I can’t resist the temptation to brag to you about my new cobbler which I found after reading a zillion Yelps and asking around and researching the shit out of everything boots and boot repair …. I know, too much time sunk into that endeavor when there’s wrenchin’ to be done and parts to be chased down at swap meets. But, my old cobbler who used to be in Laguna Beach, vanished out of thin air. Gone without a trace …no forwarding number, nuthin’. What the hell?! —Read more.

I can’t resist the temptation to brag to you about my new cobbler which I found after reading a zillion Yelps and asking around and researching the shit out of everything boots and boot repair ….

I know, too much time sunk into that endeavor when there’s wrenchin’ to be done and parts to be chased down at swap meets. But, my old cobbler who used to be in Laguna Beach, vanished out of thin air. Gone without a trace …no forwarding number, nuthin’. What the hell?!

He was a cool guy, an old-school Harley rider by the name of Denny who had a little shop right on PCH by the name of Cobbler’s Corner. He rode a molded Road King and had a past in an M/C in Arizona… And he always spoke my language, whether on jackets, boots or bags; anything you wanted made righteous, he was your man.

No, smartass, I didn’t mean that in an “alternative lifestyle” way! He was an original and a damned good cobbler with mega gnarly hands to show for it… Had been in that game for eons but still seemingly not close to retirin’ age.

But what the hell do I know about how much someone has hidden in the mattress. Anyway, like I sez, he up and split. Maybe he’s roamin’ the country tryin’ to dig up the old Captain America bike in some barn in the mid-west. Either that, or he’s down Mexico way endeavoring to talk the national assembly into payin’ for da wall. Or maybe he’s in Havana conferring with Raul Castro over a good cigar about the benefits of joining the Union.

Who knows… In any event, after my flailing about for a bit, this new guy, Victor, in Santa Ana (Victor’s Shoe Repair) came highly recommended by my buddies at the Red Wing shoe store in Lake Forest, so I went with that ’cause I figured they wouldn’t give me a bum steer. But I gotta’ tell ya’ – loving my boot’s and not lovin’ the thought of going with a new, completely unknown-to-me guy, I felt like a drunken gambler at a rigged card game giving him those walkers.

But lo and behold, I just got my boots back from him after only a couple days time, and I’m as happy as a teenager after his first whore house visit, ’cause he done good – real good!

As alluded to above, ‘O Swami, it’s been a long process of me investigating and researching what all I can put on them Chippewa’s ’cause Chippewa wouldn’t sell me the original soles as they don’t furnish a service like that. This is in sharp contrast to Red Wing where you can actually even send your boots straight to Red Wing in Minnesota and have THEM resole ’em for ya’ for around one hundred American!

Anyway, I had decided on the Vibram 430 mini-lug sole and heel. So I instructed señor Victor accordingly. And sure enough, he re-constructed the whole bottom-end, stitching the setup together through the welt like a proper Goodyear Welted boot should be put together.

The craftsmanship of it looks pretty much flawless, at least to me. Particularly at 75 bucks! Then he also riveted that hasp & staple brass setup onto my old Garage Leathers swingarm bag, utilizing aged patina brass rivets he gets in L.A.

So now, when I’m out of range of my bike with my three-five-seven, the ambition of some long fingered bastard to get into my stash is dampened by that padlock. So I’m sittin’ here pretty damned happy about something sort of small like those items.

(Wonder what George or Brad is doing right now?). But they’re victories nonetheless.

Certainly, if you can resole boots that are already nicely broken in, you’re always ahead, in my opinion, ’cause they feel just like home and have taken on character.

Sure, you could go buy new ones, but aside from the extra expense, why? I think that somewhere in there, there is some notion about being anti-throwaway society. I can just see you and Rogue nodding in agreement while enjoying your Maker’s Mark for breakfast.

One more thing: like I mentioned, it’s easier said than done to find an outfit, who understands this whole deal. Like, get this: I take them boots to “Sam’s Shoes” here in downtown San Clemente, and the idiot behind the counter tells me with a straight face that they can “just glue some rubber soles on top of the old ones.” What?! Noooo you man-boobed dip shit, that’s NOT what you do with a Goodyear Welted boot!

You take the outsoles off of them, and then you attach and sew new soles on ’em ALL THE WAY THROUGH the welt AND the sole. And if you have to take out the midsole and re-build the cork embedded in IT, or even reconstruct the whole deal all the way up to the welt to where it’s all taken apart lookin’ like a moccasin in a tepe, then so be it ’cause that’s what a REAL cobbler does, see! So I just walked outta’ there shaking my head.

What the hell, man?! I felt like shoving one of them colorful rainbow hippie surfer sandals they had on sale right down his throat for being so goddamned clueless. But I’m a peaceful man, to a point. These people call themselves shoemakers? Ha! Soon to be lost art at this rate, brother…

Anyway, I guess I just had to share all that and these pictures of Victor‘s work — my almost 20-year-old boots feel perfect.

Chippewa USA – As rugged as the land you walk! Yes sir! Very, very grippy soles now …just superb, and I can’t wait to get on the Hog again when the rains let up ’cause these fit me like a glove, as they always did …after the first week of break-in back in 1999.

I even jumped on both bikes in da garage, playing around with the shifter and brake pedal and the feel and “dexterity” is as good as ever in these here beauties. All is well on the western front. It’s not much that beats good old true American craftsmanship and that old-school look and feel. They can keep all that newfangled shit (at least as far as motorcycle gear goes) …it don’t matter if we’re talkin’ jackets, boots, gloves, you name it — it ain’t me, and it certainly ain’t you neither, and never will be. That much I know, or a huge heard of buffalo ain’t grazing in the shadows of the Tetons as this is written.

By the way, the Vibram sole story is a cool tale all by itself. Founded in Italy in 1937 by Vitale Bramani (Vibram, get it?) and still going strong, world-wide. Lastly, yes ‘O great Swami and motorcycle God who reigns supreme over all of Bikerdom from Bikernet World Headquarters in San Pedro, Cali-forn-I-A, I am fully aware that you know a thing or two, or three about boots and proper care of same, courtesy of your days in the Navy.

Ride Forever,

–Andreas
Midnight Express Motorcycle Co.,
San Clemente, California – USA

Nominee No. 1 (San Jose Mercury News):

An unidentified man, using a shotgun like a club to break a former girlfriend’s windshield, accidentally shot himself to death when the gun discharged, blowing a hole in his gut.

Nominee No. 2 (Kalamazoo Gazette):

James Burns, 34, a mechanic from Alamo MI, was killed in March as he was trying to repair what police describe as a “farm-type truck.” Burns got a friend to drive the truck on a highway while Burns hung underneath so that he could ascertain the source of a troubling noise. Burns’ clothes caught on something, however, and the other man found Burns “wrapped in the drive shaft”.

Nominee No. 3 (Hickory Daily Record):

Ken Charles Barger, 47, accidentally shot himself to death in December in Newton NC. Awakening to the sound of a ringing telephone beside his bed, he reached for the phone but instead grabbed a Smith & Wesson 38 Special, which discharged when he drew it to his ear.

Nominee No. 4 (UPI, Toronto):

Police said a lawyer demonstrating the safety of windows in a downtown Toronto skyscraper crashed through a pane with his shoulder and plunged 24 floors to his death. A police spokesman said Garry Hoy, 39, fell into the courtyard of the Toronto Dominion Bank Tower early Friday evening as he was explaining the strength of the buildings windows to visiting law students.

Hoy previously has conducted demonstrations of window strength according to police reports. Peter Lawson, managing partner of the firm Holden Day Wilson, told the Toronto Sun newspaper that Hoy was “one of the best and brightest members of the 200-man association.”

Nominee No. 5 (The News of the Weird):

Michael Anderson Godwin made News of the Weird posthumously. He had spent several years awaiting execution in South Carolina’s electric chair on a murder conviction before having his sentence reduced to life in prison. While sitting on a metal toilet in his cell attempting to fix his small TV set, he bit into a wire and was electrocuted.

Nominee No. 6 (The Indianapolis Star):

A cigarette lighter may have triggered a fatal explosion in Dunkirk, IN. A Jay County man, using a cigarette lighter to check the barrel of a muzzleloader, was killed Monday night when the weapon discharged in his face, sheriff’s investigators said. Gregory David Pryor, 19, died in his parents’ rural Dunkirk home at about 11:30 PM. Investigators said Pryor was cleaning a 54-caliber muzzle-loader that had not been firing properly. He was using the lighter to look into the barrel when the gunpowder ignited.

Nominee No. 7 (Reuters – Mississauga, Ontario):

A man cleaning a bird feeder on the balcony of his condominium apartment in this Toronto suburb slipped and fell 23 stories to his death. “Stefan Macko, 55, was standing on a wheelchair when the accident occurred,” said Inspector Darcy Honer of the Peel Regional Police. “It appears that the chair moved, and he went over the balcony.”

Finally, THE WINNER! (Arkansas Democrat Gazette):

Two local men were injured when their pickup truck left the road and struck a tree near Cotton Patch on State Highway 38 early Monday. Woodruff County deputy Dovey Snyder reported the accident shortly after midnight Monday. Thurston Poole, 33, of Des Arc, and Billy Ray Wallis, 38, of Little Rock, were returning to Des Arc after a frog-catching trip. On an overcast Sunday night, Poole’s pickup truck headlights malfunctioned.

The two men concluded that the headlight fuse on the older-model truck had burned out. As a replacement fuse was not available, Wallis noticed that the .22 caliber bullets from his pistol fit perfectly into the fuse box next to the steering-wheel column. Upon inserting a bullet, the headlights again began to operate properly and the two men proceeded on eastbound toward the White River Bridge.

After traveling approximately 20 miles and just before crossing the river, the bullet apparently overheated, discharged and struck Poole in the testicles. The vehicle swerved sharply right, exited the pavement and struck a tree. Poole suffered only minor cuts and abrasions from the accident but will require extensive surgery to repair the damage to his testicles, which will never operate as intended.

Wallis sustained a broken clavicle and was treated and released. “Thank God we weren’t on that bridge when Thurston shot his balls off, or we might be dead,” stated Wallis.

“I’ve been a trooper for 10 years in this part of the world, but this is a first for me. I can’t believe that those two would admit how this accident happened,” said Snyder.

Upon being notified of the wreck, Lavinia (Poole ‘s wife) asked how many frogs the boys had caught and if anyone got them from the truck?

Though Poole and Wallis did not die as a result of their misadventure as normally required by Darwin Award Official Rules, it can be argued that Poole did in fact effectively remove himself from the gene pool.

Nominee No. 1 (San Jose Mercury News):

An unidentified man, using a shotgun like a club to break a former girlfriend’s windshield, accidentally shot himself to death when the gun discharged, blowing a hole in his gut.

— Read more.

Hey,

We are making serious progress with the Salt Torpedo. I need to draw a notion of the proposed front suspension for our esteemed tubing bender, TIG welder, frame guy.

Each week I have my homework assignments and now a member of the Uglies has stepped up to pilot the World’s first Streamlined trike. Micah McCloskey is driving out two or three times a week to help with the project and jump in, anytime we need a proposed pilot for fitment.

We are making another change to our Bikernet situation for the betterment of all involved. We are going to post the Bikernet Weekly News in Bikernet and on the Bikernet Blog. Today will be the first shot at it. Hang on, this news will be amazing.

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.

NEW FROM Twin Power (FORMERLY BIKER’S CHOICE) Introduces Klincher Clutches– Twin Power, known for its high-quality parts and accessories designed for the American V-Twin enthusiast, is excited to announce the addition of Klincher Clutches to its product line.

Designed for most 1937–2017 Harley-Davidson models (except M8), the Klincher clutch fits the stock clutch basket with no modifications, offers increased surface area and torque capacity while maintaining an easy lever pull, and the diaphragm spring provides smooth and controllable engagement.

