November in Savannah, GA means it is time for the annual Victory Moto Show. This year’s event was held at Service Brewing Company on Indian Street in historic downtown Savannah.

This regional show is fast gaining national attention, and this year featured new retro-vintage bikes on display by Janus Motorcyclesof Goshen, Indiana. The show is promoted by Anna Heritage and her staff; and Anna comes from a family of bike riders. Her immaculate red and white Honda CL350 was displayed, and her dad Kevin and uncle Rich also ride and race vintage bikes. Read more.

We are scrambling on our new format for 2019. As of the first I will only produce one Bikernet Weekly News column. Generally, no more Sunday Posts. I will still do the major news on Thursday. It will still be published on Bikernet, but Bikernet will be in the Cantina, so make sure you’re a member for 2019. It’s going to give us more flexibility, more fun and girls.

Then I need to learn more about the Bikernet Blog, because that will become more active and free. So, hang on for the New Year, the new Bikernet, the New News and much more.

Read more.

Hey,

I’m excited about out next Salt Torpedo update. I’ve been working hard on it, with Kevin Kahl, and Christmas has sorta slipped past.

We are also scrambling on our new format for 2019. As of the first I will only produce one Bikernet Weekly News column. Generally, no more Sunday Posts. I will still do the major news on Thursday. It will still be published on Bikernet, but Bikernet will be in the Cantina, so make sure you’re a member for 2019. It’s going to give us more flexibility, more fun and girls.

Then I need to learn more about the Bikernet Blog, because that will become more active and free. So, hang on for the New Year, the new Bikernet, the New News and much more.

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.

 

SALT TORPEDO UPDATE—PARACHUTES SHIPPED TODAY. Don’t miss the youtube Anatomy of a motorcycle streamliner. Denis is looking for a financial sponsor for number 7’s next attempt. No one knows streamliners like he does. Drop me a note if you’re interested: Bandit@bikernet.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gjmpZ3-uSA

“I got the will to get to Bonneville.”

–Denis Manning

We are working closely with Denis Manning, who has been 460 mph with his Number 7 Streamliner. Watch the YouTube. He was inspired by the shape of a Salmon. I’m inspired by the Belly Tank shape.–Bandit

THE ONE MOTO SHOW ANNOUNCES INDIAN MOTORCYCLE
AS 2019 TITLE SPONSOR–Show Founder Thor Drake to Unveil Custom FTR 1200 at 10th Annual Event & Race at The One Pro Super Hooligan Race

Indian Motorcycle, America’s first motorcycle company, today announced its title sponsorship of the 10th annual One Moto Show in Portland, OR. In celebration of the new partnership, The One Moto Show founder Thor Drake will unveil an Indian FTR 1200 that he designed and customized for this year’s show. The bike will be on display at the show and put through the paces as it will be raced at The One Pro Super Hooligan Race.

The One Moto Show was conceived by Drake, owner of See See Motor Coffee Co. Drake wanted to create an event for friends who shared a passion for motorcycles and hosted the first show 10 years ago in an old abandoned foundry in Portland. The event has grown from its humble beginnings to a one-of-a-kind motorcycle show known for showcasing a variety of unique, unconventional bikes and serving as a gathering place for motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the world.

As title sponsor for its 10th anniversary, Indian Motorcycle will feature a display at The One Moto Show and highlight the highly-anticipated FTR 1200 and the stripped-down, blacked-out Scout Bobber along with a variety of customs by builders like Roland Sands, Carey Hart, and more.

“Thor Drake is a pioneer in the motorcycle industry, continuously challenging the status quo and inspiring ingenuity within our community,” said Reid Wilson, Senior Director for Indian Motorcycle. “As a brand that has always strived to push motorcycling forward, partnering with Thor and The One Moto Show is a natural fit for us.”

Inspired by Indian Motorcycle’s storied history and success in flat track racing, the FTR 1200 takes design and styling cues from the championship-winning FTR750 race bike that has dominated American Flat Track since it was introduced in 2016. Along with Drake’s custom FTR 1200, RSD’s Super Hooligan race team will compete at The One Pro Race aboard the all-new FTR 1200.

“Indian Motorcycle is an iconic American brand with a rich history in racing. The introduction of the FTR750 and its newer protégé, the FTR 1200, has created shock waves across the globe.” said Thor Drake, Founder of The One Moto Show. “It’s exciting to work with such a progressive company. I’m thrilled to have the chance to get my hands on the FTR 1200 to create a special custom build in celebration of the 10th anniversary of The One Show and the partnership with Indian Motorcycle.”

The One Moto Show Presented by Indian Motorcycle will take place February 8-10, 2019. For more information and ticketing for The One Show and The One Pro Race, visit The1Moto.com. To learn more about Indian Motorcycle visit IndianMotorcycle.com

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE BIKERNET STAFF—We’ve been scrambling so hard that Xmas cards just didn’t happen. But I want everyone to have a very Merry Xmas. Promise yourself to find absolute peace of mind next year coupled to mountains of fun.

–Bandit and the Crew

U.S. SENATE TAKES A STAND AGAINST POLICE PROFILING OF MOTORCYCLISTS
The United States Senate has approved the Motorcycle Profiling Resolution (Senate Resolution 154) without amendment by unanimous consent on Dec 11, addressing concerns of motorcyclists across the country regarding law enforcement discriminating against bikers in traffic stops, citations and arrests.

This bipartisan and bicameral resolution (H.Res. 318 companion in the House) could provide a national solution to the discriminatory profiling of motorcyclists over mode of transportation or style of dress in enforcing the law. Several states have considered bills to prohibit police from profiling motorcyclists, and Washington became the first state to pass such an anti-profiling law in 2011, followed by Maryland in 2016.

The two companion measures in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, which are nonbinding and do not have the force of law, seek to curb profiling of motorcycle riders at the federal level by “Promoting awareness of motorcycle profiling and encouraging collaboration and communication with the motorcycle community and law enforcement officials to prevent instances of profiling.”

S.Res. 154 and H.Res. 318 also “urges State law enforcement officials to include statements condemning motorcycle profiling in written policies and training materials.”

Sounds a tad weak to me, even so it probably won’t pass. There’s a group in our government who will never help bikers, but they will help illegal immigrants and the homeless. Incredible. Read the whole story in Bill’s Newsbytes.—Bandit

GOVERNMENT WINS FIRST ROUND IN TRIAL TO SEIZE MONGOLS PATCH
For over a decade, federal law enforcement authorities have been testing a unique legal tactic to take down the Mongols Motorcycle Club by seizing their trademarked logo under asset forfeiture laws, and now a federal jury in Santa Ana, California has found the Mongols guilty of racketeering and conspiracy, setting up a second phase of the trial during which the government will seek to seize control of the club’s “intellectual property” and thereby ban members from wearing their unifying “colors” or patches.

Federal prosecutors will ask the judge to fine the Mongol Nation — the West Covina, CA entity that legally owns the club trademark — and order it to forfeit rights to the identifying logo worn on the bikers’ vests.

Since the case is focused on the Mongols organization, no specific individuals are facing jail or prison time, but the government’s attempt to defrock club members is aimed at dismantling the club by destroying their identity and thus its allure.

During the five-week trial that ended Thursday, December 13, 2018 prosecutors testified that the Mongols were a violent criminal enterprise. According to the Associated Press, in finding the Mongols guilty of racketeering, jurors decided that the motorcycle club itself is a criminal organization.

Check the whole story on Bill’s Rights Bytes for this month on Bikernet.—Bandit

NEWS FROM SNOW COUNTRY–
It Snowed Last Night..
8:00 am: I made a snowman.
8:10 – A feminist passed by and asked me why I didn’t make a snow woman.
8:15 – So, I made a snow woman.
8:17 – My feminist neighbor complained about the snow woman’s voluptuous chest saying it objectified snow women everywhere.
8:20 – The gay couple living nearby threw a hissy fit and moaned it could have been two snow men instead.
8:22 – The transgender man..women…person asked why I didn’t just make one snow person with detachable parts.
8:25 – The vegans at the end of the lane complained about the carrot nose, as veggies are food and not to decorate snow figures with.
8:28 – I was being called a racist because the snow couple is white.
8:31 – The middle eastern gent across the road demanded the snow woman be covered up .
8:40 – The Police arrived saying someone had been offended.
8:42 – The feminist neighbor complained again that the broomstick of the snow woman needed to be removed because it depicted women in a domestic role.
8:43 – The council equality officer arrived and threatened me with eviction.
8:45 – TV news crew from ABC showed up. I was asked if I know the difference between snowmen and snow-women? I replied “Snowballs” and am now called a sexist.
9:00 – I was on the News as a suspected terrorist, racist, homophobe sensibility offender, bent on stirring up trouble during difficult weather.
9:10 – I was asked if I have any accomplices. My children were taken by social services.
9:29 – Far left protesters offended by everything marched down the street demanding for me to be arrested.
Moral:
There is no moral to this story. It is what we have become, all because of snowflakes.

— David Campbell
Earl’s Garage – Motorcycle, Hotrod, and Event Photography
www.earlsgarage.co

ROLLING THUNDER UPDATE–
Thanks again Rolling Thunder National & Wisconsin —for all you’ve done to help draw attention to the POWs :MIA’s of all our wars!

“ We Won’t Forget – We Won’t Give Up !”
God Bless You & your Loved Ones.

–Dave Zien
former State Senator

2019 METZELER CALENDAR: a 12-month journey in the custom cruiser world
Alongside the METZELER Classic calendar, now in its 25th edition and celebrating with black and white shots of two wheel competition between the 60’s and 70’s, there is the thematic one entitled “Ways of cruising”

The METZELER brand is pleased to present the 2019 METZELER CALENDAR that, as per tradition, presents two versions. The Classic one, now in its 25th year, is celebrating two-wheeled competition between the 60’s and 70’s with black and white shots. The thematic one is entitled “WAYS OF CRUISING” and is dedicated to the custom cruiser world; a world which the German tire brand has always had a strong presence. 2019 will also see the debut of the new CRUISETEC™, a Custom Touring tire that optimizes the performance of V-Twins.

When it comes to tires, cruiser owners are historically very demanding and, although with different riding styles, these riders travel great distances enjoying the road. Their expectation for their tires is clear: they must offer reliability and confidence, regardless of road conditions, usage and weather.

Created in 1994 as a special edition of the cult calendar Classic Moments, the METZELER Calendar quickly became popular, winning over a faithful following of enthusiasts thanks to its precious snapshots from the street and off road two-wheel world, in which METZELER has raced and been successful throughout the years.

The 2019 edition of the METZELER CALENDAR, realized in Italy on a creative project by HH Global of Bergamo, features 14 subjects, in the case of the Classic also accompanied by descriptions in English and German. The photos of the thematic calendar are by Ben Ott, Goetz Goeppert, Volker Rost and Tom O’Connor while those of the Classic version are part of the photo archive of Text & Technik Verlag in Weissach, Germany. The calendar has been printed front and rear in a limited edition of 6000 copies by Grafiche Antiga SpA on high quality paper and both covers are printed on glossy paper.

BRAND New Bikernet Reader Comment!–
HOT STREET RACING FXR

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

I’m looking for Novie twin-stack velocity stack for my race bike. Can you help?

–Earl
earlindian47@aol.com
Memphis, TN

I would suggest contacting S&S, Pingel or J&P.–Bandit

BARN SORTA FIND OF THE WEEK—It ran when I parked it…

–from Rogue

NEW FROM BAKER–Hydraulic Side Cover for M8 Models

We’ve now got a version for the Milwaukee-Eight. No matter what the fitment though, our Hydraulic Side Cover is the tidiest design possible yielding the strength necessary to get the job done. Our newly designed 28MM piston, in conjunction with supplied mainshaft & countershaft retaining nuts, help alleviate the common fluid transfer issue between the transmission and primary. We offer the Hydraulic Side Cover for 1987-Later applications.

