George Christie writes from experience, being Marine, employee for the Department of Defense, and member of the Hells Angels from 1975. As a Hells Angel he founded the Ventura chapter and served as international spokesman for 30 years. Lots of stories and experiences to pull from as he delights the reader with his pros.

Marked is the story of the Question Marks a 1% MC with chapters across the country and its origin in Ventura, Ca. The story starts as Jack Crest returns from his service in Vietnam and tries to pick up where he left off. But being a sniper changes a man and Jack struggles with where he has been and where he wants to go.

Challenged by a vindictive county officer, Fed’s that don’t like being told no, and the rival east coast 1% MC the Orphans, Jack works to find his way. He and the Question Marks try to remake themselves in this new world of competition and persecution.

This is a good story told by a man of experience. I enjoyed it and had a hard time putting it down each night. Pick it up for a good read, a break from your reality.

By George Christie
DTLA Publishing LLC

–David Campbell
Earl’s Garage – Motorcycle, Hotrod, and Event Photography

A traffic stop in essence is a seizure because the driver is not allowed to leave after committing a traffic violation. Once detained, certain Fourth Amendment rights apply to the rider regarding search and seizure. Almost at the top of the video the officer explains that the rider is not under arrest and he is not going to receive a citation. At that point, unless the officer observed any other criminal activity, had reasonable suspicion that the rider had committed a crime or was about to commit a crime, the rider should have been free to leave.

It was clear from the onset that this stop was more about gathering information, including photographic documentation of the rider, than it was about a traffic violation. The initial stop was legal, because probable cause existed when the officer saw the cyclist fail to use his turn signal. Relevant to the traffic stop, any investigation must be reasonably related to the cause of the stop, or it violates the Fourth Amendment standard of reasonableness as articulated in Terry v. Ohio2. The police can legally photograph you at a traffic stop under something called the “public exposure doctrine.” The problem here is that photographing tattoos or other distinguishable marks had no relation to the reason for the stop in the first place. Also, the question arises about how long this photo session extended or prolonged the traffic stop.

Unlike mug-shot books that contain photos of people “arrested” for various crimes that can be used in the future to identify further offenses committed by these people, photographs at the scene of a traffic stop or other field investigation, where no crime or arrest took place, are digitalized and can be stored in some database for future use.

In September 1994 in the town of Brandt, New York, a car failed to use a turn signal and was pulled over similar to what happened in Austin. The officer in this case had been monitoring radio traffic from the Lancaster Police Department about a possible assault that took place that morning at a racetrack in Lancaster when he noticed a car without of state license plates driving away from the direction of Lancaster. There was reasonable suspicion after the traffic stop to suspect the five men in the vehicle might have been involved in the Lancaster event, based on the fact the radio transmissions talked about motorcycle club involvement and the men in the car appeared to be motorcyclists. The traffic stop progressed into a criminal investigation when weapons were seen in plain sight within the vehicle. The men were photographed as were the weapons, and all five were arrested at the scene for weapons violations.

The photographs of the five arrested in Brandt were legal because an arrest occurred. The Austin case was different in that there was no arrest made. The “public exposure” doctrine means the expectancy of privacy does not exist when a person is in the public eye. That’s why photographing motorcyclists at events or a funeral using telescopic lenses or drones is perfectly legal. That is different than using telescopic lenses to peer through windows of a home to take pictures, where there is an expectancy of privacy. The same holds true about lifting a shirt to see tattoos on a chest or back that are not exposed to the public view.

The Austin traffic stop was a seizure in that the cyclist was not free to go. Instead, he was told to submit to photographs or he would be “taken” to the police station and photographed. A reasonable person at that point would not feel that he was free to go. This was not a consensual police contact, because the rider was held against his will, thus he was seized. For this stop to be constitutional, the reason for the stop had to be justified, which it was, and the continued detention and investigation had to be reasonably related to the reason the stop happened, which it was not. Reasonable articulable suspicion is a standard of proof necessary to justify the stop under Terry v. Ohio.