“The Klincher clutch fills the gap between a simple plate kit and a complete replacement assembly,” states James Simonelli, Twin Power Brand Manager. “It offers a great increase in performance without the added expense of a complete replacement clutch and is suitable for almost all stock and high-performance street applications.”

Klincher clutches are race proven, tunable for any application, and proudly made in the USA.

Retail prices for Klincher clutches start at $517.90. Twin Power products are distributed exclusively in the United States by Tucker V-Twin. See your local Tucker V-Twin dealer for more info about Twin Power products.

More information can be found at twinpower-usa.com.

GIVE ‘EM DA BOOT REPORT– I’m lodging the following report from the SUV-Mommy hell of Orange County–

I can’t resist the temptation to brag to you about my new cobbler which I found after reading a zillion Yelps and asking around and researching the shit out of everything boots and boot repair ….

I know, too much time sunk into that endeavor when there’s wrenchin’ to be done and parts to be chased down at swap meets. But, my old cobbler who used to be in Laguna Beach, vanished out of thin air. Gone without a trace …no forwarding number, nuthin’. What the hell?!

He was a cool guy, an old-school Harley rider by the name of Denny who had a little shop right on PCH by the name of Cobbler’s Corner. He rode a molded Road King and had a past in an M/C in Arizona… And he always spoke my language, whether on jackets, boots or bags; anything you wanted made righteous, he was your man.

No, smartass, I didn’t mean that in an “alternative lifestyle” way! He was an original and a damned good cobbler with mega gnarly hands to show for it… Had been in that game for eons but still seemingly not close to retirin’ age.

But what the hell do I know about how much someone has hidden in the mattress. Anyway, like I sez, he up and split. Maybe he’s roamin’ the country tryin’ to dig up the old Captain America bike in some barn in the mid-west. Either that, or he’s down Mexico way endeavoring to talk the national assembly into payin’ for da wall. Or maybe he’s in Havana conferring with Raul Castro over a good cigar about the benefits of joining the Union.

Who knows… In any event, after my flailing about for a bit, this new guy, Victor, in Santa Ana (Victor’s Shoe Repair) came highly recommended by my buddies at the Red Wing shoe store in Lake Forest, so I went with that ’cause I figured they wouldn’t give me a bum steer. But I gotta’ tell ya’ – loving my boot’s and not lovin’ the thought of going with a new, completely unknown-to-me guy, I felt like a drunken gambler at a rigged card game giving him those walkers.

But lo and behold, I just got my boots back from him after only a couple days time, and I’m as happy as a teenager after his first whore house visit, ’cause he done good – real good!

Ride Forever,

–Andreas
Midnight Express Motorcycle Co.,
San Clemente, California – USA

Read the whole sizzling tamale boot rebuild fest on Bikernet, tomorrow. I walked off a plane in Denver, on my way back from Rapid City and a glued on boot soul just fell off, leaving me an inch shorter on my left leg. I blamed it on the TSA guy, who thought I had a gun in my heel. –Bandit

THIS JUST IN FROM THE S&S FACTORY–Not a secret that I have an unnatural love for the Sportster (not those Ironheads, I hate them!) and super-stoked on our rework and price drop on our Big Bore Kits. ~ DZ

S&S Cycle – Updated Big Bore Kits for HD Sportster Models!

How could we improve a solid product line like Big Bore Kits for HD Sportster Models? Not an easy task, but the S&S development team isn’t afraid of the work and after taking a hard look at the entire line realized we needed to make it more affordable.

We get it, the Sportster rider needs more price appropriate parts! Each kit is still the same high quality liner wrapped in cast aluminum and each includes high compression pistons, rings, clips and gaskets.

Our Hooligan Kit still includes 482 cams, premium tappets and all of our XL kits are available in 1200cc or 1250cc. Look for a $200+ savings and kits are available for most 1986-2019 XL models.

For more info and detailed specs, check out http://www.sscycle.com/big-bore-sportster

–David Zemla
VP – Marketing
S&S
Email dzemla@sscycle.com

FEMA REPORT–Motorcyclists And The European Commission Have A Top Meeting–

If you want to talk about improving road safety for European motorcyclists, the best place to be is the European Commission. So that is where FEMA went.

A FEMA team had a top meeting with Matthew Baldwin, the recently appointed Deputy Director-General for Mobility and Transport and European coordinator for road safety and sustainable mobility. Also present from the Commision were Fotini Ioannidou and Casto Lopez Benitez from the European Commission’s Unit Road Safety.

From left to right: Casto Lopez Benitez, Matthew Baldwin, Dolf Willigers, Fotini Ioannidou and Jesper Christensen. (Photography by Wim Taal)

On the agenda were the Road Infrastructure Safety Management (RISM) Directive, the General Safety Regulation (GSR) and Pedestrian Safety Regulation (PSR), Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA), the Third Driving License Directive (3DLD), post license training and some smaller issues.

The atmosphere of the meeting was excellent, not in the least because FEMA fully supports the European Commission in the issues of the Road Infrastructure Safety Management Directive (RISM), the General Safety Regulation and Pedestrian Safety Regulation, although with respect to the RISM Directive there was a question about the possibility of different speed limits for motorcycles and cars.

FEMA explained to the European Commission that this is not a good idea and possibly even dangerous for motorcyclists. Asked for motorcyclists’ main needs in safer road infrastructure, we mentioned safer barriers, obstacle free roadsides and enough grip on the roads as the main needs. We also promised to provide the Commission with a full list of needs.

On the issue of Intelligent Speed Assistance, we agreed that we are open for discussion about this, as long as the control of the speed is with the rider. Here the views of the European Commission and FEMA didn’t differ. This will be worked out later.

About the Third Driving Licence Directive, we explained that the current system, especially the staged access to the full A licence, is not a success and leads to higher costs for new riders. It leads to more accidents of riders without a license at all. It also leads to people finding ways to circumnavigate the three stages, which cannot have been the intention.

FEMA explained that if a staged access system needs to be in place, we need a simpler system with less tests. We all agreed that post licence training can be beneficial to road safety if done well, but the focus should in general be on the riders’ abilities to ride safe in traffic. Also, post licence trainings should not come at the expense of good initial training.

The European Commission also expressed the wish for good cooperation inside the motorcycle world, but more importantly also for good cooperation between motorcyclists’ organizations with other organizations of vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists. Of course, FEMA already has regular contact with the European Cyclists Federation (ECF) about common views and interests; on a small scale we already do cooperate with the ECF.

Present at the meeting were:

Matthew Baldwin – Deputy Director-General for Mobility and Transport and European coordinator for road safety and sustainable mobility
Fotini Ioannidou – Head of Unit Road Safety
Casto Lopez Benitez – Senior Policy Officer of Unit Road Safety

Jesper Christensen – General Secretary SMC (FEMA’s largest member organization)
Dolf Willigers – General Secretary FEMA
Wim Taal – Communications Officer FEMA

–FEMA news by Wim Taal

GUN NUT REPORT FROM THE NRA–California: City of Los Angeles Writes CRPA $35,000 Settlement Check

The California Rifle and Pistol Association (CRPA), with support from NRA, recently challenged Los Angeles City’s refusal to be transparent and disclose records related to secretly obtained disposition orders used by LAPD to justify the destruction of firearms in its possession. It is estimated that thousands of firearms have been destroyed under the supposed authority of these “ghost” orders?which were never recorded in court records. CRPA has now prevailed in that lawsuit. As a result, the City has agreed to pay CRPA $35,000 as settlement for attorneys’ fees and costs incurred by the lawsuit.

The now disclosed records, in connection with other litigation efforts, have uncovered City policies that seek court orders as cover for destroying hundreds of thousands—if not millions—of dollars’ worth of firearms over the years. In many instances, such orders have allowed the City to destroy seized firearms without any notice to the owner, let alone after a court hearing with reasonable notice.

This lawsuit is an important victory for both California gun owners and the public alike to hold localities accountable. NRA and CRPA will continue to pursue legal challenges for the benefit of law abiding gun owners in the Golden State. For more information on important litigation continue to check your inbox and the Stand and Fight California web page.

DISASTER In Dakar–Disaster at the Dakar Rally for American front-runner Ricky Brabec.

According to Honda, “The brutality of the Dakar Rally showed its most bitter face to Monster Energy Honda Team as Ricky Brabec was forced out on stage eight.

–from Dealer News

BRAND New Bikernet Reader Comment!–
BIKERNET IS OPEN WEEKLY NEWS for January 10th, 2019

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/BIKERNET_IS_OPEN_WEEKLY_NEWS_for_January_10th_2019.aspx

Another Gr8 issue of BikerNet Weekly News!

–James P Waggaman
airstreamstudio@live.com
Oceanside, CA

Thanks, brother. –Bandit

HANG ON TO THE 2018 DARWIN AWARDS–
Nominee No. 1 (San Jose Mercury News):

An unidentified man, using a shotgun like a club to break a former girlfriend’s windshield, accidentally shot himself to death when the gun discharged, blowing a hole in his gut.

Nominee No. 2 (Kalamazoo Gazette):

James Burns, 34, a mechanic from Alamo MI, was killed in March as he was trying to repair what police describe as a “farm-type truck.” Burns got a friend to drive the truck on a highway while Burns hung underneath so that he could ascertain the source of a troubling noise. Burns’ clothes caught on something, however, and the other man found Burns “wrapped in the drive shaft”.

They get worse. Read the entire line-up tomorrow on Bikernet–Bandit

BIKERNET BOXING NEWS—Manny Pacquiao vs. Adrien Broner

The clock is ticking for the Pacquiao vs Broner fight this January 19 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. While Pacman has been sighted daily on the Hollywood hiking trails, Adrien Broner is ducking and dodging sexual assault charges, court dates and attorney dealings.

Lets not forget all the negative press. Adrien Broner or “the Problem” as they call him, can’t seem to get rid of his own problems. He’s accused of groping a female on one occasion, and accused of throwing himself on top of a woman and forcing her to kiss him on another.

Adrien Broner has been in the ring practically since he could walk. His fights are incredible
to watch. He’s a great boxer no doubt!
In lieu of fight week, the media workout was held at the famous Wild Card Boxing Club.
Freddie Roach was there working mitts with Manny like it was nothing. The gym was like a can of sardines with media. The smell of over 30 years of sweat and blood is distinct.

This gym is the real deal, and Freddie and Manny mean business. The Problem is staying tight lipped on his court dates, which is unusual for Adrien Broner who usually has words for days.

Next week will be Broner’s media workout. Be sure to stay tuned for all the highlights from fight week!

–Raquel Vasquez with
Southpaw Photography
@southpawphotography

CLUB NEWS–Jury orders Mongols motorcycle club to forfeit logo trademarks

The ability of Mongols leaders to use their image was dealt a blow Friday when a federal jury in Santa Ana decided the club should be stripped of the trademarks it holds on its coveted logo as punishment in a racketeering case.

The verdict, however, set up a 1st Amendment showdown over the right of the club’s members to express themselves.

Last month, at the end of a lengthy trial, the same jury convicted the Mongols motorcycle club of racketeering and conspiracy charges, finding the group shared responsibility for murder, attempted murder and drug crimes committed by individual members.

The verdict allowed prosecutors from the U.S. attorney’s office to pursue something they had long sought: a court order forcing the Mongols to forfeit the trademarks as part of its sentence.

The jury returned this week to hear a day of testimony and arguments from prosecutors and the Mongols’ defense attorney on the forfeiture issue. The panel had to decide whether the logo was linked closely enough to the crimes for which the Mongols organization had been convicted to warrant forcing the club to forfeit the trademarks to the U.S. government.

After two days of deliberating, it decided there was, in fact, a tight nexus between the image and one of the criminal charges the club faced — conspiracy to commit racketeering.

Calling the verdict the “first of its kind in the nation,” U.S. Atty. Nicola Hanna said seizing the Mongols trademarks would serve to “attack the sources of a criminal enterprise’s economic power and influence.”

