Here’s my list. I should finish the wiring today. I still have an issue with the electronic compression releases. I may need to call S&S today. I did the continuity check but can’t determine which black wire is ground.

I got this worked out with the help of David Zemla at S&S.

I took out the drain plugs for the trans and engine and drilled one, but had to braze a bung to the other one so I could drill it. Then I safety wired them and put half a quart of oil in the trans and a quart in the engine for now.

I built the mudguard brackets and machined spacers to allow outside brackets to hold the fenders. I ordered slimmer nuts for the axles, but I believe they need to be safety wired. That will take a trick or two. If we drill the nuts, we may need to order 5/8 shims to adjust the tension on the bearings and line up the holes for a cotter key.

I drilled holes for the firewall in preparation for making the final pieces and installing them. That’s next. Maybe Micah can come over on Saturday or Sunday for firewall work and engine fire-up.

I ordered longer shocks and they arrived.

I have an old friend who is an SCTA official for years and on the board. I may need to drive to Tujunga and pick up Rodan to have him inspect the liner.

I have called and reached out about the safety belt system a few times. I called and left a message yesterday. Finally got ahold of the guy today.

I spoke to Shrouds about the 5-pound bottle fire system. They turned me onto Summit Racing for a $15 cheaper price. Still cost $550, but it’s on its way.

I believe Bennett’s is in Bonneville for Speed Week, but we need to handle the rear brake lines. I was hoping to go over to their shop on Saturday. I will check. They were leaving this morning, so I hauled ass over there yesterday and got some lines. I always stop at Sante Fe Imports and grab some sandwiches for the guys. They were packing to leave for Speed Week.

I need to put the top on the body to work out the latch position and the bracket to be welded on the frame.

I still need to make a template for the Daca vents, cut and pop rivet the vents in place.

I’ve been back and forth about the team T-shirts a number of times. I need to send another image to Andrew today.

I’m collecting stickers from sponsors for the body and need to reach out to Wellington today about the vynls I ordered.

I called David Zemla at S&S regarding the compression release wiring and the Super D Intake manifold. Can’t find a part number in the catalog for a 2.250 manifold.

Need to attach the nose piece with the rubber pad we made. I may need another one.

Also need to consider another body mounting system at the back to the Salt Torpedo

Lt. Ball
Janitor

SHOP DEAL OF THE WEEK--Selling for a friend. If anyone knows anyone that could use these please let them know, thanks

Cast iron precision ground angles; $90.00 each

9.5″ht. X 6″ wd. X 8″dp
10 ” ht. X 6″ wd X 7″dp
12″ ht. X 5″wd. X 6″dp

–EL Waggs
James Waggaman airstreamstudio@live.com

Pirelli Captures AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Legendary Loretta Lynn Ranch–

Pirelli congratulates its riders on a successful week of racing at the historic Loretta Lynn Ranch for the 38th annual AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship. The world’s most prestigious amateur motocross national saw impressive performances from each of the five BarX/Chaparral/Fly/Suzuki riders including: 13 individual moto podiums, four moto wins, three overall podium finishes, Bell holeshot awards and a championship from McClellan Hile in the Collegeboy (18-24) division. The SCORPION™ MX32™ Mid Soft front and rear tires were selected as the tire of choice for all Pirelli riders.

McClellan Hile was victorious in Collegeboy (18-24), winning two out of three motos. | Photo: Mad Moose Media

“The BarX Motorsports riders were more than impressive all week,” said Josh Whitmire, director of sales, Pirelli. “Podium finishes and race wins showcased the same winning performance of the SCORPION™ MX32™ that we see at MXGP. It’s exciting to see BarX and many new American motocross racers choosing Pirelli to compete at the highest level of amateur racing.”

In the Collegeboy (18-24) class, Hile used his SCORPION™ MX tires to get off to strong starts and remained consistent throughout the three-moto format. With the pressure on in the final moto, Hile proved to be unstoppable as he claimed his second moto win of the week to earn his first AMA National Championship at Loretta Lynn Ranch via 1-2-1 scores.

BarX Motorsports riders and Pirelli’s SCORPION™ MX tires stood on the podium 13 times throughout the week. | Photo: Mad Moose Media

“Leaving the ranch this year with my first title was an absolutely awesome feeling,” said Hile. “The feeling that I had this week is something that I’ll never forget. I want to give a huge thank you to everyone at Pirelli for ensuring my bike had the best traction possible for every moto. My Pirelli SCORPION™ MX32™ tires worked amazing in the various and ever-changing conditions of Loretta’s. Whether it was deep ruts or sandy sweepers, I felt confident putting my bike wherever I needed to.”