Police might reason that because there has been a history of problems, including in Texas, among motorcycle clubs, it was prudent to investigate any movement or activity of motorcycle club members. The problem with that thinking is the Sixth Judicial District Court of Nevada said any investigative technique employed at a stop must relate to the immediate reason for the stop, and police could not alter the nature of the stop. If police decided to photograph and “search” the rider without his consent because of some theory about motorcycle club violence, they altered the nature of this stop and it was unconstitutional.

Although it didn’t appear to happen in this case in Austin, another consideration is whether the stop was prolonged because of the investigative techniques employed. On this, the court is somewhat unclear. No actual time limits seem to have been adopted, although there is a reference in some cases that place the reasonableness between twenty and ninety minutes, depending on individual circumstances.

In conclusion: It is unconstitutional for police to stop a vehicle or pedestrian solely for the purpose of taking photographs and establishing identity without reasonable suspicion or probable cause that a crime had been or is about to be committed. If a permissible stop takes place, any further investigation has to be relevant to the reason the stop first occurred, unless other probable cause or reasonable suspicion is discovered during the stop. Police are allowed to photograph individuals or items that are in the public view. Removing clothing to see tattoos is not public, and doing so constitutes a search and is illegal unless consent is given.

1. https://www.facebook.com/motorcycleprofilingproject/videos/1071675339635527/
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_v._Ohio
3. http://www.innocenceproject.org/understand/Eyewitness-Misidentification.php

One rider dropped his kickstand after he roared up the entrance of Widowmaker Custom Design and Repair in Rougemont, NC and complained about his reach to the handlebars. He had gotten measured for the handlebars with his feet on the floor instead of on his forward controls. And when he rides with the forward controls, his natural position is an inch away.

He explained his Ape Hangers were a little too far from his grasp while running through the mountain passes and switchbacks around his local Appalachian Mountains. He’d looked at a few options but they weren’t feasible or cost too much.
So did Hank Thibodeau Owner of Widowmaker have a low cost option? Why yes, yes he did. What Widowmaker’s master mechanic came up with was a set of angled bushings for less than $100 from LA Choppers.

Changing the angle of the bushing can eliminate buying replacement risers, ape hangers, tee-bars, seats or triple trees. Hank pulled out a 5 degree angled riser bushing kit allowing the bars to move forward or back 5 degrees from stock. So the kit will move a set of 15-inch apes back towards the rider approximately 1.20 inches.

The downside of the change is that you are replacing vibration absorbing polyurethane bushings with T-6 aluminum. So, the rider may feel and increase amount of vibration being transmitted through his hands. Although, if you run soft leather or rubber grips, they will remove some of the vibration.

Changing out the bushings is a snap. You’ll need:
•Ratchet with 3/8 Allen wrench on a socket
•Small standard screw driver

Remove the polyurethane bushings with a small then standard screwdriver.

To angle bars towards the rider: install top riser adapters with timing marks facing toward the front wheel. Install bottom riser adapters in opposite direction.
In about 20 minutes you are good to go on a test ride. Note: Check handlebar clearance before operating.

After Hank took a ride on the Dyna, he said the 5-degree angled bushings increased pullback and made a more comfortable riding position for the rider.

I also asked him about his lid and he mentioned the Bell Helmet MX-9 Adventure was super-light and roomy. He had gotten Atomic Bob to do one of his monster designs on the side of it. It looked like just the ticket for a Dyna.

Sources:

Widomaker
http://widowmakercdr.com/

LA Choppers
https://www.lachoppers.com/

Atomic Bob

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,

After a mistrial was declared in the first Twin Peaks case to go to trial in over two years, a spring 2018 trial date has been set for the first defendant to go back on trial in the deadly shootout. The retrial date for Christopher “Jake” Carrizal, 36, will be April 2, the court coordinator for Waco’s 54th District Court determined.

A mistrial was declared in the case after the jury couldn’t come to any agreement on the three gang-related charges on which Carrizal was indicted in connection with the 2015 shootout involving police and bikers at Waco’s Twin Peaks restaurant.