But the case is not over. U.S. District Judge David O. Carter declined to immediately order the trademarks forfeited and instead set a hearing for next month to address, among other things, thorny 1st Amendment issues raised by the verdict.

The government’s pursuit of the trademarks is a novel legal strategy, based on the idea that control of the trademarks would not only cut off the stream of money that Mongols leaders collect from selling patches and other merchandise to members but would also empower government officials to stop Mongols members from wearing any clothing with the potent Mongol image.

An effort to bar Mongols members from displaying the logo, trademark experts and constitutional scholars said, would run the risk of crossing constitutional lines set out by the 1st Amendment, which protects people’s rights to associate freely and express themselves….

By JOEL RUBIN
–LA Times

MORE CLUB NEWS–Cop who pulled gun on Hells Angel MC member sentenced

A judge on Thursday sentenced a fired Euclid police officer to five days in jail for pulling a gun during a bar fight with suspected members of the Hells Angels motorcycle club. Todd Gauntner, 32, previously pleaded guilty to using weapons while intoxicated, a first-degree misdemeanor, during an Aug. 24, 2017 incident at a Willoughby bar.

Willoughby Municipal Court Judge Marisa Cornachio sentenced Gauntner to 180 days in prison, but she suspended 175 days. She also sentenced him to one year on probation, and barred him from possessing a gun during that period, according to court records
Gauntner will report to jail Friday morning, court records say.

His attorney, Spiros Gonakis Jr., could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday afternoon. Gauntner fought with two suspected member of the Hells Angels at Frank and Tony’s Place on 2nd Street near Clark Avenue in Willoughby, according to police reports.

Gauntner pulled out a gun and held it to one of the men’s head, police said. The trio also fought in the bar and broke several bottles.
Euclid Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer Gail fired Gauntner on Sept. 17, saying in her resignation letter that he “put [himself] and many bar patrons at a significant risk of substantial harm due to [his] reckless behavior.” The other two men involved in the bar fight — Bradley Peterson, 40, and Dustin Wolf, 28 – each pleaded guilty to aggravated disorderly conduct. Both men were fined $200 and given 30-day jail sentences that were suspended.

Gauntner was a four-year veteran of the Euclid Police Department who was once honored for saving the life of a man shot 16 times. He is also a U.S. Marine Corps. Veteran who served two tours of duty in Afghanistan.

The bar fight was the second time Gauntner was charged with a crime involving a gun. He previously pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm while he was off-duty on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, 2015, in Sims Park in Euclid. In that case, he told investigators he was grieving the death of a family member. A witness reported that Gauntner was “blowing off steam” by shooting into Lake Erie.

A Euclid Municipal Court judge ordered him to pay a $235 fine and to attend counseling in that case. The Euclid Police Department also suspended him for 90 days following the incident.

SOURCE: Cleveland.com

–from Rogue

SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 2019

Banquet Tickets
Go On Sale
Tuesday, January 15

To purchase tickets on the 15th,
visit www.trailblazersmc.com.

If you have questions about purchasing tickets online, please contact:
Don Emde, don@emdebooks.com, or
Mr. Bill, mrbill@vleinc.com.

HOTEL INFORMATION
The closest hotel to the Carson Center is the Carson DoubleTree (they share a parking lot with the Carson Center). We have arranged with the Carson DoubleTree to offer a limited number of rooms at a group discount rate for the nights of Friday and/or Saturday, April 5 and 6.

To take advantage of this discounted rate, visit www.carson.doubletree.com, select your arrival and departure dates, click “Add special rate codes” and enter the Group Code: MIC Then, click “Check Rooms & Rates”

Carson DoubleTree
2 Civic Plaza
Carson, California 90745
(310) 830-9200
www.carson.doubletree.com

JERRY BRANCH, Rest in Peace 1924 -2018
Jerry Branch had an amazing life. Born in Memphis, he joined the Marines in WW2, and then began his life’s work on motorcycles before moving to Los Angeles. He had a reputation as the man to go to get the most out of an engine. Jerry received many honors including induction into the AMA Hall of Fame and Trailblazers Hall of Fame. He attended the banquets for many years. Don Emde has written a short bio on Facebook and Cycle News (issue 1, 2019) also has an article. More info at www.motorcyclemuseum.org. Jerry will be remembered and missed. Godspeed.

RACER PARTY IN ST. LOUIS
STILL TIME TO BUY A PLANE TICKET
CELEBRATING THE GREATEST ERA IN FLAT TRACK RACING!
The party is Saturday, February 2nd from 10-4pm, but it starts Friday night, February 1st at the Embassy Suites. Fly into Lambert Field in St. Louis and call for the hotel shuttle (314) 739-8929 & press 0. The shuttle will also take you to and from the hotel, so no need to rent a car. To reserve a room at the Embassy Suites, (314) 789-8929. Ask for the promotional rate until January 18th. Your hosts, the Donelsons and Kim Keen know how to throw a party. Good food, drinks, friends, legends, motorcycles, a first class Flat Track museum and wonderful hosts. RSVP to Kim Keena at (314) 427-1204.

MECUM MOTORCYCLE AUCTION IN LAS VEGAS
The Mecum Motorcycle Auction will be held on January 22-26 at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hotel Reservations (702) 796-7111. The hotel special rate code is MEC 0107 www.mecum.com

SPEEDWAY RACING AT PERRIS
January 12, Team Racing Round 1
February 2, Team Racing Round 2
5pm Saturday
1205 Burton Road, Perris
Steve Evans (310) 309-9418,
dreamteamspeedway@sbcglobal.net

CARLSBAD MX REUNION IN VISTA
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2019
Scott Burnworth invites you to the Carlsbad MX Reunion. It will be held the day after the San Diego Supercross , from 11am – 5pm. It will feature MX legends, racers and fans, a bike show, great beer and good friends. ADMISSION IS FREE. 2545 Progress St., Suite D, Vista CA, 92081

40th ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOBOBA TRAIL RIDE
To be held on Sunday, February 24th on the private Soboba Indian Reservation. Participants navigate 2 single track loops. The event started in the early 70’s by Chief Benny Helm. In the early 80’s, Bob Graziano, cousin of the Chief and Malcolm Smith teamed up with Tribal Council for approval to launch the Soboba Trail Ride. The AMA sanctioned event Grand Marshall will be Malcolm Smith. Information and online registration at www.sobobarides.biz

SCFTA RACING
Round 1: Saturday, February 9, 2019
Round 2: Saturday, March 9, 2019]
Round 3: Saturday, April 6, 2019

Practice
January 19, 2pm – 7pm
February 23, 2pm – 7pm

SOCAL NORTON RIDES
Sunday, January 20: Rockin’ BBQ at Dan Shoenwald’s
Join the Norton group for a view of one of the best private collections of British motorcycle in Southern California. Dan Shoenwald opens his doors in Camarillo once a year to host this Norton Club event. They will have a great BBQ lunch and live music by Stormy Rice and his band…don’t miss this one.

Meet at Café 50’s located at 11623 Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles. Maps will be handed out prior to departure. Ride departs at 9 am Sharp.

February 24 they will be going on their Ojai Pilgrimage.

OLD SCHOOL TT SCRAMBLES 2019 SEASON OPENER & 2018 AWARDS PRESENTATION POSTPONED
FIRST RIDE IS FREE WITH OSSRG

This Saturday, January 12th event at Glen Helen has been postponed until Saturday, January 26th. There is a race for everyone. Vintage, Post Vintage, Modern Support, Quad, Side Car and Mini racing for Adults and kids. 200 – 230 cc.
If you don’t have a vintage bike, rent one. (760) 403-3634
18585 Verdemont Ranch Road, San Bernardino, CA 92907 (909) 880-3090
www.OldSchoolScramblesRacing.com

For a free first ride to check them out, email Tami@OldSchoolScramblesRacing.com with your first name, last name, and phone number. She will verify and send you a pre-registration link with your personalized FREE, one-time code to use.

BSAOCSC RIDES
Sunday, January 13th is the “Toluca Loop” Singles Street Ride. For lovers of British and vintage single cylinder motorcycles. Meet at 9am at the NE corner of Griffith Park Zoo parking lot, Ride at 10am. All British bikes welcome, but this route is shorter, designed for BSA “441” and smaller bikes. Info: (818) 843 2892 or (951) 440 3521

Sunday, January 20th is the BSAOCSC Bi-Monthly meeting (or ride)

Sunday, February 24th is the BSAOCSC “Cinder Cone” Dual Sport Ride. It starts in Lucerne Valley at the parking lot of the Highway 247 Restaurant, Junction of Hwy 247 & 18. Arrive at 8am, ride at 9am. For vintage British motorcycles only, with street registration and spark arrestors. (760) 365 9191 or (310) 292 8997.

YOU CAN READ IT IN CYCLE NEWS ISSUE 1, 2019
Travis Pastrana is the AMA 2018 Motorcyclist of the year.

WORLDSBK will return to Laguna Seca July 12-14, 2019

Archives-by Larry Lawrence. “Tribute to Uncle Alan” Famous for breaking CannonBall Baker’s cross country record.

50 YEARS AGO IN CYCLE NEWS
TT racing from Ascot’s new TT layout. Cover photo included Dallas Baker, Eddie Wirth, Jim Rice, Bill Manley and Ron Kruseman at the Clyde Litch Benefit race. Motocross at Carlsbad where Mike Runyard, Vic Hannan and Top Rapp were crowned Calif. Junior MX Champs. Wes Cooley, Motorcycle International Committee Pres, was rider profile. J.N. Roberts won in the desert.

40 YEARS AGO
Tony DiStefano and Rich Eierstedt signed with Can-Am. Jeff Ward, Jimmy Weinert and Rex Staten were pro-class winners at CMC Goldenstate MX Series at Saddleback Park. Bobby Schwartz on the AMA Speedway world qualifier at Santa Ana Stadium.

30 YEARS AGO
Freddie Spencer on the cover after returning to GP racing. Kevin Hines, and “East Coast” guy won the Tecate 250K Enduro
SACRAMENTO MILE – MAY 18
Pattie Prestige Frost sent information on the up-coming Sacramento Mile at Cal-Expo. For hotel and ticket information contact Pattie: pattiefrost@icloud.com or (913) 645-8117
Note: hotel rates will go up after April 1st.
This link has lots of info: http://sdi-racing.com/
Learn more on the AFT website.

TRAILBLAZER T-SHIRT, HATS & SWEATSHIRT
Available through Team Swolen. Men’s T-shirts, black or white, long or short sleeve. Women’s shirts, black or white, Embroidered hats, Sweatshirts. You have a choice of the regular Logo or the one celebrating the 75th Anniversary. Check them out and order online at www.teamswolen.com, or (714) 978-3797. Guest Code is trail18.

CORRECTION
The list we sent of those who had passed away included Bill Onga. Evidently, according to emails, he died between two and twenty years ago. We have no idea who sent in his name and obviously didn’t verify it. Sorry Bill, we hope you didn’t mind friends remembering you again.

NEW BIKERNET AND BANDIT’S CANTINA PROGRAMS FOR 2019

To keep Bikernet moving forward in the New Year, we’ve shuffled things around a bit. We’ve combined Bikernet Baggers and Trikes, and moved all of Bikernet’s impressive library and 24 years of archived editorial content into Bandit’s Cantina, Bikernet’s subscription-supported section. We will now focus on the Bikernet Blog and include all Bikernet Weekly News columns inside the Blog.

We will keep the Bikernet Blog active daily and accessible for free. All major content will be expanded into the Cantina.

So, from a business side here’s how it will work for the New Year. We will continue to build great content featuring the Weekly News, a variety of features and tech articles.

Our readers can stay abreast of all the action on Bikernet by joining the Cantina for as little as $24 yearly or $39 for two years. They will also receive a special package containing an assortment of Bikernet goodies and bling.