Dilan Schwartz was one of the most impressive riders of the week, placing himself in title contention for both the 250 B and Schoolboy 2 (12-17) championships. After winning the second moto of 250 B, Schwartz started in the top-five in the final moto before clawing his way through the field to take over the race lead.

Near the halfway point of the race, Schwartz bobbled and that cost him several positions. However, he would rebound to finish seventh and take home a hard-fought third overall. Schwartz injured his foot in the incident, which forced him to miss the final Schoolboy 2 moto and the chance at another overall podium.

Despite Schwartz’s misfortune, Preston Kilroy carried the team to third place overall (2-3-8) in Schoolboy 2. Kilroy’s strong riding transferred over to the 250 B Limited class, taking a moto win and finishing second overall (2-1-2) for his second podium appearance of the week.

Austin Black, competing in the 250 and 450 B classes, brought home a moto win aboard his RM-Z450 and recorded several top-five rides throughout the week. In the 250 Pro Sport and Open Sport classes, Lance Kobusch battled his way through the star-studded 40-rider field to earn several top-five moto finishes.

For 2019, Pirelli refocused its efforts by expanding its amateur rider support program and the success at Loretta’s reaffirms the brand’s commitment to amateur racing in the United States. Pirelli continues to stick by its motto “we sell what we race, we race what we sell” and offers all riders access to the very same tires found on the bikes of JGRMX/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing and World Champions Jeffrey Herlings and Antonio Cairoli.

Pirelli’s #PirelliNation motocross rider support program is currently open and accepting resumes through November 30, 2019. If you’re interested in joining the Pirelli team, Click Here to learn more about and submit your sponsorship application.

To view complete results from the 2019 AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship Click Here.

College (18-24)

McClellan Hile (1-2-1)
Kayden Palmer (2-1-2)
Michael Hicks (7-3-4)
Ricci Randanella (6-6-3)
Nicholas Maret (3-9-7)

Schoolboy 2 (12-17)

Jarrett Frye (1-1-1)
Stilez Robertson (3-5-2)
3. Preston Kilroy (2-3-8)
Matthew Leblanc (7-4-5)
Culin Park (5-9-3)
25. Dilan Schwartz (4-2-DNS)

250 B

Stilez Robertson (1-2-2)
Jarrett Frye (3-3-1)
Dilan Schwartz (2-1-7)
Mason Gonzales (7-4-3)
Kaeden Kniffing (9-6-4)
Austin Black (6-5-8)

250 B Limited

Mason Gonzales (1-2-1)
Preston Kilroy (2-1-2)
Hunter Yoder (3-4-3)
Max Miller (5-3-5)
Jace Kessler (4-5-6)

450 B

Matthew Leblanc (1-1-2)
Levi Newby (2-2-3)
Wesley Allen (3-7-6)
Gerhard Matamoros (5-8-4)
Rene Rodriguez (6-4-11)
11. Austin Black (DNF-3-1)

Open Pro Sport

Jalek Swoll (1-3-1)
Jett Lawrence (2-1-3)
Jo Shimoda (4-2-2)
Parker Mashburn (3-4-4)
Carson Mumford (7-7-8)
9. Lance Kobusch (15-5-13)
11. McClellan Hile (13-11-14)

250 Pro Sport

Hard Munoz (3-4-3)
Carson Mumford (2-8-2)
Jesse Flock (5-11-1)
Parker Mashburn (7-7-4)
Lance Kobush (12-5-5)

MEETING OF THE MINDS SESSIONS NEWS–I’m good to participate!

Took your suggestions to heart for workshops at the Meeting of the Minds
and definitely would like you to work with you on a workshop.

The workshop tentatively titled Old Media, New Media How to deal with print, electronic and social media successfully.

Your input and involvement in motorcyclists rights and the MRF is
invaluable, thank you and let me know if you can be part of the 35th
Annual Meeting of the Minds.

–BBNM

I Joined ABATE GA in 2015 after falling in love with the mission. Is a
member of several MROs including MRF, AMA and other organizations around
the country. Passionate about biker rights Skinny Bob has served as
District 5 Coordinator and Communications Director for ABATE GA. He has
been State Director for 2 years and has exponentially increased ABATE GA’s
reach using social media. He works as a fundraiser supporting veterans
military families when hes not fighting for biker rights.