“At the end of the day they couldn’t, there wasn’t enough evidence that the Dallas Chapter (of the Bandidos MC), and specifically Jake Carrizal, had committed any violence against any person that wasn’t self-defense,” defense attorney Casie Gotro said in response to the ruling.

When leaving the McLennan County Courthouse after the hung jury resulted in mistrial, Carrizal said he knew his battle was only beginning. “We’ll fight it another day,” he said.

GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES NEW TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP
In a partnership that will raise the profile of behavioral traffic safety, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) has announced the launch of a new forum for collaborative research through the Behavioral Traffic Safety Cooperative Research Program (BTSCRP).

Through funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the BTSCRP will conduct research projects proposed and selected by State Highway Safety Offices to provide actionable solutions that will save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce the costs of traffic crashes associated with unsafe behaviors. BTSCRP is jointly managed by NHTSA and GHSA and executed by the Transportation Research Board (TRB), which is part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

As TRB Executive Director Neil Pedersen explains, “Traffic safety has long been one of TRB’s highest priorities. The vast majority of traffic crashes result from human error, so a research program that focuses on human behavior is critical. We look forward to working closely with GHSA and NHTSA in finding new ways to reduce crashes related to behavioral issues.”

For each BTSCRP research project, TRB will assemble a panel of subject matter experts to provide guidance throughout its full lifecycle, from problem statement development through final product delivery.

GHSA Research Committee Chair Thomas Glass states, “This is exciting for GHSA members and anyone working in the highway safety field. The panels can include members from law enforcement, prosecution, treatment and many other professional fields that do not work directly for an SHSO. We are benefiting not only by the collaboration of TRB, but also by the widening circle of experts that we will become active participants in highway safety research.”

Information on GHSA’s current research projects can be found at

SAVE MOTORCYCLING
As a devastated motorcycle industry slowly recovered from the big recession nine years ago that decimated domestic sales, it was hit hard by an aging demographic. Reports of declining motorcycles sales blame an aging baby boomer generation, disinterested millennials, unaffordable prices, limited choices for new riders, licensing requirements, closures of off-road riding areas, insurance and registration costs, and a nervous overall economy.

Whatever the reason, the situation has reached so dire a point that a group of industry insiders, veteran riders, marketers and moto-journalists convened at the recent International Motorcycle Show (IMS) in Long Beach to discuss matters and come up with some solutions to save motorcycling from the steady decline it’s been experiencing in the United States.

Former Indian Motorcycle executive Robert Pandya formed the ‘Give A Shift’ group this fall, beginning with a written survey which included 300 participants, and proceeded to a roundtable discussion in Long Beach, on Nov. 16, with 25 of the most ardent influencers.

Their key findings and comments, made anonymously for fear of offending employers and business associates, paint a bleak picture:
– Sales are flat or falling in almost every area.
– Baby boomer buyers, the most consistent motorcycle consumers, are aging out of the industry fast.
– The industry has failed to increase sales by making new riders out of women, minorities and millennials.
– The old dealership model is outmoded and unimaginative.
– The arrival of autonomous vehicles may push motorcycles off the road entirely.

“The message is, ‘We are in trouble, and there is no silver bullet’,” Pandya said. The consortium called on the power sports industry collectively and riders individually to self-correct, self-police and work together to improve motorcycling’s image and prospects.

In summary, the panel’s report identifies five major areas that participants felt the motorcycle industry should focus on over the next three years:
1. Improving the desirability of motorcycles
2. Ensuring motorcycles are not forgotten amid the autonomous car boom
3. Increasing female ridership
4. The importance of self promotion
5. Improving the dealership experience

“There has never been a more compelling and interesting time in motorcycling,” the report states, with consensus centering on attracting new riders in a shrinking market.

NEW STUDY FORCASTS STRONG GLOBAL ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE GROWTH
A recent study by Infiniti Research Ltd predicts that the electric motorcycle market will grow 42% in the next five years. Reported on military-technologies.net, the detailed analysis includes all major global markets, and identifies marketing strategies and market trends through 2021.