Industry members, if you’d like us to keep supporting your company and promote your products, events or services with editorials, we will do so for a mere $98 a year. Keep sending your press releases and we will take care of them.

For the company that wants to reach all 50,000 Bikernet readers and Bandit’s Cantina subscribers 24/7 (plus a 2 million social media reach) your ad will be placed on our Blog page and your banner will accompany any and all of your company’s content. Just $165 a month. This also means all of your company content is archived on Bikernet for the duration working 24/7 and supported with your banner ad.

All the best for 2019
Keith R. Ball
1-310-830-0630
KRB@Bikernet.com

[page break]

THE NMA NEWS LETTER–When we published E-Newsletter #520, The Next Ten Years, on December 30, 2018 with predictions from some NMA and NMA Foundation directors of the challenges that the NMA and motoring public are going to face over the next decade, we encouraged readers to provide their insights. And boy, have you.

We currently have enough material for two reader feedback editions. This is Part 1. Part 2 will follow next week.

As a senior citizen in my ‘80s I have been a motorist for over sixty years and point out that numbers of elderly drivers are on the increase. Care must be taken to assure that senior drivers are not discriminated against either because of age or by the invisible threat of being overwhelmed with increasingly complex new technology.

Progress is easy, but becomes a challenge for many seniors. As an example, my wife purchased a 2019 automobile with so many electronic features that I refuse to drive it and am concerned that all the technology of late model cars poses a significant risk of inducing driver distraction to many drivers.

It’s easy for society to become overly enthused about new technology while forgetting that some of its members may be increasingly challenged by it. Consideration of the needs and abilities of those motorists must not be ignored nor plowed under in the push for progress. Advances in technology must not be allowed to create unnecessary obstacles for older drivers who may be overwhelmed by them.

The environment in which motorists operate must accommodate all drivers and not discriminate against those drivers whose skill level and experience it makes obsolete. The headlong rush for technology must not take precedence over the safety and ability of the aging motorist population.
Steve, NY member

I believe the real issue confronting motorists and motorcyclists currently is infrastructure. We need more, and perhaps dual-tiered, roads for a growing population. State DOTs need to better accommodate lighter weight traffic and motorcycles, perhaps through the use of smart lanes.
Keith Ball, California member
BIKERNET.COM™

The biggest challenge NMA faces is making sure that the general public ultimately decides policies, free of entrapment, privacy denial, etc. There are four realms where this is, and will continue to be, an issue.

The first is automatic law enforcement, such as speed and red-light cameras. The people do not want this. It is nothing but a moneymaker for the government, and does not improve safety. In the meantime, what WILL improve safety is being ignored.

The second is connected cars. We get them whether we want them or not. They invade the privacy of owners, and report sensitive information to the governmental enemy that will use this information against us.

The third is autonomous cars. Nobody is asking the general public whether we want to share the road with these vehicles. They simply do not have the mental capabilities of humans, and they are unpredictable, especially to the human drivers who share the roads with them. In fact, I have already decided to avoid driving where they are allowed.

Finally, what may seem like a side issue: legalization of recreational marijuana. Those in favor want the “right” to stone themselves silly, and far too many of them are perfectly willing to drive and endanger the rest of us. Here again, I choose not to drive where this is legal. We do not owe it to anyone to legalize self-destructive acts, which reach even into homes where children are the victims.

Good luck fighting these dragons. We are going to need it.
Pat, Arizona member

Mr. Walker nailed the key issue: “…posted limits have become disrespected and little more than warnings of potential ticketing risk.”

Most freeway speed limits seem to be set about 10 – 15 MPH below what is safe. Fortunately, most drivers recognize this and travel at the 85th percentile speed. Unfortunately, some drivers take the artificially low limits at face value, drive to those limits, and thereby impede efficient traffic flow, especially on two lane roads.

I believe the problem boils down to a policy balance between protecting people for their own good vs. trusting them to use good judgment. Many traffic authorities err on the side of conservatism, so speed limits have migrated too far toward the former policy.
Brian, Pennsylvania member

BALL DYNASTY ART OF THE WEEK– Tattoo for my friend, Brad, to symbolize his everlasting love for his mother. Made in Venice, Los Angeles California.

–Frank Ball Jr.

AUSTRALIAN CLUB NEWS–Mates warned to stay away from declared groups under threat of criminal prosecution

People without a criminal history in the Australian state of Queensland are being handed official warnings to stay away from motorcycle club members under the threat of criminal prosecution as part of the state’s draconian consorting laws.

The laws implemented to stop bikers from associating with other known criminals, are now being used to stop people, without a criminal history, from continuing or forming relationships with the declared club members.

Police sources have stated the new tactic was aimed at isolating bikers further, not only from their fellow club members, but also from other members of the public.

“It’s working. Bikies are walking away from their gangs because they can’t hang out with anyone, they are being isolated to the point where they can’t even have a coffee with a friend,” the source said.

“It’s also about letting people know that the person they are forming a friendship with is part of a gang, it’s about keeping them safe, away from becoming a potential victim, or being brought into the fold of the gang.”

Gatenby Criminal Law director Michael Gatenby said he had some Gold Coast clients who had no criminal history but had received official warnings from police for consorting with known criminals.

“It’s pretty isolating (for convicted criminals),” he said.

“It’s taking mates away from people at a time where you are trying to get through and talk to them and rehabilitate them.”

Mr Gatenby said he was also aware police were serving notices for people who had contact with convicted criminals in other states, such as Tasmania.

The lawyer has previously gone with clients as they were served by police with the notice.

“I haven’t been served but police have told me I could be,” Mr Gatenby said.

There are exceptions granted under the consorting law for people talking to named persons who are immediately related to them or for work purposes.

Grant Lawyers director Jason Grant said he was aware of one person who was a “cleanskin” who had been given a warning under the anti-consorting legislation.

“It means effectively that people who have done nothing wrong are limited in their freedom,” he said.

Mr Grant said he was not aware of any persons with no criminal history being charged under the law.

A Gold Coast man warned

Police advised man to avoid his mate of 12 years, under laws originally sold to the public as biker specific.

Trent Young, a local excavator driver who has no recorded criminal history, believes he was targeted when hanging out with a childhood friend.

The pair were riding their motorbikes and decided to park late last week, when they were approached by officers.

“He was on a Harley I was on a road bike Yamaha,” Mr Young said.

Mr Young said as soon as the pair parked their motorbikes, two police officers spoke with them.

“They then questioned my friend for having any links to any motorcycle club,” Mr Young said.

The 25 year old said his friend may have had connections, but was not aware of that being a problem, as he himself had no criminal record and simply wanted to meet up.

“After they ran his name they then informed him that they have the power to issue me with a consorting notice, even though I have no prior convictions nor am I part of any motorcycle club,” Mr Young said.

“They had just told us it was due to the fact we have been close friends since high school, they then proceeded to take photos of me as well as my motorcycle for no apparent reason.”

“The police then told us how it doesn’t matter if you are a part of a motorcycle club or not.”

Mr. Young said he couldn’t believe the situation but didn’t argue with police as he was concerned he would be issued with the formal warning.

“I was frustrated about it all,” he said.

“How is it we are no longer allowed to associate with each other.”

“This means anyone who has any convictions whether it be a driving offence or more serious offences, are now at risk of their close friends being targeted by this law and possibly convicted.

Mr Young, who avoided the official warning later consulted a lawyer on the matter.

“I’ve spoken to a lawyer about it and he has stated that that’s the law now.”

“Obviously I’d like to see the laws get dropped because I think they are getting too ridiculous now,” Mr Young said.

“Saying you can’t associate with your best friend because he has a conviction or is in a motorcycle club or both … should be dropped, you should be able to associate with who ever you want.”

Mr Young said he believed the laws were unlikely to assist police as they isolate those with a record.

–Deep Down Under Cover
Agent
Bikernet.com™

QUICK NEW READER COMMENT–
BIKERNET IS OPEN WEEKLY NEWS for January 10th, 2019

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/BIKERNET_IS_OPEN_WEEKLY_NEWS_for_January_10th_2019.aspx

I didn’t expect this week’s publication of the News but it was a great surprise. Thanks

–Sam
Somewhere, TX

Hey Sam, the Thursday or Weekly news won’t change unless I’m on the road. Just the Sunday Post changed to the Weekend Round-up on Monday. I needed my Sunday’s Back.–Bandit

THE ELECTRICAL CONTROVERSY–We’re not being told something huge about all this electric vehicle stuff.

We do know that manufacturers want to remain relevant. They want subsequent owners to have to turn to them, decades later, to keep their vehicle going. It’s an income stream for them, a lease rather than sale model. It’s the same as Microsoft going to “subscription-based” rather than ownership.

But there’s another twist. Last week I found a new magazine dedicated to electric vehicles. Inside, the Publisher gushed about how excited everyone was about this technology. He took a pause to blast Trump for “unacceptably” not “believing” that global climate change is man-made. He said it was a failure of leadership, etc., & he praised China for investing in “most every electric vehicle entity” because China “gets it.”

Hey wait a minute. Doesn’t anyone remember when Walmart changed its position & decided to support Obamacare? They told Walmart stockholders that they realized Obamacare was going to put such a burden on the economy & retailers that it would hurt their competitors, Target, Costco, the corner drugstores, more than it would hurt Walmart. So they decided to support it in order to enjoy the heavy hand of Government giving them a competitive advantage.

Same with the large health insurers, the AMA, & AARP. They pushed a hugely-inefficient program which was being rammed down our throats because they realized they could get ahead of their competitors that way.

Even the proponents of electric vehicles admit that the overall impact, from power generation to transmission, is a mere fraction of the efficiency of good-ol petroleum combustion, especially diesel, which is even more efficient than gasoline. It’s the same for carbon impact, too. Petroleum makes less of an impact on the environment overall, in terms of recycling, making the batteries, mining the elements (so many of which China controls…)

So China is investing in electric vehicle technology, probably pouring large amounts of money & free tech help to anyone willing to….make America less competitive, at the expense of the stupid American taxpayer.

Yeah, China “gets it” alright.

There again, if we just followed the $%^&^ US Constitution, we wouldn’t be in this boat. The Feds have no Constitutional authority to be cherry-picking recipients of specific welfare. China sends a battery of lawyers & cute Asian girls in short skirts to entice Federal bureaucrats, stuck in square cubicles & starved for attention. Easy peasy. Just look at what happened with Toyota & the “sudden acceleration” issue – every time a Fed bureaucrat got close to the truth, Toyota hired them away with a huge salary bump. The issue stayed covered for years, NHTSA even announcing “there’s nothing to see here, go away.” With Consumer Reports’ blessing of course (Hey, they also supported Obamacare, hmmmm). Americans died. No fed was fired or reprimanded. Centralized power is always corrupt.

If you mention in public the Constitutional concept of decentralized power, some righteous bird always speaks up “Hey what about slavery? – You have to keep the Feds over the States.” Right, well what about abortion on demand, homosexual marriage on demand, transvestites in women’s bathrooms, Bernie Maddoff & the SEC, Lois Lerner & the IRS, the State Department & the Iran Nuclear deal, Clinton giving nuclear secrets to China, Clinton selling uranium to Russia as a “charity” so they can write it off on their taxes….

Yeah China, Japan, about everyone in the world “gets it,” but US Taxpayers. We’re hard at work generating cash with what’s left of our Free Enterprise Golden Goose & then we ship almost half of it to greedy bureaucrats, all gathered together in one spot, Unconstitutionally, to dispense it to their buds, assuring us that they’re saving the planet. It’s all for our own good, you see.

If only we could get the message across about the overwhelming benefits of decentralized power, as our Constitution expects. I think most Americans would “get it” if we just explained it.

–from Geno Dipoli
Emperor Editor
Old School Rods Magazine

NEWS FROM LOWBROW–Changing out your handlebars can radically change the look of any motorcycle, stock or custom. You know what else?