Contact Fred Harrell if you’re interested in being involved.

— FRED HARRELL
Director, Purchasing & Facilities
RED ROCK HARLEY-DAVIDSON
2260 South Rainbow Blvd.
Las Vegas, Nevada 89146
PHONE: 702-876-2884 X2149
www.redrockharley.com

PREMIERE OF BENNETT’S WAR STARRING COUNTRY MUSIC SUPERSTAR TRACE ADKINS AND MICHAEL ROARK

** TUESDAY, AUGUST 13TH **

Marshall Bennett (Michael Roark) is a young soldier with the Army Motorcycle Unit who survives an IED explosion in combat overseas. He is medically discharged and told that one more accident could mean he may never walk again. When he gets home to his farm, he discovers that his dad, Cal Bennett (Trace Adkins), is behind on the mortgage.

Against all odds, he trains to make an impossible comeback as a motocross racer in order to save his family’s farm. Allison Paige plays Sophie Bennett, Marshall’s concerned wife, and Ali Afshar is Cyrus, Marshall’s mentor. Click here to watch the Bennett’s War trailer.

WHO:
Talent Expected:
Trace Adkins
Michael Roark
Allison Paige
Ali Afshar
Hunter Clowdus
Christina Moore
More to be confirmed

WHEN:
Tuesday, August 13th
5:00PM Media Arrivals
6:00PM Red Carpet Opens
7:30PM Show Begins

WHERE:
Steven J. Ross Theater
Warner Bros Studio Lot
4000 Warner Blvd
Burbank, CA 91522
Parking details and red carpet access information to be provided upon confirmation

–Marlea Willis mwillis@alliedglobalmarketing.com / (646) 965-7475
Maggie Biembie@alliedglobalmarketing.com
(323) 857-7614

[page break]

Old School Kaws take NHDRO’s Biggest Money Ever–The sharpest, most up-to-date tools in the motorcycle drag racing box came out to win NHDRO’s biggest money event ever—the APE Summer Celebration and Big Money Shootout this past weekend at Lucas Oil Raceway near Indianapolis. But as late model horsepower with immense investments in carbon fiber and billet bits fell by the wayside, it was the two oldest bikes in the field racing for all the cash at the end of the day.

And they were two old school KZ Kawasakis built by the same guy—bracket veteran Tom Klemme, whose delay box bike won $11,000 in the final against Chad Isley on Klemme’s “old” bike. “That was a pretty sweet number on that one,” Klemme said about NHDRO’s Big Check.

The race format had 16 delay box bikes on one ladder and 16 no-box bikes on another, with the winners meeting in one final round. Isley took the tree against Klemme with a perfect light without a box, but took too much stripe and had to settle for a cool $5,000. “It was pretty cool having two old KZs in the final in 2019 in a world of ‘Busas and GSs,” said Klemme.

Later that same night, both bikes rolled up to the ready line AGAIN (Klemme’s with an actual spoked front wheel) in the semifinals of MPS Pro ET, and Isley had ANOTHER perfect light to Klemme’s .001. Tom took too much stripe and Isley advanced.

But wait—Klemme and his KZ weren’t through winning! They raced through a 48-bike M2.Shocks Crazy Comp 8.89 index field to beat Jeremy Teasley’s state-of-the-art no-bar Suzuki Hayabusa in the final, mostly via Tom’s .003 light in the double-breakout final. Louisvillian Kevin Cooper qualified number one and lost to Super Comp champ Ron Arnold in round 2.

Klemme dialed in as low as 8.66 in the August Indianapolis weather. “That’s about as fast as you can make these old Kawasakis in these conditions unless you start spraying them,” said Klemme, who’s won Pomona three times with his Kawasaki.

“Thanks to Joe Klemme, Jim Batten, John Mealy, and everybody that works for me back at the motorcycle repair shop in Iowa”

After dispatching Klemme in the Saturday Pro ET semi, Isley slowed his reaction time to an .036 against Garreth Sheppeard in the final. Sheppeard was a tad slower with an .039 but ran closer to his 8.17 dial with an 8.204 for the win, while Isley ran 9.244 on a 9.20.

NHDRO wasn’t through handing out Big Money to Kawasakis, though. Twenty six Pro Ultra 4.60 bikes vied for $5000 for the winner of the world’s quickest motorcycle index class, and at the end of the day it was Louisville winner “Smokin’ Joe” Rodney scoring his second straight win. Smokin’ Joe took the tree with an .022 and his Kaw’s 4.61 was closer to the number than Jeffersonville’s Joey Burgess’ .040/4.62 on a Suzuki GS.

