In an official release, the company has also stated that ‘an exclusive brand license agreement has been signed with the iconic Jawa brand of motorcycles. Classic Legends company will launch new products under the BSA and Jawa brands in around two years from now. The company has also stated that ‘the new products will capture the character, DNA and ethos of these brands.’  

“Our focus on the premium, niche segment through Classic Legends will bring alive iconic brands like BSA and Jawa, not just in the form of products but as an entire lifestyle.” – Mahindra Group

KNOW THY ADVERSARY

Mahindra and Mahindra Limited (M&M) is an Indian multinational automobile manufacturing corporation headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It is one of the largest vehicle manufacturers by production in India and the largest manufacturer of tractors in the world. It is a part of Mahindra Group, an Indian conglomerate.

Established in 1945, their big step was in 1948 with the assembly under license of the Willys Jeep in India. Mahindra manufactured SUV named Bolero is listed by Guinness World Records as the highest selling SUV model vehicle in the world.

Mahindra started making passenger vehicles firstly with the Logan in April 2007 under the Mahindra Renault joint venture with French company Renault. It had a partnership with Ford USA to build Ford passenger cars in India. M&M made its maiden entry into the heavy trucks segment with the Mahindra Truck and Bus Division, the joint venture with International Truck, USA. The Mahindra company has built and assembled military vehicles, commencing in 1947 (India’s independence was on August 1947) with the importation of the Willys Jeep that had been widely used in World War II. Its line of military vehicles include the Axe. It also maintains a joint venture with BAE Systems, Defense Land Systems India. Its Farm Equipment division received the Deming Prize in 2003.

Mahindra has controlling stake in the REVA Electric Car Company and acquired South Korea’s SangYong Motor Company in 2011.

As on 31 March 2013, the company had 34,612 employees, out of which 699 were women (2%). It also had around 16,000 temporary employees on the same date.

Mahindra Two-Wheelers Limited (MTWL)

Mahindra Group entered the two-wheeler industry by taking over Kinetic Motors in India. MTWL has partnered with Taiwan’s Sanyang Industry Company (SYM) to help develop its scooter portfolio, and with Italy-based Engines Engineering for research and product design.

In October 2014, Mahindra and Mahindra acquired a 51% controlling stake in the Peugeot Motorcycles Company. Peugeot Motorcycles is a subsidiary of the French automaker Peugeot that builds scooters and small motorcycles primarily for the French domestic market.

Peugeot under Mahindra leadership currently concentrates on 14 different scooter and motorcycle models with engines which range from 50 to 500cc.

Mahindra Two Wheelers Limited company has a 200 strong vendor network spread across the nation of India with more than 300 dealers creating 700 touch points. Mahindra Rodeo won the Gulf Monsoon Scooter Rally in its first year of participation.

A GIANT LEAP INTO WORLD AUTOMOTIVE SPACE

The big news in the Indian two-wheeler space is that of a subsidiary of Mahindra and Mahindra acquiring the iconic British motorcycle brand, BSA for around INR 28 crore. The news follow rumors floating around for some time that Mahindra is looking at acquiring one of two known British motorcycle brands – BSA or Norton.

Mahindra owns 60 percent of Classic Legends Private Limited (CLPL), a company which is just over a year old and which has now bought over the BSA brand. BSA, or Birmingham Small Arms Company is one of the most famous British motorcycle brands, dating back to 1910 when BSA produced its first motorcycle. BSA even owned the Triumph brand at one point and at its peak, was the largest motorcycle producer in the world. By the 1970s, BSA stopped making motorcycles.

The move enables Mahindra to acquire all of the BSA licensing for marketing and merchandising products under the BSA name globally, opening a world of opportunity for re-launching and re-establishing the classic British motorcycle marquee as a ‘new’ global motorcycle brand.

India’s Tata Motors owns the giant British luxury brands Jaguar and Landrover. Enfield motorcycles existed only in India after World War 2 and is today an Indian motorcycle giant competing against Harley-Davidson in European and American markets.

See our August 2016 Article: http://www.bikernet.com/pages/The_British_Colony_UprisingROYAL_ENFIELD_MOTORCYCLES.aspx

Mahindra Group’s idea behind the BSA acquisition is to revive the brand, use in-house R&D facilities as well as use Peugeot’s engineering expertise to develop new products under the BSA name.

The BSA brand, having been one of the most well-known British motorcycle brands along with the likes of Triumph, Norton and even Royal Enfield, has considerable clout and recall. With Triumph already establishing itself with a line of world-class products, both in the ‘modern classic’ genre as well as completely modern sporty roadsters and cruisers, Mahindra may be looking at emulating some of Triumph’s success and even Royal Enfield closer home.

Jawa motorcycles was the only brand name that emerged from behind the iron curtain during the nuclear days of Cold War between Soviet Union and the Western Allies.

Getting together a sharp market strategy and with quality product development in place, Mahindra could well have a winner in the BSA brand. Brands like Peugeot and now, BSA will help develop international brand equity for Mahindra. BSA acquisition offers Mahindra Group a gigantic leap and opportunity to establish itself as a manufacturer of high quality ‘premium’ motorcycles.

For now, the BSA brand acquisition seems just a statement by Mahindra Group in the motorcycling space. What remains to be seen though is how Mahindra formulates a successful roadmap for reviving the iconic, legendary and historic BSA brand and more importantly, what product development strategy is undertaken.

* * * * THE END * * * *

Copyright Ujjwal Dey 2016 www.iqmind.org

Different as they may be, collectively these raucous rites all pack an impact that helps everyone involved to escape the mainstream and the mundane—that ­is a biker wedding.

But as 2016’s steamy summer was coming to an end, one of the coolest—and most unique—biker weddings of all was hosted at the Intergalactic Headquarters of Bikernet.com!

The groom was the loveable and revered—albeit grizzled and rapidly aging—motorcycle culture author Bill Hayes.

The ever-blushing bride—often mistaken for Jennifer Garner during her bloody Alias days or a Terminator-era Linda Hamilton—was award-winning editor and publisher, fifth-degree black belt, and all-around wonder woman Jennifer Thomas.

Together they did what people in this lifestyle do: they “got by with a little help from their friends.” Along with their ties to the cycle world, the couple has strong bonds within the music, martial arts, and creative arts communities—all of whom showed up in force.

The biker blast in all of this was supplied first and foremost by the legendary Keith Ball who graciously lowered the bridge over the dangerous moat surrounding his compound. For the first time in history, common citizens from outside the motorcycling inner circle were able to savor the sights, sounds, and scents of genuine moto-madness in a creative-castle dedicated to the pursuit of fast machines and fun.

Mainstream and everyday sacramental wedding stagings are usually held in environments surrounded by solemnity or church décor. Not here! This special congregation ate, drank, and made merry to a backdrop of neon, rare memorabilia, and vintage and iconic iron such as the Bonneville monster “Assalt Weapan.” 

The all-important soundtrack for the day was generated first by DJ—and former male glamour model for Easyriders’ clothing line—Jon T “Todd” Howard. At least for this day, Todd was fibrillating more lady heartbeats than Justin Bieber and Dolvett Quince put together!

Then for the ceremony, things really got groovy with live tunage supplied by close talented friends and bandmates of Jen and Bill. Everything patriotically began with a Hendrix-Woodstock-style Star-Spangled Banner performed on solo-six-string by a youthful member of the pair’s martial arts family, Ryan Corman, which brought everyone to their feet.

 

The rest of the proceedings were rocked by the best chick singers in SoCal, Kara Turner and Debbie Goodman, combined with guitar-slinger Gregory Dean and sax-sensation Glenn Stacey on originals and eclectic covers that left the tequila-sipping (and swilling) crowd of a-hundred-and-fifty-plus in tears and awe. Then brothers Scott and Stuart Sellars sang up a sibling storm that was smoother than the Everlys, the Gibbs, and the Osmonds combined!

 

Documentary biker filmmaker and all-’round nice guy Jeff Kraus recited the Biker’s Prayer and then introduced the wedding party as they made their way down the stairs…but, wait! It’s here that we need a Home & Garden Television moment: a rich and aptly theatrical description of Ball manor!

These aren’t just any stairs; they are a portal of steep steps with a banister of chrome fishtails and pipes that connect Keith’s magical mezzanine—from whence the wizardry of Bikernet emanates—to the wonder-world that is his giant workshop. The shop is home to even more museum-worthy iron icons and the engineering and fabrication miracles that have made the Bikernet family big wheels at Bonneville and beyond.

 

But today those stairs did more than facilitate utilitarian ups and downs, they were the wedding party gateway for the special parts of the very special ceremony—one of which included the savory consumption of Cazul Tequila Reposado Reserva.

The bride’s family provided the perfect vessels for the service.

After honorary niece and nephew, five-year-old twins Olivia and Derek, fulfilled their Ring Bearer roles (with rings attached to black belts in deference to the couple’s shared passion), Jennifer’s nephew came down as the official Salt Bearer. Lime-Bearing duties went to his younger sister. Their mom, sister to the bride, was fittingly designated as Shot Glass Bearer.

 

 Best Man Dave Tootell formally presented the ceremonial Cazul as the sax delicately played, what else, “Tequila.”

  

Maid of Honor Kimberly Freisheim then liltingly descended the stairs to the heartfelt duet of friendship: “For Good” from Wicked.

But, wait! It’s here that we need a Project Runway moment; a rich and aptly theatrical description of the event’s fashion ensembles!! The wedding party was primarily clad in custom leather designed by 5-Ball leather designer Andrew Calogero (www.crankandstroker.com).

The groom wore a black leather “Dirty Cop”–style sleeveless vest with black Jim Morrison–signature “Lizard King” leather pants along with “wimp-stomper” industrial shoes. With a lustful reptilian look, he gazed upward to see his bride emerge from the inner sanctum of the Intergalactic Headquarters and glide sensually down the portal of stairs in fittingly pure-white leather ensemble, consisting of a laced-up-back bustier and rocker-chic pants that would make even P!NK green with envy! Her shimmering chrome & glitter shoes set her high above the masses (as well as her husband-to-be!).

 

 

Seeing photos on social media, high-profile fashion reporters from coast-to-coast wrote that “Mr. Hayes exuded a rare ruggedness and the perfect post-apocalyptic Mad Max vibe” while “Miss Thomas ‘busted through’ all norms and traditions while setting a sexy table of tasty delights for hungry male eyes and form-fitting food-for-thought for jealous females everywhere.”

At the bottom of the stairs Bill and Jennifer were ushered to a recently degreased bike lift where they were elevated (literally!) above the enthusiastic crowd. The hydraulics were carefully controlled by Mr. Ball himself!

 

 

Then came the actual legal (and pre-conjugal) coupling, conducted with holy and holistic elegance by the newly-(Internet-)ordained Reverend Julie Lucero. In true biker form, the promises and prophecies ranged from that of a celebrity roast to sincere expressions of love and commitment.After friend Tammy Walkowiak intro’d how the couple met, the deal was sealed by Bill and Jennifer’s fellow black belts (Sally Schweitzer, Elizabeth Corman, Alessia Vittone) from their martial arts studio, Old School Kenpo Karate. A binding of their hands with a ceremonial black belt (presented by longtime student Renee Maxwell) officially made the kick-ass couple husband and wife!

 

 

Very personal speeches by the Maid of Honor and Best Man about their long relationships with Jen and Bill respectively were topped off by a surprise toast from the Hessians MC’s “Spike.” Spike’s original and sensitive poetry about the couple provided a pastoral interlude akin to walking along the shore at Walden Pond hearing the words of Thoreau whispered in the wind:

“Bill scored a partner with wonderful looks
Who can kick ass at karate and editing books.
So with this much in common, a definite match,
I consider them both to have made a great catch…”

 

With each speech, tequila toasts in the couple’s official logo shot glasses were enthusiastically lifted by the crowd and the happy couple.

 

B and J then jumped on their bad-black-’n’-chrome FatBoy and powered out of the compound as, yes, more glasses were raised and Scott and Stuart kicked off the reception with “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.”

 

By the time that universal clock hit the happy hour two days later; the newlyweds had traded their leathers for tropical garb and were drinking on a sunny beach in the Dominican Republic. With rum in hand, they were basking and giving thanks to Keith Ball for his over-and-above hospitality and to all who made their wild wedding the true essence of real and sincere brotherhood and love!

 

Photo Credits:

Photo Credits: Beth Ross-Huck, Henry Aparacio, DC Henderson, and so many other friends and family of the bride and groom. We thank you all!

By Spitfire

Today’s route would take us across Missouri starting in Cape Girardeau and ending in Springfield. Elevations were 300 to 1700 feet. 66 motorcycles lined up this morning to attempt another day. We had started with 91 but one never made it out of the parking lot so it was disqualified. The official number of starting bikes was 90. 7 have dropped out of the race and 17 are still working on the bikes or waiting for parts. This morning one of them did not make it from the parking lot to the road. One of his fork springs popped out and he and his bike went down. Unhurt, many rushed to his aid to bring him back to the lot for another day of working on the bike.

At mile marker 3, #34, Peter Reeves was struggling with his magneto. Mile marker 8 we found #16, Chris Knoop working on his shifter…again. We saw many more along side the road helping each other or with Cannonball crew. We watched for a thumbs-up letting us know we could continue on. Just this one day my husband, Tony Pan from Milwaukee came to spend the day with everyone. I typically leave after everyone is out of the parking lot. I ride faster than the antique bikes on my 2008 H-D Street Glide so I pass riders to get up further in the pack knowing that I will need to stop and check on someone. I also try to get up a ways to hear what is happening at gas stops and check my phone. At the first gas stop, everyone seemed to be in a great mood. We laughed as Cris Sommer Simmons explained that she was the only one left from her team so she had teamed up with two other guys. They said that since she was only ½ of the Honeymooners they just called her Honey. She teased right back calling them the odd couple. I snapped a picture with the two guys bent over and decided to call them Honey and the Mooners!

Hwy 34 was beautiful with many curves and new blacktop. Eventually we turned on to Hwy 60, a 4 lane 65 mph Hwy and traveled for 150 miles on that Hwy, all the way to Springfield. The afternoon brought many varying experiences with rain from 2 hours of deluge to a few sprinkles. Pan and I decided to ride through the downpour to see if anyone needed help. We found #103, Steve Alexander fixing his belt that was slipping. Pan and I help a garbage bag over him to make it easier to work. Another mile and we found #78, Clint Funderberg hanging out under some trees with a fried magneto and a cell phone that didn’t work due to the rain. We called for help and continued on.

Everyone made it in safely. 17 bikes came in on the trailers today. I got my first glimpse of the inside of the short bus. We are all at the same hotel for a change with a parking lot large enough to accommodate all of the support vehicles and crew. As one day ends for the riders another day begins for the crews. Of course most riders stay with their bikes, working on them most of the night. The parking lot is alive with activity under a full moon tonight and I am grateful that I got to spend another day with these wonderful human beings. For more information, including scores, visit www.motorcyclecannonball.com.

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By Spitfire

Many riders were up before dawn. Last minute preparations were being made on bikes for the 247 mile ride from Bloomington, Indiana to Cape Girardeau, MO. The sun was shining and many locals were starting to arrive to look at the bikes and cheer the riders on. The riders were eager to get going across the flat terrain. 300-900 ft elevations. Today, only 67 motorcycles started. Some are still being worked on while others are unable to go on. #34, Peter Reeves from the UK broke down just ½ mile from the hotel. He was obviously frustrated and near enough to get help so I continued on.

Today we have many riders who have joined us at “Tag alongs”. Only riders and Support Staff receive directions each day and even then we don’t get them until the night before. Because the route is not public, other riders try to find someone to follow. Today that was particularly the case and larger groups of riders were following making it hard for staff to get around them and stop quickly to help riders. I had just gotten around one larger group when I saw #62 pulled over at mile marker 18. I was getting to know Scott Blaylock from Canada since he was riding a 1910 Indian and it didn’t have the power to get up the larger hills. It was not uncommon to see him pushing the bike or on the mountain passes of the Appalachian and Allegany Mtns. Today the bike just couldn’t take it anymore and the lower end gave out. Scott was disappointed and so was I. He said he was here with a team and would join them as support but the months of preparation and money spent on this gem of a motorcycle ended in disappointment. For many it is not as much about winning the trophy as it is about riding their bikes from Coast to Coast. See you tonight Scott!

Every time I see a gas station I look to see if there are old bikes. There are certain stations that seem to attract larger crowds. Gas stops are some of my favorites. It’s fun to see the reactions of the locals as they realize something is going on. In small rural towns the news spreads like wild fire. In one little town I saw a local police officer who just couldn’t get enough. Taking picture, chatting with the riders and I kept hearing him say, ”I ride a motorcycle”! At the next larger stop in Mt. Carmel, I was greeted by local press, Haley, as I got off my bike. We were at Jumpin’ Jimmy’s. One of the locals went home to get some saddle bags and was trying to sell them to the riders. “Where do you find this many old bikes?” one person exclaimed both bewildered and amazed.

It seems each day has its challenges, something the riders talk about all evening. Today was no exception. As we were on an obscure road in some fields of corn, Doug Wothke suddenly turned Rt. Other riders had turned around and were coming back toward me. I said, “Doug turned into that corn field”. I swung around and we all went back to find it was a turn we had missed that would lead us to a harrowing bridge that took us across the Wabash River. The narrow patched boards that lined either side of the one lane bridge were wet and slippery. Some were loose and the tires of the bike weaved back and forth. Falling off of the boards in the middle area would not result in falling through to the river but it would be hard to get back up to the boards again and there was moss growing in the middle so it would be even more slippery. The reactions to this experience were varied but most agreed that it sucked!. To add to the insult there was a toll booth on the other side where they charged $1.

The rest of the afternoon was uneventful other than rain and wind on the way into Cape Girardeau. The town made the Cannonball a community event and had a DJ, vendors and Bike/Car show. The Cannonball bikes were lined up by the painted breakwall and families came with children in strollers. The town hosted a nice dinner at Port Cape Restaurant for the Cannonball Riders, Staff and Crew. Tired and happy riders returned to the hotels to work on bikes. Tomorrow’s another day!

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By Spitfire

Things seem to be settling down and people were looking forward to a day with fewer mountain grades. We started in Chillicothe, OH with a 224 mile course ending in Bloomington, IN. Maximum elevation is 1300 feet, a far cry from the 3000 ft elevation we had a couple days ago. The dew was heavy on the bikes. I was out front in the front of the hotel making myself available for whoever might need me. Hans Cortese from South Africa, #1, and I started chatting about his bike. He told me that the JAP on his engine was the maker’s initials. I asked how many bikes he has, Answer: 12. He went on to explain that he knew he wanted a motorcycle when he was 4 years old. His Grandpa who had served in the 2nd World War rode a Flathead bike and showed him a picture. 37 years ago, when he was 19 years old he bought his first bike. He has always had a love for old bikes though he enjoys his Harley Davidson CVO when he is at home as well. He is well known in the motorcycle world in South Africa and give talks about his adventures. This is his 4th time riding a motorcycle across America. Two years ago, Hans was the winner of the 2014 Motorcycle Cannonball on his 1924 Indian Scout. This year he brought his 19An engineer by trade, Hans lives to ride and rides to live! Nice chat, time to go!

I pulled over for the first breakdown just 2 ½ miles into the course. The participant had a spare magneto but was not sure how to get it since it was in his trailer. I moved on since he had a couple friends with him. By mile marker 20, I had seen 5 people along side the road, all with mechanical issues of some kind. The rolling hills of Western Ohio made for an easy morning and weather was perfect! Occasionally, between the smell of exhaust and oil I would smell the drying cornfields and hay. Life is good.

As we passed though a small town I noticed a police car pulled over with it’s lights on. I slowed to see if everything was alright and saw #43, Dave Volneck from Nebraska on his 1914 Indian. I asked him if he was speeding and he said, “no, I think I made the officer mad when I went outside of the white line.” Officer friendly walked up just they and sternly reminded Dave that he was just trying to keep the riders safe when they were cleaning up an oil spill and that they were stopping traffic for their safety. Dave should not have swung around everyone to keep moving. No ticket, just a verbal warning. I went to help Dave get his bike started and as I got back to my bike the officer yelled “Hey, come here’! Another officer had joined him. He asked what all of this is about and I explained, giving them cards to watch my pictures and blogs. I had to chuckle when his fellow officer said “You got mad didn’t you”! I thanked them for not issuing a ticket and for keeping our riders safe as I went back to my bike.

Hosted lunch today was at Powder Keg Harley Davidson in Mason, OH. The parking lot was full of bikes and people. I barley turned the bike off and someone was yelling my name. Apparently we had ridden together in 2010 from LaCrosse, WI to Green Bay on the LZ Lambeau welcome home for Vietnam Vets. It was fun to see the riders explaining their bikes to people. The crowd was grateful and amazed. Powder Keg put on a “Cincinnati” style lunch with Chili Dogs. I had a chance to visit with one of my Accident Scene Management Instructors and salesman at Powder Keg, Mark “Zig” Zigelmeyer. Could have stayed longer but it was quieting down out there so it was time to go. We still have 150 miles to go. Todays course directions, 15 pages. We are only on page 5.

The afternoon was uneventful until I got to mile marker 197. Tanner Ridden, #4 from New York is our youngest competitor. At only 20 years old this kid really knows bikes and is part of the gang. Tanner was removing his rear tire. This is the 2nd time he had a flat tire but this time he had a spare tube. The road we were on was busy with locals and people were stopping by to see if everything was OK. One guy went to get his home compressor and others wanted to warn us about the roads ahead. One couple even drew a map. “Don’t go on the dirt road” they said. They had seen other struggling to get up the hill. Ultimately we decided it was best to stay on course. Tanner was in a hurry it was already after 4pm and he was supposed to check in at 4:10 pm. We still had 45 minutes to go. I missed a turn and pointed for him to keep going as I got turned around. The roads were narrow, gravel in the roads and no shoulder. My heart was racing and irregular. I was feeling dizzy so I found a place to pull over and rest, take some electrolytes. I had been drinking smart water all day. The support truck came and I waved them over to sit with me. They gave me cold water and a yogurt. After a rest and some friendly teasing we decided to finish the ride in. We ended at Bloomington Harley Davidson where they had vendors and some of their old bikes on display as well. Only 2 bikes came in on the flat bed today. There are currently 24 riders with perfect scores. 4 days down and 12 to go…. For current stats and more information visit www.motorcyclecannonball.com

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By Spitfire

The morning air was cool and foggy as the riders headed out into the narrow winding West Virginia back roads. Today we only got 8 pages of typed driving instructions instead of the 12 pages we got on day one and the 13 pages for day two. It looks like the hills won’t be so steep. Elevations will range from 500 to 1500 feet. The course is 218 miles with a hosted lunch stop at S&P Harley Davidson in Williamstown, WV. People were happy to be to the road. Several of the riders stayed with their crews to work on their bikes. I was 12 miles into the course before I saw the first bike pulled over. I helped the rider figure out where we were and continued on. Funny that as I would happen upon a rider I could smell them before I saw them.

The fog had lifted and the sun was rapidly warming the air when I saw Kelly Modlin, #24 at mile marker 36. in the shade of a semi trailer being used a billboard. Just two miles later Joseph Gimble, #8 was pulled over waiting for his bike to cool down before finishing a hill. As I continued, scanning for more stopped riders I pondered how difficult this ride is on both rider and machine but wondered what it must have been like many years ago when people first attempted long distance rides like this. Today we have many paved roads and we stay in hotels. We have chase vehicles and support staff. I wondered if we only heard about the successful cross country ventures and wondered how many unsuccessful attempts there were. I was jarred back to reality when I saw Rich Rau, #94 from Oregon at mile marker 52 and then Herbert Ullrich from Germany, #61 at mile marker 56. He was finishing a repair and a couple locals were excited about having this visitor in their neighborhood! We watched him ride off and I explained what the Motorcycle Cannonball is.

I pulled into our hosted lunch stop and the dealership was buzzing with activity. They had parking attendants and spectators were enjoying the bikes. People were talking about a crazy guy who pulled in going fast on his bike and ran off the pavement and into the bushes. I asked them to point out the bike and I laughed. It was just Doug Feinsod, #18 from California on his Thor. He’s kinda like that….. fortunately he wasn’t hurt! S&P Harley Davidson put on a good spread for lunch and the support crew all gathered at one table together to share stories of the day so far.

At mile marker 172 I found Vinnie Grasser from Florida, #95 with a broken chain. We found a wider section of shaded shoulder of the road. He had just fixed the chain 1 mile earlier and he was hoping to find another master link in his bag of tools. Sure enough, he found one that worked. As we sat on the road chatting two locals walked up to us with a bottle of water and two cans of soda pop. They stayed to talk and were delighted to have stumbled upon something so unique. We watched Vinnie ride off and we chatted a few more minutes before I headed out. I wanted to give him a head start in case that chain came off again. He was doing just fine when I passed him a few miles down the road. The newly blacktopped winding road on Hwy 56 in Ohio took us through Coonsville and close to our landing spot in Chillicothe. Now for a busy night of wrenching in the parking lots 😉

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by Spitfire

Today began with a flurry of activity, riders lined up by classes. Class 1 is the oldest machines with the smallest engines. They are allowed to leave first, Class 2 leaves 30 minutes later and class 3 leaves 60 minutes after class 1. Even with that advantage, the “newer” motorcycles will likely pass all of the class one motorcycles midway through the course. Day One had taken its toll on a number of the machines. Some of the 28 that had been brought in on a trailer the night before were able to be tweaked or fixed overnight while others were still being worked on. Today promised more rural riding but higher elevations (300 to 3000 ft) and an increase in distance. The riders were ready! Rider began leaving at 7:30 am and were all on the road by 8:45 am. Today we would travel in 3 states, Starting in York, Pennsylvania, traveling through parts of Maryland and end in Morgantown, West Virginia.

I watched as the motorcycles left and cheered some of them on, then took my luggage to my new awesome friends. The morning was beautiful with heavy dew but a starting temperature of 74 degrees. For the first 41 miles I had to check several times to be sure I was on the correct course! Today we had received 13 pages of written instructions. As we traveled across Eastern Pennsylvania the elevations began to increase. I was amused by street signs: Possom Hollow, Peepytown Rd. A sign caught my attention just before I had a spiritual encounter with some birds in Biglarsville that said “Love Unlimited”. I was jarred back to reality when I came upon a rider, #62, Scott Blaylock from Canada on his 1910 Indian, whose 1.75 HP motorcycle just did not want to climb the increasing hills. We pondered what to do when Joe Sparrow arrived with a rope and towed him to the top. Success! At MM #48 I smelled the exhaust of another rider before I saw him. Sure enough, there was #100 along side the road with support staff. Pat Simmons was having trouble with his bike but it looked like they had it handled. At MM #61, rider #16, Chris Knoop on his 1914 JAP, was working on the shifter and about ready to head out. The higher elevations were beginning to wear on the bikes.

I made it to one of the recommended gas stops with a written warning on our 13 pages of turn by turn instructions that said “ Next refueling stop 75 miles”. Many bikes were being worked on and I sat in the dirt next to my friend Ziggy as he wrenched sharing stories about crows when suddenly we heard an engine revved and a woman’s voice yelling. I turned to see Sharon Jacobs bouncing off the sidewalk of the gas station narrowly missing a van as she engaged her clutch and came to a stop. 5 guys surrounded her bike in seconds and helped her off of it. Doug Wothke made a few adjustments to her bike and after a quick bandage to her finger she rejoined her group. About 15 later I decided to head out. I saw Sharon and Scott just a little while later on a steep grade with support staff and continued on.

About 20 minutes later I got a call on my phone, I pulled over to see what was up and was told a bike was down 8 miles in back of me. I knew immediately which intersection it happened at since I too had noticed all the gravel coming downhill to that stop sign. I turned around and made my way back before the ambulance arrived. Scott Jacobs was on the shoulder of the road with his wife at his side, support staff, as well as Fire Dept. vehicles were at the intersection. Fortunately Scott was not critically wounded though he ended up in the hospital overnight.

Since I accompanied them my day on the course was done. From what I heard, the locally hosted lunch in Cumberland, MD was wonderful and the evening dinner hosted by Triple S Harley Davidson featured David Uh painting live on site in Morgantown, WV. Felicia Morgan, official photographer and media for the Cannonball, provided pictures to round out my own for Stage 2.

Stay tuned as tomorrow we travel to Chillicothe, OH.

Vicki Sanfelipo, RN/EMT
Executive Director ASM/Road Guardians (Bystander Assistance Programs) www.roadguardians.org
Allstate Insurance Motorcycle Safety Columnist www.allstateridernews.com
Host of “The Inside Scoop by Spitfire” www.blogtalkradio.com/insidescoopbyspitfire/
(262) 706-3278 – office (262) 706-3281 – fax

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I doubt anyone got much sleep. They were up early, thoughtfully dressed in their best 1st day attire and most were ready for the challenges the day might bring. The first day of this historic adventure began in Atlantic City on the Boardwalk outside of Harry’s Oyster Bar. Motorized vehicles are not typically allowed on the carefully created and maintained wooden walkway that lines the Atlantic Ocean but today the city made an exception. I was the first to arrive at the location. Bicycles and pedestrians were enjoying a quiet morning. I knew that was about to change. Soon the Staff started to arrive and shortly after Stage 1 riders. The goal was to line all of the bikes along the rod iron semi-circle fence. World renown Motorcycle photographer Micheal Lichter would then photograph each rider and their bikes as they arrived and then get a panoramic picture of the entire group of 91 bikes.

The crowd grew as the bikes arrived. Tourists and locals were delighted to have been so fortunate as to happen upon such a great event. Pictures, videos, laughter and conversation filled the air. Even a police officer, initially annoyed at what was happening realized that he was witnessing an unusual and historical event and arranged for Police escort to get the bikes out of the downtown area (thank Felicia Morgan)! Finally we were done and the ride began about 30-40 minutes late and so it began, two of the riders were loaded up at the boardwalk.

On the edge of town at Mile marker 3 was my first stop for a breakdown. At first I saw what looked like a bicycle up ahead and a car pulled over. I was going to have to get used to spotting these bikes, I almost rode right past them. The days was hot and top speed for many bikes was 35-40 mph. The East Coast traffic is heavy and there were many lights to contend with. In the early 1900’s motorcycles were not built for highways and traffic so challenges were bound to ensue. The 154 mile route that took us through 4 states was littered with breakdowns. Following the riders was a Short Bus called the bus of shame. According to the rules, when the bus arrives you have 15 minutes to make a decision. Load the bike or try to wing it and call for your own help if you need to be picked up. There are 2 trailers for bikes. At the end of the day there were 27 bikes that needed to be towed and 63 arrived in York, PA with perfect scores. One motorcycle was lost as it burned. Condolences to John Pfeifer #36 from Texas for the loss of his beloved 1916 Harley Davidson.

Saturday was hot and humid. Sunday’s schedule takes us to Morgantown, WV via Cumberland. Elevations will range from 300 to 3000 feet over 228 miles.

Stay tuned for daily updates from Spitfire who is running the back of the pack as medical support.

—The Inside Scoop by Spitfire. VickiSanfelipo.com

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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)

PROSECUTOR DROPS EFFORT TO SEIZE DEVILS DICIPLES TRADEMARK ‘COLORS’
As Motorcycle Clubs continue to fight to save their patch, federal prosecutors have dropped a controversial bid to seize the trademark owned by the Devils Diciplesa MC, though the move does not end trademark challenges involving club colors.

In filings made on August 29, 2016 in federal court in Detroit, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan filed a notice dismissing the DDMC Trademark forfeiture, which states; “The government hereby provides notice that it is not seeking to forfeit the DDMC Trademark in this criminal proceeding and hereby dismisses it from the First Forfeiture Bill of Particulars.”

Most law enforcement asset-forfeiture efforts target conventional property, but prosecutors began trying to seize the Devils Diciples’ trademark as a byproduct of a criminal case in which prosecutors in October 2014 itemized property they wanted to seize, from guns to slot machines, and at the end of the 32-page property listing prosecutors included the club’s trademark.

“These trademark cases are important to the clubs, whose free association has been threatened by the attempts by (prosecutors) to enjoin use of their membership (marks) by non-indicted persons,” Devils Diciples attorney Fritz Clapp told the McClatchyDC news site, adding that such cases have established important precedents regarding forfeiture of collective membership marks and the implications of free speech and association.

The prosecutor’s decision now to leave the Devils Diciples’ trademark alone does not put the brakes on other attempts to seize clubs’ colors as, most notably, the government is still taking aim at the Mongol Nation, whose intellectual property has been sought by federal prosecutors since 2008. A federal appellate court is now considering the Mongol Nation case.

OREGON BIKER SCORES A WIN IN DISCRIMINATION CASE
After 14 years of spotless service, Ron Godwin was fired from his job as an Oregon youth corrections officer because of his club patch. A Grants Pass, Oregon police officer saw Godwin on his bike, wearing his club patch, called his boss and said Godwin was a member of a “criminal gang.” After a brief, so-called investigation, Godwin’s boss fired him.

Oregon’s AIM (Aid to Injured Motorcyclists) and COC (Confederation of Clubs) Attorney Sam Hochberg took up the case and filed suit in Federal Court in Medford, with assistance from lawyer Chris Bottoms. Depositions were taken, and with the help of ACLU volunteer lawyer Sara K. Staggs, the case was thoroughly briefed. The trial court ruled that, based on statements in depositions, Godwin had no case under the law. The case never got to the jury, but the ruling was appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and argued by ACLU volunteer lawyer Cody Hoesly.

On August 10, ­­­­2016, a three-judge panel from the Ninth Circuit issued a 17-page Memorandum opinion, including one dissent, and reversed that decision, sending it back to District Court for trial.

The panel analyzed cases about government employees’ rights of free speech and association, and found the State showed no legitimate interest that outweighed Ron Godwin’s First Amendment rights.

As a Memorandum decision, the “unpublished” ruling can be cited in any Federal Court, so it’s useful nationwide.

“This is an important decision for the free speech and free association rights of all bikers, and club members in particular,” says Hochberg, now “Of Counsel” to Christopher Slater, the new Oregon and Washington AIM and Oregon COC Attorney.

The case of Ronald Godwin v. Rogue Valley Youth Correctional Facility, et al, now goes back to the trial court, absent further appeal or settlement.

TRAFFIC STATISTICS SHOW RISE IN FATALITIES, FEDS ISSUE CALL TO ACTION
Statistics compiled by the U. S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that 35,092 people died in traffic crashes in 2015, ending a five-decade trend of declining fatalities with a 7.2% increase in deaths, reflecting 2,348 more fatalities from motor vehicle crashes than in 2014.

Fatalities increased from 2014 to 2015 in almost all segments of the population—passenger vehicle occupants (+6.6%), passenger cars (+5.7%), large trucks (+11%), SUV occupants (+10.1%), van occupants (+9.3%), pickup truck occupants (+4.7%), pedestrians (+9.5%), bicyclists (+12.2%), motorcyclists (+8.3%), alcohol-impaired driving fatalities (+3.2%), male (+7.0%) / female (+7.4%), daytime (+7.2%) / nighttime (+7.1%).

The estimated number of police-reported crashes increased by 3.8%, from 6.0 to 6.3 million, and there were 105,000 more people injured in motor vehicle crashes.

According to NHTSA, job growth and low fuel prices were two factors that led to increased driving, including increased leisure driving and driving by young people. More driving can contribute to higher fatality rates.

In 2015, vehicle miles traveled (VMT) increased 3.5 percent over 2014, the largest increase since 1992, nearly 25 years ago, though the fatality rate per 100 million VMT increased to 1.12 from 1.08 in 2014 which was the lowest since NHTSA began collecting fatality data through the Fatality Analysis Reporting System in 1975.

Upon releasing this new data, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a Call to Action: “We are calling on data scientists, public health experts, students and researchers — even if you have never thought about road safety before — to dive in to these data and help answer these important questions, especially on tough issues like pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities.”

Interested organizations, companies and concerned citizens can download and analyze the data (ftp://ftp.nhtsa.dot.gov/fars/2015/) and share your insights at opendata@dot.gov.

CALIFORNIA ENACTS MOTORCYCLE TRAFFIC SCHOOL
A bill to give motorcyclists the option of attending a California Motorcyclist Safety Program (CMSP) course to satisfy the requirements of traffic school passed its final legislative hurdle on August 22, 2016 after passing unanimously through both houses of the state legislature with strong bipartisan support, and now awaits Governor Jerry Brown’s signature.

Traffic schools are approved and licensed by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and allow drivers who attend to avoid having points added to their record when they receive an eligible violation. While traffic school can be educational for car operators, the information presented is not always applicable to those who received a violation on a motorcycle. The CMSP offers safety courses for new and experienced riders that are more appropriate for motorcyclists, but until now, these courses have not been allowed to double as traffic schools.

Assembly Bill 1932 by Assemblyman Jay Obernolte’s (R-Hesperia) fixes this by updating California law to allow CMSP providers to become licensed traffic violator schools pursuant to DMV curriculum requirements.

These new courses would offer riding instruction in addition to education on the state’s traffic laws, which would better equip motorcyclists to ride safely on California roads.

“AB 1932 makes our roads safer and provides motorcycle owners with an educational option for removing a point from their driving record in the event that they receive an eligible moving violation,” Assemblyman Obernolte said. “The more training opportunities that we can provide for motorcyclists, the safer both riders and drivers in California will be.”

GEORGIA EXTENDS HANDLEBAR HEIGHT
Affective July 1, 2016 legislation in Georgia has modified the state’s handlebar height law to allow for taller bars. Signed into law by Governor Nathan Deal, House Bill 166, the “Motorcycle Mobility Safety Act” increased the maximum measured height of a motorcycle’s handlebars from 15 inches above the seat to 25 inches.

Georgia is among 30 states that limit the height of handlebars. Without a federal standard, the regulation of handlebars on motorcycles rests with the states. Currently, 11 states limit the height of handlebars to 15 inches above the saddle. Five others require the handlebars to be below the height of the shoulder. Last summer, South Dakota, which hosts the annual Sturgis Rally became the most recent state to repeal its shoulder level statute, legalizing so-called “ape hangers” just in time for the 75th annual rally.

Discriminatory in nature, handlebar height laws have no impact on rider safety, and most were adopted by states decades ago to provide police with an excuse to pull over bikers on choppers.

VULNERABLE ROAD USERS COMPONENT ADDED TO ACT DRIVER’S LICENSE TESTS
Young drivers in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) around Canberra, Australia’s capital city, will have to be able to prove they can share the road safely with cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians before they’ll be granted a license, the ACT government has announced.

People applying for learner permits or provisional licenses must demonstrate they can drive around vulnerable road users or risk failing their test, the ACT’s Road safety Minister Shane Rattenbury told The Sydney Morning Herald.

“It’s really exciting that more and more Canberrans are choosing to walk and cycle around Canberra,” he said. “However, it’s important that we ensure that our road rules can accommodate all road users safely, and that all road users are aware of these rules.”

Twenty extra questions will be added to the road rules knowledge test. Applicants must score 100% on this section to gain their learner’s license. During their practical driving test, learners going for their “Ps” (Provisional P1 license) must demonstrate they can navigate roads with bicycle lanes and move through areas of slow traffic where motorcyclists may be lane-filtering. Applicants will be tested in areas frequented by cyclists and pedestrians, including shared zones, town centers, group centers, aged-care facilities and school zones.

HANOI PLANS MOTORCYCLE BAN
The city of Hanoi, Vietnam, has announced a plan to completely ban motorcycles by 2025. The plan is based on an effort to reduce traffic congestion by promoting public transportation.

The proposal may have been prompted by a recent decision in Paris, France to ban motorcycles made before 1999.

Hanoi now has an estimated 4.9 million motorcycles and scooters on the roads, so a total ban seems extreme and may prove a difficult matter to successfully employ. Last year, the monthly motorcycle registration figures ranged from 8,000 to 20,000. Officials estimated that within the next four years the city would have nearly 7 million two wheelers on Hanoi streets.

Hanoi’s air quality has been regularly listed as Unhealthy by the Real Time Air Quality Index, and officials say the plan is to encourage bikers to use public transportation instead.

Currently Hanoi has a fleet of some 1,000 buses, accounting for 27 million passenger rides each month. The new plan would create six more metro lines, three Bus Rapid Transit Lines and 18 new bridges within the next 14 years.

DO YOU TRUST YOUR NEWS SOURCE?
When Gallup pollsters recently asked the question: “How much trust and confidence do you have in the media?” respondents cited “Great Deal / Fair Amount” by only 32%, the lowest number on the subject in Gallup’s 34 year history.

In contrast, the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) has been disseminating timely and accurate motorcycle news and information for over three decades, and the AIM/NCOM Motorcycle E-News Service now reaches over a million motorcyclists across the country and around the globe with each monthly edition of NCOM Biker Newsbytes, Calls-To-Action, and important news releases of interest to ALL motorcyclists in the riding community.

Concerned clubs, organizations and riders’ rights activists are encouraged to subscribe to this free biker news service at www.ON-A-BIKE.com or by calling AIM/NCOM at 1-(800) ON-A-BIKE.

QUOTABLE QUOTE: “The law will never make men free, it is men that have to make the law free.”
~ Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) American naturalist, poet and philosopher

By Spitfire

A cloud of blue smoke arose from the parking lot outside of the University Plaza Hotel in Springfield, MO. Rumors were that we were going to see more rain today. I climbed up on a rock wall to watch the riders as they gathered for their scheduled departure time. Crew members and family hung near their competitors & press wandered throughout the bikes. Cameras and videos were everywhere. Our route out of town took us past historic sites on Route 66. Riders were frequently pulled along side of the road but no one seemed to be having major issues. Just “loose nuts”. I contemplated the precious bikes who have been through so much. Many of the bikes have names and personalities. I thought about the precious souls who ride them. Did the driver of that car that just passed #80, Shinya Kimura from California, in such a hurry know what a beautiful thing they just witnessed? Maybe they should slow down a bit to take time to look and smile. The world would be a better place.

At Mile Marker 20 there was a historic gas station that made for good pictures and some of the locals stopped to look at the bikes as the riders posed and put rain gear on. It looked like we were going to get wet and we were right!!!! The next 100 miles was mostly rain. And it was hard to take pictures while rolling. At about mile marker 35 on Hwy 39 I came upon a crash. One of our support crew was directing traffic and a bike was on the side of the road, upright with no damage. I asked if I was needed as I rolled past the pick up and Bruce. He said “Oh ya”! I could then see a car buried into the back of the pick up and parts laying all over the road. I got pulled over and asked “Where is the bike”? To my relief Bruce said, “There is no bike”. I went to work assessing the people and injuries, assigning tasks to bystanders and talked to the EMS letting them know we had 4 injured but nothing that appeared life threatening. I went back to my bike to get more tools like my finger oximeter. I was relieved to see that Darlene Jones, a recently retired ER nurse who is riding in the support truck had arrived and was helping the people in the truck while I continued with the people in the car. After the ambulance transported we were thanked by the nice Sheriff and we continued on while Harry Verkull, #57 from Scotland who witness the crash stayed to give a statement. He mentioned to me that if the car driver had veered to avoid the crash she would have taken out some riders. Again, I thanked God for sparing those precious souls…..

Everyone was drenched and cold when we got to Parson’s, KS for a hosted lunch by the town. Riders were happy to get inside where it was heated and there was food and coffee. An announcement was made, “Call your support team to come and get you. For this point on all points will be assessed. Dinner was be delayed and museum hours extended. Most took advantage of the opportunity since we still have 110 mile to go to get to dinner and another 15 to the hotel. Some, like Doug Wothke, Shinya Kimura and Scott Byrd continued on. I stayed with Scott as the weather cleared up and we had a nice ride to Augusta for the much-anticipated visit of the “Twisted Oz” Motorcycle museum owned by Kelly Modlin, #24. We all decided that he wins for hand down hosting the best dinner ever on the Cannonball. Porterhouse Steaks and Tilapia with Corn on the cob, Baked potatoes, cookies and ice cream. Gift bags were handed out to each rider with local goodies. Whatever conditions we had just endured melted away as we laughed and ate, enjoyed the museum and chatted with the locals. The museum is a wonderful mix of old and cultural. They are expanding to accommodate more motorcycles. If you ever get to Augusta, Turn by the Walmart at Lulu St and look left. Buy a shirt and leave a donation since the museum is free! The 15 miles back to the hotel was a pleasure, heading toward the sunset. Vinnie Grasser from Florida and Chris Knoop from Australia joined me. They looked like little boys on their toys with smiles from ear to ear. Thanks guys for making my day….. For more information about the Cannonball including race standings go to: www.motorcyclecannonball.com

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