It can make for a more comfortable ride. But, what the heck is dimpled or smooth? Not sure what bars will look best and work with your bike?

No problem! Check out our Motorcycle Handlebars 101 Video and get the lowdown. Also, below you will find some videos showing bikes with different bars. You can also look at different handlebar listings to see photos of them on various bikes here at the shop.

And if you still have questions just contact us or reply to this email, we love talking about motorcycles!

[page break]

FLY OVER STATES NEWS– Law Abiding Citizen

What “American made” means to us
Here at FOS headquarters in Austin Texas, we think “Made in America” is critical to success.

Why? Well, for starters, we couldn’t very well purport to be supportive of the FOS, or our nation at large, if we went and farmed the work or products out to some foreign country, now could we? But also, we just feel better being able to wear something, and sell something, made here, in America, by Americans.

Do we lose some profit doing this way? Not in our eyes. Because the way we see it, that “profit” was never there in the first place. Because we’d have to violate our code of ethics to earn that “profit” and that’s never going to happen. Therefore, as far as we’re concerned, it never existed in the first place.

We make what we can on our gear and we keep it all in-country and that represents plenty of profit for us. Not everybody out there agrees and you’re welcome to buy from them if you’d rather.

But you gotta ask yourself a hard question; what are you really saying, what are you really supporting, if you wear something that represents jobs and work leaving your own nation? We are the FOS.

About FOS
FOS, or ‘flyover states’, is a veteran-owned, veteran-run, American-made company headquartered in Austin, Texas. Our goals are to employ combat veterans, make our products in America, unify and present the irrefutable facts that make the ‘flyover states’, and America, great. https://flyover-states.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flyover_states_/

NEWS FROM ARIEL MOTORCYCLES—Ariel has unveiled a limited-edition version of its Ace motorcycle called the Ace of Diamonds. Only ten will be made in the UK, with a price tag of 19,982 pounds. Check out the one-off paint scheme and commemorative plaque.

Innovation. Passion. Daring. Since their first motorcycle in 1901 Ariel have been synonymous with breaking the rules.

At the heart of each Ace – that aluminium perimeter frame. Recognisably Ariel, remarkably ingenious. Milled from solid billet; 70 hours of machining time; welded by hand; hard anodised; to form a piece of engineering that is a structural masterpiece but also a work of art. The beauty in a piece of machining, the thought, the care and the precision is slipped into every single component. And again, because you love motorcycles, you’ll understand.

Ariel power? Honda, of course. Used to extremes in the Ariel Atom and now the Nomad. Proven on two wheels millions of times, from commuting to racing, from touring to your favourite stretch of road. Dependable, reliable, exact power. V4, 1237cc, 173bhp. Enough to propel you to 165mph if you’re in the mood or cruise along if you’re in another.

The Ace is designed to fit you and what you want to do; not the other way round. ABS, switchable traction control and shaft drive as standard. Dual Clutch Transmission as option. Choose the manual gearbox and shift yourself or choose the DCT and press a button, or just put it on Auto and let it do it for you. Honda engineering, Ariel tuning, quality second to none. Plus an exhaust note that will make you grin every time you start the bike.

https://www.arielmotor.co.uk/ace/overview/

THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY IS WIDE OPEN--Dave was excited about his new .338 rifle and decided to try bear hunting. He traveled up to Alaska, spotted a small brown bear and shot it. Soon after there was a tap on his shoulder, and he turned around to see a big black bear.

The black bear said, “That was a very bad mistake. That bear was my cousin. I’m going to give you two choices. Either I maul you to death or we have sex.” After considering briefly, Dave decided to accept the latter alternative.

So the black bear had his way with Dave. Even though he felt sore for two weeks, Dave soon recovered and vowed revenge. He headed out on another trip to Alaska where he found the black bear and shot it dead. Right after, there was another tap on his shoulder. This time a huge grizzly bear stood right next to him.

The grizzly said, “That was a big mistake, Dave. That bear was my cousin and you’ve got two choices: Either I maul you to death or we have rough sex.”

Again, Dave thought it was better to cooperate with the grizzly bear than be mauled to death. So the grizzly had his way with Dave. Although he survived, it took several months before Dave fully recovered.

Now Dave was completely outraged, so he headed back to Alaska and managed to track down the grizzly bear and shot it. He felt sweet revenge, but then, moments later, there was a tap on his shoulder.

He turned around to find giant polar bear standing there. The polar bear looked at him and said, “Admit it Dave, you don’t come here for the hunting, do you?

–from El Waggs

COPPERS and CHOPPERS–When I was asked to cover this event and take part in some of the workshops it took me back a bit, to think about being a part of the training taking place in the parking lot of the Anaheim Angels baseball stadium in Orange County, California.

Coppers and Choppers Motorcycle Safety Expo was held on Saturday, October 27th by the Anaheim Police Department with their Motor Officers as instructors. The last time I rode a motorcycle around cones in a parking lot was when I got my motorcycle license back in 1972 when I was sixteen years old on a Suzuki 250 Savage. Thinking maybe it might be time to sharpen up my skills and have a little fun doing it, I headed out for the event early Saturday morning.

The weather was great for the ride down the mountain to Anaheim to meet Karla Santillan and Sgt. Rick Boyer to get this event started. After meeting both of them and the rest of their crew, and the opening ceremonies, it was game on! Sgt. Boyer and I walked over the parking lot as he explained what each workshop was all about. Riders were divided into 3 groups based on their experience level: 1) a person with less than a year and a half riding experience, then 2) up to three years, and 3) ten years or more.

The first workshop I wanted to do was Control Braking with a left turn and a half-circle back, which will help you maneuver if you get yourself in a pinch with traffic. You have to get up to 40 mph and pass through a set of cones before you let off the throttle and hit your brakes, then make your left turn and circle back around. It took me a few times to get the technique the way the instructors wanted it done. I have to tell you I was a little nervous to get into the game with the workshops especially when all the officers knew my name.

From 10am to 2pm the workshops were action packed with activities for riders of all ages and levels of riding skills, and three-wheelers too. A list of the workshops clearly shows the intensive training in mind: Clutch Control with Braking, Braking and Collision Avoidance, Cone Patterns and Braking, and Marijuana DUI discussion/Q&A. All that before lunch.

Each rider was assigned to a workshop that fit their skills and desire to improve, and kept the officers busy helping them. Everyone was having fun with each other as the day went by. All the workshops were busy with riders rotating from one to the other as every rider was improving their ability to perform the maneuvers, and also wanting to reach the highest skill level they could at this event.

The Marijuana DUI class was discussion-only, to help riders know what is involved in a stop where marijuana is suspected or found.

Before the second half of this event, we enjoyed a nice lunch break: There was a food truck that served tri-tip steak with a beef sandwich combination, with an ice cream truck standing by for dessert and a DJ to supply us with plenty of music to keep everyone moving.

So after we fueled up, it was time to hit the parking lot again with all those cones to master. The afternoon group of activities consisted of: Top Gun Demo, Cone Patterns and Braking, Q&A: Ask a Motor Cop, DUI Demo, Paired Riding and Braking, and the Grand Finale was TOP GUN: Coppers vs. Choppers & Slow Race Competition.

Top Gun was absolutely the best part of the event that I enjoyed. Watching the riders compete against the officers in a very competitive slow-moving test of skills through cones that are in a square with so many configurations to deal with made it very exciting to watch like a cat and mouse game. Two riders; the one going first tries to make the second rider make a mistake, and has two minutes to ride through all of the cones. The second rider has to follow the first rider; if the second rider does not make a mistake, they win, but if they make a mistake the first rider wins. There were a couple of riders who were very good with this event and gave the officers a run for their money.

We want to thank the sponsors for Coppers and Choppers who were present with onsite exhibit booths:

•Lifestyle Cycles

•Shark Squad Motorcycle Attorneys

By Tom Christian
Quick Throttle Magazine

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS from the MIC–
MIC Leaders Meet with Agriculture Secretary Perdue to Talk Trail Access, and Partnerships.

Motorcycle industry representatives and outdoor recreation leaders met with Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and Under Secretary for Natural Resources and the Environment Jim Hubbard, along with other officials, to emphasize a need for better recreation permitting processes and expanded partnerships to improve access to lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

“National forests are at the heart of recreation for Americans, and we made clear to Secretary Perdue that access to trails for motorized vehicles, addressing the maintenance backlog and investing in ways to expand and enhance recreation infrastructure are key to helping rural economies and the recreation economy thrive,” said Paul Vitrano, Motorcycle Industry Council board chairman and senior assistant general counsel at Polaris Industries.

Vitrano and Buche were among other Outdoor Recreation Roundtable leaders and recreation company CEOs who met with government officials at the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Jan. 8.

The outdoor group noted the importance of national forests to many recreational activities and highlighted world-class experiences provided to motorized trail enthusiasts, anglers, skiers, hikers, climbers, campers, paddlers and boaters. The recreation leaders underscored the key role national forests play in rural economies across the country and the importance of key provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill that will allow rural economic development grants for recreation infrastructure in rural America.

Perdue said wildfire costs had impacted the department’s recreation efforts and thanked the recreation industry for its role in recent legislation that should control future fire costs at the USDA and allow the Forest Service and the recreation industry to accomplish more through improved partnerships.

ORR participants also referred to positive actions already underway at the USDA, which are helpful to growing an industry that accounts for 2.2 percent of the nation’s economy and supports 4.6 million jobs. Recreation leaders also highlighted opportunities for immediate progress, including:

Secretarial visits to sites demonstrating USDA partnerships supporting rural communities and the importance of broadband access in these gateway areas
Secretarial support for innovative USFS recreation efforts that capitalize on private investments to expand and enhance recreation infrastructure, including campgrounds.

Making the revamped www.recreation.gov website – and its potential for providing information on recreation opportunities – more visible.

Addressing recreation permitting problems with electronic and simplified applications and timely processing.

Eliminating the maintenance backlog on USFS lands, especially where it threatens recreational activity.

Outreach to young Americans and expanded use of conservation corps.

“We are committed to helping Americans enjoy recreational opportunities in our national forests,” Perdue said. “I invite you to help by recommending specific priority steps. Let’s capitalize on the fact that recreation is agnostic relative to politics, and let’s help more Americans enjoy the great outdoors.”

–MIC

LAW TIGER’S ACTION–Check out our video of the check presentation to AMSAF –

Arizona Motorcycle Safety & Awareness Foundation responsible for Basic Rider Course and educating riders and the public!

Here is a link to the social post for the edited AMSAF check presentation video : https://www.facebook.com/LawTigers/videos/2073855222694452/

Also a link to the riding class benefits segment & AMSAF/Long Haul promotion video (not posted): https://cloud.lawtigers.com/index.php/s/qZz9gJenM7Lg2JX

–Law Tigers

U.S. Media Bans Scientific Dissent – Claim Wildfires, Floods, Droughts, Hurricanes Are Human-Controlled–

NBC News’ Chuck Todd recently asserted that we humans can control the climate and the frequency or intensity of extreme weather events (hurricanes, floods, droughts) and disasters (wildfires) with our CO2 emissions. He has declared the science is “settled” on this point and therefore no “denier” is allowed on his Meet the Press program. But Todd and the members of his panel have recited claims that are contravened by observational evidence and scientific publications.
Image Source: The Western Journal via Youtube

On 30 December, 2018, the United States news media (NBC) put their political advocacy on full display in a Meet the Press program dedicated to tackling the issue of climate change in the U.S.

The episode’s focus was on how to persuade Americans that immediate action to eliminate CO2 emissions was required to prevent catastrophic hurricanes, floods, droughts, wildfires, sea level rise…from wreaking havoc across the U.S. landscape. The hour-long program was entitled “How do we explain the urgency of climate change?” .

Those who might offer dissenting information or challenges to the panelists’ viewpoints were not in attendance. Only those who agreed with the host, Chuck Todd, were permitted. This was clearly stated at the outset.