“One trend in the market is development of long-mile range motorcycles,” said one analyst on the study team. “Hence, OEMs are continuously working toward the development of battery technology so the mile-range bridge between these motorcycles and ICE (internal combustion) counterparts is reduced.”

The report concludes that the most prominent driver in the market is decreasing battery prices, which allows OEMs to push cost benefit toward customers. The market is facing continuous improvement in battery technology, which has the strongest effect on both profitability and adoption rate.

The report also states that high purchase prices remain the most challenging prospect for high-performance electric motorcycles. Although while the initial cost of electric motorcycles is higher than equivalent internal combustion powered bikes, the total cost of ownership is less than that of IC-powered bikes due to the latter’s higher fuel and maintenance costs.

FULL MOON LINKED TO MOTORCYCLE FATALITIES
A Canadian research study published in the British Medical Journal recently found that “distracted drivers, like those who text behind the wheel, are a danger to themselves and to others. Even a brief, momentary glance away from the road can result in life-threatening consequences.”

Motorcycle riders can testify to that, but the research identifies one fatal attraction for motorists that shows up 12 times a year – the full moon.

“The researchers found that on nights illuminated by a full moon, fatal motorcycle accidents increased by 5% compared to nights without a full moon,” the report concludes. “On evenings when the supermoon decorated the sky, this increased to 32%.

The study included 40 years worth of data from the United States, as well as records from the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.

After analyzing data from the official United States registry of motor vehicle crashes from 1975 to 2014, during which time 494 full moons and 65 supermoons appeared, researchers calculated the number of fatal crashes on full moon nights compared to nights with a quarter moon (one week before and after the full moon).

They found 4,994 fatal crashes occurred on the nights with a full moon, which is equal to 9.10 crashes per night. In contrast, a total of 8.64 fatal crashes per night occurred on nights without a full moon. Fatalities increased further under a supermoon, amounting to a total of 703 fatal crashes, or 10.82 fatal crashes per night. This means that for every two full moon nights, there was one additional fatal crash. Under the supermoon, this increased to two additional deaths.

OKLAHOMA TO ENFORCE “MOVE RIGHT” LAW
On November 1, the Oklahoma State Law went into effect penalizing motorists driving in the left lane, especially if they are identified by police as impeding traffic. According to a report given by Tiger Mike Revere, Liaison to the Oklahoma Confederation of Clubs at a recent NCOM Board Meeting in Oklahoma City; “Law Enforcement WILL issue tickets, especially since it’s probably going to constitute a Revenue Generation Tool to help with the State’s budgetary shortfall (fines are estimated at $285), and given that we don’t have an Anti-Profiling law on the books, you can probably expect police to pull over any bikers on a Pack Ride if they’re staying in the left lane, and especially if they’re not passing slower traffic.”

Isolated reports of this happening have been circulating already, said Revere, advising riders in the Sooner State to be careful and observant!

ARIZONA CONSIDERS LEGALIZING LANE SPLITTING
Arizona State Senator David Farnsworth (R-Mesa) has introduced a bill that would make lane splitting legal in the state, making Arizona more like neighboring California and many European and Asian countries that allow the practice, also referred to as lane filtering.

Sen. Farnsworth recently introduced the bill for the coming legislative session, which begins in January. The bill, SB 1007, strikes out the clauses in statute that make lane-splitting illegal. If the bill becomes law, it would allow motorcyclists to “overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken,” and also would allow motorcycles to operate “between the lanes of traffic or between adjacent rows of vehicles.”

SAUDI WOMEN TO BE ALLOWED TO DRIVE MOTORCYCLES
Saudi Arabian women will be able to drive trucks and motorcycles, officials have said after the kingdom announced a historic decision to end a ban on women driving. In September, King Salman issued a decree saying women will be able to drive beginning next June 2018 as part of an ambitious reform push in the conservative kingdom.

“Yes, we will authorize women to drive motorcycles” as well as trucks, said the Saudi General Directorate of Traffic, adding that the royal decree stipulates that the law on driving will be “equal” for both men and women.