Rodney normally has tuning help from Fast Time Motorsports’ Jeff Jones and Billy Vose, but neither were in Indy. “They were not at the race track this weekend but they are always with me,” said Smokin’ Joe. “Jeff and Billy’s strengths and reputations as leaders, along with the quality of their teaching, afforded me the ability to claim the victory at this race.”

Number one 4.60 qualifier Jimmy Muntain lost to Richard Gadson in round 1. Gadson lost to Rodney in the quarterfinals.

With her thirteen week-old newborn Remy Lucille in her arms, Heather Wagner enjoyed the fruits of her labor—literally—in the Hardcore Cycles Top Gas 8.20 winners circle after slicing her way through a 42-bike field—including number one qualifier Bradley Shelhaas in the final and Jeremy Teasley in the semis. “A lot of great racers,” said Wagner. “It’s good to be back. We came back in Louisville and struggled.”

Wagner made pass after pass during Grudge at NHDRO’s Louisville race, and the hard work paid off. “We don’t even know how many passes,” said Wagner. “More than we’ve ever made at one event. We were beating our heads against the wall and it got to the point where it was ridiculous. But we came here and started over and it worked.

“I wanna thank my dad Mike and my mom Lisa, Bobby Brown, Kenny Schwartz, and James O’Hanlon. I couldn’t do this without James and my sister Rachel watching Remy.”

60 year-old Dave Roisen realized a young man’s dream, winning Millenium Trailers Pro Street against Canadian Ethan Barkley. “This was just my weekend when things fell together,” said Roisen, who ran five personal bests on the former Ricky Wood/Joe Robbiins turbocharged ‘Busa and won in his third year of racing the class.

“Moved up on the G.O.A.T. List to a 7.119, went my first 200 and did it about five times, and went a little quicker than my son Shane on this bike (Shane ran 7.12),” said Roisen. “Meeting Ethan Barkley here in the final—what a great guy from Canada. He ran his best numbers ever here too.

“I’m proud to get this far with it, it’s a very frustrating class. Very humbling. But the Pro Street racers here have been super helpful. Rudy (number one qualifier Rudy Sanzottera) is always helpful, his crew is awesome. Thanks to M2.shocks. We have a motorcycle shop in Minnesota and I wanna thank our distributers Drag Specialties, Western Powersports, Shinko Tires, Motul Oil, and all the people that have helped me do this. It’s been a lifetime of help and I’m just tickled to be doing this.

“I’m really happy NHDRO is doing Pro Street here. The track was stickin’ for me every time.”

Richard Gadson agreed. “The track was perfect. As good as it gets. If I had a 6.50s capable Pro Street bike here, I could’ve went 6.50s. Without a doubt. And I love NHDRO races—so relaxing.”

The event may or may not have been relaxing for former AMA/Prostar champion Rick McWaters, but it was a winning one. McWaters made his triumphant return in Penske Racing Shocks Street Fighter, where his .023 light allowed him to ease across the finishline against Phillip Gross and his .084. McWaters had a .003 light in his semifinal win over number one qualifier Ron Arnold.

Klemme wasn’t the only double winner at Indy, as second generation racer Dalton Markham accomplished the feat on two different bikes. He won Sunday’s MPS Pro ET race on his wheelie bar bike, taking the win against a redlighting (-.008) Jason Keller.

Markham had an .024 light on his ‘Busa streetbike to give him the advantage against Randy Parker, who had an .057 and broke out in Sunday’s Kevin Dennis Insurance Street ET final.

Jeremy Murphy benefitted from Michael Schmalle’s -.012 redlight in Saturday’s eighth and final round of Street ET.

VooDoo Grudge was killer, with money races popping off everywhere for stacks, and twenties changing hands on the sidelines like Rockingham in the ‘00s. Big winners included Gaige Herrera on “Pee Wee” vs. Vince Hileman on “Family Man,” Teasley on Chris “CJ” Johnson’s “Tommy Gunn” vs. Joey Jobbe on “Anti-Social, ” and Louisville’s Brandon Holland on “Killer Bee.”

Brian and Niki Welch of NHDRO and Jay and Dianne Eshbach of APE thank everyone for coming out to Lucas Oil Raceway for this event, and NHDRO looks forward to seeing everyone at West Salem, Ohio’s Dragway 42 on August 30-September 1.