Chuck Todd (NBC News):
“We’re not going to debate climate change, the existence of it. The Earth is getting hotter, and human activity is a major cause. Period. We’re not going to give time to deniers. The science is settled even if political opinion is not.”

–By Kenneth Richard
Climate Depot

RIDING A MOTORCYCLE IMPROVED METRICS OF FOCUS AND DECREASED STRESS BIOMARKERS, ACCORDING TO A NEW NEUROBIOLOGICAL STUDY–
Motorcycling Decreased Stress-Measures, Similar to Light Exercise

Motorcyclists have long championed riding as their main road to stress relief and positive mental health. Today, the results of a neurobiological study conducted by a team of three researchers from UCLA’s Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior yielded pioneering scientific evidence revealing the potential mental and physical benefits of riding. Funded by Harley-Davidson, the study found that motorcycling increased metrics of focus and attention, and decreased relative levels of cortisol, a hormonal marker of stress.

Researchers recorded participants’ brain activity and hormone levels before, during, and after motorcycling, driving a car, and resting. While riding a motorcycle, participants experienced increased sensory focus and resilience to distraction. Riding also produced an increase in adrenaline levels and heart rate, as well as a decrease in cortisol metrics – results often associated with light exercise and stress-reduction.

“Stress levels, especially among young adults, continue to rise, and people are exploring pathways to better their mental and physical health. Until recently, the technology to rigorously measure the impact of activities like motorcycling on the brain didn’t exist,” said Dr. Don Vaughn, the neuroscientist who led the research team. “The brain is an amazingly complex organ and it’s fascinating to rigorously investigate the physical and mental effects riders report.”

Results Highlights:

?Riding a motorcycle decreased hormonal biomarkers of stress by 28%

?On average, riding a motorcycle for 20 minutes increased participants’ heart rates by 11 percent and adrenaline levels by 27 percent—similar to light exercise

?Sensory focus was enhanced while riding a motorcycle versus driving a car, an effect also observed in experienced meditators vs non-meditators

?Changes in study participants’ brain activity while riding suggested an increase in alertness similar to drinking a cup of coffee

“While scientists have long-studied the relationship of brain and hormone responses to attention and stress, doing so in real-life conditions such as these is rare,” explained UCLA Professor and senior team member, Dr. Mark Cohen. “No lab experiment can duplicate the feelings that a motorcyclist would have on the open road.”

“The differences in participants’ neurological and physiological responses between riding and other measured activities were quite pronounced,” continued Dr. Vaughn. “This could be significant for mitigating everyday stresses.”

Research Overview
The research team monitored participants’ electrical brain activity and heart rate, as well as levels of adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol. To be presented later this year, the Harley-Davidson funded study, entitled “The mental and physical effects of riding a motorcycle” measured the biological and physiological responses of more than 50 experienced motorcyclists, using mobile EEG technology.

“We’re leveraging the latest technologies as we shift our focus from exclusively motorcycles to growing ridership, so it only made sense to tap technology to explore the impact of riding itself,” said Heather Malenshek, Harley-Davidson’s Senior Vice President of Marketing & Brand. “The research findings Dr. Vaughn and his team identified helps explain what our riders have felt for the past 116 years – there’s a vitality and heightened sensory experience that comes from the freedom of riding a motorcycle. We hope their findings inspire the next generation of riders to experience these benefits along with us.”

The Ultimate New Year’s Resolution: Learning to Ride
For those who wish to experience the heightened sensory experience of riding first-hand, H-D Riding Academy will introduce you to motorcycle riding and build your skills in just a few days, regardless of experience level. Offered at select Harley-Davidson dealers, H-D Riding Academy provides expert guidance from Harley-Davidson certified coaches. In the classroom, you get to know basic motorcycle functions and learn the basics of rider safety skills. On the practice range, you build skills and confidence, learning everything from braking, turning and skilled maneuvers. Best of all, you will be connected to a growing community of new riders. To find available courses near you, contact your local dealer or search for classes at www.h-d.com.

Visit H-D.com/explore for more information.

MAJOR GUN NUT REPORT–The Case for Continued Support of the NRA

Duane Liptak is executive vice president of Magpul Industries and a member of the NRA board of directors. He’s published an open letter to the gun community at Ammoland making the case for unity and continued support of the National Rifle Association by those of us who value our gun rights.

As some have said here and in other venues, the pro-gun community is fractious and can frequently be its own worst enemy. Given the latest efforts to enact gun control legislation at the federal level — “assault weapons” bans, red flag laws, universal background checks, bump stock bans — it’s more important than ever for those of us on the pro-2A side to be pulling in the same direction.

I get that some folks will call me full of it, or claim “the NRA is in full damage control” or whatever, but this isn’t an NRA statement. This is a statement from me, a very, very zealous advocate for extreme libertarian gun rights, with an understanding of the current political landscape. Take it as you will, but please put aside your prejudices for just a moment to read, because if we can’t get everyone pushing in the same direction, we can’t beat the disarm-America-movement, because they are more than willing to get together to achieve our ruin.

In any of this commentary, I’m speaking for myself, not for the NRA.

I have to use that disclaimer, as I’m speaking out of turn, and this is MY PERSONAL understanding of the events and information, not official NRA position. I suppose some of this information could also be potentially damaging to future efforts because it lays out some reasoning and strategy, but it’s to a point right now where people need to understand some things. The NRA is not just your best defense, they are your ONLY defense. FPC does fantastic legal work, as does SAF. GOA is great at grass roots email activation and they file some amicus briefs and lawsuits. All of them have ZERO capability to interact with lawmakers in a meaningful way more than me running up to DC, which I do a couple times a year. No one else does, period, and that’s why I’m on board with helping to steer the NRA rather than bash it.

As readers here know, the NRA has come in for much criticism on the pro-2A side for its stances on a bump stock ban and red flag laws. Liptak addresses all of that and more.

Standing up and shouting “Not one more inch!” isn’t always the most effective approach in the long game that is defending and extending Second Amendment freedoms. He makes a persuasive case why — love ’em, hate ’em, or somewhere in between — the National Rifle Association is still the best chance gun rights supporters have of fending off the latest feeding frenzy of anti-gun legislation at the state and federal levels.

–BY DAN ZIMMERMAN

Be sure to go to Ammoland and read the entire post.

NEWS FROM THE CLIMATE DEPOT–The top 12 climate change ‘facts’ debunked in 2018

You’d never know it from media coverage of the climate change issue, but over the past year, several “facts” about global warming have been debunked entirely or were radically altered.

Almost all Democratic candidates who ran in the midterm elections tried to push climate change as a major issue. It didn’t work, but time after time, Democrats repeated the same half-truths and myths that have been used for years to push a radical global warming agenda.

The Global Warming Policy Forum, a London-based think-tank, supports “open and skeptical” science and policy research, as well as a balanced approach to the question of climate change. This kind of hardheaded realism is badly needed to counter the outright hysteria of climate alarmists. The GWPF came up with a list of the 12 debunked climate scares of 2018. Here are a few:

PARIS (AFP) – Earth’s surface will almost certainly not warm up four or five degrees Celsius by 2100, according to a study released Wednesday (Jan 17) which, if correct, voids worst-case UN climate change predictions.

A revised calculation of how greenhouse gases drive up the planet’s temperature reduces the range of possible end-of-century outcomes by more than half, researchers said in the report, published in the journal Nature.

This is the most persistent myth advanced by climate change hysterics – that unless we do something now about global warming, we’ll all be dead by 2100. That may have been the prediction a decade ago, but gradually, over the years, even the IPCC predictions have become less dire.

You may recall the above report by the BBC, which described how bad last year’s Atlantic hurricane season was, before commenting at the end: “A warmer world is bringing us a greater number of hurricanes and a greater risk of a hurricane becoming the most powerful category 5.” I fired off a complaint, which at first they did their best to dodge. After my refusal to accept their reply, they have now been forced to back down.

In fact, no major hurricane made landfall in the U.S. between 2005 and 2017. And the prediction that storms would become more severe just hasn’t panned out.

NASA glaciologist Jay Zwally says his new study will show, once again, the eastern Antarctic ice sheet is gaining enough ice to offset losses in the west.

The question of polar ice growth or shrinkage – either the North or the South Pole – continues to bedevil scientists. But climate hysterics have accepted as an article of faith that the ice is disappearing. And then there are the poor, starving polar bears:

The narrative behind the viral photo of a polar bear starving, reportedly thanks to climate change, has been called into question by the National Geographic photographer who took it in the first place.

Try, try again, guys.

The issue of “coral bleaching” is a favorite of hysterics. This issue also can be dropped from the alarmists’ agenda:

Coral bleaching has been a regular feature of the Great Barrier Reef for the past 400 years, with evidence of repeated mass events dating back to well before Euro­pean settlement and the start of the industrial revolution.

What runs through all these myths is the political calculation that people, scared to death, will hand politicians and bureaucrats enormous power to control our lives by controlling energy. It’s really just a simple power grab played out on a planetwide scale. But as long as skeptical scientists aren’t put in jail or burned at the stake for their beliefs, that power grab will be stymied.

–By Rick Moran
American Thinker
–from the Climate Depot

[page break]

NEW EXHAUST LAW IN CALIFORNIA–By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Beginning January 1, 2019, a motorist cited for violating the current California exhaust noise law can receive an immediate fine. Previously, motorists received what is known as a “fix-it” ticket, which allowed for 30 days to correct the violation.

The Issue

California Assembly Bill (A.B.) 1824 was signed into law by then-Governor Jerry Brown in June of 2018 as part of the state’s budget process. The legislation amended how California law enforcement officials may issue a citation for exhaust noise violations.

The bill has generated significant concern within the industry and enthusiast community, along with some misinformation. This document seeks to clarify the matter. Most notably, enactment of A.B. 1824 did not change existing laws pertaining to exhaust noise or the sale and installation of aftermarket exhaust systems in California. Here are the facts.

Were California’s exhaust noise rules changed?

No. Since 2003, exhaust systems installed on motor vehicles with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of less than 6,000 pounds, other than motorcycles, may not exceed a sound level of 95-decibels when tested under Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) test procedure J1169 (May 1998). This was not changed by A.B. 1824.

Is it now illegal to install an aftermarket exhaust system on my vehicle?

No. The sale and installation of an aftermarket exhaust system remains legal in California so long as it does not exceed a sound level of 95-decibels when tested under SAE J1169 and complies with all other exhaust and safety laws and regulations.

If exhaust noise laws didn’t change, what did?

Beginning January 1, 2019, a motorist cited for violating the current California exhaust noise law can receive an immediate fine. Previously, motorists received what is known as a “fix-it” ticket, which allowed for 30-days to correct the violation.

What are my options if I get a ticket?

Consumers in receipt of a ticket still have the option of seeking a certificate of compliance from the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) demonstrating that their exhaust emits no more than 95-decibels. This SEMA-sponsored program allows courts to dismiss citations for exhaust systems that have been tested and for which a certificate of compliance has been issued. BAR does not currently issue preemptive certificates of compliance.

If I get pulled over, will I receive a $1,000 fine?

According to the Judicial Council of California’s Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedules for 2019, the suggested base fine/fee for a first conviction is $25 with a total fee of $193.

I’ve still got questions?

Please contact Christian Robinson, SEMA’s Director of State Government Affairs & SEMA PAC, at stateleg@sema.org.

LIFESTYLE DEAL OF THE WEEK–2015 Harley-Davidson FXDB – Dyna Street Bob
RWD Bypass shocks, Cobra exhaust, Quarter Fairing and more!
Selling Price -$13,000.00

ABOUT THIS BIKE…..