There will be no special license plate numbers for female-driven cars, officials said, but women involved in road accidents or who commit traffic violations will be dealt with at special centers that will be established and run by women.

Saudi Arabia was the only country in the world to impose a ban on women driving and its maintenance was seen around the world as a symbol of repression in the Gulf kingdom. The Saudis enforce some of the world’s tightest restrictions on women, so its historic decision to allow women to drive has been cheered inside the kingdom and abroad — and comes after decades of resistance from female activists, many of whom were jailed for flouting the ban.

QUOTABLE QUOTE:
 “Use the talents you possess, for the woods would be a very silent place if no birds sang except the best.” 
~ Henry van Dyke, poet (1852-1933) 

 

 

 

There is no current trend in Japan, in my eyes. Multi flake metallic bikes in the AEE style compete with rusty pre WW 2 race-styled customs. The most innovating styles come from people who build around Yamaha or especially Kawasakis low budget customs with a look of expensive bling. Hats of to you!

 

Everybody was a winner at Mooneyes copy or invent GO FOR IT!!!

 

 

 

 

 

VARDHALLA INC

–SHERIFF MEDIA GROUP
SWEDEN

Being a talented designer and through his television showAmericanChopper Paul Teutul Jr. has brought a whole new audience andcustomerbase to the motorcycle industry. Jr¹s ability visualize abike designand bring it to life for a customer is second to none. Nowthese are notjust custom bikes but iconic bikes that take their owners tothe nextlevel. Bikes like the Cadillac build off bike or his 39Chevy coupe takesomeone of great vision to pull off.

Through his television show the world became like family,learning thetrials and tribulation that Jr and his family went through.They alsoenjoyed the successes of Orange County Choppers in buildinggreat bikesand growing a business.

In his book The Build: Designing My Life of Choppers,Family, and Faith,Paul Jr. takes you through an off-screen introduction to hisfamily. Hegives the backstory of the tumultuous relationship with hisfather.Telling his side of the story but never wavering on his loveof fatherand family. Jr. relates his journey in finding his faith andhow that isguiding his life. He discusses in detail the future with hisfamily andbuilding a new business of Paul Junior Designs.

Paul tells his story with the hope of inspiring and givingsupport tothose who have struggled.

Red asked that I forward you the information on Cycle One’s new FXR replacement frame.

I have included some pictures and the basics specs and options below. Each Cycle One frame is handcrafted at our facility in OK and are made to order with a build time of 4-8 weeks depending on the time of year.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to drop us a line anytime.

Can be built to fit Shovelhead, Evolution or Twin Cam Powertrains
FXR or FLH transmission
Are set up for ’87 and up fender struts unless alternate arrangements are made prior
TC versions come with low down rear support and Shovel & Evo are similar to stock

Stock length swingarm in your choice of 2 x 1-inch rectangular tube or dual round tube style
Square style backbone like original frame
Choice of FXR or Dyna style mid mounts ** TC come with Dyna mids and sidestand
Built in battery box for stock YTX20-BS
Your choice of 130 rear width or 200, **200 requires use of chain final drive

Has the FXR side triangle mount tabs
Stock style ’87 and later shock mounts
Stock style fuel tank mount tabs
Engine guard mount tab
Stock rake, forward and up stretches

I asked Kate about FXR frames for Twin Cams and I should find out about the new M-8 Engine configuration. I also asked about modified frames or stretched frames for bigger guys. Red and Kate immediately replied.–Bandit

The reference to “TC” in the write up contained in the previous email is abbreviated for “Twin Cam”, and yes we certainly can build to suit, we have built our reputation on just that!

Here is as readers digest condensed version of the story of Cycle One Manufacturing:

Cycle One originated in Winnipeg Canada and first opened its doors in 1969. Cycle One moved from Winnipeg MB to Regina SK and had operated in Regina doing retail, service, performance, fabrication and frame work on all makes and models until 2008.