Find out more about NHDRO at http://www.nhdroracing.com/

More about APE http://www.aperaceparts.com/

GUN NUT REPORT–
I was just thinking: it was written hundreds of years ago, so it still makes tooootal sense today too, right? “…the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed” …well, doesn’t that mean that if I can carry it, I can have it?

So, shouldn’t a surface to air missile launcher / shoulder launched grenade weapon, etc., be included? Why can’t I own that???

They are literally violating our Second Amendment rights! Not fair!!!

Ride Forever,

–Andreas

Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Report–
American Motorcycle Rally TERRORIST ALERT

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is an American motorcycle rally held annually in Sturgis, South Dakota, for ten days usually starting the first Friday in August. In 2015 the city of Sturgis officially expanded the dates to have the rally start on the Friday before the first full week of August and end on the second Sunday.

In 2016, Sturgis City Council passed a resolution to begin the Rally on the first Friday in August every year. It was begun in 1938 by a group of Indian Motorcycle riders and was originally held for stunts and races. Attendance has historically been around 500,000 people, reaching a high of over 700,000 in 2015. The event generates around $800 million in revenue.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is an American motorcycle rally held annually in Sturgis, South Dakota, for ten days usually starting the first Friday in August. In 2015 the city of Sturgis officially expanded the dates to have the rally start on the Friday before the first full week of August and end on the second Sunday. In 2016, Sturgis City Council passed a resolution to …

Police: No credible terror attack threat at Sturgis Rally

STURGIS, S.D. (KEVN) – The Sturgis Police Department received a Facebook message about a possible list of lone wolves plotting homegrown terror attacks and the rally may be a target.

The Sturgis Police Department doesn’t have any credible threat at this time. However, the police will keep the public updated if that changes.

If you see a threat on social media, contact your local law enforcement agency. Do not share the threat. Police say this will help them determine where the post originated from.

LIBERTY OR SAFETY–San Diego To Have 4,200 Streetlight Cameras By 2020. While police are regularly catching a few perpetrators on video, it has done so at the cost of ubiquitous surveilling all citizens in San Diego. ? TN Editor

When police stopped a taxicab early one morning last summer to find Jonathan Hernandez armed with a handgun and fleeing the scene of a fatal Gaslamp Quarter shooting, authorities thought it was an open-and-shut case.

Hernandez was booked into jail on suspicion of murder, but the investigation from last August would take an unexpected turn.

“Obviously, with any of these investigations there’s a great deal of follow-up to do, but it seemed pretty straightforward at that time,” said Sgt. Louis Maggi with the San Diego Police Department homicide unit.

The next day, police investigators went out to 5th Avenue and Market Street, where witnesses said a vicious fight had led to the killing. Officers canvassed the area for video of the incident when they noticed a camera built into a streetlamp at the intersection.

San Diego has installed thousands of microphones and cameras in so-called smart streetlamps in recent years as part of a program to assess traffic and parking patterns throughout the city.

The technology over the last year caught the attention of law enforcement last year. When police officers picked up Hernandez last summer, they had never used a streetlamp camera in an investigation.

Today, such video has been viewed in connection with more than 140 police investigations. Officers have increasingly turned to the footage to help crack cases, as frequently as 20 times a month.

Police Department officials have said that the video footage has been crucial in roughly 40% of those cases.

The smart streetlamps have been “game changing,” said Lt. Jeffrey Jordon, who oversees the program for the department.

“We’ve had a lot of success stories recently, a couple of convictions where people have actually seen the video through a defense attorney and they immediately took a guilty plea rather than go to trial,” he said.

At the same time, the technology may have saved the 24-year-old Hernandez from a long prison term. A review of the video showed the man he shot had first violently attacked him with a folding sidewalk street sign. At one point, the metal and wood sign struck the streetlamp that was recording, giving officers a good sense of how hard the attacker was swinging.

“Once we had that footage, we could see as clear as day what had actually transpired,” Maggi said.

Prosecutors decided the shooting was self-defense and the homicide charges were dropped.

Privacy groups have voiced concerns about a lack of oversight as law enforcement has embraced the new technology.

Groups, such as the American Civil Liberties Union, have pushed city councils across the country to adopt surveillance oversight ordinances that create strict rules to regulate use of everything from license plate readers to gunshot-detection systems to streetlamp cameras.

San Diego’s smart streetlamp program started around 2016 to collect metadata from cameras tracking the number of people walking, biking or driving through busy intersections.

The city installed the recording system as part of an LED upgrade to its streetlamps. Officials have said the new bulbs will save enough money on electricity to pay for the roughly $30 million program by 2030.

Three years later, it’s still unclear what the data will ultimately be used for. One idea has been that the information, which is publicly available to web developers and others, will fuel an app that helps people find empty parking spaces. City officials have said they also hope to use the system to track parking meter violations, as well as the number of people using bike lanes.

Right now, only the Police Department has the authority to view the actual video footage, according to officials. Although subject to change, the department’s internal policy says footage should be reviewed only in connection with violent crimes.

Authorities said that direct access is currently restricted to roughly 100 investigative officers in the sex crimes, robbery, traffic, internal affairs and homicide units. Other members of the department’s more than 1,800 sworn officers can request access but must be cleared by a designated authority before they view footage.

This arrangement has disturbed Matt Cagle, a technology and civil liberties attorney with the ACLU.

“This sounds like the quote ‘just trust us’ approach to surveillance technology, which is a recipe for invasive uses and abuse of these systems,” he said. “There needs to be meaningful oversight and accountability.

“Decisions about how to use surveillance technology should not be made unilaterally by law enforcement or another city agency,” he added

NEWS FROM MARTIN MOTO– RIDE FOR RESCUES EVENT
THIS SATURDAY 8/10/19!
If the kindest souls were rewarded with the longest lives, pets would outlive us all. Join us on August 10th for our Ride for Rescues Event! Bring your furry best friend along and enjoy food, games, raffles, and fun all while supporting two amazing foundations. We will be donating all profits to the Humane Society Of Berks County and Animal Rescue League Of Berks County. Find your new forever friend.

Visit our Facebook page to donate! In-person donations will also be accepted! Stop by and see our side by side at our store location. New and used items are accepted. (Please no food products)

**Pet and kid friendly event! Bring the whole family!**

THE MODERN CLASSICS RIDE-IN EVENT
The Modern Classics Ride-In.
This one-day event features the sights and sounds of your favorite vintage bikes in living and breathing form. Ride in on your own classic, or contemporary bike, and join the fun!

Saturday, September 14th 2019
10 am – 4 pm. No admission and no entry fee! Simply ride in and join the fray! Meet your friends and enjoy music, food and more at this fun event! For more information go to: modernclassicsbikeshow.com or call 610-369-3120.

–MartinMoto

OH, AND ANOTHER THING ABOUT CALIFORNIA— California is dying
Thanks to Slum Lord Gavin Newsom, California is a mess and none of it makes sense.

Ok lets get this straight. In CA It’s against the law for a restaurant to offer me a plastic straw but it’s ok for Starbucks to serve drinks in a plastic cup and it’s ok for me to use plastic Keurig coffee pods and buy tons of plastic water bottles.

It’s against the law for a grocery store to give me a micro-thin plastic bag for free, but it’s okay for them to sell me a plastic bag for a few pennies that is 20 times as thick.

CA is going to fine citizens billions a year for not having health insurance and paying for their own medical care, but they are going to provide free health care/insurance for those in the country illegally.

In CA we provide driver’s license to people in the country illegally, and you can list your sex as “X”, but I have to bring my original birth certificate, social security card, and two utility bills to get my Real CA driver’s license so I can use it to board a plane since the Federal government no longer recognizes regular CA licenses.

It’s ok for a homeless person to build a house next to the river out of plywood and tarps on property they don’t own, but I have to pull a permit and pay fees to have an inspection if I do something as simple as replacing a window on my own property, and pay to camp in a state park.

In San Francisco they provide free Safe Drug Centers for heroin addicts to shoot up under nurse supervision and provide new needles (also plastic), but it’s going to be against the law for adults to Vape.

In San Francisco it’s ok to crap on the street but it’s against the law to spit.

California requires immunizations for its citizens but not for illegal aliens, so a bunch of eradicated illnesses are coming back and they don’t care about those either.

LIFE IS NUTS—We live in the best of times, but control freaks can’t stand it. You can’t just have fun, not possible.

But bikers do and so do surfers. We know about the wind. We know about riding free, building what we want and rolling wherever it will take us.

Hang on tomorrow, when I post J.J. Solari’s article about the new Easyriders deal. I’m working on some features, but I’m scrambling on our Salt Torpedo. Hold on for more reports, but in the meantime:

Ride Fast and Free, Forever!

–Bandit