2015 Harley-Davidson FXDB – Dyna Street Bob

Cruising the city street on Harley-Davidson’s 2015 Dyna Street Bob is a great way to turn heads while having a blast on two wheels. Weighing in at 670 pounds in running order, the 2015 Harley-Davidson Dyna Street Bob allows for ample cruising with a 4.7 gallon fuel capacity. The 2015 Harley-Davidson Dyna Street Bob boasts a 103 ci engine to get you ripping down the road with ease. Do you think this muscle cruising machine is the one for you? The Street Bob can also be personalized through our in-store parts department that allows customers to select factory-installed options that personalize fit, function and style in more than 2,000 combinations.

This Street Bob is ALMOST BRAND NEW with only 780 miles!!!

To view our current inventory, please visit www.LifestyleCycles.com or call us at (714)-490-0155.

EZ FINANCING and EXTENDED WARRANTIES available!!! **Open 7 days a week**

Lifestyle Cycles is your #1 shop with a huge selection of Dynas!!!

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!!!

Fill out an online application and ride today!!!

**Open 7 days a week**

CHOW HALL OF THE WEEK— Vodka battered fried chicken at Lodi Tap House!

https://youtu.be/0EbGPssjWGk

The crunch, the perfectly balanced seasonings and the juiciness of this fried chicken put it at the top of my list of best fried chicken places!

You need to jump in your car or hop on your bike and get here now! Lodi Tap House is located in Maple Park, IL. Make sure and say hi to Stuart the head chef. If you like this video go to my You Tube page ” A Biker Dude” and subscribe. See you at Lodi Tap House!

–BikerDude

TOOL OF THE WEEK–JIMS Swingarm Bearing Installer.

Swing Arm bearings must be installed and aligned accurately to avoid unsafe handling and ensure control of the motorcycle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4NafzQI9MA

With an MSRP of $156, this tool (Part No.5822) installs both drive side and brake side bearings, which are at different depths. JIMS took it one step further and added a remover to press the spacer out of the bearing.

At JIMS we look out for riders and technicians alike.

For more information please call us at (805) 482-6913, email us at sales@jimsusa.com, or visit www.jimsusa.com.

Part No. 5822 – For use on 2002 – present FLH Touring Models.

BICYCLES ARE VALUABLE–
Your readers might have valuable bicycles sitting in their garages! A Specialized S Works can be worth more than $10,000, a Cannondale SuperX more than $5,000. Even a 1980’s Schwinn Paramount can command more than $1,000.

HOW MUCH IS YOUR BICYCLE WORTH?– How much are used bicycles worth?
The most expensive used bicycle ever sold at auction was the “butterfly bike,” a Trek Madone designed by Damien Hirst to commemorate Lance Armstrong’s return to bicycle racing after his bout with cancer. The artist adorned the bicycle with real butterfly wings, and Armstrong rode the bike during the final stage of the 2009 Tour de France. The butterfly bike was auctioned for $500,000 at a November 1, 2009 Sotheby’s auction to support Armstrong’s cancer charity,

Other racing bikes, as well as bikes plated with gold or covered in precious stones, have sold for tens of thousands of dollars, but these are not the average bicycles you’ll find in the average garage.

More likely, you either have a mid-range bicycle that was purchased from a bike shop, or a low-end bicycle that was purchased at a department store. Many used mid-range bikes are worth around $100, while low-end bicycles may be worth just a few dollars.

You can check it out here: https://flipsy.com/article/1179/whats-your-bike-worth-plus-how-to-sell-it

–Brian Morris
brian@flipsy.com
Flipsy.com

ANOTHER GUN NUT REPORT–Feinstein Introduces Assault Weapon Ban Of 2019

Despite Democrats failing to gain control of the Senate, many of us figured we could still trust Sen. Dianne Feinstein to run out yet another assault weapon ban, just as she has over and over again since the last one sunset despite her best efforts. Many of us expected it and were getting ready to see just how bad it would be.

This time, though, the bill goes far further than any previous proposal from the San Francisco Democrat.

Besides outlawing 205 gun models by name — Feinstein’s original 1994 ban only listed around 20 specific models — the proposal would also define an “assault weapon” as a semi-automatic with a detachable magazine that included one of a list of cosmetic features that are deemed “military characteristics” such as a threaded barrel, pistol grip or folding stock. This is less lenient than the previous ban which allowed a “features test” that included two such characteristics.

In addition, the measure would expand federal law to ban adjustable stocks, Thordsen-style stocks such as used in “featureless rifles” marketed in states like California, “assault pistols” that weight more than 50-ounces when unloaded, and popular pistol stabilizing braces that have become widespread in recent years.

Detachable magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds would be prohibited from transfer and guns grandfathered when the ban takes effect would be required to be locked up when not in use. A background check would be mandatory for future sale or gifting of grandfathered guns, even between two private parties.

The bill currently has some 25 co-sponsors, including Senators Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal from Connecticut.

While the past bills have been an annoyance that could be bypassed, this one looks and feels different. This looks like it could be a killer. The 10-round detachable magazine limit, coupled with a ban on the stocks used to side-step assault weapons bans by removing the pistol grip would be a massive blow and difficult to work around.

There is an upside, though, and that’s the fact that Feinstein is tilting at windmills. While she has 25 co-sponsors, they represent the bulk of the minority party in the United States Senate. It’s unlikely that the Republican leadership in that chamber will be remotely interested in working with Democrats on an assault weapons ban. Especially since support for the last ban hurt them very, very badly.

While Feinstein’s Quixotic efforts resonate with her Bay Area constituents, they don’t actually accomplish anything–which, unsurprisingly, is what would be accomplished if this bill somehow became law. So-called assault weapons aren’t particularly common on crime scenes.

They’re used more often in television and movie crime than they are in actual crime. The only exception to this might be actual assault weapons, meaning select-fire weapons currently regulated all to hell and back but still finding their way into criminal hands despite that.

And don’t try to claim it would stop mass shootings like Parkland, either. To date, the worst school shooting in American history is Virginia Tech, where the killer used two handguns. You’re deluded if you think an assault weapon is required to kill dozens of people.

In other words, this bill is nothing more than Feinstein’s constant quest to destroy our Second Amendment rights, facts be damned.

–from Rogue

New FICTION Bikernet Reader Comment!–
The BAKER, CALIFORNIA RUN

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

Great story, another classic from J.J. J.J.’s writing always puts a smile on my face.

–Wayne Titsworth
Bowling Green, KY

NEWS FROM THE VA–New Presumptive Conditions Under Consideration

Did you know the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is considering adding five new suspected conditions to its list of illnesses that are caused by exposure to Agent Orange?

VA has recognized a number of different cancers and other health problems related to Agent Orange exposure and other herbicides used around veterans during their military service. When and if the new diseases under consideration are included on the presumptive list, veterans and their survivors may be eligible for benefits and compensation for the new conditions.

The new health conditions related to Agent Orange exposure under consideration by the VA include: bladder cancer, Parkinsonism, hypothyroidism, stroke and hypertension.

Former VA Secretary, David Shulkin said, “After thoroughly reviewing the National Academy of Medicine latest report … I have made a decision to further explore new presumptive conditions for service connection that may ultimately qualify for disability compensation.”

— from Sarge

New TECH Bikernet Reader Comment!–
D&D Muffler Fix

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

That’s a pretty cool fix! Custom fab, indeed.

— Pauly D.
Chicago, IL

THE CANNABIS CORNER–Bill to legalize weed introduced in U.S. Congress is numbered 420

Dave Warden, a bud tender at Private Organic Therapy (P.O.T.), a non-profit co-operative medical marijuana dispensary, displays various types of marijuana available to patients on October 19, 2009 in Los Angeles. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

(FOX 2) – The Government is shutdown and employees are furloughed – but members of Congress are still working on introducing important laws. One of which is the federal legalization of marijuana – also known as House Resolution 420.

In a hat tip to the marijuana culture, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) introduced the resolution on Wednesday, amid the Government shutdown. Of course, by now, you’re probably familiar with 420 – a special number in the marijuana scene.

The Oregon Rep. Blumenaur’s bill is actually titled the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act and would remove cannabis from the federal controlled substances act. Michigan voters passed a similar law in November that legalizes the possession of 2.5 ounces of marijuana outside the home – plus possession of 10 ounces inside a home. Residents can also grow up to 12 plants.

The bill introduced in U.S. Congress on Wednesday would take marijuana off the federal controlled substances list and establish a nationally regulated industry overseen by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

“While the bill number may be a bit tongue in cheek, the issue is very serious. Our federal marijuana laws are outdated, out of touch and have negatively impacted countless lives,” Blumenauer said in a press release. “Congress cannot continue to be out of touch with a movement that a growing majority of Americans support. It’s time to end this senseless prohibition.”

Blumenauer has long advocated legalizing marijuana at the federal level.

He authored a blueprint last year for his like-minded Congress members on how to achieve that goal now that the House of Representatives has a Democratic majority.

READ THE BILL

Blumenauer is founder and co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus.

Will HR 420 pass? The Government has to reopen first. For now, it’s been referred to several House committees including Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, Natural Resources, and Agriculture.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

–by Taboola
Fox News

KEEP THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY WIDE OPEN–
Your smile for today or how to get the kids to stop telling you to exercise more!

Yesterday my daughter e-mailed me, again, asking why I didn’t do something useful with my time, “like sitting around the pool, and drinking wine isn’t a good thing.”

Talking about my “doing-something-useful” seems to be her favorite topic of conversation.

She is “only thinking of me,” she said, and suggested, I go down to the Senior Center and hang out with the fellas.

So, I did and when I got home, decided to play a prank on her. I sent her an e-mail saying that I had joined the Senior Parachute Club.

She replied, “Are you nuts? You’re 80 years old and now you’re going to start jumping out of airplanes?”

I told her that I even had a Membership Card and e-mailed a copy to her.

Immediately, she telephoned me and yelled, “Good grief, Dad, where are your glasses?! This is a membership to a Prostitute Club, not a Parachute Club.”

“Oh man, am I in trouble,” I said, “I signed up for five jumps a week!” The line went dead.
Life as a Senior Citizen isn’t getting any easier, but sometimes it can be fun.

NEWS FROM ARAI HELMETS– American Flat Track (AFT) is excited to announce the continuation of its partnership with Arai Helmet, Inc. for 2019, naming the industry leader in head protection as the Official Helmet of American Flat Track for the second consecutive year.

With over six decades of commitment to rider safety to its credit, Arai is universally recognized as the premier helmet brand in the world. Renowned for its unique blend of comfort and unparalleled safety, Arai Helmets are designed by riders, for riders. The accolades for Arai go beyond that of just their street helmets – fans will notice many of AFT’s top riders dawning Arai helmets on the racetrack.

“Arai is respected as a leader in safety helmet technology in every discipline of motorcycle sport,” said Michael Lock, CEO of American Flat Track. “We are delighted to extend our partnership with Arai during this period of rapid growth for American Flat Track.”

“Arai has been supporting Flat Track racers for nearly 40 years and expanding our support of the series helps to elevate the entire sport,” said Brian Weston, Managing Director of Arai Helmet, Inc. “2018 was Arai’s first year as an American Flat Track partner and based on the success of that partnership, we’ve elected to return for 2019. AFT continues to deliver professional and exciting racing with increasing fan attendance, an expanding telecast package, and more manufacturer participation than ever before. We couldn’t be more excited to continue our support for the 2019 season.”

American Flat Track will kick off its highly-anticipated 2019 season with the Bigger, Better, and Faster DAYTONA TT presented under the lights of the Daytona International Speedway onThursday, March 14, 2019. Tickets start at just $35 online ($40 at the gate) and are available for purchase now at www.americanflattrack.com.

For more information on Arai Helmets visit www.araiamericas.com.

For more information on American Flat Track and the upcoming 2019 season visitwww.americanflattrack.com.

C&S Custom Releases a High Performance Hoglite Swingarm for Harley-Davidson Touring Models–Light Weight Swingarm Enhances Bagger Performance

C&S Custom announced today they are shipping their high performance Hoglite Swingarm for late model 2009 – 2019 Harley-Davidson Touring motorcycles.