In 2008, Red Good decided to move the facility to Locust Grove, Oklahoma. The new central US location in Oklahoma allowed Cycle One to better serve its growing US and international customer base, providing more competitive pricing on goods and services along with a substantial savings in shipping.

Red Good has over 40 years in the business and has been factory Harley and Honda trained and certified, and an AMI graduate from when the school was still located on the track at Daytona (‘70s) and there were carburetors, lol.

Red has dedicated his life to the powersports industry, and motors that make speed. Red can appreciate the feeling, when the words “I built mine” are spoken.

The FXR frame is an addition to our existing frame family consisting of rigid, softail, swingarm, hardtail and metric Santee frames for Harley Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, Triumph, Suzuki, Yamaha, Henderson, diesel and electric motors.

The FXR frame can be customized like any of our frame other products to suit the needs of the builder.

I have attached some pictures of bikes that have been built on Cycle One bones and it turned into kind of a trip through time.

Have a super New Years and thank you for the nudge needed to take that trip down memory lane, what a great way to wrap up another year in this crazy business.

–Kate
cycle1kate1@gmail.com

Cycle One Manufacturing LLC
10070 S 4422 Rd.
Locust Grove, OK
74352
918-479-4200
Email:cycle1kate1@gmail.com

The world is fast changing. No, not Governments and definitely those Senators never leave or change. While the more Hollywood movies change, the more they remain the same.

Generations change and the new millennials have different priorities and preferences. Climate is supposedly (“allegedly”) changing.

Demand and Supply of big bikes have changed. There are again more British motorcycle brands in the market than American bikes with the return of Enfield, BSA, Norton and the veteran Triumph.

Roads have changed with new taxes tolls on rush hour routes. The year has changed to 2018. My underwear has changed from boxers to briefs. Bikernet.com has changed and become mobile friendly.

Last year, Germany voted to ban the internal combustion engine by year 2030, and this just this year the UK government announced plans to ban the sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2040. China is leading the way with maximum ownership of electric vehicles in the world.

But the future is bright. In the four-wheel world Elon Musk is leading the way with his innovative Tesla brand, and over here in the two-wheel world there are a host of different manufacturers all looking to the future.

Challenges have popped to the surface regarding electric vehicles. They might be more emission prone than petrol based vehicles. Batteries are nasty. We will see.

Here are the best electric bikes of 2017.

Energica Ego
The Energica Ego will impress you on both on road and track, as well as around the TT course. It is widely voted as the best Electric Motorcycle in 2017.

Super Soco
While the Energica Ego is an uber-cool sportsbike capable of three figure speeds, the Super Soco is designed with urban mobility in mind.

It can be ridden by 16-year-olds on a provisional license, so it can’t top 30mph. It’s incredibly light and easy to use, and the batteries can be removed so you can charge them inside. It doesn’t have the glamour as some of the bikes on this list, but it’s cheap and practical.

Zero S
The Zero S makes a claimed 30.6bhp and 79.7ft lbs of torque. Those figures aren’t really that much to shout about, but what’s interesting is the fact that the Zero is actually A1 licence compliable, which means 17-year-olds can ride one on L-plates. If, at 17, you choose to stick to a petrol bike, you’ll be limited to bikes that make roughly half the power. So get Zero.

Gogoro Smartscooter 2
Not available for sale everywhere yet but they’re perhaps the future of urban transport. The Gogoro Smartscooter 2 has a top speed of 55mph and a range of 68 miles.

The interesting part is that the Gogoros are part of a ride sharing scheme in Taiwan, Paris and Berlin. Using an app, you find your nearest one and then use it to get where you need to go. If it needs charging you just swap the battery with a charged one at a charging station.

Vespa Elettrica
Vespa is a major two-wheeler brand going electric. Electric bikes are only becoming better and more common, so it’s no surprise that there’s more to come in 2018, and maybe beyond.

Think of Vespa and you probably think of classic scooters propelled by polluting two-stroke engines. At the recent Milan Show Vespa announced their own electric scooter, bringing the historic Italian brand firmly into the 21st century. The Elettrica has a guaranteed range of 62 miles, which is more than enough in the city.