LATEST FROM THE CLIMATE DEPOT– ‘False advertising’ – Climatologist calls on Allstate insurance to pull extreme weather ad & ‘apologize for misleading the public’

Climatologist Dr.Roy Spencer on Allstate’s ad hyping ‘once in 500-year storm’ frequencies: ‘I consider this false advertising because Allstate knows better, and is purposely misleading the public to make more money…Allstate knows better (the insurance business deals with probability and statistics) and they knew this was a lie when they put the ad together.’

I’ve been meaning to comment about this TV ad for Allstate insurance, which enraged me the first time I saw it. Allstate knows better (the insurance business deals with probability and statistics) and they knew this was a lie when they put the ad together:

In the ad, actor Dennis Haysbert says:

“A once-in-500-year storm should happen once every 500 years, right? The fact is, there have been 26 in the last decade.”

https://youtu.be/7UJlbJxI_WY

Setting aside the fact that we don’t have enough statistics to say anything meaningful about what happens over 500 years (hydrologists prefer to stick to 100 years as justified when talking about rare events), Allstate knows very well that such statistics refer to the repeat period for the same location… not for (say) the whole United States. It is not unusual for once-in-100 year weather events to occur more than once, maybe several times, each year somewhere in the U.S.

I consider this false advertising because Allstate knows better, and is purposely misleading the public to make more money.

Climatologist Roy Spencer pointed out that those claims were unsubstantiated. “Unfortunately, there seems to be a trend toward classifying events as ‘1 in 1,000 years,’ when there is no way of knowing such things…Remember, it is perfectly normal to have a 1 in 100-year event every year…as long as they occur in different locations. That’s how weather records work.”

Marc Morano on “The Weather Lottery”: Your chance of winning the lottery is very low, but the chance of someone, somewhere winning the lottery are very high. The climate campaigners and the media essentially hype the “winners” of the extreme weather lottery, wherever they are, and attempt to imply these events are happening everywhere. Extreme weather always strikes somewhere at some time, and it always will, so there is no shortage of examples of “record” storms. Lotteries and casinos do the same thing in their ads—showing the winners, and implying that you are just one ticket or spin away from joining them.

Meteorologist Topper Shutt explained the misuse of the term 100-year flood after Hurricane Harvey hit Houston in 2017. “A 500-year flood does not mean that an area will see a flood of that magnitude once in 500 years. It means that in any given year there is a .2% chance of a 500-year flood and likewise a 1% chance every year for a 100-year flood,” Shutt wrote. “Remember, we are talking about billions of years of climate and usually just a hundred years of actual, observational data.”

by Roy W. Spencer, Ph. D.

THE STURGIS SPORTSTER SHOW GALLERY–STURGIS, THE BUFFALO CHIP 2018, THE SPORTSTER SHOWDOWN. Hosted by the guys of Led Sled Customs, this group of down to the dirt cool bikes was quite
the hit at the Buffalo Chip. Glance through the images in Bandit’s Cantina and enjoy!

–Jack McIntyre

BOXING NEWS FROM RAQUEL–MANNY THE PAC MAN PACQUIAO vs ADRIEN “The PROBLEM” BRONER MGM GRAND LAS VEGAS

The stakes are high for this Welterweight Championship Fight. The press conference was held at the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills. The super lavish hotel is on the location of the old Trader Vics. I can’t help but hum the “werewolf of London“ song as I saunter down the fancy corridor feeling quite at home.

The ballroom set aside for the conference had the big Manny Pacquiao vs Adrien Broner backdrop, Premier Boxing Champions and MGM Grand logo everywhere. Huge cameras are set up in the back of the room for the international telecasts and big networks. Members of the Filipino community were arriving in groups.

Media was getting sketchy on where they could sit. Manny Pacquiao is a BIG big rock star athlete! The excitement was in the air. Within minutes the ballroom was standing room only. World Champion Manny Pacquiao at age 40, wants to take on and IS going to fearlessly take on 29-year-old Adrien “the Problem” Broner on Saturday January 19, 2019 in Las Vegas.

The Pac Man hasn’t fought in two years. Adrien (33-3-1, 24 KO’s) Broner is a former four division world champion and proclaims he’s going to send Pac Man “into retirement without his belt.” He’s all attitude and the fans love it.

He had an entourage with him at the
conference including the “Tank” pro boxer Gervonta Davis. When Pacquiao held up his
World Champion Title Belt, he took off his Gucci belt and held it up in comparison.
Pac Man has 60 fights under all eight of his division championship belts. He’s like a living legend and he’s fighting this 29 year old cocky kid. Granted he’s a skilled proven boxer, but still. Not sure what Pacquiao’s angle is here. Shouldn’t he be busy politicing? He did say he misses fighting in Las Vegas “ it became my second home.”

Whatever his motivation is, it should be a damn good fight. With the new DAZN app for 9.99 a month, I’m curious how many fans are still willing to pay $65.00 for a fight. The numbers will tell

–Raquel Vasquez

[page break]

STURGIS MUSEUM PROJECT—Keith Terry, Terry Components, Paughco, Rick Ball, Bikernet and two High Schools will go head-to-head this year to build two wild bikes, one vintage based and one classic chopper for a Sturgis Museum fund raiser.

If you would like to donate some parts let me or Keith know.

–Bandit
Terry Components
kterry@terrycomp.com

The LIQUI MOLY sponsorship spectacle is hotting up

The oil manufacturer is involved with the Four Hills Tournament and the World Handball Championship

December 2018 – LIQUI MOLY is not only a well-known sponsor in the world of motor sports. When the engines fall silent for a time, the German oil and additive specialist gets involved in other sports. The Four Hills Tournament is on the cards at the turn of the year. “An absolutely top-notch event that will bring our brand closer to millions of spectators,” says Ernst Prost, CEO of LIQUI MOLY.

After almost a decade, LIQUI MOLY is back as the main official sponsor for the large ski jump event. “The event guarantees high quality sport and top billing in the media,” says Peter Baumann. He is responsible for Marketing at LIQUI MOLY. It is the current highlight of the Ulm-based company’s winter sport sponsorship, which includes the Nordic World Ski Championships, the Nordic Combined World Cup, the Bobsleigh and Skeleton World Cup and the skiing Giant Slalom.

Then in January, while the winter sport competitions are still in full swing, the next spectacle comes along – the World Men’s Handball Championship. Teams from 24 nations meet in Germany and Denmark to find the best in the world. “The international focus of a world championship and the associated global media presence are our motives for being involved,” explains Salvatore Coniglio, Export Manager at LIQUI MOLY.

This run culminates with the largest annual winter sport event, the Ice Hockey World Championship in May. A deliberately chosen range of sports such as short track, which is considered exotic in Germany, but is popular in Asia and North America. “In this way, we ensure that our sponsorship machine is constantly running at full steam and our brand is visible around the world all year, even when the obvious sport for an oil manufacturer, motor sport, takes a break,” says LIQUI MOLY CEO Günter Hiermaier.

This brings two benefits for LIQUI MOLY business partners. Firstly, the international market presence all year round increases demand. And secondly, there are the invitations to sporting events. Ernst Prost: “Winter sports and other major events outside of motor sport are becoming increasingly important in our marketing strategy.”

And come the spring, the motors will be roaring once again.

H-D POLICE PARTS CATALOGS—An assortment from ’84 to ’98 available in a binder for $113. Chance of a lifetime. Send me a check and you will have them between Xmas and New Years.

–Bandit
5-Ball Inc.
200 Broad Ave.
Wilmington, CA
90744

HOLIDAY NEWS FROM THE RODDERS’ JOURNAL–Still looking for that perfect gift for the hot rodder in your life? We’ve got you covered. If you order a subscription, gift subscription or a renewal, there’s no shipping necessary—we can email you a personalized timing tag-style gift card that’s sure to bring a smile on Christmas morning.

Remember, our biggest sale of the season ends Friday at 11:59 p.m. PST. Use the code TAKE25 for 25% off all orders storewide. Yes, that includes subscriptions!

What should you get for the hot rodder who has everything? Easy. A Rodder’s Journal gift certificate. These are available in any amount between $25 to $200. (We’re sorry, but the TAKE25 coupon cannot be applied to gift certificates).

To place an order, click the boxes above or give us a call at (800) 750-9550 in the United States, (877) 479-2627 in Canada or (650) 246-8920 internationally.

Cheers!
–Your Friends at The Rodder’s Journal

BOMBER GIRL ART–Back in the day when America was in the “Big War” (WWII), these planes were flown by young boys Political correctness was ‘go to war, break things, kill the enemy’.

Apparently no one worried about nose art on the bombers.

More Airmedied in WWII than Marines.
At the bottom after the pictures there are amazing stats for the Army Aircorps in WWII.
These planes probably would not be allowed to leave the ground today.

–Joe Teresi
Emperor Supreme
Easyriders Magazine

FIRST Operation Gratitude Holiday Care Packages Received on December 16, 2018

I will never forget what it was like, 28 years ago yesterday, to receive my very first Care Package as a young Second Lieutenant deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. And I can’t adequately convey how comforting it felt to open a box filled with letters and reminders of home, when I desperately longed to be with my three boys during the holidays.

Now I am honored and humbled to be part of Operation Gratitude, and have the opportunity to “pay it forward” alongside kind and generous Americans like you, who care deeply about our men and women in uniform.

As 2018 comes to a close, I ask for your help, so that, in the next two weeks, Operation Gratitude can ship 20,000 Care Packages to U.S. Service Members serving far from home during the holidays, and deliver another 10,000 packages to Veterans, Recruit Graduates, First Responders, children of Deployed Troops, and Wounded Heroes and Caregivers.

I know there are many causes you can support during this season of giving, thank you for choosing Operation Gratitude, and for your continued dedication and commitment to all who serve our great nation.

Warm Regards and Semper Fidelis,

–Kevin Schmiegel
Lieutenant Colonel, USMC (Ret.)
CEO, Operation Gratitude

Motorcycles.org Takes Chicago on Adventure Through Death Valley–Univision journalist Jaime Gabaldoni shows off the Kawasaki KLX250 in a new Spanish-language TV program that aired in America’s third-largest media market, Chicago. On the show “A Bordo Chicago,” Gabaldoni talks about Kawasaki’s very capable dual-sport motorcycle while riding in Death Valley.

Gabaldoni was among media and influencer guests that Motorcycles.org hosted in the national park earlier this year. “Reaching out to the Latino market has been important to our communications program for years,” said Ty van Hooydonk, vice president of MIC Communications. “We’re grateful to Jaime and Univision for helping us share a great motorcycle adventure, out in the amazing, scenic Death Valley, with a huge Midwestern audience.”

POWER PLANT WANTS YOU TO SIGN UP FOR EMAIL BLASTS–Use WELCOME15 for 15% off your first order.
Shop Now

DYNA DEAL OF THE WEEK–2007 Dyna Low Rider, 50,000 miles. New transmission and high performance engine parts. Dyno tuned with power commander-5 a must see excellent running machine!

$11,500 firm.

Has front and rear suspension upgrades also.

–Britt Borer bike

Send me a note, if you’re interested.—Bandit
Bandit@Bikernet.com

NEW BIKERNET AND BANDIT’S CANTINA PROGRAMS FOR 2019

We’ve moved things around some. We shut down all major advertising sales and moved Bikernet into the Cantina.

We kept the blog on the free side of the curtain and will update it daily. All major content will be expanded into the Cantina.

So, from a business side here’s how it will work. We will continue to build great content featuring the Weekly News, Features and tech articles.

If you want to stay abreast of all the action please join the Cantina for as little as $24 or $39 for two year and receive a special bling package from Bikernet.

If you want us to continue to work for your company on a daily, weekly or monthly basis it’s only $98 a year and keep sending your press release whenever you choose 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 your ad will be placed on our blog page and your banner will accompany any and all of your company content. Just $165 a month. This also means all of your company content is archived on Bikernet for the duration working 24/7.

–Bandit
Bandit@Bikernet.com

HEAR THE ROAD Motorcycle Tours 2019

“Best of Italy” Tour Offerings

Hear the Road Motorcycle Tours Italy announces the 2019 Italian motorcycle tour calendar.