The high-tech, aerospace-quality Hoglite® swingarm is designed to boost the performance of the Harley-Davidson touring models. The engineering enhancements manufactured into the swingarm include lightweight, extruded 6061-T6 aircraft-quality aluminum construction along with a lightened hollow-tube axle. This combination delivers a 50% reduction in weight.

_Touring Bike Swing Arm
Touring Bike Swing Arm from C&S Custom

“Our Hoglite arms provide significant weight reduction, and at the same time we’ve built them to handle high torque and horsepower, including turbos and super chargers,” explained Steve Garwood, General Manager.

Options include extended length swingarm, air tank, and Nos bottle bracket. Upgraded bearings and bushings are offered for maximum performance and extended life on all wearable parts. All Hoglite swingarms are direct stock replacement or custom built to a specific application.

The axle blocks are CNC machined from solid billet aluminum and allow for factory belt or chain adjustment. The axle blocks will accommodate 3/4″, 25mm, and 1″ axles, comes with a 2 hole axle adjustment, and provides 3 1/2″ long axle adjustment.

The shock tower placement on the Hoglight comes with a 2-hole shock height adjustment.

Hoglight coatings include thousands of powder coat colors, chrome, and contrast cuts.

C&S Custom utilizes proven technology to deliver a custom look at affordable prices. Pro-consumers who have mechanical ability should budget a weekend for the conversion.

Visit the company online at www.candscustom.com/, as new and innovative products are continually profiled.

QUICK, New Bikernet Reader Comment!–
The History of Biker Poetry

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

I am looking for a copy of an old bullet poem from a bullet magazine that went… Prospect prospect, pick up my hat, prospect prospect, put out the cat… And ended with… And it’s only been one damn day… Would really appreciate any help

Bandido Ron 1%er

–Ron
bmcforlife@att.net
Corpus Christi, TX

NEWS FROM ABATE OF ARIZONA–The first bill pre-filed for the 54th Arizona Legislature – 1st Regular Session was to repeal the $32 Highway safety fee. This was put together by Senator Ugenti-Rita.

There are a few things we need to do.
I have previously put out a call to action to contact your legislators to ask them to support this bill and the reasons why.

The “Request to Speak” system on azleg.gov is available for you to give the thumbs up in support of this repeal.

If you are not signed up on the RTS let me know, and I can walk you through it. This does not mean you are signing up to actually speak during committee meetings. This system gives you a chance to voice your FOR, NUETRAL or AGAINST on a particular bill. We use this to show how much support we have for our position on a bill. The legislators will look and count how many for or against they have before they decide.

So, to be perfectly clear:
We are FOR SB1001. It will repeal the fee.

You can read the bill language here: SB1001

–ABATE of Arizona

VINTAGE RIDES ROLLS INTO 2019–To all budding or confirmed adventurers; to all lovers of wide open spaces, thrills,
and freedom: look no further. We invite you to discover Mongolia by Royal Enfield, a timeless motorcycle experience.

From its impressive mountains to the taiga (the north’s large forests), passing through the Khangaï mounts, paths take shape in front of you. Time stops for you to appreciate
a land without limits, where nature has taken control over man. Exploring Mongolia
on a motorcycle also implies being introduced to the nomads, a truly generous
and kind people.

From June to September, choose one of our motorcycle tours in Mongolia and hit the roads of the wild country for 10 to 14 days.

MORE INFO

More feedback about the Vintage Rides experience

Photo credits: Thomas Goisque / Stephane Gautronneau

Vintage Rides
At Grand Tour Coworking
(by appointment only)
30 rue des Trois Bornes
75011 PARIS
contact@vintagerides.com
+442032898785

CONSTANTLY AMAZED—I’m blown away by our government. Some of our reps can only focus on gun laws, climate change and any tax reduction that’s only for the wealthy. They say this stuff over and over.

I sorta think they’re missing the point. I think they should try to create tort reform and our economy would go through the roof. The biggest issue in this country is infrastructure and expanding roads for a growing society. And finally, we are not in a race to pass more stringent laws with any other country. They need to remember and support freedom. It works.

But what the hell do I know, I’m just a grubby, left-handed biker, who never did think straight.

Coming up we have Frankie’s build a 39mm glide tech. Paul Davis is building a hand made engraving tool and hopefully we will deliver on that tech and some very cool engraving tips. Then I have the Darwin
Awards for 2018 and Andreas cool tips about repairing boots.

I started on my Chowder Barge Life and Times, but it’s a tough one in some respects and Sin Wu is still around. Gotta watch what I say. Hell, her kids could read it, but I doubt they ever will. I guess I want to be honest but leave out some of the facts…What the hell. It should be entertaining.

In the meantime, ride Free Forever!

–Bandit

 

Our team expanded significantly, and lots changed and progressed in the last week or so. Micah McCloskey, a bike builder and shop owner for 40 years came over. I needed to interview him for a Cycle Source Magazine feature. He immediately fell in love with the Salt Torpedo and became an active team member.

 

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It’s been a wild couple of weeks. The goal this year was to slow down, but that isn’t happening. We are scrambling to reconfigure all of the Bikernet web sites, trying to get someone to make a movie around one of my crappy books, not go broke and build the first streamlined trike in the shop.

We jammed over to Harbor Freight a couple of times. Kevin calls it “Chinatown” because most of the Harbor Freight shit is made in China. We bought this tubing roller. It comes with three mandrel sizes, none of which are spot on. We started rolling our thick wall tubing. Ya see, Kevin’s tubing bender doesn’t have the mandrels to bend tubing basically in a circle. We needed something more and a cheap version was available through Chinatown.

The roller worked and didn’t work. It twisted the tubing, snake like. But first I had to make a mounting bracket or bench mount. Again, something that has been laying around the shop for a decade worked out perfectly. I drilled a couple of holes in it, and presto, we had a vice mount. Then we started hunting for shims to tighten up the rolling machine and ultimately it started to roll evenly. You can see the results.

Our team expanded significantly, and lots changed and progressed in the last week or so. Micah McCloskey, a bike builder and shop owner for 40 years, came over. I needed to interview him for a Cycle Source Magazine feature. He immediately fell in love with the Salt Torpedo and became an active team member.

Since our frame builder and TIG welder, Kevin Kahl, of the Hot Rod Underground, has a minor health issue we work every other day for about six hours. In between, I scramble to keep the lights on, purchase materials, hunt for parts and search for resources. That’s my job and I’m sticking with it.

In addition, Charles Cabong, the owner of Strictly Hawgs, has become a major help and this week drove to Bassani’s to pick up a bare pipe to work with.

Kevin has a connection with Viking Shocks, an automotive and performance car shock builder. I spoke to the Prince the other day and he immediately pointed me at Yelvington shocks. We were thinking a mono-shock approach to fit inside the body.

Last week, with the help of Charles and Mitch, our fiberglass experts, we connected the front portion to the chassis to the Paughco frame. Kevin was dying to cut more portions of the Paughco frame away. I could tell he had that “Make it all mine,” gleam in his eyes. We obliged and cut the rest of the backbone away, spread the remaining front legs and attached them to front section to the frame.

We kept a mantra in mind throughout this process. We wanted to be able to take the engine in and out readily and make lots of triangles in the chassis for strength. Our first notion was to make the top backbone of the frame removable.

We stayed true to that concept and made progress this week. We needed to stay absolutely flexible, since this puppy is the first of its kind and hell, we don’t know what the fuck we’re doing most of the time. Here’s an example: A mono-shock sounded like a terrific notion until we spoke to the engineer from Yelvington Shocks.

Here’s what Mike said, “Regarding the work I have done with Bonneville racers, I noticed you will experience an oscillation side-to-side with a mono shock. If you can package two shocks, it will stabilize the rear end. Turbulence is created as the air moves across the two front wheels.” Actually, he wasn’t working with a configuration such as ours, but we took his words as a sign from above and decided to implement the notion.

Micah has taken on the duties of following up on the driveline needs with JIMS and others. I spoke to Scott at BDL about the primary drive and clutch. Charles brought a sprocket and seal spacer, and I ordered a nut and locking ring from Bartels.

I ordered an intake manifold from S&S and it promptly arrived. We installed a top motor mount to our carefully hand-built backbone. The design was perfect to allow as much room as possible to give us access to the engine. We also installed the Custom Cycle Engineering rubber-mounted, top motor mount system. It’s cumbersome but amazing.

Micah also suggested a removable panel on the lower left side in conjunction with the primary drive. That way, we can take the engine out to the right. We’re still clamoring for more notions.

We are working with Paughco on a Shovelhead swingarm. We will shorten it for the front. We are still looking forward to some suspension in the front and I spoke to Yelvington about it today. They think my plan will work. Charles is checking trike axle widths against Can Ams and any other trikes we can find at a Power Sports Mega-Store.

The Metalsport rear 180-wheel started to get in the way from a couple of standpoints. The spacing for the sprocket could be an issue. The spacing for the dual caliper large rotor could be an issue. The width could be an issue with the body. We climbed on top of the Bikernet Clean Room for an alternative and found an early sized spoke wheel, although, I’m going to try to exchange the aerodynamic, Chip Foose-designed Metalsport Wheel with a smaller size.

We are also constantly reconfiguring the shop. When our master frame builder throws challenges at us, we try to make whatever happen, quick. We were trying to use my old Chinese milling machine for notching the tubing and Kevin complained about the vice. “I need a class vice, like a Kirk,” Kevin said.

Later that day as I worked on the vice from the drill press on another shop bench, Kevin came over to complain and leaned on the vice bolted to the corner of the steel bench. “What the hell,” Kevin spat. “This is exactly what I needed.” We removed it and the mill is working like a champ. I put the shitty little vice on the bench.

Hang on for the next report; we’re scrambling to try to have this puppy making laps around the block in February.

Sponsors:

Jim’s Machine

Hot Rod Underground

Paughco

BDL

Strictly Hawgs

MetalSport Wheels

Custom Cycle Engineering

LowBrow

S&S

Bassini Exhausts

Twin Power

Lucky Devil Metal Works

Submit your best photo for a chance to win $5,000 and an unframed print of the finished painting. Not sure what to submit?

 

Submission Rules

You must own the rights to the image.

Both color and monochrome images accepted.

Each image must be 300dpi & under 10mb. Limit 3 images per entry.

Entry Period: January 11th, 2019 – April 1st, 2019

 

Full list of Rules, Terms & Conditions: Link

Questions? olivia@scottjacobsstudio.com

The ‘MADE IN JAPAN SINCE 1969’ anniversary t-shirt

The iconic Honda CB 750 Four turns 50 this year. On this occasion CB750Four.us offers a striking anniversary t-shirt for all owners and fans of the world’s first mass-production four-cylinder motorcycle. 

The high-quality t-shirt with white ‚CB 750 Four – Made in Japan since 1969‘ printing is available in black, blue or olive-green colour and sizes M through 3XL. 

The t-shirt is available exclusively at www.cb750four.us and costs 25 Euros including free worldwide shipping.

LISTEN UP DOORS OPEN: 10 a.m. Saturday + Sunday We have 2 ticket booths for purchasing tickets.  Ticket Booth 1 — located in side parking lot past the entrance of The Saguaro  Ticket Booth 2 — located in the hotel lobby next to check in  Weekend Pass $25 Single Day Pass $15 12 & Under + Vets Free SCHEDULE Saturday 1/12 10 AM – Doors Open 4:30 – 5:30 Raffle + Awards Presented by Paradise Road Djs all day AFTER PARTY @Agave  9pm – 2 AM Green Slime Presents The Buttertones and  The Night Times (Single day/weekend tickets admit you into after party, if you show up just for the party wristbands are $10) Sunday 1/13 10 AM Doors Open 1:00 – 1:30 Raffle Djs all day