BMW Concept Link
BMW already have an electric scooter in the C Evolution and something like the Concept Link could be the next step. The interesting thing about the Concept Link is that it also acts as a communication device, connecting to your online accounts and calendar.

Zero Motorcycles
Zero S launched in 2017 but Zero has a bigger better version for next year and the entire range might be worth a mention. For 2018 every Zero model has received 10% more range and faster charge times. Not terribly exciting on the face of it, but another step towards an electric future.

Confederate Motorcycles
The American company behind bonkers bikes such as the Hellcat and P51 Combat Fighter, have announced a partnership with electric motorcycle manufacturer Zero Motorcycles. The partnership means Confederate’s latest bike, the Combat Bomber, which costs $155,000 (£118,372), will be their last machine with an internal combustion engine.

SILENT HAWK AMERICA
American special-forces could be moving silently through the battlefield in the future, as the Pentagon is currently developing a silent electric motorcycle for them to use called SilentHawk.

The SilentHawk isn’t your bog standard electric bike, though, it’s a hybrid – much like a Toyota Prius, and can run on petrol, diesel, and even jet fuel. Much like the Prius the SilentHawk recharges its own batteries when it’s running on fuel.

The SilentHawk is a collaboration between Logos Technologies, who build military equipment such as drones, and American electric motorcycle manufacturer Alta Motors.

“They could go 50 miles, and when they get within 10 miles of an objective, they could shut off that multi-fuel engine, and go all-electric—the only noise [they] will produce at that point will be the noise of the tires on the surface and or the chain of the motorcycle.”

When the electric motor is used noise level drops to just 55dB, about the level of a conversation. “Literally the loudest thing is the chain, and it’s possible for us to outfit a belt, though there’s a whole host of reasons for why you wouldn’t want a belt on a dirt bike,”

SilentHawk also has two-wheel drive to help with traction over rough terrain. The aim now is to make the bike lighter. It currently weighs 350lb (158kg). Logos Technologies and Alta Motors are toying with the idea of removing the liquid-cooled engine and replacing it with an air-cooled item to shed a few pounds.

SO THERE YOU HAVE IT. Spooks and G-Men sneaking up on you on electric two-wheel drive. Loud pipes save lives. Now the future highway seems silent like a cemetery

Can I get an electric girlfriend? Living with one loud mouthed talkative blonde right now. She is good in bed and bad in debt. We all can wish for the good old days but the truth is horses are too lovely to be ridden into a battlefield and combustion engine is too common to make profits for the big corporates and bankers.

So the thrust is on new tech, to outlaw the common, to make things complicated so as to benefit the few, to make new sales to existing customers and bring in cash flow on a global scale with stuff like the Paris Accord (bravely refused by President Trump).

Happy New Year – be merry, kick ass and ride forever!!!

–Compiled by Ujjwal Dey
Electric Mastermind Editor
Bikernet Trikes

A customer brought Taber Nash this basket a couple of years ago. He delivered the wheels, a new frame and the clean Shovelhead engine. He requested something racy, but then a demanding ol’ lady got in the way. The customer struggled to retain his biker identity, weakened to the pressure and finally sold the remnants of his project to Taber. A sad day.

“The front end was a Led Sled springer that I changed up,” Taber said. “I lengthened the rear legs with Ford model T rear end support rods.”  

The rear fender is a slice of another fender with a chunk of a Sportster gas tank forming the café styled seat back. He’s an artist, like so many builders who lives for the creative process. There’s nothing better than a day alone in the shop with the blues banging off shop equipment, and sparks flying. Taber understands the code of steel, welds, and the open road. He lives for each artistic accomplishment, each new product he completes. He doesn’t care how many he sells. If it’s cool, he’s going to develop it and slip it onto the market.

He doesn’t want to sell this masterpiece, but he must to move onto the next creative endeavor ($29,998). He plans several builds in 2018 and fewer trips to events, but the Las Vegas Bikefest might return to his list.