Tours for 2019 have a range from 8-12 riding days in an effort to suit everyone’s wish to ride the best scenic Italian roads, visiting destinations like Amalfi Coast, Alps, Dolomites, Tuscany, Chianti, Sardinia, Corsica, or watching the MotoGp Race at Mugello and Misano circuits.

So, whether you crave twisting country roads, historical destinations, spectacular views of the mountains and the Mediterranean or 4 Star Hospitality, there is a Tour for you.
You will be lead by Enrico, the owner and founder of the company, a life-long Italian motorcyclist, excited to share his passion and knowledge of the country he loves and knows so well…riding a motorcycle!

And after the sun has set, there’s plenty of opportunities to experience the culture, the food and wine, the night-life and the passion of this amazing country.

Hear The Road Motorcycle Tours Italy provides motorcycle rental, accommodations in 3 or 4 stars hotel with local flavor, luggage transportation and transfer from and to the airport.

Tours are on BMW, Ducati, Moto Guzzi and Harley-Davidson.

Tours run from April to October, so book soon if you plan on making this riding season the most memorable yet. As an extra bonus Hear The Road offers a free night in Rome to who book within January 2019.

Hear the Road Tours also caters to those riding enthusiasts that long for a riding tour in Italy but can’t meet the calendared tour dates. Self-Guided, Customized and/or Private Tours are a popular option for individuals or groups of any size.

–Enrico Grassi

SALT TORPEDO UPDATE–
WOW, it’s happening, what an awesome story and great looking trike. I want to be there when she runs so make sure I get the memo once you committed to speed week.

Can you just park motor homes out there or camp in trailers, where do you stay?

–Koz Mraz
www.KOZMOTO.com

Absolutely, you are apart of the team.–Bandit

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of the old Bikers out there…

–Joe Smith

HAL ROBINSON STILL FOR SALE IN OUR 5-BALL RACING SHOP—Yes, we have some time. Check ‘em out. Each order will come with a signed book.

–Bandit

PROFILING NEWS FROM THE AMA–Hopefully all will contact their Senators and thank them for this.
Please Contact your House representative and ask them to vote for passage of this.

http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Home/News-Story/us-senate-passes-motorcyclist-anti-profiling-resolution-by-unanimous-consent

U.S. Senate passes motorcyclist anti-profiling resolution by unanimous consent.

Survey: Half of motorcyclists say they have been profiled by law enforcement

The American Motorcyclist Association expresses its deep appreciation to the U.S. Senate, which adopted a resolution Tuesday promoting awareness of motorcyclist profiling and encouraging collaboration and communication with the motorcycling community and law enforcement officials to prevent instances of profiling.

Senate Res. 154 also urges state law enforcement officials to condemn motorcyclist profiling in their policies and training materials.

Senate resolutions do not have the force of law.

“In 2015, Congress wisely acted to ban federal highway funding for motorcycle-only checkpoints, recognizing that federal funds are better spent on promoting highway safety for all vehicles and drivers,” said AMA Vice President of Government Relations Wayne Allard. “Now, the Senate has taken a big step further to help end the discriminatory and ineffective practice of profiling motorcyclists.”

The bipartisan resolution, sponsored by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), was cosponsored by Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael D. Crapo (R-Idaho), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Angus King (I-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska).

As adopted, the resolution recognizes the significant increase in motorcycle registrations during the past 20 years, and points out that half of motorcyclists surveyed believe they have been profiled by law enforcement at least once. The resolution also acknowledges that motorcyclist profiling occurs across the nation.

Profiling means the illegal use of the fact that a person rides a motorcycle or wears motorcycle-related apparel as a factor when law enforcement officers decide to stop and question, take enforcement action, arrest or search a person or vehicle with or without a legal basis.

In January 2017, the AMA Board of Directors adopted a formal position statement on motorcyclist profiling, see www.americanmotorcyclist.com/About-The-AMA/motorcyclist-profiling.

The AMA continues to recommend law enforcement and highway officials focus their efforts on encouraging highway safety in ways that make America’s roads safer for everyone.

–from Rogue

New BANDIT’S CANTINA Reader Comment!–WINTER ACTION SUNDAY POST

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

Hey Bandit,

I Love Deadwood too, but it gets awfully cold there. You should look at Texas Hill Country..say Canyon Lake, Fischer, or somewhere North of Bandera like Wimberley.

These places have amazing views, year round riding, and NO STATE TAX! Check out Texas, Jesse moved here and LOVES it. Once I can afford it, I’m leaving this industrial wasteland in Houston and moving to the Hill Country….heaven on earth!

–Johnny White
johnny3sal@aol.com
Humble, TX

I may be looking at Austin. My son is considering moving there. Trouble is, it’s not much closer to Bonneville or Sturgis.

–Bandit

NCOM CONVENTION TO ADDRESS BIKERS’ RIGHTS ISSUES
Topics such as Motorcycle Profiling and “Save the Patch” will be among the many issues of concern to our nation’s motorcycle community that will be addressed during the upcoming 34th annual NCOM Convention, to be held Mother’s Day weekend, May 10-12, 2019 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Orlando, Florida.

Hundreds of bikers’ rights activists from the ranks of motorcycle rights organizations (MROs) and Confederations of Clubs (COCs), as well as independents and other allied riders will gather to discuss the concerns of all riders.

Agenda items will cover various legal and legislative issues, with Special Meetings for Veterans Affairs, Women in Motorcycling, Clean & Sober Roundtable and World of Sport Bikes, as well as the Christian Unity Conference and Confederation of Clubs Patch Holders Meeting.

Additional seminars will be conducted regarding Restoration of Rights, Leadership 101 and “Share the Road” Motorcycle Safety.

All motorcyclists are welcome, and to pre-register for the 2019 NCOM Convention contact the National Coalition of Motorcyclists at (800) ON-A-BIKE or visit www.ON-A-BIKE.com.

HAMSTERS HELPING HAND PROGRAM UPDATE–I wanted to send this article your way. “The Hamster Helping Hand” program makes a big impact here in the Black Hills. This year was the biggest and best turn out so far.

We couldn’t have done it without the support from all of HAMSTERS. Thanks again for helping in making it possible for these kids to enjoy Christmas.

Looking forward to a great New Year

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/badb177210d5f7f821daa7914/files/91cd4f73-b182-45fe-a124-d4cc61381b50/img243.pdf

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/badb177210d5f7f821daa7914/files/8bba2e64-a21c-426e-829f-357ae0aeafcd/img244.pdf

With sincere thanks again,

–Keith Terry
Terry Components

[page break]

CITY OF BUFFALO CHIP MAJOR‘S LETTER–Rad bikes? Check.

Killer concerts? Mmmhmm.

Biker babes strutting their stuff across the stage every night in leather and bikinis? Well, that’s changed a little.

Whoa there…now before you go getting all worked up, let’s get something straight. The Miss Buffalo Chip Pageant is not going anywhere. Just because it has been getting motors runnin’ since the early days doesn’t mean it’s gotta stay the same forever.

This year the Best Party Anywhere introduced a bunch of fun new themes to mix things up from the standard biker and bikini rounds because as they say, “different strokes for different folks.”

Check out this video and see the debut of these hot new looks and meet Michelle McDaniels, the woman behind the scenes with the International Bikini Team.

The new-and-improved Miss Buffalo Chip now features a different theme every night ending with the traditional rounds that everyone already loved on the last night of the festival:

Friday – LED
Saturday – Leather & Lace
Sunday – School Girl
Monday – Daisy Dukes
Tuesday – Pirate
Wednesday – Super Hero
Thursday – Patriotic
Friday – Pin Up
Saturday – Biker, Buffalo Chip Wear, Bikini

You can see more looks and more girls by checking out the Hottest Biker Babes of the Buffalo Chip photo gallery below!

Still can’t get enough of the Buffalo Chip’s biker babes? There are even more photos of the Miss Buffalo Chip girls waiting for you on the Miss Buffalo Chip page and all sorts of other beautiful ladies hanging out in Sturgis Rider News’ Eye Candy section.

Have an idea for a new theme for these biker babes? Shoot ‘em to us in the comments below.
Presented by the Sturgis Buffalo Chip

Find out more or get passes to the Best Party Anywhere at www.BuffaloChip.com and find out why it continues to be one of the most televised festivals in the world.

VINTAGE RIDES NEVER STOP–The holidays are just around the corner…and so are the coldest days of the year. That means it’s time to trade thrill rides for merry times with family and loved ones. But not to worry, we have a little treat for you, a (heart)warming gift. We’re kicking 2019 off with two gorgeous trips in one of India’s most stunning provinces: Rajasthan.

And the good news is, we have some places left!

Don’t forget to write down “explore more” as one of your New Year’s resolutions.

We cannot think of a better destination to inaugurate the riding season. The heat of the Thar desert will make you forget the wet, wintry roads. The jolly sputtering Royal Enfield will, without a doubt, have the same soothing effect as a nice crackling fireplace. And the Maharajas’ temples and forts will sweep you away with their majesty. Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Pushkar… Each Rajasthani city is a colorful experience, a testimony to the beauty and diversity of this fascinating region.

The Land of Maharajas
13 days incl. 11 days riding
1,000 miles

17 to 23 March 2019

Discover

We haven’t forgotten those of you who are experienced riders without a lot of time. We’ve combed Rajasthan, selecting the most promising—and fun—off-road playgrounds, but we didn’t forget to sprinkle this trip with awe-inspiring landmarks: ancient cities, humbling nature and, as always, moving encounters.

Rajasthan Essentials
7 days incl. 5 days riding
755 miles

27 January to 8 February 2019
23 February to 7 March 2019

Photo credits: Thomas Goisque / Franck Charton / Johann Rousselot

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

CHOW HALL OF THE WEEK– Ricobene’s!!

https://youtu.be/ivTIRbL6_SQ

Their Sandwich was voted Best Sandwich in The World by USA Today! I agree with USA today! Their Breaded Steak Sandwich has just five ingredients: A Turano Bread Roll, Hand Breaded Steak (it is so tender), homemade Tomato Sauce and hot Giardiniera, and Mozzarella!

When you take that first bite, you are knocked out with massive flavor and you realize how those five ingredients were all made to go together!

I still remember my first bite of this sandwich 20 years ago, when my friend Stu took me here before a Sox game! Brothers Sam and Rosario, the 3rd Generation Owners of Ricobene’s turned me onto another Sandwich. The Chicken Vesuvio! it is UNREAL! I think about it every day!

If you want to breathe, taste and feel Chicago, Ricobene’s should be your next stop. They are located on 26th and Princeton in Chicago, IL. Get there!!

–Bikerdude

NEW, Buckleguy.com now selling Stainless Steel Money Clips!

Buckleguy is introducing a new line of stainless steel money clips! These can be used as stand alone pieces, or can be inserted into walletsThey are available in four finishes:

PVD Black Matte
Polished Stainless Steel
Brushed Stainless Steel
Polished Champagne Gold

Thanks Everyone!

–The Buckleguy Team

AGENT ZEBRA REPRESENTS THE FLY OVER STATES–Integrity over Profit

Since when did Americans start selling out their own country, their own states, their hometowns, their very families, for profit? Yet that’s literally what a great number of “American” companies do daily when they farm out labor and/or manufacturing overseas to foreign competitors who would like nothing more than to see America fall. And if you dare to question them on this practice, they will retort with supreme indignance, “I can’t compete if I don’t go overseas.”

We at the FOS (the ‘flyover states’) call bullshit. Nobody will ever convince us that America can’t compete with any nation or culture, anywhere, anytime.

If a product is made, assembled, manufactured, whatever, overseas, it’s a foreign product and competes for American well-being on every level. If it’s made in America, by Americans, it’s American. Plain and simple.

We are the FOS.
https://flyover-states.com/

–Agent Zebra
Fly Over State Commander

He is currently living outside of Austin Texas and is after me to move quick. Deadwood is calling me.–Bandit

ANOTHER BANDIT’S CANTINA Reader Comment!–WINTER ACTION SUNDAY POST

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

Happy Holidays to you and yours. You might want to pack snow shoes before heading to SD. Be careful not to slow down too much remember it’s better to burn out than rust away.

— Rhys
ralsta0b@erau.edu
Daytona Beach, FL

LIFE IS NUTS DEPARTMENT–Stormy Daniels Offered Disturbing Proposition in Order To Pay Off Legal Fees

Stormy Daniels is going to have to cough up a lot of money to President Donald Trump — almost $300,000 worth. So, one of the nation’s premier strip clubs (I can’t believe I’m actually typing those words) is giving her an opportunity to raise some of that cash.

According to the New York Post, Scores — a New York-based strip club chain that gained a degree of fame through frequent mention on Howard Stern’s traveling radio circus of minor-league depravity — is offering the adult film actress a sizable chunk of the door proceeds if she agrees to strip in any of its clubs.

Daniels — real name Stephanie Clifford — was ordered on Tuesday to pay $293,000 to Donald Trump’s lawyers after her defamation suit was thrown out of a California court.

“The court’s order, along with the court’s prior order dismissing Stormy Daniels’ defamation case against the president, together constitute a total victory for the president, and a total defeat for Stormy Daniels in this case,” Charles J. Harder, one of Trump’s lawyers, said in a statement, according to The New York Times.

Michael Avenatti, Daniels’ stoat-like head of legal representation, insisted that the ruling was unimportant.

And that’s where Scores comes in. After all, legal crowdfunding can only go so far. So, why not strip?

Scores, according to the New York Post, “is offering her a big chunk of the door for any shows she agrees to perform at its nation-wide chain of clubs.”

“Scores always attracts the high rollers and upscale clientele, so (it feels) very confident that (it) will be able to help her raise the money needed to pay legal fees,” the gentlemen’s club said.

This leaves plenty of questions, and that’s not even counting why they call them “gentlemen’s clubs.” (Almost everyone I know who routinely is in attendance at such

establishments doesn’t seem to fit my definition of a gentleman, for whatever reason.) For instance, is this just a publicity stunt? It sure sounds like it.

According to an update to the original TMZ report, Daniels’ publicist has said she isn’t interested in the Scores proposition, which offered 30 to 40 percent of the gate on nights Daniels performed. But that could just be a negotiating ploy.

After all, it’s not like she hasn’t done this before. She was arrested following a strip club performance earlier this year in Columbus, Ohio, after allegedly breaking a law, which prohibits physical contact between performers and customers at such establishments.

As if that weren’t seamy enough, KCWH-TV reports that she’ll be performing at a strip club called The Shady Lady for Valentine’s Day in Salina, Kansas, about 90 minutes north of Wichita.

So, if you’re in the Sunflower State in February and want to get your girlfriend something really romantic this year — and they’re all out of Chiefs sweatshirts — you know what to do.

https://www.westernjournal.com/

–from Rogue

Spectro Performance Oils Announces New Product–Spectro Performance Oils is pleased to announce the newest product in their extensive line-up, Spectro Shine.

Spectro Shine is a silicone-based spray on finish for motorcycles, UTVs, ATVs, snowmobiles, scooters, personal watercraft, cars, trucks and more! Shine gives your ride a showroom shine, every time! Spectro Shine works even better when used after cleaning your bike using Spectro Motorcycle Wash. Spectro calls it the “Wash and Shine” treatment. Spectro Shine is long lasting and forms a dirt and mud barrier, repelling the dirt and debris from roads as well as heavier mud deposits from off-road adventures.

Spectro Oils enlisted the help of multiple factory riders to help provide feedback on Spectro Shine. One of which was Kayla Yaakov, a young lady (pictured above) who has many credits to her name including two AMA National Championship Awards that she received at this year’s AMA Banquet. Said Kayla, “It works better than I could’ve imagined! I have to thank Spectro for keeping my bikes running strong and now also looking great.”

Spectro Shine comes in a large, easy to use aerosol can. With a great look, and a pleasing scent, this product is a must have for your shop. Spectro Shine is a versatile product that has many uses beyond keeping your bike looking new. “We are really excited to see how many uses people will find for this product” says Luke Calzone, Director of Marketing, “we have worked on perfecting this product for months and every day we were thinking of new ways to use it, and every time we came up with something new, it worked!”

Shine is an affordable way to keep your ride in tip top condition. You can buy Spectro Shine at your local dealer that carries Spectro as well as our online retailers. Please visit our website www.spectro-oils.com/shine for more information and click on the “BUY NOW” button at the bottom of the product page to find an online retailer.

We would love to hear your Spectro Shine story, please share any pictures, videos or unique uses with us so we can share with the world!

–Luke Calzone
Spectro Performance Oils

P: 800-243-8645
F: 203-775-8720
www.spectro-oils.com

VIDEO OF THE WEEK–
VERY ENLIGHTENING, WORTH WATCHING IF YOU CHANGE YOUR OWN OIL!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTNJLEV8CG8

–Sam Burns

QUICK New Bikernet Reader REQUEST!–
The 23rd Annual I.O.O.B. Motorcycle Club Pig Roast

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/The_23rd_Annual_IOOB_Motorcycle_Club_Pig_Roast.aspx

I’m looking for anyone who knew Springer. He was my father but passed away.

–Jennifer Luttrell
luttrellj@live.com
Poplar Grove, IL

WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING?–
Some very professional journalists attack H-D every chance they get and quarterly reports are perfect, every three months. Tough for anyone to finish painting their house in three months. Imagine making major changes to a multi-million dollar a year company.

Give them some time and hammer the government about infrastructure for a growing population. Let’s see how fast they move, which is a major problem in today’s society. If you don’t or can’t move fast, you’re fucked.

We are flying on the Salt Torpedo working on it for a half day every other day. Kevin needs to rest after his surgery.

We cut the rest of the Paughco rails away and loaded the JIMS transmission and monster Engine into place.

I ground the shit out of the front axle plate, while Kevin pondered his next bend.

You may see another report next week.

In the meantime have a helluva Christmas and remember rest and be kind, you have nothing to prove.

Ride Free Forever,

–Bandit

THE AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE is brought to you by Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), and is sponsored by the Law Offices of Richard M. Lester. If you’ve been involved in any kind of accident, call us at 1-(800) ON-A-BIKE or visit www.ON-A-BIKE.com.

NCOM BIKER NEWSBYTES
Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish,
National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM)

U.S. SENATE TAKES A STAND AGAINST POLICE PROFILING OF MOTORCYCLISTS
The United States Senate has approved the Motorcycle Profiling Resolution (Senate Resolution 154) without amendment by unanimous consent on Dec 11, addressing concerns of motorcyclists across the country regarding law enforcement discriminating against bikers in traffic stops, citations and arrests.

This bipartisan and bicameral resolution (H.Res. 318 companion in the House) could provide a national solution to the discriminatory profiling of motorcyclists over mode of transportation or style of dress in enforcing the law. Several states have considered bills to prohibit police from profiling motorcyclists, and Washington became the first state to pass such an anti-profiling law in 2011, followed by Maryland in 2016.

The two companion measures in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, which are nonbinding and do not have the force of law, seek to curb profiling of motorcycle riders at the federal level by “Promoting awareness of motorcycle profiling and encouraging collaboration and communication with the motorcycle community and law enforcement officials to prevent instances of profiling.”

S.Res. 154 and H.Res. 318 also “urges State law enforcement officials to include statements condemning motorcycle profiling in written policies and training materials.”

U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) spearheaded the measure in the Senate, and recently tweeted; “Pleased the Senate passed S.Res. 154 to encourage states to take steps to prevent profiling of #motorcycle riders. Hopefully this will lead to more efforts to raise awareness of and address motorcycle profiling.”

As defined by the Congressional resolutions, “motorcycle profiling” means “the illegal use of the fact that a person rides a motorcycle or wears motorcycle related apparel as a factor in deciding to stop and question, take enforcement action, arrest, or search a person or vehicle with or without legal basis under the Constitution of the United States.”

Concerned riders are now urged to contact their Congressional delegations in the U.S. House of Representatives and encourage them to join their Senate colleagues by likewise passing House Resolution 318.

GOVERNMENT WINS FIRST ROUND IN TRIAL TO SEIZE MONGOLS PATCH
For over a decade, federal law enforcement authorities have been testing a unique legal tactic to take down the Mongols Motorcycle Club by seizing their trademarked logo under asset forfeiture laws, and now a federal jury in Santa Ana, California has found the Mongols guilty of racketeering and conspiracy, setting up a second phase of the trial during which the government will seek to seize control of the club’s “intellectual property” and thereby ban members from wearing their unifying “colors” or patches.

Federal prosecutors will ask the judge to fine the Mongol Nation — the West Covina, CA entity that legally owns the club trademark — and order it to forfeit rights to the identifying logo worn on the bikers’ vests.

Since the case is focused on the Mongols organization, no specific individuals are facing jail or prison time, but the government’s attempt to defrock club members is aimed at dismantling the club by destroying their identity and thus its allure.

During the five-week trial that ended Thursday, December 13, 2018 prosecutors testified that the Mongols were a violent criminal enterprise. According to the Associated Press, in finding the Mongols guilty of racketeering, jurors decided that the motorcycle club itself is a criminal organization.

The Mongols have denied that they are a criminal enterprise, arguing that the organization itself isn’t responsible for crimes committed by individual members or in self-defense.

Defense attorney Joseph A. Yanny argued that individual club members may have committed criminal acts but the club is blameless and kicks out members under a “zero-tolerance” policy for such activity.

“They won the battle, but they did not win the war,” said David Santillan, the current president of the Mongols, said of the government after the jury verdict.

In 2008, dozens of members were charged with racketeering based on an investigation in which agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives infiltrated the club, and a judge ruled that they should forfeit the Mongols trademark but later reversed the decision. The new case was filed in 2013, and it was thrown out two years later by U.S. District Judge David O. Carter, but he was overruled on appeal.

Now, the same jury will return to court Jan. 8, as the focus of the trial shifts to potential seizures from the Mongols. Judge Carter, who is presiding over the trial, will make the final ruling on exactly what will be seized. If the judge ultimately approves the seizure of the trademark, he would also determine exactly what the government could do with it, including whether they could literally take the Mongols jackets off members’ backs.

Motorcycle clubs across the country are watching this test case closely. “They take our patch,” Santillan told the New York Times, “and then they take all the clubs’ patches.”

NCOM CONVENTION TO ADDRESS BIKERS’ RIGHTS ISSUES
Topics such as Motorcycle Profiling and “Save the Patch” will be among the many issues of concern to our nation’s motorcycle community that will be addressed during the upcoming 34th annual NCOM Convention, to be held Mother’s Day weekend, May 10-12, 2019 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Orlando, Florida. Hundreds of bikers’ rights activists from the ranks of motorcycle rights organizations (MROs) and Confederations of Clubs (COCs), as well as independents and other allied riders will gather to discuss the concerns of all riders.

Agenda items will cover various legal and legislative issues, with Special Meetings for Veterans Affairs, Women in Motorcycling, Clean & Sober Roundtable and World of Sport Bikes, as well as the Christian Unity Conference and Confederation of Clubs Patch Holders Meeting. Additional seminars will be conducted regarding Restoration of Rights, Leadership 101 and “Share the Road” Motorcycle Safety.

All motorcyclists are welcome, and to pre-register for the 2019 NCOM Convention contact the National Coalition of Motorcyclists at (800) ON-A-BIKE or visit www.ON-A-BIKE.com.

CELL PHONE BANS ARE SAVING MOTORCYCLISTS’ LIVES
Laws to ban or curb drivers’ use of cell phones and other handheld devices have greatly reduced the rate of fatalities for motorcyclists, according to a new study by faculty at Florida Atlantic University and the University of Miami. The study’s findings, recently published in Social Science & Medicine, show that states with moderate to strong bans have motorcycle fatality rates that differ by as much as 11% compared to states with no bans.

The study originally intended to focus on overall traffic fatality rates involving cell phone use while driving. When it comes to car vs. car crashes, it’s not clear that partial or total bans on phone use while driving has had any effect on fatalities, due largely to the high level of crash safety built into modern cars. Such is not the case when it comes to motorcycles, however. To the researchers’ surprise, data from the study reflects that states that have either a partial or total ban on cell phone use while driving have a lower number of motorcycle fatalities compared to states with no ban at all.

The researchers of this study argue that policymakers should consider strengthening texting and handheld cell phone bans, as well as enforcement, to improve safety and save motorcyclist lives. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, using a hand-held cell phone while driving is illegal in just sixteen states plus Washington, D.C.

“In the case of motorcycles, these laws seem to be effective,” said study co-author Gulcin Gumus, Ph.D., an associate professor in health administration in the Department of Management Programs at FAU’s College of Business. “While it’s not clear that these laws have had an impact on reducing the overall number of traffic fatalities, when we focus specifically on motorcycles, we find that these laws are having a major impact in reducing deaths among motorcycle riders.”

RECORD NUMBERS OF WOMEN ARE RIDING MOTORCYCLES
More and more women are moving from the back seat of a motorcycle to behind the handlebars, with the number of female riders doubling over the past decade from one in ten in 2009 to one in five today.

A study by the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) found that women now make up 19% of motorcycle owners, with even greater ownership among younger generations. The survey found that among Millennials (Generation Y, born from 1985-2004), 26% of motorcycle owners were women. Among Gen X (those born 1965-1984), 22% were women.

“As the number of Boomers and mature motorcyclists shrink and are replaced by newer riders, we could soon be looking at a solid 25% of motorcycle owners being female,” said Andria Yu, MIC director of communications.

The MIC polled 2,472 adults nationwide for the 2018 Motorcycle/ATV Owner Survey. For decades, the MIC says its surveys have served as the census of motorcycling, and have tracked a steady growth in the percentage of women who own bikes.

The MIC says the 2018 owner survey also found that women motorcycle owners spend, on average, $574 a year on tires, routine repairs, maintenance, replacement parts, and accessories and modifying equipment, compared with $497 by men.

Motorcycling has grown in popularity and acceptance in American culture in recent decades, which the MIC says is reflected in their survey. It found that 66% of women motorcycle owners say their family and friends would have a positive attitude toward motorcycles and scooters.

However, total ridership is struggling according to USA Today, and overall new motorcycle sales have been stagnant in the U.S. since the Great Recession, with annual sales peaking in 2006.

LONDON MOTORCYCLISTS FACE SURCHARGES
In a bid to improve air quality, the ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) will launch April 8, 2019, and drivers or riders of older vehicles in London’s central congestion zone will thereon face a round-the-clock charge of £12.50 per day ($15.80 USD).

ULEZ has been described as the world’s most radical crackdown on vehicle emissions, and will apply to motorcycles that fail to meet “Euro 4” standards (those registered before 2007).

The rider group We Ride London is campaigning against this unfair and counter-intuitive tax, stating that “Motorcycles and scooters are part of the solution to reducing pollution, congestion and overcrowding but we continue to be ignored.”

The charge will apply 24/7 and in October 2021 will be extended to the area inside the North and South Circular roads – multiplying the charge zone by 28 times.

MAN CLAIMS DISCRIMINATION IN CANADA’S HELMET EXEMPTION LAW
Earlier this year, the province of Alberta in Canada became the third province to pass a law exempting the Sikh community from wearing motorcycle helmets — north of the U.S. border, helmets are mandatory on a motorcycle. One Albertan, however, strongly believes the exemption is discriminatory and that if Sikhs don’t have to wear a helmet, neither should he.

Troy Fandrick from Medicine Hat, Alberta, believes that the exemption granted earlier this year is discriminatory. As a non Sikh, he his forced by law to wear a helmet and his claim is that if a small percentage of the population is allowed to ride without a helmet, everyone else should be allowed as well.

Fandrick explains that his issue doesn’t lie in the fact that Sikhs have been granted the exemption: his main complaint is “why them and not me”? He points a finger at Transport Canada for imposing a rule that doesn’t apply to everyone and that in this case, he is being denied equal rights.

“The sole distinction in the law is racial and ethnic in nature. There’s no additional qualification,” Fandrick told Medicine Hat News, claiming that he has already been pulled over — and fined — three times because he wasn’t wearing a helmet.

“I just want equal rights,” says Fandrick, who is currently gathering funding via a GoFundMe page to enlist the services of a lawyer interested in taking on his cause.

~ Voltaire (1694-1778), French historian and philosopher

-Photos from the Bob T. Collection

THE AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE is brought to you by Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), and is sponsored by the Law Offices of Richard M. Lester. If you’ve been involved in any kind of accident, call us at 1-(800) ON-A-BIKE or visit www.ON-A-BIKE.com.

NCOM BIKER NEWSBYTES
Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish,
National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM)

EPA ADMITS ETHANOL CAUSES ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE
“The federal requirement to blend ethanol into gasoline on the theory that it will reduce the hypothetical global warming that hasn’t appeared yet has been a joke from the start,” states a newsbit circulated by Bikernet.com (TM), and that “By adding a huge amount of demand for corn, it did push up prices for that commodity, and made vast swaths of the rural Midwest prosperous, though it has injured poor Mexicans and others who depend on corn for a substantial portion of their nutrition and driven up the price of feed used for animals, raising meat prices.”

The net energy balance of ethanol production – subtracting the amount of energy necessary to grow the corn, transport it to refineries, and then transport the ethanol to gasoline producers, has been considered a substantial net energy gain. But now the EPA has finally issued a new report and admits that the ethanol mandate comes at a considerable environmental cost.

The Public News Service summarizes: “Federal law requires the EPA to assess the environmental impact of the fuel standard every three years, but the new report, issued in July, was four years overdue. According to David DeGennaro with the National Wildlife Federation, the report documents millions of acres of wildlife habitat lost to ethanol crop production, increased nutrient pollution in waterways and air emissions and side effects worse than the gasoline the ethanol is replacing.”

“The bigger surprise is the fact that ethanol production and combustion significantly increases the production of nitrous oxides (Nox),” notes HotAir.com. “This combines with oxygen in the atmosphere when exposed to sunlight, producing ozone…and actually contributes to the formation of smog and leads to respiratory ailments for many people.”

None of this speaks to the excessive costs that ethanol forces on drivers and auto manufacturers, says Bikernet.com, concluding that; “Alas, the mandate is so popular with corn farmers in Iowa, home of the first round of presidential nominations, that President Trump (and other politicians) not only maintain the mandate, President Trump recently told an audience in Iowa that he was ‘very close’ to having EPA issue a waiver to the Clean Air Act to allow year-round sale of E-15.”

SYNTHETIC PETROL IS ON ITS WAY
The concept of fuel for your bike that doesn’t drain our dwindling oil reserves and offsets its C02 emissions with its very production is closer than we think, according to MotorcycleNews.com. “For decades, boffins have been trying to work out ways to synthesize petrol (gasoline) and diesel, but with recent strides by Ducati owners Audi and tech giants Bosch, synfuels could hit our pumps within the next decade.”

The theory is to harness our natural resources to make petrol and diesel and be able to produce it on an industrial scale so that prices can match current fuel costs.

“The new fuel has many advantages. It isn’t dependent on crude oil, it is compatible with the existing infrastructure and it offers the prospect of a closed carbon cycle,” says Reiner Mangold, head of sustainable product development at Audi.

A huge amount of energy is necessary to process the fuel, but Audi and Bosch’s plans involve a renewable energy source, such as solar or hydroelectric, to power the process. They say renewable electricity can make the process carbon neutral.

When combined with a potential carbon-free production process, it means internal combustion could be part of the environmental solution rather than the problem.

While all this might sound like science fiction, Audi produced their first synthetic petrol earlier this year, called e-Benzin, and is currently constructing a diesel production plant in Switzerland powered by hydroelectricity from a nearby dam. Mass production of this petrol is the next obvious step.

ACCIDENTS & FATALITIES DOWN AT STURGIS, DESPITE BIGGER CROWD
The number of fatal crashes during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was half that of last year’s count, according to statistics released by the South Dakota Highway Patrol. During the two-week event, there were four fatal crashes, compared to eight during the same time period last year. Both injury and non-injury accidents were down more than 10% compared to 2017, and total citations issued during Sturgis were also down nearly ten percent to 987.

Meanwhile, more than half a million vehicles rolled into the small western South Dakota town of 6,900. Data gathered by the South Dakota Department of Transportation from nine locations around Sturgis show a nearly 8% increase in traffic over last year, which saw 469,100 vehicles.

For this year’s 78th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, the tally was 505,969 vehicles, which includes motorcycles, automobiles, trucks and motor homes. Still, the number was shy of the 2015 traffic, when 747,032 vehicles rolled into the city for the 75th annual rally.

MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY TRYING TO ATTRACT NEW RIDERS
Motorcycling in America is getting a makeover, as industry stalwarts and upstart competitors are trying to attract new riders who want something different from Harley’s big burbling cruisers or screaming Japanese and European performance bikes, says CNNMoney.

The changes are in response to younger riders who are attracted to the efficiency and fun of two-wheel travel, but who don’t want to buy into all the “biker” baggage.

“Millennials and Gen X’ers, they aren’t always seeking to make motorcycling a lifestyle, where it’s kind of everything you live for,” said Tim Buche, president and CEO of the Motorcycle Industry Council. These younger riders are looking for motorcycles suited to a more casual relationship rather than a serious commitment.

With shifting tastes, some start-up motorcycle makers are offering “green” electric bikes, without the noise, vibration and pollutants of an internal combustion engine, while more well-established brands are putting design emphasis on spare simplicity, targeted at a more casual rider.

Even long-venerated Harley-Davidson announced it will start offering products aimed at reaching customers who aren’t traditionally drawn to its renowned American retro-styled offerings, and will produce their first electric motorcycle — the all-new LiveWire — in 2019.

HARLEY REFUTES ‘MISINFORMATION’ ABOUT MOVING PRODUCTION OFFSHORE
Harley-Davidson Inc. Chief Executive Officer Matt Levatich pushed back against what he called “misinformation” surrounding the Motor Company’s announced plans to move some production overseas.

The iconic American motorcycle maker has been the subject of angry tweets from President Donald Trump since announcing in June it would move some production abroad to sidestep tariffs the European Union slapped on its bikes in retaliation to Trump’s tariffs on imported steel and aluminum.

According to Bloomberg business news, “the spat heated up recently when President Trump said he would support a boycott of the company if it moved production overseas.” Trump’s pronouncement that “A Harley-Davidson should never be built in another country-never!,” came a day after he welcomed nearly 200 ‘Bikers For Trump’ supporters to his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey, and a New York Times article cited some Harley-Davidson owners criticizing the company at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally saying this was their last Harley.

Levatich said that the uproar surrounding the company’s earlier announcement that it would move some of its production overseas “misinformation”. He reminded employees and dealers that the purpose of this move is to keep their products competitive in their second biggest market. Harley doesn’t sell motorcycles in the U.S. that are built overseas, and that won’t change, Levatich said.

NEW MEXICO MRO CALLS OUT SHERIFFS DEPUTIES FOR PROFILING BIKERS
A motorcycle rights group in New Mexico is calling out the Bernalillo County Sheriff, claiming his deputies are profiling motorcyclists. “Being profiled, it’s not a comfortable feeling,” said Raymond Gallegos of the New Mexico Motorcycle Rights Organization (NMMRO), saying there’s been a string of incidents with BCSO, prompting them to write a letter to Sheriff Manuel Gonzales.

Some see the patches, the leather and certain colors on riders and assume criminal. However, Gallegos, vice chair of the NMMRO, says that’s far from the truth. “So many of our organizations really benefit the community. We’re working for charities, we’re raising money for this organization or that organization,” he told KRQE News 13.

Gallegos says members of the NMMRO have reported three incidents over the last year that call into question BCSO’s practices. It led the group to write a letter to Sheriff Gonzales that calls out the department for harassing, intimidating and even photographing riders.

So, NMMRO set up a meeting for July 30 with the sheriff. “We really wanted to see how our community and BCSO could work together to get ahead of this profiling issue,” he said. “That was the intent of this meeting with the sheriff’s department.”

However, the meeting was canceled at the 11th hour and the department told KRQE that there’s an ongoing operation to address reckless motorcyclists, but that deputies do not profile riders.

A re-do meeting has since been rescheduled, though NMMRO says it’s also pursuing anti-profiling legislation, and is encouraging its members who were allegedly profiled to seek legal counsel.

WACO ‘TWIN PEAKS’ UPDATE
To keep readers apprised of the ongoing travesty of ‘Waco’ — the May 2015 shootout involving police and club members attending a legislative meeting at the Twin Peaks Restaurant that left nine bikers dead and 20 wounded — AIM/NCOM Founder Richard Lester would like to share the following information gleaned from Southwest Scooter News:

Prosecutors and an attorney for Jacob Carrizal, the Dallas Bandidos chapter president, have agreed to postpone the retrial of the Twin Peaks biker shootout defendant, which had been set for September 10, 2018. Carrizal is the first and only defendant to stand trial so far, and his first trial ended in a hung jury and mistrial in November 2017.

In a joint motion for a continuance, Robert Moody, McLennan County first assistant district attorney, and Chris Lewis, Carrizal’s attorney, cite the volume of evidence needed to be reviewed, plus evidence federal prosecutors have agreed to share from the separate trial of two former Bandidos national leaders that both sides want to see, according to the Waco Tribune.

Besides McLennan County prosecutors, attorneys representing defendants in federal civil rights lawsuits filed over the mass arrests of 193 bikers after the Twin Peaks incident also have cited the need to see federal evidence from a Bandidos racketeering case in San Antonio as a reason for postponing proceedings in the civil cases.

Prosecutors re-indicted Carrizal and 23 other Twin Peaks defendants earlier this summer on riot charges and have said they do not intend to pursue the identical ‘engaging in organized criminal activity’ charges on which 155 bikers were indicted three years ago. Of those 155 cases, with defendants being held in jail for months on a million dollars bail each, all but 27 have been dismissed.

In the meantime, as his term grows short, Waco District Attorney Abel Reyna — who failed in his re-election bid largely over his mishandling of the “Twin Peaks Shootout” cases — is settling old scores before leaving office by firing prosecutor Amanda Dillon, the last of Reyna’s remaining employees who provided information to the FBI during its investigation of DA Reyna, effectively blaming her for the mistrial in the Carrizal case.

HANOI TO BAN MOTORCYCLES
Vietnamese authorities have announced plans to ban motorcycles in Hanoi by 2030 in a bid to cut air pollution and improve locals’ quality of life. The country’s capital, Hanoi, is home to 7.7 million people and is one of the most polluted cities in Southeast Asia and only 38 days last year had air quality that was considered good by the World Health Organization.

The city is famous for its millions of motorcycles (5m), and it is these — together with coal-fired power plants, heavy industry, a surge in construction projects and the seasonal agricultural burning — which authorities are blaming for the pollution.

In an attempt to combat the air quality problem and boost public transport, Hanoi city council announced in early August that powered two-wheelers would be banned by 2030.

QUOTABLE QUOTE: “If you want to call the NFL to make your voice heard,” ask for Mike in the P.R. Office (212-450-2000) and “let them know the players need to respect our National Anthem and the Veterans of the United States. No profanity, be polite!”

~ from Gill Mellon, ABATE of California board member and liaison to the Confederations of Clubs

–Vintages shots from Bob T.

Hey,

Sorry, but I was in Olympia, Washington yesterday, when I got a call. Kevin Kahl called to tell me he was back in town and ready to build the Salt Torpedo frame.

The Redhead and I scrambled out of the sack at 3:00 in the morning and hit one of the worst airport security experiences I have ever encountered. The Jet Blue flight was a dream and we were back in Long Beach by 8:30. By 10:00 I was unloading a tubing bender and a portable TIG welder from Kevin’s beat up compact car, which he hauled ass in back from Kansas.

So, I’m scrambling on a quickie news for today. Hang on!

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

HELLS ANGELS FOR THE KIDS IN FRESNO CALIFORNIA–A sea of brand new bicycles covered the field at Chukchansi Park Saturday morning.

The bicycles were the result of nearly a month of camping out by members of the Hell’s Angels, who raised money to buy the bicycles for the group’s 20th bike giveaway.

Saturday morning, they rode from Intimo Lounge in Northwest Fresno to Chukchansi Park to deliver 25 truckloads of bicycles.

They handed out a total of 1,700 bikes to kids with 1,400 families.

A number of organizations helped select recipients including the Salvation Army, Jefferson Elementary, Easterby, Angels of Grace, Fresno County EOC and WestCare.

https://kmph.com/news/local/

–Rogue

NEW BIKERNET AND BANDIT’S CANTINA PROGRAMS FOR 2019—Starting middle of January 2019

We’ve moved things around some. We shut down all major advertising sales and moved Bikernet into the Cantina.

We kept the blog on the free side of the curtain and will update it daily. All major content will be expanded into the Cantina.

So, from a business side here’s how it will work. We will continue to build great content featuring the Weekly News, Features and tech articles.

If you want to stay abreast of all the action please join the Cantina for as little as $24 or $39 for two year and receive a special bling package from Bikernet.

If you want us to continue to work for your company on a daily, weekly or monthly basis it’s only $98 a year and keep sending your press releases whenever you choose and we will take care of them.

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

QUICK, OPEN THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY–
Q: Why did the chicken cross the road?

UN colludes with climate protesters to disrupt & shut down Trump admin. pro-energy event at UN summit–
UN gives its blessing to protesters to shut down Trump administration event at UN climate summit

KATOWICE — The United Nations gave its blessing to a massive climate protest during the Trump administration’s pro-energy event today at the climate summit (COP24) in Poland, according to the U.S. delegation. The UN pre-authorized and pre-planned the wide-scale interruption that shut down the Trump White House’s pro-fossil fuel event.

Officials from the U.S. delegation told Climate Depot on Monday that the UN informed the U.S. that the environmental activists would be authorized by the UN to disrupt the U.S. event for at least “7 minutes” and the green protesters would be granted the floor halt the event and give speeches during the U.S. event.

CFACT president Craig Rucker commented, “It almost seems like the UN, by giving its stamp of approval to the protesters, it trying to punish President Trump for withdrawing from the UN Paris climate pact.”

When the “skeptic” Darwall responded to the protesters “rubbish,” there were calls to remove him immediately. “It tells you everything you need to know about their utter artificiality,” Darwall said. “The one thing you can’t do at UN climate conference is heckle the hecklers. Instead, people are forced to listen to their childish ranting and be prevented from hearing what serious people on the platform had to say,” Darwall added.

“There should be an open and vigorous debate and it doesn’t help of the U.N. appears to have a dog in the race,” Kevin Mooney, an investigative journalist from Washington D.C. told Climate Depot. Mooney added that instead of taking sides, the UN should hold a “detached, dispassionate position where protests are concerned.”

THIS JUST IN FROM SPECTRO OIL–Some info on Brake Fluids.

Always flush the system as good as possible. Always use the recommended fluid by manufacturer. Our Silicone DOT 5 is designed to keep up with vehicle innovation and reliability. It is a High Performance product tested to meet and exceed the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 116 DOT 5.

It has a long history in automotive braking applications and has been widely
tested for years. The Silicone base is capable of performing over wide temp
extremes and is hydroscopic with low water absorption over its lifetime. This keeps the fluid resistant to corrosion due to low water content, and it also included anti corrosion additives to further resist moisture.

It is highly compatible with all braking components as well as polymers
elastomers and paints. Silicone Braking fluid excels in consistent brake performance and reduced brake fade.

They should not be mixed with other brake fluid chemistries like polyglycol.

Joe Russo
National Sales Manager
www.spectro-oils.com

New Bikernet Reader Comment!–
5-Ball Racing Salt Torpedo Chapter 12–the Frame

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/5Ball_Racing_Salt_Torpedo_chapter_12the_Frame.aspx

Good article, keep the progress reports coming. You must share some DNA with Eric Buell.

Nice old Ford.

–Timothy Remus
tim@wolfpub.com
White Bear Lake, MN

We may reach out to Tim to help us create a book about this effort, if all goes well.—Bandit

RIDING FREE FROM DC MRF REPORT–Your Weekly Biker Bulletin from Inside the Beltway

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

NEWS FROM THE HILL – SENATE PROFILING RESOLUTION PASSES WITH UNANIMOUS CONSENT – AV Start Act – RPM Act News
On Tuesday evening, S. Res. 154, Motorcycle Profiling Awareness Resolution, was presented on the Senate floor and passed with unanimous consent!

Over the past few weeks, your MRF has been engaged in very productive meetings with our champions on Capitol Hill. MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard came to town on Friday to meet our contract lobbyist, Rocky Fox of Husch Blackwell Strategies and your Director of Operations to make sure we are aligned with our legislative strategy to pursue the profiling resolutions. At the end of last week, the Senate resolution passed its first hurdle and was signed off by the Senate Judiciary Committee. On Tuesday afternoon, the resolution was officially placed on the Senate Hotline where Senators are given a chance to object to anything before it moves to the floor. Without any objections, S. Res. 154 was presented on the floor just before 8:00 p.m. and was officially adopted by the U.S. Senate.

This was a major Victory for our membership and our role in achieving this legislative priority was acknowledged in a tweet by Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin.

You can watch the video here from the Senate Floor proceedings (skip to 10 hours to see S. Res. 154): https://floor.senate.gov/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=3108

As the year comes to a close, the MRF will continue our efforts to help ensure that the U.S. House of Representatives joins their colleagues in the Senate and passes H. Res. 318 in the waning weeks of this Congress.

Right now, backroom negotiations are occurring on our House profiling resolution and we are working hard to see this issue is fully addressed by the year-end. We are only in this position because of the personal outreach you as members have done with Capitol Hill. As with everything in Washington DC, this is a fluid situation. We will keep you up to date but as circumstances change, we may need you to engage with your lawmakers again. Stand by….

Last week, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee worked on the AV Start Act (S. 1885) to begin to merge with the Self Drive Act (H.R. 3388) legislation that passed the House of Representatives last year in hopes that it will be considered in Congress before the end of the year.

The MRF has been supportive of the Senate’s AV Start act over the House’s Self Drive Act because MRF Legislative Champion Senator Thune (SD-R) confirmed this legislation required manufacturers to ensure that motorcycles are detected and responded to in their safety evaluation reports.

As you will read about in the regulatory updates below, the MRF has been concerned that motorcycles are not currently included in the US Department of Transportation’s AV guidance on the current voluntary reporting that manufacturers are requested to do now. We hope that this legislation which adds protections for motorcyclists makes its way for a vote was the days in lame duck are dwindling. We will update you more when anything changes on this legislation.

The Recognizing of Motorsports Act (RPM Act) began to make its move in the House of Representative this week. H.R. 350 has officially cleared the Energy and Commerce committee and has made its way to leadership for consideration of a vote. However, this bill may not make it to the vote before the end of the year because of the limited amount of time left during this Congress for floor action. Nevertheless, we would not be surprised if this language made it into the year-end package.

EXECUTIVE & REGULATORY UPDATES –DOT SEEKS COMMENT ON AV 3.0
Last week, your MRF commented on the US Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Preparing for the Future of Transportation: Automation 3.0. Unfortunately, the third time was not a charm for the consideration of motorcyclists in future autonomous vehicle DOT guidance.

Last year, the MRF was disappointed to find that motorcyclists were not included Object and Event Detection and Response in the Voluntary Safety Self-Assessment (VSSA) of Automated Driving Systems-A Vision for Safety guidance and 3.0 has not offered any inclusion of motorcycles.

Currently, the DOT policy on AV’s is that manufacturers only have to report on their technology to DOT on a voluntary basis and with little to no guidance on what the parameters of reporting should be. To date, six manufacturers have participated in the DOT VSSA.

You can check out their reports and review the voluntary guidelines at: https://www.nhtsa.gov/automated-driving-systems/voluntary-safety-self-assessment

You can download and read:
Preparing for the Future of Transportation: Automation 3.0

STATE NEWS – Welcoming the 116th Congress – Rolling Thunder coming to an End

The dust had finally settled from the 2018 elections and we are hard at work beginning to learn about the newly elected members of the 116th Congress who are set to be sworn in on January 3, 2019. We will have a new party in control of the House of Representatives, newly appointed committee leadership and we will bid a farewell to some of our motorcycle friendly elected officials.

So what does that mean for us bikers? We all need to start becoming acclimated with our newly elected members and start educating them about the issues that are important to motorcyclists across the country. During this process, we need to start identifying motorcycle friendly Representatives and Senators and diligently work with them to ensure our interests are protected on Capitol Hill.

Do you have a newly elected motorcycle friendly member of Congress back in your state? Please pass their information on to the MRF office and we can start meeting with their offices when the new Congress is in session. It’s no secret that the key to being effective on Capitol Hill is by having Champions of Motorcycling in DC.

News began swirling this week on social media after a statement was made that 2019 will be the last Run to the Wall for Rolling Thunder. It was confirmed that due to ever increasing costs to host a couple hundred thousand bikers during Memorial Day weekend as one of the reasons that the event will end.

Rolling Thunder, Inc. will continue its work on behalf of POW/MIAs, veterans, and active duty military. If you have ever planned to participate in the Run to the Wall, you may want to make your plans to be in D.C. this year for the 32nd Annual Rolling Thunder Run to the Wall. I would also like to note that this year’s Bikers Inside the Beltway is the week leading up to Memorial Day. You could come to town to lobby and stay through the final rumble on the mall. If we hear any updates about Rolling Thunder, we will be sure to pass it along.

MRF NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS – Make your plans for Bikers Inside the Beltway!
Are you ready to ride to our nation’s capital to speak with your elected officials?
We hope you will join us at the 11th Annual Michael “Boz” Kerr Bikers Inside the Beltway on Tuesday, May 21st. Be sure to make your plans to come into town on Monday, May 20th and join us for the legislative prep session. You will learn about the important legislation that you will be speaking to your elected officials about.

Last year during BITB, we had an opportunity to shoot a video during the event explaining what the event is and the importance of grassroots lobbying in the motorcycling community. You can watch the video here: Bikers Inside the Beltway Video

To learn more about Bikers Inside the Beltway 2019 and download the event flyer, please visit: www.mrf.org/events

RIDE FREE-

Tiffany Cipoletti
Director of Operations
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation

OLD SCHOOL TT SCRAMBLES ROUND 5

Sunday, December 9th. Don’t miss this fun event at Glen Helen. There are lots of classes including Vintage, Post-Vintage, Modern Support, Quads, Sidecar, Mini Adult, Mini kids. Racing like it used to be done. Don’t forget that kids ride for free courtesy of Rod Lake. www.oldschoolscramblesracing.com

AMA /FIM NORTH AMERICAN FINAL SPEEDWAY AT PERRIS SATURDAY DECEMBER 8th

(U.S. GRAND PRIX QUALIFIER ) PLUS A PRESHOW

Be there to watch 16 of our best riders, including those that have been racing overseas. At the end of the night, the top two finishers will be invited to represent the USA in a European Grand Prix Qualifying race. One will race in Scotland and the other in Croatia. These races start at 7PM.

Get there early, gates open at 1pm and the Pre Show starts at 4pm. The Pre Show will include the Speedway Winter Championships for Support, Juniors, PeeWee and Hooligans. For more information:

www.speedwaybikes.com Steve Evans (310) 309 9418 dreamteamspeedway@sbcglobal.net

1205 Burton Road, Perris, CA

INDOOR FLAT TRACK IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS DUQUOIN STATE FAIRGROUND

Steve Nace Racing Promotions is putting on this two day event. It is the Ethan Gillim Memorial at the Southern Illinois Center. 655 Executive Dr., DuQuoin, Illinois, 62832. Friday night practice from 6-9pm $25.00.

Saturday, Dec 29 MC & ATV short track and TT Gate opens and Sign up 9am, Practice 11am

Sunday, Dec 30 MC & ATV short track and TT Gate opens and Sign up 8am Practice 10am

snace@apex.net www.stevenaceracing.com (270) 442 7532

MALCOLM’S KIDS LEARN TO RIDE DAY 2018

A very successful event. You can see a video by googling Malcolm’s kids learn to ride day 2018

PRE-SALE OF 2019 AFT DAYTONA TT MEN’S T-SHIRTS.

The American Flat Track Clothing Co. can get you fixed up in the latest AFT shirts. www.americanflattracker.com

NEW POSTS ON TODAYS CYCLE COVERAGE

Today’s Cycle Coverage re-posted the book gift suggestion list. It has added photos so you can see what the jackets look like.

http://www.todayscyclecoverage.com/wordpress/2018/12/03/merry-christmas-gift-suggestions-for-good-reading/

Also reposted is Howie Zechner’s story and photos of the Celebration of Life for Bob Nichols. Very nicely done.

http://www.todayscyclecoverage.com/wordpress/2018/11/29/celebration-of-life-for-bob-nichols-2/

Thanks David

DENNIS KANEGAE HIRED ON AT MOTOAMERICA

Dennis Kanegae, Trailblazer Hall of Famer, is now part of the MotoAmerica team as the Director of Sponsorship. Dennis has over 30 years of experience in the motorcycle industry, which includes manager and director of marketing and advertisement for various firms. Dennis also did his fair share of motorcycle racing. He and MotoAmerica should be a good fit. Congratulations

MARY MCGEE TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE AMA MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME THIS WEEKEND

On Friday, December 7, Trailblazer Mary McGee is receiving another well-earned award. Among her many achievements, she was among the first women to race motorcycles competitively in many different events: Motocross, Road Racing, Baja and Enduros.

Also being inducted is Corky Keener, Flat Track racer. The late, Nicky Hayden AMA & FIM super star. Skip Eaken, motorcycle racing tuner. Gary Davis, Stunt man. Terry Cunningham, champion off-road rider. Congratulations to all of them.

NORTON CLUB’S “RUN FOR THE ROSES”

On December 31, the So Cal Norton Club will take their final ride of the year. Meet at Lucky Baldwins Trappiste, located at 1770 E. Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena. The ride is to Newcomb’s Ranch on Angeles Crest/Hwy 2. Return to Congregation Ale House located at 300 S. Raymond Ave. in Pasadena. Ride Maps will be handed out prior to departure. Ride your classic motorcycle. Ride departs at 10am Sharp. www.socalnorton.com

BUDDY STUBBS MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM – PHOENIX ARIZONA

If you are in the Phoenix area, the Buddy Stubbs Motorcycle Museum is a must. It is at least an hour of motorcycle euphoria, it’s air conditioned, and it’s free. The museum is located at his main dealership. There are 130 plus vintage motorcycles which include 37 different brands encompassing 110 years of two-wheeled history. Buddy’s story is remarkable. You can find it on the AMA Hall of Fame website and on the Trailblazers website. Open 7 Days a week. 13850 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, AZ 85052

17 YEAR OLD AUSTRALIAN WILL COMPETE AGAIN ON THE AFT SINGLES TOUR

17 year old Max Whale from Coondo, QLD, Australia, is receiving sponsorship support from Weirback Racing. Max did well on the singles during the 2018 series. He had several top 10 finishes.

CYCLE NEWS STUFF

*BIG 6 GOES NATIONAL The AMA District 37 Big 6 Grand Prix Series (WCGP) is getting national status. Now called the AMA Grand Prix National Championship Series, it will be organized and run by Big 6 Grand Prix Series, Inc. More in issue #47.

*Larry Lawrence wrote about “When Springsteen ended a Harley Drought” in issue 47

*In Issue #48 Larry wrote about another Flat Track Legend “Eddie Lawsons 1st National Win”

*Good recap of the Kurt Caselli Ride Day at Fox Racing in issue #48.

Read more to the stories at www.cyclenews.com FREE

50 YEARS AGO IN CYCLE NEWS

7 year old Fred Chase put on an exhibition at the Archie Clark Memorial scrambles in Stockton. The Edison Dye International Motocross in Santa Cruz, CA. Among those racing were Joel Robert, Bob Grossi, Dave Bickers, Torleif Hansen, John Hateley, Barry Higgins and Lars Larsson. Drag racing at Lions Raceway.

40 YEARS AGO

Randy Mamola won the AFM road races at Riverside International Raceway. He led Harry Klinzmann and Freddy Spencer. The issue focused on all things desert. Tom Webb won the Desert Motorcycle’s Diamondback Enduro. Scott Burnworth won the 125cc Pro class at Carlsbad.

30 YEARS AGO

Freddy Spencer came out of retirement to ride for Marlboro Yamaha to race the 1989 500cc World Championship Road Race. Danny LaPorte won the Baja 1000, teamed with Larry Roeseler and Paul Krause. It was Roeseler’s 5th Baja 1000 victory. 1200 riders in the Barstow-to-Vegas . It was won overall by Bruce Ogilvie. Sam Ermolenko dominated the U.S. Long Track Championship. Jeremy McGrath won the Pro MX class at Perris Raceway

GENUINE SCOOTERS 1ST MOTORCYCLE G400C

The Genuine Scooter Company has a 397cc motorcycle on the market. They said it is affordable, fun, weighs 353 pounds, 25 HP, with a top speed of 80 www.genuinescooters.com

MIC SURVEY SHOWS FEMALE RIDERS ON THE RISE

According to the survey, 19% of motorcycle riders are female. The women spend 15% more on parts, accessories and apparel. The majority of the female riders were born between 1981 and 1997. Generation X (1961-1981) has the most ownership at 22%.

AMA DUSTRICT 34 BIG 6 GRAND PRIX DECEMBER 7-9 ROUND 8 OF 8

The event will take place in Lake Havasu, Arizona www.district37ama.org www.americanmotorcyclist.com

BSAOCSC “LOOSE CABOOSE” DUAL-SPORT RIDE

Saturday, December 8th. Ride will be from Bill Getty’s “Railroad Ranch” in the mountains above Banning. 49125 Boarder Road, Banning, CA 92220. No gas at start, so arrive with a full thank at 9am and be ready to go by 10am. For vintage British motorcycles only, with street registration, and spark arrestors. Info: (951) 940-5411, (951) 218-8403, (310) 292-8997 or (760) 365-9191

BSAOCNC 2019 ANNUAL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

To be held on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at the Ranch Restaurant in Hayward, California. Be there at 11:30am, Lunch is at 1pm. Bring photos, suggestions & big ideas to share. RSVP & order Lunch (by January 11. David James (415) 760 6392. Info at www.bsaocnc.org. Restaurant address: 22877 Mission Blvd. Hayward

2019 SUPERCROSS STARTS JANUARY 5TH IN ANAHEIM

SuperCross season starts off in January and ends in May. The January races are:

January 5 Angel Stadium Anaheim, CA

January 12 State Farm Stadium Cortez, AZ

January 19 Angel Stadium Anaheim, Ca

January 26 Oakland Alameda Coliseum Oakland, California

GLEN HELEN DECEMBER SCHEDULE

Saturday, December 8th MX Practice

Sunday, December 9th TWMX/ TT Scrambles

Saturday, December 15th REM MX / Jump Champ/ MX Practice

Sunday, December 16th SRA / Toys for Tots / Kyle Yarnell Team

Saturday, December 22nd REM MX / MX Practice

Sunday, December 23rd MX Practice

Saturday, December 29 REM MX / MX Practice

Sunday, December 30th MX Practice

AT LEAST THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY IS STILL OPEN–
Q: Did you guys hear about the cannibal that made a bunch of businessmen into Chili?
A: I guess he liked seasoned professionals.

CLUB NEWS–
Could a notorious biker club’s survival hinge on a trademark? The feds are betting on it
When federal prosecutors finally managed to put mobster Al Capone behind bars, it wasn’t for murder or bootlegging, but tax evasion.

Fast forward several decades and government lawyers in Southern California say a similarly novel tactic could be the key to taking down the Mongols, a notorious motorcycle club that has long been targeted by authorities for killings and drug trafficking.

Instead of tax returns, the court battle this time will be won or lost in the decidedly unexciting trenches of trademark and forfeiture law.

If the government prevails in a racketeering case in Orange County against the group’s leadership, prosecutors plan to seek a court order to seize control of the club’s coveted, trademarked insignia, which its members wear emblazoned on the back of their biker jackets.

Both sides agree the insignia — a muscled, Asian man with a ponytail and sunglasses riding a motorcycle beneath the club’s name in capital letters — is a vital and potent part of the club’s identity. In trying to wrest it away, justice officials are banking on the idea that if they own the trademark, they will be able to choke off the club’s lifeline by preventing current and future members from wearing the image.

But it’s an open question whether the untested legal ploy will work, trademark experts said.

“It’s a strange tool to use to try to stamp out an organization,” said Ben M. Davidson, a trademark attorney in Los Angeles. “This club doesn’t exist because of its trademark, and I don’t think losing it is what’s going to stop them from being a club.”

The Mongols were formed in the 1970s in Montebello, outside of Los Angeles, by a group of Latino men who reportedly had been rejected for membership by the Hells Angels motorcycle gang. It has expanded over the decades to include several hundred members in chapters across Southern California and elsewhere.

Like many social clubs, the Mongols have a constitution and bylaws, while top officials in the club’s “Mother Chapter” in West Covina collect dues from members, according to court records. But the Mongols are also a group that investigators say kept a cache of assault rifles, other weapons and bulletproof vests at its headquarters.

The Mongols club has been in the federal government’s crosshairs for years, along with several other groups authorities have identified as “outlaw motorcycle gangs.” Despite their claims of being innocent social clubs, the groups, which include the Hells Angels, Vagos and The Outlaws, have long track records of warring with each other and, according to authorities, operate as criminal organizations that subsist on the drug trade.

In 2008, nearly 80 Mongols members were charged in a sweeping racketeering case that included an array of alleged murders, assaults and drug deals. The charges were the culmination of Operation Black Rain, an investigation that centered on Mongols who had become paid informants and four undercover agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives who infiltrated the club’s ranks.

The idea of stripping the Mongols of their insignia was born in this earlier case. At a news conference announcing the charges, then-U.S. Atty. Thomas P. O’Brien laid out plans to take control of the trademark — a move that he said would give the government the authority to force Mongols members to remove their coveted insignia from their riding jackets.

“We’re going after their very identity,” O’Brien said.

All but two of the defendants in the case pleaded guilty, and a judge agreed the trademark should be forfeited as part of the sentences handed down. The judge ultimately reversed himself, however, after deciding none of the people charged in the case actually owned the trademark and, so, couldn’t forfeit it.

Prosecutors tried a new tack in 2013, when they filed a second racketeering case that was largely the same as the first but which named only one defendant — Mongol Nation, the entity which prosecutors say is made up of the club’s leaders and owns the trademark.

In the new case, for example, prosecutors accused the Mongol Nation of being responsible for the 2008 murder in San Francisco of a Hells Angels member by a Mongols member.

The new effort was nearly derailed when U.S. District Judge David O. Carter threw it out on legal grounds. But an appeals court overruled Carter, and the case finally went to trial last month. Over several weeks of testimony, prosecutors once again relied on the now-retired undercover ATF agents to testify about their time posing as Mongol members.

Defense attorney Joseph Yanny, meanwhile, argued that any violence by members was committed in self-defense, and anyone found dealing drugs was kicked out of the club.

If the jury, which began deliberating last week, delivers a guilty verdict on the new racketeering charges, the panel and Carter will then have to decide whether the Mongols should forfeit their trademark as part of the sentence. The government also wants large fines imposed on the club if it is convicted.

People and organizations commonly are stripped of cash, expensive cars, yachts and other tangible valuables as part of their criminal sentences.

Taking a trademark, however, is uncharted waters.

Through a spokesman, the U.S. attorney’s office declined to comment. But from what the government attempted in the first trial and their filings in the current case, it is clear prosecutors believe that with the trademark in hand they will have the authority to ban Mongols members from wearing their riding jackets, which display the insignia on the back and other smaller patches.

Yanny said he plans to raise multiple legal challenges if the government goes after the Mongols’ trademark, including the club members’ constitutional right under the 1st Amendment to express themselves freely.

Beyond those legal hurdles, experts in trademark law expressed doubts about the government’s plan. Unlike a patent, a trademark has legal heft only if the owner continues to produce the product or service that the trademark protects. The trademark Apple owns on its computers, for example, exists only as long as the company continues to make them, said Jason Rosenberg, a trademark attorney.

“I’m dubious,” Rosenberg said, echoing the doubts of other attorneys and academics. “Is the government really going to start its own motorcycle club?”

Even if justice officials licensed a law-abiding motorcycle club or law enforcement organization to use the Mongols insignia, Rosenberg and others remained skeptical of whether a judge’s seizure order forcing old Mongols members to hand over their jackets would stand up.

“They could probably get a seizure order for an inventory of jackets in a warehouse somewhere,” Rosenberg said, “but what happens six months from now when a motorcyclist is pulled over for wearing his jacket that he was given permission to wear by the club when they owned the trademark? I have never heard of trademark law being used to take the clothing off someone’s back.”

–Joe Rubin, LA Times
MSN.com

–from Rogue

YO—I need to get some sleep. Then the shop will be hot and heavy tomorrow as we race to start testing and making pieces for the frame.

Hang on next week as we roll into several reports and a major news.

Have a helluva holiday season and don’t forget to ride free forever.

–Bandit

It’s incredible how life twists and turns, but now we’re in the fast lane and of course the
Redhead contributed. She’s the manager of a marina in the LA Port ghetto and comes across interesting characters, who end up living on boats for one reason or another.

Part of her job is to interview and access whether the new entrant is capable of living on a swaying sailboat and capable of paying the bills. There’s a rule in most marinas. Only 10 percent of the customers are allowed to live on their boats and there’s an additional fee for live-aboard status.

So, as it turned out, while I was thinking about buying cage pieces from dragster frame manufacturers, to form the front half of the frame, the Redhead had a conversation with a new boater, Kevin Kahl, the owner of The Hot Rod Underground, a brother with a serious illness, who needed a place to relax between surgeries.

As it turns out Kevin built chopper frames for Bourget’s, he’s built numerous dragster frames and even funny car frames. The Redhead’s warm eyes lite up and she scrambled to the headquarters with the news.

Kevin needed to return to Kansas City for an operation, but he made the time to come to the headquarters where his eyes lit up and we played with various elements of the Salt Torpedo and I gave him a copy of the FIM rulebook. I printed out four from the web site and had them bound for just this reason. Over the next week we discussed my homework assignments, while he was gone. He made a list of needed tubing. We laid the body over the frame and discussed options.

I told him I was going to shorten the frame by 6 inches. We also need to build a barrier wall between the engine compartment and the rider.

Kevin planned to return from Kansas with his tubing bender, and I needed the proper bits for notching the tubing I was headed to buy. I had the cutter jig. I called a couple of local steel distributors and got tubing pricing. I made a run and had the necessary tubing in a quick morning jam around town.

Other goals included cutting the body to fit around the axle. That would be nerve wracking. It was like a delicate eggshell, but fortunately I had a meeting with Charles from Strictly Hawgs, who fell in love with the project and wanted to include a fiberglass master brother, Mick. Suddenly, I wasn’t as worried.

Okay, Kevin was suddenly gone like a cool breeze heading into the snow, and I found myself in touch with another master of car and bike building, Gary Mauer, who kindly shipped me a steer box and a steering wheel. Although, we are trying to run a small set of handlebars for several reasons.

The rider must keep his hands on the bars during a pass. It actually might be good to have the clutch and throttle on the bars, the brakes and shifter pedal for the feet. We will see.

I went to work violently cutting the frame six inches and then cutting the chunks away from the front plate. I tacked the mock frame members to the plate again and tried the body panel.

James the tile man had problems with his 1999 Dyna handling and kept popping over for help with machining wheel spacers and pulley spacers. During the industry party Eric Bennett of Bennett’s Performance suggested access to a chain hoist. “You’ll take the body off and on a thousand times during this process.”

His statement reminded me of something John Reed said a few years ago about designing parts. James and I reconfigured the shop to allow the Torpedo to reside under the shop chain hoist. I could lift body parts or the frame to slip the body panel under the Torpedo chassis. Up and down it went.

The frame was still too long and another consideration kept looming about the front suspension. The Paughco leaf spring system had to go, which would save me almost 2 inches. I remove it and modified the rear axle to give me almost and inch from side to side. Suddenly there was hope for the body to fit.

I spoke to Denis Manning, one of the very few masters of Streamlining on the earth. We discussed whether the body needed to stick out in front of the wheels or not. We had a lot considerations and restrictions to deal with.

With the leaf spring system removed, we started to discuss other suspension systems. I had just come across a ’72 Ford F-250 and wanted to lower it. I searched and searched and discovered no modified arms for the F-250. I started to learn little bits about front suspension systems. Most dragsters don’t have front suspensions other than the flex in the long nosed frames. We wouldn’t have a long-nosed frame.

I always wanted to have this puppy completely suspended and rubbermounted for rider comfort and durability, but as you will see stuff started to get in the way both front and rear. We will see as the process unfolds. We’re not done yet and I discussed inboard front suspensions with several folks and will continue to study options.

As you can see the shocks would not fit in the frame without notching the body. I ended up messing with the shocks and Jeremiah suggested some offset shock mounts. I don’t want to be forced to make struts.

Just recently I moved the front axle down to allow more ground clearance. The body fit even better. Next we will extend or make struts on the rear to raise the body even higher.

The next report will hopefully be significant. You will see the frame come together, body adjustments. I need to speak to Kent Weeks. He set up the transmission and I need to discuss installing the engine and trans for clearance purposes. Hang On!

JIM’s Machine

Hot Rod Underground

 Paughco

Strictly Hawgs

MetalSport Wheels

Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde, one of the most talented heavy metal musicians ever to pick up a guitar, will bring the hard rock supergroup Zakk Sabbath, and the full thunderous fury of Black Sabbath hits, to the Wolfman Jack Stage on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019. Together with bassist Blasko (Ozzy, Rob Zombie) and drummer Joey Castillo (Danzig, Queens of the Stone Age), the group will bring Buffalo Chip fans the most insane jams from Black Sabbath’s first six albums. See the announcement video here: BuffaloChip.com/BANDS

“There is really no band more qualified to smash out a block buster Black Sabbath style grand finale at the Chip we won’t soon forget than Zakk Sabbath,” said Rod Woodruff, Sturgis Buffalo Chip President, “Front man Zakk Wylde is arguably one of the most influential and accomplished guitarists of the last 30 years, and will without a doubt close out this summer’s festival with a very powerful rock performance.”

Zakk Wylde co-wrote some of Ozzy Osbourne’s biggest solo hits and intends to rock fan’s brains out to Wylde renditions of Black Sabbath classics like “War Pigs,” “Fairies Wear Boots,” “Into The Void,” “Snowblind,” “NIB,” “Supernaut,” and more until fans are screaming “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” like a Paranoid madman at an Electric Funeral.

The 38th annual festival noted as “The Best Party Anywhere” will open with a pre-rally party July 29 – Aug. 1, 2019, with official festival dates running Aug. 2-11, 2019. Performers announced so far include:

Saturday, Aug. 3 Keith Urban

Monday, Aug. 5 Styx

Collective Soul

Thursday, Aug. 8 Toby Keith

Saturday, Aug. 10 Zakk Sabbath

Fans can expect more band announcements for 2019 in the coming weeks. Concerts and races are free with camping. More information and reservations are available at BuffaloChip.com