He started with a shop in Washington, then one on Melrose and a fab shop in Cerritos, CA in Orange County.

Nash Motorcycle Company is a family-owned company established in the summer of 2002. “We are dedicated to building bikes and parts the way it should be done,” said Taber. NMC builds one-off ground-up custom Choppers, Bobbers and Hot Rod bikes – mixing the old with the new. “Most of our time is dedicated to manufacturing our unique and popular line of custom parts as well as coming up with new and innovative parts every day.”

Taber, Teddy, and Trent are the originators of NMC, three brothers who grew up with a love of motorcycles, fabrication and the desire to live the American dream. As the shop grew and then downsized, brothers Trent and Teddy moved on to new ventures, but Taber continued to own and operate Nash Motorcycle Company and build quality bikes and parts.

Taber is a family man who likes the shop’s new configuration. “We aren’t a retail shop or open to the public,” Taber said. “I like to have time to hang with my kids, while they still like me.”

Regular Stuff

Owner: Taber Nash

Bike Name: KO

Builder: Nash Motorcycle Company

City/state: CA

Company Info:
Address:
Phone: 360-693-4225

Web site: www.NASHMOTORCYCLE.com
E-mail: info@nashmotorcycle.com

Fabrication: NMC

Manufacturing: NMC

Welding: NMC

Machining: NMC

Engine

Year: 1974

Make: H-D

Model: Shovel

Displacement: 80-inch

Builder or Rebuilder: NMC

Cases: HD

Case finish: RAW

Barrels: H-D

Bore: 3.5 -inch

Pistons: YES

Barrel finish: OLD

Lower end: cone motor

Stroke: YES

Rods: H-D

Heads: H-D

Head finish: bare

Valves and springs: H-D

Pushrods: hydraulic

Cams: FLH

Lifters: H-D

Carburetion: S&S Super E

Air cleaner: OLD

Exhaust: NMC

Mufflers: NONE

Transmission

Year: 1974

Make: H-D Cow PIE

Gear configuration: Shifting by Taber Nash

Primary: BDL

Clutch: BDL

Final drive: Chain

Kicker: Nash Swift Kick

Frame 

Year: 1974 chopped

Builder: NMC

Style or Model: Hard Tail

Stretch: Some

Rake: 44

Modifications: YES

Front End

Make: Modified Led Sled

Model: Extended Springer

Year: 2012

Length: 8-over with Model T-support rods

Mods: NMC bars

Sheet metal

Tanks: NMC

Fenders: NMC

Panels: none

Oil tank: NMC

Paint

Sheet metal: NMC

Molding: Tom Kelly

Base coat: Blue

Graphics: Tom Kelly

Type: Paint

Frame: Powder Coat

Special effects: Copper Wheel Hubs

Pinstriping: Tom Kelly

Wheels

Front 

Make: Ride Wright

Size: 15-inch

Brake calipers: PM

Brake rotor(s): PM

Tire: Hooser

Rear

Make: Ride Wright

Size: 15-inch

Brake calipers: 3 Guys

Brake rotor: 3 Guys

Pulley: 3 Guys

Tire: Hooser

Controls

Foot controls: Right rear brake

Finish: Powder coat

Master cylinder: Wagner

Brake lines: YES

Handlebar controls: Nash Sticky Throttle

Finish: Powder Coat

Clutch Cable: Custom

Shifting: Hand clutch hand shift

Kickstand: yes

Electrical

Ignition: S&S

Coils: H-D

Regulator: H-D

Charging: H-D

Starter: FOOT

Wiring: NMC

Harness: NMC

Headlight: OLD

Taillight: OLD

Accessory lights: NA

Switches: OLD

What’s Left

Seat: NMC

Mirror(s): TURN HEAD

Gas caps: Creepster

Handlebars: NMC

Grips: TAPE

Pegs: NMC

Oil filter: Inline

Oil lines: YES

Fuel filter: Small

Throttle: NMC Sticky Throttle

Throttle cables: Barnett’s

Fasteners: some

Credits: Damon “ IvAN”

Sources: